https://biospectrumindia.com/rssfeed/healthcare/digital%20healthcare digital healthcare https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/28593/koita-foundation-and-icmr-partner-to-advance-digital-health-and-healthcare-ai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/28593/koita-foundation-and-icmr-partner-to-advance-digital-health-and-healthcare-ai.html Sat, 03 Oct 2026 17:46:42 +0530 Koita Foundation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to collaborate on Digital Health and Healthcare AI. The collaboration will focus on Digital Health and AI capacity building, validation and generation of real-world evidence for Digital Health and AI solutions, innovation ecosystem development, data repositories and disease registries. The partnership was signed in the presence of Dr Rajiv Bahl, Director General, ICMR, and Dr Mona Duggal, Director, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Digital Health (ICMR-NIRDH). Koita Foundation is grateful to Dr Bahl and Dr Duggal for their leadership and for the opportunity to collaborate with ICMR.  ICMR's National Institute for Research in Digital Health (NIRDH) has been set up to strengthen capabilities in Digital Health and AI, and to accelerate responsible innovation and adoption at scale across India. The occasion was also graced by the presence of Dr Sanghamitra Pati, Additional Director General, ICMR; Prof. Anurag Agrawal, Dean, Biosciences, Ashoka University and Head, Koita Centre for Digital Health at Ashoka University; Prof. Ranjith Padinhateeri, Head, Koita Centre for Digital Health, IIT Bombay; and Dr. Indu Bhushan, Founding CEO, National Health Authority, among other healthcare and Digital Health leaders. Koita Foundation looks forward to working closely with ICMR and ICMR-NIRDH to strengthen the Digital Health and AI ecosystem and support the translation of innovation into meaningful applications for healthcare in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/28588/apollo-knowledge-and-bits-pilani-partner-to-build-indias-healthcare-technology-workforce.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/28588/apollo-knowledge-and-bits-pilani-partner-to-build-indias-healthcare-technology-workforce.html Thu, 01 Oct 2026 21:41:24 +0530 Apollo Knowledge and the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS Pilani) have come together to work on healthcare research, education and workforce development. The collaboration brings together the clinical environment of the Apollo network and BITS Pilani's strengths in engineering, technology and data science. Clinicians and BITS Pilani researchers will explore joint research on clinical and healthcare problems, with specific areas to be identified as the collaboration develops. The two institutions will collaborate to develop Work Integrated Learning programmes for healthcare professionals. These programmes allow doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and healthcare managers to earn a qualification while continuing in their jobs. Potential areas include healthcare logistics and supply chain, pharmacy, and hospital finance, with the curriculum built around the work these professionals actually do. The partners will also explore technology learning for students, built around the role each student is training for. This would extend to learners at The Apollo University, at the medical and nursing colleges in the Apollo network, and at Apollo Healthcare Academy's partner institutions. Specialised programmes in allied health and healthcare technology are a further area the two institutions will explore, combining BITS Pilani's competency centres with clinical training in Apollo hospitals. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/28481/karnataka-government-builds-news-partnerships-to-strengthen-digital-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/28481/karnataka-government-builds-news-partnerships-to-strengthen-digital-healthcare.html Mon, 14 Sep 2026 21:54:26 +0530 Bharat1.ai has formally entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre of Excellence for HealthTech, MedTech, and Assistive Technologies (CHARAKA CoE), an initiative by the IT BT Department, Government of Karnataka, to establish the Swasthya AI Lab. This state-of-the-art facility is dedicated to accelerating holistic health outcomes through secure, high-integrity data infrastructure for innovative discoveries in the age of AI and Beyond. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has also been announced between the Jalappa Foundation for Innovation and Incubation (JFII), Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research, Karnataka (SDUAHER) and CHARAKA CoE.This collaboration marks an important step towards creating a stronger ecosystem for HealthTech, MedTech and AssistiveTech innovation, bringing together academia, healthcare, technology, entrepreneurship and incubation. CHARAKA CoE has also signed an MoU with the Telemedicine Society of India, reflecting another step towards building a stronger health innovation ecosystem, bringing innovation closer to the medical community and creating more opportunities for people to learn, experiment and build. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/28451/msd-inaugurates-expanded-hyderabad-tech-centre.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/28451/msd-inaugurates-expanded-hyderabad-tech-centre.html Thu, 10 Sep 2026 13:18:47 +0530 MSD (tradename of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA) has announced the opening of its expanded Hyderabad Tech Centre, a new facility supporting enterprise digital technology capabilities across artificial intelligence, data, digital platforms, cybersecurity, cloud, automation and software engineering and more. The Centre was inaugurated by D. Sridhar Babu, Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Industries & Commerce and Legislative Affairs, joined by Abhishek Narayan Singh, senior vice president, Digital Human Health, MSD. Building on MSD’s long-standing presence in India, the expanded office enhances the company’s global technology network and brings together technology talent focused on developing scalable digital solutions that help advance MSD’s purpose of saving and improving lives. Since its launch in 2025, the Hyderabad Tech Centre has grown in scale and scope as an important part of MSD’s global technology network. The expanded facility adds capacity for Hyderabad-based teams to contribute to enterprise technology solutions, collaborate with colleagues globally and help advance the digital capabilities that support MSD’s work to deliver innovative solutions for human and animal health around the world. Together with strategic partnerships that support manufacturing excellence and reliable access to medicines, the inauguration reflects the breadth of capabilities being developed across India to support MSD's efforts to improve health outcomes for patients. D. Sridhar Babu, Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Industries & Commerce, and Legislative Affairs, Government of Telangana, said, “Telangana has built a truly end-to-end life sciences ecosystem of more than 2,000 companies. Hyderabad has emerged as a global life sciences capital and is home to one of the largest concentrations of USFDA-approved facilities outside the United States. Over the last two years, we have built on this strong foundation to accelerate discovery, innovation, advanced R&D and global capability creation. Through our Next-Gen Life Sciences Policy 2026–30, we are bringing discovery, manufacturing, clinical research and technology together, giving Hyderabad a unique global advantage. We will soon reach 100 GCCs this year, building on the 75+ established last year and creating 4 lakh direct and indirect high-value opportunities across Telangana.” Abhishek Narayan Singh, Senior Vice President, MSD said, “Hyderabad's vibrant technology ecosystem, deep digital expertise and strong talent pool make it an ideal location for MSD, and we are grateful for the support and engagement of the Telangana government." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/28402/uk-india-healthtech-accelerator-2026-picks-six-health-tech-companies-as-winners.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/28402/uk-india-healthtech-accelerator-2026-picks-six-health-tech-companies-as-winners.html Tue, 01 Sep 2026 21:33:46 +0530 Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, congratulates the six winning companies of the 4th UK-India HealthTech Accelerator 2026. The accelerator programme was hosted by MAHE in collaboration with the British High Commission, Healthcare UK, the UK Department for Business and Trade, and the Bhubaneswar City Knowledge Innovation Cluster (BCKIC) last month. The programme was conducted from July 22-24, 2026, at the Manipal campus. The accelerator convened Indian health-tech innovators and UK experts to promote collaboration, strengthen market access and accelerate the adoption of innovative healthcare solutions. The initiative aims to achieve greater significance with the implementation of the UK-India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which is expected to create new opportunities for businesses, innovation and cross-border collaboration between the two countries. The six winning companies are: Azooka Labs, Bengaluru Bioscan Research, Ahmedabad Turtle Shell Technologies (Dozee), Bengaluru EZERX Health Tech, Bhubaneswar OrthoHeal, Vadodara TatvaCare, Ahmedabad The UK-India HealthTech Accelerator provides a platform for Indian health-tech enterprises to engage with the UK healthcare ecosystem, understand emerging market opportunities, and build partnerships to scale innovative healthcare solutions. As the host institution, MAHE continues to strengthen India-UK collaboration in healthcare innovation and technology.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/28342/taglus-expands-presence-to-70-countries-as-digital-workflows-change-clear-aligner-manufacturing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/28342/taglus-expands-presence-to-70-countries-as-digital-workflows-change-clear-aligner-manufacturing.html Wed, 19 Aug 2026 18:35:48 +0530 Taglus (Part of Laxmi Dental Group), a brand offering specialised thermoplastic and polyurethane sheets used in dentistry and orthodontics to manufacture clear aligners and retainers, has expanded its presence to more than 70 countries, as dental laboratories and orthodontic practices adopt digital workflows for clear aligner production. The expansion comes as the global clear aligner market grows alongside wider adoption of digital dentistry. Digital treatment planning, intraoral scanning, CAD/CAM systems and 3D printing are increasingly being integrated into orthodontic workflows, enabling dental laboratories and practices to manage more stages of aligner production within their own facilities. The global clear aligner market was valued at around $5.5 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $17.9 billion by 2033, according to Grand View Research.  The expansion across more than 70 countries enables the company to serve markets with different production practices, material requirements and regulatory standards. Its products are supplied across markets including Europe, Australia, Brazil and India, with applicable certifications including CE, TGA, ANVISA and BIS supporting access to regulated markets.  With digital dentistry continuing to expand across developed and emerging markets, Taglus plans to deepen its presence in existing markets and expand into additional geographies. The focus will remain on materials and equipment supporting digitally enabled clear aligner and retainer production. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/views/98/28208/from-precision-to-prediction-decentralising-digitising-and-democratising-diagnostics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/views/98/28208/from-precision-to-prediction-decentralising-digitising-and-democratising-diagnostics.html Sat, 01 Aug 2026 11:11:15 +0530 Diagnostics is moving beyond a single test result in the patient journey to becoming an ongoing intelligence layer across the care continuum. The goal is no longer only to diagnose disease more precisely after it appears, but to detect risk earlier, recognise disease before symptoms emerge, monitor progression in real time, and enable intervention before conditions become more severe, costly, or difficult to treat. This shift makes decentralisation and democratisation essential. If diagnosis is the gateway to care, then access to disease diagnostics determines who gets through that gateway and who does not.   This is exactly why the future of diagnostics cannot be only about precision. It must be timely and accessible. Democratisation makes diagnostic tools easier to access and more affordable across care settings. Decentralisation is the operating model that makes this possible. Point-of-care testing, home-based diagnostics, remote monitoring, digital biomarkers, portable molecular platforms, and connected devices are moving testing closer to the patients.  Precision may improve the quality of diagnosis, but democratisation and decentralisation determine whether that diagnosis reaches the populations that need it most. Innovations enabling predictive and preventive diagnostics With richer health data and technologies such as IoT, advanced analytics, machine learning (ML), and artificial intelligence (AI), healthcare is moving from detecting disease after symptoms appear to identifying risk much earlier. AI analyses large datasets to identify microscopic patterns and early structural anomalies before traditional symptoms emerge. AI imaging detects micro-abnormalities years ahead of tumour formation. For example, Qure.ai (Mumbai, India; NY, US) has developed lung cancer algorithms built from Large Language Models (LLMs) and Agentic AI, which not only improve clinical workflows but also enable early detection. Through its partnership with AstraZeneca and the EDISON Alliance, Qure.ai has reached a five-million-scan milestone across 20 countries, applying AI to routine chest X-rays to create opportunities for earlier detection. AI and ML algorithms can process ultra-high-dimensional, heterogeneous multi-omics datasets to detect latent molecular patterns and predictive biomarkers. MedGenome (Bengaluru) uses next-generation sequencing (NGS) with proprietary bioinformatics and AI (such as their VarMiner tool) to diagnose rare diseases and cancers. It also provides Polygenic Risk Score (PRS) tests that quantify an individual's genetic predisposition to common, complex conditions. AI and ML can be used to create a digital twin, which is a dynamic, virtual replica of an individual patient, organ, or biological system. It integrates real-time data from devices, data from labs and clinical records, and advanced analytics to simulate disease progression, personalise treatment, and predict future risk. Twin Health (Chennai, India; California, US) has developed a Digital Twin technology to track and predict metabolic health through data from smart devices, meal logs, and lab work. It also offers real-time guidance on nutrition, activity, sleep, and stress. Innovations enabling decentralisation and democratisation of diagnosis Point-of-care and portable testing are strong enablers of decentralised diagnostics. Molbio Diagnostics (Goa) offers a point-of-care real-time PCR platform with lab-grade accuracy for multiple infectious diseases. Huwel Lifesciences (Hyderabad) has developed Quantiplus, a rapid and affordable open RT-PCR assay for the detection of adult pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Genes2Me (Gurugram) provides portable RT-PCR systems and kits for infectious diseases such as human papillomavirus (HPV), TB, dengue, malaria, COVID-19, and others.  Home diagnostics are another powerful route to democratisation. They give people the ability to test more conveniently, privately, and repeatedly. HealthCubed India (Bengaluru) has developed a patented, medical-grade, portable, multiparametric diagnostic system that provides instant results for more than 55 parameters, including blood glucose, haemoglobin, blood pressure, infectious disease markers, and an electrocardiogram (ECG). For quick home diagnostics, smartphones are also becoming a powerful diagnostic interface. They can read paper-based tests, analyse medical images, guide self-testing, and connect patients to clinicians. For example, Spark Diagnostics (Gujarat, India; Texas, US) uses smartphone-based tools to interpret lateral flow assays. Remidio (Bengaluru) has developed the Remidio Medios DR AI smartphone app, which is connected to Remidio’s handheld retinal camera for diabetic retinopathy screening. AI-enabled apps are also expanding access to symptom assessment and guided screening. For example, Pinky Promise (Mumbai) uses an AI-enabled, doctor-in-the-loop model to provide reproductive healthcare support to more than 400,000 Indian women. These innovations bring care closer to the patients.  Finally, connected remote monitoring devices are shifting care from overburdened hospitals and clinics into patients’ homes. This is especially important for chronic disease management, where patients need continuous insight rather than occasional testing. Sensio’s (Bengaluru) Orbyt smart ring enables ECG and impedance cardiography monitoring. Zydus Lifesciences (Ahmedabad) has developed AI-powered continuous glucose monitoring systems, Diasens and GlucoLive, for patients with diabetes, CKD, and post-transplant needs. Challenges and the Way Ahead One of the biggest concerns regarding the point-of-care and home-based diagnostic tests is the potentially lower precision and the accuracy of the test compared with the analytical quality of centralised laboratory testing. When tests are performed by patients, community workers, or non-laboratory personnel, errors can occur in sample collection, device handling, alignment, storage, or result interpretation.  The way forward is not to slow decentralisation, but to make it safe and accurate. Point-of-care and home-based tests need rigorous validation, continuous quality monitoring, and clear performance standards before they scale. Central laboratory oversight will remain important, even in decentralised models. For high-risk conditions such as cancer, TB, HIV, hepatitis, and genetic disorders, decentralised tests should not operate as standalone products. They must be embedded into managed care pathways with confirmatory testing, referral protocols, physician review, and patient counseling. AI-based diagnostics bring another layer of complexity. These models depend heavily on the quality and diversity of the datasets they are trained on. In decentralised settings, real-world data can be noisy, incomplete, irregular, and highly variable across populations. This makes bias testing, demographic validation, and ongoing performance monitoring essential. Human oversight should be built into AI-enabled diagnostics, especially for clinical decision-making, to reduce the risk of biased recommendations, unsafe outputs, or over-reliance on automated interpretation.  AI tools must also be designed for the realities of decentralised care. A model that performs well in controlled environments may not work as effectively in noisy community settings. For example, Wadhwani AI’s (Mumbai) Cough Against TB uses cough sounds and self-reported symptoms to screen for presumptive pulmonary TB. The advanced ML for acoustic biomarker screening can filter out background interference and evaluate respiratory health.  The implementation challenge is equally important. Community screening programmes require standardised training and certification models for frontline workers and decentralised test operators. Digital tools can help by embedding guided workflows, video instructions, automated quality checks, error alerts, result interpretation support, and remote supervision. The goal should be to make the test not only portable, but usable, reliable, and safe in real-world settings. Cost is another barrier. Point-of-care testing can have a higher cost per test than centralised laboratory testing, especially when device costs, consumables, maintenance, quality assurance, and connectivity are included. Value-based payment models, bundled screening programmes, and outcome-linked reimbursement can help scale decentralised tests that demonstrate clinical and economic value by reducing delays, preventing complications, or lowering downstream treatment costs. Though the innovations are focused on early diagnosis, decentralisation, and democratisation, one of the biggest risks is poorly designed diagnostics, especially digital diagnostics, which still exclude the most vulnerable and widen the inequalities.  Patients without smartphones, broadband access, digital literacy, insurance coverage, or follow-up care still remain outside the system.  Diagnostic results must be designed for action (treatment, monitoring, follow-up), not just information. Public and private healthcare systems should work toward closing the care loop by integrating these diagnostics into broader care programmes and connecting patients to physicians, counselors, and follow-up services.   Debarati Sengupta, Research Manager, Everest Group  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/28112/forus-health-unveils-portable-digital-eye-clinic.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/28112/forus-health-unveils-portable-digital-eye-clinic.html Mon, 13 Jul 2026 17:19:15 +0530 Forus Health, a Bengaluru-based health technology company focused on transforming eye care through innovation, has announced the launch of FH Eyepal, a portable Digital Eye Clinic that enables healthcare providers to deliver comprehensive eye examinations beyond conventional hospital settings. Developed to make quality eye care more accessible, FH eyepal transforms virtually any location into a fully equipped eye screening clinic within minutes. Designed as a compact, portable solution, it can be deployed across primary healthcare centres, community health programmes, corporate wellness initiatives, vision camps, and home based care, bringing quality eye care closer to the people who need it. Powered by FH POISE, Forus Health's proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) platform, retinal images are analysed instantly to identify potential abnormalities and support timely clinical decision making. By combining intelligent diagnostics with a connected digital workflow, FH eyepal helps improve screening efficiency, enables early detection of eye conditions and supports better continuity of care. Designed for flexible deployment across diverse healthcare settings, FH eyepal empowers healthcare providers to expand screening programmes, improve operational efficiency and deliver specialist-quality eye care to every community without the need for permanent clinical infrastructure. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/28105/thip-partners-with-issrf-to-launch-digital-education-programme-for-endometriosis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/28105/thip-partners-with-issrf-to-launch-digital-education-programme-for-endometriosis.html Sat, 11 Jul 2026 13:47:20 +0530 The Healthy Indian Project (THIP) has announced a strategic partnership with the Indian Society for the Study of Reproduction and Fertility (ISSRF), which will serve as the Knowledge Partner for THIP Academy's upcoming Evidence-Based Digital Patient Education Programme on Endometriosis. The programme is designed to improve disease awareness, patient engagement, health literacy and informed healthcare decision-making among women living with endometriosis. Under the partnership, ISSRF will provide scientific guidance, academic oversight and clinical expertise for the programme, while THIP Academy will be responsible for instructional design, patient engagement design, content production, digital learning experience, multilingual adaptation, educational outcome measurement and nationwide distribution through its online platform. As Knowledge Partner, ISSRF will ensure the programme reflects the latest scientific evidence and clinical best practices, while THIP Academy will transform this expertise into an engaging, patient-friendly digital learning experience designed to improve understanding, confidence and informed healthcare decision-making. Endometriosis affects an estimated 190 million women globally, including over 40 million in India, yet awareness remains alarmingly low. Many women wait 6 to 10 years for a diagnosis, often enduring chronic pain, infertility and emotional distress as symptoms are dismissed as "normal." To address this gap, THIP and ISSRF have developed a structured, evidence-based, self-paced Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) that provides patients and caregivers with reliable medical information through expert-led videos, assessments, downloadable resources and knowledge checks, enabling informed healthcare decisions while continuously measuring learning outcomes.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/28052/roche-expands-footprint-in-hyderabad-with-new-digital-tech-hub.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/28052/roche-expands-footprint-in-hyderabad-with-new-digital-tech-hub.html Wed, 01 Jul 2026 16:51:59 +0530 Swiss firm Roche has announced its second Digital Tech Hub in India, expanding its global Technology Hub network to Hyderabad alongside its existing site in Pune. The new Tech Hub will be going live in the first quarter of 2027 and plans to scale up over the next few years. “Hyderabad is a destination for an exceptional talent pool, especially for the Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences domain,” said Ramesh Durvasula,  Chief Data Officer and Chief AI Officer a.i.. “By tapping into India’s vibrant healthcare and technology  ecosystem, we are creating scalable data-driven innovations to advance our core purpose of improving patient care.’’ On the development, Raja Jamalamadaka, Vice-President & Site Head, Roche Pune & Hyderabad Sites, shared “Our investment in Hyderabad - a rapidly growing destination for research, technology and high-end innovations - reflects our long-term commitment to India and its ecosystem.” He further added: ”By scaling our footprint, we are enhancing our capability to orchestrate seamless, next-generation digital and technology solutions.” The two Digital Technology Hubs in India will house teams delivering IT services and digital applications in areas such as Biostatistics, ERP, and Medical Safety. Hyderabad adds depth and capacity to the Life Sciences domain knowledge specifically tailored to accelerating the development of our digital solutions.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/views/98/28011/for-medtech-to-work-at-the-last-mile-innovation-must-move-beyond-hardware-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/views/98/28011/for-medtech-to-work-at-the-last-mile-innovation-must-move-beyond-hardware-.html Wed, 24 Jun 2026 13:49:22 +0530 Digital health has moved from being an innovation initiative to becoming a critical component of healthcare delivery. How do you see the role of digital healthcare evolving in strengthening health systems, particularly in underserved communities? Digital health is moving from a support layer to a core infrastructure for healthcare delivery. The next phase will not be limited to digitising records or consultations; it will be about using data, connected workflows and decision-support tools to improve access, continuity of care and health outcomes at scale. This is especially important for underserved communities, where healthcare systems often face limited infrastructure, shortages of skilled professionals, fragmented patient records and delayed interventions. Digital health can bridge these gaps by connecting frontline health workers, doctors, diagnostic devices and patients through an integrated care pathway. It enables real-time data capture, remote consultation, risk identification, referral management and structured follow-up. At iKure, our belief has always been that technology creates the highest impact when it strengthens the healthcare ecosystem rather than functioning as a standalone tool. By combining WHIMS, our digital health platform, with a community-based care model, we are able to make primary healthcare more preventive, personalised and accessible. Going ahead, digital health will be central to strengthening primary care, enabling population health management and improving equity in communities that have historically remained outside the formal healthcare system. iKure has consistently focused on combining community-based healthcare with technology. How does this integrated approach help address the most persistent challenges in access, affordability, and continuity of care? Access, affordability and continuity are closely linked. If care is far away, people delay seeking help. If it is expensive, they avoid follow-up. If records and care pathways are fragmented, patients are lost after the first consultation. iKure’s model addresses these challenges by combining local community health workers, point-of-care diagnostics, telemedicine-enabled doctors and WHIMS into one care delivery system. Our iKure Community Health Activists, or iCHAs, serve as trusted links between communities and the formal healthcare system. They support awareness, screening, data capture, basic triage, referral and follow-up. WHIMS enables patient records, clinical workflows, diagnostic information and programme data to remain connected across the care journey. This reduces unnecessary travel and out-of-pocket costs, brings care closer to communities and keeps patients engaged beyond a single episode of care. The model also shifts healthcare from reactive treatment to early detection, timely intervention and structured monitoring. In our experience, sustainable healthcare impact comes when technology strengthens human connection, trust and last-mile execution. iKure's frontline workforce — the iCHAs — are trained local women equipped with digital tools and point-of-care diagnostics. What has building and scaling this community health workforce taught you about what underserved populations actually need from a healthcare system, beyond what technology alone can deliver? Building and scaling the iCHA workforce has reinforced one important lesson: underserved populations need more than the availability of services. They need trust, awareness, cultural relevance, affordability and someone who can help them navigate the healthcare system. Because iCHAs come from the communities they serve, they are able to build relationships that technology alone cannot create. They help families understand health risks, encourage screening, support adherence, follow up with patients and connect them to doctors and referral services when needed. This has shown us that the last mile is not only a delivery challenge; it is a trust challenge. Technology becomes powerful when it equips frontline workers with better information, better tools and stronger linkages to care. The human connection created by iCHAs is what turns digital health into real health impact. How do you see the interplay between device-level innovation and platform infrastructure evolving, and what does it take to make MedTech genuinely work at the last mile rather than stopping at the clinic door? The true value of MedTech lies not only in the device, but in what happens after a measurement is taken. A portable diagnostic device can bring screening closer to the patient, but its impact depends on whether the data is captured correctly, interpreted in context and translated into follow-up care. At iKure, we view devices, WHIMS and community health workers as three connected pillars. Devices enable screening and diagnostics at the point of care. WHIMS converts this information into longitudinal health records, risk insights, dashboards and care workflows. iCHAs and clinical teams ensure that patients receive counselling, referral, treatment guidance and follow-up. For MedTech to work at the last mile, innovation must move beyond hardware. It requires integration with care pathways, training for frontline users, quality assurance, reliable data systems, referral linkages and accountability for outcomes. The future of MedTech will be shaped by connected ecosystems that convert device-level innovation into measurable health impact. What have been some of the most important lessons in scaling technology-enabled healthcare solutions across diverse geographies and populations? One of our strongest learnings is that healthcare solutions cannot be scaled through technology alone. Scale requires trust, local relevance, operational discipline and the ability to adapt to different geographies and population needs. Across the 11 states where iKure works, we have seen that each geography has a different health-seeking behaviour, language context, infrastructure gap and community reality. A solution that works in one setting may need to be adapted in another. This is why our approach combines a standardised digital platform with locally embedded teams and implementation models. Another important lesson is simplicity. Tools must be easy for frontline workers to use and meaningful for doctors, programme teams and communities. Data must not remain as reports; it must support decisions, follow-up and accountability. Sustainable scale happens when technology strengthens community trust, improves frontline productivity and creates measurable value for patients, partners and health systems. With India emerging as a leader in digital public infrastructure, what trends will shape the future of Digital Healthcare and MedTech, and how is iKure positioning itself to contribute to this transformation both in India and globally? India’s digital public infrastructure is creating a strong foundation for the next phase of healthcare innovation. The major trends will include interoperability, AI-enabled decision support, predictive and preventive care, remote care delivery, connected diagnostics, multilingual digital tools and real-time population health intelligence. For Digital Healthcare and MedTech, the opportunity is to move from isolated products to integrated care ecosystems. Devices, platforms, care teams and public health systems will increasingly need to work together so that data leads to action and action leads to improved outcomes. iKure is positioned at this intersection of primary healthcare, technology and community engagement. Through WHIMS, point-of-care diagnostics, telemedicine and our iCHA network, we are building scalable models for underserved populations. The lessons from India are highly relevant for other emerging markets facing similar challenges in access, affordability and workforce availability. Our focus is to contribute to this shift through practical innovation, strong partnerships and demonstrable health outcomes. As AI enters clinical and operational workflows, how is iKure thinking about responsible adoption — what it should augment versus what must remain a human judgement — especially when patients may be first-time users of formal healthcare? AI has significant potential to improve both clinical and operational efficiency, but it must be adopted responsibly. At iKure, we see AI as an augmentation layer, not a replacement for clinical judgement or human relationships. AI can support risk stratification, decision support, predictive analytics, patient prioritisation, workflow optimisation, programme monitoring and identification of care gaps. These are areas where AI can help health workers, doctors and programme managers make faster and better-informed decisions. However, healthcare is built on trust, empathy and context, especially when patients are first-time users of formal healthcare. Diagnosis, counselling, treatment planning and sensitive clinical decisions must remain human-led and guided by trained professionals. Our approach is to ensure that AI improves efficiency, consistency and insight, while keeping ethics, accountability, clinical judgement and patient relationships at the centre. Any major expectations from the government to further strengthen the AI-driven digital healthcare sector? India has made important progress in building a digitally enabled healthcare ecosystem through initiatives such as the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and recent national efforts such as SAHI and BODH for responsible health AI adoption and evaluation. Going forward, four areas will be important. First, accelerating interoperability and adoption of digital health standards so that data can move securely and meaningfully across the healthcare ecosystem. Second, supporting high-quality, privacy-preserving health data environments for the development, validation and benchmarking of AI solutions. Third, strengthening regulatory and governance frameworks so that AI remains safe, ethical, transparent and accountable. Fourth, investing in capacity building for doctors, nurses, community health workers and programme teams so that AI can be used effectively in real-world care settings. India has the opportunity to become a global leader in responsible AI-driven healthcare. The key will be to ensure that innovation is not limited to large hospitals or urban markets, but also reaches primary care systems, frontline workers and underserved communities where the need is greatest. Dr Manbeena Chawla (manbeena.chawla@mmactiv.com) ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27980/philips-and-bajaj-integrated-health-system-collaborate-to-redefine-connected-healthcare-delivery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27980/philips-and-bajaj-integrated-health-system-collaborate-to-redefine-connected-healthcare-delivery.html Tue, 16 Jun 2026 19:27:29 +0530 Philips, a global leader in health technology, and Bajaj Integrated Health System (BIHS), the healthcare venture of the Bajaj Group, have announced a strategic collaboration to build a digitally connected care network across India. Together, both organisations aim to improve patient experience, enhance care quality, and expand access by enabling seamless data flow across care settings. As part of this collaboration, Philips and Bajaj Integrated Health System (BIHS) will work closely to establish a robust digital foundation for this network, combining global health technology expertise with a deep understanding of India’s evolving healthcare needs. The first BIHS network will open in 2026, with further expansion across major Indian cities thereafter. Central to the collaboration is Philips’ IntelliBridge Enterprise (IBE), a data integration platform that acts as a connective layer between medical devices and hospital information systems. IBE consolidates relevant patient data into a unified view accessible to authorised care teams across all care settings, enabling faster, better-informed decisions. Deployment of IBE across the BIHS network will enable seamless data flow between their home, clinic, ambulatory, and hospital settings. This will support a more continuous view of each patient’s health journey, helping care teams deliver more coordinated care, reduce duplicative processes, enable smoother transitions, and improve access to relevant information for care decisions. This collaboration marks the first global implementation of Philips’ IBE 3.0 Enterprise Cloud. Philips will also provide selected equipment and solutions to enable advanced imaging, workflow efficiency, and enhanced patient experience across BIHS’ care settings. This includes Philips’ MR BlueSeal helium-free MRI system with Dual AI SmartSpeed and In-Bore Experience, which not only provides superior in scan patient comfort but also supply chain resilience. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27966/pulsus-group-targets-6000-jobs-at-ameenpur-ai-healthcare-hub.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27966/pulsus-group-targets-6000-jobs-at-ameenpur-ai-healthcare-hub.html Mon, 15 Jun 2026 16:15:10 +0530 PULSUS Group has announced plans to expand its Ameenpur AI Healthcare and Digital Innovation Hub, targeting a workforce of 6,000 direct and 30,000 indirect jobs as it scales operations at the 35-acre campus in Telangana. The move follows a Supreme Court ruling that upheld the project's IT/ITeS and SEZ status, clearing the way for accelerated development and fresh investment. PULSUS is backing its expansion plans with a proven employment record. Parliamentary records under the India BPO Promotion Scheme show that Omics International generated 2,836 direct jobs by March 2022 and is targeting around 6,000 jobs in Visakhapatnam, while supporting an estimated 30,000 indirect jobs. The records also recognise the company's Ameenpur operations, where employment has created about 1,500 of the 6,000 direct jobs. With the legal status recently received from the Supreme Court, PULSUS has fast-tracked plans to scale the Rs 500 crore Ameenpur campus into a major AI healthcare and digital services hub and increase its workforce to 6,000. For Telangana, the project represents another investment in sectors where the state has built a strong presence, particularly information technology, life sciences, healthcare innovation and Global Capability Centres (GCCs). The location near the Miyapur growth corridor is expected to strengthen the region's technology ecosystem while creating employment opportunities for graduates and skilled professionals. Beyond employment generation, PULSUS plans to collaborate with universities, research institutions, healthcare organisations, startups and technology companies to develop an ecosystem supporting innovation, research and global service delivery. The AI Healthcare hub is expected to drive demand for highly skilled professionals, including software engineers, AI specialists, healthcare data scientists, clinical research associates, bioinformatics experts and digital services professionals. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27843/uk-digital-health-leader-voy-expands-into-indias-fast-growing-obesity-care-market.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27843/uk-digital-health-leader-voy-expands-into-indias-fast-growing-obesity-care-market.html Mon, 25 May 2026 13:36:16 +0530 Voy, the London-headquartered digital healthcare company and market leader in GLP-1 obesity care in the UK, Germany, and Brazil, has announced its entry into India through the 100% acquisition of EarlyFit, one of India’s leading online weight loss platforms. Voy is emerging as a global multi-country leader in preventive healthcare, especially GLP-1-led weight loss. The company secured a $120 million non-equity growth facility from General Catalyst in 2025 and has since been highly acquisitive. Voy entered Germany through the acquisition of Formel Skin ($40 million raised) and has also acquired Morelife, Menopause Care, Optimale, and now EarlyFit.  This acquisition marks Voy’s entry into one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing healthcare markets with the goal to serve 150M obese Indians. This brings Voy’s global clinical expertise, research, and technology to India, making this the first international D2C Health player to enter India.  Voy India will continue to serve patients across the country through a network of more than 20 endocrinologists and nutritionists, led by Dr Saptarshi Bhattacharya (DM Endocrinology, AIIMS), along with EarlyFit co-founders Parth Chopra and Saloni Paliwal. Voy India will initially focus on weight loss and obesity care, leading with affordable generic semaglutide offerings that became more accessible after Ozempic’s patent expired in India in March 2026. while gradually expanding into broader therapeutic areas using Voy’s global clinical expertise. Eventually, they’re expected to launch hair loss, dermatology, menopause, hormone and testosterone replacement therapy, bringing learnings from global markets to India.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27773/odisha-health-minister-inaugurates-vedanta-lanjigarhs-first-of-its-kind-telemedicine-facility.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27773/odisha-health-minister-inaugurates-vedanta-lanjigarhs-first-of-its-kind-telemedicine-facility.html Thu, 07 May 2026 22:11:38 +0530 Dr Mukesh Mahaling, Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Odisha, inaugurated Vedanta Aluminium’s first-of-its-kind 24x7 Telemedicine Facility in Lanjigarh, Kalahandi district, launched in partnership with Tata 1mg through a virtual event. The initiative marks a major step towards strengthening healthcare access in Kalahandi by bringing timely specialist medical consultation closer to communities across remote villages, employees, families, business partners, etc. A dedicated Telemedicine Room has also been established at Vedanta Lanjigarh Hospital for assisted consultations. In addition, through the Tata 1mg App, beneficiaries can access free audio and video consultations with nearly 30 specialist and super-specialist doctors, reducing the need for long-distance travel for medical guidance. The service is expected to benefit more than 70,000 people across nearly 70 remote villages in Kalahandi and adjoining regions. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mukesh Mahaling, said, “Vedanta’s 24x7 telemedicine facility is a meaningful step towards improving healthcare access for communities in Kalahandi, especially in remote tribal and rural areas where timely medical consultation can make a significant difference. Vedanta’s broader work in healthcare, education, women empowerment and livelihoods reflects how responsible industry can support the state’s development priorities. Continued collaboration between government, industry and communities will be important for ensuring inclusive and balanced development across Odisha.” Vedanta’s diverse community projects such as Project Aarogya is bringing healthcare closer to remote villages through preventive care, health camps and medical outreach, while Project Sakhi is helping women build skills, confidence and income opportunities through entrepreneurship and self-help groups. Around Kalahandi and the Raigarh region, multiple interventions are helping build healthier, more skilled and self-reliant communities. Across Odisha, Vedanta Aluminium’s community programmes have positively impacted more than 10 lakh people, supported by over Rs 500 crore invested in social development initiatives over the years.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27644/aig-hospitals-partners-with-icmr-to-advance-digital-health-and-research-collaboration.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27644/aig-hospitals-partners-with-icmr-to-advance-digital-health-and-research-collaboration.html Sat, 11 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0530 In a significant step towards strengthening India’s healthcare research ecosystem, AIG Hospitals has entered into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Council of Medical Research, the country’s premier medical research body under the Government of India. This collaboration marks a convergence of clinical excellence and national research leadership, aimed at accelerating innovation in digital health, healthcare management, and translational medicine. By leveraging AIG Hospitals’ high-volume clinical expertise and advanced innovation platforms alongside ICMR’s extensive research network and policy influence, the partnership is poised to generate impactful, scalable solutions for India’s evolving healthcare needs. Speaking on the occasion, Dr D Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman, AIG Hospitals, said, “By combining our strengths in high-quality patient care and translational research with ICMR’s leadership in national health research, we aim to create solutions that are not only scientifically robust but also scalable and impactful for the larger population. Digital health, in particular, holds immense potential in transforming how care is delivered in India, and this partnership will help accelerate that journey while ensuring that innovation remains patient-centric.” Under the scope of this MoU, both institutions will undertake joint research studies in key areas such as digital health, healthcare delivery models, and allied disciplines. The collaboration will also focus on co-developing grant proposals, accessing national and international funding opportunities, and facilitating the exchange of expertise, data, and scientific knowledge, while adhering to all regulatory and ethical frameworks. Importantly, the partnership will emphaside the translation of research into real-world clinical applications, ensuring that scientific discoveries lead to measurable improvements in patient outcomes. The MoU also places strong emphasis on dissemination and outreach. Both organizations will collaborate on academic events, workshops, and knowledge-sharing platforms, while leveraging digital channels and social media to amplify the visibility and impact of research outputs. Regular review mechanisms will ensure that the collaboration remains dynamic, continuously identifying new opportunities aligned with national healthcare priorities.  Dr Rajiv Bahl, Director General, ICMR, added, “Collaborations between leading clinical institutions and national research bodies are critical to addressing the complex and evolving healthcare challenges of our country. This MoU with AIG Hospitals reflects our shared commitment to advancing research in digital health and healthcare management." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27535/trivitron-introduces-app-for-radiation-protection-apparel-monitoring-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27535/trivitron-introduces-app-for-radiation-protection-apparel-monitoring-in-india.html Mon, 23 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Trivitron Healthcare, a global medtech organisation, has announced the launch of Kiran Smart Track, India’s first intelligent tracking application designed exclusively for radiation protection or X-Rays apparel. This marks a key advancement in strengthening safety, compliance, and operational efficiency across healthcare environments. Kiran Smart Track brings product insights to your fingertips with a simple QR code scan embedded on every radiation protection apparel. It offers a comprehensive, 360-degree view of each product, from manufacturing details and specifications to protection levels and shelf life, supporting precise usage and consistent regulatory compliance. With a clear focus on smarter tracking and operational efficiency, Kiran Smart Track brings together features such as instant quality checks, real-time shelf-life monitoring, and detailed product insights, all accessible through a single scan. The application enables users to verify product authenticity, identify aprons through unique codes, and access key specifications, including core material, protection levels (front and back), size, color, and quality and safety reports. Unique serial numbers further simplify warranty management and streamline inventory tracking. By enabling informed decision-making, ensuring safety compliance, and improving inventory control, the app enhances workflow efficiency across hospitals and diagnostic centers. It also introduces a digital-first, more structured, and transparent approach to managing radiation protection apparel in everyday clinical practice. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27536/tracky-unveils-new-platform-to-track-patient-outcomes-for-glp-1-therapies.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27536/tracky-unveils-new-platform-to-track-patient-outcomes-for-glp-1-therapies.html Mon, 23 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0530 DrStore Healthcare Services, a connected healthcare and medical device ecosystem company, through its smart medical devices and tech platform Tracky, has launched an integrated, real-time monitoring platform designed to track patient outcomes for GLP-1 therapies in India.   The platform brings together multiple health data streams into a unified system, enabling clinicians and pharmaceutical companies to monitor therapy effectiveness, improve patient management, and generate real-world evidence.   The rapid rise of GLP-1 therapies for diabetes and weight management is reshaping the treatment landscape in India and globally. However, as adoption accelerates, a critical gap is becoming increasingly evident, the lack of continuous, structured data to monitor patient outcomes and understand therapy effectiveness in real-world settings.   Addressing this gap, Tracky is pioneering an integrated, real-time monitoring platform designed to bring together multiple health data streams into a unified, continuous view of patient health. The platform integrates glucose data from continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), Body composition tracking, Food logs & calorie tracking, activity levels, and wearable inputs, enabling longitudinal tracking and deeper insights into patient progress.    Within the context of GLP-1 therapies, it supports real-time tracking of patient progress, enabling clinicians to make more informed decisions around dosage titration, identify and manage side effects early, and monitor adherence to therapy.   By correlating these parameters with lifestyle and behavioral data, the platform also helps in understanding the sustainability of outcomes, supporting a more structured and data-driven approach to weight management during and after GLP therapy.   The platform also addresses a growing concern around GLP-1 treatments, the sustainability of outcomes after therapy discontinuation. While these therapies have shown strong clinical results, maintaining weight loss and metabolic improvements post-treatment remains a challenge. By combining continuous monitoring with lifestyle-linked insights, Tracky aims to support a more sustainable and data-driven approach to weight management, both during and beyond the therapy cycle.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27399/cohere-health-announces-launch-of-global-capability-centre-in-hyderabad-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27399/cohere-health-announces-launch-of-global-capability-centre-in-hyderabad-.html Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0530 US-based startup Cohere Health®, a leader in clinical intelligence solutions for health plans, has announced the launch of its Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Hyderabad, India. As the company continues to expand its operational capabilities globally, this milestone reinforces its commitment to scaling innovation, technological excellence, and advancing its clinically trained AI platform.   As part of its long-term vision and investment in globally distributed teams, Cohere Health is scaling the GCC into a centre of excellence that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, deepens clinical intelligence, and improves outcomes for health plans, clinicians, and patients worldwide. India is a cornerstone of the company’s global operating model and a key driver of its mission to ensure patients everywhere receive the right care as quickly and safely as possible.   Tapping into India’s deep talent pool, the Hyderabad GCC brings together expert engineering, analytics, and clinical operations teams to strengthen Cohere Health’s global capabilities and accelerate product advancements. Working closely with US-based colleagues, the centre expands the company’s capacity to scale clinically trained AI and deliver more connected solutions that improve payer-provider collaboration.     Looking ahead, Cohere Health plans to continue expanding the Hyderabad GCC with strategic hiring across engineering, product, data science, and compliance, strengthening its global teams and capacity. This expansion positions Cohere Health to meet the increased demand for clinically trained AI solutions that streamline complex processes, improve health outcomes, and enhance payer-provider collaboration across the healthcare continuum–reinforcing its role as the leader in enterprise clinical intelligence for health plans.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27387/health-minister-inaugurates-ai-based-e-icu-command-centre-at-yashoda-medicity.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27387/health-minister-inaugurates-ai-based-e-icu-command-centre-at-yashoda-medicity.html Wed, 25 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0530 J P Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, inaugurated the Artificial Intelligence (AI) based e-ICU Command Centre at Yashoda Medicity, Ghaziabad. The Command Centre has been developed with the objective of integrating Artificial Intelligence with centralized surveillance systems to improve clinical outcomes and make the management of Intensive Care Units more effective, streamlined and coordinated. Union Health Minister stated that AI-enabled healthcare services integrate timely medical interventions, accuracy in disease detection, and real-time monitoring, which are of utmost importance in emergency and intensive care situations, where immediate decisions can significantly impact the patient's treatment outcomes. He mentioned that AI-assisted ICUs provide early warning in adverse clinical situations, ensure better identification of high-risk cases and help physicians make more effective decisions through data-based analytical information. He said that the inauguration of the AI-based e-ICU Command Centre will further strengthen critical care services and play a crucial role in strengthening patient safety. The AI-enabled e-ICU installed at Yashoda Medicity connects the Base Command Centre of the Command Centre with the ICU facility of MMG District Hospital, enabling Artificial Intelligence-enabled real-time monitoring of critically ill patients. The system integrates hospital information systems and bedside devices with a centralised dashboard where AI-based analytics support risk classification, issue early warnings in case of deterioration in clinical status, and ensure timely and evidence-based therapeutic intervention through round-the-clock expert monitoring. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27271/funding-worth-5-3-m-for-digital-mental-health-intervention-for-adolescent-girls-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27271/funding-worth-5-3-m-for-digital-mental-health-intervention-for-adolescent-girls-in-india.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Wellcome has awarded £5.3 million to Bengaluru-based Wysa to fund a scale-up study that will adapt a clinically validated digital mental health intervention for adolescent girls living in rural India, a population facing some of the most significant mental health inequalities globally. The funding will support research led by Wysa, whose digital mental health interventions have been studied in peer-reviewed research and deployed across public health systems and healthcare programmes internationally. Working with academic and community partners in the UK and India, the project will adapt an evidence-based intervention to address anxiety and depression among adolescent girls. India is home to more than 253 million adolescents, the largest adolescent population in the world. Around half of all mental health conditions begin before the age of 14, and suicide is now among the leading causes of death for young people in the country. Adolescent girls are particularly vulnerable, experiencing higher rates of anxiety and depression alongside barriers such as limited autonomy, restricted access to technology, lower literacy, stigma, and family gatekeeping. The study will first identify the cultural and contextual barriers that limit adolescent girls’ ability to access mental health support. These insights will then be used to adapt Wysa’s intervention so that its method of delivery and content reflects the lived realities of girls and their communities. The study will then evaluate the efficacy of the adapted intervention and its successful delivery in real world low-to-middle-income contexts. “This funding allows us to go far beyond simple translation,” said Chaitali Sinha, Chief Clinical R&D Officer at Wysa. “By working closely with academic and community partners, we aim to co-design a digital intervention that is not only clinically effective, but genuinely usable and relevant for adolescent girls living in rural India.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27248/swisslog-healthcare-strengthens-apac-growth-ambitions-with-strategic-expansion-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27248/swisslog-healthcare-strengthens-apac-growth-ambitions-with-strategic-expansion-in-india.html Thu, 29 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Swisslog Healthcare, a global leader in pharmacy automation and delivery transport, has announced a strategic expansion of its India operations to address the growing demand for advanced pharmacy management solutions across the region.   Headquartered in Gurugram, this expansion brings proven automation technologies closer to Indian healthcare providers, enhancing accuracy, traceability, patient safety, and operational efficiency across hospitals and pharmacy operations.   Swisslog Healthcare is rapidly expanding its footprint across Asia Pacific (APAC), with offices in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and now India. To help hospitals in India navigate increasing operational complexities and cost pressures, Swisslog Healthcare will offer a comprehensive pharmacy technology portfolio spanning transport automation (TranspoNet pneumatic tube), pharmacy automation (BoxPicker® EvoTec® PillPick® Octave, UniPick®) and cold-chain solutions (Tenutō).   Designed to support both inpatients and outpatients care, these globally proven solutions are highly relevant to India’s scale, demographics and evolving healthcare needs. Together, these solutions will enable healthcare providers to improve efficiency, enhance medication safety, and deliver consistent patient-centric care at scale.   With one of the world’s largest hospital networks and a rapidly expanding healthcare infrastructure, India faces a growing demand for healthcare automation. As hospitals scale capacity and accelerate digital adoption, the need for intelligent patient-centric automation has become increasingly evident.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27215/govt-supports-development-of-continuous-health-surveillance-technology-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27215/govt-supports-development-of-continuous-health-surveillance-technology-.html Thu, 22 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0530 In line with the Government of India's commitment to strengthen preventive healthcare capacity, promote indigenously developed medical technologies and translate research into applied health solutions, the Technology Development Board of the Department of Science and Technology has entered into an agreement with DR Store Healthcare Service India, in Maharashtra, for a collaborative R&D project in the digital health sector. Under this initiative, the Technology Development Board has approved grant support for the project for the development of a Multivital Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Device with Cardiovascular Biomarkers for Diabetes Monitoring as well as Early Detection of Cardiovascular Conditions. The project is supported under the Indo-Canada Collaborative Industrial R&D Programme. The programme is a bilateral framework between the Department of Science and Technology and the National Research Council of Canada and Global Affairs Canada, which aims to support industry-driven, market-oriented R&D projects to develop commercially useful technologies of social importance. The project in India is being implemented in collaboration with Canada's Nanospeed Diagnostics Inc. The main objective of this project is to integrate advanced cardio-metabolic biomarkers including B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), troponin-I, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein into continuous glucose monitoring systems. This technique by the existing CGM system of intrauterine fluid analysis is furthering the goal of enabling simultaneous and continuous monitoring of glucose levels and early cardiovascular risk indicators for the treatment of severe co-morbidities associated with diabetes. This technology will aid in early detection, remote monitoring, and preventive management of cardiovascular diseases. This will especially benefit high-risk people. At the same time, the reliance on recurrent diagnostics and hospital-centered care will be reduced and affordable healthcare access will increase. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27203/westbridge-doubles-down-on-healthians-as-one-of-largest-long-term-bets-in-health-tech-space.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27203/westbridge-doubles-down-on-healthians-as-one-of-largest-long-term-bets-in-health-tech-space.html Tue, 20 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Westbridge has invested an undisclosed sum in Healthians, its existing investee company. This investment is part of an ongoing investment round. Healthians is also in talks with other marquee investors to join the round. Deepak Sahni has sold a major part of his shareholding to Westbridge in this round and he has moved out from all executive positions in the Company. Nishant Singhal was appointed Board Member & CEO in the month of July 2025. He also took up the role of Chief Operating Officer for over 3 years till mid of 2023.  Healthians scaled up on all fronts during this period including 18X revenue and volume growth, setting up of over 22 labs and expansion to 300+ cities. Healthians also raised over $100 million during this period from investors like Westbridge Capital, Beenext and Evolvence Fund. In a first in the Health Tech space and a much awaited development, Healthians announced full Ebitda & Cash profitability starting Q1 of FY26. This came as a “Diagnostics at Home” category defining moment and that too from a Digital Native healthcare service provider like Healthians. The capability of Digital First players to deliver cash EBITDA has been a point of debate for over a decade now. Healthians has reported that the company is growing faster than all industry players on a YOY and sequential basis. Healthians is also projecting FY 26 to be a fully EBITDA profitable year. Healthians reported losses of Rs 75 crore in FY 24 and Rs 35 crore in FY 25. “Our business prospects and processes are fully aligned to deliver positive EBITDA not only in FY 26 but also in years to come with revenue growth higher than industry average. Healthians has significant pricing leverage which will help in driving growth besides volumes”, said Nishant Singhal, Board Member & CEO at Healthians. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27161/global-voices-one-vision-international-health-dialogue-2026-by-apollo-hospitals-to-take-place-in-hyderabad-on-january-3031-2026.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27161/global-voices-one-vision-international-health-dialogue-2026-by-apollo-hospitals-to-take-place-in-hyderabad-on-january-3031-2026.html Fri, 09 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Apollo Hospitals will host the 13th  edition of International Health Dialogue (IHD), one of the world’s leading platforms advancing patient safety, healthcare innovation, and system transformation, on January 30–31, 2026, in Hyderabad, India. The theme for IHD 2026, ‘Global Voices. One Vision’, reflects a shared commitment to align ideas, innovations, and leadership toward a common goal - building resilient, patient-centric, and technology-enabled healthcare systems. The program this year will focus on three defining dimensions: leadership-driven safety models, human-centered design, digital transformation, and system-wide excellence in hospital operations, patient experience and clinical outcomes. Dr Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group said “Over the years, the International Health Dialogue has evolved into a dynamic global platform where clinicians, innovators, policymakers, and evangelists converge to shape the next era of healthcare. The Hyderabad edition builds on this vision,bringing together the power of AI, data, and digital ecosystems with the timeless values of empathy and collaboration. At its heart, IHD represents a shared global commitment to make healthcare more predictive, sustainable, and inclusive, where every innovation serves humanity and every partnership drives progress toward a healthier planet.” International Health Dialogue 2026 integrates four defining conferences and learning streams under a single umbrella: IPSC – International Patient Safety Conference discusses how proactive practices and healthcare systems can improve patient safety. HOPE – Healthcare Operations & Patient Experience Conference focuses on operational excellence by integrating efficiency, empathy, and innovation to enhance every touchpoint of the patient journey. THIT – Transforming Healthcare with IT Conference brings together healthcare and IT leaders from around the world to share insights, best practices, and the latest advancements in the industry. CLINOVATE – Clinical CME Series on Oncology, Cardiology, Women’s Health, Longevity and Laboratory Medicine will offer clinicians and researchers access to high-impact, practice-focused learning led by renowned experts from India and around the world.   The International Health Dialogue will bring together global health leaders and policymakers, including Col. Maj. Garba Hakimi, Minister of Public Health, Republic of Niger; Elias Kapavore, Minister of Health and HIV/AIDS, Papua New Guinea; Prof. Jean Rosaire Ibara, Minister of Health and Population, Republic of Congo; and Kim Wilson, Minister of Health, Bermuda. Joining them will be leading voices in  international healthcare quality, patient safety, and innovation, including Dr Jonathan Perlin, President and CEO, The Joint Commission Enterprise; Dr Carsten Engel, CEO, ISQua; Dr Dean Ho, Head, Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore; Dr Atul Mohan Kochhar, CEO, NABH; Dr Neelam Dhingra, Vice President and Chief Patient Safety Officer, Joint Commission International; and Dr Eyal Zimlichman, Chief Innovation, Transformation and AI Officer, Sheba Medical Center and Founding Director of ARC, Israel, along with global experts in digital health and healthcare transformation. This year’s conference will feature Safe-A-Thon - a collaborative, solution-building challenge designed to spark innovation in patient safety to tackle real-world safety problems with smart, scalable, and cost-effective solutions. The conference will also witnss the launch of THNX (Technology & Healthcare Network eXchange) – India’s first digital health startup community that will feature pitch days, funding opportunities, and investor interactions. Over the years, the International Health Dialogue has created a vibrant exchange between public health leaders, technology innovators, clinicians, and patient advocates. The 2026 edition in Hyderabad will continue this legacy through plenary discussions, innovation showcases, technology demonstrations, and global networking forums, offering participants an immersive experience in thought leadership and practical innovation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27145/clirnet-introduces-dentalnet-to-redefine-continuing-dental-education-globally.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27145/clirnet-introduces-dentalnet-to-redefine-continuing-dental-education-globally.html Tue, 06 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Mumbai-based CLIRNET, a fast growing live Continuing Medical Education (CME) platform, has announced the launch of DentalNet, a next-generation digital platform designed to transform continuing dental education (CDE) for dentists across India and globally. DentalNet provides free access to live expert-led sessions, curated clinical education, professional development programs, AI-powered clinical tools, searchable learning resources, and real-time moderated Q&A enabling dentists to upskill through structured, accessible, and practice-oriented learning. DentalNet is designed to close the gap between academic learning and real-world dental practice by connecting dentists with leading clinicians and educators from India and across the globe. The platform emphasises practical clinical insights, latest guidelines, emerging research, and hands-on expertise, delivered through interactive live sessions and on-demand content formats. With a strong focus on relevance and usability, DentalNet empowers dentists to stay updated, confident, and clinically prepared in an evolving healthcare environment. Since its early pilot rollout, DentalNet has witnessed strong engagement from the dental community: 100+ live sessions available at launch 5,000+ curated educational content pieces 45,000+ dentists already part of the DentalNet community Weekly expert-led sessions planned to ensure continuous learning DentalNet is supported by a distinguished faculty representing decades of clinical excellence and regional diversity. This diverse group brings together academic rigor, clinical depth, and real-world experience, ensuring meaningful learning across specialties and practice settings.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27126/who-unveils-traditional-medicine-global-library.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27126/who-unveils-traditional-medicine-global-library.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0530 At the second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, jointly organised with the Government of India, concluding recently in New Delhi, WHO unveiled the Traditional Medicine (TM) Global Library, a first-of-its-kind digital platform consolidating 1.6 million resources on TM, from scientific studies to indigenous knowledge. With advanced features like Evidence Gap Maps and an AI-powered tool, TMGL GPT, the Library promises to transform access to trusted information and accelerate research worldwide.  The Library will become part of Hinari, one of the world’s largest collections of biomedical and health literature. Hinari is hosted on the Research4Life platform, which provides free or low-cost access to academic and peer-reviewed content to institutions in low- and middle-income countries. Incorporating the Library will allow broader reach and access to traditional medicine knowledge. The Library is expanding access to health information and evidence not only through its global collections but also by curating relevant content in dedicated thematic pages, including traditional midwifery, Ayurveda, anthroposophical medicine, integrative oncology and integrative paediatrics. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27108/care-adhd-expands-global-operations-with-first-gcc-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27108/care-adhd-expands-global-operations-with-first-gcc-in-india.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Care ADHD, one of the United Kingdom’s fastest growing digital mental health companies and a key partner to the NHS, has announced the opening of its first Global Capability Centre (GCC) in India – Bengaluru. The facility was inaugurated by Deputy Trade Commissioner to South Asia (Investment) and British Deputy High Commissioner to Karnataka and Kerala. This expansion marks a strategic move to tap into India’s world-class engineering and product talent as the company scales its global operations. The GCC will accelerate technology development, strengthen operational backbone, and support the company’s virtual care business Duty Doctor. Speaking on the launch, Care ADHD CEO Mark Pattison said “Bengaluru has emerged as one of the most vibrant technology innovation hubs globally, and the company’s decision to build its GCC in the city reflects its commitment to accessing top-tier talent." James Whitebread, CTO, Care ADHD highlighted that “the GCC will focus on next generation diagnostic tools, intelligent patient engagement systems, and seamless integrations for virtual consultation services. The new centre will act as the nucleus for tech-driven product development across the organisation.” Chandru Iyer, His Majesty’s Deputy Trade Commissioner to South Asia (Investment) and British Deputy High Commissioner to Karnataka and Kerala, congratulated CARE ADHD on their decision to enter the Indian market and remarked, “It is encouraging to see UK healthcare organisations expanding in India and inspiring to witness how UK–India collaboration is strengthening the mental health ecosystem, especially through digital-first solutions.” The new centre will foster closer collaboration between clinicians, product teams, and engineering talent to create systems that improve accuracy, enhance patient experience, and accelerate innovation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27048/metropolis-receives-patent-for-clinical-evaluation-system-to-transform-tb-management.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27048/metropolis-receives-patent-for-clinical-evaluation-system-to-transform-tb-management.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Metropolis Healthcare has been granted a patent by the Patent Office, Government of India, for its invention titled “System and Method for Monitoring and Managing Mycobacterium Species-Related Infections”. The patented method introduces a structured, data-driven approach to support clinicians in evaluating and managing patients being assessed for tuberculosis and related mycobacterial infections. The innovation brings together microbiology findings, molecular diagnostic results, radiology assessments, and patient-specific risk factors within an intelligent, algorithm-enabled framework. By consolidating these diverse insights into a unified pathway, the method aims to improve interpretation and promote greater consistency in clinical evaluation, particularly in settings where accuracy is critical. Commenting on the development, Surendran Chemmenkotil, Managing Director, Metropolis Healthcare Limited, said: "This is a proud moment for Metropolis as we receive our first patent, an important milestone that reflects our continued commitment to scientific rigor and purposeful innovation in diagnostics. The method recognised under this patent is intended to enhance TB evaluation and offer clinicians an added layer of support in complex decision pathways. As India advances toward its TB elimination goals, we hope this development contributes meaningfully, particularly in communities that face a higher burden of the disease.” India has made meaningful progress in addressing tuberculosis under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP), supported by improvements in detection, reporting and treatment outcomes. Diagnostic innovations that organise data and streamline clinical workflows play a vital role in complementing these national public health efforts. Dr Kirti Chadha, Chief Scientific and Innovation Officer, Metropolis Healthcare, added: “Early and accurate diagnosis remains essential to improving TB outcomes. This patented system and method has been developed with a strong scientific foundation, integrating diagnostic signals into a framework that supports clearer clinical assessment. Our aim is to provide physicians with structured, evidence-supported insights that assist in making more precise and confident decisions.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27034/trivitron-healthcare-launches-new-venture-to-accelerate-hospital-digitisation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/27034/trivitron-healthcare-launches-new-venture-to-accelerate-hospital-digitisation.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Trivitron Healthcare, together with Dubai-based digital health innovator ResoHealth, has announced the launch of Trivitron Digital.AI, next-generation digital health venture created to accelerate the transition toward AI-enabled, interoperable, and patient-centric Smart Hospital ecosystems. Built on the combined strengths of Trivitron’s legacy in medical technology and ResoHealth’s global expertise in digital health, cloud platforms, and clinical AI, the new entity aims to bridge longstanding gaps in clinical data continuity, operational efficiency, and digital access across India and emerging global markets. The platform brings together a full set of cloud-based digital tools—such as an advanced Lab Information System (LIS), a zero-footprint Web-PACS for imaging, a mobile-first Personal Health Record (PHR), and AI-powered automation. These systems work together to connect diagnostic, clinical, and administrative workflows into one smooth, unified digital system. At its core, Trivitron Digital.AI brings together automation, AI-driven patient support, and real-time data insights to improve how hospitals function and how patients receive care. The LIS connects to any lab equipment, tracks every sample from start to finish, enables remote result approvals, and produces structured, accurate reports. The Web PACS allows clinicians to instantly view imaging studies through any browser, with options for AI-based highlights, side-by-side comparisons, and secure sharing between centres. Trivitron Digital.AI is also expanding its geographical reach, with pilot deployments planned across India’s major metros followed by phased expansion across Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia—regions that face similar systemic challenges of fragmented systems, limited digital infrastructure, and rising demand for data-driven healthcare modernisation. The platform’s cloud-native model eliminates the need for heavy IT infrastructure, offering hospitals an affordable and future-ready path to digital transformation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/26994/trends-2026-rise-of-resilient-life-sciences-innovation-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/26994/trends-2026-rise-of-resilient-life-sciences-innovation-.html Sun, 30 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0530 A major trend in 2025 was the rise of anti-obesity drugs. Mounjaro, in particular, saw rapid uptake and became the second-highest selling weight-loss drug in India within just six months. Another  highlight was the opening of several Centres of Excellence (CoE). Notably, Miltenyi Biotec inaugurated India’s first Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) CoE in Hyderabad, reflecting the growing focus on advanced therapies.  Much like everything in life, artificial intelligence (AI) continued to deepen its presence across healthcare, transforming diagnostics, research, and drug development. Pharma and Biotech  Policy and Innovation Driving Advanced Therapies The Government of India has launched the ‘Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma MedTech sector (PRIP)’ scheme to promote innovation in India. The scheme has a total financial outlay of Rs 5000 crore, which includes Rs 700 crore to establish Centers of Excellence (CoEs) at seven National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education & Research (NIPERs), and Rs 4200 crore to accelerate investments in the R&D ecosystem within the sector. The scheme has defined three priority areas for funding: new medicines, Complex generics and biosimilars and novel medical devices. “It will be interesting to see the impact this scheme will make in 2026 and beyond. Considering the immense potential for increase in innovation within Pharma/Medtech in India, the overall ecosystem will benefit from this scheme and promote innovation at both the industry and academic level. Considering India’s large population and specific healthcare needs, we can expect good innovation momentum in these areas moving forward.  Moreover, Indian pharma needs to transform from being a generics producer to an innovation producer for long term growth,” said Prashant Khadayate, Director – Lifesciences Consulting & Research, GlobalData. This policy-driven push is expected to accelerate biology-led innovation in 2026, with advanced therapeutic modalities driving the next wave of growth. Cell therapies, autologous, allogeneic, and in vivo, are expected to shift from niche applications to scalable platforms across oncology, immunology, and regenerative medicine. While India approved its first CAR-T therapy only last year, experts anticipate a steady rise in CGT approvals in the coming years.  “Upcoming year will be defined by acceleration in high-value generics, complex formulations, and biologics. India’s role as the leading global supplier of affordable medicines will deepen, but the next phase of growth clearly lies in complex Injectables, peptides, sustained-release products, specialty therapies, and biosimilars—segments that are seeing stronger regulatory acceptance and higher demand across developed and emerging markets. With global healthcare systems seeking cost-effective alternatives, compliance strength, quality maturity, and digital transparency will become decisive factors in winning international confidence,” said Bhavin Mehta, Vice Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Exports Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil).    Expanding to other geographies  A parallel, equally powerful trend is the broad-based diversification of export geographies. To mitigate the impact of US tariffs, pharmaceutical companies are exploring expansion into other geographies. While the US will remain a key driver, momentum is now shifting toward Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and China, supported by rising procurement volumes and deeper commercial linkages.  “Exporters are responding by expanding Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) capacity, Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO) partnerships, and resilient supply-chain models, enabling stronger participation in global tenders and reducing vulnerability to single-market fluctuations. The scale of India’s domestic market further enhances this export competitiveness, strengthening the manufacturing base and enabling a wider, more agile product portfolio. Reinforcing these sectoral tailwinds is the strong policy and trade push from the Government which is proactively shaping a future-ready export ecosystem”, said Mehta. “Production-linked incentives (PLI) for APIs and formulations, new bulk drug and medical device parks, enhanced regulatory cooperation with partner countries, trade missions, and an active FTA pipeline are collectively expanding market access for Indian manufacturers. Initiatives around digital quality systems, track-and-trace compliance, logistics modernisation, and sustainability standards are also elevating our positioning as a dependable global supplier. These measures are creating an enabling environment for exporters to scale their global footprint and transition from being primarily volume-driven suppliers to becoming high-trust, innovation-aligned partners in the global pharmaceutical value chain”, added Mehta.    AI and Gen AI in Drug Discovery & Diagnostics Artificial intelligence including generative AI is revolutionising drug discovery by accelerating candidate analysis, predicting drug-body interactions, and enabling faster, cost-effective therapy development.  “AI also advances diagnostics, facilitating early disease detection and precision treatment tailoring. For instance, Qure.ai’s AI-driven medical imaging solutions enable early diagnosis of TB, lung cancer, and stroke. Concurrently, decentralised clinical trials leveraging remote monitoring and AI analytics are increasing patient-centricity, accessibility, and efficiency, thereby accelerating therapy approval processes. The healthcare industry is projected to face continued cost pressures driven by new medical technologies, cited as the top driver by 74 per cent of insurers globally, underscoring AI’s central role in innovation and cost management,” said Ajay Mahipal - Co-Founder and General Partner, HealthKois.   Rise of Preventive Interventions  Preventive healthcare is emerging as a key growth driver, reshaping patient care globally. “We are entering a pivotal moment, where innovation and patient expectations are converging to redefine the healthcare industry. The vaccines market, valued at over $78 billion in 2023 and projected to nearly double by 2032, is a clear indicator that preventive and accessible healthcare will drive global growth in the decade ahead,” observed Sarvesh Mutha, Managing Director, IntegriMedical.  Shakul Srivastava, Vice President, Indian Immunologicals Limited, echoing similar sentiments, said, “The key trends are shifting toward preventive interventions, driven by the latest biotech innovations and enhanced through smart use of digital technologies.”    MedTech  "India’s MedTech sector is poised for remarkable growth, projected to reach $50 billion by 2026. At Medtronic, we see this momentum transforming healthcare making it more personalised, predictive, and supportive for every patient. Innovations in AI, IoMT, and personalised therapies will enable clinicians to deliver virtual care, proactive interventions, and treatments tailored to individual needs. Rising chronic diseases and an ageing population (200M+ seniors by 2030) will increase demand for remote monitoring systems bringing healthcare closer to home. By combining compassionate care with leading-edge technology, the MedTech innovations will empower patients and clinicians to achieve better health outcomes, together,” said Mandeep Singh Kumar, Managing Director and Vice President, Medtronic India.  Sharing his views Mutha said “AI-driven diagnostics and decision support systems are transforming healthcare by enabling faster, more accurate clinical decisions through predictive analytics and digital monitoring tools, ultimately improving both care quality and operational efficiency. At the same time, needle-free and innovative drug delivery technologies are rapidly gaining traction across areas such as vaccines, IVF hormones, growth hormones, and pain management, offering greater patient comfort, reducing infection risks, and improving treatment adherence. Complementing these advancements, pharmaceutical companies are increasingly forming collaborative partnerships with MedTech innovators to enhance dosing accuracy, ensure treatment consistency, and deliver more patient-centered solutions, making healthcare safer, more effective, and more accessible.”      Clinical Trials  Rise in Early-Phase Trials The regulatory reforms introduced in 2025 are expected to act as a catalyst in 2026, driving a new wave of innovation-led clinical research in India. Experts note a growing interest in early-phase studies and multi-regional clinical trials, supported by increasing expertise in complex areas such as CGT and tri-specific antibodies, which are set to become a mainstay in the coming year. Digitisation of Clinical Trials  In 2026, India's life sciences sector is expected to significantly transform, driven by the increasing integration of technologies such as AI, wearables, and data analytics. In clinical trials, this will enhance participant access and accelerate study timelines, helping to position the country as a prominent global hub for clinical research.  “Foundational to this will be to tap into the country’s rapidly growing digital ecosystem. In particular, mobile-first approaches help bridge infrastructure gaps by allowing patients to engage with trials from their own devices, wherever they are. Tools like electronic clinical outcome assessment (eCOA) and eConsent will facilitate real-time data collection and ensure patients receive comprehensive trial information from their own devices, promoting inclusive participation, including in areas such as central nervous system (CNS) and rare diseases. These tools will also ultimately improve accessibility by making trial participation less disruptive to daily life, which will in turn improve patient retention and data quality,” said Santhosh A F, Vice President, Asia Pacific South & India, Medidata.  AI will also continue to be a game changer. Morgan Stanley estimates that AI could help bring 50 new treatments to market within a decade, cutting drug discovery timelines from years to months, and reducing development costs. Beyond discovery, AI-driven study feasibility will be critical in 2026 to help sponsors and CROs identify optimal, high-performing sites across the globe. This precision in planning will significantly support study conduct and reduce overall development costs. “In India, we expect to see AI playing a pivotal role in decentralised clinical trials (DCTs), improving oversight and treatment adherence through the processing of real-time information from wearables and digital health tools, and enabling remote patient monitoring and the creation of synthetic control arms,” said Santhosh.  He added, “To capitalise on these trends, India must address some existing challenges, including skill gaps and strengthen public trust in clinical research, particularly in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. It must also navigate regulatory and ethical considerations, while providing careful oversight over patient consent and data privacy to build trust.  Looking into 2026, the future of clinical trials in India is not just about technology; it is about making trials safer, more inclusive, and more efficient for all stakeholders.”   CDMOs Digital Transformation of CDMOsAs pharmaceutical operations grow more complex, the integration of technology into quality systems is setting a new benchmark. Paperless workflows, real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and remote oversight are embedding compliance into daily execution. For Indian CDMOs, this shift is already underway. At Syngene, for example, these efforts are visible in the use of secure remote inspection technologies such as RealWear, digitised checklists, and electronic batch records. Together, they help sustain a state of continuous audit readiness. These digital initiatives are reinforced by a broader shift toward decentralised accountability, ensuring that quality is embedded across teams and processes rather than being managed in isolation. This evolution signals both progress and opportunity for Indian CDMOs. By combining a strong quality culture with digital tools, organisations can go beyond meeting today’s compliance requirements to proactively shaping tomorrow’s standards. Those that see quality not just as a safeguard but as a strategic advantage will build stronger partnerships, operate with greater efficiency, and secure a lasting place for India in the global pharmaceutical supply chain, as highlighted by Alok Mehrotra, Chief Quality Officer, Syngene International, in an earlier op-ed with BioSpectrum India. Rise of Gene Therapy specific CDMOs Following a highly volatile period of investment peaks between 2020 and 2022, the global Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) sector, and its associated Contract Research, Development, and Manufacturing Organisations (CRDMOs), have entered a phase of turbulence, marked by significant consolidation. Despite recent heightened regulatory scrutiny across the US and European Union (EU) and a year of leadership shifts, a robust pipeline of CGT candidates, coupled with a highly selective yet recovering venture capital (VC) landscape, still indicates substantial potential for emerging Indian CGT CRDMOs. If Indian CRDMOs can swiftly establish specialised manufacturing capacity, maintain rigorous international quality standards, and secure strategic global alliances, 2026 is poised to confirm India's trajectory towards capturing a significant, high-value portion of the worldwide CGT development and manufacturing market. “While overall biopharma VC funding remains stable, the competitive CGT space is seeing capital deployed more selectively toward companies with a clear path to commercial scalability. This targeted investment drives predictable manufacturing demand, presenting a significant opportunity for Indian CDMOs to engage early with VC-backed biotech companies and offer essential services like process development, scale-up, and GMP capacity. With US and EU CGT approvals continuing to rise and therapies expanding from rare disorders to more prevalent conditions such as cancers, autoimmune, and neurological diseases, Indian CDMOs are well-positioned to capture upstream demand and support global clinical trials and manufacturing,” said Dr Raghu Malapaka, Chief Business Officer, Nucelion Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bharat Biotech International Ltd.    Healthcare  Accelerated Adoption of AI in India’s Public Health System Building on significant initiatives launched in 2025, India is set to expand the use of AI across its public health system in 2026. With All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) Chandigarh, and AIIMS Rishikesh designated as Centres of Excellence for AI, and solutions like Media Disease Surveillance, Clinical Decision Support Systems in eSanjeevani, and AI tools for TB screening and outcome prediction already deployed, 2026 is expected to see broader integration of AI for disease surveillance, early diagnosis, and improved treatment outcomes.  India’s inclusion in the HealthAI Global Regulatory Network positions the country as a global leader in responsible AI deployment, enabling the sharing of best practices and fostering safer, more effective healthcare applications. The year ahead is expected to see AI increasingly driving disease surveillance, early diagnosis, and improved treatment outcomes nationwide. Digital Health, Telemedicine, and Virtual Hospitals “The evolution from telemedicine to virtual hospitals is transforming healthcare delivery. Digital platforms incorporating AI-powered chatbots, such as Wysa for mental wellbeing, and remote monitoring tools, like Beato for diabetes management in India, are improving patient access and outcomes, especially in chronic disease management. Virtual hospitals, such as Saudi Arabia’s SEHA Virtual Hospital, which serves 400,000 patients annually across 130 centres, exemplify this shift, meeting the rising demand driven by aging populations and healthcare workforce shortages,” said Mahipal.  Expanding on this, Sagar Sen, Senior Vice President – Global Life Sciences and Strategic Alliances at Qure.AI, noted that by 2026 the true impact of digital health will emerge from deeper system integration. “In 2026, digital healthcare will create a more connected ecosystem where information flows seamlessly between patients and primary health systems. It will support earlier intervention through predictive technologies that identify risks before illness becomes severe. As adoption grows, digital tools will help India build a stronger and more resilient health system capable of responding quickly to emerging challenges. The transition will simplify clinical workflows, improve data movement across EMRs and lead to a more coordinated care experience. As outcome-driven digital tools gain wider acceptance, AI will become a central part of everyday care delivery, enabling earlier diagnosis, ultimately improving health outcomes at scale.”   Ayesha Siddiqui ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26802/indias-first-patented-emotional-wellness-screening-tool-to-transform-global-mental-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26802/indias-first-patented-emotional-wellness-screening-tool-to-transform-global-mental-health.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Dr Sandeep Vohra, a globally respected psychiatrist and pioneer in digital mental health, has unveiled India’s first patented emotional wellness screening tool the Emotional Wellness Index (EWI). Developed over a decade of research in collaboration with Houston University, USA, the EWI is a 55-point digital screening scale designed to assess stress and emotional well-being in students and adults accurately. Patent-protected in India, this innovation positions India at the forefront of global emotional wellness solutions. Recent data indicate that over 35% of Indian college students experience high stress or anxiety, highlighting the urgent need for proactive mental health interventions. The EWI enables mass screening on an unprecedented scale through digital platforms, facilitates the early identification of emotional distress, and promotes timely intervention, all while being cost-effective, confidential, and stigma-free. It also provides data-driven insights that help shape mental health policies, wellness programmes, and personalized care strategies. International Universities like the University of California, San Diego, have successfully integrated emotional wellness screening with structured counselling programs to support at-risk students. In India, Dr Vohra and his team have partnered with Manav Rachna University to implement a similar model, beginning with comprehensive emotional well-being screening followed by ongoing support from on-campus counsellors. The role of EWI at platforms is also being used across 20 colleges of Pune University in partnership with Apollo Telemedicine to provide mental health access to college students, demonstrating the power of combining technology with counselling to reach large populations. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26793/health-minister-launches-new-initiatives-for-tele-manas-app.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26793/health-minister-launches-new-initiatives-for-tele-manas-app.html Fri, 10 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0530 On the occasion of the World Mental Health Day 2025, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda launched several new initiatives for the National Tele Mental Health Programme (Tele MANAS). The new initiatives include launch of Tele MANAS App Enhancements (Multi-lingual UI, Chatbot, Accessibility, Emergency Module). Tele MANAS App will now be available in 10 regional languages, in addition to the English and Hindi languages. These languages include Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Odia, Punjabi. This step is towards providing mental health support in regional languages for enhancing accessibility. In addition, recognising that persons with disabilities and vulnerable groups face barriers in accessing digital health services, the app now includes accessibility features to make the interface more user-friendly for visually impaired users. A chatbot feature (‘Asmi’) has also been introduced, allowing users to engage with the app and seek information or help regarding mental health. Furthermore, emergency response content has been incorporated to ensure timely guidance and support during emergencies. Speaking on the occasion, Nadda remarked that “a sound mind leads to a sound body and a healthy mind and a healthy body lead to a healthy nation.” He said, “India is committed to ensuring equitable, affordable, and inclusive access to mental health services. With the launch of the new features in the Tele-MANAS app, we are strengthening our preparedness to respond effectively to mental health emergencies and expanding the reach of digital innovations to every corner of the country. Moving a step closer towards normalising discussions around mental health is crucial to reducing stigma and highlighting mental health as an integral aspect of public health in India.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26769/maharaja-agrasen-hospital-partners-with-medlern-to-launch-digital-learning-platform-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26769/maharaja-agrasen-hospital-partners-with-medlern-to-launch-digital-learning-platform-.html Mon, 06 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Maharaja Agrasen Hospital, one of New Delhi's leading multi-specialty healthcare institutions, has announced a strategic partnership with MedLern to launch an innovative digital learning platform. This collaboration aims to enhance medical education and improve clinical outcomes through advanced digital health technologies and comprehensive training programs. The partnership will integrate Bengaluru-based startup MedLern's advanced digital learning solutions with the hospital's existing healthcare infrastructure to provide multimodal training programs, skill enhancement programs, and evidence-based training modules. The system will enable real-time learning assessments, interactive case studies, and collaborative knowledge sharing protocols to elevate healthcare delivery standards. Dr Deepak Singla, Medical Director at Maharaja Agrasen Hospital, commented, "This partnership represents our commitment to embracing digital transformation in Hospital Training. We have always had culture of continuous learning and training. MedLern's digital infrastructure and multi-lingual and multi-modal content will enable all our teams to learn more effectively and deliver more precise, efficient care to our patients." Deepak Sharma, Co-Founder & CEO of MedLern, added, "We are excited to collaborate with Maharaja Agrasen Hospital, known for its excellence in patient care. This partnership will showcase how digital learning technologies can enhance traditional training models, engaging all stakeholders and aligning their training investments to strategic focus." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26741/closing-gaps-with-ai-from-radiology-to-tb-detection-how-data-can-democratise-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26741/closing-gaps-with-ai-from-radiology-to-tb-detection-how-data-can-democratise-care.html Fri, 26 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0530 India’s healthcare system has long been defined by scarcity - few doctors for a population of 1.4 billion, rising non-communicable diseases, and an overburdened public infrastructure. But it may also be uniquely placed to leapfrog with technology. Artificial intelligence (AI), once met with skepticism in medicine, is now quietly moving from pilot projects to mainstream workflows like reading chest X-rays for tuberculosis, predicting cardiac events, and even drafting clinical notes for physicians. The opportunity is not simply to make hospitals more efficient, but to make quality care accessible to the last patient in the remotest village. At recently held Scale-Up Health event, an initiative by Eight Roads Ventures, industry leaders came together to explore this promise. Moderated by Prem Pavoor, Ph.D., Managing Partner at Eight Roads India, the discussion featured Srikanth Velamakanni, Co-Founder & Group CEO of Fractal Analytics; Venky Ananth, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Healthcare at Infosys; and Dr Harlan Krumholz, cardiologist and scientist at Yale University and Yale New Haven Hospital. Their verdict was unanimous: India does not just need more technology it needs smarter, more inclusive systems that turn data into actionable insight. The shift from episodic care to predictive systems Dr Krumholz framed AI as a way to reimagine the very design of healthcare. “We’re in early adolescence when it comes to AI in medicine,” he said, noting that many tools today can already change how physicians work. Yet it is not technology that holds us back, but the slow-moving reimbursement systems and rigid workflows that resist change. He urged a shift from episodic treatment to a system that continuously predicts and manages risk. India, he pointed out, is sitting on a goldmine of health data from EMRs to imaging records  that remains largely untapped. “The real promise of AI is in catching disease before it becomes catastrophic. If we can flag high-risk patients early, we can save both lives and costs,” he said. Globally, one of the most successful use cases has been ambient AI, which listens to consultations and drafts clinical notes automatically. Its growing adoption shows that when AI removes friction from a doctor’s day, integration into clinical workflows happens naturally. The payer and provider equation According to Venky Ananth, AI adoption has advanced fastest among payers. “We’re moving to 96–98% automation in claims adjudication,” he said, pointing to fraud detection and utilization management as areas where AI is already creating measurable impact. But he argued that the real opportunity lies in going beyond claims settlement and using data to design care pathways and proactively guide patients toward preventive care. On the provider side, AI is starting to address one of healthcare’s most persistent pain points, that is the administrative overload faced by doctors. “In the US, doctors are called data clerks because they spend two hours documenting every hour with a patient,” Ananth noted. AI-powered summarization tools are reducing this burden, improving documentation quality, and even streamlining revenue cycle management ultimately allowing physicians to spend more time with patients. A chance for India to leapfrog Srikanth Velamakanni argued that India’s real opportunity lies in using AI to solve scale problems. His company’s health-tech venture, Cure.ai, has built AI-driven radiology tools with 27 FDA clearances, impacting 32 million lives across 50 countries. “We picked TB as a starting point because of India’s burden,” he said, describing mobile screening units that can diagnose and start therapy on the same day. Fractal has also launched Vaidya.ai, a healthcare-specific large language model (LLM) built for India. Accessible via WhatsApp, it helps patients interpret X-rays, ECGs, and lab reports, preparing them for doctor consultations and offering post-visit guidance. “This can be a game-changer for India, where access to primary care remains limited,” Velamakanni noted. Superhuman accuracy and ethical guardrails The panelists agreed that AI is reaching a point where its diagnostic accuracy can exceed human performance. Krumholz highlighted AI models that can detect early cardiac risks from ECGs far beyond what clinicians can see. But he cautioned that models must be rigorously evaluated, just like new drugs, before widespread use. Velamakanni added that in some TB programs, Cure.ai’s models have already outperformed radiologists, a milestone that may soon raise ethical questions. “If AI is cheaper, faster, and more accurate, there will come a time when not using it becomes unethical,” he said. Building Indian datasets for Indian problems One of India’s biggest advantages is the availability of diverse, high-quality data and cost-effective annotation talent. Velamakanni explained that building AI at population scale is not just possible but more affordable here than in the West. Still, interoperability and secure data sharing are critical. “AI works only as well as the data it learns from,” he said, calling for healthcare players to break silos and align on standards. From pilots to population health India has moved beyond pilots, AI is now deployed in state TB programs, public hospitals, and private networks. The next frontier is embedding these solutions into public health infrastructure and reimbursement frameworks, so they benefit millions, not just a few. As Pavoor summarised, “Democratising care is not about having the most sophisticated tool in a corporate hospital. It’s about ensuring the last patient in the remotest village also benefits.” If India succeeds, its next healthcare leap may not be a new hospital chain or a breakthrough therapy, but a data-led system that predicts, prevents, and personalizes care at scale. When that happens, AI will not just be a technology story, it will be a public health revolution.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26722/hca-healthcare-sets-up-global-capability-centre-in-hyderabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26722/hca-healthcare-sets-up-global-capability-centre-in-hyderabad.html Wed, 24 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0530 HCA Healthcare, Inc., a Fortune 100 healthcare leader with a network of approximately 192 hospitals and 2,500 care sites across the United States and the United Kingdom, has inaugurated its Global Capability Centre (GCC) in India, selecting Hyderabad as its strategic hub. The centre will serve as a strategic hub and use advanced digital and technology capabilities to help drive innovation and operational excellence across HCA Healthcare’s operations. With a planned investment of approximately $75 million by the end of 2025, HCA Healthcare - India is set to expand its workforce to 3,000 colleagues by the end of 2026 with continued growth expected. HCA Healthcare - India is focused on recruiting and developing talent across multiple lines of business including IT, supply chain, procurement, human resources, finance and accounting. The Hyderabad centre is expected to play a significant role in supporting HCA Healthcare’s commitment to providing high-quality patient care in the United States and United Kingdom. Located in HITEC City, the center spans over 400,000 square feet across four floors within the LEED-certified campus of Sattva Knowledge Park. The facility was inaugurated by Duddilla Sridhar Babu, Minister for Information Technology, Electronics, Communications, and Industries, Legislative Affairs, Government of Telangana; in the presence of Emily Duncan, Senior Vice President, Global Capability Network, HCA Healthcare; Atul Kapoor, Vice President and Hyderabad Center Head, HCA Healthcare - India; along with other distinguished dignitaries. Duddilla Sridhar Babu  said, "Hyderabad is the gateway to a complete global ecosystem of healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and life sciences. With world-class hospitals, over 800 pharma companies producing APIs, drugs, biologics, speciality medicines, and vaccines, and the presence of leading global life sciences GCCs driving R&D and innovation, Telangana has built one of the finest healthcare infrastructures in the world. What sets Hyderabad apart is its ability to deliver affordable healthcare while maintaining the highest standards of quality and trust. We are proud to welcome HCA Healthcare’s first Global Capability Centre in India, a strong endorsement of Hyderabad’s leadership and a milestone that will further accelerate our journey as a global hub for healthcare and innovation."  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26715/anhad-india-forays-into-bihar-with-flagship-paramedic-assisted-digital-health-centres.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26715/anhad-india-forays-into-bihar-with-flagship-paramedic-assisted-digital-health-centres.html Tue, 23 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Anhad India, a pioneering rural healthcare initiative under Karma Healthcare Trust, is set to strengthen healthcare access in Bihar with the inauguration of its paramedic-assisted telemedicine health centre in Bajitpur village.   The centre was formally inaugurated by Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Minister for Water Resources & Parliamentary Affairs, Government of Bihar, in the presence of community leaders and stakeholders. This expansion is supported by SwissRe Foundation as a key partner, underlining their commitment to inclusive and sustainable healthcare delivery. Anhad India has been working to bridge the rural healthcare gap in underserved regions of India. With a network of nearly 60 technology-enabled, paramedic-assisted telemedicine centers across 11 states and UTs, Anhad India has created a scalable model that integrates digital innovation with community-driven care. By offering all essential healthcare services, doctor consultations, diagnostics, medicines, and follow-ups under one roof, the initiative ensures continuity of care, preventive health awareness, and direct access to qualified doctors. To date, it has successfully treated nearly 2 lakh patients, with support from its partners, viz., Hyundai Motor India Foundation, Swiss Re Foundation Ray of Hope International Foundation, Ujjivan Small Finance Bank and Innovators in Health (IIH). Despite notable improvements in health indicators over the years, Bihar continues to face deep-rooted systemic challenges in its healthcare infrastructure, leading to limited access and significant out-of-pocket costs for the communities. The doctor-to-population ratio is 1:2148; which is significantly low than the WHO recommended norm of 1:1000. Anhad India foray into the state is timely and aims to bridge the healthcare gaps. It complements the state’s priorities under Comprehensive Primary Healthcare (CPHC), with the telemedicine centres offering a broader spectrum of care, including general practitioner consultations, specialist consultations, screening and management of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, eye care, and other essential health services.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26680/rwesearch-health-innovation-summit-2025-sparks-global-conversations-on-health-transformation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26680/rwesearch-health-innovation-summit-2025-sparks-global-conversations-on-health-transformation.html Mon, 15 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0530 The RWEsearch & Health Innovation Summit 2025, hosted by Healthark, from 9 to 11 September 2025,  concluded on a powerful note, convening 2,800+ participants from 13 countries, 62 distinguished speakers, and 42 leading organisations. Over three days, the summit spotlighted the intersection of real-world evidence (RWE), artificial intelligence (AI), digital health, and healthcare innovation, sparking global conversations on health transformation across India, the Middle East, Africa, and other regions. The summit was formally inaugurated by D. Sridhar Babu, Minister of Information Technology, Electronics, Communications, Industries & Legislative Affairs, Government of Telangana, who emphasised the timeliness of the gathering, “At a time when healthcare and life sciences are undergoing rapid transformation, this summit provides an essential platform to discuss RWE, AI, and healthcare innovation. I congratulate the Healthark team for bringing together global leaders and experts for such a timely and impactful event.” Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin, Founding Dean of the Kautilya School of Public Policy and former Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, addressed a private gathering of top multinational and Indian pharmaceutical leaders at a dinner reception organised by Healthark in Hyderabad. Drawing on over three decades of diplomatic experience, he delivered a session titled “The Current Geopolitical Complexity & Its Implications for Our Current Business,” offering a strategic perspective on how shifting global dynamics are reshaping both opportunities and risks for the healthcare and life sciences sector. Adding to this international dimension, Aditya Yellipeddi, Elected Member – Former President Legislative Assembly, Chavornay, Vaud State, Switzerland, delivered an impactful session on the “Role of Indian GCCs in Global Healthcare Innovation.” He highlighted the strategic significance of Indian Global Capability Centres in advancing research, innovation, and partnerships on a global scale. One of the flagship sessions, “Demystifying AI for the Next Generation of GCCs,” brought together leading voices from the life sciences and healthcare industry. The panel featured John Dawber, Corporate Vice President & Managing Director – Global Business Services, Novo Nordisk; Mohit Dhingra, Managing Director – Hyderabad, Bristol Myers Squibb; Nilay Shastri, General Manager, Roche Services & Solutions India; and Mahesh Natarajan, Director, Thermo Fisher Scientific. The discussion explored how AI and automation are transforming Global Capability Centres, not only driving operational efficiencies but also contributing to innovation in R&D, clinical trials, and patient outcomes, signalling a shift from headcount-driven models to knowledge- and impact-driven growth. Guided by co-chairs Janak Joshi and Julie Krommenhoek, and under the leadership of Dr Purav Gandhi, Founder & CEO of Healthark, and Sudeep Krishna, Co-Founder & President of Healthark, the summit offered a platform for cross-border collaboration and knowledge-sharing. With 25 sessions, participants explored foundational and cutting-edge topics, ranging from RWE adoption and regulatory frameworks to AI-enabled clinical research and decentralised trial models. Sessions highlighted how AI and RWE are accelerating clinical trials, improving data quality, enhancing patient recruitment, and shaping data-driven decision-making. Experts addressed key challenges, such as data bias, interoperability, and regulatory compliance, while stressing the importance of fit-for-purpose, AI-ready data and greater inclusivity in clinical trials. Across three days, the summit brought forth a shared vision of healthcare at a tipping point. Participants discussed India’s emergence as a global healthcare innovation hub, the role of digital health platforms, and the multidisciplinary collaboration required to achieve patient-centred care. The RWEsearch & Health Innovation Summit 2025 by Healthark ultimately reinforced the vital role of data, technology, and collaboration in transforming healthcare and improving patient outcomes worldwide. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26619/george-institute-for-global-health-develops-online-tool-for-high-blood-pressure-management.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26619/george-institute-for-global-health-develops-online-tool-for-high-blood-pressure-management.html Fri, 29 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0530 A first-of-its-kind Blood Pressure Treatment Efficacy Calculator built on data from nearly 500 randomised clinical trials in over 100,000 people allows doctors to see by how much different medications are likely to lower blood pressure. The research could transform how the condition is managed, allowing doctors to choose a treatment for each patient based on the degree to which they need to lower their blood pressure. Speaking about the research, Dr Mohammad Abdul Salam, Program Head, Cardiovascular Research, The George Institute for Global Health, Hyderabad, said, “We cannot overlook the importance of controlling high blood pressure effectively and efficiently. Achieving optimal control requires a clear understanding of the efficacy of antihypertensive drugs at different doses and in various combinations. Without clarity on what we want to achieve and how to achieve it, we will not meet our targets. Guidelines define the target blood pressure, while our online tool helps identify which antihypertensive drugs are best suited to reach that target.” The new tool helps overcome this challenge by calculating the average treatment effect seen across hundreds of trials. It also categorises treatments as low, moderate, and high intensity, based on how much they lower blood pressure (BP) – an approach already routinely used in cholesterol lowering treatment. A single antihypertensive medication - still the most common way treatment is started - typically lowers systolic BP by just 8-9 mmHg, while most patients need reductions of 15-30 mmHg to reach ideal targets. The next step is to test this new approach in a clinical trial, where patients will be prescribed treatments based on how much they need to lower their blood pressure, guided by the calculator.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26616/iit-m-partners-with-lsu-health-new-orleans-to-accelerate-global-health-innovation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26616/iit-m-partners-with-lsu-health-new-orleans-to-accelerate-global-health-innovation.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) is partnering with LSU Health New Orleans (LSUHSC-NO) to advance global health through education, research, and technology-driven entrepreneurship programmes. The agreement combines the strengths of LSUHSC-NO in clinical and translational research with IIT Madras’ leadership in engineering, informatics, and innovation. This partnership aims to expedite the development and deployment of new technologies, with a focus on closing healthcare gaps and enhancing global outcomes. The collaboration blends LSU Health New Orleans’s robust research capabilities, including seven Centers of Excellence and NCI-designation efforts, with IIT Madras’ technology innovation to drive global health impact. Joint teams will lead genomic and health studies and develop scalable tools like AI-powered apps, affordable diagnostics, and smart medical devices. An exchange programme will support student and faculty collaboration with new research and entrepreneurship efforts, expanding the partnership’s reach. Speaking about this collaboration, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, “Bringing our technology-driven innovation together with LSU Health New Orleans’ research and clinical presence in Louisiana and the Gulf Coast establishes a pathway for translating ideas into global health solutions.” This partnership aims to position LSUHSC-NO among the nation’s top 50 academic health centers by 2030, while enhancing IIT Madras’s global engagement in applied health research. Both institutions plan to expand into additional biomedical areas, deepening their global impact on health innovation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26604/takeda-india-develops-new-app-to-support-patients-with-inflammatory-bowel-disease.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26604/takeda-india-develops-new-app-to-support-patients-with-inflammatory-bowel-disease.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Takeda Biopharmaceuticals India has announced the launch of ‘For You, With You IBD’ (FYWY IBD), a mobile application designed to support individuals having Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).Takeda’s patient-centric strategy, the initiative is a digital health solution aimed at supporting everyday disease management and patient well-being. India currently accounts for one of the world’s largest populations of people living with IBD. A 2023 Lancet study by the IBD Centre at the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology (AIG), Hyderabad, revealed a sharp rise in prevalence from 0.1% in 2006 to more than 5% by 2022, highlighting an urgent need for accessible patient support mechanisms. Complementing this, the Global Burden of Disease 2019 study estimated 2,70,719 IBD cases in India, with an age-standardised prevalence rate of 20.34 per 100,000 more than double the 1,30,000 cases in 1990. While diagnoses of ulcerative colitis are increasing, Crohn’s disease is often underdiagnosed and is becoming a growing public health concern. IBD’s non-specific symptoms frequently lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment, reducing patients’ quality of life. Managing symptoms such as bowel urgency and ensuring quick access to toilets remain major challenges, as these significantly affect daily functioning and cause anxiety. With IBD cases on the rise across India, Takeda’s ‘For You, With You IBD’ (FYWY IBD) app represents a pivotal step in addressing this growing challenge through innovative, care-driven, patient-centered technology. Co-created with inputs from patients and clinicians, and grounded in medical expertise, the app serves as a digital companion, empowering individuals to manage their IBD with greater ease, confidence, and inclusivity. By enabling users to track their health, gain deeper understanding into their condition, and stay connected to their care teams, FYWY transforms the patient experience. This intuitive platform not only addresses unmet needs but also builds a sense of control and community, delivering impactful, real-world support directly to patients’ fingertips.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26588/brainhap-and-iit-bombay-announce-launch-of-brain-mapping-technology-neurocalm-42.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26588/brainhap-and-iit-bombay-announce-launch-of-brain-mapping-technology-neurocalm-42.html Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0530 On 23rd August 2025, the AI–Drone–Robotics Workshop became the stage for a groundbreaking moment in education and technology, as BrainHap in association with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay and Aerobott unveiled NeuroCalm 42. With Atharva University and Rahul Education Trust joining as academic partners, the event blended neuroscience, artificial intelligence, drones, and robotics into a powerful vision for the future of learning. At the heart of the workshop was the unveiling of NeuroCalm 42, BrainHap’s revolutionary brain-mapping technology designed to analyse students’ cognitive skills, focus levels, and emotional balance. Developed in collaboration with IIT Bombay under the leadership of Jyoti Gupta, Founder of BrainHap, the solution is positioned as a timely response to the growing challenges of digital distractions and fragmented attention spans among learners. The event featured an expert session by Azizuddin Khan, Professor at IIT Bombay, whose three decades of research in psychology, neuroscience, and digital behaviuor emphasised the urgent need for cognitive training and digital wellness in today’s fast-evolving world. His insights underscored how brain mapping and emotional balance are essential tools for preparing students for the future. Sharing her vision, Jyoti Gupta said, “NeuroCalm 42 is not just technology, it is a movement to bring focus, calm, and emotional strength back into the lives of students. By merging neuroscience with AI, we are giving schools and parents a way to truly understand the minds of young learners and help them grow into balanced, confident individuals ready for the future.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26560/abbott-launches-next-gen-freestyle-libre-2-plus-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26560/abbott-launches-next-gen-freestyle-libre-2-plus-in-india.html Thu, 21 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Abbott, the global healthcare company, has announced the launch of the FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus sensor, Abbott’s latest addition to the FreeStyle Libre sensor portfolio. The launch took place at an event in Mumbai. This innovative device offers automatic glucose readings every minute straight to your phone, empowering people with diabetes to manage their condition with confidence, precision, and ease. People living with diabetes can see their glucose readings, without having to scan, and receive alerts automatically on their compatible smartphone when low glucose levels or high glucose levels happen, letting them make informed decisions. With 101 million people living with diabetes, India is home to the second-largest diabetes population in the world. This staggering number highlights the urgent need for accessible, real-time tools like continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) to help people manage their diabetes confidently and proactively. Glucose monitoring, alongside appropriate therapy, is key to managing the condition and preventing complications. “Abbott’s pioneering FreeStyle Libre technology is transforming the way diabetes is managed for over seven million individuals across the globe. We are thrilled to introduce this life-changing innovation to India, where it holds immense potential to empower people to be able to manage the condition better,” said Dr Kenneth Lee, Regional Medical Affairs Director, Asia Pacific, Diabetes Division, Abbott. “FreeStyle Libre2 Plus performance meets robust accuracy standards to ensure reliable glucose readings for all intended patient populations and glycemic ranges. It gives people the freedom to monitor their glucose levels without routine fingersticks, helping them make more informed decisions.” Studies show that FreeStyle Libre technology can help reduce low blood sugar episodes by up to 43%, a 0.9% to 1.5% drop in HbA1c levels, and even cut hospital visits by 66%. Libre technology has been shown to reduce cardiovascular complication risk by 78% in people with Type 1 diabetes post-severe hypoglycemia, and lower hospitalisation risk for stroke and diabetes-related complications by 44% in insulin-treated Type 2 diabetes. And for caregivers, real-time alerts offer peace of mind and the chance to act before situations get serious. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26556/citiustech-acquires-health-data-movers-to-enhance-healthcare-provider-offerings.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26556/citiustech-acquires-health-data-movers-to-enhance-healthcare-provider-offerings.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0530 CitiusTech, a leading provider of healthcare technology, services & solutions, has acquired US-based Health Data Movers, a Best in KLAS healthcare technology services firm, with deep expertise in Epic Systems, Workday, ServiceNow and other core healthcare platforms. As healthcare providers work to improve quality of care and deliver more connected patient and clinician experiences, they face the challenges of unifying complex technology ecosystems while accelerating innovation. The rapid rise of Agentic AI, Cloud, and AI Scribes has only heightened the need for seamless integration into the core systems clinicians and staff use every day. Epic, as the digital backbone of many healthcare providers, has been central to this transformation, driving digital adoption, enabling interoperability, and opening new pathways to embed advanced analytics and AI directly into clinical workflows. The combination of CitiusTech’s AI, data, and automation solutions and Health Data Movers’ deep integration expertise, creates a unique ability to embed intelligence and automation directly into core operational platforms such as EMR, ITSM and ERP. By bringing advanced digital capabilities directly into the daily workflows that health systems trust, this approach minimizes change management risks, and delivers scalable, end-to-end solutions that enable Providers to achieve greater efficiency, quality, and impact in patient care. “This is a pivotal moment and huge opportunity for CitiusTech and Health Data Movers, as we meet the demands of a rapidly transforming healthcare landscape. By combining forces, we are redefining the path to seamless integration, and infusing AI and intelligent automation into clinical operations. Together, we empower our customers to unlock transformative efficiencies, deliver connected patient care, and accelerate innovation, all within the systems they trust. This partnership strengthens CitiusTech’s position as a strategic partner across the healthcare ecosystem,” said Rajan Kohli, CEO, CitiusTech. By bringing Health Data Movers’ Epic implementation and integration expertise into CitiusTech’s portfolio, this partnership has the ability to operate at the very core of the Epic ecosystem, solving some of healthcare’s most critical challenges.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26535/humeta-raises-2-m-in-pre-seed-funding-round-for-global-expansion.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26535/humeta-raises-2-m-in-pre-seed-funding-round-for-global-expansion.html Fri, 15 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0530 HealthPresso TechnoMedia has announced that the services of its artificial intelligence (AI)-based healthcare content creation platform “HUMETA” goes global and will now be available in the UAE and the US. To fund the expansion, the company is raising $2 million in its pre seed funding round after successfully completing an Angel Investing round of $300k in July 2025. The platform delivers multi-format, multilingual, regulation-ready content for every medical specialty from CME modules and discharge summaries to patient explainers and scientific publications, all aligned with FDA, EMA and CDSCO guidelines. Trained on over 3.5 million verified medical datasets and built on proprietary Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) architecture, HUMETA is designed for medical precision, according to HealthPresso TechnoMedia which created HUMETA. "With our expansion, we're now enabling content creation at the point of care in UAE through hospital networks, clinics and standalone specialty centres and in the USA, where we're working with medical associations and pharma brands to ensure every piece of healthcare communication is grounded in accuracy and governance." said Daleep Manhas, CEO & Co-Founder of HUMETA. According to HealthPresso TechnoMedia, only 15–20 percent of doctors actively contribute to health content management, with nearly 10 million out of 12 million physicians remaining passive. In India, fewer than 5 percent of 1.2 million registered allopathic doctors create content, despite the country producing over 50,000 new MBBS graduates each year. This participation gap restricts the impact of pharma, hospital and Med-Tech communications, adding HUMETA is purpose-built to activate this silent 80 percent.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26460/icici-foundation-partners-with-iit-kanpur-to-build-cutting-edge-digital-health-stack-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26460/icici-foundation-partners-with-iit-kanpur-to-build-cutting-edge-digital-health-stack-.html Wed, 30 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0530 ICICI Foundation For Inclusive Growth (ICICI Foundation), the CSR arm of ICICI Bank, has partnered with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur to develop a state-of-the-art Digital Health Stack. The initiative, named ICICI Digital Health Stack (ICICI-DHS), aims to fortify India’s public healthcare systems by combining technology, medical research, and innovation. To support this initiative, ICICI Foundation has pledged Rs 34 crore to IIT Kanpur.   To take the development further, IIT Kanpur has set up a dedicated Innovation Lab on its campus. This lab was inaugurated by Pradeep Kumar Sinha, Chairman, ICICI Bank in the presence of Rakesh Jha, Executive Director, ICICI Bank and Prof. Manindra Agarwal, Director, IIT Kanpur. Envisioned as a modular, scalable and open digital platform, ICICI-DHS will address evolving healthcare challenges by integrating digital tools and systems. The initiative will focus on: Enhancing telemedicine access in rural and remote regions through data analytics Testing the efficacy of portable healthcare devices for decentralised care delivery Enabling detection of trends in chronic diseases through AI enabled features Creating digital medical record protocols in alignment with the regulators A notable early application of ICICI-DHS was the development of the Real Time Bed Availability and Referral Portal (RT-BARP), deployed during the recent Maha Kumbh Mela. This portal helped the health department in bed booking, ambulance discovery and referral co-ordination ensuring timely medical assistance for lakhs of pilgrims. Prof. Manindra Agarwal, Director, IIT Kanpur, said, “Through this project of ICICI Digital Health Stack that we initiated last year, we aim to develop deployable technology for complete evidence-based, implementable, person-focused and digitally enabled healthcare delivery for all in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It is my pleasure to mention that as part of this initiative our team developed Real Time Bed Availability and Referral Portal (RT-BARP) which was successfully deployed during the Maha Kumbh 2025, ensuring better preparedness and improved medical accessibility during the event. We are grateful to ICICI foundation for the generous support.”     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26432/indira-ivf-hospital-launches-ivf-success-calculator-to-personalise-fertility-estimates.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26432/indira-ivf-hospital-launches-ivf-success-calculator-to-personalise-fertility-estimates.html Fri, 25 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0530 In a move that introduces a new way that fertility care may be accessed in India, Indira IVF Hospital has introduced the ‘IVF Success Calculator’ — a digital tool that offers personalised estimates of IVF success rates and the number of cycles potentially required, based on an individual’s medical data. Launched on the occasion of World IVF Day on 25 July, the calculator is designed to empower aspiring parents with clarity even before their first consultation. This innovation is another step towards achieving optimal patient outcomes by offering guidance at the earliest stage of the journey. The calculator is free to use, fully confidential, and available online, making it accessible to individuals across geographies and backgrounds. This calculator analyses key medical inputs and, within a few minutes, generates a downloadable report that outlines success probabilities while also highlighting potential fertility concerns such as PCOS or abnormal sperm morphology. It offers early treatment considerations along with general lifestyle recommendations. The IVF Success Calculator allows users to manually enter key medical details, including AMH values, sperm count and motility or upload existing reports to receive a personalised success estimate, delivered securely in a few minutes. The calculator’s predictions present projected success rates across one, two, and three IVF cycles. This may help individuals make informed decisions with greater clarity and confidence at every stage of their journey.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26431/flebo-in-introduces-free-ai-powered-digital-health-record-storage.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26431/flebo-in-introduces-free-ai-powered-digital-health-record-storage.html Thu, 24 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Gurugram-based startup Flebo.in, a one-stop destination that allows convenient booking of both radiology and pathology tests from any lab of the customer's choice, has launched a new free artificial intelligence (AI)-powered digital health vault, enabling users to upload, store, and analyse lab reports from any diagnostic lab. The new service allows patients to consolidate scattered medical records, track health trends over time, and receive AI-driven insights and doctor suggestions—all without any cost. Backed by Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet, in his personal capacity, Flebo.in now lets users upload their health reports from any lab, including third party, and secure them in an online data vault free of cost. They can access these reports anytime, anywhere on their mobile phones by simply logging into their Flebo.in account. As soon as a report is uploaded, Flebo.in uses artificial intelligence to instantly and automatically analyse the report. It shows users the parameters that are out of range, provides an AI based analysis, which includes recommendations for lifestyle and doctor recommendations. It adds all major tested parameters to the Health Trend Graphs to see all the values for that parameter across all tests, conducted at different times in one graph, without needing to look through multiple reports. Flebo.in then sends recommendations for future tests at the appropriate time, thus ensuring timely diagnosis and treatment.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26391/seeds-of-innocens-launches-asias-first-fully-integrated-home-ivf-platform.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26391/seeds-of-innocens-launches-asias-first-fully-integrated-home-ivf-platform.html Wed, 16 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Seeds of Innocens, a trusted name in fertility care with an international footprint, has launched Asia’s first fully integrated Home IVF platform. Led by Dr Gauri Agarwal, one of India’s leading gynaecologists and IVF experts with over 25,000 successful deliveries, the platform brings the entire fertility treatment journey into the comfort of patients’ homes. Launched at a time when India’s fertility rate has fallen to a record low of 1.9, below the replacement level of 2.1, this innovation responds to a growing need. Factors like rising stress, delayed parenthood, and lifestyle changes have made infertility a widespread concern across both urban and rural India. The Home IVF platform addresses these barriers by delivering private, clinically guided care remotely. It also supports egg freezing and offers genetic counselling services, helping couples reduce the risk of hereditary conditions and ensure healthier pregnancy outcomes, especially for those planning parenthood later in life. The platform begins with a teleconsultation with a trained fertility counsellor to record medical history and review diagnostic reports. A fertility specialist then tailors a personalised plan, ranging from natural conception to IUI or IVF. Prescriptions, test protocols, medicine schedules, and progress tracking are integrated into the platform, giving patients full visibility and control. The platform also addresses male fertility challenges, offering discreet at-home semen analysis, teleconsultations, and support for conditions like erectile dysfunction or ejaculatory issues. An in-platform AI-powered chatbot, Doctor IVF, provides 24x7 support and answers to common fertility-related queries. With automation streamlining over 90% of administrative processes, fertility experts can focus more on personalized care while patients benefit from reduced clinic visits and greater flexibility. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26361/omron-and-tricog-health-launch-keebohealth-to-combat-indias-cardiac-crisis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26361/omron-and-tricog-health-launch-keebohealth-to-combat-indias-cardiac-crisis.html Thu, 10 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Omron Healthcare, a global leader in innovative home health monitoring solutions, has expanded its collaboration with Tricog Health, an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven cardiac care company, to launch KeeboHealth- an advanced connected health platform designed to transform remote cardiac care and accelerate progress toward Omron’s ambitious ‘Going for Zero’ vision - a world with zero cardiovascular events. KeeboHealth is a ground-breaking digital health ecosystem that leverages state-of-the-art AI technology, real-time data analytics, and home-based monitoring to empower healthcare providers and patients in managing heart conditions more effectively.  The data flows in real-time to Tricog’s AI engine, which continuously monitors heart health, flags early warning signs, and instantly alert medical teams when intervention is needed. This proactive system helps detect heart issues before a patient’s condition detoriates, significantly reducing the need for hospitalizations. The platform integrates seamlessly with Omron’s range of connected devices-including home ECG monitors, blood pressure monitors, and weighing scales-enabling continuous and personalised care. A multinational study involving Duke and UT Southwestern University hospitals in the United States, as well as Manipal Hospital in India, has demonstrated KeeboHealth’s significant impact on heart failure management. Patients demonstrated measurable improvements in exercise capacity and heart health biomarkers by 45%, while adherence to Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy (GDMT) increased to 44%, resulting in a reduction in hospital readmissions.  Omron and Tricog plan to expand KeeboHealth widely across India in 2025, marking a paradigm shift in remote cardiac care. The combined expertise of both organisations promises a scalable, cost-effective solution that brings proactive, personalised heart health management to patients worldwide, propelling Omron’s mission of Going for Zero.   Image caption- Left to Right : Hokuta Haya, Deputy Consul General of Japan in Bengaluru; Ayumu Okada, Representative Director, President and CEO  - Omron Healthcare Co. and Dr Charit Bhograj, CEO & Founder Tricog Health     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26325/digital-healthcare-platform-dozee-cements-global-presence-by-securing-ce-mark.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26325/digital-healthcare-platform-dozee-cements-global-presence-by-securing-ce-mark.html Thu, 03 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based digital healthcare platform Dozee, a fast-growing player in Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and Early Warning Systems (EWS), has secured a major global milestone: CE Mark under the European Union’s Medical Device Regulation (EU MDR 2017/745). This milestone underscores Dozee’s steadfast commitment to clinical safety, product excellence, and world-class regulatory compliance, affirming that clinically-validated innovations from India can set the benchmark on the global stage. The CE Mark opens access to over 30 countries across the European Economic Area (EEA) and catalyses Dozee’s vision to make continuous, remote patient monitoring and early warning systems a global standard. Dozee’s vital signs monitoring system, classified as Class IIb under MDR, measures and monitors vital signs such as: Heart Rate(HR), Respiration Rate(RR), Non-invasive Blood Pressure, Temperature, Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂) and Patient Movement. These are tracked seamlessly using contactless sensors and advanced algorithms, enabling healthcare providers to detect early signs of patient deterioration, intervene in time, and significantly improve clinical outcomes. The CE Mark was awarded by TÜV SÜD, a globally respected Notified Body, after comprehensive assessments of Dozee’s quality management system, technical documentation, and clinical validation. It attests to the solution’s robustness in real-world settings and its readiness to support healthcare systems across care settings around the world. In 2022, Dozee received US-FDA 510(k) clearance for its proprietary contactless vital signs (VS) monitoring technology. With the CE Mark, Dozee is set to strengthen the global infrastructure for connected, AI-powered healthcare. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26226/spovum-technologies-and-khushi-fertility-forge-strategic-alliance-to-redefine-ivf-care-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26226/spovum-technologies-and-khushi-fertility-forge-strategic-alliance-to-redefine-ivf-care-in-india.html Wed, 11 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0530 In a significant step toward advancing fertility care in India, SpOvum Technologies, a leading IVF technology company, has announced a strategic collaboration with Khushi Fertility, one of Bengaluru’s fastest-growing chains of fertility clinics. This first-of-its-kind partnership aims to elevate assisted reproductive technology by integrating SpOvum’s advanced Lab Management System (LMS), cutting-edge software, and proprietary hardware across Khushi’s clinical ecosystem. As the official knowledge and R&D partner, SpOvum will lead the training and upskilling of embryologists at Khushi Fertility, ensuring standardised, high-quality practices across all centres. The partnership also enables real-time, in-clinic R&D to streamline clinical trials and enable product innovation tailored specifically to the Indian IVF landscape. As part of this collaboration, SpOvum will establish an in-clinic R&D hub within Khushi Fertility centres, enabling seamless testing and refinement of emerging technologies in real-world settings. Innovations in AI-powered lab automation, embryo tracking, and data-driven patient care will be accelerated through this model. This alliance is expected to catalyze transformative change across the Indian IVF sector. By embedding AI-driven protocols and automated systems, the partnership aims to boost success rates, enhance clinical decision-making, and streamline the patient journey. Continuous feedback loops enabled by the in-clinic R&D setup will also fuel ongoing innovation and sustained clinical improvement. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26216/dnh-report-offers-strategic-insight-into-indias-rapidly-evolving-digital-healthcare-ecosystem.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26216/dnh-report-offers-strategic-insight-into-indias-rapidly-evolving-digital-healthcare-ecosystem.html Mon, 09 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0530 DHN recently concluded the third edition of its flagship Forum in Delhi on a high note, solidifying its role as a catalyst for India’s digital healthcare transformation. DHN, in association with CHIME India, unveiled the Annual Digital Health Trends and Outlook 2025 Report. This first-of-its-kind report offers strategic insight into India’s rapidly evolving digital healthcare ecosystem. Based on inputs from leading healthcare IT decision-makers across regions and organisational tiers, the Annual Digital Health Trends & Outlook 2025 report identified the six core trends shaping India’s digital health landscape: AI leads the digital shift: 54% of respondents rank AI as the most transformative technology in healthcare for the next 2–3 years, with a strong focus on clinical decision support and implementation in 2025. Patient experience takes center stage: Over 51% of leaders define digital transformation by its impact on patient engagement, with a majority already investing in consumer-facing digital tools. Cybersecurity gaps still linger: Despite improved threat management, gaps in staff training and audit readiness highlight ongoing vulnerabilities in digital adoption. Tech partnerships trump in-house efforts: Nearly 60% view technology partnerships as the most critical enabler of transformation, surpassing internal R&D and external consulting. Budgets remain a major barrier: 46% of healthcare leaders cite financial constraints as the top hurdle to digital progress, with many failed initiatives linked to funding issues. Tech leaders are steering the vision: Digital health agendas are largely driven by CIOs and Chief Digital Officers, underscoring the strategic role of IT in healthcare’s future. Vishnu Saxena, Founder and CEO of DHN and ScaleHealthTech, said, "This report goes beyond numbers; it’s a reflection of intent, direction, and the shared challenges we must collectively solve. It offers a pragmatic blueprint for healthcare organizations striving to innovate responsibly, scale effectively, and center care around patients, and is an important opportunity to align industry voices and support evidence-based transformation." Dr Girish Kulkarni, Chairperson, CHiME India, said, "From AI-led innovation to collaborative models, the data presents a clear call to action for leadership teams to think boldly and act decisively in building future-ready health systems. It is through such focused platforms that we can align industry, policy, and technology to build a future-ready healthcare system.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/26155/indias-integrated-digitech-targets-affordable-healthcare-access.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/26155/indias-integrated-digitech-targets-affordable-healthcare-access.html Sat, 31 May 2025 00:00:00 +0530 From telemedicine to AI-driven diagnostics, India is leveraging digital innovation to transform its healthcare landscape. The telemedicine service eSanjeevani, is another noteworthy initiative by the government, launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Originally designed for doctor-to-doctor consultations, it evolved into eSanjeevani OPD during the COVID-19 period to enable direct physician-to-patient care. As of August 2024, it has facilitated over 270 million consultations, connecting people in remote and underserved areas with quality healthcare. The upcoming eSanjeevani 2.0 aims to integrate point-of-care diagnostic data, enabling quicker diagnoses and personalised care. These platforms are part of a larger digital vision under the ABDM, which aims to create a seamless, interoperable health ecosystem. With these platforms, India is laying the foundation for a unified digital healthcare infrastructure. Acknowledging these efforts, a January 2025 article by the World Economic Forum praised India's strides, positioning it as a potential global leader in digital health. The report emphasised the critical role of public-private partnerships, strong data governance, and interoperability, underscoring how India’s model could serve as a global benchmark for digital healthcare transformation. Apart from government initiatives, several startups and researchers are working on developing digital health strategies. India's growing digital health landscape is also attracting global interest. A recent Dutch delegation in March 2025 expressed interest in C-CAMP's digital health innovations, particularly in labour-saving technologies for healthcare, pharmaceutical advancements using AI for drug discovery, and remote monitoring and telehealth solutions. These technologies are viewed as promising tools for medical triaging, improving accessibility, and optimising healthcare delivery in underserved regions. India’s AI push The most talked-about technology, now deeply integrated into various industries and everyday life, holds significant implications for the healthcare sector. According to a Deloitte report, Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare is expected to contribute $30 billion to India’s GDP. Recognising this immense potential, India has launched a series of strategic initiatives and investments to revolutionise its healthcare ecosystem, making it more accessible and efficient. The World Economic Forum has launched the India Digital Health Activator to drive AI adoption and ensure interoperability in healthcare systems. International collaboration is also gaining traction; India and France have identified digital health and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as key areas for cooperation. Strengthening academic and institutional ties, Apollo Hospitals has partnered with the University of Leicester to establish a Centre for Digital Health & Precision Medicine in India, while Takeda’s India Capability Centre (ICC) in Bengaluru is developing a specialised Global Capability Centre focused on digital health and R&D. Industry leaders are equally engaged. Manipal Hospitals has joined hands with Google Cloud to advance AI-driven healthcare, and Zeiss India has launched an AI research lab for eyecare at the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru. Samsung R&D Institute, Noida and IIT Bombay have signed an MoU to pioneer research in digital health, AI, and other emerging technologies.   Key Innovations Shaping Digital Health in India Some of the key innovations shaping digital health in India include genomics enabling precision medicine, AI-driven drug discovery, and the digitisation of diagnostics—all contributing to more personalised and efficient healthcare delivery. Genomics driving precision care In January 2025, India launched its Indian Genomic Data Set and the Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC) portals. This initiative unlocks 10,000 whole genome sequencing (WGS) samples for researchers around the world, marking a significant milestone in the country’s vision to build a self-reliant biotech ecosystem. The IBDC is set to become a critical hub for genomic research, providing seamless access to valuable genetic information. The 10,000 WGS samples represent diverse Indian populations, offering researchers a rich catalogue of genetic variations. This initiative is poised to accelerate the development of genomic chips tailored to the Indian demographic, thereby enhancing the precision and accuracy of genetic studies. Building on this momentum, global genomics leaders are turning their focus toward India. In April 2025, Oxford Nanopore Technologies, a UK-based company pioneering nanopore-based molecular sensing technology, announced strategic partnerships with two premier Indian institutions. The company signed Letters of Intent with the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council-Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (BRIC-CDFD) and the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council-National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (BRIC-NIBMG). This agreement commits to the establishment of two new Centres of Excellence (CoE) in genomics, reinforcing India’s positioning as a critical player in global genomic research.The surge in genomics infrastructure is also evident in the private sector. 4baseCare, an emerging leader in precision oncology, recently inaugurated its genomics laboratory in Bengaluru. The company also unveiled the Global Cancer Diversity Atlas (GCDA)—an initiative aimed at bridging the genomics data gap in cancer care. Experts are equally bullish on the transformative potential of genomics. “Genomics will significantly impact human health over the next 5-10 years by enabling precision medicine, early disease detection, and personalised treatments. For instance, genomics can identify genetic risks for conditions like heart disease and cancer, guiding preventive care. In India, the Genome India Project aims to map the genetic diversity of the population, creating a reference database for disease prediction and personalised healthcare,” said Dr Vikram Venkateswaran, a seasoned expert and specialist in healthcare digital transformation management and author of ‘Healthcare India’. Several firms are already driving breakthroughs in precision medicine through genomics. Strand Life Sciences has leveraged genomics to develop tests for hereditary cancers, enabling early detection and personalised treatment options tailored specifically for Indian patients. Further amplifying India's genomic landscape, Noida-based Vgenomics, a leader in precision health, recently announced a strategic collaboration with Meril Genomics, a trusted provider in diagnostics and molecular biology. This partnership aims to deliver advanced genomic diagnostics to hospitals and research centres across India. By combining Vgenomics’ expertise in bioinformatics, AI-driven research, and translational genomics with Meril Genomics’ strengths in diagnostics and molecular biology, the collaboration is set to significantly expand the reach of precision medicine. “Leading Indian corporate hospitals have already started integrating genome sequencing as part of their treatment protocols. Most of them are already using this for expecting mothers, especially if there are risk indications like older expecting mothers, while testing for conditions like Down's Syndrome or Autism. Oncology is another area where molecular precision medicine, by analysing patients' genetic information, helps hospitals to identify specific mutations associated with cancer. This approach allows for the development of targeted therapies, improving treatment efficacy and patient outcomes. While this is just scratching the surface. The availability of high-power computers along with awareness within the medical and patient community has contributed to the adoption of genomics,” said Dr Venkateswaran. India’s AI leap in drug discovery AI is reshaping drug discovery, with leading pharma companies embedding it across their R&D pipelines. Globally, players like XtalPi in China and Standigm in South Korea are using machine learning and computational chemistry to fast-track drug design. Now, India is stepping onto this stage with a surge of AI-driven startups focused on revolutionising drug discovery. These emerging companies are harnessing advanced algorithms and big data analytics to identify novel drug candidates faster and more efficiently. One such pioneer is Boltzmann Labs, with its vision to transform drug discovery through data-driven solutions. The company offers a comprehensive suite of products and services covering target and biomarker identification, small molecule design, antibody design, protein engineering, and custom synthesis planning—all powered by AI-driven technologies. Another promising player is Peptris Technologies, an AI-powered preclinical drug discovery company. In March 2025, Peptris made headlines by out-licensing India's first AI-discovered drug candidate to US-based Revio Therapeutics. Several other startups are also reimagining the AI-driven drug discovery process across India. Bengaluru-based Prescience Insilico is accelerating drug and materials discovery with its AI-driven platform, PRinS3. Sravathi AI focuses on designing and developing molecules and materials, collaborating across the R&D pipeline. Molecule AI, recognised at BioSpectrum Asia 2024, is gaining traction with its flagship platform, Molecule GEN. Even established Indian pharmaceutical giants are embracing AI. Aurigene Pharmaceutical Services Ltd., the CDMO arm of Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, recently launched Aurigene.AI, an end-to-end AI and machine learning-assisted drug discovery platform. Digitising Diagnostics Digital pathology is emerging as a key area of innovation. In January 2025, IIIT-Hyderabad and Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) launched India’s first comprehensive pathology dataset. The India Pathology Dataset (IPD) project—a multi-stakeholder initiative involving academia, hospitals, industry, and the government- aims to digitise slide images of tissue biopsies. This project is expected to enhance clinical decision-making, reduce the risks associated with handling physical slides, and improve turnaround times for diagnostics. By leveraging AI, the IPD project also aims to open new avenues for research in pathology. Bengaluru-based startup SigTuple is also making strides in this space with its digital pathology platform capable of analysing blood samples remotely. This innovation is extending access to specialist diagnostics in areas lacking adequate medical facilities. According to Dr Venkateswaran, “Digital pathology platforms can analyse specimens in record time, annotate them, and provide initial findings, allowing pathologists to focus on critical areas. This optimises analysis time and enhances the detection of key findings.” AI is also driving change in medical imaging. In May 2025, Rajalakshmi Medical College Hospital and Research Institute in Chennai inaugurated the Rajalakshmi Advanced Diagnostics and Applied Radiomics (RADAR) Centre. This facility focuses on precision diagnostics through AI-enabled imaging, aiming to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes. Qure.ai, a leader in AI-based medical imaging, is reshaping the radiology landscape with deep learning tools that automate the interpretation of X-rays, CT scans, and ultrasounds. Its technology accelerates diagnosis and improves healthcare accessibility. In April 2025, AstraZeneca partnered with Qure.ai to complete 5 million AI-enabled chest X-rays (CXRs) across more than 20 countries. Tata Elxsi, through its innovation arm, is working on AI-powered medical imaging, while Google has partnered with Forus Health and AuroLab to scale up diabetic retinopathy screening across India. Another area where AI is making significant strides is early diagnosis. Several Indian firms are launching innovative tools aimed at early detection and preventive care. Redcliffe Labs recently introduced a digital prediabetes risk checker, enabling early-stage identification and intervention.   Breaking Barriers in Digital Health A major challenge in scaling India's digital healthcare ecosystem is the uneven distribution of technology and infrastructure across the country. Urban areas generally benefit from better connectivity and digital literacy, while rural regions often face significant barriers, including limited internet access and inadequate IT infrastructure. Although rural India had over 400 million internet subscribers as of 2024, the connectivity quality is frequently insufficient to support reliable digital health services, according to a paper in the Nature publication. Concerns around data privacy and security remain significant barriers to the adoption of ABDM. The digitisation of health records demands robust data protection measures to secure sensitive patient information, especially considering the vast scale of ABDM. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) of 2023 marks a critical step in India's efforts to regulate personal data processing and uphold data privacy, the paper further noted. “While a lot of progress has been made, there are still opportunities to make more out of the data being held in hospitals. Certain regulatory guardrails would also help. I believe the DPDPA is a step in the right direction. It gives the much-needed incentive for hospitals to assess their data structures and make the necessary changes to ensure that the data can be used for more clinical research and innovation on the Indian genotype that would boost the care outcomes. I also believe that we need a centralised regulatory authority like what RBI has for financial services. This will ensure that there is uniformity in the regulations and hospitals are not overburdened by complying with multiple regulations both at the state and central levels, ” added Dr Venkateswaran. India’s digital health sector is poised for exponential growth, with a recent BCG report, in collaboration with B Capital, projecting a surge from $2.7 billion in 2022 to nearly $37 billion by 2030. Overcoming these challenges will be vital to unlocking the full potential of digital health, positioning India as a global leader in tech-enabled healthcare delivery.   Ayesha Siddiqui ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26169/medlern-partners-with-omni-hospitals-to-enhance-healthcare-training-across-five-branches-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26169/medlern-partners-with-omni-hospitals-to-enhance-healthcare-training-across-five-branches-.html Tue, 27 May 2025 00:00:00 +0530 MedLern, a leading digital learning platform for healthcare professionals, has announced a collaboration with OMNI Hospitals, a prominent multi-specialty healthcare provider, to enhance training and development initiatives across five of its branches- Omni Kothapet, Omni Kukatpally, Udai Omni, Omni Vizag, Omni Kurnool. This partnership will leverage MedLern's cutting-edge digital Learning & Development (L&D) solutions to streamline training processes, improve staff competency, and foster a culture of continuous learning within OMNI Hospitals. By implementing MedLern's training modules, real-time assessments, and compliance tracking, OMNI Hospitals aims to further elevate its standards of patient care and operational efficiency.  The collaboration will initially focus on five OMNI Hospitals branches, with plans for future expansion. The digital L&D solutions will be tailored to meet the specific needs of each branch, ensuring that all healthcare professionals receive relevant and engaging training. With a strong focus on accessibility, efficiency, and continuous learning, this collaboration ensures that medical staff remain up-to-date with evolving best practices and industry advancements. Through this initiative, MedLern is not only bridging knowledge gaps but also fostering a culture of excellence, ultimately elevating the overall quality of healthcare delivery across the nation.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26139/meshapp-develops-digital-platform-to-modernise-doctorpharma-interactions.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26139/meshapp-develops-digital-platform-to-modernise-doctorpharma-interactions.html Wed, 21 May 2025 00:00:00 +0530 In a significant step towards bridging gaps between the medical and pharmaceutical communities, MeshApp has launched a powerful digital platform that reimagines how doctors and pharma representatives engage, collaborate, and grow. Tailored specifically for India’s healthcare professionals, MeshApp offers a suite of features that not only simplify daily workflows but also foster community, learning, and legal security. With a fast-growing network of verified professionals, MeshApp is more than just a communication tool, it’s a comprehensive ecosystem for doctors that brings together meaningful conversations, financial security, passive income opportunities, and peace of mind through medico-legal support. One of the most valuable features of MeshApp is instant access to medico-legal assistance, available nationwide, and the first 15 minutes of consultation are absolutely free from topmost legal firms across india . In a landscape where doctors are increasingly vulnerable to legal scrutiny, this feature provides a crucial layer of protection and peace of mind. With rising litigations in clinical practice—over 1,000+ medical negligence cases filed in 2023 alone (NCRB data)—MeshApp offers nationwide legal assistance with top-tier law firms, including 15 minutes of free consultation per case. To reduce the administrative burden on doctors, MeshApp is developing tools that will automate essential functions such as accounting, documentation, and appointment management. These features will help free up doctors’ time, allowing them to focus more on patient care and less on paperwork.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26118/medibuddy-appoints-sidhartha-mehra-as-cfo-to-drive-strategic-growth-and-operational-excellence.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/26118/medibuddy-appoints-sidhartha-mehra-as-cfo-to-drive-strategic-growth-and-operational-excellence.html Thu, 15 May 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based digital healthcare company MediBuddy has announced the appointment of Sidhartha Mehra as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). With over 20 years of global and Indian experience across multinational corporations and high-growth enterprises, Mehra has led Finance, Legal, Compliance, HR, Investments, and Procurement functions. He brings a rare blend of financial acumen and cross-functional leadership, with expertise in IPO, M&A, and strategic financial management. In his role at MediBuddy, Mehra will lead MediBuddy’s financial strategy, capital management, and regulatory compliance. His proven expertise in managing large-scale M&A, corporate restructuring, finance transformation, and strategic capital allocation will be instrumental in driving long-term value creation for the company and its stakeholders. Mehra held senior leadership positions across global financial institutions and leading Indian companies. Most recently, he served as the CFO and CHRO at Zolo, where he played a pivotal role in leading enterprise-wide transformation, driving operational efficiency and governance frameworks. Prior to this, he held leadership roles at Jupiter Capital, GE Capital, and Barclays, managing financial planning, regulatory compliance, and business analytics across global markets including the UK, Ireland, Belgium, and India. In addition to his corporate leadership, Mehra also serves as a Professor of Practice at the Manipal Centre for Innovation, Leadership, and Entrepreneurship, highlighting his passion for shaping future leaders in finance and strategy. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25963/cureskin-to-launch-worlds-first-ai-powered-hair-analyser.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25963/cureskin-to-launch-worlds-first-ai-powered-hair-analyser.html Wed, 09 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based startup Cureskin, a leader in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven dermatology solutions is set to launch the world’s first AI-powered hair analyser. It is designed to accurately detect male pattern baldness and assess hairline health with advanced precision. This breakthrough feature, integrated into the Cureskin app, leverages cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to help users monitor hair thinning early, enabling timely intervention and personalised treatment recommendations. Cureskin’s AI-powered hair analyser utilises deep-learning models trained on thousands of clinical images to identify early signs of hair recession, thinning, and density reduction. With a simple selfie in the app, users receive an instant, in-depth analysis of their hairline health, along with AI-generated insights on potential hair loss patterns. In a country where dermatologists are scarce and hair-related stigma is widespread, this innovation brings equitable, tech-enabled care to millions—especially in semi-urban and rural areas where expert access is limited. “By integrating AI and machine learning into hair health diagnostics, we are transforming how users understand and address hair loss. Our deep-learning models continuously improve, ensuring high accuracy in detecting hair loss patterns. With this feature, users can access early and expert guidance, bridging the gap between technology and personalised dermatological care,” said Ramakrishna R, Chief Technology Officer at Cureskin. Male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) is a growing concern in India, with studies indicating that over 50% of Indian men experience some degree of hair loss by the age of 50, with many seeing early signs as young as their 20s. Factors such as genetics, lifestyle, and environmental stressors accelerate hair thinning, making early detection crucial for effective management. With this new AI-driven hair analysis feature, Cureskin continues to redefine personalised dermatological care through the power of technology. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25875/lupin-digital-health-introduces-comprehensive-post-cardiac-procedure-home-based-care-guide.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25875/lupin-digital-health-introduces-comprehensive-post-cardiac-procedure-home-based-care-guide.html Mon, 24 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Lupin Digital Health (LDH), India’s leading evidence-based Digital Therapeutics (DTx) platform, has announced the launch of its comprehensive Post-Procedure Home-Based Care Guide at India Live, an annual confluence of leading interventional cardiologists from the Asia Pacific Region, held at Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. This guide is based on the American College of Cardiology (ACC)’s ‘Home-Based Care Workbook’ and has been developed by LDH along with the workgroup constituted by the ACC. Co-authored by eminent cardiologists Dr JPS Sawhney, Dr Prafulla Kerkar, Dr Harikrishnan and Dr Aditya Kapoor along with Dr Chetan Gharat, these user-friendly guides provide patients and caregivers with essential information and practical advice to manage post-procedure recovery at home. Covering conditions such as Heart Failure (HF), Arrhythmia, Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI), and Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG), the guides help patients understand their recovery process, recognise potential complications, manage medications, make necessary lifestyle adjustments, and access cardiac rehabilitation resources. Sidharth Srinivasan, CEO, Lupin Digital Health, said, "With the rising burden of cardiovascular diseases, improving home-based care is no longer optional—it is essential. These guides, developed in collaboration with leading cardiologists, offer patients the support they need to navigate recovery with confidence, reducing hospital readmissions and ensuring a smoother transition from hospital to home." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25858/centre-for-digital-technologies-in-healthcare-opens-in-hyderabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25858/centre-for-digital-technologies-in-healthcare-opens-in-hyderabad.html Thu, 20 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Kohli Centre on Intelligent Systems (KCIS) at the International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad (IIIT-H) marked F C Kohli’s birth anniversary on 19 March, and celebrated FC Kohli, the father of Indian IT and Founder of TCS’s 101 birth anniversary and the fifth edition of FC Kohli Talks.  The Kohli Day celebration included an annual Kohli Day Lecture by Dr D. Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman AIG Hospitals, who inaugurated the Centre for Digital Technologies in Healthcare (CDiTH). Prof PJ. Narayanan, Director of IIIT Hyderabad while giving a brief on the new centre said it is a translation lab established to apply modern digital technologies to enhance the efficacy and economy of healthcare delivery for real-world impact in India and the world by effectively bridging academic research and clinical practice.  The Kohli Centre on Intelligent Systems (KCIS), named after F.C. Kohli, houses all the AI research groups in the institute with 50 faculty and 500 researchers, which constitute one of the largest research groups in the country. Ranging from language technologies, computer vision, robotics, cognitive sciences and advanced machine learning, with applications in several domains including mobility and healthcare, the centre has AIG Hospital as a principal partner. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25802/sharda-group-launches-state-of-the-art-facility-with-smart-infrastructure-in-greater-noida.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25802/sharda-group-launches-state-of-the-art-facility-with-smart-infrastructure-in-greater-noida.html Sun, 09 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Building on its legacy of excellence in healthcare and education, Sharda Group has launched Sharda Care - Healthcity, a state-of-the-art, 600+ bedded super-specialty hospital in Greater Noida. The hospital was inaugurated by Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath Ji, marking a significant step in advancing high-quality healthcare for patients. During the inauguration, the Chief Minister emphasised the importance of strengthening healthcare infrastructure and making world-class medical facilities accessible to people across the country. Spread across 65 acres, Sharda Care – Healthcity has a smart JCI compliant infrastructure designed to provide comprehensive, patient-centric medical care across super-specialties, including oncology, neurosciences, orthopaedics, and cardiac science. Equipped with 160+ ICU beds, 24 modular operation theatres, and largest Level 1 Emergency & Trauma Care centre (60-beds) in the country, established in collaboration with SingHealth Singapore. The hospital houses patient driven approach, advanced diagnostics, minimally invasive surgical procedures, and precision-driven treatment pathways, ensuring early detection, advanced treatment, and seamless patient management.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25796/tcs-partners-with-danish-academy-of-technical-sciences-to-combat-dengue-through-technology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25796/tcs-partners-with-danish-academy-of-technical-sciences-to-combat-dengue-through-technology.html Thu, 06 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a global leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions, has collaborated with the echo network, a global social innovation initiative hosted by the Danish Academy of Technical Sciences (ATV), to combat outbreaks of dengue fever and other viral diseases. This collaboration aims to harness digital technology and citizen engagement to address pressing public health challenges. As part of this initiative, TCS will provide technology support to echo network’s ‘I am OneHealth’ programme in Bengaluru. Leveraging its TCS TECH4HOPE programme – a pro bono initiative that provides technology solutions to non-profit organizations – TCS is driving impactful change by enabling communities to combat dengue through data-driven insights and citizen participation. The echo network is funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, which supports public health and sustainability worldwide. Utilising an interactive and free WhatsApp-based chatbot, the project engages school and college students to map hyperlocal environmental conditions impacting dengue transmission. This citizen-generated data is then enriched with TCS’ advanced IT solutions that analyse humidity, temperature, and other location-specific parameters. The integrated data is transformed into real-time insights in collaboration with several Bengaluru-based organisations, contributing to a Vulnerability Index and an innovative Dengue Prevention Dashboard. Dengue, a rapidly growing health concern, is the most common mosquito-borne viral disease in many countries, including India. In 2024, the Bengaluru region alone reported over 14,000 cases. The ‘I am OneHealth’ programme in collaboration with the Bengaluru Science and Technology Cluster,  an initiative by the office of Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India of India, unites local communities, academic institutions, and health authorities to fight viral diseases through technology and collective action. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25750/salubrious-technologies-launches-new-digital-platform-to-connect-doctors-with-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25750/salubrious-technologies-launches-new-digital-platform-to-connect-doctors-with-patients.html Thu, 27 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0530 India’s healthcare system is at a crossroads, with digital  transformation accelerating, yet critical gaps in accessibility and efficiency still persisting. Recognising this, Delhi-based health-tech startup Salubrious Technologies has launched 120 by 80, a dedicated digital platform designed exclusively for doctors reshaping how medical professionals connect with patients. Designed as a doctor-first solution rather than just another platform, 120 by 80 enables doctors—whether just starting out or deep into their practice—to manage consultations more efficiently while maintaining strict patient confidentiality. The mobile app offers seamless integration into a doctor's workflow, allowing them to extend their reach beyond physical clinic hours. To facilitate early adoption,120 by 80 has opened its waitlist allowing doctors to be among the first to experience  this transformative platform. By signing up, doctors can expand their consultation reach, tap into a broader patient base and leverage digital healthcare tools for seamless practice management. The need for digital healthcare solutions is more pressing than ever. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India has a doctor-to-patient ratio of 1:1500, which falls short of the WHO-recommended ratio of 1:1000. This gap is even more pronounced in rural areas, where access to trained medical professionals remains a significant challenge. 120 by 80 aims to address this disparity by enabling marginalized communities to connect with qualified doctors and receive quality medical care without geographical constraints. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25739/c-camp-and-parisant-campus-to-establish-indo-french-life-sciences-sister-innovation-hub-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25739/c-camp-and-parisant-campus-to-establish-indo-french-life-sciences-sister-innovation-hub-.html Wed, 26 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), India’s premier science and technology innovation hub in the life sciences domain has inked a pact to launch a bilateral innovation collaboration in the healthcare domain called the Indo French Life Sciences Sister Innovation Hub with PariSanté Campus, a leading digital health innovation cluster in France. After detailed discussions, both sides identified two focus areas – One Health and Digital Health Technologies. The intent is to enable targeted innovative solutions from one geography for challenges impacting another. The aim is to foster links between both the hubs so as to enhance science-based entrepreneurship, research, academia and businesses by leveraging upon each other’s ecosystems. The Letter of Intent (LOI) has been signed by Dr Taslimarif Saiyed, Director-CEO of C-CAMP and Prof Antoine Tesnière, Director, PariSanté Campus. The primary focus of the LoI remains the milestone agreement to jointly facilitate research and innovative solutions in a bilateral manner. This is more critical since it would initiate for the first time deeper co-operation by the two countries in terms of breaking barriers for the greater goal of mitigating challenges in the crucial UNSDG domain of healthcare. The other notable point is the two key areas to be addressed which have the potential to impact healthcare access and equity not just in Global North but also in the South. The first initiatives of the LoI will be announced soon. PM Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron during bilateral talks at the Paris AI Summit have formally announced the partnership in a joint communiqué earlier this month. Dr Taslimarif Saiyed, said, “The partnership’s first goal would be to galvanise global networks of excellence and leverage mutual ecosystems to support researchers and innovators developing cutting-edge solutions from one geography to the other.  C-CAMP and PariSanté Campus will play the central role in enabling this.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25715/world-economic-forum-announces-new-india-digital-health-activator.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25715/world-economic-forum-announces-new-india-digital-health-activator.html Sat, 22 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0530 The World Economic Forum has launched a new India Digital Health Activator, a first-of-its-kind initiative to accelerate public-private collaboration in digital health.  The India Digital Health Activator, a key initiative under the Forum’s Global Digital Health Transformation (DHT) programme, aims to drive systemic change in India’s healthcare ecosystem by fostering health data interoperability, scalable digital health adoption, and innovative public-private partnerships. The announcement was made at The Transforming Healthcare with IT (THIT) Conference 2025 (a part of the 12th International Health Dialogue -IHD 2025) conference organised by Apollo Hospitals in New Delhi, on 21 and 22 February. Key Highlights of the Activator include- Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration: Engaging leaders from government, healthcare, technology, and civil society to co-develop digital health solutions; Regional Hubs Approach: Establishing multiple hubs to pilot and scale digital health innovations; and Alignment with National Strategy: Supporting the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) to enhance India’s digital health ecosystem. Shyam Bishen, Head, Centre for Health and Healthcare, World Economic Forum, stated "India is at a pivotal moment in digital health transformation, and the India Digital Health Activator will serve as a collaborative engine to accelerate adoption, drive interoperability, and enable global knowledge-sharing. This initiative will bring together key public and private sector players to create scalable and impactful solutions." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25700/sodexo-strengthens-healthcare-technology-management-with-advanced-facility-in-kolkata.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25700/sodexo-strengthens-healthcare-technology-management-with-advanced-facility-in-kolkata.html Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0530 With the increasing reliance on sophisticated medical technology, regular and efficient maintenance of biomedical equipment has become critical to ensure optimised healthcare outcomes for patients. In response to this growing need, Sodexo India has inaugurated a new, state-of-the-art Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) facility in Kolkata, equipped with specialised labs to support the maintenance of up to 5 lakh medical devices.  Featuring 6 specialised labs, supported by a dedicated team of more than 270 technical professionals and backed by an extensive network & partnerships with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), this facility is designed to enhance the service efficiency for advanced testing, repair and maintenance capabilities across a range of biomedical equipments. With the new facility, Sodexo will ensure an impressive 99% uptime, delivering on its promise of reliable service and minimizing equipment downtime, providing the much-needed support to healthcare providers in for optimal delivery of health and care services across the state of West Bengal and widen the scope of operations across markets. The new facility will be covering 100% of the public health care set ups, namely government hospitals, small & medium diagnostics centers and medical colleges in Presidency region, Burdwan and Jalpaiguri. Additionally, it will enable Sodexo to scale up its HTM operations and support the expansion of biomedical equipment maintenance in other markets. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25628/edtech-startup-virohan-joins-hands-with-mahajan-imaging-labs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25628/edtech-startup-virohan-joins-hands-with-mahajan-imaging-labs.html Tue, 04 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Gurugram-based startup Virohan, India’s leading healthcare ed-tech platform, has partnered with Mahajan Imaging & Labs, a leader in diagnostics, medical imaging, and genomics, to provide placement opportunities for its students. This collaboration aims to bridge the gap between education and the healthcare industry by offering students hands-on experience with cutting-edge, artificial intelligence (AI)-powered medical imaging and diagnostic technologies. Mahajan Imaging & Labs’ extensive network, with labs and diagnostic facilities at medical centres such as Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, PSRI Hospital, Fortis Hospitals (Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, Jaipur), and the Sports Injury Centre at Safdarjung Hospital, provides students with the opportunity to work and learn alongside experts in the field. Through this partnership, Virohan students will turn their classroom learning into hands-on experience in real healthcare environments. Working in state-of-the-art facilities, they will build the clinical and technical skills needed to meet India’s growing demand for skilled Allied Health Professionals. India’s healthcare sector is growing rapidly at 22% annually, yet it faces a shortage of 5.8 million Allied Health Professionals (AHPs), who make up 60% of the workforce. This partnership goes beyond placements—it’s about equipping the next generation of AHPs to meet this critical demand.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/25589/how-india-is-pulling-in-european-life-sciences-sector-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/25589/how-india-is-pulling-in-european-life-sciences-sector-.html Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0530 The total global pharma market in calendar year 2023 was $1508 billion and is expected to touch $1544 billion in 2024 registering a growth of 2.4 per cent. North America, the leading region with an expected share of $511.79 billion in 2024 is likely to see an increase of 3.73 per cent over previous year’s share of $493.38 billion. Asia Pacific is the leading region in terms of percentage growth of 3.86 per cent in 2024 over the previous year’s growth rate of 3.14 per cent with a share of $467.04 billion in 2024 as against $449.69 billion in 2023 and $436 billion in 2022. The European region which recorded a growth rate of 4.95 per cent in 2023 with a share of $410.71 billion in 2023 will witness a flat growth in 2024 as its share will be around $410.71 billion, according to the IQVIA report. The global generic market that holds 32.65 per cent of the total pharma market as per Fitch Solutions has touched $492.78 billion in 2023. India is predominantly a generic player. Major generic producers in the world besides India, include China producing $100-110 billion, USA producing roughly $ 65-70 billion, Germany producing $ 20-22 billion, Russia producing $14-15 billion. India’s generic share in the global generic market is $ 44.78 billion ($21.53 billion exports + $23.25 billion domestic) working out to a percentage share of 9.2 per cent. India’s exports of pharmaceuticals during April 2023 till March 2024 has been to the tune of $27.84 billion with a growth of almost 9.66 per cent. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a trade agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico region continues to be the topmost region as an exporting partner for India with share of $9,569.52 million in financial year 2023-24 registering growth of 14.64 per cent over previous year’s share of $8,347.24 million. Exports to the region of Europe has grown by 11 per cent and is accountable for more than 20 per cent of India’s exports. Europe has a strong and robust pharma industry and in fact, it is the very crucible from which the global modern pharma industry has evolved. Considering this growth, 2371 pharma companies have received Certification of Suitability (CEP) from European regulatory authorities (as of April 2024) and 1943 pharma companies have got accreditation from UK MHRA (The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) and Market authorisations.  This progress has been witnessed due the strong relations between India and European Union (EU) that has a cooperation agreement with India dating from 1994, which allows the setting up of specialised subgroups, including on pharmaceuticals. In 2005, the EU and India adopted a joint action plan for the India-EU strategic partnership, endorsing the establishment of a working group on pharmaceuticals. This working group started its activities in July 2006, with annual meetings ever since.  The European Medicines Agency (EMA) supports India in applying international standards, particularly for good manufacturing practice (GMP) and clinical trial activities, and facilitates capacity building and regulatory contacts. Due to these activities, among the top 10 Indian pharmaceutical export destinations five are from the European region namely UK (second), Netherland (fourth), France (fifth), Belgium (seventh) and Germany (eighth).  Taking the advantage of these agreements at the government levels, the European companies have been investing in R&D and manufacturing facilities, as well as opening Centres of Excellence (CoEs) and Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in India. Through these approaches, leading European pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies are actively expanding their footprint in India. Their strategies include fostering research and development (R&D), investing in Contract Research Organisations (CROs) and Contract Development Manufacturing Organisations (CDMOs), and establishing partnerships to enhance large-scale production capabilities. These collaborations focus on areas like healthcare innovation, digital health, biotechnology, vaccine production, biosimilars, and biologics manufacturing, essential for global healthcare resilience.  Many European companies have not only been sourcing products from Indian manufacturers for years, but have been now setting up their own production facilities in India. As many pharma companies turn to more collaborative business models, India having strong IT talent and skill sets in areas like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), cloud computing, IoT, big data, analytics and many new areas is likely to play an increasingly important partnering role.   In July 2024, Sanofi, a French multinational pharmaceutical and healthcare company announced a €400 million ($437 million) investment in its GCC in Hyderabad, while Denmark's Novo Nordisk, in October 2024, partnered with AI startups and expanded its leadership team, planning an increase in its workforce by 2025 to handle vast clinical trial datasets. UK-based AstraZeneca is investing Rs 250 crore to expand its GCC in India, underscoring its commitment to leveraging India's talent pool and enhancing its global operations.  It may be noted that Sandoz, a Swiss company that focuses on generic pharmaceuticals and biosimilars and now the generics arm of Novartis, has two manufacturing plants and a research centre for developing formulations and processes, based in Thane. GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), a British multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company has facilities based in Mumbai and Nashik. The GSK operates in India through its subsidiary, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd, offering a range of prescription medicines and vaccines across various therapeutic areas. GSK has a longstanding presence in India, contributing to the healthcare sector through its products and initiatives. Roche, the Swiss pharmaceutical firm has entered into promotion, marketing, and distribution partnerships with Indian companies Cipla and Entero. These collaborations aim to improve access to Roche's oncology, rheumatology, immunology, and nephrology medicines in India. Mid-tier global pharma companies are present as well – Lonza, and Ethypharm all have manufacturing or research facilities in India.    Healthcare Innovation and Digital Health  The rapidly expanding technological infrastructure in India is creating a strong base for enabling global pharma companies to enhance their operations, drive innovation, and achieve cost efficiencies, earning India a significant competitive advantage. The country's robust IT infrastructure supports various aspects of operations, including R&D, data management, and digital health initiatives.  For instance, Swiss giant Roche is harnessing India’s robust technology ecosystem to forge ahead in the digital landscape, crafting innovative solutions that resonate on a global scale. Roche has been actively collaborating with India's life sciences industry to enhance healthcare access and innovation.  Roche has expanded its digital pathology open environment through strategic collaborations aimed at supporting pathologists and scientists in cancer research and diagnosis by leveraging cutting-edge AI technologies. Roche initiated its first Digital Center of Excellence in India, in Pune early 2024 - a co-location for Roche Information Solutions, Roche Diagnostics Solutions R&D, and Roche Informatics teams encompassing a diverse team of professionals from data engineers and software engineers to architects and user-experience professionals working to build cutting edge products in digital healthcare. Roche Information Solutions India evolved from Roche’s 2017 acquisition of Viewics’, a startup with its engineering centre in Pune. To cite a similar example, AstraZeneca’s Global Innovation & Technology Centre (GITC) in Chennai drives the company's digital journey and technology innovation, housing over 50 per cent of its global IT staff. GITC offers services in software engineering, cybersecurity, IT infrastructure, cloud, hyper-automation, AI/ML, extended reality, and IoT. To this end, in July 2024, AstraZeneca India Private Limited (AZIPL), the GCC of AstraZeneca, announced an investment of Rs 250 crore ($30 million) to expand its GITC, which includes close to 1,300 roles focused on driving innovation, enhancing efficiency, and streamlining operations across the company globally. In July 2024, the Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC), the technology business incubator of the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK), entered into an agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim India, a leading global pharmaceutical company, to foster a partnership for fostering healthcare innovations. Boehringer Ingelheim’s grant supports Manastik Technologies, an SIIC-incubated startup focused on developing India's inaugural tele-neurorehabilitation app for multidisciplinary dementia care and diagnosis, focussing on the unmet need for comprehensive mental health strategies to address the growing burden of dementia and other mental health disorders in India. Using DADT (Dementia Application and Diagnosis & Tracking) technology, Manastik caters to the dementia ecosystem by providing those in need with personalised help curated by experienced doctors and neurohealthcare professionals. Boehringer has pledged a grant to Manastik to validate their app, raise awareness, and conduct dementia screening campaigns nationwide in India. Boehringer Ingelheim India has also signed an MoU with RED.Health ambulance services, the emergency care expert, to strengthen emergency pre-hospital stroke care services in India. This collaboration aims to advance emergency healthcare and support timely, life-saving medical interventions, advancing stroke care and adding value to the Stroke Care Eco-system in the country.  Bengaluru-based Ayush Hospital Soukya is set to embark on its first global expansion since its inception in 2002. Addressing the growing global demand for integrative medicine, Soukya will establish its first international unit in Portugal with an investment of Rs 220 crore. The state-of-the-art residential medical institute, expected to be operational by late 2027, will offer its unique treatment approach combining traditional, time-tested natural systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Yoga, Naturopathy, and other complementary therapies for treating various chronic and lifestyle conditions.    Biotechnology When we look at the biotechnology space, Merck Life Science in India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GeNext Genomics, an emerging biotech company. This collaboration creates a unique competitive edge by combining local expertise with global biomanufacturing capabilities. By partnering with Merck for their world-class expertise in biomanufacturing, Genext Genomics can now offer comprehensive solutions that support the growth of India’s biotech ecosystem. Bengaluru-based SKAN Research Trust (SKAN), promoted by Indian entrepreneur Ashok Soota, has announced a joint research project with the UK-based Wellcome Sanger Institute and the University of Newcastle, to study early somatic mutations in blood stem cells that researchers believe drive several cancerous and non-cancerous conditions. SKAN Research Trust, and UK-based Quadram Institute Bioscience have announced a collaborative initiative to apply the cutting-edge TraDIS-Xpress platform to study the action of traditional medical compounds on bacteria, thereby aiding in the reformulation and development of novel antibacterial regimens. TraDIS-Xpress is Quadram’s proprietary genetic sequencing platform that is at the forefront of efforts to uncover new antimicrobial agents and develop better prebiotics and probiotics for health promotion.  On the other hand, in an innovative initiative aimed at propelling healthcare innovation forward, the Technology Development Board (TDB) from Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India has granted Rs 75 lakh to Peptris Technologies Pvt. Ltd. and the Foundation for Neglected Disease Research (FNDR), Bengaluru in March 2024 for a project "ANAGRANINF - Development of a Novel Class of Antibiotics Against Gram-Negative Bacterial-Infections." The project is a joint effort between Indian and Spanish companies, with ABAC Therapeutics Sl serving as the Spanish Project Lead. Miltenyi Biotec, a global biotechnology company headquartered in Germany  announced a few strategic collaboration/partnership plans aligning with the Indian industry last year. The German company partnered with the Faridabad-based Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) in July 2024. This collaboration aims to enhance research and development in cell and gene therapy, focusing on cancer and sickle cell disease. The partnership encompasses capacity building, technology transfer, training programmes, and joint research initiatives to translate scientific advancements into medical therapies. Earlier in 2024, Miltenyi Biotec also signed an MoU with BIRAC, a public sector enterprise under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT). This agreement is designed to facilitate the development of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies and other CGT services in India.  The collaboration focuses on making advanced therapies more accessible and affordable by promoting local development and manufacturing, aligning with India's 'Made in India' initiative in the CGT sector. These strategic initiatives underscore Miltenyi Biotec's interests in advancing biomedical research and therapy in India through collaboration with local institutions and investment in state-of-the-art facilities. The company plans to catalyze the development of CAR T-cell therapies, with the prospect of implementing centralised and point-of-care CAR T-cell treatments across Indian hospitals. This initiative aligns with Miltenyi Biotec's goal to bring new therapies to patients with high unmet medical needs. These strategic initiatives underscore Miltenyi Biotec's dedication to fostering innovation and collaboration within India's life sciences sector, aiming to enhance healthcare outcomes through advanced cell and gene therapies. In October 2024, the International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions (ICARS) from Denmark has signed a partnership with the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), under the aegis of the India AMR Innovation Hub (IAIH), to address the growing threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) across the One Health spectrum. As part of this partnership, ICARS will provide funding support over the next five years, along with technical expertise and a network for implementation research in collaboration with C-CAMP, aligning with India’s National Action Plan on AMR (NAP 2.0). Additionally, ICARS and C-CAMP will work together to mobilise further funding to expand their efforts and create a wider impact. This collaboration can be deemed as a cluster-to-cluster collaboration, between the two independent research and knowledge centres.    CROs and CDMOs  Besides biotechnology, we witnessed partnerships between India and the EU in CRO and CDMO sectors during last year. Akums Group, a Delhi-based CDMO, has announced a strategic long-term agreement with a globally renowned pharmaceutical company to manufacture and supply pharmaceutical formulations in the European market. Under this collaboration, Akums Group will produce and supply multiple SKUs of oral liquid formulations, which the partner company will market across various European countries.  Veeda Lifesciences (earlier called Veeda Clinical Research), an Ahmedabad-based full-service CRO, has acquired Heads, a privately held European CRO, which specialises in conducting clinical trials in oncology. The acquisition provides Heads with a strong operational platform and an opportunity to expand its expertise and capabilities to the Indian and South-East Asian markets. India's diverse demographic profile provides a unique opportunity to conduct clinical trials, especially in therapeutic areas including oncology, diabetes, hypertension, infectious diseases, and special diseases. With this acquisition, Veeda’s global pharmaceutical and biotech clients can now leverage the unique and unparalleled suite of early to late-phase CRO services across Europe, the US, and Asia Pacific.  Piramal Pharma Solutions, the CDMO business under Piramal Pharma Limited (PPL), with operations in North America, Europe and Asia announced the opening of an expanded ADC manufacturing facility in Scotland; The commissioning of the facility represents the culmination of a £45 million investment.  Mumbai-based Blockchain-As-A-Service company Qila.io has partnered with global clinical research centre Mascot Spincontrol to bring about transparency in clinical research through blockchain. The collaboration aims to ensure that clinical trial data is secure, transparent, and tamper-proof so that the integrity of research outcomes is maintained. Mumbai-based Mascot Spincontrol is a clinical research centre formed through a joint venture between Mascot Universal and Spincontrol France. The European Company KrKA and Laurus Labs announced a joint investment of Rs 2000 crore in Genome Valley, a high-technology business district located in Hyderabad, for the establishment of finished pharmaceutical products and biopharmaceutical manufacturing in the cluster.  Roche has partnered with Cipla to promote, market, and distribute its oncology and rheumatology/immunology drugs in India. This collaboration aims to improve access to treatments for complex diseases. In collaboration with Entero, Roche focuses on the nephrology segment, ensuring wider availability of its nephrology drugs across the Indian market.   Vaccines The collaboration is not restricted to CRO and CDMO sectors, but externed to vaccine areas as well. France-based Valneva SE, a specialty vaccine company, and Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) announced an exclusive license agreement for Valneva’s single-shot chikungunya vaccine that enables the supply of the vaccine in Asia. The companies will work urgently to bring the vaccine to the Indian market, and certain other Asian countries, subject to local regulatory approvals. Under the agreement, the companies will conduct a technology transfer of the current drug product manufacturing process.  Besides, SII is joining a growing Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) network of vaccine producers in the Global South to support more rapid, agile, and equitable responses to future public health disease outbreaks. The addition of SII to the Norway-based CEPI manufacturing network will be a significant boost to vaccine production efforts in Global South regions and will mean the world is better prepared to achieve the 100 Days Mission to develop new vaccines against known or novel infectious diseases within three months of a pandemic threat being recognised. India’s global pharma leader Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories has entered into an exclusive partnership with Sanofi Healthcare India to promote and distribute their vaccine brands across private markets in India. Under the arrangement, Dr. Reddy’s will have exclusive rights to promote and distribute Sanofi’s well-established and trusted paediatric and adult vaccine brands Hexaxim, Pentaxim, Tetraxim, Menactra, FluQuadri, Adacel, and Avaxim 80U.    Academic research-driven collaborations The collaboration and partnerships are not restricted to firms but extended to research and academic institutions as well. Horizon Europe, the European Union's flagship research and innovation program for the period 2021-2027, designed to address global challenges and enhance Europe's competitiveness, has established several partnerships with Indian academic and research institutions to promote collaboration in life sciences. Joint projects are aimed to focus on developing rapid vaccine manufacturing pipelines, addressing AMR, and enhancing preparedness for future pandemics. The primary goals of Horizon Europe in the context of EU-India collaboration in life sciences include advancing healthcare research, enhancing researcher mobility and co-funding, and promoting joint research initiatives to tackle global health challenges, including disease prevention, diagnostics, and treatment.  Facilitating the exchange of researchers and innovators between the EU and India to foster knowledge sharing and capacity building is an important factor of the Horizon Europe initiative. For example, Indian researchers are eligible for Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) fellowships, which support mobility and training for researchers at all career stages. This facilitates Indian researchers' participation in European research projects and vice versa. Indian institutions like Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), DBT, and DST are participating in a co-funding mechanism to fund and develop joint research projects and healthcare innovation.   In August 2024, the CSIR in India and the European Union launched a co-funding initiative under the MSCA Staff Exchanges, part of the EU’s Horizon Europe programme. This scheme enables CSIR institutes to engage in joint research projects with European partners, facilitating the secondment of scientific and technical staff to European research organisations for knowledge-sharing and collaborative activities. The funding, available from 2025 to 2027, aims to promote balanced researcher mobility and foster long-term collaborations between India and Europe.  Initiated and funded by the French government, the 'Franco-Indian Campus in the Field of Life Sciences for Health' project brings together over 60 French and Indian universities, research institutions, labs, hospitals, startups, and corporates to jointly develop and deliver higher education and research programmes in life sciences for health. The campus aims to become a hub for cutting-edge research, development, and innovation across the 'One Health' paradigm, addressing global health challenges through a multidisciplinary approach. The initiative saw collaborations/partnerships in the past year including several notable Indian educational research institutes like IIT-Delhi, IISER, Asoka University, VIT Vellore, JIPMER Pondicherry, CIMAP Lucknow, NCBS, and  Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore. And, in a nutshell, these Indo-French collaborative initiatives based in the past one to two years, and continuing into the upcoming year aim to address societal needs and tackle global health challenges by advancing the training of individuals and fostering innovation -   Establish a multidisciplinary Franco-Indian virtual campus to address evolving societal needs by integrating research in fundamental biology with engineering, chemistry, physics, applied mathematics, bioinformatics, and social sciences. Tackle global health challenges, such as infectious diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancers, through complex, multidisciplinary approaches encompassing genomics, neurosciences, ecology, and social sciences. Foster innovation via the ILIADE platform, which focuses on analyzing the pharmaceutical properties of plants using advanced techniques like artificial intelligence and offers specialized academic programs in medicinal plants and AI applications for health data. Advance research and training in molecular biology and therapeutic innovation by leveraging cutting-edge tools in bioinformatics and artificial intelligence. On similar lines, in November 2024, University College London (UCL) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, launched a new phase of their strategic partnership to expand innovative work in healthcare. The collaboration focuses on co-creating significant new research capabilities in areas such as digital health, quantum technology, artificial intelligence, and medicine. The partnership includes plans for collaborative PhDs, faculty exchanges, and research fellowships, aiming to train future physicians and advance healthcare solutions.  A partnership between the European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO) and India’s DBT offers Indian researchers access to EMBO funding schemes, enhancing opportunities for the Indian scientific community. EMBO and DBT are conducting a nationwide dissemination exercise to raise awareness about these schemes. The CSIR has multiple exchange agreements with DAAD, Germany, enabling annual scientist visits and fostering collaboration.  India has bilateral Science & Technology (S&T) cooperation agreements with 83 countries, actively collaborating with 44 nations, including the EU, France, Germany, and the UK. Three bi-national S&T Centers operate under intergovernmental agreements with France, Germany, and the USA. The Indo-French Centre for Promotion of Advanced Research (IFCPAR/CEFIPRA) facilitates integrative collaborations across Indian science ministries, and the Indo-German Science & Technology Centre (IGSTC) focuses on advanced industrial research partnerships and developing joint knowledge pools to address global challenges. India is engaging in numerous bilateral agreements to promote biomedical research, with partnerships including the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).    No Turning Back India has signed many agreements with countries of the European Union on a bilateral basis and in  consortium. India has been working on a Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries comprising Switzerland, Iceland, Norway & Liechtenstein. India- EFTA signed a TEPA in March last year. TEPA will give impetus to “Make in India” and Atmanirbhar Bharat by encouraging domestic manufacturing in the pharmaceutical sectors, among others. Complementing the above scenario, it is worth mentioning that India's advantages, including cost-effective manufacturing, a skilled workforce, and a growing but robust research ecosystem, are making it an attractive destination for outsourcing and joint ventures. These collaborations have led to the development of innovative healthcare solutions and have expanded market access for both Indian and European firms. The collaboration between India and Europe in the life sciences sector has emerged as a cornerstone for global healthcare innovation, offering significant advancements in therapeutics, vaccines, and biologics. Over recent years, this partnership has expanded across academic research, contract research and manufacturing, and healthcare resilience efforts, fostering mutual growth and international progress. India and Europe have established robust collaborations in the life sciences sector through academic research partnerships as well. These collaborations encompass joint research initiatives, funding schemes, and institutional partnerships aimed at advancing scientific knowledge and addressing global health challenges. The India-Europe collaboration in life sciences has evolved into a dynamic partnership fostering innovation, investment, and shared expertise. While significant strides have been made in contract research, vaccine production, and biosimilars, there remains potential for greater collaboration in new drug discovery sciences. As European companies expand their R&D and manufacturing presence in India, the mutual focus on academic research and healthcare resilience positions this partnership as a global leader in life sciences innovation.    Shivani Thakar shivani.thakar@biospectrumindia.com  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25611/apollo-hospitals-group-and-hackensack-meridian-health-to-advance-healthcare-innovation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25611/apollo-hospitals-group-and-hackensack-meridian-health-to-advance-healthcare-innovation.html Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Apollo Hospitals Group, the world’s largest integrated healthcare provider, and Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH), New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive health network, have announced a strategic affiliation agreement to explore and implement innovative healthcare solutions. This collaboration brings together two prominent healthcare organisations with a shared vision of addressing global healthcare challenges and opportunities. The affiliation will leverage the strengths and resources of both Apollo and HMH to develop and implement joint initiatives focused on enhancing patient care, improving affordability, and promoting community health.   The affiliation will initially focus on several key initiatives, including: Addressing Workforce Shortages: By 2030, an estimated one million nurses in the US will retire. This partnership offers a unique opportunity to address these challenges through international recruitment and training programs. Education, Training, and Development: Exploring opportunities for Apollo to provide education and training programs, particularly in nursing and other clinical areas, and supporting international recruitment efforts. Oncology Collaboration: Apollo and HMH oncologists will collaborate in areas such as second opinions, tumour boards, genomic sequencing, CAR-T therapy, and bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Clinical Support: Exploring opportunities for Apollo to support HMH in various clinical areas, including centers of excellence, specialized services, and clinical research. Community Engagement: Developing initiatives to engage the South Asian community in New Jersey, which has the second-largest Indian population in the US Middlesex County, in particular, has the highest concentration of Indian Americans in the nation. Knowledge Processes: Evaluating opportunities to leverage mutual benefits through shared knowledge processes such as revenue cycle management, human resources, and supply chain processes. A Partnership Committee comprised of senior executives from both organisations will oversee the implementation of the affiliation and individual initiatives. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25583/dvara-health-finance-and-iihmr-launch-diploma-in-community-health-and-digital-healthcare-operations.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25583/dvara-health-finance-and-iihmr-launch-diploma-in-community-health-and-digital-healthcare-operations.html Fri, 24 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Dvara Health Finance (DHF) and the Institute of Health Management Research (IIHMR), Bengaluru, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly develop and launch a Diploma in Community Health and Digital Healthcare Operations. This pioneering programme is designed to train healthcare workers to bridge gaps between patients, digital health technologies, and licensed healthcare providers, particularly in rural and underserved areas. The 11-month diploma programme is structured into four competency-based levels: Community Health Facilitator: Educating communities on preventive healthcare, hygiene, and digital health record creation. Digital Health Technician: Conducting health screenings and managing digital patient data. Digital Multipurpose Health Worker: Performing phlebotomy, handling imaging tools, and supporting diagnostics. Community Health Leader: Leading public health campaigns, coordinating referrals, and improving community engagement. With a strong practical and field-based training component, the programme ensures that graduates are equipped to strengthen primary healthcare services and improve health outcomes through digital tools and community-driven interventions. The diploma is open to individuals who have completed Class 12 (any stream), with preference for those with healthcare or community service experience. Candidates must have basic digital literacy and the ability to communicate in regional languages and English. The curriculum is aligned with Health Sector Skill Council (HSSC) standards, ensuring graduates are job-ready and equipped with industry-recognised competencies. The course is likely to be launched in August 2025.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25576/lilavati-hospital-announces-new-state-of-the-art-cancer-care-institute-in-mumbai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25576/lilavati-hospital-announces-new-state-of-the-art-cancer-care-institute-in-mumbai.html Thu, 23 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Lilavati Hospital has announced the establishment of a new Cancer Care Institute, featuring a 300-bed hospital in Mumbai. This cutting-edge facility is set to revolutionise cancer treatment in India by providing access to the latest technology, advanced treatments, and global best practices in oncology. The new Cancer Care Institute will offer tailored treatments based on patient-specific factors, ensuring that each patient receives personalised and effective care. The high-quality care provided locally will eliminate the need for patients to travel abroad for treatment, saving both time and costs. In addition to providing exceptional patient care, the facility will create numerous job opportunities for healthcare professionals, researchers, and support staff. This significant investment in the community will boost the local economy and contribute to the overall development of the healthcare sector in Mumbai. The Cancer Care Institute will introduce AI-driven diagnostic tools for early and accurate cancer detection, improving patient outcomes and survival rates. Furthermore, Lilavati Hospital will launch awareness campaigns to educate communities about cancer risks, symptoms, and preventive measures, fostering a culture of health and wellness. Lilavati Hospital has also announced the collaboration with the Mayo Clinic to commence the Nursing Excellence Programme. This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aims to enhance the skills and knowledge of the nursing staff through specialised training and development. The partnership covers various areas, including Nursing Excellence education, Nursing Quality and Patient Experience, Patient and Staff Safety, Nursing Governance and Leadership Development, Onboarding, Orientation, and Staff Development & Nurse Competency. Through this partnership, Lilavati Hospital will deliver training through observation, real-time best practice considerations, and structured sessions. Upon completion of the programme, nurses will receive a certificate of completion from the Mayo Clinic.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25564/india-uk-collaboration-to-establish-centre-for-digital-health-and-precision-medicine-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25564/india-uk-collaboration-to-establish-centre-for-digital-health-and-precision-medicine-.html Mon, 20 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0530 The Apollo University, Apollo Hospitals and University of Leicester, United Kingdom (UK), have partnered to establish the Centre for Digital Health and Precision Medicine (CDHPM) at The Apollo University campus in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh. The advanced research centre will bring together the expertise and resources of both institutions to create a global hub for digital health and precision medicine. The CDHPM Centre will be the hub in Chittoor, India. The hub at the University of Leicester will be based at the BHF Cardiovascular Research Centre at Glenfield Hospital, Leicester. The Co-Directors of the centre will be Professor Sir Nilesh J Samani, Professor of Cardiology at the University of Leicester, and Dr Sujoy Kar, Adjunct Faculty, The Apollo University, Chief Medical Information Officer, Apollo Hospitals. The CDHPM was inaugurated on 20 January by Dr Prathap C. Reddy, Chancellor of the Apollo University and Founding Chairman, Apollo Hospitals in the presence of University of Leicester and The Apollo University’s Vice Chancellors. The Centre, which is fully functional now, will focus on revolutionising patient care by developing novel digital and personalised solutions using advanced analytical approaches to routinely collect healthcare data. The Centre will direct its initial research efforts toward the following – although not exclusively – areas of shared strengths: cardiovascular diseases and care, acute and emergency medicine, and multi-morbidity—especially given the ageing population and the prevalence of individuals living with multiple conditions. In addition, starting September 2025, The Apollo University will introduce three collaborative undergraduate programmes curated to fulfil the increasing demand for quality transnational education in domains such as Artificial intelligence, Electronics Electrical and Information Engineering, and Business Administration. As part of such programmes, students will complete the first two years of their studies at The Apollo University, India and subsequently progress to the University of Leicester, UK, for the final year of study of the programme. Also, four healthcare-focused Masters programmes will be offered at the University of Leicester. These programmes will cater to the increasing demand for healthcare professionals with specialised competencies. Further speciality medicine programmes developed jointly by Apollo Hospitals, University of Leicester, NHS England and the BAPIO Training Academy (BTA) will offer students diverse pathways to train, specialise and practice in the UK.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25511/resmed-launches-airsense-11-to-advance-digital-health-in-sleep-apnea-for-indians.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25511/resmed-launches-airsense-11-to-advance-digital-health-in-sleep-apnea-for-indians.html Mon, 06 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0530 ResMed, the world’s leading health technology company focused on sleep, breathing, and care delivered in the home, has launched AirSense 11 in India, the company’s  next-generation Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device designed to make it easier for individuals with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) to start and stay on therapy.  As the most common sleep-related breathing disorder, OSA impacts about 936 million people worldwide and occurs when the throat muscles relax and block the airway with a common sign being snoring. To address the rising cases of sleep apnea in India, ResMed has introduced the AirSense 11,  which includes new features like Personal Therapy Assistant and Care Check-In designed to provide tailored guidance to PAP users, helping ease them into therapy and comfortable nightly use. Other features include the availability of remote software updates so users can enjoy the latest version of these tools every night.   The AirSense 11 includes access to myAir (ResMed’s patient engagement app) and AirView (ResMed’s remote monitoring platform for clinicians), which help bring overall patient adherence as high as 87%. The myAir app tracks the time patients spend using CPAP therapy, the number of sleep apnea events per hour, mask leaks, and the number of times a mask was removed, providing nightly data on breathing, coaching tips, and support directly to their phone.  AirView provides a secure, cloud-based patient management system for online patient monitoring that enables healthcare professionals to access patient data quickly, share clinical insights with other health professionals, improve care and reduce costs related to patient follow-up. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25500/alkem-labs-launches-digital-knowledge-sharing-platform-for-healthcare-professionals.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25500/alkem-labs-launches-digital-knowledge-sharing-platform-for-healthcare-professionals.html Thu, 26 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Mumbai-based Alkem Laboratories has launched MediSamvad, an innovative digital platform designed to empower healthcare professionals (HCPs) with the latest global updates from the field of medical science. MediSamvad aims to provide relevant therapeutic updates and cutting-edge medical content to healthcare professionals. The platform also includes a web portal for hosting webinars, offering a convenient space for continuous medical education and knowledge sharing. MediSamvad offers healthcare professionals a seamless and accessible way to stay informed with practice-oriented content, including research articles, case studies, clinical guidelines and medical advancements from across the globe. Dr Vikas Gupta, Chief Executive Officer, Alkem, commented, “MediSamvad is a testament of our commitment to empower healthcare professionals with the latest scientific knowledge and resources. By leveraging digital platforms, we aim to improve access to medical education and foster stronger connections with healthcare professionals, ultimately improving patient care.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25460/aster-dm-healthcare-launches-precision-oncology-to-offer-data-driven-personalised-cancer-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25460/aster-dm-healthcare-launches-precision-oncology-to-offer-data-driven-personalised-cancer-care.html Sat, 14 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Aster DM Healthcare, one of the largest integrated healthcare providers in India, has launched three noteworthy initiatives - Precision Oncology Clinics, the Aster Cancer Grid, and Onco Collect by the Dr. Ramesh Nimmegadda Cancer Foundation, marking a significant advancement in India’s cancer treatment landscape at the Aster Cancer Conclave 2024.  The conclave, attended by leading national & international oncologists, researchers, and industry experts, highlighted the latest advancements in cancer care and treatment. The theme, PRISM: Precision in Solid Malignancies, underscored the critical role of precision medicine in addressing cancer.  The Precision Oncology Clinics will focus on cancer care aligned with the genomic profile of the patient. Such treatment approaches are a departure from the commonly used treatment approaches in which cancer patients are treated uniformly based on the disease condition. Here the patient’s cancer therapy is customized, based upon the genomic mutations in the tumour using precise oncological approaches which in a way reduce the detrimental effects of treatment while enhancing efficiency.  The Aster Cancer Grid will enable collaborative research, and multi-center clinical trials and standardize cancer care. In addition, it will aggregate data from all Aster Hospitals. The Aster Cancer Grid will actively seek partnerships with pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, and research institutions to advance cancer research and development. The network’s collaboration with international research centres will facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices on a global scale and lead the way for joint funding applications, grant opportunities and funded research initiatives in cancer. The Onco Collect Software by Dr. Ramesh Nimmegadda Cancer Foundation was launched at all Aster Hospitals in Bengaluru and promises to revolutionise oncology data management. It is a platform that standardises practice management by placing all patient data in one location, creating a uniform database and providing outcome analysis thus ensuring evidence-based treatment by clinicians. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25409/iit-kharagpur-partners-with-tcs-to-launch-advanced-research-centre-for-innovation-in-digital-health-robotics-intelligent-systems.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25409/iit-kharagpur-partners-with-tcs-to-launch-advanced-research-centre-for-innovation-in-digital-health-robotics-intelligent-systems.html Fri, 29 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur (KGP) has partnered with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a global leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions to set up an advanced research centre to produce high-quality research in the areas of digital health, robotics and intelligent systems leveraging cutting-edge computing, embedded systems, and artificial intelligence (AI). Located in IIT Kharagpur Research Park in New Town, Kolkata, the TCS Research Centre will feature three state-of-the-art laboratories where over 150 TCS scientists will explore cutting-edge technologies and push the boundaries of innovation. The laboratories will be in the domains of – Sensing and Communications, Edge Computing and Analytics, and Robotics and Visual Computing. Researchers will have access to state-of-the-art equipment at the centre enabling them to accelerate innovations in cutting-edge technologies such as edge computing, embedded systems and Artificial Intelligence.  The centre will anchor TCS-funded research programmes that will be launched in partnership with academic partners, including IIT KGP. The TCS Research Centre at IIT KGP will also boast of a customer experience centre where TCS clients across industries such as mining, agriculture, mobility, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail can gain exclusive experience of original research concepts by TCS. Workshops held at the customer experience centre will be open to external participation where TCS scientists, industry subject matter experts as well as the IIT KGP faculty will collaborate to find solutions to industry problems. Building on the strong relationship shared by TCS and IIT KGP, this centre will serve as a pioneer for setting-up similar labs in the future.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25386/ucl-and-iisc-join-forces-to-co-create-pioneering-new-approaches-to-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25386/ucl-and-iisc-join-forces-to-co-create-pioneering-new-approaches-to-healthcare.html Mon, 25 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and University College London (UCL) have launched a new phase of their strategic partnership to expand innovative work together in healthcare. The two institutions have signed a ‘Letter of Intent’ to facilitate closer collaboration with IISc’s forthcoming Postgraduate Medical School across research, education, innovation and commercialisation. The letter will underpin a new and exciting phase for UCL and IISc’s partnership as the universities seek to co-create significant new research capability together in areas across basic and clinical sciences, applied engineering and clinical practice. UCL and IISc will create a joint working group to explore several potential collaborative initiatives across future-focused interdisciplinary areas such as digital health, quantum tech, artificial intelligence (AI) and medicine. The partners hope that the framework will lead to new programmes, leveraged together through external funding, such as collaborative PhDs, sharing health systems best practices, faculty exchange and research fellowships. This latest development strengthens UCL’s longstanding partnership with IISc, consolidated through a recent joint funding scheme that has supported academics from both institutions to collaborate in the fields of equitable urban design, liver tissue engineering and quantum technologies. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25347/redcliffe-labs-launches-digital-prediabetes-risk-checker-tool-for-early-diagnosis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25347/redcliffe-labs-launches-digital-prediabetes-risk-checker-tool-for-early-diagnosis.html Wed, 13 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0530 With India now labeled as the diabetes capital of the world, Redcliffe Labs is taking a tech-forward approach to help combat the surging numbers, particularly among younger demographics. On World Diabetes Day, the company has launched a digital ‘Prediabetes Risk Checker’ tool on its official Android app. This tool launch is part of Redcliffe Labs’ larger awareness campaign, “Beat the Sugar Trap,” which emphasises the critical health risks associated with diabetes and educates on prevention strategies to promote better long-term health. Using data analytics and interactive technology, the Prediabetes Risk Checker is a quick digital assessment designed to give users an instant snapshot of their diabetes risk by evaluating responses to lifestyle and genetic questions. This technology enables individuals, particularly in urban areas with higher incidence rates, to gauge their risk easily without formal consultation. It is more relevant today when over 136 million people are living with prediabetes. Beyond raising awareness, this technology-driven solution empowers users by providing them with actionable insights. Based on their risk score, users receive personalized recommendations to modify their lifestyle and are encouraged to undertake diagnostic tests for informed decision-making. By providing a clear roadmap to better health, Redcliffe Labs encourages Indians to prioritise preventive care instead of reactive treatments.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25297/samsung-announces-new-medications-tracking-feature-for-samsung-health-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25297/samsung-announces-new-medications-tracking-feature-for-samsung-health-in-india.html Mon, 28 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0530 India’s largest consumer electronics brand, Samsung announced that it has added the Medications tracking feature to the Samsung Health app to help users manage their health more comprehensively. The feature will not only allow users to keep track of their prescribed or over-the-counter medication regime but will also offer important medical information and tips. The feature can help in tracking medication adherence consistency for those, who are on a medication journey for hypertension, diabetes, PCOS, PCOD and other chronic diseases that require timely doses. With the addition of Medications feature for India in the Samsung Health app, we believe users will be able to manage their medications more conveniently, improve adherence, and ultimately maintain better health,” said Kyungyun Roo, Managing Director, Samsung Research Institute, Noida. The Medications feature, the result of a collaborative effort between R&D, Design and Consumer Experience teams at Samsung, has been designed keeping in mind the needs of Indian consumers. In addition, the new feature will provide information on adverse reactions from drug-to-drug interactions and other relevant safety guidance. Users can set up alerts to remind them both when to take their medications and when to refill them seamlessly through the Samsung Health App. The Samsung Health app already provides a range of advanced health offerings spanning sleep management, mindfulness programmes and irregular heart rhythm notification capabilities. The introduction of the Medication tracking feature in India will further reinforce Samsung’s commitment to create holistic wellness experiences for its users, enabling them to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. The Medications tracking feature will be available on the Samsung Health app in India via the app updates.  Samsung Health Medications feature is intended to help users manage their medication list and schedule. Information provided is evidence-based content licensed from Tata 1mg. Requires smartphone with Android 10.0 or later and Samsung Health app version 6.28 or later. Availability for the features may vary by device. Sleep features are intended for general wellness and fitness purposes only. The measurements are for your personal reference only. Please consult a medical professional for advice. The IHRN feature is only available in select markets. Available on Wear OS devices version 4.0 or later. It is not intended to provide a notification on every episode of irregular rhythm suggestive of AFib and the absence of a notification is not intended to indicate no disease process is present. It is not intended for users with other known arrhythmias. The features are supported via the Samsung Health Monitor app. Availability may vary by market or device. Due to market restrictions in obtaining approval/registration as a Software as a Medical Device (SaMD), it only works on watches and smartphones purchased in the markets where service is currently available (however, service may be restricted when users travel to non-service markets). This app can only be used for measuring in ages 22 and over. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25284/-sehatup-launches-indias-first-integrated-digital-health-clinic-aligned-with-the-one-nation-one-health-vision-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25284/-sehatup-launches-indias-first-integrated-digital-health-clinic-aligned-with-the-one-nation-one-health-vision-.html Tue, 22 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0530 sehatUP, a health tech startup, launches India’s first integrated digital health clinic, aiming to bring a holistic approach to healthcare. The platform combines modern medicine, Ayurveda, and Homeopathy to offer personalized health and wellness solutions, marking a significant step in making healthcare more comprehensive and accessible. This launch aligns with the Government of India’s One Nation One Health System vision, which plans to integrate traditional and modern medical practices by 2030. sehatUP’s initiative supports the government's goal to create a unified healthcare framework that blends different medical systems in practice, education, and research. Speaking about the launch, Mr. Karan Bhargava, Founder and CEO of sehatUP, said, “sehatUP is designed to offer a more holistic and inclusive approach to healthcare. By blending modern medicine with traditional practices like Ayurveda and Homeopathy, we aim to provide users with a balanced path to well-being that addresses root causes and promotes long-term health.” SehatUP’s integrated digital health clinic offers a range of unique features designed to enhance the holistic healthcare experience. The platform provides personalized healthcare plans and free doctor consultations, initially focusing on sexual wellness and weight management. It also offers a variety of affordable, clinically approved medicines and natural supplements.  sehatUP collaborates with over 50 expert doctors and health coaches to deliver precise, personalized wellness journeys. Using advanced technology, it crafts tailored treatment plans that seamlessly integrate modern medicine, Ayurveda, and Homeopathy to address individual health needs. Privacy is a key focus, with discreet delivery options that ensure a secure and comfortable experience for users as they undergo health transformations. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25272/sterlite-technologies-partners-with-gennet-lab-to-drive-digital-transformation-in-healthcare-management.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25272/sterlite-technologies-partners-with-gennet-lab-to-drive-digital-transformation-in-healthcare-management.html Thu, 17 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Gennet Lab, one of Estonia’s advance IT healthcare companies, has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Gennet Lab Estonia and Sterlite Technologies Limited (STL), India in collaboration with the Estonian Embassy. By leveraging STL’s expertise in digital infrastructure and Gennet’s innovative healthcare solutions, this system is set to empower hospitals with real-time data access, optimised workflows, and improved patient outcomes. This joint declaration will further strengthen the international cooperation in the fields of technology and innovation, particularly focusing on E-Health Care, E-Courts, AI, AR/VR, Data Science, and Cyber Security. Commenting on this, Egon Veermäe, CEO of Gennet Lab, emphasised the importance of this collaboration, saying, "This event is a crucial step towards advancing our global initiatives in technology-driven sectors, with a special focus on revolutionising healthcare and security infrastructures." Praveen Cherian, CEO of STL, further added “We aim to develop a fully functional health management system that is decentralised and offers rigorous monitoring & evaluation for improving the health delivery system” Marje Luup, representing Estonia, shared her thoughts on the occasion: "We are actively working with both Central and State Governments of India to support their digitalisation efforts across multiple sectors, including healthcare, cyber security, and critical infrastructure protection. As a nation, Estonia's economic growth is strongly linked to our leadership in digital transformation.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25240/iit-madras-launches-cybersecurity-centre-to-boost-fundamental-applied-research-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25240/iit-madras-launches-cybersecurity-centre-to-boost-fundamental-applied-research-in-india.html Tue, 08 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) has launched a new cybersecurity centre to boost fundamental and applied research that drives innovations in the country. It will work towards pioneering advancements in blockchain, security for artificial intelligence (AI) models, cryptography, quantum security, and IoT security. The ‘Centre for Cybersecurity, Trust and Reliability’ (CyStar) was inaugurated on 8th Oct 2024 in the presence of Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras; Centre Coordinators- Prof. Shweta Agrawal, Prof. Chester Rebeiro and Prof. John Augustine, Faculty, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Madras. The mission of CyStar is to push the boundaries of cybersecurity through innovative research and education. Recognising that cybersecurity demands a multi-disciplinary approach, the research team at CyStar is diverse, encompassing a wide range of expertise. The Centre will collaborate globally and locally with academia, industry and research institutions, equipping students, professionals and researchers with the expertise needed to tackle today’s and tomorrow’s complex security challenges, thereby contributing to a safer digital world. Its’ focus would extend across sectors, addressing critical security challenges in industries like finance, healthcare, automotive and electronics. The key Research, Industry and Government partners of CyStar include the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Ministry of Education, Vitesco Technologies, Kaspersky, IDBI Bank, LG India, Saptang Labs, Algorand, Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research and National Security Coordination Secretariat among others. CyStar at IIT Madras will develop a comprehensive, multi-faceted strategy to address the emerging cybersecurity challenges driven by AI and the post-quantum era. This approach will focus on safeguarding critical national infrastructure, offering a holistic defence against these advanced technological threats. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25203/medibuddy-partners-with-philips-to-bring-advanced-heart-health-tracking-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25203/medibuddy-partners-with-philips-to-bring-advanced-heart-health-tracking-in-india.html Thu, 26 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based digital healthcare platform MediBuddy has joined hands with global health technology leader Philips to redefine preventive healthcare in India. On the occasion of World Heart Day (celebrated on 29 September), this pioneering partnership will bring early warning signs detection for the heart through the Philips HeartPrint to millions of smartphones across the country, potentially saving countless lives. By integrating advanced artificial intelligence (AI) based longitudinal triaging on the users' smartphone, MediBuddy reaffirms its commitment to making high-quality healthcare accessible to all Indians. World Heart Day highlights the urgent need for proactive heart health management and this partnership addresses a critical need in India's healthcare landscape. While traditional tests like ECGs assess the current state of the heart, the Philips HeartPrint offers a regular tracking tool that can indicate future risks and track how heart health progresses over time. This proactive approach to heart health management has the potential to transform cardiac care in India by enabling early intervention and personalised health strategies. By simply scanning their finger using their smartphone's camera through the MediBuddy mobile application, users can track key biomarkers that indicate their risk of heart disease, overall health deterioration, heart resilience, and changes in heart function over time. This technology analyses patterns to indicate critical factors such as the probability of heart disease, overall health deterioration, heart resilience, and both short-term and long-term changes in cardiac function. By tracking these crucial parameters, users can take proactive steps to address potential heart conditions before they develop into chronic issues.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25161/medlern-joins-hands-with-cytecare-hospitals-to-elevate-training-excellence-and-compliance-in-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25161/medlern-joins-hands-with-cytecare-hospitals-to-elevate-training-excellence-and-compliance-in-healthcare.html Wed, 18 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0530 MedLern, a leading provider of digital learning solutions for healthcare professionals, has strengthened its strategic alliance with Cytecare Hospitals, Bengaluru, to transform healthcare training, enhance operational efficiency, and elevate patient care standards. Over the past year, MedLern’s tailored digital solutions have played a pivotal role in upskilling Cytecare’s workforce, improving staff engagement, and streamlining human resource processes. MedLern has supported Cytecare in achieving excellence through cutting-edge digital learning initiatives, focusing on optimised training protocols, up-to-date resources, and the seamless digitization of learning workflows. By integrating global and local expertise in content development, MedLern has ensured that Cytecare’s employees receive top-tier training that meets the evolving demands of modern healthcare. One of the major milestones of this partnership was Cytecare's successful completion of the NABH audit, during which MedLern played a critical role. The digital learning platform helped Cytecare achieve compliance by providing comprehensive and standardized training modules aligned with NABH requirements, ensuring that the hospital’s staff was well-prepared to meet the stringent quality and safety standards. Over the past year, MedLern’s digital learning interventions have directly contributed to enhancing patient experience and operational excellence at Cytecare. With streamlined and accessible training programmes, employees at Cytecare have been able to improve their competencies, leading to better service delivery and more efficient hospital operations. The platform has also enabled Cytecare to systematically track training completion, compliance, and the impact of learning interventions on patient care.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25157/tata-elxsi-opens-xg-force-5g-applications-lab-in-bengaluru-for-digital-transformation-in-healthcare-others.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25157/tata-elxsi-opens-xg-force-5g-applications-lab-in-bengaluru-for-digital-transformation-in-healthcare-others.html Tue, 17 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Tata Elxsi, a global design and technology services company, has announced the inauguration of the ‘xG-Force’ lab in Bengaluru. This state-of-the-art facility aims to accelerate 5G innovation by providing ready-to-use infrastructure, cutting-edge tools, and an integrated partner ecosystem for diverse applications across transportation, healthcare, Industry 4.0, media and communication sectors. The xG-Force lab was inaugurated by Manoj Raghavan, MD & CEO of Tata Elxsi and Kevin Plunkett, Vice President of Cloud Services, Boost Mobile (formerly DISH Wireless), an EchoStar company. Boost Mobile will be the first company to benefit from the xG-Force lab’s offerings, marking a significant milestone in the partnership between the two companies. As the systems integrator for this initiative, Tata Elxsi will develop and integrate 5G applications with its innovative platforms- Neuron for autonomous networks, TETHER for connected vehicles, TEngage for digital health, and TEDAx for big data engineering, to bring solutions in AI, next-gen communications and advanced technologies. The xG-Force lab is set to benefit customers globally by significantly reducing OPEX with AI-led smart operations and enabling new revenue streams, driving data-driven innovations, and supporting the subscription economy. This lab has been established as an ecosystem in partnership with industry leaders, hyperscalers and chip manufacturers including, RedHat – Private Cloud, AccuKnox – Cloud & Application Security, i2i systems – 5G Core, Rebaca – Test Tool. Tata Elxsi plans to expand this collaboration with more global partners to further amplify the lab’s capabilities. The lab help in minimising risks in critical areas such as transportation safety and healthcare data security, while delivering the ultra-low latency crucial for the future of interactive entertainment. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25066/meradoc-and-bls-e-services-forge-strategic-partnership-to-revolutionise-affordable-healthcare-across-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/25066/meradoc-and-bls-e-services-forge-strategic-partnership-to-revolutionise-affordable-healthcare-across-india.html Wed, 28 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0530 New Delhi-based startup MeraDoc Healthtech has announced a ground-breaking partnership with BLS E-Services, a subsidiary of BLS International, to transform the affordable healthcare landscape in India. By leveraging BLS E-Services’ extensive distribution network and MeraDoc’s cutting-edge healthcare solutions, the alliance aims to bring high-quality healthcare to millions of underserved individuals across the length and breadth of the nation. BLS E-Services has a distribution network across 550 districts (out of a total of 788) in India, reaching urban centres and remote villages. With over 100,000 touchpoints across India, it conducts 500,000 transactions a day and has established itself as a leader in providing essential services to the masses. MeraDoc is India’s first integrated health management solution, leveraging technology to simplify healthcare delivery with a family physician and General Practitioner-first approach and has conducted over 5 million consultations in the past three years, specialising in providing comprehensive family healthcare, focusing on chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiac issues, hypertension, and thyroid disorders, among others. Through this partnership, MeraDoc’s comprehensive suite of healthcare services will be made available on BLS E-Services’ deeply-penetrated distribution network. Further, customers will benefit from MeraDoc’s partnerships with leading diagnostic providers like Dr Lal Path Labs, Agilus, Aarthi Scans & Labs, Orange and others, as well as access to over 30,000 individual labs, almost all e-pharmacy chains across the country, and more than 150,000 standalone retail chemists.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24971/iit-madras-partners-with-idbi-bank-to-launch-cybersecurity-lab-in-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24971/iit-madras-partners-with-idbi-bank-to-launch-cybersecurity-lab-in-healthcare.html Wed, 31 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) is partnering with IDBI Bank to launch a cybersecurity Lab to develop and deploy security solutions in crucial sectors such as healthcare, fintech and aerospace, among others. The lab will focus on creating market-ready IPs in cybersecurity, productisation and commercialisation of research work, especially for mobile technologies. The ‘IDBI - IITM Secure Systems Lab’ (I2SSL) was inaugurated at IIT Madras campus on 31st July 2024 by Rakesh Sharma, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IDBI Bank, in presence of Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, and others. With the rapid growth of Internet connectivity and automation, many critical sectors such as Healthcare, Banking, Finance and Insurance, Transportation, Government, Power and Energy, Telecom, and Strategic and Public Enterprises, depend considerably on Information and Communication Technologies. This has led to an explosion of cyber-attacks on these infrastructures, by hackers. This lab would focus on cybersecurity in systems deployed in industries such as healthcare, banking, automotive, power and telecommunications, among others, and undertake experimental evaluation and assessment exercises. The researchers would also develop test cases for testing, carry out vulnerability research, and help devise hardening guidelines. It would help Enterprise Systems in managing cybersecurity risks in real-time. The ‘IDBI - IITM Secure Systems Lab’ (I2SSL) will work on Secure Systems Engineering. Through this lab, the researchers aim to design and implement solutions that address security concerns from a holistic end-to-end perspective, ranging from fundamental problems in theory to practical system building to exploiting leakages and mounting implementation­-based attacks to lab would provide a platform for research students and would foster cybersecurity thinking in undergrads with the help of online programs, capture the flags (CTFs), hackathons, and projects.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/views/98/24972/fhir-simplifying-healthcare-information-exchange.html https://biospectrumindia.com/views/98/24972/fhir-simplifying-healthcare-information-exchange.html Wed, 31 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The modern healthcare system holds immense potential for improved patient care and groundbreaking research. However, the reality is different. Health care systems often encounter fragmented data buried in silos. Different healthcare providers and institutions operate with disparate Electronic Health Records (EHRs) that struggle to "talk" to each other. Fragmented Electronic Health Records (EHRs) make patient care difficult, frustrate the care providers, and even stifle research progress. Imagine a patient rushing to a new emergency room, their medical history scattered across different systems (across multiple organizations). Crucial information – allergies, medications, past procedures – remain inaccessible. Delays ensue, potentially jeopardizing care. This scenario, sadly, isn't uncommon. Fragmented data creates a human cost, putting patients at risk and hindering timely, informed clinical decisions. Healthcare Interoperability: A Pressing Need Healthcare interoperability refers to the seamless exchange of data between different healthcare information systems. This encompasses various aspects, including exchanging clinical data (diagnoses, medications), administrative data (billing, insurance), and public health data (immunization records, disease surveillance). Standards are crucial for achieving interoperability. They act as a common language, a set of rules for how data is structured and transmitted. Widespread adoption of a common standard is key. However, the burden of implementing complex and inflexible standards often falls on healthcare system administrators and IT professionals (implementers). This can be a costly and time-consuming endeavour. To promote interoperability the need was to have a standard, which is modern, easy to understand and fast to implement, and flexible enough to accommodate healthcare needs. Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources FHIR® – Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (hl7.org/fhir) – is a next generation standards framework created by HL7, a leading healthcare standards development organization. FHIR combines the best features of HL7's v2 , HL7 v3, and CDA product lines while leveraging the latest web standards and applying a tight focus on implementability. This focus on implementability makes FHIR easier and faster to use than older options. Building Block Approach: FHIR solutions are built from a set of modular components called "Resources". These resources can easily be assembled into working systems that solve real-world clinical and administrative problems at a fraction of the price of existing alternatives. FHIR's Versatility: FHIR is suitable for use in a wide variety of contexts – mobile phone apps, cloud communications, EHR-based data sharing, server communication in large institutional healthcare providers, and much more. Balancing Simplicity and Accuracy: FHIR aims to simplify implementation without sacrificing information integrity. It leverages existing logical and theoretical models to provide a consistent, easy to implement, and rigorous mechanism for exchanging data between healthcare applications. Complementary, not Competitive: FHIR can be used as a stand-alone data exchange standard, but can and will also be used in partnership with existing widely used standards. Open Source and Agile: FHIR's open-source and agile development approach fosters rapid improvement based on user needs. This ensures FHIR stays relevant and adaptable in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape. Community: FHIR creators understood the role of community in ensuring widespread adoption and keeping the standard relevant. Hence, FHIR is more than just a technical specification. It's also a vibrant community. This community is crucial for the ongoing development and refinement of the standards. The FHIR community is the engine that drives the standard forward.   The emerging de facto health data exchange standard As someone who has spent a significant amount of time in the healthcare data interoperability space, I believe that FHIR could potentially be the health data exchange standard of choice. It is already being used globally with many national health initiatives mandating use of FHIR, including India, where ABDM (Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission) and NHCX (National Health Claims Exchange) have prescribed the use of HL7 FHIR. Following are the key design principles which make FHIR the standard of choice among the implementers: Focus on implementability: The core FHIR standard is designed to be straightforward to implement, reducing the complexity faced by healthcare providers and developers when exchanging data. There are several reference implementations available for implementers to choose from. Focus on simplicity & flexibility: Healthcare needs are diverse, and FHIR acknowledges that. It provides a core set of resources (data building blocks) for common healthcare entities like patients, medications, and allergies. However, FHIR allows for extensions. These are like "add-on" features for the building blocks, allowing customization for specific needs without altering the core standard. Open Source & free: FHIR is completely free and open-source. This means anyone can access the specifications, develop FHIR-compliant applications, and contribute to its ongoing development. The open-source nature fosters a vibrant community of developers and healthcare professionals who collaborate on improving and expanding FHIR's capabilities. Technologically agnostic: FHIR is not tied to a specific technology. It uses common web standards (RESTful APIs, JSON, XML, Oauth etc.) that are widely supported across different platforms and programming languages. This makes FHIR adaptable to future technological advancements. As new technologies emerge in healthcare IT, FHIR should remain compatible, ensuring its continued relevance.   FHIR Example : With FHIR, any lab can confidently share data with any PHR (Personal Health Records) app. The lab creates a diagnostic report resource, bundling test results, interpretations, text, and image references. This resource is then sent via FHIR's RESTful APIs to the PHR app, ensuring all necessary information reaches the patient. Is FHIR Simple? For those new to healthcare data exchange standards, FHIR offers a gentler introduction compared to its predecessors. Its focus on human-readable resources and RESTful APIs makes initial understanding easier. Setting up a FHIR server, crafting a simple resource, exchanging it can be done in a few hours by anyone with basic understanding of healthcare and technology. However, working with FHIR effectively requires some technical knowledge. Building FHIR-compliant applications involves understanding data structures, APIs, and potentially coding. Overall, FHIR is a significant improvement in simplicity compared to older healthcare data exchange standards. But it's not a plug-and-play solution. The ease of use increases with your technical expertise and experience with FHIR. The supportive FHIR community and available learning resources can help bridge the gap.   India: shaping the future of FHIR Interest and adoption of FHIR in India is on the rise. National digital health initiatives like Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) and National Health Claims Exchange (NHCE) mandate the use of FHIR. India has one of the largest talent pools of FHIR developers and implementers in the world. This talent today is catering to the increasing demand from FHIR implementation across the world. In the Indian context, adopting FHIR makes a lot of sense. Following are some of the reasons why I find FHIR a natural fit for India FHIR Standard is free and open, hence no licensing cost. Multiple open source implementations to choose from. A large talent pool is already available. In-fact since FHIR makes use of common and well known web standards, anyone working on web or mobile apps can be a FHIR implementer. Standard is flexible and adaptable, which provides flexibility to adapt it to our local needs in a compliant and interoperable way. Defacto healthcare exchange standard for the internet and mobile era. India's diverse and vast healthcare landscape positions it as a key player in shaping the future of FHIR. Here's how you can contribute: India's Unique Advantage: Data Rich Environment: India's immense and diverse patient population generates massive amounts of healthcare data. This real-world data can be invaluable for refining FHIR to handle complex scenarios and diverse healthcare practices. Multiple Medical Systems: The presence of Ayurveda, Homeopathy, and Allopathy alongside traditional medicine creates a unique data landscape. Addressing these complexities in FHIR implementation can strengthen the standard for global use.   Shaping the Future of FHIR: By actively participating in the FHIR community, India can significantly impact the development and adoption of FHIR: Contribute to Standard Development: Share your experiences and insights on how FHIR can be adapted to handle the nuances of the Indian healthcare system. This can inform future revisions and improvements to the standard. Refine Interoperability Solutions: India's diverse healthcare landscape presents a valuable testing ground for interoperability solutions built on FHIR. By actively implementing and refining FHIR-based solutions, India can contribute to robust interoperability standards for the global healthcare community. We are at a unique position to impact the overall direction of development of healthcare information technology including but not limited to FHIR and interoperability.   FHIR: Not a Silver Bullet for Interoperability While FHIR offers a promising approach, it's important to acknowledge that interoperability challenges are multifaceted. Technical hurdles coexist with cultural and societal issues. FHIR's strength lies in its focus on both technology (the standard) and the people who implement and use it (the community). By fostering collaboration and providing a flexible framework, FHIR paves the way for a more connected and efficient healthcare ecosystem, ultimately benefiting patients and providers alike. FHIR lays the foundation, but building a truly connected healthcare ecosystem requires a collective effort from all stakeholders.   About the Author: Kumar Satyam is a seasoned HealthTech professional with deep expertise in healthcare platforms and  data interoperability spanning over 20+ years . He is the convenor of the FHIR India Community.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24879/yashoda-super-speciality-hospital-kaushambi-unveils-smartcare-monitoring-programme-with-dozee.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24879/yashoda-super-speciality-hospital-kaushambi-unveils-smartcare-monitoring-programme-with-dozee.html Sat, 06 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Yashoda Super Speciality Hospital, Kaushabi, a renowned super speciality hospital known for its state-of-the-art infrastructure, has announced the launch of the 'SmartCare Monitoring Programme.' This initiative marks a significant step towards preventive and proactive care by integrating Dozee's AI-based Contactless Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and Early Warning System (EWS) into all ward beds; the hospital moves beyond reactive measures, focusing on continuous monitoring to identify and address clinical deterioration early. This strategic move underscores the hospital's commitment to leveraging data-driven technology to enhance patient safety and outcomes, transitioning towards a healthcare ecosystem that prioritises preventive and proactive care over reactive responses alone. By seamlessly integrating Dozee’s AI solutions through the SmartCare Monitoring Programme, Yashoda Hospital, Kaushambi will mark an important milestone in its digital transformation journey. Dozee enables healthcare workers to remotely monitor patients’ vital parameters such as heart rate, respiration rate, blood pressure, SPO2 levels, temperature, and ECG. Dozee’s Early Warning System (EWS) tracks vital parameter trends and alerts healthcare providers to detect possible clinical deterioration early, enabling timely medical intervention. Utilising an AI-based Ballistocardiograph (BCG) for contactless vitals monitoring, Dozee's technology is patented and Made in India. This innovative technology significantly impacts patient safety, clinical outcomes, and operational efficiency. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24797/medlern-and-sparsh-hospital-collaborate-to-elevate-training-innovation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24797/medlern-and-sparsh-hospital-collaborate-to-elevate-training-innovation.html Thu, 20 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based startup MedLern, the only full-stack healthcare training solution for hospitals and healthcare professionals, has announced a strategic partnership with SPARSH Group of Hospitals. This partnership aims to improve healthcare training, optimise operations, and enhance patient care outcomes by leveraging the power of digital solutions. This collaboration will focus on streamlining training requirements, providing dependable and current learning resources, and simplifying training processes across various departments and employee roles, harnessing global and local expertise in content, trainers and tools. The partnership will work towards enhancing quality healthcare and operations through services such as content management, competency assessment, employee engagement and measuring the impact of training, all aligned with the latest compliance norms required by NABH. The collaboration will also explore standardising content and amplifying the impact of training across various modes. MedLern will assist the hospital in maximising ROI from its human resources by tracking completion, coverage, compliance, and impact through systematic training implementation. This approach will ensure consistency, enhanced control and substantial cost savings in measuring and reporting impact to leadership. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24788/59-of-indian-life-sciences-firms-collaborating-with-it-service-providers-for-connected-health-capgemini-report.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24788/59-of-indian-life-sciences-firms-collaborating-with-it-service-providers-for-connected-health-capgemini-report.html Tue, 18 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The majority (63%) of life sciences organisations, across biopharma and medtech sectors, have connected health products already on the market or under development. Irrespective of their stage of product development, life sciences organisations anticipate that connected health will contribute more than one-fifth of their total revenue in five years, yet a lack of essential data capabilities could hamper this ambition. This is according to the Capgemini Research Institute’s latest report, “The Connected Health Revolution”, which also found that three in five life sciences organisations are currently developing a roadmap for integrating generative AI, and over half are already piloting generative AI for interactions with patients and healthcare providers (HCPs). As per the report, 56% of the Indian organisations surveyed are currently developing a roadmap for integrating generative AI and 50% of the Indian companies have already started hiring workforces equipped with Gen AI skills and building generative AI compatible IT infrastructure. There is no Indian company which doesn’t have any plans for Gen AI currently. The report has also revealed that 59% of Indian life sciences organisations are collaborating with IT service providers for data or cloud platform for connected health, while 68% of life sciences organisations in India are forming strategic partnerships and alliance for connected health R&D, 65% are collaborating with health tech startups for remote monitoring technologies and systems and 65% are collaborating with consumer technology firms that focus on consumer health and wellness. While connected health presents new opportunities for the industry, it is imperative that life sciences organizations define a clear vision and tailor offerings to specific healthcare and wellness needs to provide measurable impact, concludes the report. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24726/health-ministry-to-set-up-mental-health-assistance-helpline-for-armed-forces.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24726/health-ministry-to-set-up-mental-health-assistance-helpline-for-armed-forces.html Wed, 05 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0530 A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to facilitate collaboration between the two ministries in operating a special cell of Tele MANAS, the National Telemental Health Helpline of MoHFW, as a pilot project for a period of two years at the Armed Forces Medical College in Pune. The MoU was signed by Aradhna Patnaik, AS & MD of MoHFW, and Lt General Daljit Singh, Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services. Recognising the unique stressors faced by the Indian military, the need for tele-mental health services in the Armed Forces has become evident. The operational environment, cultural challenges, and specific stressors related to regional conflicts necessitate a specialised approach to mental healthcare in Armed Forces. With the signing of the MoU, the mental health and well-being of Armed Forces personnel and their families will be addressed and the Armed Forces beneficiaries will have direct access to specialised care, ensuring that their unique mental health needs are addressed promptly and effectively. Tele MANAS is the digital extension of the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP), offering comprehensive, integrated, and inclusive 24/7 tele-mental health services. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24684/health-ministry-seeks-googles-support-for-greater-collaboration-in-digital-tools.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24684/health-ministry-seeks-googles-support-for-greater-collaboration-in-digital-tools.html Tue, 28 May 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Apurva Chandra, Union Health Secretary who is leading the India delegation, met with Dr Karen DeSalvo, Chief Health Officer, Google at a side-event of the 77th World Health Assembly of WHO in Geneva. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss ongoing engagement between Google Research and the Union Health Ministry in making digital health tools more accessible to people. At the outset, the Union Health Secretary appreciated the ongoing engagement between the two organisations. He expressed the need for exploring possible collaboration in areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and sought Google’s support to the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), building more digital health tools like Automated Retinal Disease Assessment (ARDA) and make them ABDM enabled, and in spreading awareness about ABDM among the student community as well as startup community. The google team highlighted the existing engagement of Google Research with India’s National Health Authority (NHA). Google Research has been engaged with NHA since 2022, when Google’s AI model for diabetic retinopathy screening (ARDA) was listed on ABDM’s website under the Open Call for Expression of Interest (EoI) for creating digital health ecosystem for India. Google Research and NHA have also been working on development of an open-sourced ABDM wrapper to simplify ABDM sandbox integration process. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24631/doceree-unlocks-untapped-potential-of-digital-platforms-in-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24631/doceree-unlocks-untapped-potential-of-digital-platforms-in-healthcare.html Thu, 16 May 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Delhi-based startup Doceree has announced the launch of its highly anticipated High Interaction & Engagement Platforms (HIEP) for the UK and Europe. The groundbreaking report, produced in partnership with healthcare WPP agency CMI Media Group, highlights endemic, point-of-care and physician networking platforms in the context of digital engagement, highlighting their potential to drive engagement and drive communication in the healthcare industry. In the current situation, the healthcare sector prefers an omnichannel marketing approach that effectively combines digital and traditional channels. This shift underscores how important it is for pharmaceutical marketers to excel at digital strategies. Yet, the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries still struggle to best select digital platforms to target healthcare professionals, as marketers often lack a comprehensive understanding of the digital tools available to formulate precise strategies for allocating digital budgets. To bridge this knowledge gap and enable marketers to have better engagement and decision-making, Doceree introduced HIEP as a medium that can help brands forge excellent digital strategies, thereby increasing the efficiency of operations at scale and improving business outcomes. The report looks at how the digital medium can be used to create a win-win situation for all stakeholders – marketers in terms of efficiency, publishers in terms of revenue, and healthcare representatives in terms of knowledge sharing and better patient outcomes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24621/p-d-hinduja-hospital-digitises-antimicrobial-stewardship-and-infection-prevention-programmes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24621/p-d-hinduja-hospital-digitises-antimicrobial-stewardship-and-infection-prevention-programmes.html Tue, 14 May 2024 00:00:00 +0530 P D Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre (MRC) has announced a transformative partnership with Ibhar Technologies, heralding a significant stride towards redefining standards in patient care. This collaboration signifies the digitalisation of the hospital’s Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) and Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) programmes through the implementation of Ibhar AMS solutions. This innovative endeavour harnesses the capabilities of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to bolster healthcare standards, with a paramount emphasis on enhancing patient safety and elevating clinical outcomes.   Leveraging mobile and web-based tools, this will empower P D Hinduja Hospital & MRC’s professionals to implement WHO and CDC-endorsed strategies. Studies have demonstrated that robust IPC programmes can reduce hospital acquired infections (HAIs) by 70%, underscoring Ibhar's pivotal role in ensuring patient safety and advancing global healthcare standards.  The Ibhar tool for Infection Prevention and Control streamlines the entire process by facilitating the identification of necessary actions, recording of current statuses, and efficient planning for addressing any outstanding issues. With real-time dashboards providing a comprehensive view of non-compliance contributors, departments, quality teams, and management can collaboratively develop and implement efficient practices swiftly. Moreover, individual department heads are empowered to understand requirements, record current statuses, and plan necessary actions seamlessly. This integrated approach also enables regular audits and Key Performance Indicator (KPI) tracking, enhancing organisational compliance and accountability. This technology is being implemented at P D Hinduja Hospital & MRC with support from Pfizer and Association of Healthcare Providers India (AHPI).  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24617/bm-birla-heart-hospital-spearheads-enhanced-cardiac-care-programme-with-dozee.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24617/bm-birla-heart-hospital-spearheads-enhanced-cardiac-care-programme-with-dozee.html Mon, 13 May 2024 00:00:00 +0530 BM Birla Heart Hospital, a part of the $ 2.4 billion diversified CK Birla Group, has embraced technology with a digital-first initiative 'Enhanced Cardiac Care' programme. This initiative marks a significant step towards preventive and proactive care by integrating Dozee's AI-based Contactless Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and Early Warning System (EWS) into all ward beds; the hospital moves beyond reactive measures, focusing on continuous monitoring to identify and address clinical deterioration early.  Bengaluru-based startup Dozee enables healthcare workers to remotely monitor patients’ vital parameters such as heart rate, respiration rate, blood pressure, SPO2 levels, temperature, and ECG. Dozee’s Early Warning System (EWS) tracks the trends of vital parameters and provides alerts to healthcare providers for early detection of patients' clinical deterioration, enabling timely medical intervention. Dozee uses AI-based Ballistocardiography (BCG) for contactless vitals monitoring. Dozee’s technology is patented and made in India. Research done by independent consulting firm Sattva shows that for every ~100 Dozee-connected beds, it can save ~144 lives and ~80% of the time taken for vitals by nurses and reduce ICU ALOS (average length of stay) by ~1.3 days.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24562/tata-power-and-niepid-unveil-phygital-neurodiversity-platform.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24562/tata-power-and-niepid-unveil-phygital-neurodiversity-platform.html Mon, 29 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Tata Power Community Development Trust (TPCDT) has partnered with Tata Elxsi, a global leader in design and technology services, to drive their "Pay Autention" initiative forward. Leveraging Tata Elxsi's innovative digital therapeutics (DTx) solution, TEcare, TPCDT aims to accelerate the development of the India Neurodiversity Platform. This phygital platform is the result of a collaborative effort between Tata Power Community Development Trust (TPCDT) and the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID) and is aimed at supporting individuals with neurodiversity issues, particularly children with autism. It will revolutionise neurodiversity screening, diagnosis, disease management, and care for individuals with special needs. TEcare, developed by Tata Elxsi, serves as a foundational platform for hosting and integrating various disease-specific DTx modules. With its unified data repository, TEcare simplifies the process of preventing, diagnosing, treating, and managing patients’ medical conditions holistically. Not only does it accelerate healthcare solutions with its built-in features, but it also provides healthcare professionals with access to a wealth of patient data points, enhancing their decision-making capabilities. Explaining Tata Power's philosophy, Himal Tewari, CHRO, and Chief - CSR & Sustainability said, “Recognising the significant impact of Autism Spectrum Disorder, affecting 1 in 100 children, the Pay Autention initiative addresses the critical need for a comprehensive support network. The India Neurodiversity Platform signifies a substantial advancement in efforts to narrow access disparities and cultivate supportive environments for everyone."  The first phase, the neurodiversity platform is expected to onboard around 5,000 users and is directed towards Tier II and Tier III cities with few care providers for neurodiversity with the help of screening and early diagnosis for early intervention. In the current phase, this platform can be accessed on a tab or a computer. A wider rollout on smartphones is expected in upcoming phases. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24542/lupin-digital-healths-lyfe-platform-receives-class-c-medical-device-license-from-cdsco.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24542/lupin-digital-healths-lyfe-platform-receives-class-c-medical-device-license-from-cdsco.html Thu, 25 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Lupin Digital Health, India’s first evidence-based cardiology Digital Therapeutics (DTx) platform, has announced that its Lyfe platform has received approval as a Class C Medical Device from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). This milestone marks a groundbreaking advancement in post-discharge integrated care, highlighting the potential of evidence-based digital therapeutics solutions to transform patient care. Having undergone a rigorous application, review, and on-site audit process, this Class C Medical Device license reaffirms the platform's effectiveness and emphasizes its commitment to quality, safety, and rigour. Lyfe is now India's first clinically proven remote cardiac rehabilitation programme, designed to enhance heart health and quality of life. By providing tailored, accessible solutions in the comfort of patients' homes, Lyfe empowers individuals to confidently manage their heart health. Elaborating on the significance of receiving this license, Sidharth Srinivasan, CEO, Lupin Digital Health said, "Securing the Class C Medical Device license for Lyfe is a significant achievement. It validates Lyfe as a best-in-class platform to support millions of cardiac patients in India. This recognition will also encourage more cardiologists, hospitals and insurers to adopt remote cardiac rehabilitation for improved patient health outcomes.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24531/roche-signs-mou-with-vincense-to-augment-access-to-diabetes-care-in-tamil-nadu.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24531/roche-signs-mou-with-vincense-to-augment-access-to-diabetes-care-in-tamil-nadu.html Tue, 23 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Roche has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with VinCense, a digital health monitoring offering by MedIoTek Health Systems. Under the terms of the agreement, the two companies aim to implement 3 programmes in Madurai district of Tamil Nadu- (i) screening 100,000 individuals over the next two years for diabetes, hypertension, obesity etc. (ii) intervention for uncontrolled diabetes mellitus management (iii) intervention for tuberculosis - diabetes mellitus co-morbidity management. The partnership will use comprehensive integrated digital health solutions to drive early detection, intervention and care continuum in the state. Roche and VinCense successfully conducted a pilot between December 2022 and September 2023 in collaboration with the Directorate of Public Health, Tamil Nadu, focusing on non-communicable disease (NCD) screening and management in the Madurai Corporation Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs). The pilot phase saw screening of 67,370 individuals across the Madurai district out of which 16.6% people were identified to be at risk for diabetes and attached to the public healthcare system. Learnings from this pilot will bring efficiency and scalability to set new standards for accessible, inclusive, and technology-driven healthcare.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24516/rssdi-koita-foundation-to-establish-new-centre-for-digital-diabetology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24516/rssdi-koita-foundation-to-establish-new-centre-for-digital-diabetology.html Fri, 19 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI), the largest association of physicians dedicated to the care of people with diabetes in Asia, with over 11,500 members across 23 states in India, and Koita Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation focused on driving Digital Health Adoption and NGO Transformation in India, have established a long-term partnership to set up the RSSDI–Koita Centre for Digital Diabetology (KCDD). KCDD will create a strong healthcare technology team, which will define and execute national digital programmes in diabetes management & research. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in the presence of Dr Rakesh Sahay, President RSSDI; Dr Sanjay Agarwal, Secretary General, RSSDI; Rekha Koita, Director Koita Foundation; and Surabhi Goel, COO - Koita Foundation, at the RSSDI Annual Research Retreat 2024, recently in Jaipur. RSSDI–KCDD is a first-of-its-kind centre to focus on Digital Diabetology. Its focus areas will include digital technology to improve diabetes treatment workflows and patient experience; including the use of Electronic Medical Records (EMRs), clinical quality measures, guideline adherence, patient engagement, AI/ML; Use of Digital Health tools for continuous learning and skill development for various user groups, such as doctors, nurses, technicians; and partner with healthcare startups, pharma, healthcare companies, and other organisations to drive R&D in diabetes. RSSDI–KCDD will work closely and leverage learnings from the Koita Centre for Digital Oncology (KCDO), established in partnership with Tata Memorial Centre and the National Cancer Grid in 2022. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24501/philips-expands-innovation-footprint-in-india-with-new-rd-centre-in-pune.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24501/philips-expands-innovation-footprint-in-india-with-new-rd-centre-in-pune.html Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Royal Philips, a global leader in health technology, has marked the ground breaking ceremony of a new R&D centre to expand its Healthcare Innovation Centre (HIC) in Pune, illustrating India’s growing importance for healthcare innovation around the globe. Situated in a 10-acre plot in Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), Chinchwad, the upcoming facility will have an office space of approximately 300,000 sq. ft in the first phase and will house 1900 employees. The new centre, to be operational in two years, will accommodate R&D teams from the company’s Image Guided Therapy, Precision Diagnosis, Monitoring and Sleep & Respiratory businesses. By integrating all teams in one centre, Philips will be able to optimise for scale, speed and efficiency while also supporting resource and best practice sharing across businesses. Working on innovative health technologies, the new centre will contribute to Philips’ global mission to improve the lives of 2.5 billion people a year by 2030. Underscoring a commitment to sustainability, the new centre will have Green Power, provide EV charging provisions and encourage bicycle commuting. In addition to being a significant landmark in Philips’ global footprint, the launch of this centre also strengthens Philips’ commitment to taking a technology-first approach towards expanding access to care.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24451/health-tech-continues-to-hire-despite-funding-winter-ciel-report.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24451/health-tech-continues-to-hire-despite-funding-winter-ciel-report.html Mon, 01 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Amidst a global trend of increased reliance on digital health solutions, the Indian digital healthcare sector is set to capitalise on this momentum, fuelled by heightened health awareness, telemedicine growth, technological innovation, and government initiatives. However, investment inflows have recently slowed. A study by CIEL HR, Health Tech Sector Employment Trends Report reveals a significant 74% employment surge in Health Tech over the last two years, a testament to the sector's initial investment-driven growth. The year 2023 experienced a 'funding winter,' a marked investment downturn, leading to a hiring deceleration, particularly noticeable from August to December. Despite the cost-cutting and a slowdown in hiring, companies continued to fill the roles in sales and business development followed by the critical roles in technology and product development all through the preceding 12 months. As a result, employment in the sector beat the market trends and continued to grow by 9%. In India, gender diversity stands out as one of the highest in the health tech sector as women constitute to 24% of the overall workforce, with 18% working in executive teams. Approximately 50% of Health Tech executives are open to new opportunities, reflecting industry dynamics, market competition, a desire for innovation and job satisfaction enhancement. Looking ahead to 2024 and beyond, the Health Tech sector anticipates regaining momentum after the brief slowdown experienced in Aug-Dec'23. With a projected employment growth of 15-20%, the sector is expected to witness a surge in demand for skilled professionals across various domains. T The report is based on the data and analysis of 42,166 employees in 38 leading Health Tech organisations operating in India. The job analysis is based on data collected from 241 job postings on Job portals. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24419/healthcare-global-enterprises-launches-hcg-care-app-first-of-its-kind-in-oncology-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24419/healthcare-global-enterprises-launches-hcg-care-app-first-of-its-kind-in-oncology-care.html Fri, 22 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based HealthCare Global Enterprises has launched the HCG Care app, the first-of-its-kind in the oncology care space. The app is designed to make expert, individualised cancer care easily, continuously and proactively accessible to cancer patients from wherever they are located. The HCG Care app offers comprehensive digitalised services in cancer care on one integrated dashboard. It enables those with cancer to choose any hospital or day care centre of their choice within the HCG network to book doctor appointments. They and their caregiving families can share their medical reports, consult oncologists and interact with them virtually through a video call on their smartphones. It empowers them to also access their medical records on the HCG data registry. New and existing HCG patients can learn about customised treatment plans, allowing them the flexibility to avail treatments according to their convenience. Through the app they can buy medicines, seek expert and compassionate counselling, as well as nutritional and dietary advice, and book home health services and rehabilitation care seamlessly. Besides this, the platform enables the clinicians and medical teams at HCG to consolidate patient records and disseminate and analyse individual medical reports for improved care coordination. The app assists HCG’s doctors to leverage advanced data analytics for insightful decision-making and customising the treatment protocol, hence revolutionizing healthcare delivery to achieving best results. The HCG Care app is built with the collaboration between HCG and tech leaders PwC, Salesforce, A&M, Kloudarc, and TCS to achieve digital healthcare transformation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24397/roche-information-solutions-plans-to-expand-teams-strength-to-1300.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24397/roche-information-solutions-plans-to-expand-teams-strength-to-1300.html Mon, 18 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Roche’s first Digital Center of Excellence in India plans to expand and develop the organisation with an expected workforce totalling to 1300. Raja Jamalamadaka (as seen in the image), Managing Director, Roche Information Solutions (RIS) India, said that housed in a 200,000 square feet area and growing from 36 employees during its inception to over 350 employees at present, RIS India is a co-location for Roche Information Solutions, Roche Diagnostics Solutions R&D, and Roche Informatics teams encompassing a diverse team of professionals from data engineers and software engineers to architects and user-experience professionals. These diverse teams work together, while leveraging India’s dynamic digital ecosystem, to build cutting edge products in digital healthcare. Jamalamadaka further said that the digital center’s focus is on delivering data-driven solutions that enable insights-based decisions. The Digital Center of Excellence is developing cloud-based software products, algorithms, and products to enhance laboratory operations, support timely decisions, and improve care along the patient journey. The teams are rapidly developing the next generation of digital solutions. Their work is also steered by the latest perspectives from their innovation teams in locations globally Roche information Solutions India evolved from Roche’s 2017 acquisition of Viewics’, a startup with its engineering center in Pune.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24362/former-ima-president-dispels-fears-of-ai-displacing-doctors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24362/former-ima-president-dispels-fears-of-ai-displacing-doctors.html Tue, 12 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Addressing the Annual Conference of Association of Physicians of India (APICON-24) in New Delhi, Dr Ajay Kumar, renowned Urologist & Past President of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) dispelled fears of artificial intelligence (AI) displacing doctors, instead highlighting its potential for collaboration. Dr Kumar envisions a future "Trimurti" of medicine – a three-pronged approach combining Allopathy, Ayurveda, and other complementary practices, all guided by AI. He believes that “Trimurti” (Allopathy, Ayush & CAM) shall be healer of mind, soul, and body under the influence of AI, illuminating the potential for a harmonious coalescence of tradition and innovation in healthcare. CAM stands for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. He called it Vision 2047.   He emphasised that AI is not a threat, but a powerful tool poised to revolutionise healthcare delivery, suggesting the doctors to embrace AI. He also shed light on the imminent transformation of the healthcare landscape with the inevitable integration of AI. According to Dr Kumar, AI is poised to reinforce healthcare delivery worldwide, with its influence extending to disease detection, diagnosis, robotics in surgery, drug discovery, remote patient monitoring, and personalized treatment approaches. Dr Rajesh Upadhyay, Organising Secretary of APICON-2024, said, “Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming every aspect of healthcare, from diagnostics to treatment. At APICON, we have seen how physicians from across the country have deliberated upon how AI can empower them. Imagine leveraging AI for faster, more accurate diagnoses, or even personalising treatment plans for individual patients. This conference has brought together the medical minds who have unravelled the potential of AI and how it has revolutionized patient care and equipped doctors with the tools to excel in this new era of medicine.” In a bold declaration, Dr Kumar emphasised, "AI may not replace doctors, but doctors who do not know how to use AI will be replaced for sure."    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24331/pg-health-announces-launch-of-innovative-tool-to-help-reduce-diabetes-complications.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24331/pg-health-announces-launch-of-innovative-tool-to-help-reduce-diabetes-complications.html Wed, 06 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Procter & Gamble (P&G) Health, along with Obesity International, has announced the launch of "Language of Diabetes", a novel patient awareness and empowerment digital tool. Offered free of charge, this technology-based innovation is aiming to significantly lower the incidence of diabetes complications in India, where diabetes and pre-diabetes affect about 236 million people. The tool is a critical step towards improving health outcomes where awareness about diabetes and its complications is very low. Milind Thatte, Managing Director of P&G Health, said, “P&G Health’s Neurobion is committed to raising awareness on Diabetes and its associated complications such as Peripheral Neuropathy and Vitamin B Deficiency. Through our partnership with Obesity International, we aim to empower patients and consumers with an innovative digital tool, thereby helping them to stay committed in our endeavour to spread awareness and education around the signs and symptoms of diabetes and its associated complications.” This tool features a mobile-friendly microsite with an intuitive interpreter tool, offering self-care options, glucometer guidance, and connections with doctors. The campaign also integrates offline engagement for maximum impact. The tool has the potential to create a community of highly diabetes aware patients and caregivers, who not only manage their diabetes but create a multiplier effect through their connections in the society. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24250/providence-expands-global-healthcare-innovation-centre-with-new-facility-in-hyderabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24250/providence-expands-global-healthcare-innovation-centre-with-new-facility-in-hyderabad.html Mon, 26 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Providence India, a specialised global healthcare engineering, operations, and innovation centre, has launched an additional new office facility in Hyderabad, and announced plans to more than double its India workforce to support the growing demand for future-ready capabilities in tech-enabled healthcare.  The new office was inaugurated in the presence of IT Minister D Sridhar Babu; US Consul General – Hyderabad Jennifer Larson; Providence President and CEO Rod Hochman, M.D.; Providence CIO B.J. Moore; Chief Global Officer Murali Krishna, and other distinguished dignitaries and industry leaders. Providence India was established in February 2020 by Providence, a leading, not-for-profit US health system, to accelerate Providence’s digital transformation journey through a global capability model and run the business of Providence at scale. In their fourth year, Providence is leveraging its global capability model and expanding its scope and strategy to help multiple US health systems unlock value by accelerating digital transformation, using emerging cutting-edge technologies such as Generative AI, predictive analytics, Cloud solutions, Process Automation, global coverage and more.   The new office facility will serve as a central hub for critical functions, including cloud, cybersecurity, clinical applications and digital solutions, data and advanced analytics, product development, process automation, digital operations, enterprise services, and emerging technologies like GenAI.  Tapping into India’s diverse expertise and rich talent pools, the India hub will actively hire for skills in these areas.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24217/govt-merges-kiran-mental-health-rehabilitation-helpline-with-telemanas.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24217/govt-merges-kiran-mental-health-rehabilitation-helpline-with-telemanas.html Thu, 15 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Dr V K Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog inaugurated two-day National Workshop on Mental Health, in New Delhi on 15th February. The workshop aims to bring together senior officers from all the states along with mentoring institutes for TeleMANAS, marking a significant step towards addressing mental health challenges in the nation. On this occasion, Dr Paul announced the merger of the KIRAN Mental Health Rehabilitation Helpline with TeleMANAS. KIRAN Mental Health Rehabilitation Helpline has served over 1,27,390 callers since its establishment in September 2020 with Tele-Manas, the National Tele Mental Health Helpline. TeleMANAS, launched by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare on World Mental Health Day on 10 October 2022, has witnessed an exponential rise in service seekers and has since handled 6,75,000 calls. The merger between the two aims to optimise resources, enhance service quality, and address the increasing demand for mental health support in India by fostering a seamless transition and extensive public awareness about the merger process. For the next three months, calls from KIRAN will be diverted to TeleMANAS and eventually, the first helpline will be phased out. Three manuals namely Training Manual for Implementation of Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 for Legal Aid Providers, for Caregivers and Reference and for Mental Healthcare Professionals of Central Mental Health Authority were released on this occasion. These manuals are meant to serve as a vital resource aimed at simplifying the complexities of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017. These are tailored for legal aid providers, mental health practitioners, and caregivers and offer comprehensive guidance on navigating the legal framework surrounding mental healthcare in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24191/thyrocare-buys-think-health-diagnostics-to-strengthen-at-home-healthcare-services.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24191/thyrocare-buys-think-health-diagnostics-to-strengthen-at-home-healthcare-services.html Thu, 08 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0530 In a significant stride towards fortifying its position in India's healthcare landscape, Mumbai-based Thyrocare, a leading diagnostic and preventive healthcare service provider in India, will be acquiring 100% stake in Chennai-based startup Think Health Diagnostics and a related entity. In this regard, Thyrocare has entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with Think Health Diagnostics and their existing shareholders on February 1, 2024. With this acquisition, Thyrocare becomes India’s one of the largest diagnostics at home healthcare service providers. This strategic acquisition helps Thyrocare provide ECG services at home. This acquisition paves the way for Thyrocare to tap additionally into the insurance segment. Rahul Guha, MD & CEO of Thyrocare Technologies, expressed, " With the strategic acquisition of Think Health Diagnostics, we are well-positioned to expand our footprint in pre-policy medical checkups for the insurance segment. This will allow us to give our insurance partners a one stop solution for blood and ECG testing and further deepen our presence in the Pre Policy Medical Checkup and Annual Health Checkup market. Our vision is to scale these services nationwide, leveraging our robust at-home service network and spearheading advancements in comprehensive healthcare accessibility for all across India." This merger enhances Thyrocare's partnership business with the existing Think Health operational presence in 10 cities namely Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kanpur, Mumbai, Pune, Surat and Jaipur. With such presence, it sets the stage for a nationwide expansion. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24146/clinisys-ramps-hiring-in-india-by-over-50-creating-new-opportunities.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24146/clinisys-ramps-hiring-in-india-by-over-50-creating-new-opportunities.html Wed, 31 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Clinisys, a global leader of intelligent diagnostic informatics solutions, has announced its plan to ramp up hiring in India by over 50% in 2024 calendar year to support its 3,500+ lab customers around the world and further expand its global operations. Also, the organisation has elevated Karthik Reddy, as the new Vice President to lead its technology front in India. Clinisys has consolidated its market position through strategic acquisitions and aggressive pursuit of its vision to move to cloud computing. Over the last two decades, the organisation has grown its global operations and expanded its workforce in India across technology and other business services segments. Focused on enriching its dynamic, globally connected workforce which operates in offices across 10 countries including India, Clinisys recognises the significance of its goal to add over 50% of its workforce from India in 2024. These professionals will support Clinisys’ pioneering lab informatics products and cloud transition initiative. As Vice President of Clinisys India, Karthik Reddy will be responsible for leading all aspects of the Clinisys India development expansion, including partnering with cross-functional teams to increase overall product delivery efficiencies, grow lab expertise locally, drive innovation and enhance customer support response time. Karthik will also provide leadership around organization structure, budget controls, recruiting, training, and other business imperatives within Clinisys India. Reddy has been a senior healthcare technology, product and operations leader in North America for the last 12 years and has relocated to Bangalore with his family to lead India operations. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24111/roche-inaugurates-new-campus-for-digital-centre-of-excellence-in-pune.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24111/roche-inaugurates-new-campus-for-digital-centre-of-excellence-in-pune.html Wed, 24 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Swiss firm Roche has announced the official inauguration of its Digital Centre of Excellence in Pune, marking a significant milestone in its history in India. This strategic presence in Pune reflects Roche’s commitment to becoming a centre for digital talent and thought leadership.  Over the past three years, Roche has undertaken a transformative journey in Pune, earning recognition as a respected voice in the industry. This trajectory has positioned the new Digital Centre of Excellence in Pune as an excellent opportunity to harness the power of technology and digital transformation.  The new campus has been designed as an employee-centred experience and ecosystem zone, incorporating valuable learnings gained from post-pandemic workplace design. The 200,000-square-foot campus can accommodate nearly 1,300 professionals dedicated to developing cutting-edge solutions that harness the power of the latest technologies, such as data and analytics, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and machine learning. Egle Bronzini, Head of the Chapters in Roche Informatics, said, “Our presence in Pune enables us to leverage the exceptional talent pool in India, accelerating the digitisation of our internal value chain. It also facilitates seamless collaboration with Roche Information Solutions, ensuring our technology investments align closely with our business priorities.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24116/new-delhi-based-health-tech-startup-docosage-secures-funding-to-enhance-product-development.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24116/new-delhi-based-health-tech-startup-docosage-secures-funding-to-enhance-product-development.html Wed, 24 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530 New Delhi-based startup DocOsage, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered health platform providing comprehensive solutions for health needs, has successfully raised pre-seed funding led by Dr Mayur Agarwal, an Angel Investor. The funds will be utilised to enhance product development, refine Core-AI capabilities for health insights, and conduct early-stage testing for the telehealth and genetic studies platform. Founded in October 2023, DocOsage stands as a pioneering lifelong health companion app, revolutionising healthcare in India with a holistic approach to individual and family well-being. The company facilitates the creation of specialised healthcare communities, fostering collaboration among providers for improved treatment plans and national uplift. Varun Vashisthaa, Co-founder and CEO, Doc0Sage said, "The initial funding will serve as a catalyst for launching product development, paving the way for a revolutionary health platform." DocOsage is unwavering in its commitment to shaping the future of proactive healthcare.   As the brand gears up for its next phase of growth, the startup is focused on product refinement through iterative development based on early user feedback, strategic partnerships by exploring collaborations with hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, and incorporating tech advancements to enhance product features, and future capital infusion by preparing for subsequent rounds to scale and expand offerings.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24071/icmr-provides-grant-to-establish-centre-for-advanced-research-for-rural-healthcare-transformation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24071/icmr-provides-grant-to-establish-centre-for-advanced-research-for-rural-healthcare-transformation.html Tue, 16 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The Centre for Chronic Disease Control (CCDC) has been awarded the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) grant to establish a Centre for Advanced Research (CAR) for rural healthcare transformation (RAHAT).   Through this grant, CCDC will strive to enhance healthcare inclusivity by enabling primary healthcare accessibility across rural India through the innovative integration of digital health solutions. The CAR for RAHAT, with its Smart Village Initiative, also has the potential to enable social inclusion, empower communities, provide enhanced continuity of care, build research and practice capacity, and establish a robust rural health ecosystem.   The centre will examine implementation gaps in healthcare infrastructure, digital access, and community access and deploy customised interventions to bridge the healthcare inclusivity gap. Through this centre for RAHAT, CCDC aims to create a scalable, multi-stakeholder, transformative rural health research and training platform across four Indian states, to begin with.   This will employ a network of interconnected ICMR health research infrastructure in medical colleges and research institutions across the country. Embracing the objectives of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), the ICMR-CAR for RAHAT seeks to promote integration and interoperability, fostering a resilient rural health ecosystem.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24073/rainbow-childrens-hospital-partners-with-ministry-of-health-zanzibar-to-enhance-paediatric-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24073/rainbow-childrens-hospital-partners-with-ministry-of-health-zanzibar-to-enhance-paediatric-healthcare.html Tue, 16 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Rainbow Children's Hospital has announced the signing of a landmark agreement with the Ministry of Health, Zanzibar. This collaboration marks a significant milestone, positioning Rainbow Children's Hospital as the exclusive paediatric facility amongst the very few hospitals internationally to forge this partnership with the Ministry of Health in Zanzibar. The agreement is tailored to facilitate patient referrals for cases that require specialised medical attention not presently available in Zanzibar. Under this one-year contract, Rainbow Children's Hospital will conduct Outpatient (OPD) services and surgical camps within Zanzibar. These initiatives aim to address critical healthcare needs and provide specialised care, particularly in paediatric cases that demand expert attention. The MoU was formally executed by Dr Amour S Mohammed, Principal Secretary of Ministry of Health, Zanzibar, Shuhaa Nassor Ali, State Attorney, Ministry of Justice & Constitution Affairs and Toshan Singh, General Manager - International Marketing, Rainbow Children's Hospital. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24070/government-launches-state-of-the-art-ai-supported-telemedicine-mobile-clinic-in-udhampur.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24070/government-launches-state-of-the-art-ai-supported-telemedicine-mobile-clinic-in-udhampur.html Mon, 15 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh has launched state-of-the-art, Artificial Intelligence (AI) supported Telemedicine Mobile Clinic "Aarogya-Doctors on Wheels" for remote hilly areas of Ramnagar region in Udhampur district of J&K. "The latest upgraded Tele Clinic is AI-driven to provide healthcare facilities in far flung areas of the region, where such facilities are either not available or  inadequately available", he said.  "Aarogya" functions on the latest methodology wherein a patient can narrate his illness or complaint in his native language and the AI doctor understands the language and responds to the patient in the same language. Afterwards the patient is connected to one of the leading super specialists in the country. Later, the patient's entire body profile and investigations are done. Within about 40 to 50 minutes, a patient is provided with the prescription, with the treatment being free-of-cost.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24062/skye-air-partners-with-regional-leprosy-training-research-institute-in-odisha.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24062/skye-air-partners-with-regional-leprosy-training-research-institute-in-odisha.html Fri, 12 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530 In a key development spearheaded by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Delhi-based company Skye Air has secured a major mandate to enhance healthcare accessibility in the Eastern region. The competitive tender process led to Skye Air's collaboration with the Regional Leprosy Training Research Institute in Aska, focusing on healthcare advancements. Skye Air emerged as the preferred choice after a rigorous evaluation that included notable competitors such as TSAW, TechEagle and RedWing. Skye Air expertise positioned them to address healthcare challenges, enhance infrastructure, and elevate care standards for Eastern state communities. With this mandate, Skye Air will partner with the Regional Leprosy Training Research Institute in Aska to employ innovative strategies and advanced technologies. The goal is to ensure the timely and efficient delivery of essential medical supplies, diagnostics, and emergency services to remote and underserved areas. The collaboration marks a significant leap forward in healthcare accessibility and delivery, bringing together Skye Air, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the Regional Leprosy Training Research Institute in Aska. Guided by a crucial initiative, the collaboration with the Regional Leprosy Training Research Institute in Aska acknowledges specific logistical challenges. Embracing drone technology will revolutionise healthcare delivery, ensuring rapid transport of essential supplies used in healthcare. This strategic use of drones addresses regional healthcare needs, fostering enhanced accessibility and delivery.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24063/indian-healthcare-sector-expects-structural-fiscal-reforms-in-budget-2024-25.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24063/indian-healthcare-sector-expects-structural-fiscal-reforms-in-budget-2024-25.html Fri, 12 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530 In a transformative move, the Indian healthcare sector is urging comprehensive structural and fiscal reforms in the upcoming Interim Union Budget 2024-25. Even though it would be an Interim Budget, given the government’s priority to healthcare, it is expected that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman would walk some extra mile concerning further strengthening the sector. Being the backbone of the healthcare industry, hospitals are anticipating significant measures, including the establishment of a dedicated regulator and rationalisation of import duties on medical equipment. The hospital sector, constituting 80% of the total healthcare market, seeks a booster dose through some specific structural and fiscal reforms including a push to Healthcare Insurance, Medical Travel Value,  the establishment of a Regulator, Import Duty Rationalization on Medical Equipment, and Price Rationalisation. Low penetration of Health insurance remains a major pain point. The sector would be expecting the widening of Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna (PMJAY) on the one hand and a reduction of tax on healthcare insurance premiums on the other. "India needs a health insurance model that prioritises preventive healthcare over procedures, and Narayana Health is well placed to achieve this goal with the support of the government”, said Viren Shetty, Executive Vice Chairman of Narayana Health. Sugandh Ahluwalia, Chief Strategy Officer, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, New Delhi, said, “The hospital sector is in dire need of a dedicated regulator and it is widely admitted that the establishment of a Regulator, leveraging the expertise of organizations like the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH), can significantly streamline compliance and enhance transparency." “Union Budget should focus on further boosting research and development infrastructure and tax rationalization, gearing up for an aspirational $50 billion MedTech economy,” expounded Prashant Arer, India Head, Enbio Group AG.    Dr Anand Bansal, Medical Director, Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, said, "Rational pricing is the key. Timely payments and transparent pricing are essential for hospitals to provide quality care. We look forward to clear guidelines from the government, addressing outstanding dues and revising rates under government schemes to ensure the viability of healthcare institutions." Healthcare Expert Baldev Raj, Founder and Chief of Prius Healthcare said, “The government needs more initiatives like ‘Ayush Visa’ (Special Visa Scheme for foreigners) and ‘Heal in India’ to make Indian healthcare and wellness a global phenomenon."  Overall, experts expect that the government will surely take some additional measures to create a new healthcare economy in the country. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24053/techeagle-transforms-healthcare-access-with-drone-delivery-in-collaboration-with-aiims-rishikesh.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24053/techeagle-transforms-healthcare-access-with-drone-delivery-in-collaboration-with-aiims-rishikesh.html Sat, 06 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Founded in 2017 by IIT Kanpur alumni, TechEagle has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by completing one of the longest drone delivery flights in collaboration with AIIMS Rishikesh. This historic mission, aligned with the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Yojna, successfully transported essential Tuberculosis (TB) medicine, showcasing the immense potential of drone technology in revolutionising healthcare logistics. The success of this mission in challenging hilly terrains was made possible with the unwavering support of the "Drone Didi" initiative under the PM's scheme. This empowering initiative provides comprehensive training to women Self Help Groups (SHGs), enabling them to proficiently operate and monitor drones, thereby contributing to the empowerment of local communities. During its flight from AIIMS Rishikesh to secluded regions like Chamba CHC and Hindolakhal PHC,, the drone adeptly navigated through complex terrains and elevations, achieving an impressive altitude gain of over 2.5 kilometers in a single 47 km journey. To put this feat into perspective, the same distance would take more than 4 hours by road. TechEagle's Vertiplane X3 delivered the payload, including crucial TB medicines, in just 34 minutes, marking an incredible 8X improvement in speed compared to traditional road transport.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24049/ssm-multi-speciality-hospital-partners-with-lifesigns-to-introduce-wireless-patient-monitoring-in-hassan-karnataka.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24049/ssm-multi-speciality-hospital-partners-with-lifesigns-to-introduce-wireless-patient-monitoring-in-hassan-karnataka.html Fri, 05 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530 SSM Multispeciality Hospital, a leading hospital in Hassan district of Karnataka, has partnered with LifeSigns, a healthtech startup which offers continuous remote patient monitoring solution provider. LifeSigns brings advanced wireless patient monitoring to SSM Hospital by deploying its wearable wireless biosensor for continuous monitoring of patient vitals. The partnership was formally unveiled at an event held at SSM Hospital on January 3, 2024. The solution from LifeSigns captures, records, and transmits crucial parameters such as ECG, Pulse Rate, temperature, heart rate, posture, blood pressure, and SPo2. This marks a historic moment for healthcare innovation in Hassan, Karnataka, as this is introduced for the first time in the region where patients will be monitored anytime & anywhere. Commenting on the partnership, Dr Vinayak Narayan, CEO, SSM Hospital, said, “The primary goal behind introducing this is to improve patient experience, enhance patient care and satisfaction. Whenever a patient's condition deteriorates, it gives an early warning to the doctors and nurses to address the patient's condition well in advance and save lives. Over the years, SSM Hospital has been known for introducing technologically advanced medical facilities with an extensive focus on affordability and quality of care. This partnership is a step in that direction. We look forward to introducing many more such offerings to the people of Hassan.” Dr Girish Chandra, Co-Founder & Director, LifeSigns said, "The key advantage lies in the early detection of warning signs, paving the way for timely interventions and improved patient care. This collaboration will represent a significant leap towards a more connected and technologically advanced healthcare system in Hassan that is accessible to all". ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24044/medway-hospitals-raises-5-m-in-financing-round-led-by-kyra-ventures.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24044/medway-hospitals-raises-5-m-in-financing-round-led-by-kyra-ventures.html Thu, 04 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Medway Hospitals has secured its first round of institutional equity funding amounting to $5 million. This round was led by Kyra Ventures, and it also saw participation from family offices.  Medway Hospitals is a fast-growing chain of multi-speciality hospitals currently operating 8 hospitals in Tamil Nadu and Seemandhra.  Its tertiary care services include Critical Care, Orthopaedics, Neurology, Nephrology, Neurosurgery, Organ Transplantation, Pulmonology, Urology besides others and has a dedicated unit specialising in treating cardiovascular diseases (CVD).  The chain currently has around 500 beds across all locations, with each unit having around 50-100 beds.  During 2021, Medway setup a state-of-the-art Heart Institute in Chennai and today this is the only standalone heart institute to receive both JCI and NABH accreditation in South India.  Medway Heart institute has successfully performed over 1000 heart surgeries, 3000 Cath Lab Procedures within a short span of 2 years.  Medway commenced its organ transplant programme in 2021 and has successfully performed over 150 renal transplants till date.  On the fund raising announcement, Dr T Palaniappan, Chairman of Medway Group of Hospitals states “Our focus has always been providing quality healthcare in Tier 2 cities and have centres of excellence in key cities.  This investment will help us accelerate our expansion plans and reach 1000 beds by 2026." Additionally, he states, “Less than a month ago we launched our Institute for Pulmonology & Pulmonary Rehabilitation to cater to the increased respiratory illnesses in children and the elderly.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24031/clirnet-partners-with-american-association-of-physicians-of-indian-origin.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24031/clirnet-partners-with-american-association-of-physicians-of-indian-origin.html Tue, 02 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Clirnet, a digital healthcare platform based in Mumbai, has entered into a groundbreaking collaboration with the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) to run a Mentorship & Observership programme jointly. The announcement was made at the 17th Global Healthcare Summit, themed 'Cutting Edge in Healthcare & Artificial Intelligence,' which is being hosted in collaboration with the Global Association of Indian Medical Students and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi. The Mentorship & Observership Model aims to provide valuable inputs and expertise from AAPI medical experts in USA to young and emerging healthcare professionals in India. Mentorship, a crucial component of medical training, is an important component in enhancing career development, professional satisfaction, and overall well-being of trainees. The programme will also offer doctors in India the opportunity to apply for observerships with AAPI physicians in the USA across various medical specialties. Experienced AAPI physicians will facilitate interactive sessions, webinars, and forums, encouraging collaborative learning and the exchange of clinical knowledge.  The intent of the initiative is to involve 60% of AAPI practitioners in training programmes to contribute their expertise to shape the next generation of healthcare professionals. The Mentorship & Observership Model represents a paradigm shift in clinical education and global collaboration. This initiative is poised to significantly contribute to the professional growth of healthcare practitioners across India including the remotest of places, fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation in the healthcare sector.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24033/samridh-supports-cipaca-with-rs-2-cr-funding-to-strengthen-critical-care-services-in-rural-hospitals.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24033/samridh-supports-cipaca-with-rs-2-cr-funding-to-strengthen-critical-care-services-in-rural-hospitals.html Tue, 02 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The Samridh Healthcare Blended Finance Facility, a multi-stakeholder innovation and financing platform supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by IPE Global, has provided financial assistance of Rs 2 crore to Cipaca, a leading service provider for Intensive Care Units (ICU) in rural India. The assistance is provided as a Recoverable Grant and is being used to set-up ICUs in partnership with small hospitals in the district, towns, and taluks in Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, and Maharashtra.  This initiative will strengthen the infrastructure and operations of selected hospitals, establishing them as Centres of Excellence for ICU care and providing accessible and affordable healthcare solutions to underserved communities.  In India, small rural hospitals face challenges such as resource limitations, inadequate infrastructure, and a shortage of skilled healthcare professionals, in delivering critical care services. Cipaca overcomes these challenges by collaborating with hospitals in smaller towns, delivering high-quality ICU services that are both accessible and affordable to rural populations. The solution is supported by a 24/7 committed staff of professionals. The company has so far established ICUs in over 10 Indian states and partnered with 20+ hospitals at the district and taluk levels. The financial support from USAID-supported Samridh further accelerates the expansion of the high-impact solutions at Cipaca, marking a significant milestone in bolstering healthcare in rural India.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24017/experts-foresee-healthcare-branding-thriving-in-2024.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24017/experts-foresee-healthcare-branding-thriving-in-2024.html Wed, 27 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 In a groundbreaking year for the Indian healthcare sector, 2023 witnessed a transformative wave of rebranding initiatives by key players such as Johnson & Johnson, Paras Hospitals, Narayana Health, and Ramesh Hospitals. Notably, the world's largest health insurance scheme ‘Ayushman Bharat’ also underwent a rebranding exercise. The Indian Government's strategic decision led to the rechristening of Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres as 'Ayushman Arogya Mandir,' adorned with the empowering tagline 'Arogyam Parmam Dhanam.' Among these visionary transformations, Narayana Health emerged as a beacon of success with its rebranding campaign, standing out as one of the largest and most impactful health system overhauls in India. With the launch of the resonant slogan 'Healthcare with a Heart' and a meticulously crafted new brand logo, Narayana Health not only revamped its visual identity but also spearheaded a comprehensive brand rejuvenation across its extensive healthcare establishments. "After about two decades of cultivating trust and expanding our reach, we embarked on a transformative journey to redefine our brand, recognizing the evolving healthcare landscape where patient empowerment is gaining prominence. This strategic endeavor allows us to articulate our fundamental values with clarity and make more impactful choices in a competitive marketplace," said Dr Ashish Bajaj, Group Chief Marketing Officer at Narayana Health. Earlier in March this year, Paras Healthcare unveiled its new brand identity campaign along with the launch of its new logo. Paras Healthcare is now renamed ‘Paras Health’. Hence, 2023 witnessed massive brand transformation not only in healthcare but across industries.  Brand experts and healthcare leaders expect the trend to continue and 2024 is likely to witness more such rebranding and brand transformation. “Strong nomenclature, compelling visual identity, a uniform brand experience, patient trust, prioritisation of the patient journey, and the strategic leveraging of all marketing prowess are the essential components to build a robust brand. Through these, we can forge a resilient brand presence, standing as a beacon that navigates the competitive currents within the crowded marketplace of healthcare services,” said Rajesh Shukla, General Manager, Sales and Marketing, Paras Health, Udaipur. This year, Aster DM Healthcare and Ramesh Hospitals also announced a collaborative brand transformation.  'Specialist Hospital,' Bengaluru, underwent a transformative rebranding, emerging as 'Trilife Hospital.' The hospital's new brand positioning, 'Responsible Wellbeing,' reflects its new journey and aspirations to redefine standards in patient care and medical innovation. “Healthcare branding is fully aligned with patient experience. It surpasses the mere clinical aspect, as patients tend to recall the emotions and impressions cultivated during their interactions with healthcare facilities rather than the intricacies of treatments or procedures. By prioritising a positive patient experience throughout this continuum, healthcare providers can establish a lasting connection with patients, recognising that emotions and perceptions significantly shape the overall impact of healthcare interactions,” said Alok Kumar, Chief Marketing and Branding Officer, Medanta, Lucknow. American pharmaceutical behemoth Johnson & Johnson (J&J), with a deep presence in India, also unveiled its plans for a comprehensive brand image overhaul starting with a new brand logo. The company signaled its intention to consolidate its Meditech and pharmaceutical divisions under the renowned banner. According to Baldev Raj, Branding Expert and MD, Prius Communications, "Brand strategy needs to be aligned with perception.  However, we need to go beyond consumer perception and must incorporate a broader, purpose-designed essence, elucidating the organization's core values. This extends beyond consumer-facing aspects, resonating with internal stakeholders”.  Experts anticipate a flourishing landscape for healthcare branding in 2024 too. The successes of 2023 serve as beacons for a future where healthcare entities build brands that resonate with consumers, foster trust, and deliver exceptional patient experiences. The year 2024 holds the promise of further groundbreaking initiatives that will shape the future of healthcare in India.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24004/healthcare-visionaries-unite-to-launch-prasho-focusing-on-sustainable-health-outcomes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/24004/healthcare-visionaries-unite-to-launch-prasho-focusing-on-sustainable-health-outcomes.html Tue, 26 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 In a groundbreaking initiative, healthcare professionals and public health leaders in Hyderabad, including R Govind Hari, Dr Ranga Reddy Burri, and Prof GVS Murthy, have come together to establish the PRAGYAAN SUSTAINABLE HEALTH OUTCOMES FOUNDATION (PRASHO), a Not-For-Profit Section 8 Enterprise. The launch event, attended by prominent figures in public health such as Zelalem Taffesse of UNICEF, Dr Krishna Reddy of Access Health, and Dr Jagannath, Director Oncology at Continental Hospital, unfolded recently at Gachibowli. R. Govind Hari, Chairman of PRASHO and health advisor to the Government of Andhra Pradesh, emphasised the foundation's focus on addressing often unnoticed health challenges, specifically targeting antimicrobial resistance, mental health, and the critical area of public health. PRASHO, which stands for preventive health and evidence-based practices, aims to support people with disabilities and vulnerable groups, ensuring they receive the healthcare they deserve. Prof GVS Murthy, a renowned researcher and collaborator, shared the mission to lead a transformative shift in healthcare social development by promoting evidence-based interventions. In response to the rampant spread of health-related misinformation on social media, PRASHO announced the establishment of a Health Media Collaborative Centre. This centre aims to provide factual information for individual and community action, preventing disease and improving health. Additionally, PRASHO plans to leverage Machine Learning and Data Analytics to decipher health trends, predict potential risks, and undertake initiatives like technology validation and building stroke rehabilitation support systems. The foundation envisions empowering individuals and communities to attain quality, equitable, affordable, sustainable positive health, and social development outcomes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23983/national-task-force-set-up-to-enhance-oral-healthcare-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23983/national-task-force-set-up-to-enhance-oral-healthcare-in-india.html Wed, 20 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Taking a significant step towards improving the oral health landscape in India, the Oral Health Collaborative launched the ‘National Oral Health Task Force’ on 14th December 2023. Supported by Haleon (erstwhile GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare), the event was held in Hotel Ambassador, New Delhi, and was organised by Taru Leading Edge, a think tank. India grapples with intricate oral health challenges stemming from socio-economic complexities, access disparities, and prevalent oral diseases. The economic burden of prevalent oral diseases is an estimated Rs 50 billion. The primary focus of this task force is to address these challenges through driving awareness on oral health, enabling access, and empowering Indians take proactive charge of their oral health. Dr L. Swasticharan, Addl. Deputy Director General (NCD) Dte.GHS, Government of India, and Chairperson of the Task Force, said, “The Oral Health Task Force, with its mandate to promote awareness, prevention, and access to care, is a crucial step toward addressing oral health challenges comprehensively. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, including government, public health experts, and IDA, we can harness collective expertise, foster innovation, and implement effective strategies to uplift the overall health and well-being of our nation. Thank you for your dedication and collaboration." Sharing his thoughts on the initiative, Navneet Saluja, GM, Haleon India Subcontinent, BU, said, “Oral health is often overlooked but it is intricately connected to our overall health. As an organisation driven by the purpose of improving everyday health with humanity, we are a proud supporter of this noteworthy initiative to promote awareness, prevention, and effectively manage the burden of oral diseases."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23978/nathealth-calls-for-boost-in-healthcare-spending-reforming-gst-in-budget-2024-25.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23978/nathealth-calls-for-boost-in-healthcare-spending-reforming-gst-in-budget-2024-25.html Tue, 19 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 NATHEALTH-Healthcare Federation of India has submitted a visionary blueprint aimed at revolutionising India's healthcare landscape. Through a concrete set of recommendations submitted for the Union Budget 2024-25, NATHEALTH has urged the government to embark on transformative measures that prioritise bolstering healthcare infrastructure and making strategic investments to overcome supply side constraints. India's public healthcare spending remains low, at only around 1.6-1.8 % of GDP. These allocations are insufficient to tackle the magnitude of healthcare challenges. NATHEALTH recommends increasing budget allocation to 2.5% of GDP to augment the social insurance schemes, boosting healthcare reforms and infrastructure and fast-tracking digital health services across India. NATHEALTH strongly recommends outlining a reform agenda in the Finance Bill aimed at restructuring the healthcare GST framework. Another recommendation is for the government to allocate funds for training and development programsme for doctors, nurses, and allied healthcare workers, putting special emphasis on digital learning stack and smart certification standards.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23960/new-guidelines-for-haemophilia-treatment-to-empower-policymakers-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23960/new-guidelines-for-haemophilia-treatment-to-empower-policymakers-in-india.html Fri, 15 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Haemophilia & Health Collective of North (HHCN), a registered body of India’s leading healthcare professionals working in the domain of haemophilia care for over two decades, in collaboration with National Health Mission (NHM) representatives from 16 states, has proposed a first-of-its-kind Indian guidelines for treatment of Persons with Haemophilia (PwH).  The new guidelines recommend use of prophylaxis as standard of care (SOC) in haemophilia patients to prevent them from bleeding, and clearly articulates the need for comprehensive care including significance of timely diagnosis, physiotherapy and multidisciplinary care for PwH. First time a separate category for Non-factor replacement (currently available as Emicizumab) is incorporated in the selection criteria. The real world experience bears out the rapid switchovers to non-factor products and which remains the drug of choice. The new guidelines also recommend budgetary calculation for payers and/or policymakers to understand the budgetary requirements of each state and central reimbursement bodies. Optimal deployment of resources for severe Hemophilia A patients including high bleeders, pediatric population, patients with inhibitors is also suggested. Current treatment modalities in India primarily focus on on-demand therapy – FVIII replacement to address bleeding episodes as they occur. However, exposure to exogenous Factor VIII could lead to development of inhibitors. This renders treatment with Factor VIII ineffective.  The new guidelines recommend adoption of advanced care to tackle bleeding incidents and reduce disability and improve quality of life for haemophilia patients. Worldwide, countries are moving towards advanced non-replacement therapy or prophylaxis care because breakthrough bleeds remain an issue with the levels of protection offered by current FVIII concentrates. In India, prophylaxis adoption is estimated at about 4%, whereas in most other developing countries it is over 20% and in developed countries 80-90% haemophilia patients are on prophylaxis.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23951/jdrf-international-joins-community-and-clinical-partners-to-improve-type-1-diabetes-care-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23951/jdrf-international-joins-community-and-clinical-partners-to-improve-type-1-diabetes-care-in-india.html Wed, 13 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 JDRF International, the leading global type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy organisation, in partnership with the community, clinical partners and William J. Clinton Foundation (WJCF), an affiliate of the Clinton Health Access Initiative in India, has announced a sweeping set of collaborations that aims to drastically improve T1D care. The efforts include supporting public health programmes, innovative grassroots initiatives, and dedicated clinician networks converging to create a multi-dimensional strategy to tackle T1D. Ensuring that essential social and educational needs are met, all partners will work in concert to promote more effective diabetes management for people living with T1D in India. Healthcare professionals will pledge to promote basic care that involves a multiple daily injection insulin regimen and regular glucose monitoring. This initiative aims to create a synergy between medical experts and peer groups, fostering a cooperative environment where clinical knowledge meets community wisdom. According to the T1D Index, a first of its kind data simulation tool that measures the human and public health impact of type 1 diabetes, India has the largest "missing" prevalence of type 1 diabetes in the world. Increasing focus on screening for diagnosing T1D and helping manage care will improve longevity and quality of life for them.  As part of this process, the government of India has initiated several comprehensive programmes that address immediate health care needs and pave the way for long-term systemic improvements in T1D care.  Several Indian states are at the forefront, with significant T1D programs, serving as models of innovation and effectiveness and select states will be served by the support currently being developed in partnership with JDRF International, William J. Clinton Foundation, The Helmsley Charitable Trust with support from Eli Lilly and Company.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23948/c-camp-partners-with-assam-government-to-strengthen-public-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23948/c-camp-partners-with-assam-government-to-strengthen-public-healthcare.html Tue, 12 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Building on the last three years’ effort of strengthening Assam’s public health system through world class, indigenous innovation, Bengaluru-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Medical Education & Research Department (ME&RD), Government of Assam towards focused innovation driven programmes for improving technology adoption by healthcare practitioners, infrastructure upgrades and capacity-building.  The MoU was signed at Dispur, Guwahati by C-CAMP Director and CEO, Dr Taslimarif Saiyed and Siddharth Singh, IAS, Commissioner and Secretary, Medical Education and Research Department on behalf of the Govt of Assam in presence of Health Minister, Keshab Mahanta. In Assam, C-CAMP has implemented 3 key healthcare programmes with funding support from national and international philanthropic organisations targeting important areas such as maternal and child healthcare, hospital infrastructure facility and immunisation including COVID-19 drives. 307 units of limited-resource, respiratory support technology have been implemented, to cover 100% infrastructure requirement for newborn and paediatric critical care to all district hospitals and medical colleges in Assam. A second project deployed 200 electronic temperature-regulated active vaccine carriers across 12 districts to strengthen last mile cold chain facilities for routine immunisation & COVID-19 vaccination. C-CAMP has also set up an oxygen-supported 54 bedded augmented hospital facility at Uluoni CHC under Simonabasti BPHC, Nagaon.  The immediate action point for the collaboration will be to intensify efforts in the above projects and align more emerging solutions with needs on the ground. In the immediate pipeline is a project to improve early screening and detection in Retinopathy of Prematurity, a common eye disease affecting premature babies and newborns through context-specific innovative health solutions.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23938/dinesh-gundu-rao-presents-gift-of-life-certificates-to-children-at-global-health-conference-2023.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23938/dinesh-gundu-rao-presents-gift-of-life-certificates-to-children-at-global-health-conference-2023.html Mon, 11 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Dinesh Gundu Rao, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka presented the ‘Gift of Life’ certificates to two children who were treated at Sri Madhusudan Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (SMSIMSR) at the valedictory session of the Global Health Conference 2023, organised by SMSIMSR, India’s first free private rural medical college in association with All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi on December 9, 2023 at Sathya Sai Grama at Chikkaballapur district in Karnataka. “Gift of Life’ is a ceremony which was instituted by Sri Madhusudan Sai across all his hospitals, where those who are saved through surgeries are celebrated. The hospital provided baby Malashree sepsis NICU management in addition to pre-term birth management care. The child was kept in the NICU for 26 days, absolutely free of all costs! Six-year-old Krishna Seervi hailing from Bagepalli, Chikkaballapur underwent an ASD device closure. Both the children were discharged, hale and hearty and look forward to live a healthy life.  In his address the Minister said “The work is simply astounding and setting up a private medical college in record-breaking time span is laudable. It isn’t easy to achieve such a huge milestone in such a limited duration. Even for the government, to achieve such an enormous task of establishing a medical college and hospital is difficult. I was awe struck to see the seamless functioning of the hospital and college here during my walkthrough. We need people who are willing and dedicated to run such institutions and thus able to achieve such substantial outcomes. What is something impossible is been made possible here!” The Minister further said, “SMSIMSR has given a ray of hope to the entire humanity. The people and work being done reinvigorates the hope in humanity. Government facilities have always faced multiple challenges in terms of quality and delivery of healthcare. This Institution has achieved something which any government has failed to. The number of free surgeries and services provided absolutely free of cost is truly inspiring.” “I would love to extend all the support from the government and looking forward for meaningful collaborations in making healthcare accessible and affordable to the public,” concluded the Minister. As part of the valedictory session, a fireside chat show was held where noted former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar posed many questions about the ethos of ‘compassionate healthcare’, which is the model of all the hospitals which have been established by Sri Madhusudan Sai (Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Heart Care Hospitals, Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Mother and Child Hospitals, Sri Sathya Sai Sarla Memorial Hospital and the Medical College), joint partnerships and collaborations, the concept of universalisation of healthcare, etc. The two days conference collectively embarked on a journey of exploration, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration in the pursuit of advancing global healthcare. ‘Augmenting synergies for Universal Healthcare’ was a pivotal event that promised to shape the future of healthcare through collaborative efforts and innovative solutions. By bringing together stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, the conference inspired a transformative change, forging a path towards a more inclusive, patient-centric, sustainable, affordable and accessible healthcare landscape. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23939/stakeholders-should-partner-to-resolve-the-underlying-issues-of-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23939/stakeholders-should-partner-to-resolve-the-underlying-issues-of-healthcare.html Mon, 11 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 “All the stakeholders should partner to resolve the underlying issues of healthcare in the society,” said Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai, Founder of Sri Madhusudan Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (SMSIMSR), Spiritual and Social Leader of the Global Mission of Nutrition, Education and Healthcare. Speaking at the valedictory session of the two days of Global Health Conference on the theme – Augmenting Synergies for Universal Healthcare, organised by SMSIMSR in association with The All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi at Sathya Sai Grama at Chikkaballapur district in Karnataka on December 9, 2023, he said that we must put it into action after churning out so much of knowledge over two days of the conference. In his closing remarks, Sri Madhusudan Sai said “We belong to such great India where the vaidyālayas were patronised by kings dispensing free healthcare to the public. Over time with the onslaught of modernisation things have changed drastically. The need of the hour is imbibing the feeling of oneness. Charitable institutions, corporate and government must work hand in hand to fill this gap in society. Everyone must have clothes to cover their bodies, nutritious food to live a healthy life and holistic healthcare to cure the disease affected body.” He further said “We are a large country and it will take a while to reach out to the last person but we have begun somewhere and set the ball rolling. One step towards this goal that we have set is by establishing a free medical college creating noble healthcare professionals from the rural population of India. They are the one who will commit themselves to this cause and serve the rural poor getting back to their natives. Majority of them hail from families earning less than Rs 20k per month. These students have come forward and committed themselves to serve lifelong in this noble cause out of sheer gratitude towards the institution and the country. They are inspired from free medical education and free healthcare which is a myth in this contemporary world.” “To take the healthcare to remotest of the geographies and making it accessible to everyone despite of hardships is the step taken by us. This can happen only with a magnanimous feeling of ‘vasudhaiva kuṭumbakam - One World One Family’. Parents never charge their children for providing them. Our ancient India never charged for dispensing nutrition, education or healthcare, believing everyone as a part of one single family,” he concluded.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23934/genefitletics-launches-indias-first-microbiome-driven-model-to-predict-cardiovascular-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23934/genefitletics-launches-indias-first-microbiome-driven-model-to-predict-cardiovascular-diseases.html Sun, 10 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Genefitletics, which envisions placing chronic diseases in history books, not in lives of current & future generations, has launched VASCOMATH - India’s first microbiome driven human biology model to predict cardiovascular diseases based on gut & oral microbiome gene expression. With the endeavour to predict & early detect chronic diseases & provide interventions that can eliminate molecules involved in disease or infection using nutrition as medicine so that disease do not even develop, VASCOMATH is the perfect addition to its suite of predictive human biology models. The company launched its type 2 diabetes prediction model- PREDIGLYM couple of months back. Founded in 2019, New Delhi-based startup Genefitletics has developed India’s first system biology- PROTEBA  that measures chemistry at molecular level & analyses it using machine learning to provide disease modifying nutrition therapeutics interventions in order to restore human health. Sushant Kumar, Founder & CEO- Genefitletics quotes “The current industrial healthcare system, instead of determining the underlying cause of cardiovascular disease, adopts a pharmaceutical approach to suppress cholesterol which is counter intuitive since our body needs cholesterol to perform various biological functions including making Vitamin D,Bile acid & various hormones. Missing piece in the heart puzzle is the long ignored aspect- MICROBIOME, the first inhabitant on planet earth."     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23925/sri-madhusudan-sai-institute-of-medical-sciences-organises-global-health-conference-along-with-aiims.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23925/sri-madhusudan-sai-institute-of-medical-sciences-organises-global-health-conference-along-with-aiims.html Sat, 09 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 India’s first free private rural medical college, Sri Madhusud Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (SMSIMSR) organised a two days Global Health Conference on the theme – Augmenting Synergies for Universal Healthcare, in association with The All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) New Delhi. Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai, Founder of SMSIMSR, Spiritual and Social Leader of the Global Mission of Nutrition, Education and Healthcare inaugurated the conference in presence of industry leaders, policy makers, and other stakeholders of the life sciences and healthcare industry at Sathya Sai Grama at Chikkaballapur district in Karnataka on December 8, 2023.  In his message Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, said “It is great to see that the Sri Madhusudan Institute of Medical Sciences and Research is focusing on creating a holistic ecosystem for ensuring last-mile access to healthcare services. Initiatives like yours will ensure that competencies are built in our ecosystem for effective healthcare service delivery for India's citizens and will promote ‘role-based’ learning rather than ‘rule-based’ and ‘competency-based’ learning, and also enhance policy-making in the field of healthcare and pharmaceuticals. I am confident that the discussions during the conference will be of high order and will be in line with the vision of creating a developed India by 2047.” Dr M Srinivas, Director of AIIMS New Delhi said in his opening remarks said “Sri Madhusudan Sai’s institutions are a unique example of how free treatment and free medical education are given. I am very happy that the conference is deliberating on affordable and equitable healthcare. We, the tertiary centres take care of the super specialties, while Sri Madhusudan Sai’s institutions are also focusing on primary and secondary care, which is really commendable.” Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai, Founder of SMSIMSR, said, “To make healthcare accessible, available, affordable and equitable for all is the aim of this conference. Hence, it is important for all of us – pharmaceutical industry, healthcare industry and healthcare technology industry, to come together for universalisation of healthcare. This conference will lead of practical and implementable solutions in this line.” This global healthcare conference aims to create a dynamic platform for cross-industry collaboration and foster dialogue between key contributors of the healthcare sector from pharmaceutical industry leaders, regulators and researchers, to hospital administrators and medical professionals, healthcare technology innovators, Government officials and policy makers, insurance companies, academicians, and medical students. Over the two days, talks by prominent healthcare specialists, panel discussions on key themes by experts from different sectors of healthcare, alongside networking opportunities to foster connections and partnerships will take place. The conference covered issues of interest to pharma and healthcare industry under the following sessions in which experts and industry leaders shared their views on topics such as Sustainable Practices and Green Chemistry Initiatives - Achieving Self-Reliance in KSMs and APIs; Value Creation through Product Innovation in Pharma; Best Practices in Storage and Distribution of Pharmaceutical Products; Last Mile Medicine Delivery through e-Pharmacies and other Tech Enabled Services; Enhanced Patient Outreach by Hospital Chains - Serving the Last and the Least; Producing Better Quality Drugs and Regulatory Landscape; Strengthening Primary Health Services for Universal Accessibility; Utilisation of Government Schemes with Support from NGOs to reach the last and the least. Sudarshan Jain, Secretary General of Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) spoke on Pharma Industry - the Road Ahead, while Dr Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, Secretary-cum-Scientific Director, Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India spoke on Pharma Regulations and Quality and Dr C Sreenivas, Chairman, Sri Sathya Sai Health and Education Trust spoke on Strategies for Making Healthcare Accessible and Affordable.   Photo caption : From left to right - Dharma Data, Former Drug Control Director, Andhra Pradesh and Advisor, Sri Madhusudan Sai Institution of Medical Sciences and Research; Dr Minu Bajpai, Executive Director, National Board of Examinations and Former Dean of Academics,  AIIMS, New Delhi; Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai, Founder, Sri Madhusudan Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research; B N Narasimha Murthy, Chancellor, Sri Sathya Sai University for Human Excellence and Ramesh Babu Potluri, Chairman and Managing Director, SMS Pharmaceuticals.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23927/we-can-do-much-more-to-make-healthcare-accessible-and-equitable-for-all-especially-in-the-rural-areas.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23927/we-can-do-much-more-to-make-healthcare-accessible-and-equitable-for-all-especially-in-the-rural-areas.html Sat, 09 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 “To support the efforts of the government, our hospital provides completely free of cost healthcare, yet operates with very low administrative cost, by economies of scale, as an efficient model. With everyone coming together, we can do much more to improve capacity building, and make healthcare accessible and equitable for all, especially in the rural areas,” said Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai, Founder of Sri Madhusudan Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (SMSIMSR), Spiritual and Social Leader of the Global Mission of Nutrition, Education and Healthcare. Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai inaugurated a Global Health Conference on the theme – Augmenting Synergies for Universal Healthcare, organised by SMSIMSR in association with The All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) New Delhi at Sathya Sai Grama at Chikkaballapur district in Karnataka on December 8, 2023. He further said “Our Prime Minister and Health Minister have taken very bold steps in the field of healthcare like the Ayushman Bharath Yojana, which is the largest healthcare coverage offered by any government in the world, for about 60 crore people in the country.” He also said, “There cannot be a happy individual in an unhappy society, a happy society in an unhappy nation, a happy nation in an unhappy world. In a society, we are all interdependent.” As an institution, he said “We are more than committed to ensure that the vision of the government is manifested, and are implemented in the rural areas. We are committed to offer whatever we can, to work together as collaborators and partners to deliver healthcare to the last person.” “To make healthcare accessible, available, affordable and equitable for all is the aim of the conference. Hence, it is important for all of us – pharmaceutical industry, healthcare industry and healthcare technology industry, to come together for universalisation of healthcare. This conference will lead of practical and implementable solutions in this line,” he concluded.  Sri Madhusudan Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, guided by the vision – In Rural, Of Rural, For Rural, inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India in March 2023 is the first-of-its-kind medical college that nurtures medical doctors with ability, nobility, and stability who shall dedicate themselves to serve the underserved, particularly in rural India.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23916/experts-delve-into-regulatory-aspects-to-various-facets-of-healthcare-sector.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23916/experts-delve-into-regulatory-aspects-to-various-facets-of-healthcare-sector.html Fri, 08 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 To celebrate the occasion of World Competition Day, Consumer Unity & Trust Society (CUTS) recently organised a panel discussion on “Regulatory Deficit in Access to Equitable Healthcare” under the broader theme of “prioritising socially sensitive sectors”, in partnership with CUTS Institute for Regulation and Competition (CIRC) and Institute for Studies in Industrial Development (ISID), in New Delhi. The event was marked by launching the 11th edition of the India Competition and Regulation Report (ICRR) on the “Regulatory Deficit in Access to Equitable Healthcare”, which delves into the regulatory aspects to various facets of the healthcare sector. In her opening remarks, Kiran N Meetarbhan, Former CEO of the Mauritius Competition Authority and Director, CUTS International,  highlighted that a nation’s economic prosperity is intricately linked to the well-being of its citizens which is marked by their health status, a principle underscored in the Sustainable Development Goals.  Chairing the panel, Nagesh Kumar, Director, ISID, underscored the imperative of addressing the deficiencies within our healthcare system that were starkly revealed during the pandemic. While India successfully asserted its position in the global market by developing vaccines, there remains a considerable journey ahead to further advance and fortify its capabilities in this domain, ensuring readiness to confront any prospective health crises. Addressing the conference, Augustine Peter, head of AP Regulatory Law Practice and former Member of CCI, emphasised the role of competition enforcement in improving healthcare access in India. He underscored the necessity of examining the availability, affordability, and accessibility of the healthcare system in a dualistic way, particularly for the underprivileged, to progress toward a welfare state. He highlighted the significance of regulations in efficiently utilising existing resources to minimise depletion and enhance consumer benefits within the healthcare sector.  According to him, “There is a trade-off between equity and quality of healthcare services. Much of the country’s GDP is focused towards the Indian tertiary healthcare system rather than strengthening India’s primary healthcare system.” Arpita Mukherjee, Professor, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations, ICRIER pointed out that India lacks holistic recognition and accreditation of medical services and medical human resources when compared to other developed countries in the world. According to her, “India has tremendous potential for medical tourism but we failed to use important platforms like G-20 for strengthening our healthcare diplomacy.”  Ayona Bhattacharjee, Assistant Professor, International Management Institute highlighted India’s pharma vision which is aimed to be achieved by 2024, giving a new dimension to the global market and attracting higher investments in the Indian healthcare sector, as we aim towards shifting from volumes to value-based healthcare services. In the panel, Associate Professor Reji K Joseph of ISID discussed reducing India's dependence on imported active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) from countries like China. He stressed the importance of leveraging India's API industry and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to achieve this objective. Professor Joseph underscored the significant contribution of private sector enterprises in India's public healthcare system, highlighting that SMEs produce 80% of the country's APIs.  According to Dr Priyanka Bajaj, Manager-Health and Innovation, PATH “Regulations are not just a barrier but also one of the key drivers to achieve Universal Health Coverage in India.” Navneet Sharma, Director General of CIRC, addressed the issue of persistent market dominance, “sticky market” posing a significant threat to the Indian healthcare system in the future.  In conclusion, Ujjwal Kumar, Associate Director, CUTS-CCIER, flagged that competition enforcement alone is not sufficient and that a coordinated effort by the government, sector regulators and competition authority are needed to solve competition concerns in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23909/varco-leg-care-launches-first-of-its-kind-ulcer-treatment-product.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23909/varco-leg-care-launches-first-of-its-kind-ulcer-treatment-product.html Thu, 07 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Varco Leg Care, a New Delhi-based startup, has announced the launch of its new flagship product - ‘Ulsr Soothe Max’ – curated dedicatedly for treatment and cure of foot ulcer. Formulated with Varco’s Phyto Transdermal Technology™, the product stands out as a first-of-its-kind, revolutionary solution globally, with the potential to enable complete healing and recovery of individuals from foot ulcers (including varicose veins ulcer and diabetic foot ulcer) and related concerns such as foot blisters, calluses and corns, et al. Of late, both in India and across other parts of the world, infections attributed to diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) are increasingly becoming one of the major causes for hospitalization amongst diabetics. Studies have shown that roughly one in four diabetes patients have the likelihood of developing foot ulcer during their lifetime. Ulsr Soothe Max – an FDA-approved, made-in-India topical cream, that represents a blend of nature’s healing touch and advanced scientific innovation, is Varco Leg Care’s attempt to mitigate the growing public health burden caused by foot ulcer, while simultaneously redefining existing foot ulcer treatment methodologies and processes worldwide. Depending on the stage of the ulcer, the product, when used regularly, is able to produce optimal positive results for a foot ulcer patient roughly between 4 to 16 weeks’ time period. As a ‘digital-first’ consumer healthcare brand, post the product launch, they will initially focus on garnering traction for the newly-introduced topical ulcer treatment product through various online channels. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23922/takeda-announces-partnership-with-birac-to-foster-healthcare-innovation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23922/takeda-announces-partnership-with-birac-to-foster-healthcare-innovation.html Thu, 07 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Japan-headquartered pharmaceutical firm Takeda has announced the signing of a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), a public sector enterprise set up by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. The MoU was announced in the presence of Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Science & Technology, Minister of State for the Prime Minister Office, Government of India, and senior government and industry leaders during the Global Bio-India 2023 summit. The partnership will allow Takeda to extend advisory and mentoring support to innovators and entrepreneurs while assisting them from ideation to market deployment of new-age healthcare solutions. The collaboration resonates with BIRAC’s vision to stimulate, foster and enhance the strategic research and innovation capabilities of the Indian biotech industry for creation of affordable products addressing the needs of the largest section of society.  Serina Fischer, General Manager, Takeda Biopharmaceuticals India said, “At Takeda, we are committed to meeting the unmet needs of patients by discovering and delivering life-transforming treatments and innovative solutions. Our vision and mission align with the Indian Government’s aspiration for local solutions to global healthcare challenges. This partnership serves as a practical blueprint, highlighting how public and private players can join forces to propel substantial and enduring advances in healthcare.”  Ruchi Sogarwal, Head of Corporate Affairs, Takeda Biopharmaceuticals India, added, “Collaborations between the government, academia and industry contribute immensely to accelerating innovation and building disruptive healthcare technology solutions for addressing unmet patient needs. Our partnership with BIRAC will allow us to foster innovations, nurturing capabilities and enhancing global competitiveness translating bioscience into bioeconomy.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23928/iit-guwahati-tata-medical-diagnostics-nhm-assam-partner-to-revolutionise-healthcare-delivery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23928/iit-guwahati-tata-medical-diagnostics-nhm-assam-partner-to-revolutionise-healthcare-delivery.html Tue, 05 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) has joined hands with Tata Medical & Diagnostics (Tata MD) and National Health Mission, Assam, Health & Family Welfare Department, Govt. of Assam, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement the Tata MD’s Healthcare Model for augmenting public healthcare delivery in the Kamrup district of Assam by establishing a Digital Nerve Centre. The MoU was signed by Dr M.S. Lakshmi Priya, IAS, MD, NHM Assam, Girish Krishnamurthy, MD & CEO, TATA MD, and Prof. Parameswar K. Iyer, Dean PRBR, IIT Guwahati. One major highlight of this project will be Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s involvement as the strategic partner to provide inputs and share learnings of adapting and implementing innovative models, as well as taking the learnings from the initiative to other states and globally to ensure more women and children have access to lifesaving care. To implement this project, a Digital Nerve Centre – Command Centre (Hub) will be established at IIT Guwahati campus with technical, IT and physical infrastructure setup, and vendor coordination support from Tata MD. Another major initiative of this pilot project will be to setup Digital Nerve Centre (DiNC) components at Healthcare Centres in 30 District Hospital (DH), Community Health Centres (CHC), Primary Health Centres (PHC), and Sub-centre (SC) in Assam. With the Digital Nerve Centre – Command Centre (hub) established at IIT Guwahati, NHM will be able to deploy systems and technologies to implement the Healthcare Model for augmenting public healthcare delivery.   The Tata MD’s Healthcare Model for augmenting public healthcare delivery is a first-of-its-kind model in the North Guwahati block that will focus on enhancing government programmes, providing continuous, connected, proactive, patient-centric, and closer-to-patient care services.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23931/davaindia-expands-operations-with-plans-to-open-400-additional-stores-in-east-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23931/davaindia-expands-operations-with-plans-to-open-400-additional-stores-in-east-india.html Mon, 04 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Davaindia, a leader in the retail pharmacy industry, is poised to contribute significantly to the burgeoning Indian retail pharmacy market, projected to reach $40.19 billion by 2030 with a robust CAGR of 9.9% from 2022. As a key player in this dynamic landscape, Davaindia is strategically expanding its operations, especially in East India, as it plans to open 400 additional stores in East India via Project Sanjeevani - a specialised franchise model tailor-made, by the next fiscal year and contribute to economic development by creating employment opportunities for approximately 5,500+ individuals. Currently, there are 140+ stores in the East India. The retail pharmacy landscape is witnessing the convergence of online and offline channels, and Davaindia is also embracing this trend by adopting an Omni Channel to provide customers with a seamless shopping experience. Zota Healthcare, the parent company of Davaindia, is renowned for its diverse range of pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and ayurvedic products. Davaindia has already started providing unique products in niche segments, including ayurvedic medicines, cow based premium products, medicinal devices, and other lifestyle categories in the near future. With evolving demographic and economic dynamics, Davaindia consciously balances its distribution of retail pharmacies, with a pronounced emphasis on tier 2 and tier 3 cities rather than metros. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/23876/can-ai-significantly-improve-mental-healthcare-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/23876/can-ai-significantly-improve-mental-healthcare-.html Fri, 01 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Individuals and corporations across the globe are now cognizant of the importance of proper mental health in ensuring all-round wellbeing and steady development of the society. Over the past three years, mental health tech startups have helped in increasing the affordability and accessibility to mental healthcare. The World Federation of Mental Health had named the theme for the World Mental Health Day (WMHD) 2023, celebrated on October 10, as 'Mental Health is a universal right' and the startups innovating in this sector are playing a vital role in achieving this goal with the use of new technologies. As per a recent report by Tracxn Technologies, the global mental health tech space witnessed a peak in funding of $4.7 billion in 2021. Similar to other healthcare businesses, mental health startups saw a significant rise in demand in 2021 owing to the mental health issues brought on by the pandemic. However, the mental health tech space, globally, witnessed funding worth $713 million in 2023 year-to-date (YTD), exhibiting a decline in comparison to 2022 and 2021. This plunge in funding is primarily due to the ongoing economic slowdown and other macroeconomic factors affecting the cash flow globally. Most of the funding this year so far in this sector has come through late-stage investments, which stood at $340 million, a 35 per cent reduction compared to $527 million raised in the same period in 2022 and a decline of 85.8 per cent compared to $2.4 billion raised in the same period in 2021. Further, 2023 has witnessed 17 acquisitions till date, a drop of 22.7 per cent from 22 acquisitions in the same period in 2021. The numbers have remained consistent compared with 2022. At present, the US has the maximum number of companies in this space (2,360) followed by the UK (662) and India (429). “Beyond the monetary gains, investing in mental health startups can certainly garner profound societal benefits. By making mental healthcare more accessible and mainstream, the startups can be catalytic in busting the age-old myths and eradicating stigmas associated with mental health issues in India. On the home turf, traditional taboos around mental health are slowly being demolished. Additionally, the government and NGOs are becoming more proactive in addressing these issues, offering opportunities for startups to collaborate or receive support. In terms of customisation, artificial intelligence (AI) can analyse chunks of data throughput quickly. This means that AI-aided mental health solutions can potentially provide personalised feedback or therapeutic suggestions based on individual user data, thus enhancing the quality of care”, points out Ashutosh Kumar Jha, Chief Strategy Officer, Artemis Medicare Services.   Tech tools & mental health Mental health teleconsultation and digital therapeutics for mental healthcare have been some of the top performing business models in 2023. For instance, teleconsultation has played a vital role in countries like India where there are 0.75 psychiatrists per 100,000 population which is significantly low compared to European countries like Germany with 27 per 100,000 inhabitants.  Recent research by MIT's Rosalind Picard and Massachusetts General Hospital's Paola Pedrelli has shown that artificial intelligence (AI) can help reduce the rate of mental disorders. In fact, the use of technologies such as AI is greatly increasing the accessibility to mental health professionals and this sector can potentially see more investments going ahead as awareness rises among the masses. “By embracing AI, psychoanalysts are better equipped to concentrate on delivering direct patient care and doing in-depth research, which eventually improve patient outcomes, increase access to mental health services and augment general efficiency in the field,” comments Dr Malini Saba, psychologist, philanthropist, human rights activist, and the Founder and Chairman of Anannke Foundation. Sharing similar views, Dr Rahul Chawla, Neurology Department, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi and an associate consultant in the neurology department of PSRI Hospital, Saket says, “AI tools use various mechanisms to diagnose matters of the mind and trace the alterations in behavioural patterns of the subjects under treatment, such as electronic health records, their activity on social media, and the use of search engines. Besides, there are mental health-specific questionnaires and mood-rating scales to help characterise and classify mental health illnesses, such as depression, bipolar disorders et al. If there are any red flags like suicidal ideation or possible attempts, thoughts and threats, the same can activate SOS alarms and send possible guidance. While most measures look effective on paper, in a practical sense, the majority of the tools are still in research phases. However, no FDA (Food and Drug Administration)-approved or FDA-cleared AI applications currently exist in psychiatry, as far as my knowledge goes.”  It is often quizzed if AI can detect symptoms of neurological disorders before it is too late. Theoretically speaking, AI can help sift neurological disorders by scanning data obtained from patient files, dementia-screening questionnaires and even brain imaging. This could prove to be beneficial for patients suffering neurodegenerative conditions with progressive courses like dementia, namely Alzheimer's disease or various forms of Parkinsonism. AI may also facilitate monitoring for compliance with and response to the treatment. Further, it can track changes in speech pattern, tremors and even limb stiffness in patients with parkinsonism through speech recognition and smart wearables.      Futuristic element AI technology has so far been adopted by many Indian hospitals in their mental healthcare wings. AIIMS Delhi is designated as the Centre of Excellence for AI in healthcare. “There are actually many research projects running at AIIMS, Indian Council of Medical Research, Indian Institute of Technology- Delhi, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences pertaining to mental health and AI. However, AI algorithms need validation in the real world setting. After all, these are all research projects, and their results and practical applications in the pragmatic world are yet to be viewed and verified,”   cautions Dr Chawla. In contrast to humans, AI cannot read the human mind or thoughts. However, it may dissect data and decrypt patterns to draw conclusions or predictions about a person's goals or his state of mind. Nevertheless, the application of AI into the field of mental health apparently has a bright future. AI-driven solutions will probably continue to develop and improve personalisation, accessibility and effectiveness of mental healthcare. “However, as AI technologies steadily make rapid advancements in this field, ethical issues, data protection and preserving the human connection in therapy will keep surfacing as primary focal points. Therefore, for AI to reach its optimal level of performance and maintain superlative standards of care, it is imperative to forge a partnership with the mental health practitioners,” believes Dr Saba.   Pramita Bose ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23890/mylab-partners-with-ekincare-to-promote-serums-flu-vaccine-among-corporates.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23890/mylab-partners-with-ekincare-to-promote-serums-flu-vaccine-among-corporates.html Mon, 27 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Pune-based startup Mylab has announced a strategic partnership with Ekincare, a corporate wellness and health benefits platform. This collaboration aims to promote NASOVAC-S4, a pioneering influenza nasal vaccine developed by the Serum Institute of India (SII), among corporate entities. The joint effort between Mylab and Ekincare will enable businesses to incorporate NASOVAC-S4 into their employee wellness programmes. By making this innovative influenza vaccine accessible to their employees, corporations can take proactive measures to safeguard their workforce's health. Influenza, commonly known as the flu, poses a significant health risk to employees, impacting workforce productivity and overall well-being. The NASOVAC-S4 vaccine offers an advanced and convenient solution to protect employees from influenza and reduce its potential impact on business operations.  NASOVAC-S4 is administered through the nasal route, offering a non-invasive and painless alternative to traditional injections. It includes two influenza Type A virus strains (A/H1N1 and A/H3N2) and two influenza Type B virus strains (Victoria and Yamagata lineage). It’s efficacy and ease of administration make it an attractive option for corporate flu vaccination drives. Through this partnership, Mylab and Ekincare aim to foster a culture of proactive health management within corporate organisations and contribute to reducing the impact of influenza on the workplace. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23884/fortis-healthcare-to-divest-fortis-malar-hospital-chennai-to-mgm-healthcare-for-rs-128-cr.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23884/fortis-healthcare-to-divest-fortis-malar-hospital-chennai-to-mgm-healthcare-for-rs-128-cr.html Fri, 24 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Fortis Healthcare has announced signing of definitive agreements by its certain subsidiaries for sale of the business operations along with the land and building assets pertaining to Fortis Malar Hospital situated at Gandhi Nagar, Adyar Chennai, to MGM Healthcare, a prominent healthcare delivery service provider, for a sale consideration of approx. Rs 1,28,00,25,000. The transaction comprises the divestment of: (1) the business operations pertaining to Fortis Malar Hospital residing in the listed subsidiary of the Company - Fortis Malar Hospitals in which Fortis Healthcare owns a 62.7% equity stake; (2) The OPD and radiology business operations related to the Fortis Malar Hospital (including the land and building on which Fortis Malar Hospital is situated) and the land parcel adjacent thereto, all of which are residing in Fortis Health Management; and (3) An adjacent land parcel currently used as a parking premise, residing in Hospitalia Eastern. The business and assets specified in (2) and (3) reside in two wholly owned subsidiaries of Fortis Healthcare namely –Fortis Health Management and Hospitalia Eastern.   The divestment is a part of Fortis’ ongoing portfolio rationalisation strategy in order to focus on deepening its presence in select geographic clusters where it has a sizeable presence. It follows from the divestment of Fortis Healthcare’s business operations in its Vadapalani facility in Chennai in July 2023.  The proposed acquisition is in line with MGM Healthcare’s strategy to further expand its presence in Chennai, in addition to its two quaternary care hospitals with a combined bed capacity of approx. 600 beds at present and another 450 bed greenfield hospital under development.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23873/india-facing-deficit-of-2-billion-sq-ft-of-healthcare-space-to-cater-to-current-population-need-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23873/india-facing-deficit-of-2-billion-sq-ft-of-healthcare-space-to-cater-to-current-population-need-study.html Thu, 23 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0530 In their latest report, global real estate consultancy Knight Frank and their US partners Berkadia, note that India is currently facing a deficit of 2 billion square feet of healthcare space to cater to its current population base of 1.42 billion people. The estimated need for additional beds to reach the recommended ratio of 3 beds per 1000 people stands at 2.4 million beds. India has a considerable gap between the number of hospital beds available in the country and the number of hospital beds required. India’s existing bed to population ratio is 1.3/1000 population (both private and public hospitals included), and there is a deficit of 1.7/1000 population. To cater to the existing population, there is an additional requirement of 2.4 million beds.  This disparity provides an opportunity for public and private players, to expand their footprint in the healthcare industry in India.  As per Indian government estimates, there are about 582 investment opportunities in medical infrastructure including hospitals valued at $32 billion.  The hospital industry accounts for 80% of the healthcare market in India. Currently, India has an estimated 70,000 hospitals of which the private sector constitutes 63% of the total share. India’s healthcare market was estimated to be at $372 billion in 2022, a significant growth from $73 billion a decade ago, in 2012. At this level and pace, India’s health care industry has grown at an annual average rate of 18% and got accelerated with pandemic as it challenged the healthcare sector by stretching the need for infrastructure and service delivery, therefore making it a trigger for transformation.  Shishir Baijal, Chairman and Managing Director, Knight Frank India said, "According to our Attitudes Survey, almost one-fourth of the Indian ultra-high net worth individuals had cited to invest in healthcare related assets in 2023. There is also an emerging opportunity for investments in medical research and development, to accentuate discovery of new drugs to navigate any future break out of pandemic inflicted diseases.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23865/chronic-kidney-disease-to-be-primary-cause-of-death-in-uddanam-andhra-pradesh-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23865/chronic-kidney-disease-to-be-primary-cause-of-death-in-uddanam-andhra-pradesh-study.html Wed, 22 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0530 A study conducted by a group of researchers at The George Institute for Global Health indicates that Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), which is a gradual loss of kidney function, is the leading cause of death in the Uddanam region in the coastal district of Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh. The age and sex-adjusted prevalence of CKD in this area is estimated at 18-22%, 2.5 to 3.3 times higher than the population prevalence of CKD reported from other regions of India. Previous reports in the lay press have highlighted a large burden of deaths due to CKD in Uddanam, but to date, there has been no study with formal ascertainment of causes of death in the region. A population-representative study conducted by a group of researchers from The George Institute for Global Health has filled this gap and was published on October 31, 2023 in the Kidney International Report Journal. The study used the Smart Verbal Autopsy (SmartVA) tool, that uses a computerised algorithm to interpret data from interviews with surviving family members or caregivers of deceased individuals. The tool has been validated by the Population Health Metrics and Research Consortium under various settings.  The key findings of the study reveal that 45% of deaths are caused by CKD. The study emphasises the importance of developing targeted methods for early detection, diagnosis, and treatment and urges the mobilisation of resources and public health initiatives to combat CKD in the region.  According to Professor Vivekanand Jha, Executive Director, the George Institute for Global Health, India, and the lead researcher of the study, “The research has revealed that chronic illness is not only a health problem but also the main cause of death in Uddanam. To prevent and manage CKD and increase community awareness of early diagnosis and treatment, we are working closely with the district and state health authorities to develop and implement region-specific policies that will improve the outcomes of these patients. The government has increased access to diagnosis and evidence-based treatment for kidney diseases which will likely translate into improved outcomes”.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23859/icpa-health-launches-handheld-oral-healthcare-device.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23859/icpa-health-launches-handheld-oral-healthcare-device.html Tue, 21 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0530 With an aim to meet the demand for high-quality oral healthcare products, ICPA Health, Mumbai-based pharmaceutical company in the oral healthcare sector, has unveiled its latest innovation- Plakoff, a premium electric water flosser. The instrument, designed as a handheld oral care device, Plakoff utilises a powerful jet of water to effectively cleanse the interdental space between teeth and gums. ICPA Health which has a 14% market share in the Rs 1,050 crore prescription-based Indian dental market, covering approximately 70% of India's dental surgeons through its extensive franchise network. The company aims to further solidify its presence in the interdental products segment by capturing at least 20% over the next five years. The company already boasts an extensive range of products, including regular floss, interdental floss, and interdental toothbrushes. Abha Damani, Director of ICPA, expressed, "The demand for quality products in the interdental segment has surged over the past decade. Plakoff is an advanced dental care solution designed for everyday use in middle-class households." Priced at Rs 4250 per unit, Plakoff will initially be exclusively available through ICPA's network of dental clinics across the country. Abha has revealed that the company's future plans include launching electric toothbrushes and teeth aligners.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23846/equitas-opens-cancer-hospital-in-chennai-to-provide-affordable-cancer-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23846/equitas-opens-cancer-hospital-in-chennai-to-provide-affordable-cancer-care.html Fri, 17 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Equitas Small Finance Bank (SFB) has opened Sringeri Sharada Equitas Hospital Multispecialty & Cancer Care in Chennai. It was inaugurated by Thiru. Ma. Subramaniam, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of Tamil Nadu in the presence of Thiru. S.R. Raja, MLA, Tambaram Constituency. The 100-bedded hospital will provide advanced cancer treatment at the most affordable rates to economically challenged segments. Sringeri Sharada Equitas Hospital, focussed on Cancer cum Multispecialty, is equipped with state-of- the-art facilities and technologies to provide comprehensive cancer care, including surgical oncology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, immunotherapy, paediatric oncology targeted therapy, physiotherapy and cancer rehabilitation, medical and surgical gastroenterology, critical care, cancer pain management, wellness and lymphedema clinic. All treatments at the facility will be led by a team of highly experienced and qualified oncologists, radiologists, surgeons, and other medical professionals who are committed to offer the best possible care to all patients, irrespective of their stature in the society. Arcot Sravanakumar, President CSR initiatives of the Bank and Program Director Healthcare Initiatives said, “We are happy to share the news that one of the world’s best radiation machines (Linear Accelerator and brachy) is being ordered and expected to be operational from mid-2024”. The hospital is a joint initiative of Equitas Healthcare Foundation, a part of Equitas SFB’s CSR programme and Sringeri Sharada Mutt. Apart from oncology treatment, the hospital has a 24-hour modern laboratory, imaging and cancer screening facility and pharmacy along with three ultra-modern operation theatres and ICU. It also has a lifestyle disorder and diabetes clinic where regular wellness and health check-ups can be conducted. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23848/samridh-and-redwing-launch-drone-based-healthcare-network-in-rayagada-odisha.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23848/samridh-and-redwing-launch-drone-based-healthcare-network-in-rayagada-odisha.html Fri, 17 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The SAMRIDH Healthcare Blended Finance Facility, a multi-stakeholder innovation and financing platform supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by IPE Global, in collaboration with Bengaluru-based startup, Redwing, have launched a pilot drone network to enhance accessibility and affordability of healthcare services in the Rayagada district of Odisha. This pilot programme will use Redwing’s electric hybrid drones to deliver medicine and medical equipment by air to isolated areas in Rayagada District, Odisha. Rayagada, a predominantly tribal district, faces significant challenges in accessing healthcare services.  Of the 3,234 villages in the district, more than 800 are hard to reach and more than 160 face seasonal cut-offs, isolating them for certain periods of the year.  By improving the aerial delivery of essential diagnostics, drugs, and vaccines to primary and community healthcare centers, this initiative will reduce out-of-pocket expenditures and dramatically reduce the time for testing, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases, resulting in improved healthcare delivery in the rural and tribal areas of the region. USAID/India Health Office Director Michelle Lang-Alli said, “This marks an expansion of the already successful healthcare drone model, supported by USAID and Redwing Labs, which has accelerated tuberculosis diagnostics and COVID-19 testing in other rural areas of India.” The pilot project will use Redwing’s ‘made in India’ electric hybrid Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) drones.  Key collaborators on the project include the District Administration of Rayagada and the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, which will help evaluate the impact and feasibility of the initiative. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23835/more-than-two-in-three-people-with-diabetes-already-have-complications-at-diagnosis-idf-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23835/more-than-two-in-three-people-with-diabetes-already-have-complications-at-diagnosis-idf-study.html Tue, 14 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Seven in ten people living with diabetes (72%) only found out they had diabetes after developing complications associated with the condition. Additionally, almost all (94%) of those surveyed had experienced one or more diabetes complications during the course of their life with diabetes. The findings come from global research recently carried out by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), for World Diabetes Day on Tuesday, 14 November. The survey was conducted among people living with diabetes across Africa, Asia, Europe and South America to understand the level of awareness and impact of diabetes-related complications. Diabetes-related complications can be serious and, in some cases, life-threatening. They include damage to the heart, eyes, kidneys and feet. The risk of complications places significant stress on people living with diabetes. More than half (55%) of respondents say they worry most days about developing diabetes-related complications. The risk of complications can be significantly reduced through early detection, timely treatment and informed self-care. When asked about preventing their complications, four out of five respondents (84%) believe they could have done more; close to two thirds (62%) think their healthcare provider could have done more. Commenting on the research findings, IDF President Professor Akhtar Hussain said, "More needs to be done to improve diabetes awareness and provide education to support the early detection and management of complications. What we have learned offers a stark reminder that diabetes often goes undetected until one or more complications are present. Healthcare professionals must be equipped with the knowledge and resources to diagnose diabetes early and provide appropriate support."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23823/regency-healthcare-secures-rs-450-cr-investment-from-norwest-venture-partners.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23823/regency-healthcare-secures-rs-450-cr-investment-from-norwest-venture-partners.html Thu, 09 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Regency Healthcare, a pioneer in multi-specialty tertiary care corporate hospitals in Uttar Pradesh (UP), is set to revolutionise the healthcare landscape with a strategic investment of Rs 450 crore from Norwest Venture Partners. With this substantial infusion of capital, Regency Healthcare is set to fortify its presence in Uttar Pradesh's healthcare landscape, driving an ambitious plan to increase its bed capacity to 2400 by 2026. Regency Healthcare has been at the forefront of delivering super-specialty medical services to Kanpur, Lucknow, and surrounding cities and rural areas for over 28 years. With a team of over 3000 members and a bed strength exceeding 700, the group's commitment to providing high-quality healthcare has garnered it a distinctive reputation. The strategic investment will lead to a substantial expansion of Regency's infrastructure and services, directly benefiting the people of UP. By August 2024, the hospital is set to open 250 beds in Gorakhpur, followed by 450 beds in Kanpur in January 2025, and 350 beds in Varanasi in January 2026. Regency is also actively exploring opportunities in Bareilly and Agra, further solidifying its commitment to becoming the premier healthcare provider in the state.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23828/philips-inaugurates-new-innovation-campus-in-yelahanka-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23828/philips-inaugurates-new-innovation-campus-in-yelahanka-bengaluru.html Thu, 09 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Royal Philips, a global leader in health technology, has announced the launch of its new innovation campus in Yelahanka, Bengaluru. The 650,000 sq. ft. campus will accommodate over 5,000 professionals working on innovative health technologies aimed at improving patient experiences, achieving better health outcomes, improving staff experiences, and lowering the cost of care.  The new centre in Bengaluru not only signifies a landmark in Philips' global footprint but will also play a pivotal role in revolutionising the healthcare landscape in India and beyond. For Philips, digital connectivity and technological innovation are key to expanding access to care and achieving universal health coverage. These form core elements of Philips’ aspiration to improve the lives of 400 million people a year in underserved communities – which is part of the goal to improve the lives of 2.5 billion people a year by 2030. With approximately 9,000 employees already contributing to Philips' mission across India, the company has established a strong presence in the country. Its Healthcare Innovation Center in Pune, Global Business Services in Chennai, and commercial teams in Gurgaon are integral to Philips' operations.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23821/novel-diabetes-liver-clinic-opens-in-chennai-as-new-milestone-in-diabetes-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23821/novel-diabetes-liver-clinic-opens-in-chennai-as-new-milestone-in-diabetes-care.html Wed, 08 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0530 India’s leading diabetes chain of hospitals - Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre, in collaboration with its research wing Madras Diabetes Research Foundation, has announced the launch of the first-of-its-kind novel ‘Diabetes Liver Clinic’, a Centre of Excellence dedicated to the research, prevention and management of liver complications in individuals with diabetes. Recent research spotlights the less-appreciated association between diabetes and liver health, as the liver plays a critical role being a glucose storehouse and its susceptibility to conditions such as 'Fatty Liver' has recently come into focus. Dr. V. Mohan's research underscores that over 50% of individuals with type 2 diabetes experience some degree of fatty liver. This sets the stage for 'Hepatic Insulin Resistance,' where insulin function in the liver diminishes, leading to elevated glucose release, particularly during fasting, emphasising the interplay between fatty liver and type 2 diabetes. The evolving understanding of this bidirectional relationship highlights the importance of addressing these conditions holistically, marking a shift from a glucose-centric diabetes treatment approach to a broader metabolic care framework, where the liver plays a central role. In lieu of this, Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre and the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation have introduced the revolutionary novel Diabetes Liver Clinic marking a significant shift in the approach to diabetes care. Topping the list of priorities, the clinic will mainly focus on providing population-based normative data on novel liver function markers in both men and women across different age groups in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23812/vizzhy-inc-invests-12-5-m-in-generative-ai-research-to-revolutionise-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23812/vizzhy-inc-invests-12-5-m-in-generative-ai-research-to-revolutionise-healthcare.html Tue, 07 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based startup Vizzhy Inc is propelling a healthcare revolution by channeling the potent combination of multi-omics and Generative AI to tackle the root causes of metabolic diseases. With a commitment to invest $12.5 million in an American university, the company is set to explore novel avenues in the management of metabolic diseases.A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the US-based University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Vizzhy Inc, was recently signed at an event held in Bengaluru.Speaking at the occasion, the Minister for Youth Empowerment, Sports, and Tribal Welfare B. Nagendra emphasised the importance of research as the cornerstone of addressing various societal challenges. "The government of Karnataka is placing significant emphasis on research and development with the establishment of the Karnataka Research Foundation, and it welcomes investments from companies like Vizzhy Inc in the R&D sector with full government support", he said.Vizzhy has announced a $12.5 million funding for the Sreenivasulu AI for Wellness Center at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. This centre will assemble a team of distinguished scientists, engineers, and health system experts committed to addressing one of humanity's most pressing challenges. The centre will be led by the renowned Prof. Narendra Ahuja, a top global scientist in Computer Vision, known for establishing India's first IIIT in Hyderabad.The startup has already initiated numerous collaborative projects with eminent Indian institutions, such as IIT Bombay, and is expanding its university partnerships. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23792/healthcare-industry-faces-structural-and-supply-side-challenges-bcg-report.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23792/healthcare-industry-faces-structural-and-supply-side-challenges-bcg-report.html Thu, 02 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The digital transformation of India’s digital healthcare industry could grow ten times from $2.7 billion in 2022 to approximately $37 billion by 2030, according to forecasts by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and B Capital.  The study highlights the importance of healthcare in India which is on the rise, and that the industry still lags in development due to structural and supply-side challenges. Captured in the report ‘A Digital Pill for Revolutionizing Healthcare’, the growth is fueled by rapid digitisation, an increasing number of innovative healthtech platforms and partnerships created by startups and incumbents, and the favourable funding environment for solid business models and progressive initiatives by the government. The study shows that India’s healthcare industry is expected to grow from $167 billion in 2022 to $458 billion in 2030. A key barometer to measure development and growth in economies has been the move towards higher spending per gross domestic product (GDP) on healthcare. In the context of India, this trend has been moving upward in recent years but still lags behind other large economies. The study highlights the unique structural complexities across India’s healthcare industry and presents the emerging themes that will shape the future of India’s digital healthcare landscape. These include broader adoption of digital healthcare post-COVID-19; robust funding environment and the emergence of new models across various healthcare sectors; the creation of healthcare ecosystems through innovative partnerships and consolidation across the value chain.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23782/haleon-activates-oral-health-observatory-project-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23782/haleon-activates-oral-health-observatory-project-in-india.html Wed, 01 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Haleon, erstwhile GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, has announced the commencement of the groundbreaking Oral Health Observatory (OHO) project, in collaboration with the Federation Dentaire Internationale (FDI) and the Indian Dental Association (IDA). This visionary project aims to revolutionise the understanding of India's oral healthcare sector by delving into real-world observational data to uncover insights crucial for informed policymaking and advocacy. The OHO project is designed to address the critical needs in the field of oral health. The last national-level oral health survey was conducted in 2004, leading to a substantial gap in updated data on the overall oral disease burden in India and the formulation of effective healthcare programs. The OHO project seeks to bridge this gap by analysing behaviour and practices, challenges, clinical and dental practices, and disease prevalence through its robust dataset of 1500 participants.  The importance of oral healthcare transcends the realm of dentistry. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the proportion of deaths attributable to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in India has surged from 37.9% in 1990 to a staggering 61.8% in 2016. The prevalence of dental issues such as tooth loss, dental caries, periodontal diseases, and oral cancer is intricately linked to inadequate oral hygiene practices and a lack of preventive habits. Some key findings from this project are: 66.67% sufferers experience tooth sensitivity in their lifetime Incidence of tooth sensitivity peaks out in the 35-44y age group 20% experience bleeding after toothbrushing Dentist to population ratio respectively is 1/9000 in urban Indians and 1/200,000 for rural Indians The primary objective of the OHO is to establish an international platform for synchronised data collection, fostering consumer education and advocacy for improved oral health outcomes. By focusing on vital aspects including awareness, education, access, disease burden, economic impact, and proactive care, the project aims to instigate positive change in oral health habits across the nation.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23784/iks-health-buys-aquity-solutions-for-200-m.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23784/iks-health-buys-aquity-solutions-for-200-m.html Wed, 01 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0530 IKS Health (Inventurus Knowledge Solutions Limited), has announced the acquisition of AQuity Solutions, as a wholly-owned subsidiary for $200 million. Headquartered in the US, AQuity employs over 7,000 clinical documentation specialists throughout the US, India, Australia, Canada, and the UK. IKS Health’s market leadership in the ambulatory market will be coupled with AQuity’s market leadership in the acute care market to create an entity that enables clinicians and their enterprises to deliver better, safer, more efficient care across the continuum of care delivery. The combined company, which will operate as IKS Health, will have annual revenues of $330+ million, as well as a global workforce of over 14,000 employees serving over 150,000 clinicians in many of the largest hospitals, health systems, and specialty groups in the United States (US). This acquisition advances IKS Health’s Care Enablement Platform, consisting of technology and service offerings that span Revenue Optimization, Clinical Support, Value-based care, and Digital Health solutions. Specifically, AQuity’s rich datasets enable IKS to rapidly mature and scale its proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) solutions with critical expertise and guidance from Reinforced Learning Through Human Feedback (RLHF). This purchase follows recent strategic technology investments in Abridge, a Generative AI platform to reduce administrative burden and Sift Healthcare, a predictive analytics solution for revenue cycle management.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23791/godrej-to-provide-strategic-technical-assistance-to-maharashtra-govt-for-malaria-elimination-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23791/godrej-to-provide-strategic-technical-assistance-to-maharashtra-govt-for-malaria-elimination-.html Wed, 01 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Godrej Consumer Products Limited (GCPL), along with Centre for Health research and Innovation (CHRI-PATH) and Family Health India (FH India) has entered into agreement with the Directorate of Health Services, Government of Maharashtra to support the government in malaria elimination, and dengue, chikungunya prevention and control programme.  Malaria and other vector borne diseases are a major public health issue in Maharashtra which is a Category 2 state with most districts with an Annual Parasite Index (API) of less than 1 case per 1,000 population at risk but few districts that report an API of 1 or above. One such district is the eastern forest district of Gadchiroli with a high tribal population. The programme's primary focus is to eliminate malaria, with particular attention given to Gadchiroli district. Additionally, the programme aims to control the rapid increase in dengue and chikungunya cases, focusing on the Thane-Palghar district. To achieve these goals, the support programme will appoint three state-level experts and 24 district-level human resources. These individuals will work closely with the government to strengthen human and entomological surveillance, enhance case reporting, and improve the clinical management of these diseases.Dr Sarnikar (Joint Director Health) from Public Health Department of Maharashtra shared, “Malaria, Dengue and other vector borne diseases are a big concern in Maharashtra, especially districts like Gadchoroli, Chandrapur and Thane-Palghar. Climate change is causing an increase in cases even in cold regions. Dengue variants can be deadly and we need to invest in necessary technology and prevention methods. We should learn from COVID-19 and be equipped and prepared to any vector-borne disease outbreaks."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/23748/ai-driven-therapeutics-for-diabetes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/23748/ai-driven-therapeutics-for-diabetes.html Tue, 31 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) study conducted in 2021, India has over 101 million people living with diabetes compared to 70 million people in 2019, with at least 136 million people (15.3 per cent of the population) having prediabetes. A ground-breaking research paper of a comprehensive epidemiological study funded by ICMR was recently published in the globally acclaimed medical journal, The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, revealing that Goa has the highest prevalence of diabetes while Uttar Pradesh is at the lowest. Likewise, Sikkim has the highest number of cases with prediabetes while Mizoram has the lowest. Funded by the ICMR and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, the Indian Council of Medical Research–India Diabetes (ICMR-INDIAB) study is the largest survey on diabetes and other metabolic NCDs undertaken in India. On one hand, this study identifies regional and state-level variations in the prevalence of diabetes across the country. At the same time, on the other hand, it highlights the growing complications due to the rising number of diabetes cases. “There is a sizeable population in India at risk of long-term organ complications due to metabolic diseases such as diabetes, which are likely to pose a major public health challenge in the near future. There is also evidence that the epidemic is spreading to rural areas, which lack the health infrastructure needed to effectively diagnose and manage these conditions”, says Dr V Mohan, Chairman, Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre (DMDSC) and Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF). The Diabetes Domino Effect  Complications from diabetes can be classified as microvascular which include nervous system damage (neuropathy), renal system damage (nephropathy) and eye damage (retinopathy), diabetic foot ulcers or macrovascular disease that include cardiovascular disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. Based on a figure of about 40 million people with diabetes in India, there would be at least 7 million with diabetic retinopathy, 0.8 million with diabetic nephropathy, 10.4 million with diabetic neuropathy, 8.5 million with coronary artery disease, and 2.5 million with peripheral vascular disease. The burden due to diabetic complications is very high in India simply because of the large number of people with diabetes.  Data reveals that approximately, 12-15 per cent of people with diabetes suffer from diabetic foot ulcers at least once in a lifetime, and 5-24 per cent of them finally lead to limb amputation within 6-18 months after the first evaluation. On the whole, diabetic retinopathy and diabetic foot ulcer are the most frequent, and the most disabling complications of diabetes mellitus, with a sinister impact on patients’ quality of life. As a result, diabetic retinopathy, one of the first manifestations of microvascular disease, remains today, despite improvements in monitoring and treatment, one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. Leveraging AI Technology  In India, the threat of diabetic retinopathy is looming with a recent study showing a 16.9 per cent prevalence. This has led to the call for more innovative approaches to prevent and treat diabetic retinopathy. One promising solution is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for improved eye care in patients with diabetic retinopathy. Although, currently there are a few private players in India, both at the industry and academic level, that are utilising AI and related technologies to develop new tools for quick detection of diabetic retinopathy, its complete implementation is still a long way to go. To name a few, Bengaluru-based companies such as Remidio, and Forus Health are some of the prominent players that are strengthening the use of AI in the timely and effective detection of diabetic retinopathy in India and other parts of the world. Remidio has developed the world's only smartphone-based automated algorithm that works offline. The algorithm harnesses deep learning technology deployed on a smartphone-based fundus camera, Remidio NM-FOP, to detect referable diabetic retinopathy within 10 seconds. The company has recently received CE mark approval for its technology, closely following the nod received from Singapore's Health Sciences Authority (HSA). “People with diabetes require regular and repetitive annual retinal screening for timely detection of diabetic retinopathy in addition to diabetes assessment. The current utility of AI in diabetic retinopathy is limited to preventive care, that is, in screening, with a rising interest in predictive features toward disease advancement and treatment burden. The integration of AI into healthcare can help in larger coverage for screening for diabetic retinopathy but there are several challenges that stand in the way of wider adoption of AI such as workflow integration, enhanced explainability and interpretability, workforce education, data quality, access, and sharing and compliance with privacy”, says Dr Rajiv Raman, Senior Vitreo-Retinal Consultant, Sankara Nethralaya. In a similar vein, Dr Doris Macharia, Senior Vice President, Global Programmes, Orbis says, “In India and elsewhere around the world, investment in AI is needed to bridge the gap in eye care management, especially in ways that can make managing diabetic retinopathy cost-effective, easier, and more convenient, eventually reducing  vision loss and blindness in the country.” Besides diabetic retinopathy,  there’s a promising technology to detect diabetic foot ulcer. Pune-based biotech startup Mylab Discovery Solutions has recently partnered with a UK-based firm to develop a kit to detect diabetic foot ulcers. It is one of the world’s first point-of-decision molecular technology solutions, delivering early identification of the spectrum of microbial flora in the ulcer and supporting clinicians to plan appropriate antimicrobial therapy regimes. Another complication that arises from diabetes is nerve damage. One in ten people and one  in two diabetics suffer from Peripheral Neuropathy, a chronic clinical condition, wherein the peripheral nervous system is damaged. Various epidemiological studies from India have shown the wide prevalence of nerve damage varying from 5 to 2400 per 10,000 population. The prevalence of nerve damage in India is estimated to vary between 13.1 and 45 per cent in different populations which could be attributed to different types of diabetes. Highlighting the technological advancements in this space, researchers at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru in collaboration with the Karnataka Institute of Endocrinology and Research (KIER), have developed a set of unique self-regulating footwear utilising 3D printing technology. The footwear can be especially beneficial for people who have diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The researchers have currently collaborated with Bengaluru-based startups Foot Secure and Yostra Labs to commercialise this product. Another example is of Mumbai-based startup Ayati Devices, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, which has developed a quick screening tool to quantify the severity of foot neuropathy. The product has been approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).   Addressing Complications Effectively  With insulin and oral anti-diabetic drugs holding the major interest of the Indian pharma sector, there are very few companies that are investing in developing specific solutions for diabetes-related complications. The market for oral antidiabetic drugs is fragmented whereas the market for insulin is concentrated in nature with top players dominating the majority of the industry. The volume of new entrants in the patented oral antidiabetics and insulin market is low, while in the generic oral antidiabetics market it is comparatively higher. “Insulin is the bedrock of diabetes treatment. It turns a deadly disease into a manageable one for 9 million people with type 1 diabetes. For people living with type 2 diabetes, insulin is essential in reducing the risk of kidney failure, blindness and limb amputation. However, one out of every two people needing insulin does not get it because of a number of factors including high prices”, points out Dr Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Executive Chairperson, Biocon. Addressing diabetes-related complications, Asprius Lifesciences, a Gujarat-based pharmaceutical company, has developed a new treatment for diabetic neuropathy. The company has already filed a patent for its innovative fixed-dose combination drug. Focusing on another diabetes-related complication,  diabetic nephropathy or complication related to the kidneys, Bayer  recently launched its drug Finerenone to treat chronic kidney disease associated with type-2 diabetes in India. The drug  will be sold under the brand name Kerendia in India. Mumbai-based pharmaceutical firm Alkem Laboratories is exploring the use of 4D bioprinting technology in collaboration with a South Korean company to treat the deep, non-healing, chronic wounds associated with diabetic foot ulcers. Likewise, Bengaluru-based Stempeutics Research, a group company of Manipal Education and Medical Group, is currently undergoing phase 3 clinical trials for its innovative product to treat non-healing diabetic foot ulcers. The company has out-licensed the product to pharmaceutical firm Cipla for exclusive marketing rights for five years in India. According to Dr Pawan Gupta, Senior Vice President, Medical and Regulatory Affairs, Stempeutics, “Current standard of care for treating non-healing diabetic ulcer includes local wound care with sterile dressings, repeated debridement of necrotic tissues, and pressure off-loading. However, most results are far from satisfactory, and about 20 per cent of patients with diabetic foot ulcers undergo limb amputation. Since DFU is a complex clinical condition, current approaches endeavour to address one single approach, which leads to the failure of complete healing. Cell therapy-based approaches have several advantages compared to others, as they allow therapeutic targeting of different phases of wound healing.”  Also, Mumbai-based Centaur Pharma has already launched a new chemical entity (NCE)- based product for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers in the Indian market, in collaboration with German company Cyto Tools. Entod Pharma is another player from Mumbai that has recently developed a saffron-based eye care supplement to treat and manage diabetic retinopathy, along with other eye-related diseases. Diagnose, Identify, Treat  Although the Union Health Ministry has launched an ambitious initiative of screening and putting 75 million people with hypertension and diabetes on standard care by 2025, equal attention is needed to diagnose, identify and treat the organ complications that arise due to diabetes in an economical way. Currently, there is a dearth of economic evidence about screening programmes, affected age groups, and frequency of screening for diabetes and related diseases in Indian settings.  “Right intervention to delay the onset of diabetes and the related complications is key. The public health centres should engage more with the industry players that are developing multiple diabetes management apps in order to educate, raise awareness and increase communication about prediabetes, diabetes and the related complications. Health education and the engagement of people with diabetes about the related complications such as diabetic retinopathy, the risk it poses to their vision and the need for annual retinal examination, are essential and should be made mandatory”, says Dr Uma Nambiar, international healthcare consultant. Sharing his perspective, Dr Anand Sivaraman, Founding Director and Chief Executive Officer, Remidio says, “There is an urgent need to make the diagnosis of diabetes and complications such as diabetic retinopathy accessible and affordable, particularly at primary care centres, using technology like AI and portable imaging systems that can be used by nurses and health workers. For instance, UK NHS's Diabetic Eye Screening Programme in GP offices was able to eliminate Diabetic Eye Disease as a cause of blindness in working-age adults, through early detection. The programme commenced in 2003 and reached population coverage across the whole of England by 2008. The benefit of the programme is that, in the UK, diabetic retinopathy is no longer the leading cause of certifiable blindness in the working age group.” In fact, the government of Kerala is trying to replicate the same model with Remidio’s device with deployment in more than 150 primary health centres. Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of Science and Technology who is also a renowned diabetologist and Professor, is optimistic that India is ready to lead technology-driven diabetes care. But he insists that results would be better following public-private partnerships. “There is a pressing need for more innovative programmes and institutions for non-communicable diseases, particularly diabetes. The necessity of dedicated diabetes institutions for research and training will lead to ultimately contributing to better healthcare and well-being for all. It is therefore the right time to generate as much Indian data as possible because the goal should be to develop Indian treatment regimens for Indian patients, and Indian solutions for Indian problems. And this would be possible with effective collaboration between the public and private sector”, the Minister emphasised. We hope to see more investments and engagements from both the public and private sectors in India in newer technologies and areas to detect diabetes and related complications more accurately and economically in the years to come.   Dr Manbeena Chawla (manbeena.chawla@mmactiv.com) ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23772/blackstone-to-acquire-care-hospitals-and-kimshealth-creating-largest-healthcare-platform-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23772/blackstone-to-acquire-care-hospitals-and-kimshealth-creating-largest-healthcare-platform-.html Mon, 30 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Private equity funds managed by Blackstone have acquired a majority shareholding in CARE Hospitals from Evercare, a platform of TPG RISE funds. In addition, CARE Hospitals has signed a definitive agreement to acquire a majority stake in KIMSHEALTH. The addition of KIMSHEALTH to the CARE Hospitals network creates one of India’s largest hospital platforms with 23 facilities across 11 cities in India, creating a leadership position in under-penetrated, emerging cities that have strong potential for growth. The combined platform will have more than 4,000 beds. TPG, whose shareholding in CARE Hospitals is held in its Evercare Health Fund, will retain a significant minority stake in the combined platform. KIMSHEALTH will continue under the leadership of Dr M. I. Sahadulla in the next wave of growth of the platform.   Ganesh Mani, Managing Director at Blackstone Private Equity, said, “CARE Hospitals and KIMSHEALTH are trusted brands in the Indian healthcare space with a reputation of prioritising patients and have a track record of excellence in medical ethics and clinical outcomes. We aim to build a patient centric hospital platform focused on high clinical care quality and top-notch service.”  True North will sell its entire stake in KIMSHEALTH India as part of the transaction. The combined platform will deliver advanced comprehensive care in more than 30 clinical specialties, including cardiac sciences, oncology, neurosciences, renal sciences, orthopedics, gastroenterology, and integrated organ transplant. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23762/experts-discuss-roadmap-for-making-cancer-care-affordable-accessible-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23762/experts-discuss-roadmap-for-making-cancer-care-affordable-accessible-in-india.html Fri, 27 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) on the opening day, 26th October, of its 17th annual healthcare conference- FICCI HEAL 2023, delved into the strategies and opportunities that can drive the growth of the healthcare industry in the years to come. Centred around the theme, ‘Healthcare METAmorphosis’, the event was Supported by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) and NITI Aayog, Government of India (GoI). A plenary session on ‘Roadmap for Making Cancer Care Affordable and Accessible in India’ was organised on 26th October. It served as the platform for the panellists to share their insights to create a roadmap for making cancer care more affordable, accessible and improve the outcomes for cancer patients across the country.  Chairing the session, Indrani Kaushal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (GoI) said, “Cancer care, being a public good, pure market mechanisms cannot be merely adequate to deliver such a public good. How to fund cancer care for the most vulnerable populations is what we expect today's deliberation to give us some headway.” She stressed on the need to involve all the stakeholders to deliver the “public good” and not only look towards the government to make it available in the desired quantity.  Describing cancer as a “pandemic”, Vineet Gupta, Co-Lead, FICCI Task Force Cancer Care and Head - Government Affairs, Siemens Healthineers asserted that technology can play a crucial role in providing comprehensive cancer care throughout the country by networking and improving the infrastructure and resource models, such as Hubble, to ensure optimal utilisation of available services.  Moderator of the Session, Srimayee Chakraborty, Partner, Healthcare Services, EY Parthenon, shared that the escalating cancer crisis in India is evident with nearly 2 million cases diagnosed annually and 9% expected growth in new cases over the coming years. Adding some data to this discussion, Shobha Mishra Ghosh, Director & Head, government Affairs & Policy, India & South Asia, GE Healthcare said, "There are only 2700 mammograms installed in our country which is just 5% when compared to the US. When we look at cancer care centres deploying high end technologies, it is only 30%, and 15-20% of the cancer patients undergo any kind of radiation therapy, as compared to the global figure of 60-65%. So, the challenge is not just about capital expenditure but also operational of running a cance care centre." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23763/ficci-and-kpmg-release-report-on-new-age-healthcare-delivery-models-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23763/ficci-and-kpmg-release-report-on-new-age-healthcare-delivery-models-in-india.html Fri, 27 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 To discuss various facets of the emerging healthcare delivery landscape in India, FICCI and KPMG in India released a report titled ‘New age healthcare delivery models in India’ at the 17th edition of FICCI’s annual healthcare conference – ‘FICCI HEAL 2023’, on 26th October. This report aims to understand the influence of changing healthcare determinants and related challenges and highlights the importance of adopting new-age healthcare delivery models. The success of the Indian healthcare sector in the coming decade will depend on the alignment and collaboration of the government, payers, private health providers and emerging new-age healthcare providers towards a common goal of “healthy India". The report highlights 10 key enablers to foster new age healthcare delivery models- Changing consumer behaviour and self-care/on-demand care  Community Engagement Population health Management New avatars of providers Digital technology and data-driven care  Partnerships and collaborations across value chains Healthcare financing  Future healthcare workforce  Sectoral reforms  Data protection and data security    Commenting on the report, Lalit Mistry, Partner and Co-Head, Healthcare Sector, KPMG in India said, “In the dynamic landscape of Indian healthcare, a profound transformation is underway, driven by innovation and the pressing needs of a diverse population. This new era has revolutionised the approach to healthcare delivery on multiple fronts, building on present infrastructures and systems while introducing new models in the value chain. This FICCI- KPMG in India report has meticulously examined existing and emerging healthcare delivery models in a comprehensive knowledge paper. Through consultations with diverse stakeholders in both public and private sectors, insights were gained into innovative models that hold the potential to redefine India's healthcare sector.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23742/apollo-hospitals-group-partners-with-university-of-leicester-to-transform-global-healthcare-education.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23742/apollo-hospitals-group-partners-with-university-of-leicester-to-transform-global-healthcare-education.html Wed, 25 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Apollo Hospitals Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Leicester, UK. The MoU will strengthen existing links with the UK and sets out a mutual desire to promote international cooperation and explore collaborative education and research programmes, particularly in the fields of healthcare management, healthcare and data science. Preetha Reddy, Vice Chairperson of the Apollo Hospitals Group, said, “This agreement with the University of Leicester (UoL) will explore the creation of education programmes, cutting edge research and global mobility opportunities for Indian students to excel in their area of interest. Building a healthcare workforce to global standards has been the cornerstone of Apollo’s education and skilling initiatives." President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, Professor Nishan Canagarajah, said: “The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding is to set out a vision to help to build the healthcare of the future with the potential to transform lives, not only in India and the UK, but around the globe.”  As one of only 20 institutions in the UK, the University of Leicester Biomedical Research Centre was awarded £26 million of funding by the National Institute for Health and Care Research. The Biomedical Research Centre will drive clinical research from the laboratory to the patient's bedside in the areas of; cardiovascular disease; respiratory and infectious diseases; lifestyle and physical activity; personalised cancer prevention and treatments; environment and health; and data innovations in multiple long term health conditions and ethnic health. Another of the University’s flagship projects is a £10 million initiative led by Professor Kamlesh Kunti which will see the University work with the UK, Indian and Nepalese governments to improve the health outcomes of those with multimorbidity, as well as create a self-sustaining international centre for improving management of multiple long-term conditions and disseminate outputs globally. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23733/call-for-increased-awareness-on-acid-sphingomyelinase-deficiency-as-rare-disease.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23733/call-for-increased-awareness-on-acid-sphingomyelinase-deficiency-as-rare-disease.html Fri, 20 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Patients diagnosed with Acid Sphingomyelinase Deficiency (ASMD) and their caregivers have sought inclusion of this rare, genetic condition under the National Policy for Rare Diseases 2023, explaining that it will help create awareness and provide the much-needed support towards diagnosis, treatment. Also referred to as Neimann Pick Disease, ASMD is a rare progressive genetic disorder that results from a deficiency of the enzyme acid sphingomyelinase, essential for breaking down sphingomyelin - a fatty substance crucial for normal cellular function. ASMD is highly variable and the age of onset, specific symptoms and severity of the disorder can vary dramatically from one person to another, sometimes even among members of the same family. The disorder may be best thought of as a spectrum of disease. At the severe end of the spectrum is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder that presents in infancy (Niemann-Pick disease type A). At the mild end of the spectrum, affected individuals have no or only minimal neurological symptoms and survival into adulthood is common (Niemann-Pick disease type B). Intermediate forms of the disorder exist as well. ASMD is caused by mutations in the SMPD1 gene and is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner.  Anil Raina, General Manager, Sanofi Speciality Care (India) said, “Sanofi has been at the forefront of launching therapies for rare diseases over the past 40 years, including the recent addition of Xenpozyme for the treatment of Acid Sphingomyelinase deficiency (ASMD). On the commemoration of the first ASMD Awareness Day in India, we join the global community in raising awareness about this debilitating disease."    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/interviews/98/23697/shaping-the-future-of-anaesthesia-and-critical-care-in-india-an-exclusive-interview-with-shalin-patel-managing-director-of-draeger-india-group.html https://biospectrumindia.com/interviews/98/23697/shaping-the-future-of-anaesthesia-and-critical-care-in-india-an-exclusive-interview-with-shalin-patel-managing-director-of-draeger-india-group.html Mon, 16 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 In this exclusive interview, Mr. Patel shares invaluable insights into Draeger's journey in shaping the landscape of anaesthesia and critical care in India. From their rich history dating back to 1889 to their current endeavors in promoting patient-centric care, Draeger has been at the forefront of transformative healthcare. Join us in exploring the pivotal role of anaesthesia devices, the infusion of cutting-edge technology, and Draeger's vision for the future of anaesthesia in India. Draeger has a rich history in medical and safety technology. Can you share how Draeger's journey has evolved in the healthcare industry? Certainly. Draeger, with a legacy dating back to 1889, has grown into a global leader in medical and safety technology. Our commitment to protecting, supporting, and saving lives is reflected in our innovative solutions. In the healthcare sector, Draeger provides a comprehensive range of technology solutions and products, including Anaesthesia machines, Ventilators, Patient Monitoring & IT, Neonatal care products, Consumables & Accessories, and Workplace Infrastructure capabilities. Our products are developed to ensure accurate and dependable patient care, empowering medical practitioners for optimal therapeutic outcomes. At the forefront of innovation, Draeger is known for its advanced technology solutions designed to meet the demands of therapy and workplace infrastructure thereby promoting efficiency, reliability, and, most importantly, a higher standard of patient care. In what ways do anaesthesia devices become central in critical care, and how has Draeger positioned itself in India to meet evolving market needs? Anaesthesia devices are the cornerstone of critical care. They provide the foundation for administering precise and tailored care to patients undergoing surgeries and medical procedures. Generally, anaesthesia devices offer a wealth of information and data which are often not well contextualized and can thus be of limited use. At Draeger, our anaesthesia devices incorporate cutting-edge technologies, and intelligent algorithms to interpret the raw data and present it in a clinically relevant manner. These tools provide insights and alerts to clinicians, helping them make informed decisions during the procedure. Further, Draeger’s Atlan anaesthesia devices are scalable anesthetic workstations for all patient groups, and spatial requirements.  The comprehensive set of clinical features and proven ventilation quality make Atlan an ideal anesthesia workstation for challenging patients and surgical procedures.  Not only does this support error prevention in the OR, but Atlan workstations are also optimized for the delivery of low- and minimal-flow anesthesia. In critical care scenarios, every moment counts, and our anaesthesia devices are engineered to deliver consistent, reliable performance. As a company, we believe that advanced anaesthesia devices are not just tools; they are enablers of a patient-centric approach, ensuring that every breath matters. With patient-centric care gaining prominence, how is Draeger leveraging technology to align with this shift in healthcare? Technology remains at the heart of Draeger's approach. Our anaesthesia machines offer diverse technologies, smart software applications, helpful features, decision-support tools, and superior flexibility. Combined with our patient monitoring solutions, our anaesthesia devices bring patient-relevant data to the point of care and ICU-quality ventilation therapy to the OR, such as lung-protective ventilation and minimal- and low-flow anesthesia. Our Anaesthesia devices are equipped with advanced ventilation modes and controls, that allow anesthesiologists and clinicians to precisely tailor ventilation parameters, including tidal volume, respiratory rate, and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). This minimizes ventilator-induced lung injury and improves outcomes. In addition, low-flow anesthesia approach, enables in minimizing the flow of fresh gas and efficiently recirculating gases, thereby reducing the overall exposure of the lungs to anesthetic agents while ensuring a more controlled breathing environment. These techniques are not only more resource-efficient but are also associated with benefits such as quicker recovery and reduced environmental impact. Overall, the goal is to empower healthcare providers with tools that enhance their capabilities and elevate the overall patient experience. What initiatives has Draeger undertaken in India to assist healthcare providers in adopting these advanced anaesthesia technologies? Draeger recognizes the crucial role of medical technologies in protecting patients and supporting treatment outcomes, especially in time-sensitive operating room scenarios.  Draeger, with a legacy in Anaesthesia dating back to the first Roth-Dräger anesthetic machine in 1902, brings not only practical insights garnered from countless operating rooms worldwide but also visionary concepts that shape the future of anesthetic workstations. In the vibrant landscape of Indian healthcare, Draeger's commitment extends beyond innovation; it focuses on weaving a seamless ecosystem. Acknowledging the diverse needs of healthcare providers, our local teams engage closely with hospitals, clinicians, and healthcare professionals. The goal is not just accessibility but the seamless integration of our technologies into their workflows. Through continuous, networked monitoring, we enable uninterrupted surveillance, offering a customized and well-organized view of critical parameters. The seamless transfer of data into the hospital information system (HIS) ensures a cohesive and comprehensive approach. Moreover, our training and support programs are meticulously crafted to empower healthcare providers, unlocking the full potential of our advanced anaesthesia solutions. As a company, we envision a future where every aspect of patient care is not just met but exceeded, and our efforts in India are a testament to that vision. Looking ahead, what does the future of anaesthesia in India look like, and how does Draeger envision contributing to this future? The future of anaesthesia in India is both exciting and challenging. With an evolving healthcare landscape, there's an increasing need for precision, efficiency, and patient-centric care. Draeger is committed to being at the forefront of this evolution. We foresee a future where anaesthesia is not merely a procedure but a holistic and personalized experience. Our global research and development initiatives are geared to introducing innovations that will redefine the standards of anaesthesia care in India. Any message you would like to share with the healthcare community on this World Anaesthesia Day? On this World Anaesthesia Day, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated healthcare community, especially anaesthesiologist, who play a significant role in patient care. Draeger is more than a technology provider; we are partners in transforming healthcare. Together, I am confident that we will continue pushing boundaries, embracing technology, and redefining excellence in anaesthesia care, steering towards a healthier and more innovative future for healthcare in India.   ankit.kankar@mmactiv.com ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23699/experts-stress-on-introducing-bpal-treatment-regimen-in-indias-tb-control-programme.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23699/experts-stress-on-introducing-bpal-treatment-regimen-in-indias-tb-control-programme.html Mon, 16 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 A group of experts have stressed the need for introducing the BPaL regimen in the tuberculosis (TB) control programme of the country, saying it offers not only a significantly shorter treatment duration but has a direct impact on treatment adherence, leading to improved outcomes. In the fight against drug resistant (DR)-TB, the BPaL regimen which comprises three drugs – Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, and Linezolid, offers hope for a shorter, safer, and more tolerable treatment option. This groundbreaking regimen, with a treatment duration of just 26 weeks, stands in stark contrast to the existing conventional treatment for DR-TB, which can require patients to take over 4,000 to 5,000 tablets over 18 to 21 months. The BPaL regimen, which has received recommendations from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2019 and the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2022, has already been rolled out in over 70 countries, including South Africa, Ukraine, Indonesia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Philippines, and Vietnam. Patient advocacy groups and healthcare professionals worldwide are joining forces to urge the Indian government to prioritize its implementation. Blessina Kumar, Global Coalition of TB Advocates, expressed her eagerness for the BPaL regimen to be made available in India, stating, "Our TB patients have been suffering for far too long due to the gruelling and lengthy treatment regimens. The BPaL regimen promises a chance for a better quality of life. We urge the Indian government to prioritise the rollout of this regimen to help us achieve the End TB goals by 2025." “Studies estimate an annual global savings of $740 million due to the adoption of this regimen. Given that India accounts for a third of the global multi-drug, rifampicin-resistant or MDR/RR-TB treated patients, this could translate to savings of nearly $250 million per year for our country,” added Blessina. While the BPaL regimen has already proven its worth in numerous countries, India, with its high TB burden, is yet to introduce it into its treatment protocol. Advocates for TB patients and healthcare professionals are calling for immediate action to make this life-changing treatment option available to Indian patients.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23705/earlier-onset-emphasises-need-for-tailored-menopausal-care-in-india-elda-health-report.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23705/earlier-onset-emphasises-need-for-tailored-menopausal-care-in-india-elda-health-report.html Mon, 16 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based startup Elda Health, India’s first and only full-stack, one-stop digital FemTech health startup catering to women during their midlife menopausal and peri-menopausal years, has released a report titled ‘State of Menopausal Health in India.’  Based on a comprehensive study of over 25,000 Elda customers across India, the report sheds light on the pervasive stigma surrounding menopause in the country and the significant barriers preventing women from seeking help for their symptoms. The study reveals startling statistics, showing that 98% women in their menopausal age largely only visit gynecologists for heavy bleeding or vaginal discharge issues, while period related symptoms such as hot flashes, sexual health concerns, and mental health issues often go unaddressed. Other symptoms that women face include fatigue, sadness, hair fall, weight gain, anger, anxiety, various types of body pains, insomnia, memory loss, and skin issues. The report highlights that while 24% of the women suffer from sexual health concerns, only 6% of women seek help for sexual health concerns. While 40% experience hot flashes, a startling 70% of women report mental health issues like mood swings, anger, and sadness. However, only 2% of those suffering from mental health issues seek professional help. The study also finds that Indian women typically experience menopause between the ages of 40 and 46, earlier compared to global counterparts who hit this phase at age 45-55 and above. This earlier onset emphasises the need for tailored menopausal care in India. The report also reveals that Indian women are more open to taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) now as compared to earlier. Around 20% of the women are recommended HRT, and when clearly counseled and tested, 10% willingly take HRT.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23706/young-people-push-policymakers-for-action-at-worlds-largest-forum-for-adolescents.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23706/young-people-push-policymakers-for-action-at-worlds-largest-forum-for-adolescents.html Mon, 16 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The world’s largest online meeting of adolescents and young people, the Global Forum for Adolescents, closed recently with a sweeping set of new commitments from governments and other stakeholders.  The Global Forum, 11-12 October 2023, was organised by PMNCH – the world’s largest alliance for women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health – to galvanise attention to the needs and priorities of adolescents and young people around the world. The Forum closed with the launch of the “Agenda for Action for Adolescents”, based on the opinions of 1.2 million young people ages 16-24, collected in more than 80 countries through the What Young People Want (WYPW) initiative, the world’s largest survey of young people. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 1.5 million adolescents and youth died in 2021, averaging 4,500 deaths every day from preventable causes. Leading causes include road traffic accidents and interpersonal violence, while mental health disorders represent a rising concern for well-being. Many young people struggle to access sexual health and family planning services, risking unplanned pregnancies. Substance use, child marriage, nutritional status (under and over nutrition) and injuries are other major concerns. The Agenda for Action for Adolescents seeks to highlight the need for far-greater action. It is based on seven main advocacy asks, including more and higher quality education and skills training; more adolescent-friendly health services; greater support for mental well-being; and more prevention of stigma and discrimination, including greater provision of comprehensive sexuality education.  The Global Forum also served as a launching pad for a new health and education strategy developed by the African Union, recognising the key role that young people play in shaping the economic and social future of the continent. The Forum also saw the launch of advocacy tools, research products, innovation materials and key data to support advocacy for greater investment and commitment.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23707/better-eye-health-could-boost-indian-economy-by-27-billion.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23707/better-eye-health-could-boost-indian-economy-by-27-billion.html Mon, 16 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Avoidable sight loss would add $27 billion (Rs 2.2 trillion) per year to India’s economy, according to new research released. The Love Your Eyes campaign is releasing the figures to highlight how improved eye health boosts productivity, urging business leaders to put eye health on the workplace wellbeing agenda. The study, conducted by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) and Prof. Kevin Frick from Johns Hopkins, calculated the costs of avoidable sight loss among people over 50. India had the third-highest potential savings of all countries in the study. Top 3 countries with the biggest Gross Domestic Income (GDI) losses from avoidable sight loss are China, US and India. As technology transforms the world of work, the future economy will be dominated by service industries and office-based jobs involving the prolonged use of screens. Without proper precautions, this can lead to eye strain and negatively impact eye health.  Sight loss costs the global economy $411 billion every year, according to the Lancet Global Health Commission on Global Eye Health. An estimated 30% of people with sight loss experience a reduction in employment, with women, people in rural communities and ethnic minority groups among the groups most affected. However, 90% of sight loss is avoidable with early detection and treatment. In India, there are currently 70 million people with visual impairment. Preventing sight loss with early detection and treatment for eye conditions like cataracts and myopia is vital to protect livelihoods and allow businesses to thrive.  Vinod Daniel, CEO of India Vision Institute says, "People from disadvantaged and rural communities lack adequate access to eye care, and are thus denied vision screenings and a pair of corrective glasses. This means uncorrected refractive error is costing the country billions in lost productivity, and valuable earnings for the individuals affected. Early detection is crucial to preventing blindness. We work directly with communities, schools and workplaces to provide free vision screenings and spectacles to those who otherwise wouldn't have access. Preventing vision loss changes everything for them and allows them to thrive in work and life."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23714/chatbots-for-mental-health-and-therapy-market-to-reach-6-5-b-by-2032.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23714/chatbots-for-mental-health-and-therapy-market-to-reach-6-5-b-by-2032.html Mon, 16 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Recent research by Towards Healthcare projects that the Chatbots for Mental Health and Therapy Market is set to experience a staggering growth rate of 21.3% CAGR from $0.99 billion in 2022 to an estimated $6.51 billion by 2032. Several factors are propelling this surge, including: The increasing prevalence of mental health disorders, Limited accessibility to mental healthcare professionals, The surging acceptance of digital health technologies. Conditions like depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders affect millions globally, underscoring the need for scalable and cost-effective solutions. Chatbots offer a host of advantages in mental health and therapy. They ensure round-the-clock availability, providing users with support whenever they need it. Furthermore, they engage in personalised conversations, deliver evidence-based interventions, and offer psychoeducation. They also monitor symptoms, track progress, and provide valuable self-help resources. The surge in demand for mental health services has led to substantial investments in advanced chatbot technology. For example, in March 2021, Wysa Ltd, a mental health app company, secured a Series A funding round of $5.5 million. Moreover, the increasing prevalence of mental health disorders, notably depression, highlights the urgency for accessible support. According to WHO estimates, depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting approximately 264 million people in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated global mental health challenges, resulting in 76 million cases of anxiety and 53 million cases of depression worldwide. Currently, North America dominates the chatbot market for mental health and therapy. The Asia Pacific region is poised for rapid growth. Rapid urbanization, evolving lifestyles, and increasing mental health awareness in countries like China, India, and Japan are significant contributors. However, it's vital to recognise the limitations of technology in fully comprehending complex human emotions and experiences. While chatbots have made significant strides, they still face challenges in understanding the intricate nuances of mental health issues. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23695/national-health-mission-in-assam-and-piramal-foundation-to-monitor-high-risk-pregnancy-cases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23695/national-health-mission-in-assam-and-piramal-foundation-to-monitor-high-risk-pregnancy-cases.html Sat, 14 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 National Health Mission (NHM) Assam, in collaboration with Kamrup district authorities, has unveiled "Xushrukha" (meaning "Taking Care" in Assamese), an innovative 18-month research programme that will help reduce the rate of probable high-risk pregnancy (HRP) cases in the state. This first of its kind initiative in Assam, supported by the Piramal Foundation, is aimed at addressing and reducing high-risk pregnancies in the state, with a focus on the Chaygaon, Nagerbera, and Rangia blocks of Kamrup district. With Assam's Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) standing at a concerning 215 (Sample Registration System 2016-18), well above the national average, state health officials have made it a top priority to address this critical issue. This research programme aims to assist state and district health authorities in reducing maternal mortality by proactively identifying and providing counseling for at-risk women in the eligible couple category. Approximately 1,26,000 women will participate in awareness sessions focused on adhering to the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendations for preconception care, ultimately enhancing their pregnancy experiences. The programme includes: Early identification of probable and current high-risk pregnancies (HRPs) during Eligible Couple Registration by ASHAs Targeted Counselling on family planning for identified high-risk beneficiaries by ASHAs Care and counselling is provided through the entire 18 months cycle – starting with preconception upto a few months after the birth of the child Within this initiative, the Foundation has developed innovative mobile applications containing counseling content and guidelines.  These tools will empower the digital knowledge of 694 Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) to conduct door-to-door screenings and provide support to pregnant women facing high-risk situations. At the project's conclusion, the Piramal Foundation will publish a comprehensive study in collaboration with NHM, Assam that will lay the groundwork for the expansion of this crucial programme across the entire state of Assam.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23682/rainbow-childrens-hospital-signs-mou-with-tanzania-govt-on-health-cooperation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23682/rainbow-childrens-hospital-signs-mou-with-tanzania-govt-on-health-cooperation.html Tue, 10 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Rainbow Children’s Medicare Limited (RCML) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania to establish a comprehensive inter-institutional cooperation. The Rainbow group is spread across 6 cities with 16 units and 3 clinics in India with over 1655 beds. The collaboration recognises the potential for exchanges in experience, knowledge, skills, competencies, and technology in the health sector between the two countries especially in the areas of pediatric heart surgery, pediatric neurological surgery, and pediatric kidney transplant. The MoU facilitated through the Ministry of Health (MoH) will strengthen the friendly relationship and enable both the countries to collaborate primarily on two fronts – Specialised services – Setting up fully functional pediatric Centre with Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and pediatric cardiac catheterization facilities in Tanzania Establishment of the Pediatric bone marrow transplant program at Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania Conduct planned operative Cardiothoracic/Pediatric surgeries missions on biannual and or annual basis for selected cardiac patients through consultative engagements as well as follow-up missions in mentorship and technical supportive supervision in support of fully trained cardiac team  Human resources development – Training of pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiac anesthesiologists, interventionists, pediatric intervention cardiologists, cardiac nurses and perfusionists Facilitation of joint specialised clinic/OPD in Tanzania each year for examining and screening Tanzanian children. The MoH will assist in getting an OPD site and patient registrations relevant to travelling specialists  This MOU will be valid for a period of three years and the financial arrangement to cover expenses will be mutually undertaken as an agreed cost-sharing responsibility between Rainbow Children’s Hospital and the Ministry of Health, subject to the availability of funds and resources.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23685/cahos-new-healthcare-directory-links-startups-and-healthcare-professionals-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23685/cahos-new-healthcare-directory-links-startups-and-healthcare-professionals-in-india.html Tue, 10 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Confederation of Accredited Healthcare Organizations (CAHO) has announced the launch of its ‘Healthcare Directory,’ an online platform connecting healthcare startups and practitioners at the recently concluded healthtech Summit – CAHOTECH 2023. The directory aims to foster collaboration within India’s healthcare ecosystem by providing a common platform for various stakeholders like hospitals, diagnostic centers, medical device companies, health-tech startups, doctors, nurses, paramedics and healthcare administrators. CAHO has over 500 hospitals, nursing homes and healthcare organizations under its umbrella. The new digital platform will allow CAHO members and non-members will be able to search for innovative solutions. Startups will be able to connect with medical practitioners and healthcare organizations to pilot their innovations. Startups and innovators will gain more visibility and the opportunity to partner with healthcare providers. The directory will include listings for hospitals. Companies offering medical devices, health-tech solutions, wellness and fitness services will also be able to create a listing to increase their visibility. The Healthcare Directory is free to use and open to both members and non-members of CAHO.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23678/17th-edition-of-ficci-heal-centred-around-healthcare-metamorphosis-to-take-place-on-oct-26-27-in-new-delhi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23678/17th-edition-of-ficci-heal-centred-around-healthcare-metamorphosis-to-take-place-on-oct-26-27-in-new-delhi.html Mon, 09 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 India’s apex industry chamber, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) is all set to host the 17th edition of its annual healthcare conference– FICCI HEAL 2023 on October 26 and 27, 2023 at FICCI Federation House, New Delhi. The event has been supported by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) and NITI Aayog, Government of India. With the overarching theme of ‘Healthcare METAmorphosis’, the conference will delve into the strategies and opportunities for the evolution of the healthcare industry in the coming years. Besides, it will serve as a platform for sharing and learning among all the stakeholders, both national and international. Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare; and Chemicals and Fertilisers, Government of India has been invited to inaugurate the Conference. The event will also include eminent dignitaries and speakers including Dr Ajay K Singh, Senior Associate Dean for Postgraduate Medical Education, also serving as Director, MMSCI, Harvard Medical School and Dr Carsten Engel, CEO, International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua). Additionally, as a notable component of the HEAL Conference, FICCI will host the ‘15th FICCI Healthcare Excellence Awards' on October 26, 2023, at Hotel Le Meridien in New Delhi. The ceremony will felicitate organisations and individuals for their invaluable contribution in the healthcare space in the presence of Chief Guest, Sharmila Tagore. The participants were evaluated on three criteria: Innovation, Impact and Sustainability & Scalability, by a distinguished independent jury panel chaired by C K Mishra.  The two-day conference will include a discussion on the crucial subject of Making Cancer Care Affordable and Accessible in India, given the increasing burden of NCDs and specifically cancer in the country. A unique session on ‘Fostering Resilient Economics’ will focus on key measures and approaches that can be implemented to achieve resilience in the economics of healthcare. This will be followed by a fireside chat on ‘Driving Investments in Healthcare’. Day 2 of the conference will present a panel on Leveraging Technology for Transforming Primary Healthcare, inviting industry to join the FICCI’s initiative on demonstrating Smart HWCs in States. This will be followed by session on ‘Perspectives on Healthcare’, which will bring together renowned personalities from other industries to share their unique perspectives on healthcare sector. The conference will end with a special Stakeholders’ Consultation titled "Empowering Her Health” to address the challenges and opportunities related to women's health in India. The Consultation seeks to foster collaboration, knowledge exchange, and policy recommendations for promoting gender-responsive and inclusive healthcare systems.  The conference will have the below thematic sessions: New Age Healthcare Delivery Models Roadmap for Making Cancer Care Affordable and Accessible in India Fostering Resilient Economics Fireside Chat- ‘Driving Investments in Healthcare’ Leveraging Technology for Transforming Primary Healthcare Perspectives on Healthcare "Empowering Her Health”- Stakeholders’ Consultation    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23672/stakeholders-convene-to-build-roadmap-for-strengthening-cervical-cancer-screening-in-karnataka.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23672/stakeholders-convene-to-build-roadmap-for-strengthening-cervical-cancer-screening-in-karnataka.html Fri, 06 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Government of Karnataka, Directorate of Health and Family Welfare Services and FIND recently organised a policy consultation in Bengaluru to engage with key stakeholders on identifying strategies to strengthen screening for cervical cancer in Karnataka. The consultation was inaugurated by Dinesh Gundu Rao, the Minister for Health and Family Welfare, who highlighted Karnataka’s commitment to prioritising cervical cancer elimination as a model for the country. During the discussions, the introduction of World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended high-performance HPV DNA tests, complemented by self-collection of samples to ensure effective screening, were emphasised as critical components of a robust cervical cancer elimination strategy. Dr Sanjay Sarin, Vice President Access at FIND, said: “One woman dies every 2 minutes from cervical cancer, yet it is a preventable and curable disease. The WHO strategy for cervical cancer elimination calls for at least 70% of women to be screened for cervical cancer using a high-performance HPV test by the time they are 35 years old, and again by age 45. We welcome the Government’s commitment to accelerate progress towards these targets, and the roadmap developed in Karnataka is a critical step towards that goal that will provide a model for the country. We continue to pledge our support and diagnostic expertise to protect women and girls by beating this deadly disease.” The meeting was made possible with the support of Roche Diagnostics. Dr Thilo Brenner, APAC Sub-Region Head (India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Pakistan, and the Philippines), Roche Diagnostics, said, “By educating women and expanding access to HPV screening, we aim to drive systemic and behavioural change in the management of cervical cancer.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23666/dr-agarwals-eye-hospitals-to-invest-additional-rs-225-cr-to-set-up-new-centres-in-mumbai-pune.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23666/dr-agarwals-eye-hospitals-to-invest-additional-rs-225-cr-to-set-up-new-centres-in-mumbai-pune.html Thu, 05 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Dr. Agarwals Eye Hospitals has opened a state-of-the-art eyecare hospital in Chembur, Mumbai, at Signature Business Park. The facility is spread across 7,500 sq. mt. On the occasion, Dr Amar Agarwal, Chairman, Dr. Agarwals Eye Hospitals said: “This is our tenth hospital in the city. We entered Maharashtra in 2017 with a centre in Pune, and quickly expanded to Mumbai in 2019. Now, we have 20 eyecare hospitals operational in the state across locations like Mumbai, Nashik, Pune, and Satara. This growth is only the tip of the iceberg as we believe Maharashtra can readily accommodate at least 50 more eye hospitals. In the next 12 to 18 months, we will invest Rs 225 crore to add 10 more centres in the cities of Mumbai and Pune.” Added Dr Adil Agarwal, CEO, Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospitals, “The expansion of our eyecare services in Mumbai is increasing accessibility, decreasing waiting periods, and offering cutting-edge technology for everyone in the region. In the next six months, we will cover the entire Central Line and, in the next two years, the Western and Harbour lines in Mumbai." He added, “We have grown five-fold in Maharashtra in the last three financial years, from 4 hospitals in FY20 to 20 hospitals today, and are expecting to add 5 more hospitals in the next 6 months."   In August this year, Dr. Agarwal’s Health Care raised Rs 650 crore from global investors. It now has over 150 centres and is aiming at doubling its network in the next 3 years. It is also looking to expand aggressively in Maharashtra, Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and central India besides penetrating deeper into its existing markets. It will also be establishing over 100 primary eye clinics in tier 2 and tier 3 towns in the next couple of years.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23660/hcg-cancer-centre-acquires-srj-cbcc-cancer-hospital-in-indore.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23660/hcg-cancer-centre-acquires-srj-cbcc-cancer-hospital-in-indore.html Wed, 04 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based Healthcare Global Enterprises Limited (HCG), has announced the strategic acquisition of SRJ CBCC Cancer Hospital in Indore. This acquisition marks HCG's entry into the key geography of Madhya Pradesh enhancing its commitment to delivering world-class cancer care across India. HCG further plans to expand by adding 100 beds and state-of-the-art cancer diagnostic and treatment facility within an estimated operational timeline of 2 years, demonstrating a commitment to meeting the region's healthcare demands. With its entry into the 10th state, HCG is now a network of 21 comprehensive cancer centres with 24 hospitals across India and Africa, and 8 Daycare centres. SRJ CBCC Cancer Hospital is centrally located and is the city's first comprehensive cancer centre and is currently the market leader in private space. The hospital has 50 cancer care beds and houses state-of-the-art LINAC machine. The acquisition also unlocks opportunities for operational scale-up, including the introduction of organ-specific practices and the introduction of next-gen cancer care technologies. Speaking at the occasion, Raj Gore, CEO, Healthcare Global Enterprises Limited, said, "We would be extending our network strength of renowned oncologists’ and largest Tumour Board in the country to Indore and Madhya Pradesh. Patient outcome is of paramount importance to us and we ensure that all our clinical and non-clinical resources are channelised and geared towards patient care."  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23662/cipla-and-nimhans-set-up-neuro-palliative-care-unit-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23662/cipla-and-nimhans-set-up-neuro-palliative-care-unit-in-bengaluru.html Wed, 04 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Cipla Foundation, philanthropic arm of Mumbai-based pharmaceutical company Cipla, in partnership with National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS), has set up a first-of-its-kind neuro-palliative care unit in Bengaluru. This integrated unit has provided support to over 2,000 individuals with neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's, Dementia, and Parkinson's, through in-patient, out-patient, home care, and has offered tele-consultation services to patients as well as their families and caregivers. At this neuro-palliative care unit, a multidisciplinary team of medical and social work professionals provides comprehensive support to patients and their families, free of cost, as they navigate symptoms associated with progressive conditions. These symptoms include challenges in movement, respiratory function, speech, swallowing, cognitive abilities, and communication that patients may encounter during their treatment journey. In addition to medical care, the team extends emotional support to both patients and their families as they adapt to life with the disease and increasingly rely on external assistance. They conduct assessments of patients' home environments, taking proactive measures to prepare for the disease's progression. This unit also collaborates with the District Mental Health programme and local palliative centres to ensure ongoing support and holistic care for patients.  The unit also collaboratively creates customised, home-based care plans tailored to individual needs, with the goal of preserving the highest attainable quality of life.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/23636/transforming-healthcare-with-generative-ai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/23636/transforming-healthcare-with-generative-ai.html Tue, 03 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Generative AI solutions are touted to address high-touch areas throughout the healthcare value chain to drive unified experience and improve business outcomes for healthcare organisations. The technology can help researchers more easily access, identify and correlate data, mine large troves of research data for possible connections, and even automate the time-intensive tasks of drafting clinical trial communications and helping translate them to different languages. Google, Microsoft, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) in their own strengths are partnering with various healthcare and pharma giants to bring this cutting-edge technology at integration level. To cite a recent collaboration, Google Cloud in late June 2023 announced a collaboration with Mayo Clinic to transform healthcare with Generative AI. Mayo Clinic will deploy Generative AI to improve the efficiency of clinical workflows in anticipation to make it easier for clinicians and researchers to find the information they need in a shorter time, and ultimately help improve patient outcomes.  Google currently assists many other leading healthcare and life sciences companies including Bayer Pharmaceuticals, HCA Healthcare, and Meditech with its Med-PaLM 2. Generative AI especially will be seen deployed in new drug discoveries. Developing new pharmaceutical products is time intensive and costly. According to a research paper published in NCBI, the entire process, from ideation to launch, can take up to 12-15 years and cost over $1 billion. There are some parts of this complex process that AI may be able to speed up. So, Bayer Pharmaceuticals is exploring how Generative AI solutions, like Google Cloud’s Vertex AI and Med-PaLM 2, can help bring drugs to market faster.  EVERSANA, one of the leading providers of commercial services to the global life sciences industry, teamed up with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to accelerate Generative AI use cases across the life sciences industry. EVERSANA and AWS expect to ‘pharmatise’ the use of AI across the life sciences industry, offering security and privacy controls and adhering to ethical frameworks for responsible AI development, to ultimately benefit patients, healthcare providers and payers.  AWS is very bullish on deploying AI tools in healthcare. The company recently unveiled AWS HealthScribe, an AI-powered tool that automates the process of clinical documentation for doctors. This new service allows physicians to effortlessly generate comprehensive transcripts, extract essential details, and create summaries from their interactions with patients. The goal of AWS HealthScribe is to enable healthcare professionals to dedicate more time to creating innovative care solutions and conducting research for their patients rather than mundane documentation. On August 17, 2023, American medical software giant Epic and Microsoft announced their expanded partnership to bring Generative AI to the forefront of the healthcare industry. The companies are teaming to help clinicians better serve their patients and to address some of the other most urgent needs, from workforce burnout to staffing shortages. The companies aim to bring AI to healthcare at scale, integrating conversational, ambient, and Generative AI technologies across Epic’s Electronic Health Record (EHR) ecosystem. The outcome of this is expected to witness tangible results in enhanced patient care, increased operational efficiency, improved healthcare experiences, and in supporting the financial integrity of health systems globally.   Applications in pharma and healthcare Generative AI is globally touted as a tool with transformative powers, driving innovation and vested with the ability to reshape the landscape of drug discovery and patient care. Its application in pharma and healthcare can be broadly classified into three main areas: Drug Discovery and Development, Medical Imaging Analysis and Diagnosis, and Personalised Medicine and Treatment Optimisation.  a) Drug Discovery and Development: About one-third of the $1 billion it costs to develop a drug is spent on its discovery, which generally spans between three to six years. Unlike traditional methods, Generative AI can help generate novel drug candidates based on researcher-provided criteria and constraints.  Gartner predicts that by 2025, Generative AI will be used by 50 per cent of drug discovery and development initiatives. This translates into a potential reduction in costs and timelines associated with the development of new drugs by decreasing the need for expensive and time-consuming experimental trials. The power of Generative AI playing a crucial role in accelerating drug discovery and development processes can be seen with a few partnerships signed between technology and pharma majors recently. Two years back, NVIDIA helped AstraZeneca work on a transformer-based Generative AI model for chemical structures used in drug discovery, which was one among the very first projects using GenAI.  This article will be incomplete without the mention of Insilico Medicine’s drug discovery success using Generative AI. The company’s end-to-end platform, Pharma.AI, has produced three novel drugs in clinical trials, including a lead drug for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis that is in Phase II trials, the first fully Generative AI drug (with both an AI-discovered target and AI design) to reach this stage.  Nitesh Mirchandani, SVP & Global Head, Life Sciences & Services, Birlasoft, says, "Generative AI stands on the brink of revolutionising the healthcare sector. Its aptitude for scrutinising extensive datasets, refining medical imagery, simulating diverse medical scenarios presents transformative potential to drive progress in patient care, hyper personalised treatment plans, and accelerate medical research. Further, it holds the capability to expedite and streamline the discovery of pharmaceuticals in a cost-efficient manner to improve the overall healthcare delivery. At Birlasoft, we have crafted a game-changing Gen AI Automation platform for our pharma clients, reshaping pharmacovigilance, swiftly identifying, and categorising medical literature, expediting responses, and aligning with pharmaceutical industry demands.” b) Medical Imaging Analysis and Diagnosis: Generative AI is widely applied in medical imaging analysis, helping to interpret and enhance medical images, such as X-rays, MRI scans, and CT scans. SigTuple, Qure.ai, Niramai Health Analytix, Tricog Health are a few Indian startups who have already deployed Generative AI in this segment.  And the future is now as we see Google Health working to build lightweight, multimodal Generative AI models for medical imaging. By grafting language-aligned vision encoders onto a fixed large language model (LLM), Google is able to solve previously challenging tasks using an approach they call ELIXR. This ELIXR is trained using images and their free-text radiology reports.  Similarly, Project InnerEye from Microsoft Research is developing machine learning and open-source software to empower healthcare organisations and innovators to develop their own solutions that can assist clinicians in planning radiotherapy treatments so that they can spend more time with their patients. c) Personalised Medicine and Treatment Optimisation: Generative AI is employed to analyse large-scale patient data, including genetic information, medical history, and lifestyle factors, to tailor medical treatments specifically for individual patients. A few hospitals are already using AI-based prediction technology to reduce the number of cardiac arrests by more than 86 per cent  in the ICU. By leveraging AI models, healthcare providers can predict patient outcomes, identify risk factors, and optimise treatment plans.    INDIA primed to adopt Gen AI India’s Chandrayaan-3’s success is a testimony to the adoption of digital technology to develop indigenous solutions. It is obvious that the country is racing to keep pace with the developments in technology, and Generative AI will be no exception.  On August 22, 2023, Deloitte announced the launch of its Global Generative AI Market Incubator that will promote innovation in Generative AI and serve businesses in India and across the globe. With the Generative AI boom leading to its soaring global demand, it is considered a significant step towards nurturing tech innovation and talent in India and enabling enterprises to achieve their business objectives. At present, Deloitte has active global engagements in the areas of drug discovery, customer experience, content generation, and personal avatars marking over 100 corporations in the past six months. These engagements demonstrate the increasing relevance of Generative AI. As per a 2023 NASSCOM report, the integration of data and AI into healthcare could potentially boost India's GDP by $25 to $30 billion by 2025. The strategic mechanisms for AI-driven transformation will be significant in augmenting Indian healthcare services, fostering improved quality, reduced costs, heightened accessibility, and a strong focus on patient care, experience, operational efficiency, and research and development. Shweta Berry, Director Marketing & Head of Strategic Alliances at Aeris Communications believes the healthcare sector is on a transformative phase because of Generative AI, which holds immense potential for elevating patient care and results. She says, “Generative AI possesses the capability to process vast volumes of data, enhance medical imaging, simulate diverse medical scenarios, and predict outcomes. This technology can play a pivotal role in addressing the scarcity of adequately qualified medical experts, bolstering preventive care and overall quality of life, generating more precise diagnoses and treatment strategies, and ultimately enhancing patient outcomes. Consequently, AI could wield substantial influence over India's public health landscape, aiding in the battle against pandemics and epidemics.”  According to Sriraman R, Chief Architect, Digital Innovation & Solutions, Marlabs, as India's healthcare landscape is marked by limited resources, a shortage of qualified professionals, and uneven medical access, AI solutions offer a remedy. Especially in drug discovery, Generative AI expedites the identification, prediction, and refinement of drug candidates, streamlining affordable medication development. AI-driven telemedicine bridges gaps in remote areas, facilitating virtual consultations and diagnoses. Generative AI's versatility extends to translating medical records into multiple languages and realistic simulations, enhancing healthcare staff training.  Amidst great potential, challenges like ethical concerns, biased data, regulations, and infrastructure gaps persist. Collaboration among AI experts, healthcare practitioners, government, and businesses become pivotal for responsible integration of Generative AI in India's burgeoning $372 billion healthcare market, predicted to contribute $1 trillion to the economy by 2035, with AI investment projected to reach $11.78 billion by 2025. The adoption of Generative AI in the healthcare industry has been faster than one could imagine. Generative AI will keep evolving and advancing, so organisations require an agile strategy and integrated approach to leverage underlying opportunities while ensuring there are no biases being introduced in the process, opines Mohit Sood, Regional Managing Principal, ZS. Sood’s company, ZS, is helping healthcare clients in getting better products to the market faster. By integrating Generative AI capabilities in analytics used in drug development and brand planning, Sood claims the company has helped reduce effort and time by more than 30 per cent and has helped achieve a 2-4x time faster speed to execution.   Sharing another key perspective, Neeta Singal, Director, Molecule AI, opines that India's strong foundation in IT and software development positions it favourably to excel in AI solutions for life sciences and healthcare – spanning drug discovery, medical imaging analysis, disease prediction, and personalised treatments. Also, according to Neeta Singal, leveraging its vast and diverse population, India can harness abundant data to train AI models tailored to its populace.  “In applications like drug discovery, AI's appeal lies in expediting drug development by streamlining certain processes. The integration of Generative AI might reduce the need for extensive wet lab testing, impacting business and employment at contract research organisations (CROs). Similarly, AI's potential to produce more drug candidates could render some roles redundant for medicinal chemists at major pharmaceutical companies. This trend extends to in vivo tests as well. While AI's enhanced productivity and economic efficiency might foster job growth overall, it is plausible that certain positions will be displaced,” says Neeta.  Investments in this field have certainly surged over tenfold, with Indian startups securing over $500 million since 2022. This surge translates into fresh employment prospects across various roles, including AI researchers, data scientists, AI engineers, healthcare AI specialists, and bioinformatics experts. Professionals capable of bridging AI and medical expertise, as well as those well-versed in ethics and regulations, are also going to be in demand. So far, we have seen the rosy picture of what can be expected out of Generative AI applications. While Generative AI indeed offers numerous advantages, there is constant warning to companies adopting this technology to be cautious and consider several potential challenges and risks that are associated with biased data and other matters that infringe ethical functioning. Generative AI can inadvertently produce content that is offensive, biased, or inappropriate. It might also be used for malicious purposes like generating fake news, deep fakes, or fraudulent content. Companies need to ensure that their AI models are designed to mitigate these risks and uphold ethical standards. Also, AI models can learn biases present in the training data, leading to biased outputs. India especially has tremendous work to do in mitigating these biases in an efficient manner. “The future prospects of India embracing Generative AI to develop domestic solutions hold potential benefits. However, there are certain areas that need attention for successful implementation. Firstly, effective data collection processes should be established, learning from practices in other countries, India can gain insights into creating comprehensive patient records to support treatments and intelligent systems. Secondly, data privacy regulations play a crucial role, particularly when dealing with sensitive patient data. Comparing regulations in other nations, India needs to strengthen its data protection laws to ensure the safe and ethical use of healthcare data. Thirdly, enhancing healthcare efficiency is vital, considering India’s lower doctor-to-patient ratio compared to global standards. There are around 60-65 doctors per lakh of population, which is almost half of what is the global standard for any developed country or economy. Learning from Western counterparts, India can adopt strategies to optimise healthcare delivery, thereby addressing the unequal distribution of resources across different regions,” opines Bhaskar Roy, Client Partner APAC and Bangalore Centre Head, Fractal.    Brink of a new era As we move forward into a future where AI-driven solutions are seamlessly integrated into healthcare, it’s crucial for stakeholders – from researchers and practitioners to policymakers and technology developers – to collaborate closely. By fostering interdisciplinary partnerships, maintaining a strong ethical framework, and continuously refining the technology, the future can ensure that Generative AI becomes a force for good in healthcare. As its capabilities expand and its reliability strengthens, we're on the brink of a new era where precision medicine and patient outcomes are revolutionised, ultimately leading to healthier and more fulfilling lives for individuals around the world. In conclusion, to emphasise the necessary adoption of AI in healthcare, I would like to quote Google's Chief Health Officer, Karen DeSalvo’s, statement that she shared with The Washington Post recently – “AI won't replace doctors, but doctors who use AI will replace doctors who don’t.”   Anusha Ashwin ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23650/iim-lucknow-develops-model-to-mitigate-cybersecurity-risk-in-healthcare-sector.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23650/iim-lucknow-develops-model-to-mitigate-cybersecurity-risk-in-healthcare-sector.html Sat, 30 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 A research team at the Indian Institute of Management Lucknow (IIML), led by Prof. Arunabha Mukhopadhyay, has developed a model to protect healthcare systems globally from cyber threats. Their ‘Healthcare Cyber Risk Assessment model’ evaluates and mitigates risks of cyberattacks, thereby ensuring the security of patient data and the continuity of digital healthcare services for healthcare institutions. The increasing complexity and sensitivity of data in healthcare organisations have heightened their susceptibility to cyberattacks, especially as the healthcare sector's reliance on digital data has grown during the COVID-19 pandemic. Digital health records contain sensitive personal information like Government IDs (e.g., Aadhaar), medical histories, finances, and insurance details, which cybercriminals can use for identity theft and fraud. The IIML team aims to tackle this issue by investigating the weak points in healthcare data security that hackers exploit. They propose that cyber threats become more likely when the healthcare staff lacks training to counter tactics like phishing, and when IT governance and security technology are not effectively implemented. The model, which can be extended to the Indian healthcare sector, has three main features. Ø  First, it assists Chief Information Officers (CIOs) of healthcare institutions in determining the vulnerability of the healthcare institution to cyberattacks Ø  Secondly, it employs Collective Risk Modelling to assess the potential severity of cyberattacks, which can help hospitals predict the impact Ø  Finally, it offers recommendations on how to mitigate and prevent these cyberattacks The recommendations are derived from Rational Choice Theory and the standards outlined by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The model also offers practical cyberattack safeguards for healthcare firms in high-risk quadrants of the heat matrix.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23623/india-ageing-report-2023-unveils-critical-insights-into-elderly-care-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23623/india-ageing-report-2023-unveils-critical-insights-into-elderly-care-in-india.html Thu, 28 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) India, in collaboration with the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), recently unveiled the highly anticipated "India Ageing Report 2023." This report sheds light on the challenges, opportunities and institutional responses surrounding elderly care in India, as India navigates a demographic shift towards an ageing population. The report was jointly released by Saurabh Garg, Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (Government of India) and Andrea M. Wojnar, UNFPA India Representative and Country Director Bhutan. The report's key findings encompass a range of analyses related to elderly well-being, including: The enhancement of geriatric care to cater to the unique healthcare needs of seniors A multitude of government schemes and policies addressing the health, financial empowerment, and capacity building needs of the elderly population Community-based organisations actively engaged in digital empowerment through computer and internet usage sessions Ministerial committees dedicated to shaping policies for elderly welfare Corporate efforts for joyful aging, social assistance, old age homes, and elder abuse awareness campaigns ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23628/ashok-soota-sells-1-11-of-happiest-minds-shares-to-fund-skan-and-happiest-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23628/ashok-soota-sells-1-11-of-happiest-minds-shares-to-fund-skan-and-happiest-health.html Thu, 28 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530   Ashok Soota, Promoter and Executive Chairman of Happiest Minds Technologies has sold about 16.93 lakh equity shares of Happiest Minds Technologies, which is about 1.11% of his holding in the company through the NSE/BSE. His holding in the company which was 51.24% now stands at 50.13%.  Talking on the transaction Ashok Soota said “This transaction was primarily done to fund the capital requirements of SKAN, the not for profit medical research firm and enhance the share capital of Happiest Health”. This sale is also in line with the strategy on ‘design for perpetuity’ articulated by Ashok Soota. This hinges on three pillars: ownership, leadership, and business strategy.  On ownership, Soota plans to maintain his shareholding in Happiest Minds to not less than 40%. After this transaction, the shareholding of the promoter stands at 50.13% in the company. Happiest Minds’ Technologies, a Mindful IT company, enables digital transformation for enterprises and technology providers by delivering seamless customer experiences, business efficiency and actionable insights, by leveraging a spectrum of disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud, digital process automation, internet of things, robotics/drones, security, virtual/augmented reality, and more. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23629/cheapest-cancer-medicine-is-available-in-india-health-minister.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23629/cheapest-cancer-medicine-is-available-in-india-health-minister.html Thu, 28 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Speaking at the inauguration of ‘Sanjeevani: United Against Cancer,’ a joint initiative by the Federal Bank Hormis Memorial Foundation and News18 Network, with Tata Trusts as a knowledge partner, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr Mansukh L. Mandaviya proclaimed that out of the 90 medicines for cancer, India gives out 42 at the cheapest rates. “We are increasing cancer hospitals and tertiary care facilities. Our approach towards the health sector is holistic. We have increased MBBS and PG medical seats and colleges and created medical educational resources. Ayushman Bharat health infrastructure mission is working towards it. We have launched the pharma policy. We are the pharmacy of the world in generic medicines,” he said. "The nation belongs to all its citizens, and the responsibility for its well-being lies collectively with each individual. It was this shared responsibility and collective effort that enabled the nation to effectively combat the challenges posed by COVID-19” said Mandaviya at the News18’s Sanjeevani launch event. The primary goal of 'Sanjeevani' is to promote awareness, foster discussions about the silent cancer epidemic, and address the common fears associated with this critical disease. “The Sanjeevani initiative will lead to discussions and deliberations. Send a note on it to us, so we can track the suggestions coming from people. The Modi government believes in stakeholder consultation. Public partnership is integral to India’s health model. Share your ideas with us, so we can fight the diseases in the nation” the Minister added. The Minister discussed the government's approach to cancer care, emphasising health and wellness screening at district-level hospitals and fee waivers for impoverished patients. He noted that cancer medicines are available at non-profit prices due to India's fixed trade margin, with a focus on making healthcare more affordable and accessible. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23614/global-womens-health-innovation-conference-2023-to-address-health-challenges-across-entire-life-cycle-of-women.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23614/global-womens-health-innovation-conference-2023-to-address-health-challenges-across-entire-life-cycle-of-women.html Wed, 20 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The second edition of Global Women’s Health Innovation Conference (GWHIC), dedicated to advancing women’s health through technology, will bring over thirty leading experts together on Friday 13 October 2023 in the Hotel Royal Orchid, Bengaluru. The conference has gone global to invite leading women experts and innovators and extraordinary male allies, who have shown remarkable commitment to a health equal future to share their insights and experiences in a power packed agenda. Speaking ahead of the conference announcement, the lead advisory board member, Reenita Das, the only woman Vice President of Frost & Sullivan, shared some of the highlights from the agenda. She said, “GWHIC takes a unique approach by beginning with women over sixty-five and engaging in substantive discussions on pressing issues related to dementia and chronic conditions. This departure from the norm, where most conferences typically emphasise menstruation and infertility as primary themes, adds a compelling dimension to the event. The one-day agenda will comprehensively address the significant challenges that women encounter throughout their life journey. The sessions will thoroughly explore these challenges, identify unmet needs, and highlight the stakes involved at each stage of a woman's life. Furthermore, the conference will examine the utilisation of best practices in Femtech and health tech, in conjunction with innovative strategies and collaboration with stakeholders, to provide women with enhanced support.” A significant addition to the conference is Padmaja Ruparel, Co-Founder of Indian Angel Network and Founding Partner of IAN Fund who joins the Advisory Board this year and will bring the vital perspective of investors. Women’s health investments, lack of equal funding opportunities and not enough interest from VC’s are seen as limiting factors for the growth and scaling of health ventures. A dedicated session on menopause, considered a $600 billion opportunity by Female Founders Fund, will focus on the research and innovation in menopause. India’s leading menopause educator and Femtech innovator Swathi Kulkarni, Co-founder and CEO of Elda Health will lead this session. Swathi returns to the conference advisory board this year after her significant contribution in the 2022 edition. “Unveiling the Unseen: Caring for the 65+ women” is a pathbreaking panel focused on elder women health. India’s leading elder care experts, Dr Arvind Kasthuri, Professor of Community Health in St John’s National Academy of Health Sciences, and Dr Radha S Murthy, Co-Founder & Managing Trustee, Nightingales Medical Trust, will address the unique challenges of elder women such as geriatric care and dementia. The panel is moderated by Bharat Gera, a digital health transformation pioneer and the Founder of Human Centric Healthcare Ecosystem (HCHE). Bharat is an innovator and health leader known for his long-term vision on how healthcare needs to be designed to be inclusive.   Conference speakers- India • Dr Radha S Murthy, Co-Founder& Managing Trustee, Nightingales Medical Trust • Sanjeev Malhotra, CEO, Centre of Excellence for IoT and AI, NASSCOM • Dr Arvind Kasthuri, Professor of Community Health in St John’s National Academy of Health Sciences, who will share his vast experience in the field of Geriatric care. He is currently leading the pioneering St John’s Geriatric centre project. • Uma Nambiar, Co-founder and Chairperson, Digital Health India Association (DHIA)• Padmaja Ruparel, Co-Founder of Indian Angel Network and Founding Partner of IAN Fund on the Advisory Board this year. International • Ann Garnier, Founder, and CEO of Lisa Health, the first service that uses AI and sensor technology to illuminate the menopause life stage and support women.• Dr Mridula Pore, Co-founder and Co-CEO of the leading platform Peppy, which is disrupting the Stigma around Women’s Health.• Sanj Singh, CEO of Temple Therapeutics, who has invested in research and awareness on Endometriosis, a health condition that affects roughly 10% (190 million) of reproductive age women and girls globally.• Shailja Dixit, CEO and Founder, Curio Digital Therapeutics• Reenita Das, a global health leader, Healthcare evangelist, strategist, and voted top 100 women in Healthtech and Femtech and the only woman Vice President of Frost & Sullivan. Agenda at A Glance: The one-day conference will focus on the main health challenges and inequalities, in segments of elder women care, menopause, cardiovascular diseases in women, mental health, and endometriosis along with venture capitalists and Femtech entrepreneurs who will share analysis and trends of funding and growth opportunities. Agenda highlights: • A future forward summary of the Top Growth Opportunities in Women’s Health 2030• Unveiling the Unseen: Caring for the Invisible Women: A Focus on Women Aged 65+• Closing the Menopause Knowledge Gap: Empowering Women in Their 40s and Beyond• Breaking the Silence: Healthcare Challenges of the 20 to 40 Age• Mind Matters: Women's Mental Health - Navigating Challenges and Building Resilience• Gender Disparities in Cardiovascular Health• Bridging the Divide in Funding for Women's Health: Advancing Research, Access, and Equity• Rising Role of Workplaces for Better Women’s Health• Impacting Women’s health through FEMTECH Innovation• Future of women’s health with focus on emerging technologies   ‘Building a FEMTECH global success story’ A fireside chat: The health innovators and future entrepreneurs in the audience will have plenty of opportunities to hear from the speakers and especially from the Fireside chat on ‘Building a FEMTECH global success story’ with a global innovator Shailja Dixit, CEO and Founder, Curio Digital Therapeutics, who has built her venture from scratch.   Jaya Rebello, Managing Director of Collab Function, the conference organiser, announced the key partnerships and the highlights for the year 2023. She said, “Through our unwavering commitment to fostering health equity and bringing about positive change in the ecosystem of women's health, we are not only envisioning a brighter future but actively shaping it. We welcome Frost & Sullivan, the growth pipeline company, as the Knowledge Partner this year. For over six decades, Frost & Sullivan has guided the world’s top companies toward transformational growth journeys that result in a stream of innovative growth opportunities.” BioSpectrum, India’s most authoritative biotech business monthly magazine, providing coverage of happenings in BioPharma, BioTech and allied industries, joins the conference as a Biotech Partner. The 2022 conference media partner, MediCircle will once again join as the media partner for the year 2023. A digital healthcare platform, MediCircle leads in championing innovation, inclusivity, and progress in women's health. GWHIC Femtech & Innovation Awards: Staying true to the commitment to women’s health, the conference will present GWHIC Femtech & Innovation Awards to recognise leading voices and innovators who have made a significant contribution to women’s health. The award nominations are open till 30 September and nomination information is available at https://gwhic.com/awards2023/ GWHIC 2023 is designed to serve as a platform inspiring change, a call for action to address the dynamics and the inequalities in decision making around women’s health and to bring inspiring ideas and global best practises to India. Conference registration is open to all who are committed to health equity and support utilising technologies for bring better outcomes for women’s health. Delegate registration can be done at: https://gwhic.com/delegate-registration/. For any further assistance or information, contact on hello@collabfunction.com or call 7777019003. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23611/medlern-launches-webinar-series-to-create-pool-of-new-age-healthcare-leaders-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23611/medlern-launches-webinar-series-to-create-pool-of-new-age-healthcare-leaders-.html Tue, 19 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 In a path-breaking initiative aimed at elevating the quality and standards of healthcare and hospital leadership as well as patient experience and outcomes, Bengaluru-based startup MedLern has organised and hosted a series of leadership webinars for healthcare professionals. Under the Series, the country’s leading digital learning solutions provider for hospitals and healthcare professionals has sought to cover a range of topics in healthcare and hospital administration, management, service and operational excellence in the country. With some of the most distinguished industry leaders and experts participating in this Series and delivering presentations for a rapt online audience, the live webinar sessions have been a roaring success attended by thousands of healthcare professionals across the country.MedLern has already conducted three webinars under this Series. While the first two webinars were aimed at catalysing institutional advancements at the level of hospitals and healthcare facilities, the third was targeted at personal skilling and upskilling of healthcare professionals. “We want to create a powerful and independent platform for healthcare thought leaders and MedLern’s unique reach of 400 plus hospitals and one lakh healthcare sector employees provides just that. The series serves to not just educate but also stimulate new conversations on the opportunities and challenges facing healthcare leaders with globalization, digital transformation and innovation emerging as key themes to profit from”, said Deepak Sharma, Co-founder and CEO, MedLern ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23608/nabh-and-nathealth-collaborate-to-improve-healthcare-quality.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23608/nabh-and-nathealth-collaborate-to-improve-healthcare-quality.html Mon, 18 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 To promote and enhance patient safety and improving the healthcare quality, NATHEALTH, Healthcare Federation of India on the occasion of World Patient Safety Day (on 17 September) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers, a constituent Board of Quality Council of India, an autonomous body under Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. This collaborative endeavour marks a significant step towards reinforcing patient safety and quality healthcare across the nation. The aim of this strategic partnership between the two prominent healthcare entities seeks to promote patient safety, enhance the quality of healthcare services, and drive positive changes in the healthcare ecosystem. By pooling their expertise and resources, these organisations aim to drive positive changes that have a lasting impact on the healthcare sector. Under this partnership, NABH and NATHEALTH will collaborate on various initiatives, including joint initiatives to enhance patient safety and quality healthcare practices; jointly develop a white paper/ awareness module on patient safety outlining the best practices around consumer safety measures and conduct a series of expert sessions to disseminate this across healthcare caregivers and broader health system; jointly curate case studies, expert testimonials and scientific materials and raise awareness around patient safety in healthcare through patient facing communication campaigns; advocacy for policies and measures that support and enhance patient-centric care; and institutionalise an annual patient experience award and recognise the best practices in patient safety across both public and private sectors.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23609/galgotias-university-and-hcl-to-open-medical-centre-for-students-in-greater-noida.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23609/galgotias-university-and-hcl-to-open-medical-centre-for-students-in-greater-noida.html Mon, 18 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Galgotias University has announced a collaboration with HCL Healthcare to establish a cutting-edge medical centre right within its campus in Greater Noida. This partnership marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of the shared vision to provide accessible and high-quality healthcare services to the entire student body at Galgotias University.  The new medical centre at Galgotias University will offer unparalleled benefits to both students and staff, who will have easy access to healthcare services right on campus, ensuring prompt and convenient medical attention. The significance of this partnership lies in HCL Healthcare's expertise as a digital technology leader. With access to advanced digital platforms and a track record of innovation, HCL Healthcare is poised to drive advancements in healthcare services and ensure universal health coverage. This collaboration promises to revolutionise healthcare delivery within the Galgotias campus. The partnership acknowledges the increasing mental health challenges faced by students in today's society. It highlights the importance of timely counselling and mental health support, underlining the potential to save lives through such interventions.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23598/experts-deliberate-on-urgent-need-for-collaboration-in-pursuit-of-healthier-planet-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23598/experts-deliberate-on-urgent-need-for-collaboration-in-pursuit-of-healthier-planet-.html Fri, 15 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 A CEO Conclave held in Mumbai on 14th September, titled "Fostering collaboration between Industry and Science to develop sustainable products & process",  witnessed invaluable deliberations that are poised to catalyse the emergence of more environmentally conscious and ecologically responsible solutions. The rich and constructive discourse at this gathering holds the potential to ignite a paradigm shift towards greener, more sustainable practices across diverse sectors, underscoring the urgent need for collaborative efforts in pursuit of a healthier planet and a prosperous future. The Panel Discussion was held as a part of SuschemE, an event that focuses on Sustainable Chemistry. The experts in the panel included Ravindra Boratkar, Managing Director, MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications (as seen in middle in the image); Dr Samir Singh, Vice President-R&D, Jubilant Ingrevia; Nitesh Mehta, Newreka Green Synth Technologies; Dr Pramod Kumbhar, Praj Industries; and Dr Sangeeta Shrivastava, Godavari Biorefineries. Biju Pillai, Deputy Editor of Chemical Weekly and HPIC India magazines, Chemical Weekly played the moderator of this session.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23590/anderson-diagnostics-expands-presence-with-cutting-edge-branch-in-chennai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23590/anderson-diagnostics-expands-presence-with-cutting-edge-branch-in-chennai.html Thu, 14 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Anderson Diagnostics, a prominent name in the diagnostic services sector since its establishment in 2008, has announced the upcoming inauguration of its state-of-the-art facility in Nanganallur, Chennai. This new diagnostic centre in Chennai is a valuable addition to Anderson Diagnostics' extensive network of centres dedicated to delivering premium diagnostic services across South India.  The facility highlights include multifaceted laboratory departments encompassing haematology, biochemistry, and immunology; cutting-edge technology to uphold its tradition of utilising state-of-the-art technology to facilitate top-notch healthcare; concentration on cancer and chronic diseases; and packages include women's wellness and comprehensive body check-ups for holistic healthcare. Anderson Diagnostics offers PET-CT scans and 3D Biopsy Imaging revolutionising digital mammograms with 3D biopsy imaging for digital mammograms. This innovative approach enhances early breast cancer detection and improves patient prognosis. The new facility is equipped with a comprehensive array of clinical laboratory departments, ensuring its ability to cater to diverse diagnostic needs. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23596/atezolizumab-bevacizumab-combination-extends-liver-cancer-patients-survival-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23596/atezolizumab-bevacizumab-combination-extends-liver-cancer-patients-survival-study.html Thu, 14 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 A first-of-its-kind study in real-world setting conducted in India by Asian Institute of Gastroenterology (AIG) and published in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology showed immunotherapy Atezolizumab-bevacizumab combination as a breakthrough in liver cancer treatment with a significant number of patients showing promising results in terms of overall and disease free survival even complete resolution of tumor in certain cases when detected early and with timely treatment. Immunotherapy Atezolizumab-Bevacizumab uses the immune system of the body and kills the cancer cells. It is found to be safe and effective in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC) in real-world settings. With the right selection of patients, atezolizumab-bevacizumab can achieve a good response in terms of survival period and disappearance of tumour. As part of the study, 67 patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma received Atezolizumab – Bevacizumab combination. The study involved 59 patients from AIG Hospital, Hyderabad and 8 patients from Mahatma Gandhi Medical College, Jaipur. The median age of the 67 patients who received Atezolizumab-Bevacizumab combination therapy was 61 (29–82) years, and 86% were males. The study was conducted across the two centres from November 1, 2020, to July 1, 2022 and was published in July 2023. Researchers highlighted that 12.9% of patients achieved complete resolution of tumour, and 25.8% achieved partial resolution or shrinking of tumours. Overall, the disease did not progress in 66.12% of the patients studied.  The study also showed that the patients who had received local radiation therapy and Atezolizumab-Bevacizumab combination had better response rates. This shows that Atezolizumab and Bevacizumab combination can be highly effective in patients who have undergone local radiation therapy.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23587/karnataka-govt-partners-with-c-camp-to-strengthen-public-health-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23587/karnataka-govt-partners-with-c-camp-to-strengthen-public-health-system.html Wed, 13 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based bioincubator Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) has entered into a strategic partnership with the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka to strengthen the state’s public health settings through indigenous and innovative health solutions. The partnership will facilitate identification, implementation and field integration of innovative health technologies in the state for augmenting infrastructure and healthcare delivery across primary to tertiary healthcare centres in urban and rural areas. The MoU which was recently signed between Karnataka Health Commissioner, D. Randeep, IAS, Commissionerate of Health and Family Welfare Services and Director-CEO of C-CAMP, Dr Taslimarif Saiyed was formally announced in the presence of Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Govt of Karnataka, Dinesh Gundu Rao. Dinesh Gundu Rao said, “Improved diagnostics and screening at the last-mile will be key for prevention of disease and early detection. We are prioritising these two areas as a means to boost health outcomes, especially in aspirational districts, while also nurturing high-quality home grown technologies. This MoU will be an immediate step in this direction.” By this agreement, C-CAMP will work in close co-ordination with the National Health Mission, Karnataka and Directorate of Health and Family Welfare Services to identify the critical gaps in the state’s public healthcare settings. The initiatives will range from pilot programmes to deployment at scale of indigenously developed innovative solutions.  The partnership is envisioned to help Karnataka achieve healthcare targets. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23581/merago-inc-partners-with-portea-medical-to-launch-home-healthcare-services-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23581/merago-inc-partners-with-portea-medical-to-launch-home-healthcare-services-in-india.html Tue, 12 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Merago Inc., a healthcare, financial technology company headquartered in Mountain View, California, US has announced the addition of home healthcare services to its platform in India. Merago has partnered with Portea Medical, Bengaluru-based outside of hospital healthcare provider, towards this end. The company had recently launched the Merago Digital Healthcare Network– an advanced personal healthcare management system for consumers.  Portea focuses on leveraging technology to innovate and provide patient-centric solutions including complex hospital-based procedures such as chemotherapy and dialysis at home. Through its technology driven services, the company effectively caters to the out-of-hospital healthcare needs of people. Since its inception, the company has successfully served more than 10,00,000+ patients across 40 cities in India. Rashmee Narayan, COO Merago Inc., said, “Digital healthcare has gone way beyond teleconsultations. Consumers are expecting complete health management tools at their fingertips. Merago is focused on delivering this continuum of personal healthcare. Our services span the spectrum from urgent care to second opinion services. Post-operative care and home healthcare services from Portea complete the offerings.” Vaibhav Tewari, Co-Founder and CEO, Portea Medical, said, “Merago brings the next generation in integrated health management, and we see Portea services seamlessly being part of the value chain. Their cutting-edge integrated health management aligns perfectly with our mission. Together, we are poised to enhance the continuum of care, making holistic and affordable medical services a reality for all our patients.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23582/maxivision-super-specialty-eye-hospitals-signs-mou-with-tamil-nadu-govt-to-set-up-eye-hospitals.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23582/maxivision-super-specialty-eye-hospitals-signs-mou-with-tamil-nadu-govt-to-set-up-eye-hospitals.html Tue, 12 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Maxivision Super Speciality Eye Hospitals has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Tamil Nadu to set up eye hospitals across the state under the project Velicham. The MoU was signed in the presence of M. K. Stalin, Chief Minister, Tamil Nadu; Dr T.R.B. Rajaa, Minister for Industries, Tamil Nadu; Dr GSK Velu, Promoter & Chairman, Maxivison; and other dignitaries. Cataract is the leading cause of blindness in Tamil Nadu, accounting for about 82 percent of all the cases among different causes. Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy and other causes comprise six percent each as the causes of blindness as per the Tamil Nadu Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness and Diabetic Retinopathy survey. With an objective to cater primary eye care to large underserved people, in deep rural pockets of the state, the government launched the project under the Public Private Partnership model with Maxivison Super Speciality Eye Hospitals. Dr GSK Velu, Promoter and Chairman of Maxivision Super Speciality Eye Hospitals, said, “As an immediate plan of action, Maxivision plans to open 20 to 30 comprehensive eye hospitals and 100 plus vision centres to cater to the increasing needs for high quality, standardised eye care services across Tamil Nadu in the next two years. Through this MoU we will invest Rs 400 crore and employ over 2000 people in state of Tamil Nadu within the next three to four years." Dr Shibu Varkey, Regional Medical Director of Maxivision Super Speciality Eye Hospitals said, “Maxivision will be launching its comprehensive state of the art eye hospitals across the state covering 12 cities viz Trichy, Salem, Tanjore, Perambalur, Kumbakonam, Erode, Madurai, Tuticorin, Tirunelveli, Nagerkoil, Coimbatore, Chennai with 15 super specialty eye hospitals and 20 Vision centres in rural areas connected by tele ophthalmology in next 6 months." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23573/ibm-renews-collaboration-with-iit-b-and-iisc-to-drive-hybrid-cloud-innovation-including-generative-ai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23573/ibm-renews-collaboration-with-iit-b-and-iisc-to-drive-hybrid-cloud-innovation-including-generative-ai.html Sat, 09 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 American technology corporation IBM has renewed its research collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B) and Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru to transform and drive breakthrough innovations in the field of hybrid cloud and artificial intelligence (AI). IIT-B joined the IBM AI Horizon Network in 2018 to advance AI research in India, and in 2021, IBM and IISc launched the IBM-IISc Hybrid Cloud lab to advance research in hybrid cloud technologies and drive breakthrough innovations in this area. Through the collaboration, IBM aims to drive innovation and provide practical solutions to complex global challenges by tapping the intellectual talent of students, faculty and industry researchers. By pushing the boundaries of knowledge and exploring new approaches, the project seeks to enhance various aspects of technology and contribute to a more advanced and efficient future. The collaborations will focus on machine learning for time series involving deep generative AI models for multi-variate data, and self-supervised representation learning models. These innovations can bring the power of foundation models and generative AI to multiple application areas such as healthcare, Industry 4.0 and smarter cities. The collaboration will also focus on extending the prior research in natural language processing and question answering, while striving to provide more comprehensive and accurate responses. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23571/marengo-asia-hospitals-partners-with-ministry-of-health-mongolia.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23571/marengo-asia-hospitals-partners-with-ministry-of-health-mongolia.html Fri, 08 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Marengo Asia Hospitals has announced its multi-level international partnership with three hospitals in Mongolia. This is a milestone as Marengo Asia Hospitals will be the very first healthcare provider to collaborate with the Ministry of Health, Government of Mongolia, where the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed with the Central Health Department, the Ministry of Health, the Central Military Hospital, and the First Affiliated Hospital, the three major healthcare institutes in Mongolia.  The ceremony was presided over by the Health Minister of Mongolia Chinzorig Sodnom; Member of Parliament Professor Chinburen Jigjidsuren,  and Narantuya Bayarmagnai, Director, Central Health Department.  Propagating the concept of a ‘clinical corridor’, Marengo Asia Hospitals has led the partnership with the Ministry of Health, Government of Mongolia to train 200 medical professionals. This is a strategic development aimed at enhancing healthcare services and promoting international collaboration. This endeavor brings together India and Mongolia to utilise the resources and talent to address the growing healthcare demands of the modern world. The key focus of the partnership will be on capacity building, and skills enhancement within the healthcare force. Training programmes, knowledge sharing, and professional development opportunities will be offered to medical professionals from Mongolia at Marengo Asia Hospitals. The doctors from Marengo Asia Hospitals will also visit Mongolia for OPDs and to operate on patients. The key specialties in the first phase to focus on will be Cardiac Sciences, Oncology, Neuroscience, Liver diseases, and Urology. The next level planned is conducting surgical master classes in the biggest government hospitals in Mongolia. The practice of clinical corridors and telemedicine will also be developed further for patients from Mongolia to connect with doctors for consultations. The current geographical presence of the hospitals includes Delhi NCR, Faridabad and Gurugram, Gujarat, Ahmedabad and Bhuj, and Jodhpur, Rajasthan.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23554/apollo-hospitals-expands-partnership-with-google-cloud-to-boost-healthcare-ecosystem-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23554/apollo-hospitals-expands-partnership-with-google-cloud-to-boost-healthcare-ecosystem-in-india.html Wed, 06 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Apollo Hospitals has announced an expanded partnership with Google Cloud to put healthcare in the hands of every Indian with Apollo’s digital platform, Apollo 24|7.  Built entirely on Google Cloud, Apollo 24|7 aims to deliver an omnichannel healthcare experience to people in India with telemedicine services, online doctor consultations, home delivery of medication, and improved clinician decision making. Key pillars of this partnership include: Apollo 24|7 teams worked with Google Cloud to build a Clinical Intelligence Engine (CIE) using Google Cloud’s Vertex AI and generative AI (gen AI) models. This enables doctors to identify the next best action for patients during consultations. The CIE service leverages data from Apollo Hospitals and large language models (LLMs) from Google Cloud to create a proprietary solution in which all patient data is kept securely within the hospitals’ systems. The platform also powers AskApollo, which helps patients with care navigation services. This first-of-its-kind service is built on top of Apollo’s CIE, which was developed using millions of real-world clinical data points gathered over 40 years of clinical excellence, and analyzed using Google Cloud’s advanced AI and machine learning technologies. Apollo Hospitals is also exploring the use of Med-PaLM 2, a LLM developed by Google that is trained on medical knowledge, and can answer medical questions and generate clinical text summaries.  “Generative AI has the transformative power to bring conversational medicine to clinicians and patients alike,” said Thomas Kurian, CEO, Google Cloud. “Our work with Apollo Hospitals will improve accessibility in healthcare, support clinicians and care teams, and drive better patient engagement—ultimately benefiting millions of Indians.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23558/microbiome-company-leucine-rich-bio-inaugurates-gut-health-clinic-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23558/microbiome-company-leucine-rich-bio-inaugurates-gut-health-clinic-in-bengaluru.html Wed, 06 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 South Asia’s pioneering microbiome company Leucine Rich Bio, a recipient of the National Startup Award 2021 in the “health and wellness” category, has inaugurated one-of-a-kind gut health clinic in Bengaluru. The event witnessed the participation of doctors (MBBS, naturopathy), nutritionists, researchers, founders, CEOs and wellness enthusiasts. With the clinic and lab on the same premises, patients can gain an understanding of the workings of the unique next-generation sequencing based gut microbiome test. At Leucine Rich Bio, an in-depth analysis of patients’ gut microbiome or the microorganisms present inside the human gut is done. The clinic will be using cutting-edge technology-enabled products like BugSpeaks (microbiome test), RychBiome (Indian data-based nutraceuticals), and other tests like urine metabolite tests and other products known to improve gut health and wellness. The clinic will provide effective consultation to patients through experienced doctors and nutritionists. With a rich collection of the world’s largest gut microbiome shotgun metagenomics data, Leucine Rich Bio is about to set a potential gold standard for evaluating the gut health of a person.  The team of scientists at Leucine Rich Bio will train a set of healthcare professionals with their understanding of health and wellness. Subsequently, the company will be opening fifteen more clinics pan India by 2025 to work on improving gut health across the country.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23548/iit-kanpur-joins-forces-with-up-university-of-medical-sciences-for-advancing-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23548/iit-kanpur-joins-forces-with-up-university-of-medical-sciences-for-advancing-healthcare.html Tue, 05 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC), a technology business incubator at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences in Saifai, Etawah. Both institutions have come together with a shared vision to drive transformational advancements in healthcare technologies.  The collaborative efforts of SIIC IIT Kanpur and Uttar Pradesh (UP) University of Medical Sciences will initially revolve around the promotion of non-invasive medical devices, leveraging the expertise of both institutions. The contribution of Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences will encompass the facilitation of vital clinical trials for these devices, driving them towards real-world application and benefiting patients. The collaboration between SIIC IIT Kanpur and Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences goes beyond traditional limits, encompassing a wide range of cooperative efforts. These efforts involve enhancing mentoring, training, and research quality, allowing startups and innovators to utilise shared resources, fostering dynamic collaboration among different stakeholders through interactive events, sharing research infrastructure and expertise within a collaborative framework, and collectively participating in crucial healthcare projects on both national as well as international levels. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23545/indo-us-collaboration-to-advance-research-implement-eye-care-screening-programmes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23545/indo-us-collaboration-to-advance-research-implement-eye-care-screening-programmes.html Mon, 04 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 India’s leading eye care institute Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital (SCEH) and the National Eye Institute (NEI), part of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), an agency of the US Department of Health and Human Services, have inaugurated a dedicated centre for their ongoing initiative, Project Prakash. A successful collaboration between India and the United States (US) since 2005, Project Prakash aims at bringing light into the lives of curably blind children while simultaneously engaging in fundamental scientific research which explains how the brain develops and learns to see. Since 2006, all surgical treatments are conducted at Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital in Delhi, ensuring the highest standards of care and science. The new centre inaugurated at SCEH will provide both organisations a space to advance research and implement community screening programmes. The Project Prakash Centre was inaugurated by Loyce Pace, Assistant Secretary for Global Affairs (OGA), US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) in the presence of Dr Michael Chiang, Director, National Eye Institute (NEI). Project Prakash is an initiative wherein children and adolescents between the ages of 8 and 22 years are treated for bilateral congenital cataracts. Through cataract removal surgeries and interocular lens implantations, their qualitative or functional vision improves tremendously and the quantitative vision is restored 40 to 60 percent. Over the last 18 years, through Project Prakash, 62,000 children have been screened, 800+ children have been provided surgery and 30 children have been provided education and vocational rehabilitation.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23547/trilife-hospital-to-invest-rs-1500-cr-for-setting-up-5-new-hospitals-in-bengaluru-and-tier-ii-cities-in-karnataka.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23547/trilife-hospital-to-invest-rs-1500-cr-for-setting-up-5-new-hospitals-in-bengaluru-and-tier-ii-cities-in-karnataka.html Mon, 04 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Leading healthcare services provider, ‘Specialist Hospital’, Bengaluru will now be known as ‘Trilife Hospital’. The rebranding exercise was undertaken by the hospital after completing a decade of providing high quality healthcare facilities and services to the people. Under the Trilife banner, the hospital will continue to provide a full range of healthcare services, while striving to redefine the standards of patient care and medical innovation. Trilife Hospital will therefore remain the same dedicated entity, providing exceptional care, amenities, and services by the same group of expert healthcare professionals, with focus on elevating the quality of healthcare services to greater heights. The management also plans to invest Rs 1500 crore in setting up 5 new hospitals in Bengaluru and Tier II cities, which will provide employment to around 10,000 healthcare professionals in the next 3 to 5 years. Trilife Hospital is currently a 200 bedded hospital, employing over 800 healthcare professionals offering a range of primary and tertiary healthcare services. As Trilife Hospital, a key focus area will be preventive maintenance, with emphasis on the importance of proactive healthcare management. “Under the Trilife brand, we will be introducing robotic services for advanced neurorehabilitation. Additionally, we will soon unveil a sprawling 50,000 square foot outpatient department. Looking ahead, we plan to expand our presence across multiple locations in Bengaluru and Tier II cities over the next 3 to 5 years. This expansion effort will include the establishment of 5 new hospitals, with an investment of approximately Rs 1500 crore. Our growth will also create employment opportunities for around 10,000 healthcare professionals, encouraging them to remain in our country,” said Dr. Shafiq, co-founder of the hospital.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23535/medibuddy-secures-18-m-funding-to-drive-strategic-acquisitions-and-continued-expansion.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23535/medibuddy-secures-18-m-funding-to-drive-strategic-acquisitions-and-continued-expansion.html Thu, 31 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based digital healthcare platform MediBuddy has secured additional funding of $18 million, reaffirming unwavering support from the existing investors Quadria Capital, Lightrock, and TEAMFund. This infusion of equity capital, amplifies MediBuddy's steadfast dedication to growth and expansion through strategic acquisitions.  In February 2022, MediBuddy raised $125 million during the Series C funding. The recent additional funding puts MediBuddy in a solid position to navigate the current landscape and achieve its ambitious growth targets over the next three years. A formidable portion of these funds shall be channelled into strategic acquisitions and fortifying its existing offerings, synergistically harmonising with MediBuddy's visionary trajectory and enabling exponential growth. Satish Kannan, Co-Founder and CEO of MediBuddy, said, "MediBuddy's growth trajectory has consistently achieved a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 95.5% over the past three years. The additional funds will be critical in driving our strategic acquisition initiatives, further expanding our reach, and enhancing the depth and breadth of our services." This growth has been fuelled by its presence in both Corporate and Retail domains. Two of MediBuddy’s recent strategic acquisitions, such as Clinix, an online medical consultation platform focusing on rural India, and US-based Aetna Inc’s vHealth by Aetna business (Indian Health Organization Pvt Ltd), have further amplified its presence in the healthcare domain. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23532/novo-nordisk-education-foundation-adds-another-centre-of-excellence-in-karnataka.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23532/novo-nordisk-education-foundation-adds-another-centre-of-excellence-in-karnataka.html Wed, 30 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Cementing its commitment towards managing Type 1 diabetes (T1D) among children in India, Novo Nordisk Education Foundation (NNEF), a non-government organisation established by Novo Nordisk India, has added one more Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Karnataka with Indira Gandhi institute of Child Health. NNEF has been supporting sustainable care for people living with T1D through Centres of Excellence in close partnership with state governments and prestigious medical colleges. In this context, NNEF has now developed 7 CoEs with various state governments. As a public-private partnership, this CoE will cater to the immediate need of building capacity and capability to fulfil the unmet needs of people living with T1D in the country. It will provide holistic care through a host of services, including a dedicated dietician for consultation, doctors for regular health check-ups, diabetes monitoring, laboratory tests, and efforts to strengthen the overall T1D care ecosystem. Camilla Sylvest - Executive Vice President, Commercial Strategy & Corporate Affairs, Novo Nordisk visited the Centre of Excellence and said, “We hope that this Centre of Excellence will not just provide integrated care to children who need it the most, but also lead to a sustainable model of integrated care for children living with Type 1 diabetes in Karnataka." Lauding the development, Vikrant Shrotriya - Managing Trustee, Novo Nordisk Education Foundation said, “There are over 8.6 lakh people living with T1D in India, of which 2.8 lakh individuals are below the age of 20 years. It is therefore critical to increase awareness at the grass-root level in India, to help with early diagnosis."  The Centres of Excellence (CoEs) are part of NNEF’s focused strategic approach towards sustainability. These public-private partnerships, between Novo Nordisk Education Foundation and leading public healthcare institutions across the nation, are dedicated to providing integrated care to children living with T1D. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23525/abbott-introduces-vertigo-coach-app-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23525/abbott-introduces-vertigo-coach-app-in-india.html Tue, 29 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 US-based medtech and healthcare firm Abbott has launched the ‘Vertigo Coach’ app in India, a digital health solution to help people with vertigo get the information and resources they need to manage their condition holistically, at any time of the day. It will act as a companion to people living with vertigo, helping them manage their condition by empowering them with tips on lifestyle choices and exercise. The Vertigo Coach app will serve as a one-stop platform offering information about symptoms, common vertigo triggers, and how to manage vertigo episodes. By providing information about symptoms and ways to manage vertigo episodes, the app can further improve meaningful interactions between patients and their physicians. Additionally, it helps people stay on top of their treatment plan by helping users keep track of their medicines and avoid inadvertently missing a dose by scheduling a time to take pills daily. Automated push notifications and pill reminders make taking medication on-time hassle-free. Vivek V Kamath, Managing Director, Abbott India Limited, said, “Vertigo, is a disorienting condition that can be effectively managed with appropriate steps. It’s important to help people understand it fully and simplify their journey to better health.” Over 9.9 million people in India live with vertigo, a balance disorder that results in a sudden, unpleasant sensation that makes people feel like the world is spinning around. Although similar in some ways, vertigo and regular dizziness are not the same. Dizziness makes you feel off-balance or lightheaded, while vertigo creates the false feeling that your surroundings are moving or spinning. This “spinning sensation” can be extreme and affects a person’s balance. An episode of vertigo can last from a few seconds to a few hours, or even a few days. A vertigo episode can happen at any age, but it is more commonly observed in the elderly, with about 30% of people over 60 years of age and 50% over 85 years of age experiencing vertigo and dizziness. Women are two to three times more likely to experience them than men. Fortunately, there are ways to effectively manage vertigo. This involves a holistic approach with physical therapy, medication in consultation with one’s doctor, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23517/karkinos-healthcare-and-bayer-to-elevate-cancer-screening-in-mumbai-and-puducherry.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23517/karkinos-healthcare-and-bayer-to-elevate-cancer-screening-in-mumbai-and-puducherry.html Mon, 28 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Mumbai-based startup Karkinos Healthcare and the global life sciences leader Bayer are collaborating to scale up cancer screening in target communities in Mumbai and Puducherry. The collaboration combines Karkinos' focus on early detection with Bayer's vision of “Health for All” and aims to remedy cancer care disparities in target communities over the next two years. Through this project, the aim is to screen 100,000 individuals, focusing on the following types of cancers: oral, breast, cervix, colorectal, and prostate. The initiative also ensures a care continuum by working closely in partnership with the community and local institutions. Manoj Saxena, Managing Director, Bayer Pharma said “Our collaboration with Karkinos Healthcare will increase access to latest screening technologies for those in need, making timely diagnosis a reality for all”. Dr Moni Abraham Kuriakose – Co-Founder, Medical Director, & CEO Kerala Operations, Karkinos Healthcare, said, " Early detection is the cornerstone for conquering cancer, enabling more effective and less invasive treatments. Teaming up with Bayer, we're starting a big effort to transform how we find cancer early in India." This comprehensive cancer screening and early detection initiative will include inviting participants systematically, conducting screening tests based on individualised risk assessment, evaluating diagnostics, and referring positive cases to appropriate medical centres for treatment. Karkinos will utilise its existing network to amplify cancer awareness and screening across diverse community settings in these regions. Bayer, renowned for its expertise in healthcare, will serve as a catalyst to create sustainable ecosystems for equitable cancer care. The partnership aligns seamlessly with the mission of both organisations to enhance healthcare access and reduce disparities. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23518/apollo-connect-programme-bets-big-on-expanding-access-and-elevating-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23518/apollo-connect-programme-bets-big-on-expanding-access-and-elevating-care.html Mon, 28 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Apollo has announced a pan-India expansion of their one-of-a-kind connected care programme, Apollo Connect. With this, Apollo aims at creating the largest connected healthcare ecosystem in India, empowering hospitals and nursing homes across metros & non-metros to offer holistic and superior patient care. To create significant benefit for this connected care partner network, Apollo Connect has rolled out services like eICU, diagnostics, surgical consultations, remote monitoring, clinical & quality training as well as accreditation support across India. By building a robust connected care partner network through collaborations, Apollo Connect aims to strengthen the healthcare ecosystem in India by improving last mile patient access, affordability and experience. Through this programme, Apollo’s partner hospitals will be able to enhance the services they offer patients, achieve superior clinical outcomes, improve patient retention, save costs and strengthen business performance. Apollo Connect, further promises to provide neighbourhood hospitals and nursing homes the ecosystem support to help patients get access to quality healthcare they need, closer to home, and reduce the financial burden of travel and logistics. For the past two years, Apollo has been piloting Apollo Connect with specialty hospitals and nursing homes pan-India and has seen immense success across the board – for instance, a super specialty hospital in Moradabad has set up their own in-house laboratory in collaboration with Apollo diagnostics, a multispecialty hospital in Chhattisgarh has increased ICU occupancy by 50% in partnership with Apollo’s eICU service; a super specialty hospital chain in Bangalore is able to take on more complex emergency cases through frequent training and consults from Apollo’s critical care team.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23519/urgent-need-to-address-shortage-of-critical-anti-tb-drugs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23519/urgent-need-to-address-shortage-of-critical-anti-tb-drugs.html Mon, 28 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Survivors Against TB (SATB), a collective of tuberculosis (TB) survivors, experts, and advocates, has written to Mansukh Mandaviya, the Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, to address the alarming shortage of vital anti-TB drugs across different parts of the country. Reports have surfaced indicating a severe shortage of essential anti-TB medications, including Linezolid, Clofazimine, and Cycloserine, in government hospitals and private pharmacies in Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh, and potentially other states. This crisis, initially brought to light by patient advocates and news reports, is raising concerns about a possible nationwide crisis affecting TB patients' access to crucial medications. These medications are critical components of TB treatment regimens, especially for Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR TB). The reported shortage, observed since June 2023, has the potential to endanger the health and well-being of patients who rely on these medications for their TB treatment.   To address this crisis, SATB is requesting the the Ministry to conduct a comprehensive national investigation into the drug shortages and the distribution of drugs nearing their expiry date; ensure the rapid procurement and distribution of Linezolid, Clofazimine, and Cycloserine to government hospitals and private pharmacies. There is also a need to establish a robust mechanism for drug forecasting to prevent future shortages and ensure a continuous supply of essential anti-TB medications.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23498/collaboration-between-industry-and-academia-is-required-to-address-the-current-challenges-of-malaria-tb-dengue-and-rsv-dr-n-k-arora.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23498/collaboration-between-industry-and-academia-is-required-to-address-the-current-challenges-of-malaria-tb-dengue-and-rsv-dr-n-k-arora.html Sat, 26 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 At the 2nd edition of the India Vaccine Leaders Conclave (IVLC), Dr N K Arora, Co-Chair, Covid Vaccine Candidate Advisory Committee, Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Executive Director, INCLEN Trust, stated, "The last three years have clearly shown that the government is ready to invest catalytic funds for R&D for vaccine development. It has supported all vaccine candidate platforms in the country like mRNA, DNA, inactivated and protein sub-unit, among others, and is ready to provide support for R&D provided both the leadership from the industry and academia collaborate in an effective way". The two-day conclave commenced on August 22  under the theme 'Building Resilient Vaccine Ecosystems' in Mumbai. Highlighting the need for continuous global disease surveillance, he added that collaboration between industry and academia at national and international level is required to address the current challenges in the form of diseases like malaria, TB, dengue and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The event, which brought together leading experts from around the world, was aimed at showcasing how vaccination plays a crucial role in improving global health throughout all stages of life. The event featured keynote sessions, plenary talks and poster presentations and provided an excellent platform for networking opportunities with industry peers. The event was organised by BlueTech Media. Ashish Chauhan, Director, BlueTech Media, conducted the proceedings during the event. It was recommended that in order to implement life course vaccination, developing and drafting a road map or the policy and strategy should be initiated with private-public sector intervention.There is a need to ensure vaccine security and be future-ready for adult vaccination. Initiatives should be taken to educate public healthcare providers and members of professional associations and medical bodies for advocacy about currently available vaccines for adult age groups. This can help people to make an informed choice and healthcare providers to share information with citizens. A panel discussion was hosted on exploring global partnership in vaccine development which was moderated by Dr Kavita Singh , MD, South Asia Drugs for Neglected Disease Initiative (Advisory Board). Panelists included Dr Raj K Shirumalla, Mission Director, National Biopharma Mission BIRAC; Nitin Jain Sr General Manager & Divisional Head Zydus Life Sciences; Dr Ramesh Matur Sr VP, R&D, Biological E Limited; Dr Ashish Sahai, Additional Director, Serum Institute of India and Dr Tathagata Mukherjee, General Manager, Gennova Biopharmaceuticals. There was a presentation on Aseptic Operations in Vaccine Manufacturing by Dr Ashish Sahai, Additional Director, Serum Institute of India (SII), a presentation on Considerations for Single use Bioreactors in Vaccine Manufacturing by Manish Pathani,  Application Specialist, Cytiva and a presentation on Journey of India’s First mRNA Platform by Dr Ajay Singh, Head, mRNA, Gennova Biopharmaceuticals and a presentation on Vaccine Landscape in India and Role of Life Course Immunisation in reducing vaccine-preventable disease by Nitin Jain, Senior General Manager, Zydus Life Sciences.    Bhagwati Prasad ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23499/ihub-anubhuti-iiitd-foundation-dha-to-drive-healthcare-innovation-and-joint-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23499/ihub-anubhuti-iiitd-foundation-dha-to-drive-healthcare-innovation-and-joint-research.html Sat, 26 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 iHub Anubhuti-IIITD Foundation, established under the aegis of the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, has signed a Memorandum of Undertanding (MoU) with Digital Health Associates (DHA) to drive digital healthcare innovation and academic excellence.  This landmark partnership is set to revolutionise healthcare through joint research endeavours and academic exchanges aimed at synergising strengths, driving innovation, and addressing critical public health challenges in India.  The collaboration seeks to propel the development of life-saving prevention, treatment, and management tools against diseases that hold significant public health priority in India. By fostering and conducting high-quality research, the partnership endeavours to fortify and expedite the advancement of healthcare solutions that can transform lives. One of the key focuses of the partnership is to design faculty and student training programmes to enhance skills and competencies in the healthcare sector. Comprehensive training programmes ranging from 1 to 12 months will be conducted which will aim at equipping professionals, with the expertise required to navigate emerging healthcare technologies. Along with this, a holistic Quality Improvement Programme will be conducted to elevate the entire healthcare ecosystem. During this, the student projects and ideas will be transformed into tangible products and services by combining efforts with iHub to bring a real-world impact. A series of collaborative workshops focusing on Digital Health will be organised nationwide. These workshops aim to share knowledge and insights regarding the challenges and opportunities within the healthcare sector.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23503/panasonic-life-solutions-india-inaugurates-project-of-mobile-medical-unit-in-thane.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23503/panasonic-life-solutions-india-inaugurates-project-of-mobile-medical-unit-in-thane.html Sat, 26 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Panasonic Life Solutions India, one of the largest manufacturers of electrical construction materials (ECM) in the country, has launched a mobile medical unit with the support of Gurukrupa foundation to improve the health conditions of people in Thane. This ongoing effort under the Arogyadoot project will aim to provide Primary Health Care through a Mobile Medical Unit. The van will cater to residents of low-income groups in Chirag Nagar, Majiwada, Nalpada, Kokanipada, and Dharmveer Nagar treating OPD ailments while performing blood and sugar tests, as well as offering generic drug support for fever, cough, cold, viral infection, and other skin problems which will be free of cost. This endeavor with the support of the Gurukrupa foundation will aim to increase the impact of providing health care systems to people of low-income groups. The inauguration commenced in presence of Yoshiyuki Kato, Managing Director at Panasonic Life Solutions India along with Dr Rajesh Barot Dean of Rajiv Gandhi Medical College and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital, Kalwa and Smitali Umraskar - Dy Medical officer Health at Thane Municipal corporation.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23504/aarohan-social-innovation-awards-2023-by-infosys-recognises-novel-healthcare-solutions.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23504/aarohan-social-innovation-awards-2023-by-infosys-recognises-novel-healthcare-solutions.html Sat, 26 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Infosys Foundation, the philanthropic and CSR arm of Infosys, has announced the winners of the third edition of the Aarohan Social Innovation Awards. These awards, established in 2018, aim to recognise and reward individuals, teams, and NGOs for creating pathbreaking solutions for social good, benefiting the underprivileged in India. This year, Infosys Foundation recognised winners across three categories: Healthcare, Education, and Women Empowerment. The winners were shortlisted from a pool of over 2,400 submissions and evaluated by an esteemed jury. Awarded Rs 50 lakh each in prize money, the winners, across categories, of the Aarohan Social Innovation Awards 2023 are: Healthcare – Subrahmanyam Prasad Muddam and Akitha Kolloju from Hyderabad who developed ‘nLite 360’ – an advanced, portable, standalone, and battery-powered smart phototherapy device that provides customised treatment for severe and dynamic jaundice conditions. Education – Seetharam Muthangi from Bengaluru who developed ‘Smart Vision Glasses’ – an artificial intelligence-enriched assistive device that helps people with visual disabilities identify objects and people, gauge distance, detect currency, read books and manuscripts in Indian regional languages, among other things. Women Empowerment – Shelter Associates, an NGO from Pune that created ‘One Home One Toilet’ – a data-driven model focused on facilitating sanitized household toilets for the underprivileged urban women. In addition to the category winners, the jury recognised five social innovations and awarded their creators prize money of Rs 10 lakh each. The Jury’s Special Award-winning innovations are: Swaasa – An artificial intelligence platform that can be used for the screening and diagnosis of respiratory diseases, created by Narayana Rao Sripada, Manmohan Jain and Venkat Yechuri in Hyderabad.   SickleCert – A cost-effective and accurate point-of-care test for sickle-cell anemia that can also be used in prognosis and treatment setup, developed by Prof. Sai Siva Gorthi, Arun Balasubramanian, Rajesh Srinivasan, and Yatish Prasad Dasari in Bengaluru. Portia – A self-contained portable oxygen generator providing a continuous, uninterrupted supply of medical-grade oxygen during pre-hospital or pre-ambulatory medical emergencies without any reliance on electricity, batteries, or a skilled healthcare resource, developed by John Joy and Sanjay K Pillai in Bengaluru. Emvólio – A portable, battery-powered refrigeration device for last-mile transport of vaccines, developed by Mayur U Shetty in Manipal. Modha Pedal Operating Machine – It aims to eradicate chronic knee pain and lower back pain issues faced by women handloom weavers, empowering the longevity of their weaving careers, developed by Sivakumar Modha in Hyderabad.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23505/medix-global-announces-winners-of-digital-health-innovation-challenge-2023.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23505/medix-global-announces-winners-of-digital-health-innovation-challenge-2023.html Sat, 26 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Medix Global, a pioneering healthcare management company, has announced the winners of the Medix’ Digital Health Innovation Challenge 2023 - India. This trailblazing initiative highlighted the compelling combination of collaboration, technology, and innovation in tackling India's critical healthcare concerns, with a particular focus on women's health and mental well-being. The challenge recognised visionary healthtech startups and innovators that are leveraging effective and exceptional digital and artificial intelligence (AI) driven solutions that will transform the Indian healthcare industry. It attracted 146 applications from startups across India. Over 1,000 attendees at the event witnessed the announcement of the Winner and the two runners-up. Jumping Minds, the winner of the challenge, offers an innovative solution in the realm of mental well-being. Their platform serves as an anonymous, safe, and secure service for the younger generations. It smartly connects them to the right peers dedicated to personal and emotional development. MyHealthcare, the first runner-up in the challenge, offers a digital care ecosystem that improves healthcare delivery services, enhancing patient care outcomes. NewMi, the second runner-up, excels in women's healthcare by offering a comprehensive approach to address women specific health issues.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23495/india-and-germany-collaborate-to-bridge-healthcare-worker-gap.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23495/india-and-germany-collaborate-to-bridge-healthcare-worker-gap.html Thu, 24 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Indo-Euro Synchronization (IES) has announced the groundbreaking event, ‘Upskilling Certification Linked to Nursing Employment in Germany’, which took place recently at India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. The event served as a catalyst for fostering collaborations between Germany and India while prominently spotlighting the wealth of lucrative career opportunities within the health sector, particularly in the field of nursing. At the inaugural stage, IES has set the ambitious goal of selecting 2000 students from diverse regions across India in its inaugural year. The selection process is based on comprehensive counselling and rigorous psychometric evaluations, with a primary focus on B.Sc. Nursing students. IES plans to gradually expand this number in the subsequent years. Upon successful selection, students will undergo intensive full-time training meticulously crafted to meet German standards, conducted within Indian centres. After obtaining certification, all candidates will receive robust support in securing desirable employment positions in Germany's healthcare industry. Lukas Rogge, Head of Global Business Operation, Calmoroi Germany said: "Our skilled team is committed to addressing Germany's pressing deficit of 1.8 million healthcare professionals. Through collaboration, we're facilitating the transition of up to 50 Indian healthcare professionals per month to Germany, with plans to increase this number. This initiative span locations and begins with language training in India, forming a solid foundation for seamless integration.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23487/kenko-health-tata-1mg-make-healthcare-delivery-more-accessible-and-affordable.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23487/kenko-health-tata-1mg-make-healthcare-delivery-more-accessible-and-affordable.html Tue, 22 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Mumbai-based Kenko Health, a health financing startup, has taken a significant stride in the healthcare industry by announcing its strategic partnership with Tata 1mg. This partnership aims to revolutionise healthcare accessibility and affordability for millions of people across India, ensuring faster and seamless healthcare delivery services that will cover a wide range of 20,000+ postal codes. With an ever-growing demand for accessible and cost-effective healthcare essentials, the alliance between Kenko Health and Tata 1mg comes at a crucial time. Through this dynamic partnership, Kenko Health is all set to extend its reach and cater to its valued customers by offering an extensive range of essential medical products, wellness items, and cutting-edge healthcare devices from Shoho - The Kenko Store. Leveraging Tata 1mg's vast supply chain, covering over 20,000+ postal codes, Kenko will ensure efficient and timely delivery, resulting in a highly satisfying experience for its customers. On this occasion, Nikhil Behera, Head - Business Operations, Kenko Health said, "By leveraging Kenko Health's expertise in the healthcare industry and combining it with Tata 1mg's extensive delivery network covering 20,000+ postal codes, we are confident that we can efficiently cater to the needs of our customers seamlessly." About the collaboration, Ambareesh Mandelia, SVP and Head of Corporate Health & Wellness, Tata 1mg, stated, “By leveraging the strengths and USPs of both companies, we aim to enhance healthcare accessibility, affordability, and overall well-being for millions of individuals and families alike." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23477/health-tech-startup-bonatra-launches-wearable-smart-rings-for-wellness.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23477/health-tech-startup-bonatra-launches-wearable-smart-rings-for-wellness.html Mon, 21 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based startup Bonatra, a longevity focused health-tech company that helps people live longer, healthier lives through IOMT-enabled and doctor-led lifestyle programs, has launched wearable smart rings. The newly launched smart rings are designed to continuously monitor a range of health parameters, empowering users to live longer and healthier lives. Bonatra's Smart Rings come equipped with advanced features that provide valuable insights into various aspects of health. The device has the capability to track key parameters such as sleep score and readiness score. The sleep score feature employs advanced algorithms to analyse sleep stages, duration, and quality, resulting in improvements in sleep patterns and overall well-being. The readiness score provides users with a comprehensive assessment of their body's preparedness for the day, enabling them to make informed decisions about their activities. Made from aerospace-grade titanium alloys, the smart ring X1 offers durability. The hypoallergenic medical-grade resin ensures comfort during prolonged wear, while the IP68 rating makes the smart ring X1 suitable for various activities including swimming, deep diving, sailing, surfing, and trekking. Starting at Rs 9,999, the smart ring X1 offers a comprehensive health solution where users will receive a three-month complimentary coach enabled programme, connecting them with certified health coaches and doctors who will guide them in understanding and improving their health based on the data collected by the ring. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23475/who-launches-new-global-initiative-on-digital-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23475/who-launches-new-global-initiative-on-digital-health.html Sun, 20 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the G20 India presidency announced a new Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH) at the Health Minister’s Meeting of the G20 Summit hosted by the Government of India. The new GIDH initiative will operate as a WHO-managed network and platform to support the implementation of the Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020–2025. WHO serves as the Secretariat for the strategy implementation to converge and convene global standards, best practices and resources to fast track digital health system transformation.   The GIDH initiative aims to bring countries and partners together to achieve measurable outcomes by: developing clear priority-driven investment plans for digital health transformation; improving reporting and transparency of digital health resources; facilitating knowledge exchange and collaboration across regions and countries to accelerate progress; supporting whole-of-government approaches for digital health governance in countries; and increasing technical and financial support to the implementation of the Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020–2025 and its next phase. WHO and partners have announced substantial commitments in cash and kind from multiple stakeholders to support the launch of this new Initiative.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23465/call-on-g20-countries-to-prioritise-spine-care-implement-national-spine-care-programmes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23465/call-on-g20-countries-to-prioritise-spine-care-implement-national-spine-care-programmes.html Fri, 18 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Calling for a proactive approach to prioritise spine care in national health programmes, the fourth SPINE20 annual summit has come up with recommendations for G20 countries, with a focus on raising awareness on the issue and ensuring accessible and affordable quality care. Spine societies from across the globe were gathered on a single platform to brainstorm recommendations for G20 countries on spine care at the two-day event. The annual summit, which took place in India recently, was hosted by the Association of Spine Surgeons of India (ASSI) at India Habitat Centre (IHC), New Delhi.  “The draft recommendations for SPINE20 2023, which were voted upon and finalised on the second day of the event laid focus on eliminating structural barriers to accessing timely rehabilitation for back pain to reduce poverty. The final recommendations also called for raising awareness of how everyday lifestyle decisions regarding wellness, physical activity, smoking, and nutrition, affect the world's resources and spine health” says Dr HS Chhabra, Chair Spine20 2023 and Chief of Spine and Rehabilitation Centre at Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute.  Other recommendations included implementing cost-effective, evidence-based practice for digital transformation in spine care, delivering self-management and prevention, evaluating practice, and measuring outcomes. The high-level discussions on spine care called for supporting the development, implementation, and evaluation of standardization processes for spine care delivery systems encompassing genomic, psychological, social, and cultural dimensions of population health needs.  In addition, the final recommendations included raising awareness of safety lapses in primary care including risk factors of spinal disability and chronicity, and ensuring accessible and affordable quality care to persons with spine-related disorders, deformities, and injuries throughout the lifespan. The main highlight of the recommendations was for G20 countries to prioritise and implement a National Spinal Care programme to improve spine care.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23468/adb-invests-40-5-m-in-early-childhood-development-maternal-mental-health-in-meghalaya.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23468/adb-invests-40-5-m-in-early-childhood-development-maternal-mental-health-in-meghalaya.html Fri, 18 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $40.5 million loan for integrated early childhood development (ECD) and maternal mental health in Meghalaya. The state government is contributing $15.27 million to the project. The project will strengthen home-based childcare (children 0–1.5 years) and centre-based childcare (1.5–6 years) through daycare (Anganwadi) centres in Meghalaya. The project aims to improve access to nurturing care, including a component of maternal mental healthcare and group-based parenting programmes to enable the inclusion of fathers in caregiving. ADB’s assistance will also improve nutrient adequacy by adding eggs to the diet of pregnant and lactating women and children 0.5–6 years of age. As one of several climate-resilient features, the project will also help establish nutrition gardens at Anganwadi centers (AWC) for improved diet diversity and nutrition security. The ADB-supported project will upgrade 1,800 AWCs and construct around 600 new AWCs in hard-to-reach areas with climate-resilient design. These AWCs will serve as daycare centers, and staff will be augmented with a new ECD educator who will help extend center-based childcare services to children 1.5–3 years old, in addition to children 3-6 years of age. A $2 million technical assistance grant from the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific will help develop guidelines and training curricula for AWC staff and ECD educators. A new state resource centre for the developing child will be also established to serve as a centre of excellence for ECD services. ADB will carry out a first-of-its-kind large scale evaluation to assess the effectiveness of integrated ECD interventions in a lower middle-income country to inform national and global childcare policies. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23470/george-institute-for-global-health-to-improve-maternal-neonatal-healthcare-in-rural-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23470/george-institute-for-global-health-to-improve-maternal-neonatal-healthcare-in-rural-india.html Fri, 18 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The George Institute for Global Health India has announced that their project, aimed at transforming maternal and neonatal healthcare in rural communities across India, is one of nearly 50 Grand Challenges Catalysing Equitable Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use grants announced by the Gates Foundation. The funding will be utilised to integrate an innovative AI-based solution into the SMARThealth Pregnancy system, enabling two-way communication support between frontline health workers and rural beneficiaries. The ultimate goal is to reduce maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity. With a funding amount of $85,265, and working with AI experts from the University of Oxford Computational Health informatics Laboratory, The George Institute India will expand the capabilities of the SMARThealth Pregnancy system, an advanced platform that combines frontline healthcare staff with artificial intelligence to deliver high-quality prenatal and postnatal care. This creative approach aims to address the healthcare challenges faced by resource-constrained regions, including the scarcity of healthcare workers and gender-related obstacles, in order to provide comprehensive healthcare to women in remote areas of low- and middle-income nations. By integrating GPT-4, an AI large language model, into the SMARThealth Pregnancy API, The institute aims to significantly enhance the quality and contextual relevance of healthcare information and services provided by frontline health professionals. This technological advancement will have a profound impact on women's and newborns' health knowledge, behaviors, and outcomes in the long run.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23471/dr-agarwals-health-care-raises-rs-650-cr-to-expand-network-to-300-hospitals.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23471/dr-agarwals-health-care-raises-rs-650-cr-to-expand-network-to-300-hospitals.html Fri, 18 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Dr. Agarwal’s Health Care Ltd. (DAHCL) has raised $80 million (Rs 650 crore) from existing investors TPG Growth (the middle market and growth equity platform of leading global alternative asset management firm, TPG) and Temasek, (a global investment company headquartered in Singapore).  The fundraise will provide significant capital to fuel the company’s expansion plans. The company plans to deploy capital to expand the current network of 150+ centres to over 300+ centres in the next 3 years. The company has new projects in development in Mumbai, Punjab, central and northern India, among others. The company continues to achieve growth and success in its key markets including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and West Bengal. Along with the expansion of the network, the company will also be investing in technological advancements for vision correction such as SMILE, Laser Cataract Surgery and for advanced technologies to treat vitreo-retinal diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. Prof. (Dr) Amar Agarwal, Chairman, Dr. Agarwal’s Group of Eye Hospitals said, “The new investments will be used to expand our Indian and International footprint, along with acquiring the latest technologies for super-specialty eyecare.”  Dr Adil Agarwal, CEO, Dr. Agarwal’s Group of Eye Hospitals added, “The investment will be used to support the business through its next phase of growth, including the acquisition of small hospitals and chains as well as greenfield expansion of our network. We are looking at doubling our network in the next 3 years and are also looking to expand aggressively in Maharashtra, Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and central India besides penetrating deeper into our existing markets. We will also be establishing over 100 primary eye clinics in tier 2 and tier 3 towns in the next couple of years. Africa is another important geography for us. We have an existing network presence of 15 hospitals, and we will be deepening our presence in Kenya, Zambia, and Tanzania and look to add 10 centres across these countries.”     Image caption- L to R: Dr Adil Agarwal, CEO, Dr. Agarwals Group of Eye Hospitals; Prof. Dr Amar Agarwal, Chairman, Dr. Agarwals Group of Eye Hospitals; and  Udhay Davey, Chief Financial Officer, Dr. Agarwals Group of Eye Hospitals  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23461/tulasi-healthcare-introduces-deep-transcranial-magnetic-stimulation-therapy-service.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23461/tulasi-healthcare-introduces-deep-transcranial-magnetic-stimulation-therapy-service.html Wed, 16 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Tulasi Healthcare, a leading mental well-being platform based in Gurugram, has announced the launch of its latest Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) therapy service. This innovative therapy aims to provide effective treatment for individuals facing treatment-resistant depression (TRD), helping them find renewed hope and relief from their symptoms. Since its launch in July 2023, Tulasi Healthcare has successfully treated 4 patients with treatment-resistant depression. The emotional and mental-wellness platform aims to expand its reach and impact, with plans to treat 50 patients per month. Each dTMS session lasts approximately 20 to 30 minutes, and the total number of sessions may vary depending on the prescribed treatment protocol, lasting up to 4-6 weeks or up to 12 weeks in some cases. Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique approved by regulatory authorities, including the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), for the treatment of depression, specifically for individuals with TRD. Treatment-resistant depression is a form of depression that does not respond adequately to standard treatments, such as antidepressant medications and psychotherapy. dTMS therapy works by delivering repetitive magnetic pulses to target specific brain regions, such as the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, inducing neuroplastic changes that enhance neural circuit connectivity and mood regulation. This advanced form of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has shown promising results in treating treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and depression.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23449/ups-healthcare-expands-premier-service-to-strengthen-healthcare-shipment-needs-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23449/ups-healthcare-expands-premier-service-to-strengthen-healthcare-shipment-needs-in-india.html Thu, 10 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 US-based firm UPS Healthcare has announced the expansion of its UPS Premier service to India, marking another step in ongoing service and technology upgrades to meet the evolving needs of critical time- and temperature-sensitive healthcare shipments.  Indian customers will have access to UPS Premier Gold service benefits, including “first-in, first-off” prioritisation, built-in service recovery features within the UPS global network, and 24/7 control tower monitoring.  India continues growing as a leading producer of drugs, vaccines, medical devices and biologics, driving demand for precise, temperature-controlled logistics to get these patient-critical products where needed. In fact, the Indian pharmaceutical industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12% and reach $130 billion by 2030, of which over 60% will be exported. India is also credited with the largest number of US-FDA compliant plants (more than 262 including APIs) outside of the US. These companies need a partner to take their products to international markets, right from clinical trials to commercial scale. UPS Premier Gold is now available in India offering visibility integrated within all UPS tracking systems; Support for critical healthcare packages including tissue samples, biopsies, implantable medical devices for scheduled surgeries, biologics, cell and gene therapies, bodily fluids, non-personalised specialty medications and surgical kits for inventory replenishment. This year, UPS Healthcare will have more than doubled its footprint of dedicated healthcare warehousing space compared to 2020.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/23446/augmented-intelligence-shaping-the-future-of-healthcare-through-ai-advancements.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/23446/augmented-intelligence-shaping-the-future-of-healthcare-through-ai-advancements.html Wed, 09 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Explore how augmented intelligence, including Biological AI, Generative AI, and Emotion AI, is shaping the future of healthcare through enhanced decision-making, diagnosis, and treatment. Discover the transformative potential and challenges of AI integration in healthcare. In a world where technological breakthroughs are transforming industries at an unprecedented pace, the realm of healthcare stands poised to witness a revolutionary evolution with the integration of augmented intelligence. Bob Samuels and Sean Markin will be engaging in a live candid conversation with Steve Ardire, a seasoned Strategic Advisor, to delve into the potential of augmented intelligence in healthcare on “Candid with Bob”. This discussion will shed light on how emerging fields like Biological AI, Generative AI, and Emotion AI are set to revolutionize the healthcare landscape, enhancing decision-making, diagnosis, treatment, and overall patient experience.   Augmenting Human Intelligence in Healthcare   At the core of this transformation lies the augmentation of human intelligence through the power of AI. The integration of AI technologies can lead to more accurate and data-driven decision-making processes. Healthcare professionals can harness the vast capabilities of AI algorithms to analyze extensive datasets, uncover hidden patterns, and assist in diagnosing complex medical conditions. This augmented intelligence does not replace human expertise but rather amplifies it, leading to more informed medical interventions and improved patient outcomes.   Biological AI: Nature's Blueprint for Innovation   One of the remarkable breakthroughs that will be discussed in the conversation is the concept of Biological AI. Inspired by the intricacies of nature and biology, this branch of AI aims to replicate and harness natural processes to solve complex problems. By mimicking the efficiency of biological systems, researchers and healthcare practitioners can develop novel solutions that were previously unimaginable. This could lead to the creation of advanced prosthetics, organ replacements, and even regenerative therapies, ushering in a new era of personalized medicine and enhancing the quality of life for countless patients.   Generative AI: Unleashing Creativity for Better Outcomes   Generative AI, another exciting facet of the conversation, has the potential to transform the healthcare landscape by creating new data, content, and models. This technology holds the key to addressing data scarcity, a common challenge in medical research. Through generative AI, researchers can simulate scenarios, generate synthetic datasets, and develop predictive models, thereby accelerating drug discovery, treatment optimization, and disease understanding. The ability to create vast amounts of diverse data can drive innovation and lead to breakthroughs that were previously hindered by data limitations.   Emotion AI: Enhancing Empathy and Well-being   One of the most intriguing aspects of the conversation centered around Emotion AI. This cutting-edge field enables machines to comprehend and influence human emotions and behaviors, paving the way for improved patient experiences and enhanced empathetic interactions. Emotion AI could be integrated into wearable devices to monitor patients' emotional states, assist in mental health assessments, and even deliver personalized interventions. By understanding and responding to human emotions, healthcare providers can establish deeper connections, ultimately fostering a more holistic approach to patient care.   Navigating Challenges and Risks   While the potential of augmented intelligence in healthcare is awe-inspiring, it's important to address the challenges and risks associated with its adoption. Data privacy, ethical concerns, and the need for stringent regulations remain key areas of focus. Ensuring the security and privacy of patient data, establishing transparent AI algorithms, and maintaining a balance between human judgement and AI-driven insights are vital steps toward successful implementation.   In conclusion, the live candid chat between Bob Samuels, Sean Markin, and Steve Ardire will underscore the transformative potential of augmented intelligence in healthcare. The fusion of Biological AI, Generative AI, and Emotion AI has the capacity to revolutionize medical practices, enabling better decision-making, diagnosis, and treatment. As the healthcare industry continues to embrace AI-driven advancements, the prospect of a future where technology and human expertise harmoniously coexist appears brighter than ever before plus, you will get a chance to ask Steve your questions and get his insights on the future of AI in healthcare. So, mark your calendar for August 17, 2023 and register yourself for this informative yet “candid” webinar! ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23438/new-study-sheds-light-on-management-of-antibiotic-resistant-infections-in-indian-hospitals.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23438/new-study-sheds-light-on-management-of-antibiotic-resistant-infections-in-indian-hospitals.html Mon, 07 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP) has launched an observational study in India that will shed light on the management of antibiotic-resistant infections in hospitals.   The study will collect and analyse data in 180 patients being treated for infections caused by carbapenem-resistant organisms across six hospitals in India. It is being conducted in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).  The study is being carried out at Kasturba Medical College in Manipal, Christian Medical College in Vellore, Tata Medical Centre in Kolkata, P.D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre in Mumbai, the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi.   The SBI-CREP-01 study will look at the epidemiology as well as the treatments administered to both adults and children with severe bacterial infections caused by carbapenem resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) and/or Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA). Infections caused by these bacteria are difficult to treat because they do not respond to commonly used last-line antibiotics. Data will also be collected on the clinical outcomes for patients with confirmed CRE/CRPA infections in the six hospital sites.  These infections have been recognised as critical in the Indian Priority Pathogen List, which guides research, discovery and development of new antibiotics in India.  “Treating Pseudomonas infections has become significantly more difficult because of antibiotic resistance. Without enough antibiotics in the pipeline to address this challenge and as access to newer drugs is not available in India, the situation appears grim. More research as well as active involvement of regulators and policymakers is vital. The study will provide crucial information that could ultimately be used to improve treatments and help reduce deaths and illness associated with bacterial infections,” said Dr Soumyadip Chatterji, principal investigator for the SBI-CREP-01 study at the Department of Infectious Diseases, Tata Medical Centre, Kolkata, India.   The results of the study will serve to better prepare the hospitals involved to carry out future interventional trials of novel therapeutics which are able to combat carbapenem-resistant infections.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23439/aig-hospitals-publishes-worlds-largest-population-based-study-on-inflammatory-bowel-disease.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23439/aig-hospitals-publishes-worlds-largest-population-based-study-on-inflammatory-bowel-disease.html Mon, 07 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a chronic illness characterised by symptoms varying from bloody diarrhoea, weight loss, fever, fatigue, abdominal pain to anemia, joint pain, skin problems among others. The incidence of IBD in India has been on an exponential increase over the past couple of decades, but it was mainly considered an urban disease like in the western countries where the disease has been on an upward trend since 1960s. It is worth noting that people with longstanding IBD, particularly those with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease involving the colon, have an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC) compared to the general population. “In 2020, we started the Rural Outreach Program 2.0 (First in 2006) in Telangana with an intent to discover the true prevalence of IBD not just including rural places but also making IBD diagnosis/treatment accessible for people in these areas,” Dr D Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman, AIG Hospitals said. Dr Reddy further added that “In three years, we covered more than 150 villages across Telangana touching approx. 1.75 lac people. Data till 2022 has been published in the Lancet. Project is still on-going.”  Dr Reddy has made a four-point appeal to the government as an immediate measure to curb the menace of such diseases especially in the rural areas where we have an opportunity to halt the incidence before it takes up the shape of an epidemic. The suggestions are as below: Increase awareness about lifestyle diseases in rural areas in regional languages and at primary healthcare (PHC) levels Bring regulation on Ultra Processed Food Focus on diet and exercise for rural population too Constant monitoring of the rural population is required AIG Hospitals’ study on gastrointestinal (GI) diseases effecting the rural population is on-going and plans to include public awareness into the programme collaborating with village PHCs and schools.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23444/healthcare-summit-at-iima-lays-focus-on-creation-of-qualified-talent-pool.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23444/healthcare-summit-at-iima-lays-focus-on-creation-of-qualified-talent-pool.html Mon, 07 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Health, and Family Welfare and Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India, delivered the keynote address as the Chief Guest at the IIMA Healthcare Summit themed "Catalysing Innovation - Start-up Ecosystem and Policy Research" held recently at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA). He stressed that the healthcare sector needs a greater number of doctors, robust infrastructure, adoption of technological advancements to reach the remotest areas of the country, and ample opportunities for startups to drive innovation and progress in the sector.  Making the opening remarks at the IIMA Healthcare Summit, Professor Bharat Bhasker, Director, IIMA, said, “The Indian pharmaceutical industry is acknowledged as one of the largest and most efficient in the world today.  It has done a wonderful job of creating medicines and keeping the prices affordable not only in India but for the world, which has been a great support for the survival of humanity. Our strength in generics is incomparable globally." Talking about the crucial role of startups in the healthcare sector, Pankaj R Patel, Chairperson, the IIMA Board of Governors, said, “Today we are seeing another wave of startups who have the ability to create new horizons of growth for the Indian healthcare industry. These healthcare startups can address the challenges that we are facing and greatly improve the quality and accessibility of healthcare in India. The Government of India has been championing innovation and entrepreneurship and has so far promoted almost 160 incubators, and nurtured about 12,000 startups, including 1600 women-led startups in India. Currently, India is home to about 2000 health tech companies or startups.” Elaborating further he said, “One of the things we are trying to do here is to understand and learn from academia and take their support in terms of innovating new things. We need to create a qualified talent pool that is trained to think out of the box and innovate. We also need to create funding mechanisms and hubs for innovation, where the academic institutes and industry can exist and collaborate in this area of healthcare.” An MoU exchange ceremony was also held during the inaugural session. Facilitated by the IIMA Endowment Fund, the MoU’s objective is to extend funding support for the Centre for Management of Health Services (CMHS) by IIMA’s PGP 1994 Batch. This will help the Centre to create a platform for advancing healthcare research, promoting knowledge dissemination, and driving positive change in the healthcare sector. The Summit was organised by IIMA’s Alumni Special Interest Group (SIG) in Healthcare and the Centre for Management of Health Services (CMHS) at IIMA. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23434/medica-group-of-hospitals-opens-new-oncology-facility-in-kolkata.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23434/medica-group-of-hospitals-opens-new-oncology-facility-in-kolkata.html Fri, 04 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Medica Group of Hospitals, Eastern India's largest chain of private hospital, recently took a significant leap forward in the field of healthcare with the inauguration of their Medica Cancer Hospital in Kolkata. The momentous occasion took place when Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee inaugurated Medica Oncology. The inaugural ceremony of this state-of-the-art facility signifies a significant stride forward in the battle against cancer in the Eastern region. With other two units in Siliguri and Ranchi, Medica has now become the prime hospital in providing organ-specific cancer care under one roof in the region. The Cancer Unit launch event was also graced by R Venkatesh, CEO, Sheares India Healthcare Management Pvt. Ltd. , healthcare investment arm of Temasek Holdings, Singapore, sovereign fund of Government of Singapore. Sheares India Healthcare is a majority stakeholder at Medica as well as other prominent healthcare facilities in the country. Medica Cancer Hospitals, an integral part of Medica Oncology, forms a network of advanced cancer care units spanning Kolkata, Siliguri, and Ranchi. The clinical team at Medica Oncology comprises highly experienced and skilled physicians, surgeons, and radiation therapists who work diligently to offer the latest treatment therapies, including immunotherapy, as well as state-of-the-art interventions like Robotic Surgery. Mr. R. Udayan Lahiry, Managing Director, Medica Group of Hospitals stated, "With an investment of over Rs 250 crore , and a potential to generate employment for over 1500 people, we now have a state-of-the-art 500-bed Superspecialty medical institution, offering advanced cancer care and multi specialty modalities for holistic care. This hospital will be the most comprehensive cancer care facility of the region. Equipped with advanced technologies like radiation therapy, PET CT, and therapeutic nuclear medicine, our facility brings the latest in medical, surgical, and radiation oncology to Bengal." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23429/iit-d-designs-simulation-tool-for-planning-operational-response-during-health-crisis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23429/iit-d-designs-simulation-tool-for-planning-operational-response-during-health-crisis.html Thu, 03 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in severely stressed healthcare systems across the world, and in many countries, the capacity of existing infrastructure has proven to be inadequate for managing the COVID-19 caseload.  In this context, there is a need for analytical tools capable of providing quantitative assessments of the extent to which the existing healthcare infrastructure, which is often composed of multiple tiers, in a given region can respond adequately to pandemic caseloads. This is important for planning the capacity of makeshift COVID-19 care facilities. Such a tool must also be able to handle the substantial uncertainty associated with these situations, including the uncertainty around the care provision process, the caseload, patient progression, and patient flow across the network. A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-D); All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS); University of Exeter Business School (UK) have developed a probabilistic discrete-event simulation of the operations of a public healthcare network in a north Indian district and demonstrated its use for planning the capacity of the network for a single wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, while the simulation tool was demonstrated using COVID-19 as a case study, it can be used to plan the operational response of the public health network in a given region to any health crisis, such as a dengue or cholera outbreak. It can even be used to evaluate changes in operational policy during routine care conditions, such as when a new referral policy from lower-tier to higher-tier facilities is introduced. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23425/glenmark-pharma-and-omron-healthcare-to-combat-hypertension-ignorance-in-young-adults.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23425/glenmark-pharma-and-omron-healthcare-to-combat-hypertension-ignorance-in-young-adults.html Wed, 02 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Mumbai-based Glenmark Pharmaceuticals has joined hands with Omron Healthcare India, the Indian arm of the Japanese global leader in home blood pressure monitoring and solutions for cardiovascular disease management, to raise awareness on measuring blood pressure at home from the age of 18. The lack of specific guidelines on the right age to begin blood pressure screening has led to neglect in initiating checks, leaving many individuals vulnerable to hypertension and its complications.  Glenmark and Omron Healthcare India’s collaboration, named as “Take Charge @18” initiative, comprises of generating effective communication to enhance awareness around the cause via incorporating an inlay card into every Omron Blood Pressure monitor sold in India.  The impact of this awareness campaign will be extended further by reaching out to around 92,000 healthcare professionals (HCPs). This broader approach aims to further foster early screening of blood pressure and create a wider impact on hypertension awareness.  According to a recent cross-sectional study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in 2023, the prevalence of hypertension has witnessed a concerning rise, reaching 35.5% for people in the age group of 20+ compared to 29.8% in 2014. In urban areas, this prevalence is even higher, soaring to 40.7%. Shockingly, half of the Indian population remains unaware that they are affected by hypertension, and the younger demographic is less aware compared to the older population. India has established a goal of achieving 25% relative reduction in the prevalence of high blood pressure (BP) among individuals aged 18 years and older by 2025, as part of its efforts to tackle this issue effectively.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23427/schneider-electric-brings-iot-powered-solution-to-enable-resilient-healthcare-ecosystem-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23427/schneider-electric-brings-iot-powered-solution-to-enable-resilient-healthcare-ecosystem-in-india.html Wed, 02 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Headquartered in France, Schneider Electric has launched EcoStruxure for Healthcare, an IoT powered solution, for the enablement of a resilient healthcare ecosystem in India. The company aims to transform the healthcare ecosystem in the country by enabling un-interrupted power supply to hospitals and healthcare providers. The solution has been developed to meet the goals of Ayushman Bharat Mission, which aims at creating a network of primary health centres across the country for democratising healthcare with un-interrupted care. With healthcare sector’s heavy reliance on energy to provide positive health outcome to patients, it is imperative that any downtime in healthcare infrastructure can lead to catastrophic events including loss of life. The solution thus is crucial for delivering positive health outcomes, which has potential to fundamentally transform patient treatment.  The EcoStruxure IoT Solution for Healthcare facilitates a seamless digital thread across all hospital assets thereby giving key decision makers a transparent view of day-to-day operations. The solution is also aimed at providing a hyper resilient system to tackle spike loads in both patient and thereby energy needs to enable 24/7 operational continuity to increase healthcare efficacy to even the remotest parts of the country. The IoT nature of the solution is aimed at helping access data across hospitals and even between hospital and healthcare providers to monitor operations and intervene, if necessary, all without any downtime.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23418/tr-life-sciences-enters-into-strategic-partnership-with-sjas-hospital-of-dhanbad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23418/tr-life-sciences-enters-into-strategic-partnership-with-sjas-hospital-of-dhanbad.html Tue, 01 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 TR Life Sciences, a Delhi-based hospital management consulting firm, has entered into a strategic partnership with SJAS Super Specialty Hospital, which is set to be operational soon in Dhanbad, to offer the latest advancements in medical care to patients of the city and surrounding region in Jharkhand and other states. As part of the tie-up, experts of TR Life Sciences would provide consultancy and support to the 300-bed SJAS Super Specialty Hospital in its commissioning. They would also monitor key performance indicators, conduct regular audits, and offer recommendations to ensure sustained operational excellence of the hospital. The aim is to revolutionise the way healthcare is delivered and experienced by both patients and medical professionals.   Commissioning soon, SJAS Super Specialty Hospital would offer advanced medical services and treatment in a wide range of specialties. With state-of-the-art infrastructure, top-notch medical equipment, and a team of highly qualified doctors, it is committed to providing the highest standards of medical care to patients. From diagnostics and medical consultations to surgical interventions and post-operative care, SJAS Super Specialty Hospital is geared to offer comprehensive and personalized healthcare services that cater to the unique needs of each patient of the entire North-Eastern region. TR Life Sciences was established in 2018 with a mission to enhance the quality of healthcare by providing state-of-the-art services in project planning, design, development, and management operations of hospitals. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23410/new-specialists-to-provide-surgical-care-for-indias-cataract-blind.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23410/new-specialists-to-provide-surgical-care-for-indias-cataract-blind.html Mon, 31 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 US-based HelpMeSee has announced a new partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) Initiative to train 100 new cataract specialists to help restore sight to India's cataract blind. Through this agreement, ASHA has provided funding to deploy two HelpMeSee eye surgery simulators to facilitate training at the HelpMeSee Mumbai Centre of Excellence for Simulation-Based Training.  Currently, untreated cataract is the cause of 66 percent of all blindness in India, according to the National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey. India has approximately 20,000 ophthalmologists, equating to an average of eight for every million people, which is considerably lower in comparison with higher-income economies. This is compounded by the fact that ophthalmologists are not equally distributed throughout the nation. The cataract blind and visually impaired face significant challenges in finding well-trained specialists to treat them. In India, HelpMeSee has established partnerships with LV Prasad Eye Institute in Hyderabad to train government hospital doctors and Aravind Eye Hospitals in Madurai, empowering local communities to restore sight. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23411/60-of-people-with-uncontrolled-diabetes-are-between-18-and-45-yrs-old-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23411/60-of-people-with-uncontrolled-diabetes-are-between-18-and-45-yrs-old-study.html Mon, 31 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Mumbai-based startup Fitterfly has released insightful data from the analysis of approximately 16,000 digital interactions involving individuals with pre-diabetes and diabetes. Conducted over a year using the platform's diabetes reversal calculator, the analysis provides valuable findings. These insights come at a time when a recent report  showed that the number of people living with diabetes has exceeded 101 million, with an additional 136 million classified as pre-diabetic. Among the key findings, it was revealed that 30% of the analysed individuals had HbA1C levels above 9.5%. Such high HbA1C levels can cause several  complications, making it necessary to take immediate  action. Surprisingly, 22% of the 30% with these high levels took no medication and were looking for alternatives.  The data also exposed a concerning trend—diabetes prevalence is on the rise among the younger generation. One in five individuals (20%) with diabetes fell within the age group of 18 to 30 years, with 60% of the people falling in the age group of 18-45. Diabetes appearing at a younger age threatens the demographic dividend and the country's public wellness and economic growth. Another concerning aspect highlighted by the data is the poor adherence to diabetes care, regardless of diagnosis. Despite 70% of individuals having a family history of diabetes, proactive steps to address the problem are not taken to prevent it. 30% of the people in the study came with no family history of diabetes, which also signifies the importance of lifestyle factors in the development of diabetes. Additionally, those recently diagnosed often skip regular medication.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23412/essilorluxottica-aravind-eye-hospital-launch-myopia-excellence-centre-in-chennai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23412/essilorluxottica-aravind-eye-hospital-launch-myopia-excellence-centre-in-chennai.html Mon, 31 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 French firm EssilorLuxottica, global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of ophthalmic lenses, frames and sunglasses, and Aravind Eye Hospital, a prominent network of eye hospitals, have announced the launch of the Myopia Excellence Centre in Chennai. The Myopia Excellence Centre aims to address the growing concerns surrounding myopia and revolutionise its management amongst affected children. The prevalence of myopia continues to rise at an alarming rate, and projections indicate that 50% of the world's population will be myopic by 2050. Leveraging the efficiency of Stellest, the Myopia Excellence Centre created by EssilorLuxottica and Aravind Eye Hospital aims to revolutionise the early detection and treatment of myopia in children, by integrating cutting-edge lens technologies with the highest standard of patient care. Unlike conventional setups, this specialised facility is designed to provide a holistic approach to pediatric myopia management, incorporating various essential components under one roof.   The Myopia Excellence Centre will be supported by a team of renowned ophthalmologists and optometrists dedicated to myopia management via detection, education, counselling, dispensing and follow up. This multidisciplinary team will collaborate closely with patients to provide tailored treatment plans, monitor myopia progression, and offer innovative solutions to slow down its advancement. The centre will also play a crucial role in advancing myopia research, publication of scientific papers, and collaboration with leading academic institutions and industry partners. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23413/cloudsek-uncovers-potential-data-breach-of-iiit-delhis-healthcare-data.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23413/cloudsek-uncovers-potential-data-breach-of-iiit-delhis-healthcare-data.html Mon, 31 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based startup CloudSEK's contextual artificial intelligence (AI) digital risk platform XVigil has uncovered a concerning data breach where a threat actor known as "UsNsA" shared a database of Portal for Health Informatics (PHI)-IIIT Delhi on an English-speaking cybercrime forum in exchange for forum credits.  The compromised database contains sensitive information, including emails, names, years, and internal healthcare and vaccine development-related documents, and research papers. This incident has raised significant concerns about data security and privacy. The Portal for Health Informatics (PHI) is an essential web platform offered by IIIT Delhi that serves bioinformatics, health informatics, and genomics communities.  PHI supports biologists in vaccine development and drug designing by providing servers, databases, and scientific computation tools in the healthcare domain. CloudSEK's XVigil detected the data breach on July 25, 2023, when the threat actor, UsNsA, shared the PHI-IIIT Delhi database on a cybercrime forum. The leaked database consists of 82 files totalling approximately 1.8 GB, containing sensitive information such as usernames, email addresses, and various internal healthcare-related documents.  Upon discovering the data breach, CloudSEK immediately notified the relevant authorities and IIIT Delhi to address the situation. Additionally, the affected organisation is advised to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident to identify potential vulnerabilities. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23414/lupin-flags-off-first-mobile-medical-van-in-jaipur.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23414/lupin-flags-off-first-mobile-medical-van-in-jaipur.html Mon, 31 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Lupin Human Welfare & Research Foundation (LHWRF), the social responsibility arm of Mumbai-based pharma major Lupin, strengthened its Desh Bandhu Jan Aarogya Sewa by flagging off its Mobile Medical Van (MMV) in Jaipur. The fully equipped MMV was flagged off by Parsadi Lal Meena, Health Minister, Government of Rajasthan. The Desh Bandhu Jan Aarogya Sewa aims to enhance the well-being of communities by working towards addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) with high disease burden, with a specific focus on Cardiovascular and Respiratory diseases. Aligned with this goal, in November 2022, LHWRF entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Rajasthan, forging a partnership to work together on this important area with the State Department of Health and Family Welfare. The fully equipped MMV will function as a mobile healthcare unit, equipped to deliver a comprehensive range of essential diagnostic services and medical support. This MMV enhances access to screening, diagnostic, treatment, and disease management capabilities in the Rajgarh, Laxmangad, Renni and Kherali blocks of Alwar. Moreover, as an integral part of the initiative, 18 health camps will be conducted twice a month at nine selected health facilities. These camps will be staffed by trained MBBS doctors who will be supported by dedicated paramedical personnel. The Desh Bandhu Jan Aarogya Sewa focuses on respiratory and heart ailments and aims to strengthen existing primary healthcare services, working closely with government efforts. With a particular emphasis on hypertension, ischemic heart disease (IHD), cardiovascular diseases (CVD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma, the programme seeks to provide comprehensive support to the population at risk of developing or living with these conditions. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23405/medanta-and-ge-healthcare-launch-tele-icu-services-in-india-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23405/medanta-and-ge-healthcare-launch-tele-icu-services-in-india-.html Thu, 27 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Medanta group of hospitals, a leading healthcare service provider, has announced the launch of Tele-ICU services in India as Medanta e-ICU project, in association with GE HealthCare, a leading global medical technology and digital solutions innovator, with a vision to nurture ‘superspeciality based critical care practices’. This association aims to transform healthcare delivery and address the existing gaps in critical care, with high level knowledge transfer via 24x7 Medanta e-ICU Command Centre, powered by cutting edge technology from GE HealthCare that equips both central and bedside medical teams. The Command Centre was inaugurated by Chief Minister Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath. This medical-technical platform will provide a near real-time patient monitoring, even during the odd hours like midnight, enabling early patient interventions. As a result of this fusion, the decision-making ability of an ICU can bring extraordinary results in clinical outcomes. In India, the availability of round-the-clock, well qualified on-site intensivist staff is limited and costly which can result in delays of appropriate clinical decision and may lead to increased morbidity, mortality, and financial burnout. Alternate strategies are needed to bring expertise and proactive, continuous care to critically ill patients. The Command Centre aids direct integration of hospitals systems to devices, enabling increased efficiency, greater collaboration, enhanced patient care, and a reduction in cost of care, improving the overall experience for patients and clinical teams. Medanta will support the service delivery with the help of a closed super specialised critical care medicine team at the command centre, applying globally accepted best practices. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23407/biocon-releases-second-edition-of-consensus-guidelines-to-improve-head-neck-cancer-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23407/biocon-releases-second-edition-of-consensus-guidelines-to-improve-head-neck-cancer-treatment.html Thu, 27 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Biocon Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of the Biocon Group, held its annual Oral Cancer Task Force Conference in Bengaluru. The second edition of the India-specific Consensus Guidelines for the Management of Head and Neck Cancer (HNC), developed by the Oral Cancer Task Force (OCTF) was released to commemorate the World Head and Neck Cancer Day, on July 27. The updated India-specific guidelines will help oncologists improve treatment outcomes of HNC patients by following evidence-based clinical practice. At the conference, Dr Praveen Birur, principal investigator for the study titled ‘Oral Potentially Malignant Lesion Atlas Project: Validating the Efficacy of a Novel, Point-of-Care Diagnostics and Developing an Integrated Multidimensional, Prognostic Nomogram,’ said the unique Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders (OPMD) Atlas Project will lead to the creation of a first-of-its-kind, multidimensional data-centric platform for the prevention, early detection, and treatment of oral cancer.    The OPMD Atlas Project aims to evaluate and accurately deploy point-of-care (PoC) diagnosis systems in the national healthcare system to enable accurate screening, detection and prognosis of OPMD patients. This will be a key advance in the war against oral cancer as oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) are the precursors of over 80% of oral cancers. The research project, which is funded by a Central government grant, is an outcome of the collaboration amongst four eminent institutes, namely, Mazumdar-Shaw Medical Foundation, the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, KLE Society’s Institute of Dental Sciences, Bengaluru, the Department of Preventive Oncology, NCI-AIIMS – Jhajjar, and the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital, Varanasi, catalysed by Biocon Foundation. The project will leverage advances in data science and Artificial Intelligence to combine datasets, including clinical information, lesion image, cytology, pathology, genomics and proteomics, and result in a first-of-its-kind, multidimensional data-centric platform.  Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Founder & Managing Trustee, Biocon Foundation, said “I believe the Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders (OPMD) Atlas project will help in developing a cost effective and sustainable national oral cancer control programme in India.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23398/national-conference-on-moving-mental-health-beyond-institutions-takes-place-in-delhi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23398/national-conference-on-moving-mental-health-beyond-institutions-takes-place-in-delhi.html Wed, 26 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar inaugurated a national conference on “Moving Mental Health Beyond Institutions, on July 26th in New Delhi. The objective of the conference was to discuss the challenges in the implementation of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 and deliberate on the way forward on resolution of mental health issues. Highlighting the importance of addressing the challenges of mental health and the Mental Healthcare Act 2017, Dr Bharati stated that “the Union govt is promoting the availability of and access to cost-effective treatment of common mental disorders”. She informed that mental health has been included in the flagship Ayushman Bharat scheme of the Union Govt. She also stated that “since the launch of the National Tele-Mental Health service, 42 Tele-Manas cells have been established that has already recorded over 2 lakh calls”. During the event, a book titled, “Mental Health: Concern for All – In Context of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017’ and a report on “Status of Implementation of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017” was also released. The Minister underlined the need for a new mental healthcare paradigm that transcends the limitations of institutions and focuses on community-based support. She urged the dignitaries to deliberate on the pressing issues of mental health challenges in India and work towards a future where mental healthcare is accessible, affordable, inclusive and compassionate. Highlighting the challenges to addressing mental health issues in India, Justice Arun Mishra, Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission of India noted the need for allocating more funds and resources to update mental health services and research. He also flagged the need for proper infrastructure like recreational facilities in mental health institutions and stressed on increasing the number of educational institutions and seats for professional mental health courses. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23399/india-launches-first-of-its-kind-report-integrating-diabetes-prevention-in-workplaces.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23399/india-launches-first-of-its-kind-report-integrating-diabetes-prevention-in-workplaces.html Wed, 26 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) in association with Dr. Mohan's Diabetes Specialities Centre and Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF), Chennai, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, Emory University and Harvard University from the USA, has announced the findings of India's first-of-its-kind in-depth corporate worksite report titled 'INDIA-WORKS' - Integrating Diabetes Prevention in Workplaces. Conducted over a period of six long years (2016-2022), which makes it one of the longest surveyed reports in the corporate world, the INDIA-WORKS report highlights the need for strategic health-based interventions at company worksites to ensure employees' overall well-being through a structured lifestyle modification program, improving dietary quality, increasing physical activity levels, and promoting healthy food choices in worksite canteens. The INDIA-WORKS research embarked upon assessing crucial parameters like HbA1c (3 months blood glucose average), waist circumference, blood pressure, blood cholesterol and weight at 11 diverse worksites in 5 states - Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha. Specific interventions for workers were undertaken by healthcare experts from PHFI and MDRF (India), Emory and Harvard (USA) who designed and implemented culturally appropriate lifestyle modifications, which resulted in startling outcomes in the field of NCD management at workplaces. "Organised sector (large or medium-sized industries or offices) employees have the highest burden of chronic disease risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension", said Prof. Dr Prabhakaran, Executive Director, Centre for Chronic Disease Control, and Distinguished Professor at the Public Health Foundation of India. 'The INDIA-WORKS programme was implemented in 11 prestigious worksites across India, consisting of steel and manufacturing plants, locomotive industry, and refineries. The participating worksites through this programme have now become torchbearers in creating healthier workplaces", said Dr V. Mohan, Chairman, Madras Diabetes Research Foundation & Dr. Mohan's Diabetes Specialities Centre, Chennai. 'INDIA-WORKS sets a well-designed model for health promotion and cardio metabolic disease prevention at workplaces, where people spend substantial parts of their lives", said Dr K. M. Venkat Narayan, Ruth and OC, Hubert, Professor of global health and epidemiology, Emory Global Diabetes Research Center, Emory University. 'Building capacity at worksites for health promotion by training peer educators and educating management and staff on the importance of lifestyle education was a key component of the INDIA-WORKS programme' - Dr Ranjani Harish, Sr. Scientist Head, Department of Preventive and Digital Health Research, Madras Diabetes Research Foundation & Dr. Mohan's Diabetes Specialities Centre, Chennai.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23393/bharat-serums-and-vaccines-takes-initiative-to-ensure-compliance-in-assisted-reproduction-methods.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23393/bharat-serums-and-vaccines-takes-initiative-to-ensure-compliance-in-assisted-reproduction-methods.html Tue, 25 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Mumbai-based biopharmaceutical firm Bharat Serums and Vaccines has roped in Bureau Veritas (India) Pvt. Ltd. (BVIL), a world leader in Audit and Certification Services - as part of the BSV ART Act Readiness Programme. This programme aims to assess 50+ IVF centres/clinics (in the first six months) and help them implement the requirements of the Assisted Reproductive Technology Regulations, 2021 (the ART Act),  driving them towards greater compliance. Through an intensive survey, BVIL, will assess and then certify these centres with a Platinum, Gold and Silver rating depending on their level of readiness, ahead of the final inspection by the State authorities. In accordance with the BSV ART Act, IVF centres/clinics need to be inspected by State Boards to be registered as Level 1 / Level 2 Clinics & Surrogacy Clinics. ‘The ART Act Readiness Assessment Programme of BSV’ assesses the current state of these centres against six critical parameters: infrastructure; people and competency management; communication; patient and process selection; data records and compliance monitoring and identifies the gaps/areas of improvement that the centres need to address to become a model-code as described in the Act.  Speaking on this Vishwanath Swarup, COO- Domestic Operations, BSV, said “The Assisted Reproductive Technology Regulations (ART), 2021 aims at the regulation and supervision of ART clinics and banks, to prevent misuse and ensure adherence to safe and ethical practice of ART services. On the occasion of World IVF Day (July 25), as responsible leaders in IVF treatment, we are delighted to announce a first-of-its-kind initiative from BSV - ‘The ART Act Readiness Assessment Programme’.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23385/lupin-lays-focus-on-in-home-cardiovascular-care-with-digital-therapeutics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23385/lupin-lays-focus-on-in-home-cardiovascular-care-with-digital-therapeutics.html Mon, 24 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Mumbai-based Lupin Digital Health and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) have announced a first-of-its-kind collaboration to deliver in-home cardiovascular care with Digital Therapeutics (DTx) in India.  This collaboration aims to accelerate the application and adoption of DTx in cardiology in India. Lupin Digital Health’s DTx platform, Lyfe, also aims to give patients and their healthcare providers tools to manage heart diseases at home and help to ensure patients stay healthy after hospital discharge and reduce rehospitalisation. As per the Indian Heart Association, heart diseases disproportionately affect Indians at a younger age, often without warning. Studies highlight that Indians suffer from heart ailments at least a decade earlier than their Western counterparts, underscoring the urgent need for preventive and comprehensive care. This collaboration signifies a monumental leap in transforming cardiac care in India. Lupin Digital Health becomes the first Digital Therapeutics player in India to exclusively collaborate with ACC and provide comprehensive heart care. As a part of this collaboration, Lupin Digital Health will leverage ACC’s CardioSmart platform, guidelines, and workbooks to guide healthcare professionals and caregivers.  These tools will be accessible to doctors, patients, and caregivers through Lupin Digital Health's Lyfe app and website, lyfe.in.  To promote the adoption of advanced digital solutions in Cardiology, ACC will provide certificates to cardiologists, recognizing their dedication to innovation and patient-centric healthcare. This collaboration plays a pivotal part in ensuring optimal care and driving improved outcomes within the comfort of patients’ homes.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23383/villoo-poonawalla-foundation-inks-mou-with-public-health-foundation-of-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23383/villoo-poonawalla-foundation-inks-mou-with-public-health-foundation-of-india.html Sun, 23 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) and the Villoo Poonawalla Foundation (VPF), an implementing agency of the vaccine maker Serum Institute of India (SII), have joined hands to establish ‘Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla Centre for Infectious Diseases and Pandemic Preparedness'. The Centre will be set up at the Indian Institute of Public Health, Hyderabad. The agreement was signed in the presence of dignitaries from VPF, SII and PHFI, Indian Institute of Public Health. The Centre will serve as a hub for training and capacity building in infectious disease management and for disseminating knowledge to healthcare professionals and policymakers across the country. The MoU signing is a follow-up of the discussion that started during the World Economic Forum in May 2022, between Serum Institute of India and Minister K.T. Rama Rao, Minister for Municipal Administration & Urban Development, Industries & Commerce, and Information Technology, Government of Telangana. However, the official announcement came in during a virtual meeting, held on 19th February 2023.   "The opening of this Centre of Excellence marks a significant step forward in our efforts to protect the health and well-being of our community. By centralising our resources and expertise, we can ensure a quick and effective response to any public health emergency", said the Minister.   "This Centre will be focused on training healthcare professionals to add to India's strength of skill building", said Adar Poonawalla, Chief Executive Officer, Serum Institute of India.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23357/200-global-leaders-discuss-future-of-affordable-and-accessible-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23357/200-global-leaders-discuss-future-of-affordable-and-accessible-healthcare.html Wed, 19 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Pulsus Group announced the successful commencement of pre-meetings for the G20 Affordable and Accessible Healthcare Summit series. Held in Zurich, Switzerland, and Rome, Italy, on July 17 and 18, these essential discussions convened global leaders in primary healthcare and stem cell research. Vinay Tendulkar, Member of the Rajya Sabha, and Dr Sandesh Yadav, Member– Ministry of Civil Aviation (AAC) shared their insightful inputs regarding India's role in promoting affordable and accessible healthcare worldwide during their visit to Pulsus HQ in Hyderabad. Convenor and the architect of the summit Dr Srinubabu Gedela expressed his sincere gratitude to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, for their valued support in driving these global scale initiatives. Their commitment aligns seamlessly with the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will guide India's role as the G20 chair in 2023.The Pre-meeting held in Hyderabad highlights included Dr Dame Cally Palmer's insightful presentation on current cancer trends and challenges from a G20 perspective and Paulo Cezar Schutz's invaluable insights on the G20's role in accessible healthcare as Brazil gears up for its upcoming presidency.This meeting was attended by around 200 delegates, mainly from G20 countries, and offered a vibrant platform for global discussion. Dr Srinubabu Gedela, Co-convenor of the meetings, expressed eagerness for the impending official launch of the G20 Affordable and Accessible Healthcare Summit series in Delhi.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23356/genefitletics-brings-asias-first-oral-microbiome-test-orahyg.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23356/genefitletics-brings-asias-first-oral-microbiome-test-orahyg.html Tue, 18 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Genefitletics, India’s first direct to consumer microbiome startup, has launched Asia’s first & only oral microbiome functional activity test- ORAHYG that will unravel the deeper connection between dentistry & systemic health & open up new therapeutic avenues for transformative health outcomes. ORAHYG sits inside the company's unique microbiome therapeutics as a service platform (MTAAS) platform- PROTEBA alongside company’s gut & vaginal microbiome functional activity tests. The platform, working at the interaction of system biology & machine learning, has built a human biology model for oral microbiome. The system uses biological sample- Saliva to measure & analyse biochemical reactions at molecular level taking place at the top of the digestive tube- mouth. It further applies mathematical model, to determine molecular signatures predictive of chronic diseases, in order to provide disease modifying therapeutic interventions.  The molecular insights from this test would give an unprecedented view of functions of the oral microbiome, their interaction with gut microbiome & impact on metabolic, cardiovascular, cognitive, skin & auto immune health. Customers would have an option to top this test with a gut microbiome functional activity test to get a transformative view of whole microbial functions & activities & their interaction with human host . Based out of Kullu, Sushant Kumar, Founder & CEO Genefitletics said, “Mouth is the second largest & second most diverse colonised site for microbiome with 770 species comprising 100 billion microbes residing there. Each place inside the mouth right from tongue, throat, saliva & upper surface of mouth have distinctive & unique microbiome ecosystem. An imbalanced oral microbiome is said to trigger onset & progression of type 2 diabetes, arthiritis, heart diseases & even dementia."    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23348/state-of-the-art-lab-for-precision-medicine-opens-at-sarvodaya-hospital-faridabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23348/state-of-the-art-lab-for-precision-medicine-opens-at-sarvodaya-hospital-faridabad.html Mon, 17 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Sarvodaya Hospital, Sector 8, Faridabad has launched one of the city’s most advanced departments for Pathology and Lab Services. The NABL-accredited Lab with the latest advancements in technology and diagnostics was inaugurated by the Governor of Haryana, Bandaru Dattatreya. Located within the premises of Sarvodaya Hospital, the Advanced Lab represents a significant milestone in the hospital's mission to enhance its medical services continuously. Equipped with the most advanced diagnostic equipment and staffed by highly skilled histopathologists, microbiologists, haematologists, pathologists and other doctors, the lab plays a pivotal role in diagnosing routine to rarest conditions, enabling rapid high-end procedures and investigations. Sarvodaya Healthcare  has established its legacy of clinical excellence by setting up tertiary & secondary care hospitals, health clinics, diagnostic & imaging centres and dialysis centres across Faridabad, Greater Noida, Delhi-NCR and Mathura. The flagship unit of the group, Sarvodaya Hospital is a 450-bedded super speciality hospital that serves people across Faridabad & Delhi-NCR with preventive and curative services under several super specialities like Comprehensive Cancer Care & Bone Marrow transplants, Nuclear Medicine and Theranostics, Orthopaedics & Robotic Joint Replacement, Neurosciences, Paediatric to Adult Cardiology & Cardiac Surgeries, Dialysis & Kidney Transplant, Minimal Access Surgery, Urology & LASER Urological Surgeries, etc.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23343/government-organises-chintan-shivir-to-reduce-burden-of-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23343/government-organises-chintan-shivir-to-reduce-burden-of-diseases.html Fri, 14 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 “Swasthya Chintan Shivir, a national meeting, enables sharing of insights, best practices, valuable experiences, and suggestions from various states to enrich our policies aimed at designing schemes for largest beneficiary welfare.” This was stated by Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare Dr Mansukh Mandaviya as he inaugurated a two day long Swasthya Chintan Shivir- the 15th Conference of Central Council of Health and Family Welfare, in Dehradun on 14 July. He was joined by the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami, the Chief Minister of Sikkim, Prem Singh Tamang; Union Ministers of State for Health Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, and Prof. SP Singh Baghel, and Dr VK Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog. “In this Amrit Kaal, let us take inspiration from our own knowledge, and develop our own health model. We should resolve to remove burden of diseases such as Leprosy, TB, Sickle Cell Anaemia etc., from various states, and saturate states with Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) cards”, said Dr Mandaviya. Various books including Compendium of Best Practices, Ayushman Bharat, Health and Wellness Centres- Success Stories from the Field, Research to Action-The Insights and Policy implications, and Recommendations for Medical Rehabilitation of Persons Injured after an Earthquake were released at the inaugural event. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23344/ayush-health-services-and-research-facility-open-in-goa.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23344/ayush-health-services-and-research-facility-open-in-goa.html Fri, 14 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Ministry of Ayush has established Ayush health services for healthcare & Ayush research facilities at Ribandar in Goa. The facility aims to provide high-quality and affordable Ayush healthcare services to local community and also promote research in traditional medicine by developing a museum, library and a laboratory dedicated to conducting research on medicines of mineral and marine origin. It was inaugurated by Dr Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa; Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ayush & Ports, Shipping and Waterways;Shripad Yesso Naik, Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Tourism; Vishwajit Rane, Minister of Health, Government of Goa. Ayush Health Services for healthcare & research facilities include Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) – Regional Ayurveda Research Institute for Mineral and Marine Medicinal Resources, Central Council for Research in Homeopathy (CCRH) – Clinical Research Unit (Homeopathy), Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS) - Siddha Clinical Research Unit, Central Council for Research in Yoga & Naturopathy (CCRYN) - Clinical Research Unit & Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) – Unani Speciality clinic. Provision has been made for OPD, dispensary, panchakarma and laboratory for conducting research focusing on the medicines of Mineral and Marine origin. The Institutes will work to provide high quality and affordable healthcare to every region of the state through Ayush systems of medicine. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23345/metropolis-healthcare-launches-advanced-diagnostic-lab-in-kunnamkulam-kerala.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23345/metropolis-healthcare-launches-advanced-diagnostic-lab-in-kunnamkulam-kerala.html Fri, 14 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Metropolis Healthcare has announced the launch of an advanced diagnostic testing centre in Kunnamkulam, a prominent business town in Kerala’s Thrissur district. This new cutting-edge diagnostic testing laboratory can process up to 200 samples per day, ranging from basic day-to-day pathology tests to complex molecular diagnostic tests. Surendran Chemmenkottil, Chief Executive Officer, Metropolis Healthcare Limited said, “The opening of this lab in Kunnamkulam is in line with Metropolis’ mission to expand our reach in Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns in core geographic locations where the company has strong brand recognition. Metropolis has grown its presence in Kerala over the years, with over 25 processing laboratories and more than 70 patient collection centres serving a network of hospitals and doctors throughout the state. With the opening of the new processing lab, we hope to provide high-quality diagnostic testing services and reliable reports to clinicians and patients in Kunnamkulam and nearby areas in a timely manner.” Metropolis Laboratories have earned numerous quality accreditations, both in India and internationally. The company has developed the Indian Reference Range for an extensive test menu, which is now being used by thousands of laboratories across the country.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23334/almost-98-of-women-from-north-east-facing-menstrual-or-vaginal-health-issues-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23334/almost-98-of-women-from-north-east-facing-menstrual-or-vaginal-health-issues-study.html Thu, 13 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Vaginal, menstrual, and reproductive health issues have become a significant concern affecting women in the NorthEast region. A survey conducted by Mumbai-based startup Gynoveda, in the 8 states of North East India, with a participation of more than 500 respondents ,has revealed that a staggering 98% of women from this area have either been affected or are currently grappling with these health challenges. This alarming statistic highlights the urgent need for comprehensive and accessible healthcare solutions in the region. The issues can be broadly categorised into menstrual health issues and vaginal health issues. 55% of the respondents suffer from menstrual health issues, and the most prevalent issue is Polycystic Ovarian Disorder (PCOD), affecting 36% of women. PCOD is a hormonal disorder that can lead to irregular periods, fertility problems, and other complications. Another common menstrual health problem is Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), experienced by 12% of women. PMS refers to a combination of physical and emotional symptoms occurring before menstruation. In terms of vaginal health, Pelvic Inflammatory Disorder (PID) affects 24% of women. PID is an infection of the reproductive organs that can cause pelvic pain, infertility, and other complications. Candidiasis, a fungal infection commonly known as a yeast infection, affects 18% of women in the region. Further dissecting the survey findings, 56% of women from North East suffer from or have suffered from menstrual health issues and 42% of the women suffer from or have suffered from vaginal health issues. The survey saw the participation of 85% of women above the age 35 years and 15% who are below the age 35 years. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23328/apollo-launches-new-brand-to-redefine-paediatric-healthcare-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23328/apollo-launches-new-brand-to-redefine-paediatric-healthcare-in-india.html Wed, 12 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Building on its 40-year legacy of clinical excellence, Apollo, the world’s largest vertically integrated healthcare provider, has announced the launch of Apollo Children’s - India’s largest, dedicated and most comprehensive network for Paediatric care. With a wide network of 40+ hospitals, 900 + dedicated beds for paediatric care, 400+ specialised peadiatricians providing services across 25+ specialised paediatric care specialities.  Apollo Children’s will offer specialised interventions for complex medical and surgical pediatric conditions, including congenital disorders, gastrointestinal and liver disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, cardiac conditions, renal disease, oncology, and liver transplants.  Dr Anupam Sibal, Group Medical Director & Senior Pediatric Gastroenterologist, Apollo Hospitals said “Apollo Indraprastha Delhi was the first hospital in India to perform a first successful paediatric liver transplant in 1998. Since then, over 500 paediatric liver transplants have been performed. Highly complicated pediatric robotic, paediatric and neonatal cardiac surgeries, bone marrow transplants, kidney transplants are performed with outcomes comparable to the best published international outcomes.  Now, with the launch of Apollo Children’s, we are confident that we shall make a profound impact on the way holistic neonatal, paediatric  and adolescent care is delivered in the country. ”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23313/aiims-bhubaneswar-inks-mou-with-svnirtar-for-academic-research-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23313/aiims-bhubaneswar-inks-mou-with-svnirtar-for-academic-research-healthcare.html Mon, 10 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Swami Vivekananda National Institute of Rehabilitation Training and Research (SVNIRTAR) Cuttack for academic, research and comprehensive rehabilitation care. AIIMS Bhubaneswar executive director Ashutosh Biswas and SVNIRTAR Director P.P. Mohanty signed the MoU to jointly work on several aspects for holistic rehabilitation care. Two prominent national institutes will work on referral of patients (like Neurology, Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, Burn and Plastic Surgery, Pediatrics, Medicine) and departments of SVNIRTAR like Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Orthopedics etc.) to improve healthcare and research in specialised areas. This MoU is also aimed to design various short term academic programmes in the form of fellowship, collaborative research, conduct symposia, colloquium, workshops, seminars and conferences on chosen topics and areas to train students in both the institutions. The collaboration aims for human resource development in the area of rehabilitation, tertiary prevention, biomedical engineering and technology, and, to develop academic credit sharing mechanisms under various programmes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23319/oncquest-collaborates-with-nashik-specialty-laboratory-for-stronger-foothold-in-maharashtra.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23319/oncquest-collaborates-with-nashik-specialty-laboratory-for-stronger-foothold-in-maharashtra.html Mon, 10 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Oncquest Laboratories, a leading super-specialised laboratory network in India, has teamed up with Nasik Specialty Laboratory to enhance its operations in Maharashtra. The strategic collaboration aims to address the advanced testing needs of clinicians and hospitals in Northwest Maharashtra, solidifying Oncquest's position as a prominent player in the field of cancer diagnostics and specialised testing.  Nashik Specialty Laboratory will offer a comprehensive range of tests, including routine tests, specialised and super-specialised categories of tests, and highly advanced genome testing.  With this collaboration, Oncquest Laboratories aims to continue its mission of providing accurate and reliable diagnostics to healthcare providers and patients, ensuring timely and effective treatments.  Oncquest, promoted by the Burman family (Promoters of Dabur India), started as a Dabur Research Foundation research entity in 2001 and has been a forerunner in molecular diagnostics services across India and neighbouring countries.It conducts over 4,000 different tests - from the routine to the most complex, spanning over 200 technologies.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23322/early-childhood-development-neurorehabilitation-centre-to-open-in-delhi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23322/early-childhood-development-neurorehabilitation-centre-to-open-in-delhi.html Mon, 10 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Hans Foundation (THF)  & Centre of Excellence and Advanced Research for Childhood Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Child Neurology Division, Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) have signed the agreement to implement the project - Holding Hand in Magical Years: Early Childhood Development & Neurorehabilitation Centre. This will be a novel multidisciplinary initiative to provide children with facilities to reach their maximum developmental potential based on their capabilities. The initiative aims to benefit around 10,000-12,000 children every year. Currently, the overall prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) in India is about 12% with around one-fifth of them having more than one NDDs. Around 45% of these children with NDDs are estimated to be at risk of poor development due to lack of identification and access to treatment. This is a joint effort of THF and AIIMS which will be directly implemented by THF under technical and monitoring support from AIIMS inside the AIIMS campus. Prof Sheffali Gulati is the nodal officer from AIIMS for this project. The programme will also include experts from different disciplines who will be providing the best course of services to each individual.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23300/vision-considered-most-important-aspect-of-ageing-by-86-of-people-in-india-alcon-survey.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23300/vision-considered-most-important-aspect-of-ageing-by-86-of-people-in-india-alcon-survey.html Thu, 06 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Swiss-American pharmaceutical and medical device company Alcon has announced the results of the Alcon Eye on Cataract survey conducted in March-April 2023 across 10 countries, including India, amongst people aged 50+ years to gather insights on vision and cataract. The sample included people who had been diagnosed with cataract in the last five years and were either waiting for or had undergone cataract surgery. It also included people in the general population over the age of 50 years who had not been diagnosed with cataract. The survey shows that patients who have undergone cataract surgery agree they have an improvement in vision as well as their overall quality of life.  In India, people ranked vision #1 above memory and mobility as an important aspect of ageing. Most Indians (90%) are willing to invest in cataract surgery to ensure vision clarity. Interestingly, 54% of people in India stated they feel older because of wearing glasses and 92% of Indians aged 50+ are willing to pay for a lens that would liberate them from the need of glasses. With regards to information on cataract surgery, in India, 59% of people stated they were likely to consult eye care professionals, while 39% and 37% mentioned family and friends respectively, and 36% cited health-specific websites. Amar Vyas, Country Manager of Alcon India, said, “The survey findings underscore the need to educate patients about their options for clear vision post-cataract surgery. Cataract surgery replaces the clouded lens with an advanced technology intraocular lens. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to not only restore vision to pre-cataract clarity but also to correct refractive errors such as presbyopia and astigmatism while reducing the need for glasses.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23293/ncbs-launches-rohini-nilekani-centre-for-brain-and-mind.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23293/ncbs-launches-rohini-nilekani-centre-for-brain-and-mind.html Wed, 05 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The National Centre forBiological Sciences (NCBS) has announced the launch of the ‘Rohini Nilekani Centre for Brain and Mind’, a centre dedicated to advancing Indian research and practice pertaining to neuro developmental disorders and mental health. The centre will focus on the long-term examination of environmental and genetic factors involved in brain development which underlie severe mental illnesses. Rohini Nilekani, Chairperson - Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, unveiled the plaque to mark the inauguration of ‘the Centre for Brain and Mind’ in the NCBS campus in Bengaluru, on 4 July.  The centre will support research through its partnership with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) and NCBS’ therapeutic practices pertaining to five mental disorders:schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, addiction, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and dementia – conditions considered neuro developmental in origin. The research work of the centre will combine the molecular biological research capabilities and technologies at NCBS with the stem cell capabilities established at theInstitute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem-DBT), an autonomous institution under the Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India. inStem has been and will continue to partner with NCBS on research activities, including that of the Accelerator program for Discovery in Brain disorders using Stem cells (ADBS).     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23273/government-launches-national-sickle-cell-anaemia-elimination-mission-in-shahdol-mp.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23273/government-launches-national-sickle-cell-anaemia-elimination-mission-in-shahdol-mp.html Sat, 01 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh (MP) on 1 July and distributed sickle cell genetic status cards to the beneficiaries. The Mission aims to address the pressing health challenges posed by sickle cell disease, particularly among the tribal population. The launch will mark a crucial milestone in the Government’s ongoing efforts to eliminate sickle cell disease as a public health problem by 2047. The National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission was announced in the Union Budget 2023.  This will be implemented in 278 districts of 17 high-focus states in the country namely Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar, and Uttarakhand. The Prime Minister also kickstarted the distribution of about 3.57 crore Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) cards in MP. The Prime Minister said that the nation is taking a big pledge of securing the lives of the people from the tribal communities, a resolution of freedom from Sickle Cell Anaemia and saving the lives of 2.5 lakh children and families that are affected by the disease.  He underlined the need for a coordinated approach of government, health personnel and tribals. He informed that blood banks are being established for the patients, arrangement for bone marrow transplant is being enhanced, and screening of Sickle Cell Anaemia is being revamped. He asked the people to come forward for screening.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23277/procter-gamble-invests-rs-2000-cr-to-set-up-healthcare-manufacturing-facility-in-gujarat.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23277/procter-gamble-invests-rs-2000-cr-to-set-up-healthcare-manufacturing-facility-in-gujarat.html Thu, 29 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Procter & Gamble (P&G) India will invest Rs 2000 crore to set up a new state-of-the-art personal healthcare manufacturing facility in Gujarat. The investment was announced by LV Vaidyanathan, CEO, P&G India, in a meeting with Bhupendra Patel, Chief Minister of Gujarat. The facility builds on top of the P&G India’s existing manufacturing footprint of 8 plants across the country and expands the existing presence in Gujarat. P&G already operates a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Sanand, Ahmedabad, since 2015.   The new state-of-the-art manufacturing plant will produce products that are part of P&G’s global healthcare product portfolio, especially digestives. This facility will be operational over the next few years and is set to become an export hub for P&G globally, as it will help P&G India in serving consumers across the globe.  With this investment, P&G India will help create hundreds of direct and indirect jobs, thereby offering a significant boost to the local economy.  The facility is situated across a 50,000 sqm area in Sanand, Gujarat. It will use state-of-the-art technology to manufacture superior products in the digestive wellness space and is designed to be fully automated based on the modern concept of ‘Industry 4.0’. This concept employs futuristic technology including the latest vision systems for quality checks, robotic equipment for material movement and operator cockpits to name a few. The investment is being planned through an unlisted private company and does not impact any of the listed public companies of the P&G group in India.   Image caption- P&G's CEO LV Vaidyanathan with Bhupendra Patel, Chief Minister of Gujarat       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23268/360-one-foundation-injects-capital-of-rs-1-79-cr-to-strengthen-healthcare-workforce-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23268/360-one-foundation-injects-capital-of-rs-1-79-cr-to-strengthen-healthcare-workforce-in-india.html Wed, 28 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0530 To engage youth and strengthen the healthcare workforce in India, 360 ONE Foundation (formerly known as IIFLW CSR Foundation) has committed a grant capital of Rs 1.79 crore to the SAMRIDH Healthcare Blended Finance Facility, which is supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by IPE Global. This partnership is unique, as it marks the first time that Indian Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds will be used as risk guarantee to increase youth employment in the healthcare sector. In 2020, USAID collaborated with public and private partners in India to develop the SAMRIDH Blended Finance Facility. In this, public and philanthropic funds are combined with commercial capital to create health solutions.  Using SAMRIDH’s blended finance approach, Rs 1.335 crore of the grant fund will be used to mobilise an additional capital of Rs 4 crore from National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) through risk guarantee in year 1, and another Rs 4 crore in year 2, creating a ~6x leverage. Additionally, Rs 29.8K lakh is being used to structure and implement a social success note that incentivises both NSDC, as well as the training partners with up to 3% of the loan amount for successful placement and retention of beneficiaries who complete the training. The programme, in its first year, will enable the setting up of skill centres to train and provide employment opportunities to 2420 youths from low-income communities for roles including phlebotomists, dietary assistants, and telehealth service coordinators. The project will be implemented in New Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Nagpur, Amravati, Akola, Pune, Nasik, and Aurangabad.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23261/first-ever-dedicated-neuro-urological-department-launches-in-delhi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23261/first-ever-dedicated-neuro-urological-department-launches-in-delhi.html Tue, 27 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0530 A dedicated campaign for complete care of bladder and other complications has finally resulted in the establishment of a first-ever dedicated Neuro-urological Department in the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC) in New Delhi. According to Neuro-urologists at ISIC, there are a large number of cases where post-spinal cord injury (SCI) surgery patients were never referred to a neuro-urologist. Internal research found that patients, who visited ISIC from other hospitals after spinal surgery, 90% of them had never been referred to a neuro-urologist. This pioneering development features comprehensive and dedicated neuro-urologists providing urological, sexual, and fertility care for those who are suffering from spinal cord injuries. Neuro-urology, a specialised field focusing on the nervous control of the urinary system and the management of urological conditions caused by neurological disorders, such as spinal cord injuries, underscores ISIC's commitment to comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for patients with spinal cord injuries. With the establishment of the Neuro-urology Department, ISIC aims to advance the field of neuro-urology and enhance patient outcomes.     The Dedicated Neuro-urology Department will offer a range of services, from early care to advanced evaluation and management along with counseling, education, training, and distance support to the SCI patients and their caregivers even during the longer-term follow-up.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23256/experts-seeks-governments-order-for-making-hba2-test-mandatory-for-thalassemia-free-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23256/experts-seeks-governments-order-for-making-hba2-test-mandatory-for-thalassemia-free-india.html Fri, 23 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Thalassemia & Sickle Cell Society (TSCS – Hyderabad), the biggest society in the world - serving for Thalassemia Patients, has submitted a compelling letter to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) & Ministry of Health – Government of India, requesting to pass a Bill in Parliament or Government Order for the mandatory implementation of the HbA2 test in all hospitals nationwide for pregnant women. TSCS Hyderabad aims to collaborate with the government to eradicate Thalassemia and ensure a healthier future for the nation. In their letter to the PMO, TSCS stressed the importance of the HbA2 test, which is a reliable method for identifying carriers of thalassemia and distinguishing between different types of thalassemia. By making this test mandatory for pregnant women, the society believes that early detection of thalassemia carriers can lead to informed decisions and appropriate measures to prevent the birth of children with severe thalassemia. The society's letter to the PMO emphasises the urgent need for concerted efforts, and the allocation of resources to tackle thalassemia effectively. The Public-Private (NGO) Partnership (PPP) will help the society to move ahead in creating awareness and reducing the births of Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anemia Children.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23253/lifecell-launches-advanced-self-collection-services-for-reproductive-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23253/lifecell-launches-advanced-self-collection-services-for-reproductive-healthcare.html Thu, 22 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0530 LifeCell International, a stem cell banking pioneer and leading biotechnology firm headquartered in Chennai, has introduced a range of self-collection testing and preservation kits under its reproductive, sexual, women’s and baby health services. The kits, namely SpermScore, OvaScore, and InferGenes, are primarily aimed at encouraging testing for conditions that are often stigmatised and considered taboo. Thus, right from sample collection to obtaining reports, these newly launched testing kits ensure complete privacy and convenience as they can be done entirely from the comfort of one’s personal space.  For instance, OvaScore is a female fertility hormone test that screens for 9 biomarkers to identify potential red flags, while SpermScore provides men with insight into their fertility status by testing 11 sperm health parameters and 14 sperm health conditions. SpermVault is an easy and convenient way for men, who wish to preserve their sperm for future use. The pricing range of the kits starts from Rs 1,500 and goes up to Rs 60,000.  Other key tests that LifeCell addresses are women's health issues such as cervical cancer and menopause. In 2020, there were approximately 6,04,127 new cases of cervical cancer and 3,41,831 deaths globally, with India reporting around 21% of the total cervical cancer cases.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23241/call-for-greater-attention-to-amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23241/call-for-greater-attention-to-amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis.html Wed, 21 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0530 On Global ALS/MND Awareness Day on 21 June 2023, the ALS Care & Support Foundation has called for greater attention to the special needs of the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) community. A progressive neurodegenerative disease, ALS has no cure or definitive treatment. A motor neurone disease (MND), ALS affects an estimated 450,000 people worldwide, with an average survival rate of just two to five years. Every 90 minutes someone is diagnosed with ALS and every 90 minutes someone passes away from this disease. In India alone, it is estimated that around 75,000 to 100,000 people live with ALS. The debilitating condition that this disease brings about not only poses immense financial burden but also adversely impacts the physical, emotional and social well-being of the affected individuals and their families. The inclusion of ALS in the national rare disease policy would send a strong message of inclusivity and support for those living with rare neurodegenerative diseases in the country. In addition, the ALS Care & Support Foundation has identified a few key actions that can make a substantial difference- regular awareness campaigns, financial support, national registry of ALS patients, research and trials in India, multidisciplinary ALS clinics, insurance coverage, and access to global therapies, drugs, supplements and assistive devices. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23243/max-healthcare-iit-b-ink-mou-for-research-capacity-building-in-healthcare-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23243/max-healthcare-iit-b-ink-mou-for-research-capacity-building-in-healthcare-.html Wed, 21 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Max Healthcare Institute, and the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create an alliance intended to encourage research, capacity building and innovation in the healthcare industry. The collaboration between Max Healthcare Institute and IIT-B represents a significant milestone in the pursuit of transformative digital healthcare solutions. By joining forces, both organisations seek to leverage their unique strengths and expertise to address pressing healthcare challenges and enhance patient care. The MoU sets forth the objectives and modes of collaboration to promote interaction and provide a formal basis for initiating joint initiatives. The partnership will foster joint research projects focusing on healthcare technologies, medical devices, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and other cutting-edge areas.  Max Healthcare Institute and IIT-Bombay will work together to develop training programmes and workshops to enhance the skills of healthcare professionals, researchers, and students. This collaboration will promote continuous learning, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and empower individuals to excel in their respective fields. The collaboration will also facilitate transfer of technology and commercialisation of innovative healthcare solutions.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23235/jaslok-hospital-collaborates-with-oncoshot-india-for-better-accessibility-of-cancer-clinical-trials.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23235/jaslok-hospital-collaborates-with-oncoshot-india-for-better-accessibility-of-cancer-clinical-trials.html Tue, 20 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, in Mumbai, has collaborated with Oncoshot India in an effort to increase awareness, transparency and accessibility for cancer clinical trials to the entire Indian cancer ecosystem. This collaboration will work towards the empowerment of the Indian cancer patient population with its unique offering of clinical trial matching services. Oncoshot India is the first subsidiary organidation of the parent company headquartered in Singapore. There are an estimated 2 million new cancer cases in India every year. Unfortunately, the large majority of the cancer patient population in India are unaware of the availability of cancer clinical trials and their benefits. As a result, Indian cancer patients continue to miss out on the benefits of novel cancer treatment compounds made available through participation in recent clinical studies. This is a significant loss for cancer patients, especially considering the disease's deadly nature and the limited number of treatment choices available on the market today. There is an increasing need felt from the Indian Oncologists community about getting more cancer clinical trials to India. This also includes the need for increasing awareness and accessibility to cancer clinical trials. Oncoshot is developing oncology clinical studies that will use the most modern oncology chemicals for the benefit of cancer patients, carers, and families. Some of India's best oncologists, including Dr Suresh Advani, Dr Boman Dhabhar, Dr Tapan Saikia, and Dr Ritu Jain, will head oncology clinical treatment at Jaslok Hospital.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23237/lupin-to-combat-rising-prevalence-of-cvds-and-copd-in-maharashtra.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23237/lupin-to-combat-rising-prevalence-of-cvds-and-copd-in-maharashtra.html Tue, 20 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Lupin Human Welfare and Research Foundation (LHWRF), the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of Mumbai-based pharmaceutical firm Lupin, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Maharashtra to address the growing prevalence of Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in the Palghar district of Maharashtra. The partnership aims to prioritise the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases while working to reducing their long-term prevalence.  To lay a strong foundation, an assessment study was conducted to map existing services, identify challenges in healthcare delivery, and estimate the cost-of-service gaps. The findings were reviewed by the Public Health Department (PHD) and incorporated into Lupin’s final programme. The programme will be implemented over the next five years, initially focusing on two blocks, Palghar and Dahanu. The primary objectives include raising awareness about the risks associated with CVDs and COPD, highlighting the importance of early screening and diagnosis to prevent complications and decrease mortality rates. The campaign will also promote healthy lifestyles and implement preventive measures, underscoring the significance of early screening, diagnosis and adherence to treatment. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23227/sukoon-health-launches-first-state-of-the-art-drugs-substance-recovery-centre-in-delhi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23227/sukoon-health-launches-first-state-of-the-art-drugs-substance-recovery-centre-in-delhi.html Mon, 19 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Gurugram-based startup Sukoon Health has unveiled its state-of-the-art Drugs and Substance Recovery Centre in Chhatarpur, New Delhi. This Recovery Centre adopts a unique 360-degree approach to deliver comprehensive and personalised care for individuals facing challenges with alcohol and substance abuse. Each patient will receive a specially tailored care plan to address their specific needs. To counter growing alcohol and substance abuse amongst Indians, Sukoon plans to open 20 Rehab Centres across major metros over the next 6 years. According to a national survey conducted by the government, a staggering 1.58 crore children aged between 10 and 17 years are addicted to substances. Alcohol addiction is most common followed by Cannabis and Opioids. About 16 crore people consume alcohol and more than 5.7 crore are dependent on alcohol and need help. The survey also states that 3.1 crore people use cannabis and about 25 lakhs suffer from cannabis dependence, while 2.26 crore people use opioids and approximately 77 lakhs require help for opioid-related problems.  Sukoon’s treatment programme is tailor-made taking into consideration each individual - mind, body, and soul. The treatment plan includes a daily schedule that offers a range of services, including medical checkups, pharmacological intervention for relapse prevention, comprehensive psychosocial assessments, psychoeducation, psychotherapeutic interventions, family assessments and interventions, recreational therapy, expressive art-based therapy, physiotherapy, nutritional counselling, personal training, yoga, meditation, and exercise.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23228/institute-of-heart-lungs-diseases-research-centre-set-to-open-in-delhi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23228/institute-of-heart-lungs-diseases-research-centre-set-to-open-in-delhi.html Mon, 19 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Institute of Heart Lungs Diseases & Research Centre (IHLD) will soon open in the country’s national capital, New Delhi. One of the premier institutes in North India, IHLD will be among the few institutes in the country offering specialised healthcare services for heart and lung diseases, including related complex surgeries ,therapies for end stage heart & lung diseases and transplants. IIHLD has a robust cardio-pulmonary rehabilitation programme which is unique in having artificial intelligence (AI) based motion sensing and skeletal muscle strength assessment programme that helps target physiotherapy to the affected muscles only, thereby being more effective & customised to the patient’s needs & debility. The Institute which has partnered with the 300-bed PSRI Hospital in Saket, South Delhi comprises of a team of 50 highly dedicated, passionate and skilled cardio-thoracic surgeons, transplant physicians, intensivists, cardiologists, rehabilitation specialists, nurses, and experienced social workers who work tirelessly with quality care and compassion at the core. The Institute will have dedicated operation theatres, hybrid Cath Lab, cardiac & transplant ICUs, OPDs and cardio-pulmonary rehabilitation programme.  IHLD is supported by the Hans Foundation, one of the largest charitable and welfare organisations that runs comprehensive programmes across healthcare, disability, livelihood and education across the country.  The foundation has supported Rs 3000 crore worth of welfare programmes over the past four years. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23224/apollo-hospitals-partners-with-smart-joules-to-curb-carbon-emissions.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23224/apollo-hospitals-partners-with-smart-joules-to-curb-carbon-emissions.html Fri, 16 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Apollo Hospitals has joined hands with Smart Joules to reduce carbon emissions by 2,90,000 tons, bolstering India's efforts to decarbonise. This ten-year initiative spans 18 hospitals across the nation and leverages the ground-breaking JoulePAYS solution by Smart Joules for energy-efficient cooling, heating, ventilation and automation. India, a global leader in climate action, pledged to attain net-zero emissions by 2070 at COP26, reducing total projected carbon emissions by a billion tonnes by 2030. The country's ambitious decarbonisation agenda aims to establish a 500 GW non-fossil energy capacity by 2030. Policies such as India's climate change strategy, decarbonisation goals, and the Energy Conservation Amendment Bill aim to minimise energy waste, enhance efficiency, and regulate consumption. Given that cooling energy demand is projected to rise by 2.2 times by 2027, energy-efficient strategies could potentially curb demand by 17% over the next decade, as per the Indo-German Energy Forum. JoulePAYS, a pay-as-you-save solution from Smart Joules, is designed for retrofitting existing buildings and factories. Within just four months of integration of the JoulePAYS solution into Apollo Hospitals' infrastructure, 235 energy conservation measures have been put into action, resulting in a forecasted savings of over 235 million kWh and Rs 2 billion by 2030.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23220/aster-dm-healthcare-unveils-mobile-medical-services-in-kerala-and-tamil-nadu.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23220/aster-dm-healthcare-unveils-mobile-medical-services-in-kerala-and-tamil-nadu.html Thu, 15 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Aster Volunteers, the global CSR arm of Aster DM Healthcare, has launched its latest Mobile Medical Service in Kerala and Tamil Nadu to serve the city and a few remote villages in both states. In Kerala, 1 mobile medical unit will be made accessible to people staying in the interiors of Thrissur district taking the total number of units in Kerala to 6 while in Tamil Nadu, 2 mobile units will be available in Chennai and Ramanathapuram district. The services are being launched jointly by Flora Group of Hotels and Shanthibhavan Palliative Hospital in collaboration with Aster Volunteers in Kerala, and in Tamil Nadu, Aster Volunteers have teamed up with Ashok Leyland, Albon Air and Thanal. The mobile medical units are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and will be operational with all the necessary resources to offer basic diagnostic and medical tests, as well as consultations and first-aid treatment. It has an advanced Tele-Health System, leveraging technology to extend the reach of healthcare services beyond physical boundaries. The mobile clinic will have facilities to conduct medical camps at the most remote areas in villages and among tribal and fishermen communities. Identified patients will receive medical and surgical interventions either free or at highly subsidised rates. The medical units will be staffed with doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, and pharmacists to provide prompt and specialised care.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23207/hcg-hospitals-in-ahmedabad-unveils-one-of-a-kind-night-dialysis-unit-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23207/hcg-hospitals-in-ahmedabad-unveils-one-of-a-kind-night-dialysis-unit-.html Tue, 13 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0530 HCG Hospitals Ahmedabad has announced the launch of a one-of-a-kind Night Dialysis Unit. This revolutionary facility is unique to the city and offers patients the ease, convenience, and benefits of Night Dialysis. Night Dialysis is an advanced renal care technique designed to improve the patient's comfort and quality of life by allowing them to undergo dialysis while having a restful night's sleep. The treatment is more convenient and accessible for the patient's body to tolerate while effectively removing waste from the blood.  Abhijeet Singh, COO, HCG Hospitals Mithakhali Ahmedabad expressed his views and said, "Our primary focus is on providing comfortable and effective treatments to our patients. With our state-of-the-art dialysis unit, we witness a significant number of patients undergoing dialysis every day. By offering a conducive and compassionate environment, we strive to make a positive impact on their lives, ensuring they receive the best possible care." The Night Dialysis Unit represents another significant step at HCG in the ongoing commitment to delivering advanced medical solutions that address the evolving needs of patients.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23201/500-health-atms-to-launch-in-association-with-state-governments-in-next-2-months.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23201/500-health-atms-to-launch-in-association-with-state-governments-in-next-2-months.html Mon, 12 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Yolo Health Foundation and HealthATM India, in partnership with the respective state governments, government hospitals, and private hospitals, are poised to bring a healthcare revolution to Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh, by launching 500 state-of-the-art Health ATMs in the next 2 months. These Health ATMs aim at providing primary and preventive healthcare services, making it easily accessible to the public. This pioneering initiative marks a significant milestone in bridging the gap in healthcare access, empowering individuals, and fostering healthier communities. These Health ATMs are designed with a high resolution camera & touch-screen and are capable to detect more than 60 parameters in just a few minutes. The introduction of 500 Health ATMs across these regions represents a transformative leap forward, bringing high-quality healthcare services within reach of millions. Currently, a substantial number of Health ATMs have already been installed in some states in India - 20 in Punjab, 15 in Rajasthan, 250 in Uttar Pradesh, and 100 in Arunachal Pradesh and 1000+ Health ATMs in Africa and Middle East as well. These ATMs are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and advanced medical devices, offering an extensive range of health check-ups and screenings.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23199/central-government-health-scheme-wellness-centres-open-in-chandigarh-and-panchkula.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23199/central-government-health-scheme-wellness-centres-open-in-chandigarh-and-panchkula.html Fri, 09 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0530 “Providing accessible and quality healthcare to every citizen of India is a priority of the government. To ensure this, expansion of Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) facilities has become a focus area for the government so people can access quality healthcare wherever they live in the country.” This was said by Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare as he inaugurated the CGHS Wellness Centres in Chandigarh and Panchkula, on 09 June. This makes Panchkula the 80th city with CGHS facilities fulfilling a long cherished demand of the employees and pensioners in the city. Chandigarh already had a CGHS Wellness centre with 47000 registered beneficiaries. The opening of the 2nd Wellness Centre gives a big relief to the beneficiaries as the workload will be divided between the two wellness centres and the waiting time will reduce ensuring ease of living for the citizens. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23191/largest-epidemiological-study-on-diabetes-and-ncds-in-india-with-wide-differences-across-states.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23191/largest-epidemiological-study-on-diabetes-and-ncds-in-india-with-wide-differences-across-states.html Thu, 08 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0530 A ground-breaking research paper of a comprehensive epidemiological study funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has been published in the globally acclaimed medical journal, The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology.  Funded by the ICMR and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Govt. of India, the study paper - Indian Council of Medical Research–India Diabetes (ICMR-INDIAB) shockingly reveals India has a much higher burden of metabolic non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This cross-sectional, population-based survey of adults aged ≥20 years, sampled a total of 1,13,043 individuals (33,537 urban and 79,506 rural residents) in 31 States and Union Territories of the country using a stratified, multistage sampling design.  In this large representative sample of individuals from both urban and rural India, the study measured the prevalence of metabolic NCDs such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and dyslipidaemia. It also identified regional and state-level variations in the prevalence of these NCDs across the nation. Dr V. Mohan, Chairman, Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre (DMDSC) and Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) and senior author of the study said, “Our study results have multiple implications for the planning and provision of health care in India. State governments in India, who are primarily in charge of providing healthcare in their respective regions, will be especially interested in the detailed state-level data on these NCDs as it will allow them to develop evidence-based interventions to successfully halt the progression of NCDs and manage their complications.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23183/sahyadri-hospitals-invests-rs-750-cr-to-double-healthcare-delivery-infrastructure.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23183/sahyadri-hospitals-invests-rs-750-cr-to-double-healthcare-delivery-infrastructure.html Tue, 06 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Sahyadri Hospitals, the largest chain of hospitals in Western India, is poised for significant growth and expansion with an announcement to double the capacity of the chain in next 3 to 4 years with over Rs 750 crore investment in healthcare infrastructure ramp up. The launch of 9th Hospital of the chain is part of aggressive expansion plans of Sahyadri Hospitals as it plans to further expand its healthcare network to Navi Mumbai, Thane, Pimpri Chinchwad, Nagpur, Solapur Kolhapur and other cities in the region apart from reinforcing its presence in Pune and Nashik. The expansion plan encompasses both Brownfield as well as Greenfield projects. Furthermore, Sahyadri Hospitals has a strong track record of successful mergers and acquisitions, with few deals currently in the pipeline for expansion in Western part of the country. As part of its expansion plans, Sahyadri Hospitals has doubled up its capacity in Hadapsar area with Sahyadri Hospital Hadapsar Annexe. Sahyadri has on boarded a team of over 20 highly skilled clinicians dedicated to Mother and Child care and more than 100 dedicated clinicians across various specialties.   Image caption- L to R - Abrarali Dalal, Director & CEO, Sahyadri Hospitals, Pune; Dr Sunil Rao, COO, Sahyadri Hospitals, Pune; Abhinav Joshi, Cluster Head, Sahyadri Super Speciality Hospital, Hadapsar & Nagar Road   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23177/european-commission-who-launch-initiative-to-strengthen-global-health-security.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23177/european-commission-who-launch-initiative-to-strengthen-global-health-security.html Mon, 05 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The World Health Organisation (WHO) and European Commission have announced the launch of a landmark digital health partnership.   In June 2023, WHO will take up the European Union (EU) system of digital COVID-19 certification to establish a global system that will help facilitate global mobility and protect citizens across the world from on-going and future health threats, including pandemics. This is the first building block of the WHO Global Digital Health Certification Network (GDHCN) that will develop a wide range of digital products to deliver better health for all. Based on the EU Global Health Strategy and WHO Global strategy on digital health, the initiative follows the 30 November 2022 agreement between Commissioner Kyriakides and Dr Tedros to enhance strategic cooperation on global health issues. This further bolsters a robust multilateral system with WHO at its core, powered by a strong EU. This partnership will include close collaboration in the development, management and implementation of the WHO GDHCN system, benefitting from the European Commission’s ample technical expertise in the field. A first step is to ensure that the current EU digital certificates continue to function effectively. This partnership will work to technically develop the WHO system with a staged approach to cover additional use cases, which may include, for example, the digitisation of the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis. Expanding such digital solutions will be essential to deliver better health for citizens across the globe.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23168/icici-bank-contributes-rs-1200-cr-to-tata-memorial-centre-for-advanced-cancer-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23168/icici-bank-contributes-rs-1200-cr-to-tata-memorial-centre-for-advanced-cancer-care.html Fri, 02 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0530 ICICI Bank has announced a commitment to contribute Rs 1,200 crore towards Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), a premier institution that runs cancer treatment and research centres across the country. ICICI Bank will donate the money from its CSR funds to set up three new buildings spanning over a combined area of 7.5 lakh square feet and equip them with state-of-the-art machines at TMC’s centres at Navi Mumbai in Maharashtra, Mullanpur in Punjab and Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.  With the largest contribution from any institution to TMC, ICICI Foundation for Inclusive Growth (ICICI Foundation), the CSR arm of ICICI Bank, will implement the initiative, which is likely to be completed by 2027.  With modern equipment and specialised multidisciplinary teams, these new centres of excellence in oncology treatment will provide advanced and evidence based therapies to nearly 25,000 new patients a year, doubling the present capacity and  providing a significant boost to the country’s cancer treatment infrastructure.  ICICI Foundation will set up an ‘ICICI Radiation Oncology Block’ at TMC’s Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research & Education in Cancer (ACTREC) at Navi Mumbai. ICICI Foundation will also set up two ‘ICICI Paediatric and Haematological Oncology Block’ at TMC’s Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre at Mullanpur in Punjab and Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.   Image caption- G. C. Chaturvedi, Chairman, ICICI Bank inaugurating the ICICI MRI facility at Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/views/98/23117/good-blood-bad-blood.html https://biospectrumindia.com/views/98/23117/good-blood-bad-blood.html Wed, 31 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 While we know that blood transfusion can save many lives and improves health, many patients requiring transfusion do not have timely access to safe blood. Data reveals that of the 118.5 million blood donations collected globally, 40 per cent of these are collected in high-income countries, i.e. home to 16 per cent of the world’s population. In low-income countries, up to 54 per cent of blood transfusions are given to children under 5 years of age; whereas in high-income countries, the most frequently transfused patient group is over 60 years of age, accounting for up to 76 per cent of all transfusions. Besides the fact that there is a marked difference in the level of access to blood between low- and high-income countries, the major challenge lies within the unnecessary transfusions and unsafe transfusion practices that expose patients to the risk of serious adverse transfusion reactions and transfusion-transmissible infections such as HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis, etc. The introduction of blood donor screening by virus nucleic acid amplification technology (NAT) took place in the mid to late 1990s that was driven by the so-called AIDS and hepatitis C virus epidemic, with thousands of recipients of infected blood products and components. Studies reveal that German transfusion centres were the first to start in-house NAT testing of their donations in pools of up to 96 samples for hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1).  Years later, the global diagnostics industry provided commercial HCV and HIV-1 and later HBV NAT tests on automated platforms. NAT tests for HIV-2, hepatitis A virus, and Parvovirus B19 followed, again driven by transfusion centres with their in-house tests.  Subsequent automation including sample preparation has significantly reduced the costs and complexity of the procedure and made it affordable to middle-income countries as well. Currently, more than 60 million donations per year are NAT-tested worldwide and the remaining residual risk of virus transmission by blood components and products could be reduced to almost zero.  There are new technologies on the horizon like digital droplet PCR, next-generation sequencing, lab-on-a-chip, and digital antigen assays, which are comparably sensitive. As a result of which, the global blood screening market is expected to reach $4.6 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 11.9 per cent from 2021 to 2028. However, each of these technologies has limitations, either in throughput, costs, automation, time to result, specificity, or the need for NAT as an integral part of the technology.  At the same time, a more appropriate biosafety protection strategy can be used to prevent cross-contamination among samples and reduce biosafety risks. Accurate, fast, easy-to-use, real-time disease diagnosis technology is thus becoming the focus of research across the globe. Amidst these challenges lies another hurdle that NAT is not yet a mandatory test for screening blood units in India. According to a study published in the International Journal of Contemporary Medical Research in 2019, only around 2 per cent of blood banks in our country are carrying out NAT and approximately 7 per cent of all collected blood units are NAT tested.  In particular, there are 2550 public and private blood banks in the country and only 58 blood banks are undertaking some type of NAT testing. Studies have also revealed that for the 58 blood banks that are doing NAT testing using different technologies, results from all of them are not in the public domain. The data shows that highly risky blood transfusions take place across India despite the availability of technology to provide safer alternatives. World Blood Donor Day, which falls on June 14, brings forth the challenges associated with the services providing safe blood and blood products as an essential element of the global healthcare system.     Dr Manbeena Chawla Executive Editor (manbeena.chawla@mmactiv.com) ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23154/pfizer-apollo-launch-centre-of-excellence-for-adult-vaccination-in-hyderabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23154/pfizer-apollo-launch-centre-of-excellence-for-adult-vaccination-in-hyderabad.html Fri, 26 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Pfizer India, in collaboration with Apollo Hospital, has launched a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for adult vaccination in Hyderabad. The CoE instituted at Apollo Hospital, Hyderabad is established with an objective to increase the adoption of adult vaccination by creating an end-toend ecosystem within the hospital to protect patients against vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). The CoE will aid in countering barriers in adult vaccination by empowering healthcare professionals (HCPs) and patients about the long-lasting benefits of vaccination for individuals, especially those with comorbidities, advanced age, occupational hazards, and lifestyle-related disorders. It will ensure to prioritise vaccination efforts for those who are at higher risk of contracting the diseases. The centre will immunise against various vaccine-preventable diseases such as Pneumococcal disease, Hepatitis A and B, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), Influenza, and more. Dr Santosh Taur, Director of Medical Affairs, Vaccines & Digital at Pfizer, said, “The Centre of Excellence at Apollo Hospital will be instrumental to drive the conversations on the benefits of adult vaccination among HCPs for various respiratory illnesses such as pneumococcal disease and others.”  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/23137/a-quick-guide-to-understanding-individual-health-insurance-comprehensive-coverage-at-a-minimal-premium.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/23137/a-quick-guide-to-understanding-individual-health-insurance-comprehensive-coverage-at-a-minimal-premium.html Wed, 24 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 As the awareness about investing in a Health Insurance plan is growing, many people from different age groups, especially the younger generations, take steps to secure their health and finances with Health Insurance.  Health Insurance plans can be broadly categorized under two sections - Individual Health Insurance and Family Health Insurance. As the name suggests, Individual Health Insurance plans provide coverage on an individual basis whereas a family of self, spouse, children and parents can be covered under a Family Health Insurance plan. Based on age, requirements and family commitments, one can invest either in Individual or Family Health Insurance.  Against popular belief, Health Insurance is an essential investment for young people. Individual Health Insurance is a feasible investment option to secure one’s health if they are single and just starting their career. This type of plan has a single Sum Insured and offers coverage up to the maximum coverage limit. Below are some of the perks of Individual Health Insurance.  Low Premium Individual Health Insurance plans provide coverage for an individual under a single Sum Insured. Unlike Family Floater Health Insurance, where a fairly large Sum Insured is required to cover the medical needs of the family members, individual plans can be opted for with a small Sum Insured. This reduces the premium. Moreover, if you are young and single, consider purchasing an individual plan as you can opt for it at a much less premium.  Cumulative Bonus Cumulative bonus, otherwise known as a no-claim bonus is a common feature in many Health Insurance plans. If a policyholder does not make a claim during a policy year, then a certain percentage of the Sum Insured is offered as a bonus. This will be added to the overall Sum Insured, thus, one can get extended coverage at times of need. This is an attractive feature, especially when it comes to Individual Health Insurance plans where the probability of making a claim is low compared to the Family Floater plans.    Flexibility One of the reasons that you can consider investing in Individual Health Insurance without much thought is that you can always convert most of the individual plans into Family Floater Health Insurance plans. During renewal, you convert your existing individual plan into a Family Floater plan by adding your family members like spouse, dependent children, etc., at an additional premium. You can also opt for a higher sum insured for covering the medical needs of all the added family members. Some policies allow you to add new family members even in the middle of a policy year. This feature is called Mid-Term inclusion. With this, you do not have to wait until the renewals to add your family members.  Discount Health Insurance policies offer a variety of discounts. One such discount is the long-term discount. If you purchase a medical insurance policy with a policy term of more than one year, then you can avail yourself of a certain percentage of discount on your premium. This will be highly beneficial with Individual Health Insurance plans. Since individual plans have less premium, you can opt for such plans with a term of more than one year. This further reduces your premium and helps you get comprehensive coverage at an affordable rate.  Individual Health Insurance is the best choice to secure your health if you are young and single. While planning out for your future, it is advisable to add Health Insurance to your list as you can get comprehensive coverage at an affordable premium.  _+_ ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23145/pristyn-care-forays-into-hair-transplant-surgeries-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23145/pristyn-care-forays-into-hair-transplant-surgeries-in-india.html Wed, 24 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Gurugram-based startup Pristyn Care has announced the expansion of its aesthetic surgery offerings to include hair transplant procedures.  With a strong commitment towards excellence in healthcare, Pristyn Care aims to bring hair transplant solutions to individuals seeking effective hair restoration. As of now, Pristyn Care is providing hair transplant, beard transplant and eyebrow transplant services across five cities in India. These include Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. After witnessing a successful pilot phase in the past 6 months it aims to expand its services to five more cities by the end of 2023. Dr Vaibhav Kapoor, Co-Founder Pristyn Care, said, “There is a growing trend among individuals, particularly men aged 25 to 40, who seek medical interventions to address hair loss and baldness. We are planning to expand our services to cities such as Pune, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Kochi and Ahmedabad by the end of this year.” According to a report by Custom Market Insights, the hair transplant market size in India was estimated at $180 million in 2021 and is anticipated to reach around $560 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of roughly 12% between 2022 and 2030. The company’s entry into this segment is a natural progression of the company's vision to provide comprehensive healthcare services that are patient-centric, accessible, cost-effective and technologically advanced. Pristyn Care will be providing two types of hair transplant treatments to its patients including Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and Direct Hair Implantation (DHI). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23147/digital-health-associates-ahpi-ink-mou-for-up-skilling-of-healthcare-professionals.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23147/digital-health-associates-ahpi-ink-mou-for-up-skilling-of-healthcare-professionals.html Wed, 24 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Digital Health Associates (DHA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Association of Healthcare Providers (India) (AHPI). Under this collaboration, Digital Health Associates shall work as the digital health upskilling partner for AHPI and its members. DHA will jointly work for internship opportunities with AHPI member organisations, and this collaboration will also entail the two organisations working on workshops, research, and publications.This collaboration will play a pivotal role in leveraging the global expertise of Digital Health Associates to help organisations and clinicians develop the digital skills needed in the 21st century. As per the current scenario of the overall healthcare system in the country, healthcare organisations are developing in many aspects and do not have any exposure or expertise in digital healthcare, and digital health will play a major role in making healthcare accessible and outcome driven.  Digital Health Associates is founded by the world's foremost leader in Digital Health and former advisor to the Health Minister of India, Dr Rajendra Pratap Gupta. On the other hand, AHPI is a "not for profit" organisation and advocates with the government, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders on issues that have a bearing on enabling its members organisation to deliver appropriate healthcare services to the community at large. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23133/two-third-of-all-cases-of-visual-impairment-found-in-women-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23133/two-third-of-all-cases-of-visual-impairment-found-in-women-study.html Tue, 23 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Neglecting eye health is a tendency often seen in women as they prioritise their family's well-being over their own. They are at a much higher risk of developing eye health problems compared to men, and account for two-third of all cases of visual impairment observed in patients. This was said by Dr Reena Choudhry, COO & Medical Director, ICARE Eye Hospital, Noida, ahead of the International Day of Action for Women's Health, on May 28th. Dr Reena Choudhry said, “Common eye diseases such as dry eyes, cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy are more prevalent in women. Furthermore, women's longer lifespan compared to men also makes them more vulnerable to age-related eye diseases. Hormonal changes, migraines, and other factors can also impact women's eye health."   According to the doctor, age-related conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, dry eyes, and macular degeneration are also more common among women than men. “Digital vision syndrome, which is very prevalent today, can lead to dry eye disease and eye strain because of muscle weakness and changes in the ocular surface. Women are more prone to this condition, which can be worsened by age-related hormonal problems like menopause", added Dr Reena.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23126/skan-research-trust-announces-collaboration-with-uk-for-gut-microbiome-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23126/skan-research-trust-announces-collaboration-with-uk-for-gut-microbiome-research.html Mon, 22 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 SKAN Research Trust, promoted by Bengaluru-based entrepreneur Ashok Soota and UK-based Quadram Institute Bioscience have entered into a Comprehensive Partnership Agreement to collaborate on research programmes focused on gut health and developing therapies that alleviate ageing and neurological diseases. The Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB) and SKAN Research Trust direct considerable research resources towards addressing gut health and the gut-cardiovascular and gut-brain axes. Important areas on which QIB and SKAN will collaborate under the terms of the Comprehensive Partnership Agreement include undertaking joint research projects in UK and India for the development of microbiome-based products that promote human health and treat neurological and age-related ailments; technology transfer between the organisations to augment cutting-edge Indian research capabilities; training of young Indian research scientists with Quadram Institute Bioscience and study of large Indian population cohorts to develop India-specific therapies that alleviate ageing and neurological diseases. The India leg of the research project will commence once necessary approvals are secured from the Government of India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23111/usaid-iacc-renew-collaboration-to-focus-on-mental-healthcare-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23111/usaid-iacc-renew-collaboration-to-focus-on-mental-healthcare-in-india.html Fri, 19 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce in India (IACC) have renewed the ongoing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking a continuation of their partnership. The scope of collaboration has expanded to encompass various areas, such as mental health, global health security, gender issues faced by youth, climate change, agriculture, and education. The signing of the MoU also served as an opportunity to launch a mental health programme, specifically focusing on mental health in the post-COVID era. Through strengthened collaboration with the private sector, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will foster improved development outcomes in the areas including child health, HIV/AIDS, global health security, water and sanitation, issues concerning youth, gender and women's empowerment, climate change, air and ocean pollution, agriculture, education, primary health care, and health systems strengthening. By renewing the MoU, the foundation has been laid for an additional five years of effective collaboration between the American and Indian business communities, aimed at achieving shared global development priorities. As a key initial step under the renewed MoU, USAID and IACC have announced the establishment of a working group. This working group will focus on engaging local organisations and institutions as partners in order to promote equitable change. By involving IACC members, the group aims to ideate and develop tools that are responsive to local priorities. They will draw upon local capacities, diverse networks, and resources, with the ultimate goal of maximising impact by empowering and engaging local organisations. This approach will ensure that tailored solutions are provided to address community needs effectively.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23103/amazon-web-services-to-inject-rs-105600-cr-into-cloud-infrastructure-in-india-by-2030.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23103/amazon-web-services-to-inject-rs-105600-cr-into-cloud-infrastructure-in-india-by-2030.html Thu, 18 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced it plans to invest Rs 1,05,600 crore ($12.7 billion) into cloud infrastructure in India by 2030 to meet growing customer demand for cloud services in India. This investment is estimated to contribute Rs 1,94,700 crore ($23.3 billion) to India’s total gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030. This planned investment in data centre infrastructure in India will support an estimated average of 1,31,700 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs in Indian businesses each year. These positions, including construction, facility maintenance, engineering, telecommunications, and other jobs, are part of the data centre supply chain in India. This follows AWS’s investment of Rs 30,900 crore ($3.7 billion) between 2016-2022, which will bring AWS’s total investment in India to Rs 1,36,500 crore ($16.4 billion) by 2030. AWS’s investment in India has a ripple effect in the local economy in areas, such as workforce development, training and skilling opportunities, community engagement, and sustainability initiatives. See more details here. AWS has two data center infrastructure regions in India – the AWS Asia Pacific (Mumbai) Region, launched in 2016, and the AWS Asia Pacific (Hyderabad) Region, launched in November 2022. Hundreds of thousands of customers in India run their workloads on AWS to drive cost savings, accelerate innovation, and increase speed time to market. This includes government entities such as Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and public healthcare institutions like Aarogyasri Health Care Trust.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23099/health-ministry-unveils-initiative-of-screening-75-m-people-with-hypertension-and-diabetes-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23099/health-ministry-unveils-initiative-of-screening-75-m-people-with-hypertension-and-diabetes-.html Wed, 17 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Union Health Ministry has launched an ambitious initiative of screening and putting 75 million people with hypertension and diabetes on Standard Care by 2025, to mark the World Hypertension Day, on 17 May. This was announced at the G20 co-branded event “Accelerating the Prevention and Management of Hypertension and Diabetes”, organised by Union Health Ministry and WHO by Dr V K Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog. This will be the largest expansion of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in primary healthcare programme in the world with a community based approach starting at the primary healthcare level. To accelerate the prevention and management of hypertension, Dr V K Paul urged State teams to adhere to all SOPs especially the screening SOPs correctly at the grassroots since screening is the bedrock of successful management of any disease. In addition to the 75/25 initiative, the Shashakt Portal was launched for training of 40,000 primary healthcare medical officers on Standard Treatment Workflow for NCDs initiated to realise health care services closer to the community. The revised operational guidelines of National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) were also released with the aim of much wider coverage.  The programme is now providing services for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Asthma, Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Diseases (NAFLD), ST Elevation of Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) apart from Hypertension, Diabetes and three common cancers including Oral, Breast and Cervical.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23090/andhra-pradesh-government-strengthens-efforts-to-curb-amr.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23090/andhra-pradesh-government-strengthens-efforts-to-curb-amr.html Tue, 16 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Andhra Pradesh government is proactively taking steps towards containment of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by releasing Andhra Pradesh Action Plan for Containment of Antimicrobial Resistance (APAPCAR) and thereby becoming the 4th only state to acknowledge the danger ensuing in the near future. AMR is accepted to be the next biggest healthcare challenge that needs immediate attention which has the potential to impact the global economies if concrete measures are not taken on a war footing.  Under the Chairmanship of M T Krishna Babu, IAS, Special Chief Secretary Health, Medical and Family welfare, Andhra Pradesh Govt, Commissioner J Nivas, IAS, the initiative was taken to mobilise the implementation of APAPCAR. As a part of this initiative, a global workshop on awareness of AMR involving all the stakeholders (from human, animal, agriculture, environmental, and drug control departments) and knowledge partners from across the globe was conducted in November 2022.  A final event report on the global workshop has been now prepared by the consortium members which is one of its kind, documenting the knowledge contribution from the scientists from around the globe and  also included the discussions of the multi-sectoral stakeholders on key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor and evaluate the progress on AMR. This report will be shared with Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at the Centre and other states so that this can be a model to help with implementation strategies of AMR across the country. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23088/new-project-worth-rs-60-cr-opens-at-north-eastern-institute-of-ayurveda-homoeopathy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23088/new-project-worth-rs-60-cr-opens-at-north-eastern-institute-of-ayurveda-homoeopathy.html Mon, 15 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Union Minister of Ayush and Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal recently inaugurated six new buildings as part of the Project II of North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda & Homoeopathy (NEIAH) in Shillong, to expand capacity. The cost of the construction of these new buildings is estimated at more than Rs 60 crore. Speaking on the occasion, Sonowal said that expansion of this premier institute can play an instrumental role in furthering the role of traditional medicine in the region. "We see a huge role of integrative medicine in the healthcare solutions delivery system of the country in the forthcoming years. The investment made by the government through these new buildings will embolden our effort to rejuvenate traditional medicine in this region of the country", he said. The Minister also announced NEIAH will be starting its ambulance services soon. In the academics, NEIAH has already enrolled six undergraduate batches into Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine & Surgery (BAMS) and Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine & Surgery (BHMS). From 50 students in 2016-17, the intake of students has now been increased to 63 per batch. The courses are affiliated to North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong, Meghalaya. The North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda & Homoeopathy (NEIAH) is an autonomous Institute under Ministry of Ayush, Government of India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23081/iit-jodhpur-opens-centre-for-ayurtech-as-unique-initiative-in-precision-health-medicine-space.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23081/iit-jodhpur-opens-centre-for-ayurtech-as-unique-initiative-in-precision-health-medicine-space.html Sat, 13 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur recently inaugurated AyurTech, the Centre of Excellence (CoE) sponsored by the Ministry of Ayush. The CoE AyurTech is part of the Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence (AI) based Precision Healthcare at the school of Artificial Intelligence and Data Science (AIDE) at IIT Jodhpur. The aim of this centre is to establish an AI-driven integrative framework for population and individual risk stratification and early actionable precision health interventions.   The Centre for AyurTech is being proposed as the first-of-its-kind initiative in the precision health and medicine space that would combine Electronics, Digital health and AI and multi-omics technologies for realising ‘Evidence-based Ayurveda’ solutions in a transdisciplinary framework. A built-up space of approximately 3760 sq.ft. for an AyurTech facility for Phenotyping, Molecular Biology, Chemistry and Device development fabrication and characterization area has been provided by IIT Jodhpur. This space for technological immersion will enable capacity building in different domains of Ayurveda, increase employability in transdisciplinary domain, provide innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities and help in trans-disciplinary research programmes. The CoE will focus on digital devices integrated with IoT, AI and computer vision for rapid, objective, and accurate assessments of Ayurveda parameters and tailoring interventions.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23078/wellthy-therapeutics-announces-expansion-into-us.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23078/wellthy-therapeutics-announces-expansion-into-us.html Fri, 12 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Mumbai-based startup Wellthy Therapeutics, a global leader in digital health and digital therapeutics, has announced the successful completion of its FDA 21 CFR Part 820, FDA 21 CFR Part 11, and HIPAA certification for its disease-agnostic, modular, software-as-a-medical-device (SaMD) platform. These international registrations further solidify the company's commitment to maintaining the highest standards of data security, data privacy, quality and regulatory compliance in the development and manufacturing of digital health solutions for customers in the United States, and worldwide, and reinforce its leadership in the SaMD space. In addition to these recent certifications, the Wellthy Therapeutics platform is already compliant with EU MDR Class 1, ISO 13485, ISO 27001, ISO 27701, IEC 62304, and GDPR. The platform simplifies the ability for pharma, HUBs, providers, and health plans to launch and scale globally compliant digital health and SaMD solutions. Clients leverage the platform to configure and commercialize their own customized digital health and SaMD solutions that are deployable in a matter of weeks and at a fraction of traditional costs, while addressing their specific business goals and complex patient needs. Over 150,000 patients have benefitted from Wellthy Therapeutics' platform so far, highlighting the value that the company's platform brings, and its continued leadership in the clinical outcomes and patient engagement space.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23072/world-bank-approves-82-m-for-prevention-of-zoonotic-endemic-diseases-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23072/world-bank-approves-82-m-for-prevention-of-zoonotic-endemic-diseases-in-india.html Thu, 11 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The World Bank has approved an $82 million loan towards the adoption of global best practices for animal health management to prevent, detect, and respond to endemic zoonotic, transboundary, and emerging infectious diseases. It will strengthen India’s One Health approach, which recognises that people and animals are connected with their shared environment. Animal disease outbreaks globally continue to pose risks to public health systems and have enormous economic costs. With India having the largest livestock population in the world, these risks are particularly high. For example, foot and mouth disease alone costs the country more than $3.3 billion annually. Through state-of-the-art laboratories, the programme will also strengthen collaboration and data sharing with the human health sector. It will also enhance food quality and safety in animal products, especially in livestock and wet markets. The $82 million loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) uses the Program-for-Results (PforR) financing instrument that links disbursement of funds directly to the achievement of specific program results. The loan has a maturity of 11.5 years with a grace period of 4.5 years.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23069/health-ministry-introduces-saksham-learning-management-information-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23069/health-ministry-introduces-saksham-learning-management-information-system.html Wed, 10 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Rajesh Bhushan, Union Health Secretary has launched the SAKSHAM (Stimulating Advanced Knowledge for Sustainable Health Management), a Learning Management Information System (LMIS). This digital learning platform has been developed by the National Institute of Health & Family Welfare (NIHFW), New Delhi.  SAKSHAM is a dedicated and unified platform for providing online training and medical education to all health professionals in the country. This digital learning platform will ensure inclusive capacity building of health professionals from primary health centres located in rural and remote areas all the way up to tertiary care and corporate hospitals in metropolitan cities. Currently SAKSHAM: LMIS is hosting more than 200 public health and 100 clinical courses through online mode. Health professionals can register themselves for these courses on the portal and get the certification after undergoing requisite training and qualifying the required assessment criteria. SAKSHAM is an initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India which provides all health-related training programmes to healthcare professionals of the country in digital mode.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23070/icmr-runs-trial-of-blood-bag-delivery-under-idrone-initiative.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23070/icmr-runs-trial-of-blood-bag-delivery-under-idrone-initiative.html Wed, 10 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 In continuance with the national mission of expanding drone ecosystem in India, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has successfully conducted a trial run of blood bag delivery by drones under its iDrone initiative, in New Delhi. The trial run as part of a path breaking validation study has been undertaken for the first time in the country by the collaborative efforts of ICMR, Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC), New Delhi, Government Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS), Greater Noida and Jaypee Institute of Information Technology (JIIT), Noida. The inaugural trial flight carried 10 units of whole blood samples from GIMS and LHMC in visual line of sight. LHMC and GIMS are included as centres for supplying blood bags and testing of the samples, while JIIT is acting as the implementation centre for drone sorties. The protocol development, study designing, implementation, and coordination of the project are being undertaken by scientists from ICMR-headquarters. Highlighting the significance of the event, Dr Rajiv Bahl, Director General, ICMR emphasised that this 'i-DRONE' was first used during COVID-19 pandemic by ICMR for distributing vaccines to unreachable areas. "Today, we are transporting blood & blood-related products, which are supposed to be kept at a low temperature. After the experiment, we found that not only can we maintain the temperature, but there was also no damage to the products transported. We sent another sample through an ambulance & if there are no differences in the samples sent using the two modes, then this drone will be used all over India”, he said. The investigators from LHMC, GIMS and JIIT will further conduct drone flights for validating the quality of packed red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, platelets in this study. The findings of this study will provide scientific evidence from India for examining the impact of drone transportation on blood products.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23064/swiss-re-launches-sixth-shine-programme-to-encourage-better-healthcare-access-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23064/swiss-re-launches-sixth-shine-programme-to-encourage-better-healthcare-access-in-india.html Tue, 09 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Swiss Re Global Business Solutions India (Swiss Re GBS India) and the Swiss Re Foundation have launched their sixth Shine Programme to support the next-generation of social innovators in India. The focus of this year’s programme is "access to health and nutrition". Social entrepreneurs with financially viable solutions that address this social challenge are encouraged to apply. The programme supports the Swiss Re Foundation’s aim to make basic healthcare accessible to at least more than 1 million people by 2024. Shortlisted contenders will be interviewed by Swiss Re experts. In Phase 1, the winner will receive the Shine Social Innovator Award, which includes an initial grant of Rs 5,00,000. In phase 2, the winner will team up with Swiss Re employees for an accredited Action Learning Programme. The team will define problem areas for the business, engage with target communities, design and test solution prototypes and develop a viable business plan. Additionally, they will have the chance to pitch the plan to a panel of experts to earn an additional grant of Rs 1,500,000 Applications are now open for social innovators across the country until 28 May 2023.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23066/longevity-science-company-human-edge-signs-mou-with-iit-bombay.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23066/longevity-science-company-human-edge-signs-mou-with-iit-bombay.html Tue, 09 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 In its endeavour to fortify its technological capabilities, Mumbai-based startup Human Edge, an investor-funded longevity science company, has announced its partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B). Human Edge has been welcomed as the latest member of the Industry Research Partnership Programme (IRPP) of Wadhwani Research Centre for Bioengineering (WRCB), a translational research centre at IIT-B. The partnership will bring together scientific experts and students from IIT Bombay, along with relevant faculty on scientific reviews, and field trials for discovering biomarkers, assessments, and effective interventions to optimise performance, potentially leading to scientific publications. Through this association, Human Edge is accessing the IIT deep-tech ecosystem for its well-being programmes that are rooted in deep science. The startup will also access the broader framework for research at IIT.   This partnership augments Human Edge’s advisory board and academic relationships, which already boasts a global network featuring renowned scientists, coaches, and other experts.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23067/citiustech-continues-to-expand-with-opening-of-new-office-in-hyderabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23067/citiustech-continues-to-expand-with-opening-of-new-office-in-hyderabad.html Tue, 09 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 CitiusTech Healthcare Technology, a leading provider of healthcare technology services, solutions, and platforms, has inaugurated a new state-of-the-art technology facility in Hyderabad. This office will house talent focused on accelerating healthcare digital transformation and is the latest addition to CitiusTech’s location expansion strategy to be present across all major IT talent hubs in India. The new office is located in the Madhapur micro-market area of Hyderabad and brings under a single roof the capabilities of the recently acquired Wilco Source team with CitiusTech. CitiusTech now has nine offices across seven cities in India.  Atul Soneja, COO, CitiusTech said, “As we continue to grow, our new office will serve as a crucial innovation hub for our business and is a reaffirmation of our commitment to delivering world-class services to our clients. With focus on areas like digital transformation, product engineering, cloud services, data and AI for our global healthcare clients across payers, providers, MedTech, and life sciences, our footprint expansion will provide the local talent a chance to make a difference in a rapidly expanding health-tech industry. Since its establishment in 2005, CitiusTech has built a solid foundation as a deep-domain healthcare technology expert that caters to the digital transformation needs of healthcare and life sciences organisations worldwide.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23060/csc-signs-mou-with-medikabazaar-to-strengthen-healthcare-delivery-in-rural-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23060/csc-signs-mou-with-medikabazaar-to-strengthen-healthcare-delivery-in-rural-india.html Mon, 08 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Common Services Centers (CSCs), under the Ministry of Electronics & IT, has partnered with Mumbai-based startup Medikabazaar to strengthen healthcare through availability of medical supplies and equipment in smaller towns and rural India.  As per the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Medikabazaar will extend its entire medical product catalogue and financing support to CSC to enable better healthcare delivery for citizens in rural India. Medikabazaar will also train the VLEs (Village Level Entreprenuers), who run the CSCs, for developing and establishing online B2B medical supply business. The collaboration will benefit thousands of small towns and villages by providing simpler and faster access to a wide range of medical supplies and equipment in Tier 3 & 4 cities, apart from remote areas. Medikabazaar will train these CSCs on the various aspects of running an online business for medical supplies in the assigned geographies, enable them to transition B2B healthcare online in rural India, offering end-to-end support during this journey by overcoming challenges such as absence of supply chain networks, last mile delivery issues, lack of market linkages and providing easy access to financing support. Medikabazaar will establish sourcing, fulfillment, and last-mile delivery of medical supplies to CSCs. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23063/health-ministry-releases-standard-treatment-guidelines-for-sickle-cell-anaemia-disease.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23063/health-ministry-releases-standard-treatment-guidelines-for-sickle-cell-anaemia-disease.html Mon, 08 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, released the Standard Treatment Workflow for Sickle Cell Disease on the occasion of World Thalassemia Day, on 8th May. This has been developed by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).  The Union Minister further highlighted the need to take advantage of various initiatives of the Union Government for treatment of diseases like sickle cell anaemia such as the e-Raktkosh portal for blood transfusion requirements and the network of over 1.5 lakh Health and Wellness Centres for treatment and diagnostic care. She also launched the third phase of Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana (TBSY) of the Health Ministry which is being supported by Coal India Limited (CIL) as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative to commemorate World Thalassemia Day, on 8th May. She also launched the Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana Portal.   The third phase of the Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana will continue to provide financial assistance for a package cost of 10 lakhs per Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT), directly transferred from CIL to the institutions performing HSCT. The programme will benefit underprivileged thalassemia patients and those with aplastic anemia, which is an irreversible condition that can be life-threatening without treatment. The programme has empaneled 10 reputed hospitals across India, including AIIMS, New Delhi; CMC Vellore; Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai; MCGM Hospital, Mumbai; PGIMER, Chandigarh; Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute, New Delhi; SGPGI, Lucknow; Narayana Hrudayalaya, Bangalore; CMC, Ludhiana and Tata Medical Centre, Kolkata among others. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23053/goqii-announces-trial-phase-of-non-invasive-diabetic-risk-monitoring-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23053/goqii-announces-trial-phase-of-non-invasive-diabetic-risk-monitoring-system.html Thu, 04 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 GOQii, a leading smart preventive healthcare company based in Mumbai, has announced the trial phase of ‘GOQii SugarWise’, its cutting-edge non-invasive innovative diabetic risk monitoring system. The trial of the innovative solution in early diabetes risk detection will be conducted in partnership with a leading Clinical Research Organisation (CRO) in order to validate its effectiveness. GOQii SugarWise is designed with a goal to empower users to take proactive measures to prevent or manage diabetes more effectively. While it is not a replacement for traditional invasive blood glucose measuring devices, GOQii SugarWise serves as a valuable early risk assessment and screening tool. By promoting awareness and empowering individuals to adopt a healthier lifestyle, the technology aims to reduce the burden of diabetes globally. SugarWise will be integrated within the Smart Vital 2.0 device which comes with ECG, Body Temperature, SpO2 , Heart Rate, Fitness Tracker. Sugarwise is an non-invasive method of getting an indication whether your sugar levels are in range, above range or below range. If it is sustainably above or below range; it means that you will need to take medical advice. In the event of a successful trial phase and the gathering of clinical results, GOQii plans to implement the SugarWise system on a wider scale.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23045/new-age-networking-platform-for-specialised-doctors-launches-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23045/new-age-networking-platform-for-specialised-doctors-launches-in-india.html Wed, 03 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Mumbai-based startup EPC Tech has announced the formal launch of Medgami, a first-of-its-kind, one-stop networking and knowledge platform that facilitates engagement between doctors in India and helps them build their peer network. Medgami uses algorithms to provide healthcare specialists with personalised content in the form of CME videos, case simulations, live surgery recordings, info-graphics, interactive quizzes, latest news & summaries from premier medical journals. The platform also provides disease awareness and patient educational content that doctors can share with their patients with a single click. It allows doctors to discuss patient cases and facilitates learning from the experiences of other specialists. The platform suggests events related to specialists’ fields based on their location and area of interest. It also provides user-generated content in the form of posts, videos, images, polls, documents, etc. Medgami has plans to onboard doctors in other specialities such as Dermatology, Ophthalmology, etc. and is targeting to enrol over 100,000 doctors this year.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23042/astrazeneca-to-set-up-five-coes-for-severe-asthma-across-india-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23042/astrazeneca-to-set-up-five-coes-for-severe-asthma-across-india-.html Tue, 02 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 AstraZeneca India has announced plans to launch five Centres of Excellences (CoEs) across New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Goa and Cochin to provide a systematic approach to standardised and uniform management of patients with severe asthma. The centres will serve as the exemplar hub for treatment and management of severe asthma patients, and they will, in turn guide and support evolving severe asthma centres for a systematic and guidelines-based approach to identify and treat severe asthma patients. The Centres of Excellence (CoEs) for severe asthma, as per the guidelines established by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), would concentrate on specialty and clinical assessment, diagnosis, patient counselling, biologics initiation, and data management related to severe asthma. The management of severe asthma requires continued research, education, and support to patients. Appropriate patient selection is critical for the application of biologics or advanced precision therapy for severe asthma. Under AstraZeneca’s model of Severe Asthma CoEs, disease management is centred on four crucial pillars. The first involves utilising a standardised proforma to identify the appropriate patient profile for severe asthma. The second pillar involves bridging gaps in patient awareness by providing education on severe asthma through interactive patient modules, websites, and booklets. The third pillar focuses on providing a specialised curriculum for aspiring respiratory specialists to assist them in identifying the appropriate patients and guiding them towards the most suitable therapy options. Finally, develop an academy for asthma counsellors to help them evaluate patient care techniques, adherence, and asthma control.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23036/volvo-group-partners-with-narayana-health-to-launch-mobile-clinic-wellness-on-wheels.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23036/volvo-group-partners-with-narayana-health-to-launch-mobile-clinic-wellness-on-wheels.html Mon, 01 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Swedish multinational manufacturing corporation Volvo Group has built an advanced mobile community clinic, ‘Wellness on Wheels’ in partnership with Narayana Health to provide free community screening and medical services in rural parts of Karnataka as well as in other states of the country. ‘Wellness on Wheels’ was recently inaugurated jointly by Martin Lundstedt, President & CEO, Volvo AB along with Dr Devi Shetty, Chairman Narayana Health in presence of Kamal Bali, President and MD, Volvo Group India along with a team of doctors from Narayana Health and Volvo Group Officials in Bengaluru. The mobile clinic has been specially customised and equipped with advanced screening equipment for detecting cancer, heart ailments along with non-invasive diagnostic tools, such as ultrasound, ECG, and X-Ray machines. To enable telemedicine and consultation with experts at the base Narayana Health hospital in Bangalore, this vehicle is Wi-Fi enabled and provided with high tech laptops, specially configured for doctors, to facilitate remote communication and to get expert advice on-the-go. 42 feet long, specially designed spacious medical container has a diagnostic lab and a chemical toilet fitted with air conditioners and is independently powered by the on-board generator and inverter. The vehicle is provided with canopies and chairs for patients in-waiting ‘Wellness on Wheels’ is built on a state-of-the-art Volvo Prime mover FM 4x2, fitted with automated I-shift transmission coupled with sophisticated medical equipment. In addition to a range of active and passive safety features, the vehicle has air suspension and ABS brakes for a vibration-free ride to protect the sensitive medical equipment on-board. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23029/policymakers-discuss-ways-to-implement-thalassemia-control-programme-nationally.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23029/policymakers-discuss-ways-to-implement-thalassemia-control-programme-nationally.html Sat, 29 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 With the government’s sharp focus on the prevention of disabilities like thalassemia, and sickle cell disease, and in the background of the Finance Minister’s recent announcement on eradication of sickle cell disease by 2047. The Thalassemia Patients Advocacy Group (TPAG), in association with The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), recently hosted a roundtable on the prevention of Hemoglobinopathies - Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemia at Le Meridien, New Delhi.  The event, which saw the participation of eminent policymakers, doctors, and patient bodies, discussed the current practices, challenges, and way forward for the prevention of hemoglobinopathies like thalassemia and sickle cell disease. TPAG, which is a patient body of Thalassemics India, would work with ASSOCHAM to develop a position paper on the topic. Dr Anil Kumar, Additional Dy. Director General, Directorate General of Health Service (DGHS), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India said, “Hemoglobinopathies continue to pose a significant burden on our healthcare system, with limited resources available to address the challenges they present. While DGHS is working on a National level thalassemia control programme, we are equally focused on the management of thalassemia and commit to blood safety through Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT), voluntary blood donation, etc in a phased manner. We aim to release a manual on blood transfusion services and voluntary blood donation guidelines by 14th June which is World Blood Donor Day.” We are now faced with an urgent need to launch a national-level thalassemia programme on the lines of sickle cell disease but with a stricter timeline. In this regard, 2016 guidelines on hemoglobinopathies may need a revision to include novel technologies and unique methods of awareness. The National Health Mission has introduced programmes for controlling thalassemia and sickle cell disease, but they have not yet been fully implemented at the grassroots level. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23019/study-reveals-high-genetic-risk-of-coronary-artery-disease-among-indian-population.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23019/study-reveals-high-genetic-risk-of-coronary-artery-disease-among-indian-population.html Thu, 27 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 A study based on genetic testing by Pune-based Indus Health Plus has revealed that 24% of the total individuals who underwent genetic testing by Indus have high risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and 29.5% people have high risk for high LDL levels as per their genetic makeup. This underscores the importance of genetic factors in influencing an individual's susceptibility to CAD and highlights the need for personalised risk assessment and preventive strategies. The sample size for the study was about 10,000 individuals who underwent genetic testing.   Indus Health Plus study further revealed that 90% people have high genetic risk of Vitamin D deficiency and 57.55% people have high genetic risk for Vitamin B12 deficiency as per their genetic makeup which can also contribute to overall cardiovascular health.   Amol Naikawadi, Preventive Healthcare Specialist, Indus Health Plus says, “Genetic testing is gaining popularity among people to get understanding of the predisposition of various lifestyle conditions along with other health check-ups. This does not only help in better health assessment but also improves diseases management, particularly for individuals with a family history of CAD or other risk factors."   Saliva-based genetic testing is non-invasive, painless, and can be easily done at home, making it more convenient for individuals who prefer to collect their DNA samples in the privacy of their own home.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23005/aster-dm-healthcare-opens-tele-command-centre-and-digital-health-facility-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23005/aster-dm-healthcare-opens-tele-command-centre-and-digital-health-facility-in-bengaluru.html Wed, 26 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Aster DM Healthcare has opened its Tele-command Centre and Digital Health - India office in Bengaluru. This cutting-edge facility is set to revolutionise the way healthcare providers deliver remote care to patients around the world. The Centre is equipped with the latest technology and staffed by a team of highly skilled medical professionals. From this state-of-the-art facility, doctors and nurses can remotely monitor and treat patients in real-time, providing expert care and guidance from a distance. The Centre will be the backbone of all telehealth operations in India offering a range of services, including virtual consultations, remote patient monitoring, teleICU, teleradiology and telemedicine-enabled interventions. Dr Nitish Shetty, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Aster DM Healthcare (India) said, “The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how well digital health can make a difference to patient care. We see a great synergy with our existing healthcare portfolio and are further setting up similar centers in Kerala and the Andhra region to further extend our reach to provide quality care.” Brandon Rowberry, CEO of Digital Health said, “We are taking a major step towards revolutionizing the way healthcare is delivered. In addition, we will also shortly launch myAster – an omnichannel offering of all healthcare services in India.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23001/up-government-announces-new-initiatives-to-eradicate-malaria-in-bareilly.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/23001/up-government-announces-new-initiatives-to-eradicate-malaria-in-bareilly.html Tue, 25 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Reckitt’s well-known household insecticide brand, Mortein has launched ‘Mission Zero Malaria’ with support from the Government of Uttar Pradesh (UP) in Bareilly. Aligned with India’s goal to eliminate Malaria by 2030, Mission Zero Malaria has been launched with Malaria No More, as an implementation partner and aims to enhance health awareness and inspire the adoption of desired behavior change within the community, health system, and government bodies of the region. As per the World Health Organisation, in the South-East Asia region, India accounts for 82.5% of malaria cases which is majority of the malaria burden. In 2019, 70% of the officially reported cases of malaria in Uttar Pradesh, India, came from only 2 districts, Bareilly and Budaun. Bareilly witnessed sudden and unexplained outbreaks of malaria and dengue in recent times. 2019 saw an outbreak of both malaria and dengue, and 2021 saw an outbreak of dengue. In 2022, more than 40% of malaria impacted people under the age of 18 with about 7% impacting children up to the age of 5. Due to the consistent rise in Malaria cases in the district of Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh government took various steps to mitigate the risk and help those suffering from vector-borne diseases. However, the public and private sectors complement each other and help strengthen the system. Therefore, it is critical that the private sector collaborates with the public sector to help construct health infrastructure and facilitate healthcare provision to enhance malaria elimination efforts. Mortein and Malaria No More will play a significant role in healthcare delivery to the targeted beneficiaries to control and eradicate Malaria in Bareilly. This partnership will ensure investments, access to technology, and innovation that can be leveraged to lessen the burden of Malaria in the district.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22994/venus-safety-health-inks-mou-with-iit-d-for-rd-of-fibrous-air-filters.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22994/venus-safety-health-inks-mou-with-iit-d-for-rd-of-fibrous-air-filters.html Mon, 24 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Venus Safety & Health, a global quality manufacturer of Personal Protective Equipment based in Navi Mumbai, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-D), under which the "Venus Chair" has been established. This endowed chair established at IIT-D will promote excellence and leadership in teaching and research & development in the area of fibrous air filters at the institute. Fibrous air filters are used to remove airborne particles and the products made from them include particulate filtering masks, respirators, air purifiers, HVAC filters, HEPA filters, ULPA filters, engine intake air filters, cabin air filters, compressed air filters, steam air filters, and bag filters, to name a few. The Venus chair has been established through the generosity of Mahesh Kudav, the Managing Director of Venus Safety & Health. While signing the MoU, Kudav said, "Fibrous air filters are one of the key business segments of Venus Safety & Health. Through ingenious use of research and technology, the company has delivered premier air filter products. By establishing the Venus Chair at IIT Delhi, the company wishes to support teaching, research and development activities and facilitate a deeper collaboration in the area of fibrous air filters."   Image caption- Left: Mahesh Kudav, Managing Director, Venus Safety & Health; Right: Prof PVM Rao, Dean, Alumni Relations, IIT Delhi   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22988/national-covid-19-vaccination-programme-receives-excellence-award-by-pm.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22988/national-covid-19-vaccination-programme-receives-excellence-award-by-pm.html Fri, 21 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The National COVID-19 Vaccination Programme of the Union Health Ministry received the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration 2022 under the innovation category. Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Ministry received the award from Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi at a function organized on the occasion of 16th Civil Services Day at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. A robust monitoring system based on consultative approach was established through the State Steering Committee, State Task Force, District Task Force, Block/Urban Task Force with a two-way feedback mechanism to ensure swift mid-course corrective measures.  Development of Co-WIN (Winning over COVID) platform for facilitating a smooth vaccination roll-out was critical in the success of the programme. The Co-WIN platform was a key factor in enabling India to achieve multiple milestones in vaccination which includes- 221 crore (2.21 billion) vaccine doses administered across India and tracked digitally. This is 17% of the total COVID-19 vaccine doses administered across the world i.e., 13.34 billion. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22980/hcah-acquires-nightingales-home-healthcare-to-expand-reach.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22980/hcah-acquires-nightingales-home-healthcare-to-expand-reach.html Thu, 20 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 HCAH, a Delhi NCR-based health-tech company, has acquired Nightingales Home Health Services, a specialty home healthcare service provider, in a share swap deal. The acquisition will further increase HCAH’s geographic footprint in the country. With this acquisition, Nightingales’ Co-founder and industry stalwart - Vishal Bali (Ex- Group CEO, Fortis Healthcare Ltd and Senior Advisor - TPG Growth) will join HCAH as a shareholder. This acquisition reinforces HCAH’s position as the country’s largest out-of-hospital care provider in terms of annual revenue size and adds to their vision of improving the Quality of Life of people.  Nightingales Home Health Services brings over two decades of experience and a strong focus on specialty home health care services in chronic diseases including pulmonology, cardiology, neurology, metabolic diseases, orthopedics, geriatrics, and post-operative rehabilitation. Nightingales comes with a team of over 1,000 healthcare professionals, and an established delivery network across 4 metro cities of Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Mumbai. HCAH has raised investments from Burman Family (Promoters of Dabur), Founders of Healthcare at Home UK, Quadria Capital, a Singapore-based healthcare fund and ABC Impact.         ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22970/iit-b-officially-launches-koita-centre-for-digital-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22970/iit-b-officially-launches-koita-centre-for-digital-health.html Wed, 19 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 With the inauguration of the Koita Center for Digital Health, the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B) is strengthening its resolve to further digital healthcare in India. “Biology will build the next technology revolution in the world and digital health will play a critical role in this”, Chief Guest Dr Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, spoke at the inaugural ceremony of IIT Bombay’s Koita Centre for Digital Health, on April 17, 2023. The grand event witnessed a symposium on “Catalysing Digital Health Revolution in India,” and brought together digital health experts from government, academia, and industry. IIT-B had announced the establishment of the Koita Centre for Digital Health,- the first-of-its-kind Centre for Research in Digital Health in India, back in June 2021. It is focused on driving academic programmes, research, and industry collaborations in digital health. It will offer minor, dual degree, Masters and PhD programmes in Healthcare Informatics, and also conduct industry / outreach programmes for healthcare and industry professionals in digital health and enable them to act as force-multipliers. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22974/study-estimates-probability-of-getting-infected-with-covid-19-in-indoor-spaces.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22974/study-estimates-probability-of-getting-infected-with-covid-19-in-indoor-spaces.html Wed, 19 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT-D) have demonstrated a procedure for estimating the probability of infection of a healthy occupant when living in the same enclosed space as a COVID-19 infected person breathing out pathogens. This is one of the first demonstrations of estimating the likelihood of infection from a purely fluid dynamics perspective and considers the role of many occupants that affects the pathogen's spread. Despite sufficient indications of its culpability, there has been a lack of data to quantify the role played by the breathing-out of pathogens in the spread of SARS-CoV-2 since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this work, the researchers established the role of aerosol dispersion of the SARS-Cov-2 virus and similar airborne pathogens on the spread of the disease in indoor spaces. They performed realistic simulations of air flow in two representative IIT Delhi classrooms along with large number of occupants. The simulations were used to compute the dispersion of SARS-Cov-2, and to estimate the likelihood of infection faced by other occupants seated at various locations. The simulations by the researchers show that the "one-metre distance rule" between the occupants can significantly reduce the risk of spreading infection by a high-emitter. The study further found that higher ventilation rates and the proximity of the infected person to the inlet and exhaust vents play an important role in determining the spread of the pathogen. In the case of classrooms, a ventilation rate equivalent to 9 air changes per hour or more is recommended. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22977/verlinvest-acquires-controlling-stake-in-ferty9-fertility-center.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22977/verlinvest-acquires-controlling-stake-in-ferty9-fertility-center.html Wed, 19 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Verlinvest, an international, family-backed evergreen investment company, has announced its entry into India’s healthcare sector, with the acquisition of a controlling stake in Ferty9 Fertility Center, a chain of fertility clinics in the Telangana region that was founded by Dr C. Jyothi Budi and her partners in 2013.  This investment will enable Ferty9 to expand its reach across India and supports the development of new technologies and medical innovations, further strengthening Ferty9's position as a leading fertility clinic chain. By investing around $50 million in the platform, Verlinvest will focus on scaling Ferty9’s footprint, offering, and positive impact nationally. Verlinvest has partnered with Vinesh Gadhia, who will lead Ferty9 as its Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the Board to scale Ferty9’s reach and execute its ambition to acquire more fertility assets through this platform. MGadhia is an industry veteran in India’s fertility sector with over 30 years of experience in building commercial teams and expanding scientific partnerships. Two senior investors from Verlinvest who led this investment, Shagun Tiwary Shah and Manvitha Janagam, will join Ferty9’s Board of Directors, adding to the ~70% of employees at Ferty9 that are women.  Verlinvest’s acquisition of a controlling stake in Ferty9 Fertility Centre marks their first foray into the healthcare sector in India, having spent several decades investing in the healthcare sector in Europe. Verlinvest aims to leverage its expertise in backing market-leading consumer focused brands and apply it to the healthcare industry. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22978/ahmedabad-university-launches-school-of-public-health-to-foster-better-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22978/ahmedabad-university-launches-school-of-public-health-to-foster-better-research.html Wed, 19 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Ahmedabad University has announced the launch of its School of Public Health with a mission to improve health and the environment locally, nationally, and globally. The goals of the School are to train leaders who can develop wholistic solutions to interdisciplinary problems pertinent to the 21st century, and to educate and inspire individuals, communities, and organisations. Kaumudi Joshipura, Doctor of Science in Epidemiology from Harvard University, USA, has been named the Dean of the School. She also holds the Susmita and Subroto Bagchi Professorship in Public Health endowed by Susmita Bagchi, Odia writer and Chairperson, MoSchool, and Subroto Bagchi, Co-founder of Mindtree, and Chairman, Odisha Skill Development Authority. The long-term goals are to develop a comprehensive globally impactful School of Public Health. The initial education focus is planned in Environmental Health and Analytical Sciences including Data Science, Biostatistics and Epidemiology, and executive education. The School will offer an unprecedented opportunity for strong interdisciplinary collaborative education, research, and implementation, with a driving goal of addressing complex, at-scale societal challenges. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22964/big-facility-for-childhood-cancer-patients-to-open-in-mumbai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22964/big-facility-for-childhood-cancer-patients-to-open-in-mumbai.html Tue, 18 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 St Judes India, along with the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC) – part of Tata Memorial Centre – recently held the groundbreaking ceremony for their 12-storey building that will house 226 families at the ACTREC campus in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai. The facility aims to support and empower over 34,000 cancer-stricken families with quality education, shelter, nutrition, skill building, counselling, and transport facilities over a span of 20 years.  Housing 226 families at a time, the Navi Mumbai campus will ensure a safe and clean environment for underprivileged families during their child's cancer treatment. It will build an ecosystem for children to overcome the uncertainties of ill health with constant psychological and physical support. The centre will also simultaneously prepare them for a healthier and progressive future with future-ready skillsets. St. Judes currently operates in nine cities with 40 centres across India, impacting more than 504 families with a ‘home away from home’ for children undergoing cancer treatment. The NGO also partnered with Star Insurance in November 2021 to provide a one-of-a-kind insurance cover of care for children who have recovered from cancer. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22958/aurobindo-pharma-injects-rs-80-cr-to-build-oncology-block-for-mnj-hospital-in-hyderabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22958/aurobindo-pharma-injects-rs-80-cr-to-build-oncology-block-for-mnj-hospital-in-hyderabad.html Mon, 17 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Aurobindo Pharma Foundation (APF), the philanthropic and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of Aurobindo Pharma, has funded Rs 80 crore and built state-of-the-art oncology block in Redhills, Hyderabad for MNJ Institute of Oncology and State Cancer Institute. This block is built by Aurobindo Pharma Foundation in an effort to help the hospital in its endeavor to provide quality cancer care free of cost. MNJ Institute of Oncology and State Cancer Institute is committed to providing free, multidisciplinary cancer care to patients. Located in Telangana, it is the first State Government tertiary care institute to offer a comprehensive range of services, including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and palliative care, to patients from Telangana and neighbouring states. This state-of-the-art facility span over 2,32,000 square feet and is composed with 8 floor building with a total bed capacity of 300.  It is anticipated that the annual follow-up patient count for treatment will exceed 1.50 lakh patients. The existing facility has 450 beds, and this new facility will add 300 more beds, increasing the total capacity. Features such as bone marrow transplant rooms, dedicated paediatric and adolescent wards, targeted radiotherapy will be enhanced. This facility will introduce genetics and molecular labs, aiding in diagnosis and treatment of the disease.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22959/second-g20-health-working-group-meeting-in-goa-focuses-on-future-health-emergencies.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22959/second-g20-health-working-group-meeting-in-goa-focuses-on-future-health-emergencies.html Mon, 17 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The second G20 Health Working Group meeting commenced on 17th April 2023 in Goa. Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, delivered the keynote address, emphasising the need for developing consensus on responding to future health emergency management, network of R&D and manufacturing of vaccines and therapeutics, besides the global medical countermeasure coordination platform. Highlighting India’s progress in promoting Health and Wellness tourism, Shripad Naik, Union Minister of State for Tourism and Ports & Shipping and Waterways, noted that the country witnessed more than 1.4 million medical tourists in the past one year, making it one of the top destinations for medical tourism. Further, Union Health Secretary, Rajesh Bhushan, stated that India welcomes the first call for proposal by Pandemic Fund focused on surveillance, lab systems and strengthening public health workforce. He further emphasised the need for G20 member states to work for interweaving the multiple health initiatives under various multilateral forums like G7, World Bank, Pandemic Fund etc in order to create an agile and fit-for-purpose global health architecture. The Pandemic Fund opened its first Call for Proposals on March 3, 2023 and is inviting interested Eligible Countries, Regional Entities and Implementing Entities to develop full proposals for potential projects to be supported by this initial funding. The Pandemic Fund Governing Board has approved an envelope of $300 million in financing for its first round of funding to help developing countries better prepare for and respond to future pandemics. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22953/india-set-to-lead-diabetes-research-globally-dr-jitendra-singh.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22953/india-set-to-lead-diabetes-research-globally-dr-jitendra-singh.html Sun, 16 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh said that in times to come, India is all set to lead the diabetes research in the world. Delivering inaugural address at the 3-day World Diabetes Meet organised by the professional organisation "Diabetes India" recently in Indore, Dr Jitendra Singh, who is also a renowned diabetologist, said that India has a huge resource pool of patients with different manifestations of diseases at different stages and at the same time there is no dearth of calibre, capacity and acumen on the part of our researchers. It is therefore the right time to generate as much Indian data as possible because the goal should be to develop Indian treatment regimens for Indian patients, Indian solutions for Indian problems. He said this is also important because the Indian phenotype is different from the westerners and the genetic preponderance is also quite different. As a result, the pathogenesis and progress of Type 2 diabetes mellitus and other related metabolic disorders is not the same as in the western populations, he added. Citing research evidence, Dr Jitendra Singh said that it has now been proven beyond doubt that Indian origin diaspora living in European countries for several generations still continue to have higher preponderance to develop Type 2 diabetes mellitus even though they were no longer living in India and the environmental conditions they are living in is different. He also said that time has come to integrate the traditional Indian knowledge with the modern scientific inferences and also to seek a synergy of different systems of medicine including Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy for optimum and maximum benefits in the control and prevention of diabetes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22950/assam-advanced-health-care-innovation-institute-to-be-built-at-cost-of-rs-546-cr.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22950/assam-advanced-health-care-innovation-institute-to-be-built-at-cost-of-rs-546-cr.html Fri, 14 Apr 2023 14:25:00 +0530 Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation various projects worth more than Rs 3,400 crore in Guwahati, Assam, on 14th April. The PM dedicated All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Guwahati and three other medical colleges to the nation. He also laid the foundation stone of Assam Advanced Health Care Innovation Institute (AAHII) and launched ‘Aapke Dwar Ayushman’ campaign by distributing Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) cards to eligible beneficiaries. The operationalisation of AIIMS, Guwahati will mark a momentous occasion for the state of Assam and the entire North-East region. This is also a testimony of the Prime Minister’s commitment to strengthening health infrastructure across the country. The foundation stone of this hospital was also laid by the Prime Minister in May 2017. Built at a cost of more than Rs 1120 crore, AIIMS Guwahati is a state-of-the-art hospital with a capacity of 750 beds including 30 AYUSH beds. This hospital will have an annual intake capacity of 100 MBBS students every year along with providing world-class health facilities to the people of the Northeast. The PM also dedicated to the nation three medical colleges viz Nalbari Medical College, Nalbari; Nagaon Medical College, Nagaon; and Kokrajhar Medical College, Kokrajhar, built at a cost of about Rs 615 crore, Rs 600 crore and Rs 535 crore respectively. Each medical college has an attached 500-bed teaching hospital with OPD/IPD services including emergency services, ICU facilities, OT and diagnostic facilities etc.  Each medical college will have an annual intake capacity of 100 MBBS students.The PM remarked that the health infrastructure of Assam and the North East has found new strength as the Northeast gets its first AIIMS and the state of Assam gets three new medical colleges. He underlined that the foundation stone for a 500-bed super speciality hospital has also been laid for advanced research in collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22948/metropolis-healthcare-unveils-nextgen-hla-test-for-organ-transplantation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22948/metropolis-healthcare-unveils-nextgen-hla-test-for-organ-transplantation.html Thu, 13 Apr 2023 17:45:00 +0530 Metropolis Healthcare has launched 'NextGen HLA' Typing Test and is powered by the complex molecular technology 'Next Generation Sequencing NGS'. Metropolis' NextGen HLA Typing is a high-resolution molecular test, which is performed for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) and solid organ transplantation. This test aids in the identification of a suitable donor for bone marrow, cord blood, or organ transplant by analysing the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) genes that a person has inherited from the parents.   HLA encodes proteins found on the outer surface of cells that is part of our body's immune system. The immune system uses HLAs to differentiate self-cells and non-self-cells. HLA system is activated when the body encounters something foreign, such as transplants, and attempts to reject it leading to graft failure. Prior knowledge of HLA allelic genetic variants is clinically important for matching donor and recipient for Hematopoietic & organ transplantation. HLA allelic information can also be used to predict immune responses to a variety of infectious diseases, genetic and autoimmune disorders.   The HLA genes determine a person's unique HLA Type, which is critical for transplant success. The NGS-based HLA Typing test, widely regarded as the gold standard approach, eliminates the ambiguity in HLA Typing and provides the most accurate characterization of Alleles, making it one of the most advanced and reliable tests available in the market.   Metropolis' NextGen HLA Typing test ensures a higher percentage of HLA matches between donor and recipient, thus increasing the chances of successful transplant outcomes. This will reduce the risk of immune complications such as graft rejection, Graft vs Host Disease (GVHD) and improve the survival rate of patients undergoing HSCT. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22946/aster-dm-healthcare-rolls-out-first-5g-enabled-ambulance-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22946/aster-dm-healthcare-rolls-out-first-5g-enabled-ambulance-.html Thu, 13 Apr 2023 12:20:00 +0530 Aster Medcity, Kochi, a unit of Aster DM Healthcare has set a new benchmark in healthcare innovation by introducing the country’s first assisted reality ambulance. The latest 5G satellite technology-enabled ambulance is implemented with the help of Apothecary Medical Services, an independent firm providing entire critical care solutions to reach out to patients in pre-hospital setups.    The Assisted Reality Ambulance is a virtual emergency room on wheels that is equipped with state-of-the-art on-live Point of Care (POC) devices such as ABG, ECG, USG, etc, enabling instant screening and diagnosis of patients.    Dr Shashi Tharoor, MP launched the ambulance in an event conducted by Medcity at Thiruvananthapuram.    The ambulance has been designed with special features such as a crash cart door that can be accessed from the outside for treating casualties in disaster fields, and connected assisted reality smart glasses for live specialist support. The ambulance is also equipped with Wi-Fi-connected biomedical devices that transmit live dynamic data to specialists in the control room. With the support of specialists, patients are monitored and treated throughout the transit via technology.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22939/fibe-partners-with-pristyn-care-to-power-affordable-quality-healthcare-across-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22939/fibe-partners-with-pristyn-care-to-power-affordable-quality-healthcare-across-india.html Wed, 12 Apr 2023 14:20:00 +0530 Fibe (previously EarlySalary) has forged a strategic partnership with Gurugram-based startup Pristyn Care to offer medical expense loans of up to Rs 10 lakhs for all elective treatments on no-cost EMI under their CareNow PayLater proposition. The collaboration aims to provide Instant Affordability to Pristyn Care patients with easy repayment options.   Through this partnership, Pristyn Care patients will get access to Fibe’s interest-free financing solutions. With this tie-up, Pristyn Care patients can now pay for surgeries through Fibe’s no-cost EMI.   The service is also applicable to expenses that are not covered by health insurance. The partnership between Fibe and Pristyn Care is an effort to ease financing challenges faced by many patients and their caregivers. The cost of repayment of the treatment ranges from three months to two years, which can be selected by the patient at their convenience.    Harsimarbir Singh, Co-Founder, Pristyn Care said, “Our partnership with Fibe will strengthen our patient-centric offerings and help us provide advanced medical treatments to millions of patients."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22936/nationwide-capacity-building-programme-to-address-beta-thalassemia.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22936/nationwide-capacity-building-programme-to-address-beta-thalassemia.html Wed, 12 Apr 2023 10:10:00 +0530 ECHO India, a non-profit organisation committed to strengthening healthcare capacity in India, has teamed up with the Post Graduate Institute of Child Health (PGICH) Noida to launch a nationwide programme focussed on the Prevention and Control of Beta Thalassemia and other Hemoglobinopathies.   The programme, which was initiated through a two-day comprehensive Training of Trainers (ToT), will be implemented as a part of a nationwide collaborative initiative.   Under this programme, NHM Madhya Pradesh, Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will act as knowledge partners, and ECHO India has also onboarded the Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) as an academic partner.   PGICH, a leading paediatric institute established by the Uttar Pradesh Government, will serve as the National Hub for ECHO India's programme. This initiative aims to equip healthcare workers across the country with the necessary skills to prevent and manage Beta Thalassemia and other Hemoglobinopathies, particularly in remote and underserved regions of the country.   The launch of the programme was attended by Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Arjun Munda, who highlighted the importance of capacity building to address the challenges posed by these life-threatening conditions.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22926/healthcare-textiles-processing-facility-certification-scheme-launches-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22926/healthcare-textiles-processing-facility-certification-scheme-launches-in-india.html Mon, 10 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ), Association of Healthcare Providers India (AHPI), and Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD) have announced the launch of the Healthcare Textiles Processing Facility Certification Scheme. The scheme aims to ensure the quality of healthcare textiles, including personal protective equipment (PPE), by certifying the facilities that process them. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of healthcare textiles and PPE in protecting healthcare workers and patients from infection. However, the quality of these products depends not only on the materials used but also on the processing facilities where they are sterilised, cleaned, and packaged. The Healthcare Textiles Processing Facility Certification Scheme will help ensure that these facilities meet international standards for quality and safety. Under the scheme, healthcare textiles processing facilities can apply for certification by undergoing a rigorous evaluation process that includes site visits, documentation reviews, and testing of samples. The certification will be valid for three years, after which the facility will need to undergo a recertification process. The Healthcare Textiles Processing Facility Certification Scheme has been developed with the input of experts from AMTZ, AHPI, AiMeD, and other organisations in the healthcare industry. The scheme will cover processing of multiple-use healthcare textiles only as single-use healthcare textiles are meant for single use only and are a threat to the environment also.  The Healthcare Textiles Processing Facility Certification Scheme is open for applications from healthcare textiles processing facilities in India and abroad. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22929/nsdc-inks-mou-with-aiims-bathinda-to-create-employment-opportunities-in-health-sector.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22929/nsdc-inks-mou-with-aiims-bathinda-to-create-employment-opportunities-in-health-sector.html Mon, 10 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) International has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bathinda, to create employment opportunities for Indian youth in the healthcare and allied sectors overseas. The agreement aims to organise various knowledge sessions, research and development initiatives, and technical training programmes to help aspirants in the healthcare and allied sectors meet the demands of the global job market. The MoU aims to make India the skill capital of the world by equipping Indian youth with the necessary skills and knowledge to meet global job market requirements. As part of the initiative, the NSDC team visited the Centre of Excellence inside AIIMS Bathinda, which is a state-of-the-art centre in healthcare. With the healthcare and allied sectors in high demand overseas, the initiative is expected to create numerous employment opportunities for Indian youth, helping to boost the country's economy and make India a leading destination for skilled professionals in the healthcare sector. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22911/india-launches-first-simulation-learning-platform-for-critical-care-in-public-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22911/india-launches-first-simulation-learning-platform-for-critical-care-in-public-health.html Sat, 08 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 India’s first initiative in public health to build a case-based simulation learning platform for critical care was launched by Ranjit Singh, Haryana’s Minister for Energy, at the Integrated Holistic Health Summit of Civil 20 (C20) at Amrita Hospital in Faridabad recently.  The DiShA Platform, (short for Digital Shiksha for Advanced Clinical Capacity Building) is India’s first case-based simulation learning platform for critical care in public health. USAID funded and Jhpiego implemented RISE (Reaching Impact, Saturation, and epidemic Control) project’s DiShA platform is developed in collaboration with Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, and Amrita Hospitals.    The DiShA platform offers several features to bridge the competency gaps amongst healthcare providers. These include a platform for teaching and assessment of cognitive and skills-based content, social learning methodologies and learning analytics. After extensive field tests, the platform is now ready to be rolled out in 60 hubs and 2070 Spokes in the USAID RISE network of hospitals across India. Jhpiego and Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham will facilitate the training of trainers and administrators.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22913/25000-health-facilities-across-india-undergoing-transformation-to-address-climate-issues.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22913/25000-health-facilities-across-india-undergoing-transformation-to-address-climate-issues.html Sat, 08 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 In a significant step towards transforming the public health infrastructure for improved sustainability, SELCO Foundation and IKEA Foundation, in partnership with India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and various State Health Missions, have launched a groundbreaking initiative ‘Energy for Health’. The programme recognises climate adaptation and mitigation at the centre to all efforts to upgrade the public health facilities across the world. The first-of-a-kind initiative will bring solar energy solutions with efficient medical and electrical equipment to 25,000 healthcare facilities in 12 states by 2026. Across the 12 states under this programme, there is a diversity in terms of topography, socio-economic vulnerabilities, disease burden and climate. This diversity across selected geographies will contribute to this programme serving as a showcase globally- innovating on approaches, models and processes relevant for similar contexts in other parts of the world. The initiative aims to reach over 170 million people across the 12 states and improve working conditions for over 160,000 front line health staff at these health facilities.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22914/apollo-health-report-reveals-lowest-prevalence-of-diabetes-in-west-while-highest-in-south.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22914/apollo-health-report-reveals-lowest-prevalence-of-diabetes-in-west-while-highest-in-south.html Sat, 08 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Apollo has released its annual Health of the Nation report that deep dives into the prevalence and growth of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and highlights the importance of the right preventive healthcare measures to ensure India stays healthy. The rise in preventive screenings has also led to an increase in the diagnosis of early risk factors like Obesity and Dyslipidemia (cholesterol irregularities) among Indians across age groups. There is a 50% increase in the prevalence of Obesity among Indians between 2019 and 2022. Obesity has seen an uptick in diagnosis in those less than 45 years of age by 43% and by 60% in people over the age of 45. Dyslipidemia or Cholesterol irregularities has seen an 18% increase in prevalence among Indians between 2019 and 2022. This is also fueled by a significant increase in its prevalence among those over 45 years of age by more than 35% Diabetes and Hypertension diagnosis have seen an 8% and 11% increase respectively between 2019-22. While liver diseases saw maximum prevalence in East (at 50%), its lowest impact relatively is in the South (28%). West has seen the least relatively the lowest prevalence of diabetes (15%) while South has the highest (27%). Obesity trends have been similar across regions, ranging between 22-24%. Dyslipidemia (cholesterol) has the highest prevalence across all regions, with North seeing the most (48%), followed by West (41%), East (39%) and then South (37%). There is a need to reimagine preventive health assessments and design them to be more suitable to the Indian population.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22907/india-to-map-human-resource-and-infrastructure-for-paediatric-eye-care-services-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22907/india-to-map-human-resource-and-infrastructure-for-paediatric-eye-care-services-.html Thu, 06 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 In a bid to enhance eye care service delivery in India, Orbis, an international non-profit dedicated to the prevention of avoidable blindness, has unveiled the Eye Care Manual on Mapping of Human Resource (HR) and Infrastructure for Paediatric Eye Care Services in India, in partnership with Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). The manual is aimed at mapping and boosting the human and material resources available for the treatment and management of visual impairment in India. A 2020 national survey on HR and Infrastructure Mapping for Eye Health in India available as the India Vision Atlas under the National Programme for the Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, showed that a lot more needs to be done to improve pediatric eye care. The Manual on Mapping of Human Resource and Infrastructure for Paediatric Eye Care Services in India was developed to provide data regarding availability of services as well as infrastructure for paediatric eye care services in India. The All-India Ophthalmological society (AIOS) provided the database of ophthalmologists to find the names and contact details of ophthalmologists in the districts. The conclusion of this survey was included in the India Vision Atlas. The India Vision Atlas under the National Survey on Human Resources and Infrastructure tab provides information about Eye Care Indicators such as Eye Institute Population Ratio, Ophthalmologist Population Ratio, Optometrist Population Ratio, Paediatric Eye Institute Population Ratio and Paediatric Ophthalmologist Population Ratio.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22908/clirnet-launches-indias-first-ai-powered-doctors-assistant.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22908/clirnet-launches-indias-first-ai-powered-doctors-assistant.html Thu, 06 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Mumbai-based startup Clirnet has announced the launch of AiDA, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered Doctor’s Assistant. AiDA is designed to assist doctors and medical practitioners in their daily practice by providing quick, probable, and accurate diagnosis. Built on top of OpenAI platform, AiDA is a state-of-the-art tool that leverages advanced machine learning algorithms and natural language processing techniques to support doctors in making informed decisions, minimising potential of human error, and providing the best possible care to their patients. The benefits will be reaped by doctors across India, including those practicing in the remotest areas. AiDA in its first phase will help doctors with Differential Diagnosis (DDx) based on natural language queries, something the doctor community has sought for long. Excellent results have been obtained from the initial usage tests with doctors pan-India. DDx will assist the doctor to make an informed diagnosis by suggesting a list of medical conditions (with associated probabilities) that share the same symptoms. Requiring minimal tech skills, AiDA will help doctors achieve diagnostic excellence. This will create a deep positive impact on patient outcomes and reduce mortality.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22901/three-out-of-every-five-indians-vulnerable-to-health-misinformation-on-web-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22901/three-out-of-every-five-indians-vulnerable-to-health-misinformation-on-web-study.html Wed, 05 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 A survey conducted by THIP Media,which is a part of The Healthy Indian Project, reveals that a significant portion of the Indian population feels ill-equipped to identify credible health information on the internet. The study found that three out of every five Indians (62%) admitted to not knowing how to identify trustworthy health information on the web, leaving them vulnerable to misinformation and potential harm. Moreover, 55% of respondents felt that they needed help understanding whether a health claim was true or false, indicating a significant lack of confidence in their ability to assess the veracity of health information online. According to the research, 59% of Indians also worry that they may fall prey to health misinformation and get hurt without realising it. While 48% fear that any misinformation related to critical health conditions may hurt the most, another 36% feel that it is misinformation about alternative medicines that is most dangerous. The findings highlight the need for greater awareness and education on the importance of seeking out credible health information from reputable sources. The survey also brought to light a significant lack of trust in doctors and a higher dependency on online health content. While 49% of people agreed that they would follow what their doctors suggested as treatment. Surprisingly, 28% of respondents agreed that they cross-check their doctor's advice through internet searches, indicating a growing trend of relying on unverified sources of health information. Interestingly, the survey also found that two out of every five Indians were not aware of fact-checking helplines, which could provide them with reliable and accurate health information.  The research team hopes that the results will encourage policymakers to take proactive steps to educate the public on the importance of fact-checking and seeking out verified health information.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22883/national-skills-academy-to-open-for-building-capacities-in-healthcare-and-paramedics-in-tripura.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22883/national-skills-academy-to-open-for-building-capacities-in-healthcare-and-paramedics-in-tripura.html Sat, 01 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), working under the aegis of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), has announced a tri-partite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Administration of Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) and Medhavi Skills university to develop National Skills Academy named as “Maharaja Kirit Bikram International Centre for Innovation & Skills Excellence”. The Centre of Excellence (CoE) will focus on building capacities in the field of healthcare and paramedical skills for catering to the growing demand of trained paramedical staff and nurses in India and across the world. The MoU was exchanged between Ved Mani Tiwari, COO (Officiating CEO), NSDC, Kuldip Sharma, Pro Chancellor, Medhavi Skills university and Chandra Kumar Jamatia, IAS, Chief Executive Officer, Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council. Acting as an employment hub, the CoE will provide best-in class skill development initiatives to the youth of Tripura by facilitating international skills training and mobility in the healthcare and paramedical sectors along with other related sectors that have been showcasing high demand for talent building. Through this joint venture, Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) will support in promotional activities to create awareness of the courses available at the CoE. The council will be responsible for an overall administrative support and promote the academy at an international level for greater recognition. They will also provide recommendations whenever required to the central ministries, international foundations, and reputed corporates. It will be one of the most exclusive projects in entire Northeast where the students will be trained as per global standards and will be placed in the best countries of the world. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22885/narayana-health-and-karkinos-healthcare-to-offer-advanced-cancer-care-in-ahmedabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22885/narayana-health-and-karkinos-healthcare-to-offer-advanced-cancer-care-in-ahmedabad.html Sat, 01 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Narayana Health Group, headquartered in Bengaluru, and Mumbai-based startup Karkinos Healthcare are collaborating to provide comprehensive cancer programme with a state-of-the-art radiation facility in the Narayana Health facility at Ahmedabad. This programme is aimed at complementing the existing multispecialty Narayana Hospital at Maninagar, Rakhiyal in East Ahmedabad, providing accessible and affordable cancer care to patients in the region. With an already thriving oncology services programme for Medical and Surgical Oncology, the comprehensive radiation facility supported by a state-of-the-art PET Scan will ensure patients in Ahmedabad and its peripheries now have the most advanced solutions for Cancer in East Ahmedabad. Karkinos Healthcare will complement its range of advanced cancer care services with Narayana Health support in initiatives which include community screening, awareness sessions anchored by oncology experts, molecular diagnostics, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) support. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22887/amrita-school-of-ayurveda-and-rashtriya-ayurveda-vidyapeeth-to-create-repository-of-clinical-cases-in-ayurveda.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22887/amrita-school-of-ayurveda-and-rashtriya-ayurveda-vidyapeeth-to-create-repository-of-clinical-cases-in-ayurveda.html Sat, 01 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Amrita School of Ayurveda and Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth, Ministry of AYUSH have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further develop the AyurCeL (online portal) and create a repository of clinical cases in Ayurveda. This collaboration will facilitate the generation of practice-based evidence by helping clinicians report clinical outcomes systematically supported by multimedia. The MoU was signed by Dr Kousthubha Upadhyaya on behalf of Rashtriya Ayurved Vidyapeeth and Swami Sankaramritananda Puri on behalf of Amrita School of Ayurveda. The Ayurveda Clinical e-Learning (AYURCeL) project aims to fill this gap by creating a web platform to make available the clinical experiences of successful Ayurveda clinicians in a digital form and format that will facilitate continuous clinical learning based on well-documented case studies. Under the MoU, the collaboration between Amrita School of Ayurveda, Kerala, and RAV (Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth), will be established in the area of mutual interest to both the institutions for submission of selected clinical case reports of the Certificate course of RAV (CRAV) students after due verification from their corresponding Gurus to the AyurCeL portal for preliminary screening every month. The Amrita School of Ayurveda, Kerala shall examine the submitted cases as per their selection criterion and update the case report and further follow-ups and after vetting done by the experts shall publish the report in the portal. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22874/nimhans-ncbs-receive-rs-100-cr-grant-to-accelerate-research-of-mental-health-disorders.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22874/nimhans-ncbs-receive-rs-100-cr-grant-to-accelerate-research-of-mental-health-disorders.html Thu, 30 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies has announced a grant of Rs 100 crore to the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) and the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), in Bengaluru, to set up the ‘Centre for Brain and Mind’. An inaugural programme for the Centre's launch is being planned in the next few months. The Centre will further cutting-edge research to understand the causes, correlates, and course of five major illnesses - schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, dementia, and addiction, and explore potential interventions and treatments for them. Under this MoU, Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies Foundation, founded by philanthropist Rohini Nilekani, will support the activities of the ‘Centre for Brain and Mind’ (CBM) for five years starting April 2023. Over five years, CBM will simultaneously pursue two tracks - long-term research and building capacity for both research and practice in the mental health field. Since 2016, NIMHANS, along with NCBS and inStem, have been collaborating on a project (then supported by the Department of Biotechnology and Pratiksha Trust), to build a research platform for facilitating discovery of better solutions for mental illness. The research platform is now ready to drive discovery in this area and will be housed at the Centre for Brain and Mind, which will be co-located at NCBS and NIMHANS. By developing a core group of clinician researchers and basic scientists skilled in critical technologies and novel methods, the Centre will also establish a pipeline of younger researchers to carry forward this long-term enquiry.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22876/whats-triggering-organ-transplant-and-robotic-surgery-numbers-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22876/whats-triggering-organ-transplant-and-robotic-surgery-numbers-in-india.html Thu, 30 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 With only 3000 liver transplants done every year out of the 40,000 liver transplants required to be done in the country, medicines used in liver transplant surgeries are affordable and accessible to plug the huge demand supply gap, according to experts. According to Dr Aabha Nagral, Chief Hepatologist, Jaslok Hospital, “Today medicines are available and accessible for liver transplant surgeries as there are around 7 to 8 manufacturing companies in India like Emcure, Cipla and Panacea due to which there is cost competitiveness. Medicines were expensive a few decades back as they used to be imported from Singapore and other countries for liver transplant surgeries at Medanta and other centres way back in the late 90s." There are 8,000 kidney transplants done annually and 600 heart transplants annually in India which reveals the yawning gap.   “During COVID-19, most of the transplant patients continued to get the medicines and getting blood levels off the medicines, which we need to draw on a regular basis, are also very easily affordable and available now,” Dr Aabha Nagral added. “More and more insurance companies are giving medical cover for transplants and the medical costs are reimbursed. These days, even robotic surgeries are being covered under the health insurance,” according to a transplant expert.   The latest Robotic Donor Hepatectomy, performed by a trained surgeon, is the best available technology to the patient. It requires a team of 35 specialists. With this, the overall surgery and treatment duration has shrunk from 4 to 5 weeks to 3 to 4 weeks.  The features of this unique surgery includes no infections, painless, scarless, faster recovery, better scar and cosmosis, acceptability and patient safety as compared to open surgery.   Bhagwati Prasad ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22866/iit-mandi-identifies-key-risk-factors-for-cardiovascular-diseases-in-adults.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22866/iit-mandi-identifies-key-risk-factors-for-cardiovascular-diseases-in-adults.html Wed, 29 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi have conducted a study to identify the most significant risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) among adults aged 45 and above in India.  The research team utilised data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), a nationally representative longitudinal survey of 73,396 individuals aged 18 and above covering all Indian states and Union Territories. The data were collected from wave 1 of the study launched under the aegis of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, with International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai, being the nodal agency. The researchers included 59,073 older adults aged 45 and above, after cleaning the data.  The study found that environmental exposure is a significant risk factor for the occurrence and progression of CVDs in older adults in India. A majority of the population of India resides in rural areas and uses unclean fuels for cooking and other purposes, exposing them to harmful smoke emitted from burning them. Second-hand smoke exposure, commonly referred to as passive smoking, is believed to have similar cardiovascular effects and risks comparable to active smoking. The study also identified behavioural risk factors such as physical inactivity leading to CVDs. The study showed that the effect of physiological factors, which include diabetes, high cholesterol, depression, and being overweight or obese, is particularly serious. The sedentary lifestyle of people, the adoption of fast-food culture, and urbanization are some of the reasons for the prevalence of these physiological factors.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22870/heartfulness-institute-inks-partnership-with-all-india-institute-of-medical-sciences.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22870/heartfulness-institute-inks-partnership-with-all-india-institute-of-medical-sciences.html Wed, 29 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Heartfulness Institute makes a landmark partnership with All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi. The purpose of the agreement between the parties is to make Heartfulness meditation and relaxation techniques specifically related to Health and Medicine and to put to best use and apply each party’s infrastructure and capabilities to conduct research, education at universities, institutions, corporate houses, schools and colleges, Government Departments, Medical professionals etc., and other related activities in collaboration. The aim of education and research activities is to bring meditation and sciences in the day-to-day life and impacting various aspects of human health and wellbeing.   Collaborative research will also include the fields of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular and other diseases, catering to the areas of preventive, curative and palliative care with an objective to improving the quality of life of the patient and their family. Research will also involve areas like epigenetics, intuition and infertility related issues. Both the parties will also submit joint proposals and white papers to Government or private agencies or organisations when opportunity arises and present final research papers at events and seminars jointly organised.    Image caption- Daaji, Spiritual Guide - Heartfulness Meditation,  Founder - Heartfulness Education Trust & Padma Bhushan Awardee and M. Srinivas, Director - All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22871/hj-foundation-opens-new-health-centre-in-congo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22871/hj-foundation-opens-new-health-centre-in-congo.html Wed, 29 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Harish Jagtani’s HJ Foundation, a non-profit organisation focused on providing healthcare services to underprivileged sections of society, has opened a new healthcare centre in Kinshasa, Congo. This new facility will exclusively serve residents of the local community who are struggling to access affordable healthcare. The centre will offer a wide range of free medical services, including general medicine, dialysis, ophthalmology and prosthetic limbs. It will provide basic laboratory testing, as well as radiology services. Harish Jagtani, a Jaipur-born industrialist and philanthropist, has been operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo for the past two decades and has been running various businesses, such as cargo, real estate and healthcare. His foundation has been serving the people of this country relentlessly by hosting regular health camps, such as dialysis, malaria, ophthalmology and many more. Jagtani said, “Through this clinic, the foundation will have its own dialysis centre to treat patients suffering from kidney infections. It will also have a service called ‘Jaipur Foot’, which will take care of people living with disabilities by distributing prostheses for both upper and lower limbs.”  He added, “I’m pleased to inform you that malaria will also be fully covered by the foundation, which will dispense the drugs required for its treatment during its campaign against this mosquito menace. This clinic will, additionally, offer hospitalisation to all patients waiting to undergo cataract and glaucoma surgery.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22854/orbis-and-dr-shroffs-charity-eye-hospital-open-digital-training-hub-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22854/orbis-and-dr-shroffs-charity-eye-hospital-open-digital-training-hub-.html Mon, 27 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Orbis, an international non-profit dedicated to the treatment of avoidable blindness, has gone a step further in its quest to address the scourge of blindness and visual impairment and unveiled the Digital Training Hub at Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital, Delhi. The Digital Training Hub (DTH) provides access to simulation training, tele-mentorship, hands-on training, and more to accelerate ophthalmic care capacity. Equipped with state-of-the-art wet lab, artificial eyes, and virtual reality set up, the DTH operates with an experienced faculty at the helm. It combines digitisation, simulation, tele-mentorship, tele-education, and telemedicine with in-person hands-on training to enhance the capacity of ophthalmologists, ophthalmologists-in-training, and ophthalmic nurses. The DTH offers Sandwich Fellowships, Observerships, Hospital Based Trainings, to provide training in clinical and surgical skills, problem solving, crisis management, etc., through a blended learning approach. The Remote Surgical Mentorships provide a unique opportunity to seek mentorship from global experts during live ophthalmic surgeries. The simulation training enables training on glaucoma, cataract, strabismus, diabetic retinopathy, etc. using artificial eyes. Orbis’s tele-medicine platform – Cybersight – also plays a key role in delivering courses, webinars, facilitating virtual case discussion, and connecting ophthalmic professionals with experts from across the globe.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22843/prime-minister-inaugurates-one-world-tb-summit-2023-in-varanasi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22843/prime-minister-inaugurates-one-world-tb-summit-2023-in-varanasi.html Fri, 24 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 “India’s efforts are a new model for the global war on tuberculosis (TB)”. This was stated by Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi as he urged citizens to work collectively towards TB elimination in spirit of Jan Bhaagidari on a war footing and inaugurated the One World TB Summit 2023, in Varanasi. The Prime Minister unveiled the “Annual India TB Report 2023” which is a compilation of the country’s efforts towards making India TB-free by 2025. He launched a Training module on Extra Pulmonary Tuberculosis. The module is developed for training the healthcare workers of secondary and tertiary levels of public and private sector in India. The Prime Minister also launched the TB-Mukt Panchayat initiative to leverage the support of over 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats to raise awareness about TB, eliminate the stigma attached to the disease and help monitor and improve uptake of services. A new Treatment Preventive Therapy was also launched to prevent the development of active TB – thereby stemming the spread of the disease. Alongside, a family-centric care model was also announced to ensure the wellbeing of families affected by TB. The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of the National Centre for Disease Control & High Containment Laboratory and inaugurated the site for the Metropolitan Public Health Surveillance Unit in Varanasi. Modi informed the audience about the tremendous success of India’s National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP). He noted that “ICMR institutes like National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis (NIRT) has completed the world’s largest National Tuberculosis Prevalence Survey which helped us understand the TB burden at State level for targeted programmatic interventions.” He highlighted that India is the only country in the world to implement a Sub-National Certification (SNC) exercise, a novel scientific method through which districts are verified for their progress of elimination. The Prime Minister also informed that more than Rs 2,000 crore have been directly transferred to more than 75 lakh TB patients under the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme for TB patients.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22837/bhu-encourages-use-of-ayurvedic-medicine-in-ophthalmology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22837/bhu-encourages-use-of-ayurvedic-medicine-in-ophthalmology.html Thu, 23 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Dr. Basu Eye Hospital has announced the results of a retrospective observational study conducted by Prof Yamini of Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Uttar Pradesh, on the use of Isotine herbal eye drops – one of the effective remedies for cataract-induced vision impairment. The study, which included 308 cataract patients treated between 2017 to 2019, showed significant improvement in uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) and uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA) after treatment with Isotine. The study revealed that the use of Isotine eye drops for up to three months resulted in a significant improvement in the far-sightedness and near-sightedness of the patients Prof Yamini, who conducted the study, said, “The results of this observational study are very promising and suggest that Isotine Herbal Eye Drops may be an effective treatment for cataract-induced vision impairment. Moreover, the testing of the eye drops at IIT-Bombay has also proven to be a safe and effective treatment for cataract. We hope that this study will encourage further research on the use of Ayurvedic medicine in ophthalmology.” Dr. Basu Eye Hospital has established a world-class manufacturing unit, Jagat Pharma, to ensure that Isotine Herbal Eyedrops are of the highest quality and authenticity.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22838/we-should-immediately-eliminate-mother-to-child-transmission-of-hiv-dr-ishwar-gilada-president-asi-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22838/we-should-immediately-eliminate-mother-to-child-transmission-of-hiv-dr-ishwar-gilada-president-asi-.html Thu, 23 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Speaking on the sidelines of the recently held mega event, the 14th National Conference of AIDS Society of India (ASICON), Dr Ishwar Gilada, President, AIDS Society of India (ASI) and Governing Council member of International AIDS Society (IAS), said, "Indian pharma's capacity to produce generic antiretrovirals and supply them globally had resulted in major successes for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) fight worldwide as 92 per cent of Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus (HIV) medicines are from Indian pharma companies". The event started from March 17, 2023 in New Delhi and concluded on March 19, 2023. Today, the most commonly used drugs in the combination of tenofovir+lamivudine+dolutegravir+ efavirenz, is the widely prescribed standard first line medication to treat HIV. With the advancement in therapies and drugs, the therapy cost is today reasonably low to as less as Rs 1500 per month which can go up to a maximum of Rs 2,500 per month for first line therapy which has made the HIV treatment very affordable and accessible. Some of the major companies in manufacturing medicines for HIV are Emcure, Hetero and Laurus Labs. Global agencies like the UN, WHO, UNAIDS devise goals of “TasP”, “Test and Treat", #endAIDS only on the strength of India’s contribution through its pharma that is responsible for treating 92 per cent of People Living With HIV (PLHIV) globally. India’s Pharma industry also responded resiliently to the global needs of some of the medicines used in the treatment of COVID-19. Industry could respond to various country’s urgent appeals for supplies of products like Remdesivir, Favipiravir, Azithromycin, Doxycycline, Paracetamol, Hydroxychloroquine and many others. During FY22, the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry, apart from facing delay in site inspections and new site approvals by the USFDA, also faced pricing pressures, frequent shutdowns, global supply chain interruptions, and a sluggish manufacturing sector. “If we look back on HIV response in the past decades, it sends shivers down our spine to even imagine what would have happened if Indian generic manufacturers had not stepped in with affordable life saving medicines, and if we had to depend on the mercy of Big Pharma of the Global North. Thankfully, this is not the situation due to the stellar leadership demonstrated by Indian pharma. We have the time-tested and proven capacity to manufacture HIV diagnostics, medicines and robust supply chain mechanisms to deliver them worldwide sustainably,” informed Dr Ishwar Gilada.  According to the Government of India’s National AIDS Control Organisation 2022 report, annual new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths continue to decline nationally. Between 2010 and 2021, new infections declined by 46 per cent  and AIDS-related mortality declined by 76 per cent. The goal to reduce new HIV infections by 2025 is 80 per cent and clearly, we need to do much more to turn the tide. While the overall adult prevalence remains low (0.21 per cent in 2021), HIV prevalence among high-risk groups and the bridge population remains very high. HIV prevalence among migrants is four times, among truckers five times, among inmates in central jails and female sex workers 9 times, among men who have sex with men (MSM) 16 times, among hijra/transgender people 18 times and among people who use drugs 43 times of the overall adult HIV prevalence. “This divide shows our indifference to vulnerable populations by depriving them of the fruits of scientific developments. India missed meeting the target of “zero discrimination by 2020”, now shifted to 2030, albeit with a caveat, “less than 10 per cent discrimination by 2030”. This proves, we are born discriminatory and will remain so,” Dr Ishwar Gilada explained. In the journey towards #endAIDS, one of the earlier milestones has to be elimination of mother to child transmission (MTCT) of HIV, as that doesn’t even need a change in behaviour. India is yet to achieve the goal. “Coverage of pregnant women who receive medicines to prevent MTCT is 64 per cent. Vertical transmission rate including during breastfeeding is 24.3 per cent. This is another “missed opportunity” which we truly cannot afford to ignore if we are to #endAIDS by 2030. Rather, we should immediately eliminate MTCT that is now part of the WHO goal of triple elimination—elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis-B. Amidst calls to #endAIDS globally, let us remember that business as usual will fail us. If current trends continue, more than 1.2 million people will be newly infected with HIV in 2025, three times more than the pre-set target of 370,000,” Dr Ishwar Gilada concluded.   Bhagwati Prasad ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22833/experts-at-assochams-illness-to-wellness-summit-put-focus-on-investment-in-healthcare-workforce.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22833/experts-at-assochams-illness-to-wellness-summit-put-focus-on-investment-in-healthcare-workforce.html Wed, 22 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 ASSOCHAM Foundation for CSR, under the aegis of Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), one of the apex trade associations of India, kick-started the first edition of the Awareness Summit on ‘Illness to Wellness’ in New Delhi on 22 March. The key objective of the two-day summit is to initiate a dialogue on promoting and building a ‘New India–Healthy India’. The first session on day one of the summit saw a panel of distinguished experts discuss the possible ways to strengthen the healthcare workforce with the objective to ease the healthcare burden of the country. In his address during the inaugural session, the Guest of Honour Bhubaneswar Kalita, Chairperson, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare, Government of India said, “Making healthcare affordable, accessible and available to all can help us attain the Sustainable Development Goal of ensuring healthy life and promoting well-being for all age groups. Our main challenge is the lack of a diversified and qualified workforce and we must work towards improving the status quo as workforce is the soul of our healthcare system. There should also be a focus on improving women’s health for larger interest of families, communities and nation in order to reduce the burden on public healthcare infrastructure and spending.” Sharing his thoughts during the inaugural session, Anil Rajput, Chairperson, ASSOCHAM National CSR Council, said, “India is at the cusp of an exciting and transformative time as it aims to reach $26 trillion in economic prosperity in its Amrit Kaal. I strongly believe that when the workforce is healthy and capable, our nation can achieve its full potential across all domains." Dr G. C. Khilnani, Chairman, PSRI Institute of Pulmonary, Critical and Sleep Medicine and Former Professor & Head, Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, AIIMS, New Delhi, said, “Although ramping up the infrastructure is important, outcomes will not improve if adequate attention is not paid to enhancing the quality of health workforce, especially the staff nurses." Joining the session virtually, (Padma Bhushan) Dr S. K. Sarin, Senior Professor, Department of Hepatology & Director, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, said, “Creating a healthier generation is not doctors’ effort alone; it is a team effort. Instead of following a pyramid structure, we should adopt a bottom-up approach, starting from villages. We should utilize ASHA workers to better document and understand the healthcare needs of our citizens.”   (Padma Bhushan) Dr T. S. Kler, Chairman, Fortis Heart and Vascular Institute, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram & Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj, said, “Policies should be in place to ensure decent pay packages and respect for the crucial healthcare workers. Besides this, it is also important to reduce the healthcare burden of the country by allowing euthanasia. Introducing policies related to mandatory insurance, minimum health curriculum in schools and decreasing reservation should also be considered.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22825/indo-spanish-collaboration-to-develop-affordable-drugs-for-mosquito-borne-infections.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22825/indo-spanish-collaboration-to-develop-affordable-drugs-for-mosquito-borne-infections.html Tue, 21 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based Foundation for Neglected Disease Research (FNDR) and Spanish firm DevsHealth have announced the start of a collaborative project to develop new broad-spectrum antiviral agents for infections caused by flaviviruses such as dengue, Zika, West Nile virus, and Japanese encephalitis, among others.  Flaviviruses belong to the Flaviviridae family of viruses and cause more than 400 million human infections per year. Most cases are mild infections with self-limiting febrile episodes, but some infections cause severe and life-threatening disease with symptoms such as haemorrhagic fever, encephalitis, paralysis, or hepatic failure, among others.  Climate change is affecting global disease distribution, and an increase in flavivirus infection cases has been seen in Europe and North America. This collaboration has the potential to revolutionise the way flavivirus infections are treated. There are currently no drugs available to patients to treat these infections.  The mix of FNDR's capabilities in infectious diseases research together with the DeepTech platform from DevsHealth will allow the consortium to accelerate the discovery of new broad-spectrum agents for flaviviruses. DevsHealth will be in charge of in silico studies and chemistry efforts and the FNDR will manage all in vitro and in vivo experiments. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22829/telangana-to-run-capacity-building-programmes-for-doctors-and-healthcare-workers.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22829/telangana-to-run-capacity-building-programmes-for-doctors-and-healthcare-workers.html Tue, 21 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Osmania Medical College has joined hands with ECHO India to run capacity-building programmes for doctors and healthcare workers in the state of Telangana. The partnership agreement was signed by Dr Shashikala Palkonda Reddy, Dean, Osmania Medical College and Dr (Col) Kumud Rai, Chairman & Managing Trustee, ECHO India. Dr Shashikala thanked ECHO India for establishing a well-equipped telementoring hub at the college’s campus. The hub will be used to impart mentorship programmes on various diseases and one of the first programmes to be launched by the hub is in the field of Infection, Prevention and Control (IPC) techniques. IPC practices have gained unprecedented attention due to COVID-19 pandemic and is considered to be a critical area for upskilling frontline health staff to enhance patient safety and for better management of any potential outbreaks of infectious diseases. The partnership with Osmania Medical College expands ECHO India’s outreach in the state of Telangana as it is working with several healthcare partners in the state including National Health Mission (NHM) Telangana and other government and private healthcare institutions. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22817/sbi-partners-with-iisc-for-construction-of-orthopaedics-wing-in-bagchi-parthasarathy-hospital.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22817/sbi-partners-with-iisc-for-construction-of-orthopaedics-wing-in-bagchi-parthasarathy-hospital.html Mon, 20 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The State Bank of India (SBI), under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities, has partnered with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, towards the construction of the Orthopaedics Wing of the Bagchi-Parthasarathy hospital coming up on campus. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by SBI and IISc at the Institute recently. The not-for-profit multispecialty hospital planned at IISc will support the world class clinical training of MD-PhD/MS-PhD students, while providing an unprecedented platform for advanced research at the intersection of science, engineering and medicine. In addition to delivering the highest quality care to society at large, the hospital aims to also provide state-of-the-art facilities for diagnostics, treatment and research. There will be 832 ward beds split into general beds and special beds (single and shared occupancy). The hospital will have 19 major Operation Theatres (OTs) for super specialty surgeries, and 6 minor OTs. Advanced radiology and imaging services such as CT, MRI, PET-CT, Mammography, USG and Doppler, and X-ray would be available. SBI will provide a CSR donation of Rs 24 crore for the establishment of the Orthopaedics Wing, including the required biomedical equipment. The project will be completed by 2025. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22812/health-minister-flags-off-75-trucks-for-countrywide-awareness-drive-to-eliminate-tb.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22812/health-minister-flags-off-75-trucks-for-countrywide-awareness-drive-to-eliminate-tb.html Fri, 17 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Govt of India, recently addressed the Partnership Action against Tuberculosis (PAcT) Summit, in New Delhi. Dr Mandaviya also flagged off 75 trucks with tuberculosis (TB) awareness messages that have been provided by Apollo Tyres Foundation, who are actively supporting the Ni-kshay scheme. These trucks will travel and carry the messages of TB-free India across states. “The whole country is enthused and mobilised in the spirit of Jan Bhagidari to work towards elimination of tuberculosis (TB). Synergised with the clarion call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to end TB in the country five years ahead of SDG2030 target, more than 71,000 Ki-shay Mitras have come forward and are today supporting over 10 lakh TB patients through nutritional support and other means, as part of Union Government’s Ni-kshay scheme for elimination of TB through mobilisation of all walks of stakeholders across corporates, NGOs, people’s representatives, individuals etc.”, said the Minister. He added that the initiative of 75 trucks branded with TB messages from five locations (Delhi, Mudra Port- Gujarat, Hyderabad, Jalandhar and Agartala) will boost efforts to address TB among truckers’ communities and others closely associated with the community. He also urged other corporates, institutions, trade bodies, associations and individuals to come forward and actively support India’s battle against tuberculosis. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22807/resmed-global-sleep-survey-finds-58-of-indians-consider-snoring-as-sign-of-good-sleep.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22807/resmed-global-sleep-survey-finds-58-of-indians-consider-snoring-as-sign-of-good-sleep.html Wed, 15 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 US-headquartered company ResMed has released findings from its annual sleep survey, which looked at attitudes, perceptions, and behaviours around sleep health, as well as its impact on overall well-being. Conducted across Australia, Brazil, China, India, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Mexico, United States of America, United Kingdom, France and Germany, the ResMed commissioned survey found that the majority of 20,050 respondents surveyed recognise the importance of achieving quality sleep and its impact on overall health but understanding of the various solutions to address sleep-related issues remain elusive. Out of 5018 India respondents, the survey found that 85% of respondents reported satisfaction with their sleep quality. Conversely, participants stated that electronic devices (40%), change of routine (37%), stress (37%), and financial pressures (37%) have caused the decline in their sleep quality, leading to adverse effects such as mood changes, excessive daytime sleepiness, and difficulty in concentration during the day. More alarmingly, 58% of Indian respondents surveyed consider snoring a sign of good sleep highlighting that they were unaware that snoring was a potential trigger of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and other sleep-related issues. Contrary to popular assumption, snoring does not indicate a restful night’s sleep. Despite 89% Indian respondents believing that getting a good amount of sleep each night is important for improving the overall immune system, many are still hesitant to seek treatment for sleep apnea or other sleep conditions due to high levels of uncertainty and doubts, particularly over concerns about the cost of treatment (32%) and fearful of potential results (30%).  In fact, the survey found that only a handful would choose to consult a medical provider (20%) with the vast majority deferring to family or friends (57%) and online information (37%), for advice. While 67% respondents stated that doctors in the India ask about the quality of their sleep, close to a third (30%) individuals surveyed continuing to doubt the effectiveness of treatments in improving their overall health highlighting the urgent need to educate them about the health effects on overall sleep health, and proactive measures available to address them.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22808/siemens-healthineers-lays-foundation-stone-for-new-campus-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22808/siemens-healthineers-lays-foundation-stone-for-new-campus-in-bengaluru.html Wed, 15 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Siemens Healthineers India celebrated laying the foundation stone for the new campus in Bengaluru on 15 March 2023. Furthering its enduring commitment to India and driving the digitalisation of healthcare, the company had announced an investment Rs 1,300 crore for setting up Siemens Healthineers campus. The new campus integrates R&D, manufacturing, innovation hub and India headquarters making India a core centre of competence for the design and development of entry-level products. 70,000 square meters of office space for the development centre and 5,000 square meters of manufacturing space will be initiated in the first phase. In a second phase, a total area of around 114,000 square meters will be added. This will make the campus the company’s largest location in the world in terms of area. The futuristic campus aims to strengthen collaboration and creativity, coupled with environment-friendly, sustainable, energy-efficient solutions.   Image caption- Left to right: Dr Jochen Schmitz- Chief Financial Officer, Heinz Mayer- Head of Real Estate, Dr Bernd Montag- Chief Executive Officer, Elisabeth Staudinger- Member of the Managing Board, Vy Tran- Head of Asia Pacific Japan, Dr Peter Schardt- Chief Technology Officer   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22800/private-healthcare-market-of-gurugram-stands-at-rs-6800-cr.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22800/private-healthcare-market-of-gurugram-stands-at-rs-6800-cr.html Tue, 14 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Gurugram, the cybercity of Delhi-NCR, is growing as a major healthcare hub, providing access to world-class tertiary and quaternary care to both domestic and international patients. The private healthcare market of Gurugram has emerged as a preferred destination for quaternary care (Medical Value Travel- MVT) and it is estimated to be nearly Rs 6,800 crore, according to a study- ‘Gurugram Market Research’ conducted by TR Life Sciences- a leading healthcare consultancy firm. The study finds that with strong community participation and Haryana government support, the city excels in trauma care, and leading Super Specialty Hospitals perform over 500 trauma surgeries every month. According to the study, the Indian MVT market stands at over Rs 27,000 crore and Delhi-NCR’s share is around Rs 2,400 crore. Gurugram contributes nearly Rs 800-900 crores, nearly 40% share in the Delhi-NCR market.  The study reveals that Gurugram has grown as a healthcare micro-market and has seen the launch of several big corporate hospitals with more planned in the future.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22789/kedaara-capital-acquires-majority-stake-in-oliva-skin-hair-clinic.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22789/kedaara-capital-acquires-majority-stake-in-oliva-skin-hair-clinic.html Mon, 13 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Oliva Skin & Hair Clinic, one of India’s leading medico-aesthetic dermatology services players, has announced a strategic partnership with Kedaara Capital. With its third investment in the single speciality healthcare segment, Kedaara aims to support and fuel Oliva’s growth towards realising its vision of becoming India’s most respected and leading medico-aesthetic dermatology chain. The transaction will also provide an exit to InvAscent, which invested in the company in 2014.  Founded by Dr Prashant Soma in 2009, Oliva has established itself as one of the largest and fastest growing players in the Indian dermatology space. Supported by multiple rounds of funding from InvAscent-advised India Life Sciences Fund II, Oliva grew from a 4-centre Hyderabad-based operation to a network of 23 centres across 7 cities in India. Oliva offers a diverse suite of skin & hair treatments and products. Oliva has a strong roster of 90+ dermatologists and follows a clinician focused approach with consultations done only by dermatologists. Over time, Oliva has also established a high-quality and coveted training programme where dermatologists and technicians are trained on its best-in-class treatment protocols and SOPs thereby ensuring consistent and superior clinical outcomes across it cenres.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22794/iit-g-collaborates-with-sri-sathya-sai-heart-hospital-to-foster-cardiac-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22794/iit-g-collaborates-with-sri-sathya-sai-heart-hospital-to-foster-cardiac-research.html Mon, 13 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sri Sathya Sai Heart Hospital, Ahmedabad and Rajkot run by Prashanti Medical Services & Research Foundation (PMSRF) to foster cardiac research and provide digital transformation, upgradation and information sharing related to the cardiac diseases. The key highlights of the collaboration include - To work jointly for the improvement of the overall digital healthcare ecosystem related to congenital heart ailments; To set up a high-end Research and Development centre at IIT Guwahati in collaboration with the Government of Assam; and To work jointly on digital transformation, upgradation and share information for the benefit of cardiac patients in the North-East part of the country. It is notable that this collaboration with help in strengthening the capacity of the State Government health institutions in paediatric cardiac care. The MoU has been signed for a period of 2 years and can be further extended on mutual agreement of both the stakeholders.  The Government of Assam has also inked an MoU with PMSRF to conduct sophisticated heart surgeries upon 500 children and an equal number of adults belonging to the disadvantaged sections of the society and requiring treatments within a period of two years. This collaboration between the Assam Government, IIT-G, and PMSRF will provide affordable healthcare services to the state’s residents.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22775/best-cluster-launches-one-health-bengaluru-city-consortium.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22775/best-cluster-launches-one-health-bengaluru-city-consortium.html Fri, 10 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru Science and Technology (BeST) Cluster, located in the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Campus, an initiative of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, focuses on ‘One Health’ among other themes. The BeST cluster launched the ‘One Health Bengaluru City Consortium’ as a significant first step towards the goal of integrating existing one health efforts, facilitating collaboration, and building a one health framework for the city of Bengaluru. Representatives from 25+ organisations consisting of researchers, academicians, technologists, industry experts, practitioners, policymakers, city planners, health authorities, not-for-profit organizations, and civic officials were gathered for the launch of the One Health Bengaluru City Consortium recently, with a goal toward integrating existing one health efforts, facilitating collaboration, and building a One Health framework for the city of Bengaluru. Ten years from now, the consortium envisions having an organised dashboard for data-informed policymaking, environmental surveillance made part of the public health care system, and a model framework in place for other cities to learn. One Health Bengaluru City Consortium is being driven by disease ecology and environmental surveillance as an evidence-based approach for predicting risks to human and animal health.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22768/bpcl-joins-hands-with-tata-memorial-centre-to-aid-cancer-treatment-and-research-in-punjab.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22768/bpcl-joins-hands-with-tata-memorial-centre-to-aid-cancer-treatment-and-research-in-punjab.html Thu, 09 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tata Memorial Centre to provide CSR aid to Homi Baba Cancer Hospital, Sangrur and Homi Baba Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Mullanpur a unit of Tata Memorial Centre in Punjab. The MoU signing ceremony took place at an event in Ludhiana in the presence of Sukhmal Jain, Director Marketing of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Doctors of Homi Baba Cancer Research Hospital. They further discussed their common vision of energizing lives which can be leveraged by petroleum business and healthcare together. In an effort towards improving health and community development, BPCL will be funding and investing Rs 1.84 crore towards the hospitals to procure hi-tech surgical equipment to enable advance cancer treatments which will be made readily available to the underprivileged population at low costs. This will enable cancer patients to avail high end reconstructive surgeries and improve their quality of life. In line with the vision of the company to energise lives, their CSR initiatives are guided to ensure sustainable development and transform existing challenges into unique strengths that can be harnessed for nation building. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22762/srm-global-hospital-adopts-dozees-ai-based-contactless-vitals-monitoring-technology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22762/srm-global-hospital-adopts-dozees-ai-based-contactless-vitals-monitoring-technology.html Wed, 08 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 SRM Global Hospital in Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu, in Tamil Nadu, has entered into a partnership with Bengaluru-based startup Dozee to implement continuous patient monitoring. Dozee's solution will be implemented at the hospital to improve safety and clinical outcomes by allowing doctors and healthcare workers to monitor patients remotely. As a smart hospital, SRM Global Hospital in Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu, values automation and digitalisation of vital data and operational processes. Dozee enables healthcare workers to remotely monitor patients’ vital parameters such as heart rate, respiration rate, blood pressure, SPO2 levels, temperature, and electrocardiogram (ECG). Dozee’s Early Warning System (EWS) tracks vital parameter trends and alerts healthcare providers to detect patients' clinical deterioration early, enabling timely medical intervention. The startup uses artificial intelligence (AI)-powered Ballistocardiography (BCG) for contactless vitals monitoring. Dozee’s technology is patented and made in India, and it has been clinically proven to be 98.4% accurate. Continuous vital monitoring significantly impacts patient safety, clinical outcomes, and operational efficiency. Research done by independent consulting firm Sattva shows that for every ~100 Dozee connected beds, it can save ~144 lives and ~80% of the time taken for vitals by nurses and reduce ICU Average Length Of Stay (ALOS) by ~1.3 days.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22755/critical-care-hope-receives-rs-3-2-cr-for-setting-up-tele-icus-in-5-states.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22755/critical-care-hope-receives-rs-3-2-cr-for-setting-up-tele-icus-in-5-states.html Tue, 07 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The SAMRIDH Healthcare Blended Financing Facility has committed Rs 3.2 crore to Critical Care Hope to help expand its tech-enabled hub-and-spoke Tele-ICU platform that enables healthcare providers in tier 2 and 3 cities to deliver critical care services. SAMRIDH is a multi-stakeholder innovation and financing platform supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by IPE Global.  The ‘Tele-ICU’ platform is an innovative model, which allows an intensivist (a certified critical care physician) to actively manage the needs of 60-80 ICU patients across multiple locations, monitoring from a remote command centre. In a normal hospital scenario, an intensivist is required at the patient’s bedside, and thus can only manage 10-12 patients. With this collaboration, Critical Care Hope aims to onboard 12 partner hospitals in tier-2 and 3 towns in Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh to deliver critical care services. Critical Care Hope - “Guardian Angels of ICU”, is taking tertiary-level medical expertise to remote locations by making a network of partner hospitals to provide the ‘Right Care’ to the ‘Right Patient’ at the ‘Right Time’. The proposed hub and spoke model will create dedicated command centres called HOPES (Health Outcomes Focused Preventions and Evaluation System) – each of which will act as a centralised management (hub) for patients in need of critical care in remote sites (spokes).   The HOPES hubs will bring together ICU specialists, advanced medical technologies, expertise and local hospitals on one platform, and offer 24x7 of monitoring patients, collecting and analysing data, and offering protocolled care and treatment interventions. The clinical tools and automated alerts provide real-time patient data and actionable insights that help in quick decision-making.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22746/telemedicine-society-of-india-launches-haryana-state-chapter.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22746/telemedicine-society-of-india-launches-haryana-state-chapter.html Mon, 06 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The newly formed Haryana State Chapter— Telemedicine Society of India (TSI) was inaugurated at Amrita Hospital, Faridabad recently. Delivering the inaugural speech, Swami Nijamritananda Puri, Administrative Director, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad said, “Ours is a country where most people do not have access to proper medical care. Though there are several reasons, one of the main reasons is the geographical factor. Launching the Haryana Chapter will help transcend the obstacles and help people denied advanced medical assistance.” Telemedicine is often called telehealth, digital medicine, e-health, or m-health (mobile health). The Haryana Chapter aims to connect patients who need medical help with in-house technical teams using telemedicine and clinics on wheel units. Prof Meenu Singh, President of National Telemedicine Society & Director of AIIMS, Rishikesh said, “The government of Haryana started telemedicine Delhi-NCR and Chandigarh many years ago. It is 25 since telemedicine services began in Haryana when Prof. BD Gupta introduced it in 1997.  In 2005, the Prime Minister of India started telemedicine along with ISRO and the Department of Education and Technology. It is gratifying to see Amrita collaborating with ISRO and other agencies.”  Stressing the need to bridge the healthcare digital divide, Dr Puneet Dhar, President, Haryana Telemedicine Chapter said, “About 1.3 billion people in the country fall in the spectrum of the healthcare digital divide. Healthcare infrastructure development is vital to the country's development, and telemedicine can help. The increasing penetration of smartphones, mobile connectivity, and the internet makes it a game changer." The TSI’s Haryana Chapter will collaborate with all medical colleges/institutions to provide an in-training for future doctors. It is the 16th state chapter of TSI in India. They will also team up with various stakeholders for quality improvement in all aspects of healthcare- preventive, primary, secondary, and tertiary levels.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22740/mizoram-to-build-super-specialty-cancer-and-research-centre-at-cost-of-rs-560-cr.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22740/mizoram-to-build-super-specialty-cancer-and-research-centre-at-cost-of-rs-560-cr.html Fri, 03 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has signed a Loan Agreement with the Government of India to provide Japanese ODA loan amounting to JPY 9,918 million (approximately Rs 560 crore) for the development of a 164-bed Super-Specialty Cancer and Research Centre in Mizoram. The Super Specialty Cancer and Research Centre will also have state-of-the-art medical equipment for cancer diagnosis that will improve cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The objective of the project is to improve access to cancer prevention, detection, and treatment as well as human resource development and research that support cancer control system, in line with the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) program in 2010, which aims to reduce the premature mortality from cancer to 25% by 2025. The establishment of the Super Specialty Centre will ensure Universal Health Coverage by strengthening the cancer healthcare system in the state. Mizoram records the second highest cancer incidence rate and the state government has identified the improvement of cancer control as one of the highest priorities in the state's health sector. Mizoram aims to be a model state for cancer control in India with the establishment of this regional cancer control system. The loan agreement for the project was signed between Rajat Kumar Mishra, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India, and Saito Mitsunori, Chief Representative, JICA India. The project is in line with the development policy and goals of the State of Mizoram, the development goals of the Government of India, and that of JICA’s policy for developing nations. Through this project, not only the construction of the infrastructure but also soft components to support the establishment of a cancer control system in Mizoram will be provided. The soft components will consists of 1) Hospital management and medical safety, 2) Capacity strengthening of diagnosis and treatment, 3) Capacity strengthening of facility and equipment management and maintenance and 3) Capacity strengthening of cancer prevention and screening.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22738/pristyn-care-forays-into-holistic-weight-loss-and-metabolic-health-management.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22738/pristyn-care-forays-into-holistic-weight-loss-and-metabolic-health-management.html Thu, 02 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 To combat the obesity epidemic in India , Gurugram-based startup Pristyn Care has entered into a strategic partnership with US-based Allurion Technologies, in order to offer  a holistic weight-loss and obesity care platform. Allurion has developed the world’s first and only procedureless swallowable gastric balloon. In a 15-minute OPD visit, the patient swallows a  vegan capsule that contains the  gastric balloon. Once in the stomach, a catheter is used to inflate the balloon with 550 ml of liquid – no surgery, endoscopy or anaesthesia is required. A simple X-ray is used to ensure the balloon is in the right position. After placement, the balloon – roughly the size of a grapefruit – takes up space in the patient's stomach, creating a feeling of fullness and reducing food intake. The balloon reduces feelings of hunger, and in approximately 16 weeks, it automatically deflates and passes out of the body naturally.  With this partnership, Pristyn Care will go live with this treatment in 6 metro cities - Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai and Pune, which have close to 100 clinics and over 400 hospital tie-ups. Currently, at least 20 doctors in these 6 cities have been trained and certified by Allurion . By year-end, Pristyn Care plans to treat 1000+ patients for this weight-loss procedure. Speaking about the tie-up, Dr Vaibhav Kapoor, Co-founder, Pristyn Care said, “It’s one of the safest ways to lose weight and is CE approved and also by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation. We have also onboarded dieticians, nutritionists and fitness experts who will be working with the patients to help them train their body towards a better lifestyle and a healthier weight." The Pristyn - Allurion Programme comes with the Virtual Care Suite, which integrates the Allurion Mobile App, Connected Scale, and Health Tracker into a single “digital umbrella” to provide remote patient monitoring, telehealth and secure messaging with the care team. The software platform is powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning to allow care teams to interact with their patients – and their data.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/22710/empowering-women-with-femtech.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/22710/empowering-women-with-femtech.html Wed, 01 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The rise in the femtech market can be attributed to a combination of increased awareness, technological advancements, investment, and a growing demand for women's healthcare solutions. In the last 6-7 years, women have become aware of the benefits of tracking and monitoring their health as technology has advanced to enable more accurate and personalised health solutions. The femtech market has seen a surge in growth and investment in the past few years, with the global femtech market projected to reach from $18 billion in 2019 to $60 billion by 2027. Femtech has also gained greater recognition in the healthcare industry, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other organisations recognising the importance of addressing women's unique health needs. As a result, there has been a growing focus on developing and promoting femtech solutions to improve women's health outcomes and overall well-being. With the increasing prevalence of smartphones and wearable technology, it has become easier to track and monitor various health metrics, such as menstrual cycles and fertility, leading to the development of new femtech products. The main types of femtech are devices, software, services, and others. Devices refer to a wide range of tools and products that are used for women's health improvement, consisting of wearable devices, treatment devices, and others. Software is used in female technological products for women's wellness and women's healthcare. Services include medical services that are used in women's healthcare, which are therapy services used in wellness and healthcare. The end-users of femtech include direct-to-consumers (D2C), hospitals, fertility clinics, surgical centres, and diagnostic centres for applications in reproductive health, pregnancy and nursing care, pelvic and uterine healthcare, general healthcare and wellness, and others.   Indian women show increased interest in femtech In India, femtech is still a relatively new industry, but it is rapidly gaining popularity and attracting investment. According to a report by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industries (FICCI), the Indian femtech market is expected to grow to $4 billion by 2024, with a CAGR of 12.9 per cent. The report highlighted that there has been a significant increase in the number of femtech startups in India, with many of them focused on addressing women's health issues such as menstrual health, fertility, maternal health, sexual wellness, and mental health. Several Indian femtech startups have gained traction and have attracted significant funding. For instance, companies such as Bengaluru-based Plackal, whose app ‘Maya’ that helps women track their menstrual cycle and ovulation, has raised over $10 million in funding, while BabyChakra, an online platform that connects parents with paediatricians and other child care services, has raised over $17 million. Jaya Rebello, Managing Director, Collab Function, Founder of India’s first and only dedicated platform (www.gwhic.com), which puts the spotlight on ‘women’s health through innovation and femtech’, says, “Currently, we are noticing that the most successful femtech companies are built by founders who stepped up to fill a gap based on their personal experience. Startups like Niramai and Newmi are built by founders who witnessed someone close to them suffering, which motivated them to start building a service. Another major motivation for Indian women founders in femtech is their understanding of how women’s health has systematically suffered and the negative impact it has had on women.”  Jaya Rebello says that the vision of serving women better is leading to femtech innovations and services. “In the future, we expect to see a higher number of younger Indian women entering the femtech startup space and new solutions and services being developed for smaller cities and rural markets. These entrepreneurs will not only widen the scope of femtech, but will also bring its benefits to the masses. We also foresee that these women entrepreneurs will make the best use of resources available e.g., today, India has over 100 credible, active, and very accessible entrepreneur incubators, offered by government, academic institutions, corporate, and global leadership, and business networks.”  Women consist of 45-50 per cent of the Indian population, which is a sizeable number. Women’s health issues are more in number due to the complex reproductive system. “Therefore, it is but natural that the femtech market will grow – especially, as more effective solutions to specific problems become available, as more women become aware that there are solutions available, and of course as more funds become available in the market making these solutions accessible to the women. With an array of such products, service delivery around those will also blossom,” says Veena Moktali, Director, Periwinkle Technologies Pvt. Ltd.     Periwinkle Technologies is addressing cervical cancer mortality among women. As prevalent methods such as lab-based pap smear or HPV DNA tests, naked eye visual examinations, colposcope- and smartphone-based examinations all had dependence on trained or expert personnel and special facilities, the screening for cervical cancer did not happen to the desired extent. The loss-to-follow up was high due to a greater number of days needed to get a result. Hence the mortality rates in India were among the highest in the world. “We saw the pain, the trauma, and the stigma that the women had to face when diagnosed with cervical cancer. That’s when we decided we wanted to help change this situation and Smart Scope CX was born,” says Veena Moktali.  Smart Scope CX has apparently benefitted lakhs of women across 15 states of India so far, with more and more states onboarding every year. With the ability to provide a single-visit result, immediate triaging with the help of a remote expert, and reducing the turn-around-time to treatment, she says that the company’s Smart Scope CX is the perfect solution to screen 70 per cent of the eligible population by 2030 to meet the goal set forth by WHO. The company is taking its success in India to Africa and other international markets in the future. “Considering the healthcare needs of 40 crore Indian women, we have a lot of work to do. Looking at the positive response for our product and the impact it is creating, we are also venturing into new geographies. We want to change cancer screening programmes for the better. I think there is a lot of opportunity for the femtech industry to grow. With changing times, I am sure femtech is going to represent a large part of the market,” envisions Veena Moktali.    Handling Menopause Blues Slowly there has been a wake up to addressing Menopause – a natural biological process that marks the end of a woman's reproductive years – as a serious health concern in women. It typically but can also occur earlier or later. Menopause, which occurs between the ages of 45 and 55 or earlier, can cause a range of physical and emotional changes in women, some of which may have long-term effects. In some women, it could just be hot flashes or night sweats, for others it could be far more serious requiring Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Reduced oestrogen levels can lead to bone loss, which can increase the risk of fractures and osteoporosis and also bring about changes in cholesterol levels posing a risk of heart disease. Elda Health, a Bangalore-based femtech startup that focuses on providing digital healthcare solutions for women, offers a mobile app that provides users with access to personalised healthcare services and information related to women's health. The app offers a range of features, including the ability to book appointments with gynaecologists, access to health tips and information, and the ability to track menstrual cycles and ovulation. The app also offers teleconsultation services, allowing users to consult with healthcare professionals remotely. Swathi Kulkarni, Co-Founder & CEO, Elda Health, says that her startup is seeing significant progress with their services. According to her, “With 55,000 menopausal women enrolled at Elda Health, we have seen significant patterns of existing health issues, physical & psychological impact of untreated menopausal symptoms. Post treatment we noticed improved quality of life. 100 per cent of Elda women were either suffering menopause silently and alone or had failed attempts of seeking help from their health care providers, family and friends before they enrolled into our programmes.”      So, people now are cognizant of the serious implications of menopause in women. Sujata Pawar, Co-Founder of Thane-based Avni, a feminine-care and hygiene startup, recently announced that her company has successfully reached more than 55,000 Indian menstruators, since its inception in April 2021. The femtech brand plans to serve an additional 1,50,000+ clients in fiscal 2023-24 with its range of menstrual hygiene products that are skin friendly, environmentally friendly, and chemical free at the same time.  PeeSafe, founded in 2013 by Vikas Bagaria and Srijana Bagaria, in response to the lack of public toilets and poor hygiene conditions in India, launched their first flagship product as a toilet seat sanitizer spray that is designed to disinfect public toilet seats and prevent the spread of germs and bacteria. The company has since expanded its product line to include other personal hygiene products such as menstrual cups, intimate washes, hand sanitizers, and face masks. PeeSafe has received recognition for its innovative products and commitment to hygiene. The company has won several awards, including the Women Entrepreneurship Award by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and has been featured in various media outlets. In addition to its focus on hygiene, PeeSafe is also committed to social causes. The company partners with non-profit organisations to provide menstrual hygiene products to underprivileged women and girls in India.    Not Just Menstruation  Menstruation, as said before, is just one aspect of a woman’s health. Many Indian women experience reproductive health issues, such as PCOS, endometriosis, and infertility. Malnutrition, mental health issues, chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, osteoporosis, and cancer are ailments that are coming to notice in the last years as the Ministry of Women and Child Development are constantly rolling out initiatives to address them. From raising awareness, early detection of chronic diseases, to optimum care, the country is witnessing progress in all these areas.  Infertility is another attention demanding health concern in women. The consequences of in-fertility have serious implications on a marriage. Divorces, apparently, are increasing citing women’s inability to bear a child. Hence, this space needs more quality interventions. Gitanjali Banerjee is the founder of a social impact startup venture, Fertility Dost.  According to Gitanjali Banerjee, the startup is India’s first web-based platform to focus on couples undergoing infertility. The startup, as fertility facilitators, aims to handhold the patient through their infertility to pre-conception and pre-treatment preparation, to pregnancy and post-pregnancy phase. The startup is committed to empower its users with the right tools and create a good decision-making environment for child birth. But these efforts are miniscule compared to the problems that exist. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Indian women, with an estimated incidence rate of 39 per 100,000 women per year. Other common cancers in Indian women include cervical cancer (14 per 100,000 women per year), ovarian cancer (3.2 per 100,000 women per year) and colorectal cancer (3 per 100,000 women per year). To tackle such incidence rates, the country needs more Niramais, more Periwinkles, and many more in healthcare diagnostics and preventive women healthcare interventions.  The needle need not always point towards larger problems. Simple issues like oral problems specific to women can have a product. For example, Frimline Private Limited, a health and consumer goods company, recently launched its Dente91 She, which is claimed to be the first ever toothpaste in India specially crafted for women. As women, throughout their lifespan, from puberty to menopause, women go through hormonal changes, making them susceptible to oral issues such as gingivitis, caries, and hypersensitivity, Frimline formulated Dente91 She toothpaste specially to address oral issues of women.  To get an idea of other spaces where femtech products can be developed, Frost & Sullivan rolled out a new report that identified 10 lucrative growth opportunities in Women’s Healthcare by 2030. With the requirement to deliver health equity for 4.3 billion women globally, the analysis highlights Women in Transition Symptoms Management & Holistic Care as an untapped high-growth potential market.      In conclusion, we can only say that women’s health is finally getting its share in digital health. The femtech industry is currently made up of at least 200 startups globally, which is hardly a number. Yes, there are several challenges to overcome. Funding, mentorships, finances – hassles are plenty. Supporters of femtech, however, state that collaborations, partnerships of different strengths can make this market flourish while women get their due share of wellness and care.   Anusha Ashwin ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/22713/rare-diseases-need-not-be-neglected-anymore-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/22713/rare-diseases-need-not-be-neglected-anymore-.html Tue, 28 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The death of a 13-year-old Ghaziabad boy suffering from Hunter Syndrome or MPS-II due to the non-availability of medicine and the right treatment is something to be pondered on. The boy was suffering from what is known as a rare disease or an orphan disease.  Rare diseases are nothing new to us and according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, there are about 450 diseases recorded so far in India. If we go by the estimates, 50 per cent of new cases are in children and are responsible for 35 per cent of deaths before the age of one year, 10 per cent between the ages of one and five years and 12 per cent between five and 15 years. The commonly reported rare diseases in India are Haemophilia, Thalassemia, Sickle-cell Anaemia and Primary Immuno Deficiency in children, auto-immune diseases, Lysosomal storage disorders such as Pompe disease, Hirschsprung disease, Gaucher’s disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Hemangiomas and certain forms of muscular dystrophies. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), these diseases are debilitating, lifelong disorders whose prevalence is less than one per 1,000 persons. They include autoimmune disorders, congenital malformations, inherited cancers, and certain endemic infectious diseases that have very low prevalence.   Hurdles Lack of awareness and the stigma attached are the two major concerns for rare disease patients and their families. Though the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare formulated a National Policy for Treatment of Rare Diseases (NPTRD) in 2017, the implementation was faced with a lot of challenges. Lack of clarity on the exact number of patients, cost-effectiveness of interventions for rare diseases vis-a-vis other health priorities etc. took a toll on those who suffered from the disease. Poor awareness among the healthcare staff and lack of proper diagnostic facilities also compound the woes of the patients.  The other major concern is the cost of treatment. The exorbitant cost of therapies prevents many patients from going in for the right treatment and many leave halfway.  Ramaiah Muthyala, President and CEO, Indian Organisation for Rare Diseases opines, “Rare diseases are genetic disorders; for them, there are no cures, only treatments. Generic orphan drugs, about 350 APIs are manufactured by Indian pharma and all are being exported. They are formulated elsewhere and come back into India at an exorbitant price and import license requirement. As a result, none of them is easily accessible for Indian rare disease patients. Modern therapies for rare diseases, including gene editing, gene therapy, ASOs, RNAi, mRNA, and ERT are highly promising but unaffordable and inaccessible to the Indian patient community. Although a small percentage of rare disease patients need expensive drugs, others can be managed by alternate therapies such as diet, medical foods, the Indian system of medicines (AYUSH), social support, and medical devices, which improves the quality of life.” Indian Organisation for Rare Diseases has been promoting collaborations with patient organisations, e.g., Rare Disease International (RDI), European Organization for Rare Diseases (EURORDIS), National Organization for Rare Diseases (NORD), the International Rare Diseases Research Consortium (IRDiRC), the International Collaborations on Rare Diseases and Orphan Drugs (ICORD).   Creating awareness Advancements in medical research and technology will be the key drivers for the development of innovative drugs for the treatment of rare diseases. AI is also being used to improve the diagnostic process. Apart from this, developments in the precision of genetic testing and the clinical use of genome sequencing are now also accelerating the diagnosis of rare diseases.  The Department of Biotechnology has set up Nidan Kendras under the Unique Methods of Management and Treatment of Inherited Disorders (UMMID) project for genetic testing and counselling services. These Nidan Kendras perform screening, genetic testing and counselling for rare diseases.  Recently, the Government of Karnataka launched a research and training unit for rare diseases. The unit will strengthen diagnosis, counselling and treatment, including developing the service facility for prenatal diagnosis for early identification of genetic disorders in pregnancy. The activities to be undertaken at the Research and Training Unit for Rare Diseases include comprehensive genetic counselling facilities for around 2,500 families with rare disorders, to be evaluated annually; increasing the capacity of diagnostic testing, including exome sequencing; and developing training and service facility for prenatal diagnosis for early identification of genetic disorders in pregnancy. It will also provide hands-on training in laboratory genetics and incubate startups in developing low-cost therapies for rare disorders along with conducting regular educational modules in Kannada, English and Hindi for raising awareness of human genetic disorders, their early recognition, and treatments available, among pre-university college students in the state. The unit will be around 40,000 sq ft with three floors. Dr Sheela Nampoothiri, Clinical Professor, Department of Pediatric Genetics, Amrita Hospital, who recently joined ICMR's Rare Diseases National Consortium's expert committee as co-chair says, “It is really important if we are starting treatment from a very early stage. Hence, it is extremely important to have such medical treatment facilities to be made available in India. Regarding the rare disease policy, as the cost of therapy is exorbitant, the policy statement is suggesting crowdfunding as the model to raise funds for patients.” Amrita Institute is currently treating seven patients with Pompe disease apart from treating 17 patients with five types of treatable Lysosomal Storage Disorders and these patients are being treated through a charitable access programme. Recently, the institute has started enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) for a patient with Niemann Pick B disease and this is the first patient to be started with ERT from India.  According to the institute, before 2008, there was no availability of treatment and these babies were all dying before the age of one year. ERT needs to be started at the earliest in the newborn period itself and treatment is given as an intravenous infusion once every two weeks. The therapy should be given for life because they lack the enzyme alpha-glucosidase in their body. The SAT Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram Medical College has started the registration process for treating diseases as part of the centre of excellence programme. All rare disease cases will be registered with SAT hospital even if the disease was diagnosed in other hospitals. The registered patients will be provided the benefits of the centre of excellence programme at the treating hospital.  In partnership with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Jodhpur and the Dystrophy Annihilation Research Trust (DART), the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Jodhpur has established a research centre for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). It is characterised by advancing muscle weakness and degeneration as a result of changes to a protein called dystrophin.   Exploring treatment methods Pfizer is exploring options for some early-stage treatments for rare diseases in a bid to focus on high-impact medicines. According to the company, there are plans to focus on internally developing rare disease treatments using technologies such as gene editing, while exploring external opportunities for early-stage gene therapy programmes. The Subject Expert Committee functional under Central Drug Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has given a waiver to Cipla to conduct Phase IV study of Tocilizumab Injection for giant cell arteritis, a form of rare disease. Takeda Biopharmaceuticals has launched two medicines namely Adynovate, an extended half product for the treatment of haemophilia patients and Cinryze to treat hereditary angioedema (HAE) in India.  Ruchi Sogarwal, Head, Public Affairs and Patient Advocacy, Takeda Biopharmaceuticals, says, “It will be instrumental to build innovative access initiatives and strategic partnerships across the rare disease landscape to bring customised solutions for patients with targeted education, awareness, diagnosis, and treatment for effective disease management. Takeda is committed to introducing medicines in focus areas that have a huge unmet need. With this aim in mind, we launched two of our innovative medicines.” Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras, Tel Aviv University and Columbia University are working on developing a drug to treat a rare genetic brain disease known as GNB1 Encephalopathy, which affects individuals at the foetal stage. The research is supported by an Indo-Israel Binational grant offered by Israel Science Foundation (ISF) and India’s University Grants Commission (UGC). In December 2022, the Centre was directed by the Delhi High Court (HC) to release Rs 5.35 crore to enable clinical trials for medicines that can treat rare diseases such as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). The HC observed that the “magnitude of the problem suffered by children with rare diseases leaves no doubt in the mind of the court that the creation of treatment therapeutics for children with rare diseases would be considered as a nationally important project.” It also observed that the efforts for crowdfunding for treatment of DMD and other rare diseases had not yielded much results as the issue does not appear to have gained enough importance in the society in general.  The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) with Hanugen Therapeutics was to conduct clinical trials, however, things were delayed due to lack of funds. The HC also directed BIRAC to release the above-mentioned fund to Hanugen Therapeutics to begin the trial.   The way forward   Affordable medicines are the need of the hour. Epidemiological data needs to be in place with proper policy measures. Awareness among the ASHA workers who can go to the interiors to update on the exact number of rare disease patients across the country will help to create a database which will eventually help to come up with certain policies needed. Pharma companies need to re-look at strategies to do more clinical research for rare diseases.  On a good note, the Government of Tamil Nadu offered to treat a girl diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus free of cost.  Sanjiv Das sanjiv.das@mmactiv.com ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22714/art-of-healing-cancer-german-firm-abnoba-launch-mistletoe-treatment-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22714/art-of-healing-cancer-german-firm-abnoba-launch-mistletoe-treatment-in-india.html Tue, 28 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Art of Healing Cancer, a Gurugram-based cancer treatment centre in India, has announced its collaboration with Abnoba GmbH, Germany, to launch Mistletoe treatment in India.  Mistletoe treatment is an innovative and effective cancer therapy that has been used in Europe for many years. The treatment involves injecting a specially prepared mistletoe extract into the patient's body, which has been shown to stimulate the immune system, increase the body's ability to fight cancer cells, and reduce the side effects of conventional cancer treatments. "This treatment has shown promising results in Europe, and we believe it will be a valuable addition to the cancer treatment options available in India. This treatment is available to patients in India through a special Drug license issued to every patient post evaluation by the doctors. The mistletoe plant extract contains Lectins and viscotoxins that are known to enhance the immune system and its capability to control cancer. It also helps in decreasing the side effects of standard cancer treatment like chemotherapy and radiation while some studies also suggest that it increases the efficacy of standard treatment. In some cases, it helps in wound healing and recovery post surgical resection of tumour. We shall be using Mistletoe as an Adjunct to standard treatment and will also collect data around it and once we have substantial data around it, we shall share the same with institutions like ICMR & Ministry of Ayush,” said Dr Mandeep Singh, Chief Oncologist, Art of Healing Cancer. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22704/marengo-cims-hospital-launches-strokologist-programme-in-gujarat.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22704/marengo-cims-hospital-launches-strokologist-programme-in-gujarat.html Mon, 27 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 One of the three largest emergencies that can claim lives is ‘Strokes’.  It has been reported that around 600 cases are registered for stroke every day in the state of Gujarat. Out of 15 lakh estimated stroke cases reported in India annually, Gujarat has a major share. To strengthen the network and mobilise nursing homes, nurses, and support staff, Marengo CIMS Hospital has launched the Strokologist Programme to train the community of physicians, critical care specialists, and ICU and ER doctors and empower them with the skills for timely diagnosis and treatment as soon as a stroke patient is brought under their care. The Programme is led by Dr Mukesh Sharma, HOD Stroke Specialist, Marengo CIMS Hospital. Dr Raajiv Singhal, Managing Director & Group CEO, Marengo Asia Hospitals said, “High-end drugs for clot bursting have been available over the last almost three decades. Yet only two percent of stroke patients are administered these drugs. We are skilling the doctors in understanding the outcome of these drugs and administering them appropriately.” With the participation of a network of 45 doctors and nursing homes, the team of Neurosciences at Marengo CIMS will train and certify doctors and nurses in batches to bring down disabilities or fatalities in stroke patients significantly. Advanced technology will play a pivotal role in the education of doctors and empower them with tools to be applied for quick responses to critical conditions. Each of these primary networked centres with the technology will help doctors download the data fed into the systems and prepare them to plan the best line of treatment for the patient. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22700/mpower-and-nimhans-sign-strategic-mou-for-access-to-mental-health-services-across-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22700/mpower-and-nimhans-sign-strategic-mou-for-access-to-mental-health-services-across-india.html Sat, 25 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Mpower, a mental health initiative of the Aditya Birla Education Trust, has signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences) to support the implementation of Tele MANAS services across India. As part of the collaboration, Mpower will be responsible for setting up, operating, and managing all day-to-day affairs for Tele MANAS centres that are going to be initiated by Mpower. NIMHANS, on the other hand, will provide Mpower with access to the platform, operating guidelines, training and mentoring, monitoring and framework needed to operate the centres. Mpower will leverage its expertise in providing seamless, standardized, and world-class mental health services to beneficiaries of Tele MANAS. This collaboration aims to ensure the successful on-ground implementation of Tele MANAS services, as well as the accessibility and availability of trained experts and professional mental health counselling services to those in need. Tele MANAS follows a two-tier model, with Tier 1 consisting of state Tele MANAS cells that employ trained counsellors and mental health specialists. Tier 2 has specialists available at District Mental Health Programme (DMHP)/Medical College resources for physical consultation and/or e-Sanjeevani for audio-visual consultation. Through this MoU, Mpower will support these offerings to ensure access to professional mental health services across the all of India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22692/central-referral-hospital-in-sikkim-adopts-dozees-contactless-vitals-monitoring-technology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22692/central-referral-hospital-in-sikkim-adopts-dozees-contactless-vitals-monitoring-technology.html Fri, 24 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Central Referral Hospital (CRH) Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences (SMIMS), Tadong has entered a partnership with Bengaluru-based startup Dozee to implement continuous patient monitoring.  30 beds in CRH will now be upgraded to Dozee connected beds powered with contactless continuous vitals monitoring and an Early warning alert system. Dozee’s solution is cloud-enabled and comes with a central and remote patient monitoring capability that empowers healthcare providers to monitor the patient more effectively and provide timely medical interventions for improved patient safety and clinical outcomes.   Dozee enables healthcare workers to remotely monitor patients’ vital parameters such as heart rate, respiration rate, blood pressure, SPO2 levels, temperature, and electrocardiogram (ECG). Dozee’s Early Warning System (EWS) tracks vital parameter trends and alerts healthcare providers to detect patients' clinical deterioration early, enabling timely medical intervention. Dozee uses artificial intelligence (AI)-powered Ballistocardiography (BCG) for contactless vitals monitoring. Dozee’s technology is patented and made in India, and it has been clinically proven to be 98.4% accurate.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22693/ey-report-focuses-on-shift-towards-intelligent-health-ecosystem.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22693/ey-report-focuses-on-shift-towards-intelligent-health-ecosystem.html Fri, 24 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Ernst & Young (EY), a leading professional services organisation, has launched a report titled ‘Shaping the next generation of digital and data-driven healthcare and sustainable practices’. Given that the healthcare and life sciences industries have witnessed a major transition over the past few years, the report highlights critical aspects of digital technology, data, and sustainability in shaping the next generation of humanised healthcare. The report talks about a shift towards intelligent health ecosystem to deliver personalised health experiences. As the world of healthcare data continues to expand, artificial intelligence (AI) offers a means to connect, combine and interrogate data differently and unlock actionable insights. The adoption of AI into care delivery will be a continuous learning process, in which healthcare algorithms continuously grow in intelligence and value. This data-driven smart system will enable one to break down the silos between care settings and optimise decision-making across the patient journey. Most importantly, it will finally offer a way to deliver truly human-centric care. The clinicians of the future may indeed become medical engineers and will be trained in artificial intelligence, big data, robotics and other emerging technologies and disciplines. The report also point out that technology can drive transformation across the pharma value chain. AI and machine learning (ML) can monitor in-line manufacturing processes to ensure the safety and quality of drugs. A digital twin can create a real time simulation of the entire manufacturing process. Such a ’digital factory’ can allow companies to track the processes in real time, anticipate and predict potential failures, optimise quality and productivity, and get treatments to patients much faster. Suresh Subramanian, Partner & National Life Sciences Leader, EY India said, “The ubiquity of data and analytics is creating new opportunities for life sciences companies and health care service providers to rethink innovation and create personalized health outcomes. Platforms that connect, combine, and share data will be central enablers of this future value creation. As Indian companies prepare to shift from supplying commodities to supplying innovations, the role of new technology will become even more prominent in creating this integrated ecosystem.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22696/estimating-economic-impact-of-indias-vaccination-and-related-measures-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22696/estimating-economic-impact-of-indias-vaccination-and-related-measures-study.html Fri, 24 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 A working paper by Stanford University and Institute for Competitiveness titled “Healing the Economy: Estimating the Economic Impact on India’s vaccination and related issues” was released by Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare as he virtually addressed the 'The India Dialog' session on the Economic Impact of Vaccination & Related Matters. According to the World Bank’s future estimates, all advanced economies will have attained a full output recovery by 2023, and output in emerging and developing economies is expected to remain 4% below its pre-pandemic trend. As a major developing economy with increasing geopolitical clout, India’s post-COVID-19 progress has been a subject of much discussion regarding its pandemicmanagement, vaccine administration, and economic growth, to name a few. India has registered a positive development on multiple economic parameters. The country also witnessed a strong export performance that outperformed its pre-pandemic level. The paper highlights that India systematically tackled COVID-19 using a strategy based on three cornerstones – Containment, Vaccination, and a comprehensive yet targeted Relief Package. The uniqueness of each of the three approaches is in the manner in which they were implemented. The report reflected that the benefits of vaccination exceeded its cost and suggested that vaccination be considered a macroeconomic stabilising indicator contrary to just a health intervention. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22690/new-collaboration-targets-better-bone-health-and-ageing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22690/new-collaboration-targets-better-bone-health-and-ageing.html Thu, 23 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ESCEO) have signed an agreement to develop a strategic roadmap on bone health and ageing and advocate for a public health strategy to prevent fractures among older people. The five-year agreement was signed at the WHO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland by Dr Anshu Banerjee, WHO Assistant Director-General ad interim, Universal Health Coverage/Life Course and Dr Jean-Yves Reginster, President of ESCEO. The agreement includes the development of a public health strategy and action plan to prevent fractures among older people as well as to improve the coverage of health services for fractures which are critical for achieving the triple billion targets of WHO’s Thirteen General Programme of Work (GPW13).    As part of the agreement, WHO and ESCEO will collaborate to develop global estimates on fracture and osteoporosis; review evidence-based interventions to prevent fractures; create an economic model for an investment case in fracture prevention and care; provide guidance to countries on strengthening national health information systems by integrating osteoporosis and fractures in routine data monitoring; and provide guidance to countries on using data to design evidence-informed policies and programmes to reduce the risk of fractures in older people. WHO will establish a Bone Health Expert Working Group to advance the five-year workplan with support from the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) and the WHO Collaborating Center for Epidemiology of Musculoskeletal Health and Ageing at the University of Liège, Belgium, which was previously designated by WHO as a technical partner for osteoporosis and musculoskeletal ageing. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22683/india-new-zealand-ink-mou-to-engage-in-long-term-cooperation-for-cancer-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22683/india-new-zealand-ink-mou-to-engage-in-long-term-cooperation-for-cancer-care.html Wed, 22 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 University of Auckland and Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH), Mumbai have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to engage in long-term cooperation in cancer care. The University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Professor Frank Bloomfield, accompanied by a delegation of academic staff, met with TMH representatives led by TMH director Dr Rajendra Badwe and professor and medical oncologist, Dr Vanita Noronha, to explore ways to enhance cancer care using digital health. Initial projects envisaged for the partnership include: a digital platform for clinical trials to track study-related activities for patients, investigators and regulators; a digital platform to make outpatient clinics more efficient; and a digital method to enhance prescription medicine safety, such as including connecting systems to ensure potential serious drug interactions are identified and flagged for the treating physician. Dr Badwe, who heads Tata Memorial Centre, said “We are committed to improving the lives of our patients with cancer. We hope that this collaboration with the University of Auckland will help us harness the power of technology to improve patients’ lives. By combining our expertise in cancer care with the University of Auckland’s technological expertise, we are confident that we can make a real difference in the lives of patients with cancer and their families” Professor Bloomfield said the institutions were about to come together in the crucial field of cancer care, noting the similarities between Aotearoa New Zealand and Indian societies.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22688/global-research-links-mental-health-and-self-harm-with-encephalitis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22688/global-research-links-mental-health-and-self-harm-with-encephalitis.html Wed, 22 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Two new, ground-breaking research papers, from authors in the UK and Mexico published for World Encephalitis Day on 22nd February 2023, have identified that Encephalitis patients are at a high risk of suicide and self-harm.  The UK paper titled ‘Mental health outcomes of encephalitis’, an international web-based study, surveyed 445 respondents from 31 countries and found that 37.5% of survivors of Encephalitis reported they had thought about or attempted suicide.  The Mexican paper ‘Suicidal thoughts and behaviors in Anti-Nmdar Encephalitis: Psychopathological features and clinical outcomes’ published in the Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, gained data from 120 patients and found that 12.5% of patients had suicidal behaviours during early stages of the illness with nearly half carrying out a suicide attempt. Both papers have been released in association with the Encephalitis Society to help raise awareness of World Encephalitis Day which takes place on 22nd February 2023.  Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain.  It can occur at any age, in any part of the world and is caused either by infection, usually viral, or by a person’s own immune system going wrong.  There are over 5,00,000 reported cases of encephalitis around the world each year with mortality up to 40% depending on the cause.   Dr Ava Easton, CEO of the Encephalitis Society and co-author on both papers said, “These impactful and important research papers raise awareness that suicidality can be a not uncommon and serious manifestation of encephalitis in the early stages as a result of the illness, during relapses, and perhaps later in people’s journey of recovery." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22667/skill-tree-and-usaid-supported-samridh-promote-entrepreneurship-in-healthcare-sector.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22667/skill-tree-and-usaid-supported-samridh-promote-entrepreneurship-in-healthcare-sector.html Tue, 21 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The SAMRIDH Healthcare Blended Finance Facility, supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by IPE Global, has committed Rs 5.98 crore to Skill Tree, a leading skill training organisation in India, to provide healthcare related skill development and livelihood support to 2,553 youth from remote locations across India, especially Maharashtra. The objective of this project is to motivate and train youth from marginalised sections of society, primarily women, to pursue employment and entrepreneurship in the healthcare sector as their primary career option. Under the aegis of Healthcare Sector Skill Council (HSSC) and National Skill Development Cooperation (NSDC), the project will impart trainings to develop phlebotomy technicians, dietetic aides and tele-health service coordinators.  The certified candidates will set up a total of 14 telehealth centres, take up door-to-door diagnostic tests and opt for wage-linked opportunities in the industry. For the candidates qualified to set up the telehealth centres, Skill Tree will facilitate subsidised loans through various government-led schemes and other financing sources. Using SAMRIDH’s blended finance approach, Skill Tree,  along with the funds secured by certified candidates for establishing telehealth centres, will mobilise additional capital to the tune to Rs 12.71 crore, thereby getting a leverage of 2.12x over and above the SAMRIDH support. On project completion, approximately 1 lakh people are expected to be served from all the telehealth centres while skilled phlebotomy technicians will cater to 10 lakh people and dietetic aides will serve 1 lakh people. Marking its first milestone, the project has successfully trained and certified more than 1,300 candidates till date across Aurangabad, Nashik, Pune, Amravati, Akola and Nagpur in the specified roles. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22673/malaria-no-more-inks-mou-with-odisha-govt-to-accelerate-malaria-elimination-efforts.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22673/malaria-no-more-inks-mou-with-odisha-govt-to-accelerate-malaria-elimination-efforts.html Tue, 21 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Malaria No More (MNM) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Odisha to eliminate malaria from the state. The tripartite partnership also included Prayatna, a grassroot organisation that is the implementing and fiduciary partner of the MNM India programme of Malaria No More.  MNM has been supporting the Government of Odisha since 2018 to strengthen the state's malaria control and elimination programme, offering technical, strategic, implementation, advocacy, and innovation support. This new MoU marks the strength of the existing partnership between MNM and Government of Odisha, with an extended partnership period of 5 years.  Over the next 5 years, MNM seeks to build on and enhance the previous MoU by expanding operational geography to cover additional parts of Koraput and Malkangiri – two of the most malaria endemic districts of the country. The extended partnership will also focus on integration of newer tools and innovative technology, including advanced data reporting, management, and analysis tools; strengthening of inter-sectoral and inter-departmental coordination for a concerted and collaborative effort; and improving entomological capacity of the state. Additionally, the MoU will aim to include and integrate the malaria burden diagnosed and treated in the private health sector (both formal and informal) with the official reported burden. The private sector tends to address a significant proportion of malaria cases; thus this exercise will help ascertain the true burden of malaria in the state.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22657/orbis-announces-3-year-partnership-with-hoya-vision-care-to-fight-avoidable-blindness-globally.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22657/orbis-announces-3-year-partnership-with-hoya-vision-care-to-fight-avoidable-blindness-globally.html Mon, 20 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Eye care nonprofit organisation Orbis International has announced a renewed partnership with Vision Care company HOYA, which will commit its support over the next three years to improve health through vision for all. The support will focus on helping school children get access to eye care in low- to middle-income countries and on training eye care professionals around the world through Cybersight, Orbis’s award-winning telemedicine and e-learning platform. Over the next three years, HOYA’s generous contribution will enable Orbis to screen more than 500,000 children and provide more than 15,000 eyeglasses as part of the REACH (Refractive Error Among Children) programme in India. REACH aims to reduce visual impairment due to uncorrected refractive error (a vision problem that makes it hard to see clearly) among school-going children and provide a sustainable and scalable solution to a shortage of care for this issue. Orbis develops teams of ophthalmic personnel and supports them with digital and clinical equipment to perform screenings and provide spectacles. The teams also provide referrals for children who require further examination and treatment to an Orbis partner hospital or to the nearest Vision Centre. HOYA Vision Care will also work with Orbis to support Vision Centres in India, which make eye care accessible in rural communities. HOYA’s support will directly impact four Vision Centres and the three partner hospitals associated with them and intends to support further expansion of Vision Centers in the future.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22666/apollo-telemedicine-networking-foundation-congregates-for-10th-international-conference-on-transforming-healthcare-with-it.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22666/apollo-telemedicine-networking-foundation-congregates-for-10th-international-conference-on-transforming-healthcare-with-it.html Mon, 20 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Apollo Telemedicine Networking Foundation organised the 10th edition of the International Conference on Transforming Healthcare with Information Technology (THIT) on the 13th &14th of February at Taj Palace, New Delhi. After a three-year pause in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the global healthcare community reunited to examine the different aspects of Digital Health along with accompanying standards and policies. With this year's theme of 'Butterfly effect in action', the conference aimed to accelerate the digital reform of healthcare around the world and reaffirm the industry’s commitment to drive digital health to improve health outcomes. Besides interactive sessions, educational programs and social activities, the THIT conference also featured a trade exhibition showcasing the latest products, technology, services and industry information. The THIT conference was supported by different endorsing partners and national organisations such as the National Health Authority (Government of India), the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry, the Telemedicine Society of India, ISeTF, Computer Society of India, Indian Medical Association, leading universities and several Government organizations. Organisations like WHO, IIT, AIIMS Delhi, Indian Institute of Science, faculty from several overseas universities and established MNCs also participated in the conferences. Speaking about the THIT conference, Dr Sangita Reddy, Jt. Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group said “This year’s THIT conference featured sessions on care, data, connectivity and a new dedicated track on digital excellence. Thought leaders and healthcare professionals took to the stage to spotlight opportunities for health leaders to join forces to promote digital transformation and healthcare innovation. We are honoured to have the opportunity to organise this conference with the goal of spearheading international health dialogues on the importance of healthcare technology and demonstrating many of the exciting ways technology can improve and enhance patient experiences.” Some of the esteemed speakers at the conference included Prof Ilona Kickbush, Founding Director and Chair, Global Health Centre, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Prof Nicolas Peters, Faculty of Medicine, National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust London, Prof Rifat Latifi, Former Health Minister, Republic of Kosovo, Dr Basant Garg, CEO, NHA, Govt. of India, Sashi Sreedharan, Managing Director, Microsoft India, David TC Davies, MP, Secretary of State, Wales, England, Marten van den Berg, Ambassador of The Netherlands to India and Ram Kumar S, Additional Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department, Meghalaya. Prof K Ganapathy, Director at Apollo Telemedicine Networking Foundation said “Technology drives healthcare more than any other force, and in the future, it will continue to develop in dramatic ways. While we can glimpse and debate the details of future trends in healthcare, we need to be clear about the drivers so we can align with them and actively work to ensure the best outcomes for society as a whole. The THIT conference highlights the urgency for healthcare leaders and stakeholders to promote digital transformation and healthcare innovation so that the industry can withstand the challenges ahead and further improve public health.” “Digital technology has become an integral part of healthcare and is all set to revolutionise the practice of medicine. In terms of medical care standards, operational efficiency has been substantially enhanced by digital technology. Both patients and healthcare workers now have much better overall experiences because of the transition. And it is anticipated that this shift will persist in the years to come. The future of healthcare will be altered by innovations like artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, blockchain, wearable technology, and many other similar ones. There is no limit to how far digital technology may advance healthcare as long as organisations serving the healthcare industry and their personnel remain open-minded and develop the necessary infrastructure and systems. It is indeed heartening to see that the THIT conference resulted in a genuine and action-oriented International Health Dialogue” said Vikram Thaploo, CEO of Apollo Telehealth and Apollo Telemedicine Networking Foundation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22652/orbis-addresses-childhood-blindness-by-setting-up-new-eye-hospital-in-saharanpur.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22652/orbis-addresses-childhood-blindness-by-setting-up-new-eye-hospital-in-saharanpur.html Fri, 17 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Orbis, a non-profit organisation with a focus on mitigating preventable blindness, has taken a step further in its fight against childhood blindness in India, and launched a new Children’s Eye Centre (CEC) at Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital, Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. In 2002, Orbis launched its flagship programme, India Childhood Blindness Initiative (ICBI) aimed at building India’s capacity in paediatric eye care. As part of ICBI, Children’s Eye Centres (CECs) were established across the country to ensure that children receive timely access to quality eye care. Till date, 33 CECs have been established across 17 states. This is the largest national network of CECs in the world and reaches out to over a million children every year. This CEC at Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital is the first CEC at a secondary centre and the fourth in the state of Uttar Pradesh. This initiative will focus on improving the capacity of the secondary hospital and developing service delivery, particularly by creating the Children’s Eye Centre. During the project period, support will be provided for 450 paediatric surgeries and the provision of 10,700 free spectacles and directly reaching out to over 260,000 children.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22655/delhi-state-cancer-institute-inks-mou-with-merck-specialities.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22655/delhi-state-cancer-institute-inks-mou-with-merck-specialities.html Fri, 17 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Delhi State Cancer Institute (DSCI) and Merck Specialities have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strategically collaborate towards creating pathways to address and accelerate access to cancer care treatment to patients who need them the most. With an aim to create definitive public health impact and reduce the burden of Head and Neck cancer and Colorectal cancer, the partnership through multiple interventions, aims to improve disease awareness, knowledge upgradation, capability enhancement to support early diagnosis and patient counselling provision. DSCI along with Merck will drive community outreach awareness campaigns and related Initiatives such as anti-tobacco campaigns, market activation around head and neck Cancer and colorectal cancer, and educating people regarding the signs & symptoms and their associated complications by spreading the outreach in the identified district of East Delhi to increase the overall awareness within the community. Merck will organise multiple patient screening Health Check-up Camps at the DSCI campus for essential oral examination of the patients. Under this MoU, a patient counselling kiosk has been set up at DSCI.  Dakhshayani and Amravati Health Education, the NGO partners have provided two patient counsellors to support the patients and caregivers’ therapy needs, educating patients on treatment and its compliance, psychological care, and nutritional and diet assistance.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22647/zydus-hospitals-and-medtronic-join-hands-to-support-stroke-patients-in-gujarat.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22647/zydus-hospitals-and-medtronic-join-hands-to-support-stroke-patients-in-gujarat.html Thu, 16 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Zydus Hospitals, Ahmedabad, and India Medtronic, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ireland-headquartered Medtronic plc, have announced their partnership to support stroke patients in Gujarat via a hub and spoke network. As part of the partnership, Medtronic will collaborate with Zydus Hospitals to build an ecosystem that can help in timely diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients by facilitating the use of indigenous artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled technology and providing tools and technologies to support the education and training of doctors in select remote hospitals.In India, nearly 1.8 million patients are affected by stroke each year. In the bigger cities with improved healthcare infrastructure, patients stand a better chance of proper diagnosis, followed by the requisite treatment. However, in the peripheral & rural settings, the challenges are aplenty. The partnership will serve the people of peripheral Gujarat by helping them deal with stroke as a disease effectively. The hub and spoke system works on an advanced AI capable of interpreting a CT scan for a stroke. A team of stroke experts at Zydus hospital (hub) would visualise the CT scan performed at the remote hospital (spoke) and handhold the local physician on further patient management. This way, the physician at the remote hospital is empowered to decide on the future course of action basis the patient's needs and the patient receives the right treatment at the right time. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22641/marketing-engineering-skills-most-in-demand-for-healthcare-industry.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22641/marketing-engineering-skills-most-in-demand-for-healthcare-industry.html Wed, 15 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 According to a recent report released by Catenon India, which is a global executive search company specialising in talent intelligence and recruitment, the most in-demand skills in healthcare include Marketing (33%) and Engineering (30%), followed by Blue Collar, IT, HR and sales, as of December 2022. The report has also revealed that Bengaluru has the highest hiring percentage i.e. 52% in the healthcare sector, followed by New Delhi at 39%, and Mumbai at 31%, with Chennai, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad up close. Further, the report states that some of the key hard skills required by the healthcare industry are Data entry, pharmacy, record management, business administration, Health Insurance Portability Act knowledge and CPR + First Aid. In addition, the healthcare industry provides multiple employee benefits such as Life insurance, Soft skills training, Job training, Disability insurance, Paid holiday, Health insurance, to name a few. While increase in ageing population will lead to the healthcare industry growth in the coming years, it is the rise of telemedicine that will lead to healthcare market expansion with maximum hiring in the healthcare sector taking place at Tier 1 cities currently. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22636/economic-impact-of-tb-does-not-end-with-completion-of-treatment-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22636/economic-impact-of-tb-does-not-end-with-completion-of-treatment-study.html Tue, 14 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 A recent study led by Dr Susmita Chatterjee from The George Institute of Global Health, India, has shed light on the long-term economic impact of tuberculosis (TB) on patients, even a year after the end of treatment.  The study has also shown that India still has a long way to go to reach the goal of zero catastrophic costs for all patient groups, as stated in the END TB Strategy.  As an outcome of the understanding, the scientists have recommended a few strategic solutions to reduce the catastrophic impacts of TB in India.  Reducing delays in diagnosis and treatment initiation (patients visit on average 12 healthcare providers before getting diagnosed with TB) can reduce the costs associated with TB treatment, its aftermath, and its related economic consequences. Creating awareness about the symptoms of TB in the community and availability of free diagnostic and treatment facilities in the government sector is crucial in this regard, they say. They also recommend that policy changes must ensure that the livelihood of TB patients is not disrupted and hence, the changes should include the provision of job security, additional food support, better management of direct benefit transfers, and improved medical insurance coverage. The total cost of TB treatment from the onset of symptoms to one-year post-treatment ranges from Rs 26,500 – 30,500 per patient despite free diagnosis and treatment provided by the government. Of this, 32% to 44% of costs were incurred in the pre-treatment phase (i.e., from the initiation of TB symptom till initiation of treatment), while 6%-7% were incurred in the post-treatment phase.  The study emphasised that the economic impact of TB does not end with the completion of the TB treatment: it continues long after. “Interestingly, our study indicated that financial insecurity affects patients across all categories,” said Dr Susmita Chatterjee.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22626/infosys-foundation-collaborates-with-karnataka-govt-to-advance-maternal-and-child-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22626/infosys-foundation-collaborates-with-karnataka-govt-to-advance-maternal-and-child-healthcare.html Mon, 13 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Infosys Foundation, the philanthropic and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of Infosys, has announced the inauguration of a 100-bed maternity and child care hospital in Kanakapura Taluk, Ramanagara District of Karnataka in collaboration with the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare Services, Karnataka. Through this collaboration, the erstwhile Government Maternity Hospital in Kanakapura Taluk has been rebuilt and the new hospital has facilities including oxygen and medical gas pipelines, a sophisticated fire protection alarm system, meticulously designed electrical and plumbing work, an HVAC )Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning) system and underground water reservoir. This initiative aims to provide quality maternity and childcare to help the underprivileged, advancing the Foundation’s commitment towards rural development, and to provide better health infrastructure for the benefit of the society. Previously, Infosys Foundation launched the Shree Sharadadevi Mobile Eye Hospital, a first-of-its-kind fully equipped mobile eye hospital to serve people residing in remote villages in Karnataka. The initiative was aimed at providing quality eye care to over 5 lakh people, including children and students, in collaboration with Sri Ramakrishna Sevashrama. The Foundation also supported the development of a new 350-bed hospital block, ‘Infosys Foundation Block’, within the Jayadeva Hospital premises, in Bengaluru, to provide quality cardiac care for underprivileged patients. “We acknowledge the support of Infosys Foundation in developing the overall healthcare infrastructure of Karnataka. This initiative will not only address the medical needs of new mothers and their children but will also provide continued support in ensuring that they have access to affordable, quality healthcare”, said Dr K. Sudhakar, Health Minister, Government of Karnataka.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22633/apollo-hospitals-urges-government-to-explore-cowin-based-digital-backbone-for-all-healthcare-needs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22633/apollo-hospitals-urges-government-to-explore-cowin-based-digital-backbone-for-all-healthcare-needs.html Mon, 13 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Apollo Hospitals has organised the 9th Edition of the International Patient Safety Conference (IPSC) and the 10th International Conference on Transforming Healthcare with Information Technology (THIT) on 13th & 14th February at Taj Palace, New Delhi. The International Health Dialogue is addressing critical issues in patient safety, with global experts on the subject and more than 2000 delegates from 30 countries. "Based on data, a health map with hotspots can emerge. A proactive planning system is required for those areas where we do not have healthcare services. A public private unification should come up, something similar to what was done during COVID-19. For instance, if one wanted to take a vaccination, one could use CoWIN app and either go to a government centre or a private one. We need to find a way to do something similar for everything in healthcare. That is what we are requesting to the government. India has a great potential. We have to translate this potential into systems to help us in disease prevention and cure. But of course, you can’t cure by code, human touch is always required", said Dr Sangita Reddy, Jt. Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group.   Speaking about the challenges centered around the country’s univesal health insurance scheme, Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna (AB-PMJAY), Dr Sangita pointed out, "Health inflation is typically higher than the general inflation, yet the price for the reimburemenets for the AB-PMJAY have not been majorly revised for the last 4-5 years. There have been slight tweaks. So, on a scale, large hospitals will not be able to take up this scheme. But the good news is that now the government is looking at standard pricing structures. We have submitted our data to the Health Ministry, and FICCI and NATHEALTH are also working on building a more acceptable standard." This year’s THIT’s theme is centred on the “Butterfly effect in action', examining different aspects of Digital Health along with accompanying standards and policies. Dr Preetha Reddy, Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Group, said, “The THIT conference provides a platform for healthcare and IT entrepreneurs, professionals and students to get insights into how the healthcare business is getting disrupted by medical technology and innovation and the necessity to keep up with this transition."     Image Caption- Dr Sangita Reddy, Jt. Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group (L), with Dr Sujoy Kar, Chief Medical Information Officer & Vice-President of Apollo Hospitals   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22611/india-health-link-signs-mou-with-up-government-to-help-reduce-ncds-burden.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22611/india-health-link-signs-mou-with-up-government-to-help-reduce-ncds-burden.html Thu, 09 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 To reduce the cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden in the state of UP, India Health Link (IHL), a digital health and medical device firm based in Karnal, has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UP government under their Invest-UP programme for setting up a global ‘hPod’ (‘Health ATM’) manufacturing hub. This will also help cater to the primary healthcare needs in UP as well as expanding the model in the rest of the country.  Dr Swadeep Srivastava, Co-Founder & President - India Health Link (IHL) said, “The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UP Govt., to develop 'Make in India' fully integrated 'Health ATMs' at the newly launched UP YEIDA MedTech Park has happened at the right time as the Uttar Pradesh leads the country in providing preventive screening services to the last mile of the country and we will help them in procurement, delivery, installation, and in filling the supply gaps. This will also help in making healthcare approachable to all.” Sharing his screening experience with IHL’s Health ATM, Dr Rishi Sethi, Senior Interventional Cardiologist & Unit Head - King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Dean of Innovation - King Georgian's Medical University said, “We have got the screening done earlier on so many Health ATMs, but this one – IHL’s Health ATM is a unique one based on high-end technology. The digital screening report and its analytics are quite informative. The screening report brings out the exhaustive status of the screened metabolic vitals, which helps in taking the right kind of preventive as well as curative measures. The unique features of IHL’s Health ATM are very useful for population-based screening, especially in remote areas where even the Primary Health Centres (PHCs) are either unavailable or understaffed. The screening of metabolic vitals like BP, ECG, Spo2, WHR, BMI and BMC allow taking preventive measures and protecting us from getting into Non-communicable (NCDs). This will also help in reducing the burden of NCDs India is up against.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22609/army-research-referral-hospital-collaborates-with-wolters-kluwer-for-digital-health-transformation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22609/army-research-referral-hospital-collaborates-with-wolters-kluwer-for-digital-health-transformation.html Wed, 08 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Army Research & Referral Hospital (R & R), Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi has implemented CDSS (Clinical Decision Support System) provided by Wolters Kluwer to ramp up their patient care delivery. The hospital has onboarded Wolters Kluwer’s flagship product, UpToDate, and a computer kiosk for it has been set up in the emergency room to assist the on-duty doctors in using UpToDate at the point of care. This adoption will equip doctors, students, nurses, and other healthcare providers with readily available evidence-based case studies and the latest medical information from around the world to aid their medical decisions. A clinical decision support system is an evidence-based healthcare delivery tool with a constantly updated database of case studies and peer-reviewed guidelines on various diseases and their management.  As per a study by Harvard University, 5.2 million injuries that occur in India every year are due to medical errors and adverse events. The alarming statistic highlights the need of avoiding preventable deaths. This highlights the importance of evidence-based healthcare solutions for medical students and doctors. CDSS is intended to enhance care quality, prevent errors or adverse events, and enable healthcare providers to be more efficient in the years to come ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22601/seeds-of-innocence-goes-international-opens-first-ivf-centre-in-oman.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22601/seeds-of-innocence-goes-international-opens-first-ivf-centre-in-oman.html Tue, 07 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 New Delhi-based firm Seeds of Innocence has become the first home grown and family-owned chain of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) clinics to establish state of the art full-scope IVF Centre overseas with their newly launched centre in Muscat, Oman. The premier medical facility has been established in partnership with Oman’s largest private healthcare group, Badr Al Samaa. The centre is powered with advanced infrastructure and a multidisciplinary team of infertility specialists and embryologists. This newly launched centre in Oman is the first in the larger growth plan envisioned by Dr Gauri Agarwal, Co-Founder & Director of Seeds of Innocence, and there will soon be expansion in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Africa & South America. The new IVF Centre is the group’s first International Centre and offers high-end genetic diagnostic tests for embryos such as Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS) and Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) to eliminate genetical anomalies or inherited genetic diseases like Down Syndrome and other chromosomal disorders in foetus. Seeds of Innocence currently owns and operates 15 IVF & fertility centres across 8 states and is also the first IVF centre in the country to have an in-house genetic testing lab, which opened back in 2017. Seeds of Innocence CEO, Chetan Kohli said “The roadmap plan of Seeds of Innocence in the region is to deal with the lack of access faced by couples in getting global standard quality and reliable treatment of infertility, and we couldn’t have asked for better partners than Oman’s largest healthcare Group, Badr al Samaa who are one of the most trusted name there. Our Muscat Centre is now operational and we look forward to expanding our footprint in Bahrain and Qatar in GCC in addition to Africa and Latin America soon.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22605/integrative-medicine-centre-of-all-india-institute-of-ayurveda-opens-at-safdarjung-hospital.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22605/integrative-medicine-centre-of-all-india-institute-of-ayurveda-opens-at-safdarjung-hospital.html Tue, 07 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 “Integrative medicine is aimed at harnessing the potential of India’s rich heritage and medical knowledge, along with using modern advancements in allopathy. Both traditional and modern medical practices would help in providing better avenues of health and wellness. It is thus, the need of the hour that different medical systems must not compete but complement each other. Only then we can ensure wellbeing of our citizens and further help in achieving health for all.” This was stated by Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya as he jointly inaugurated the Integrative Medicine Centre at Department of Integrative medicine of All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) at Safdarjung hospital, with Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ayush, in New Delhi.  He emphasised that the Government has decided to open such Integrative Medicine Centres at all government medical establishments, especially the All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the country. "Opening such centres will help in initiating co-location of practitioners of Indian system and modern medicine, thus harmonising both medical systems and providing joint multidisciplinary care to the patients", he said. The Centre will be key in developing integrated standard protocols of patient care and spreading awareness among patients about a healthy lifestyle. Services like Specialty OPD, Panchakarma Therapy, Free Ayurvedic Medicine Dispensary, and Dietary consultation will be offered at the centre. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22594/apollo-hospitals-rolls-out-clinical-intelligence-engine-for-doctors-across-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22594/apollo-hospitals-rolls-out-clinical-intelligence-engine-for-doctors-across-india.html Mon, 06 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Apollo Hospitals group has announced the launch of Apollo Clinical Intelligence Engine- a clinical decision support tool, to be open to use by all doctors in India on Apollo 24|7’s platform. Developed using the latest techniques in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), this tool is all set to revolutionise Indian healthcare by exponentially elevating the accuracy of diagnosis, doctor productivity and patient satisfaction, all in one go.  The Clinical Intelligence Engine is capable of analysing vast amounts of data to help healthcare professionals identify patterns which may be missed otherwise. Numerically speaking, the intelligence engine has over 1300 conditions and 800 symptoms in its vocabulary, covering 95% of everyday case mix in OPDs. Built by over 100 engineers, using 40 years of data from Apollo and the collective intelligence of 1000s of doctors along with supporting data from peer-reviewed journals, it is among the largest connected health data lakes in the world, which has been tested and validated by quite a few global academic institutions. Designed specifically for the South Asian Region mix, this indigenous breakthrough is powered by a knowledge base built, maintained and periodically reviewed by an in-house team of more than 500 Apollo doctors and specialists. It helps and support differential diagnosis situations as well, enabling doctors to be more prompt and precise for better clinical outcomes.  The Apollo CIE also increases the scale of operation for healthcare providers by helping organisations meet the multi-channel demand for access with safe, clinically validated health interactions via the Symptom Checker and doctors equipped with this expert clinical knowledge system.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/views/98/22545/skys-the-limit-for-chatgpt-application-in-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/views/98/22545/skys-the-limit-for-chatgpt-application-in-healthcare.html Sat, 04 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The buzz around ChatGPT, the latest generative artificial intelligence (AI) tool is just too overwhelming. The buzz got millions excited in just around a week of its launch, because it seemed like it would gobble up Google — the search engine that this universe practically runs on. This mind-blowing new chatbot technology, ChatGPT, is a large language model trained by San Francisco-based tech company OpenAI. Why did it grab the world's attention in a short time since its launch? There are several reasons, but the compelling one is that ChatGPT is an uber cool conversational AI tool that offers intelligent, computer-generated conversations. The software application is designed to mimic human-like conversation in response to user queries, which is enabled by superior computing power to perform written tasks. The best feature about chatbots is that they allow interaction in a seemingly ‘intelligent’ human-like conversational manner, where the GPT or the Generative Pre-training Transformer produces the output in a neatly drafted content format. In short, ChatGPT generates responses based on the natural language process inputs. What can ChatGPT do? Practically anything under the sun. Well, that might be an exaggeration. However, ChatGPT can spin any kind of written content or design ideas based on a topic or a keyword. It has the ability to translate languages in just seconds, as notably the tool can speak more than 50 languages. What I have understood from social media handles is that ChatGPT is empowered to generate wireframes and build complex python codes. It can turn text-heavy content into simple meaningful passages. Many, in fact, dub ChatGPT as an invaluable teacher, who can simplify explanations to even the toughest math problems that one finds impossible to crack. So, let me show you an example. I asked ChatGPT, how it is useful in biotechnology and the responses were just mind blowing! Like I said, ChatGPT can summarise complex topics and where market predictors see the future is its ability to make intelligent conversations apart from its ability to contribute in data-backed drug discovery activities. And, as for the fact that it can generate scientific papers, a recent news on ChatGPT being one of 12 authors on a preprint of a medical journal paper has got the regulatory authorities’ heads to turn.   ChatGPT in healthcare Healthcare service is one of the most customer facing businesses and it has several mundane tasks that consume time as well as other resources. To make healthcare services more sustainable and error-free, ChatGPT is expected to offer assistance in several ways. Conversational AI, as you know, has the potential to revolutionise healthcare administration by streamlining communication, automating tedious tasks, and providing more accurate and efficient processes for both patients and providers. Here is what ChatGPT says it can do to make healthcare services better: ChatGPT itself states that one of the main benefits of using ChatGPT in healthcare is its ability to improve communication where the natural language processing tool can understand and respond to patient inquiries and concerns, reducing the workload of healthcare providers (who generally spend a significant amount of time answering repetitive patient concerns). Ranging from patient communication to automating back-office operations in healthcare, ChatGPT is going to be a shoulder to lean on as healthcare organisations scale up digitalisation. On January 10, 2023, Microsoft considered investing $10 billion in OpenAI. This investment by Microsoft is a bid to take on Google’s dominance in the search engine market. Google’s ubiquity has contributed tremendously in providing resources and information related to any industry-agnostic query asked and Microsoft Bing is eyeing a major share of this service.   Google’s counter to ChatGPT Google Health has been a major contributor to several AI-related developments in healthcare. So, there is no way that Google will not tap Conversational AI and Generative AI tools to offer services and products in the healthcare domain. Countering ChatGPT, Google responded to Open AI’s ChatGPT by announcing its MultiMedQA specifically for answering medical queries. Google Research and DeepMind recently introduced MedPaLM, an open-sourced large language model for medical purposes. MedPaLM provides datasets for multiple-choice questions and for longer responses to questions posed by medical professionals and non-professionals. These comprise the clinical topics datasets for MedQA, MedMCQA, PubMedQA, LiveQA, MedicationQA, and MMLU. In addition, a new dataset of curated, frequently searched medical inquiries called HealthSearchQA was added to improve MultiMedQA.   AI-powered Chatbots to see an upward trend Accenture estimates that AI applications will cut annual U.S. healthcare costs by $150 billion in 2026. These savings are expected to result from a wider range of AI applications. With chatbots gaining popularity, they are expected to do much more than just chat alongside the potential to combine language skills with image and video recognition. This can be justified by noting Microsoft’s collaboration with Novo Nordisk to develop an AI-based Chinese-speaking chatbot for diabetic patients. Industry experts predict that the next generation of large language models, like GPT-4, could even be trained in multiple modalities, becoming generalist AI capable of performing a variety of tasks. 2023 has started with a bang, bringing forth lots of exciting news on the healthcare AI front. The future days are going to be marked by technology interventions that only revolutionise the healthcare and life sciences domain bearing in mind that equity to healthcare services is yet to be addressed and the needle needs to point towards last mile healthcare delivery.   Anusha Ashwin ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22586/max-healthcare-invests-rs-400-cr-for-expansion-of-super-speciality-hospital-in-mohali.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22586/max-healthcare-invests-rs-400-cr-for-expansion-of-super-speciality-hospital-in-mohali.html Fri, 03 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530   Max Healthcare Institute has announced plans to expand its existing tertiary care Max Super Speciality Hospital in Mohali. The construction of the new building that will house 170 beds has officially commenced with the ground-breaking ceremony held on 3 February. On completion of the project by end of Q3, 2024 the hospital bed capacity will go up to 400 beds from the existing 231 making it one of the largest private state-of-the-art medical institutions in the Tri-city. To be built with an investment of close to Rs 400 crore, this expansion will not only strengthen the existing healthcare infrastructure in the tri-city area and the state of Punjab but also create job opportunities at scale across clinical and non-clinical roles. The hospital currently employs close to 1,000 doctors, nurses and other full-time staff. For the past 11 years, Max Super Speciality Hospital has been addressing the rising healthcare needs of patient pool across Punjab as well as the neighbouring states of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir. It records an average OPD consult footfall of over 10000 every month. The new building will house niche specialities including Liver Transplant, Bone Marrow, Transplant, Renal Transplant, Orthopaedics and Neurosciences. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22577/marengo-asia-hospitals-collaborates-with-werfen-to-bring-transfusion-free-heart-transplants-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22577/marengo-asia-hospitals-collaborates-with-werfen-to-bring-transfusion-free-heart-transplants-in-india.html Thu, 02 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 In a path breaking collaboration, a very first of its kind in India and South Asia region, Marengo Asia Hospitals brings one of the most advanced techniques of transfusion free heart transplant. The collaboration was signed by Dr Raajiv Singhal, Managing Director & Group CEO, Marengo Asia Hospitals and Anurag Mishra, Regional Director- India and South Asia, Werfen.   Marengo Asia Healthcare group, in a strategic partnership with Barcelona-headquartered Werfen, is poised to adopt the Goal Directed Bleeding Management (GDBM) solutions, reducing complications for the patients. Complex cardiac surgical procedures necessitate the practice of transfusing blood to the patient but very often the transfusion can lead to adverse effects, including severe and long-lasting complications for the patient. The most sustainable, cost-effective and evidence-based approach for minimalising blood transfusion, and hence improving patients’ outcomes (such as decrease in the length of hospital stay), is to implement the principles and practices of Patient Blood Management (PBM), which is strongly recommended by WHO. The most crucial and clinically proven cornerstone of PBM is Goal-directed bleeding Management (GDBM).  Marengo Asia Healthcare group of hospitals will also adopt the unique and innovative solution “GEMWeb Live”, a real-time onscreen dashboard of diagnostic assays and graphs for cardiac surgical procedures. Marengo CIMS Hospital, Ahmedabad will become the first Indian corporate hospital to be equipped with such a feature. With the patient’s safety and better outcomes as our core objective and the admixture of clinical competence and optimal usage of diagnostic and management-guiding devices in evaluation of coagulopathic bleeding.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22556/government-of-goa-launches-eye-health-programme-for-school-children.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22556/government-of-goa-launches-eye-health-programme-for-school-children.html Tue, 31 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Government of Goa has launched the Vision for All School Eye Health programme in partnership with OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation and Prasad Netralaya. The programme is an extension of the current Vision for All Goa eye health programme. The Vision for All Goa eye health programme commenced in February 2021 and its monthly camps have screened 50,000 citizens as well as provided free spectacles to 16,000 people in need. The Vision for All School Eye Health will focus on training 2000 teachers on basic visual acuity tests for the children in their respective schools, followed by detailed refraction by qualified professionals from Prasad Netralaya. OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation has committed to providing 25,000 free spectacles to children identified with refractive error.  Dr Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa, said, “Identification and addressing the eye health issues among children at early stage itself is very critical and important to stop the further progression. In this direction, Government of Goa is organising training programme for school teachers to identify eye health problems among children and refer them for further treatment. The trained teachers will further compulsorily do basic visual acuity test for every child before the start of the academic year.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22558/kasturba-medical-college-manipal-takes-lead-in-national-task-force-for-melioidosis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22558/kasturba-medical-college-manipal-takes-lead-in-national-task-force-for-melioidosis.html Tue, 31 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Kasturba Medical College, Manipal through its Centre for Emerging and Tropical Diseases (CETD) have taken keen interest in spreading awareness about melioidosis and improved case detections by advanced diagnostic facilities for the last 17 years, leveraging the expertise and learnings of a team of scientists from this sole research and diagnostic centre in India. CETD has been accorded the status of Referral centre in this project. It has been envisioned that their well-planned & supervised capacity building effort with hands-on training will help in detecting a greater number of melioidosis cases in the country and result in genome sequences of the strains as novel initiative. It may further embolden the laboratories to diagnose a large number of tropical emerging diseases other than melioidosis. Further, a curated indigenous database of Burkholderia pseudomallei genomes will enable researchers across the country to initiate drug-discovery and/or vaccine development studies. This will thus not only help tackle this ‘silent killer’ disease, but also help in formation of a strong base by developing public health facilities for the general population. In future, these centres will be equipped to act as nodal centres for their own states, while creating awareness through training and appropriate diagnosis. Dr Chiranjay Mukhopadhyay, who is leading this national initiative at Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, said, “We appreciate and thank Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for their yearlong efforts in supporting several medical centres across 14 states for melioidosis diagnosis and management free of cost."  I support the NCDC team to carry out environmental surveillance, while investigating the demise of an 18-year-old boy with neuromelioidosis from Udupi.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22552/government-releases-roadmap-strategy-for-eliminating-leprosy-by-2027.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22552/government-releases-roadmap-strategy-for-eliminating-leprosy-by-2027.html Mon, 30 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0530 National Strategic Plan & Roadmap for Leprosy (2023-27) and National Guidelines for Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) Surveillance in leprosy were released during an event to observe the National Anti-Leprosy Day, on 30th January. The theme of this year is “Let us fight Leprosy and make Leprosy a history”. along with launch of Nikusth 2.0 Portal. The strategy and roadmap will aid in advancing the campaign against leprosy, to stop transmission, by speeding case detection efforts and maintaining a robust surveillance infrastructure. As India is progressing towards leprosy eradication, a need of strong AMR surveillance system is required to gear up the system. These guidelines will provide the technical guidance in developing and sustaining a robust surveillance system for AMR surveillance in leprosy patients. Nikusth 2.0, also launched during the event, is an integrated portal for leprosy case management under National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP). It will aid in efficient data recording, analyzing and reporting of the data in the form of indicators and a real time dashboard at centre, state and district level. “India is making progress and new leprosy cases are declining year after year. With the whole of government, whole of society support, synergy and cooperation, we can achieve the target of Leprosy Mukt Bharat by 2027, three years ahead of the SDG”.  This was stated by Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya during his video address at the event. Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Minister of State said, “Our Leprosy Programme of the country strives to detect and treat cases as early as possible. The Welfare allowance has been raised from Rs 8,000 to Rs 12,000 to patients for their reconstructive surgery.” Highlighting the achievements of the programme, she also informed that the prevalence rate of leprosy has come down from 0.69 per 10,000 population in 2014-15 to 0.45 in 2021-22.  Further, annual new case detection rate per 100,000 population has come down from 9.73 in 2014-15 to 5.52 in 2021-22.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22547/india-launches-first-carbon-neutral-hospital-in-bengaluru-with-investment-of-rs-1200-cr.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22547/india-launches-first-carbon-neutral-hospital-in-bengaluru-with-investment-of-rs-1200-cr.html Sat, 28 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Ministry of State for Education & Ministry of External Affairs (Manipur), Governemnt of India, launched India’s first 100 percent carbon-neutral hospital with a capacity of 500 beds developed by Ambica Medical Foundation and Research Center, at a groundbreaking ceremony at Kalyan Nagar, Bengaluru. The project will be executed by its parent company, Ambica Constructions and Contractors, a Bengaluru-based developer who will be investing Rs 1200 crore in the healthcare industry, in association with Lifeline Hospitals Group, ChennaiPraveesh Kuzhipilly, CEO and Founder of Ambica Constructions and Contractors said during 1st phase of the project, land acquisition has been completed in Kalyan Nagar for setting up a super specialty hospital that will have 500 beds and the facility will be a 100 percent carbon neutral hospital, the first of its kind in India.  Another 50 acres of land have already been acquired at Kengeri for phase 2 of the project."Lifeline Hospitals has been a top healthcare provider in South India and we are very happy to have associated with them on this project," said Praveesh Kuzhapilly."Our mission is to set up a world-class facility that would be placed to provide ease of access and comprehensive care to everyone across this fast-growing city", said Dr J.S. Rajkumar, Chief Surgeon and MD of Lifeline Hospitals, Chennai.                                         ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22539/meity-signs-mou-with-siemens-healthineers-for-creating-deeptech-healthcare-rd-ecosystem.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22539/meity-signs-mou-with-siemens-healthineers-for-creating-deeptech-healthcare-rd-ecosystem.html Fri, 27 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0530 SAMEER, India's premier R&D Institute of Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Siemens Healthineers that will contribute towards the development of new, improved and innovative technologies for advancing healthcare and diagnostic access in India. Welcoming the strategic agreement, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Union Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Electronics & IT, said it will make available low-cost MRIs as part of PM’s vision of providing quality, and affordable healthcare and diagnostic access for every Indian.  SAMEER, which is the acronym for Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering & Research, specialises in RF Microwaves Radar and Communication Systems, E3 testing and Medical Electronics.  The Minister expressed hope that the partnership while synergising the expertise of SAMEER and Siemens Healthineers in healthcare technologies particularly in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Linear Accelerators (LINAC), will pursue joint activities that will improve access to MRI in India.   Speaking on the occasion, Peter Schardt, Chief Technology Officer, Siemens Healthineers, said,  "India is a strategic market for Siemens Healthineers and it plays an important role in global innovation and technology expansion to achieve the future of healthcare." He added, "The partnership will build on our focus towards fighting the most life threatening diseases to expanding access to patient care." Dr P. Hanumantha Rao, Director General of SAMEER, said “SAMEER has been pursuing R&D in the advanced Linear accelerators for Cancer Therapy and Magnetic Resonance Imaging systems for diagnostics." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22531/iit-mandi-reveals-importance-of-online-reviews-in-driving-adoption-of-wearable-health-monitors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22531/iit-mandi-reveals-importance-of-online-reviews-in-driving-adoption-of-wearable-health-monitors.html Thu, 26 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0530 A group of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi has analysed the different factors that affect herding in adoption of wearable technologies for personal healthcare.  They have used mathematical models to analyse data collected from surveys to provide insights into the marketing effectiveness of online reviews. The research has been led by Dr Saumya Dixit, Assistant Professor, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Mandi, and co-authored by her Ph.D. student Anjali Pathania from IIT Mandi and Dr Gowhar Rasool, School of Business Studies, Central University of Jammu, Jammu. In modern times, online reviews are the electronic version of Word-of-Mouth, or eWOM, that can influence the "herding" or group behaviour of individuals in the adoption of wearable technology for personal healthcare. IIT Mandi researchers aimed to understand the role of online reviews in inducing other people to buy and use wearable technology for personal healthcare.  They surveyed 434 wearable technology users and analysed the data using the method of Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with Smart PLS. The research showed that online reviews by users who are similar to oneself (homophilous users) can help in herding potential customers into the adoption of wearable technology for personal healthcare.  Thus, platforms that encourage consumers to leave their reviews must also encourage the reviewer to share information such as their gender, age, region, and specific health value facets (e.g., related to exercise, diet, rest, and usage of personal healthcare tools) along with their experiences of how wearable technology products have helped them achieve related health goals. This can bring in more customers and improve usage of wearable devices for personal healthcare in future.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22518/ministry-of-ayush-inks-mou-with-itdc-for-promotion-of-medical-value-travel-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22518/ministry-of-ayush-inks-mou-with-itdc-for-promotion-of-medical-value-travel-in-india.html Mon, 23 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Ministry of Ayush has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), Ministry of Tourism, Government of India to work together for the promotion of Medical Value Travel in Ayurveda and other traditional systems of medicine. Dr Shashi Ranjan Vidyarthi, Director, Ministry of Ayush and Piyush Tiwari, Director (Commercial and Marketing), ITDC signed the MoU in presence of Pramod Kumar Pathak, Special Secretary, Ministry of Ayush and other senior officials of Ministry of Ayush and ITDC. According to the MoU, Ministry of Ayush will provide training to the officials of ITDC to sensitise them about the medical value travel in Ayurveda and other traditional systems of medicine. It will identify tourist circuits, where there is immense scope to promote medical value travel in Ayurveda and other traditional systems of medicine and provide all the technical knowhow from time to time to ITDC. The implementation and progress of the MoU will be monitored by a Joint Working Group (JWG) co-chaired by representatives from Ayush Ministry and ITDC. The JWG will also identify the best practices adopted by Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand etc. to promote themselves as a preferred destination for medical value travel.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22515/government-to-enable-digitisation-in-medical-value-travel-segment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22515/government-to-enable-digitisation-in-medical-value-travel-segment.html Fri, 20 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0530 “Medical Value Travel (MVT) plays a crucial role in eliminating healthcare disparities across the globe and through the 1st Health Working Group meeting, G20 India Presidency aims to provide an impetus to create pathways to bridge this gap.” This was stated by Dr V K Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog on the closing day of the three day meeting of the Health Working Group of G20 India, at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on 20th January 2023. Dr Paul stated that there is a great opportunity for utilizing traditional medical practices like Ayurveda in Medical Value Travel sector which is witnessing a combined annual growth rate of over 23%” At the same time, he also elaborated on the need to build a resilient and sustainable MVT framework The need for effective governance and policy framework was underscored, including setting up of dedicated board and agency for Medical Value Travel. He stressed on the need for developing standards and accreditation for healthcare facilities and Medical Travel Facilitators and called for enabling digitization in the Medical Value Travel segment.  He said that Government of India will be launching “Heal in India” initiative to leverage its healthcare services for international patients, and to send out healthcare workforce to other countries. He also emphasised on the huge strength of India in telemedicine sector which could pave the way for “Heal from India” initiative. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22511/marengo-asia-and-karkinos-healthcare-focus-on-comprehensive-cancer-care-solutions.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22511/marengo-asia-and-karkinos-healthcare-focus-on-comprehensive-cancer-care-solutions.html Thu, 19 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Marengo Asia Healthcare and Karkinos Healthcare have join hands to address the cancer challenge in India through the message centred around “Let’s win over Cancer”, enabling a long-term, sustainable, socio-economic impact in the onco-care ecosystem. This strategic partnership will lay the groundwork for systematic population screening for common cancers through importance of early detection coupled with precision diagnosis capabilities and personalized treatment, which is a key to understanding individual cancer proliferation and plan treatment. The goal is to bring oncology therapy closer to the communities by integrating all services such as chemotherapy and radiation centers through an integrated cancer care network as part of the partnership alongside Marengo Asia network hospitals. In the recent times, India has emerged as a hub for R&D activities and is one of the leading destinations for high-end diagnostic services. We are geared to train doctors and nurses at community levels to render the service deliveries at optimum levels to make the nation a healthier one. The complex and rare cancer cases will be discussed in Virtual Tumor Board (VTB), which has national and international oncology experts of eminence assuring right and trusted cancer care to patients. The organisations will continue to stay engaged in academics, research, and innovation to drive precision oncology treatments solutions with evidence-based approach through population analytics.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22486/cytecare-hospitals-starts-diabetes-screening-clinic-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22486/cytecare-hospitals-starts-diabetes-screening-clinic-in-bengaluru.html Mon, 16 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Often referred to as the Diabetes Capital of the World, India accounts for over 18 percent of the global diabetes burden. Alarmingly, more than 50 per cent of people are unaware of their diabetic status, which leads to health complications if not detected and treated early. To help address this grave challenge, Cytecare Hospitals has started a Diabetes Screening Clinic at its Yelahanka facility in Bengaluru this month. Cytecare’s Diabetes Screening Clinic is primarily focusing on younger patients who are at risk of becoming diabetic. Cytecare’s Diabetes Screening Clinic will collect fasting blood samples to estimate fasting blood sugar, serum creatinine levels and HbA1c level. Commenting on the public health initiative, Dr Narendra Prasad, Senior Consultant - Internal Medicine, Cytecare Hospitals, said, “In India, an estimated 77 million people suffer from type 2 diabetes and nearly 25 million are prediabetics, with a higher risk of developing diabetes in the near future. Early diagnosis of this chronic disease is critical." India ranks second after China in the global diabetes epidemic. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), adults with diabetes have a two to three-fold increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. Hyperglycaemia, or raised blood sugar, is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and over time leads to serious damage to the vital organs, especially the nerves and blood vessels. Studies show that young adults who suffer from hormonal imbalances such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) or Polycystic Ovary Disorder (PCOD) are at a high risk of developing insulin resistance. Young adults who are overweight or obese are also prone to diabetes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22472/hexaware-technologies-expands-global-life-sciences-and-healthcare-it-consulting-practice.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22472/hexaware-technologies-expands-global-life-sciences-and-healthcare-it-consulting-practice.html Thu, 12 Jan 2023 12:30:00 +0530 Mumbai-based Hexaware Technologies has announced the significant expansion of its global life sciences and healthcare industry capabilities by completing the integration of the recently acquired Highpoint Solutions and Mobiquity businesses.   Clients will benefit from an enhanced consumer, patient, healthcare provider and employee experiences, streamlined paths from molecule to market and ultimately improved productivity and financial performance.   Hexaware’s client base includes leading global biopharma, emerging-pharma, cell and gene therapy and healthcare organisations to help leverage technology to drive their business, launch products and improve the delivery of global healthcare with the ultimate objective of bringing smiles to patients.    The talented team at Hexaware has partnered with clients to deliver leading-edge life sciences solutions, including designing the world’s first FDA-approved Digital Pill; launching 45+ different brands in life sciences; first IT services firm supporting COVID-19 rescue studies globally; delivering de-centralised clinical trials; and co-engineering the human data sciences cloud ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22476/apollo-hospitals-to-organise-international-health-dialogue-on-13-14th-feb-2023-in-delhi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22476/apollo-hospitals-to-organise-international-health-dialogue-on-13-14th-feb-2023-in-delhi.html Thu, 12 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Apollo Hospitals will organise the 9th edition of the International Patient Safety Conference (IPSC) along with the 10th International Conference on Transforming Healthcare with Information Technology (THIT) on 13th and 14th February 2023 at the Taj Palace in New Delhi. The forthcoming conference will also be a part of the ongoing celebrations of the Founder’s Day, an annual event that pays tribute to the visionary Founder & Chairman of Apollo Hospitals and widely acknowledged as the architect of modern Indian healthcare, Dr Prathap C Reddy. He has always been a strong proponent of driving the agenda of Universal Healthcare with quality of care and digital transformation at the core and through these twin conferences, Apollo continues to create an opportunity for dialogues among healthcare professionals and organizations from across the world to take patient care to the next level. The THIT conference is the largest healthcare and IT-based international conference and trade show in India organized by the Apollo Telemedicine Networking Foundation. The conference is based on the theme “Butterfly effect in action” and will examine various aspects of Digital Health along with accompanying standards and policies. The scientific programme at THIT will feature eminent national and international speakers with participation from decision makers in the emerging Healthcare IT arena including leading IT companies and leading healthcare institutions. Over 50 speakers and 500 delegates from 16 countries are expected to participate. The conference is supported by various endorsing partners and national organisations like the National Health Authority (Govt of India), the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Telemedicine Society of India, ISeTF, Computer Society of India, Indian Medical Association, leading universities, and several government organizations. Startups from Innovative Centres of Excellence working on Make in India for the world projects, encompassing Digital Health will also be showcasing their products.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22464/dozee-british-international-investment-to-improve-health-access-across-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22464/dozee-british-international-investment-to-improve-health-access-across-india.html Tue, 10 Jan 2023 16:45:00 +0530 MillionICU, an initiative by Bengaluru-based startup Dozee, India’s first AI-based contactless Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) & Early Warning System (EWS), has partnered with British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution (DFI) and impact investor, to upgrade 6000 hospital beds in ~140 public hospitals across India and in other regions to transform the public healthcare landscape.    The goal of Dozee’s partnership with BII is to improve access to healthcare across India and alleviate the workload of healthcare workers, reduce nurse burnout and fatigue in hospital wards. Dozee’s pioneering contactless remote patient monitoring and Early Warning System (EWS) in India saves around 2.5 hours of nursing time per patient per day.    Backed by BII’s capital, Dozee will upgrade regular beds to step-down ICUs through the MillionICU initiative – established by Dozee in 2021 to install one million step-down ICU beds across India - and bring about a rapid, long-term transformation in India’s public healthcare infrastructure. The MillionICU initiative has already benefited 46 such hospitals across 15+ districts with more than 10,000+ patients being monitored and having saved 25,000+ nursing hours.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22458/icpa-explores-current-evidence-based-practices-in-regenerative-periodontal-surgery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22458/icpa-explores-current-evidence-based-practices-in-regenerative-periodontal-surgery.html Mon, 09 Jan 2023 17:20:00 +0530 ICPA Health Products (ICPA) hosted its latest episode on Contemporary Periodontal Practice and Regenerative Periodontal Surgery in the current day practice scenario. The 20th episode featured Dr Sudhindra Kulkarni, MDS (Periodontics) as the guest speaker, who showed current evidence-based practices in regenerative periodontal surgery. Dr Kulkarni, while emphasising the significance of preserving and increasing the life of natural teeth, shared his in-depth knowledge on the periodontal conditions that call for performing regenerative surgery, which is a highly specialised procedure in the domain of periodontists that helps in saving and prolonging the life of natural teeth.   Dr Kulkarni spoke about a range of clinical situations, such as different types of bony defects that require a variety of periodontal regenerative materials, including bone grafts and membranes. He also spoke about the use of root surface bio-modifiers for obtaining a clean root surface for improving regenerative outcomes.    Dr Kulkarni shared original cases that were successfully treated by him along with results that have remained stable even after many years of follow-up. He stressed the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene with toothbrushes and mouthwashes that he recommends for better healing after regenerative surgeries.   Dr Sudhindra Kulkarni is currently a consultant and, Professor of Periodontics & Implantology at PMNM Dental College in Bagalkot. He is a Fellow of ISOI, Diplomate of ICOI and the Editor of Dental Implants of ISOI. For the benefit of dentists who may have missed out, the session is available across ICPA’s various social media platforms, including YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn.   'ICPA Clinical Series' is an initiative to address specific clinical challenges dentists face in their everyday practice. Themed ‘Each Episode - One Clinical Challenge’, the series is moderated by ICPA’s Head of Research & Innovations - Dr Rajeev Chitguppi. Each session in the series has a guest speaker chosen from specialists from various domains of dentistry. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22455/health-minister-lays-foundation-stone-for-icmr-school-of-public-health-in-bhubaneswar.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22455/health-minister-lays-foundation-stone-for-icmr-school-of-public-health-in-bhubaneswar.html Sun, 08 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya laid the foundation stone for the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) School of Public Health and BSL III Laboratory at ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), Bhubaneswar. The Minister also inaugurated the annex building of ICMR-RMRC in the presence of Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan and Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar. The ICMR School of Public Health at RMRC, Bhubaneswar will provide participants with a professional, critical and interdisciplinary education, equipping them with the skills to explore and respond to current public health challenges. The Public Health Academic programme has been started at the centre since 2018 under the aegis of School of Public Health, Bhubaneswar. This course is affiliated to Utkal University, Odisha (NAAC A+) and recognised by Department of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of Odisha. This is the second ICMR School of Public Health in the country. Currently admission of fifth batch for MPH course (2022-24) has been completed. The Annex building has been constructed for high end laboratory and administrative purpose. The centre has initiated next generation sequencing (NGS) as a tool for undertaking studies on genomic epidemiology of pathogens. The NGS facility is currently contributing SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance data to the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) and also providing identification of emerging and re-emerging diseases. The building will house sophisticated laboratories like bioinformatics facility, Proteomics study facility, e-library and medical museum. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22448/hcg-becomes-indias-first-mercury-free-cancer-care-chain-of-hospitals.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22448/hcg-becomes-indias-first-mercury-free-cancer-care-chain-of-hospitals.html Thu, 05 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based HealthCare Global Enterprises (HCG) has become a mercury-free hospital by eliminating mercury-based medical measuring devices to promote more stringent medical hygiene and eco-friendly practices. HCG phased out mercury-based instruments such as thermometers, sphygmomanometers, blood pressure monitoring devices, gastrointestinal devices, calibrators, containing mercury across all 26 centres in India. Through this initiative, HCG supports the deployment of accurate and safer non-mercury alternatives. This will provide safe health care to patients, safe work environment for healthcare workers and decreases the load on the environment, making the earth a safer place to live. Mercury and its various compounds lead to a range of serious health impacts on the nervous, digestive, and immune systems, lungs, and kidneys. In addition, mercury is quite harmful to foetuses, children, and young adults. It is used in thermometers, blood pressure monitors, gastrointestinal devices, and other medical items. Significant amounts of liquid elemental mercury turn into a gas at room temperature, possibly exposing nearby employees or patients to extremely dangerous levels.  Therefore, the management teams of all HCG facilities throughout India are adhering to the regulations set forth in the Government of India's Hazardous Waste (Management, Handling and Trans-boundary Movement) Rules 2008 for the handling, storage, treatment, and disposal of hazardous mercury waste while the replacement of mercury-based equipment and products.  These equipments are replaced with aneroid or digital machines thus making hospitals a safe working space with mercury-free zone.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22438/iit-kanpur-inks-mou-with-apollo-hospitals-for-digital-health-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22438/iit-kanpur-inks-mou-with-apollo-hospitals-for-digital-health-research.html Tue, 03 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur and Apollo Hospitals have announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for collaborative research in the clinical application of artificial intelligence (AI) and other areas of mutual interest in healthcare technology. This first-of-its-kind formal collaboration between Asia’s largest integrated healthcare provider, and a globally renowned institution of technology, engineering and computer science, is a formal recognition of the rapid convergence of healthcare and technology that is transforming the practice of medicine. Apollo Research and Innovations (ARI), a department of Apollo Hospitals, has been spearheading medical research, innovation, health education, teaching and clinical deployment of AI for over two decades. The first to have ISO certified AI-based clinical applications to predict the risk of developing lifestyle diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, COPD and asthma, and liver fibrosis, Apollo has proven these in clinical practice after intensive studies with globally renowned partners from the academia and industry. The collaboration with IIT Kanpur will build on this foundation and expand the domain of research and development in healthcare technology. Dr Prathap C Reddy, Founder & Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “With two medical colleges, a medical school in the UK, an Apollo University and 20 institutions providing advanced training in Nursing and Hospital Administration, Ph.D programmes and 625 DNB seats in specialities and super specialities, we look forward to our experience and expertise adding value to the innovative research done at IIT Kanpur. The collaboration will provide teaching and research opportunities to those inside and outside the Apollo ecosystem.”     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/22422/how-genomics-can-revolutionise-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/22422/how-genomics-can-revolutionise-healthcare.html Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0530 A recent study published by Mayo Clinic Proceedings indicates that nearly one in eight people who underwent predictive genomic testing found that they had a genetic risk for a health condition and may be able to manage it better with preventive care. Rising adoption of healthier lifestyles and increasing awareness of new healthcare programmes and advancements are expected to drive increasing demand for predictive genetic testing.  As per a Precedence Research analysis, the global gene therapy market was valued at $2.99 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach over $15.68 billion by 2030, which is poised to grow at a registered CAGR of 20.2 per cent from 2022 to 2030. With a decrease in infectious diseases, there has been a rise in chronic illnesses. Treatments for chronic illnesses are focusing more on an individual’s genetic makeup. Though India has 20 per cent of the world's global population, it only contributes to 0.2 per cent of the global genetic database.    Revolutionising diagnosis, prognosis and treatment  Genome sequencing became more prominent and came to the aid during the COVID-19 pandemic where with the help of this technique researchers were able to isolate the SARS-COV-2 virus. This also led to the production of an mRNA vaccine by Moderna within 60 days of the sequence being made available.  There is a growing interest among researchers in this space. Genome sequencing will lead to personalised medicine both from the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment perspective. It could also reshape the drug discovery process.  Talking about genomics in drug development,  Dr Joydeep Goswami, Senior VP, Corporate Development, and Strategic Planning, Illumina says, “Genomics will transform lifetime health management, improve outcomes and lower costs. Probability of the drug molecule increases by 150 per cent when the drug target is supported by a genetically validated mechanism and cost per approval decreases by almost half, primarily through increased success rates. Genomics has the power to reshape drug discovery development.”   Cost-effective genome sequencing in India  India has seen an increase in genome sequencing in recent years. Though lagging behind China and Korea in the Asia Pacific region, a lot of Indian startups and companies have started undertaking research in this new technique. Government bodies are also increasingly recognising the importance of these advancements and turning to genomic research to provide personalised healthcare for patients. Earlier in 2022, Singapore and India entered into an agreement to collaborate on genome and bioinformatics research, while the Genome Institute of Singapore has embarked on mapping Asian genomes to investigate how illnesses can affect different groups, providing valuable insight for researchers. The success of genomics innovation relies on robust and agile digital infrastructure to support the entire research programme, from data processing and exchange to the ability to analyse and store increasing data volumes. Sharing his views on need for genome sequencing, Murali Panchapagesa Muthuswamy, Chairman, Jananom; Chairman, Golden Jubilee Women’s, Biotechnology Park and President, Council of Presidents of Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprise (ABLE), says, “We have to sequence a large number of genomes across ethnic groups among Indian populations and states from Northeast to South of India to get a decent representation. Credible bio markers and predictive and preventive models that are highly dependable will have to be developed. More efforts in this direction are needed and should be funded by government agencies since private bodies may not be able to afford 100k genome sequencing and million genome sequencing.” With support and initiatives from the government agencies many startups have come up in the last few years and have been offering many services using genomic sequencing.  Bengaluru-based MedGenome has a state-of-the-art genetic lab where over 2,50,000 Exomes and Genomes are sequenced. It currently offers 1300 genetic tests and more than 9000 clinicians leverage the services. The company recently announced that it is offering Adaptive Biotechnologies’ Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS)-based clonoSEQ Assay to assess minimal residual disease (MRD) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM), chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), and B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (B-ALL).  It has further unveiled VarMiner, an AI-enabled powerful variant interpretation software suite. The software will help clinicians, molecular geneticists, and genome analysts to interpret and report actionable variants. VarMiner supports various NGS Dx workflows like Germline Analysis where it covers all rare diseases, inherited cancers, Mitochondrial genome analysis, PGx and HLA analysis; Carrier/TRIO Analysis where it combines analysis of familial samples to detect De-novo and common inherited variants and reporting and somatic analysis, the comprehensive analysis of cancer genomes with support for liquid biopsy, haematology and solid tumour cases.    Image credit- shutterstock   Hyderabad-based Mapmygenome India has opened its Genomics Experience Centre in Bengaluru. The new centre will enable customers to get access to distinctive services such as genetic tests, genetic counselling, blood tests, health screening tests, antibody tests and RT-PCR test for COVID-19.  The company has launched a cost-effective pharmacogenomics solution MedicaMap. MedicaMap gives a detailed report about the body’s response based on genetic makeup. It covers over 165 drugs across 12 specialities like cardiology, oncology, psychiatry, and many more. MedicaMap generates user-friendly, thorough reports on the toxicity and efficacy of medicines. Mapmygenome has also created several educational channels including Genomics Gupshup, blogs and conducts several workshops and CMEs. Oncology startup 4baseCare has announced a collaboration with AstraZeneca India, a global science-led biopharmaceutical company for advancing cancer care in India. Under this collaboration, the two organisations will support advanced-stage cancer patients with targeted therapy options using affordable genomic solutions. In another instance, C2i Genomics, a cancer intelligence company based in the US, has announced a strategic partnership with Mumbai-based startup Karkinos Healthcare, to co-develop the MRD market in India. The partnership enables C2i Genomics to bring innovative cancer detection technology to drive R&D, future pharma partnerships and clinical use in India and supports the company’s long-term goals to scale pharma R&D projects around the globe. C2i Genomics’ SaaS solution utilises a cloud-based platform to perform cancer tumour burden monitoring on a global scale, utilising equipped labs and sequencing networks worldwide. Bengaluru-based Clevergene Biocorp, a deep-tech genomics company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), to establish a state-of-the-art genomics centre at Thiruvananthapuram. The state-of-the-art genomics centre will house the latest DNA sequencing equipment like the Illumina NovaSeq and other allied infrastructure to support cutting-edge research in plant biotechnology, infections, cancer and other chronic diseases. The services of this high-throughput genomics centre will be open for use in research to other institutes and industries and will provide services like gene expression analysis, epigenetics and genome analysis including that of the COVID-19 virus. Chennai-based LifeCell recently announced the addition of the ‘NovaSeq 6000’ sequencing system to their diagnostic technology platform. This development makes it one of the very few entities in India to have such exceptional capability which will enable more efficient and cost-effective genome sequencing. Following the successful implementation of Illumina’s NovaSeq 6000 system, LifeCell will be able to leverage its technical expertise to improve scalability, support a varied range of applications, and simplify the workflow. Thus, this will provide high throughput speed and flexibility to carry out studies or testing which require processing a large amount of data, but in a faster and more economical way. The company has also announced the launch of a revolutionary genetic test – Omega TB, in partnership with HaystackAnalytics, a genomics-based health-tech startup. The collaboration marks LifeCell’s foray into the genetic testing industry for tuberculosis (TB) patients. The whole genome sequencing (WGS) test, designed by Haystack Analytics, aims to tackle the looming challenge of drug resistance. Apart from this, the test also helps in treating and preventing the spread of TB by providing a timely, affordable and accurate diagnosis.   Image credit- shutterstock   Bengaluru-based Strand Life Sciences, a genomics-based research and diagnostics company, has launched Strand Genomic Wellness, a new line of genomic-based tests for preventive wellness. Launched at Bengaluru Tech Summit this year, the new offering can help individuals understand and manage their disease better.  As the first offering of the programme, Strand has introduced the ‘Genomic Health Insight’ report to help individuals understand how their genomic variations might influence their risk for a broad range of diseases with 30-100 per cent heritability.  Researchers associated with the Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai and the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay have developed India’s first indigenously developed Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cell therapy, a cutting-edge treatment for specific types of cancer patients. It has shown promising results. The therapy was tested on six paediatric patients of Acute Lymphocytic Leukaemia and 10 adults suffering from B-cell lymphoma as part of Phase I clinical trials by researchers. ImmunoACT along with Immuneel Therapeutics - backed by Biocon Biologics and top oncologist Dr Sidhartha Mukherjee - are two startups currently working to make CAR T-cell therapy available in India. Recent launch of spatial transcriptomics and spatial proteomics have increased the confidence level of targeted therapies. Bengaluru-based TheraCUES Innovations has installed a technology platform from NanoString (GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiler (DSP) USA. Till a few years back, the cost of genome sequencing was huge. However, the costs have come down and are aiding researchers to take up more research activities.   Indigenisation, R&D and Governmental sops Technological advancements in next-generation sequencing (NGS) and lower cheaper cost have led to an explosive growth of genomic data, both from clinical and research studies, according to Ravi Gupta, Vice President – Bioinformatics, MedGenome Labs. "The affordability of these new technologies has led to significant growth in mainstream diagnostics in human cancer and rare disorder diagnostics. The last decade has also resulted in several large population-level sequencing including 1000 genome, Genome Asia, gnomAD, TopMed, Icelander, UKBiobank, Japanese and many others. COVID-19 genome sequencing is one of the best examples of how the new genomics tools have changed our lives. The genomics data is astronomical and needs a huge computing and storage power for quick turnaround”, he said. Increasing economies of scale will reduce costs over time, but substantial R&D and indigenisation will be required to get costs to the level needed for very large-scale democratisation. The pricing of gene therapies is a major issue in India. China and Korea have an advantage over India in volume processing. With the Indian government making the regulatory process much easier during the COVID-19 outbreak, a similar sop will be a win–win situation for the gene therapeutics market. Setting up labs and the availability of the right talent pools should be taken care of. Anu Acharya, CEO, Mapmygenome, expounding on the cost-effectiveness of genome sequencing mentions, “The costs have come down dramatically from a few billion dollars to less than 100 dollars. That is more than what we saw in Moore's Law. Genomics has now become affordable and since germ-line mutations don't change over a lifetime, the value is very high. Streamlining new technologies, big data, and machine learning in genomic-based tests can have a massive economical impact on the healthcare system. With access to genome sequencing, an average consumer can reduce the odds of disease and enhance longevity most cost-effectively.”   Says Gopalakrishna Ramaswamy, Founder and CEO, TheraCUES Innovations, "In a majority of developed countries, many genomic tests are paid by insurance/state health providers. However, in India, the patient has to pay. Though some insurance companies are bringing specific products based on disease, we need to have general acceptance for payment from insurance for tests, as it indirectly helps insurers in providing targeted therapies."   Image credit- shutterstock   Learning curve hurdles  Awareness seems to be the primary challenge around genomic tests. Once consumers and clinicians become aware of the value of genomic testing, they become strong advocates for them. Most genomic tests are deemed difficult to understand by clinicians and efforts must be undertaken to make the process easier and make the entire process actionable. Another challenge is in the space of reimbursement.  Speaking about challenges Dr Ramesh Hariharan, CEO and Co-Founder, Strand Life Sciences, says, “Consumer awareness on genomics is, of course, very low in India. There is also a lack of clarity on what genomics can or cannot help with. Genomics is a very high-complexity test with many nuances. Most tests take two or three days in the lab going through a multi-step process. That results in a lot of data that has to be analysed and placed in the context of available literature. This is very different from a biochemistry test where a sample goes into a machine and the result comes out. There are many parameters and many sources of error. Inadequate attention to these parameters can yield garbage.” In a similar vein, Ram Ramanujam, Founder & CEO, Propinquity Genomics, says, “The main challenges in this industry now is that none of the equipment and reagents is made in India, and any NGS reagents made in India will reduce the pricing. One challenge that needs immediate attention is when you procure a new machine, and how to achieve RoIs in a quick time before the next model is released in the market. With evolving genomics enterprises in the world and emerging multi-scale biology and multi-omics with integrated biology, R&D must be incentivised in industry. As far as the R&D costs are concerned, sops from the Department of Biotechnology and Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR)  will help new product development.”   The future The future for genomics looks bright. In recent years, there has been steady progress in the advancement of newer sequencing technologies with never-before-seen features. Relying on able manpower, the right investments in research and timely government support, India is poised to set new benchmarks in the genomics space. Talking about the growth of genomics in the country Dr Shibichakravarthy Kannan, CEO, Oncophenomics rightly points out, “You don't need a million dollars to start a genomics lab anymore. Anyone can start sequencing for as little as $10,000. The democratisation of such newer sequencing technologies will facilitate more research programmes and fast-track translation into commercially viable products. We need to bridge the gap between academia and industry to make this happen. India has a unique advantage of skilled brain power. Bioinformatics training is now available free online and a readily available talent pool will further fuel the growth of the genomics industry in India.” Speaking at the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2022 on opportunities for genomics research, Dr Roger Hajjar, Head of Research and Development, Ring Therapeutics, mentioned that the future looks bright for genomics in India as the country has a large patient population. India needs to establish a supply chain for raw materials. A large patient population in established tertiary centres is likely to kick-start any type of clinical therapy. The task ahead is enormous and there is a need to take stock of how much storage and processing speed is required. In this regard, more technological innovations in this space are expected to become game changers.      Sanjiv Das sanjiv.das@mmactiv.com   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22433/nha-unveils-new-version-of-hospital-management-information-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22433/nha-unveils-new-version-of-hospital-management-information-system.html Fri, 30 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0530 The National Health Authority (NHA) is releasing the beta version of a lightweight, robust, and ABDM-compliant Hospital Management Information System (HMIS). This HMIS solution is envisioned to provide a digital platform for healthcare providers, particularly focusing on private clinics and small health facilities. NHA is the nodal agency for implementing Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) which aims to develop the backbone for the digital health infrastructure in India. In line with this vision, it is leveraging the strengths of the CoWIN module to develop a new HMIS solution. This will accelerate the digitization of small clinics and improve the discoverability of healthcare providers in India. The beta version of this HMIS offers the following features:  ABDM compliant – Allows doctors to generate and fetch ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) for their patients. Facility Management – Allows doctors to manage their calendar, appointments, and patient details in a single window Digital Services – Allows doctors to view previous health records and prescriptions for registered patients and take video consultations  e-prescription Services – Generate and share digital standardized prescriptions using a range of parameters with options to modify/customize the prescription layout Healthcare providers can now use this new solution, share their valuable feedback, and play a role in shaping India’s digital healthcare ecosystem. Feedback from healthcare providers will be incorporated into the ABDM-enabled software to make it more robust.  T To increase adoption and seek feedback on the HMIS from healthcare providers across the country, NHA will be organising a virtual beta-testing workshop on 4th January, 2023 wherein healthcare providers will be invited to provide their valuable suggestions and become a part of India’s digital health revolution.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22416/iit-roorkee-aiims-delhi-develop-app-for-medical-support-to-pregnant-women.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22416/iit-roorkee-aiims-delhi-develop-app-for-medical-support-to-pregnant-women.html Tue, 27 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee have developed ‘SwasthGarbh’ smartphone app for providing antenatal care and real-time medical support to pregnant women. This can be a vital tool for women in rural areas and those who do not have easy access to doctors. This is the first pregnancy app that provides instantaneous access to doctor’s advice and is clinically endorsed as well as credible. The app has been developed in collaboration with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. Both patients and doctors can avail the benefits of the app free of cost as it is available on the Google Play Store. It assists pregnant women by ensuring timely antenatal care visits, recording every clinical test and improving medication adherence.   The clinical assessment of 150 patients demonstrated the utility of the app in improving the quality of antenatal care and reducing complications. The patients registered on the app showed a significantly higher number of mean antenatal visits and better compliance with the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines. It also helps in better counselling of patients regarding the formulation of birth plans and the management of physiological problems encountered in pregnancy. This is the first pregnancy app that provides real-time medical assistance in case of an emergency.   Image caption- Prof. KK Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee (R) and Prof. Deepak Sharma, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Roorkee   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22413/c-camp-gardp-collaborate-to-tackle-global-health-threat-of-antimicrobial-resistance.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22413/c-camp-gardp-collaborate-to-tackle-global-health-threat-of-antimicrobial-resistance.html Mon, 26 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) has joined forces with the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP) to tackle the global problem of resistant bacterial infections. Both parties have a joint aspiration to assist in fast-tracking the clinical development, validation and integration of innovative diagnostic solutions for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) into the health system for access by end-users including clinicians, laboratories, and hospitals. The letter of intent was signed recently by Dr Taslimarif Saiyed, CEO-Director of C-CAMP, Dr François Franceschi, Head of Asset Evaluation and Development at GARDP, and Dr Subasree Srinivasan, GARDP Medical Director. This letter of intent underlines C-CAMP’s growing prominence as a global destination for cutting-edge AMR innovations. Dr Saiyed said, “This collaboration would allow C-CAMP to leverage its significant network in the Indian innovation ecosystem to identify, nurture, and scale up innovative solutions in India and beyond. Our collaboration with GARDP will help especially in clinical development and validation of C-CAMP-supported AMR solutions, with the larger goal of driving sustainable and ethical access to emerging technologies. This access will be crucial to bending the growing curve of AMR in India and abroad.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22406/c-camp-novo-nordisk-support-augmentation-of-39-oxygenated-bed-hospital-facility-in-nagaland.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22406/c-camp-novo-nordisk-support-augmentation-of-39-oxygenated-bed-hospital-facility-in-nagaland.html Fri, 23 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Health Minister of Nagaland recently inaugurated a 39 oxygenated bed extension hospital facility in Mokokchung, Nagaland, supported by the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) in partnership with Novo Nordisk Foundation, Denmark. The 39 oxygenated bed hospital facility in Dr Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital (IMDH), Mokokchung, Nagaland, Northeast India is part of a larger DKK 10 Million, (approximately Rs 12 crore) worth project to develop models for rapid augmentation of healthcare infrastructure in India with guidance from the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor, Govt of India, Invest India, and Royal Danish Embassy in New Delhi, India.  At the launch, Health Minister Pangnyu Phom said, “We are extremely thankful to all the agencies for setting-up such a facility in Nagaland. Such set-ups will benefit hugely to people of this region and we look forward to further setting-up of a 50-bedded critical care unit hereafter.” The project initiated on 9th May, 2021 was slated to support establishment of new extension hospital facilities with mobile hospital units with a total 350+ beds and the capacity to treat close to 1300 COVID-19 patients per week with medical oxygen and respiratory support equipment among other critical care infrastructure. The work is now complete at eight sites across six states - Punjab, Haryana, Nagaland, Assam, Meghalaya, and Sikkim. The work at Mokokchung, Nagaland site began in May 2022 and was finished in September 2022. The facility has been constructed with the expertise of Strawcture Eco which was the technical partner for the site. The facilities are equipped with all the necessary amenities and are expected to enhance the pandemic preparedness capacity of the area. Additionally, the facility will be used in various healthcare efforts in the future such as treating dengue patients and as a general ward, etc. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22400/govt-promotes-adoption-of-abdm-by-offering-incentives-up-to-rs-4-cr-to-hospitals-labs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22400/govt-promotes-adoption-of-abdm-by-offering-incentives-up-to-rs-4-cr-to-hospitals-labs.html Thu, 22 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0530 The National Health Authority (NHA), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, has announced a Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS) for the stakeholders of the digital health ecosystem.   The scheme aims to give a further boost to digital health transactions in the country under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). The incentives under this scheme would be provided to hospitals and diagnostic labs and also to the providers of digital health solutions such as Hospital/ Health Management Information System (HMIS) and Laboratory Management Information System (LMIS).   Under the DHIS, the eligible health facilities and digital solutions companies shall be able to earn financial incentives of up to Rs 4 crore based on the number of digital health records they create and link to ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account). This incentive can be availed by the health facilities (hospitals and diagnostic labs) registered with ABDM’s Health Facility Registry (HFR) and fulfilling the eligibility criterion specified under the scheme.   For public sector facilities, the incentives shall be added to the funds under Rogi Kalyan Samiti. The estimated initial financial outlay of the incentive scheme is Rs 50 crore for a period of six months starting from 1st January 2023 onwards. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22388/covid-19-restrictions-may-have-exacerbated-indias-tb-problems-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22388/covid-19-restrictions-may-have-exacerbated-indias-tb-problems-study.html Wed, 21 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0530 A new study by the researchers at The George Institute for Global Health India examines the possible adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on India's Tuberculosis (TB) control programme.  This study is the first to show evidence of the negative impact of the nationwide lockdown on the income and health services utilisation of TB patients in India. These findings were part of an ongoing cohort study aimed at examining the economic burden on TB patients in India by Dr Susmita Chatterjee, Senior Health Economist, The George Institute for Global Health, India; Palash Das, Research Fellow, The George Institute for Global Health, India; and Dr Anna Vassall, Professor of Health Economist, Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Researchers noticed that patients reported difficulties in collecting TB drugs from public health facilities, with 4-7% of patients compelled to discontinue their medicines during the nationwide lockdown. “Many recruited patients belong to extremely low-income groups working as daily wage earners, contractual workers, etc. There is a clear need for their protection during such restrictions through measures such as paid sick leave, additional food support, etc.” said Dr Susmita Chatterjee, Senior Health Economist, The George Institute for Global Health, India. The Indian National TB control programme aims to make the nation TB free by 2025, five years ahead of the Sustainable Development Goal target. These findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic may have an impact on the ongoing efforts to control TB in India.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22393/next-generation-indo-dutch-bilateral-collaboration-to-address-amr-challenge-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22393/next-generation-indo-dutch-bilateral-collaboration-to-address-amr-challenge-.html Wed, 21 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) has announced a next-generation Indo-Dutch bilateral collaboration to address the challenge posed by Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). The programme called WAH! Accelerator will emphasise on co-creation and co-development of new technologies in Water, Agriculture, Animal and Human Health towards fulfilling the One Health approach to address AMR. This Accelerator is a C-CAMP partnership with NADP (Netherlands Antibiotic Development Platform) and AMR Global, both the Netherlands-based organisations. WAH! Accelerator was formally inaugurated earlier this month at the official residence of the Netherlands’ Ambassador to India-, H. E. Marten van den Berg, in New Delhi in presence of former Minister of Health of the Netherlands, Bruno Bruins, C-CAMP CEO & Director, Dr Taslimarif Saiyed, and other officials.  This formal launch has been a culmination of over two years of close partnership between India through C-CAMP and the Netherlands through the Embassy of the kingdom of the Netherlands in India and the Netherlands Consulate General in Bengaluru to set-up a platform with shared goals and mandates in tackling the AMR issue.   The WAH! Accelerator will use existing Indo-Dutch networks within businesses, governments, academics and investors as an early stepping stone toward each other’s health systems and to swiftly develop soft landing spaces. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22379/bd-india-hosts-discussion-forum-on-cervical-cancer-screening.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22379/bd-india-hosts-discussion-forum-on-cervical-cancer-screening.html Mon, 19 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0530 To enable knowledge-sharing around cervical cancer screening including the benefits of early screening with extended genotyping, BD (Becton, Dickinson, and Company) recently organised the ‘Shape the future of Cervical Cancer screening’ discussion forum for pathologists, obstetricians, and gynecologists in Varanasi and Delhi-NCR. The Programme was organised along with the Association of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Delhi (AOGD), the Indian Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ISCCP), and The Association of Gynecologic Oncologists of India (AGOI), Forum of obstetricians and gynecologists of south Delhi (FOGSd). The forum discussed the importance of HPV DNA testing with cytology triage in cervical cancer screening.  The forum also discussed the need for at-home collection and its role in addressing the challenge of reaching women who are unable to visit a gynecologist for routine cervical cancer screening. Commenting on the initiative, Atul Grover, Managing Director, BD India/South Asia said, "Through our Shape the future of Cervical Cancer screening event, we are hopeful to have brought the spotlight on patient benefits of early screening with extended genotyping with the support and participation of more than 100 leading gynecologists and obstetricians, pathologists, and molecular biologists” Present on the occasion, Dr Jeff Andrews, Vice President of Global Medical Affairs at BD shared, “It is well known that different high-risk HPV genotypes carry different risks of cervical pre-cancer, and without the specific knowledge of the HPV genotype, women may be under-treated or over-treated. Extended genotyping reporting benefits primary HPV screening and reporting of results from self-collection for HPV screening.” The BD Onclarity HPV Assay detects and identifies 14 high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types in a single analysis and provides genotyping information from specimens collected for cervical cancer screening purposes. The BD Onclarity HPV Assay includes genotype reporting beyond HPV genotypes 16, 18, and 45 to include types 31, 51, 52, 33/58, 35/39/68, and 56/59/66.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22368/dr-bharati-pravin-pawar-inaugurates-national-maternal-health-workshop.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22368/dr-bharati-pravin-pawar-inaugurates-national-maternal-health-workshop.html Thu, 15 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0530 “The country has achieved a momentous milestone in reduction of maternal mortality ratio (MMR) registering a significant decline from 130 in 2014-16 to 97 per lakh live births in 2018-20, but it remains our duty to remove all bottlenecks especially at field level to ensure that every mother is cared for and consequently ensure zero preventable maternal mortality.” This was stated by Minister of State (MoS) for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar as she chaired the National Maternal Health Workshop, in New Delhi on 14 December. Aligning with the ‘Sustainable Development Goal Agenda 2030’ for maternal mortality reduction, the theme of the workshop was “Striving for zero preventable maternal mortality”. During the event, Dr Bharati unveiled the Midwifery-led care units (MLCUs) brochure and Standard Operating Protocol posters for labour rooms to enable quality of care around birth in public health facilities. She also introduced the Maternal health guidance booklet for community health officers (CHOs) and SUMAN community linkages brochure.  The MoS informed everyone that “MMR decline has been stupendous from 130 in 2014-16 to 97 per lakh live births in 2018-20. The number of states which have achieved Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets, has also now risen from six to eight.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22360/female-leaders-offer-digital-solutions-for-making-mental-healthcare-more-accessible-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22360/female-leaders-offer-digital-solutions-for-making-mental-healthcare-more-accessible-in-india.html Wed, 14 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Health management firm Medix has entered into a strategic partnership with Mpower - an Initiative of Aditya Birla Education Trust and leader in the mental health space in India that brings together a strong force of over 600 experienced mental health professionals, offering world-class, scientifically proven intervention techniques impacting more than 121 million lives positively. As part of the collaboration, Mpower and Medix will offer integrated and advanced tech solutions for making mental health services more accessible in India. Together, Mpower (founded by Dr Neerja Birla) and Medix (with Sigal Atzmon as the Chief Executive Officer) will change the mental health dialogue in India while promoting new ways of getting help and support. The partnership brings a new, holistic approach to mental and emotional counselling and mentorship, specifically designed to reach the youth of the country.  As part of this strategic partnership, Medix India will bundle Mpower’s mental health services into its various care programmes, offering its customers and partners which include leading insurers, corporate employers and other stakeholders, access to Mpower clinics and virtual mental health services. Through the partnership Mpower as a knowledge and service partner will bring in its expertise in the mental health space offering various proven mental health solutions and therapies to patients seeking mental health support, whereas Medix will bring forth its global expertise in quality assurance, goal-setting strategies, clinical pathways, digital mental and physical assessments and innovative tools for outcomes measurement and analytics etc , thus reshaping how mental care is perceived and accessed so far in India.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22356/air-quality-in-ivf-centres-may-put-pregnant-women-at-risk-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22356/air-quality-in-ivf-centres-may-put-pregnant-women-at-risk-study.html Tue, 13 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Air-purifier manufacturer Aura Air, who has recently partnered with WIPRO Lighting for an exclusive partnership for India, has conducted a study on Air Quality Index (AQI) inside In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) centres across India. IVF procedures require a stable culture environment in which indoor air quality plays a crucial role. Indoor air quality parameters like Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Particulate Matter or PM 2.5 and PM 10 have a direct impact over the procedure outcome. Israel-based startup Aura Air took the initiative to see the IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) in various well known IVF centres and the results are disconcerting. During the study, Aura Air found that the AQI in the lab spiked over 250 on average at several occasions which is classified to be unhealthy and life threatening. VOC, a common indoor air-pollutant was the dominant pollutant of the study, in which the highest recorded level was 2600ppb (parts per billion), whereas the permissible or safe level is less than 500ppb. It was found that CO2, PM 2.5, PM 10 and CO levels were within the permissible range. Bharadwaj P V, Managing Director, Aura Air said, “Air particles or any kind of pollutants found within labs can be detrimental to the entire IVF process. This study was conducted to create awareness about the importance of monitoring air-quality in real time. In fact, the Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Bill mandates monthly air-quality reports for Indian IVF centres. IVF centres today have a dedicated budget for equipment that monitors and reduces VOC levels (such as a Photoionisation Detector, which has also been listed in the ART Bill). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22350/beatxp-unveils-exact-smartwatch-redefining-precision-of-wearable-devices.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22350/beatxp-unveils-exact-smartwatch-redefining-precision-of-wearable-devices.html Mon, 12 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0530 beatXP, a fit-tech D2C brand by Gurugram-based startup Pristyn Care, has launched a very unique smartwatch called Exact that redefines precision care and is a cut above the rest.  With an aim to integrate technology into everyday fitness routines, the smartwatch comes with not one, but two unique USPs. The first one  is the accurate measurement of health parameters through an extensive list of high-specification physical sensors and the second is that it can remotely monitor the vitals of your loved ones from anywhere in the world. Targeted at the age group of 24-35 years that includes working professionals, fitness enthusiasts, and affordable performance seekers among others, Exact has 6 physical sensors, which provides accurate measurements of heart rate, ECG, blood pressure monitor sleep tracking, SpO2 (blood oxygen), step count, and body temperature. Its accurate continuous monitoring capability is called trak Engine+. It is priced at Rs 4999. beatXP has also launched two other variants called Marv and Unbound priced at Rs 2499 and Rs 3999 respectively. Commenting on the brand’s vision, Aziz Alam, Business Director at beatXP said “India is now the ‘Biggest' Smartwatch Market in the world, according to UK-based market research firm Counterpoint Research. This is driven by the growth of home-grown brands in the country which showcases the zeal and pace of technology adoption among health-conscious Indians in the country." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22343/national-institute-for-one-health-to-open-in-nagpur.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22343/national-institute-for-one-health-to-open-in-nagpur.html Sun, 11 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently laid the foundation stone for the National Institute for One Health in Nagpur. This new institute of medical excellence will further expedite the country’s efforts in enhancing health research to serve our vulnerable populations.  With increased interaction between humans and animals – domestic and wild, and influenced by climate change, human health can no longer be seen in isolation. More than half of all infections that people get, can be spread by animals. In this context, National Institute for One Health in Nagpur is an important infrastructural milestone for India. The Institute will focus on increasing preparedness and laboratory capabilities for identification of novel and unknown zoonotic agents. This dedicated institute will be equipped with the Bio Safety Level (BSL-IV) laboratory. It will help in investigation of outbreaks of emerging zoonotic agents concerned with public health and developing better control strategies.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22344/govt-strengthens-research-on-haemoglobinopathies-and-similar-diseases-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22344/govt-strengthens-research-on-haemoglobinopathies-and-similar-diseases-.html Sun, 11 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Centre for Research, Management and Control of Haemoglobinopathies, in Nagpur on December 11, 2022.  The prevalence of Sickle Cell disease in the Vidarbha region of Central India, especially in tribal population, is high, with expected carrier frequency as high as 35% in certain tribal groups. Realising this issue and the spread of similar diseases in the country, ICMR - Centre for Research, Management & Control of Haemoglobinopathies has been set up that will play a leading role in research on haemoglobinopathies and similar diseases in the country. The centre is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic and research facilities including bio- banking and proteomics facilities, which will enable India to conduct pathbreaking research on the disease. This centre of medical excellence is dedicated to haemoglobinopathies, which are inherited disorders of haemoglobin and include β-thalassemia syndromes and sickle cell disease, amongst others. The centre will undertake interventions through community control programmes and translational research that will benefit the patients in the underserved region of Chandrapur and adjoining areas. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22339/citiustech-expands-footprint-opens-new-facility-in-pune.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22339/citiustech-expands-footprint-opens-new-facility-in-pune.html Thu, 08 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0530 CitiusTech, a leader in healthcare technology and consulting services, has announced the opening of its second state-of-the-art technology facility in Pune. The new facility will accommodate 800+ healthcare technology professionals, taking CitiusTech’s Pune footprint to 1,500+. CitiusTech Chief Operating Officer Atul Soneja inaugurated the company’s new office at Kharadi Knowledge Park Special Economic Zone (SEZ). Founded in 2005, CitiusTech provides a range of digital healthcare technology and consulting services to help over 130 leading healthcare and life sciences organizations worldwide. The company has grown to over 8,000 professionals today across multiple locations in India and globally, with strong expertise across healthcare consulting, digital health solutions, product engineering, data, analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI)/ machine learning (ML). Anupam Shrivastava, SVP & Head – Talent Management added, “Pune is important for CitiusTech from a talent point of view, and the addition of this facility makes Pune our second largest location in India, after Mumbai. We continue to grow at an accelerated pace and are on the lookout for technology professionals who want to make a meaningful difference by building solutions that impact human life.” CitiusTech recently acquired Wilco Source, one of the world’s leading providers of Salesforce consulting and implementation services for healthcare and life sciences companies. Earlier in October, the company welcomed Bain Capital Private Equity as an investor, joining existing shareholder BPEA EQT who acquired a majority stake in CitiusTech in 2019.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22341/india-shows-decline-in-malaria-deaths-who-report.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22341/india-shows-decline-in-malaria-deaths-who-report.html Thu, 08 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0530 The World Health Organisation (WHO) has launched the 2022 edition of its annual World Malaria Report, emphasising the cumulative impacts the prolonged pandemic continued to weigh on the economies and health systems of malaria-endemic countries across the globe. As per the report, there were an estimated 247 million malaria cases recorded in 2021 in 84 malaria endemic countries. However, the rate of increase in malaria cases was slower than that observed between 2019-2020, when the spike in the rate was associated with the sudden disruptions to health service delivery brought on by the pandemic.  The report states that the case incidence remained largely similar in 2020 and 2021. The WHO African Region continued to account for the largest burden globally, with 4 nations in the region responsible for over half of all malaria deaths.  Over the past 2 decades, the WHO South-East Asia Region displayed a reducing trend in both the malaria cases and associated deaths – cases reduced by 76%, from 22.8 million in 2000 to about 5.4 million in 2021. As per the report, the WHO South-East Asia Region accounted for about 2% of the burden of malaria cases globally, out of which, India was responsible for 79% of cases. The death associated with malaria remained largely similar over the past 3 years, with India accounting for 82.4% of all malaria deaths in the WHO South-East Asia Region in 2021. Positively, India is among the 5 HBHI (High burden to high impact) nations to showcase showed a decline in deaths, although their contributions to the malaria burden within HBHI countries is still substantial. Pratik Kumar, Country Director, Malaria No More India stated, “WHO estimates likely differ from official government figures on account of the majority of cases being diagnosed and treated in the private health sector. Identifying and integrating mechanisms to enforce the notifiable status of malaria and include data from private health sector is imminent to assess the true disease burden of our country. Estimating the true disease burden is one of the most fundamental steps that needs to be taken to fulfil our nation’s ambitious goal and achieve our Prime Minister’s vision of a malaria free country by 2030.”     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22342/9th-world-ayurveda-congress-and-arogya-expo-2022-open-in-goa.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22342/9th-world-ayurveda-congress-and-arogya-expo-2022-open-in-goa.html Thu, 08 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0530 9th World Ayurveda Congress (WAC) was inaugurated at Panaji, Goa in the presence of Union Minister of State for Tourism and Shipping, Ports and Waterways Shripad Naik, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant and Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha. The 9th WAC aims to showcase the efficacy and strength of the AYUSH systems of medicine at the Global level.   Shripad Naik in his address said that the worldwide expansion of Ayurveda has been facilitated by the setting up of a separate Ministry of AYUSH, by Government of India in 2014. He remarked that when one sees the way AYUSH is rapidly progressing today, one must remember that the seed of this development lies in that decision. Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant said that the introduction of AYUSH visa for AYUSH treatment is a historic decision. The upcoming satellite centre of All India Institute of Ayurveda in Goa will boost Ayurvedic tourism in the state, he added. He informed that Goan students will get 50% reservation in admissions for various courses at the institute. Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha observed that in the last 8 years AYUSH has grown tremendously. He stated that by the end of 2022, AYUSH sector will reach $10 billion. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) and Rosenberg’s European Academy of Ayurveda, Germany to facilitate advanced studies in traditional Indian medicine systems. Over 4500 participants from all over the world including 400 foreign delegates from 53 countries are participating in the 9th World Ayurveda Congress & Arogya Expo. The Arogya Expo is set to witness participation of more than 215 companies, leading Ayurveda brands, medicine manufactures and Ayurveda related educational and Research & Development institutions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend the valedictory function of WAC on 11 December.   Image caption- Dr Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa inaugurates the International Arogya Expo on the sidelines of the 9th World Ayurveda Congress on 8 December at Campal Ground ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22324/uk-awards-10-m-grant-to-improve-health-outcomes-in-india-nepal.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22324/uk-awards-10-m-grant-to-improve-health-outcomes-in-india-nepal.html Tue, 06 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Experts from the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) and University of Leicester have been awarded a prestigious grant of nearly £10 million by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, UK to help improve the health outcomes and re-orient health systems to effectively address multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs) or multimorbidity in India and Nepal. The Public Health Foundation of India and University of Leicester will collaborate with the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), Jodhpur, Health Related Information Dissemination Amongst Youth (HRIDAY), Delhi, and Kathmandu Medical College (KMC), Kathmandu, thanks to the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) Global Health Research Centre for grant. During the first stage of the research implementation, the researchers will review existing evidence, generate new data as required and talk to people living with these conditions to identify the best care approach for people with multimorbidity in both countries. In addition, using the concepts of ‘co-design and community engagement/involvement’ they will conduct studies to assess what type of integrated, technology-enabled, patient-centred, high impact, equitable health system intervention designs could most benefit individuals with two or more long-term conditions, which are increasingly impacting population health in both countries. As part of the project, 17 places on master’s degrees, 19 PhDs as well as 14 post-doctoral placements will be available in Leicester, Birmingham or Brunel, covering applied health research, implementation science, medical statistics, quality and safety in healthcare, health data science and diabetes. In addition, Public Health Foundation of India and University of Leicester with other co-applicant institutions will deliver short courses to approximately 400 participants. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22317/roche-pharma-india-launches-patient-support-app.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22317/roche-pharma-india-launches-patient-support-app.html Tue, 29 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Roche Pharma India has launched a new digital platform - The Blue Tree 2.0 mobile app for patients who are part of Roche’s Blue Tree patient support programme in India. The mobile application, available in both Android and iOS platforms will make it easier for patients to access a variety of patient support services, thus simplifying their treatment journey.  The app aims to improve both the patient and healthcare professional’s experience by speeding up programme enrollment, providing easy access and advance notifications to avail multiple support services, increasing the scale and reach of the program to patients, particularly to those who are in remote locations, and allows the support programme journey to be managed directly from their phones. Key Blue Tree program features/ benefits that patients can avail through the mobile application include digital enrollment to the programme with an enrollment tracker that indicates percentage completion; Place request for free drug assistance that are made available a part of the Roche’s Patient Assistance Programme; Doorstep delivery services of drugs, and live order tracker to keep you informed where your medicine is and when it will reach you; and much more. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22300/abbott-to-upgrade-75-primary-health-centres-across-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22300/abbott-to-upgrade-75-primary-health-centres-across-india.html Mon, 28 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Global healthcare company Abbott has committed to upgrading 75 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) across nine States in India in partnership with Americares India Foundation, a health-focused relief and development organisation. The HWC programme, supported by an Abbott grant of about Rs 200 million ($2.4 million), will serve over 2.5 million people from under-resourced communities every year.  Currently, Abbott and Americares have upgraded 16 PHCs across Maharashtra, Goa, Himachal Pradesh and Chhattisgarh as part of its first phase, serving over 500,000 people. They plan to upgrade the remaining 59 PHCs across the four mentioned states along with Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand by early 2024. HWCs strengthen India’s primary healthcare system to advance access to care and support local communities. This also will support and tackle immense health threats and lessen the country’s burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), which account for roughly 61% of all deaths in India. The initiative has three core objectives – to upgrade local PHCs to HWCs, drive capacity building for healthcare workers, and improve community awareness around NCDs and infectious diseases. By expanding access to services across prevention, treatment and care, low-income populations can benefit from improved awareness of health and wellness, greater access and timely care, leading to better health outcomes. The programme will provide essential medical instruments including ECG machines and equipment for maternal, neonatal, respiratory and eye care, and will strengthen key infrastructure and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions. This includes enhancing access to safe drinking water and separate, clean toilets for males and females. WASH interventions are critical to safeguard the health of communities and prevent further infections.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22294/india-prioritises-implementation-of-state-action-plans-for-amr-containment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22294/india-prioritises-implementation-of-state-action-plans-for-amr-containment.html Sat, 26 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0530 “Government of India has identified anti-microbial resistance (AMR) as a key priority in its National Health Policy, 2017. We have taken series of initiatives which strive to build systems to counter AMR holistically", said Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare Dr Bharti Pravin Pawar in India’s national statement on combating AMR at the Third Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance at Muscat, Oman. Speaking on the occasion, MoS Health elucidated that India’s example of prioritising the development and implementation of State Action Plans for containment of Antimicrobial Resistance to ensure effective containment of AMR across sectors at this cutting-edge level, is a best practice that can be further discussed and emulated by other countries.  Dr Pawar elaborated that India’s National Action Plan for containment of AMR (NAP-AMR) was officially released on 19th April 2017. The Delhi Declaration on AMR, which is an inter-ministerial consensus, was signed at the launch of NAP-AMR, by the ministers of the concerned ministries pledging their whole-hearted support in AMR containment. Furthermore, MoS Health said National Action Plan for containment of AMR serves to leverage the strengths of various institutions such as National Center for Disease Control, Indian Council Medical Research to coordinate AMR surveillance lab networks, monitor antimicrobial consumption in health facilities, strengthen infection prevention and control, and promote antimicrobial stewardship to optimise use of antimicrobials.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22286/aakash-healthcare-opens-multi-speciality-hospital-in-uzbekistan.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22286/aakash-healthcare-opens-multi-speciality-hospital-in-uzbekistan.html Thu, 24 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Uzbekistan is all set to become a medical hub for CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) countries with support from a leading Indian healthcare provider company Aakash Healthcare LLC which has now opened and operationalised Aakash Multispecialty Hospital.  Aakash Healthcare LLC, an associate company of Aakash Healthcare, has acquired Tashkent’s Asia Med Centre to transform Uzbekistan’s hospital with an Indian ethos combining class and compassion in care. With support from the Uzbekistan government, Aakash Healthcare plans to transform Uzbekistan’s healthcare systems with investment to the tune of $10 million in the next few years.  The inflow of Uzbek and other CIS patients to India and especially to New Delhi is increasing exponentially.  About 8,000 patients come to New Delhi every year for medical treatments and the approximate market size is the tune of $30 million. Uzbeks majorly have liver issues and nearly a large portion of the population suffers from Hepatitis B and C. The majority of patients come to India for complex surgeries like liver transplants, cancer surgeries, and neuro and orthopedic procedures. The major focus of Aakash Healthcare LLC would be on Mother & Child, Orthopaedic, Liver, and Kidney diseases among others. The Tashkent Aakash Hospital has 50 beds and multiple speciality departments. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22280/siemens-healthineers-collaborates-with-students-and-startups-to-advance-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22280/siemens-healthineers-collaborates-with-students-and-startups-to-advance-healthcare.html Wed, 23 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Siemens Healthineers India, a leading medtech company recently announced the winners of the first edition of SHIFT The healthcare hackathon. SHIFT hackathon is an annual event that aims to build bridges and open new creative forums, in addition to their existing research and development initiatives The hackathon was held exclusively for students and budding startups to advance healthcare with innovation and technology. Over 300 teams participated in the hackathon, which focused on three themes - Access to Care, Digitally Enabled Services, and Smart Fluoroscopic Imaging. After rigorous evaluation, 12 teams were shortlisted for the in-person event at the Siemens Healthineers Technology Center in Bengaluru. 10 student teams and two startups worked around the clock for 24 hours to develop and demonstrate working prototypes of their novel ideas. Team Phoenix from Sri Ramakrishna Engineering College, Coimbatore won Rs 5 lakh for their prototype on Indigenous Noninvasive glucometer Team BEES from Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru won Rs 3 lakh for their Affordable Neonatal Deafness Screener AI Hacks for Fun from The Northcap University, Gurugram won Rs 1 lakh for their product idea- Assessment of Human Skin Burn using Deep Learning and Transfer Learning Techniques  The shortlisted teams got opportunities to interact with senior business leaders, subject matter experts, and clinical professionals from Siemens Healthineers to take their ideas forward. The participants were also able to explore internship and collaboration opportunities.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22274/lupin-inks-mou-with-rajasthan-government-to-strengthen-healthcare-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22274/lupin-inks-mou-with-rajasthan-government-to-strengthen-healthcare-system.html Mon, 21 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Lupin Human Welfare and Research Foundation (LHWRF), the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of Mumbai-based pharma major Lupin has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Rajasthan to address the prevalence of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in the Alwar district of Rajasthan. The MoU was signed in the presence of Dr K L Meena, Director Public Health, Department of Medical, Health and Family Welfare Government of Rajasthan and Tushara Shankar, Head – Corporate Social Responsibility, Lupin. As per the MoU, LHWRF will work with the State’s Department of Health and Family Welfare for strengthening the healthcare system and addressing the prevalence of CVD and COPD for better outcomes. The collaboration will work towards serving the local communities in Alwar through preventive, curative and support-based solutions focused on curing the diseases in the short term and reducing their prevalence in the long term. The programme is planned to be rolled out in a phase-wise manner. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) contribute to nearly 5.87 million (60%) of all deaths in India. CVD and COPD are two leading causes but the prevalence rate of CVD and deaths due to COPD in Rajasthan both outpace national figures. Rajasthan is also among the most affected states in terms of respiratory disease. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22264/apollo-introduces-national-antimicrobial-stewardship-programme.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22264/apollo-introduces-national-antimicrobial-stewardship-programme.html Fri, 18 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Apollo, Asia's foremost integrated healthcare services provider, has announced the launch of an Antimicrobial Stewardship Programme (Apollo ASP) at a national level. The programme will sensitise care providers on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), an issue leading to a public health problem and is today one of humanity's top ten global public health threats. Dr Prathap C. Reddy, Chairman, Apollo said, “Antimicrobial Stewardship Programme (Apollo ASP) will be the largest programme of its kind in the country to promote the rational use of antibiotics to combat the rising burden of antimicrobial resistance, also known as drug resistance in the community. The programme will sensitise care providers on AMR, an issue leading to a public health problem and is today one of humanity's top ten global public health threats. Through the Apollo Antimicrobial Stewardship Programme, we aim to optimise the use of antibiotics, turn the tide on AMR, and ensure continued effective treatment of infections for future generations.” According to Dr Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo, "Our recent data of over 300 thousand bacterial isolates since 2019 across 20 different locations in India shows a considerable increase in community-acquired Antimicrobial Resistance which warrants immediate measures to stop this emerging trend." The programme will be backed by a digital backbone that will ensure efficiency, and accuracy and allow an analysis of data for decision-making. The ASP will be integrated with Apollo’s electronic medical records platform - Medmantra to facilitate automated alerts. Education and training of doctors, pharmacists and other healthcare staff will include comprehensive case-based modules. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22269/iit-m-develops-it-tool-to-improve-rural-healthcare-in-chittoor-district-of-andhra-pradesh.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22269/iit-m-develops-it-tool-to-improve-rural-healthcare-in-chittoor-district-of-andhra-pradesh.html Fri, 18 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) has developed an Information Technology (IT) tool to monitor and improve the health of rural Scheduled Caste (SC) communities in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. The IT Tool, developed using open source software, was deployed to gather detailed household-level annual health-related information. This IT Tool was also utilised to make an objective assessment of the impact of medical treatment and dietary advice on priority health issues. This would lead to evolving an optimal rural healthcare plan based on treatment efficacy and expenses. The project was implemented in E. Palaguttapalli SC and its adjoining hamlets, PakaJa Mandal and Pulicherla Mandal, in Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh, which have a population of around 100 Scheduled Caste (SC) households, each having 5-6 members. In addition, the same team headed by Prof. C. Lakshmana Rao has developed ‘Grameen Ayurveda mobile application,’ an innovative Android-based smart manager of a person’s total health programme. This application provides online doctor appointments, maintains patent data in digital form and it will help to track patient health status and treatment records. It takes care of the follow-up routine of patients, and patients are reminded for routine re-check if required. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22260/global-health-research-centre-on-non-communicable-diseases-opens-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22260/global-health-research-centre-on-non-communicable-diseases-opens-in-india.html Thu, 17 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0530 The George Institute for Global Health, India and Imperial College London have announced the establishment of NIHR Global Health Research Centre on Non-Communicable Diseases and Environmental Change. The Centre will work to tackle the dual challenges of a rapidly growing burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and the threat of global environmental change in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). The launch event for the NIHR Global Health Research Centre on NCDs and Environmental Change was held on 17 November 2022 in New Delhi. The NIHR Global Health Research Centre for NCDs and Environmental Change includes an interdisciplinary group of academics from the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Research (Bangladesh), Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education & Research (India), and University of Brawijaya (Indonesia), who will work to address specific health concerns related to environmental change. Research priorities have been developed with the target communities, with empowerment, engagement and outreach are the heart of the Centre’s research programme which will see local populations and primary healthcare professionals actively involved in the design, implementation and evaluation of interventions. A key aspect of the Centre’s programme of work over the five years will be to address the urgent need to build research capacity to enable identification of effective strategies and interventions within local communities. The team will deliver a number of capacity-building activities for researchers at different stages of their careers, institutions and wider communities.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22247/andhra-pradesh-government-and-roche-pharma-join-hands-to-strengthen-cancer-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22247/andhra-pradesh-government-and-roche-pharma-join-hands-to-strengthen-cancer-care.html Tue, 15 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0530 The Andhra Pradesh (AP) government and Roche Pharma jointly organised a largescale workshop on breast cancer continuum of care in Tirupati on Saturday, 12 November 2022 to facilitate capacity building, spread awareness and strengthen the cancer care ecosystem in the state. Nearly 200 healthcare professionals attended the workshop to deliberate upon creating awareness about personalized and targeted treatment options in management of breast cancer. Roche Pharma will join AP government to provide support to strengthen cancer care ecosystem in the state with advanced treatment solutions, enhanced capacity building and training programs for doctors. The workshop aims to bridge the current gaps in cancer treatment and management in the city. Further, to boost accessibility and availability of advanced treatment methods for cancer patients, the AP government is set to develop Tirupati as a major hub for Cancer treatment. A major step in this regard will be the setting up of Balaji Institute of Oncology (BIO), a state-of-the-art cancer centre that will provide high-end solutions in the field of genomics, personalised care and targeted therapies.  Additionally, keeping in view the importance of palliative care in cancer management, Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS) is also going to start a foundation course in palliative care in partnership with Pallium India next month, and establish a palliative care center with 30 beds in the beginning.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22248/pg-health-partners-with-international-diabetes-federation-to-address-peripheral-neuropathy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22248/pg-health-partners-with-international-diabetes-federation-to-address-peripheral-neuropathy.html Tue, 15 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Peripheral Neuropathy (PN) is a chronic condition, wherein the peripheral nerves are damaged. With diabetes being the leading cause of PN, the increasing prevalence of PN is closely linked to the rise in number of people living with diabetes. It is estimated that almost 50% of people with diabetes may suffer from PN during their lifetime. P&G Health is stepping in as a new partner of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and support the advocacy and awareness activities of the Federation. For many years, P&G Health has been partnering with healthcare professionals around the world to promote the early diagnosis and treatment of peripheral neuropathy in people with diabetes and other risk groups. If not diagnosed and treated timely, PN can have a major impact on quality of life. Not only does the disease itself have an impact but also comorbidities and other factors influence the patient’s social life, working life and overall well-being. Still awareness and education on this topic remain limited. That is why together, IDF and P&G Health will join forces to promote diabetes care and improve the lives of people affected. Milind Thatte, Managing Director, Procter & Gamble Health Limited, said, “Launched on the occasion of World Diabetes Day 2022, our ‘Put Life Back in Your Hands’ campaign’ comprising screening and education initiatives across 13 cities to raise awareness on the connection between Peripheral Neuropathy and Diabetes, and the importance of early identification and timely treatment. This campaign is part of a large-scale collective awareness effort by P&G Health across 18 countries in Asia, Middle East and Africa Region." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22242/continental-hospitals-opens-dedicated-headache-migraine-clinic-in-hyderabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22242/continental-hospitals-opens-dedicated-headache-migraine-clinic-in-hyderabad.html Mon, 14 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Continental Hospitals, Gachibowli, Hyderabad has unveiled India’s premier & dedicated Headache & Migraine clinic to offer comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach for the treatment & management of headache & migraine in adults and children.Continental Headache Clinic will have expert neurologists, neuroradiologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, sleep specialists, nutritionists & neurosurgeons, and will take a multi-dimensional approach for treatment & management of headache as a team. This multidisciplinary approach will offer accurate diagnosis and various treatment modalities, alternative therapies, and usage of new drugs discovered in recent times for the benefit of patients. Speaking at the unveiling of the Headache Clinic, Continental Hospitals Chairman Dr Guru N Reddy said that the need for a specialised and dedicated headache & migraine clinic has never been more needed in our country.“Headache is the most common cause in neurology speciality for patients to visit emergency rooms and WHO has estimated that India would be incurring an expense of over $1 trillion (Rs 85,000 crore) in management of mental diseases that includes headaches in near future,” highlighted Dr Reddy. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22237/delhi-is-11th-and-mumbai-ranks-76-on-health-index-in-healthians-survey.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22237/delhi-is-11th-and-mumbai-ranks-76-on-health-index-in-healthians-survey.html Fri, 11 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Residents of Gujarat's Vadodara, on average, have the healthiest hearts out of all Indian cities, according to a large-scale study by health-tech firm Healthians, a diagnostics market leader known for its user-friendly health-test-at-home services. Vadodara scored 7.5 on a scale of 10 for heart health, beating second-placed Ludhiana by a wide margin. Ludhiana scored 6.9, and it was followed by Jalandhar at 6.8. Amritsar, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Panipat, Patiala, Kanpur and Chandigarh completed the top 10. Amongst the metropolitan cities, Delhi scored 5.4, giving it a rank of 11. Kolkata followed at the 21st position with a score of 5.2. Chennai was 67th with a score of 4.6, while Mumbai ranked 76th with a score of 4.5. Hyderabad and Bengaluru were the lowest, with scores of 4.5 and 4.1. "Currently, heart disease is the number one cause of mortality among Indians, and the fact that very few Indians get routinely screened for heart health has led to a silent epidemic and the healthcare sector as a whole needs to do something about it,” said Deepak Sahni, Founder & CEO of Healthians. The scores were arrived at by analysing the prevalence of healthy levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides amongst the population. The results were part of the 'Dil ki Baat Study by Healthians on India's Heart Health', which used anonymised data from blood tests by 2.66 million people aged 20 and above across 250 cities and towns in India in recent months. This is the largest such data analysis ever done in India related to heart health. As many as 83 cities where a sample size of at least 1,000 was recorded were ranked based on the average scores of the population.  "More research is needed to understand some cities or regions have fared better while others haven't. However, regular checkups can help prevent a small derangement in health from becoming a full-blown disease," Sahni added.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22232/hcah-expands-presence-in-geriatric-health-market-in-india-after-acquiring-seniority.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22232/hcah-expands-presence-in-geriatric-health-market-in-india-after-acquiring-seniority.html Thu, 10 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Delhi-NCR based health tech company HCAH (formerly Health care atHOME) has announced its acquisition of Mumbai-based geriatric-centric digital platform Seniority. With this, HCAH plans to integrate its existing healthcare services into the company and develop a geriatric-focused vertical to provide end-to-end senior care services for their holistic well-being and requirements. Owned by the RPG Group, Seniority offers a curated portfolio of over 20,000 products ranging from medical to lifestyle for senior citizens and sells direct to customers. The company also operates two offline stores in Pune and Chennai. Currently, there are more than 150 million senior citizens in India with an average age of close to 70 years. By 2025, 12% of the population in India will be aged 60+ and the geriatric population is projected to reach 280 million by 2050 which will boost demand in this sector. Vivek Srivastava, Co-Founder and CEO, HCAH, said, "By acquiring Seniority, our intent is to cater to all the needs and provide a One Stop Shop to our rapidly growing elderly population. We will launch new services such as Assisted Living, Elderly day care and Elderly Concierge services in the future to further solidify our presence in the elderly market”. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22224/manipal-hospitals-partners-with-google-cloud-to-transform-patient-experience.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22224/manipal-hospitals-partners-with-google-cloud-to-transform-patient-experience.html Wed, 09 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Manipal Hospitals and Google Cloud have announced a partnership to support the former to improve patient care, clinician experiences, and improve the hospital chain’s network efficiency. Manipal Hospitals will leverage Google Cloud’s technology to enable virtual care services across its chain of hospitals in the country, create a new e-pharmacy platform that allows patients to order medicines directly from the hospital, and to build remote patient monitoring to improve overall care. Manipal Hospitals will also use Google Cloud’s conversational artificial intelligence (AI) tools to improve customer interactions, offering patients 24/7 care. Through its partnership with Google Cloud, Manipal Hospitals will use the Amwell platform to enable virtual visits. The Amwell deployment is part of a suite of digital care delivery enablement solutions designed to provide a simple and intuitive experience for patients and providers alike and to easily allow health systems to quickly scale their digital care delivery across the full continuum while leveraging multiple modalities. Working with Google Cloud, Manipal Hospitals will transform the way it advances virtual care with AI-enabled digital diagnostics. The hospital chain will leverage Google’s tech to build multichannel conversational AI experiences across its appointment booking, searching for doctors, and other important patient tasks.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22227/asg-eye-hospitals-enters-haryana-and-expands-footprint-in-uttar-pradesh.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22227/asg-eye-hospitals-enters-haryana-and-expands-footprint-in-uttar-pradesh.html Wed, 09 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0530 ASG Eye Hospitals has announced partnerships with two leading eye hospitals – Kapil Eye Hospital in Ambala, Haryana and Garg Ophthalmic Centre in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Taking its domestic footprint to 50 world-class eye hospitals, the acquisition is ASG’s 9th of the year, and it marks the company’s entry into Haryana and expansion of its footprint in Uttar Pradesh. Following its successful fundraise of Rs 1500 crore in July 2022 from General Atlantic and Kedaara Capital, ASG is accelerating its doctor-led mission to enhance the quality of care, deliver eye care for all and improve quality of life across India. Dr Arun Singhvi, Chairman and Managing Director, ASG Hospital said, “The year 2022 has seen us expanding our footprint to provide the best of eye care to patients across the country. We look at these acquisitions as partnerships where we can provide our expertise in scaling up operations and create synergies with our pan-India network. Our vision is to create a world-class eye care platform with advanced ophthalmic technologies for diagnosis and treatment and these partnerships are an important part of expanding and improving our network and services. We will continue to evaluate opportunities for organic and inorganic growth to reach 200 hospitals within the next 36 months as we continue with our doctor-led model of eye care."     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22219/iit-jodhpur-study-reveals-cost-of-hospitalisation-under-public-private-sector.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22219/iit-jodhpur-study-reveals-cost-of-hospitalisation-under-public-private-sector.html Tue, 08 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0530 A recent study by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur has given a comparative outlook on how much do government and households spend on an episode of hospitalisation during their visit to public and private healthcare facilities in India. The result of the research states that the government and households put together spent substantially more per hospitalisation in private hospitals than public hospitals.  The average total spending per day of hospitalisation in India was found to be Rs 2833 for public hospitals and Rs 6788 for private hospitals. The results of this research were published in Health Economics Review Journal which is an international peer reviewed journal.  This study has important implications in deciding the road map of achieving universal health coverage in India. This study is one of the first in its kind which has done costing of public and private healthcare facilities for unit inpatient care in the country. Its relevance becomes even more in the context of strategic purchasing from the private sector, which has been mentioned as one of the important policy directions under National Health Policy-2017.  Highlighting the need of the research, Dr Alok Ranjan, Assistant Professor, School of Liberal Arts, IIT Jodhpur, said, “Provisioning of inpatient care under public facilities is more cost effective compared to the private sector in India. Therefore, there is an urgent need to invest in public health facilities compared to purchasing it from the private sector.” This survey was carried out with the support of the State Health Resource Centre, a technical agency working for the Department of Health, Government of Chhattisgarh, in 64 healthcare facilities across the state. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22215/medica-launches-eastern-indias-first-home-based-palliative-cancer-care-services.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22215/medica-launches-eastern-indias-first-home-based-palliative-cancer-care-services.html Mon, 07 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0530 The Oncology Department of Medica Superspecialty Hospital held a panel discussion at the Science City Auditorium in Kolkata marking the occasion of National Cancer Awareness Day. The Oncology Department of Medica announced the launch of home-based palliative cancer care services to cancer patients & became the first facility in Eastern India to offer such services. The term "Palliative Care" refers to the specialised medical care that is delivered by a trained team of physicians, nurses, psychologists, and other medical staff members to provide relief from the symptoms and stress that are brought on by a serious illness like Cancer. Palliative care is typically provided to patients who are in the later stages of their illness and have a limited life expectancy as it affords patients much-needed relief.   Dr Sudip Das, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Medica Superspeciality Hospital, said, "There is an urgent need to create more resources that facilitate compassionate care, such as the palliative care unit, whether or not the individual is receiving curative treatment. In the case of patients who are nearing the end of their lives, palliative care is a form of treatment that focuses on the patient rather than merely treating their disease."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22209/centre-for-metabolic-endocrine-disorders-opens-in-pune.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22209/centre-for-metabolic-endocrine-disorders-opens-in-pune.html Fri, 04 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Union Minister for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh recently inaugurated the Centre for Metabolic & Endocrine Disorders at Symbiosis University Hospital & Research Centre in Pune. Dr Jitendra Singh, who is also a renowned Diabetologist and the Life Patron of the coveted RSSDI (Research Society for Study of Diabetes in India) described the new centre as a timely and much needed one in view of the increasing incidences of lifestyle diseases and metabolic disorders. The centre would focus on preventive screening of the most common disease – diabetes. The Symbiosis Centre for Metabolic & Endocrine Disorders is equipped with body composition machine, skinfold thickness measurement caliper, biothesiometer for early detection of neuropathy, handheld vascular doppler, podiascan etc., while the nutritionist and nurse diabetic educator will be available to counsel the patient and their relatives for ensuring right kind of diet and its significance. The main focus at the centre is to prevent complications and ensure patients are guided to maintain a good lifestyle. All allied specialists like cardiology, podiatric surgeon, neurologist, ophthalmologist all are available within the centre to ensure end to end services. Moreover, another major lifestyle concern is obesity and the centre aims to provide both non interventional and surgical remedies for such patients. Apart from diabetes and obesity, the centre also would manage patients with thyroid disorders, Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and other metabolic and endocrine disorders. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22206/75-of-indias-corporate-workforce-at-higher-risk-of-developing-diabetes-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22206/75-of-indias-corporate-workforce-at-higher-risk-of-developing-diabetes-study.html Thu, 03 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Fitterfly, a Mumbai-based health-tech startup working in the field of digital health and therapeutics, has released a study revealing the prevalence of pre-diabetes risks in Corporate India. The study analysed data of around 2020 (1384 males, 636 females) participants from leading corporates. About 72.9% of the participants had a body mass index (BMI) of over 23 kg/m2 which puts them in the obese or overweight category. These people have 1.9x higher risk of pre-diabetes than those with a BMI lower than 23kg/m2. Mid to senior management employees (age 40 years and above) are at a significantly 1.4-fold higher risk of prediabetes than people with age less than 40 years. Overall, 272 participants were found to be at high-risk, 1296 at medium-risk, and the remaining 452 at low-risk of diabetes. The study also found significant prevalence of other risk factors for diabetes/pre-diabetes among corporate employees. For instance, 58.3% people had a family history of diabetes which makes them highly vulnerable to the disease. 46.9 % of participants performed physical activity below the recommended level of 150 mins per week. Females (50.1%) lagged behind their male counterparts (45.4%) in performing the physical activities. A combination of risk factors is hazardous was also pointed out by the study since 31.6 % of total participants who had BMI higher than 23 Kg/m2 and age greater than 40 years were at the highest risk for prediabetes.  Speaking about the one-of-its kind study, Dr Arbinder Singal, Co-Founder and CEO, Fitterfly, said, “The changing workspaces and style of working in recent years is causing a lot of challenges for employees irrespective of their location. The need of the hour is to quickly identify these risks, and raise awareness about the perils of diabetes."     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22198/joint-stroke-centre-certification-programme-launches-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22198/joint-stroke-centre-certification-programme-launches-in-india.html Wed, 02 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0530 National Stroke Summit was organized by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) on 1st November 2022. Dr Lorho Pfoze, a doctor himself, Member of Parliament from Manipur and also a member of Standing Committee of Parliament on Health and Family Welfare was the Chief Guest on the occasion. He launched the World Stroke Organization (WSO) and National Accreditation Board of Hospitals and Healthcare providers (NABH) joint stroke centre certification programme. Assuring the audience at the National Stroke Summit 2022 at FICCI House in New Delhi to take up the issue with the central government, he suggested FICCI to prepare a detailed report on the learnings of this summit and make a representation to the government with the recommendations. Speaking at the summit, Prof Sheila Martins, the President of WSO stated that the WSO’s mission is to reduce the global burden of stroke through more effective prevention, better treatment, and long-term support. She shared the experience of Brazil and other South American countries in improving the stroke care services through WSO stroke centre certification programme. She also stated that implementation of WSO and NABH joint certification programme in India will promote high quality stroke care. Prof Martins aims to implement globally focusing on low- and middle-income countries. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22184/india-to-witness-80-increase-in-digital-health-investment-in-next-5-years-dr-jitendra-singh.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22184/india-to-witness-80-increase-in-digital-health-investment-in-next-5-years-dr-jitendra-singh.html Sat, 29 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Addressing the first ever Global Digital Health Summit, Expo & Innovation Awards at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on 28 October, Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister for Science & Technology said, India will become a digital health leader, as we have the world’s best technical manpower required and our data is the cheapest in the world, approaching 100 percent coverage. The Minister said, the recent launch of 5G will bring a new revolution in the Digital Healthcare system in India. Dr Jitendra Singh pointed out that the whole world recognised India’s leadership role during COVID-19, as it achieved the rare feat of delivering over 220 crore vaccinations through a fully digital platform – COWIN and the process continues. He said, everyone working in healthcare needs to adopt digitalisation across healthcare. Clinicians and professionals working in pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, hospitals, and insurance will have to plan their forays for digitalisation on a fast pace basis, the Minister opined. "80% of the healthcare systems are aiming to increase their investment in digital healthcare tools in the coming five years. Indian innovators are developing pathbreaking health-tech products and solutions. The government is applying these digital health developments through the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission”, he said. Other highlights of the event included the release of ‘Women’s Health Guideline’ and ‘Digital Health for All – By 2028’, and launch of Project Concern 2028 and Health Parliament. This summit was held in partnership with global bodies working in Digital Health and co-hosted by the Internet Governance Forum, United Nations. Over 1500 delegates from 35 countries participated in this summit. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22182/76-workforce-suffers-from-work-related-musculoskeletal-disorders-godrej-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22182/76-workforce-suffers-from-work-related-musculoskeletal-disorders-godrej-study.html Fri, 28 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Godrej & Boyce, the flagship company of the Godrej Group, has announced that its business Godrej Interio, India’s leading furniture solutions brand, in home and institutional segments, has published the findings of an exclusive study titled ‘Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Employees’ (WMSDs). To understand the employee expectations and concerns in the hybrid work model, the Workspace & Ergonomics Research Cell at Godrej Interio conducted a nation-wide study that uncovers different aspects such as employees’ concerns related to body pain while working, incorrect work tool integration, and views on long work hours and static muscle load in office.  A total of 500 office-going employees participated in the research in the age group 21–40 years, most of them, working for MNCs and Indian corporates. According to the study, WMSDs are becoming a growing concern due to their impact on employee productivity and well-being. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are injuries or disorders of the muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, cartilage, and spinal discs. However, WMSDs are conditions in which the work environment and the tasks performed at work significantly worsen the condition, especially if it persists for an extended period of time. 91% of workers are not fully aware of the workplace factors that can endanger their health and cause the onset of WMSDs (Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders) while 82% of employees reported concerns related to body pain while working from home.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22177/policy-makers-in-discussion-to-uplift-mental-healthcare-with-innovation-partnerships.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22177/policy-makers-in-discussion-to-uplift-mental-healthcare-with-innovation-partnerships.html Wed, 26 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0530 The Policymaker's Forum for Mental Health, India spearheaded a panel discussion at the Grand Challenges Annual Meeting on 25th October 2022, in Brussels, to discuss the challenges around mental health, especially impacting the most vulnerable in India. The discussion was organised in collaboration with Grand Challenges Canada and ETI Services to support the launch of a new and innovative mental initiative focused on young people. Dr Dalbir Singh, Founder and President, Policymaker’s Forum for Mental Health chaired the panel focused on the urgent need and awareness around for mental health interventions in India, and the critical role policymakers are well positioned to play- to ensure impact. Dr Shirshendu Mukherjee, Mission Director, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council, India (BIRAC), stated how “India’s biotechnology industry’s role during COVID-19 has been praised by the nation . It makes one look at the necessity for the physical distress caused in crisis to be averted in order to keep the mental health of the populations in check. What it disables are risk factors that lead to anxiety and depression among individuals in the long run, and BIRAC looks forward to partnerships to make a difference and enhance innovations around mental health in India.” Arjun Kapoor, Programme Manager & Research Fellow at Indian Law Society, stated that “While some progress in terms of both policy and implementation has been made in the recent years, there is still a lot of ground to cover in terms of how mental health interventions are imagined and supplied from the top."  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22159/indira-ivf-to-offer-ai-technology-for-improving-pregnancy-outcomes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22159/indira-ivf-to-offer-ai-technology-for-improving-pregnancy-outcomes.html Tue, 25 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Indira IVF will be rolling out the latest in Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology across their 100+ clinics in India in November 2022. This AI technology, called Life Whisperer, has been tested in a number of international clinical studies and been shown to help patients get pregnant sooner and more affordably. Life Whisperer analyses images of patient embryos to assess their quality, supporting the embryologist in selecting the embryo most likely to lead to a successful outcome. Life Whisperer, a product of AI healthcare company Presagen, uses AI to assess two embryo quality metrics. Life Whisperer Viability assesses how likely an embryo is to lead to a pregnancy, and Life Whisperer Genetics non-invasively assesses embryo genetic integrity. The tool is currently authorized for sale in over 40 countries worldwide, with India as a key market. Life Whisperer is backed by extensive scientific evidence, clinical data, and numerous recent publications, including two in Nature Scientific Reports, two in Human Reproduction, and a recent paper in Reproductive Biomedicine Online (RBMO), and is regularly presented at global fertility meetings conducted by the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22163/unicef-seeks-urgent-actions-to-counter-health-impacts-of-increasing-heatwaves.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22163/unicef-seeks-urgent-actions-to-counter-health-impacts-of-increasing-heatwaves.html Tue, 25 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0530 559 million children are currently exposed to high heatwave frequency, according to new research from UNICEF. Further, 624 million children are exposed to one of three other high heat measures - high heatwave duration, high heatwave severity or extreme high temperatures. Produced in collaboration with The Data Collaborative for Children and launched in partnership with UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Vanessa Nakate and Africa-based Rise Up Movement, these findings underscore the urgent need to adapt the services children rely on as unavoidable impacts of global heating unfold. Heatwaves are especially damaging to children, as they are less able to regulate their body temperature compared to adults. The more heatwaves children are exposed to, the greater the chance of health problems including to chronic respiratory conditions, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Babies and young children are at the greatest risk of heat-related mortality. Heatwaves can also affect children’s environments, their safety, nutrition and access to water, and their education and future livelihood. A study published by The Lancet Planetary Health journal in July 2021 states that nearly 740,000 excess deaths in India annually could be attributed to abnormal hot and cold temperatures related to climate change. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22155/aster-mims-collaborates-with-medtronic-to-enhance-stroke-care-in-kerala.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22155/aster-mims-collaborates-with-medtronic-to-enhance-stroke-care-in-kerala.html Sun, 23 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Aster MIMS Hospital, Kozhikode and India Medtronic have announced their partnership to build a comprehensive programme for stroke patients in Kerala. The programme involves a hub and spoke model wherein, Aster MIMS will build a network of identified hospitals in and around Calicut and provide them with tele consultation support and resources to mobilize stroke patients who are at a critical stage and in urgent need of therapy. As part of the partnership, Medtronic will be providing education and training support to the identified hospitals along with awareness tools and technologies to manage stroke. In India, nearly 1.18 million patients are affected by stroke each year of which 68-80% of the strokes are ischemic (i.e., blood clot in the brain). Stroke is a medical emergency during which the blood flow is blocked to the brain.   As per the hub and spoke model, Aster MIMS will be the centralized hub, connecting other hospitals in different sectors with the help of advanced technologies. If a patient with stroke symptoms visits one of the network hospitals (spokes), their scan and other vitals will be passed on to team of experts at Aster MIMS for further evaluation. The subsequent treatment and medication would be advised accordingly. The condition of the patient will be continuously assessed through telemedicine. There will be 24-hour service of multiple neuro-interventional surgeons for conducting mechanical thrombectomy.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22150/huge-gap-exists-between-diseases-vaccines-availability-dr-soumya-swaminathan.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22150/huge-gap-exists-between-diseases-vaccines-availability-dr-soumya-swaminathan.html Thu, 20 Oct 2022 02:10:00 +0530 Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers Network (DCVMN) Annual General Meeting commenced in Pune on 20th October. The three-day event is being co-hosted by Serum Institute of India (SII), the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer by volume. Addressing the Meeting, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India, shared, “In line with PM's vision of One Earth One Health, India supplied vaccines to 100 countries and provided drugs to 150 countries during COVID-19. Now, as we go forward, there is an urgent need for strengthening private-public sector partnerships across the vaccine manufacturing value chain.” Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Chief Scientist, World Health Organisation (WHO), shared, “In terms of the landscape for the future, there is a huge gap between diseases that are causing morbidity and mortality in countries, and the availability of vaccines – it is not just for childhood vaccinations, but vaccination across the life course. And this is what the immunization agenda 2030 talks about the adult vaccines that must be developed." The inaugural session saw the presence of many dignitaries such as Sai D Prasad, Board Chair-DCVMN; Dr Cyrus Poonwalla, Chairman, SII; Adar Poonawalla, CEO, SII; Rajinder Suri, CEO-DCVMN; Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General, WHO (virtually); Dr Ayoade Alakija, WHO Special Envoy for the ACT–Accelerator; Dr Seth Berkley, CEO, GAVI; Dr Richard Hatchett, CEO, CEPI and many more. The global event brings together over 400 leaders, researchers and scientists from several global public health organisations, dignitaries from governments and multilateral organisations, and luminaries from vaccine manufacturing industry and research institutes. Key topics include commemoration of unprecedented global collaboration during the pandemic, ‘Global Equity & Timely Access of Vaccines’, and Future Pandemic Preparedness and response. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22149/govt-launches-multiple-health-infrastructure-projects-in-ahmednagar.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22149/govt-launches-multiple-health-infrastructure-projects-in-ahmednagar.html Thu, 20 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Union Health & Family Welfare Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated multiple health infrastructure projects at an event in Ahmednagar (Maharashtra) on 20 October. The projects include three Primary Health Care Centres in Ahmednagar which were inaugurated virtually and  the Dr. Vikhe Patil Nuclear Medicine Centre.  Dr Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the construction of the main building & staff quarters of the Ralegan Siddhi Primary Health Care Centre (PHC).  The PHC complex will be built at a projected cost of Rs 7.02 crore. The Health Minister also inaugurated the construction of the main building and staff quarters of the PHC in Kharda, which is built at a projected cost of Rs 5.6 crore and the main building of the PHC in Padhegaon, which is built at a projected cost of over Rs 2.14 crore.  The Dr. Vikhe Patil Nuclear Medicine Centre was also inaugurated by Union Health & Family Welfare Minister. The Centre is equipped with facilities for comprehensive cancer care including both diagnosis and treatment. It is the first of its kind in the district and will cater to the population of Ahmednagar, Beed, Nashik, Aurangabad, Solapur and peripheral areas of Pune Districts.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22141/madhavbaug-ties-up-with-easy-ayurveda-to-develop-telemedicine-platform.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22141/madhavbaug-ties-up-with-easy-ayurveda-to-develop-telemedicine-platform.html Wed, 19 Oct 2022 09:00:00 +0530 As part of its effort to put India’s ancient healthcare system on the global map, Mumbai-based Madhavbaug, a specialist in treating cardiac related ailments through scientific evidence-based Ayurveda therapies has forged a long-term strategic alliance with Easy Ayurveda, an online platform providing the most authentic knowledge on Indian Ayurveda. The joint venture plans to develop a telemedicine platform for practicing Ayurveda doctors by creating their own virtual clinics. The plan is to create 10,000 virtual telemedicine clinics for ayurvedic practitioners across the globe over next two years.   The new venture would also provide quality and curated contents to help promote a better understanding of Ayurveda among both medical practitioners and general public world over. The joint venture further plans to launch customised learning courses and skill building courses for practicing doctors.The development comes close on the heels of the curtain raiser programme held last week for the upcoming ninth World Ayurveda Congress to be held in Goa, an initiative of the AYUSH ministry to attract global interest in India’s traditional healthcare system.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22115/elekta-and-hcg-launch-collaborative-clinical-educational-facility-in-mumbai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22115/elekta-and-hcg-launch-collaborative-clinical-educational-facility-in-mumbai.html Fri, 14 Oct 2022 13:00:00 +0530 Elekta and HealthCare Global Enterprises (HCG) have announced the launch of a collaborative educational facility in Mumbai. The training centre will focus on providing radiation oncologists, radiotherapy technologists and medical physicists with the necessary skills and training on the latest treatment techniques and technological advancements in radiation therapy (RT). Dr B.S. Ajaikumar, Executive Chairman, HealthCare Global Enterprises says: “Our collaboration with Elekta will support an increase in qualified radiotherapy professionals in India. Through these training programmes we hope to move the needle from basic radiotherapy techniques to high precision radiotherapy treatment strategies such as image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), adaptive RT, stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). Equipping medical professionals through effective learning solutions can significantly improve efficiency and patient outcomes.” This type of peer-to-peer learning outside of Elekta Training Centers is offered to drive the uptake of high precision radiotherapy treatments. “The innovative programme to train and upskill clinicians is designed to improve and standardize the clinical treatment protocols and bridge the gap between academia and industry,” says Manikandan Bala, Elekta’s Managing Director for India.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22110/goa-to-host-9th-world-ayurveda-congress-arogya-expo-on-8-11-dec.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22110/goa-to-host-9th-world-ayurveda-congress-arogya-expo-on-8-11-dec.html Thu, 13 Oct 2022 13:00:00 +0530 Goa is drawing up plans to become a prime ayurveda and wellness tourism hub on the strength of a slew of initiatives, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant said while inaugurating the curtain raiser of the 9th World Ayurveda Congress (WAC) & Arogya Expo, to be held from December 8 to 11. The state is eager to harness the benefits of Ayush visa, announced by the Prime Minister recently, to develop tourism, health and wellness centres and make Goa as the best in health tourism sector, the Chief Minister said. Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister, AYUSH, was the chief guest at the function, where Shripad Yesso Naik, Union Minister of State for Tourism, and Vishwajit P Rane, Goa Minister of Health, were also present. The four-day event, supported by the Central and state governments and the Union Ministry of AYUSH, will witness an assemblage of about 5000 Ayurveda stakeholders — industry leaders, practitioners, traditional healers, educationists, students, drug manufacturers, growers of medicinal plants and marketing strategists — from across the world. ‘Ayurveda for One Health’ is the focal theme of the event this year at Kala Academy, being organised by World Ayurveda Foundation, an initiative of Vijnana Bharati. Dr Sawant said about 41 such health and wellness centres will be set up where services of Ayush doctors will be available. “Two 50-beds Ayush hospitals under the National Ayush Mission (NAM) scheme will be set up soon.  An Ayush hospital will be inaugurated on December 8 at Dhargal in Pernem taluk,” he said.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22105/allergan-lists-early-detection-as-key-factor-to-prevent-glaucoma-related-blindness.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22105/allergan-lists-early-detection-as-key-factor-to-prevent-glaucoma-related-blindness.html Thu, 13 Oct 2022 01:05:00 +0530 As a continuous effort toward driving disease awareness, Allergan, an AbbVie company, shed light on the need for early diagnosis and treatment for glaucoma, on the occasion of World Sight Day on October 13th, 2022. Globally, glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness after cataracts but is one of the commonest causes of irreversible blindness. It is estimated to cause blindness in 4.5 million people worldwide, whereas in India, out of approximately 12 million people who are suffering from glaucoma, 1.2 million people are already blind owing to this disease. Unfortunately, glaucoma is largely undiagnosed, with more than 90 percent of untreated cases.  Currently, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of glaucoma is possible with medicines, surgery, or laser treatments, so that further vision loss can be prevented or if already present, it can be stabilized in most cases. A comprehensive eye examination includes a vision check, examination of the optic nerve, the measurement of eye pressure, and tests such as perimetry and OCT (Optical coherence tomography) in cases of suspicion. Highlighting the need for timely treatment, Dr Rishi Jain, Medical Director, Allergan, an AbbVie Company, said, “India faces a considerable challenge in terms of eye care, including poor coverage and access to quality services for prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. A shortage of trained eye care service providers and poor integration of eye care services into health systems is a leading cause for the growing concern of vision loss.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22098/apollo-launches-automated-rapid-response-patient-monitoring-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22098/apollo-launches-automated-rapid-response-patient-monitoring-system.html Wed, 12 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Apollo Hospitals has announced that it is launching its indigenously developed automated, rapid-response patient monitoring system. The system is designed to monitor and will proactively alert a team of experts if it anticipates an unexpected deterioration in patient health. This will dramatically improve timely intervention with the right experts thus ensuring significant improvement in patient’s condition management and health outcome. Apollo’s technology enabler HealthNet Global has developed this custom designed state of the art remote and continuous monitoring platform integrated with advanced medical devices and wearables that transmits patient health data and provides easy access to the care providers at 3 different levels to ensure no critical event is missed and patient safety is ensured.  The platform access enables nurses, PreMET team as well as doctors to monitor patient health from Nurse stations, their mobiles and also from a regional command centre. Its AI enabled early warning score and alert system helps timely intervention of clinicians thus providing enhanced care to patients. monitoring system platform has been trained on Apollo’s vast and comprehensive remote-health program and has been on field trials across Hyderabad and Chennai. Within 2 months of trial, both centres have seen the system to provide efficiency in nursing care and reduction in unexpected complications. The system is a combination of hardware, advanced software directly integrated into the patient’s monitoring systems coupled with highly trained healthcare experts working in tandem to provide the most sophisticated monitoring system, backed up by rapid clinical response, in the country. Apollo is now expanding this system across its network of hospitals and will invest over $12 million in the next 3 years.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22090/ficci-and-kpmg-prioritise-strengthening-healthcare-workforce-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22090/ficci-and-kpmg-prioritise-strengthening-healthcare-workforce-in-india.html Tue, 11 Oct 2022 09:00:00 +0530 To discuss various facets of the country’s healthcare workforce, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and KPMG in India have released a report titled ‘Strengthening healthcare workforce in India: the 2047 agenda – Top 20 priorities’ at the 16th edition of FICCI’s annual healthcare conference - FICCI HEAL 2022.  The report aims to understand the journey and transformation of healthcare education (medical, nursing and allied healthcare) in the country and the looming healthcare workforce gaps in various states. This report provides recommendations on innovative and pioneering solutions to bridge the gaps in demand and supply of healthcare workforce and healthcare education institutes. Commenting on the report, Lalit Mistry, Partner and Co-Head, Healthcare Sector, KPMG in India said, “In the coming decade, India has the potential to not only bridge the gaps of healthcare workforce in the country but also become an export hub for healthcare workforce to the world. The private and public stakeholders need to work together to come up with innovative and pioneering solutions to make the workforce more robust and future-ready. Six levers of change for this transformation include embedding governance mechanisms with equal participation of private sector, developing teaching practices that support upskilling of the healthcare workforce and faculty, fostering and monetization of healthcare educational infrastructure, incentivisation and social safeguards for the healthcare workforce, leveraging digital universities and institutes while unlocking the potential of emerging technologies.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22076/india-to-host-first-global-digital-health-summit.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22076/india-to-host-first-global-digital-health-summit.html Mon, 10 Oct 2022 08:00:00 +0530 India will host the first-ever Global Digital Health Summit at New Delhi's Vigyan Bhawan. The inaugural edition will be attended by Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya. Patricia Scotland KC, Commonwealth Secretary-General, will also deliver a special keynote address besides some of the tallest leaders in the world in Digital Health gracing this summit. The two-day conclave will address the key issues critical to building a Digital Ecosystem aiming at Digital Health for All and how professionals and organizations can adopt digital technologies. The summit will address the crucial issue of Return on Investment (ROI) in Digital Health, barriers to adoption for small healthcare organizations and individual clinicians, and discuss how the metaverse, gaming, and 5G will transform healthcare. The event is organized in association with the world's foremost digital health associations viz, The Global Health Connector Partnership (American Telemedicine Association, HLTH, European Connected Health Alliance, Commonwealth Centre for Digital Health, African Health Federation, The Digital Health Society, Health Parliament), The International Society for Telemedicine & Health, Switzerland, and Internet Governance Forum- Dynamic Coalition on Digital Health.  The summit is also accompanied by an award presentation to recognize the outstanding contributions and innovations in this field. The Global Digital Health Innovation Awards are open to all Healthcare providers from the public and private sectors, including startups working in the field of Digital Health. The awards will follow the nomination process and shall be presented to the winners on 29th October 2022. Developed with a global advisory board comprising the world's foremost leaders, the summit will witness the presence of the global leaders in digital health and the movers and shakers of healthcare from across the USA, European Union, Africa, UK, and Southeast Asia. The proceedings of the summit will be captured in the form of the outcomes report, which shall lay a roadmap for digital adoption in the future.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22077/dr-mohans-diabetes-launches-ai-enabled-platforms-for-next-gen-diabetes-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22077/dr-mohans-diabetes-launches-ai-enabled-platforms-for-next-gen-diabetes-care.html Mon, 10 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Dr. Mohan's Diabetes Specialities Centre has launched artificial intelligence (AI) enabled digital innovations under its digital transformation called Dr. Mohan’s Digital Diabetes Revolution with the 3D Initiative. The three D’s include 1- ‘DIA’ – an AI powered chatbot to assist people through automated digital conversations, 2- ‘DIALA’ – a patient-friendly mobile app and 3- ‘DIANA’ - a healthcare application for precision diabetes care.  The digital transformation initiative enables seamless and highly personalized 24/7 online care and support services for people with diabetes. It is powered by world’s leading next-gen Total Experience (TX) Automation Platform, the AI enabled virtual assistant to engage patients through integrated approach across WhatsApp, Google Business Message, Facebook Messenger and web platforms. Conversational AI Virtual Assistant ‘DIA’ can interact in English with its unique conversational AI technology and intuitive interface. Further, it shares notifications, updates patient engagement and special offers. ‘DIALA’ is a DIAbetes Lifestyle Assistant Mobile Application. This app helps deliver superior and positive patient outcomes with weight tracking, step counts, diet plan adjustment, prescription refilling, availing reports of tests done, glucose monitoring data, scheduling appointments, diabetes shoppee, reminders and much more.  An advanced machine learning tool DIANA (DIAbetes Novel subgroup Assessment) is used to classify individuals with newly detected type 2 diabetes into specific subgroups such as insulin deficient or insulin resistance forms.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22081/first-of-its-kind-foundation-dedicated-to-endometriosis-launches-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22081/first-of-its-kind-foundation-dedicated-to-endometriosis-launches-in-india.html Mon, 10 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0530 For the first time in India, a foundation dedicated to the cause of endometriosis and for endometriosis patients was launched in Hyderabad with the objective to create awareness and help frame health policies which benefit the endometriosis patients and general public and women in particular. Endometriosis is one of the most common health conditions in the world, yet it is one of the most missed, misdiagnosed and misunderstood diseases. It affects 1 in 10 women. It is a condition that can cause chronic pelvic pain, painful periods, painful sex, bowel and bladder problems, fatigue, difficulty getting pregnant and other symptoms.  To tackle this silent debilitating condition in our country, the Endometriosis Foundation of India has been initiated. The Foundation is headquartered in Hyderabad with advocacy groups throughout the country. The foundation was the brain child of Dr Vimee Bindra - Fertility Enhancing Surgery Specialist: Endometriosis Excision Surgery Specialist & Co-Founder “ENDOCRUSADERS”.  The foundation will have eminent personalities from various fields.  With a multi-pronged approach, the Foundation aims to be active in the following areas- Implementing guidelines and quality standards on Endometriosis treatment, diagnosis and care Increasing education at care-giver level Investing in endometriosis awareness through a public health campaign Facilitating an India-wide patient advocacy programme that acts as a vital support system for pre-op, post-op and mental health of endometriosis patients Devise and execute funding programmes for endometriosis research     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22082/govt-unveils-tele-mental-health-assistance-and-networking-across-states.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22082/govt-unveils-tele-mental-health-assistance-and-networking-across-states.html Mon, 10 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Establishing a new milestone in the field of mental health on the occasion of World Mental Health Day on 10th October, Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS) initiative of Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare was launched virtually by Thawar Chand Gehlot, Governor of Karnataka at National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, in the presence of Dr K. Sudhakar, Minister for Health & Family Welfare and Medical Education, Karnataka & Vice-President, NIMHANS. Tele-MANAS aims to provide free tele-mental health services all over the country round the clock, particularly catering to people in remote or under-served areas. The programme includes a network of 23 tele-mental health centres of excellence, with NIMHANS being the nodal centre and International Institute of Information Technology-Bangalore (IIITB) providing technology support. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bengaluru and National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHRSC) will provide the technical support. Tele-MANAS will be organised in two tier system; Tier 1 comprises of state Tele-MANAS cells which include trained counsellors and mental health specialists. Tier 2 will comprise of specialists at District Mental Health Programme (DMHP)/Medical College resources for physical consultation and/or e-Sanjeevani for audio visual consultation. Presently there are 5 regional coordination centres along with 51 State/UT Tele MANAS cells. States/UTs launching Tele Mental Health Programme today include Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Dadra Nagar Haveli and daman and Diu, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Ladakh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22057/president-lays-foundation-stone-for-super-speciality-hospital-and-medical-college-in-gujarat.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22057/president-lays-foundation-stone-for-super-speciality-hospital-and-medical-college-in-gujarat.html Mon, 03 Oct 2022 21:00:00 +0530 The President of India, Droupadi Murmu has laid the foundation stones for a Super Speciality Hospital and a medical college in Gujarat, to cater to the needs of the tribal population of Narmada district.  She said that in the field of healthcare, Gujarat has made impressive achievements. The President noted that Gujarat is the first state in India to issue health cards to pregnant women. She also noted that according to a report of NITI Aayog released in 2020-21, Gujarat ranks first in the country in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal "Good Health and Well-being". The President inaugurated/laid the foundation stones for various projects of Government of Gujarat related to health, irrigation, water supply and also the projects of Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways related to upgradation of Deendayal Port, Kandla from GMERS, Gandhinagar on October 3, 2022.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22050/niramai-launches-novel-kits-for-breast-cancer-screening.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22050/niramai-launches-novel-kits-for-breast-cancer-screening.html Mon, 03 Oct 2022 13:20:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based startup Niramai has launched 'Easy Launch Kits' for breast cancer screening as a special starter kit for socially concerned organisations enabling them to provide accurate breast cancer screening services by spending just Rs 1000 per day.   The kit enables partner cancer societies, hospitals, diagnostic centres, and NGOs to provide Niramai’s automated breast cancer screening service for unlimited monthly screenings to triage the population and identify patients with high suspicion of breast malignancy. This limited period offer with bookings available until October 31, 2022, on a first come first serve basis and will help screenings become accessible and affordable to more women.   With this launch, Niramai hopes to impact the lives of more women positively by encouraging them to go for screenings at their nearest diagnostic centre, hospital or NGO. Niramai has partnered with Apollo Clinics, HCG hospitals, Medall Diagnostics, Rainbow Hospital and Medanta and more, to provide the novel breast cancer screening solution in their facility as well as conduct outreach programmes in apartment complexes.   Niramai has also launched a free whatsapp chatbot for urban women on +91 94834 34444. This is a free “breast health help line” where women can ask any questions related to breast health and evaluate their risk of breast cancer using a validated machine-learning-based risk assessment service called an easy and user-friendly interface through Niramai’s ChatBot. This online assessment test takes only a few minutes and the results are provided within minutes.               ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22046/goqii-launches-new-ecg-enabled-smart-watch.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22046/goqii-launches-new-ecg-enabled-smart-watch.html Fri, 30 Sep 2022 04:00:00 +0530 GOQii, the smart preventive healthcare company, has expanded its preventive healthcare portfolio with the launch of GOQii Smart Vital 2.0. The newly launched GOQii Smart Vital 2.0.HD display smart watch comes with electrocardiogram or ECG, Body Temperature, SpO2 Oximeter, Heart Rate, Fitness Tracker, a 3 month personalized coaching and health and life cover. GOQii SmartVital 2.0 is India’s first ‘outcome based health and life insurance programme’ that enables you to get a dynamic Health Insurance cover for up to Rs 5 lakhs and Life Insurance cover of up to Rs 1 lakh depending on the active lifestyle & monthly health score, in partnership with Kotak General Insurance and Kotak Life Insurance.  The smart watch can record a single lead ECG off the user's wrist and will make diagnosis reports readily available to the users. The ECG feature also shows promise in Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib) detection and management and could enable users to take a more active role in their health care.  GOQii is also gearing up to its health metaverse. The company will develop various offerings that leverage blockchain tokens and gamification in preventive healthcare.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22044/16th-edition-of-ficci-heal-to-discuss-health-transformation-driving-indias-economic-growth.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22044/16th-edition-of-ficci-heal-to-discuss-health-transformation-driving-indias-economic-growth.html Thu, 29 Sep 2022 20:35:00 +0530 The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) has announced its 16th annual healthcare conference- FICCI HEAL 2022 from October 10 to 12, 2022. The conference supported by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, will be held physically at FICCI, New Delhi. This year's conference is an endeavour to converge all stakeholders- national and international, and provide a forum for sharing of learnings and experiences.    Emphasising the significance of ‘healthier citizens build a healthier nation’, the theme of FICCI HEAL 2022 is ‘Healthcare Transformation: Driving India’s Economic Growth. The conference will deliberate on the opportunities for transforming our healthcare systems, underscoring its significance for economic growth.   Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare; and Chemicals and Fertilisers, Government of India, will inaugurate the conference and Dr Sunil Kumar, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Johns Hopkins University, USA will deliver the keynote address. Other dignitaries invited to the conference include, Dr VK Paul, Member, NITI Aayog, GoI; Dr RS Sharma, CEO, National Health Authority, GoI; Dr VG Somani, Drugs Controller General of India; Roli Singh, MD (NHM), MoH&FW; Dr Manohar Agnani, Addl Secretary, MoH&FW; Lav Agarwal, Addl Secretary, MoH&FW; Maj Gen (Prof) Atul Kotwal, Executive Director, NHSRC, MoHFW; Prof Minu Bajpai, Honorary Executive Director, NBEMS and Head of Department of Pediatric Surgery, AIIMS- New Delhi; Dr Shankar Prinja, Executive Director (HP&QA), National Health Authority, GoI.   FICCI has also announced the 14th edition of ‘FICCI Healthcare Excellence Awards on the theme ‘Inspire. Change. Together’. Smriti Irani, Union Minister, Ministry of Women and Child Development and Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India will be the ‘Chief Guest’ for the ceremony. The participants will be evaluated by a high-level independent jury panel Chaired by CK Mishra, Former Secretary, MoEFCC and MoHFW, Government of India.   The three-day conference will include keynote addresses, panel discussions as well as plenary sessions covering the entire spectrum of healthcare delivery- primary healthcare, quality in care, healthcare workforce strengthening, infrastructure for NCDs with a focus on cancer care, health insurance, digital health as well as diagnostics and medical technologies. This year FICCI has also brought back the pre-conference Master Classes on specialised subjects like Design Thinking and artificial intelligence.   The conference will entail insightful deliberations on several important topics under healthcare through the below sessions: Role of the healthcare industry in driving India’s economic growth  Primary Healthcare: Smart HWCs  The evolving landscape of Diagnostics: A glance into the future! Healthcare workforce strengthening  Making cancer care more accessible and affordable in India Heal in India, Heal by India Cost-Quality Conundrum Digital healthcare changing landscape- opportunities & challenges.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22036/himalaya-wellness-partners-with-nimhans-to-improve-mental-healthcare-access.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22036/himalaya-wellness-partners-with-nimhans-to-improve-mental-healthcare-access.html Thu, 29 Sep 2022 13:15:00 +0530 Himalaya Wellness Company has partnered with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) to develop an indigenized pilot model framework for suicide prevention research and surveillance.   Titled Project Suraksha, this pilot programme will assess the feasibility and acceptability of community-based suicide prevention programmes and their cost-effectiveness across varied nodal stakeholder groups involving farmers, labourers, daily wage workers, student communities, media professionals, and women groups.   It will also establish a cohort for future longitudinal studies, that is to repeatedly examine the same individuals to detect any changes that might occur over a period. Following the pilot research and feasibility study, the project will be scaled up to a national level over three years.   As a preliminary phase, Project Suraksha aim at developing an indigenised research model of suicide prevention in Channapatna taluk of Ramanagara district in Karnataka state, with a comprehensive surveillance system in the community that would include early identification, crisis intervention, and referral system. The programme is in line with the 'LIVE LIFE' program of WHO for suicide prevention.   Project Suraksha will be implemented in three phases.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22016/president-of-india-lays-foundation-stone-for-zonal-institute-of-virology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22016/president-of-india-lays-foundation-stone-for-zonal-institute-of-virology.html Tue, 27 Sep 2022 05:00:00 +0530 The President of India, Droupadi Murmu laid the foundation stone for the Zonal Institute of Virology (South Zone)- Bengaluru, virtually on 27th September. Speaking about the COVID-19 pandemic, the President said that the resilience and extraordinary effort of our doctors and scientists helped us deal with the crisis. She noted that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has provided exemplary support for effective COVID-19 management and is expanding its research infrastructure. Dr Bharti Pravin Pawar, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, stated that under Prime Minister Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), funds have been approved to set up multisector national institutions and platforms including 4 Zonal National Institutes of Virology (NIVs) towards bio-security preparedness and strengthening pandemic research across the country. She added that "the South Zone ICMR-NIV laboratory in Bengaluru will be equipped with a state-of-the-art infrastructure and expertise in handling infectious agents of various risk groups. This would be crucial to continuously monitor the regional landscape of infectious diseases in the southern states of India, and thus contribute to bolstering the national surveillance of outbreak-prone infectious disease agents."     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22005/world-bank-approves-350-m-for-healthcare-services-and-disease-surveillance-in-gujarat.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22005/world-bank-approves-350-m-for-healthcare-services-and-disease-surveillance-in-gujarat.html Fri, 23 Sep 2022 21:00:00 +0530 The World Bank’s Executive Board of Directors has approved a $350 million loan to Gujarat to improve the quality and access of its public healthcare services, with special focus on adolescent girls and disease surveillance. The Systems Reform Endeavours For Transformed Health Achievement In Gujarat (SRESTHA-G) Program will enable more people access a wider range of high-quality health services. Currently, the state is delivering seven health services to its citizens including reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health, communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The Programme will further expand these to include mental health and elderly and palliative health services and also strengthen non-communicable services in the state. The Programme will support a population-based screening process with help from local Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANM), and people at high risk for non-communicable or other diseases will be encouraged to go to their assigned public healthcare provider. It will also help the state develop surveillance systems for early detection of disease outbreaks. It will spearhead the “one health” agenda including combating anti-microbial resistance. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22002/emerging-technologies-usher-life-sciences-industry-into-metaverse-accenture-report.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22002/emerging-technologies-usher-life-sciences-industry-into-metaverse-accenture-report.html Fri, 23 Sep 2022 06:00:00 +0530 Accenture’s Life Sciences Technology Vision 2022 report explores the technology trends that will transform how biopharmaceutical and medical technology companies solve manufacturing and device problems, improve equity in clinical trial participation and build more resilient supply chains to provide patients and healthcare professionals with more personalized experiences.According to the report, life sciences leaders (91% of medical technology executives and 85% biopharma executives) expect the metaverse to have a positive impact on their organizations and nearly half of the biopharma executives surveyed believe the metaverse will have a breakthrough or transformational impact on their organizations.To help life sciences companies design, execute and accelerate their metaverse journeys, Accenture recently launched the Accenture Metaverse Continuum business group, which combines metaverse-skilled professionals and market-leading capabilities in customer experience, digital commerce, extended reality, blockchain, digital twins, artificial intelligence, and computer vision.In the report, four technology trends that underpin the metaverse continuum are explored- WebMe illustrates how the internet is being reimagined with the metaverse as a platform for digital experiences that provide boundless places where people can meet and interact, and Web3 is reinventing how data can be owned by individuals and moved with the person and not the platform. The Programmable World tracks how technology is being threaded through our physical environments in three layers: connected, experiential, and material. Nearly nine-in-10 of the MedTech and biopharma executives surveyed believe that programming the physical environment will emerge as a competitive differentiation in their industry. The Unreal explores the “unreal” qualities that are becoming fundamental to artificial intelligence (AI), and even data, making the synthetic seem authentic. Computing the Impossible is the emergence of a new class of machines — quantum computing — stretching the boundaries of what computers can do.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22000/india-ready-to-deal-with-any-threat-in-healthcare-sector-dr-mansukh-mandaviya.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/22000/india-ready-to-deal-with-any-threat-in-healthcare-sector-dr-mansukh-mandaviya.html Fri, 23 Sep 2022 02:00:00 +0530 Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare stressed the need for de-politicizing the discussions on Health Policy & Infrastructure & adopting a more holistic approach across the whole spectrum of the populace. He stated that “a healthy India will be a wealthy India”. Speaking at the Public Affairs Forum of India’s (PAFI) 9th Annal Forum 2022 Dr Mandaviya said that the health infrastructure is being propagated across the country via the PPP model with a microcosm of public hospitals mushrooming along with private medical colleges. 22 AIIMS have been planned across the country to gear up the tertiary level of health infrastructure and promotion of the same PPP (Public Private Partnership) model to enable immediate care & welfare. Talking about why the health infrastructure to GDP ratio is declining in India, Dr Mandaviya explained that every country has its own model specific to its people. In India, healthcare expenditure is lower as compared to other nations. Still, the Government is very much concerned about the health of its people and has assigned a budget of Rs 100 crore for each district to implement Ayushman Bharat Scheme in the next five years. Giving the details of the PPP model in healthcare, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya said that the government is following the holistic approach in planning and building healthcare models for the country.  Talking about the missing middle class in the ambit of national health policy, he emphasized the need for inclusive healthcare for all across all strata and said that a policy is under consideration for the missing middle class as well. In his closing remarks, Dr. Mandaviya said that New India is prepared to deal with any threat in the healthcare sector. He underlined that the new India under the visionary leadership of PM Narendra Modi is an empowered nation and is well prepared to face any crisis. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21998/tata-1mg-partners-with-seekho-ai-for-healthcare-skill-management.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21998/tata-1mg-partners-with-seekho-ai-for-healthcare-skill-management.html Thu, 22 Sep 2022 18:15:00 +0530 Tata 1mg has partnered with Seekho.ai, an artificial intelligent (AI)-powered upskilling platform backed by Sequoia Capital, to roll out industry-certified programmes in healthcare and other sectors. Over the past few years, people’s interest in health and medicine has skyrocketed. Terms like Dolo, Remdesivir, RT-PCR etc. became a part of our regular conversations. Indians are more health conscious than ever before and the demand for healthcare services, well-being products, spaces and equipment has also increased multi-fold, paving the way for numerous employment opportunities in sectors like nursing, pharmacy, diagnostics and healthcare management.  The healthcare sector in India is one of the sectors seeing the highest growth in skilled workforce requirements and Seekho-Tata 1mg partnership seeks to impart industry-relevant skills and behavioural training to meet this demand. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21986/icmr-iisc-to-create-gold-standard-medical-data-platform.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21986/icmr-iisc-to-create-gold-standard-medical-data-platform.html Wed, 21 Sep 2022 05:00:00 +0530 The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on a national initiative towards the creation of high-quality medical datasets representing India’s diversity. ICMR and IISc will develop a technology-enabled hubs-and-spokes system of collecting and curating data through institutions across the country. ARTPARK (AI & Robotics Technology Park), a not-for-profit foundation promoted by IISc, will serve as the initiative’s partner for technology development and programme management. Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions – for screening, diagnosis, and decision support – hold much promise to improve access to healthcare, and boost productivity and effectiveness of health human resources at all levels.  By leveraging premier medical institutions as hubs and bringing together experts from both medicine and data science, the team driving this initiative will help standardise data collection from many “spoke” institutions. It will also help curate that data and aim to make them available, in accordance with applicable policies and laws, to the broader community of researchers and innovators.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21987/wockhardt-launches-first-of-its-kind-sleep-disorder-clinic-in-mumbai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21987/wockhardt-launches-first-of-its-kind-sleep-disorder-clinic-in-mumbai.html Wed, 21 Sep 2022 05:00:00 +0530 Wockhardt Hospital has launched a sleep disorder clinic at the Mumbai Central branch which will deal with all issues related to sleep health. This clinic will deal with all kind of sleep disorders including sleep apnea, insomnia, hypersomnia, snoring, parasomnia etc. The clinic will the managed by a multi- disciplinary team of Neurologist, Psychologist, Psychiatrist and Sleep technicians. According to a survey conducted by Philips Healthcare in 2021, 93% of Indians are sleep deprived, getting less than 8 hours per night. 58% believe their work suffers due to lack of adequate sleep, 11% take leave from work because of lack of sleep, 11% confessed having fallen asleep at work due to a poor night's sleep and 38% witnessed a colleague falling asleep at work. 15% report having sleep disruptions related to work stress but only 2 % Indians discuss their lack of sleep with a physician. Poor sleep can be a manifestation of underlying medical disorder and by itself lead to disastrous health consequences. In India, we lack a standard approach to diagnose and manage the sleep disorders. Considering this, a multidisciplinary team of specialists from different sub-specialties with experience and training in the management of sleep disorders has been formed to provide holistic solution for all issues related to sleep health.   Image caption- L-R- Dr Prashant Makhija, Consultant Neurologist, Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai Central and Dr Malik Merchant, Consultant Psychiatrist, Wockhardt Hospital ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21988/ensure-access-to-pumps-and-cgms-for-diabetics-from-2023-jdrf-report-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21988/ensure-access-to-pumps-and-cgms-for-diabetics-from-2023-jdrf-report-.html Wed, 21 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0530 JDRF, the leading global type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy organization, has announced the launch of the Type 1 Diabetes Index (T1D Index).  The T1D Index is a first-of-its-kind data simulation tool that measures the human and public health impact of the T1D crisis in every country across the globe. Until now, there have been wide gaps in the data about the incidence and impact of T1D.  Simulations from the T1D Index have led to the identification of four key interventions that could change the current trajectory for T1D and its impact on people around the world: Timely diagnosis: If the global population has access to timely diagnosis from 2023, 668,000 more people could be alive in 2040. Insulin and strips: If the global population has access to insulin and testing strips from 2023, and coaching to self-manage the condition, 1.98 million more people could be alive in 2040. Pumps and CGMs: 673,000 more people could be alive in 2040 if everyone with T1D has access to the technology available from 2023. Prevention and cure: Making the case for further investment and research in emerging prevention, treatments and cures. 890,000 more people could be alive in 2040 if we find cures. The Index also uniquely illuminates the human burden of T1D by highlighting “missing people,” which is the number of people who would still be alive today if they had not died early due to complications from T1D, and “healthy years lost,” which represents time lost to ill-health, disability or early death from living with T1D. JDRF collaborated with key partners and experts around the world to develop the T1D Index, supported by founding corporate sponsor, Abbott, with additional support from Lilly, Vertex Pharmaceuticals and The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21974/healthemai-teams-up-with-marquee-dental-partners.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21974/healthemai-teams-up-with-marquee-dental-partners.html Tue, 20 Sep 2022 10:15:00 +0530 HealthEM.AI,  a mission-driven data platform company dedicated to improving care delivery, has announced its partnership with US-based Marquee Dental Partners. Marquee, a leading dental service organisation, provides dentists with both the support and the clinical autonomy they need to succeed. The partnership will bring together the best of both worlds, combining Marquee's expertise in providing dental care services with HealthEM.AI's award-winning artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. This will equip dentists with insights from patients' health data and lead to improved clinical outcomes. "Our goal is to efficiently arm doctors with a set of insights regarding each patient's current overall and oral health. Insights that are predictive in nature allow doctors to take preventative steps today to avoid future health problems," said Fred Ward, Chief Executive Officer at Marquee Dental Partners. "Coupling a patient's current health situation with a dentist's diagnosis using artificial intelligence will make this a reality. Patients should experience lower healthcare costs and enjoy improved overall health. "As AI advances, dental care services will become more precise, providing proactive and contextual interventions at the right time to improve the patient experience", said Pradeep Kumar Jain, Chief Product Officer, HealthEM.AI. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21982/first-of-its-kind-comprehensive-urban-primary-health-centre-opens-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21982/first-of-its-kind-comprehensive-urban-primary-health-centre-opens-in-bengaluru.html Tue, 20 Sep 2022 09:00:00 +0530 The first-of-its-kind Comprehensive Urban Primary Health Centre (CUPHC) with new-age technology and quality equipment has opened in Malleswaram, Bengaluru. The upgradation of the PHC from conception to execution was completed under Karnataka Minister Dr C N Ashwath Narayan’s direction. Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai was also present at the inaugural function of the centre. The CUPHC has been set up by Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in collaboration with Manipal Health Enterprises and with philanthropic contributions by several citizens. In all, Rs 3 crore has been spent on civil work of the PHCs in Malleswaram.  The CUPHC offers end-to-end services like testing, hi-tech diagnostics (Xpress Clinic) and treatment, medicines will also be provided at either zero cost or an affordable price. Both APL and BPL card holders will get between 30-60 per cent rebate at the centre. A pilot project to understand the efficacy of Virtual Speciality Clinical Services including General Medicine, General Surgery, ENT, Opthal, Dermal, Ortho, Pulmonology and Cardiology has already been set up. An estimated cost of Rs 16-17 crore over the next three years to develop 27 such centres across the city has been chalked out. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21984/bgs-gleneagles-global-hospital-inks-mou-with-bapio-for-upskilling-healthcare-workforce.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21984/bgs-gleneagles-global-hospital-inks-mou-with-bapio-for-upskilling-healthcare-workforce.html Tue, 20 Sep 2022 09:00:00 +0530 BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital, part of IHH Healthcare, has entered into collaboration with BAPIO and BTA (the educational arm of the British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin or BAPIO) with the aim of developing and providing world-class training and exchange programmes for doctors and nurses in India to meet the growing demands of effective and safe delivery of emergency care across the globe. The MoU will further aid in enhancing the education and training of healthcare staff through international mentorship therefore improving the quality of care provided to patients at BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital, Bengaluru.  The persistent understaffing of the NHS in the UK has resulted in risk to staff and patient safety, both for routine and emergency care. According to recent study there is a shortage of 12,000 hospital doctors, and more than 50,000 nurses and midwives termed as “The greatest workforce crisis” in the history of the NHS. To mitigate this, as a part of solution; a framework agreement between the Government of India and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for collaboration on health care workforce was signed on July 2022. This outlines the key ambitions of the UK-India partnership on healthcare workforce, in particular around support for recruitment and training of Nurses, Allied Health Professionals, and other categories of healthcare professionals identified by both the participants. Similarly, this will result in upskilling and capacity building of Indian health workforce, which is much needed for Universal Health Coverage programme.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21981/c-camp-usaid-launch-respiratory-support-technology-for-newborns-in-assam.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21981/c-camp-usaid-launch-respiratory-support-technology-for-newborns-in-assam.html Tue, 20 Sep 2022 02:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based startup InnAccel Technologies and the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) have joined hands with the SAMRIDH Healthcare Blended Finance Facility to strengthen respiratory support for newborns and paediatric populations in Assam with an indigenous life-saving technology to reduce neonatal mortality due to Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) in the state. SAMRIDH is a multi-stakeholder innovation and financing platform supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by IPE Global.  Respiratory Distress Syndrome is the cause of over 1.5 lakh deaths among newborns annually in India, with one-third of deaths occurring during transport to hospitals with Continuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP) capabilities. In Assam, there are 40 deaths per 1,000 live births, which makes it the state with the third-highest infant mortality rate in India.  Through this partnership, InnAccel Technologies will receive access to affordable finance and technical assistance to expand the production and distribution of SAANS, which is the world's first infrastructure-independent, easy-to-use, portable neonatal CPAP system that can provide lifesaving breathing support to infants in hospital settings, as well during transport. The partnership between InnAccel, C-CAMP and SAMRIDH, with support from the National Health Mission - Assam and the Government of Assam, will help deploy 307 units of SAANS in Assam, which are expected to meet almost 100% of the state’s current demand to supplement respiratory support technology.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21968/tata-memorial-centre-mumbai-signs-mou-with-vedanta-balco-medical-centre-raipur.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21968/tata-memorial-centre-mumbai-signs-mou-with-vedanta-balco-medical-centre-raipur.html Mon, 19 Sep 2022 08:55:00 +0530 The Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), Mumbai, and Vedanta Medical Research Foundation’s flagship initiative, BALCO Medical Centre (BMC), Raipur, Chhattisgarh, have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to drive excellence in cancer care in the country.   The MoU was signed between Dr RA Badwe, Director of Tata Memorial Centre, and Dr Bhawna Sirohi, Medical Director of BALCO Medical Centre, at Tata Memorial Hospital, Parel, in the presence of Jyoti Agarwal, Chairperson, BALCO Medical Centre.    As per the MoU, the BALCO Medical Centre and Tata Memorial Centre will join forces for the exchange of knowledge, and enhancement of skills, capabilities and core practices. BMC will leverage TMC’s expertise and decades of experience in cancer treatment for developing best-in-class technical and medical guidelines. With this association, TMC will also empanel BMC as a referral centre for patients from Chhattisgarh and neighbouring states.    Both cancer hospitals have mutually agreed to: Share best practices and evolving knowledge on cancer treatment BMC will take part in the National Cancer Grid Virtual Tumour Boards to drive excellence in patient care  Mutually conduct and participate in continuing medical education (CME) sessions at both locations Conduct joint research or multi-centric trials ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21966/govt-makes-affordable-sitagliptin-combinations-for-diabetics-available-at-janaushadhi-kendras.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21966/govt-makes-affordable-sitagliptin-combinations-for-diabetics-available-at-janaushadhi-kendras.html Fri, 16 Sep 2022 02:00:00 +0530 The Chief Executive Officer of Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) Ravi Dadhich has launched Sitagliptin a new variant of medicines for diabetes at affordable prices for all under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana. PMBI included new variants of medicines Sitagliptin and its combination in its all Jan Aushdhi Kendras viz. Name of the Product for Pack of 10 (1) Sitagliptin Phosphate Tablet IP 50mg Rs 60 (2) Sitagliptin Phosphate Tablet IP 100mg Rs 100 (3) Sitagliptin + Metformin Hydrochloride Tablets 50mg/500mg Rs 65 (4) Sitagliptin + Metformin Hydrochloride Tablets 50mg/1000mg Rs 70 Sitagliptin is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. All these variants are available at 60% to 70% lesser prices than branded variants as they are available in price band of Rs 162 to Rs 258 at other medical stores. Under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana, more than 8700 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras have been opened across the country. These Kendras are selling quality generic medicines, surgical equipment, nutraceuticals and other products. At present, these Kendras make available more than 1600 medicines and 250 surgical devices. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21961/ferring-pharma-fogsi-lay-focus-on-ending-preventable-maternal-deaths-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21961/ferring-pharma-fogsi-lay-focus-on-ending-preventable-maternal-deaths-in-india.html Thu, 15 Sep 2022 05:05:00 +0530 Ferring Pharmaceuticals and the Federation of Obstetric & Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) recently launched a new call to action, ‘For Every Mother in India’, at the Embassy of Switzerland in India. ‘For Every Mother in India’ aims to mobilise a wide set of stakeholders across India, including policy makers, government agencies, development partners, academia, medical experts and civil society, in a collective push to end preventable maternal deaths. It forms part of Ferring’s #ProjectFamily: Safe Birth commitment to protect the lives of 20 million women and their families globally by 2030 through sustainable access to room temperature stable (RTS) carbetocin, a treatment used to prevent excessive bleeding after childbirth, or postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), a leading cause of maternal deaths.  In July 2021, women in India were the first in the world to receive Ferring’s room temperature stable (RTS) carbetocin formulation to prevent excessive bleeding after childbirth (PPH). Ferring and key partners are working to secure additional registrations, and to bring Carbetocin RTS to the public health sector of all low- and lower-middle income countries, where the burden of maternal mortality and cases of PPH are greatest. According to the Registrar General of India report, the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of India has declined by 10 points, from 113 in 2016-18 to 103 in 2017-19. The country has been witnessing a progressive reduction in the MMR from 130 in 2014-2016, 122 in 2015-17, 113 in 2016-18, and to 103 in 2017-19. However, MMR in 448 of India's 640 districts is higher than the SDG 3.1: ‘By 2030, reduce the maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births’, as per World Health Organisation (WHO) Guidelines.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21945/experts-urge-for-cervical-cancer-vaccine-inclusion-in-universal-immunisation-programme-of-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21945/experts-urge-for-cervical-cancer-vaccine-inclusion-in-universal-immunisation-programme-of-india.html Tue, 13 Sep 2022 01:00:00 +0530 In a pathbreaking development around healthcare in the country, the Centre announced CERVAVAC, the country's first indigenously developed vaccine for cervical cancer on 1st September 2022. The vaccine will be manufactured by the Serum Institute of India in Pune along with the Centre’s Department of Biotechnology. To discuss about the development and the road ahead, the IHW Council under its Rapid Global Cancer Alliance, initiated a virtual expert roundtable titled, “India Against Cervical Cancer- Role of India’s First Indigenous Vaccine”. During the discussion Urvashi Prasad, Director, Development Monitoring & Evaluation Office, NITI Aayog remarked, “The indigenous vaccine is a big step towards mass vaccination against HPV however misinformation and stigma around cervical cancer needs to be addressed. The need of the hour is to integrate immunisation schemes, systematically and strategically into existing health platforms in partnership with state governments.” Dr Raj Shankar Ghosh- Senior Advisor; Vaccine Delivery, India Country Office, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation while taking part in the discussion observed, “Vaccines do not work stand-alone but with an integrated approach with other schemes for better implementation and awareness. The private sector has a huge role to play in terms of collaborating with government for policy decisions and also for creating awareness with a delivery mechanism in place to ensure proper policy framework.” He also emphasised on early screening for cervical cancer and significance of behavioural change communication programmes for masses. CERVAVAC, is being touted as the most promising against human papillomavirus (HPV), with HPV types 16 and 18 (HPV-16 and HPV-18) together contributing to approximately 70% of all invasive cervical cancer cases worldwide. About Rapid Global Cancer Alliance: RAPID Cancer Initiative seeks to reduce the impact of cancer in low-and-middle income and developing countries around the world through a multi-pronged approach. It aims at providing "RAPID" solutions to complex challenges in cancer healthcare space.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21933/govt-launches-pradhan-mantri-tb-mukt-bharat-abhiyaan.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21933/govt-launches-pradhan-mantri-tb-mukt-bharat-abhiyaan.html Fri, 09 Sep 2022 17:00:00 +0530 The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, virtually launched the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan. Speaking on the occasion, the President said that all citizens must give high priority to 'Pradhan Mantri TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan' and make this campaign a mass movement. It is because tuberculosis (TB) causes the largest number of deaths among all other infectious diseases in our country.   The President also launched the Ni-kshay Mitra initiative to ensure additional diagnostic, nutritional, and vocational support to those on TB treatment.   She noted that India has a little less than 20 per cent of the world's population, but has more than 25 per cent of the total TB patients in the world. This is a matter of concern. She also noted that most of the people affected by TB come from the poor section of society.    The virtual launch event also showcased India’s accelerated progress through the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP).   The National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP), previously known as Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP), aims to strategically reduce TB burden in India by 2025, five years ahead of the Sustainable Development Goals. In 2020, the RNTCP was renamed as the National TB Elimination Program (NTEP) to emphasize the aim of the Government of India to eliminate TB in India by 2025.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21931/natco-cancer-centre-in-ap-adopts-dozees-rpm-tech.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21931/natco-cancer-centre-in-ap-adopts-dozees-rpm-tech.html Fri, 09 Sep 2022 12:40:00 +0530 NATCO Cancer Centre, Government General Hospital, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh state government’s flagship cancer hospital, announced the installation of Dozee’s Contactless Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and Early Warning System (EWS) at the hospital. The devices powered by next-generation AI algorithms track vital parameters of patients undergoing cancer treatment and help HCPs identify early clinical deterioration of the patients for timely medical intervention. The solution is provided to the hospital under the MillionICU initiative of Dozee for transforming public healthcare in India.Upgrading hospital beds to connected beds with such next-generation sensors coupled with cloud-enabled AI-powered algorithms is one of the most preferred methods to automate patient monitoring in non-ICU wards. Further, Dozee can be integrated into the hospital’s central command system and HMIS. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21929/ayush-ministry-invests-rs-25-cr-for-new-traditional-medicine-centre-in-leh.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21929/ayush-ministry-invests-rs-25-cr-for-new-traditional-medicine-centre-in-leh.html Thu, 08 Sep 2022 13:00:00 +0530 The Union Minister of Ayush and Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal laid the foundation stone of the new complex of National Institute of Sowa Rigpa (NISR) at Saboo Thang area in Leh. The new infrastructure of NISR will unlock the huge potential that Sowa Rigpa has to offer in the country. This will also provide a much-needed modern platform for propagating this rich India medicinal heritage from the Himalayas.  The new complex will be developed in an area of 120 kanal by the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) and will act as the premier centre of Sowa Rigpa in the country. To be built at a cost of Rs 25 crore in the first phase, the revamped NISR complex will be further developed with hospital block, hostels, staff quarters etc. This planned investment along with eventual boost to the faculty strength at NISR is aimed at developing this institute as a Centre of Excellence to Sowa Rigpa locally, nationally and globally. The academic block is scheduled to be completed by 2023. The Ministry of Ayush is also supporting NISR to set up a Herbal Medicinal Garden spread across an area of 10 hectares. This will not only help conserve valued medicinal plant from the trans Himalayan region but also help in research for further usage in treating human ailments. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21921/sap-cleavision-use-machine-learning-to-reduce-preventable-blindness-risk-in-premature-babies.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21921/sap-cleavision-use-machine-learning-to-reduce-preventable-blindness-risk-in-premature-babies.html Wed, 07 Sep 2022 01:05:00 +0530 SAP and CleaVision have announced an innovative new programme aimed at reducing the risk of preventable blindness as a result of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) in pre-term babies.  Using the power of machine learning and data analytics, the CleaVision solution helps time-pressed doctors to arrive at a more accurate diagnosis while focusing on what’s most important – treating at risk babies.  Developed in India, the programme is being piloted at Narayana Nethralaya Eye Institute in Bengaluru. It’s estimated that the screening programme can be scaled up to further outreach and low-resource settings, minimizing time to diagnosis and maximizing the potential for treatment.  The CleaVision solution integrates image data processing with SAP Business Technology Platform, SAP AI Platform, and SAP Analytics Cloud to automate the identification of retina and blood vessel features and to make a recommendation on plus disease – a severe manifestation of ROP in premature babies. The screening data is then served to hospitals and can be reviewed by qualified medical professionals in the KIDROP (Karnataka Internet Assisted Diagnosis of ROP) telemedicine network.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21915/govt-to-open-more-ncdc-branches-for-timely-disease-surveillance-and-monitoring.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21915/govt-to-open-more-ncdc-branches-for-timely-disease-surveillance-and-monitoring.html Tue, 06 Sep 2022 16:25:00 +0530 Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, virtually laid the foundation stone for National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) branches in six states namely Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tripura and Uttar Pradesh.NCDC branches in the states and UTs will support the state governments in timely disease surveillance and monitoring and will enable early warning leading to timely intervention based on evidence gathered from the field. The state branches will coordinate with NCDC HQR in New Delhi with real-time sharing of data and information aided by cutting-edge technology. Currently, NCDC has eight branches in states with a focus on one or few diseases, these will be repurposed and new branches are being added with the mandate for integrated disease surveillance activities, dealing with Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR), multi-sectoral and entomological investigations etc. Union Health Minister also inaugurated the NCDC Laboratory Block -1, Residential Complex and NRL of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme. The NCDC Laboratory Block will house state-of-the-art testing and referral laboratories concerned with bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic diseases of public health concern. The laboratory is equipped with 50 high-capacity labs which include 30 Bio-safety level3 labs, five RT-PCR labs and 15 other labs. The laboratories will be designed to not only offer the testing facility but also provide hands-on training, capacity building and quality assurance services to the whole network of laboratories across the country. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21916/orbis-india-report-calls-for-increasing-investment-in-eye-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21916/orbis-india-report-calls-for-increasing-investment-in-eye-care.html Tue, 06 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0530 A report by Orbis in India suggests that the country loses an estimated $118 billion annually in cumulative gross national income (GNI) due to childhood blindness. The report titled Cost-Benefit Analysis of Investing in Child Eye Health is based on 2020 estimates and reflects the economic losses incurred by India due to lost productive years as a result of childhood blindness spanning over a period of 35 years, and rising to $158 billion for 40 working years. The report, which is the first-of-its kind since 1998 to update the data on the economic burden of childhood blindness in India, was commissioned to measure and project the burden of blindness in simple economic terms for guiding and seeking continued support and budgetary allocation. It captures the estimated expenditure on medical care for childhood blindness, income losses incurred due to working years lost by the blind persons and caregivers. The Cost Benefit Analysis of Investing in Child Eye Health has been categorized into three phases, namely updating the economic burden of childhood blindness post 1998, determining the utility weights for each child's eye health conditions, and measuring the quality of life of those with childhood blindness and visual impairment, using the utility measures developed. India is home to 9.3 million visually impaired and 270,000 blind children, with more than 75% of that figure preventable or treatable. Orbis hopes that this report will engender a new wave of advocacy geared towards achieving zero childhood blindness in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21912/healthplix-launches-smartscan-for-faster-diagnosis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21912/healthplix-launches-smartscan-for-faster-diagnosis.html Mon, 05 Sep 2022 14:55:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based HealthPlix Technologies has launched SmartScan which automatically scans patient lab reports, structures health vitals, and populates them on the electronic medical record (EMR) platform for doctors.   The company has tapped into the latest artificial intelligent (AI)-powered Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology and developed the feature in-house to equip doctors with advanced patient health information at the point of care.        HealthPlix - SmartScan sits on the solid foundation of inbuilt intelligence of 100+ lab test templates to ensure the accuracy of the health vitals populated in the EMR - thereby making it future-ready. On average, a doctor takes six to eight minutes to understand the patient's health history and analyze the physical test reports. SmartScan will reduce that time by 30-40 per cent and solve doctors' pain point of reviewing physical lab reports.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21901/india-launches-first-indigenously-developed-cervical-cancer-vaccine-cervavac.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21901/india-launches-first-indigenously-developed-cervical-cancer-vaccine-cervavac.html Thu, 01 Sep 2022 22:55:00 +0530 Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh has announced India’s first indigenously developed vaccine, CERVAVAC for the prevention of cervical cancer.   Announcing the scientific completion of the quadrivalent Human Papilloma Virus (qHPV) vaccine in presence of Adar C Poonawalla, CEO, Serum Institute of India, Pune and other prominent scientists and dignitaries, Dr Singh said, this affordable and cost-effective vaccine marks an important day for DBT and BIRAC as it takes India a step closer to PM Modi’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. The vaccine would be costing Rs 200-400 per dose.   CERVAVAC is an outcome of a partnership of DBT and BIRAC with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, supported by Serum Institute of India for the indigenous development of quadrivalent vaccine through its partnership programme ‘Grand Challenges India’. Dr Singh said, academia, industries and research should become equal partners in the true spirit of Integrated Approach for result-oriented products.   Dr N Kalaiselvi, DG, CSIR in her address said that the cancer vaccine will help Indian women and women across the globe in a major way and we may see in near future the version 1, 2 and 3 of CERVAVAC, as technologies are short-lived.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21896/doctors-deliberate-on-required-dedicated-mission-to-tackle-ncds.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21896/doctors-deliberate-on-required-dedicated-mission-to-tackle-ncds.html Thu, 01 Sep 2022 12:35:00 +0530 A galaxy of Padma Awardee doctors deliberated on the health issues that the Indian population is up against, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), eye care, and other NCDs during Health4all episode-46 organised by HEAL Foundation.   Dr Anoop Mishra, Chairman, Fortis Centre for Diabetes, Obesity & Cholesterol (C-DOC), said, “A 10-Year Commission with Dedicated Mission is required to tackle the upsurge of diabetes in India because the current pattern of efforts in the direction of eliminating diabetes in India needs to be reimagined. Though National Diabetes Programme has done a lot to combat diabetes in the country, a more organised strategy is required to be devised to curb its upsurge. Lifestyle disorders majorly contribute to the incidence of diabetes, and states like Kerala and Delhi are found to harbour poor lifestyle, hence the high rate of incidence of diabetes is reported there.”   Dr Mahipal S Sachdev, Renowned Ophthalmologist, Chairman, Centre for Sight, Chain of Eye Hospitals, said, “The advancement in the fields of cataract, refractive surgery, glaucoma, age-related retinal macular degeneration, and myopia degeneration is imminent. The application of AI can also simulate and see what is the quality degradation of the vision of an individual.”   Dr Balbir Singh, Chairman, Cardiology, Max Hospitals, said, “India is at the forefront of research in cardiology worldwide but making indigenous products is what we are lacking and it needs to be improved."   Cardiologist, Prof (Dr) Mohsin Wali said, “Despite preventive education, there are many causes for the onset of CVDs such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, psychological stress, poor food consumption, alcohol, smoking, dyslipidemia, etc. There are more causes than the steps taken for prevention so we are lagging.”     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21884/national-forensic-sciences-university-with-thermo-fisher-unveil-coe-for-dna-forensics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21884/national-forensic-sciences-university-with-thermo-fisher-unveil-coe-for-dna-forensics.html Tue, 30 Aug 2022 11:50:00 +0530 Thermo Fisher Scientific, in technical collaboration with National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), has set up the Centre of Excellence (CoE) for DNA Forensics at the NFSU campus in Gujarat.   A first-of-its-kind in India, the centre was inaugurated formally by Amit Shah, Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Co-operation, Govt. of India in the presence of Harsh Sanghavi, Minister of State (Home) and Minister of Revenue, Govt. of Gujarat, Jitubhai Vaghani, Education, Science and Technology Minister, Govt. of Gujarat, Rajendra Trivedi, Minister of Law and Justice, Govt. of Gujarat and Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Union Home Secretary, Govt. of India.    Also present for the inauguration were Dr. J.M. Vyas, Vice Chancellor, NFSU, Amit Chopra, Managing Director, India and South Asia, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Jagjit Singh Anthak, Director, Genetic Sciences Group and Specialty Diagnostics Group, Thermo Fisher Scientific.   Thermo Fisher Scientific has equipped the facility with its entire DNA workflow which includes sophisticated systems for DNA extraction, real-time PCR instruments, DNA sequencers/ genetic analyzers, next-generation sequencers and rapid DNA technologies along with consumables, software and validation services.    The centre has been created to facilitate training and education for the students of NFSU and across forensic labs, and for law enforcement experts (police, judiciary).  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21882/wockhardt-hospital-mumbai-central-launches-diabetes-surgery-clinic.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21882/wockhardt-hospital-mumbai-central-launches-diabetes-surgery-clinic.html Mon, 29 Aug 2022 23:25:00 +0530 Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai Central has launched a diabetes surgery clinic. The clinic will provide preventive and therapeutic care in the treatment of diabetes. The clinic is headed by Dr Ramen Goel, a senior metabolic surgeon.     Dr Goel, Consultant Diabetes Surgeon, Center of Bariatric Excellence at Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai Central said, “Looking at the ‘sugar pandemic’ that is spreading fast in our country, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central has decided to launch the diabetes surgery clinic."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21880/fogsi-inks-mou-with-nabh-for-improving-quality-standards-for-maternal-healthcare-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21880/fogsi-inks-mou-with-nabh-for-improving-quality-standards-for-maternal-healthcare-in-india.html Mon, 29 Aug 2022 22:20:00 +0530 The Federation of Obstetricians and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) has announced its collaboration with the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH)/Quality Council of India (QCI), India’s apex body for accreditation and quality promotion, to advance the government’s vision to improve the quality of maternity services. This is a crucial quality-improvement sectoral collaboration aimed at reducing maternal mortality in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and strengthening health systems for safer childbirth in India. Under the MoU hospitals and nursing homes having maternal care facilities, clinical standards will be assessed, ensuring consistent, safe, and respectful care for mothers during and after childbirth. This collaboration is envisaged to improve and standardise quality across all MCH (maternal and child health) facilities in the country, a landmark step in India's evolving health system. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21869/national-cancer-grid-establishes-centre-for-digital-oncology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21869/national-cancer-grid-establishes-centre-for-digital-oncology.html Fri, 26 Aug 2022 21:50:00 +0530 The National Cancer Grid (NCG), an initiative of the Government of India through the Department of Atomic Energy, has established the Koita Centre for Digital Oncology (KCDO) to promote the use of digital technologies and tools to improve cancer care across India.   The centre has been set up with the contributions received from the Koita Foundation, which will support it for five years. The Tata Memorial Centre and Koita Foundation formalised the collaboration by signing an MoU at the Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai.    KCDO will play an important role in driving digital transformation across the cancer care continuum. KCDO will support NCG hospitals in sharing best practices in digital health, adopting digital health tools, and driving many common technology initiatives including EMR adoption, healthcare data interoperability, reporting and analytics.   KCDO will also enable NCG and NCG hospitals to pilot and adopt new technologies – including AI, machine learning, big data, automation, cloud, and mobile – which will benefit hospitals, doctors, patients and consumers.   The use of healthcare data analytics across hospitals will enable tracking and benchmarking of clinical outcomes and the effectiveness of different treatment and care pathways. KCDO will also partner with academic and research organisations to promote research and development in cancer care.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21865/dozee-midmark-launch-indias-first-intelligent-connected-bed-rpm-and-ews.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21865/dozee-midmark-launch-indias-first-intelligent-connected-bed-rpm-and-ews.html Fri, 26 Aug 2022 11:40:00 +0530 Dozee and Midmark India have come together to create India's first connected bed platform to automate and integrate patient monitoring in hospital beds, primarily for non-ICU environments. These specially engineered intelligent connected beds would enable hospitals to seamlessly provide continuous patient monitoring in HDU, Step-down ICU and any other non-ICU ward, thereby delivering the next level of patient safety, and improved clinical outcomes, driving operational efficiencies and digital transformation.   The new generation technology is the outcome of embedding state-of-the-art contactless sensors and AI-powered algorithms from Dozee coupled with Midmark's hospital bed platforms complying with global quality standards.   The intelligent connected bed can monitor vital parameters such as heart rate, respiration rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, ECG, and temperature. It also offers an Early Warning System (EWS) that provides alerts to the concerned health care providers for timely intervention. Further, these connected beds are integrated into central command centres and the hospital’s Health Management Information System (HMIS).     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21854/pm-dedicates-homi-bhabha-cancer-hospital-research-centre-at-sahibzada-ajit-singh-nagar-mohali.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21854/pm-dedicates-homi-bhabha-cancer-hospital-research-centre-at-sahibzada-ajit-singh-nagar-mohali.html Wed, 24 Aug 2022 19:00:00 +0530 Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital & Research Centre to the Nation at Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Mohali.    The hospital has been built at the cost of over Rs 660 crore by Tata Memorial Centre, an aided institute under the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India.   The cancer hospital is a tertiary care hospital with a 300-bed capacity. It is equipped with modern facilities to treat all types of cancers using every available treatment modality like surgery, radiotherapy and medical oncology - chemotherapy, immunotherapy and bone marrow transplant.   The hospital will function like a ‘hub’ of cancer care and treatment in the region, with the 100-bedded hospital in Sangrur functioning as its ‘spoke’.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21851/jaslok-hospital-opens-first-coordination-centre-in-oman.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21851/jaslok-hospital-opens-first-coordination-centre-in-oman.html Wed, 24 Aug 2022 14:55:00 +0530 Mumbai-based Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre has launched Jaslok Hospital Coordination Centre in Oman. As part of the launch, a Continuous Medical Education (CME) on Advanced Specialties was held in Muscat.    Jaslok Hospital has partnered with Al Miri Coordination Center, Oman & Magnus Medi, India in one-of-its-kind collaborations. This collaboration will aid the people of Oman to receive end-to-end services. These services will include teleconsultations, appointment booking, treatment cost discussions, hotel services and sim card facilities amongst others. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21850/pm-inaugurates-2600-bed-hospital-in-faridabad-largest-private-hospital-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21850/pm-inaugurates-2600-bed-hospital-in-faridabad-largest-private-hospital-in-india.html Wed, 24 Aug 2022 14:50:00 +0530 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the state-of-the-art Amrita Hospital at Faridabad. The availability of modern medical infrastructure in the National Capital Region (NCR) will get a boost as the Prime Minister inaugurates Amrita Hospital at Faridabad. Managed by Mata Amritanandamayi Math, the super-speciality hospital will be equipped with 2600 beds. The hospital, which is being constructed at an estimated cost of around Rs 6000 crore, will provide state-of-the-art healthcare facilities. It will serve not only the people of Faridabad and Haryana, but also the entire population of Delhi-NCR and the adjoining states of UP, MP, Punjab and Rajasthan, as well as other states in North and North-East India. Governor of Haryana Bandaru Dattatreya, Chief Minister Manohar Lal, Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala, Union Minister Krishan Pal Gurjar, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi were among those present on the occasion. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21847/govt-organises-national-workshop-to-discuss-roadmap-for-cancer-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21847/govt-organises-national-workshop-to-discuss-roadmap-for-cancer-treatment.html Tue, 23 Aug 2022 18:05:00 +0530 Union Health Ministry recently organised a national workshop on 'Roadmap for Cancer Treatment,' in New Delhi.   Rajesh Bhushan, Union Health Secretary identified framing, sharing and adherence to evidence-based common Standards of Protocols for critical care management as another learning for cancer management. These can guide the restructuring and refinement of the National Cancer Control Programme of the Union Health Ministry, he noted.    He mentioned that capacity building needs to be ensured with clear communication with all stakeholders and feedback procedures put in place. “We need to adapt and promote health technology and prevention and treatment of cancer such as telemedicine for improved access to care,” he stressed.    "Various 'Hub and Spoke' models implemented in some states such as Assam, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar can be emulated by other states, along with detailed mapping of the facilities with the granular planning of healthcare delivery," he suggested.   Sessions on the following topics were organised in the one-day national workshop organised by Union Health Ministry: i. Infrastructure and human resources for cancer care in India ii. Affordability of Cancer Care in India iii. Best practices for cancer care by states iv. Review of ongoing projects and related issues             ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21840/huawei-wockhardt-foundation-canwinn-foundation-launch-mobile-medical-clinic-van-in-gurugram.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21840/huawei-wockhardt-foundation-canwinn-foundation-launch-mobile-medical-clinic-van-in-gurugram.html Tue, 23 Aug 2022 12:45:00 +0530 Huawei India has partnered with Wockhardt Foundation and CanWinn Foundation to run a mobile medical clinic van, as a part of its nationwide CSR initiative. The activity focuses on providing primary healthcare facilities to the needy in the city of Gurugram, slums in the city, and neighbouring areas.    Initially operated by Wockhardt Foundation, the mobile medical clinic van is created to cater to about 9,600 patients in two months, serving around 200 patients daily. The van will be operated by a team comprising one doctor, one pharmacist, and one driver to cover the Gurugram district area and will be conducting free OPD/ health screening sessions for the locals.    The van is equipped with a GPS, enabling the administrators to monitor the progress of the van regularly. The van will also offer free basic health services and will be working towards creating awareness around sanitation, hygiene, mother and child healthcare, safe drinking water, immunization, anaemia, de-worming, vector-borne diseases, HIV, snakebites, diabetes, and tuberculosis. Facilities/kits to diagnose malaria, hepatitis, dengue, typhoid, blood sugar, blood pressure, and other medical ailments will be on-boarded on the van. The van will also have provisions to refer complicated cases to speciality hospitals.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21829/pgimer-satellite-centre-to-be-fully-functional-by-jan-2023-dr-mansukh-mandaviya.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21829/pgimer-satellite-centre-to-be-fully-functional-by-jan-2023-dr-mansukh-mandaviya.html Mon, 22 Aug 2022 10:45:00 +0530 Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers Dr Mansukh Mandaviya visited Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) Satellite Centre, Sangrur and reviewed its progress.    Expressing satisfaction at the pace of the execution of the project, the minister stated, “With the pace at which the work is being executed, including procurement of medical devices and equipment, the Satellite Centre will be fully functional by January 2023 and will provide a huge relief not only for the local population but for those far and wide.”     The minister chaired a meeting which was attended by Prof Vivek Lal, Director PGIMER, senior faculty members and senior administrative officers including Kumar Gaurav Dhawan (IRS), DDA, Prof Vipin Koushal, MS, Kumar Abhay, FA, Prof. Ashok Kumar, Addl Medical Superintendent, PGIMER & Nodal Officer, Satellite Centre, Sangrur.   A detailed presentation was made before the minister wherein the dignitary was apprised that the Satellite Centre, comprising a 300-bed hospital, was envisaged with an intent to reduce the overcrowding in PGIMER, Chandigarh and reduce the travel time of patients.   Lal informed, “Spread over a land of 25 acres, the project cost of this Satellite Centre is Rs 449.00 crores. Phase 1 has already been executed with the construction of Temporary OPD, Guest House and Boundary Wall and Phase 2 of the execution is being fast-tracked. The Satellite Centre is expected to be fully functional early next year.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21828/citiustech-to-increase-headcount-by-2000-in-the-coming-year.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21828/citiustech-to-increase-headcount-by-2000-in-the-coming-year.html Mon, 22 Aug 2022 10:40:00 +0530 CitiusTech, a leading provider of consulting and digital technology to healthcare and life sciences companies, is planning to increase its headcount by 2000 in the coming year from its current strength of 7000.Speaking to BioSpectrum, Ravinder Singh, Vice President, Healthcare Consulting, CitiusTech said, “As a strategic partner to the world’s leading payer, provider, med tech and life sciences companies, CitiusTech has doubled its strength during the pandemic times from 3500 to 7000+.”A $350 million company with offices in the US, India, Singapore, Canada and the UK, CitiusTech works with more than 130 healthcare and life sciences organisations to drive digital transformation through healthcare-focused solutions, platforms and consulting services.Featured at seven in the Top 100 Healthcare Technology Companies of 2022 and ranked as the 2 pure-play healthcare IT and software company, CitiusTech was recognised for its cutting-edge technology expertise, deep healthcare domain expertise, and a strong focus on digital transformation that is enabling healthcare organisations to deliver better outcomes, accelerate growth, drive efficiencies, and make a meaningful impact to patients, caregivers and consumers.With the global healthcare industry seeing a large-scale shift towards digital transformation, CitiusTech has been experiencing significant growth in the last few years. With offerings around strategic consulting, digital engineering, data, analytics and AI, the company has successfully scaled its client base and solution offerings, to address the needs of a market that is being disrupted by technology, market and regulatory changes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21824/pm-narendra-modi-to-inaugurate-25th-edition-of-bts-2022-on-nov-16-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21824/pm-narendra-modi-to-inaugurate-25th-edition-of-bts-2022-on-nov-16-.html Fri, 19 Aug 2022 17:45:00 +0530 Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the 25th edition of Asia’s largest Tech Fest - Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) 2022, being organised by the Department of Electronics, IT, Bt and S&T, Government of Karnataka. The event is scheduled from November 16-18, 2022 at Bangalore Palace in Karnataka. The theme for the silver jubilee edition of the summit is ‘Tech4NexGen’.   Delegates from government, business, research and start-ups across countries like the US, Canada, the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, Switzerland, Israel, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and the Middle East are likely to participate in the three-day summit.   Dr EV Ramana Reddy, Additional Chief Secretary to Government of Karnataka, and Department of Electronics Information Technology Biotechnology and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka said that on the occasion of 25th anniversary, a special programme is being organised to felicitate 25 enterprises who have completed 25 years of their presence in Karnataka and have contributed towards building the IT, Electronics and Biotech ecosystem.   He further said “We are expecting participation from over 50+ countries, 350+ domain experts, 100+ Sessions, 10K+ delegates, 2000+ Start-ups, 400+ Exhibitors attracting 50K+ expo visitors. A Metaverse experience zone and Lab2Market will be an added highlight of the expo this year.”   BTS 2022 summit is a convergence of conference, international exhibition, product launches, awards and felicitations, IT & Bio Quiz, biotech posters, B2B meetings and much more. While the conference would deep-dive on ITE & Deep tech, biotech and start-up verticals along with Global Innovation Alliance and India US Tech Conclave, the exhibition will be an amalgamation of country and state-specific pavilion, start-up, MNCs and MSMEs, each showcasing their innovative products and services. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21821/thieme-india-inks-agreement-with-uk-based-eido-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21821/thieme-india-inks-agreement-with-uk-based-eido-healthcare.html Fri, 19 Aug 2022 13:30:00 +0530 Thieme India, a leading medical publishing company, has signed a partnership agreement with UK’s EIDO Healthcare, a specialist in digital consent solutions. The signing of the partnership agreement was carried out in the presence of officials from the Department for International Trade, Permanent Secretary James Bowler and Deputy Trade Commissioner Anna Shotbolt.   The Department of International Trade took to Twitter to congratulate by stating “Congratulations to EIDOhealthcare and ThiemeIndia on their partnership to introduce an innovative digital solution, bridging the existing gap in patient consent and awareness. Partnerships like these will further strengthen healthcare trade & investment opportunities in the UK.”    "With this agreement, we would now be able to bring the most advanced and yet easy-to-use digital consent solutions to patients and the healthcare facilities in India. With COVID-19 precipitating an all-around pivot to the digitalisation of healthcare in the country, a shift to digital consent solutions from the traditional paper-based consent is a natural course of development. We need to capitalise on this ongoing momentum. Given the ever-increasing cases of doctor-patient scuffles and incidents and the relative lack of awareness about digital consent solutions among healthcare facilities and patients in India, this would help in addressing that gap,” said, Dr NitendraSesodia, Senior Director, Medical Communications & Corporate Sales, Thieme India.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21816/karkinos-healthcare-optrascan-to-enhance-digital-pathology-for-personalised-cancer-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21816/karkinos-healthcare-optrascan-to-enhance-digital-pathology-for-personalised-cancer-care.html Thu, 18 Aug 2022 11:55:00 +0530 OptraSCAN, a leading end-to-end digital pathology solution provider, today announced that Karkinos Healthcare has begun using the high-performance OptraSCAN Digital pathology platform to enhance care for their patient population. The capabilities of this digital pathology platform improve accessibility to healthcare and the distributed care model.   The demand for digital pathology has increased as healthcare institutions have struggled to overcome the challenges of the traditional care model of pathologists working in labs with physical microscopes. These workflow problems have been intensified by a shrinking pathologist population at the same time as biopsy rates have increased along with increased cancer screening options. Digital pathology facilitates remote consultations and second opinions to arrive at a diagnosis and initiate cancer treatment more rapidly. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21809/wolters-kluwer-makes-monkeypox-content-free-to-clinicians-worldwide.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21809/wolters-kluwer-makes-monkeypox-content-free-to-clinicians-worldwide.html Tue, 16 Aug 2022 22:05:00 +0530 Wolters Kluwer has made monkeypox content on UpToDate free and created a monkeypox resource page that includes links to relevant medical journal research articles in Ovid. Wolters Kluwer also has experts available to comment on the monkeypox outbreak.   Stacey Caywood, CEO, Wolters Kluwer, Health, said, “In order to help clinicians and researchers worldwide respond to the monkeypox outbreak, we are providing them with the latest evidence-based information that ultimately helps them to provide the best care to their patients."   Dr Matt Weissenbach is an epidemiologist and infection preventionist with more than a decade of experience. Dr Weissenbach can comment on the spread and symptoms of monkeypox.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21808/skye-air-flipkart-health-to-deliver-medicines-in-kolkata-suburbs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21808/skye-air-flipkart-health-to-deliver-medicines-in-kolkata-suburbs.html Tue, 16 Aug 2022 21:50:00 +0530 Skye Air Mobility has partnered with Flipkart Health, a pharma business division of Flipkart Internet, to deliver medicines by drone. The collaboration kicked off with the launch of BVLOS flights from Flipkart Health warehouse in Baruipur, West Bengal to multiple Health Buddy OTC locations within Kolkata and suburbs.   The initiative shall witness up to 20 flights every day, each carrying a payload of up to 5 kgs of medicines to be delivered from the warehouse to 10 (ten) Health Buddy OTC locations very widespread in the region. The maximum distance to be covered by the flight will be 16 kilometres aerial (24 km by road). The trials will continue till September 8, 2022.   Skye Air shall be using its most reliable UAV, Skye Ship One, to facilitate real-time deliveries ensuring optimal flight safety and temperature monitoring. The company shall also be using Artemis, to deliver medicines in far-reach areas thus creating an inter-city/district model for Flipkart Health. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21802/astrazeneca-partners-with-alveofit-for-lung-diseases-management.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21802/astrazeneca-partners-with-alveofit-for-lung-diseases-management.html Tue, 16 Aug 2022 14:50:00 +0530 Under the aegis of its A Catalyst network, AstraZeneca India has announced its partnership with Alveofit, a SaaS-IoT enabled respiratory healthcare platform, to offer IoT-enabled handheld spirometers at hospitals across the country.    The partnership aims to embed the latest technological advancements in diagnosing and managing lung disorders and associated non-communicable diseases like asthma, pulmonary fibrosis and COPD.    As a part of this partnership with Alveofit, AstraZeneca will provide Alveofit IoT-enabled handheld spirometers to the clinics and last mile hospitals to enable point-of-care spirometry for the optimised management of different lung-associated non-communicable diseases. This will help track patients remotely and even conduct telespirometry with comprehensive care management solutions.    Partnering with Alveofit, AstraZeneca has deployed spirometers at selected hospitals across the country. This includes ESIC hospitals for industrial employees, Command and Military Hospitals, General Hospitals and last mile clinics in cities like Lucknow, Chennai, Nagpur, Delhi, Ahmedabad and Kolkata. In a pilot project conducted before starting this initiative, 2800+ patients were tested and around 35-40 per cent were diagnosed with lung issues across all the age groups right from 10-12 years old to 85-90 years old through this deployment.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21792/dkms-calls-for-applications-in-research-based-activities.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21792/dkms-calls-for-applications-in-research-based-activities.html Fri, 12 Aug 2022 14:35:00 +0530 Scientists with a research focus on stem cell transplantation and cell therapy are invited to apply for the 2023 DKMS John Hansen Research Grant. With this grant, the DKMS Stiftung Leben Spenden (Foundation for Giving Life) supports up to four outstanding research projects each year that aim to advance medical progress and improve the chances of recovery for blood cancer patients. The requirements include a doctoral degree (PhD, MD or equivalent) that was obtained no longer than 10 years ago. The grants are endowed with €240,000 each, which will be paid out over three years. The application deadline is December 2, 2022.   All information about the application modalities and further details about the DKMS John Hansen Research Grant is available on the DKMS Professionals’ Platform.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21791/iisc-inks-mou-with-prashanth-prakash-to-set-up-geriatrics-wing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21791/iisc-inks-mou-with-prashanth-prakash-to-set-up-geriatrics-wing.html Thu, 11 Aug 2022 19:15:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Prashanth Prakash, founding partner of Accel and Chairman of Karnataka’s Startup Vision Group, to set up a geriatrics wing as part of IISc’s Bagchi-Parthasarathy hospital.The Shantha & Prakash Geriatrics Wing is expected to be operational by the start of 2025. The wing will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities in geriatrics to support academic and research programmes, and to enable PG students to undergo training in a world-class standard.It will take forward the IISc Medical School objective of integrating science, engineering and medicine under a single umbrella to produce a new generation of physician-scientists. Prashanth said, “Proactively managing age-related comorbidities will help prolong the period during which individuals can enjoy maximum physical and cognitive independence. Through physician-scientists, there is immense potential for the Institute to bring advancements in Gerosciences and Healthy-aging to help people live their most extended, healthiest lives possible.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21786/lords-sehat-health-atm-opens-at-ambala-police-headquarters.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21786/lords-sehat-health-atm-opens-at-ambala-police-headquarters.html Thu, 11 Aug 2022 10:45:00 +0530 LordsMed, the global healthcare division of Lord’s Mark Industries, has launched its health ATM, Lords Sehat at Ambala Police Headquarters in Ambala, Haryana. The walk-in health kiosk equipped with integrated point-of-care diagnostics has been inaugurated by Anil Vij, Health Minister, Government of Haryana.   Lords Sehat installed at Ambala Police Headquarters has been dedicated to Haryana Police. Lord’s Mark Industries has made the first 500 diagnostic tests at Lords Sehat complimentary for the Haryana police personnel.    Lord’s Sehat health kiosk, is an aggregation of CE/FDA/medical grade devices combined with backend software which solves the problem of basic health check-ups in rural/urban areas. It measures more than 50 essential diagnostic parameters ranging from body temperature, SPO2, and BMI to blood glucose, Haemoglobin, and ECG to rapid test for infectious disease. The result of all these parameters is on a near real-time basis for improved patient outcomes and care. Health Kiosk helps store digital records, it is portable and easy to use as well. Moreover, it can work without electricity and the Internet as well. Lord’s Sehat Health Kiosk will be useful in providing Health ID for individuals and can be connected with the National Digital Health Mission to provide ABHA accounts as well. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21784/who-unveils-position-paper-on-optimising-brain-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21784/who-unveils-position-paper-on-optimising-brain-health.html Wed, 10 Aug 2022 19:10:00 +0530 The World Health Organisation (WHO) has launched a position paper that presents a framework for understanding brain health and the importance of brain health optimisation for all. The position paper provides insight into the following clusters of determinants: physical health healthy environments safety and security learning and social connection and access to quality services   Optimizing brain health by addressing these determinants leads to multiple benefits including lower rates of many chronic health conditions – neurological, mental, substance use and physical – as well as improved quality of life and multiple social and economic benefits, all of which contribute to greater well-being and help advance society.   The paper demonstrates the relevance of optimising brain health within the broader context of public health and society and offers practical policy solutions and future directions for the field including specific actions for addressing brain health determinants, ongoing priorities in brain health research, and operationalising and measuring brain health. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21783/karkinos-healthcare-tradeindia-organise-cancer-screening-drive-in-delhi-ncr.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21783/karkinos-healthcare-tradeindia-organise-cancer-screening-drive-in-delhi-ncr.html Wed, 10 Aug 2022 18:45:00 +0530 Mumbai-based startup Karkinos Healthcare, a purpose-driven oncology platform in partnership with TradeIndia, hosted a community outreach camp for cancer screening and early detection services. The initiative is aimed to help eliminate cervical cancer through extensive cancer screening and treatment for the population in Delhi- NCR region.    Statistics say that 1 in 10 women test positive for Cervical Cancer in India making it the second most common form of cancer in women; even though it can be completely prevented.  According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) estimates, there will be a 12 per cent rise in cancer cases in India by the next five years and also indicates that the most common form of cancer will be breast cancer, cervical cancer and oral cancer. This initiative focuses on creating awareness, empowering women for cancer screening and also emphasising the need for early detection.   Through this initiative, Karkinos is on the journey to screen as many people and also eliminate cervical cancer as a threat in India we could look at reversing the cancer numbers, by providing a sustainable and long-lasting solution for its treatment.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21782/medisage-signature-series-to-educate-last-mile-doctors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21782/medisage-signature-series-to-educate-last-mile-doctors.html Wed, 10 Aug 2022 11:55:00 +0530 MediSage recently held an online interactive discussion on ‘Cardiac conduction system: Structure, function, insights, reflections...’ The event was the first part of the 12 MediSage Signature Series in collaboration with the Indian Society of Electrocardiology (ISE), a 50- year-old Medical organisation formed to upskill doctors across the Country.   1500 doctors across India joined the online session organised by MediSage on cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and understanding electrocardiogram (ECG).   The programme was conducted by ISE experts Dr Ashish A Nabar, Consultant Cardiologist, Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai, and Jupiter Hospital, Thane; and Dr Ketan K Mehta, Consultant Physician, Cardiopulmonologist Diabetologist), Mumbai.   The MediSage event was to educate the last-mile doctors on how to build a stronger understanding of ECG reports since CVDs have now become the leading cause of death in India. Doctors say that a quarter of all mortality is attributable to CVDs. The Global Burden of Disease study estimates that age-standardised CVD death rate of 272 per 100,000 population in India is higher than the global average of 235 per 100,000 population.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21770/apollo-hospitals-to-set-up-650-bed-unit-in-haryana.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21770/apollo-hospitals-to-set-up-650-bed-unit-in-haryana.html Mon, 08 Aug 2022 18:00:00 +0530     Apollo Hospitals Enterprise has acquired a hospital asset in Gurugram, situated on the hospital zoned land, with a potential of 650 beds over 7 lakh square feet, from Nayati Healthcare and Research NCR for a consideration of around Rs 450 crores. The asset was originally sold by DLF Qutub Enclave Complex Medical Charitable Trust in 2011 to the seller.    The upcoming integrated healthcare complex located on the Golf Course Road at Gurugram would be commissioned in 24 months. The Gurugram facility would also be at the centre of incubating advancements in digital healthcare, healthcare accelerators and start-ups and contribute to the country’s healthcare ecosystem, propelling the country and the state of Haryana towards leading practices and world-class healthcare.    The transaction has been consummated through AHEL’s 100 per cent subsidiary, Apollo Hospitals North, and funded using available surplus funds with the group.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21769/research-centre-for-rare-diseases-opens-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21769/research-centre-for-rare-diseases-opens-in-bengaluru.html Mon, 08 Aug 2022 15:50:00 +0530 The Karnataka government has launched a research and training unit for rare diseases. The unit will strengthen diagnosis, counselling, and treatment, including developing the service facility for prenatal diagnosis for early identification of genetic disorders in pregnancy. The foundation stone for the unit, which is an extension of the Centre for Human Genetics (CHG), Bengaluru was laid by Dr Ashwath Narayan CN, Minister for Higher Education; IT & BT, Science & Technology; Skill Development, Entrepreneurship & Livelihood, Government of Karnataka.The activities to be undertaken at the Research and Training Unit for Rare Diseases include comprehensive genetic counselling facilities for around 2,500 families with rare disorders, to be evaluated annually; increasing the capacity of diagnostic testing, including exome sequencing; and developing training and service facility for prenatal diagnosis for early identification of genetic disorders in pregnancy.It will also provide hands-on training in laboratory genetics and incubate startups in developing low-cost therapies for rare disorders along with conducting regular educational modules in Kannada, English and Hindi for raising awareness of human genetic disorders, their early recognition, and treatments available, among pre-university college students in the state. The unit will be around 40,000 sqft with three floors. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21761/pm-inaugurates-rs-200-cr-shrimad-rajchandra-hospital-in-south-gujarat.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21761/pm-inaugurates-rs-200-cr-shrimad-rajchandra-hospital-in-south-gujarat.html Fri, 05 Aug 2022 13:30:00 +0530 Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital. Located in South Gujarat, the 250-bed charitable hospital is spread across 8 acres, built at a cost of over Rs 200 crores.    The newly inaugurated hospital aims to provide free support to underprivileged patients at every stage of recovery right from early diagnosis, treatment, and preventative care to rehabilitation, by a team of 300+ doctors and specialists.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21759/study-links-leucocyte-telomere-length-with-obesity-in-pre-diabetic-type-2-diabetic-women.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21759/study-links-leucocyte-telomere-length-with-obesity-in-pre-diabetic-type-2-diabetic-women.html Thu, 04 Aug 2022 18:30:00 +0530 Leucocyte Telomere Length (LTL) is linked to obesity in pre-diabetic and type 2 diabetic women, according to a study. LTL is the measure most commonly used to study age-dependent shortening and disease risk in human populations. The study explored the relationship between prediabetes, truncal obesity and LTL, shortening of which, indicates faster ageing and premature death.    The research was conceived and designed by Dr Anoop Misra, Executive Chairman and Director, Diabetes and Endocrinology, Fortis C-DOC Hospital for Diabetes and Allied Sciences, and conducted jointly by Surya Prakash Bhatt, Ravindra Mohan Pandey and Ashish Datt Upadhyay. The findings have been recently published in the journal,  BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care.    The study links LTL in women with abnormal fasting glycemia (pre-diabetes). The relationship of LTL with fatness, particularly in the truncal part of the body is being reported for the first time. The average LTL was significantly shorter in obese women with pre-diabetes.    The R-squared (R2) statistic for the multivariable linear model after adjusting for age, family income, education, and hypertension showed that LTL was inversely correlated with body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumference, waist-hip and waist-to-height ratio, truncal skinfolds (triceps ratio, central and total skinfolds), fat mass (kg) and percentage body fat. Besides age, obesity, and fat distribution in the truncal part of the body are major contributors to telomere shortening in women with abnormal fasting glycemia.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21757/happiest-minds-tech-unveils-cybersecurity-services-in-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21757/happiest-minds-tech-unveils-cybersecurity-services-in-healthcare.html Thu, 04 Aug 2022 18:20:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based Happiest Minds Technologies has launched its cybersecurity services in the healthcare vertical. Cybersecurity for healthcare provides end-to-end security services for the healthcare industry by applying a robust and proven framework tailored to meet regulatory requirements, digital security best practices, and cutting-edge tools and technologies.    Happiest Minds enables cybersecurity for healthcare businesses with a 360⁰ approach by applying a robust and proven framework built per regulatory requirements, digital security best practices, and best-of-the-breed tools and technologies.   These services will help customers stay updated with evolving governance policies and tighten their healthcare security posture using leading technologies AI/Big Data/Behavioral and analytics.    Vijay Bharti, SVP, Head of Security Practice, and CISO of Happiest Minds Technologies said, “We have provided cyber security services to leading healthcare providers across geographies, but with COVID-19 there was a sudden surge in the demand for cyber security for their Digital Transformation journey. I take great pleasure in announcing that we have launched a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for security services in the healthcare industry. This focused initiative will help us understand the pain points of healthcare service providers in-depth and build actionable solutions and services around them.”    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21755/novo-nordisk-roche-join-hands-to-enhance-diabetes-care-for-children.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21755/novo-nordisk-roche-join-hands-to-enhance-diabetes-care-for-children.html Thu, 04 Aug 2022 14:00:00 +0530 Novo Nordisk Education Foundation (NNEF) and Roche Diabetes Care India (RDC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to improve access to care for underprivileged children living with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) in India. This partnership is part of a global collaboration between the two parties and will impact close to 4,000 children with Type 1 diabetes in India. It will also provide education and training for doctors and nurses, and enhance awareness about diabetes and its management among children with T1D and their families. Support will include free diabetes monitoring and management kits including insulin pens, needles, insulin cartridges, glucometers, strips, and lancets. The partnership will provide care to people living with diabetes across specified centres affiliated with NNEF in 12 states and one union territory including Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, West Bengal, Bihar, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Rajasthan, and Jammu & Kashmir.This partnership is part of NNEF’s Changing Diabetes in Children (CDiC) programme - a public-private partnership that provides free life-saving medicine and supplies for children and young people living with Type 1 diabetes in low- and middle-income countries up to 25 years of age. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21735/4-5-healthy-people-with-lung-anomalies-may-develop-cancer-nura-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21735/4-5-healthy-people-with-lung-anomalies-may-develop-cancer-nura-.html Wed, 03 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Out of 3,500 healthy people who underwent preventive health screening in the last 12 months at NURA, a collaboration between Fujifilm Healthcare and Dr Kutty’s Healthcare offering AI-enabled imaging at Bengaluru, about 4-5 per cent were found with suspicious anomalies in the lungs that should be investigated by a pulmonologist to rule out lung cancer.Said Dr Tausif Ahmed Thangalvadi, Medical Director, NURA, Bengaluru: “In many cases, these anomalies, though small, can grow into cancer in a few years. Lung cancer is the most fatal cancer in the world, causing a much higher number of deaths than any other cancer. Detection in the early stages can enormously increase the survival chances of patients. In Japan, where health screening begins at an early age, lung cancer survival rate is 33 per cent, compared to only 4 per cent in India, as per data from OECD.”Detection rate of lung cancer is poor in India, with 7 out of every 10 patients succumbing to the disease. The global trend, such as in US and France, is to use ultra-low-dose (ULD) CT scans to reduce radiation exposure. ULD CT uses up to 97% lower dose of radiation than a normal chest CT scan, which is almost equivalent to a routine X-ray. Said Dr Thangalvadi: “A plain CT scan uses 10-15 mSv of radiation. What is now advised is a low-dose CT scan that emits only 2.5 mSv of radiation." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21733/govt-unveils-regional-research-institute-of-homoeopathy-in-mumbai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21733/govt-unveils-regional-research-institute-of-homoeopathy-in-mumbai.html Mon, 01 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0530 The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated an Ayush Building Complex at Kharghar in Navi Mumbai. This new infrastructure will house the Regional Research Institute of Homoeopathy (RRIH), under Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) and Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine (RRIUM) under Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM).   Built over an area of 1999.82 square metres with a constructed area of 5860 square meters, this three-storied building complex was constructed by City & Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra (CIDCO).   These institutes will provide facilities like patient consultation, medicines, laboratory facility for routine haematological and biochemistry for the paediatric, geriatric and general population and are headed by separate In-Charges of Homoeopathy and Unani respectively. It is proposed that the RRIH and RRIUM will be soon being developed as Institute of Homoeopathy for Allergic Disorders and as a Centre of excellence for IlajBit-Tadbeer i.e. Regimenal therapy, respectively.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21728/positivity-in-hepatitis-most-common-in-age-group-of-16-to-30-years-srl-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21728/positivity-in-hepatitis-most-common-in-age-group-of-16-to-30-years-srl-study.html Fri, 29 Jul 2022 16:20:00 +0530 SRL Diagnostics has released Hepatitis Day Study on the ocassion for World Hepatitis Day. A total of 4719 consecutive,  anonymised samples were selected and analysed wherein tests for all four hepatitis viruses were done in one person in one go. There were 37 per cent of samples from females and 63 per cent from males. The most crucial screening and/or diagnostic tests for viral hepatitis viz. Hepatitis A IgM Antibodies, Hepatitis B Surface Antigen, Hepatitis C Antibodies, and Hepatitis E IgM Antibodies were considered in the analysis.The report states:1.       Excluding the confounding factors like grey zones and indeterminate results, 1 in 5 samples suspected of hepatitis tested positive for either of the hepatitis virus (A, B, C or E)2.       Positivity for hepatitis virus  was most commonly seen in the age group 16 to 30 years3.       More samples were received from males as compared to females who also showed a higher test positivity;  males (20 per cent) tested positive for viral hepatitis than females (15 per cent).4.       Hepatitis E (21 per cent) was reported highest followed by Hepatitis A (18 per cent).5.       Hepatitis A was the most common in children whereas Hepatitis E was most prevalent in adults.6.       Males were found to be affected predominantly with Hepatitis E (46%) while females were majorly affected by Hepatitis A (43 per cent).7.       Among major cities, the most prevalent hepatitis in Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata was Hepatitis E (39, 66 and 51 per cent respectively). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21724/vice-president-calls-to-increase-awareness-about-hepatitis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21724/vice-president-calls-to-increase-awareness-about-hepatitis.html Thu, 28 Jul 2022 18:30:00 +0530 The Vice President, M Venkaiah Naidu, emphasised the need to increase awareness about Hepatitis both among the public and policymakers. He also wanted policymakers and public representatives at all levels to take the message about preventable hepatitis to the people in their respective constituencies.   In his keynote address in the awareness session on World Hepatitis Day on 28 July, for the Members of Parliament at Parliament House, the Vice President called for making the campaign for eliminating hepatitis by 2030 a ‘people’s movement’, along the lines of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and TB Free India Campaign.   Naidu advised the lawmakers that the campaign to eliminate hepatitis be carried out in the local language of the people to maximise outreach. He also called for innovation in government messaging in this regard, to avoid monotony and to make the message accessible and understandable to the common man.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21715/icmr-explores-development-of-indigenous-vaccine-diagnostic-kits-for-monkeypox.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21715/icmr-explores-development-of-indigenous-vaccine-diagnostic-kits-for-monkeypox.html Thu, 28 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0530 The National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune which works under Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) has successfuly isolated and cultured the Monkeypox virus strain from the samples of infected Indian patients. ICMR in a tweet said that genomic sequence of the Indian strains has 99.85 percent match with the West African Strains circulating globally.ICMR has also invited an expression of interest proposing to hand over the virus strain to interested Indian Vaccine and In-Vitro Diagnostic industry partners for development of indigenous vaccine and diagnostic kits for Monkeypox.According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis (a virus transmitted to humans from animals) with symptoms similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients, although it is clinically less severe. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21707/fujifilm-india-indian-cancer-society-launch-cancer-mukt-dilli-campaign-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21707/fujifilm-india-indian-cancer-society-launch-cancer-mukt-dilli-campaign-.html Wed, 27 Jul 2022 12:45:00 +0530 Fujifilm India has partnered with the Indian Cancer Society in its flagship programme titled ‘Cancer Mukt Dilli’ programme. Emphasizing on the importance of ‘Early Detection; Early Cure’, the campaign will reach individuals living in semi-rural villages of Delhi NCR and belonging to the economically weaker sections of society.    Under ‘Cancer Mukt Dilli’, Fujifilm India along with ICS will screen 1000 individuals across camps in Delhi NCR, while 10 individuals will receive financial support depending on the fund utilisation. The company will offer financial assistance of up to Rs 1 lakh per annum for curative cases. Trained volunteers will deliver cancer awareness talks and distribute informative pamphlets. ICS will amplify the campaign through social media and radio channels, electronic media and social networks to disseminate knowledge and spread awareness of the disease and its prevention.    Under the campaign, Fujifilm and ICS will set up around 10 camps across Delhi NCR where professionals will screen 100 persons at each Camp. Indian Cancer Society volunteers will also visit 16 leading hospitals in Delhi NCR to provide emotional and financial support to individuals affected with cancer. So far, eight camps have been set up across Jwalapuri, Gurugram, Greater Kailash, Bhajanpura and Najafgarh areas of Delhi/NCR and have screened around 900 people. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21705/medibuddy-launches-surgery-care-services.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21705/medibuddy-launches-surgery-care-services.html Wed, 27 Jul 2022 08:50:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based MediBuddy has launched surgery care services. MediBuddy’s surgery care eases 60+ elective procedures across its partnered hospitals covering all the major cities.   It will also provide specialised treatment in several other departments like proctology, ophthalmology, vascular, ENT, orthopaedics, urology, gynaecology and more.    The service also offers a dedicated Care Buddy to every patient, unlimited follow-ups, second opinions, and financial counselling from its team of experts which support the user to make the right decisions for the surgery.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21699/healthplix-emr-launches-interactive-drug-drug-interaction-feature-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21699/healthplix-emr-launches-interactive-drug-drug-interaction-feature-.html Tue, 26 Jul 2022 15:25:00 +0530 HealthPlix Technologies announced the release of its new feature - ‘Drug to Drug Interaction’ (DDI). DDI is an intuitive feature that sits on the HealthPlix EMR to help doctors recall molecule-to-molecule interactions at the time of care. The suggestive feature is designed for doctors in India and targeted to decrease the time taken to write a prescription.    The feature is live on the HealthPlix platform and optimised for prompting these interactions while the doctor prescribes the medicines to their patients. With HealthPlix, doctors stand to benefit from the information being made available to them within the HealthPlix EMR.    HealthPlix expects its reference interaction library to grow from 4L to 10L by March 2023.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21696/who-releases-global-covid-19-vaccination-strategy-to-reach-unprotected.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21696/who-releases-global-covid-19-vaccination-strategy-to-reach-unprotected.html Tue, 26 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0530 The World Health Organisation (WHO) has published an update to the Global COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy, in response to the spread of Omicron subvariants, advances in vaccine evidence, and lessons from the global vaccination program. In the first year of rollouts, COVID-19 vaccines are estimated to have saved 19.8 million lives. Through unprecedently large and rapid rollouts worldwide, over 12 billion doses have been administered globally, in nearly every country in the world, resulting in countries reaching 60% of their populations on average.  Yet only 28% of older populations and 37% of health care workers in low-income countries have been vaccinated with their primary series. 27 of WHO's Member States have not yet started a booster or additional dose program, 11 of which are low-income countries. The strategy aims to use primary and booster doses to reduce deaths and severe disease, in order to protect health systems, societies and economies. On the way to reaching the 70% vaccination target, countries should prioritize achieving the underpinning targets of vaccinating 100% of health care workers and 100% of the most vulnerable groups, including older populations (over 60s) and those who are immunocompromised or have underlying conditions. The strategy also has the goal of accelerating development and ensuring equitable access to improved vaccines to substantially reduce transmission as the top priority but also to achieve durable, broadly protective immunity. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21687/vaccines-alone-not-enough-to-combat-amr-report.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21687/vaccines-alone-not-enough-to-combat-amr-report.html Mon, 25 Jul 2022 10:50:00 +0530 A recent report published by the World Health Organization (WHO) has identified vaccines as 'highly effective tools in combating anti-microbial resistance (AMR).' Despite their efficacy, the financial risks and approval processes for vaccine development continue to restrict their use as an immediate solution to the AMR crisis. It was concluded that short-term solutions to prevent resistance must focus on interventions other than vaccines, highlighting the importance of research and investment in other methods of control, including effective infection prevention.   The Global Hygiene Council (GHC) welcomes this report and advocates the use of hygiene alongside vaccinations in controlling the spread of infections and reducing the impact of AMR. As witnessed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, hygiene plays an invaluable role in helping to prevent the spread of infections. Effective hygiene behaviours, such as hand washing, can reduce the risk of transmissible diseases by up to 59 per cent, preventing up to one million deaths per year and minimising opportunities for antibiotic-resistant bacteria to form.   The GHC is calling for immediate action to address the growing burden of AMR by promoting the role of hygiene alongside other important interventions, including vaccinations, and elevating the universal use of hygiene practices where the risk of infection is heightened. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21689/sarbananda-sonowal-inaugurates-vaccination-centre-for-children-at-all-institute-of-ayurveda.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21689/sarbananda-sonowal-inaugurates-vaccination-centre-for-children-at-all-institute-of-ayurveda.html Mon, 25 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Union Minister of Ayush Sarbananda Sonowal has inaugurated Vaccination Centre for children at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA). He also launched the Bal Raksha mobile app, which is aimed at creating awareness of paediatric preventive healthcare through Ayurveda intervention amongst parents. The app will also collect feedback from parents regarding the impact of the kit on their children's health and immunity. Sonowal addressed students at the Institute and motivated them by sharing insights on how Ayurveda has now gained global acceptance and what it means for students pursuing Ayurveda studies. The All India Institute of Ayurveda, an autonomous organisation under Ministry of Ayush, aims at bringing synergy between the traditional wisdom of Ayurveda and modern tools and technology. The Institute has 12 specialty departments, 30 OPD units with state-of-the-art inter-disciplinary research laboratories and an international collaborative centre for global promotion and research in Ayurveda.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21686/nasscom-centre-of-excellence-hosts-lhif-lifesciences-healthcare-innovation-forum.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21686/nasscom-centre-of-excellence-hosts-lhif-lifesciences-healthcare-innovation-forum.html Fri, 22 Jul 2022 20:25:00 +0530 NASSCOM Centre of Excellence hosted its flagship healthcare initiative LHIF - Lifesciences & Healthcare Innovation Forum. Spearheading India’s vision for digitising the healthcare industry, the forum highlighted top industry priorities in achieving value-based healthcare through focussed policies and accelerated technological innovations.NASSCOM also unveiled its report – ‘Healthcare in India - Transforming Through Innovation’, showcasing the evolution witnessed in the Indian Healthcare ecosystem with emerging technologies and innovation driving this transformation. The report highlights the importance of tech-driven innovations and focused healthcare expenditure and investment to further drive growth in the healthcare ecosystem. The findings are based on the analysis of the top use case submissions received during the 3rd Edition of NASSCOM Healthcare Innovation Challenge conducted by NASSCOM Center of Excellence - IOT & AI.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21676/indias-preventive-health-sector-to-reach-197-bn-by-2025-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21676/indias-preventive-health-sector-to-reach-197-bn-by-2025-study.html Thu, 21 Jul 2022 17:20:00 +0530 India’s preventive healthcare sector, which includes fitness and wellness, foods and supplements, early diagnostics and health tracking among others, is projected to reach $197 Bn by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 22 per cent. This is according to a report released by strategy consulting firm Redseer Strategy Consultants in collaboration with Chiratae Ventures and Amazon Web Services (AWS).   A survey conducted with over 1,000+ individuals reveals that at least 40 per cent of the respondents were highly inclined towards preventive health. Another survey conducted with a group of 300+ Health-Conscious Individuals (HCIs) reveals that they actively track different aspects of their health such as lifestyle, physical wellness, and more, to maintain and prolong wellness. These HCIs are familiar with health monitoring devices and apps and use them regularly to monitor their health. Further, the study revealed that these HCIs spend on an average between Rs 4,000 and Rs 10,000 on various preventive healthcare practices annually and are also willing to pay up to 50 per cent more in the future.    More than 40 preventive healthcare technology startups have raised approximately $1 billion in funding over the last three years to tap the preventive health opportunity across segments such as nutrition management, condition management, lifestyle monitoring, health checkups, and mental and physical wellness. They are leveraging cloud computing to build and scale their applications, which generate, digitise and analyse vast amounts of health data using advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). The rollout of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) will further augment the availability of data and utilization of these technologies.   Redseer’s report also said that not only startups, but diversified corporates and healthcare businesses, are entering the preventive health space by partnering with startups or building their programmes and digital platforms. The Indian consumer is expected to benefit from the shift from curative to preventive, with the delivery of better health outcomes and lower healthcare costs. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21658/sakra-world-hospital-unveils-diabetic-foot-and-wound-care-clinic.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21658/sakra-world-hospital-unveils-diabetic-foot-and-wound-care-clinic.html Tue, 19 Jul 2022 15:05:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based Sakra World Hospital has announced the launch of its comprehensive diabetic foot and wound care clinic. The clinic was launched in the presence of the Sakra management, Dr Rajendra S, Dr Maheshwarappa, along with other consultants.   Foot problems due to diabetes is a common phenomenon which can result in damaging the toe, foot, amputation of leg or even loss of life in some cases. Increased blood sugar level can cause nerve damage in the feet which can cause loss of feeling, changes in the shape in the feet and foot ulcers that may take time to heal, causing discomfort to the patient. Owing to loss of feeling, diabetics may become prone to foot injuries that may cause infections and ulcers, and ultimately require amputation if left untreated.   “We aim to render a superior continuum of care to diabetic patients to ensure that they lead an improved quality of life,” said Dr Rajendra S, Senior Consultant & Head – Department of Plastic Surgery, Sakra World Hospital.        ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21648/more-than-100-lineages-of-sars-cov-2-circulating-in-bengaluru-report.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21648/more-than-100-lineages-of-sars-cov-2-circulating-in-bengaluru-report.html Mon, 18 Jul 2022 10:30:00 +0530 Strand Life Sciences presented insights from its COVID-19 genomic surveillance initiative of sequencing 12,800 SARS-CoV-2 samples in Bengaluru.RTPCR +ve samples were collected between July, 2021 and June, 2022 from various laboratories in Bengaluru, Karnataka, with due permissions from BBMP. These samples were then sequenced and analysed for variants and strains at Strand’s laboratories, and the findings were conveyed to the Karnataka State and BBMP public health officials in conjunction with INSACOG (Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genetics Consortium) labs. In the 12,800 samples sequenced, more than 100 lineages were found. 44.4 per cent of these were Delta and its 75 sub-lineages. 70 per cent of these were the main B.1.617.2 sub-lineage and the remaining were the various AY. Delta and its sub-lineages were dominant from July to October 2021; the first Omicron presence in India was detected in late November 2021. Thereafter, Omicron grew rapidly to close to 100% by the end of January 2022 and the Delta sub-lineages were no longer visible. There were a total of ~30 Omicron sub-lineages identified, of which BA.1, BA.2, BA.2.10, BA.3 were notable. BA.2 and its sub-lineages dominated from Jan to May 2022, while BA.1 and BA.3 also retained some presence. A small presence for BA.5 was detected in April and May 2022. In June 2022, BA.2 and its sub-lineages continued to dominate at 74 per cent, albeit reduced from 94 per cent. BA.5 and its sub-lineages recorded substantial growth to 20% in Jun 2022 and appeared as the leading contenders to unseat BA.2 and its sub-lineages. BA.4 also appeared at 2 per cent. Continued genomic surveillance in the coming months will determine if BA.5 and its sub-lineages are able to phase out BA.2 and its sub-lineages, as has been the case in some other parts of the world.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21653/iisc-establishes-viral-genome-sequencing-lab.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21653/iisc-establishes-viral-genome-sequencing-lab.html Mon, 18 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0530 A viral genome sequencing lab has been inaugurated at the Centre for Infectious Disease Research (CIDR), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. The lab was established with a grant from CryptoRelief. The grant supported the expansion of the existing Viral BSL3 facility at IISc.    The viral genome sequencing lab will focus on studies related to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. These include continuous surveillance and tracking of virus mutations and variants. The expanded Viral BSL3 facility will support research on assessment of virulence and cross-reactive immunity of SARS-CoV-2 mutants and variants of concern in cell culture and animal models.   Professor Govindan Rangarajan, Director of IISc, said: “The Viral Genome Sequencing Lab will contribute not only towards tackling the threat that COVID-19 poses, but will also ensure that we are ready to handle future health emergencies as well. We are grateful to CryptoRelief for partnering with us on this critical initiative.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21646/dcgi-approves-siis-cervical-cancer-vaccine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21646/dcgi-approves-siis-cervical-cancer-vaccine.html Sat, 16 Jul 2022 14:00:00 +0530 Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) granted market authorisation to Serum Institute of India (SII) to manufacture indigenously-developed India's first Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus vaccine (qHPV) against cervical cancer. DCGI's approval comes following recommendation by the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) on COVID-19 of the CDSCO.Aadar C Poonawala,CEO and Owner, SII, in a tweet stated, "For the first time there will be an Indian HPV vaccine to treat cervical cancer in women that is both affordable and accessible. We look forward to launching it later this year and we thank the DCGI and MoH&FW for the same. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21634/happiest-health-launches-website.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21634/happiest-health-launches-website.html Thu, 14 Jul 2022 19:45:00 +0530 Serial Entrepreneur and Executive Chairman of Happiest Minds, Ashok Soota has launched his latest entrepreneurial venture Happiest Health, a global health and wellness knowledge enterprise that aims to provide in-depth, credible and trustworthy knowledge related to health and wellness. Happiest Health formally launched its website Happiest Health.    Happiest Health will aim to be recognised among the top two trusted and credible sources of knowledge on health and wellness globally, while driving thought leadership for integrated medicine and gentler, kinder therapies.    Happiest Health aims to be a game changer in providing customised, interactive wellness and health knowledge across digital platforms with a strong focus on research-driven content, breakthroughs and developments in related fields, tools for early diagnosis, user stories & comments and kinder, gentler therapies. The platform will have articles and blogs from esteemed doctors and a rich panel of wellness experts lending their voices to the knowledge base.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21632/naidu-calls-for-preventive-measures-to-address-genetic-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21632/naidu-calls-for-preventive-measures-to-address-genetic-diseases.html Thu, 14 Jul 2022 18:50:00 +0530 The Vice President (VP), M Venkaiah Naidu highlighted the importance of preventive measures to address the huge burden of genetic diseases like thalassemia and sickle cell anaemia in the country.   Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the Research Laboratory, Advanced Diagnostic Laboratory and 2nd Blood Transfusion Unit at the Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Society (TSCS) in Hyderabad, the Vice President urged the private sector and NGOs to complement the government’s efforts in combating genetic diseases.   Recognising that the available treatment options for these genetic conditions-- bone marrow transplantation or regular blood transfusion - are cost-intensive and distressing to the child, Naidu called for a comprehensive approach to address the health challenge of thalassemia and sickle cell anaemia. The VP said that lack of awareness of these genetic diseases is a major impediment in their prevention and early diagnosis. Naidu exhorted the youth to come forward and donate blood for the needy. He also appreciated the Union Health Ministry for coming up with detailed guidelines for the prevention and management of thalassemia, sickle cell anaemia and other variant anaemia. On this occasion, Naidu also inaugurated the Main Auditorium and Mini Auditorium at TSCS.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21627/axis-clinics-apollo-to-offer-chronic-joint-pain-mgmt.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21627/axis-clinics-apollo-to-offer-chronic-joint-pain-mgmt.html Thu, 14 Jul 2022 13:35:00 +0530 Axis Clinics has joined hands with Apollo clinics to offer chronic joint pain management. Using proprietary therapy developed in the US, the new facility mitigates the need for painful, invasive surgeries in cases of knee meniscal, shoulder tears and slipped disc-related injuries, Apollo said in a statement. The new technique is expected to benefit athletes from Chandigarh and its neighbouring states.   The regenerative orthopaedic intervention, called mononuclear cell therapy (MNC), helps patients heal damaged soft tissues like meniscus, ACL ligament and cartilage that, in turn, help revive muscles, knees and shoulders, without undergoing arthroscopic surgery.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21623/bd-india-launches-sankalp-to-support-tb-elimination-drive.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21623/bd-india-launches-sankalp-to-support-tb-elimination-drive.html Wed, 13 Jul 2022 17:55:00 +0530 Becton Dickinson (BD) India has launched SANKALP - a ‘Pledge to Fight TB Together’. Launched in Rewari, project SANKALP is aimed to be a catalytic effort to further strengthen the existing state machinery for TB diagnosis and management and develop a replicable and sustainable model that can be scaled up in other geographies.    The project is being initiated in Khol TB Unit (TBU) of District Rewari, with the target to cover a 2.2 lakh population spanning 38,000 households in 118 villages in Year one. SANKALP will be subsequently reviewed and scaled up to other TBUs in Rewari over the next three to five years.   Project SANKALP aims to support TB patients. This will be achieved by bringing the TB diagnostics closer to the patients through a customised SANKALP mobile screening van that is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic interventions including CBNAAT, X-Ray and AI-assisted Teleradiology innovation, and blood glucose monitoring for eligible cases (patients) as per the NTEP algorithms and guidelines.    The SANKALP team will conduct door-to-door active case finding for increased case detection and notifications, while also focusing on improving awareness within the community and healthcare providers for proper referrals to the programme. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21620/widex-india-opens-bioaide-sound-center-in-new-delhi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21620/widex-india-opens-bioaide-sound-center-in-new-delhi.html Wed, 13 Jul 2022 17:10:00 +0530 Widex India has launched Bioaide Sound Center in New Delhi. Bioaide Sound Center is being opened in collaboration with Saksham Hearing Care and Bioaide Speech and Hearing Center which will be a fully equipped centre that can provide professional hearing care services to a wide range of paediatric, adult, and geriatric patients.  Bioaide Sound Centre houses state-of-the-art equipment allowing easy access to the most advanced diagnostic testing and treatment option available today. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21619/450-bedded-super-speciality-hospital-to-come-up-at-iit-kanpur.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21619/450-bedded-super-speciality-hospital-to-come-up-at-iit-kanpur.html Wed, 13 Jul 2022 17:05:00 +0530 Union Minister of Education, and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan will lay the foundation stone of the Gangwal School of Medical Sciences and Technology and Yadupati Singhania Super Speciality Hospital at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur campus on July 16, 2022. The ceremony will be presided over by Dr K Radhakrishnan, Chairman, Board of Governors, IIT Kanpur.The school is now being named ‘The Gangwal School of Medical Sciences and Technology’ to honour the generous contribution of a distinguished alumnus Rakesh Gangwal, Co-Founder, Indigo Airlines.The Medical School will house a 450+ bedded Yadupati Singhania Super Speciality Hospital, a 50-bedded Center for Cancer Care and Research, an Academic Block, Residential blocks, and multiple centres of excellence (CoE) for R&D in futuristic medicine. The Super Speciality Hospital is being built with CSR support from JK Cements. The Academic block and Residential blocks for the resident doctorsare being built with CSR grants from IBM India and REC Foundation, respectively. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21617/msd-pharma-smile-foundation-launch-mobile-medical-units-in-up.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21617/msd-pharma-smile-foundation-launch-mobile-medical-units-in-up.html Wed, 13 Jul 2022 14:40:00 +0530 MSD Pharmaceuticals and Smile Foundation announced the launch of three Smile on Wheels Mobile Medical Units in the districts of Balrampur, Chandauli and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.   Through the partnership, MSD Pharmaceuticals will fund three Smile on Wheels mobile medical units, that will provide primary healthcare services for underprivileged citizens in and around the three districts of Uttar Pradesh, under its CSR programme in India.   The programme aims to address the primary healthcare needs of 10 lakh people in Uttar Pradesh. The primary care services would be provided through enhanced technologies at the doorstep, thereby sharing the load of government health facilities and delivery of quality healthcare.   The Smile on Wheels programme sends well-equipped mobile medical units, along with specialised doctors, nurses, medical staff, and medicines to villages and underserved communities to provide crucial access to healthcare services.    The objective of the programme is to ensure improved healthcare services reach the doorsteps of people residing in unserved or underserved areas.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21613/raphacure-ties-up-with-madhavbaug.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21613/raphacure-ties-up-with-madhavbaug.html Wed, 13 Jul 2022 10:55:00 +0530 Bengaluru-headquartered digital health platform RaphaCure has tied up with Madhavbaug. Under the strategic tie-up, RaphaCure will now manage the diagnostics business of Madhavbaug in all its 270 plus clinics. Madhavbaug will also join RaphaCure’s Board. Madhavbaug will also infuse equity capital in RaphaCure to scale up the diagnostics business in India under this partnership.  Now, around 25 lakh users of Madhavbaug across more than 300 cities and 18,000 pin codes will get benefitted from RaphaCure’s digital platform.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21612/icmr-releases-third-volume-of-standard-treatment-workflows-book-app.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21612/icmr-releases-third-volume-of-standard-treatment-workflows-book-app.html Wed, 13 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has released the Standard Treatment Workflows (STW) volume III, for use by physicians at all levels of public healthcare. Problems associated with irrational use of medicines, over and under-diagnosis, and poor referral practices can be addressed appropriately with the help of such STW.Prof Vinod K Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog released the book ICMR Standard Treatment Workflows – Volume III on 54 conditions under 11 specialities and also a mobile app. Prof Balram Bhargava, Secretary, Department of Health Research and Director General, ICMR and Payden, Deputy Representative to World Health Organization (WHO) Country office to India were present on this occasion.ICMR has released Volume-I with 53 conditions and Volume - II with 18 conditions in 2019 and 2022 respectively. With growing new scientific evidence and rising healthcare costs, healthcare providers regularly require simple standard treatment guidelines, workflows and reference manuals. The latest STWs will help in implementing it effectively at all levels with a focus on quality healthcare. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21610/experts-call-for-more-immunisation-coverage-to-prevent-japanese-encephalitis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21610/experts-call-for-more-immunisation-coverage-to-prevent-japanese-encephalitis.html Tue, 12 Jul 2022 19:10:00 +0530 The management and treatment of Japanese Encephalitis (JE), a vector-borne zoonotic disease, are presently more focussed on symptom management and limiting adverse effects of the condition, thus underscoring the importance of immunisation as a key strategy for effective control. India’s Universal Immunization Programme, under the National Health Mission, includes Japanese Encephalitis as part of its sub-national.Dr Ramesh Sungal, Pediatrician, Apollo Hospital and Rutheek Children Care, Bangalore while giving an insight about JE said, "In Karnataka, there is low awareness of JE. Many cases go undetected in the early stages, as initial, dominant symptoms including vomiting and gastrointestinal pain are mistaken for other ailments. Annually, most of the cases we see roughly in children are during the rainy season. Severe cases are characterised by the onset of high fever, seizures, disorientation, and even coma. To avoid such complications, it is imperative to promote immunisation coverage. Vaccines are safe and effective, evidence-based options to prevent the disease. Widespread immunisation can significantly reduce the disease burden across the population.” Dr Jejoe Karankumar, Director Medical Affairs, Abbott India said, “Despite its high prevalence in endemic regions, awareness about JE is low. Plugging knowledge gaps while raising awareness about available vaccination options is crucial to scale immunisation coverage across the Indian population. In addition, ensuring healthcare practitioners are equipped with the knowledge to make evidence-based vaccine recommendations to parents and caregivers is also key. Increased vaccination coverage in childhood will ensure better protection, thus leading to prolonged and improved quality of life outcomes.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21609/microlabs-opens-at-iiit-hyderabad-for-genomic-surveillance-of-communicable-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21609/microlabs-opens-at-iiit-hyderabad-for-genomic-surveillance-of-communicable-diseases.html Tue, 12 Jul 2022 17:45:00 +0530 KT Rama Rao, Minister for IT, Industries, Municipal Administration and Urban Development, Government of Telangana, launched MicroLabs at the International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Hyderabad.    Set up in collaboration with CSIR- Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), New Delhi, MicroLabs will work towards broad genomic surveillance of communicable diseases – Real time dashboards/heatmaps for health officers, complementary to current IDSP, and road map to cover all districts in Telangana.   Prof P J Narayanan, Director, IIIT Hyderabad, said, "IIIT Hyderabad built great academic strength in broad AI areas through its Kohli Centre on Intelligent Systems. MicroLabs in collaboration with several healthcare establishments will provide the country with advanced disease surveillance."   INAI (Applied AI Research Centre) and IHub-Data (TIH and NM-ICPS) at IIIT Hyderabad (IIITH) have been making significant progress in the focus domains of Mobility and Healthcare since it was launched as part of Telangana Year of the AI effort in 2020.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21605/healthplix-achieves-20-m-patients-mark.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21605/healthplix-achieves-20-m-patients-mark.html Tue, 12 Jul 2022 11:25:00 +0530 HealthPlix Technologies announced a milestone of 20 million+ patients treated on the platform. The doctor-first B2B start-up attributes its success to doctors using the platform to drive better health outcomes for patients. The company has witnessed a surge in patient engagement with a 100 per cent increase in H1-2022 vis-à-vis H1-2021. Today doctors are using the platform to serve 1.4 million+ patients every month across 16 specialities. The company currently serves close to 2.2 per cent of India’s patient population and is working towards national health missions like Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission(ABDM). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21604/myhealthcare-introduces-single-screen-emr.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21604/myhealthcare-introduces-single-screen-emr.html Tue, 12 Jul 2022 11:15:00 +0530 Gurugram-based startup MyHealthcare has launched a single-screen electronic medical record (EMR), a system that allows doctors and clinicians to enter all medical records of a patient encounter on a single screen. The system aims to help doctors experience a more efficient and painless approach to delivering value-based care by offering an EMR platform that promises fewer clicks, faster workflows, and the ability to truly work on one screen.   The single-screen EMR has been built with a high level of configuration that allows doctors to design their process workflows with a click of a button while treating patients in multiple scenarios be it in an OPD or virtually.   The MyHealthcare single-screen EMR has a built-in CDSS (Clinical Decision Support System) through which the doctor can view the patient's history that is captured with the help of the EMR. A CDSS- based care protocol library provides doctors with structured templates for a better and more effective patient care experience. The MyHealthcare Single Screen EMR comes with one of the largest structured drug formulary and a library of diagnostics tests and procedures. The care protocol library has been designed based on evidence-based research from ICMR, American College of Cardiology and other such institutions.   MyHealthcare aims to take up oncology as their target speciality and believes that this intuitive EMR will be a revolutionising tool as doctors wouldn’t need to wade through a ton of paper to understand their patient’s medical history and will be able to deliver better care. As the next phase, an oncology single screen EMR will be MyHealthcare’s next undertaking.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21601/mfine-and-lifecell-announce-jv-to-form-lifewell.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21601/mfine-and-lifecell-announce-jv-to-form-lifewell.html Mon, 11 Jul 2022 17:30:00 +0530 Digital health startup MFine and LifeCell International, India’s leading stem cell bank and reproductive genetic testing services provider, have announced a strategic joint venture (JV) whereby LifeCell’s diagnostics business and MFine will merge to form a new entity called LifeWell.    Additionally, the entity has secured an $80 million investment from OrbiMed, a leading healthcare investment firm with approximately $18 billion in assets under management.   With significant strategic investments and acquisitions lined up, LifeWell expects to serve more than 50 million users over the next five years.    The capital raised will also be used for strategic investments in Insurance-tech and other partners that will give a boost to MFine’s fast growing corporate and insurance channel. With offline presence of the diagnostic lab partners and MFine’s digital health and at-home services, consumers will experience high quality omni-channel healthcare delivery.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21592/remidios-medios-ai-shows-promise-for-referable-glaucoma-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21592/remidios-medios-ai-shows-promise-for-referable-glaucoma-.html Fri, 08 Jul 2022 17:15:00 +0530 Remidio Innovative Solutions, together with Aravind Eye Hospital (AEH), Pondicherry, and Narayana Nethralaya (NN), Bangalore, announced the results of a clinical trial that can help the detection of referable glaucoma.   The integrated solution provides an instant report in contexts where there are no specialists. It consists of Remidio's Fundus on Phone, a retinal imaging device that captures images of the retina without pupil dilation, and Remidio's Medios Referable Glaucoma AI, an integrated offline AI algorithm that requires no Internet for inferencing.   The Medios Referable Glaucoma AI looks beyond the cup-to-disc ratio and detects structural changes in the optic nerve head and surrounding retinal nerve fibre layer. These are critical regions typically assessed by glaucoma specialists during a clinical examination along with an expensive device called Optical Coherence Tomography.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21582/indian-immunologicals-organises-anti-rabies-vaccine-drive-on-world-zoonosis-day-2022.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21582/indian-immunologicals-organises-anti-rabies-vaccine-drive-on-world-zoonosis-day-2022.html Wed, 06 Jul 2022 19:05:00 +0530 Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) organised a nationwide free vaccination camp against zoonotic diseases on account of World Zoonosis Day 2022. Indian Immunologicals has administered one lakh doses of Raksharab and Starvac R (Anti-rabies vaccines of IIL) free of cost, in an endeavour to realise its vision of ‘One health’, a collaborative effort towards optimal health for humans and animals through its innovative healthcare products.    Speaking on the occasion of World Zoonosis Day, Dr K Anand Kumar, Managing Director, Indian Immunologicals said, “Through our “Anti-Rabies vaccine drive”, we aim to spread awareness on the disease and need to restrain it. Apart from Raksharab and Starvac R, IIL has the largest range of zoonotic vaccines in the country such as CYSVAX, Bruvax, among others and we are constantly innovating novel vaccines to cater to the ever-emerging zoonotic risks.”     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21578/apollo-hospitals-collaborates-with-singapore-based-connectedlife-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21578/apollo-hospitals-collaborates-with-singapore-based-connectedlife-.html Wed, 06 Jul 2022 14:20:00 +0530 Apollo Hospitals has announced a unique collaboration with Singapore-based ConnectedLife to integrate Apollo’s AICVD tool with ConnectedLife’s digital solutions for wellness, condition management and other health-focussed applications.   The AICVD tool can predict the risk of cardiovascular disease. This will empower healthcare providers with the tools to predict the risk of cardiac disease in their patients and initiate intervention early enough to make a real difference.   The clinical integration was demonstrated during the online event to announce the collaboration. The cardiac risk scoring tool is remarkable for its speed in processing data and accuracy in predicting the probability of a patient developing coronary disease. Using the tool, physicians are enabled to deliver proactive, pre-emptive and preventive care for at-risk individuals, improving lives, while mitigating future risks to life and lessening the pressure on healthcare systems.   The unique research and development collaboration between Apollo Hospitals and ConnectedLife will advance the application and capabilities by providing the AI with near real-time, continuous, longitudinal wellness and health data, e.g. breathing rate, heart rate, exercise, sedentary time, sleep, PROs, and as a result deliver a digital transformation from the point in time assessment to one that is continuous and dynamic in a remote, home setting. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21571/indian-relief-foundation-aiseon-healthcare-tech-launch-seed-innovation-hub-in-mumbai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21571/indian-relief-foundation-aiseon-healthcare-tech-launch-seed-innovation-hub-in-mumbai.html Tue, 05 Jul 2022 17:40:00 +0530 India's first-of-its-kind, state-of-the-art SEED Innovation Hub for screening and early detection of non-communicable diseases was launched at Mumbai's Lion Tarachand Bapa Hospital, Sion. The innovation hub was inaugurated by Rotary District Governor, Sandip Agarwalla and Marja Einig, Acting German Consul General.   In this mission to carry out 'At Scale' screening and save lives, the German Consulate has joined hands with the Indian Relief Foundation for diabetic retinopathy.   The entirely Made-In-India enterprise in synergy with the Indian Relief Foundation uses future-forward devices and Artificial Intelligence/ Machine Learning/ Deep Learning technologies to carry out early detection. The futuristic research is powered by a cloud-based Dhi Ajna Platform courtesy AISeon Healthcare Technologies.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21566/goqii-partners-with-srl-diagnostics-for-disease-management-programmes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21566/goqii-partners-with-srl-diagnostics-for-disease-management-programmes.html Tue, 05 Jul 2022 14:30:00 +0530 GOQii, a leading smart-tech-enabled preventive healthcare company that is focusing on Digital Therapeutics, has entered into a strategic partnership with SRL one of the leading diagnostic companies for disease and lifestyle management programmes.   The strategic partnership between GOQii & SRL diagnostics will extend to where SRL Diagnostics will be the diagnostic partner for all tests booked by the patient through the GOQii App & specifically the HbA1c tests for the GOQii Diabetes Care programme.   GOQii in association with SRL Diagnostics offers a two-way partnership where SRL will also offer GOQii’s diabetes care programme visibility across their centres pan India for walk-in patients.    As per GOQii’s latest India Fit Report 2022, people suffering from lifestyle diseases namely Diabetes have seen an increase from 7.9 % in 2017 to 13.2% in 2021 over the past five years. Report indicates men have greater rates of diabetes at 14.5% vs Women. The study was done among over 5 million users. Diabetes is influenced by a number of variables which include a bad diet, stress, and lack of physical exercise and quality sleep. Obesity, advancing age, and a poor diet are all factors that contribute to Diabetes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21562/raphacure-introduces-affordable-health-product-for-indian-education-sector.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21562/raphacure-introduces-affordable-health-product-for-indian-education-sector.html Tue, 05 Jul 2022 11:10:00 +0530 Digital health platform RaphaCure has launched RaphaNeu- a revolutionary subscription-driven product aimed at providing comprehensive preventive healthcare solutions to students and other members of educational institutes at a very affordable cost.   Priced at only Rs 50 per annum for members of educational institutes including students, ‘RaphaNeu’ provides a host of healthcare services leveraging RaphaCure’s cutting-edge technology platform. Under this new plan, which is the first of its kind in India; students, teachers, faculties, staff, and management of educational institutes will get unlimited online mental wellness counselling sessions that would be kept confidential.    Similarly, the subscriber will enjoy unlimited virtual Doctor Consultation for an entire year from the day of subscription. This will enable users to audit their stress and happiness levels every month, helping them take corrective actions.    A subscriber of ‘RaphaNeu’ can avail of medicines delivered at home with discounts of up to 30 per cent. Also, the ‘RaphaNeu’ subscription comes up with a gym or spa membership with discounts starting from 20 per cent for the members.    Under the package, educational institutes will also see an annual visit by a general physician for eye and dental check-ups at the institute premises. Moreover, a user can track his or her various health metrics at RaphaFit, the fitness tracker. The additional benefits provided under ‘RaphaNeu’ come up with some conditions that are easy to adopt for users.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21564/hcg-hospitals-adopts-ai-driven-smart-digital-scanning-technology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21564/hcg-hospitals-adopts-ai-driven-smart-digital-scanning-technology.html Tue, 05 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based HealthCare Global Enterprises (HCG) has deployed Sigtuple’s AI100 making HCG the first hospital chain to equip the Hematopathology labs across its network with AI-powered screening solutions for cancer detection and disease management.   SigTuple’s AI100 is the premier solution for AI-assisted digital hematopathology. It is also the only digital hematopathology solution available that is economical and robust enough for wide-scale adoption.     HCG's SigTuple's AI100 will help to automate the manual microscopy (screening) process across its network.    Dr. B.S. Ajaikumar, Executive Chairman, Healthcare Global Enterprises Limited (HCG) said, “AI-assisted digital scanning technology has indeed emerged as a game-changer in cancer care. Sigtuple’s best-in-class solution has brought remarkable precision to HCG’s Hematopathology diagnostic capabilities. The automation of key processes and optimization of logistics by virtue of this pioneering technology is a distinct value-add for HCG, given our overarching goal of serving the larger cause of patients through enhanced clinical outcomes”.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21559/ihls-health-pod-provides-preventive-screening-against-heart-attacks.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21559/ihls-health-pod-provides-preventive-screening-against-heart-attacks.html Mon, 04 Jul 2022 19:05:00 +0530 Studies have proven that cardiovascular diseases CVDs affect Indians at least a decade earlier and in their most productive midlife years compared with the people of European countries. And the rising Waist Hip Ratio (WHR) is negatively correlated with the cardio-metabolic risk. The emerging risks of CVDs are caused due to the lack of a preventive screening ecosystem in India.    While speaking during a press conference on a study — Preventing Heart Diseases in Youth: Growing evidence of a link between Waist Hip Ratio (WHR), BP & BMI, and CVDs conducted by India Health Link (IHL), Dr Sonia Rawat, Director, Department of Preventive Health & Wellness, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, said, “The quick screening IHL’s Health Pod provides preventive screening and is also helpful in clinical risk reduction. This ATM size Health Pod (‘hPod’) has been installed at our Sir Ganga Ram Hospital where patients get hassle-free screening with the instant report."   Dr Satyender Goel, Founder & CEO, India Health Link (IHL) said, “The Health Pod also complements National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) as it creates personalised Health accounts and IDs in line with the ABHA account.”    The study has brought out that there is a strong correlation between the increasing Waist Hip Ratio, BMI, BP, and the rising incidence of CVDs in the younger population. But in the study, one striking finding revealed that 80 per cent of hypertensive women are obese, and 67 per cent of them have a high waist hip ratio. And overall, women were found to be more at risk of undiagnosed cardiovascular problems than men.    Emphasising the need for focussing on preventive cardiology to move toward heart wellness, while speaking during a press conference on a study conducted by India Health Link (IHL), Dr HK Chopra, Sr Consultant Cardiologist, Medanta Moolchand Heart Institute, New Delhi Chairman, CME, Moolchand Medicity, New Delhi, President, World Heart Academy, Former National President, CSI, IAE said, “Persons having high visceral fat are more prone to heart attack and other CVDs. To fill the gap in preventive cardiology, quick service digital health kiosks like IHL's hPod demonstrate to be a panacea in filling the primary and preventive care gap in India, creating digital health records for the population in the informal sector." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/views/98/21531/addressing-glaring-gaps-in-ocular-healthcare-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/views/98/21531/addressing-glaring-gaps-in-ocular-healthcare-.html Fri, 01 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Eye conditions and vision impairment are widespread, and far too often they still go untreated. Globally, at least 2.2 billion people have a vision impairment, and of these, at least 1 billion people have a vision impairment that could have been prevented or is yet to be addressed. This 1 billion people includes those with moderate or severe distance vision impairment or blindness due to unaddressed refractive error (88.4 million), cataract (94 million), glaucoma (7.7 million), corneal opacities (4.2 million), diabetic retinopathy (3.9 million), and trachoma (2 million), as well as near vision impairment caused by unaddressed presbyopia (826 million). As usual, this burden is not borne equally. It weighs more heavily on low- and middle-income countries, on older people, and on rural communities. Most worrying is that projections show that global demand for eye care is set to surge in the coming years due to population growth, ageing, and changes in lifestyle. “The World report on vision sets out concrete proposals to address challenges in eye care. The key proposal is to make integrated people-centred eye care, embedded in health systems and based on strong primary healthcare, the care model of choice and scale it up widely. People who need eye care must be able to receive high-quality interventions without suffering financial hardship. Including eye care in national health plans and essential packages of care is an important part of every country’s journey towards universal health coverage”, says Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organisation. It is imperative to point out that vision impairment led to global productivity loss of $410.7 billion in 2020, according to the recent Lancet Global Health Commission Report. If we look at India, the cumulative gross national income (GNI) loss due to blindness is Rs 9,062 billion for adults and Rs 3,311 billion for children. That is an unfathomable loss.  Reflecting upon this situation, Dr Rishi Raj Borah, Country Director, Orbis India says, “Tele-consultation and telehealth have proven to be effective avenues for eye care service to patients during the lockdown and technology will play a ground-breaking role in future as well given the COVID-19 situation. Our success does not lie in isolated initiatives or interventions but in collaborations and partnerships. It goes without saying, then, that collaborations are imperative to eliminate avoidable blindness and accelerate the fulfilment of the larger sustainable development goals.” Sharing her perspective on how the recent pandemic situation made things worse for eye healthcare in India, Dr Kshipra Aphale, Consulting Eye Surgeon, says, “During the pandemic, many people developed viral conjunctivitis, which was most probably due to COVID-19, but as it was not very serious, it was not given much importance. Clotting phenomenon in COVID-19 patients led to fungal eye infections (mucormycosis) and many people lost their eyes. This combination of virus and fungus was new to the medical world. Because of many cases of dry eye, multiple tear substitute eye drops have come up and devices for increasing tear flow were developed like lipiflo. That led to severe cases of corneal infections, glaucoma attacks, over ripe cataract cases which also damage the vision.”   What is India’s vision for the future? There are several common eye problems in India that one may notice in men, women and in children. Some of these are conjunctivitis, myopia, diabetic retinopathy, cataract, glaucoma, amblyopia, dry eye syndrome, blepharitis, entropion, macular degeneration, presbyopia to name a few. India has the world’s largest population of the blind, and it is estimated that the country has 12 million preventable blindness cases, who will become partially or fully blind, if not treated in time. The cases of preventable blindness occur due to cataract, diabetic eye disease, vitamin A deficiency and trauma related blindness. To address these problems, there are major players operating in the Indian vision care market such as Luxottica India Eyewear, GKB Rx Lens, Essilor India, Carl Zeiss India, Bausch & Lomb India, Titan Industries, Auro Laboratories, Johnson & Johnson and many others. These market players are constantly making efforts to launch novel products for vision care in the form of eye drops, lens, spectacles, surgery devices, imaging and monitoring systems. Mumbai-based ENTOD Pharmaceuticals has very recently got the approval to carry out phase 3 trials across India for their 0.05 per cent atropine eye drops from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI). This higher strength of low-dose atropine eye drops is not available commercially anywhere in the world, and ENTOD Pharmaceuticals would be the first company to launch this in India subject to a successful demonstration of safety & efficacy in clinical studies. Low-dose atropine has emerged as an effective approach to slow the progression of myopia in children and has recently garnered a lot of interest from ophthalmologists. Sharing more details about the need of such products, Nikkhil K Masurkar, Executive Director, ENTOD Pharmaceuticals, says “We have already recruited several clinical research sites across India to start phase 3 trial studies and hopefully, we should be the first company in the world to get approval for marketing 0.05 per cent atropine eye drops from the DCGI. Being market leaders in paediatric ophthalmology medicine, we hope this new therapeutic addition to the low-dose atropine range will allow us to tackle the menace of childhood myopia in India. Myopia is the most important cause of visual impairment in children and as per a study by All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), 17 per cent of children or 1 out of 6 children in India between the ages of 5 and 15 years are suffering from myopia.” A new player in the market, Mumbai-based Optocred Pharmaceuticals has launched Diminfect and Diminfect D that are India’s first Moxifloxacin and Moxifloxacin-Dexamethasone eye drops available in 10ml vials each, to fight eye diseases. The other product Credohyl, according to Optocred, is the game-changer in the ophthalmic industry. It is the first sodium hyaluronate ophthalmic solution with 0.18 per cent Sodium hyaluronate combined with Coenzyme Q10 and Tocopherol (Vitamin E) for extra lubrication and with one of its kind antioxidant action. Credolube eye drops is India’s first ultimate coolant with the advanced effect of D-panthenol and Allercred is India's first ophthalmic anti allergic kit. On the other hand, Advanced Micro Incision Glaucoma Surgery (using istent- developed by US-based Glaukos Corporation) was recently conducted for the first time in India at Shree Ramkrishna Netralaya, Mumbai. This is the world's smallest medical device known to be implanted in the human body. It's a micro-invasive glaucoma surgery procedure, which not only helps in managing glaucoma effectively and safely but also helps in fighting the key issue of non-adherence to current medication i.e. eye drops, the key reason for glaucoma progression in 53 per cent of treated patients. Since glaucoma is asymptomatic, the damage is already advanced once the patient realises that he has visual problems. American-Swiss company Alcon has commercially launched the first and only presbyopia-correcting intraocular lens (PC-IOL) with wavefront-shaping technology - the AcrySof IQ Vivity IOL (Vivity) in India. Approved by the Central Drug Standard Control Organisation, Vivity is now available to Indian ophthalmologists for their patients undergoing cataract surgery. “The new generation of seniors spend significant time with technology screens like phones, tablets and computers, and currently experience a massive gap in near and intermediate vision post-surgery. Vivity addresses this gap and the desire of patients who want to get rid of cataracts and presbyopia at the same time. As a result, patients can be less dependent on glasses for most activities post-surgery, enhancing their visual satisfaction and quality of life. Vivity is the first and only extended depth of focus lens with Alcon's proprietary X-WAVE technology, which stretches and shifts light without splitting it”, explains Shalav Modi, Country Franchise Head, Surgical, and Country Manager, Alcon Laboratories India.  With technology being the ‘new hero’ of this era, Aravind Eye Hospital has recently introduced the use of artificial intelligence powered eyeglasses manufactured by Bengaluru-based software company Smart Global Technology in collaboration with US-based NGO, Vision Aid. The device is claimed to be the first of its kind launched in the country for the visually impaired. While the industry is continuously developing new products to counter the eye health problems, more work needs to be done to improve eye health research in India.  With advancements being made in the field of stem cells and genomics, these areas can be well explored to find better solutions to the growing eye problems in both children and adults. Greater resource allocation by the government and introduction of a 'real' research culture in our medical colleges can make the future more promising. For instance, LV Prasad Eye Institute Hyderabad campus is now equipped with state-of-the-art ophthalmic research biorepository, said to be the first in the country. Biorepositories are collections of human tissue for future research on disease mechanisms, therapeutics and diagnostics.  “Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of blindness in people older than 60 years worldwide. About 15 -25 million people in India suffer from AMD, a disease affecting the eye's nerve called the retina. While there is no definitive treatment to halt the progression of dry AMD, there has been remarkable scientific progress over the last few years, making a cure likely in the medium term. Replacing the lost cells via stem cell therapy is one such promising treatment. Many companies are working on replacing the RPE cells via surgical procedures to achieve this. Others are trying to address the genetic changes underlying AMD with gene therapy”, says Dr Rajani Battu, Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer, Eyestem. In addition, more adequately trained ophthalmologists are required to manage these problems. Major effort is required to improve the quality of residency training across the country and increase funding for better research. Only then can we have enough professionals who can offer comprehensive ophthalmic care and adopt faster to the newer ideas and technologies. Until then, myopia, cataract, glaucoma, AMD etc. will remain as our ongoing challenges into the future.   Hradhaya B Parchure ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21528/helpage-india-mindtree-foundation-expand-mobile-health-prog-in-telangana-up.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21528/helpage-india-mindtree-foundation-expand-mobile-health-prog-in-telangana-up.html Thu, 30 Jun 2022 13:20:00 +0530 HelpAge India announced the launch of three Mobile Healthcare Units (MHUs) in Telangana and western Uttar Pradesh with support from Mindtree Foundation, the CSR arm of global technology consulting and services company Mindtree. The MHUs, staffed with doctors, pharmacists, and social workers, will provide doorstep healthcare services to poor elders.    The new fleet of MHUs would serve an additional 30 new sites, taking the total number of locations served to over 2000 in 22 states.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21518/aster-dm-healthcare-intel-corp-carpl-form-learning-based-health-data-platform.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21518/aster-dm-healthcare-intel-corp-carpl-form-learning-based-health-data-platform.html Wed, 29 Jun 2022 13:50:00 +0530 Aster Innovation and Research Centre, the innovation hub of Aster DM Healthcare, has joined with Intel Corporation, and CARPL to announce a state-of-the-art ‘Secure Federated Learning Platform.’ The collaboration will enable the development of AI-enabled health tech solutions where data can securely reside where it is generated. The collaboration will boost innovation in areas such as drug discovery, diagnosis, genomics, and predictive healthcare. It will also allow clinical trials to access relevant data sets in a secure and distributed manner.  Dr Azad Moopen, Founder, CMD, Aster DM Healthcare, said, “The Secure Federated Learning initiative will help analyse data and support the development of a predictive mechanism for patients, the opportunity for a second opinion on treatments, and most importantly, affirming data security and confidentiality of patients." Nivruti Rai, Country Head, Intel India & Vice President, Intel Foundry Services, said, “The solution will be offered as a service to be used by both AI researchers and data custodians in their pursuit of advancing AI innovation and extensive impact in healthcare. Our joint intent is to make this platform available to the health ecosystem to solve some of the large-scale healthcare problems and enable quality, affordable and at-scale healthcare.”  Dr Vidur Mahajan, Chief Executive Officer, CARPL.ai said, "Our mission is to take AI from bench to clinic, and this is another example of the same." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21517/experts-call-for-disability-inclusive-healthcare-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21517/experts-call-for-disability-inclusive-healthcare-system.html Wed, 29 Jun 2022 12:40:00 +0530 Sightsavers India organised a national online consultation on the draft 'Accessibility Standards for Healthcare' developed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The consultation was organised to the call for inputs and suggestions by the ministry to finalise the accessibility standards for persons with disabilities in healthcare. The consultation included individuals from national and international level organisations such as the Public Health Foundation of India, The Leprosy Mission Trust India, HelpAge India, Lepra India, Humanity and Inclusion, Sense International India and Swadhikar.  The inputs and suggestions from this consultation will be tabled with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare for bringing necessary changes to the draft standards. Giving the keynote address to the consultation Dr GVS Murthy-Director, Indian Institute of Public Health, Hyderabad and Vice President (South), Public Health Foundation of India, said, “We must try to make the healthcare system more accessible for people with disabilities since there is nowhere on earth where people with disabilities do not encounter hurdles to receiving medical care." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21515/beato-unveils-diabetes-care-prog.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21515/beato-unveils-diabetes-care-prog.html Wed, 29 Jun 2022 11:00:00 +0530 BeatO, a digital app-based platform, has launched its clinically proven, doctor-led comprehensive Diabetes CARE Programs. The programme has been designed for-people with pre-diabetes and Type II Diabetes-those who are newly diagnosed or have long-standing diabetes with related health complications.    The programme provides members with structured, proactive and supervised counselling led by doctors and health experts. It aims to bring positive health outcomes through a virtual medical team of leading diabetologists and health coaches. It also helps the members in significant savings of up to Rs 6000 (~30-50 per cent) annually on their diabetes expenses comprising consultations, medicine, monitoring and test expenses.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21509/reckitt-launches-diarrhoea-net-zero-with-support-from-up-government.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21509/reckitt-launches-diarrhoea-net-zero-with-support-from-up-government.html Tue, 28 Jun 2022 15:10:00 +0530 Reckitt under its flagship campaign Dettol Banega Swasth India has launched ‘Diarrhoea Net Zero’ with support from the Government of Uttar Pradesh (UP) in Lucknow. In the next three years, the programme will directly impact 10 million people across Uttar Pradesh addressing 26 per cent of the burden of diarrhoea.   ‘Diarrhoea Net Zero’ was launched by Brajesh Pathak, Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and Ravi Bhatnagar, Director, External Affairs and Partnerships, Reckitt- South Asia and other dignitaries with an aim to achieve net zero Diarrhoeal deaths among under-5 children in Uttar Pradesh.    The programme will follow the WHO-7-point plan for preventing and treating diarrhoea in 13 districts of Uttar Pradesh namely- Bahraich, Bulandshahar, Firozabad, Ghazipur, Gorakhpur, Jaunpur, Kushinagar, Maharajganj, Mathura, Mirzapur, Muzaffarnagar, Shravasti and Sitapur. The vision is to take this initiative to 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh.   As a part of the programme, Reckitt will create a scalable and replicable model to:   Build capacity amongst frontline workers (Asha workers, anganwadi workers etc), Indian Medical Associations (IMA) and Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) aligned with WHO 7-point plan Advocacy, communication and social mobilization around Diarrhoea prevention, health promotion and treatment through on-ground engagement Assessing supply chain to ensure availability of Zinc and ORS across government health facilities Monetary support for outpatient and inpatient treatment through ‘Diarrhoea Net Zero’ voucher scheme to complement AYUSHMAN BHARAT     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21507/fortis-cancer-institute-opens-at-defence-colony-new-delhi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21507/fortis-cancer-institute-opens-at-defence-colony-new-delhi.html Tue, 28 Jun 2022 10:40:00 +0530 Fortis Healthcare has launched Fortis Cancer Institute at Defence Colony, New Delhi. The day-care centre is equipped with a 12-bedded chemotherapy facility and aims to have programmes for patients focused on mind, body and nutrition.   Dr Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, MD & CEO, Fortis Healthcare said, "Fortis Cancer Institute will cater to the specialised and customised treatment needs for cancer patients by providing precision medicine, targeted chemotherapies, personalised nutrition along with yoga to heal the body and mind and will be crucial in bridging the hiatus related to overall healing and well-being of cancer patients and survivors." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21502/50-per-cent-indians-delay-cataract-surgeries-the-great-indian-cataract-survey-report.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21502/50-per-cent-indians-delay-cataract-surgeries-the-great-indian-cataract-survey-report.html Mon, 27 Jun 2022 22:35:00 +0530 On the occasion of Cataract Awareness Month, Pristyn Care has launched “The Great Indian Cataract Survey Report” which aims to create awareness and promote holistic eye-care. The survey was conducted with over 1000+ respondents across metros as well as the data analyzed by Pristyn Care Data Lab on cataract surgeries performed till now.According to the survey, more than 50 per cent of Indians are delaying cataract surgeries. Most common misconceptions include losing eyesight, painful procedures, or a long recovery period when it comes to cataract surgery. Among the top criteria for undergoing cataract surgery, 52 per cent of Indians choose specialised, highly experienced surgeons, 41 per cent opt for advanced technology, and 26 per cent make the decision based on the location of the surgery, i.e. Eye hospital and clinic. Affordability and cost of the surgery rank last at 24 per cent. According to Pristyn Care’s Data Lab which also studied 1 lakh+ cataract patient queries and 7000+ cataract surgeries done by the company, 59 per cent of cataract surgeries are in the age group of 56 and above. Analysis of data further indicates growing cataract cases in the younger population, a condition widely believed to impact the elderly. The risk factors may be prolonged exposure to UV rays, early onset of diabetes, smoking, alcohol, and environmental factors like food adulteration and pollution. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21498/united-way-of-bengaluru-thermo-fisher-set-up-30-bed-modular-facility-in-nagaland.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21498/united-way-of-bengaluru-thermo-fisher-set-up-30-bed-modular-facility-in-nagaland.html Mon, 27 Jun 2022 17:10:00 +0530 United Way of Bengaluru and CSR partner Thermo Fisher came forward and set up a 30-bed modular facility, type C ambulance, dental and paediatric medical equipment as an extension to the existing community health centre in Tobu Block of the Mon District in Nagaland. This modular setup has been equipped with advanced medical equipment that would benefit patients as well as the medical fraternity. The 30-bed modular facility has been designed by Modulus Housing, a start-up from IIT Madras. These units have long durability, for at least 20 years. The Tobu Block required a medical facility to cater to 32 villages with a population size of over 50,000. The area had only five Public Health Centres (PHC), four sub-centres, and four health and wellness centres. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21486/ram-nath-kovind-inaugurates-upgraded-ayush-wellness-centre-in-presidents-estate.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21486/ram-nath-kovind-inaugurates-upgraded-ayush-wellness-centre-in-presidents-estate.html Fri, 24 Jun 2022 17:25:00 +0530 The upgraded Ayush Wellness Centre in the President’s Estate, New Delhi was inaugurated by President of India Ram Nath Kovind in the presence of Union Minister of Ayush Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of State for Ayush Munjpara Mahendrabhai Kalubhai and other dignitaries. First lady Savita Kovind also graced the inauguration ceremony.    Ayush Wellness Centre (AWC) at President Estate started on 25th July 2015, as a joint initiative of the Ministry of Ayush and the President Secretariat. The AWC has treatment facilities in the streams of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha &Homeopathy, and it caters to the medical needs of the President and officials of the President’s Secretariat and residents of the President’s Estate. The upgraded infrastructure along with facilities for the Ayush system will follow standard protocols of treatment.    A book documenting the “establishment, functioning and key milestone” of Ayush Wellness Centre in Rashtrapati Bhavan was also released at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre by Minister of State for Ayush Munjpara Mahendrabhai Kalubhai in the presence of Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Minister of Ayush and KD Tripathi, Secretary to the President.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21484/gavi-the-vaccine-alliance-launches-zero-dose-immunisation-programme.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21484/gavi-the-vaccine-alliance-launches-zero-dose-immunisation-programme.html Thu, 23 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance has launched the Zero-Dose Immunization Programme (ZIP), a new innovative initiative that will provide two consortia of partners with up to $100 million to identify and reach zero-dose children living in displaced communities and fragile and conflict settings. Zero-dose children are those that have not received a single shot of a routine vaccine. International Rescue Committee (IRC) and World Vision (VW) have been chosen to lead the initiative in the Horn of Africa and the Sahel regions respectively, across 11 countries. As of 2020, there were over 4 million zero-dose children living across the targeted countries. ZIP, which falls under Gavi’s new $500 million Equity Accelerator Fund will commence with a 3-month inception phase during which zero-dose children will be identified alongside the unique barriers, including gender-related barriers, preventing access to immunisation. Children living in areas outside government reach, as well as mobile populations and refugees who move across borders will be prioritised in the outreach. “Lower-income countries have made remarkable progress in immunisation over the last two decades but too many children, particularly those in hard-to-reach areas and fragile and conflict settings, are still missing out on life-saving vaccines. We have an opportunity now to build on the progress so far, and reach “zero-dose” children with vaccines as well as other essential health services,” said Anuradha Gupta, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21473/siis-hpv-vaccine-to-improve-affordability-for-those-most-in-need-globaldata.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21473/siis-hpv-vaccine-to-improve-affordability-for-those-most-in-need-globaldata.html Wed, 22 Jun 2022 17:25:00 +0530 Serum Institute of India’s (SII) Cervavac—a quadrivalent human papillomavirus (qHPV) vaccine— is likely to be the first indigenous qHPV vaccine to be approved in India, according to GlobalData.   Neha Myneni, Pharma Analyst, GlobalData, comments, “We are finally in sight of having an India-developed HPV vaccine! This will be a huge relief to the poorer members of our community who cannot afford the high price mark that comes with those offered by foreign manufacturers (approximately INR6,000–7,000 for a complete regimen). There are currently only two prophylactic HPV vaccines approved in India, and they are both manufactured abroad: Merck’s Gardasil (qHPV vaccine) and GSK’s Cervarix (bivalent HPV vaccine). Cervavac will be a welcome option.”   GlobalData notes that the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation recommended including HPV vaccination under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) to the Union health ministry. Although HPV vaccines were approved for inclusion in India’s UIP in 2017, they were not adopted nationally, mainly due to pricing concerns.   Myneni continues, “Lack of inclusion in UIP means the benefits of these vaccines are not reaching the people in utmost need. This issue will likely be addressed once a domestic player like SII enters the HPV vaccination space. Cervavac is expected to be launched in November 2022.”    One challenge for SII is the lack of awareness among Indian women. Although cervical cancer is the second most frequent among Indian women aged between 15 and 44 years, awareness of this disease is minimal.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21468/experts-recommend-comprehensive-care-model-for-tackling-scd-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21468/experts-recommend-comprehensive-care-model-for-tackling-scd-in-india.html Wed, 22 Jun 2022 13:20:00 +0530 Experts have pointed out the urgent need for a comprehensive care model for sickle cell disease (SCD). SCD, an inherited blood disorder, continues to remain a public health challenge in India. India is estimated to have the second-highest burden of SCD after Nigeria.    The disease is reportedly said to have a higher prevalence in Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Rajasthan which is referred to as the sickle cell belt.    In addition to social stigma, minimal or no understanding of the disease, and lack of access to healthcare facilities for people in rural regions also impede diagnosis and timely treatment.    “Initiatives such as intensive prenatal and newborn screening must be made mandatory along with providing Pneumococcal vaccination to adult SCD patients under doctor’s guidance. Managing complications like avascular necrosis (AVN), acute chest syndrome, and stroke becomes critical at a later phase hence proactive steps must be taken to create awareness regarding SCD, its screening, and treatment options,” said Gautam Dongre, Secretary, National Alliance of Sickle Cell Organizations, NASCO.    He further elaborated, “We need to ensure last-mile connectivity and delivery of healthcare models in the remotest parts of the country and actively establish centres of excellence to meet advanced care requirements. While the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Tribal Affairs has taken active measures at a central and state level, emphasis needs to be put on skilling of healthcare professionals and other medical personnel so that they can identify SCD and accordingly recommend treatment.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21455/pm-inaugurates-centre-for-brain-research-at-iisc-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21455/pm-inaugurates-centre-for-brain-research-at-iisc-bengaluru.html Mon, 20 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0530 The Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi inaugurated the Centre for Brain Research and laid the foundation Stone for Bagchi Parthasarathy Multispeciality Hospital at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. The Prime Minister tweeted, “Glad to inaugurate the Centre for Brain Research at IISc. The joy is greater because I also had the honour of laying the foundation stone for this project. This Centre will be at the forefront of research on how to manage brain related disorders.” “At a time when every nation must give top most importance to healthcare, efforts like the Bagchi Parthasarathy Multispeciality Hospital assume great importance. In the times to come, it will strengthen healthcare capacities and encourage pioneering research in the sector.” The Centre for Brain Research is developed as a one of its kind research facility and focuses on conducting vital research to provide evidence based public health interventions to manage age-related brain disorders. 832 bedded Bagchi Parthasarathy Multispeciality Hospital will be developed in the campus of IISc Bengaluru and will help integrate science, engineering and medicine at the prestigious institute. It will provide major push to clinical research in the country and will work towards finding innovative solutions that will help in improvement of healthcare services in the country. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21452/aster-dm-healthcare-to-open-550-bed-hospital-tiruvananthapuram.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21452/aster-dm-healthcare-to-open-550-bed-hospital-tiruvananthapuram.html Sat, 18 Jun 2022 21:40:00 +0530 Aster DM Healthcare announced the launch of its latest integrated advanced healthcare facility at Trivandrum in Kerala. The hospital will be a 550-bed unit and will enclose a 5.76 lakh sq. ft built-up area excluding the provision for 1 lakh sq. ft for multi-level car parking space. The company’s investment will be to the tune of 500 crores+ for the entire project, with the first phase having a capacity of 350 beds expected to be operational by FY26.    The hospital will offer OPD, IPD, ICU including high dependency units, NICU, PICU and transplant ICU, day-care support and 24 hours trauma & emergency response services. Robotics and new generation systems would be introduced gradually.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21451/parexel-expands-patient-access-to-clinical-trials.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21451/parexel-expands-patient-access-to-clinical-trials.html Sat, 18 Jun 2022 21:25:00 +0530 US-based clinical research organization Parexel has announced the launch of its Community Alliance Network, a novel programme further integrating clinical research into the community healthcare setting to better serve patients and in turn create further opportunities for increased diversity in clinical trials.   CVS Health, the leading healthcare solutions company, and Javara, the leading integrated research organisation, have joined the network as inaugural members, opening the door to community-based research sites and increasing access to new patient populations to support trial delivery for Parexel’s biopharmaceutical customers.    Over the last 10 years, Parexel has built its Site Alliance Network with more than 500 of the top clinical research institutions and 21,000 principal investigators across 20+ countries with diverse site staff and patient populations across all therapeutic areas. The company’s Community Alliance Network builds on these efforts through alliances with healthcare and research organizations that have close relationships with and proximity to patients who previously had no or little ability to participate in clinical research.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21449/hyd-based-yashoda-hospitals-registers-on-metaverse.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21449/hyd-based-yashoda-hospitals-registers-on-metaverse.html Fri, 17 Jun 2022 13:15:00 +0530 Yashoda Hospitals Group from Hyderabad has acquired a parcel of land on Decentraland, the metaverse platform and has set up an experience zone to mark the 30+ years of healthcare service it has offered to the people. This makes Yashoda Hospitals the first hospital in the country to set its footprint on a metaverse platform.Dr Abhinav Gorukanti, Director, Yashoda Hospitals said, “We believe the future will be driven by core technologies like the blockchain and Web 3.0, moving from a centralised to a decentralised ecosystem. Setting up our presence on decentraland is the first step towards our efforts and acceptance of decentralised tech, we will continue to upgrade and invest in making our digital infrastructure future-ready.” Yashoda Hospitals intends to offer healthcare services to the people on the metaverse, and create employment for metaversians as well. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21446/amrita-hospital-in-faridabad-to-begin-operations-in-aug-2022.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21446/amrita-hospital-in-faridabad-to-begin-operations-in-aug-2022.html Thu, 16 Jun 2022 16:30:00 +0530 The 2,400-bed Amrita Hospital spread across 133 acres in Faridabad, will begin its operations in August 2022. This would be the second large-scale Amrita Hospital in India after the iconic 1,200-bed Amrita Hospital in Kochi, Kerala, which was established 25 years ago by the Mata Amritanandamayi Math.   The sprawling facility at Sector 88, Faridabad, will have a total built-up area of 1 crore sq ft, including a 14-floor-high tower that will encompass the key medical facilities and patient areas. The hospital will become operational in stages, with 500 beds opening in August this year. In two years, this number will rise to 750 beds, and further to 1,000 beds in five years. When fully operational, the hospital will have a staff of 10,000 people, including 800 + doctors.   Training of medical students and doctors will be a strong focus area. The hospital will have state-of-the-art robotics, haptic, surgical-medical simulation centre spread across four floors and a 1.5 lakh sq. ft area. The facility will also host a medical college and the country’s biggest allied health sciences campus.   The hospital would be one of India’s largest green-building healthcare projects with a low carbon footprint. It is an end-to-end paperless facility, with zero waste discharge. There is also a helipad on the campus for swift transport of patients and a 498-room guest house where attendants accompanying the patients can stay. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21440/healthcare-is-key-where-indians-are-looking-to-science-for-solutions-3m-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21440/healthcare-is-key-where-indians-are-looking-to-science-for-solutions-3m-study.html Wed, 15 Jun 2022 14:00:00 +0530 The outlook for science is promising in India and despite the increase in scepticism (77 per cent) there is a high appreciation for science (93 per cent) and scientists (92 per cent) according to 3M 2022 State of Science Index (SOSI) report. Indians believe in the role of science in their everyday lives (92 per cent) with many Indians expecting science to drive social impact, focusing on solutions for sustainability, health, and STEM equity challenges. Ninety three percent of Indians believe there are barriers to students pursuing a STEM education. They identify access (83%), affordability (43%), and bias/prejudice toward women (34%) or minorities (28%) as the greatest barriers. According to SOSI respondents, healthcare is a key area where Indians are looking to science for solutions. Nearly one in every two Indians believe that beyond the current pandemic, science should prioritize cures for chronic diseases (50%), cancer treatments (45%), addressing mental and emotional health issues (41%), vaccines for future pandemics (57%) and addressing root causes/social drivers of health issues (44%).   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21439/apcc-hosts-2nd-apollo-annual-proton-practicum.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21439/apcc-hosts-2nd-apollo-annual-proton-practicum.html Wed, 15 Jun 2022 10:50:00 +0530 Apollo Proton Cancer Centre (APCC) recently conducted its 2nd Apollo Annual Proton Practicum. Over 700 participants including radiation oncologists and medical physicists from across the globe participated in the three-day intensive clinical and academic event.  The Practicum event witnessed leading experts from across the globe share their knowledge and expertise in proton therapy with practical demonstrations thus showcasing the strength and versatility of proton therapy technology for effective management of various types of cancers. World-renowned radiation oncologists and medical physicists from six continents deliberated and engaged with all the participants from the globe. During the event, Professor Eugen Hug, an internationally acclaimed radiation oncologist and Medical Director of Med Austron Ion therapy centre, Vienna, Austria, inaugurated 'Dr Prathap C Reddy Proton Oration' session.  During the programme, APCC’s team of radiation oncologists and medical physicists also shared their experiences of treating various cancers using the latest pencil beam scanning intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT).    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21437/software-development-centre-of-laerdal-medical-and-impelsys-opens-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21437/software-development-centre-of-laerdal-medical-and-impelsys-opens-in-bengaluru.html Wed, 15 Jun 2022 10:25:00 +0530 Impelsys and Laerdal Medical have announced the launch of a new world-class Software Development Centre in the central business district of Bengaluru.   The centre was launched by Dr CN Ashwath Narayan, the Minister of Information Technology - Biotechnology, Higher Education, Science and Technology, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship & Livelihood of Karnataka, India.   The centre will support the company's growing business with cutting-edge technology solutions that define future transformation. The modern center is equipped with the best-in-class IT infrastructure, robust security, and sustainability standards.   "The Software Development Centre reflects our fruitful relationship with Impelsys. The center will be instrumental in our mission to help save lives through enabling technologies for time-critical emergencies. I am excited about the cutting-edge technology solutions that we will develop together. I look forward to a long-term partnership with Impelsys," said Alf-Christian Dybdahl, CEO of Laerdal Medical.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21435/c-camp-selco-foundation-to-support-neonatal-health-in-tribal-areas-of-karnataka.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21435/c-camp-selco-foundation-to-support-neonatal-health-in-tribal-areas-of-karnataka.html Tue, 14 Jun 2022 17:30:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) has joined hands with SELCO Foundation, a sustainable technology foundation, to launch the pilot deployment of a long-supported portfolio technology in maternal and neonatal health monitoring. The technology’s USP is non-invasive diagnosis and management of neonatal sepsis.   The deployment of this technology developed by C-CAMP startup and former incubatee Spotsense in the tribal majority Sargur, Mysore district, Karnataka is expected to significantly improve these numbers and make quality healthcare accessible to socially and economically vulnerable communities.   Vivekananda Memorial Hospital, the site of the deployment is a 100-bed rural-tribal hospital catering to the primary and secondary healthcare needs of HD Kote and three other Taluks, covering a population of approx. 4 lakhs that comprises mainly Soliga, Jenukuruba, Yarava and Betta Kuruba (Kadu Kuruba) communities.   The platform technology by Spotsense called VIEWDx is a frugal, all-in-one essential diagnostic device that, through universal photometry analysis, is capable of performing multiple platform tests on blood, saliva and other bodily fluids. VIEWDx is suitable even for low-resource satellite diagnostic labs and unskilled manpower as it is intuitive for users and helps in the easy interpretation of results.   SELCO Foundation, with C-CAMP, will support Spotsense for pilot deployments with seven different partners providing healthcare services to vulnerable communities.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21433/athulya-assisted-living-launches-250-bed-facility-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21433/athulya-assisted-living-launches-250-bed-facility-in-bengaluru.html Tue, 14 Jun 2022 16:55:00 +0530 Athulya Assisted Living announced its entry into Bengaluru by opening a 250-bedded premium assisted facility, the first one being located in Hosa Road near Sarjapur and the second facility in Whitefield. Athulyas’ first Bengaluru facility will fully become operational in a month.   The key focus of Athulya, right from its inception is dedicated senior citizen care that includes assisted living, palliative care, critical home care and transition care services all under one single roof.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21430/healthem-ai-wins-nasscoms-healthcare-innovation-challenge-3.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21430/healthem-ai-wins-nasscoms-healthcare-innovation-challenge-3.html Tue, 14 Jun 2022 14:05:00 +0530 Tredence, a leading data science solutions provider, announced that its care-management platform HealthEM.AI won NASSCOM's Healthcare Innovation Challenge 3 in the 'inpatient volume prediction based on outpatient Volume' category. Organised by NASSCOM Centre of Excellence (CoE) – IoT & AI, the initiative aims to support tech innovation in health care by making it efficient, effective, and easily accessible.    HealthEM.AI is Tredence's value-based care management platform that improves healthcare outcomes at speed and scale by turning data into actionable insights.    Built by medical science and data science professionals, HealthEM.AI aims to drive value-based care through advanced AI and machine learning models while optimising costs for healthcare providers and payers.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21425/medsign-partners-with-evolut-for-diabetes-mgmt.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21425/medsign-partners-with-evolut-for-diabetes-mgmt.html Mon, 13 Jun 2022 17:10:00 +0530 MedSign (Synaegis Healthtech, partner company of SMSRC) has teamed up with Evolut (ViMags Health and Lifestyle), in a unique partnership to provide a tech-based diabetes management solution for patients.    As part of this partnership, MedSign will provide the interface for doctors and Evolut will provide the interface for patients with both seamlessly connected, thereby providing an end-to-end integrated digital solution enhancing the patients' experience.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21416/thalassaemia-and-sickle-cell-society-urges-for-a-bill-to-prevent-thalassemia.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21416/thalassaemia-and-sickle-cell-society-urges-for-a-bill-to-prevent-thalassemia.html Sun, 12 Jun 2022 18:35:00 +0530 Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Society (TSCS) a registered non-profit organisation along with a few NGO's working towards thalassemia met the Vice President, Venkaiah Naidu, discussed the situation of thalassemia in India and the need for a bill to prevent thalassemia.TSCS President Chandrakant Agarwal invited the Vice President for the inauguration of a prominent research lab at TSCS. TSCS recently organised a first-of-its-kind national level conference on the Prevention of Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anemia bringing together several NGO's who have been working rigorously for thalassemia treatment and prevention. TSCS along with nine other NGOs from all over India have drafted the bill for prevention of Thalassemia. A copy of the bill has also been submitted to the government which has to present in the Parliament, for implementation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21410/pm-inaugurates-500-bed-multispeciality-hospital-in-navsari-gujarat.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21410/pm-inaugurates-500-bed-multispeciality-hospital-in-navsari-gujarat.html Fri, 10 Jun 2022 14:40:00 +0530 PM Narendra Modi inaugurated a 500-bed, state-of-the-art, multispecialty and cancer hospital complex at Navsari in Gujarat. The cancer hospital is part of an eight-acre AM Naik Healthcare Complex which also includes a residential enclave for consultants, specialists, nurses and paramedical staff. The hospitals will prove to be a boon to south Gujarat in terms of advanced medical care. It will incorporate a range of advanced multi-disciplinary equipment, putting it on par with the finest of healthcare facilities. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21400/robotic-urology-forum-ties-up-with-intuitive-india-to-conduct-rufcon22.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21400/robotic-urology-forum-ties-up-with-intuitive-india-to-conduct-rufcon22.html Thu, 09 Jun 2022 17:45:00 +0530 Robotic Urology Forum, a national organisation of surgeons practising the art of robotic urological surgeries, has joined hands with Intuitive Surgical, a global technology leader in minimally invasive care and the pioneer of robotic-assisted surgery (RAS), to conduct their 4th annual conference. The three-day-long conference named RUFCON’22 was aimed at familiarising surgeons, nurses and other healthcare professionals with the clinical application of the latest techniques in the treatment of urological disorders. The conference, organised at Muljibhai Patel Urological Hospital, Nadiad was attended by experts of Urology from across the country.  The organising committee had formulated comprehensive sessions to ensure an extensive knowledge sharing experience for the attendees. Apart from comprehensive sessions on the evolution of robotic-assisted surgery in India, there were detailed sessions on the application of RAS in uro-oncology, reconstructive urology, kidney transplant, pediatric urology and female urology. Another motive of the conference was to establish the guidelines for the best ways to manage urological cancers in this rapidly evolving treatment landscape to make sure that patients receive ideal care. Dr Arvind Ganpule, Organising Secretary, RUFCON’22 and Chief, Division of laparoscopy and robotic surgery, Muljibhai Patel Urological Hospital said, “This year we had around 150 uro-surgeons share their knowledge with others. We also demonstrated 10 live surgeries from MPUH Nadiad and HCG Hospital Ahmedabad by using Da Vinci RAS system during the conference." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21395/cabinet-approves-mou-between-india-and-us-for-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21395/cabinet-approves-mou-between-india-and-us-for-healthcare.html Wed, 08 Jun 2022 17:10:00 +0530 The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Department of Biotechnology, the Government of the Republic of India (DBT) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), US to contribute towards the development of new, improved and innovative biomedical tools and technologies to prevent and treat HIV, TB, COVID-19 and other emerging infectious and neglected diseases.     The MoU will further strengthen relations between India and the US within the framework of international scientific and technological cooperation in fields of mutual interest.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21390/2021-saw-double-growth-rate-of-clinical-trials-pharma-intelligence-report.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21390/2021-saw-double-growth-rate-of-clinical-trials-pharma-intelligence-report.html Wed, 08 Jun 2022 12:40:00 +0530 Pharma Intelligence has recently published the 2021 Completed Trials report, indicating apparent green shoots of COVID-19 recovery in clinical trials across the pharmaceutical industry. The report mentions that 4,109 industry-sponsored clinical trials have moved from Phase I through to Phase III/IV and have either reached completed trial status or reported primary endpoints during 2021. This exceeds the 3,777 trials in 2020 and represents an 8.8% annual increase, and doubles the growth rate observed in the pre-pandemic period from 2017 through 2019 (3–4.3 per cent).  Despite the turbulence caused by the pandemic, the leading clinical trial sponsors achieved success rates comparable to those in 2019 in trials conducted across a wide array of rare and prevalent diseases, where the top three therapeutic areas are oncology, infectious diseases, and autoimmune/inflammation. These companies continue to focus on global trials, although the increased domestic trial activity by Chinese sponsors is now making a mark on overall completed trial trends. The report further indicates that oncology continued to be at the top spot among rankings of therapeutic areas for completed trial activity in 2021. For the first time, Infectious Diseases (ID) shot from fifth into second place owing to considerable COVID-19 pandemic-related trial activity.The Autoimmune/ Inflammation (A/I) attained the third rank, while Central Nervous System (CNS) and Metabolic/ Endocrinology (Met/Endo) dropped into fourth and fifth places, respectively. Cardiovascular (CV) has been seen to decline in completed trials observed since 2018. Vaccines, which often overlap with ID trials, retained their seventh position while completing substantially more trials in the past year. The smallest therapeutic areas, Ophthalmology and Genitourinary (GU) are trending in opposite directions with modest changes in their trial counts.Even as notable increases in completed trials were observed in infectious diseases (49.7 per cent), vaccines (47.1 per cent), and Oncology (8.3 per cent), both Infectious Diseases and Vaccines also reported the highest termination rates, with year-on-year changes of 42 per cent and 111 per cent, respectively. It should be noted that despite this high percentage change in Vaccines, the absolute numbers remain low with only 19 trials terminated, compared with nine in 2020, these trials also are classified in the Infectious Disease therapeutic areas as COVID-19 studies.In autoimmune/inflammation therapy, trial completions increased by 5.3 per cent while terminations decreased modestly (-2 per cent; 137 versus 140). Terminations also decreased, year-over-year, for metabolic/endocrinology (-53 per cent; 57 versus 122), cardiovascular (-54 per cent; 39 versus 85), and Central Nervous System (-34 per cent; 89 versus 134).The 2021 counts were also augmented by increased activity captured from Chinese registries. These trials are generally run exclusively in China. Most of these trials, ranging from 67.5 per cent to 82.1 per cent for mid-sized therapeutic areas and 55 per cent for oncology, are Phase I or Phase I/II studies, a factor that accounts for most of the growth in that phase observed during this period.Substantially, fewer diseases achieved at least 25 successful trials in 2021 (14) compared with 2020 (21) and 2019 (17). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21376/care4parents-partners-with-dial4242-ambulance-service.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21376/care4parents-partners-with-dial4242-ambulance-service.html Mon, 06 Jun 2022 16:50:00 +0530 Care4Parents has partnered with Dial4242 Ambulance service. As a part of this tie-up, users of Care4Parents will be able to book an ambulance in seconds. This service is available 24X7.Care4Parents users will have to click on the HELP button in the app, followed by the ambulance button. A call will be placed to the 1800 number of Dial4242 Ambulance service. Care4Parents customers will not have to pay any joining fees to use this service and only pay for the ambulance that they are hiring. The ambulance will be available within 30 minutes in over 500 cities across the country.Different types of ambulances will be made available to users as a part of the service. These include Basic Life Support (COVID and non-COVID), ALS with paramedics and ALS with a doctor/EMT (COVID and non-COVID). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21371/karkinos-healthcare-introduces-cerviraksha-against-cervical-cancer-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21371/karkinos-healthcare-introduces-cerviraksha-against-cervical-cancer-.html Mon, 06 Jun 2022 11:40:00 +0530 Karkinos Healthcare has introduced CerviRaksha, a first-of-its-kind clinically validated HPV test, which is pre-qualified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and approved by the Food and Drug Administration, USA (FDA) and was also granted the CE mark meeting European Health Standards.   CerviRaksha has been introduced in partnership with Karkinos’ network of hospitals, doctors, and corporates. And for the first time in HPV testing, sample collection at home is made possible to encourage more women to participate in this screening.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21365/c2i-genomics-karkinos-healthcare-to-bring-ai-powered-cancer-detection-to-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21365/c2i-genomics-karkinos-healthcare-to-bring-ai-powered-cancer-detection-to-india.html Sat, 04 Jun 2022 09:25:00 +0530 C2i Genomics, a cancer intelligence company based in the US, has announced a strategic partnership with Mumbai-based startup Karkinos Healthcare, to co-develop the minimal residual disease (MRD) market in India.   The partnership enables C2i Genomics to bring innovative cancer detection technology to drive R&D, future pharma partnerships and clinical use in India and supports the company’s long-term goals to scale pharma R&D projects around the globe.     The partnership will expand MRD monitoring within the Karkinos’ health system and its partners using the C2i Genomics’ ultrasensitive whole-genome analysis.    The C2inform MRD test enables physicians to trace small amounts of persistent or recurrent cancer much earlier and at far lower levels than currently available technologies. C2i Genomics’ SaaS solution utilises a cloud-based platform to perform cancer tumour burden monitoring on a global scale, utilising equipped labs and sequencing networks worldwide. By using machine learning and AI technology to analyse patients’ blood for early detection of cancer recurrence or resistance, C2i Genomics directly drives more informed treatment decisions and personaliszed treatment plans.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21360/allergan-sheds-light-on-early-diagnosis-of-chronic-migraine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21360/allergan-sheds-light-on-early-diagnosis-of-chronic-migraine.html Thu, 02 Jun 2022 17:15:00 +0530 Allergan, an AbbVie company, has shed light on the need for early diagnosis and specialised care for chronic migraine. Most people who are prone to migraines get a painful attack once or twice a month. But there is a more severe condition known as chronic migraine, in which an individual gets headaches more often. Chronic migraine lasts for 15 or more days in a month, for at least three months, and at least eight days which qualifies as a migraine headache day. It is the second most disabling condition worldwide.    According to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition, headaches are classified into 14 categories with further subclassifications. It is therefore imperative to differentiate a Chronic Migraine from the rest.    Interestingly, headache disorders, rank tenth for women, one level lower than gynaecological diseases, among global causes of disability-adjusted life years (DALY) and first for young women.    Chronic migraine treatment starts with managing lifestyle changes such as adopting an exercise plan, managing stress, staying hydrated along with identifying headache triggers. It is important to keep a headache diary which is useful in recording details of your migraine attacks or headaches, such as possible triggers, duration and severity. This diary can prove helpful during a diagnosis.   Hence it is recommended that patients who frequently self-medicate with analgesics and painkillers to treat headache episodes, must contact a specialised neurologist early to avoid headache chronification and medication overuse headache disorders.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21340/omron-healthcare-india-supports-worlds-largest-free-public-bp-screening-programme.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21340/omron-healthcare-india-supports-worlds-largest-free-public-bp-screening-programme.html Mon, 30 May 2022 15:45:00 +0530 OMRON Healthcare India has announced support towards the #THEBIGSQUEEZE movement to bolster the ongoing ‘May Measurement Month (MMM)’ global campaign in India.  The movement aims to encourage people of all ages to get their blood pressure (BP) checked in the world’s largest free blood pressure screening campaign. The objective is to heighten awareness about the dangers posed by elevated BP and hypertension and the importance of monitoring blood pressure regularly in India.  The MMM global campaign is led by the ‘International Society of Hypertension’. This annual programme focuses on educating people about the impact of hypertension on their cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health. It also provides insights into diet and lifestyle advice for hypertensives and for facilitating improved follow up for sufferers. Volunteers in more than 85 countries will screen people in cities, towns, and rural villages as part of this largest free public blood pressure screening programme in the world this year, till August 31, 2022.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21334/president-lays-foundation-stone-of-various-health-infra-projects-in-mp.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21334/president-lays-foundation-stone-of-various-health-infra-projects-in-mp.html Mon, 30 May 2022 10:55:00 +0530 The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind laid the foundation stone/ launched various health infrastructure projects of the Government of Madhya Pradesh (MP) in Bhopal.   These include the establishment of the Regional Institute of Respiratory Diseases and Centre of Excellence for Orthopaedics under Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal and projects related to strengthening the health services in district hospitals and civil hospitals of Dewas, Sehore, Shajapur, Jabalpur, Indore, Morena, Ujjain and Bhopal etc.   Speaking on the occasion, the President said that it should be the endeavour of every government to provide affordable healthcare facilities to the people from all sections of the society. He expressed confidence that people of those areas will get better facilities after the completion of projects initiated today.    The President cited the example of Padma Shree Dr Leela Joshi who has been working for more than two decades to reduce the mortality rate due to anaemia in the tribal, rural and urban slums of the Ratlam district. He said that such dedicated doctors are needed for the success of the efforts of governments to provide health facilities to every person in society.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21331/govt-of-telangana-niti-aayog-release-report-on-drone-based-healthcare-accessibility.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21331/govt-of-telangana-niti-aayog-release-report-on-drone-based-healthcare-accessibility.html Sun, 29 May 2022 20:00:00 +0530 Apollo Hospital’s Healthnet Global, World Economic Forum (WEF), the government of Telangana and NITI Aayog have come up with an insight report on ‘Medicine from the Sky’, a drone-based method of taking healthcare to the masses.    The report provides a comprehensive look at the Medicine from the Sky project whereby, in the first scheme of its kind, vaccines were delivered beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS) using drones.   With the recent completion of the country's first organised medical drone-delivery programme known as 'Medicine from the Sky' which delivered a range of medical products over a long range, it is quite clear that such unmanned aerial vehicles can be a force multiplier for existing healthcare infrastructure in the country.    In the 'medicine from the Sky' project, a government area hospital was chosen as the take-off site and various PHCs and sub-centers as the landing sites. Of the 8 activated health facilities in the areas (six PHCs and two SCs), the area hospital identified as the take-off site for trials was not equipped with a cold-chain facility. This was also enabled by Apollo Hospitals.    “Telangana has been a torchbearer for the fourth industrial revolution” said KT Rama Rao, Minister for Municipal Administration & Urban Development, Industries & Commerce, and Information Technology of Telangana. “Using drones to successfully enable a case for touching the lives of citizens in remote and inaccessible areas is a highlight that demonstrates how drones can be integrated into the healthcare ecosystem. After Telangana, several other states have replicated the medical delivery use case”, he added highlighting how the Medicine from the Sky program sparked a delivery revolution in the region. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21321/pristyn-care-announces-cares-initiative.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21321/pristyn-care-announces-cares-initiative.html Thu, 26 May 2022 19:10:00 +0530 Pristyn Care has announced its five guiding principles under ‘CARES’ programme. The initiative reiterates its commitment to a patient-first approach with a primary focus on patient safety. CARES, which stands for Comfort, Accessibility, Reliability, Excellence, and Safety will allow continuous improvement in patient care and overall healthcare delivery. These principles will ensure complete transparency, provide access to advanced technology for surgeries, post-surgery care and last-mile connectivity and create a complete patient-centric ecosystem.    Commenting on the initiative, Dr Vaibhav Kapoor, co-founder, Pristyn Care said, “Our five guiding principles will ensure even better transparency, care, and complete patient safety. We have already laid a solid foundation that has helped us build a strong relationship with our stakeholders. We will continue to build Pristyn care on these principles for years to come.”    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21319/honeywell-signs-mou-with-narayana-health-for-digital-initiatives.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21319/honeywell-signs-mou-with-narayana-health-for-digital-initiatives.html Thu, 26 May 2022 12:15:00 +0530 US-based Honeywell has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Narayana Hrudayalaya (Narayana Health), in Bengaluru, to identify, assess and collaborate on opportunities for the latter’s digital transformation journey.   This will enable Narayana Health to offer technology-driven, affordable and accessible healthcare for all. The MoU is subject to definitive agreements to be executed between Honeywell and Narayana Health.   Based on the terms of the MoU, Honeywell and Narayana Health will work towards co-innovation and introduction of new products, establish technology development centres, co-create joint capabilities in technology development and research, and undertake the development of fire safety codes that ensure an end-to-end life safety system to make hospitals safer.   As a technology partner, Honeywell will also help enhance and optimise Narayana Health’s digital processes and offer training to its employees.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21318/excelra-hotspot-therapeutics-partner-for-treatment-of-cancer-autoimmune-disease-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21318/excelra-hotspot-therapeutics-partner-for-treatment-of-cancer-autoimmune-disease-.html Thu, 26 May 2022 11:45:00 +0530 Hyderabad-based firm Excelra, a leading global data and digital insights organisation, has announced a partnership with HotSpot Therapeutics, a biotechnology company pioneering the discovery and development of small molecule allosteric therapies for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases.   HotSpot Therapeutics plans to deploy data from Excelra's flagship product GOSTAR toward select protein targets to augment its allosteric inhibitor candidate pipeline.   The partnership aims to enhance HotSpot's drug discovery and development efforts by incorporating GOSTAR's high-quality, annotated datasets into HotSpot's machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) models.   With the integration of GOSTAR data, HotSpot will continue to advance the discovery and development of small molecule therapy candidates directed toward allosteric targets that have been difficult to drug or undruggable with traditional small molecule approaches. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21305/novo-nordisk-opens-centre-of-excellence-for-better-diabetes-care-in-children.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21305/novo-nordisk-opens-centre-of-excellence-for-better-diabetes-care-in-children.html Tue, 24 May 2022 13:50:00 +0530 The Novo Nordisk Education Foundation (NNEF) has launched a Centre for Excellence (CoE) for children with Type 1 diabetes in collaboration with the established Government Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS), Greater Noida.   The newly inaugurated CoE will help improve the quality of care for Type 1 diabetes and ensure the availability of insulin supply to children with Type 1 diabetes in the region.   Underprivileged children in India who live with Type 1 diabetes may not have uniform access to insulin for treatment, leading to debilitating health consequences. This CoE is an effort to offer free care for these children and advocate with the government for better and sustainable access to insulin supplies. It will also provide support, education, and quality training to develop a pool of resource personnel for managing childhood diabetes.   Further, it will help create a registry and promote research and development (R&D) to encourage the generation of scientific publications and provide appropriate recommendations for the management of diabetes mellitus in Indian children.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21303/nha-revamps-ayushman-bharat-health-account-for-better-clinical-decision-making.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21303/nha-revamps-ayushman-bharat-health-account-for-better-clinical-decision-making.html Tue, 24 May 2022 00:00:00 +0530 The National Health Authority (NHA) under its flagship scheme of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) has announced the launch of a revamped Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) mobile application.   The ABHA app, previously known as the NDHM Health Records app is available for download from the Google Play Store and already has over four lakh downloads. The updated version of the ABHA app has a new User Interface (UI) and added functionalities that enable individuals to access their health records anytime and anywhere. Existing ABHA app users can also update their previous app versions to the latest one.   In addition to this, ABHA mobile application has new functionalities such as editing profiles, and links and unlinking ABHA numbers (14 digits) with ABHA addresses. Other functionalities such as Login via face authentication/ fingerprint/ biometric and the ability to scan QR codes at the counter of the ABDM compliant facility for express registration shall also be released soon.   Dr RS Sharma, CEO, National Health Authority (NHA) said, “The ABHA app will be instrumental in helping citizens to create their longitudinal health records. The patients can access their health records with the help of their ABHA address in seconds which will empower them in many ways. It will enable them to save their health history on a single platform and access or share their health records anytime and anywhere without the worry of losing them. This digitisation of data exchange will ensure better clinical decision making and continuum of care.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21301/india-exim-bank-signs-100-m-loan-agreement-with-jbic-for-covid-19-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21301/india-exim-bank-signs-100-m-loan-agreement-with-jbic-for-covid-19-healthcare.html Mon, 23 May 2022 18:20:00 +0530 Export-Import Bank of India (India Exim Bank) has concluded a $100 million loan agreement with Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), along with three Japanese private financial institutions, namely, MUFG Bank, the Bank of Kyoto and the Hachijuni Bank, on the side-lines of the Quad Leaders' Summit.   The purpose of this facility is to support the Indian healthcare sector related to combating COVID-19, including but not limited to vaccine manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, manufacturers of personal protective equipment, medical oxygen or other medical devices, hospitals, and other related activities.   As a prelude and to better understand the market requirements of this sector, India Exim Bank along with JBIC organised a Roundtable in collaboration with the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) in July 2021, with participation from the CEOs of some of India’s largest healthcare and pharmaceutical companies. To further spread awareness on the funding structures available for such companies in India, India Exim Bank and JBIC jointly organised another programme in collaboration with Pharmexcil in September 2021.   Through this facility, India Exim Bank and JBIC will jointly work towards expanding the safe and effective manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccines and related pharmaceutical and healthcare products in India.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21297/genes2me-launches-ngs-based-clinical-panels.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21297/genes2me-launches-ngs-based-clinical-panels.html Mon, 23 May 2022 15:10:00 +0530 Genes2Me has launched a wide range of next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based panels for oncology, personalised medicine and hereditary diseases. By selectively targeting the clinically significant genes, the NGS panels from Genes2Me enable comprehensive analysis with the most effective sequencing throughput. These panels have been designed and validated for all the common NGS platforms from Illumina, Thermo Fisher ION and MGI.    The Genes2Me PAN Cancer panel has a coverage of 525 genes. With just 50 ng of nucleic acid, the panel can detect the following biomarkers in one assay: single nucleotide variations (SNVs), insertions/deletions (INDELs), copy number variations (CNVs), microsatellite instability (MSI), fusions, splice variants and oncogenic viruses, as well as measuring the tumour mutation burden (TMB).    The Liquid Biopsy NGS panels for colon, breast, and lung cancer are unique where superior detection sensitivity for low-frequency variants can be achieved from a limited amount of blood samples. Similarly, the NGS panels for personalised genomics allow for precise selection and dosage of prescribed drugs, and detection of genetic variants associated with drug metabolism, epilepsy and anti-tuberculosis.   Clinical Exome Sequencing (CES) Extended panel allows comprehensive genomic profiling of a variety of genetic diseases including >7,500 clinically significant genes that are not covered in any other panels, the company claimed. The other targeted panels for cardiovascular disorders, neurological conditions, bleeding disorders, metabolic disorders, dermatology, etc. will also ease the classification of these complicated conditions.   All these NGS panels are backed with automated data analysis pipelines which simplify the primary, secondary and tertiary analysis.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21295/ayush-ministry-announces-major-initiatives-in-sikkim-north-east.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21295/ayush-ministry-announces-major-initiatives-in-sikkim-north-east.html Mon, 23 May 2022 10:45:00 +0530 The Union Minister for Ayush and Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has announced major initiatives to boost the traditional medicinal practice including Sowa Rigpa, Ayurveda and Naturopathy in the state of Sikkim, on 21 May.   The Minister was attending the national workshop on Sowa Rigpa - the traditional and ancient medicinal practice of Himalyanan people in Sikkim.    The Ayush Minister announced that an International Yoga & Naturopathy College will be set up in Sikkim which will boost the medical tourism sector in the Northeast India.   A 30 bedded Sowa Rigpa Hospital is going to be set up in Sikkim. Furthering the Ayush initiatives in the Northeast region, the Union Minister announced setting up of Yoga & Wellness centre at every Gram Panchayat level in the state along with an Ayurveda Medical College under Satellite Institute programme in Sikkim.   Highlighting the importance of Ayush based growth in the region, the Union Ayush Minister also said that the Ministry is exploring the possibility to set up a Research Council for Sowa Rigpa.   The two day workshop was organised by the National Institute of Sowa Rigpa (NISR), under the Ministry of Ayush in collaboration with Namgyal Institute of Tibetology (NIT) at Gangtok in Sikkim.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21294/biodev-services-in-collaboration-with-africa-clinical-trial-solutions.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21294/biodev-services-in-collaboration-with-africa-clinical-trial-solutions.html Mon, 23 May 2022 10:35:00 +0530 BioDev Services and Africa Clinical Trial Solutions (ACTS), leading providers of contracted clinical research services announced a strategic collaboration to bolster their geographic outreach in delivering clinical trials and other research programmes.By joining forces, the strategic partners BioDev and ACTS shall offer to their clients a capability to conduct clinical trials in 15 countries in India and sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) regions. The partners shall use uniform SOPs and tools for conducting clinical trials. Both companies shall also commit investment to create an eco-system of uniform LMS, QMS, CTMS & other tools – to offer a seamless experience to their clients who want Clinical trials delivery from India and SSA regions together.Combined geography – India region (India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan) and SSA region (Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, South Africa and Ghana) represent one of the most diverse patient populations.The sites in these regions offer an exceptional mix of (a) world-class medical expertise & infrastructure (b) research and treatment-naïve patient population and (c) diverse representative ethnicity for clinical trials. Partnership between BioDev and ACTS shall offer an excellent opportunity to global pharmaceutical companies who are looking to conduct clinical research in the combined geography.Both companies will also continue to offer their services separately to their clients who don't need delivery from the combined geography. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21291/union-labour-min-lays-foundation-stone-of-rs-155-cr-esic-hospital-in-sriperumbudur-tn.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21291/union-labour-min-lays-foundation-stone-of-rs-155-cr-esic-hospital-in-sriperumbudur-tn.html Mon, 23 May 2022 10:25:00 +0530 Minister of Labour and Employment, Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, laid the foundation stone of 100 bedded ESIC hospital in Sriperumbudur.    Yadav said that the hospital will be built at an estimated cost of Rs 155 crore and will have the facilities of general medicine, general surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, including paediatrics, emergency, critical care / intensive care units (ICU), anaesthesia, ophthalmology, dermatology and venereology (Skin & VD), (ENT), pulmonology and dentistry.     "I am happy to share that ESIC is providing medical benefits to 3.41 crore workers covered under the Act and their dependants i.e13.24 crore beneficiaries in total. From 393 districts in 2015, the services of ESIC have been expanded to 596 districts out of 744 districts across India," Yadav added.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21290/ihl-introduces-health-pod.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21290/ihl-introduces-health-pod.html Sat, 21 May 2022 11:35:00 +0530 India Health Link (IHL) has introduced a first-of-its-kind connected ‘human-centric’ Phygital (physical+digital) screening ecosystem, which includes the award-winning ATM size ‘made in India’ Health Pod (hPod) for zero assistance automated vitals screening. The Health Pod also complements National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) as it creates personalised Health accounts and IDs in line with the ABHA account. “The ‘hPod’ offers a non-invasive digitally-integrated ecosystem that enables primary, preventive and predictive healthcare. This is a self-service, walk-in Health Pod wherein individuals can get their screening done for 22+ health vital parameters including BP, Weight, SpO2, BMI, BMC, Pulse, Temperature, and ECG within 5 minutes followed by an instant report, without any paramedic assistance. The hPod is HIPPA compliant and features medical devices certified by US FDA, CE, and Neumetric,” says Dr Satyender Goel, Founder & CEO, IHL. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21279/healthnet-global-wef-telangana-govt-niti-aayog-release-report-on-drone-based-medicine-delivery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21279/healthnet-global-wef-telangana-govt-niti-aayog-release-report-on-drone-based-medicine-delivery.html Thu, 19 May 2022 19:05:00 +0530 Apollo Hospital’s Healthnet Global, World Economic Forum, the Gheaovernment of Telangana and NITI Aayog has come up with an insight report on ‘Medicine from the Sky’, a drone-based method of taking healthcare to the masses. The report provides a comprehensive look at the Medicine from the Sky project whereby, in the first scheme of its kind, vaccines were delivered beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS) using drones.    In the 'Medicine from the Sky' project, a government area hospital was chosen as the take-off site and various PHCs and sub-centres as the landing sites. Of the eight activated health facilities in the area (six PHCs and two SCs), the area hospital identified as the take-off site for trials was not equipped with a cold-chain facility.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21287/fujifilm-india-donates-tb-detection-machines-in-anguri-kutch-and-wayanad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21287/fujifilm-india-donates-tb-detection-machines-in-anguri-kutch-and-wayanad.html Thu, 19 May 2022 16:55:00 +0530 Fujifilm India recently donated one Truenat machine in Kutch, 1 CB NAAT Machines in Waynad, and 1 CBNAAT machine in Amguri, for detection of TB to the district TB officers of Kutch (Gujarat), Wayanad (Kerala), and Amguri (Assam). The company intends to raise TB awareness and help identify those with TB symptoms among the most disadvantaged people in society.    Fujifilm also provided nutrition support through rice, salt, daal, gram (legumes), and oil in the Wayanad district of Kerala. The dry ration will be primarily provided to chosen TB patients from low-income families in need of nutrition assistance. The monthly donation will be made for six months after the project begins, along with their medicines, during the patients’ follow-up at the district TB centre.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21273/sarvodaya-hospital-faridabad-opens-ent-cochlear-implant-centre-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21273/sarvodaya-hospital-faridabad-opens-ent-cochlear-implant-centre-.html Thu, 19 May 2022 15:05:00 +0530 Sarvodaya Hospital at Sector 8, Faridabad, has launched a specialised ENT and Cochlear Implant Centre for specially-abled deaf and mute people. The state-of-the-art centre will perform rhinoplasty, cochlear implantation and advanced surgeries for sleep apnea and snoring.    Sarvodaya Hospital, Faridabad, is also running a free cochlear implant scheme of the Government of India. Under this, if a child below 5 years of age and a monthly family income of less than Rs 15,000 needs a cochlear implant, the government bears all the expenses (about Rs 9 lakhs in total) as well provides free speech therapy for the next two years. Sarvodaya Hospital is only the second hospital in Haryana to be recognised for implanting cochlear implants funded by the Government of India. It was selected for cochlear implantation after passing the criteria of having a well-equipped ENT centre with modern technology and a team of skilled doctors. The hospital has now achieved the milestone of performing cochlear implants on 200 deaf-and-mute children under the Govt. of India scheme.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21272/janssen-unveils-icare4u-programme-for-skin-joint-and-digestive-disorders.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21272/janssen-unveils-icare4u-programme-for-skin-joint-and-digestive-disorders.html Thu, 19 May 2022 14:15:00 +0530 The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson has announced the launch of icare4u, a comprehensive programme to support the mental and physical health of millions of Indians affected by disorders caused by excessive inflammation.   The innovative programme is being launched at a critical time, with many Indians overwhelmed by the ongoing pandemic and finding it even harder to cope with debilitating conditions that affect the skin, joints and gastrointestinal system.    The icare4u programme features a dedicated website, with comprehensive information about the diseases, videos with medical experts, and a social media community for patients and caregivers on Facebook and YouTube. The information and support tools provided are specific to rheumatoid arthritis, axial spondyloarthropathy, psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis, ulcerative colitis and Chron’s disease.   Janssen India’s Head of Medical Affairs, Dr. Jitendra Dixit said that conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, axial spondyloarthropathy and inflammatory bowel disease had a “huge toll” on the mental and physical health of those affected   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21267/sankara-eye-hospital-opens-two-centres-of-excellence-in-bengaluru-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21267/sankara-eye-hospital-opens-two-centres-of-excellence-in-bengaluru-.html Wed, 18 May 2022 18:10:00 +0530 Sankara Eye Hospital has launched dedicated Centres of Excellence in vitreo-retinal diseases and oncology and paediatric ophthalmology, strabismus and neuro-ophthalmology in Bengaluru. The centers were inaugurated by former Chief Minister and MLA, Shikaripura Taluka, B S Yediyurappa.The centre of excellence in VR & Ocular Oncology has trained doctors from six countries and handles diabetic and retinal detachment surgeries. The centre performs tumour resections and vitreoretinal surgeries for eye cancers and offers surgery for blinding stage 5 Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). The hospital has collaborated and evaluated the first indigenous Ru-106 plaque Brachytherapy developed by Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC). The centre of Excellence for Paediatric Ophthalmology, Strabismus and Neuro Ophthalmology offers comprehensive eye care to children for their refractive error correction. The centre has Milestone Clinic for Early Intervention that provides care to children with Autism Spectrum and other special needs. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21258/omron-healthcare-unveils-service-centre-in-varanasi-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21258/omron-healthcare-unveils-service-centre-in-varanasi-.html Tue, 17 May 2022 16:55:00 +0530 OMRON Healthcare India is set to expand their retail presence in tier II cities with a new experience centre in Varanasi. This marks their 6th exclusive OMRON Experience Center, totalling 80 touchpoints across India including experience, service and pick-up centres.   The experience centres are expected to address 100+ customers daily, where quick resolution of queries and complete know-how on the utility and functionality of OMRON healthcare products will be provided. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21254/cytecare-hospitals-opens-institute-of-gastroenterology-and-hepatobiliary-sciences.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21254/cytecare-hospitals-opens-institute-of-gastroenterology-and-hepatobiliary-sciences.html Tue, 17 May 2022 10:35:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based Cytecare Hospitals has announced the launch of its Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Sciences. This first-of-its-kind institute will have five speciality clinics - Liver Clinic, Pancreas Clinic, Obesity & Weight Loss Clinic, Bowel & Stoma Care Clinic and Gastritis Clinic - under its ambit.   The clinics will provide comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of a range of gastrointestinal diseases, powered by the best clinical expertise & advanced technologies.   The main objective of the institute is to promote preventive care through early diagnosis and help patients with timely treatment, which can help avoid serious complications like cancer, liver cirrhosis, etc. The team of doctors includes Dr Raghavendra Babu, Senior Consultant and Director - Gastrointestinal & HPB Surgery, and Dr Sharath Kote, Consultant - Medical Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21248/national-ayurved-cardiology-symposium-discuss-ways-to-incorporate-ayurveda-into-cardiac-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21248/national-ayurved-cardiology-symposium-discuss-ways-to-incorporate-ayurveda-into-cardiac-care.html Mon, 16 May 2022 12:55:00 +0530 In a bid to promote scientific evidence-based Ayurveda across the country, a four-day National Ayurved Cardiology Symposium – the first-of-its-kind in India, was held to present and share various case studies supported with clinical data about Ayurveda’s success in treating and reversing cardiac diseases. Madhavbaug, brand of Vaidya Sane Ayurved Laboratories, brought together about 5,000 doctors from across India for this virtual conference, which saw even wide participation from the practitioners of modern medicines. The symposium was powered by Medemy.in and MIPC chair of Maharashtra University of Health Sciences was the knowledge partner. Addressing the participants, Dr Rohit Madhav Sane, MD & CEO, Madhavbaug underscored the need for scientific evidence-based practice of Ayurveda to unleash its real potential. 1510 Ayurveda doctors participated on the virtual platform. The virtual event witnessed around 82 ayurvedic cardiac specialists from Maharashtra, Gujrat, MP, UP, Karnataka, Goa, presenting their extraordinary and challenging case studies supported by clinical data about ayurvedic management of various cardiometabolic disorders.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21236/nasscom-announces-third-edition-finale-of-healthcare-innovation-challenge.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21236/nasscom-announces-third-edition-finale-of-healthcare-innovation-challenge.html Fri, 13 May 2022 13:00:00 +0530 NASSCOM Centre of Excellence - IoT & AI announced the successful finale of the third edition of its flagship programme Healthcare Innovation Challenge (HIC).    Winners announced include Healthgraph (Comprehensive Patient Care / OPD Automation), Mocero (Preventive Health Checkup Tracking), Attributum (OPD Cashless Payor Solution), Infoveave (Automated Credit payment settlement), Simbo.AI (Prescription Digitalisation), Tredence (Inpatient volume prediction based on Outpatient volume), Ramja Genosensor (Early detection of Microbes and Infection), Infoveave (Integration of multiple data sources to create a Data Lake) and Visualscopy (AI based Surgical Video Recording & Reporting). NHCircle, Navia, Purpledocs, Synctactic.AI, Arya.AI and BestDoc emerged as runners-up in their respective solution areas.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21235/lvpei-opens-shirin-etian-tara-brown-eye-centre-in-hyderabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21235/lvpei-opens-shirin-etian-tara-brown-eye-centre-in-hyderabad.html Fri, 13 May 2022 11:25:00 +0530 LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) has opened a new eye care centre named ‘Shirin, Etian & Tara Brown Eye Centre’ at its Gullapalli Pratibha Rao Campus in Kismatpur near Himayat Sagar. The centre was inaugurated by T Harish Rao, Minister of Finance, Health, Medical & Family Welfare, Government of Telangana. Along with the eye care centre, Rao also inaugurated LVPEI’s ‘Mobile Advanced Eye Diagnostic Unit’ dedicated to the service of rural areas of Telangana.   The ‘Shirin, Etian & Tara Brown Eye Centre’ is LVPEI’s Satellite Urban Tertiary Centre in Hyderabad. The first floor of the centre has the state-of-the-art and comprehensive surgical facility. Home care will be provided to people in and around the areas of Rajendra Nagar, Gachibowli and extending into the outskirts of the Vikarabad district. Services are provided free of cost to those in need, irrespective of the complexity of care needed.    ‘Pashyantu’ is LVPEI’s mobile advanced eye diagnostic unit that brings high-end eye diagnostic equipment for testing complicated eye conditions into the purview of rural secondary centres. The mobile van will visit LVPEI’s secondary eye care centres in the districts of Adilabad, Siddipet, Siricilla, Rangareddy, and Nagarkurnool periodically, making advanced eye diagnostic services accessible and affordable to the communities there right at their doorsteps.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21233/medulance-rolls-out-what3words-tech.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21233/medulance-rolls-out-what3words-tech.html Thu, 12 May 2022 18:20:00 +0530 Medulance has announced the successful rollout of what3words. With the free what3words app, patients can identify and share exactly where assistance is needed, even in areas with no or weak data connection. what3words has made it possible to identify and easily communicate any location, precise to a 3m x 3m square. With the technology, Medulance has reduced its emergency response time from 35 minutes to 11 minutes on average, and in some cases, dispatch teams in Delhi have arrived at an incident in under ten minutes.what3words has divided the globe into a grid of 3m x 3m squares and given each square a unique combination of three random words: a what3words address. what3words can also be used via the online map at what3words.com.The technology is available in over 50 languages, including 12 South Asian languages: Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Kannada, Nepali, Urdu, Gujarati, Malayalam, Odia, and Punjabi. If a caller doesn’t have the what3words app, call handlers can share an SMS with a link to what3words.com which allows the caller to retrieve the what3words address for their exact location and recite it over the phone. The technology will save dispatchers and responders precious time and resources in an emergency, and in some cases, save lives.The what3words technology is already being used by over 120 emergency services control centres around the world in the UK, the US, Australia, Germany, France, Belgium, Austria, Singapore, Canada, India, and South Africa to locate people in need. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21232/developing-national-health-quality-index-key-for-transforming-indian-healthcare-kpmg.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21232/developing-national-health-quality-index-key-for-transforming-indian-healthcare-kpmg.html Thu, 12 May 2022 17:35:00 +0530 As India advances towards a Rs 5 trillion dollar economy by 2024–25, KPMG in India has come out with a report titled – “15 top priorities for transforming Indian healthcare: the 2024 agenda” that highlights the certain priority areas needed for transforming the Indian healthcare industry.   These include: Expanding financing for ‘Healthy India’ Promoting ‘Healthy India’ as a mass movement Launching a Healthcare Sector Promotion Programme Ensuring health coverage for all Strengthening the primary care system Redefining and reviving public-private partnerships Driving Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) till the last mile ‘National Health App’ for aggregating healthcare services across the value chain ‘National Task Force’ for healthcare workforce development Building a ‘National Medical Network’ Developing ‘National Health Quality Index’ and transparency system Strengthening Medical hubs/Medicities across India Stepping up the national surveillance system Utilising Telemedicine, Virtual care, Metaverse Decarbonising Healthcare     Dr Anna van Poucke, Global Head of Healthcare, KPMG International said, “India is taking major steps for the overall strengthening of the Indian healthcare system, however, to increase the resilience and sustainability of the system and to ensure preparedness against future pandemics, the government, as well as the private players, need to accelerate on the journey they have started, and need an overarching program, to ensure that the right steps are taken at the right time”.    Lalit Mistry, Partner and Co-Head of Healthcare Sector, KPMG in India said, “India should continue the momentum and prioritise these systemic reforms in a phased manner by focusing on key areas for the next two years." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21228/iit-mandi-develops-wireless-tech-for-iot-applications.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21228/iit-mandi-develops-wireless-tech-for-iot-applications.html Thu, 12 May 2022 14:55:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Mandi are working towards developing efficient remote powering and communication technology for futuristic Internet of Things (IoT) applications.The findings of this study were published in the Wireless Networks. The study was led by DR Siddhartha Sarma, Assistant Professor, School of Computing and Electrical Engineering, IIT Mandi, and co-authored by his student Shivam Gujral, PhD Scholar, School of Computing and Electrical Engineering, IIT Mandi.  The potential of the proposed system is vast and includes applications such as battery-free wireless cameras, wireless monitors, sensors, skin-attachable sensing platforms, contact lenses, machine-to-machine communication and human-to-machine interactions, among others.Highlighting his research, Gujral said, “We have developed a cooperative model, in which, backscatter communication and radiofrequency energy harvesting (RF-EH) devices act together to optimally allocate the resources such as time and antenna weights.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21216/medikabazaar-redwing-labs-launch-pilot-drone-project-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21216/medikabazaar-redwing-labs-launch-pilot-drone-project-in-bengaluru.html Wed, 11 May 2022 12:30:00 +0530 Medikabazaar recently launched the pilot drone project in collaboration with Redwing Labs to transport medical supplies and assess the potential of drones as a means of alternative last-mile delivery option, especially for emergency scenarios. The first scheduled test drone delivery took place successfully in Bengaluru.    In Bengaluru, the trial attempted to deliver medical supplies via drone. The used drone has a maximum range of 35 kilometres and can deliver a payload weighing from one kilogram up to 10 kilograms.   The project aims to serve multiple locations across rural, urban and semi-urban cities for medical supplies including the geographies where the time to delivery is significantly higher through conventional modes due to tough terrain. The pilot project aims to create a large-scale impact and commitment to transform healthcare by making it accessible even to the remotest area to cater to emergent situations. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21213/transasia-donates-erba-h-360-to-patut-for-thalassemia-children.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21213/transasia-donates-erba-h-360-to-patut-for-thalassemia-children.html Wed, 11 May 2022 09:00:00 +0530 As a part of its corporate social responsibility for the benefit of thalassemia children, Transasia Bio-Medicals has donated Erba H360 to Parent Association Thalassemic Unit Trust (PATUT). Erba H360 is a fully automated 3 Part Differential hematology analayser that aids in the screening of hemoglobinopathies. More than 15000 units of the three instruments – Erba H 360 (3 Part Differential Hematology Analyser), Erba H 560 (5 Part Differential Hematology Analyzer) and Erba Elite 580 (5 Part Differential Hematology Analyser with autoloader) have been installed across the country. Transasia felicitated Malik Ashab, General Manager and Dr Sonal Gupta of Redcliff Labs for installing the landmark 15,000th hematology analyser. Dr Pankaj Shah, MD, Aspira Pathlab & Diagnostics was felicitated for installing the 15001st instrument.The occasion was attended by more than 700 doctors, customers, well-wishers and supporters of Transasia and PATUT.A musical concert was organised where singer Pankaj Udhas took part. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21210/eka-care-forays-into-lucknow.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21210/eka-care-forays-into-lucknow.html Tue, 10 May 2022 17:35:00 +0530 Eka Care, a connected healthcare platform, has forayed into Lucknow.    “We are excited to expand in Lucknow. Eka Self-Assessment Module and AI-Driven Prescription Pad are the key innovations which are helping doctors to save and spend more time with their patients. Eka 360 Degree Clinic Management suite is integrated with Google MyBusiness which gives doctors tremendous online visibility, driving direct appointments and offering a better experience to their patients. We look forward to working alongside the doctors in Lucknow, helping them to help us," said Mohit Rajpal, Founding Member at Eka Care.   In order to issue a Health ID to an individual, Eka Care will require basic demography and contact details and pass them on to the ABDM system. The ID will be used for uniquely identifying persons, authenticating them and maintaining their own and family’s health records across multiple systems and stakeholders.   The platform which is available in 12 languages enables every Indian family to create multiple health profiles, and store health records such as vaccination charts for kids, developmental milestones, prescriptions, lab reports and scans.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21208/emcure-fogsi-launch-emwocal-campaign-on-womens-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21208/emcure-fogsi-launch-emwocal-campaign-on-womens-health.html Tue, 10 May 2022 17:30:00 +0530 Emcure Pharmaceuticals has launched the EmWocal initiative, an awareness campaign that has been launched in association with the Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists of India (FOGSI). The initiative aims to reach one crore women across India. EmWocal campaign will be live in nine Indian languages (Hindi, English, Odia, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Bengali).    At the core of the EmWocal campaign will be smart kiosks displaying QR codes, and thoughtfully installed in the waiting areas of hospitals and clinics. This is to make sure that the long waiting time to see the doctors can be well utilised by visiting patients in educating themselves. Women scanning the QR code will be guided to Augmented Reality (AR) videos, frequently asked questions and chat with a personal digital assistant among others.    Through digitally accessible information and informative videos, EmWocal campaign will raise awareness about anaemia and prompt women to take appropriate actions to deal with this. While the benefits of breastfeeding for the child are widely discussed, the EmWocal campaign will drive understanding of the significance and benefits for the mother’s health. EmWocal’s third awareness area is menstrual health.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21206/icpas-clinical-series-throws-light-on-anterior-composites.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21206/icpas-clinical-series-throws-light-on-anterior-composites.html Tue, 10 May 2022 14:50:00 +0530 ICPA Health Products hosted its latest interactive online session led by guest speaker Dr Nisha Deshpande on unravelling anterior composites. The 14th episode of the Clinical Series offered simple solutions to common challenges faced by dentists in anterior composite restoration procedures. Dr Deshpande helped decode diastema closures, invisible proximal restorations and simplified class 4 restorations for the participants.Dr Deshpande advised that shade selection for anterior composites be done before isolation. Further, the doctor also stressed the importance of maintaining a smooth bevel for achieving seamless restoration margins for proximal and class 4 restorations. She also recommended that the last level of composite be cured under a barrier like glycerine gel to completely cure the oxygen inhibited layer. Among other recommendations, Dr Deshpande suggested checking curing light at regular intervals to ensure its efficacy and following proper finishing and polishing protocols in the correct sequence to increase the longevity ofrestorations. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21203/green-health-alliance-launches-in-india-to-reduce-carbon-footprint-of-health-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21203/green-health-alliance-launches-in-india-to-reduce-carbon-footprint-of-health-system.html Tue, 10 May 2022 00:00:00 +0530 The Catalyst Group, in an innovative collaboration with the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Rockefeller Foundation, has announced the launch of the Green Health Alliance (GHA) in New Delhi. The Alliance is set to focus on identifying and scaling up solutions to help reduce the carbon footprint of the health system and thereby minimise the negative health impacts of climate change. Dr Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, Office of Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India, said, “We are pleased to extend our support to Green Health Alliance through various possibilities of partnerships. To scale up such partnership efforts, the division of Strategic Alliances is developing a collaboration platform, ‘Manthan’ centred around SDGs and took innovative solutions to scale. We would encourage all GHA partners to utilise this platform after it goes live.” As an action-oriented community of diverse stakeholders like Swasti, Vrutti, Fuzhio, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), The Skoll Foundation, the Green Health Alliance will integrate private and public sector expertise to build strong and resilient health ecosystems through affirmative climate action. The focus of GHA includes the identification of proven climate-neutral solutions and support these to scale across the health ecosystem; and developing a credible platform to convene, ideate, and scale innovative solutions at the intersection of health ecosystem and climate impact.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21201/mumbai-based-nanavati-max-hospital-to-invest-rs-700-cr-for-hospital-expansion.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21201/mumbai-based-nanavati-max-hospital-to-invest-rs-700-cr-for-hospital-expansion.html Mon, 09 May 2022 19:50:00 +0530 Dr Balabhai Nanavati Hospital (Nanavati-Max Super Speciality Hospital), Mumbai embarked on an ambitious expansion plan that would add over 600 beds to its existing capacity of 350 beds, by 2024. The new additions will significantly enhance the capacity of the hospital by over 600 beds. Post expansion, the hospital will have over 950 state-of-the-art patient beds. The new building is expected to be commissioned by 2024. Post the expansion, Nanavati-Max Hospital will be amongst the largest private sector hospital in western India. This expansion is at an investment of over Rs 700 crore and would create employment opportunities for over 5,000 doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers. Also, 20 per cent of the beds will be earmarked for patients from the economically weaker section of society to provide quality healthcare. This will make a 180-bed facility available on completion of the entire project for the economically weaker patients. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21197/takeda-ungcni-initiative-strengthens-access-to-rare-disease-treatment-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21197/takeda-ungcni-initiative-strengthens-access-to-rare-disease-treatment-in-india.html Mon, 09 May 2022 14:35:00 +0530 In November 2021, Takeda Pharmaceutical together with United Nations Global Compact Network of India (UNGCNI) launched a national initiative for improving early access to treatment for Rare Disease Patients in India. The joint rare disease initiative took charge of addressing the challenges to ensure access to treatment for rare disease patients waiting on the crowdfunding portal in an integrated manner. Through the initiative, 300+ PSUs and corporate leaders were reached, which has helped to generate a pool of insights and recommendations that will help in shaping the future of access to rare disease treatment in the country.  The six-month intensive initiative has been able to bring together stakeholder groups (private sector, PSUs, corporate giants, etc.) that can support mobilising and operationalising funding for the rare disease under CSR grants and donations for strengthening the existing crowdfunding mechanism and pathways set in the India Rare Disease Policy. Furthermore, it has created the roadmap for addressing rare disease funding requirements in alignment with the Government policies and guidelines Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Department of Public Enterprises, and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt of India.  The eminent experts from public and private sector organisations that participated in the initiatives include MoH&FW, AIIMS (New Delhi), Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KELSA), CoEs (SGPGI, Lucknow, KEM, Mumbai, SSKM, Kolkata), and 24 PSUs and Corporate Leaders (e.g., BHEL, Bharat Petroleum, ONGC etc).  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21194/roche-diabetes-care-launches-accu-fine-pen-needles-for-painless-insulin-delivery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21194/roche-diabetes-care-launches-accu-fine-pen-needles-for-painless-insulin-delivery.html Mon, 09 May 2022 13:10:00 +0530 Roche Diabetes Care India (RDC India) has launched ACCU-FINE, quality pen needles to make the process of insulin delivery smoother and virtually painless for people with diabetes. The latest innovation from Roche Diabetes Care, makers of ACCU-CHEK, aims to make the process of insulin delivery easier thereby leading to better diabetes management for people with diabetes.    The ACCU-FINE needles are available in packs of 100 in three variants including a 33G 4 mm variant. Based on deep customer insights, the ACCU-FINE Pen Needles are specially designed with three key features to make them gentle in use. First, the needle has a special cut at the tip to ensure gentle insertion; second, the needle has a thin wall to enable rapid insulin flow; and third, the needle has a special coating that allows it to be inserted into the skin easily. The needles come with a sealed sterile protective cap and an additional protective cap for double protection.    The product is already available for purchase in pharmacies across the Indian market.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21192/niramai-healthians-partner-for-breast-cancer-screening.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21192/niramai-healthians-partner-for-breast-cancer-screening.html Mon, 09 May 2022 11:40:00 +0530 On the occasion of Mother’s Day, Niramai has partnered with Healthians. The partnership will leverage Niramai’s radiation-free technology to make women more aware about their breast health and conduct regular screenings as a preventive measure in a non-invasive, painless and privacy-aware manner.   A portable solution called Thermalytix will detect breast cancer at a much earlier stage than traditional screening methods. With this partnership, Healthians launches breast cancer screening in the NCR region.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21190/central-animal-facility-of-bits-pilani-opens-for-research-activities.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21190/central-animal-facility-of-bits-pilani-opens-for-research-activities.html Mon, 09 May 2022 10:25:00 +0530 Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary, Industries & Commerce and Information Technology, Government of Telangana recently inaugurated the Central Animal Facility of BITS Pilani, Hyderabad campus. The facility will provide scientific services and animal resources to students/researchers in conducting high quality research. Ranjan also visited various facilities of the institute like High Performance Computing Cluster, Dhruva Space Center and MMNE (Microfluidics and Nano-electronics) Laboratory.  Prof G Sundar, Director, BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus presented a few crucial research projects and various social outreach programmes undertaken by the institute aligned with the focus by the Government of Telangana. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21185/india-to-share-co-win-app-globally-for-better-vaccination-drives.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21185/india-to-share-co-win-app-globally-for-better-vaccination-drives.html Fri, 06 May 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said that India is committed to ensuring accessibility and affordability of vaccines for all. Addressing the Seventh Annual Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals of UN, Dr Jitendra Singh said, India has been strongly advocating for the principle of equity in the WHO and has also proposed, along with South Africa, a TRIPS waiver at the WTO for COVID-19 vaccines, diagnostics, and medicines.  He added, utilizing India’s strength in the digital space, New Delhi decided to share with the world, India-developed Co-WIN App, to provide digital support to better organize vaccination drives. The Minister said, India has long been fostering Science Technology and Innovation and nurturing an enabling ecosystem to incubate and scale revolutionary ideas, help improve the quality of lives of people and provide solutions to global problems. This has become even more crucial in the current scenario, he added. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21177/narayana-nethralaya-acer-launch-pc-based-therapy-to-treat-visual-impairment-in-children.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21177/narayana-nethralaya-acer-launch-pc-based-therapy-to-treat-visual-impairment-in-children.html Wed, 04 May 2022 16:55:00 +0530 Narayana Nethralaya in collaboration with Acer India launched the PC + tablet-based software, 'VisioNova' designed for children suffering from Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI). This initiative by Narayana Nethralaya and Acer India aims at breaking down barriers and providing patients with better access to treatment.   Acer VisioNova, a path-breaking innovation was conceptualized as a mobile alternative to on-site therapy for CVI children that will offer them the standard of care. Narayana Nethralaya as a part of its ‘Buds to Blossoms’ initiative provides dedicated therapy programs to help children develop and improve motor, cognitive and visual abilities that significantly improve their quality of life.   Acer provided PC and 100+ tablets under CSR. Acer has also further intent to supply around 2000 tablets for patients where patients can pay the hospital a small, refundable deposit and receive the tablet for use from the comforts of their home and continue treatments even with COVID disruptions. This tablet will allow remote therapy under the mentorship of Narayana Nethralaya’ CVI experts, making this treatment accessible to the outreach. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21176/goqii-launches-lifestyle-medicine-prog-for-diabetes-mgmt.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21176/goqii-launches-lifestyle-medicine-prog-for-diabetes-mgmt.html Wed, 04 May 2022 16:40:00 +0530 GOQii has launched an integrated lifestyle medicine programme-the GOQii Diabetes Care for people diagnosed with Diabetes. The programme is initiated to help people with diabetes to manage their condition and take ownership of their health with external help and expert guidance.    The programme is priced at Rs 6999 and comes with the offering of a GOQii Smart Vital Plus device, a connected Glucometer -Contour Plus+1 with 10 test strips, doctor consult, 2 HbA1c tests and six months of personalised diabetes coaching.    Once enrolled on the Diabetes Care Programme, the patient gets trusted and trained assistance for the Diabetes Journey to improve diabetes outcomes (Lower blood sugar levels, HbA1c, lipid levels) and other metabolic parameters (Lose weight, reduce BMI, more energy). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21171/sakra-world-hospital-collaborates-with-myhealthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21171/sakra-world-hospital-collaborates-with-myhealthcare.html Wed, 04 May 2022 11:55:00 +0530 MyHealthcare announced the launch of a patient-centric digital health platform in collaboration with Bengaluru-based Sakra World Hospital that will deliver 360-degree patient care outcomes. Through this collaboration, Sakra World Hospital will be using the MyHealthcare platform to accelerate its digital transformation journey, with the launch of the Sakra Patient Mobile App, AI-based EMR for digital prescriptions, integrated virtual consultation platform and more.    The platform aims to extend all Sakra World Hospital, Sakra Premium Clinic and Sakra Homecare services to patients, in the comfort of their homes. The digital ecosystem is also streamlining the patient journey within the hospital.   The Sakra Patient mobile apps serve as a single window, empowering patients to manage all their healthcare needs such as booking doctor appointments (physical or virtual), diagnostics tests at the hospital, preventive health check-ups, viewing their test results and other diagnostics reports, managing health for their families, view e-prescriptions and request for pathology tests or delivery of medicines at home. In empowering their health, the platform comes with built-in vitals trackers and health dashboards, and will soon have patient monitoring devices integrated as well.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21168/president-lays-foundation-stone-for-bhagwan-mahavir-super-speciality-hospital-in-delhi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21168/president-lays-foundation-stone-for-bhagwan-mahavir-super-speciality-hospital-in-delhi.html Tue, 03 May 2022 00:00:00 +0530 The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind laid the foundation stone for Bhagwan Mahavir Super Speciality Hospital in Delhi on May 3, 2022.  Speaking on the occasion, the President said that priority has been given to service in the Jain tradition. He noted that the state-of-the-art Bhagwan Mahavir Super Speciality Hospital with 250 beds would be completed by the year 2023. He said that in this super specialty hospital, high quality health services will be made available to all sections of the society at affordable rates, and free of cost to the poor.  Speaking about the importance of face masks, the President said that we know that the introduction of surgical masks into modern history dates back to the year 1897 when surgeons began using masks to protect themselves from bacteria during operations. But Jain saints understood the importance of masks centuries ago. By covering their mouth and nose, they were not only able to avoid killing living beings but they also able to prevent the entry of micro-organisms into their body.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21169/usaid-discusses-current-covid-19-vaccination-progress-for-young-adolescents-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21169/usaid-discusses-current-covid-19-vaccination-progress-for-young-adolescents-in-india.html Tue, 03 May 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Recently, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through its MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity project, organized a collaborative virtual event “Expanding Coverage of COVID-19 vaccination for 12-14 year olds,” bringing together key stakeholders to discuss current COVID-19 vaccination progress for young adolescents and the urgent need to expand coverage in the wake of rising positive cases across the country.In India, the USAID’s MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity project is supporting the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW)’s nation-wide vaccine deployment efforts, including improving vaccine availability and demand. Through the project, USAID is increasing COVID-19 vaccination uptake among the most vulnerable and marginalized population by engaging influential leaders and groups, such as women’s and health professional associations.  COVID-19 vaccination for 12-14 year olds in India commenced on March 16, 2022. Vaccine uptake among this population has been slow, primarily due to vaccine hesitancy and misinformation about its possible side-effects and availability.Dr. Sanjay Kapur, Managing Director, John Snow India said, “Increasing vaccination coverage among children aged 12–14 years, is extremely critical to reduce COVID-19–associated burden. With cases of COVID-19 on a steep rise again, there is an urgent need to step up public engagement and communication to build confidence and uptake of the Corbevax, the vaccine prescribed by the Centre for children and adolescents. Moreover, it will be essential to provide people who are hesitant, or otherwise unmotivated with respect to the COVID-19 vaccines with the resources, information, and support they need to make the vaccination decision that is right for them.”  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21159/gs1-india-ahpi-raise-concern-over-healthcare-supply-chain-in-india-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21159/gs1-india-ahpi-raise-concern-over-healthcare-supply-chain-in-india-.html Mon, 02 May 2022 13:10:00 +0530 GS1 India and Association of Healthcare Providers (India) have conducted a comprehensive study on the healthcare supply chain in India. The findings and recommendations of the study titled 'Building resilience in India’s post covid healthcare supply chain' was released by Dr Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, MD and CEO, Fortis Healthcare on occasion of the GS1 India silver jubilee celebration.    The main findings of the study are:     In the current scenario, over 80% of the Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Manufacturers do not have product visibility till point of care Best-in-class pharma companies globally have inventory period of 64 days as compared to Indian counterparts having 98 days, leading to inefficient inventory management and adding to the inventory holding costs, driving the product prices upwards. The overall supply chain, logistics and warehousing costs in India are 15% higher compared to other countries. More than 50% of Pharma and medical devices manufacturers lose 1% of their sales due to expiry and pilferage. Nearly 69% of survey respondents (Pharma and Medical Devices Manufacturers) do not have the capability to implement product recall beyond the distributor due to lack of end to end visibility. Way forward presented in the report includes making the Healthcare supply chain resilient which will require end-to-end supply chain visibility through digitalization and use of global standards which facilitate interoperability. All the stakeholders including the government, the regulators and the industry need to work together to build a resilient healthcare supply chain.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21152/astrazeneca-opens-3-health-information-centres-in-delhi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21152/astrazeneca-opens-3-health-information-centres-in-delhi.html Fri, 29 Apr 2022 16:45:00 +0530 AstraZeneca India with Plan India has announced the expansion of their flagship CSR initiative, Young Health Programme by opening three Health Information Centres (HIC) in Delhi across the communities of Sangam Vihar and Dakshin Puri.   The flag-off event organised at The India Habitat Centre saw participation by senior dignitaries from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Directorate of Family Welfare, NCD Cell, MCD North, beneficiaries from the multiple under-resourced communities, Plan India and AstraZeneca India.   ‘Young Health Programme’ (YHP) aims to reduce the growing burden of non-communicable diseases on health systems with a focused approach to bring about a behaviour change specifically amongst youth from 10-24 years of age.    In a direction to create a multi-faceted impact, AstraZeneca is complementing the YHP with ‘New Normal Same Cancer’ and ‘Ganga Godavari Initiative’ that focuses on creating a mass scale awareness on cancers with the help of ambassadors and partners such as Indian Cancer Society and Banaras Hindu University. Under these initiatives, multiple cancer screening camps are conducted in the remote areas of the country where not many facilities are available.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21150/medikabazaar-ties-up-with-india-health-link-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21150/medikabazaar-ties-up-with-india-health-link-.html Fri, 29 Apr 2022 12:45:00 +0530 MEDIKABAZAAR has joined hands with health and medical device startup India Health Link. The collaboration with Medikabazaar will help the maximum number of patients deprived of the accessibility to primary and preventive care.   Medikabazaar, through its over 40 warehouses and a network of offices and delivery ecosystem, has the capability to deliver small to big medical supplies in more than 900 pincodes across the country.   Dr Satyender Goel, Founder & CEO, India Health Link, said, “This collaboration will be instrumental in enabling small clinics with one-of-a-kind self-screening Health Pod and IHL Care platform."   Vivek Tiwari, Founder & CEO, Medikabazaar said, “Our collaboration with India Health Link will catalyse our mission to ensure that everyone has access to innovative and quality health treatment driving Accessibility, Availability, Affordability and Awareness. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21131/maharashtra-govt-to-strengthen-medical-education-and-healthcare-workforce.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21131/maharashtra-govt-to-strengthen-medical-education-and-healthcare-workforce.html Wed, 27 Apr 2022 15:00:00 +0530 The Medical Education and Drugs Department (MEDD) and International Finance Corporation (IFC) have joined forces to prioritise healthcare projects with an emphasis on medical education under the public-private partnership (PPP) model in Maharashtra.  Marking the collaboration, and deliberating on the roadmap, MEDD and IFC recently organised an investor conference themed around strengthening medical education and tertiary healthcare in Mumbai.  Subhash Desai, Minister, Industries, Mines and Marathi Language Department and Amit Vilasrao Deshmukh Minister, Medical Education and Cultural Affairs Department, inaugurated the event, where they emphasised the Government of Maharashtra’s strategic focus on health care projects, including the recently notified health PPP policy.  Given the government's priority to expand healthcare services to ensure equitable access in its Vision 2021-2030 Strategy, PPP projects can help the state leverage the expertise and efficiency of the private sector, raise capital, and spur development in the health and medical education sector.  IFC will be the transaction advisor for the PPPs to develop super-speciality hospitals and medical education facilities across the state. IFC’s support will help drive private sector-led growth, strengthening the state’s health infrastructure and increasing the number of specialist healthcare personnel in the state.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21110/roche-diabetes-care-fitterfly-launch-90-day-programme-for-type-2-diabetes-management.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21110/roche-diabetes-care-fitterfly-launch-90-day-programme-for-type-2-diabetes-management.html Mon, 25 Apr 2022 15:10:00 +0530 Roche Diabetes Care India (RDC) and Fitterfly Digital Therapeutics have partnered to co-create a 90-day diabetes management programme for people with type II diabetes. This programme is aimed at enhancing therapy adherence and improving outcomes and bringing true relief to people with diabetes.   The programme provides fitness assessments, personalisation and reports for doctors. This is best suited for individuals with newly diagnosed type II diabetes, new and fast-changing prescriptions for insulin or those who have spotted new symptoms indicating long-term complications of diabetes.    Dr Arbinder Singal, Co-founder and CEO, Fitterfly added, “The programme is designed to study the effects of various food groups on blood sugars with our meal-mapping technology. The members of the programme will be able to benefit from the accuracy and personalised approach of the programme bridging the important gap of lifestyle management and long- term behaviour change that is crucial to medical management prescribed by doctors”.   Speaking about the programme, Omar Sherief Mohammad, Cluster Head, India Middle East and Africa, Roche Diabetes Care said, "We believe we can generate real-world evidence to showcase the importance of comprehensive care in enhancing therapy adherence and improving outcomes.”     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21101/icmr-funded-study-underscores-need-for-better-control-of-diabetes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21101/icmr-funded-study-underscores-need-for-better-control-of-diabetes.html Fri, 22 Apr 2022 13:25:00 +0530 A nationwide study funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and coordinated by the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation has found that only a third of individuals with known diabetes in India have good control of diabetes, fewer than half have good control of blood pressure and LDL (bad) cholesterol, and only 7.7 per cent meet all three targets.   The study, comprising a vast sample size of 113, 043 people across 30 states and Union Territories of India, is the first extensive epidemiological study consisting of participants from all across the country. The results of the study have been published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology.    The study presents for the first time the status of diabetes control in the whole of India based on a nationally representative sample of 5,789 individuals with known diabetes.   The study revealed that 36.3 per cent of the population with diabetes achieved good glycemic control, 48.8 per cent achieved good blood pressure control and 41.5 per cent achieved LDL cholesterol control. Higher education, male sex, rural residence and shorter duration of diabetes were associated with a better achievement of the combined goals of diabetes treatment.   16.7 per cent of the population reported using a blood glucose monitor to check their blood sugars at home. Only 36.9 per cent of those on insulin performed any self-monitoring of blood glucose, notwithstanding the guidelines that all such individuals should self-monitor their glucose levels regularly.     The findings of the study imply that the achievement of treatment goals and adoption of healthy behaviours remains suboptimal in India. The findings underscore the need for better control of glycemia, blood pressure and lipid parameters, to reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications in Indians. These results can help both the Central and state government formulate policies to improve diabetes care at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels in India.         ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21095/healthifyme-launches-healthifypro-new-technology-in-metabolic-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21095/healthifyme-launches-healthifypro-new-technology-in-metabolic-health.html Thu, 21 Apr 2022 16:45:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based HealthifyMe has launched HealthifyPro combining some of the most advanced technologies in the field of metabolic health to drive behaviour change.   HealthifyPro is HealthifyMe’s flagship fitness plan that comes integrated with BIOS (Biosensor system with a Continuous Glucose Monitor), a connected Smart Scale, an 80+ parameter metabolic panel (diagnostic test) and HealthifyMe’s coaches, Ria, HealthifyMe’s AI assistant. Pro is currently available in Beta (invite only) in India as of April 21 and will be launched globally in the coming months. A request for the Beta can be submitted on HealthifyMe.com and in the app.   BIOS - HealthifyMe’s Biosensor System comprises a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) amongst other sensors and body monitors. The CGM, which is typically worn on the arm, measures real-time glucose levels. By combining the glucose patterns with the user’s food intake, steps and other fitness patterns, HealthifyMe’s coaches and Ria - can help its clients understand what foods work better for their bodies and create smart nudges and personalised diet plans that help them manage and stabilise their glucose spikes better.    HealthifyMe also announced that it has crossed a $50 million revenue run rate in January 22 and is now all set to cross $100 million in ARR in the next eight months. The company is targeting a turnover of over $500 million by 2025 with eventual goals to be a $1 billion topline entity. HealthifyMe has seen more than 100 per cent growth over the last year with gross margins as high as 75 per cent.                ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21092/bayer-launches-nationwide-campaign-preserve-the-uterus.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21092/bayer-launches-nationwide-campaign-preserve-the-uterus.html Thu, 21 Apr 2022 06:10:00 +0530 Ahead of the hysterectomy awareness month that is observed in May, Bayer launched a nationwide campaign called 'Preserve The Uterus' to raise awareness among women and educate healthcare practitioners about the vital reproductive organ and the diseases that impact it to avoid an untimely or unjustified hysterectomy.  The nationwide campaign will be implemented in partnership with the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) and the Integrated Health & Wellbeing (IHW) Council, India's leading not-for-profit health awareness institution.  Bayer has already reached 3800+ practitioners through HCP education initiatives to raise awareness about gynaecological diseases and modern methods of management. . This was achieved by organising 35 physical meets (Tier 2) & 20+ Digital meetings (Tier 1+ Tier 2). Bayer has also educated and upskilled PG students via a training programme on the same The campaign involves a multipronged approach to drive awareness, education and capacity building to support a favourable policy and regulatory environment for this issue among the target audience. through digital and conventional media outreach in multiple Indian languages and extensive yearlong sensitisation and upskilling workshops with medical practitioners across the country via virtual and physical meetings. Bayer will also partner with various state governments to reduce the economic burden posed due to hysterectomy. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21099/gaiis-2022-lays-focus-on-technology-innovation-and-education-in-ayush-sector.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21099/gaiis-2022-lays-focus-on-technology-innovation-and-education-in-ayush-sector.html Thu, 21 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Halls and sessions of the three-day event, Global Ayush Investment and Innovation Summit (GAIIS 2022) being held at Gandhinagar, Gujarat, are full of enthusiastic people participating in the event. On the second day of the event, various interesting exhibitions, and panel discussions took place. During the 'Technology and Innovation in Ayush Sector' session, Rajeev Vasudevan, CMD AyurVAID Hospitals, Chair CII Ayush Group spoke about the importance of digital health, reiterating that it is not secondary to the Indian healthcare system. It is the first paradigm of the healthcare system that is about to break in and create a huge impact. Mahendrabhai Munjapara, Union Minister of State (MoS) of Ayush and Women & Child Development said that the Ministry is determined to revive traditional medicine in India and across the world. He shared that they are also working steadfastly to accelerate investment in Ayush Sector. He reiterated that tech and Innovation can help in validating telemedicine through modern means. In another session named 'Heal In India- Medical Value Travel in Ayush', K Pathak, Special Secretary, Ministry of Ayush spoke about the benefits of traditional medicine and the need for it to reach masses in effective and affordable ways. Lothar Pirc, Director, International Maharishi Foundation said that medical health tourism and Ayurveda will greatly help India in getting people from across the world to come for traditional medicines and he also discussed how he wants India to help and  get Ayurveda recognized by the German Govt. Later, during the session 'Ayush in Education System Aligning with National Education Policy', Dr Anil Khurana, Chairman, National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH) said that we need to promote research and statistics at an undergraduate level to expand the horizons of knowledge. He also said that the education sector and education policy play a critical role in the holistic growth and development of Ayurveda sector. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21088/iit-m-designs-virtual-reality-tools-to-combat-maternal-newborn-deaths.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21088/iit-m-designs-virtual-reality-tools-to-combat-maternal-newborn-deaths.html Wed, 20 Apr 2022 13:35:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) researchers are working with National Health Mission of Tamil Nadu to improve newborn and maternal health. An IIT-M team at the Centre of Excellence on Virtual Reality (VR) and Haptics, called Experiential Technology Innovation Center (XTIC), identified that skill training of the health workers was a major challenge that India was facing, specifically at the primary health centres in rural settings. Dr Darez Ahamed, Mission Director, National Heath Mission Tamil Nadu, released the ‘SmartNRP project’ IIT Madras fealthcare workers to reduce Maternal Mortality Rate (NMR) in India in the presence of Prof V Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, Prof Mahesh Panchagnula, Dean (Alumni and Corporate Relations), IIT Madras, Prof M Manivannan head of XTIC, Dr J Kumudha, expert Neonatologist and other stakeholders. Using VR, Gaming Technologies, cloud, and AI/ML, the SmartNRP tool will be used for training the PHC health workers in Tamil Nadu under National Health Mission (NHM) to take the technologies forward. This will be scaled subsequently to other states in India where NMR is very high. Dr Darez Ahamed released the ‘SmartFHR project’ to reducing Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR). It is aimed at monitoring foetal health using smartphones anywhere and anytime without clinical assistants. This project also will be scaled subsequently to other states where MMR is very high. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21087/samridh-to-invest-rs-2-45-cr-to-qure-ai-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21087/samridh-to-invest-rs-2-45-cr-to-qure-ai-.html Wed, 20 Apr 2022 13:10:00 +0530 The SAMRIDH Healthcare Blended Financing Facility, supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by IPE Global, has committed Rs 2.45 crore to Qure.ai to scale artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled chest X-ray screening software, qXR, in 50 sites across more than 15 Indian states. The software will enable healthcare workers in the dual screening of COVID-19 and lung diseases such as tuberculosis, in remote and resource-challenged locations and will benefit an estimated 62,500 people in the next 12-14 months.   The partnership aims to advance its mission to scale market-based solutions and build sustainable and resilient healthcare systems for India.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21085/piramal-foundation-redwing-labs-pilot-drone-tech-for-tb-diagnosis-in-odisha.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21085/piramal-foundation-redwing-labs-pilot-drone-tech-for-tb-diagnosis-in-odisha.html Wed, 20 Apr 2022 12:50:00 +0530 Anamaya, the Tribal Health Collaborative an initiative of Piramal Foundation, piloted automated drones for faster transportation of sputum samples for screening and diagnosis in hard-to-reach areas of Kalahandi district, Odisha. The pilot implemented in March 2022 in collaboration with Redwing Labs, saw a significant time reduction to cover the distance to the diagnostic centre. Anamaya worked closely with the District Collector, Chief District Medical Officer, Civil Surgeon, frontline workers and the staff of the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) to ensure seamless operations.   The drone pilot was implemented in three blocks - Kesinga, Narla, and Bhawanipatna of Kalahandi district, to explore ways of accelerating pace of transportation to enable early diagnosis. The Anamaya team looked after the end-to-end project management, coordinated with the local government to arrange necessary permits and support. They also worked closely with the frontline workers to ensure timely sample collection at the source location.    With the deployment of drones, a distance of 36 kilometres of remote, hilly, uneven and forest-covered terrain which usually takes ~55 minutes by road, was covered in half the time, around 20 minutes. Redwing team customised the drones to suit the specific needs of this pilot and ensured operational efficiency of the drones. The drone used had a capacity to transfer two to three kilograms weight. 34 samples, in total, were collected from two villages during one flight each.        ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21079/ai-driven-israeli-company-embryonics-ties-up-with-jaslok-hospital.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21079/ai-driven-israeli-company-embryonics-ties-up-with-jaslok-hospital.html Tue, 19 Apr 2022 16:15:00 +0530 Embryonics, an Israel-based data-driven fertility company announced its first collaboration in India with Jaslok-FertilTree International Fertility Centre. The newly set up partnership will aim to help increase the success rate of fertility treatments in the Indian subcontinent.   Women undergoing IVF face costs of anywhere between $10,000 to $25,000 per cycle, with no guarantee of success. It is here that Embryonics aims to reduce the number of IVF rounds and their attendant expenses.   Embryonics has trained its algorithms using tens of thousands of data points from large clinics in the US, Israel, Europe, and Asia and the first product to reach the market is UBAR, CE marked assistive embryo selection tool. UBAR’s purpose is to assist embryologists in a highly subjective decision-making step, utilising a more objective data-driven approach and is not intended to replace the human factor. UBAR is a cloud-based software that uses time-lapse videos or single images of blastocysts to predict implantation probability, automatically annotate morphokinetic events and assist embryo selection using a data-driven approach.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21078/e-learning-upskilling-programme-in-diabetes-management-for-nurses-launches-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21078/e-learning-upskilling-programme-in-diabetes-management-for-nurses-launches-in-india.html Tue, 19 Apr 2022 15:10:00 +0530 India-Sweden Healthcare Innovation Centre, a collaboration between the Swedish Trade Commissioner’s Office, AIIMS New Delhi and AIIMS Jodhpur, has launched ‘Skill For Scale’, an e-learning initiative designed to equip nurses with hands-on practical knowledge and skills to practice latest patient care for managing non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This programme is certified by AIIMS Jodhpur and is endorsed by Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) to allow nurses from across the country to register for free, learn at their own pace. The content and modules are created by the team of experts from AIIMS Jodhpur and an advisory board with representation from AIIMS Delhi, ICMR, DGHS, Indian Nursing Council (INC) and AstraZeneca. These modules will equip nurses to provide standardized and quality counselling, care and support services to the people to prevent and manage Diabetes. Subsequently, these trainings will be extended to other areas of NCDs in the subsequent phases like Hypertension, Cardiovascular and Oncology. With a multi-phased approach, the Skill for Scale program is aimed to upskill 5000 nurses across the country within this year by converting the current theoretical and practical modules into easy interactive e-learning techniques. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21073/suki-adds-skill-to-voice-enabled-digital-assistant.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21073/suki-adds-skill-to-voice-enabled-digital-assistant.html Tue, 19 Apr 2022 11:55:00 +0530 Suki, the leader in voice artificial intelligence (AI) technology for healthcare, has added new voice-enabled capabilities to its flagship Suki Assistant. An expanded menu of commands now affords physician users of the digital assistant a more streamlined information retrieval and documentation experience, decreasing the administrative burden and freeing up more time for patient care. This is the latest innovation for Suki, which has been rapidly launching new features that tackle an increasingly broad scope of clerical tasks.   New 'show me' commands allow clinicians to quickly retrieve a wide set of patient information, including vital signs, medications, allergies, and medical and surgical histories. This functionality allows clinicians to easily access relevant information untethered from the electronic health record (EHR), enabling them to be more present with their patients.   The Suki Assistant harnesses advanced natural language processing and machine learning algorithms and architecture to deliver an accurate and responsive experience for physician documentation. New features complement a wide variety of existing voice commands to standardise common clinical documentation elements.        ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21070/rgcirc-holds-oncology-conference-rgcon22.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21070/rgcirc-holds-oncology-conference-rgcon22.html Mon, 18 Apr 2022 17:50:00 +0530 The 20th edition of RGCON, the annual international conference of Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre (RGCIRC) was held on the theme of “Frontiers in Uro Oncology”. RGCON had faculty from all leading hospitals in India besides the sterling presence of faculties from major cancer care centres around the world.   Chief Guest at the inaugural Dr Randeep Guleria, Director, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) congratulated Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute for the “excellent work” being done in the field of oncology.    More than 450 delegates participated in the conference. The scientific programme included workshops, lectures, and panel discussions/ debates and was designed to include diagnostic as well as therapeutic Uro- Oncology, said Dr Sudhir Rawal, Medical Director RGCIRC.   All the three departments of medical, surgical and radiation oncology at RGCIRC came together to hold RGCON 2022. The teams were led by Dr Vineet Talwar Director – Medical Oncology, Dr Munish Gairola, Director Radiation Oncology and Dr Amitabh Singh, Consultant, Department of Genito-Uro Oncology.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21067/government-extends-healthcare-benefits-across-country-with-health-melas.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21067/government-extends-healthcare-benefits-across-country-with-health-melas.html Mon, 18 Apr 2022 14:15:00 +0530 Under the direction of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the district administration and health department will organise Block-level Health Melas for one day in each block of the country from April 18 to 30, 2022.   The Health Melas will serve as a platform to attract thousands of people to avail quality healthcare services along with essential medicines and diagnostic services. The Health Mela would be part of the celebration of 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' and departments other than the health department would also make an appearance including Youth Affairs and Sports, Women and Child Development, State Health Authority, and any other department as per the context of local need will coordinate with each other in conducting a successful Mela.   In total, 65 different diagnostic services, including ECG and X-Ray, and more than 170 medicines for various illnesses will be available at these Health Melas at no cost. Services at attendance in Health Mela includes ABHA (Health ID) creation; Ayushman Bharat Golden Card creation; Diabetes screening, treatment & referral; Oral cancer screening, treatment & referral; Hypertension screening, treatment & referral; Free drugs and diagnostic services; AYUSH services- Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Homeopathy; Services for communicable diseases- malaria; tuberculosis, leprosy. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21063/blockchain-health-revolution-limoverse-forays-into-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21063/blockchain-health-revolution-limoverse-forays-into-india.html Mon, 18 Apr 2022 12:35:00 +0530 Blockchain healthcare provider Limoverse has forayed into the Indian market. Limoverse is a virtual universe where people get empowered to take charge of their health and well-being. It will offer users the ability to monetise, gamify and decentralise personalised wellness database through Limoverse’s network of health & wellness enthusiasts and practitioners.   Limoverse aims to create a unified and united ‘Global Health & Wellness Ecosystem’ using their proprietary EPLIMO stack based on blockchain. The company will collaborate with leading Indian startups and entrepreneurs to introduce innovative solutions to the Indian masses.   The company is poised to lead India into the paradigm shift with Health 5.0 and usher MIoT using analytical tools for wellness and fitness with Artificial Intelligence, AR/VR/XR and Blockchain as the underlying technology.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21059/pm-modi-inaugurates-kk-patel-super-speciality-hospital-in-bhuj-gujarat.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21059/pm-modi-inaugurates-kk-patel-super-speciality-hospital-in-bhuj-gujarat.html Fri, 15 Apr 2022 16:05:00 +0530 The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation KK Patel Super Speciality Hospital in Bhuj, Gujarat via video conferencing. The hospital has been built by Shree Kutchi Leva Patel Samaj, Bhuj. Chief Minister of Gujarat Bhupendrabhai Patel was among those present on the occasion.Modi said, "The hospital is the first charitable super speciality hospital of the region which will act as a guarantee of quality medical treatment for people of Kutch along with lakhs of soldiers, par military personnel and traders."He added, "Hospitals are being constructed in every district. Similarly, AIIMS are being established. Medical Colleges are expanding medical education and the country is likely to get a record number of doctors in the next 10 years."The PM further said, "There are nine AIIMS, more than three dozen medical colleges, up from nine colleges earlier. Medical seats have increased from 1100 to 6000. Rajkot AIIMs has gone functional, and Civil Hospital Ahmedabad is getting 1500-bed infrastructure for mother and child care." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21056/usaid-and-villgro-accelerate-reproductive-health-outcomes-for-indian-youth.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21056/usaid-and-villgro-accelerate-reproductive-health-outcomes-for-indian-youth.html Thu, 14 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0530 The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)’s MOMENTUM Country and Global Leadership India Yash project, together with Villgro, a leading social enterprise incubator in India, have launched the Yash Entrepreneurs Programme to catalyze innovative business models to improve family planning and reproductive health (FP/RH) outcomes for young people. The launch was done in collaboration with the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India.  The Yash Entrepreneurs Programme will support 20 enterprises across India, over a 36-month period, to invest in solutions to revolutionize how youth and adolescents access quality FP/RH services. The programme will help shape an entrepreneurial ecosystem to scale promising and cost-effective FP/RH innovations by leveraging partnerships with key public and private sector stakeholders. Each enterprise will receive funding of up to Rs 10 Lakhs, as well as technical assistance, mentoring, and incubation support from Villgro. The support will include skill building on the designing, prototyping, and manufacturing of products such as sanitary napkins, digital marketing, financial dashboards, legal compliance, organizational culture, and leadership capability.  A smaller number of promising startups will be provided with more intensive acceleration support, as well as an additional funding of up to Rs 1 Crore. The selection will be made based on evidence of future cash flow for the startup, its technology potential, strength of product pipeline, ability for the team to grow the company, and the potential reflected in the first round of funding.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21046/hitachi-india-sets-up-oxygen-plant-at-vimhans-nayati-super-specialty-hospital-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21046/hitachi-india-sets-up-oxygen-plant-at-vimhans-nayati-super-specialty-hospital-.html Wed, 13 Apr 2022 14:35:00 +0530 Hitachi India has collaborated with Vimhans Nayati Super Specialty Hospital and set up an oxygen plant of 150nm3 (cube) capacity on the premises of the hospital in Delhi. The plant will achieve a 97 per cent level of O2 purity, conforming to the industry standards, and offering the best facility to patients. Bharat Kaushal, MD, Hitachi India, “Commissioning an independent O2 PSA plant would help cut down the dependability of hospitals on external oxygen resources and would make the health institute self-reliant."“With the commissioning of the O2 plant we can supply uninterrupted oxygen to critical patients, those in ICUs, neonatal and pediatric units, emergency wards, and provide the best medical care,” said Dr SN Chaudhry, Chairman, VIMHANS. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21040/docty-to-set-up-100-digital-health-kiosks-across-telangana-ap-maharashtra.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21040/docty-to-set-up-100-digital-health-kiosks-across-telangana-ap-maharashtra.html Tue, 12 Apr 2022 17:20:00 +0530 Docty is aiming to set up 100 Digital Health Kiosks across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. As a part of this 'Phygital Care' programme Gali Gali Mein Digital Clinic, Docty has partnered with 100+ offline stores, local pharmacies, photo-copy centres, and Internet cafes in these geographies. The initiative is dedicated to improving digital healthcare accessibility for the rural and impoverished urban communities of India.   The kiosks will also enable residents to consult doctors across 28+ specialities. Docty kiosks will be set up at every three kilometres in cities, and 5 kilometres in villages, providing access to quality healthcare in almost ‘every Gali’.    Over 2022-23, Docty plans to further expand its Digital Health Kiosks across Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, covering all their surrounding villages and tier-III cities. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21039/healthplix-unveils-ai-powered-emr-on-mobile-tool.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21039/healthplix-unveils-ai-powered-emr-on-mobile-tool.html Tue, 12 Apr 2022 17:15:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based startup HealthPlix Technologies has released the mobile version of its AI-powered EMR. Available on all Android and iOS devices, HealthPlix 'EMR on Mobile' can be accessed through any smartphone, enabling real-time access to patients’ information from anywhere, at any time.   Expanding its multi-channel strategy, HealthPlix's 'EMR on mobile' is free to use with no entry barrier, ensuring better care delivery in the most remote areas of India.   The "EMR on mobile" is built on the same architecture as the company's flagship AI-powered desktop EMR. Some features like automated follow-up cycles ensure doctors don’t lose on patient health outcomes.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21041/govt-to-boost-ongoing-monitoring-and-surveillance-of-new-xe-variant.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21041/govt-to-boost-ongoing-monitoring-and-surveillance-of-new-xe-variant.html Tue, 12 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare chaired a meeting with the key experts and officials of the country on the new ‘XE variant’ of COVID-19. While reviewing the cases of COVID-19 in the country, he directed the officials to boost ongoing monitoring and surveillance of new variants and cases. On the medical infrastructure and resources front, Dr Mandaviya directed officials to constantly review the availability of essential drugs and medicines required for COVID-19 treatment. He further emphasized that the ongoing vaccination drive must be carried out at full pace and all eligible should be vaccinated. The meeting was attended by Dr V.K. Paul, member, Health, NITI Ayog, Shri. Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Health, Dr Randeep Guleria, Director, AIIMS, Dr Balram Bhargava, DG, ICMR, Dr. N K Arora, NTAGI and other senior officials of the Health Ministry were also present in the meeting. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21033/medgenome-launches-novel-ai-enabled-software-varminer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21033/medgenome-launches-novel-ai-enabled-software-varminer.html Mon, 11 Apr 2022 15:20:00 +0530 MedGenome Labs has developed and launched VarMiner, an AI-enabled powerful variant interpretation software suite. The proprietary software will help clinicians, molecular geneticists, and genome analysts to interpret and report actionable variants.   VarMiner is powered by unique proprietary tools and databases to provide deeper insights into genetics with extreme accuracy and efficiency.    VarMiner supports various NGS Dx workflows- Germline Analysis - Covers all rare diseases, inherited cancers, mitochondrial genome analysis, PGx and HLA analysis Carrier/TRIO Analysis - Combined Analysis of familial samples to detect De-novo and common inherited variants and reporting Somatic Analysis - Comprehensive analysis of cancer genomes with support for liquid biopsy, haematology and solid tumour cases.   It is an efficient tool for detecting genomic variants in all rare diseases, inherited cancers, as well as for conducting mitochondrial genome analysis, PGx and HLA analysis. It offers out-of-box clinically validated analysis workflows for germline, somatic and pre-natal NGS tests. Some of the key features that enable the core analysis are the ML-ranking of causal variants, symptoms and phenotype-based variant mapper, automated ACMG Classification, sample-variant quality metrics and advanced annotations.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21023/study-links-diabetes-with-cholesterol-abnormality.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21023/study-links-diabetes-with-cholesterol-abnormality.html Fri, 08 Apr 2022 18:10:00 +0530 India Diabetes Study (IDS) has revealed that over 55 per cent of newly diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients in India have low HDL-C (High Density Lipid – Cholesterol) values, indicating that they are at higher risk of developing some form of cardiovascular disease in their lifetime.   The study also suggested that 42 per cent of all T2DM patients are at a high risk of hypertension. The mean BMI of the patients was recorded to be 27.2 – classified as overweight as per the Indian Consensus Group guidelines.    The nationwide study supported by Eris Lifesciences and co-authored by 16 doctors between 2020 and 2021, was conducted in partnership with over 1900 physicians and had a sample size of 5080 patients with a mean age of 48 years, from across 27 states in India. It has been published in the Public Library of Science (PLOS) journal.   Other key findings from this study on newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus patients include:   92.5 per cent and 83.5 per cent of the total patients are not on any cholesterol-lowering and anti-hypertension treatment Low HDL-C value was the most frequent major risk (55.6 per cent) 82.5 per cent of patients appeared to have at least one cholesterol abnormality 37.3 per cent of patients were hypertensive and younger than 65 years of age According to the QRISK3 calculation the obese patients in the current population had a 17.1 per cent risk of CVD as compared to 14.8 per cent for those with lower BMI 11.2 per cent of patients had Target Organ Damage – chronic kidney disease in the 3b or higher stage   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21018/neoretina-eyecare-institute-opens-diabetics-eye-care-facility-in-hyd.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21018/neoretina-eyecare-institute-opens-diabetics-eye-care-facility-in-hyd.html Thu, 07 Apr 2022 21:10:00 +0530 Neoretina Eyecare Institute, a pioneer in diabetic retinopathy day-care, and super speciality facility for diabetics’ eye care in Hyderabad announced the launch of its new smart '2-minute' retina check-up initiative, the first-of-its-kind, in the state of Telangana, a totally dilation free service, easing the pain of waiting for hours in clinics.The institute also opened IRIS, a new 4000 square foot eye diagnostics laboratory adjacent to its existing 8000 square foot facility. A state-of-the-art ophthalmic diagnostic centre, optical, pharmacy, and a premium private ward for patients are all located in the IRIS block.Chief Guest, Prof GVS Murthy, Director, Indian Institute of Public Health, Hyderabad inaugurated the new facility in the presence of Guests of Honour, Dr (Prof) Sree Bhushan Raju, Head of Dept of Nephrology, NIMS, Hyderabad, and Dr KD Modi, Endocrinologist, Care Hospital, Nampally, Hyderabad.The new advanced Neoretina Smart Retina Check-up is a walk-in eye screening initiative and very convenient for patients of all age groups and will facilitate improved practice flow and patient engagement. Studies show that optomap system images are faster to capture and easier to review than traditional patient examination techniques. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21016/hcg-unveils-indias-first-extended-reality-lab-using-microsoft-hololens-2.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21016/hcg-unveils-indias-first-extended-reality-lab-using-microsoft-hololens-2.html Thu, 07 Apr 2022 17:10:00 +0530 Healthcare Global Enterprises (HCG) has announced the launch of Extended Reality Lab using the innovative Microsoft HoloLens 2 at the HCG Cancer Hospital Bengaluru. This mixed reality technology leverages HCG’s proven experience and expertise in providing precision health services.HCG’s specialist doctors of hub centres in metro cities will share their expertise with surgeons working in Tier-II cities. By empowering healthcare teams to work independently, HoloLens 2 is reducing time-to-care for patients. With HoloLens 2, healthcare experts can now collaborate with surgeons, no matter where they are, and interact on immersive 3-D platforms to offer the best possible treatment. Using Dynamics 365 Remote Assist, which can be accessed on, Windows, Android or iOS devices, mixed reality will undoubtedly go a long way towards fulfilling HCG’s vision of bridging the gap in terms of medical expertise and talent that pervades the Tier-II and Tier-III cities across India. It will help transform the healthcare industry through knowledge sharing, simulated training, and personalised patient care. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21013/ministry-of-ayush-signs-mou-with-safdarjung-hospital-to-establish-integrative-medicine-unit.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21013/ministry-of-ayush-signs-mou-with-safdarjung-hospital-to-establish-integrative-medicine-unit.html Thu, 07 Apr 2022 16:40:00 +0530 All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), the apex institute of Ayurveda in India under the Ministry of AYUSH, and Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital (VMMC & SJ Hospital) have signed an MoU to develop a unique centre of excellence (CoE) model of Integrative Health Facility in the country for tertiary care. As per the agreement, both AIIA and VMMC & SJ Hospital will jointly work to treat patients using the best of both Ayurveda and Modern Medicine. Under the agreement, the infrastructural space and other requisites to run the centre on a day-to-day basis will be provided by VMMC & SJ Hospital, whereas the technical support including manpower, technical infrastructure, and running of the centre will be managed by AIIA. The expert faculty and staff of both the signees will form a joint committee of integrated medicine to run and establish the model centre. The faculty and students of AIIA and VMMC & SJ Hospital will have access to the facilities of both institutes, subject to their respective rules and regulations with prior permissions as granted by authorities. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21007/ai-data-analytics-critical-in-early-identification-and-management-of-ncds-report.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/21007/ai-data-analytics-critical-in-early-identification-and-management-of-ncds-report.html Thu, 07 Apr 2022 08:05:00 +0530 Apollo Hospitals has unveiled the Health of the Nation 2022 report highlighting the prevalence and distribution of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) across the country.   Based on 16 million anonymised responses to the COVID-19 Risk Assessment Scanner by Apollo 24/7, the report gives insights on trends in NCDs such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, COPD and asthma, obesity in different regions of the country. The report also underscores the potential of AI and data analytics in the prediction of risk and early identification as well as management of NCDs.              Key findings of the Health of the Nation 2022 report for diabetes mellitus show an increased prevalence in the southern and eastern parts of the country with an average national prevalence of 6.96 per cent. Urban areas showed a higher prevalence at 7.01 per cent as compared to rural areas with 6.7 per cent. The study also showed obesity in women over 35 years of age leads to poor diabetes control and increased risk of heart disease and other complications. Data also indicated poor diabetes control in women with high cholesterol with a 0.5 increase in HbA1c diabetes marker levels.    In hypertension, the study showed a national prevalence of high blood pressure at over 8.18 per cent with a higher incidence in North and East India. Data also indicated that adult males between the ages of 36 to 50 years have a 36 per cent higher chance of developing hypertension than adult females in the same age range. Urban areas at 8.6 per cent showed a higher incidence as compared to rural areas with 7.58 per cent.    COPD and asthma showed an incidence similar to global numbers at 2 per cent. Here, females between 36 to 50 years of age showed a 1.3 times higher chance of developing COPD as compared to males.    It is imperative, that only by adopting Artificial Intelligence and Big data analytics to predict risk and personalize care, we can help give an advantage to healthcare providers.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20999/lordsmed-invests-rs-25-cr-to-launch-health-atms.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20999/lordsmed-invests-rs-25-cr-to-launch-health-atms.html Wed, 06 Apr 2022 06:50:00 +0530 LordsMed, the global healthcare division of Lords Mark Industries, has forayed into the medtech space with the launch of health ATMs under the brand name ‘Lords Sehat’. LordsMed has collaborated with the Ministry of Railways PSU Braithwaite & Co and Hindustan Antibiotics (HAL) to install the health kiosks in Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) across the country, an arrangement that can be expanded to railway hospitals shortly.   To date, around 10 health ATMs have been installed at PHCs in Maharashtra and private clinics in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana as part of a pilot project. With an investment of Rs 25 crore LordsMed has earmarked the project.   ‘Lords Sehat’ ATMs are walk-in clinics equipped with touch-screen kiosks to facilitate timely and convenient integrated Point of Care (POC) diagnostic services to patients. The kiosks will help to get checkups done on vital parameters like blood pressure, Body Mass Index (BMI), blood glucose, oxygen saturation, haemoglobin etc.    The ‘Lords Sehat’ health ATMs will offer a suitable diet plan to the patients based on the diagnosis of their ailments, a copy of which they can take via a printout or in a PDF format. A copy of the report can be shown to doctors to devise a suitable treatment roadmap.   The kiosks will leverage the power of AI and ML to digitally track the health conditions and progress of a patient for which they will be required to share certain key data points at an interval of 15/30 days. Going beyond their stipulated mandate, the health ATMs will also dispense IVD test kits in rural areas during outbreaks of diseases like dengue and malaria and display test results onsite.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20997/feedback-medical-unveils-tb-screening-service-bleepa-in-odisha-hospital.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20997/feedback-medical-unveils-tb-screening-service-bleepa-in-odisha-hospital.html Wed, 06 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0530 UK-based Feedback Medical has announced that its cloud TB screening service is now live at the Evangelical Hospital Khariar in Odisha with its innovative Bleepa Box.The Bleepa Box is a small tablet device that can connect to any imaging machine such as an X-ray machine. The DICOM standard images are transferred from the imaging machine onto the Bleepa Box and then automatically pushed to Bleepa, which is a medical imaging communications app. From here, an artificial intelligence solution can help to assess and provide an AI-based diagnosis in real-time, so that the HCPs at the hospital can access specialist support and initiate timely treatment, in case of a positive diagnosis. The use of the Bleepa Box for TB screening and diagnosis requires a 3G or 4G wireless connection.The service sees digital X-rays, securely transmitted via mobile networks, to the cloud where the images are analysed by Feedback Medical's partner Qure.ai, before being shared with clinicians. Using Bleepa's pioneering capabilities a screening result can be available within minutes of an X-ray being acquired, almost anywhere in India.The impact of this technology means that TB screening can now be expanded to rural areas where digital imaging was difficult to deliver, enabling current TB screening services to reach more people.The pilot, run in partnership with Qure.ai and Amazon Web Services, will now move into an evaluative stage where the system benefits will be measured as patients come through. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20996/tabletwise-net-launches-multilingual-medicine-websites-for-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20996/tabletwise-net-launches-multilingual-medicine-websites-for-india.html Tue, 05 Apr 2022 16:05:00 +0530 TabletWise.net provides trustworthy information on uses, composition, and side effects for over 4 lakh commonly used medicines on a global basis. Now consumers can access critical, easy-to-read, and up-to-date information on medicinal uses, side effects, dosage, and more, in Hindi (https://www.दवा.net), Tamil (https://www.மருந்து.com), and Telugu (https://www.వైద్యం.com).   Medicine information page for Combiflam on दवा.net/மருந்து.com/వైద్యం.com (PRNewsfoto/TabletWise.net)   Dr Manish Arora, the co-founder of TabletWise.net says, "We fulfil an important patient need in the Indian health care system by making medicine information easily available. Now with the launch of our multilingual sites in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, consumers can discover the uses and side-effects of medicines anywhere, anytime, in a language that they easily understand."   "During the COVID pandemic, there has been a huge rise in the need for consumers to find information on medicines. This inspired us to create a set of multilingual websites powered by AI/ML-based language translation technologies," said Aditya Puri, Project Manager at TabletWise.net.   The multilingual websites comprise information pages for over 4 lakh medicines (including common medicines such as Combiflam, Unienzyme, and Meftal Spas) and 5,000 diseases. दवा.net also provides over 50,000 words of translated information on pregnancy in Hindi sourced from the National Institute of Health (NIH), USA.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20995/gkii-panel-deliberates-on-advanced-research-and-innovation-in-science.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20995/gkii-panel-deliberates-on-advanced-research-and-innovation-in-science.html Tue, 05 Apr 2022 15:30:00 +0530 Gupta-Klinsky India Institute (GKII) recently organised a first-panel event in Mumbai to discuss and explore opportunities to advance research and innovation and promote science for the societal good. The session, 'Tech for Good: India's Commitment to Research and Innovation,' included noted industry leaders from India’s science and technology sector.     Keynote speakers included, Dr Saurabh Garg, CEO, UIDAI, and panellists including Suchitra Ella, Co-Founder & Joint MD, Bharat Biotech, Neera Nundy, Managing Partner & Founder, Dasra, Dr Subhasis Chaudhuri, Director, IIT Bombay, Shekar Sivasubramanian, CEO, Wadhwani AI, and Viresh Prashar, Founder & CEO, Fruitfal.   The speakers highlighted the role of the private sector in creating opportunities and lowering barriers to interdisciplinary knowledge sharing and shaping emerging technologies of the future.    Dr Saurabh Garg, keynote speaker and CEO, UIDAI said, “The Indian government has always been keen on public-private partnerships in key sectors. We are ensuring that R&D becomes a critical part of both the start-up and the industrial policy. A key part of the government's role would be to build those pathways from the lab to research.”    Dr Sunil Kumar, Provost, Johns Hopkins University said, "Moving the needle on private sector contribution to research will not only help India boost innovation, but it can also have an effect of making the Indian research ecosystem more attractive as a destination for research globally." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20990/apollo-cancer-centre-opens-in-bhubaneswar-with-advanced-technologies.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20990/apollo-cancer-centre-opens-in-bhubaneswar-with-advanced-technologies.html Sat, 02 Apr 2022 08:20:00 +0530 Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the Apollo Cancer Centre (ACC) in Bhubaneswar. Apollo Hospitals, Bhubaneswar, has built the state-of-the-art Cancer Centre on the same premises with a built-up area of 50,000 sq ft. It is the first and only cancer centre in Odisha to be equipped with True Beam STx technology.    The centre is equipped with Odisha's first and only cutting-edge Linear Accelerator (HD-True Beam STx) technology and, internationally acclaimed oncologists in all specialities. The True Beam STx which is the most advanced Linear Accelerator radiation machine offers the most precise radiation therapy treatment for a better outcome. The centre has Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography (PET CT). The 64 slice PET CT machine is equipped with all modern facilities to do every type of PET CT including PET guided biopsies.    The newly built centre has 17 dedicated beds for chemotherapy. It is also a major referral centre for the people of Odisha and the neighbouring states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and parts of West Bengal. Apollo Cancer Centre has organ-specific cancer management teams delivering exceptional clinical outcomes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20987/punjab-launches-pink-project-initiative-for-breast-cancer-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20987/punjab-launches-pink-project-initiative-for-breast-cancer-treatment.html Fri, 01 Apr 2022 16:30:00 +0530 Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Punjab, Roche Pharma India and Niramai Health Analytix have inked a partnership to accelerate screening and treatment for Breast Cancer in the state of Punjab.   The partnership - Punjab Breast Cancer AI-Digital project, also known as the Pink Project will focus on efforts to ensure timely identification, treatment initiation, and robust referral pathways across the various health centres through technology-enabled, live patient tracking support.    Dr Vijay Singla, Honorable Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education and Research, Government of Punjab said, "A total of 15, 000 screenings of suspected females are targeted to be carried out in one year and Punjab Health Department will ensure the mobilisation of people for the screening. Due to the high societal impact and multidisciplinary management of cancer, it will ensure linking all tertiary care centres, down-staging of disease leading to lower costs of treatment and ensure access to best and innovative to treatment for all,”    The project will focus on:  State-wide screening for early detection of breast cancer cases with an innovative solution - a thermal-based AI-enabled platform for screening, linking to an integrated referral pathway for end-to-end closure with follow-ups for diagnosis and treatment initiation.  The epidemiological data generation to further support policy planning and mapping of the spread of breast cancer cases. The project aspires to proactively initiate early detection and maintain consistency with its digital referral capability by linking tertiary care centres. This would immensely help downstaging the disease as early detection would lead to lower costs of the treatment as compared to patients that were diagnosed in later stages. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20982/icpa-organises-session-on-biomimetic-restorations-in-dental-practice.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20982/icpa-organises-session-on-biomimetic-restorations-in-dental-practice.html Thu, 31 Mar 2022 15:25:00 +0530 ICPA Health Products hosted its latest interactive online session on the subject of Minimally Invasive Biomimetic Restorations practised as No Post and No Crown Dentistry. The session was led by guest speaker Dr Leena Rawal and co-hosted by Dr Navdeep Dhupar. The 12th episode of the clinical series stressed dentists being conservative in their approach towards replacing only what is missing and to try and save a tooth or teeth in their natural form and function. Biomimetic Dentistry applies minimally invasive procedures to protect and conserve teeth.   Dr Rawal stressed eliminating the need for every tooth requiring a post-core and crown. The speaker emphasised the need for dentists to conserve patients’ tooth structure as much as possible, especially enamel. The session covered a lot of clinical cases that showed the application of adhesive dentistry by following strict isolation protocols to enhance the aesthetics and longevity of restorations.   ‘ICPA Clinical Series’ is an initiative to address specific clinical challenges dentists face in their everyday practice. Themed’ Each Episode-One Clinical Challenge,’ the series is moderated by ICPA’s Technical Head of Marketing - Dr Rajeev Chitguppi. Each session in the series has a guest speaker chosen from specialists from various domains of dentistry.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20981/curia-revolutionises-cancer-care-globally.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20981/curia-revolutionises-cancer-care-globally.html Thu, 31 Mar 2022 15:20:00 +0530 CURIA, developed by Innoplexus, has now become the most decentralised ecosystem of cancer information internationally. With more than 700,000+ downloads, CURIATM is on a mission to revolutionise patient participation in the treatment journey and clinical research for cancer. With its path-breaking AI technology, CURIATM aims to be the single source of credible information and support for cancer patients.    Built over the Ontosight platform, the app uses AI technology to search 95 per cent of the Internet every day for updates to registries, drug approval sites, and clinical trial databases. The information compiled on the app is reviewed by an expert panel and provided to the app users, in a manner that only the information relevant to the patient’s cancer profile is displayed. This significantly cuts down the time spent on search and eliminates misinformation risk.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20972/medlern-launches-online-resuscitation-training-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20972/medlern-launches-online-resuscitation-training-in-india.html Wed, 30 Mar 2022 18:25:00 +0530 MedLern, a leading digital learning solution for hospitals and healthcare professionals, has unveiled an innovative, online resuscitation training platform that does not require instructor oversight. Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore is the first university in India to adopt this program for training their medical practitioners in BLS, ACLS and PALS. The globally proven, online programme, HeartCode Complete is co-developed and powered by American Heart Association (Association) science and Laerdal Medical technology.   The programme significantly reduces training time as compared to the traditional instructor-led model. The programme is divided into two parts – online, self-paced Cognitive Part 1 and Skills Session on the RQI-P GO Simulation Station. Upon completing both parts, the learner receives an American Heart Association course completion e-Card. RQI-P GO Simulation Stations are portable and can be used by hospitals to train their staff on BLS/ACLS/PALS on their hospital premises rather than them travelling to training centres in different locations. The programme provides consistent training that meets diverse learning needs and features real-time, audio-visual feedback. The programme accommodates the learning style and needs of the learners and they can complete the eLearning portion at their own pace and on their schedule.                                             The innovative program will improve staff productivity and deliver better patient outcomes. The programme will also reduce the operational cost of physical training and optimise time and resources while delivering high-quality resuscitation training.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20963/medtronic-unveils-clinical-registry-on-stroke-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20963/medtronic-unveils-clinical-registry-on-stroke-patients.html Tue, 29 Mar 2022 16:15:00 +0530 India Medtronic a global leader in healthcare technology announced the launch of India’s first-ever dedicated registry for the collection of real-world data associated with the use of revascularisation devices in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. The Prospective Registry for Assessment of Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Treated with Neurothrombectomy Devices in India (PRAAN) is an industry-first endeavour to create a post-market registry to assess clinical outcomes associated with the use of Medtronic market-released revascularisation devices in patients experiencing acute ischemic stroke.    The duration of the registry will be approximately 28 months and up to 200 subjects will be enrolled in it. Devices that are used to restore blood flow in the brain by mechanically removing blood clots from occluded blood vessels are called neurothrombectomy (or mechanical thrombectomy) devices, which include stent retrievers and aspiration catheters.   Subject enrolment for PRAAN is already underway, with 18 months of a scheduled enrolment window until February 2023. Publication of the reports of the registry is expected to happen in December 2023.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20959/nathealth-calls-for-re-building-healthcare-system-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20959/nathealth-calls-for-re-building-healthcare-system-in-india.html Tue, 29 Mar 2022 08:10:00 +0530 NATHEALTH held its 8th Annual Summit on the theme 'Re-building, Re-structuring and Re-imagining resilient healthcare systems in India in a post-pandemic era on 28th & 29th March. The summit was designed to bring industry and the government together to discuss, deliberate and lay the roadmap for a stronger, resilient India which is future-ready for any uncertainties.    M Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President, Government of India inaugurated the summit.    "We have learnt from the pandemic that the deficiencies of healthcare infra, limited penetration of digital health, inadequacy in terms of last mile delivery of healthcare services – need to be addressed immediately. There is an immense need for increasing public expenditure in healthcare”, said Naidu.   The summit saw several key agreements and reports launched to meet the burgeoning needs of a re-imagined resilient healthcare system: MoU with GAPIO for working in the area of skilling and upskilling, promoting innovation in healthcare financing, leveraging digital technologies  Value-based Procurement paper by APACMED NATHEALTH PWC was released to execute a value-based procurement system in India  Whitepaper on embedded taxes studies by NATHEALTH in collaboration with EY  Vision paper on Digital Health by NATHEALTH and ADL was launched with a vision to reiterate the necessity for leveraging innovative technologies to expand the healthcare infrastructure Whitepaper on Homecare was launched  A short report on “Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission Webinar Series" was launched to eliminate obstacles to the adoption of digital health in India and create a dialogue that speeds up a rapid scale-up and adoption of the digital health road map in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20957/iit-h-ties-up-with-continental-hospital-opens-primary-health-centre.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20957/iit-h-ties-up-with-continental-hospital-opens-primary-health-centre.html Tue, 29 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT-H) has tied up with Continental Hospital for regular visits of consultants in various specialisations. IIT-H has now built a permanent space for its clinic (G+1 building) with the support from JICA,Japan. Chief Guest, Dr T Gurunath Reddy, Founder & Chairman, Continental Hospitals, inaugurated this primary healthcare centre at IIT-H in the presence of Chairman, BoG, IIT-H, Dr BVR Mohan Reddy, and visionary director of IIT-H, Prof BS Murty Garu. IIT-H existing healthcare facility will be moved into its new premises early next month. IIT-H plans to set up primary diagnostic facility support of JCI & NABH accredited Continental Hospitals in its new facility. Prof B S Murty said, “We will not only collaborate with Continental Hospitals for setting up the basic diagnostic facilities at IITH but also would like this to be extended to teleconsulting from Continental experts in various specializations for better healthcare of the IITH fraternity.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20952/aster-dm-healthcare-signs-mou-with-govt-of-tn.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20952/aster-dm-healthcare-signs-mou-with-govt-of-tn.html Mon, 28 Mar 2022 08:20:00 +0530 Aster DM Healthcare has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Tamil Nadu (TN) to set up its facilities in the state. The MoU was presented by Dr Azad Moopen, Founder CMD, Aster DM Healthcare, who met MK Stalin, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, during his visit to Dubai.    The MoU proposed an investment of Rs 500 crores in hospitals, pharmacies and laboratories in the state.   This will help provide quality healthcare at an affordable cost to the people of Tamil Nadu and generate employment for more than 3500 people. Stalin has encouraged the initiative and ensured support to the healthcare group. This will further expand the services of Aster to all the South Indian states.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20945/ministry-of-ayush-who-ink-host-country-agreement-for-traditional-medicine-centre.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20945/ministry-of-ayush-who-ink-host-country-agreement-for-traditional-medicine-centre.html Sat, 26 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Ministry of Ayush has signed the Host Country Agreement with World Health Organization (WHO) for establishing WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in India at Jamnagar, Gujarat, with its interim office at the Institute of Training and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA) in Gujarat. This Centre will be supported by an investment of about $250 million from the Government of India. The primary objective of GCTM is to harness the potential of traditional medicine from across the world through modern science and technology and improve overall health of the communities’ world over.  The Agreement was signed on 25th March in Geneva by Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush and Director General, WHO Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. GCTM will be the first and only Global Centre (office) for traditional medicine across the globe. It will focus on building solid evidence base for policies and standards on traditional medicine practices and products and help countries integrate it as appropriate into their health systems and regulate its quality and safety for optimal and sustainable impact. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20943/91-public-has-faith-in-covid-vaccines-goqii-india-fit-report-2022.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20943/91-public-has-faith-in-covid-vaccines-goqii-india-fit-report-2022.html Fri, 25 Mar 2022 17:45:00 +0530 GOQii's India Fit Report 2022 recently conducted 'COVID-19 Trust in Vaccines and Vaccination’ survey with over 10000+ users. The report tells us how 91 per cent of Indians feel vaccination will protect them from COVID-19. Around 9 per cent of the respondents still doubt the vaccination process. Some of the respondents thought about whether it will work on upcoming variants. The report also showcased various aspects of health across parameters such as steps taken, lifestyle diseases, BMI, nutrition, water, stress, sleep etc.; all of which are classified according to gender and key cities.   The report highlights that 29.31 per cent of Indians are suffering from depression in 2021. However, the good news is that this percentage has seen a 32 per cent decrease since 2020 where 43 per cent of Indians were plagued by depression. This may be due to people getting the chance to be more active as lockdowns were lifted and people literally got the chance to get back on their feet again.    India Fit Report 2022 is a result of a year-long study of more than five million GOQii users.   As per the Health Risk Assessment (HRA) Score of the report, overall, 50.3 per cent of Indians are either in the ‘High Risk’ or ‘Borderline’ category. 61 per cent of women are in the unhealthy category, with 1.06 per cent being in the ‘High Risk’ category. Compared to that, 47 per cent of men are in the unhealthy category.    Indore (56 per cent), Delhi (53 per cent) and Kolkata (55.6 per cent) seem to have a higher percentage of unhealthy people than the rest of the cities at. While Pune, Bhubaneswar and Ahmedabad have the highest number of healthy people. In Mumbai and Bengaluru the unhealthy percentage of people stands at 53 per cent and 50.5 per cent respectively.    The incidence of people suffering from diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure and thyroid has increased by 67 per cent from 7.9 per cent in 2017 to 13.2 per cent in 2021. Similarly, blood pressure and cholesterol have seen a rise of 51 per cent and 47 per cent respectively in the last 5 years as per GOQii’s latest study.    Cholesterol levels are almost identical to diabetes levels, with Chennai (18.6 per cent) leading the way, followed by Chandigarh (18 per cent), Bhopal (17.7 per cent) and Kolkata (17.7 per cent). Delhi has the fifth-highest cholesterol levels (17.3 per cent), whereas Mumbai has a lower figure of 15.7 per cent. At 11.2 per cent, Pune is the city with the lowest cholesterol levels, followed by Jaipur, Indore, and Patna.   For diabetes, Bhopal, unexpectedly, has the highest rate followed by Chennai, Bhubaneswar and Lucknow. The percentage of persons who have never been sick has increased by about 3 per cent from 30.01 per cent in 2020 to 33.39 per cent in 2021. GOQii users in Pune city are clocking the most number of steps. On average Pune is clocking 5252 steps followed by Chandigarh, Mumbai and Bengaluru.   In 2021, all age groups are sleeping for fewer hours than in 2020. Seniors (0.33 hours) and Adults (0.32 hours) had the greatest reduction in sleeping hours.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20942/nha-launches-unified-health-interface.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20942/nha-launches-unified-health-interface.html Fri, 25 Mar 2022 17:25:00 +0530 National Health Authority (NHA) has announced the launch of Unified Health Interface (UHI) under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). UHI is an open network designed to enable interoperable digital health service delivery. UHI will be powered by protocols built by an open community of developers and deployed on a Gateway built by NHA.    Further, in the press release adoption of Decentralized Health Protocol (DHP) as core protocols of UHI was announced and developers were invited to join DHP and contribute to UHI. Meanwhile, NHA’s internal team has also been working on the same.   A version of the open protocols is available on Github platform at https://github.com/dhp-project and may be used to build health service applications. Any technology provider currently developing digital health solutions for Hospitals, doctors, labs or consumers can create innovative new solutions using DHP and become a part of UHI Network.    NHA reiterates the invitation extended earlier and invites all, especially those working in the digital health space, to join the DHP open community hosted on the GitHub platform at https://github.com/dhp-project to further refine existing protocols and build new protocols for use cases currently not a part of DHP. The DHP community is open for all and is an opportunity to enrich and contribute to the further development of the open protocols that will power the digital health revolution in India.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20939/tb-case-detection-during-covid-19-reduces-by-251-in-india-from-2019-lancet.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20939/tb-case-detection-during-covid-19-reduces-by-251-in-india-from-2019-lancet.html Fri, 25 Mar 2022 12:20:00 +0530 The global tuberculosis burden remains substantial, with more than 10 million people newly ill per year. Dr Zarir F Udwadia, Consultant Chest Physician, PD Hinduja Hospital & MRC, co-authored a Lancet report that aims to review the interactions between COVID-19 and tuberculosis, including the population-level impact of COVID-19 on tuberculosis outcomes.     The paper talks about the clinical presentation and diagnosis of tuberculosis–COVID-19 co-infection, the patient-level impact of COVID-19 on the management and prognosis of tuberculosis, and interventional strategies that could be used to mitigate the devastating effects of COVID-19 on the global burden of tuberculosis, including lessons learned from responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.   Dr Udwadia said, "One of the major setbacks from the COVID-19 pandemic was its impact on tuberculosis control and care, increasing tuberculosis-related deaths. The pandemic has, in a single stroke, wiped out decades of slow but steady progress we were making with global TB control. The pandemic resulted in a significant drop in tuberculosis testing and thereby case notifications. We have lots of ground to cover and it is now imperative to focus on strengthening community-based tuberculosis treatment and community-based active diagnosis. Finally, let us hope TB control can benefit from this pandemic. If we could discover 33 different vaccines for COVID within 2 years surely we can improve on the single, century old, BCG vaccine we use for TB.”      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17218/-5-factors-to-consider-when-comparing-solar-inverter-prices.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17218/-5-factors-to-consider-when-comparing-solar-inverter-prices.html Fri, 25 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Harvesting solar energy requires a solar power system of which the solar inverter is the most key component. A solar inverter is used to convert the variable Direct Current (DC) output to Alternating Current (AC), which is of a frequency that can be utilized to run appliances. However, buying a solar inverter is an investment, and it is advisable to research well so that you can get the best solar inverter in the market. While browsing online, you might get overwhelmed with the information and options of solar inverters, so to help you out, here are 5 factors you can consider when comparing solar inverter prices:   Inverter Type Inverter type is one of, if not the most important factors while comparing solar inverter prices in the market. There are two kinds of inverters you can get- on-grid and off-grid inverters. On-grid inverters are connected to a local grid, so they don’t rely solely on solar power panels. On the other hand, off-grid inverters rely solely on solar panels for the generation of power and thus, off-grid solar inverter prices are generally higher.  Battery The main component of a solar inverter is the battery which highly determines the solar inverter price. And how long your solar inverter lasts is dependent on the battery, so you must make the selection of the battery very carefully.  One can easily assess the battery capacity, which indicates the maximum number of hours a battery can power all appliances in your home or workplace. This can be calculated by taking the product of the power requirement, in watts, and backup hours, in hours, and dividing it by the voltage, in volts. Technology The solar inverter price also depends on the technologies that your solar inverter uses. If you look at the market, there are two kinds of solar inverter technologies available, namely- PWM and MPPT. PWM or Pulse with Modulation controller works like a simple electric switch that makes sure that the voltage of the solar array and the battery’s voltage remains equal.  On the other hand, MPPT or Maximum Power Point Tracking makes sure that the solar arrays can deliver maximum power from the solar arrays by adjusting the output voltage to match the battery. Thus, with MPPT controllers, the solar inverter price is also increased.  Power Considerations Usually, the inverter supplies two kinds of power- the typical power and peak power which also affects the solar inverter price. Explained simply, the typical power is the normal power that is supplied on a steady basis. On the other hand, peak power is the power that a solar inverter can supply with its maximum capacity for a brief time duration. This can last anywhere from a few seconds to 10-15 minutes. Depending on which kind of power you consume, the solar inverter price is determined. Always Select a Reputable Brand Solar inverter prices are generally on the higher end since they are a one-time investment. Therefore, it is highly recommended to go with a brand that is well-reputed rather than a brand that offers low solar inverter prices. Choosing the right solar inverter according to your needs is necessary. You can check out Luminous, which is a pioneer in the solar products industry in India and one of the most trusted brands. With Luminous’ wide portfolio of solar inverters, you can get the best solar inverter prices in the market. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20925/made-in-india-drug-pretomanid-has-potential-to-ensure-tb-elimination-by-2025.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20925/made-in-india-drug-pretomanid-has-potential-to-ensure-tb-elimination-by-2025.html Wed, 23 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0530 March 24, marks World Tuberculosis (TB) Day and TB Alliance, a global not-for-profit organization, is joining with partners around the globe to raise awareness of one of the world’s oldest diseases.   In July 2020, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) had approved the TB drug pretomanid (developed specifically for certain drug-resistant forms of the disease) for conditional access under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP), making India the second country in the world to provide regulatory approval for this product. Pretomanid is a ‘made in India’ product used as part of a six-month treatment regimen with reported efficacy of 90%; and has potential to contribute to India’s ‘TB Elimination programme by 2025.’ A government-led study of the regimen in India called mBPaL commenced in October 2021 and is now enrolling patients at three sites out of a planned 11. It is scheduled to reach its primary completion in 2023 after enrolling 400 patients. BPaL regimen combines the antibiotics bedaquiline (B), pretomanid (Pa) and linezolid (L). To date, 17 countries or regulatory bodies, including India, have approved pretomanid as part of the BPaL regimen for the treatment of patients with highly drug-resistant forms of TB. Regulatory applications have been submitted to another 13 countries and counting by Viatris, TB Alliance’s global commercialization partner for pretomanid as part of the regimen. Viatris is joined by Macleods, Lupin, and Hongqi Pharma in holding licenses for pretomanid in countries with high TB burdens. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20929/who-calls-for-increased-investments-into-tb-services-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20929/who-calls-for-increased-investments-into-tb-services-research.html Wed, 23 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0530 The World Health Organisation (WHO) calls for an urgent investment of resources, support, care and information into the fight against tuberculosis (TB). Although 66 million lives have been saved since 2000, the COVID-19 pandemic has reversed those gains. For the first time in over a decade, TB deaths increased in 2020. Ongoing conflicts across Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East have further exacerbated the situation for vulnerable populations. Global spending on TB diagnostics, treatments and prevention in 2020 were less than half of the global target of $13 billion annually by 2022. For research and development, an extra $ 1.1 billion per year is needed. Updated guidelines for the management of TB in children and adolescents released by WHO  highlight new patient-centred recommendations for diagnosis, treatment and prevention. The most recent recommendations are diagnostic testing has expanded to include non-invasive specimens, such as stools; rapid molecular diagnostics are recommended as the initial test for TB diagnosis for children and adolescents; and two of the newest TB medicines to treat drug resistant TB (bedaquiline and delamanid) are now recommended for use in children of all ages, making it possible for children with drug-resistant TB to receive all-oral treatment regimens regardless of their age. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20920/mfine-adds-bp-glucose-monitoring-to-suite-of-self-check-health-tools-on-its-app.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20920/mfine-adds-bp-glucose-monitoring-to-suite-of-self-check-health-tools-on-its-app.html Tue, 22 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based startup MFine has announced a path-breaking innovation by bringing Blood Pressure (BP) and Glucose Monitoring on a smartphone. Launched 3 weeks ago in beta, the BP monitoring tool has already been used by more than 10000 users and is clocking over thousands of readings everyday by users from across the country. With a focus on building an integrated care experience for its users, MFine is working on various next-gen AI technologies which convert any smartphone into a rich diagnostics and vitals monitoring device. MFine is currently doing trial runs with leading hospitals for the glucose monitoring tool which is expected to go live in the coming weeks. The company is preparing for certifications of its algorithms, with data of thousands of measurements to improve accuracy and reliability of the measurements. MFine has built a proprietary algorithm that measures the Blood Pressure using a smartphone by obtaining a PhotoPlethysmoGram (PPG) signal from the user’s fingertip when it is placed on the smartphone camera. By observing subtle changes in color across red and blue wavelengths of the PPG signal, a prediction of BP and Glucose is made. "We are also working on tools for skin care and respiratory health, soon to be launched in 2022", said Arjun Choudhary, Chief Business Officer & Founding Member, MFine.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20921/who-releases-clinical-management-guidelines-for-influenza.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20921/who-releases-clinical-management-guidelines-for-influenza.html Tue, 22 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0530 The World Health Organisation (WHO)’s new guidelines for the clinical management of severe illness from influenza virus infections provide recommendations on the use of influenza antivirals, adjunctive therapies and diagnostic strategies.   The new guidelines are intended to guide clinicians in their care of patients with or at risk of severe illness from seasonal, zoonotic or pandemic influenza. The guidelines were developed using a robust method that included commissioning systematic reviews and evaluating the quality of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) framework. Each guideline was reviewed by an external review group and approved by WHO’s Guideline Review Committee. This guideline provides recommendations on treatment with antivirals, specifically neuraminidase inhibitors; treatment with adjunctive therapies, specifically corticosteroids, macrolides and passive immune therapy; and use of diagnostic testing strategies to guide treatment. WHO will continue to monitor new evidence for influenza antivirals, adjunctive therapies, and diagnostics and provide updates as and when relevant. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20922/india-health-link-launches-digital-health-centre-in-bihar.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20922/india-health-link-launches-digital-health-centre-in-bihar.html Tue, 22 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Committed to providing the accessibility of preventive and predictive health screening even to the remotest areas of rural India where even primary healthcare facilities are scarce, India Health Link has launched IHL Care Digital Health Centre at Adarsh Nagar, Marar Road, Near Chura Mill in Khagaria, Bihar. It would be the first-of-its-kind zero assistance Integrated Digital Health Centre (DHC) in the remote district of Khagaria, Bihar having over 16 lakh population with almost 47% women inhabited in 306 villages. “With the launch of IHL Digital Health Centre at Khagaria, Bihar, rural India will see the emergence of ‘Zero manpower assisted self-check Health Centre’ that will not only give a walk-in experience to the villagers who can get their key vitals captured within 5 minutes but also get their unique IHL Health Accounts created, which also integrates with Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) as it is the key to digital healthcare journey,” said Dr Satyender Goel, Founder & CEO, India Health Link (IHL).  IHL Care Digital Health Centre has developed a proprietary ‘hPod’, a self-service ATM size health station. It is capable of screening (20+) essential vital parameters including BP, Temperature, Body Mass Composition, Pulse, SpO2, and ECG, without any paramedical assistance. The hPod will also allow teleconsultation with Apollo TeleHealth Doctors, with seamless integration for telehealth built-in. This will also help villagers to create their own 'Electronic Health Record' and take control of their wellness by getting informed health choices.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20915/snowflake-launches-healthcare-life-science-data-cloud.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20915/snowflake-launches-healthcare-life-science-data-cloud.html Mon, 21 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Snowflake, a global data cloud company with operations in Pune and Bengaluru, has announced the launch of the Healthcare & Life Sciences Data Cloud.   With the Snowflake Healthcare & Life Sciences Data Cloud, healthcare companies have a single, integrated, and cross-cloud data platform that eliminates technical and institutional data silos. This will enable organizations to securely centralize, integrate, and exchange critical and sensitive data at scale.   Snowflake ensures high levels of data security and governance, and its built-in capabilities and extended partner network better allow companies to meet compliance requirements and satisfy industry regulations.  By leveraging the Healthcare & Life Sciences Data Cloud, customers including Anthem, IQVIA, Komodo Health, Novartis, Siemens Healthineers, Spectrum Health, and others, are unlocking data to deliver improved patient outcomes and care experiences, optimizing care delivery, and enhancing clinical and operational decision-making.   Additionally, life sciences organizations like Novartis are leveraging the Healthcare & Life Sciences Data Cloud to optimize omnichannel engagement and accelerate time-to-market while collaborating more closely than ever with their healthcare partners.  Within the Healthcare & Life Sciences Data Cloud, Snowflake also offers partner solutions and enables partner-delivered solutions.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20918/affordplan-forges-pan-india-partnership-with-milann-fertility-birthing-hospitals.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20918/affordplan-forges-pan-india-partnership-with-milann-fertility-birthing-hospitals.html Mon, 21 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0530 AffordPlan, a healthcare finance company, has announced a partnership with Milann Fertility & Birthing Hospitals, to extend affordable and accessible fertility treatments to couples on their journey to parenthood. With this partnership, AffordPlan’s Swasth card holders can avail fertility services at any Milann centres across India and enjoy cost savings on treatments. Aditya Sharma, CEO of AffordPlan on the partnership said, “Research indicates that 10-15 percent of married couples in India face infertility. Our hope is to be able to provide individuals access to state-of-the-art equipment, experts, and highly individualised treatment plans of Milann Fertility & Birthing Hospitals so that if there is a chance of having a baby, one is assured of the medical advice necessary to get there.” Shailesh Guntu, CEO – Milann Fertility & Birthing Hospitals & Director-Healthcare Services – HCGEL on their tie-up with AffordPlan comments, “Since its inception, Milann’s endeavour has been to redefine high-tech fertility care in India by offering individuals access to advanced medical diagnosis and treatment options available in the field of Assisted Reproduction Technology (ART) at an affordable cost. Our partnership with Affordplan simply enhances our mission and we will continually strive to make fertility treatments essential and affordable”. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20906/aster-cmi-hospital-and-iisc-open-artificial-intelligence-lab.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20906/aster-cmi-hospital-and-iisc-open-artificial-intelligence-lab.html Sat, 19 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0530 In keeping with its commitment to bring quality healthcare using the latest medical technology, Aster CMI Hospital in association with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru has launched an Artificial Intelligence (AI) lab. The Aster-AI lab is a collaborative lab, set up with the aim to build cutting edge AI products in the healthcare domain and bridge the gap between clinical medicine and technology by training healthcare professionals in AI. Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman and Managing Director, Aster DM Healthcare, Dr. Lokesh B, Consultant Neurology, Aster CMI Hospital and Dr. Phaneendra K Yalavarthy, Professor of Medical Imaging, Department of Computational and Data Sciences, IISc were present during the launch.  Dr Yalavarthy has been instrumental in setting up the lab by providing the computational infrastructure and expertise. IISc, with its expertise in the development of AI methods, has become the natural collaborator with Aster CMI, which has the clinical expertise, to aide, translate, and validate the developed AI algorithms for clinical use. Aster CMI will be working with Dr Yalavarthy and his team on ‘Development of Deep Learning Methods for Automated Tracking and Segmentation of Nerves in Ultrasound Images’. Dr. Sriram Ganapathy, Associate Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, IISc has been collaborating on ‘Automatic Acute Stroke Symptom Detection Using Mobile Health Technologies’ and also on audio analytics in neurological disorders. These initial projects have a direct impact on the current clinical practise in neurosciences. The problem-solving requires deep technical and clinical knowledge, which the Aster-AI lab aims to bring together. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20909/tata-elxsi-designs-digital-health-platform-for-omnichannel-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20909/tata-elxsi-designs-digital-health-platform-for-omnichannel-care.html Fri, 18 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Tata Elxsi, the design digital leader, has launched TEngage, the first-ever truly digital health platform designed for omnichannel care at the HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition held in Orlando, Florida from 14–18 March 2022. Tata Elxsi's TEngage allows hospitals and healthcare providers to offer a unified patient experience across all channels and delivers healthcare anytime, anywhere. In contrast to the digital health solutions in the market, TEngage is cloud-based, fully customizable and allows hospitals to implement modules with just the required features, and keeping the deployment and operational cost in check. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliant platform supports a variety of third-party tools and can be seamlessly integrated with the organization's existing IT infrastructure. "TEngage enables providers to deliver omnichannel patient engagement with a seamless, continuous customer experience across any device or location a customer wishes to engage in, a personalized brand experience, and the ability to get any service at any time, in every variety and permutation," said Muthusamy Selvaraj, VP, Innovation & Emerging Business at Tata Elxsi.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20903/-first-of-its-kind-initiative-in-india-bringing-wearable-technology-for-post-surgery-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20903/-first-of-its-kind-initiative-in-india-bringing-wearable-technology-for-post-surgery-care.html Thu, 17 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Manipal Hospitals has announced a strategic partnership with ConnectedLife built with Google Cloud to use Fitbit’s wearable technology with ConnectedLife’s virtual platform to monitor patient progress and empower “Continuity of Care Post-High-Risk Surgeries”. Through this virtual platform, the clinical teams at Manipal Hospitals will gain a holistic view of the patient post-discharge, tailor their intervention precisely to the patient’s needs, and monitor them in their journey towards a healthy post-surgery recovery. This digital initiative aims to use wearable technology to stay connected with patients post surgeries like total knee replacement, angioplasty, cardiac bypass surgery, and other high-risk surgeries. The advanced digital solution can remotely capture heart rate, oxygen saturation level, and activity metrics (sleep quality, steps taken, and pain score) both pre-and and post-operatively. The technology optimizes patient care via triggering reminders to take medications or participate in physiotherapy and triggering warnings if there are significant deviations outside normal physiological parameters. Through this partnership, we are expecting post-surgery care to become seamless, as wearable technology will help us monitor certain critical parameters of patients who have undergone total knee replacement surgery, angioplasty, cardiac bypass surgery, and other high-risk surgeries,” said Dr Sudarshan Ballal, Chairman, Manipal Hospitals.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20904/apollo-telehealth-brings-programme-for-treatment-and-diagnosis-of-sleep-apnea.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20904/apollo-telehealth-brings-programme-for-treatment-and-diagnosis-of-sleep-apnea.html Thu, 17 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0530 On the occasion of World Sleep Day on 18th March, Apollo Telehealth has come up with a Good Nidra Programme which will provide physicians and Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients with a new, patient-preferred alternative therapy that is simple, comfortable, effective, and easy to use. OSA is a condition characterized by complete/partial obstruction of the upper airway that disrupts normal sleep patterns. It has become highly prevalent and negatively affects the quality of life of a person. OSA is independently associated with an increased likelihood of cardiovascular disease, hypertension and diminished quality of life. Hence, it becomes a prime concern for healthcare personnel to diagnose it at the earliest. “93 per cent of Indians are sleep deprived and 65 per cent of them are potential patients for Sleep Apnea. We believe that there is an unmet need for many individuals who haven't yet been officially diagnosed with OSA and are looking for comfortable or curative treatment options”, said Vikram Thaploo, CEO, Apollo TeleHealth. Commenting on the launch of the new programme, Dr. Ayesha Nazneen - Chief Medical Officer, Apollo TeleHealth said “Sleep apnea is a serious chronic condition that impacts much more than just sleep – it impacts patients’ quality of life and overall health. All one has to do is to fill up a questionnaire then, Sleep expert will connect to assist diagnose, counsel and interpret various clinical reports which will be followed by installation of Connected CPAP device at home. Program will also support the patient with constant treatment compliance monitoring and lifestyle management." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20905/uttarakhand-govt-signs-mou-with-meditrina-hospital-for-treatment-of-heart-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20905/uttarakhand-govt-signs-mou-with-meditrina-hospital-for-treatment-of-heart-patients.html Thu, 17 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0530 The Medical and Health Department of the Uttarakhand government has tied up with Meditrina Hospitals of Kerala for better treatment of heart patients at Coronation Hospital, Dehradun. At a meeting held at the State Medical Headquarters in Dehradun on 16 March, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Dr Tripti Bahuguna, Director General of the Medical Department, and Dr N Prathap Kumar, Chairman and Managing Director of Meditrina Hospital.  The contract has been signed with Uttarakhand Government and Meditrina Hospital for seven years, in which a team of specialist cardiologists capable of performing complex heart surgeries with modern technology are involved. State government serving and retired state employees, Ayushman Bharat Yojana, BPL, ESIC, ECSH, and CGSH card holders will get free government treatment, and general category patients will get government treatment at subsidised rates. In addition, treatment and surgery related to heart disease in children will also be done here.  Currently, Meditrina Group treats heart patients in collaboration with the Department of Medicine and Health in four states and two international locations.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20893/roche-diabetes-care-joins-hands-with-sweetlings-to-provide-holistic-medical-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20893/roche-diabetes-care-joins-hands-with-sweetlings-to-provide-holistic-medical-care.html Wed, 16 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Roche Diabetes Care India (RDC India) has joined hands with Hirabai Cowasji Jehangir Medical Research Institute (HCJMRI) (Sweetlings- run by HCJMRI and Jehangir Hospital, Pune), to provide holistic medical care and support in therapy adherence to children with type 1 diabetes (T1D). This is part of RDC India’s commitment towards improving sustainable access to care to people with diabetes across India. Speaking about the initiative, Omar Sherief Mohammad, Cluster Head India Middle East and Africa, RDC said, “The meaning of access to care goes beyond just providing medical treatment and includes creating an eco-system that enables early diagnosis and treatment along with the required socio-economic support critical to therapy adherence. Often the issues impacting access to care is rooted in biases that exist due to lack of awareness. In order to make a significant difference, we need to first break these barriers.” RDC India is supporting Sweetlings by providing monetary support towards holistic care for 23 children with T1D along with a contribution of 152 Accu-Chek Active blood glucose testing kits and 5600 Accu-Chek Active 50s test strip vials to help support diagnosis, therapy adherence and complete medical care of children with T1D for one year. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20895/biological-e-gears-up-for-new-phase-of-indias-vaccination-drive.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20895/biological-e-gears-up-for-new-phase-of-indias-vaccination-drive.html Wed, 16 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0530 On the occasion of National Immunisation Day on 16 March and in an effort to support the Government’s ongoing efforts to protect our country against COVID-19, Hyderabad-based Biological E is geared to facilitate the first phase of the vaccination drive for the 12 to 15 years’ Indian population through its vaccine CORBEVAX. Biological E collaborated with the Texas Children’s Hospital and the Baylor College to develop CORBEVAX vaccine. Dynavax, Inc from US supported CORBEVAX development by providing the adjuvant and THSTI Delhi conducted key immunogenicity testing as part of a comprehensive clinical trial development plan. BIRAC, a division of Department of Biotechnology, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Coalition for Epidemic Prevention and Innovation (CEPI) provided partial funding during clinical development.    CORBEVAX is a recombinant protein subunit vaccine against the novel coronavirus and has been given emergency use authorisation (EUA) for children aged 12-18 years and adults from 18-80 yrs. The vaccine is administered through intramuscular route with two doses scheduled 28 days apart and is stored at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius. Biological E had begun the manufacturing CORBEVAX for stockpiling after approval, based on the favourable  clinical evidence and review by experts. Multiple Biological E. Limited facilities in Hyderabad are currently producing and will continue to produce the vaccine. The group will leverage its robust pan India presence and partner with the State Governments, hospitals and Medical institutions to leave no stone unturned in facilitating the uninterrupted supply of the COVID-19 vaccine. To date, 30 crore vaccines have been produced as part of the commitment made to the Government of India.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20897/government-set-to-launch-special-door-to-door-tb-screening-initiative.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20897/government-set-to-launch-special-door-to-door-tb-screening-initiative.html Wed, 16 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0530 The Government of India is all set to launch a special door-to-door tuberculosis (TB) screening initiative on 24 March 2022, globally observed as World TB Day. Under this initiative, over the next two to three weeks, health workers will be visiting the vulnerable population that is potentially exposed to the infection and test those found to have symptoms of the disease. The indigenously developed Truenat platform by Molbio Diagnostics has been deployed as a frontline tool in the government’s effort towards scaling up testing in the country. The Truenat technology was endorsed by WHO in 2020 as the world’s first point-of-care rapid molecular diagnostic platform for diagnosis of TB and multidrug resistance.  With the ability to operate in resource-limited settings with minimal dependence on infrastructure and skilled manpower, Truenat machines are being deployed at the sub-district level in the remotest corners across the country. Over 3,500 community health centres (CHCs) and primary health centres (PHCs) have been equipped with Truenat devices under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP) for first-line testing of TB in suspected patients. The ongoing expansion in the rollout of this technology across the healthcare chain will ensure that patients will not have to travel long distances and wait long hours to access an early and accurate diagnosis.        ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20889/uniphore-spinsci-improve-patient-access-and-engagement-with-healthcare-providers.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20889/uniphore-spinsci-improve-patient-access-and-engagement-with-healthcare-providers.html Tue, 15 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Uniphore, a Chennai-based company in conversational automation, and US-based SpinSci Technologies, a market leader in the field of digital patient engagement solutions, have entered a strategic agreement to enhance patients’ access and engagement with health care providers. Under the terms of the agreement, Uniphore’s conversational AI and automation technology will be used in SpinSci’s Patient Access Care solutions, integrated with market-leading electronic health records (EHR) systems, to help drive efficiencies for contact center agents and self-service workflows for patients. Patient experience has become significantly more important since the onset of the pandemic. Patient access transactions are increasingly driven through contact centers, and it is more important than ever that nursing and agent staff are empowered to deliver the highest levels of services and care. This includes lowering hold times, improving average handle times, delivering workflow automation to contact centers combined with providing authenticated self-serve options to patients. Deploying solutions like Uniphore’s U-Self Serve and U-Assist with SpinSci’s Patient Engage and Patient Assist is an important step forward in creating frictionless patient experiences.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20892/multifaceted-approaches-crucial-to-halt-diabetes-in-india-icmr-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20892/multifaceted-approaches-crucial-to-halt-diabetes-in-india-icmr-study.html Tue, 15 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0530 According to a recent study released by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)—National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research, Bengaluru, multifaceted approaches that include improved awareness, adherence to treatment, better preventive and counseling services are crucial to halt diabetes in India. Also, expanding traditional systems of medicine (Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy [AYUSH]) into diabetes prevention and control practices open solutions to manage this crisis. The Noncommunicable Disease (NCD) Monitoring Framework targets and indicators set by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India adapted from the Global NCD framework (World Health Organization), calls for a need to halt the rise in diabetes and prevent premature deaths from NCDs by 25% by 2025. Such targets can be met only with effective strategies at multisectoral levels. However, an important limitation and quandary for policymakers are that majority of the population might be unaware of their diabetes status and are not adherent to advice. Robust empirical data on diabetes prevalence, awareness, treatment, control and adherence is needed to comprehend the impact of initiatives taken to halt the growing burden of diabetes, response of health systems and health-seeking behaviors amongst the population. Understanding where diabetics are lost in the care cascade is essential for targeted health interventions.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20884/40-of-urban-indian-women-unaware-of-common-chronic-reproductive-issues-survey.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20884/40-of-urban-indian-women-unaware-of-common-chronic-reproductive-issues-survey.html Mon, 14 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Uvi Health, a health-tech platform for women, recently conducted a survey investigating the awareness and prevalence of various sexual and reproductive health (SRH) conditions in India. The study, conducted across females in the age group 17-50 in Urban cities, found a lack of education and awareness among women regarding SRH conditions.  "The social stigma attached to accessing SRH services and the limited access to non-judgemental care prevents women from receiving timely care and attention," said Mehak Malik, co-founder of Uvi Health. The survey revealed that over 40% of urban Indian women were unaware of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, which affects roughly 10% of the global population. The awareness could be much lower among rural women. The study says over 60% of women are unaware of hyperthyroidism and less than 30% know of other SRH conditions such as endometriosis and vaginismus. However, awareness about Breast Cancer and HIV/AIDS was relatively higher at about 75%. PCOS emerged as the most common sexual and reproductive health condition experienced by the respondents. However, less than 15% of the respondents aware of the condition had a formal diagnosis. The actual rate could be much higher as many women go undiagnosed due to the absence of a single diagnostic criterion.  The survey also revealed that most respondents felt that their family and doctors were a reliable support system. Interestingly, less than 30% of respondents considered their spouse and friends part of their support system.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20875/global-learning-collaborative-for-health-systems-resilience-launches-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20875/global-learning-collaborative-for-health-systems-resilience-launches-in-india.html Fri, 11 Mar 2022 17:05:00 +0530 ACCESS Health International, health systems think tank, advisory group, and implementation partner with the support of The Rockefeller Foundation has launched the Global Learning Collaborative for Health Systems Resilience (GLC4HSR). The GLC4HSR is a global community of health systems experts and actors who co-develop and share knowledge and best practices towards building resilience and preparedness of health systems against pandemics and other health and social crises.GLC4HSR is a first-of-its-kind multi-regional, multi-sectoral initiative with a vision to facilitate a synergistic exchange of knowledge between regions. It is a cross-discipline network of technical experts, practitioners, and health policy actors from both the public and private sectors. It brings together national and subnational governments, regional and global health bodies, the private healthcare industry, academic and research institutes, and development agencies.GLC4HSR was envisaged to provide a platform to discuss, debate and formulate strategies to safeguard all people against future crises. GLC4HSR members gain access to resources and tools that can be applied to help health systems maintain core functions during shocks and crises. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20865/pfizer-launches-6th-helpdesk-in-cancer-hospitals-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20865/pfizer-launches-6th-helpdesk-in-cancer-hospitals-in-india.html Thu, 10 Mar 2022 11:35:00 +0530 Pfizer has launched the Project Aastha helpdesk at the Regional Cancer Center (RCC), Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Medical College, Raipur.   The helpdesk was inaugurated by the Health Minister of Chhattisgarh, T Singh Deo, under Project Aastha, which is part of an ongoing partnership between Pfizer and Doctors For You to set up Cancer-Care support services in 10 cancer hospitals in eight states across India. RCC is now the sixth hospital in the country to have this service.   The helpdesk, set up in the R Block of the hospital, will support patients with registration; travel booking information and support; local accommodation guidance and linkages; dietary counselling between and after chemotherapy, emotional and mental health counselling over a helpline or in person; counselling and referrals in case patients have comorbid conditions; inter and intrahospital shifting and wheelchair management; referral of cancer patients to other field specialists for non-cancer-related medical issues, and follow-ups with registered patients.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20861/apollos-prohealthdeepx-to-provide-realistic-image-of-heart.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20861/apollos-prohealthdeepx-to-provide-realistic-image-of-heart.html Wed, 09 Mar 2022 13:35:00 +0530 Apollo Hospitals has launched an enhanced offering under the Apollo ProHealth Program, an AI-enabled proactive health management programme. Apollo ProHealthDeepXon Microsoft HoloLens 2 will give individuals an immersive mixed reality experience to help visualise what is happening inside their body and nudge them to make positive lifestyle shifts for a healthier tomorrow.    DeepX’sinnovative software harnesses the power of machine learning and digital signal processing and with mixed reality, technology blends the physical and digital world to create a visual experience of the heart as never before. This supplementary imaging solution will further enhance the patient experience as part of Apollo’s preventive care initiative.    ProHealthDeepX gives a visual insight into what is happening inside a person’s heart, personalised based on their vitals and medical / family history. A cardiac risk score powered by Apollo’s Artificial Intelligence engine, built with Indian population data, is generated and the data is used to visualise a 3D image of a heart with the impact of an individual’s risk factors.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20863/national-health-mission-to-make-jammu-kashmir-first-tb-free-region-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20863/national-health-mission-to-make-jammu-kashmir-first-tb-free-region-in-india.html Wed, 09 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0530 A high level team of Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department, Jammu and Kashmir held detailed deliberations with top officials of National Health Mission during the National Program Coordination Committee (NPCC) meeting in New Delhi. The team led by Additional Chief Secretary Vivek Bharadwaj discussed the future plans of augmenting healthcare scenario in the Union Territory for the Financial Years 2022-23 and 2023-24 under National Health Mission (NHM).   As part of the future plan, the focus of National Health Mission (NHM) for the next two years will be towards making Jammu & Kashmir the first TB free region in the country, improving quality of life of elderly population of the UT by focusing on their physical and/or mental care and prevention and Control of Cancer cases in J&K.   Commenting on the meeting, Vivek Bhardwaj, Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department, J&K said, “National Health Mission is key to success in our efforts of strengthening the healthcare system in Jammu & Kashmir and our attempt to provide for universal access of Equitable, Affordable and Quality healthcare services in UT. Specially in our rural and far-flung regions which needed greater technical and financial support, NHM has played a vital role. In a dynamic situation post pandemic, the fund under NHM will be much needed to further bolster our healthcare delivery in the state.”      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20864/govt-gives-nod-to-establishment-of-who-global-centre-for-traditional-medicine-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20864/govt-gives-nod-to-establishment-of-who-global-centre-for-traditional-medicine-in-india.html Wed, 09 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0530 The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the establishment of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (WHO GCTM) in Jamnagar, Gujarat by signing a Host Country agreement between the Government of India and the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO GCTM will be established in Jamnagar under the Ministry of AYUSH.  This would be the first and only global outposted Centre (office) for traditional medicine across the globe. The objective is to position AYUSH systems across the globe; to provide leadership on global health matters pertaining to traditional medicine; to ensure quality, safety and efficacy, accessibility and rational use of traditional medicine; to develop norms, standards, and guidelines in relevant technical areas, tools and methodologies, for collecting data undertaking analytics, and assess impact;  Envisage WHO TM Informatics centre creating a collaborative of existing TM Data banks, virtual libraries, and academic and research institutes; and to develop specific capacity building and training programmes in the areas of relevance to the objectives and conduct training programmes in campus, residential, or web-based, and through partnerships with the WHO Academy and other strategic partners. A Joint Task Force (JTF) is constituted for coordination, execution and monitoring of activities for the establishment of this Centre.  JTF comprises representatives from the Government of India, Permanent Mission of India, Geneva and the World Health Organization.  Under the ambit of this, an interim office is being established at the ITRA, Jamnagar, Gujarat to execute the identified technical activities and planning of fully functional WHO GCTM. The WHO-GCTM will identify various challenges faced by the countries in regulating, integrating and further positioning Traditional Medicine in respective countries. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20852/who-introduces-new-repository-on-urban-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20852/who-introduces-new-repository-on-urban-health.html Tue, 08 Mar 2022 16:15:00 +0530 Over 55 per cent of the world’s population live in urban areas – a proportion that is expected to increase to 68 per cent by 2050. This trend calls for strengthened support to address health at the urban level. To this end, a new repository launched by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on urban health gives access to a broad range of WHO-generated resources to enhance local action for health.   The repository reflects WHO’s renewed commitment to promoting urban health worldwide and includes resources that provide technical support and build capacity, strategic reports and guidelines, health impact assessment tools, and other products relevant to urban health and cities.   The repository is a living resource, open to modifications and additions, and it will be regularly updated when new products become available. It covers topics such as urban planning, housing, environmental issues, transport and mobility, nutrition, physical activity, COVID-19 and many others. The search engine allows users to access existing WHO materials by health topic category, product type, geographical area and year of publication/development.    The initial content in the repository is based on a structured, non-exhaustive, technical mapping exercise identifying WHO activities and products across the organization. WHO hopes that users including researchers, practitioners, community actors, government and city officials, NGO reps, private sector agents, civil society members, donors, development partners, multilateral agencies and others in all member states will find the repository a useful tool in the journey towards better urban health.        ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20849/lifecell-india-launches-breast-screen-panel.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20849/lifecell-india-launches-breast-screen-panel.html Tue, 08 Mar 2022 13:30:00 +0530 LifeCell has launched a breast screen panel, a comprehensive genetic screening test that assesses the risk of breast cancer in women.    LifeCell’s breast screen panel not only screens for the mutations in the most common BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes but also screens for all 20 high and moderate risk non-BRCA genes associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer as outlined by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines. Additionally, the panel utilises next-generation sequencing which not only offers higher throughput, coverage (including deletion and duplication), and speed but also higher accuracy than other predictive tests.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20836/sri-ramakrishna-hospital-neuroequilibrium-opens-advanced-vertigo-treatment-facility-in-coimbatore.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20836/sri-ramakrishna-hospital-neuroequilibrium-opens-advanced-vertigo-treatment-facility-in-coimbatore.html Mon, 07 Mar 2022 14:15:00 +0530 Sri Ramakrishna Hospital, in collaboration with NeuroEquilibrium, recently launched Coimbatore's first super-speciality dizziness and vertigo diagnosis and treatment centre. The centre will house cutting-edge vertigo diagnostic systems and provide specialised rehabilitation therapies for patients affected by balance disorders.   This centre was inaugurated by D Lakshminarayanaswamy, Managing Trustee - SNR SONS Charitable Trust, R Sundar, Joint Managing Trustee - SNR SONS Charitable Trust, Swathy Rohit, Chief Operating Officer - Sri Ramakrishna Hospital, Dr P Sukumaran, Medical Director - Dean - Sri Ramakrishna Hospital, CV Ramkumar, Chief Executive Officer - Sri Ramakrishna Hospital, Rajneesh Bhandari, Managing Director at NeuroEquilibrium, Dr Anita Bhandari, Clinical Director at NeuroEquilibrium, and other doctors at Sri Ramakrishna Hospital graced the occasion. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20829/c-camps-ai-based-tech-innovation-to-aid-in-covid-19-and-tb-assessment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20829/c-camps-ai-based-tech-innovation-to-aid-in-covid-19-and-tb-assessment.html Mon, 07 Mar 2022 07:20:00 +0530 The UK and India have come together and successfully created a new innovation in the battle to contain killer lung diseases such as COVID-19 and TB. Enabled by the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms, (C-CAMP), with support from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), this C-CAMP portfolio technology allows a patient to cough into a mobile phone and through the power of AI receive an accurate medical assessment of their ailment.    That allows doctors and patients to determine whether further tests might be needed and to monitor ongoing cases while saving time and money for everyone. With even the poorest households having access to a mobile phone, the innovation is ultra-scalable and potentially makes the biggest difference to the people with the least time and money, and poor access to healthcare services.      The technology was showcased at the Govt Chest & TB Hospital, Andhra Medical College, Vishakhapatnam to the British Deputy High Commissioner to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Dr Andrew Fleming in the presence of Dr Niranjan Joshi, Associate Programme Lead, C-CAMP, Dr PV Sudhakar, Former Principal, AMC, Dr KVV Vijaya Kumar, The Superintendent, Chest & TB Hospital, and Manmohan Jain, CSO, Salcit Technologies.   C-CAMP portfolio start-up Salcit Technologies had first developed an AI-driven, patented platform Swaasa for general lung assessment using cough sounds. Under the consortium project supported by the FCDO, UK Govt, and led by C-CAMP, C-CAMP brought together technical, clinical & health systems expertise through Salcit Technologies, Andhra Medical College (AMC), and PATH to extend and develop this platform to triage for COVID-19 and TB.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20823/aster-labs-opens-reference-lab-in-navi-mumbai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20823/aster-labs-opens-reference-lab-in-navi-mumbai.html Fri, 04 Mar 2022 14:40:00 +0530 Aster Labs, the diagnostic wing of Aster DM Healthcare has launched a satellite lab in Hyderabad and a reference lab in Vashi, Navi Mumbai. It also plans to set up a satellite lab in Mumbai by March 2022.    With the launch of the satellite lab in Hyderabad, Aster continues to strengthen its network of healthcare in the south region of India, having around 13 hospitals and around 10 Labs in the region.    As a part of its growth strategy and expansion plan, Aster Clinical Lab has already launched 2 reference labs, 10 satellite labs and 80 Patient experience Centres, spread across Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. Aster Labs will also be looking to launch five more satellite labs across the country by March 22. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20822/iit-m-with-portescap-to-develop-medical-innovation-using-robotics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20822/iit-m-with-portescap-to-develop-medical-innovation-using-robotics.html Fri, 04 Mar 2022 12:55:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Madras is collaborating with the Motion Technology Firm Portescap to develop medical innovation using robotics for rehabilitation. This CSR Project also involves Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore, a premier medical institution located in Vellore.   The Project facilitated by the Office of Institutional Advancement, IIT Madras, will focus on creating an innovative rehabilitation robot – AREBO (Arm Rehabilitation Robot) – for people with arm impairments. AREBO is a six-degrees-of-freedom robot for training individual joint movements at the shoulder and elbow for persons with neurological and musculoskeletal conditions such as stroke, arthritis, cerebral palsy, and Parkinson’s disease, among others. The design of this robot allows it to be easily connected to either the left or right arm of a user and provides safe training of the arm.   Led by Prof Sujatha Srinivasan, Faculty Head, TTK Center for Rehabilitation Research and Device Development (R2D2), IIT Madras, and Prof Sivakumar Balasubramanian, CMC Vellore, such innovations significantly improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities. They also serve as a tool for therapists to remotely monitor performance and plan therapy accordingly.   As a second project, also funded by Portescap, IIT Madras has partnered with the Institute of Neurosciences, Kolkata, to develop a lower limb exoskeleton for ‘Gait Training’ of Stroke and Spinal Cord Injury patients and the design is in progress. This project is being led by Prof Sourav Rakshit, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20820/narayana-health-city-sets-act-centre-in-collaboration-with-indian-cancer-society.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20820/narayana-health-city-sets-act-centre-in-collaboration-with-indian-cancer-society.html Fri, 04 Mar 2022 08:10:00 +0530 Narayana Health City in association with the Indian Cancer Society has set up a dedicated ACT (After Completion of Therapy) Clinic. Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, Founder and Chairman of Narayana Health along with Dr Emmanuel Rupert (Managing director and Group CEO, Narayana Health), and Kanchan Banerjee, Hon Secretary of Indian Cancer Society today inaugurated the department. Dr Purna Kurkure (Chairman - Oncology collegium, Narayana Health), Dr Sunil Bhat (Clinical Director and Lead of Paediatric Haematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplants) and Dr Sharath Damodar (Clinical Director and Lead of Adult Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplants) and children who have fought cancer successfully were also present at the event.    The clinic will help in addressing the problems of survivorship by ensuring regular follow-ups, both clinical as well as emotional. The department will offer psychological consultation, screening and even interventions. The clinic will also assist eligible pediatric cancer survivors with financial support for their late effects treatment.   ACT clinic at Narayana Health City will be equipped with a team of dedicated doctors from various specialities and paramedical staff such as psycho-oncologists, physiotherapists etc. The department will also act as a platform that will provide the survivor with access to support groups. The clinic will leverage the collaborations that the Indian Cancer Society has with vocational training centres and offer cancer survivors access to vocational training at subsidised prices. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20819/cryptorelief-grants-1-m-to-iit-madras-for-wastewater-based-epidemiology-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20819/cryptorelief-grants-1-m-to-iit-madras-for-wastewater-based-epidemiology-research.html Fri, 04 Mar 2022 08:05:00 +0530 CryptoRelief has granted one million dollars to establish a wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) research facility at IIT Madras. The facility will act as an intelligence unit to track and prevent a virus outbreak in its early stages. The grant would help in advanced research and getting a foresight into the ever-evolving virus patterns whilst also giving us a chance to better prepare ourselves.   In this CryptoRelief funded project, data obtained from various wastewater sources and treatment facilities will be analysed and made available to the public through dashboards. Gradually, this facility will be extended to other parts of India. New human resources developed in the area will be useful in establishing such facilities across the country.   International Centre for Clean Water (ICCW), a non-profit centre created by IIT Madras and housed at the IIT Madras Research Park will be establishing the facility. The ICCW team will work on building a hydro-informatics platform for the city with appropriate modelling tools to give spatiotemporal information of the data derived from WBE studies.   ICCW has been developing state-of-the-art technologies for affordable clean water. Creating a reliable platform for periodic analysis of wastewater will ensure better water security for the community. IITM and ICCW envision providing practical solutions to build a healthier country through WBE. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20826/govt-announces-rs-100-cr-investment-for-ayush-sector-in-nagaland.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20826/govt-announces-rs-100-cr-investment-for-ayush-sector-in-nagaland.html Fri, 04 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0530 The Union Minister of Ayush and Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has announced more than Rs 100 crores to develop the Ayush Healthcare sector in the state of Nagaland. One 30-bedded Ayush hospital and three 10 bedded hospitals along with one Ayurvedic college will be developed in the state with the allocated funds.    An integrated Ayush Hospital was also inaugurated by the Union Minister at Razha Chedema in Kohima. The 30-bedded Ayush hospitals will be developed at Kihpire while the 10-bedded Ayush hospitals will be developed, one each at Mokokchung, at Nagaland University in Dimapur and Wokha. The Union Minister announced the setting up of a state-of-the-art Ayurvedic college at Longleng. The cost of this college is estimated at Rs 70 crores.    The Minister of Health & Family Welfare of Government of Nagaland, S Pangnyu Phom and Minister of Urban Development & Municipal Affairs of Government of Nagaland, Dr Niekiesalie Kire along with senior officials of Nagaland government and AYUSH ministry attended this meeting.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20815/masina-hospital-opens-upgraded-dialysis-facility.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20815/masina-hospital-opens-upgraded-dialysis-facility.html Thu, 03 Mar 2022 17:30:00 +0530 Masina Hospital has launched a newly upgraded dialysis facility within the hospital premises. The inauguration was conducted in the esteemed presence of Pallan Shapoorji Mistry, Dr Burjor H. Antia, Jimmy Jehangir Parakh along with Dr Vispi Jokhi - CEO, Mr Behram Khodaiji - Joint CEO, Dr SN Mehra - Medical Director, Dr Gustad Daver - Advisory Board, Masina Hospital alongside senior doctors of the hospital.    At the facility, one can provide dialysis to 14 patients at a given time. Separate provision is made to attend to Sero Positive patients so that others are well protected from any infection. One private room is also provided for those seeking privacy. The facility is compliant with the requisite AAMI (Assn. for advanced medical instrumentation), ISO and NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospital & Healthcare Providers) norms and is equipped with new modern equipment procured from well-established suppliers, with special attention for provision of technology superior Automatic Reverse Osmosis Plant.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20814/stanplus-even-tie-up-for-emergency-medical-transportation-services.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20814/stanplus-even-tie-up-for-emergency-medical-transportation-services.html Thu, 03 Mar 2022 16:55:00 +0530 Even, a healthtech company and healthcare provider, and StanPlus have announced their partnership to provide emergency medical transportation services.   StanPlus and Even will work closely to ensure that patients have access to 24/7, unlimited and pan-India emergency ambulance services that include road and air ambulance transportation and doctors on call.     A dedicated 24/7 emergency number - 1800-121-3882 has been set up for an emergency response. The call centre will pick up the call and do an online verification by generating an OTP. To generate the same the associate will request the caller to provide a registered mobile number with Even. Once the OTP is authenticated, the associate will verify the member using the OPD URL.    Prabhdeep Singh, Co-founder and CEO, StanPlus, said: "At StanPlus, we are intent on building a 'first minute, last mile' healthcare paradigm with our eight-minute ambulance services."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20803/67-indians-believe-in-domestically-manufactured-vaccines-than-foreign-ones-survey.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20803/67-indians-believe-in-domestically-manufactured-vaccines-than-foreign-ones-survey.html Wed, 02 Mar 2022 16:20:00 +0530 Saizen Global Insights & Consulting in collaboration with HEAL Foundation recently conducted INDIA VAX-SCENE Survey on vaccine perception in February 2022.   In the online survey, 1106 respondents participated from across nine metro cities of India, with a mean age of 28.7 years. Among them, 45 per cent were women.   Of them, 98 per cent has belief in COVID-19 vaccines. And 78-79 per cent are optimistic about life getting back to normal in the next two to five years from COVID-19 impacts, wherein 83 per cent believes that vaccines play a critical role in getting back to normal.    In the survey, 67 per cent of Indians believe that ‘Made in India’ vaccines are safer than other vaccines developed in foreign countries. And over 90 per cent of Indians believe that the vaccine’s role is vital to fight against COVID-19 whereas over 85 per cent believes that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, reposing their hope in the important role vaccines have been playing to fight the pandemic.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20802/cognizant-collaborates-with-microsoft-for-virtual-health-solutions-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20802/cognizant-collaborates-with-microsoft-for-virtual-health-solutions-.html Wed, 02 Mar 2022 16:15:00 +0530 Cognizant is collaborating with Microsoft to deliver a new digital health solution to enhance remote patient monitoring for improved medical care.   Cognizant's new solution, leveraging components of the Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, is the first of several planned offerings that combine remote patient monitoring and virtual health, utilising products like smartwatches, blood pressure monitors, and glucose meters to collect and communicate patient health data to providers.    As an early Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare partner, Cognizant has designed a solution that leverages Microsoft Azure services including FHIR, API Services, and Teams integration to improve scalability and reliability. This digital healthcare endeavour is backed by Cognizant's dedicated Microsoft Business Group, bringing together Cognizant's digital modernization expertise with Microsoft's focus on building Industry Clouds to deliver a commercially available, comprehensive, healthcare solution. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20797/international-workshop-on-taking-novel-drugs-from-lab-to-clinic.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20797/international-workshop-on-taking-novel-drugs-from-lab-to-clinic.html Tue, 01 Mar 2022 17:35:00 +0530 The international non-profit organisation Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), the Indian Society for Clinical Research (ISCR), and Venture Center’s BIRAC Regional Bio-Innovation Center (BRBC) will be conducting an international workshop on taking novel drugs from lab to clinic from March 7-11, 2022. The workshop will be held virtually and will bring together the world's leading subject matter experts, scientists, and representatives from industries with diverse pharmaceutical experience to share insights on the path of translational research for small molecules. The workshop brings together 28 national and international speakers from leading pharmaceutical companies such as Cipla, Johnson and Johnson, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Bayer A G Pharmaceuticals, Syngene International, and reputed universities and research organizations such as THSTI, Faridabad, University of Dundee and Northeastern university. It will be conducted over five days, and will broadly cover topics such as successful lead optimisation, pharmaceutical development, safety pharmacology, toxicology, and first-in-human clinical trials. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20791/impactgurus-crowdfunding-campaign-raises-rs-125-cr-for-rare-disease-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20791/impactgurus-crowdfunding-campaign-raises-rs-125-cr-for-rare-disease-patients.html Tue, 01 Mar 2022 08:35:00 +0530 ImpactGuru.com, an integrated healthcare financing platform, has reported a one-of-its-kind, rare disease online donation crowdfunding movement with 12,00,000+ donors raising Rs 125+ crore through 1200+ rare disease crowdfunding campaigns in 14 months (January 2021 to February 2022), for patients fighting rare diseases like Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA type 1 & 2), Gaucher’s disease, Pompe’s disease, rare forms of cancer and others.    The findings of ‘ImpactGuru.com’s crowdfunding movement For Rare Disease Report’ were revealed at the first edition of Impact Guru Excellence in Healthcare Summit and Awards 2022, on Rare Disease Day.   The report says:   During these 14 months, up to 85 per cent of the fundraisers on ImpactGuru.com for rare diseases belonged to middle-class and lower-middle-class families. These families lacked access to financial funds to afford the Rs 16 crore (~$ 2.1million) Zolgensma gene therapy and other medicines that are potential treatments prescribed by Indian doctors for patients fighting rare diseases.  Nationally, patients based in Mumbai have raised the highest at Rs 35 crore followed by patients residing in Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Delhi. Among ImpactGuru.com’s 1200+ rare disease campaigns, over 80 per cent of donations came from resident Indian donors. On average, ImpactGuru.com donors donated Rs 1000 towards such rare disease campaigns  The single highest donation received on one of the rare disease fundraisers was Rs 56 lakh One of the rare disease crowdfunding campaigns witnessed a record-breaking 265,000+ Indian donors contributing towards achieving the goal amount  An innovative approach used for obtaining donations was printing the QR Code on T-Shirts. WhatsApp and Social Media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter provided a secure channel for donations from generous well-wishers online. Newer payment methods, Paytm and Google Pay were most frequently used.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20790/puresoftware-opens-5g-innovation-lab-in-noida.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20790/puresoftware-opens-5g-innovation-lab-in-noida.html Mon, 28 Feb 2022 21:20:00 +0530 PureSoftware has opened a new 5G innovation lab in Noida, India. The innovation lab will streamline 5G IP stack development, solution testing and performance validation. Through this lab, PureSoftware aims to provide customised industry-specific 5GNR RU and Integrated Small Cell solutions for use cases in connected healthcare, autonomous mobility etc and other industries.   The solutions will bring energy-efficient implementations, introduce a low cost of ownership, and quick time to market possibilities, as well as deliver higher multi-Gbps peak data speeds, increased availability, higher reliability, ultra-low latency networks with consistent user experience.   Anil Baid, Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, PureSoftware, says, "5G holds a lot of potential for companies of every size. Through the 5G lab, we are committed to cultivating 5G technology to usher in a connected economy. It will serve as a launchpad for impactful, transformational experiences."   He adds, "Our strong and proven expertise in embedded services since 2006 helped us create Arttha5G, which has been helping our customers worldwide in accelerating 5G deployments." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20785/lissun-launches-first-offline-centre-in-muzaffarnagar-up.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20785/lissun-launches-first-offline-centre-in-muzaffarnagar-up.html Mon, 28 Feb 2022 13:20:00 +0530 LISSUN, a mental wellness start-up, has launched its first offline centre in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh. The centre was launched in the presence of the chief guest Dr Preeti Singh, Senior Clinical Psychologist, Chief Medical Officer, LISSUN. The LISSUN Experiential centre has been launched at 218, Atreya Hospital, Sadar Bazaar, Muzaffarnagar.    The core team of the brand comprises alumni from IIT, IIM, ISB and NIMHANS. The platform has already reached over 3000 users and targets helping 20000+ people by the end of fiscal 22-23. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20784/assam-cm-inaugurates-54-oxygenated-bed-hospital-in-nagaon.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20784/assam-cm-inaugurates-54-oxygenated-bed-hospital-in-nagaon.html Mon, 28 Feb 2022 12:45:00 +0530 Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms, C-CAMP in partnership with Danish Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF), has supported augmentation of a 54 oxygenated bed hospital facility in Uluoni CHC, Simonabasti, Nagaon Assam as part of a larger DKK 10 Million, (approximately Rs 12 crore) worth project to develop models for rapid augmentation of healthcare infrastructure in India with guidance from the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor, Govt of India, Invest India, and Danish Embassy in India.    The newly built hospital was inaugurated by Minister of Health & Family Welfare Assam, Keshab Mahanta, Danish Ambassador to India, Freddy Svane, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, Prof K Vijay Raghavan, Mission Director, NHM, Assam, Dr Lakshamanan S, C-CAMP CEO & Director Dr Taslimarif Saiyed, Counsellor for Science, Innovation and Higher Education at Embassy of Denmark in India, Jakob Williams Oerberg, Executive Director, NHM Assam, Dr Manoj Chaudhary, Technology Officer at the office of the PSA, Govt of India, Mudit Narain, Head, AGNIi Mission, office of the PSA, Govt of India and Vice President, Invest India, Rahul Nayar, ADC Health of Nagaon, Prashant Barua. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20780/health-ministry-launches-national-polio-immunisation-drive.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20780/health-ministry-launches-national-polio-immunisation-drive.html Mon, 28 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Dr Mansukh Mandavia, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, has launched the National Polio Immunisation Drive (NID) for 2022 by administering polio drops to children below five years of age in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Addressing the Occasion, Dr Mandaviya said, “India’s strategic fight against polio is a success story of India’s public health policy against vaccine-preventable diseases. We need to continue to be vigilant and ensure that every child under five years of age must get polio drops.”During the Polio NID, over 15 crore children were covered across all 36 states and UTs in 735 districts. During the drive, polio drops will be provided to children through seven lakh booths across the country. Approximately 23.6 crore houses will be visited by nearly 24 lakh volunteers and 1.5 lakh supervisors. The State of Meghalaya has already conducted the drive in the state on January 24, 2022, while Mizoram plans to conduct the drive on March 1, 2022, due to local reasons. The election-bound states of Uttar Pradesh and Manipur plan to organise the Polio NID on March 20 and March 24, 2022, respectively.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20781/rare-disease-india-foundation-issues-urgent-demands-for-ensuring-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20781/rare-disease-india-foundation-issues-urgent-demands-for-ensuring-treatment.html Mon, 28 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Rare Disease India Foundation (RDIF) a national patient advocacy group, has appealed to the Union Health & Family Welfare Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya highlighting the current gaps in providing life-saving treatment to the patients, who have been diagnosed with rare, genetic conditions for which the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) approved treatment is available in India for many years now.Even after seven months of the crowdfunding platform, a meagre amount of Rs 1,15,866 has been raised so far, as a result of which not a single patient has been put on treatment.RDIF has requested the health ministry to initiate the following measures with immediate effect: • Extend the Umbrella Scheme of Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) to all Group 3(a) patients with treatable conditions. Currently, the scheme only provides a one-time grant of Rs 20 lakh to Group 1 patients. There are several instances where MoHFW had in the past made exceptions to Group 3(a) patients, extending support under RAN. • A major part of the annual budgetary allocation of Rs 25 crore under the Umbrella Scheme of Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) for 2021-22 has remained unspent, like in most previous years. To allow utilisation of this year’s allocation to provide immediate treatment support to at least the Group 3(a) patients, diagnosed with Gaucher disease, Pompe disease, Fabry disease, MPS I & MPS II. • A National Programme on Rare Diseases with a budgetary allocation of at least Rs 150 crore be set up by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare immediately to provide life-saving therapy of all those patients with treatable Group 3(a) disorders like Lysosomal Storage Disorders, for which DCGI approved treatment is available, can be provided, thereby reducing any further loss of life. • Like in the case of the PM Cares model, encourage and build support from PSUs, India’s corporate to support this cause of rare diseases ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20775/nasscom-coe-iot-ai-unveils-healthcare-innovation-challenge3.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20775/nasscom-coe-iot-ai-unveils-healthcare-innovation-challenge3.html Sat, 26 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0530 After the success of first two editions, the NASSCOM Centre of Excellence (COE)- IOT & AI) has announced the launch of third edition of Healthcare Innovation Challenge (HIC#3). In this one-of-its-kind case drive programme, there is strong participation from Hospitals, Diagnostic Chains, Insurance Players, pharma companies and govt. delegates, technology enterprises and Deeptech startups. While previous editions were focused primarily on hospitals, the HIC#3 has attracted interest from insurance players and technology players, who are coming onboard as use-case sponsors. Going forward such broad-based deployment participation is going to accelerates the digital technology impact in healthcare sector towards the vision of $1 trillion digital economy as defined by The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY). In this edition of HIC, the use cases have been nominated in different areas which include automated credit business settlement, inpatient volume prediction based on outpatient volume,  early detection of microbes,  prescription digitalisation using voice recognition, comprehensive patient care , OPD automation,  preventive health checkup tracking,  AI-based surgical video, recording & reporting and cashless OPD expense management. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20773/thieme-eido-healthcare-team-up-to-introduce-digital-patient-consent-solution.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20773/thieme-eido-healthcare-team-up-to-introduce-digital-patient-consent-solution.html Fri, 25 Feb 2022 18:45:00 +0530 Thieme EIDO INFORM, a ground-breaking product that is set to revolutionise the patient education and informed consent landscape in the country, is being introduced in the Indian market by Thieme Group, an eminent Germany-based medical and science publisher with over a decade-long notable presence in India, in collaboration with EIDO Healthcare, the UK-based market leader in digital consent solutions. The development will completely transform the doctor-patient and hospital-patient relationship, ushering in a more informed patient consent environment in the country.   Thieme EIDO INFORM is a comprehensive suite of informed consent solutions, including written consent sheets, animations illustrating the operation, and terms laying out potential risks as well as benefits involved in a surgery. Patients can write down their questions for the clinician directly in the cloud-based app for their in-person appointment. The clinician can also see how intensively patients have engaged with the content since the system tracks usage time.    The Thieme EIDO INFORM Home Consent function allows patients to insert their digital signature in the document from the comfort of their homes, confirming that they have been thoroughly informed in advance of the impending surgery. Importantly, the informed consent documents are available both digitally and in print in English, Hindi, and Marathi, with availability in more local languages to follow. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20735/apollo-hospitals-inks-first-of-its-kind-collaboration-with-8chili-for-progressive-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20735/apollo-hospitals-inks-first-of-its-kind-collaboration-with-8chili-for-progressive-healthcare.html Thu, 24 Feb 2022 13:30:00 +0530 Apollo Hospitals Group has collaborated with 8chili to enable engagement in the metaverse. Virtual reality will provide an immersive experience that has been proven to increase patient engagement and skill mastery for hands-on training.   Patient counselling pre/post-operation in virtual reality will help increase patient outcomes by bringing generic environments filled with relaxing narratives that will induce control over one’s own body and physiological response. It will also engage the users in virtual reality-mediated activities to empower their abilities to regulate emotion. This personalized approach to every patient will help result in higher patient satisfaction.  "HintVR is an end-to-end platform to manage your metaverse strategy helping in original 3D content creation, metaverse customisation, and also delivery of this content across various metaverse real estates," Aravind Upadhyaya, Founder, and CEO, 8chili. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20733/actu-real-collaborates-with-jehangir-clinical-dev-centre.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20733/actu-real-collaborates-with-jehangir-clinical-dev-centre.html Thu, 24 Feb 2022 09:40:00 +0530 Actu-Real a US-based specialised Contract Research Organization (CRO) focused on data analytics and Real-World Evidence (RWE) and Jehangir Clinical Development Centre (JCDC), a pioneering CRO conducting world-class clinical research in India, today announced the signing of a strategic collaboration agreement to further research based on RWE.    Through this collaboration, Actu-Real and JCDC will focus on collecting and analysing real-world data (RWD) generated from clinical practice to support evidence-based clinical, economic and regulatory decisions. The widespread use of mobile devices and electronic health records to gather and store huge amounts of health-related data facilitates such studies further.    J-ARC’s experience across the continuum of clinical development and post-approval research, global delivery model and expertise in design, conduct and analysis places it in a unique position to support such studies. The scientific and research community including pharma, biotech, research institutes, hospitals and healthcare companies will greatly benefit from this collaboration.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20731/experts-call-for-effective-solutions-to-improve-last-mile-delivery-in-treating-hypertension.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20731/experts-call-for-effective-solutions-to-improve-last-mile-delivery-in-treating-hypertension.html Thu, 24 Feb 2022 08:20:00 +0530 Banaras Hindu University, senior government officials and public health leaders have said that policy measures like an extended prescription for chronic diseases have helped India cope better with the chaos unleashed during the pandemic. At an event organised by the Family Planning Association of India (FPAI), to release a policy brief and set of recommendations from Banaras Hindu University, health experts and senior representatives of the government called for the need to focus on such nimble yet effective solutions to improve last-mile delivery of health services.    Speaking at the event, Dr Sudarshan Mandal, Deputy Director General (NPCDCS), Dte GHS, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, said, “While all NCDs require a continuum of care and treatment, it is critically important to focus on hypertension and diabetes mellitus, also called the silent epidemics of India."   Department of Community Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University along with GRID Council under Project REACH-HTN, analysed four states to gauge the success of making blood pressure medicine refills available for extended days as per the government guidance.    Dr Sangeeta Kansal, Professor at the Department of Community Medicine, BHU and principal investigator of the project said, “Our analysis revealed that issuance of the government order recommending that medicines be made available for at least a month, has been overall beneficial for those relying on public health systems for their treatment – particularly those in rural India. It encouraged several innovations such as the use of a differentiated drug delivery system and disbursement of medicines through ASHAs and ANMs."   Vandana Shah, Regional Director, Global Health Advocacy Initiative (GHAI) said, “Making medicine refills available particularly in the remotest corners of the country is one such important solution."   Dr Basab Gupta, Additional Medical Superintendent, Kalavati Saran Hospital said, “To make extended days refill a success, the first step is a standard treatment protocol, which is playing a major role in stemming the NCD crisis, as it successfully did with the HIV crisis.”    Speaking at the occasion, Dr Kalpana Apte, Secretary General, FPA India said, “The guidance for extended days prescription, issued just when India was entering a hard lockdown nationwide, has immense potential of fixing the woes of last-mile service delivery.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20743/healthcare-organisations-need-to-consider-creating-right-data-environment-ey-report.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20743/healthcare-organisations-need-to-consider-creating-right-data-environment-ey-report.html Thu, 24 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0530 The pandemic has demonstrated that health care organizations can become more resilient, agile and innovative if they shift to digitally enabled business models with data at the core, according to an EY report, “Getting future ready”, released at BioAsia 2022 - Asia's largest Life-sciences and Health-Tech convention, taking place on 24 and 25 February. The report highlights how healthcare organizations need to create the right data environment to support a more human-centered approach. Hitesh Sharma, National Tax Leader -Life Sciences, EY India said, “Healthcare delivery is moving outside the four walls of the traditional health system.  Health care providers who take the lead in engaging with users across the health care value chain will be best placed to integrate the physical and the virtual world.  Healthcare delivery in India, predominantly recognised for sick care delivery, will have to innovate in the coming decade to build next-gen capabilities, and unlock the power of data to enhance the overall healthcare experience.” The paradigm of healthcare delivery is changing and is poised for a big leap forward, more so after the COVID-19 pandemic. A shift towards patient centricity, prevention, wellness, and anywhere and anytime healthcare delivery has created new opportunities to reimagine the entire patient journey. Data analytics and new technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, sensor, etc. are reshaping the entire product value chain.  Many pharmaceutical and technology companies globally are coming up with new solutions. The EY report states that the road to leveraging artificial intelligence is built from good data. Healthcare organizations need to consider creating the right data environment to support a more human-centered approach. The report further delves into the five key trends in data that will enable this transformation.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20725/india-can-generate-774-bn-healthcare-revenue-by-2030-aspire-circle-report.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20725/india-can-generate-774-bn-healthcare-revenue-by-2030-aspire-circle-report.html Wed, 23 Feb 2022 16:55:00 +0530 India can generate a staggering $774 billion revenue and create 12 million jobs impacting 1.5 billion lives by 2030 with an investment of $217 billion in healthcare and allied sectors, according to a report. The collaborative report titled Investing for Impact: Healthcare, Pharma & Healthtech has been put together by Aspire Circle, India’s foremost impact leadership champion and advocate with the help of 21 co-authors and six guest contributors, with Capgemini as the key sponsor. Primary and preventive healthcare will be the biggest market at $274 billion by 2030 followed by drug and vaccine manufacturing at $120 billion, the latter catalysed by vaccine manufacturers and over eight Pharma IPOs in the last two years, mobilising Rs 10K crore. Spurred by >$5 billion in COVID-19 testing alone to date, as well as the increased attention to preventive care, diagnostic services will grow to a $60 bn market by 2030.The report spells out India’s top ten outstanding investment ideas, being shaped by new-age technologies, innovative business models, delivery platforms and regulatory environment: preventive and primary healthcare; pharma, drug and vaccine manufacturing; screening, diagnostics and testing; affordable healthcare and operational efficiency; medical tourism; E Healthcare and telecare; health insurance and innovative impact financing; E-Pharmacies; medical workforce education and skilling and gene therapy. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20719/mumbai-based-clirnet-raises-1-million-in-pre-series-a-funding.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20719/mumbai-based-clirnet-raises-1-million-in-pre-series-a-funding.html Tue, 22 Feb 2022 18:45:00 +0530 Mumbai-based doctor-centered platform CLIRNET has raised $1 million in the Pre-Series A funding round led by a group of senior executives of major international funds management and banking organisations. The platform will utilise the funds to strengthen its tech capabilities to leverage AI for deepening platform engagement, expedite doctor acquisitions and amplify the content and operational teams. The company was seeded by the promoters of Life Science Logistics, USA (majority stake acquired by Blackstone in January 2022).    CLIRNET is launching a suite of pioneering products to help connect doctors and patients. By applying AI, CLIRNET’s digital tools will provide doctors with the knowledge they need, when they need it while simultaneously supporting patient management.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20713/experts-stress-on-csr-initiatives-to-drive-sustainable-child-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20713/experts-stress-on-csr-initiatives-to-drive-sustainable-child-health.html Tue, 22 Feb 2022 13:55:00 +0530 Top experts stressed the role Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives by companies can play in supporting child health projects, especially at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has severely disrupted the delivery of child health across the country. This was discussed during a webinar on The Role of CSR in Building Sustainable Change in Child Health.    The experts underscored the urgent need to invest in strengthening health systems for safeguarding child health, and how organisations can contribute to ensuring sustainability.    The webinar was spearheaded by Indrashil Kaka-Ba and Kala Budh Public Charitable Trust, the philanthropic arm of Cadila Pharmaceuticals, and Global Health Strategies Institute (GHSi).    The panel comprised Dr Bharat Champaneria, Trustee at the Indrashil Kaka-Ba and Kala Budh Public Charitable Trust.    “The presence of limited resources or the lack of technical services such as specialised doctors under health infrastructure often becomes a challenge when it comes to ensuring the efficacy of health systems on the ground,” Dr Champaneria said, stressing the need for collective partnership in improving health systems on the ground.    Speaking about prioritizing sustainable systems for child health, the District Development Officer (DDO) of Bharuch, Yogesh Chaudhary, highlighted that the Government of Gujarat had been taking steps to ensure last-mile delivery of healthcare.    Head of CSR at Arvind, Niraj Lal shared key insights on the need for private-private partnerships to strengthen ground-level healthcare.        ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20710/shri-ramkrisha-netralaya-doctors-develop-new-tech-for-fitting-lens.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20710/shri-ramkrisha-netralaya-doctors-develop-new-tech-for-fitting-lens.html Tue, 22 Feb 2022 13:00:00 +0530 A team of Shri Ramkrisha Netralaya doctors have claimed to develop Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) which is more effective and benefitting than the current techniques of the fitting lens. It becomes part of the eye and does not need wearing or removal like regular contact lenses.The doctors have mentioned in a statement that ICL is a refractive implant to correct common vision issues like myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. It corrects vision without the removal of any corneal tissue and can be removed if needed. It has quick results, offers UV protection, is undetectable once in place, can treat myopia, Hyperopia, and astigmatism. ICL is an alternative to other refractive surgeries, laser-ssisted in situ Keratomileusis (LASIK), Photo Refractive Keratectomy (PRK), incisional surgeries, or other means to correct myopia or hyperopia such as contact lenses and eyeglasses. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20708/actu-real-collaborates-with-jehangir-clinical-dev-center.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20708/actu-real-collaborates-with-jehangir-clinical-dev-center.html Tue, 22 Feb 2022 11:05:00 +0530 Actu-Real and Jehangir Clinical Development Centre (JCDC), announced the signing of a collaboration agreement to further research based on Real-World Evidence (RWE). Through this collaboration, Actu-Real and JCDC will focus on collecting and analysing real-world data (RWD) generated from clinical practice to support evidence-based clinical, economic and regulatory decisions. The widespread use of mobile devices and electronic health records to gather and store huge amounts of health-related data facilitates such studies further.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20707/ayushakti-launches-franchise-in-colaba-mumbai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20707/ayushakti-launches-franchise-in-colaba-mumbai.html Mon, 21 Feb 2022 18:45:00 +0530 Ayushakti has launched its latest franchise in Mumbai, at Colaba. The health centre will offer ayurvedic consultation and treatments to patients. The centre will offer services and consultations in ancient pulse reading, effective herbal remedies, authentic detoxification panchkarma treatments, customized diet plans, and marma (Ayurvedic pressure point) techniques. The centre has three therapy rooms, which provide all facilities like steam, massage beds, detoxification treatments, amongst others.Speaking on the launch of the new franchise, Dr Smita Naram, Co-Founder, Ayushakti said, “It gives me immense pleasure in announcing the launch of our 7th franchise outlet in Mumbai." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20700/pfizers-support-to-tata-trusts-cancer-care-prog-helps-screen-close-to-70000-people-for-ncds-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20700/pfizers-support-to-tata-trusts-cancer-care-prog-helps-screen-close-to-70000-people-for-ncds-cancer.html Mon, 21 Feb 2022 15:10:00 +0530 Pfizer announced that its support to Tata Trusts Cancer Care programme since 2020 has helped in enrolling and screening 70,000 people for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and cancer across Assam, Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh. Pfizer partnered with Tata Trusts’ Special Purpose Vehicle, Alamelu Charitable Foundation (ACF) for their Cancer Care Programme to help set up health and wellness kiosks, facilitate community screening and a virtual patient helpdesk, and assist in the training of ASHA and Anganwadi workers in Diphu and Silchar in Assam and, additionally, in Ranchi, Jharkhand, and Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.   S Sridhar, MD, Pfizer, “Our partnership with the Tata Trusts Cancer Care Programme has helped us truly support patients from early detection, through the care continuum, to help ensure that their treatment outcomes are the best possible. We are proud of the outcomes we have achieved in the first year and look forward to expanding this program within Assam; to other cities in the North-East; and to the rest of India.”   Dr Sanjiv Chopra, Chief Executive, Cancer Care Programme, Tata Trusts, said, “Our partnership with Pfizer has been helping us to deliver the care and support that is needed to help reduce the burden of cancer in select states. Through our collaborative efforts, we hope to continue improving the lives of many.”            ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20698/ordis-7th-edition-of-racefor7-to-raise-awareness-on-rare-disease.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20698/ordis-7th-edition-of-racefor7-to-raise-awareness-on-rare-disease.html Sat, 19 Feb 2022 17:35:00 +0530 The Organization for Rare Diseases India (ORDI) has announced the seventh edition of Racefor7, a 7km event being held on February 27th to raise awareness for the rare disease community in India. Racefor7 symbolically represents the 7000 known rare diseases, the estimated 70 million rare disease patients in India and the average of 7 years it takes to diagnose a rare disease. Participants can run, walk or even cycle 7 kilometres wherever they are located to lend their support for rare diseases. Race for 7 is held every year in February to commemorate Rare Disease Day which falls on the last day of the month.   Prasanna Kumar Shirol, Co-founder and Executive Director of ORDI, said, “We invite the public across the country to participate in this event to show they care for rare and help draw greater attention of policymakers and other stakeholders to the specific needs of rare disease patients.”   All participants will receive a t-shirt bearing the name of one rare disease to help spread awareness, finisher medals and e-certificates.   Registrations close on February 20. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20695/hlth-network-unveils-app-to-transform-indias-healthcare-vertical.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20695/hlth-network-unveils-app-to-transform-indias-healthcare-vertical.html Fri, 18 Feb 2022 17:05:00 +0530 London-based HLTH.network has launched its app, HLTH.run, in India. Acting as an extension to their healthy routines, the app intends to make exercising/running more interesting and engaging for its users with easy UI and exciting features.   The newly launched app is committed to making healthcare secure, accessible, and affordable to all global citizens, focusing on expanding in India. The core team of 37 people are working continuously to make the app more user-friendly and add the latest features to give the clients a seamless experience.   HLTH.run will aid the users in leading a healthier life by incentivising them in the form of tokens. They will earn HLTH.tokens, a cryptocurrency, by indulging in physical activity. The tokens will be credited to the users’ HLTH.wallet, which they can use to buy vitamins and other supplements available at HLTH.store.   Besides earning HLTH tokens, the users can compete with their friends, earn badges, track their workout history, and set goals for themselves.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20686/apollo-hospitals-to-set-up-tertiary-care-hospital-in-uzbekistan.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20686/apollo-hospitals-to-set-up-tertiary-care-hospital-in-uzbekistan.html Thu, 17 Feb 2022 18:25:00 +0530 Apollo Hospitals has signed an MoU with Marafon Group for setting up a first-of-its-kind tertiary care hospital. The Marafon Group already operates over nine medical and diagnostic centres. Now with this partnership with Apollo Hospitals for the tertiary care hospital, it will provide quality healthcare for over 60 million people of Uzbekistan and bordering regions of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.   Apollo Hospitals will offer technical consulting, clinical excellence, commissioning and BOMA (Branding, Operations and Management Agreement) of the tertiary care hospital in Uzbekistan.   The tertiary care hospital will be built in Fergana region that will primarily focus on oncology, organ transplants, urology, neurosurgery, cardiology and high end diagnostic. The Central Government of Uzbekistan and the Government of Fergana have come together to facilitate the tie-up between Apollo Hospitals and Marafon Group. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20683/spry-unveils-movement-based-health-self-assessment-portal.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20683/spry-unveils-movement-based-health-self-assessment-portal.html Thu, 17 Feb 2022 16:30:00 +0530 Health startup Spry has launched a self-assessment portal. Through the use of AI-based technologies, the digital tool will provide users with a comprehensive assessment of their mobility and flexibility, along with an indicative set of strength and endurance levels, using a scorecard. Users will also receive an interpretation of their results via a comparison with broader population health data.   Users who are experiencing musculoskeletal-related (MSK) pain or discomfort, or even those seeking to better understand their body’s readiness to engage in physical activity, can use the portal to derive a clear understanding of the issues they face. The user just needs to fill out some basic information about their MH and then stand in front of the laptop's camera and follow the instructions on the screen. Based on these details, the platform generates a scorecard and suggests follow-up action. The information derived is also customised based on the user’s planned activity.    The driving technology behind this platform’s capabilities is computer vision. The portal’s digital assessments on mobility, strength, and endurance are developed by Spry’s internal medical team using earlier studies on the subject. The results are being externally validated by healthcare professionals at the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE).      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20680/bengaluru-women-undergoes-intestinal-obstruction-surgery-at-bgs-gleneagles-global-hospital.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20680/bengaluru-women-undergoes-intestinal-obstruction-surgery-at-bgs-gleneagles-global-hospital.html Thu, 17 Feb 2022 13:45:00 +0530 A 29-year-old woman from Bengaluru was treated successfully for recurrent fatal intestinal obstruction at BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital. The patient was born with Imperforate anus (inability to pass Motions at birth) for which she went through four complex surgeries from childhood to adolescence. However, post these surgeries she had multiple episodes of intestinal obstruction which forced her to get admitted to BGS GGH hospital. Doctors performed a complex seven-hour surgery to perform Imperforate anus which is a rare birth defect.    Removal of at least a kg of hard and concrete stool from the non-functional large rectum along with the removal of the non-functioning rectum was performed. The cut end of the left colon was confirmed to be healthy and then brought out on the left side as a stoma. This procedure rectified the recurring obstruction issue, pelvic pain issue, rejoining the small intestine ends which were functional but were unused and a stoma of the left colon to ensure clear passage of waste. The recovery period on this surgery was two weeks and now the patient is doing very well. The hospital ensured that her immediate and future needs for appliance costs and accessories are taken care of after negotiating a free service from the coloplast team.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20684/eodb-invites-applications-from-startups-companies-for-affordable-diabetes-management.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20684/eodb-invites-applications-from-startups-companies-for-affordable-diabetes-management.html Thu, 17 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Ease of Doing Business Division (EoDB), a government advisory body and a leading piloting agency, has opened applications for startups, Indian and global healthcare tech companies to provide their best Technology, Products and Services (TPS) and play a major role in creating a system for affordable diabetes management and create an ecosystem of preventive healthcare for the rural population.“For early diagnosis and management of diabetes, applications are invited to showcase advanced TPS from innovators closely working in making diabetes management easy, accessible, safe and most importantly affordable for the commercial pilot with high accuracy,” said Abhijeet Sinha,National Program Director, Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) programme.The tech pilot will commence with testing for existing patients suffering, those who are at risk of developing diabetes – already diagnosed, pre-diabetes and people with other comorbidities like hyperlipidaemia and hypertension and people who are at greater risk for developing diabetes because of genetic predisposition and a population study as a baseline for basic blood sugar level for everyone. The database generated at the end of the study will help to draft public health policies for diabetes in our country, according to Dr Sabine Kapasi, Member, Healthcare Working Group, Ease of Doing Business. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20675/aster-dm-healthcare-announces-global-nursing-awards-to-be-held-on-dubai-on-may-12.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20675/aster-dm-healthcare-announces-global-nursing-awards-to-be-held-on-dubai-on-may-12.html Wed, 16 Feb 2022 17:15:00 +0530 Aster DM Healthcare has announced a global lineup of the industry’s leading experts as grand jury for the upcoming Global Nursing Awards To be held in Dubai on International Nurses Day on May 12, 2022. Aster Guardians Global Nursing Awards would see one outstanding performer in the field of nursing claim the grand prize of $250,000 while nine other finalists would share the stage to receive a substantial award each.    The jury will have Howard Catton, CEO, International Council of Nurses, Switzerland; Prof Sheila Tlou, Co-Chairperson, Global HIV Prevention Coalition and Ex-Minister of Health & Member of Parliament – Government of Botswana; Prof James Buchan - Adjunct Professor, WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing; Muralee Thummarukudy, Acting Head, Resilience to Disasters and Conflicts Global Support Branch, United Nations Environment Programme, Switzerland and Dr Carolyn Gomes, Executive Director, Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC), Jamaica.   The first year of the awards and ceremony is being conducted on International Nurses Day in May 2022 by Aster DM Healthcare, with Ernst & Young LLP (EY) as 'Process Advisors'.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20678/birac-picks-amrita-hospitals-to-be-part-of-mission-covid-suraksha-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20678/birac-picks-amrita-hospitals-to-be-part-of-mission-covid-suraksha-.html Wed, 16 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0530 As part of the Mission Covid Suraksha project, Amrita Hospitals gets a high-end clinical trial unit to conduct COVID-19 related vaccines & therapeutic trials. The initiative was carried out under the funding and support of the Mission Covid Suraksha project with Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), a wing of the Dept. of Biotechnology, Govt. of India. The mission COVID Suraksha is a national initiative aimed to provide safe, efficacious, affordable and accessible COVID-19 vaccines to all citizens. On this background, the institution has developed collaboration with various national and international organizations such as WHO, ICMR, Serum Institute of India, IQVIA,to conduct COVID 19 vaccine and therapeutic clinical trials. The clinical trial will be carried out by a multidisciplinary team of experts in basic, translational, biomedical and public health domains. Recently, Amrita Hospitals have successfully participated in COVOVAX vaccine Phase III Clinical Trial in collaboration with ICMR and Serum Institute of India and was the only hospital, represented from the state of Kerala. Amrita Hospital is a tertiary care academic institution in Kerala, recognized as one of the premier hospitals in South Asia.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20653/africa-applauds-indias-technology-inspired-rapid-vaccination-drive-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20653/africa-applauds-indias-technology-inspired-rapid-vaccination-drive-.html Tue, 15 Feb 2022 15:35:00 +0530 NATHEALTH – Healthcare Federation of India in collaboration with the Africa Healthcare Federation organised the Indo-Africa Vaccine Summit virtually. The summit saw participation from key dignitaries from both India and Africa to deliberate and to offer a framework to build resilience towards future emergencies and pandemics.   Speakers from both countries reiterated how strengthening public-private partnerships can bring the best possible solutions to the existing challenges to ramp up vaccination drive especially in Africa.   The summit highlighted how technological inventions helped India to achieve target vaccination coverage. The speakers exchanged their views on how cross-sectoral collaboration can address the existing challenges in the supply chain, cold chain and logistical challenges. The summit brought forth how Africa can strengthen last-mile delivery of vaccines leveraging technology and with the execution of the PPP model.   The summit also provided an opportunity to strengthen and foster south to south collaboration and bring the much-required industry support behind making global vaccination programmes successful.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20652/narayana-health-with-goldman-sachs-sets-up-100-bed-covid-icu-at-narayana-health-city.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20652/narayana-health-with-goldman-sachs-sets-up-100-bed-covid-icu-at-narayana-health-city.html Tue, 15 Feb 2022 15:25:00 +0530 Narayana Health has expanded its COVID ICU facilities. The company in association with Goldman Sachs has launched a modern 100-Bed COVID ICU facility at its flagship unit, Narayana Health City in Bengaluru. The facility was inaugurated by Sourav Ganguly, President of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Former National Cricket Team Captain in the presence of Sonjoy Chatterjee, Chairman and CEO, Goldman Sachs in India, Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, Founder & Chairman, Narayana Health and Dr Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Executive Chairperson & Founder, Biocon. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20641/5-day-molnupiravir-course-safe-for-non-pregnant-unvaccinated-adults-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20641/5-day-molnupiravir-course-safe-for-non-pregnant-unvaccinated-adults-study.html Tue, 15 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0530 A recent study has revealed that a five-day course of Molnupiravir could reduce deaths and prove effective and safe at relatively lower costs, in adults and non-pregnant COVID-19 unvaccinated patients at increased risk of severity or needing hospitalisation.   The study was conceived by Dr Anoop Misra, Padma Shri, Executive Chairman and Director, Diabetes and Endocrinology, Fortis C-DOC and conducted jointly by GD Hospital & Diabetes Institute, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College & Hospital, Fortis C-DOC Hospital for Diabetes & Allied Sciences, National Diabetes, Obesity and Cholesterol Foundation and Diabetes Foundation. Published in the journal, Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews, the final results of the study revealed that usage of the drug showed a significant reduction in composite risk of hospitalization or death.   The study objective was to update the recently conducted review of Molnupiravir and to provide practical tips and guidelines for using the drug for COVID-19 patients by raising a few relevant, contemporary questions. Additionally, the evaluation of the effectiveness of Molnupiravir compared to other drugs having emergency use authorization for COVID-19 was also done.   The methodology followed was to assess the efficacy and safety of Molnupiravir by studying published results of the phase 3 randomised study in 1433 non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Additional data available in the public domain between October 15, 2021 and January 5, 2022 and prescribing information of the drug and data presented at the FDA AMDAC meeting held on November 30, 2021, was also accessed, while conducting the study.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20628/iisc-receives-rs-425-cr-grant-to-set-up-800-bed-hospital-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20628/iisc-receives-rs-425-cr-grant-to-set-up-800-bed-hospital-in-bengaluru.html Mon, 14 Feb 2022 14:25:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Science (IISc) will be setting up a Postgraduate Medical School along with a multi-speciality hospital in its Bengaluru campus. The academic centrepiece of this initiative will be an integrated dual degree MD-PhD programme aimed at creating a new breed of physician-scientists.The key enabler of this endeavour would be the not-for-profit, 800-bed multi-speciality hospital, catering to the clinical training and research activities of the academic programme. To construct the hospital building, designed by Ahmedabad-based architects Archi Medes (I) Consultants, IISc inked a partnership with philanthropists Susmita and Subroto Bagchi, and Radha and NS Parthasarathy. The couples will collectively donate Rs 425 crore (equivalent to about $60 million) for the project. The hospital will be named the Bagchi-Parthasarathy Hospital.The ground-breaking is planned for June 2022 and the hospital will be operational by the end of 2024. The Bagchi-Parthasarathy Hospital will have advanced facilities for diagnostics, treatment and research. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20627/500-bed-esic-hospital-to-come-up-in-manesar.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20627/500-bed-esic-hospital-to-come-up-in-manesar.html Mon, 14 Feb 2022 14:20:00 +0530 Union Labour and Employment, Forest, Environment & Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav laid down the foundation stone of 500 bed-hospital of Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) in Manesar, Haryana today. Union minister of state for Labour and Employment Rameshwar Teli, Chief Minister of Haryana Manohar Lal and Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala along with other dignitaries were also present.   Keeping the need of Nursing staff in ESIC Hospitals, the minister announced to open a nursing college in Manesar. The announcement was welcomed by Haryana CM with the commitment of providing five-acre land for this nursing college.   Yadav said that another medical college under ESIC will be established in Alwar. The Manesar hospital will be built on an eight-acre area at the cost of Rs 500 crore. Around six lakh workers from Gurugram and neighbouring districts of Mahendragarh, Nuh and Rewari will get treatment facilities through this hospital.    Yadav also announced an open competition for students of architecture to prepare the design of this Manesar ESIC hospital and declared a cash prize of Rs 2 lakhs for first prize, Rs 1.5 lakhs for Second Prize and Rs 1 lakh for third prize.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20625/mfine-datar-genetics-launch-cancer-screening-prog-on-mobile.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20625/mfine-datar-genetics-launch-cancer-screening-prog-on-mobile.html Mon, 14 Feb 2022 13:35:00 +0530 MFine in association with Datar Cancer Genetics has announced the launch of a Comprehensive Cancer Screening Programme on the MFine app.   Datar Cancer Screening Tests can now be booked on the MFine app, helping patients detect cancer at an early stage. MFine users will be able to book the Datar EasyCheck360 (multiple cancers), EasyCheck FemmeSafe (women’s cancers) and EasyCheck Prostate cancer screening tests through the app. The partnership will also allow users to book the Datar EasyCheck Diabetes test.   EasyCheck is a radiation-free, globally recognised simple blood test for early cancer detection. EasyCheck360 is non-invasive, radiation-free and can be availed from the comfort of office or home through MFine App. It is intended to be performed annually as a screening test, in individuals without any symptoms suggestive of cancer and aged 30+ years can detect more than 30 cancers.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20620/roche-inks-mou-with-delhi-state-cancer-institute.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20620/roche-inks-mou-with-delhi-state-cancer-institute.html Sat, 12 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Roche Pharma India and Delhi State Cancer Institute (DSCI) have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen the cancer care capabilities at DSCI and enable delivery of quality and comprehensive cancer care treatment for patients who get treated in the DSCI network. The partnership will bolster and close the current gaps in cancer prevention and management across DSCI, enabling it to become a leader in Oncology care. “Through this partnership, we look forward to improving patient treatment outcomes, and knowledge and skills of people involved in delivering cancer care in the DSCI network. PPP models like this enable us to expand our service delivery network by actively encouraging learning, participations and integration with other Delhi government hospitals said Satyendar Jain, Health Minister of Delhi. The partnership between Roche and DSCI, initially for a period of 3 years, will focus on improving access to timely identification and innovative advanced treatment therapies for various cancers through capacity building and mentorship programs for oncologists at DSCI (East and West) in partnership national and international experts in Oncology. It will also focus on establishing an educational Virtual Tumor Boards (VTBs) to standardize the management of complex oncology cases. Commenting on this partnership, Roche Pharma Managing Director & CEO V. Simpson Emmanuel said, "Partnerships like the one with DCSI will help strengthen the overall cancer care delivery ecosystem in Delhi and ensure people have access to quality treatment options."      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20623/iit-d-suggests-hospitals-on-how-to-select-sustainable-medical-waste-disposal-firm.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20623/iit-d-suggests-hospitals-on-how-to-select-sustainable-medical-waste-disposal-firm.html Fri, 11 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology- Delhi (IIT-D) have thrown light on how hospitals can select a sustainable medical waste disposal firm. Researchers say that the hospitals, which often encounter the difficulty in disposing their medical waste in a hygienic and sustainable way, can utilize a decision support framework proposed in their study. The research study shows the path to facilitate the hospitals with a real-time decision support framework considering numerous criteria and constraints for the selection of healthcare waste disposal (HCW) firm(s). This study identifies several key success factors from literature and field survey for selecting the best healthcare waste disposal firm. Findings reveal that experience of the firm, technology for disposal and waste collection infrastructure acts as a cause in selecting a healthcare waste disposal firm. The study undermines the ‘cost factor’ as the only determining criterion for the selection of HCW disposal firms. The study concludes that the risk management policy of the HCW firms has the highest significance in the selection and the cost charged by the HCW firm has the lowest significance when the HCW is outsourced to a single firm for disposal. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20612/government-lays-focus-on-smart-healthcare-ecosystem.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20612/government-lays-focus-on-smart-healthcare-ecosystem.html Thu, 10 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Government of India’s Technology Think Tank TIFAC has launched a white paper conceptualizing smart healthcare ecosystem of India, on its 35th Foundation Day. The occasion was graced by Dr. Srivari Chandrasekhar, Secretary Department of Science and Technology, Prof. Devang Khakhar, Chairman, TIFAC Governing Council, and Dr. Pradeep Srivastava, Executive Director, TIFAC. The paper conceptualizes a smart healthcare ecosystem, with action recommendations on policies around the same. All recommendations in the paper are driven out of on-ground pilot implementation and relevant feasibility checks, thus ensuring the policy recommendation gets converted to on-ground action.  Another paper on ‘100 specialty chemicals for Atmanirbharta’ was also launched to help strengthen policies on Atmanirbhar Bharat. The paper has been launched under the call of the Prime Minister’s Digital Health Mission. TIFAC has also conducted research pertaining to vital health measurement across pilot districts of India, thus strengthening the digital health mission of India. The paper calls upon businesses, startups, technology innovators and other related entities to create a business plan on integrating with the ecosystem, towards building India’s healthcare accessibility and affordability. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20594/icpas-session-provides-insights-for-beginners-in-dental-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20594/icpas-session-provides-insights-for-beginners-in-dental-care.html Tue, 08 Feb 2022 16:10:00 +0530 ICPA Health Products Ltd (ICPA), hosted an interactive online session for the benefit of beginners in the field of dental practice. In the eighth episode in the ICPA Clinical Series, Dr Amol Thorat, MDS (Prosthodontics) was the guest speaker and focussed on addressing the top three challenges dentists face in full mouth implant rehabilitation. The session highlighted some essential and critical components of implant rehabilitation, including prosthetic treatment planning, diagnostic wax-up, and trial dentures. Dr Thorat also stressed the importance of following the canine-molar rule and the concept of a five-sided arch in deciding the number and position of implants, among other recommendations.The next episode of ICPA Clinical Series is scheduled for February 24, 2022, with Dr Sandeep Singh speaking on making use of ‘dentin autografts in implantology’.‘ICPA Clinical Series’ is an initiative to address specific clinical challenges dentists face in their everyday practice. Themed’ Each Episode-One Clinical Challenge,’ the series is moderated by ICPA’s Technical Head of Marketing, Dr Rajeev Chitguppi. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20591/myhealthcare-launches-ai-enabled-enterprise-ecosystem.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20591/myhealthcare-launches-ai-enabled-enterprise-ecosystem.html Tue, 08 Feb 2022 12:45:00 +0530 MyHealthcare Ecosystem has launched MyHealthcare Enterprise Application (MHEA) for hospitals and healthcare institutions. The MyHealthcare Enterprise ecosystem is a single screen hospital platform, with advanced AI based EMRs for OP, IP, and ER. The MHEA ecosystem enables clinicians and hospital teams to manage complete patient care and hospital operations, through a task-based healthcare information management system.   The MHEA ecosystem has been architected to drive operational and process efficiencies across the provider network, help with the complete digitisation of the clinical, administrative and procurement processes. The MyHealthcare Ecosystem and MHEA together will offer a connected care continuum platform, driving the best standards in patient care.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20590/telcom-study-recommends-new-guidelines-on-blood-pressure-level-in-patients-with-hypertension.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20590/telcom-study-recommends-new-guidelines-on-blood-pressure-level-in-patients-with-hypertension.html Tue, 08 Feb 2022 11:35:00 +0530 Telmisartan combination trial, an investigator-initiated research study, also known as the TelCom Study was recently conducted at the Apollo Group of Hospitals, Hyderabad, under the leadership of Prof Dr C Venkata S Ram, supported by a team of cardiologists.   The objectives of the study were to utilise combination anti-hypertensive drug therapy to achieve the new guidelines recommended target blood pressure level of =<130/80 mm Hg in patients with hypertension. The new normal blood pressure level of<130/80 mm Hg is evidence-based from many studies.   TelCom is the first clinical study to apply the new guidelines into practice. The study evaluated the effects of combining Telmisartan and angiotensin-receptor-blocker (ARB)-- with a calcium channel blocker (CCB), either Amlodipine or Cilnidipine, in patients with hypertension. The study group included 94 patients who received either Telmisartan + Amlodipine or Telmisartan + Cilnidipine at standard recommended doses. The patients were followed for eight weeks on treatment.    The results showed that the combination of Telmisartan with Amlodipine or Cilnidipine effectively lowered the blood pressure to target levels. Both outpatient clinic and 24 hr. blood pressure levels were reduced by the treatment.   The treatments also lowered central aortic blood pressure levels, which is a unique feature of the study. Blood pressure was recorded with automated devices per the new guidelines, another unique feature of the study. 24 hour ambulatory blood pressure was measured with a state-of-the-art cuffless method, yet another unique feature of the study.     The study has been published online in the American Journal of Cardiology, places India on the global stage for high calibre clinical research with important implications for the prevention of cardiovascular disease in the community.          ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20581/health-ministry-launches-intensified-mission-indradhanush-4-0-for-immunisation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20581/health-ministry-launches-intensified-mission-indradhanush-4-0-for-immunisation.html Mon, 07 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0530 “India is implementing the largest immunisation programme globally where we annually cover more than 3 crore pregnant women and 2.6 crore children through the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP)”, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare stated while launching Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) 4.0 virtually in presence of health officials of States and Union Territories. Intensified Mission Indradhanush 4.0 will have three rounds and will be conducted in 416 districts (including 75 districts identified for Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav) across 33 States/UTs in the country. In the first round (Feb-April 2022), 11 states will conduct IMI 4.0. These are Assam, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura and Chhattisgarh. The others (22 states) will conduct the rounds from April to May 2022. These states/UTs include Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar, Puducherry, Delhi, Punjab, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Telangana, Jharkhand, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, A & N Islands. Till date, ten phases of Mission Indradhanush have been completed covering 701 districts across the country. As of April 2021, during the various phases of Mission Indradhanush, a total of 3.86 crore children and 96.8 lakh pregnant women have been vaccinated. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20572/govt-to-set-up-two-genomic-sequencing-labs-in-jk.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20572/govt-to-set-up-two-genomic-sequencing-labs-in-jk.html Sun, 06 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) Health Department has decided to set-up two genomic sequencing labs in the UT. These labs will be set-up at Medical colleges Jammu and Srinagar to ensure better healthcare management specially during the COVID like situations in the respective regions. The purchase order for the Next Generation DNA sequencing system has been placed with M/S Life Technologies Holdings Pvt Ltd and the labs are expected to be functional by March 2022. Cost of one lab is approximately Rs.1.25crore.  The Next Generation Sequencing system will enable sequencing of SARS COV2 genome for the Viral surveillance and epidemiology research. The system can also be used in future for clinical research in other infectious diseases as well as in Oncology and Reproductive Health. This technology is used by various research institutes, hospitals and molecular labs around the world. As part of the agreement, the experts from the supplier multi-national company will operationalise the lab and trains the staff for 6 months period on genome sequencing. Presence of genomic sequencing labs in the UT will reduce dependence on labs based outside Jammu & Kashmir and also help in detecting any disease at the preliminary stage.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20570/astrazeneca-expands-young-health-programme-to-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20570/astrazeneca-expands-young-health-programme-to-bengaluru.html Fri, 04 Feb 2022 16:35:00 +0530 AstraZeneca, a science-led biopharmaceutical company, and Plan India, an NGO striving to improve the lives of millions of children and young people, have signed an MoU to expand its ‘Young Health Programme’ (YHP) in the state of Karnataka. YHP aims to reduce the uptake of unhealthy behaviours in young people to improve their health outcomes as adults and help address the growing burden of NCDs on health systems. YHP established 15 ‘Health Information Centres’ in Delhi, two in Chennai and will be launching three in the communities around Mahadevpura, Dasarahalli and Yelahanka in Bengaluru. In this first year in Karnataka, YHP aims to reach 50,000 adolescents and build a strong foundation to scale up the project in the years to come. AstraZeneca is complementing YHP with ‘New Normal Same Cancer’ and ‘Ganga Godavari Initiative’ that focuses on creating a mass scale cancer-related awareness with the help of ambassadors and partners such as the Indian Cancer Society and Banaras Hindu University. Under these initiatives, multiple cancer screening camps are conducted in remote areas of the country where not many facilities are available. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20569/inhaled-nitric-oxide-kills-sars-cov-2-virus-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20569/inhaled-nitric-oxide-kills-sars-cov-2-virus-study.html Fri, 04 Feb 2022 16:15:00 +0530 In a study involving doctors from the Amrita Hospital, Kochi, and scientists from the School of Biotechnology at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, a novel intervention for COVID-19 has been explored with the well-known gas Nitric Oxide (NO). This gas has for many years been used worldwide for the treatment of medical conditions like the Blue Baby Syndrome and the treatment of heart or lung transplant patients. The study conducted by Amrita scientists has found that inhaled Nitric Oxide (iNO) is virucidal and kills SARS-COV-2 virus, apart from preventing its effective attachment to human host cells.    In the feasibility trial conducted at Amrita Hospital, COVID-19 patients who received the iNO therapy recovered faster with lesser complications and zero mortality rates compared to patients who received the standard COVID-19 treatment without iNO.    The team of experts at Amrita Hospital headed by Dr Aveek Jayant, Dr Dipu TS and Dr Merlin Moni, decided to conduct this trial on a small group of covid patients admitted at Amrita Hospital. Out of the 25 patients selected for the study, 14 were given iNO along with standard treatment for COVID-19, while 11 patients were in the Control standard treatment group. The patients treated with iNO showed a significant drop in their viral load. According to these doctors at the Amrita Hospital.    The study by Amrita Hospital successfully demonstrates the putative role of repurposed inhaled nitric oxide in hypoxemic COVID-19 patients. The expert panel associated with the study now calls for an extended validation to take this treatment process to the next level.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20567/aster-cmi-hospital-datar-cancer-genetics-launch-cancer-screening-programme.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20567/aster-cmi-hospital-datar-cancer-genetics-launch-cancer-screening-programme.html Fri, 04 Feb 2022 16:00:00 +0530 Aster CMI Hospital in association with Datar Cancer Genetics, a leading cancer research company, has launched comprehensive cancer screening programme.   The hospital is bringing in EasyCheck360 (multiple cancers), EasyCheck FemmeSafe (women’s) and EasyCheck Prostrate cancer screening tests. EasyCheck is a revolutionary, radiation-free, globally recognised simple blood test for early cancer detection.   It is clinically validated by one of the world’s largest clinical trials registered with the WHO clinical Trial Registry brought to you by Datar Cancer Genetics.    EasyCheck360 is a simple blood test that can detect more than 30 cancers. It is intended to be performed annually as a screening test, in individuals without any symptoms suggestive of cancer and aged > 30 years.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20559/health-sector-deserves-more-attention-in-government-outlays-mtai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20559/health-sector-deserves-more-attention-in-government-outlays-mtai.html Thu, 03 Feb 2022 18:05:00 +0530 Medical Technology Association of India (MTaI) has welcomed the increase in capital expenditure by 35.4 per cent from Rs 5.54 lakh crore to Rs 7.5 lakh crore.    Pavan Choudary, Chairman, MTaI, said, “A 35.4 per cent increase in CAPEX is a significant boost, even if we were to discount some of this delta which would not apply. We do hope that the benefit is also received by the healthcare sector which needs a big boost."   Sanjay Bhutani, Country Manager at Bausch & Lomb India; and Director, MTaI, said, “Overall, while the government has not penalised enterprise further by keeping the income tax constant, perhaps more could have been done for the immediate short-term relief in the middle-income sector. Similarly, with the GST collections being robust, it was an opportunity to correct the high tax regime for medical devices and zero rates the healthcare services that would have brought an immediate reduction in the patient costs burden."   Further on analysing the budget, Meenakshi Nevatia, VP & MD- Stryker India; and Director, MTaI stated, “Budget has announced some positive moves including the National Digital Health Ecosystem and the National Tele Mental Health programme which will serve our people in India and the health sector well in the medium and long term. However, the short-term relief that the industry needs has not been dealt with including the much-needed withdrawal of the health cess and the relook at customs duties which continue to be much higher than in all our neighbouring countries. Also, it remains unclear how much of the capital allocated will focus on the direct expansion of the health infrastructure particularly in Tier II and III cities which is a real need of the hour”.   On PM Gatishakti announcement, Sandeep Makkar, Director, MTaI, added that the priority investments in infrastructure, logistics, energy and IT combined with increased funding for production-linked incentive schemes, medical device parks, and emphasis on upskilling and reskilling of the workforce is a strong positive signal." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20550/covid-19-healthcare-waste-expose-urgent-need-to-improve-waste-management-systems-who.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20550/covid-19-healthcare-waste-expose-urgent-need-to-improve-waste-management-systems-who.html Wed, 02 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Tens of thousands of tonnes of extra medical waste from the response to the COVID-19 pandemic has put tremendous strain on health care waste management systems around the world, threatening human and environmental health and exposing a dire need to improve waste management practices, according to a new report by the World Health Organisation (WHO). As the United Nations (UN) and countries grappled with the immediate task of securing and quality-assuring supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE), less attention and resources were devoted to the safe and sustainable management of COVID-19 related health care waste. Today, 30% of healthcare facilities (60% in the least developed countries) are not equipped to handle existing waste loads, let alone the additional COVID-19 load. The report lays out a set of recommendations for integrating better, safer, and more environmentally sustainable waste practices into the current COVID-19 response and future pandemic preparedness efforts. Recommendations include using eco-friendly packaging and shipping, safe and reusable PPE (e.g., gloves and medical masks), recyclable or biodegradable materials; investment in non-burn waste treatment technologies, such as autoclaves; reverse logistics to support centralized treatment and investments in the recycling sector to ensure materials, like plastics. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20523/govt-invests-rs-129-cr-for-cancer-management-services-in-guwahati.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20523/govt-invests-rs-129-cr-for-cancer-management-services-in-guwahati.html Tue, 01 Feb 2022 16:40:00 +0530 A new scheme, Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North-East (NE), PM-DevINE was announced by the Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman while presenting the Union Budget 2022-23.   The finance minister stated that the PM-DevINE will be implemented through the North-Eastern Council. An initial allocation of Rs 1,500 crore will be made for the new scheme.   According to the FM, dedicated services will be established for the management of paediatric and adult haemotolymphoid cancers in North East India, Guwahati (Multi-State) with an investment of Rs 129 crore. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20511/nhm-tata-steel-and-aif-to-improve-access-to-maternal-neonatal-care-in-jharkhand.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20511/nhm-tata-steel-and-aif-to-improve-access-to-maternal-neonatal-care-in-jharkhand.html Mon, 31 Jan 2022 16:45:00 +0530 An Engagement Coordination and Arrangement (ECA) on Maternal, Adolescent, Child care and Nutrition in Kolhan division in Jharkhand was signed between National Health Mission, Tata Steel Foundation and American India Foundation (AIF) under the flagship project MANSI+ (Maternal and Neonatal Survival Initiative+) at the office of National Health Mission (NHM), Ranchi.   After a decade of successful implementation of MANSI across 1700 villages in 12 blocks across three districts of Jharkhand and Odisha, an enhanced version of MANSI viz MANSI+ is being rolled out through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model in the Kolhan region of Jharkhand covering all 38 developmental blocks across three districts viz East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum and Seraikela. The programme will cover 5000 villages across five years (June 2021 - May 2026) and will reach out to approximately four million marginalised and vulnerable tribal populations in the region.   The ECA was signed by Bidyanand Sharma Pankaj, Additional Mission Director, NHM, Anupam Sarkar, Senior Program Manager, AIF and Dr Anuj Bhatnagar, Head, Public Health, Tata Steel.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20506/crosscope-partners-with-balco-medical-centre-for-ai-based-cancer-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20506/crosscope-partners-with-balco-medical-centre-for-ai-based-cancer-care.html Mon, 31 Jan 2022 15:05:00 +0530 Crosscope, a Silicon Valley-based leader of AI-enabled Digital Pathology Software, and BALCO Medical Centre, a flagship unit of Vedanta Medical Research Foundation (VMRF) in Raipur, are joining hands for the digital transformation of their pathology department.   The collaboration will focus on using an AI-enabled Digital Pathology Platform from Crosscope, thereby, transforming analogue histopathology workflow to AI-enabled digital workflow for the hospital.   The partnership will lead to the deployment of Crosscope's Digital Pathology platform to provide AI-based diagnostics support ensuring precision-based, time-bound cancer diagnosis, support collaboration, pathology workflows, and archiving of pathology images.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20503/nha-approves-driefcases-phr-app-for-abdm-roll-out.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20503/nha-approves-driefcases-phr-app-for-abdm-roll-out.html Mon, 31 Jan 2022 11:35:00 +0530 DRiefcase, India’s first ABDM( Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission)  integrated health locker, has become the first PHR (Personal Health Records) app to be approved by the National Health Authority (NHA) for Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) roll-out.  ABDM is a digital framework that will connect patients, doctors and other healthcare stakeholders nationwide to facilitate safe and secure movement of health information.  DRiefcase will now enable users to share health information under the ABDM framework with doctors and healthcare service providers. The integration will now allow users to create their own Ayushman Bharat Health Account (or ABHA address) and ensure that the created medical records are issued to the correct individual or accessed by a health information user only after proper consent is granted.  Patients can download the DRiefcase mobile app for free from the App Store or from Google’s Play Store to upload, store and share their medical records. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20501/sarvodaya-hospital-faridabad-conducts-cruciate-retaining-tkr-using-joint-replacement-robot.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20501/sarvodaya-hospital-faridabad-conducts-cruciate-retaining-tkr-using-joint-replacement-robot.html Sun, 30 Jan 2022 08:45:00 +0530 Sarvodaya Hospital has successfully performed Cruciate-Retaining Total Knee Replacement (TKR) using a fully active joint replacement robot. Dr Sujoy Bhattacharjee, HOD & Director of the hospital’s Centre for Robotic Joint Replacement, used CUVIS Joints - A Fully Active Robot system with specially developed software to perform the feat.  In preparation for the surgery, a non-contrast CT (NCCT) scan of the knees is conducted and the desired bone cuts and implant size are decided. This information is fed into the robot before the actual surgery. During the surgery, the bone cuts are conducted with great precision by the robot, minimising the possibility of errors.During Cuvis Joint Robot total knee replacement, the 3D images of the patient’s joint are used by the doctor for pre-planning of the surgery personalized to the patient. The doctor uses the robot to select an artificial joint for the patient and insert it accurately. The 'fully active' robot reviews the data and cuts the bone precisely with respect to the dimensions of the implant decided during the pre-surgery planning stage under the supervision of an experienced surgeon. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20497/lifefirst-ambuja-cement-foundation-to-establish-tobacco-cessation-prog-for-pregnant-women.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20497/lifefirst-ambuja-cement-foundation-to-establish-tobacco-cessation-prog-for-pregnant-women.html Fri, 28 Jan 2022 17:45:00 +0530 LifeFirst tobacco cessation programme is partnering with Ambuja Cement Foundation (ACF) for implementing a tobacco cessation service that will be delivered through Sakhis (community health workers trained by ACF for providing maternal and child health services in remote villages) within their antenatal care work. LifeFirst is a tobacco treatment initiative launched by NGO Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation to catalyse, build capacity for, and establish a high-quality, proven tobacco treatment service for people from all social strata.    LifeFirst, after successfully implementing a similar programme in urban Maharashtra, is collaborating with ACF to implement this in rural communities under maternal and child health programmes in four geographical locations within the respective states of India i.e. Farakka in West Bengal, Ambujanagar in Gujarat, Chandrapur in Maharashtra, and Bhatapara in Chhattisgarh covering 51 villages.   In this programme, pregnant women who are tobacco users and are in their first trimester will be included. A baseline survey will be conducted with the consent of the pregnant women to identify current tobacco users even if any product was used once during the last 30 days. All of them will be provided with brief advice on the harmful effects of tobacco use during pregnancy.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20495/experts-at-assocham-conference-stress-to-create-more-awareness-on-cervical-cancer-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20495/experts-at-assocham-conference-stress-to-create-more-awareness-on-cervical-cancer-.html Fri, 28 Jan 2022 16:55:00 +0530 ASSOCHAM recently organised a conference on 'Awareness and Prevention of Cervical Cancer' to honour and assist women who have either been diagnosed with it or are being treated for this health condition.  Dr Princess Nothemba (Nono) Simelela, Assistant Director-General and Special Advisor for Strategic Priorities, World Health Organization (WHO) stressed the need to be optimistic. She said, “We need to recognise global health complacency. We have tools to detect this cancer. We have to make sure these preventive tools reach everybody." Dr Shalini Singh, Director, ICMR-National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research, MoHFW, GOI, focussed on the need to spread awareness, which is lagging. She added, “Awareness and knowledge give us power and perception. It also gives us the self-confidence to think from different levels. Ideally, all women should be aware of cervical cancer." Narendra Varde, MD - India & Neighbouring Markets, Roche Diagnostics India informed that one-fourth of cervical mortality comes from India. He further explained, "Cervical cancer is a common cause of death among women of reproductive age. India needs a robust public health policy for prevention through HPV screening and vaccination.”  Ravi Bhatnagar, Co-Chairperson, ASSOCHAM CSR Council, Director, External Affairs and Partnerships (SOA)–Reckitt, focussed on the need of creating more awareness, vaccination, and preventive measures to erudite cancer.  Dr S Shantha Kumari, President, The Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India FOGSI said that Pap smear screening examination should be made mandatory. She also stressed that the girls must be fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by the age of 15.  Dr Radhika Srinivasan, Professor, and Head of Department of Cytology & Gynec. Pathology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, and Secretary, Indian Academy of Cytologists gave a presentation titled ‘Cytology for Cervical Cancer Screening - Is It Relevant Today?’ and stated that cytology detects the disease rather than the infection and emphasised that all disciplines need to work together and create an efficient system for the present and the future.  Dr Abhishek Shankar, Associate Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, AIIMS, Patna; Associate Editor, APJCP; Associate Editor, SAJC, Editor in Chief, APJCC; Founder Secretary, ISCO explained that India needs a ground-shot approach as well as a community-based approach. For this, we need to create a good strategy as it's going to be difficult to do so. Co testing of HPV DNA and Pap tests are recommended for women above 30 years and only Pap test is advised between 21-29 years women. Mridu Gupta, CEO, Caped India stressed the need to create strategies and conversations around it regularly. Dr Rajesh Kesari, Founder, and Director, Total Care Control, Delhi-NCR, who moderated the session, highlighted that cervical cancer that affects the female gender is an infection due to human papillomavirus (HPV). Priyanka Chaturvedi, Member of Parliament was the guest of honour at the conference.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20482/bengaluru-based-total-orthocare-introduces-pemf-therapy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20482/bengaluru-based-total-orthocare-introduces-pemf-therapy.html Fri, 28 Jan 2022 15:20:00 +0530 Total Orthocare, a leading orthopaedic centre in Bengaluru, has introduced Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy which is a non-surgical treatment for arthritis in any joint which is positioned as the alternative to joint replacement surgery. Total Orthocare offers comprehensive ortho services treating a wide array of problems to its patients in India using the latest and most modern medical technologies and techniques.PEMF therapy uses electromagnetic fields to treat osteoarthritis and other degenerative conditions of the spine. The primary mechanism of action of PEMF-mediated pain-relief is to involve promoting the reduction and resolution of inflammation. PEMF also has a beneficialeffect on chondrocyte proliferation, matrix synthesis and chondrogenic differentiation leading to Cartilage Repair and Regeneration. PEMF also aids in increasing cellular metabolism in the pain area helping to relieve chronic pain.PEMF therapy is comparatively economical to other treatments provided for the same conditions. Total Orthocare offers the treatment for Rs 65000 for its patients. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20481/icmr-picks-kochi-based-amrita-hospital-as-advanced-centre-for-clinical-trials.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20481/icmr-picks-kochi-based-amrita-hospital-as-advanced-centre-for-clinical-trials.html Fri, 28 Jan 2022 15:15:00 +0530 The 1,300-bed Amrita Hospital in Kochi has been designated as Advanced Center for Clinical Trials (ACCT) by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).    ICMR had last year called for Expression of Interest (EOI) for participation in the Indian Clinical Trial & Education Network (INTENT), a pan-India network of institutes with proven excellence in clinical research. The network would conduct large-scale, multi-centric clinical trials in a timely and well-regulated manner.   Government and private medical colleges and institutes, as well as hospitals with experience in conducting randomised controlled trials, were invited to be nominated as ACCT. ICMR has now declared a total of 12 hospitals and healthcare institutes from all parts of the country as ACCT.    Research priorities of INTENT include reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child and adolescent health, communicable and non-communicable diseases, nutrition, mental health, environmental health, health system research, healthcare financing, digital health, occupational health, vulnerable people’s health and oral health.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20478/yodda-launches-eldercare-services-in-hyderabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20478/yodda-launches-eldercare-services-in-hyderabad.html Fri, 28 Jan 2022 13:55:00 +0530 Yodda Elder Care Technologies has launched operations in Hyderabad. Yodda, a premium parent care company, will now offer emergency services, healthcare services and convenience services to senior citizens living in this city. Yodda Elder Care was launched in 2021 in Pune with a vision of empowering ageing people to live independently.   Yodda's technology platform connects children, parents and elder care staff through a strong system-centric and process-driven ISO certified operational framework. The technology platform is supported on the ground by meticulously trained staff of military veterans. This solution aims to recreate the same emotional, physical and logistical support given by their children with a similar commitment, similar trust and better performance. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20473/sarvodaya-healthcare-to-open-230-bed-super-speciality-hospital-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20473/sarvodaya-healthcare-to-open-230-bed-super-speciality-hospital-.html Thu, 27 Jan 2022 15:20:00 +0530 Sarvodaya Healthcare has flagged off a new 230-bed hospital in Greater Noida. The hospital is likely to be functional by August 2022. With this hospital, they expand their footprint into Greater Noida (West) and will be catering to the community of Greater Noida and UP West.    Sarvodaya Hospital, Greater Noida (West) will cater to all minor and major medical issues and emergencies for the area. Sarvodaya Healthcare will set a benchmark in super-speciality with its holistic treatment for adults and children in the area of cardiac sciences, neurosciences, orthopaedics & joint replacement, urology, nephrology, gastroenterology, pulmonology, internal medicine, gynaecology and paediatrics, and more. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20471/digital-a-plus-group-of-companies-launches-omniconnect360.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20471/digital-a-plus-group-of-companies-launches-omniconnect360.html Thu, 27 Jan 2022 14:40:00 +0530 Digital A Plus group of companies has launched OMNICONNECT360, a cutting-edge solution providing their clients, and remote customers with a simplified, cost-effective and integrated digital ecosystem. The feature is designed to effectively manage business marketing functions as well as scientific and brand communication of healthcare and life science companies.   OMNICONNECT360 offers integrated multi-channel solutions with various modules of services to their audience. It is a one-stop solution that aims to reduce the time frame right from ideation, planning, development, deployment, execution to analytics. This integrated solution enables our clients to create campaigns seamlessly using available omnichannel. It provides businesses with real-time actionable insights and data while creating seamless and linked experiences with customers.   Based on Digital A Plus’s research, the USPs of this product may be divided into three categories: greater operational cost efficiency, end-customer-centred approach, and organisational elements that make the solution more flexible.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20469/a-majority-of-patients-with-covid-to-likely-to-have-underlying-heart-damage-expert.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20469/a-majority-of-patients-with-covid-to-likely-to-have-underlying-heart-damage-expert.html Thu, 27 Jan 2022 12:45:00 +0530 Patients who have suffered from moderate to severe covid, 80 per cent to 90 per cent of them have underlying heart damage. Heart and Lungs are affected in covid recovered patients as part of post COVID syndrome as 15-30 per cent of patients are affected by it. This was stated by Dr Mohit Gupta, Professor Cardiology, GB Pant Hospital, New Delhi during Health4All Online Episode-15. Dr Gupta added, “If we want to protect our heart, we need to balance three things – Diet, Exercise and Rest. A good diet is not only important for physical health but also mental health. A good diet for mental health is a positive thought.”In the keynote address on ‘Journey of heartcare in India’ during Health4All Online Episode-15, Dr Purshotam Lal, Interventional Cardiologist, Chairman, Metro Group of Hospitals, said, “During covid times, regular heart check-ups are essential because the cases of cardiac arrest have increased significantly.”Dr Satyender Goel, Founder, India Health Links, said, “Over 50 per cent of people in India are hypertensive, stressed and prone to cardiac diseases. Here technology can be used to educate on how most of the diseases can be prevented by access to basic healthcare education based on vital information."Dr HS Bedi, Director Cardiovascular & Thoracis Sciences, Ivy Hospital, Mohali, Punjab, said, “One of the studies published a couple of days ago in the Journal of American Heart and a study from Norway reveals that asymptomatic cardiac patients had COVID. For cardiac patients ECG is a must; however, it is not available to the common man. Hence, we have to reach out to the common man.”Dr Shekhar Kashyap, Former HoD, Cardiology, Research & Referral Hospital, New Delhi said, “Having a good diet with less carbohydrate, starch and fat are essential to staying healthy. It is also important to avoid overcooking as it takes away the nutritional value of foods. Ultra-processed foods are the real culprit, and carbohydrates devoid of fibres are harmful to health.” Dr Mohammed Sadiq Azam, Consultant Cardiology, KIMS Hospital, Hyderabad said, “If you encounter any chest discomfort or chest sweating, go and get your ECG done as it is probably going to be the life-saver. The ECG report will help you prevent your heart attack.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20466/csir-institut-pasteur-ink-mou-for-advancement-in-human-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20466/csir-institut-pasteur-ink-mou-for-advancement-in-human-health.html Wed, 26 Jan 2022 21:20:00 +0530 In an important milestone in S&T Cooperation between India and France, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Institut Pasteur with scope for cooperation in health research.   CSIR and Institut Pasteur would be jointly researching and focusing on emerging and reemerging infectious diseases and inherited disorders and enable the delivery of effective and affordable healthcare solutions not only for the people of India and France but for the global good.    The MoU provides for developing potential scientific and technological cooperation and networking in advanced and emerging areas of human health between scientists and institutes/laboratories of CSIR and Institut Pasteur and its international network.   Dr Shekhar C Mande, DG, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR, India and Professor Stewart Cole, President Institut Pasteur, France signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organisations.    The path ahead for the execution of collaboration activities under the MoU was presented by Dr Vinay K Nandicoori, Director CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad in discussion with Prof. Christophe d’Enfert, Sr. Executive Scientific Vice-President, Scientific Affairs Department, Institut Pasteur.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20455/union-power-minister-flags-off-four-als-ambulances-to-igims-patna.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20455/union-power-minister-flags-off-four-als-ambulances-to-igims-patna.html Tue, 25 Jan 2022 14:50:00 +0530 Union Minister of Power, New & Renewable Energy, RK Singh flagged off four high-tech ambulances, under NTPC’s CSR grant to Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS), Patna. The keys were handed over to Dr Manish Mandal, the medical superintendent of IGIMS in a function organised in IGIMS administrative office complex. Singh said 10 ambulances have already been provided to IGIMS, Patna and on the request of the Bihar government, he assured two more ambulances will be provided which would be a total of 16 ambulances for IGIMS, Patna. The state-of-the-art ambulances, provided at Rs 80 lakh, are fitted with Advance Life Support (ALS) facilities. NTPC has sanctioned four ambulances with ALS facility to IGIMS, Patna. Medical equipment in the Ambulance includes an auto-loading stretcher, wheelchair cum stair chair, transport ventilator, syringe infusion pump, multi-parameter monitor, vacuum splint, portable oxygen cylinder with a regulator, emergency kits, rescue tools etc. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20457/union-health-minister-launches-revamped-health-scheme-website.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20457/union-health-minister-launches-revamped-health-scheme-website.html Tue, 25 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare digitally launched the revamped CGHS (Central Government Health Scheme) website (www.cghs.gov.in) and mobile app, MyCGHS, in the presence of Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare. Dr Mandaviya said, "The website has several updated features which shall hugely benefit more than 40 lakhs beneficiaries (both in-service and retired personnel) with real-time information from the convenience of their homes.” With these improved facilities, CGHS aims to further increase its outreach to beneficiaries with ease of providing various facilities. The new CGHS website and its extension as a Mobile Application called MyCGHS, with various beneficiary friendly features, have been designed for ease of service delivery for the beneficiaries within the safe confines of his home, especially during the covid pandemic. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20443/iit-m-krea-university-suggest-ways-to-boost-medicine-supply-deliveries.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20443/iit-m-krea-university-suggest-ways-to-boost-medicine-supply-deliveries.html Mon, 24 Jan 2022 15:25:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) and Krea University, Chennai, have conducted a study that can help states boost medical deliveries. The study showed that fill rates of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Odisha, and Punjab could potentially rise to 53 per cent as compared to an average fill rate of 30.95 per cent.    These four states were chosen for the study as they were the largest Indian states with the largest populations in the country. Essential medicine procurement in the Indian Public health system is undertaken by the state-level medical service corporations (MSC). Some states, such as Kerala, follow a centralised system, while others like Punjab. Tamil Nadu and Odisha follow a decentralised system, which is a mix of the two.    The study found that despite the operational, logistic, and infrastructural challenges that exist in the current drug supply system, several measures can be undertaken by state governments to considerably ease the system and address the medicine shortage.   The study focussed on issues that are identified in the procurement process of essential medicines. The medicine procurement data and contract information from the four States were central to the current study.   The entire research and modelling were done based on data available in the public domain, with advice from policymakers.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20440/raphacure-in-strategic-partnership-with-madhavbaug.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20440/raphacure-in-strategic-partnership-with-madhavbaug.html Mon, 24 Jan 2022 14:05:00 +0530 Leading digital healthcare services provider, RaphaCure on has entered into a strategic partnership with Madhavbaug (Vaidya Sane Ayurved Laboratories). The tie-up is a game-changing event for the cardiac care space wherein technology will be leveraged to reach out to patients even in the remotest regions of the country.    RaphaCure and Madhavbaug will not only play to each other’s core strengths but will also tap their combined network for providing better patient care. Moreover, the partnership opens up new pathways for people to access ancient Ayurvedic Care which is India’s pride and heritage.   RaphaCure is powered by Cognota Healthcare, which is a leading healthtech company with multiple cutting-edge digital solutions. Together with RaphaCure, Cognota’s teleconsultation platform and Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) solution is bringing in a paradigm shift in the Indian healthcare landscape. With this partnership with Madhavbaug, the duo will now bring the Indian system of medicine to patients’ doorsteps.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20449/apollo-hospitals-brings-international-second-opinion-services-for-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20449/apollo-hospitals-brings-international-second-opinion-services-for-patients.html Mon, 24 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0530 A first in India, Apollo Hospitals Group has announced a collaboration with US-based ‘The Clinic by Cleveland Clinic’, to bring international second opinion services to their patients. Through this programme, doctors at Apollo will be able to collaborate with leading medical experts at Cleveland Clinic to review complex cases and devise the most appropriate treatment plan. According to Dr Anupam Sibal, Group Medical Director at Apollo Hospitals, “this association aims to bring together world-class medical and surgical opinions, so that patients at Apollo may get the best possible treatment, promptly.” Anyone looking to seek an international second opinion can consult an Apollo consultant, and express interest in the service. The patient’s medical records will then be shared with The Clinic by Cleveland Clinic under appropriate consent and a conference call will be scheduled between the international medical expert and Apollo consultants, in presence of the patient. Based on the patient’s health history and case discussion with the Apollo consultant, the international doctor will share insights in the form of a written opinion with the Apollo consultant, who will further discuss and decide the best course of treatment for the patient. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20432/bajaj-group-partners-with-lv-prasad-eye-institute-for-retina-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20432/bajaj-group-partners-with-lv-prasad-eye-institute-for-retina-care.html Sat, 22 Jan 2022 14:40:00 +0530 LV Prasad Eye Institute has partnered with the Bajaj Group for an Institute of Excellence and a Global Resource Centre for Retinal Diseases.   The MoU to formalise the partnership was signed between Shekhar Bajaj, CMD, Bajaj Electricals Limited (BEL) and Dr Prashant Garg, Executive Chair, LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI). Named as the Anant Bajaj Retina Institute in the loving memory of the late Anant Bajaj, it will be an integral part of LVPEI.    The institute of excellence aims to enhance access to high-quality retina care to several million more people through direct services of the LVPEI network and the work of its alumni and partners, and through capacity building across India and other parts of the world.   Besides clinical care, the focus will be on training ophthalmologists and eye care personnel, building the capacity of other eye care organisations at national and international levels, promoting and enhancing research capacity in India and other developing countries, scaling up community eye health programmes and utilising technology for the better care of retinal diseases.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20430/molnupiravir-reduces-risk-of-hospitalisation-by-30-per-cent-in-both-delta-omicron-experts-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20430/molnupiravir-reduces-risk-of-hospitalisation-by-30-per-cent-in-both-delta-omicron-experts-.html Fri, 21 Jan 2022 17:15:00 +0530 The new-age antiviral treatment drugs like Molnupiravir are broad-spectrum antivirals that act as chain-terminators. This was mentioned by Dr Shashank Joshi (Padma Shri Awardee), Chair, International Diabetes Federation Southeast Asia, Endocrinologist, Joshi Clinic, Lilavati Hospital, Member, Covid 19 Maharashtra State Task Force who was speaking during Health4All Online Episode-14.Joshi said, "We are seeing a 30 per cent hospitalisation risk reduction with the use of Molnupiravir. If someone above the age of 50 has a consistent fever for two days alongside two or three comorbidities, then the doctor might prescribe them these antivirals. Omicron patients below 60 years with no comorbidities can start symptomatic treatment with paracetamol.”Elaborating on the confusion about the use of the drug, Dr Joshi said, “There is no need to worry in such cases because these pills are not prescribed to children below the age of 18 years, or to patients who require hospitalisation or to pregnant women. The pill must be administered within 72 hours of the onset of symptoms for patients in the high-risk population group, namely, hypertensives, diabetics, people on immunosuppressed medication, senior citizens, people with other ailments and likewise.”Dr Harshal Salve, Additional Professor, Community Medicine, Co-ordinator - Collaborative on Air Pollution and Health Effects Research in India (CAPHER-India), General Secretary- Faculty Association of AIIMS (FAIMS), said, “To reduce mortality from Covid, two important things need to be taken care of. Firstly, the healthcare system needs to also focus on the management of chronic illnesses alongside Covid. The availability of medicines, medical help and other healthcare services for non-covid diseases have taken a backseat due to the pandemic. This needs to change to minimise the impact of comorbidities on the current pandemic. Secondly, all individuals in the vulnerable population must ensure that they are fully vaccinated.”Dr Nandni Sharma, Director Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College & Hospital, said, “We are expecting the Omicron wave will decline just as steeply as it rose upwards. As more and more people get vaccinated, the severity and duration of illness are also likely to be less than the variants seen earlier." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20425/ketto-org-invites-ideas-for-web3-native-healthcare-ecosystem.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20425/ketto-org-invites-ideas-for-web3-native-healthcare-ecosystem.html Fri, 21 Jan 2022 13:20:00 +0530 Ketto.org is exploring a web 3 native healthcare ecosystem. Ketto is determined to revolutionise the healthcare ecosystem, therefore the company is crowdsourcing ideas to create a detailed workable plan for token development.   Ketto needs a brilliant Solana developer to create a plan of action to guide the development of the token. The plan should cover the technical aspects of creating the utility as mentioned in this token research report produced by SuperteamDAO .   The final plan should have below information: Outline the system architecture Identify the technology stack Define token properties Design of the smart contract Detail how various elements of token functionality will work on a technical level Integration with Ketto’s existing systems Managing emissions and tokenomics Provide an estimate for time and resources needed to complete the development Participants are requested to write a short one to three-page overview of a general approach. On the basis of that one pager, Ketto will identify and provide the full $2,500 grant to create a detailed and actionable plan.   Additionally, the developer does not need to actually develop the token as a part of this engagement. Rather, he/she needs to create an actionable plan to guide the actual token development. The developer will have access to the Ketto technical team to support them as they execute the plan.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20422/mental-health-app-neuria-by-innoplexus-forays-into-indian-market.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20422/mental-health-app-neuria-by-innoplexus-forays-into-indian-market.html Fri, 21 Jan 2022 12:25:00 +0530 NEURIA, a free mobile application, developed by German firm Innoplexus, has now been launched in India. NEURIA seeks to support patients living with mental diseases to enjoy a better quality of life by providing individualised information on their options for treatments, clinical trials, and experts. “Diseases such as Dementia and Parkinson’s are too often stigmatised as just ‘symptoms of old age’” highlighted Juergen Scheele, Chief Medical Officer, Innoplexus. “Through NEURIA, we want to challenge the status quo and support people living with neurological diseases to have a normal life for as long as possible.”“We’re committed to changing what it means to be diagnosed with a neurological disease – and this means giving patients and their carers the tools they need to get the best treatment journey possible”, underscored Dr Gunjan Bhardwaj, CEO and Founder, Innoplexus. The NEURIA app is available for download now in India on Android and iOS. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20406/ihl-care-introduces-digital-health-centre-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20406/ihl-care-introduces-digital-health-centre-.html Thu, 20 Jan 2022 12:55:00 +0530 India Health Link (IHL) has launched a customised solution called Digital Health Centre. It is a first-of-its-kind integrated heart health programme that complements corporate wellness, providing customised health solutions.   The ‘hPod’ brought by IHL Care is a self-service ATM size health station. It is capable of screening (20+) essential vital parameters including key parameters like Blood Pressure, Temperature, Body Mass Composition, Pulse, SPO2, and ECG, without any paramedic assistance.    Dr Satyender Goel, Founder & CEO, India Health Link, says, “We have developed an integrated tailormade Heart Health Programme to complement Corporate Wellness. IHL Care is the one-stop integrated health solution to fill the massive gap in piece-meal Corporate Wellness offering.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20416/sputnik-v-combatting-omicron-better-than-pfizer-vaccine-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20416/sputnik-v-combatting-omicron-better-than-pfizer-vaccine-study.html Thu, 20 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0530 A unique comparative study conducted at the Italian Spallanzani Institute, the leading Italian research institute for infectious diseases, by a joint Italian-Russian team of researchers representing the Institute and the Gamaleya Center shows that the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine demonstrates more than 2 times higher titers of virus neutralizing antibodies to Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant than 2 doses of Pfizer vaccine (2.1 times higher in total and 2.6 times higher 3 months after vaccination). The study was conducted in the equal laboratory conditions in the Spallanzani Institute in Italy on comparable sera samples from individuals vaccinated with Sputnik V and Pfizer with a similar level of IgG antibodies and virus neutralizing activity (VNA) against Wuhan variant. Sputnik V shows significantly smaller (2.6 times) reduction of virus neutralizing activity against Omicron as compared to reference Wuhan variant than Pfizer vaccine (8.1-fold reduction for Sputnik V in contrast to 21.4-fold reduction for Pfizer vaccine). The study demonstrates that Sputnik V neutralizes the Omicron variant by inducing robust antibody response associated with high levels of protection. Sputnik V develops a wider pool of antibodies to different epitopes in contrast to Pfizer vaccine, which utilizes the spike protein in a proline-stabilized form directed mainly to the specific epitopes, which were highly affected by the mutations in the Omicron variant. Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, commented, “Partnership of different platforms is the key and heterologous (“mix & match”) boosting with Sputnik Light will help strengthen efficacy of other vaccines in light of combined Delta and Omicron challenge.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20391/medibuddy-launches-new-vertical-of-phlebotomists.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20391/medibuddy-launches-new-vertical-of-phlebotomists.html Wed, 19 Jan 2022 14:30:00 +0530 MediBuddy has launched its team of phlebotomy. The digital healthcare platform would now offer customers comprehensive healthcare services that would now include the provision of conducting various medical tests at home with its in-house team of Phlebos, along with doctor consultations and medicine delivery.   With this new service launch, MediBuddy sets a target to strengthen its team of certified phlebotomists of over 1000 plus members within the next quarter for consumers to avail lab tests from the comfort of their homes across cities and small towns.     Customers can book an appointment through the MediBuddy platform based on their requirements. Upon confirmation, a qualified phlebotomist will reach their location to conduct the tests. The app will send an OTP for verification, following which the phlebotomist will walk you through the entire process.    Once the explanation is done, a medical checkup will be conducted recording all customer vitals. Post which the samples will be collected adhering to all safety protocols, ensuring that all equipment used is sterilized and safe.   Maintaining transparency in all processes, the customers can easily track all activities on the platform. As soon as the results arrive from the lab, the customer will be notified.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20390/nathealth-launches-whitepaper-on-senior-care-management.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20390/nathealth-launches-whitepaper-on-senior-care-management.html Wed, 19 Jan 2022 14:25:00 +0530 Senior Care forum under the aegis of NATHEALTH - Healthcare Federation of India, an apex body representing the ecosystem of the private healthcare sector in collaboration with ASLI, FICCI and MTaI has launched a whitepaper on Catalysing and Reforming Senior Care in India in technical collaboration with PWC.    With an aim to provide the right support & impetus that could help transforming the Indian senior care landscape, the report has highlighted recommendations that are focused around 6 moats:    Regulations & Policy reforms – A single governing body & national mission for senior citizen welfare backed by a national portal for the elderly to place the power of choice in the hands of the consumer.  Financing of care – A mandatory/tax-incentivized health saving plan/scheme from early ages, private health insurance reforms to increase enrolment & provide comprehensive cover for all the aspects of senior care. Execution of Public Private Partnership model –Identifying areas of for PPP models & a robust framework for PPP could help boost private sector investment, augment public capacity while improving efficiency and facilitate care access to all senior citizens Capacity building – Workforce & digital infrastructure capacity building to support a growing industry with skilled and trained manpower for provision of highest quality of care to all Tax Subsidies – Tax impetus to providers & consumers of senior care services & products, the SCWF as a corpus for funding senior welfare & tax benefits to entrepreneurs & start-ups in the space to help development of the space Active & Healthy ageing - WHO focus on healthy & active ageing & Government of India’s focus on ‘Ageing in Place’ could be supported by creating a home environment, community support system and a larger ecosystem focused on elder welfare, to help the elderly optimize opportunities for living a healthy and productive life while also reducing the cost of care burden. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20377/india-gets-first-intelligent-chronic-disease-patients-habit-tracking-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20377/india-gets-first-intelligent-chronic-disease-patients-habit-tracking-system.html Tue, 18 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari recently inaugurated Madhavbaug's (Vaidya Sane Ayurved Labs), Power MAP, in a ceremony that was held digitally.   Power MAP is a medical analytics application developed by Madhavbaug under the trusted leadership of their CEO, Dr Rohit Sane. The application is built for doctors to help them get the necessary medical intelligence regarding a patient's clinical parameters to reverse their chronic diseases effectively.   The Power MAP application integrates various medical services like pathology labs, dietitians, exercise experts, stress counsellors and other specialised consultants who follow a synergistic approach to support the doctor to help improve the health outcomes of patients - all at a click of a button.   Apart from generating critical alerts regarding a patient's concerning vital parameters, Power MAP provides in-depth medical analysis of a patient's current health status and its comparison with historical data, providing a complete picture of the Disease Reversal Journey through interactive visualisations and medical intelligence capabilities. This is achieved by the seamless integration of numerous data points flowing through mibPULSE, an all-in-1 health monitoring app built for patients which keeps them connected 24x7.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20374/aster-dm-healthcare-to-set-up-hospital-in-kasaragod.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20374/aster-dm-healthcare-to-set-up-hospital-in-kasaragod.html Mon, 17 Jan 2022 15:05:00 +0530 Aster DM Healthcare is strengthening its footing in the country by signing a 30-years lease agreement to set up its sixth hospital in the state of Kerala, adding to the existing 14 hospitals in India. The hospital is being set up by Malabar Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS), a material subsidiary of Aster DM Healthcare and will be situated in the Kasaragod district of Kerala, catering to patients from Malabar and Southern Karnataka. On behalf of Aster, the agreement was signed by Farhan Yasin, Regional Director, Aster Kerala, and Oman Clusters. An initial investment of around Rs 140 crores have been earmarked for the new facility, which will include a 200-bed comprehensive tertiary care facility, with the option of expanding to a quaternary care facility in the future. The new Aster Hospital is expected to begin operations in 2024-25, making quality healthcare more accessible and affordable for patients in the region who will no longer need to travel to Mangalore to receive quality healthcare. As the first tertiary hospital in Kasaragod district, the upcoming hospital will provide 24x7 emergency and critical care as well as super specialities. “Once completed this will be one of the largest hospitals in the region. At Aster, we strive for excellence, every moment, and every day - to bring great healthcare within reach of people. We live by our motto We’ll Treat You well to the last detail,” said, Farhan Yasin, Regional Director, Aster- Kerala & Oman. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20376/csirs-newly-developed-disinfection-technology-ready-for-installation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20376/csirs-newly-developed-disinfection-technology-ready-for-installation.html Mon, 17 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh has said that CSIR's newly developed Disinfection technology is being installed to combat pandemic in railway coaches, AC buses, closed spaces etc. The UV-C technology developed by the Ministry of Science & Technology through CSIR-CSIO (Central Scientific Instruments Organisation) is totally effective for mitigation of airborne transmission of SARS-COV-2 and will also remain relevant in post-COVID era. The technology has been successfully tried in Railways, AC Buses and even the Parliament House and is now open for general roll-out for use by common masses, he said. The technology has been developed according to the requirements for deactivation of SARS COV-2 virus contained in an aerosol with necessary ventilation measures, necessary safety and user guidelines and tested Bio-safety standards etc. UV-C deactivates viruses, bacteria, fungus and other bio - aerosols etc. with appropriate dosages using 254nm UV light. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20364/replace-sputum-smear-testing-with-advanced-testing-for-tb-treatment-experts.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20364/replace-sputum-smear-testing-with-advanced-testing-for-tb-treatment-experts.html Fri, 14 Jan 2022 19:25:00 +0530 IIHMR University, Jaipur in association with Consocia Advisory along with technical support from NITRD Copenhagen Consesus Center, Human Diagnostics GNBH recently hosted a session on meeting India’s target of TB eradication by 2025. Over 600+ participants, experts, health care professionals, policymakers, NGOs and consultants across India and Globe joined the webinar.Dr Ravindra Kumar Dewan, Director, National Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases, "While the report shows the decline in TB incidence achieved in previous years have slowed almost to a halt, this trend will be much worse in 2021 and 2022, driven by the ongoing variants of corona, however, the government remains steadfast on its goals.” According to Dr Arvinder Singh, Country Manager, India Region, HUMAN Diagnostics, “Diagnostics remains a very critical area so far as reducing the chain of transmission of TB is concerned. In the last seven years, the sector has come up with a lot of molecular platforms in the identification of TB disease both in public and private sector." Dr Praveen Aggarwal, Co-Founder of Consocia Advisory concluded by highlighting the need for putting appropriate “value” to each life and making proportional national investment to eradicate TB, create PPCPs, bringing new techniques, new management, new treatment regimen, and Technology led smart and affordable solutions to remove most of the barriers such as TB-LAMP in order to fulfil Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment. While stating that target of 2025 is 100% achievable, Aggarwal emphasized joint efforts to remove the biggest barrier - early diagnosis - and how technologies like TB Lamp which are far more superior to commonly used diagnostic test like Sputum Smear should be deployed at PHC, CHC and Health and Wellness Centers across India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20363/hekka-labs-introduces-decentralised-chronic-disease-data-mgmt-ecosystem-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20363/hekka-labs-introduces-decentralised-chronic-disease-data-mgmt-ecosystem-in-india.html Fri, 14 Jan 2022 18:50:00 +0530 UK-based Hekka Labs has launched a decentralised healthcare ecosystem for far more efficient health record management. The firm will concentrate on the Southeast Asia market, starting with India, where it will establish the largest chronic disease data management network.   Hekka has cemented initial partnerships with three Indian healthcare solution providers, Curisin, a healthcare company with a wide network of 30 million patients and 40,000 partnered doctors which has recently agreed to provide a minimum of 1.5 million medical records in 2022.   A further agreement to provide up to 20 separate blood biomarkers together with COVID-19 data on 100,000 patients, will form the basis of an initial trial for its blockchain audit trail platform.   IMMUNIDEX, a healthcare solution provider offering tests and applications that are driven by proprietary AI that can identify early immune-related risks and is well placed to capture highly valuable data for the Hekka network.    TELEMEDICINE INDIAN CO, a startup offering multi telemedicine services, multiple blood tests, and health screening including COVID-19 testing will form another integral part of data generation for the Hekka ecosystem.    Hekka Labs has set out to become the leading chronic illness and immunology platform in India. Hekka's private and public blockchain network solution will generate a new trust in Indian healthcare data management and can open up significant opportunity for both the domestic and global collaboration. This will lead to new levels of ethical standards and excellence for the Indian healthcare market.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20355/43-pharma-marketers-prefer-programmatic-messaging-platforms-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20355/43-pharma-marketers-prefer-programmatic-messaging-platforms-in-india.html Thu, 13 Jan 2022 18:40:00 +0530 Amid the chaos recurring waves of the pandemic have created, pharma marketers are shifting their focus to newer and innovative solutions to engage physicians, apparent from the phenomenal rise in programmatic messaging technologies.    As the latest report by Doceree, the first global network of physician-only platforms for programmatic messaging, around 43 per cent of pharma marketers in India now prefer programmatic messaging platforms to reach out to physicians, utilising its ability to segment healthcare experts and align their communication for optimisation and better business outcomes.    Doceree delved into the inventory and campaign behaviour trends of its multiple partners, studying over 1,100 campaigns. These were run on a mix of 165 physician-only publisher platforms via Doceree by 102 advertisers - consisting of consumer healthcare and medical devices companies, life sciences brands, hospitals, and diagnostics, covering 100+ specialities.    The report - ‘Programmatic Trends in Pharma HCP Marketing 2022’ – points that pharma’s digital ad spending has risen considerably worldwide and the trend is expected to grow further on the back of programmatic fueling its growth.    “The trend looks promising as we see pharma brands earmarking a significant budget to programmatic marketing,” said Harshit Jain MD, Founder & Global CEO, Doceree. “We are seeing five out of ten dollars spent on digital being set aside for programmatic messaging.”    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20352/ffd-launches-free-helpline-for-diabetics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20352/ffd-launches-free-helpline-for-diabetics.html Thu, 13 Jan 2022 17:25:00 +0530 Freedom from Diabetes (FFD) has launched a free helpline number 020-25928002 for diabetics in the country. FFD’s founder Dr Pramod Tripathi, during the first and second waves of the pandemic, had identified that individuals with comorbidities including hypertension and thyroid were more susceptible to the virus as compared to other diabetics.    In an attempt to pre-emptively help diabetics in case they do get infected by the virus, Dr Tripahti has also released a free downloadable guide on the dos and don’ts available on - https://www.drpramodtripathi.com/diabetes-care/.   Dr Tripathi advises diabetics to make adjustments in diets such as including 25 per cent grain, 25 per cent dal and 50 per cent vegetables to immediately boost immunity against COVID. It is also advised to lower diet high in the glycemic index to maintain the blood sugars in a normal range. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20348/alivecors-kardiamobile-gets-nice-nod-to-monitor-irregular-heart-rhythm-symptoms.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20348/alivecors-kardiamobile-gets-nice-nod-to-monitor-irregular-heart-rhythm-symptoms.html Thu, 13 Jan 2022 14:45:00 +0530 AliveCor, a global leader in FDA-cleared personal electrocardiogram (ECG) technology, announced that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued Medical Technologies Guidance (MTG) recommending KardiaMobile as an option for detecting atrial fibrillation (AF) for people with suspected paroxysmal AF, who present with symptoms such as palpitations and are referred for ambulatory ECG monitoring by a clinician. KardiaMobile is the first personal ECG to be recommended by NICE for use within the National Health Service (NHS) in England and Wales. KardiaMobile would be prescribed by a healthcare professional for people experiencing arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm) symptoms more than 24 hours apart. The instructions for use state that all interpretations of ECG recordings are reviewed by a healthcare professional and used to support clinical decision making. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20337/virohan-partners-with-eye-q-hospitals.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20337/virohan-partners-with-eye-q-hospitals.html Tue, 11 Jan 2022 17:30:00 +0530 Virohan, an ed tech company in healthcare, announced its partnership with EYE Q. Through this partnership, it plans to offer candidates the unique opportunity to complete their online technical theory training while simultaneously being deployed for a hands-on internship at the Eye Q hospital. The partnership aims to train and deploy hundreds of Allied Health Professionals to the workforce at over 50+ locations.   The partnership with Virohan will include training and deployment of operating theatre technicians and hospital administrators initially and may expand further as the manpower requirements of EYE Q Hospitals increase.   With campuses across Delhi, Haryana, Chattisgarh and Maharashtra and now Karnataka, Gujarat and Mumbai, Virohan has plans to expand to 160 campuses Pan - India by end of 2022. The company has been recognized for its work by the Google Accelerator and Amazon Accelerator and has recently been awarded the India Achievers Forum Award 2020 among others.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20332/gingivitis-can-lead-to-complications-in-pregnant-women-study-by-university-of-sydney.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20332/gingivitis-can-lead-to-complications-in-pregnant-women-study-by-university-of-sydney.html Tue, 11 Jan 2022 12:35:00 +0530 A recent report published by the University of Sydney highlights the impact Gingivitis can have on pregnant women. The report mentions that oral infection can have systemic effects on the body. Gingivitis releases inflammatory markers and bacteria into the systemic bloodstream, which may reach the placenta. This can result in various complications and can even lead to preterm delivery.The report also highlights that women who received treatment for pregnancy gingivitis had a statistically significant reduced risk for preterm birth and they also saw statistically significant higher birth weight.Most dentists advise pregnant women to use extra-soft toothbrushes and alcohol-free or salt rinses. It is also recommended that expecting mothers should go for teeth cleaning during their second trimester. Pregnant women need to be more vigilant about their overall health and oral health is an important part of it. In case of any discomfiture or discomfort, they should not shy away from visiting a dentist and follow their advice. Dr Mohender Narula, Founder and Chairman, MyDentalPlan Healthcare says, "During pregnancy, oral hygiene is an important factor, however many women find it difficult to maintain good oral health. Almost 70% of women in India suffer from gum problems during pregnancy. Out of all the oral problems, pregnancy gingivitis can cause numerous systemic disorders such as gestational diabetes, heart, kidney diseases. Maintaining good oral hygiene at all times can help prevent pregnancy gingivitis. Another aspect to keep in mind is that timely intervention is the key to treating this and ensures smooth pregnancy”. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20322/covaxins-booster-dose-study-shows-promising-results-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20322/covaxins-booster-dose-study-shows-promising-results-.html Mon, 10 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Bharat Biotech has announced the results from the highly anticipated trial studying the immunogenicity and safety of the COVAXIN (BBV152), a whole-virion inactivated COVID-19 vaccine, as a booster dose.    The analysis re-emphasises Bharat Biotech’s continued efforts to stay ahead of COVID-19, and this update provides a comprehensive vaccine booster strategy. COVAXIN is the first vaccine (in India) to report safety and immunogenicity results from a booster clinical trial.   The analysis showed, six months after a two-dose BBV152 vaccination series cell-mediated immunity and neutralising antibodies to both homologous (D614G) and heterologous strains (Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Delta plus) persisted above baseline, although the magnitude of the responses had declined.    Furthermore, neutralising antibodies against homologous and heterologous SARS-CoV-2 variants increased 19 to 265 fold after a third vaccination. Booster BBV152 vaccination is safe and may be necessary to ensure persistent immunity to prevent breakthrough infections.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20321/indomethacin-highly-effective-in-treating-covid-19-infection-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20321/indomethacin-highly-effective-in-treating-covid-19-infection-study.html Fri, 07 Jan 2022 18:10:00 +0530 Indomethacin, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, is shown to be highly efficient in treating the COVID-19 infection as per a study conducted by Dr Rajan Ravichandran, Director Nephrology, MIOT Hospitals in Chennai and Prof R Krishna Kumar, Institute Professor, IIT Madras in India. The first trial done during the first wave had 144 RT-PCR positive patients statistically matched in two arms, one treated with indomethacin and standard care and the other with paracetamol and standard care. The second carried out in the second wave was a randomized control trial with 210 RT-PCR-positive COVID-19 patients. They were allotted to two arms, as above, based on block randomisation; 103 and 107 patients were in the indomethacin and paracetamol arms, respectively. The primary endpoint was the development of hypoxia/desaturation with SpO2 ≤ 93, while fever reduction and cough and body pain resolution were the secondary endpoints. A third small trial treated 22 severe patients who required oxygen with indomethacin. No steroids were given to these patients. Out of the 107 patients in the paracetamol arm, 20 developed desaturation. However, in the indomethacin arm, none of the 103 patients developed desaturation. In terms of symptomatic relief, patients who received indomethacin experienced rapid symptomatic relief with most symptoms disappearing in half the time compared to the paracetamol group. The first trial was conducted at Narayana Medical College, Nellore and Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha, and the second trial took place at Panimalar Medical College, Chennai.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20317/pm-inaugurates-second-campus-of-chittaranjan-national-cancer-institute-in-kolkata.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20317/pm-inaugurates-second-campus-of-chittaranjan-national-cancer-institute-in-kolkata.html Fri, 07 Jan 2022 16:45:00 +0530 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the second campus of Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute (CNCI) in Kolkata. The Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee and Union Ministers Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Dr Subhas Sarkar, Shantanu Thakur, John Barla and Nisith Pramanik were among those present on the occasion.   The second campus of CNCI has been built at a cost of over Rs 540 crore, out of which around Rs 400 crores have been provided by the Union government and the rest by the West Bengal government, in the ratio of 75:25.   The campus is a 460-bedded comprehensive cancer centre unit with cutting edge infrastructure for cancer diagnosis, staging, treatment and care. The campus is equipped with modern facilities like Nuclear Medicine (PET), 3.0 Tesla MRI, 128 slice CT scanner, Radionuclide therapy unit, endoscopy suite, modern brachytherapy units etc.   The campus will also work as an advanced cancer research facility and will provide comprehensive care to cancer patients especially those from Eastern and North-Eastern parts of the country.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20313/iit-mandi-gives-recommendations-to-tackle-future-pandemic-outbreak.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20313/iit-mandi-gives-recommendations-to-tackle-future-pandemic-outbreak.html Thu, 06 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi have identified the states with a high probability of being the first hotspots for the spread of COVID-19. The researchers reviewed the spread of COVID-19 and past pandemics in India for this study. According to the study performed on 640 districts from April 1 to December 25, 2020, the hotspots of the pandemic in India have been states with high international migration and districts located close to large water bodies. States such as Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh were the hotspots for the COVID-19 pandemic in India.  Furthermore, the researchers have examined the temperature variations across districts that are close to large bodies of water to understand the spread of COVID-19 in these areas. In epidemiology, the basic reproduction number, commonly known as R0, quantifies the disease spread and finds the expected number of cases directly generated by one case in a population.  Researchers recommend a targeted approach to be taken in states with a higher international migration rate and recommend that strict precautionary measures should be taken in districts near large bodies of water before the monsoon season begins. The high Ro observed in these districts during monsoon suggests that these areas be given priority if immunization is available. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20300/healyos-emoha-join-hands-to-provide-home-healthcare-facilities-in-western-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20300/healyos-emoha-join-hands-to-provide-home-healthcare-facilities-in-western-india.html Tue, 04 Jan 2022 18:55:00 +0530 In its bid to provide robust home-based healthcare services in western India, HealYos Home Healthcare and Emoha Elder Care Services have joined hands. North India-based Emoha is a tech-based start-up. Maharashtra-based HealYos has a team of doctors from different specialties and provides home healthcare. With this tie-up, online consultation of all these doctors will be made available for all Emoha members along with other HealYos services like physiotherapy, nursing, wound dressing and regular medical checkups. Rupal Sancheti, Director, HealYos, said, "There are many who cannot look after their parents because they don't stay in India or stay in a different city away from their parents. It is in this space that HealYos along with Emoha will be creating an impact by providing excellent at-home health care services for elderlies by combining the expertise that both the companies have. We want to achieve excellence by providing hassle-free services." Emoha provides holistic elder care services by giving seniors access to a range of benefits such as emergency support, providing at-home care facilities, and ensuring they live safer, healthier, more convenient and more active lives. Saumyajit Roy, CEO and co-founder of Emoha, said, "I am happy that we can now expand in western India too with the help of HealYos. This tie-up is crucial as it will help us utilise the best of both the companies, to achieve the best quality healthcare services for seniors." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20298/nathealth-issues-recommendations-to-accelerate-policy-reforms-for-home-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20298/nathealth-issues-recommendations-to-accelerate-policy-reforms-for-home-care.html Tue, 04 Jan 2022 17:20:00 +0530 NATHEALTH-Healthcare Federation of India convened a special task force comprising homecare, digital health and senior care specialists along with key industry stakeholders from providers, insurers and MedTech sectors across the country. The forum has come up with a white paper on ‘Indian Home Healthcare 2.0: Redefining the Modern Care Continuum’ – a first of its kind attempt to place forward perspectives from all industry stakeholders and propose recommendations to the government on strengthening and providing market stewardship for the growth of the homecare segment in India.  The whitepaper outlines top 3 recommendation areas under the focused goal of ‘What can be done at home, must be done at home’: These are Regulatory and governance focus, capacity building focus and care financing focus.  Dr Harsh Mahajan, President, NATHEALTH, “The homecare model is witnessing a sharp growth as countries continue to leverage it to ensure alternate models of care delivery systems with benefits of lower cost, higher efficiency, institutional capacity release, improved care outcomes and resource optimisation bolstered by strong consumer preference, adoption of virtual care and digital tools.” Siddhartha Bhattacharya, Secretary-General, NATHEALTH said, “The homecare segment is also widely accepted and preferred as a highly sustainable model for providing care to a rapidly expanding elderly population and support the national agenda of ‘Ageing in Place’. Indian seniors, like their global counterparts, prefer to age at home in the community of their choice and homecare is best suited to support this process.”         ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20296/pm-lays-foundation-stone-of-cancer-hospital-in-imphal.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20296/pm-lays-foundation-stone-of-cancer-hospital-in-imphal.html Tue, 04 Jan 2022 16:05:00 +0530 Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi recently laid the foundation stone of a state-of-the-art cancer hospital in Imphal worth around Rs 160 crore on a PPP basis. He also inaugurated a 200-bedded COVID-19 hospital at Kiyamgei which has been set up at a cost of about Rs 37 crore in collaboration with DRDO. The PM also laid the foundation stone of ‘Centre for Invention, Innovation, Incubation and Training (CIIIT)’ to be built in the state at a cost of about Rs 200 crore. The PM is on a visit to Manipur where he inaugurated 13 Projects worth around Rs 1850 crores and laid the foundation stone of nine projects worth around Rs 2950 crore in Imphal, Manipur.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20291/manipal-hospitals-conducts-vaccination-drive-for-children-with-special-needs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20291/manipal-hospitals-conducts-vaccination-drive-for-children-with-special-needs.html Mon, 03 Jan 2022 16:55:00 +0530 Manipal Hospitals organised an exclusive vaccination drive for children with special needs in the age group of 15-18 years across all its centres in Bengaluru. The vaccination drive was conducted with the support of Samarthanam Trust for Disabled, and Asha Kiran Special Needs School, and a few NGO’s accounting for nearly 100 children receiving the vaccination across the centres. The vaccination drive took place at Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Sarjapur, Varthur, Yeshwanthpur, Whitefield, and Hebbal. Manipal Hospitals organised the vaccination slots for the special needs children to immunise the children against COVID-19. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20290/snapdeal-to-promote-nhas-national-health-id-scheme.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20290/snapdeal-to-promote-nhas-national-health-id-scheme.html Mon, 03 Jan 2022 13:40:00 +0530 Snapdeal is leveraging its pan-India reach, especially across India’s smaller cities and towns, to promote National Health Authority (NHA’s) “Health ID” programme. As part of this initiative, Snapdeal will utilise its digital presence including its website, mobile application, and social media accounts to increase awareness about the scheme and provide information on how users can create their Health ID .The health ID can be easily created by using an individual’s basic details, mobile number and Aadhaar number. The health records can be further linked and viewed through a mobile application. The “Health ID” will allow users to connect with different healthcare providers across the ABDM ecosystem by enabling a consent-based sharing of personal health records. As part of this initiative, Snapdeal is initially running a series of banners to provide information about the benefits of the scheme and providing a link to NHA’s page where they can generate their Health ID. The information will also be shared through Snapdeal’s social media properties in English, Hindi and other Indian languages.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20279/eka-care-launches-heart-rate-monitoring-feature-on-mobile-phones.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20279/eka-care-launches-heart-rate-monitoring-feature-on-mobile-phones.html Wed, 29 Dec 2021 15:40:00 +0530 Eka Care, a connected healthcare platform, founded by former Co-Founders of Goibibo, has launched a scientific mobile-based feature on the app through which users can track their pulse rate, a basic, yet very important body vital. Eka Care has launched the Heart Rate Monitor in collaboration with Father Muller (FM) Medical College and Hospital. The feature is completely free for the user.   The device uses Photoplethysmography technology that has revolutionised the way we interact with body vitals and enable their continuous monitoring through portable devices.   The Eka Heart Rate Monitor (EHRM) uses the reflective mode principle for obtaining PPG signals to compute pulse rate. The feature can be accessed through Eka Care’s android mobile application. To demonstrate the accuracy and reliability of EPRM, Eka Care has built a diverse validation dataset of PPG comprising 10,000 patients in OPD and ICU settings, in collaboration with Father Muller (FM) Medical College and Hospital. So far, Eka Care has collected data of 5,700+ patients from five different centres of FM Hospital across its rural and urban centres.   The platform which is available in 12 languages enables every Indian family to create multiple health profiles, store health records such as vaccination charts for kids, developmental milestones, prescriptions, lab reports, scans.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20262/cipla-raises-awareness-on-inhaler-adoption-for-asthma.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20262/cipla-raises-awareness-on-inhaler-adoption-for-asthma.html Tue, 28 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0530 #InhalersHainSahi – an awareness campaign to dispel myths and fears regarding asthma and encourage asthmatics to live a life without limits, has been launched under the aegis of Mumbai-based firm Cipla. The campaign aims to eliminate stigma around the usage of inhalers, make it socially more acceptable and foster further dialogue between patients and their doctors. According to Global Burden of Disease Report, In India, around 93 million people suffer from chronic respiratory diseases; of which around 37 million are asthmatics. India contributes to merely 11.1% of the global asthma burden, however, it accounts for over 42% of all global asthma deaths, making it the asthma death capital of the world”. According to Dr Chandrashekar H B, HOD Pulmonary medicine, BMJ Hospital, Bangalore, “The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines recommend   inhalers as a safe & effective way to control asthma as it reaches your lungs directly and starts acting immediately”. Dr Jaideep Gogtay, Global Chief Medical Officer, Cipla said, “Ongoing education is of paramount importance in chronic diseases like asthma. Our efforts are to engage people and encourage them to take necessary actions as guided by their doctors.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20242/institute-for-health-metrics-and-evaluation-forecasts-enormous-spread-of-omicron.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20242/institute-for-health-metrics-and-evaluation-forecasts-enormous-spread-of-omicron.html Thu, 23 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), an independent global health research centre at the University of Washington has released a research report on Omicron, a variant of SARS-CoV-2. Comparing the Omicron variant with the Delta variant IHME research says that the Omicron is more transmissible and with 40-60% immune escape combine to lead to rapid increases in reported case counts. A much larger fraction of infections is symptomatic – likely up from 40% for Delta and prior variants to 90-95% for Omicron. However, it also shared that based on the best available data, the infection-hospitalization rate is dramatically lower (note the infection-hospitalization rate is not the case-hospitalization rate), likely 90-96% lower than for Delta. The infection-fatality rate is dramatically lower, likely 97-99% lower than for Delta. The research also forecasts around 3 billion infections to occur in the next 2 months. That’s as many infections as was seen in the first 2 years of the pandemic. Peak transmission should be in mid-January with over 35 million global infections a day, nearly three times the Delta wave peak in April. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20236/iim-lucknow-apollo-medskills-unveil-executive-programme-in-healthcare-management.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20236/iim-lucknow-apollo-medskills-unveil-executive-programme-in-healthcare-management.html Wed, 22 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Apollo Medskills and IIM Lucknow have decided to join hands and announce the beginning of a relationship between the two institutions with a unique perspective to benefit the healthcare fraternity. The first of many, under this initiative they have launched an Executive Programme in Healthcare Management (EPHM). The programme is designed by taking the necessary inputs from both public and private health sector of India and similar economies in the region. The uniqueness of this programme is the Experiential learning that every participant receives by way of attending the Immersion programme. All participants will have the opportunity to experience the concepts they have been acquainted with in the classroom in a real time campus immersion at IIM Lucknow and a field visit at Apollo hospitals. Speaking on the occasion of the launch of EPHM programme in collaboration with IIM Lucknow, Dr Srinivasa Rao Pulijala, CEO, Apollo MedSkills Limited, The EPHM Programme Director, said: “The on-going developments in India’s healthcare industry is paving way for creating millions of jobs in the sector. The Executive Programme in Healthcare Management will definitely nurture and shape the career of hundreds of youth who aspire to take the leadership roles in the health industry."      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20227/iafm-organises-first-conference-to-spread-awareness-about-functional-medicine-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20227/iafm-organises-first-conference-to-spread-awareness-about-functional-medicine-in-india.html Tue, 21 Dec 2021 11:50:00 +0530 The first of its kind Indian Association of Functional Medicine (IAFM) organised a virtual conference to promote and spread awareness on Functional Medicines in India. The Indian Association of Functional Medicine in India, an independent body launched its first conference with the objective of promoting the usage of functional medicines in our day to day lives and reducing the dependency on other medicines that act on the symptom and subside the overall problem in a person’s body than acting on the actual underlying problem that needs to be fixed. Founded by Dr Priti Nanda Sibal, CEO & Founder, Mediskool Health Services, Dr Anish Musa, Founder, Ultrawellness, Dr Ashwini Garg, Co-Founder, Functional Medicine Clinic & Dr Ruhi Agarwal, Co-Founder, Functional Medicine Clinic are the pillars for Indian Association of Functional Medicine in India. The conference showcased leading doctors and spokesperson across the functional medicinal fraternity that spoke about gut disorders and autoimmunity, Hashimoto Thyroiditis, Ozone therapy, metabolic health, lifestyle choices, mental health, and hypothyroidism that gave the audience of over 400 people a deep insight into the world and functionalities of functional medicines.   The Indian Institute of Functional Medicine plans to further expand operations in India, promote and further intensify functional medicines in India by spreading more and more awareness. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20221/health-minister-launches-e-clinic-for-first-time-in-bihar.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20221/health-minister-launches-e-clinic-for-first-time-in-bihar.html Mon, 20 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Bihar Health Minister Mangal Pandey has launched ZiffyHealth’s E-Clinic to improve health services in the state. As per the startup’s plan, they will be initially having 100 E-clinics. Following that, its number will be gradually increased over the next 18 months. With the help of E-clinics, one crore citizen’s electronic health records will be collected over the next year (Health Kiosks). ZiffyHealth has introduced this cutting-edge technology and innovations to Bihar. "This organisation has set a goal of creating Electronic Health Records (EHR) for people. I was surprised to learn that doctors, thousands of kilometres away would be able to hear and see in real time the heartbeat, blood pressure, sugar level, and oxygen level of patients living in Bihar districts. People will no longer need to travel to major cities for medical treatment as a result of this", said the Minister. ZiffyTech is a Big Data-Hadoop-based disruptive force healthcare startup that has been incubated and is being accelerated at Atal Innovation Mission-Pinnacle (an offshoot of NITI Ayog).    Image caption- L to R: Avinash Thakur, CEO of Atal Innovation, Dr. Ravi Kumar Singh, Director Medanta, Mangal Pandey, Health Minister of Bihar, Indra Jha, Founder & CEO, ZiffyHealth & Anubha Prasad, Founder KAREKEBA  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20225/experts-propound-for-robust-digital-health-ecosystem-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20225/experts-propound-for-robust-digital-health-ecosystem-in-india.html Mon, 20 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Calling the COVID-19 pandemic a huge ‘eye-opener’ in helping the Government of India to realize the need for a robust digital healthcare framework system in place, healthcare experts and doyens at the 7th IHW Summit and Awards opined that it is high time that India have a proper digital highway in place to address to the growing healthcare needs of its massive population. The seven edition of the flagship event was organized by the Integrated Health and Wellbeing Council with Optum and Zyla as Health tech and Innovation partners respectively. Underscoring the challenges posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Dr J.A. Jayalal, President, Indian Medical Association, said, “The Government of India needs to adapt to the new technology, so that, even if there is a third wave, will allow us to sail through. Obviously, there will be multi-thronged challenges as long as COVID-19 is around, but there is no need for a lockdown anymore. A stringent lockdown, once again, will do more harm than any good.” While adopting a digital healthcare system is a must, it comes with its own sets of challenges in a country, according to Vibhav Garg, Director-Health Economics & Govt Affairs, India HUB & ASEAN, Boston Scientific. Stressing the need for an integrated healthcare system in India in the post-COVID-19 world, Dr Harsh Mahajan, Founder & Chief Radiologist, Mahajan Imaging said, “The government needs to rope in more private players in the existing healthcare system. “The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us one very important thing – to provide high-quality healthcare, and that too, when physical distancing is a must, you need an around-the-clock digital healthcare system in place. That is why it is need of the hour for the Government of India to put in a place a robust digital framework,” said Swati Rangachari, Vice President and Country Leader, Public Affairs and Strategic Engagements, United Health Group | Optum. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20218/sputnik-v-induces-robust-neutralising-antibody-response-to-omicron-variant.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20218/sputnik-v-induces-robust-neutralising-antibody-response-to-omicron-variant.html Fri, 17 Dec 2021 18:10:00 +0530 A preliminary laboratory study conducted by the Gamaleya Center has demonstrated that the Sputnik V vaccine and the one-shot Sputnik Light booster (based on human adenovirus serotype 26, the first component of Sputnik V) are effective against Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of COVID, providing for better protection when compared to other vaccines. Heterologous boosting with Sputnik Light is the solution to increase other vaccines’ efficacy, including against Omicron, and extend the booster protection period. Sputnik Light as a booster significantly increases virus neutralising activity against Omicron based on sera 2-3 months after revaccination and is a universal booster to other vaccines inducing stronger antibody and T-cell response. Efficacy of mRNA vaccines has proven to be waning, demonstrated by several scientific publications. A Swedish study in The Lancet journal has shown that Pfizer vaccine’s efficacy against Delta is falling to 47 per cent after four months, to 29 per cent after six months and to 23 per cent after seven months. The recent study in US among 65+ years olds demonstrated the decrease in mRNA vaccine effectiveness accelerating against Delta after month 4, reaching a low of approximately 20 per cent in months 5 through 7.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20208/lords-mark-inks-agreement-with-indian-railways-psu-for-distribution-of-health-equipment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20208/lords-mark-inks-agreement-with-indian-railways-psu-for-distribution-of-health-equipment.html Thu, 16 Dec 2021 13:35:00 +0530 LordsMed, the pharma division of Lord’s Mark Industries has entered into a five-year Joint Venture agreement with Indian Railways PSU Braithwaite & Co for distributing health equipment, medical devices and IVD kits to railway hospitals on a Pan-India basis.   Through the JV initiative, LordsMed aims to improve the public healthcare infrastructure in the country by enabling patients to access cutting edge healthcare products developed through indigenous technology. LordsMed aims to empower healthcare providers in improving healthcare delivery standards and providing patients with quality and cost-effective healthcare services.   In the initial phase, Lordsmed will distribute healthcare equipment to railway hospitals in the country. The scope of the partnership may be expanded to cover private hospitals over a period.   “With our partnership with Braithwaite & Co, we aim to make delivery of public healthcare services more accessible and affordable for most of the population. We are emphasising the creation of a patient-centric healthcare system with an onus on improved clinical outcomes,” stated Sachidanand Upadhyay, Founder, Lord’s Mark Industries.   “Through our partnership with Lord’s Mark Industries, we hope to set quality benchmarks for Indian healthcare services that are on par with global standards,” stated Sachin V Dighde, CEO, Braithwaite & Co. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20203/astrazeneca-adds-novel-target-for-ipf-discovered-using-benevolentais-platform.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20203/astrazeneca-adds-novel-target-for-ipf-discovered-using-benevolentais-platform.html Wed, 15 Dec 2021 18:10:00 +0530 BenevolentAI, a leading clinical-stage AI drug discovery company, announced that AstraZeneca has added a novel target for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), discovered using BenevolentAI’s platform, to its drug development portfolio. This is the second novel target from the collaboration that has been identified, validated, and selected for AstraZeneca’s portfolio.    BenevolentAI’s strategic collaboration with AstraZeneca began in 2019, and currently focuses on discovering potential new treatments for IPF and chronic kidney disease (CKD). The innovative collaboration structure sees scientists and technologists from the two companies working side-by-side, combining the Benevolent Platform — an AI-driven drug discovery platform — and biomedical knowledge graph with AstraZeneca’s scientific expertise and rich datasets.   IPF is a chronic and ultimately fatal disease that causes lung tissue to stiffen, leading to permanent lung scarring that makes it harder to breathe. As IPF progresses, patients often need oxygen and, in some cases, lung transplantation. With a median survival of ∼three years, the prognosis can be devastating, and there is a clear unmet need for better treatments.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20200/voice-based-ai-will-bring-in-next-big-transformation-in-healthcare-pwc-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20200/voice-based-ai-will-bring-in-next-big-transformation-in-healthcare-pwc-india.html Wed, 15 Dec 2021 14:50:00 +0530 Large-scale deployment of digital technologies and innovations are transforming India’s healthcare landscape post the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report launched by PwC India, titled ‘A new healthcare era -Trends in a post-pandemic world.’   The report highlights emerging shifts in the healthcare domain. The increased focus on digitalisation has helped in accelerating contactless healthcare and faster decision making. Technological innovations have further helped patients and consumers to understand diseases better and subsequently, demand higher-quality healthcare services.    There has been a clear shift from brick-and-mortar healthcare centres to virtual-first care during the pandemic. There has also been a transition from medication to holistic addressable adjacencies, thereby disrupting traditional pharma practices. The report also states that the telemedicine model of the past is now becoming a full-stack virtual care model.    Dr Rana Mehta, Partner and Leader Healthcare PwC India, said, “Voice-based AI will bring in the next big transformation in healthcare."   According to the report,  it is interesting to see how digital as a lever is unlocking agility and helping players move up the value chain across the sustainable well-being spectrum faster than ever before.   As per the report, contactless care is gaining ample momentum and the focus is moving towards reducing and optimising the number of touchpoints between the health system and health seeker, without losing the quality of care.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20199/sakra-world-hospital-launches-robotic-assisted-neuro-rehabilitation-centre-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20199/sakra-world-hospital-launches-robotic-assisted-neuro-rehabilitation-centre-in-bengaluru.html Wed, 15 Dec 2021 14:45:00 +0530 Sakra World Hospital (JV of Secom and Toyota Tsusho, Japan), has launched a world-class Robotic-Assisted Neuro-Rehabilitation centre in Bengaluru, the first-ever in Karnataka. The new state-of-the-art centre was inaugurated in the presence of Dr CN Ashwath Narayan, Minister of Science & Technology Government of Karnataka, Akiko Sugita, Consul General of Japan in Bengaluru and actor Raghavendra Rajkumar from the Kannada Film industry.    Sakra Rehabilitation is an advanced rehabilitation institution, providing prehab and rehab as an inpatient, outpatient, and home-based telerehabilitation. The dedicated rehab HDU unit has resident inpatients undergoing early intervention - starting within a few days of stroke or neurosurgery. Unique technological implications facilitate a comprehensive approach emphasising Japanese safety processes for infection control while ensuring safety from potential patient falls.    The robots established at the new robotic neuro-rehabilitation centre are: Lower Limb Robotics to retrain walking - The Walkbot Premium  Upper Limb Robotics to retrain arm function – The ArmeoSpring ArmeoSenso    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20198/healthplix-unveils-prescription-summary-dashboard-for-doctors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20198/healthplix-unveils-prescription-summary-dashboard-for-doctors.html Wed, 15 Dec 2021 14:40:00 +0530 HealthPlix Technologies announced the release of the Prescription Summary Dashboard for doctors. The new feature release from the ROBIN suite, is an analytical software that sits on HealthPlix flagship product - EMR. With this second feature release – Prescription Summary Dashboard, doctors are now able to analyse their historical prescriptions within a few clicks enabling them to identify different cohorts of patients and the treatment given to them. Doctors may also use real-time analytics to stay ahead of the curve and make sure that their patients receive the best possible treatment (personalised care).   The Prescription Summary Dashboard is a research-oriented platform that helps deep dive into a patient’s medical history. With a user-friendly interface, the dashboard provides an overview of complete practice with an aggregated analysis of prescriptions, allowing doctors to elevate their engagement with patients. Backed with analytics capabilities it allows doctors to find areas of improvement to drive better patient outcomes.   The health-tech start-up is backed by marquee investors such as Lightspeed Venture Partners, JSW Ventures, Kalaari Capital and Chiratae Ventures. In their latest round of funding, HealthPlix raised $13.5 million as part of Series B funding, which was led by Lightspeed Ventures and joined by existing investors. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20191/schindler-india-sets-up-oxygen-generator-plant-at-terna-speciality-hospital-research-centre.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20191/schindler-india-sets-up-oxygen-generator-plant-at-terna-speciality-hospital-research-centre.html Tue, 14 Dec 2021 18:25:00 +0530 Schindler India and Terna Public Charitable Trust have jointly launched a PSA Oxygen Generation Plant at Terna Speciality Hospital & Research Centre in Navi Mumbai. The plant will enable efficient distribution of oxygen for the needy patients in Navi Mumbai, Raigad and Thane. The plant is capable of producing 98 Jumbo cylinders per day. Schindler India had taken up this initiative as a part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).    Terna Speciality Hospital & Research Centre located in Nerul Navi Mumbai is a 400–bedded multi-speciality tertiary care hospital confidently providing comprehensive health care with the latest medical, surgical and diagnostic facilities.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20188/prioritise-investments-in-primary-healthcare-for-universal-health-coverage-who.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20188/prioritise-investments-in-primary-healthcare-for-universal-health-coverage-who.html Tue, 14 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Noting that primary health care (PHC) plays a crucial role in addressing people’s health needs close to where they live and work, reduces cost of care, enhances equity, and enables better preparedness and response to pandemics, the World Health Organization has urged member countries in the WHO South-East Asia Region to increase investments to strengthen primary health care as the foundation for universal health coverage (UHC) and health security. "During the COVID-19 pandemic we have seen that countries with strong primary health care systems were able to respond better and faster to the pandemic, while also maintaining essential services with minimal disruption," said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia Region, at a high-level meeting. The Regional Director was speaking at a virtual meeting that included the health ministers from member countries to commemorate UHC day and launch the South-East Regional Strategy for PHC. At the meeting, ministers emphasised the importance of the PHC approach to achieve UHC and health system resilience. The Ministers of Health pointed to both the timeliness and value of the Regional PHC Strategy to help drive necessary PHC-oriented transformation across the Region.  ‘PHC is the key that unlocks UHC – through simultaneously addressing concerns related to equity and efficiency.  We need a paradigm shift to ensure that primary health care is provided throughout the life course with a focus on prevention and well-being that is organized around the comprehensive needs and expectations of the people and communities,’ said the Regional Director. "One of the key lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic is that the best defense against disease outbreak and other health emergencies is resilient primary health care as the foundation of universal health coverage. Many of the countries that have responded most effectively to COVID-19 are those that had invested adequately in PHC," said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, at the meeting. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20184/iil-donates-oxygen-generation-plant-to-tims-gachibowli.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20184/iil-donates-oxygen-generation-plant-to-tims-gachibowli.html Mon, 13 Dec 2021 16:05:00 +0530 Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) donated a  PSA Oxygen Generation Plant to the Telangana Institute of Medical Sciences (TIMS), Gachibowli for service to patients in need of oxygen support. IIL had facilitated the setup of an oxygen generation plant at Telangana Institute of Medical Sciences (TIMS), Gachibowli. The oxygen plant works on the principle of Pressure Swing Adsorption and enables efficient distribution of oxygen for needy patients. The plant is capable of supplying oxygen to 70 patients at a time. IIL had taken up this initiative as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and executed it through Sambhav Foundation, an initiative of LabourNet, a Bengaluru-based Social Enterprise. The cost of the plant is Rs 1 crore. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20182/aster-announces-launch-of-455-facilities-across-india-and-gcc-countries.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20182/aster-announces-launch-of-455-facilities-across-india-and-gcc-countries.html Mon, 13 Dec 2021 15:55:00 +0530 On Aster DM Healthcare’s 35th Foundation Day, the organisation has announced global growth to 455 facilities and thereby emerging as one of the largest integrated healthcare providers in India and GCC, with 27 hospitals, 126 clinics/labs and 302 pharmacies1 spread across 7 countries serving around 20 million patients annually. In India, with the roll-out of 77 Aster branded pharmacies, nine Aster Labs, Aster Clinics and Aster Home Care, in addition to the 14 hospitals, the organisation is fast expanding its integrated care network across five states.    To celebrate its 35 years of service, a new corporate logo identity marking 'Aster DM Healthcare since 1987' has been unveiled along with the campaign, “Care is Just an Aster Away” at Burj Khalifa in Dubai.   Three more Aster Volunteers Mobile Medical Services (AVMMS) have been launched in Africa, Iraq and India on Foundation Day, increasing the total number of AVMMVS units to 19 vehicles. Aster has also committed to launching four more units in Africa, thereby extending the AVMMV services to seven African countries where it is highly required. In addition to this, Aster plans to establish five Aster Volunteers Telehealth Service Centers in Africa, to support the diagnosis and treatment of the population there, through direct connection with Aster hospitals in India and GCC.      Aster has also committed to launching four more units in Africa, thereby extending the AVMMV services to seven African countries where it is highly required. In addition to this, Aster plans to establish five Aster Volunteers Telehealth Service Centers in Africa, to support the diagnosis and treatment of the population there, through direct connection with Aster hospitals in India and GCC.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20181/uphealth-opens-digitally-enabled-200-bed-acute-care-hospital-in-nagaland.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20181/uphealth-opens-digitally-enabled-200-bed-acute-care-hospital-in-nagaland.html Mon, 13 Dec 2021 15:30:00 +0530 UpHealth has opened the first digitally-enabled hospital in Nagaland. The hospital, called HelloLyf HX, is the first facility of its kind and a revolutionary re-thinking of traditional hospitals with a state-of-the-art climate-resilient design vetted and approved by the acclaimed Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee. The hospital was completed in 100 Days at a fraction of the cost of the comparable facility. UpHealth’s HelloLyf HX digital hospital provides outpatient care, emergency care, radiology and imaging, intensive care, high-dependency care, inpatient care and houses a complete dialysis unit. It is powered by HelloLyf, a leading patient management, digital health and decision support software. The HelloLyf software can link patients with virtual healthcare specialists, worldwide.The hospital provides 88 e-ICU beds with connected ventilators and injection syringe pumps, mapped to the HelloLyf patient management software, exceeding monitoring systems in place at regional hospitals. The Nagaland hospital represents the first such hospital that UpHealth constructed. Many such hospitals are planned across India, with many more scoped for Africa with aggressive timelines. UpHealth is also exploring the possibility of similar hospitals in rural and underserved areas of the US.  The  HelloLyf HX hospital is outfitted to provide COVID-19 care and resources to Nagaland during the ongoing pandemic and use as an acute care hospital post-pandemic. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20177/dr-agarwals-eye-hospital-to-invest-rs-175-cr-in-karnataka-over-two-years.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20177/dr-agarwals-eye-hospital-to-invest-rs-175-cr-in-karnataka-over-two-years.html Mon, 13 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Leading eye care specialist Dr Agarwal’s Eye Hospital plans to invest over Rs 175 crore in expanding its presence in Karnataka over the next two years. The hospital chain made this announcement at the inauguration of its super-speciality eye care centre at Indiranagar in Bengaluru.   In the next two years, Dr Agarwal’s will set up around 25 hospitals in Karnataka at an investment of Rs 150 crore. In addition, the Group will set up more than 30 vision centres at an investment of Rs 25 crore, taking its total investment in the state to Rs 175 crore over a two year period.   The new centre in Indiranagar will be a refractive hub for the hospital chain, which means that all refractive surgeries from all of Dr Agarwal’s branches in Karnataka will be performed out of this centre. The hospital is housed in two floors, spread across approximately 5,000 sq ft.    The new centre is offering free consultations for patients who are 50 years or above till the month-end. Karnataka’s Minister for Health & Family Welfare and Medical Education, Dr K Sudhakar inaugurated the Indiranagar facility in the presence of Dr Adil Agarwal, CEO and Dr Agarwal’s Eye Hospital.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20186/climate-change-makes-children-vulnerable-to-infectious-diseases-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20186/climate-change-makes-children-vulnerable-to-infectious-diseases-study.html Mon, 13 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0530 The Centre of Excellence in Climate Change Research, Banaras Hindu University (BHU) has explored the association between climate parameters and infectious diseases in a three-year follow-up prospective cohort of 461 children under 16-years-of-age in Varanasi city.  Accounting for extensive socioeconomic household data and child anthropometric measurements, the researchers established that climate parameters like temperature, humidity, rainfall, solar radiation, and wind speed were significantly associated with the infectious diseases such as gastrointestinal diseases, respiratory diseases, vector-borne diseases, and skin diseases, in children in Varanasi. Maximum temperature and humidity (absolute/relative) are important climate drivers. This study further added that climate parameters accounted for 9-18% of the total infectious disease cases, while non-climate parameters account for the rest. Upper respiratory tract infection (mostly cold and flu) and gastrointestinal infections (mainly diarrhea) constitute 78% of the disease burden.  Findings from this study draw the attention of government and policymakers to prioritize effective measures for child health as the present association may increase disease burden in the future under climate-change scenarios in already malnourished pediatric population through multiple pathways.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20175/niti-aayog-highlights-spectrum-and-load-of-emergency-cases-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20175/niti-aayog-highlights-spectrum-and-load-of-emergency-cases-in-india.html Fri, 10 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0530 NITI Aayog has released two comprehensive reports titled – Reports on current status on Country level- secondary and tertiary level and district level emergency and injury care in India. These reports bring out and highlight the spectrum and load of emergency cases, and brings out the prevailing gaps in ambulance services, health infrastructure, human resources and equipment in the provision of optimal care. These reports were launched in the presence of Dr V K Paul, Member (Health) NITI Aayog and Dr Rakesh Sarwal, Additional Secretary, amongst other dignitaries. These studies were carried out by the department of Emergency Medicine, JPNATC, AIIMS, New Delhi in collaboration with NITI Aayog. These reports highlight the need to have a nation-wide policy for triage, standardized protocols for care, world-class ambulance services augmented with effective paramedics and expansion of blood banks. Amongst the centres studied, those accredited and having an ongoing academic program performed better, underscoring the need to have these measures in place.   The landscape of emergency care includes timely access and acute care delivery to critically ill and injured patients. Premature death and Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) can be prevented by establishing robust integrated emergency care system with definitive care. The outcomes of this study will provide the policy inputs to improve and strengthen the emergency care services at all tiers of the healthcare facilities in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20162/aster-aadhar-hospital-kolhapur-launches-cancer-centre.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20162/aster-aadhar-hospital-kolhapur-launches-cancer-centre.html Thu, 09 Dec 2021 17:20:00 +0530 Aster Aadhar Hospital, Kolhapur has launched “Aster Aadhar Cancer Center”. The specialised centre will enable patients to access several cancer care treatment options under one roof.   The cancer centre is also equipped with the Halcyon – A Linac Accelerator, used in radiation oncology, which is a lot more precise, faster and accurate than previous generations.   A highly streamlined process, enables the treatment session to be completed in as less as 10 minutes. This minimises the risk of patient movement and increases both patient safety and treatment quality. It is also the third installation at any hospital in Maharashtra and the first in a semi-urban area. Installation of the world-class machine was carried out with the support of S 2 Infotech International.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20155/india-sustains-reduction-in-malaria-rates-who.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20155/india-sustains-reduction-in-malaria-rates-who.html Wed, 08 Dec 2021 17:00:00 +0530 The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the World Malaria Report 2021, highlighting the havoc malaria continues to wreck on the world's poorest and most vulnerable. An estimated 14 million more cases and 69,000 more deaths were caused by malaria during 2020 compared to 2019. India was the only high burden country to record progress by sustaining a reduction in malaria burden between 2019 and 2020. However, the rate of decline was slower than before the pandemic, the WHO report stated, with the country still sharing over 80 per cent of the malaria burden of South-East Asia.The WHO report also highlighted sizable gaps in malaria funding, as the demand to sustain progress increased last year to $6.8 billion with only a tiny increase in malaria funding. In the South-East Asia region, the malaria funding per person at risk in India has been slower than the neighbouring countries, stated the report.Of the 31 countries that had planned insecticide-treated mosquito net (ITN) campaigns in 2020, only 18 completed their campaigns by the end of that year. Ravaged by the pandemic, India only managed to fulfil 50 per cent of its planned distribution of long-lasting insecticidal nets and had also recorded a reduction in other measures like indoor residual spraying during 2020.“The figures and trends are deeply concerning as the most malaria-affected countries witnessed a reversal of the previous gains last year.” said, Dr Kaushik Sarkar, Director, Institute for Malaria and Climate Solutions and Director In-charge, Malaria No More India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20152/death-rate-may-reach-up-to-35-in-30-days-due-to-sah-doctor-at-narayana-health-institute-of-neurosciences.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20152/death-rate-may-reach-up-to-35-in-30-days-due-to-sah-doctor-at-narayana-health-institute-of-neurosciences.html Wed, 08 Dec 2021 15:30:00 +0530 The death rate of a person suffering from Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), a type of brain stroke occurring due to bleeding in the subarachnoid space and comprises around 3 per cent of all strokes, may reach up to 35 per cent in 30 days from the time of onset and several of the surviving individuals may remain disabled for life. This was stated by Dr Vikram Huded, Senior Consultant, Interventional Neurologist and Head of Neurology, Narayana Health Institute of Neurosciences.   Citing a case study of a six-month pregnant, 28-year-old lady, Dr Huded mentioned that the initial signs of the neurological condition can be as simple as headache and vomiting. If simple signs do not go away after initial medication, it’s wise to seek a specialist opinion. Though the exact risk factors remain unknown in most, some of the known risk factors include smoking, hypertension (high blood pressure), heavy alcoholism, drugs like cocaine, and certain rare genetic syndromes (e.g., autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease).   Traumatic SAH is the commonest form and is treated in lines of other accompanying brain injuries resulting from direct or indirect mechanical impact to the skull and brain. Aneurysmal SAH is the commonest form of spontaneous SAH and results from rupture of an aneurysm- a ballooned-out area in the wall of a brain artery.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20146/solve-care-launches-healthcare-development-portal-care-labs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20146/solve-care-launches-healthcare-development-portal-care-labs.html Wed, 08 Dec 2021 13:10:00 +0530 Solve.Care has launched a new development portal Care.Labs. Care. Labs will help to guide both physicians and developers in designing and creating Care Networks on the Solve.Care decentralised blockchain platform.    Care.Labs collate documentation, tutorials, videos, support blogs, and guides, making it easy for practitioners to learn the basics and start creating the healthcare decentralised Care Networks.   This is the first release of the developer portal, where physicians and developers can learn about the Solve.Care Platform, its components, find out how to create their own Care Network, and build one by experimenting with a sandbox using Solve.Care’s dedicated GitHub repository.    The Care.Labs development portal will continue to evolve as more functionalities and tools are added to it. This will provide physicians and developers with the ability to build even the most complex Care Networks with ease. Solve.Care is empowering each physician with digital capabilities never seen before, beginning with this new launch. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20144/iccs-virtual-session-calls-for-cdss-implementation-across-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20144/iccs-virtual-session-calls-for-cdss-implementation-across-india.html Wed, 08 Dec 2021 10:50:00 +0530 Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), recently organised a virtual session under #ICCHealthcareInitiatives focusing on Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS). The session delved into the importance of evidence-based medicine and to initiate a dialogue around the successful utilisation of the Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS). Chaired by Dr Ramakant Deshpande, Executive Chairman Asian Cancer Institute; Member, ICC National Healthcare Committee; the event, was attended by renowned clinicians and experts from the healthcare Industry.   Dr Ramakant Deshpande, reiterated the need for elevating healthcare delivery in India through digital support tools, to ensure better patient outcomes.    Dr Sanjeev Singh, Medical Director, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, highlighted the need for interventions like CDSS, which is poised to be a game-changer in the way we deliver healthcare in India.    Dr K Madan Gopal believes while creating digital health IDs is a much-needed initiative from the government, efforts need to be made with regards to medical errors.    According to Prof Dr Suptendra Nath Sarbadhikari, Fellow International Academy of Health Sciences Informatics Expert, Roster for Digital Health -WHO, there is a lack of awareness and adoption of technology to ensure proper health in smaller cities and remote areas of the country.    Harish Ramachandran, Country Manager, Clinical Effectiveness, Wolters Kluwer, India, highlighted the role of technology in ensuring access to healthcare for all. He went on to add that CDSS ensures both - value for the care team and improved patient outcomes. As technology continues to evolve, it plays a crucial role in providing easy accessibility of healthcare to even the remotest areas. The idea is to enable clinicians to make a quicker and effective diagnosis point of care. UpToDate, by Wolters Kluwer, is an information dashboard that is authored and verified by specialists and clinicians.   “CDSS come at an advanced stage, the basic stage requires to have a robust EHR system in place. The challenge is that there is illiteracy among doctors,” added Dr Geetika Madan Patel, Governing Body Member & Medical Director, Parul University; Member, ICC National Healthcare Committee.   Dr Joy Chakraborty, COO, P.D. Hinduja Hospital & MRC, said “There is a need for plummeting the cost of CDSS, to drive widespread adoption, driving clinical effectiveness."     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20143/government-opens-aiims-and-icmr-centre-in-gorakhpur-up.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20143/government-opens-aiims-and-icmr-centre-in-gorakhpur-up.html Tue, 07 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has inaugurated All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and a new building of Regional Medical Research Center of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in Gorakhpur. The AIIMS whose foundation stone was laid in 2016 in Gorakhpur by the PM is spread over 112 acres, and constructed at a cost of Rs 1011 crore. The PM said after independence till the beginning of this century, there was only one AIIMS in the country. Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had approved 6 more AIIMS. He said work is going on across the country to build 16 new AIIMS in the last 7 years. He announced that the goal of his government is that every district in the country must have at least one medical college. The PM noted drastic reduction in the cases of Japanese Encephalitis in the area and growth of the medical Infrastructure in the area. “With AIIMS and ICMR Centre, the fight against JE will gain new strength”, he said. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20136/find-csir-igib-to-strengthen-genomic-surveillance-of-sars-cov-2-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20136/find-csir-igib-to-strengthen-genomic-surveillance-of-sars-cov-2-in-india.html Mon, 06 Dec 2021 18:40:00 +0530 FIND, the global alliance for diagnostics, has partnered with CSIR-IGIB (Institute of Genomics and Integrated Biology), New Delhi to aid India’s fight against COVID-19 by boosting sequencing capacity across the country.   The partnership aims to decentralise genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2, down to the district level by setting up MicroLabs that enable sequencing, analysis and interpretation of sequencing data with minimal turnaround time and infrastructure limited settings.    As a co-lead of the Diagnostics Pillar of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, FIND is supporting India’s efforts towards the establishment of a robust genomic surveillance system.    The partnership will provide strategic guidance to incorporate next-generation sequencing into broader national disease surveillance frameworks and inform data analyses, management and sharing based on global data policies and guidelines. It will provide a platform for knowledge-sharing and lessons learnt to inform national capacity-building efforts and policy guidance.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20135/rdif-set-to-provide-one-shot-sputnik-light-and-sputnik-m-vaccine-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20135/rdif-set-to-provide-one-shot-sputnik-light-and-sputnik-m-vaccine-in-india.html Mon, 06 Dec 2021 18:25:00 +0530 Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF, Russia’s sovereign wealth fund) is actively cooperating with India’s regulatory authorities on the registration of Sputnik Light (the one-shot vaccine based on human adenovirus serotype 26, the first component of the Sputnik V) as a standalone vaccine and a universal booster and expects it to be authorised in the country soon.   A major partner of RDIF, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, has conducted additional clinical trials of Sputnik Light in India. Positive data from these trials have also been presented to India's regulator.    Sputnik Light has proven to be safe and highly effective by real-world vaccination data. In particular, the vaccine has demonstrated efficacy of between 78.6-83.7% among the elderly as confirmed by the Ministry of Health of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Paraguay’s Ministry of Health also found Sputnik Light to be 93.5 per cent effective during the country’s ongoing vaccination campaign.   Results of a separate joint clinical trial of a combination of Sputnik Light with the AstraZeneca vaccine have demonstrated that it induces strong immunity and has a high safety profile.    RDIF has also provided India’s regulator with documents for registration of Sputnik M – the vaccine for adolescents aged 12-17. Russia's Health Ministry registered Sputnik M on November 24, 2021. It has become a new member of the Sputnik vaccines family and is offered to international markets joining Sputnik V and Sputnik Light.    Subject to the positive decision of India’s authorities, Sputnik M could become the first registered vaccine for adolescents in the country and make an important contribution to protecting the younger population.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20134/indian-arthroscopy-society-launches-surgeon-initiated-clinical-database.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20134/indian-arthroscopy-society-launches-surgeon-initiated-clinical-database.html Mon, 06 Dec 2021 18:15:00 +0530 Indian Arthroscopy Society (IAS) announced the launch of the Indian Ligament Registry (ILR). ILR is an initiative of the Indian Arthroscopy Society which is the official national organisation for arthroscopy surgeons. The registry is a pan-India, surgeon-initiated clinical database, created with the purpose of monitoring and improving the quality of ligament surgeries in India. Through the Registry, IAS aims to support improved clinical outcomes, patient safety and academic research.   ILR is capable of capturing all vital patient data before, during and after the surgery using a standardised 'click & go' form in a secured Internet portal. ILR has been developed by leading experts in the field and validated by eminent surgeons throughout the country. ILR has been technically commissioned and supported by NEC Software Solutions (NEC), a UK headquartered company that operates some of the world's biggest healthcare registries.   ILR has been tested with a pilot programme involving more than 100 surgeons and is now being rolled out across India. This is expected to benefit many thousands of surgeons who undertake ligament surgeries and millions of future patients. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20131/medpho-launches-healthcare-services-in-agra.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20131/medpho-launches-healthcare-services-in-agra.html Mon, 06 Dec 2021 15:00:00 +0530 Noida-headquartered Digital healthcare startup Medpho has launched its healthcare services in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. Shashank Saini, CEO and Founder, Medpho said, “At Medpho, we support the right to health and are dedicated to providing all healthcare services over a single call. Our focus is to become the ultimate healthcare community providing high quality, affordable, and accessible medical care services across India. We promise to offer full-stack healthcare services, including free doctor consultations, ambulance services, medicine delivery, and other medical care services to the people of Agra.”Medpho was established in October 2020 and has helped more than one lakh people in less than a year. It offers 24x7 free telephonic consultation, medicine delivery, diagnostics and ambulanceservices to the urban and rural communities.Medpho is committed to delivering the best affordable healthcare services and solutions to the communities and aims to create a robust healthcare infrastructure in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20126/special-olympics-bharat-under-the-national-health-fest-will-aim-to-screen-75000-special-athletes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20126/special-olympics-bharat-under-the-national-health-fest-will-aim-to-screen-75000-special-athletes.html Mon, 06 Dec 2021 13:25:00 +0530 FICCI and Special Olympics Bharat jointly observed the International Day of Persons with Disabilities by launching the National Health Fest for Divyangjan – We Care at the FICCI Federation House in New Delhi. The Chief Guest of the event was Olympic medal-winning boxer MC Mary Kom. The health screening initiative will reach a record 75,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities in 75 cities of India marking the 75 years of independence on World Health Day 2022 (7th April). The National Health Fest aims to set records for screening and training 75000 athletes across the country in a single day.The initiative also aims to train 7500 medical and sports professionals to provide high-quality healthcare and training to athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Moreover, 750 Special Olympics Bharat Centres will be activated to develop fitness and sports through a community-based approach. The entire programme will be driven through Central and State partnerships with relevant stakeholders.The event also featured a panel on inclusion in sports, followed by an impressive display of band and demo exercises by athletes with intellectual disabilities. Finally, an MoU for the National Health Fest was signed by FSCD (Federation of Special Care Dentistry) & AIFF (All India Football Federation) before the event concluded with a closing address by Dr Amit Bhalla, Co-Chair of Sports and Youth Affairs Committee of FICCI. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20121/experts-review-covid-19-vaccination-hesitancy-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20121/experts-review-covid-19-vaccination-hesitancy-in-india.html Sat, 04 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Few COVID-19 vaccines were anticipated in India in early 2021. However, little was known about COVID-19 vaccination acceptance among the public. A group of researchers at D. Y. Patil Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research (Pune), Babaria Institute of Pharmacy (Vadodara), KLE College of Pharmacy (Belagavi) and a few others, conducted a nationwide study to understand the public’s perception about COVID-19 vaccines. An online survey was deployed using a multi-item validated questionnaire via social media websites and networking platforms for adults in India. The researchers asked participants about vaccination willingness, concerns about vaccination, and their sociodemographic characteristics. While the majority of Indians would accept the vaccine, given the large population of India, even a small proportion of hesitant individuals would translate to millions of unvaccinated individuals. According to the researchers, strategic measures and policy decisions to enhance the rate of COVID-19 vaccination should be continuously planned and implemented in India. "Even a modest rate of vaccine hesitancy in India could translate to millions of COVID-19 vaccination refusing people across the nation leading to emerging variants and regular outbreaks for a long time in the future", said the researchers. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20117/narayana-hrudayalaya-to-set-up-multi-speciality-hospital-in-ludhiana.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20117/narayana-hrudayalaya-to-set-up-multi-speciality-hospital-in-ludhiana.html Fri, 03 Dec 2021 17:35:00 +0530 Narayana Hrudayalaya Ltd (NHL) and Ritesh Properties and Industries have joined hands to set up NHL’s first state-of-the-art multi-speciality hospital in Ludhiana, Punjab.   The hospital will come up in Hampton Homes project on NH-05 (Ludhiana-Chandigarh Highway). The hospital will be spread over two lakh sq ft with a capacity of 225 beds.    In an event held in Delhi/ NCR, Sanjeev Arora, MD, Ritesh Properties and Industries Ltd (RPIL) and Commander Navneet Bali, Director - Northern Region, Narayana Hrudayalaya from Narayana Hrudayalaya inked the agreement, thereby rolling out the project.    With the agreement signed the hospital is estimated to be operational by the year 2024.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20122/experts-urge-for-increased-pace-of-vaccination-and-need-for-booster-dose.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20122/experts-urge-for-increased-pace-of-vaccination-and-need-for-booster-dose.html Fri, 03 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0530 The Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ASSOCHAM), the apex association of the country, to create awareness and understanding about the booster dose to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on people’s health and welfare, recently organized a webinar on ‘Booster Dose for COVID-19’ under the ‘Illness to wellness’ campaign at New Delhi. Commenting on the growing concerns, Chairman of ASSOCHAM CSR Council, Anil Rajput said, “the new variant ‘Omicron’ has more mutations and a higher rate of transmissibility therefore it is important to increase the pace of vaccination and a need for a booster dose. While we must be wary of not over vaccinating, optimally utilizing surplus vaccines by administration it to people with comorbidities and front-line workers needs to considered”, he added. Dr Gautam Bhansali, Practicing physician and consultant, Bombay Hospital Institute of Medical Sciences said, "Different variants are still coming out and countries like The US and UK are still recovering from the impact, booster doses are important as they reduce the severity of the impact."  "The vaccine administration would also depend on the individual immunity and efficacy of the previous vaccines", Dr Bhansali said. The panel also discussed the vaccine hesitancy that was prevalent amongst the people. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20109/pg-health-launches-iron-deficiency-counselling-guide-for-pharmacists.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20109/pg-health-launches-iron-deficiency-counselling-guide-for-pharmacists.html Thu, 02 Dec 2021 16:00:00 +0530 P&G Health, the healthcare division of Procter & Gamble has launched the ‘First Iron Deficiency Diagnosis and Counselling Guide’ for pharmacists on the occasion of Iron Deficiency Day 2021.   It was developed using the ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists) Guidelines on Pharmacist-Conducted Patient Education and Counseling and IDA-specific management considerations from peer-reviewed literature.   The guide, with its novel four-step framework, will equip pharmacists to better engage and counsel patients on Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA).   Armed with this structured guide, pharmacists would be even better equipped in detecting high-risk patients, identifying their symptoms, and counselling them on nutritional and lifestyle modifications. It will be rolled out progressively worldwide starting with Southeast Asia and India.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20106/cadexomer-iodine-a-better-option-to-treat-diabetic-foot-ulcer-jj-hospital-doctor.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20106/cadexomer-iodine-a-better-option-to-treat-diabetic-foot-ulcer-jj-hospital-doctor.html Thu, 02 Dec 2021 15:10:00 +0530 Cadexomer iodine is a newer entrant in wound care management and appears to be a better option in healing ulcers especially in diabetic patients with chronic wounds and biofilms. Cadexomer iodine renders additional benefits compared to older iodine formulations with proven safety while treating diabetic foot ulcers. “Cadexomer iodine is an antimicrobial dressing ointment with dual benefits. It absorbs all the unwanted fluids from the wounds and in turn, releases iodine slowly which ensures antiseptic action for a prolonged duration,” said Dr Milind Ruke, Associate Prof General Surgery, Diabetic Foot & HyperBaric Division, JJ Hospital.He further adds, “In my experience, Cadexomer iodine promotes a clean wound healing environment, clears infection effectively, minimises pain, and accelerates healing. It also has an economic advantage, since it reduces the number of dressing changes required unlike older iodine versions and decreases the overall cost of therapy.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20098/johns-hopkins-university-backed-project-accelerate-launches-safezindagi-in-platform.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20098/johns-hopkins-university-backed-project-accelerate-launches-safezindagi-in-platform.html Wed, 01 Dec 2021 14:15:00 +0530 On World AIDS Day, Project ACCELERATE, a programme funded by USAID/PEPFAR and implemented by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, in partnership with YRGCARE, The Fenway Institute and Blue Lotus Advisory under the technical guidance of National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), launched safezindagi.in. The online platform will offer information and services for HIV testing, prevention, treatment, and retention in care through the public sector and private organisations of India in collaboration with various community-based organisations.   Safezindagi.in aims to be a comprehensive demand generation and service delivery online platform for risk assessment, innovative prevention, and testing services (like PrEP and HIV self-testing) with linkage to treatment including teleconsultation with medical and counselling professionals to ensure adherence and retention on care. Safe Zindagi has a team of trained counsellors, ready to support users with testing services virtually, answer their questions, offer to counsel, and arrange linkage to doctors and health centres. Safe Zindagi is currently active in 49 cities across 20 states of India.   Users can order HIV self-testing kits on Safezindagi.in and get these couriered to a convenient location or even pick up the kits from nearby listed pick up points. Users can choose to test themselves on their own or under expert supervision.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20091/silexon-partners-with-excelra.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20091/silexon-partners-with-excelra.html Wed, 01 Dec 2021 12:15:00 +0530 Excelra, a leading global data and analytics provider, announced its partnership with Silexon AI Technology, a next-generation biotech company with a scalable AI/ML (Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning) platform for drug discovery and biopharmaceutical research.   Under the agreement, Excelra will provide ADMET and Binding Assays datasets from its GOSTAR database to Silexon. GOSTAR provides comprehensive information encompassing over 8 million compounds and contains more than 28 million SAR associated data points. The well-structured relational database can be utilized for diverse applications across different phases of drug discovery and development and aids in target validation, hit identification, early lead Identification, and optimisation.   Silexon's AI/ML platform uses both high-quality, real-world biological data and outstanding machine learning capabilities to aid in de novo drug design, drug discovery, and biopharmaceutical research through its disruptive predictive tools that help streamline the discovery and design process, thus shortening the time to market for new life-saving drugs. Silexon focuses on innovative biomedicines with unique target product profiles for undruggable, difficult-to-drug, and novel targets in multiple therapeutic areas.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20090/gilead-picks-amazon-as-cloud-provider-for-new-medicines-development.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20090/gilead-picks-amazon-as-cloud-provider-for-new-medicines-development.html Wed, 01 Dec 2021 08:40:00 +0530 US-based Gilead Sciences has selected Amazon Web Services (AWS) as its preferred cloud provider. Innovating on AWS and with the help of AWS experts and partners in healthcare and life sciences, Gilead provides its data scientists with the latest advances in machine learning and analytics.   The capabilities fuel data-driven decision making across the organisation—from biomarker discovery through manufacturing and clinical trial recruitment—and deliver insights that can help Gilead refine its drug pipeline.   The company also relies on AWS to host all workloads for its enterprise resource planning (ERP) transformation project to implement SAP S/4HANA.   The use of AWS’s compute, machine learning, and database capabilities will support the analysis and integration of diverse genomics, imaging, and experimental datasets to support breakthroughs in how Gilead diagnoses and treats diseases.    This is Gilead’s first implementation of production-scale ERP systems in the cloud, and AWS provides the company’s IT transformation team with scalable, secure, and high-performing infrastructure.    The company also plans to migrate hundreds of applications to AWS, which include critical applications that support industry good practices (GxP) guidelines and regulations in areas like drug manufacturing, storage, and distribution.          ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20088/medcords-aayu-app-to-provide-employment-opportunities-for-indian-youth.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20088/medcords-aayu-app-to-provide-employment-opportunities-for-indian-youth.html Tue, 30 Nov 2021 17:00:00 +0530 MedCords has recently launched the Aayu Ambassadors programme to spread awareness about healthcare across India. The programme will provide employment opportunities for youth to be known as ‘Aayu Ambassadors’ across the country. Around 10,000 youths will be employed as Aayu Ambassadors.   Shreyans Mehta, the co-founder at MedCords, stated that the services of the Aayu App are now being used in cities, villages, and even hamlets in large numbers. The objective of the Aayu App is to provide efficient, accessible, and affordable healthcare services to every Indian.   Aayu Ambassador programme launched by Aayu App will rope in youths from across the country to spread awareness about health among the people. Through this programme, youth will educate people about how to order medicines, consult specialist doctors, get the lab tests done and create health ID for the entire family, on the Aayu App, from their home, free of cost. One can also access his/her health records through the App, anytime anywhere. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20087/augnito-with-digiswasthya-to-make-healthcare-accessible-in-rural-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20087/augnito-with-digiswasthya-to-make-healthcare-accessible-in-rural-india.html Tue, 30 Nov 2021 16:35:00 +0530 As part of its CSR initiative, Augnito has partnered with DigiSwasthya, a health tech non-profit organisation in making medical help accessible in rural India. Augnito handed over the keys to a multi-purpose vehicle that can be used for conducting camps in the remotest of areas to DigiSwasthya, a health tech non-profit organisation that makes healthcare accessible across rural India.   The vehicle will be used for conducting camps in the remotest of areas. DigiSwasthya’s on the ground team goes to villages and conducts door to door campaigns through which they spread awareness about telemedicine and on how to avail a teleconsultation through the DigiSwasthya Foundation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20077/first-ivf-and-fertility-centre-opens-in-up.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20077/first-ivf-and-fertility-centre-opens-in-up.html Mon, 29 Nov 2021 17:25:00 +0530 Yashoda Super Specialty Hospital, Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad has set up a comprehensive fertility clinic with state-of-the-art treatment and diagnostic facilities.    The centre is the brainchild of IVF specialists Dr Gauri Agrawal who is also the Co-Founder of Seeds of Innocence. Seeds of Innocence owns and operates 14 IVF & Surrogacy centres across eight Indian states.   The revamped centre along with the launch of the centre of excellence in foetal medicine and medical genetics was graced by Chief Guest Brajesh Pathak, Minister of Law & Justice, Legislative and Rural Engineering Services, Uttar Pradesh and Guest of Honour Atul Garg, Minister of State, Medical and Health, Family Welfare, Maternal and Child Welfare Department, Uttar Pradesh.    Seeds of Innocence, Ghaziabad has been developed adhering to international standards of medical infrastructure and facilities and specialises in Assisted Reproductive Technologies, treatment of infertility, management of high-risk pregnancies and genetic diagnostics. The IVF centre will be the first and only medical facility in Uttar Pradesh (UP) to be equipped with a dedicated department of foetal medicine.   Dr Agrawal says, "Our Lucknow centre will be operational soon, and will be launching our international centre in Oman.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20076/jaslok-hospital-unveils-heart-transplant-prog-in-mumbai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20076/jaslok-hospital-unveils-heart-transplant-prog-in-mumbai.html Mon, 29 Nov 2021 17:15:00 +0530 Mumbai-based Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre has announced the launch of a heart transplant programme and division at their unit in Mumbai.   The programme will be helmed by leading cardiac surgeon Dr KR Balakrishnan who is a pioneer in the space of heart transplants in the country. Jaslok Hospital will be partnering with MGM Hospital in Chennai to bring the programme alive.    The programme will provide outstanding quality and outcome, comprehensive support services, easily accessible care, a team consisting of transplant surgeons, critical care experts, infectious diseases consultants, specially trained support nursing and other paramedical staff for ICU and wards, liaison officers, transplant coordinators, dedicated beds in ICU, cardiac rehab, and specialised post-op care.   The launch event was presided by dignitaries such as Dr SK Mathur, President ZTCC, Dr Suresh Rao, Cardiologist, MGM Hospital Chennai, Dr A B Mehta, Director Cardiology Dr Hemant Pathare, Additional Director of Heart & Lung transplant at Jaslok Hospital, along with others from the Jaslok Hospital team.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20069/healthjobs-ones-nursing-conference-delves-deep-into-sustained-growth-opportunities-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20069/healthjobs-ones-nursing-conference-delves-deep-into-sustained-growth-opportunities-.html Mon, 29 Nov 2021 12:45:00 +0530 Healthjobs.One, an initiative by Medvarsity, recently organised a conferencefor the nursing community – ‘New frontiers in Nursing - Sustained Growth & Opportunities' in Delhi.Recognising that nurses are at the heart of the healthcare system, Gerald Jaideep, CEO, Medvarsity opened the session with a keynote outlining the career path for a nurse in our country. He also spoke of the improved healthcare outcome with the availability of better-skilled nurses from the community.Eminent speakers from healthcare and the nursing fraternity shared insights from their areas of expertise. The list of speakers included Prof (Dr) Bimla Kapoor, Chairperson, National Nursing Commission; Vinodh Krishnakutty, Nursing Director, Medanta the Medicity; Nomita Sarkar, Head of Nursing Services, Manipal Hospitals; Shallu Kakkar, VP Recruitment & Operations, Apollo Education UK; Maryline Flinsi, Nursing Principal, Apollo School of Nursing. The key themes of the event revolved around nursing and healthcare covering topics like improving patient outcomes through workforce redeployment and diversification, strategic imperatives for today’s nurse leaders, Nursing in India: awaiting a bright future, effective manpower utilisation, emerging trends in nursing education. More than 100 senior and mid-level healthcare leaders attended the conference and approximately 3000 guests attended the Youtube live session. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20068/octacopter-drone-delivers-covid-19-vaccines-to-ib-areas-of-jk.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20068/octacopter-drone-delivers-covid-19-vaccines-to-ib-areas-of-jk.html Sun, 28 Nov 2021 12:40:00 +0530 COVID-19 vaccines were recently transported to International Border (IB) in the Marh area of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The Octacopter drone has been developed indigenously in Bengaluru at the initiative of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) under the Ministry of Science & Technology.   The first consignment of 50 vials of COVID-19 vaccine was dropped by the drone near the IB in Marh area. On the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister for Science & Technology, in the presence of Advisor Health to Lieutenant Governor Jammu & Kashmir Rajeev Bhatnagar, formally handed over the first consignment of COVID-19 vaccine to drone operators, who then mounted the same on the drone which it took off for its air journey.   The road distance from Jammu to Marh is about 15 km and takes 50 to 60 minutes by road, but the Octacopter delivered the vaccine within 20 minutes. CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL) and CSIR-IIIM have teamed with the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Jammu for aerial delivery of COVID-19 vaccine in remote areas.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20063/fujifilm-indias-tb-campaign-reaches-kanpur.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20063/fujifilm-indias-tb-campaign-reaches-kanpur.html Fri, 26 Nov 2021 16:35:00 +0530 Fujifilm India, under the 'Never Stop: Screening to Reduce Diagnostic Delays' campaign has taken a step forward and reached Kanpur. Fujifilm India aims to increase awareness on TB and identify individuals having TB symptoms among vulnerable and marginalised sections of the society by introducing a mobile van with an X-ray facility along with a field team and community volunteers. After successfully propagating the awareness regarding the deadly disease and mobilising communities to take steps for elimination of TB in Delhi, the van moved to Dadri, Uttar Pradesh followed by Dehradun, Haridwar, Haldwani, Rudrapur and has now arrived in Kanpur, at Charrad Chaura, Bakerganj area.Under the 'Never Stop: Screening to Reduce Diagnostic Delays' campaign, Fujifilm India by offering door-to-door awareness aims to mobilize the vulnerable and marginalised sections of the society for fighting tuberculosis. Additionally, it will also provide instant interpretation of mobile digital X-rays using Qure.ai's artificial intelligence solution. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20059/vhealth-launches-24-7-teleconsultation-services.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20059/vhealth-launches-24-7-teleconsultation-services.html Fri, 26 Nov 2021 09:05:00 +0530 vHealth by Aetna will provide 24/7 teleconsultations through vHealth India mobile app or by visiting the website. Members can book vHealth doctor consultations in 8 regional languages between 8 am and 8 pm, every day except Sunday and national holidays.    vHealth Members can choose to avail teleconsultation with general physicians in eight regional languages - Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Gujarati, Bengali, Oriya, Marathi and Telugu as well as Hindi and English. Teleconsultations in Hindi and English are available round-the-clock every day.   vHealth doctors provide medical advice and treatment for illnesses, management of chronic diseases, second opinion guidance on alternative treatment options and interpretation of diagnostic reports. Consultations can be booked through the vHealth India mobile app, website or Customer Care. vHealth encourages members to opt for video consultation with our doctors for better and holistic treatment and diagnosis.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20065/narayan-rane-launches-unique-anti-bacterial-fabric.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20065/narayan-rane-launches-unique-anti-bacterial-fabric.html Fri, 26 Nov 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Union Minister for Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Narayana Rane has launched the unique anti-bacterial fabric developed by Kumarappa National Handmade Paper Institute, Jaipur, under the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC). The fabric is treated with anti-bacterial agent extracted from cow dung which prevents bacterial growth in the fabric. Rane said, this innovative fabric could be great use in hospitals and other medical facilities.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20058/experts-discuss-role-of-technology-innovation-in-achieving-malaria-elimination-goal.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20058/experts-discuss-role-of-technology-innovation-in-achieving-malaria-elimination-goal.html Thu, 25 Nov 2021 18:00:00 +0530 Malaria No More (MNM) hosted the ‘Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave’ which brought together healthcare experts to discuss and improve India’s strategy for malaria elimination. The conclave featured sessions on malaria in India, research and development for malaria elimination, industry perspectives and recommendations to help India meet its malaria elimination target. Stakeholders from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, World Health Organization, India Meteorological Department (IMD), Indian Council of Medical Research, National Centre for Vector-Borne Disease Control, and industry were present at the conclave. The conclave was hosted at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. Dr PK Sen - Principal Advisor, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare said, “There is a need to leverage technology and innovation to move forward in our efforts to achieve malaria elimination”. Dr PL Joshi - Former Director, erstwhile NVBDCP (currently NCVBDC) said, “The task ahead is to address the urgency of tracking all cases with efficient surveillance, for this, we need to use information technology effectively supplemented with community engagement, quality control and capacity building”. Dr Chitra Gupta - Director - Healthcare, US-India Strategic Partnership Forum commented, “The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) is committed to supporting the Government of India’s National Framework for Malaria Elimination in India by 2030. Multi-sectoral collaboration, public-private-people partnerships and technology-led solutions will pave the way forward for a robust malaria control programme, and we look forward to working with our partners like Malaria No More to achieve these goals together”. Dr Kaushik Sarkar, Director, IMACS, Director In-charge, Malaria No More India said “I urge all stakeholders to come together to collectively solve a centuries-old scourge in the next five years by connecting the dots”. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20057/idsa-confers-aster-medcity-with-center-of-excellence-in-antimicrobial-stewardship-designation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20057/idsa-confers-aster-medcity-with-center-of-excellence-in-antimicrobial-stewardship-designation.html Thu, 25 Nov 2021 16:35:00 +0530 Aster Medcity has been conferred by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) with the Center of Excellence title in Antimicrobial Stewardship. The programme recognises institutions that have implemented a robust Antimicrobial Stewardship Program over years using the multi-pronged interventions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and can demonstrate results that meet global standards.  The aim is to ensure that patients with infectious complications/ syndromes managed by the hospital are provided with appropriate antimicrobial therapy that is evidence-based and to achieve the best results, curtailing the collateral damage of evolving antimicrobial resistance. Dr Anup R Warrier, Head - Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Aster DM Healthcare - India Units, said, “To improve patient outcomes and reduce resistance, we are committed to AMS by practising an integrated approach to AMS, combining clinical infectious diseases, infection control, microbiology, and clinical pharmacy inputs – all implemented using the unique ‘Handshake Model.'" ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20050/fortis-escorts-faridabad-introduces-cryo-tech-for-lung-cancer-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20050/fortis-escorts-faridabad-introduces-cryo-tech-for-lung-cancer-treatment.html Thu, 25 Nov 2021 09:05:00 +0530 Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad has introduced the latest, state-of-the-art technology in the field of interventional pulmonology, the Cryo technique. The technology will enable biopsies of endobronchial tumours (tumours inside the windpipe). and will be crucial in improving clinical outcomes for lung cancer patients. The technique has been introduced under the aegis of Dr Ravi Shekhar Jha, Additional Director and Consultant, Pulmonology, Fortis Escorts Hospital Faridabad. Dr Jha, Additional Director and HOD, Pulmonology, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad said, “Cryo-technology helps in early diagnosis and palliative care in later stages of cancer also. The minimally invasive procedure is used to remove larger cancerous outgrowths in the lung using a freezing process that prevents bleeding that occurs with a normal biopsy. This is one of the safest procedures for tumour debulking." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20044/goqii-launches-women-care-solutions.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20044/goqii-launches-women-care-solutions.html Wed, 24 Nov 2021 14:45:00 +0530 GOQii Smart Healthcare has announced the launch of its ‘WomenCare' Solutions in GOQii App and Smart Vital Devices. With this launch, the fully integrated health preventative platform enables women to track menstruation, pregnancy, predict menstrual cycle, ovulation day, fertile window along with predictions like High/Low/Medium chances of getting pregnant and more. The handy features incorporated within GOQii App’s Women Care Feature will make it simple for its users to record their health data.Based on the data provided by users about their menstruation cycle like cycle length, commencement date of their last period, average cycle duration - algorithms on the GOQii app will calculate the estimated date of ovulation, the fertile period, and the date of their upcoming cycle.  The preventive healthcare platform also provides insights like flow intensity, potential mood swings along other notable symptoms to the user. It also notifies the user to log their cycle if missed.The ‘Track Pregnancy’ feature in GOQii App helps women track their week wise progress of baby’s weight, height and other parameters. If the user activates the pregnancy mode, a countdown to the birth of the baby will be shown and cycle prediction will be deactivated. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20037/new-guidelines-for-multi-system-inflammatory-syndrome-associated-with-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20037/new-guidelines-for-multi-system-inflammatory-syndrome-associated-with-covid-19.html Tue, 23 Nov 2021 00:00:00 +0530 The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued updated guidelines on the management of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children associated with COVID-19 (MIS-C). MIS-C is a rare but serious condition where children with COVID-19 develop inflammation affecting different organs of the body. Children with this condition need specialized care, and may need to be admitted to intensive care. Although MIS-C is a serious condition, with the right medical care, children with this condition recover. WHO’s updated guidelines recommend the use of corticosteroids in hospitalized children (aged 0-18 years) with this condition, in addition to supportive treatment and care. This recommendation comes following the availability of three observational studies, pooling data from 885 patients in total. Overall, children remain at a low of risk of developing severe or critical COVID-19, but similar to adults, certain underlying conditions make children more susceptible to severe disease. The most commonly reported of these conditions are obesity, chronic lung disease (including asthma), cardiovascular disease and immunosuppression.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20030/ffd-launches-diabetes-awareness-drive.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20030/ffd-launches-diabetes-awareness-drive.html Mon, 22 Nov 2021 17:30:00 +0530 Freedom from Diabetes (FFD), specialising in diabetes reversal, has announced the launch of a mega awareness drive to educate, support and inspire diabetics across the world to lead healthier lives. As part of the initiative, FFD will undertake a ‘Smoothie Drive’ campaign till November 28, in which beneficiaries of FFD’s Diabetes Reversal programme will volunteer to serve a healthy smoothie to their acquaintances who may be suffering from diabetes. The campaign will be rolled out globally and expects to serve one lakh individuals with the smoothies. The campaign’s underlying objective is to educate people on the root cause of diabetes and to clear the myths around it.Through the campaign, as a first step, FFD aims to promote a change towards healthy consumption choices. Second, it hopes to garner trust amongst diabetics through first-hand stories of individuals who have successfully not only reversed diabetes. The campaign will culminate on November 30. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20025/azim-premji-university-unveils-health-care-equity-in-urban-india-report.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20025/azim-premji-university-unveils-health-care-equity-in-urban-india-report.html Mon, 22 Nov 2021 14:20:00 +0530 Azim Premji University, in collaboration with 17 regional NGOs across India, launched the 'Health Care Equity in Urban India' report, a compendium of learnings that unpack health vulnerabilities and inequalities in cities in India.   The report explores the understanding of health vulnerabilities of urban poor, availability, accessibility and cost of healthcare facilities and possibilities in future-proofing services in the next decade. It draws insight from data collected through detailed interactions with civil society organisations in cities and towns across Mumbai, Bengaluru, Surat, Lucknow, Guwahati, Ranchi, and Delhi. This also included analysis of National Family and Health Surveys (NHFS), Census of India and inputs from state-level health officials on the provision of health care.     The report finds that there are critical factors that disrupt quality healthcare services to the poor. These are:   Disproportionate disease burden on the poor Chaotic urban health governance The financial burden on the poor Urban local bodies are less invested in healthcare   The report calls for: Strengthening community participation and governance Building a comprehensive and dynamic database on the health and nutrition status, including co-morbidities of the diverse, vulnerable populations  Strengthening healthcare provisioning through the National Urban Health Mission, especially for primary health care services and Putting in place policy measures to reduce the financial burden of the poor, better mechanism for coordinated public health care services and better governed private healthcare institutions.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20023/medlounges-launches-wellness-programme-body-shaping-and-contouring-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20023/medlounges-launches-wellness-programme-body-shaping-and-contouring-in-india.html Mon, 22 Nov 2021 14:10:00 +0530 Kerala-based Medlounges has launched its unique wellness programme Body Shaping and Contouring in India. The 360° wellness approach has been designed by Dr Joseph Thomas.  The multi-disciplinary state-of-the-art ultra-modern facility is spread over an area of 30,000 sq ft with an ample parking facility of around 10,000 sq ft. Through this new initiative, Body Shaping and Contouring, the company follows a very simple non-invasive body shaping procedure by involving pulsed ultrasound energy to destroy selective fat cells. Moreover, vaser liposuction which is a US patented program will be strategized and performed by the panel of doctors to ensure a quicker result. Dr Joseph Thomas, Founder and the Medical Director, Medlounges said, “We are proud to introduce this unique wellness programme in India, with our ardent customer base and elongated market presence, we are confident that Medlounges could further strengthen its foothold in the body shaping and contouring as well."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20021/renova-group-forays-into-cancer-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20021/renova-group-forays-into-cancer-care.html Mon, 22 Nov 2021 12:40:00 +0530 Renova Hospitals, a multi-speciality hospital chain with its branches at Langar Houz, Sanath Nagar, Kompally and Banjara Hills, has forayed into cancer care by inaugurating Renova Soumya Cancer Hospital, its first cancer care facility at Kharkana, Secunderabad.    The centre was inaugurated by Prof Abhijat Sheth, President, National Board of Examinations as chief guest along with Prof Shiva Kant Misra, Vice President, National Board of Examinations. The event was also attended by Dr Ajay Kumar, Former Member, National Board of Examinations and Dr E Ravindra Reddy, National Vice President-Elect, Indian Medical Association as Special Guests.    P Sridhar, MD, Renova Hospitals, Hyderabad explained, "The new facility at Kharkana is a 100-bedded hospital that was set up with an investment of Rs 60 crore. In future, another 40 beds will be added to the current facility."   The hospital will have TRUE BEAM with HYPER ARC radiation machine, the first in Hyderabad and 4D PET CT for accurate diagnosis. Further explaining the plans, Dr Sridhar has explained that Renova is planning to set up around 10 cancer facilities in various parts of India that includes Delhi, Allahabad, Jaipur etc with an investment of around Rs500 crores.        ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20011/kr-hospital-in-mysore-upgrades-critical-care-infra-via-dozees-millionicu-initiative.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20011/kr-hospital-in-mysore-upgrades-critical-care-infra-via-dozees-millionicu-initiative.html Fri, 19 Nov 2021 12:15:00 +0530 Dozee’s MillionICU, an initiative that addresses the massive shortage of ICU beds and staff in public hospitals has upgraded 35 normal beds into step-down ICUs in Krishna Rajendra Hospital in Mysuru district to facilitate critical care for 1000+ patients over the next three months. Dozee has also set up a 24x7 Central Monitoring Cell at the hospital which enables healthcare staff to monitor multiple patients remotely from gynaecology and surgical ICU departments who were previously monitored manually only every couple of hours.    The MillionICU initiative was launched to enable public hospitals to tide over the COVID-19 crisis in the short term and bring about a rapid, long-term transformation in India’s public healthcare infrastructure. Under the initiative, hospital beds will be installed with Dozee’s contactless sensors powered by an AI-based triaging system that enables continuous (more than 100 times per hour) and accurate monitoring of a patient’s heart rate, respiratory rate, and other clinical parameters like sleep apnea and myocardial performance metrics without coming in contact with the patient. By setting up such a connected healthcare system Dozee aims to digitalise the health monitoring as well as to improve the ICU throughput. MillionICU has been recently recognized as the best Indigenous COVID Response Project at the 5th CSR Health Impact Awards organised by IHW Council.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20018/c-camp-unveils-innovation-hub-to-combat-antimicrobial-resistance-amr.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20018/c-camp-unveils-innovation-hub-to-combat-antimicrobial-resistance-amr.html Fri, 19 Nov 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) has launched the India AMR Innovation Hub (IAIH), a unique global multi-stakeholder platform. Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) is world’s biggest healthcare challenge, also termed as Silent Pandemic. In this context, C-CAMP has brought together national and global stakeholders in AMR to make an impact and change in India with a common objective i.e. fight against AMR.  IAIH will focus on Human AMR, Human-Animal interface or One Health Approach and Neglected Tropical Disease (NTDs) and aim to create a globally connected ecosystem that includes an experienced scientific and clinical knowledge base, regulatory expertise, capability and capacity building support such as funding and advanced R & D infrastructure, multi-pronged policy measures for Public Health and improving access, AMR stewardship and public communication for raising public awareness. IAIH partners include national and global AMR stakeholders from public health organizations (WHO), philanthropic organizations (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation), non-profits (CARB-X, FIND, PATH, GARDP, DNDi), Academic & Research Institutes and Hospitals (Narayana Health, Cytecare Cancer Hospitals, RxDx Healthcare, ChanRe Rheumatology and Immunology Centre and Research, St John’s Medical College and Hospital) and industry (Zydus Cadila, Gangagen, Bugworks Johnson & Johnson, Elanco, Godrej Agrovet) and support from Government agencies (ICMR, DBT, ICAR). IAIH will continue to add more partners and expertise. The IAIH will soon outline specific interventions and prioritize focus areas in alignment with the National Action Plan on AMR.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20005/reliance-jio-backed-karexperts-digital-solutions-adopted-by-13-indian-states.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20005/reliance-jio-backed-karexperts-digital-solutions-adopted-by-13-indian-states.html Thu, 18 Nov 2021 16:45:00 +0530 Reliance Jio-backed KareXpert has announced that hospitals and healthcare centres are now using its services in 13 states across the nation, including Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Uttarakhand. The announcement comes in line with KareXpert’s mission to deliver digital healthcare services in India (inclusive of tier 2 and 3 cities), enabling citizens to access quality and affordable healthcare. KareXpert aims to streamline the Indian healthcare infrastructure by bringing digital healthcare disruption with the latest technologies to every hospital of India, irrespective of their size and location. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20004/colgate-india-partners-with-roche-diabetes-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20004/colgate-india-partners-with-roche-diabetes-care.html Thu, 18 Nov 2021 16:35:00 +0530 Colgate-Palmolive and Roche Diabetes Care India (RDC) have partnered to fulfil their commitment to creating a comprehensive ecosystem of oral care for better diabetes management. The two companies have designed and launched a unique programme called ‘Smile Check, Diabetes Check’, a first-of-its-kind initiative to address, identify, and highlight the importance of oral care in overall diabetes management. Keeping in line with the theme of World Diabetes Day 2021-23— ‘Access to Diabetes Care’, the unique partnership will enable better access to diabetes management through blood sugar screening and education at dental clinics across the country. As part of the collaboration, RDC will provide Accu-Chek test kits to dental clinics spread across 100 towns and villages in India. The dental clinics will be enabled to conduct blood sugar screening using these devices. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20001/there-is-an-urgent-need-to-prioritise-care-for-copd-patients-in-india-experts.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/20001/there-is-an-urgent-need-to-prioritise-care-for-copd-patients-in-india-experts.html Thu, 18 Nov 2021 12:45:00 +0530 India is the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) capital of the world and ranks second in the world in COPD deaths. Public awareness of COPD is poor, which can result in a delay in COPD diagnosis. Further, delayed diagnosis and poor/suboptimal COPD management can result in flare-up of the disease leading to an attack in the lungs. Says Dr Prashant Saxena, Director and HOD, Pulmonary and Sleep Dept, Associate Director - Critical Care, MAX Hospital, Saket said, “Persistent exposure to the risk factors and repeated respiratory infections can aggravate the underlying COPD leading to a lung attack. The lack of awareness of COPD contributes significantly to preventing people from seeking help and reaching out to their doctors. Identifying the signs and symptoms of COPD and lung attack and getting timely help from a physician is the best way to prevent further worsening of disease progression. If smokers and other people with risk factors understand that they can get a lung attack that requires urgent medical attention they will seek help early. Timely diagnosis of the disease is important which can be done by regularly checking lung function in patients who are symptomatic and at risk of COPD." Spirometry, which is a lung function test, is the Gold Standard for the diagnosis of COPD. However, it is not commonly performed, and diagnosis is largely based on the patient’s history and symptoms. Not doing spirometry can result in a lot of COPD cases being missed. Dr Nitin Rathi from Dharmasheela Narayana Super Speciality Hospital stated, “Early screening and diagnosis plays a very crucial role in decreasing the disease burden of lung attacks. Performing spirometry in populations with respiratory symptoms is vital as it avoids misdiagnosis and assists in evaluating the severity of the airflow limitation. While the causes for respiratory ailments may not completely be in one’s control, being alert and aware for timely detection is critical.” Dr Jaideep Gogtay, Global Chief Medical Officer, Cipla, said, “At Cipla, we believe that the right awareness will help people understand the importance of early and accurate diagnosis of COPD and thus help prevent lung attack. With India having one of the highest COPD burdens in Asia, this becomes even more crucial." Recently Cipla has launched Spirofy, India's first pneumotach based portable, wireless and affordable Spirometer.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19995/manorama-infosolutions-forays-into-seychelles-with-new-healthcare-project.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19995/manorama-infosolutions-forays-into-seychelles-with-new-healthcare-project.html Wed, 17 Nov 2021 15:15:00 +0530 Manorama Infosolutions Pvt Ltd (MIPL) India, based in Kolhapur, has been awarded a prestigious country automation project from the Ministry of Health (MoH), the Republic of Seychelles.   MIPL is working closely with The Healthcare Agency—an initiative by the Ministry of Health, Seychelles—to provide digital solutions for the government-run hospitals in Seychelles. This will be immensely beneficial to the citizens, who rely on various primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare systems in the country.   A one-of-a-kind mega project in East Africa, funded by Exim Bank, India; implementing MIPL’s Lifeline International Suite. The project holds considerable relevance, as it shall deliver the implementation of the Health Information Management System (HIMS) at various hospitals, clinics, and wellness centres, among others for a total of 20 such healthcare facilities under the MoH, Seychelles province. The HIS will be utilised throughout the entire government healthcare service. This consists of 16 health centres spread over three islands and one main hospital (300 beds) with six annexes.    The project cycle complies with CMMI ML3 and is scheduled to be fully operational by the end of 2021. With this newest addition to its portfolio, MIPL has further strengthened its international footprint, which already includes countries from APAC, the Middle East and Africa, among others. MIPL’s Lifeline International Suite—a customised and tailored Hospital Information Management Solution (HIMS)—will interface with Hospital Information System (HIS) application in the National Population Database (NPD), Treasury Information System, Government HRMS, Laboratory Equipment, ASYCUDA world system, and Digital signature. MIPL has already begun the process of implementing the solution and it is expected to be completed by the end of this year.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19991/hemex-health-enhances-gazelles-poc-test-to-detect-beta-thalassemia.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19991/hemex-health-enhances-gazelles-poc-test-to-detect-beta-thalassemia.html Wed, 17 Nov 2021 12:25:00 +0530 Hemex Health announced a major enhancement to its Gazelle platform that allows its Hb Variant test to detect beta-thalassemia disease and trait in addition to sickle cell disease and trait. The enhanced Hb Variant test detects beta-thalassemia with accuracy close to the standard laboratory tests HPLC and capillary electrophoresis. Unlike lab tests, which cost tens of thousands of dollars and carry a high cost per test, the Gazelle reader from Hemex Health costs about the same as an iPhone and testing costs only a few dollars.Installed base Gazelle devices will be updated automatically with the expanded capabilities. Gazelle devices already in use for testing for sickle cell disease and trait will be updated automatically with the expanded capabilities. The upgrade transforms the Gazelle platform into the world’s first complete, low cost, on-site, rapid testing (8-minute) solution for beta-thalassemia.Gazelle makes simple programmes such as school screenings possible so that haemoglobin disorders can be detected more widely. The sensitive detection and precise quantification of variants allow Gazelle to detect beta-thalassemia in babies as young as six months, and sickle cell in newborns as early as 37 weeks gestation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19985/challenges-in-symptom-recognition-can-impact-patient-satisfaction-with-vascular-disease-abbott-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19985/challenges-in-symptom-recognition-can-impact-patient-satisfaction-with-vascular-disease-abbott-research.html Tue, 16 Nov 2021 16:30:00 +0530 Abbott has released new global market research from its Beyond Intervention initiative, the company’s multi-year global research programme designed to examine the vascular patient experience from the perspectives of patients, physicians and healthcare leaders. The latest research focuses on challenges that arise for physicians and patients during the earliest stages of the patient journey, uncovering new opportunities for health systems and hospitals to leverage technology, break down existing barriers and improve patient care. The findings from Beyond Intervention identify several key areas for improvement related to the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease. These include reducing inconsistencies in patient care delivery, improving access to technology to support accurate diagnosis, and addressing issues of health equity that result in inadequate care for underserved communities. The report also underscores the differences in how patients and healthcare providers perceive the effectiveness of the care being delivered. "The latest data from the Beyond Intervention initiative reveals diverging views between patients and healthcare administrators on how each views the patient experience and the impact of inequities across the healthcare continuum," said Nick West MD, CMO and Divisional VP of medical affairs, Abbott’s vascular business. Key insights from the research include: Improved patient experiences depend on appropriate intervention in the earliest stages of the healthcare journey. Health administrators and patients have differing views on the current patient experience. Lack of electronic medical record interoperability is causing more than patient frustration. Lack of standardised processes and technologies for diagnosis. Artificial intelligence (AI) and digital health solutions can improve patient care. Research reveals that people from underserved communities have greater challenges accessing care, understanding symptoms, and receiving diagnoses. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19981/healthtech-co-even-partners-with-fortis-narayana-and-aster-hospitals.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19981/healthtech-co-even-partners-with-fortis-narayana-and-aster-hospitals.html Tue, 16 Nov 2021 11:50:00 +0530 Healthtech company Even has partnered with Bengaluru-based Fortis Hospitals, Narayana Health and Aster DM Healthcare. This is the first-ever partnership of its kind where Even will offer its members unlimited diagnostics and consultations, and hospitalisation costs up to Rs 50 lakh through monthly subscriptions. The subscription-based membership is aimed at introducing access to high-quality, affordable healthcare in India. Additionally, patients who wish to switch from one partner hospital to another do not need to move their details or any paperwork around, all data will be available with patients’ consent. The company has launched its membership product in Bengaluru. Currently, Even has 40,000-plus waitlisted users. Even recently raised $5 million in seed funding led by Vinod Khosla (Khosla Ventures), with participation from Founders Fund (led by Peter Thiel), Lachy Groom and other investors and operators, including Nikesh Arora (CEO, Palo Alto Networks, ex-COO, Softbank), Kunal Shah (CEO, CRED) Nithin Kamath (Founder, Zerodha) and Tom Stafford (Partner, DST Global). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19986/dr-mansukh-mandaviya-inaugurates-health-pavilion-at-iitf-to-raise-awareness-on-ncds.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19986/dr-mansukh-mandaviya-inaugurates-health-pavilion-at-iitf-to-raise-awareness-on-ncds.html Tue, 16 Nov 2021 00:00:00 +0530 In the first ever cycle rally organised at the India International Trade Fair (IITF), Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare cycled to inaugurate the Health Pavilion to generate awareness and promote a healthy active lifestyle in view of the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country. The theme of this year’s Health Pavilionat the 40th IITF at Pragati Maidan is to create awareness about NCDs, also called lifestyle diseases, and project importance of total health. Speaking at the inaugural of the Health Pavilion at ITF2021, Mandaviya announced a month long campaign as part of "Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav" to create awareness about preventive health. “During this month long campaign, we have set ourselves a target of conducting 7.5 lakh Wellness Sessions and 75 lakh NCD screenings across the country though the Ayushman Bharat Health & Wellness Centres. Early screening will aid in timely identification of diseases. This is part of the overarching concept of Total Health, which is comprehensive including preventive and promotive health”, he stated. “The Fit India, Eat Right India,Khelo India, and yoga form part of the “Total Health” vision of Prime Minister which will lay the foundations for a healthy and productive New India”, he added.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19976/health-insurance-vs-mediclaim-which-is-a-better-option.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19976/health-insurance-vs-mediclaim-which-is-a-better-option.html Mon, 15 Nov 2021 00:00:00 +0530 The abundance of options and the complex features and terms under plans which qualify as the best health insurance plan in India may be difficult to navigate for many prospective policyholders. One of the most recurrent confusions people have, is choosing between a health insurance plan and a mediclaim.  Many people often conflate health insurance with mediclaim as they are both policies targeted towards fulfilling expenses made for one’s health and treatment for the same. Health insurance and mediclaim can be utilised to fulfil different aspects of their medical needs. At a time where people are actively seeking types of covid 19 insurance, and diseases are on the rise due to high-stress lifestyle choices and inflation in medical expenses such as hospitalisation, doctor fees, tests and drugs; it is imperative that people invest in insurance solutions that can protect them monetary problems and stress caused by these costs.  Let is first understand the fundamentals of both these plans and how the best health insurance plan in India can help potential policyholder fulfil their needs.  A health insurance plan is a policy that covers medical costs incurred in the course of a prolonged hospitalization, and costs post discharge as well. It is a general policy that has many variations offered by insurance providers according to age groups and family structure. One may choose from an individual health plan, a family plan, senior citizen coverage and even critical illness insurance plans.  At times of great inflation in medical and hospitalization costs, the selection of the best health insurance plan in India is a necessity for every individual, otherwise one may run the risk of having to use their emergency savings to afford these costs.  A Mediclaim is a specific type of insurance policy that promises coverage to a policyholder but under specifies capping limits. These limits may range from hospitalisation duration or certain types of illnesses. The costs are covered under a Mediclaim are usually lower when compared health insurance.  Under a mediclaim there are two ways in which a policyholder can avail their monetary claim; a cashless transaction or a reimbursement. For a cashless transaction, the policyholder will not have to make any payments post-treatment, as the insurance provider completes the payment from their end directly to the hospital/treatment centre. For a reimbursement, a policyholder may make a payment at the time of billing and then apply for a claim to the insurance provider, the sum is then reimbursed to the policyholder’s account. Now that we have established the major features of a health insurance plan and a mediclaim, let us look into the differences between the both which can enable the policyholder make the correct choice: Feature: Mediclaim features vary across insurance providers. The coverage, capping is differentially offered by providers on the basis of their personal policies. Under a health insurance plan however, a specific sum is guaranteed on expenses incurred.  Coverage: Health Insurance plans offer complete end-to-end coverage against hospitalization costs, ambulance fees, including pre and post-op care. According to the necessities of the policyholder, they can avail a sum assured in the event that their income become irregular in the event that the policyholder meets with an accident.  Under mediclaim however, only the costs of hospitalization and treatment are financially compensated by the insurance provider within some pre-determined policy limits regarding each illness.  Flexibility: A mediclaim has limited to no flexibility, whereas a health insurance plan offers ample room for a policyholder to customize their policy as per their circumstances such as reduced premiums after a specified time period, or extending one’s tenure to avail insurance till retirement and after.  Sum Assured: The sum assured under a mediclaim policy is capped at Rs 5 lacs, whereas a health insurance plan is capped at Rs 6 crore per annum. The latter all-round offers a more financially robust and extensive cover for the policyholder.  Hospitalisation: Hospitalization is necessary for a policyholder to be able to avail their mediclaim sum to cover their costs. For a health insurance plan however, one does not need to be hospitalised. Critical Illness: One of the most important features of a health insurance plan is its Critical Illness benefit which provides coverage for more than 30 critical diseases such as cancer, kidney diseases, stroke and more.  Claims: Under a mediclaim policy a policyholder can avail claims till the point their total amount has been exhausted. For health insurance plans however, one can avail claims according to their reason. For standard claims one can avail coverage till their sum assured isn’t exhausted. For situations such as disability or critical illness the policyholder can receive a lump-sum payment from the insurance provider. One must note that claims made under the aforementioned reasons are only one-time payouts.  Add Ons: One can add additional riders for critical illness, maternity, accident and accidental disability onto an existing health insurance plan, but for mediclaim there is no such provision available.    A mediclaim and health insurance plan may vary across many factors but the main goal is to aid financial expenditure at a time when the policyholder is going through treatment and recovery. Understanding the fundamentals of health insurance and Mediclaim policies both is necessary to help you choose the right plan for you. It is a relief to have that additional support and Max Life Insurance can promise the same with their wide range of plans tailor-made for policyholders according to their needs. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19968/sparsh-group-of-hospitals-launches-50-bed-hospital-for-women-children-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19968/sparsh-group-of-hospitals-launches-50-bed-hospital-for-women-children-in-bengaluru.html Sun, 14 Nov 2021 21:00:00 +0530 SPARSH Group of Hospitals announced the launch of its exclusive women and child care area, uniquely positioning it as a first of its kind super speciality hospital in Bengaluru to offer multi-modal care for women and children. Located right next to its flagship Superspecialty Hospital at Infantry Road, the unit is equipped to handle medical complexities seamlessly with the support and availability of multi-disciplinary specialists all on the same campus.   The new 50-bed facility will provide 360-degree treatment across the spectrum of healthcare for women and children. The facility comprises Neonatal Intensive Care Beds (NICU), Paediatric Intensive Care Beds (PICU) for infants and children, High dependency Unit for pregnant Women (HDU), with ultra-modern technologies. It will also include the department of foetal medicine that is equipped to manage foetal anomalies, multiple pregnancies and non-invasive prenatal testing ethically and on par with global standards. The hospital has a Level 4 Regional NICU to treat critical conditions in neonates like managing babies weighing just 500 gms at birth and premature 25 weekers. The hospital will also have a fully equipped baby (neonatology) transport ambulance available 24x7. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19967/delhis-42-samples-tested-for-hba1c-found-to-be-diabetic-srl-report.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19967/delhis-42-samples-tested-for-hba1c-found-to-be-diabetic-srl-report.html Sun, 14 Nov 2021 14:00:00 +0530 SRL Diagnostics prepared a Data Analytics Report on results of randomized samples received for Glycosylated/ Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) from January 2017 till September 2021 in Delhi. This report has been prepared based on a retrospective data mining done on results of 2,58,021 tests done for HbA1c.   A report published in 2009 by an International Expert Committee on the role of HbA1c in the diagnosis of diabetes recommended that HbA1c can be used to diagnose diabetes and that the diagnosis can be made if the HbA1c level is ≥6.5 per cent. Levels of HbA1c just below 6.5 per cent may indicate the presence of intermediate hyperglycaemia. The precise lower cut-off point for this has yet to be defined, although the ADA (The American Diabetes Association) has suggested 5.7 – 6.4 per cent as the high-risk range. While recognizing the continuum of risk that may be captured by the HbA1c assay, the International Expert Committee recommended that persons with an HbA1c level between 6.0 and 6.5 per cent were at particularly high risk and might be considered for diabetes prevention interventions.   Dr Anurag Bansal, Technical Director, SRL Diagnostics said “In our analysis for the city of Delhi, we have found that amongst the 31 and 45 age group a staggering 37 per cent samples were diagnosed with prediabetes and 39 per cent are diabetic. Early diagnosis, extensive awareness and lifestyle interventions are required to keep our future generations healthier.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19966/1-in-12-adults-in-india-affected-by-diabetes-idf-report.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19966/1-in-12-adults-in-india-affected-by-diabetes-idf-report.html Sun, 14 Nov 2021 13:45:00 +0530 The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has released new figures showing that 537 million adults are now living with diabetes worldwide — a rise of 16 per cent (74 million) since the previous IDF estimates in 2019.   These findings from the 10th Edition of the IDF Diabetes Atlas, which will be published on December 6th, report that over 74 million adults in India are living with diabetes – or one in 12 adults.    The number of people with diabetes in India is the second-highest in the world, after China (141 million). A further 40 million adults in India have Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT), which places them at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.    More than half (53.1 per cent) of people living with diabetes in India are undiagnosed. When diabetes is undetected or inadequately treated, it can cause serious and life-threatening complications, such as heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, blindness and lower-limb amputation. These result in reduced quality of life and higher healthcare costs and lead to a greater need for access to care.    “The increasing number of people living with diabetes and at risk of developing the condition in India confirms diabetes as a significant challenge to the health and wellbeing of individuals and families in the country,” says Prof Shashank Joshi, Chair, IDF South-East Asia Region.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19960/wadia-hospital-launches-sweat-chloride-testing-to-treat-cystic-fibrosis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19960/wadia-hospital-launches-sweat-chloride-testing-to-treat-cystic-fibrosis.html Fri, 12 Nov 2021 17:45:00 +0530   Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children has launched gold standard sweat chloride testing for children, adolescents, and young adults to confirm or rule out the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis. It is a progressive, genetic disease leading to persistent lung infections and breathing problems. The Department of Pulmonology at Wadia has introduced the test. The state-of-art test will be carried out in children, adolescents, and young adults with long-standing diseases like bronchiectasis, recurrent pneumonia, and failure to thrive amongst other symptoms, to rule out the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19959/experts-urge-quick-testing-disease-identification-for-pneumonia-diagnosis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19959/experts-urge-quick-testing-disease-identification-for-pneumonia-diagnosis.html Fri, 12 Nov 2021 17:35:00 +0530 Secretary of the Indian Chest Society, Dr Rajesh Swarnakar and Abbott’s General Manager for the Rapid Diagnostics business in India, Sunil Mehra recently spoke about the need for testing, a crucial step to enhance pneumonia care. According to them, timely diagnosis, such as through point-of-care rapid testing, can quickly guide targeted treatment delivery by care providers, enabling better patient outcomes. Point-of-care tests, such as urinary rapid antigen tests, can overcome the barrier of waiting time for an accurate diagnosis with laboratory tests. A rapid test is a powerful tool in the hands of doctors to enable quick testing and swift identification of the causative pathogen, often in as little as 15 minutes. As a result, care providers in clinical settings can easily recommend appropriate, targeted therapeutic approaches. Dr Swarnakar adds, “Care must be taken to follow the Indian Chest Society-National College of Chest Physicians (ICS-NCCP) established India-specific pneumonia guidelines, ensuring accurate diagnosis is received to guide proper disease management and treatment that addresses and alleviates the patient’s condition. Given the waiting time associated with laboratory-based culture tests, rapid diagnostics can be adopted to streamline this process.” Mehra opines, “At Abbott, we are committed to streamlining care for pneumonia patients through reliable and rapid diagnostics, such as with our urinary antigen card, which provides results in 15 minutes. With this easy-to-use technology, patient wait times are reduced as well as the burden on laboratories. As part of our broader Test-Target-Treat initiative, we are focusing on empowering care providers to make targeted treatment decisions sooner with rapid diagnostics. This helps facilitate prompt and effective treatment, so patients benefit from improved outcomes.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19958/centre-for-monogenic-diabetes-comes-up-in-chennai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19958/centre-for-monogenic-diabetes-comes-up-in-chennai.html Fri, 12 Nov 2021 17:10:00 +0530 The Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) and Dr Mohan's Diabetes Specialities Centre have announced the inauguration of the Centre for Monogenic Diabetes at Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre’s, Gopalapuram premises in Chennai. The Centre for Monogenic Diabetes has been set up to identify all such children who may be having monogenic forms of diabetes like MODY or Neonatal Diabetes. The Madras Diabetes Research Foundation is recognised as a Centre for Advanced Research in Diabetes by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). It has been recognised as a nodal centre for Monogenic Diabetes in India and patients are referred from all over India to the centre to rule out monogenic diabetes. The Centre for Monogenic Diabetes was inaugurated virtually by Subramanian, Minister for Health, Medical Education & Family Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu. Dr V. Mohan, Chairman, Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre; Dr Ranjit Unnikrishnan, Vice Chairman, Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre; Dr RM Anjana, Managing Director, Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre; Dr Radha Venkatesan, Head of Genomics, Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre; were also present on the occasion. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19955/high-prevalence-of-post-covid-19-fatigue-in-patients-with-type-2-diabetes-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19955/high-prevalence-of-post-covid-19-fatigue-in-patients-with-type-2-diabetes-study.html Fri, 12 Nov 2021 11:10:00 +0530   A study conceived by Dr Anoop Misra, Executive Chairman and Director, Diabetes and Endocrinology, Fortis C-DOC, conducted jointly by Fortis C-DOC, AIIMS, C-NET, N-DOC and Diabetes Foundation and published in the journal, Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews, reveals that Type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients who had COVID-19 showed significantly more fatigue when compared with patients who did not have COVID-19. The results show that diabetes complicates the course of COVID-19 and results in excess morbidity and mortality; the presence of diabetes also influences PCS via various pathophysiological mechanisms. Further, diabetes poses challenges in the recovery of patients. This is a first of its kind study globally.  The study objective was to assess the prevalence of fatigue using the CFQ-11 and handgrip strength (as a surrogate marker for sarcopenia or muscle mass and power) in patients with Type 2 diabetes after COVID-19 infection and to compare them against patients with diabetes without a history of COVID-19. The sample size assessed was 108 type 2 diabetes patients.  The methodology followed was to assess patients with T2D who came to the OPD at Fortis CDOC Hospital for Diabetes and Allied Sciences, New Delhi. Patients studied included 52 Type 2 Diabetes patients who had suffered from COVID with mild to moderate severity; 56 Type 2 diabetes patients who did not suffer from COVID. Both groups were matched for age, duration of diabetes, BMI, TSH, serum albumin and vitamin D levels. Matching was done for common factors which may cause fatigue; 25(OH)D, serum albumin and TSH levels. The average time of presentation of patients post-COVID was 92 (range 32-262) days. Symptoms were scored using Chalder Fatigue Scale (reported as fatigue score, FS) and handgrip strength (in kg) was recorded by Jamar Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer.             ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19950/swiss-based-oncocoin-to-launch-crypto-token-amrit-for-patients-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19950/swiss-based-oncocoin-to-launch-crypto-token-amrit-for-patients-in-india.html Thu, 11 Nov 2021 18:20:00 +0530 Swiss-based OncoCoin, a fully-owned subsidiary of  Innoplexus, a leading international Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain-based drug discovery and development company, will launch ‘AMRIT’, a decentralised and GDPR compliant Real World Data (RWD) exchange to fuel AI for patient’s health and longevity. ‘AMRIT’ ecosystem will create a level playing field for the 1.3 billion Indians by putting them at the heart of the healthcare solution. Over 3,50,000 users benefit globally by using this platform. Cancer research can be drastically accelerated using diverse Real World patient data. This data has become an invaluable asset for companies doing research in Life Sciences, but sharing of the data doesn’t provide any benefits to the patients.Built on top of a blockchain, the ‘Cancer Twin’, feature in the CURIA App enables users to identify other users with similar disease types to communicate anonymously with each other. Dr Gunjan Bhardwaj, CEO, Innoplexus and Founder/Chairman of the Board, OncoCoin, said, “The AMRIT ecosystem is democratising the process of cancer research by offering a base of 3.5 lakh users globally registered on the mobile app CURIA. Through the app, the pharma companies seeking to conduct clinical trials can connect with the patients for their participation and incentivise them for sharing their real-world data with the utility token ‘AMRIT.’ The company also plans to launch a neurology app by the end of this year covering Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson Disease among others.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19952/global-progress-against-measles-threatened-amidst-covid-19-pandemic.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19952/global-progress-against-measles-threatened-amidst-covid-19-pandemic.html Thu, 11 Nov 2021 00:00:00 +0530 While reported measles cases have fallen compared to previous years, progress toward measles elimination continues to decline and the risk of outbreaks is mounting, according to a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). During 2020, more than 22 million infants missed their first dose of measles vaccine - 3 million more than in 2019, marking the largest increase in two decades and creating dangerous conditions for outbreaks to occur.   Compared with the previous year, reported measles cases decreased by more than 80 percent in 2020. However, measles surveillance also deteriorated with the lowest number of specimens sent for laboratory testing in over a decade. Weak measles monitoring, testing and reporting for measles jeopardize countries’ ability to prevent outbreaks of this highly infectious disease. Major measles outbreaks occurred in 26 countries and accounted for 84 percent of all reported cases in 2020. The ability of countries to ensure children receive both recommended doses of measles vaccine is a key indicator of global progress toward measles elimination and capacity to prevent the spread of the virus.  First-dose coverage fell in 2020, and only 70 percent of children received their second dose measles vaccine, well below the 95 percent coverage needed to protect communities from the spread of the measles virus. Adding to the worsening of immunity gaps worldwide, 24 measles vaccination campaigns in 23 countries, originally planned for 2020, were postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic - leaving more than 93 million people at risk for the disease.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19940/ritu-marya-family-office-invests-at-home-healthcare-start-up-zorgers.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19940/ritu-marya-family-office-invests-at-home-healthcare-start-up-zorgers.html Wed, 10 Nov 2021 17:20:00 +0530 Ritu Marya Family Office announced its investment in Zorgers Home Healthcare services, an eight-year-old healthcare start-up. Accredited by the Government of India and Govt of Punjab, the key services offered by Zorgers includes setting up ICU at HOME, critical care and end of life-palliative care, assistive living-elderly care, cancer treatment at home, dialysis at home, and physiotherapy along with providing a plethora of clinical procedures by delivering almost 60-70 per cent of all clinical services at home. Zorgers has a fleet of 4500 healthcare professionals across the country and 50 + doctors on board.   Zorgers is currently spread across Punjab, Haryana and Himachal and plans to expand its service network to 30+ cities.    Varun Gupta, Founder and CEO, Zorgers said, "We have recently closed a franchise partner in Delhi, and looking for franchise partners across India, especially in Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Kolkata. Towards the same Zorgers is intending to create an active workforce of 1 lakh trained and quality caregivers by 2025."     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19935/2-out-of-3-people-under-40-at-risk-of-prediabetes-in-india-fitterfly-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19935/2-out-of-3-people-under-40-at-risk-of-prediabetes-in-india-fitterfly-study.html Wed, 10 Nov 2021 09:10:00 +0530 Mumbai-based startup Fitterfly Healthtech pioneered the #FightPrediabetes campaign, in partnership with top doctors of India, Roche Diabetes, USV and Lal Path labs, kickstarted a campaign on August 14, 90 days before the diabetes day, to draw attention to the prediabetes situation in India. As part of this campaign, a nationwide study was conducted to assess the risk of prediabetes in Indian adults, the first-of-its-kind initiative in India. The test is an evidence-based, clinically-validated tool for assessing an individual’s risk of Pre-diabetes, following international protocols for prediabetes detection such as American Diabetes Association and Centers for Disease Control (USA).Around 5000 people from the top 10 cities of India took the test and people were asked questions about their health profile, family history of diabetes, other health conditions and lifestyle. The data was then studied using statistical analysis for the calculation of relative risk of prediabetes with factors like age, BMI, physical activity, family history of diabetes and the presence of high blood pressure. Summary points: High risk of prediabetes seen in study population People under the age of 40 were also seen at high risk People with family history of diabetes, age over 40 and BMI over 23 have a 40 times higher risk of diabetes and prediabetes and should undergo HbA1c test or Fasting blood sugar. Weight loss of 8-12 kg in at risk population will cut down the risk of diabetes by 50% ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19932/icpa-hosts-online-series-on-clinical-challenges-faced-by-dentists.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19932/icpa-hosts-online-series-on-clinical-challenges-faced-by-dentists.html Tue, 09 Nov 2021 17:10:00 +0530 ICPA Health Products (ICPA) recently initiated an interactive online series titled 'ICPA Clinical Series' for addressing specific clinical challenges faced by dentists in everyday practice. Themed ‘Each Episode-One Clinical Challenge’, the series was moderated by ICPA's Technical Head of Marketing Dr Rajeev Chitguppi. With a set schedule of two episodes per month, the series aims to help dentists gain insights from leading authorities in the field. The webinar sessions are live-streamed across various social media platforms, including YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn. The guest speaker Dr Roheet Khatavkar, addressed the newer and unconventional access cavity preparations for root canal treatments. "Each episode is unique since it addresses one specific clinical challenge and has one guest speaker who is an expert in a specific domain within dentistry. The experts address a pre-decided clinical challenge based on their clinical experience and attempt to provide easy to implement solutions," says Dr Rajeev Chitguppi, Technical Head – Marketing, ICPA. Before the latest episode on access cavity preparations for root canal treatments, ICPA has held four other sessions. In the inaugural show, Dr Komal Majumdar, a renowned implantologist, addressed issues related to implant prosthodontics. In the next episode, Dr Aslam Inamdar spoke on overcoming the challenges faced by dentists incorporating digital dentistry in their practice. Dr Moez Khakiani addressed the third session and spoke on clinical solutions to jaw joint problems. Dr Surabhi Mahidhar held the fourth session on the challenges related to screw-retained implant restorations. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19927/entropik-introduces-eye-tracking-technology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19927/entropik-introduces-eye-tracking-technology.html Tue, 09 Nov 2021 11:35:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based Entropik Tech, a leader in Emotion AI, has launched the first multi-platform eye-tracking technology that works on both web and mobile devices. Using tracking through web and mobile cameras, the innovative eye-tracking technology is accurate, agile, and easy to use. Using AI and ML technologies (solving for regular issues like lighting and camera quality), Entropik's eye-tracking technology maintains an accuracy rate of over 96 per cent. Moreover, it is built for enterprise-scale integration that enables brands to conduct multiple tests and leverage online respondents across 120 countries. Entropik's eye-tracking technology will also be available for external integration through web and mobile Software Development Kits (SDKs), enabling developers and companies to measure eye gaze data at an unprecedented scale. Eye gaze data is used to identify and analyse patterns of visual attention of individuals as they perform specific tasks, and it provides brands and agencies with important data about consumer preferences and behaviour. Intuitive and fast-paced, eye tracking data is calibrated in just a few seconds. Advanced AI-based Neural Network algorithms capture eye movement in real-time and seamlessly synchronise the data with Entropik's Consumer Insights platform, which provides a guide to interpreting eye-tracking data and translating it into actionable insights. While maintaining a high accuracy rate, Entropik's software-based eye-tracking technology is more affordable and less labour intensive than hardware-driven eye-tracking technology. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19921/sapio-quantum-to-launch-primary-health-guidance-centres-across-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19921/sapio-quantum-to-launch-primary-health-guidance-centres-across-india.html Mon, 08 Nov 2021 15:25:00 +0530 Government advisory firm Sapio Analytics and corporate healthcare leader Quantum CorpHealth, based in Mumbai, have entered a joint venture to serve the citizens of India, through a combination of physical healthcare centres and artificial intelligence supported virtual guidance.   The venture shall create India’s largest chain of branded primary healthcare guidance centres in every village of India, starting with 1500 centres in phases.   The centres shall create digital access for the citizens of the region to well-qualified doctors, diagnostic centres, pharmacy facilities, ambulance facilities and all other healthcare needs.   The venture shall operate through a network of over 3000 diagnostics/medical centres, 500 plus hospitals, with 10,000 plus medical professionals (doctors and paramedics) onboarded. Led by Dr Narendra Vankar and Dr Bhavya Vankar, Quantum has set up infrastructure across India.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19919/90-children-suffer-from-ent-eye-problems-healpha-report.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19919/90-children-suffer-from-ent-eye-problems-healpha-report.html Mon, 08 Nov 2021 13:40:00 +0530 Hyderabad-based startup Healpha and its School Health Program conducted a detailed health study by establishing contact with 64,615 parents for a health screening of three to 18-year-olds from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Maharashtra over 18 months pre-Covid in India. According to the report, 90 per cent of the children have similar problems related to vital statistics, ENT, and eye problems. 41 per cent of all children suffer from hygiene-related problems in the ear. 39 per cent of children suffer from ear wax related issues reducing their focus on studies, 17 per cent of tested children suffer from BP issues, 9 per cent of tested children are at active risk of one-eyed blindness, 13 per cent of all children suffer from respiratory issues and 22 per cent of children suffer from tonsils.The Healpha health report card has identified that 5 per cent of tested girls and 4 per cent of tested boys are at active risk of one-eyed blindness due to previously unidentified Lazyeye ailment. Additionally, 10 per cent more of screened children already suffer from Anismetropia which can eventually lead to Lazyeye ailment and potential blindness in one eye. The number of children suffering from ENT related issues is certainly a serious concern given that the ear hygiene and ear wax related issues can result in hearing loss and infection Perforation issues in the ear over a while. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19914/who-seeks-urgent-need-for-vaccine-to-prevent-deadly-group-b-streptococcus.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19914/who-seeks-urgent-need-for-vaccine-to-prevent-deadly-group-b-streptococcus.html Fri, 05 Nov 2021 00:00:00 +0530 A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) reveals the alarming global impact of Group B streptococcus (GBS) – a common bacterium that can be transmitted in the womb, during birth, or in the early weeks of life – leading to around 150,000 deaths of babies each year, more than half a million preterm births and significant long-term disability. The report calls urgently for the development of maternal vaccines against GBS to reduce this toll, emphasizing they could be highly cost-effective – with significant health benefits – in all regions of the world. An average of 15% of all pregnant women worldwide – nearly 20 million annually – carry the GBS bacterium in their vagina, usually without symptoms. It can then spread from a pregnant woman to her unborn baby in the womb, or to newborns during labour. Currently antibiotic prophylaxis administered to a woman during labour is the main means of preventing GBS disease in newborn infants, if the bacterium is detected during pregnancy. However, even in regions with high prophylactic coverage, there remain significant health risks, since this intervention is unlikely to prevent most GBS associated stillbirths, preterm births, or GBS disease that occurs later after birth. The report calls for researchers, vaccine developers and funders to accelerate development of an effective GBS vaccine that could be administered to pregnant women during routine pregnancy checkups. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19907/dr-km-cherian-receives-life-time-achievement-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19907/dr-km-cherian-receives-life-time-achievement-award.html Wed, 03 Nov 2021 15:55:00 +0530 Dr KM Cherian, Chairman and CEO, Frontier Lifeline Hospital, Founder and President – Frontier Mediville was honoured with the Life Time Achievement award at CII TN Medclave Excellence Honours. Pioneer in bypass surgery, paediatric cardiac surgery, heart and lung transplantation in India, Dr Cherian has held prestigious positions in India and abroad and now runs the prestigious cardiac hospital in Chennai, Dr KMCherian’s Frontier Lifeline Hospital.Dr Cherian said, “It is an honour to receive this prestigious award from CII. Throughout my career, I have tried my level best to use the best medical practices combined with the latest technology and innovation. I feel that there is a need for medical R&D to be encouraged in the country for the development of indigenous medical sciences.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19899/aster-medcity-kochi-conducts-cryo-ablation-procedure-to-tackle-heart-disease.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19899/aster-medcity-kochi-conducts-cryo-ablation-procedure-to-tackle-heart-disease.html Wed, 03 Nov 2021 14:40:00 +0530 The first Cryo-ablation technique was performed on a 53-year-old woman from Valanchari, Malappuram, at Aster Medcity, Kochi. The patient was placed in a critical condition with water in her chest due to an abnormal heartbeat. The doctors decided to perform Cryo-ablation, based on the patient's safety, critical condition and risk of developing the condition. Dr Praveen Sreekumar, Consultant Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist, Aster Medicity, Kochi, said, “The minimally invasive procedure is painless and completely safe compared to other heart surgeries. Once this innovative treatment process is completed, most patients can avoid medication. Patients who undergo this procedure with an accurate diagnosis at an early stage are less likely to have a recurrence of the disease." Dr Anil Kumar, Head, Department of Cardiology, Aster Medicity, Kochi, explains, “Aster Medicty is one of the few centres in the country and the only hospital in South Kerala to successfully introduce Cryo-ablation therapy. We provide this treatment at a lower cost than neighbouring states and currently, five patients with heart disease are scheduled to undergo the cryoablation surgery.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19900/monoclonal-antibody-therapy-reduces-severe-covid-19-disease-deaths-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19900/monoclonal-antibody-therapy-reduces-severe-covid-19-disease-deaths-study.html Tue, 02 Nov 2021 15:10:00 +0530 In the world’s first published study in a peer-reviewed, high impact journal, AIG Hospitals along with the Asian Healthcare Foundation, CCMB Hyderabad and Institute of Life Sciences, successfully proved that the monoclonal therapy reduces severe disease and death in high-risk individuals infected with the Delta Variant of SARS CoV 2 by 100 per cent. The study was conducted on 285 patients. “The results are astonishing and will shape the public health policy for treatment of COVID-19 especially in high-risk individuals, those above the age of 60 or even below 60 but with diabetes, hypertension, obesity, pregnant woman, people with chronic diseases, all will benefit immensely. We have demonstrated in our research that when given at the right time, Monoclonal Therapy stops the progression of the disease completely,” said Dr D Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman, AIG Hospitals. There were three major scientific institutions involved to conduct this study. The AIG Hospitals and its research arm, the Asian Healthcare Foundation conceptualised, designed, and funded the study. The patients were recruited from Fever Clinic at AIG Hospitals. Assessed samples for Viral load before and after the therapy, calculated other important parameters like inflammatory markers, etc. The Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology or CCMB (A unit of CSIR) was involved in sequencing the genome of the virus strains collected to identify and confirm the Delta Variant and the Institute of Life Sciences, the University of Hyderabad tested the neutralising activity of the cocktail against the delta variant in their lab. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19896/vi-ericssons-5g-power-to-transform-healthcare-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19896/vi-ericssons-5g-power-to-transform-healthcare-in-india.html Tue, 02 Nov 2021 12:50:00 +0530 As part of the ongoing 5G trials in India, Vodafone Idea Ltd (VIL) and Ericsson have partnered to showcase the power of 5G to revolutionise the healthcare sector in India by showing how 5G connectivity can enable access to healthcare in remote parts of the country. The 5G trial network set up by Vi on government allocated 3.5 GHz mid-band and 26 GHz mmWave band in Pune, deploys Ericsson Radios and Ericsson Dual Mode Core based on cloud-native technology consisting of 5G SA, 5G NSA & LTE packet core functions. Based on the high data speed, low latency and reliability of 5G, a doctor located in an urban centre can carry out an ultrasound scan on a patient who is in a remote rural location. This is being trialled by Vi using Ericsson’s 5G infrastructure to showcase the power of 5G to reach healthcare to remote parts of the country. States Jagbir Singh, CTO, Vi, “Speed and latency are critical to 5G services, and therefore, our focus has been to achieve throughputs which can effectively enable relevant 5G use cases for the Digital India of tomorrow.” As part of the ongoing demonstrations, Vi and Ericsson also demonstrated the Enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) and fixed wireless access (FWA) applications with 5G. “The flexible Dual Mode Core set by Ericsson with Vi in Pune is helping enterprises leverage the network to deploy use cases like Remote video monitoring, telemedicine, digital twin, AR/VR etc. during the ongoing trials,” states Amarjeet Singh, VP, Ericsson. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19889/hiims-releases-book-on-postural-medicine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19889/hiims-releases-book-on-postural-medicine.html Mon, 01 Nov 2021 14:10:00 +0530 On the occasion of National Unity Day on the anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the HIIMS (Hospital and Institute of Integrated Medical Sciences) team released a book - '360° Postural Medicine'. Author Dr Biswaroop Roy Chowdhury, Guru Manish (Chairman), HIIMS, Dr Avadhesh Pandey (MBBS, MD-Radiology), Dr Amar Singh Azad (MBBS, MD-Pediatrics, MD-General Medicine) were present at the programme.   Introducing the science of Postural Medicine, Dr Roy Chowdhury said that it gives faster relief than allopathy, is safer than Ayurveda, more economic than homoeopathy and is easier than naturopathy. HIIMS is the first hospital in India to provide medical treatment to patients through postural medicine. Medicines are not used in HIIMS Clinics, instead, the patients are cured by lifestyle changes and natural methods. He said that if the patient’s bed is raised with the help of one or two bricks towards the feet, the head becomes lower, due to which the flow of blood towards the heart increases. The force of gravity eliminates the necessity of dialysis. postural medicine therapy is based on extensive research.   Dr Roy Chowdhury said, "This is probably the first book in the world to be written on postural science, using the Earth's greatest force, gravity, as a medicine. After reading this book you will surely believe that postural science is the fastest, safest and evidence-based science as compared to existing medical systems like Allopathy (Modern Medicine), Homeopathy, Ayurveda and Naturopathy etc." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19975/should-you-include-parents-under-family-health-insurance-or-opt-for-individual-health-covers.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19975/should-you-include-parents-under-family-health-insurance-or-opt-for-individual-health-covers.html Mon, 01 Nov 2021 00:00:00 +0530 That said, it has also managed to highlight the importance of a health insurance policy that comes to your rescue in these unprecedented times. Considering the sky-rocketing cost of hospitalization and treatment, a comprehensive health plan is now one of the most important aspects of everyone’s financial wellbeing.    These days, you have lots of options with respect to health insurance. For instance, if you wish to provide health insurance coverage to your loved ones, you could either purchase health insurance for family or buy a separate individual health insurance policy for each one of them.    If you’re unsure of what the right course of action is, this article may just be able to provide you with some much needed clarity.   Family Health Insurance Plans: Here’s How They Work A family health insurance plan is tailor-made for families. It extends the coverage to the entire family instead of just restricting the protection to just one individual.  If any of your family members, who are dependent on you, fall ill, you might be forced to go through tremendous financial hardship to cover medical treatment costs. Here’s where family health insurance policies come to your rescue. With health insurance for family, you can opt for a total comprehensive coverage that includes all of your family members by just paying a single premium.    Family Health Insurance Plans: Are There Any Drawbacks? The sum assured in family health insurance can be extended to cover several members of the same family in the time of emergency. However, opting for a blanket cover for an entire family or including elderly parents in a family health insurance plan also has its own drawbacks as the insured sum is shared between all family members. Suppose, you have taken a family health insurance cover of Rs. 8 Lakhs for six members of your family. In case, your mother undergoes a surgery that costs around Rs. 6 Lakhs, then the remaining cover for the other four members only be Rs. 2 Lakhs.    Also, the premium under the family insurance plan is subject to the age of the eldest family member. This effectively means that the chances of the premium that you’re required to pay shooting up as a result of inclusion of senior citizens in the policy is also quite high. That’s not all, there are more chances of you losing out on NCB (No Claim Bonus) benefits when you’re under health insurance for family too.    Individual Plans for Family Members: The Way Out Under individual health insurance plans, you purchase separate policies depending upon the number of members in the family. Here, each family member has a dedicated sum assured under the health cover. Opting for health insurance for individuals for each separate person in your family ensures that all of you have adequate medical assistance that can cover hospital expenses during medical emergencies, which can be quite unpredictable. So, in order to safeguard your finances against high hospitalization costs and medical bills, it may be a good idea to purchase a dedicated health insurance plan for each of your family members.   Conclusion Life is full of uncertainties, and a comprehensive health insurance plan offers you peace of mind during these uncertain and tough times. It provides you easy access to the best treatment available when you and your family members need it the most.    Here’s a point of advice. Irrespective of the type of insurance policy that you choose to purchase, always use a health insurance calculator. This nifty little tool can help determine the amount of premium that you would have to pay.    Also, since health insurance benefits tend to vary from one plan to another, it is good to compare health insurance online. This way, you not only get to make more informed decisions overall but can also ensure that you provide your family with the best protection.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19881/fortis-hiranandani-hospital-vashi-mumbai-launches-centre-of-excellence-in-neurology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19881/fortis-hiranandani-hospital-vashi-mumbai-launches-centre-of-excellence-in-neurology.html Fri, 29 Oct 2021 17:05:00 +0530 Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi, Mumbai has launched the centre of excellence in neurology that will offer uninterrupted emergency and equalised neuro care. Dr Pawan Ojha, Senior Neurologist, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi, inaugurated the department. Dr Pawan Ojha, Senior Neurologist, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi, said, “Our centre of excellence for neurology, with its patient-centric approach, will strengthen the service offering personalised care as per every patient’s need, ensuring that they are given the best possible care." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19876/experts-at-stroke-summit-emphasisethe-need-to-promote-mechanical-thrombectomy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19876/experts-at-stroke-summit-emphasisethe-need-to-promote-mechanical-thrombectomy.html Fri, 29 Oct 2021 14:05:00 +0530 Stroke Summit organised by Integrated Health & Wellbeing (IHW) Council on the occasion of World Stroke Day, emphasised the need to promote interventions such as mechanical thrombectomy (MT) to save patients beyond the golden hour. “We need to prevent disability caused by stroke by making treatment available to the affected. To that end, tehsil and district level hospitals with stroke care capability are being established. The ministry will consider proposals to prevent or help people who suffered disability due to stroke. I will also write to the Union Health Minister to ensure stroke treatment is available everywhere,” says Ramdas Athawale, Minister of State, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. Dr VK Paul, Member, NITI Aayog released a whitepaper on building thrombectomy (treatment) systems of care in the region, prepared by the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology (SVIN). The whitepaper carries key recommendations for policymakers to build a stroke-ready India, including,  creating a task force including neurologists, neuro interventionalists, EMS personnel, community physicians, stroke-trained nurses, stroke coordinators and administrators of hospitals who deal with a high volume of stroke cases; assessing the stroke disease and economic burden of stroke, the efficacy of the existing systems in place for stroke management and identifying key gaps, the cost and therapeutic effectiveness of existing public and private health systems and conduct a detailed analysis of clinical and cost benefits to the patients and overall population in the region; establishing local or regional certification programmes for stroke hospitals; creating government-supported funding mechanisms for patients in resource-constrained settings who will benefit from MT; and establishing specialised regional thrombectomy systems of care equipped to carry out MT and increasing the number of training programs for neuro interventionalists to create adequate talent for stroke management.        ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19872/narayana-health-invests-in-robotic-assisted-surgery-prog.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19872/narayana-health-invests-in-robotic-assisted-surgery-prog.html Fri, 29 Oct 2021 12:50:00 +0530   Narayana Health announced the installation of the latest robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) technology, the da Vinci X, by US-based Intuitive, at their Bengaluru centre- Narayana Health City. Dr Devi Shetty, Chairman and Executive Director, Narayana Health inaugurated the new system in an event held at Mazumdar Shaw Medical Centre, Narayana Health City, Bengaluru.  The da Vinci X technology, known for its better patient outcomes, is also associated with lesser pain, less blood loss, shorter hospital stay, and even minimal post-operative complications in certain cases. In addition to that, da Vinci X brings across some innovative features including voice and laser guidance systems, a lightweight endoscope, and the same control console and 3D optics system that lets surgeons see into the patients as they operate the device. These benefits go a long way in enabling the surgeon and care teams in providing life-enhancing care for their patients. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19870/honeywells-rthms-to-aid-in-real-time-monitoring-of-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19870/honeywells-rthms-to-aid-in-real-time-monitoring-of-patients.html Thu, 28 Oct 2021 15:05:00 +0530 American firm Honeywell has announced the launch of its Real-Time Health Monitoring System (RTHMS) in India. It is a smart edge-to-cloud communication platform for remote and real-time monitoring of patients that acts as a bridge between caregiver and patient. The offering integrates hardware and software to improve care delivery, enhance healthcare worker productivity, and enable process efficiency. By digitising and automating critical tasks, RTHMS can reduce hospital administrative tasks by 35 per cent.RTHMS uses advanced sensing technology to capture the vital parameters of patients in real-time and transmit them to a comprehensive health analytics dashboard. This can be accessed by authorised personnel over the Internet or through Honeywell’s care communication platform, a mobile application for caregivers. This edge-to-cloud system also generates alerts in real-time should there be any deviation in patients’ vital signs against acceptable or normal ranges.Developed by HTS engineers in India, RTHMS includes hardware and software. The hardware comprises a wristband that monitors SPO2 and a disposable, wearable biosensor patch with a QR code placed on the patient’s chest, which records other vitals such as ECG, respiratory rate, heart rate, skin temperature and posture of the patient. The caregiver can scan the QR code and monitor patients in real-time or remotely on a dashboard placed at the nursing station. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19868/new-capability-program-to-upskill-5000-nurses-across-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19868/new-capability-program-to-upskill-5000-nurses-across-india.html Thu, 28 Oct 2021 14:45:00 +0530 India-Sweden Healthcare Innovation Centre, a collaboration between the Swedish Trade Commissioner’s Office, AIIMS New Delhi and AIIMS Jodhpur, has launched a specialised training programme for nurses to equip them with world-class practical know-how required in managing diabetes. In the first training, 30 nurses from AIIIMS Jodhpur will be trained for 2 days.    India-Sweden Healthcare Innovation Centre is created to address the healthcare challenges in the country through key pillars – Technology, Protocol & process and Capability building.    In a phased manner, this capability programme aims to upskill 5000 nurses across the country in the next year by converting the current modules into e-learning. The programme also aims to expand the current curriculum to other non-communicable diseases (NCD) areas including hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and oncology.   The modules of this program are carefully designed to enable nurses to deliver specialized care, essential support services and standardized counselling for patients living with these high incidence non-communicable diseases in India.   The initiative will run under the aegis and direction of an Advisory Committee under the chairmanship of Prof Suresh K Sharma, Professor & Principal, College of Nursing, AIIMS, Jodhpur.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19856/oasis-fertility-opens-centre-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19856/oasis-fertility-opens-centre-in-bengaluru.html Wed, 27 Oct 2021 18:45:00 +0530 Oasis Fertility has announced its foray into the Karnataka region with the launch of its flagship state-of-the-art full-fledged IVF centre at HSR Layout, in the city of Bengaluru. The centre was inaugurated by Kiran Gadela – Co-Founder and Managing Director, Oasis Fertility, and Dr Durga G Rao – Co-Founder and Medical Director, Oasis Fertility, along with Dr Krishna Chaitanya – Scientific Head and Clinical Embryologist, Oasis Fertility. Gadela said, “We are optimistic about the Karnataka market, and we have plans to expand to 10 more centres in the region in the next five years – with plans well underway to start centres in growing tier-II towns like Mangaluru, Mysuru, Belagavi etc." Oasis Fertility has received growth capital in 2016 from India Life Sciences Fund II, a leading healthcare and life sciences focused fund, and was the first institutional investment in an IVF chain in India.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19855/medwiki-forays-into-india-with-online-medicine-video-library.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19855/medwiki-forays-into-india-with-online-medicine-video-library.html Wed, 27 Oct 2021 18:30:00 +0530 Medwiki, the world’s largest online video library on medicines with more than 100,000 medicine videos, has been launched to support Indians understand their medicines better. Medwiki is a search engine-based video library through which any Indian can search the name of the medicine she has been prescribed. The videos are made by Medwiki’s pharmacists in simple language to answer the top four to five questions customers typically have about the medicines. The library is in Hindi and English. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19854/healthplix-reports-42-per-cent-surge-in-emr-adoption.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19854/healthplix-reports-42-per-cent-surge-in-emr-adoption.html Wed, 27 Oct 2021 18:20:00 +0530 AI-powered EMR software HealthPlix Technologies announced a 42 per cent surge in adoption of its platform by doctors in a short span of nine months (January’ 21 – September’ 21). The company attributes its success to doctors who have caught on the trend of digitised healthcare delivery. Currently, HealthPlix digitally empowers over 6000+ active doctors across 370+ cities in the country. The company has successfully recorded a 70 per cent rise in unique patient growth this year vis-à-vis the same time frame in 2020 (Janauary’20 – September’20). Currently, 15+ million patients across India have been treated through HealthPlix EMR and over 6 lakhs new patient profiles have been added every month in 2021 (January - September’21). HealthPlix currently serves 1.2 per cent of India’s population through its AI-powered EMR software for doctors. HealthPlix recently announced the launch of ROBIN, one-of-its-kind in-clinic insights dashboards that help doctors analyse the factors, trends, and correlations in medical practice. It has received funding from leading investors such as Lightspeed Venture Partners, JSW Ventures, Kalaari Capital and Chiratae Ventures, to name a few. In its latest round of funding, HealthPlix raised $13.5 million as part of Series B funding, which was led by Lightspeed Ventures and joined by existing investors. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19852/investment-firms-build-health-platform-to-operate-multi-specialty-hospitals.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19852/investment-firms-build-health-platform-to-operate-multi-specialty-hospitals.html Wed, 27 Oct 2021 14:35:00 +0530 Samara Capital, Havells Family Investment Office and Godrej Family Investment Office have invested together to form Marengo Asia Healthcare, a platform with a vision to emerge as one of the leading Indian multispecialty hospital chains, which shall stand for the patient first approach and clinical excellence. The platform will focus on creating clinical partnerships to bring global expertise and enhance the patient experience. A team of professionals will manage the platform led by Dr Raajiv Singhal who comes with over 25 years of global healthcare experience. “The platform commits to deploy a sizeable pool of capital in investing and partnering with hospitals in India. Marengo Asia Healthcare stands committed to bringing in the highest level of ESG standards and making a positive difference in the healthcare sector,” said Abhishek Kabra, MD, Samara Capital. Dr Raajiv Singhal, Founding Member and MD, Marengo Asia Healthcare said, “We endeavour to create a platform with ‘Patient First’ approach in which all decisions are taken keeping the patient in the centre while bringing the latest medical and technological advances to the patient." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19858/health-insurance-vs-mediclaim-which-is-a-better-option.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19858/health-insurance-vs-mediclaim-which-is-a-better-option.html Wed, 27 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0530  The abundance of options and the complex features and terms under plans which qualify as the best health insurance plan in India may be difficult to navigate for many prospective policyholders. One of the most recurrent confusions people have, is choosing between a health insurance plan and a mediclaim.  Many people often conflate health insurance with mediclaim as they are both policies targeted towards fulfilling expenses made for one’s health and treatment for the same. Health insurance and mediclaim can be utilised to fulfil different aspects of their medical needs. At a time where people are actively seeking types of covid 19 insurance, and diseases are on the rise due to high-stress lifestyle choices and inflation in medical expenses such as hospitalisation, doctor fees, tests and drugs; it is imperative that people invest in insurance solutions that can protect them monetary problems and stress caused by these costs.  Let is first understand the fundamentals of both these plans and how the best health insurance plan in India can help potential policyholder fulfil their needs.  A health insurance plan is a policy that covers medical costs incurred in the course of a prolonged hospitalization, and costs post discharge as well. It is a general policy that has many variations offered by insurance providers according to age groups and family structure. One may choose from an individual health plan, a family plan, senior citizen coverage and even critical illness insurance plans.  At times of great inflation in medical and hospitalization costs, the selection of the best health insurance plan in India is a necessity for every individual, otherwise one may run the risk of having to use their emergency savings to afford these costs.  A Mediclaim is a specific type of insurance policy that promises coverage to a policyholder but under specifies capping limits. These limits may range from hospitalisation duration or certain types of illnesses. The costs are covered under a Mediclaim are usually lower when compared health insurance.  Under a mediclaim there are two ways in which a policyholder can avail their monetary claim; a cashless transaction or a reimbursement. For a cashless transaction, the policyholder will not have to make any payments post-treatment, as the insurance provider completes the payment from their end directly to the hospital/treatment centre. For a reimbursement, a policyholder may make a payment at the time of billing and then apply for a claim to the insurance provider, the sum is then reimbursed to the policyholder’s account. Now that we have established the major features of a health insurance plan and a mediclaim, let us look into the differences between the both which can enable the policyholder make the correct choice: Feature: Mediclaim features vary across insurance providers. The coverage, capping is differentially offered by providers on the basis of their personal policies. Under a health insurance plan however, a specific sum is guaranteed on expenses incurred.  Coverage: Health Insurance plans offer complete end-to-end coverage against hospitalization costs, ambulance fees, including pre and post-op care. According to the necessities of the policyholder, they can avail a sum assured in the event that their income become irregular in the event that the policyholder meets with an accident.  Under mediclaim however, only the costs of hospitalization and treatment are financially compensated by the insurance provider within some pre-determined policy limits regarding each illness.  Flexibility: A mediclaim has limited to no flexibility, whereas a health insurance plan offers ample room for a policyholder to customize their policy as per their circumstances such as reduced premiums after a specified time period, or extending one’s tenure to avail insurance till retirement and after.  Sum Assured: The sum assured under a mediclaim policy is capped at Rs 5 lacs, whereas a health insurance plan is capped at Rs 6 crore per annum. The latter all-round offers a more financially robust and extensive cover for the policyholder.  Hospitalisation: Hospitalization is necessary for a policyholder to be able to avail their mediclaim sum to cover their costs. For a health insurance plan however, one does not need to be hospitalised. Critical Illness: One of the most important features of a health insurance plan is its Critical Illness benefit which provides coverage for more than 30 critical diseases such as cancer, kidney diseases, stroke and more.  Claims: Under a mediclaim policy a policyholder can avail claims till the point their total amount has been exhausted. For health insurance plans however, one can avail claims according to their reason. For standard claims one can avail coverage till their sum assured isn’t exhausted. For situations such as disability or critical illness the policyholder can receive a lump-sum payment from the insurance provider. One must note that claims made under the aforementioned reasons are only one-time payouts.  Add Ons: One can add additional riders for critical illness, maternity, accident and accidental disability onto an existing health insurance plan, but for mediclaim there is no such provision available.    A mediclaim and health insurance plan may vary across many factors but the main goal is to aid financial expenditure at a time when the policyholder is going through treatment and recovery. Understanding the fundamentals of health insurance and Mediclaim policies both is necessary to help you choose the right plan for you. It is a relief to have that additional support and Max Life Insurance can promise the same with their wide range of plans tailor-made for policyholders according to their needs. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19859/should-you-include-parents-under-family-health-insurance-or-opt-for-individual-health-covers.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19859/should-you-include-parents-under-family-health-insurance-or-opt-for-individual-health-covers.html Wed, 27 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0530 That said, it has also managed to highlight the importance of a health insurance policy that comes to your rescue in these unprecedented times. Considering the sky-rocketing cost of hospitalization and treatment, a comprehensive health plan is now one of the most important aspects of everyone’s financial wellbeing.    These days, you have lots of options with respect to health insurance. For instance, if you wish to provide health insurance coverage to your loved ones, you could either purchase health insurance for family or buy a separate individual health insurance policy for each one of them.    If you’re unsure of what the right course of action is, this article may just be able to provide you with some much needed clarity.   Family Health Insurance Plans: Here’s How They Work A family health insurance plan is tailor-made for families. It extends the coverage to the entire family instead of just restricting the protection to just one individual.  If any of your family members, who are dependent on you, fall ill, you might be forced to go through tremendous financial hardship to cover medical treatment costs. Here’s where family health insurance policies come to your rescue. With health insurance for family, you can opt for a total comprehensive coverage that includes all of your family members by just paying a single premium.    Family Health Insurance Plans: Are There Any Drawbacks? The sum assured in family health insurance can be extended to cover several members of the same family in the time of emergency. However, opting for a blanket cover for an entire family or including elderly parents in a family health insurance plan also has its own drawbacks as the insured sum is shared between all family members. Suppose, you have taken a family health insurance cover of Rs. 8 Lakhs for six members of your family. In case, your mother undergoes a surgery that costs around Rs. 6 Lakhs, then the remaining cover for the other four members only be Rs. 2 Lakhs.    Also, the premium under the family insurance plan is subject to the age of the eldest family member. This effectively means that the chances of the premium that you’re required to pay shooting up as a result of inclusion of senior citizens in the policy is also quite high. That’s not all, there are more chances of you losing out on NCB (No Claim Bonus) benefits when you’re under health insurance for family too.    Individual Plans for Family Members: The Way Out Under individual health insurance plans, you purchase separate policies depending upon the number of members in the family. Here, each family member has a dedicated sum assured under the health cover. Opting for health insurance for individuals for each separate person in your family ensures that all of you have adequate medical assistance that can cover hospital expenses during medical emergencies, which can be quite unpredictable. So, in order to safeguard your finances against high hospitalization costs and medical bills, it may be a good idea to purchase a dedicated health insurance plan for each of your family members.   Conclusion Life is full of uncertainties, and a comprehensive health insurance plan offers you peace of mind during these uncertain and tough times. It provides you easy access to the best treatment available when you and your family members need it the most.    Here’s a point of advice. Irrespective of the type of insurance policy that you choose to purchase, always use a health insurance calculator. This nifty little tool can help determine the amount of premium that you would have to pay.    Also, since health insurance benefits tend to vary from one plan to another, it is good to compare health insurance online. This way, you not only get to make more informed decisions overall but can also ensure that you provide your family with the best protection.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19838/dr-sudhir-srivastava-bags-award-for-robotic-cardiovascular-thoracic-surgery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19838/dr-sudhir-srivastava-bags-award-for-robotic-cardiovascular-thoracic-surgery.html Tue, 26 Oct 2021 13:25:00 +0530 Dr  Sudhir Srivastava, Founder, Chairman & CEO, SS Innovations was recently honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Society of Minimally Invasive Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgeons of India (SMICTSI). The felicitation ceremony was held at the 5th Annual Conference of the Society of Minimally Invasive Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgeons of India for 2021 in New Delhi.Dr Srivastava is a renowned cardio-robotic surgeon and specialises in minimally invasive coronary artery bypass robotic surgery. He has performed over 1400 successful robotic cardiothoracic surgeries, including the most complex 735 heart TECAB procedures which speak volumes about his dedication and commitment towards his work and patients. Dr Yugal Mishra, President, SMICTSI said, "With his relentless dedication, passion, and hard work Dr Sudhir P Srivastava has developed a cost-effective but robust surgery system that is 100 per cent designed and developed in India which is a matter of great honour and pride for the country. Dr Srivastava has wonderfully addressed the healthcare disparities by designing this cost-effective surgical robotic that has added glory to Indian healthcare. We are grateful to him for spreading the minimally invasive cardiovascular thoracic surgery globally." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19837/eka-care-creates-health-id-under-abdm.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19837/eka-care-creates-health-id-under-abdm.html Tue, 26 Oct 2021 11:30:00 +0530 Eka Care has become the first private healthcare platform to facilitate the creation of Health ID under Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Mission (ABDM). The creation of Health IDs will standardise the process of identifying an individual across healthcare providers. The aim is to ensure that the medical records which get created are issued to the right individual or get accessed by health information users through the individual's appropriate consent.The ID will be used for uniquely identifying persons, authenticating them and maintaining their own and family’s health records (only with the informed consent of the individual) across multiple systems and stakeholders.The Eka Care app is available in 12 different languages and is being used by more than 1.5 million consumers across 1500 districts in India. Through the app, patients can store their health records, book their doctor appointments, book CoWIN vaccination appointments and download vaccination certificates. The app also facilitates users to talk to a doctor 24X7. The Eka Care team is working on building a PHR app as well as per the ABDM guidelines to facilitate consent-based sharing of records with healthcare providers. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19836/nei-sets-up-oxygen-generation-plant-for-sms-hospital-in-jaipur.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19836/nei-sets-up-oxygen-generation-plant-for-sms-hospital-in-jaipur.html Tue, 26 Oct 2021 10:55:00 +0530 National Engineering Industries (NEI), part of the $2.4 billion diversified CK Birla Group announced its support in setting up a state-of-the-art 4th generation PSA oxygen generation plant for Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur. Ashok Gehlot, Chief Minister, Rajasthan inaugurated the plant virtually.   The plant will produce oxygen at 750 litres per minute to fill 160-170 oxygen cylinders per day and will be able to support with uninterrupted oxygen supply to hospital patients.   NEI has also recently supported hospitals in Rajasthan with oxygen cylinders and oxygen concentrators. The company had also donated 50 beds to the community health centre at Savli in Vadodara Gujarat. NEI also stood strong beside their employees by introducing several initiatives like flexible working, reduction in overall working hours, dedicated 24 hours helpline, medical insurance, paid leaves, etc. The company had also organised a vaccination camp at its Jaipur facility for its 2000+ employees and their immediate family members. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19829/hcah-brings-first-transition-care-centre-in-gurugram-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19829/hcah-brings-first-transition-care-centre-in-gurugram-.html Mon, 25 Oct 2021 11:30:00 +0530 HCAH (formerly HealthCare atHOME) has launched its third transition care centre in India and first in North India in Sector-51, Gurugram. The Chief Guest, Dr Yash Garg, Deputy Commissioner of Gururgram inaugurated the centre.    "The way healthcare system has been unfolding, the demand for Transition Care has increased significantly in India. Gurugram has been in great need of transition care services. The transition care centre launched by HCAH will cater to the growing demand, filling the massive healthcare continuum gap between tertiary care hospitals and homes," said Dr Garg.   Vivek Srivastava, Co-Founder & CEO – HCAH said, “We hope the transition care centre will bridge the healthcare continuum gap between tertiary care hospitals and homes. It will provide more cost-effective clinical care for long-term patients in Gurugram to recover in an infection-free, rehabilitation, and skilled nursing environment under 24/7 medical supervision. HCAH facilities are testimony to 3000 successful recoveries.”    "We hope that the newly launched transition centre in Gurugram, which has facilities like balance and gamification lab, mobility tracker, robotic hand, occupational therapy / ADL lab, and speech and swallow therapy to name a few, will meet the growing demand for transition Care services,” says Dr Gaurav Thukral, COO, HCAH.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19827/aster-launches-first-neuro-oncology-surgery-unit-in-north-kerala.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19827/aster-launches-first-neuro-oncology-surgery-unit-in-north-kerala.html Sat, 23 Oct 2021 18:25:00 +0530 Aster has launched the first neuro-oncology surgery unit in North Kerala. The neuro-oncology department will provide state-of-the-art treatment for patients with cancers of the brain and nervous system. Aster experts will also provide care for patients that endure neurologic complications from cancer or cancer therapies. The unit was launched under the leadership of Dr Murali Krishnan (Senior Consultant Neuro-Oncology Surgeon). The cancer surgery unit of Aster MIMS has extended its operations in Kochi, Kozhikode, Kannur, Kottakal. In addition to general cancer surgeries, interventions are available in three major districts in Kerala by Aster MIMS experts for surgeries including, gynaecological oncology, Hyperexcitability, paediatric oncology, breast cancer surgery, head and neck oncology, neuro-oncology surgery, breast reconstruction surgery and cervical cancer.  Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy or HIPEC Surgery, an innovative method in the field of cancer surgery, has been completed on 100 patients at Aster MIMS, Calicut, a unit of leading healthcare group Aster DM Healthcare. Hyperexcitability is a relief for patients with peritoneal cancer and pseudo myxoma peritoneum, which are usually difficult to operate on. The surgeries were led by Dr Salim VP, Senior Consultant Oncosurgeon, Aster MIMS, Calicut and Dr Jem Kalathil, Senior Consultant- Surgical Oncology, Aster Medicity, Kochi along with a team of other surgeons and medical staff.A press conference was organised which was graced by Aster MIMS Regional Director Farhan Yasin, Dr Jem Kalathil and Dr Salim VP along with Dr KV Gangadharan (Head, Department of Oncology), Dr Sajith Babu (Senior Consultant Head & Neck Onco Surgeon) and Dr Krishnan. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19821/47th-annual-conference-of-iaps-kickstarts.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19821/47th-annual-conference-of-iaps-kickstarts.html Fri, 22 Oct 2021 17:25:00 +0530 The inauguration of the 47th Annual Conference of the Indian Association of Paediatric Surgeons (IAPS) was held on a virtual platform. The meeting was presided by the Organizing Chairman and President, IAPS Dr Ravindra Ramadwar. Dr Ravi Kanojia, Secretary of IAPS and Dr Amar Shah, Joint Secretary of IAPS were the organising secretaries of the event. Almost 500 scientific deliberations and two orations will be presented at the academic event. The chief guest was Minister of State for Finance D. Bhagwat Karad. The guest of Honor was the Ex-Vice Chancellor of Mumbai University and senior paediatric surgeon Dr Snehlata Deshmukh.Dr Ramadwar informed, "Many insurance companies do not offer cover for birth defects or surgical problems during infancy. This is a major cost burden for many families and parents who have just recently commenced their jobs and are not having the financial liberty to get their child treated at hospitals of their choice."Dr Karad informed the audience that he would be trying his best to help the paediatric surgical fraternity in all possible ways. He also was very happy to note that insurance companies are now passionate about insurance for unborn children and infants. He reassured that he would do his best to speed up the process at the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), an organisation that is under his responsibility.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19820/wockhardt-hospital-mumbai-central-launches-breast-clinic-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19820/wockhardt-hospital-mumbai-central-launches-breast-clinic-.html Fri, 22 Oct 2021 16:35:00 +0530 Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai Central has launched a breast clinic to provide treatment at an affordable cost. The clinic will help women with breast cancer, breast reconstructive surgeries, lesions, pain, lumps (Malignant or Benign), by providing a rapid and accurate diagnosis in one visit.   Dr Shilpa Tatake, Centre Head, Wockhardt Hospital says, “A multi-disciplinary team of doctors will give the most effective treatment, diagnosis, and counselling to the patient. While women need to be aware of the changes they see and feel about their breasts, men too need to be more aware so that they can coerce women for early treatment.”  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19819/medibuddy-data-reveals-increase-in-derma-consultation-among-young-population.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19819/medibuddy-data-reveals-increase-in-derma-consultation-among-young-population.html Fri, 22 Oct 2021 14:50:00 +0530 MediBuddy has witnessed a manifold rise in dermatology consultations. The data reveals that over 65 per cent of men who took consultation for issues on the platform belonged to the age group 20-30. Data compiled reveals that in the last few months, the portal has seen an overall growth of about 84 per cent in the number of people seeking consultations for skin-related issues.   MediBuddy based on its data for the last few months, identified hair fall and acne as the most discussed issues. About 69.47 per cent of issues were relating to acne, with the rest about problems like pigmentation, face tan, generic skin disease, ringworm, psoriasis, etc. The data on the platform also reveals that of the total people who sought consultations about 75.9 per cent of people were males.    Similarly, there has been an average increase of 62 per cent of issues related to hair and scalp with almost 90 per cent of the people seeking consultations for hair fall; other scalp-related issues included dandruff and greying hair. Even in the case of hair-related issues, males were a significant majority on the platform- only 21.3 per cent were females and around 78.7 per cent were males.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19818/aira-matrix-collaborates-with-muljibhai-patel-urological-hospital-gujarat-imaging-centre.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19818/aira-matrix-collaborates-with-muljibhai-patel-urological-hospital-gujarat-imaging-centre.html Fri, 22 Oct 2021 13:30:00 +0530 AIRA Matrix has announced a collaboration with Muljibhai Patel Urological Hospital, Nadiad (MPUH), and Gujarat Imaging Centre, Ahmedabad (GIC). The collaboration will enable the development of AI-based solutions that provide insights from radiology and histopathology data for accurate risk stratification and therapy institutions in prostate cancer. As part of this collaboration, MPUH and GIC will provide domain expertise in uro-oncology, histopathology and radiology and work with the AIRA Matrix team to enable the development of a deep learning-based solution that augments multi-parametric MRI (mpMRI) and histopathology reporting. The aim of the collaboration is to crossover AI solutions trained using histopathology data to increase the sensitivity and specificity of non-invasive radiological investigations like mpMRI. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19816/rakuten-medical-partners-with-karkinos-healthcare-for-cancer-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19816/rakuten-medical-partners-with-karkinos-healthcare-for-cancer-care.html Fri, 22 Oct 2021 11:30:00 +0530 US-based Rakuten Medical and Mumbai-based startup Karkinos Healthcare have announced a strategic collaboration to expand the reach of novel cancer care to India.   This includes a minority stake acquisition in Karkinos Healthcare by Rakuten Medical. Rakuten Medical’s investment marks Karkinos Healthcare’s first international investor.    Rakuten Medical is focussed on developing and commercialising innovative cancer treatments for multiple indications based on its Illuminox platform. Karkinos is a healthcare technology platform focussed on delivering quality healthcare by providing access to, and availability of, cancer detection, diagnosis and treatment options. The strategic collaboration will enable continued innovation in cancer care to transform cancer care in India and abroad.     Rakuten Medical’s first pipeline drug developed on its Illuminox platform, ASP-1929, has received approval from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, and is currently the subject of a global phase 3 clinical trial for recurrent head and neck cancer.   Karkinos Healthcare is pioneering the distributed cancer care network model in India addressing clinical needs that will bring quality care closer to patients. Karkinos already offers its services in Kothamangalam, Chottanikkara, Thodupuzha, Munnar locations across Ernakulam and Idukki Districts, in Kerala and is planning to ramp up its operations across India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19817/industry-focuses-on-expanding-canvas-of-vaccine-preventable-diseases-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19817/industry-focuses-on-expanding-canvas-of-vaccine-preventable-diseases-.html Fri, 22 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0530 The COVID-19 pandemic saw the rise of vaccines as the most potent and promising weapon a country can possess to face the challenge. The elaborate vaccination drive in India has been successful yet it seems almost impossible to vaccinate the entire adult populace by year 2021. Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) jointly with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and NITI Aayog is organizing a three-day ‘Heal 2021-Transforming Healthcare beyond COVID-19’ from 20-22 October, 2021 virtually. To shed light on the present vaccination scenario in India, a panel discussion was held on 21st October, 2021 on 'COVID-19 vaccination: The current and future scenarios.' Professor YK Gupta, Principal advisor- Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, and Principal Advisor, India Strategy Development, The Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP), Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDI); President AIIMS – Bhopal & Jammu put forward his concerns and ideas regarding adult vaccination, future threats like antimicrobial resistance and collaboration between regulatory bodies, “This is the stage where vaccinology has provided a challenge which we have successfully handled and has opened so much collaboration between industry and academia. Can we think of ten more vaccines and increase the canvas of vaccine preventable diseases? We have developed vaccine for corona but we are yet to adopt vaccines in our daily life. We used to teach preventive medicine but now it’s time to practice it.” Dr Krishna Ella, Chairman and Managing Director, Bharat Biotech gave his recommendations on how industry should move forward in vaccine technology and development, “We are ahead of the game over any other field in the country. We are not looking like a generic vaccine company; we are looking to change the Indian ecosystem in innovation. We are looking if vaccines can prevent antimicrobial resistance.” Sharing his ideas, Samir Desai, President and Head BU Biologics, Cadila Healthcare said, “Developing vaccines is a challenge, but manufacturing, distributing and getting vaccines into arms is yet another different challenge. Partnerships with academic institutes is what brings breakthrough ideas and the it is the industry’s duty to help translate it.” Sarthak Ranade, Managing Director, Johnson & Johnson India spoke on partnerships and the market scenario in India, “India has always been known for its strengths in the generic and vaccine space. The excellent facilitation during the pandemic has to continue and the agility and flexibility of regulators is required. When it comes to adult vaccination a lot of awareness is required. It starts with something as primitive as spreading awareness regarding how vaccines can prevent disease.”  “There has been a level of collaboration between industries that has never been seen before across nations, across bodies with stakeholders coming together and seamless sharing of data. But there are lessons to be learned and how it could have been managed better”, pointed out Smriti Mishra, Advisor- Lifesciences, EY. The quick response in developing a vaccine against coronavirus has shown that industries in India are poised at the precipice of great advancements in vaccine research which may potentially counteract preventable diseases and save lives. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19825/experts-discuss-future-of-diagnostics-med-tech-on-concluding-day-of-ficci-heal-2021.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19825/experts-discuss-future-of-diagnostics-med-tech-on-concluding-day-of-ficci-heal-2021.html Fri, 22 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0530 The third and final day of the 15th edition of the FICCI HEAL 2021, on 22 October, saw panel discussions on how to bring healthcare to everybody’s doorstep and the future of med-tech industry in India. Speakers focussed on the recognition received for home healthcare and the transformation to the digital care models during the pandemic.Dr Om Manchanda, MD, Dr Lal PathLabs shared that the Indian market is larger as compared to many other countries and there is a huge potential for organised players and a shift from unorganised to organised is required."Travis Monke, GM-APAC, Abbott Molecular Diagnostics said, “The introduction of fast, reliable, molecular and rapid antigen tests illustrates the benefit of decentralised technologies at the point of care.”Dr Shravan Subramanyam, FICCI Medical Devices Committee and President & CEO, GE Healthcare South Asia said, “The mandate from our government to be self-reliant is very critical, and med-tech sector which faced many challenges during the pandemic, has benefited quite a lot through production linked incentives and various other schemes."Madan Krishnan, VP and MD, India Medtronic talked about the need for a single-window clearance system so that there is an ease of expansion of health infrastructure.Kaivaan Movdawalla, Partner- Healthcare, EY shared, “India needs to add nine lakh more beds over the next decade to serve the UHC agenda over the next decade. It is imperative to ensure equitable generation and distribution of this capacity in under-served districts through targeted incentives and viability gap funding.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19814/pm-inaugurates-vishram-sadan-at-national-cancer-institute-in-jhajjar-campus-of-aiims-new-delhi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19814/pm-inaugurates-vishram-sadan-at-national-cancer-institute-in-jhajjar-campus-of-aiims-new-delhi.html Thu, 21 Oct 2021 16:25:00 +0530 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Infosys Foundation Vishram Sadan at the National Cancer Institute in the Jhajjar campus of AIIMS New Delhi via video conference.   Modi noted that today in AIIMS Jhajjar, patients coming for cancer treatment have got great convenience. The Vishram Sadan, built in the National Cancer Institute, will reduce the worries of patients and their relatives.   The Prime Minister praised Infosys Foundation for constructing the building of Vishram Sadan and AIIMS Jhajjar for providing the land, electricity and water. He expressed his gratitude to the AIIMS management and Sudha Murthy's team for this service.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19807/karexpert-launches-superapp-mobility-solution.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19807/karexpert-launches-superapp-mobility-solution.html Thu, 21 Oct 2021 11:40:00 +0530 KareXpert, the Jio-backed, SaaS-based digital healthcare platform, has unveiled its next-generation mobility solutions to streamline the overall operations of the hospitals done by caregivers and patients using SuperApp technology.   SuperApp is a single mobile app for caregivers and patients, allowing the usage of personnel devices (such as smartphones) and promoting branding for hospitals. The app doesn’t require too much storage on the mobile device which has been a major problem with native mobile applications.   KareXpert’s SuperApp is bundled with its healthcare platform and comes pre-integrated so that hospitals do not need to perform an additional effort to offer a 10x patient experience.   SuperApp empowers caregivers to provide hyper-collaborative and hyper-coordinated patient care within the workflow-based system. It’s available for all types of caregivers such as technicians, registration desk, billing desk, pharmacy desk, phlebotomist, administrators, and patients with role-based access to perform their functions. Moreover, the app is PwC audited and HIPPA compliant, assuring complete data security to its users.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19809/experts-discuss-winning-strategies-for-india-in-combatting-future-pandemics-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19809/experts-discuss-winning-strategies-for-india-in-combatting-future-pandemics-.html Thu, 21 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0530 India has suffered two infection waves in the past months with catastrophic human and economic loss, while also carrying out one of the biggest and most ambitious vaccination drives. The situation, however, still remains uncertain and dire. Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) jointly with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and NITI Aayog has organized a three-day ‘Heal 2021-Transforming Healthcare beyond COVID-19’ from 20-22 October, 2021 virtually. On 20th October, 2021, the public health debate on ‘COVID-19 Pandemic- What could be India’s winning strategy?’ took place with experts putting forward their thoughts and recommendations. Brig Dr. Arvind Lal, Chair, FICCI Swasth Bharat Task Force, Executive Chairman, Dr Lal PathLabs and Managing Trustee, ALVL Foundation posed three main questions of concern during the debate, “How can we minimise the reaction time to an approaching wave of COVID-19? What needs to change in India’s Vaccination Strategy? Can we predict the next wave of COVID-19?”. Addressing these concerns, Dr. N.K. Arora, Head, COVID-19 Working Group of National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation  said, “This pandemic has shown us that health and wealth are two sides of the same coin. I think one of the key parameters of our winning strategy so far and will be is that while there is no hesitation of inter-country and intra-country global collaboration and learning from each other’s mistakes, the under-pinning has to be that we have to be ‘atmanirbhar’ as far as managing the pandemic is concerned. We have converted this tragedy into an opportunity. We have to move from vaccine manufacturing to vaccine development.” Major General Aftab Alam, Assistant Chief, Integrated Defence Staff, Medical, Ministry of Defence, Government of India remarked on the role of armed forces in setting up emergency hospitals and how discipline, capability building and training helped them survive. Adding on her views, Dr. Gagandeep Kang, FRS, Professor, Christian Medical College, Vellore and vaccine expert spoke from a scientific perspective and research standpoint, “What we have learnt from the pandemic is that in India we can do the science, we can do the manufacturing but frequently we do not have it at the stage where it is ready for translation. We need to be intentional about the research we are doing.” She also said, “Right now there are no variants of concern. We need to keep this up. Often we build up when need is there and then drop back. I hope we don’t make the same mistake this time.” Prof M. Vidyasagar, Distinguished Professor, Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad further elucidated the importance of predictive modelling, tracking and serological surveillance in predicting virus transmission, “I think the current role is that if there is a new variant of concern, how much time do we have to detect that and plan moves going forward. Predictive modelling will give the planning committee at least three to four weeks of head start. You have to plan things now when there is less pressure.” Indeed, COVID-19 is not going away soon and therefore, it is imperative that we answer the required questions as timely as possible to devise a winning strategy for India to alleviate the effects of this situation and any future pandemics. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19815/need-to-collaborate-trans-boundary-with-research-academic-bodies-ficci-heal-2021.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19815/need-to-collaborate-trans-boundary-with-research-academic-bodies-ficci-heal-2021.html Thu, 21 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0530 On the day 2 of the FICCI HEAL annual healthcare conference, India touched a milestone on reaching 100 crore vaccinations including both the first and second doses. A panel discussion was set in place on day 2 of the conference to discuss the current and future scenarios of deadly mutating virus. Since vaccines have been a buzz word for almost two years in a row, the panel discussed what are the future possibilities in terms of research and academia as far as COVID-19 vaccines are concerned. Prof Y.K Gupta, President AIIMS – Bhopal & Jammu said, COVID-19 was one of the biggest challenges we faced and crossing 100 crores mark in terms of vaccination is a success story for science. Also, it has opened the gates for collaboration between industry and academia. Today we need to collaborate trans-boundary with research and academic bodies as well.”  Adding on, Dr. Krishna Ella, Chairman & Managing Director, Bharat Biotech said, “We were the first country to make the typhoid conjugate vaccine in the world even when US and UK have not thought about it. A new start-up like us are looking at India differently. We don’t see ourselves as a generic vaccine company but we are looking to change Indian ecosystem in innovation.” The panel discussion further highlighted upon the current and future COVID-19 vaccination scenarios, various types of vaccines, new offerings in the market as well as how mutating virus can impact the global healthcare system. With currently Covaxin, Covishield and Sputnik vaccines available in India while J&J single shot and Biological E are in pipeline, India is yet to achieve the ambitious target of vaccinating all adults by end of the year 2021. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19801/experts-at-schneider-electrics-summit-pushes-for-digital-solutions-across-health-infra.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19801/experts-at-schneider-electrics-summit-pushes-for-digital-solutions-across-health-infra.html Wed, 20 Oct 2021 17:10:00 +0530 Schneider Electric presented deep insights across buildings management, power distribution and the integration of sustainability with technology during the ‘Buildings of the Future’ track at their ongoing Digital Innovation Summit 2021. Schneider Electric’s flagship Digital Innovation Summit, currently underway till October 21 brought together leading industry experts to discuss digital innovation pertinent for creating smart buildings along with the way forward for industries to facilitate digitisation and decarbonisation.  The Innovation Talk delved into revamping structures and creating future-ready buildings to leverage the framework of an All-Digital, All Electric World for more sustainable, resilient, hyper-efficient and people-centric buildings. The innovation Talk evaluated the need for technological innovation and sustained efforts in deploying digitisation to bolster the sector and reimagine buildings as they are seen today. Bhupesh Arora, Business Head, Digital Energy, Schneider Electric India, said, "There is an increasing need for transformative intervention and solutions in the expansive healthcare sector. Integrating smart, digital solutions across the healthcare infrastructure invariably boosts the hospitals’ ability to meet unprecedented times, enable operational efficiency and maintain the paramount safety of all individuals. Our EcoStruxure platform helps in integrating end-to-end hospital infrastructure, operational efficiency and enhancing patient experience across the hospital lifecycle. It not only improves the safety and security of patients but also builds increased resilience through seamless control infrastructure that stands tall against any external rigours. Buildings of the future will be helmed by the technologies that we are witnessing and paving the way for today." “Technology is transforming the healthcare sector and has steadily become the most integral part of the new normal. Rapidly evolving technologies, along with demographic and economic changes are expected to alter hospitals worldwide. We must invest in resilient hospital infrastructures that can withstand all times and render continuous care, safety and health," said Dr Sujit Chatterjee, CEO, Dr LH Hiranandani Hospital. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19797/medifree-digital-mobile-app-to-provide-integrated-paperless-health-services.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19797/medifree-digital-mobile-app-to-provide-integrated-paperless-health-services.html Wed, 20 Oct 2021 15:00:00 +0530 A team of doctors has developed a mobile application that will provide digital, integrated and paperless healthcare services anywhere in India.    Medifree Digital is a Made in India healthcare mobile app that aims at making the medical profession paperless by providing to the patients integrated services of doctors, laboratories/diagnostic centres and chemists/pharmacists digitally. It is the first-of-its-kind application that brings doctors, pharmacists/ patients and diagnostic centres on a single platform, unlike most other applications.    The app is a comprehensive platform where allopathic, ayurvedic and homoeopathic doctors can all register and have access to complete medical records of the registered patients, though only with the consent of the patient.    Medifree Digital is a neutral platform as it does not promote any healthcare service provider – meaning it will not rate or recommend any doctor, laboratory or chemist to the patient. The patient will decide to select the service provider either those registered on the App or of their own choice.    Medifree Digital App provides videos showing the advantages of registering for the practitioners, patients, laboratories and chemists even before registration. All videos are available on Medifree YouTube channel also. A healthy person can also register on the App and keep his/her medical records as the App provides 12MB space free for the purpose. The App can be downloaded from Google Playstore and an iOS version would also be available soon.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19796/astrazeneca-launches-clinical-data-insights-division-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19796/astrazeneca-launches-clinical-data-insights-division-in-india.html Wed, 20 Oct 2021 14:10:00 +0530 AstraZeneca India has launched a clinical data and insights division in India to further strengthen its global presence and for the management of data-related aspects of its clinical trials. The clinical data and insights team in Bengaluru is a critical advancement to support a growing global portfolio and build on internal data expertise. With the centre starting its operations recently, the team will continue to expand by sourcing the right talent and resources for future needs. Reporting into Development Operations in Biopharmaceuticals R&D, the Clinical Data & Insights (CDI) team is responsible for the management of data-related aspects of AstraZeneca's clinical trials, excluding analysis and reporting. CDI division works across therapy areas and portfolios, supporting early and late-stage clinical programmes from Phase 1 to Phase 3 with an integrated end-to-end approach for clinical data, analytics, insights and risk management. Currently a 30-member team, the division is expected to grow to a 100+ member strong team by 2022. AstraZeneca CDI's current footprint includes over 400 employees and approximately 700 data management professionals in vendor partnerships across six countries. They are now embedding data science and Artificial Intelligence (AI) across R&D centres to enable their data teams to push the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19795/fujifilm-sakra-world-hospital-bring-covid-19-pneumonia-image-analysis-prog.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19795/fujifilm-sakra-world-hospital-bring-covid-19-pneumonia-image-analysis-prog.html Wed, 20 Oct 2021 14:00:00 +0530 Fujifilm India has joined hands with Bengaluru-based Sakra World Hospital in diagnosing the possibility of COVID-19 pneumonia among patients with the help of new AI-enabled software. The association has been borne out of Fujifilm India’s campaign 'COVID-19 Pneumonia Image Analysis Program' which helps in diagnosing chest CT images by offering characteristic image findings of COVID-19 pneumonia across three stages.  The technology automatically analyses the chest CT images and displays the results which assist doctors in diagnosing COVID-19 pneumonia and ultimately saving human lives. Additionally, SYNAPSE 3D, a workstation system visualises and analyses high-precision 3D images from tomographic images such as CT and MRI by utilising Fujifilm India’s image recognition technology.  Koji Wada, MD, Fujifilm India said, “With our new technology, we aim to reduce the burden on the healthcare workers who have been at the forefront in the fight against Covid.”Yuichi Nagano, MD, Sakra World Hospital said, “ With this new AI technology, we hope to empower our healthcare workers in fighting such complications. We thank Fujifilm India for joining hands with us and empowering the Indian healthcare infrastructure with innovations.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19794/windows-version-of-suki-assistant-unveiled.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19794/windows-version-of-suki-assistant-unveiled.html Wed, 20 Oct 2021 11:50:00 +0530 Suki, a leader in voice artificial intelligence (AI) technology for health care, has launched a Windows version of Suki Assistant, expanding the use of the company’s proprietary technology to Windows-powered computers. The offering complements Suki’s existing mobile and web apps, rounding out access to Suki Assistant and delivering the healthcare industry’s first end-to-end voice-enabled clinical digital assistant platform.   The new Windows app is available at no additional cost to all Suki users and extends the Suki experience across the Windows form factor. Now, the same documentation efficiencies achieved using the mobile and web versions of Suki Assistant—76 per cent reduction for the average physician—extend to Windows computers, allowing physicians to dictate into any EHR field or application.   Suki Assistant harnesses advanced NLP and machine learning algorithms and architecture to deliver an accurate and responsive experience for physician documentation. Providers can use a wide variety of voice commands to standardise common clinical documentation elements, further personalising the voice-enabled experience and streamlining workflows.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19788/tata-health-augments-digital-ecosystem-for-online-consultations-pan-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19788/tata-health-augments-digital-ecosystem-for-online-consultations-pan-india.html Tue, 19 Oct 2021 16:50:00 +0530 TATA Health, the digital health arm of the TATA Group, announced the PAN-India availability of its digital health platform InstaDoc. Launched in Bengaluru, the online consultation App helped more than six lakh people. TATA Health has specialists and super-specialists in over 15 specialities and general medicine doctors are available 24x7.   The doctors on the app are selected after a rigorous multi-step selection process. These curated doctors deliver personalised care with empathy, understand patient needs and only prescribe what is necessary. Users have access to a personal, pin protected health locker, which stores all their medical records safely online. This allows patients to access and share their medical information when needed. The App also enables pharma purchase as well as the home collection of samples for lab tests with certified labs in select locations.   TATA Health App has a whole range of functionalities including a steps tracker for users to track their daily steps and set goals to stay fit, medicine reminders to ensure consumers regularly take medicines and also personalised content specific to user needs.    TATA Health has also launched a campaign to educate people in seeking timely medical advice for symptoms that may be confusing. The #SochMatPoochLe digital campaign encourages people to take action and address their health concerns by consulting with curated doctors through an easy to access platform.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19787/bengaluru-based-clevergene-scales-up-genomics-capacity.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19787/bengaluru-based-clevergene-scales-up-genomics-capacity.html Tue, 19 Oct 2021 14:55:00 +0530 Clevergene Biocorp, a Bengaluru-based genomics company, has increased its testing capacity to over 1 lakh annual tests, with the installation of the latest Illumina NovaSeq 6000 DNA sequencing platform, the most advanced DNA sequencer in the world. This puts Clevergene amid an elite club of organisations around the world that can analyse tens of thousands of human genomes.   With this addition, Clevergene will be able to explore new horizons to widen its discovery genomics offerings by introducing applications such as single-cell gene expression, genome deep sequencing etc, that requires large volumes of DNA sequence data. Clevergene is also aiming at leading genetic diagnostics with a focus to provide a diagnosis for rare and difficult to diagnose genetic ailments.    Speaking on this latest addition Tony Jose, Co-Founder & CEO, Clevergene said, “Our primary intention behind this investment is to scale up our genetic diagnostics portfolio and make available comprehensive genetic diagnosis to the millions of patients suffering from genetic ailments. We are also expanding our discovery genomics offerings to Europe and North America.”     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19785/vera-clinics-bags-orders-worth-119m-to-set-up-300-primary-clinics-in-rural-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19785/vera-clinics-bags-orders-worth-119m-to-set-up-300-primary-clinics-in-rural-india.html Tue, 19 Oct 2021 13:15:00 +0530 Vera Clinics, the Hyderabad-based Vera Smart Healthcare arm, has signed a definitive agreement with various medical institutes in the state of Telangana to set up health access points at these medical institutes, that include smart clinics, mobile units, door to door, smart health transport and multi and super speciality hospitals access, based on the health profiling in and around the radius of 300 kilometres.The company under the collaborative model will introduce the latest and leading-edge technology into healthcare – from digitising the health with AI-powered Virtual Smart healthcare tools, backed by Mobile Wellness Hospital services in these medical institutes.Dharma Teja Nukarapu, Founder CEO, Vera Clinics said, "The estimated valuation of the new deal is around $119 million and will be implemented over a period of two years, in the initial roll-out phase we are investing $15 million. What we aim to achieve is to ensure that primary healthcare access is at figure tips of rural through door-to-door diagnostics services, around the corner smart clinics, on demand mobile units are provided to the regions that surround these teaching hospitals." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19784/astrazeneca-collaborates-with-rgci-for-leukemia-diagnosis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19784/astrazeneca-collaborates-with-rgci-for-leukemia-diagnosis.html Tue, 19 Oct 2021 12:35:00 +0530 AstraZeneca India has announced the launch of the initiative 'Project Chariot' to help diagnose and treat patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) in India.   The company has formed a first strategic partnership with Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute (RGCI) to help roll out the programme across North India and the Delhi NCR region.   Through this initiative, AstraZeneca aims to help identify and support CLL reference laboratories (CRLs) in strategic locations across India and connect peripheral hospitals with their closest CRL so that patients combatting the disease can avail themselves the necessary FISH (Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization) panel and IgHV test, and expand the test access to CLL patients throughout the country.    Project Chariot does not aim to redefine the current CLL treatment protocol but to help identify HR CLL patients by providing better and more comprehensive test access to these patients and consequently improving their treatment outcomes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19790/who-issues-7-policy-recommendations-on-building-resilient-health-systems.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19790/who-issues-7-policy-recommendations-on-building-resilient-health-systems.html Tue, 19 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0530 The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released a position paper on building health systems resilience towards UHC and health security during COVID-19 and beyond to reinforce the urgent need for renewed and heightened national and global commitment to make countries better prepared and health systems resilient against all forms of public health threats for sustained progress towards both universal health coverage (UHC) and health security. WHO’s 7 policy recommendations on building resilient health systems based on primary health care are- Leverage the current response to strengthen both pandemic preparedness and health systems Invest in essential public health functions including those needed for all-hazards emergency risk management Build a strong primary health care foundation Invest in institutionalized mechanisms for whole-of-society engagement Create and promote enabling environments for research, innovation and learning Increase domestic and global investment in health system foundations and all-hazards emergency risk management Address pre-existing inequities and the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on marginalized and vulnerable populations The WHO position paper comes at a crucial time to provide leaders and policymakers with recommendations on positioning health within the wider discussions on socioeconomic recovery and transformation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19782/experts-call-for-multi-sectorial-action-to-address-musculoskeletal-disability-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19782/experts-call-for-multi-sectorial-action-to-address-musculoskeletal-disability-in-india.html Mon, 18 Oct 2021 18:15:00 +0530 At the third edition of the India Arthritis and Osteoporosis Conclave 2021, held in New Delhi on 17 Oct, doctors and public health experts called for raising awareness around musculoskeletal disabilities and speeding up prevention and treatment solutions along with comprehensive policy decisions and action. The conclave focused on early diagnosis, encouraging people, particularly senior citizens, to come for timely customised treatment and community and rehabilitative solutions at the local level. The conclave saw participation from more than 1100 delegates with representatives from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Home Affairs, Director General Health Services, Indian Orthopaedic Association, Delhi Orthopaedic Association, AIIMS, Delhi Medical Council as well as corporations, educational institutions, orthopaedic surgeons and pulmonologists, along with faculty experts from Mumbai, Goa, Jhansi, Varanasi, Nagpur and Bhopal. Dr Dhananjay Gupta, Organising Chairman, IAOC 2021 and Director Orthopaedics, Fortis Flt Lt Rajan Dhall Hospital, Vasant Kunj, said, "There is an urgent need for skilled manpower and trained healthcare workers at village and mohalla levels to conduct health camps and spread awareness among the community on the benefits of early diagnosis and timely treatment. We also require digital connectivity and facilities to strengthen online consultations to improve access to remote care, track cases and ensure compliance." Dr Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, CEO and MD, Fortis Healthcare, as the Chief Guest, said, “We need to increase a connection between healthcare providers and the community to improve access. District levels hospitals must have dedicated MSK rehabilitation centres with surgical units and resources must be allocated for central level tertiary care centres for advanced surgery, orthosis, prosthetics and post-operative care. Non-profit organisations and Think Tanks must help with financial and rehabilitative care and placement of the differently-abled in suitable positions as per their abilities."   Image caption- Dr Dhananjay Gupta, Organising Chairman, IAOC 2021 and Director Orthopaedics, Fortis Flt Lt Rajan Dhall Hospital, Vasant Kunj ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19776/health-minister-lays-foundation-for-icmr-school-of-public-health-in-chennai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19776/health-minister-lays-foundation-for-icmr-school-of-public-health-in-chennai.html Fri, 15 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, and Minister of Chemical and Fertilizers, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, virtually laid the foundation for the new building of ICMR School of Public Health at ICMR- National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE) in Ayappakkam, Chennai.   The new building of ICMR School of Public Health will be the first step towards ICMR-NIE’s goal of training at least 150 mid-level public health professionals over the next three years. Special focus is being provided to the states with an inadequately trained workforce.   The new facility will support the ongoing public health capacity programmes of ICMR-NIE. The institute has been conducting Field Epidemiology Training Programmes (FETPs) meant to strengthen the public health workforce in India since 2001.   The institute has trained more than 300 public health professionals from 30 States/UTs in the country, including 90 from Tamil Nadu. The FETP trainees from Indian public health systems learn public health skills by responding to public health emergencies such as disasters and outbreaks, evaluating how health programmes work, and doing epidemiologic studies to identify solutions to priority public health problems in their State.   NIE conducts two-year India FETP leading to MPH, India Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS)- Southern Hub, FETP –Non-Communicable Diseases and Intermediate FETP – Non-Communicable Diseases.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19768/nirth-researchers-confirm-gazelles-ability-to-diagnose-scd-in-indias-remote-regions.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19768/nirth-researchers-confirm-gazelles-ability-to-diagnose-scd-in-indias-remote-regions.html Thu, 14 Oct 2021 11:30:00 +0530 Research published in the journal Frontiers in Medicine found that Gazelle, a diagnostic platform from Hemex Health, has 99 per cent accuracy in diagnosing sickle cell disease (SCD). The research team, from India’s National Institute of Research in Tribal Health (NIRTH), have been hoping to find a low cost, highly accurate, point-of-care rapid detection test for SCD because current testing requires sending samples to a lab, resulting in delays, inability to communicate with patients, and in some cases corruption of the studies due to heat or rough conditions.    “At least 15 per cent of all newborns with sickle cell disease are from India, and it is estimated that 20 per cent of Indian children with sickle cell disease die from related illnesses before reaching their second birthday,” said Dr Shanmugam Rajasubramaniam, Head, Division of Genetic Disorders, ICMR-National Institute of Research in Tribal Health.    In the study, the NIRTH team tested Gazelle to compare its accuracy against the standard laboratory tests, HPLC and haemoglobin electrophoresis. The results showed Gazelle performing with similar accuracy, but with more speed and ease.   The study included 960 subjects from the tribal states of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, who ranged in age from six months to 65 years. Gazelle identified all patients with disease (HbSS) with 100 per cent accuracy. Gazelle demonstrated 100 per cent sensitivity when comparing sickle cell disease versus sickle cell trait and sickle cell disease versus normal. Gazelle exhibited high sensitivity and specificity for detection of each relevant haemoglobin phenotype (normal, carrier, and disease states). Overall, Gazelle yielded a high accuracy (99 per cent) compared to the reference standard tests, haemoglobin electrophoresis and HPLC. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19767/dbt-unveils-countrys-first-one-health-consortium.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19767/dbt-unveils-countrys-first-one-health-consortium.html Thu, 14 Oct 2021 11:00:00 +0530 COVID-19 pandemic showed the relevance of ‘One Health’ principles in the governance of infectious diseases, specially efforts to prevent and contain zoonotic diseases throughout the world. Such diseases have devastating impacts on animals, human, health systems, and economies, requiring years of social and economic recovery. Sensing this urgent need, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, GoI supported a mega consortium on ‘One Health’.  Dr. Renu Swarup, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India launched the First ‘One Health’ project of DBT through video conferencing on 14 October. This programme envisages carrying out surveillance of important bacterial, viral and parasitic infections of zoonotic as well as transboundary pathogens in India, including the North-eastern part of the country.  Use of existing diagnostic tests and the development of additional methodologies when required are mandated for the surveillance and for understanding the spread of emerging diseases. This Consortium, consisting of 27 organisations led by DBT-National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, is one of the biggest one health programs launched by Govt of India in post-COVID times. The One health consortium consists of AIIMS, Delhi, AIIMS Jodhpur, IVRI, Bareily, GADVASU, Ludhiana, TANUVAS, Chennai, MAFSU, Nagpur, Assam agricultural and veterinary university and many more ICAR, ICMR centres and wild life agencies. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19765/ficci-heal-2021-to-discuss-ways-to-transform-health-amidst-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19765/ficci-heal-2021-to-discuss-ways-to-transform-health-amidst-covid-19.html Wed, 13 Oct 2021 17:50:00 +0530 The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) has announced its 15th annual healthcare conference – FICCI HEAL 2021 from October 20 to 22, 2021 supported by NITI Aayog, Government of India. On the theme, 'Transforming Healthcare beyond COVID', the event will be scheduled on a virtual platform and will include talks covering the entire spectrum of healthcare delivery- public health, capacity building, insurance, digital health, diagnostics, medical technologies, home healthcare as well as vaccines.The three-day conference will provide a forum for sharing of learnings and experiences as well as deliberate on the opportunities for transforming the Indian healthcare system beyond covid.  A FICCI-KPMG Knowledge Paper on ‘COVID Induced Healthcare Transformation’, will also be released during the inaugural session.The 13th edition of ‘Healthcare Excellence Awards,’ will be organised to felicitate organisations and individuals for their exemplary contributions to improving healthcare. The chief guest for the award ceremony will be Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, Minister of State, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India along with the Guest of Honour CK Mishra, Former Secretary, Government of India. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare; Dr VK Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, Government of India; Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India; Dr RS Sharma, CEO, National Health Authority, Government of India; Vikas Sheel, Additional Secretary & Mission Director, National Health Mission, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India;     Satyendar Jain, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Government of NCT of Delhi; Dr Randeep Guleria, Director, AIIMS New Delhi; Dr NK Arora, Head, COVID-19 Working Group of National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19757/tredence-launches-healthem-ai-to-optimise-cost-of-care-for-health-organisations.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19757/tredence-launches-healthem-ai-to-optimise-cost-of-care-for-health-organisations.html Tue, 12 Oct 2021 17:45:00 +0530 Tredence, a leading data science and AI engineering company, has launched a dedicated healthcare informatics subsidiary, HealthEM.AI. HealthEM.AI provides analytics solutions to improve outcomes and optimise the cost of care for healthcare providers and payors.    HealthEM.AI recognises nuanced industry challenges, including patient care, clinical care and revenue cycle management, among others, and helps organisations take action through cutting-edge analytical insights.   Compatible with the US healthcare regulatory standards, including FHIR and HIPAA, HealthEM.AI’s data platform provides a strong foundation for healthcare providers and payors to deliver key wins associated with:  Value-based care (Medicare advantages, ACOs) Speciality lines of business (cardiology, dental, vision and more) Reimagining analytics interventions to improve efficiencies throughout healthcare organizations Commercial health plans   HealthEM.AI helps customers adopt a more data-driven culture to counter pervasive uncertainties associated with cost and outcomes; it manages the overall innovation funnel and moves ideas into impactful actions with pre-built AI accelerators and toolkits. The platform covers the full cycle of data management, from data ingestion to data quality, cataloguing and provisioning with a laser focus on improving time-to-value and self-service analytics across the healthcare spectrum. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19755/govt-launches-ph-ii-of-awareness-campaigns-on-hiv-aids-tb-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19755/govt-launches-ph-ii-of-awareness-campaigns-on-hiv-aids-tb-.html Tue, 12 Oct 2021 15:45:00 +0530 Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, has launched Phase II of awareness campaigns on HIV/AIDS & TB under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.   She also virtually interacted with students from across the country and encouraged them to contribute to nation-building, as India commemorates 75th year of Independence.    Dr Pawar said, “Following the launch of Phase I, I am happy to note that weeklong activities like painting, extempore debate and mask making about awareness generation of HIV/AIDS, TB and Blood Donation were organised in 25 schools and 25 colleges of each State.”   Dr Pawar congratulated National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) for the successful launch of the ‘Phase 1 of Awareness Campaigns on HIV, TB and Promotion of Blood Donation’ on 12th August, on the occasion of International Youth Day.   She also appreciated the NACO’s work in reaching out to youth throughout the country during the COVID-19 pandemic. On the occasion, she also released an e-booklet developed by NACO to showcase the variety of awareness activities conducted under Phase-1. The booklet will work as a guide to connecting more students from across the country to participate in activities ahead. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19759/bharat-biotechs-covaxin-receives-sec-nod-for-children-aged-2-18-years.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19759/bharat-biotechs-covaxin-receives-sec-nod-for-children-aged-2-18-years.html Tue, 12 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech has submitted data from clinical trials in the 2-18 years age group for COVAXIN (BBV152) to Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). The data has been thoroughly reviewed by the CDSCO and Subject Experts Committee (SEC) and have provided their positive recommendations. This represents one of the first recommendations worldwide for COVID-19 vaccines for the 2-18 age group. Bharat Biotech is now awaiting further regulatory approvals from the CDSCO prior to product launch and market availability of COVAXIN for Children. Taking note of this development, Dr Kanchan Channawar, Consultant Pediatrician, Kamineni Hospitals, Hospital, Hyderabad says, "Covaxin has proven very effective in adult population without significant side effects, so hopefully it will have a similar effect in the pediatric population from above 2 years. It will not only give the protection but also help to restore the faith among parents to send their kids to school." On the other hand, Dr Bipin Singh, Assistant Professor School of Engineering & Technology, BML Munjal University (BMU), Gurugram is of the opinion, "It would have been better if it was first approved for  children within the age bracket of 10-18 years and based on a larger and diverse pool of clinical trails data and long term evaluations it should have been recommended for use in younger kids of age less than 10 years."       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19750/abbott-to-host-global-congress-on-medication-adherence-and-behavioural-science-on-oct-20-21.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19750/abbott-to-host-global-congress-on-medication-adherence-and-behavioural-science-on-oct-20-21.html Mon, 11 Oct 2021 17:15:00 +0530 Abbott is hosting the first global Congress on medication adherence and behavioural science on October 20-21st, 2021. Spearheading the conversation, the organisation is convening experts across therapeutic areas to share their knowledge, experiences and insights about adherence.    As a precursor to the Congress, an exclusive and virtual knowledge session on ‘Adherence: from treating diseases to treating people,’ was addressed by Prof John Weinman of King’s College, London, who is commonly recognised as a founder of modern health psychology. Other eminent speakers included Dr Sheri Pruitt, a Clinical Psychologist and Behavioural Science Consultant from USA, and Prof John Piette, Professor of Health Behaviour & Health Education and Co-Director of the Centre for Managing Chronic Disease, Ann Arbour, USA. The speakers discussed various components of adherence, spanning societal and economic impact, the role of behavioural science, and the way forward for efficient and sustainable adherence solutions.    Venu Ambati, VP, Pharmaceuticals, Abbott India commented, “ We aim to leverage innovative approaches to shift thinking from ‘treating diseases to treating people.’ With a:care, we have developed a unique programme that reaches healthcare professionals, patients and caregivers to improve treatment adherence. Today, we are delighted to extend these learnings through the first global Congress on medication adherence and behavioural science. By rethinking what it means to provide care, we can help people take charge of their health.”   Dr Sheri Pruitt, Clinical Psychologist and Behavioral Science Consultant discussed the links between behaviour and adherence, saying, “Adherence is an observable and measurable behaviour that is typically repeated, such as taking daily medication or exercising. When patients don’t adhere to advice, behavioural science can provide interventions that help them change their behaviour.”   Commenting on a:care’s unique approach to addressing the problem of non-adherence, Prof Weinman said, “Being involved in the a:care programme has been a great experience as it has been wonderful to see, first-hand, the great interest and responsiveness it has engendered in doctors in so many countries."   Prof Piette commented, “Patients need more support for self-care than clinicians and health systems can realistically provide during face-to-face visits. Evidence from around the world has shown that a variety of digital tools can support patients’ efforts to take their medications as prescribed, communicate with healthcare teams about emerging problems, and improve their overall health.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19733/apollo-hospitals-unveils-varians-truebeam-radiotherapy-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19733/apollo-hospitals-unveils-varians-truebeam-radiotherapy-system.html Sat, 09 Oct 2021 08:10:00 +0530 The Apollo Hospitals Group has launched Varian’s TrueBeam radiotherapy system with Velocity, an intelligent software solution for interventional oncology at Apollo Cancer Institute, Apollo Health City campus, Hyderabad. The versatile TrueBeam is capable of treating a wide range of cancers with high accuracy and precision allowing oncologists or cancer specialists to treat many types of complex cancer cases. Patients also benefit due to the comfort, accuracy, and speed permitted by the TrueBeam system. The addition of the specialised software, Velocity, organises patient data and makes it available in one place to help clinicians make more informed treatment decisions.    TrueBeam has been used for treating patients in over 90 countries and every year around 1.5 million patients receiving treatment on a TrueBeam linear accelerator (LINAC). TrueBeam uses intelligent automation that not just simplifies the workflow, but also guides the specialists step-by-step through each radiotherapy treatment.    The Velocity software organises patient data and makes it available in one place, allowing the oncologist to access and compile treatment and imaging data from diverse systems for a comprehensive view of a patient's diagnostic imaging and treatment history.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19732/indeed-releases-report-on-trends-in-healthcare-jobs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19732/indeed-releases-report-on-trends-in-healthcare-jobs.html Fri, 08 Oct 2021 18:50:00 +0530 Healthcare workers are in high demand, however, it’s not easy to fill those roles. To identify the hardest-to-fill healthcare roles, job portal Indeed has compiled a list based on the percentage of jobs unfilled after two months (Job postings can be open for longer than 60 days for different reasons; in this case Indeed uses this measure as a proxy for hiring difficulty.) It turns out that many of the hardest-to-fill healthcare roles are quite advanced, with the majority being doctor roles. And of all the roles, nursing roles appear thrice on the list - Nurse to doctor ratio in India is estimated to be 1.7:1 based on recent NSSO data. Hospitals are also looking for coding specialists and medical writers.    While nurses jobs are hard to fill, they are also the most-posted - job postings for ‘registered nurses’ saw an increase of 13 per cent in August 2021 as compared to August 2020 on Indeed. Along with nurses, job postings for physicians (7 per cent), laboratory technicians (6 per cent), pharmacists (5 per cent) and nurses (4 per cent) also showed a steady increase.    A city-wise analysis of the hiring activity in the sector revealed that Bengaluru followed by Chennai (7 per cent), Mumbai (5 per cent), Hyderabad (4 per cent), and Pune (3 per cent).   The trend reflected in Indeed’s data as job seeker interest (clicks) for roles such as registered nurse (13 per cent), the laboratory technician (9 per cent), pharmacist (7 per cent), back-office medical assistant (6 per cent), and physician (5 per cent) witnessed growth in August 2021 as compared to August 2020.   Sashi Kumar, Head of Sales, Indeed says “As the government continues to give impetus to the healthcare sector, there is bound to be a growing demand for healthcare job roles. The government is focussed on skilled manpower associated with the healthcare sector. We hope this will positively impact the efficiency of health services in the country. The better healthcare employers can fill those roles, the healthier we will all be.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19729/sikkim-declared-as-first-fully-vaccinated-state-of-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19729/sikkim-declared-as-first-fully-vaccinated-state-of-india.html Fri, 08 Oct 2021 17:35:00 +0530 Sikkim is declared to be the first fully vaccinated state of India, where 100 per cent of the population have received the first dose of vaccine and 74 per cent of the population has received the second dose as well. On average, till now 9,12,325 people were vaccinated. From health workers, front line workers, 45 years and above, to 18 to 44 years all the categories were well taken care of. In addition to this, 4770 doses were provided to the Indian army. The Government of Sikkim took aggressive measures to ensure the welfare of its people. The vaccination drive was taken very seriously. A team of senior officials and members from the health department was put together to monitor the vaccination status daily. The topmost priority was to vaccinate the maximum population possible. The members collectively worked towards immunising the whole Sikkim and achieved it in no time with proper planning and teamwork. The government of Sikkim received 11, 32, 740 doses of Covishield vaccine from the Indian Government out of which the balance at the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) store is 1,78,390. Currently, the stock in East are 36,640, West- 25,670, North - 7,390  and South - 20,090.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19722/pm-dedicates-psa-oxygen-plants-across-35-states-and-uts.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19722/pm-dedicates-psa-oxygen-plants-across-35-states-and-uts.html Thu, 07 Oct 2021 13:25:00 +0530 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dedicated 35 Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) oxygen plants established under PM CARES, across 35 states and Union Territories, in an event held at AIIMS Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, on 07 October.   All districts of the country will now have commissioned PSA oxygen plants. Union Ministers, Governor, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, State Ministers and healthcare professionals were present on the occasion.   The PM said in normal days, India used to produce 900 metric tonnes of liquid medical oxygen a day. As the demand increased, India increased the production of medical oxygen by more than 10 times. He added that this was an unimaginable goal for any country in the world, but India has achieved it. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19721/palliative-care-organisations-launch-saath-saath-helpline.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19721/palliative-care-organisations-launch-saath-saath-helpline.html Thu, 07 Oct 2021 12:20:00 +0530 Cipla Palliative Care, CanSupport, Pallium India and eight other palliative care organisations have launched the ‘Saath-Saath’ helpline. The helpline is a national free-of-cost service where patients, caregivers and healthcare providers can be connected to the nearest palliative care centre when required.     The toll-free helpline ‘1800-202-7777’ will be operational from Monday to Saturday between 10 am to 6 pm. It offers direct service provision in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, Hyderabad and Guwahati. Assistance will be provided in preferred languages like Hindi, English, Kannada, Malayalam, Telugu, Assamese and Marathi.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19709/apollo-hospitals-launches-centre-of-excellence-in-critical-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19709/apollo-hospitals-launches-centre-of-excellence-in-critical-care.html Wed, 06 Oct 2021 15:20:00 +0530 Apollo Hospitals has launched the Apollo Centre of Excellence in Critical Care (ACECC). The ACECC will harness digital technology to create an integrated network of eICUs providing world-class critical care not just across the Apollo Hospitals network but also in partnership with non-Apollo units in India and abroad.   The ACECC will enable wider and timely access to critical care and help in implementing a standardised scope of management and treatment in emergencies and critical medical situations.   The ACECC will comprise digital technology-enabled Critical Care Units (CCUs) having standard protocols and operating procedures (SOPs) supported by smart solutions.   This will enable expansion of the critical care network through e-ICUs using tele-health and Apollo Connect. The ACECC will also focus on evidence-based protocols, training, and capacity building of critical care specialists.   Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Group, said, "The ACECC will be based on a network of hub-and-spokes units between Apollo and non-Apollo providers, both public and private, to ensure that every citizen has access to the best of critical care when needed.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19703/health-minister-releases-unicef-report-on-childrens-mental-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19703/health-minister-releases-unicef-report-on-childrens-mental-health.html Tue, 05 Oct 2021 18:00:00 +0530 Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare has released UNICEF’s global flagship publication – 'The State of the World’s Children 2021; On My Mind: promoting, protecting and caring for children’s mental health'. The report details the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children’s mental health.   The minister acknowledged that it is very vital to address mental health as an important aspect to create a healthy society. He noted that teachers are very important stakeholders for addressing mental health issues along with parents and family. Family and teachers should have open consultation with children from a position of mutual trust and respect.   Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan noted that mental health and physical health are two sides of the same coin. He underscored the prevalence of the societal stigma associated with mental health issues. He also highlighted the lack of full-time student-counsellors in several reputed schools.   Dr Yasmin Ali Haque, UNICEF India Representative presented some key findings of the report. The State of the World’s Children 2021 has found that around 14 per cent of 15 to 24-year-olds in India, or one in seven, reported often feeling depressed or having little interest in doing things.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19699/health-minister-launches-icmrs-drone-based-vaccine-delivery-model.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19699/health-minister-launches-icmrs-drone-based-vaccine-delivery-model.html Mon, 04 Oct 2021 17:05:00 +0530 Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, has launched ICMR’s Drone Response and Outreach in North East (i-Drone).   The i-Drone has been designed to overcome these challenges by deploying Unmanned Aerial vehicles (UAV) / drones to remote areas and hard to reach terrains.   Currently, the drone-based delivery project has been granted permission for implementation in Manipur and Nagaland, as well as the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Island.   Mandaviya said, “This is for the first time that a Make in India drone has been used in South Asia to transport COVID-19 vaccine over an aerial distance of 15 kilometres in 12-15 minutes from the Bishnupur district hospital to Loktak lake, Karang island in Manipur for administration at the PHC. The actual road distance between these locations is 26 km. Today, 10 beneficiaries will receive the first dose and 8 will receive the second dose at the PHC.”   He added, “This technology may prove a game-changer in addressing the challenges in health care delivery, particularly health supplies in difficult areas.”   ICMR conducted an initial study in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur to test the capacity of drones to carry and transfer vaccines safely. The study was conducted in Manipur, Nagaland and Andaman and Nicobar. These studies provided promising results based on which the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and other regulatory authorities have granted permission to fly drones.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19696/intuitive-india-saveetha-medical-college-to-impart-awareness-on-robot-assisted-surgery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19696/intuitive-india-saveetha-medical-college-to-impart-awareness-on-robot-assisted-surgery.html Mon, 04 Oct 2021 14:45:00 +0530 Intuitive India, the India arm of Intuitive Surgical has joined hands with Chennai’s Saveetha Medical College to build awareness about robotic-assisted surgery among the surgical fraternity. As a part of the roving robot programme, Intuitive India conducted a week long hands-on workshop on robotic-assisted surgery at Saveetha medical college in Kuthambakam, Chennai.    Intuitive aims to familiarise the medical fraternity with robotic-assisted surgery, its technology, clinical applications, benefits and its safety profile. Intuitive is planning to conduct such workshops across India as a part of their Roving- Robot programme.     Mandeep Singh Kumar, VP and GM, Intuitive India, said, "The Intuitive Roving Robot Program aims to support the evolution of India’s surgical healthcare landscape. With the same objective, we are continuously expanding the reach of such programmes across the country."   Dr Saveetha Rajesh, Director, Saveetha Medical College, Chennai, said “We have seen an overwhelming response from the surgeons and residents to participate in this week-long workshop, as more than 130 people attended this programme, which include 50 doctors and 80 residents."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19694/omron-healthcare-revamps-telehealth-offerings.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19694/omron-healthcare-revamps-telehealth-offerings.html Mon, 04 Oct 2021 13:25:00 +0530 OMRON Healthcare India will strengthen its presence in the telehealth and remote patient monitoring domain via provision of advanced digital experience to users based on unique upgrades in its mobile app.    The company has introduced a suite of innovative features in its existing app OMRON Connect using OMRON Digital BP Monitors and Body Composition Monitors. The enhancements include introduction of a unique Health Gift programme and an online BP-diary to reward the ones who are doing monitoring with useful goodies and further inculcate the habit of BP monitoring at home. It also includes an upgrade in the data management capacity of the application plus capabilities to make interface with other companies’ healthcare applications possible.   Health Gift aims to make the monitoring more engaging and valuable. The feature encourages regular tracking of health stats using OMRON blood pressure monitors and body composition monitors with rewards like health coins and tickets (with each measurement) that can be exchanged for useful and varied gifts and vouchers. The BP Diary, allows users to record the blood pressure following their lifestyle helping to recognise trends for more customised and effective BP management.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19685/aster-medcity-launches-neurosciences-global-centre-of-excellence.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19685/aster-medcity-launches-neurosciences-global-centre-of-excellence.html Fri, 01 Oct 2021 17:15:00 +0530 Aster Medcity has upgraded the centre of excellence in neurosciences at the hospital to Aster Neurosciences Global Centre of Excellence by adding four major neurology subspecialty centres and Kerala’s first stroke and neurocritical care intensive care unit. The state-of-the-art centre was inaugurated online by the Health Minister of Kerala Veena George.    Dr Asha Kishore, Head, Clinical Excellence, Aster Medcity City, said that with the addition of Stroke Centre, Neurocritical Care Centre, Parkinson and Movement Disorders Centre, Epilepsy Centre and Sleep Lab, Aster Medcity has become a centre capable of providing complete treatment for all the neurological problems.    The ICU has been provided with 24/7 anaesthesia facilities for the management of strokes, complex or intractable status epilepticus, complex brain and spine infections and emergencies due to neuromuscular diseases. The ICU has a dedicated negative pressure room for the management of complex brain infections that require isolation   The stroke Centre has been equipped with the latest technologies for acute stroke care, stroke prevention and stroke rehabilitation programmes. The centre has also been equipped with the most advanced technologies for non-surgical neuro interventions and surgical stroke prevention.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19678/nasscom-coe-iot-ai-announces-winners-of-healthcare-innovation-challenge2.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19678/nasscom-coe-iot-ai-announces-winners-of-healthcare-innovation-challenge2.html Thu, 30 Sep 2021 17:25:00 +0530 NASSCOM Centre of Excellence (CoE) has announced the winners of the Healthcare Innovation Challenge (HIC) 2.0- A grand finale event and marked the end of the first phase and start of the next phase focusing on the deployment of solutions.   The winners announced by the eminent jury are KareXpert (Hospital Automation), Qritive (AI-based Cancer Diagnosis), Endimension (Centralised Tele-radiology Reporting and Integrating Radiology reports into Multimedia Files and Patient Friendly Report), EZDI (Digital Clinical Assistant for Integrating with Legacy EHR), Helyxon and JioVio (Homecare & Patient Monitoring Solutions). LiveHealth, Onward Health, AiraMatrix, TeleRadsol and DeepTek.Ai and Ibis.AI emerged as runners up in their respective use cases.   The key objectives of the HIC#2 include driving operational excellence by enabling automation of administrative processes and digitization of clinical workflows through the adoption of digital technology solutions; enabling healthcare providers to nominate use cases as per the digital solution needs and driving the program to enable the curation, evaluation & deployment of technology-led innovative solutions that address the nominated use cases.   The HIC#2 partner hospitals included KIMS Health, Mahajan Imaging, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre, Sankara Netralaya and Zydus Hospitals and Microsoft as its technology partner. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19677/cvds-respiratory-diseases-diabetes-impacting-majority-indians-medix-survey.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19677/cvds-respiratory-diseases-diabetes-impacting-majority-indians-medix-survey.html Thu, 30 Sep 2021 14:30:00 +0530 Digital healthcare and using an App to seek medical advice and treatment, is rapidly gaining momentum in India, triggered by the health-related concerns and social distancing restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a research study conducted by Kantar, and commissioned by Medix Global.   More than 50 per cent Indians are worried about themselves or family members being diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases or diabetes in the future. As a result, 82 per cent of the respondents have undergone regular check-ups for prevention and early detection of such diseases. The study focuses on the insights of 1,000 Indian health insurance policy holders, aged between 30 to 59 years, during June 2021. The survey reflects their current sentiment, changing perceptions, and future outlook towards health concerns, available health care services and the increasing interest in digitized healthcare. “Two in three Indians have been using digital health apps and 88 per cent of non-users are likely to use them in the future. That is a clear stamp of approval for digital health, and the future of healthcare,” said Sigal Atzmon, Founder & CEO, Medix Global. “With the rise of remote and digitally enhanced care, people are more open to trying new technologies. They want faster, safer and more affordable access to health services from the comfort of their own homes,” she added. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19667/fmri-gurgaon-unveils-cath-lab-with-3d-mapping-carto-7-machine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19667/fmri-gurgaon-unveils-cath-lab-with-3d-mapping-carto-7-machine.html Wed, 29 Sep 2021 17:05:00 +0530 Fortis Memorial Research Institute (Gurgaon) launched a state-of-the-art cath lab with India’s first ‘3D Electro-Anatomical Mapping Carto 7 machine’. The launch event was organised under the aegis of Dr TS Kler, Chairman, Fortis Heart & Vascular Institute, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram and Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj and inaugurated by Rao Inderjit Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation, Government of India.    The 3D electro-anatomical mapping carto 7 machine provides a comprehensive model of the entire heart, while simultaneously relaying information regarding the electrical activity (in the heart). The machine allows for the mapping of complex heart arrhythmias supporting electrophysiologists in making optimal treatment decisions. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19663/govt-of-meghalaya-strengthens-blood-ecosystem-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19663/govt-of-meghalaya-strengthens-blood-ecosystem-.html Wed, 29 Sep 2021 14:25:00 +0530 The Government of Meghalaya is collaborating with Thiruvananthapuram-based Terumo Penpol to bolster the blood ecosystem of the state. Terumo is a medical technology company that provides products, software and services that enable customers to collect and prepare blood and cells to help treat challenging diseases and conditions.   The collaboration will increase awareness about the importance of voluntary blood donations to help build a sustainable blood ecosystem in the state. The first phase of the collaboration begins with a programme in the aspirational district of Ri-Bhoi to build awareness and education in the urban and rural communities about the need for regular voluntary blood donation, the benefits to the society and dispel myths that deter many prospective donors.   “There is an urgent need for behavioural change in our country toward voluntary blood donation, and Meghalaya is no exception to that,” said Sampath Kumar, Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Meghalaya.   Chetan Makam, MD, Terumo Penpol, expressed his commitment to the cause, saying, “With the help of the government of Meghalaya, we are confident in realizing our shared vision of creating a sustainable blood ecosystem for the state. Together with the people of Meghalaya, we hope to create champions within the community to promote voluntary blood donation.”       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19656/astrazeneca-health-tech-startup-tricog-roll-out-project-heart-beat-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19656/astrazeneca-health-tech-startup-tricog-roll-out-project-heart-beat-in-india.html Tue, 28 Sep 2021 16:15:00 +0530 AstraZeneca India together with Bengaluru-based health-tech startup Tricog has rolled out a programme called ‘Project Heart Beat’, which is focussed on an early and accurate diagnosis of heart attack patients, thereby reducing the mortality rates.   It is currently deployed in Tier-I and II towns and villages that lack access to quality healthcare. The project addresses the unmet need for early diagnosis and intervention for patients with a suspected heart attack by enabling cloud-based artificial intelligence (AI) supported interpretation of electrocardiograms (ECGs), routing patients to the nearest Cath Labs or fibrinolysis centres, thereby ensuring accurate diagnosis and timely treatment and ultimately improving patient outcomes.     The initiative aims to upskill the physicians and technicians at the primary and secondary care centres to better manage heart attack patients, by following the guideline-recommended ACS (Acute Coronary Syndrome) treatment protocols and early referral to the tertiary care centres for better treatment outcomes.    Gagan Singh Bedi, MD, AstraZeneca India, said, “Through this programme, we have already touched the lives of more than 13,000 patients and resulted in the early identification of abnormal ECGs that were referred to their respective tertiary care hospitals to further aid in effective disease management.”   Currently, Project Heart Beat has eight major hubs with all facilities to treat heart attack patients in India. To name a few, Sanjeevan Medical Center, Karad- Maharashtra, Metro heart, Faridabad -Delhi NCR, Spandan Hospital, Bhopal -Madhyapradesh, CKS hospital, Jaipur-Rajasthan, Lifeline hospital, Thane -Maharasthra, BKL Walawalakar Rural Medical College, Kasarwadi- Maharashtra, with a plan to expand the initiative across India in the coming months.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19655/apollo-hospitals-unveils-ai-tool-to-predict-cvd-risk.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19655/apollo-hospitals-unveils-ai-tool-to-predict-cvd-risk.html Tue, 28 Sep 2021 16:00:00 +0530 Apollo Hospitals has launched an AI (artificial intelligence) tool to predict the risk of cardiovascular disease. The Apollo AI-powered Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Risk tool will help healthcare providers to predict the risk of cardiac disease in their patients and initiate intervention early enough to make a real difference.   The cardiac risk scoring tool is remarkable for its speed in processing data and its accuracy in predicting the probability of a patient developing coronary disease. Using the tool, physicians will be enabled to deliver proactive, pre-emptive and preventive care for at-risk individuals, improving lives while mitigating future pressure on healthcare systems.    The team at Apollo Hospitals collected more than ten years of data relating to 400,000 individuals across the country. Then, they used Microsoft Azure to turn that anonymised data into actionable insights that data scientists and clinicians could use to train machine learning models.   The tool has been validated using data from the Maastricht Study, a long-term cohort health study in the Maastricht region and from the Heart+Vascular Center at Maastricht University Medical Center, Netherlands.     The tool also gives insights on the risk contributors that can be modified to improve the score. This enables physicians to give more holistic advice to the patients with specific insights for lifestyle modification.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19648/-larsen-toubro-accelerates-innovation-in-clinical-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19648/-larsen-toubro-accelerates-innovation-in-clinical-research.html Tue, 28 Sep 2021 14:20:00 +0530 Mumbai-headquartered Larsen & Toubro Infotech (LTI) has entered into a strategic partnership with Scotland-based eClinicalHealth to accelerate digital innovation in the R&D Clinical Trials Management process for patient-centric drug development. The partnership will help clients decentralise clinical trials setting new benchmarks of excellence in the clinical research space.As part of this strategic partnership, LTI with its digital, technical and life sciences domain capabilities, will help accelerate joint go-to-market pursuits and faster deployment for Clinpal Adopters. The solution will make use of exponential technologies such as analytics and AI to enhance patient engagement and faster clinical studies.Archana Ramanakumar, EVP & Global Delivery Head – Life Sciences, Media, Consumer & Technology, LTI commented, "Our endeavour with eClinicalHealth partnership is to accelerate and streamline the enablement of decentralized trials, to reduce patient burden and drive the acceleration of clinical trials. With this partnership, we aim to accelerate the development and deployment of eClinicalHealth's ClinPal platform in clinical trials for the industry."  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19642/godrej-unveils-paper-based-mosquito-repellent-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19642/godrej-unveils-paper-based-mosquito-repellent-.html Mon, 27 Sep 2021 18:30:00 +0530 The R&D team at Godrej Consumer Products recently launched a paper-based mosquito repellent that can provide up to four hours of protection from mosquitoes. Goodknight Jumbo Fast Card is available in a pack of 10 cards and is affordably priced at Rs 15.  The launch took place during a discussion themed on ‘The fight against mosquito-borne diseases and the need for innovation’, organised featuring experts from The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India; Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR); The Gates Foundation; Home Insect Control Association (HICA) and Godrej Consumer Products. The panel suggested the need for innovation and partnership if India wants to be free of mosquito-borne diseases. Sunil Kataria, CEO - India, and SAARC, Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL), said, “Jumbo Fast Card is our latest innovation which is the result of our deep understanding of the category and know-how of what the country currently needs. The revolutionary paper-based format will give people the dual benefit of instant action and its effect will last up to four hours at only Rs 15 for 10 cards. This makes Jumbo Fast Card an effective and affordable solution against mosquitoes in the urban and rural landscape."Dr Rajni Kant, Director, ICMR – Regional Medical Research Centre, Gorakhpur, commented, “We need to research priority areas such as drug resistance and identifying hot spots in case of malaria and demonstrate few model projects towards its elimination on a larger extent as well as creating awareness for the prevention of dengue and work towards vaccine research." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19640/karexpert-aims-to-digitally-transform-5000-eye-hospitals.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19640/karexpert-aims-to-digitally-transform-5000-eye-hospitals.html Mon, 27 Sep 2021 14:25:00 +0530 KareXpert, the Jio-backed, SaaS-based digital healthcare platform has now added a pre-integrated ophthalmology solution also enabling 5000+ eye hospitals of India. The tailor-made platform will help to streamline the end-to-end ophthalmology starting from an eye examination, eye testing, opthal e-prescription, eye surgeries with counselling, complex OT facilities, patient daycare, optical store, discharge and follow up appointments.    Centres can now access KareXpert’s SaaS-based, cloud-native, mobile-ready, and AI-ready platform bringing 10x Patient experience and Coordinated care with EMR/EHR. The company has already deployed these extensive solutions with leading eye-care Mahindra group hospitals like Center For Sight (Chain of Eye Hospitals across India) and intends to onboard major Eye hospitals chain of India in the next 12months.    The software also comes equipped with an insurance e-Claim and TPA module, which helps in the faster processing of claims. It even enables hospitals to create efficient and unified workflows during a patient’s visit, ensuring timely delivery and the highest quality of care.    Nidhi Jain, Founder and CEO of KareXpert, said, “We are proud to offer our integrated, advanced, and cloud-based opthal solutions to renowned eye-care centres across the country. They will now be able to efficiently manage their operations with almost a single-click login along with a quick display of transactions and patient engagement activities from any location, any time. Our solutions will also help eye-care hospitals achieve hyper coordinated workflow, hyper-collaboration within operations, and seamless patient engagement.”   Dr Mahipal Sachdev, Founder, Centre for Sight further says, “In the age of technological advancements, numerous sectors have gone 'digital' to streamline their operations and offer customer-centric solutions. Similarly, the healthcare industry should also hop on the 'digital' wagon to make the experience seamless and comfortable for the patients.”   KareXpert has emerged as the faithful partner for hospitals with its single-platform, SaaS-based approach, helping facilitate hyper-collaboration among multiple stakeholders with minimal human intervention required in tasks around data capturing, patient onboarding, and data storing.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19639/zeiss-india-qms-medical-allied-services-in-alliance-for-diabetic-retinopathy-screening.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19639/zeiss-india-qms-medical-allied-services-in-alliance-for-diabetic-retinopathy-screening.html Mon, 27 Sep 2021 14:05:00 +0530 QMS Medical Allied Services (MAS) has announced a strategic arrangement with ZEISS Medical Technology India - for the screening of diabetic retinopathy.   With this arrangement, Mumbai-based QMS-MAS is making its entry in the field of conducting medical camps across locations in India.   QMS-MAS will be conducting remote diabetic retinopathy screening pan India using VISUSCOUT 100 camera of ZEISS.   “We will be offering various other preventive medical camps. With this initiative, we hope to make the healthcare delivery system more effective by early detection and timely referral of patients to improve therapy outcomes. ZEISS is a perfect partner in this step towards investing in the future of healthcare,” said Mahesh Makhija, MD, QMS Medical Allied Services.   VISUSCOUT 100 camera is a handheld fundus camera and a perfect imaging companion for reliably detecting and monitoring retinal disorders. Due to its lightweight and compact design, it is easily moveable and works perfectly for health care professionals interested in an easy, cost-effective fundus imaging solution.   QMS-MAS is going to conduct these screenings along with multiple other tests using ground-breaking point of care medical devices, under the banner of Unified Medicare (UMC).   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19637/chennai-based-billroth-hospitals-unveils-liver-transplant-centre.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19637/chennai-based-billroth-hospitals-unveils-liver-transplant-centre.html Mon, 27 Sep 2021 12:40:00 +0530 Chennai-based Billroth Super Speciality Hospitals has launched a liver Transplant Centre. The inauguration was done by Subramanian, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Tamil Nadu. The centre will be headed by Dr Elankumaran. The team will also consist of surgeons such as Dr Sugi Subramaniam, Dr Sivaraj and Dr Sankar Narayanan, Anaesthetists – Dr Kulaseharan, Dr Hari Balakrishnan, Dr Rengarajan and Dr Suresh. Billroth Hospitals is a multi-speciality 350-bedded facility.   Dr Shrilekha Venkatesan, Medical Superintendent, Billroth Hospitals says, “The transplant centre will be an addition to the pre-existing ‘BIG’ (Billroth Institute of Gastroenterology), with advanced infrastructure and equipment. Being a pioneer in the healthcare industry, we believe the hospital would continue to render more quality healthcare services with the right infrastructure and expertise.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19627/medleymed-forays-into-global-market.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19627/medleymed-forays-into-global-market.html Fri, 24 Sep 2021 18:25:00 +0530 MedleyMed, a subsidiary of Athena Global Technologies, has entered the US and other global markets with a suite of digital health solutions for both pharmacy businesses and patient care. The company is also expanding its operations within India and has strong plans to launch its exclusive e pharmacy and telemedicine services by the end of 2021 and offline pharmacy presence through a franchisee network under MedleyMed brand. Announcing the business expansion plans of MedleyMed, M Satish (Satyendra), MD, Athena Global Technologies and MedleyMed said, “. With an existing suite of business offerings in B2B and B2C healthcare platforms, we see great potential in the global market and have decided to expand our business operations." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19620/vietnam-signs-mou-with-india-for-covid-19-vaccine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19620/vietnam-signs-mou-with-india-for-covid-19-vaccine.html Fri, 24 Sep 2021 11:00:00 +0530 Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India has entered into a research collaboration with Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC, a Vietnamese pharmaceutical company, that is developing a new vaccine for COVID-19. Pham Sanh Chau, the Ambassador of Vietnam to India, led a team that visited THSTI to sign MoU between THSTI and the Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC.  After having accomplished the pre-clinical trial with high safety and efficacy, Nano Covax is the first COVID-19 vaccine to be approved by Vietnam’s Ministry of Health to conduct clinical trial in Vietnam. Phase 1 of the clinical trial started on December 2020. Nanogen has developed and produced protein subunit vaccine by using recombinant S-protein subunit binding to silica nanoparticles. The current manufactory system of Nanogen is capable of manufacturing 20-30 million doses, up to 100 million doses each year to satisfy the domestic demand and export orientation.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19616/covid-19-infection-among-patients-on-dialysis-was-20-fold-greater-nephroplus-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19616/covid-19-infection-among-patients-on-dialysis-was-20-fold-greater-nephroplus-study.html Thu, 23 Sep 2021 18:00:00 +0530 NephroPlus has undertaken a broad study to simplify the complexities and understand the impact of COVID-19 on dialysis patients and the benefits of vaccination.   The study published in Nephrology Journal, Kidney International Reports, finally bridges the gap between speculation and scientific fact. It also brings to bear the magnitude and severity of COVID-19, especially on patients undergoing dialysis.   NephroPlus also studied vaccination and the rate of infections, hospitalisations, and mortality among vaccinated patients across India, with findings showing that vaccines are truly effective against COVID-19.     According to the Principal Investigator, Dr Vivekanand Jha, the study showed that infections, hospitalisations, and mortality were all significantly reduced among people who had taken at least one dose of the vaccine.    Dr Jha added, "We found that COVID-19 infection among patients on dialysis was 20-fold greater than that reported in the general population when adjusted for age and sex. While it was 8.7 per cent among dialysis patients during the study period, the infection among the general population stood at 0.44 per cent during the same period”.   Kamal D Shah, Co-Founder, NephroPlus and a co-author of the study says, “It is important for dialysis patients to know that they have a high risk of contracting this lethal virus and die if they don’t take the vaccine. That is what our study shows."         ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19613/practo-forays-into-surgery-segment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19613/practo-forays-into-surgery-segment.html Thu, 23 Sep 2021 11:35:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based health platform Practo has unveiled 50+ Practo Care Surgery Experience Centres in six cities (Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad), marking its foray into secondary care in India.   Practo is building an omnichannel healthcare ecosystem for secondary care procedures, that will enable users to seamlessly cross over between digital and physical, and out-patient to in-patient environments.    Currently, Practo Care Surgeries is helping fulfill 50+ surgical procedures across three specialities viz. general surgery, urology and ENT, in six cities.   The company plans to expand its network to 30+ cities, launch 300+ centres, add more specialities (viz. orthopaedic, gynaecology, ophthalmology, to name a few), and onboard hundreds of surgeons by the end of next year.    Each Practo Care surgeon comes with at least 10+ years of experience. The model places an equal emphasis on audit as a tool to improve the quality and efficiency of care provided to the patients.   The company plans to facilitate Rs 1000 cr worth of healthcare financing in India over the next three years. Additionally, its partnership with insurance companies is bringing in the much-needed convenience in paperwork support.        ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19606/metromedi-com-bms-fit-club-bring-indias-first-diabetes-reversal-programme.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19606/metromedi-com-bms-fit-club-bring-indias-first-diabetes-reversal-programme.html Wed, 22 Sep 2021 10:55:00 +0530 MetroMedi.com, based out of Hyderabad, has tied up with BMS Fit Club to expand its footprint in the remote management of lifestyle-related chronic conditions associated with diabetes and hypertension. The tie-up has launched Diabetes Reversal Programme.   Supported with the MetroMedi team of specialist doctors and health coaches, the remote and virtual management on the BMS Fit Club will enable seamless and real-time support on nutrition, lifestyle, and medication adherence for diabetic patients.    "Diabetes’ reversal is possible with our medically proven and clinically approved methods with India’s 1st diabetic reversal platform from MetroMedi & BMS Fit Club," states Uday Lakshmi - Co-founder, BMS Fit Club. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19604/experts-urge-govt-to-develop-policies-for-neuro-disorders.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19604/experts-urge-govt-to-develop-policies-for-neuro-disorders.html Tue, 21 Sep 2021 18:35:00 +0530 The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) organised a webinar on ‘Graceful Ageing,’ to raise awareness about Alzheimer's disease (AD),  on 21 September.   In his address, Prof. (Dr.) Rajinder K Dhamija, Head of Neurology Department Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi noted that national policies and programmes specifically targeting epilepsy, neuro infections, dementia and neuro-degenerative diseases need to be planned by the government.   Sharing his perspective on AD, Dr. Shamsher Dwivedee, Chairman Neurosciences and Director Clinical Services, Vimhans Nayati Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi highlighted how there is an overall neglect towards brain as a part of general health awareness whereas it is one of the most important organs for a healthy living. “Brain performance needs closer assessment by general physicians, family members, friends, and colleagues to pick brain maladies early.”   Other speakers included Sailesh Mishra, Founder & President, Silver Innings Group and Founder, A1 Snehanjali Assisted Living Elder Care Home; Dr Suvarna Alladi, Professor of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore; Dr Ritu Rana, Heading Mission-Health, HelpAge India; Anil Rajput, Chairman, ASSOCHAM CSR Council and Dr Rajesh Kesari, Founder and Director Total Care Control, Delhi-NCR who also moderated the panel discussion. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19594/albot-tech-unveils-oxygen-plant-in-pune.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19594/albot-tech-unveils-oxygen-plant-in-pune.html Mon, 20 Sep 2021 17:40:00 +0530 A 500 LPM oxygen plant was recently inaugurated by Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. The plant has been made operational by Albot Technologies in collaboration with DY Patil International University (DYPIU) and is installed on the premises of Y Patil Dnyanshanti School, Akurdi.    The list of guests of honour also included the likes of Dr Sanjay Patil - President, Dr DY Patil Pratishthan, Satej Patil - Chairman & Vice President Dr DY Patil Pratishthan, and Minister of State, Government of Maharashtra and Dr Prabhat Ranjan, VC DY Patil International University.   The plant has been engineered to produce over 500 litres of oxygen per minute. It employs the well-known Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) technique by which the enriched oxygen is generated from the ambient air while filtering out the nitrogen. With the PSA technique, an oxygen purity of 93 per cent can be achieved. Once the oxygen is generated, it can be directly supplied to the hospitals and industrial sectors.   “Our objective is to strengthen the oxygen manufacturing capacity in the nation to forestall the consequences as seen in the second wave of the pandemic. We are viewing this from a multidimensional perspective; enhancing the supply chain while keeping an eye on the evolving demand too,” said Dr Akash Singh, CEO, Albot Technologies. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19590/afpi-signs-mou-with-eka-care-for-digital-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19590/afpi-signs-mou-with-eka-care-for-digital-healthcare.html Mon, 20 Sep 2021 11:25:00 +0530 The Academy of Family Physicians India (AFPI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bengaluru-based health-tech startup Eka Care to work mutually towards developing and implementing digital healthcare technology. Dr Raman Kumar, President, AFPI said, “We have tied up with Eka Care to drive the next wave of much-needed tech transformation. We firmly believe that by going digital not only would we be moving closer to our patients but also be much more effective around clinical delivery. Both AFPI and Eka Care will work closely towards the common goal of uplifting medical practice and enhancing health outcomes."Eka Care will be the preferred technology provider for AFPI member doctors providing services such as patient engagement, health records, EMR, telemedicine, and payment solutions for its members. This collaboration will also help members with appointments, Google listings, and SEO. On Eka Care, doctors can become part of their local network and will also be able to connect their patients with super specialists through this agreement. Eka Care has agreed to build tech solutions in guidance with AFPI to solve the day-to-day problems/issues of their members. The company will also provide a complimentary trial period of six months to all members who register before December 31, 2021. AFPI members will also receive special offer prices from Eka Care post-trial period. Image caption- (Left) Dr Raman Kumar from AFPI with (Right) Dr Neelesh Kapoor, Head Medical Affairs Eka Care ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19589/sharp-sight-eye-hospitals-launches-eye-care-hospital-in-srinagar.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19589/sharp-sight-eye-hospitals-launches-eye-care-hospital-in-srinagar.html Sun, 19 Sep 2021 19:45:00 +0530 Sharp Sight Eye Hospitals announced the launch of its state-of-the-art facility and biggest eye hospital in the valley located at Baghat Chowk, Estate Barzulla, Srinagar. The facility was inaugurated by Manoj Sinha, Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir.   Speaking on the occasion, Sinha said, “I welcome team Sharp Sight to Srinagar and I am delighted to see the achievements made by this organisation. Sharp Sight has made significant advancements in terms of technology, expertise and infrastructure available to the patients. It’s also very heartening to know that Sharp Sight is committed to providing eye care for all irrespective of people’s paying capacity as affordability is one of its key priorities.    Dr Samir Sud, Co-Founder & Medical Director, Sharp Sight Eye Hospitals said, “Over the years, we have endeavoured to provide the best in class treatment and technology to our patrons at affordable costs. The centre will cater to the needs of the eye patients in Srinagar and neighbouring areas. We will continue to strive to bring the benefits of our clinical excellence to various parts of Jammu & Kashmir.”   Dr Kamal B Kapur, Co-Founder & Medical Director, Sharp Sight Eye Hospitals said, “Sharp Sight extends its services to all ophthalmic specialities including Refractive Procedures (Vision Correction Procedures), cataract, glaucoma, vitreo retinal services, Uvea, cornea, squint, paediatric ophthalmology, neuro-ophthalmology, oculoplasty and tumours, opticals and Vision Aids, Contact Lens and comprehensive eye check-up. We seek to provide world-class ophthalmic care at our patient’s doorstep and this facility at Srinagar marks our maiden foray into Jammu & Kashmir.”   Deepshikha Sharma, CEO, Sharp Sight Eye Hospitals, said, “We now proudly announce the introduction of latest American technology in J&K, Femto Cataract Technology for cataract treatment and best German technology, touchless Lasik for refractive errors. Building on the trust that we have gained of over 10 lakh delighted patients, we have initiated a new vision - 'Aao Accha Dekhein'; which welcomes and motivates people to inculcate a better perspective towards life." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19587/fortis-faridabad-increases-bed-capacity-from-210-to-270.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19587/fortis-faridabad-increases-bed-capacity-from-210-to-270.html Sun, 19 Sep 2021 08:40:00 +0530 Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad will be adding 60 more beds, taking the total number of beds in the hospital from 210 to 270. The additional beds will be set up in a new building, which is currently under construction, as a part of the hospital. A bhumi pujan ceremony was recently held at the hospital and Krishan Pal Gurjar, Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Power, Government of India, was the Guest of Honour. The event was also attended by Jitender Yadav, Deputy Commissioner, Faridabad and Yashpal, Commissioner MCF.    Construction of the new building will be completed within a year. In addition to 60 new beds, the hospital will also be building an operation theatre and ICU.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19586/indraprastha-apollo-hospitals-datri-launches-revamped-bmt-centre.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19586/indraprastha-apollo-hospitals-datri-launches-revamped-bmt-centre.html Sun, 19 Sep 2021 08:35:00 +0530         On the occasion of World Marrow Donors’ Day, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals in association with Datri has launched an upgraded Centre for Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) and Cellular Therapy in its premises.     The BMT follow up OPD has been set up close to the centre for being able to prevent these immunocompromised patients from mixing with other patients and reducing their risk of catching secondary infections. To commemorate the Marrow Donors’ Day further, Apollo in association with Datri hosted a survivor’s meet with their donor’s. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19582/majority-hospitals-acknowledge-need-to-invest-more-in-staff-efficiency-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19582/majority-hospitals-acknowledge-need-to-invest-more-in-staff-efficiency-study.html Sat, 18 Sep 2021 10:25:00 +0530 Zebra Technologies Corporation, an innovator at the front line of business with solutions and partners that deliver a performance edge, released the findings of its latest healthcare vision study. The 'Smarter, More Connected Hospitals' Global Report reveals a stronger commitment to advanced technology tools as acute care providers strive to become more resilient and digitalise the patient journey.   89 per cent of executive decision-makers and 83 per cent of clinicians surveyed agree real-time intelligence is essential for optimal patient care, and hospitals are increasingly investing in clinical mobility tools, real-time location systems (RTLS) and intelligent workflow solutions to support smarter, more connected workflows. However, more than two-thirds (67 per cent) of hospital executives still don’t feel their organisations are investing enough to maximise staff efficiency and more must be done moving forward.    “The COVID-19 pandemic has tested the efficiency of both clinical and administrative workflows,” said Chris Sullivan, Global Healthcare Practice Lead, Zebra Technologies. “As a result, today’s healthcare leaders face the challenge of recalibrating technology systems to better support the needs of clinicians and patients.”    The majority of respondents (84 per cent) believe the quality of patient care would improve if nurses, physicians and non-clinical healthcare workers had access to collaboration tools and the convenience of using their mobile devices to access healthcare applications.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19571/medulance-healthcare-with-nephroplus-to-aid-in-dialysis-care-in-23-states.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19571/medulance-healthcare-with-nephroplus-to-aid-in-dialysis-care-in-23-states.html Fri, 17 Sep 2021 17:25:00 +0530 Medulance Healthcare has announced its partnership with NephroPlus, to help patients understand the treatment options and access dialysis services at home, at the centre or on wheels. The collaboration will bring dialysis services across 23 states in India to more than three million users enrolled under MeduAlert, a corporate programme by Medulance Healthcare crafted to provide timely assistance in case of dire circumstances.   Pranav Bajaj, Co-Founder, Medulance, said, “With this partnership we aim to provide timely assistance to patients, both COVID-19 positive and non-COVID patients undergoing dialysis across India, as per their convenience. We are hopeful that this partnership will prove beneficial to our users who are on the lookout for a convenient dialysis service.”   Kamal Shah, Co-Founder, NephroPlus said, ”We are delighted to partner with Medulance and bring our high quality, patient-centric and protocol-driven Dialysis services to patients who use Medulance’s services." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19578/samhita-cipla-to-empower-indian-pharmacists-in-building-community-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19578/samhita-cipla-to-empower-indian-pharmacists-in-building-community-healthcare.html Fri, 17 Sep 2021 17:05:00 +0530 Samhita Social Ventures and Cipla have collaborated to tap the enormous potential of pharmacists as a key driver of community healthcare in the country.   The collaboration was established after a study of over 1,100 pharmacists titled Future of Pharmacies, conducted by Samhita and Cipla across India, and shaped by the insights of Dr Nachiket Mor, visiting scientist - The Banyan Academy for Leadership in Mental Health.   The study indicates that pharmacists are invested in the health of their communities. 61 per cent of pharmacists stated that they wanted to improve their medical skills and knowledge to serve their customers better and 76 per cent reported collaborating with healthcare players to improve outcomes in their localities.   The study also shows that being a pharmacist is a full-time profession for 93 per cent of respondents and 91 per cent did not want to switch their line of business. This demonstrates their commitment to their professions and the possibility of their long-term engagement in community healthcare.   Based on insights from the report, Samhita has partnered with DigiHealth to undertake a pilot project with 220 pharmacies in Mumbai and Pune regions.    As part of this pilot: A BP Monitor and weighing scale would be provided to pharmacists to carry out a screening of walk-in customers and spread awareness on hypertension, including symptoms, treatment and required lifestyle changes  Customers would be provided access to teleconsultation at the pharmacy (or through the digihealth app to be accessed via the customer’s smartphone) with doctors Digihealth, through its mobile app and pharmacy network, would nudge communities and individuals to avail testing and follow-up on their conditions     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19574/union-health-minister-inaugurates-multiple-health-facilities-at-safdarjung-hospital.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19574/union-health-minister-inaugurates-multiple-health-facilities-at-safdarjung-hospital.html Fri, 17 Sep 2021 08:55:00 +0530 Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated many patient-centric facilities at the Safdarjung Hospital, in Delhi. He inaugurated a child abuse care and elder abuse care centre in the New Block of the Hospital, the third PM-CARES Pressure Swing Adsorption Oxygen Plant of capacity 1 MT and the new makeshift hospital at the hospital premises. He released a booklet 'Quality ki Baat' and also presented the hospital with its entry-level NABH Accreditation Certificate.   Congratulating the hospital, Mandaviya highlighted that commitment and dedication of doctors are the crucial pillars of healthcare and form the foundation of the Central Government Hospital.   Rajesh Bhushan, Union Health Secretary, Prof (Dr) Sunil Kumar, Director General of Health Services, Dr SV Arya, Medical Superintendent, Safdarjung Hospital were also present. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19567/aeris-communications-launches-enterprise-voice-solution-claerityai-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19567/aeris-communications-launches-enterprise-voice-solution-claerityai-in-india.html Thu, 16 Sep 2021 12:10:00 +0530 Aeris Communications has launched the Enterprise Voice Solution – Claerityai – the latest speech enhancement technology powered by AI through a virtual conference in India. Claerityai improves productivity by removing all unwanted background noise from virtual meetings. Claerityai seamlessly integrates with various collaboration tools like Teams, Zoom, Google Meet and similar tools. Designed for enterprises, this single solution has centralised user provisioning and works securely across the entire user base.    Marc Jones, Chairman and CEO, Aeris Communications said “The technologies of today will enable business owners to cater to efficiency and competitiveness, especially with the endless possibilities that conversational AI offers — from dynamic noise suppression software to conversational kiosks that can greet a returning client by name.”   Dr Rishi Bhatnagar, President, Aeris Communications said “We have launched the much-demanded noise cancellation and speech enhancement Enterprise Voice Solution — ClaerityAI to help enterprises increase productivity and enhance customer experience manifold.”   The programme featured sessions where industry leaders and technology experts, including Alok Kumar, Senior Advocate at Supreme Court of India; Shaleja Mahajan, Sr CATI Manager, TeamCVoter; Nilay Malhotra, Founder & CEO, Janani.Life; Shashank Padhye, Founder & CEO at Balcal Nutrefy Diet Solutions; Rahul Singh, Chairperson- PGPX & Professor BIMTECH; Dr SP Aggarwal, Principal, Ramanujan College, DU; CA Himanshu Kumar, Founder, Tax4wealth; Ganesh Shankar, Founder & CEO, FluxGen Technologies; Charanya V Kumar, Co-Founder and Business Head - Gurucool Fun and Digvijay Chaudhari, CEO & MD, Sobus Insight Forum shared their user experience.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19564/chronic-pain-emerging-as-major-health-problem-in-india-experts-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19564/chronic-pain-emerging-as-major-health-problem-in-india-experts-.html Wed, 15 Sep 2021 18:40:00 +0530 Chronic pain – defined as any persistent pain lasting more than three months – is rapidly emerging as a significant healthcare challenge in India that is going to extract a heavy toll on the social and health infrastructure of the country in the coming years. This information was given by pain specialists of Interventional Pain and Spine Centre (IPSC).   More than 19 per cent of the Indian adult population suffers from chronic pain of some kind, with prevalence being higher in females (25 per cent). The prevalence increases steeply beyond the age of 65 years, according to a survey.   According to the experts, this may be the tip of the iceberg as Indians usually understate their health issues and would rather not reveal their pain problems to others.   Said Dr (Maj) Pankaj N Surange, MD and CEO, IPSC India, “Chronic pain will take a huge social and economic toll in the next two decades with significant spending on surgical treatment and hospitalisation. It has a serious impact on work, with increasing loss of workdays associated with chronic pain, especially low back pain.”     Dr Om Prakash Gupta, Senior Consultant, IPSC India, opined, "In interventional pain management, patients suffering from back pain, slipped disc, disc bulge, sciatica etc. are treated with less invasive techniques like ozone discectomy, percutaneous disc decompression and endoscopic discectomy where a small scope is inserted to remove the herniated portion of the disc. Patients suffering from arthritis of the joints are managed with regenerative interventions in their early stages to prevent progression."   A 2018 survey of 20,000 patients with back pain from Indian metro cities estimated that 46 per cent of Bengaluru’s population in the younger age group suffers from spinal problems. This is among the highest incidence in the country. About 43 per cent of patients neglect their pain for more than seven weeks, leading to delayed treatment and increased risk of surgery. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19559/wadhwani-foundation-cyient-xynteos-vikaasa-to-support-health-smes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19559/wadhwani-foundation-cyient-xynteos-vikaasa-to-support-health-smes.html Tue, 14 Sep 2021 18:00:00 +0530 Wadhwani Foundation, Cyient, and Xynteo’s Vikaasa announced a partnership to support and accelerate the growth of small and medium healthcare enterprises. Spearheaded by Wadhwani Foundation’s - Advantage programme and Project Tej (led by Xynteo’s Vikaasa partnership), the collaboration will enable emerging healthcare enterprises to overcome systemic challenges in the Indian healthcare innovation ecosystem.     There are substantial investments in the public and private healthcare sectors, but there is a gap in market access and clinical validation for innovations. The partnership aims to address these gaps by forging transformative partnerships, catalysing capital and building capacity for enabling the growth of MedTech companies. The collaboration will support growth-oriented small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the healthcare ecosystem-scale faster. The partnership will undertake two programmes - setting up a hospital cohort and a MedTech cohort. The coalition will also be launching a position paper focused on recommendations to promote innovation and scale-up of SMEs in the healthcare space.   TransformHealth is designed to provide access to expertise, facilities and support towards technology enablement and building capabilities for sustainable growth of hospitals. In addition, the MedTech cohort will focus on scaling and market access for MedTech SMEs across India.   TransformHealth is designed by Voice of Healthcare (VOH). The programme will offer the participants guided training and assistance by experienced advisors and experts, fundraising and business support. In addition to this, they will also have access to the peer network for cross-learning and will be supported to monitor their progress in a structured way. All participating SMEs who complete the ‘Hospital Cohort’ will be provided with certification.     The partnership will facilitate the SMEs to accelerate their digital transformation journey and grow their business by up to five times their current size. In addition, the partnership will also build a robust line of the trained workforce through a digital learning management system, helping the SMEs to scale their business.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19558/aster-dm-healthcare-unveils-75-bed-women-and-children-hospital-in-kottakkal-kerala-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19558/aster-dm-healthcare-unveils-75-bed-women-and-children-hospital-in-kottakkal-kerala-.html Tue, 14 Sep 2021 16:25:00 +0530 Aster DM Healthcare has announced the launch of its 75-bedded dedicated ‘Women and Children Hospital’ in Kottakkal, Kerala. Consisting of 28 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) beds and six Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) beds, the hospital will offer cutting-edge multidisciplinary women and childcare services.The hospital specialises in obstetrics care including normal and high-risk pregnancies, comprehensive gynaecological care starting from birth, motherhood to menopause and beyond and complete neonatal and paediatric care including paediatric surgery. The hospital also provides 24*7 paediatric and maternal emergency services. The hospital  is equipped with  labour delivery suites,  a state-of-the-art  modular operation theatre, cardiotocography monitoring for a foetal heartbeat, 3D and 4D Ultrasound facilities, paediatric and neonatal ICUs, X-Ray, and a 24*7 walk-in pharmacy. Dr Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman and MD, Aster DM Healthcare said, “The launch of Aster MIMS Women and Children block at Aster MIMS Kottakal hospital is a part of our strategy to provide specialised care for women and children in boutique facilities attached to our main hospitals." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19554/global-telehealth-exchange-network-enters-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19554/global-telehealth-exchange-network-enters-india.html Tue, 14 Sep 2021 13:45:00 +0530 Solve.Care, a global healthcare blockchain platform company, has announced the launch of its Global Telehealth Exchange (GTHE) network for India.   GTHE is an open borderless, instant patient-doctor teleconsultation healthcare network that operates on the Solve.Care Platform. The official distributor for GTHE in India is HealthLink Technologies, a health tech company headquartered in Pune.   Doctors who sign up on GTHE are assigned a Global Telehealth ID with a professional profile published on the network, enabling patients worldwide to easily find and book appointments with them. It cuts out the middleman by putting the doctor directly in touch with the patient in a convenient and secure manner.   On GTHE, doctors are fully sovereign and have full control over their medical practice. Doctors determine and fix their own consultation charges, duration of consultations and availability, giving them the freedom to work as much as they want when they want.   In addition, the automated features of GTHE eliminate the administrative burdens doctors are saddled within traditional practice. GTHE is also designed with other features that help doctors provide preventative care and continuity of care to facilitate better patient outcomes.   In addition to patients in India, patients from Bangladesh, Bahrain, Brazil, Kenya, Kuwait, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, and the UAE can also access Indian registered doctors through GTHE for consultations.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19553/research-discovers-direct-link-between-flossing-cognitive-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19553/research-discovers-direct-link-between-flossing-cognitive-health.html Tue, 14 Sep 2021 12:10:00 +0530 Dentists from all across the world have been recommending flossing teeth at least once a day for good oral hygiene. Most people in India are not aware that our teeth have five sides.   Despite this, only 16 per cent of the adults floss their teeth, as per the survey by the American Dental Association (ADA). This percentage is much worse in the Indian context. Most people are not aware of the importance of oral hygiene and flossing.    “In India, the overall awareness regarding oral health is very limited. A majority of the population is not even aware of what flossing is and how it can prevent the build-up of plaque which results in oral diseases such as gingivitis and dental carries,” explains Dr Mohendar Narula, Founder and Chairman, MyDentalPlan Healthcare.   According to a new study, there is another compelling reason for people to make flossing a part of their daily routine. The report highlights how flossing may even help against cognitive decline.   It goes on to note that adults with more tooth loss had a 1.48 times higher risk of cognitive impairment and 1.28 times higher risk of dementia than the others. This was the case even when other factors were controlled.   It is not just the loss of teeth that puts them at higher risk but not getting a denture to replace them is another important factor as per this survey. It notes that adults who experienced tooth loss were more likely to have cognitive decline if they did not have dentures.   In addition to this, people are not aware of the fact that our dental health affects our brain cells. Commenting on this, Dr Narula says, “When we floss, we reduce the inflammation and potential infection in our mouth, keeping the infection from spreading to our brain cells. Healthy gums lead to avoiding the loss of brain cells and even memory loss. It only takes a minute a day and can help in keeping the gums, mind and memory healthy.”       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19546/india-inc-spends-over-rs-1600-cr-to-combat-second-covid-19-wave-csrbox-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19546/india-inc-spends-over-rs-1600-cr-to-combat-second-covid-19-wave-csrbox-study.html Mon, 13 Sep 2021 13:35:00 +0530 India Inc. spent over Rs 1,600 crore on combatting the second wave of COVID-19 in the financial year 2020-21. A study of over 350 public listed companies conducted by CSR knowledge and impact intelligence portal CSRBOX reveals that Indian companies launched over 750 corporate social responsibility initiatives in response to the second wave and that 35 per cent of these interventions were implemented in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh.   Around 57 per cent of the CSR initiatives to combat the second wave of COVID-19 were targeted at direct beneficiaries – covid-infected people. More than 400 of the corporate CSR initiatives to combat the second wave of infections were aimed at procuring medical supplies, ventilators, and safety gear like PPE kits.   According to the report titled CSR Response to COVID 2.0, corporate India supported by providing over 200 oxygen plants, setting up more than 75 makeshift hospitals and covid wards with over 10,000 beds, 3,500 ventilators and 140,000 oxygen concentrators. Importantly, 33 companies contributed more than Rs 150 crore to conduct Community Awareness Activities across 17 states.   The report by CSRBOX aims to analyse the diversity of corporates’ CSR response to COVID-19. It sheds light upon the nature, quantum, and geographical expanse of the CSR response in India and covers the response of 350 large companies to Covid 2.0. It is an attempt to map and record the remarkable work done by CSR foundations to fight the pandemic.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19541/medica-cancer-hospital-rangapani-introduces-high-end-radiotherapy-machine-halcyon.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19541/medica-cancer-hospital-rangapani-introduces-high-end-radiotherapy-machine-halcyon.html Fri, 10 Sep 2021 17:45:00 +0530 Medica Cancer Hospital has introduced a high-end radiotherapy machine Halcyon with Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) & Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). The Halcyon Radiation Therapy system’s targeted therapy ensures that damage to healthy tissues surrounding the tumour can be further avoided or minimised, which is of great benefit in cases such as cancer of the head and neck, prostate, lungs etc.    The Halcyon system simplifies and enhances every aspect of the radiation therapy process, with image guidance and intensity-modulation radiotherapy (IMRT) that improves patient comfort. With a streamlined workflow, the Halcyon system requires just nine steps from the start to the end of treatment compared to up to more than 30 steps with older technologies. An integrated intercom enables immediate and clear communication between the therapist and the patient. The quiet system with smooth motion and easy access keeps patients relaxed and focused. The 100 cm. diameter bore with integrated ambient lighting prevents claustrophobia.   The short treatment times could also eliminate the need for breath-holds traditionally required during breast, oesophagal and lung cancer treatments.   Dr Sourav Dutta, Director, Medica Cancer Hospitals, said “ Medica shall bring latest technologies in our cancer hospital here so that people from this region and nearby neighbouring states do not have to travel to other states for treatment. We shall offer all these treatments at an affordable cost which will be beneficial for the people.”   Dr Alok Roy, Chairman, Medica Group of Hospitals & Chair FICCI health Services Committee stated, “The health infrastructure in most of the North-Eastern states and our neighbouring countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar are not so well equipped to treat this caseload, which forces patients to travel long distances for treatment. On behalf of Medica Cancer Hospital, I will urge the citizens not to neglect cancer and get the treatment as early as possible before it gets too late.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19538/mvs-engineering-sets-up-oxygen-plant-at-batra-hospital-in-delhi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19538/mvs-engineering-sets-up-oxygen-plant-at-batra-hospital-in-delhi.html Fri, 10 Sep 2021 14:05:00 +0530 MVS Engineering has set up an onsite oxygen generation plant at the popular Batra Hospital in New Delhi.   With a capacity of 500 LPM or 30 Nm3/hr, the MVS plant has been estimated to provide sufficient oxygen to around 150 hospital beds.   Delivered ahead of schedule, the MVS OXYMED PSA Oxygen plant is the first onsite oxygen plant installed at the hospital.    “We are happy to have set up and commission this on-site oxygen generation plant at this prominent hospital in the national capital. We are also given to understand that the hospital authorities had conducted rigorous due diligence and reference checks for deciding upon the awarding of this contract,” said Siddharth Rastogi, Executive Director, MVS Engineering.   "They have set up the plant much before the stipulated delivery date. We are proud to say that Batra hospital is the first large multispecialty private hospital to set up an oxygen plant of its own,” said Dr Pavan Gurha, Chairman Procurement Committee and Head Anaesthesia & Critical Care, Batra Hospital.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19536/nmdc-with-grace-cancer-foundation-to-organise-freedom-run-2021-on-oct-10.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19536/nmdc-with-grace-cancer-foundation-to-organise-freedom-run-2021-on-oct-10.html Fri, 10 Sep 2021 13:05:00 +0530 National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) under the Ministry of Steel launched Global Grace Cancer Run 2021 in Hyderabad. The event was graced by the Chief Guest, Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan, Governor of Telangana and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, the Guest of Honour, Sumit Deb, CMD NMDC and Dr Chinnababu Sunkavalli, CEO, Grace Cancer Foundation. Keeping in view the ongoing Fit India Movement, NMDC is supporting the Cancer Awareness Run to be held on October 10, 2021, in Hyderabad, as part of India’s AzadiKaAmritMahotsav celebration.   Dr Soundararajan dedicated the event to cancer patients and survivors. Speaking on the Spirit of Freedom in the ongoing AzadikaAmritMahotsav, Dr Soundararajan encouraged everyone to fight for Freedom from Cancer. Deb highlighted the increasing cancer mortality rate and the social responsibility to create awareness on the same.    Commenting on the occasion, he said, “NMDC has chalked out a plan to conduct various sports, academic and cultural events to celebrate India@75. Envisioning a new India that adopts an active lifestyle - both physically as well as mentally, it is our pleasure to support the Global Cancer Run 2021 and be a part of the movement.”   NMDC has partnered with Grace Cancer Foundation to conduct freedom marathons in person at Hyderabad and virtually across the globe, in three categories - 5K, 10K, and 21.1K. It will also be organised in-person in its three major project locations - Bailadila, Donimalai and NISP as part of its celebrations of AzadiKaAmritMahotsav.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19530/healpha-launches-app-for-personal-health-management.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19530/healpha-launches-app-for-personal-health-management.html Thu, 09 Sep 2021 16:05:00 +0530 Hyderabad-based Healpha, a digital healthcare startup, has launched its app. The application seeks to improve the ability to manage every individual's health and wellbeing.   It enables comprehensive management tools for both patients and doctors covering preventive, curative and managed connected healthcare for telemedicine and in-person care. Its unique connected devices via a smartphone companion app make remote patient monitoring robust.    The new app aims to help patients search for medical conditions and find related healthcare providers quickly and efficiently, and is available on Android and via a web portal, IOS is being released.   "We believe that the newly launched app will play an important role in providing patients with an effective way out that can improve patient outcomes," said Raj Janapareddy, Founder & CSO, Healpha. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19525/experts-call-for-surgical-intervention-to-tackle-rising-obesity-in-women.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19525/experts-call-for-surgical-intervention-to-tackle-rising-obesity-in-women.html Wed, 08 Sep 2021 16:10:00 +0530 In India obesity is a major worry. Also, women outnumber men in this lifestyle malady. In the urban population, 23 per cent of women are obese, compared to 20 per cent of men. Obese women also face a higher risk of contracting a variety of cancers, stroke, diabetes, high cholesterol, and BP.    The traditional ways of achieving this goal through dieting, doing exercise, and taking weight-loss pills have limited scope. Therefore, the right option boils down is the long-term weight-loss plan. Though liposuction is said to be a long-term option, persons undergoing this procedure tend to gain weight after some time. But, this doesn’t happen in surgical interventions such as bariatric surgery.   "Bariatric surgery falls under two categories – Restrictive surgery, and Restrictive and malabsorptive surgery. The former, which entails Sleeve Gastrectomy helps reduce the stomach by 15 per cent of its original size, permanently reduces the size of the stomach, and helps lose up to 60 per cent of the excess weight in 6-12 months," said Dr G Moinoddin, Bariatric & Metabolic Surgeon, Dr Moin- Obesity & Laparoscopy Center.    Sleeve gastrectomy is done through a single incision through the umbilicus, with little or no scarring and very little pain. The recovery time is also short.   “Bariatric surgery offers lots of benefits, which can be categorised as ‘Psychological’, ‘Physiological’, and ‘Treatment of Comorbidities’. Post-weight-loss, the person gets a better sense of self. BP and diabetes are resolved speedily. For those unable to conceive, chances of pregnancy improve," said Dr Moinoddin.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19517/over-50-of-patients-with-t2dm-suffer-from-sleep-disturbances-rssdi-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19517/over-50-of-patients-with-t2dm-suffer-from-sleep-disturbances-rssdi-study.html Tue, 07 Sep 2021 13:05:00 +0530 A recent consensus by the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI) highlights the importance of screening for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The report reveals that over 50 per cent of patients diagnosed with T2DM suffer from sleep disturbances, many of which may require treatment. Additionally, the report states that cardiovascular disease is a shared clinical consequence of OSA and T2DM, further suggesting the importance of screening, diagnosis, and treatment in T2DM patients for OSA.  In making these findings, RSSDI, Asia’s leading scientific societies focusing on diabetes education and research, collaborated with sleep specialists across India to study and develop clinical practice recommendations. The consensus identifies the association of OSA with T2DM and the need for a collaborative approach between diabetologists and sleep specialists to manage such patients. Dr Sibasish Dey, Head, Medical Affairs, Asia, and Latin America, ResMed said, “As recommended by RSSDI, timely screening, diagnosis and medical intervention are integral for OSA and type 2 diabetes patients.” The treatment options for OSA in patients with T2DM who are at cardiovascular risk include lifestyle modification and medical management, which could include devices such as home CPAP therapy. The preparation of the consensus was supported by ResMed India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19515/india-gets-new-range-of-oxygen-generators-with-backdrop-of-impending-third-wave.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19515/india-gets-new-range-of-oxygen-generators-with-backdrop-of-impending-third-wave.html Mon, 06 Sep 2021 18:00:00 +0530 NF Healthcare, manufacturer and provider of PSA oxygen generators, has launched MOSS 1800F product, with a capacity of producing up to 1000 + LPM of medical graded oxygen (with a purity of 93+-3 per cent), in India.   NF Healthcare, with the support of its South Korea-based parent company, has been in the Indian market for the past two years, supplying Indian hospitals and healthcare centres with four unique products, with varying oxygen output capacity (LPM - litres per minute), designed as per the Indian needs.    The newest entrant to the market, as was launched, is the MOSS 1800F with an oxygen flow rate of 180 LPM or 10.8 Nm3/hour. The USP of the product is that it can be modulated to provide up to 1000 + LPM oxygen and cater to the fluctuating demand of any hospital or medical care centre.    NF Healthcare currently operates through B2B partner channels and has considerable presence in the states of UP, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and all-over North-East India.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19514/pgimer-unveils-pollen-calendar-to-identify-potential-allergy-triggers.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19514/pgimer-unveils-pollen-calendar-to-identify-potential-allergy-triggers.html Mon, 06 Sep 2021 17:35:00 +0530 Chandigarh has its first pollen calendar, which can identify potential allergy triggers and provide a clear understanding for clinicians as well as allergy sufferers about their causes to help limit their exposure during high pollen loads.    Pollen calendars represent the time dynamics of airborne pollen taxa in graphical form in a particular geographical area. They yield readily accessible visual details about various airborne pollen taxa present throughout the year, with their seasonality in a single picture. Pollen calendars are location-specific, with concentrations closely related to locally distributed flora.   Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, examined the seasonal periodicities of airborne pollen spectrum and developed the first Pollen Calendar for Chandigarh city. This will help prepare early advisories and disseminate them through media channels to the citizens so that they can use protective gear during the period when the concentration of allergic pollens will be high. It is also a preventive tool for sensitive people to diminish exposure when the levels of aero-pollen are high during specific periods.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19501/who-pushes-innovative-tech-for-covid-19-other-priority-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19501/who-pushes-innovative-tech-for-covid-19-other-priority-diseases.html Fri, 03 Sep 2021 15:30:00 +0530 The World Health Organisation (WHO) has compiled a compendium of 24 new technologies that can be used in low-resource settings amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.   The compendium’s main objective was to select and assess technologies that can have an immediate and future impact on COVID-19 preparedness and response, potentially improve health outcomes and quality of life, and/or offer a solution to an unmet medical need.   15 of these technologies are already commercially available in countries, while the rest are still at the prototype stage.   The compendium includes simple items ranging from a colourised bleach additive, which allows the naked eye to identify non-sterilized surfaces and objects, to more complex though easy-to-use equipment such as a portable respiratory monitoring system and ventilators with an extended battery that can be used where electricity is not available or unstable. The list also includes a deployable health facility for emergencies decked out in a shipping container.   Some of these technologies are already in use and have proven their value through pilot programmes. For example, the solar-powered oxygen concentrator has been highly effective in treating pneumonia, which kills 900,000 children a year, in a regional children’s hospital in Somalia’s Galmudug state.    The information is vital to help governments, non-governmental organisations and funders decide which products to procure.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19497/74-indian-facilities-report-decline-in-patient-procedures-during-pandemic-wipro-ge-healthcare-study-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19497/74-indian-facilities-report-decline-in-patient-procedures-during-pandemic-wipro-ge-healthcare-study-.html Fri, 03 Sep 2021 11:05:00 +0530 Wipro GE Healthcare announced the findings of its exclusive internal Covid Impact Assessment Survey, analysing the effect of the pandemic on the sector. The study throws light on the challenges and impact that COVID-19 had on elective medical procedures and future trends in the medical technology sector. It was conducted between April and May during the peak of the second wave of the pandemic among hospitals and other healthcare providers across India.    According to the study, 74 per cent of healthcare facilities reported a decrease in surgical procedures and non-covid diagnostic procedures amidst the pandemic as compared to normal times. There was a decline seen in procedures for most modalities, barring covid modality procedures like CT, X-Ray, Acute monitoring etc. The study also highlighted some of the key trends over the next few years one of which was the rapid increase in the adoption of digital technology within the next one year. 60 per cent of the respondents felt that there will be an increased focus on adoption of AI-covibased solutions over the next three years, 48 per cent felt that there will be an increase in adoption of cloud-based healthcare solutions while 66 per cent said that there will be a rise in digital transformation initiatives.    Dr Shravan Subramanyam, MD, Wipro GE Healthcare said, “A more in-depth analysis of the situation through this study helped us understand what we can do to offer affordable, connected, personalised and outcome driven healthcare going forward.’’   Several online survey interviews were undertaken as part of the study comprising purchase decision-makers including Heads of Radiology, Heads of Other Departments, and C-suites. The scope of the study also extends beyond India to various other regions including the US, France, Germany, Italy and the UK, considering that each country had their dynamic challenges bound by the larger issue of COVID-19.         ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19496/aster-rv-hospital-launches-aster-kids-emergency-express.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19496/aster-rv-hospital-launches-aster-kids-emergency-express.html Fri, 03 Sep 2021 09:20:00 +0530 Aster RV Hospital, JP Nagar in Bengaluru has launched a state-of-the-art deployable paediatric emergency unit called the ‘Aster Kids Emergency Express’ at its premises. This initiative was undertaken in association with Aster Volunteers, the global CSR arm of Aster DM Healthcare and Bagaria Education Trust.    During the launch event, Kannada Cine actress Pranitha Subhash, Dr Chetan Ginigeri, Lead Consultant, Paediatrics and Neonatology at Aster Hospitals Bangalore, along with Dr Sujatha T, Consultant- Paediatric Intensive Care and Dr Gunda Srinivas, Consultant Paediatric Emergency and Karan Bagaria of Shri Bagaria Education Trust were present.   The modular emergency unit is dedicated to child emergencies and has a capacity of four beds. It is designed to replicate the features of a high-end critical care facility for kids which can manage both covid and non-covid emergencies. The module is fully integrated, self-contained and only requires assembly before it is plugged in for the operation.   Parents can call at 08066040400 to avail the service.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19492/spine-care-experts-to-launch-national-injury-prevention-week-pan-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19492/spine-care-experts-to-launch-national-injury-prevention-week-pan-india.html Thu, 02 Sep 2021 16:30:00 +0530 The Spinal Cord Society, Indian Orthopaedic Association (IOA), Association of Spine Surgeons of India (ASSI) and Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC) in association with 10 other societies, have launched the first-ever National Injury Prevention Week under the aegis of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). The programme, launched in 10 cities across India including the national capital, will continue till September 7, to build awareness about injury prevention through education, research, and advocacy.   The first-of-its-kind initiative brings together the Indian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (IAPMR), Indian Head Injury Foundation (IHIF), Chandigarh Spinal Rehab, The Association of People with Disability, The Spinal Foundation, KARA Medical Foundation, Spine Wellness and Care Foundation, Be Brave and Nina Foundation as well. The programme was launched virtually in Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, Cuttack, Pune, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Patna, and Bhopal followed by wheelchair sports and cultural evening in Delhi.   Under the National Injury Prevention Week, outdoor activities will be held across India, with a prime focus on activities in schools and colleges for sensitizing the younger generation towards injury prevention. Experts called for a wider ‘National Injury Prevention and Control Program’ with an integrated multi-sectoral approach at Centre and State levels, appointment of a nodal agency with appropriate authority and budget, and strengthening of the National Injury Surveillance System in a phased manner, starting with mandatory data collection from all hospitalised injuries like other notifiable diseases. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19491/medtronic-stasis-in-partnership-to-redefine-patient-monitoring.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19491/medtronic-stasis-in-partnership-to-redefine-patient-monitoring.html Thu, 02 Sep 2021 16:15:00 +0530 India Medtronic, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Medtronic, has announced a strategic partnership with Stasis Health, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Stasis Labs, for scaling up and expanding access for their state-of-the-art Stasis Monitor, a connected care bedside multi-parameter monitoring system.    The addition of Stasis Monitor to the Medtronic portfolio expands the company’s ability to serve patients inside the hospital while offering physicians the option to remotely monitor their patients.   The Stasis Monitor is used in Emergency lCUs, surgical lCUs, high dependency units, step down units, and private patient rooms. Unlike conventional disconnected bedside monitors, the Stasis connected care monitoring system includes - a bedside monitor that monitors six vital signs, a tablet that enables intuitive monitoring, and the Stasis app that allows for remote monitoring across devices.   Equipped to provide patient data to any device through the cloud, the system is appropriate for data-driven insights. It includes battery backup to move patients between different areas of care and provides 24-hour vital-sign trend data along with AI-powered proactive alerts.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19489/ayush-minister-launches-y-break-yoga-protocol-app-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19489/ayush-minister-launches-y-break-yoga-protocol-app-.html Thu, 02 Sep 2021 08:40:00 +0530 Union Minister of Ayush Sarbanand Sonowal launched the ‘Y-Break’ mobile application at Vigyan Bhawan. The five-minute Yoga protocol, specially designed for working professionals to de-stress, refresh and re-focus at their workplace to increase their productivity, consists of Asanas, Pranayam and Dhyana.   Sonowal said, “Keeping in view the working population this Y-break has been developed, which will give the employees some solace at the workplace. This Y-break, if practised sincerely, is going to play a major role in the maintenance of the health of the people.”     The launch was a part ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, a series of events organised by the Government of India to celebrate 75th Year of Independence. The Ministry of Ayush will promote several activities of Ayush including the launch of Y-Break, organising camps for schools for Ayush systems, the launch of Ashwagandha as prophylactic medicine, and distribution of medicinal plants for farmers and the public till September 5, 2021.   The programme also witnessed a synchronised and impressive display of Yogasana by all dignitaries, including the ministers present at the venue. They performed the five-minute Yoga protocol as given in the mobile application.   Several dignitaries connected remotely including senior officials of various government departments, autonomous organisations, members of industry bodies such as ASSOCHAM, CII and FICCI, officials of Yoga and naturopathy institutions, universities and yoga centres abroad, yoga practitioners, scholars, policymakers, bureaucrats, yoga enthusiasts and experts of allied sciences.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19484/empagliflozin-reduces-hospitalisation-risk-for-heart-patients-bi-trial.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19484/empagliflozin-reduces-hospitalisation-risk-for-heart-patients-bi-trial.html Wed, 01 Sep 2021 14:55:00 +0530 The breakthrough results of Boehringer Ingelheim’s EMPEROR-Preserved trial reveal that Empagliflozin reduces the combined relative risk of cardiovascular death or hospitalisation for heart failure by 21 per cent, in adults patients who suffer from heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), with or without diabetes. The trial investigated empagliflozin (10 mg) versus placebo. The results were presented at the ESC Congress 2021, the annual meeting of the European Society of Cardiology. The EMPEROR heart failure studies have explored the effect of empagliflozin across a spectrum of cardio-renal-metabolic diseases.   Dr Shraddha Bhure, Medical Director, Boehringer Ingelheim India said, “Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction is an outcome of heterogeneous diseases and complex underlying problems. It represents about 1/3rd of all heart failure cases diagnosed in India, whereas globally it represents nearly half of the heart failure cases. The results of the EMPEROR-Preserved Phase III trial, which also included a fair patient-representation from India, offers new hope for patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, which so far has been a very difficult entity to treat effectively.”   The EMPEROR-Preserved trial results add to the previous findings from the EMPEROR-Reduced Phase III trial, which showed that Empagliflozin significantly reduced the combined relative risk of cardiovascular death or hospitalisation for heart failure by 25 per cent, compared to placebo, in adult patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), with or without diabetes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19479/yashoda-hospital-somajiguda-to-start-specialised-clinics-for-asthma-ild.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19479/yashoda-hospital-somajiguda-to-start-specialised-clinics-for-asthma-ild.html Tue, 31 Aug 2021 18:55:00 +0530 Yashoda Hospital Somajiguda is starting speciality clinics in pulmonology where people with severe lung diseases will get the focussed attention and access to the best treatments available. The launch will be held under the supervision of Dr V Nagarjuna Maturu, Department of Pulmonary Medicine. Severe Asthma Clinics will be open every Thursday between 11 am and 5 pm. ILD Clinic will be open every Friday from 11 am to 5 pm. Dr G Surender Rao, MD, Yashoda Hospitals Hyderabad said, “Yashoda Hospitals also prides itself in conducting the highest number of bronchial thermoplasty procedures in the country. Several people have benefited from this procedure over the last three years. Our Group has been the first to start cryotherapy and has performed the highest number of Cryobiopsies in the twin Telugu states.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19475/chennai-based-kamakshi-memorial-hospitals-installs-elekta-infinity-equipment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19475/chennai-based-kamakshi-memorial-hospitals-installs-elekta-infinity-equipment.html Tue, 31 Aug 2021 16:55:00 +0530 Dr Kamakshi Memorial Hospitals has launched Elekta Infinity, the newly commissioned linear accelerator and the latest cutting-edge technology in cancer radiotherapy treatment. The facility was inaugurated by Thiru Ma Subramanian, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu.   Dr TG Govindarajan, Founder CMD, Dr Kamakshi Memorial Hospital said, "The Elekta Infinity linear accelerator with its varied applications and add on features have been installed at a total cost of around Rs 20 crores. It is equipped with the Active Breathing Coordinator (ABC) feature which ensures that the normal and healthy tissues surrounding the heart, lungs and other organs that move with natural respiration are protected from beams of radiation while treating breast and lung cancers."   Other features include active breathing coordinator for respiratory motion management, BodyFIX patient immobilisation for precise patient positioning and immobilisation, Fraxion for patient-specific cranial immobilization and symmetry for 4D tumour position visualisation. The linear accelerator can be used in the treatment of breast cancer, uterine cervix cancer, brain tumours, prostate cancer, tumours in the liver and lungs and even paediatric cancers.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19474/combo-therapy-cuts-heart-attack-stroke-risk-by-half-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19474/combo-therapy-cuts-heart-attack-stroke-risk-by-half-study.html Tue, 31 Aug 2021 16:45:00 +0530 Combination therapy of aspirin, statins and at least two blood pressure medications given in fixed doses can slash the risk of fatal cardiovascular disease (CVD) by more than half, says an international study led by researchers in Canada and India.   The fixed-dose combination (FDC) therapies were examined both with and without aspirin versus control groups in a combined analysis of more than 18,000 patients without prior CVD from three large clinical trials. FDCs including aspirin cut the risk of heart attacks by 53 per cent, stroke by 51 per cent, and deaths from cardiovascular causes by 49 per cent.    About 80 per cent of cardiovascular events occur in individuals without a prior history of such illness, meaning effective preventative strategies including medications in people without CVD is essential, if the majority of heart attacks, strokes and related deaths in the world are to be prevented, the authors of the study state.     The study involved investigators from 13 countries and included participants from 26 countries and every inhabited continent of the world. The study was published by The Lancet and concurrently presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress by Joseph.    “Heart diseases are the leading cause of death in India and have a huge economic impact both to individuals, families and the nation. Therefore, its prevention is paramount to protect the population and enhance the economic growth of India. The study demonstrates the power of a simple innovation of low-cost fixed-dose combination in preventing heart diseases substantially,” said Dr Prabhakaran D, VP, Public Health Foundation of India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19464/naidu-asks-drdo-to-intensify-research-for-combatting-future-pandemics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19464/naidu-asks-drdo-to-intensify-research-for-combatting-future-pandemics.html Mon, 30 Aug 2021 17:35:00 +0530 The Vice President, M Venkaiah Naidu commended the contribution of scientists and frontline workers from DIPAS (Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences), a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) lab, in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic and advised them to intensify their research to effectively combat any such pandemic in the future.   Around 25 scientists and technicians from DIPAS were invited to Upa-Rashtrapati Nivas by the Vice President. They were accompanied by DRDO Chairman, Dr G Satheesh Reddy.   Interacting with them, Naidu said that the pandemic has triggered unprecedented health crises and severely impacted lives and livelihoods across the world. Lauding DIPAS and other DRDO labs for rising to the occasion and developing various indigenous products for treatment and management of COVID-19, he said that in the wake of the emergence of new variants of SARS-CoV-2, it is important to be ever vigilant to effectively tackle any future threats.   Dr Satheesh Reddy briefed the Vice President about various products and equipment developed indigenously by DRDO labs for treatment and management of COVID-19. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19455/robotic-knee-replacement-centre-opens-in-mumbai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19455/robotic-knee-replacement-centre-opens-in-mumbai.html Mon, 30 Aug 2021 09:10:00 +0530 The Knee Clinic at ACI-Cumballa Hill Hospital announced the launch of Mumbai district’s first Robotic Knee Replacement Center on 29 August. The NAVIO-CORI Robotics platform is one of the foremost healthcare innovations of this decade, heralding a new era for knee replacement surgery.   Dr Miten Sheth, (Orthopaedics) Knee Surgeon, said, “Traditionally, knee replacement surgery has always depended either on the surgeon’s judgement or a computer for planning. Robotic knee replacements are set to change the paradigm by offering robotics assistance for both planning and execution of the surgery.”   Present at the launch event were dignitaries such as Kishori Pednekar, Mayor of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Karnam Malleswari, India’s first Olympic medallist in weightlifting amongst many others.   Malleswari said, “We can aim at an enhanced reach with the right collaborations with non-profit organisations and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes, educating athletes about injury prevention and treatment. Let us work together to improve healthcare reach to the Indian sporting ecosystem with technology and let the best treatment transcend social and economic barriers.”       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19454/sports-minister-releases-fit-india-mobile-app.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19454/sports-minister-releases-fit-india-mobile-app.html Sun, 29 Aug 2021 09:05:00 +0530 To celebrate second anniversary of Fit India Movement and as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur launched the Fit India Mobile Application at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi on National Sports Day, on 29 August. The unique feature of the Fit India App is to empower each individual to check his/her fitness score based on a set of age specific fitness tests and get specific recommendations on how to improve their fitness level through physical activities including yoga protocols. Animated Videos have been provided to make individuals understand about the procedure for conducting the fitness tests themselves. These features are based on the Age-appropriate fitness protocols launched by Prime Minister. The “Fitness Protocol” feature allows the user from different age groups to do various exercises which help them in being able to keep up with basic fitness levels. The protocol covers exercises that are universally followed and duly ratified by health experts.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19447/heal-foundation-omni-hospitals-organise-beat-the-fear-esummit.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19447/heal-foundation-omni-hospitals-organise-beat-the-fear-esummit.html Fri, 27 Aug 2021 14:15:00 +0530 HEAL Health recently organised ‘Beat the Fear’ eSummit – HEAL-Thy Samvaad, episode-20 in knowledge partnership with HEAL Foundation & OMNI Hospitals. Dr Rashmi Saluja, Executive Chairperson, Religare Enterprises said, “Yoga and group counselling also works wonders in keeping everyone healthy. The management of the corporation needs to be compassionate with the employees. The fear of unknown or uncertainty has gone because people are now receptive to unforeseen situations.”Pointing to the importance of destressing in ensuring overall health, Dr Aloke, Mullick, CEO, OMNI Hospital, said, “The third wave would be less intense compared with the first and the second. We are already into the third wave of COVID with low intensity. To ease out the stressful employees in the corporate, the managers must be kind to them, supporting, motivating and smiling. If somebody is stressed out, it is better to take off, chill out, recharge yourself and then come back to work, meditation also helps in this regard.”Shagun Singhal, Entrepreneur, Columnist, Branding Expert & Motivational Speaker, while moderating the session said, “I am hopeful in this COVID times, and I will take a breath now. Service brings joy and I believe in serving mankind. I feel joy when others smile and I feel pain when others are sad. So, no fear, no worry, live life with positivity.”Sourish Bhattacharyya, Curator, IHE2021 Conclave and Awards; Co-Founder, Tasting India Symposium; Contributing Writer, Sommelier India said, “To stay healthy, mindful eating is very important, and for that, we need to change our mindset towards eating. Therefore, changing the mindset towards healthy eating, and being mindful while eating is very much required.”“Smiling is one of the best things to deal with fear and unpredictability. Try to rationalise your thoughts and believe in your strengths. The employees working with corporate are stressed, especially during COVID times, so the employers should make them happy, which will help maintain the productivity,” said Dr Bhavna Barmi, Founder – Happiness Studio & Senior Clinical Psychologist – Fortis Escort Heart Institute, New Delhi.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19440/rti-unveils-project-h-e-a-l-to-improve-medical-infra.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19440/rti-unveils-project-h-e-a-l-to-improve-medical-infra.html Thu, 26 Aug 2021 14:15:00 +0530 Round Table India (RTI), a service organisation, has launched Project H.E.A.L (Healthcare Enhancement for Active Living) with the aim to facilitate the improvement of medical infrastructure across the country.   At launch, H.E.A.L has already undertaken relief projects worth Rs 55 Crore in partnership with various corporates.   Project H.E.A.L entails movable or permanent infrastructure intervention such as building augmentation/repairs, creation of special wards, toilets, donation of medical equipment like ventilators, COVID-19 vaccine refrigerators, oxygen line systems, oxygen concentrators, ambulances and hospital cots.    Donations worth Rs 12 crore have been made by members to facilitate and improve medical facilities across the country.     Some projects which have been initiated under Project H.E.A.L include:   Rs 7 crore hospital infrastructure interventions across the country with Cognizant Outreach, Vestige Marketing, etc. alike to encourage its network to join the cause and support India’s COVID relief. Rs 8.78 crore infrastructure donations across Bengaluru in partnership with corporate donors like Swiss-Re, Blackstone, Embassy Group, Yahoo Employee Foundation India (YEFI), etc. Rs 3 crores in the oxygen line setups across the country with the Sood Charity Foundation Rs 25 crore govt. and charitable hospital equipment augmentation project with the Association of 41ers Club of India under Project ONEMOREBREATH (OMB).       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19438/work-from-home-sees-rise-in-bone-back-problems-among-millennials.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19438/work-from-home-sees-rise-in-bone-back-problems-among-millennials.html Thu, 26 Aug 2021 10:55:00 +0530 According to a government study called 'India: Health of the Nation's States: The India State-Level Disease Burden Initiative,' chronic non-communicable illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension are on the increase, and they already outnumber communicable illnesses in India's overall illness burden. Back pain is affecting an increasing number of young people between the ages of 18 and 25. With the frequency of spine care visits among India's young working population increasing from 25% to 31%, low back pain is no longer regarded as an "old person's ailment" and has become a serious health concern for the country's youth.Dr Rajiv Rajesh, Chief Yoga Officer, Jindal Naturecure Institute shared, "During the pandemic, when almost all people were working from home, most of them did not have correct sitting arrangements at their home and were not aware of the correct posture that must be maintained while working. We emphasise the practice of yoga asanas to maintain the right posture and also to prevent backache because it not only strengthens and improves the flexibility of the spine and muscles but also promotes the absorption of nutrients to the spinal discs, consequently delaying the ageing process of cells." A fast-paced lifestyle is also encouraging millennials to accept pain as an inescapable part of life rather than recognising and addressing its root cause.KR Raghunath, Senior Chairman of Jindal Naturecure Institute said, "Alternative treatments, such as acupuncture combined with physiotherapy, have been proven to be quite effective in relieving sciatica and back pain without causing any severe side effects or requiring a risky surgery."  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19428/union-health-minister-inaugurates-opd-services-at-aiims-deoghar.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19428/union-health-minister-inaugurates-opd-services-at-aiims-deoghar.html Tue, 24 Aug 2021 17:10:00 +0530 Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, dedicated the AYUSH Building and Night Shelter of AIIMS Deoghar to the nation in the presence of Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare. He also inaugurated the OPD Services of the institute in the new AYUSH Building. Mandaviya noted that now people can get the best medical facilities in Deogarh. Along with the OPD services, the night shelter for people of faraway places to stay back and complete their treatment will help the entire State of Jharkhand. The institute will serve not only the 15 lakh residents of Deoghar but also the 3.19 crore people of Jharkhand. Mandaviya said that the Centre has helped Jharkhand in every possible way in its fight against COVID-19. He invoked the concept of ‘Antyodaya’ of serving the last citizen in the society as propounded by Deendayal Upadhyaya as the guiding principle of the Union Health Ministry’s efforts to implement PMSSY. In this context, he informed that six AIIMS of Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Raipur, Patna, Jodhpur and Rishikesh are now fully functional. The OPD facilities in AIIMS, Deoghar are to include medicine and its allied specialities- general medicine, pulmonology (TB and respiratory diseases), psychiatry, dermatology (Skin), surgical and allied specialities- general surgery, orthopaedics, ENT, ophthalmology, paediatrics- vaccination of newborn and children, obstetrics and gynaecology, dentistry, pathology and microbiology, radiology etc.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19420/qubehealth-obopay-launches-zero-percent-pre-approved-medical-credit.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19420/qubehealth-obopay-launches-zero-percent-pre-approved-medical-credit.html Mon, 23 Aug 2021 12:15:00 +0530 Health-tech company QubeHealth has partnered with OboPay, the global mobile payment solutions company to launch a zero per cent interest, collateral-free, pre-approved healthcare credit card for employed Indians and their families.   The pre-approved ‘Interest-Free’ credit facility will be available to members across 11,000 hospitals, clinics, pharmacies and other health service providers in India. This covers OPD & IPD expenses, elective procedures (dental, eye, cosmetic, assisted pregnancy and more), as well as pharmacy and any expense not covered in standard health insurance provided by employers.   Powered by a physical and a digital, app-based card, registered Users – Employees of QubeHealth’s Corporate Clients, draw as much money as they need, to instantly pay for any medical emergencies or regular healthcare payments. It is as simple as swiping your credit card, except this is interest-free and the user can pay in equal instalments of up to 24 months.   The product has been rolled out to a select group of 150 large companies employing over 1,50,000 people in India, as part of their employee health benefits programme and activated across 735 towns/cities.   Built on OboPay’s global payment processing capabilities, both companies are focussed on providing a friction-free experience to the healthcare spender and are aiming to onboard 100,000 users within the next six months, with an average credit line of Rs 6 lakhs per user.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19419/quess-corp-launches-new-health-vertical.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19419/quess-corp-launches-new-health-vertical.html Mon, 23 Aug 2021 11:55:00 +0530 Quess Corp, a business services provider based in Bengaluru, has launched new healthcare vertical to address the shortage of healthcare professionals. The vertical aims to provide trained healthcare manpower, home care solutions, and end-to-end hospital management services by identifying, training and upskilling healthcare professionals through a network of accredited medical training institutes, enabling quick and on-demand deployment.  Quess Corp has signed an MoU with the Association of Healthcare Providers (India) (AHPI), a not-for-profit representative body of healthcare providers, to evangelise formalisation of training and staffing services for healthcare professionals and create a talent marketplace for private and public healthcare institutions. The collaboration aspires to create a pipeline of trained paramedical and healthcare service professionals through a proposed hire-train-deploy model, besides building a digital pool of highly skilled, experienced, ready-to-hire doctors across India. It will also enable corporates to set up safer workspaces with adequate medical facilities and to train candidates with endorsements from reputed domestic and international accreditations.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19417/lvpei-partners-with-docmode-to-improve-uveitis-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19417/lvpei-partners-with-docmode-to-improve-uveitis-treatment.html Mon, 23 Aug 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Hyderabad-based LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) has entered into a partnership with Mumbai-based startup DocMode to roll out its online CME initiative on Uveitis for the benefit of practising ophthalmologists, across the world.   DocMode said the partnership with LVPEI would help ophthalmologists enhance their skill-sets leading to better treatment outcomes.    Hans Lewis, Founder & CEO, DocMode said, "The LVPEI Uveitis Series will help in identifying different patterns of Uveitis through clinical observations which in turn will lead to judicious use of laboratory investigations and treatment options resulting in excellent treatment outcome."   The LVPEI-DocMode partnership brings 12 courses; one programme on anterior Uveitis, 3 programmes on posterior Uveitis (Retinitis, Retinal Vasculitis, Choroditis), one programme each on panuveitis, intermediate Uveitis, scleritis and episcleritis, ocular imaging in Uveitis, laboratory investigations in Uveitis and three programmes on principles of the treatment outcome (corticosteroids, infectious Uveitis, non-steroidal immunosuppressive therapy).   The courses are offered in four sessions, spread over a month, each with a one-hour duration includes a topic overview, the opportunity to listen to world leaders and access to special group meetings with Uveitis experts from major eye centres in the world. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19411/ipa-csir-organise-first-pharma-innovation-exchange-forum.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19411/ipa-csir-organise-first-pharma-innovation-exchange-forum.html Fri, 20 Aug 2021 14:20:00 +0530 The Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) jointly organised the 1st Pharmaceutical Innovation Exchange (PIE) Forum recently.   The forum provides a unique opportunity for academic research institutions and industry experts to exchange knowledgebase and innovations.   The initiative will contribute to shaping industry-oriented research and strengthen indigenous development, upscale or commercialise innovative pharmaceutical products and technologies.   More than 100 participants attended the forum representing pharma industry experts from 22 IPA member companies, directors and senior research scientists from CSIR institutes namely, IICT-Hyderabad, IIIM-Jammu, NCL-Pune, CDRI-Lucknow, IMTECH-Chandigarh, and NIIST-Thiruvananthapuram.    “Building presence in innovation is now a critical priority for India to address the needs of our healthcare system, as well as maintain high relevance in the global pharma space. India has several strengths to leverage and to move forward in the journey to ‘Discover in India’ from ‘Make in India,'" Dr Shekhar Mande, Director General, CSIR.   “The Indian pharma industry has the potential to grow to around $120-130 billion over the next decade from the current value of around $41 billion. Innovation will be one of the key drivers of this growth. By bringing together industry and academia, the Pharmaceutical Innovation Exchange forum will help us unlock value and collaborate to bring innovative healthcare solutions to patients in need,” said Satish Reddy, President, IPA and Chairman, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories.   “Patient centricity is at the core of IPA’s ethos, and we are confident that our collaboration with CSIR would generate substantial healthcare benefit for India. Indian industry would play a pivotal role going forward in the innovation space”, Sudarshan Jain, Secretary-General, IPA.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19402/icmr-achieves-milestone-of-50-cr-covid-19-sample-testing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19402/icmr-achieves-milestone-of-50-cr-covid-19-sample-testing.html Thu, 19 Aug 2021 11:40:00 +0530 Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has achieved the milestone of conducting 50 crores tests on August 18, 2021. With average daily testing of more than 17 lakhs in the month of August, India has tested 50 crore samples across the country to date.     India has achieved the milestone of the last ten crore tests in only 55 days. On July 21, 2021, India had tested 45 Crores COVID-19 samples, which reached the 50 crores mark on August 18, 2021. This has been enabled by rapidly increasing testing infrastructure and capacity across the country.   ICMR has been enhancing COVID-19 testing capability across the country by expanding and diversifying testing capacity by leveraging technology and facilitating innovation in affordable diagnostic kits. The testing strategy has been carefully calibrated to increase access and availability of testing.   Prof (Dr) Balram Bhargava, Director General, ICMR said, “We have seen that exponential increase in testing led to early identification, prompt isolation and effective treatment of COVID-19 cases. This testing milestone is testimony to the fact that India has been successful in implementing the strategy of the 5T approach 'Test, Track, Trace, Treat and use of Technology' efficiently, which will enable us to contain the spread of the pandemic. Further, enhanced production of diagnostic kits has made India Atma Nirbhar, which has resulted in the reduction of costs and improved availability of testing kits.’’  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19395/paras-healthcare-launches-400-bed-hospital-in-kanpur.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19395/paras-healthcare-launches-400-bed-hospital-in-kanpur.html Wed, 18 Aug 2021 13:55:00 +0530 Paras Healthcare announced the launch of a multi-speciality hospital in Kanpur. The 400 plus-bedded hospital known as Paras Yash Kothari Hospital is equipped with 150 ICU and emergency beds and will commence its operations from next year. A major focus will be on providing treatment for oncology cardiology, neurology, gastroenterology, orthopaedic and renal sciences. Also, transplants (kidney and bone marrow) will be the centre of excellence for this hospital. Dr Dharminder Nagar, MD, Paras Healthcare said, “Our latest venture will focus on advanced infrastructure and experienced & trained staff to provide faster & more efficient services to patients.”Along with the hospital, Paras Healthcare is also launching City Centre in the heart of the city for comprehensive speciality care. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19394/recommendations-for-vaccine-boosters-will-definitely-come-in-the-future-niv-director.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19394/recommendations-for-vaccine-boosters-will-definitely-come-in-the-future-niv-director.html Wed, 18 Aug 2021 08:00:00 +0530 Giving a quick overview of vaccine development process carried out at the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune, which has been at the forefront of scientific research on SARS-CoV-2 in the country, Priya Abraham, Director of ICMR-NIV said, “We quickly isolated and gave a strain to Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) by the end of April (2020), after which they developed a whole virion-inactivated vaccine in the month of May and gave us back for review." "Presently, Phase II and III trials of COVAXIN are going on for children in the age group of 2-18 years. Hopefully, the results are going to be available very soon. The results will be presented to the regulators. So, by September or just after it, we may have COVID-19 vaccines for children", she said. She also said that studies on booster dose have been going on overseas and at least seven different vaccines have been tried out for booster dose. Now, WHO has put a stop to it till more countries catch up with vaccination. "This is because there is an alarming vaccine gap between high-income and low-income countries. But, in future, recommendations for boosters will definitely come", she mentioned. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19390/omron-healthcare-unveils-ai-based-collaborative-trial-prog-in-patient-monitoring.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19390/omron-healthcare-unveils-ai-based-collaborative-trial-prog-in-patient-monitoring.html Tue, 17 Aug 2021 15:35:00 +0530 OMRON Healthcare India has announced the initiation of India’s first-of-its-kind AI-based collaborative trial programme in the field of remote patient monitoring. The programme, targeted at patients that have undergone surgical procedures or ablation for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, aims to establish the relevance and role of remote hypertension and ECG monitoring for strengthening the treatment and care regime to reduce cardiovascular complications and deaths.    “OMRON aims to expand its presence in the remote patient monitoring segment which is gaining a lot of significance in the healthcare ecosystem of India. Post collaborating with varied AI-based healthcare applications in the personal healthcare monitoring domain, we are all set to move ahead and strengthen our value addition in the hospital care management with this endeavour. With the right partners on board, we are optimistic about receiving good results from the trial. It will help us to propel ahead our vision of ‘Going for Zero’ cardiovascular diseases by collaborating OMRON’s vital sensing technology with AI of Tricog and doctors’ support at Sakra World Hospital,” said Masanori Matsubara, MD, OMRON Healthcare India.    The study in the trial will explore two core possibilities - how technology can enable monitoring of ECG at home and how AI can enable timely intervention in postoperative cardiovascular patients. The aim is to achieve further improvement of cardiovascular disease management coupled with high blood pressure management in a remote environment.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19388/india-gets-first-ai-based-mental-healthcare-technology-platform.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19388/india-gets-first-ai-based-mental-healthcare-technology-platform.html Tue, 17 Aug 2021 11:35:00 +0530 New Delhi-based cybersecurity consulting firm, Panacea Infosec along with Panacea Bioedge has partnered with Healmed Solutions, a leading mental healthcare technology company from the US, to launch India’s first AI-based digital, touch-free, voice-enabled mental healthcare technology platform ‘Panacea Healmed’.   Panacea Healmed’s mental healthcare assessments introduced for healthcare institutions, corporates, educational institutions and social enterprises in India through its proprietary technology platform, provides individuals with direct access to clinical assessments that support risk and diagnosis, provide an immediate connection to care that allows individuals to self-manage and create responsive coping mechanisms through the delivery of personalised therapeutic support.   The platform provides support around various mental health issues, personalised care pathways and valuable preventive insights for healthcare institutions, corporate and social organisations.   It is currently utilised by employers, therapists and educational institutions and offers a continuity of care programme that effectively blends the supported intervention with technology, AI, and human touch. This is accomplished through a suite of proprietary digital tools that are designed by clinicians and grounded in AI that is proven to positively impact outcomes.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19382/cytecare-hospitals-brains-neuro-spine-hospital-launch-neurosciences-centre.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19382/cytecare-hospitals-brains-neuro-spine-hospital-launch-neurosciences-centre.html Mon, 16 Aug 2021 17:35:00 +0530 Cytecare Hospitals has announced the launch of a comprehensive neurosciences centre in collaboration with Brains Neuro Spine Hospital in Bengaluru.   The neurosciences centre was inaugurated by Malini Krishnamurthy, IPS, Principal Secretary to Government (PCAS), Home Department, Karnataka State, in the presence of Dr Ferzaan Engineer, Co-Founder and Chairman, Cytecare Hospitals and Suresh Ramu, Co-Founder and CEO, Cytecare Hospitals.    The centre will offer services ranging from stroke management, paediatric neuro-oncology and neurorehabilitation to cerebrovascular surgery, stereotactic radiosurgery and comprehensive care for spine tumours as well as brain tumours.    Dr Venkatramana NK, Head of Neurosciences Centre, Cytecare Hospitals, will lead the multidisciplinary team of doctors at the neurosciences centre. Counted among the first to establish a brain tumour bank as well as introduce cerebral microdialysis in India, the veteran neurosurgeon has performed over 30,000 surgeries in his career spanning three decades.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19377/nanavati-hospitals-radiology-dept-bags-nabhmis-accreditation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19377/nanavati-hospitals-radiology-dept-bags-nabhmis-accreditation.html Mon, 16 Aug 2021 13:35:00 +0530 Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital has received the NABH -MIS accreditation. The standards cover vitals of quality safety management, delivery of high-quality care and provide guidelines to all diagnostic and interventional imaging services. NABH is a constituent board of Quality Council of India, set up to establish and operate accreditation programmes for healthcare organisations. Dr Deepak Patkar, Director (Medical Services) and Head Imaging, Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital said, “We are proud to be the pioneers of NABH-MIS certification in Mumbai. The radiology department is the focal point of any quaternary care medical institution. The scope of a modern radiology setup is not only limited to imaging studies but plays a therapeutic role through minimally invasive interventional radiology. With advanced technology and a veteran team of experts, we strive to maintain excellent standards of care.”The imaging department of Nanavati Max Hospital is equipped with a 64-slice cardiac capable PET-CT scanner and enables a complete cardiac CT scan in less than five seconds.  All imaging systems are linked through Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) that ensure excellent viewing quality for accurate reporting.The MRI department has a 32-channel wide-bore, short tunnel whole body 3 Tesla machine which provides excellent image quality with several advanced studies such as cardiac MRI, MR Spectroscopy, cartilage mapping etc. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19366/apollo-hospitals-group-of-hospitals-dmims-du-mou-to-offer-liver-transplant-prog.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19366/apollo-hospitals-group-of-hospitals-dmims-du-mou-to-offer-liver-transplant-prog.html Fri, 13 Aug 2021 15:30:00 +0530 The Apollo Hospitals Group has signed an MoU with Group of Hospitals - DMIMS (DU), a private healthcare medical university based out of Wardha, Maharashtra to bring liver transplant programmes to patients in Central India. The two institutions will work to build a successful liver transplant programme that brings the best of medical expertise and the latest world-class technological advances in liver transplant care to Central India.    The MoU, signed on World Organ Donation Day, would benefit patients with complications due to end-stage chronic liver disease as also in rare cases of sudden failure of a previously healthy liver. The MoU was signed by Dr Anupam Sibal, Group Medical Director- Apollo Hospitals Group and Dr Sandeep Shrivastava, CEO, Group of Hospitals - DMIMS, DU.   Sangita Reddy, Joint MD, Apollo Hospitals said, “This MoU is the first of its kind in Central India and will change the scenario of liver transplant in the region. We will work with the Group of Hospitals - DMIMS, (DU) to bring world-class practices and create a Centre of Excellence in Central India for 360-degree care in liver diseases and transplantation."   Datta Meghe, Founder and Chairman, Group of Hospitals - DMIMS, (DU) said, “The partnership with Apollo Hospitals will enable us to serve the people of Central India with the best of care for liver transplants as we together build a knowledge and result oriented liver transplant programme.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19361/swastika-investmart-medcords-healthcare-solutions-launch-sehat-sathi-app.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19361/swastika-investmart-medcords-healthcare-solutions-launch-sehat-sathi-app.html Fri, 13 Aug 2021 10:45:00 +0530 Startup accelerator Swastika Investmart with Medcords Healthcare Solutions has launched a finance scheme ‘Sehat Sathi App’ for registered medical stores. Connecting the national and local healthcare ecosystem with Swastika Investmart’s NBFC arm, the Sehat Saathi platform aims at providing financial assistance to its retail pharmacies.   Medcords Healthcare Solutions is a health-tech startup empowering medical stores to sustain and grow by providing them with resources they are lacking like technology, a new customer base, buying medicine in bulk, e-consultation with doctors, etc. The pandemic has impacted every aspect of the healthcare system, disrupting the continuity of healthcare delivery practices and patient access to high-quality medical care.   Sehat Sathi app of Medcords provides a unique opportunity for medical stores to avail the facility of loan, necessary resources, and technology. The platform enables pharmacies to access unsecured business loans at a low-cost interest rate. The loans will be provided for a three to 12 months period in the form of term loans and limits. Also, it will be instantly approved with minimal documentation. Medical stores have to apply on the ‘Sehat Sathi’ app for their loan requirements.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19359/delhis-health-minister-inaugurates-icu-tele-medicine-centre-of-india-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19359/delhis-health-minister-inaugurates-icu-tele-medicine-centre-of-india-.html Thu, 12 Aug 2021 15:35:00 +0530 Satyendar Kumar Jain, Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Govt of NCT of Delhi recently inaugurated the first ICU Tele Medicine Centre of India at Ujala Cygnus Covid Center, Burari, New Delhi.   PHD Chamber, Rotary Club of Delhi Central, BAPIO Training Academy (BTA) and Ujala Cygnus Healthcare Services signed MoU to start the telemedicine centre at Ujala Cygnus Healthcare Services where BTA will provide free of charge telemedicine service of international doctors to Ujala Cygnus Healthcare Services and PHD Chamber & RCDC will act as a facilitator.   Telehealth Project for COVID-19 India is the joint effort of Health Committee, PHD Chamber, Rotary club of Delhi Central, BAPIO Training Academy (BTA), UK and Ujala Cygnus Healthcare Services to provide the Tele-Consultation & Tele-Reporting (Internet and mobile-based) services and support Indian healthcare professionals looking after COVID-19 / Non-COVID-19 patients.      Image caption- From left to right: Dr N. Subramanian, Chair, Health Committee, PHDCCI & Medical Advisor, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital;  Satyendar Kumar Jain, Hon'ble Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Govt of NCT of Delhi & Sanjay Aggarwal, President, PHDCCI                 ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19357/nha-inks-mou-with-iit-d-to-scale-high-potential-healthcare-innovations.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19357/nha-inks-mou-with-iit-d-to-scale-high-potential-healthcare-innovations.html Thu, 12 Aug 2021 12:00:00 +0530 Recognising the role of innovations to strengthen India’s response to the COVID-19 crisis and preparedness for emerging healthcare needs, National Health Authority (NHA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-D).  Through this partnership, NHA will be a technical collaborator on the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)-supported SAMRIDH Healthcare Blended Financing Facility. IIT Delhi serves as the hosting entity for SAMRIDH. This initiative is implemented by a Technical Support Unit, managed by IPE Global. SAMRIDH Healthcare Blended Financing Facility aims to catalyse market-based health solutions to improve access to affordable and quality healthcare services for low-income and vulnerable communities, particularly for Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) beneficiaries. NHA and IIT Delhi will support innovative solutions to address the needs and priorities of the AB PM-JAY ecosystem. This collaboration will be crucial to support rapid scaling and absorption of health innovations across more than 23,000 PM-JAY empanelled hospitals. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19349/fitterfly-healthtech-launches-fightprediabetes-challenge.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19349/fitterfly-healthtech-launches-fightprediabetes-challenge.html Wed, 11 Aug 2021 17:00:00 +0530 In a first-of-its-kind initiative to mark World Prediabetes Day on the 14th of August, Mumbai-based startup Fitterfly Healthtech has joined hands with top doctors, Roche Diabetes, Lal Path Labs and USV Pharma to launch the initiative with an online event.   The partners have come together with a focus of carrying forward the three-fold solution to create sustained mass awareness, catching prediabetes early and coming together to solve the problem.   The event also marks the launch of an online Prediabetes Risk Test which is an evidence-based, clinically validated tool for assessing an individual’s risk of Prediabetes and also provides recommended next steps.   The partners have also launched the #FightPrediabetes challenge in which 100 people with a high risk of prediabetes get a chance to win a Prediabetes package worth Rs 6000 and reverse their prediabetes in three months.   Dr Arbinder Singal, Co-founder & CEO of Fitterfly Healthtech said, “We can slow down the avalanche of diabetes destroying our interests at large, by preventing 11- 12 crore Indians progressing to Diabetes every year. The impact can be huge and the time to start is now. New age digital technologies like digital therapeutics can lead to significant behaviour change and help people prevent or delay the progress to diabetes”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19346/castlight-health-to-open-rd-operations-centre-in-hyderabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19346/castlight-health-to-open-rd-operations-centre-in-hyderabad.html Wed, 11 Aug 2021 16:40:00 +0530 US-based Castlight Health has announced its plans to expand its Research & Development (R&D) operations in India through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Castlight India, located in Hyderabad.   The new Castlight R&D centre is expected to play a key role in helping the company stay on the cutting-edge of new technologies that will propel its leading healthcare navigation offering in the US, in addition to supporting some of the company's largest global customers.   Castlight intends to continue tapping into Hyderabad's top engineering talent pool to grow the R&D centre by 30-50 per cent before the end of 2021.    Castlight India is currently aggressively hiring for open positions in data engineering, application development, product management and more.   Castlight Senior Director of Engineering and India Head, Vijay Simha says that the entity will focus on developing leading-edge technology in the areas of cloud, machine learning, and AI to help accelerate Castlight's product innovation in digital plus high-touch healthcare navigation.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19345/govt-unveils-quality-of-life-for-elderly-index.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19345/govt-unveils-quality-of-life-for-elderly-index.html Wed, 11 Aug 2021 16:30:00 +0530 Quality of Life for Elderly Index was released by Dr Bibek Debroy, Chairman, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) on 11 August. The Index has been created by the Institute for Competitiveness (IFC) and it sheds light on an issue often not mentioned-problems faced by the elderly.   The report identifies the regional patterns of ageing across the Indian states and assesses the overall ageing situation in India. The report presents a deeper insight into how well India is doing to support the well-being of its ageing population.    The Index framework includes four pillars: financial well-being, social well-being, health system and income security, and eight sub-pillars: economic empowerment, educational attainment and employment, social status, physical security, basic health, psychological wellbeing, social security and enabling environment.    The Health System pillar observes the highest national average, 66.97 at an all-India level, followed by 62.34 in Social Well-being. Financial Well-being observes a score of 44.7, which is lowered by the low performance of 21 States across the Education Attainment & Employment pillar, which showcases scope for improvement   “Without a proper diagnostic tool to understand the implications of its ageing population, planning for the elderly can become a challenge for policymakers. The Quality of Life for Elderly Index has been released to broaden the way we understand the needs and the opportunities of the elderly population in India", said IFC chairman Dr Amit Kapoor.   The index highlights that the best way to improve the lives of the current and future generations of older people is by investing in health, education and employment for young people today.        ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19342/dataleads-launches-kruxd-to-provide-access-to-global-health-data.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19342/dataleads-launches-kruxd-to-provide-access-to-global-health-data.html Wed, 11 Aug 2021 10:35:00 +0530 DataLEADS has launched Kruxd, to provide access to global health data from one location. Kruxd will provide access to millions of comprehensive pre-cleaned health datasets in easy-to-comprehend and attractive visualisation formats like infographics, dashboards, graphs, etc.One can log onto www.kruxd.in and search for datasets by topic, country or year. At Kruxd all the cleaning and processing is done so that everyone can have access to all health data. The platform can be beneficial to doctors, medical health professionals, policymakers, researchers, medical students, pharma companies etc.Anuja Venkatachalam, Data Editor, Kruxd says, “At Kruxd, we aim to make global health data easily accessible for one and all. We have created a central hub of information flow on global health statistics. The data we maintain is assembled in such a way that it’s ready to be collected and analysed, anywhere and anytime. We strive to use technology to make data more accessible, as accessibility improves transparency and transparency brings trust.”Tariq Hashmat Tauheed, Senior Data Analyst commented on the launch of Kruxd by saying, “Gathering and analysing data requires time, effort and technical skill as data is collected from multiple sources and is often in unprocessable formats. At Kruxd, we’re always chasing the next big thing, making health data access is just the first step. It’s a global good that each one of us can benefit from. We value building relationships and so here we are building a platform that brings us all together. We believe it’s time health data gets out of its silos and into your hands. Data should not be esoteric anymore. So let’s work together to bring an impact and to build a stronger future with trust, transparency and accessibility.”Individuals and organisations can join by signing up for a membership. Organisations looking to collaborate on a long-term data project can reach out for primary data collection and analysis. One can also visit this platform to read data stories and commentaries on public health data.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19328/infostretch-collaborates-with-indiashield-for-covid-assistance-across-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19328/infostretch-collaborates-with-indiashield-for-covid-assistance-across-india.html Mon, 09 Aug 2021 17:55:00 +0530 As part of its Ignite philanthropic programme, Infostretch has partnered with INDIASHIELD to support the expansion of its citizen-led COVID support services across India. The service is run entirely by volunteers (currently a team of over 500 concerned people), all of whom are aiming to both alleviate the impact of the pandemic and save lives.    The service bridges the gap between those seeking help and emergency medical resource providers. The support provided could be anything from providing accurate information about vaccination options to checking on hospital bed availability so that someone in need of medical attention can get access to help, close to their location. To date, INDIASHIELD has facilitated over 1,500 hospital bed bookings, 3,000+ ambulance bookings and provided support to hospitals and organisations in need of COVID-related resources across India.   INDIASHIELD works with citizens from across 150 cities and has over 100 partners in its alliance, working together to provide support and help for those seeking help across all of India. Infostretch created a software platform that connects volunteers and support partners with people in need.    INDIASHIELD has now supported 114,000 requests for help, with 74,000 of those requests coming in over the last two months, as India dealt with the Delta variant of the virus. Other organizations supporting INDIASHIELD include AWS (Amazon Web Services), WhatsApp, InterMiles, World Wide Technology, BMC, Parentune, FlexiLoan, Invest India, Government of Maharashtra, GOQii, Yulu, Manah Health, MedsForMore, Gateway Platforms, Zoho, Make My Trip, Concentrix, Haptik and TEDxGateway.   Manish Dureja, CEO, of InterMiles. “Each one of us had to step up and do our bit to help the nation navigate through these tough times. Kudos to the INDIASHIELD team and volunteers for their constant endeavour to save lives with the utmost dedication. InterMiles remains committed to INDIASHIELD as we collaborate on more ideas to benefit consumers and society at large.”       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19321/neuroequilibrium-to-expand-lab-services-to-1000-hospitals-globally-by-2023.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19321/neuroequilibrium-to-expand-lab-services-to-1000-hospitals-globally-by-2023.html Mon, 09 Aug 2021 11:00:00 +0530 NeuroEquilibrium – the chain of dizziness and balance disorder clinics- announced its plan to expand its dizziness and balance lab, equipped with DeepTech remote diagnosis platform, to 1000 hospitals globally in the next two years. NeuroEquilibrium recently got European CE certification for its diagnostic equipment, which allows it to provide its services in Europe and most parts of the World.  The company has set up a dizziness and balance disorders lab at over 150 hospitals and speciality clinics in 50 cities across India. Recently, NeuroEquilibrium has supplied its Vertigo and Dizziness lab to institutions like AIIMS Delhi and AIIMS Raipur, which will help the common man suffering from dizziness and balance disorders. Founded by Dr Anita Bhandari, a vertigo specialist, and Rajneesh Bhandari, a serial entrepreneur and an IIT alumnus, NeuroEquilibrium has over 150 hospitals/clinics across India and a few centres in Europe are provided remote diagnostic services by super-specialist doctors assisted by computer vision and machine learning."Over 15% of the population has dizziness and balance disorders, which present to doctors of all specialities. Over 40 common disorders of the inner ear and the brain can lead to vertigo and dizziness. These disorders are diagnosed by vestibular evaluation, which has seen a tremendous advancement with the advent of new technology and instruments. Despite the high incidence of vertigo and dizziness, there are a few specialised dizziness centres available. With 150 health institutions across India now equipped with our diagnosis lab, we are making our efforts to bridge this gap," said Dr Anita Bhandari. The cutting-edge diagnostic equipment developed by NeuroEquilibrium helps diagnose over 40 diseases of the inner ear and the brain. The DeepTech platform integrates cloud technology and computer vision, clinical decision support systems, and virtual reality (VR). The company is a global frontrunner in the use of virtual reality for treating neurological conditions and phobias related to balance disorders which provide immersive exposure therapies. A recent paper on a computer simulation of one of the diseases that cause vertigo has just been published in the European Journal of Neurology. "We are collaborating with top European Universities and jointly publishing cutting-edge research," added Dr Anita Bhandari. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19319/astrazeneca-india-the-banaras-hindu-university-organise-cancer-screening-camp-for-women-in-varanasi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19319/astrazeneca-india-the-banaras-hindu-university-organise-cancer-screening-camp-for-women-in-varanasi.html Fri, 06 Aug 2021 16:45:00 +0530 AstraZeneca India and the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) conducted a cancer screening camp for women in Varanasi. This is the second such camp set up in and around Varanasi, as a part of the Ganga Godavari Cancer Screening programme, since the launch of its current phase in March 2021. The programme strives to spread awareness on the importance and the need for early detection of oral, breast, and cervical cancers in women and facilitate detection of such cancers at this specialised cancer screening camp. More than 100 women were screened in the camp, and 5 suspect cases were referred for further evaluation.    The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, General Surgery and Dentistry provided an expert team of medical professionals for the provision of screening services at the Health and Wellness centre at Tikri. More than 300 women participated in the previous cancer screening camp held at Varanasi in March 2021. Fifteen of whom were then referred to the respective tertiary care hospitals for further management.    Dr Sangeeta Kansal, IMS, Banaras Hindu University, Department of Community Medicine, said, “As the cancer cases among women are on a rise, it’s very important to educate rural women about the importance of early diagnosis. By understanding this need, a free medical check-up camp for the woman was organised today in Mallah, Tikri by AstraZeneca along with BHU, Doctors for you and the Indian Cancer Society. The dentists and gynaecologists from IMS-BHU Health conducted the check-up. The event saw active participation with 105 women participants and also diagnosed 5 patients on the risk of first stage cancer.”   Dr Anil Kukreja, VP – Medical Affairs & Regulatory, AstraZeneca India, said, “ As more women are affected with cancers in India, we must conduct enough effective and consistent programs, especially in rural parts of the country, such as the Ganga Godavari Cancer Screening Programme enabling greater access to quality healthcare."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19314/indias-first-biobank-for-heart-failure-research-opens-at-sctimst.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19314/indias-first-biobank-for-heart-failure-research-opens-at-sctimst.html Fri, 06 Aug 2021 13:45:00 +0530 National Heart Failure Biobank (NHFB) that would collect blood, biopsies, and clinical data as a guide to future therapies was recently inaugurated at the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) in Thiruvananthapuram.   Prof Balram Bhargava, Secretary, Department of Health Research (DHR) and DG, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) virtually inaugurated the NHFB.    According to Bhargava, the biobank will provide insights into heart diseases and heart failure among Indian children and adults, which are different from that seen in the West.    Dr VK Saraswat, President of SCTIMST and Member, NITI Aayog, in his message, hoped that the NHFB would prove helpful in understanding molecular pathways and would improve the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of heart failure.   The storage facilities include -20, -80-degree mechanical freezers and a liquid nitrogen storage system which can store bio-samples at – 140 degrees perpetually for years. Currently, there are facilities to store nearly 25000 biosamples.   The biosamples include the blood, serum, tissue samples obtained during open-heart surgery and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and genomic DNA collected from heart failure patients. The biobank activity is supervised by a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) with a member from ICMR.    The Biobank at SCTIMST has already signed an MOU with InStem Bangalore for collaborative research in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which runs in families with thickening heart muscles.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19306/meddo-acquires-doxper-in-a-cash-and-stock-deal.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19306/meddo-acquires-doxper-in-a-cash-and-stock-deal.html Thu, 05 Aug 2021 18:35:00 +0530 Meddo has announced its acquisition of Doxper in a cash and stock deal. With this acquisition, Meddo is cementing its place as one of the largest health-tech players in the country in the outpatient care space with more than 1.5 crore digitised prescriptions and over 1 crore patients, further adding another 3-4 Lakh patients every month to their base. Doxper is a leader in the prescription digitisation space, with a strong client base of 4000+ doctors   Saurabh Kochhar, Founder, and CEO, Meddo said, “This acquisition is just the leap needed in this very direction. Enabling Meddo’s one-stop care for millions of patients across the Doxper network, in addition to their prescription technology, creates the right ecosystem to fundamentally transform outpatient care, which has been our goal from the get-go.”   Shailesh Prithani, Co-Founder & CEO, Doxper said, “We truly believe in Meddo’s omni-channel fulfilment led approach and are excited to join this transformative journey. We are confident that our integration will enhance and improve clinical outcomes for clinicians and patients.”   With Doxper in its fold, Meddo plans to scale up its branded full suite clinics to 1000 plus within the next 12-15 months across the 10 top-tier markets within the country. In the last few months, the venture launched relevant solutions like L1 COVID centres, teleconsultation services, diagnostic solutions and an extremely useful and cost-effective healthcare membership called MeddoSure.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19303/healthcare-leaders-adopting-3-step-approach-to-achieve-digital-transformation-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19303/healthcare-leaders-adopting-3-step-approach-to-achieve-digital-transformation-in-india.html Thu, 05 Aug 2021 14:50:00 +0530 Royal Philips has announced the publication of its Future Health Index (FHI) 2021 India Report: ‘A Resilient Future: Healthcare leaders look beyond the crisis’.  Now in its sixth year, the Future Health Index 2021 report is based on proprietary research across 14 countries, including India, representing the largest global survey of its kind to analyse the current and future priorities of healthcare leaders worldwide.   Indian healthcare leaders appear to be adopting a three-step approach to achieve digital transformation in healthcare. The pillars of this approach include investing in telehealth in the short term to ensure access to care, future investment in AI to drive operational efficiencies and partnerships with other hospitals or healthcare facilities to facilitate the use of these technologies.   Difficulties with data management (65%) and lack of interoperability across technological systems (55%) are seen as top barriers to the adoption of digital technologies.    The report also highlights that while implementing sustainability practices is not a current concern for many, it is set to become one of the top priorities for Indian healthcare leaders (78%) three years from now.   Rohit Sathe, Vice President, Health Systems, Philips Indian Subcontinent commented “We realize that not only is digital the future for healthcare in India, but Indian healthcare providers are rapidly adopting strategies to onboard digital technologies in their organizations. We hope that the insights from our report will aid key stakeholders in empowering Indian healthcare leaders to work towards building healthcare systems that are sustainable, adaptable and resilient.”      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19296/-wipro-ge-healthcare-introduces-remote-monitoring-solution-for-covid-19-patients-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19296/-wipro-ge-healthcare-introduces-remote-monitoring-solution-for-covid-19-patients-.html Wed, 04 Aug 2021 15:25:00 +0530 Wipro GE Healthcare's has introduced Remote Monitoring Solution, Tele-ICU, along with the Centricity High Acuity Critical Care Solution (CHA-CC), which is tailor-made to connect Intensive Care Units (ICUs) in different locations or within the same building to central sites.   The technology has so far connected 800 beds across several hospitals in India to the hub hospital where highly skilled healthcare professionals can remotely provide advanced consultation and care to their critically ill patients.    The hospitals which have deployed this solution include Apollo Hospitals-Hyderabad, Kainos Hospital-Rohtak and Apex Hospital-Jaipur. Currently, the ICU beds are connected from the states of Jharkhand, Assam, Maharashtra, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.    Designed and developed in GE’s John F Welch Technology Center, Bangalore, Tele-ICU works on a hub and spoke model where it enables clinicians to provide a similar level of advanced consultation, care and monitoring to their critically ill patients without having to physically transfer them to a super-speciality hospital.    Additionally, Wipro GE Healthcare in partnership with MedIoTek (using CHA-CC and MedloTek’s wearable bands for monitoring of patient vitals) enabled 60 home beds to be connected to a central ICU of Saiman Healthcare in Delhi.        ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19286/us-based-mskcc-expands-cancer-care-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19286/us-based-mskcc-expands-cancer-care-in-india.html Tue, 03 Aug 2021 12:45:00 +0530 US-based Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) has launched MSKCC India to provide cancer patients in India with access to the institution's world-renowned oncologists, research, clinical trials, and education. The effort stems from the institution's core mission of advancing transformative cancer care through education and research worldwide.    MSKCC India will open a physical location in Chennai, centrally located for patients and staff members. The location will serve as a hub for medical staff who will help patients coordinate written or virtual consultations, and they will be able to communicate in English, Hindi, Urdu, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada.   If necessary, employees will also be able to collect medical records from patients' homes, making the process more convenient for those utilising this service. Patients across India will be able to obtain a remote opinion from experts at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in the comfort of their home or any Internet-enabled location without travelling to MSKCC India in Chennai.   As part of this first-of-its-kind offering, MSKCC India will provide remote opinions via video or written consultations.    Specific services include: Pathology diagnosis, radiology scan reviews Next-generation sequencing (MSK-IMPACTTM) of a patient's tumour and treatment recommendations and travel assistance to New York City.   As part of this effort to bring world-class care to people in India diagnosed with cancer, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center has partnered with Coimbatore-based iCliniq. This partnership is the first-of-its-kind for both iCliniq and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19281/bharat-biotechs-rotavac-5d-receives-who-prequalification.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19281/bharat-biotechs-rotavac-5d-receives-who-prequalification.html Mon, 02 Aug 2021 16:55:00 +0530 Bharat Biotech has announced that the World Health Organization (WHO) has awarded prequalification to its rotavirus vaccine, ROTAVAC 5D.   The new variant of ROTAVAC, ROTAVAC 5D, is a unique rotavirus vaccine formulation that can be administered without a buffer. Its low dose volume (0.5 mL) facilitates easy vaccine logistics, cold chain management and low biomedical waste disposal post-vaccination. It is used for the prevention of rotavirus infection, which is prevalent in infants and young children.   WHO Prequalification enables the procurement of ROTAVAC 5D by UN agencies namely UNICEF and PAHO. It is a validation of the global quality and safety standards required for paediatric vaccines. WHO prequalification of ROTAVAC 5D will fast-track global access to this life-saving vaccine.   Suchitra Ella, Joint MD, Bharat Biotech, said, “ROTAVAC and ROTAVAC 5D are projects conceived, innovated, and executed in India; in collaboration with Indian and global partners. This is the culmination of a 30-year effort to develop a novel rotavirus vaccine, resulting in a major advancement in Rotavirus disease prevention and reasserts India’s leadership in developing and introducing rotavirus vaccines for the world."   Rotavirus is the leading cause of severe diarrhoea among children less than five years of age around the world, resulting in more than 200,000 deaths and two million hospitalisations worldwide.          ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19278/goqiis-study-evaluates-accuracy-of-wearable-devices-for-vital-sign-monitoring.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19278/goqiis-study-evaluates-accuracy-of-wearable-devices-for-vital-sign-monitoring.html Mon, 02 Aug 2021 14:20:00 +0530 GOQii Smart Healthcare recently conducted a clinical study in association with various pharma companies to evaluate the accuracy of its wearable devices for vital sign monitoring. The study evaluated the efficacy of Vital 3.0 for parameters viz. heart rate, body temperature and blood pressure. Being a CDSO and medically certified device, the study further cements the clinically acceptable accuracy for GOQii’s wearable devices when it comes to its vital sign monitoring.   The study examined 50 patients aged 50 plus across zero hours, three hours and six hours. The vitals were measured against that of conventional digital devices and other leading wearables. A combination of Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), Paired T-Test, Pearson’s Correlation method and Bland–Altman analysis were adopted for the study.   Vishal Gondal, Founder and CEO, GOQii Smart Healthcare said, “We are pleased to share that the results exhibited clinically stable accuracy for GOQii’s wearable devices which can help in early diagnosis of various chronic diseases. Through the findings, we hope that it would aid doctors and patients make an informed decision.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19277/creating-new-opportunities-in-ai-can-provide-effective-health-solutions-experts.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19277/creating-new-opportunities-in-ai-can-provide-effective-health-solutions-experts.html Mon, 02 Aug 2021 13:20:00 +0530 The online DST Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Discourse Series New India @ 75, was recently organised by National Council for Science & Technology Communication and Vigyan Prasar. Experts highlighted that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is creating new opportunities which could not be achieved by traditional technology and could be used for healthcare as well as many other present and future challenges in various sectors, at a discourse series recently. Prof Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology (DST) said, “AI would not replace people but create new opportunities in various fields. It works on data, and if we could train our machines, it could do wonders for us in milliseconds by automating processes. It can be used for diagnostic purposes for various diseases, including COVID-19, and could prove very effective in remote areas where adequate health facilities are not available. The key to success in using AI for various problems is to reach out to maximum people.He spoke about how DST progressed over the last years, seeding foundational technologies, and have launched several schemes to tackle the challenges that are coming at faster speed with science, technology, and innovation-based solutions. “The emergence of disruptive and impactful technologies poses new challenges and simultaneously greater opportunities. DST is a nursery to help, nurture and grow young talents for the progress and development of the country,” he added.Anna Roy, Senior Advisor, NITI Aayog, pointed out that AI can be used effectively for various challenges of the country. “India has a number of challenges, but at the same time, we also have the advantage of being a data-rich country that has a lot of IT professionals, educationalists, and a demographic dividend. All this could prove a boon for us if we could use these for the progress and development of the country,” Roy said.   She highlighted the role NITI Aayog is playing in identifying various problems of the country and suggesting the future roadmap for India. “NITI Aayog as the leading think tank for the government and country is creating policies for widening science and technology ecosystem and to take industry and academia along for progress and development of the country in every sector,” she emphasised. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19276/apollo-fertility-opens-varanasi-centre.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19276/apollo-fertility-opens-varanasi-centre.html Mon, 02 Aug 2021 11:50:00 +0530 Apollo Fertility (part of Apollo Health & Lifestyle and the Apollo Hospitals group) has opened a fertility centre in Varanasi. Spread across 7000 sq ft, the IVF lab has class 100 OT & laminar airflow, HEPA filters, and separate AHUs for OT & Embryology lab as per international standards which ensures superior air quality and best culture conditions for embryos to grow.    Dr Ajay Gangoli, Medical Director - AHLL shared, "Change in lifestyle, delayed family planning, stress, irregular sleep patterns, diabetes, obesity, smoking and alcohol etc. are the reason that affecting fertility and have led to rising in male and female infertility.   Speaking on the launch, Chandrasekhar, CEO, Apollo Health & Lifestyle Limited, said, "We are happy and proud to launch the fertility centre in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. After the successful launch of Fertility Centres in Solapur, Borivali, Kolkata, Thane, Noida, Hyderabad earlier this year, this will be the groups second flagship centre in Uttar Pradesh and first in Eastern UP. With a wide range of services being offered under one roof, the centre will be a boon to many couples living in and around Varanasi and adjacent districts of Jaunpur, Azamgarh, Mau, Balia, Ghazipur, Chandauli, Mirzapur, Sonabhadra and Sant Ravidas Nagar."    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19271/rdif-announces-initial-vaccine-combination-safety-results-of-astrazeneca-sputnik-v.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19271/rdif-announces-initial-vaccine-combination-safety-results-of-astrazeneca-sputnik-v.html Fri, 30 Jul 2021 15:45:00 +0530 The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF, Russia’s sovereign wealth fund) has announced initial safety results of the world’s first study of a combination between the AstraZeneca vaccine (developed jointly with the University of Oxford) and the first component of the Sputnik V vaccine (Sputnik Light vaccine based on human adenovirus serotype 26) in the Republic of Azerbaijan.    The heterogeneous boosting approach ('vaccine cocktail' using human adenovirus serotype 26 as the first component and human adenovirus serotype 5 as the second component) was at the core of Sputnik V, the world’s first registered vaccine against coronavirus. The first partnership of this kind was concluded in December 2020 in the presence of the President of Russia Vladimir Putin. RDIF, The Gamaleya Center, AstraZeneca and R-Pharm signed a Memorandum of Intent aimed at cooperation in vaccine development.    Studies on the safety and immunogenicity of the combination of the AstraZeneca vaccine and the first component of the Sputnik V vaccine in Azerbaijan began in February 2021. To date, 50 volunteers have been vaccinated and new participants are invited to join the trial. Interim analysis of the data demonstrates a high safety profile for the combined use of the vaccines with no serious adverse events or cases of coronavirus after vaccination.   In August 2021, RDIF and partners will publish initial data on the immunogenicity of the combined use of the AstraZeneca vaccine and the first component of the Sputnik V vaccine in Azerbaijan. Clinical trials of a combination of vaccines are being carried out in several countries as part of a global programme. Volunteers are being vaccinated in the UAE, and regulatory approval to conduct trials has been granted in Russia and Belarus.   Kirill Dmitriev, CEO, RDIF, said, “We look forward to its success in Azerbaijan and other countries, which will allow more effective implementation of vaccination programmes and protect people around the world. We consider it important to conduct joint research on combining the first component of Sputnik V with vaccines from other manufacturers for a more effective fight against emerging new strains of coronavirus.”    Irina Panarina, GM, AstraZeneca Russia and Eurasia, said, “A heterogeneous prime-boosting involving administering components of different vaccines to a patient is one of the most promising vaccination regimens to study. It is becoming especially relevant now when the issue of preventing the spread of new strains of coronavirus infection is acute, and the need for revaccination of the population is also coming to a head. That is why the results of the study can be of great importance for those countries where both the vaccine by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford and the Sputnik V vaccine are registered.”     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19269/govt-opens-genome-sequencing-national-reference-lab-for-amr.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19269/govt-opens-genome-sequencing-national-reference-lab-for-amr.html Fri, 30 Jul 2021 13:30:00 +0530 Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Mansukh Mandaviya virtually inaugurated the Whole Genome Sequencing National Reference Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and BSL 3 Laboratory along with a PG hostel and guest house.  The L3 laboratory complex has five floors and houses 22 Biosafety level (BSL) II laboratories. Mandaviya presided over the 112th Annual Day celebrations of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) along with Dr Bharati Pawar, MoS (HFW), in New Delhi.    The Division of Zoonotic Disease Programme at NCDC under the 'National One health Programme for prevention and Control of Zoonoses' has created IEC materials (Print, Audio & Video) on seven priority zoonotic diseases namely rabies, Scrub Typhus, Brucellosis, Anthrax, CCHF, Nipah, Kyasanur Forest Disease in India. The Union Health Minister along with MoS(HFW) also unveiled the IEC materials.    The Union Health Minister also launched the National Health Adaptation Plan on Air Pollution and National Health Adaptation Plan on Heat along with infographics and the first newsletter under the 'National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health' developed by Centre of Environmental and Occupational Health, Climate Change and Health at NCDC.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19268/cii-serum-institute-to-expand-vaccination-across-small-towns-rural-areas.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19268/cii-serum-institute-to-expand-vaccination-across-small-towns-rural-areas.html Fri, 30 Jul 2021 13:15:00 +0530 The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has partnered with Serum Institute of India (SII) to accelerate vaccination in partnership with industry, including healthcare providers. The vaccine drive will target communities in India’s small towns and rural areas to ensure wide coverage.   “CII aims to connect the community, hospitals and corporates to fast-track vaccination, and the partnership with Serum Institute will help catalyse industry participation to reach out to communities at large. Overall, the industry has been playing a responsible part in ensuring vaccination of workers and their families, but given the scale and urgency of the vaccination programme, we can complement and supplement the efforts of the government in this pivotal mission for the nation,” stated TV Narendran, President, CII.   “Serum Institute is pleased to partner with CII to work with industry members in reaching out the vaccine to communities in the hinterland. While SII has manufactured the vaccine at scale within a short period, all stakeholders must work together towards carrying out the inoculations. Our partnership with CII will be a good way to close the gaps, as there is plenty of supply of Covishield available for distribution”, said Adar Poonawalla, CEO, Serum Institute of India.   As part of the pan-India vaccine demand aggregation exercise, CII surveyed with a response from over 3000 companies in 196 cities. This identified a requirement of over seven million single-dose vaccines. CII is now mapping the vaccination need requirement state-wise and setting up vaccination camps along with its members focusing on reaching Tier II / III cities and rural areas.    The vaccination programme is accompanied by an intensive communication campaign. CII is now launching another campaign on vaccine hesitancy to be widely disseminated to target communities.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19266/sathyalok-charitable-trust-dialysis-centre-opens-in-porur-chennai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19266/sathyalok-charitable-trust-dialysis-centre-opens-in-porur-chennai.html Fri, 30 Jul 2021 12:40:00 +0530 Sathyalok Charitable Trust Dialysis Centre - Porur, established jointly by Rotary Club of Chennai Capital, Madras West Round Table 10 and Sathyalok Charitable Trust was inaugurated in Chennai.   The Tamilnad Kidney Research Foundation (TANKER Foundation) is roped in to provide dialysis services and operate the centre. Among the major donors include Sanjay Lulla, an industrialist. The centre is set to offer it at a subsidised rate of Rs 375 per session. It is also exploring ways to offer the service free of cost in future.    Constructed at the cost of Rs 3 crore, the 20-bed dialysis centre, houses a 5,000 sq ft building, well-equipped with 20 modern dialysis equipment. It will function from 8 am to 4 pm every day, including Sundays. The centre is expected to cater to 40 patients a day, impacting in a year close to 15,000 lives who suffer from kidney-related issues.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19264/india-reports-first-proven-case-of-breakthrough-reinfection-in-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19264/india-reports-first-proven-case-of-breakthrough-reinfection-in-covid-19.html Fri, 30 Jul 2021 11:55:00 +0530 The Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) Dr KK Aggarwal Research Fund has documented severe SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough reinfection with Delta variant after recovery from a breakthrough infection by Alpha variant in a fully vaccinated healthcare worker. C urrently under study, the case in point is that of a 61-year-old doctor from Delhi in whom the Delta variant infection resulted in hypoxia, hospitalisation, and illness lasting seven weeks. The second and third infections occurred after the doctor had taken both the vaccine shots and developed antibodies. The term “breakthrough reinfection” has been specifically coined for this, and it is also the first proven case of the same. The doctor was first infected in August 2020. The study done on this case will soon be published in an international peer reviewed medical journal called Frontiers in Medicine. Speaking about this, Dr Veena Aggarwal, Trustee HCFI and co-author of the study said, “The study conducted identifies a rare breakthrough infection that was also confirmed as a reinfection. The breakthrough reinfection was severe enough to result in hypoxia and hospitalization and was contracted from a fully vaccinated family member. The Ct values in the Delta variant breakthrough reinfection were low enough to suggest transmission potential. This reinforces the recommendation that fully vaccinated individuals should continue to take precautions to protect themselves and others.” There is no definite data on reinfections currently since whole-genome sequencing is not accessible and expensive. Labs also do not have much access to samples. As per the study conducted, post-infection and post-vaccination immunity both confer protection against COVID-19. However, there have been many whole-genome sequencing proven and breakthrough infections. Both are most often mild and caused by variants of concern (VOC). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19261/white-paper-calls-for-harmonised-action-to-prevent-amr.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19261/white-paper-calls-for-harmonised-action-to-prevent-amr.html Thu, 29 Jul 2021 19:00:00 +0530 Led by Prof Nirmal Kumar Ganguly, Former Director-General of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a group of researchers, have come out with a white paper on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), as it threatens to become the next big public health crisis in India and globally.    AMR occurs when disease-causing microbes like parasites, fungi, bacteria, and viruses develop resistance against the drugs that once effectively neutralised them.   The white paper is divided into four sections. The first section explains the issue and provides WHO’s assessment of the problem. While the second section delves into the global scenario, the third section encapsulates the Indian context of AMR. This section also presents a case study that documents the linkage between pharmaceutical production and the rise of AMR.   The last section tries to find answers to the complex issue of AMR. It impresses upon the need for newer diagnostics to detect drug-resistant infections at an earlier stage, the need for robust regulations that deter the release of untreated hospital and pharmaceutical waste, and emphasises investment in research and development of new antibiotics.    The interconnectedness of the human, animal and environmental ecosystems play a crucial role in AMR mitigation as the spurt in AMR in one ecosystem affects another. While many countries, including India, have adopted National Action Plans on AMR premised on the interconnected nature of the three ecosystems, they need to be backed by a synergised on-ground implementation.            ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19254/iitm-collaborates-with-emids-for-skill-based-knowledge-sharing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19254/iitm-collaborates-with-emids-for-skill-based-knowledge-sharing.html Thu, 29 Jul 2021 15:00:00 +0530 emids, a leader in digital engineering and transformation solutions to the healthcare and life sciences industry has partnered with the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IITM) Research Park (RP). emids has embarked on a rapid journey of collaboration with IIT Madras through internships of its students and collaboration with Industry 4.0 driven start-ups in the IITM Research Park.   emids’ investment in the innovation lab will expand its horizon with access to 200+ labs and test facilities available at the Research Park and through its 70+ partners across 17 sectors. The partnership will grow the organisation’s network and encourage skills and knowledge sharing on both sides.   With the credentials of dignitaries and the diversity of start-ups and products on display during the event, emids Innovation Labs (3ident-Ideate-Innovate-Incubate), was inaugurated by the Founder and CEO of emids, Saurabh Sinha and Chief Revenue Officer, Balajee Sethuraman. emids Vice President, Strategy and Transformation, Karthik Ramesh and emids Vice President, Human Resources, Pramod C were also present, along with members of the emids senior leadership team. The Honorary Chairman Board of Governors of IIIT Sri City, M Balasubramaniam was the Chief Guest of the event.   Professor Ashok Jhunjhunwala, President & Board Member IITM-RP said, “IITM-RP and emids’ collaboration will help align our results to client success at a time when the healthcare industry is embracing technology as a key pillar in the execution of an organisation’s strategy.    Balajee Sethuraman, Chief Revenue Officer, emids said, “This is truly our North Star that will enable us to drive transformation and business growth outcomes at the leading edge of innovation in Healthcare 4.0 leveraging Industry 4.0 technologies.”   Karthik Ramesh, Vice President Strategy and Transformation, emids said, “The emids IITM-RP partnership led innovation facility, will help bootstrap internal emids crowd-sourced ideas (driven by business need) into Minimum Viable Products and early-stage prototypes for our customers, through a unique Ideation to Innovation cycle. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19251/biocon-biologics-viatris-receive-us-fda-approval-for-semglee-to-treat-diabetes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19251/biocon-biologics-viatris-receive-us-fda-approval-for-semglee-to-treat-diabetes.html Thu, 29 Jul 2021 13:20:00 +0530 Biocon Biologics and Viatris announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Semglee (insulin glargine-yfgn injection) as the first interchangeable biosimilar product under the 351(k) regulatory pathway.Biocon Biologics, Executive Chairperson, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw said, “We are proud to be the first to obtain approval of an interchangeable Biosimilar product in the US. It is a milestone achievement for both Biocon Biologics and our partner Viatris. This will allow pharmacy level substitution and thereby provide convenient and affordable access to Semglee, a quality Biosimilar Insulin Glargine.”Arun Chandavarkar, MD, Biocon Biologics said, “This interchangeability approval for Semglee by the US FDA, another first to our credit, is a testament to our scientific excellence and robust quality comparability data. This allows substitution at the pharmacy counter, thus expanding patient access and sets the stage for future approvals for our other insulin products.”The interchangeable Semglee product, which will allow substitution of Semglee for the reference product, Lantus, at the pharmacy counter, will be introduced before the end of the year. The company is eligible to have exclusivity for 12 months before the FDA can approve another biosimilar interchangeable to Lantus. Commercial preparations for launch are underway. Over the next few months, Viatris will transition the current product to the 351(k) interchangeable product.Semglee is indicated to control high blood sugar in adults with Type 2 diabetes and adults and pediatric patients with Type 1 diabetes. It is not recommended for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis. Semglee has an identical amino acid sequence to Lantus and is approved for the same indications.Michael Goettler, CEO, Viatris commented, “We are proud to achieve the industry’s first approval of an interchangeable biosimilar product in the US, which will help broaden access to this important diabetes medicine for patients, physicians, payers and providers. This is yet another important milestone for our company that not only continues to underscore the strength of our internal scientific capabilities but also supports our belief in the promising future of our company as we continue to work to identify innovative ways to increase access to complex treatments for patients.”Rajiv Malik, President, Viatris added, “We are pleased to have once again worked with the FDA to achieve the very historic approval of the first interchangeable biosimilar in the US and are grateful to our partner, Biocon Biologics, for their collaboration in achieving this milestone." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19246/aster-hospitals-bangalore-to-start-upskilling-courses-for-healthcare-workers.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19246/aster-hospitals-bangalore-to-start-upskilling-courses-for-healthcare-workers.html Wed, 28 Jul 2021 16:40:00 +0530 Aster Hospitals, Bangalore has commenced an advanced life support training in paediatrics with a special focus around covid in children. This course is for healthcare workers to educate and train 50 frontline individuals in COVID-19 related care and treatment protocols.    The customised training schedule varying from two days intensive workshop to six weeks self-paced course will include 50 nurse trainees and rapid response team members in the first batch who will be taught about basic and advanced life support, identification of a sick child, COVID-19 specific - signs, symptoms, clinical course, and early warning scores for hospitalized patients under monitoring, etc.   Additionally, the healthcare group is also conducting simulation-based training for nurses to prepare them for the third wave of the COVID-19 virus and beyond.    Aster Hospitals, Bangalore has collaborated with over five other hospitals to train the healthcare workers and create a model workforce that is equipped with all the skills and knowledge to fight any medical crisis.    Under the simulation-based training, the hospital provides hands-on exposure to the professionals on clinical case scenarios, skill training, team dynamics, and human factors, escalation of care matrix, and grief counselling.   In the long run, Aster Hospitals Bangalore is also planning to adopt technologies like AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality) that can enable simplification of learning through gamification of concepts and can ensure continuous and remote learning in a pandemic like scenario.          ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19245/crystal-hearing-solutions-opens-centre-in-mumbai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19245/crystal-hearing-solutions-opens-centre-in-mumbai.html Wed, 28 Jul 2021 15:10:00 +0530 Hearing aid specialist Crystal Hearing Solutions inaugurated a new exclusive sound centre in Chembur, Mumbai, marking its foray into the Western region. With this foray into the Mumbai market, the company plans to target a large number of the population across the city. So far, Crystal Hearing Solutions had been present in the south and suburbs of Mumbai.    An authorised platinum partner with Sivantos India (erstwhile Siemens Hearing Instruments ) and brand Signia, Crystal Hearing Solutions is a leading company in the hearing aids segment.    Signia's breakthrough technology offers a wide range of options and customisations to help people hear better. Equipped with Bluetooth, rechargeable and integrated acoustic motion sensors, Signia range of hearing aids starts from Rs 8999. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19241/covid-19-vaccination-dramatically-reduces-infection-afms-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19241/covid-19-vaccination-dramatically-reduces-infection-afms-study.html Tue, 27 Jul 2021 18:00:00 +0530 Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) has published the Vaccine effectiveness among healthcare and frontline Workers of Indian Armed Forces (VIN-WIN) cohort study in Medical Journal Armed Forces India, a peer reviewed scientific journal on July 27, 2021. The study highlights the impact of protection against COVID-19 by COVISHIELD vaccine by analysing the effect on fresh infections and deaths. According to the study, there was a 93 per cent reduction in fresh infections and the deaths were reduced by 98 per cent. It is possibly the largest study worldwide on COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness, so far.  The study was largely conducted on healthy males with few co-morbid illnesses. It did not include children and the elderly. In the Vin-WIN study, authors calculated incident rate and incident rate ration. Vaccine effectiveness was calculated as one-incident ration. Both crude and corrected rates were estimated and adjusted for the force of pandemic, second wave and the changing numbers in the three groups on the daily basis. The study was achieved at no additional cost by analysing available data.  Corresponding author of the study, Consultant Medicine & Clinical Immunologist Air Commodore Shankar Subramanian said the biggest challenge was in dealing with the huge numbers while remaining statistically accurate. As the population moved from unvaccinated to partially vaccinated and then fully vaccinated, the numbers in each group changed on a daily basis.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19240/mastercard-aif-unveil-first-portable-hospital-in-jalna.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19240/mastercard-aif-unveil-first-portable-hospital-in-jalna.html Tue, 27 Jul 2021 15:40:00 +0530 Mastercard and the American India Foundation (AIF) have launched the first 100-bed mobile hospital in Civil hospital, Samarth Nagar, Jalna district, Maharashtra.   The facility has been installed by AIF as part of philanthropic efforts delivered through the Mastercard Impact Fund.    The newly upgraded facility in Civil hospital, Samarth Nagar, Jalna district, Maharashtra includes triage and treatment centres, of which 92 general ward beds are in isolation units and eight are in the intensive care unit (ICU).   The addition of 100 new beds increases the hospital’s current 350-bed capacity by almost 30 per cent, boosting its ability to treat and care for those affected by COVID-19.   Due to the portable nature of the facility, after the urgent need for beds subsides, each unit can easily be deconstructed or repurposed as extra space for various community needs.    Three sites will be launched in quick succession next month in Amravati, Maharashtra; Baramati, Maharashtra; and Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh.   “We appreciate the efforts of construction of 300 rapidly deployable Modular hospital bed units across Pune, Jalna and Amravati Districts, during the biggest humanitarian crisis of our times. These modular units will fortify the existing infrastructure and make hospitals self-sufficient in the face of the looming third wave”, said Rajesh Tope, Health Minister, Government of Maharashtra.   Prof K VijayRaghavan, Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India, said, “The initiative by Mastercard and AIF is one such where a few hospitals are being launched and/or commence their functions this month. Keeping up the momentum, learning from these experiences, will be important to accomplish the goals of all such partnerships.”     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19237/doctors-at-fortis-gurgaon-implant-3d-printed-customised-hip.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19237/doctors-at-fortis-gurgaon-implant-3d-printed-customised-hip.html Tue, 27 Jul 2021 14:20:00 +0530 The orthopaedics team at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram recently implanted the largest (in India) custom-made 3D printed hip implant in a 60-year-old Tanzanian patient. The patient’s pelvic bone was badly damaged due to three previous hip surgeries. The team of doctors led by Dr Subhash Jangid, Director and Unit Head, Bone and Joint Institute, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram performed the surgery, which took around seven hours.  Dr Subhash Jangid, Director and Unit Head, Bone and Joint Institute at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram said, “This is the first time such a large 3D printed customised implant has been used for hip surgery in India. Such cases are rare and complicated. We had to do a meticulous dissection of the important vessels and nerves supplying the limb as they were very close to the old prosthesis and embedded in the scar tissue of the previous surgery. Any damage to these important structures would have disastrous consequences as either the limb may get paralysed or severe bleeding from major intra-pelvic vessels can be life-threatening. We were able to save all important vessels, nerves and intra-pelvic organs of the patient.” Dr Ritu Garg, Zonal Director, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram said, “The patient has been very satisfied with the consultative and thorough treatment approach and customised solution provided to her. I applaud the team of doctors for their continued commitment towards advanced and quality patient care.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19234/chennai-based-apex-labs-bags-approval-for-antiviral-drug-clevira-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19234/chennai-based-apex-labs-bags-approval-for-antiviral-drug-clevira-.html Tue, 27 Jul 2021 10:45:00 +0530 Chennai-based Apex Laboratories has received approval from Government of India (Ministry of AYUSH) regulators for anti-viral drug Clevira. The drug can be used as a supporting measure for mild to the moderate condition of COVID-19.    The drug has undergone various scrutinies at The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) and Inter-Disciplinary Technical Review Committee (ITRC), a 12 member technical committee constituted by the Ministry of AYUSH and headed by Dr SK Maulik, Former Professor, Department of Pharmacology, AIIMS.    Clevira, an approved antiviral formulation, is used for the treatment of various viral infections including viral fever associated with or without thrombocytopenia. Clevira has proven its efficacy as an analgesic, antipyretic and reversal of thrombocytopenia apart from its antiviral property. Clevira has ten potent standardised extracts, many of them antiviral, including papaya leaf extract.    Studies indicate it doesn’t have any adverse reactions on vital organs. It is found to be safe on renal and hepatic parameters. The results from clinical trials concluded in September 2019, were published in International Journal of Innovative Research in Medical Sciences.        A phase III Clinical trial was carried out in Government Medical College, Omandurar Govt Estate Chennai. The trial outcomes revealed Clevira having an 86 per cent recovery rate on the fifth day of treatment in mild to moderate COVID-19 and a 100 per cent recovery rate noticed on the tenth day of treatment, as per RT PCR or CT values. Clinical recovery from all signs and symptoms were registered on 4.1 days. The drug is proven to be safe on kidney and liver parameters.    Clevira is effective when taken orally and the dosage is one tablet twice daily after food for 14 days. The drug is available as a tablet and in syrup form too. The cost of the entire therapy is less than Rs 500. Each tablet of Clevira costs only Rs 11. The drug is effective for kids and can be given as a prophylactic for frontline workers.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19225/patki-hospital-ties-up-with-lilac-insights-mumbai-for-ivf-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19225/patki-hospital-ties-up-with-lilac-insights-mumbai-for-ivf-treatment.html Mon, 26 Jul 2021 08:15:00 +0530 Dr Satish Patki, Senior IVF consultant of Patki Hospital based out of Kolhapur and Dr Sam Balu, Head of Genomics Department at Lilac Insights, a genetic diagnostic testing company jointly announced the success of the path-breaking technology in IVF (test tube baby) treatment called Non-Invasive Chromosomal Screening (NICS) of the pre-implantation blastocyst embryos. A technology that is offered at very few IVF centres across the world.Patki Hospital in collaboration with Genomics Department of Lilac Insights is carrying out NICS analysis of many blastocysts. Microphotograph of each blastocyst is taken and the correlation of the morphology and the chromosomal make-up of the blastocyst is done. "Interestingly five patients have positive pregnancy results after transferring NICS tested euploid blastocysts. The remaining NICS tested blastocysts are frozen and will be transferred soon,” said Dr Satish Patki, Senior IVF Consultant, Patki Hospital.Dr Sam Balu, Head of Genomics, Lilac Insights, stated, “Non-Invasive Chromosome Screening in IVF embryos is a game-changer. The SureT test (brand name of the Non-Invasive Chromosome Screening test) could be offered as a routine non-invasive screening test for chromosome numbers for most IVF embryos. This is in sharp contrast to the current practise wherein only a few selected embryos are screened using PGT-A, as this method is expensive because it requires a laser, the biopsy process is time-consuming and it is also traumatic to the embryo.”He added that where a sampling of cells from a single embryo in PGT-A could take up to an hour, sample collection for SureT test can be completed in few minutes. The SureT screening test is a time plus cost-saving, non-traumatic and effective method for screening the chromosome numbers in IVF embryos; which is one of the key factors in determining the success of the pregnancy outcome in IVF treatment." The first I.V.F. baby of Kolhapur was born in Patki Hospital in 1996 and since then advanced technologies in I.V.F. like micromanipulation, freezing of embryos and many more were documented by Patki Hospital for the first time in the city. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19219/nha-invites-comments-on-consultation-paper-over-unified-health-interface.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19219/nha-invites-comments-on-consultation-paper-over-unified-health-interface.html Fri, 23 Jul 2021 17:55:00 +0530 The National Health Authority (NHA) released a consultation paper on the Unified Health Interface (UHI). UHI is intended to be an open, interoperable platform to connect all digital health solutions.   The consultation paper provides an overview of the proposed design, scope and role of UHI. In light of the upcoming national rollout of NDHM, comments from the public are invited to ensure that UHI is designed and developed in a collaborative and consultative manner.    Through the UHI, NDHM aims to transform the way digital health services are rendered in India. Currently, patients and healthcare providers need to be on the same application to avail and provide digital health services, respectively. It is envisioned that the open network created by UHI will serve as the digital infrastructure for patients and healthcare providers to engage in the discovery, booking, payment and fulfilment of a variety of digital health services across applications. The services include but are not limited to, teleconsultation and the discovery of pharmacies and hospitals. Over time, the services enabled by the platform will evolve with the market ecosystem. UHI is designed to be similar to the UPI (Unified Payments Interface) ecosystem which has emerged for digital payments.   Since the launch of the pilot of NDHM in August 2020 in six Union Territories, multiple rounds of consultations with different groups of stakeholders have been held for the various building blocks to discuss the design and adoption. NDHM will continue this engagement with stakeholders and ensure that development is inclusive, and that diverse viewpoint are incorporated from concerned stakeholders.   Giving his views on the consultation papers, Dr RS Sharma, CEO, National Health Authority, remarked, “The National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) is endeavouring to make digital public goods for the healthcare industry to make it more accessible, affordable and efficient. To facilitate this, we are taking a consultative approach to develop the National Digital Health Ecosystem. We have come up with the concept of Unified Health Interface (UHI), designed on similar lines as UPI (Unified Payment Interface), which has revolutionized digital payments and the financial sector. To enable inclusivity and widen the perspectives on the table, I urge all stakeholders to go through the shared consultation papers and provide us with their valuable feedback.”   NHA will also organise a public webinar on UHI to explain the consultation paper on August 4, 2021, from 3 pm onwards. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19212/iqvia-reveals-integration-of-digital-health-tools-into-mainstream-medicine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19212/iqvia-reveals-integration-of-digital-health-tools-into-mainstream-medicine.html Thu, 22 Jul 2021 20:35:00 +0530 Digital health tools are increasingly having a positive impact on health outcomes. Some are becoming integral parts of mainstream medicine, according to findings released by the IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science in a new report, Digital Health Trends 2021: Innovation, Evidence, Regulation, and Adoption.  The number of consumer health apps continues to grow with more than 90,000 news apps released in 2020. According to the report, that makes more than 350,000 apps are currently available for consumers. Furthermore, apps are increasingly focused on helping consumers manage their health conditions rather than on wellness management. Consumer disease management apps now account for 47 per cent of the most widely used digital health apps in 2020, up from 28 per cent in 2015. Apps for mental health, diabetes, and cardiovascular care account for almost half of the disease-specific apps. Simultaneously, digital therapeutics and digital care products are growing in volume and gaining reimbursements.  Evidence of the positive impact on health outcomes from the use of digital tools is also increasing and becoming more robust. This evidence supports the inclusion of these tools in treatment guidelines for an expanded set of health conditions. At the same time, validated wearables and digital biomarkers are more numerous. These devices are gaining adoption in clinical trials and are enabling remote monitoring of patients.   “We are finding evidence of a growing maturity of digital health tools in mainstream medicine,” said Murray Aitken, Senior VP, IQVIA and Executive Director, IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19211/ncds-prevalence-show-quantum-leap-among-people-above-35-yrs-assocham-report.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19211/ncds-prevalence-show-quantum-leap-among-people-above-35-yrs-assocham-report.html Thu, 22 Jul 2021 18:50:00 +0530 The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) has recently released a report to analyse the rising cases of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country.   Based on a healthcare survey covering 233672 people and 673 public health offices in 21 states it has been observed that India’s NCDs burden is growing at an alarming rate with the average age for onset falling sharply.   Prepared by Thought Arbitrage Research Institute (TARI), the survey reported that NCDs increase after 18 years and show a quantum leap when an individual crosses the age of 35 years.   More than 2/3 of the individuals suffering from NCDs are in the most productive-life age groups i.e., between 26-59 years. This is an alarming trend and points to the grim reality that the burden of NCDs on India is long-lasting given that 65 per cent of the country’s population is below 35 years of age.   The survey also suggested that the prevalence of having any NCDs among the population is 116 per 1000 population in India. It identified hypertension, digestive disease, and diabetes as the top three NCDs followed by respiratory diseases, brain/neurological disorders, heart diseases/CVD, kidney disorders, and cancer in the order of prevalence.    On a collective basis, the report identified air pollution as the most prevalent risk factor among the surveyed population.    Throwing light on the co-morbidity of NCDs with each other, the study underlined that hypertension has the highest comorbidity with almost all NCDs.    The state of Odisha was found to have the highest prevalence of NCDs (272 per 1000 population) while Gujarat registered the lowest prevalence (60 per 1000).    There is higher prevalence of hypertension and diabetes in urban areas due to migration and differences in living conditions. Furthermore, males are found to be more prone to contracting NCDs than females except for hypertension and neurological disorders which are more prevalent in women.    For India to check the alarming rise in the number of NCDs, it is essential to significantly increase public expenditure on healthcare. It is imperative to prevent and control risk factors in an integrated manner by developing strategies and policies to inhibit the NCD burden on the country   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19209/vital-strategies-launches-crowdsourcing-tool-to-monitor-tobacco-marketing-in-india-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19209/vital-strategies-launches-crowdsourcing-tool-to-monitor-tobacco-marketing-in-india-.html Thu, 22 Jul 2021 15:55:00 +0530 Vital Strategies has launched a digital crowdsourcing tool to monitor tobacco marketing in India.  Each year, the tobacco industry spends millions of dollars on marketing to increase tobacco consumption, particularly among youth. With more than 267 million tobacco users in India, a new digital platform from the global health organisation Vital Strategies identifies tobacco marketing and provides data that strengthen efforts to protect kids and consumers through smart tobacco control policies. The Tobacco Enforcement and Reporting Movement (TERM) provides a digital tool to regularly monitor and track tobacco marketing via online conversations, news, social media and media coverage. As COVID-19 underscores the tobacco threat in India, TERM’s unique monitoring and crowdsourcing features will enable governments and health authorities to identify the extent of tobacco marketing and take measured steps to respond to it. In May 2021, over 850 instances of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorships (TAPS) online were reported. Despite the World Health Organization’s recommended ban or restrictions on TAPS, and even though all forms are prohibited in India, tobacco marketing continues to be widespread, particularly via online channels, which are less regulated than traditional media such as radio and television. Vaishakhi Mallik, Associate Director, South Asia, Vital Strategies said, “TERM empowers the public to help counter industry efforts and protect youth by calling out illicit or predatory marketing. For the first time, government agencies and civil society will get actionable insights of surrogate advertisements and other tobacco promotions, giving them a novel data source to track TAPS instances and hold the industry accountable.” TERM has two objectives—enabling the public to be aware of tobacco companies’ marketing and promotional tactics while also reporting such instances through the ongoing Facebook campaign. The platform also equips governments with information that highlights the tobacco industry’s marketing tactics that hamper tobacco control efforts as well as information to enforce TAPS compliance. Dr Rana J Singh, Deputy Regional Director, International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease said, “We congratulate Vital Strategies for this first-of-its-kind resource to track online marketing instances of tobacco. The data from the TERM platform will allow the Union and many of our partners to examine which loopholes are being exploited and manipulated by the tobacco industry. This, in turn, will support our efforts to strengthen and enforce tobacco control measures, helping policy implementers with evidence-based proof of surrogate and indirect advertising. Such evidence lends credibility to tobacco control programs, which can then enable policy action, stakeholder involvement, and greater enforcement towards a tobacco-free India.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19205/pyramed-launches-joint-video-consultation-platform-for-doctors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19205/pyramed-launches-joint-video-consultation-platform-for-doctors.html Wed, 21 Jul 2021 20:10:00 +0530 PyraMed has launched a telemedicine platform for joint video consultation. The application aims to empower all doctors with specialist/super-specialist medical advice. This will help provide quality medical opinion even in the remotest parts of India at an affordable cost. The ease and capability of accessing specialist opinions will enable the local doctors to make quick and timely decisions for their patients.   The patient has only to visit his regular primary doctor. As and when the ailment needs an opinion of a specialist, this primary doctor can video-consult with the relevant specialist, upload all relevant information, and seek an opinion from the specialist in the presence of the patient.    With PyraMed, the primary doctor can bridge the vital gap in telemedicine - inform the physical examination of the specialist, resulting in better diagnosis, reduced investigations, and improved quality of care. The auto-generation of an electronic healthcare record which is available to both doctors as well as the patient improves collaboration and transparency.    PyraMed has partnered with top doctors and hospitals to provide affordable specialist/super-specialist care to those who have the greatest need and the greatest difficulty in accessing these services.   Dr Ketan Parikh, Founder, PyraMed, said, "We believe PyraMed will not only help avoid unnecessary physical visits to specialists, but will also significantly increase patients’ access to speciality expertise, save patients time, and reduce their travel burden. We aim to help 50 lakh patients over the next five years, saving Rs 1500 crores for rural patients in travel, loss of pay, and ancillary costs.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19202/who-launches-innovative-project-on-emergency-health-facilities.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19202/who-launches-innovative-project-on-emergency-health-facilities.html Wed, 21 Jul 2021 16:05:00 +0530 United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are launching INITIATE², a joint project to bring together emergency actors, research and academic institutions, and international and national partners to promote knowledge sharing and skills transfer for improved emergency response to health crises. INITIATE² will develop standardized, innovative solutions such as disease-specific field facilities and kits and test these solutions in real-life scenarios. The agencies will also train logistics and health responders on their installation and use, contributing to their capacity to respond in health crises. The project will be developed and replicated in countries for relevant personnel, building on past experiences in emergency response. Dr Ibrahima Soce-Fall, Assistant Director-General for Emergencies Response, WHO said, “With INITIATE², WFP and WHO are now extending the collaboration to build synergies among different actors and foster innovation in this critical field, to quickly respond to health emergencies and create a conducive environment for knowledge sharing and skills transfer. This is an excellent example of how we can scale and harmonize emergency preparedness, readiness, and response.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19197/a-unique-iq-test-made-in-india-to-understand-how-the-brain-works.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19197/a-unique-iq-test-made-in-india-to-understand-how-the-brain-works.html Tue, 20 Jul 2021 13:00:00 +0530 Dr Jagannath Prasad Das, the Emeritus Director of the Center on Developmental & Learning Disabilities and Emeritus Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Alberta, Canada, has launched BBIT or the Brain-Based Intelligence Test, a unique IQ test, made for Indian population with a passion to find the answer, unmatched in scope and power that represents a major advance in understanding how our brain works. The IQ test is born out of thorough research and greater vision by a team of eminent psychologists from Hyderabad led by Dr JP Das. This unique IQ test, made for Indian population with a huge sample size, enables educators and curriculum developers to enhance the cognitive processes for a robust foundation in academic learning, especially in reading and math. This test also assists clinicians in the diagnosis of impairment of cortical functions as evident in conditions like stroke, epilepsy, and traumatic brain injury. Additionally, this test has diagnostic criteria to identify hyperactivity and specific learning difficulties in children.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19192/lam-research-funds-expansion-of-critical-care-infrastructure-at-hims-karnataka-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19192/lam-research-funds-expansion-of-critical-care-infrastructure-at-hims-karnataka-.html Tue, 20 Jul 2021 12:30:00 +0530 US-based Lam Research Corporation has announced the funding of additional critical care facilities at the Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences (HIMS), Karnataka.   As part of the initiative, 18 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds have been added at the institution in partnership with United Way, Bengaluru.    The HIMS support is a result of Lam Research’s previously committed $1 million (Rs ~7.5 cr) for COVID-19 relief efforts in India to provide critical medical supplies and support to health care providers in communities across India.     Rangesh Raghavan, Corporate Vice President and GM, Lam Research India said, “Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have focused on supporting the healthcare systems and helping frontline healthcare workers in their fight against the virus. The expansion of critical care infrastructure at HIMS is a step towards the same.”    HIMS used Lam’s donation to obtain critical medical equipment such as pediatric ventilators, ICU cots, multipara monitors, pulse oximeters, infusion pumps, syringe pumps, Pediatric LED laryngoscopes, ventilator circuits, humidified high-flow nasal cannula circuits, and nasal prongs.    Lam Research India has also funded vaccination drives in various Bengaluru-based schools with which its Corporate Social Responsibility organisation engages. Close to 900 adults were vaccinated including parents, siblings, and immediate family members of students, alongside school staff.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19187/experts-link-capacity-building-of-csir-iits-with-ayurveda-innovations.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19187/experts-link-capacity-building-of-csir-iits-with-ayurveda-innovations.html Mon, 19 Jul 2021 17:00:00 +0530 AYUSH Committee, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) recently organised a webinar on Innovation & Entrepreneurship in AYUSH Sector- Role of Industry and Govt. of India. The webinar was joined by Dr Manoj Nesari, Advisor (Ay), Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India as the Chief Guest who gave a key note address. Dr Manoj Nesari mentioned about various initiatives taken by the Ministry in improving the technology and adopting a diagnostic techniques by integrating modern technology for better finished products. He also talked about a recent program of Integrative Biology program which will certainly help the students in getting the insight about the system. Dr Nesari also said there is a need for training and capacity building for which the ministry is already working with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for developing integrated programs for training and education at different levels of doctors and post-doctoral programs.  Jitender Sodhi, Co- Chair, AYUSH Committee, PHD Chamber & Managing Director, AYUSH Herbs said that the market strategies including cost reduction and quality performance will have to be evolved through alternative models of the health care system. He also mentioned that the budget allocation to AYUSH sector by the Government of India should be adequately raised to increase investment in programs and activities that promote innovation. Dr Rajiv Rai, Head Research, Dabur India mentioned about the areas of opportunity in the AYUSH sectors like Academics & Research by promoting post graduate teaching centres & research centre for research based product development. Further, Dr Vijendra Prakash, General Manager, Himalaya Drug Company shared a brief presentation and talked about immense scope for young entrepreneurship in AYUSH various services and products.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19185/sapio-smart-healthcare-creates-medical-bot-to-empower-initial-medical-consultation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19185/sapio-smart-healthcare-creates-medical-bot-to-empower-initial-medical-consultation.html Mon, 19 Jul 2021 13:25:00 +0530 Sapio Smart Healthcare, a division of government advisory firm Sapio Analytics, has conceptualised a smart healthcare ecosystem and has created an artificially intelligent empathetic bot to empower the initial medical consultation, as part of the same.Sapio Smart Healthcare aims to reach smaller towns and villages of India in an attempt to create a comprehensively accessible healthcare ecosystem. While launching the new bot named AKS, after the late Dr Ashok Kumar Srivastava, Hardik Somani, Director, Sapio Analytics says, “We are working on transforming villages of India through our newly initiated rural development project with the Government of Delhi, and through various other programmes with bodies of the Government of India. Healthcare is critical to such transformation, and Sapio’s smart healthcare ecosystem is a step towards the same. Today we launch one of our bots that can understand the local and personal issues of an individual while interacting with them and suggesting them the next steps in healthcare, thus displaying empathy besides demonstrating deep medical knowledge. Our analysis shows that empathetic understanding of individuals is important for successful health care in rural areas of India.”Dr Ashok Kumar Srivastava was a surgeon in the tribal areas of Sahibganj and Pakur in Jharkhand, has dedicated his life towards the advancement of the communities, demonstrating new dimensions of empathetic healthcare. Awarded by numerous government bodies, his excellence in teaching empathetic and personalised healthcare to the medical profession is the reason why he has been chosen as the mascot for this bot. A large-scale evaluation of his mindset, behaviour and persona has been created, to create an artificially intelligent bot based on his thinking, immortalising him in the process.The bot will be launched as part of a healthcare ecosystem, that also conceptualises a network of interconnected hospitals and healthcare centres through both physical and virtual technologies.“While working with remote areas in Maharashtra, our partners realised that building a world-class hospital was not enough, because, despite the creation of a smart hospital in the area, the patients were not visiting the same. That’s when we understood that smartness does not just lie in modern technologies but also in understanding the citizens that they are meant to serve, and give importance to their local customs and beliefs and interact with them like their own. This was made possible using AI and domain knowledge from legends,” adds Somani. Sapio Analytics works extensively with the Government of India in data-driven policymaking and was recently in news for creating a first-of-its-kind smart digital census. With offices in Mumbai, Palo Alto and London, the company is positioning itself as the artificially intelligent government support system for developing countries. Apart from its healthcare division, the company has divisions dedicated to law enforcement, local administration, intelligence, heritage and culture, and economic growth platforms. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19181/who-launches-first-guidelines-on-hepatitis-c-virus-self-testing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19181/who-launches-first-guidelines-on-hepatitis-c-virus-self-testing.html Fri, 16 Jul 2021 13:00:00 +0530 New guidelines from the World Health Organisation (WHO) strongly recommend offering self-testing for hepatitis C virus (HCV) as an additional approach to HCV testing services. WHO releases the new guidelines – its first on HCV self-testing. The new guidelines highlight key considerations for policy-makers, national programmes, providers and implementers of HCV testing services. These considerations for HCV self-testing include designing appropriate and context-specific messages, service delivery models and support tools through engagement with communities; setting up efficient pathways for people who self-test to obtain confirmatory testing and treatment or prevention services; training providers; creating a supportive and enabling policy environment; and using quality-assured products. To help assure quality, WHO has published technical specifications for prequalification of HCV self-testing products. HCV self-testing kits are likely to be available soon.   “HIV self-testing has been an effective tool in accelerating progress towards achieving global goals, and many country programmes have benefited from the availability of HIV self-testing to support continuity of essential services in the COVID-19 context,” said Dr Meg Doherty, Director of the WHO Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes. “We encourage countries and national programmes to start planning for introduction of HCV self-testing as well, especially for priority populations and regions with the greatest gaps in testing coverage.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19174/students-of-gates-institute-of-technology-gooty-develop-bike-ambulance.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19174/students-of-gates-institute-of-technology-gooty-develop-bike-ambulance.html Thu, 15 Jul 2021 20:35:00 +0530 Second-year mechanical engineering students Yeshwanth Subramanyam and S Ejaz Ahamed of the GATES Institute of Technology Gooty in Andhra Pradesh have developed a safe bike ambulance, 'Heal-Mobile,' under the guidance of the 3DEXPERIENCE Lab of Dassault Systèmes in Pune. The bike ambulance’s structure was developed using CATIA part design, CATIA assembly design, generative shape and wireframe, and live rendering studio applications powered by Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform. In case of emergency, these bike ambulances can safely carry one patient along with a medical worker as a rider to tackle any urgent medical situation to nearby primary and Community Health Centers (CHCs) from remote villages. Every ambulance has a special leading link front suspension fitted as standard, improving the ambulance’s off-road as well as on-road capabilities with an oxygen cylinder, patient monitor system, wheelchair and stretcher. Additionally, the bike ambulance can be attached to any bike available in the market. Additional ‘Roof Bars’ and all-weather covers ensure patient protection and help improve and facilitate the patient transfer. A footstep is provided for easy access to the stretcher that has multiple functions, wherein a patient can lean back and sit with outstretched legs. The patient can be buckled up with special belts provided to ensure safety while driving. The idea to launch Heal Mobile intended to extend economical health relief through frugal innovation to the economically underprivileged sections of society during the COVID-19 pandemic. Heal Mobile will ferry patients, pregnant women and infants from remote areas to the nearest healthcare centre and hospitals in the Andhra Pradesh-Telegana - Karanataka region.The 3DEXPERIENCE Lab is an open innovation laboratory and startup accelerator dedicated to nurturing and empowering disruptive projects and transforming society. The design of the bike ambulance is available online at the 3DEXPERIENCE Lab Frugal Innovation community so that the design can be available to NGOs, industry bodies, designers and engineers to create similar bike ambulances anywhere across the country. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19172/effectiveness-of-bpal-regimen-for-highly-drug-resistant-tb-brings-new-hope-for-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19172/effectiveness-of-bpal-regimen-for-highly-drug-resistant-tb-brings-new-hope-for-india.html Thu, 15 Jul 2021 17:05:00 +0530 The results of ZeNix, a Phase 3 clinical trial that took place in 11 sites across Georgia, Moldova, Russia, and South Africa, has revealed that the BPaL treatment remains effective against highly drug-resistant strains of tuberculosis (TB) with either reduced dosage or duration of the linezolid component of the regimen. Simultaneously, with the maintenance of efficacy, there was a decrease in linezolid associated side effects. The results from the trial, which was led by TB Alliance, a non-profit TB drug developer, were announced ahead of an oral abstract presentation next week at the 11th IAS Conference on HIV Science, on July 15th. The BPaL regimen—which combines the antibiotics bedaquiline (B), pretomanid (Pa) and linezolid (L)—received its first regulatory approval in August 2019 for use against highly drug-resistant strains of TB. Historically, treatment would take 18 months or longer, with reported global success rates averaging 43%. This Phase 3 clinical trial shows how TB Alliance’s new six-month, three-drug treatment for highly drug- resistant TB can be administered with reducing the dosing of the drug linezolid. This regimen reduces the treatment time for highly drug-resistant forms of TB from 18 months or longer to a six month duration. India has the leading number of TB cases globally, accounting for more than 1 in 4 of all cases of active TB disease, including approximately 120,000 cases of drug-resistant forms of TB. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set an ambitious goal of TB eradication in India by 2025, ahead of the 2030 target of the Sustainable Development Goals. This bold commitment may face headwinds in the context of the unforeseen challenges posed by COVID-19, as well as the low success rates of current DR-TB treatments, which limit the potential of expanding TB services. Mel Spigelman, M.D., President and CEO of TB Alliance, said, “We now have evidence that the BPaL regimen can be optimized to make it even easier to use. Until recently, patients with highly drug-resistant TB had to suffer through a combination of as many as eight antibiotics, some involving daily injections, for 18 months or longer.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19168/kerala-based-craft-hospital-research-centre-gives-hope-to-parents-of-sma-affected-children.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19168/kerala-based-craft-hospital-research-centre-gives-hope-to-parents-of-sma-affected-children.html Thu, 15 Jul 2021 16:45:00 +0530 Experts at Craft Hospital & Research Centre emphasises the importance of genetic counselling, genetic screening and genetic diagnostic tests as to when and where it has to be applied to prevent such devastating conditions of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).Craft Hospital & Research Centre has successfully dealt with three pregnancies for couples who were carriers of SMA through Preimplantation Genetic Tests (PGT). The IVF PGT-M treatment helps to identify the carrier status and if there are any disease-free normal embryos available, they can be placed in a mother's uterus so that SMA is eradicated from the family and henceforth the next generation also will be free from the disease."It has been really unfortunate to see the rising number of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) in our state. It is said that there are around 102 reported cases in the state suffering from SMA, of whom only a few have received the treatment under the compassionate use programme extended by pharmaceutical companies. We could also witness cases wherein children died of this SMA disease which has been unreported. On the other hand, the drug itself costs so high and many families are not able to afford the treatment. Therefore, we feel it is our responsibility to make use of right technology and techniques which will help in eradicating the genetic burden from families and societies, so that later on families do not feel burdened to buy such an expensive drug to cure their children," commented Dr Noushin Abdul Majiyd, Chief Consultant in Reproductive Medicine & Director, Craft Hospital."We agree that the Preimplantation Genetic Tests are expensive but if we compare with the current scenario, the PGT options outweigh the benefits over drug usage to cure SMA which costs much bigger. These top-notch techniques and technologies were available only abroad, but we have been doing it in our hospital with greater success for the last 10 years. We have also reported many successful genetic condition-free pregnancies and healthy babies through PGT technology which eradicated Thalassemia, Citrullinemia, Tay Sachs, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and many more apart from SMA," said Dr Abdul Majeed, Medical Superintendent, Craft Hospital.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19166/cabinet-approves-mou-with-denmark-for-health-and-medicine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19166/cabinet-approves-mou-with-denmark-for-health-and-medicine.html Wed, 14 Jul 2021 20:00:00 +0530 The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare of the Government of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Denmark on Cooperation in the field of Health and Medicine. The bilateral MoU will encourage cooperation between the two countries through joint initiatives and technology development in the health sector. It will strengthen bilateral ties between India and Denmark. This will facilitate in improving the public health status of the people of both the countries. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19158/elanpro-ventures-into-smart-monitoring-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19158/elanpro-ventures-into-smart-monitoring-system.html Wed, 14 Jul 2021 15:25:00 +0530 Promoters of Elanpro (Elan Professionals), a Gurugram-based commercial refrigeration company, have acquired technology start-up Thingif(y). The company is involved in data monitoring enterprises that use IoT and AI to collect data from a variety of sensors and aid in real-time decision making. One of its applications is cold chains, and this technology aids in improving operating efficiency, reducing waste, and optimising energy use. Constant innovation and improvisation in the cold chain have been Elanpro's core focus area; keeping the commitment in mind, Elanpro’s team has acquired a 'Smart Monitoring System- Thingif(y) smart hub' from Thingif (y).    Sanjay Jain, Director, Elanpro said, “We are pleased to announce our partnership with Thingif(y) which will play a significant role in driving the future of cold chain storage in India. At Elanpro, we are constantly working towards achieving operational excellence and with this association, we aim to serve as a differentiator. Thingif(y), an AI-enabled product, is one of our many unique solutions aimed at providing best-in-class service. Since industries like medicine, retail, wine production, blood/organ banks, and more are dealing with the everyday challenges of temperature control, we are making sure through our efforts that we provide them with a wide range of products to meet their needs and reduce damages.”   Thingif(y) is a modular interface that adapts to the needs and requirements of the products. With AI-powered intelligence and an intelligent gateway, the configuration of rules and alerts can be set accordingly and managed via mobile application. It shares alerts in any variation through text messages, emails, or WhatsApp. It collects data from a wide range of sensors to deliver important insights and aids in real-time decision making.   A modular, scalable, and interoperable solutions platform Thingif(y) also has applications in multiple other industries, including supply chain, retail, and blood banks. This platform is a solution-driven by Elanpro to give better and efficient cold chain storage contributing towards the development of the Indian market.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19155/smile-train-announces-cleft-leadership-center-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19155/smile-train-announces-cleft-leadership-center-in-bengaluru.html Wed, 14 Jul 2021 10:20:00 +0530 Smile Train has announced the worldwide launch of its Cleft Leadership Centers (CLCs). The CLCs are among its most significant initiatives to improve global health equity and promote access to safe, quality and free comprehensive cleft care across continents.In India, the Cleft Leadership Center is being launched at Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Hospital in Bengaluru and will be headed by Dr Krishnamurthy Bonanthaya, Maxillofacial Surgeon and Project Director, Smile Train. The CLC will serve as a regional hub for cleft treatment and training, providing best-in-class comprehensive care. This includes a holistic, team-centred model that encompasses surgery, speech therapy, nutritional support, orthodontics, dental and ENT Care, counselling, and psychosocial support."The impact of CLCs will extend far beyond cleft care. They will strengthen health systems throughout these countries and regions," said Susannah Schaefer, President and CEO, Smile Train. "They are one of the many ways that Smile Train, our Global Medical Advisory Board, local Medical Advisory Councils, and our partners are leading the way for sustainable improvements to global health systems to create a better standard of care and healthier, happier future everywhere we work."Commencing with centres in India, Chile, Brazil, Mexico, Ghana, Vietnam, and the Philippines, the CLCs will expand to other regions. Over the next five years, Smile Train anticipates introducing 10 additional CLCs in low and middle-income countries, expanding its sustainable model of empowering local trained medical professionals to save the lives of individuals with clefts while building stronger, more resilient surgical systems internationally. "Equipped with the latest technology and staffed with some of the best-trained medical professionals, CLCs will be a model for other cleft centres to ensure the highest standard of holistic cleft care is available for all. The CLC truly embodies our ethos of supporting children with clefts from birth to adulthood and ensuring that every child in need has access to the cleft care they deserve," highlighted Mamta Carroll, Senior Vice President & Regional Director for Asia, Smile Train. "The aim is to ensure that the CLCs have an interdisciplinary team to provide a full spectrum of high-quality, safe and free cleft care which is critical to support patients. The CLCs will also help patients access all aspects of comprehensive cleft care, including surgery, speech services, nutritional support, orthodontics and counselling. I'm proud to be a part of an organisation that is committed to consistently improving the access and calibre of cleft care for children across the world," said Dr Krishnamurthy Bonanthaya, Maxillofacial Surgeon and Smile Train Project Director at Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Hospital, Bangalore. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19147/alniche-life-sciences-launches-virobind-mouth-spray-virobind-ab-capsules-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19147/alniche-life-sciences-launches-virobind-mouth-spray-virobind-ab-capsules-.html Tue, 13 Jul 2021 16:10:00 +0530 Alniche Life Sciences has launched VIROBIND mouth spray and VIROBIND AB capsules to handle microbial infections.VIROBIND mouth spray forms a barrier in the oral cavity against the accumulation of pathogens. The barrier solution consists of trypsin and glycerol. The mouth spray is a scientifically tested enzyme-based formulation. The spray can be used in the early stages of infection to recover and relieve sore throat, cough, rhinorrhoea, and other common cold symptoms.    VIROBIND AB (Veg Capsule) is a probiotic formulation for the treatment of respiratory infections. The capsules consist of Lactobacillus Plantarum two billion CFU that improves immune response (anti-viral effect/ stimulation of Immunoglobulin production) and enhances the intestinal barrier function. All the probiotics in VIROBIND AB capsule are patented strains of AB-Biotica, Spain. Consumption of one capsule daily will help in the formation of beneficial bacteria (i.e., probiotics) that helps to bolster or recover effective immune function in the GI tract and also indirectly in the lung.    Girish Arora, Founder and MD, Alniche Lifesciences shares “ We provide complete therapy for COVID-19 patients with a product range that consists of supportive and immunity booster medicines. VIROBIND range is an addition to our portfolio.”   VIROBIND Mouth Spray is conceptualised, formulated, and manufactured in state-of-the-art manufacturing plant Effikasia Lifesciences (a group company of Alniche). There are various novel products in the pipeline, that would be launched soon in various therapy areas. Effikasia is in active discussion with global companies for manufacturing global brands in India for India and emerging markets.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19154/india-calls-for-technology-solutions-to-test-covid-19-under-1-minute.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19154/india-calls-for-technology-solutions-to-test-covid-19-under-1-minute.html Tue, 13 Jul 2021 16:00:00 +0530 Emerging tech prototyping agency Advance Services for Social and Administrative Reforms (ASSAR) opens applications for global technology and healthcare companies to provide Technology, Products & Services (TPS) for instant COVID-19 testing that will give reliable results within 60 seconds.  Announcing to conduct this testing tech as a commercial pilot starting with critically high value international airports of the country - Delhi and Mumbai; the pilot aims to target the two international disembarkation that have the highest risk of importing mutated variants of COVID-19 virus in India. Prototype pilot will then extend to 12 other test venues in coordination with the state governments in the same phase of pilot to make domestic & inland air-travel safe passage for transportation ahead of predicted wave and possibility of further lockdowns.  ASSAR under its ‘Ease of Doing Business’ program in New Delhi has opened the applications for this pilot on July 10th and is currently in the process of corroborating screening process with competent bodies until July 25th. Thereafter, the shortlisted companies shall undergo logistical and financial planning for execution in the month of August 2021, by the agency. Since it is a commercial pilot not medical prototyping, only a technology medically pre-approved by ICMR / US-FDA / CE-IVD will be considered to showcase its portability, simplicity, cost-efficiency, scalability, prevention of data falsification & optimization with internet connectivity, high – throughput for testing at international disembarkation as well as last mile testing in rural outbreak. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19143/indian-biologist-releases-reports-on-human-genome-editing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19143/indian-biologist-releases-reports-on-human-genome-editing.html Mon, 12 Jul 2021 20:50:00 +0530 Indian stem cell and developmental biologist Prof Maneesha S Inamdar has been part of the WHO Expert Advisory Committee on Developing Global Standards for Governance and Oversight of Human Genome Editing, which released two new companion reports providing the first global recommendations to help ensure that human genome editing is used for public health, with an emphasis on safety, effectiveness, and ethics. The reports, released on July 12, 2021, contained a forward-looking governance framework for oversight mechanisms for research into and potential application of human genome editing technology at institutional, national, regional and international levels.    Prof Inamdar, along with her group, is researching at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru, an autonomous Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) that uses gene-editing tools to manipulate stem cells in vitro. This can generate disease models for scientific insight into human development and devising therapeutic strategies. She pioneered human embryonic stem cell derivation and use in India and has contributed significantly to national and international stem cell guidance documents, ethics committees, and training programmes.    As part of the WHO Committee, she contributed scientific knowledge and perspective to provide guidance, expertise and support throughout the project for the conceptualisation and development of the WHO Governance Framework and Recommendations on Human Genome Editing. Representing the LMIC countries in Asia, she contributed with the Committee towards ensuring that in addition to scientific considerations, procedural and substantive values and principles such as inclusiveness, diversity, equity, and global health justice identified by the Committee, informed decisions. She is a member of the Education, Engagement, and Empowerment (3E) subgroup of the Committee, and as part of the committee, she was also involved in making recommendations to the Secretariat and WHO Director-General on global governance structures for human genome editing, considering the relevant broader issues associated with oversight and governance of emerging technologies. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19142/union-health-minister-inaugurates-two-psa-oxygen-plants-in-bhavnagar.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19142/union-health-minister-inaugurates-two-psa-oxygen-plants-in-bhavnagar.html Mon, 12 Jul 2021 20:40:00 +0530 Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Minister of Chemical and Fertilizers, Mansukh Mandaviya virtually inaugurated two PSA plants at Sir Takhtasinhji Hospital, Bhavnagar. Along with two oxygen generation plants of 1000 LPM capacity each, a copper piping network and associated facilities like a fire fighting system and automatic oxygen source changeover system were also inaugurated.The occasion was also graced by Shantanu Thakur, Union Minister of State for Ports, Waterways and Shipping and Shripad Yesso Naik, Union Minister of State for Tourism and Ports, Shipping and Waterways.Speaking on the occasion, Mandaviya said, “This facility is dedicated to the people of Bhavnagar. Similar such facilities inaugurated recently would help the country in times of crisis.” The Deendayal Port Trust through its corporate social responsibility has installed the two medical oxygen PSA units at Sir Takhtsinhji Hospital, Bhavnagar, run by the Government of Gujarat, at a total cost of Rs 2.53 crores. The installed PSA oxygen generator unit has the capacity of 1000 LPM (litres per minute) each, i.e., 60,000 litres/hr at 5-6 bar pressure of each unit totalling 1,20,000 litres/hr, which can be utilised for the treatment of COVID as well as other patients of all mankind in the locality, at the hospital.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19144/govt-opens-coe-for-research-on-narcotics-and-psychotropic-substances.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19144/govt-opens-coe-for-research-on-narcotics-and-psychotropic-substances.html Mon, 12 Jul 2021 20:00:00 +0530 The Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the newly built Center of Excellence (CoE) for Research & Analysis of Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances of the National Forensic Science University in Ahmedabad. Amit Shah said that 7 States of the country have expressed their desire to open Colleges and Centers of Excellence affiliated to the National Forensic Science University, Gujarat. Shah said that an indigenous kit will also be made in this university to conduct a lot of tests which will be made available to police forces across the country. Wherever narcotics are seized, investigation will be pursued by checking with this kit.  The Cyber Defence Center and Ballistic Research Center set up in this Center are unique in the whole of Asia and the nation is on course to be self-reliant in this field. The Union Home Minister said that the fight against cyber war and cyber crime is very important for us as India is an emerging economy.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19137/seniors-first-partners-with-1mg-and-thyrocare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19137/seniors-first-partners-with-1mg-and-thyrocare.html Mon, 12 Jul 2021 15:15:00 +0530 Seniors First has partnered with 1mg and Thyrocare. The collaboration is a broader commitment from Seniors First to help reshape the future of healthcare for the seniors and bring forward a novel portfolio of products and services to manage their needs.   The partnership will allow all the members of Seniors First to avail a wide ranging service including tests, health insurance products, lifestyle and medical products, exclusively for senior citizens, on their easy to navigate website www.seniorsfirst.in, all over the nation. A dedicated customer care service for Senior citizens will assist the elderly in requesting medicines and diagnostic services. This will enable non-tech savvy senior citizens to get access to quality healthcare.   Dr Mamta Mittal, Founder, Seniors First, said, “Our collaboration with them marks another step forward to bring a portfolio of differentiated products to help manage the needs of elderly people of our country, as we work towards our vision of providing excellent and accessible resources that improve the quality of life for seniors, their caregivers, and the community.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19131/nasscom-coe-launches-healthcare-innovation-challenge-2-0.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19131/nasscom-coe-launches-healthcare-innovation-challenge-2-0.html Mon, 12 Jul 2021 10:30:00 +0530 NASSCOM Centre of Excellence (CoE) has launched Healthcare Innovation Challenge (HIC) 2.0. The initiative aims to address the challenges faced by healthcare providers in digital technology adoption. The use case sponsors include some of the hospitals from HIC#2 and some new hospitals looking to work with CoE for their digital transformation.The key objectives of the HIC include driving operational excellence by enabling automation of administrative processes and digitisation of clinical workflows through the adoption of digital technology solutions; enabling healthcare providers to nominate use cases as per the digital solution needs and driving the programme to enable the curation, evaluation and deployment of technology-led innovative solutions that address the nominated use cases. In this edition, healthcare providers across the country are invited to nominate use cases as per their digital solution needs. The HIC#2 partner hospitals include KIMS Health, Mahajan Imaging, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre, Sankara Netralaya and Zydus Hospitals.For this edition of HIC, healthcare providers have been nominated for use cases which include converting radiology reports and images into multimedia files, centralized teleradiology reporting, home care and patient monitoring solutions, digital clinical assistant for integrating with legacy EHR, AI-based cancer diagnosis and OT Automation. After nominations by the partner hospitals, applications for solutions are invited at the pan India level.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19132/nasscom-coe-unveils-healthcare-innovation-challenge-2-0.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19132/nasscom-coe-unveils-healthcare-innovation-challenge-2-0.html Mon, 12 Jul 2021 08:00:00 +0530 After the success of first edition of Healthcare Innovation Challenge (HIC), a unique initiative by the NASSCOM Centre of Excellence CoE - IoT & AI - a MeitY initiative with State Govt., has launched Healthcare Innovation Challenge (HIC) 2.0. The one-of-its-kind initiative aims to address the challenges faced by healthcare providers in digital technology adoption. The use case sponsors include some of the hospitals from HIC#2 and some new hospitals looking to work with CoE for their digital transformation. For this edition of HIC, healthcare providers have been nominated for use cases which include Converting radiology reports and images into multimedia files, Centralized tele-radiology reporting, Homecare & patient monitoring solutions, Digital clinical assistant for integrating with legacy EHR, AI-based cancer diagnosis and OT Automation. After nominations by the partner hospitals, applications for solutions are invited at pan India level.  The key objectives of the HIC include driving operational excellence by enabling automation of administrative processes and digitization of clinical workflows through the adoption of digital technology solutions; enabling healthcare providers to nominate use cases as per the digital solution needs and driving the program to enable the curation, evaluation & deployment of technology-led innovative solutions that address the nominated use cases. In this edition, the healthcare providers across the country are invited to nominate use cases as per their digital solution needs. The HIC#2 partner hospitals include KIMS Health, Mahajan Imaging, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre, Sankara Netralaya and Zydus Hospitals. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19129/interventional-pain-and-spine-centre-unveils-first-centre-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19129/interventional-pain-and-spine-centre-unveils-first-centre-in-bengaluru.html Sat, 10 Jul 2021 08:00:00 +0530 Interventional Pain and Spine Centre (IPSC), a chain of single-specialty centres offering state-of-the-art spine care and chronic pain management with less invasive techniques, has launched its first centre in Bengaluru on Bellary Road at Shahkara Nagar.  The new facility, equipped with modular operating theaters, is staffed with pain specialists skilled in minimally invasive techniques for the management of chronic pain of all types, including joint pain (knee, shoulder, neck, etc.), low back pain, slipped disc, spondylitis / sciatica, neurology pain, migraine, facial pain, rheumatic pain, and cancer-related pain. It also offers capabilities in the prevention and management of sports-related injuries. The Centre’s regenerative department uses natural cells of the body to repair damaged tissues. Said Dr. (Maj) Pankaj N Surange, Managing Director and CEO, IPSC: “IPSC offers minimally invasive and target specific techniques with much less risk and trauma than conventional surgery for the management of spinal and chronic pain. For most cases of chronic pain, less invasive interventions are better alternatives to open surgical methods. They are also much safer and don’t require hospital admission. Since most of the procedures can be done in a day care setting, we can reduce their cost to almost half compared to large hospitals. Patients can go back home the same day.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19127/nirmaya-research-launches-new-initiative-to-encourage-medical-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19127/nirmaya-research-launches-new-initiative-to-encourage-medical-research.html Fri, 09 Jul 2021 19:50:00 +0530 New Delhi-based Niramaya Research has launched an initiative 'Research India' to encourage and build a medical research framework in the country. The vision behind announcing the competition is to awaken interest in new research among the students associated with the medical field and to increase their attention towards new experiments being done in the world of science.   The competition is open for all 550 medical colleges and hundreds of other Ayurvedic, Homeopathic, dental colleges across India to participate. The organisation has so far received 100 entries from 37 medical colleges in India which includes MBBS students and even the faculties.   The last date of application is 15th July while the last date of submission of the report is August 10. Three outstanding entries will be awarded scholarships of one lakh, 75000 and 50000 respectively.   Viveksheel Agarwal, Chairman, Niramaya Research said “We have invited research on two topics namely relation of cancer to oxidative stress increased by paracetamol and the second is oxidative stress increased by processed food is related to autoimmune diseases. We endeavour to keep introducing such topics which are of paramount importance for medical science to evolve better. We also want to increase the participation of Indian students towards their contribution to medical science by providing insightful approaches through their latest research."   More recently, in research on medicines given in mild cases of the corona by Niramaya Research, it was revealed that the indiscriminate use of medicines like paracetamol, antibiotics, steroids, etc. caused formidable problems of the corona. After this research, the health department removed many medicines from the initial treatment of corona.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19111/govt-installs-medical-oxygen-generator-unit-with-pipeline-in-kutch.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19111/govt-installs-medical-oxygen-generator-unit-with-pipeline-in-kutch.html Wed, 07 Jul 2021 21:45:00 +0530 Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister, Health & Family Welfare, virtually inaugurated Medical Oxygen Generator Unit with copper piping network at State Government hospital, Rambaug in Kutch. Deendayal Port has installed the facility at the total cost of approx. Rs. 50 lakh, to cater the treatment of patients at the hospital. "The plant will ensure expeditious oxygen refilling for smooth and continuous oxygen supply to all the beds & wards in the hospital. All ports are contributing to fighting against COVID-19 through their CSR activities. It is the responsibility of ports to provide better facilities to the people living in the surrounding areas", Mandaviya said. The installed oxygen generator unit at Govt. hospital, Rambaug, is of having capacity of 20,000 liters/hr. at 5-6 bar pressure, which can be utilized for treatment of COVID-19 as well as other patients in the locality. The system will eliminate the hardship of frequent refilling the cylinders for treatment of patients, and will ensure smooth and continuous oxygen supply to the hospital. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19107/metropolis-healthcare-haystackanalytics-launch-nextgen-tb.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19107/metropolis-healthcare-haystackanalytics-launch-nextgen-tb.html Wed, 07 Jul 2021 15:35:00 +0530 Metropolis Healthcare has launched NEXTGEN TB, whole-genome sequencing of tuberculosis utilising the Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) platform for rapid identification of drug resistance in TB patients and providing genotypic level information on drug-resistant genes for up to 18 Anti - TB antibiotics.   Partnering with HaystackAnalytics (start-up incubated at SINE, IIT Bombay), Metropolis Healthcare plans to offer this test in Sri Lanka, Mauritius, the UAE, Kenya, Zambia, Ghana, Tanzania as well as three other African countries to help their fight against tuberculosis.   The 18 drugs covered are Streptomycin, Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Ethambutol, Pyrazinamide, Kanamycin, Amikacin, Capreomycin, Ofloxacin, Moxifloxacin, Gatifloxacin, Ethionamide, Para-amino salicylic acid, Linezolid, Clofazimine, Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, and Delaminid.   NEXGEN TB has a better turnaround time with much faster and reliable results. Additionally, any novel drug resistance genetic mutations can be identified by whole-genome sequencing using NGS.   Ameera Shah, Promoter and MD, Metropolis Healthcare, “It’s an honour to partner with homegrown start-up, HaystackAnalytics to help launch NEXTGEN TB, as its need has become essential to this world. With TB being around long enough for everyone to know how lethal it could be, it is a sheer moment of pride to be able to launch such a test as we hope this could help us cope through the silent pandemic which has been smouldering against us for so many years.”   Dr Niranjan Patil (MD, Microbiology), Scientific Business head- Infectious diseases, Microbiology & Molecular biology- Head & Biosafety officer, Metropolis Healthcare said, “Whole-genome sequencing-based tests such as Nextgen TB not only identifies the TB species involved & in one go it helps reduce the time for performing anti TB drug susceptibility from weeks to just seven to 10 days thus saving crucial time for initiation of evidence-based treatment regimens as well as complementing the TB culture-based tests. It also helps to identify any novel mutations responsible for TB drug resistance which is an added advantage." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19106/punjab-govt-dronamaps-leverage-data-solutions-to-reach-covid-patient-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19106/punjab-govt-dronamaps-leverage-data-solutions-to-reach-covid-patient-.html Wed, 07 Jul 2021 15:10:00 +0530 Punjab Government powered by DronaMaps - NASSCOM Center of Excellence (a joint initiative of MeitY and state governments) is leveraging advanced geospatial analytics to reach every covid patient and check infections from spreading especially in remote areas. With a scalable technology interface between citizens and decision-makers, it will also guide a large Rapid Response Team (Asha workers) on the ground without losing sight of any patient.    According to Ajoy Sharma, Secretary, Department of Local Govt, Punjab, the solution works at two levels. First, at the macro level with both the digital and physical control rooms tracking bed availability, oxygen, helplines, and analytics built-in for predicting the future trends. This further feeds a WhatsApp chatbot-based two-way communication pathway. In addition, the command centre also monitors the vitals/symptoms of each case by reaching out on WhatsApp chats and connecting them to medical professionals.    In the data collection and dissemination procedure, the command centre is designed to be proactive and provides a holistic 360-degree view of the current status by integrating different data sources, covering patients, healthcare infrastructure, and adapting to new challenges like mucormycosis and oxygen shortage by creating interoperability in siloed datasets.    “One of the bottlenecks we were trying to solve is ensuring that predictive analytics provide sufficient forewarning for creating healthcare infrastructure. What that means is, we need to understand the number of active cases, doubling time, demographics, hospitalisation trends to have an understanding of the predicted healthcare infrastructure required in that particular district and how it varies across rural and urban areas," says Ayushi Mishra, COO & Co-Founder, DronaMaps.   She further informs, "We created strategy simulators for assessing the impact of policy decisions like implementation of the stay-at-home order, lockdowns, or containment zones based on data models that are specifically calibrated for each district. As the command and control centre was already integrating data around different types of hospital beds, oxygen consumption, testing, and vaccines, we took them into account for informing localised dynamic decision making.“   With the help of GIS dashboards, automated updation and integration from multiple siloed data sources, the control room provides a holistic 360-degree view of the current status. In addition, the spatial, epidemiological, and analytical predictions are also built into the system. The bed availability dashboard gives real-time information about various types of beds available. It gives a macro-level picture for the entire state and can also drill down on the status of bed availability by each hospital. If the control room gets an enquiry at the helpline, it offers information based on this real-time data.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19101/apollo-fertility-opens-centre-in-thane-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19101/apollo-fertility-opens-centre-in-thane-.html Tue, 06 Jul 2021 20:45:00 +0530 Apollo Fertility, a part of the Apollo Health & Lifestyle and Apollo Hospitals group, has launched a state-of-the-art fertility centre in Thane, Maharashtra. The launch witnessed the presence of Apollo Fertility COO Anubhav Prashant, Senior IVF and Endoscopy Consultants - Dr Garima Sharma and Dr Suyash Bhandekar. Spread across 6000 sq ft, the centre will have IVF labs. The centre will have facilities that cater to all sorts of infertility related issues ranging from IUI, ICSI, Laparoscopic surgeries including PGS, to offer all gamuts of services under one roof.   Speaking on the launch, Chandrasekhar, CEO, Apollo Health & Lifestyle Limited, said, “After the successful launch of Fertility services in Navi Mumbai in 2018, Solapur and Borivali in December 2020, this will be the group’s fourth centre in Maharashtra that will cover the central suburbs and areas around Thane and beyond.   Apollo Fertility, with its strong presence in eight cities across India, plans to rapidly expand its footprint across other parts of the country with its evidence-based approach towards reproductive medicine. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19100/indian-immunologicals-administers-anti-rabies-vaccine-dosages-on-world-zoonosis-day.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19100/indian-immunologicals-administers-anti-rabies-vaccine-dosages-on-world-zoonosis-day.html Tue, 06 Jul 2021 20:20:00 +0530 Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) organised a nationwide free vaccination camp against zoonotic diseases. Every year July 6 is observed as 'World Zoonosis Day' and many veterinary dispensaries, NGOs and veterinarians across the country conduct rabies awareness camps with the help of IIL. With its commitment towards ‘One Health’ and to create awareness on many zoonotic diseases, IIL conducted free vaccination camps to administer more than one lakh doses of RAKSHARAB (anti-rabies vaccine produced by IIL) in as many as 100 centres across the country through veterinary dispensaries, NGOs etc.    Speaking on the occasion of Zoonosis Day, Dr K Anand Kumar, Managing Director, IIL said, “Apart from its flagship 'Anti-Rabies vaccine,' IIL has a range of vaccines for prevention of such zoonotic diseases such as Brucellosis, Leptospirosis etc and will be rolling out human vaccines against dengue, chikungunya, zika etc. The new addition in its range is the COVID-19 vaccine which is expected to start its ­­human trials soon.”  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19099/piramal-swasthya-mufg-india-unveils-samarth-initiative.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19099/piramal-swasthya-mufg-india-unveils-samarth-initiative.html Tue, 06 Jul 2021 15:45:00 +0530 Piramal Swasthya, the healthcare philanthropic arm of Piramal Foundation and MUFG Bank have launched ‘SAMARTH’ (Mobile Health Services initiative in Maharashtra). The initiative aims to enable better public health care delivery through mobile medical units (MMUs) to nearly two million residents of 96 urban slums of Mumbai and Pune. The key objective of this initiative is to address key healthcare requirements such as Mother and Child Health (MCH) and Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) management to ensure continuous access to critical health services.   Children, as well as adults, would be the key beneficiaries of the programme where services like technology-enabled specialist consultations, laboratory examinations and medicines will be provided free of cost through MMUs. In addition to this, ‘SAMARTH’ will provide support in COVID-19 pandemic management through awareness generation, tracking, active surveillance and follow up at quarantine facilities. MMUs in project SAMARTH are equipped with a telemedicine facility.    The MMUs will use Piramal Swasthya’s integrated health records platform, ‘AMRIT - Accessible Medical Records via Integrated Technologies’. MMUs will also be supported with the population-based screening of NCD patients which includes diabetes and hypertension.   Aditya Natraj, CEO, Piramal Foundation said, “We are happy to collaborate with MUFG in their endeavour to serve the communities that live in tough conditions in the slums of Mumbai and Pune. The pandemic has disrupted healthcare services and they are highly affected. I believe that mobile health services will be an asset during these tough times. Through SAMARTH we hope to walk one step closer to the vision of Universal Health Coverage for all.”   Atsushi Deguchi, Regional Executive for India & Sri Lanka, MUFG Bank, said “COVID has left a deep impact on the lives of countless people across the globe. MUFG is doing its best to provide relief and comfort to communities affected during the pandemic. We are happy to collaborate with Piramal Swasthya in their efforts to build healthier communities by providing preventive healthcare facilities”.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19093/mankind-pharma-partners-with-ace-turtle.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19093/mankind-pharma-partners-with-ace-turtle.html Mon, 05 Jul 2021 17:55:00 +0530 Mankind Pharma has partnered with Ace Turtle, a leading omnichannel platform company to accelerate its omnichannel transformation in India. Ace Turtle will enable Mankind Pharma with a unified commerce platform that supports various omnichannel use cases and drive seamless customer experience at scale across digital channels.   Powered by machine learning, Ace Turtle’s unified commerce platform, Rubicon 3.0 supports various omnichannel use cases such as inventory lying anywhere that can be sold across channels, fulfilling orders from any stock points (retail stores, warehouses, and distributors) and a single view of product, inventory, and customer through a single platform.   Speaking on the partnership, Joy Chatterjee, General Manager, Mankind Pharma said, “We are happy to partner with Ace Turtle as their highly scalable solution will play a critical role in accelerating our omnichannel strategy."   Speaking on the partnership, Nitin Chhabra, CEO, Ace Turtle said, “We are confident that our omnichannel platform Rubicon will improve Mankind Pharma’s business performance and build flexibility against future disruptions."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19091/caho-3m-take-concrete-steps-for-prevention-of-infection-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19091/caho-3m-take-concrete-steps-for-prevention-of-infection-in-india.html Mon, 05 Jul 2021 17:00:00 +0530 The Consortium of Accredited Healthcare Organizations (CAHO) has launched the ACE Program as a quality improvement initiative in association with 3M India that serves as the technical guidance partner in this initiative. CAHO has decided to take up this challenge and to raise the competency of the Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD) setups across hospitals in India. CSSD is an inhouse department within a hospital which is responsible for the supply of the clean and sterile instruments used within the hospital for various procedures. The year-long programme has multiple phases of engagement with the participant hospitals across the year. First is the awareness phase that aims at educating the CSSD team on the standards and support them to adopt best practices by the international sterilisation guidelines. The second phase, compliance is when CAHO auditors visit the participant hospitals and perform audits to suggest the gaps that could be bridged to improve the efficiency of the CSSD Department. The final phase of excellence is about recognising the hospitals that have best adopted the standards as per recommendations and guidelines. The hospitals will receive recognition directly from CAHO which will be announced at CAHO’s Annual Conference in 2022 (CAHOCON 2022). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19090/karexpert-plans-to-digitally-transform-100000-hospitals-globally.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19090/karexpert-plans-to-digitally-transform-100000-hospitals-globally.html Mon, 05 Jul 2021 16:45:00 +0530 KareXpert, the Jio-backed, SaaS-based digital healthcare platform providing an integrated solution for the entire healthcare industry, plans to digitally transform 100,000 hospitals by FY2026. The company has already signed up Reliance Foundation Hospitals, Mahindra group Center for Sight Pan India Hospitals, and reputed 20+ large and medium hospitals, helping them improve patient care, optimise operations costs and increase revenues.   With its AI-ready healthcare data lake, KareXpert is targeting this challenge by facilitating better ease of access and sharing of information among providers, payers and patients. From data storing and workflow management to diagnostics and billing, by bringing everything into one platform, KareXpert’s integrated approach is further enabling hospitals to streamline patient data flow across geographies and devices, lower costs and achieve a higher degree of collaboration between all stakeholders in the healthcare system.    KareXpert’s technology is implemented at some of India’s best hospitals and healthcare clinics across 100+ Facilities, 5000+ beds, and 1000+ doctors to digitally transform their business processes. The company has also partnered with state governments in India to facilitate better access to healthcare services in remote areas.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19079/union-health-minister-addresses-17th-world-congress-for-cervical-pathology-colposcopy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19079/union-health-minister-addresses-17th-world-congress-for-cervical-pathology-colposcopy.html Fri, 02 Jul 2021 15:45:00 +0530 Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare addressed an audience of eminent doctors, professors of medical science and stalwarts of medical fraternity specialising in cervical pathology and colposcopy through video conference at the inaugural session of the 17th World Congress for Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy.   The event organised by the Indian Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology was inaugurated by the Vice President of India Venkaiah Naidu. Dr Vardhan congratulated the Indian Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology for pioneering training in colposcopy and treatment of precancerous lesions of the cervix and for bringing the World Congress for the first time to Asia. The theme of the World Congress 'Eliminating Cervical Cancer: Call for Action' is aligned to the WHO call for Elimination of Cervical Cancer by 2030, he stated.   Speaking on the topic of cervical cancer, the Union Health Minister said, “It is the fourth most common cancer in women. It affects over half a million women across the world each year and kills a quarter of a million. Tragically, one woman dies of cervical cancer every two minutes, making it one of the greatest threats to women’s health. The sad part is that our women are suffering and dying even though when diagnosed cervical cancer is one of the most successfully treatable forms of cancer, as long as it is detected early and managed effectively. Cancers diagnosed in late stages can also be controlled with appropriate treatment and palliative care. With a comprehensive approach to prevent, screen and treat, cervical cancer can be eliminated as a public health problem within a generation.”   Dr Vardhan also highlighted the crucial role undertaken by India to stop cervical cancer heeding to WHO’s 2030 target. He said, "I can proudly state that India is one of the few developing countries that have formulated the national cancer control program. As a leader in Asia, in 2016, we have launched the operational guidelines for screening of common cancers - cervical, breast, oral and Cervical Cancer. India along with 194 other countries has collectively resolved to work together for the elimination of this major killer a goal which is achievable through 90 per cent HPV vaccination coverage, 70 per cent screening coverage and 90 per cent treatment for cervical precancer and cancer including access to palliative care.”    The Union Health Minister explained how the Government of India is offering the intervention to end cancer through the two wings of the Ayushman Bharat Programme.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19077/max-super-speciality-hospital-vaishali-installs-da-vinci-xi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19077/max-super-speciality-hospital-vaishali-installs-da-vinci-xi.html Fri, 02 Jul 2021 13:25:00 +0530 Max Super Speciality Hospital, Vaishali announced the installation of the latest in robot-assisted surgery technology, Da Vinci Xi, by US-based Intuitive. By using this technology, Dr Anant Kumar (Chairman, Urology, Robotics & Renal Transplant, MSSH Vaishali) and Dr Vimal Dassi (Associate Director – Urology, Robotics, Kidney Transplant and Uro-Oncology) at MSSH Vaishali successfully performed the first-ever robotic kidney transplant in Uttar Pradesh.   The procedure was carried out on the 27-year-old female recipient, a resident of Noida, Uttar Pradesh, with minimal muscle cuts, reducing pain and blood loss as the incision was only 6 to 7 cms compared to 20-25 cm long incisions in the normal transplants. The Da Vinci surgical system was used in the procedure, allowing the tremor-free movement of the instruments. As a result, there was no damage to the graft kidney, ensuring swift recovery.    Dr Kumar, said, "We are happy to bring robotic surgery in kidney transplants in UP for the first time. We hope that this is a good start to robotic surgeries in the state, and this will go a long way in availing new age surgical technology for people in this part of the country without having to travel to nearby metros like Delhi”.   Commenting on this installation, Dr Gaurav Aggarwal, Senior Vice President – Operations; Max Hospital Vaishali, said, "The installation will help to get better clinical outcomes in kidney surgeries, urological reconstructive surgeries, gallbladder removal, prostate removal, bariatric surgery, abdominal wall reconstruction, fibroids removal, urinary incontinence, thoracic surgery, ENT surgery as well."   Dr Vivek Bindal, Associate Director & Head – Institute of Minimal Access, Bariatric & Robotic Surgery, MSSH, Vaishali said, " In another ventral hernia case, a 44-year-old patient could travel back home in 48 hrs, as the abdominal wall reconstruction for this patient was done with just 8 mm incisions by using da Vinci Xi technology.”   These benefits go a long way in enabling the surgeon and care teams in providing life-enhancing care for patients. For example, in the recent prostate cancer surgery performed by Dr Puneet Ahluwalia (Principal Consultant – Surgical (Uro)Oncology, Max Institute of Cancer Care, Vaishali), the 52-year-old patient could get discharged and get back to his everyday life within 24 hours.    Mandeep Singh Kumar, VP&GM- Intuitive India, said, "It gives us great pleasure to expand our association with Max healthcare, this being our fourth installation at Max group of hospitals. The installation of the da Vinci system at the Max Vaishali centre serves as a testament to the growing trust our customers have in the ingenuity of our technology." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19075/godrej-innerhour-offer-pro-bono-therapy-sessions-for-healthcare-professionals-across-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19075/godrej-innerhour-offer-pro-bono-therapy-sessions-for-healthcare-professionals-across-india.html Fri, 02 Jul 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Godrej Consumer Products Limited (GCPL) and InnerHour, a digital mental health platform from Mumbai, have come together to offer Mind Care+ programme for healthcare professionals. Supported by GCPL CSR, through this initiative InnerHour will reach out to a cross-section of over 5 million doctors, nurses and frontline healthcare professionals (HCPs) to help them cope with the stress, anxiety and depression compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. To support HCPs in their efforts against the pandemic through effective management and counsel, Mind Care+ will provide pro-bono therapy sessions beginning July, 2021. Through its app-based platform, InnerHour offers free assessments, a range of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Tools (CBTs), personalized content, and 1-1 support to individuals. In addition to the digital self-help tools, users can access a network of 120+ highly qualified and experienced therapists across 150 cities in India. Commenting on the initiative, Dr. Amit Malik, Founder & CEO, InnerHour said, "The platform is designed to bridge the access and treatment gap for Indians struggling with mental health challenges like stress, anxiety, depression, grief and trauma. Due to the pandemic, healthcare professionals are working tirelessly and under tremendous pressure to provide critical care to COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients. With Mind Care+ we are committed to supporting our peer healthcare professionals with self-help tools and remote counselling services." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19073/pm-stresses-on-documentation-to-study-effects-of-different-medicines-treatments.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19073/pm-stresses-on-documentation-to-study-effects-of-different-medicines-treatments.html Thu, 01 Jul 2021 17:20:00 +0530 The Prime Minister (PM), Narendra Modi greeted the doctor community on Doctors’ Day, celebrated on July 1. He said this day, celebrated in the memory of Doctor BC Roy, is the symbol of the highest ideals of our medical fraternity. The PM stressed on the importance of documentation of experiences by doctors. Along with the experiences, symptoms of the patients and treatment plan needs to be documented in great details.  This can be taken up as a research study where effects of various medicines and treatments are noted. Modi said that sheer number of patients served by our doctors put them ahead of the world. Now is the time when the world takes cognizance and take benefit from these scientific studies. Covid-19 pandemic can be a good starting point for this. "I wonder if we could study more deeply how vaccines are helping us, how early diagnosis helps. There is no documentation available about the last century’s pandemic but now we have technology and our documentation about how we faced Covid-19 will help the humanity", the PM said. He also commended medical fraternity for spreading awareness about Yoga. THe PM has asked if the Indian Medical Association (IMA) can take up the evidence-based studies on yoga in a mission mode. He also suggested that studies on yoga could be published in international journals. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19070/fujifilm-india-collaborates-with-holy-spirit-hospital-mumbai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19070/fujifilm-india-collaborates-with-holy-spirit-hospital-mumbai.html Thu, 01 Jul 2021 16:15:00 +0530 Fujifilm India has installed Amulet Innovality — a breast cancer diagnostic machine at the Holy Spirit Hospital in Mumbai. AMULET Innovality works towards making early detection of breast cancer a reality for women by achieving optimum image quality at a very low patient dose. It combines Hexagonal Close Pattern (HCP) image capture technology, and intelligent image processing, optimising contrast, and dose based on breast density which results in exceptional imaging, optimised contrast, low dose, and fast acquisition time.    The Innovality utilises Fujifilm’s unique a-Se direct conversion flat panel detector (FPD)*1 to produce clear images with a low X-ray dose. This system makes use of intelligent AEC (i-AEC) combined with an image analysis technology to automatically adjust the X-ray dosage for each breast type. It is a highly advanced mammography system, which offers an extremely fast image interval of just 15 seconds.   Chander Shekhar Sibal, Executive Vice President & Head of Medical Division at Fujifilm India, “We have designed this machine to help doctors conduct fast and hassle-free medical examinations with utmost precision. With this association, we aim to save lives by offering the highest standard of healthcare solutions and spread awareness about early detection of breast cancer in India.”   Dr Sneha, Executive Director, Holy Spirit Hospital said, “Our partnership with Fujifilm India will bring together the power of innovation in medical technologies and scale our fight against breast cancer in a new way. With Fujifilm’s Amulet Innovality series, it will allow us to protect women’s health by offering timely treatments at an affordable cost with our doctor-patient friendly approach.”   Dr Shampa Brahmachari, Sr. Consultant Radiologist, Holy Spirit Hospital further added, “Early and precise detection, timely treatments, and the right amount of attention will help increase the survival rates among patients.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19066/cloudnine-opens-new-fertility-centre-in-sector-14-gurgaon-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19066/cloudnine-opens-new-fertility-centre-in-sector-14-gurgaon-.html Thu, 01 Jul 2021 14:40:00 +0530 Cloudnine has opened the second dedicated state-of-the-art fertility centre Gurgaon at Sector 14. The services were inaugurated by the doctors of Cloudnine. The new facility brings the total number of Cloudnine fertility centres in India to 16.    The services at the new centre comprise advanced medical infrastructure, personalised patient care and OT labs. It will offer end-to-end treatment at the clinic for procedures such as Intrauterine insemination (IUI), In vitro fertilization (IVF), Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), egg/embryo freezing, TESA, embryo biopsy, laser-assisted hatching, laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, blastocyst transfer, consultation, counselling, PGS, micro TESE, comprehensive male and female fertility solutions will be offered at the unit. The team of specialists include doctors in infertility, reproductive medicine, reproductive endocrinology, embryology, andrology among others.   Dr Pawan Kumar, Regional Director (North), Cloudnine says, “Our aim is always to improve outcomes at each stage of conception, pregnancy and childbirth so that expecting parents take a healthy baby home. With the addition of our services in Sector 14, Gurgaon, we will be strengthening our commitment with advanced fertility services and individualised patient care to every couple currently facing problems related to conception and childbirth.”   Suresh Pandiyan, Vice President- Fertility, Cloudnine said, “With the availability of advanced medical technology, it is imperative that timely interventions can be attempted and the root cause and the treatment is mapped which in turn is very crucial to enable couples to embrace parenthood at the right time and in a memorable manner." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19062/thb-partners-with-rssdi-for-diabetes-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19062/thb-partners-with-rssdi-for-diabetes-care.html Thu, 01 Jul 2021 11:40:00 +0530 Technology, Healthcare, Big Data Analytics (THB), a healthcare data technology company, has collaborated with RSSDI (Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India). The two organisations have announced their partnership to drive hassle-free research in diabetes with a vision to generate cutting-edge clinical trends on one of the largest diabetes markets, and leverage clinical evidence to drive personalised care, and deliver tangible data-backed clinical improvements.Dr Banshi Saboo, President, RSSDI and Dr Sanjay Agarwal, Secretary RSSDI say, “We are glad to be working with THB. Over the next few years, we aim to publish 100+ research articles, drive education across 100K+ physicians, and provide evidence-based care across 1m+ diabetes patients along with THB.” Lavina Yadav, Head of RWE Strategy and Operations, says – “We are honoured to be working with RSSDI to expand the generation and adoption of real-world evidence in diabetes. With the size of the country, and the extent of diabetes prevalence, we believe that this collaboration has the power to make India the largest producer of medical research on diabetes in the world." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19056/astrazeneca-india-partners-with-health-tech-startup-docon.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19056/astrazeneca-india-partners-with-health-tech-startup-docon.html Wed, 30 Jun 2021 14:20:00 +0530 AstraZeneca India has signed and memorandum of understanding with health tech startup Docon Technologies in Bengaluru, for digitising 1,000 clinics across India. Under the partnership, Docon will equip the identified clinics with customised Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems enabling clinicians to access complete patient history.   This will go a long way in helping the clinical community better treat chronic patients and manage long-term complications of non-communicable diseases (NCD’s) like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.   Towards reaching the 1,000 clinics goal in 2021, on-ground identification and support have been placed in 30 cities. Till now, as a part of the pilot phase, around 200 clinics have been upgraded with many of them being in Tier I and II towns. In addition to providing the clinicians with a three-day in-clinic training for learning and adoption, a dedicated helpline is also being established for the users to understand and resolve technical queries.    Gagandeep Singh, MD, AstraZeneca India said, “The need for a centralised repository on patient information has been discussed at length but the implementation of this has not been a smooth journey. We are committed to collaborating with relevant players in the ecosystem in advancing the best science and technology can offer in better patient outcomes.”   Akash Valia, Business & Growth Head, Docon Technologies, said, "At Docon our vision is to be a platform for all healthcare industry stakeholders to connect easily with each other. We are happy AstraZeneca is taking key steps to improving patient outcome via digitalisation." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19051/phfi-aquakraft-to-strengthen-healthcare-infrastructure-covid-19-response.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19051/phfi-aquakraft-to-strengthen-healthcare-infrastructure-covid-19-response.html Wed, 30 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +0530 In an endeavor to strengthen healthcare infrastructure in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and augment India’s efforts for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) and Mumbai-based AquaKraft Projects Private Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch an Integrated Public Health Initiative – ARAIKE LIFE.  This initiative will work in the areas of Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) with a focus on COVID-19 Response Innovation. The objective of ARAIKE LIFE, where ARAIKE means Care & LIFE mean Laying India’s Foundation for Empowerment, is to curate an integrated Public Health Programme in response to the Covid-19 Pandemic. This will be a composite of Infrastructure and capacity building at different levels, from rural to urban areas. This partnership aims to leverage the strong domain knowledge & expertise of PHFI along with the extensive on ground experience of AquaKraft in implementing complex drinking water and sanitation programs across rural India.  ARAIKE LIFE aims to raise Rs 100 crores in the initial phase in by inviting compatible Corporates to join this unique movement that paves India’s path from a Covid victory in 2021 to SDG success by 2030. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19047/srl-diagnostics-launches-gastro-panel-test.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19047/srl-diagnostics-launches-gastro-panel-test.html Tue, 29 Jun 2021 17:25:00 +0530 SRL Diagnostics has launched gastro panel tests for patients suffering from Dyspepsia. The gastro panel test is designed to be a diagnostic test for dyspepsia, and that measures structure and functional assessment of stomach mucosa. It is a non-invasive test that provides valuable diagnostic insights on dyspepsia to general practitioners and gastroenterologists.   Dyspepsia simply means ‘bad or poor digestion’. Dyspepsia includes symptoms like indigestion, upper abdominal discomfort or pain, nausea, vomiting, burps, belching (often after eating/drinking). Dyspepsia are of 2 kinds, ‘Organic Dyspepsia’ – symptoms with a known cause and ‘Functional Dyspepsia’ in which there are symptoms with no specific or obvious cause.    Dr Anurag Bansal, Technical Director, SRL Labs said “The test is designed in a way to give an overall picture of stomach function. The test helps differentiate between a healthy and a non-healthy stomach. It reliably detects gastritis and H.Pylori infection and also estimates an increased susceptibility for stomach cancer and peptic ulcer.”   The test is reliable for patients who are on PPI administration (Proton Pump Inhibitor) for more than five years. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a class of drugs used to treat GERD, peptic ulcers, and H pylori; for patients not willing or not suited for endoscopy; ideal test for patients above 60 years.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19046/portea-medical-collaborates-with-karnataka-govt-for-covid-19-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19046/portea-medical-collaborates-with-karnataka-govt-for-covid-19-care.html Tue, 29 Jun 2021 17:10:00 +0530 Portea Medical has partnered with the Government of Karnataka to support the recovery and care unit in the covid affected rural areas. To begin with, Portea has identified a 50 bedded community health centre at Konanur, Arkalgud taluk, Hassan District Karnataka.   The company has partnered with an NGO called DFY for this first-of-its-kind initiative, which will be extended to other areas going forward.   Portea is servicing 15 PHCs in and around the area and Portea has been able to make a huge difference in terms of providing care. Many more such centres will be established in the weeks ahead.   The centres will have 24-hour oxygen support and HDU beds equipped with BiPAP machines and backed up with oxygen concentrators.    Meena Ganesh, MD and CEO, Portea Medical, said, “After the cities, COVID-19 has spread to the rural districts of the country where people may not have access to even the basic facilities to handle the situation. This is where we wanted to ensure that the government gets the much-needed support from all directions. While we have started with the Hassan district, these services will be extended to other areas in the near term.”       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19041/intuitive-launches-robotic-assisted-surgical-stapler-sureform.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19041/intuitive-launches-robotic-assisted-surgical-stapler-sureform.html Tue, 29 Jun 2021 14:05:00 +0530 Intuitive India, the India arm of Intuitive, a global technology leader in minimally invasive care and the pioneer of robotic-assisted surgery (RAS), has launched a robotic-assisted surgical stapler called SureForm that comes equipped with SmartFire technology-an integrated software. With 1,000+ measurements per second, SmartFire makes automatic adjustments to the firing process as staplers are being formed and as the transection is being made to help optimise a consistent staple line and prevent tissue damage across a range of tissue thicknesses.   With SureForm, the surgeon can fire the stapler from the console while performing the RAS procedure, retaining complete control and autonomy over the surgery. Combining da Vinci’s tremor filtration with SureForm 60’s tip stability and 120◦ of articulation in all directions provides surgeons with precise stapler manipulation and placement. A 120◦ cone of articulation gives the surgeon the freedom to approach tissue where it naturally lies, potentially reducing the need to pull it towards the stapler.   Mandeep Singh Kumar, VP and General Manager, Intuitive India, said, "Our latest technology, SureForm, is another step towards simplifying the surgical process. To aid faster adoption in India, Intuitive is supporting surgeons by facilitating product experience, training, and assistance during surgery. We've been continuously receiving positive feedback from the first few surgeons who have used SureForm."   SureForm portfolio can be used by all robotic surgeons who access Intuitive's latest 4th Generation systems – da Vinci X & Xi. However, given the criticality of stapling in determining surgical outcomes in surgical procedures like colorectal surgeons, gastrointestinal surgeons, surgical oncologists, bariatric surgeons, and HPB (Hepato-Pancreatic-Biliary), surgeons would find it most beneficial with the potential to resect, transect and/or create an anastomosis.   Speaking about the user benefits of robotic staplers, Glenn Vavoso, SVP and General Manager- Asia, Intuitive, said, “We have received encouraging feedback from the clinical community in the US, the UK, and other Asia markets where this technology is already being used and are confident that both surgeons and patients in India will similarly benefit from the unique features of SureForm Stapling.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19040/roche-diagnostics-mobile-app-reach-to-empower-healthcare-workers-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19040/roche-diagnostics-mobile-app-reach-to-empower-healthcare-workers-.html Tue, 29 Jun 2021 13:15:00 +0530 Roche Diagnostics India has launched REACH, a wellness platform developed to support the emotional well-being of healthcare professionals. REACH aims to be a trustworthy companion for frontline workers to seek advice and help from professional counsellors while having access to tailored self-care content to support their emotional wellbeing holistically.   REACH is an initiative to help healthcare professionals cope with difficulties and challenges in their life more efficiently. Through REACH, healthcare workers can have access to counselling sessions, self-help content (informative videos, articles, habit hacks, guided meditation videos), and self-assessment tools on a variety of topics including, work-related challenges, parenting and relationship issues, wellness, and self-development. At present, REACH platform offerings are open to all healthcare workers – clinicians, nurses, lab professionals, and patient navigators.   All the counsellors are professionally qualified and are trained extensively on privacy and confidentiality to ensure that any individual seeking support gets the best possible experience with us. So far, REACH has been introduced in select hospitals including the Tata Memorial Centre (TMC).    Dr Rajendra Badwe, Director, Tata Memorial Centre, acknowledged the need for emotional support for healthcare workers, quoting, "It is time to be employee-centric in addition to being patient-centric in today's scenario."   Echoing Dr Badwe’s thought, Sindhu Nair, Deputy Nursing Superintendent, Tata Memorial Hospital, said, “Maintaining the equilibrium between physical and mental health to balance the pressure at the workplace and home front took centre stage during the testing times of Covid-19 pandemic. Along with self-motivation, which many front-liners relied on, an app like “REACH" helped health care workers to explore their inner self, thereby giving a boost to move ahead."   REACH collaborated with the United NursesAssociation (UNA), Maharashtra to extend the offerings to their members. Jibin TC, President, UNA appraised the uniqueness of the programme quoting, “REACH helps in overcoming anxiety and workplace stress, improving career and relationships. The process resulted in me feeling much better at work, building up the confidence to add positivity to the job and to take important strides forward in professional and personal relationships.”   Narendra Varde, Managing Director - Roche Diagnostics India and Neighboring Markets, said, “The scope of the project will provide mental health support for our frontline caregivers and is an important demonstration of how private sector innovation is critical in the pandemic response.”         ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19038/healthians-to-launch-home-health-test-service-in-100-cities.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19038/healthians-to-launch-home-health-test-service-in-100-cities.html Tue, 29 Jun 2021 12:45:00 +0530 Healthians, funded by Cricketer Yuvraj Singh, will launch health testing at home in 100 new cities in the country to prepare for the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. For this expansion, Healthians will also recruit 1,500 support staff, including pathologists, phlebotomists, lab technicians and runners, over the coming six months. The support staff will play an important role in the company's resolve to take home diagnostic services across the country by the year 2022. After this new expansion, Healthians will have health test at-home facilities in more than 200 cities in India.   Deepak Sahni, CEO and Founder, Healthians, "Over the last seven years, the company has built a strong tech platform to provide the country with high-quality home tests, sample collection and quick reports. There couldn't be a better time than today to launch Healthians' 'At Home' diagnostic model in 100 new cities across the country."   All healthcare tests can be booked effectively on Healthians' website, or application and samples are taken from home with online report delivery.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19037/niramai-health-analytix-receives-funding-from-cdc-group-for-covid-screening.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19037/niramai-health-analytix-receives-funding-from-cdc-group-for-covid-screening.html Tue, 29 Jun 2021 10:25:00 +0530 Deep-tech health startup NIRAMAI Health Analytix has announced receipt of research funding from CDC-UK for its new thermal screening solution. NIRAMAI is an investee of Pi Ventures, a fund backed by CDC Group (CDC, the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor). NIRAMAI FeverTest is a smart software that enables screening for COVID-19 symptoms in public places, using computer vision and AI to analyse and monitor crowd compliance to COVID-19 guidelines. Analysing infrared and visual cameras across multiple hospitals, corporate offices and public places, the software offers an automated screening solution that can help control the community spread of COVID-19 - enhancing India’s preparedness to combat a third wave of the virus.    NIRAMAI FeverTest has features to help control the spread of COVID-19, including features that recognise and detect non-compliance to mask-wearing guidelines. The solution is being used by corporate sites of Morgan Stanley, Kotak Bank and multiple corporate parks of RMZ across India. FeverTest is also deployed in two major railway stations of Bengaluru in partnership with South Western Railways, enabling Railway Protection Force personnel to seamlessly scan thousands of commuters for compliance to COVID-19 protective measures.   Srini Nagarajan, MD, South Asia, CDC Group, said, “NIRAMAI FeverTest is a technology that will amplify the efforts to save lives, preserve public safety and reduce the economic impact of the pandemic in India. NIRAMAI’s innovative solutions will complement the national response to combating COVID-19 and we are pleased that the technology can support India in meeting the challenge head-on, bolstering the country's steps toward bringing the pandemic under control.”    Dr Geetha Manjunath, Founder and CEO, NIRAMAI, said, “Niramai continues to help fight COVID using technology. The financial support from CDC has enabled us to successfully pilot our AI-enabled COVID screening product at IT tech parks, schools and some hospitals across Indian cities.”    Speaking of the other innovative efforts that NIRAMAI is taking to tackle the Covid challenge, Dr Geetha Manjunath added, “ Women can now avail NIRAMAI breast health screening in the comfort of their homes. We have also made a significant contribution to XraySetu, the WhatsApp chatbot for Chest Xray analysis, which was developed in collaboration with ARTPARK and the Indian Institute of Science. XraySetu is a free AI-based service to rural doctors that helps screen chest X-rays.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19034/beato-launches-flash-glucose-monitoring-programme.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19034/beato-launches-flash-glucose-monitoring-programme.html Mon, 28 Jun 2021 19:15:00 +0530 India’s digital care ecosystem for chronic condition management, New Delhi-based BeatO has launched a flash glucose monitoring (FGM) programme for better data-driven prevention, control and reversal of diabetes. This will enable users to better assess their relationship with food and get targeted diet, lifestyle and medication counselling from BeatO’s team of doctors and experts based on their FGM data.    A flash glucose monitor uses a sensor that is placed on the back of the upper arm and worn externally by the user, allowing glucose information to be monitored using an FGM reader. Data from the FGM will enable healthcare professionals at BeatO to observe trends and provide patient-specific insights to achieve targeted HbA1c levels. BeatO will be using the FGM devices of Abbott, the world leader in sensor-based technology.   Speaking on the launch, Gautam Chopra, Co-founder & CEO, BeatO said “Abbott’s world-leading Flash Glucose Monitoring technology with BeatO’s app ecosystem will give our members precise data, along with actionable insights to effectively prevent, control or reverse their diabetes. Our FGM enabled programme is an extension of our vision to empower our members with the right decision-making support for their health”   The integration of the FGM with BeatO’s app ecosystem will enable holistic patient management which will help users to understand their relationship with food vis-à-vis glucose fluctuations like hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia and overall take better control of their condition.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19032/fortis-hospital-noida-bags-wso-angles-award-world-stroke-organization-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19032/fortis-hospital-noida-bags-wso-angles-award-world-stroke-organization-.html Mon, 28 Jun 2021 17:45:00 +0530 Fortis Hospital Noida has been awarded the WSO Angles Award (diamond category) by the World Stroke Organization for the Best Management of Brain Stroke Patients. The neurology and brain stroke team at Fortis Noida, led by Dr Jyoti Bala Sharma has treated over 100 stroke patients in the first quarter of 2021 (despite the challenges posed by the pandemic), showcasing seamless coordination and timely intervention which are key in preventing long term damage among stroke patients.    Dr Sharma, Director -Neurology, Fortis Hospital Noida said, “We are one of the first hospitals in Noida to have started an acute stroke thrombolysis programme and have around 16 years of experience behind us. In the past year, we have faced many operational and logistical challenges due to the pandemic. We realigned ourselves to the new safety protocols, worked in rotation as several staff members were on dedicated COVID duty, spent long hours in PPE suits to ensure patient safety and responded in a timely and efficient manner, treating ever,y stroke patient who came to us."   Mohit Singh, Head - SBU, Fortis Hospital Noida said, “It is a matter of great honour to be awarded Diamond status for brain stroke management by World Stroke Organisation. The achievement has been a milestone in our journey and our doctors have been relentlessly working towards providing the best services to the patients."    The ‘WSO Angels Awards’ are conferred quarterly and aim to provide practical support to improve stroke care globally, recognise and promote best practice in stroke care and share key learning around the implementation of quality stroke care. The award (consisting of a gold, platinum, and diamond category) recognises hospitals that have demonstrated a clear commitment to quality stroke care and have established cultures and systems to support continuous improvement. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19024/niti-aayog-organises-convention-on-obesity.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19024/niti-aayog-organises-convention-on-obesity.html Fri, 25 Jun 2021 18:20:00 +0530 NITI Aayog convened the National Convention on Prevention of Maternal, Adolescent and Childhood Obesity under the chairmanship of Dr VK Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog and Co-chairmanship of Dr R Hemalatha, Director, Nutrition Institute of India.    Dr Rakesh Sarwal, Additional Secretary (Health and Nutrition), NITI Aayog described obesity as a 'silent epidemic.' In the National Consultation global experts, representatives from UN bodies, central ministries and national research institutions presented their evidence regarding the increasing prevalence of obesity and presented best practices for obesity reduction.   Arjan de Wagt, Chief Nutrition, UNICEF presented evidence on the increasing burden of overnutrition in India. Professor William Joe, IEG shared valuable data on the current and emerging trends of obesity in certain geographies of India.    Shariqua Yunus, Head of Unit and Programme Officer (Health and Nutrition), WFP emphasised the need to diversify food-based social safety nets to prevent obesity. Monika Arora, Director of Health Promotion Division, PHFI along with Rachita Gupta, National Professional Officer (Nutrition) WHO deliberated on obesogenic marketing strategies on Indian Television. Global experts Kathryn Backholer, Professor at Deakin University and Tim Lobstein, Policy Director, World Obesity Federation conveyed how the obese population is an unhealthy population and the cost of treating obesity is the cost of junk food marketing.   In the convention, Secretaries of the Ministry of AYUSH and the Department of Youth Affairs placed their suggestions on promoting healthy behaviour. Senior officers of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Ministry of Women & Child Development, Ministry of Human Resource Development and Ministry of Information & Broadcasting echoed the need for introducing behavioural change and a favourable policy landscape. UNICEF Country representative, YasmineHaque also endorsed the same.   All panellists expressed the unanimous need to address this issue on a priority basis, with a resounding emphasis on better mass communication around encouraging physical activity, healthy eating and lifestyle. A need for a whole of government and a whole of society approach was emphasised in tackling the twin challenge of obesity and under. An urgent need for adopting strategies related to fiscal measures, regulating front-of-package labelling, promoting a healthy diet, physical activity and lifestyle options emerged as key themes for future deliberations and actions.    In conclusion, Dr VK Paul, Member (Health and Nutrition), NITI Aayog called for a multi-sectoral approach targeting the adolescents to promote activity and a healthy lifestyle.        ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19022/manipal-hospitals-to-launch-vaccination-drive-for-transgender-community.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19022/manipal-hospitals-to-launch-vaccination-drive-for-transgender-community.html Fri, 25 Jun 2021 17:30:00 +0530 Manipal Hospitals will launch a vaccination drive exclusively for the transgender community as a part of their #Vax4ALL campaign.  From June 29 onwards till July 3, 2021, Manipal Hospitals will be providing vaccination slots for the transgender community at Manipal Hospitals Old Airport Road. A formidable team of Manipal Hospitals frontline workers will be present to ensure a seamless vaccination process for the transgender community.“As citizens of the country and above all, as humanitarians, we need to realise that we are combating this pandemic together. We, at Manipal Hospitals, firmly believe that an essential commodity, such as the vaccine, shouldn’t be denied to anyone based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. Hence, this Pride Month, we have launched a vaccination drive especially for the transgender community,” remarks Karthik Rajagopal, COO, Manipal Health Enterprises. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18999/crysta-ivf-opens-centres-in-delhi-and-mumbai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18999/crysta-ivf-opens-centres-in-delhi-and-mumbai.html Wed, 23 Jun 2021 10:40:00 +0530 Delhi-based Crysta IVF has launched two new centres in Delhi and Mumbai. The Delhi centre was launched in collaboration with Fertile Solutions IVF & Research Center (FSIVF) and Mumbai with Corion Fertility, respectively. With the launch of these facilities, Crysta IVF plans to make fertility treatments accessible to all.    The new centres by Crysta IVF are part of their expansion strategy under which they plan to launch 12 new centres in the next six months making a total of 25 centres with an ambition to become one of the leading infertility treatment providers having its wings in 100 cities within a span two years.   Dheeraj Jain, Founder, Crysta IVF, said, “We aspire to provide fertility treatments without compromising on quality, patient safety and security. There is nothing that gives us greater fulfilment than a successful outcome and the happiness that parenthood gives to couples.”     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18998/govt-to-look-into-impact-of-toys-on-neurological-development-of-children.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18998/govt-to-look-into-impact-of-toys-on-neurological-development-of-children.html Wed, 23 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Union Minister of Textiles and Women and Child Development, Smriti Zubin Irani has urged the research bodies working under the aegis of Ministry of Education to look into the prospects of sustainable toys. Smriti Irani and Minister of State for Education Sanjay Dhotre virtually inaugurated Toycathon 2021 grand finale on June 22.  Toycathon 2021 was jointly launched by the Ministry of Education, WCD Ministry, MSME Ministry, DPIIT, Textile Ministry, I&B Ministry and AICTE on 5th January 2021 to crowd-source innovative toys and games ideas. Smriti Irani suggested that Ministry of Education and Ministry of Women and Child Development in collaboration with NIMHANS can do a Research paper on the impact of Toys on the neurological development of children, specially the  children who are challenged with some disorders and also on ensuring that the toys are used as an effective methodology to help those children come out of these challenges towards amiable solutions. She expressed her concerns that 85% toys that our children are playing with are imported and are predominantly made of plastic. Drawing inspiration from Prime Ministers global commitment for sustainable development, Minister invited research bodies and toy manufacturers to make sustainable toys. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18995/transasia-donates-5-lakh-tablets-for-covid-19-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18995/transasia-donates-5-lakh-tablets-for-covid-19-treatment.html Tue, 22 Jun 2021 19:05:00 +0530 Transasia Bio-Medicals has donated over five lakh tablets worth more than Rs 50 lakhs for COVID-19 patients. The medicines are from reputed pharmaceutical manufacturers and come with a long-dated shelf life of up to 2023. The procurement and distribution of the medicines have been executed by the Vazirani Foundation, the CSR arm of Transasia Bio-Medicals and closely coordinated by Transasia’s team of over 700 on-field personnel along with various charitable trusts.   Mala Vazirani, Executive Director, Transasia Bio-Medicals said, “In our endeavour to make quality healthcare available to the needy and underprivileged, we are partnering with NGOs and mission hospitals to fight against this disease and are quickly working to mobilize the largest humanitarian relief effort in our company’s history.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18991/stratbeans-introduces-advanced-sales-enablement-solution-for-pharma-industry.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18991/stratbeans-introduces-advanced-sales-enablement-solution-for-pharma-industry.html Tue, 22 Jun 2021 15:20:00 +0530 Stratbeans, the provider of AI-based online learning solutions, has launched Atum Sales Plus, a new-age sales enablement solution powered by AI for the pharmaceuticals industry. The employment of Atum Sales Plus will equip the sales professionals in the pharma segment with better skills and technology, which would enhance their sales-readiness, leading to improved customer engagement and in turn, higher revenue generation.    The new sales enablement platform would allow faster onboarding of new sales team, provide remote coaching and practice opportunities, generate personalised training modules along with offering extensive AI-based performance support in the form of a reference library. All this would greatly enhance the efficiency of the sales personnel and enable them to deliver value-based selling experiences successfully.    Pradeip Agarwal, COO & Co-founder, Stratbeans, “Sales enablement is critical to ensure a healthy bottom line in these current unpredictable times. And, it is of utmost importance to give sellers the right technology in hand which could allow them to effectively spearhead sales and create maximum value and impact. Introduction of Atum Sales Plus is a milestone for us, and we look forward to making a valuable difference.”   Besides enhancing the selling skills and potential of the pharma field workforce, the employment of Atum Sales Plus would also enable the sales team to deliver tailor-made customer experiences and build compliant relationships, which is a key requirement of the industry.    Agarwal further adds, “At Stratbeans, innovation is our key mantra, and we are confident that the new sales enablement technology will empower sellers in the pharma segment to improve their operational efficiency, drive better sales and achieve maximum ROI.”   By providing up-to-date, real-time information on products and developments, the integration with Atum Sales Plus would also lead to a significant reduction of product launch times for the pharma companies.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18990/paytm-launches-health-and-wellness-store.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18990/paytm-launches-health-and-wellness-store.html Tue, 22 Jun 2021 13:50:00 +0530 Paytm announced the launch of its dedicated health and wellness store for search, discovery and ordering of COVID-related products and services across top Indian health apps to fight the pandemic. Users can now avail the services of different health apps without downloading them.   Paytm’s Mini App store now gives users one-click access to a large selection of health supplements, essential vitamins, immunity boosters and ayurvedic medicines through top health tech platforms including 1mg, Netmeds, Apollo 24x7, DocsApp/Medibuddy, Zyla, Mfine and Credihealth among others. Through the integration of these apps, Paytm is helping users search and book doctor consultations, pathology services, buying medicines, immunity boosters, and opting for health insurance among other pandemic essentials.   The company also recently launched the Vaccine Finder and Booking service on the app. Through the same, Paytm users can search, discover & also book their vaccination slots for both Covaxin and Covishield at the nearest centre through the Paytm app. The service is helping Indians seamlessly book vaccination slots and gain immunity.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18979/janani-launches-advanced-diy-semen-testing-kit.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18979/janani-launches-advanced-diy-semen-testing-kit.html Mon, 21 Jun 2021 16:30:00 +0530 Janani, an end-to-end reproductive health and sexual wellness solutions platform, has launched first-of-its-kind at-home advanced DIY semen testing kits. The at-home semen collection would help more men feel comfortable with fertility testing and encourage them to step forward for the same. Currently, the services are limited to Bengaluru but will be extended to Mumbai by July.Led by Dr SS Vasan, Co-founder, Janani and former Founding Chairman of Manipal Fertility, Janani has developed a unique media that can store a sample without any damage to the sperms for up to eight hours in non-laboratory conditions, thus providing enough time for the samples to be collected from homes and then brought to the laboratories.Once a person registers himself for semen analysis with Janani, they ship the DIY semen testing kit in discreet packaging to the person’s address. The user can then follow instructions on the package and easily deposit his sample in the comfort of his home. Then, the sample would be collected by an agent from the address and sent to Janani’s labs for testing. The user is then provided with a detailed and comprehensive report within 24 hours of receiving the sample.Nilay Mehrotra, Founder, Janani, said, “At Janani, we want to make fertility care gender-neutral, comfortable and more accessible to everyone through technology. Guided by Dr SS Vasan himself, we will continue to offer innovative, tech-enabled and personalised fertility care solutions for a modern India." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18978/api-with-abbott-launch-therapy-specific-teleconsultation-recommendations.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18978/api-with-abbott-launch-therapy-specific-teleconsultation-recommendations.html Mon, 21 Jun 2021 15:15:00 +0530 The Association of Physicians of India (API) has launched therapy-specific teleconsultation recommendations, in collaboration with Abbott. The robust set of recommendations outlines best practices on adopting teleconsultation across various therapeutic areas, currently catering specifically to cardiology, diabetes, gastroenterology and adult immunisation with plans to cover more specialities in the future.   The recommendations introduced by the API offer in-depth information that can equip healthcare practitioners with the knowledge necessary to adapt medical best practices for teleconsultation. The recommendations encompass patient history, diagnosis, testing, disease management and scheduled follow-ups, thereby enabling practitioners to be cognizant of key parameters for decision-making, guided by flow charts specific to each therapy area.    The recommendations detail technological requirements, software and other practical tips to facilitate consultations. Physicians can thus make optimal use of digital tools, which paves the way for a structured and seamless patient experience.   Furthermore, the recommendations instruct physicians on conditions to rule out various acute conditions, such as myocardial infarctions or arrhythmias, which cannot be managed virtually and may necessitate face-to-face examination or treatment with hospitalisation after an initial teleconsultation. The importance of safety, privacy, and other patient rights and safeguards by familiarising physicians with medicolegal implications, including therapy-specific drug types that can or cannot be prescribed during teleconsultation can be upheld.    Dr S Arul Rhaj, One of the Editor in Chief and Immediate Past President- Association of Physicians of India said, “Telemedicine consultations are now widely sought after, especially with the government’s nod to adopt them for diagnosis and treatment. While general guidelines exist, there is a need for clear-cut and defined guidelines for specific therapy areas, which can vary significantly across symptomology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, testing, disease management and treatment steps and red flags. This necessitated therapy-specific teleconsultation recommendations to ensure structured, streamlined consultations and improved patient care.”    Dr Balagopal Nair, Regional Medical Director, Abbott Pharmaceuticals Division, India said, “Teleconsultation offers the possibility of overcoming geographic restrictions by increasing access and ensuring extensive reach. It has the potential to enhance the efficiency of healthcare systems by offering virtual care and making healthcare more accessible. Abbott has collaborated with the Association of Physicians in India (API) to release the first India-specific teleconsultation guidelines, to provide a useful repository of evidence-based information to healthcare practitioners across different therapeutic areas to appropriately diagnose, treat and manage patient conditions virtually, thereby enabling them to live healthier, fuller lives.”  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18974/boeing-partners-with-doctors-for-you-selco-foundation-to-set-up-covid-care-centre-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18974/boeing-partners-with-doctors-for-you-selco-foundation-to-set-up-covid-care-centre-in-bengaluru.html Mon, 21 Jun 2021 12:10:00 +0530 Boeing India with Doctors for You (DFY) and SELCO Foundation have established a 100 oxygenated bed facility at Karnataka State Power Corporation Ltd. (KSPCL), Yelahanka, to treat mild-to-moderate COVID-19 cases and support existing hospitals in the region. Boeing India has funded the facility, Doctors for You - is providing the necessary staff and care, SELCO Foundation has set up the pre-fabricated facility. KSPCL provided the land necessary to set up the hospital.“It is commendable that corporates have joined hands with the government in the fight against COVID second wave. It’s indeed a great pleasure that Boeing India has partnered with SELCO Foundation and Doctors for You (DFY) to build a 100-bed oxygenated super-speciality Covid care facility at KSPCL, campus in Yelahanka,” Chief Minister of Karnataka, BS Yediyurappa said at the inauguration.The hospital was built from the ground up in less than 20 days. Of the 100-oxygen beds, 10-beds are dedicated for ICU services and 20-beds for the High Dependency Units (HDU) ward. The hospital will also have areas for triage, donning and doffing, pharmacy, laboratory, rest areas, nurse stations and meeting rooms for medical staff. The DFY team will comprise specialist and generalist doctors, paramedics, and facility management staff. Boeing’s funding will also provide medical equipment, including CT scanners, ventilators, oxygen cylinders and concentrators, flow meters, and ambulances to the hospital.“We sincerely thank Boeing India, SELCO Foundation and Doctors For You (DFY) for helping set up a 100-bed oxygenated facility in Yelahanka, Bengaluru. It is heartening to see private-public collaboration to augment health infrastructure in the state and create a positive impact on people in need,” DV Sadanand Gowda, Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers said.Boeing’s contribution is part of its $10 million emergency assistance package announced in April to support India’s COVID-19 response.The KPCL campus in Yelahanka was chosen because of its proximity to an already existing oxygen generation plant. The design and construction of the hospital have been done in an environmentally friendly manner - building materials were chosen to maximise thermal comfort for patients and hospital staff. Daylighting and solar power for night-time electricity requirements ensure reliability and efficiency.“We are thankful to Boeing India, SELCO Foundation and Doctors For You (DFY) for establishing a 100-bed COVID Care oxygenated facility at Karnataka Power Corporation Limited. (KPCL) premises in Bengaluru. Thank you to all stakeholders for supporting the state in our efforts to fight the COVID-19 battle,” P Ravi Kumar, Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka said.“Boeing stands in solidarity with India and wants to be a part of the solution in the fight against COVID. Our ongoing relief efforts in association with our partners, are aimed at reaching communities most impacted by the virus and includes providing medical supplies, emergency healthcare and setting up COVID-care hospitals for communities and families affected,” said Salil Gupte, President, Boeing India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18970/tmc-publishes-study-on-oral-cancer-treatment-cost-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18970/tmc-publishes-study-on-oral-cancer-treatment-cost-in-india.html Mon, 21 Jun 2021 11:10:00 +0530 Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) has published a first-of-its-kind study on the cost of illness and treatment of oral cancer in India.  A Tata Memorial Centre team, headed by Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi, set out to conduct a cost of illness analysis that would provide invaluable information for policymakers that make appropriate allocation of resources towards cancer. This is the first such study in India and among a handful globally, whose estimates were calculated, utilising a bottom-up approach where data was collected prospectively for each service as it was used. This enormous data collection has resulted in determining the direct healthcare costs of treating oral cancer, that is, the per-patient cost borne by a healthcare provider that is directly attributable to treating oral cancer. Dr Arjun Singh, Research Fellow at Tata Memorial Hospital and the lead author of the study said that the unit cost of treating advanced stages (Rs 2,02,892) was found to be 42 per cent greater than early stages (Rs 1,17,135). At the same time, there was an average reduction of 11 per cent in the unit costs, as socioeconomic status increased. Medical equipment accounted for 97.8 per cent of capital costs, with the highest contributor being the radiology services that included CT, MRI and PET scan. Variable costs that included consumables for surgery in advanced stages were 1.4 times higher than in early stages. With the addition of additional chemo and radiotherapy to surgery, the average cost of treatment increased by 44.6 per cent.About 60-80 per cent of the cases of oral cancer visit their specialist oncologists at advanced stages. Multiplying the cost per unit of early and advanced cancer as per the study’s results, India spent approximately Rs. 2,386 crores in 2020 on oral cancer treatment, paid for by insurance schemes, government and private sector spending, out of pocket payments and charitable donations or a combination of these. This is a significant portion of the healthcare budget allocation the government made in 2019-20, towards a single disease. Without any inflation in costs, this will result in an economic burden on the country of Rs 23,724 crores over the next ten years. This straining economic impact of treating oral cancer treatment, strongly suggests that prevention must be one of the key mitigation strategies for addressing affordability. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18968/css-software-to-identify-patients-in-need-of-ventilator-support.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18968/css-software-to-identify-patients-in-need-of-ventilator-support.html Sat, 19 Jun 2021 20:30:00 +0530 A software can now identify patients likely to require ventilator support in an ICU and referral in time and make necessary arrangements before emergency sets in. The software called Covid Severity Score (CSS) Software consists of an algorithm that measures a set of parameters. It scores each against a pre-set dynamic algorithm multiple times for each patient and allocates a Covid Severity Score (CSS) mapping it in a graphical trend.The technology is being used in three community Covid care centres at Kolkata and suburbs including a 100-bed government-mandated Covid care centre at Barrackpore, Kolkata. Sudden ICU and other emergency requirements during the pandemic have been a challenge for hospitals to manage. Timely information about such situations would help manage the health crisis better. The Foundation For Innovations In Health, Kolkata with support from the Science for Equity, Empowerment and Development (SEED) division of the Department of Science & Technology, GoI in collaboration with IIT Guwahati, Dr Kevin Dhaliwal, University of Edinburgh and Dr Sayantan Bandopadhyay, formerly WHO (SE Asia Regional Office), have developed an algorithm that measures symptoms, signs, vital parameters, test reports and comorbidities of the COVID positive patient and scores each against a pre-set dynamic algorithm thus allocating a Covid Severity Score (CSS). This technology has been made available at primary care e-Health clinics in resource-poor settings through SEED Project support.Frontline Health Workers trained in National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) aligned model and certified by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), Government of India are trained to record all these parameters in a tablet computer which has the software loaded in it. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18966/rainbow-childrens-hospital-performs-rare-gene-therapy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18966/rainbow-childrens-hospital-performs-rare-gene-therapy.html Sat, 19 Jun 2021 15:55:00 +0530 Hyderabad-based Rainbow Children’s Hospital has performed a rare gene therapy for the third time in the last 14 months. Three-year-old Ayaansh Gupta, suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) was administered ZOLGENSMA at Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Secunderabad, under the supervision of Dr Ramesh Konanki, Consultant Pediatric Neurologist. ZOLGENSMA costs Rs 16 crore and has been imported from the US.   ZOLGENSMA is a single dose intravenous injection gene therapy, in which the defective SMN1 gene is replaced through an adenoviral vector. Earlier, two children have been given ZOLGENSMA at Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Secunderabad, in August 2020 and April 2021, and the medicine was provided by Novartis free of cost, on compassionate grounds. Both these children are recovering quite well and making progress in their physical growth and development.   Elaborating details, Dr Konanki stated that currently, there are three proven treatments for children suffering from SMA. He said, "They have to be given either of ZOLGENSMA, SPINRAZA and RISDIPLAM and unfortunately none of these medicines is currently available in India, and all are hugely expensive. SPINRAZA and RISDIPLAM need to be taken life-long, and costs around Rs 40-70 Lakh per year. Many children affected with SMA do not have access to any of these treatments due to the mammoth costs involved for treatment,” Dr Ramesh said.   The Consultant Pediatric Neurologist, on behalf of the medical community and the SMA community (CureSMA group) request Central and State governments to negotiate with respective pharma companies and make these medicines available at an affordable price. Further, Dr Ramesh Konanki desired policymakers to encourage research into treatments for rare diseases through the provision of research funding and also provision of medical insurance for frequent hospitalisation and surgeries.   “The parents were able to arrange the amount after going through crowdfunding by ImpactGuru.com, and the union finance ministry has waived off the tax worth around Rs 6 crores. I would like to request the Indian government to make this injection available in India for a price that can be afforded by every parent,” said Dr Preetham Kumar, Consultant - Pediatrician & Pediatric Intensive Care, Rainbow Children’s Hospital Secunderabad.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18965/indian-american-chemist-sumita-mitra-wins-european-inventor-award-2021.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18965/indian-american-chemist-sumita-mitra-wins-european-inventor-award-2021.html Sat, 19 Jun 2021 15:40:00 +0530 The European Patent Office (EPO) has honoured Indian-American chemist Sumita Mitra with the European Inventor Award 2021 in the 'Non-EPO countries' category. Mitra was the first to successfully integrate nanotechnology into dental materials to produce stronger and more aesthetically pleasing fillings, which are now used by dentists around the world.   “Mitra took an entirely new path in her field and demonstrated how technological innovation, protected by patents, can transform a sector, and in this case bring benefits to millions of dental patients,” says EPO President António Campinos. “Her invention remains commercially successful nearly 20 years after its launch – another reason why she is an inspiration to the next generation of scientists.”    While working in the oral care division of US multinational 3M in the late 1990s, Mitra became aware of the limitations of existing materials used in dental fillings, which were either too weak to be used on biting surfaces, or quickly lost their polish. At the same time, nanotechnology was emerging as a field of research and Mitra decided to explore how these new developments could be applied to dentistry. She began working on nanotechnology-based solutions for new dental material, driven by a desire to use her expertise in polymer chemistry and materials science to develop inventions that solve real-life problems.   Mitra and her team developed a technique for creating linked clusters of nanoparticles, which they called ‘nanoclusters’. These clusters combine single nanoparticles of varying diameters, resulting in strong, durable and shiny material. By adding tiny amounts of pigment, and altering the chemical composition of the nanoparticles, the team was also able to create a range of different shades that can be matched to individual teeth and layered to create a more natural finish.    "The use of nanotechnology allowed me to make a new material," says Mitra. "It restores peoples smiles and improves the quality of their lives".   Mitra worked closely with 3M’s patent attorneys to draft the patents to protect her ground-breaking research. Although several new generations of the material have been developed since its launch in 2002 as FiltekTM Supreme Universal Restorative, the current line of products is still based on Mitra’s European patents.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18964/ieee-conducts-virtual-roundtable-on-effects-of-robotics-and-blockchain-in-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18964/ieee-conducts-virtual-roundtable-on-effects-of-robotics-and-blockchain-in-healthcare.html Fri, 18 Jun 2021 17:40:00 +0530 IEEE, the world’s largest technical professional organisation dedicated to advancing technology for humanity, concluded its virtual roundtable focussed on how technologies like robotics and blockchain are driving transformation in the healthcare sector. With the pandemic emphasising the importance of digital healthcare, IEEE curated this roundtable to discuss how the healthcare industry in India has long been faced with multiple challenges and the role of technology in addressing them.  During the roundtable, Jayakrishnan T, IEEE Member and Founder & CEO, ASIMOV Robotics, said, “Post-pandemic social behaviour has opened up several opportunities in the healthcare robotics domain such as telemedicine and remote management of outpatients. Moreover, contactless dispensing of food, medicine, and consumables have been made possible with the help of AMR and guided robots, concurrently the logistics and supply chain management within hospitals have minimized human interventions.” According to a recent report by The Internet and Mobile Association of India, the pandemic has accelerated the growth of the Indian health tech industry. It is expected to touch $5 billion by 2023 and is also likely to see a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 39 per cent. A recent IEEE study of chief information officers (CIOs) and chief technology officers (CTOs) in the US, UK, China, India and Brazil also revealed that Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, followed by 5G and IoT will be the most important technologies in 2021 – 18 per cent of the respondents feel that the healthcare industry will be impacted by these technologies. “Affordability and scalability are the two major factors that would enable the use of robotics in India. There are indeed very promising use cases that can bring down operational costs significantly and reduce risks. Not only this, but robots on duty 24x7 will also substantially reduce the cost per patient to healthcare organisations and increase profitability,” On the other hand, providing robot as a service (RaaS) may be a better workable business model for India,” he further added. Commenting on the same, Ramalatha Marimuthu, Senior IEEE Member said, “We can slowly overcome these challenges through increasing the infrastructure, technology and the number of users, thus dividing the cost between them. Recent blockchain algorithms are claiming to provide anonymity, where a generated address protects the real identity of the user. Moreover, shared databases have become a necessity thanks to the distributed nature of patient monitoring systems – the same patient suffering from multiple ailments will require treatments by various healthcare experts. This expertise may be available in different clinics or geographies and blockchain can ensure timely provision of healthcare through faster diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and thus personalised healthcare plans.” The same survey of CIOs and CTOs from IEEE revealed that 55 per cent of the respondents have accelerated adoption of cloud computing due to the pandemic. Therefore, fortifying digital architecture with a robust plan for a sustainable future is the need of the hour. While healthcare is a major concern today, it presents a huge opportunity to fast-track technology adoption in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18962/pm-launches-crash-course-for-covid-19-frontline-workers-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18962/pm-launches-crash-course-for-covid-19-frontline-workers-.html Fri, 18 Jun 2021 15:00:00 +0530 The Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has launched ‘Customized Crash Course programme for COVID-19 frontline workers’ via video conferencing. The training programme would be conducted in 111 training centres spread over 26 states. About one lakh frontline workers will be trained in this initiative.  The Prime Minister informed that the top experts of the country have designed these six courses as per demands of the states and union territories . The training will be imparted to Covid warriors in six customised job roles namely Home Care Support, Basic Care Support, Advanced Care Support, Emergency Care Support, Sample Collection Support, and Medical Equipment Support. This will include fresh skilling as well as upskilling of those who have some training in this type of work. This campaign will give fresh energy to the health sector frontline force and will also provide job opportunities to our youth. "Given the size of our population, it is necessary to keep increasing the number of doctors, nurses and paramedics in the health sector. Work has been done with a focused approach over the last 7 years to start new AIIMS, new medical colleges and new nursing colleges. Similarly, reforms are being encouraged in medical education and related institutions. The seriousness and the pace at which the work on preparing the health professionals is going on now is unprecedented", said PM. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18959/aster-dm-healthcare-ties-up-with-dr-reddys-labs-for-sputnik-v-vaccine-jab.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18959/aster-dm-healthcare-ties-up-with-dr-reddys-labs-for-sputnik-v-vaccine-jab.html Fri, 18 Jun 2021 13:05:00 +0530 Aster DM Healthcare has partnered with Dr Reddy's Laboratories to administer the Sputnik V Vaccine as part of a limited pilot soft launch. Aster DM Healthcare will initially inoculate beneficiaries in (Kochi) Kerala and Kolhapur (Maharashtra) through Aster Medcity, Kochi and Aster Aadhar, Kolhapur hospitals.    At Aster, over a hundred credentialed staff have been trained at the 14 hospitals spread across the country. Beneficiary protocols have been established as per standard operating procedures recommended by the government which includes registration, waiting for area allocation along with patient education and awareness displays and post-vaccination observation. Trained medical staff along with emergency care support, will be stationed to administer appropriate care in case of an adverse event. Dr Reddy’s has facilitated the necessary cold storage infrastructure for vaccine storage at the hospitals.   Speaking about the association, Dr Harish Pillai, CEO- Aster India, Aster DM Healthcare, said, “We are pleased to collaborate with Dr Reddy’s Labs to administer the Sputnik V Vaccine, through its pilot programme and are certain that it will further accelerate the overall vaccination drive. We look forward to building a strong partnership with Dr Reddy’s across our network of hospitals to further strengthen our efforts in providing easy access and vaccinating the community”.   MV Ramana, CEO – Branded Markets (India & Emerging Markets), Dr Reddy’s, said: “We are pleased to collaborate with Aster DM Healthcare in Kochi and Kolhapur as we scale up our soft pilot launch of the Sputnik V vaccine in India to more cities ahead of its commercial launch. In the upcoming months, we hope to inoculate as many Indians as possible.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18956/qnet-supports-free-medical-care-to-covid-19-patients-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18956/qnet-supports-free-medical-care-to-covid-19-patients-in-bengaluru.html Fri, 18 Jun 2021 08:00:00 +0530 Asia's leading direct selling company, through its CSR arm, RYTHM Foundation has joined hands with a group of young entrepreneurs in Bengaluru to convert a non-operational hospital into a free COVID Care Health Centre through Project CoHeal. The funding from QNET has helped transform the disused Rajiv Gandhi Medical Hospital building in R.T Nagar into a 100-bed COVID Care facility that provides free, round-the-clock care to those who need it the most. Project CoHeal is the brainchild of the young entrepreneurs behind Bengaluru based technology firm Globals Inc who joined hands with the Rotary Club Manyata and Presidency University to launch this as a joint CSR initiative. The support from QNET's Indian business facilitated by the company's CSR arm, the RYTHM Foundation has helped equip the hospital with Oxygen Concentrators, HFNC ICU Ventilators, and also covers the payroll for the doctors and nurses of the hospital for the next 6 months. This 24-hour COVID care hospital has zero cash counters, assuring patients that treatment is 100% free. It is also in the process of incorporating a dedicated paediatric wing as well as building intensive care unit (ICU) capabilities. Other facilities in the hospital include a clinic, elevators for stretchers, oxygen flow meters, pharmacy, lobby, X-Ray, washroom, AC, parking zone, and doctor's lounge. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18954/govt-augments-manufacturing-import-supplies-of-mucormycosis-drugs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18954/govt-augments-manufacturing-import-supplies-of-mucormycosis-drugs.html Thu, 17 Jun 2021 17:00:00 +0530 In order to augment the domestic manufacture, the Government is continuously engaging with the manufacturers to resolve their issues related to raw materials. Department of Pharmaceuticals and the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) have actively coordinated with the industry for identification of manufacturers, alternate drugs and expeditious approvals of new manufacturing facilities. The existing five manufacturers of Liposomal Amphotericin B are Bharat Serums and Vaccines Limited, Cipla, Sun Pharma, BDR Pharmaceuticals and Lifecare Innovations.  The expected release by them for the month of June is about 2.63 lakh vials. Manufacturing of liposomal formulation involves a complicated process and can only be done by industries having advanced technology. DCGI, after consultation with the association of Drugs manufacturers, has issued manufacturing / marketing permission of Amphotericin B Liposomal Injection to six firms, viz., Emcure, Gufic, Alembic,  Lyka,  Natco Limited and Intas Pharma. The expected release by the six new manufacturers for the month of June is about 1.13 lakh vials. The domestic production capacity of Amphotericin B Liposomal Injection has increased from about 62000 in April 2021, to 1.63 lakh vials in May 2021 and is expected to cross 3.75 lakh vials in June, which is a fivefold increase in a short time span. Department of Pharmaceuticals and the Indian Embassy in the USA are working continuously with the Mylan Labs for increasing import and ensuring early delivery from Gilead Inc. USA. Out of total Orders placed with Gilead for 9,05,000 vials, the stocks of 5,33,971 vials have already been received till 16th June by Mylan, the main importer. The remaining deliveries are being expedited. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18949/3m-littmann-stethoscopes-collaborates-with-eko.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18949/3m-littmann-stethoscopes-collaborates-with-eko.html Thu, 17 Jun 2021 12:15:00 +0530 3M Littmann Stethoscopes have collaborated with Eko. The 3M Littmann CORE Digital Stethoscope will offer clinicians access to both analogue and digital auscultation options and connects to Eko’s software and AI algorithms to help clinicians better interpret sounds and detect heart murmurs.   The 3M Littmann CORE Digital Stethoscope can connect to Eko software, including its heart murmur AI1 and its telemedicine software, enabling enhanced in-person or remote patient care.   Kristi Barnett, Sr Director, 3M Medical Devices said, "The new 3M Littmann CORE Digital Stethoscope combines the superior acoustics of the Littmann Cardiology IV Stethoscope with Eko's digital technology and software to aid and enhance a clinician’s auscultation assessments.”   Rajiv Gupta, Country Business Leader – Health Care Business, 3M India said, “The new Littmann CORE Digital Stethoscope makes it possible to listen and diagnose patients remotely as it allows easy sharing of data or live streaming to a remote provider during a telemedicine consultation. This can be leveraged as a means to protect healthcare professionals, whilst providing the highest standards of care.”   “For clinicians, listening is a gateway to making critical diagnoses. Being able to confidently assess heart and lung sounds helps ensure the best cardiac and pulmonary care possible,” said Connor Landgraf, co-founder and CEO, Eko.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18943/healthcare-platform-eka-care-to-integrate-cowin-for-vaccination-booking.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18943/healthcare-platform-eka-care-to-integrate-cowin-for-vaccination-booking.html Wed, 16 Jun 2021 18:15:00 +0530 eka.care, a connected healthcare platform founded by co-founders of GoIbibo, has gone live with COWIN-approved vaccination slot booking to help people get vaccinated in an efficient and orderly manner. The platform integration with COWIN offers a bouquet of services seamless slot booking, pre and post-vaccination tele-consultation. The users on the platform can search for slots by location, type of vaccination, and cost to fit their needs. Post-vaccination, users will also be able to download the certificate and receive a reminder for the second dose.   While making this announcement, Vikalp Sahni, Founder & CEO, eka.care, said, “eka.care has come up with these innovative solutions which include run health assessment to check for post-vaccine symptoms, connect with doctors and get free consultation 24x7 and secure vaccination documents in a virtual vault.”   “eka.care aims to provide a 360 degree COVID and post-vaccination care programme to all its users to ensure timely help and overall wellness at no additional cost. The 24x7 free consultations will help scores of people who otherwise are going through financial strain. Free reliable and trustworthy information dissemination by doctors is a boon in this era of misinformation on vaccination,” says Deepak Tuli, Co-founder & COO, eka.care. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18942/art-fertility-clinics-opens-centre-in-ahmedabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18942/art-fertility-clinics-opens-centre-in-ahmedabad.html Wed, 16 Jun 2021 17:05:00 +0530 ART Fertility Clinics has opened a centre in Ahmedabad. The 11800 ft centre will provide IVF treatment to patients from Ahmedabad and the areas. ART Fertility Clinics launched its first two clinics in Gurgaon and Delhi in May 2021 and the Ahmedabad clinic is its first foray into western India.    ART Fertility Clinics aims to transform IVF (In-vitro fertilization) technology sector in India by implementing the most stringent IVF protocols (ESHRE) across all its centres.   Vinesh Gadhia, CEO, ART Fertility Clinics India said, “Ahmedabad centre is our third clinic in the country and is a part of our India expansion plan. ART Fertility Clinics is about science assisting nature and we aspire to be an essential bridge in helping couples attain their dream of parenthood.”   As a part of its India expansion plan, ART Fertility Clinics will be launching 15 more state-of-art centres over the next two years across India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19006/sahil-deswal-joins-augnito-as-chief-marketing-officer-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/19006/sahil-deswal-joins-augnito-as-chief-marketing-officer-.html Wed, 16 Jun 2021 15:20:00 +0530 Healthcare tech innovator Augnito has roped in Sahil Deswal as the chief marketing officer for the brand. Deswal will be responsible for leading marketing strategy including digital media strategy and advertising as well as brand growth with a strong focus on global brand building. Augnito has been trailblazing the healthcare technology space with its one of its kind voice AI offering.   Deswal comes with over a decade of experience and has played an instrumental role in driving marketing and growth efforts for brands across e-commerce, media and entertainment, content, digital agencies and online services. Before joining Augnito, Deswal was VP - Marketing, Growth & Monetisation at Trell. In his previous stints, he has also worked with Unilodgers as VP - Global Growth & Marketing and as Head - Growth & Marketing at Times Internet for News & Gaming Business.   Deswal said, "I look forward to leveraging my expertise for the brand, we’re just getting started and I am excited for the journey ahead." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18935/alembic-pharmas-jv-aleor-dermaceuticals-bags-us-fda-approval-for-testosterone-topical-solution-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18935/alembic-pharmas-jv-aleor-dermaceuticals-bags-us-fda-approval-for-testosterone-topical-solution-.html Wed, 16 Jun 2021 12:00:00 +0530 Alembic Pharmaceuticals announced that its joint venture Aleor Dermaceuticals (Aleor) has received final approval from the US Food & Drug Administration (US FDA) for its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Testosterone Topical Solution USP, 30 mg per pump actuation. The approved ANDA is therapeutically equivalent to the reference listed drug product (RLD), Axiron Topical Solution, 30 mg per pump actuation, of Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly).    Testosterone Topical Solution USP, 30 mg per pump actuation is indicated for replacement therapy in males for conditions associated with a deficiency or absence of endogenous testosterone: Primary hypogonadism (congenital or acquired) and Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (congenital or acquired).   Testosterone Topical Solution USP, 30 mg per pump actuation has an estimated market size of $21 million for twelve months ending March 2021 according to IQVIA. Alembic has a cumulative total of 145 ANDA approvals (127 final approvals and 18 tentative approvals) from US FDA. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18931/curia-app-brings-hope-for-cancer-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18931/curia-app-brings-hope-for-cancer-patients.html Tue, 15 Jun 2021 20:55:00 +0530 CURIA app developed by Swiss company OncoCoin will enable cancer patients with individualised information on treatments, clinical trials and experts. The app will provide the patients with the much-needed support to navigate the tough decisions throughout their treatment journey. Built over the OncoCoin platform, CURIA offers services such as tailored information, second opinion and the opportunity to participate in research programmes.    The tailored options in the app seek to answer three main questions which are often at the forefront of patients' minds when they are diagnosed with cancer: ‘What are the treatment options available to me’, ‘What clinical trials could I participate in’, and ‘Who are the experts for my cancer type’.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18928/seniors-first-partners-with-centre-for-sight.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18928/seniors-first-partners-with-centre-for-sight.html Tue, 15 Jun 2021 20:10:00 +0530 Seniors First has partnered with the eye-care brand – Centre for Sight. Seniors First aims to achieve another milestone by providing quick and easy eye-care conveniences to the elderly ones and thus strengthen its position as a one-stop solution for every need for seniors.    “Centre for Sight aims to provide world-class eye care within easy reach of masses-both geographically as well as monetarily, and this alliance is one step forward towards achieving our goal,” said Dr Mahipal Singh Sachdev, CMD, Centre for Sight Group of Eye Hospitals.   Dr Mamta Mittal, Founder, Seniors First, said, “Our collaboration with Centre for Sight marks another step forward to bring a portfolio of differentiated products to help manage the needs of elderly people of our country, as we work towards our vision of providing excellent and accessible resources that improve the quality of life for seniors, their caregivers, and the community.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18927/globus-infocom-launches-ai-face-recognition-temperature-screening-product.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18927/globus-infocom-launches-ai-face-recognition-temperature-screening-product.html Tue, 15 Jun 2021 20:05:00 +0530 lobus Infocom, an ed-tech solution provider company in the education and healthcare sector, has introduced its new AI Face recognition temperature screening product. It includes an AI face recognition temperature screening terminal for the early isolation of infected individuals. The access control system with an advanced temperature sensor to deny access to people with fever (which is one of the symptoms of viral infection).   The product comes with features like built-in temperature detection, fever warning, mask detection, etc. The temperature detecting sensors record the temperature and detect elevated temperatures without making any physical contact with the subject. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18926/roche-signs-mou-with-rilm-to-drive-early-detection-of-diabetes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18926/roche-signs-mou-with-rilm-to-drive-early-detection-of-diabetes.html Tue, 15 Jun 2021 19:55:00 +0530 Roche Diabetes Care (RDC) India has signed an MoU with Rotary India Literacy Mission (RILM) to conduct diabetes screening camps for the underprivileged across India, to drive early detection of diabetes and to increase awareness about its management. During the pilot phase of the project, a total of 300 screening camps will be organised in six states- Maharashtra, UP, Sikkim, WB, Telengana, Karnataka - over six months. This will later be scaled up to include the rest of the country in a phased approach. Aa soon as the situation permits, RILM will organise diabetes detection screening camps for the underprivileged, with a focus on schoolchildren and their parents at government-aided schools. RDC will support RILM by providing glucometer kits, test strips and lancets for early detection and diagnosis of diabetes. Omar Sherief Mohammad, MD, Roche Diabetes Care India, said, “We believe that joining hands with like-minded partners such as RILM can help us create a nationwide network to provide early diagnosis of diabetes and create awareness among the underprivileged.”Kamal Sanghvi, Rotary International Director and RILM Chairman, said, "Early detection is critical if we are to reduce the high burden of diabetes in India." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18925/medikabazaar-bags-patent-right-for-hospital-inventory-management-application-vizi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18925/medikabazaar-bags-patent-right-for-hospital-inventory-management-application-vizi.html Tue, 15 Jun 2021 17:50:00 +0530 Medikabazaar's AI and ML-powered hospital inventory management and forecasting software application, VIZI, has been granted a national patent for system and method for inventory management in hospitals. Medikabazaar has also filed an international patent application under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), which would give patent protection to VIZI in many countries. With this, Medikabazaar would be able to exercise its patent in more than 61 countries and market the product to customers across these nations.    Vivek Tiwari, CEO, Medikabazaar, said, "This will allow us to deliver our path-breaking products and solutions to customers around the globe. The receipt of the patent encourages us to continue to research the application of AI to products and new domains to develop tools to leverage technology to transform the healthcare industry."   Since its launch in 2019, VIZI has transformed inventory management by enabling hospitals to plan procurement of supplies by providing an actionable purchase list of products with safety or reserve stock required to avoid stock out situations and the level of safety stock with colour indicators.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18919/c-camp-hitachi-to-enable-covid-19-vaccine-delivery-in-south-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18919/c-camp-hitachi-to-enable-covid-19-vaccine-delivery-in-south-india.html Tue, 15 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +0530 The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), in partnership with Hitachi ABB Power Grids in India, will provide public healthcare systems in the Southern metros of Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Chennai with an indigenously developed, innovative, portable cold chain transport device for efficient vaccine delivery. This C-CAMP-supported innovation integrates an emerging technology in cold chain with easy accessibility and operability features that can address the critical issue of last mile vaccine spoilage due to thermal degradation in commonly used iceboxes. Having already made some inroads in remote locations of North-eastern India with the technology, the CSR grant received from Hitachi ABB Power Grids in India will help C-CAMP introduce it to urban, semi-urban and rural primary healthcare centres (PHCs) in Southern India. The innovation is a portable battery-operated medical-grade refrigeration unit whose unique selling propositions are pre-set temperatures, strict temperature-control and easy portability. Its thermoregulation properties are further boosted by advanced algorithms that have been proven to maintain a stable and uniform World Health Organization (WHO)-prescribed 2-8 degrees temperature environment despite heavy handling and high/low ambient temperatures. The patented technology assures vaccine viability for up to 12 hours which in turn guarantees efficacious vaccine administration as well as better reuse and recycling of unused vaccines from any batch. Being geolocation tagged can considerably increase flexibility, tracking and traceability in the last-mile supply chain, making it ideal for variable demand as well as remote locations. Previous smaller deployments in remote PHCs in the North-East have demonstrated maximization of vaccine usage to 99 percent, making it a must-have technology to help India succeed in the world’s most massive vaccination effort. As a part of this project, C-CAMP will facilitate deployment at government health departments of Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Chennai over next six months. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18913/iit-m-calls-for-greater-govt-investment-in-elder-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18913/iit-m-calls-for-greater-govt-investment-in-elder-care.html Mon, 14 Jun 2021 13:50:00 +0530 An Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) research has called for greater government investment in public healthcare to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the elderly. The current pandemic poses a greater risk of social isolation among the elderly, which may lead to greater adverse health impact.   Overall, given the evidence on the possible hardships that the elderly may have already gone through during the pandemic and hardships that they may face in the future, the importance of strengthening the public health care system cannot be over-emphasised, researchers opined.    Based on the 75th round of the National Sample Survey (NSS) 2017-18, the study, published in the  international journal Globalization and Health, found that:    Ø Only 18.9 per cent of the elderly had health insurance and therefore they may not be able to bear large expenditures on health; and Ø Further, 27.5 per cent of people whose age is 80 years or above are immobile and 70 per cent of elders are partially or wholly financially dependent on others.    The study was undertaken by Prof. V.R. Muraleedharan, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Madras, and Dr. Alok Ranjan, the first Author who was a Post-Doctoral Student at IIT Madras till December 2020 and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at IIT Jodhpur.   The NSS survey covered 113,823 households and 555,115 individuals from randomly selected 8077 villages and 6181 urban areas. The results showed that disparities exist in health status as well as healthcare access of elderly people across the country.    The researchers want to extend the result of this study to a policy. They plan to carry out detailed surveys among the elderly population particularly in Tamil Nadu, especially to design effective rehabilitative care which is almost absent in India’s public healthcare system. The research group works closely with the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu. They hope that their studies will be positively received by the state government. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18907/csir-laxai-life-sciences-to-undertake-trials-on-covid-19-patients-with-colchicine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18907/csir-laxai-life-sciences-to-undertake-trials-on-covid-19-patients-with-colchicine.html Mon, 14 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), and Laxai Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd. Hyderabad, have been given the regulatory approval by DCGI to undertake a two-arm phase-II clinical trial to assess the safety and efficacy of the drug Colchicine in improvement of clinical outcomes during the treatment of COVID-19 patients. The partner CSIR institutes in this important clinical trial are the CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Hyderabad and CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Jammu. Dr Ram Vishwakarma, advisor to DG-CSIR highlighted that colchicine in combination with standard of care will be an important therapeutic intervention for Covid-19 patients with cardiac co-morbidities and also for reducing proinflammatory cytokines, leading to faster recovery. A number of global studies have confirmed now that cardiac complications during course of COVID-19 infections and post-covid syndrome are leading to loss of many lives, and it is essential to look for new or repurposed drugs. Recent clinical studies have reported in leading medical journals about colchicine being associated with a significant reduction in the rates of recurrent pericarditis, post-pericardiotomy syndrome, and peri-procedural atrial fibrillation following cardiac surgery and atrial fibrillation ablation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18909/lv-prasad-eye-institute-global-partners-explore-impact-of-vision-care-to-achieve-sdgs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18909/lv-prasad-eye-institute-global-partners-explore-impact-of-vision-care-to-achieve-sdgs.html Sat, 12 Jun 2021 20:25:00 +0530 LV Prasad Eye Institute in collaboration with the Queen's University of Belfast, along with nearly 30 other partners from the US, the UK, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and India, is working on a suite of studies to explore the impact of vision care on the global level to achieve Sustainable Development Goals in low and middle-income countries. The study has received funding support of £3.5 million from the Wellcome Trust and Chen Yet-Sen Family Foundation.    Led by Professor Nathan Congdon of Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) in the UK and Dr Rohit Khanna of the LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI), various universities, schools non-government organisations, public health bodies, government ministries, institutions and patient groups are part of the multi-disciplinary study team. From LVPEI, Senior Public Health Specialists – Dr Srinivas Marmamula and Asha Latha Metla and Senior Retina Consultant - Dr Raja Narayanan are also part of the study.    The other collaborators from India include Dr Suvarna Alladi from NIMHANS at Bengaluru, Dr Pallab Maulik from The George Institute for Global Health India at New Delhi and ShashidharKomaravolu from the Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India, Hyderabad Deccan Chapter.    “Termed as ENGINE (Eyecare Nurtures Good-health, Innovation, driving-safety and Education), it is a five-year project designed to leverage high-quality research results to drive lasting policy change and achieve an improved quality of life for people in low and middle-income countries. ENGINE comprises four research trials in India, Vietnam, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, to examine the impact of glasses on promoting better living, from childhood to old age, and the impact on multiple SDGs,” says Dr Rohit Khanna, Director, Gullapalli Pratibha Rao International Centre for Advancement of Rural Eye care (GPR ICARE), LV Prasad Eye Institute.    The four research projects that are part of this study are:  · CLEVER (Cognitive Level Enhancement through Vision Exams and Refraction) that supports the Indian government’s strategy of finding scalable, low-cost means of preventing dementia. This project is built upon the work done in homes for the aged project funded by Wellcome Trust India Alliance.   · STABLE (Slashing Two-wheeler Accidents By Leveraging Eyecare) that will assist local partners, including the Vietnamese Ministry of Transport, to combat Vietnam’s twin epidemics of uncorrected short-sightedness and motorcycle crashes in the young.   · ZEAL (Zimbabwe Eyecare and Learning) will work with local partners who currently implement the Zimbabwe government’s national school vision project to explore how targeting long-sighted children with the novel, low-cost screening can add to the academic impact of the programme.   · THRIFT (Transforming Households with Refraction and Innovative Financial Technology) that will capitalise on the Bangladesh government’s novel and forward-looking plan to digitise all social safety net payments to the elderly by providing free glasses and training to help them better cope with unfamiliar smartphones, thus improving financial independence.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18904/consortium-of-four-city-clusters-to-upscale-sars-cov-2-coronavirus-genomic-surveillance.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18904/consortium-of-four-city-clusters-to-upscale-sars-cov-2-coronavirus-genomic-surveillance.html Fri, 11 Jun 2021 21:00:00 +0530 A consortium of four city clusters – Bengaluru, Hyderabad, New Delhi, and Pune – has been established to upscale SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus genomic surveillance, complementing national efforts led by INSACOG. The consortium is established with generous support and seed funding from Rockefeller Foundation.   The new effort will track the emergence of viral variants correlated to epidemiological dynamics and clinical outcomes. The consortium aims to develop targeted sampling strategies based on granular epidemiological and clinical data. Coupled with intense environmental surveillance and advanced computational techniques, the consortium would also focus on building capabilities for real-time surveillance and epidemiology.   The consortium is led by CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad, and currently includes different partners in three other cities: NCBS-TIFR, InStem-DBT and NIMHANS in Bengaluru; CSIR-IGIB in New Delhi; Pune Knowledge Cluster, IISER-Pune and CSIR-NCL in Pune. It will work closely with local governments, hospitals, and clinicians. In collaboration with INSACOG, the consortium aims to eventually make this a national effort by expanding to other strategic locations in India.    Dr Rakesh Mishra, Advisor, CSIR-CCMB will lead these efforts along with Prof Satyajit Mayor, NCBS, Prof LS Shashidhara, Pune Knowledge Cluster and Dr Anurag Agrawal, CSIR-IGIB. The team says, “We aim to develop strategies and capabilities to identify Variants of Concern before they spread widely and cause outbreaks. This will also help correlate with clinical symptoms and disease severity, potentially associated with emerging variants.”   Prof Satyajit Mayor, Director, NCBS adds on behalf of the Bengaluru partners, "Leveraging the capacity of each of the city clusters both in academic institutions and industry, is a much-needed effort at this time. This can help create a sustainable platform for genomic surveillance long after Covid, and many other infectious diseases." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18902/mtai-raises-concerns-over-price-capping-of-covid-essentials.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18902/mtai-raises-concerns-over-price-capping-of-covid-essentials.html Fri, 11 Jun 2021 18:45:00 +0530 Medical Technology Association of India (MTaI) is concerned over the price capping of MRPs of various medical products from time to time by various state governments. The Tamil Nadu Government recently announced the fixing of MRP of 15 COVID essential medical products including hand sanitisers, PPE kits, N95 masks and surgical gowns. This is similar to the orders released by the Kerala government in May and by the Maharashtra government last year. NPPA issues several advisories from time to time to address the issues of national interests and priorities.    Pavan Choudary, Chairman & Director General, MTaI, said “We are at a critical juncture in the fight against COVID and the government and industry are trying to rally together to overcome this situation. At such a time, decisions taken without consulting with the industry will lead to confusion. Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra have fixed prices at different points which may create a risk of products being sold at multiple price points across the country. This will lead to companies incurring additional costs and logistical challenges due to re-labelling and may disrupt the availability of these essential products. Companies may also choose not to market the product in the territory where the costs and complexities overweigh the benefits.”   “The points at which the prices have been capped seem irrationally low, which may make this market unviable for the industry. Another concern is that this may deprive the frontline healthcare workers of access to good quality protection compromising their safety,” said Choudary.   “Some experts have opined that theoretically not only the state governments, but District magistrates also have the authority to regulate prices. If such adventurism in pricing is allowed in practice, the industry will have to brace itself for a time when price control is happening at a district level also. Our vision to attract domestic and foreign capital to invest in medical devices will go crashing and so would patient interest. Price control decisions, when unavoidable, should be taken by a single body for which India already has the NPPA, which has the research and implementation ability to do this job thoroughly. We look forward to a timely intervention by the concerned authorities to restrain the states’ intervention in price control,” added Choudary.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18890/karnataka-launches-critical-care-innovations-by-c-camp-for-deployment-in-hospitals.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18890/karnataka-launches-critical-care-innovations-by-c-camp-for-deployment-in-hospitals.html Thu, 10 Jun 2021 19:00:00 +0530 Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) has received CSR support from leading ICT solutions provider Huawei to put to use two C-CAMP marquee COVID-19 innovations in the form of non-invasive ventilator devices and state-of-the-art remote vitals monitoring technologies in public health hospitals and facilities in the state of Karnataka. In response to the massive surge of COVID-19 cases in the second wave, Huawei has partnered with C-CAMP to accelerate the facilitation of urgent medical supplies to support those most affected. The project has been fulfilled with the guidance from the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, Govt. of India In a bid to further boost existing oxygen capacity, the joint initiative will also facilitate oxygen concentrators to the deployment. 15 HFNC CPAP Oxygen therapy systems, 200 remote monitoring units and 200 concentrators were personally handed over to the Deputy CM of Karnataka, Dr. Ashwath Narayan C.N. by C-CAMP CEO and Director, Dr. Taslimarif Saiyed and Gilbert Nathan, AVP, Huawei India in Bengaluru. Welcoming this most recent deployment, Deputy CM of Karnataka, Dr. Ashwath Narayan C.N. said “In association with C-CAMP, Huawei India AVP Nathan handed over 200 Oxygen concentrators to the Govt. These will be distributed equally between 40 constituencies. We also launched innovative solutions, developed by C-CAMP to tackle the COVID-19.” As a part of this support the following three lifesaving technologies will be provided to the public health facilities across the State - High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC) and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Oxygen therapy system Remote Vital Parameter Monitoring Oxygen Concentrators ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18872/ve-commercial-vehicles-launches-eicher-skyline-ambulance.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18872/ve-commercial-vehicles-launches-eicher-skyline-ambulance.html Wed, 09 Jun 2021 11:25:00 +0530 VE Commercial Vehicles has introduced Eicher Skyline Ambulance to support healthcare mobility. The ambulances offer enhanced patient and driver safety and comfort, along with best-in-class vehicle life and a warranty of up to three years. The ambulance unit is fully customisable (covering AIS Standard B, C &D) and can be used as a mobile medical unit. Eicher Skyline ambulances are a perfect blend of Eicher engineering and lifesaving features, that bring their ‘BUILT FOR LIFE’ positioning alive.    Eicher Skyline Ambulances have a different patient and driver compartment to ensure the utmost safety of the occupants. Ambulances are equipped with auto-loading stretchers, 270 degree opening rear doors, exterior provision for oxygen cylinder and mountings, medical cabinet, etc. to provide quick and safest service to critical patients. Eicher Skyline Ambulance offers a tiltable driver cabin that is ECER- 29-02 crash test certified making it safe and easy to service. Patient compartments have sufficient room for easy movement, a doctor seat with seat belt and a squad bench along with AC and Non- AC variants.    The company has introduced three different variants of the ambulance namely Patient Transport (Type-B), Basic life support (Type-C) and Advance life support (Type-D) which can be used depending on the severity of the situation. The vehicles have all the provisions to install equipment for intensive/advanced monitoring and treatment and can function as Mobile Medical Units.   Vinod Aggarwal, MD and CEO, VE Commercial Vehicles said, “The ambulance is a consequence of rigorous research and collaboration with industry leaders and is ideal for intensive medical care."   Eicher recently donated two of the Skyline Ambulances to the government of Madhya Pradesh as part of our ongoing contributions to support the fight against this COVID pandemic.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18868/maxivision-eye-hospitals-opens-early-detection-centre-for-mucormycosis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18868/maxivision-eye-hospitals-opens-early-detection-centre-for-mucormycosis.html Tue, 08 Jun 2021 17:45:00 +0530 MaxiVision Eye Hospitals has launched an early detection centre to treat mucormycosis at its Somajiguda branch in Hyderabad. The centre has a team of doctors who examine the patient first to ascertain if it is Mucormycosis (Black Fungus).   The team of doctors includes an ophthalmologist, ENT specialist, and microbiologist. The infected patients will be referred to government hospitals where the treatment for mucormycosis is available.    Dr Kasu Prasad Reddy, Chief Surgeon, Founder & Mentor, Co-Chairman, MaxiVision Eye Hospitals said, "The early detection centre will provide comprehensive eye check-ups, ocular and orbit diagnosis, ENT consultations, microbiologist consultations, biopsy tests, pathology tests, and radiology support."   Dr Anil Kumar Bathula – Medical Director, MaxiVision Eye Hospitals said, "Some of the ways to prevent Black Fungus would be to avoid repeated use of cloth masks without sterilization or wash, avoid consuming rotten vegetables and fruits, clean your air conditioners and cooler filters, doing steam inhalation regularly, keeping your environment clean to avoid fungal growth in clothes, vegetables, furniture etc., good control of blood sugar levels, using antibiotics and antifungals judiciously, using steroids and other medicines judiciously observing regular time and dose." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18865/stride-ventures-leads-rs-25-cr-debt-round-in-medibuddy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18865/stride-ventures-leads-rs-25-cr-debt-round-in-medibuddy.html Tue, 08 Jun 2021 15:50:00 +0530 Stride Ventures has led a debt round of Rs 25 crore in MediBuddy MediBuddy. The digital healthcare platform will utilise the funding in further strengthening its technology, operations and marketing to move a step closer to its mission of providing high-quality healthcare to a billion people.   On the funding, Ishpreet Gandhi, Founder and Managing Partner, Stride Ventures, said “The need for remote examining and monitoring of patients, and contactless technology all over India is more imperative than ever. We are pleased to see how MediBuddy has leveraged technology to scale up rapidly with a clear vision to evolve health tech in India.”    Satish Kannan, Co-founder and CEO, MediBuddy, added, “Telemedicine is growing at a monumental pace in India and the pandemic has only further amplified the importance of going digital. We are excited to have Stride Ventures along on this journey."   Stride Ventures recently launched its second venture debt fund with a target corpus of over Rs 1,000 crore. It will continue to invest in early to late-stage startups across sectors through its innovative alternate financing solutions within venture debt. The firm has been one of the most active ventures debt companies this year, having disbursed over Rs 200 crores since January 2021.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18861/tata-memorial-hospital-conducts-first-car-t-cell-therapy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18861/tata-memorial-hospital-conducts-first-car-t-cell-therapy.html Tue, 08 Jun 2021 12:55:00 +0530 Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH) recently conducted the first CAR-T cell therapy (a type of gene therapy) at the Bone Marrow Transplant unit at ACTREC in Mumbai. The CAR-T cells were designed and manufactured at Bioscience and Bioengineering (BSBE) department of IIT Bombay.The initiative is partly supported by BIRAC-PACE scheme. The TMC-IIT Bombay team are further supported to extend this project for conducting Phase I/II trial of their CAR-T product by DBT/BIRAC, through National Biopharma Mission.This is a “first in India” gene therapy in early phase pilot clinical trial and the dedicated efforts and excellent collaboration between IIT Bombay and Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. The central government’s National Biopharma Mission-BIRAC has approved Rs 19.15 crore to the team for conducting a first-in-human phase-1/2 clinical trial of the CAR-T cells. The clinical trials are being done by Dr (Surg Cdr) Gaurav Narula, Professor of Paediatric Oncology and Health Sciences, and his team from TMC, Mumbai, and the novel CAR-T cells that will act as drugs that were manufactured by Prof Rahul Purwar, Bioscience and Bioengineering (BSBE) department and his team at IIT Bombay. The design, development, and extensive pre-clinical testing was carried out by IIT-B as a collaborative project with Tata Memorial Center, Mumbai by the two Investigators.Subhasis Chaudhuri, Director, IIT-B said this was a significant feat for the institute as well as the country. “We at IIT-B are delighted that our scientists along with TMH have come out with the most sophisticated therapy in cancer treatment. If the trials are successful, it may save millions of lives by making the treatment available in India at an affordable cost. It is a research of IIT-B that is expected to touch the lives of all,” said Chaudhuri.National Biopharma Mission is also supporting the development of Lentiviral vector manufacturing facility for packaging plasmids used to transfer the modified T cell inside the body, cGMP facility for T-cell transduction and expansion for CAR T-cell manufacturing to two other organizations. The development of CAR-T cell technology for diseases including acute lymphocytic leukaemia, multiple myeloma, glioblastoma, hepatocellular carcinoma and type-2 diabetes is supported through DBT. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18860/citiustech-appoints-bhaskar-sambasivan-as-president.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18860/citiustech-appoints-bhaskar-sambasivan-as-president.html Tue, 08 Jun 2021 11:50:00 +0530 Healthcare technology services provider CitiusTech has appointed Bhaskar Sambasivan as President. Sambasivan will focus on strengthening CitiusTech’s client relationships, building deeper healthcare capabilities and solutions, developing strategic offerings and driving business growth.   Sambasivan comes with over 30 years of experience in healthcare, life sciences and digital technology services. He was, most recently, President of Patient Services and Chief Strategy Officer of EVERSANA, a leading life sciences platform company. Prior to EVERSANA, he spent close to 15 years at Cognizant and was the Global Head of Life Sciences. Under his leadership, Cognizant’s Life Sciences business grew over thirty-fold in 15 years. Before Cognizant, he spent many years with Siebel/Oracle and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Bhaskar was recognized as a PharmaVOICE Top 100 leader in both 2017 and 2018 for his industry contributions.   “Sambasivan is a growth-focused leader with proven success in scaling healthcare technology businesses. His vast experience and his focus on operational excellence will be critical for us, as we embark on our next phase of growth,” said William Winkenwerder, Chairman, CitiusTech.    “I cannot be more excited to be part of this great company that is exclusively focused on healthcare, to help lead the next phase of growth and make a significant difference to our healthcare clients and patients we serve,” said Sambasivan.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18855/yespoho-launches-online-consumer-healthcare-website-24hourcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18855/yespoho-launches-online-consumer-healthcare-website-24hourcare.html Mon, 07 Jun 2021 17:00:00 +0530 Yes!poho, a TechnoExperience social platform has launched 24Hourcare, an online consumer healthcare website to cater to all the medical needs of the people during COVID-19 crisis. The platform aims to deliver all kinds of allopathic and ayurveda medicine 24x7 at an affordable price to their consumers through the verified pharmacies nearby.    The website intends to offer medical care by bringing E- Pharmacy, online doctor consultation through video calls, and online lab test booking at one place making it reasonable and hassle-free for the customers. 24Hourcare also provides content related to medicines and healthcare written by qualified doctors and health professionals for their patrons.   The platform offers medicines, covid essentials, personal care and wellness products, nutritional supplements, baby care range, etc. by connecting every citizen living in the country to the remotest parts of the nation. 24Hourcare also empowers the local pharmacies, doctors, lab technicians all in one place and thereby making the process fast and convenient for everyone.   Raghuram Kuchibhatla, Founder and CEO, Yes!poho said, “With this launch, our goal is to provide original medicines at affordable prices to everyone who needs them in time. Especially during the pandemic, when stepping out is really risky, people can buy medicines, book their lab tests from the comfort of their homes. We ensure to help all individuals to live a longer and healthy life. In this direction, 24Hourcare platform is our small contribution to make this world a better place by helping Indians with health-related services.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18857/manipal-hospitals-to-roll-out-sputnik-v-vaccine-pilot.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18857/manipal-hospitals-to-roll-out-sputnik-v-vaccine-pilot.html Mon, 07 Jun 2021 17:00:00 +0530 Manipal Hospitals collaborates with Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories to add the Sputnik V vaccine pilot in its existing vaccine portfolio that comprises of Covishield and Covaxin. The roll out of the Sputnik V vaccine by Manipal Hospitals in Bengaluru is part of the limited pilot soft launch initiated by Dr. Reddy’s in Hyderabad last month. Speaking about the new development, Karthik Rajagopal, COO, Manipal Health Enterprises Pvt Ltd, “We are delighted to state that Manipal Hospitals is well prepared to roll out the Sputnik V vaccine pilot. Manipal Hospitals has worked closely with Dr. Reddy’s to create the state-of-the-art infrastructure to maintain Sputnik V vaccine. The hospital chain has successfully conducted vaccination drives with Covishield and Covaxin across the country till date and will continue the efforts along with the new addition of Sputnik V. We are expecting the vaccine to be available for the public soon in the latter half of the month.”  Addressing the need of the hour especially with the first batch of the Sputnik V vaccine directly transported from Russia, Manipal Hospitals has invested in creating a robust cold chain storage infrastructure as the vaccine needs to be stored in minus 18⁰ centigrade. Manipal Hospitals and Dr. Reddy’s took extensive efforts to ensure stringent cold chain maintenance as per the required guidelines for the vaccine. The cold chain storage even has a real-time logger which records the temperature every second.  M.V. Ramana, CEO – Branded Markets (India & Emerging Markets), Dr. Reddy’s, said: “We are pleased to collaborate with Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru as we scale up our soft pilot launch of the Sputnik V vaccine in India and extend it to more cities ahead of the commercial launch later in June. In the upcoming months we hope to inoculate as many Indians as possible.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18842/goqii-smart-healthcare-launchesfitness-band-for-kids.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18842/goqii-smart-healthcare-launchesfitness-band-for-kids.html Fri, 04 Jun 2021 17:50:00 +0530 GOQii Smart Healthcare has launched Smart Vital Junior, a fitness band for kids amidst a rising number of COVID-19 cases. GOQii ‘Smart Vital Junior’ will help as a supportive device for kids and will keep a real-time track of variation in blood oxygen levels, heart rate and temperature levels. Smart Vital Junior will aid as a precautionary measure for parents to #KeepAWatch on the health and wellbeing of their children and also imbibe healthy habits from a young age.  Parents will be able to monitor the health of their kids via the GOQii mobile app and also use it for consulting the GOQii coach for their kid’s specific health goals/objectives, enrolling their kids on specialised kid’s workout sessions on GOQii Play, watching Healthy Kids diet shows on GOQii Play and consulting Paediatrician’s Live on GOQii Play. Special Brain and Memory games to help with cognitive functions are also available on the GOQii App to make it even more fun and engaging for the kids. GOQii Smart Vital Junior is designed for kids with a colourful display and straps that are made with materials gentle to the skin and to well fit their wrists. Smart Vital Junior will be available for order from the GOQii App and is also available on online platforms like Amazon and Flipkart. It is recommended that it be used for screening purposes only. All data collected by GOQii is subjected to HIPAA, GDPR and relevant data privacy guidelines. Vishal Gondal, Founder and CEO, GOQii Smart Healthcare said, "With a view to providing holistic benefits for kids’ health and wellness, we are also happy to announce our partnership with SriSriTattva where kids’ immunity-boosting products along with nutrition options for the whole family will be made available on GOQii Store.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18841/samsung-smart-healthcare-centres-open-in-govt-hospitals-across-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18841/samsung-smart-healthcare-centres-open-in-govt-hospitals-across-india.html Fri, 04 Jun 2021 16:40:00 +0530 Samsung India has added Samsung Smart Healthcare centres at government hospitals across the country, as part of its citizenship initiative, helping covid warriors perform faster COVID-19 diagnosis. The centres are in Mumbai, New Delhi, Lucknow, Bangalore, Bhopal, Ahmedabad, Indore, Keylong, Akola, Jamnagar, Shimla and Palakkad. The centres are equipped with modern Digital X-ray and Digital Ultrasound machines made by Samsung. “With these new centres, we now have our healthcare equipment in 142 government hospitals across India. We salute the covid warriors who have been working tirelessly over the last year to help people. Our Digital X-ray machines have been able to help them offer faster COVID-19 diagnosis at this time of need,” Partha Ghosh, Vice President, Corporate Citizenship, Samsung India, said. As part of its citizenship initiatives, Samsung has pledged $5 million as its contribution to India’s fight against the current surge of COVID-19, providing donations to central and state governments, and boosting the healthcare sector with essential medical equipment for hospitals.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18840/ujala-cygnus-group-of-hospitals-acquires-central-hospital-in-haldwani.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18840/ujala-cygnus-group-of-hospitals-acquires-central-hospital-in-haldwani.html Fri, 04 Jun 2021 16:30:00 +0530 Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals has acquired Central Hospital in Kusumkhera, Haldwani to operate a 200-bed well-equipped hospital with all modern equipment. Central Hospital will be rebranded as Ujala Cygnus Central Hospital and will be upgraded by adding integrated secondary and tertiary care facilities such as state-of-the-art MRI machines, CT Scan, cath labs and gastroenterology services. The collaboration marks the third Ujala Cygnus Hospital in Uttarakhand after its two hospitals in Kashipur. “In Ujala Cygnus Hospital, Haldwani, Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals will bring its healthcare expertise and manage the day to day operations. This move will help us improve the availability of secondary and tertiary care to the large population in Haldwani and its adjoining areas,” said Probal Ghosal, Chairman, Board of Directors, Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals. “Our hospitals in Delhi, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh have been instrumental in filling a major void of tertiary care in these areas,” said Dr Shuchin Bajaj, Founder & Director, Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18837/bayer-consumer-health-division-ficci-conference-promote-responsible-self-care-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18837/bayer-consumer-health-division-ficci-conference-promote-responsible-self-care-in-india.html Fri, 04 Jun 2021 11:40:00 +0530 Bayer Consumer Health Division, along with The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), convened the ‘Self-care for a Self-reliant India’ conference. The event was graced by key industry representatives and consumer health experts, fostering a discussion on everyday consumer health solutions and the important role they will continue to play in the current pandemic and beyond. The ‘Self-care for a Self-reliant India’ conference, through panel discussions with eminent speakers including Sandeep Verma, Country Head, Bayer Consumer Health Division, India, Manjari Gharat, Academician & President, Indian Pharmaceutical Association, Dr Avula Laxman, Senior Deputy Director, Indian Council of Medical Research and Dr VG Somani, Drugs Controller General of India, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation examined the current landscape of self-care in India and the need to accelerate the adoption of responsible self-care practices in the country. Over a fireside chat, NK Ahuja, Drugs Controller, Haryana and Arun Mishra, FICCI OTC Task Force elaborated on the direction in which regulatory change and a well-developed framework are needed for a comprehensive OTC policy to build a sustainable consumer health sector, setting the foundation for Aatmanirbharta in self-care.  Addressing the conference, Dr VG Somani, Drug Controller General (India), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India said that while there are predictions of a third wave hitting the country, there have been continuous efforts to find newer solutions. "By raising health awareness and putting in place well-defined regulations, consumers can be empowered to take proactive measures to manage minor ailments while also undertaking preventive action to boost immunity, thus reducing the need for healthcare practitioner interventions,” he said. Sandeep Verma, Country Head, Bayer Consumer Health Division – India commented, “Bayer Consumer Health is committed to working collaboratively with stakeholders through the country’s first Self-Care Council to enable responsible self-care in India, driving forward our vision of ‘Health for All, Hunger for None.’”  Dilip Chenoy, Secretary-General, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) said, “We aim to encourage responsible health decisions amongst consumers and the need for accessible consumer health in the country. During these unprecedented times, self-care solutions are needed more than ever, towards positive change and better health outcomes for all.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18830/detelpro-launches-pulse-oximeter-oxy10.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18830/detelpro-launches-pulse-oximeter-oxy10.html Thu, 03 Jun 2021 12:20:00 +0530 DetelPro, which entered the healthcare sector in 2020, is now disrupting the market with the most affordable pulse oximeter. DetelPro Oxy10 has an LED display which helps the users to easily check the results. The pulse oximeter can be simply clipped onto a fingertip and displays both the oxygen saturation, as well as pulse rate. It has the normal range of 70-99 per cent for oxygen saturation. Additionally, DetelPro pulse oximeter is equipped with an auto shut-off feature that gets activated after 8 seconds of inactivity. This oximeter, too, has a one button operation feature, so using it will not be a hassle.  Commenting on the launch, Dr Yogesh Bhatia, Founder, Detel said, “We are diligently expanding our inventory PAN India to reach the masses with quality medical supplies and helping the nation fight against corona." The cost of the oximeter is Rs 299. The company has claimed to have sold around 100,000 units of oximeters across price points so far.  DetelPro is also providing 2 free doctor consultations virtually to only four members of the family on the purchase of an oximeter. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18826/organon-co-launches-womens-health-company-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18826/organon-co-launches-womens-health-company-in-india.html Thu, 03 Jun 2021 10:55:00 +0530 Organon India will be launched in India as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Organon & Co, a global healthcare company focussed on meeting the healthcare needs of women. The company will focus its efforts on building a healthier every day for every woman. In India, Organon will be operating in women’s healthcare, fertility, dermatology, respiratory and bone health products in their portfolio. Organon India will be operating with its in-house sales force and alliance partners across the various markets.  “As a business strategy, we will listen to women to understand their healthcare needs and find solutions which are relevant to them. We will consistently make efforts to ensure availability and access to quality healthcare products for women,” said Anjan Sen, who will lead the operations for India and countries in the South Asia region.  The Organon Executive Leadership Team will ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) today to mark the first day of active trading. Recognising the need to listen to and act on women’s experiences to address the challenges in women’s health, Organon gathered voices from around the world to create the 'Wall of Voices', a multimedia installation outside of the NYSE sharing powerful perspectives, voices, and images. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18824/health-ministry-inks-rs-1500-cr-deal-with-biological-e-for-30-cr-vaccine-doses.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18824/health-ministry-inks-rs-1500-cr-deal-with-biological-e-for-30-cr-vaccine-doses.html Thu, 03 Jun 2021 09:40:00 +0530 Union Ministry of Health has finalised arrangements with Hyderabad- based vaccine manufacturer Biological-E to reserve 30 crores of COVID-19 vaccine doses. These vaccine doses will be manufactured and stockpiled by Biological-E from August-December 2021. For this purpose, the Union Ministry of Health would be making an advance payment of Rs 1500 crore to Biological-E. The COVID-19 vaccine of Biological-E is currently undergoing Phase-3 clinical trial after showing promising results in Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials. The vaccine being developed by Biological-E is an RBD protein sub-unit vaccine and is likely to be available in the next few months. The proposal of Biological-E was examined and recommended for approval after due diligence by the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC). The arrangement with Biological-E is part of the wider endeavour of the Government of India to encourage indigenous vaccine manufacturers by providing them support in Research & Development (R&D) and also financial support.  Biological-E COVID Vaccine candidate has been supported by the Government of India from the Preclinical stage to Phase-3 studies. Department of Biotechnology has not only provided financial assistance in terms of grant-in-aid of over Rs 100 crore but has also partnered with Biological-E to conduct all animal challenge and assay studies through its Research Institute Translational Health Science Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18822/drdo-sets-up-500-bed-covid-care-hospital-in-haldwani.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18822/drdo-sets-up-500-bed-covid-care-hospital-in-haldwani.html Wed, 02 Jun 2021 16:05:00 +0530 A 500-bed covid care hospital set up by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in Haldwani has been virtually inaugurated by Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Tirath Singh Rawat. The facility comprises 375 oxygen beds and 125 ICU beds with ventilators. Pathology laboratory, pharmacy, X-ray and ECG etc. are an inherent part of the facility. The centre will become fully operational from June 3, 2021. Doctors and nursing staff to run the facility would be provided by co-located Government Medical College, Haldwani. This hospital, which has been built in 21 days, is the result of the efforts of the workforce of 350 persons who worked relentlessly round the clock under adverse weather conditions. The hospital has been dedicated and named after late General Bipin Chandra Joshi who belonged to Uttarakhand and was the 17th Chief of the Indian Army.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18815/transasia-augments-covid-relief-efforts-to-various-state-govts.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18815/transasia-augments-covid-relief-efforts-to-various-state-govts.html Wed, 02 Jun 2021 11:20:00 +0530 Transasia Bio-Medicals has stepped up its efforts to augment the capacity of various state governments to provide timely oxygen support to their citizens. Transasia has arranged to provide 200 BiPAP machines, to be distributed to various COVID-dedicated hospitals across India. The company has procured BiPAP machines from its global vendors. Transasia has already pledged the BiPAP machines to several beneficiaries through the state governments in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow and Raebareli), Rajasthan (Jaipur and Ajmer), West Bengal, Assam, Agartala, Maharashtra (Mumbai and Panchgani), Karnataka (Chikkamagaluru, Tumkur, Udupi, Chitradurga and Vijayapura), Telangana and Tamil Nadu. This initiative has been very well received by:  Transasia is also providing 30 coagulation analysers, ECL 105, to the Delhi government. ECL 105 aids in monitoring blood clotting in severe COVID patients.  32 units of H 360 has been donated in Tamil Nadu, a three-part differential haematology analyser and 5 and 3 units of H 560 and Elite 580 respectively, five-part differential haematology analyser. This equipment aids in monitoring disease severity in COVID patients. The total value of the donation from Transasia Bio-Medicals is more than Rs 2.25 crores. Speaking on the initiative, Vazirani, Founder Chairman, Transasia-Erba Group, said, “Transasia remains committed to the health of Indians and through our small effort, we intend to reach out to those severely impacted and in urgent need. This is one of the several few initiatives and we intend to continue to use our resources and technology, to aid the Central and state health ministries.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18806/amrita-hospitals-ammachi-labs-design-affordable-kits-for-frontline-health-workers.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18806/amrita-hospitals-ammachi-labs-design-affordable-kits-for-frontline-health-workers.html Tue, 01 Jun 2021 13:30:00 +0530 Doctors at Amrita Hospitals in collaboration with AMMACHI Labs, the academic and research centre at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, have designed and developed affordable kits for frontline workers right from the scratch.  Amrita Hospitals and AMMACHI Labs launched Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) kits, the product jointly in January this year. Amrita Hospital’s goal is to develop a low-cost solution that meets all the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) standards while making these widely available across India and the world at affordable prices.  Amrita PAPR for medical professionals uses an H14 grade HEPA filter with more than 99.995 per cent and not only weighs less at 1.4 kg, but the airflow is also more at > 10 CFM, it is less noisy as motor/blower operational noise - ≤ 68 dBA at ear and the battery pack lasts about 10-14 hours. In comparison 3M PAPR weighs 1.78 kg the airflow is slower at High Flow Nominal of 8 CFM, operating the motor is noisier at ≤ 75 dBA at ear and the battery lasts for less amount of time approximately 7-19 hours (TR-630 7-12.5 hours; TR632 10.5-19 hours). The lower noise of the battery makes communication easier. Dr Bhavani Rao R, Director, AMMACHI Labs who is overseeing the entire project, said, “Once all the feedback and design improvements have been incorporated, our PAPRs will be productised and marketed by Omnex Inc. Unlike commercial PAPRs costing anywhere between Rs 70,000 - Rs 1,50,000, our PAPR will cost less than Rs 30,000 per kit.” Commenting on the product roll-out strategies, Arun Kumar, Vice President, Omnex Global said, “ Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham and Omnex will also be applying for certifications for the PAPR product. Currently, work is in progress for gathering data for pre-certification testing requirements for NIOSH approval for US markets. We are also exploring requirements for field testing in an accredited lab of NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories).” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18803/who-vital-strategies-launch-anti-tobacco-campaign.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18803/who-vital-strategies-launch-anti-tobacco-campaign.html Tue, 01 Jun 2021 10:55:00 +0530 Global health organisation Vital Strategies and the World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a national mass media campaign to encourage tobacco users to quit. The campaign, 'When You Quit' explains how smoking cigarettes or bidi can cause heart attack and may also increase the risk of severe COVID-19. The public service announcement (PSA) also depicts the health benefits tobacco users experience when they quit . The PSA aligns with this year’s World No Tobacco Day theme 'Commit to Quit' and urges people to quit tobacco using the National Tobacco Quitline (1800-11-2356) for resources and help. WHO is supporting the “When You Quit” campaign developed in multiple Indian languages and to be aired across 15 states covering 169 districts with a high burden of tobacco use through All India Radio, MY FM & Radio City. Additionally, Vital Strategies will augment the amplification of the message through major online streaming platforms - Facebook, Hotstar, Voot, Zee5, SonyLiv and MX Player. Dr Roderico H Ofrin, WHO Representative to India said, “This year’s theme for WNTD 'Commit to Quit' aims to support 100 million people worldwide in their attempts to give up tobacco through various initiatives. We all must help create healthier environments that are conducive to quitting tobacco use.” Vaishakhi Mallik, Associate Director, Vital Strategies said, “We’re proud to collaborate with the WHO in scaling up the fight against the tobacco epidemic with the Government of India through the launch of this campaign. “When You Quit” comes at a pivotal moment of the pandemic in India as cases continue to surge across the country and people with underlying health conditions remain at an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18800/iit-d-collaborates-with-delhi-government-to-improve-oxygen-infra.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18800/iit-d-collaborates-with-delhi-government-to-improve-oxygen-infra.html Mon, 31 May 2021 18:05:00 +0530 IIT Delhi has provided strategic recommendations to the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) for the improvement of oxygen infrastructure and supply chain management in Delhi. A joint team consisting of experts from IIT Delhi, officials from the Delhi government (Health, IT Department etc) analysed the issues, which were coming in the way of management of oxygen infrastructure within Delhi and developed practical solutions to resolve them to strengthen the fight against COVID-19. The joint team has recently submitted its report to the Delhi High Court. Prof Sanjay Dhir, Department of Management Studies, IIT Delhi, who is representing IIT Delhi in this effort said, “Our objective was to make sure that we provide specific and practically implementable solutions to the Delhi government. We endeavour to make sure that no lives are lost due to oxygen-related infrastructure issues in the state.” Speaking of the collaboration with IIT Delhi, Ankur Garg, Commissioner (Trade and Taxation), GNCTD said, “GNCTD is already preparing for the third wave of COVID-19 and the collaboration with IIT Delhi will further add value to the strategic planning process”. The objectives of the collaboration are: To analyse strategic issues of the Oxygen infrastructure in Delhi and prepare a blueprint for the same. To improve the current IT Portal and Dashboard created for Oxygen management by Delhi Government and integrate technological solutions to improve the same. To plan to augment and create medical oxygen storage, production and distribution in Delhi. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18797/panjab-university-partners-with-molekule-for-air-purification-units.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18797/panjab-university-partners-with-molekule-for-air-purification-units.html Mon, 31 May 2021 17:30:00 +0530 Department of Science and Technology supported Sophisticated Analytical Instrumentation Facility, Panjab University Chandigarh (SAIF, PUC) has collaborated with Molekule, a US-based air-purifying manufacturer, to assemble and optimise Molekule’s air purifiers in about 10 hospitals so far this activity is still going on the number is likely to change with the progress of this work. The partnership has led to the donation of air purifiers Molekule & Air Pro RX units to hospitals across the country. Nearly six states have been covered to date, with efforts going on to cover most of the covid affected states of India to help aid in the battle against the virus and provide patients, doctors, and staff with much-needed clean air. Molekule's core technology, Photoelectrochemical oxidation (PECO), is designed to destroy airborne pollutants like viruses, bacteria, mold or chemicals in the air known as Volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Tests on PECO for these Molekule Air purifiers indicate up to 99.99 per cent inactivation of coronavirus strains (porcine & bovine) and H1N1 flu virus, up to 95 per cent destruction of VOCs and ozone (airborne chemicals), and up to 99.9 per cent destruction of bacteria, mold, and viruses in the air. In the first batch, Molekule Air Purifier Mini & Molekule Air Pro RX units were received, assembled, and tested at SAIF, PUC, by its technical staff members. Molekule Air Pro RX units had been originally designed for medical purposes in the US and optimised for air purification in multipurpose facilities in hospitals to cater for huge areas such as emergency wards, ICUs, and so on and can now play a significant role in containing the rapid spread of COVID-19 in India. “There have been numerous compelling stories of repurposing of DST supported scientific infrastructure and knowledge centres, such as the SAIF at Panjab University, ineffective addressing of COVID-19 demands with speed and scale. An important lesson is that the scientific and technological infrastructure, human and knowledge resources can become deep assets to fight any clear and present crisis requiring speedy actions,” said Prof Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, DST.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18795/wellthy-care-dtx-platform-demonstrates-outcomes-to-manage-diabetes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18795/wellthy-care-dtx-platform-demonstrates-outcomes-to-manage-diabetes.html Mon, 31 May 2021 14:05:00 +0530 Wellthy Therapeutics recently conducted a 16-week real-world study, to test the real-world effectiveness, efficacy and remote patient monitoring and management capabilities of its Wellthy CARE DTx platform. The platform consists of a clinical and behavioural intelligence engine, delivering care through a mobile app, paramedical dashboards, HCP dashboards and enterprise analytics.  In this study, a clinically validated Type 2 Diabetes Digital Therapy was delivered through the Wellthy CARE DTx platform, to evaluate glycemic control in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients of South Asian origin. The findings were published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR) as a full-text publication.  The study, ‘Evaluating Glycemic Control in Patients of South Asian Origin with T2DM Using a Digital Therapeutic Platform: Analysis of Real-World Data’, tracked and analysed 102 patients with T2DM from India, enrolled in a 16-week structured self-management programme which was delivered 100 per cent via the Wellthy CARE DTx platform. The average change observed in HBA1c was -0.49 per cent. Patients with the highest engagement showed a reduction in HbA1c by 0.84 per cent, fasting blood glucose (FBG) by 11 mg/dl, postprandial blood glucose (PPBG) by 21 mg/dl, weight by 1.32 kg and BMI by 0.47 kg/m2. The study programme was based on the American Association of Diabetes Educators AADE7 self-care behaviours and works on the model of digital persuasion while providing culturally relevant content and nudges. The study demonstrated significant improvements in real-world outcomes, achieved via a Digital Therapeutic intervention delivered using the Wellthy CARE DTx platform. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18793/mipl-develops-lifeline-communicable-disease-management-suite.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18793/mipl-develops-lifeline-communicable-disease-management-suite.html Mon, 31 May 2021 13:10:00 +0530 Manorama Infosolutions Pvt Ltd (MIPL), which is a True Healthcare Digital Transformation Company, has recently developed a specially curated Lifeline Communicable Disease Management Suite to solve/address the challenges faced by healthcare providers, administrators, and government in a pandemic situation. The technology populates and represents real-time bed management access, data monitoring and tracking of abnormal vitals of patient’s statistics in hospitals, telemedicine assistance for the home-quarantined, and other clinical statistics to decision-makers and administrators of districts. While sharing information about the solution, Ashvini Danigond, Founder & CEO, Manorama Infosolutions said, “Our Lifeline Communicable Disease Management Suite remains groundbreaking as it extends data convergence across multi-mode interventions related to COVID-19 management. The numbers speak for themselves to highlight the success rate achieved in a short period when it comes to streamlining the fight against COVID-19. Rapid technological adoption remains the way forward. We are receiving a significant number of queries from the western and central regions of India and we are sure that our product will be able to assist the administrators to navigate this crisis in a far more structured and organized way than before." Bhausaheb Galande, Resident Deputy Collector, Kolhapur District Administration, said, "The Communicable Disease Management Solutions that MIPL offers aid in citizen record capture at a port of the entry, pandemic administration and war rooms, contact tracing, last-mile vaccine management, teleconsultation solution and COVID-19 hospitals and quarantine centre pandemic solution. The solution is running in a war room with all required data on a fingertip." Dr SS More (MD Pediatrics), Dean, Rajarshee Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Government Medical College and CPR Hospital, Kolhapur, said, “The solution also helped us in capturing the essential data and generates the necessary statistical reports for submission resulted in the complete removal of clerical work at the healthcare facilities. The solution provides an effective health response framework to minimise transmissibility, morbidity, and mortality associated with the pandemic and its impacts on the health sector and community.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18782/aig-hospitals-starts-monoclonal-antibodies-based-treatment-for-covid-19-patients-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18782/aig-hospitals-starts-monoclonal-antibodies-based-treatment-for-covid-19-patients-.html Fri, 28 May 2021 16:30:00 +0530 Monoclonal antibodies-based treatment is seen as the latest armament in the fight against COVID-19. The drug cocktail has gained enough traction from global media ever since it got administered on ex-US President Donald Trump but is it really a wonder drug? As AIG Hospitals started giving this treatment to its patients, Dr D Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman, AIG Hospitals through a select media briefing demystified some of the most asked questions regarding this therapy. Dr Reddy said that the real-world evidence of these monoclonal antibodies is yet to be established but the clinical studies published in peer-reviewed journals including the New England Journal of Medicine are encouraging as they have shown to reduce hospitalisation or death by over 70 per cent, including a drastic reduction in viral clearance.  “Patients over 65, obese patients, with uncontrolled diabetes, cardiovascular patients, those who are under immunosuppressants like Cancer patients are ideal candidates for this treatment. The timing also has to be appropriate where it needs to be given within three to seven days at max,” said Dr Reddy. He further added that. “Within one week, this treatment can help patients become RT-PCR negative. Pregnant women are not supposed to be given this treatment as we don’t have enough safety data for this subset of patients. There is also a possibility to explore the prophylactic usage of this combination especially among the high-exposure groups like healthcare workers. This to be highlighted that as per US FDA, benefits of this antibodies cocktail have not been observed in patients hospitalised due to COVID-19; moreover, if this combination is administered on patients requiring high-flow oxygen or mechanical ventilation then the clinical outcomes can become worse.” At AIG, we are doing a major study where we are looking at its efficacy against the double mutant variant of the virus,” Dr. Reddy said. He further added that “this treatment has the potential to increase mutant variants and that is why irrational use of these antibodies’ cocktails should be absolutely discouraged.” The cost of treatment is around Rs 70,000. “Hospitals and physicians need to factor in this cost element for its judicial usage,” Dr. Reddy said. It is worth noting that it is to be given only in a hospital setting where there is provision to activate the emergency medical system immediately following any infusion-related adverse reaction. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18774/meil-sets-up-3000-beds-with-oxygen-facility-across-tn.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18774/meil-sets-up-3000-beds-with-oxygen-facility-across-tn.html Fri, 28 May 2021 11:50:00 +0530 Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Limited (MEIL) is establishing over 3000 beds facilities with oxygen across Tamil Nadu state to mitigate the COVID-19 crisis. It has already installed 500 oxygen beds in 72 hours in Madurai. In coordination with CREDAI Tamil Nadu and G Square Realtors, MEIL has established the facilities. MK Stalin, Chief Minister, Tamil Nadu is directly supervising these medical infrastructure facilities.   MEIL is installing 1070 beds facility with oxygen availability in several hospitals on a war footing in Greater Chennai. It is also establishing on a fast track mode 200 beds each at Vellore, Erode and Ayyapakam, 100 beds each in Ambur, Nattaram Valli, Meishwaram, Vaniyambadi, Vallajh and 50 beds in Sholingar. So far, it installed 660-bed facilities and planning to establish over 3000 beds with oxygen readily available. Stalin has inaugurated a 500 scalable oxygen bed facility in Madurai Government Hospital recently. About 200 oxygen beds made available for immediate requirement. The remaining will be available in the next few days. With MEIL's initiative, the state government is providing free treatment. This 500-bed facility with oxygen and other medical equipment was created in just 72 hours in coordination with G Square Realtors. Apart from this, MEIL is establishing 100 oxygenated beds at Annanagar in Chennai and Omandurar Government hospital. "MEIL is making every effort to mitigate the covid crisis and supplying oxygen to the government and private hospitals free of cost. The MEIL's top management and the staff involved in this effort. We feel it's our responsibility to serve the nation in the crisis period. We have appointed a special team to help the government in battling the covid crisis. Our Managing Director PV Krishna Reddy is personally supervising these efforts," said B Srinivas Reddy.  Suresh Krishna, President, CREDAI Tamil Nadu, said, "MEIL, Olympia, TN Ispat Parishat and Tirupur Exporters Association are establishing the covid treatment facilities in various hospitals in Tamil Badu. We feel happy that MEIL has established an oxygen bed facility in just 72 hours." Bala, Promoter, G Square Realtors, said, "Nothing is important than human life. We feel proud that G square and MEIL are together helping the Tamil Nadu government. The health minister and the health secretary are cooperating to establish hospital facilities in Tamil Nadu." Srinivas Reddy added, "We are planning to establish 200 PSA plants in several places in the country to mitigate the oxygen shortage. We also began cryogenic oxygen tanks manufacturing with DRDO and Petroleum ministry cooperation. Supplied oxygen to the hospitals in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, and importing 11 cryogenic oxygen tanks, and handed over to Telangana government at no cost." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18766/artpark-launches-ai-driven-chest-x-ray-interpretation-for-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18766/artpark-launches-ai-driven-chest-x-ray-interpretation-for-covid-19.html Thu, 27 May 2021 15:40:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based innovation hub AI & Robotics technology park (ARTPARK), in collaboration with health tech startup Niramai and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), has launched XraySetu, an AI-driven solution for the early intervention of COVID-19 cases across India. The free-to-use platform extends an equitable AI technology to rural Indian doctors for doing a quick chest X-ray interpretation over a whatsapp chatbot. The platform can also ably detect 14 additional lung-related ailments including tuberculosis and pneumonia alongside others. XraySetu can further be used for both analogues as well as digital X-rays and work with low-resolution images sent via mobiles. XraySetu has successfully piloted more than 300 doctors in rural areas over the last 10 months.  Umakant Soni, Founder and CEO, ARTPARK, said, “XraySetu paves the way for exponential technologies like AI to leapfrog and provide cutting-edge healthcare technology to rural India in an extremely cost-effective manner. Built with the collaboration of industry and academia, XraySetu can serve as a great template for bringing such technology-driven innovations to the heartlands of India.” “XraySetu provides an automated interpretation of chest X-rays to predict if a patient has any lung abnormality that indicates COVID-19 infection. This service is provided over a simple messaging platform like WhatsApp with an input of a simple photo of the X-Ray image,” Dr Geetha Manjunath, Founder and CEO, Niramai.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18763/practo-connect-webinar-to-be-held-on-may-29.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18763/practo-connect-webinar-to-be-held-on-may-29.html Thu, 27 May 2021 13:55:00 +0530 Digital healthcare company Practo is organising an interactive webinar for medical professionals, to be led by Prof Rajendra Pratap Gupta. The webinar forms part of Practo’s doctors-led, pandemic-focussed educational webinar series, called Practo Connect. It is scheduled to take place on May 29 from 4.30 pm to 6 pm. The webinar is open to all doctors and healthcare professionals.  Prof Rajendra will guide healthcare professionals on how doctors can leverage technology to transform their practice. He will also interact with healthcare professionals via a Q&A session. Prof Gupta said, “COVID-19 has affected a major part of our healthcare and has caused a permanent shift in the system. The ways doctors engage with the patients are changing, with the Government of India giving a major push for technology adoption in healthcare. It is the right time for doctors to start preparing for this transition to digital health.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18759/lupin-achieves-key-milestones-for-its-clinical-stage-mek-inhibitor-compound.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18759/lupin-achieves-key-milestones-for-its-clinical-stage-mek-inhibitor-compound.html Thu, 27 May 2021 11:10:00 +0530 Lupin announced the achievement of key milestones for Lupin’s MEK inhibitor compound (LNP3794) that is planned for development by Boehringer Ingelheim in combination as potential targeted therapy for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers. As part of the agreement, Lupin has received payment of $50 million from Boehringer Ingelheim for the achievement of key milestones. Lupin and Boehringer Ingelheim inked a licensing, development and commercialisation agreement in 2019 for Lupin’s novel oncology compound to treat KRAS-driven cancers. Lupin’s MEK inhibitor developed as part of its oncology pipeline had previously shown pre-clinical activity as a single agent as well as in combination. Lupin’s New Chemical Entity Research team is focussed on building a pipeline of highly differentiated and innovative new chemical entities, primarily in the oncology space. Lupin’s NCE activities were started with the vision to use cutting-edge research in bringing novel molecules that address unmet medical needs in multiple therapeutic areas to market globally. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18757/mgm-healthcare-chennai-successfully-treats-covid-19-patient-for-mucormycosis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18757/mgm-healthcare-chennai-successfully-treats-covid-19-patient-for-mucormycosis.html Wed, 26 May 2021 20:05:00 +0530 MGM Healthcare Chennai has announced that it has successfully conducted an emergency endoscopic trans-nasal orbital surgery to treat a 68-year-old female COVID-infected patient who got seriously affected with black fungus (mucormycosis). The patient was being treated for COVID pneumonia with systemic steroids and oxygen supplementation for the past two weeks. She reported a persistent headache on her right side and blood-tinged nasal discharge along with drooping of right eyelid recently. The patient was immunocompetent but had elevated blood sugar levels during the course of treatment. Radiological investigations revealed invasive fungal disease limited to the right naso-orbital region involving frontal and ethmoid sinuses. “After a thorough surgical planning, a modified endoscopic transnasal surgical approach was adopted to reach the anatomical areas affected by the disease, explained Professor Dr Sanjeev Mohanty, Senior Consultant and Head, Institute of ENT, Head & Neck Surgery. He added, the transorbital surgery in this case entailed the use of multiple angled high-definition endoscopes and appropriate instruments which are important to obtain the required degree of precision and key to a successful outcome. In this case, time was of primary essence as black fungus (mucormycosis) had invaded the para nasal sinuses and orbit of the patient. Through this emergency endoscopic surgery, it helped to mitigate the spread of the deadly fungus and remove the dead tissues with a course of anti-fungal therapy for optimum cure simultaneously. MGM Healthcare used collective inputs from all allied clinical disciplines and relied on evidence based methodology to help this patient get back on her feet and go on to pursue a normal life.” The painful symptoms experienced by the patient have been alleviated post-surgery and doctors have confirmed that her vision is intact along with the resolving of drooping eyelid (ptosis) of the right eye. She is being monitored continually and administered with anti-fungal therapy to prevent any relapse or recurrence during the post-COVID recovery period.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18749/blade-india-launches-end-to-end-medevac-service-pan-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18749/blade-india-launches-end-to-end-medevac-service-pan-india.html Wed, 26 May 2021 17:30:00 +0530 BLADE India, a pioneer in Urban Air Mobility (UAM), has announced the launch of its medevac service ‘BLADE Care’. Amid the growing coronavirus cases, the brand aims to bridge the accessibility concerns for those who are looking at emergency medical travel. BLADE Care services will be accessible for medical evacuations and essential travel. The brand will arrange aero-medical charters for both covid and non-covid patients with a team of certified doctors, paramedics and clinicians onboard. Considering the current situation, BLADE will act as the one-stop-shop for all charter needs by ensuring people don’t spend a lot of time connecting with multiple parties for travel plans. Every flier will also be assigned a dedicated BLADE relationship manager, assisting throughout, from booking their flight to ensuring they reach their destination safely.  As a part of its services, the BLADE has partnered with MyHealthcare to bring to its patients a complete medevac ecosystem, using a network of ground ambulances, BLADE partner aircraft or helicopters, using all government-mandated protocols in transporting covid and non-covid patients. BLADE Care is also open for regular air travel, for people who want to travel inter-state, return to their hometowns or any other place they feel the safest.  “At BLADE India we look to alleviate the hassles and inconvenience faced by distressed families desperately trying to locate a craft for the medical evacuation and comply with all the formalities. The partnership with MyHealthcare gives us the ability to serve leading hospitals and healthcare providers and bring to our patients the most experienced team for clinical care,” says Amit Dutta, MD, BLADE India. Shyatto Raha, Founder & CEO, MyHealthcare said, “Our partnership with BLADE India will help enhance the medevac services for our patients, allowing us access to a wider network of air ambulances and helicopters. Through the partnership, we will be able to manage a complete bed to bed transfer of our patients, in the shortest possible time. At MyHealthcare, we remain committed to ensuring we bring to our patients the best and most effective healthcare solutions, through our ecosystem of care.”  BLADE India ensures safety and hygiene protocols are maintained at the lounges and inside the aircraft. BLADE has implemented guidelines issued by the GOI, WHO and industry-leading health, safety and sanitisation protocols designed by its parent company - FLY BLADE USA. Safety measures include regular testing of the crew, contactless temperature checks of passengers and crew, masks and face shields for all aboard, sanitisation of the lounges and cars, aircraft decontamination with an airline-grade fogging system after each flight.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18745/pharmeasy-completes-acquisition-of-medlife.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18745/pharmeasy-completes-acquisition-of-medlife.html Wed, 26 May 2021 15:25:00 +0530 PharmEasy concluded its acquisition of Medlife. Medlife has discontinued its services and all its users will be migrated to PharmEasy. The acquisition which took place in January 2021, was aimed at creating a strong unified platform to accelerate the mission of providing quality healthcare to a larger population. With Medlife’s current reach across 465+ cities, it will further boost PharmEasy’s efforts to provide quality healthcare services in India. It will also ensure a focused approach towards the consumer’s needs through the ‘PharmEasy’platform. With this major consolidation in the fast-growing online pharmacy sector, PharmEasy has now become the largest healthcare delivery platform across the country, catering to more than two million families every single month. Dharmil Sheth, Co-founder, PharmEasy said, “We are thrilled about the beginning of this new chapter. This acquisition significantly strengthens our position in the healthcare industry, and further helps us in providing quality healthcare to a greater number of Indian households.” He added, “Moving forward, we aim to be of even better service to the people. We can’t wait to innovate together and deliver better experiences for our consumers, delivery personnel, and retail partners across the country.” To enable a smooth transition, Medlife customers need to login into the PharmEasy app using their Medlife account credentials. Their digitised prescriptions and saved addresses dating back to a year will be available on the PharmEasy app. PharmEasy will also be looking forward to onboarding Medlife’s retail partners and continuing their journey with the brand. Pharmeasy currently works with around 80,000 pharmacies and intends to expand that to 1,20,000 outlets across 100 cities by the end of 2021. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18743/indiqube-partners-with-care-fit-medibuddy-mfine-and-pinkblue-in.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18743/indiqube-partners-with-care-fit-medibuddy-mfine-and-pinkblue-in.html Wed, 26 May 2021 14:15:00 +0530 Bengaluru-headquartered IndiQube has partnered with Care.fit, MediBuddy, MFine, and PinkBlue.in. The partnerships are a major step for the company to provide a complete suite of wellness solutions to its 450+ clients and 40,000+ employees based out of its communes. “We at IndiQube have always been focused on providing value to our community through partnerships. We have collaborated with various partners in our endeavour to provide a complete suite of wellness solutions to our members,” said Meghna Agarwal, Co-founder, IndiQube.  “Care.fit has been at the forefront in India’s COVID-19 battle and this partnership with IndiQube would help us provide healthcare solutions to start-ups and enterprises seamlessly. We will continue to offer assistance wherever possible and remain committed to the health and well-being of the people in these testing times,” said, Madan Somasundaram, Head, Care.fit.  Satish Kannan, Co-founder & CEO, MediBuddy says, “It has been our constant endeavour to make high-quality healthcare more accessible for individuals. We are delighted to have partnered with IndiQube who share the same commitment to ensuring safety." "MFine is working with IndiQube to provide continued care to the employees and their families. MFine Covid Homecare Plan allows those with mild symptoms to fully recover from the comfort of their own homes while being monitored by a team of physicians, dietitians and pulmonologists,” said Arjun Choudhary, Founding Member and Chief Business Officer, MFine. Varun Singh, Director and Co-founder of PinkBlue.in mentioned, “During the second wave, we have been operating continuously to ensure that the Covid essentials are supplied on time." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18742/lancet-commission-proposes-urgent-recommendations-for-covid-19-response-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18742/lancet-commission-proposes-urgent-recommendations-for-covid-19-response-in-india.html Wed, 26 May 2021 12:00:00 +0530 The Lancet Citizens’ Commission on Reimagining India’s Health System was launched in December 2020 with the aim of laying out a roadmap to achieving universal health coverage in India over the next decade. In response to the alarming resurgence of COVID-19 in India, authors drawn from the Commission and its network of fellows have proposed eight urgent recommendations in an article in The Lancet. The recommendations span a wide gambit of actions that must be taken to manage the situation: first, the organisation and financing of essential health services must be decentralised to districts; second, there must be a transparent national pricing policy and caps on the prices of all essential health services; third, clear, evidence-based information on the management of COVID-19 be widely disseminated, including guidance on what not to do. Fourth, all available human resources, including the private sector, must be marshalled for the COVID-19 response and adequately resourced and supported; fifth, central systems to procure and distribute COVID-19 vaccines free of cost should be established in a departure from the current policy of decentralised procurement through state governments; sixth, community engagement and public participation must lie at the heart of India’s COVID-19 response, with no restrictions on civil society organizations to access resources; seventh, there must be transparency and sharing of government data to enable districts to proactively prepare for the likely caseloads in the coming weeks and surveillance needs to include urgent investment in genomic sequencing. Finally, the profound suffering and risk to health caused by loss of livelihoods should be minimised by making provisions for cash transfers by the state to workers in India’s vast informal economy who have lost their jobs and requiring businesses not to lay-off their workers. These recommendations reflect the collective wisdom of twenty-one experts from India across academia, civil society, and the private sector, including many who have played leadership roles in India’s health system. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18737/who-goodwill-ambassador-for-leprosy-urges-countries-not-to-overlook-the-disease.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18737/who-goodwill-ambassador-for-leprosy-urges-countries-not-to-overlook-the-disease.html Wed, 26 May 2021 10:15:00 +0530 As the 74th World Health Assembly (WHA) gets underway, WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination Yohei Sasakawa is urging countries not to overlook leprosy amid the global coronavirus pandemic and aim for zero leprosies. 30 years ago this month, the WHA adopted a resolution to eliminate leprosy as a public health problem.  The resolution adopted at the 44th WHA in 1991 called for the elimination of leprosy as a public health problem at the global level by the year 2000. 'Elimination' was defined as reaching a prevalence rate of the disease of less than 1 case per 10,000 population. This was achieved globally by the end of 2000 and almost all countries have since replicated that success at the national level. In April, the fight against leprosy entered a new phase with the launch by the WHO of 'Towards Zero Leprosy: Global Leprosy (Hansen's disease) Strategy for 2021-2030.' The targets include zero leprosy patients in 120 countries and a 70 per cent decrease in new cases detected globally by 2030. Yohei Sasakawa, who has visited over 100 countries since first being appointed Goodwill Ambassador in 2001, welcomes the new strategy and believes it will accelerate momentum towards a leprosy-free world. But he cautioned, "These are ambitious targets, so commitments from national governments will be required if they are to be achieved. I realise these are challenging times, but we mustn't allow leprosy to be overlooked amid COVID-19."   Goodwill Ambassador Sasakawa, who has been involved in efforts against leprosy for nearly half a century with The Nippon Foundation, the Japanese non-profit grant-making organisation he serves as chairman, said the 30th anniversary of the WHA resolution on eliminating leprosy is an appropriate moment to recall the spirit that brought countries together in a sense of common purpose against leprosy.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18729/moses-laser-technologybrings-new-hope-in-prostate-surgery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18729/moses-laser-technologybrings-new-hope-in-prostate-surgery.html Tue, 25 May 2021 14:50:00 +0530 The APAC Moses master campaign virtual conference was recently held to showcase technological advancements in the medical field. Dr Manohar T, Chief Urologist, Columbia Asia Referral Hospital Yeshwanthpur (a unit of Manipal Hospitals) performed a live surgery demonstrating Moses technology (MOLEP) to treat prostate enlargement.  A 72-year-old person suffering from prostate enlargement underwent the surgery at Columbia Asia Referral Hospital Yeshwanthpur. The patient had symptoms of urine blockage and a hernia. During the consultation, he was again diagnosed with prostate enlargement which required immediate surgery. The patient agreed to undergo prostate surgery using Moses technology. Moses technology uses a high power holmium laser (120 watts) to perform endourology procedures more efficiently. Here small internal endoscopes are used to remove stones, faster and more efficiently. The laser pulse can reach farther distance and deliver enhanced energy which may decrease blood loss and operating time. Also with this technology prostate of any size can be treated and the procedure will be painless. The technology will help people who are suffering from conditions related to cardiac problems or those on blood thinners. Dr Manohar said, “The benefit of this procedure is that there is only 0.1 per cent possibility for reoccurrence in 10 years whereas it is more than 15 per cent in five years in the conventional method. Also, the person’s age is not a constraint. This technology is a paradigm shift in transforming the treatment methodologies and has proven to be efficacious and safe to treat the prostate condition. Though there are various other laser treatments available to treat prostate enlargement, Moses laser treatment works efficiently due to its high power and the patient can be discharged on the same day catheter free.” Doctors from Japan, China, Korea and India presented cases from their respective countries. Healthcare professionals and doctors from across the world participated in the conference and witnessed the latest innovations in the healthcare sector.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18727/glenmark-receives-us-fda-approval-for-icatibant-injection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18727/glenmark-receives-us-fda-approval-for-icatibant-injection.html Tue, 25 May 2021 11:05:00 +0530 Glenmark Pharmaceuticals (Glenmark) has received final approval by the United States Food & Drug Administration (US FDA) for Icatibant Injection, 30 mg/3 mL (10 mg/mL) Single-Dose Prefilled Syringe, the generic version of Firazyr 1 Injection, 30 mg/3 mL (10 mg/mL) Single-Dose Prefilled Syringe, of Shire Human Genetic Therapies. This marks Glenmark's first synthetic decapeptide injectable approval and will be manufactured in their North American manufacturing facility based in Monroe, North Carolina. According to IQVIA sales data for the 12 months ending March 2021, the Firazyr Injection, 30 mg/3 mL (10 mg/mL) Single-Dose Prefilled Syringe market2 achieved annual sales of approximately $223.4 million. Glenmark's current portfolio consists of 172 products authorised for distribution in the US marketplace and 44 ANDA's pending approval with the US FDA. In addition to these internal filings, Glenmark continues to identify and explore external development partnerships to supplement and accelerate the growth of its existing pipeline and portfolio. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18726/telangana-implements-ayushman-bharat-pm-jay-scheme.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18726/telangana-implements-ayushman-bharat-pm-jay-scheme.html Tue, 25 May 2021 08:45:00 +0530 The National Health Authority (NHA) has signed an MoU with the Government of Telangana to implement Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) in the state with immediate effect. The Ayushman Bharat scheme has been integrated with the existing state scheme ‘Aarogyasri’ and this converged scheme is being called Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY Aarogyasri. With the launch of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY in Telangana, the scheme has been further expanded and now encompasses 33 States/UTs. With this convergence, approximately 26 lakhs beneficiary families (around 1.3 crore individuals) as per SECC, 2011 data will be eligible to avail services under the scheme in the state. Speaking on this launch, Dr RS Sharma, CEO, National Health Authority, said, “We are happy to onboard the State of Telangana for the rollout of AB PM-JAY in the state. The beneficiaries from the state are now eligible to avail free healthcare services pan India through our network of more than 22,000 hospitals. This is not only going to benefit the eligible families in the state but will also enable the delivery of healthcare services to PM-JAY beneficiaries from other States/UTs living in Telangana. The providers’ base has also increased. Our call centre has started getting calls from the eligible population in the state. We are committed to taking the benefit of the scheme to all eligible beneficiaries.” While the eligible population of the state would benefit from free healthcare services across the country, the launch of a converged scheme will lead to the effective utilisation of resources for providing quality healthcare services. NHA will provide several auxiliary supports to State Health Agency (SHA) including related to fraud and abuse control. A beneficiary can call the toll-free number 14555 to know about their eligibility under the scheme and information on how to avail the services. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18724/tattvan-launches-home-care-package-for-covid-19-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18724/tattvan-launches-home-care-package-for-covid-19-patients.html Mon, 24 May 2021 20:40:00 +0530 Telemedicine start-up, Tattvan, has launched its COVID-19 treatment package aimed at supporting those patients who are suffering from mild symptoms of coronavirus. The idea behind launching this home-care package is to assist people in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities in getting treatment for COVID from the comfort of their homes via teleconsultation. Patients testing positive can visit the franchise clinics to avail the package. The team at the clinic will then be processing the supplies and offering ground support to the patients.  The package involves a franchise partner who will support patients by providing them timely teleconsultation with the expert panel of doctors, tracking of daily vitals and patient counselling in the time of distress. This package will continue to cater to the infected patients till the time they don’t test negative. Ayush Mishra, CEO, Tattvan E-clinics said, “The covid treatment package seeks to help those patients who are showing mild or equal symptoms of Corona to get the advice of doctors from the comfort of their homes. In this package, you will be given online doctor consultation, nurse vital monitoring, covid counselling by Tattvan’s patient executive other information related to covid patients can reach out either via the Tattvan Franchise E-Clinics across UP, Bihar and Rajasthan. Through this extension package, Tattvan seeks to raise awareness about its programmes and the efficiency of telemedicine for people who can’t afford to visit large cities anytime they seek medical advice. With the help of Tattvan’s Telemedicine Network, health providers and doctors in any of the nearest top hospitals can now provide medical advice. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18720/rdif-panacea-biotec-launch-production-of-sputnik-v-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18720/rdif-panacea-biotec-launch-production-of-sputnik-v-in-india.html Mon, 24 May 2021 15:50:00 +0530 The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF, Russia’s sovereign wealth fund) and Panacea Biotec have launched of production of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine against coronavirus. The first batch produced at Panacea Biotec’s facilities at Baddi will be shipped to the Gamaleya Center for quality control. Full-scale production of the vaccine is due to start this summer. The company’s facilities comply with GMP standards and are prequalified by WHO. Sputnik V was registered in India under the emergency use authorization procedure on April 12, 2021, and vaccination against coronavirus with the Russian vaccine started on May 14. As announced in April, RDIF and Panacea have agreed to produce 100 million doses per year of Sputnik V. To date, Sputnik V has been registered in 66 countries globally with a total population of over 3.2 billion people. The efficacy of Sputnik V is 97.6 per cent based on the analysis of data on coronavirus infection rate among those in Russia vaccinated with both components of Sputnik V from December 5, 2020, to March 31, 2021. Kirill Dmitriev, CEO, RDIF, said, “Launch of production in India in partnership with Panacea Biotec marks an important step for helping the country fight the pandemic. Production of Sputnik V supports efforts of India’s authorities to leave behind the acute phase of coronavirus as soon as possible while the vaccine will also be exported at a later stage to help prevent the spread of the virus in other countries around the world.” Dr Rajesh Jain, MD, Panacea Biotec, said, “This marks a significant step as we initiate production of Sputnik V. Together with RDIF, we hope to help bring a sense of normalcy back to people across the country and around the world.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18718/ccmb-tests-i2cure-bioshield-lotion-against-sars-cov-2.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18718/ccmb-tests-i2cure-bioshield-lotion-against-sars-cov-2.html Mon, 24 May 2021 15:10:00 +0530 Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology (CCMB), based in Hyderabad, has tested I2Cure BioShield lotion efficacious against the SARS-CoV-2. The anti-viral test on SARS-CoV-2 showed 97 per cent virus deduction within five minutes. The virus particles were assayed to be reduced from 106.2 to 104.5. The experiment was done in duplicates and the values were averaged to calculate the percentage of viral reduction. The experimental test was performed and examined by the leading scientist-in-charge at CCMB, Dr B Kiran Kumar. I2Cure BioShield lotion is the only anti-microbial that tested to be effective against 97 per cent of the viral load thus limiting the transmission from an infected person after application. Since BioShield is competent in breaking down the viral load at the host level, it is certainly going to limit the transmission up to a higher level. Contrary to the existing Iodine formulations that are aqueous in nature resulting in the formation of by-products that cause irritation, staining, and odour, I2Cure BioShield comprises only Molecular Iodine(I2) isolated at 1500 ppm (1500 parts per million) stabilised in 100 per cent vegetable grade Glycerine. This makes it free of all toxins that lead to stains and odour, as tested by the Indian Institute of Toxicology. A one-time application of BioShield delivers free molecular iodine directly into the epidermis & leaves no stain or smell. This prevents it from being washed away or rubbed off. Once inside, it diffuses back to the surface of the skin and kills any viral, bacterial, and fungal load showing persistent activity for up to six hours Ramesh Menon, Director- I2Cure stated, “We are delighted to have brought the safest, most efficacious, and skin-friendly antimicrobial that now has proven action against the SARS-CoV-2. The virus has only gotten stronger in the past few months, therefore what the nation needs is a long-term solution against all microbes and their ill effects on humankind, social well-being, and the nation’s economy.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18715/healthcare-startup-karexpert-unveils-virtual-care-platform.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18715/healthcare-startup-karexpert-unveils-virtual-care-platform.html Mon, 24 May 2021 12:20:00 +0530 KareXpert has launched a cloud-based virtual care platform for hospitals and other healthcare institutions. The uniqueness of this platform lies in its all-inclusiveness of all the currently available healthcare modules. KareXpert's foundation lies in AI technology and has been funded by Reliance Jio. Besides other things, the platform comes loaded with audio/video consultations, EMR/EHR, diagnostics, pharmacy and Advanced BI. This is a SaaS-based platform helping the hospitals offering comprehensive solutions to their patients at the comfort of their homes, virtually converting their homes into hospitals. Hospitals will be able to serve and treat all their patients even when under an unprecedented workload. All this at a very affordable monthly price. According to the Director of the Business process and IT expert, a few of the clients like Centre for Sight (CFS, a Mahindra group collaboration) have been benefited from the platform.  The virtual care platform is not only helping the hospitals save millions of rupees, but it is also helping them generate new business and solidify their customer relationships. The platform is particularly beneficial to the elderly and those suffering from a chronic disease requiring constant care. The teleconsultation feature of the platform can help doctors examine and treat patients with mild COVID-19 symptoms and help them stay in home isolation. “This new technology is no less than a revolution in the Indian healthcare technology space. One of the most important aspects of this new technology is its user-friendliness. The users require a minimal amount of training to operate the system. Therefore, the hospitals can subscribe, install and immediately start using the platform,” said Nidhi Jain, Founder and CEO, KareXpert. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18714/ayushakti-launches-healthiime-detox-challenge.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18714/ayushakti-launches-healthiime-detox-challenge.html Mon, 24 May 2021 11:25:00 +0530   Ayushakti co-founded by Ayurveda expert Dr Smita Naram has launched a global digital programme on Facebook, called Healthiime Detox challenge. The Healthiime Detox Program is being conducted via closed groups on Facebook, keeping in mind the current pandemic situation. The detox challenge has over 70 participants across the US, the UK, Austria, London and Europe. The Healthiime Detox challenge kit includes 3 X 30 minutes online personal consultation (Pre-Detox, During Detox, Post Detox) with Ayushakti Vaidya and day wise meal plan for 28 days with various food recipes, information and guidance about daily Routine - Dincharya to follow and access to the online platform with all information and guidance for Heathiime Detox. Speaking on the current digital initiative, Dr Smita Naram, Co-Founder, Ayushakti said, “We are glad to launch this digital 28-Day Healthiime programme and provide powerful Ayurvedic treatments. Digital has a medium has immense potential to reach across audiences globally and with the help of Facebook groups we hope to reach maximum people possible.” “The programme has been launched after conducting an immense amount of research and testing by our Ayushakti Vaidyas, and we are glad that we finally made it live. This is the first of the many more coming in the future and we look forward to building this digital property”, she further added. Ayushakti recently partnered with Mumbai Police to offer a month-long free pulse reading camp and provide medicines to these police force at a discount of 20 per cent. The company aims to spread natural healing methods of Ayurveda by conducting various programmes globally to help remove the root cause of illness through the Ancient Indian history of Ayurveda. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18712/crediwatch-predicts-reduction-in-impact-of-covid-19-in-urban-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18712/crediwatch-predicts-reduction-in-impact-of-covid-19-in-urban-bengaluru.html Mon, 24 May 2021 00:00:00 +0530 A 15-day forecast starting May 21 predicts the impact of Covid-19 in Bangalore City (Bengaluru Urban) will be reduced. Bangalore is currently the epicentre of India’s ongoing second wave, an outbreak featuring the most infectious strains of the virus thus far. The forecasting model by Crediwatch Information Analytics, a Bengaluru-based data science and technology company, will come as relief to the city’s overburdened healthcare sector that has been fighting at the front lines of the pandemic. The forecast focuses on three key parameters relating to Covid care: the number of cases that require hospital beds, availability of beds that require intensive care and ventilators, the amount of medical oxygen required to treat Crediwatch’s model predicts that all three parameters are moving in a favourable direction. All three parameters are now with the ‘green’ indicators, showing that there is no emergency shortage of medical care or supply of oxygen in India’s third largest economic centre. According to Subir Kumar Bandyopadhyay Machine Learning Architect at Crediwatch, the model uses the “dependent relationship between an observation and lagged observations (AR) and also the dependency between an observation that is a residual error from the moving average model” to arrive at its conclusion. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18709/livingstone-health-opens-ardennes-healthcare-in-singapore.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18709/livingstone-health-opens-ardennes-healthcare-in-singapore.html Fri, 21 May 2021 18:15:00 +0530 The primary healthcare arm of SGX-listed multidisciplinary healthcare specialist Livingstone Health Holding (Livingstone Health) launched Ardennes Healthcare (Ardennes), a one-stop health screening and radiology centre.  Ardennes will be poised to offer laboratory and radiology-based services such as blood tests, X-ray and ultrasound to these corporate clients as well as middle-upper PMETs. Ardennes, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Livingstone Health’s 51 per cent-held Phoenix Medical Group (PMG), will be led by an experienced clinical team.  Ardennes is expected to increase its range of services to include mammography and bone density scans over the next financial year ending March 31, 2022. Dr Wilson Tay, CEO, Livingstone Health, said, “The healthcare screening service is in line with the Group’s mission to offer multi-disciplinary healthcare. Patients will receive a comprehensive screenshot of their health in a convenient and timely manner while having the option to be referred to a trusted network of specialists should the need arise.”  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18707/ngs-sample-preparation-market-to-surge-amid-cancer-diagnostics-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18707/ngs-sample-preparation-market-to-surge-amid-cancer-diagnostics-study.html Fri, 21 May 2021 17:40:00 +0530 The global next-generation sequencing (NGS) sample preparation market is expected to surpass a valuation of $4 billion by 2031, expanding at a whopping CAGR of approximately 16 per cent across the 2021-2031 forecast period, according to a recent report published on the market by award-winning and ESOMAR-certified market research consulting firm. NGS has revolutionised genomic research, paving the way for highly effective diagnosis of numerous chronic and infectious diseases, a fact that is boding well for market growth. Historically, the market accrued significant gains, surpassing $750 million in value in 2019. In recent years, NGS has been widely deployed in clinical oncology to advance personalised cancer treatment. The technique has proven useful in identifying novel and rare cancer mutations, detecting familial cancer mutation carriers, and providing a molecular rationale for appropriate targeted therapy. Consequently, prominent manufacturers are introducing a slew of sample preparation products, with opportunities being ample across the Asian markets. For instance, in May 2021, BGI Group signed an MoU with Ethiopian Biotechnology Institute (EBiT) to conduct the HPV genotyping pilot project and complete 2,000 sample screenings from Ethiopia, to establish a new model of HPV screening, diagnosis, and treatment. Key takeaways from the market study: High demand for NGS sample preparation kits, reagents, and consumables By application, NGS sample preparation for drug and biomarker discovery poised to reach higher echelons Academic and research institutes to remain primary NGS sample preparation end, users Presence of robust healthcare system to pivot NGS sample preparation product sales across the US. India to extensively deploy NGS sample preparation products to augment prenatal screening According to a senior research analyst, prominent NGS sample preparation product manufacturers are testing uncharted waters by foraying into domains such as animal and plant health, to develop highly advanced diagnostic approaches and address multiple ailments, widening expansion prospects. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18706/dcal-announces-study-results-for-vitamin-d-deficiency.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18706/dcal-announces-study-results-for-vitamin-d-deficiency.html Fri, 21 May 2021 17:25:00 +0530 Dishman Carbogen Amcis Ltd (DCAL), a global outsourcing partner for the pharmaceutical industry, welcomes the results of a new study that provides critical insights into the treatment of vitamin D deficiency in obesity and fat malabsorption syndromes. The research was conducted by Boston University School of Medicine and supported in part by a grant from Dishman Carbogen Amcis' wholly-owned subsidiary CARBOGEN AMCIS. DCAL partnered with Dr Michael Holick, Professor of Medicine, Physiology and Biophysics and Molecular Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, to determine whether alternative vitamin D-type substances provide significant health benefits in people suffering from impaired distribution and metabolism of vitamin D. “We believe that partnerships with academic institutions help uncover important insights and make great discoveries that benefit the pharmaceutical industry and, most importantly, the patients directly”, said Arpit Vyas, Global MD, DCAL. The study results will benefit obese people and, e.g., patients who have undergone gastric bypass surgery, which quite generally results in vitamin D malabsorption. Thus, those patients run an elevated risk of bone diseases like osteoporosis and osteomalacia due to softening of the bones. Researchers observed that a form of vitamin D, known as 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (Calcifediol), was absorbed faster and better than the same dose of vitamin D. “This vitamin D metabolite is better absorbed in patients with fat malabsorption syndromes and since it is not as fat-soluble, it does not get diluted in the body fat and is effective in raising and maintaining blood levels,” said Dr Michael Holick. “Therefore, using 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 could be a novel approach for treating vitamin D deficiency in patients with fat malabsorption syndromes.” CARBOGEN AMCIS provided the 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 capsules, which were produced at its parent company DCAL's Bavla facility in Ahmedabad, specifically for this study. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18705/elsevier-launches-covid-19-healthcare-hubfor-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18705/elsevier-launches-covid-19-healthcare-hubfor-india.html Fri, 21 May 2021 15:55:00 +0530 Elsevier, a global leader in research publishing and information analytics, has launched its India COVID-19 Healthcare Hub for frontline healthcare workers and members of the public in India. Featuring complimentary resources and online learning tools, the India COVID-19 Healthcare Hub offers the latest evidence-based information on the novel coronavirus, with materials on the prevention and management of COVID-19 to help limit the spread of misinformation. To help support an overwhelmed healthcare system and combat the spread of misinformation, Elsevier’s India COVID-19 Healthcare Hub contains the latest fact-based information on COVID-19, including approved treatments and guidelines, along with other useful tools to help doctors, nurses and healthcare workers provide patient care. This resource aims to meet the increasing need for standardised, credible and accurate information around the pandemic and allow healthcare professionals to provide consistent and safe patient care. Kok Keng Lim, Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Elsevier, said, “By aligning these localised resources to global care standards, we aim to support frontline workers with credible data and patient discussion tools that can bolster their confidence to address concerns, dispel vaccine falsities and quickly make critical decisions for better patient outcomes. The India COVID-19 Healthcare Hub also provides patients with a single source of accurate data to help curb the spread of misinformation on the disease.” Shankar Kaul, Managing Director, India, Elsevier, said, “The India COVID-19 Healthcare Hub provides support to healthcare institutions, hospitals and healthcare professionals through evidence-based resources that can educate patients while protecting others in their communities. We urge all frontline workers and members of the public to utilise these resources to remain well informed about the prevention and management of COVID-19.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18702/lives-in-the-balance-lays-focus-on-women-children-health-during-covid-19-response-recovery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18702/lives-in-the-balance-lays-focus-on-women-children-health-during-covid-19-response-recovery.html Fri, 21 May 2021 13:05:00 +0530 Lives in the Balance was organised by Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH) a multi-constituency partnership hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO), together with the CORE Group, Global Financing Facility for Women, Children, and Adolescents, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance which was attended by more than 1000 global citizens.  Key Speakers included Anuradha Gupta, CEO, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; Lopa Banerjee, Chief, Civil Society Section, UN Women; Vandita Morarka Founder & CEO, One Future Collective, India, Helen Clark, Former Prime Minister, New Zealand and Board Chair of PMNCH, Mia Mottley - Prime Minister, Barbados, Michelle Bachelet - UN High Commissioner, Human Rights, Borge Brende, President, World Economic Forum, Jennifer Klein, Executive Director, White House Gender Policy Council, US. “The knock-on impact of the pandemic on childhood vaccination in lower income countries has been devastating, with millions of children missing out on timely, life-saving immunisations,” said Anuradha Gupta, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.  Clark stated, “COVID-19 is deepening and magnifying social inequalities compounded by ethnicity, gender, income, geography, and other factors. We must act now, not just to protect progress previously made, but also to work towards a world that is far more equitable than the one that existed before the pandemic.” A seven-point call to action on COVID-19, backed by PMNCH’s 1,000-member platform, seeks to protect and prioritise the rights and health of women, children, and adolescents during the COVID-19 response and recovery. The call seeks to strengthen investment, policies, and services for the recovery of health services, as well as protection of rights and future socio-economic resilience.  The statements, aligning with the PMNCH call to action, outlined a significant array of efforts to improve SRHR, gender equality, service quality, and adolescent health and well-being, among other priorities.   In addition to the ongoing and catastrophic direct impact of COVID-19 in many parts of the world, women, children, and adolescents are affected indirectly because of widespread disruptions to essential health, nutrition, and social services under lockdown conditions. This increases the risk of mortality and morbidity, including from treatable and preventable causes, denying the right to protection and care. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18701/indica-labs-ibex-to-deliver-ai-powered-clinical-workflows-for-digital-pathology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18701/indica-labs-ibex-to-deliver-ai-powered-clinical-workflows-for-digital-pathology.html Fri, 21 May 2021 12:15:00 +0530 Indica Labs, an industry leader in quantitative digital pathology and image management solutions, and Ibex Medical Analytics, a pioneer in artificial intelligence (AI)-based cancer diagnostics, announced an agreement to integrate the Galen AI-based cancer diagnostics platform into the HALO AP digital pathology workflow platform. The HALO AP platform was developed by Indica Labs to address the needs of digital anatomic pathology labs. The platform can be fully integrated within existing LIS or HIS solutions or can operate as a standalone case and image management system for anatomic pathology. Furthermore, HALO AP supports a full range of tissue-based assays and workflows, including synoptic reporting, tumour boards, secondary consults, quantitative analysis, and AI-assisted workflows. HALO AP is used by some of the largest anatomic pathology laboratories in the world, including NeoGenomics and the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Ibex’s Galen platform uses strong AI algorithms that support pathologists in improving the quality of cancer diagnosis and providing productivity-enhancing insights that help reduce turnaround times. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18696/tbdcair-canada-ontario-govtsend-covid-relief-materials-to-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18696/tbdcair-canada-ontario-govtsend-covid-relief-materials-to-india.html Thu, 20 May 2021 20:50:00 +0530 Toronto Business Development Centre (TBDC) is supporting COVID relief efforts in collaboration with Air Canada and the Government of Ontario by providing urgent medical supplies to the Indian population which has been severely hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. 3000 ventilators and other medical supplies donated by the Ontario Government to the Indian Red Cross have reached India.  The Toronto Business Development Centre (TBDC) was asked by the Ontario Government to facilitate the shipment of its donation to India.  “We share a strong and deep relationship with India and we stand with the people of India and its frontline workers during these difficult times. India is the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer and has so far shipped over 66 million doses around the globe. We invite the global community to help India fight the pandemic because unless everyone is safe, no one is safe," said Vikram Khurana, Chairman, Toronto Business Development Centre. An Air Canada Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner operated a cargo-only flight with 40 tonnes of essential supplies from Toronto Pearson Airport to New Delhi. The freight included critical medical equipment such as oxygen cylinders, oxygen generators and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Air Canada also carried 100 ventilators donated recently by the Saskatchewan Government.  “When flights to India were suspended on April 22, the movement of essential goods between the two countries was also halted. With this exceptional cargo-only flight, we are grateful to help and contribute to these relief efforts by shipping critical medical supplies. We worked closely with the Toronto Business Development Centre and the Government of Ontario to ensure timely support, in solidarity with the affected communities,” said Jason Berry, Vice-President, Cargo at Air Canada. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18688/dozee-launches-millionicu-to-upgrade-healthcare-infrastructure.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18688/dozee-launches-millionicu-to-upgrade-healthcare-infrastructure.html Thu, 20 May 2021 17:35:00 +0530 Dozee announced the launch of MillionICU, an initiative to address the massive shortage of ICU beds and staff in public hospitals. The initiative will raise funds to upgrade normal beds in government hospitals across India into step-down ICUs, using Dozee’s contactless sensor, in under five minutes and enable remote & central monitoring of patients at ward level. The initiative will enable the hospitals to tide over the current COVID-19 crisis in the short-term and bring about a rapid, long-term transformation in India’s public healthcare infrastructure. The company has set an audacious goal of installing 50,000 step-down ICU beds across India in the next six months and take it to one million in the next three years. The initiative has already benefited 25 such hospitals across 15 districts with more than 10,000 patients being monitored and having saved 25000+ nursing hours.  The MillionICU initiative is an effort to leapfrog the critical health infrastructure and empower the government hospitals with step-down ICU beds. The initiative will dramatically increase the number of HDUs with centralised patient monitoring in these hospitals and make critical care more easily accessible and available to the needy, even in the remotest part of the country. Dozee will also be setting up a 24x7 central monitoring cell which will enable healthcare staff to monitor multiple patients remotely who were previously monitored manually only every couple of hours. The central monitoring cell helps in saving crucial nursing hours and on an average, Dozee saves around 30 min of nursing time per patient per day. Dozee’s MillionICU initiative is a bold step towards changing the critical care infrastructure throughout the country. It offers an unique opportunity for government hospitals to use technology to quickly augment the much required HDUs and ICUs.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18687/neoscan-solutions-launches-mri-scanner-for-babies.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18687/neoscan-solutions-launches-mri-scanner-for-babies.html Thu, 20 May 2021 17:30:00 +0530 Neoscan Solutions has invented an MRI scanner for babies. The smaller and lighter MRI scanner can be placed directly in the children's ward of the hospital. Key to the much smaller design is the use of digitizers and AWGs by Spectrum Instrumentation that offer sub-nanosecond, coherence precision to generate the scanner signals and capture the results. Neoscan will be shortly installing its first devices in German hospitals where it can be seen in operation by prospective customers as it takes images of babies. The certification process with a CE mark is expected to be completed before the end of 2021. Says Stefan Roell, Founder, Neoscan Solutions in Germany, "We have designed an MRI scanner specifically for newborns and infants which means that the hole in the middle is only 30cm in diameter, not 60cm. As a result, the scanner is much smaller (170cm x 150cm x 110cm) and can go through standard doorways. With a weight of only 2000 kg, it can be located on standard floors and, needing only ten square metres, it can be installed in a spare room directly on the children's ward. Carrying a sleeping baby only a few meters to the MRI is a big advantage, saving a long journey through the building and the need for sedatives to keep the baby motionless for the scan." "As a start-up, we could not afford to create specialised hardware and so we used this route of high quality, standard cards providing a platform to run our software on," added Dr Roell. Firstly, to shrink the size, the team had to develop a dry magnet that would create the standard 1.5 Tesla field inside the hole, but without requiring liquid helium. This is done by an inner, cylindrical magnet generating 2.5T and then an outer cylindrical magnet that counteracts theinner field to provide strong, active magnet shielding so that there is no stray magnetic field left beyond about 1m from the device's cover.The second innovation was in control electronics. Current MRI scanners typically require three big racks of specially developed electronics, that have been custom designed and built by the MRI manufacturer. Neoscan Solutions chose a different approach. The team used a PC that runs the software that Neoscan has created plus high-end measurement PC cards from Spectrum Instrumentation. The signals for the MRI are generated by the M4i.6620-x8 and M2p.6546-x4 AWGs (Arbitrary Waveform Generators) and then analysed using an M2p.5968-x4 digitizer. The system used Spectrum's SCAPPsoftware drivers that enable a Graphics Processor with 5000 cores to perform the parallel processing, instead of using only 8 or 16 cores of a normal CPU. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18684/deep-hospital-taking-care-of-neonates-if-parents-test-covid-19-positive.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18684/deep-hospital-taking-care-of-neonates-if-parents-test-covid-19-positive.html Thu, 20 May 2021 14:55:00 +0530 Deep Hospital and its founder Dr Baldeep Singh have announced an initiative to help out with the ongoing Covid crisis. Under this initiative, if the parents of a newborn baby are diagnosed Covid positive and the baby doesn’t show any symptoms of the infection, the hospital will take care and nurture the infant, until the parents recover from the infection. The idea is to minimise the risk of exposure to the newborns and protect them by keeping them in Deep Hospital’s highly specialised NICU. These infants will be given expert physiological and even medical care, as necessary. This programme has been announced by the hospital only for neonates. Neonates born in any hospital in any part of the country will be covered under this special initiative. The hospital has so far allocated 15 beds for the same. Speaking of this, Dr Singh said, “Given that passing on the infection to a loved one, more so, an infant is one’s gravest concern in these circumstances, we wanted to do our bit to eliminate the added stress and anxiety for the parents of neonates. This is our way of ensuring that these parents recover well with the complete satisfaction that their newborn is in safe hands and under the expert care of professionally trained nurses who specialise in neonatal care, as well as doctors.” For babies in normal health condition, the hospital staff specialising in neonatal care will be assigned their daily care duties. They will also ensure the nutrition of the infant is adequate, given that feeding is the most important activity for a newborn and the mother herself would not be available to nurse the baby. Along with nutrition, other aspects of child care like hygiene and temperature control will also be diligently taken care of. In case the neonatal starts showing symptoms of any illness or infection/Covid, the necessary medical intervention/treatment will be administered by the hospital, which will be completely free of any treatment charges.  A dedicated team has been designed to take care of these newborns. This includes baby-friendly jhapas and professionally qualified highly-skilled neonatal ICU nurses with over 20 years of experience in newborn management. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18682/breathe-india-initiative-launches-in-karnataka.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18682/breathe-india-initiative-launches-in-karnataka.html Thu, 20 May 2021 14:00:00 +0530 The Breathe India Initiative run by Covid India Campaign was recently launched in Karnataka. Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka Dr Ashwath Narayan took part in the inauguration where he dedicated machines, patient monitors and other medical equipment and supplies to the society in the presence of ADGP Reserve Police Alok Kumar. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Narayan thanked the organisers for coming together in such a short time and supporting six centres. He said, “We thank Covid India Campaign for supporting the state government of Karnataka in this time of need by launching the Breathe India initiative and the seven community oxygen centres across the state. This initiative has been instrumental in easing the need for oxygen in the hospitals and augmenting the entire healthcare system in the state” Dr Shalini Nalwad, Chairperson, ICATT Foundation and Co-founder, Covid India Campaign said, "We have been very active since the first wave, enabling more than Rs 4 crores worth of N95 masks, PPE kits and other essential medical supplies to the frontline workers and we are now focussing on converting normal beds into oxygenated beds by deploying the necessary medical infrastructure in place.” Dr Naga Nischal, Consultant Emergency Medicine, Head of Clinical Services at Cloudnine Hospitals and Karnataka President for the Society for Emergency Medicine of India said, “When patients areadministered oxygen early, deterioration of their condition can be avoided. We aim to shorten the time to availability of oxygen for needy patients by launching community oxygen centres pan India that will administer oxygen and needful medications without a delay.” Swadeep Pillarisetti, an IIT Madras alumnus, Co-founder of Covid India Campaign (CIC) and Lead, Breathe India Initiative said, “Speed is of the essence, hence we quickly conceptualised this and brought together this amazing team of volunteers and organisations in a record time. We aim to set up one Community Oxygen Centre every 24 hours across the country. We have also garnered strong CSR support from various large corporates and NGOs in India as well as abroad.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18680/medpiper-brings-online-prescription-builder-tool-for-doctors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18680/medpiper-brings-online-prescription-builder-tool-for-doctors.html Thu, 20 May 2021 13:10:00 +0530 YCombinator-backed MedPiper Technologies has launched MScribe, an online prescription builder tool for doctors, to improve their treatment methods during the time of the pandemic. Packed with all the essential inputs like patient history, unique patient IDs, and medicine consumption slots, MScribe will help to ensure that doctors provide the right treatment, clearing the confusion when it comes to the right medicine and dosage. MScribe stores all the prescriptions in one place under a unique ID, thereby allowing the doctor to access the patient’s medical history and additional relevant data whenever they need to. MScribe also comes with free cloud access, a follow-up scheduler, an integrated chatbot for patient communication, and medical supply references apart from its security and privacy features, ensuring that the patient’s information is shared only with the doctor who is treating them and not an external source. The prescription builder also warrants the legibility of prescription records that helps patients to order the right medicines online as well as at the pharmacies. Nitthin Chandran, Co-founder and CEO, MedPiper Technologies said, “The online tool will offer a less tedious method to preserve all your prescriptions in one place, for future consultation purposes. It also helps in constant communication between doctors and patients to update each other regarding any illness.”  “While we are building a one-stop solution for automating prescriptions, we also take great care to ensure that our product is constantly evolving, with innovations brought in by user feedback, as well as regular mandates.” Pranay Suyash, Co-Founder and CTO, MedPiper Technologies added. “This is what sets us apart from everyone else. While we are about making jobs simpler, we are also all about the human touch.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18679/jsw-group-opens-1000-bedded-covid-hospital-in-ballari.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18679/jsw-group-opens-1000-bedded-covid-hospital-in-ballari.html Thu, 20 May 2021 12:10:00 +0530 JSW Group has launched a 1,000-bedded oxygenated covid care district field hospital in Toranagallu, Ballari, Karnataka. This is one of India’s biggest Covid-care facilities with a dedicated 4.8 km oxygen pipeline originating from its steel factory and supplying medical oxygen directly to the hospital for treatment of ailing patients. This mega healthcare facility was constructed in a record period of 15 days. JSW Group has created this mega hospital in collaboration with the District Administration of Ballari and is dedicated to the nation and the people of Karnataka. This Mega-Hospital will be managed and administered by the Ballari District Administration. Sajjan Jindal, Chairman, JSW Group, said, “JSW would like to do everything in its humble capacity for the service of mankind. We have created this field hospital to ensure direct oxygen supply from plant to patient.” Commenting on the newly opened medical facility, Sangita Jindal, Chairperson, JSW Foundation, said, “JSW remains committed to support the Government’s efforts in flattening the Covid infection curve while helping patients recover by providing them the best healthcare facilities at this hospital.” According to Dr Vinod Nowal, Deputy Managing Director, JSW Steel Ltd, “This Mega Covid-care facility is equipped with all necessary medical facilities for treating patients from North Karnataka and neighbouring districts of Andhra Pradesh.” The Mega Covid-Care Hospital created by JSW is equipped with medical equipment for critical care, pharmacy as well as supported by kitchen and laundry services. The Ballari District Administration will be managing the hospital in multiple shifts with the help of 700 personnel across three shifts, comprising doctors/specialists, nurses, paramedics, supervisors, and non-medical staff. In order to ensure uninterrupted oxygen supply, JSW Steel Vijayanagar Works will supply 1200 Nm 3/hr of oxygen to this mega-hospital. The hospital premises will be kept cool through 850 tonnes of air-conditioners installed across the premises with electrical substation. It also has an exhaust and air purifier system installed to maintain appropriate temperature range and air quality inside the premises. It will also have all necessary power and water supply to ensure smooth running and uninterrupted care to the patients.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18677/c-camp-to-deploy-110-oxygen-concentrators-across-karnataka.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18677/c-camp-to-deploy-110-oxygen-concentrators-across-karnataka.html Thu, 20 May 2021 10:50:00 +0530 Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms or C-CAMP has received CSR funding from Mercedes Benz Research & Development India (MBRDI) towards deploying about 110 oxygen concentrators from Germany in public healthcare centres across Karnataka. The machines that have already arrived in Bengaluru will be deployed in close partnership with BBMP and Health Department of Government of Karnataka. The effort that has been facilitated by Nayonika Eyecare Charitable Trust, the German Consulate General, Bangalore and Indian Embassy in Germany is one of the many national and international CSR fundraising initiatives being co-ordinated by C-CAMP to aid India’s COVID response with life-saving technologies and innovations. Dr Taslimarif Saiyed, CEO & Director, C-CAMP said, “C-CAMP is happy to contribute to Karnataka’s ongoing combat by bringing this much needed resource to the state. We are planning on collaborating with Government of Karnataka on deployment in public healthcare centres including makeshift hospitals and COVID care facilities which especially lack infrastructure for cryogenic oxygen.” The consignment of 110 concentrators imported by C-CAMP have been manufactured by Phillips, are lightweight, easy-to-use and low maintenance. Speaking on the importance of such multi-partner PPP collaborations in rapid mobilisation during this time of emergency, Dr Saiyed remarked that “The C-CAMP-MBRDI partnership was turned around in unprecedented urgency and definitely shows the way for greater ecosystem participation in order to bring forward more helping hands from India & abroad in this hour of need.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18690/thailand-pushes-development-of-medical-genomics-and-precision-medicines.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18690/thailand-pushes-development-of-medical-genomics-and-precision-medicines.html Thu, 20 May 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust (GSTT) in the UK and Thailand Centre of Excellence for Life Sciences (TCELS), under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Genetic Counselor capacity building partnership to support Thailand’s development of medical genomics and precision medicines. The MoU on Genetic Counselor capacity building partnership to support Thailand’s development of medical genomics and precision medicines is a significant collaboration that will transfer knowledge and expertise in genetic counselling from the UK to Thailand. Increased capacity in Thailand will lead to further development in human resources, local expertise, effective diagnosis and treatment, contributing to better health and living standard of Thai population as well as lessening the burden to Thai government healthcare budget. This partnership on medicine and health between Thailand the UK will also lead to opportunities for further collaborations in other areas such as joint research and the development of complete healthcare and medical ecosystem. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18673/covid-19-vaccination-to-be-deferred-by-3-months-after-recovery-says-negvac.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18673/covid-19-vaccination-to-be-deferred-by-3-months-after-recovery-says-negvac.html Wed, 19 May 2021 13:05:00 +0530 The National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) has shared fresh recommendations regarding COVID-19 vaccination with the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.  These recommendations have been based on the evolving situation of the COVID-19 pandemic and emerging global scientific evidence & experience. Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has accepted these recommendations, which are as follows, and has communicated these to the States and UTs also: Deferring the COVID-19 vaccination in the following scenario: Individuals having lab test proven SARS-2 COVID-19 illness: COVID-19 vaccination to be deferred by 3 months after recovery. SARS-2 COVID-19 patients who have been given anti-SARS-2 monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma: COVID-19 vaccination to be deferred by 3 months from the date of discharge from the hospital. Individuals who have received at least the 1st dose and got COVID-19 infection before completion of the dosing schedule: the 2nd dose should be deferred by 3 months after clinical recovery from COVID-19 illness. Persons with any other serious general illness requiring hospitalization or ICU care should also wait for 4-8 weeks before getting the COVID-19 vaccine.  An individual can donate blood after 14 days of either receipt of COVID-19 vaccine or testing RT-PCR negative, if suffering from COVID-19 disease. COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all lactating women. Also, there is no requirement for screening of the vaccine recipients by rapid antigen test (RAT) prior to COVID-19 vaccination. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18667/noida-traffic-police-fortis-hospital-launch-auto-ambulance-initiative-for-covid-19-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18667/noida-traffic-police-fortis-hospital-launch-auto-ambulance-initiative-for-covid-19-patients.html Wed, 19 May 2021 11:40:00 +0530 Noida Traffic Police, with the help of Fortis Hospital, Noida has launched the ‘Auto-ambulance’ initiative wherein dedicated autos will be responsible for taking suspected and confirmed COVID patients to the hospital. To ensure proper care is provided to the patient during the journey, oxygen cylinders & pulse oximeters have been installed in the autos. Additionally, training has been provided by medical professionals from the hospital on how to ensure basic life support, help a patient put on an oxygen mask, operate an oxygen cylinder, measure the pulse, SPo2 and blood pressure of patients. All auto drivers will be given PPE kits and taught on how to safeguard themselves against infection. The service can be availed through a helpline number +91 99710 09001. Hardeep Singh, Zonal Director, Fortis Noida said, “We are very proud of the collaboration with the Noida Traffic Police. In preparation for the coming months and the ongoing case load, the auto-ambulance initiative is imperative. It will allow patients from every part of the city to avail emergency services and reach the hospital for treatment. As a responsible healthcare provider, Fortis Noida is working with the traffic authority, under the guidance of the government in this fight against COVID-19 to ensure that it continues in a structured and efficient manner.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18663/nephroplus-providing-dialysis-to-covid-patients-across-120-centres-in-90-cities.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18663/nephroplus-providing-dialysis-to-covid-patients-across-120-centres-in-90-cities.html Tue, 18 May 2021 17:40:00 +0530 NephroPlus is scaling up its operations of providing dialysis to COVID positive patients across 120+ centres in 90 cities. Through this initiative, NephroPlus aims to help dialysis patients with COVID-19, to obtain timely dialysis care across the centres through in-hospital dialysis sessions or its specialised service offerings ‘Dialysis on Wheel’ (DOW) and ‘Dialysis on Call’ (DOC).   The service is fully functional across all the units as the brand has created dedicated facilities to provide dialysis service to COVID positive patients, either in isolation at the OPD units or in the IP/ICUs. Apart from this, NephroPlus has made special provisions to offer dialysis services at the OPD units of the hospitals during the night hours (3rd & 4th shift).   To ensure that quality does not get hampered, the company has additionally hired skilled technicians across all its centres to cater to the increasing number of COVID-positive patients who need dialysis care. As per records, over the last one and a half month, NephroPlus has provided dialysis to 512 patients and is currently providing its services to over 50 COVID-19 patients across centres daily.  Speaking about this, Vikram Vuppala, Founder and CEO, NephroPlus said, “During these tough times, as a leading dialysis provider in the country, we take responsibility to provide all dialysis patients with quality care and ensure they receive timely services, irrespective of the location (at home or in the hospital).”  Adding to this, Kamal D Shah, Co-Founder & Director of Guest Services, NephroPlus says, “Providing access to chronic kidney patients over 120+ locations has allowed us to serve so many of our guests in fully converted COVID facilities. Keeping in mind the growing number of COVID-19 people in India who need dialysis service, we firmly decided to launch these dedicated dialysis treatment centres. We are extremely happy to expand our service in the country, as it allows us to reach out to more and more patients in India.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18661/india-ramps-up-availability-of-amphotericin-b-for-treating-mucormycosis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18661/india-ramps-up-availability-of-amphotericin-b-for-treating-mucormycosis.html Tue, 18 May 2021 13:05:00 +0530 Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Mansukh Mandaviya has reviewed the requirement and supply position of anti-fungal medication Amphotericin-B which cures mucormycosis. The government has chalked out a strategy with manufacturers to ramp up domestic production as well as to import the drug from all over the world. The Minister has observed that the supply of Amphotericin-B has been increased many folds. But currently there is a sudden demand surge. He has assured that the government is committed to making all possible and necessary efforts to make it available to needy patients. The government has also outlined the system for efficient distribution and supply chain management of Amphotericin B. The shortage is expected to get resolved at the earliest. Mandaviya has urged States to use this drug judiciously by strictly following the prescribed guidelines. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18659/iit-gandhinagar-suggests-other-institutions-to-set-up-in-house-covid-care-facilities.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18659/iit-gandhinagar-suggests-other-institutions-to-set-up-in-house-covid-care-facilities.html Tue, 18 May 2021 12:00:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) has come out with a Whitepaper on the COVID-19 Care Facility it established in the campus during April 2021 to tackle the surge in cases in campus and local community during the second wave. The institute is keen that other institutions and communities across the country benefit from their experience in setting up this in-house COVID care facility and reduce the pressure on healthcare facilities across India. Also, the Union Ministry of Health has advocated for the creation of 30-bed Covid Care Centres in schools, community halls, panchayat buildings, educational institutions, housing societies and other communities. This will go a long way in relieving the pressure on India’s medical infrastructure, which is severely strained with shortages of beds, oxygen concentrators, oxygen tanks and respirators, among other facilities. Explaining the motive behind developing and releasing this Whitepaper, Prof. Sudhir Jain, Director, IITGN, said, “We are experiencing an unprecedented global health crisis that demands unconventional and urgent action to support and care for each other.” IITGN converted its newly-built guest house to a COVID care facility that served not only to provide relief to hundreds of infected members of the community but contributed in a small way to relieving the added burdens these Covid positive patients would have otherwise imposed on Ahmedabad’s and Gandhinagar’s health infrastructure. Almost 94% of the patients housed in the Covid Care facility recovered without needing hospitalization and were released after isolation. Just 6 per cent (16 people) required hospitalization, of which six unfortunately died. At its peak, 95 Covid-19 positive patients were residents in IITGN’s isolation facility, which dwindled to just 1 on May 16. The facility also helped patients find beds in local hospitals if needed. Counselling services offered psychological support to patients, medical staff, and their families ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18658/us-provides-free-telehealth-services-to-covid-19-patients-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18658/us-provides-free-telehealth-services-to-covid-19-patients-in-india.html Tue, 18 May 2021 10:00:00 +0530 To relieve the strain placed on the Indian healthcare  system by the current surge in coronavirus cases, the American Association of Physicians of Indian-Origin (AAPI) and Sewa International have partnered with eGlobalDoctors to provide medical advice for COVID-19 patients from India via telehealth. This online platform gives patients an opportunity to meet privately with volunteer medical professionals, who offer counseling with the aim of identifying those with mild or severe cases of infection. According to the Chairman and Co-founder of eGlobalDoctors, Dr. Sreeni Gangasani, over 100 volunteer physicians from AAPI and "Doctors for Sewa" have been registered on the platform in the past ten days. In that time, the website has been visited more than 100,000 times, at least 2,000 patients have filled out the COVID-19 Registration Form, and 500 patients have already received medical counseling. More than 200 volunteers from the US and India are working together to follow-up with those who filled out the online form but were unable to show up at their scheduled consultation time. Sewa volunteers have been instrumental in facilitating these one-on-one sessions, matching patients to doctors who speak the same language and placing them in a private breakout consultation room ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18656/apollo-drl-unveil-pilot-programme-for-sputnik-v-vaccination-in-hyderabad-visakhapatnam.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18656/apollo-drl-unveil-pilot-programme-for-sputnik-v-vaccination-in-hyderabad-visakhapatnam.html Mon, 17 May 2021 17:20:00 +0530 Apollo Hospitals and Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL) announced the launch of a limited pilot programme for the Sputnik V vaccine as part of the soft launch by Dr Reddy’s in India. The first phase of the programme will kick-off with vaccinations in Hyderabad on May 17 and in Visakhapatnam on May 18 at separate facilities at Apollo Hospitals in those cities. The vaccinations would follow the SOPs as recommended by the government including registration on CoWIN.   Dr K Hari Prasad, President – Hospitals Division, Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Limited said, “This pilot phase will allow Dr Reddy’s and Apollo to test the arrangements and cold chain logistics and prepare for the launch. We are confident that with the Sputnik V vaccine, we will be able to make a significant contribution to ease availability and access to COVID vaccines to the community at large.”  MV Ramana, CEO – Branded Markets (India & Emerging Markets), Dr Reddy’s Laboratories said, “We are pleased to collaborate with Apollo Hospitals as part of our soft pilot launch of the Sputnik V vaccine in India. We are working to scale up the pilot and take the vaccine to other cities, and in the upcoming months we hope to inoculate as many Indians as possible.”  The Sputnik V vaccines for the pilot programme would be supplied by Dr Reddy’s from the first batch of 1,50,000 vaccine doses imported by them for the soft launch. After Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam, the pilot programme will be extended to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kolkata, and Pune.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18651/cytecare-converts-school-hostel-into-120-bed-covid-treatment-centre.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18651/cytecare-converts-school-hostel-into-120-bed-covid-treatment-centre.html Mon, 17 May 2021 13:45:00 +0530 Cytecare Hospitals in collaboration with Cloudphysician – a health-tech company, has announced the opening of a first-of-its-kind step-down hospital in Bengaluru. The 120-bed Covid treatment centre has been developed by converting the school hostel into a healthcare facility. While Canadian International School offered its hostel facilities for setting up the centre, city-based NGO - Humanist Centre for Medicine and the Bangalore chapter of Entrepreneurs Organisation helped with the fund raising for the initiative. The Cytecare step-down hospital will treat moderately ill Covid patients requiring oxygen support, given that they form a substantial percentage of all hospital admissions. Each bed has a dedicated oxygen concentrator, in addition to other healthcare facilities and nursing care. There are doctors and nurses who will monitor patients every 4 hours/ 6 times a day. Through this initiative, hospital beds will be provided free to those who cannot afford it while government rates will apply to others. The centre is also equipped with a centralised clinical command room to manage its operations as well as ensure an organised channel for the allocation of oxygen beds and other accessories. Suresh Ramu - Co-founder, CEO, Cytecare Cancer Hospitals who led this initiative, said, “With adoption of advanced process and technology, we have been able to scale this initiative in record time. All the clinical and non-clinical information will flow into a system to allow the Clinical command room -  monitored round-the-clock by senior intensivists and senior nurses - to look at the data real-time and help the clinical team address treatment protocols for patients, accordingly.” Shweta Sastri, Managing Director, Canadian International School, noted, “Canadian International School is happy to be of service and have our hostel function as an oxygen treatment centre in these tough times. Together, we can overcome this adversity.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18652/government-releases-first-batch-of-drdo-anti-covid-drug-2-dg.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18652/government-releases-first-batch-of-drdo-anti-covid-drug-2-dg.html Mon, 17 May 2021 09:25:00 +0530 The first batch of the adjunct COVID therapy anti-COVID drug, 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG), was released by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh and handed over to Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Science & Tech and Earth Sciences Dr Harsh Vardhan in New Delhi on May 17, 2021. One box each of the sachets of the drug were handed over to Director, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Dr Randeep Guleria and Lt Gen Sunil Kant of Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS). More will be handed over to different hospitals across the country for emergency use. An anti-COVID-19 therapeutic application of the drug 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) has been developed by Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), a lab of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), along with Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL), Hyderabad. “2-DG drug is a new ray of hope in these challenging times,” said Rajnath Singh, expressing confidence that the medicine will play a crucial role in winning the fight against COVID-19. He said, the development and production of the drug is a shining example of public-private sector partnership to help the nation in these challenging times. He further said when the situation improves, he would personally like to honour the scientists who played a major role in the development of the drug as they deserve credit for this achievement. In his address, Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan termed 2-DG as an important developmentby DRDO and DRL, Hyderabad that will reduce the recovery time & oxygen dependency in COVID-19 patients. He hoped that the drug will go a long way in defeating the virus in not just India but across the globe. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18645/australia-india-trade-association-suggests-deployment-of-covid-killing-robots.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18645/australia-india-trade-association-suggests-deployment-of-covid-killing-robots.html Sat, 15 May 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Australia-India Trade Association (AITA), an Australian not-for-profit organisation has been facilitating talks between SoftBank Germii (A SoftBank Robotics venture) and various healthcare organisations to deploy COVID-19 killing robots. The SoftBank robot equipped with a Germii UVC pathogen killer is being viewed as the tech that could create COVID free spaces without the use of antiviral chemicals. The inventor, Harold Thomas Van Haltren, who has spent his life studying the effects of UV rays on pathogens commented, “Chemical Sanitisation along with the cost and logistics is also a health hazard and may not be very effective as manual spraying or fogging could not be very effective against COVID 19.” AITA also hosted a virtual conference on Friday, 14th May 2021, which was attended by the Germii and Softbank executives along with several leading Hospital and healthcare companies in India. In addition to the above, AITA is also considering talks with vaccine manufacturers to deliver large quantities of vaccines to India in the next few weeks. Vineet Rai, Secretary General AITA, Mumbai says, “We have reached out to various state governments and private healthcare institutions with a willingness to help out and have received very good feedback.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18637/apollo-diagnostics-launches-drive-through-covid-19-testing-facilities-in-pune.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18637/apollo-diagnostics-launches-drive-through-covid-19-testing-facilities-in-pune.html Fri, 14 May 2021 12:30:00 +0530 Apollo Diagnostics has launched drive through COVID-19 testing facilities in Pune. Apollo Diagnostics, aims to test more patients in quick time keeping their safety and convenience in mind. Vishwajit Reddy Konda: Business Lead – Digital Innovation, Development & Data Analytics, Apollo Diagnostics said “For the convenience of people and to increase the testing with safety protocols, we have set up COVID-19, RT- PCR testing at NSG IT Park. we are planning to have more such set- up at various locations across Pune, to help mitigate the risk of virus and ensure testing with ease. The complete process of registration and payment for testing is totally contactless. The facility is fully equipped for the testing and has the capacity to manage up to 250 patients per day.” Those desiring to undergo RT-PCR test have to follow these easy and safe five step procedure: 1)    Need to complete the registration process at the entrance by scanning a QR code and will, in turn, receive a token the number on their mobile.  2)    They need to make the necessary payment online and proceed for testing.  3)    A phlebotomist will take the sample from the person.  4)    A message with details and a digital invoice will be received on the mobile.  5)    The reports will be delivered within a time frame of 48-72 hours. Carrying of the necessary identification documents, as specified by the government (PAN Card or Aadhaar Card), is mandatory.  To book an appointment, call on 7292005716. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18635/motherhood-hospital-brings-home-vaccination-facility-for-children.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18635/motherhood-hospital-brings-home-vaccination-facility-for-children.html Fri, 14 May 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Motherhood Hospital brings home vaccination facility for children at doorsteps. This unique service is aimed at easing out the burden of parents having to visit the hospital for immunisation of their newborns/infants, thus ensuring seamless and continued immunisation care for children. The home vaccination facility can be booked by parents in advance and a thoroughly sanitised fully equipped ambulance will be at their doorstep to cater to the immunisation of babies. Since, Motherhood Hospital adheres to strict Covid safety protocols, it is that the frontline workers are fully vaccinated for Covid and sanitisation, disinfectants will be used to ensure zero rate of infection while administering the vaccinations. Vijayarathna Venkatraman, CEO, Motherhood Hospitals, said, “Our effort to provide an exclusive home vaccination service for kids is to protect them and the parents visiting hospitals for the fear of infections. We are happy to launch this one of kind service across all our centres of Motherhood in India.”     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18636/american-india-foundation-to-establish-oxygen-plants-in-25-cities.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18636/american-india-foundation-to-establish-oxygen-plants-in-25-cities.html Fri, 14 May 2021 00:00:00 +0530 American India Foundation (AIF), in collaboration with Paytm, Indian Biogas Association, Foundation For Innovation & Research In Science & Technology and Acquafront Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd., it is set to roll out Oxygen Plants in 25 of the most virus-ravaged cities in the country. “Working with installation and technical partners, the Plants will bring a quick and long-term solution to the current oxygen crisis, reducing the dependence on liquid oxygen distribution channels, that are stretched beyond their limits,” said Mathew Joseph, Country Director, AIF The Plants will be based on the proven Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) technology and will deliver 90%+ oxygen concentration, only requiring power and water supply from the hospitals. Bringing in industry and domain experts, the Oxygen Plants will be able to scale up production capacities in the future as per the demands, while maintaining uniform pressure and flow distribution in the PSA towers, a mandate for high purity of produced oxygen. A few of the Plants will be Rapidly Deployable Oxygen Plants with 500 Litres per month capacity, to speedily strengthen health infrastructure against COVID-19 pandemic, while some others will be Modular Oxygen Generation Plants, designed to be easily transportable on mobile skids, to expedite critical aid to the neediest hospitals and clinics at any given time, generating medical grade oxygen on-site. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18632/1mg-seekify-hssc-to-launch-covid-19-vaccination-skills-training-programme.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18632/1mg-seekify-hssc-to-launch-covid-19-vaccination-skills-training-programme.html Thu, 13 May 2021 16:05:00 +0530 1mg has partnered with Seekify, an upskilling platform and Healthcare Sector Skill Council (HSSC) to launch a programme to provide adequate skills training to healthcare professionals (medical students, nursing students, pharmacists, phlebotomists, etc) in the administration of COVID-19 vaccination. With the acute pressure on the existing healthcare infrastructure and professionals, there is an immediate need to prepare a second line of inoculators among allied health professionals. A series of noteworthy decisions have recently been taken by the central government in this regard. Speaking about this, Dr Thomas Davis, Director of Standards and Industry Engagement, Health Sector Skill Council said, “There is an urgent need to expand the pool of trained vaccinators in the country. Given the strain on our healthcare infrastructure, this initiative will help in training thousands of healthcare workers and preparing them in the fight against COVID-19.” Dr Varun Gupta, SVP, Medical Affairs, 1mg, said, “Post completion of these training modules, candidates would have to undergo an assessment by the Health Sector Skill Council and only successful candidates will be issued certification from HSSC and 1mg. 500 healthcare workers have already been trained under this programme, 1mg aims to train 10,000 professionals by collaborating with medical, nursing, and pharmacy colleges.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18633/covishield-vaccine-dose-gap-extends-to-12-16-weeks.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18633/covishield-vaccine-dose-gap-extends-to-12-16-weeks.html Thu, 13 May 2021 14:00:00 +0530 The COVID Working Group chaired by Dr N K Arora, Director, INCLEN Trust, has recommended extension of the gap between the first and second doses of COVISHIELD vaccine to 12-16 weeks. The present gap between the two doses of COVISHIELD vaccine is 6-8 weeks. Based on the available real-life evidences, particularly from the UK, the COVID-19 Working Group agreed for increasing the dosing interval to 12-16 weeks between two doses of COVISHIELD vaccine. No change in interval of COVAXIN vaccine doses was recommended. The COVID Working Group comprises of the following members: Dr N K Arora- Director, INCLEN Trust (an international network of healthcare professionals) Dr Rakesh Agarwal, Director and dean, GIPMER, Puducherry Dr Gagandeep Kang, professor, Christian Medical College, Vellore Dr J P Mulliyal, Retd professor, Christian Medical College, Vellore Dr Naveen Khanna, Group Leader, International Centre For Genetic Engineering And Biotechnology  (ICGEB), JNU, New Delhi Dr Amulya Panda, Director, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi Dr V G Somani, Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), Govt of India The recommendation of the COVID Working Group was accepted by the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19 (NEGVAC), headed by Dr V K Paul, Member (Health) Niti Aayog in its meeting on 12th May 2021. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has also accepted this recommendation of the COVID Working Group for extension of the gap between the first and second doses of COVISHIELD vaccine to 12 -16 weeks. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18627/fairfax-sets-up-oxygenated-covid-19-treatment-centre-at-bengaluru-airport.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18627/fairfax-sets-up-oxygenated-covid-19-treatment-centre-at-bengaluru-airport.html Thu, 13 May 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Fairfax Financial Holdings Group has provided the funding to set up COV-AID@BLR, a 150-bed, oxygenated COVID-19 treatment centre at BLR Airport. The facility would be operational on May 18, 2021. The Fairfax-led initiative, in partnership with GiveIndia, is part-funded by Kempegowda International Airport Foundation (KIAF) – the foundation of Bangalore International Airport Limited. The initiative will be managed by Fairfax Financial Holdings Group's investee companies – KIAF and Quess Corp Limited. COV-AID@BLR, located near the Cargo Terminals at BLR Airport, would be equipped to treat patients with mild hypoxia (a condition in which the body or a region of the body is deprived of adequate oxygen supply at the tissue level). The facility is designed to be a transit oxygen delivery centre, which would provide much-needed relief and treatment for patients requiring oxygen support until they are able to get admission in a hospital. The Centre would be equipped with a pharmacy, pathology unit, nurses’ station, rest rooms and a dining area. Suitable drinking water facilities and visitor areas are provided. An ambulance would be on standby 24x7 to cater to emergencies. The necessary arrangements would be made for safe disposal of waste, including bio-waste. An eminent panel of doctors, including Dr. Naresh Shetty, Dr. Nandakumar Jairam and Dr. Alexander Thomas, would provide technical assistance in the functioning of the Centre. All staff, including doctors and nursing support would be provided by the GoK.  The initiative is funded by Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited, through its subsidiary Fairfax India Holdings Corporation. The Canada-based group has committed $5 million (Rs 37 Crore) to provide COVID-19 relief in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18625/pm-cares-fund-approves-procurement-of-150k-units-of-oxycare-system-at-rs-322-5-cr.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18625/pm-cares-fund-approves-procurement-of-150k-units-of-oxycare-system-at-rs-322-5-cr.html Wed, 12 May 2021 18:00:00 +0530 PM-CARES Fund has accorded sanction for procurement of 1,50,000 units of Oxycare System at a cost of Rs 322.5 crore. It is a comprehensive system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to regulate oxygen being administrated to patients based on the sensed values of their SpO2 levels.The system has been developed in two Configurations. The basic version consists of a 10 litre Oxygen cylinder, a Pressure Regulator cum Flow Controller, a Humidifier and a Nasal Cannula. The Oxygen flow is regulated manually based on the SpO2 readings. The intelligent configuration includes a system for automatic regulation of Oxygen through a Low Pressure Regulator, Electronic Control System and an SpO2 Probe in addition to the basic version.SpO2 Based Oxygen Control System optimises consumption of oxygen based on the SpO2 level of the patient and effectively increases the endurance of portable Oxygen cylinder. The threshold SpO2 value for initiating flow from the system can be adjusted by the health staff and the SpO2 levels are continuously monitored and displayed by the system. It reduces the work load and exposure of healthcare providers by eliminating the need of routine measurement and manual adjustments of Oxygen flow, thereby facilitating tele-consultation also. The automatic system also provides suitable audio warning for various failure scenarios including low SpO2 values and probe disconnections. These Oxycare systems can be used at Homes, Quarantine Centres, COVID Care Centres and Hospitals.In addition, Non-Rebreather Masks (NRM) are integrated with the Oxycare Systems for efficient use of oxygen which results in saving of Oxygen by 30-40%.DRDO has transferred the technology to multiple industries in India who will be producing the Oxycare Systems for use all across India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18619/promega-indiadonates-oxygen-concentrators-bipap-machines-organise-vaccination-camps-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18619/promega-indiadonates-oxygen-concentrators-bipap-machines-organise-vaccination-camps-.html Wed, 12 May 2021 12:00:00 +0530 As India faces a second wave of COVID-19, Promega Biotech India is partnering with Sambhav Foundation (a LabourNet Initiative) to donate oxygen concentrators, BiPAP machines and organise vaccine camps across the country to combat the COVID -19 pandemic’s second wave in India. Medical equipment will be donated to hospitals to augment their capacity to help patients infected with COVID-19 across Delhi /NCR. “Since the earliest days of the pandemic, Promega India has focused on keeping our employees safe and providing support to communities. We continue to explore other meaningful ways to help in saving lives and are committed to support the nation in this time of crisis. The current crisis in India motivates us to extend beyond our own horizons and support our nation,” said Dr Rajnish Bharti, General Manager, Promega Biotech India Pvt Ltd. Currently, the company is also distributing free of cost hand sanitizers and face masks to testing labs and local communities and plans to extend support by providing PPE kits and face shields. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18608/japan-undp-aid-north-eastern-region-with-oxygen-generation-plants.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18608/japan-undp-aid-north-eastern-region-with-oxygen-generation-plants.html Tue, 11 May 2021 13:40:00 +0530 The Government of Japan and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India have partnered to provide oxygen generation plants to the North Eastern region in India. In light of the critical need to ensure uninterrupted oxygen supply, the support from the people of Japan has enabled UNDP in procuring and installing eight pressure swing absorption (PSA) oxygen generation plants in the states of Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura in the North Eastern region of India. The hospitals, with a capacity of approximately 1,300 beds in total, have been identified in the region for these oxygen generation plants. Excess oxygen will be distributed among other health facilities in the hospitals’ vicinity. The installation sites are being prepared so that the oxygen production can start at the earliest possible. “I am pleased that Japan is working with UNDP to provide vital oxygen generation plants for the people of India’s North East. India’s North East occupies a special place for Japan-India relations and I sincerely hope that the oxygen generation plants will help those people in need in the North Eastern region of India,” shared Satoshi Suzuki, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of India. “I would like to thank the people of Japan for this critical support that will allow UNDP to ensure uninterrupted flow of oxygen in hospitals and health centres in the region, especially those in hard-to-reach areas. UNDP urgently needs additional support to ensure that we reach the last mile to leave no one behind,” mentioned Shoko Noda, Resident Representative, UNDP India. In addition to this, UNDP has also been supporting the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with digitisation of supply chain of vaccines and tracking beneficiaries across states to ensure better access and coverage. It has also helped build capacities of 820,500 frontline workers across the country to support the ‘world’s largest vaccination drive’. The Government of Japan has also committed a sizeable commitment of providing critical items to India, including ventilators and oxygen concentrators. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18612/cognizant-launches-geospatial-mapping-initiative-to-end-malaria-in-odisha.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18612/cognizant-launches-geospatial-mapping-initiative-to-end-malaria-in-odisha.html Tue, 11 May 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Cognizant and Malaria No More have jointly launched ‘Malaria Mapathon’, a geospatial mapping initiative aimed at improving healthcare access and driving positive outcomes in the fight to end malaria. The first phase of this initiative will focus on Odisha, the state with one of the highest incidences of malaria in India, specifically the hotspot districts of Koraput and Malkangiri, where over half of all malaria cases in Odisha occur. As part of the ‘Malaria Mapathon’, Cognizant’s employee volunteers will use OpenStreetMap (OSM) to trace, edit and label key infrastructure and geography of the region, including streets, buildings, vegetation and water bodies. Malaria No More India will overlay epidemiology and weather data on the geospatial map framework, which will then be used to identify disease hotspots and underserved communities, stratify the risk of transmission, improve surveillance and disease reporting and deliver targeted medical interventions, supplies and life-saving aids and tools. “We are pleased to pledge our support and bring our technology and domain expertise to the fight against malaria,” said Rajesh Nambiar, Chairman and Managing Director, Cognizant India. “The ongoing pandemic has underscored the vital role played by technology and data in driving a robust healthcare response. No one should be left behind and vulnerable and at-risk communities need timely help, supplies and medical intervention. In Odisha, the huge gains made in the fight against malaria are at risk now, with the pandemic impeding access to critical health services. In partnership with Malaria No More, we are committed to helping Odisha in the battle to eradicate this deadly yet preventable disease.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18598/rapipay-to-facilitate-covid-19-vaccination-registration.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18598/rapipay-to-facilitate-covid-19-vaccination-registration.html Mon, 10 May 2021 16:00:00 +0530 RapiPay Fintech will be facilitating COVID-19 vaccination registration through its agent app and website. Currently, RapiPay’s B2B app has more than five lakh installs from retailers and merchants. RapiPay has used a tool on its website and app that redirects users to Covid vaccination data available on CoWIN website on live basis. Lakhs of RapiPay agents access this app daily to serve crores of customers for payments, AEPS and remittance services. Using the same app, the agents will be able to seamlessly assist their customers to check vaccination availability in their area and accordingly register for the vaccination slot. RapiPay has used a tool on its website and app that redirects users to Covid vaccination data available on CoWIN website on live basis. Lakhs of RapiPay agents access this app daily to serve crores of customers for payments, AEPS and remittance services. Using the same app, the agents will be able to seamlessly assist their customers to check vaccination availability in their area and accordingly register for the vaccination slot. Commenting on this announcement, Yogendra Kashyap, CEO, RapiPay said, “In this hour of need, all of us must do our bit to combat this pandemic. Millions of non tech users, especially in the rural markets, might not be able to register on CoWIN or Aarogya Setu app on their own. With this initiative, their vaccination registration can be facilitated through our direct business outlets (DBOs) who use RapiPay daily for their business.  We are hopeful that with this facility a lot of people will not crowd the immunisation centre and help maintain social distance which is the need of the hour.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18595/c-camp-receives-rs-12-cr-grant-from-novo-nordisk-to-build-4-emergency-hospitals.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18595/c-camp-receives-rs-12-cr-grant-from-novo-nordisk-to-build-4-emergency-hospitals.html Mon, 10 May 2021 09:05:00 +0530 With a grant of DKK 10 Million, approximately Rs 12 crore by Danish Novo Nordisk Foundation, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) will be anchoring and hosting a project to establish four emergency hospitals fitted with advanced equipment for COVID-19 care as well as a number of mobile hospital units. Through this ambitious project, facilitated by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, parties look to address the spiralling hospital bed shortfall across India, including several underserved states. C-CAMP along with Office of PSA will oversee the establishment of new emergency hospitals and a number of mobile hospital units with a total of 364 beds and the capacity to treat close to 1300 COVID-19 patients per week with oxygen concentrators and respiratory support equipment among other emergency infrastructure. In the areas most severely affected the capacity will be in place within few weeks, and the mobile hospital units will be set up as soon as possible in states where infection rates are expected to increase in the coming weeks. The proposed hospital locations have been identified based on urgent need requests as received from State Government health agencies. Dr Taslimarif Saiyed, C-CAMP CEO & Director, said “Cases are skyrocketing in several states and hospital beds with oxygen capability are the need of the hour even in previously self-reliant urbanized health care centres. With this support from Novo Nordisk Foundation, we are eager to boost the number of oxygenated beds and ICUs on a war footing and enhance capacity even in states that currently witness relatively low cases. With a strong possibility of Third Wave in future, such models of collaboration will be crucial for augmenting an immensely stretched healthcare system.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18594/india-must-rationalise-a-botched-vaccination-campaign-lancet-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18594/india-must-rationalise-a-botched-vaccination-campaign-lancet-study.html Sun, 09 May 2021 01:05:00 +0530 The Lancet, a weekly peer-reviewed general medical journal known to be among the world's oldest and best-known, has published a study on India's COVID-19 emergency situation. According to the study, India must now pursue a two-pronged strategy to overcome the crisis.  First, the botched vaccination campaign must be rationalised and implemented with all due speed. There are two immediate bottlenecks to overcome: increasing vaccine supply (some of which should come from abroad) and setting up a distribution campaign that can cover not just urban but also rural and poorer citizens, who constitute more than 65% of the population (over 800 million people) but face a desperate scarcity of public health and primary care facilities.   The government must work with local and primary health-care centres that know their communities and create an equitable distribution system for the vaccine.   Second, India must reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission as much as possible while the vaccine is rolled out. As cases continue to mount, the government must publish accurate data in a timely manner, and forthrightly explain to the public what is happening and what is needed to bend the epidemic curve, including the possibility of a new federal lockdown.   Genome sequencing needs to be expanded to better track, understand, and control emerging and more transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variants. Local governments have begun taking disease-containment measures, but the federal government has an essential role in explaining to the public the necessity of masking, social distancing, halting mass gatherings, voluntary quarantine, and testing.    The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation estimates that India will see a staggering 1 million deaths from COVID-19 by Aug 1.   The result will depend on the government owning up to its mistakes, providing responsible leadership and transparency, and implementing a public health response that has science at its heart. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18588/iit-madras-develops-blockchain-based-medical-data-system-for-mobile-app-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18588/iit-madras-develops-blockchain-based-medical-data-system-for-mobile-app-.html Fri, 07 May 2021 15:35:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras researchers have developed ‘BlockTrack’, a first-of-its-kind blockchain-based secure medical data and information exchange system for a mobile phone-based application. This system is currently being field-tested at IIT Madras Institute Hospital. The project has been undertaken with CSR support from Infosys originating during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic last year. BlockTrack aims to securely digitise healthcare information systems while ensuring the protection of sensitive personal information and medical records by decentralising the control and ownership of patient data, through a blockchain-based innovation. The BlockTrack innovation is now protected through a provisional IP filed with the Indian Patent Office. The Android version of the application has been developed separately for both patients as well as doctors. BlockTrack’s algorithm generates identification codes for users and ensures uniqueness across boundaries with very little chance for duplication. It opens up the promise of universal and transferable healthcare information management with a strong emphasis on data privacy and tracking the spread of infectious diseases across geographies. BlockTrack allows the interoperability of systems from multiple hospitals, institutes, and healthcare organisations. It integrates medical supply chain management and proactive tracking of the spread of contagious infections. The patient can choose to visit any healthcare facility which is on BlockTrack’s blockchain network without having any concerns about duplication of records or re-registrations. BlockTrack is developed by a team led by Prof Prabhu Rajagopal, Lead Faculty, Remote Diagnostics, Center for Nondestructive Evaluation (CNDE), Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras. Prof Rajagopal said, “BlockTrack is an exciting project that depicts engineering innovations that have disruptive potential to transform multiple domains.” Prof K VijayRaghavan, Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India, said, “This will enhance and enable the efforts of health systems to efficiently track disease spread and maintain confidentiality while storing personal data in a network.” Dr Rebecca Punithavalli, Chief Medical Officer, IIT Madras Institute Hospital, who had supported pilot trials, said, “Technology in the medical field is required at all levels. BlockTrack will truly solve the purpose as technological assistance in time of need.” Shashwat Pandey, Mobile App Development Lead, added, “We are glad that our efforts have finally resulted in possibly the first-ever Healthcare centric DApp (Decentralised Application) with features like universally unique IDs, interoperability and non-duplicity of records.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18584/amrita-hospitals-unveils-breakthrough-radio-synovectomy-procedure-for-hemophilia-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18584/amrita-hospitals-unveils-breakthrough-radio-synovectomy-procedure-for-hemophilia-patients.html Fri, 07 May 2021 10:10:00 +0530 Amrita Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, in collaboration with the Department of Clinical Hematology, Amrita Hospitals has launched the breakthrough ‘Radio-Synovectomy’ (RS) procedure to treat hemophilia patients suffering from chronic synovitis. Yttrium-90, a necessary element required for the treatment is being procured from France, especially for this procedure.  The Hospital is the only one to have introduced it for the first ever time in Kerala and this is the second such centre in the whole of India. The only other hospital to be conducting this procedure in the country is CMC Vellore in Tamil Nadu.  RS, a simple, effective and safe procedure helps control hemophilic synovitis, a condition wherein there is recurrent joint bleeding contributing to end-stage degeneration. Hemophilia is a bleeding disorder cause due to deficiency of clotting factor 8 or 9. The patient bleeds into their joints and is incapacitated by the pain and swelling. Ideally, this treatment is for patients who bleed even with factor replacement (a type of treatment where clotting factors are given to replace the missing clotting factor).  Elaborating further on the procedure, Dr Nittu Devassy Panjikaran, Assistant professor of Physical medicine and rehabilitation, Amrita Hospitals said, “Radio-Synovectomy is an outpatient-based procedure that is done by injecting Yttrium-90, radioactive material into the affected joints under local anesthesia. It has been proven to be as effective as surgical synovectomy in patients without deformities. It is more economical, less painful, and can be repeated if required. It reduces the bleed rate by 60-80 % in the injected joint and improves the patient’s quality of life.”  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18576/perkinelmer-to-distribute-1-m-covid-19-antigen-tests-in-10-states.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18576/perkinelmer-to-distribute-1-m-covid-19-antigen-tests-in-10-states.html Thu, 06 May 2021 10:00:00 +0530 As India faces a second wave of COVID-19, PerkinElmer Inc., will donate 1 million PerkinElmer® COVID-19 Antigen Tests to the Government of India (GoI) to help accelerate testing capabilities across the country. With the support of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), PerkinElmer COVID-19 Antigen Test kits will be distributed to government hospitals and testing centers across 10 states of India. The PerkinElmer COVID-19 Antigen Test is a lateral flow immunoassay ideally suited for point-of-care (POC) and non-clinical settings. The CE marked assay may be used with nasal or nasopharyngeal swab specimens to screen or to aid in the diagnosis of both asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals, and it is capable of delivering a positive or negative result in as little as 15 minutes. “The second wave of COVID-19 in India has mobilized our teams around the world to help in whichever ways we can,” said Deepak Tripathi, CEO of Tulip Diagnostics, a PerkinElmer company. “We’re working around the clock to assist employees and customers across India through this incredibly challenging time, with the hope that by providing vital goods and services needed to create a seamless testing network, we can help stop the spread of this terrible disease.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18568/first-indo-uk-clinic-opens-in-ludhiana.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18568/first-indo-uk-clinic-opens-in-ludhiana.html Wed, 05 May 2021 13:05:00 +0530 Indo UK Clinics (IUCs), an integral part of one of the largest healthcare projects in the world encompassing 5000 clinics and 11 Medicities pan-India using NHS expertise, equipment and suppliers gets started with the first Indo UK Clinic becoming operational in Ludhiana, Punjab. The objective of setting up 5000 diagnostic centres and clinics is a part of inter-governmental discussions between India and the UK at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) level in 2018.  In fact, the ground-breaking of the first Medicity at Nagpur (Maharashtra) is scheduled during Prime Minister of the UK,  Boris Johnson’s visit to India later this year. IUCs offer primary healthcare services, state-of-the-art radiology based diagnostic imaging services, and artificial intelligence (AI) enabled telemedicine services. Wipro-GE has installed the latest CT scan, digital X-ray, ultrasound equipment at the IUC Ludhiana facility. Advanced pathology diagnostics and pharmacy services will also be available in the immediate future. Dr Rajdeep S. Chhina, COO, MD Radiology and Head IUC Ludhiana, said, “The first IUC and the subsequent one will be set up in 30 days to cater to diagnostic needs in this pandemic. We are partnering with GE Wipro to provide cutting edge technology and with world-famous National Health Service in the UK to have the best Standard Operating Protocols and quality.” According to Dr Ajay Rajan Gupta, Managing Director and Group CEO, IUIH & IUCs, “During this pandemic, we want to enhance our contribution to the Indian healthcare diagnostic space by setting up 5 Indo UK Clinics this financial year. After the successful launch of the first IUC in Ludhiana, we are opening the second IUC in Patiala at an existing Covid Hospital."  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18565/dozee-launches-home-monitoring-service-for-mild-asymptomatic-covid-19-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18565/dozee-launches-home-monitoring-service-for-mild-asymptomatic-covid-19-patients.html Wed, 05 May 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Dozee has announced the launch of its home monitoring service to continuously monitor mild and asymptomatic COVID-19 patients in the comfort of their homes. Dozee monitors COVID-19 related vital signs such as respiration rate, heart rate, blood pressure, SPO2 of the user and comes with an early warning system for timely hospital transfers. The service also includes a mobile app for the family members, daily health report for sharing with doctors and 24x7 support to help manage COVID-19 better. The caretakers and the family members get continuous visibility of vital trends and an alert in case of possible health deterioration. The device is available on a rental model for Rs 3999 for 30 days and Rs 2999 for a 15 day service and customers can book the service directly on Dozee’s website.  Dozee is a contactless sensor sheet when placed under the mattress enables the continuous (more than 100 times per hour) and accurate monitoring of a patient’s heart rate, respiratory rate, and other clinical parameters like sleep apnea, myocardial performance metrics. Made in India, Dozee has been launched with a 98.4 per cent medical grade accuracy after successful clinical trials conducted with over 1000 subjects at NIMHANS and Sri Jayadeva Institute. Apart from its use at home, Dozee also allows healthcare providers in private & government hospitals to remotely monitor patients’ vital signs, receive updates and deterioration alerts. The solution also includes an integrated early warning system for patients in the post-discharge, outpatient settings and hospital-level home care settings. Mudit Dandwate, CEO & Co-founder, Dozee stated, “The initial uptake of the home service has been very good and we are glad to be able to help people recover from the comfort of their homes.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18563/paytm-to-set-up-oxygen-plants-in-12-13-cities-pan-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18563/paytm-to-set-up-oxygen-plants-in-12-13-cities-pan-india.html Tue, 04 May 2021 17:05:00 +0530 Paytm Foundation will be setting up oxygen plants in 12-13 cities as hospitals across pan-India face oxygen shortage amid the tumultuous second COVID-19 wave. These oxygen plants would be directly installed at hospitals, which would serve the oxygen needs for the entire hospital. Paytm Foundation has also sourced over 21,000 oxygen concentrators that would be sent to government hospitals, COVID care facilities, private hospitals, nursing homes as well as resident welfare associations in the mid of May. The company has currently raised Rs 10 crore from people across the country under its #OxygenForIndia initiative and has mirrored the donation amount making it a total contribution of Rs 20 crore. Paytm is working in conjunction with other prominent organisations including Elevation Capital and the American Indian Foundation. The donation garnered under the initiative will be used to purchase oxygen concentrators and oxygen plants, costing between Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore each. Paytm is currently between dialogues with state governments and hospitals for affirmation and approval to set up these oxygen plants; once purchased, the oxygen plants will be provided free of cost to government hospitals by Paytm Foundation. Paytm spokesperson said, “While oxygen concentrators are good for short term support, we figured out that oxygen plants could provide our healthcare system with larger support. Hence, we decided to direct our donations to build oxygen plants at government hospitals for free. We are overwhelmed at the collective effort and support citizens of the country have shown to help pacify the ordeal caused by the pandemic’s second wave.” With aim of saving a maximum number of lives, the Paytm Foundation is also supporting other start-ups, organisations and enterprises to source OCs from the international market. The entire sourcing, regulatory approvals, and delivery will be managed by the foundation, while the other organisations only need to pay for the cost of the OCs that they will order. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18551/scientists-work-on-estimating-covid-19-trajectory.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18551/scientists-work-on-estimating-covid-19-trajectory.html Mon, 03 May 2021 09:05:00 +0530 A team of scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology- Kanpur & Hyderabad have been working on a mathermatical model called Saturated-Unsaturated Transport (SUTRA), to predict the spread of the virus. The scientists have stated that in the case of COVID-19, it is clear that the nature of the virus has been changing very rapidly. In such a context, any prediction for COVID-19 must be continually readjusted, sometimes almost daily. The team is working closely with the government and the inputs have always been received positively. While they could not predict the exact nature of the second wave earlier, the team is continuing its efforts to better estimate its future trajectory. "We have been working on a mathematical model to predict the spread of the virus. It is important to note that a mathematical model can only predict future with some certainty so long as virus dynamics and its transmissibility don’t change substantially over time. Mathematical models can also provide a mechanism to predicting alternate scenarios corresponding to various policy decisions such as non-pharmaceutical interventions", said the scientific team. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18547/telangana-to-carry-out-experimental-delivery-of-covid-19-vaccines-using-drones.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18547/telangana-to-carry-out-experimental-delivery-of-covid-19-vaccines-using-drones.html Fri, 30 Apr 2021 14:10:00 +0530 Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have granted conditional exemption for drone deployment to the Government of Telangana. The drone usage permission has been granted for conducting experimental delivery of Covid-19 vaccines within Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) Range using drones. The permission exemption is valid for a period of one year or until further orders.These exemptions shall be valid only if all conditions and limitations as stated for the respective entities are strictly adhered to. Trials will also assist in assessing conditions such as population, degree of isolation, geography etc to identify regions that specifically require drone deliveries. Earlier this month, similar permission was granted to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for conducting feasibility study of Covid-19 vaccine delivery using drones in collaboration with IIT Kanpur. The grant of these permissions is intended to achieve the dual objectives of faster vaccine delivery & improved healthcare access by: Ensuring primary healthcare delivery at the citizen’s doorstep Limiting human exposure to COVID congested or COVID prone areas through aerial delivery Ensuring access to health care to the last mile, especially in remote areas Possible integration into the middle mile of medical logistics for long range drones Improving medical supply chain, especially with a third vaccine expected to be commissioned and millions of doses to be transported across India ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18544/maharashtra-govt-seeks-industry-support-in-procuring-oxygen-necessary-drugs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18544/maharashtra-govt-seeks-industry-support-in-procuring-oxygen-necessary-drugs.html Fri, 30 Apr 2021 13:10:00 +0530 Rajesh Tope, Minister for Public Health and Family Welfare, Govt of Maharashtra has urged FICCI members to aid Maharashtra with tertiary healthcare facilities at the district and taluka levels. He also sought industry’s assistance in procuring necessary drugs like remdesivir, oxygen concentrators, PSA (Pressure Swing Absorption) nitrogen generators, increasing liquid oxygen storage capacities, among others. He also urged industry members to adopt some of the villages and talukas to help the government in its fight against the virus. Addressing the virtual interactive session with FICCI Health Industry Delegation, Tope noted that there are various sectors where the industry, through its CSR or philanthropic initiatives, could help the state’s healthcare sector that is currently reeling under severe deficit of healthcare facilities. He further stated that the state is facing a glaring deficit regarding life-saving essentials during these times. “There is a huge requirement of 10 LPM oxygen concentrators, PSA generators, drugs like remdesivir and vaccines. The industry can help the state by bridging the gap between demand and supply of life-saving essentials,” he noted. “We urge the industry to come forward with concepts like tele-ICU, where diagnosis and treatment could be done remotely. FICCI can play a vital role here by helping us procure X-Ray, ECG, and dialysis machines, among others, for sub-district hospitals,” he said. Sulajja Firodia Motwani, Chair, FICCI Maharashtra & CEO, Kinetic Green Energy & Power Solutions Ltd said that FICCI in the last one year has been playing an active role in collaborating with government and the industry in resolving many bottlenecks that were faced by the industry in operating in these difficult times. Various industry representatives assured the Minister of the industry’s commitment to help the state during these times.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18542/pune-municipal-corporation-inks-ppp-agreement-for-covid-19-vaccination.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18542/pune-municipal-corporation-inks-ppp-agreement-for-covid-19-vaccination.html Fri, 30 Apr 2021 12:00:00 +0530 VaccineOnWheels (VOW), India’s first and only doctor based mobile vaccination clinic, dedicated to serve the underprivileged communities in India, has announced that the organization has entered in a PPP (Public Private Partnership) service agreement with Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) as its on-ground Covid-19 vaccination administration partner. VaccineOnWheels and PMC together will provide vaccination services to adults and elderly people by setting up vaccination booths near communities with an ultimate aim of increasing immunization penetration. VaccineOnWheels will deploy 15 vaccination units, wherein each unit will administer around 150 doses of Covid vaccines a day. As part of the protocol, every vaccination booth will have qualified doctors, nurses, and healthcare support staffs along with one ambulance on standby for any emergency support required in case of AEFI (Adverse Event Following Immunization). VaccineOnWheels in partnership with Rotary Club of Pune Central will bring together NGOs and CSR partners to fund various resources required to deploy 15 mobile vaccination units to immunize more than 1 Lac people in a single month within Pune’s Municipal Corporation area. Its unique PPP model will undertake a complex orchestration of multiple activities – from procurement to deployment, awareness to mobilization, registration to inoculation with support of multiple stakeholders. The partnership between stakeholders is built to enable transparency, ease of access, and equity that will collectively accelerate a return to normalcy. The organization aims to immunize over 1 million Indians in a span of 8 to 12 months in partnerships with various state governments across India.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18536/verloop-io-builds-whatsapp-bot-for-distribution-of-oxygen-cylinders.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18536/verloop-io-builds-whatsapp-bot-for-distribution-of-oxygen-cylinders.html Thu, 29 Apr 2021 15:50:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based Verloop.io has joined in the battle to procure and distribute oxygen cylinders. This will aid patients from underprivileged backgrounds, as they await beds at hospitals. The company is forming a communication highway between those who need oxygen and those who have it, including individuals and hospitals - by bringing in bot-powered efficiency to the system. It is working with medical manufacturers, NGOs, charities, food delivery networks, organisations, and groups associated with COVID-19 care, to build an ‘information bot’ on WhatsApp. “We are working towards a method to help provide oxygen cylinders to patients who are unable to receive hospital care. This, we hope, will also reduce the stress on the healthcare systems as we battle the pandemic relentlessly,” said Gaurav Singh, Founder, CEO, Verloop.io. "Verloop.io has collaborated with us in our combat against the virus by providing a WhatsApp automation bot that enables us to get the right resources to the right folks on time", said K Ganesh, who along with Juggy Marwaha, Venkat Narayana & Neeraj Bhargava started the  MillionAir initiative under the FeedMyCity umbrella of KVN Foundation. Verlopp.io has also opened its platform free-of-cost to NGOs and other institutions which are working to provide Covid care. It has already partnered with KVN Foundation which is working to provide emergency oxygen support. Razorpay and Verloop.io also came together to help NGOs raise donations via WhatsApp chatbot.  The programme is currently active in Bengaluru and Mumbai and is looking to expand to other cities as well. KVN Foundation’s Mission Million Air bot powered by Verloop.io- +91 8047107750. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18531/nz-based-next-gen-sanitization-technology-shield30-enters-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18531/nz-based-next-gen-sanitization-technology-shield30-enters-india.html Wed, 28 Apr 2021 16:40:00 +0530 Shield30, a disruptive sanitisation technology, has been launched in India. This revolutionary, water-based antimicrobial surface treatment technology from New Zealand (NZ) provides 99.99 per cent protection from surface-borne infection of Coronaviruses and a host of other pathogens. As opposed to the conventional, chemical-based sanitisers, Shield30 is a water-based solution and contains no harmful chemicals or alcohol. It is safe for use near people, animals, and plants. Shield30 does not rely on dehydration or poison to kill pathogens. Instead, it forms a covalent bond, which resembles a layer of millions of nano-sized ‘pins’, on the surfaces and other frequently used things like doorknobs, chairs, and medical equipment. The pins attract the pathogens including coronaviruses and a host of other bacteria, mould, and fungi, and pierce and rupture their cellular structures and kill them. For each application, the protection lasts for nearly 30 days.  One of the prominent users of Shield30 is Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre, Madurai.  Shield30 can play a key role in reducing the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the manufacturing and services industries, especially the travel, hospitality, restaurant, and hospital units, use it as their disinfectant solution.  In many countries in Europe and North America, restaurants are fumigated with Shield30 in order to destroy any traces of the virus, and thus attract customers. Major aircrafts now use Shield30 disinfectant with a focus on high contact areas – seats, seatbelts, overhead lockers, air vents and toilets. Shield30 is certified by over 100 international labs for its effectiveness in killing the virus. Shield30 disinfectant solutions can be bought from all e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart and Shield30 website, retail stores like pharmacy outlets, premium markets, hypermarkets and malls.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18528/drdo-to-establish-500-medical-oxygen-plants-in-three-months-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18528/drdo-to-establish-500-medical-oxygen-plants-in-three-months-.html Wed, 28 Apr 2021 15:15:00 +0530 The Medical Oxygen Plant (MOP) technology, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for on‐board oxygen generation for LCA, Tejas by Defence Bioengineering and Electromedical Laboratory (DEBEL), DRDO will now help in fighting the current crisis of oxygen for COVID-19 patients. The oxygen plant is designed for a capacity of 1,000 litres per minute (LPM). The system can cater to 190 patients at a flow rate of 5 LPM and charge 195 cylinders per day. Transfer of technology has been done to Tata Advanced Systems Limited, Bengaluru and Trident Pneumatics Pvt Ltd, Coimbatore, who will be producing 380 plants for installation across various hospitals in the country. 120 plants of 500 LPM capacity will be produced by industries working with Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun, belonging to CSIR.  Medical Oxygen Plant (MOP) technology is capable of generating oxygen with 93±3 per cent concentration which can be directly supplied to hospital beds or can be used to fill medical oxygen cylinders. It utilises pressure swing adsorption (PSA) technique and molecular sieve (Zeolite) technology to generate oxygen directly from atmospheric air.  The installation of this plant helps in avoiding hospital dependency on scarce oxygen cylinders especially at high altitude and inaccessible remote areas. MOP has already been installed at some of the Army sites in North East and Leh-Ladakh region. The plant complies with International Standards like ISO 1008, European, US and Indian Pharmacopeia. Site preparation for five plants to be installed in Delhi/NCR region has already been initiated.  The DRDO has initiated fabrication of 380 numbers of Medical Oxygen Plants with release of supply orders for 332 numbers on Tata Advanced Systems Limited, Bengaluru and 48 numbers on Trident Pneumatics Pvt Ltd, Coimbatore with a target of producing 125 plants per month under PM CARES Fund. With this it is expected that 500 Medical Oxygen Plants will be installed within three months.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18527/psaiif-consumer-online-foundation-appeals-for-easy-accessibility-of-covid-19-vaccines.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18527/psaiif-consumer-online-foundation-appeals-for-easy-accessibility-of-covid-19-vaccines.html Wed, 28 Apr 2021 14:35:00 +0530 Prof Bejon Misra, Founder Director, PSAIIF, Founder Trustee, Consumer Online Foundation and his team congratulated The Prime Minister’s Office & the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) for launching the world’s largest vaccination drive to immunise India’s young population against COVID-19 from May 1, 2021 onwards. Prof Misra’s team, in a letter to the PMO & the MoHFW, has suggested ways to make the Covid vaccination exercise for everyone (above the age of 18) successful. Stressing on the need to ensure equitable, uniform and maximum access to COVID-19 vaccines to people living in hard-to-reach areas and achieve comprehensive immunisation; the team has suggested a door-to-door immunisation strategy. This is in addition to giving people an option to seek an online appointment with specific allotted time slots to get vaccinated and avoid crowding. Noting that India has the largest and fastest-growing dependent population with no significant income, the team has recommended subsidised vaccination for all college students and other dependents having no income of their own. This will make vaccines affordable and accessible to them thereby ensuring efficient and seamless execution of the vaccination drive. Going a step further, Professor Misra’s team advised providing vaccine access to people especially students, the migrant population, etc irrespective of the region or location. This is important as large population of India including migrant workers, tourists, and students are stranded in various states due to the surging COVID-19 wave. “The government must, now, focus on addressing concerns related to vaccine supplies, pricing, efficacy, awareness and crowd management to make this program a grand success,” said Prof Misra. There is a lot of misunderstanding and confusion on the efficacy of the vaccines,  Prof Misra’s team has suggested the creation and provision of a vaccination kit enclosed with a manual of dos and don’ts before and after administration of the vaccine, a general prescription in case of potential side effects and operational helpline numbers in case of emergency, to eradicate panic and misinformation.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18514/rodic-consultant-develops-digital-portal-for-timely-supply-of-oxygen-in-up.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18514/rodic-consultant-develops-digital-portal-for-timely-supply-of-oxygen-in-up.html Tue, 27 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Rodic Consultant has developed a first-of-its-kind digital portal ‘Oxygen Monitoring System for UP’ to ensure hassle free and timely supply of oxygen in Uttar Pradesh. The unique platform will regularly monitor and track real-time location of vehicles so that oxygen reaches hospitals without any delay especially during emergencies. Awanish Kumar Awasthi, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh said, “Under this system, a Command Control Centre has been opened at Home Department in Lucknow. Through this, management information system's (MIS) daily, live report on the movement of oxygen tankers can be monitored and viewed on a map. Software's dashboard will analyse and inform if the tanker is getting delayed - either in filling or in transportation. We will create an app which will be installed in driver's mobile phone to act as GPS.” Rodic Consultant has developed the platform with support from Food Safety and Drug Administration, Department of Medical Education, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Transport and Home Department of Uttar Pradesh. Rodic’s representatives will be available round the clock to ensure easy supply of oxygen to government and private hospitals in a timely manner. “The platform will closely monitor and track location of vehicles assigned with the task of oxygen supply and will help to provide oxygen to the hospitals in the shortest possible time according to the demand and requirement,” said Manish Tyagi, Executive Director, Rodic Consultant Private Limited. A web portal/link has been developed for ‘Oxygen Monitoring System for UP’. This link will directly connect the needy with officers/workers who are in-charge of the oxygen supply chain in the state. All the details will be regularly uploaded on the portal by company’s representatives. By tracking availability online, delivery vehicles will be assigned to the nearest location to avoid emergencies, save time and fulfil oxygen demands.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18513/iqvia-highlights-need-to-improve-nafld-nash-clinical-trial-environment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18513/iqvia-highlights-need-to-improve-nafld-nash-clinical-trial-environment.html Mon, 26 Apr 2021 12:00:00 +0530 Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), its progressive form, is rapidly becoming the leading cause of end-stage liver disease and livertransplantation. The rise in obesity and other lifestyle-related diseases has resulted in a significant increase in the number of NAFLD/NASH patients; however, physicians still face many challenges in managing the disease, the most basic of which is the lack of awareness of the disease and its sequelae. A recent whitepaper by IQVIA points out that the lack of established guidelines in the diagnosis and management of NAFLD/NASH is a critical issue that needs to be addressed, as well as the limited treatment options with no approved medications for this disease. Conducting well designed clinical trials with meaningful endpoints and less invasive procedures will accelerate the development of potentially efficacious treatments for NASH. Measures to improve the NAFLD/NASH clinical trial environment are imperative to respond to the need for more available approved therapeutic options to manage the disease. The whitepaper also states that establishing a clear patient pathway for referrals and conduct of patient awareness programs may lead to identification of more patients who can be referred to specialists for further evaluation, potentially increasing the patient pool. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18504/pharmeasy-aims-to-vaccinate-over-3-cr-people.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18504/pharmeasy-aims-to-vaccinate-over-3-cr-people.html Mon, 26 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0530 PharmEasy, a part of API Holdings, has launched the biggest COVID-19 vaccination drive in the country. With this drive, the company aims to vaccinate over 3 crore people via camps and vaccine centres. Individuals, companies, RWAs, Old Age Homes etc. can register for vaccines that will be administered. India has witnessed a record rise in COVID-19 cases due to the second wave, surpassing the worst of last year. Given the current situation, the Government of India has invited the participation of private companies to accelerate vaccination across the country. From 1st May 2021, wherein all legal adults (above the age of 18) will be eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Leveraging its presence across India, with over 80,000 partner retailers, 5,000 doctors and a state-of-the-art pharma supply chain facility enabling last-mile delivery of cold chain products, the company aims to vaccinate over 3 crore families via 5,000 partner centres, pan-India in the next few quarters.  Basis the availability of vaccines and guidelines provided by GOI (to be released soon), PharmEasy will release the timelines for the start of the vaccination drive. As soon as the vaccines doses are available, the company will reach out to registered individuals and assist them with vaccination slots at camps set-up in their vicinity. Speaking about the vaccination drive, Dharmil Sheth, Co-founder, PharmEasy said, “We want to be a vital part of the government’s vaccination drive and help accelerate the process of mass vaccination. Our vaccination drive aims to provide ease of access to vaccination which can help us to achieve herd immunity at the earliest. Amidst the rising COVID-19 cases in the second wave, we wanted to contribute our bit in breaking the chain by setting up vaccination camps and centres to facilitate this.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18500/apollo-hospitals-releases-covid-19-management-bpg-for-healthcare-institutions.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18500/apollo-hospitals-releases-covid-19-management-bpg-for-healthcare-institutions.html Fri, 23 Apr 2021 17:50:00 +0530 The Apollo Hospitals Group has developed a ready reckoner of best practice guidelines for hospitals, nursing homes and healthcare workers during this challenging period of the COVID pandemic. The COVID-19 Red Book summarises evidence based best practice guidelines to support big and small healthcare institutions in making quick and timely decisions for diagnosis, treatment and management of COVID and non-COVID cases during the pandemic. The book also includes guidelines for non-clinical processes, policies, and protocols to improve efficiency and ensure a sound working environment. The guidelines will empower the healthcare institutions and the medical fraternity to react agilely to the evolving situation brought about by the second wave of the COVID pandemic. Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group, said, “The Red Book encapsulates a standard protocol of managing COVID-19, making these available for the benefit of everyone in solidarity of our fight against COVID. With up-to-date information on guidelines, the Red Book will enable healthcare institutions to navigate through these testing times and galvanise their response to meet any exigencies that the current situation may throw up.” The Red Book is part of Project Kavach, a comprehensive strategic approach to the COVID pandemic launched by the Apollo Hospitals Group during the initial phases of the pandemic.  The Red Book includes detailed guidelines that encompass all aspects from outpatient screening and fever clinics, collection of specimens, non-clinical management protocols, best practices in infection prevention and control, process flows, patient admission, isolation protocols, staffing, prophylaxis for healthcare workers, psychological safety and mental well-being of patients and staff, medical record documentation, as well as best practices in care for patients including severely-ill and critically-ill patients for timely, effective, and safe management of patients. It also includes a set of checklists for every department that will help healthcare organisations negotiate through the complex and demanding workload and guide them to manage better in this pandemic.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18498/miracles-healthcare-apollo-cradle-apollo-spectra-launch-boutique-hospital-in-gurugram.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18498/miracles-healthcare-apollo-cradle-apollo-spectra-launch-boutique-hospital-in-gurugram.html Fri, 23 Apr 2021 14:30:00 +0530 Miracles Healthcare, Apollo Cradle and Apollo Spectra have joined hands to launch a boutique women & children and multi-specialty hospital in Sector 82-Miracles Apollo Cradle Spectra Hospital, equipped to address the changing requirements of healthcare in the aftermath of COVID-19 and serve a larger number of patients in Gurugram and its neighbouring districts. The hospital brings together, at the same location, the renowned Women & Children care synonymous with Apollo Cradle, the Multi-specialty Surgical Expertise of Apollo Spectra and over two decades of operational & customer service excellence associated with Miracles Healthcare. The ‘state-of-the-art’ hospital has modular operation theatres, Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), comprehensive diagnostics, world-class rooms backed by an expert clinical team of specialists and much more. The Miracles Apollo Cradle / Spectra Institutes of Excellence will serve in the fields of orthopaedics, general and laparoscopic surgery, eye, nose, and throat (ENT), obstetrics and gynaecology, neonatology, paediatrics, and urology. The hospital, compliant with ICMR guidelines to prevent COVID-19 in healthcare facilities, will have a fever clinic, will screen all staff, patients and visitors at the entry point, and will undertake thorough sanitisation and social distancing measures.  “We wish to deliver personalised services and international standard healthcare by focusing on quality patients care, high medical standard and constant innovation,” says Dr Sheetal Dhawan, Director Operations, Miracles Apollo Cradle / Spectra Hospital, Gurugram. “The team of well-known specialists at this hospital bring a collective experience of many years. With the launch of this hospital, we wish to cater to all your primary and secondary healthcare needs,” says Dr Mandeep Kaur, Medical Superintendent, Miracles Apollo Cradle / Spectra Hospital, Gurugram.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18497/medibuddy-strengthens-services-to-tackle-covid-19-second-wave.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18497/medibuddy-strengthens-services-to-tackle-covid-19-second-wave.html Fri, 23 Apr 2021 14:10:00 +0530 The second wave of COVID-19 continues to spread like wildfire in India. Experts have estimated that the second wave of COVID-19, or the massive surge in the number of infections, is likely to see a sharp increase from mid-April until May 2021. Standing by its commitment to supporting the healthcare industry, MediBuddy is strengthening its services and infrastructure to support and contribute its bit to tackle the spike of coronavirus cases in India.  To ease difficulties and aid India in its battle against coronavirus, MediBuddy has enabled a COVID-19 hospital bed availability checker on their app to locate available beds hassle-free. The feature provides complete details regarding the availability of beds in real-time at nearby hospitals for anybody infected by COVID-19. Additionally, with the rise in cases, it has become extremely important be able to connect with medical experts on the go and get credible information and diagnosis. To ensure quick access to doctors, MediBuddy has also launched a 24*7 helpline support (08047193456), where coronavirus related consultation is provided free of cost with 30 minutes to all. The healthcare platform has also made provision for patients to book COVID-19 tests with both - at home and onsite testing options available. They have also launched a coronavirus risk assessment tool that helps MediBuddy users to assess the level of possibility and risk of them being affected by the virus. Satish Kannan, Co-Founder and CEO, MediBuddy says “In this worrisome situation, we hope to reach and provide accessible high-quality healthcare to individuals and help subside the surge in cases.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18499/mylab-discovery-solutions-rolls-out-fleet-of-mobile-testing-labs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18499/mylab-discovery-solutions-rolls-out-fleet-of-mobile-testing-labs.html Fri, 23 Apr 2021 14:00:00 +0530 To urgently meet the huge backlog in RT-PCR testing amidst the second wave of coronavirus in India, Pune based startup Mylab Discovery Solutions has rolled out its fleet of ICMR-approved and NABL certified mobile testing labs. To support high-volume testing needs of the country in these troubled times, these are ultra-fast mobile testing labs powered by automated Compact XL machines which do testing 3 times faster than the conventional labs due to parallel processing and automated handling.   Labs in India is experiencing huge workload and has limited lab manpower. This is delaying RT-PCR results in many cities by more than 72 hours. These automated vans have very low need for human intervention and allows to process samples 24 hours continuously. Each mobile lab can process as many as 1500 to 3000 tests per day.   The company has already made two labs functional at Mumbai, and three more are being rolled out within this week – one in Pune, one in Mumbai and one in Goa at Goa Medical College at the behest of Goa government. Further, the company is already working to deploy 50 such vans to different parts of the country as per the demand for testing.   Hasmukh Rawal, MD, Mylab Discovery Solutions said, “Testing needs to reach people now. We cannot sit back in this situation. We are in the mission to support the government and people of India to fight this second wave. We are trying to anticipate ahead and trying to reduce pain of the country with such initiatives as high through-put mobile testing for COVID-19. We have tried to listen to technical expertise from institutions like NIV, ICMR for developing such initiatives and we hope this will help India.”  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18493/experts-develop-protocol-for-psychosocial-rehabilitation-of-covid-19-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18493/experts-develop-protocol-for-psychosocial-rehabilitation-of-covid-19-patients.html Fri, 23 Apr 2021 10:00:00 +0530 Realising the importance and need of psychological care along with the physical treatment, three premier institutions have come together to develop a protocol for Psychosocial Rehabilitation of COVID-19 Patients. These 3 eminent institutions are: the Central Council for Research in Yoga & Naturopathy (CCRYN), an autonomous body of the Ministry of Ayush, the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru and the Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (S-VYASA).   As per reports, the accompanying psychologic distress in covid 19 patients are often ignored and not managed. There have also been reports of anxiety and acute depression leading to suicides in Covid care hospitals.  Many of the patients, according to inputs coming in from different countries, have had to contend with isolation anxiety and distress due to fear of worsening of symptoms. Complications like respiratory distress, hypoxia, fatigue and insomnia and other symptoms have also been observed. Interventions Yoga and Naturopathy systems have shown effectiveness in facilitating recovery of Covid-19 patients. Simple breathing exercises and pranayama have been seen to enhance SPO2 levels in symptomatic patients and those with respiratory distress.  Preliminary reports from studies conducted by CCRYN also validate these findings. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18491/private-players-make-recommendations-for-ph-3-national-vaccination-strategy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18491/private-players-make-recommendations-for-ph-3-national-vaccination-strategy.html Thu, 22 Apr 2021 18:40:00 +0530 In a crucial meeting, healthcare and industry federations representing the ecosystem of private sector deliberated on a set of immediate recommendations for submission to the government for effectively executing the liberalised and accelerated Phase 3 National Vaccination Strategy from May 1, 2021. These recommendations are aligned with the main elements of the Phase 3 strategy –procurement and administration of vaccines being made flexible - all stakeholders being given the freedom to customise to local needs and dynamics; incentivising manufacturers to scale-up production and invite new national and international players; and manufacturers empowered to release vaccines in the open market at a pre-declared price and states authorised to purchase from private players. Some of the key recommendations in this meeting:  The federations recommend that the private sector in India will pool their demand for effective flexible procurement to ensure high quality and uninterrupted access of lifesaving vaccines. Private sector can assess emerging requirements from healthcare, telecom, retail, information technology, consumer, and other industry segments through rapid assessment. Private sector will also explore PPP’s to share the national responsibility with central and state governments. Private sector will work collaboratively to tide over supply side challenges and join hands with government to scale up last mile delivery of vaccines, pandemic surveillance and hospitalisation care. The private sector will prioritise the rapid clinical trials for other critical, life-saving drugs, inhalers and therapies which are showing promising results for use in the treatment of COVID-19, apart from vaccines. As an immediate short-term measure, as private healthcare sector reorganises its supply chains, there is an urgent need for central and state governments to ensure continuity of supplies for the next 30-60 days, especially for existing eligible population and those eligible for second vaccination. The government is also requested to ensure that there is consistency in vaccine administration guidelines across states through standard operating guidelines for engagement with the private sector.  Dr Harsh Mahajan, President NATHEALTH, commented, “Cross country collaborations between federations and government will enable India to deal with the current challenges and help in building a robust healthcare ecosystem.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18484/logistics-firm-stanplus-deploys-ambulance-ecosystem-across-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18484/logistics-firm-stanplus-deploys-ambulance-ecosystem-across-bengaluru.html Thu, 22 Apr 2021 09:00:00 +0530 Having transformed the ambulance services system in Hyderabad, StanPlus is now venturing into the Bengaluru market. Through its Red Ambulance platform, StanPlus leverages technology to offer premium quality medical response to patients. An independent and democratic company, StanPlus has reduced the response time for ambulances to 14 minutes with its call-to-wheel time resting firmly at an impressive 2 minutes. Bringing these exceptional services to Bengaluru, StanPlus will deploy 100+ vehicles across the entire city. To make deep inroads within its new market, the company has tied up with prominent hospitals such as Sakra World Hospital, Columbia Asia Hospital, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, and Fortis Hospital, among others. Through the Red Ambulance platform, these hospitals have already outsourced their ambulance services to StanPlus. Furthermore, the platform is looking at strategic tie-ups with ancillary companies such as MyGate, Mfine, and and mobility platforms such as Yulu, Rapido and Bounce to enable emergency services to their patrons. Fortune 500 companies rely on RedAssist Platform to enable on-demand ambulance & emergency management service. StanPlus currently manages emergency management for over 1Mn employees in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18480/api-abbott-launch-adult-immunisation-recommendations-for-india-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18480/api-abbott-launch-adult-immunisation-recommendations-for-india-.html Thu, 22 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0530 The Association of Physicians of India (API) has released the first ever adult immunisation recommendations for India, in partnership with Abbott. This comprehensive set of recommendations, put forward by a panel of healthcare experts, provides robust, evidence-based information to support physicians in recommending adult vaccination against typhoid, influenza and a range of other diseases. These recommendations meet an urgent need to equip physicians with data on vaccines, including dosage, indications, delivery frequency and administration, so physicians can drive greater coverage of adult vaccination across India.  Factors such as rapid globalisation and increased frequency of international travel contribute to the rising likelihood of adults contracting vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). These diseases can also exacerbate existing co-morbidities and are associated with high morbidity and mortality.  The adult immunisation recommendations introduced by the API will enable healthcare practitioners to effectively make informed decisions and recommendations regarding adult vaccines. They explain the role of vaccines as a crucial preventive strategy and health management tool for adults. They encompass information on the causes, symptoms and associated complications of VPDs, including influenza, typhoid, Japanese encephalitis  and hepatitis A & B amongst other diseases, and provide clinical data on various available adult vaccines. This data includes indications, dosage, frequency, schedules and catch-up vaccination timelines. The recommendations also highlight the increased need for vaccines amongst specific at-risk populations, including people with co-morbidities, healthcare providers, frequent travellers, geriatrics and pregnant women. Commenting on the recommendations, Prof Nirmal Kumar Ganguly, Former Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi, stated, “There is potential to increase adult immunisation coverage in India. To develop these evidence-based recommendations, we convened a panel of healthcare experts across specialty practices, ranging from cardiology, pulmonology, gynaecology to nephrology. Through these recommendations, we hope to drive a paradigm shift to ensure adult vaccinations are increasingly suggested and adopted.” Highlighting the role the recommendations can play in improving health outcomes, Dr Srirupa Das, Medical Director, Abbott India said, “While vaccinations prevent infectious diseases, prolong and improve quality of life, emphasis on adult immunisation is pretty low. These recommendations help increase awareness and equip healthcare practitioners with evidence-based information to guide vaccine recommendation and administration.”     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18481/mindfultms-neurocare-launches-centre-in-aster-cmi-hospital-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18481/mindfultms-neurocare-launches-centre-in-aster-cmi-hospital-bengaluru.html Wed, 21 Apr 2021 17:00:00 +0530 MindfulTMS Neurocare, an initiative by Rangsons, which is a part of NR Group, has announced the launch of its new center at Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru. As per the report from the Indian Psychiatric Society(IPS), the number of mental health cases had increased by 20 percent since the lockdown and that at least one in five Indians were affected. There is a significant rise in mental illnesses in the working population and children due to the extended lockdown, job losses, and remote learning. To address the issue, Mysore-based NR Group has decided to extend its services by launching another center in the city.  This is the first of its kind center to use US FDA-approved Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for treating Depression, Addiction, and OCD in India.  Commenting on the launch, Pavan Ranga, CEO, MindfulTMS and Managing Partner, NR Group, “The center has been specially designed to provide a holistic approach for treating mental illnesses with the US FDA-approved Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) at its core. MindfulTMS Neurocare is a global brand with a presence in the US, Europe, and Asia, that brings together the clinical expertise of neuropsychiatrists from the US, along with cutting-edge treatment and individually customized treatment protocols that have yielded successful results for treating mental illnesses over time.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18457/isic-hosts-international-virtual-biomechanics-conference-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18457/isic-hosts-international-virtual-biomechanics-conference-.html Mon, 19 Apr 2021 10:05:00 +0530 Over 300 experts from across the world converged at the 4th International Virtual Conference on Clinical Spine and Orthopedics Biomechanics, from 16 to 18 April, to discuss various ways of improving the outcome of procedures like Robotic spine surgeon, non-fusion spine technologies, total or partial joint replacement, bone fracture repair, soft tissue repair, limb deformity correction and bone tumour removal. The conference assumes importance in the wake of rising COVID cases around the world, raising the spectre of prolonged indoor stay that have increased the incidence of musculoskeletal problems in both adults and children, including strain, injuries and fractures.  The 3-day conference was attended by 315 participants, delegates comprising eminent surgeons, engineers, rehabilitation professionals, and industry representatives  including 133 faculty members from India and 13 from other parts of the world. The Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC), New Delhi was the key host for the conference in which globally-renowned academic institutions such as the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi; Hamburg University of Technology, Germany; The University of Toledo, Ohio, the USA; and Imperial College London, the UK participated to discuss the latest developments in the field of biomechanics and incorporate them in the surgical processes. “A recent study has found that the most common site for orthopedic implant breaks was the shaft of the femur in patients between 17-95 years comprising more than 40 per cent of implant failures. We have also seen how staying indoors for over a year now has affected the musculoskeletal health of both adults and children. This calls for continuous scrutiny and collaboration between the surgeons and implant design professionals as well as the industry. The fact that back pain has been parallel epidemic due to sedentary lifestyle and bad posture during the pandemic and that fractures and injuries can happen even during COVID and can cause emergency makes conferences like this important for the continuous medical education (CME) – COVID has made us all realize the importance of CME and conferences  in order to serve the patients faster and better,” says Dr H S Chhabra, Medical Director Cum Chief of Spine Services, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC), New Delhi. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18445/indian-hospitals-deploy-remote-monitoring-solutions-for-covid-19-patients-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18445/indian-hospitals-deploy-remote-monitoring-solutions-for-covid-19-patients-.html Thu, 15 Apr 2021 22:25:00 +0530 Hospitals in the most affected states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu & West Bengal, which are reeling under COVID-19 surge, have turned to remote patient monitoring solutions to serve COVID-19 patients in need. Dozee is helping more than 150+ hospitals across India to convert any bed into a step-down ICU in under two minutes and enables remote monitoring of patients outside of the ICU. In the last two weeks alone, more than 15 hospitals have signed up with Dozee across India and currently over 4000 COVID-19 high dependency unit (HDU) beds are being monitored continuously in institutional settings. To tackle shortage of beds and effectively treat patients requiring continuous monitoring and treatment, hospitals across are adapting remote patient monitoring in the fight against the second wave of Coronavirus outbreak.  Dozee Pro is a contactless vitals monitor for hospitals and features an AI-powered triaging system that enables the continuous (more than 100 times per hour) and accurate monitoring of a patient’s heart rate, respiratory rate, and other clinical parameters like sleep apnea, myocardial performance metrics without coming in contact with the patient. Dr Vaishali Shelgaonkar, Associate Professor & HOD, Dept of Anaesthesia, Indira Gandhi Government Medical College, Nagpur, says, “Dozee is playing a crucial role in monitoring over 150 patients at a time and has helped the timely transfer of over 200 patients to the ICU.” Mudit Dandwate, CEO & Co-founder, Dozee stated, “Remote patient monitoring significantly reduces the risks of in-person contact, managing staff shortages, and providing people with an alternative to the traditional forms of medical consultations especially during COVID.”     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18440/cbm-india-launches-affordable-vision-care-centres-in-rural-haryana-karnataka-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18440/cbm-india-launches-affordable-vision-care-centres-in-rural-haryana-karnataka-.html Thu, 15 Apr 2021 16:00:00 +0530 CBM India with the support of Fullerton India has equipped two more vision centres in Haryana and Karnataka in their fight to reduce avoidable blindness and vision impairment in rural India. These would be the first primary screening facilities initiated by RIO Rohtak and RIO Bangalore at primary health centres in rural districts. The inclusive vision centres situated in these rural areas will cater to the most vulnerable communities, including people with disabilities. These vision centres will be fully equipped with screening equipment and will be manned by a trained optometrist. The centre will also engage a community mobilizer, who would be responsible for building awareness and making the community member’s testing experience easy and comfortable.  Spectacles would be provided free of cost for those in need and for those who require surgery (in case of cataract, glaucoma, corneal blindness etc) would be referred to the nearest RIOs. There are 18 Regional Institutes of Ophthalmology (RIO’s) in India. CBM has partnered with RIO’s over the years to support development of low vision services with equipment and training. With the support of Fullerton India, CBM’s collaboration with RIO Rohtak and RIO Bangalore will help integrate eye care into the health system and look to benefit over one lakh population in the two areas.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18436/govt-launches-community-mental-health-digital-platform-manas.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18436/govt-launches-community-mental-health-digital-platform-manas.html Wed, 14 Apr 2021 18:00:00 +0530 The Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India Prof. K VijayRaghavan has virtually launched the “MANAS” App to promote wellbeing across age groups. MANAS which stands for Mental Health and Normalcy Augmentation System was endorsed as a national program by the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC). MANAS is a comprehensive, scalable, and national digital wellbeing platform and an app   developed to augment mental well-being of Indian citizens. MANAS   App integrates the health and wellness efforts of various government ministries, scientifically validated indigenous tools with gamified interfaces developed/researched by various national bodies and research institutions. MANAS was initiated by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India. It was jointly executed by NIMHANS Bengaluru, AFMC Pune and C-DAC Bengaluru. Launching the app Prof. K. VijayRaghavan, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Govt. of India, laid down future directions for the app development and said, “The app must be integrated with the public health schemes like the National Health Mission, Poshan Abhiyan, e-Sanjeevani and others so that it is used widely. Besides, the application must be made multi-lingual.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18432/dkms-builds-online-platform-for-professionals-in-hematopoietic-stem-cell-transplantation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18432/dkms-builds-online-platform-for-professionals-in-hematopoietic-stem-cell-transplantation.html Wed, 14 Apr 2021 14:00:00 +0530 DKMS, an international non-profit organisation dedicated to the fight against blood cancer, has invited medical and healthcare professionals working in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to visit the newly developed DKMS platform at www.professional.dkms.org.  This website gives an overview of the work of all specialist departments and offers comprehensive insights into the non-profit organization’s scientific studies and publications. Furthermore, it provides access to DKMS’ services, resources, grants and support programs. The site features a modern and streamlined design and makes it easy to access essential information. The Research & Publications section of the platform has been designed for clinicians, researchers and scientists. “We constantly optimise our work and invest in research projects and quality programs to contribute to improving the outcome of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation,” says Dr. Alexander Schmidt, Global Chief Medical Officer at DKMS. Transplant centers and registries worldwide can explore the services section and gain access to all of DKMS’ services such as Family Typing and Donation as well as DKMS Registry services: all the way from the initial donor search to workup, follow-up and donor-patient contact services. The DKMS Registry also offers software tools to transplant centers and registries worldwide, enabling an independent search of the DKMS donor pool (except DKMS US) for a matching donor for their patient. Founded in Germany in 1991 by Dr. Peter Harf, DKMS and the organisation’s 1,000 employees have since relentlessly pursued the aim of giving as many patients as possible a second chance at life. In India, DKMS has founded the joint venture DKMS-BMST together with the Bangalore Medical Services Trust. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18421/health-minister-unveils-special-issue-of-indian-journal-of-medical-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18421/health-minister-unveils-special-issue-of-indian-journal-of-medical-research.html Mon, 12 Apr 2021 21:00:00 +0530 Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare chaired ICMR’s International Symposium titled ‘One Health in India: Research informing biosafety, preparedness and response’ through video conference on 12 April. He launched a special issue of ICMR’s Indian Journal of Medical Research which discusses the One Health approach, corroborating multisectoral research informing regarding biosafety, preparedness and response and has original articles, viewpoints, perspectives and reviews from the eminent experts in the field. The commencement of the constitution of a high-level steering committee for Eco Health Initiatives in India was also announced. This committee will have its secretariat hosted at the ICMR, and will also be supported by the upcoming National Institute of One Health which is planned to be set-up in Nagpur. The Union Health Minister said, “The whole world is grappling with the devastating effects of COVID-19. It is the need of the hour to brainstorm and find out ways for future emergency preparedness against emerging and re-emerging infections. With increased interaction between humans and animals – domestic and wild, and influenced by climate change, human health can no longer be seen in isolation. Our present COVID19 pandemic is more than a reminder of this fact.”  He expressed hope that the steps envisaged would help avert the next pandemic. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18418/janani-life-offers-free-at-home-fertility-tests-to-first-500-pre-registered-men-and-women-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18418/janani-life-offers-free-at-home-fertility-tests-to-first-500-pre-registered-men-and-women-.html Mon, 12 Apr 2021 16:05:00 +0530 Janani.life, the first of its kind and only virtual tech-enabled fertility care platform in India, offers free at-home fertility tests to the first 500 men (semen test) and 500 women (hormone-based infertility test) to register on its platform, as part of their launch. The brand launched its services in Bengaluru on April 7, 2021 on the occasion of World Health Day. The brand aims to spur conversation about fertility issues across ages and genders by launching its platform on World Health Day. The free fertility tests are a part of Janani’s quest to spread awareness about non-gender biased sexual wellness and fertility care in India. Within just two days of the launch, Janani life received 100+ responses. Among the respondents, the first 50 people got their sample collection/testing done at comfort of their home on April 10, 2021. Leveraging technology to transform the fertility management industry, Janani aims to make the process of infertility treatment and assisted fertilisation free of gender biases, and hence more accessible and affordable for the masses. The start-up distinguishes itself by providing a first of its kind science-backed, phase-wise answer to the problem of infertility, assisting patients right from conception planning till the end of the pregnancy. All their services including sample collection and diagnostic tests can be accessed from the comfort of the patients’ homes. Speaking on the launch, Nilay Mehrotra, Co-Founder, Janani, said, “We hope to make fertility tests in India more comfortable and accessible to everyone. Hence we are today the first in India to offer fertility tests in the comfort of your homes.”     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18413/pafi-dialogue-discusses-scalability-of-covid-19-vaccination-reducing-vaccine-wastage.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18413/pafi-dialogue-discusses-scalability-of-covid-19-vaccination-reducing-vaccine-wastage.html Sat, 10 Apr 2021 17:05:00 +0530 At the PAFI Dialogue organized by Public Affairs Forum of India (PAFI), Dr Ram Sewak Sharma, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), National Health Authority, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt of India and Chairman of Co-WIN Panel said “Co-WIN application is a robust digital infrastructure critical for the success of COVID vaccination which supports in setting eligibility and identity criteria, issuing vaccination certificates and ensuring scalability of the system." On the question of increasing COVID-19 vaccination speed in India, Dr. Sharma said that supply of vaccine, capacity to vaccinate and demand for the vaccine are crucial determinants. He stressed that vaccination aims to cover people who need the vaccine and not those who want it with the responsibility of state government and local authorities to prevent vaccine wastage. The theme of the PAFI Dialogue was “COVID vaccination and the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM)”. Stressing the role of the private sector in vaccination, Dr. Sharma said that “Private sector has the huge role to play in the entire vaccination process ranging from mobilizing and creating awareness about the entire vaccination process and vaccine hesitancy.” Highlighting NDHM as an industry-led platform and stating the growth of teleconsultation, Dr. Sharma said that currently we are registering 6.2 billion consultations per day and we aim to achieve 200 billion consultations per day.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18409/hcg-kalaburgi-introducesc-test-swivel-biopsy-testto-diagnose-oral-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18409/hcg-kalaburgi-introducesc-test-swivel-biopsy-testto-diagnose-oral-cancer.html Fri, 09 Apr 2021 18:00:00 +0530 Observing the Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week HCG Cancer Centre Kalaburgi introduced ‘C-Test/ Swivel biopsy test’ to diagnose oral cancer for the first time in the North Karnataka region. Also, in an effort to create awareness on oral cancer among general public, free cancer awareness programme and screening camp is being organised at the hospital for the entire month of April.  Dr Sharankumar Shetty, Sr Consultant, Head & Neck Surgical Oncologist, HCG Cancer Centre Kalaburgi said “We are happy to introduce C-Test at our hospital which will benefit the people of north Karnataka. The major advantages of the C -Test are that it’s simple, painless, and easy to use, and does not require anaesthesia or suturing. This test has been specifically developed for oral cancer and is completely sterile with disposable tips. More importantly the test is available at a cost-effective price that is easily affordable to all sections of society.” Dr Shantling Nigudgi, Sr Consultant, Radiation Oncologist, HCG Cancer Centre Kalaburgi said “The oral cancer screening drive is aimed at creating much-needed awareness on the significance of early detection of cancer which can enable early treatment and better outcomes. While smoking and tobacco use are still major risk factors, the fastest-growing segment of oral cancer patients is young, healthy, nonsmoking individuals due to the connection to the HPV virus.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18397/inyas-busts-myths-about-covid-19-vaccination-with-new-campaign.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18397/inyas-busts-myths-about-covid-19-vaccination-with-new-campaign.html Thu, 08 Apr 2021 21:00:00 +0530 Secretary of Department of Science & Technology (DST) Prof Ashutosh Sharma has launched a multipronged nationwide mass awareness campaign with information packages to bust myths about COVID-19 vaccination in 11 languages, including English and Hindi, make the immunization programme successful. The COVID-19 vaccination awareness campaign organized by Indian National Young Academy of Sciences (INYAS) will be carried out through COVACNEWS android-based mobile app made by INYAS for ensuring information at the fingertips. A pan-India info-graphic video and audio competition with motivation to transform information into better readable and effective formats is also being organised along with the GYAN TEEKA webinar series dedicated to increase awareness about vaccines through eminent speakers and open statement on COVID-19 vaccination. Launching the campaign, the DST Secretary highlighted the role of science communication in the present situation when the whole world is fighting against COVID-19. “Lessons of past pandemics show that the second wave of any pandemic is a norm, and we cannot let our guard down at any stage. Communicating with the masses becomes very important in such a situation. It is our responsibility to tell people in simple waysthat will appeal to them psychologically. Our target is to reach out to the grassroots, rural population and focus on things which are relevant”, Professor Sharma pointed out. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18396/fedos-report-illustrates-the-lethal-impact-of-ncds-in-india-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18396/fedos-report-illustrates-the-lethal-impact-of-ncds-in-india-.html Thu, 08 Apr 2021 18:40:00 +0530 On the backdrop of World Health Day 2021 theme of Building a fairer, healthier world, Fedo, a predictive health risk analysis company released findings on the rate of mortality due to various non-communicable diseases (NCD). The burden of NCD continues to increase in India with the main reasons for the rise are unhealthy diet, use of tobacco, air pollution, unhealthy lifestyle, and alcohol. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases contribute to around 41 million (71 per cent) of all deaths globally and around 5.87 million (60 per cent) of all deaths in India. According to WHO, in the South-East Asia region, 40 per cent of the deaths occur from indoor air pollution and 25 per cent are attributed to outdoor air pollution. Commenting on the rise of NCDs, Prasanth Madavana, CEO and Founder, Fedo, said, "Household air pollution is a major health hazard in the South-East Asian region, especially India, due to the burning of solid biomass fuel and second-hand smoke. The aim going forward is to educate oneself on the hazardous effects of air pollution and positive initiatives that economies across the world should incorporate for a better future." Fedo’s key data insights - NCDs are majorly noticed in states such as Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, and Nagaland. Life expectancy in these states for females is between 66 – 79 years and for males is between 63 – 73 years 12 per cent of the mortality rate for male and females in Bihar is due to air pollution Malnutrition is the leading cause of death for more than 20 per cent of females in Assam 9 per cent of females in Bihar die due to unsafe water, sanitation, and hand washing More than 12 per cent of males and 10 per cent of females death in Andhra Pradesh is caused by dietary risks Mortality in males due to high blood pressure is the highest in Goa at 5 per cent   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18394/healthcare-solutions-provider-emids-acquires-quovantis-technologies.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18394/healthcare-solutions-provider-emids-acquires-quovantis-technologies.html Thu, 08 Apr 2021 17:00:00 +0530 emids, a leader in digital engineering and transformation solutions to the healthcare and life sciences industry, has announced the acquisition of New Delhi-based Quovantis Technologies, a user experience design and software development company that enables health technology and product companies to deliver compelling digital experiences for web, mobile and wearables. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. Bengaluru-based emids, which has built its reputation as one of healthcare's most trusted partners for health information technology (HIT) engineering and development, is going strategically upstream with this latest deal on the heels of its acquisition earlier this year of design-led engineering firm Macadamian. The combined expertise puts emids in a unique position, offering its clients industry-leading data science, engineering and business strategy acumen plus the ability to take an innovative idea from concept to MVP to full-scale enterprise solution and with speed to market. Kumar Kolin, emids Chief Technology Officer, said “The addition of Quovantis now gives us permission to say, let us sit down with you to think about the problem you're trying to solve for, let's help you build, test and iterate that solution, and let's see it all the way through with you and help figure out how to scale it for the enterprise. This puts emids on the map as a top-tier product development partner, capable of the design, build and large-scale commercialization of novel digital ideas and technologies.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18391/apollo-hospitals-group-study-reveals-ncds-claim-more-lives-than-communicable-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18391/apollo-hospitals-group-study-reveals-ncds-claim-more-lives-than-communicable-diseases.html Thu, 08 Apr 2021 15:25:00 +0530 On the occasion of World Health Day,  Apollo Hospitals Group unveiled a report on the Health of the Nation that puts a spotlight on how the last two decades have seen a steady rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs).  The contribution of NCDs as the top causes of death in India has risen to a staggering 64.9 per cent as compared to communicable diseases, maternal and other causes that dropped to 25 per cent. Dr Prathap C Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “We can overcome NCDs together as a country, only if each and every one of us takes our health seriously.” Dr Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “With the urgent need to respond to the challenge of non-communicable diseases, we cannot afford a pure treatment and curative approach to health. We believe that a focus on prevention will be transformative for the health of the nation. We are harnessing the power of technology to develop new methodologies for screening, detection, and patient risk profiling.”  The study will help put in place approaches to improve disease prevention, increase the accuracy of early diagnoses that will, in turn, lead to a more personalised and patient-centric treatment approach. Dr Anupam Sibal, Group Medical Director, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “The Health of the Nation study highlights the need to direct our efforts efficiently towards controlling NCDs through optimal use of our healthcare infrastructure.” There is a significant diabetes population in the major metros and suburbs of India, especially the Delhi NCR – Punjab & Haryana Belt, Kolkata, entire Mumbai-Ahmedabad belt, Hyderabad and Chennai, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, as well as in the predominantly rural areas of MP, Maharashtra, UP, Bihar, parts of Orissa and Gujarat. There is a significant hypertensive population in major metros such as Delhi, Punjab & Haryana, Kolkata, Mumbai, Goa, Trivandrum and Hyderabad and in the predominantly rural areas in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, UP, Bihar, Orissa and Gujarat. Dr Sujoy Kar, Chief Medical Information Officer said, “The study gives us the data that will allow the effective use of technology to predict risks and guide our actions to prevent and rein in the NCD epidemic.” Dr Sathya Sriram, CEO, Preventive Health, Apollo Hospitals Chennai said, “The Health of the Nation study has shown us the importance of shifting the paradigm in India from a curative to a preventive mindset.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18385/emcure-pharmaceuticals-launches-womens-well-being-initiative.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18385/emcure-pharmaceuticals-launches-womens-well-being-initiative.html Thu, 08 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Emcure Pharmaceuticals has announced the launch of ‘Uncondition Yourself’ – an initiative dedicated towards women’s well-being. The campaign launched on the occasion of ‘World Health Day’ will seek to identify and address the prevalent notions and misconceptions about women’s health and well-being from cultural and social context in India. In the first phase, the campaign aims to put forth the challenges and connect with relevant influencers to initiate a step towards building a supportive ecosystem for women in the workforce. The campaign will involve on-ground engagement and online activities at a national level. Speaking on the occasion, Namita Thapar, Executive Director, Emcure Pharmaceuticals, said, “Despite the economic advances we have made,  even today, issues related to women’s health are associated with irrational taboos. These lead to stigmatisation and more worryingly holding back among women about their health issues. Through the ‘Uncondition Yourself’ initiative we hope to bring to light important health issues India’s significant women workforce face, and to educate them to make informed choices in their day-to-day actions.” The campaign is an outcome of an online talk show ‘Uncondition yourself with Namita’ featuring candid heart to heart conversations on women’s health issues, giving accurate information and dispelling various myths. This programme received a tremendous response which encouraged the company to launch its ‘Uncondition Yourself’ initiative to engage with a wider audience. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18387/indushealth-plus-report-finds-maharashtrians-most-susceptible-to-diabetes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18387/indushealth-plus-report-finds-maharashtrians-most-susceptible-to-diabetes.html Wed, 07 Apr 2021 17:05:00 +0530 On the occasion of World Health Day, Indus Health Plus, trend report revealed that people in Maharashtra are susceptible to diabetes (27 per cent) vitamin B12 deficiency (23 per cent), dyslipidemia, (17 per cent), obesity (13 per cent) followed by heart diseases (10 per cent) and anaemia (10 per cent). The key non-modifiable risk factor is the genetic makeup of an individual favoured by environmental, age, gender, stress and physiology, metabolism, which increases the onset and progression of lifestyle diseases. The overall sample size for the study was 21500 people who underwent preventive health check-ups October 2019 – February 2021.From Mumbai, the total sample size was 2978 people. Amol Naikawadi, JMD, and Preventive Healthcare Specialist Indus Health Plus said, “Diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are prevalent in India. These diseases tend to impact people in the most productive years of their lives and result in social and economic consequences.” The trend report highlights that females are prone to anaemia (23 per cent), dyslipidemia (20 per cent) as compared to males. Males are at higher risk of diabetes (27 per cent), vitamin B12 deficiency (21 per cent) and heart ailments (14 per cent). The main focus of people should be on wellness and prevention of lifestyle diseases and to create a culture of healthy living among the younger generation. The best way to minimise the cost of treating lifestyle diseases is to invest in preventive healthcare, which accounts for fraction of the money spent on curative steps. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18384/maxivision-eye-hospitals-deploys-bipolar-ioniser-to-keep-hospital-premises-covid-19-free.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18384/maxivision-eye-hospitals-deploys-bipolar-ioniser-to-keep-hospital-premises-covid-19-free.html Wed, 07 Apr 2021 15:20:00 +0530 Maxivision Eye Hospitals have adopted an advanced one-of-a-kind technology called Bipolar Ioniser that disinfects the hospital premises. An innovative technique that deactivates the virus helps in keeping the premises of a hospital COVID-19 free. This system is provided by HVAC systems is powered and manufactured by Jaitra Devices and Systems LLP, Cherlapally, Hyderabad. Commenting on the new innovative technology, Dr Kasu Prasad Reddy, Founder & Mentor, Co-Chairman, MaxiVision Eye Hospitals said, "This technology will also be useful for many more hospitals, airports, cinema theatres, malls, bus stations, hotels and areas where the quality of air can get endangered through multiplying bacterias." Sudheer, CEO, MaxiVision Eye hospitals further added, "At the onset of a second wave, in addition to the social distancing norms, masks, temperature checks, and self-declaration forms we have started taking extra precautions through the use of Bipolar Ioniser which has emerged as the need of the hour." Lakhs of patients visit MaxiVision hospitals across all the branches and are treated without any complications. This was possible by maintaining the best sanitisation procedures through technology and social distancing ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18383/india-intensifies-tb-screening-in-partnership-with-japan.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18383/india-intensifies-tb-screening-in-partnership-with-japan.html Wed, 07 Apr 2021 13:05:00 +0530 In a unique cross-industry collaboration, Indian firm Qure.ai, Molbio Diagnostics, and Japan based companies Fujifilm Corporation and Toyota Tsusho have come together for a tuberculosis (TB) detection program named 'Driving to find the missing millions'. This partnership will help intensify Active Case Finding (ACF) by using an end-to-end TB screening mobile unit. The unit can navigate some of the most inaccessible and remote areas, to ensure last mile health care delivery in regions where millions of TB cases go undiagnosed every year.Toyota Tsusho will provide its Land Cruiser as WHO PQS E002 Refrigerated Vehicles authorized for the safety temperature controlled delivery of COVID19 and EPI vaccines. The vehicles are fitted with Fujifim's Xair, an ultra-compact portable X-ray machine. Xair will be augmented with qXR, Qure.ai's AI tool for automated chest X-ray interpretation. qXR will alert the medical team for suspected TB cases. The SUV will also be equipped with Molbio's novel portable and battery operated Truenat technology for  further confirmation of TB and MDR TB in the suspected cases. With this integrated testing capability, the cost of TB diagnosis can be substantially reduced and end-to-end TB diagnosis which takes days can be done in less than 1 hour. If the person is found to be TB positive, they can be started on TB medication immediately.Qure's qXR can interpret scans with high levels of accuracy and specificity, making it an ideal tool for mass screenings. Qure's TB solution is integrated with Fujifilm's Xair enabling instantaneous AI report for TB presumptive cases.Molbio's Truenat is a laboratory independent, point of care real-time PCR platform that provides rapid results, with high levels of accuracy for confirming TB and MDR TB. Truenat has on board memory and data transfer capability. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18375/resmed-expands-airview-remote-ventilation-platform-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18375/resmed-expands-airview-remote-ventilation-platform-in-india.html Tue, 06 Apr 2021 13:55:00 +0530 ResMed, A US based digital health and cloud-connected medical devices company, has expanded AirView for Ventilation, its cloud-based remote monitoring and management platform for respiratory care patients, in India. ResMed’s AirView platform allows healthcare professionals to monitor large numbers of patients remotely, safely, and efficiently, enabling them to quickly support those who need it, optimising their device use and health outcomes. AirView connects with ResMed’s respiratory care devices such as Lumis through a built-in wireless module, and with Astral and Stellar ventilators through a ResMed Connectivity Module (RCM). AirView enables: a comprehensive view of patients’ therapy data that enables authorised members of the care team to interpret and optimise patient therapy outcomes, filtering patients into actionable groups based on a specific therapy issue they may be having that need immediate attention, easier identification of patients that require assistance, reduced lengthy or unnecessary or unscheduled visits, remote troubleshooting to resolve patient therapy and device issues - greater flexibility in managing patients in compliance with regulatory guidelines. Carlos Montiel, Vice President, Latin America and South Asia, Asia and Latin, ResMed, said. “AirView allows healthcare providers to remotely monitor and assess patients and ultimately tailor treatments. It helps save time by identifying therapy issues early in the process and enabling relevant solutions, thereby optimising therapy use.” Currently, more than 15 million patients with cloud-connectable devices in ResMed’s global network are allowing doctors to remotely monitor their patients for the diagnosis and treatment of their sleep and respiratory disorders. AirView for Ventilation is already available in the US and across Europe. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18373/heart-hospital-offering-affordable-cardiac-healthcare-in-bihar.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18373/heart-hospital-offering-affordable-cardiac-healthcare-in-bihar.html Tue, 06 Apr 2021 12:00:00 +0530 Heart Hospital in Patna, currently being run by Dr Rajan Thakur, son of founder late Dr AK Thakur, has not only treated over 3 lakh patients but has also served as a leading heart care facility for patients from Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Nepal. "Our mission is to make advanced cardiac health care facilities available to the masses at affordable costs. We never think about reaching a specific number as we focus on providing quality treatment over quantity. We would continue treating needy patients or those who cannot afford treatments. We don't get any donations or grants from any organization, but we have several tie-ups with the state and central government to help the poor," said Dr Rajan Thakur, chairman and director, Heart Hospital, Patna. Now a pioneer in primary and normal angioplasty in Bihar and Jharkhand,  the hospital initially took small footsteps and began as an indoor nursing home with few beds. Today, the hospital is doing the maximum heart surgeries in the region by any private hospital at most affordable prices. "We have performed many angioplasties, pacemaker implantations, bypass surgeries, valve replacement, etc. without compromising on quality treatment. Modern techniques have been practiced here for many years. Recently, a new method of pacemaker implantation- a technique which is just 2 years old worldwide, was done successfully at our hospital. We believe that quality is everything when it comes to treating patients," he added. The hospital regularly holds several workshops on ROTA- a complex angioplasty technique  and the staff regularly attend conference in various parts of India and abroad to keep themselves our latest practices in modern cardiology. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18366/ashok-soota-creates-skan-for-research-in-ageing-and-neurological-disorders.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18366/ashok-soota-creates-skan-for-research-in-ageing-and-neurological-disorders.html Mon, 05 Apr 2021 13:20:00 +0530 Ashok Soota, Chairman/Managing Trustee, SKAN has announced the creation of SKAN, probably India’s first not-for-profit entity in the private sector, exclusively for medical research. The research for the projects will be done through reputed partners, and directly in-house. The strategic partner for neurological research is the Centre for Brain Research (CBR) at Indian Institute Science, Bengaluru (IISc). CBR is putting together a consortium to handle the first project on Parkinson’s disease. The strategic partner for ageing is the upcoming St John’s Geriatric Centre (SJGC), to be located on the St John’s Hospital campus. Soota has agreed to fund the setting up of the Centre for Research in Ageing and Geriatrics (CRAG) at the SJGC and to support joint projects. In ageing, the approach will be to go wide into relatively under-researched areas and will include the establishment of a large community-based research cohort. For neurological research, the plan will be to go deep into select areas like Parkinson’s disease, bipolar disorders, strokes and other cerebrovascular disorders. For problems related to both ageing and neurological disorders, the philosophy of the research will include searching for kinder, gentler therapies; delaying the onset and slowing down the progression of the disease and providing persons a better quality of life even as they live with the illness. Soota has also announced funds commitment of Rs 200 crore for SKAN.  Out of this, Rs 100 crore is earmarked for partners such as St John’s, Centre for Brain Research (CBR), IIT-Roorkee, NIMHANS and any new partners which may be added. Rs 100 crore is earmarked for investments in SKAN and direct projects within SKAN. Soota said, “It will take 10 years to build a world class institution for ageing and neurological research. I am grateful to two eminent leaders who have agreed to take charge as Chairpersons for the two divisions in case of an exigency to me if line leadership is not ready to take charge.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18362/world-bank-unveils-project-to-improve-healthcare-services-in-mizoram.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18362/world-bank-unveils-project-to-improve-healthcare-services-in-mizoram.html Mon, 05 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0530 The World Bank Board of Executive Directors has approved a $32 million Mizoram Health Systems Strengthening Project to improve management capacity and quality of health services in Mizoram, situated in the North East region of India, particularly for the benefit of underserved areas and vulnerable groups. The project will strengthen the governance and the management structure of the Department of Health and Family Welfare (DoHFW) and its subsidiaries, improve the quality and coverage of services delivered by the state government health systems, and invest in a comprehensive Quality Assurance program which would enable quality certification of health facilities.  A key focus will be to strengthen the effectiveness of the state health insurance program; build synergies with the Government of India’s Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna (PMJAY); and thereby reduce financial barriers in accessing hospital services, prevent catastrophic out of pocket expenditure for health by poor families and expand coverage. The Mizoram Health Systems Strengthening Project will benefit the people across all eight districts of the state. It will also benefit health sector staff, specifically at the secondary and primary levels, by strengthening their planning and management capacity along with building their clinical skills and competencies.   “While Mizoram performs better than the national average on many key health indicators, access to quality health services is a challenge, particularly in rural areas. The COVID-19 pandemic has also adversely impacted the delivery of essential health services,” said Junaid Ahmad, World Bank Country Director in India. “This project will support the state government’s efforts to deliver quality healthcare for the poor and vulnerable and those located in remote areas.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18355/apollo-logisolutions-aims-at-enhancing-covid-19-vaccine-distribution-model-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18355/apollo-logisolutions-aims-at-enhancing-covid-19-vaccine-distribution-model-in-india.html Thu, 01 Apr 2021 01:05:00 +0530 Apollo LogiSolutions (ALS), an Integrated Logistics solutions provider, has announced that it is collaborating with leading players across technology, cold chain warehousing, pharmaceutical, healthcare, airline and airport sectors for its new ‘integrated vaccine delivery platform’. Apollo LogiSolutions aims to enhance the current Covid-19 vaccine distribution model in India with its new solution and has already onboarded UNICEF backed blockchain technology firm StaTwig for technology capabilities; Coldman, Kool Solutions and other major companies for effective cold chain warehousing of 70,000+ pallet capacity at 10 locations in India and GMR-Hyderabad airport and Indigo airlines for air transportation. Apollo LogiSolutions’ ‘integrated vaccine platform solution’ is designed to address the end-to-end supply-chain related challenges and bring more transparency and effective tracking for effective Covid-19 vaccine distribution in the country. Announcing the new solution, Raaja Kanwar, Vice chairman and Managing Director, Apollo LogiSolutions said, “It’s a proud moment for everyone at Apollo LogiSolutions to have been able to build a solution that will help India in its mission to immunize its people against Covid-19. We have already partnered with some of the most trusted names in the industry and will continue to add more to make the platform more robust as part of our commitment in creating an effective end-to-end distribution platform for the Covid-19 vaccine.” In addition to the current partners, Apollo LogiSolutions is also engaging with major players in the healthcare and pharma sector alongside various local and central government authorities and ministries to get them on-board. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18352/nasscom-apollo-hospitals-to-upskill-digital-healthcare-workforce.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18352/nasscom-apollo-hospitals-to-upskill-digital-healthcare-workforce.html Wed, 31 Mar 2021 17:25:00 +0530 NASSCOM FutureSkills® PRIME has collaborated with Apollo Hospitals to launch a Joint Technical Educational Platform. This unique collaboration will help in promoting multi-skilling and re-skilling along with enabling unlearning and re-learning to stay relevant, efficient, and productive. Upskilling through the technical education platform will lead to an ‘alternate’ way of thinking thereby adding a high level of effectiveness to overall healthcare delivery. Promoting a single comprehensive destination for skilling the collaboration will provide an innovative and flexible training approach by mapping the training to workers levels and career paths. Furthermore, it will help foster careers and motivate them to perform better. Speaking on the occasion, Amit Aggarwal, Chief Executive Officer · IT-ITES Sector Skill Council of India, NASSCOM, said, “This platform in collaboration with NASSCOM FutureSkills and Apollo Hospitals is a step towards moving away from the traditional healthcare practices and advancing towards reskilling/upskilling and building cross-skills between core healthcare and digital.” Speaking about the collaboration, Dr Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “We see this partnership with NASSCOM FutureSkills Prime as an integral part of the digital transformation, which Apollo has championed over the last few years. The healthcare workforce needs to be ready and skilled in not just the conventional medical practices, but also in the digital revolution, which is rapidly taking place.” To create the necessary talent pipeline even in the healthcare ecosystem, this Joint Technical Educational Platform will further NASSCOM and Apollo’s vision to create an ecosystem that drives learning, digital skilling, and preparedness for the digital healthcare of the future, while helping to unleash the innovative thinking that is integral to digital technologies.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18349/healthplix-raises-13-5-m-for-strengthening-healthcare-delivery-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18349/healthplix-raises-13-5-m-for-strengthening-healthcare-delivery-in-india.html Wed, 31 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0530 HealthPlix, a Bengaluru based startup, has announced raising $13.5 million in Series B funding led by Lightspeed, with participation from JSW and existing investors Kalaari and Chiratae. The #1 go-to-platform for doctors, Healthplix is fast becoming the operating system for healthcare delivery in India. It plans to grow 5x by expanding the doctor base in existing geographies, adding new towns and medicine specialities, and bolstering its team and product. Sandeep Gudibanda, serial entrepreneur and CEO of HealthPlix shared, “Doctors are at the core of healthcare delivery, and at the core of a doctor’s day is his interaction with the patient. These few minutes matter most. It is in this precious interaction that health decisions get made, diagnostic tests get prescribed, pharmaceutical brands get chosen, surgical procedures get planned, and hospital referrals get made. This interaction is the moment of truth, where $88 billion of annual healthcare spend is decided. And in this moment of truth, the ONLY solution that doctors turn to for assistance is HealthPlix.”  HealthPlix today serves more than 12 million unique patients - including 10% of all diabetic and cardiac patients in India! - supporting 60,000+ consultations daily across 15+ specialities. Healthplix has become the #1 go-to-platform for doctors, and is especially loved by top doctors (called Key Opinion Leaders): 10% of India’s top oncologists, 25% of India’s cardiologists and 75% of India’s top endocrinologists & diabetologists use HealthPlix for more than 4 hours everyday. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18345/icici-foundation-to-donate-dialysis-machines-for-enhancing-healthcare-infrastructure.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18345/icici-foundation-to-donate-dialysis-machines-for-enhancing-healthcare-infrastructure.html Tue, 30 Mar 2021 15:55:00 +0530 ICICI Foundation for Inclusive Growth (ICICI Foundation), the CSR arm of the ICICI Group, has announced that it will donate over 100 dialysis machines to enhance the healthcare infrastructure in the country. ICICI Foundation will provide these machines to various hospitals free-of-cost. This initiative is aimed at providing affordable treatment to the lesser privileged across 60 districts in 14 states in the country. ICICI Foundation is procuring these state-of-the-art imported machines and providing them to the identified hospitals with a four year warranty in order to ensure uninterrupted operations at the dialysis centres. Speaking on the occasion, Saurabh Singh, President, ICICI Foundation for Inclusive Growth said, “As a step towards promoting healthcare, we are donating over 100 dialysis machines. This will make affordable dialysis treatment available for patients in towns of various districts, closer to their homes. We believe that this initiative will offer conveniences of time and cost saving for the patients, as they no longer have to travel to big cities for dialysis.” This move is a step in the direction to augment the availability of dialysis machines across various states, where the availability of these machines is lower.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18339/art-fertility-clinics-to-establish-18-ivf-clinics-across-india-in-two-years.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18339/art-fertility-clinics-to-establish-18-ivf-clinics-across-india-in-two-years.html Fri, 26 Mar 2021 17:25:00 +0530 Gulf Capital, one of the largest and most active alternative asset managers in Growth Markets, announced its two-year growth plans for ART Fertility Clinics, the fastest growing provider of fertility treatment services in the GCC. The new chapter of ART Fertility Clinics will see the implementation of an ambitious two-year rollout of 18 IVF clinics across India. The first two clinics in Gurugram and New Delhi have commenced medical operations. They are to be followed by clinics in Ahmedabad and Hyderabad (April), Mumbai and Chennai (May), Bengaluru and Kolkata (July). The rest of the rollout will be announced in Sept 2021.  ART fertility clinics has its own state-of-the-art genetic lab that utilises the latest NGS system. Having achieved over 5500 + pregnancies in less than five years, ART Fertility Clinics’ success is driven by the scientific and personalised approach of highly skilled physicians, embryologists and support medical team.  Dr Karim El Solh, Chief Executive Officer, Gulf Capital, said, “Our investment in ART Fertility Clinics is Gulf Capital’s largest equity investment to date and includes the first corporate carve-out in our Firm’s history (Gulf Capital invested over  $100 million to acquire a controlling stake in ART Fertility Clinics in Jan 2020).” Dr (Professor) Human Fatemi, Group Medical Director, ART Fertility Clinics, remarked, “Our partnership with Gulf Capital helps us offer our services to an even broader segment of the population.” Suresh Soni, Global CEO, ART Fertility, added, “We are excited to launch the most advanced IVF clinics in India as we embark on our next phase of expansion and growth.” Vinesh Gadhia, CEO, ART Fertility Clinics, India concluded, “We are enthusiastic about our future together and look forward to working closely with the team on this new phase of growth.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18338/meenakshi-hospital-deploys-telemedicine-robots.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18338/meenakshi-hospital-deploys-telemedicine-robots.html Fri, 26 Mar 2021 17:05:00 +0530 In a first in India, Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre (MMHRC), Madurai, has deployed 16 mobile Teladoc Health Robots for clinical examinations, diagnosis, and monitoring of health parameters of both out-patients and in-patients. These robots are the preferred choice of the world’s top six hospitals. Dr S Gurushankar, Chairman, Meenakshi Mission Hospital, Madurai, said, “These telemedicine robots from Teladoc are a substantial addition to the healthcare capabilities available in Tamil Nadu. They have empowered our doctors to treat patients anywhere and anytime. We can now get expert opinion from a specialist anywhere in the world. Doctors from different disciplines can come together to treat a patient. They can also monitor patients 24/7. This capability has helped us save many lives during the times of the ongoing pandemic.” The Teladoc telemedicine robots have capabilities to carry out basic clinical examinations (such as checking blood pressure and heart rate) on their own, as instructed by the doctors. As IoT devices, they can be used to control other advanced diagnostic equipment such as CT and MRI scan machines. Applying artificial intelligence, the robots can collect and process data from other diagnostic equipment and present it to the doctors to help them make precise clinical decisions. The robots can also enhance patient relations, as they are fitted with cameras and display monitors to enable patient-doctor interaction. Meenakshi Mission Hospital is spearheading the adoption of AI, robotics, telemedicine, and other technological breakthroughs in healthcare. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18334/majority-consider-efficacy-as-major-factor-for-choosing-a-vaccine-yougov-survey.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18334/majority-consider-efficacy-as-major-factor-for-choosing-a-vaccine-yougov-survey.html Fri, 26 Mar 2021 13:15:00 +0530 According to a YouGov survey conducted between February 18 and March 3, 2021, Sputnik V is among the most preferred vaccines alongside with the one produced by Pfizer/BioNTech. According to the survey, 54 per cent of respondents who selected a country they trust to produce a vaccine, considered Russia the most trusted vaccine producer alongside the US and leaving the UK behind, when asked to choose the three countries they trusted the most to produce a vaccine. Dr Gajendra Singh, Public Health Expert said, “The efficacy depends on the foundation on which a vaccine is built. While Sputnik V uses human adenovirus platform, Pfizer and Moderna vaccines/others are made using messenger RNA, or mRNA, a technology that delivers a bit of genetic code to cells — in effect, a recipe to make the surface protein (known as spike) on the SARS-2 virus. Moreover, vaccines such as Covishield and Sputnik V are fit for Indian terrain since they can be stored at +2º+8ºC in contrast with mRNA vaccines with much more extreme temperature regimen of -70º-20ºC.” According to the survey, almost half (47 per cent) of the respondents who have made their choice only consider a minimum vaccine efficacy level of 90 per cent or more acceptable for their vaccination. An overwhelming number of respondents (84 per cent) would be willing to postpone their vaccination with a less effective vaccine of around 60 per cent, for a vaccine with a higher efficacy of over 90 per cent. Dr AM Deshmukh, President, Microbiologist Society, India said, “On the storage capabilities of the country, unlike others, Sputnik V has been tested on Indian population during the clinical trials. On the cost front, the price of Sputnik V is less than $10 per shot, making it affordable around the world.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18329/tele-consultations-witness-massive-growth-across-india-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18329/tele-consultations-witness-massive-growth-across-india-.html Thu, 25 Mar 2021 16:25:00 +0530 Apollo Telehealth has notched up a whopping 1800 per cent jump in tele-consultations since the outbreak of the pandemic in the country. And this impressive jump has not been limited to any particular region or market. From north India to central India to the eastern and western parts of the country, the demand for telehealth services has seen a surge in all corners of the country. In more specific terms, central India, in particular, has been a star performer with a 6942 per cent leap followed by east India at 5983 per cent, north India at 3720 per cent, west India at 3403 per cent, and south India at 830 per cent. “From rural India to small towns to big metro cities, patients came from all corners for virtual consultations through Apollo Telehealth’s multitude of projects. And demographically speaking, they came from all socio-economic classes, income groups, age groups, and gender. Both males and females actively sought online medical advice. This means that a degree of near-permanency around patient usage behaviour vis-à-vis telehealth and the implicit crystallisation of user trust in our projects has come to take strong roots,” said Vikram Thaploo, CEO, Apollo Telehealth. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18327/iscr-emphasises-on-continued-focus-investment-in-research-to-eliminate-tb.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18327/iscr-emphasises-on-continued-focus-investment-in-research-to-eliminate-tb.html Thu, 25 Mar 2021 13:35:00 +0530 Flagging WHO’s theme for this year’s World Tuberculosis Day, ‘The Clock is Ticking’, the Indian Society for Clinical Research (ISCR) has called on all research stakeholders to continue to focus on and invest in research in TB so that the risk to end TB because of the pandemic is minimised.  The theme of this year aims to deliver the message of urgency to global leaders to act on their commitments towards controlling TB while highlighting that the world is running out of time to act on its commitments to end TB. “The burden of TB in India is huge. The pandemic should not be a pause on our mission of finding preventive and curative treatment for illnesses that are endemic in our region,” said Dr Chirag Trivedi, President, ISCR. “More investment in TB research is needed so that we can work towards finding newer and more effective treatment particularly for multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) which is a major contributor to deaths from antimicrobial resistance globally.” The Government of India is calling for the elimination of TB by 2025, five years ahead of the UN Sustainable Development Goals to End TB by 2030. The key to this is the National Strategic Plan 2017 – 2025, which is devised with the vision of a TB free India with zero deaths, disease, and poverty due to tuberculosis. It emphasises the requirements to achieve a rapid decline in the burden of TB, mortality, and morbidity including private sector engagement.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18326/apollo-establishes-multi-specialty-hospital-in-ameerpet.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18326/apollo-establishes-multi-specialty-hospital-in-ameerpet.html Thu, 25 Mar 2021 12:55:00 +0530 Apollo Health and Lifestyle Limited (AHLL), a subsidiary of the Apollo Hospitals Group has established a world class technology-powered healthcare and surgical facility - Apollo Spectra Hospitals at Ameerpet. The facility will provide access to comprehensive, affordable and personalised quality healthcare to the people of Ameerpet and the neighbourhood. The advanced multi-specialty hospital was formally inaugurated by Chief Guest Gadwal Vijayalakshmi, Mayor, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation; at Shyam Karan Road, Ameerpet.  The Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Ameerpet, offers world-class medical infrastructure including ultra-modern operation theatres, state-of-the-art ICUs, comprehensive diagnostics; advanced hybrid cath lab; dedicated cardiac & surgical intensive care units and well-equipped rehabilitation unit to enable quick recovery of the patients. The hospital is backed by the professional expertise of 155 healthcare professionals, including 90 specialist consultants. The new multi-specialty hospital will provide a wide range of services covering orthopaedics, general & laparoscopic surgery, medical and surgical gastroenterology, nephrology and dialysis, urology, pulmonology, ENT, dermatology, neurology, cardiology & CT surgery, and diabetology among others, offering preventive health care as well as outpatient and in-patient services. The 24X7 Emergency Unit will be part of the 1066 Emergency Network of the Apollo Hospitals Group and will be managed by highly trained emergency specialists with emergency protocols of Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills ER team.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18323/indigital-technologies-launches-personalised-video-prescription-platform.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18323/indigital-technologies-launches-personalised-video-prescription-platform.html Wed, 24 Mar 2021 19:00:00 +0530 Indigital Technologies, a leading research-based technology company that is inspired by pharmaceuticals and driven by healthcare, has announced the launch of Kyoiku, a personalised video prescription platform that will assist healthcare practitioners in making the complex instructions for the patients simpler and understandable. Kyoiku features artificial intelligence (AI) technology that converts the prescriptions and doctor’s instructions into easy to understand, high quality videos. Use of this prescription video software improves adherence and clears all the doubts on how to take it. With Kyoiku, one gets video instructions for 130,000 medications with new additions every day. We are all aware that patients and their caregivers are expected to follow a variety of very complex instructions and doctor visits are becoming shorter with the growing virus fear and intervention of telemedicine. Often there is insufficient time to explain all instructions in detail and verify understanding of the patients. It is a known fact that medical misunderstanding could turn out to be a high cost for the patients and their caregivers, Indigital Technologies introduced this product Kyoiku to make the process easier for them to understand and follow in a text as well as video format. Speaking about the launch of the product, Hiren Dhuvad, CEO, Indigital Technologies, said, “Kyoiku is an initiative in accomplishing our mission to empower the doctors, medical practitioners and the patients for better outcomes and better treatment through technology driven initiatives. I believe intervention of technology for various healthcare needs is the future.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18322/healthcube-collaborates-with-samsung-to-strengthen-anaemia-mukt-bharat-initiative.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18322/healthcube-collaborates-with-samsung-to-strengthen-anaemia-mukt-bharat-initiative.html Wed, 24 Mar 2021 18:50:00 +0530 HealthCube, a point-of-care technology-enabled diagnostics service provider, has partnered with Samsung to enable blood tests for school students under the government’s Anaemia Mukt Bharat initiative. Samsung is the mobility technology partner for HealthCube with its palm-sized solution – Galaxy Tab A. HealthCube works towards making diagnosis simple and hassle-free in rural areas. They needed technology that could aid them in collecting a large amount of data from the field which could be stored with acute security. With the Galaxy Tab A, HealthCube is able to collect a large amount of data from the field which can be retrieved locally. The multi-functional tab has made the process of data collection and recording instant and its big screen helps the on-field record data from the screening easily. Unique patient records can be created instantly, using the tablet’s high-res camera. Speaking about this, Dr Ramanan Laxminarayan, Founder, HealthCube, said, “HealthCube is used to screen school children for their haemoglobin levels. We store data on HealthCube’s EzDx app installed on Galaxy Tab A.” Adding further, Akash Saxenaa, Senior Director, Enterprise Sales, Samsung India, said, “Samsung collaborated with HealthCube to provide time-saving and cost-effective real-time diagnosis to rural patients. Enabled by Galaxy Tab A, healthcare workers with access to HealthCube’s EzDx app could manage patient data in a quick, easy and secure manner. Samsung is proud to have been the technological partner for HealthCube’s noble initiative.” Aided by Samsung’s technology, HealthCube is able to store and upload the unique records of the patient on the cloud which can then be immediately shared with/by the healthcare workers. The GPS feature on the Tab helps in tracking the location of operators and beneficiaries in real time ensuring their safety.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18318/vital-strategiesreleases-resources-toend-tbon-world-tb-day.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18318/vital-strategiesreleases-resources-toend-tbon-world-tb-day.html Wed, 24 Mar 2021 17:35:00 +0530 On World TB Day, Vital Strategies has released two new communication resources to support the Government of India’s effort to end TB once and for all. The launch includes two new public education resources, ‘Responses to Public Service Announcements about Tuberculosis’ which provides insights into four tested campaign messages that when integrated into TB programming, will encourage behaviour change including increasing knowledge of symptoms, reducing stigma and discrimination, enhancing health service utilisation, and improving treatment adherence. One concept in particular, ‘Cough’ is the first-ever campaign highlighting the link between TB and tobacco use and was rated as one of the highest in terms of potential effectiveness for TB prevention and treatment. ‘End Tobacco to Eliminate TB: Communication Toolkit’, launched in collaboration with the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), is an extensive collection of resources, creatives, and guidelines to drive social sharing campaigns on TB-tobacco. It is a handy, ready to use tool to help government institutions, programme managers, healthcare providers, communities, civil society organisations, and health resource agencies to effectively reach key audiences. Further, the toolkit provides pre-tested public service announcement, ‘Cough’ in 17 national and regional languages. Vikas Sheel, Joint Secretary (NTEP & Policy), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, said, “Mass media campaigns are an effective tool for achieving this target, and campaigns can ensure that relevant messaging is in the public domain to help in amplifying cross-linkages between NTEP and other programmes to influence TB control.” Dr Nandita Murukutla, Vice President, Vital Strategies, said, “We are pleased to partner with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, the Union and Tata Memorial Hospital Mumbai, and commend their efforts to encourage public education campaigns as a critical means to ending the tobacco and the TB epidemic.” Dr Rana J Singh, Deputy Regional Director, The Union South-East Asia, said, “There is an urgent need to integrate tobacco control strategies in TB control programmes at policy, implementation and reporting levels.” Starting today, Vital Strategies is airing the PSA, ‘Cough’ on national digital platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Hotstar and Voot for four weeks in 17 languages across India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18314/lupinlife-to-provide-hand-sanitisers-to-policemen-frontline-workers-during-kumbh-mela-2021.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18314/lupinlife-to-provide-hand-sanitisers-to-policemen-frontline-workers-during-kumbh-mela-2021.html Wed, 24 Mar 2021 13:55:00 +0530 LupinLife, consumer healthcare business of global pharma major Lupin Limited, has announced its association with the Uttarakhand Police for Kumbh Mela 2021. During the Kumbh, LupinLife will provide five lakh LupiSafe hand sanitisers to policemen and frontline workers deployed at strategic locations - parking spots, food centres, health centres and bathing areas - in Haridwar to keep them safe from COVID-19 and other infections. LupinLife will also provide brochures to the tourists to ensure they have access to critical information. These include road traffic routes to and from adjoining cities, major bathing dates, demarcated parking spots, etc to help tourists navigate their way easily. The brochures will be distributed at major parking spots to the tourists entering Haridwar by car. According to Sanjay Gunjyal, Inspector General of Police, Kumbh Mela-2021, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, “We appreciate the compassion and support offered by Lupin in keeping police personnel and frontline workers safe during Kumbh Mela. While we are taking adequate safety measures, it is heartening that Lupin is supporting our efforts to keep police personnel and frontline workers safe in the line of duty.” Rajeev Sibal, President, India Region Formulations, Lupin Limited said, “We at Lupin feel a deep responsibility to help address this unprecedented crisis by tirelessly dedicating our support to the healthcare professionals and frontline workforce. At Kumbh too, we are proud to support policemen and frontline workers by providing them necessary protection as they tirelessly manage this mega event.” Commenting on the association, Anil Kaushal, Head, LupinLife Consumer Healthcare said, “The Kumbh Mela is the largest congregation of devotees with millions of tourists participating in this year’s event. We are delighted to partner with Uttarakhand Police who are working tirelessly to manage this mega event successfully. Providing them with LupiSafe is our token of gratitude towards them.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18313/saifee-hospital-updates-clinical-specialty-equipment-for-kidney-stone-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18313/saifee-hospital-updates-clinical-specialty-equipment-for-kidney-stone-treatment.html Wed, 24 Mar 2021 13:50:00 +0530 Saifee Hospital, a renowned multi-specialty healthcare facility in Mumbai, updated its clinical specialty equipment with the installation of Thulium fiber laser (TFL), a revolutionary technology in kidney stone treatment.  The hospital earlier offered the more commonly used Holmium: YAG laser. The recent upgrade is seen as a game changer in the field, offering a more efficient, flexible, and safer means to administer laser treatment.   TFL is now widely seen as a vast improvement on Holmium: YAG laser because of its higher efficiency that offers multiple additional benefits. These include a four-fold higher absorption of coefficient in water, lower energy consumption, smaller operating laser fibres, and higher maximal pulse repetition rate. In layman’s terms, it makes the TFL 1.5–4 times faster in breaking the kidney stones. This makes it particularly beneficial in ureteroscopy. Commenting on the installation  Dr Hiren S Sodha, Senior Consultant Urologist, Saifee Hospital, Mumbai  said, “Thulium fiber laser is widely seen as a ground-breaking development in the field of kidney stone treatment which allows for far more effective medical care. The highly precise action of the laser also reduces patient morbidity. As a laser tech, it is safer and highly efficient and is unlikely to need long hospitalisation. Hence, it can indirectly help save treatment cost.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18317/ozone-therapy-making-greater-impact-in-controlling-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18317/ozone-therapy-making-greater-impact-in-controlling-covid-19.html Wed, 24 Mar 2021 13:00:00 +0530 Ozone Forum of India, a brainchild of Bisleri Charitable Trust by Bisleri International has announced a revolutionary cure towards COVID 19 and post COVID 19 care helping patients to recover faster. A total of 500 patients (including across various comorbid conditions) out of which 77% have recovered within 5 days and the rest recovered by the 8th day as per clinical trials conducted in mid-2020. Ozone therapy has a greater impact in controlling the infection as patient suffers from various situations such as circulatory disorders which may lead to clotting or thrombosis, headaches, lung infection, body pain & breathlessness situations. Doctors recommended that ozone therapy should be taken upto 15 sessions after COVID 19. This way immunity is enhanced and patients may rebuild antioxidants in their body thus regaining their eroded strength due to the infection. Ozone Forum of India performed 2 important trials towards COVID 19 treatment. One was with Lokmanya Hospital in Pune and another with NeuroGen Brain & Spine Institute, Mumbai. Dr Mili Shah, President, Ozone Forum of India, Trustee, Bisleri Charitable Trust, says “In this crisis time of fighting the pandemic and its surge again, we need to integrate wisdom of conventional medicine with natural healing modalities. We are happy to announce that ozone therapy works well on COVID 19 patients as both our trial reports showed and most importantly it is also very cost effective. Its antimicrobial elements help patients to recover fast and also control the recurrence. Ozone Forum of India has been researching in this therapy since last 18 years and we are only pleased to share our insights to support this pandemic and for the interest of the larger humanity. Our objective is to reach out to more doctors and patients to be aware of Ozone Therapy and till now we have touched over 2400 doctors in the country who successfully believe and use this therapy.” On the occasion of World Tuberculosis Day on 24 March, it was stated that integrative medicine mostly works on patients of tuberculosis who are given scientifically proven antibiotics leading to patients facing adverse drug reactions due to the antibiotics. Ozone Therapy used as ozonated water and saline helps patients to recover and in disappearance of pus, improving their general well-being. Most importantly, appetite improves for patients within 1 month and they regain their lost weight. Over 400 patients were administered ozone therapy till date in Mumbai and were helped to recover. Dr Lalit Kumar Anande, Speciality in Drug Resistant, TB Complications & Anti-Oxidant Therapies says, “Tuberculosis causes deadly irreversible damages to the lungs. One of the common complications being Empyema (Pus in the Chest) which requires an insertion of Intercostal tube in the chest to drain the pus out into a drainage bag. Added to this, was the dreadful drug resistant TB that the patients suffer from along with the mental depression and various adverse reactions due to loads of antibiotics taken by the patient. It is in such mentioned multiple conditions where the patient’s survival rate is at its lowest point that we realised the very fast acting Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Anti Inflammatory properties of Ozone therapy. Usage of Ozone resulted in reducing the pus infection, its foul smell, joint aches and improved appetite and overall comfort for patients.” Reckless use of antibiotics for the treatment of TB is getting patients with multiple drug resistance (MDR). These incidences are rapidly increasing and Ozone Therapy can help to boost their antioxidant defence mechanism and even though patient is MDR and it shows results in improving their general well-being, appetite and weight. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18312/artemis-opens-neuro-sub-speciality-clinics-in-gurugram.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18312/artemis-opens-neuro-sub-speciality-clinics-in-gurugram.html Wed, 24 Mar 2021 08:40:00 +0530 Artemis Hospitals has launched one-of-its-kind Neuro Sub Speciality Clinics for patients suffering from neurological disorders under the concept of ‘Integrated Practicing Units’. The speciality clinics are designed to provide efficiently enhanced services dedicated to diagnosing neurological problems and their right course of treatment. These Neuro Sub Speciality clinics are Parkinson’s disease Clinic (Movement Disorder), Neuro-immunology Clinic, and Dementia Clinic (Memory Disorders) which would be headed by the team of expert doctors of the Neurology team. The eminent doctors and experts of Artemis Hospitals were also present during the launch including Dr. Sumit Singh (Chief-Neurology, Parkinson's Specialist & co-Chief, Stroke Unit), Dr. Aditya Gupta (Chief-Neurosurgery & CNS Radiosurgery & Co-Chief, Cyberknife Centre), Dr. Manish Mahajan (Sr. Consultant Neurology & head of Neuroimmunology ), Dr. Sameer Arora (Associate Consultant, Neurology), Dr. Ishu Goyal (Associate Consultant, Neurology), and Ms. Neelam Mishra (Clinical Psychologist, Neurology). “The early detection of neurological disorders like Parkinson’s Disease with timely treatment is extremely crucial as underlying causes may hamper the nervous system which can change the way you move, talk or think. These dedicated neurological clinics will play a significant role in the holistic treatment of neurological disorders with support from a team of experienced neurologists, neuropsychologists, and trained nursing staff," said Dr. Sumit Singh, Chief-Neurology, Parkinson's Specialist & co-Chief, Stroke Unit, Artemis Hospitals. The services provided at the clinics include detailed clinical and cognitive assessment of patients, stratification of patients according to the severity of diseases, maintaining online records of patients for follow up, early recognition and management of various complications, vaccination protocols for patients for long term immune suppressants, the formation of support groups for patients and caregivers, detailed evaluation of symptoms and medical history, cognitive assessment using neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric scales, treatment of cognitive impairment, recognition of reversible and treatable causes, skill enhancement of patients to make them self-dependent, among others. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18320/bhu-inks-mou-with-indian-cancer-society-for-facilitating-early-detection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18320/bhu-inks-mou-with-indian-cancer-society-for-facilitating-early-detection.html Wed, 24 Mar 2021 05:25:00 +0530 The Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and Indian Cancer Society (ICS) have signed an MoU for conducting a cancer screening programme to facilitate early detection. The initiative called ‘Ganga Godavari Cancer Screening Programme’ by AstraZeneca India, intends to create awareness, and detect oral, breast and cervical cancers at early stages among women at specialized cancer screening camps. Doctors For You is the implementing partner for this programme in Varanasi. The current phase of this programme will be initiated in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh in consensus with NHM and  the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). The Department of Community Medicine at the Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU will act as a nodal agency for this program. The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, General Surgery and Dentistry will provide an expert team of medical professionals for provision of screening services at the Health and Wellness centre at Tikri. ICS would act as executing agency and will supervise and ensure effective implementation of this programme at the ground level. The first phase of this programme was implemented in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka,Till now more than 76 camps has been conducted under Ganga Godavari Programme and around 4,000 plus beneficiaries have been registered. All the positive cases have been referred to partner teritiary care hospitals for further treatment. While commenting on this, Gagandeep Singh, Managing Director, AstraZeneca India said, “We’re making our science accessible by designing and delivering life-changing healthcare programmes tailored to the needs of the communities that we serve. The Ganga Godavari Programme has already touched the lives of more than 4,200 people and resulted in the early identification of 150 patients that were reffered to tertiary care hospitals for further management.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18305/india-becomes-first-country-to-develop-fully-integrated-digital-personal-health-passport-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18305/india-becomes-first-country-to-develop-fully-integrated-digital-personal-health-passport-.html Tue, 23 Mar 2021 14:05:00 +0530 Rishabh Sharma, India’s AI Pioneer, Founder of Thalamus Irwine in partnership with ITI, Ministry of Telecom has successfully developed a fully integrated digital personal health passport (COVID Passport) named The Garuda Personal Health Passport (PHP). Sharma has, also to his distinct credit, developed the world’s fastest AI-enabled COVID-19 sero-survey platform. The Garuda Personal Health Passport (PHP) platform will mark as India’s first successful POC to store medical data in line with the National Digital Health Mission. With this India becomes the first country in the world to develop a fully integrated digital personal health passport platform to verify and manage the health, immunisation, and communicable disease status of travellers seamlessly for both consumers and institutions. Garuda PHP will enable passengers, airports, airlines, medical and immigration authorities to easily and securely manage and verify the health risk and immunity status of passengers without creating an additional burden at any point along the experience. "This digital health passport allows for all of these critically sensitive items to be stored, carried, and transmitted securely leveraging a cutting edge blockchain technology. We need people to know that their data and personal information is not just verified and will be accepted at their destination, but that it will never be a risk of disclosure or breach,” said Sharma. Unlike other passports which are specific to certain jurisdictions, Garuda PHP has been designed as a global solution so that using this indigenous technology other nations are also able to roll out personal health passport to their citizens. With the entire world betting on vaccines to restart and liberate global international travel, Garuda PHP will serve as the central coordinating and enabling platform to manage, connect, protect, and communicate the policies and requirements set out by every government to enter their country. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18309/alkem-labs-to-establish-cancer-care-facility-at-bihar.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18309/alkem-labs-to-establish-cancer-care-facility-at-bihar.html Tue, 23 Mar 2021 09:45:00 +0530 Alkem Laboratories Limited (“Alkem”) has agreed to partner with Tata Memorial Centre (TMC” to establish an advanced Radiotherapy Facility as a part of the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Center (HBCHRC), Muzaffarpur in Bihar. As part of Alkem’s CSR activity, Alkem has sanctioned the purchase of 2 most advanced versions of the teletherapy and brachytherapy units for this facility. This facility being developed as a spoke model shall also provide chemotherapy, minor operation, basic laboratory, treatment planning, etc. To decentralize the cancer care further, Alkem and TMC have collaborated to also establish 3 mini cancer units in the following cities of Bihar namely Buxar, Jehanabad and Bhagalpur. These centers will connect cancer patients of those districts by telemedicine to HBCHRC, Muzaffarpur. In addition, these centers will work with the district administration on community activities such as cancer awareness and screening. Commenting on the initiative, Basudeo N. Singh, Executive Chairman said, “At Alkem, our overriding philosophy is to be recognised as a force for good in society. Through our corporate social responsibility endeavours we aim to promote social and economic benefits for the financially vulnerable sections of the society and bring about a transformative change. I am very happy that our collaboration with TMC to establish an advanced radiotherapy facility and mini cancer units will help the people of Bihar and the adjoining states to better manage their cancer care treatment at an affordable cost.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18297/mgm-healthcare-chennai-receives-jci-accreditation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18297/mgm-healthcare-chennai-receives-jci-accreditation.html Mon, 22 Mar 2021 16:55:00 +0530 MGM Healthcare, a leading quaternary care super-specialty hospital in the heart of Chennai city, has announced that it has received the prestigious Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation, which is considered the gold standard in healthcare worldwide. An extensive on-site audit was conducted at the hospital by a team of international expert surveyors who assessed patient safety goals, patient assessment and care, anaesthesia and surgical care, medication management, patient and family education, quality improvement, infection prevention and control, governance and leadership, facility management, staff qualifications and education, and information management, in accordance with the best international standards and protocols. Dr Prashanth Rajagopalan, Director, MGM Healthcare commented on this achievement and said, “The prestigious JCI accreditation for our hospital is a testament to our commitment to ensuring excellent patient experience, patient safety and improved outcomes. It also furthers our effort in catering to a diverse population. I want to extend my gratitude to the staff of MGM Healthcare and our patients. We will continue to put our patient’s safety and comfort first, and give them the best possible care at our facility.” Some of the aspects of a JCI accredited hospital include a deep commitment to high-quality care, a culture of safety for patients, visitors and staff, willingness to undergo rigorous preparation and a survey, care delivery based on leading, evidence-based practices and leadership in continuous compliance with exacting standards. Joint Commission International’s hospital standards are developed in consultation with worldwide healthcare experts and providers, measurement experts, and patients. The standards are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help organisations measure, assess and improve performance. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18291/stakeholders-reflect-on-need-to-increase-number-of-clinical-researchers-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18291/stakeholders-reflect-on-need-to-increase-number-of-clinical-researchers-in-india.html Mon, 22 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Reflecting on the experience during the last twelve months, representatives from across the clinical research ecosystem in India highlighted the collaborative efforts of stakeholders that contributed to expedited drug development demanded by the pandemic. Experts concurred that this collaboration would be critical as the industry moved ahead, embracing learnings from the pandemic and incorporating advances in digital health. This was the overarching message as over 1200 members of the clinical research fraternity came together to attend the virtual 14th Annual Conference based on the theme ‘Clinical Research – Transforming lives: 2021 and beyond.’  Delivering the 6th Prof Ranjit Roy Chaudhury Oration, Dr. K. Vijay Raghavan, Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India, spoke of the need to increase the number of clinical researchers in India and integrate the learnings of basic science with an understanding of research in these areas of medicine to strengthen the country’s clinical research system. He called for more synergy between research establishments and the clinical research community, and the need to break silos to ensure more collaborative efforts and better outcomes.  He also touched upon three areas that needed greater focus and attention of clinical researchers – infectious diseases, rare diseases and precision medicine.  “The importance and significance of clinical trials could not have been more amplified than it was in 2020.  I am happy to say that as a fraternity, we came together to ensure our commitment to Patients First. It was a period when clinical trials became a household name and we now need to build further trust and confidence amongst members of the public in the safety, efficacy and quality focus of clinical trials,” said Dr Chirag Trivedi, President, ISCR.  The panel discussion on ‘Accelerated Clinical Development (Therapeutics & Vaccines) in Times of a Pandemic’ addressed how clinical research stakeholders should focus on continuing their efforts to develop vaccines and drugs at the pace that was seen during the pandemic. Elaborating on managing challenges during the early stages of the pandemic, AK Pradhan, Deputy Drug Controller, CDSCO, said, “We had to streamline the system without compromising any norms so that there was no delay. The regulatory review process for all stakeholders was geared up to fast-track drug development and a committee formed to develop and review applications without delay and seamlessly. The learnings around the processes and guidelines followed during the pandemic will be incorporated even after the pandemic is over with one caveat that quality is not affected.”  In his keynote session on Academic Clinical Research, Dr C.S Pramesh, Director, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai spoke on how important it is to do collaborative research that is relevant to provide answers/solutions to unmet medical needs in India. The conference session was held across five tracks that covered various areas in clinical research such as Clinical Operations, Ethics, Quality, Regulatory and Investigator Track; Academic Clinical Research, Pharmacovigilance and Real World Evidence; Clinical Data Management; Biostatistics and Statistical Programming;  and Medical Writing. Panelists and speakers through the day’s sessions touched upon the learnings and insights gained during the pandemic that augured well for the future of clinical research in ensuring faster and better outcomes for patients.    A highlight of the opening day was the ISCR Lifetime Achievement Awards for academia and industry that was presented to Prof Gagandeep Kang, Christian Medical College, Vellore recognising her contribution to research in vaccinology and virology and to Dr. Shoibal Mukherjee, Senior Consultant in Pharmaceutical Medicine, for his contribution to innovation in clinical research. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18292/pgimer-opens-new-facilities-to-uplift-medical-and-scientific-community.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18292/pgimer-opens-new-facilities-to-uplift-medical-and-scientific-community.html Mon, 22 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare inaugurated various facilities at Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh. The Minister inaugurated National Resource Centre for Oral Health Care of Children & Elderly (OHSC-PGIMER), Advanced PET CT Facility, Advanced Vascular Interventional Lab, 384 Slice Dual Source CT Scan and Refractive Surgery Suite (SMILE) facilities at various departments in the institute. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said PGIMER is one of the premier medical Institutes of India, providing specialized medical services to all the five northern states of the country. He congratulated medical professionals and the scientific community for rising to the challenge and diligently fighting Covid-19 and also bringing out a vaccine in such a short time. The Minister said that PGI should create a successful model for the world to move towards' Health for All' and it should mentor other institutions. The Union Minister also said that PGI should develop a new journey, new vision for the scientific community. This would make the institution to become bigger. Talking about the OHSC-PGIMER, he said that the sole purpose of this Resource Centre is to embark upon a model of oral health care delivery to children and the elderly in Chandigarh and thereafter support the National Oral Health Program in replicating this model across the nation. Dr. Harsh Vardhan said the newly installed state-of-the-art robotic arm-assisted PET/CT guided intervention device at Advance PET-CT Facility provides real-time 3D visualization of lesions for biopsies; less needle manipulations, repeat punctures and repeat scans during complex procedures. Regarding the Advanced Vascular Intervention Lab, the minister informed that Cath lab in PGIMER is the first of its kind with hi-tech artificial intelligence software transforming the management of stroke patients. The Minister said that PGI has acquired 384 Slice, Dual Source which is one of the world's most powerful and fastest state-of-the-art C.T. Scan Machine. This will be extremely beneficial to patients who are critically ill, trauma cases, or children who have difficulty in breath-holding. The Minister further said that the recently procured state-of-the-art femto-second laser VISUMAX for removal of glasses through SMILE (Small Incision Lenticular Extraction) procedure ensures minimum side effects and best visual outcome for the patients with glasses. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18284/sakra-world-hospital-partners-with-stan-plus-to-bring-tech-aided-emt-service-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18284/sakra-world-hospital-partners-with-stan-plus-to-bring-tech-aided-emt-service-in-bengaluru.html Fri, 19 Mar 2021 16:50:00 +0530 Sakra World Hospital has tied up with Hyderabad-based Stan Plus, RED Ambulance - India's largest ambulance network to initiate a new and advanced emergency service. Inaugurated by Sunil Agarwal, IPS, Additional DGP (Karnataka State Fire & Emergency Services). Sakra aims to be available, accessible and provide affordable medical emergency care with a quick response time of less than a minute, GPS enabled tracking system with optimised and centralised operations.  Agarwal shared, “I am happy that with this initiative of setting up a robust ambulance network they will be able to take their best-in-class, swift emergency services not just to the IT corridor but beyond and help save more lives in Bengaluru city.” Every casualty or trauma case will be responded to within 10 seconds and 60 seconds calls to an ambulance and dispatched within two minutes. With GPS-enabled tracking, it will be easier for families and ER to track the fleet in real-time. Depending on the severity of the emergency, ambulances with critical care support with immobilisation sets, monitoring and diagnostic care, infusion and drug administration, oxygen and respiratory support function will be sent. The data are well organised with synchronised EMT and report documentation and real-time communication between driver and ER.  Commenting on its association with Stan Plus, Yuichi Nagano, Managing Director, Sakra World Hospital, said, “Our association with Stan Plus has enabled us to initiate a new, improved and tech-enabled emergency ambulance service with better infrastructure. Not only will it help us reach and track casualties faster, with our upgraded ER services, critical care and continuous monitoring and communications with the hospital will help save more lives.”  Sakra World Hospital will continue to respond to all emergency calls through 080 4962 4962.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18282/karnataka-launches-statewide-tobacco-control-campaign.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18282/karnataka-launches-statewide-tobacco-control-campaign.html Fri, 19 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Tobacco use is the leading preventable killer in the world, and in India it is responsible for around 1 million deaths annually. To reduce the burden of tobacco use, today the state health department of Karnataka launched a statewide tobacco control campaign to warn against the deadly harms of using tobacco and motivate users to quit. This campaign was developed with technical support from Vital Strategies, a global public health organization. The campaign includes two evidence based, hard-hitting public service announcements (PSAs) designed to depict the grim reality of tobacco’s link to cancers and heart disease and encourage tobacco users to call the national tobacco Quitline  (1800112356) for help. Dr. Arundhathi Chandrashekar IAS, Mission Director, National Health Mission, Government of Karnataka, said “We are committed to reducing the menace of tobacco in the state of Karnataka and progress is being made. According to the latest Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS 2), overall tobacco use in Karnataka has declined by 5.4% and the average age for tobacco initiation has increased. We are working towards strengthening tobacco control efforts in the state by ramping up activities related to smoke-free areas, decreasing youth exposure to tobacco and ensuring compliance with the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act. The mass media campaign is a critical step forward in conveying the harms of tobacco use and discouraging people from consuming tobacco in every form.” Research has shown that media campaigns are one of the most effective means to build support for tobacco control policies and encourage behavior change to help people stop smoking ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18271/philips-reveals-impact-of-covid-19-on-sleep-health-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18271/philips-reveals-impact-of-covid-19-on-sleep-health-in-india.html Wed, 17 Mar 2021 06:30:00 +0530 Royal Philips has released the findings of the India Sleep Survey Report titled ‘Philips Global Sleep Survey 2021’. Released ahead of World Sleep Day 2021, celebrated on March 19, the report focuses on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sleep health as well as the increase in adoption of digital health technologies due to the pandemic. Highlighting the importance of digital health technologies, 60% of the Indians said that they have used or are willing to use telehealth for sleep-related concerns. The report highlighted that since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Indian adults experienced new sleep challenges like difficulty falling asleep (37%), difficulty staying asleep (27%), and waking up during the night (39%). The survey also focused on the adverse effects that sleep apnea has on patients. The study reported that 80% of patients with sleep apnea experience daytime drowsiness while only 52% of those who do not have sleep apnea experience the same. 47% of the participants also said that sleep apnea is impacting their relationships. With symptoms like unwarranted daytime sleepiness and trouble in concentrating, sleep apnea impacts productivity and overall quality of life. Sleep apnea can also lead to graver health issues including cardiac conditions, strokes, neurological disorders, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity as has been noted in widely referenced clinical research papers Philips also announced the launch of its Care Orchestrator Sleep and Respiratory Care management system today.  The system enables clinicians and healthcare institutions to drive superior health outcomes by remotely monitoring and managing all sleep apnea and respiratory patients with a single system. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18264/vikram-hospital-ties-up-with-mgm-healthcare-for-heart-lung-management.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18264/vikram-hospital-ties-up-with-mgm-healthcare-for-heart-lung-management.html Tue, 16 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Vikram Hospital, based in Bengaluru, has tied up with MGM Healthcare, Chennai to establish state-of-the-art program for Heart -&-Lung Transplant and contemporary heart failure management. This will be a boon to Karnataka patients suffering from end-stage heart or lung failure. Heart failure services at Vikram Hospital will be led by Dr. Ranganath Nayak, Senior Consultant Cardiologist. The team from MGM Healthcare, under the guidance of Dr. KR Balakrishnan, Director, Institute of Heart & Lung Transplant & Mechanical Circulatory Support, , will provide expertise for patient management at all stages, including pre-operative, intra-operative, intensive care and follow-up. The heart-lung transplant team at MGM Healthcare, led by Dr. KR Balakrishnan, has successfully performed over 400 heart and lung surgeries till date. Said Dr. Somesh Mittal, Vikram Hospital, Bengaluru: “Vikram Hospital has been providing world-class quaternary care for the patients across India for more than 10 years. Dr KR Balakrishnan and team of MGM Healthcare have more than three decades of experience in heart & lung transplant. The people of Karnataka will benefit immensely with this tie-up. At the same time, cross-listing of potential transplant patients in both states will help optimal utilization of donor organs.” Said Dr KR Balakrishnan, Director, Institute of Heart & Lung Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support, MGM Healthcare, Chennai: “Our clinical team at MGM Healthcare will be working closely with the clinical team at Vikram Hospital to establish the heart and lung transplant and heart failure management programs. Medical technology and treatment protocols have greatly evolved over the past few years. Ensuring that patients get the best that medical science has to offer is our primary goal.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18255/aarna-amd-becomes-first-gujarat-hospital-to-provide-cashless-facility-for-covid-19-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18255/aarna-amd-becomes-first-gujarat-hospital-to-provide-cashless-facility-for-covid-19-patients.html Mon, 15 Mar 2021 17:20:00 +0530 Aarna Super Specialty Hospital, situated in Maninagar area of Ahmedabad, became the first and only hospital in Gujarat that took the initiative to provide cashless facility to COVID-19 patients. In the last three months, more than 20 patients have benefited with the cashless treatment of COVID-19. Speaking on this, Dr Rohit Joshi, Chairman, Aarna Super Speciality Hospital Said “We had started offering the cashless facility in December, 2020 and the response from the patients has been very satisfactory. At Aarna Hospital we offer cashless treatment for Covid patients. Patients get quality treatment without paying a single penny from their own pocket. With third party audit of the hospital bills by insurance companies and TPAs, grievances also get reduced significantly.” It’s noteworthy that the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) had taken a serious note of instances of hospitals denying cashless claim settlement facility to policyholders for treatment of COVID-19. In a circular dated 14th July 2020, the regulator advised insurance companies to ensure that policyholders get cashless treatment facility at hospitals where it is applicable. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18251/jiva-ayurveda-to-hold-nation-wide-free-health-consultation-drive-from-march-12.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18251/jiva-ayurveda-to-hold-nation-wide-free-health-consultation-drive-from-march-12.html Fri, 12 Mar 2021 14:55:00 +0530 Jiva Ayurveda is organising a nation-wide free health consultation drive that is expected to benefit more than 50,000 people, from March 12-21, 2021 across its more than 80 plus clinics nationwide. If a person opts for the treatment, a free health consultation will be provided by experienced Jiva Ayurveda doctors. The consultation will be valid for a period of three months. Along with this, certain Jiva health and wellness products such as honey, chyawanprash, shampoo, ayurvedic tea and more will also be available at discounts of up to 20 per cent at clinics. Additionally, as part of the offer, there is also a 10 per cent discount on treatment/medicines on the next visit. “Jiva Ayurveda is organising ‘Jiva Health Week’ from March 12-21. You are invited to visit your nearest Jiva clinic and get a free health consultation from our expert Ayurvedic doctors. Stay safe and stay healthy,” said Dr Partap Chauhan, Director, Jiva Ayurveda.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18249/rela-hospital-launches-south-chennai-dialysis-support-group.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18249/rela-hospital-launches-south-chennai-dialysis-support-group.html Fri, 12 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Rela Hospital and Prof Mohamed Rela have announced the launch of South Chennai Dialysis Support Group, a health equity initiative, focused on addressing access of information, care and support for diverse families living with kidney diseases. This initiative is to connect and support people who have undergone a kidney transplant, dialysis patient and also to create awareness among the public about dialysis, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) and other treatments incidental to kidney diseases. This group renders support through regular meeting and campaign which will be taken across hospitals in future. South Chennai Dialysis Support Group will have a steering committee of doctors from different specialties ranging from nephrologists to urologists to renal transplants who are experts in kidney disease research and care to guide this health equity initiative. Rela Hospital is proud to launch South Chennai Dialysis Support Group. Going beyond treatments, they believe that support groups for patients dealing with kidney disease are an important need. In addition to providing medical knowledge through their experts, they are enabling patient-to-patient collaboration and exchange of information. Spread the word! It's a space for people with kidney conditions to feel connected informed and empowered. Speaking at the launch, Prof Rela said, “What makes this initiative different is our focus on creating action-oriented, meaningful, and measurable change for the dialysis community in the near-term. We want to put interventions in place to reach people before they show up in the emergency room with kidney failure.”       This initiative also focus on this year’s theme ‘Living well with Kidney diseases’. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18253/pm-calls-for-taking-advantage-of-ayurvedas-opportunities.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18253/pm-calls-for-taking-advantage-of-ayurvedas-opportunities.html Fri, 12 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0530 The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi today addressed the fourth Global Ayurveda Festival through virtual mode, taking place from 12 to 19 March. There are live sessions including plenaries, symposiums, parallel sessions, paper presentations, virtual exhibition and virtual networking. Centre for Innovation in Science and Social Action (CISSA), in association with the Governmental and Non-Governmental bodies, is organizing this Global Ayurveda Festival. Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister noted the growing global interest in Ayurveda and appreciated the efforts of all those working on Ayurveda across the world. He said “Ayurveda could rightly be described as a holistic human science. From the plants to your plate, from matters of physical strength to mental well-being, the impact and influence of Ayurveda and traditional medicine is immense.” In the context of COVID-19 pandemic, the Prime Minister said that the demand for ayurvedic products is steadily rising. “The current situation presents a right time for Ayurveda and traditional medicines to become even more popular globally. There is growing interest towards them. The world is seeing how modern and traditional medicines both are important to further wellness. People are realising the benefits of Ayurveda and its role in boosting immunity,” said the Prime Minister. Talking about the potential for wellness tourism in India, he said that at the core of wellness tourism is the principle of - treat illness, further wellness. Therefore, the strongest pillar of the wellness tourism is Ayurveda and traditional medicine. He called upon the audience to tap into the timeless culture of India to de-stress and healing.“Whether you want to treat your body, or a retreat for your mind, come to India”, The Prime Minister invited.  The Prime Minister called for taking advantage of Ayurveda’s popularity and opportunities arising out of combining traditional with the modern.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18243/fortis-escorts-heart-institute-recommends-calcium-scoring-test-to-predetermine-heart-attack-susceptibility-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18243/fortis-escorts-heart-institute-recommends-calcium-scoring-test-to-predetermine-heart-attack-susceptibility-.html Wed, 10 Mar 2021 19:30:00 +0530 Doctors at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute are emphasising the importance of the ‘Calcium Scoring Test’ – a simple test which detects the risk of future heart attacks. Through the test, the amount of calcium in the coronary artery is determined via a specialised CT imaging – confirming the total area being occupied in the coronary artery by the calcium deposits and their density. The test enables a direct visualisation of the amount of calcium deposits in coronary arteries. A zero score means no calcium is seen, suggesting a low probability of heart attack during next decades. Higher the score, higher is the risk of a heart disease. A score of 100-300 means moderate risk, and a score higher than 400 may be an indicator of blockage in the coronary artery.  Dr Ashok Seth, Chairman - Fortis Escorts Heart Institute said, “Calcium scoring is a newer method to predict the risk of heart attack in future and the purpose of detecting calcium in arteries is to customise the lifestyle and reduce this risk.” Dr Peeyush Jain, Director, Non- Interventional Cardiology and HOD - Preventive Health Check, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, said, “It is painless, safe and carries low risk of side effects. Calcium scoring is a new method to fine-tune the risk and to devise methods to prevent further progression of blockages of arteries.” Dr Mona Bhatia, Director & HOD - Radiology, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, said, “Calcium Scoring is now incorporated in the guidelines globally to enhance the risk assessment and treatment. This scan is useful for the patient who is thought to have an uncertain risk for heart disease. It also motivates a lot of people with moderate heart disease risk to make lifestyle changes for the better.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18242/ihw-councils-diabetes-in-pregnancy-summit-reveals-increasing-burden-of-type-ii-gestational-diabetes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18242/ihw-councils-diabetes-in-pregnancy-summit-reveals-increasing-burden-of-type-ii-gestational-diabetes.html Wed, 10 Mar 2021 19:20:00 +0530 Integrated Health and Wellbeing (IHW) Council hosted the inaugural Diabetes in Pregnancy Summit in partnership with Asian Research and Training Institute for Skill Transfer (ARTIST) from Assam. Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State, Prime Minister's Office, Government of India  said, “We are firmly focused on addressing non-communicable diseases as India faces a rising burden of type II diabetes and gestational diabetes.”  Dr Singh unveiled the guidelines for ‘Diagnosis & Management of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (2021)’, prepared by Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Group of India (DIPSI). Prof (Dr) Seshiah V, Founder Patron, Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Group of India (DIPSI) says, “Our mantra must be ‘Focus on the foetus for future’. Screening all pregnant women is just the first step. We must take care of her nutrition and control her glucose level and blood pressure too.” “Diabetes in pregnancy is a major public health problem in India. The magnitude of gestational diabetes in India is such that we need multi-specialty professionals to address it who are adept in multitasking” says Dr Hema Divakar, CEO, Asian Research and Training Institute for Skill Transfer (ARTIST) and a member of IHW Council’s Apex Advisory Body.  “Defeating diabetes is important for a fit India and Swasth Bharat. The massive campaign to raise awareness about diabetes in pregnancy forms a crucial part of our ‘Shapath 1000 days’ to help prioritise the health of women and children in every household,” says Kamal Narayan, CEO, Integrated Health and Wellbeing (IHW) Council.  “It is notable that children born to mothers with diabetes pregnancy are 4 to 8 times prone to develop diabetes as compared to their siblings born of non-GDM pregnancies,” says Dr Alpesh Gandhi, President, Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI).   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18241/goqii-reports-states-50-42-per-cent-of-indians-fall-into-unhealthy-category.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18241/goqii-reports-states-50-42-per-cent-of-indians-fall-into-unhealthy-category.html Wed, 10 Mar 2021 18:50:00 +0530 GOQii has unveiled the seventh edition of India Fit Report, as a result of a yearlong study of 5 million GOQii users. As per the health risk assessment (HRA) score, 50.42 per cent of Indians are either in the ‘high risk’ or ‘borderline’ category. This is a massive 12 per cent improvement from last year’s figures where 62 per cent Indians fell into the ‘unhealthy’ category. Speaking about the study, Vishal Gondal, Founder & CEO, GOQii said, “We are happy to see massive improvement in health scores, underscoring the proclivity towards building health and fitness.” Surat, Jaipur and Patna are the top three healthiest cities in India respectively as revealed by the survey whereas Lucknow, Kolkata and Chennai are the unhealthiest. 13.67 per cent of GOQii users reported high cholesterol, a figure that has remained stable for the past two years. On the other hand, only 4.03 per cent mentioned they had heart issues which is a major decrease from 8.6 per cent in 2019. On a positive note, thyroid issues have decreased from 10.7 per cent in 2019 to 8.45 per cent in 2020.  15 per cent of people of GOQii users have reported high blood pressure in 2020 in comparison to 13.4 per cent in 2019. Interestingly, blood pressure cases among older adults at 30.8 per cent are just triple of those in adults.  As per the survey, it is observed that 15.18 per cent of the people fall sick more than two times in a year, therefore they have lower immunity levels. The data revealed that more than 20 per cent of teen users and young adults fall sick more than twice a year and hence have lower immunity levels. The report also revealed that stress levels remained high throughout the year. 45 per cent are currently plagued with depression.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18233/mucormycosis-emerging-as-new-worry-in-covid-19-world.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18233/mucormycosis-emerging-as-new-worry-in-covid-19-world.html Tue, 09 Mar 2021 17:40:00 +0530 A potentially life-threatening fungal infection, mucormycosis can lead to severe complications such as brain infection, vision loss or even death if left untreated. The incidence of this invasive fungal infection has witnessed a sudden spurt in recent months, particularly among people who have recovered from COVID 19. Healthcare experts are terming it “a new worry” in the COVID-19 scenario. Bharat Serums & Vaccines (BSV) is the first company in India to get a Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) approval for Liposomal Amphotericin B, the anti-fungal medication used in the treatment of mucormycosis.  Caused by a group of moulds called mucormycetes, mucormycosis mainly affects people who are suffering from health complications such as uncontrolled diabetes, certain cancers or those taking medicines such as corticosteroids that lower the body’s ability to fight germs. The infection manifests itself through symptoms such as sinus congestion, headache, fever and facial swelling, swelling in the eyes and dark scabs in nasal cavities or mouth. Vishwanath Swarup, COO, Bharat Serums & Vaccines notes, “BSV is indigenously developing and manufacturing the formulation of Amphotericin B including Liposomal Amphotericin B and Lipid Complex Amphotericin B – the anti-fungal medications that have been recommended for use in life-threatening fungal infections such as mucormycosis. ” Dr Swashraya Shah, Chief Medical Officer, BSV, says, “Treatment of mucormycosis involves a combination of surgical removal of affected tissues and use of antifungal therapy, usually intravenous Liposomal Amphotericin B (LAmB). Several international clinical guidelines have recommended LAmB in the management of various invasive fungal infections including mucormycosis. A few recently published reports mention successful clinical recovery of patients suffering from mucormycosis following the treatment with LAmB.” BSV is also marketing Liposomal Amphotericin B in India and exporting it to many other countries. Lipid complex Amphotericin B has also been recommended by international clinical guidelines for the management of IFIs including pulmonary aspergillosis. Lipid Emulsion Amphotericin B is recommended for the treatment of Visceral leishmaniasis.  The condition most commonly affects the sinuses or lungs after fungal spores are inhaled from the air. However, it can occur in nearly any part of the body. Mucormycosis, which is increasing currently in the COVID-19 pandemic. If left untreated, this can result in a brain abscess, blindness or even death.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18228/cloudnine-launches-second-women-childcare-centre-in-gurugram.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18228/cloudnine-launches-second-women-childcare-centre-in-gurugram.html Mon, 08 Mar 2021 19:20:00 +0530 Cloudnine has announced the launch of its second unit Gurugram at Sector 14. This will be the second dedicated boutique women and child care centre in Gurugram. The unit was launched by Dr Annu Kaushik, Director, Nursing, Cloudnine in the presence of several dignitaries and doctors from the group specialising in the field of gynaecology, paediatrics & fertility along with women leaders from Gurugram/NCR. To recognise the efforts and contribution of women at the sidelines of launch, Cloudnine felicitated more than 35 successful women leaders from Gurugram/NCR to mark the International Women’s Day. The aim of this award and recognition was to celebrate the incredible strength of women and encourage their meaningful contributions to the society. As a part of the launch, a Blissful 9 package was also announced for the first time for the residents in Gurugram. This package offers complete prenatal and antennal checkups which includes consultations, blood tests, lab scans, vaccinations and diet consults for all trimesters for all the nine months just starting at Rs 9999. Dr Kaushik said, “Every mom-to be wants to have a delightful birthing experience and hence we have made an attempt to listen to our customers and match their requirements at all stages of the birthing journey and created an ideal set of services to meet their needs and exceed their expectations under one roof.” Speaking at the sidelines of launch ceremony, Raviganesh Venkataraman, CEO, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals stated, “This new addition to our family, shall further strengthen our initiatives in providing highly specialised maternal, childcare & fertility care to customers from Gurugram and adjoining towns and cities.” Some of the services available at the centre shall also include ante-natal classes, lactation specialists, counsellors, and physiotherapists along with Lamaze experts, stem cell banking & cosmetology.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18227/sreedhareeyamayurvedic-eye-care-hospital-enters-hyderabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18227/sreedhareeyamayurvedic-eye-care-hospital-enters-hyderabad.html Mon, 08 Mar 2021 18:50:00 +0530 World’s largest Ayurvedic eye care chain, Sreedhareeyam - the renowned Ayurvedic Group based out of Koothattukulam in Ernakulam District of Kerala, has announced its foray into Hyderabad and started a new branch of the Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Eye Care Hospital and Panchakarma Centre, at Chirag Ali Lane, Hyderabad.  The Hyderabad branch of Sreedhareeyam is the 39th branch in India. It has branches in eleven cities in Kerala, besides presence in 12 other major cities pan India including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru.  Speaking on the occasion NP Sreejith Namboothiri, Executive Director, Sreedhareeyam said, “We have plans to open over 100 eye care centres across India, we will be adding the other 61 eye care centres by March 2022. Our next branch will be launched in the national capital, New Delhi.” Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Eye Care Hospital and Panchakarma Centre, provides treatment through Ayurveda for major eye ailments and complications related to Diabetic Retinopathy, Retinitis Pigmentosa, Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma, Detachment of Retinaand Hyperaemia Retinae. The Panchakarma and other traditional treatments it offers include Pizhichil, Dhara, Njavarakizhi, Elakizhi, Nasyam, Swedam, Dhara and Tharpanam. With the commencement of our Hyderabad branch, another long-cherished dream has come true for us. We firmly believe that a hospital in Hyderabad will be of immense help to the people in this region, and with our knowledgeable team of Dr Sebin, Dr Johny and Dr Gireesh Dev, it's a step closer to fulfilling our corporate vision of ‘Vision for All’, adds Namboothiri. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18222/tocilizumab-brings-down-fatality-in-severe-covid-19-patients-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18222/tocilizumab-brings-down-fatality-in-severe-covid-19-patients-.html Mon, 08 Mar 2021 12:15:00 +0530 India’s first multi-centre randomised controlled trial on the use of Tocilizumab in COVID (COVINTOC – Covid – India – Tocilizumab) has demonstrated that an anti-inflammatory treatment, Tocilizumab (TCZ), reduces the risk of death among patients with severe COVID-19. The results of the trial were published in ‘The Lancet Respiratory Medicine’. Explaining the outcome of India’s largest study on Tocilizumab which was conducted from May to October 2020, Dr Arvinder Soin National Lead investigator and Chairman, Medanta Liver Institute said that this was the first Phase 3 study to demonstrate that while routine use of TCZ on all hospitalised COVID patients was not warranted, TCZ improved survival among patients with severe COVID-19.  A total of 180 patients were recruited, 90 of whom received Tocilizumab (TCZ) and standard care, whereas the other 90 received only standard care. Steroids and Remdesivir once allowed by the MoHFW, were administered to patients in both arms. While there was no difference in mortality and need for ventilation among the two groups of patients when moderate and severe categories of patients were considered together, a subgroup analysis of the severe patients in the two groups showed lower mortality (8/50; 16 per cent) among those who received Tocilizumab compared to those who did not (14/41; 34 per cent) at 28 days. Elaborating on the use of TCZ, Dr Soin said, incidentally, in the last month, two major studies - the RECOVERY Trial from the UK and the REMAP-CAP study – have revealed similar findings, that TCZ reduces mortality among patients with severe COVID. However, unlike our study, these are not yet published in peer-reviewed journals.  Congratulating the multi-institutional Indian research team, Dr Naresh Trehan, Managing Trustee, Medanta Institute of Education and Research, and Chairman & Managing Director, Medanta, said, “This research is instrumental in giving the medical fraternity clarity on when to use TCZ in COVID.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18198/doceree-appoints-preetha-vasanji-as-sr-vp-to-helm-doceree-engage-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18198/doceree-appoints-preetha-vasanji-as-sr-vp-to-helm-doceree-engage-.html Fri, 05 Mar 2021 19:00:00 +0530 Doceree has announced its foray into enterprise level network solution with Doceree Engage, appointing Preetha Vasanji as Senior Vice President to lead the vertical in India. Based in Mumbai, Vasanji brings over 20 years of experience from healthcare and pharmaceutical sector. Before Doceree, she worked with McCann Health in the capacity of Senior VP and General Manager, Mumbai. With Doceree Engage, the physician marketing platform has taken a leap from offering physician marketing solutions to a business segment of a conglomerate to an enterprise level. The focus of the programme will be on enterprise level multi-channel engagement and performance marketing. “With Doceree Engage, we would work in close partnership with Business Heads/CXO and help bring about the desired cultural change within the organisation. From reach and RoI to creative standards and outcomes, Doceree Engage impacts every aspect of doctor engagement in the digital world,” said Dr Harshit Jain, Founder & CEO, Doceree. The Doceree Engage model will leverage the technology core of Doceree, while also creating a strategic consulting role for the company. Commenting on her new role, Vasanji said, “I am absolutely delighted to be a part of Doceree and the role it can play in fundamentally transforming the way physician marketing is done in the digital world. It is a fascinating play of technology and an astute sense of strategy to optimise outcomes. This medium is here to stay and will be an imperative part of every marketers plan co-existing with the offline world.” “With Preetha’s enormous experience of healthcare and pharma advertising, we are expanding our capabilities in the market,” added Dr Jain. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18214/india-must-adopt-pragmatic-approach-to-beat-covid-19-experts-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18214/india-must-adopt-pragmatic-approach-to-beat-covid-19-experts-.html Fri, 05 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0530 India is steadily moving forward in its efforts to provide immunisation to its frontline workers with DCGI approved Covishield and Covaxin. On one side India is supplying the COVID-19 vaccines to neighbouring countries including Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Myanmar, and Bangladesh, on the other side, the country's vaccine production and delivery capacity is being used by foreign vaccine manufacturing companies for greater good. It would be important that India takes a collective approach in this fight against COVID 19. In fact, to cater to the vaccination process of the world’s largest democracy, it would be pertinent to bring in more safe and effective vaccines from other countries. On February 24, India’s drug authority had asked Dr Reddy’s to supply data on immunogenicity for going ahead with the approval process. However, experts across the country have been questioning the approval procedure given the fact that the country gave approval to two homegrown vaccines in January this year for emergency use based on modified standards. For instance, Covaxin was granted restricted approval in ‘clinical trial mode’ without any efficacy data. “India should provide equitable access to its people to avail the best COVID-19 vaccines as developed across the world,” said Dr AM Deshmukh, President, Microbiologist Society, India. “The Phase 3 ongoing trial of Sputnik V may turn into a landmark in untiring journey of COVID Vaccination. It could be possible after partnership between Dr Reddy's Laboratories and Russian agencies. Sputnik V is being commercialized globally by Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF). The recently approved COVID 19 vaccine in India, AstraZeneca has reported 62.1% efficacy as per phase III clinical trial results published by the company in the Lancet in December, while Pfizer and Sputnik V approved in world reportedly has more than 90% efficacy against the virus.  Sputnik V can be stored at between two and eight degrees Celsius (between 35.6- and 46.4-degrees Fahrenheit), instead of the temperatures far below freezing required for some other vaccines. As of now, Sputnik V and Pfizer had proven their efficacy to be 90+% while Oxford-AstraZeneca is standing on 62.1% as per their own paper that was submitted to the Lancet magazine. Interestingly, Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) mentions that AstraZeneca shows average 70% effectiveness in preventing the COVID-19. This is the average/mean efficacy between the regular group that were injected two full doses- 62 percent and half a dose and full dose- 90 percent. Important to note that India would go for a full-dose regimen. So clearly, there is a lack of transparency here and there should be an informed decision keeping all the aspects in mind. A mindful verdict can go a long way in boosting the confidence among people in India and worldwide, who are eagerly awaiting the vaccines,” said Dr. Gajendra Singh, Public Health Expert. “To bring in the appropriate vaccine for India, one must evaluate more than one factor. The efficacy depends on the foundation on which a vaccine is built”, he added. In the fight against a virus that brought the world to a standstill, it would be important to collectively find a conducive solution to reach the end point. India not only needs to continue the fight against the pandemic but also win it along with other countries of the world by adopting a pragmatic approach and think beyond nationalism. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18215/kites-senior-care-opens-dementia-alzheimers-care-centre-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18215/kites-senior-care-opens-dementia-alzheimers-care-centre-in-bengaluru.html Fri, 05 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0530 KITES Senior Care, a geriatric care specialist has unveiled an exclusive Dementia & Alzheimer's Care centre in Bengaluru. The new facility is equipped with 24 beds and provides residential care, day care, memory clinic and family counselling services for elders with Dementia & Alzheimer's. This is in addition to the existing 24-bed eldercare centre in South Bengaluru and a 40-bed facility in North Bengaluru providing transitional and palliative care services. The Dementia & Alzheimer's Care centre, located in HBR Layout in North Bengaluru, will be led by a team of highly specialised and well trained medical experts. The facility is equipped with superior rooms, state-of-the-art medical facilities, consultation rooms, counselling rooms, Yoga & exercise hall, cafeteria, activity zone, library, prayer room and a terrace lawn. All care facilities are designed by healthcare architects in collaboration with the expert medical team which is compliant to regulations and most importantly keeps patients’ safety at the core. Dr Reema N, Group Medical Director & COO, KITES Senior Care said, “By setting up this dementia care centre, we want to take a step to help address this situation.” KITES Senior Care has received ‘Pre-Series A’ funding of Rs 4 crore and is looking at raising more capital to fund infrastructure expansion. The brand is also looking to expand across more cities in India by the end of the year.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18205/aiish-mysuru-opens-six-outreach-service-centres-for-communication-disorders.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18205/aiish-mysuru-opens-six-outreach-service-centres-for-communication-disorders.html Thu, 04 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, recently, virtually inaugurated six new ‘Outreach Service Centres for Communication Disorders’ across the country by All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH), Mysuru on the occasion of World Hearing Day, on March 3, in the presence of Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of State, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The new six Outreach Service Centres are: 1. Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Science, Patna, Bihar 2. Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences, Bidar, Karnataka 3. Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences, Belagavi, Karnataka 4. Karnataka Institute of Medical Science, Hubbali, Karnataka 5. AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 6. Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research, Kolar, Karnataka Dr Harsh Vardhan also released the report by ICMR-AIIMS and a Pictorial guidebook on ‘Prevent Hearing Loss’ by DGHS-PGIMER. Expressing his appreciation, Dr Vardhan said, “This will enable early identification and diagnosis of communication disorder and early intervention, thereby preventing further deficits in speech, language and cognition and facilitating the overall development of the child.” Choubey said, “Communication disorder is a matter of challenge in front of all of us. There is a need to generate awareness among common man and ensure that all people get benefitted by it. Every child should be checked properly, and early treatment should be ensured in case of communication disorder.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18208/simbo-ai-launches-smart-voice-based-emr-for-doctors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18208/simbo-ai-launches-smart-voice-based-emr-for-doctors.html Thu, 04 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Simbo.ai, a pioneer in explainable artificial intelligence (AI) based in Bengaluru, has announced the launch of SimboAlpha, its flagship cloud-based application programming interface (API) technology platform. It allows electronic medical record (EMR) providers, health app providers and hospital chains to bring smart voice-based EMR to their doctors. SimboAlpha is a voice-based doctor assistant that creates EMR documentation using advanced artificial intelligence (AI). It is a state-of-the-art solution based on proprietary automated speech recognition (ASR) and medical natural language understanding (NLU) using vast medical knowledge-base to understand doctor and/or patient conversation. Simbo uses in-house speech-to-text engine and advanced clinical NLU trained from 10 million+ audio recordings. It is available as a cloud-based API so that it can plug-in into any existing healthcare information system (HIS) or EMR software system. Adoption of SimboAlpha's API improves the usability of electronic health records (EHR). It enables the doctors to pay undivided attention to their patients and their care, while SimboAlpha takes care of the documentation. Talking about the launch, Baljit Singh, CEO and Co-founder, Simbo.ai said, “SimboAlpha is highly accurate even in noisy environments, with 2.58 per cent word error rate (WER) and 3.16 per cent sentence error rate. It supports native and all Indian, English accents and it is trained on International and Indian clinical terms.” SimboAlpha operates in hands-free mode. It allows the doctors to create electronic medical records (EMR) without touching keyboard and mouse. Doctors do not need to follow any sequence of items to be spoken. If required, doctors can dictate free notes. Praveen Prakash, CTO and Co-founder, Simbo.ai said, “Using SimboAlpha API, the EMR and health-app providers can develop their own applications on mobile and desktop. They can also upgrade any existing software solution to add the voice-based capability.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18203/csir-institutions-hold-virtual-policy-dialogue-on-covid-19-vaccine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18203/csir-institutions-hold-virtual-policy-dialogue-on-covid-19-vaccine.html Wed, 03 Mar 2021 19:00:00 +0530 Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Institutions CSIR-NISTADS (National Institute of Science, Technology and Development Studies) and CSIR-NISCAIR (National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources), New Delhi, on March 1, jointly organised a half-day session, on ‘A Policy Dialogue on COVID-19 Vaccine from Self-Reliance to Global Leadership: Opportunities, Challenges, and Policy Imperatives in COVID Era’. This event was organised to celebrate the National Science Day and to have a policy discourse from eminent personalities on the journey of indigenous development of the COVID-19 vaccine in the midst of the pandemic.  The event saw active participation of academicians, young researchers, professionals and students. “After the lockdown, we planned a collective intelligence series to develop focused policy documents on the opportunities and challenges of COVID-19 for India that can strengthen the Governments’ efforts,” said Dr Ranjana, Director CSIR-NISTADS and CSIR- NISCAIR in her opening remarks. Dr Shekhar C Mande, DG-CSIR, mentioned that CSIR has actively participated in COVID-19 mitigation strategies. He shared that the CSIR lab Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Hyderabad has prepared the adjuvant for the Bharat Biotech vaccine COVAXIN.   Dr Shailja Vaidya Gupta, Senior Adviser- Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the GoI, Delhi suggested that the government should build transparent systems, improving accessibility of data in the public domain & decentralisation of vaccine regulatory process. Dr Geetha Vani Rayasam, Head, SCDD, CSIR addressed the role of science communication. “Partnership from the public is vital and that is going to come only by increasing the awareness and communication to them”, she mentioned.  Dr S K Varshney, Adviser & Head International Cooperation, DST, New Delhi, said, “Our vaccines are easy to store. We have supplied nearly six million doses of vaccines as a gift to needy countries, 10 million commercial units have been supplied and in near future, we would be supplying to UN health workers and WHO workers among many others.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18199/gsk-rolls-out-multilingual-paediatric-vaccination-awareness-campaign-on-public-app.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18199/gsk-rolls-out-multilingual-paediatric-vaccination-awareness-campaign-on-public-app.html Wed, 03 Mar 2021 16:55:00 +0530 In a bid to increase awareness around the importance of paediatric vaccination, GlaxoSmithKline Pharma rolled out a massive public interest campaign called ‘Health ka Passport’ on Public App across all major Indian languages. The ad campaign seeks to educate caregivers of children on the importance of timely vaccination and maintenance of records to ensure that children are not susceptible to preventable diseases. The campaign generated over 78 lakh views, with an impressive industry best CTR rate of 1.14 per cent. Speaking about the campaign on behalf of GSK, Mayank Khaneja, Associate Director - Publicis Groupe, said, “To create awareness around vaccines, GSK - a leading pharmaceutical company, took the initiative to provide vital information on the importance of timely vaccinations and given the language diversity in India, we needed a credible platform that can spread this message in the deepest pockets of the country and therefore Public App was one of the most apt choice for us.” Under the ‘Health Ka Passport’ campaign, users could view and download a series of informative cards outlining the vaccination schedule from birth to eighteen years of age, and busting myths regarding vaccinations. Users also get a clickable link directing them to www.gskprotect.in for further information. Commenting on the campaign, Harshil Dhingra, Chief Business Officer, Public App said, “Health Ka Passport was our pilot campaign on Public App and we thank GSK Pharma for reposing their trust in us to reach the right audience and spread the critical message of paediatric vaccination.” Public App is India’s largest location based social network with 50 million+ active users.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18197/navia-lifes-smart-emr-2-0-to-digitise-doctors-practice-enable-real-time-interaction-with-patients-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18197/navia-lifes-smart-emr-2-0-to-digitise-doctors-practice-enable-real-time-interaction-with-patients-.html Wed, 03 Mar 2021 15:10:00 +0530 Navia Life Care has launched Navia Smart EMR 2.0 with an aim to advance and digitise doctors’ practice with digital prescriptions. The product is an advanced version of Navia Smart EMR – an integrated platform that allows doctors to create digital prescriptions and provides real-time conversation with patients. “The Navia Smart EMR is a tailor-made product made in line with user behaviour and user needs. We are really excited to launch this product,” said Kunal Kishore Dhawan, Co-Founder, Navia Life Care. Navia Smart EMR 2.0 boasts advanced features that offer single-click access to a patient's medical and family history to doctors. This results in providing up-to-date and complete health information about the patients for more coordinated and efficient care. Integrated with artificial intelligence, the product provides effective clinical decision support. Further, it provides faster Rx and also saves commonly used Rx as templates and repeat with a click. The newly launched version of the product has WhatsApp integration that also enables doctors to share educational videos and prescriptions with patients for effective care. Additionally, the product leverages new-age technologies and analytics to track the practice with readymade reports at fingertips like OPD highlights, VC highlights, prescription insights, etc. With Smart EMR 2.0, doctors also get free 500 SMS for enhanced patient engagement. Navia Smart EMR 2.0 is based on licensing models with an annual subscription fee chargeable from doctors, hospitals, institutions, and enterprises such as pharma and insurance. Moreover, it is available in 10 regional languages to acquire an expansive base of doctors across the country. With superior and rich features, Navia Life Care plans to onboard 25000+ new doctors and three million patients in the next 12 months. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18192/armman-deploys-ai-to-enhance-maternal-child-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18192/armman-deploys-ai-to-enhance-maternal-child-healthcare.html Tue, 02 Mar 2021 13:00:00 +0530 ARMMAN, a Mumbai based nonprofit organisation, is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance adherence in maternal and child health programmes. Initiated in 2020, the project with Google Research India and IIT Madras uses AI to predict the risk of women dropping out of healthcare programmes such as mMitra. Along with scientific collaboration, the project was supported with funding from Google Research and Google.org.  With Google's support, a project was launched to increase adherence to mMitra, with an overall goal of improving maternal and child health outcomes. Researchers from Google Research and IIT Madras have been working with ARMMAN to design an AI technology solution that could provide an indication of women who were at the risk of dropping out from mMitra. The early targeted identification helps ARMMAN to personalise interventions for an improved engagement with mMitra. Test results indicate a reduction in the risk of drop-offs by up to 32 per cent for women at high risk of dropping out. So far, mMitra has reached over 2.3 million women in India and is 1 of only 5 scaled mobile-based maternal messaging programmes in the world. "We see an immense potential to replicate these learnings from AI across other technology enabled at-scale programs implemented by ARMMAN," shared Ramesh Padmanabhan, CEO, ARMMAN.  Milind Tambe, Director - AI for Social Good, Google Research India, added, "ARMMAN has made tremendous strides on the project with IIT Madras and Google to apply AI to help improve preventive care for mothers and children.” Google Research and ARMMAN are currently working towards scaling this to 300,000+ mothers and children in mMitra, with a goal of eventually reaching 1 million mothers and children.  In partnership with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), ARMMAN is currently implementing the largest mobile-based maternal messaging program (Kilkari) and the largest mobile-based training program for frontline health workers  (Mobile Academy). The largest programs of their kind across the world, Kilkari has reached 21 million women and children while Mobile Academy has trained 166,000 frontline health workers in 13 states of India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18188/iscr-reiterates-need-for-investment-in-rare-diseases-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18188/iscr-reiterates-need-for-investment-in-rare-diseases-research.html Tue, 02 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0530 On Rare Disease Day 2021, Indian Society for Clinical Research (ISCR) called upon all research stakeholders to invest in research across the spectrum so that rare disease patients and their caregivers can look forward to a better quality of life. Rare Disease Day takes place on the last day of February each year to raise awareness amongst the general public and decision-makers about rare diseases and their impact on patients' lives.  Research can lead to the identification of previously unknown diseases, increase understanding of diseases, enable doctors to provide a correct diagnosis, lead to the development of new innovative treatments and possibly even a cure, reduce costs for healthcare systems, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.    Noting the need for more research into rare diseases, Chirag Trivedi, President, ISCR said, “According to available data, 1 in 20 people will live with a rare disease at some point in their lives. The large number of rare disease patients living without access to treatment and management of their conditions either because of lack of awareness, lack of appropriate diagnosis and lack of treatment options should be a wake-up call for the clinical research community.”  The UN 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals is addressing the needs of patients that are diagnosed with rare disease through their pledge to leave no one behind. Furthermore, the future goal of Rare Disease Day over the next decade would be to increase the equity for people living with a rare disease and their families.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18186/cloudnine-launchessecond-unit-in-panchkula.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18186/cloudnine-launchessecond-unit-in-panchkula.html Mon, 01 Mar 2021 17:50:00 +0530 Cloudnine, India’s premium birthing centre for maternal, childcare and fertility care has announced the launch of its second unit in the tricity at Panchkula. The operations of this unit were previously run by Paras Bliss and will now be fully managed by Cloudnine. Cloudnine Panchkula will be the second dedicated boutique women and child care centre in the tricity by the group after it successfully started its operations in 2017 with the Chandigarh unit. The unit was inaugurated by Dr Pawan Kumar, Regional Director (North), Cloudnine. Some of the services available at the centre shall also include ante-natal classes, lactation specialists, counsellors, and physiotherapists along with lamaze experts, stem cell banking & cosmetology. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of Cloudnine Panchkula, Dr Kumar said, “After Panchkula, we aim at intensifying our footprint in the Punjab, Haryana & NCR cluster with our premium birthing services.” Speaking at the sidelines of opening ceremony of the Panchkula unit, says Raviganesh Venkataraman, CEO, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals “This new addition to our family, shall further strengthen our initiatives in providing highly specialised maternal, childcare & fertility care to customers from Panchkula and adjoining towns and cities.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18184/mapmyindia-helps-find-coronavirus-vaccination-centres.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18184/mapmyindia-helps-find-coronavirus-vaccination-centres.html Mon, 01 Mar 2021 17:40:00 +0530 New Delhi based MapmyIndia has announced the launch of maps and nearby search features as a part of its mobile application and official website, to help Indians find Coronavirus vaccination centres across the country. The Government of India has also integrated these features into cowin.gov.in, their official Corona vaccination registration portal to guide the people and connect them to their nearby vaccination centres. “To make the critical vaccination effort seamless, MapmyIndia has put all the vaccination centres across India on MapmyIndia’s maps. Users can use the MapmyIndia App (mapmyindia.com/move) and maps portal (maps.mapmyindia.com) to search and find nearby vaccine centres and get directions to them. They can also write reviews and report issues they face there - to help authorities get feedback and take corrective action, where required,” says Rohan Verma, CEO & Executive Director, MapmyIndia. MapmyIndia’s App, powered by MapmyIndia Maps and APIs, was the winner of AatmaNirbhar App Challenge organised by Govt of India six months ago. MapmyIndia’s app offers far more detailed and accurate maps, is privacy-centric, fully indigenous, more localised and respectful of Indian nuances, and is an AatmaNirbhar alternative to foreign map apps that come default in operating systems. MapmyIndia’s app can be downloaded from mapmyindia.com/move. All website and app developers can participate and further an AatmaNirbhar Bharat by integrating the best Indian maps using MapmyIndia APIs (mapmyindia.com/api) so that all end users see localised maps instead of foreign ones.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18182/jogo-health-opens-three-rehabilitation-clinics-in-tamil-nadu-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18182/jogo-health-opens-three-rehabilitation-clinics-in-tamil-nadu-.html Mon, 01 Mar 2021 16:00:00 +0530 In what could be termed as a quantum leap in healthcare infrastructure for Chengalpattu district, US-based digital therapeutics company; JOGO Health has launched three comprehensive rehabilitation clinics in Chengalpattu. Dr J Radhakrishnan, Health Secretary, Tamil Nadu inaugurated the clinics to public and addressed the gathering of over 150 medical professionals and the media. The clinics set up in Jeevan Hospital, JSP Hospital, and Sai Fertility & Maternity Hospital Chengalpattu, will deliver world class digital therapy and benefit the public of this region immensely. Sanjai Murali, Founder and CEO, JOGO Health said, “I am happy that many patients from Chengalpattu and near-by districts will benefit from JOGO therapy.” “We feel vindicated with the gesture of Dr J Radhakrishnan, who always encourages technology that benefits public,” said Shanmugapriyan, Chief Strategist, SE Asia, JOGO Health. Shyam Ramamurthy, Clinical Director, JOGO Health, said, “JOGO Therapy, has emerged as a definitive replacement to conventional therapies in medical specialties of neurology, pain medicine, cardiology, pulmonology, urology and gastroenterology. Clinical studies conducted in the US and the ones we have planned in India will help us develop treatment modalities for more conditions – I am excited that such advanced work in rehabilitation is happening in India.” Dr OV Jayakumar, Director, Jeevan Hospital said “Comprehensive and advanced modalities is the need of hour for rehabilitation. Clinical evidence based approach and portable technology pioneered by JOGO is as impressive as their care delivery – I am excited about the positive impact JOGO will have on patients.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18177/takeda-launches-mobile-app-for-management-of-genetic-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18177/takeda-launches-mobile-app-for-management-of-genetic-diseases.html Fri, 26 Feb 2021 13:10:00 +0530 Takeda India, part of the Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, a global values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical leader, launched the 'XPERT EASE' application. The application is developed for the exclusive use of healthcare professionals to address awareness-related challenges and enable an efficient digital ecosystem for disease updates and dose calculation for improved management of patients with rare lysosomal storage disorders. Doctors' screening, diagnosis, and treatment of genetic diseases have often been identified as challenging, including advising the dosage of medicines specific to patients' individual needs. The XPERT EASE is designed to keep in mind such challenges while managing lysosomal storage disorders. On the occasion of the launch, Dr Sandeep Arora, Medical Affairs Head- Takeda India, said, "The XPERT EASE application enables healthcare professionals to raise suspicion index, leading to early diagnosis and better disease management. As we move forward in our commitment to patients and HCPs, we seek to drive collaborations across the country in ensuring that patients benefit from our pioneering efforts." XPERT EASE safeguards dosage accuracy and reduces the incidence of error, thereby helping physicians develop personalised dosing regimens tailored to their patients' specific needs diagnosed with lysosomal storage disorders. Healthcare professionals can access the applications through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18165/karnataka-govt-pphf-chalk-out-solutions-address-key-challenges-for-rare-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18165/karnataka-govt-pphf-chalk-out-solutions-address-key-challenges-for-rare-diseases.html Wed, 24 Feb 2021 18:50:00 +0530 To chalk out solutions and to address the key challenges of rare diseases in India, Government of Karnataka along with People to People Health Foundation (PPHF), a public health organisation working towards better healthcare, organised the third edition of Rare Disease Consultation under the initiative titled ‘Blueprint of Rare Diseases in India’. The virtual conference was aimed at prioritising access, investment, awareness, policy framework and partnerships on rare diseases in the southern states of India. The event was co-powered by Takeda Pharmaceutical and supported by Japan Embassy. Eminent personalities and leading policy experts during the virtual conference underlined the need for increasing collaboration, commitment and frameworks to address challenges posed by rare diseases in the country. The high-level recommendations which were the outcome of the discussions will be shared with the Indian Government to strengthen the national framework on rare diseases in different regions. Dr Laxmikant Palo, CEO, PPHF, said, “India has done commendable work under various health areas and should be open and flexible for learning from other health models when it comes to rare diseases.” Dr Arundhati Chandrashekhar, IAS, Mission Director, NHM, Karnataka, said,” Thorough planning, timely management, genetic counselling and antenatal screening are essential to control, treat and prevent rare diseases in India. By working collaboratively with all stakeholders, we can make sure that patients with rare diseases get better access to healthcare solutions for overall well-being.” Gopal Agrawal, Head of Access Markets Transformation, ICMEA, Takeda, said, "Blueprint for Rare Disease is one of such initiative that will help us move closer to our mission of better and healthier life for patients.” The event also received support from Institute of Child Health, Kolkata, GRID Council, LSDSS, ORDI, RDIF and Cure SMA Foundation of India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18157/nha-drives-awareness-about-ab-pm-jay-across-bihar-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18157/nha-drives-awareness-about-ab-pm-jay-across-bihar-.html Tue, 23 Feb 2021 18:30:00 +0530 National Health Authority (NHA), Government of India, in collaboration with the Government of Bihar has launched ‘Aap Ke Dwar Ayushman’ campaign to drive awareness about Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) across Bihar. The campaign was rolled out from February 17 and will continue till March 3. The 'Aap Ke Dwar Ayushman' initiative is focused on generating large-scale awareness about the scheme and its benefits, accelerating the Ayushman card generation, and increasing utilisation in the states of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh which account for over 30 per cent of the eligible beneficiaries under the scheme. Starting with Bihar where 1.09 crore families (or more than 5.56 crore citizens) are eligible for benefits under AB PM-JAY, various ground-level activities are being carried out across all the 38 districts of the state. Dr Ram Sewak Sharma, CEO, National Health Authority said, “This campaign or Ayushman Bharat Pakhwara has been launched in Bihar. After the experience of these States, this outreach and communication strategy will be executed in the other states.” Thousands of functionaries at state, district, block, and village levels will be carrying out this initiative. Over 6,500 Panchayati Raj Institution Executive Assistants (PREAs) will be engaged to conduct the fortnight-long special beneficiary awareness camps across all the 8,686 Gram Panchayats covering more than 45,000 villages spread in 38 districts of Bihar. Kaushal Kishore, CEO, Bihar Swasthya Suraksha Samiti, (State Health Agency) said, “The proposed initiative of 'Aapke Dwar Ayushman' is focused on improving awareness about the scheme, accelerating improvement in the e-card being issued, and improving utilisation of the scheme in Bihar.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18152/institute-of-medicine-law-releases-whitepaper-on-organ-donation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18152/institute-of-medicine-law-releases-whitepaper-on-organ-donation.html Tue, 23 Feb 2021 16:35:00 +0530 Emphasising on the need to build awareness and a roadmap to overcome challenges towards cadaver donation, Institute of Medicine & Law (IML) organised ‘MODE – Make Organ Donation Easy’ and released a Whitepaper on organ donation. The Whitepaper captures the deliberations of the 5th National Convention on Medicine & Law that emphasises on various aspects of cadaver donation - from the challenges faced by doctors (grief counselling, alternative tests), caregivers & patients waiting for an organ, to the need for streamlining organ donation and transplantation activities at state & central level. It also sheds light on the legal definition and government's role in the cadaver donation process. Addressing the medical aspect of the discussion Dr Sunil Shenvi, Senior Consultant Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery and Multiorgan Transplantation said, “To increase the number of organ donations further, awareness is the key. To achieve this, we need to increase awareness not just amongst public but also amongst Medical and para medical practitioner.” Elaborating further Mahendrakumar Bajpai, Advocate, Supreme Court of India Standing Counsel, The Medlegal Attorneys Editor, Medical Law Cases – For Doctors, Hon Director, Institute of Medicine & Law said, “The nation today needs a central law on uniform definition of death. Many countries are following the same as per WHO guidelines. The Registration of Birth and Death Act, which is currently in the process of getting amended, should include brain-stem death as a form of death.” “At Gift your Organ, we have been trying to create 360-degree awareness of organ donation across cities since many years. In my experience as a first step, to make India self-sufficient for organ donation, the statutory processes and procedures should be simpler and easily implementable along with appropriate grief counselling,” added Deepak Jumani, Director – Awareness Drives, Gift your Organ.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18146/fujifilm-indias-acclaimed-never-stop-series-enters-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18146/fujifilm-indias-acclaimed-never-stop-series-enters-india.html Mon, 22 Feb 2021 15:55:00 +0530 Fujifilm India has recently unveiled its globally proclaimed ‘NEVER STOP’ series in India. The new film titled, ‘Never Stop Innovating for a Healthier World’ highlights how life-changing technologies can enable people to move beyond their health challenges to pursue all that inspires them. The campaign articulates the thought on ‘preventive healthcare with a mantra of innovating for a healthier world.’ While serious diseases may seem to limit an individual’s capabilities and begin to define them, innovative new medical technologies from Fujifilm India can help empower people with the high-functioning imaging solutions and knowledge they need to lead a longer life. The new digital film is a reflection of how the brand reflects its values and ethos through the concept of ‘Never Stop’. It begins with an Indian family outside their house, with smiles on their face as the doctor give them hope. Commenting on the campaign, Haruto Iwata, Managing Director, Fujifilm India Pvt Ltd, said, “Fujifilm India has always been at the forefront of healthcare innovation. For us, it has been about celebrating the ‘Never Stop’ spirit of people and inspiring them to learn the possibilities that good care can bring.” Additionally, Tribhuwan Joshi, Lead, Brand Communication, PR & CSR Fujifilm India stated, “We are following a 360-degree approach and the campaign will be promoted across all print and digital mediums like metro stations, airports and hospitals.”  The digital film, conceptualised and created in collaboration with Cheil India will be premiered across key digital media platforms and leading OTT platform-Zee5. Jaibeer Ahmad, Sr Vice President, Cheil India adds, “In line with Fujifilm’s global series - Never Stop, we are happy to associate with them for driving the movement of a healthier world.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18145/hunjan-hospital-ludhiana-deploys-mako-robotic-arm-assisted-surgery-system-for-knee-joint-disorders.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18145/hunjan-hospital-ludhiana-deploys-mako-robotic-arm-assisted-surgery-system-for-knee-joint-disorders.html Mon, 22 Feb 2021 13:50:00 +0530 Ludhiana has reached an important milestone in knee replacement as it became the first city in Northern India to have the world’s most widely adopted US FDA approved Mako Robotic Arm-Assisted Technology. The first Mako System in Northern India has been installed at Hunjan Hospital, said a press release issued jointly by Stryker India, a leading global medical device company, headquartered in the US, and Hunjan Hospital, a renowned orthopaedics hospital in the city of Ludhiana.  The launch comes as an important milestone for Hunjan Hospital and Stryker, in their endeavour to bring the most advanced technology and treatment for patients suffering from knee joint disorders. Mako Robotic Arm-Assisted Surgery System enables surgeons to deliver more predictable surgical outcomes with increased accuracy. Congratulating Hunjan Hospital on this important milestone, Meenakshi Nevatia, Vice President and Managing Director, Stryker India, said, “We are very happy to partner with Hunjan Hospital and it is indeed a proud moment for Stryker. We are truly excited about the potential impact on serving patients needing knee replacement across Northern India.” Dr BS Hunjan, Director and Joint Replacement Surgeon, Hunjan Hospital, said, “With Mako, we have been able to know more about our patients than ever before and we are able to cut less. For some patients, this can mean less soft tissue damage and for others greater bone preservation.” Dr Jaiveer Hunjan, Consultant Orthopaedics, Hunjan Hospital further added, “The Mako System will enhance our accuracy significantly. As suggested by the literature and our experience with initial surgeries, we have seen tremendous patient benefits such as precise planning and bone cuts, more bone and soft tissue preservation, less post-op pain, faster recovery, quicker discharge and less blood loss.”    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18142/instant-food-means-constant-disease-vice-president.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18142/instant-food-means-constant-disease-vice-president.html Mon, 22 Feb 2021 11:20:00 +0530 The Vice President, M Venkaiah Naidu recently, called upon the people, particularly the youth, to adopt a healthy lifestyle and avoid sedentary living and junk food in view of the growing incidence of non-communicable diseases in the country. Addressing the scientists of the Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics after visiting its facilities in Hyderabad, he said that a few years ago, WHO data has attributed 61 per cent of all deaths in India to NCDs like heart disorders, cancer and diabetes. Calling for collective efforts to promote awareness among the people, particularly school and college students, on the negative impact of sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy dietary habits, the Vice President stressed the need to promote organic farming, revisit our traditional food habits and promote the consumption of protein-rich food for better health outcomes. Cautioning against the fad for instant food, he quipped “instant food means constant disease.” He lauded CDFD for identifying novel genetic mutations for more than 10 disorders in India, including the identification of 4 new genes, which would be helpful in genetic counselling and management of diseases. During the visit, the Vice President also inaugurated the ‘Paediatric Rare Genetic Disorders’ laboratory at CDFD. Noting that CDFD has provided services for genetic testing and counselling of patients with genetic diseases to more than 60,000 families since its inception, Naidu lauded the institution for establishing nationwide collaborations with several clinical centres for the evaluation of patients with unexplained genetic disorders. He asked CDFD to create awareness among the people through media on the services it was offering on genetic diseases.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18138/kauvery-hospital-unveils-new-cardiac-cathlab-in-bengaluru-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18138/kauvery-hospital-unveils-new-cardiac-cathlab-in-bengaluru-.html Fri, 19 Feb 2021 18:05:00 +0530 Kauvery Hospital, Bengaluru has newly constructed a ‘Cardiac Cathlab’ centre for cardiac treatment. The newly built centre in Kauvery Hospital at Konappana Agrahara was inaugurated by Dr CN Manjunath, Director, Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research. Senior cardiac experts of Kauvery Hospital Dr G Vivek, Dr Ganesh Nallur Shivu, were present in during the  inauguration. The newly built cath lab has adopted Philips Azurion-7 C12 technology,   which enables it to conduct advanced surgeries to cardiac patients. Philips Azurion-7 C12 technology adopted surgeries to attain more accountability. Through this doctors can get better quality images, in less radiation dose. This technology has been adopted in consultation with world class doctors, as the cardiac diseases are taking new shapes and are difficult to identify. Thus this technology is more useful and provides everything in one touch. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18132/medanta-deploys-disposable-duodenoscope-for-endoscopic-retrograde-cholangiopancreatography.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18132/medanta-deploys-disposable-duodenoscope-for-endoscopic-retrograde-cholangiopancreatography.html Fri, 19 Feb 2021 12:20:00 +0530 Furthering its commitment to enhance access to world-class technology for best patient outcomes, Medanta became the first hospital in North India to use a disposable duodenoscope to remove stones from the bile duct of a 30- year-old male suffering from jaundice, intense pain and fever. Duodenoscopes are specialised endoscopes that are used primarily for a procedure called endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The device allows direct access to the bile or pancreatic ducts to deliver treatment of tumour, common bile duct stones, inflammation, infection and pancreatic duct stones. The new, lightweight single-use, disposable duodenoscope is suitably designed to eliminate any risk of cross-contamination or infection, thus offering complete sterility and safety.  Dr Rajesh Puri, Director. Gastroenterology, Institute of Digestive and Hepatobiliary Sciences, Medanta shared, “The new, single use duodenoscope is a landmark technology for advanced treatment of bile and pancreatic diseases. Hospital-acquired infection is a common and significant cause of death worldwide. The new duodenoscope will help ensure improved patient outcomes while protecting them against any cross-contamination led infection.” “The new, single use duodenoscope illustrates our deep commitment to deploying cutting-edge technology to deliver patient-centric clinical excellence,” said Dr Naresh Trehan, Chairman and Managing Director, Medanta.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18127/31-indians-preferring-covishield-over-covaxin-covid-19-jabs-goqii-india-survey.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18127/31-indians-preferring-covishield-over-covaxin-covid-19-jabs-goqii-india-survey.html Thu, 18 Feb 2021 17:20:00 +0530 GOQii India Fit Report 2021 shares interesting insights into the impact of COVID-19 on people’s health and lifestyles, this was gathered through the COVID-19 Impact - The Way Forward survey that was conducted with over 10,000 respondents, spread across India. 79 per cent of the respondents felt that India was effective in curbing COVID-19. Interesting facts revealed that almost 89 per cent of Indians feel that the central government was effective in curbing the COVID-19 pandemic. As for the state and local governments, only 25 per cent and 22 per cent of the respondents respectively, think that they were effective in curbing the spread of COVID-19. 61 per cent of Indians are fine with being administered either Covishield, Covaxin or both. 23 per cent are still not willing to take either of the vaccines and the remaining 16 per cent are unaware of these vaccines. In terms of preference, 31 per cent of Indians prefer taking Covishied while 18 per cent would go with Covaxin, the remaining 51 per cent would be fine with either.  Speaking about the study, Vishal Gondal, Founder & CEO, GOQii, said, “The GOQii India Fit report sought to understand how the citizens of India felt towards the initiatives taken by the government and the vaccines launched by organisations to curb the pandemic.” In conclusion, while the COVID-19 inoculation drive is in full swing, Indians have gradually begun easing back into their routines and socialising. The survey findings revealed that eating out at restaurants (27.10 per cent), attending a family function, birthdays (25.95 per cent) and attending weddings (19.54 per cent) are among the top three activities that Indians did in the last three months. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18113/who-releases-suite-of-tools-for-childhood-cancer-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18113/who-releases-suite-of-tools-for-childhood-cancer-treatment.html Wed, 17 Feb 2021 00:00:00 +0530 A suite of tools to help countries improve diagnosis and treatment of cancer among children is being released by the World Health Organization, on International Childhood Cancer Day. The new ‘how-to’ guide, is based on four pillars: centres of excellence with defined referral pathways and a trained workforce; inclusion of childhood cancer in national benefit packages for universal health coverage; treatment standards based on evidence and tailored to local capacity; and robust information systems for continuous monitoring of programme performance. Case studies from countries which have begun implementing the CureAll approach, such as Ghana, Peru and Uzbekistan, are also included. New assessment tool to facilitate the design of tailored approaches for cancer control The tool, developed under the leadership of WHO with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the International Agency for Research on Cancer and other partners, will enable national cancer programmes to develop tailored approaches for cancer control in their setting. Multilingual portal for information-sharing The portal, with content in six languages, offers focal points for cancer in ministries of health a forum for establishing and managing partnerships, organising training programmes and sharing resources. The avoidable burden of childhood cancer: time to accelerate action As of early February, more than 1500 childhood cancer patients from 48 countries had tested posted for COVID-19. Data available appears to indicate that the effect of COVID-19 on children with cancer is less severe than feared, although there remains a concern about the effect of the pandemic on willingness to seek care and complete therapy. “Providing childhood cancer care and implementing the Global Initiative remain priorities during the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to be priorities when it ends,” said Dr Bente Mikkelsen, Director, Department of Noncommunicable Diseases WHO.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18108/idf-onboards-biocon-as-partner-to-promote-support-awareness-on-diabetes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18108/idf-onboards-biocon-as-partner-to-promote-support-awareness-on-diabetes.html Tue, 16 Feb 2021 15:50:00 +0530 Biocon Biologics Ltd, a fully integrated ‘pure play’ biosimilars company and a subsidiary of Biocon Ltd, is pleased to partner with The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) as the first biosimilar insulin company to promote and support IDF’s core mission initiative and activities. This important partnership with IDF coincides with the start of the centenary celebrations of the discovery of insulin and takes forward Biocon Biologics’ mission of enabling affordable access to insulins to people with diabetes worldwide. Dr Alexander Zach, Global Head of Market Access & Policy, Biocon Biologics, said, “We are delighted to partner with the International Diabetes Federation and contribute to a stronger global voice for people living with diabetes. Given our extensive experience in providing affordable insulins globally, we believe we can contribute and support IDF in driving real policy and access actions that will transform lives and diabetes care.” Prof Andrew Boulton, President, International Diabetes Federation (IDF), said, “It is with great pleasure that IDF welcomes Biocon Biologics as a new partner. This year, we celebrate the centenary of the development of therapeutic insulin in 1921 and next year its first successful use to treat a person with diabetes in 1922. Yet, 100 years after its discovery, this life-saving drug remains beyond the reach of many people with diabetes who need it. For IDF and our partners, the centenary of insulin will provide opportunities to raise awareness of diabetes, promote action to improve access to diabetes care and encourage greater effort to prevent diabetes and its complications.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18105/-break-the-silos-of-cancer-care-address-with-continuum-of-care-approach-who-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18105/-break-the-silos-of-cancer-care-address-with-continuum-of-care-approach-who-india.html Mon, 15 Feb 2021 17:55:00 +0530 Global health experts, including the Deputy WHO Representative to India, at the 2nd Cancer E-summit, lauded the country’s efforts to prevent cancer and emphasised the need to break the silos of cancer care and address it with a ‘continuum of care’ approach. The summit, organised by the Integrated Health and Wellbeing (IHW) Council, is powered by Manipal Hospitals, Dwarka, New Delhi. “We are glad to have India as a participating country in the WHO Global Initiative on Childhood Cancer. WHO advocates continuum of care for cancer and has adopted a global strategy to accelerate cervical cancer elimination that sets a 90-70-90 targets by 2030: 90 per cent of girls fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by the age of 15; 70 per cent of women screened by the age of 35, and again by the age of 45; and 90 per cent of women identified with cervical disease receive treatment,” says Payden, Deputy WHO Representative to India. "There are more than 230 cancer centres, research institutes, patient groups and charitable institutions that are currently members of the national cancer grid. But we need to ensure quality cancer care is available in the hinterlands of our country as social determinants of health are important," says Dr CS Pramesh, Director, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai and the convener of the National Cancer Grid. “With timely intervention, even advanced-stage cancers can be clinically managed in a better way,” Raman Bhaskar, Hospital Director, HCMCT Manipal Hospitals, New Delhi. Dr Anil D’Cruz, President, The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), says, “In the first, we must strengthen the primary care that will take care of all non-communicable diseases, including cancer while in the second, we must strengthen our centres of excellence.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18104/hospido-to-provide-home-care-for-cancer-patients-across-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18104/hospido-to-provide-home-care-for-cancer-patients-across-india.html Mon, 15 Feb 2021 17:30:00 +0530 Hospido, a tech-enabled online platform dedicated to treating cancer patients all over India, has forayed into the home care segment for cancer patients across India.  With a super-specialised team of efficient nurses having expertise in handling cancer patients, Hopsido aims to provide doctor-driven treatment from the comfort of the patient's home. The team is equipped for delivering personalised care plans that enable seamless fulfillment of the requirements. From e-monitoring capabilities to availability of a general physician, the patient is dealt with utmost care and competency. On this development, Karan Chopra, Founder, Hospido, said, “Our capable team of expert patient coaches and nurses, backed by our strong telemedicine capabilities will enable a higher level of independence and dedicated services to cancer patients and caregivers. Technology advancements have fuelled the growth of innovative healthcare delivery at doorsteps, and at Hospido we are committed to adopting and implementing new models of high quality care.” Hospido empowers cancer patients & caregivers to get easy access to the right treatment and advice and provides high-quality treatment for all types of cancer. With home care in place, Hospido will have a more wholesome approach towards treating cancer patients across India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18098/oasis-unveils-infertility-support-ecosystem-wecanconceive.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18098/oasis-unveils-infertility-support-ecosystem-wecanconceive.html Fri, 12 Feb 2021 18:30:00 +0530 Commemorating the Sexual & Reproductive Health Day 2021 on 12 February, WeCanConceive, a public awareness initiative and first-of-its-kind infertility support ecosystem has been launched. This platform will provide information about infertility awareness and support for couples having difficulties with infertility, challenges with conception. The ecosystem will help such individuals to successfully traverse through their fertility journey. This sexual and reproductive health awareness ecosystem brings together a global compendium of care givers, renowned fertility experts, media partners, health influencers and social enterprises. Together, we can bring a positive and strong ecosystem for treating infertility and help couples experience the joy of parenthood. Speaking at the launch of the initiative Sudhaker Jadhav, COO, Oasis Fertility, said, “The idea of #WeCanConceive is to be able to bring all the stakeholders together and provide an ecosystem for those dealing with infertility all of the help at one place.” Dr Durga Rao, Co-Founder and Medical Director, Oasis Fertility mentioned, This initiative of Oasis is to make the public aware of the problems and how they can negate them, it’s preventive initiative to help people avoid going to a fertility centre. If we don’t act now, this looming problem of infertility is going to impact the future generations. If this generation leads a healthy life, the future generations will also be healthy, or else they will carry all these ill heathy aspects, generation after generation and the consequences are perilous. This initiative to create awareness will curb the deteriorating situation.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18071/aster-opens-hospital-for-women-children-care-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18071/aster-opens-hospital-for-women-children-care-in-bengaluru.html Wed, 10 Feb 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Aster DM Healthcare has announced the launch of its 49 bedded dedicated ‘Women and Children Care Hospital’ at Whitefield, Bengaluru. Comprising of 14 bedded neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and a 7 bedded paediatric intensive care unit (PICU), this hospital will offer cutting edge multidisciplinary women and child care that will be steered by highly skilled medical professionals dedicated to providing world-class care and highest safety standards. The new unit offers a wide number of specialties that include gynaecology, paediatrics, paediatric super-speciality, neonatology, foetal medicine and 24/7 emergency care. The other different facilities and services available at the hospital includes labour delivery suites, modular operation theatre, cardiotocography monitoring for a foetal heartbeat, 3D and 4D Ultrasound, paediatric ICUs, neonatal ICUs, X-Ray, birthing suites, and a 24*7 walk in pharmacy. Dr Harish Pillai, Chief Executive Officer, Aster India, said, “Aster DM Healthcare is happy to announce the opening of the Phase 1 part of our 350-bed Aster Whitefield project, our latest offering to the Garden City of Bengaluru. While the entire Aster Whitefield project envisages a total investment of Rs 200 crore, this phase 1 launch of the Women & Children Hospital has been established at an investment of Rs 25 crore.” “The dedicated women and child hospital is standalone concept hospital that will be supported by a large multi-specialty hospital. The availability of a multi-specialty support can become an indispensable entity for the expecting mothers and can prove to be a life-saviour for both the mother and the child care at all stages and beyond,” said, Dr Nitish Shetty, CEO, Aster Hospitals, Bengaluru. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18069/converge-biotech-oncodna-offer-personalised-cancer-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18069/converge-biotech-oncodna-offer-personalised-cancer-care.html Tue, 09 Feb 2021 13:25:00 +0530 Converge Biotech, a leading healthcare organisation based in Hyderabad has announced that it has entered into a long-term strategic alliance with OncoDNA, a Belgium-based theranostic and genomic company specialising in precision oncology, to personalise care for late-stage cancer patients across India. OncoDNA’s solutions are designed to guide oncologists in the selection of the most appropriate treatments based on the specific tumour profile of a patient. With the aim of improving the clinical outcomes of patients living with advanced solid tumours such as breast or lung cancers, Converge Biotech will provide physicians and healthcare providers across India with OncoDNA’s portfolio of comprehensive diagnostic solutions that include: OncoDEEP: Comprehensive biomarker test combining DNA, RNA and protein analyses on a tumour tissue OncoSTRAT & GO: Unique biomarker test combining analysis on liquid and solid biopsies OncoSELECT: Smart cancer-specific profiling solution analysing ctDNA in a liquid biopsy OncoFOLLOW: Personalised liquid biopsy for patient monitoring Briefing about the alliance, Arun Kumar Bijjala, Managing Director, Converge Biotech Pvt Ltd said, “Our foray into specialised diagnostic services in the oncology domain extends our vision of enabling medical community to make informed decisions and ensure better treatment outcomes.” Corina Cucuruzac, Head, Global Distribution, OncoDNA stated, “Giving oncologists access to cancer biomarker testing is key to improve the treatment journey of patients living with cancer. We are delighted to have found in Converge Biotech a trusted partner to support together with the adoption of precision medicine for the benefit of cancer patients in India.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18066/global-hospitals-mumbai-constitutes-multidisciplinary-team-to-treat-mucormycosis-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18066/global-hospitals-mumbai-constitutes-multidisciplinary-team-to-treat-mucormycosis-patients.html Mon, 08 Feb 2021 17:25:00 +0530 Global Hospitals, Parel has formed a multidisciplinary team (MDT) consisting of ENT, infectious diseases specialist, critical care, physician, and endocrinologist, who would jointly treat mucormycosis patients. The hospital has launched Mumbai’s first Mucormycosis clinic, to offer comprehensive and planned care for the patients. “Our newly launched clinic, will be a boon for the patients by diagnosing and treating them, ultimately helping to improve their quality of life," said Dr Vasant Nagvekar, HOD - Infectious diseases, Global Hospital, Parel. “We have set up a multidisciplinary team to cull the infection at the root, by managing pre-existing conditions like diabetes. The MDT will conduct an all-round evaluation of the patient, taking timely steps to prevent the spread of the infection. The team of experts is also well-equipped to handle any complications and advanced cases of invasive fungal infections,” concluded Dr Vivek Talaulikar, CEO-Global Hospitals, Mumbai. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18059/mahindra-groups-cancer-care-project-impacts-950000-beneficiaries-in-punjab-since-inception-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18059/mahindra-groups-cancer-care-project-impacts-950000-beneficiaries-in-punjab-since-inception-.html Fri, 05 Feb 2021 18:15:00 +0530 Swaraj Tractors, a part of the $ 19.4 billion Mahindra Group has reached out to over 95,0000 beneficiaries in Punjab since it began its Mahindra Mobile Primary Health & Cancer Care Project nearly six years ago.  This project serves 157 villages across three districts of Punjab -Bathinda, Patiala and SAS Nagar enabling urgent action through early-stage cancer detection, screening and diagnosis to improve a cancer patients’ chances of survival. The project having been initiated considering the notable health challenges related to cancer Swaraj Tractors along with its NGO partner Global Cancer Concern, India has conducted over 1000 OPDs in Punjab till now. Under this project as many as 407 terminally ill patients, have received palliative care, with 172 cancer patients currently registered for this service. Cancer awareness camps, cancer screening camps and primary health OPDs are the three components of this project in addition to providing palliative care. Three well equipped mobile OPD vans have also been commissioned under this project. Speaking on World Cancer Day, Harish Chavan, CEO, Swaraj Division, said, “Cancer Care Project by Swaraj is a unique initiative that has touched the lives of thousands by creating awareness about the deadly disease and aiding early detection of cancer.” The project in its first phase through the preventive and curative treatment had helped beneficiaries in raising awareness about cancer a disease, its causes and symptoms and reaching out to terminally ill patients through palliative care.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18058/avon-india-indian-cancer-society-to-increase-breast-cancer-awareness-globally-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18058/avon-india-indian-cancer-society-to-increase-breast-cancer-awareness-globally-.html Fri, 05 Feb 2021 18:05:00 +0530 Avon India has partnered with Indian Cancer Society to create awareness around breast cancer in women around the world. With an effort to raise awareness and reduce the stigma of breast cancer, Avon along with Indian Cancer Society is reaching out to individuals and communities through multiple mediums including social media interventions such as organising webinars, talk shows, etc. These efforts intend to spread the message of survival and hope to those who are fighting breast cancer, and recognise the importance of early detection, regular screening to detect breast cancer early.  This also includes education through trainings, as well as offering high quality-low cost cancer screening facilities to women. “Working together with Indian Cancer Society (ICS), we hope to encourage millions of women around the world to take necessary precautions and undertake self-check-up tests to help preventing the late diagnosis of breast cancer,” said Snigdha Suman, Marketing Director, Avon India. “Our collaboration with Avon is a testament to our commitment towards the cause of breast cancer. We understand the importance of how critical it is for a woman to look good and feel confident again in the entire journey of fighting breast cancer. And with Avon, we are committed to work together to ensure a healthy lifestyle for all the women,” said Jyotsna Govil, Chairperson, Indian Cancer Society Delhi. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18053/yashoda-hospitals-unveil-ai-integrated-pet-ct-on-world-cancer-day.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18053/yashoda-hospitals-unveil-ai-integrated-pet-ct-on-world-cancer-day.html Fri, 05 Feb 2021 14:50:00 +0530 A state-of-the-art ‘artificial intelligence integrated PET/CT’ was inaugurated by Dr G Srinivas Rao, Director, Public Health & Family Welfare, Government of Telangana in the Nuclear Medicine Department at Yashoda Hospitals, Somajiguda on February 4, 2021 which also happens to be World Cancer Day. “This year's World Cancer Day's theme, 'I Am and I Will', is all about you and your commitment to act. The new scanner is now two times faster than the old generation scanners primarily due to the advanced technology known as ‘time of flight.’ The scanner provides best quality images with reduced scanning duration and lesser radiation dose,” said Dr Rao. Apart from the newly upgraded  imaging of FDG PET/CT, the department provides advanced and rare imaging like Ga-68 DOTA, Ga-68 PSMA, 18F DOPA PET/CTs, DAT imaging & WBC scans, apart from routine gamma imaging like bone scan & renal scintigraphy.  “NextGen PET-CT is effective in the diagnosis of cancer, endocrine abnormalities and neurodegenerative disease,” said Dr Lingaiah Amidayala, Director - Medical Services, Yashoda Hospitals Group, Hyderabad. The combined PET/CT Scan at Yashoda Hospitals, Somajiguda merges PET and CT images and provides detailed information about the size, shape and differentiating cancerous lesions from normal structures with accuracy. With this new technology, motion artefacts caused by respiration can be decreased and accurate diagnosis achieved. - New generation PET scan - Time of flight technology - Reduced scan duration by 50 per cent and radiation exposure - High definition images - 4D PET-CT (Motion sensors) The use of PET scans will also help the doctors to more accurately detect the presence and location of new or recurrent cancers.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18057/pm-modi-flooded-with-pledges-seeking-urgent-national-policy-for-paediatric-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18057/pm-modi-flooded-with-pledges-seeking-urgent-national-policy-for-paediatric-cancer.html Fri, 05 Feb 2021 14:50:00 +0530 On the occasion of World Cancer Day, kids with cancer and their parents from across India are writing letters to the PM and urging for a national plan and policy for childhood cancer in India. Pledges have been collected online and through pledge books and pledge sheets from patient beneficiaries – parents and survivors, healthcare professionals- doctors, nurses, and workers, hospital administrations, Govt officials, politicians, celebrities, donors, NGOs, schools, colleges, media and civil society - that’s 300,000 people from all over India and overseas who have signed up and want childhood cancer to be a child & health priority in India. The young cancer survivor group have been leading 'Haqkibaat campaign’ and asking their Mann Ki Baat PM for a National plan for childhood cancer. A cancer awareness rally will leave for PMO on Feb 15, International Childhood Cancer Day from AIIMS to Lok kalyan Marg. Poonam Bagaisaid, Chairman, Cankids, said, “WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC) has set a target of 60 per cent of survival for children with cancer in Low Middle-Income Country like ours and to reduce the suffering for all children with cancer by 2030. In the High-Income countries 80 per cent of children with cancer will Survive but in the Low-and Middle-Income Countries, only 20 per cent of children will survive. This data reflects that we are in serious war in fight against cancer – childhood cancer is the low hanging fruit and its high time to have a national Childhood Cancer Plan and Policy to make it a health priority of India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18045/iit-mandi-makes-home-quarantine-management-app-for-covid-19-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18045/iit-mandi-makes-home-quarantine-management-app-for-covid-19-patients.html Fri, 05 Feb 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi have developed LakshmanRekha, an artificial intelligence - biometric driven home quarantine management application (HQMA) for COVID-19 patients. The developed application uses a combination of biometric verification, geofencing, and artificial intelligence, to continuously monitor and accurately detect the identity of a home quarantined person. In addition to the quarantine management, this application can also serve as an unbreachable mobile phone platform for normal (non-COVID) mobile users, situations like under curfew, or any national emergency, for identifying the violators or lawbreakers. The results of the research work that was funded by the Department of Science and Technology, have recently been published in the IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine. The paper has been authored by the lead scientist on this research Dr Aditya Nigam, Assistant Professor, School of Computing & Electrical Engineering, IIT Mandi, and co-investigators on the study were Dr Arnav Bhavsar, Associate Professors, School of Computing & Electrical Engineering, along with research scholars, Daksh Thapar and Piyush Goyal of IIT Mandi, with Dr Gaurav Jaiswal from IIT Delhi and Dr Kamlesh Tiwari and Rohit Bhardwaj of BITS Pilani, Rajasthan. Speaking about the importance of LakshmanRekha, Dr Nigam, said, “We have developed a pilot version of LakshmanRekha mobile application and tested it over small datasets. The obtained results are very good and now we are working to add more functionality, scalability and usability to make it ready for deployment.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18037/bd-indias-new-educational-programme-to-improve-breast-cancer-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18037/bd-indias-new-educational-programme-to-improve-breast-cancer-treatment.html Thu, 04 Feb 2021 00:00:00 +0530 BD-India (Becton, Dickinson and Company) has announced the launch of a specialist educational programme on chemo ports on World Cancer Day, observed on February 4, every year. This initiative will focus on upgrading information levels on implanting, administration and maintenance of chemo ports amongst all cancer stakeholders and caregivers. Experts believe that the intensive information and knowledge around ports can greatly improve the treatment regime & quality of life for breast cancer patients significantly.  Dr Harit Chaturvedi - Chairperson, Max Institute of Cancer Care, Delhi emphasises “Chemo ports have contributed significantly in improving the journey for cancer patients. One prick at every chemo session is a great assurance necessary for a person who has to go through this week after week for a few months.” Pavan Mocherla, Managing Director-BD-India/South Asia said, “ Our new initiative, Port Shala has been designed specifically to generate awareness around cancer and chemo ports. It will enable nurses and technicians to enhance their skill and knowledge on care and maintenance of chemo ports for breast and colon cancer patients.” PortShala aims to aid continuous learning about new and developing science in chemo ports and facilitate a deeper understanding of chemo port usage amongst healthcare workers, cancer caregivers and patients. Based on the principle of 4As namely awareness, application, adoption and advocacy, PortShala will comprise of hands-on programmes, webinars and virtual experience sharing platforms for the medical fraternity to update on the latest technology and knowledge.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18042/asian-cancer-institute-apex-hospital-establish-cancer-treatment-centrein-mumbai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18042/asian-cancer-institute-apex-hospital-establish-cancer-treatment-centrein-mumbai.html Thu, 04 Feb 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Asian Cancer Institute established a new cancer treatment centre in association with Apex Hospital to provide timely treatment to cancer patients for western suburban residents. This will enable experts to treat patients with a multidisciplinary approach.  Dr Sanjay Sharma, Director, Asian Cancer Institute said “This centre in collaboration with Apex Hospital will be a ‘go-to’, option for cancer patients in western suburbs. The centre with its expertise, latest technology, and multidisciplinary approach will offer a wide range of treatment for those in need. Along with standard treatment like chemotherapy and radiation therapy, laser surgery for oral cancer, reconstruction surgery for oral and breast cancer, laparoscopy for stomach cancer and microvascular flap surgery can be performed for patients with head and neck cancer.   Dr Dhairyasheel Savant, Joint Medical Director, Asian Cancer Institute said, “The centre will also provide targeted therapy and immunotherapy for cancer patients of every age group as per one’s disease status. Immunotherapy can be used in patients having head and neck, lung, kidney, bladder, liver, or breast cancer as it boosts the body's natural defence to fight cancer. Even a mutational test can be done and if it turns out to be positive then the patient can be suggested to opt for targeted therapy without any side-effects.” Dr Vrajesh Shah, Director, Apex Multi-speciality Hospitals said, “The centre will encourage patients to report any abnormal changes occurring in the body. One will have to be watchful of the symptoms and avoid delaying the treatment. This centre will give a second chance to cancer patients by encouraging them to live a cancer-free life.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18040/wolters-kluwer-icc-deliberate-on-importance-of-evidence-based-medicine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18040/wolters-kluwer-icc-deliberate-on-importance-of-evidence-based-medicine.html Wed, 03 Feb 2021 17:55:00 +0530 Based on the theme, ‘Making Evidence-Based Medicine Doable in Everyday’ Wolters Kluwer, a global provider of trusted clinical technology and evidence-based solutions organised a virtual conference in association with Indian Chamber of Commerce to deliberate the importance of adopting evidence-based medicine (EBM) to enhance clinical decision-making and care of patients. Inaugurating the conference, Dr Rupali Basu, Co-Chair, ICC National Healthcare Committee, CEO and Director, Woodlands Hospital said, “Healthcare needs to be highly integrated with evidence, needs to be more precise and a scientific based decision making is required. Adoption of evidence-based medicine is necessary for a standardised care and reduce clinical negligence.” The discussion revolved around how evidence-based medicine has become an extremely important tool as a scientific method for using the best medical practice to achieve best patient outcome. Technologically integrated EMB practice will heIp the clinicians to get the information on best medical practice at the point of care. It integrates clinical experience, research date, patient value to give the best possible treatment. Prof Dr Kameshwar Prasad, Director, RIMS, Ranchi mentioned, “The adoption of evidence-based medicine is absolutely necessary in India. To this date, only a few doctors and practitioners have idea about it. Hence, it is important to educate the medical fraternity about the importance and benefit of this practice.” Insisting on the importance of integrating evidence based medicine practice, Harish Ramachandran, Country Manager, Clinical effectiveness, Wolters Kluwer India stated, “Practicing evidence-based medicine integrated with digital technologies have given an edge to clinicians to make informed clinical decisions and adopt best treatment for their patients.” The session concluded with the panellist emphasising on the need of digital technologies to be integrated in healthcare. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18038/who-issues-new-guidelines-on-paediatric-chronic-pain-management-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18038/who-issues-new-guidelines-on-paediatric-chronic-pain-management-.html Wed, 03 Feb 2021 14:50:00 +0530 New WHO Guidelines on the management of chronic pain in children provide recommended physical, psychological and pharmacological interventions for pain relief in children aged 0-19 years. The guideline supports Member States and their partners to develop and implement national and local policies, regulations, pain management protocols and best practices for pain relief. Care for children with chronic pain must be child- and family-centred and included in all universal health coverage schemes. Based on the most current scientific evidence, the recommendations include three areas of inventions: physical therapy, psychological therapy, and pharmacological management, which may include the use of morphine for end-of-life-care or when chronic pain is associated with life-limiting conditions.   WHO defines the terms “end-of-life-care” as palliative care for people in the final weeks or months of life to die with dignity) and “life-limiting conditions” as illnesses for which there is no cure and an early death is expected, but with which a person may continue to live for several more years. The guideline highlights the importance of opioid stewardship to address worldwide concerns about harms arising from misuse of these medicines. Opioid stewardship refers to a series of strategies and interventions involving the appropriate procurement, storage, prescribing and use of opioids, as well as the disposal of unused opioids when opioids are appropriately prescribed for the treatment and management of specific medical conditions. The guideline includes 10 best practice statements which apply to all aspects of the clinical care of a child with chronic pain, including the planning, implementation and delivery of physical, psychological and pharmacological interventions.  This guideline replaces the discontinued “WHO guidelines on the pharmacological treatment of persisting pain in children with medical illnesses” (2012). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18028/indraprastha-apollo-hospitals-reports-50-drop-in-paediatric-cancer-diagnosis-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18028/indraprastha-apollo-hospitals-reports-50-drop-in-paediatric-cancer-diagnosis-.html Wed, 03 Feb 2021 00:00:00 +0530 The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on timely diagnosis and treatment of chronic diseases for over ten months now. Preventive care for diseases like cancer is one of the worst-hit especially among children with cancer and chronic blood disorders. Their conditions have now progressed towards advanced stage of cancer. It is estimated that every year over 60,000 children between below 18 year of age are detected with cancer and while mortality rate in child cancers is very low (if diagnosed and treated in the early stages), fear of COVID-19 in the past year has forced people to delay treatment of children undergoing cancer/anti-cancer therapies. As we celebrate World Cancer Day 2021 on 4 February, experts at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals report a 50 per cent decline in the diagnosis of cancer in children at early stages and also a dip in patients who were showing early symptoms over telecalls that did not report to the tertiary care centres. Dr Gaurav Kharya, Clinical Lead, Centre for Bone Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy & Senior Consultant, Paediatric Haematology, Oncology and Immunology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, said, “The pandemic literally brought the world to a standstill and paediatric cancers are no exception to this. We saw a drop in the number of cases. Even the cases who were suspected or diagnosed at the periphery and were referred to paediatric oncology setups for further care did not report to the tertiary care centres due to pandemic fear.”  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18013/tlllf-completes-first-cycle-of-certificate-course-in-common-mental-disorders.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18013/tlllf-completes-first-cycle-of-certificate-course-in-common-mental-disorders.html Fri, 29 Jan 2021 16:35:00 +0530 The Live Love Laugh Foundation (TLLLF) has announced the completion of the first cycle of the Certificate Course in Common Mental Disorders (CCCMD). The programme, delivered in partnership with the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) and Association of Healthcare Providers (India), trains primary care physicians to identify and manage common mental health disorders. TLLLF is the knowledge and grant partner, PHFI, the implementation partner and, AHPI, the strategic partner. Anisha Padukone, CEO, TLLLF, commented on the critical need for more advanced training, stating, “With CCCMD, our goal was to empower physicians to identify common mental health disorders, so those with mental illness can receive timely access to care." The first cohort, comprising 143 physicians, began in June 2020 and completed a comprehensive training programme split into five modules that ended last November. A baseline study of participants conducted by PHFI at the start of the course pointed to several areas of development, with nearly 30 per cent of participants unable to determine the behaviours that warrant a mental health evaluation while about half of them were unaware of the link between anxiety disorders in men and its effect on their risk of alcohol abuse. Dr Pushkar Kumar, Sr Public Health Specialist & Acting Head, Training Division, PHFI said, “The challenge is global, but the approach needs to be customised to the local context, and that’s what we believe our training has done.” Dr Alexander Thomas, President, Association of Healthcare Providers, talked about the urgency of the matter, saying, “We believe that with enough reach, our training has the potential to bring relief to millions of patients and their families. The overwhelming success of the first batch furthers our determination to train even larger numbers soon.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18012/mohfw-who-india-jointly-launch-pictorial-flipchart-on-leprosy-for-ashas.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/18012/mohfw-who-india-jointly-launch-pictorial-flipchart-on-leprosy-for-ashas.html Fri, 29 Jan 2021 16:05:00 +0530 With Anti Leprosy Day on January 30, 2021, Yohei Sasakawa WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination, Sasakawa Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) Initiative, National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of India (MoHFW), and WHO India jointly launched a pictorial flipchart on leprosy for Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs).   Produced jointly by Sasakawa Leprosy Initiative, NLEP and WHO India, the flipchart printed in Hindi, Gujarati, Oriya, and Bengali languages is being delivered to 300,000 ASHAs in 6 leprosy-endemic states: Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal. In conjunction with this launch, WHO India will be releasing short online animation films in regional languages for ASHAs to learn how to use this flipchart effectively. This training package will strengthen ASHA’s skills in facilitating early case detection and treatment which is key for further reducing disease burden. Lack of public awareness about leprosy is one of the major problems that India is facing in its efforts against the disease. These pictorial learning materials will assist ASHAs to develop a correct understanding of the disease and encourage community members to support their activities. “The activities done by ASHAs are a key to achieve leprosy-free India, a dream of Mahatma Gandhi, and I hope this flipchart can be of help for their activities,” said Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman Nippon Foundation & WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination. Sharing her thoughts on the Flipchart and how it will aid ASHA workers, Rekha Shukla, Joint Secretary, Health & Family Welfare said “Government of India is committed to making India leprosy free. National Leprosy Eradication Programme is focusing on early and active detection of leprosy cases in order to ensure complete treatment, prevention of physical disabilities and to stop the community transmission.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17996/nova-ivf-partners-withsouthend-fertilityto-expand-network-in-ncr-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17996/nova-ivf-partners-withsouthend-fertilityto-expand-network-in-ncr-.html Wed, 27 Jan 2021 14:20:00 +0530 Asia Healthcare Holdings owned Nova IVF Fertility, which is India’s leading fertility chain has announced the expansion of its network in the National Capital Region (NCR) through a strategic partnership with Southend Fertility & IVF, a leading IVF player in Delhi NCR. Through this investment, Nova IVF Fertility will have a majority stake in Southend Fertility & IVF. The combined entity will have a significant presence in Delhi NCR with a network of four comprehensive IVF centres including embryology labs, a network of spoke centres, a team of senior IVF clinicians and a capacity to perform more than 3500 IVF cycles annually in that region.  On the announcement of this strategic partnership, Shobhit Agarwal, CEO, Nova IVF Fertility, said, “We welcome Southend Fertility & IVF to the Nova family and together this partnership will further strengthen the quality of IVF treatment available to patients in Delhi NCR.” Commenting on the partnership, Dr Sonia Malik, Founder & Lead IVF Specialist & Sameer Malik, CEO, Southend Fertility & IVF said “Our partnership with Nova IVF is a merger of common ethos and respect for the science of IVF.” According to Vishal Bali, Executive Chairman, AHH, said “Nova’s legacy as a frontrunner in the IVF sector in India and its clinical differentiation is creating new opportunities of consolidation and partnerships with leading clinicians and enterprises in different regions of the country.  Nova IVF and Southend Fertility coming together is a step in that direction which will deliver tremendous value to patients seeking IVF treatment in Delhi NCR. There are more such partnership’s under progress in the company.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17987/hopequre-brings-fully-automated-corporate-mental-wellness-programme.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17987/hopequre-brings-fully-automated-corporate-mental-wellness-programme.html Mon, 25 Jan 2021 17:20:00 +0530 HopeQure, one of the most trusted and HIPAA certified online counselling platforms for mental health in India, has recently announced the launch of a fully automated online corporate employee mental wellness programme. The exclusive Employee Assistance Programme helps the employees to adopt healthy work practices by offering a comprehensive solution to support them through their work-life challenges. The Employee Assistance Programme caters to the specific needs of the employees and supports them for Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH), Shift-work Lifestyle Management, Healthy Maternity, Diet, Yoga, Meditation, Nutrition, post-retirement preparation, and other wellness services that help in improving their mental health and productivity. Discussing the benefits of the programme for employers, Vivek Sagar, Founder & CEO, HopeQure, said, “We at HopeQure.com are determined to help organisations to become more efficient and productive by improving the mental health of their employees. Thus, we have designed a fully automated HIPAA compliant programme that provides the corporates with the best mental health support for their employees at an affordable cost.” Considering the present scenario, the Employee Assistance Programme promotes healthy work culture, addresses high attrition rates, resolves inter & intra team conflicts, improves workforce efficiency, thereby minimising direct and indirect costs due to mental health problems. Its duration varies upon the deliverables starting from 6 months to 12 months that also determines the cost of the program. HopeQure.com offers a wide range of solutions to ensure holistic mental health support to both employees and employers. These solutions help to understand and address its employees’ mental health concerns which ultimately leads to a psychologically safe, cohesive, and cooperative work environment.  Additionally, it is also planning to expand its footprints to international markets – the US followed by GCC and Asia. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17986/aster-sets-up-clinical-simulation-lab-to-boost-clinical-real-world-evidence.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17986/aster-sets-up-clinical-simulation-lab-to-boost-clinical-real-world-evidence.html Mon, 25 Jan 2021 15:50:00 +0530 Aster DM Healthcare Limited, one of the largest private healthcare service providers operating in multiple Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, has setup first-of-its-kind ‘clinical simulation lab’ to give boost to clinical real-world evidence across India and Middle East. The brand has partnered with THB c/o Sekhmet Technologies – a leading real world evidence company across India, GCC, and SEA – to drive data transformation and to deliver clinical evidence and research. Large quantum of data will provide answers to questions that time bound clinical trials across smaller number of subjects may not be able to provide. The science of leveraging data from the day-to-day clinical practices – also called Real World Evidence – has the power to what eventually is wanted to achieve – COVID-19 eradication.  Dr Satish Prasad Rath, Chief Innovation & Research Officer, Aster DM Healthcare stated that real world evidence is the need of the hour to study drug efficacy and safety, discover repurposed drugs and drive interventions for personalised patient care and treatment.  Akansh Khurana, CEO, THB mentioned that they are in the process of setting up the foundation to collect and compile anonymised data on COVID-19 vaccines usage and the associated short-term as well as long-term outcomes. It is evident that continued insights from millions of datasets from across real world settings is going to be the key asset to continue developing understanding on the nuances of COVID-19, and the behaviours and effect of treatments and vaccinations across the large number of patient groups.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17967/ndhb-committee-acknowledges-privacy-risks-of-digitizing-medical-infrastructure.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17967/ndhb-committee-acknowledges-privacy-risks-of-digitizing-medical-infrastructure.html Wed, 20 Jan 2021 19:35:00 +0530 J Satyanarayana, Chairman, National Digital Health Blueprint (NDHB) committee in his keynote address at the IAMAI 15th India Digital Summit (IDS) outlining the conceptual underpinnings of NDHB, on 20 January, said that the committee was driven by the goal of elevating standards of care across the healthcare sector, by defining guidelines for technology-driven capacity building. The chairman defined the goals of the blueprint as ‘Universal health coverage, quality, and continuum of care’ during the India Digital Summit 2021 (IDS 2021) organised by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI). Satyanarayana said, “Such technology will also facilitate the creation of a healthcare ecosystem, a necessity for modernising standard of care in India. A healthcare ecosystem will enable healthcare providers to maintain patient records, seamlessly process coverage claims, and transfer patients easily.”  Chairman, NDHB Committee also acknowledged the privacy risks associated with the digitization of medical infrastructure in India. The chairman addressed these concerns by expressing the NDHB committee’s commitment to privacy by design, minimalistic collection, purpose limitation and informed consent. The chairman also clarified that the ‘Digital ID’ provided by the scheme would not mandatorily have to be linked to Aadhar, and that data would not be centralized under the vision of the NDHB. Satyanarayana concluded the address by mentioning that a pilot of the blueprint is being conducted in six union territories. The challenges of digitising rural healthcare providers have become clear through the pilot, and specific technological solutions are being designed under the guidance of the committee to solve these problems.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17962/aster-rv-hospital-launches-comprehensive-paediatric-care-centre.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17962/aster-rv-hospital-launches-comprehensive-paediatric-care-centre.html Wed, 20 Jan 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Aster RV Hospital, a multi-specialty quaternary care hospital in Bengaluru, has announced the launch of a comprehensive Paediatric Care Centre in order to provide specialised paediatric services, including 24x7 paediatric emergency care and sub-specialty services under one roof. The centre will include an advanced paediatric ICU and support paediatric - pulmonology, endocrinology, neurology & neurosurgery, immunology, oncology among other sub-specialties. In addition to this, Aster Clinic has also collaborated with the Little BlueJay’s Child Development Centre to introduce a customised special programme to help children with mobility, strength, coordination, cognition, communication, social, emotional development, and sensory processing. This dedicated centre is located opposite Aster RV Hospital and will provide highly skilled therapists trained in physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, special education and child psychology. “Due to their sensitive biology and as they are still in the developmental stage, young children require specialised care and attention. In India there is still a gap area when it comes to comprehensive paediatric care centres which cater to niche childhood health concerns, given the substantial burden of children suffering from various issues from simple common cold to complex liver transplant” said Dr Chetan Ginigeri, Lead Consultant, Paediatrics and Paediatric Intensive Care, Aster Hospitals.        ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17957/myhealthcare-alivecor-tie-up-allows-patients-to-monitor-ecg-at-home.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17957/myhealthcare-alivecor-tie-up-allows-patients-to-monitor-ecg-at-home.html Tue, 19 Jan 2021 00:00:00 +0530 MyHealthcare and AliveCor have teamed up to allow patients to be able to read their ECG data directly from their KardiaMobile 6L device into the MyHealthcare platform. The FDA-cleared KardiaMobile device is the most clinically validated personal ECG solution in the world and the partnership will aim to help patients monitor their heart health at the comfort of their home. The association is a steppingstone in bringing to the market an integrated cardiac care programme. The data generated through the ECG device can be seen on the MyHealthcare app and seamlessly flows into the MyHealthcare EMR for doctors and caregivers, monitoring their patient’s health records. The partnership will also bring to MyHealthcare patients integrated cardiac care programmes, which will allow patients to sign up through the MyHealthcare partner hospitals onto a care plan, which monitors their cardiac function, any outlier data and deliver alerts to the care team when needed and seek consult with cardiologists from MyHealthcare partner hospitals. Lokesh Prasad, Managing Director, AliveCor India commented, “KardiaMobile serves a critical function in the need for remote patient management in India. Our devices use machine learning to detect arrhythmias quickly and efficiently with 98% sensitivity and 97% specificity. This gives patients and physicians fast and highly reliable data that can be easily used to influence a care plan.” Commenting on the association, Shyatto Raha, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, MyHealthcare said, “The partnership with AliveCor and the integrated clinical data delivery to the doctors via the MyHealthcare EMR will help bring the platform a step closer to the in-OPD experience.” The association is slated to be an industry-first and would essentially mean a giant leap for the telemedicine industry in India.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17949/india-launches-worlds-largest-vaccination-programme.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17949/india-launches-worlds-largest-vaccination-programme.html Sat, 16 Jan 2021 00:00:00 +0530 The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, launched the pan India rollout of COVID-19 vaccination drive via video conferencing on 16th January 2021.  This is the world’s largest vaccination programme covering the entire length and breadth of the country.  The Prime Minister put the unprecedented scale of the vaccination drive in perspective by informing that, in the first round itself, 3 crore people, which is more than population of at least 100 countries of the world, are being vaccinated. He said that this needs to be taken up to 30 crores in the second round when elderly and people with serious co-morbidities will be vaccinated. On the first day, a total of 3,352 sessions were held wherein 1,91,181 beneficiaries were vaccinated as per the provisional reports. Additional 3,429 beneficiaries were vaccinated in Defence institutions. As many as 16,755 personnel were actively involved in organizing the immunization session sites.  The second day of the massive countrywide COVID-19 vaccination programme was also conducted successfully. A total of 553 sessions were held in six States. 17,072 beneficiaries were vaccinated on Day2, as per the provisional reports. Two types of COVID-19 vaccines have been supplied for the vaccination drive: Covishield vaccine (made by Serum Institute of India Ltd) has been supplied to all States/UTs. Covaxin vaccine (made by Bharat Biotech International Ltd) has been supplied to 12 States. Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare chose to be with doctors, nurses and other healthcare and frontline workers at AIIMS, New Delhi on this momentous day when the Prime Minister launched the world’s largest COVID-19 vaccination drive. “3006 session sites across all States and UTs held the exercise simultaneously today with around 100 beneficiaries vaccinated at each of the sites. With a population of 138 crore and a history of Universal Immunization Program which involves targeted vaccination against twelve vaccine preventable diseases, India stands at the cusp of recording history and shows the way to peers across the globe. After Smallpox and Polio, it is the turn of COVID. All the remote, hard to reach areas, urban slums, tribal belts are all covered in today’s exercise”, he said.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17947/sasakawa-india-leprosy-foundation-inaugurates-zonal-office-in-nashik-maharashtra.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17947/sasakawa-india-leprosy-foundation-inaugurates-zonal-office-in-nashik-maharashtra.html Fri, 15 Jan 2021 18:25:00 +0530 Sasakawa-India Leprosy Foundation (S-ILF), an organisation dedicated to the socio-economic empowerment of persons affected by leprosy and their families, started its zonal office in Nashik, Maharashtra to further its efforts to mainstream persons affected by leprosy and their families by providing them livelihood and education. The inauguration was done online in the presence of Dinesh Trivedi, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha and Pankaj Ballabh, Vice President, CSR, Bajaj Auto Ltd. Speaking on the occasion, Trivedi said, “Leprosy had the same stigma attached to it, as experienced in the recent Covid pandemic. However, improved knowledge had helped to dispel this fear. The spread of knowledge about leprosy would help fight against leprosy and the stigma associated with it”. On the occasion, Ballabh said, “We at the Bajaj group are happy to join hands with S-ILF to support this noble cause and are glad to witness the efforts S-ILF is making to change the lives of persons affected by leprosy. I am confident that our joint efforts will help bring awareness and acceptance in the society and would further reduce the discrimination faced by persons affected by leprosy and their families.’’ Tarun Das Chairman, Sasakawa-India Leprosy Foundation said, “We will keep expanding our horizon to cater to the most marginalised members of the society and seek partnerships to work collaboratively for the socio-economic development of those affected by leprosy & their families.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17946/irdai-brings-peritoneal-dialysis-in-ambit-of-private-insurance-coverage.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17946/irdai-brings-peritoneal-dialysis-in-ambit-of-private-insurance-coverage.html Fri, 15 Jan 2021 18:05:00 +0530 To address the increasing number of Kidney Failure patients in India, the Insurance Regulatory Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has released the much-awaited policy guidelines to include peritoneal dialysis (PD) in the ambit of private insurance coverage. According to the guidelines, patients taking treatment of PD can make reimbursement claims on a monthly basis through an approved pre- authorisation procedure. The provisions of the new guidelines have been in effect from 1st October 2020. The recent development allows kidney patients to avail the benefits of the home-based and cost-effective PD therapy which can enable both patients and nephrologists to put patients on PD rather than only haemodialysis to aid the kidney failure population in the country. This will also enable both doctors and patients analyse and choose their choice of dialysis treatment based on the patient’s lifestyle. The insurance companies’ long-awaited approval of PD’s inclusion in health insurance plans also comes at an opportune time when the public is cautioned to stay indoors owing to the COVID-19 pandemic and avoid hospital-acquired infections in a healthcare setting. Dr Sunil Prakash, Director & Head, Nephrology and Renal Transplant Service, BLK Super-speciality Hospital, New Delhi commented, “IRDAI’s decision of including peritoneal dialysis under insurance policies will eliminate the exorbitant expenditure associated with carrying dialysis at home as until now, only the conventional haemodialysis was covered under insurance policy. Around 63 million people on dialysis are pushed in debt due to expenditure related to health. At times patients miss their dialysis as they fear incurring out-of-pocket expenses. It is critical to understand that every dialysis session matters when a person is suffering from kidney failure.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17945/majority-not-able-to-access-mental-health-services-due-to-lockdown-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17945/majority-not-able-to-access-mental-health-services-due-to-lockdown-in-india.html Fri, 15 Jan 2021 17:40:00 +0530 There have been disruptions in mental health services among people since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, says a study by Delhi-based The Center of Healing (TCOH). The study surveyed over 10,000 Indians to understand how they have been coping with their mental health. Data showed that over 60 per cent reported disruptions to mental health services for vulnerable people, including children and adolescents (72 per cent), older adults (70 per cent) and women (61 per cent), 67 per cent to counselling and psychotherapy and 65 per cent to critical harm reduction services. More than a third (35 per cent) reported disruptions to emergency interventions and 30 per cent reported access for medications for mental, neurological and drug addiction. Around three-quarters reported at least partial disruptions to school and workplace mental health services (78 per cent and 75 per cent respectively). “Everyone’s mental health is getting impacted during lockdown but we wanted to specifically focus on whether stress and anxiety had increased and whether people who were no longer in counselling were experiencing relapses,” said Gurpreet Singh, Founder, TCOH. "The last nine months have been unexpected. The situation has taken a major toll on the mental health of citizens. With the series of lockdowns, anxiety, job cuts, health scares, and the overall volatile environment, stress levels are at an all-time high’’ said Swati Sahney, Co-Founder, TCOH. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17938/aakash-healthcare-dwarka-launches-bariatric-metabolic-surgery-unit.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17938/aakash-healthcare-dwarka-launches-bariatric-metabolic-surgery-unit.html Thu, 14 Jan 2021 17:20:00 +0530 Aakash Healthcare, Dwarka, a premier tertiary care healthcare provider in Delhi-NCR, welcomes the new year with the launch of a state-of-the-art Bariatric & Metabolic surgery unit under renowned minimal access and bariatric surgeon Dr Rajat Goel who has joined Aakash Healthcare as the Director of the Bariatric & Metabolic surgery unit. Under the leadership of Dr Goel, the Bariatric & Metabolic surgery unit will offer comprehensive weight loss management, de-addiction, and psychological issues management programme. His team of experts is equipped with cutting-edge equipment and implants for surgery as well as comprehensive post-surgery support and help, facilitated by nutritionists, physiotherapists and psychologists. The department will also provide consultation services taking a holistic approach to lifestyle modification and stressing on healthy lifestyle development. “We felt the need to take a focused approach for metabolic diseases and obesity as their numbers continue to rise in India, and more so in urban areas. I welcome Dr Rajat Goel who has close to two decades of experience in general and advanced laparoscopic surgery and has conducted more than 1000 bariatric surgeries to the team of experts at Aakash and convey my best wishes for a fruitful tenure here,” says Dr Aashish Chaudhry, Managing Director, Aakash Healthcare, Dwarka. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17936/vsa-cancer-care-fund-to-financially-assist-50-children-suffering-from-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17936/vsa-cancer-care-fund-to-financially-assist-50-children-suffering-from-cancer.html Thu, 14 Jan 2021 14:05:00 +0530 Every year, nearly 50,000 children are diagnosed with cancer in India. Of these, almost 50% cannot afford treatment and succumb to the disease. In an earnest attempt to address this distressing reality, Vidyashilp Academy and Humanist Centre for Medicine set up the VSA Cancer Care Fund in December 2020. In less than a month, VSA Cancer Care Fund has supported the treatment of five paediatric cancer patients at Cytecare Cancer Hospitals, the knowledge partner and key supporter of the Fund. For 2021, the endeavour is to provide financial assistance for the treatment of 50 children suffering from cancer. At Vidyashilp Academy’s recent online fest ‘Metanoia’ – the students successfully raised funds for creating an initial corpus for VSA Cancer Care Fund. Through exciting book clubs, quizzes, gaming tournaments as well as a music and dance concert, students from the school not only raised awareness about paediatric cancer but also spearheaded the process of fund mobilisation for the treatment of children from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Speaking about the commendable initiative, Kalai Selvi, Principal Vidyashilp Academy said, “Inspired by the Humanist Centre for Medicine’s incredible work in the area of cancer awareness and funding support, we started VSA Cancer Care Fund to support the diagnosis and treatment of paediatric cancer patients last month.” Dr Jogin Desai, Co-Founder, Humanist Centre for Medicine noted, “Humanist is honoured to be associated with VSA Cancer Care Fund, an inspiring initiative by Vidyashilp Academy and Cytecare Cancer Hospitals to save the lives of children suffering from cancer. This is a truly exceptional project that addresses one of the most crucial public health challenges.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17921/cloudphysician-nightingales-launch-intensive-care-at-home-services.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17921/cloudphysician-nightingales-launch-intensive-care-at-home-services.html Mon, 11 Jan 2021 17:35:00 +0530 Nightingales, a pioneer in home healthcare in India, in association with Cloudphysician, a leader in intensive care management, has launched first-of-its-kind intensive care at home services to provide specialised world-class intensive care services to critically ill patients in the comfort of their home. The service has currently been introduced in Bengaluru and Mumbai.  The intensive care at home service will be delivered through a comprehensive multidisciplinary team effort led by Cleveland Clinic trained intensivists and an on-site team of experienced clinicians, nurses, and physiotherapists. This collaborative approach by Nightingales Home Healthcare and Cloudphysician offers comprehensive critical care designed to help patients easily transition from hospital care to home care. Commenting on the launch, Dr Sweta Choudhary, Head - Medical Products & Services at Nightingales, says “With a multidisciplinary team of experts, including certified intensivists, the Nightingales-Cloudphysician combine will offer hospital-like care at home.”  Talking about the partnership, Dr Dileep Raman, MD, Co-Founder, Cloudphysician Healthcare said “We are delighted to partner with Nightingales to create a distinctive intensive care at home offering. This is an ideal extension of our remote critical care expertise through which we have managed thousands of patients across several hundred ICU beds across India.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17914/4basecare-tata-memorial-centre-to-develop-ai-based-clinical-interpretation-platform.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17914/4basecare-tata-memorial-centre-to-develop-ai-based-clinical-interpretation-platform.html Sat, 09 Jan 2021 00:00:00 +0530 4baseCare, an Illumina Accelerator backed precision oncology startup in Bengaluru and ACTREC (Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer) - Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) in Mumbai have signed a collaboration agreement for an AI driven clinical interpretation platform, ClinOme.  The collaboration aims at making an indigenous platform to generate data insights and simplified reports to guide oncologists with personalised treatment options for treating cancer patients.   ClinOme is a Graphical User Interface (GUI) based automated tool developed by senior scientists & clinicians from ACTREC & Tata Memorial Hospital by Dr. Amit Dutt, Dr. Pratik Chandrani and Dr. Kumar Prabhash for analysis of raw NGS data followed by comprehensive clinical report generation. It automates quality check, primary, secondary and tertiary analysis of raw NGS data followed by report generation that can be easily comprehended by the clinicians. It provides easy to interpret categorization of genomic alterations along with approved and experimental therapeutic options for each responsive and resistant genotype-drug combination. 4baseCare having an exclusive worldwide license to ClinOme, plans to invest significant time and resources to further develop and enhance the functionality and precision of ClinOme. This collaboration will set a great precedence for industry-academia collaboration towards translational research. It will also be a huge step towards personalisation of treatment for Indian cancer patients and aligns with the vision of both ACTREC-TMC and 4baseCare of improving quality of life and treatment of cancer patients of the country.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17909/hospido-in-introduces-ai-enabled-chatbot-cancer-dost.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17909/hospido-in-introduces-ai-enabled-chatbot-cancer-dost.html Fri, 08 Jan 2021 17:05:00 +0530 Hospido.in, a Gurugram-based tech enabled online platform dedicated to treating cancer patients all over India has announced the launch of Cancer Dost, an AI enabled chatbot for free opinion on cancer around the world Hospido.in's new chatbot ‘Cancer Dost’ is a completely automated AI bot that will give free cancer treatment guidance to patients and will usher in a new possibility of affordable and accessible cancer guidance that could transform the healthcare landscape globally. India has a poor oncologist to patient ratio and this tool will especially help those in smaller cities to know their possible treatment options. Commenting on the development, Karan Chopra, Founder, Hospido.in, said, “Artificial Intelligence has given healthcare a massive playground to innovate. With our razor sharp technology, and its integration with AI, we are able to create a product that will give undivided attention to cancer patients free of cost. The world is dealing with the biggest human-crises of all time, and in these desperate times, AI is helping the healthcare industry address the significant backlog.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17905/godrej-teams-up-with-assam-government-to-boost-healthcare-set-up-for-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17905/godrej-teams-up-with-assam-government-to-boost-healthcare-set-up-for-covid-19.html Thu, 07 Jan 2021 17:45:00 +0530 Godrej Consumer Products Limited (GCPL), a leading emerging markets company, has joined hands with the Health Department of Assam to boost the healthcare infrastructure of hospitals handling COVID-19 cases. The relief efforts, part of GCPL's CSR initiative, comprises of setting up 38 ICU beds at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) along with adequate supply of Godrej Protekt sanitisers. The total investment behind these initiatives is more than Rs 28 lakh. This is one of the multiple initiatives undertaken by GCPL to help provide support to healthcare workers and COVID-19 patients as they continue their tireless fight against the pandemic. Commenting on the initiative, Sunil Kataria, CEO - India and SAARC, Godrej Consumer Products Limited (GCPL), said, "Our partnership with the Health Department of Assam will be essential to support the healthcare infrastructure in the state. We are committed to support the healthcare workers and patients with this contribution.” Himanta Biswa Sarma, Minister, Health & Family Welfare Department, Government of Assam, said, "Godrej Consumer Products Limited has come forward and supported Assam's healthcare infrastructure in various ways. They have helped setting up dedicated ICU beds for the super speciality unit at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital. Godrej Consumer have also provided us with large amount of sanitisers which we can use for an entire year to fight against COVID pandemic."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17900/centre-to-conduct-second-dry-run-of-covid-19-vaccination-on-jan-8-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17900/centre-to-conduct-second-dry-run-of-covid-19-vaccination-on-jan-8-.html Thu, 07 Jan 2021 15:20:00 +0530 The Central Government is gearing up for the roll out of COVID-19 vaccine across the country. Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) has been pro-actively carrying out the preparations for roll-out of COVID-19 vaccine, in collaboration with States/UTs and all stakeholders, over the past couple of months to ensure that the preparations for roll-out of COVID-19 vaccine are on track. The roll out of COVID-19 vaccine is expected to begin in the near future. This milestone entails the need for testing of all planned mechanisms for conducting the vaccination drive in the country. As a simulation of actual execution, another round of dry run/mock drill in all 700+ districts of all States/UTs (except UP and Haryana who have already conducted/ will be conducting the dry run in all districts on January 5 and January 7 respectively) is planned on January 8, 2021 to ensure efficient planning and management for vaccine delivery in each district of all States/UTs. The dry run will also familiarise the State, District, Block and Hospital level officers on all aspects of COVID-19 roll out.  A dedicated 24x7 call centre has also been established for technical queries of Co-WIN users. The cold chain infrastructure (like walk-in-freezers, walk-in-coolers, ice-lined refrigerators, deep freezers) along with sufficient supplies of syringes and other logistics have been ensured to begin COVID-19 vaccination drive. Detailed operational guidelines on all aspects of the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out, including session planning and management, session site layout & its organisation, AEFI management, IEC messages, infection prevention and control practices etc, have already been shared with the States/UTs and they have also been oriented on the same. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17890/dell-partners-with-government-to-develop-mobile-app-for-ncds.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17890/dell-partners-with-government-to-develop-mobile-app-for-ncds.html Tue, 05 Jan 2021 17:50:00 +0530 Dell Technologies, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and Tata Trusts, has developed a mobile application for the management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) at Government Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across India. The mobile application was launched by Dr Harsh Vardhan, Minister of Health and Family Welfare on Universal Health Coverage Day on December 12th. The intuitive & easy to use mobile app will strengthen the existing NCD IT system’s suite of six applications for Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs), doctors, programme managers and health officials in the government. The NCD IT system supports the Government of India’s ambitious population-based screening (PBS) and management of NCDs under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS). PBS tasks health workers with screening India’s population who are above the age of 30 years for five common NCDs namely hypertension, diabetes, oral, cervical and breast cancers. Those suspected of any of these conditions are then referred to higher-level facilities where they are diagnosed, treated and provided with follow-ups for effective management of NCDs. The NCD IT system provides an e-referral pathway that allows individuals to be monitored and cared for as they visit doctors at government primary, secondary and district level hospitals for NCD management. Dr Vardhan mentioned that the new app will improve the screening and management of the patients suffering from NCDs. Alok Ohrie, President and Managing Director, Dell Technologies India said, “Our ongoing association with MoHFW and Tata Trusts is to work towards advancing healthcare conditions and supporting our communities with the right infrastructure.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17888/apollo-fertility-unveils-largest-standalone-fertility-centre-inmumbai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17888/apollo-fertility-unveils-largest-standalone-fertility-centre-inmumbai.html Tue, 05 Jan 2021 12:55:00 +0530 Apollo fertility, a part of the Apollo Health & Lifestyle and Apollo Hospitals group, has launched one of the biggest standalone, state-of-the-art fertility centre in Mumbai, bringing a ray of hope to couples who are unable to conceive naturally. Spread across 11,500 sq ft, it will also be the one of the first IVF lab with class 100 OT and laminar air flow to provide superior clean air for embryos. Located at Borivali, this is Apollo Fertility's 13th unit of the brand. A trained team of clinicians and embryologists, having a combined experience of more than 6000 IVF cases, will be offering world-class services here. Apollo Fertility centres, following the mission of Apollo Hospitals, aim to bring fertility treatment of international standards within the reach of every individual. Like other centres, this centre will have facilities that cater to all sorts of infertility related issues ranging from IUI, ICSI, laparoscopic surgeries including PGS and PGD, to offer all gamut of services under one roof. The highly trained and experienced team of doctors, who are experts on reproductive medicine, are equipped to address both male and female infertility issues. Speaking on the launch, Chandrasekhar C, CEO, Apollo Health & Lifestyle Limited, said, "We are extremely happy and proud to launch one of the biggest state-of-the art standalone fertility centre in Mumbai. India has become the most sought after destination for all the infertility-related treatments, for the affordable and qualitative treatment that the country is able to provide.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17887/be-selective-in-covid-19-vaccination-without-panicking-about-new-strain-experts-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17887/be-selective-in-covid-19-vaccination-without-panicking-about-new-strain-experts-.html Tue, 05 Jan 2021 12:45:00 +0530 HEAL Health had recently organised episode-14 of HEAL-Thy Samvaad, in association with The International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (ICCIDD) to discuss the new COVID-19 strain and the vaccine conundrum. “Less virulent strains spread wide, bringing asymptomatic and mild cases wherein herd immunity can develop faster. Therefore, in India, we need to wait and watch and be selective in terms of vaccination and no need to panic because of the new strain of Covid-19", said Dr (Prof) Amitav Banerjee, Professor & Head of Community Medicine, Dr DY Patil Medical College, Pune, elaborating on the new strain and vaccination, at the Samvaad.  While speaking on the nature of the virus and its mutation tendencies, Dr Samiran Panda, Head, Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases Division & Director and Scientist of ICMR-National AIDS Research Institute (NARI) said, “High transmissibility does not necessarily go hand in hand with high virulence. A balanced symbiotic relationship thus evolves over a period of time in which a virus goes from an epidemic existence to an endemic one and with less virulence potential.” Dr Sanjay Rai, Professor, Dept of Community Medicine, AIIMS, President, (IPHA) said, “Over a period of time, our natural infection will also help protect us. Vaccines in India are about to be placed. Perhaps, we are moving towards herd immunity because in India the cases are coming down.” Elaborating on the new COVID strain and the vaccine conundrum, Dr JC Suri, Director, Dept of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi said, “As the new COVID strain is concerned, it would be more transferable. People should go for institutional quarantine. This variant is not virulent. If it is spreading fast with virulence, it will help India in developing herd immunity.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17886/aster-dm-bags-best-home-healthcare-brand-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17886/aster-dm-bags-best-home-healthcare-brand-award.html Tue, 05 Jan 2021 11:45:00 +0530 Aster DM Healthcare has bagged best ‘Home Healthcare Brand’ award, bronze in ‘Health Innovation Award’ for Critical care Nursing in home care and Silver Award in ‘COVID protection project’ category at India Health & Wellness (IHW) Award 2020. While the ‘Home Healthcare Category’ and ‘Health Innovation Award’ aims to recognise innovation in home care, the ‘COVID protection project’ award is given for helping patients quickly and effectively during the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic brought the importance of Critical Care Nursing to the fore. Aster@Home, a vertical of Aster DM healthcare, introduced Home Critical Care Nursing Unit to provide continuous monitoring and intensive nursing care facilities to patients. These services are cost-efficient as compared to a hospital stay and reduce the chances of hospital-acquired Infections. Home care services help the patient to avoid travelling to a medical facility and avail treatment in a relaxed home environment. Aster Telehealth also introduced ‘Aster Covid Self-assessment tool’ which helped in self-evaluation and seek medical assistance from the hospital or through online consultation. Aster also provided ‘Aster eConsult’ (an online video consultation platform) accessible through an app and web browser for helping patients to seek medical advice from the comfort & safety of their home. Speaking on the achievement, Dr Harish Pillai, CEO- Aster India, said, “While it is prudent to say that the healthcare outlook has changed, our endeavour in embracing technology to innovate has strengthened further. To that effect, this award is a testament to our commitment to provide affordable, accessible and quality care to our patients.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17885/sukino-healthcare-offers-post-covid-19-multidisciplinary-rehabilitative-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17885/sukino-healthcare-offers-post-covid-19-multidisciplinary-rehabilitative-treatment.html Mon, 04 Jan 2021 17:50:00 +0530 Sukino Healthcare, India’s first and only continuum care provider, has announced the launch of its post-COVID-19 multidisciplinary respiratory distress rehabilitative treatment for patients who have recovered yet suffer from the after effects of COVID-19. Bengaluru based Sukino Healthcare’s round the clock team of doctors, nurses and caregivers with their unique and multidimensional patient centric approach have helped patients make remarkable progress within just a month of the rehabilitative care. Often, COVID-19 patients need a level of medical care and rehabilitation that is difficult to achieve at home. Some of them need continuous monitoring and non-invasive clinical intervention supervised by a medical expert. Once the patient is admitted, a detailed assessment in carried out by Sukino Healthcare’s Physio, Occupational and Respiratory therapists for mapping out the therapy sessions and fine-tuning a goal oriented treatment plan depending on the condition of the patient. Over the course of the treatment, the progress of the patient is assessed on a weekly basis with the Borg Dyspnea Scale, six minutes walk test, 12 minutes walk test, TUG scale and the Cough Sputum Score. The treatment is an amalgamation of physio, occupational and respiratory therapy. Rajinish Menon, Founder and CEO, Sukino Healthcare said, “Optimal care is crucial for speedy recovery and early return to normal life at home after discharge from the hospital. We at Sukino act as the bridge between the hospital and the home, delivering out-of-hospital care that enables the patients to achieve optimal recovery in a best suited environment.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17884/ujala-cygnus-to-provide-quick-solution-for-accessible-healthcare-services.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17884/ujala-cygnus-to-provide-quick-solution-for-accessible-healthcare-services.html Mon, 04 Jan 2021 17:25:00 +0530 In order to make quality and affordable healthcare services reach the last mile, leading tertiary care hospital group Ujala Cygnus is all set to launch their healthcare app which will be one-stop solution for all healthcare needs. The app will empower patients with real-time doctor appointment booking, tele-consultation, medical tests among others just sitting in the confinement of their homes. Titled as UCH MyHealth, which will be available on Android and IOS platforms, the app aims at providing a quick and efficient solution in accessing the healthcare services beyond any geographical constraint. User can avail all the services with a click of button by simply login with their email or mobile number and existing patients can login with their MR ID. The app will also allow doorstep delivery of essential medicines as part of an effort to restrict people’s movement further. Out of the many other services, the app enables the consumer real time appointments for the doctors along with keeping their health records intact for lifetime. To enlighten and educate patients on various health issues, the app will also hold health blogs and tutorial videos. “UCH MyHealth is abound with convenient solutions that not only help improve people’s lives, but also help said Shashank Saini, Head, Digital Health, Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals. The app is going to launch early next year . Ujala Cygnus Group of hospitals currently operates 13 hospitals across India. In line with its long-term strategy of establishing major presence in smaller towns, Ujala Cygnus Group has strategically chosen Tier II and Tier III cities for expansion. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17874/nationwide-covid-19-immunisation-dry-run-on-jan-2.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17874/nationwide-covid-19-immunisation-dry-run-on-jan-2.html Thu, 31 Dec 2020 17:45:00 +0530 With the objective of gearing up for the rollout of COVID-19 vaccine across the country, the Central Government has asked all States and UTs to ensure effective preparedness for the vaccine rollout. Rajesh Bhushan, Union Health Secretary, chaired a high-level meeting to review the preparedness at session sites for COVID-19 vaccination with Pr Secretaries (Health), NHM MDs and other health administrators of all States/UTs through video conference on 31 December. The dry run will be conducted by all the State and UT governments on January 2, 2021. The activity is proposed to be conducted in all State Capitals in at least 3 session sites; some States will also include districts that are situated in difficult terrain/have poor logistical support; Maharashtra and Kerala are likely to schedule the dry run in major cities other than their Capital. The planning for the vaccine introduction will be as per the Operational Guidelines issued by the Ministry on December 20, 2020. The dry run will also equip the State and UT administration in management of vaccine supply, storage and logistics including cold chain management. Around 96,000 vaccinators have been trained for this purpose. 2,360 participants have been trained in National Training of Trainers and over 57,000 participants trained in District level training in 719 districts. An important focus of the dry run will be on the management of any possible adverse events following immunisation (AEFI). In addition, adherence and management of infection control practices at the session site, to prevent disease transmission. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17872/pm-lays-foundation-stone-for-aiims-at-rajkot.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17872/pm-lays-foundation-stone-for-aiims-at-rajkot.html Thu, 31 Dec 2020 16:15:00 +0530 Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has laid the foundation stone of AIIMS Rajkot through a video conference on 31 December. Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister, MoH&FW, Acharaya Devvrat, Governor, Gujarat, Vijay Rupani, Chief Minister, Gujarat were present on the occasion. The Prime Minister said AIIMS Rajkot will boost health infrastructure, medical education and provide employment opportunities in Gujarat. He said that about 5 thousand direct jobs and many indirect jobs would be created. Modi said if 2020 was the year of health challenges, 2021 is going to become the year of health solutions. The world will move towards health solutions with better awareness. He said India’s contribution for the health solutions of 2021 will be critical for the scaling of the solutions. Given the competence of Indian medical professionals and service motivation, along with expertise like mass immunisation experience India will provide smart and affordable solutions to the world. The Prime Minister said that as the diseases are becoming globalised, it is time for coordinated global response for global health solutions. India is emerging as the nerve centre of global health, in 2021 we need to further strengthen this role of India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17862/dry-run-of-covid-19-vaccination-concludes-in-four-states.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17862/dry-run-of-covid-19-vaccination-concludes-in-four-states.html Tue, 29 Dec 2020 17:00:00 +0530 Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare conducted a two-day dry run for activities entailed in COVID-19 vaccination in four states Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and Gujarat on December 28-29 2020. Backed with the experience of rolling out Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) and conducting nationwide multiple wide-range injectable vaccination campaigns such as measles-rubella (MR) and adult Japanese Encephalitis (JE) campaign, required steps are being undertaken to vaccinate priority population groups such as healthcare workers, frontline workers and people above 50 years for COVID-19.  The dry run exercise is aimed at end-to-end testing of COVID-19 vaccination process and will include planning & preparations as per the Operational Guidelines; creation of facilities & users on Co-WIN application, session site creation & mapping of sites, Health Care Workers (HCW) data upload, receipt of vaccines and vaccine allocation by the district, session planning, deployment of vaccination team, logistics mobilisation at session site, mock drill of conducting vaccination and reporting and review meetings at block, districts and state level. The objective of dry the run is also to undertake and confirm field implementation of IT platform Co-WIN and guide way forward prior to actual implementation. The two-day end-to-end dry run was undertaken in Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh, Rajkot and Gandhinagar in Gujarat, Ludhiana and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar (Nawanshahr) in Punjab and Sonitpur and Nalbari districts in Assam. Specific teams were formed for various tasks by the district administration and activities like uploading of dummy beneficiary’s data, session site creation, vaccine allocation, communication vaccination details to vaccinators& beneficiaries, beneficiary mobilisation were carried out. Detailed insights and feedback so obtained will help enrich the operational guidelines and IT platform and will strengthen the COVID-19 vaccination roll out plan.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17844/national-association-for-the-blind-bestows-best-institution-award-on-lvpei-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17844/national-association-for-the-blind-bestows-best-institution-award-on-lvpei-.html Mon, 28 Dec 2020 17:45:00 +0530 LV Prasad Eye Institute’s Institute for Vision Rehabilitation received the prestigious National Association for the Blind’s Sarojini Triloknath National Award in the Best Institution category for its services towards people with vision loss. The award was presented to Dr Beula Christy, Head, LVPEI - Institute for Vision Rehabilitation in a virtual award ceremony.  “Livelihood Skill Development Programme is an important programme that provides training in specific or multiple trades to people with vision loss and to their family members. The institute also offers them the needed support in upscaling their trade ventures. The range of products developed under these programmes are utility-based and include cloth and jute bags, conference files, pouches, fruit baskets, laptop bags, paper bags, candles, jewellery and home decors. Marketed and sold under the tag name ‘A Meaningful Gift’, these products provide means of livelihood, and help persons with vision impairment live a quality life,” said Dr Christy To support the Livelihood Skill Development Programme, the institute is organising a virtual live event ‘Artists United’ on January 2, 2021 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The cause-related fundraising event presents ten incredibly talented artists who did not let their disabilities be a roadblock for them on their way to achieving their dreams. It is open for all and will be organized live on Facebook,” concluded Dr Christy.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17839/niramai-healthspring-to-hold-mass-awareness-on-early-breast-cancer-detection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17839/niramai-healthspring-to-hold-mass-awareness-on-early-breast-cancer-detection.html Mon, 28 Dec 2020 13:55:00 +0530 Healthspring, a pioneer of primary healthcare in India, partners with NIRAMAI Health Analytix, India’s leading deep-tech healthcare company, to offer their screening solution Thermalytix, for early detection of breast cancer. With the aim to increase awareness on the subject, this association will enable women to understand the importance of timely examination. This screening will be available at Healthspring clinics in Mumbai and Pune for individuals and corporates.  Healthspring is a personalised healthcare services venture based in Mumbai. The company operates a chain of primary healthcare clinics in India. The collaboration with Healthspring will involve a promotion that has special offers on in-clinic screenings and community screenings in residential localities. The campaign will be conducted in Mumbai first. Niramai’s proprietary solution ‘Thermalytix’ uses a high-resolution thermal sensing device and a cloud-hosted analytics solution for analysing thermal images using artificial intelligence and machine learning for reliable, early and accurate breast cancer screening. Recently Niramai launched a solution for Screening COVID symptoms using similar thermal-based technology. Commenting on the collaboration, Dr Gautam Sen, Chairman and Founder, Healthspring, said, “Through this association, we at Healthspring look forward to encouraging as many patients as possible to undertake timely examinations and suitable medical attention.” Dr Geetha Manjunath, Founder & CEO, Niramai said, “Our goal is to educate and spread awareness amongst women about our pain-less, non-touch, radiation-free clinically approved screening services. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17837/icmrholdshealth-research-conclave-2020.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17837/icmrholdshealth-research-conclave-2020.html Thu, 24 Dec 2020 18:00:00 +0530 The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) organised Health Research Conclave 2020 on December 23-24 2020 under the ambit of India International Science Festival (IISF-2020). The aim of conclave was to provide a platform for interaction between the policy makers, students, early researchers and the eminent experts in the field of medical research. The theme of this year’s Health Research Conclave (HRC) was ‘Health Research for a Happy, Healthy and Self reliant India’. During two day conclave experts discussed and gave their insights on topics like emerging and re-emerging infections, Atmanirbhar Bharat- race for COVID-19 vaccine, holistic health, healthy India-fit India, universal health coverage & the eliminable diseases. Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of State, Health & Family Welfare said, “Health research’s role has gained prominence in confronting the health challenges that the country is currently facing and will provide an effective way to encounter future challenges.” Dr Samiran Panda, Head, ECD, ICMR and Director, NARI, Pune emphasised that health is not limited to medical research and well-being. There is a need to acknowledge the broader and holistic issue of health. Dr VK Paul, Member, NITI Aayog provided his views on integrative health systems. He emphasised to create an atmosphere where there is a joint effort to provide holistic health in our country on a true scale.  Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Chief Scientist, WHO gave an invigorating talk on global strategy to end tuberculosis by 2025. She added that TB incidence rate is falling, but not fast enough to reach the 2020 milestone of a 20 per cent reduction between 2015-2020.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17825/cayman-islands-becomes-asters-clinical-excellence-hub-for-western-hemisphere.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17825/cayman-islands-becomes-asters-clinical-excellence-hub-for-western-hemisphere.html Tue, 22 Dec 2020 17:25:00 +0530 Aster DM Healthcare and Cayman Islands Government have announced an agreement making the Cayman Islands, Aster’s clinical excellence hub for the Western hemisphere, serving the Caribbean Region, North America, Canada, Latin & South America. The agreement will see Aster initially develop around 150-bed comprehensive, tertiary and quaternary care hospital, with an opportunity to expand in the future based on need, alongside an assisted living facility and healthcare university in the long-term. The team leading the project hopes to break ground by mid-2021, with the commencement of the Aster Cayman Medcity - phase 1 construction. Commenting on the agreement by Government, Alden McLaughlin, Premier, Cayman Islands and Minister, Human Resources, Immigration, Community Affairs, International Trade, Investment, Aviation and Maritime Affairs, said, “Aster Cayman Medcity, together with the other healthcare tourism providers on Island, will further put the Cayman Islands in place to become a major regional healthcare hub.” Speaking on the announcement, Dr Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman and Managing Director, Aster DM Healthcare said, “We see this as an opportunity to de-risk and diversify our portfolio by adding another geography.” “With Aster’s success story of serving advanced quality and affordable care in all the countries that we have a presence in, we believe that we have a unique positioning which would support the economic growth of Cayman Islands,” said Alisha Moopen, Deputy Managing Director, Aster DM Healthcare.   Image caption- (L-R) The Health Minister, Hon. Dwayne Seymour JP, MP, Minister of Health, Environment, Culture and Housing The Premier, Hon. Alden McLaughlin MBE JP, MP, Premier & Minister for Human Resources, Immigration, Community Affairs, International Trade, Investment, Aviation and Maritime Affairs and Mr Gene Thompson, Project Director, Aster Cayman Medcity   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17823/watch-your-health-madhavbaug-jointly-launch-phygital-healthcare-platform-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17823/watch-your-health-madhavbaug-jointly-launch-phygital-healthcare-platform-.html Tue, 22 Dec 2020 16:45:00 +0530 Watch Your Health, one of the leading tech start-up companies with more than 10 lakh serviced clients served digitally across India in association with Madhavbaug, a leading chain of 255 cardiac care clinics and two hospitals with more than 10 lakhs clients treated over a decade, have launched a Unique New Age Phygital Healthcare platform. The platform harnesses data through machine learning which helps in identifying patients’ problems much faster, suggest the patient a programme and helps the doctor track the patient much faster and take necessary action. On this occasion, Ratheesh Nair, CEO, Watch Your Health said, “Our expertise of digital journey with more than 10 insurance companies have helped to broaden our vision, we are now advancing from user health and wellness space into patient treatment space and we hope we can influence lives and of course save lives of our fellow Indians.” The app tracks day-to-day activities and diet intake including statistics like number of steps, sleep duration, and number of active hours without any input from patient and help patients with detailed analysis on lifestyle pattern. With this the patient would know his/her adherence towards the programme set by the doctor.  Rohit Sane, CEO, Madhavbaug said, “As world is facing ongoing challenge of Covid-19 pandemic, we are now well versed with the fatalities affecting patients suffering from heart related problems. With the use of WYH Technology, Madhavbaug can scale the outreach program and provide end to end services with much-needed precision and value to the patient.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17819/bayer-offers-affordable-payment-solutions-for-eylea-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17819/bayer-offers-affordable-payment-solutions-for-eylea-treatment.html Tue, 22 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Bayer has announced its collaboration with social healthcare venture Arogya Finance to introduce the Eylea Easy Pay Programme in India to provide flexible and affordable payment solutions to help patients in India access Eylea (aflibercept solution) treatment. Through this partnership, Bayer and Arogya Finance have increased the accessibility of the innovative treatment solutions, thus reducing the immediate financial burden on patients and their families. These financing solutions will be available across the country. Centres in states like Maharashtra, Delhi, Karnataka, Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, to name a few, will offer this programme to their patients. Bayer’s Eylea is used for the treatment for both Wet Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), which affects the elderly population and Diabetic macular edema (DME), which affects diabetics, and is administered via an injection directly into the eye. Since Eylea is an ongoing treatment for chronic eye conditions, treatment adherence is important. Bayer launched the ‘Eylea 4 U’ Patient Assistance Programme in 2020 with the objective of improving access and adherence to the treatment by Indian patients. In continuation with this aim, Bayer and Arogya Finance have collaborated to tackle the central issue of patient adherence by reducing the upfront financial burden of treatment that usually impacts the patient and their families. “By collaborating with Arogya Finance, we extend our commitment to delivering solutions to improve and maintain vision, to support patients on their journey to better health,” said Manoj Saxena, Managing Director, Bayer Zydus Pharma & Country Division Head South Asia.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17815/practotsi-launch-telemedicine-report-2020.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17815/practotsi-launch-telemedicine-report-2020.html Mon, 21 Dec 2020 17:00:00 +0530 The sense of urgency created by the COVID-19 pandemic has spurred medical establishments to overhaul their healthcare delivery systems in pursuit of maximising patient care and minimising the risk of infection. The report by Practo and TSI, launched at Telemedicon 2020, has attempted to recapitulate the key factors contributing to this spike and its long-term benefits.  Commenting on the report, Col (Dr) Ashvini Goel, President, Telemedicine Society of India (TSI), said, “In a short span of time, the digital health space has evolved and online consultations have become the spine of healthcare delivery systems globally.” Adding to that, Shashank ND, CEO & Co-Founder, Practo, said, “Our aim with this report is to ignite meaningful discussions around telemedicine as a critical first step towards establishing more collaborations among stakeholders, tied by a common commitment to one industry.” Key insights from the report:  Physical appointments went down by 32% Visits to secondary care specialists like neurosurgeon, somnologist, cardiologist, and oncologist grew dramatically 26% of the consultations were with GPs, followed by Dermatology (20%) and Gynaecology (16%) and others like Gastroenterology, ENT, and Paediatrics stood at 7% each During the same period last year, the split between metro:non-metro for online consultations stood at 75:25. This year, it is 60:40 Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, and Kolkata grew by more than 300% as compared to last year There was a 502% spike in online consultations from people above the age of 50 during this crisis, who contributed to 12% of overall consultations. Last year the men:women ratio stood at 75:25, while this year it’s 68:32 Gynaecologists and General Physicians were two of the most consulted specialists by women in 2020 There was a 302% increase in overall mental health-related queries Women contributed to 33% of overall queries for mental health specialists ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17805/fortis-hospital-in-kalyan-to-set-up-coe-for-critical-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17805/fortis-hospital-in-kalyan-to-set-up-coe-for-critical-care.html Fri, 18 Dec 2020 14:00:00 +0530 In response to the growing demand for specialised critical care services in Kalyan, Dombivali and its peripheral areas, Fortis Hospital, Kalyan is all set to transform its critical care unit into a ‘Centre of Excellence’ (CoE). The hospital has created a blueprint for its transformation process with a special focus on evidence-based protocols, training, and capacity building of critical care specialists. To execute this plan, the hospital has appointed Dr Rahul Pandit, Senior Intensive Care Consultant and Member, Maharashtra COVID-19 task force to helm strategic development of the critical care unit. Dr Pandit has enormous experience in designing patient management protocols in critical care settings. Dr Pandit will play a key role in setting up ICU policies, protocols, and patient care algorithms for the Centre of Excellence. He will also be responsible to design academic programmes for critical care doctors and nurses, at the centre. With Dr Rahul Pandit at the helm of the Critical Care Management, the hospital has also initiated post-COVID-19 OPD services. Dr Rahul Pandit, Director-Critical Care, Fortis Hospitals, Mumbai, points out that the COVID-19 pandemic has compelled hospitals across the country to relook at their critical care practices. It has forced hospitals to revamp certain traditional models of caregiving and swiftly adapt to the present and future needs of patients. “The Centre of Excellence (CoE) will exponentially improve healthcare delivery leading to better patient care outcomes”, Dr Pandit adds. Dr Supriya Amey, Facility Director, Fortis Hospital, Kalyan adds, “With Dr Pandit at the helm, we would accelerate the existing programme to drive academic programmes & training of staff, implementation of best practice guidelines for patient management, adherence to infection control policies and championing patient care in critical care setting at our CoE. We are also glad that Dr Pandit will be able to offer medical advice to patients seeking post-COVID counselling, at our hospital.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17800/53-indians-unsure-about-taking-covid-19-vaccine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17800/53-indians-unsure-about-taking-covid-19-vaccine.html Fri, 18 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0530 While the Government of India is gearing up for the vaccination drive, more than 50% of India’s population is expressing caution towards taking the virus vaccine according to the GOQii COVID-19 – The Way Forward survey. The survey has been conducted with approximately 11000 respondents to understand the openness to take the vaccine, the perception of the government measures to combat COVID-19, the possible future measures including a lockdown. The study reveals that 53% of the population is unsure about taking COVID-19 vaccine. GOQii analysed public opinion on the keenness of taking the vaccine while deep diving into the interest levels by age and gender. Interesting facts revealed that 43% of them are not sure and will only make a solid opinion post initial results about the effectiveness of the vaccine is revealed while 10% are firmly against taking the vaccine as of now. On an optimistic note, 47% of the respondents said that they are willing to take the vaccine and are actually waiting for it. Women are more cautious than men with 48% of the male population willing to get vaccinated while the female readiness is around 42%. With age, the willingness to take the vaccine reduces. The older adults (45-60) and seniors (60+) are not as ready as the younger age groups. This may be due to concerns about complications post taking it. According to the COVID-19 Impact - The Way Forward study, 50% of the respondents feel that the Central Government initiatives have been effective in curbing the spread of COVID-19 while 25% of the people surveyed believe that the State Government initiatives have been effective. Only 22% of citizens recognise the efforts of the local Government in terms of effectiveness. It is interesting to know that 66% of the population surveyed believes the current method or opening up slowly is the way forward while 34% feel that a complete lockdown should be introduced again. 25% have a positive opinion about the current partial lockdown and think that it should continue in a similar manner. While 31% want things to return back to normal but only in a gradual way, wherein restriction will be loosened very cautiously and while monitoring the numbers. 10% of people who said that there should be no restrictions and things should go back to normal.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17803/oppi-brings-high-voltage-discussion-on-healthcare-transformation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17803/oppi-brings-high-voltage-discussion-on-healthcare-transformation.html Thu, 17 Dec 2020 18:25:00 +0530 DV Sadananda Gowda, Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers, launched the 9th edition of  Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI)’s Annual Summit - Healthcare Accelerated with the theme India’s Healthcare Transformational Journey, through the virtual platform on 17 December. The two-day summit began with an address by Sharad Tyagi, President, OPPI on ‘Reimagining India’s Healthcare in the next decade’, followed by an address by KG Ananthakrishanan, Director General, OPPI on ‘Refreshing Research’.  The first day of the Summit witnessed key note speeches by S Aparna, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals; and Dr Shamika Ravi, Former Member, Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council and Research Director, Brookings Institution, US. Launching the Summit, Gowda commended on the efforts of global and Indian companies, research institutes, government regulators and hospitals for supporting the COVID-19 vaccine development and its clinical trials. “The contribution of Indian pharmaceutical sector has been reinforced during this pandemic year when the companies, global and Indian, stepped in and stepped up their efforts in service of the country. I have no doubt to believe that these collaborations and the maturity demonstrated by the collaborations are going to define the Indian pharmaceutical sector in the years ahead.” He further added, “India has attracted large scale inflow of foreign direct investment to the pharmaceutical sector and the Medical Devices sector. As a matter of record, pharmaceuticals export from India was over $20 billion in the year 2019-20 and is expected to cross $25 billion by the end of the current financial year. This was at a time when the domestic market has crossed $22 billion last year. It is indeed poised for much higher growth.” The summit conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr YK Hamied, Founder, Cipla Ltd and the Special Recognition Award to Dr VG Somani, Drugs Controller General of India (DGCI). In a special session on COVID-19 Vaccine Updates, Jaak Peeters, Johnson & Johnson Special Envoy for COVID-19 Vaccine and Narender Mantena, Head of Global Strategy & CEO, Specialty Generic Injectables & Synthetic Biology, Biological E Ltd shared the global efforts on vaccine development with Sarthak Ranade, Managing Director, Janssen India.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17796/apollo-hospitals-emphasises-on-training-of-medical-professionals.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17796/apollo-hospitals-emphasises-on-training-of-medical-professionals.html Thu, 17 Dec 2020 13:15:00 +0530 The Apollo Hospitals Group has announced joining the UAE’s Waterfalls Initiative for Continuous Education from UAE to the World. This unique initiative aims to train health and medical professionals around the world and empower them through building and strengthening their capabilities. The Apollo Hospitals Group will support the Waterfall Initiative’s educational programme that includes specialised lectures, seminars and workshops on vital topics in medicine, pharmacy, nutrition, public health, nursing, dentistry, and hospital management. 52 senior doctors from various reputed hospitals in India are joining the Waterfalls Initiative. FICCI and the Apollo Hospitals Group are the Indian partners for this initiative that aims to reach and empower one million health professionals worldwide. Speaking at the virtual launch, Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “We are honoured to join this global initiative that aims to deliver continuous education and support front-liners across all medical and humanitarian fields. We also thank His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai and  His Highness Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of the UAE for his timely decision in launching the initiative. “The project is the largest of its kind and will offer virtual medical training across 14 medical sectors. Within the Waterfall platform, those affiliated with the initiative will obtain a training certificate and approved hours from the international scientific and academic bodies participating in the initiative, and they can benefit from it in the scope of their work or in their research, or in completing their scientific studies through continuous distance education without having to leave their jobs or leaving their workplace or bearing any financial burdens, through the initiative link,” said HE Dr Ahmed Al Banna, UAE Ambassador to India. Those registered with Waterfalls Registration will receive a training certificate and credit hours accredited by the scientific and academic entities participating in the initiative. The Waterfalls Initiative for Continuous Education from UAE to the world will have over 230 speakers and over 77000 participants.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17792/government-hospitals-in-bengaluru-pick-dozee-for-continuous-patient-monitoring.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17792/government-hospitals-in-bengaluru-pick-dozee-for-continuous-patient-monitoring.html Wed, 16 Dec 2020 18:15:00 +0530 Dozee has partnered with Victoria Hospital and ESIC Hospital in Bengaluru to equip the hospitals with remote monitoring capabilities. Dozee has deployed 100 devices to monitor patients continuously and without the need for any physical contact from medical practitioners Bengaluru based startup Dozee will enable hospital staff to continuously and accurately monitor patient heart rate, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation. This consistent stream of patient data will aid the nursing staff with early detection of patient deterioration and notify the care team of any abnormalities that may be detected before it becomes critical. Doctors & healthcare teams can monitor patients’ health on a single screen remotely, reducing the need for nurses to physically go and check patients’ vitals. Custom alerts can be put on every patient, helping doctors optimise and focus on deteriorating patients and provide improved proactive care.  Dozee has also received support from ACT Grants (Action COVID-19 Team) to deploy these devices. ACT Grants have also supported the Dozee team for deployments in various hospitals in Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and other places in India. ACT Grants is a Rs 100 crore grant created by India’s start-up community to support capital-efficient, scalable solutions from NGOs and innovative start-ups which need an initial seed grant to fight the spread of COVID-19. Completely Made in India, Dozee tracks and continuously monitors key vitals of the human body such as heart rate, respiration rate, oxygen saturation, sleep stages, stress-recovery and more with a medical-grade 98.4% accuracy. The contactless sensor, placed under the mattress captures real-time body vitals without using any external wires or touching the user’s body. The sensor captures micro-vibrations produced by the body every time the heart pumps blood, during inhalation, exhalation, muscle twitches, tremors and body movements. An AI-powered, Early Warning System then converts these signals into biomarkers and uses the data to present an analysis of the patient's health. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17787/study-reveals-reasons-for-common-epilepsy-in-indian-children.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17787/study-reveals-reasons-for-common-epilepsy-in-indian-children.html Wed, 16 Dec 2020 13:35:00 +0530 In a first-of-its-kind Medgenome Labs conducted a study in partnership with doctors from Santokba Durlabhji Memorial Hospital, Jaipur, School of Medicine, University of Glasgow, UK and Pediatric Neurosciences Research Group, Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow, UK to understand the underlying causes of Infantile Spasms (IS), a common but severe form of epilepsy in young children. Infantile spasms also called ‘Salaam Seizures’ usually occur in the first year after birth. To date, there had been no published studies from India to comprehensively investigate for this condition. This is the first study that used Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology to dwell deep into the causes of infantile spasms in the Indian setting. The other important cause of infantile spasms identified in this study were underlying genetic defects which put a child at risk to develop these types of seizures later in infancy. In this study, for the first time a detailed genetic evaluation using NGS-based Whole Exome Sequencing was performed in patients with a suspected genetic cause for Infantile Spasms. Following this exhaustive genetic evaluation, a genetic cause could be identified in a significant number of patients with infantile spasms. The findings of the study emphasize on the importance of doing a Whole Exome Sequencing in patients of infantile spasms where no apparent cause can be found, which will help in diagnosing these genetic disorders early and prevent it from happening again in subsequent pregnancies.  The outcomes of this study will further improve the understanding of the causes of infantile spasms in India so that it can better be managed and prevented in the future. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17784/qai-awards-accreditation-to-three-indira-ivf-centres.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17784/qai-awards-accreditation-to-three-indira-ivf-centres.html Wed, 16 Dec 2020 11:05:00 +0530 Indira IVF centres at Udaipur, Indore, and Prayagraj have been awarded a three-year accreditation by the Quality and Accreditation Institute (QAI) for their IVF services under QAI’s Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) accreditation programme. This makes Indira IVF the first speciality healthcare provider in the ART space to have the QAI accreditation, taking a leap to further assure their patients of ethical and transparent procedures. The three IVF centres, which achieved QAI accreditation on November 30, 2020, offer a number of specialised fertility treatments, including in vitro fertilisation (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), egg donation, and egg vitrification among others. Speaking on the development, Dr Kshitiz Murdia, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder, Indira IVF said, “I believe that the effort and work to meet QAI´s immaculate standards will empower our patients with information that reflects our ethical responsibility as a patient-first service. It is just the beginning of our journey with QAI, and we aim to cover all our centres in phased manner to enhance confidence about ART among people.” Dr BK Rana, Chief Executive Officer, Quality and Accreditation Institute (QAI) stated, “We congratulate Indira IVF for achieving the QAI Accreditation, and their commitment to understand and support the needs of their patients.” The ART centre accreditation programme of the Quality and Accreditation Institute (QAI) was developed with the aim of bringing quality, safety, credibility and transparency in the services of ART centres. These are unique and first-of-its-kind speciality accreditation standards in India, as well as in many parts of the world. QAI standards are developed using the principles of the International Society for Quality in Health Care External Evaluation Association (ISQuaEEA). They provide a framework and measurable system to facilities and patients by ensuring that the hospital or clinic has instituted processes that are customised to their patients’ unique needs and expectations, and are consistently monitored for improvement. Additionally, QAI standard provides healthcare facilities with a unique opportunity to not only acquire skills and competencies designed to strengthen their clinical services, but also impact business performance.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17777/paras-hospitals-launches-bone-marrow-transplant-unit-in-gurugram.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17777/paras-hospitals-launches-bone-marrow-transplant-unit-in-gurugram.html Tue, 15 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Paras Hospitals Gurugram, a leading multi-specialty tertiary care hospital, has launched an advanced 3-bedded Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) unit, which is using cutting-edge facilities and expert medical staff of haemato-oncologists, BMT Physician and trained nursing staff. The new unit, a part of Paras Cancer Centre, will bring international standards of cancer care to offer patients from Gurugram and surrounding areas by providing an accessible facility for bone marrow transplant to adults and children. The BMT Unit will cater to patients with blood cancer including leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma as well as other hematological disorders like thalassemia, aplastic anemia, sickle cell disease and inherited immune deficiency disorders. Bone Marrow Transplant is a life-saving procedure and is the only way to cure many of the patients diagnosed with a blood cancer. BMT involves taking a patient's damaged or destroyed bone marrow stem cells and replacing them with healthy stem cells from a donor. BMT can be autologous or allogenic. Autologous transplants use the patient’s own blood cells, while allogenic transplants use cells from a matched donor. The BMT unit was inaugurated by Dr (Col) R Ranga Rao, Chairman, Paras Cancer Centre, Paras Hospitals, Gurugram. The 3-bedded filtered rooms each have a dedicated Air Handling Unit to ensure strict infection control, as it’s quite common in bone marrow transplant patients.  A separate laminar flow for sterile chemotherapy preparation is dedicated to the transplant patients for infection control. Bone Marrow Transplant is a complex procedure and requires teamwork between multiple specialties including transfusion medicine, clinical hematology, pathology, immunology, and pharmacology. The highly experienced doctors of Paras Hospitals are supported by the advanced infrastructure and technology and they offer treatment at par with international standards.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17778/nathealth-africa-healthcare-federation-ink-mou-to-increase-healthcare-collaboration.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17778/nathealth-africa-healthcare-federation-ink-mou-to-increase-healthcare-collaboration.html Tue, 15 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0530 NATHEALTH-Healthcare Federation of India and Africa Healthcare Federation (AHF) have signed a path-breaking Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to increase healthcare collaboration between the two federations with potential to result in increased investment and business in healthcare between India and Africa. The Summit theme, ‘Fostering South-South Collaboration between the Healthcare Federations of India and Africa to achieve Universal Health Coverage’ sends out an important message that collaboration is central to realising the goal of UHC and it is important that key stakeholders work together to build bridges across sectors and drive new initiatives to fix infrastructural gaps, improve health access and outcomes. In partnership with NATHEALTH, PwC India, launched its report titled, ‘Unlocking the potential of India-Africa collaboration for healthcare innovation’ at the event. The report highlights the importance of innovative healthcare approaches that can transform the traditional healthcare systems by ensuring quality healthcare, one that is accessible and affordable for all. The focus will be to bring transparency in referral mechanism/fees and the need of travel for treatment, for smooth VISA processing and Immigration. Establishing partnerships for diagnostic tests, emergency air evacuations will also be a priority. NATHEALTH and AHF will map skill transfer and training requirements to identify the key gaps that needs attention and look at the potential for e-learning and use of other technologies to bring down the costs. The two federations will identify gap areas by gauging industry interest on both ends for investments and categorise the ways and policy interventions needed to safeguard investor interests and highlight the alternate financing mechanisms available  Key focus areas also include addressing the need for harmonisation of regulatory requirements and building expertise for pharmaceutical manufacturing in GMP. The focus will also be on Increasing investment into R&D in Africa through collaborative research, twinning programmes that include galenic development, Centre of API manufacturing, etc. The task force will consist of seven to nine members and will be jointly led by representatives from AHF and NATHEALTH. The members will include Industry partners, Development partners, Government representatives, Key experts in their individual capacity or as part of relevant institutions and Knowledge partners. Within the first quarter, each task force will be expected to present an Action Plan on their area detailing out the objectives and scope of thematic area, key outcomes expected at end of 1 year, policy areas to be covered and key stakeholders to be engaged. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17779/nathealth-africa-healthcare-federation-ink-mou-to-increase-healthcare-collaboration.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17779/nathealth-africa-healthcare-federation-ink-mou-to-increase-healthcare-collaboration.html Mon, 14 Dec 2020 21:00:00 +0530 NATHEALTH-Healthcare Federation of India and Africa Healthcare Federation (AHF) signed a path-breaking Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to increase healthcare collaboration between the two federations with potential to result in increased investment and business in healthcare between India and Africa. The Summit theme, ‘Fostering South-South Collaboration between the Healthcare Federations of India and Africa to achieve Universal Health Coverage’ sends out an important message that collaboration is central to realising the goal of UHC and it is important that key stakeholders work together to build bridges across sectors and drive new initiatives to fix infrastructural gaps, improve health access and outcomes. In partnership with NATHEALTH, PwC India, launched its report titled, ‘Unlocking the potential of India-Africa collaboration for healthcare innovation’ at the event. The report highlights the importance of innovative healthcare approaches that can transform the traditional healthcare systems by ensuring quality healthcare, one that is accessible and affordable for all. The focus will be to bring transparency in referral mechanism/fees and the need of travel for treatment, for smooth VISA processing and Immigration. Establishing partnerships for diagnostic tests, emergency air evacuations will also be a priority. NATHEALTH and AHF will map skill transfer and training requirements to identify the key gaps that needs attention and look at the potential for e-learning and use of other technologies to bring down the costs. The two federations will identify gap areas by gauging industry interest on both ends for investments and categorise the ways and policy interventions needed to safeguard investor interests and highlight the alternate financing mechanisms available  Key focus areas also include addressing the need for harmonisation of regulatory requirements and building expertise for pharmaceutical manufacturing in GMP. The focus will also be on Increasing investment into R&D in Africa through collaborative research, twinning programmes that include galenic development, Centre of API manufacturing, etc.   The task force will consist of seven to nine members and will be jointly led by representatives from AHF and NATHEALTH. The members will include Industry partners, Development partners, Government representatives, Key experts in their individual capacity or as part of relevant institutions and Knowledge partners. Within the first quarter, each task force will be expected to present an Action Plan on their area detailing out the objectives and scope of thematic area, key outcomes expected at end of 1 year, policy areas to be covered and key stakeholders to be engaged. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17771/private-sector-supports-government-in-targeted-vaccination-against-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17771/private-sector-supports-government-in-targeted-vaccination-against-covid-19.html Mon, 14 Dec 2020 16:15:00 +0530 Private hospitals have been the foundation of serving more than 70% of bed capacity and ~60% of inpatient care in India as per EY-FICCI study titled, “Protecting India: Public-Private Partnership for vaccinating against COVID-19,” released by Dr V K Paul - Member, NITI Aayog in the presence of Lord David Prior, Chair, NHS England at FICCI’s AGM ‘Inspired India’.  This study aims to highlight the role and extent of private sector participation in supporting the government to accelerate the process of targeted vaccination against COVID-19 across the country. Private hospitals have dedicated up to 40%-80% of their bed capacity for treating COVID-19 patients and supplemented government efforts of scaling up testing by contributing to 45% of the testing capacity in India. Given the scale, complexity and timeline of the program for mass-inoculation against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, private players can significantly augment the government’s capacity across the value chain of vaccine distribution and administration. To achieve the aspirational goal of inoculating 60%-70% of the population in a two-year timeline with inoculation of prioritized groups in the next eight months, there is a pressing need for potential engagement models between the private and public sectors across different stages of the vaccine value chain. The study estimates that India may need 1.3 lakh-1.4 lakh vaccination centers, ~1.0 lakh healthcare professionals (as inoculators) and ~2.0 lakh support staff/ volunteers for mass-inoculation of prioritized individuals (30 crore people as identified by the government, includes healthcare professionals, frontline workers, people above 50 years and also people with co-morbidities) by August 2021 and the entire adult population (80 crore) by the end of 2022. To meet the demand of 1.3 lakh-1.4 lakh centers, ~60% of the existing public health infrastructure will have to house a vaccination center. Against the requirement of 1.0 lakh inoculators, the public sector can potentially provide 60,000-70,000 (10% of the nurse/ANM capacity in public sector) of them. This could lead to a capacity constraint especially in key states such as Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The private sector can adequately supplement the physical and human infrastructure supply in key capacity-constrained regions, specifically in urban and semi-urban areas. Additionally, the second line of inoculators among allied health professionals will have to be made available through training and credentialing process to meet the requirement of inoculators. As per a survey carried out by FICCI and EY, in association with NABH, NATHEALTH and other healthcare associations with 264 private healthcare organizations, a high proportion of respondents stated their capacity and willingness to participate in the vaccination drive. ►     84% have earmarked inoculation facilities in their hospitals/centers and 54% have cold storage facilities to store vaccines on site. ►     88% have trained inoculators available for vaccination, 70% are willing to allocate manpower in semi-urban/rural areas for vaccination and 94% are willing to impart training for inoculation. A trained pool of 30,000 inoculators is also available for inoculation from amongst the participants. While private healthcare providers have shown willingness to allocate human resources for the vaccination exercise, especially in semi-urban and rural areas, actual execution of the program will be dependent on clear definition of roles and responsibilities of both government and private players as well as agreement on distinctive and well-laid out engagement models for collaboration.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17765/india-pledges-2-b-to-strengthen-all-levels-of-care-in-response-to-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17765/india-pledges-2-b-to-strengthen-all-levels-of-care-in-response-to-covid-19.html Mon, 14 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0530 In a huge effort to restore crumbling services for women, newborns, children and adolescents, a group of high income, low- and middle-income countries and foundations are making pledges of $20.6 billion to protect this group. $6.6 billion (32%) of the total pledge is from money committed by low and middle-income countries themselves, including Afghanistan, India, Kenya, Liberia, and Nigeria. An additional $14 billion (68%) is from official development assistance and grants given by Germany, Canada, Sweden, UK, the USA, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. India Commitment – $2 billion during 2020-2021 to strengthen all levels of care in response to the pandemic and to ensure essential public health functions with an enhanced focus on women, children and adolescents and the most vulnerable. The COVID-19 pandemic is threatening three decades of improvement in health and social services for women, newborns, children, and adolescents. The well-being of this vulnerable group is being more affected than others due to disruptions to essential health, nutrition and social services since the pandemic, according to senior health experts at The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH), a global alliance of more than 1,000 organizations, hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO). PMNCH has issued a 7-point call to action in response to the devastating effects of COVID-19 on the health and well-being of women, children, and adolescents. It calls on leaders to protect and prioritize their rights and health during the COVID-19 response and recovery by strengthening political commitment, policies and financing for vital health services and social protections, particularly for the most vulnerable. Countries have responded to this call with financial and policy commitments to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic from becoming a lasting crisis.  The commitments will be launched on December 11 at “Lives in the Balance”, a global online summit to take stock of how COVID-19 is impacting the progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The event, co-hosted with PMNCH with UHC 2030 and the CORE Group, is held on the eve of UHC Day on December 12. Recent WHO data from 105 countries show that 90 percent of countries have experienced disruptions to health services, with low- and middle-income countries reporting the greatest difficulties. Some of the most frequently disrupted services include those related to: immunization services (facility-based services: 61 percent and outreach facilities: 70 percent,) and family planning and contraception services: 68 percent.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17761/philips-highlights-role-of-technology-to-engage-younger-healthcare-professionals-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17761/philips-highlights-role-of-technology-to-engage-younger-healthcare-professionals-in-india.html Fri, 11 Dec 2020 16:40:00 +0530 Philips India has announced the India findings of its 15-country Future Health Index (FHI) 2020 report- The age of opportunity: Empowering the next generation to transform healthcare. The study reveals that 91% of younger Indian healthcare professionals feel that digital health technologies, including Adaptive Intelligence (AI), telehealth and digital health records amongst others, will aid in improving patients’ experiences and 90% say they are an important tool to achieve better patient outcomes. Above other countries surveyed, 81% of younger Indian healthcare professionals believe that AI will allow them to offer personalised care. Digital health records topped the list as the most beneficial technology for improving patient care over the next five years. Commenting of the launch of the India report, Rohit Sathe, Vice President, Health Systems, Philips Indian Subcontinent said, “To support the industry’s rapid demand and shift towards digitisation, we have organised over 100 hours of digital learning engagements and webinars for healthcare professionals in India. We hope that the insights from our report will offer guidance to key stakeholders on empowering the new generation of healthcare professionals.” Key findings of India Future Health Index 2020 Harnessing technology to help transform healthcare 87% of younger Indian healthcare professionals believe that the right technologies have the potential to reduce their workload 81% younger Indian healthcare professionals agree that the adoption of digital health technologies have the potential to lower their stress levels 90% of them believe that digital health technologies are an important tool to improve patient outcomes Creating the ideal healthcare working environment 70% of younger Indian healthcare professionals regularly experience work-related stress 85% of younger Indian healthcare professionals working at ‘Smart’ facilities are satisfied with their work 67% of younger healthcare professionals in India feel they can drive change in how their hospital or practice is managed The report also evaluated the gaps in healthcare education and training of younger healthcare professionals in India. It pointed that although 81% of younger Indian healthcare professionals only knew it by name, knew a little or knew nothing at all about value-based care, 46% expressed that they do not know how to use digital patient to inform patient care. The study revealed that more than half (69%) of younger Indian healthcare professionals believe that training on understanding the data outputs of new technologies will enable them to use digital patient data most effectively. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17760/experts-call-for-patients-to-access-cancer-services-without-delay.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17760/experts-call-for-patients-to-access-cancer-services-without-delay.html Fri, 11 Dec 2020 15:15:00 +0530 A coalition of leading Asian oncologists in partnership with UK based AstraZeneca are calling for patients to access cancer services without delay, as part of the New Normal, Same Cancer campaign. Although the long-term impact on patients is not fully known yet, recent research suggests that a one-month delay in treatment can result in 6% increase in risk of death, underscoring the urgent need for patients to get the care that they require as soon as possible. The campaign encourages people diagnosed with cancer to resume treatment that may have been paused, and those people with possible cancer signs and symptoms or who have missed routine checks, to consult a doctor. The coalition of experts from India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and Singapore made the following statement:“Timely diagnosis and treatment are critical factors to determine the success of cancer treatment. The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems across Asia, including cancer services. As countries enter a ‘new normal’, we strongly urge cancer patients to access the right services without delay to give any treatment the best chances of success. For more information on the members of the coalition, refer to Annex A. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruptions to many services for people living with cancer in Asia over the last year, as well as cancer screening in some countries. Even where services were maintained, some patients are delaying appointments, treatment, and follow up appointments for fear of contracting the virus. In the Philippines, for example, a survey found that fear and anxiety of cancer patients brought about by worries of acquiring the virus affected the health-seeking behavior of those still about to be diagnosed.  There was a 9% drop in first visit consultations and 30% drop in follow up consultations at the National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS) between February and March 2020, although these numbers have recovered. And in a survey of 480 oncosurgeons across India, it is estimated that 192,000 patients are likely to have delays in the timely diagnosis of cancer. Free annual Pap smear screening appointments fell by 75%.  To help protect people attending cancer clinics, many healthcare facilities have already adapted their practices and put in novel solutions to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission. For many countries, telehealth has become an important part of patient services, allowing healthcare professionals such as oncologists to check in with their patients and carry out remote screening without the need for the patient to leave their home. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17756/medall-healthcare-launches-personalized-science-based-subscription-programme.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17756/medall-healthcare-launches-personalized-science-based-subscription-programme.html Thu, 10 Dec 2020 18:40:00 +0530 Medall Healthcare has announced the launch of Medall blume which is a personalized, holistic and science-based subscription program to reduce or reverse lifestyle disorders like diabetes, obesity, chronic fatigue, PCOD, etc. Most, if not all, programs in the market today focus on managing the disorders with medication, while our objective is to reduce, if not completely remove, the need for medication. The program will be digitally driven by a new app that will support virtual consultations, personalized diet and health monitoring, and engaging content. Medall blume program comprises the four pillars that play vital roles in improving one’s well-being: EAT (Nutrition and food habits), MOVE (Physical movements), MIND (Stress management), and SLEEP (Sleep cycle management)  Medall blume subscribers will be guided by a team of dedicated nutritionists, psychologists, physical trainers, and doctors. Before the program begins, subscribers will undergo a series of diagnostic tests and consultations that will help define their personalized program.  The program is rooted in technology and includes measurement devices to enable continuous monitoring of vital parameters. It is also flexible for the subscriber with no long-term commitment and entirely based on monthly subscriptions at just Rs 5000. Based on our pilot program, subscribers have observed quantifiable results within a few weeks, although it takes around 4-7 months to start seeing significant benefits depending on the condition. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17753/glocalmind-completes-10-year-in-healthcare-business.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17753/glocalmind-completes-10-year-in-healthcare-business.html Thu, 10 Dec 2020 17:05:00 +0530 GLocalMind, a leading healthcare fieldwork and analysis company serving the healthcare ecosystem, has successfully completed 10 years in the business. With its global headquarters in the US and operations headquarters in India, GLocalMind has access to healthcare professionals in 57 Countries across 86 Specialties and 60 Medical Conditions and over 1.5 million panelists, making them a familiar name in the healthcare research sector the world over. They provide access to healthcare stakeholders including physicians, patients and payers by way of their panels, partners and custom recruitment. Their client base includes top Global Market Research Companies, Hospitals, Pharma Companies, Healthcare Consulting Companies, Life Sciences Companies and Medical Device Companies. GLocalMind was launched in 2010 with a vision to provide easy access to high quality healthcare professionals in a timely manner to the healthcare industry. They aimed to leverage the power of technology in reducing time to insights and in stakeholder research. Today they have offices in India, USA and Europe along with a wide network of panellists present in most cities around the world. GLocalMind supports research studies which includes Market Evaluation, KOL Research, Patient Pathways, Concept Testing, Market Access, Product Usage, Communication Testing, Current and Future Therapy Trends, Packaging Testing, Prescription Habits and Reimbursement Studies. The marketplace is fragmented with a few large players and a number of smaller local companies. While the larger players face challenges when it comes to niche markets, the smaller players are unable to cover multiple geographies. GlocalMind has successfully bridged this gap by deploying an onshore/offshore model addressing these challenges and providing global fieldwork with local expertise. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17745/covid-19-fear-increases-indias-cancer-burden-by-40.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17745/covid-19-fear-increases-indias-cancer-burden-by-40.html Wed, 09 Dec 2020 18:45:00 +0530 The fear of contracting COVID-19 has kept away from visiting hospitals. Consequently timely diagnosis and care management of chronic diseases like cancer has seen a massive decline. Since March when COVID-19 struck, cancer care and diagnosis has been a challenge for two reasons: existing cancer patients are extremely vulnerable to severe effects of COVID-19 and patients who are vulnerable to the disease have delayed consulting the medical practionier leading to delayed   detection and diagnosis. As a result, all this has led to patients reaching hospital at advanced stages of the disease. Most patients reporting advanced stages of cancer are over 60 years of age who mostly suffer from co-morbidities like diabetes, cardiac ailments and hypertension and hence are the most apprehensive to step out of homes or seek doctors consultation. Dr SM Shuaib Zaidi, Senior Consultant, Surgical Oncology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, said “In India, 50-60 per cent of patients seek medical treatment  in the advanced stages due to lack of awareness and timely screening. With the current pandemic, this percentage has gone up by at least 40% due to COVID fear. In the month of September- October, we have seen an upsurge in patients being diagnosed with stage 2 and stage 3 cancer, some of them with bleak chances of recovery. Dr Ramesh Sarin, Senior Consultant, Surgical Oncology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, said, “What we were able to do before COVID-19 as preventive measures for early detection of cancer in terms of screenings for breast cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer, head and neck cancers, has declined. In the month of October 7 out of 10 patients have missed their radiation sessions. This puts the patients under threat of spread of cancer and consequent life threatening complications.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17740/world-patient-safety-day-emphasises-on-healthcare-fraternity-providing-high-quality-patient-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17740/world-patient-safety-day-emphasises-on-healthcare-fraternity-providing-high-quality-patient-care.html Wed, 09 Dec 2020 17:15:00 +0530 The advent of a single pandemic of COVID-19, has caused a huge stir in the healthcare segment. The importance of precision in patient-care is always important, however, the pandemic has added another dimension ie. precision in ‘emergency and mass level patient-care’. The focus on emergency response with high quality patient-care is need of the hour and needs to be abided by the whole healthcare fraternity. The pandemic has brought patient families, caregivers and healthcare workers together, driving need for collective solution building for effective patient-care. According to a report that was generated by PharmaEasy, each year more than two lakh people die from preventable medical errors. IIHMR University, Jaipur, which is known to be a leader in Healthcare Management and Research, solicits to promote ‘World Patient Safety Day’ which is celebrated every year on December 9. Dr PR Sodani, President (Officiating), IIHMR University says, “The whole world has been undergoing a tremendous shift due to the occurrence of the pandemic. What needs to be focused on patient-care is the need for responsive, precise and affordable patient-care services. Government initiatives in offering healthcare services are appreciable but now the time is for creating collective stakeholders’ efforts in promoting Patient-Care 2.0 which combines facilities, expertise, resources, innovations and moreover, the passion to serve patients for ‘total wellbeing and care.” Patient care has been given the main focus post pandemic hence e-healthcare services are on the go. The healthcare sector has been promoting and adopting e-healthcare services through National Health Portal, online registration system, e-hospitals etc. What is even more enticing is the National Digital Health Mission which has been promoted and initiated by the Government of India to create health cards for all across the nation. Dr Anubhav Sukhwani, Chief Administrative Officer, Shalby Hospital, Jaipur said, “Earlier the medical team used to focus on symptoms and its treatment but that has now changed in COVID into a more holistic approach which includes psychological counselling, general wellbeing and more targeted nutritional awareness among patients for enhancing immunity to fight the disease effectively and swiftly.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17723/nathealth-survey-reveals-progress-of-digital-health-before-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17723/nathealth-survey-reveals-progress-of-digital-health-before-covid-19.html Mon, 07 Dec 2020 17:45:00 +0530 NATHEALTH - Healthcare Federation of India conducted a survey to understand the pre- COVID digital health scenario and provided insights into the current digital health scenario as well. The findings of the survey have implied that even before COVID-19 hit India, the move towards digital health was significant and COVID-19 has played a pivotal role in accelerating the pace and also made digital health usage non-negotiable in the present times.  Key findings of the survey highlight that consumers were already using digital health services and were demanding increasing convenience and control. Before COVID, 61% of the patients were scheduling appointments through mobile apps and 70% of patients were using digital technology methods to monitor their health at home. It also mentions that services like E- Pharmacy and Telehealth has played a pivotal role in making digital health a growing phenomenon in India and Government has also worked in pushing and enabling digital health. An important point that came out from the survey was that Government’s Swasth app was being used prominently by the public and private players, plus the patients. The survey also outlines top priorities to translate National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) into opportunities for the industry. Focus should be put on increasing awareness about the digital health platforms; strengthening regulatory framework, adoption and investment in digital health by building certain programmes, creating a coherent digital pathway, which can be useful for both public and private players, mandating doctors (both public and private practitioners) to provide teleconsultation, incentivise the providers using digital medium, boost digi-tech infrastructure, support digital health start-ups, ensure data ownership to avoid cyber security issues in maintaining health data, work in tandem with the private players to grow the digital health footprint across the country. It has been recommended that capacity building is required from both the regulatory and the industry side to take any level of work on digital health ahead and there is a need to bring together relevant stakeholders for this to be achieved. It also highlights that there is need for a strong dialogue among states to float digital health into their systems.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17718/experts-deliberate-on-huge-investments-in-current-vaccination-trials.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17718/experts-deliberate-on-huge-investments-in-current-vaccination-trials.html Mon, 07 Dec 2020 13:15:00 +0530 IIT Madras Alumni Association’s Annual Flagship Event ‘Sangam 2020 – Driving the New Normal’ is making major contributions in helping India discover new opportunities and successfully navigate this challenging period. From a free ‘Masterclass’ Series to upskill Indian in the pandemic era, a survey to gauge attitudes of the public to Science and Technology to deliberations with policymakers, academia and the industry, the association is taking up multiple efforts. Delivering an address on Science and Technology and the ‘New Normal,’ Prof K VijayRaghavan, Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India, said, “A vaccine that is administered has to be safe, has to have an immune response that suggests it can deal with the infection and must actually be effective in the field. Therefore, all the vaccines that are in late-phase trials are subjected to very stringent tests.” Further Prof. K. VijayRaghavan said, “There has been a huge amount of investment. The investment does not mean shortcuts. The investment comes by allowing what could otherwise have gone in series to now go in parallel. You stockpile and manufacture while the trials are going on but supposing the trials fail, the whole stockpile has to be dumped.” Kris Gopalakrishnan, Co-Founder, Infosys, unveiled the Sangam 2020 New Normal Report, based on a survey conducted by IITMAA in collaboration with the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India to understand public attitude to the state of new normal and to the role of science and technology. IITMAA intends to conduct this Survey on an annual basis under the name ‘Bharat Public Attitude to Science Survey - Bharat PASS.’ Further, Kris Gopalakrishnan, said, “During the pandemic, it has been amazing to see the speed at which the science has moved, in terms of trying to understand the virus, trying to figure out cures, develop the vaccine in a record period of time. Three vaccines which are already at the stage of being used and probably another 5-6 vaccines are coming online soon, which is again unprecedented. Clearly, this Perception Study is very important. Resilience is what is coming through.”  Sangam 2020, was held from December 1-6,  2020, also featuring a month-long virtual showcase of global innovations from startups on the following topics: ‘Bharat in the New Normal,’ ‘Healthcare and Therapeutics in the New Normal,’ ‘Future of Work and Education in the New Normal,’ and ‘Deep-tech in the New Normal.’         ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17711/assocham-emphasises-on-blood-donation-awareness-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17711/assocham-emphasises-on-blood-donation-awareness-in-india.html Fri, 04 Dec 2020 15:35:00 +0530 The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), one of the apex trade associations of India, concluded the twelfth edition of the ‘Illness to Wellness’ series themed Importance of Blood Donation & Managing Wellness of People with Thalassemia on the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The event saw an expert panel of thalassemia specialists hold an informative dialogue on hindrances faced by thalassemia patients and blood centres during COVID-19, inclusion of thalassemia in the Disabilities Act, 2016 and blood donation awareness in India. Supported by the hygiene brand Savlon, the programme which promotes healthy living with a focus on wellness and preventive health through healthy habits, diet, exercise, and holistic health saw the veteran speakers discuss at length the distress blood centres faced due to lack of donors during the lockdown. Commenting on the efforts made by authorities to encourage blood donations during the lockdown, Dr Sunil Gupta, Addl DGHS, NACO and Director (National Blood Transfusion Council) said, “By end of July there was a significant improvement in blood collection from the bleak scenario in March end and April. Now our collection is almost close to that of pre-COVID times.” Highlighting the need for sensitising people about voluntary blood donations and how it helps patients of blood disorders, Anil Rajput, Chairman, ASSOCHAM CSR Council, said “In our country, two million people suffer from thalassemia and many other disabilities. Blood donation and transfusion are crucial to the essential services especially for these patients.” Stressing on the lack of awareness of thalassemia and clarity on the inclusion of its patients in the list of disabilities under The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, Deepak Chopra, Founder & President, Thalassemics India, said, “We are yet to understand the provisions of the act so there is a need to delve more. There are not many interfaces known to patients as to how and to whom they should present their issues. As far as the act is concerned, it is yet to reach out to patients.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17706/india-to-benefit-from-healthcare-investment-in-africa.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17706/india-to-benefit-from-healthcare-investment-in-africa.html Thu, 03 Dec 2020 16:25:00 +0530 Healthcare systems across the world are under severe stress with the outbreak of COVID-19. Africa’s healthcare system has been fragile, even before the pandemic, along with an additional burdened of higher number of cases in HIV, malaria, diabetes, hypertension and malnourishment, among others. According to Global Health Security Index, which assesses a country’s health system capabilities, 33 out of 54 ranked African countries are rated as least prepared to deal with epidemic threats, which have international implications. Estimates suggest that Africa’s health financing gap is as high as $ 66 billion per annum, indicating that the conventional source of financing healthcare, viz. government financing and donor funding are inadequate. Improving access to equitable healthcare will require multi-sectoral interventions. Cooperation and participation of all stakeholders, including governments, private sector along with the international community and regional development institutions, will be required to build capacities of national health systems. India attracts nearly 50,000 medical tourists from Africa annually. The recent international air travel bans have made it increasingly difficult for medical tourists to avail such health services. Exim Bank’s preliminary study estimates that presently the Indian healthcare sector can significantly benefit from an investment of at least five hospitals in Africa with a capacity of hundred bed each. These could be spread across the five regions of the continent – North, East, Central, West and Southern Africa. India needs to realign its foreign policy with Africa, in line with such evolving needs, and must explore investment opportunities in the development of facilities in Africa’s health sector and support African economies achieve their Sustainable Development Goals, mainly Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and Africa’s Agenda 2063. These suggestions were discussed at a webinar on 'India-Africa Dialogue: Prospects in Healthcare’, held recently. The webinar covered three key aspects of healthcare: healthcare infrastructure, healthcare facilities and training and capacity building. The discussions during the webinar highlighted the need for a three-pronged strategy to increase cooperation in building core healthcare infrastructure. These include cooperation through GoI- supported Lines of Credit (LOCs) to African nations and engagements through the public-private partnerships (PPP) mode; cooperation in capacity building and training of medical personnel; and setting up regional hubs across Africa to provide tertiary and quaternary care. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17703/goqii-receives-cdsco-approval-for-smart-vital-vital-3-0-vital-ecg.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17703/goqii-receives-cdsco-approval-for-smart-vital-vital-3-0-vital-ecg.html Thu, 03 Dec 2020 11:35:00 +0530 GOQii has been on an overdrive to release solutions to monitor and track critical body vitals and manage chronic conditions. The mobile application and fitness bands are used in unison to screen and prevent diseases and disorders outside of the clinical setting. In a positive step towards quality assurance, GOQii has received medical device registration for the GOQii Smart Vital, Vital 3.0 and Vital ECG from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, which is the national regulatory body for Indian pharmaceuticals and medical devices. GOQii’s healthcare services are designed to monitor key vital parameters as a means to screen and prevent a range of diseases and disorders. The company integrates wearable technologies into its service ecosystem. The technology is intended for the qualitative detection of various health issues. The data generated from the fitness tracker can be shared in complete with personal health coaches and doctors digitally. Wearable technology presents many compelling opportunities for improving healthcare. The use of wearables can enable healthcare consumers to analyze their biomarkers, receive digital coaching services and benefit on their insurance plans. Hundreds of thousands of patients with challenging lifestyle conditions like NAFLD, diabetes and hypertension, have already improved their outcomes from the company’s digital coaching services. GOQii has partnered with KJ Somaiya Medical College and Research Centre for a seminal clinical study on the use of advanced wearable technology to provide doctors and medical staff with detailed health data on each COVID-19 patient under their care in real-time. The initial results of the study are promising, and an absolute focus has been laid upon the accuracy of the device. In line with the Government of India’s push towards Atmanirbhar Bharat, GOQii is also making strides towards moving its manufacturing base to India. The company has already shifted some assembly activities to India. However, with the launch of several medical device manufacturing hubs across India and the incentives being offered in them - the company is hoping to move its complete manufacturing activities to India within the next 12 to 18 months.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17701/ujala-cygnus-expands-presence-in-tier-ii-iii-cities-of-north-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17701/ujala-cygnus-expands-presence-in-tier-ii-iii-cities-of-north-india.html Wed, 02 Dec 2020 19:00:00 +0530 In order to expand presence in Tier II and Tier III cities of northern India and cater to the marginalised sector of the society, Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals has collaborated Kulwanti Hospital to establish and operate a 70 bed super-specialty hospital in Kanpur. The new facility is planning to upgrade the existing Kulwanti Hospital in Kanpur by adding secondary and tertiary care facilities such as as state-of-the art MRI, CT and Cath lab services. The new facility is called Ujala Cygnus Kulwanti Hospital. The collaboration marks the entry of the Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals in Kanpur. “In Ujala Kulwanti Hospital, Kanpur, Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals will bring its healthcare expertise and manage the day to day operations. This move will help us improve the availability of secondary and tertiary care to the large population in Kanpur and adjoining areas,” said Dr Shuchin Bajaj, Founder & Director, Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals. Ujala Cygnus Kulwanti Hospital has already started operations of general specialties and has plan to invest further to build 40 more beds in existing set up of facility by the next financial year in order to meet the medical needs of underserved population in Kanpur. Key clinical programmes include general surgery, orthopaedics, paediatrics, gynaecology, IVF, internal medicine, ENT to name a few. The hospital will provide a 24*7 Emergency and Trauma Centre, ICU and NICU facilities as well as advanced Radiology and Pathology services. “Over the past decade, our focus has been on expanding our presence in smaller towns and cities among the under-served populations of the country. Our hospitals in Delhi, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh have been instrumental in filling a major void of tertiary care in these areas,” said Probal Ghosal, Chairman, Board of Directors, Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals. Commenting on the collaboration,  Dr Dinesh Batra, Director, Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals, said, “We look forward to a long lasting and fruitful collaboration with Kulwanti Hospital. We also hope to offer world class medical services to the residents in the specialties of cardiac care, neuro sciences as well as oncology.” Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals currently operates 13 hospitals across India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17696/india-continues-to-make-impressive-gains-in-reduction-of-malaria-burden.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17696/india-continues-to-make-impressive-gains-in-reduction-of-malaria-burden.html Wed, 02 Dec 2020 13:30:00 +0530 The World Malaria Report (WMR) 2020 released by WHO, which gives the estimated cases for malaria across the world, based on mathematical projections, indicates that India has made considerable progress in reducing its malaria burden. India is the only high endemic country that has reported a decline of 17.6% in 2019 as compared to 2018. The Annual Parasitic Incidence (API) reduced by 27.6% in 2018 compared to 2017 and by 18.4% in 2019 as compared to 2018. India has sustained API less than one since year 2012. India has also contributed to the largest drop in cases region-wide, from approximately 20 million to about 6 million. The percentage drop in the malaria cases was 71.8% and deaths was 73.9% between 2000 to 2019. India achieved a reduction of 83.34% in malaria morbidity and 92% in malaria mortality between the year 2000 (20,31,790 cases, 932 deaths) and 2019 (3,38,494 cases, 77 deaths), thereby achieving Goal 6 of the Millennium Development Goals (50-75% decrease in case incidence between 2000 and 2019). Decrease in incidence of Malaria cases is also exhibited in the year-on-year tally. The cases and fatalities have declined significantly by 21.27% and 20% in the year 2019 (3,38,494 cases, 77 deaths) as compared to 2018 (4,29,928 cases, 96 deaths). The total number of malaria cases reported in 2020, till October, (1,57,284) has further decreased by 45.02 percent as compared to corresponding period of 2019 (2,86,091). States of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Meghalaya and Madhya Pradesh disproportionately accounted for nearly 45.47 percent (1,53,909 cases out of India’s 3,38,494 cases) of malaria cases and 70.54 percent (1,10,708 cases out of India’s 1,56,940 cases) of falciparum Malaria cases in 2019.  63.64% (49 out of 77) of malaria deaths were also reported from these states. Due to the efforts made by the Government of India in provision of microscopes, rapid diagnostics Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) – about 5 crores have been distributed in 7 North-East States, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha up to 2018-19 and another 2.25 crore LLINs are being supplied/distributed during current financial year to high burden areas leading to reduction in endemicity in these otherwise very high endemic states. Additional procurement of 2.52 crore LLINs is initiated. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17694/evercare-group-picks-uptodate-advanced-across-hospitals-in-india-africa.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17694/evercare-group-picks-uptodate-advanced-across-hospitals-in-india-africa.html Wed, 02 Dec 2020 11:40:00 +0530 Wolters Kluwer, Health, a global provider of trusted clinical technology and evidence-based solutions based in the Netherlands has announced that the Evercare Group based in Dubai, a leading, impact-driven healthcare network in emerging markets, has chosen UpToDate Advanced to enhance patient care and quality throughout its group. UpToDate is now available to care teams at the CARE Hospitals Group in India, Evercare’s Metropolitan Hospital, Nairobi Women’s Hospital and Avenue Hospital in Kenya, and Evercare Hospital Lekki in Nigeria. UpToDate Advanced is a new generation of clinical decision support (CDS) that leverages evidence-based content in UpToDate to address knowledge gaps affecting care quality today. Evercare Group selected UpToDate Advanced for its Pathways which provide interactive guidance along with critical decision points, personalized for each patient. UpToDate Pathways will also be used in the development of local clinical pathways that are specific to the hospital and designed to improve quality performance metrics through the adoption of evidence-based medicine. The CARE Hospitals Group is owned by the Evercare Group and is a multispecialty healthcare provider in India with 14 hospitals serving 6 cities across 5 states in the country. CARE Hospitals delivers comprehensive care in more than 30 specialties in tertiary care settings. With the adoption of UpToDate, they intend to improve healthcare delivery by enhancing medical decisions with targeted clinical knowledge, patient information, and other health information to provide quality care to their patients. The technological innovation allows clinicians to develop a patient-specific pathway for every patient. CDS systems have become a need of the hour especially in the COVID 19 era as it provides accurate and reliable information to healthcare professionals for the treatment of patients with different ailments. UpToDate has been associated with significantly reducing medical errors.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17686/gilead-aids-society-of-india-reveals-impact-of-covid-19-on-delivery-of-hiv-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17686/gilead-aids-society-of-india-reveals-impact-of-covid-19-on-delivery-of-hiv-care.html Tue, 01 Dec 2020 11:50:00 +0530 Gilead Sciences, Inc. and the AIDS Society of India have announced findings from a pulse survey conducted to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on access and delivery of HIV care in Asia Pacific. In this region, there are more than 5.8 million people living with HIV (PLHIV) and in 2019, 300,000 were newly infected and about 160,000 deaths were AIDS-related. According to 2017 data for India, there are 2.1 million PLHIV; that year, 88,000 people were newly infected with HIV while 69,000 died from AIDS-related illnesses. According to a recent UNAIDS report, disruption to HIV care could lead to thousands of more deaths.  The survey included PLHIV, people at-risk of HIV and HIV care prescribers across 10 countries in the region, including India. Over 82% of prescribers in India reported that there was a decrease in the frequency or delay of visits of PLHIV. An analysis of the responses in the survey provides additional insights into the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic: COVID-19 has had a big impact on the uptake of HIV tests, especially amongst the at-risk population. About 46% of the at-risk population reported a decrease in the frequency of taking HIV tests during COVID-19.  The main reasons for reduced testing were concerns of getting infected with COVID-19 (62%) and travel restrictions imposed during the pandemic (46%), as HIV tests were mostly only accessible at point-of-care. COVID-19 has also had a substantial impact on the dispensing or uptake of medicines. About 80% of HIV care prescribers reported a decline in preventive prescriptions for the at-risk population while more than 1 in 3 amongst the at-risk population reported that they had either decreased or stopped taking HIV preventive medicine.  Long-term ability to access anti-HIV medications is a major concern. Almost 47% of PLHIV and 37% of those at-risk reported that they are concerned about getting antiretroviral medicines and preventive medication during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Telehealth is becoming a mode of delivery for HIV care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Amongst HIV care prescribers, almost 97% use telehealth to consult with patients via telephone (85%) or video (50%), or to provide refill prescriptions (67%). A majority of prescribers surveyed (76%) expect an increase in telehealth adoption in the future as it offers convenience, allows them to reach more patients and reduces spread of illness. Amongst PLHIV and those at-risk, the most frequent type of telehealth service received from the doctor were phone consultations (58%). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17681/ai-robotics-park-set-up-to-promote-technology-innovations.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17681/ai-robotics-park-set-up-to-promote-technology-innovations.html Tue, 01 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0530 An AI & Robotics Technologies Park (ARTPARK) set up in Bengaluru will promote technology innovations in AI (Artificial Intelligence) & Robotics leading to societal impact by executing ambitious mission mode R&D projects in healthcare, education, mobility, infrastructure, agriculture, retail and cyber-security focusing on problems unique to India. ARTPARK, is a unique not-for-profit foundation established by Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru with support from AI Foundry in a public-private model. With seed funding of Rs 170 crore ($22 mn) from Department of Science & Technology (DST), Govt of India, under the National Mission on Inter-disciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), it will bring about collaborative consortium of partners from industry, academia and government bodies. "Generous additional support of the Government of Karnataka to the ARTPARK Hub brings extraordinary value in increasing its effectiveness, reach and use. It also sets a template of centre-state partnership in the frontier areas of technology-- a theme which will receive focus in the soon to be released Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2020", said Professor Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, DST at the launch of the ARTPARK recently. "Indian academia has been carrying out cutting edge technology research in various domains. However, we have had systemic issues in moving the results of this research from university laboratories into the outside world. ARTPARK would go a long way in establishing a template for addressing this need," Prof Govindan Rangarajan, Director, IISc pointed out. "These moonshots will not only enable India but also build technology solutions for the six billion people in the developing world," Umakant Soni, Co-founder & CEO noted. ARTPARK will develop AI & Robotics facilities to support technology innovations as well as capacity building through advanced skills training of students and professionals in these areas. Some of these facilities will be key enablers for whole new sets of technologies, products and services. It will develop DataSetu - that will enable confidentiality and privacy-preserving framework to share data and run analytics spurring the data-sharing ecosystem and create a data marketplace, boosting AI applications and solutions. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17679/nathealth-seeks-healthcare-recovery-to-be-given-priority-in-2021-budget.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17679/nathealth-seeks-healthcare-recovery-to-be-given-priority-in-2021-budget.html Mon, 30 Nov 2020 15:45:00 +0530 NATHEALTH, Healthcare Federation of India has recently submitted a comprehensive set of recommendations to the Government for the financial budget 2021-22, with the prime objective to provide economic and structural measures to fast track recovery of the private healthcare sector. As the Government reconsiders measures for overall recovery of the economy, NATHEALTH advocates that the healthcare sector’s resilience, in the frontlines of the fight against COVID will be pivotal for overall turnaround.   In the short- term recommendations submitted to the Government, NATHEALTH has requested for zero-rating of GST for healthcare services which will not only ensure that the credit chain is intact but also ensure that the input taxes are not loaded into the cost of healthcare services, thus making healthcare more affordable. The Government has been urged to consider extending the exemptions available for the education sector to healthcare. Companies engaged in healthcare services that have un-utilized MAT credit should be allowed to avail the reduced corporate tax regime of 25%. In addition, the Government may also consider 5-year interest-free loans for the sector, which can be facilitated through the banks under priority status assigned to the sector. The recommendations have shed light on the current state of revenues of equipment manufacturers which have been hit by at least 25% and has urged to immediately release 100% Central and State Government dues to the sector including dues to Hospitals. Seeing the financial burden on the private healthcare sector due to Covid pressure and escalating costs, the Government may also consider lower TDS for FY21 and FY22.  The industry body also urges the Government to create a comprehensive medical value travel (MVT) program ‘Heal in India’ to leverage an immense opportunity to become global healthcare destination.  In order to further strengthen India’s digital capabilities, NATHEALTH recommends a strong push for telemedicine, Electronic Urban Primary Health Care Centres (EUPHCs) and E-ICUs in all district level hospitals across the nation under National Digital Health Mission (NDHM).  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17671/global-hospital-opens-post-covid-rehabilitation-clinic-in-mumbai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17671/global-hospital-opens-post-covid-rehabilitation-clinic-in-mumbai.html Fri, 27 Nov 2020 18:20:00 +0530 Since March 2020, a large number of patients were hospitalised with COVID-19 and as more people survive the disease, there is an increasing need for rehabilitation. Many people with severe COVID-19 infection exhibit physical, cognitive and even psychological symptoms even after leaving the hospital. Keeping in mind, the recovery of these patients, Global Hospital, Parel, has come up with a Post-Covid Rehabilitation Clinic. This clinic is a boon for patients who have got infected with COVID-19 and still continue to exhibit symptoms, those patients who have recovered from the mild infection of Covid but have been showing symptoms like fatigue, fever, headaches, dry cough, chest pain, upset stomach, muscle pain and weakness, rashes, and even other cognitive difficulties and those who are severely infected with COVID-19 and had breathlessness have been detected with lung fibrosis, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), pneumonia, anxiety, depression, brain fog, and post-traumatic stress disorder, and are returning to the hospitals for follow up and treatment. Thus, to assist these patients and focus on their recovery, Post-Covid Rehabilitation Clinic has been initiated by Global Hospital, Parel, Mumbai. “The multidisciplinary team in the clinic will assess the patients and suggest relevant medication, an appropriate diet and exercise to get back on track. This dedicated clinic will be beneficial for the patients to aid faster recovery,” concluded Dr Vivek Talaulikar, Chief Executive Officer, Global Hospital, Mumbai.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17668/astrazeneca-signs-mou-with-indian-diabetes-research-society.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17668/astrazeneca-signs-mou-with-indian-diabetes-research-society.html Fri, 27 Nov 2020 12:10:00 +0530 AstraZeneca India (AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited) has recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Research Society for Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI). This MOU is aimed at digitizing and driving correct awareness of Diabetes amongst people to prevent complications arising from the uncontrolled incidence of the disease. RSSDI is the largest organization of Diabetes health care professionals and researchers in Asia with around 6000 members from amongst physicians, diabetologists, endocrinologists, as well as paramedical personnel. The organization has been instrumental in extensive research on Diabetes, as well as continuing diabetes education initiatives in India. As a key facet of this dual association, AstraZeneca unveiled a campaign- ‘Beyond Sugar’, a three-year patient awareness program developed to benefit over 1 Crore people living with diabetes across the country. This initiative will empower patients/caregivers to have conversations around Diabetes and make informed decisions about the management of the disease. The International Diabetes Foundation Atlas on Diabetes shows that 1 in 11 people in south Asia have Diabetes and that India will have around 11.5 Crore diabetes patients by 2030. While 10% to 15% of the general population have Diabetes, a recent study suggested that 44% of patients hospitalized for Heart Failure (HF) have type 2 diabetes showcasing the steep correlation between Diabetes and HF. HF is a major health problem in India with post-admission mortality of 20%–30%. Chronic kidney diseases are associated with significant patient death and an increased risk of heart failure. Therefore, it is critical that Diabetes be controlled to decrease the incidence of HF and CKD in India. Dr. Anil Kukreja, Vice President – Medical Affairs & Regulatory, AstraZeneca India, said “AstraZeneca has always been at the forefront of enabling patient-centric solutions for the management of non-communicable diseases. Despite currently available therapies, the awareness levels among the public is relatively low, resulting in uncontrolled Diabetes and additional complications of the heart and kidneys. The partnership between AstraZeneca and RSSDI will go a long way in supporting patient-centric digital awareness campaign and programs to raise awareness about Diabetes and its complications so that they can act early to manage or even prevent the complications”. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17662/aster-cmi-hospital-launches-smoking-cessation-clinic.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17662/aster-cmi-hospital-launches-smoking-cessation-clinic.html Thu, 26 Nov 2020 17:05:00 +0530 In an effort to increase awareness about the various health risks associated with the usage of tobacco, Aster CMI Hospital has launched a Smoking Cessation Clinic to aid people who are addicted to smoking and chewing of tobacco or other tobacco containing products in quitting the harmful habit. The Smoking Cessation Clinic will be held on all Friday, 4:00 – 5:00 pm at Aster CMI Hospital in Hebbal, Bengaluru. People who wish to quit tobacco consumption or smoking will undergo a detailed evaluation during this session. The clinic will analyse the severity of their addiction and will assess their current lung-function. A smoking cessation clinic can be an easy and effective way to treat tobacco use and dependence. The clinic will provide consultation from doctors and will also offer both counselling and pharmacological options to those who are attempting to stop tobacco use. It will provide intensive treatments to smokers who are motivated to quit smoking and aims to ensure a high success rate among the people who are addicted to tobacco use. Speaking on the launch of the clinic, Dr Sunil Kumar K, Lead & Senior Consultant, Interventional Pulmonology, Aster CMI Hospital, said: “With the launch of this Smoking Cessation Clinic, we at Aster CMI Hospital are strengthening our commitment to expand the reach of preventive healthcare and play a greater part in helping the public in curbing this illicit habit and enable them to take back the control of their lives.” Sharing his views, Dr Srivatsa Lokeshwaran, Consultant - Interventional Pulmonology, said: “Tobacco cessation can certainly benefit an individual’s health and can also have an overall benefit on the country’s economy by reducing the burden on healthcare expenditure.” Every year, globally, the month of November is observed as the Lung Cancer Awareness Month to raise awareness about this menacing disease and to provide aid to those who are suffering from it. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17655/apollo-hospitals-unveils-knee-replacement-programme-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17655/apollo-hospitals-unveils-knee-replacement-programme-in-bengaluru.html Wed, 25 Nov 2020 16:15:00 +0530 Apollo Hospitals in Bengaluru has announced the launch of its first-of-a-kind knee replacement programme, offering specialized partial and total knee replacement care with the use of advanced robotic technology.  The Robotic system has an advanced computer program that relays precise information about the knee with 3D mapping. The use of next-generation robotics with smaller incisions will result in less pain and lesser blood loss. Precision in bone cutting and better position of the implant with alignment gives a near-normal knee motion for both total and partial knee replacement. The programme which comes as a package designed for the new normal due to the COVID pandemic comprises of home diagnostic tests/assessments, Apollo 24*7 app consultations, and post-surgical home care made available for the patients. Dr Pratap C Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “Osteoarthritis is a rising health concern in India, with a prevalence rate between 22 – 39%. To overcome pain and limitations in mobility of such patients, Joint Replacement is the solution. The outcome of surgeries can be improved by leveraging technology. Today, robotic technology has come a long way, helping perform some of the most complicated surgeries with precision, and Apollo Hospitals has always been at the forefront of using technology in healthcare”.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17642/govt-urges-need-to-leverage-medical-value-travel-with-traditional-medicine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17642/govt-urges-need-to-leverage-medical-value-travel-with-traditional-medicine.html Tue, 24 Nov 2020 11:40:00 +0530 Sangeeta Saxena, Director, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt of India said that India has emerged as one of the most important medical value travel destination in Asia. We have an entire ecosystem of doctors, nurses, paramedical staff coupled with our traditional systems of medicine, she added. Addressing the inaugural session of the Global Virtual Healthcare and Hygiene Expo 2020, organised by FICCI, Saxena said, “There is a need to further leverage our strengths to provide healthcare to not just to our citizens but to the rest of the world as well.”  Highlighting the issues of quality and transparency, Saxena said that a lot of work has been done in this regard. “While cost-wise we are effective, the industry needs to send out a strong message on the quality and transparency of healthcare,” she added.  Commending FICCI on launching the Code of Ethics recently, she said that in matters of life and death, the most important thing is confidence and trust.  Saxena further stated that for creating infrastructure under the Champion Services sector scheme, the government is working to set up day-care centres at AYUSH hospitals, launching skilling programmes for practitioners and creating an AYUSH online portal to support the industry. “It is envisaged to be a one-stop portal and will further facilitate the medical value traveller to find AYUSH related information and treatments,” she said.  Dr Tanuja Nesari, Director, All India Institute of Ayurveda highlighted the role of Ayurveda in the treatment of COVID-19. “AYUSH treatment is not only effective in non-communicable diseases but it is equally effective in treating communicative diseases like COVID-19,” she added.  Dr Sangita Reddy, President, FICCI said, “We believe that India has the capability of becoming the major global manufacturer in the healthcare sector. COVID-19 has pushed us to look for possible innovative ways to communicate and connect, to serve and to transform.” Mahendra Mehta, President, Indian Pharma Machinery Manufacturers Association (IPMMA) while stating that IPMMA is the backbone to the pharma industry, said that GLOBIZ – Global Virtual Healthcare and Hygiene Expo 2020 is aimed at reviving businesses.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17637/ahpi-challenges-delhi-govts-order-on-icu-beds-reservation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17637/ahpi-challenges-delhi-govts-order-on-icu-beds-reservation.html Mon, 23 Nov 2020 12:10:00 +0530 Government of Delhi issued an order on September 12, 2020, asking 33-premier hospitals to reserve 80 per cent of their ICU beds for COVID patients. This order was not only arbitrary but created serious problems in these hospitals as non-COVID patients, who had been waiting for long for their elective procedures had started coming for treatment and at the time of this order, more than 50 per cent of ICU beds in general were occupied with non-COVID patients.   The other problem faced by these hospitals was how to separate 80 per cent beds from the rest 20 per cent. Commenting on the dilemma faced by these hospitals, Dr Girdhar Gyani, Director General, Association of Healthcare Providers (India) (AHPI) says, “To give you an example, if an ICU with 40-beds, has to keep 32-beds for COVID, then how do we isolate the balance 8-beds for non-COVID patients. This would mean that virtually all 40-beds would be used for COVID patients.”  This order was challenged by AHPI in the Delhi High Court and was stayed on September 22. The Delhi Govt approached a Double Bench of Delhi-HC but it was stayed there too. The Delhi government then approached the SC and there too, it was referred to the Double Bench of Delhi HC. By this time number of cases had increased and the HC, on November 12, vacated the stay till November 26, 2020.   Dr Gyani further added, “The government has ordered 90-private hospitals to reserve 60 per cent of their total beds as COVID beds. This is going to create a very serious situation for non-COVID patients, resulting in likely increase in morbidity and mortality of such patients. Unfortunately, fatalities due to non-COVID cases will not come on record.”  Elaborating on what could prove to be a viable a solution to the issue, Dr Gyani says, “It is time that government introspects and enters into a dialogue with the private sector and finds amicable solutions to earmark dedicated COVID hospitals/ wards and at the same time keeps beds for life threatening ailments like heart attack, stroke, kidney/ liver transplant, cancer etc. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17631/narayana-health-joins-trinetx-to-drive-innovation-attract-global-clinical-trials.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17631/narayana-health-joins-trinetx-to-drive-innovation-attract-global-clinical-trials.html Fri, 20 Nov 2020 09:55:00 +0530 Narayana Health, headquartered in Bengaluru, has joined the TriNetX global health research network to help increase access to data that can drive innovation and expose them to more locally relevant global clinical trials. As a world leader in cardiac care and currently offering a host of other specialties in cancer, vascular sciences, neurological sciences and others, Narayana Health (NH) is looking to build on its unique ability to deliver affordable, accessible, evidence-based healthcare at the highest quality standards. Narayana Health operates a network of hospitals across India with a particularly strong presence in the southern state of Karnataka and eastern India, as well as an emerging presence in northern, western and central India. Their first facility was established in Bengaluru with approximately 225 operational beds and has since grown to 22 hospitals, 6 heart centers, 19 primary care facilities across India and an international hospital in the Cayman Islands. "Data drives innovation and continuous innovation brings about change," said Dr. Alben Sigamani, Head Clinical Research at Narayana Health. "Having the ability to transform paper-based data into a digital record that is securely accessible to NH stakeholders will certainly ignite research and innovation. We look forward to greater visibility for our network spread across India and to be recognized as a center of excellence in data-driven healthcare innovation." TriNetX is the global health research network enabling healthcare organizations (HCOs), biopharmaceutical companies and contract research organizations (CROs) to collaborate, enhance trial design, improve site selection and planning, and bring new therapies to market faster. Each member of TriNetX shares in the consolidated value of its global, federated health research network that connects clinical researchers in real-time to the patient populations which they are attempting to study. TriNetX offers the fastest growing collaborative research network representing over 170 HCOs and health data partners, spanning 30 countries. TriNetX has presented over 7,800 clinical trial opportunities to its HCO members and has been cited in more than 200 publications. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17627/roche-diabetes-care-maharashtra-govt-partner-to-strengthen-diabetes-management.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17627/roche-diabetes-care-maharashtra-govt-partner-to-strengthen-diabetes-management.html Thu, 19 Nov 2020 16:35:00 +0530 Roche Diabetes Care and the Maharashtra Health Department have partnered in their commitment to create a comprehensive ecosystem of care for diabetes management, and to strengthen the ongoing efforts by the Health Department to manage diabetes in Maharashtra. Supporting the government’s efforts to provide free insulin to children with diabetes, Roche Diabetes Care has extended DiaBeaters, a diabetes awareness programme, with the distribution of 4000 Accu-Chek Instant S glucometers free of cost to underprivileged diabetics in Jalna, Maharashtra on World Diabetes Day 2020. This is to ensure that those afflicted and unable to afford glucometers for self- monitoring of blood glucose, can now keep their diabetes in check. Speaking about this, Omar Sherief Mohammad, Country Head, Roche Diabetes Care India, said, “We are proud to partner with the Maharashtra Government in our commitment to create a comprehensive care ecosystem for the underprivileged through diabetes awareness-building, education and screening.” Emphasising the various efforts by Maharashtra Health Department for improving diabetes care in the state, Rajesh Tope, Maharashtra Health Minister, said, “We are pleased to have Roche Diabetes Care partner with us for an initiative to improve diabetes management of our brothers and sisters who suffer from diabetes and are unable to afford glucometers for self- monitoring of blood glucose.” The DiaBeaters awareness programme was launched earlier this year with the aim to build awareness among children, parents and teachers about diabetes. Through engaging and informative multimedia materials delivered in a virtual classroom, the DiaBeaters programme provides information on diabetes prevention and management. The pilot programme reached 4,300 children in nine schools across Delhi, Chennai and Bengaluru; in its next phase the DiaBeaters programme will be expanded through strategic alliances with like-minded partners in the public and private sectors. Roche Diabetes Care is working towards Integrated Personalised Diabetes Management (IPDM) solutions in India and in line with the Government’s vision of providing affordable healthcare to all citizens; Roche is working with healthcare providers to create patient-centred products and solutions for convenient, affordable and effective diabetes management.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17626/orbisflying-eye-hospital-virtually-lands-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17626/orbisflying-eye-hospital-virtually-lands-in-india.html Thu, 19 Nov 2020 15:45:00 +0530 Orbis has announced that it is teaming up with Boeing to bring its Flying Eye Hospital to India virtually, in a project that will train 160 eye care professionals from across 10 states. The announcement is an important milestone this year, as Orbis celebrates 20 years of work in India, training eye care professionals and working with local partners to fight avoidable blindness.  Orbis Flying Eye Hospital – the world’s only fully accredited ophthalmic teaching hospital on board an MD-10 aircraft – was due to land in Delhi this year for its 19th visit to India since 1988. With COVID-19, Orbis reimagined its Flying Eye Hospital trainings as virtual ones, ensuring that eye care professionals from across the country are trained by Orbis Volunteer Faculty (medical experts) and Orbis staff from 10 countries.  Rishi Raj Borah, Country Director, Orbis India said, “We are thrilled to partner with Boeing and grateful for the company’s support of this virtual project, a shining example of what can be accomplished when two like-minded organizations commit to change.”  “We're excited that Orbis is bringing their mission to mentor, train, and inspire eye care professionals to bring long-term sustainable eye care to local communities in India now,” said Salil Gupte, President, Boeing India.  The virtual Flying Eye Hospital project will be carried out through Orbis’s award-winning telemedicine platform, Cybersight. Orbis will provide tailor-made courses to help eye care professionals improve their knowledge and skills in the following areas: medical retina procedures related to diabetic eye disease, cataract surgery, ophthalmic nursing and biomedical engineering. The participants – which include ophthalmologists and residents, nurses, and biomedical engineers and technicians – will be engaged through pre-learning modules, recorded lectures, and live lectures & discussion sessions. In an especially innovative model, the cataract course includes remote simulation training so that participants can hone their cataract surgical techniques on artificial eyes before operating on patients directly. By recording and uploading videos of their practice, participants will receive evaluation and feedback from Orbis Volunteer Faculty. In addition to India, virtual Flying Eye Hospital projects have also been offered for eye care professionals from Bolivia, Cameroon, Chile, Ghana, Ethiopia, Mongolia, Peru and Zambia this year.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17617/aster-rv-launches-world-class-epilepsy-clinic.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17617/aster-rv-launches-world-class-epilepsy-clinic.html Wed, 18 Nov 2020 16:55:00 +0530 On the occasion of National Epilepsy Day on 17 November, Aster RV Hospital, a multi-specialty quaternary care hospital in Bengaluru, has launched a specialised Epilepsy Clinic in the city. The clinic will have certified epileptologists trained in adult and paediatric epilepsy, supported by a multi-disciplinary team to address the complex needs of both adults and children suffering from epilepsy. Patients can access specialised treatment for new onset seizure, complex epilepsy, epilepsy surgery, PNES treatment and ketogenic diet plan. Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disease in India with an estimated incidence of about 12 million patients in India. This amounts to a whopping 1/5th of the global burden. Social discrimination, stigma and lack of awareness about the treatment options available to cure or manage epilepsy patients remain some of the major issues in reducing the burden of epilepsy in India. Dr Keni Ravish Rajiv, Consultant – Neurologist and Epileptologist, Aster RV Hospital said, “With medical advancements, it is entirely possible to manage epilepsy and even completely cure it. With the launch of this clinic, we aim to create more awareness about epilepsy, acceptance and relief from this condition, and reduce some of the social discrimination faced by epileptic patients in schools, workplaces, marital life etc.” It is estimated that about 7-14 out of 1000 people in developing countries are suffering from active epilepsy at any given moment throughout the world. “Despite the high numbers, the number of people who are able to access proper treatment for epilepsy is less. In India, the treatment gap is estimated to range from 22 per cent in urban areas to as high as 90 per cent in rural areas. It is important that these people gain access to trained epileptologists backed by a multidisciplinary team where mental health and the co-morbidities associated with epilepsy will be addressed as well,” said Dr Sreekanta Swamy, Head of Neurology, Aster RV Hospital.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17612/majority-indians-positive-about-covid-19-vaccination.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17612/majority-indians-positive-about-covid-19-vaccination.html Wed, 18 Nov 2020 10:50:00 +0530 Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF, Russia’s sovereign wealth fund) published the results of a survey of 12,000 respondents in 11 countries regarding coronavirus vaccination and preferences in vaccine selection. According to the survey results, 73 per cent of the respondents were willing to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, while of those aware of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine and willing to be vaccinated the number was even higher – four out of every five respondents. The human adenoviral vector platform, on which the Sputnik V vaccine is based, is almost nine times more reliable than the non-human adenovirus platform. The survey was conducted from October 9-19, 2020 by YouGov, a leading UK research data and analytics group. It included people from Brazil, Vietnam, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, UAE, Saudi Arabia and the Philippines. More than 2.5 billion people live in these countries, or over 30 per cent of the world's population. The survey became one of the largest on this topic and the first global survey involving the countries of the Middle East and Southeast Asia. The survey was conducted prior to the announcement that the Sputnik V vaccine is 92 per cent effective at protecting people from COVID-19, according to interim trial results. Key survey results in India The overwhelming majority of trial participants are positive about vaccination against the coronavirus (80 per cent of the respondents). Among those who are aware of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine, the percentage of those who are willing to be vaccinated is even higher – over 85 per cent of those surveyed. 60 per cent of the respondents are aware of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine – the highest awareness level among the countries that participated in the survey, on par with respondents from Mexico. In India, there is high confidence in the human adenovirus vaccine (Sputnik V platform) as nine out of 10 vaccine respondents preferred this platform over non-human adenovirus platforms. Russia ranks first among foreign vaccine-manufacturing countries (excluding India), which were mentioned by respondents primarily as the most trustworthy. Overall, five out of 10 respondents said that Russia is one of the most reliable countries (each respondent mentioned three countries). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17614/maharashtra-may-witness-severe-surgical-mask-shortage-crisis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17614/maharashtra-may-witness-severe-surgical-mask-shortage-crisis.html Wed, 18 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +0530 To avoid the crisis of masks shortage post Maharashtra government’s notification on capping prices of face masks & to stop sub-standard & inferior quality masks flooding the market, ensuring high quality safe products reach the last mile rural interiors, Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator, Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD) in a meeting with the government requested for rational pricing & amendment of the notification ‘NO 2020/SI.No. 306/Aarogaya 5’ capping prices of face masks. ”We are glad Maharashtra Govt. took the initiative to protect consumers by bringing in price caps after removal of price caps by the Central Govt. on surgical mask. The Maharashtra government’s intentions are good, as they seek to protect consumers and give them access to reasonably priced masks of standard and high quality. However, the mask prices that have been fixed need to be rational or good quality manufacturers will focus on sales in states other than Maharashtra” stated Rajiv Nath.  “The intention of regulations needs to be to discipline errant manufacturers & traders not to go overboard in creating a scenario whereby supply chains get disrupted creating shortages of standard quality goods leaving underfed markets to be exploited with sub standard low priced goods, resulting in more regulations. Now retailers will stop stocking Surgical & N95 Masks which provide higher protection against transmission of COVID-19 and instead push sales of reusable cotton mask which will have higher trade margin for them but provide less protection to public”, explained Nath. “Simple solution for masks is to keep price caps rational at 2-3 times of ex factory price - as for critical medical device to end profiteering not profits and for other medical devices to keep MRP at 2-4 times of ex factory / import landed price to end prevailing MRP of over 10-20 times of imports landed / ex factory price” suggested Nath. Manufacturers/ distributors / resellers may be asked to carry MRP data on invoice – both as - transaction value & MRP, so that trade margin details can be transparently evident enabling consumer protection. AiMED is also writing to NPPA to consider its long standing request to cap MRP of all types of masks so that individual states need not seek price capping as if this is done by oversight at irrational levels it may deny access to standard quality product and defeats its very purpose. “The Indian Medical Device manufacturers are more than hopeful that Maharashtra Govt. will look into the mask issue & take corrective action to provide rational pricing and help them manufacture high quality safe products which reach the last mile rural interiors” concluded Nath. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17606/who-sets-up-council-on-economics-of-health-for-all.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17606/who-sets-up-council-on-economics-of-health-for-all.html Tue, 17 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +0530 The World Health Organisation has announced a new Council on the Economics of Health for All, staffed by leading economists and health experts, to put ‘Health for All’ at the centre of how we think about value creation and economic growth. “The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the consequences of chronic under-investment in public health. But we don’t just need more investment; we must also rethink how we value health,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, WHO as he made the announcement on the final day of the resumed 73rd World Health Assembly. Chaired by noted economist Professor Mariana Mazzucato, Professor, Economics of Innovation and Public Value, Founding Director, Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose, University College London, the Council will aim to create a body of work that sees investment in local and global health systems as an investment in the future, not as a short-term cost. Designing such investments makes our economies more healthy, inclusive and sustainable. “We are living through multiple crises: economic, climate and health related. If we continue to patch up the system each time, we will always be one step behind. I am thrilled to work closely with Dr Tedros on a proactive Health for All economic agenda, to shape our economies so they truly have wellbeing and inclusion at the centre of how we create value, measure it and distribute it,” said Mazzucato.   Returning to the status quo following the pandemic will not be enough – we need an innovation-led transformation of our health systems to achieve economic wellbeing everywhere. “The time has come for a new narrative that sees health not as a cost, but an investment that is the foundation of productive, resilient and stable economies,” Dr Tedros said. The Council on the Economics of Health For All is expected to hold its first virtual session in the coming weeks, to discuss its work plan and mode of operation. The Council will produce thought leadership for implementing change, and help to inform the piloting of initiatives at country level. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17599/experts-suggest-polypill-to-cut-down-heart-attack-stroke.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17599/experts-suggest-polypill-to-cut-down-heart-attack-stroke.html Mon, 16 Nov 2020 01:05:00 +0530 Heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular incidents can be cut by 20 to 40 per cent through use of a polypill which combines three blood pressure and one lipid lowering medications taken alone or with aspirin. TIPS-3, an international study of people with no previous heart disease, but intermediate risk, found the polypill alone may reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, revascularization procedures (such as angioplasty or heart surgery) or other cardiovascular incidents by about 20 per cent. The combination of the polypill and aspirin may reduce those cardiovascular events by up 40 per cent. “A polypill is not only effective, it is likely to be cost effective since it is based on using commonly used generic drugs,” said Prem Pais, co-principal investigator of the study and professor of St. John’s Medical College and Research Institute in Bangalore, India. “A polypill is convenient for patients to use as it combines several effective drugs in a single pill and is taken once a day, which would be expected to improve adherence.” “This is the start of a transformational approach to preventing heart disease, we could save millions of people from experiencing serious heart disease or stroke each year with effective use of the polypill and aspirin,” said Salim Yusuf, co-principal investigator for the study and professor of medicine at McMaster University in Canada. The study was conducted in 89 centres from nine countries, including 39 centres in India and was coordinated globally by the Population Health Research Institute (PHRI) of McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences in Canada.  In India it was coordinated by St. John’s Medical College and Research Institute in Bangalore. This study took about 8 years to complete globally with participants taking medication for an average of 4.5 years. “Studies of this nature are very difficult to conduct as it involves many centres and participants have to be followed up at least twice a year. We in India recruited 49% of the total sample size. This was possible for us as we had built a collaboration over two decades and most of the investigators are our close friends who are keen on the scientific question”, said Denis Xavier, Professor at St. John’s and head of the division of clinical research. The study of 5,714 people from nine countries, particularly India and the Philippines, looked at the polypill alone compared to a placebo; aspirin alone versus a placebo, and the polypill plus aspirin versus a double placebo. The men in the study were 50 or older and the women were 55 or older. Although the formulation of different polypills may vary, the polypill used in this study included 40 mg simvastatin; 100 mg of atenolol; 25mg of hydrochlorothiazide, and 10 mg of ramipril. It can be combined with 75 mg of aspirin a day.  The study found only 4.4 per cent of those who took the polypill alone had a heart attack, stroke, revascularization procedure or died of cardiovascular problems compared to 5.5 per cent who took the placebo. Of those who took just the aspirin the incidence was 4.1 per cent compared to 4.7 per cent of those with the placebo.  The benefits of combined polypill plus aspirin in those who continued to take the medications without interruption were larger and their use was associated with a 40 per cent reduction in risk. Among those who took the polypill along with aspirin, 4.1 per cent experienced a serious cardiovascular event, compared to 5.8 per cent of those who had the double placebo.  The TIPS-3 study is supported by several agencies including Wellcome Trust UK, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Hamilton Health Sciences Research Institute, Canada, St. John’s Research Institute, Bangalore and Cadila Pharmaceuticals.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17595/orbis-qai-release-hey-guidelines-for-eye-hospitals.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17595/orbis-qai-release-hey-guidelines-for-eye-hospitals.html Fri, 13 Nov 2020 15:15:00 +0530 Orbis has partnered with Quality & Accreditation Institute (QAI) to release a comprehensive set of guidelines for ophthalmology hospitals/clinics in India on November 12 to mark World Quality Day. The resource titled, ‘Comprehensive Guidelines For OPD/ IPD Services in Ophthalmology Hospitals/Clinics Under New Normal: Living with Covid-19’, has been formulated by experts in ophthalmology and quality across the country and has been reviewed by Dr Patanjali Dev Nayar, Regional Adviser; Disability & Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation Department of Healthier Populations and Noncommunicable Diseases WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia, New Delhi, India apart from Centres of Excellence, namely, Aravind Eye Hospital, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Dr Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, AIIMS and Sankara Nethralaya. Launching the guidelines, Dr Promila Gupta, Principal Consultant, Director General of Health Services (MoHFW), Chief Guest, said, “The guidelines issued by Orbis and QAI for the eye healthcare professionals is a comprehensive and standard document to be followed to ensure the well-being and safety of patients, attendants and health care professionals.” Speaking about the guidelines, Dr Nayar said, “These comprehensive set of guidelines, based on several references from across different national and international Organisations including WHO, would support Ophthalmology hospital and clinic including outreach clinics/ vision centres in their functioning in a safer manner.” The Orbis-QAI guidelines are a comprehensive compilation of guidelines, advise and action plan to be followed in different areas of an Ophthalmology hospital and clinic including outreach clinics/ vision centres in order to function effectively by containing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, cause of COVID-19 disease. Dr Rishi Raj Borah, Country Director, Orbis India said, “I believe the guidelines will be resourceful for not just our partner network but for any eye hospital or clinic and their outreach initiatives within the country.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17593/69-9-million-indians-to-be-diabetic-by-2025-80-million-by-2030.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17593/69-9-million-indians-to-be-diabetic-by-2025-80-million-by-2030.html Fri, 13 Nov 2020 14:40:00 +0530 The diabetic population in the country is close to hitting the alarming mark of 69.9 million by 2025 and 80 million by 2030. This denotes that the developing country is expected to witness an increase of 266 per cent. The statistics recently accumulated showcase that culture of diabetes is more prevalent in the urban areas as 28 per cent of the population living in cities are affected, whereas 5 per cent of the rural population are positive with diabetes mellitus. Dr Gurpreet Sandhu, President, Council for Healthcare and Pharma says "People don’t realise that the high sugar levels or constant sugar fluctuations on account of the disease are taking a toll on their body by inviting serious comorbidities of the heart, kidney and liver besides sapping their energy levels. There is little understanding that any abnormal sign in health status could be a permanent phenomenon and could even constitute a pre-diabetic condition. Even worse, people are not aware that diabetes is not an end in itself, it is a ‘breeding ground’ for further complications of the nerves, the eyes, and even the foot leading to neuropathy, retinopathy and foot ulcers.” Dr Shankar Narang, COO, Paras Healthcare said “A cross-sectional study conducted jointly by several organisations including the Public Health Foundation of India in 2019 estimated that almost 47 per cent of Indians with diabetes do not know they have the condition. This makes it almost half the total diabetic population. This highly dangerous situation results in many preventable deaths.” Apart from raising awareness among people about symptoms and risk factors, it is equally important to institute the norm of regular check-ups. Adding about why women suffer more from this condition than men, Amritah Sandhu, Founder & Director, CareIndia, a wellness pharmacy working for women health in rural areas said “Ironically enough, although women have been reported to be more aware of the disease that they don’t take it seriously enough to get themselves regularly examined for a systematic treatment regimen – for various socio-cultural and economic reasons – is extremely worrying.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17592/who-to-set-up-global-centre-for-traditional-medicine-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17592/who-to-set-up-global-centre-for-traditional-medicine-in-india.html Fri, 13 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dedicated two future-ready national premier Ayurveda institutions to the nation to mark celebration of the 5th Ayurveda Day, on 13 November.  The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation the Institute of Teaching & Research in Ayurveda (ITRA), Jamnagar as an Institution of National Importance (INI), and the National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA), Jaipur as a Deemed to be University by the University Grants Commission. The PM has urged the private sector and the start-ups industry to study the global demand for Ayurveda globally, and to become champions for ‘VocalForLocal” across the world with their new developments in this field. Director General of World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus gave a video message and announced the setting up of the Global Centre of Traditional Medicine in India. The Prime Minister thanked WHO and the DG for choosing India for the Global Centre of Traditional Medicine. Dr Tedros said that Ayurveda is an Indian heritage and it is a matter of happiness that India's traditional knowledge is enriching other countries also. ITRA, Jamnagar: Recently created through an Act of Parliament, the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA), is poised to emerge as a world class healthcare institution. ITRA has 12 Departments, three clinical laboratories and three research laboratories.  It is also a leader in research work in traditional medicine, and presently, it is conducting 33 research projects. ITRA has been formed by conglomerating the cluster of four Ayurveda Institutes at Gujarat Ayurveda University campus, Jamnagar. It is the first Institute in Ayush Sector having the Institution of National Importance (INI) status. With the upgraded status,  ITRA will have autonomy to upgrade the standard of Ayurveda education as it would offer courses as per modern, international standards.  Further, it will forge inter-disciplinary collaborations to give a contemporary thrust to Ayurveda. NIA, Jaipur: An Ayurveda institution with country wide repute, NIA got a shot in the arm with Deemed to be University (De novo Category) status. Inheritor of a 175-year legacy, NIA’s contribution to preserving, promoting and advancing authentic Ayurveda in the last few decades has been significant. Presently NIA possess 14 different departments. The institute has very good student teacher ratio with a total intake of 955 students and 75 faculties during 2019-20.  It runs numerous courses in Ayurveda ranging from certificate to doctoral level. With state-of-the-art lab facilities, NIA has also been a pioneer in research activities. At present, it conducts 54 different research projects.  With the conferring of Deemed to be University (De novo category), the National Institute is set to reach new heights by achieving highest standards in tertiary health care, education and research. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17588/right-insulin-injection-technique-important-for-better-glycemic-control.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17588/right-insulin-injection-technique-important-for-better-glycemic-control.html Thu, 12 Nov 2020 14:15:00 +0530 India with an estimated 77 million people living with diabetes is the second most affected country in the world after China. According to International Diabetes Federation, one in six people in the world with diabetes is from India. The number is projected to grow to become 134 million by 2045. Every year, November 14, is commemorated as World Diabetes Day. Based on this year’s theme, ‘The Nurse and Diabetes’, it becomes even more important to raise awareness around the crucial role that nurses play in treating people living with diabetes. With the unavailability of structured diabetes education and training along with low awareness on right insulin injection technique, it becomes crucial to support people living with diabetes help understand their condition better and manage it. Therefore, nurses play a vital role in educating patients on insulin therapy and correct injection technique to help improve patient outcomes. In people with type 1 diabetes insulin is the mainstay of treatment. However, people with type 2 who are not well controlled on oral drug therapy, diet and exercise may also need insulin injections to control their blood glucose levels and prevent long-term complications from cardiovascular disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, kidney disease etc. “Reuse of needles and incorrect injection technique can lead to complications and medication errors. Needle re-use causes blunting and bending of the needle tip, increasing pain and bleeding, dosage inaccuracy, and Lipohypertrophy,” said Dr Subramanian Kannan, Consultant and Head of Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Narayana Health City Bengaluru. “We work with a dedicated team of clinicians and diabetes educators who train patients on various aspects of injection technique right from the first visit itself. Looking at the larger benefit of optimising insulin administration for better glycemic control, we must discourage the re-use of insulin needles.” said Dr Ameya Joshi, Consultant Endocrinologist, Endocrinology Department Bhakti Vedanta Hospital and Research Institute, Mumbai and Institute of Diabetes Endocrinology And Nutrition (INDEAN) clinic, Mumbai. Adherence to proper medication is essential to determine treatment outcomes for patients. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17583/omega-healthcare-picks-oracle-tool-for-digital-transformation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17583/omega-healthcare-picks-oracle-tool-for-digital-transformation.html Wed, 11 Nov 2020 17:45:00 +0530 Omega Healthcare Management Services has selected Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications to adopt industry best practices in the areas of Finance, HR, Resource Planning, Performance Management, and Customer Experience Management. This collaboration will leverage Oracle’s Fusion cloud applications to fast-track Omega’s Digital Transformation Programme. The decision to select Oracle was made after a rigorous process and the deal was awarded to Oracle over other contenders. Through this partnership with Oracle, Omega aims to have a unified record of all the data (ERP, HCM, EPM and CX) at the enterprise level, integrating their present ecosystem of multiple applications. The organisation is geared to bring in place a well-structured and well-governed Enterprise Management System, enabling quicker business-critical decisions. This scalable IT infrastructure will be a key catalyst to Omega’s future growth. Speaking on the new journey, Kannan Sugantharaman, CFO, Omega Healthcare, said, “Oracle's applications/cloud-services will be crucial for our digital transformation programme, providing us a bird’s eye view of the enterprise framework with unified functionality. With ability to integrate disparate applications across geographies and functions seamlessly, Oracle suite will provide us with a single source of truth across the organisation. This will lend great support to required data governance, giving a boost to our transformation programme.” The organisation has subscribed to the Oracle Fusion Cloud Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Oracle Fusion Cloud Enterprise Performance Management (EPM), Oracle Fusion Cloud Human Capital Management (HCM), and Oracle Cloud CX (CX). Talking about this new relationship with Omega, Kaushik Mitra, Senior Director – Cloud ERP, Oracle stated, “With Oracle SaaS solutions, which are the world’s most complete cloud applications suite embedded with AI and Automation - Omega Healthcare will gain tremendous competitive advantage from continuous innovations via quarterly updates. The seamless dataflow across business functions of finance, human resources and sales will potentially lead to enhanced service delivery efficiency for Omega Healthcare with better customer experience.”  Headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, Omega Healthcare Management Services has offices in Bengaluru, Chennai, Trichy, and Hyderabad in India, and Manila & Cebu in the Philippines. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17581/severity-of-covid-19-infection-higher-with-diabetes-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17581/severity-of-covid-19-infection-higher-with-diabetes-.html Wed, 11 Nov 2020 16:20:00 +0530 As we enter the tenth month of fighting the  COVID 19 pandemic, Doctors at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital have observed that a majority patients who suffered from severe complications of COVID 19, were chronic patients of type II diabetes. While majority of these diabetic patients were between the age group of 28-60 years (and onwards), the percentage of men was higher. While a majority of diabetic patients are between the age group of 28-60 years (and onwards), the past few years have recorded a rise in infants/children who are either born diabetic or develop this disease early in their lives. Dr Richa Chaturvedi, Senior Consultant, Endocrinology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, states that, “While people across all age groups have been affected by COVID-19, its prevalence and severity in patients with type II diabetes has been higher. The main reason here is that viral infections tend to increase inflammation and internal swelling in diabetic patients. Inflammation caused by the virus may aggravate the chances of someone with underlying diabetes, to experience mild to severe symptoms ranging from fatigue, muscle pain, extreme thirst, and frequent urination to trouble breathing, nausea, and confusion that would require emergency care.” Dr Nikhil Modi, Senior Consultant, Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, “Out of all patients admitted/treated at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals for severe complications of COVID 19, 20-30 per cent had diabetes as an underlying health condition. These patients have been chronic cases of diabetes who had been on strict medications and daily doses of insulin. This metabolic disease impacts multiple organs and when coupled with the inflammation caused by COVID-19, the consequences can be life threatening.” Consequences of delay in preventive care in diabetes may increase risk and progression of complications impacting almost all organs of the body and making one more susceptible to infectious diseases and viruses. Diabetic patients need to keep their sugar levels in control with regular check-ups followed by correct diet and medications as prescribed by the experts. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17576/ministry-of-railways-inks-mou-with-railtel-to-improve-health-facilities-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17576/ministry-of-railways-inks-mou-with-railtel-to-improve-health-facilities-.html Tue, 10 Nov 2020 18:35:00 +0530 Indian Railways with the objective of bringing hospital management on a single architecture to prevent pilferage and making operations seamless has entrusted RailTel Corporation of India Limited (RailTel) with implementation of hospital management information system (HMIS) an integrated clinical information system for its 125 health facilities and 650 polyclinics across India for improved hospital administration and patient healthcare. The features of the software extend from customising clinical data according to the departments and laboratories, multi hospital feature that provide cross consultation, seamless interface with medical and other equipment’s and the patients will have the benefit of accessing all their medical records on their mobile device. RailTel and Ministry of Railways have signed an MoU with regard to the modalities for execution of the work. The open source HMIS software is to be deployed over the cloud. Speaking on this announcement, VK Yadav, Chairman, Indian Railway Board said, “We are embracing digitisation across all spheres and are continuously undergoing change. The HMIS platform will be connected to the Unique Medical Identity System. A Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence (AI) is underway which will drive these technological changes be it artificial intelligence, data analytics or app based services. Our strategic relationship with RailTel has always been based on merit and they continue to help us implement variety of projects such as the Video Surveillance System, E-Office Services, Content on Demand,, Wi-fi across major railway stations in India.” Speaking on the occasion of its appointment, Puneet Chawla, Chairman & Managing Director RailTel, said “Proof of Concept of the HMIS has already been established by the implementation of the hospital management information system in South Central Railway and a pan India deployment is being considered in a phased manner.” RailTel offers a diversified portfolio of ICT services and solutions such as MPLS- VPN, Leased line services, TPaaS, E-Office & Data Centre Services, large network hardware system integration, software and digital services. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17575/india-in-urgent-need-to-prioritize-eyecare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17575/india-in-urgent-need-to-prioritize-eyecare.html Tue, 10 Nov 2020 18:15:00 +0530 Experts at the South India II Conclave: Spotlight on visually impaired in the wake of COVID-19, held recently, highlighted the challenges faced by patients with eye disorders due to COVID-19 and the way ahead.  Addressing the virtual session organised by FICCI, Dr SV Chandrakumar, Project Director, State Programme Officer, Tamil Nadu State Blindness Control Society said that for patients requiring immediate eye care during COVID-19, the Tamil Nadu government started the tele-ophthalmology consultation and the soon to launch mobile ophthalmology units.  "The state was unable to perform eye surgeries till the month of September due to the pandemic, however, private hospitals and NGOs have started conducting cataract operations following the guidelines issued by the Govt of India to resume eye care services in the state," said Dr Chandrakumar.   Speaking on various government initiatives Dr Chandrakumar said, “We are building a centre of excellence and constructing operation theatres and post-operative wards for the wellbeing of patients in the state.  Dr Neena Rani, Deputy Director, National Blindness Control Programme and Visual Impairment, Government of Kerala said, "The pandemic has impacted the regular vision screening in schools and old age homes, however, the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology has been providing treatments and performing emergency surgeries as per requirements."  Dr Kim, Director-IT, AECS, Chief Medical Officer, Aravind Eye Hospital said, ”We realised that technology could be an excellent enabler in reaching people at the primary healthcare level.” Chanakya Misra, Business Head, Novartis India Ltd, said that older adults living with retinal diseases are at a high risk of accidents. "It is important to be Atmanirbhar today, but it is equally important to be 'Netranirbhar'," he added.  Dr Pramod Bhende, Director, Department of Vitreo Retinal Services, MRF, Sankara Nethralaya said that the  fear of virus has led patients to prolong medication and postpone surgery follow-ups resulting in further complications, but things are gradually easing out and patients have started to come for treatments following safety protocols.  Bhabatosh Mishra, Director and Head for Products, Claims and Underwriting, Max Bupa Health Insurance Company believed eye health is an important subject and in a country like India, healthcare, and healthcare financing work together.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17574/experts-suggest-india-to-become-global-centre-for-senior-care-products.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17574/experts-suggest-india-to-become-global-centre-for-senior-care-products.html Tue, 10 Nov 2020 17:30:00 +0530 The senior population in the world is the fastest growing segment with 60+ population touching 11.5 per cent of world population. As per estimates, by 2050, the 60+ population will increase at 22 per cent and outnumber the population below 15 years of age. The rapidly changing global demographics has resulted in a sharp rise in the demand for senior care services. Against this backdrop, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) organised the 3rd Annual Senior Care Conclave, where these concerns of the changing demographic, financing and improving liquidity, raising the voices and concerns of the elderly and convergence within the industry were discussed. We need to promote the silver economy and bring them to the mainstream stated Rajit Mehta, Chairman, CII Senior Care Taskforce, CEO & MD Antara Senior Living. Senior care services in India are at a nascent stage. Mathew Cherian, Advisor, Helpage addressed the two areas that need urgent attention. With increased longevity, we need to look at the problems arising out of financial security in old age and health and well-being in old age. Col A Sridharan Managing, Director, Covai Property Centre (India) Pvt Ltd stated, PPP models are essential for creating houses, day care centres and night shelters where our senior citizens can be taken care of. Saumyajit Roy, CEO & Co-Founder, Emoha Elder Care mentioned, PPP models are the way forward and there is a large amount of capital under-utilised under the government corpus that needs to be made available for the segment. Venkatesh Srinivasan, Assistant Representative, UNFPA added that the Government, private sector and CII should come together and collaborate for making India the centre for senior care products and services for the world. Adarsh Narahari Managing Director Mantri Primus Lifespaces Pvt Ltd stated that for senior care services to reach underdeveloped areas, the government will be required to step in and provide funding.  Minimum standards are a must and we need to have accreditation of these standards to protect the citizens. Dr Atul Kochar, CEO, NABH stated Accreditation, certification or following Standard operating procedures is a very important factor and indispensable. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17571/practo-witnesses-1200-rise-in-number-of-diabetes-queries-since-2019.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17571/practo-witnesses-1200-rise-in-number-of-diabetes-queries-since-2019.html Tue, 10 Nov 2020 13:10:00 +0530 Practo, an integrated healthcare company based in Bengaluru, witnessed a substantial increase of 1200 per cent in the number of diabetes queries since last year. While metro cities witnessed 5x growth in diabetes-related queries in the last one year, the number stood at a staggering 20x growth in non-metro cities for the same time period.   80 per cent of all diabetes-related queries on Practo in the last one year came between March and October, indicating growing awareness of diabetes and its complications after the onset of the pandemic. Some of the most discussed queries include ‘Impact of COVID-19 on diabetic patients’ and ‘Gestational diabetes among pregnant women’, given the lack of clarity on how COVID-19 affects pregnancy. Furthermore, the queries were from people across age groups, including those above the age of 60. According to the Practo Health Insights (Nov 2019 - Oct 2020)- Online consultation witnessed a 1200 per cent increase from last year in the number of queries for diabetes as compared to 300 per cent the year before 72 per cent of all diabetes-related consults came from men  Amongst women, 40 per cent of the consults were from the age group of 21 - 30 followed by women in the age group of 31-40 (27 per cent) and those aged 60 & above(22 per cent).  70 per cent of all diabetes-related queries came from metro cities, recording a growth of 20x since last year 30 per cent of the queries were from non-metro cities, which grew 5x since last year Most of the queries were from Delhi-NCR, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Pune and Kolkata  In non-metro cities, most of the queries came from Lucknow, Visakhapatnam, Patna, Bhubaneshwar, Jaipur and Secunderabad  Top searches include diabetes symptoms and causes, diabetes management, treatment for type 1 and type 2 diabetes, storage and usage of Insulin, gestational diabetes, and the impact of COVID-19 on diabetic patients Around 16 per cent of all diagnostic tests conducted on Practo were for diabetes Dr Alexander Kuruvilla, Chief Healthcare Strategy Officer, Practo, said, “Patients are now empowered to consult doctors, book tests, order medicines, ask doubts/queries seamlessly, at the click of a button.”  The ninth edition of the IDF Diabetes Atlas has estimated that nearly 134 million Indians will be diabetic in the next 25 years.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17561/rainbow-childrens-hospital-expands-footprint-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17561/rainbow-childrens-hospital-expands-footprint-in-bengaluru.html Mon, 09 Nov 2020 12:30:00 +0530 Rainbow Children’s Hospital and BirthRight by Rainbow, India’s largest paediatric hospital group, has announced the launch of its new hospital unit in Bengaluru. This marks the award-winning hospital group’s third unit in Bengaluru and the 13th unit across India. The Hebbal unit is a 50-bed ultramodern and sophisticated hospital with all specialties and subspecialties catering to women and child care. The facility has two delivery suites, two operation theatres, an 11-bed state-of-the-art NICU, a 5-bed PICU, executive and deluxe rooms, and twin sharing rooms to cater to all sections of society, available at affordable rates, apart from its spacious OPD suites. Expressing his delight on the occasion, Dr Ramesh Kancharla, Chairman & Managing Director, Rainbow Group of Hospitals said, “I am very happy to announce the launch of our third unit in Bengaluru. Despite the challenging circumstances, this has been a year of growth for us. As we step into our 21st year serving children and women across the country, we have grown to adapt to the new normal, our expansion in the Garden City is a testimony our commitment. For us at Rainbow, our greatest measure of success is the smiling faces of our patients.” Echoing his views, Dr Rohit M Bhojaraj, Senior VP, Operations, Rainbow Children’s Hospital shared, "Rainbow Children's Hospital has consistently maintained its position as India's top paediatric multi-specialty chain of hospitals. We firmly believe that children need a Children's hospital. Our Hebbal unit will cater to the entire population of North Bengaluru.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17559/medanta-launches-eclinic-and-nursing-station-in-gurugram.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17559/medanta-launches-eclinic-and-nursing-station-in-gurugram.html Mon, 09 Nov 2020 11:15:00 +0530 In continuation of delivering world-class healthcare while ensuring patient safety, Medanta has recently launched flagship eClinic and Nursing Unit at Park View City-1, Gurugram. This facility will cater to the medical needs of residents by connecting them with Medanta’s super-specialist doctors through remote consultation. The eClinic was launched by Dheeraj Setia (IPS), DCP, South and East, Traffic, Gurugram along with Dr. Naresh Trehan, Chairman and Managing Director, Medanta – The Medicity, Dr Shyam Bihari Bansal, Director Nephrology, Kidney and Urology Institute, Medanta – The Medicity along with Capt. Ashutosh Shekhar, General Secretary, Park View City 1 and other the RWA members. Launching the eClinic, Dr Naresh Trehan said, “Medanta is strongly committed to providing world-class healthcare to patients. Our flagship eClinic and Nursing Unit initiative is a step towards strengthening this commitment. The Medanta eClinic at Park View City-1 will enable us to cater to the specialized medical needs of the residents in a safe and protected environment.’’ “Even though people are learning to gradually adapt themselves to the new normal amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the fear to step out of their homes still remains. The eClinic will provide specialized medical care to the residents within the comfort of their premises so that safety concerns do not come in the way of seeking medical treatment,’’ added Dr Shyam Bihari Bansal. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17557/hcg-launches-first-edition-of-journal-of-precision-oncology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17557/hcg-launches-first-edition-of-journal-of-precision-oncology.html Mon, 09 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +0530 HCG – The Specialist in Cancer Care, based in Bengaluru, has launched the first edition of the Journal of Precision Oncology. The journal is developed in association with Wolters Kluwer and ATRO – Association for transitional research in oncology. This is the first of its kind journal in India and the second in the world to be launched. The Journal of Precision Oncology aims at building upon the current understanding of cancer in a manner that treats each type of cancer and each patient as a unique case, such that care strategies can be tailor-made to cater to this uniqueness while adhering to evidence-based practices. It is the official semi-annual publication of HCG, available both online and in print formats. Precision medicine is an emerging approach that takes into account genetic, biologic, metabolomics, proteomics, and transcriptomic variability of every individual and creates specific treatment strategies. This approach allows doctors and researchers to predict more accurately which treatment and prevention strategies for a particular disease. It is in contrast to a one-size-fits-all approach, in which disease treatment and prevention strategies are developed for the average person, with less consideration for the differences between individuals.  Upon announcing the launch, Dr. BS Ajaikumar, Chairman & CEO, Healthcare Global Enterprise Ltd said “At HCG, we have been defining and redefining cancer care with a vision to make it more patient-centric and being at par with the global standards. The Precision treatment has evolved as we realized that everyone is different, so is the tumour, and hence the treatment modalities should differ for each form of cancer. The launch of the Journal of Precision Oncology will act as a platform for like-minded researchers sharing their experiences in addressing critical issues, exchanging new insights and developments in cancer care. This journal will raise the bar in cancer care and help us work together in optimizing patient outcomes by adding years to their lives”. Dr. Ravi C Nayar, Editor, Journal of Precision Oncology, Department Of Academics, HealthCare Global Enterprises Ltd. said “The philosophy of precision treatment in oncology is that like every human being is unique, so also every tumor is unique and as is the reaction of every tumor to treatment modalities. We hope this journal and its focus will foster this unique attitude to cancer care in general and individual patient’s betterment in particular. I thank all those who worked tirelessly for this effort”. All spectrums of cancer across India will be covered in the journal which will help in redefining the future of oncology. Experts and like- minded researchers can share their experiences in bringing the best and latest advances in treatment to patient care by submissions for the future issues of the journal.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17555/average-hba1c-level-registers-marginal-improvement-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17555/average-hba1c-level-registers-marginal-improvement-in-india.html Fri, 06 Nov 2020 18:40:00 +0530 In the run-up to World Diabetes Day, the Novo Nordisk Education Foundation has unveiled the second-year report of its Impact India: 1000-Day Challenge’ programme. The programme was launched two years ago with an ambition of reducing the HbA1c levels of people with diabetes in India by 1 per cent over the next 1000 days, thereby reducing the risk of complications and the economic burden associated with diabetes. According to the report, the average HbA1c level of the country was recorded at 8.48 per cent from October 2019 to September 2020. Though the average HbA1C level has decreased marginally compared to last year’s figures, the prevailing high HbA1c levels is a matter of deep concern especially in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic which puts people with uncontrolled diabetes at a higher risk of a fatal outcome and serious health complications. The data collection exercise for the iDCI was conducted across 30 Indian cities. The average respondent age was 55 years, of which 57 per cent were males and 43 per cent female.   iDCI (Indian Diabetes Care Index) was introduced in the year 2018 as part of the programme to improve diabetes care in the country. Based on big data analytics, iDCI has been providing a real-time view of the average HbA1c in India. At present, more than 77 million people are living with diabetes in India and country’s annual spend is approximately Rs 64,500 crore on diabetes related healthcare which is further expected to increase if diabetes is not controlled.  The second-year report was launched in the presence of Vikrant Shrotriya, Trustee, Novo Nordisk Education Foundation, Dr AK Das, Professor of Medicine, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry and Patron of the Impact India programme, Sachin Kumar Singh, CEO, Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), Department of Pharmaceuticals, Govt of India, Anil Kumble, Former Indian Cricketer and Brand Ambassador, Novo Nordisk India and HE Freddy Svane, the Danish Ambassador in India.  Amidst these COVID-19 pandemic times, a few cities have shown a drop in their HbA1c levels from Jan-June 2018 to July-Sep 2020. These include Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Jaipur but the majority of Indian cities have seen an upsurge in HbA1c levels.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17552/aster-labs-introduces-fda-approved-digital-pathology-solution-in-bengaluru-kochi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17552/aster-labs-introduces-fda-approved-digital-pathology-solution-in-bengaluru-kochi.html Fri, 06 Nov 2020 17:35:00 +0530 Aster Labs, the diagnostics arm of Aster DM Healthcare, a leading healthcare service provider in the country, has introduced US FDA approved digital pathology solution by Philips Intellisite Pathology Solutions for primary diagnosis at its state-of-the-art reference lab located at Queens Road in Bengaluru and at Aster Medcity in Kochi. With the inclusion of this cutting-edge technology, Aster Labs is looking to completely digitise its histopathology workflow and will be taking a step towards building a networked pathology system in the country. Speaking on this initiative, Dr Harish Pillai, CEO, Aster Hospitals and Clinics, India, said: “With Digital pathology, we are taking a step towards the future on a digital cockpit that will enable precision diagnostics at Aster Labs. Our ultimate clinical objective with digitisation is to ensure the right patient case reaches the right subspecialty histopathologist all the time, at the fastest possible time.”  Sharing his views, KR Jayaprakash, Chief Operating Officer, Aster Labs, said: “This advanced technology platform, will not only improve our Turn Around Time (TAT) and bring in efficiency in the reporting system but will also aid our histopathologist in accessing the traditional cases like Appendix and Hysterectomy, etc. irrespective of their location. The best advantage of this technology is that several people can review the slides at the same time, in separate geographies, and through a combination of expert opinions, the team can arrive at the best conclusion that would benefit the patient and will assist them with accurate diagnosis.”  Aster Labs also plans to build a value-based pool of talent of general histopathologists and aims to become a CoE (Centre of Excellence) for subspecialty FTR (First Time Right) reporting and other advanced subspecialties like transplant pathology, dermatopathology, neuropathology, and renal pathology, etc. Aster Labs also plans to bring in digital storage of images that can be stored for a period of 24/48/72 hours and will be charged as a premium service to patients and referral clinicians. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17549/potenza-advanced-wellness-centre-opens-in-delhi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17549/potenza-advanced-wellness-centre-opens-in-delhi.html Fri, 06 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +0530 In such a demanding situation when everyone is looking for health & wellness, Delhi witnesses the launch of the Potenza Advanced Wellness in Hauz Khas. The power of Potenza lies in ensuring holistic health & well-being by dint of its customized therapies for beauty, health & wellness, wherein its immunity-boosting feature works wonders. Its cutting-edge technologies from Europe and America meet the world’s most advanced non-invasive medical protocols to uncover a transformed you. Dr Tarun Sahani, Medical Director, Potenza Advanced Wellness dwelled upon the power of these unique therapies, “After battling the COVID-19 infection for months, we have realized that those with a strong, non-compromised immune system are more capable of fighting off the deadly virus. While routine precautions and healthy lifestyle mantras continue to be consistent in strengthening oneself, such non-invasive and scientific treatments have also helped in boosting one’s immunity and attaining holistic health and wellness. Three of these non-invasive therapies, namely Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), Cryotherapy and PhotoBioModulation Therapy (PBMT) have been found to be strongly effective.” The three unique non-invasive therapeutic procedures — Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), Cryotherapy and PhotoBioModulation Therapy (PBMT) being practiced at Potenza led by medical professionals and backed by cutting-edge technologies are supposed to arm the people by its immunity-boosting features to combat and protect themselves from lengthy and deadly infection, especially when vaccines are still in pipeline.   Elaborating on the unique feature of immunity-boosting, Nitin Khanna, Director, Potenza Advanced Wellness, said, “The cutting-edge technologies from America and Europe aid some of the most advanced non-invasive medical protocols in the world. The combination of three therapies we practice harnesses the power of pure air (oxygen), light and temperature, and helps in increasing blood circulation, reducing inflammation and improving oxygen levels in the body, contributing in boosting immunity.” “These meticulously designed treatment protocols help achieve the goal of holistic health & wellness. In times when people are stressed out and their physical and mental well-being are badly affected, treatment protocols at Potenza help improve in optimizing the rejuvenation potential. These healing features are now available in Delhi that does not only help in restoring holistic health and wellness but also in discovering a par excellence performer in you”, added Khanna. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17546/tamil-nadu-pushes-upskilling-of-healthcare-professionals.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17546/tamil-nadu-pushes-upskilling-of-healthcare-professionals.html Thu, 05 Nov 2020 18:00:00 +0530 Kauvery Hospital, one of the leading healthcare centres in Tamil Nadu, and the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation have launched the Tamil Nadu Apex Skill Development Centre for Healthcare (TNASDCHC). Edappadi Karuppa Palaniswami, Chief Minister, Tamil Nadu formally launched the centre, through a virtual inauguration function. This joint venture between Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation (TNSDC) and Kauvery Hospital to upskill, reskill and cross skill healthcare professionals with competencies are current and relevant for the efficient and effective healthcare delivery. The centre is an outcome of an MoU that was signed on Nov 30, 2019 between Govt of Tamil Nadu and Kauvery Hospital to provide high end skill training in hospital and healthcare services sector, under the scheme - Tamil Nadu Investment Promotion Programme - Phase II, assisted by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). “This centre will aid as a catalyst in bridging the skill gap in the state of Tamil Nadu and also will help enrich the skills of healthcare professionals in the state,” said Colonel R Alagarraj (Retd), Director Projects, TNASDC for Health Care. Speaking on the partnership Dr Chandrakumar, Founder and Executive Chairman, Kauvery Hospitals said, “Every role is given due importance for training at this centre. It is our immense pleasure to be a part of Tamil Nadu’s game changing initiative.” The ‘State of the Art’ domain skill labs to be established will offer a near realistic - prototype demonstration and learning facility to develop desired competencies amongst the Healthcare Workers. The courses are aimed to provide Skill Competencies to the spectrum of Healthcare professionals, Nursing staff, Para – medical, Ambulance Operators, Administrative Staff and Doctors. TNASDC has adopted the blended learning format that integrates technology to boost learning and deliver the knowledge and skills that will create impact. The trainee can be constantly connected to the content from anywhere and from on any device and any time at their convenience, however the necessary practical training will be conducted at the state of art Simulation lab established. Assessment of competency achieved by a candidate will be based on Pre-course assessment, Mid-course assessment and Final assessment. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17545/millennial-parents-in-india-explore-adoption-of-robot-nanny.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17545/millennial-parents-in-india-explore-adoption-of-robot-nanny.html Thu, 05 Nov 2020 17:15:00 +0530 The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), based in the US, has unveiled ‘Generation AI 2020: Health, Wellness and Technology in a Post-COVID World’. According to the survey, more than three-quarters (79 per cent) of parents in India agree that if they had the means, they would adopt a robot ‘nanny’ to help take care of their children while working remotely from home, running errands or when otherwise occupied. ‘Generation AI 2020: Health, Wellness and Technology in a Post-COVID World’ surveyed 2,000 parents, aged 24–39 years-old, with at least one child under 11 years old -- 400 each in the United States, United Kingdom, India, China and Brazil. The surveys were conducted September 25 - October 6, 2020. This global study reveals the confidence Millennial parents with Generation Alpha children (under 11 years-old) in the US, the UK, India, China and Brazil may have in AI and emerging technologies for the health and wellness of their families. 81 per cent of parents in India agree that having a robot nanny to help their children do their homework would alleviate a significant amount of their COVID-19-related stress. More than three-quarters of parents in India (76 per cent) surveyed agree they would trust a full-time nanny robot to help take care of their children even if they are not home, while slightly more than half of parents in Brazil (51 per cent) and the UK (54 per cent) agree. Globally, a majority of Millennial parents are extremely (29 per cent) or very (31 per cent) likely to allow robots powered by AI to conduct surgery on their child. Parents in India are extremely likely (39 per cent) and very likely (25 per cent), to allow robotic surgery on their child. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17544/mfine-addresses-rising-demand-for-telemedicine-in-delhi-ncr.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17544/mfine-addresses-rising-demand-for-telemedicine-in-delhi-ncr.html Thu, 05 Nov 2020 16:45:00 +0530 Bengaluru based MFine, an AI powered, on-demand healthcare service that enables virtual medical consultations, has seen immense growth in New Delhi since March this year.   The startup has recently added 2,00,000 new users from the city on its telemedicine platform. To keep up with the increasing number of COVID-19 cases and rising demand for remote consultations, MFine added 70 new hospitals in Delhi, including Fortis Hospital, PSRI Hospital, and CK Birla Hospital.   MFine now has more than 140 hospital partners in the region and plans to add 500 more doctors through ongoing hospital partnerships. Apart from teleconsults, MFine also allows users to book radiology appointments and laboratory testing at-home through six leading lab partners and 60 radiology centers across Delhi NCR.   MFine’s self-assessment tool, which was launched earlier this year, has been used by 38,000 patients in the city and more than 14,000 users have consulted for COVID-19.  MFine has observed that the most commonly reported symptoms by users in Delhi include COVID-19 and Flu-like symptoms such as breathing difficulties, cough, cold and fever.   Currently, MFine is in partnership with laboratory chains and top hospitals such as Sarvodaya, CK Birla, Healthians, Thyrocare, Metropolis, Lifecare, Meditest and Neuberg so that patients can get tested at-home and seamlessly share their reports with the doctor through the app. They have partnered with 60 radiology centers and hospitals in New Delhi including Sarvodaya Hospitals, Paras Hospitals, CK Birla Hospital, Apollo Labs, BR Diagnostics, and Amyrra Diagnostics.     MFine recently reported a 10X growth in its consultation business and 3X growth in the number of speciality and super-specialty consultations since March 2020. MFine has seen 4X growth in the fields of Diabetology, Endocrinology and Cardiology from patients who can no longer visit their doctors regularly. MFine currently has 550 partner hospitals and 3500 doctors handling 10,000 cases/day across 30 specialties.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17539/cwd-innovations-brings-smart-wireless-thermometer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17539/cwd-innovations-brings-smart-wireless-thermometer.html Thu, 05 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +0530 CWD Innovation, based in Mumbai, has launched SmartTemp+, India's first smart wireless thermometer. It comprises of a wearable device, a mobile phone application, and a web-based data analytics dashboard. The 7mm slim device sticks to left axial area (below the armpit) and has a battery life of up to 90 days to allow for worry-free, 24/7 monitoring of your body temperature. SmartTemp+ is made of medically safe materials, eliminating the struggle of cleaning that comes with regular thermometers. With a clinical grade accuracy of 0.1°C and a weight of only 7 grams, SmartTemp+ is built not only to be customer friendly but also to provide medically precise information. The mobile app and cloud-based dashboard enables enterprises and medical institutions to monitor their employees' health from a central system, giving them the ability to intervene early and curtail the spread of potential infections in their community. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17537/digital-hospitals-deliver-higher-standards-of-patient-care-frost-sullivan.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17537/digital-hospitals-deliver-higher-standards-of-patient-care-frost-sullivan.html Wed, 04 Nov 2020 18:40:00 +0530 Frost & Sullivan’s recent analysis, Digital Hospitals: Creating Growth Opportunities in Patient Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond, finds that digital hospitals that deploy smart technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), remote health monitoring, and robotics, deliver higher standards of patient care and hassle-free experiences for health professionals. The adoption of such advanced technologies has witnessed strong traction during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a massive influx of patients, and traditional hospitals are struggling to provide quality care and ensure health professionals’ safety. “Digital hospitals address limitations of traditional providers such as centralised care delivery, closed systems, fee-for-service care models, and a reactive approach through decentralised care, interoperable systems, and outcome-driven and proactive approaches,” said Neeraj Nitin Jadhav, Technical Insights Senior Research Analyst, Frost & Sullivan. Jadhav added: “Digital hospital operators need to focus on building internal architecture, especially staff workstations and patient rooms that follow evidence-based design (EBD), as these are the areas where clinical decisions are made and care is provided, respectively. Additionally, decentralised healthcare staff workstations outside the patient rooms can allow the staff to be closer to the point of care rather than a centralised area, which increases the travel distance for the health professionals.” The increasing adoption of digital technologies in hospitals presents immense growth prospects for market participants in the digital hospital space, including: Deploying smart patient tracking systems to manage patient flow, treatment progress, discharge, and other hospital processes. Proper training and implementation of EHRs can improve a hospital’s ability to provide high-quality care and address health disparities in the population. Use of AI to make supply chain management more sophisticated as the algorithms process huge volumes of hospital data to identify trends and provide insights to improve the facilities’ efficiency and quality of care. Analyse data obtained from different hospital departments to empower local healthcare teams. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17533/aster-launches-breast-clinic-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17533/aster-launches-breast-clinic-in-bengaluru.html Wed, 04 Nov 2020 16:45:00 +0530 Aster RV Hospital, a multi-specialty quaternary care hospital in Bengaluru, has launched the Aster RV Breast Clinic in the city ahead of National Cancer Awareness Day. A dedicated centre for women, the exclusive Breast Clinic will be led by a team of specialised doctors with vast experience in breast disorders and breast cancer treatment. Dr Vijay Agarwal, Lead & Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology, Aster RV Hospital, said, “Breast cancer is the leading cancer that affects women in India with an increasing number of cases being reported each year. India has a high mortality rate for breast cancer patients and the primary reason for this is the late diagnosis of the condition although it is treatable when found in the early stages. With the launch of the Breast Clinic, we aim to raise awareness among women on identifying breast cancer symptoms early and also help them with screening tools which will aid in the early detection and treatment.” The clinic will offer personalised care in a supportive and caring environment. Patients will be able to utilise advanced diagnostic tests in order to accurately diagnose and treat all breast-related issues with advanced X-ray, 2D combined with 3D mammograms, breast ultrasounds, biopsy and breast MRI. The clinic also has a Da Vinci Robotic surgical system for minimally invasive breast cancer surgeries and reconstructions. Dr Nawab Jan, Consultant - Breast Surgeon, Aster RV Hospital said “The clinic is designed to address any breast-related concerns such as breast pain, tenderness, any lumps or cysts, or infections in the breast area, in a safe and sensitive environment. Also, cosmetic procedures like breast implants/reduction, reconstruction will be offered here.  Patients will be counselled on the most effective diagnostics and treatment approach across a multi-disciplinary team.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17525/nia-shows-evidence-in-support-of-ayurvedas-effect-on-sleep-deprivation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17525/nia-shows-evidence-in-support-of-ayurvedas-effect-on-sleep-deprivation.html Wed, 04 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +0530 A recent case study published in AyuHom, the research journal of North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda & Homeopathy, Shillong has brought out new evidence in support of Ayurveda’s efficacy in resolving anidra- related issues. The case study is authored by Gopesh Mangal, Associate Professor & Head, PG Department of Panchkarma, National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA), Jaipur along with Nidhi Gupta and Pravesh Srivastava, both PG Scholars in the PG Department of Panchkarma at the NIA. Medical Science has linked inadequate sleep to a number of health problems ranging from obesity to lowering of immunity. Ayurveda also considers nidra or sleep as extremely significant to health. According to World Health Organization (WHO), health is a state of complete physical, mental or social well being and not merely the absence of disease, and sleep is one its essential pre-requisites. In the present times of erratic lifestyles, stress and other unpredictable environmental factors, quality of sleep has deteriorated for a large number of people. According to the estimates of the National Sleep Foundation of America, 1/3rd of people the world over suffer from sleep disorders. Against this backdrop, the potential of traditional Panchkarma therapy of Ayurveda to resolve the problems of anidra cannot be over-emphasised. Returning to the case study, its results provide evidence to the effectiveness of the Ayurveda. The study report states that the Ayurveda treatment led to a remarkable improvement in the patient’s condition in terms of sleep. The study included thorough examination and assessment grading before and after treatment of all the symptoms which were selected for assessment. This included Yawning, Drowsiness, Fatigue, Quality of Sleep etc., and improvements were noticed in all the parameters. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17521/seniority-launches-specialised-services-for-elderly-customers.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17521/seniority-launches-specialised-services-for-elderly-customers.html Tue, 03 Nov 2020 15:30:00 +0530 Seniority, a Pune based shopping destination for senior citizens, has launched a bouquet of specialised services for the convenience of its elderly customers. The company has associated with well-known brands to provide a range of essential services - healthcare, senior care, assisted travel, etc. With this move, Seniority aims to become a one-stop holistic ‘health and lifestyle platform’ offering comprehensive solutions, products and services that cater to the needs and requirements of the seniors. Renowned health service brands such as DocsApp & Dr Lal PathLabs are already on board the platform. While Dr Lal PathLabs will offer comprehensive checks for any infections, conditions, or diseases related to various vital organs and systems of the body, DocsApp will offer unlimited access to doctor consultations 24x7 via chat, call, and video with additional benefits for six family members. The company is also in talks with Portea to launch their special services. Speaking about the new service launch, Tapan Mishra, Co-founder, Seniority mentioned, “At Seniority, our endeavour is to bring more ease and convenience to the lives of the elderly and their caregivers. With the launch of our bouquet of specialised essential services, we are evolving into a holistic platform where seniors can find both products and services to address their health and lifestyle needs. We are delighted to collaborate with some of the best service providers in the industry to create a competitive advantage and provide differentiated offerings for our consumers.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17517/indira-ivf-opens-93rd-infertility-treatment-clinic-in-ujjain.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17517/indira-ivf-opens-93rd-infertility-treatment-clinic-in-ujjain.html Mon, 02 Nov 2020 18:15:00 +0530 Indira IVF has once again opened its doors to couples aspiring to embark on a journey of parenthood. This time it is in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. Indira IVF has delivered top IVF success rates with over 33000+ embryo transfers per year making it one of the best fertility clinics in the country. With over 200 IVF specialists and 125 embryologists that have heralded the clinics to the highest number of IVF procedures that are performed in India, Indira IVF has been consistently been a leading fertility clinic achieving excellent success rates over the last 10 years. Guided by the philosophy based on four pillars —affordability, accessibility, awareness and assurance— Indira IVF are forerunners in the industry, making infertility procedures affordable for low- and middle-income families to fulfill their dreams of having a baby. Armed with state of art technology called “Closed Working Chamber”, an advanced technique imported from Australia and being one of the first to introduce it in the country, Indira IVF brought along the promise of childbirth to Indian couple seeking quality and result oriented fertility treatment. In addition, Indira IVF also introduced a technology called RI witness technology that ensures that there is no mix-up of gametes and embryos. Therefore, ensuring the utmost safety and security of their patients. Indira IVF is offering a free consultation for couples by the Indira IVF specialists from 1st November to 30th November 2020. Started in Udaipur, Rajasthan by Dr Ajay Murdia, Indira IVF now has over 93 centres across India with Ujjain being a recent addition.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17515/chitkara-university-launches-polyherbal-product-virulina-to-fight-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17515/chitkara-university-launches-polyherbal-product-virulina-to-fight-covid-19.html Mon, 02 Nov 2020 17:40:00 +0530 Chitkara University, Chitkara College of Pharmacy (CCP), Rajpura, Punjab in collaboration with Natural Solutions, Mumbai organised an e-conference on the theme ‘Management of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) & Co-morbidities in COVID-19 & related infections’ (MARDS-CVD-19) on October 31, 2020. The event also marked the product launch of a preclinically and clinically tested product ‘VIRULINA’, which has been validated as an effective adjunct remedy for the prevention of ARDS caused due to COVID-19 infection. The conference included technical sessions and panel discussion on contemporary and relevant topics like COVID-19: Epidemiology and Morbidities, Mainstay Clinical Management, Supportive Therapies & Success, Phytopharmaceuticals, Alternative Therapies, Surgical interventions in co-morbidities, Vaccines, and mass Vaccination strategy, and Clinical Pathology Updates.  Dr Anil Sharma, MD, Natural Solutions, while introducing the product shared that, “VIRULINA is a polyherbal combination. A powerful immune-stimulant which is clinically-tested. As per the studies conducted, it has been clinically proven that it helps in the prevention of life-threatening symptoms such as Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) caused due to COVID-19 infection. Dr Madhu Chitkara, Pro-Chancellor, Chitkara University while inaugurating the e-conference congratulated the team of Natural Solutions (Mumbai), and the Chitkara College of Pharmacy (CCP) and shared, “The e-conference and the technical collaboration with Natural Solutions to develop a remedy for helping COVID-19 patients is a testimony of what Chitkara University stands for - collaborating and creating knowledge for the greater good of the humankind. The College of Pharmacy at Chitkara University has always valued its collaboration with pharma and clinical research leaders like Fortis, Clinsync, Parexel. We are proud and grateful for our collaboration with Natural Solutions for clinical trials and the development of new-age & research-based Phytopharmaceuticals.”    The event was attended by academicians, experts, and students from across the country.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17514/abbott-launches-freestyle-libre-in-india-for-cgm.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17514/abbott-launches-freestyle-libre-in-india-for-cgm.html Mon, 02 Nov 2020 17:20:00 +0530 Abbott has announced that the FreeStyle® Libre system, the world’s leading continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology, is now available for adults and children (above the age of four) living with diabetes in India and women with gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy), offering them the choice to check glucose levels anytime and anywhere, ultimately improving glucose control. The FreeStyle Libre sensor measures glucose every minute in interstitial fluid through a small (5.5mm long) filament that is inserted just under the skin and held in place with a small adhesive pad. A quick scan of the sensor with a reader provides a real-time glucose reading on demand and a complete picture of a person’s glucose levels, without the need of painful, routine finger-sticks or daily calibration, enabling meaningful lifestyle and therapy interventions. FreeStyle Libre is designed for users to be able to check their glucose readings much more simply and frequently, and data show that higher scanning frequency of the technology has been shown to significantly improve time in optimal glucose range. “Abbott’s revolutionary technology has changed the way millions of people manage diabetes globally and we are excited to bring this life changing technology to India,” said Kalyan Sattaru, General Manager, Diabetes Care Business, Abbott. Multiple international and national professional medical bodies have recommended CGM use for people with diabetes to target improved clinical outcomes including Indian professional bodies such as Diabetes India and The Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI). Dr Banshi Saboo, President and lead member, CGM panel, RSSDI said, “Monitoring glucose levels is a pre-requisite to ensure optimum glycaemic control. While glucometers are handy portable devices that help detect the single point-in-time capillary glucose, CGM devices provide complete visibility of the 24x7 glycaemic profile of the patient with diabetes up to 14 days. Clinical trials and real-world data show that users of the FreeStyle Libre system have improved glucose control, decreased time in hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia as well as reduced hospitalisations, HbA1C levels (average glucose levels over three months), and improved quality of life. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17510/asian-institute-of-nephrology-and-urology-announces-expansion-in-hyderabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17510/asian-institute-of-nephrology-and-urology-announces-expansion-in-hyderabad.html Mon, 02 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Asian Institute of Nephrology & Urology (AINU), a world-class, single-specialty, South India’s largest centre for renal sciences hospital is expanding its presence in Hyderabad by adding new facility to its existing capacity. Cyberabad Police Commissioner Sri V.C. Sajjanar has inaugurated the hospital. Dr Mallikarjuna, Managing Director, Dr CP Reddy, Executive Director, Dr Deepak Reddy, Facility Head, Dr Taif, Nephrologist, Dr Varun, Nephrologist have participated in the inaugural event. It is AINU’s fourth facility in Hyderabad and it’s a 50-bedded kidney care center with dedicated beds for intensive care. A total of 70 staff including doctors and support staff will be working at Hitec city facility. Established in 2013, AINU is a specialized urology and nephrology-focused tertiary care hospital, offering a full suite of medical, surgical, day care and supporting services. The new facility will house a specialized dialysis unit of 10 beds with an advanced HDF dialysis capable units for critically ill patients. A dedicated team of fulltime urologists and nephrologists are available 24x7 to provide quality care to the patients. Over the past 7 years, the NABH accredited AINU has established itself as a premier institute with over 250 beds dedicated to kidney care. AINU is equipped with both surgical and acute kidney intensive care units; and has emerged as a referral center for complex and high-end endoscopic, laparoscopic and robotic urological procedures for kidney stones, prostate enlargement, kidney cancer, prostate cancer, urinary bladder cancer,  congenital urinary tract disorders and Kidney transplantation to name a few. Commenting on the new facility, Dr. C Mallikarjuna, Managing Director, said “Asian Institute of Nephrology & Urology is renowned for its world-class infrastructure and advanced medical support. The new facility will serve in and around Hitec city of Hyderabad. It is equipped with a comprehensive in-house laboratory and diagnostic facilities comprising of X-ray, Ultrasound, Multi-slice CT scan and Urodynamics. There are two fully equipped operating rooms specifically designed for urological procedures with all the latest surgical equipment like Lasers to perform high-end endoscopic and laparoscopic surgeries.” “AINU is well equipped with state-of-the-art HDF dialysis machines at acute kidney care unit to deal with nephrological emergencies and an enviable track record in delivering a successful renal transplantation program. The prime focus at AINU has always been on advancing the knowledge of renal care among the fraternity,” concluded Dr. Purna Chandra Reddy, Executive Director.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17505/sims-chennai-focuses-on-treatment-of-movement-disorders-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17505/sims-chennai-focuses-on-treatment-of-movement-disorders-.html Fri, 30 Oct 2020 15:05:00 +0530 SIMS Hospital (SRM Institutes for Medical Science), one of the leading quaternary care super specialty hospital in Chennai, has announced the launch of BONDS, (BOtulinum ToxiN in Dystonia & Spasticity), a first of its kind centre in Chennai with focused approach to the treatment of movement disorders like Dystonia and Spasticity (also for Stroke Rehabilitation) using Botulinum Toxin injection at its Vadapalani facility in Chennai. Inaugurated by Dr C Vijaya Baskar, Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Govt of Tamil Nadu¸ in the presence of Ravi Pachamuthu, Chairman, SRM Group, and other dignitaries, the Centre of excellence prides of a state-of-the-art facility, complete with a vibrant and skilled team of doctors to handle neurological emergencies in addition to serving chronic patients. The Centre is well equipped to offer wide spectrum of services to treat patients affected by various movement disorders including stroke, dystonia, spasticity and neuromuscular ailments. Dr U Meenakshisundaram, Director of the Neurology Department, SIMS Hospital, who is also the present Secretary of the Movement Disorders Society of India and an Executive Committee member of the Indian Academy of Neurology, said, “Clinical research findings have revealed that over last few years the use of Botulinum toxin has shown great results in the treatment of movement disorders and when combined with a proper physiotherapy regimen, people with these conditions recover faster and return to a near-normal life much quickly. Also, administering Botulinum Toxin Injection is a skilled procedure and is done by skilled set of experienced practitioners, complete with progressive monitoring on the patient’s improvement.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17503/brains-hospital-opens-comprehensive-stroke-unit-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17503/brains-hospital-opens-comprehensive-stroke-unit-in-bengaluru.html Fri, 30 Oct 2020 14:00:00 +0530 In a bid to mark World Stroke Day, Bengaluru based Brains Hospital, Richmond Road, has inaugurated a comprehensive Stroke Unit. At the moment the health care burden due to stroke is huge. Every year 2 million people are getting affected. With the increasing life span as well as risk factors like Diabetes and Hypertension the burden is only increasing further year after year. At the same time all the advanced research and understanding are not getting translated to the benefit of society. Also, it is to be noted that primarily stroke is preventable.  Secondly, the disability following a stroke is again preventable. Thirdly, stroke isn’t a one-time event in life. It can strike again and again making the matters worse. The recovery rate continues to be poor in our country due to a lack of awareness and timely action. Time is a very crucial factor that determines the ultimate outcome, the extent of recovery as well as time taken to it. "In the light of above-mentioned problems BRAINS Hospital has launched the first of its kind Stroke Unit that provides 360 degree care for this condition. The dedicated Stroke team at BRAINS is committed to fight this burning problem addressing all relevant factors influencing the management currently. We have established technology, process, protocol, systems, training, call centre, awareness, advocacy, continuity of care in acute, chronic and long term including rehabilitation, follow up and monitoring. The single most aim is to prevent a stroke in high-risk people, if not get them back to the society as normal as possible" said Dr NK Venkataramana, Founder Chairman & Chief Neurosurgeon, Brains Hospital, Bangalore.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17499/fortis-hospital-installs-first-biplane-cath-lab-in-karnataka.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17499/fortis-hospital-installs-first-biplane-cath-lab-in-karnataka.html Fri, 30 Oct 2020 10:10:00 +0530 Fortis Hospital at Bannerghatta road in Bengaluru has installed one of the most modern Biplane Cath labs on the occasion of World Stroke day, on 29 Oct. This is the first time that such a state-of-the-art Cath Lab has been installed in Karnataka. This new Cath lab will provide safer and the most advanced care for neurovascular disorders. The Cath Lab was inaugurated by Tejasvi Surya (Member of Parliament- South Constituency) in the presence of Dr Manish Mattoo-Zonal Director-Fortis Hospitals, Bengaluru & Dr Rajkumar DV-Director-Department of Neurosurgery-Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru. The high-end version of Philips Azurion Biplane 7B 20/15 Cathlab is a one stop destination for the treatment of all kinds of Neurovascular disorders. The technology will help in managing Emergency neuro-interventional procedures especially Acute stroke & Aneurysmal rupture without performing open surgeries at the hospital. Tejasvi Surya, Member of Parliament- South Constituency, said, “I appreciate that despite COVID-19 pandemic, Fortis hospital has decided to make huge investment in the technology to enhance the patient care. South Bengaluru area such as JP Nagar, Jayanagar, and Bannerghatta Road has a large number of elderly people and requires immediate medical intervention for emergency conditions like stroke. Fortis Hospital Bengaluru, have been crucial in handling critical medical ailments and providing timely medical intervention to the patients, especially during COVID times.” Every 20 seconds, one Indian suffers a brain stroke, or three every minute, and the numbers are increasing alarmingly due to changing lifestyles. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17498/aster-dm-launches-comprehensive-post-covid-care-package.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17498/aster-dm-launches-comprehensive-post-covid-care-package.html Thu, 29 Oct 2020 17:45:00 +0530 Aster DM Healthcare, an emerging healthcare player in India, has launched a comprehensive Post-Covid care package to enable complete recovery and rehabilitation of Covid cured patients. COVID-19 takes a toll on physical and mental well-being, with many patients showing symptoms like breathlessness, fatigue, muscle ache, joint pain/swelling, stress, etc. The Aster Recovery to Rehabilitation package aims at providing the required comprehensive medical & specialised care to such patients. The package will assist complete and quicker recovery of the patients and is designed considering all COVID patients from mild to severe cases. The patients will undergo a primary evaluation and will be referred to super-specialists (Cardiology/ Pulmonology/ Psychiatrist/ Rheumatology) on the basis of condition and treatment required. The primary evaluation will include Physical Evaluation, Chronic Fatigue Assessment, and a Psychology Valuation. Further, Radiology & Laboratory Investigations (Inflammation, Cardiac, Pulmonary & General health) will be carried out along with a Consultation with the General Physician. They will be also handed a Diet & Physiotherapy Plan to assist them during the recovery. Commenting on the launch, Dr Harish Pillai, CEO- Aster India said, “After recovering from COVID-19, many patients find themselves enduring the post COVID-19 symptoms. These symptoms mount a challenge in physical and mental well-being and may prevent the resumption of a normal healthy life. The package is designed while keeping in mind the various symptoms COVID-19 patients have displayed and will provide the needed care and assistance in their proper and faster recovery.” Patients can avail the package at any of the Aster DM Healthcare hospitals in India. The patient will be required to call at Aster DM Hospital and place an appointment for their health assessment under the package.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17497/apollo-hospitals-medtronic-to-use-ai-for-stroke-management.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17497/apollo-hospitals-medtronic-to-use-ai-for-stroke-management.html Thu, 29 Oct 2020 17:05:00 +0530 Apollo Hospitals Group has announced a partnership with India Medtronic Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Medtronic plc to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) for advanced stroke management for the first time in India. The US FDA approved AI platform for stroke diagnosis has been validated by clinical trials. The AI software will provide automated analysis in less than two minutes as against currently accepted imaging practices for diagnosis of stroke that takes up to one hour to complete, enabling faster decision making in stroke where every second counts. Through this partnership, Medtronic will help in bringing in stroke technologies, technical expertise, training and comprehensive stroke management with the integration of AI platform at the Apollo Institute of Neurosciences. Dr Prathap C Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “There is an urgent need to improve the treatment and management of stroke using digital technologies. This partnership brings together Apollo Hospitals’ clinical expertise, AI platform and stroke technologies from Medtronic to transform stroke treatment in the country.” Madan Krishnan, Vice President, Medtronic Indian Subcontinent said, “We are aiming to address the current treatment gaps in stroke with our innovative technologies, aiming at reducing door to needle time, thereby potentially improving outcomes for patients. Our partnership with Apollo Hospitals will further our goal of creating awareness and providing quicker access to quality healthcare for stroke patients in India.” The platform uses AI to create high quality, advanced images from non-contrast CT, CT angiography, CT perfusion, MRI diffusion and perfusion scans, helping hospitals to improve time-critical triage or transfer decisions and facilitate better patient outcomes. The stroke team will be able to remotely access the brain scans of stroke patients with the AI analysis on mobile app or email for faster decision making without losing time. The AI technology-enabled advanced stroke management will be launched at the Apollo Institute of Neurosciences at Apollo Hospitals, Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru; Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, Chennai; Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai; Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad; Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad; Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi; Apollo Speciality Hospitals, Jayanagar, Bengaluru; Apollo Hospitals, Sheshadripuram, Bengaluru; Apollo BGS Hospitals, Mysore; and Apollo Hospitals, Indore.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17495/gci-extends-programmes-to-bangladesh-for-underserved-cancer-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17495/gci-extends-programmes-to-bangladesh-for-underserved-cancer-patients.html Thu, 29 Oct 2020 14:15:00 +0530 Global Cancer Institute (GCI), which is focused on improving survival rates for underserved cancer patients worldwide, announced today that it has extended its programmes to Bangladesh, with the launch of new monthly Tumor Boards that help physicians and oncologists in developing countries connect directly to US physicians by videoconference to discuss challenging cancer cases and ask for advice. The GCI Tumor Boards will be co-hosted by the Bangladesh Society for Breast Cancer Study (BSBCS), a nonprofit organisation with the mission to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease. Tumor Boards are common practice within US hospitals, and have been proven to help boost survival rates for patients by enabling physicians to resolve challenging cases. According to the ASCO Post, one in 10 deaths in Bangladesh is from cancer. Bangladesh spends 2.8 per cent of its gross domestic product on healthcare, which is the 10th lowest in the world, impacting availability of preventive services. The country also has limited hospital resources, with 0.6 hospitals beds and 0.36 physicians per 1,000 people. (By contrast, the US statistics are 2.8 and 2.6 respectively) "Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Bangladesh, and even basic preventive measures such as breast palpation are not available in primary care settings," said Dr Arunangshu Das, General Secretary, BSBCS. "Once a woman develops breast cancer, her treatment options here are limited as there is tremendous shortage of oncologists. Our partnership with GCI to bring regular monthly Tumor Boards to Bangladesh offers patients and their physicians a lifeline to effective treatment.” Dr Don S Dizon, Co-Chief Medical Officer, GCI and Director, Medical Oncology, Rhode Island Hospital, will lead the local Bangladesh programme. "Bangladesh is in a cancer crisis. This is an area where GCI can make a huge impact," said Dr Dizon. "We're looking forward to working with our local colleagues to improve cancer care on the ground in Bangladesh." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17473/caho-partners-with-swasth-to-strengthen-indias-digital-healthcare-ecosystem.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17473/caho-partners-with-swasth-to-strengthen-indias-digital-healthcare-ecosystem.html Tue, 27 Oct 2020 12:45:00 +0530 The Consortium of Accredited Healthcare Organisations (CAHO) that represents the healthcare providers of all shades in India, has recently partnered with Swasth to strengthen the digital healthcare ecosystem and provide quality healthcare solutions to every individual. The partnership aims to accelerate the implementation of the National Digital Health stack and subsequently work towards nation-wide adoption of the platform. CAHO and Swasth will work together to enable healthcare providers, including small clinics and nursing homes, to be on the digital platform and further the reach of digital health in India. CAHO and Swasth will collaborate on research and building digital technologies, help build standards for the digital healthcare ecosystem and work towards the adoption of standards and Health Stack implementation, all to enable healthcare providers to improve access, affordability and quality of care, especially to the underserved.  Dr Vijay Agarwal, President of CAHO, New Delhi said, “CAHO has always been committed to promoting the adoption of technology solutions to promote quality, efficiency and patient safety as well as leading healthcare quality improvement initiatives. We are optimistic that this partnership can further these initiatives and lead to improved quality of healthcare services in India.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17470/fortis-sets-up-250-bedded-multi-speciality-hospital-in-vadapalani.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17470/fortis-sets-up-250-bedded-multi-speciality-hospital-in-vadapalani.html Mon, 26 Oct 2020 18:05:00 +0530 Thiru Edappadi K Palaniswami, Chief Minister, Tamil Nadu has inaugurated the 250-bedded multi-speciality Fortis Hospital in Vadapalani. This is Fortis Healthcare’s second multi-speciality hospital in the Chennai city. Fortis Hospital in Vadapalani is 9-level building covering an area of 150,000 square feet and is designed to provide world-class healthcare services to the public of India. Fortis Healthcare is one of the largest integrated healthcare service providers in the country that is now part of a leading international healthcare provider – IHH Healthcare Berhad. Palaniswami visited the Fortis Hospital, Vadapalani to inaugurate the hospital along with Dr  C Vijaya Bhaskar, State Health Minister, Tamil Nadu. The ribbon cutting ceremony was held in the presence of Fortis Healthcare MD & CEO Dr Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, Government Officials and Fortis Hospital leadership and staff. Speaking on the inauguration Palaniswami said “The national credibility of Fortis Healthcare in providing quality care to the patients through its network of hospitals that are spread across the country is truly laudable.” Ravi Rajagopal, Chairman, Fortis Healthcare, said, “It is our pleasure to dedicate Fortis Vadapalani to the service of the nation and the people of Tamil Nadu.” Commenting on the launch, Dr Raghuvanshi said, “The project will also be a significant boost to the local economy, offering many jobs and opportunities for local businesses. With IHH’s collaboration and global best practices in healthcare, we are confident that we will be able to deliver advanced healthcare to our patients.” Dr Kelvin Loh, MD & CEO, IHH Healthcare said, “Fortis Vadapalani is a proud addition to IHH Healthcare’s stable of 77 hospitals spread across 10 countries and is a significant milestone in our relentless pursuit to touch lives and transform care.” The new hospital features 75 ICU Beds, six Operation Theatres, three Minor Operation Theatres and Procedure Rooms, along with Emergency & Casualty beds, a state-of-the-art Cath Lab and a host of other world-class facilities. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17468/rockefeller-foundation-commits-1-billion-to-green-recovery-from-covid-19-pandemic.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17468/rockefeller-foundation-commits-1-billion-to-green-recovery-from-covid-19-pandemic.html Mon, 26 Oct 2020 17:20:00 +0530 The Rockefeller Foundation will commit $1 billion over the next three years to catalyse a more inclusive, green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Building on current efforts and long-standing programmes, the Foundation will focus on two key areas: catalysing billions of dollars in private and concessional investments to scale distributed renewable energy across developing countries; and ensuring more equitable access to COVID-19 tests and vaccines, science-based tools, and data to fight the pandemic, while strengthening public health systems to prevent future outbreaks. In addition to this unique, one-time commitment of additional resources, The Rockefeller Foundation’s efforts and energies, as a whole, will be rededicated and reoriented toward improving the lives of the world’s poorest people and addressing inequities made worse by this virus. “There’s no going back to the past, to before-Covid. We need to reimagine the future we want,” said Dr Rajiv J Shah, President, Rockefeller Foundation. “To meet this moment, we must leverage all our resources and relationships to build an equitable, sustainable future, where everyone has the opportunity to realise their full potential and climate disaster is avoided. The time to act is right now to make sure vulnerable children and families are included in the pandemic response and recovery.”  Prior to the pandemic, half the world’s population lacked access to essential health services, and more than 800 million people worldwide lacked access to electricity. Billions more have their potential diminished by unreliable or insufficient energy access, predominantly provided by carbon-emitting fuels. The energy accessibility gap has further widened because of the pandemic. This year alone, more than 100 million people have seen their electricity access severed because they couldn’t pay their bills during the pandemic, with the toll falling disproportionately on the poor and most vulnerable. The World Bank also estimates that the combined impact of climate change and the damage done by COVID-19 will push 132 million people into poverty. This calls for bold action to address these disparities and ensure a global response that assures a more inclusive, sustainable future for all. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17465/experts-address-latent-tb-infection-in-india-at-union-world-conference.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17465/experts-address-latent-tb-infection-in-india-at-union-world-conference.html Mon, 26 Oct 2020 15:00:00 +0530 Karnataka Health Promotion Trust (KHPT), in collaboration with the Central TB Division (CTD) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), organised a panel discussion on Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) in India on October 23 at the 51st Union World Conference on Lung Health. The panellists included Dr Kuldeep Singh Sachdeva, Deputy Director General- Tuberculosis, CTD; Dr Reuben Swamickan, Chief of Infectious Diseases Division, USAID/India; Dr Karuna Sagili, Senior Technical Advisor, TB & Communicable Diseases, The Union South East Asia (The Union), India; Dalbir Singh, President, Global Coalition Against TB (GCAT); Mohan HL, Chief Executive Officer, KHPT; and Sunitha D, a 32-year-old TB survivor from Karnataka.  "It is well established that a focus on TB alone will not contribute to the reduction in future incidence. TB preventive treatment for people with LTBI is equally important to reach our goal of eliminating TB," said Dr Sachdeva. He acknowledged the contributions of USAID, KHPT and other partners for bringing in the much-needed focus on LTBI, through initiatives such as their Breaking the Barriers project.” Addressing the key role of global partnerships, Dr Swamickan said, "An absence of active community participation and patient-centric approaches for vulnerable populations has resulted in missing TB cases and high proportion of sub-optimal treatment outcomes.” Dr Karuna Sagili talked about the importance of leveraging community networks to address LTBI. "The active engagement of TB survivors during programmatic management of LTBI, from policy to implementation, monitoring and evaluation will ensure that we are able to plug the "leak" from the TB care cascade," she said. Singh spoke about GCAT's policy initiatives in helping shape the National TB programme and highlighted the gaps in testing for LTBI. Mohan spoke about KHPT's experience in implementing TB patient-centred interventions with a strong community engagement component. Sunitha  said, "Do not be afraid if you have TB, it is not a permanent disease it is curable. You must follow proper treatment procedure and complete the course, you have to stay strong and overcome it.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17461/largest-cardiac-care-centre-opens-in-ahmedabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17461/largest-cardiac-care-centre-opens-in-ahmedabad.html Mon, 26 Oct 2020 01:05:00 +0530 Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated the Paediatric Heart Hospital attached with U.N Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research Centre and a Mobile Application for tele-cardiology at the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad. PM said it is one of the few hospitals in the country that has a world class infrastructure as well as a modern health facility and would be India's largest cardiac hospital.  He said Gujarat did a commendable work with setting up a network of modern hospitals, medical colleges and connecting every village with better health facilities. He added that 21 lakh people of Gujarat have received free treatment under Ayushman Bharat scheme. More than 525 Jan Aushadi Kendras offering low cost medicines have been opened in Gujarat and out of this, about Rs 100 crore have been used to save the common people of Gujarat. The Institute is undergoing expansion at the cost of Rs 470 crores. The number of beds will increase from 450 to 1251 after the completion of the expansion project. The Institute will also become the biggest single super speciality cardiac teaching institute in the country and one of the biggest single super speciality cardiac hospitals in the world. The building is equipped with safety precautions like earthquake proof construction, fire fighting hydrant system and fire mist system. The research centre will house India’s first Advanced Cardiac ICU on Wheels with O.T., which is equipped with ventilators, IABP, haemodialysis, ECMO etc. 14 operation centres and 7 cardiac catheterization labs will also be started at the institute.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17459/pune-gets-first-advanced-technology-fertility-solution-centre.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17459/pune-gets-first-advanced-technology-fertility-solution-centre.html Sat, 24 Oct 2020 23:15:00 +0530 Dropping fertility rates in Maharashtra is a concern now, in 2005 Maharashtra used to have a fertility rate of 2.8 which has gradually come down to 1.7 in 2020. Generally, a level of 2.1 replacement rate is required to maintain the equilibrium in the population with a ratio of 1:1, but Maharashtra is now staring at a new problem of Infertility among men and women of the state.   The World Health Organization (WHO) states that one in every 4 couples in developing nations is affected by infertility. India has nearly 27.5 million infertile couples, and out of which only 1% of the couple come forward to get themselves treated. This is primarily because of the low awareness levels and the myth that the success rate in IVF/Fertility treatment is very low.    Oasis, a Pune-based unit of the Sadguru Healthcare Services Pvt. Ltd., has redefined reproductive care in India by bringing in internationally recognized best practices and protocols in Fertility treatments. Oasis specializes in dealing with clients with previous failed IVF treatments. Through advanced treatments like PGS, Vetrification, micro-TESE success rates can be improved. Oasis treat a lot of couples with history of failed IVF and successfully offer better pregnancy rates. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17455/healthcare-experts-emphasize-on-data-at-pafis-7thnational-forum-2020.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17455/healthcare-experts-emphasize-on-data-at-pafis-7thnational-forum-2020.html Fri, 23 Oct 2020 18:45:00 +0530 COVID-19 has posed challenges and created opportunities for healthcare system. India’s top healthcare experts discussed the roadmap and strategies on how industry can work with stakeholders - government, health agencies and multilateral institutions- in building a pandemic resistant world at the Public Affairs Forum of India- PAFI’s 7th National Forum 2020. Speaking at the forum, Dr Randeep Guleria, Director, AIIMS said, “Surveillance, Containment & Collaboration are crucial to create a pandemic resistant world. Innovation is another area that is important in the upscaling of healthcare infrastructure. There are many opportunities as far as telehealth and technology is concerned but we are slow at adopting them in healthcare sector.” Dr Guleria further added, “We also need to have big investment in one health. Unless we look at the health in holistic terms, we won’t be able to prevent outbreaks.” Highlightening the role of data sharing he said, “There has to be a lot of data sharing and planning for prevention of future outbreaks. We should look at the central surveillance team globally which could look at the data coming from all parts of the world. Data sharing within the country is also important to fill the gaps in the policies.” Dr Naresh Trehan, Chairman & Managing Director, Medanta said, “The first step towards a pandemic resistant world is the development of a sustainable and affordable healthcare system.” Sangita Reddy, Managing Director, Apollo Hospital and President, FICCI said, “No time in the history of the world has healthcare been so central to every theme around us. Using biology, bytes & bandwidth, we can enable a distant rural environment for a second opinion service, to predict & more. This will democratise healthcare significantly.” Dr Shubhashis Gangopadhyay, Research Director, IDF and Dean, Indian School of Public Policy said, “Healthcare is not just a sector, but should be viewed as the fundamental backbone of any economy. Investment in healthcare would reduce the demand on healthcare services and also increase productivity of the nation. Additionally, the healthcare sector is potentially the biggest employer in the country and may aid in solving the unemployment issues. Businesses with a high ES rating have been more resilient to this pandemic.”     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17436/medanta-moolchand-introduce-world-class-cardiac-care-centre.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17436/medanta-moolchand-introduce-world-class-cardiac-care-centre.html Thu, 22 Oct 2020 12:25:00 +0530 Medanta and Moolchand have collaborated to launch Medanta-Moolchand Heart Centre, a super-specialty Cardiac Care institute at Moolchand Medicity, South Delhi. The Centre offers comprehensive, best-in-class expertise in cardiac care including emergency cardiac services. The Medanta Heart Institute in Gurugram houses sub-specialties of Cardiac Surgery, Electrophysiology and Pacing, Clinical and Preventive Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology, led by an integrated team of medical experts. These super-specialists will now additionally provide specialised services to a larger number of patients in South Delhi, ensuring holistic cardiac care. The Medanta-Moolchand Heart Centre will offer the following services: 24X7 Cardiac Emergency Services Clinical and Preventive Cardiology Non-Invasive Cardiology (including preventive health check-ups) Interventional Cardiology (Angioplasty, TAVI/TAVR) Electrophysiology & Pacing Cardiac Thoracic and Vascular Surgery Pediatric Cardiology Speaking on the occasion, Dr Naresh Trehan, Chairman and Managing Director, Medanta said, “We have been committed to delivering world-class affordable healthcare in India. The Medanta-Moolchand Heart Centre allows easier access to the highest end of cardiac care to patients in South Delhi. We have always taken immense pride in our expertise in the field of cardiac sciences, and we are happy to collaborate with Moolchand Hospital with its long history of serving patients in South Delhi’’.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/views/98/17435/choosing-a-cloud-based-ehr-software-solution-for-medical-practice.html https://biospectrumindia.com/views/98/17435/choosing-a-cloud-based-ehr-software-solution-for-medical-practice.html Thu, 22 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0530 What is an EHR Software? In the simplest terms, EHR software provides the digital papers of a patient’s medical details. EHR is the abbreviation for Electronic Health Records, which in itself is self-explanatory. The main aim of the best electronic health records software is to provide professionals with the treatment and medical histories of the patients. Apart from this it also provides a broader view of the patients care necessities. EHRs will bring about a positive change by creating a standardized format that all healthcare providers will begin using. This will make it easy to share patient records and discuss further care options. What is a cloud-based EHR Software? Generally, EHRs are stored on a server (local, in a clinic or external, on the cloud) which makes it possible for authorized doctors and clinical staff to access these files. A cloud-based EHR software can be identified as all data is available to any device that can be connected to the Internet as it is stored on an external server. The data mining capabilities of the software allows admins to keep a tab on the work process to convert weaknesses into strengths. The best EHR software will enable the identification of potential drug interactions, behavior patterns, health risks, etc. by examining a patient’s data. This entire process becomes manageable with a cloud-based EHR software, where the technicalities are handled by the SaaS (Software as a Service) providers. Along with this, a top EHR software will ensure that the patient files are kept safe, and there is no HIPPA violation. Healthcare professionals only have to concentrate on their job as doctors and clinical staff.  Now that there is a clear understanding of the EHR software, let’s talk about its benefits. What are the benefits of using a cloud-based EHR Software? The tradition has been to have in-house servers storing patient data. Recently, several practices have become aware of the benefits of using the best EHR software. This has led to a number of practices making the shift. Let’s take a look at the benefits of having a cloud-based EHR software: Reduced Requirements of IT Resources With an in-house system, it becomes essential to have a team of IT professionals looking after the system. On the other hand, when all data is moved to the cloud, every aspect is handled by the SaaS provider. Updates become automated and there’s always an up-to-date version available. Simple Implementation Since cloud-based EHR software is web-based, it does not require any hardware or software installation, cash flow is never interrupted. There’s a boost in return on investment as well. Easily Scalable Even small healthcare clinics have the freedom to grow by simplifying the process of adding new doctors, patients, and locations to the system by using a top EHR software. Greater Collaborations and Accessibility Cloud-based EHR software allows its users to log in securely from any location with a stable internet connection. In fact, it also allows professionals to log in from a remote location and keep in touch with their patients. Cost-Effective Small clinics need to worry about EHR installation when it is client-server based. But with a cloud-based EHR software, there’s only a monthly fee that needs to be taken care of.  EHR features and their importance Considering the number of benefits that come with EHR, it is obvious that there is a certain importance that it holds. Let’s take a look at how important it is to invest in the best electronic health records software:         Scheduling appointments and editing them is easy.         Workflow is more streamlined and productivity can be increased.         Medical errors can be easily avoided with the help of inbuilt drug libraries and intuitive support tools         Updating code-sets, fixing security patches, and renewing encryption certificates is done by service providers.         A cloud-based EHR software will keep the patient information secure and can only be accessed by people who have been given the authorization.         Order sets can be created i.e. a template that will simplify the process of filling a patient’s medical file.         Prescriptions can be filled quickly and sent to patients and professionals in the same loop. Read more about cloud-based EHR software here. How to choose a perfect Cloud-Based EHR Software vendor (Questions to ask) On one side, EHR software is making things easy for the healthcare industry. On the other hand, choosing the right EHR software is a tough choice. There are various options available in the market. But there are a couple of questions you should ask yourself and your vendor before making the purchase. The first thing you want to do is clear your goals, research, and then reach out to cloud-based EHR software vendors to ask some of the following questions: Where is the data stored? What are the fees? Are there any hidden fees? Who owns the data that is collected? What happens in case of a disagreement? Are you HIPPA compliant? Is your customer service available 24/7? Is there a demo available? Is training provided? For how many hours? Conclusion The top EHR software companies should offer you the best services possible. But in the pool of 100s of EHR service providers, it may be tough to pick out the right ones. Without a hint of bias, we bring to you the top 10 cloud-based EHR software choices that shed light on every aspect of the companies. The features, the pros, and the cons. Check out our top 10 picks for the best cloud-based EHR software here ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17432/adb-improves-healthcare-in-wb-with-medium-term-expenditure-framework.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17432/adb-improves-healthcare-in-wb-with-medium-term-expenditure-framework.html Wed, 21 Oct 2020 12:30:00 +0530 Since 2012, Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been in collaboration with the Government of West Bengal for increasing the total efficiency in public expenditure and ensuring that these expenditures are directly linked to the desired outcomes and achieve better service delivery. ADB’s Second West Bengal Development Finance Programme supported the introduction of medium-term expenditure framework (MTEF) in the Health and Family Welfare Department of West Bengal. MTEF is a transparent planning and budget formation process which allocates public resources according to their strategic priorities and desired outcomes while ensuring overall fiscal discipline. With adequate medium-term planning, West Bengal was able to establish outpatient department services in 41 hospitals, and provide free medical care, medicines, diagnostic tests and implants. In addition, the government implemented schemes to cover expenses on all surgeries performed on children and provide health insurance to cover hospitalisation costs of up to $7,000 per family per annum for 15 million families. ADB plans to further support the adoption of MTEFs by other departments as part of its proposed West Bengal Public Finance Management Reforms Programme. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17425/india-uae-explore-healthcare-collaboration.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17425/india-uae-explore-healthcare-collaboration.html Tue, 20 Oct 2020 16:50:00 +0530 'UAE-India Healthcare Conference 2020', was recently organised jointly by Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi and Consulate General of India, Dubai, FICCI and Invest India, to explore ways and means for promoting collaboration and partnerships in the fields of healthcare, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and alternative medicines. HE Pavan Kapoor, Ambassador of India to UAE drew attention towards close collaboration between the two countries during COVID times, and stated that the UAE side had shown strong desire for setting up manufacturing facilities for vaccines and generic medicines by Indian companies having strong R&D facilities. "The UAE government will provide incentives, including financial contributions and will also make efforts to create a full ecosystem to support such healthcare manufacturing companies from India," said Kapoor. Kapoor also emphasised that there were huge opportunities for the UAE to invest in India where seven mega parks- three in the pharmaceutical sector and four in medical devices have recently been announced. "Ayushman Bharat Yojana requires a lot of infrastructure and the same can be complemented by UAE side. The introduction of AYUSH system of traditional Indian medicine can also be used to complement the health system in the UAE.”  HE Dr Ahmed Albanna, Ambassador of UAE to India, said that COVID-19 has altered the dynamics of our global economic ecosystems. "COVID-19 will mark an era of a paradigm shift in the realm of diplomacy with healthcare medical diplomacy taking the centre stage,” Dr Albanna said. Dr Sangita Reddy, President, FICCI, said that at no other time in the world has healthcare become as centre stage as it is today. "This is an important meeting of people with shared ideologies to innovate, collaborate and to find new solutions, she said. The conference also had three separate sessions focussing on UAE India Partnership in Healthcare Delivery, Pharma & Medical Devices and Ayush in which renowned doctors, entrepreneurs and regulatory authorities made their presentation and discussed ways and means to further boost bilateral cooperation in the respective fields.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17422/oziva-launches-herbones-to-strengthen-bones-support-healthier-joints-prevent-calcium-loss-in-women-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17422/oziva-launches-herbones-to-strengthen-bones-support-healthier-joints-prevent-calcium-loss-in-women-.html Tue, 20 Oct 2020 14:10:00 +0530 In line with raising bone-health awareness on the occasion of World Arthritis Day, OZiva, India’s leading clean plant-based nutrition brand, launched HerBones. The product features a remarkable array of 100 per cent plant based and vegan ingredients that aim to strengthen bones, support healthier joints and prevent calcium loss in women by maintaining optimum hormonal balance in women. HerBones is targeted towards women aged 25 years and above with potential calcium deficiency.   OZiva HerBones, the plant-based nutritional supplement, provides 420 mg Calcium in elemental form that has three times higher absorption rate as compared to rock and synthetic calcium. It is also fortified with 400 IU of Vitamin D3, 40 mcg Vitamin K2-MK7, 12 mg Vitamin C that is naturally sourced from Lichen, flower oil extract, and Acerola Cherry, respectively. What makes OZiva HerBones even more better is its 100 per cent clean and plant based ingredients unlike other supplements available in the market. It also contains naturally-occurring substances that enhance calcium absorption and bone power. It is packed with essential bone-strengthening elements such as calcium, magnesium, and boron from Lithothamnium Calcareum - a marine algae, which is well-endowed with necessary properties that boost bone structure and function.  Speaking on the novel product launch, Aarti Gill, Co-Founder, OZiva, said. “Our focus has always been on providing innovative plant based nutritional supplements for holistic wellness. Women’s nutrition is an important focus area for us at OZiva. We have heavily invested in marrying customer requirements with R&D solutions to provide clean plant based nutrition.”   HerBones also comprises standardised herbal extracts like Lodh Bark, Ashoka, and Black Cohosh that help in balancing hormones like oestrogen to reduce the risk of osteoporosis in women. With zero added sugar and no artificial sweeteners, it also boasts of zero trans-fat and non GMO properties. Moreover, being soy free, gluten free and lactose free, makes it the perfect supplement for even those women with certain substance intolerances.  The product is priced at an attractive price range of Rs 899 and is available on www.oziva.in.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17421/apollo-hospitals-introducespost-covid-recovery-clinicsacross-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17421/apollo-hospitals-introducespost-covid-recovery-clinicsacross-india.html Tue, 20 Oct 2020 13:45:00 +0530 The Apollo Hospitals Group has announced the launch of Post-COVID Recovery Clinics across the hospital network. The Post-COVID Recovery Clinics will address the rising number of patients who have recovered from COVID but are suffering from the mid and long term persistent effects of the infection. Over 50 per cent of COVID patients suffer from problems that include breathlessness, chest pain and heart issues, joint pains, vision problems, and memory loss months after contracting the novel coronavirus. The Post-COVID Recovery Clinics will be manned by a team of specialists including neurologists and immunologists to help patients deal with the aftermath of COVID-19 and restore them to health. In Delhi the Post-COVID Recovery Clinic will be conducted at the Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, in Sarita Vihar. P Shivakumar, Managing Director, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi said, “To address these health issues faced by patients who have recovered from COVID-19, we have started the Post-COVID Recovery Clinics. These exclusive clinics for post-COVID care will help patients to connect to the specialised care that they need.”  Shivakumar added, “COVID-19 attacks not just the lungs but other organs in the body and leaves behind lingering health issues. Some of the manifestations occur weeks and months after the treatment for acute phase is completed and patient has recovered and impact the well-being of individuals beyond the acute phase. This specialised clinic will enable us to monitor symptoms of patients on an ongoing basis and delivery timely medical attention. The clinics will prevent acute components of the post-COVID syndrome from progressing further and effectively manage the chronic situations which form part of the post-COVID syndrome through a patient-focused, comprehensive, tele-consult and clinic based program.” The Post-COVID Recovery Clinics will initially be launched in Apollo Hospitals treating COVID in Chennai, Madurai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Mysore, Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati, Indore, Lucknow, Mumbai and Ahmedabad. The clinics will be manned by a dedicated team consisting of a family physician assisted by a nurse.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17419/ncdc-launches-ayushman-sahakar-scheme-to-assist-cooperatives-in-creation-of-healthcare-infrastructure.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17419/ncdc-launches-ayushman-sahakar-scheme-to-assist-cooperatives-in-creation-of-healthcare-infrastructure.html Tue, 20 Oct 2020 10:55:00 +0530 Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of State for Agriculture launched Ayushman Sahakar, a unique scheme to assist cooperatives play an important role in creation of healthcare infrastructure in the country formulated by the apex autonomous development finance institution under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC). Rupala announced that NCDC would extend term loans to prospective cooperatives to the tune of Rs 10,000 crore in the coming years. He said that the ongoing pandemic has brought into focus the requirement of creation of more facilities. NCDC’s scheme will be a step towards strengthening farmers welfare activities by the Central Government. Rupala said that Ayushman Sahakar scheme would revolutionise the way healthcare delivery takes place in rural areas. He also gave a call to existing cooperatives take up healthcare services as an activity for farmers. Sundeep Nayak, MD, NCDC added that there are about 52 hospitals across the country run by cooperatives. They have cumulative bed strength of more than 5,000. The NCDC fund would give a boost to provision of healthcare services by cooperatives. NCDC’s scheme aligns itself with the focus of the National Health Policy, 2017, covering the health systems in all their dimensions- investments in health, organisation of healthcare services, access to technologies, development of human resources, encouragement of medical pluralism, affordable health care to farmers etc. It has a comprehensive approach-hospitals, healthcare, medical education, nursing education, paramedical education, health insurance and holistic health systems such as AYUSH. Ayushman Sahakar scheme fund would also assist cooperative hospitals take up medical / Ayush education. Any Cooperative Society with suitable provision in its bye laws to undertake healthcare related activities would be able to access the NCDC fund. NCDC assistance will flow either through the State Governments/ UT Administrations or directly to the eligible cooperatives. Subsidy/ grant from other sources can be dovetailed. Ayushman Sahakar specifically covers establishment, modernisation, expansion, repairs, renovation of hospital and healthcare and education infrastructure.  The scheme also provides working capital and margin money to meet operational requirements. The scheme provides interest subvention of 1 per cent to women majority cooperatives.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17414/villgro-fpai-seek-innovative-solutions-to-address-reproductive-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17414/villgro-fpai-seek-innovative-solutions-to-address-reproductive-health.html Tue, 20 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Villgro, India's pioneering incubator for social enterprises based in Delhi, in collaboration with Family Planning Association of India (FPAI) have announced the launch of Innovation Challenge, an initiative to unearth disruptive ideas and technological solutions in the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) space.  This innovation challenge aims to attract applications from startups as well as individual innovators working to find solutions for challenges in SRH. It is a youth-focused program and innovators who would be selected through this challenge will get access to a highly curated immersion program with industry experts to create a pilot prototype solution. Winners would be selected for receiving a cash prize of up to Rs 3.5 lakhs. Innovators may also be provided with relevant connects for follow-on funding and incubation support. Any individual or a group of individuals who are citizens of India or a startup working to find solutions in sexual and reproductive health are eligible to participate in the challenge. On the launch of the Innovation Challenge, Ramanathan. V, Practice Head, Villgro said, ''We are delighted to launch the Innovation Challenge which is a distinct program in the Indian Entrepreneurship ecosystem as it seeks to encourage innovative technological solutions in sexual and reproductive health. Srinivasan Ramanujam, CEO, Villgro added that "India lags behind many countries in the development of infrastructure to deal with sexual and reproductive health problems. With the vibrant innovation ecosystem we have seen in the startup space in India, we expect disruptive solutions in SRH and also provide a platform for many entrepreneurs and innovators to convert their ideas into sustainable business models." Program Timeline 1. Call for applications: 9th Oct to 30th Oct 2. Immersion program: 5th Nov to 15th Nov   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17420/siemens-healthineers-invests-rs-1300-cr-in-innovation-hub-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17420/siemens-healthineers-invests-rs-1300-cr-in-innovation-hub-in-bengaluru.html Tue, 20 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0530 To advance the digitalization of healthcare and better serve the needs of emerging markets, Siemens Healthineers has announced plans to invest Rs 1,300 crore (EUR 160 million) over the next five years in an innovation hub in Bengaluru, India. The innovation hub will be housed in a new state-of-the-art campus that combines the existing R&D center and an ultra-modern medical imaging factory. To expand its digital capabilities, the company plans to add up to 1,800 digital talents in the next ten years. The investment is part of Siemens Healthineers’ strategy 2025, in which India plays an important role as a growth market for the company. “This investment is the largest we have ever made in India. It will play a key role in taking our business to the next level by driving digitalization and expanding our portfolio for emerging markets. The innovation hub in Bengaluru will demonstrate our commitment to advance healthcare through cutting-edge digital technologies as well as through accessible and affordable innovations driven from India,” said Elisabeth Staudinger, President Asia Pacific, Siemens Healthineers. The Bengaluru campus will be one of four innovation hubs of the company, with other hubs located in the United States, Germany, and China. The innovation hub at Bengaluru will include centers of competence in digital technologies such as data analytics, artificial intelligence, immersive technologies like augmented and virtual reality, user experience, and cybersecurity. So far, Siemens Healthineers has already invested about Rs 2,500 crore (EUR 300 million) in R&D in the country. With about 50 percent of all the software engineers in Siemens Healthineers, the existing R&D center at Bengaluru plays a strategic role in developing cutting-edge software products and platforms for all three segments of the company – Imaging, Diagnostics, and Advanced Therapies. . The investment aims to make India a manufacturing center for the company’s emerging market products. Today, the Bengaluru factory is successfully manufacturing Cios Fit C-arms and Somatom.go CT scanners. These entry-level systems are designed, developed, and made in India and are sold in South-East Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, and South America. Siemens Healthineers plans to expand its product portfolio to address the challenge of affordability that is specific to these markets. When completed in 2025, the first phase of the new campus will include 70,000 square meters of office space for the enlarged R&D center and 5,000 square meters of factory space. To create a modern work environment for the employees and to meet the highest standards in sustainability and energy efficiency, an international architectural competition is planned to bring creativity into the design of the new campus. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17410/future-generali-india-insurance-rolls-out-mental-health-score.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17410/future-generali-india-insurance-rolls-out-mental-health-score.html Mon, 19 Oct 2020 14:45:00 +0530 Mumbai-based Future Generali India Insurance Company Limited (FGII), a joint venture between Future Group – the game changers in Retail Trade in India and Generali has recently announced the launch of an online mental health assessment test – Total Health Score. This unique self-assessment will enable an individual to evaluate the quality of one’s mental well-being. FGII encourages everyone to take their mental health seriously and emphasizes that one’s mental health is as important as physical health to be healthy inside out. The Total Health Score is a questionnaire & API based assessment that is designed by practicing therapists and counselors who understand the early signs of potential mental health issues. Once the individual completes the assessment s/he will be attributed to a score that outlines the current state of his/her mental health. In addition, s/he will have access to self-care content to understand & manage various mental health issues like stress, anxiety, depression and other related concerns. The self-care content is developed by mental health experts especially for Future Generali.               Anup Rau, MD & CEO, FGII said, “Our objective is to be a lifetime partner for our customers and demonstrate expertise with a human touch. The starting point of this mindset change is to get people to understand that mental health is as important as physical health and give them quantifiable ways to measure it. Hence, we created the Total Health Score, a simple questionnaire and API based score that helps quantify your mental health at the time of taking the test.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17409/dst-reveals-impact-of-nationwide-lockdown-to-curb-covid-19-infection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17409/dst-reveals-impact-of-nationwide-lockdown-to-curb-covid-19-infection.html Mon, 19 Oct 2020 13:45:00 +0530 Government of India initiated activities to analyse and predict the spread of the pandemic, and to recommend policy interventions. As a part of this response, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) appointed a committee of experts to collate the collective expertise of the Indian scientific community, and to arrive at a ‘COVID-19 India National Supermodel’. The committee consisted of Prof M Vidyasagar (IIT Hyderabad), Prof Manindra Agrawal (IIT Kanpur), Lt Gen Madhuri Kanitkar (HQ IDS MoD), Prof Biman Bagchi (IISc), Prof Arup Bose (ISI Kolkata), Prof Gagandeep Kang (CMC Vellore) and Prof Sankar K Pal (ISI Kolkata) The Committee assessed the impact of the lockdown measures that were put in place at the beginning of the pandemic, specifically, whether they reduced the peak load on our healthcare system, and thus gave time to build on our capacity and capability to effectively manage the pandemic. Based on the mathematical model developed by the Committee, the following conclusions have emerged about the course of the pandemic: The number of active cases has peaked at around 10 lakh. However, this number will start rising again if proper practices of masking, disinfecting, tracing, and quarantine are not followed. The downward trend will continue only if we continue with above practices. The Committee also simulated what would have happened in hypothetical alternative scenarios with regard to the timing of lockdown regime: With no lockdown, the pandemic would have hit India very hard, with a peak load of 140+ lakh cases arriving in June. Given our lack of preparedness back then, the healthcare system would have been overwhelmed, leading to many additional deaths. Had India waited until May to impose the lockdown, the peak load of active cases would have been around 50 lakhs by June. In actuality, the peak of active cases came in late September at around 10 lakhs. By this time, we were far better equipped to handle the pandemic in terms of diagnostics and vital equipment inventories. The existing personal safety protocols need to continue in full measure. Otherwise we will see a sharp rise in infections. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17407/ahpi-establishes-patients-grievance-redressal-forum.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17407/ahpi-establishes-patients-grievance-redressal-forum.html Mon, 19 Oct 2020 12:20:00 +0530 Association of Healthcare Providers (India) or AHPI has recently established the ‘AHPI Patient’s Grievance Redressal Forum’, with a view to educate as well as listen to the grievances of patient as consumers, while availing services from private healthcare providers. AGRF will provide them guidance and help; it will work as a mediator between concerned hospitals and patients and keep them well informed which will help to make the process smooth without unwanted delays and save precious time of both parties. Dr Devi Shetty, Patron, Founder, AHPI inaugurated the forum in the presence of Dr Alexander Thomas, President, AHPI, Cdr Navneet Bali, National Convener, AHPI, RP Singh, Secretary General of Quality council of India (QCI), Dr Venkat Rao, Chairman, AHPI Patients Grievance Redressal Forum and Dr Girdhar Gyani, Member Secretary, AHPI. All AHPI state chapter representatives also participated in the programme. Dr Shetty said that “The nation building exercise basically depends upon multiple institutions like Court of law, Government, Educational institutions. Today we may take such institution for granted but back in time some people had started some of the institutions with view of making our lives comfortable, and over the years such institutions, forums etc. became essential parts of our lives.” He also added, “We are confident mainly because patients go to the courts with their complaints but there is nobody to explain them their rights, claims etc. as it is highly required and with this endeavour there will be existence of a forum consisting of healthcare providers of course not from same hospitals to assist them.” APGRF is made up of a number of member organisations related to healthcare consumer groups such as national level pensioner associations, state health consumer organisations, health consumer organisations and networks dedicated to health conditions with a general interest in healthcare consumer affairs. Dr Rao conveyed his appreciation to the participating members at the inauguration and said that, “we have faith in the forum that it will live up to the objectives it is designed for. We are extremely grateful to have to help and assist our patients and add to the value of our healthcare system.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17400/experts-hope-india-to-get-covid-19-vaccine-by-march-2021.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17400/experts-hope-india-to-get-covid-19-vaccine-by-march-2021.html Fri, 16 Oct 2020 18:10:00 +0530 The world at large pins hopes that vaccine will be the next big thing to prevent the increasing curve of COVID-19. Currently, the researchers are racing to create one, but how long it will take to come to the fore is a curious question; and by what time entire India will get access to COVID-19 vaccine? Where do we stand in COVID-19 vaccine development? All these aspects were brought to discussion during Episode-9 of the HEAL-Thy Samvaad, organised by the ‘Healthcare Advocacy Group’ — HEAL Foundation in association with the International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (ICCIDD) on Oct 15 2020. In his address Dr Suresh Jadav, Executive Director, Serum Institute of India, Pvt Ltd, Pune, said, “India may get COVID-19 vaccine by March 2021 provided the regulators signal with the processes fast as multiple manufacturers are working on it.” “We can produce 700-800 million vaccine dosages every year once the things are streamlined,” added Dr Jadav.   While speaking on the COVID Vaccination & Consumers Rights, Prof Bejon Kumar Misra, International Consumer Policy Expert, Founder, JAGOGRAHAK.COM, Editor, The Aware Consumer, said, “Definitely, the vaccines will be a vital component in finally addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. In a nutshell, safety, efficacy and distribution without discrimination of COVID-19 vaccines are as important as its accessibility.” While speaking on the accessibility conundrum of COVID vaccine Dr JL Meena, Joint Director, NHA, said, “Of course, to have a check on the upsurge of COVID-19 infection, the vaccine is quintessential. However, the biggest challenge lies in its accessibility.” Elaborating on the status of the vaccine development, Samir Deb, Pharmaceutical Professional, Consultant Vaccine & Public Affairs Consultant, South East Asia, said, “Vaccine development is a burning issue across the world now. Worldwide, there are 40 candidates in the race of vaccination. In India, three vaccines are going in the phase-3 clinical trial. However, COVID-19 crisis requires accelerated pathways for vaccine development.” Atul Sharma, Founder & Managing Director, HealthScape, said, “Historically, we never expected any unprecedented pandemic like COVID-19 but within a year, we are at the verge of vaccine development. And now, we are prioritising how to allocate the vaccines to a high-risk population.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17398/breast-cancer-awareness-month-niramai-promotes-breast-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17398/breast-cancer-awareness-month-niramai-promotes-breast-health.html Fri, 16 Oct 2020 17:40:00 +0530 October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month giving us a good opportunity to create more awareness amongst people about breast cancer and the importance of early detection. Every year around this month Bangalore based Niramai, an AI-based health tech company offers breast cancer awareness, initiates various screening camps, and offers a bunch of discounts to encourage women to take the first step towards breast health. They ensure as many people as possible hear and understand the breast awareness message whether that’s through social media or one of the women’s health webinars.   Niramai has special offers to empower women with knowledge about their health and wellbeing. Some of the initiatives by team Niramai 40% discount on all breast health services Sponsored second screening at a 50% discount  Online breast health assessment test - (Free until 15th October) This allows you to get a complete breast health check Through their services, Niramai aims to educate women about their breast health and urge others to support them in promoting breast cancer awareness.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17397/hemophilia-patients-face-therapy-challenges-due-to-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17397/hemophilia-patients-face-therapy-challenges-due-to-covid-19.html Fri, 16 Oct 2020 12:45:00 +0530 The world is grappling with the challenges posed due to the ongoing pandemic. No country has been immune to the crisis, and so has been the case with India.The focus of healthcare professionals, resources, and infrastructure shifted quickly towards managing COVID-19 patients, resulting in less emphasis on non-covid patients such as Hemophilia patients. The low disease awareness amongst patients and lack of accessibility to specialists are critical factors that make the Haemophilia patients furthermore vulnerable. Hemophilia is a hereditary genetic blood disorder that impairs the body’s ability to control blood clotting. People with these diseases do not bleed any faster than normal but can bleed for a longer time. Patients with Hemophilia are having a tough time accessing treatment as they are also in constant fear of contracting the coronavirus, being part of the vulnerable category. Though the factors required for the treatment are available at hospitals but due to the whole coronavirus situation, the patients fear going to the hospitals for their treatment. The critical need for early diagnosis, access to treatment, and physiotherapy is crucial for people with Hemophilia to lead a near-normal life. With easy access to factor replacement therapy and physiotherapy, Hemophilia patients, especially children- can fight this life-threatening blood disorder. The risk of death from lack of basic knowledge and untreated Hemophilia is very high. They also laid strong emphasis on Government support to ensure availability of diagnosis facility, factor replacement therapy and physiotherapy at Government centres. According to Dr Radhika Kanakaratna, Assistant Professor - Pathologist, Nizams Institute of Medical Services, Hyderabad, “The ongoing pandemic has brought some changes in our management of haemophiliacs. The number of Hemophilia patients visiting hospital has significantly reduced and only 5-6 patients visit each month. The diagnosis centre is operational, but the routine prophylaxis is temporarily withheld in view of shortage of factor support. The Haemophiliacs are at same risk of covid-19 as the general population so it is advisable that patients take all the precautions and be more cautious about sustaining injuries as they  are at the risk of complications especially bleeding risk.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17391/hospido-presents-indias-first-virtual-run-for-breast-cancer-awareness.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17391/hospido-presents-indias-first-virtual-run-for-breast-cancer-awareness.html Thu, 15 Oct 2020 01:05:00 +0530 Gurugram‐based Hospido, a technology based cancer care platform, is all geared up to present India’s first virtual run: Run2Beat for breast cancer awareness from October 17, 2020 to October 31, 2020. Research suggests it takes 2 minutes to do a breast cancer self diagnosis, and through the run Hospido wants to create an awareness on early diagnosis of cancer. Run2Beat is a virtual run, anybody can participate from anywhere. The virtual run timings are of 2 minutes, 20 minutes, and 2 hours. People can upload the screenshot of their running app on Hospido’s Facebook page, Twitter or Instagram pages using hashtags: #Run2Beat #Hospido #BreastCancerAwareness. 3000 people have already registered for this cause, and you can register on Hospido’s website (www.hospido.in)  Three fortunate participants will win Amazon gift vouchers worth Rs.10,000. Two participants with most referred registrations will win Amazon gift vouchers worth Rs.5000. 1 winner under each category will be announced on the basis of maximum distance covered and will get medals and T-shirts. E-Certificates will be given to all the participants. The Founder of Hospido, Karan Chopra says “Today, breast cancer accounts for 30% of female cancers across India. Breast self examination is an effective way of early cancer diagnosis. It takes just 2 minutes to self‐examine and can save multiple lives. We are very serious about creating awareness on early cancer diagnosis and are happy to play our part. I encourage every individual to take some time and participate in the marathon to create awareness on this much needed cause. ”  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17392/apollo-hospitals-set-to-administer-1m-covid-19-vaccines-daily.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17392/apollo-hospitals-set-to-administer-1m-covid-19-vaccines-daily.html Thu, 15 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0530 In an effort to support the Government’s valiant battle against COVID-19, Apollo Hospitals announced that it is prepared to administer 1 million COVID-19 vaccines daily. The group will leverage its robust pan India web of 19 medicine supply hubs with cold chain facilities and use it’s 70 hospitals, 400+ clinics, 500 corporate health centers, 4000 pharmacies alongside their omni-channel digital platform Apollo 24|7 to ensure massive administration capacity of COVID-19 vaccines. About 30 per cent of India is roughly 30 minutes away from an Apollo pharmacy, which can then guarantee safe and widespread reach of the vaccine, if required. More than ten thousand Apollo employees are undergoing required training and will be stationed at Apollo centers to administer the vaccine. Shobana Kamineni, Executive Vice-Chairperson, The Apollo Group of Hospitals said,” As the entire country awaits a vaccine for the deadly infectious disease, one of the major challenges will be around safe and orderly delivery of doses, for the population of 1.3 billion Indians, especially the vulnerable. We are happy to share that, Apollo Hospitals have been, strengthening its vaccine cold chain for supply and gearing up all Apollo facilities for efficient and fast administration with the highest safety standards, for upto 1 million doses per day. As   the largest and most trusted integrated healthcare network in the country, we believe that it is our duty and responsibility to actively participate in the nation’s fight against COVID-19 and make India safe and healthy. Till date we have tested over 2,50,000 and have treated over 75,000 patients. Going forward it will be our privilege to work with all governments, governmental agencies and healthcare networks to ensure that a large number of people get the vaccine, quickly and safely as it becomes available. We are proud that Indian manufacturers will make most of the world’s supply of vaccine, and as healthcare service providers we will ensure the safest and most comprehensive delivery.” Technology will play a large role in ensuring that all citizens have access to the vaccine and how it will be administered and prioritized, Apollo Hospitals was among the first healthcare providers to start working with the National Digital Health Mission. Additionally, Apollo 24|7 will host a dedicated platform for all the information related to the COVID-19 vaccine (http://bit.ly/CovidVaccineTracker). Users will be able to register themselves on Apollo 24|7 and keep them abreast with the latest update around vaccine development. The platform will generate a unique number for every user registering on the platform and ensure interoperability with the NDHM effort. Through the portal, users will be receiving constant updates about the vaccines.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17382/iqvia-pitches-india-as-promising-location-for-immuno-oncology-trials.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17382/iqvia-pitches-india-as-promising-location-for-immuno-oncology-trials.html Wed, 14 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Immuno-oncology (IO) therapeutics are driving a transformational change in cancer treatment, mobilizing the patient’s immune system against their cancer, and aimed at reducing toxicities. Use of IO therapies – including immune checkpoint inhibitors – in clinical care and clinical trials for solid tumors was the topic of an advisory board meeting held in Mumbai recently by the IQVIA India medical and clinical team with Key Opinion Leaders from various regions of India. A major point raised during the meeting was that Indian patients often lack low-cost access to IO therapies that are approved in U.S. and European markets. Currently, while IO therapies are available in India – either on demand or on compassionate use grounds – cost and affordability remain a concern even for higher income groups. IO therapy in India is only reimbursed by medical insurance for patients who have been approved, and when used in combination with chemotherapy. In future, it would be helpful if the reimbursement decisions of insurance companies could take account of multiple factors, including overall survival benefit, efficiency, value, drug approval status, magnitude of clinical benefit and improved quality of life. Another point discussed at the meeting was that access to clinical trials – another way to gain access to IO therapies – is also currently not available to the majority of cancer patients in India. This situation demands solutions. India should be included in major global IO trials, along with other APAC countries, including the many preclinical and clinical research studies underway in solid tumors. In India, there are minimal challenges in patient recruitment for IO clinical trials from ethical, regulatory and institutional review board perspectives. One approach to overcoming these challenges would be to create a central platform including details about oncology patients, treatment options, and clinical trial opportunities. This could take the form of a database, application or registry, which could help to increase awareness among doctors and patients, thereby increase participation in clinical trial across India. There is a particular need to connect rural patients and hospitals with major tertiary urban oncology centers and principal investigators. Over the last decade, clinical data generated by Indian clinical sites have been used successfully to support drug approvals in the United States, European Union and elsewhere. India remains on track to become a major centre for clinical trials and should be routinely considered by international sponsors for global IO trials.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17378/govt-opens-regional-raw-drug-repository-for-ayush-systems-in-chennai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17378/govt-opens-regional-raw-drug-repository-for-ayush-systems-in-chennai.html Tue, 13 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Shripad Yesso Naik, Union Minister for AYUSH and Minister of State for Defence has inaugurated the Regional Raw Drug Repository (RRDR) for ASU&H Medicine- Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy (Southern Plateau Region) at National Institute of Siddha. RRDRs are important components of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH Mission, which plays an important role in medicinal plants cultivation. As a step in this direction, Ministry of AYUSH, through the National Medicinal Plants Board, initiated establishment of National Raw Drug Repository and Regional Raw Drug Repositories.  NMPB have identified National Institute of Siddha as the lead Institute with the Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine, Chennai and the Siddha Central Research Institute, Chennai as the Collaborating Institutes.  This RRDR would play a stellar role in collection, documentation, and authentication of raw drugs collected from the agro-climatic region, that is, the Southern Plateau Region. There is a global resurgence in the traditional and alternative health care system. We in India are fortunate to have systems of medicine which date back to more than 3000 years and have deep rooted societal acceptance. Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and systems of medicine are accessible to large segment of our population including those living in remote and interior areas. The growth and acceptability of traditional systems require robust infrastructure of hospitals, dispensaries, pharmacies and manufacturing units so as to manufacture and dispense quality medicine. The country has more than 9000 manufacturing units for Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathy medicine. However, the quality of medicines produced by these units critically depend upon the manufacturing process followed as well as the quality of raw material. The Government has made it mandatory for all manufacturing units to adhere to the Good Manufacturing Practices as notified under Schedule T of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940. However, since more than 90% of the formulations under these systems of medicine are plant based, what is critical is to ensure sustained availability of quality raw material. This RRDR will not only act as collection centers of raw drugs available and used in southern region but also as an accredited reference library for authentication of raw drugs and establish standard protocols and keys for authentication of raw drug used in the herbal industries.  The project will be headed by Prof. Dr. R. Meena kumari, Director, National Institute of Siddha (NIS) as the Principal Investigator and Dr. Zaheer Ahmed, Head of Institute, Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine (RRIUM) and Dr. Satyarajeswaran, Director (in-charge), Siddha Central Research Institute (SCRI), will be Co-investigators. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17365/ficci-launches-taskforce-on-ayurveda-tourism-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17365/ficci-launches-taskforce-on-ayurveda-tourism-.html Mon, 12 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0530 In the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, there is a need for promoting the use of natural remedies to boost immunity and stay healthy. To promote Ayurveda, in domestic and international markets, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) has launched the 'Task Force on Ayurveda Tourism' under the Chairmanship of Sajeev Kurup, Managing Director, Ayurveda Mana Hospitals.  The objective of the Task Force is to bring all key stakeholders together on a common platform to extensively promote Ayurveda Tourism in the domestic as well as international markets. The Task Force will also strategize a road map to develop Ayurveda Tourism further by working closely and co-creating solutions with the government and key stakeholders. Dilip Chenoy, Secretary General, FICCI, said, "FICCI has been working continuously for the past few months with the Centre and the States for allowing Ayurveda and wellness centres to reopen." Ayurveda will see a lot of demand and this is the best time to come up with solutions to promote Ayurveda Tourism as a completely safe segment, added Chenoy. Sajeev Kurup, Chairman, FICCI Ayurveda Tourism Task Force and Managing Director, Ayurveda Mana Hospitals, said, "State borders should open and people with a COVID-19 negative certificate should be allowed to travel to the Ayurveda center with no quarantine period required." He further said that information on all the Ayurveda centres along with their safety measures, guidelines should be available online so that the customers can easily access. This will also help in promoting Ayurveda Tourism, he noted. The Task Force will also seek to create awareness among the stakeholders on the SOPs to be implemented by Ayurveda service providers and build confidence among the tourists to explore Ayurveda Tourism. The members of the FICCI Ayurveda Tourism Task Force include Rudraksha Ayurvedic Holistic Centre; Madukkakuzhy Ayurveda India; Somatheeram Health Group; Kairali Ayurvedic Group; Niraamaya Wellness Retreats; Ayurveda Promotion Society; Carnoustie Ayurveda & Wellness Resort; Ananda Spa; Healing Touch - Ayurveda Yoga Retreat and Ayur Bethaniya LLP. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17364/india-gets-first-specialized-mental-health-hospital.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17364/india-gets-first-specialized-mental-health-hospital.html Sat, 10 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0530 On the occasion of World Mental Health on 10th October, Fortis Healthcare and Sukoon Health has come together to launch India’s first specialized mental health hospital. The newly launched hospital is a 20,000 sq. ft facility based out of sector 56 Gurugram and is India’s first super specialty hospital offering inpatient and outpatient care facilities in the fields of Psychiatry, Psychology, De-Addiction, and Rehabilitation. The world-class facility is designed to provide 24x7 services in a safe and secured environment. It is equipped with modern amenities such as Psychiatric ICUs, art therapy studio, yoga and fitness center, terrace garden, and recreational lounges. The virtual therapy room is conceptualized to maintain continuity of treatment once a patient is discharged for a sustained recovery. Speaking on the launch of the hospital Dr Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, MD and CEO, Fortis Healthcare said, “We are happy to announce the launch of this state-of-the-art facility developed to address mental health issues in India. Fortis Healthcare has undertaken various initiatives in the past and this hospital is another step towards addressing the treatment gaps. It is important to establish dedicated inpatient facilities that can cater to the entire spectrum of mental health illnesses. Addressing mental health issues is essential and with India seeing a significant rise in mental health disorders, it has become important to focus on mental health disorders”. The incidents of mental illnesses are rising rapidly globally and in India as well. It is taking a shape of global pandemic which needs to be addressed urgently. In the last one decade, India has seen a significant rise in number of suicides in younger age group. The most common mental health disorders are depression and anxiety. Other disorders which have registered a significant increase are schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, idiopathic developmental intellectual disability, conduct disorders, and autism. As per a report published by The Lancet in February 2020, 197 million Indians are suffering from mental disorders which includes 45.7 million cases of depressive disorders and 44.9 million cases of anxiety disorder.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17360/orbis-reports-gaps-in-child-eye-healthcare-in-india-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17360/orbis-reports-gaps-in-child-eye-healthcare-in-india-.html Fri, 09 Oct 2020 12:25:00 +0530 Orbis India, in collaboration with Ipsos, has launched its ‘Status of Child Eye Health in India: A Comprehensive Report’ on World Sight Day, a program of Vision 2020: Right to Sight-India. The Report was launched by the Chief Guest at the Vision 2020 program, Dr G N Rao, Founder and Chairman, LV Prasad Eye Institute.   The report was launched at an opportune time on World Sight Day to stress the prevalence of eye health problems in India and recommend possible solutions, particularly for children. The Child Eye Report acts as an umbrella of information related to eye care, including the magnitude of the problem, causes and conditions in children, Orbis’s Child Eye Health model and best practices that outline the current landscape for children’s eye health in India. The report also discusses some of the gaps present on both the demand and supply sides of eye health in India.   Orbis India has been closely working with Ipsos to develop an extensive report. It includes primary research in the form of in-depth interviews with 16 doctors and ophthalmologists who are subject matter experts on different eye conditions. The report also includes details of Orbis’s Child Eye Health Model. Orbis has created a network of 33 Children’s Eye Centers (CECs) across 17 States, which is the largest pediatric eye health network in any one country and established 3 Paediatric Ophthalmology Learning and Training Centers. Later this month, Orbis will organize a virtual Flying Eye Hospital (FEH) training program on Simulation for Indian eye care professionals through its award-winning telemedicine platform, Cybersight. Dr. Rishi Raj Borah, Country Director, Orbis India said, “The report brings to light 8-10 conditions in children, that if diagnosed early can prevent childhood blindness: These conditions are Childhood Cataract, Childhood Glaucoma, Strabismus (Squint), Amblyopia (Lazy Eye), Refractive Errors, Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), Retinoblastoma. One in every 1000 children is blind, where in most cases, the blindness was avoidable, if it had been caught early. Also, the report highlights the urban-rural disparity – urban areas would have 1 ophthalmologist for 10,000 people; in rural it is 1 for every 2,50,000 people. The report also talks about the interventions that can improve child eye health in India – the preventive model, eye screening, building awareness, focus on refractive error, expansion of healthcare, vaccination, Vitamin A supplementation, provision of visual aids etc.”     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17357/philips-india-enhances-access-to-care-for-sleep-disorder-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17357/philips-india-enhances-access-to-care-for-sleep-disorder-patients.html Thu, 08 Oct 2020 17:10:00 +0530 Royal Philips, a global leader in health technology has partnered with Indian Sleep Disorders Association (ISDA) to offer a first-of-its-kind six-month online certified course in Sleep Medicine.  Aligned with its focus on providing quality treatment for sleep disorders, Philips has trained more than 500 sleep technicians and guided the launch of more than 650 sleep labs in the country till date. The company also launched a dedicated sleep helpline and Home Sleep Test Solution to enhance access to care for patients suffering from sleep disorders. The six-month course on Sleep Medicine will focus on the management, diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. Qualified clinicians will be able to take up this course under the able guidance of Dr JC Suri, Director and Head, Department of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Fortis Flt. Lt. Rajan Dhall Hospital, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi and Founder, President and Chairman, Indian Sleep Disorders Association. Philips has also launched a dedicated free sleep helpline for patients suffering from sleep apnea. Through this helpline, certified sleep educators will assist callers and help them understand their sleep patterns, educate them on the implications of poor sleep and guide them in seeking detailed diagnosis and treatment. This Home Sleep Testing Solution offered by Philips will support clinicians in doing a sleep test for potential sleep apnea patients in the comfort of their homes. The solution consists of a chest effort belt, a pulse oximeter and a single-use nasal cannula which capture vitals overnight. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17356/cases-of-moderate-severe-visual-impairment-doubles-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17356/cases-of-moderate-severe-visual-impairment-doubles-in-india.html Thu, 08 Oct 2020 13:45:00 +0530 World Sight Day is observed each year on 8 Oct to focus attention on vision impairment and blindness. New data from the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) indicates that in India cases of moderate and severe visual impairment have almost doubled from 40.6 million in 1990 to 79 million in 2020 and cases of near vision loss have more than doubled from 57.7 million to 137.6 million during the same time period. According to the National Blindness & Visual Impairment Survey1 2015-2019, about 92.9% of cases of blindness amongst people over the age of 50 years can be avoided in India. This stresses the need for regular check-ups and early detection of vision-impairing conditions especially amongst the vulnerable like young school-going children, women, the elderly with diabetes and people with family history of glaucoma. Speaking on World Sight Day, Suresh Pattathil, Managing Director, Allergan India Pvt. Ltd, said, “Vision loss effects both the health and wellbeing of a person. 75% of vision loss can be cured or prevented. According to several ophthalmologists, the Covid-19 pandemic has led to patients skipping their regular eye check-up, this has led to a worsening of vision impairment in some cases. On this World Sight Day, we urge everyone to ‘prevent the preventable’ and protect their eyesight. Consider an eye check-up as important as a body check-up, especially if you knowingly or unknowingly have a condition that could lead to vision loss.” Peter Holland, CEO, IAPB said: "Our world is facing unprecedented challenges this year, but the demand for eye health does not stop. World Sight Day offers us a time to celebrate the promise and hope in sight. New data is showing us the magnitude of eye care need; we must work together to ensure eye health is available to all who need it." Earlier this year, Allergan, the IAPB and international NGO Sightsavers launched the “Keep Sight” initiative to create awareness and screen people for glaucoma in Ganjam district in Odisha. This is a community-based glaucoma screening program to identify glaucoma-related vision loss amongst people in the community. The program also trains healthcare professionals to screen people at a high risk and provide the necessary treatment and eye care. So far, over 13,500 people have been screened for glaucoma and more than 1273 referred to a hospital for treatment. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17350/akzonobel-india-partners-with-telerad-foundation-for-telehealth-project.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17350/akzonobel-india-partners-with-telerad-foundation-for-telehealth-project.html Thu, 08 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0530 AkzoNobel India has partnered with Telerad Foundation, a global healthcare organization to begin a telehealth project- Aarogya Sakha, to improve the healthcare status of the painter community.  In the first phase of this project, the healthcare service will be accessible to 2,00,000 painters and their families across states of Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. Painters will receive consultations in Kannada, Hindi, and English. With a 24x7 assistance for appointment booking, the facility provides access to doctors and specialists from Bengaluru's premium RxDx Healthcare chain to the painters and their families. Aarogya Sakha offers both audio and video consultation, thrice a week. The initiative provides impetus to AkzoNobel India’s ongoing efforts to connect blue collar communities with affordable healthcare care. Rajiv Rajgopal, Managing Director, AkzoNobel India, said, “In these extraordinary times, Aarogya Sakha bridges the gap between underprivileged painters and quality healthcare by enabling them to connect through virtual channels. Painters, and contractors are an integral part of our value chain and with Aarogya Sakha, we are committed in providing quality yet affordable healthcare to them and their families. The facility offers specialized healthcare services including of screening of COVID-19 symptoms.”  Before starting the Aarokya Sakha project, a survey was carried out by Telerad Foundation on behalf of AkzoNobel to understand the health needs and feasibility of telehealth amongst the painter community. As per the survey, the painter community expressed their primary concern over the accessibility and affordability to quality healthcare. 33% of the painter community spend nearly ₹12,000 annually on hospital charges and fees. About 83% of contractors and 68% painters mentioned that they own smartphones, while 68% of the population are accustomed to video calls. Studies have shown that 70% of the outpatient cases do not require a physical presence in a clinic for an accurate diagnosis. And, telehealth is a convenient solution in making specialist care readily available.  Recently, Bengaluru based AkzoNobel India launched Dulux Protect, a comprehensive programme aimed at supporting painters and contractors due to the challenges posed by the pandemic. Some of the initiatives include financial support, providing dry ration kits, health protection through insurance and tele-medicine facilities, and a safe return to the workplace by providing PPE kits.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17352/swiss-health-tech-startup-picks-infosys-to-launch-product-for-cancer-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17352/swiss-health-tech-startup-picks-infosys-to-launch-product-for-cancer-care.html Thu, 08 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Infosys, the global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, today announced that it has been selected by Mobile Health AG, a Switzerland-based Health Tech startup, to enhance the go-to-market (GTM) strategy for its electronically patient-reported outcomes (ePRO) platform, Consilium Care™. Consilium Care™ helps in improving the outcome for patients undergoing cancer treatment through remote monitoring. Through this engagement, Infosys will set up and manage cloud and infrastructure services and support, security and monitoring, and platform management services for Mobile Health AG across multiple geographies. Mobile Health AG selected Infosys as a partner for its strong domain expertise and experience in Oncology to support the commercial launch of Consilium Care™ through MS Azure. Infosys will help refine the quality of care for cancer patients and enable a value-based digital healthcare system through high-quality patient data and value-based pricing. This aligns with Mobile Health’s key business strategy to improve the outcome for patients undergoing cancer treatment by strengthening the collaboration between patients and caregivers. Infosys, backed by its large healthcare client base, will explore new partnership opportunities with Mobile Health AG to jointly market the Consilium Care™ platform in the US as part of the Infosys Health Platform (IHP). Frank Gulitz, CIO, Mobile Health AG, said, “After a rigorous selection process we selected Infosys as strategic partner for our Cloud Provider Due Diligence, the global setup of Microsoft Azure, as well as partner for the Infrastructure Operation and Platform Application Managed Service. Infosys was leading against competitors by their well-established Cloud Management Services combined with strong Security Consulting Offerings and Health Industry Insight. We are looking forward to commonly develop new markets for Consilium Care™, our award winning CE-marked platform.” Mohit Joshi, President Infosys, said, “Mobile Health’s ePRO platform shows great potential in augmenting healthcare for cancer patients, and we look forward to being a part of this journey to optimize and standardize remote treatment leveraging technology. The partnership will streamline the public CSPs to Mobile Health AG’s requirements while offering robust, cost efficient cloud services, support, and security. We will continue to leverage our talent pool and global presence to deliver superior experiences for Consilium Care™ users and patients, to make this platform true value generator in the healthcare space.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17348/hdfc-apollo-hospitals-collaborate-for-quality-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17348/hdfc-apollo-hospitals-collaborate-for-quality-healthcare.html Wed, 07 Oct 2020 18:15:00 +0530 In a first-of-its-kind initiative India, HDFC Bank and Apollo Hospitals have joined hands to launch ‘The HealthyLife Programme’, a holistic healthcare solution that makes healthy life accessible and affordable on Apollo’s digital platform, Apollo 24|7. The programme is created exclusively for HDFC customers who will get round the clock access to emergency Apollo Doctor at No Cost on Apollo 24|7 along with a plethora of benefits such as choice of payment options and ease of finance for treatments at Apollo Hospitals. The initiative was launched digitally by Aditya Puri, Managing Director, HDFC Bank and Shobana Kamineni, Executive Vice-Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals in the presence of Prathap C Reddy, Founder Chairman, Apollo Hospitals and Sashidhar Jagdishan, the MD Designate of HDFC Bank. The two biggest challenges in a medical emergency are access to quality healthcare and easy finance at scale. The coming together of these two leading players aims to address precisely this through the combined reach of the two organizations. About 40 per cent of India is only about 30 minutes away from an Apollo pharmacy while 95 per cent of the districts in the country are served by an HDFC Bank branch. The two organizations have the potential to initially serve 65 million existing HDFC customer along with the new ones who will be onboarded along the journey of this partnership.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17344/tattvan-launches-e-clinics-to-provide-healthcare-facilities-in-jaipur.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17344/tattvan-launches-e-clinics-to-provide-healthcare-facilities-in-jaipur.html Wed, 07 Oct 2020 11:55:00 +0530 Telemedicine startup, Tattvan based out in Gurugram is planning to expand its operations in Rajasthan to provide advanced healthcare facilities to the people. Tattvan has announced the launch of its new e-clinics in the Khora Shyamdas village and Thikariya village of Jaipur district in Rajasthan, India.  These clinics will provide comprehensive and holistic healthcare solutions to the residents of the community as well as to solve the issue of availability of less number of healthcare professionals and facilities. Residents will enjoy the benefit of teleconsultations, diagnostic services, and access to a pharmacy. Tattvan is India’s first-of-its-kind telemedicine company that established a widespread telemedicine business with its ‘brick & mortar’ model that has a clear motto of providing the best medical diagnosis, prompt cure, right guidance, and best consultancy, anywhere. With the help of Tattvan’s telemedicine platform, residents will receive the medical advice of healthcare professionals who are practicing in some of the leading hospitals nearby at an affordable price. Furthermore, Tattvan has already registered more than 100 specialist doctors from Jaipur alone, so that all sorts of diseases and issues can be addressed. To ensure their well-being, periodic check-ups will be performed and diagnostic services will be available at the clinics. Tattvan is working towards the growth of the digital health system in India and will maintain electronic health records of the patients to keep them secure which will be accessible by patients and doctors from anywhere in the world. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17349/muthoot-finance-extends-dialysis-support-project-in-karnataka.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17349/muthoot-finance-extends-dialysis-support-project-in-karnataka.html Wed, 07 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Muthoot Finance Ltd, India's largest gold-loan company's Corporate Social Responsibility Wing, Muthoot M George Foundation has extended its Dialysis support project to Karnataka. The company has signed an MoU with Bangalore Kidney Foundation (BKF), an NGO based in Bangalore for supporting patients for their Dialysis.   The official MOU exchange was held at Corporate office, Bangalore between George M Alexander, Executive Director, The Muthoot Group and Kartik Sriram, Trustee, Bangalore Kidney Foundation. George Alexander Muthoot, Managing Director, George Thomas Muthoot, Joint Managing Director, The Muthoot Group and the CSR committee members have joined this ceremony through video conferencing. Muthoot M George Foundation, has been involved in the care and assistance activities for Kidney patients for a number of years.  Every year, company has been providing a substantial amount for dialysis & treatment of renal patients.  So far company has provided support for 2 lakh dialysis.   Speaking on this occasion, George  M Alexander, Executive Director, Muthoot Finance Ltd. said, "The number of patients undergoing dialysis in India is increasing by 10-15 per cent every year. We believe, our association with BKF will provide additional care & comfort to the financially deprived patients.  We at Muthoot Finance are committed to give back to the society through our various CSR initiatives, we will continue to remain duly committed towards our society with the vision to enhance the quality of life of communities that we serve”.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17335/health-ministry-launches-covid-19-management-protocol-based-on-ayurveda.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17335/health-ministry-launches-covid-19-management-protocol-based-on-ayurveda.html Tue, 06 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare has released National Clinical Management Protocol based on Ayurveda and Yoga for management of COVID-19 in the virtual presence of Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State for AYUSH (Independent Charge). Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog and Dr. V. K. Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog also joined virtually. An Interdisciplinary Committee for integration of Ayurveda and Yoga Interventions in the 'National Clinical Management Protocol: COVID-19’, chaired by Dr V M Katoch, former Director General ICMR and composed of a group of experts with domain knowledge had formulated the report and submitted recommendations based on acceptable experimental and clinical data. These findings, indicating potential benefits and safety of the medicines, were presented before the National Task Force on COVID 19 and Joint Monitoring Group and subsequently developed into the protocol on the recommendations of NITI Aayog. Based on their recommendations, the Ministry of AYUSH constituted a National Task Force which, in consensus from expert committees from All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Delhi, Institute of Post Graduate Training and Research in Ayurved (IPGTRA), Jamnagar, and National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA), Jaipur, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy (CCRYN) and other national research organizations, prepared the National Clinical Management Protocol based on Ayurveda & Yoga for management of COVID-19. Hailing the achievement on the part of Ministry of AYUSH that the advisories for boosting the immunity of the people have become highly popular, Dr. Harsh Vardhan noted, “Prime Minister has emphasized following AYUSH advisories for management of COVID-19 crisis. This protocol dealing with preventive and prophylactic measures is a significant step in not only in management of COVID but also in making traditional knowledge relevant to solving problems of the modern time”. He expressed satisfaction with the inclusion of easily available and common Ayurvedic herbs and formulations like Guduchi, Ashwagandha, AYUSH-64 in treating mild and asymptomatic COVID cases. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17330/iqvia-medvarsity-expand-access-to-specialized-courses-for-hcps.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17330/iqvia-medvarsity-expand-access-to-specialized-courses-for-hcps.html Mon, 05 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0530 IQVIA, a leading global provider of advanced analytics, technology solutions and contract research services to the life sciences industry has announced a collaboration with Medvarsity Online Ltd., Asia’s largest healthcare ed-tech company based in Hyderabad, to provide healthcare professionals (HCPs) with flexible, on-demand medical e-training solutions through IQVIA’s collaborative learning platform HCP Space™ to support training compliance. Through this strategic alliance, professionals on HCP Space™ will be able to access more than 150 courses in clinical and management areas covering a wide range of specialties including diabetes, emergency medicine, cardiology, nutrition, wellness, healthcare informatics, mental health, and more. With these online courses, HCPs will be able to further advance their training, knowledge and career wherever they are, while providing quality healthcare for their patients by ensuring their certifications stay current through continuing education. “Bringing together a coherent network of HCPs, industry, relevant content and a robust digital backbone for knowledge exchange and interaction is the need of the hour,” said Amit Mookim, managing director, IQVIA South Asia. "We are extremely glad to join hands with IQVIA. The collaboration will help us strengthen our vision of impacting healthcare through education. Given the rapid change in the healthcare delivery approach and the advancements in technologies, we need to reassess the learning needs of healthcare professionals. Upskilling is of utmost importance for healthcare professionals to keep themselves abreast of the latest developments in clinical sciences and medical technologies," said Gerald Jaideep, CEO, Medvarsity Online Ltd. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17317/mindfultms-neurocare-launches-new-centre-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17317/mindfultms-neurocare-launches-new-centre-in-bengaluru.html Fri, 02 Oct 2020 10:05:00 +0530 Bengaluru based MindfulTMS Neurocare, which is a part of NR Group, has recently announced the launch of its new centre at Whitefield, Bangalore. This is its 4th Clinic in India and the 10th worldwide. As per the report from the Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS), the number of mental health cases had increased by 20 percent since the lockdown and that at least one in five Indians were affected. To address the issue, Mysore-based NR Group has decided to extend its services by launching another centre in the city.  This is the first of its kind centre to use US FDA-approved Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for treating Depression, Addiction, and OCD in India. Pavan Ranga, CEO, MindfulTMS, along with Dr Murali S. Rao, (Professor and Chairman Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences Loyola University Medical Centre, Chicago, USA) and Dr Vijay Mehtry inaugurated the centre at a virtual press conference.  Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive procedure with no side effects that use magnetic fields to stimulate targeted nerve cells and improves symptoms of depression and other conditions like anxiety, OCD, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Stroke rehabilitation, Schizophrenia, and Parkinson’s disease. This centre offers a distinguished treatment for psychological, psychiatric, and behavioral health and well-being. The team of experts at the Centre includes Psychiatrists and Psychotherapists who have extensive experience in neuromodulation and neurostimulation. Further, the company aims to provide newer modalities for addressing mental health while bringing more people under the umbrella by providing customized treatments.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17321/iit-kgp-rolls-out-telemedicine-system-for-corona-care-from-home.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17321/iit-kgp-rolls-out-telemedicine-system-for-corona-care-from-home.html Fri, 02 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0530 The researchers at IIT Kharagpur’s (Kgp) Dept. of Computer Science & Engineering have developed a telemedicine system, iMediX. The system integrates homecare with healthcare services from the hospital. Considering the emergent needs due to COVID-19 Pandemic, the system facilitates  critical health care support to patients at their doorsteps through remote consultation by a physician. The system is accessible by any standard internet browser and also from a mobile device. In this system, a patient signs up to get an account by providing her Email ID or Mobile number. Then the patient can make a request for consultation by choosing a Department of the hospital, entering her chief complaints and uploading necessary scanned medical records. The hospital administration processes the request and assigns a doctor. The doctor after logging in sets an appointment date and time for the patient and the system communicates the information to the patient by Email and SMS. On the day of visit, the doctor consults the patient using video conferencing and advises her by writing a prescription, which is sent by Email to the patient. The patient can also download the prescription from her account. The software was launched on October 2, 2020 on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti and will be integrated at the Dr. B. C. Roy Technology Hospital of the Institute which provides emergency healthcare services for the campus residents and employees, confirmed the office of Principal Medical Officer Dr. Samir Dasgupta. Director Prof. V K Tewari shared his plan to expand the use of this technology to people outside the campus through the upcoming superspeciality hospital of IIT Kgp. The researchers are already in touch with healthcare MSMEs for commercialization of the copyrighted version of the technology. A base model was installed at Swasthya Bhawan, Govt. of West Bengal on trial basis. Field trials are also underway for the base model at Bangladesh. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17308/dozee-equips-nagpur-hospitals-with-remote-monitoring-capabilities.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17308/dozee-equips-nagpur-hospitals-with-remote-monitoring-capabilities.html Thu, 01 Oct 2020 11:30:00 +0530 Dozee, India’s first contactless remote health monitoring company based in Nagpur, has recently partnered with Kingsway Hospital, Government Medical College (GMC) and Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC) in Nagpur to equip the hospitals with remote monitoring capabilities. Dozee has deployed 250 devices to monitor patients continuously and without the need for any physical contact from medical practitioners.  Hospitals are using Dozee to convert any bed into a Step-Down ICU to continuously monitor a patient's cardiac, respiratory cycles and oxygen saturation levels, and notify the care team of any abnormalities that may be detected before it becomes critical. Doctors & healthcare teams can monitor patients’ health on a single screen remotely. Custom alerts can be put on every patient, helping doctors optimize and focus on deteriorating patients and provide improved proactive care.  Dozee tracks and continuously monitors key vitals of the human body such as heart rate, respiration rate, oxygen saturation, sleep stages, stress-recovery and more with a medical-grade 98.4% accuracy. The contactless sensor, placed under the mattress captures real-time body vitals without using any external wires or touching the user’s body. An AI-powered, Early Warning System then converts these signals into biomarkers and uses the data to present an analysis of the patient's health. Dozee is already being used by over 30 hospitals in India and has also been associated with the Ministry of Ayush and District Hospitals in Tamil Nadu. During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, over 1200 Dozee devices have been deployed in over 20 quarantine centres across eight states. Dozee has so far monitored over 5000 COVID-19 patients in institutional settings, saving more than 6000 nursing hours.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17301/study-reveals-definite-shift-from-physical-clinics-towards-telemedicine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17301/study-reveals-definite-shift-from-physical-clinics-towards-telemedicine.html Wed, 30 Sep 2020 16:20:00 +0530 The Strategic Marketing Solutions & Research Centre (SMSRC), one of India’s leading healthcare research organizations based out in Delhi, along with US-based Krannert School of Management, Purdue University has conducted a first of its kind study among Indian physicians to understand the impact of COVID-19 on their practice. The study reveals a significant shift from a physical clinic visits to telemedicine due to various factors. The study was conducted during June-July 2020 on a statistically significant and representative sample of 2116 physicians, across all key specialties in 80+ cities and towns of India. The study highlights several statistically significant findings: 1)A higher proportion of younger Drs moved to telemedicine as compared to their older counterparts 2)Similarly, more female Drs moved to telemedicine (58%) vs their male counterparts (44%) 3)More-Metro physicians moved to telemedicine (52%) vs their non-metro counterparts (44%). Further, while female Drs regardless of age and location had a high propensity to move to telemedicine, not all men stayed with physical practice with equal propensity. Younger male Drs and metro male Dr cohorts exhibited a higher shift towards telemedicine than their respective counter cohorts. The study also sheds light on the exact nature of telemedicine used in patient assessment by the physicians.  Specifically, over 86% indicated they used their cellular audio calls for the purpose and about 62% indicated they used WhatsApp/Facebook or similar social media apps. By comparison, only about 11% indicated a move to practice management software (PMS).  While more female physicians gravitated towards telemedicine, when it came to PMS adoption, a higher percentage of male physicians moved to PMS compared to female physicians.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17296/health-ministry-issues-covid-19-guidelines-for-workplace-safety.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17296/health-ministry-issues-covid-19-guidelines-for-workplace-safety.html Wed, 30 Sep 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Science & Technology and Earth Sciences and Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Labour & Employment have released a booklet on ‘COVID-19- Safe Workplace Guidelines for Industry’. Dr. Harsh Vardhan said, “These guidelines are commendable and timely. This will help in welfare of the industrial workers. The guidelines act as a comprehensive planning guidance for employers and workers to use it to help identify risk levels of Covid-19 at individual workplace settings in their premises and to determine appropriate control measures”. These guidelines consolidate all important measures into a ready reckoner of action points to make the workplace safe based on the bulwark of infection control measures like respiratory hygiene, frequent hand washing, social distancing and frequent sanitization of the workplace. The Health Minister further said, “As the country is moving towards the unlocking of economic activities, it is important that the guidelines are followed within the industry premises. Scientific prevention, precaution and positive attitude will help us in our fight against COVID. These guideline will provide the guidance for the assessment, categorization and mitigation of risk related to varied work related exposures to Covid-19 and contingency plan.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17297/naidu-calls-private-sector-to-expand-footprint-in-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17297/naidu-calls-private-sector-to-expand-footprint-in-healthcare.html Wed, 30 Sep 2020 00:00:00 +0530 M Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President of India has acknowledged the role of private hospitals in rising to the occasion and battling COVID-19. He also urged the private sector to take full advantage of the Atmanirbhar Abhiyan and give a fillip to the manufacturing of various medical devices. Addressing the inaugural session of the three-day ‘FICCI HEAL-2020’ virtually, Naidu said, “We have to make available good quality healthcare, accessible and affordable to all. We must capitalize on the core competence of each stakeholder in the country. We must also draw best from the world to strengthen our healthcare delivery system.” Naidu further urged the private sector to come forward and expand their footprint through public-private partnership and set-up modern healthcare facilities in the rural areas. “Private players have added to the capacity and capability of our healthcare system in the country. They will continue to play an important role in augmenting the infrastructure and skills in the sector. There has to be a collaborative effort from the industry and the civil society in supporting the government’s initiatives,” he emphasized. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17302/ndhm-to-potentially-unlock-rs-1-5-lakh-cr-for-healthcare-industry.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17302/ndhm-to-potentially-unlock-rs-1-5-lakh-cr-for-healthcare-industry.html Wed, 30 Sep 2020 00:00:00 +0530 A joint publication by BCG and FICCI titled “Leapfrogging to a Digital Healthcare System: Reimaging Healthcare for Every Indian” was released at the 14th FICCI HEAL, (the annual health conference organized by FICCI) by M Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President of India, Dr Sangita Reddy, President FICCI and joint MD Apollo Hospitals, and Bart Janssens, Managing Director and Senior Partner, Boston Consulting Group (BCG). This report will be distributed to the Prime Minister’s Office, NITI Aayog, Chief Ministers, Health Ministers, State ministries and Secretaries among other dignitaries in the public and private sector. Surveys conducted by BCG across doctors and patients highlight that 85% of the clinicians used digital platforms for patient interactions during the lockdown. 50% of the clinicians found these platforms to be an effective medium for providing care. Additionally, 60% patients across metro and tier 1 cities reported they would continue using digital platforms for primary care in the post COVID world due to the fundamental benefits of shorter waiting time and easy access to qualified doctors. In addition, as per reports, the lockdown period saw teleconsultation services being accessed by over 2000 small towns, with 80% patients being first time users. We are now at the cusp of the digital 3.0 era of Open Digital Ecosystems that represents a fundamental change in the way the government can leverage technology for public care delivery and enable private sector innovation. It entails creation of a shared public digital infrastructure that can be leveraged by both public and private players to deploy new solutions that enhance the end-user experience. Just like the creation of shared digital infrastructure in the financial industry enabling UPI payments, the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM), in the next few years, will catalyze a robust digital infrastructure for the Indian healthcare ecosystem. As per the report, it is estimated that over the next decade, NDHM can potentially unlock an incremental value of Rs 1.5 lakh crore for the healthcare industry. Bart Janssens, Managing Director and Senior Partner, BCG said “We anticipate that over the next 10 years, NDHM can unlock incremental economic value of over USD 200 billion for the healthcare sector. Public and private ecosystem players will have to realign their operating models to capture this value and stay ahead of the curve. This will pave way for more patient-centric solutions driving accessible, affordable and quality healthcare for all.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17287/global-partnership-to-make-covid-19-rapid-tests-available-for-lmic.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17287/global-partnership-to-make-covid-19-rapid-tests-available-for-lmic.html Tue, 29 Sep 2020 01:05:00 +0530 A set of agreements to make available, for low and middle-income countries, affordable, high-quality COVID-19 antigen rapid tests were announced by the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator. Organizations involved in the milestone agreement include the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), the Global Fund, Unitaid, and the World Health Organization (WHO). As part of this comprehensive, end-to-end effort, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has executed separate volume guarantee agreements with rapid diagnostic test (RDT) producers Abbott and SD Biosensor. These two arrangements will make available to LMICs 120 million antigen rapid diagnostic tests (Ag RDTs) – priced at a maximum of $5 per unit – over a period of six months. These tests provide results in 15–30 minutes, rather than hours or days, and will enable expansion of testing, particularly in countries that do not have extensive laboratory facilities or trained health workers to implement molecular (polymerase-chain reaction or PCR) tests. The tests developed by Abbott and SD Biosensor are highly portable, reliable, and easy to administer, making testing possible in near-person, decentralized healthcare settings. Both companies’ tests are faster and cheaper than laboratory-based tests, enabling countries to increase the pace of testing, tracing and treating people for COVID-19 at the point of care particularly in areas with under-resourced health systems. A number of other Ag RDTs are at various stages of development and assessment. To scale up the Ag RDTs, the Global Fund has announced that it has made available an initial $50 million from its COVID-19 Response Mechanism to enable countries to purchase at least 10 million of the new rapid tests for LMICs at the guaranteed price, with the first orders expected to be placed this week through the Global Fund’s pooled procurement mechanism. FIND and WHO are working together to accelerate appropriate use by supporting implementation research that will optimize Ag RDT use in multiple LMICs, in line with WHO guidance. This includes provision of catalytic volumes of tests to understand how Ag RDTs can best fit into health systems. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17292/govt-urges-private-sector-to-join-pmjay-to-deliver-tertiary-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17292/govt-urges-private-sector-to-join-pmjay-to-deliver-tertiary-care.html Tue, 29 Sep 2020 01:05:00 +0530 Rajiv Gauba, Cabinet Secretary, Government of India said that in just two years after its launch, the PM Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) movement has become a hugely successful platform for delivering tertiary care to some of the most vulnerable sections of our population.   Addressing a webinar during the three-day FICCI HEAL-2020 event, Gauba urged the private sector to come forward and join the PM Jan Arogya Yojana movement. “The private sector hospitals, particularly the big groups should come forward and join this platform,” he said.  Gauba said that as a country we have emerged from a state of total dependence on imports to being exporters of COVID-19 necessary medical items. “Today we have 187 labs in the government sector and 749 private testing labs for COVID testing,” he added.  He further stated that the larger challenge of making healthcare affordable and accessible will continue to be with us even after the COVID-19 situation. “We need to improve our health infrastructure by coming up with innovative solutions, new approaches so that healthcare delivery can improve, especially at the last mile. We must improve healthcare indicators and make them comparable to the developing countries,” added Gauba.  “I urge FICCI and the healthcare industry to launch mass awareness on COVID-19 appropriate behaviour as economic activities open up. With the advent of the festival season and winter it’s extremely important that people don’t let their guard down, he further added.  CK Mishra, Former Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Govt of India said that the private sector has proven to the world that India is the hub of providing best cost-effective treatment. “As a country, we have moved ahead, the speed or the destination can be questioned but the fact that we are taking the correct path cannot be denied. It is time to celebrate the success and good work and move ahead,” he said.  Emphasizing on the importance of PPP, Mishra added that healthcare is a partnership between the private and public sector along with the pooling of resources from both sides in taking the country ahead. “It is the government’s responsibility to create a platform to facilitate this. The private sector participation adds value to the entire spectrum of public health which should be at the core of our belief,” he added.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17290/potenza-uses-combination-therapy-to-treat-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17290/potenza-uses-combination-therapy-to-treat-covid-19.html Tue, 29 Sep 2020 00:00:00 +0530 The primacy of health, wellness and a strong immune system has increased substantially across the world than ever in the wake of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, and the health emergency created in turn. Medical experts from across the world are working at breakneck speed to find a cure for the highly infectious COVID-19. However, with no definitive cure in sight, a lot of people are working on boosting their immune system to restore holistic health & wellness, and to safeguard themselves from the bane of lengthening infection. “A body of research has shown that people with better or non-compromised immune systems defeated the COVID-19 infection early. India’s ancient system of medicine too worked on this basic principle of preventive care – fortifying the human immune systems. But, there is neither a quick-fix solution nor magic pills. Routine precautions and healthy lifestyle mantras are the basic templates. However, today, there are scientific and non-invasive treatment protocols available to add ‘muscles’ to one’s immunity levels that help boost immunity, attain holistic health and wellness. To this end, the three popular scientific and proven therapies — Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), Cryotherapy and PhotoBioModulation Therapy (PBMT) have been found instrumental”, said Dr Tarun Sahani, Medical Director, Potenza Advanced Wellness. Recently, a Delhi based Potenza Advanced Wellness has come up with a unique concept of non-invasive treatments wherein a combination of three therapies — Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), Cryotherapy and PhotoBioModulation Therapy (PBMT) is being widely used. It is using the old principles enshrined in our ancient texts in a new way by harnessing the power of pure air (oxygen), light and temperature through modern cutting-edge technologies. “We use cutting-edge technology from Europe and America with the world’s most advanced non-invasive medical protocols – Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), Cryotherapy and PhotoBioModulation Therapy (PBMT), which provide excellent treatment support. These medical treatment protocols increase blood circulation, reduce inflammation and improve oxygen levels, thereby helping in speedy recovery”, said Nitin Khanna, Director, Potenza Advanced Wellness. “Also, these meticulously designed treatment protocols give fitness and health like never before. Enhance the vitality of body, mind and spirit. Raise energy levels. Boost physical performance. Boost immunity. Optimise rejuvenation potential. And all these healing features provided at our aegis together help in restoring holistic health & wellness”, added Khanna. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17278/nppa-caps-price-for-medical-oxygen-cylinders.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17278/nppa-caps-price-for-medical-oxygen-cylinders.html Mon, 28 Sep 2020 00:00:00 +0530 The present situation of COVID-19 has resulted in increased demand of Medical Oxygen (MO) in the country and hence its availability is of utmost importance. Many of the States/UTs are dependent on the medical oxygen supply from other States/UTs. The government is committed to uninterrupted supply of Medical Oxygen especially in the times of pandemic. Oxygen Inhalation (Medicinal Gas) is a scheduled formulation, covered under the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM). Its existing Ceiling Price fixed by NPPA is Rs. 17.49/CUM. However, due to absence of price cap on liquid medical oxygen, manufacturers have hiked prices to fillers. During COVID, supply of medical oxygen through cylinders has increased . Price regulation at this end is imperative for continued availability of medical oxygen across the country. The issue related to availability, including pricing of oxygen has been under the continued consideration of Empowered Group 2, GOI. The Empowered Group 2 has recommended NPPA to consider capping the ex-factory price of liquid oxygen in order to ensure its supply to fillers at reasonable prices. It has also requested NPPA to consider a cap for ex-factory price of oxygen in cylinders in order to ensure supply of oxygen cylinders from filler at reasonable prices. To deal effectively with the situation, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MOH&FW), GOI has vide its letter dated 23.09.2020 conferred the delegation of powers under Section 10(2) (l) of Disaster Management Act, 2005 to NPPA to take all necessary steps to immediately regulate the availability and pricing of LMO and Medical Oxygen in cylinder.  The Authority deliberated upon the matter in its extra ordinary meeting reently. It has been decided to invoke extra-ordinary powers in public interest, under Para 19 of DPCO, 13 and under Section 10(20) (l) of Disaster Management Act, 2005 to deal with the emergent situation arising due to the pandemic. Accordingly it has been decided: To cap the ex- factory price of Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) at manufacturers end at Rs. 15.22/CUM exclusive of GST; and To further cap the ex-factory cost of Medical Oxygen Cylinder at filler end at Rs. 25.71/CUM exclusive of GST in suppression of the existing Ceiling Price of Rs. 17.49/CUM, subject to transportation cost fixation at state level, for six months.  The existing rate contracts of state governments for oxygen purchase, as applicable, shall continue, in consumer interest.  The ex-factory price cap of LMO and oxygen gas cylinders will be applicable to domestic production. The above measures will ensure availability of medical oxygen at consumer end at reasonable price both at hospital level and through oxygen cylinders, especially to distant and interior districts. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17281/ficci-heal-2020-emerging-opportunities-for-post-pandemic-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17281/ficci-heal-2020-emerging-opportunities-for-post-pandemic-healthcare.html Mon, 28 Sep 2020 00:00:00 +0530 In India, while healthcare has not been very high on the political or public agenda, COVID-19 has triggered the much-needed government focus towards healthcare infrastructure development. It is evident that the pandemic will bring in a huge paradigm shift in not only the way medicine will be practiced in future, but the way healthcare is envisioned- by the government, the industry as well as the community at large. Traditionally India has not invested sufficient resources on public health infrastructure development as well as to anticipate a response to sudden large outbreak of infectious diseases. Despite the significant TB burden in India and sporadic outbreaks of other infectious diseases including chicken pox, our public health infrastructure is still inadequate which has been further accentuated during the COVID 19 pandemic. Managing and responding to the triple disease burden for 1.3 billion population is indeed a mammoth task. India will never have sufficient public funds to achieve universal healthcare. In order to overcome the twin challenge of surging non-communicable and infectious diseases, it is imperative that the public spending on healthcare is increased to 4.5% of GDP over next 7-10 years. The government had envisaged to reach at least 2.5% of GDP by 2022. However, we need to start spending an extra 0.5% of GDP or at least Rs 70,000 cr every year on health for the next five years to be able to fill the deficit.  There for private sector investment and public private partnerships in the healthcare sector is going to be critical to meet to fulfil SDG3 goals. The government has been rolling out a series of reforms to achieve universal healthcare through theimplementation of the National Health Policy of 2017, the Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), the recent Atma-Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan and National Digital Health Blueprint. Even though healthcare costs in India are almost 10 times lower than other nations, due to low per capita income, challenge of access, affordability and quality of care persists. The pandemic, however, has enforced the paradigm shift in the entire approach to life, work and healthcare. Health, hygiene, sanitation and fitness have come to the center-stage of civilisation. These behavioural changes are giving way to a transformed healthcare delivery system- including new care delivery models, enhanced use of digital tools and technologies, greater focus on preventive and primary care along with point of care and home-based care, restructured facilities and operating models, and boost to local manufacturing as well as R&D in products and treatment for better health outcomes. Dr Sangita Reddy, President FICCI, enumerated, “Building digital infrastructure for the healthcare sector through the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) initiated by the PM’s Digital India movement,willcatalyse robust reforms forimproving health care delivery to the last milein next few years. IT industry was the key growth driver for the Indian economy for the last 30 years. NDHM can leverage and maximize the potential of the Health care industry to be the growth driver of the Indian economy for the next 100 years provided timely implementation of appropriate interventions and reforms are done. Dr Alok Roy, Chairman, FICCI Health Services Committee highlighted, “with this vision, the FICCI Healthservices Committee has carefully crafted the Theme for FICCI’s annual healthcare conference- FICCI HEAL 2020- as “Post-COVID Healthcare World” - The New Beginning”. The FICCI HEAL Conference would provide that unique platform needed today to exchange innovative ideas and best practices as well as deliberate on all the emerging opportunities for the post-pandemic healthcare world that is affordable and accessible for every citizen of the country”. The pre- and post- conference sessions over the three days will highlight the impact of COVID as well as learnings and opportunities for the future development of healthcare systems- across the spectrum, including evolving care delivery, developments in diagnostics, enabling digital technologies, rise in home healthcare, changing pharma landscape, self-reliance in medical technology. There will be a parallel stream of Scientific Sessions that would focus on the clinical challenges faced due to COVID-19 and the response from various stakeholders. FICCI Healthcare Excellence Awards, Keynote addresses and Medtech Bootcamps are the other significant features of the Conference. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17285/heart-disease-marginally-increases-compared-to-pre-covid.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17285/heart-disease-marginally-increases-compared-to-pre-covid.html Mon, 28 Sep 2020 00:00:00 +0530 With the COVID 19 outbreak negatively impacting healthcare access and mobility, the pandemic is exacerbating the already high burden of cardiovascular diseases in India. Doctors and healthcare experts are concerned that delayed diagnosis and interruptions in treatment are resulting in many preventable deaths and the worsening prognosis for patients. As we observe World Heart Day on 29 September, healthcare experts underlines the need for ensuring continuity of treatment for heart patients and resorting to better lifestyle management to prevent disease-related complications. Doctors say that acute and chronic cardiovascular disease care has decreased significantly due to reduced accessibility and patient fears during the pandemic. “Heart disease has marginally increased by 10 to 20% compared to pre-Covid. But patients are not coming forward due to scare except in an emergency. So there is 25% decline in the number of patients reporting on time in Hospitals. More and more younger adults are getting symptomatic also. Evidently, people are postponing hospital visits until it is absolutely unavoidable. Disruptions in travel and transport have further prevented many people from smaller towns and rural areas from reaching hospitals for treatment. While there is no data or analysis to understand what is happening to these patients, it is clear that many of them have not been able to receive medical care and treatment on time. In a nutshell, patients with cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and diabetes etc are experiencing delays in diagnosis and treatment, which in turn will significantly increase the burden of heart disease and preventable deaths,” said Dr. D K Jhamb, Director & HOD, Cardiology, Paras Hospitals, Gurugram. There are an estimated currently 79 million diabetes patients in India while another 200 million are hypertensive. Interruptions in diagnosis, treatment and regular check-ups for these patients can further translate into a higher cardiovascular disease burden. Delaying or interrupting chronic disease treatment may cause permanent health damage and preventable deaths. This burden will easily exceed the impact of COVID 19 impact in terms of deaths. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17273/ayush-to-assess-vasa-and-guduchi-for-covid-19-therapy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17273/ayush-to-assess-vasa-and-guduchi-for-covid-19-therapy.html Fri, 25 Sep 2020 15:40:00 +0530 The Ministry of AYUSH has recently taken up systematic studies on different possible solutions through multiple channels. As part of this effort, a proposal for a clinical study to assess the role of Vasa Ghana, Guduchi Ghana and Vasa-Guduchi Ghana in the therapeutic management of symptoms in Covid-19 positive cases has recently been approved. This will be a ‘randomized, open label three armed’ study, and will be conducted at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, in collaboration with the IGIB unit of CSIR. The detailed proposal with methodology including outcome measures, clinical and laboratory parameters, the logistics of the research has been prepared. The study will use a unique Case Report Forum (CRF), suitable for Ayush mode research. The study will be undertaken subject to the required approvals like that of the Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC). The project would investigate the following specific considerations: The efficacy/action of mono-herbal formulations of whole extracts of Vasa and Guduchi respectively, and polyherbal formulation of Vasa-Guduchi whole extract on therapeutic management of SARS-CoV2 positive asymptomatic and/ or mild Covid-19 symptomatic cases. The impact of the said formulations on the speed of viral replication. Whether the said mono-herbal and polyherbal formulations can alter the expression profiles of key biomarkers associated with Covid-19 disease. Vasa and Guduchi are time tested herbs in Indian healthcare traditions, used in a variety of disease conditions. The outcome of this study would therefore be of considerable interest to the entire Ayush Sector. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17265/wipro-ge-healthcare-iisc-set-up-health-tech-innovation-lab.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17265/wipro-ge-healthcare-iisc-set-up-health-tech-innovation-lab.html Thu, 24 Sep 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Wipro GE Healthcare have announced the inauguration of an advanced center for innovation and research at the IISc campus in Bangalore- ‘WIPRO GE Healthcare - Computational and Data Sciences Collaborative Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence in Medical and Healthcare Imaging’.  The facility, located at the Department of Computational and Data Sciences (CDS) of IISc, Bangalore, will work on the next level of healthcare diagnostics with deep learning technology, artificial intelligence and future-ready digital interfaces, to provide highly sophisticated diagnostic and medical image-reconstruction techniques and protocols for faster and better imaging. To start with, this facility will work with over fifty students and three faculty members of IISc. The thrust of this collaborative laboratory will be to work closely with clinicians as well as Wipro GE Healthcare to integrate these computational models into clinical workflows to help doctors improve patient outcomes. Some of the use cases that the collaboration will explore are: 1) light-weight deep learning models for classification and segmentation of COVID-19 lesions in lung ultrasound and CT images, 2) deep learning models for improving as well as classifying spectral domain optical coherence tomography images in ophthalmology, 3) deep learning based medical image reconstruction methods and 4) exploiting the structure of 3D volume data that necessitates fewer annotations, thereby reducing development time and annotation cost.  IISc will meet the infrastructural requirements for this lab including finished interiors, power backup, internet connectivity, air conditioning, etc. Wipro GE Healthcare, which is commemorating its 30 years of existence in the country, is supporting this centre with a one-time grant, as part of its CSR efforts.  This grant will be used to equip this lab with the necessary hardware and software tools: state-of-the-art Deep Learning Servers, Advanced Visualization Workstation, LED Monitors and software such as Pytorch, Tensor Flow, Keras and Pycharm. Speaking on the collaboration, Dileep Mangsuli, Chief Technology Officer, GE Healthcare, South Asia said, “the world healthcare is getting transformed through use of digital technologies which can enable precision health. This transformation can be accelerated by building a collaborative ecosystem of industry and academia partners. This Healthcare Innovation Lab at IISc will help bring to market unique digital solutions which will get integrated into our Edison platform and intelligent devices, helping clinicians solve some of the toughest healthcare challenges.” Prof. Phaneendra Yalavarthy, who is the convener of the collaborative lab as well as the Chair of the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs, IISc, said, “Private-Public partnership is in the DNA of IISc and this collaborative lab in the space of artificial intelligence in healthcare funded by Wipro GE Healthcare is timely, given the push for digital technologies. Translation of research work carried out in the lab into the clinic will be the priority, and there is no better industry partner in India than Wipro GE Healthcare that can accelerate this. This is only beginning of the collaboration and we are hoping to scale up the research activities in the near future.”    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17247/who-and-unicef-recommit-to-accelerating-health-at-all-ages.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17247/who-and-unicef-recommit-to-accelerating-health-at-all-ages.html Tue, 22 Sep 2020 01:05:00 +0530 The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF have signed a new collaborative framework which will accelerate joint public health efforts that put the most marginalized and vulnerable populations first. The new Strategic Collaboration Framework builds on a robust 70-year collaboration between the two organizations, and prioritizes four strategic areas for immediate attention and action at all levels of the organizations: universal health coverage, through a primary health care and health systems approach; mental health and psychosocial wellbeing and development; public health emergencies. Additionally, the two organizations signed a new Joint Programme on Mental Health and Psychosocial Well-being and Development of Children and Adolescents. This 10-year collaborative effort will promote mental health and psychosocial well-being and development, increase access to care for mental health conditions, reduce suffering and enhance quality of life among children and adolescents, and their caregivers Both organizations are particularly concerned about the urgent need to better tackle issues affecting adolescents. Depression is is one of the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents, and suicide is the second leading cause of death in adolescents. The two organizations are also working together to support countries to introduce and deliver COVID-19 vaccines under the vaccines pillar of the “Access to COVID-19 Tools – Accelerator” (ACT-A) initiative, along with Gavi, CEPI and global immunization partners. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17238/niramai-apollo-clinic-offer-contactless-breast-cancer-screening-services.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17238/niramai-apollo-clinic-offer-contactless-breast-cancer-screening-services.html Mon, 21 Sep 2020 13:30:00 +0530 Bengaluru based Niramai Health Analytix, India’s foremost and innovative AI-based breast cancer screening company has recently tied-up with Apollo Clinic, India’s leading multi-specialty clinics by Apollo Health & Lifestyle (AHLL), to offer contact-less, privacy-sensitive, breast cancer screening services to customers. The screening services will be initially available at all Apollo Clinic clinics across Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Pune and will be ramped up pan-India in due course.  Customers will now be able to get themselves screened for their annual preventive breast screening and regular breast health check-ups. The test is appropriate for women 18 years and above and is privacy-aware, non-invasive, radiation-free and can detect the minutest of lumps or abnormalities. Customers can avail the screening service either at the various Apollo Clinic locations or can even book home-screening services through their nearest Apollo Clinic centre.    Niramai’s proprietary solution ‘Thermalytix’ uses a high-resolution thermal sensing device and a cloud-hosted analytics solution for analyzing thermal images using big data analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning for reliable, early, and accurate breast cancer screening. This solution has led to 9 US granted patents and several prestigious awards. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17227/india-to-establish-state-of-the-art-ayurvedic-institution.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17227/india-to-establish-state-of-the-art-ayurvedic-institution.html Fri, 18 Sep 2020 01:05:00 +0530 The Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda Bill 2020 has been passed by Rajya Sabha. The Bill was earlier passed in Lok Sabha on 19th March, 2020. This paves the way to establish a state-of-the-art Ayurvedic institution called the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA) at Jamnagar, Gujarat, and to confer the status of Institution of National Importance (INI) to it. The ITRA is sought to be established by conglomerating the presently existing Ayurveda institutes at Gujarat Ayurved University campus Jamnagar. This is a cluster of highly reputed institutions, namely, (a) Institute for Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, (b) Shree GulabKunverba Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, and (c) Institute of Ayurvedic Pharmaceutical sciences, (d) MaharshiPatanjali Institute for Yoga Naturopathy Education & Research (to be made part of the Department of Swasthvritta of the proposed ITRA). These institutions had come up over the past many decades, and together made a unique family of Ayurveda institutions existing in close proximity. It is expected that the enactment of the proposal will further provide autonomy to the institute to develop patterns of teaching in undergraduate and postgraduate education in Ayurveda and Pharmacy. The synergies among the different constituent institutions will help ITRA to demonstrate high standards of such education and to emerge as a lighthouse institution to the entire AYUSH Sector. It is expected to provide the highest level of training of personnel in all important branches of Ayurveda including Pharmacy, and to take up in-depth study and research in the field of Ayurveda. ITRA will be the first institution with INI status in the AYUSH Sector, and this will enable the institution to be independent and innovative in the matter deciding course content and pedagogy. The decision comes at a time when global interest in health solutions based on traditional wisdom is at an unprecedentedly high level and ITRA is poised to take Ayurveda education to new vistas. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17223/nasscom-unravels-ai-for-healthcare-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17223/nasscom-unravels-ai-for-healthcare-in-india.html Thu, 17 Sep 2020 01:05:00 +0530 NASSCOM Centre of Excellence for IoT/AI, under its Healthcare initiative LHIF (Lifesciences& Healthcare Innovation Forum) , organized a virtual conference themed 'The Fourth Dimension - Deciphering Telehealth', which also witnessed the launch of an exclusive research paper titled "Unraveling AI for Healthcare in India" by Lav Agarwal, IAS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. The research paper was commissioned by NASSCOM Research team in collaboration with EY; it highlights how AI solutions can break the classic healthcare iron triangle providing quality care with improved accessibility and reduced cost. The report also showcases the AI enablement ecosystem in healthcare and lays down strategic bold plays for healthcare organizations to accelerate their AI adoption journey. Delivering his welcome Keynote, Saurabh Gaur, IAS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, threw light on ‘India Transformation through AI’ and said, “All emerging technologies will be the engines of growth for the nation. If we want a $5 trillion economy by 2025, we see that these technologies will be great enablers as we forward. There is a huge opportunity for the Indian IT companies also as they now contribute 8 per cent to Indian GDP and they can move forward. We look at technology to make healthcare more accessible and affordable. There are opportunities to have creative outcome modelling; when you have huge data you should be able to collate it and work around it to save lives. We would like to have industry partners for each field and collaborate with academia and government. Through the National e-governance system, we have exposed 1300 APIs to access different data sets. We are looking at an exciting future as we move ahead on these technologies.” Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest Lav Agarwal, IAS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, stated, “We have an ongoing programme National Medical Network and we have created a structure for them which has National centre and several regional centres that will become the hub for telemedicine services. Then we have e-sanjeevni application developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) in Mohali; we are strengthening the application by making all the centres to start using this application and right now 24 states are using this application. We are the biggest tele-medicine provider in the world today. To make this application more robust, our friends can come up with good ideas. Can we have a chatbox on top of this application which can provide information to the consumer and can it be integrated in such a manner so that application starts thinking of clinical support decisions.”  Saying that India was very prompt in coming up with tele-medicine guidelines when the lockdown was announced, Dr. Praveen Gedam, IAS, Additional CEO, Ayushman Bharat, National Health Authority, Govt of India, added, “The advantage that India has for AI-based clinical support system is the sheer amount of data that we have as it will help in a better quality of additional support systems. E-sanjeevani has already crossed 3 lakh consultations and MHA is already making one more tele-medicine platform. We want more such platforms so that people can benefit from the competition. We already are medical tourism hub and we can now become tele-medicine hub for the world also. We can scale up very fast as is evident from the success of the Aarogya Setu app, which reached 130-140 million downloads in a couple of months.” Sharing the advantages of tele-health services, Nick Passey, Vice President Digital & IT, International & Japan, AstraZeneca, UK, highlighted, “As a patient-centric organization, our ambition is to improve patient outcomes by facilitating their journey from awareness & diagnosis to treatment & recovery. We thus believe telehealth plays an important role in enabling patients’ access to HCPs, especially with specialists in areas of non-communicable diseases.“ “The focus on healthcare innovation has never been so important. CoE with its industry partners and support from MeitY and MoHFW, we are accelerating creation and Scaling of new technology solutions from startups and large companies,” said Sanjeev Malhotra, CEO, NASSCOM COE. One positive side effect of the COVID-19 pandemic is the dominance of Telemedicine Platforms for patient/doctor consultations, especially when the social distancing is prevalent. “With the advent of new technologies such as IoT& AI, Telehealth is going to emerge as a strong healthcare delivery channel. It is not only a new channel, but cuts across and enhances the way care is delivered through Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Healthcare Channels,” says Raghuram Janapareddy, Director of Healthcare & Life sciences, NASSCOM CoE and moderator of this virtual event. Dr. Reema Aswani from NASSCOM Research Team explained the highlights of the research report to the audience. Meanwhile, other speakers discussed at length about ‘Ethical & Legal Contours around TeleHealth’ and ‘Leveraging Telehealth for Health Insurance’. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17217/ficci-announces-annual-healthcare-conference-ficci-heal-2020.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17217/ficci-announces-annual-healthcare-conference-ficci-heal-2020.html Wed, 16 Sep 2020 00:00:00 +0530 FICCI recently announced its annual healthcare conference – FICCI HEAL 2020 from 29th September 2020 to 1st October 2020. The 14th edition of FICCI HEAL on the theme, “Post-COVID Healthcare World - The New Beginning” is scheduled on a virtual platform and will include Keynote Addresses, Panel Discussions as well as Plenary Sessions covering the entire spectrum of healthcare- public health, care delivery, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, medical devices, integration of traditional medicine as well as digital health. FICCI HEAL 2020 will be inaugurated by M Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President of India, and will be graced by esteemed Government and Industry Stalwarts like- Dr Harsh Vardhan, Hon’ble Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Government of India *   Dr V K Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, Government of India   Dr Scot Atlas, Advisor-White House Coronavirus Task Force; Robert Wesson Senior Fellow in Scientific Philosophy and Public Policy at Stanford University   Prof Richard C Horton FRCP FMedSci, Editor-in-Chief, The Lancet    Prof Arvind Panagariya, Prof of Economics & Jagdish Bhagwati Prof- Indian Political Economy, Columbia University    Prof Ashish Jha, Dean- Global Strategy, K.T. Li Professor of Global Health; Director, Harvard Global Health Institute   Mr Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India    Dr Guruprasad Mohapatra, Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade* Dr P D Vaghela, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, GoI* Dr Indu Bhushan, CEO, National Health Authority, Government of India Dr Tedros A Ghebreyesus, Director General, World Health Organisation* Ms K K Shailaja, Minister for Health, Social Justice and Woman and Child Development, State of Kerala* Mr T V Mohandas Pai, Adviser, FICCI Skills Committee & Chairman, Manipal Global Education* Dr Mahesh Verma, Head- COVID-19 Advisory Body to Delhi Government and Vice-Chancellor of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University Mr Kieran Murphy, Global CEO, GE Healthcare Mr Jan Herzhoff, President- Global Health Markets, Elsevier Dr Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Chairperson & MD, Biocon Limited* Dr Sangita Reddy, President, FICCI and Joint MD, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd (Hony) Brig Dr Arvind Lal, Advisor- FICCI Health Services Committee and Executive Chairman, Dr Lal PathLabs Dr Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, MD & CEO, Fortis Healthcare Mr Narendra Varde, General Manager & Country Head, Abbott Diagnostics Dr G S K Velu, Chairman & Managing Director, Trivitron Healthcare Mr Vishal Dembla, Chief Business Officer, ConnectedLife Health The three-day long event will have many insightful Business sessions on topics like Digital Revolution: Going Viral!;Changing landscape of Pharma Industry;Realizing Atmanirbhar Bharat through Make in India;Diagnostics- Pandemic & Beyond;Best Practices for Management of COVID-19; Home Healthcare; How the World will prepare for Post-COVID etc. Gautam Khanna, Co-Chair, FICCI Healthservices Committee and CEO, P D Hinduja Hospital is also supporting the program development, along with Dr Harsh Mahajan and Dr Alok Roy. The Scientific Sessions will bring together top Clinical experts from India and around the world to share the latest data, experiences, exciting developments, and best research findings in the ongoing battle against COVID-19. Some of the sessions are- Private Healthcare at the forefront of battle with COVID-19:From Strategy to Frontline Trenches; COVID-19: Spectrum of clinical syndromes, complications; Therapies for COVID-19: Current therapies and their effectiveness; and more. Dr Arati Verma, Sr Vice President - Medical Quality, Max Healthcare and Dr N Subramanian, Co-Chair, FICCI Health Services Committee and Director, Medical Services & Sr. Consultant- Urology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals are convening the Scientific Sessions. Continuing the long legacy of recognizing the best practices in the industry, FICCI is also organizing the 12th edition of its much-awaited ‘Healthcare Excellence Awards’, on September 29, 2020 from 11:30 am to 12:15 pm on the Virtual Platform.  The eminent Jury will be Chaired by Mr C K Mishra, Former Secretary, MoEFCC and MoHFW, GoI and the Awards Ceremony will be moderated by Dr Narottam Puri, Advisor, FICCI Health Services Committee; Former Chairman- NABH; Advisor-Medical Operations & Chairman- Fortis Medical Council, Fortis Healthcare Ltd. This year in the backdrop of the COVID pandemic and to recognize the courage of healthcare workers, specific categories have been introduced. These categories are designed to recognize the efforts of the industry in ensuring the delivery of quality healthcare to the patients. Dr Y P Bhatia, Managing Director, Astron Hospital & Healthcare Consultants Pvt Ltd and Dr Ravi Gaur, Director & Chairman- Medical Strategy & Advisory Board, Oncquest Laboratories Ltd are the Chair and Co-Chair for the Awards. The awards are supported by Astron Healthcare and global consulting firm Ernst and Young LLB are the official tabulators FICCI, in partnership with Boston Consulting Group, has also undertaken a study to layout the contours of the Open Digital Health Ecosystem as envisioned in the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) announced by the honorable Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi on 15 August 2020. This Report titled, “Ushering in the Digital Era for Healthcare Delivery in India”, will be released during the Inaugural Session of the Conference. In addition, FICCI is also organising a Health Tech Innovation Bootcamp on Day 2 of the conference, that intends to bridge the existing gap between Indian Innovators and other key industry stakeholders by facilitating potential partnerships among them. The Bootcamp will be moderated by Mr Sashi Kumar, Co-Chair, FICCI Medical Devices Committee; Managing Director, Phoenix Medical Systems and Mr Shyam Vasudev Rao, Co-Chair, FICCI Medical Devices Committee; Founder & Director, Forus Health &Renalyx health systems ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17205/indian-doctor-performs-first-successful-two-heart-valve-replacement.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17205/indian-doctor-performs-first-successful-two-heart-valve-replacement.html Mon, 14 Sep 2020 17:40:00 +0530 A 55-year-old Canadian patient, originally from Chandigarh has recently undergone a successful two heart valve replacement with TAVI and TMVR, without open-heart surgery by a team of doctors led by Interventional Cardiologist and structural Heart Disease specialist, Dr Ravinder Singh Rao. The patient was suffering from severe aortic stenosis, severe mitral stenosis, and severe mitral annular calcification. Dr Rao replaced both mitral and aortic valves by performing TAVI and TMVR, non-surgically. This transcatheter native double valve replacement in the same sitting is rarely performed worldwide and is the first case in Asia and in India. Aortic stenosis refers to the narrowing of the aortic valve. The patient was admitted to the hospital with the condition of heart failure, a history of shortness-of-breath, difficulty in walking, and carrying out daily activities. However, due to his calcification in the aorta and chest wall, he was deemed high risk for open-heart surgery by more than three surgeons from all across the country. Dr Rao has experience of doing maximum TAVI procedures in India. He is also a Co-principal investigator for the National TAVI studies and has presented and shown live TAVI procedures for national and international meetings. He has also proctored TAVI in India, Asia, and in Europe. TAVI is a minimally invasive heart procedure conducted to replace a narrowed aortic valve that fails to open correctly and can be an option for people who are in immediate or high risk of complications from the traditional surgery. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17201/eva-ivf-launches-fertility-centre-in-hyderabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17201/eva-ivf-launches-fertility-centre-in-hyderabad.html Mon, 14 Sep 2020 02:10:00 +0530 EVA IVF launches its first fertility clinic in Hyderabad to provide quality care, right treatment plan and support to patients. The centre offers complete fertility care for both men and women. With leading fertility specialists, the clinic offers all fertility services like male and female fertility evaluation, IUI, IVF, Hysteroscopy, Laparoscopy and advanced techniques such as PICSI (Physiological Intra-Cytoplamsic Sperm Injection) and ICSI. The new centre comprises of exceptional standard of processes, protocols and policies, advanced medical infrastructure, OT, IUI and IVF labs and personalized care for its patients. EVA IVF clinic is a dedicated fertility centre with highly skilled clinicians and qualified doctors experienced in reproductive medicine, reproductive endocrinology, fertility enhancing surgery, embryology & andrology. EVA IVF, headquartered in Hyderabad, aims to create its remarkable presence across the country and plans to expand its business soon. Speaking at the launch, Dr. Aishwarya Nupur, Director, EVA IVF, said, "We are extremely happy and proud to launch our first fertility centre in Hyderabad. EVA IVF clinic is an effort to help our patients receive requisite quality care & treatment . We help couples embrace their parenthood. The global Pandemic has been a challenge for everyone, the fertility centre follows proper safety measures and guidelines." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17204/health-ministry-issues-post-covid-19-management-protocol.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17204/health-ministry-issues-post-covid-19-management-protocol.html Mon, 14 Sep 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Government of India is leading the COVID-19 response and management in the country in close coordination and collaboration with the State/UT governments. Several strategic and calibrated measures have been taken for the prevention, containment and management of COVID-19. It has been observed that after acute COVID-19 illness, recovered patients may continue to report wide variety of signs and symptoms including fatigue, body ache, cough, sore throat, difficulty in breathing, etc. The recovery period is likely to be longer for patients who suffered from more severe form of the disease and those with pre-existing illness. A holistic approach is required for follow up care and well-being of all post- COVID recovering patients. Heeding to this, the Union Health Ministry has issued a Post COVID Management Protocol. This provides an integrated holistic approach for managing patients who have recovered enough from COVID for care at home. The Protocol is not meant to be used as a preventive / curative therapy. At the individual level Continue COVID appropriate behaviour (use of mask, hand & respiratory hygiene, physical distancing). Drink adequate amount of warm water (if not contra-indicated). Take immunity promoting AYUSH medicine -To be practiced and prescribed by a qualified practitioner of AYUSH. If health permits, regular household work to be done. Professional work to be resumed in graded manner. Mild/ moderate exercise   Daily practice of Yogasana, Pranayama and Meditation, as much as health permits or as prescribed. Breathing exercises as prescribed by treating physician. Daily morning or evening walk at a comfortable pace as tolerated.   Balanced nutritious diet, preferably easy to digest freshly cooked soft diet. Have adequate sleep and rest. Avoid smoking and consumption of alcohol. Take regular medications as advised for COVID and also for managing comorbidities, if any. Doctor to be always informed about all medicines that the individual is taking (allopathic/AYUSH) so as to avoid prescription interaction. Self-health monitoring at home - temperature, blood pressure, blood sugar (especially, if diabetic), pulse oximetry etc. (if medically advised) If there is persistent dry cough / sore throat, do saline gargles and take steam inhalation. The addition of herbs/spices for gargling/steam inhalation. Cough medications, should be taken on advice of medical doctor or qualified practitioner of Ayush. Look for early warning signs like high grade fever, breathlessness, Sp02 < 95%, unexplained chest pain, new onset of confusion, focal weakness.   At the level of community Recovered individuals to share their positive experiences with their friends and relatives using social media, community leaders, opinion leaders, religious leaders for creating awareness, dispelling myths and stigma. Take support of community based self-help groups, civil society organizations, and qualified professionals for recovery and rehabilitation process (medical, social, occupational, livelihood). Seek psycho-social support from peers, community health workers, counsellor. If required seek mental health support service. Participate in group sessions of Yoga, Meditation etc. while taking all due precautions like physical distancing.   3. In healthcare facility setting The first follow-up visit (physical/telephonic) should be within 7 days after discharge, preferably at the hospital where he/she underwent treatment. Subsequent treatment/follow up visits may be with the nearest qualified allopathic/AYUSH practitioner/medical facility of other systems of medicine. Poly-therapy is to be avoided due to potential for unknown drug-drug interaction, which may lead to Serious Adverse Events (SAE) or Adverse Effects (AE). The patients who had undergone home isolation, if they complain of persisting symptoms, will visit the nearest health facility. Severe cases requiring critical care support will require more stringent follow up. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17197/karexpert-introduces-digital-healthcare-platform-for-hospitals.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17197/karexpert-introduces-digital-healthcare-platform-for-hospitals.html Fri, 11 Sep 2020 00:00:00 +0530 KareXpert, a Jio Platform funded venture, has built an AI-led, Cloud-based Digital Healthcare Platform for Hospitals. This platform brings all the healthcare modules together as a pre-integrated stack at fraction of the cost. This includes Advanced HIMS, EMR/EHR, LIMS, RIS/PACS, Pharmacy, Telemedicine, Medical IoT, Advanced BI, Connected Ambulance, and many more. After working for more than two decades in the healthcare industry, CIO KK Singh of KareXpert in Gurugram realized that hospitals are struggling to manage their siloed and distributed healthcare IT systems. A typical 50-300 bedded hospital in India today faces many of these challenges.  "Most of the hospitals today are running on 5-10 different IT solutions, for e.g. HIMS, EMR/EHR, LIMS, PACS, Pharmacy, QMS, and so on. These siloed and point solutions in a hospital are expensive and slow the pace of innovation due to continuous integration across vendors. These are also vulnerable to most of the security and privacy with no encryption at database level", said KK Singh, CIO at KareXpert.  Cumulatively, these issues are causing broken patient journeys, loss of revenue, poor operating efficiency, and substantial hidden costs. It also affects the ability of the hospital to give a higher quality of care to patients and make it more affordable. In order to solve these issues, KareXpert did 2 years of research and then developed the DIGITAL HEALTHCARE PLATFORM using a limitlessly scalable technology stack rather than a legacy product and integrated approach. The platform-based approach comes with pre-integrated and ready to service full-stack solutions for Hospitals. Coupled with Digital Healthcare Platform based technology, KareXpert brings a SaaS-based commercial model approach where hospitals simply pay a fixed monthly fee. The solution comes with Cloud Gateway for the medical equipment (Lab, Radiology, etc.) and IoT devices connectivity to the platform directly. Besides disruptive technology and SaaS-based commercial model, KareXpert has also built the holistic Managed Services model for the Hospitals serving both onsite and offsite support needs bringing complete peace of mind to the customer. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17184/cytecare-hospitals-announces-launch-of-smart-icu.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17184/cytecare-hospitals-announces-launch-of-smart-icu.html Thu, 10 Sep 2020 12:35:00 +0530 Bengaluru based Cytecare Hospitals, India’s first organ-site focused oncology care private hospital has recently announced the launch of Smart ICU. The hospital has joined forces with Cloudphysician Healthcare, a healthcare technology company in Bengaluru, to ensure round-the-clock management of critically-ill patients through remote surveillance and enhanced support for in-house teams of intensivists.  Cytecare was among the first healthcare providers to offer teleconsultation services, followed by home-based nursing services for cancer patients when the nationwide lockdown was announced to curtail the spread of COVID-19. ‘Smart ICU’ is the hospital’s latest effort to optimize clinical expertise and facilitate 24/7 care.  Studies show that continuous remote surveillance in ICUs can help prevent infections, facilitate early detection of organ failures and timely resuscitation of patients, help in devising disease-specific protocols as well as effective strategies for blood transfusion and utilization of lung-protective ventilation. A Smart ICU system can facilitate timely, evidence-based care and significantly reduce errors.  Launched in November 2016, Cytecare, a 150-bed organ-site focused cancer hospital at Yelahanka in Bengaluru, is counted among the best oncology centres in India. The hospital’s unique approach to cancer treatment comprises a combination of organ site focus (specialized clinical expertise for each type), tumour board (multidisciplinary teams), patient-centricity and clinical research methodologies. In 2019, Cytecare was awarded the prestigious ESMO Designated Centres of Integrated Oncology & Palliative Care certification. Currently, only two medical centres in India, including Cytecare, have been granted this global accreditation.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17181/portea-medical-convatec-bring-ostomy-care-wound-management-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17181/portea-medical-convatec-bring-ostomy-care-wound-management-in-india.html Wed, 09 Sep 2020 17:45:00 +0530 Bengaluru based Portea Medical, India’s largest out-of-hospital consumer healthcare services company, has recently partnered with ConvaTec in the UK.  ConvaTec is a global medical products and technologies company focused on therapies for the management of chronic conditions, with leading market positions in advanced wound care, ostomy care, continence and critical care, and infusion devices. As part of this tie-up, Portea in partnership with ConvaTec will offer ostomy care and wound management services in all major Indian cities.  The tie-up will enable patients to get discharged from hospitals post-surgery to avail products and services at the comfort of their homes. They will also have access to other services like nutrition consultation and physiotherapy along with visits by trained and experienced nurses from Portea. Portea Medical has been delivering consistent, high-quality care in various parts of the country. The company has catered to over 1 million patients in their home environment offering an extensive range of services for chronic diseases, elderly care, post-surgery care, diabetes management, chemotherapy at home, and other diseases or injuries requiring long-term care. Through this partnership, patients will be able to access world-class care with improved outcomes and reduced cost of care.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17171/iit-g-develops-first-of-its-kind-self-check-kiosk.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17171/iit-g-develops-first-of-its-kind-self-check-kiosk.html Wed, 09 Sep 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) in collaboration with Workspace Metal Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Udaipur, has developed a first-of-its-kind self-check kiosk. The Kiosk only takes about 30 seconds to check whether the person safe to enter the premises or not. It can determine if an individual is running a fever, low blood oxygen levels and, therefore, potentially has COVID-19 or any other viral or bacterial infection. The self-check kiosk has been developed by Dr Senthilmurugan Subbiah, Associate Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Guwahati, and Puneet Talesara, Founder, Workspace Group, and alumnus of IIT Guwahati. The cost of a self-check kiosk varies from 3.5 lakh to 7.5 lakh depending on the specification and features.   The fully automated touchless self-check kiosk has been designed as per the WHO guidelines. The Kiosk features first of its kind UV-C disinfectant box capable of killing viruses/bacteria present on the surfaces of luggage, bags, keys, mobiles, wallet etc.  The individual has to follow the following steps: Stand on the footmarks marked in front of the kiosk; remove the face mask and align the face in the grid displayed on the screen to measure the body temp. The individual will have to wave its hand over the sensor of the UV-C chamber to open its door for keeping the belongings inside. The individual will have to place its index finger on the SpO₂ sensor to check the oxygen saturation in the body. The individual can disinfect the hands by placing them below the automatic sanitizer dispenser unit. Self-check kiosk offers a level of public access safety and accuracy that cannot be matched by existing human-error prone processes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17163/dalmia-group-to-set-up-hospital-school-at-ayodhya.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17163/dalmia-group-to-set-up-hospital-school-at-ayodhya.html Tue, 08 Sep 2020 10:55:00 +0530 Delhi based Dalmia Group, one of India’s oldest and most distinguished business houses, has recently said that it has planned to set up a world-class hospital and a modern school for higher learning at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh. The Sanjay Dalmia led Dalmia Group has approached the Uttar Pradesh Government to acquire land for building the hospital and the school at Ram Janambhoomi Ayodhya, which is regarded as one of the sacred cities of India. It is in an advanced stage of talks with the state government following a requisition for allotment of 10-acre land at Ayodhya that has already been made to the UP government. After the announcement and inauguration of the construction of Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, Dalmia Group is the first corporate which has initiated two virtuous and constructive projects there for the welfare of society and nation at large. One of Dalmia Group Companies, Dalmia Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., is to establish a world-class health facility with the most modern state-of-art equipment in the memory of Vishu Hari Dalmia, which will cater to the growing needs of people of Ayodhya.  Dalmia Biz Education, another company of Dalmia Group, is to set up a school-Lalita Maa Dalmia School Of Higher Learning - in the memory of Vishnu Hari Dalmia's wife. The school will have all new teaching techniques and focus on the overall development of children. Its curriculum will be designed accordingly.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17168/ziffyhealth-makes-vaccination-available-at-doorstep.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17168/ziffyhealth-makes-vaccination-available-at-doorstep.html Tue, 08 Sep 2020 00:00:00 +0530 In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s National Digital Health Mission, Pune based ZiffyHealth, India’s first ever consumer-centric healthcare platform (HL7 technology), recently announced its flagship project of ‘Vaccination on Wheels’. The program will provide vaccination to the children in their vicinity. The intent of the program is to ensure that the children get their necessary doses of vaccine in a hassle-free solution to the parents. Besides vaccination, the ZiffyHealth app will provide an easy cloud-based solution to the parents to track and maintain the vaccination history of their children for their entire lifetime. It will also become the Digital Health Record of the children which will include an entire range of health analytics -including the history of medication and immunization. The program is currently launched in Pune and Patna. Speaking on this initiative, Indra Jha, Chief Executive Officer, ZiffyTech Digital Healthcare said, “We at ZiffyHealth are delighted to present the “Vaccination on Wheels” program to simplify the life of parents during these uncertain times. Corona might be one disease which still has a vaccination to be developed. However, there are several other diseases for which a vaccination already exists. These doses need to reach the children even in uncertain times. With this program, we intend in making the necessary doses more accessible to the children. The ZiffyHealth App will also maintain the history of the vaccination doses to the children in cloud for their entire lifetime, and provide a hassle-free solution to the parents. We are currently launching this program in Pune and Patna, and will soon launch in other cities where we are present.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17158/blue-cross-highlights-need-for-affordable-medicines-during-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17158/blue-cross-highlights-need-for-affordable-medicines-during-covid-19.html Mon, 07 Sep 2020 11:10:00 +0530 C Com Digital, a Mumbai based integrated digital agency supporting Blue Cross Laboratories Pvt. Ltd., recently came up with a hard-hitting campaign highlighting how people were not consuming their medicines during Covid-19 for various reasons. The pandemic has impacted jobs and salaries due to which people with health complications like diabetes and heart disease are avoiding buying their medicines, which are often expensive. The idea was to raise awareness among doctors and explore alternatives.  The campaign undertaken by Blue Cross is the outcome of feedback received from the market by various medical representatives. The video shows how a father is ready to forego his important diabetes & heart medicines for his son who is working from home on a lesser pay due to Covid-19. Through this, the video brings home the fact that no matter what, medications are essential and something needs to be done about the issue. Blue Cross has also reached out to doctors and through their efforts encouraged them to think about exploring alternatives to resolve the issue. Through them and medical representatives, word gradually spread about the availability of cheaper medicines from Blue Cross – at almost 60% lesser cost. The campaign was a genuine effort to empower people in these tough times. The noble initiative has also been lauded by many people for bringing out the messaging in a subtle yet impactful manner. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17157/kauvery-group-launches-first-hospital-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17157/kauvery-group-launches-first-hospital-in-bengaluru.html Mon, 07 Sep 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Kauvery Group of Hospitals, South India’s emerging healthcare service provider, has recently announced the soft launch of its first hospital in Bengaluru. The group has acquired 100% stake in Ramakrishna Smart Hospital, Electronic City, Bengaluru, Karnataka. The hospital, presently a 150-bed facility with OP and IP blocks, will become 300 beds with a state of the art comprehensive tertiary care multi-specialty facility within a span of 24 months. The group has another healthcare facility in Hosur which will add to its strength in becoming a significant player in the Bengaluru region.   The Kauvery group is focused on a major expansion plan from 1200 to a 3000-bed hospital group across South India in 3- 4 years. Kauvery as a group is committed to core philosophy which is Patient first, clinical excellence, providing affordable and quality healthcare with the highest standards. The Kauvery group was at the forefront of providing effective and latest treatment methodologies besides creating continuous awareness programs across all locations through various digital initiatives. The group proactively started Kauvery COVID care centres by converting hotels in different regions. Recently the group has joined hands with the Government of Tamil Nadu and started a non- profit joint initiative with Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation (TNSDC) called ‘The Apex Skill Development Corporation in Healthcare. The core aim of this venture is to up-skill, reskill and cross skill around 35000 healthcare workers across the state in the next couple of years. This is the first of its kind public-private partnership between the Government and a private healthcare provider in Tamil Nadu.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17154/tata-steels-nest-in-develops-innovative-covid-19-swab-collection-unit.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17154/tata-steels-nest-in-develops-innovative-covid-19-swab-collection-unit.html Fri, 04 Sep 2020 14:15:00 +0530 Nest-In, the construction solutions business venture of Tata Steel based in Mumbai, has developed an innovative Covid-19 Swab Collection Unit that ensures a risk-free and safer sample collection process. With the growing need to tackle the highly contagious Covid-19 virus, it has become critical to ensure an increase sample collection for testing, and in a hassle-free and safe manner, for both - the healthcare professionals and the patients. Post their study, Nest-In developed an innovative unit that ensures the contact-less exchange of test-tubes and is equipped with a two-way mic and speaker system that allows clear communication between the healthcare professional and the patient. The unit is spacious and is built using insulated sandwich panels to provide an ambient and comfortable environment inside the unit. The unit is also equipped with an in-built disinfectant spray that eliminates the need for an additional resource to sanitize the unit after each sample collection, thus reducing the risk of infection. The toughened glass ensures clear visibility as well as safety of both healthcare professionals and patients.    The Covid-19 Swab collection unit can be used by hospitals, testing labs as well as by commercial and industrial firms inside their manufacturing plants and townships. The Company will be producing units on the basis of orders received and has the capability to serve the requirements across the nation.   Tata Steel is delivering tangible impact through its expertise and specialty products and contributing towards tackling the Covid-19 crisis by creating customized solutions for the healthcare sector. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17152/infosys-set-to-revolutionize-patient-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17152/infosys-set-to-revolutionize-patient-care.html Fri, 04 Sep 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Infosys, a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, has announced a definitive agreement to acquire US based Kaleidoscope Innovation, a full-spectrum product design, development and insights firm innovating across medical, consumer and industrial markets, bolstering capabilities in the design of smart products. This acquisition demonstrates Infosys' commitment to innovate for its clients, and make a meaningful impact on human lives by combining cutting-edge technologies and experiences to revolutionize patient care, treatment, diagnostics and consumer health across the world. Kaleidoscope Innovation brings to Infosys a diverse talent pool with extensive knowledge of design and engineering. The company leverages a deep understanding of clinical environments, strong product development capabilities across domains, and a consultancy-style approach addressing human factors, product design, UI/UX design, research & insight, development and visualization. It serves a marquee and diversified customer base with state of the art, in-house labs, 3D design environments and customer experience centers. Kaleidoscope designs microsurgical instruments, devices used in minimally invasive surgery, drug delivery devices for ophthalmic therapies and user-centric wearables. It also offers usability testing in support of regulatory submissions, including the delivery mechanism for aortic stents. Ravi Kumar, President, Infosys, said, "This acquisition further strengthens our digital offerings at the intersection of new software technologies and medical devices - a sector that is expected to witness significant investments and consumerization in the post-COVID era. Our clients will benefit from the combination of Kaleidoscope's strong upstream offerings of product innovation and design, and Infosys' stack of product engineering, validation and commercialisation services at a global scale. We are excited to welcome Kaleidoscope Innovation and its leadership team into the Infosys family, as part of Infosys Engineering Services portfolio." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17150/apollo-hospitals-marks-15-years-of-jci-accreditation-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17150/apollo-hospitals-marks-15-years-of-jci-accreditation-.html Thu, 03 Sep 2020 17:45:00 +0530 The Apollo hospitals group marked its 15th anniversary of JCI accreditation that recognizes its commitment to excellence across the spectrum of care with a unique webinar on patient safety and quality of care in association with Joint Commission International, USA (JCI) and the National Accreditation Board of Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH). It was in July 2005 that the Apollo hospital group clocked a major milestone when Indraprastha Apollo hospitals, New Delhi became the 1st hospital in the country and the 6th in Asia to be accredited by the JCI. Since then, eight hospitals in the group including the Apollo Proton Cancer Centre have joined the elite list of JCI accredited hospitals for best global practices, patient care and safety. The webinar organized to mark the occasion saw participation from healthcare leaders, quality heads, administrators, policymakers, patient safety experts, and healthcare management students with a passion for quality and patient safety. The experts also shared their vision for better patient safety and quality care as well as pragmatic insights for implementation across organizations for shaping quality patient care.  JCI is the recognized global leader in health care accreditation. A JCI accreditation shows that a healthcare organization has chosen to pursue a commitment to excellence across the spectrum of care that elevates it into the global elite. NABH was formed in 2005 and is the principal accreditation for Indian hospitals. It has led accreditation activities in India and has helped Indian healthcare standards upscale to the next level. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17147/dronapp-mankind-pharma-to-create-awareness-about-telemedicine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17147/dronapp-mankind-pharma-to-create-awareness-about-telemedicine.html Thu, 03 Sep 2020 15:40:00 +0530 Delhi based DrOnApp (Dr on App) is a dedicated virtual-consultation platform to connect patients with their known doctors for consultations through audio and video both. It is available both on iOS and Android stores and offers a user-friendly experience through an intuitive and easy-to-use interface.  The partnership between DrOnA Health and Mankind, a leading pharmaceutical company, will create synergies for the benefit of the general public and medical practitioners at large as there is a discernible shift toward digital and people are increasingly adopting telemedicine not only for safety concerns but also as there will be a lot of saving in terms of time and travel costs.  The soft launch of DrOnApp (Dr on App) was done around 2.5 months ago and has over 10,000 doctors on its platform. The app is a virtual replica of an actual clinic – allowing doctors to manage both: in-clinic as well as online appointments. Like any other platform, the consultation fee is fixed by the doctor. Patients only have to pay a convenience fee of 7.5%, which is one of the lowest among the competitors. Further, payments are settled the next day giving the security of their respective fees to doctors. Rajeev Juneja, CEO, Mankind Pharma, said: “Virtual meetings are now a new normal. DrOnApp will not only keep everybody safe by maintaining social distancing but also creates a tremendous opportunity for providing quality healthcare to the public across socioeconomic status and in remotest areas.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17144/manipal-hospitals-take-initiative-for-iraq-patients-to-travel-for-non-covid-treatments.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17144/manipal-hospitals-take-initiative-for-iraq-patients-to-travel-for-non-covid-treatments.html Thu, 03 Sep 2020 12:05:00 +0530 HCMCT Manipal Hospitals Delhi has taken the initiative for long-awaited Iraq patients to travel to Delhi for non-COVID treatments. This facility is extended by the hospital on the basis of continuous patient queries and follow-ups. Manipal Hospitals, the largest hospital network in India, exclusively arranged an air ambulance, so that the patient does not postpone their treatment due to this pandemic. The international flight will be flying in the second week of September 2020, from Baghdad to New Delhi. Sharing his thoughts about the same, Dr Vedant Kabra, HOD and Consultant - Surgical Oncology, said, "With the pandemic causing a hiatus for serious non-COVID treatments, we have set up a COVID Response Team to review the evolving situation and to ensure the implementation of the government's directives and advisories." "Infection Control team has been really active for regular sanitization activities. A detailed SoP for operational readiness including key surgeries for handling COVID and non-COVID patients is updated regularly which helped us function nonstop even during the pandemic," said Dr Yugal Kishore Mishra, Chief of Clinical Services, Head of Cardiac Sciences and Chief Cardio Vascular Surgeon. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17138/who-calls-for-investment-scale-up-in-mental-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17138/who-calls-for-investment-scale-up-in-mental-health.html Wed, 02 Sep 2020 00:00:00 +0530 For this year’s World Mental Health Day (10th Oct), the World Health Organisation (WHO), together with partner organizations, United for Global Mental Health and the World Federation for Mental Health, is calling for a massive scale-up in investment in mental health. To encourage public action around the world, a World Mental Health Day campaign, Move for mental health: let’s invest will run in September. Countries spend on average only 2% of their health budgets on mental health. Despite some increases in recent years, international development assistance for mental health has never exceeded 1% of all development assistance for health. This is despite the fact that for every US$ 1 invested in scaled-up treatment for common mental disorders such as depression and anxiety, there is a return of US$ 5 in improved health and productivity. The World Mental Health Day campaign will offer opportunities, primarily online given the continuing pandemic, for all of us to do something life-affirming: as individuals, to take concrete actions in support of our own mental health, and to support friends and family who are struggling; as employers, to take steps towards putting in place employee wellness programmes; as governments, to commit to establishing or scaling-up mental health services; and as journalists, to explain what more can and must be done to make mental health care a reality for everyone. “It is nearly 30 years since the first World Mental Health Day was launched by the World Federation for Mental Health,” said Dr Ingrid Daniels, President of the World Federation for Mental Health. “During that time, we have seen an increasing openness to talk about mental health in many countries of the world. But now we must turn words into actions. We need to see concerted efforts being made to build mental health systems that are appropriate and relevant for today’s – and tomorrow’s - world. “With so many people lacking access to good quality, appropriate mental health services, investment is needed now more than ever,” said Elisha London, Founder and CEO of United for Global Mental Health. “Everyone, everywhere can participate in this year’s campaign. Whether you have struggled with your own mental health, know someone who has been affected, are a mental health expert, or if you simply believe that investing in mental health is the right thing to do, move for mental health, and help make mental health care and support accessible for everyone.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17140/cii-introduces-artificial-intelligence-forum-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17140/cii-introduces-artificial-intelligence-forum-.html Wed, 02 Sep 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has announced that a new forum on Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been established. Chaired by Sandip Patel, Managing Director, IBM India/South Asia, the  CII AI Forum prioritises AI as a driver of economic and business revival.CII AI Forum will focus on building a strong AI ecosystem in India by building awareness at scale; enhancing capabilities by skilling/reskilling workforce for the future; working with the government in shaping conducive policy and regulatory regime; encouraging public-private partnerships in research & development, and facilitating pilot implementation of AI solutions in priority sectors. The sectors that have been prioritized for this year are: Banking and financial services industries (BFSI), retail, social (healthcare) and manufacturing (automotive).“As the economy moves into the recovery and revival phase, the transformational potential of responsible AI-driven solutions can be used to fuel India’s growth story in a big way. CII AI Forum will look at initiatives to spur local innovations. This will make AI adoption a reality and further the national agenda of Digital India and Make in India for India and the world. More importantly, the forum will work on policies to embed trust and transparency into AI applications and processes, a critical step in realizing true promise of the technology for business, society and the world”, said Patel. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17129/adl-and-begin-india-unveil-international-ayurveda-alliance-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17129/adl-and-begin-india-unveil-international-ayurveda-alliance-.html Tue, 01 Sep 2020 13:05:00 +0530 Arthur D. Little (ADL), the oldest global management consulting firm based out in Bengaluru, has announced the launch of the International Ayurveda Alliance (IAA) in partnership with BEGIN India Think Tank and HumanSTAR. Its aim is to reposition India as a global powerhouse for the ancient medical practice of Indian Ayurveda. The Alliance’s main charter is to drive the creation of the largest global repository of Indian Ayurveda practices, creating an industry-wide technology platform for diagnostics and measurement of clinical outcomes.  IAA envisages a clinically measurable evidence-based system that will position Indian Ayurveda as a credible medical alternative grounded in modern science. Developing new-age practices such as reverse-pharmacology, associated meta-research and clinical analyses, combined with policy advocacy and thought leadership can enable Indian Ayurveda to take a prominent place in global health systems. India’s government is committed to providing a critical thrust to Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. This calls for reimagining Ayurveda and associated systems with industry collaboration and new Centers of Excellence for R&D. Along with building awareness of, confidence in, and the brand value of traditional medicine, the development of indigenous companies at scale locally and internationally will be encouraged.   The IAA will convene industry roundtables to define the 2030 vision for Indian Ayurveda. It aims to produce public knowledge assets in the proposed Ayurveda knowledge repository and the conceptual framework for evidence-based Ayurveda. Subsequently, the Alliance aspires to support industry-government dialogues especially with the Ministry of AYUSH and relevant state governments to help align a long-term vision, enhance sector capacity, and stimulate job creation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17128/virx-in-to-help-doctors-establish-virtual-clinics-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17128/virx-in-to-help-doctors-establish-virtual-clinics-in-india.html Tue, 01 Sep 2020 12:25:00 +0530 SAN Innovative Systems Pvt. Ltd., a digital healthcare organization in Mumbai and Dr Vishakhadutt Patil, a doctor focused on designing digital solutions for the healthcare domain, have developed a cloud-based application – ViRx - specifically to help doctors establish their virtual clinics. With the increasing use of the Smartphone in India, this ViRX mobile application can be used by doctors to get paid for their video consultations, issue digital prescriptions, keep video records of consultations as well as medical records, and also keep track of their payments. Doctors can set up their own consultation fees, which patients pay before consultation and the payment goes directly to the doctor’s bank account.   There is a patient version too that is easy to use and helps automatically connect a patient to their doctor via the patient’s mobile number. For easy accessibility, both apps are in English, Hindi and Marathi.   ViRx can also be used in a clinic where video consulting on a tablet device placed in the examination room can ensure safe distancing. ViRx can be used anywhere in India and is activated with a simple click. It is more than just a telemedicine solution. It is a business application that includes clinical management, accounts and payment tracking, virtually unlimited video and audio records and customized patient management. It offers two modes – remote and clinic consulting mode.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/views/98/17133/future-of-telemedicine-and-telehealth-what-you-need-to-know.html https://biospectrumindia.com/views/98/17133/future-of-telemedicine-and-telehealth-what-you-need-to-know.html Tue, 01 Sep 2020 00:00:00 +0530 At a time like this, the world is waking up to realize the potential and power of online healthcare services. In the core of this realization for millions of people lies the advent and advancement of telemedicine software solutions and telehealth software solutions.  For eons, effective communication between doctors and patients was pivotal in building an effective relationship. But, at a time like the one we are living in right now, a telemedicine software facilitates effective communication between the two parties while helping the doctor gather relevant health and lifestyle information of the patient. This in turn is used by the doctors to disperse accurate counseling, diagnosis, and treatment like never before. McKinsey’s recent estimate suggests that healthcare spending could see a $250 billion shift towards virtual care models. While the use of telehealth software solutions has seen a steady rise, with more than 60% of the healthcare institutions providing virtual care in 2016 to 76% in 2017; the true growth will be seen now, in a during-pandemic and post-pandemic era.  Telehealth Software Solutions and Covid-19 The sudden surge of pandemic and the restrictions and limitations that came with it expedited the world into looking at more scalable and sustainable telehealth software solutions. While other streams across the healthcare industry including the likes of reimbursements are seeing a satisfactory development, the focus now lies on how telehealth software solutions are developed. Owing to this, various telemedicine and telehealth software solution providers have seen rapid investments to respond to growing demands.  But what are the developments that we’ll see in telehealth software solutions in the coming days and months? Let’s find out:    A true contact-free experience    As with any major occurrence in the world, social and societal practices change, either for the better or the worse. In the case of Covid-19, we can see a world that is afraid to touch anything that is exposed to the world. This exposure to various deadly bacteria and viruses is more prominent in hospitals and healthcare institutions, albeit them taking utmost care to maintain neatness and hygiene. To constrict any contact, we can see numerous technologically advanced checkpoints in hospitals too. Right from the registration process to examinations to diagnostic procedures, we can see a metamorphosis in the way medical services are executed.    Remote monitoring to be the norm   Another aspect that is gaining traction in the medical landscape that is bound to spearhead the change is how virtual visits become more frequent. With more people being comfortable in using their smart devices, virtual visits can help doctors in giving out the requisite diagnosis to the patient right from the comfort of their homes. With remote monitoring becoming more frequent, caregivers can now offer real-time treatment and communicate with their patients more effectively. This includes everything from post-discharge care instructions, health coaching, counseling, appointment reminders through text, SMS, mobile alerts, or IVR. Data mining tools have also come to aid in offering emergency response during dire situations. Automated communication tools and telehealth software solutions can also improve healthcare institutions by having targeted interventions, improving adherence to medication regimens, and significantly reducing no-shows for appointments.    Decentralized care to be the future   At a time when healthcare must be offered to every member of the society, telehealth software solutions are being developed away from the traditionally larger settings. This is being done to increase community-based offerings that are cost-effective as well. With healthcare institutions decentralizing their niche offerings, solutions are being offered through community extension services or through partnerships with emergency care centers. Decentralized offerings through telehealth and telemedicine software solutions also allow specialists to see different patients from around the world, offering them viable and effective care.  The future for technology-enabled healthcare models The pandemic has laid bare the necessity of a revolution in the healthcare landscape and telehealth software technologies were adept in bridging the gap. However, these technology-led services must be further tuned to make them user-friendly. In simple words, these technologies must emulate and replicate the in-person experience that always exhumed warmth and care.  There is also a pressing need for an ideal synergy between telehealth software solutions and EHR platforms. Numerous EHR platforms lack the requisite interpretability between different technological platforms, causing numerous roadblocks in adopting the same. This hurdle can be overcome by consolidating all the fragmented web portals into a single interface that uses existing tools for scheduling and communication, thereby offering a better experience.  The adoption of viable and sustainable telehealth software solutions should be acknowledged as a certainty. While the world may be accustomed to the traditional medical experience, it is noteworthy to mention that telehealth was never meant to replace the conventional experience. It rather offers operational efficiencies that can ensure better care for the patients by rightly identifying various high-impact touchpoints. With different patient populations having varied preferences when it comes it digital engagement due to their demographics or socio-economic factors, the onus is on telehealth software developers to design the appropriate experience for the patients while remembering to address every need of the caregiver. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17115/portea-collaborates-with-capgemini-to-offer-covid-19-related-healthcare-services-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17115/portea-collaborates-with-capgemini-to-offer-covid-19-related-healthcare-services-.html Fri, 28 Aug 2020 14:30:00 +0530 Portea Medical, India’s largest outside-of-hospital consumer healthcare brand, announced its collaboration with Capgemini in India to provide various healthcare services during the pandemic. The highlight of this initiative is that Capgemini is covering the medical cost of the home care for both its employees and their dependents for 10 days isolation and additional 7 days extension if there is a prevalence of further symptoms. The COVID-19 isolation at the home special package for Capgemini includes doctor teleconsultation, follow-up calls, nutrition consultation and planning, and more. In addition to this ‘at home special package’, Capgemini employees can choose to avail additional services on a pay-per-use basis that includes renting or buying medical equipment, nurse or doctor visits, investigations and other home care services through the end of the year. Portea has been delivering consistent, high-quality patient care in various parts of the country. The company has catered to over 1.5 million patients in their home environment offering an extensive range of services for chronic diseases, elderly care, post-surgery care, diabetes management, chemotherapy at home, and other diseases or injuries requiring long-term care. Under Portea’s Home Isolation Programme with state governments, 50,000 patients have been monitored, and over 45,000 patients have been successfully discharged with less than 3% shifted to hospitals from home isolation. Portea has been experiencing a 97% recovery rate at home and has also done over 15,000 doctor consultations for patients in the last few months.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17109/iit-h-brings-worlds-most-affordable-respirator-mask.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17109/iit-h-brings-worlds-most-affordable-respirator-mask.html Thu, 27 Aug 2020 13:50:00 +0530 The Centre for Healthcare Entrepreneurship at the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT) recently announced its latest entrepreneurial entity, USafe Healthcare. An innovation-driven enterprise, currently focused on protective equipment against Covid-19, USafe has developed and commercialized the world’s most affordable respirator mask that is highly durable and adheres to the highest safety standards for operating in hazardous environments. The cost of the mask is Rs 13/day. With a vision to provide high-quality protection, especially in the healthcare industry and its frontline workers, USafe’s US9 respirator mask has a 98.03 per cent PM0.3 filtration rate and 99.7 per cent bacterial filtration rate (better than N95 standards). Jayesh Ranjan, IAS, Principal Secretary to Telangana government commented on the launch, “This is yet another significant contribution from IIT Hyderabad and the state of Telangana towards fighting the Covid-19 pandemic. The Innovation of reusability in US9 Respirator Mask not only reduces the recurring cost but also drastically decreases the biowaste generated due to protective masks. I congratulate the entrepreneurs backing this product and proving that the state of Telangana offers a conducive ecosystem for healthcare innovation.” The home-grown innovation in tune with the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat aspirations, US9 respirator mask, has been designed, developed and produced in collaboration with IIT-Hyderabad under the mentorship of Prof Surya Kumar and Prof Renu John. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17103/aster-rv-launches-free-mobile-medical-services-in-karnataka.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17103/aster-rv-launches-free-mobile-medical-services-in-karnataka.html Wed, 26 Aug 2020 16:30:00 +0530 In collaboration with Bengaluru based Ashok Leyland and Trinity Care Foundation, Aster Volunteers Ashok Leyland Mobile Medical Services was launched by Aster RV Hospital. Two mobile medical clinics are being introduced that will aim to provide quality healthcare services to people in need and those living in remote areas of Karnataka.  The initiative will also support the driver community who do not always have proper access to care, ASHA & health workers, Anganwadi teachers, and orphanages among others. The chief guest present at the event was the Honourable Medical Education Minister of Karnataka, Shri. K. Sudhakar along with Dr. Prashanth N, COO, Aster RV Hospital. The vehicles will cover North and South of Karnataka; the North vehicle will also cater to the Kolhapur region of Maharashtra. By bringing free of cost primary screening services such as BMI, blood sugar testing, BP and general health check-up to these communities, this program aims to check non-communicable diseases at an early stage and raise awareness on the importance of early detection and preventive screening. The Aster vehicles will be accompanied by experienced doctors, nurses and a driver who will conduct regular medical camps in their respective regions on an ongoing basis with the support of Trinity Care Foundation. As a part of the inaugural phase, health camps will be conducted in Chikkaballapur. Every week two camps will be conducted in different parts of rural Karnataka. Strict measures and regular sanitization of the mobile medical vehicle will be conducted to tackle the Covid-19 menace. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17084/maharashtrian-girl-diagnosed-treated-with-rare-case-of-rosai-dorfman-disease-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17084/maharashtrian-girl-diagnosed-treated-with-rare-case-of-rosai-dorfman-disease-.html Mon, 24 Aug 2020 10:50:00 +0530 Navi Mumbai based Apollo hospital recently revealed a case of a 20-year-old female, Shruti, reporting about the blurring of vision, right eye esotropia (a form of strabismus in which one or both eyes turns inward), diplopia (simultaneous perception of two images of a single object that may be displaced horizontally, vertically, diagonally ) and having a headache for 20 days. A basic visual evaluation at the hospitals revealed that she was unable to read or recognize faces using her right eye.   An MRI exam was soon performed which showed an infiltrating enhancing soft tissue mass lesion. After a CT guided biopsy along with immunohistochemistry was performed. The diagnosis was confirmed, it was Rosai Dorfman disease an extremely rare entity with probably less 1000 cases in the world reported since 1969.    Patients with this disease present with massive lymphadenopathy (a condition of the lymph nodes, in which they are abnormal in size or consistency) with systemic symptoms like fever, neutrophilia, leucocytosis, raised ESR and polyclonal gammopathy. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17085/india-to-transform-ayush-into-mainstream-system-of-medicine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17085/india-to-transform-ayush-into-mainstream-system-of-medicine.html Mon, 24 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0530 As a part of the India Healthcare Week – Redefining healthcare ecosystem held last week, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) organized the Global Ayurveda Conference 2020, Resurgent Ayurveda: Leveraging Global Potential to develop cohesive strategies, cross sectoral policy dialogue and strategic exchanges to transform AYUSH into the mainstream system of medicine. The Ministry of AYUSH has focused on the mitigation of COVID and have created specific strategies based on immunomodulation to help tackle the pandemic expressed Padmashri Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India in his opening remarks for the inaugural session of the CII Global Ayurveda Conference 2020. "We have undertaken a study, in collaboration with the Delhi Police, were we provide a Ayuraksha Kit – and observed the results. The incidence rate of COVID came down up to 4 times in the span of 2 months with a mortality rate of 0.47, showing the strength of AYUSH in mitigating the effects of COVID. We need to move towards institutionalizing AYUSH, and the GOI through the union cabinet have approved the proposal of one pharmacopeia commission which will be able to deliver quality medicines We are on our way to achieving a 10 billion dollar industry", he said. The Government of Kerala has a wealth of tradition in Ayurveda, very good practices, and we have been promoting and propagating the principles of Ayurveda stated K. K. Shailaja Teacher, Minister for Health, Social Justice & Woman and Child Development Government of Kerala during her address at the CII Global Ayurveda Conference 2020.In our Health policy, we try to blend all the systems of medicine and we give a special place to Ayurveda and integrating these principles and practices in our public health systems. She lauded CII’s efforts in helping to improve the production and selling of ayurvedic medicines throughout the world an in India. We need to move towards more scientific rigorous studies and document the entire process to show the efficacy of Ayurveda in mitigating the challenges of COVID. It is imperative that the Government of India invest more money in Ayurveda and move towards a PPP Model to push the sector. Satyendar Kumar Jain, Minister of Health, Industries, Power, Public Works Department, Home and Urban Development, Government of NCT of Delhi expressed the importance of Ayurveda medicines and services playing a pivotal role in controlling the panic among patients during the COVID epidemic. Ayurveda wings will be set up in Mohalla clinics and we will upgrade the existing Ayurveda institutions to meet international standards. Ministry of AYUSH joined the battle of COVID before the actual threat was perceived with self-care guidelines issued in the first week of march stated Pramod Kumar Pathak, Additional Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH Government of India. We have created an AYUSH inter disciplinary research development task force which will undertake scientific studies and  prepare the protocols. Under the guidance of this taskforce, multiple RCTs are being undertaken to test the efficacy of AYUSH to mitigate the challenges of COVID. With the cooperation from State Governments, we can control this pandemic, and post COVID,  we can create decisive strategies for the future. Ayush Personnel and manpower, that have been trained and deployed, have been growing steadily stated Dr Gouri Shankar Prasad Mishra, Ayurvedic Medical Officer, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Odisha. Money has been devolved for the distribution of AYUSH medicines to front line workers and guidelines have been provided to provide medicines free of cost to the population. As we go through the pandemic, there is a new resurgence seen in Ayurveda, which has translated to focus activities undertaken by different stakeholders. There is a sense of optimism that Ayurveda can translate this scenario into an opportunity stated Rajiv Vasudevan, Chairman, CII Group on Ayurveda and Managing Director and CEO AyurVAID Hospitals. We need to address the issue of capital availability for the industry, and it is imperative that we look at the funding requirements for the industry, the challenges in employment and skill development The present and future generations will need Ayurveda and India to play a pivotal role expressed Dr Simone Hunziker, Director, Swiss Ayurvedic Medical Academy. COVID has shown that peopleare looking towards preventive care and are turning towards traditional and complementary medicines to find the required help. There is a need for inter-government dialogue and private sector to bring quality medicine in the market. For this, a fine coordinated strategy needs to be in place to approach the administration in Switzerland and Europe, guided by a senior country representatives to overcome these hurdles. Quality control of exports of ayurvedic products in collaborations with Government and private sector is critical to expand markets. Dr Naresh Trehan, Chairman, CII National Committee on Healthcare and Chairman & Managing Director, Medanta – The Medicity expressed the need towards the convergence and ultimately the fusion of allopathic medicine and AYUSH. Out of  India, will emerge the concept oy AYUMED which will bring to the table a strong science from both sides. It is imperative that we amalgamate the two sciences as it will be the biggest benefit to humanity. The human population is passing through a grave situation of grave concern, we are sure as in similar past situation , the collective efforts of healthcare professionals will come out with tangible solutions with Ayurveda at the fore stated Dr P M Varier, CII Governing Council Member, Head of Kerala State, Ayurveda Panel and Chief Physician, Arya Vaidya Sala. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17082/jivagram-becomes-first-ayush-hospital-accredit-by-nabh-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17082/jivagram-becomes-first-ayush-hospital-accredit-by-nabh-.html Fri, 21 Aug 2020 17:20:00 +0530 Faridabad based hospital Jivagram, a holistic centre for well-being by Jiva Ayurveda, has become the first AYUSH hospital in Haryana to be accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH). A certification of impeccable healthcare standards, the NABH accreditation gives Jivagram a strong foothold in Ayurveda-based medical care and further consolidates its position as an authentic Ayurvedic healthcare provider.   Built on core Ayurvedic values of targeting the root cause of illnesses, Jivagram believes in the complete wellbeing of an individual - one that incorporates the mind, body and soul. Its Ayurvedic treatment approach, derived from ancient and traditional Ayurvedic practices, is suited to address the individual needs of every patient. And to that end, Jivagram provides customized Ayurvedic medicines and treatment, along with guidance on diet and lifestyle.  The highlight of Jivagram's well-groomed Ayurvedic practices is thorough detoxification and rejuvenation of the body through personalized Panchakarma therapy sessions. This renowned five-step cleansing process eliminates diseases, balances the doshas, and helps patients attain a healthy and purified body, full of positive energy. Apart from Panchakarma therapies, Jivagram also offers personalized Yoga Sessions, Raga Chikitsa, Art Therapies, and Ayurvedic Cooking Classes as support to the mainline treatments.  In view of recent times, Jivagram also adheres to precautionary measures and COVID safeguards, maintaining thorough and stringent hygiene procedures throughout a patient's journey. The hospital-grade cleaning and screening protocols make Jivagram a secure, welcoming, and trusted environment.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17081/india-performs-novel-living-donor-liver-transplant-on-16-year-old.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17081/india-performs-novel-living-donor-liver-transplant-on-16-year-old.html Fri, 21 Aug 2020 14:40:00 +0530 A 16 years old boy from Chennai who was suffering from decompensated chronic liver disease due to Cholesteryl ester storage disease, has undergone a successful liver transplant at Gleneagles Global Health City. Across the globe, only 17 such cases have been reported and this is the first such case reported in India. This is one of the rare genetic liver diseases which affects the liver at childhood and further leads to liver failure as the child grows older. It is caused by a mutation in the LIPA gene.The team of 10 experts spearheaded by Dr Joy Varghese, Dr Rajanikanth Patcha, Dr Selvakumar Malleeswaran & Dr Perumal Karnan took 8 hours to perform the complicated surgery amid COVID-19 pandemic and brought the boy back to life.   The boy named Dilli Ganesh was diagnosed with Jaundice at the age of 2. He underwent a detailed evaluation at the Institute of Child Health, Egmore, Chennai.  Despite all supportive medications, he suffered from persistent jaundice which progressively increased over time. In the month of July 2020, he was referred to Gleneagles Global Health City in a critical condition. He presented with swollen leg, abdomen distension (swelling of the abdomen) which was a clear sign of Liver cirrhosis. The boy was on his feet from 3rd-day post-liver transplant and resumed his normal diet from the 5th day onwards. On the 14th day from the date of surgery, the boy was discharged from the hospital. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17076/hcl-launches-hackathon-to-identify-technology-solutions-to-beat-pandemic.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17076/hcl-launches-hackathon-to-identify-technology-solutions-to-beat-pandemic.html Fri, 21 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0530 HCL Technologies, (HCL), a leading global technology company, has announced a multi-phase hackathon, “Better Health Hackathon: #CodeforCOVID19,” to crowdsource technology innovation to find solutions for the immediate and long-term societal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including pandemic containment and prevention; diagnosis, treatment and therapeutic management; recovery and return to normal; and systemic solutions for future crises.As part of the program, HCL has partnered with Microsoft and International SOS, the world's largest medical and travel security services firm, who are providing business and technical oversight to the contest and feedback to team entries. In addition, the Better Health Hackathon is bringing together a wide-ranging and prestigious group of executives and companies, across multiple industries, to serve as judges and advisory panel members. This includes scholars from Johns Hopkins University, University of Cambridge, Tuck School of Business, The University of Queensland, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, and subject matter experts from HCL.The competition is open to technology innovators, entrepreneurs and problem solvers from the global developer community. To date the Better Health Hackathon has received more than 7500 registrations from 600+ unique organizations and academic institutions spanning 350 locations across 52 countries. To engage top talent in the coding community, the Hackathon is partnering with BeMyApp to leverage their expansive network of coders and tech enthusiasts. The Hackathon is open to eligible participants who are at least 18 years of age. Specifically, the HCL Better Health Hackathon: #CodeforCOVID19 will address the following areas:  Prevention and containment: #StayAtHome Diagnosis, treatment & therapeutic management Recovery and return to normal Systemic solutions for crises and pandemic management ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17079/cii-commences-tb-free-workplaces-campaign.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17079/cii-commences-tb-free-workplaces-campaign.html Fri, 21 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0530 The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) recognises the major role companies can play in fighting TB and actively supports the government towards its national mandate of eliminating TB 5 years ahead of the targeted SDG completion. CII has signed an MoU with the Central TB Division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) to catalyse private sector participation and involvement in this mission. CII is committed to ending TB in India and augment the Government’s endeavour. In this effort, CII has commenced the TB Free Workplaces Campaign with multiple critical stakeholders who will help us reach to the ground level as well as make this a management agenda for companies. The TB Free Workplaces Campaign is a 3 year-long campaign that will catalyze Private sector engagement and consciousness in facilitating TB free workplaces. The Campaign will begin with a sign up on Industry Commitment followed by a phased introduction to a toolkit. This tool kit for Industry includes a teaching app, a web portal to engage the industry and a best practices compendium which will be a live document to which corporates will continue to be added and may draw inspiration from on how to carry out small initiatives in their workplaces that impact behavior change. The Confederation through its TB Free Work Place campaign, hopes to reach the over 10,000 direct members and its indirect membership of three hundred thousand companies and their workforce and further their extended families thus adding the Government of India’s efforts in eradicating TB by 2025. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17069/ircs-opens-thalassemia-screening-and-counselling-centre.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17069/ircs-opens-thalassemia-screening-and-counselling-centre.html Thu, 20 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare inaugurated a Thalassemia Screening and Counselling Centre at Indian Red Cross Society’s National Headquarters (IRCS NHQ) Blood Bank, in New Delhi recently. The Union Health Minister stated that there are around 270 million Thalassemia patients in the world. India has the largest number of children with Thalassemia major in the world, about 1 to 1.5 lakhs, and about 10,000 -15,000 children having Thalassemia major are born every year. The only cure available for such children is bone marrow transplantation (BMT). However, BMT is difficult and not affordable by the parents of all these children. Therefore, the mainstay of treatment is repeated blood transfusions, followed by regular iron chelation therapy to remove the excessive iron overload, consequent to the multiple blood transfusions. Dr Harsh Vardhan stated that this new initiative of IRCS will provide a golden opportunity to administer adequate therapy to those affected enabling them lead a better life and preventing the birth of children affected with hemoglobinopathies, through carrier screening, genetic counselling and prenatal diagnosis. “This program will aid in prevention of birth of children affected with hemoglobinopathies, through well planned screening programs, information dissemination and awareness generation activities and help avert the imminent threat of this genetic disorder turning into a major health problem. With these progressive initiatives, we shall soon be able to achieve the New India being envisioned by the Prime Minister by 2022”, he stated. Haemoglobinopathies, such as Thalassemia and sickle cell disease are inherited disorders of red blood cells and are preventable. These illnesses are chronic, life impairing and in some cases, life threatening and impose a heavy emotional and financial burden on families ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17074/anbai-lauds-reforms-by-govt-in-higher-medical-education.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17074/anbai-lauds-reforms-by-govt-in-higher-medical-education.html Thu, 20 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0530 On 6 August 2020, a Gazette notification by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare introduced post-graduate diploma courses in eight medical specialties under the prestigious National Board of Examinations. Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Diploma in Paediatrics Diploma in Anaesthesiology Diploma in Tuberculosis and Chest Disease Diploma in Radio Diagnosis Diploma in Family Medicine Diploma in Ophthalmology Diploma in ENT These are two-year courses that can be undertaken after completing the MBBS degree. According to the regulations, these structured training programs can be run by any well-equipped public or private hospital with over 100 beds and staffed with senior medical specialists. The regulatory change brought about by this notification will transform healthcare in India, making ours the first nation in the world to dissociate healthcare from affluence. Every year, approximately 1,70,000 doctors write the NEET post-graduate exam to apply for about 50,000 post-graduate seats under the Medical Council of India and the National Board of Examinations (this includes 15,000 non clinical seats). This means that, annually, the remaining 1,20,000 doctors who do not get one of these seats will not return to clinical work. They may waste two to five years attending coaching classes in Kerala or Kota and in the end, some even give up on becoming doctors. Adding a few thousand seats in post-graduate diploma courses will immediately bring these doctors back to patient care in accredited government or private hospitals. It also gives them the option to apply for an MD or MS seat after completion of the course. It is an attractive alternative for bright young doctors from poor families, because the diploma course is available at a nominal cost, and they earn a stipend during the program which can be used to support their families. Even though women and children comprise 60% of the population, India has one of the worst maternal and infant mortality rates in the world. We need gynaecologists, paediatricians, family physicians, anaesthesiologists, and radiologists to take care of women’s and children’s health. Most public hospitals, especially in tier 2 and tier 3 towns, suffer an 80% shortage in the availability of these medical specialists. If those hospitals introduce diploma training courses in all these specialities, the shortfall of medical specialists can be completely made up in two to four years. "These Diplomas will make an impactful difference in the shortfall of doctors in these specialities, especially in rural India. Thanks to the vision and foresight shown by our country’s Prime Minister, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, NITI Aayog and National Board of Examinations, this will open a new chapter in the history of Indian healthcare delivery", said Dr. Alexander Thomas, National President,Association of National Board Accredited Institutions (ANBAI). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17065/unimask-unveils-antiviral-treated-mask-that-kills-99-94-virus.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17065/unimask-unveils-antiviral-treated-mask-that-kills-99-94-virus.html Wed, 19 Aug 2020 13:35:00 +0530 Mumbai based UniMask has introduced a revolutionary mask that comes with antiviral treatment in the market to prevail the whole situation of COVID-19 pandemic. These masks are not only skin-friendly but also sustainable and environment friendly. These newly launched masks are made using 100% breathable cotton fabric with anti-viral treatment on the fabric. The mask is processed using the healthguard technology from Australia which is well known for destroying SARS-CoV-2, H1N1, bacteria and other harmful viruses within minutes of coming in contact with the fabric. This technology is effective in destroying 99.94% of the virus that comes in contact with the fabric. With the aim of reaching every household; this mask is priced at Rs 495. Crafted and designed with comfortable ear loop fasteners, adjustable Nose bridge, and comfortable chin elastic making the mask perfect for every face type and size. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17051/ujala-cygnus-launches-dialysis-centre-at-varanasi-unit.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17051/ujala-cygnus-launches-dialysis-centre-at-varanasi-unit.html Tue, 18 Aug 2020 11:10:00 +0530 As the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has thrown challenges for the patients suffering from the Chronic Kidney Diseases (CKD) in tier II and tier III cities, leading healthcare provider Ujala Cygnus Hospitals have launched a five-bedded dedicated dialysis care centre in its Varanasi unit so that the CKD patients don’t miss their scheduled dialysis in such unprecedented times. Chronic kidney disease has slow, insidious progress and is caused by diabetes, hypertension, periodic urinary tract infections, among others. Therefore, people should make sure that diabetes and hypertension are controlled. The centre was inaugurated by Bank of Baroda’s branch manager Mr Ram Arya in the presence of Ujala Cygnus Healthcare’s zonal manager Dr Prasun Kumar, Urologist Dr Tarun Gupta, Surgeon Dr Vinita Shrivastav and Unit Head Dr Ankur Rajoriya. The hospital has been taking many steps to ensure the patient doesn’t catch any infection. Dialysis personnel, attendants and caregivers all wear a three-layer surgical facemask while they are inside the dialysis unit. All patients with suspected COVID-19 are dialyzed in isolation, in a physically separate area. Staff caring for suspected cases doesn’t look after other patients during the same shift. Dialysis staff uses all personal protective equipment (PPE) for strongly suspected patients of COVID-19. They have been separating equipment like stethoscopes, thermometers, Oxygen saturation probes and blood pressure cuffs between patients with appropriate cleaning and disinfection done in between shifts. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17048/medikabazaar-partners-with-wipro-for-covid-19-management.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17048/medikabazaar-partners-with-wipro-for-covid-19-management.html Tue, 18 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Mumbai based Medikabazaar has teamed up with technology giant Wipro to promote the deployment of two specially engineered, Made in India products MedSmart and MedScan at workplaces. The products facilitate contactless attendance and real-time body temperature measurement solutions for the businesses as the nation readies itself to resume operations onsite. The functioning of both the gadgets aligns with the new safety and hygiene protocols crucial amidst the pandemic. MedSmart is a new-age product that offers complete post-COVID office solutions. It leverages a deep learning algorithm to enable touch-free attendance through face recognition technology, detect real-time body temperature and face mask compliance. Besides, the machine comes with an inbuilt automated hand sanitizer dispenser which makes entering the office a completely contactless experience. The health dashboard updates as soon as employees are scanned and maintain their day-to-day health information. MedScan is an all-utility device applicable to every single work establishment. It comes with an automated hand-sanitizer cum IR thermometer which reflects the measured temperature on the LED screen. Deploying smart gadgets, MedSmart, and MedScan at the entry doors of organizations will help in minimizing the risk of contamination amongst the workforce. This will significantly help in fostering confidence amongst the employees to resume work from offices. India’s largest online portal for B2B medical supplies and equipment, Medikabazaar has been into many partnerships since the outbreak to facilitate the unrestricted movement of essential medical equipment for healthcare establishments across the country. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17047/manipal-hospitals-launches-karnatakas-maiden-plasma-bank-for-covid-19-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17047/manipal-hospitals-launches-karnatakas-maiden-plasma-bank-for-covid-19-care.html Mon, 17 Aug 2020 15:35:00 +0530 Manipal Hospitals in its effort to ramp up COVID 19 care in South India, has announced the inauguration of Karnataka’s first plasma bank for advanced treatment of COVID 19. The key objective of this drive is to make plasma therapy readily accessible to all COVID 19 patients seeking treatment in Manipal Hospitals and registered through Amber Health. To support the cause, Manipal Hospitals, Old Airport Road urges all COVID recovered patients to come forward and help those in need to win this battle against the pandemic. A venture benefiting COVID 19 patients registered through an online platform Amber Health to gain access to plasma therapy emerging evidence on the optimal management of COVID-19 suggests that the plasma of a recovered patient contains antibodies that help fight the virus. This plasma extracted from recovered patients, when injected in a moderately ill patient can help boost immunity and prevent further COVID complications. Plasma therapy is being used widely in India, ever since its first successful human trial in May 2020. No other treatment suits all in the management of COVID 19. With no vaccines and specific treatment in sight, plasma therapy appears to be a safe and promising treatment option for many patients suffering from the global pandemic. However, research is still ongoing regarding its absolute benefit in severely ill patients. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17041/pm-announces-launch-of-national-digital-health-mission.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17041/pm-announces-launch-of-national-digital-health-mission.html Sat, 15 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the launch of the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM). NDHM, which comes under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), is expected to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency of health services in the country.  "A massive campaign is going to start in the health sector from today and technology will also play a major role in it. The National Digital Health Mission is also being launched and it will bring a new revolution in India's Health Sector. Technology will be used prudently to reduce the challenges in treatment. Every Indian will be given a Health ID. This Health ID will work like a Health Account of every Indian. This account will contain your details of  every test, every disease, the doctors you visited, the medicines you took and the diagnosis. When and what was the report, all such information will be incorporated in the Health ID. The National Digital Health Mission will eliminate all these difficulties related to appointment with a doctor, depositing money, making a slip in the hospital, etc. We are devising a system which will help each and every citizen to make a better and informed decision", said Modi while addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 74th Independence Day. Post this announcement, Dr Indu Bhushan, CEO, AB PM-JAY & National Health Authority, Govt of India said, "With its suite of digital products- HealthID, DigiDoctor, Health Facility Registry, Personal Health Records, e-Pharmacy & Telemedicine - NDHM will support timely access to safe affordable healthcare for all citizens & accelerate India’s progress towards Universal Health Coverage." In July 2019, Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare had released the National Digital Health Blueprint (NDHB), with the vision to create a National Digital Health Eco-system in India. It is indeed the right time to boost the healthcare scenario in the country which is currently under tremendous pressure due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. "There is a curiosity among everybody when the Corona vaccine will be ready. This is natural. This anxiety is there in everybody and everywhere in the world. Our scientists are dutifully  engaged in the laboratories.  They are putting in great efforts. At present, testing for three vaccines is in different stages in the country. Once we get a green signal from our scientists, we will launch massive production of the vaccine. We have made all the preparations. We have drawn an outline to ramp up the production of the vaccines and to make it available to each and every person in the shortest possible time", added Modi. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17037/docvita-unveils-new-platform-for-consultation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17037/docvita-unveils-new-platform-for-consultation.html Thu, 13 Aug 2020 18:00:00 +0530 With the spread of COVID-19, global healthcare has come under considerable stress. To assist people in meeting their medical needs in the ongoing pandemic, Bengaluru based DocVita is now live with a unique service offering - a virtual consultation which includes an in-person follow-up at no extra cost, if needed. Online services are accessible pan India, and in-person services are currently available in Indore. The company has plans to launch these in-person services in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Delhi by September 2020. DocVita is gaining overwhelming response from users and has been successful in assisting patients to connect with India’s top doctors. Talking about the launch, Anmol Arora, CEO, DocVita said, “I am excited to announce the launch of our mobile app on Android & iOS platforms. The COVID-19 pandemic has made us realize the gaps in our healthcare system, as well as the importance of early identification of diseases. To remove the barriers for people to seek timely medical help, we need to make healthcare more accessible and people-centric.”  He also added, “Our technology allows us to partner with the patients and help them manage their health better and support their healthcare goals. We expect telehealth to play a significant role in care delivery during the pandemic and the time thereafter.” “Patients on telemedicine platforms in India are often left with the impression that doctors don’t spend quality time with them in virtual consultations. As a result, the patient ends up feeling that their issues were neglected. We aim to provide the highest standards of virtual care,” said Dr. Amish Pathak, DocVita.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17027/experts-develop-new-genetic-risk-score-for-heart-disease-in-south-asia.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17027/experts-develop-new-genetic-risk-score-for-heart-disease-in-south-asia.html Wed, 12 Aug 2020 18:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru based MedGenome Labs, India’s leading genomics and clinical data-driven diagnostics and research company, has conducted a first-ever study on Indian population that validates a novel ‘CAD-PRS’ (coronary artery disease-genome-wide polygenic risk score) to precisely predict the risk of developing a coronary artery disease/myocardial infarction (MI) using a person’s genetic makeup. MedGenome Labs collaborated with researchers from Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard; Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Narayana Health, Bangalore; Eternal Hospital, Jaipur; Madras Medical Mission, Chennai; KMCH, Coimbatore and a few other institutes to conduct this first-ever research capturing the PRS of disease for South Asia populations and its findings are now published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC). “Looking at all the available scientific evidence and our study results we are convinced that there exists a good opportunity to combine both clinical and genetic risks (polygenic risk score based) and significantly improve the primary prevention of coronary artery disease (CAD). We firmly believe that incorporating validated genetic risk scores would help in better stratification of high-risk individuals if implemented at population level," said Dr. Vedam Ramprasad, CEO, MedGenome Labs. This unique study is based on the principle of Genome-wide Polygenic Risk Score (PRS) which uses a genome-wide analysis of an individual to quantify the risk of developing heart disease. It was conducted on the south Asian population in 1800 confirmed CAD cases and 1163 control samples from five centres across the country with a median age between 54 and 55 years. The findings of this study have helped develop a CAD PRS that integrates information from millions of sites of common DNA variation into a single metric that can be calculated from birth and validate a scalable polygenic score framework in India. This finding lays the scientific and operational foundation for clinical implementation not just for CAD but for other diseases. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17012/atrimed-pharma-plans-lecture-series-to-drive-covid-19-vaccine-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17012/atrimed-pharma-plans-lecture-series-to-drive-covid-19-vaccine-in-india.html Mon, 10 Aug 2020 17:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru based Atrimed Pharma, a pioneer in developing scientifically-tested plant-based medication, has organized lecture series by experts ‘An Hour with an Expert’ - named “AtrimedX Platform” which will be covered in forthcoming six months, to drive COVID-19 Vaccine, its R&D pipeline momentum, productivity, and innovation. The primary objective of the initiative in organizing the lecture series is to conglomerate renowned Experts in the field of Medicine and Pharmaceuticals to share their opinion on challenges and opportunities in the field of Drug Discovery from both development and clinical perspective and to convey the concept of plant science. The first of the Lecture series was successfully delivered by renowned immunologist - Dr. Narendra Chirmule on the topic “Unravel the secrets of vaccine development” and received an overwhelming response with more than 900 registrations comprising of fraternity of Doctors, Scientific Community and others.” Dr. Chirmule is the former head of research and development at Biocon Research Limited, Bengaluru and also a member of Task Force on Repurposing of Drugs (TFORD) for COVID-19 constituted by PSA to GoI. Dr. Chirmule is currently associated with Atrimed as a scientific advisor. During his presentation, Dr. Chirmule has explained three major immune systems in humans and their role in vaccine development. In particular, he has discussed the mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 entry into the host and the immune response against the same. Further, he has briefed the characteristics of a potential vaccine for COVID-19 and the challenges associated with their clinical investigations. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17008/karam-industries-launches-disposable-face-mask-range.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17008/karam-industries-launches-disposable-face-mask-range.html Mon, 10 Aug 2020 13:00:00 +0530 KARAM, India’s leading Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) manufacturing company based in Noida, has launched its ‘Disposable Face Masks range’ to offer protection against viruses, bacterial microorganisms, dust, pollen and smoke. Bearing in mind the ongoing pandemic, the brand has introduced first-of-its-kind RF 01 – RFH 02+ Disposable KARAM Face Mask range with an aim to offer quality, comfort and affordability to frontline industrial workers. The product was virtually launched by Mr. Hemant Sapra (President, Global Marketing) and Mr. Rajesh Nigam (President, Technical) at KARAM Industries in the august presence of Mr Amitabh Kant - CEO, NITI Aayog and renowned actor and television host Manish Paul who also hosted the entire launch event. KARAM has introduced 8 variants of disposable masks designed to filter air contaminants which helps the user to breathe germ-free air. The new mask range is made of light weight, sweat absorbent Polypropylene material that comes with adjustable nose clip for a comfortable fit. These masks are equipped with innovative wrap-around design which covers full face down to the chin. Designed to offer advanced protection at extended hours to frontline and industrial workers, these mask comes with three key aspects – Elastic ear loop, Exhalation Valve and Elastic headband to offer ultimate comfort during prolonged usage. With increasing number of COVID-19 cases, the company has expanded its PPE portfolio with disposable face mask range as extended use or re-use of masks decreases the level of safety. The mask ensures durability of 12-hours (cumulative) with single use for different industrial workers and can also be used for daily activities. Catering to the growing demand of face masks, KARAM’s face mask will be is available for purchase across India, at all e-commerce websites including Amazon and Flipkart starting August 10th, 2020. The masks will also be made available across retail outlets and medical stores. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17005/ihse-2020-revolutionising-healthcare-through-technology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17005/ihse-2020-revolutionising-healthcare-through-technology.html Mon, 10 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Quest Conferences in partnership with CNBC-TV 18 presents India Healthtech Summit & Exhibition to be held on the 22nd of September, 2020. IHSE 2020 will witness top health policymakers, industry leaders and experts discussing the challenges and opportunities faced by the healthcare sector in post COVID-19 Era. This 1-day virtual conference will bring together some of the brightest views on the technology trends and latest updates on the healthcare industry that will help to reshape the Indian Healthcare Sector.   Who Should Attend? Health Policymakers from Government of India and States/UTs Government officials from Central/State/City Level (Secretaries of Public Health & Family Welfare Department) CXOs of multi-specialty Hospitals (CIOs/CTOs/CFOs/CEOs/HODs) Pharmaceuticals Companies and Laboratories Diagnostics Labs & Pathology Labs Health IT Providers and Solution Providers Medical Equipment & Device Manufacturers Health Insurers, Research organisations  Directors, Deans, HODs of Medical, Nursing, Dental and Pharma Colleges KEY SPEAKERS Indu Bhushan,CEO,Ayushman Bharat Randeep Gulleria,Director,AIIMS Hari Prasad, President- Hospital Division,Apollo Hospitals Rajiv Sikka,CIO,Medanta: The Medicity Hospital Emmanuel Rupert,MD and Group CEO,Narayana Health Osama Elhassan,Head of Ehealth,Dubai Health Authority Siddhartha Bhattacharya,Secretary General, Healthcare Federation of India Dr Amit Thakker, Chairman, Africa Healthcare Federation Alexander Thomas,President,AHPI Naresh Yallapragada-Group CIO,KIMS Hyderabad Abdullah Saleem,Group CIO, OMNI Hospitals Girdhar Gyani, Director General, AHPI Sayantan Chatterjee, Associate Director, PWC India     For more information kindly visit: http://www.healthtechsummit.org/   Sponsorship & Exhibition Opportunities & Delegate Registrations E: vivian@questconferences.com          M: +91-750652806 ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17000/modicare-launches-5-layer-premium-protection-mask.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/17000/modicare-launches-5-layer-premium-protection-mask.html Fri, 07 Aug 2020 03:15:00 +0530 Delhi based Modicare Limited, one of India’s leading direct selling company has recently launched premium protection masks that are tested by the government approved NABL laboratory.  Modicare’s 5 Layer Premium Protection Masks are aerodynamically designed with wide face coverage, accommodate facial movements, minimize contamination and are made from lightweight, breathable fabric.   With a 5-Layer Filtration System, the masks are designed to protect its users against harmful bacteria, droplets, dust and other pollutants along with providing BFE (Bacterial Filtration Efficiency) ≥ 96% with a mean particle size of 3.0 μm ± 0.3 μm. The innermost layer of the 5-Layer Particle Filtration System is an extra soft poly-fabric, which gives droplet protection, moisture control, mechanical stretch and microparticles filter, while the outermost layer is a mesh, constructed to create maximum breathability and also helps in filtering out bigger particles. The middle three layers of the mask are made out of composite poly that helps in filtering out smaller particles. These masks are made up of the breathable fabric of good quality, have large ear loops for a comfortable fit, and are reusable up to 50 washes.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16958/goqii-unveils-smart-watch-for-covid-19-management.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16958/goqii-unveils-smart-watch-for-covid-19-management.html Wed, 05 Aug 2020 06:45:00 +0530 Mumbai based GOQii has announced its entry into the smart watch category with GOQii Smart Vital. GOQii Smart Vital is a revolutionary device with an integrated Pulse Oximeter that will measure the rate of oxygen in your blood and will give real-time updates of variation in blood oxygen levels. According to medical experts, COVID-19 patients are found to have a lower oxygen rate, hence the device is crucial in diagnosing and monitoring COVID-19 symptoms. With the smart watch, an individual can immediately get a sense of changes in their vitals and co-relate to a bigger health problem. Due to its unique features of detecting sleep, steps, calories, and heart rate, it also gives users a glimpse into various parameters that reflect the health and fitness of an individual. GOQii has been involved with several projects in the remote health monitoring space across the country. GOQii has strived to be proactive in offering robust solutions for those working in the frontline. The company reached out to the Police when there were less than 100 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection in Maharashtra. Now, GOQii counts the Mumbai, Jalandhar and Nashik Police as early users on the remote monitoring solution. The Police are using the solution to ensure that frontline corona warriors are removed from the frontline on the first sign of infection and are provided timely healthcare interventions. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16955/weemate-launches-innovative-pee-device-for-women.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16955/weemate-launches-innovative-pee-device-for-women.html Mon, 03 Aug 2020 06:50:00 +0530 In a boost to women empowerment a women friendly urination device has caught the attention of today’s educated and savvy women. The device called WeeMate has been launched by the entrepreneur Neha Chachra with an aim to help women counter dirty public toilets and to protect them from deadly infections that they may get from using public toilet seat. Priced affordably at Rs. 180 for 10 pieces, the women friendly stand-to-pee device WeeMate is available all across the country on reputed online marketplaces and neighbourhood stores. WeeMate Founder Neha Chachra said, “Public washrooms are unfortunately a nightmare in India and ladies dread them the most. While using these toilets, the women even shudder at the thought of the number of people who may have sat on the same toilet seat and would have forgotten to wash that. Smaller bladders than men, the inability to stand and pee while using these dirty toilets - all such reasons led me to launch WeeMate and support the women of today who need to travel long hours for the job; spend the whole day shopping, go on a day out with friends, and so on.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16948/aiia-providing-free-treatment-facilities-to-covid-19-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16948/aiia-providing-free-treatment-facilities-to-covid-19-patients.html Fri, 31 Jul 2020 06:10:00 +0530 As announced by the Union AYUSH Minister Shripad Yesso Naik recently, the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi has started providing free testing and treatment to patients in its COVID 19 Health Centre (CHC). Naik visited The CHC on 28th July 2020 to review the arrangements at the Centre for treatment of COVID-19 patients. During the visit the minister announced that CHC will provide free of cost testing and treatment facilities to all the patients. He also inaugurated the Intensive Care Unit of CHC which has been equipped with ventilator facility and all other standard provisions of ICU. AIIA has also been designated as COVID-19 testing centre (RT-PCR and Rapid antigen testing) by Government of Delhi. A COVID Call Centre has been established at AIIA for handling queries related to COVID 19 being raised by the general public telephonically. The Institute has an important role in preventive and curative health care and research areas under the aegis of Ministry of AYUSH ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16950/medibuddy-docsapp-registers-rise-in-skin-hair-consultations.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16950/medibuddy-docsapp-registers-rise-in-skin-hair-consultations.html Fri, 31 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0530 It is a well-documented fact that stress and anxiety are among the list of top issues that have arisen due to the pandemic. With nearly every aspect of life having been affected, the well-being of people has taken a severe beating with stress being both a cause and consequence.The common perception is that stress affects the mental health of a person - while this is true, what is not common knowledge is that it also manifests itself in physical ways. One such major area that gets affected is the skin, hair and nails group. When a person is stressed the level of the body’s stress hormone (cortisol) rises. This, in turn, causes an increase in oil production, which can lead to oily skin, acne and other skin problems. And when it comes to hair, many dermatologists believe that stress is the primary reason for unexplained hair loss. When under stress hair goes into the telogen (fall-out) phase. Plus, in monsoons, our skin tends to fluctuate from being oily to dry due to the drastic changes in humidity levels in the atmosphere.MediBuddy-DocsApp, India’s largest digital healthcare platform, has based on data for the last few months, identified hair fall and acne as the most discussed issues. Analysing all consultations done through the platform reveals that there has been an average growth of 100% in skin-related issues in this COVID period. About 59.47% of issues were relating to acne, with the rest pertaining to problems like pigmentation, face tan, generic skin disease, ringworm, psoriasis, etc. The data on the platform also reveals that of the total people who sought consultations about 75.9% of people were males. Similarly, there has been an average increase of 62% of issues related to hair and scalp during COVID, with almost 90% of the people seeking consultations for hair fall; other scalp related issues included dandruff and greying hair. Even in the case of hair related issues, males were a significant majority on the platform- only 19.3% were females and around 80.66% were males.“MediBuddy-DocsApp has seen a significant rise in the number of people reaching out to address skin and hair related issues. This highlights the diverse ways the pandemic has had an impact on people. Our endeavour continues to be to successfully address people’s concerns across these and other medical departments.” Mr. Satish Kannan, Co-Founder and CEO, MediBuddy-DocsApp ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16940/health-ministry-puts-emphasis-on-substance-use-disorders.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16940/health-ministry-puts-emphasis-on-substance-use-disorders.html Thu, 30 Jul 2020 10:05:00 +0530 Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare has released the e-book titled “Standard Treatment Guidelines for the Management of Substance Use Disorders and Behavioural Addictions” that aims to tackle substance abuse and behavioral addiction in the country. Speaking on Substance Use Disorder as a growing public health problem, especially among youth and adolescents, Ashwini K. Choubey, MoS (HFW) said, “such problems will become more rampant as society adopts modern lifestyle. The Behavioural change also manifests in increased rate of suicides which we have seen during the COVID pandemic.” He commended the Drug Deaddiction Program (DDAP) under the Health Ministry and other stakeholders for implementing such initiatives across throughout the country. On the importance of addressing challenges to addiction in the times of COVID-19, Dr Harsh Vardhan cautioned that the World Drug Report 2020 “suggests that COVID-19 can have other fallouts just like earlier economic crises have caused – users seeking out cheaper synthetic substances; a shift to more injecting; economic downturn causing the poor and disadvantaged to turn to drug use and suffer its consequences.” He also elaborated on the “emerging evidence that smoking increases risk for COVID-19 as well as worsens the outcome in people who get infected with the virus. Alcohol intoxication can also increase the risk and the other effects including a reduction of immunity can increase the risk.” Similar effects can be anticipated with other drugs as well, he added. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16937/rj-group-forays-into-ppe-space.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16937/rj-group-forays-into-ppe-space.html Thu, 30 Jul 2020 08:20:00 +0530 Mumbai based RJ Group, a leading manufacturer and exporter of hospitality products, has forayed into the healthcare space with the launch of its SSMMS & REUSABLE PPE Kit. In this segment the company is offering a range of safety products like Surgical Gown, Coverall suit, Doctor’s Gown, Doctor’s Apron, ICU Coverall for medical professionals. Under its healthcare venture the company plans to produce 3200 Units of PPE Kit per day from each of its manufacturing units. Thus, answering the government call of making India ‘Aatmanirbhar’. To ensure their quality, products are made out of SITRA and are manufactured from DRDO approved Factories. Furthermore, these kits consist of SITRA approved PPE Fabrics and adhere to CE, FDA, ISO 13485 quality standards. These Kits are designed from the world’s Leading Safety gear Manufacturer DUPONT’s Tyvek Fabric and also from India’s Renowned Jindal Fabric and other Leading Fabric manufacturers. Additionally, RJ Group will also introduce a wide product range with UV-C Disinfection system, which has been validated to effectively inactivate SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. It’s the first Indian firm to make Conveyor Belt sanitization systems and the very first firm in the world to have invented a toilet light disinfection system for which it holds the patent. To meet the growing demand for products in the health security space, RJ Group has developed this defence range for fighting efficiently against COVID-19. RJ Group is also in process of Launching First time in India – Anti Microbial and Anti-Viral, Reusable Bedsheet, Pillow covers, Screen Cloths. In the disposable category, they have introduced bedsheets and pillow covers, surgeon gowns, bouffant caps, etc.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16932/bengaluru-scientist-develops-device-to-disable-coronavirus.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16932/bengaluru-scientist-develops-device-to-disable-coronavirus.html Wed, 29 Jul 2020 11:00:00 +0530 Dr. Rajah Vijay Kumar, Chairman and Chief Scientific Officer of the Organization de Scalene and Scalene Cybernetics Ltd. in Bengaluru, has invented the Scalene Hypercharge Corona Canon (SHYCOCAN). It is a powerful device that attacks and disables Coronavirus. SHYCOCAN is CE marked (EU- Class I) and has been cleared by US FDA under ‘Enforcement Policy for Sterilizers, Disinfectant Devices and Air Purifiers during the COVID 19 Public Health Emergency’. This device will be manufactured and marketed in India by Eureka Forbes under the brand name FORBES CORONAGUARD (Powered by SHYCOCAN).   Initiatives surrounding the R&D on the device prototype began in April 2019, to stem the decline in workforce productivity due to the common cold and seasonal Influenza in Scalene's facilities. "This innovative technology is intended to 'physically attenuate' the homing mechanism on the virus and prevent infectivity. The device is designed to release trillions of environmentally safe electrons, applying well-known principles of physics, which disables the S protein in the Corona virus so that it cannot attach itself to human cells. The emanated electron cloud actively 'disarms' air and surface transmission of the Corona family of viruses. The CORONAGUARD does not use any chemicals nor does it produce ozone, or ionize the air to produce reactive oxygen species, oxides of nitrogen or other harmful compounds. The device can be safely deployed in all environments inhabited by people, be it very large or small enclosed spaces”, said  Dr. Rajah Vijay Kumar. Announcing it to the media, Marzin R. Shroff, CEO & Managing Director Eureka Forbes said, “For over 38 years, we at Eureka Forbes have been protecting Indians against harmful viruses and bacteria in water, air and surfaces. We are privileged to be working together with Dr. Rajah Vijay Kumar in bringing Forbes Coronaguard to India. It is a device that offers real time protection against infection from the Coronavirus within closed spaces. Our vision is to contain the spread of this disease and to make a positive difference to the lives of millions of Indians first, and then to the rest of the world.” "While we go through the final ratifications and necessary approvals, the commercial production of CoronaGuard is expected by August end/early September 2020. We are looking at a launch and pre-bookings that should open in Mid-August” said Mr. Shroff. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16926/susceptibility-to-hepatitis-highest-in-third-to-fifth-decade.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16926/susceptibility-to-hepatitis-highest-in-third-to-fifth-decade.html Tue, 28 Jul 2020 15:10:00 +0530 Gurugram based CORE Diagnostics recently presented an internal study on Hepatitis using data from patients tested over a span of one year. Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver leading to fibrosis, cirrhosis, or liver cancer. This study was conducted with the objective of raising awareness regarding the disease on the occasion of World Hepatitis Day. As recorded by the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), Government of NCT of Delhi, approx 5.2 crore people are suffering from Hepatitis B and C. Overall, 1.5 lakh people die annually due to this disease. Hepatitis B and C are transmitted via exposure to infected blood, with mother-to-child transmission as one of the most common causes.  As part of the study, over 7500 tests conducted in the past year were analyzed. Where, 60 percent of the tested patients were found to be positive for hepatitis, indicating a high prevalence of the disease. Another critical observation is the number of young adults falling prey to the disease. Close to 40 percent of patients that tested positive for hepatitis were from the age group of 19-30 years. Patients in the age category of 31-55 years were found to be the most vulnerable.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16918/abbott-1mg-bring-cgm-solutions-closer-to-indian-homes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16918/abbott-1mg-bring-cgm-solutions-closer-to-indian-homes.html Tue, 28 Jul 2020 06:10:00 +0530 In a move to expand access and empower Indian patients to take charge of their health, American multinational medical devices and healthcare company Abbott and Gurugram based online pharmacy and healthcare platform, 1mg has recently announced their collaboration to make Abbott’s continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) products available online, including its professional flash glucose monitoring system, FreeStyle ® Libre Pro. Patients in India can upload a healthcare practitioner’s prescription and purchase the product online on 1mg. An on-site phlebotomy service will be provided at the patient’s home with a phlebotomist helping the patient administer the sensor and take readings of the data after 14 days, enabling them to start using the device. Abbott′s FreeStyle Libre Pro consists of a small, round sensor — slightly larger than a 10-rupee coin. A phlebotomist applies the discreet, water-resistant 1, and disposable sensor on the back of the upper arm of a patient. The sensor is held in place with a self-adhesive pad and remains on the back of the upper arm for up to 14 days, requiring no patient interaction with the sensor. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16919/pm-launches-high-throughput-covid-19-testing-facilities.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16919/pm-launches-high-throughput-covid-19-testing-facilities.html Mon, 27 Jul 2020 17:00:00 +0530 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched three high throughput COVID-19 testing facilities. These facilities are located at the National Institutes of Indian Council of Medical Research, at Kolkata, Mumbai and Noida. These three high-throughput testing facilities have been set up strategically at ICMR-National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research, Noida; ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai; and ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, Kolkata, and will be able to test over 10,000 samples in a day. These labs will also reduce turn-around-time and exposure of lab personnel to infectious clinical materials. The labs are enabled to test diseases other than COVID as well, and post the pandemic, will be able to test for Hepatitis B and C, HIV, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Cytomegalovirus, Chlamydia, Neisseria, Dengue, etc. Prime Minister said that these hi-tech state-of-the-art testing facilities will boost the testing capacity by almost 10,000 daily tests in each of the three cities. More number of tests will assist early detection and treatment, thereby helping fight the spread of the virus. He added that these labs will not be limited to testing for COVID, but in future, will also be able to test for Hepatitis B and C, HIV, Dengue and several other diseases. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16904/pinktech-design-develops-ai-algorithm-to-classify-x-rays-of-covid-19-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16904/pinktech-design-develops-ai-algorithm-to-classify-x-rays-of-covid-19-patients.html Mon, 27 Jul 2020 08:00:00 +0530 New Delhi based Pink Tech Design, an IT innovation company, has recently developed an AI algorithm to classify X-Rays of patients as being COVID19 positive. With the development being successful, it can pre-screen patients who need COVID19 confirmatory tests. The number of coronavirus cases in India and around the world has been growing exponentially. While researchers are attempting to learn more about SARS-CoV-2 and develop a cure or vaccine, equal efforts are being made by governments and various organisations to improve the testing process, making it more precise and accurate, faster and affordable so that tests can be performed on the majority of the population to control the spread in an effective way. Once the company got access to a dataset of COVID-19 positive X Rays and COVID-19 negative X Rays released by Kaggle, they processed the data and trained their COVID-19 detector with Keras and TensorFlow. After many optimisations, the model gave 90% accuracy with a sensitivity of 0.8 and specificity of 1.0. Though these are initial results, the development has made it clear that X-Rays and CT (computed tomography) scans can be an equally effective method to detect COVID-19 as well as present greater detail and accuracy in the results. Speaking about the development, Dr. Kanav Kahol, CEO, PinkTech Design said, “The project has led us to some extremely promising results and we are keen to build on this success rapidly to help in the fight against Coronavirus. The AI model employed in the study is able to predict results with great accuracy. However, our research team continues to strive for even more robust and reliable results. I am incredibly proud of my team for developing this. These are times of quick action and we are happy to provide this model free of cost to any healthcare institute.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16897/nanochemiqs-launches-worlds-first-hybrid-face-mask.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16897/nanochemiqs-launches-worlds-first-hybrid-face-mask.html Fri, 24 Jul 2020 05:10:00 +0530 Delhi based NanoChemiqs has launched a reusable and antiviral face mask, Dubbed ViroWipe FM01. The face mask is claimed to be the finest face mask in the market right now with properties of both N95 and normal cloth masks. Its proprietary Anti-Viral trap and kill technology makes it a unique product that not only ensures proper filtration of contaminants but also offers four Anti-Viral layers and 6 levels of extra protection. Thereby, making it a 99.95% safe face mask. The face mask has been equipped with non-metal nanotechnology making it reusable up to 90 gentle washes. Since the nanotechnology treatment of the mask effectively reduces the virus and bacteria infectivity on contact, it can function as a constant sterilization solution. Thereby making the face mask ideal for both industrial workers and normal citizens. Since it has been made using recyclable material, the face mask will also help in reducing biomedical waste and carbon footprint, the former being a cause of grave concern in India. In fact, of the 200 biomedical waste treatment facilities in the country, two are in Delhi and one is in Mumbai. In these two cities alone, the facilities are functioning at 70-75% & 70% capacities respectively. Delhi currently produces 27 tonnes of non-COVID biomedical waste and up to 11 tonnes of COVID-19 related waste every day. One of the best features of the mask is the anti-Leaching property: useful for daily use, the face mask reduces the risk of spread of contamination even when it’s being washed or kept along with other household materials. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16885/karnataka-inaugurates-first-plasma-bank.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16885/karnataka-inaugurates-first-plasma-bank.html Wed, 22 Jul 2020 06:10:00 +0530 To combat the unabated surge in COVID-19 cases, the Karnataka Government in association with Covid India Campaign and HCG Hospital in Bengaluru announced the launch of Mission COPE (Covid Plasma Endeavour).  The state’s maiden plasma bank was inaugurated at HCG Hospital by the Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka C. N. Ashwathnarayan. Tejasvi Surya, Member of Parliament was the Guest of Honour.  Covid India Campaign, under the aegis of ICATT Foundation, launched Mission COPE in order to promote plasma donation among patients who have recovered from COVID-19. Several celebrities and hospitals have pledged their support for this timely campaign. Currently, India has only 4 to 5 plasma banks; the first was launched in the national capital earlier this month. Mission COPE campaign is headed by Dr Shalini Nalwad, ICATT Foundation Director and her fellow Founder Volunteer at Covid India Campaign, Swadeep Pillarisetti. Dr Vishal Rao, associate dean of HCG, heads the clinical trial for plasma therapy at HCG Hospital. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16881/abbott-reveals-low-levels-of-awareness-about-typhoid-prevalence.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16881/abbott-reveals-low-levels-of-awareness-about-typhoid-prevalence.html Tue, 21 Jul 2020 17:00:00 +0530 Abbott, one of India’s leading healthcare companies, partnered with Delhi based startup Babygogo (part of the Sheroes Network), to conduct a nationwide survey across eight cities to assess awareness around typhoid fever. With 2.2 million cases of typhoid being recorded in India alone in 2016, typhoid fever poses a serious disease burden in the country. In fact, in Karnataka alone, there were 137,973 cases in 2017, contributing 6.21% to India’s total burden. Typhoid fever, which is a bacterial infection, tends to affect children most, with peak incidence occurring in children aged 5-15 years. Currently available evidence shows that vaccination against typhoid is effective and tolerable. The survey results highlighted that only 66% of respondents reported being aware of a typhoid vaccination.   Key Survey Findings There are higher levels of awareness for mandatory vaccines, i.e., vaccines given in National Immunization Program of the country (NIP) such as rotavirus (82%) compared to vaccines not given in NIP such as influenza (67%) and typhoid (66%). The survey revealed that more than one sixth of respondents in Bangalore who did not vaccinate their children (17%) considered typhoid to be ‘not at all serious’ or ‘mild/easily manageable’, unaware of the fact that the bacterial infection can lead to serious complications if left untreated or treated with inappropriate medicines. Other findings suggest that key reasons for not vaccinating include absence of vaccine recommendation by the pediatrician (48%) and non-inclusion in the list of NIP vaccines (36%).   Survey findings also show that myths about the disease are highly prevalent. As a bacterial bloodstream infection, typhoid fever spreads through contaminated water and food, often due to lack of hygiene and access to drinkable water. Yet 57% of survey respondents nationwide inaccurately attributed the cause of typhoid to a change of weather or season. Significantly, less than half of mothers from Bangalore identified close contact (37%), touching contaminated surfaces (20%) or eating food cooked by a typhoid patient (25%) as risky behaviours that could spread typhoid. Studies have shown that vaccinations can help lower the incidence of infection, but 13% of the respondents in Bangalore stated that they prefer to take the risk of getting a serious medical condition than to receive a vaccination for it. Dr Srirupa Das, Medical Director, Abbott India, explains, “The findings shed light on awareness levels, motivation and behaviors around typhoid vaccination in India. They suggest that increased awareness on typhoid and ways to prevent it, such as improved hygiene levels and vaccination, can contribute to lessening India’s health burden due to typhoid infections. As part of our mission of helping people live healthier lives, we support educational initiatives on typhoid fever in India, especially amongst new mothers and parents in general.”     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16875/nrdc-transfers-two-covid-19-technologies-to-paulmech-infrastructure.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16875/nrdc-transfers-two-covid-19-technologies-to-paulmech-infrastructure.html Tue, 21 Jul 2020 06:10:00 +0530 New Delhi based National Research Development Corporation (NRDC), an enterprise of Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, has entered into an agreement with Paulmech Infrastructure Pvt Ltd Kolkata, to transfer two COVID-19 control technologies developed by S.N. Bose National Centre For Basic Sciences (SNBNCBS), Kolkata, an Autonomous Research Institute under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. The two technologies developed by SNBNCBS and transferred by NRDC are: An Active Respirator with Attached Exhalation Valve and Suspended Particulate Matter Filter for Comfortable and Hygienic Breathing Long-Lasting Nano-sanitiser with a Dispensing Antimicrobial Layer.  The Active Respirator mask is an innovative solution to the rebreathing of carbon dioxide, exhaled moisture, and sweaty and hot environment inside the mask. It also improved theclarity ofspeech of a person with a face mask and assurescomfortable, hygienic breathing to protect the wearer from exposure to airborne contaminants. The Long-Lasting Nano-sanitiser innovation is a solution to the problems caused by the use of the general sanitisers like dehydration of skin due to frequent use, and nature of instantaneous antimicrobial action of common sanitisers without protective role. This innovative sanitiser technology assures comfortable and hygienic hand sanitisation for a longer duration. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16873/grafdoer-expands-portfolio-with-edhini-range-of-health-and-wellness-products.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16873/grafdoer-expands-portfolio-with-edhini-range-of-health-and-wellness-products.html Mon, 20 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Personal hygiene emerged as a top priority for consumers to combat the COVID-19 crisis across the world. Based on the ongoing situation, New Delhi based Kitchenware and Sanitary-ware brand Grafdoer announced  its entrance into the Health & Wellness segment with its subsidiary brand ‘Edhini’. ‘Edhini’ is derived from a Sanskrit word which means the Earth, hence, the product line-up under the brand lineage will have natural products. The brand also introduced its very first product an Ayurvedic Instant Hand Sanitizers under their label. Maintaining hand hygiene is considered as an essential and effective step for Disease Control and Prevention, in order to prevent the spread of harmful pathogens. Considering this, Edhini is launching an Ayurvedic hand sanitizer. Available in a 500Ml container, the sanitizer contains active ingredients like neem, aloe vera, and lemon along with a concentration of 70% alcohol and other PH balancing activators which is effective in destroying 99.9% bacterias. While many retail brands are shying away from making any new brand announcement, Mr. Vinay Jain, founder, Grafdoer speaking on the launch of their new line-up under the brand name Edhini, said, “We are proud our country’s traditional medical approach Ayurveda and are supportive of our honorable Prime Minister’s vision of AtmaNirbhar Bharat, which made us come up with a brand that Made In India. Edhini as a Health & Wellness brand will come up with a wide range of SKU’s that will be made from natural ingredients. Our first product under the brand name is Hand Sanitizer that is made from natural ingredients like neem, aloe vera and Lemon and has effective medical properties extracted from Ayurveda.” Mr. Vinay plans to introduce more product variants under the brand name Edhini and will be available in the market soon. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16866/un-locking-dental-practice-with-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16866/un-locking-dental-practice-with-covid-19.html Fri, 17 Jul 2020 16:00:00 +0530 In the first-of-its-kind initiative, India’s leading dental health chain, New Delhi based Clove Dental has brought together national and international experts to share knowledge and collaborate to un-lock dental practice in Covid-19 era. The ‘Dental Leadership Masterclass’ will be an ongoing webinar series for dental professionals aimed at raising the standard of dental care during and after this pandemic and to bring to them the opinion of masters of dentistry from across the globe. The first masterclass of this series which focused on "Redefining Dental Practice with COVID-19” was chaired by three leading professionals of the dental fraternity, Hon. Brig. Dr Anil Kohli, Former President, Dental Council of India; and Dr Eben Van Der Valt, Partner, Portmore Dental, and Dentex and the host Lt. Gen. Dr Vimal Arora, Chief Clinical Officer, Clove Dental. These renowned experts agreed that in the COVID era, there is a need to adapt to the ‘New Normal’ and put in place the practice guidelines keeping in mind the threat and follow them with higher degree of diligence and also adopt practices such as e-dentistry, pre-visit patient counselling and pre -operative patient preparation. These extensive protocols and the additional measures will make dental clinics very safe during the COVID times. The one-hour long webinar held on 11th July, 2020 witnessed an insightful discussion way forward for dentistry and generated tremendous responses from the 700 attendees across academia and industry. The webinar was first among the series of other initiatives being developed by Clove Dental to drive awareness around the subject of oral healthcare and its importance in the current scenario. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16841/nephroplus-launches-dialysis-on-wheels-programme.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16841/nephroplus-launches-dialysis-on-wheels-programme.html Wed, 15 Jul 2020 05:10:00 +0530 With the outbreak of COVID19, both patients and nephrologists have started increasingly opting for Home Haemodialysis. Dialysis patients are a vulnerable group because of their existing comorbidities, repeated exposure to risky hospital environment and immunocompromised state due to Chronic Kidney Disease. These patients are consequently more prone to acquire infections and develop severe diseases as compared to the general population. Understanding this need, Hyderabad based NephroPlus, which is India’s largest dialysis network has launched India’s first “Dialysis on Wheels” Program where a patient can undergo dialysis inside an ambulance itself which comes to their home. The patient need not invest in equipment or worry about the risk of infection or access to emergency care. This model is expected to bring down the cost of Home Haemodialysis significantly which will lead to further adoption by patients. Patients need not commute long distances to a dialysis center nor will a patient’s attendant waste a full day for their loved one’s dialysis and most importantly, no chance of contracting infections! A first in India, the pilot mobile van initiative will be accessible to patients across Delhi, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Ghaziabad & Noida region who seek essential dialysis treatment right outside their homes. The ambulance van is designed by industry experts and comprises a fully operational dialysis setup that will be conducted by a highly trained dialysis technician. Speaking about the initiative, Mr. Vikram Vuppala, CEO and Founder of NephroPlus, said, “NephroPlus has always been at the forefront of best in class dialysis delivery while adapting to the situation. We are proud to offer this unique service - Dialysis on Wheels to people on dialysis in NCR to start with and eventually we plan to scale it up to 20 major cities in the country.” Further, Kamal D Shah, Co-Founder and Director, Patient Services of NephroPlus added. “The Dialysis on Wheels concept was designed for Dialysis Patients to offer flexible treatment timings, reduce the risk of cross infections and eliminate the need of having an attendant to go to a centre for dialysis every time.” Kamal has been on dialysis for 23 years now and is a big ambassador of Home Hemodialysis model.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16836/aiims-delhi-starts-tele-consultation-for-covid-19-management.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16836/aiims-delhi-starts-tele-consultation-for-covid-19-management.html Tue, 14 Jul 2020 06:10:00 +0530 As part of its holistic response and management strategy for COVID-19, the Centre remains committed to reducing case fatality rate by ensuring effective clinical management of all COVID-19 positive patients.   For this purpose, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare has now involved specialist doctors from AIIMS, New Delhi to provide expert guidance and knowledge support to doctors manning ICUs in State hospitals.  Tele-consultation is a critical component of the clinical intervention protocol for COVID-19. A specialist team of doctors from AIIMS, New Delhi shall provide guidance on effective clinical management of COVID-19 patients in the ICUs of different State hospitals through tele/video consultation. They will handhold the States in clinical management of COVID-19 patients to reduce the case fatality rate. These tele-consultation sessions for providing timely and expert guidance to the doctors in the States shall be conducted twice every week, on Tuesdays and Fridays. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16820/pharma-leaders-demand-increase-in-health-budget.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16820/pharma-leaders-demand-increase-in-health-budget.html Fri, 10 Jul 2020 08:00:00 +0530 Pharma industry leaders at the ‘Gratitude Week – A Tribute to Health Guardians’ organised by Integrated Health and Wellbeing (IHW) Council have called for an increase in budgetary allocation for health to support India’s bid for self-reliance.  “We must realise that India’s health security is as important as its defence security. Our healthcare budget is 1/5th of the defence budget – healthcare budget in countries like the US or China is more than their defence budget. I believe science should prevail, so we have not asked for emergency approvals,” says Sanjiv Navangul, Managing Director & CEO, Bharat Serums and Vaccines Limited (BSVL). Last month, the company received approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to conduct phase III clinical trials on existing drug ulinastatin for mild-to-moderate acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients which is also likely to help COVID-19 patients. Kamal Narayan, CEO, IHW Council says, “We see doctors as the warrior in this pandemic but the lesser known corona fighters are the critical cogs of the healthcare ecosystem – they are the researchers, pharmaceutical companies, device manufacturers, and diagnostic centres who are working tirelessly so that doctors can serve better. Together, they will ensure that we are on the right path to develop a ‘Swasth Bharat, Ayushman Bharat, Atmanirbhar Bharat’. The times are changing fast and we need to bolster our allied healthcare sector to empower our doctors and enable the medical community serve the people better.” Echoing the sentiments of his colleagues in the government and other lawmakers, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Ramdas Athawale, said that memorials for healthcare workers who are fighting the COVID19 pandemic at the frontline should be set up in every state capital as well as in the national capital. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16824/major-healthcare-federations-join-to-review-private-sector-response-to-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16824/major-healthcare-federations-join-to-review-private-sector-response-to-covid-19.html Fri, 10 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Cutting across the entire healthcare ecosystem, top leaders and representatives from major healthcare federations AHPI, FICCI, CII, NATHEALTH, ASSOCHAM, Indian Chamber of Commerce, PhD Chamber of Commerce, PHANA, NASSCOM and a number of nursing healthcare federations met in Delhi to take stock of the COVID situation. On the occasion of Doctor’s day, the top leadership also expressed gratitude to all doctors, nurses, frontline workers, and support professionals who are putting their lives at risk to serve people affected by this pandemic. Captured in Social media under #WestandwithIndia, these stories are powerful narratives of the constructive role that the entire private sector is playing to help our nation overcome this pandemic and restore normalcy at the earliest. A number of key decisions were taken in this meeting building upon the experience of the private sector in the aftermath of the pandemic. There is a need to restore normalcy of the health system and all federations collectively agreed to work together to strengthen the reference framework for Public Private Partnerships in India including creation of a patient charter which can be formulated to help create awareness and build trust between patients, hospitals, and the broader ecosystem. A work plan can also be developed to institute value-based healthcare models and clinical outcomes to support the Government in identifying optimal outcome-based pricing models while focusing on Quality and Accreditation.  One of the important lessons from this pandemic is a recognition that we need a significant expansion of the healthcare infrastructure and supporting eco system. It is therefore important to work together with healthcare federations and private healthcare providers to recommend to Government price and cost models for key components of healthcare delivery and help identify locations (town/cities) that are best suited for the Government to initiate public-private partnership in-order to create offline and online models of success can be replicated and scaled. Expressing the discussed views from the joint Federations meeting, Siddhartha Bhattacharya, Secretary General at NATHEALTH- Healthcare Federation of India said, “In light of the private health sector currently facing great economic headwinds and a sustainability challenge, the federations recognized the immediate need to support Government and general population by providing healthcare at subsidized and often below costs. But it strongly urged the private insurance sector represented by GIC to shoulder their end of the responsibility in this pandemic and not unilaterally bargain for general category beds which are heavily discounted for the Government and economically weaker section of the society. A key question that was deliberated in this meeting was whether insured higher category eligible paying customers are to be treated at par with ward category of patients and the federations jointly recommended broad based consultations before insurance rate publications so as to avoid any miscommunication to the consumer about eligibility and entitlement.” The meeting reinforced the need to create a unified platform where different federations representing key stakeholders can create consolidated industry positions on key building blocks that can fast track India’s journey towards Universal Health Coverage and help innovate a unique health system “Made in India” for India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16808/bsip-joins-hands-with-up-govt-to-combat-covid-19-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16808/bsip-joins-hands-with-up-govt-to-combat-covid-19-.html Thu, 09 Jul 2020 08:45:00 +0530 Lucknow based Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), has joined hands with the Government of Uttar Pradesh (UP) to combat COVID-19 in the state. BSIP, as one of the five Central Government Research Institutes in Lucknow, took initial steps to start laboratory testing of COVID-19. The availability of the ancient DNA BSL-2A laboratory in the Institute itself made it possible to prepare for testing immediately. BSIP received the first batch of suspected COVID samples to test on 2nd May 2020, from district Chandauli. Since then, the lab is running 24x7 to test approximately 400 samples per day from various districts of Uttar Pradesh, as decided by the nodal authorities. Till date, more than 12,000 samples have been tested, out of which about 400+ samples have been reported positive for SARS-CoV-2. This is highly commendable on the part of the BSIP, more so due to only limited resources and manpower. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16783/ayush-ministry-to-enhance-role-of-ayurveda-telemedicine-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16783/ayush-ministry-to-enhance-role-of-ayurveda-telemedicine-.html Fri, 03 Jul 2020 08:20:00 +0530 Union Minister of AYUSH, Shripad Yesso Naik visited Jiva Ayurveda in Faridabad recently to take stock of the unbroken chain of treatment services offered by Jiva Ayurveda under lockdown. During the visit, the minister was apprised of the work done at Jiva Ayurveda based on Dr Partap Chauhan’s UN-award-winning telemedicine model. “Jiva Ayurveda is a big national asset. Today I had the opportunity to see the work done by Jiva Ayurveda and I am very happy to see that they have been doing great work to take Ayurveda worldwide. I congratulate Jiva on their exemplary work and I assure that the AYUSH Ministry will always be with them to extend all necessary support.” said Shripad Naik. Several key issues were discussed vis-á-vis the pandemic situation and how Ayurveda is poised to play a greater role in ensuring health and wellbeing as the nation emerges out of the lockdown in the days to come. Discussions were also done on the fact that preventive healthcare can play a huge role in empowering people against pathogenic health concerns by leveraging Ayurveda’s proven efficacy in enhancing immunity. Jiva Ayurveda had continued to provide consultations via telemedicine, both telephonic and video consultations under lockdown giving the masses an opportunity to get high quality treatment from the safe confines of their homes. Shri Naik praised the dedication of Jiva doctors and encouraged them to continue their work. The minister also visited Jivagram-Centre for Wellbeing, a state of the art Ayurvedic treatment center at Riwazpur, Faridabad. Shri Naik was given a tour of the holistic treatment infrastructure which includes Panchakarma, Yoga, Naturopathy, Meditation & Raga Chikitsha.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16787/daytoday-health-partners-with-smiles-hospital.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16787/daytoday-health-partners-with-smiles-hospital.html Fri, 03 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Health-tech startup DayToDay Health, which provides digital first care management services to patients to guide, help and assist them through pre and post-surgery care, today launched its digital healthcare platform for Smiles Institute of Coloproctology, Bengaluru. The digital healthcare platform is customized to give patients with colorectal conditions a guided and anxiety-free treatment experience covering the entire continuum of care. DayToDay Health, an MIT startup launched in 2018, has been playing a significant role in improving the level of care for patients across specialties. Through its digital healthcare platform, it educates and enables patients’ caregivers like family members, to understand and address the needs of patients more effectively. The digital healthcare platform also opens a vital window to the doctors with its analytical dashboard wherein the doctor can track and monitor patient’s progress daily. The dashboard collates vital information like daily stats and enables the doctors to connect with the patient virtually over a video or voice call. Traditionally healthcare has been episodic and does not deliver care beyond the walls of the hospital or clinic, resulting in missing continuity of care. DayToDay Health fills this void through its interactive digital healthcare platform which enables patients throughout their preparation and recovery process during major surgery. It enables patients’ care journeys beyond the hospital walls and supports them by guiding through pre-surgery preparation as well as post-surgery recovery through physiotherapy, diet planning, etc. DayToDay Health, an MIT startup launched in 2018, has already made strides in the field of acute care for patients being discharged globally. The DayToDay - SMILES Patient Care Plan was launched through a digital press conference today in presence of Mr. Prem Sharma, CEO, DayToDay Health and Dr. Parameshwara C M, CEO & Founder, Smiles Institute of Coloproctology, Bengaluru. “Patients and caregivers need high-quality healthcare, before and after a major once-in-a-lifetime procedure so that they can recover completely. Unfortunately, in traditional healthcare settings patients are often inadequately supported in the preparation and recovery phases that will determine the quality of their treatment outcomes. At DayToDay Health, we have used smart technology- enabled service to overcome this barrier by devising step-by-step, personalised care journeys for caregivers to guide their patients throughout the treatment process. We use a digital healthcare platform – which is HIPAA and GDPR compliant – to allow patients a seamless delivery of healthcare that also includes mental health care and counseling apart from physical health. It ensures that the healthcare provider’s caring touch continues to help patients even outside the hospital. We are delighted to partner SMILES Institute of Coloproctology in helping them improve their patients’ experience and treatment outcomes,” said Mr. Prem Sharma, CEO, DayToDay Health. Smiles Institute of Coloproctology, Bengaluru specializes in diagnosing and treating all types of colorectal conditions including those that require invasive diagnostic procedures as well as surgical intervention. “Treating serious colorectal conditions is often a complex process and surgical intervention may require proper planning and post-operative care. While patients may be required to stay at the hospital for a week or more, the recovery stretches to several weeks. Patients not only need guidance and help in preparing for the surgery and adopting the right post-operative care, they also need psychological help and mental counseling to deal with the impact of major surgery. As healthcare providers, we often find it challenging to care for patients comprehensively when they leave the hospital. DayToDay Health’s digital healthcare platform fills this gap very effectively by allowing healthcare providers to ensure seamless contact and guidance for patients. We are sure adopting this technology will enable us to significantly improve patient experience and treatment outcomes,” said Dr. Parameshwara C M, CEO & Founder, Smiles Institute of Coloproctology, Bengaluru. “DayToDay Health is already offering its digital healthcare platform to hospitals across the world with its services most widely being used in the US, the UK, and India. It helps scale the impact of in-hospital sessions through structured digital programs designed for at-home use and expands the service scope to embrace whole patient care through holistic support. The program also helps prevent care plan disruptions due to non-compliance by providing continuous patient guidance and allows for rapidly addressing any emergent patient needs via regular status updates and symptom trends monitoring, subsequently enhancing the reach of the doctor to ensure his active involvement in the recovery of the patient,” said Mr. Rajiv Misra, President, Asia Pacific, DayToDay Health. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16770/godrej-expands-health-security-portfolio-in-india-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16770/godrej-expands-health-security-portfolio-in-india-.html Thu, 02 Jul 2020 08:25:00 +0530 Godrej Security Solutions (GSS), the leading player in future technology of security solutions, announced its venture into the health security segment with the COVID Defence Security Range of products in May. To meet the growing demand for products in the health security space, Godrej has launched ‘UV Case’ and expanded its health security segment.  The  portfolio address the issue of sanitising daily objects, equipment and surfaces that come in contact with several people before entering a premise. The newly launched UV Case from Godrej Security Solutions uses the UV-C light disinfection technology that helps to create a multiple barrier approach to reducing the transmission of the virus and germs based on current disinfection data and empirical evidence. Worldwide, UV-C Sterilization is the most established scientific method for dry killing more than 65 families of pathogens, viruses and bacteria, including SARS-CoV-1. Commenting on the launch Mehernosh Pithawalla, Vice President, Godrej Security Solutions said, “Studies show that UV-C light has been used extensively for more than 40 years in disinfecting drinking water, wastewater, air, pharmaceutical products, and surfaces against a whole suite of human pathogens. Today, health security has become a priority for everyone. There is an increased need for a product post-COVID-19 that would sanitise anything that has been brought home from external environments. The Godrej UV Case meets this need; it disinfects and decontaminates almost everything used by an individual daily from mobiles, masks, newspaper, clothes, accessories, books, bags and many other innumerable articles. It will also be helpful for the healthcare sector for sanitisation of PPEs kits. As a market leader, it was incumbent on us to launch a product only after rigorous internal and external testing before it could reach consumers. With the UV Case, we move one step closer to achieving our mission of making the world a safer and healthier place.” Mehernosh added, “Godrej Security Solution estimates the total addressable health security and safety market for FY-2021 in the country is around INR 200 Crore. We seek to capture at least 20% share of the addressable market. Homes, work-places of the future, as well as many industries, will have to ensure minimum human interference and combat spread of infectious diseases through surface contact. The product enables homeowners and commercial establishments to sanitise their daily-use items like watches, wallets, keys, mobiles, clothes, parcels, among others. Stationery, medical equipment, and salon products can be disinfected in the case to protect and sanitise them before use. Shop owners can disinfect their items for sale before and after customers have had a touch and feel of the same.” The sanitisation process of the UV Case is a chemical-free case that helps to kill 99.9% viruses and sanitises everything from cash, jewellery, mobile phones to masks, and PPE Kits. The new product has found industry-wide applications in Hospitality, Healthcare, Leisure, Retail, and Homes. The UV Case comes in 3 sizes – 15L, 30L and 54L which gives consumer maximum usable volume ranging for home use to industrial use starting at INR 8,999. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16771/japan-brings-virus-prevention-solution-to-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16771/japan-brings-virus-prevention-solution-to-india.html Thu, 02 Jul 2020 07:50:00 +0530 A Japanese based company KiyouJochugikuCo. Ltd has launched “Air Doctor” in India. The Air Doctor is a portable product that helps prevent viruses, bacteria, and fungito come in contact with the user within a 1-meter radius. The product Air Doctor contains sodium chlorite, natural inorganic substances (natural zeolite) which helps in the prevention of virus. Air Doctor can be hanged on chest, pocket, or bag and this Japanese based technology releases antimicrobial agent Chlorine Dioxide (ClO2) to provide ultimate protection against airborne diseases such as influenza, cold and flu, allergy, H1N1, pneumonia, tuberculosis, recurrence respiratory infections etc. This product is also advisable to patients living with asthma and immunocompromised patients with hypertension, diabetics, heart disease, cancer patients under chemotherapy etc.  Even children, pediatric and pregnant women can safely use it. The Air Doctor product is approved worldwide by the WHO, USFDA, Occupation Safety and Health Administration and The Japan Ministry of Health, Welfare & Labor. Mr. Jitendra Bhatt, CEO of Access BioImage,the Indian Promotor of the Air Doctor says, “At this crucial time, when we are fighting against the pandemic, ‘Air Doctor’ will be useful to scan the virus within 1-metre radius after wearing it. The portable product which is like a badge can be used by everyone including educational institutions, healthcare & hospitality industry, private and government offices, policeman, flights, banks, showrooms, restaurants, public transport, aviation etc. The product can also be placed inside or outside air conditioners to prevent from Air Borne disease.” Air Doctor claims that it uses a new generation of virus prevention, sterilization, and deodorization techniques. There are 3 variants available: Air Doctor Fan that has 90 days effect and advisable for the use in hospitals Air doctor Mobile which prevents virus and bad odor Air Doctor Mobile portable which effectively kills pathogenic microorganism such as fungus, bacteria, and virus and both the mobile versions last for 30 days. Mr. Jitendra Bhatt further adds, “Air Doctor is beneficial for all the citizens working on essential duties and can use the Air Doctor portable to prevent themselves from the virus exposure and thereby minimize risks.” The product is not accessible to use under water and exposure to high air should be avoided ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16772/omron-forays-into-telemedicine-with-phablecare-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16772/omron-forays-into-telemedicine-with-phablecare-.html Thu, 02 Jul 2020 07:15:00 +0530 Leading healthcare monitoring brand, OMRON Healthcare India, has partnered with Bengaluru based PhableCare – the artificial intelligence (AI) enabled healthcare management player- to provide a one-stop remote hypertension management services at home. The platform aims to bring technology and healthcare together, enabling hypertensive patients to avail all kinds of services right from diagnosis to monitoring to treatment under one roof. It’s an amalgamation of doctors’ expertise, patients’ data, health devices and the power of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) onto a single platform. Speaking on this development, Mr. Masanori Matsubara, MD, OMRON Healthcare India said, “With autonomous & AI based healthcare becoming a reality in the new normal, the association will usher in India’s first-of-its-kind remote hypertension management service. So far, OMRON has been contributing towards empowering people to keep track of their heart health by providing quality digital blood pressure (BP) home monitoring solutions. However, with the merging of our synergies with PhableCare, we will be able to make millions of patients utilise the monitoring services efficiently under the supervision of doctors from the comfort of their homes. The patients will get access to an accurate monitoring device, proper diagnosis, prescription, real time tracking and monitoring, and even efficient drug delivery & risk analysis under this solution.” The endeavour is a step ahead for OMRON Healthcare in India to realize its vision of “ZERO HEART ATTACKS and ZERO BRAIN STROKES” by making people realise the importance of timely and accurate blood pressure monitoring. The users would have to download the app PHABLE on their mobile devices and choose the right subscription packages to start the journey. As of now, the app has a subscriber base of 65,000+ patients with 800+ doctors on board. The association will be instrumental in scaling up the reach to 1 Million hypertension patients in the next 12 months. On this association, Mr. Sumit Sinha, CEO and Co-Founder, PhableCare said, “The last few months have brought a major shift in consumer behavior where a large population is accessing their basic needs through smartphones. Healthcare is a basic need and PhableCare truly believes that good healthcare access is a fundamental right for every citizen. At PhableCare, we are focused on bringing better healthcare outcomes for chronic disease patients; helping doctors save hundreds of lives and women deliver healthy babies. This partnership brings together the world’s leading digital BP monitoring device manufacturer, OMRON, with India’s largest hypertension management company PhableCare together. The effort is to bring about a fundamental change in how healthcare is accessed and outcomes are driven for Hypertensive patients.” Hypertension is a primary risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as stroke and heart attack. Recent studies indicate, about 33% urban and 25% rural Indians are hypertensive. Also, only one-tenth of rural and one-fifth of urban Indian hypertensive population have their BP under control.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16766/philips-introduces-mobile-icus-to-tackle-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16766/philips-introduces-mobile-icus-to-tackle-covid-19.html Wed, 01 Jul 2020 07:25:00 +0530 Royal Philips, a global leader in health technology, has introduced its path-breaking mobile Intensive Care Units (ICUs) for India. Designed to meet the critical-care requirements of patients, each pre-fabricated ICU has a capacity for nine beds and will be locally manufactured by Philips in India. Each ICU unit can be assembled in one day at the chosen site. Leveraging its clinical, technical and design expertise, Philips has developed these portable ICUs to address the challenging need of critical-care services in India. These portable ICUs will be helpful to government agencies and organizations looking to enhance community outreach and to mitigate the impact of natural disasters and pandemics like the ongoing COVID-19. Spread over an area of 1380 square feet, these self-sufficient units require only electricity and water connection at site to become operational. Each of these portable ICUs comes equipped with state-of-the-art critical care infrastructure such as independent patient cubicles, anti-bacterial paint to avoid cross contamination and high-end washrooms with self-disinfection facility. These ICUs can be furnished with medical equipment such as ventilators, defibrillator, central monitoring station and Continuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP) machines with appropriate supporting infrastructure like back-up power, oxygen and vacuum supply. Commenting on the prospects of the portable ICUs, Daniel Mazon, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Philips Indian Subcontinent said “Aligned with the government’s commitment to providing quality and accessible healthcare to the population in our country, we are proud to introduce our state-of-the-art mobile ICUs for India. We believe that this solution will help the country to tackle COVID-19 in an effective manner as it enables healthcare institutions to increase their bedding capacities.  Additionally, this solution will be significant in the long term to address critical care requirements. As a company, Philips is committed to improving 3 billion lives annually by 2030 and India continues to play a key role in enabling us to get closer to achieving that objective.” Sharing his opinion on the solution, Dr. Bijendra Kumar Sinha, Senior Consultant – Minimal Access Bariatric and GI Surgery, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon highlighted “Considering the burden that healthcare institutions are facing due to the ongoing pandemic, these innovative ICUs will play a positive role in quickly ramping up patient capacity for hospitals. These units will also help in delivering quality critical care to patients in the shortest time-frame possible.” Further elaborating on the operational effectiveness of the product, Mr. Mahipal Singh Bhanot, Zonal Director – Fortis Healthcare said “The portable ICU solution by Philips India, provides all the modern technologies with portability. This will offer superlative edge in treatment of isolated patients, in disaster management and for community outreach. Additionally, it will enable streamlining of hospital workflows without the need to change their protocols for infectious patients, while maintaining patient and staff safety. This can be a productive asset to have, especially when this is useful in adding additional beds to hospitals in a much reduced time, which means rapid ramp up of hospital’s bed capacity.” With its strategic healthcare consulting teams across the world dedicated towards hospital planning, Philips is well positioned to assist hospitals in India and across the globe. Healthcare is changing at unprecedented levels with the transition to value-based healthcare, individuals taking charge of their personal health journey and healthcare institutions needing to integrate solutions. The consulting services take a holistic approach to the healthcare experience, taking into account clinical, operational and experiential aspects. Various tools and methodologies are used to develop design recommendations that support clinical efficiency and help enhance the experience for patients, family and staff.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16768/oncostem-diagnostics-to-host-online-quiz-for-doctors-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16768/oncostem-diagnostics-to-host-online-quiz-for-doctors-.html Wed, 01 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0530 In a bid to appreciate the efforts of doctors and medical professionals, OncoStem Diagnostics, an oncology focused company that enables personalised cancer treatment, will host a Doctors’ Day online quiz from 1st to 5th July 2020. This online event is open to all doctors across India and it will be hosted on the website www.canassistbreast.com.  The entire prize money of 2.5 Lakhs will be donated to PM CARES Fund for COVID-19 relief in the name of the winners. The participation window for the quiz will be from 1st of July 9 am onwards to 5th July till 9 pm where any doctor in India can visit the URL    http://canassistbreast.com/thank-you-quiz/   and attempt a short quiz.The results of the quiz will be declared on the 7th of July in the afternoon. National Doctors’ Day is celebrated on the 1st of July every year in honour of the legendary physician and the second Chief Minister of West Bengal, Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy. Doctor’s Day is celebrated to recognise the efforts and service rendered by medical professionals across the country. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16757/meh-collaborates-with-karnataka-govt-to-combat-covid-19-crisis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16757/meh-collaborates-with-karnataka-govt-to-combat-covid-19-crisis.html Tue, 30 Jun 2020 06:10:00 +0530 In an endeavour to intensify the fight against the pandemic, Manipal Health Enterprises part of Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG) collaborates with the Government of Karnataka and converts its 100 bed fully equipped facility at Malleshwaram as a dedicated COVID unit. The facility is equipped with a 14-bed respiratory ICU and state of the art equipment to ensure seamless and efficient treatment to COVID patients. The facility also has back up imaging and a full-fledged laboratory to ensure the highest level of care to COVID 19 patients. The Group has also been approved by the regulatory authorities to perform COVID 19 Testing at its Hospital on Old Airport, Bangalore and Udupi. The group has been working closely with the Government of Karnataka since March when the pandemic started to breakout in the State. The Chairman of Manipal Hospitals, Dr. Sudarshan Ballal was a key member of the Task Force formed by the Govt to help combat the spread of the virus. Over the last 3 months, a specialist team comprising of a Physician/Geriatrician, Intensivist, Pulmonologists, Anaesthesiologist and Nephrologist have been monitoring critically ill COVID – 19 patients across 7 districts of Karnataka via the E-Rounds initiative. The dedicated team of specialists were part of the war room to provide video consultations to critically ill patients twice a day. In the month of April, Dr TMA Hospital, a 150 bed facility in Udupi was converted to a dedicated COVID centre and became the only private Hospital in Karnataka to be designated as a COVID – 19 Hospital and has treated over 150 patients.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16746/health-ministry-releases-annual-tb-report-2020.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16746/health-ministry-releases-annual-tb-report-2020.html Mon, 29 Jun 2020 09:05:00 +0530 Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare released the annual TB Report 2020, in the presence of Ashiwni Kumar Choubey, MOS (HFW), through a virtual event. They also released a Joint Monitoring Mission (JMM) report, a manual on Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to TB patients under NIKSHAY system, a Training Module, and the quarterly newsletter NIKSHAY Patrika. The key achievements listed in the report include: Around 24.04 Lakh TB patients have been notified in 2019. This amounts to a 14% increase in TB notification as compared to the year 2018. Achieving near-complete on-line notification of TB patients through the NIKSHAY system. Reduction in the number of missing cases to 2.9 lakh cases as against more than 10 lakhs in 2017. Private sector notifications increased by 35% with 6.78 lakh TB patients notified. Due to easy availability of molecular diagnostics, the proportion of children diagnosed with TB increased to 8% in 2019 compared to 6% in 2018. Provision of HIV testing for all notified TB patients increased from 67% in 2018 to 81% in 2019. Expansion of treatment services has resulted in a 12% improvement in the treatment success rate of notified patients.  For 2019 it is 81% compared to 69% in 2018. More than 4.5 lakh DOT Centers provide treatment covering almost every village across the country. NIKSHAY also expanded the provision of four Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) schemes of the programme – Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) to TB patients The incentive to Treatment Supporters Incentive to Private Providers and Transport incentive to TB patients in the notified tribal areas ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16726/wockhardt-hospital-gets-icmr-approval-for-convalescent-plasma-therapy-trials.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16726/wockhardt-hospital-gets-icmr-approval-for-convalescent-plasma-therapy-trials.html Fri, 26 Jun 2020 06:35:00 +0530 To fight coronavirus, Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai Central, who is at the forefront of healthcare, has got approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to conduct convalescent plasma therapy trials on patients infected with coronavirus, making it the among the few private hospitals in Mumbai to independently start the trials. Soon, it will conduct trials on 20 patients to ascertain the success of plasma therapy. The hospital is already at the forefront of treating patients with coronavirus since April and has treated around 500 patients so far. Convalescent plasma therapy tends to involve transfusing plasma from the blood of those patients who have recovered from COVID-19 into patients who are moderately or critically ill due to this virus. The plasma of the recovered patient contains antibodies that fight Covid-19 infection thus when injected into the bloodstream of a positive patient will help fight the infection again. According to the findings published in The American Journal of Pathology, researchers from the Houston Methodist Hospital in the US carried out clinical trials to transfuse plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients into critically ill patients and found it to be a safe treatment option. Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai Central, has collected plasma from donors and would be commencing the trials soon. The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved our application to initiate convalescent plasma therapy trials, last week. In April, the Government of India and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) came up with the proposal to start the convalescent plasma trial and interested hospitals had to apply for approval. “Many coronavirus patients require hospitalization and some even become critical and need ICU support. Since there is no standardized treatment available across the world, multiple drugs and therapies are used in combination to treat this disease and this plasma trial is a step in that direction” said Dr. Kedar Toraskar, Chief of Critical Care, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central This plasma therapy has been used in treating various infectious diseases such as Ebola virus outbreaks previously. Based on that, this therapy is being initiated now,” underscored Dr. Behram Pardiwala, Principal Investigator of the Plasma trial, Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai Central “We have tied up with a blood bank where our donors donate their plasma and as per the trial requirements, the plasma will be given to suitable patients. After identifying a donor we take his consent and he/she undergoes all the required tests like pre-screening of antibodies before taking up the patient for plasma donation.  We collect around 500 ml plasma per donor and the dosing will be given by our clinicians as per our approved protocol. Moreover, the person can donate plasma once, in a month,” concluded Dr. Parag Rindani, Centre Head, Wockhardt Hospitals. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16724/strategies-to-conduct-clinical-trials-effectively-in-covid-19-era.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16724/strategies-to-conduct-clinical-trials-effectively-in-covid-19-era.html Tue, 23 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0530 The Webinar on “Strategies to Conduct Clinical Trials effectively in Covid-19 era” organized by CliniMed LifeSciences Pvt. Ltd., Kolkata in association with Indian Society for Clinical Research (ISCR) and Peerless Hospital, Kolkata as knowledge partners and BioSpectrum as media partner, was held at 3 pm on June 6, 2020.  Around 500 plus participants attended this informative webinar amongst 1000 plus registrants for this webinar. “We got lot of appreciations from many research enthusiasts from the different parts of our country as well as from abroad saying it was really a timely webinar and informative one “said Mr. Snehendu Konar, Business Development Manager of CliniMed LifeSciences, organizer of this event. The event was moderated by Dr. Subhroyoti Bhowmick, Clinical Director, Research and Academics, Peerless Hospital, Kolkata and he introduced all of our distinguished panelists with their short bio -sketch. In the opening remarks, Dr. V. G. Somani, Drug Controller General of India ( DCGI ) stated the significance of artificial intelligence with risk benefits as one of the most important strategies of conducting clinical research during Covid-19 pandemic. “We have to take advantage of such validated technologies to collect data and analysis purposes to avoid physical visits” said Dr. Somani. He clearly differentiated what should be the acceptability for routine and that of pandemic situation. Dr. Roli Mathur, head of ICMR Bioethics Unit pointed out that we should follow the strategies like virtual meeting, e-documents, e-consent, e-EC in such constraint environment.  “ICMR is planning for enabling all EC committee awareness and they have enabled FAQs and forms in their website” said Dr. Roli Mathur. She also opined, “central EC can do evaluations and monitoring can be done by local EC.” Dr. Sanis Davis, General Secretary of ISCR emphasized on how to ensure patient safety and sensitized ethics committee (EC) can support large number of studies. According to Ms. Suneela Thatte, VP and Head, R&D Solutions, IQVIA India, the biggest challenge is to be responsible for patient safety and maintaining health status. Some mechanisms should be there to maintain their safety. IP supply is going to be a long-term challenge- how do we bring the entire focus on handling pandemic for clinical trials research and how can we bring them back on clinical research. We need to make sure we provide tools and techniques to fulfil administrative and logistic requirements. We need to adopt virtual clinical trials in a way where patient safety is not being compromised. Remote working should be done for not only EC but for all possible committee. Mr. Anirban Roy Chowdhury, Co-Director, CDSA, THSTI, DBT, Govt. of India spoke about the statistical approach of clinical trial where data collection method for data analysis and interpretation results become very important factors keeping scientific integrity. Dr. Alben Sigamani, Group Head, Dept. of Clinical Research, Narayana Health shared his insights and thoughts on telephonic conversation adoption for which ICMR has released the new guidelines for follow up. We need to plan the entire phase in one period format just to see what happens amidst this COVID era.  Dr. Soma Mukhopadhaya explained the challenges of conducting clinical trial at sites. She told that the communication is the basic key. At site, SMO should arrange meeting their staff twice a week to boost them mentally up for having clear idea to attend patients, how to use precautionary measures.  She appealed to the sponsors or CROs to provide protective gears like PPE kits for the frontline research staff. SMO is encouraging the sites or hospitals to conduct COVID tests before enrolling the patients for clinical trials. Dr. Bhowmick, the moderator, then set the tone for discussion by asking the panelists the questions came from attendees via mail and Q&A session of the webinar. After this, all the panelists answered the participants’ queries and the webinar concluded with the vote of thanks given by the moderator and the organizer of this webinar. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16725/apollo-cradle-launches-safe-opd-for-mothers-and-babies.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16725/apollo-cradle-launches-safe-opd-for-mothers-and-babies.html Tue, 23 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0530   Reinforcing its commitment to provide a safe hospital experience to mothers visiting for consultation purposes and new born babies, Apollo Cradle & Children’s Hospital, a chain of multi-specialty birthing center run by Apollo Health & Lifestyle Limited (AHLL), announced “SAFE OPDs” (Out Patient Departments), demonstrating its commitment to the safety of patients visiting the Cradle for consultation purposes.   The ‘Safe OPD’ will address public concerns and queries about COVID-19 With the continued increase in the number of COVID cases across the country, fear of contracting the virus is dissuading mothers from visiting hospitals along with their babies for check-ups and counselling. The “SAFE OPD” emphasizes Apollo’s philosophy of placing the health and safety of patients as its top priority.   OPD refers to those cases when the treatment and diagnosis of an ailment is done on the advice of a charge medical practitioner or doctor, by simply visiting their Cradle centres or any other consultation room.   Speaking about the “SAFE OPD” initiative, Dr Ajay H Gangoli, Director Medical Services from Apollo Cradle & Children’s Hospital said, “The Apollo Group has always been at the forefront in setting standards in providing qualitative healthcare services. The SAFE OPD initiative is another step towards providing superlative patient experience to those visiting our centres for consultations and tests and a reassurance of the safety of our premises. We have put in place elaborate measures which will reduce the threat of infection transmission and aim to dispel fear in the mind of those visiting our centres”   The “Safe OPDs” measures include mandatory screening of patients for temperature as per ICMR guidelines; seating arrangement in the waiting room to maintain social distancing; sanitizer availability at multiple points across the clinics, doctors, nurses and the cleaning staff are checked regularly.  All Apollo Cradle & Children’s Hospitals are regularly sanitized to keep any infections at bay. In addition to these all doctors, nurses and attended are provided with PPE kits comprising of goggles, face shield, mask, gloves, coverall/gowns and head & shoe cover.    Apollo Cradle & Children’s Hospital has made it mandatory for all its staffs to wear the PPE at all times while inside the premises of the clinic. Apollo Cradle & Children’s Hospital has also started providing virtual solutions to prenatal consultations.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16686/livinguard-introduces-mask-to-inactivate-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16686/livinguard-introduces-mask-to-inactivate-covid-19.html Thu, 18 Jun 2020 08:00:00 +0530 With the development of medication to combat the novel coronavirus still in the works, it has become imperative to find an immediate solution for this global pandemic. After conducting more than 65,000 experiments and filing more than 100 patents, Swiss hygiene company Livinguard, with operations also in India, as well as Germany, USA, Singapore, Japan, and South Africa, has come up with a revolutionary and first of its kind face mask, that can directly inactivate bacteria and viruses, including 99.9% of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. While most masks available across counters or open markets are preventive in nature, Livinguard face masks are protective and prevent bacteria and viruses from spreading, benefiting both self and others in close proximity. The globally patented technology was invented by Mr. Sanjeev Swamy, an entrepreneur of Indian origin, who also heads the company. Researchers from the Free University of Berlin at the Institute for Animal Hygiene and Environmental Health have been able to demonstrate that textiles treated with Livinguard Technology can reduce very high amounts of SARS-CoV-2 particles by more than 99.9% within a few hours. "The textiles in these masks can thus continuously inactivate the exhaled viruses and can make handling these masks even safer overall," says Professor Uwe Rösler. "In addition, such textiles could also help to reduce hygienic issues in other general and medical areas, even beyond COVID-19." The masks were launched recently in India through a virtual press conference where the founder joined from their Swiss headquarters. Mr. Sanjeev Swamy, Founder, Inventor & CEO, Livinguard Technologies said, “The World Health Organization estimates 89 million medical masks will be required every month throughout the pandemic. Providing superior quality of daily life has always been our aim. Our mission is to provide hygiene suited for the modern world, hence the reason that we chose to conduct our tests at the FU Berlin, who is renowned for their highest standards; and we are honored to be able to introduce Livinguard masks in India. With the number of cases rising in the country daily, it has become crucial to find an answer to the problem. The unique characteristics of Livinguard masks will provide users with an unprecedented level of security. Fine Hygienic Holding in the Middle East is one of our biggest users, as well as millions more across Singapore, Japan, Germany and China. I am confident that we will have similar success in India too.” He further added, “Livinguard’s current focus is to apply this Technology to solutions that lessen the health risk and economic impact of the crisis by enabling people to protect themselves, return to work, and take back their lives. Since our product is washable and reusable, and mostly made from cotton, the mask is eco-friendly and sustainable. Our research shows that if a million people use one reusable Livinguard mask 210 times, we can save 36,000 tonnes of waste. It is also cheaper than a regular mask because one will need 210 masks to compare with one of ours.” One of the most respected science leaders of India, Dr Raghunath Mashelkar, said “This scientific breakthrough of deactivating SARS-COV-2 virus on contact with the mask, authenticated fully by world’s top universities, is a global game changer. Every effort should be made so that every Indian benefits from this unprecedented paradigm shift in this provision of safety, security & sustainability, going far beyond the current pandemic.” The principle underlying the Livinguard Technology is empowering the textile surface with a strong positive charge. When microbes come in contact with fabric, the microbial cell which is negatively charged, is destroyed leading to permanent destruction of the microorganism. Unlike heavy metal-based solutions, such as silver, zinc and copper, this novel technology has been found to be safe for both skin and lungs. Moreover, Livinguard Technology destroys continuously and allows users to reuse the mask up to 210 times with no compromise on safety or efficacy. Livinguard AG believes that the future is tied to sustainable solutions that treat our world kindly. The Livinguard Face Mask not only harnesses powerful coronavirus killing technology but also minimizes waste and uses resources efficiently, thereby offering a unique solution for an overheated supply chain. The Livinguard mask comprises 3 layers that give 5 levels of protection. The unique patented Tripellent Technology on the Outer layer offers 3 levels of protection - Livinguard Antiviral and repellent coating on the outside of the fabric, Livinguard Antiviral Technology bonded into the fabric itself and Livinguard Antiviral and repellent coating on the inside of the fabric. Non-woven industry-standard filters in the middle layer channels viruses for destruction to the outer or inner layers. Sandwiched between disinfecting fabrics, it is protected from biological contamination, allowing the mask to be safely washed and reused. Denser than the outer layer, and also treated with Livinguard Antiviral Technology, the fabric of the inner layer provides powerful inactivation of coronavirus. Odour free and quick drying with low humidity, the soft and stretchy fabric gives a comfortable fit for the mouth and nose. This specially treated fabric has 36 billion positive charges per cm2. The Livinguard mask can be washed up to 30 times with undiminished efficacy of its protective properties. If used daily and washed weekly under normal usage conditions, the mask can be used for 6 months, effectively replacing the need for single-use masks. The mask can be used for extended periods and reused before washing because the fabric covering the filter media continuously destroys microorganisms upon contact. This significantly diminishes the risk of transferring them to the user and to other surfaces. The mask is proven to be non-toxic and safe for use. The masks are being used by frontline COVID warriors across the world. Depending on the type of mask required, the cost is INR 1490-1990 only. Livinguard is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Innovators Community. Arnaud Bernaert, Head of Health and Healthcare, World Economic Forum commented, “The World Economic Forum is happy to have Livinguard join our Global Innovators community. We are delighted to work with Livinguard as their innovation holds the potential to greatly advance the world's response toolkit in the fight against COVID".   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16679/iit-bhu-develops-anti-microbial-five-layered-face-mask.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16679/iit-bhu-develops-anti-microbial-five-layered-face-mask.html Wed, 17 Jun 2020 10:10:00 +0530 Dr Marshal and his team at the School of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-BHU), Varanasi, have developed an anti-microbial five-layered face mask. This face mask can annihilate pathogenic microorganisms that are stuck to its outer surface and thereby limit the spread of secondary infections. “The mask that is available in the market currently acts as a filter to stop the entry of microbes to oral and nasal airways but does not have any effect on the microbe stuck to the mask surface,” said Dr Marshal, Associate Professor, School of Biomedical Engineering, IIT (BHU). This shortcoming in masks could be dangerous for medical and paramedical staff due to the presence of higher viral or bacterial load on their outer surface. Dr Marshal’s team addresses this problem by stacking different layers of nanometal conjugated with protonated amine matrix. The first layer of the mask can degrade any type of RNA, the next layer is anti-microbial, the third one is for air filtration, and the fourth and fifth layers are ‘comfortable layers’, which will remain close to the nose and mouth. “Copper and silver are de-transition elements and as per our knowledge they can degrade this virus and all the other members of SARS virus. We took a cocktail combination of copper, copper oxides, silver, and activated charged silver, which can help degrade RNA,” said Dr Marshal. For degradation testing, the researchers took the RNA of lung cells as novel coronavirus propagates rapidly in the lungs. The RNA of other cells were also extracted. “We have extracted both cancerous and non-cancerous cells too. We have checked the degradation of these molecules. We have tested this in solution base and in coating base methods. This testing showed that the RNA was getting degraded. After this, we have optimised it,” said the researcher. The mask has hydrophobic surface on the outer layer to deflect water droplets containing the viruses. Patent has been applied for the product. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16685/nihilent-launches-covid-19-mortality-incident-tracker-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16685/nihilent-launches-covid-19-mortality-incident-tracker-.html Wed, 17 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Pune based Nihilent, a global consulting and services company that uses human-centered approach for problem-solving and change management, has launched the COVID-19 Mortality Incident Tracker (COMIT), a Software as a Service (SaaS) offering to help doctors and forensic pathologists to track and investigate the deaths that have been caused due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  COMIT has a provision to capture and record details of the deceased if the person has been confirmed with COVID-19 or suspected to have died from COVID-19. The information collected is from a medical facility, a law enforcement office, or a funeral home. The medico-legal investigator can refer to the details of the case, speak to all the concerned parties involved in the case, including the NOK (Next of Kin), capture the medical history of the person and the likely cause of death. The doctor by using various modules of COMIT can capture the critical parameters such as cause and manner of death, any comorbidities present to give a complete analysis and synopsis of the case.  Speaking on the COMIT launch, L.C. Singh, Director and Executive Vice-Chairman, Nihilent, said, “Healthcare and medical institutions today are at the forefront in the fight against COVID-19 and it is very crucial to provide them with all the necessary tools, equipment and the right technology. Keeping in mind the preciousness of time at this point, Nihilent has developed a one of its kind solution for doctors, investigators, researchers and other health practitioners that allows them to monitor COVID-19 related mortality seamlessly and navigate through this pandemic.” According to Minoo Dastur, Director, President, and CEO, Nihilent, “The current pandemic is causing global pandemonium and the exponential rise of the disease only makes it necessary to have COMIT, a one of a kind solution, to monitor the deaths due to the virus. The solution will help the investigation of suspected but unconfirmed deaths as well as unattended deaths from the virus outbreak.” The main advantage of the user-friendly COMIT offering is that it helps keep a record of the fatality cases efficiently which can be accessed easily. This cloud-based solution comes with very strong levels of security owing to the sensitive nature of the information and data. The solution will ensure seamless processing of information and safe preservation for future study of the disease, factors that aggravate it and measures that can be taken to fight COVID-19. Vineet Bahal, MD, Nihilent Analytics, said, “Our team of experts who developed COMIT have been working for around two decades with doctors and forensic pathologists. Using our Design Thinking framework, we leveraged our UX Labs to deep dive and gain an understanding of the problem and challenges relating to COVID-19. Our specialized experience in developing solutions for a death investigation, victim identification and case management formed the basis of the COMIT platform.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16661/omron-healthcare-india-lupin-to-strengthen-respiratory-disease-management.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16661/omron-healthcare-india-lupin-to-strengthen-respiratory-disease-management.html Mon, 15 Jun 2020 08:00:00 +0530 Omron Healthcare India, a leading healthcare monitoring brand in the country, and Lupin Limited, a global pharma major, has announced a long-term strategic alliance to strengthen respiratory disease management facilities in India mainly focusing on Asthma and COPD patients. Synergizing their vision of improving lives and contributing to a better society through utilization of innovative technology, the alliance aims to support the whole journey and experience of a respiratory patient right from diagnosis to treatment. Under this collaboration, the two companies will combine their respective strengths in disease know-how and solution-creation abilities to transform the outcomes of respiratory disease management by giving patients an ideal one-stop ecosystem providing screening, diagnostics, drug delivery, device, aided with advanced technology and digital tools all under one roof. It is expected that the partnership will lead to: Development of a business model to broaden reach of disease management solutions and connect with un-diagnosed potential patients led by thought leadership and innovative expertise of both companies. This comprises setting up India’s first-of-its-kind Nebulization Rooms in hospitals. Development of comprehensive and unique disease management solutions (drugs & devices) for optimal treatment;  utilizing advanced sensing technologies such as WheezScan – India’s first device to monitor wheezing in children and Mesh Nebulizers for accurate drug delivery. In response to signing the MoU with OMRON, Rajeev Sibal, President — India Region Formulations, Lupin Limited, mentioned LUPIN’s long association with OMRON,  a global leader in healthcare monitoring, and expressed confidence that this MoU will usher a new era in terms of improving awareness, diagnosis, adherence & drug delivery, all of which are focus areas for the respiratory team. He added that devices & initiatives under this MoU will help the clinicians to significantly improve clinical outcomes and boost the quality of life of patients. Elaborating more, Mr. Masanori Matsubara, MD, OMRON Healthcare India, said “This joint endeavor with Lupin is one of the most significant steps in the direction of achieving  OMRON’s ‘Zero Asthma Events’ vision for Indian society. We are extremely hopeful & confident that our expertise in  technology & monitoring will synergize well with Lupin’s capabilities in pharmaceutics to create a new business model strongly oriented towards creating value in the lives of millions of people suffering from debilitating diseases like asthma and COPD.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16660/quest-enhances-lung-nodule-detection-solution-with-microsoft.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16660/quest-enhances-lung-nodule-detection-solution-with-microsoft.html Mon, 15 Jun 2020 06:10:00 +0530 QuEST Global, a global product engineering and lifecycle services company, announced that it has enhanced its Lung Nodule Detection solution using Microsoft Azure. With the help of this solution, powered by Azure IoT Central and Azure Machine Learning (ML), the company aims to help medical imaging device manufacturers improve the cancer nodule detection accuracy from CT scans, as compared to conventional image processing methods. Once deployed, this computer-aided diagnosis application can be used for screening and will help doctors analyze CT scan images more quickly and accurately. QuEST used Azure Machine Learning to train the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and the trained model was packaged in containers and deployed on IoT Edge device using IoT Central. The solution has a detection accuracy of 93 percent and sensitivity of 89 percent, with a real-time performance of 20 images per second. With the help of Microsoft technology, the entire product development lifecycle and deployment of QuEST’s solution has been made more secure and efficient. The company has also used Azure Machine Learning to create customized models and IoT Central to deploy the solution on to Azure IoT Edge in containerized form for online and offline usage. Commenting on the Lung Nodule Detection solution and the collaboration with Microsoft, Krish Kupathil, Head – Digital Innovation and Hi-Tech, QuEST Global said, “The healthcare industry is on the brink of a new wave of digital transformation, powered by breakthroughs in IoT, ML, AI and cloud platforms. We are delighted to work with Microsoft to develop our Lung Nodule Detection solution on Azure IoT and Machine Learning. This brings together our imaging, analytics and computation and machine learning expertise across the entire digital transformation ecosystem, besides enabling us to leverage Microsoft’s advanced technologies and expertise in spearheading large digital implementations. This collaboration will help us in defining myriad scenarios to enable IoT use cases leveraging on our multi-domain expertise.” Bert Van Hoof, Partner Group Program Manager for Azure IoT, Microsoft Corp., said, “According to the World Health Organization, lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer related deaths in the world. QuEST used Microsoft Azure IoT Central and Azure Machine Learning to build an innovative solution to detect cancer nodules from CT scans with high performance, accuracy and sensitivity. Azure IoT Central provides the IoT application infrastructure that allowed QuEST to quickly build a globally available, secure, and scalable IoT solution that can be easily customized and updated. We value our ongoing collaboration with QuEST and its ability to blend deep cross industry domain expertise with the power of Azure IoT Central to build elegant solutions that tackle complex problems with great expediency.” As a trusted thinking partner, QuEST has been working with the world’s most recognized companies in the healthcare industry for the last two decades. The company is committed to enable its customers to Create The Frontier by enhancing healthcare experience to improve the lives of millions of people around the world. With its expertise in new age technologies like Deep Learning, AI, IoT and ML, the company has been developing comprehensive engineering solutions by using Azure IoT, AI, and ML technologies that help OEMs and tier-one suppliers seamlessly take the next step in their digital transformation journey and make products safer and more reliable. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16670/iamai-urges-government-to-finalize-draft-e-pharmacy-rules-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16670/iamai-urges-government-to-finalize-draft-e-pharmacy-rules-.html Mon, 15 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0530 The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) representing leading e-pharma start-ups has urged the government to finalize the draft e-pharmacy rules and notify them immediately. In the absence of a set of clearly defined Rules, various groups with vested interests are approaching the courts and jeopardising 30 thousand livelihoods directly or indirectly employed in this sector and risking the health of 6 million consumers in 15,000 pin codes who were supplied during the Covid lockdown. The delay in notification of the draft, e-pharmacy rules gives an opportunity to vested groups of distributors and retailers to spread misinformation in a manner that mutes competition and contributes to high drug prices in India. This has also been highlighted by Competition Commission of India (CCI) in their report October 2018, “Making markets work for affordable healthcare” which stated that these trade associations control the entire drug distribution system in a manner that mutes competition that contributes to high drug prices in India. Further one of the solutions proposed by the CCI was encouraging more e-Pharmacies.  According to IAMAI, it is important to enable competition in the pharmaceutical supply chain. It may be noted that the e-Pharmacy model operates in full compliance and harmony with existing laws. A digital platform receives the request for medicines from a patient along with the prescription and conveys it to a brick and mortar licensed pharmacy store that dispenses the medicine, fully governed under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act. e-Pharmacy Draft Rules Provides Sector-Specific e-Commerce regulations with the aim to harmonize existing laws/guidelines like the IT Act, D&C Act and Rules, and other relevant regulations. These draft rules came after over 25 multi-stakeholder consultations over a period of 4 years and have also been approved by Drug Technical Advisory Board, the highest expert body for Pharmaceutical regulation in India. The delays hereon are purely unjustified, and unfortunate, and seem to go in the opposite direction from the articulated vision of the Prime Minister for a Digital India where innovation thrives. IAMAI has said that the sector needs urgent government support to notify the e-pharmacy draft rules which are pending since long. Notifying the rules will unleash the potential of technology to improve the access and affordability of quality medicines for the country. The retail pharmacy sector needs a lot of supply chain, technology, and access solutions to make healthcare delivery more efficient and affordable, and a pre-requisite for this is a simple and clear regulatory pathway for innovation to thrive in this important space. IAMAI hopes that the issues being faced by the e-Pharmacy sector will now be addressed through a quick notification of the pending e-Pharmacy draft rules ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16646/dst-unveils-health-and-risk-communication-programme.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16646/dst-unveils-health-and-risk-communication-programme.html Fri, 12 Jun 2020 08:00:00 +0530 The National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC), Department of Science & Technology (DST) has released an information brochure for a recently launched programme on health and risk communication ‘Year of Awareness on Science & Health (YASH) with focus on COVID-19’. The brochure carries information on the genesis and need of such a mega programme in the country to address the issues of risks, crises, disasters, and uncertainties especially posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The programme focuses on enhancing public understanding and awareness on science and health for better preparedness to cope up with the present and future challenges. Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Dept. of Science & Technology said that a wide array of programmes and activities built around awareness and outreach have been envisaged involving print, electronic, digital, folk and interactive media to reach out to large cross-sections of the society under the campaign. He added that the logo of the YASH programme given on the brochure has been designed to create a wave of peace and bliss and depicts a sense of overcoming the situation at large and would act as a harbinger of taking forward the messages of science, health, risk and awareness.  In view of providing authentic information in an interesting and interactive manner at the grass-root level, a comprehensive programme on health and risk communication with a focus on COVID 19 has been launched.  The National Health & Risk Communication programme has been planned and being implemented in a big way with a mechanism of PAN India presence and reach. State Councils of Science & Technology have been involved. The three major ingredients of the programme include software/ content development, capacity development, and dissemination and outreach. The activities are spread over six regions, East, West, North, South, Central and Northeast. Special communication modules are developed depending upon especially marked zones, and networking and training of communicators and volunteers for activities related to community health would be an advantage.  The current scenario of the pandemic caused by COVID-19 has posed concerns and challenges all around where scientific awareness and health preparedness can play a significant role to help combat the situation with translation and usage of authentic scientific information and to convey the risks involved and facilitate the communities to overcome the situation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16640/indus-health-plus-launches-dnawise-2-0.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16640/indus-health-plus-launches-dnawise-2-0.html Thu, 11 Jun 2020 08:00:00 +0530 Indus Health Plus, a pioneer in the preventive health sector, launched DNAwise 2.0, a revolutionary personal genomics test. It is a genetic test that decodes the genetic makeup and informs an individual about the predisposition for various health conditions. Besides, it helps to understand the best diet and fitness regime for a person. The advanced DNAwise 2.0 has expanded its horizon of genetic analysis by incorporating 17 new parameters under Heath, Nutrition and Fitness. In addition, a new category – ‘Habit’ has also been introduced which reports on three parameters: Alcohol Dependence, Caffeine Consumption, and Nicotine Dependence. It has been observed that people have a tendency for high consumption of alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine in many forms like smoking, tobacco chewing etc. GENETICS play an important role in determining the tendency for above mentioned habits (addictions) along with various psychological and environmental factors. DNAwise 2.0 is a saliva-based user-friendly genetic test that can be done from the comfort of home. Indus Health Plus has a strong network across the country that provides door – to – door sample collection service for consumers. Mr. Amol Naikawadi, Joint Managing Director, Indus Health Plus said, “The up-gradation in technology and our expertise in the field of genetics stimulated us to bring a unique platform of prevention. With the current COVID 19 situation, people have understood that maintaining Good Health is most important and prevention is the only best step. In an endeavor to create a healthy future for individuals by expanding the umbrella of prevention, we have launched DNAwise 2.0. It analyses the health conditions, habits, Nutrition & fitness traits based on one’s genetics. It can empower people to personalize their health checkups and make informed lifestyle modifications/choices. Knowing the genetic predispositions to various health parameters helps an individual to delay/prevent the onset of the health condition by modifying lifestyle.” “With the launch of DNAwise 2.0, we are propelling our mission to make healthcare accessible, available, and affordable. At Indus Health Plus, we believe that the culture of prevention and healthy wellbeing should start at an early age” added Mr. Naikawadi. The package is available pan India, at an affordable price and includes saliva sample kit, reports, and counseling by a genetic counselor. The test reports are more comprehensive and consumer friendly. Testing and reporting involve cutting edge technology and international standards. DNAwise 1.0 genetic test was launched in December 2018 and received tremendous response amongst the consumers and empowered them to live a happy and healthy life. The consumers are also taking their genetic report to their doctors, fitness trainers and dieticians for more benefits and help in lifestyle personalization. DNAwise is a once-in-a-lifetime investment for health that is recommended for every family member to know the predisposition to different health conditions, followed by yearly health examination. The genetic test report can be a guide for one’s lifelong wellness. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16631/niper-g-hal-team-up-for-3d-antimicrobial-face-shields.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16631/niper-g-hal-team-up-for-3d-antimicrobial-face-shields.html Wed, 10 Jun 2020 09:00:00 +0530 National Institute of Pharmaceuticals Education and Research (NIPER)-Guwahati, a premier Institute of National Importance under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Govt. of India is committed to providing a useful contribution cum solution in terms of developing Personal Protective Equipment’s (PPEs) to avoid the fatal spread of COVID-19 transmission . Director Dr U S N. Murty informed that he signed MoU with the Hindustan Antibiotic Limited (HAL, a PSU under Dept. of Pharmaceuticals, Govt. of India), Pimpri, Pune for large scale industrial-grade manufacturing and commercialization of their 3D printed antimicrobial face-shields. NIPER-Guwahati has also filed both an Indian design patent and provisional patent at Indian Patent Office, New Delhi on their 3D printed antimicrobial face-shields. NIPER-G has designed, developed & validated 3D-printed antimicrobial face-shield to control the spread of novel coronavirus, after careful analyses of several resources for risk measurement and on how viruses spread through bare hands and other body cavities like oral, ophthalmic & olfactory, etc. (even though ear as well). Some of the salient features of their developed 3D printed antimicrobial face-shields include, highly occlusive, transparent, easy-to-design, low cost, easy to wear, antimicrobial in nature, excellent chemical stability, non-fragile and easy to clean with the existing sanitizers or any alcoholic disinfectant. In addition to this, NIPER-G designed & developed a 3D-printed multi-layer antimicrobial face mask to control the spread of novel coronavirus. The first layer of this mask will be anti-bacterial casing, the second layer will be the sanitizing layer and reducing exposure of airborne particulates. finally, the third layer will be the medicinal layer to prevent extra microbial attacks, etc. Finally, NIPER-G has also developed & validated a 3D-printed hands-free multi-tasking object for opening or closing of the doors, windows, drawers (both vertical & horizontal), refrigerator handle, elevator buttons, laptop/desktop keyboards, including turning on/off switch buttons. This product is very handy, user-friendly, non-fragile, and easy to clean with the existing sanitizers or any alcoholic disinfectant. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16638/dkms-announces-10m-registered-potential-blood-stem-cell-donors-worldwide.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16638/dkms-announces-10m-registered-potential-blood-stem-cell-donors-worldwide.html Wed, 10 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0530 DKMS, this month, celebrated a truly meaningful milestone: the organization has 10 million registered potential blood stem cell donors worldwide. With the help of tens of thousands of volunteers and supporters from across the globe, DKMS’s record achievement increases the likelihood of patients finding the matching donors they need to receive a second chance at life. When DKMS began in 1991, there were only 3,000 potential donors registered in Germany at the time. Peter Harf, desperate to find a matching donor for his ailing wife Mechtild, knew that the only way to increase the likelihood of her chance at finding a lifesaving match was to increase the size of the donor pool. Now, 29 years since its launch, DKMS continues to operate with the same passion and focus, leading to this year’s celebration of a milestone moment that once seemed impossible: 10 million registered potential donors in the DKMS donor pool.  All these donors are currently listed and available to provide lifesaving transplants for patients battling blood cancer and other blood disorders. “This is a fantastic achievement by DKMS that is only possible because of the dedication and passion of their employees and supporters from around the world,” says Lydia Foeken, CEO of the World Marrow Donor Association (WMDA). “We now have 36 million donors worldwide and DKMS is an important part of our global community.” “DKMS is proud to be the world’s leading donor center, accounting for nearly 30% of the total donor pool. While, this is a global milestone but when it comes to India, the fact is Indians are highly underrepresented. In India, every year over 1 lakh people are diagnosed with blood cancer or other blood disorders and despite this huge burden, only 0.03% of the total population is registered as potential blood stem cell donor. While blood cancer is life-threatening, a set of healthy blood stem cells from a matching donor can be life-saving. The demand and supply gap are increasing as people don’t register themselves as potential blood stem cell donors due to the lack of awareness said Patrick Paul, CEO DKMS BMST Foundation India.” “10 million registered donors are truly a wonderful accomplishment, but for me, and I know for all of the DKMS family, this is not about just numbers and it never will be,” explains Elke Neujahr, Global CEO of DKMS. “It is about our donors. It is about our patients. It is about everyone that is affected by these devastating diseases.  This is why we also realize that, though we celebrate this milestone, we still have so much more to do.” Tens of thousands of patients suffering from blood cancer and other blood disorders each year are still unable to find the matching donor they need. Furthermore, as access to transplantation increases globally, members of underrepresented populations find themselves facing even steeper odds of receiving a second chance at life. For this reason, DKMS is leading an international two-pronged approach; significantly increasing the number of available potential donors annually, while working to diversify the donor pool to ensure all patients, regardless of their ethnic background, can find the lifesaver they need.  In line with this, DKMS extended its international footprint with South African partnership on May 28th, 2020. The Sunflower Fund and DKMS have joined forces to register as many potential blood stem cell donors as possible with the most diverse ethnic backgrounds. Now in its 20th year, The Sunflower Fund brings a wealth of expertise in the recruitment of stem cell donors and building an ethnically diverse registry of committed donors from across South Africa, Namibia, Ghana, and Nigeria. The organisation also maintains a patient support fund to assist patients who are unable to afford costs associated with getting to transplant. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16641/onco-gets-global-recognition-for-ocpap-technology-platform.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16641/onco-gets-global-recognition-for-ocpap-technology-platform.html Wed, 10 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Onco.com, India’s leading digital platform for cancer care, recently received global recognition for its advanced technology platform “Online Cancer Patient Assistance Pathway” (OCPAP™) at the recently held annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in May 2020. A concordance study comparing the treatment guidance provided by the OCPAP™ platform against that provided by a panel of senior oncologists was found to provide the right treatment guidance to patients with very high accuracy. The Study was presented by Dr Amit Jotwani, co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of Onco.com. As per the Global Survey of Clinical Oncology Workforce 2018, for every 10,000 cancer patients, there are only 1 to 5 trained oncologists in developing countries like India. Scarcity of oncologists and lack of accessibility to healthcare are key factors that contribute to the high mortality-incidence ratio of 0.68. In light of these staggering statistics, Onco.com’s concordance study opens up a new possibility of affordable and accessible cancer guidance that could transform the healthcare landscape globally. Integration of the algorithm with care management tools is being assessed in a bid to further improve treatment compliance and outcomes. Onco.com’s OCPAP™ is an award-winning, unbiased, advanced technology portal built exclusively for cancer patients to guide them during the overwhelming journey through cancer. More than 50,000 users have already used this platform to date and the team continues to serve hundreds of patients on a daily basis. According to Dr Amit Jotwani, “We studied the accuracy of the guidance provided by this platform by comparing its guidance with that provided by a panel of senior oncologists for 448 cases studied. In this study, we found that OCPAP™ could provide accurate treatment guidance for 93% of patients and this accuracy was consistent across cancer types and different stages of disease. The lowest concordance was recorded at 74% for brain tumors where there is substantive subjectivity among doctors owing to clinical findings and tumour characteristics noted on scans. More than 50,000 users have already used this platform to date and we continue to serve hundreds of patients on a daily basis through OCPAP™”. Cancer patients struggle to get the right information about their disease and treatment options as there is no online platform that provides personalized guidance for patients. Onco.com’s doctors and engineers have built the world's first advanced technology platform called OCPAP™ (Online Cancer Patient Assistance Pathway) dedicated to cancer patients. Any patient from any corner of the world can get free access to personalized cancer treatment guidance in simple English language for 15 types of cancers by providing just 4 basic inputs about their condition. According to Rashie Jain, CEO and Co-founder of Onco.com, “At Onco, we are excited about building technology-aided solutions that can improve cancer care delivery globally. Being recognized at ASCO for our OCPAP™ platform is a significant milestone for us. The platform has allowed us to provide guidance to thousands of cancer patients free of cost - something we are all very proud of. We are looking forward to building many more tech solutions in the future” The burden of cancer is increasing globally, and in India, an estimated 1.45 million new cases of cancer were diagnosed in 2019 alone.  The OCPAP™ platform can prove to be invaluable for the cancer patients and their families, particularly in a developing country like India where lack of access to multidisciplinary cancer care leads to poor outcomes for many patients. Notably, the Onco.com’s team also won the prestigious “ASCO Merit Award” last year at the “Breakthrough Innovations in Cancer Summit 2019” for their work on OCPAP™. Just in the last 3 month, adoption of Onco’s Online Opinion grew by 53% in Tier-2 and Tier 3 markets and 35% growth in overall traffic to the site from nonTier-1 markets. This is indicative of the Indian patients and care giver community’s acceptance of online consultation which can significantly help them by lowering the burden on having to take multiple trips to the hospital in need of expert second opinions and a clear path of treatment. This is also visible from the 140% increase in digital consultations on Onco.com, which has been happening during the lockdown.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16623/max-healthcare-introduces-special-homecare-service-for-covid-19-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16623/max-healthcare-introduces-special-homecare-service-for-covid-19-patients.html Mon, 08 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Max Healthcare, one of North and West India’s largest healthcare providers, has launched a homecare package for patients in Delhi who are Covid-19 positive but show mild symptoms. The 15-day remote monitoring package starts from as little as Rs 333 per day. Advanced monitoring package and extended onsite packages are also available for patients. Said Dr Sandeep Budhiraja, Group Medical Director, Max Healthcare: “As many as 70 – 80% of coronavirus positive patients show no symptoms or have very mild symptoms. The recovery period for such patients is about 14 - 17 days if proper home isolation guidelines are followed. If someone is Covid-positive and shows mild symptoms, there is no need to immediately rush to a hospital. One can self-isolate in the comfort of their home with our homecare packages specifically designed for Covid patients who do not need hospital admission. The patient- friendly, affordable packages will not only monitor the health of patients right at their home, they will also help prevent over-crowding at hospitals in the time of the pandemic and the attendant risk of the spread of infection to others.” The packages from Max@Home include an essential medical kit (thermometer, Sp02 probe), daily monitoring of patient vitals with a trained nurse on call twice a day, tele-review with a doctor every third day, case assessment by nurse case-supervisor, guidelines on self- monitoring, isolation, personal and home hygiene, as well as home delivery of medicines. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16608/ficci-provides-rational-costing-solution-for-covid-19-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16608/ficci-provides-rational-costing-solution-for-covid-19-treatment.html Fri, 05 Jun 2020 06:10:00 +0530 In an effort to serve with transparency, ethics and compassion, despite the strain that the healthcare sector is under, FICCI COVID-19 Response Task Force under the FICCI Health Services Committee, in a series of meetings, have worked on creating a rational costing framework which will allay any fears of the patients and the community about COVID-19 treatment. As India’s COVID infection count surges, there has been an increase in the trust deficit between the providers and the government, providers and insurers as well as with the public at large on the issue of cost of COVID treatment. The clinicians from India and across the globe are still grappling with defining treatment protocols for COVID-19, making it extremely difficult to recommend a treatment especially for patients with co-morbidities. In these times of national emergency, private healthcare providers have been at the forefront of COVID crisis, supporting the government by suggesting strategy for COVID-19 management in the country, providing dedicated infrastructure and manpower support for COVID 19 treatment. It is prudent to highlight that like all other sectors, private healthcare too has been impacted by the lockdown facing acute financial crisis, restricted mobility of doctors, nurses and healthcare workers, absence of frontline healthcare workers and doctors owing to contacting infection on duty, unavailability of drugs and PPEs at affordable rates and a viable costing framework. FICCI COVID-19 Response Taskforce, with representatives from leading private hospitals in India, have brainstormed and developed an accounting methodology to help bring in a standardisation of cost of COVID treatment in the national interest. This has been categorised according to government referred patients, patients paying from out of pocket and for patients who are covered by TPAs and further been sub-categorised to three levels depending on the severity of the case: Patients who do not require intensive care but must be kept in isolation (Isolation ward)Patients requiring intensive care but are not ventilated (ICU without ventilator)Patients requiring intensive care and ventilator support (ICU with ventilator) According to this recommendation, a patient who is paying from out of pocket should pay Rs 17,000 per day for treatment in an isolation ward and Rs 45,000 per day for ICU (with ventilator). These rates include medicines, consumables and basic diagnostics, but exclude PPE costs, high end drugs and any co-morbidities. Also, they are indicative rates and there may be individual variations to the extent of 5-10%. Dr Sangita Reddy, President, FICCI and Joint MD, Apollo Hospitals Group, said, “In these difficult times, the private healthcare sector is doing its best to serve with high standards of ethics, transparency, professional competency and compassion.” Dr Alok Roy, Chair- FICCI Health Services Committee and Chairman- Medica Group of Hospitals, said that that there is an imperative need to acknowledge that COVID treatment costs is difficult to rationalise essentially due to the unknown nature of treatment required and various comorbidities associated with it. Additionally, segregating the COVID and non-COVID patients is essential which needs huge investments in infrastructure. “We have recommended these costs which may not be viable for the private sector, as we are in a national crisis and believe that it is our ethical responsibility to serve our patients with the best treatment possible at reasonable costs,” added Dr Roy. FICCI is working with the government to resolve this evolving and dynamic issue and has submitted the costing framework to the Union and State Health Ministries. In the month of April, FICCI had submitted the first cut of the costing strategy which was based on hypothesis. This revised version is worked out based on analysis of actual data of 150 cases of COVID treatment in major private hospitals. FICCI is also working with other Healthcare Associations who have also developed the COVID costing framework that is aligned to the FICCI recommended costs. FICCI member hospitals have pledged to adopt these cost recommendations and display it transparently on their hospital website in their endeavour to fight this war against COVID-19. At the same time, FICCI also urged that it is important that the government considers and adopts a scientific, plausible and coherent reimbursement criterion for any treatment, that is viable for the providers. FICCI has been advocating for adoption of a scientific costing framework to derive rational reimbursement rates. To present evidence, in 2018, FICCI conducted a sample costing study based on Time Driven Activity Based Costing (TDABC), an internationally recognized bottoms-up costing approach for estimating costs of processes used in patient care, which was submitted to the government. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16589/covid-19-testing-lab-opens-in-assam.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16589/covid-19-testing-lab-opens-in-assam.html Tue, 02 Jun 2020 09:05:00 +0530 A COVID-19 testing laboratory has been established in the Jorhat campus of the North East Institute of Science and Technology (NEIST), Assam. Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Finance, Education (Higher, Secondary and Elementary), Transformation and Development, PWD, Govt. of Assam, inaugurated the laboratory.  Appreciating the fact that NEIST is the first research and development institute in Assam to open up a testing facility, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma congratulated the scientists and staff of the institute for making it happen. Dr Sastry mentioned that a team of 10 scientists of the institute are actively involved in isolation of RNA from the virus besides 40 other staff members are acting as a support system. The institute’s Biotechnology Division is playing a pivotal role in carrying out RT-PCR-based COVID-19 testing. Besides, the Govt. of Assam and the district administration of Jorhat are actively cooperating and facilitating the efforts put in by the institute. A microbiologist from the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of Assam has been engaged with the institute’s COVID-19 testing laboratory to certify the testing. The samples for the testing are expected to be obtained in coordination with the state government and the district administration of Jorhat. The institute has also contractually engaged a project scientist and a research scholar for the testing purpose.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16588/apollo-integrates-zebra-medicals-ai-tool-for-covid-19-detection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16588/apollo-integrates-zebra-medicals-ai-tool-for-covid-19-detection.html Tue, 02 Jun 2020 08:05:00 +0530 Israel based Zebra Medical Vision, the deep-learning medical imaging analytics company, has partnered with Apollo Hospitals Group to deploy its software to assist Apollo Hospitals doctors with efficient and accurate diagnoses of COVID-19, by leveraging the company’s AI1™ platform. In March 2019, Zebra-Med announced a collaboration with Apollo Hospitals chain, deploying AI-based tools at scale across India, supported by India-Israel Industrial R&D and Technological Innovation Fund. Following the deployment of the intracranial hemorrhage, the AI COVID-19 solution will enable future collaboration on additional medical findings, such as tuberculosis (TB). While laboratory testing has served as the first line of diagnostics during the coronavirus crisis, these tests have limited accuracy and do not indicate the state of disease progression. Zebra-Med’s software offers a faster alternative for detection of COVID-19 when PCR testing is unavailable or delayed, monitoring patients with COVID-19, as decision support for the allocation of ER, ICU resources and quantifies the disease burden and its progression. The AI solution for COVID-19 leverages Zebra-Med’s GGO (Ground-Glass Opacities) patented algorithm, which is a dominant imaging feature of COVID-19 pneumonia and modified it to include consolidations and provide an automated indication and quantification of suspected COVID-19 findings on standard chest CTs, both contrast and non-contrast, by measuring the percentage of affected lung-burden volume relative to the entire lung volume, segmentation of the suspected findings, and classification. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16584/massive-surge-in-mental-health-issues-as-india-battles-with-coronavirus-lybrate.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16584/massive-surge-in-mental-health-issues-as-india-battles-with-coronavirus-lybrate.html Mon, 01 Jun 2020 13:50:00 +0530 Indians are grappling with multiple forms of mental health issues that have risen exponentially post coronavirus outbreak, cites Lybrate, India’s largest health and wellness platform, which has witnessed over 110% rise in online patient consults around mental health conditions on its platform. The platform witnessed over 150% jump in online consultations sought by females for issues related to mental health, while the percentage for the same grew 85% in males reaching out to doctors online. The highest jump has been witnessed from Mumbai (125%), followed by Delhi (109%), Pune (116%), Ahmedabad (97%), Chennai (86%), Bangalore (94%) and Kolkata (74%). Among Tier 2 cities, the biggest jump in online consultations concerning mental health has been reported from Indore (97%), Lucknow (93%), Kochi (87%), Patna (85%), Bhopal (57%) and Bhubaneshwar (43%). Overall within the age brackets, the jump in patient consults was has been highest in the age group of 25-45 years. People from 45-60 age bracket were next who asked majority of queries on the platform regarding mental health. Saurabh Arora, Founder & CEO, Lybrate said, “Mental health became a point of concern for a majority of Indians after COVID-19. We noticed on our platform that even specialists who did not deal with the subject were being consulted about mental health issues. Given the demanding situation, we provided a basic session to doctors of other specialists with psychologists on our platform who trained them on how to better counsel those seeking help regarding mental health problems. As the questions asked were mostly generic in nature, we thought it would come handy for those doctors who want to help out during the crisis.” The queries mainly revolved around stress, isolation, claustrophobia, being unproductive, anger, irritation, loneliness, mood swings, not being able to cope with family members around, rifts between spouses, coping mechanisms, uncertainty and helplessness. Of late, there has been a substantial rise in queries from working people around job losses and related stress, fear and worry on resuming offices at a time when COVID-19 cases are rising in the country. In the age group of 18-25 years, the percentage rise was 80% for online consultations done by males around mental health, while the same stood at 135% for females. Similarly, in the age group of 25-45 years, it was 95% for males and 160% for females. Coming to the 45-60 year age bracket, it was 90% for males and 140% for females. Lybrate came up with the insights post analysis of data gathered in the period between March 1, 2020 and May 25, 2020. The platform has more than 3000 psychiatrists, psychologist and counsellors from across the country.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16582/icmr-advises-states-to-conduct-sero-survey.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16582/icmr-advises-states-to-conduct-sero-survey.html Mon, 01 Jun 2020 10:10:00 +0530 There is continuous demand for various types of diagnostic tests by countries all across the globe. Real-time i.e. RT-PCR test is considered gold standard frontline test for clinical diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2, causing COVID19. The test is useful only when performed in the acute stage of infection (< 7 days). For several viral infections, antibody tests are useful for disease detection after 5–7 days of illness. Understanding related to antibody tests for COVID19 is evolving and several tests are being developed globally. IgG antibodies generally start appearing after two weeks of onset of infection, once the individual has recovered after infection and last for several months. Therefore, the IgG test is not useful for detecting acute infection but indicates episode of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the past. However, detection of IgG antibodies is useful in the following situations: -Sero-surveys help to understand the proportion of population exposed to SARS-CoV-2 infection including asymptomatic individuals. Depending upon the level of sero-prevalence of infection, appropriate public health interventions can be planned and implemented for prevention and control of the disease. Periodic sero-surveys are useful to guide the policy makers. -Survey in high risk or vulnerable populations (health care workers, frontline workers, immune-compromised individuals, individuals in containment zones, etc.) to know who has been infected in the past and has now recovered. The sero-survey would be conducted using an IgG ELISA kit. Scientists at ICMR-National Institute of Virology, Pune have developed and validated an indigenous IgG ELISA test for antibody detection for SARS-CoV-2. The test has undergone intense validation in three stages and has been found to have high sensitivity and specificity. To fast track production and increase availability of the IgG ELISA test, ICMR has transferred this technology to many pharma companies viz. Zydus Cadila, J Mitra & Company, Meril Diagnostics, Voxtur Bio, Trivitron Healthcare, Karwah Enterprises, Avecon Healthcare, etc. The technology has been transferred to various entities without exclusivity clause and therefore can be further shared with others as per demand and capability. IgG ELISA tests from other USFDA/ CE-IVD/ indigenous sources such as Abott, Roche etc. are also available. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16587/quitx-wellness-launches-first-of-its-kind-app-based-cessation-program-on-world-no-tobacco-day.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16587/quitx-wellness-launches-first-of-its-kind-app-based-cessation-program-on-world-no-tobacco-day.html Mon, 01 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0530 On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day, Quitx Wellness launches first of its kind an app-based smoking and tobacco cessation program  to help users quit smoking and other forms of tobacco consumption. Quitx, the app has been developed and curated using Cognitive-behavioral and Nicotine Replacement Therapies. With the help of the healthcare professionals, Quitx has curated a 90 days cessation program that enables a tobacco user to quit and reduce his nicotine dependence from products like cigarettes, smokeless tobacco products and even bidis. Study states that there are a total 266.8 million Tobacco users in India out of which 7% use smoking tobacco products, 17% use smokeless tobacco product users, 4% use both the forms. Due to the lack of awareness about the harm, ingrained cultural attitudes and lack of support for cessation escalates the tobacco use in the community, resulting in more than 10 million deaths yearly. Deprived tobacco cessation advice and support acts as a significant barrier for the implementation of tobacco cessation programs. 2 million people enroll for India’s quit tobacco programme in a year but 80% of these tobacco users relapse at least once when trying to quit on their own.  Francie Patel, co-founder of Quitx Wellness said, ”The first step to quitting is by recognizing and acknowledging the level of dependence on tobacco. The foundation of any cessation program is to understand the users dependence on nicotine and willingness to quit. By keeping these two parameters at the center, Quitx will make the quitting journey a lot easier. It’s an excellent platform for users who want to go cold turkey but are afraid to do so. It will help them make their choice of going cold turkey easy and stay on course by constantly conversing with them and guiding through the process until they achieve their goal.” According to a recent poll-study, 72% of India’s exclusive combustible tobacco users between the age group of 18-24 years have attempted to quit smoking during the COVID19 lockdown. In the wake of the current situation, it is essential to empower these users with the right tools and techniques that will enable them to continue their quit journey. For a high nicotine-dependent user, the probability of him relapsing is very high. If we take advantage of new cessation and harm reduction technologies we can save millions of lives from tobacco-related death. “Quitx is focused on creating a tailored experience for the smoker during his journey. We understand that every individual’s reasons & triggers for using tobacco  are different and also their cravings and coping mechanisms need to be tailored accordingly. Algorithm-based Cognitive-behavioral therapies have been curated with the help of psychologists who understand the behavioural differences and the need for an effective and efficient program that provides real-time support.” Francie further added. The start up is currently doing a pilot with limited audience in Mumbai. It will be soon available on the android and iOS app stores. Quitx uses a very empathetic approach in building these cessation programmes. The program uses various techniques and coping mechanisms to engage with the user through in-app interactions. It also offers personalized virtual counseling and access to a community of users trying to quit tobacco. It focuses on understanding a user's  journey, his triggers, his circumstance that led him to his addiction and then curating a quitting or harm reduction programme depending on his own goal.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16567/generation-india-launches-online-training-module-for-nurses-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16567/generation-india-launches-online-training-module-for-nurses-.html Fri, 29 May 2020 14:50:00 +0530 Generation India Foundation, a youth employment not for profit organization, along with its coalition partners, has organized a free training course to upskill nursing staff in India working with or likely to work with COVID-19 patients. The lessons offer practical, demonstration-based, and immediately applicable support in the areas of: Infection prevention and control in COVID-19 crisis Use of Personal Protective Equipment Role of nurses in handling COVID-19 patients and Taking care of self Generation India has created the online learning experience, showcasing content from leading clinical and medical experts. The course provides a series of assessments to confirm learning outcomes and a completion certificate. Generation aims to train more than 100,000 nurses (countrywide) through this online learning module. The coalition includes Generation India (coalition coordinator and online learning designer), Columbia Asia Hospital (medical content provider), The Trained Nurses' Association of India (certification partner), ABP News (media partner), Learnet Skills (implementation partner), Hosmac (industry partner) Speaking on the launch of the module, Arunesh Singh, CEO - Generation India Foundation, said, “As the coronavirus pandemic creates an alarming situation across the globe, organizations in many sectors in India are mounting an unparalleled response. We and our partners have stepped forward to combat COVID-19 by offering a free training module to all the nurses working in various hospitals in the country. We hope the course is well utilized in real life situations and the nurses and hospitals are able to avoid infection and handle COVID-19 patients more effectively.” To make it accessible to more nurses, Generation is sharing it with multiple sources - nursing associations, healthcare industry association, individual hospitals/clinics, and state-run public healthcare facilities. Key features of the training include: Video and demonstration based Self-paced learning Comprehensive, yet short duration (4 hours) Anytime access, from any device/mobile Free of cost The course will be shared for use and access with all Indian nurses.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16560/online-upskilling-courses-cmes-for-doctors-witness-surge-in-popularity.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16560/online-upskilling-courses-cmes-for-doctors-witness-surge-in-popularity.html Thu, 28 May 2020 17:30:00 +0530 With the COVID-19 crisis grounding doctors, demand for online CMEs and upskilling workshops is witnessing a surge. India’s largest online CME provider Omnicuris has witnessed a 40 per cent spike in doctor enrollments in multiple specialties ever since the pandemic broke out. Over 30,000 doctors have enrolled for different courses since March since the outbreak started, taking total enrollment at the Omnicuris platform from 1.75 lakh to 2.1 lakh within two months. Out of these new enrollments, Post Graduate Medicine students comprise over 2,000. With the disease outbreak preventing them from travelling and physically attending CMEs and workshops, doctors are actively seeking online courses to upskill themselves during the lockdown. Savitha Kuttan, Founder & CEO, Omnicuris said, “With all physical conferences and workshops being cancelled and travel coming to a halt, online upskilling courses are witnessing increasing popularity. Much like other professionals, doctors too have turned to digital resources to further their profession during the coronavirus outbreak. While on the one hand they are leveraging telemedicine in a major way to ensure patients continue to receive medical care, on the other hand they are actively seeking online CMEs to upskill themselves during this crisis. At Omnicuris, doctor enrollments have gone up significantly over the last 2 months and we are expecting a continued surge.” The coronavirus outbreak has impacted doctors in a number of ways. While a large section of doctors are at the forefront of this battle and are treating patients, doctors from specialties that are not directly involved in COVID 19 treatment are finding it difficult to keep offering the continuum of care to their patients. The largest surge in CME enrollments has come from Cardiology, Endocrinology, General Medicine, Orthopedics and Gynecology specialties. “Specialists and surgeons are utilizing this time by polishing their knowledge about latest treatment approaches and protocols by accessing online CMEs and workshops. Specialists like Cardiologists and Diabetologists are also concerned about the impact of COVID 19 infection on their patients and how to ensure their health. A significant number of Post Graduate students have also enrolled in our CMEs over the past 2 months,” added Ms. Kuttan. Omnicuris recently launched a new digital platform called ‘OC Connect’ to help doctors better engage with patients at a time of the global pandemic and improve the much-needed flow of credible information. The app allows doctors to perform multiple functions using a single digital platform including obtaining online upskilling modules, offering tele-consultations and engaging patients with information to prevent the spread of the pandemic.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16559/vasculitis-patients-not-at-extra-risk-of-covid-19-infection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16559/vasculitis-patients-not-at-extra-risk-of-covid-19-infection.html Thu, 28 May 2020 17:20:00 +0530 At a time when fear of coronavirus infection is adding to worries of patients living with chronic diseases, senior rheumatologists and immunologists at recently held IHW Council’s web summit on vasculitis care during COVID-19 highlighted that rheumatoid diseases caused by malfunctioning of the immune system need continuous care and voluntary discontinuation of prescribed medicine will cause more harm than good. Dr. Debasish Danda, Professor & Founder of Clinical Immunology & Rheumatology, CMC Vellore; President-Elect, Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR) said, “Vasculitis is a combination of diseases. Though it is not very common in India but the impact of the disease can be very serious. Though the medicines prescribed for vasculitis are immunosuppressant in nature, they do not make the patient more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection. It will be highly recommended that vasculitis patients should not stop their medicines until they have confirmed COVID-19 infection and are advised by doctors to do so as the mortality of vasculitis is far higher than COVID-19.” While highlighting a greater need for awareness about diseases like vasculitis, which has nearly 20 different types of conditions, Dr. Danda said, “Unfortunately, we do not know the right prevalence of the disease in India as there is no population-based study. According to facility-based studies conducted at the Christian Medical College, Vellore, vasculitis variant like Takayasu has seen 600 patients in 15 years and this is among the largest facility-based studies conducted anywhere in the world. Diseases like Takayasu, a form of vasculitis that harms the medium blood vessels, are often misdiagnosed as TB due to the similarity in symptoms such as fever and rapid weight loss.” Discussing the types of vasculitis, Dr Ramnath Misra, Head, Clinical Immunology & Rheumatology, KIMS, Bhubaneswar & Ex- Dean and Head Clinical Immunology, SGPGIMS, Lucknow said, “There are two types of vasculitis: firstly, primary vasculitis where the name of the vasculitis type depends on the size of the affected vessels. The most common types of vasculitis in this segment are Takayasu, Kawasaki, etc. The other type is known as secondary vasculitis which happens due to any existing disease in the patient. The number of patients affected by secondary vasculitis outnumbers the patients suffering from primary vasculitis.” Globally, May is observed as ‘Vasculitis Awareness Month’. Recently, a number of COVID-19-infected children from Europe and North America have shown multisystem the inflammatory condition with some features similar to those of Kawasaki disease and toxic shock syndrome, prompting intensive care arrangements. Dr Surjit Singh, Head, Department of Pediatrics and Chief, Allergy Immunology Unit, Advanced Pediatrics Centre, PGIMER, Chandigarh & Principal Investigator, ICMR Centre for Advanced Research in Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases said, “Kawasaki is a medium vessel vasculitis that is almost exclusively seen in very young children, especially infants and those below five. Though there is no known cause of the disease, Kawasaki disease may have an association with coronavirus, as Northwestern University’s Kawasaki disease expert Dr. Anne Rowley suggests that serious illness and shock in children may have been caused by the mutation of the virus. Kawasaki is not a rare disease – Japan sees 13,000 new cases annually, while at PGI Chandigarh, we get about 80-100 children every year with symptoms of Kawasaki disease.” “The common symptoms of Kawasaki disease are redness in eyes, lips, tongue as well as swelling in neck, hands and feet. Early detection of the disease is the single-most effective way to prevent any further damage – it is advisable to diagnose the disease within 5-6 days, otherwise it may cause permanent damage to coronary arteries. In many cases adult heart attack patients were found to have Kawasaki disease as children that remained undiagnosed,” he added. Talking about Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV), Dr Aman Sharma, Professor, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Internal Medicine, PGIMER, Chandigarh, said, “ANCA-associated vasculitis causes inflammation in small vessels and can even destroy them, damaging organs. We receive about 350-400 patients every year in PGIMER Chandigarh – vasculitis is not as rare as we think it to be.” Kamal Narayan, CEO, IHW Council, who moderated the session, said, “Though vasculitis diseases are rare, there is a high possibility that they have substantial prevalence in India, given our large pool of population. Clinicians are almost unanimous in their views that it is not possible to prevent such diseases as there is no scientific knowledge on what causes these diseases. In such a condition, early and timely diagnosis of vasculitis diseases itself is a big prevention as it can help in effective treatment and management. Following our philosophy of enabling people to live a healthy life, we found it important to make more people aware about these diseases which can help in early reporting and diagnosis." The virtual summit on managing vasculitis and coronavirus, organized by the Integrated Health and Wellbeing (IHW) Council, was also attended by Dr Vishad Viswanath, Director, Institute of Rheumatology & Immunology Research, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala and Dr Rohini Samant, Professor, Department of Rheumatology, Hinduja National Hospital, Mumbai.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16537/icmr-initiates-multi-centre-placid-trial-for-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16537/icmr-initiates-multi-centre-placid-trial-for-covid-19.html Wed, 27 May 2020 06:10:00 +0530 The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has initiated a multi-centre clinical trial, titled “A Phase II, Open Label, Randomized Controlled Trial to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Convalescent Plasma to Limit COVID19 Associated Complications in Moderate Disease” (PLACID Trial). The PLACID trial protocol has been registered with the Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI). The study has also received approval from the COVID-19 National Ethics Committee (CONEC). The generic protocol for this study has also been approved by the DCGI, CDSCO. The sample size of the study is 452. The clinical trial liability insurance has been bought centrally by ICMR. ICMR has also launched a call inviting letters of interest from sites which had the facilities to undertake the study. Expression of interest was received from 113 institutions. ICMR has so far approved 46 institutions in the PLACID Trial in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Maharshtra, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Bihar, Haryana, Chandigarh and Chhattisgarh.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16534/tata-trusts-to-augment-critical-care-skills-for-covid-19-management-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16534/tata-trusts-to-augment-critical-care-skills-for-covid-19-management-.html Wed, 27 May 2020 04:00:00 +0530 Tata Trusts and the Tata group have tied up with two renowned medical institutions to assist health care professionals augment skills in critical care in the management of Covid-19. The two institutions are Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore and Care Institute of Health Sciences (CIHS) Hyderabad. The Trusts’ intervention follows the Chairman, Mr. Ratan N. Tata’s statement that “urgent emergency resources need to be deployed to cope with the needs of fighting the Covid-19 crisis, which is one of the toughest challenges the human race will face.” The curated 22-hour on-line training programmes are meant for specific staff chosen by identified hospitals and are provided free of cost. Tata Trusts believes that ICU Physicians and Intensivists, specialised in critical care management, will require support of a wider cohort of doctors, nurses and paramedical staff to treat Covid-19 patients. The intent of the training programmes is to meet this need by acquainting non-ICU professionals with the fundamental principles and practices of critical care. The training includes essentials of interventions and procedures in ICUs, orientation of critical care skills like airway management and ventilator management, and how to triage a criticality as mild, moderate or severe and refer cases to appropriate facilities. The programmes will also cover essentials of managing variegated facilities for Covid-19 management, such as isolation centres, quarantine centres, and management of service areas and patients with mild illness. There are two different methodologies of training available either through live webinars or prepared modules accessible on laptops, desktops or mobile phones. CMC Vellore’s method trains and develops master trainers, who in turn can coach wider groups in their respective facilities. CIHS Hyderabad’s method directly trains small groups. Both the institutions have designed their programmes such that participants can provide the required support to their Intensivist and ICU colleagues should the need arise.  This is the fourth such intervention of Tata Trusts to support India in its Covid-19 response.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16530/meenakshi-hospital-designs-low-cost-respirator-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16530/meenakshi-hospital-designs-low-cost-respirator-.html Tue, 26 May 2020 08:45:00 +0530 Meenakshi Hospital, multispecialty hospital in Thanjavur and a part of Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre, Madurai, has designed a cost-effective purifying respirator system that provides 100% protection from Covid-19 infection for surgeons and other healthcare professionals in operation theatres.  This ingenious design is named Tanjore Air Purifying Respirator (TAPR). Essentially, the system securely delivers compressed medical grade compressed air, already available in operation theatres for administering anesthesia and operating pneumatic drills, to healthcare professionals through a hood. A TAPR unit can be set up at as low as Rs 3,000 per person. In comparison, the conventional air purifying system, known as Power Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR), costs Rs 1.2 lakhs per person. Commenting about TAPR, Dr Guru Shankar, Chairman, Meenakshi Hospital, said, “Experts are of the opinion that the novel coronavirus - SARS CoVID -19, is going to be there for a long time. Hence, the likelihood of a surgeon having to perform an elective surgery such as hip replacements or cataract extraction and other common, emergency surgeries on a patient who is infected with Covid-19 is going to be more. In this context, there is a need to provide personal protection equipment for all healthcare professionals who will be present in Operation Theatres during surgeries.”  “While surgical masks can block large droplets, they cannot provide a reliable level of protection from inhaling smaller airborne particles. Today healthcare professionals use N95 respirators that can filter out over 95% of airborne particles that are as small as 0.3 microns. For a higher level of protection, they use PAPR systems. Though a PAPR is safe and reusable, there is a risk of contamination. However, TAPR supplies the users with medical grade air from a central compressor located far away from the operation theatre. Hence it guarantees 100% protection”, he added. Comparing the mechanism of TAPR with PAPR, Dr Kesavamoorthy Bhoopalan, M.D, D.M., Senior Consultant - Cardiology, Meenakshi Hospital, Thanjavur, who designed the new system, said, “Our objective with TAPR is to come up with a cost effective yet improved air purifying system. The conventional PAPR takes air from the Operation Theatre and cleans it using a filter before sending it to the user. But TAPR uses air that has gone through multiple filters and frequent quality checks. It is like operating amidst the desert storm of Sahara with fresh air supply from Switzerland. There is no chance of contamination. Unlike PAPR that requires meticulous cleaning after every procedure, TAPR requires no cleaning at all. Further, PAPR runs with a battery and hence needs constant recharging. But TAPR can work endlessly as there is no battery. PAPR is bulky because it has many components but TAPR with just an air flow regulator and a simple long tube is weightless. Healthcare professionals can wear operation theatre gowns comfortably over TAPR. Talking about how TAPR achieves cost effectiveness, Dr Kesavamoorthy said, “TAPR uses already existing infrastructure for the delivery of much cleaner medical grade air at the place where it is very critical. PAPR per person would cost about Rs 1.2 lakhs. However, TAPR with an imported hood costs Rs 17000, and the same with an Indian hood could cost as low as Rs. 3,000 – about forty times lower than the cost of PAPR.” He explained that when the medical grade compressed air is available in the operation theatre, all that the hospitals have to procure is a hood - either imported or Indian made. Any biomedical engineer can assemble TAPR without much effort. Meenakshi Hospital is not planning to patent the design. It intends to make the design open for any hospital to use it at this critical moment. The hospital is planning to invest in manufacturing hoods in India and deliver them to hospitals to assemble TAPR at low cost.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16526/cens-designs-novel-face-mask-that-offers-comfort.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16526/cens-designs-novel-face-mask-that-offers-comfort.html Mon, 25 May 2020 08:00:00 +0530 A team of researchers at Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, have developed a cup-shaped design (patent filed) of the mask that helps to create enough space in front of the mouth while speaking. It has been transferred to a Bengaluru based company for mass production. This snug fit mask causes no speech distortion, no fogging on glasses, and indeed, packs well all around, leaving practically no room for leakage while breathing. Another important advantage is its high breathability allowing one to wear it without any discomfort. Further, the researchers have chosen the fabric layers such that there is a possibility of deactivating pathogens sheerly by the electric charges that may prevail under mild friction due to the triboelectric nature of the fabric. These advanced-level tests are being carried out. "While an ergonomic design for COVID-19 protection mask is essential for its ease of use for long hours, it is often not paid much attention beyond a few standard designs. A good design should minimize the feeling of intrusion and leakage around the edges, but maximize the ease of breathing and talking while holding its place," said Prof Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, DST. With the increase of active COVID cases in India and other countries, usage of face masks has been advised for the general public. While the healthcare professionals can use the special and high technical quality medical masks, for the general public, a mask with moderate filtering efficiency should suffice. It should be comfortable to wear to encourage public to wear it for long hours.  CeNS has transferred this technology to Camellia Clothing Ltd., a Bengaluru based garment company, established a couple of decades ago. The company wishes to produce and sell around one lakh mask per day through different distribution channels throughout India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16518/online-upskilling-courses-cmes-for-doctors-witness-surge-in-popularity.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16518/online-upskilling-courses-cmes-for-doctors-witness-surge-in-popularity.html Fri, 22 May 2020 13:55:00 +0530 With the COVID-19 crisis grounding doctors, demand for online CMEs and upskilling workshops is witnessing a surge. Online CME provider Omnicuris has witnessed a 40 per cent spike in doctor enrollments in multiple specialties ever since the pandemic broke out. Over 30,000 doctors have enrolled for different courses since March since the outbreak started, taking total enrollment at the Omnicuris platform from 1.75 lakh to 2.1 lakh within two months. Out of these new enrollments, Post Graduate Medicine students comprise over 2,000. With the disease outbreak preventing them from travelling and physically attending CMEs and workshops, doctors are actively seeking online courses to upskill themselves during the lockdown. Savitha Kuttan, Founder & CEO, Omnicuris said, “With all physical conferences and workshops being cancelled and travel coming to a halt, online upskilling courses are witnessing increasing popularity. Much like other professionals, doctors too have turned to digital resources to further their profession during the coronavirus outbreak. While on the one hand they are leveraging telemedicine in a major way to ensure patients continue to receive medical care, on the other hand they are actively seeking online CMEs to upskill themselves during this crisis. At Omnicuris, doctor enrollments have gone up significantly over the last 2 months and we are expecting a continued surge.” The coronavirus outbreak has impacted doctors in a number of ways. While a large section of doctors are at the forefront of this battle and are treating patients, doctors from specialties that are not directly involved in COVID 19 treatment are finding it difficult to keep offering the continuum of care to their patients. The largest surge in CME enrollments has come from Cardiology, Endocrinology, General Medicine, Orthopedics and Gynecology specialties. “Specialists and surgeons are utilizing this time by polishing their knowledge about latest treatment approaches and protocols by accessing online CMEs and workshops. Specialists like Cardiologists and Diabetologists are also concerned about the impact of COVID 19 infection on their patients and how to ensure their health. A significant number of Post Graduate students have also enrolled in our CMEs over the past 2 months,” added Ms. Kuttan. Omnicuris also launched a new digital platform called ‘OC Connect’ to help doctors better engage with patients at a time of the global pandemic and improve the much-needed flow of credible information. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16517/zydus-supplies-first-batch-of-covid-kavach-test-to-icmr.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16517/zydus-supplies-first-batch-of-covid-kavach-test-to-icmr.html Fri, 22 May 2020 10:10:00 +0530 The first batch of 30,000 COVID KAVACH ELISA Tests manufactured by Zydus Diagnostics, a unit of Cadila Healthcare Limited, has been supplied to Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), free of cost. These test kits have been manufactured in technology transfer with ICMR-NIV of Pune for surveillance purposes. ICMR-NIV, Pune has successfully developed an indigenous IgG ELISA test for antibody detection for COVID-19. The test was validated at two sites in Mumbai and has been found to have high sensitivity and specificity. In addition, the test will have the advantage of testing 90 samples together in a single run of 2.5 hours. Moreover, ELISA based testing is easily possible even at district level. After development at ICMR-NIV, Pune, technology has been commercialised by Zydus Cadila for mass scale production. The test kits then manufactured at Zydus Cadila were validated by NIV and were found to have high sensitivity & specificity. The test named as ‘COVID KAVACH ELISA’ have been manufactured in just four days of receiving all necessary materials from ICMR – NIV, Pune. Speaking on the development, Chairman, Mr. Pankaj R. Patel, said, “This reaffirms our commitment to do everything that we can to help the nation fight this healthcare challenge. We believe that the need of the hour is to be prepared in every way that we can with the latest diagnostic technologies and that is why we are providing the initial supplies at no costs.” Earlier, the Company had partnered with ICMR to be better equipped against infectious disease outbreaks, and help people, who are at high risk, particularly in distant, remote areas of the country. The Company has been manufacturing and marketing a range of ELISA kits for detection and surveillance of rare and neglected diseases in humans and livestock. Zydus Diagnostics has manufactured kits for Chandipura Virus (ELISA), Kyasanur Forest Disease Virus KFDV (ELISA), Hepatitis E Virus (ELISA), Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic fever (IgM and IgG tests) and Measles (IgM) for human testing and Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic fever (ELISA kits for sheep, goat and cattle) and Japanese Encephalitis (ELISA kits for mosquitoes). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16509/tulips-develops-covid-19-swabs-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16509/tulips-develops-covid-19-swabs-in-india.html Thu, 21 May 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Amid calls for increased coronavirus testing nationwide, Suparshva Swabs (TULIPS), India’s leading personal hygiene consumer product innovator and owner of the fast-growing popular brand TULIPS, today, announced that it is currently producing over 2 million COVID-19 SWABS per week, which would increase to over 5 million per week by the end of May 2020, to accelerate COVID-19 testing. To meet the national need for COVID-19 tests, the company is ramping up production, by converting its production lines and reconfiguring equipment, of some of its manufacturing capabilities. The company has the largest installed capacity of Cotton buds in Asia and possesses capability of taking the COVID-19 swab production to over 30 million swabs per week, if required in due course. The intent is to make the country self-reliant in nasal and throat swabs, a critical component in fighting COVID-19 war and rely less on supplies from other countries, in these testing times. With rising number of COVID-19 cases, the company shifted focus to affordable swabs, as domestically produced swabs would cost one-tenth the imported throat swabs. TULIPS novel polyester spun swabs innovation has excellent collection and release properties. Polyester fiber has been tested and validated foruse in specimen collection in microbiology, RT-PCR analysis. is the first to develop & receive the ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) and NIV (National Institute of Virology) validation for domestically produced ‘polyester’ swabs. This is significant as COVID Test swabs were not manufactured in India, and were imported from US or China.  Today the country needs the swabs in large numbers to fight the COVID-19 war. As per WHO, reconfiguring health systems is vital to tackling COVID-19. This is significant amid calls for more testing for coronavirus and warnings from the medical experts that reopening the nation’s economy without increasing the capacity to test for the virus poses serious risks. “To fight COVID-19, India will have to increase testing and may need over 7 – 10 million swabs every week, to enable the nation to safely begin easing lockdown restrictions and open the economy. This is significant as India plans aggressively to test its billion plus population for COVID-19 to ensure the virus doesn& spread faster when some of the regulations are relaxed.”, said Mr Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator, Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD), New Delhi ” With COVID-19 positive cases in India crossing 100000 and deaths surpassing 3000, experts believe, we must act decisively to outsmart the virus and contain the outbreak. Affordable swabs enable mitigating this human crisis by accelerating preventive testing, and quickly meeting the massive demand to a decrease in outbreak as well as a return to normalcy. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16516/compliment-your-wellbeing-with-the-perfect-health-insurance-heres-how.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16516/compliment-your-wellbeing-with-the-perfect-health-insurance-heres-how.html Thu, 21 May 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Did you know that there are several studies that link common lifestyle disorders to stress? The onset of lifestyle conditions can lead to more severe health issues, such as stroke and even cancer if you do not take precautionary measures. While you can always take health cover with an enhanced critical illness insurance protection, isn't prevention better than cure? At the same time, even though it is easy to understand that buying health insurance and especially critical health insuranceworks to protect your life against various contingencies such as strokes, kidney failures and paralysis,you can improve your chances against these ailments by following a healthy lifestyle.  Here are some practical tips to buy health insuranceand help you maintain a balanced lifestyle that prevents all lifestyle-related health conditions as well.    Benefits of Keeping Your Health in Peak Condition Say goodbye to lifestyle disorders Stress is at the heart of all lifestyle conditions that can further deteriorate to contribute towards several life-threatening diseases, such as heart attack and cancer. Understanding the scope of having critical health insurancewill help you treat the condition without experiencing many financial hardships. At the same time, you can adopta healthy lifestyle to minimizestress as much as possible. When you focus on your wellbeing, you can reduce the risk of many such lifestyle disorders.   Enjoy a stress-free life   Maintaining a routine of exercise, yoga, and meditation can help you eliminate stress from your life. As a result, you can enjoy life's simple pleasures, such as important moments with your loved ones. Besides, many insurance companies reward their health insurance and critical health insurancepolicyholders with health points, recognizing their wellness efforts. Healthy individuals also attract lower premiums on their health insurance and critical health insurance policies.    Save money   A healthy person will save money on not just health insurance and critical health insurance policy premiums, but also fewer medical treatment expenses. These savings can be put to much better use, such as investments in wealth creation opportunities or a retirement plan to take early retirement.      Lower premiums on your health insurance   Every insurance provider requires you to undergo medical examinations to test for pre-medical conditions. A healthy individual with no such risks will be able to benefit from lower premiums on their health and critical health insurance policies.    Maintain a physically active routine   By exercising, you can reduce the risk of many diseases, including cancers such as colon, rectum, and breast.  Following a healthy lifestyle is good for the body. But not following it can be equally harmful. For instance, you may have to pay a higher premium on your health insuranceor critical health insurancepolicy, if you are a smoker – notto mention the increased risk of developing severe lifestyle-related ailments. At the same time, risky behaviours such as consuming a poor diet and living a sedentary life can be a severe health risk to your heart. Not curbing these practices can result in costly health or critical health insurance, if not being rejected altogether!  Benefits of health insurance with critical illness insurance cover While health insurance pays for unexpected expenses arising out of an illness, a critical illness insurancecover does a lot more than that. They are two very different things and cannot be used interchangeably. When combined, however, they can become a powerful tool to protect you against life's uncertainties.  Here are some of its benefits.  Provides enhanced coverage A health insurance plan will cover basic hospitalizations and expenditures only. However, a critical illness insurance cover will give you a lumpsum in case you are diagnosed with a life-threatening disease included in the policy.  Upfront benefit No need to get reimbursed based on actual costs incurred. With a critical illness cover, you will get a lumpsum amount even if you didn't incur the charges.  Longer-term A critical illness cover can be purchased for a longer-term and can be easily renewed online.  More than 9 million people, as per estimates given by the World Health Organization, have cancer worldwide. Cancer and other severe health conditions can catch you off-guard, both physically as well as financially. While it is always recommended to follow a healthy lifestyle, you must also make yourself economically secure with comprehensive health insurance or critical illness insurance policy that covers these critical illnesses.  Furthermore, you can look into more comprehensive coverage against life's uncertainties by combining critical illness insurance cover with the best term plan in India. Term insurance plans from reputable insurers such as Max Life Insurance enable you to opt for a critical illness rider to help avail of a much comprehensive and in-depth coverage to help you overcome the disease without the financial burden. At the same time, when you opt for the best term plan in Indiato secure your family's financial health in your absence, you also make sure that your loved ones remain independent and continue to work towards accomplishing their dreams without worrying about their financial stability – you have the best term plan in Indiato take care of that. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16495/india-now-has-second-largest-population-with-ibd.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16495/india-now-has-second-largest-population-with-ibd.html Wed, 20 May 2020 13:35:00 +0530 Wellness 365, a community representing leading Indian medical professionals and practitioners, has announced that India has an estimated 1.5 million patients affected by the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), putting the country second only to USA with 1.6 million patients. Also, these number are rising at a high single digit rate, as Indians have a greater than average risk of getting this disease. To educate people and help them receive appropriate medical intervention, the platform has launched a month-long campaign #ManageYourIBD, in association with leading Indian gastroenterologists from the key metro cities. The campaign was launched in support of the May 19, 2020, the World IBD Day. This will complement the global movement with hashtag #MakeIBDwork. Inflammatory Bowel Disease is an intestinal disorder which involves prolonged inflammation of the digestive tract and if left untreated can lead to irreversible damage of the intestines involving conditions like intestinal obstruction, intestinal perforation, and a higher risk of colorectal cancer. IBD is not cured by regular medication and requires the involvement of a specialist often requiring long-term management. Broadly there are two types of IBD’s - Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn’s Disease (CD). Explaining the symptoms, Dr. Rudrajit Sinha, Gastro-Intestinal Surgeon, Advanced Laparoscopy & Robotics, The Calcutta Medical Research Institute, Kolkata, says, “An IBD patient suffers from persistent abdominal cramps with irregular bowel habits and occasional passage of mucus and blood in stools. The disease is often associated with unexpected weight loss and the patient is resistant to usual treatments for stomach ailments.” The diagnosis for IBD’s can be challenging, explains Dr. Ajay Choksi, Consultant and Head, Dept. of Gastroenterology, Nanavati Hospital, Mumbai “Many self-limited illnesses like bacterial infections and protozoal illnesses can mimic IBD on gross endoscopic and histologic findings but do not last beyond a month. Very often it may be impossible to differentiate between tuberculosis and Crohn’s disease which is when therapeutic trials and follow ups may be required for a precise diagnosis. Timely and early diagnosis increases the probability of inducing easy and durable remission of the disease. Vast majority of the patients can be successfully managed with medications.” Elaborating on the risks and the available treatment options, Dr. Ajay Bhalla, Director & Head Gastroenterology, Fortis Hospital, Noida, says “Medical management remains the key modality in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases. In case of ulcerative colitis, need for surgical intervention is low at about 6% for Indian patients while the worldwide average being about 10-12%. Medical management with drugs like 5-ASAs, steroids and azathioprines and use of biologics gives effective outcomes.” “However, in case of Crohn’s disease, the patient can end up with conditions like intestinal crystallization or recurrent obstruction, where surgery may be required. It is seen worldwide and in India too that about one third of patients with Crohn’s disease require surgery at some point of time.  Rest of the patients are successfully managed with medical management through drugs like steroids and azathioprines and now the use of biologics which would change the whole course of treatment. As the use of biologics becomes more common in India, I guess the requirement of surgery will go down further”, he added. Delving into the impact of the disease, if it is left untreated, Dr. Amarender Puri, Vice Chairman, Institute of Digestive and Hepatobiliary Sciences, Medanta, Gurugram, “There is a definite risk of colorectal cancer if IBD is left untreated. The risk is in direct proportion to the duration of the disease. It is negligible during the first 8-10 years but steadily increases thereafter. Currently the risk is thought to be about 10% among those with the disease for 25-30 years. This risk is particularly much more among patients who have been irregular with their treatment vis a vis those who are fully compliant. Additionally, untreated disease leads to long standing anaemia and protein loss from the body.” Interestingly, factors like the socioeconomic and demographic classification play a role in the incidence of the disease, explains Dr. Piyush Ranjan, Sr. Consultant, Institute of Liver Gastroenterology & Pancreatico Biliary Sciences, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi, “In general, IBD is more common among urban population and the higher socioeconomic groups. Both males and females have an equal chance of having ulcerative colitis. However, in case of Crohn’s disease, females have a slightly higher preponderance. “ Lack of awareness makes things worse: Lack of awareness remains a key barrier in helping people get the correct diagnosis and receive the right treatment. Ignorance often leads to the patient being treated for common problems like upset stomach, and even tuberculosis, while the issue is completely different. The debilitating effects of not diagnosing early is a life-threatening hazard which is also financially and emotionally draining for the family. Heightened awareness and early diagnosis can go a long way in helping people with the IBD conditions.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16494/ab-pmjay-marks-1-cr-treatments-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16494/ab-pmjay-marks-1-cr-treatments-.html Wed, 20 May 2020 11:20:00 +0530 Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), the flagship health assurance scheme of the Government of India has marked 1 crore treatments, worth approx. Rs. 13,412 Crore crossing this milestone in less than 20 months since its launch on 23rd September 2018. More than 21,565 hospitals have been empanelled. Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, and Rajasthan have emerged as the top performing states providing highest number of treatments under the scheme. Orthopaedics, Cardiology, Cardio-thoracic & Vascular surgery, Radiation Oncology and Urology have remained as the top specialties under which treatment is sought. Treatment packages like single stent (medicated, inclusive of diagnostic angiogram), hip fracture internal fixation and rehabilitation, Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG), double stent (medicated, inclusive of diagnostic angiogram) and Total Knee Replacement have emerged as top tertiary procedures. Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare said, “This is a milestone achievement for Ayushman Bharat PMJAY scheme on providing 1 crore treatments to patients from the country’s poorest households since its launch less than two years ago. These treatments worth Rs 13,412 crore have been provided through a growing network of 21,565 public and private empanelled hospitals.” Dr. Harsh Vardhan added, “I convey my best wishes and gratitude to all the States who have ensured the scheme delivers on its promise especially in unprecedented times of Covid-19. Government of India is making persistent efforts to expand testing and make treatment of Covid-19 available for free to all 53 crore beneficiaries of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, further strengthening Government of India’s resolve, scope and capability to move towards universal health coverage. Concerted efforts by every health worker and all empanelled hospitals have helped us achieve the 1 crore mark.” The National Health Authority (NHA) has been working on new initiatives to support and supplement the Government of India efforts in response to Covid-19 pandemic. The NHA has focused on how to get private sector more actively involved in the response with greater participation from private sector hospitals for both COVID-19 as well as non-COVID-19 health conditions. Responding to the outbreak of Covid-19, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has made the testing and treatment for COVID-19 free of cost under AB PMJAY scheme for all its 53 crore beneficiaries. To increase the number of hospitals providing Covid-19 treatment and to ensure continued treatment such as haemodialysis, cardiovascular procedures, and chemotherapy for non-Covid critical illnesses, the National Health Authority (NHA) started an express empanelment mechanism with a less stringent criteria for temporary empanelment of hospitals in March this year. Among the 21,565 hospitals empanelled under AB PM-JAY, more than 1,385 hospitals have been empanelled across the country since 1 April 2020, out of which 1,310 are through the regular empanelment route and remaining 75 under express empanelment. Of the total new hospitals onboarded, nearly 58% per cent are private hospitals. 2,132 people have availed or are currently undergoing treatment for Covid-19 under AB PM-JAY in the country. Dr. Indu Bhushan, CEO, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) and National Health Authority said, “We are marking this milestone of 1 crore treatment under Ayushman Bharat PMJAY at a time when the whole country is reeling under the Covid pandemic. We have utilised this period to leverage our IT systems, expertise and network of private sector stakeholders to support the Government of India’s preparedness and response in the form of managing the national Covid helpline 1075 to conducting thousands of outbound calls to Covid positive patients and their families. We have also further strengthened our network of hospitals and service capabilities to ensure continued service delivery to non-Covid patients under the scheme. We are deeply grateful to the frontline health workers, hospitals, and all staff at NHA and in the States for their invaluable contribution in the implementation of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) and maintaining the momentum during this crisis.” The NHA is also supporting the Government of India’s Arogya Setu mobile application dedicated to providing citizens information on Covid-19 and to help them take necessary steps to protect themselves.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16449/tata-trusts-upgrades-hospitals-in-maharashtra-up-to-covid-19-centres.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16449/tata-trusts-upgrades-hospitals-in-maharashtra-up-to-covid-19-centres.html Fri, 15 May 2020 07:15:00 +0530 Tata Trusts is upgrading four government hospital buildings, two in Uttar Pradesh and two in Maharashtra, into Covid-19 treatment centres. The facilities, including both in-patient and out-patient wings, are permanent and will enduringly enhance health care in their locations, even after the immediate purpose is met.  The Trusts’ intervention follows the Chairman, Ratan N. Tata’s statement that “urgent emergency resources need to be deployed to cope with the needs of fighting the Covid-19 crisis, which is one of the toughest challenges the human race will face.”  In Maharashtra, the hospitals are at Sangli (50 beds) and Buldhana (106 beds), and in Uttar Pradesh at Gautam Buddha Nagar (168 beds) and Gonda (106 beds). The treatment centres in Uttar Pradesh are in collaboration with a partner organisation. The decision to upgrade existing infrastructure was to bring speed and make use, wherever possible, of existing capabilities and services. The Trusts are attempting to hand over the facilities by June 15, 2020. Each hospital will be armed with critical care capabilities, minor operation theatres, basic pathology and radiology, facilities for dialysis and blood storage and telemedicine units. Tata Trusts is harnessing its experience in establishing cancer care facilities and connected service providers to modernise these hospitals. The construction is being done by Tata Projects Limited, the design is by Edifice Consultants Pvt Limited, and equipment are being sourced from leading manufacturers. This is the third such intervention of the Trusts to support India in its Covid-19 response. The Trusts have already begun donating to State Governments and individual hospitals Personal Protection Equipment, including coveralls, N95/KN95 masks, surgical masks, gloves and goggles. Thus far, PPE supplies have gone out to about 26 states and Union Territories.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16458/medikabazaar-launches-healthcare-knowledge-sharing-platform.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16458/medikabazaar-launches-healthcare-knowledge-sharing-platform.html Fri, 15 May 2020 00:00:00 +0530 India’s leading online B2B marketplace for medical equipment and supplies in India, Medikabazaar has launched MedikaTalks, an exclusive online healthcare-specific knowledge sharing and conversation platform. It aims to facilitate a deeper understanding of the medical space by bringing the pioneers of the healthcare industry together to discuss existing and impending issues before the sector. The launch reinstates the brand's commitment to come up with disruptive drives that could help transform how healthcare is perceived in India. The initiative connects esteemed industry leaders and healthcare experts through webinars, exclusive conferences, expert talks, CXO meets, CMEs, and many more leveraging digital collaboration tools. The move comes at a time when the entire world has been grappling with the effects of COVID-19 and is expected to provide meaningful insights on the entire healthcare domain, be it challenges, opportunities, past lessons, or future endeavours. MedikaTalks will hold a series of Webinars, CXO Meets, CMEs, Expert Talks and Exclusive Events regularly on industry-relevant topics. Speaking about the initiative, Mr Vivek Tiwari, Founder and CEO of Medikabazaar said, “Our sudden and massive dependency on the healthcare sector due to the current pandemic has brought some of its weaknesses to the fore. In view of this, we have collaborated with various doctors, practitioners, and industry stakeholders to hold online discussions on industry-specific issues. We hope MedikaTalks will become a conversation platform of choice for healthcare industry professionals as it will render a clear overview of the Indian healthcare sector and aid in providing actionable insights to further strengthen our healthcare system.” The link to the online platform can be accessed on https://www.medikabazaar.com/medikatalks.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16459/goqii-launches-wrist-band-detecting-covid-19-symptoms.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16459/goqii-launches-wrist-band-detecting-covid-19-symptoms.html Fri, 15 May 2020 00:00:00 +0530 GOQii has announced a major breakthrough in early COVID detection, tracing through the launch of GOQii Vital 3.0. In one of the world's first major disruptions in COVID-19 prevention through its Wrist Band with Sensors to detect COVID-19 Symptoms. The smart band will track vitals like Body Temperature, Heart Rate, Blood Pressure & Sleep while keeping a check on your step count and calories. GOQii has partnered with German health tech startup Thryve to conduct a clinical study in India to detect COVID-19 infections earlier than testing. GOQii Vital 3.0 has an inbuilt temperature display and thermal sensor that has two ways of temperature monitoring. The continuous monitoring feature and the on-demand feature is for users who would like to check it at their convenience. The temperature range is 77°F to 113 °F with an accuracy of +/- 0.3 °F. Apart from temperature GOQii Vital 3.0 will track Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, Sleep, All day Activity and Steps. World over, there is an urgent need for the development of rapid wearable diagnostics to identify and isolate COVID-19 cases and track and prevent the spread of the virus. The US Army, recently called out to tech companies to develop such a device. GOQii has shared the details of GOQii Vital 3 with the Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium, a subsidiary of US Armed Forces and awaiting their feedback. Given the advanced preventive health capabilities of the platform, GOQii’s Brand Ambassador Akshay Kumar has donated 1,000 GOQii Vital 3.0 bands to Mumbai Police who are at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19. The Mumbai Police department will be the first organisation in the world enabled to remotely track and manage the health of its Personnel via the GOQii Preventive Health Platform. “We are seeing the evolution of the Internet of Health, Integration of Wearables + Coaches/Doctors + Machine Learning into a preventive ecosystem will lead to better health outcomes. Governments, Hospitals, Schools, BPOs, Insurance, Banking, Ride-sharing, Food delivery, E-Commerce & Logistics companies around the world are in talks with us to use the GOQii Vital 3.0. Combined usage of the detection algorithm and the GOQii Vital 3.0 Smart Band can help significantly in isolating potential COVID-19 patients and preventing further spread. We are confident that the clinical study will show positive results in predicting COVID-19 infection,”, says Vishal Gondal, Founder & CEO, GOQii. GOQii is partnering with Thryve, a German healthtech company focusing on aggregation and analysis of health data generated by wearables, medical devices and other health data sources. Thryve’s machine learning-based algorithms provide actionable insights on infectious diseases like COVID-19, depression and other medical conditions. Through this partnership, GOQii will conduct a clinical study in India, to check the accuracy of early detection of COVID-19. Detection of characteristic changes in body temperature and other vital data enable early detection of COVID-19 symptoms. The combination of Thryve’s unique machine learning-based algorithms and GOQii’s Vital 3.0 Smart band will usher a breakthrough in technology advancement to address the current crisis in timely detection of COVID -19 that has engulfed the globe. GOQii Vital 3.0 will be available in India in phases and on an immediate basis for the frontline workers, government & private enterprises and some units will be available for the public. Plans are underway to launch in the US, UK, Australia, Japan, UAE, Singapore and other countries. Following PM Narendra Modi’s call of ‘Be Vocal about Local’ #AtmaNirbharBharat GOQii is also evaluating manufacturing options in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16460/bd-pays-tribute-to-nurses-with-sand-art.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16460/bd-pays-tribute-to-nurses-with-sand-art.html Fri, 15 May 2020 00:00:00 +0530 The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife and International Nurses Day (May 12) was a perfect way to express gratitude and acknowledge the commitment of nurses in the healthcare system in serving patients selflessly. International Nurses Day couldn't have been complete without acknowledging the pivotal role played by the nursing community worldwide. To thank the nurses, Becton Dickinson India (BD India), a global medical technology company launched a digital campaign “With You For You” including a sand art video. Vishal Taneja, Business Director- BD Medical-India/South Asia said,” With the world making every effort to combat coronavirus, we at BD will like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude towards the healthcare warriors; the Nurses who are at the forefront of this pandemic. Driven by our purpose of advancing the world of the health, our digital campaign – “With You For You” is our tribute to millions of nurses and doctors for their selfless work to save millions of lives. Their well-being and safety is of utmost importance to the community.” Under the newly launched digital campaign “With You For You”, the five-minute ‘Sand Art’ video depicts the undefeatable work done by the nurses in serving humanity. Staying away from home and leaving their family members behind; hospitals and clinics have become a new home for them. Since the beginning of the pandemic, they have been standing tall and strong while saving many lives every hour every day. “With You For You” is a campaign dedicated to celebrate the heroism of nurses and doctors. Through this platform, experiences and untold stories of nurses and doctors during this covid era will be shared with the country and worldwide in the form of videos and collage, thanking them for their selfless work. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16453/omnicuris-collaborates-with-maharashtra-medical-council.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16453/omnicuris-collaborates-with-maharashtra-medical-council.html Thu, 14 May 2020 16:40:00 +0530 With cases of coronavirus death rapidly increasing in Maharashtra, digital CME provider Omnicuris has launched a specially designed Covid-19 module that will offer the requisite medical skill and knowledge to the doctors to deal with the global pandemic using digital technology. For this initiative, Omnicuris has collaborated with Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC), which has been providing the module on their platform for the doctors. The module includes all minute details for doctors right from precautions to be taken while in contact with a suspect, how to take care of personal hygiene, how to conduct testing for a suspect to the guidelines on how to treat patients. This initiative aims to strengthen the health care workforce, speed up the process of testing and treatment and provide protective cover to the doctors, who are themselves at high risk of contracting the infection and, possibly, dying of it due to the shortage of PPE kit. Through this association, Omnicuris will be able to strengthen its scientific expertise and facilities and widen its reach to doctors with their digital lectures during the nationwide lockdown. Savitha Kuttan, Founder & CEO of Omnicuris said, “We are very happy to collaborate with the Maharashtra Medical Council. Through this association, we will be able to reach out to the maximum doctors, who have been at the frontlines to treat the COVID-19 patients. Making this training available to the people of the healthcare industry is an important element to breaking the unbreakable chain of coronavirus pandemic and will also provide an aid to our industry. With our disease burden due to the COVID-19 is constantly increasing, continuous skill upgradation and training healthcare professionals become the need of hour for all the doctors.” The collaboration will also enable the doctors to complete their CME hours, which is needed for the renewal of doctor’s license besides imparting knowledge on dealing coronavirus. Dr. Utture Shivkumar Shankar, President, Maharashtra Medical Council said, “As you all are aware this covid-19 problem is affecting one and all not only in India but all over the world. Since this is a very new disease, we are not yet sure the cause and ultimate effect the disease will have on everyone, Maharashtra medical Council has decided to bring to you on their platform these CMEs so that all of you can be educated what exactly this Covid-19 disease is and how we are going to manage this disease. We have gone ahead and allowed you to use these CMEs from the platform and at the same time you will be allotted CME credit hours which are mandatory to acquire the renewal of their license. We thank Omnicuris for this armline CME platform so that all members can sit at their residence and go through these CMEs and at the same time they can get CME credit hours. So, all the best to all of you.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16450/ilamed-conducts-online-training-on-aesthetic-medicine-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16450/ilamed-conducts-online-training-on-aesthetic-medicine-.html Thu, 14 May 2020 15:40:00 +0530 Institute of Laser and Aesthetic Medicine (ILAMED) conducted the series of LIVE online sessions recently. These online sessions are jointly organised by Indian Society of Aesthetic Medicine (ISAM), University at Greifswald, IPPC, Indian Society of Mesotherapy, D.A.L.M, Global Mediversity and supported by NATIONALES ZENTRUM FUR PLASMAMEDIZIN e.V. SMCME and Union Internationale De Medecine Esthetique. It included an interesting session on basic & advanced indications of Botulinum Toxin by Dr. Ajay Rana, a renowned Aesthetic Medicine Expert and Founder & Director of ILAMED. Various specialist in the field were part of this training. Dr. Rajarshi Bandyopadhyay, BDS MDS, oral and maxillofacial surgery said, “The content was very informative and the way of demonstration was attractive and comprehensible. Special thanks to Dr Rana and hope to hear more from him in future.”                  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16441/wellthy-therapeutics-reveals-digital-therapeutics-intervention-on-hypertension.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16441/wellthy-therapeutics-reveals-digital-therapeutics-intervention-on-hypertension.html Thu, 14 May 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Wellthy Therapeutics presented their findings on how patients with hypertension were able to establish a significant reduction in blood pressure levels with the help of a digital therapeutic intervention. A further retrospective analysis of blood sugar levels also proved positive results. The abstract was published at the World Cardiology Congress organised by the American College of Cardiology on March 28-30, 2020. In this study, 66 participants who were diagnosed with hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus, and spent at least 12 weeks on the Wellthy Care™ DTx platform were observed.    Patients were onboarded onto the digital therapeutics platform that enables monitoring of data like meals, exercise, blood pressure, blood sugar, etc. and provides real-time feedback. Patients were also provided patient education on their health condition and guidance to action positive behaviour changes that impact the condition.  Before intervention, the baseline mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 135.1 mmHg while the mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was 86.7 mmHg. After intervention, there was a significant mean reduction in SBP to 127.7 mmHg and in DBP to 83.0 mmHg thus showing an average overall SBP reduction of 7.4 mmHg and DBP of 3.7mmHg. Among patients with stage 2 hypertension, 47% achieved an even higher mean reduction of 12.6 mmHg in SBP and of 8.7 mmHg in DBP.  Further analysis of study participants who also had diabetes as a co-morbidity revealed a reduction in average blood sugar levels by 40.2 mg/dl from an initial ABS of 180.5 mg/dl to 140.3 mg/dl with reduced glycemic variability. Significant reductions were noticed for both Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) and Postprandial Blood Sugar (PPBS) levels.  Almost 30% of people in India have hypertension and up to 10% have more than one chronic lifestyle illness2. As per clinical guidelines, lifestyle management (specific to condition) is a first step to managing chronic conditions. This study goes on to show how digital therapeutics can work closely with patients to action healthy behaviour change to positively impact outcomes.  With this, Wellthy Therapeutics proves its role in helping patients with multimorbidities like hypertension and diabetes, both of which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. This study is the first in India to showcase significant results in the reduction of blood pressure via digital therapeutic interventions.  Wellthy Therapeutics, which has published 20+ clinical studies in Diabetes management, is now establishing results in the Cardiology space.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16442/indian-doctor-from-uk-spearheads-development-of-app-to-efficiently-monitor-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16442/indian-doctor-from-uk-spearheads-development-of-app-to-efficiently-monitor-covid-19.html Thu, 14 May 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Apart from the medical professionals, other technical professionals continue working from their workplaces despite the threats the pandemic has imposed. This unlikely situation has, however, got various researchers working to combat the virus through the innovation of different technologies. One such innovation comes to us from the researchers at the University of Warwick (Coventry, UK) and Kyiv Polytechnic Institute (Kiev, Ukraine), together with the Click Medix LLC. This trio developed an app and a chatbot to efficiently monitor and mitigate the COVID-19 cases. This app is available for download on mobile phones and computers sans any charges. It can be used by anyone including patients and their caretakers or those in close contact with them. Additionally, it can assist doctors, nurses, community health workers, hospital and clinic staff, specialists, hospital IT staff, MHFA, and even insurance companies.   The app has been successfully set up in South Africa and Saudi Arabia and is working efficiently since 20th March 2020. The same is now being deployed in the UK as well as in India. The app has been developed by Dr. Vishwesh Kulkari (Warwick University UK) and has been executed to communities by Dr. Neha Sharma (Aarogyam UK) and Dr, Rekha Chaudhari (Mothers Touch India), who is at the forefront in the development and outreach of this app to a wider audience in the UK. In India, Dr.Rekha Chaudhari, Global Wellness Ambassador (Mothers Touch) would be leading the awareness creating and working towards making the app available across the country. Speaking on her involvement in this, Dr.Rekha Chaudhari, Global Wellness Ambassador (Mothers Touch) said ” It is truly an honour to be associated with such a noble cause. Today we are facing a very situation which has created panic across the world. Global medical teams have been overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of potential and genuine COVID 19 cases. This app is a scientific marvel and a need of the hour for medical teams, patients and the average individual. It a country like ours, it would certainly help everyone to be more aware and help our doctors make the necessary decisions regarding treatment for patients. Additionally, this one- stop-shop app is interlinked with clinics, testing labs and has tele-medicine capabilities. We foresee this app as greatly benefitting our fellow Indian citizens” The app aims to reduce the burden on the healthcare service by eliminating needless hospital visits and unnecessary consultations with the doctors or caregivers. The app has features to provide referrals to clinics, test sites and home visits apart from telemedicine services suitable to manage the patients’ conditions based on location, charge and availability. Multi-channel messaging with the help of SMS, Whatsapp and Skype are available on the app. This helps a remotely situated doctor or nurse to correspond with the concerned person to offer healthcare services and e-prescriptions. Machine learning (ML) helps it to calculate how the COVID-19 symptoms and severity are spreading in individuals and communities, at various levels like the city, district, state or national level. The best part is, it enforces an efficient supply chain management by ensuring that the healthcare service centres are equipped with an adequate supply of necessary personnel, gears and consumables. At the heart of this innovation are Dr. Vishwesh Kulkarni (Warwick) and Ting Shih (ClickMedix). The app’s effectiveness lies in the presence of the all-in-one mobile-powered disease management platform of ClickMedix LLC, compliant with HIPAA and GDPR. Primary, secondary and tertiary care facilities, home-visit community health workers, patients and their caregivers along with rural clinics are leveraging the advantages of this platform across 23 nations of the world. It is serving around 1 million patients with diseases like COVID-19, HIV/AIDS, TB and other chronic health issues that require continuous follow-ups.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16445/united-we-stand-in-the-fight-against-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16445/united-we-stand-in-the-fight-against-covid-19.html Thu, 14 May 2020 00:00:00 +0530 The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a sense of urgency and the responsibility to think long-mterm to improve access to globally renowned, high quality and innovative medical equipment to bridge the gaps in healthcare delivery. The medical technology industry has proved itself indispensable to healthcare systems during this time, and rapid innovation in this sector has led to advancements across a variety of products and treatments – from testing kits for diagnosis; to masks and protective gear to prevent transmission; to ventilators, respirators, catheters, syringes and blood collection tubes for treatment. This health emergency has called for a holistic response, working in collaboration with Governments across the region, to rethink healthcare delivery in the context of the vast economic, social and demographic transformations taking place globally. Guided by the principles of Access, Innovation and Collaboration, the Asia Pacific Medical Technology Association (APACMed) and its member companies are committed to working with the Government of India, regulators, payers and healthcare providers to shape policies that give patients timely access to high quality and lifesaving healthcare. A crisis such as COVID-19 highlights the needto work collaboratively towards a globally harmonised regulatory environment, that adds economic value and, most importantly, helps to improve patient outcomes. Since January, Johnson & Johnson has been working directly with governments and health authorities in response to the global public health crisis, donating 10,000 units of N95 Masks, 200,000 units of surgical 2/3 ply masks and 7,000 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Kits. Sandeep Makkar, Managing Director of Johnson & Johnson Medical India (J&J) said, “We are committed to fighting COVID-19 and we know from 134 years of experience that the power of our science, the scale of our business and the dedication of our employees can drive meaningful, lifesaving innovation in response to this global public health crisis. We are partnering with non-government organizations like Americares India Foundation to help fight this pandemic with focus on distribution of PPEs, masks and sanitizers to hard-hit areas across the country. Johnson & Johnson will continue to bring our full resources and minds to combat this pandemic.” The MedTech industry is at the forefront of addressing new challenges that have emerged during this pandemic and seeks the urgent attention of the Government to support in areas still impacting patient access to important medical products and equipment during this critical time.   Revoke Health Cess, which adversely impacts healthcare affordability APACMed commends the recent decision by the Government to waive customs duty on the imports of COVID-19 test kits, ventilators, face and surgical masks, and additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to help address the shortage of PPE in the country, and believes that the decision will be of great benefit to patients during this critical time. Industry appeals to the Government to revoke the Health Cess on other devices that are used both to treat COVID-19 patients, as well as other patients requiring care at this time, to contribute to moving towards more sustainable and affordable healthcare.   Streamline operational challenges and enable supply chains to run effectively The spike in the COVID-19 graph highlights the complex nature of the virus and how the lockdown across the country has resulted in the disruption of supply chains. The Government has provided considerable relaxation for essential services to function however ambiguity and misinterpretation on the ground remains, resulting in operational inefficiencies. Given the crucial role that the medical device industry is playing in responding to COVID-19, there is an urgent need to address persisting issues that impact supply chain operations, including facilitating a clear and expedited process for critical suppliers to continue operating and implementing a priority status for shipping, customs handling and transportation of vital medical devices and their component parts.   Release pending payment to providers to tide over liquidity crunch The demand for devices used in elective medical procedures has dropped due to current restrictions on elective surgeries. Fixed expenses – such as wages, salaries, electricity, rent – are still payable, however, resulting in substantial liquidity challenges. Industry urges the government to ease the restrictions and release pending payments, to the tune of 1,700 crores, to healthcare providers, which will help to reduce liquidity issues.   Provide tax exemption to increase patient affordability The outbreak of COVID-19 has shown the importance of the Global Value Chain. Eighty-four countries, both developed and developing, have eliminated duties on a large number of medical equipment to improve patient access and affordability. In India, a decrease of GST to between 0% and 5% will help to improve patient affordability.   Discussing the various measures taken by Government to fight COVID-19, Pavan Mocherla, Managing Director-BD-India/South Asia said, “Owing to the rapid spread of Coronavirus across the world, including India, BD appreciates the government’s decision to exempt the import duties implied on medical devices to meet the unprecedented demand. However, the roadblocks in supply chain are still resulting in delays of arrival of diagnostics and medical supplies to some of the worst- affected areas of this outbreak. It is important to prioritize and accelerate systematic management of undisrupted manufacturing and supply of life-saving and life-improving medical devices in the current scenario so that the industry can better serve the patients/clinicians/researchers during this crisis.” The impact of COVID-19 is far-reaching. It has highlighted the need for adequately resourced, dynamic and versatile healthcare systems and the need for a well-functioning supply chain with local, regional and global collaboration. This can be addressed by facilitating a more harmonised regulatory and policy environment that will help to sustain robust health infrastructure over the longterm. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16423/nnef-releases-new-findings-of-idci.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16423/nnef-releases-new-findings-of-idci.html Tue, 12 May 2020 12:35:00 +0530 The latest findings of India Diabetes Care Index (IDCI) suggest that glycosylated hemoglobin or HbA1c level recorded at 8.35% during January to March 2020 and it marginally decreased from 8.47% to 8.35% as compared to the previous quarter in New Delhi. The high level of HbA1C level in Delhi comes at a time when medical studies are pointing towards an increased risk for severe complications arising from COVID-19 in people living with diabetes. The India Diabetes Care Index, a part of the 'Impact India: 1000-Day Challenge' programme by Novo Nordisk Education Foundation studies the blood glucose levels across cities through various parameters. The HbA1c test indicates the average blood glucose level over a period of three months and is considered as one of the best recommended indicators of long-term blood glucose control. People who were part of the assessment in New Delhi had an average age of 53 years out of which 56% were male and 44% were female. Furthermore, the average postprandial glucose level in the quarter was 235 mg/dl and the average fasting glucose level was 167 mg/dl.  People living with diabetes are more likely to experience severe symptoms and complications if they get infected with COVID-19 and this may even worsen if their diabetes is not managed well. Also, in the long run, it should be noted that 1% reduction in HbA1c reduces the risk of diabetes-related complications including the risk of heart failure by 16% and the risk of heart attack by 14%. Older adults and people with pre-existing medical conditions like hypertension, heart disease, pulmonary disorders and obesity related conditions are also at a higher risk of experiencing serious complications due to COVID-19. Talking about the IMPACT India programme, Dr. Anil Shinde, Trustee, Novo Nordisk Education Foundation said, “Through the India Diabetes Care index, we aim to raise awareness on status of diabetes care in India. The latest findings suggest that the status of diabetes management should be paid close attention to because if diabetes is well-managed, the risk of serious illness from COVID-19 can be reduced to the same as that in general population. People with diabetes should also take strict preventive measures so that they can minimize the risk from COVID-19 and are safe in the lockdown period.” Speaking on the high HbA1C level in Delhi and challenges faced by the patients during the lockdown, Dr Ambrish Mithal, Chairman, Endocrinology and Diabetes, Max Healthcare, said, “It is a good indicator that the HbA1c level in New Delhi has remained stable or even declined marginally in the last quarter. However, it is still clearly above desired levels, and, people with diabetes should observe all precautions as they are at a higher risk of developing complications from COVID-19. To protect themselves, people should follow a healthy diet, ensure indoor physical activity, and test their blood glucose regularly. They should also remain in touch with their doctor through mail or video consulting.” In Mumbai, IDCI suggest that glycosylated hemoglobin or HbA1c level increased from 8.19% to 8.22% during January to March 2020 as compared to the previous quarter in Mumbaikars. People who were part of the assessment in Mumbai had an average age of 53 years, out of which 55% were male and 45% were female. Furthermore, the average postprandial glucose level was 227 mg/dl in the quarter and the corresponding average fasting glucose level was 162 mg/dl. Speaking on the high HbA1C level in the city and challenges faced by the patients during the lockdown, Dr. Rajiv Kovil, Consultant Diabetologist, Mumbai, said, “People living with diabetes have to be particularly vigilant about their health and well-being in the present lockdown due to COVID-19. Not only are they at a greater risk of developing severe complications but COVID-19 can also lead to more fatalities in people with diabetes. A thorough health regime must be followed so that blood glucose levels are kept in check. In addition to the medications, under the given situation, it is advisable to follow indoor physical exercises in order to manage diabetes effectively.” Currently, more than 77 million people in India are living with diabetes. To provide them with optimal care and help them in managing their condition better during the lockdown, the Government of India has stated that all known/ diagnosed people with diabetes will receive regular supply of medicines for up to three months through ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists) or SHCs (Sub Health Centres) on prescription.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16427/bd-launches-digital-campaign-for-healthcare-professionals.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16427/bd-launches-digital-campaign-for-healthcare-professionals.html Tue, 12 May 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Acknowledging the hard work done by the healthcare warriors, BD has launched a digital campaign “With You For You”, a campaign dedicated to celebrating the heroism of nurses and doctors. Through this platform, experiences and untold stories of nurses and doctors in the form of videos and collage during the pandemic will be shared with the country and worldwide, thanking them for their selfless work. On this day, Pavan Mocherla, Managing Director-BD India/South Asia expressed his gratitude towards every healthcare professional and said, “Thank you to the many heroes in the healthcare community. Whether they are on the front lines or the last lines, BD wants to acknowledge their bravery in this battle. Our purpose of advancing the world of health™ couldn’t have been more relevant in extraordinary times like now. At BD, we believe that if we are able to enable our healthcare workers with the best clinical practices related to patient safety, they can embrace their responsibility to do no harm to those they serve.” It is of utmost importance that the nurses who are fighting the war against this disease, need to follow standard procedures like proper use of masks, follow hand hygiene, proper use of personal protective equipment, safe waste management, cleaning and disinfection of equipment and cleaning of the environment. Advanced training should be provided to the nurses which will help them tackle the current situation in a better way. Infection prevention control practices should be followed properly during sample collection and treatment of confirmed COVID-19 cases which may raise concerns over the possibility of healthcare workers getting infected and leading to further transmission. Col. Binu Sharma, President-Infusion Nurses Society, India, said, “With the emergence of COVID-19, the entire nation is going through a difficult time. Thousands of patients in the country along with hundreds of healthcare staff are already at risk and therefore it is of utmost importance for medical professionals to adhere to precautionary measures to fight the ravages of this virus, while treating the patients. Compromise in following proper guidelines may potentially increase the likelihood of exposure to infection leading to greater anxiety, shortage of nurses and panic among the care givers. Hence, it becomes very essential for the nurses to not only follow safety protocols by using protective gears, masks, PPE but also ensure appropriate staffing, power breaks, focus on balanced diet, continued training on dynamically changing protocols and engagement with mentors and coaches.” Dr. Sunil Rao, Group Medical Director, Sahyadri Hospitals, Pune, said,” Today, we are very grateful to all those nurses who are standing like a rock and protecting us from this pandemic. Without them managing this disease would have been very difficult. These nurses risk their lives while treating the patients, hence, they must follow various safety protocols and guidelines like IPC precautions, no reuse of single-use devices and implementation of latest technologies like auto-disable syringes, needleless IV connection devices and follow a safe injection, specimen collection and surface disinfection procedures to contain the spread of the virus.” Several healthcare workers, including doctors and nurses, have contracted the disease while dealing with COVID-19 cases. Thus, in today’s time, it has become very crucial that nurses and healthcare workers are provided with global medtech innovations and are given best practice training and safety equipment, as ensuring their safety would ensure patient safety and our nation’s safety. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16430/top-5-apps-enabling-health-mapping-symptom-tracking-to-fight-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16430/top-5-apps-enabling-health-mapping-symptom-tracking-to-fight-covid-19.html Tue, 12 May 2020 00:00:00 +0530 At the heart of the effort in the country of 130 crore people is a smartphone app that evaluates users' infection risk based on location services such as Bluetooth and GPS.New research suggests that using a health mapping app to track people’s movements and identify and isolate anyone who has come into contact with an infected person could be critical in avoiding lockdown.    Aiisma - Aiisma is an India born data marketplace, rewards users for consensually and anonymously trading their data via the Aiisma App.  Equipped with geo-location sharing and health-mapping features, the app allows users to key in their health data regularly which can then be mapped to identify anomalies, and when one is identified both the user and relevant authorities can be notified to take preventive actions. The app leverages advanced algorithms to continuously compare user geo-location with identified positive carrier geo-location to isolate cases of Covid19 contacts and again alert both the user as well as the relevant authorities. In addition, there are features like alerts in case a user enters a high positive case density geography etc. All of this with user identity being shared only with relevant authorities when necessary and keeping it anonymous at all other times. Combined with Aiisma’s rewards for consensual data sharing it is a unique and win-win proposition for the users.   Arogya Setu- Aarogya Setu is a mobile application developed by the Government of India to connect essential health services with the people of India in our combined fight against COVID-19. The App is aimed at augmenting the initiatives of the Government of India, particularly the Department of Health, in proactively reaching out to and informing the users of the app regarding risks, best practices and relevant advisories pertaining to the containment of COVID-19.The app, which is a coronavirus tracker of sorts works on the basis of contact tracing and can help a user identify possible coronavirus 'hotspot' around his or her area. It can help people stay safe and adopt necessary precaution in some areas where there are cases and accordingly, help stop or prevent community transmission to an extent. Cova Punjab- COVA Punjab (Corona Virus Alert) App has been developed by the Government of Punjab to provide citizens with preventive care information and other government advisories. The app will help by providing a real time dashboard for Punjab, India and global stats, to check for symptoms of Corona and have a quick self-screening, Corona Awareness, Traveling instructions, Prevention Products and information about Corona Hospitals in Punjab. You will receive updates from government, advisories and instructions from time to time via PUSH notification on the App. Corona Kavach - The Corona Kavach app is meant to track Coronavirus and somehow control its spread. It also maps the health of the user by asking for the information. You are required to answer a couple of questions (if you are facing difficulty in breathing, body temperature, sore throat, and more) and it will mark you as All Good, See a Doctor, Quarantine, and Infected. Following this, whenever you go out, you are required to enable the app and it will (by tracking your location) alert you if you are in the proximity of another person either infected by Coronavirus or at high risk. This way, you can remain safe from catching the virus. Quarantine Watch- Built by the Revenue Department of the Government of Karnataka, Quarantine Watch helps state authorities keep a track of people under watch by asking them to ‘self-report’ while in quarantine.  The government is urging users to upload a selfie every hour while they are in the 14-day isolation period. If the GPS coordinates change, they will be sent to a government-run mass quarantine centre. Users have to register themselves on the app by entering personal details like name, phone number, residential address, district, symptoms, and travel history. Quarantine Watch also provides health helpline numbers.   The app has crossed 10,000 downloads on Google Play Store.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16401/iiit-delhi-helps-govt-to-develop-covid-19-it-platform-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16401/iiit-delhi-helps-govt-to-develop-covid-19-it-platform-.html Mon, 11 May 2020 08:25:00 +0530 In a bid to counter the COVID-19 pandemic and to make the dissemination of vital information easier, the government of NCT of Delhi and the Health and Family Welfare Department has constituted a multi-disciplinary Technology Innovation Group. This group will develop and maintain the IT platforms (website and App) for COVID-19 management in Delhi. For this purpose, the government has sought help from three IIIT Delhi professors (Dr. Pravesh Biyani Associate Professor, IIIT Delhi, Dr. Tavpritesh Sethi Assistant Professor, IIIT Delhi, and Prof. Ponnurangam Kumaraguru, Professor, IIIT Delhi) to develop and maintain the IT infrastructure necessary for disseminating information regarding COVID-19. Dr. Tavpritesh Sethi said, “The things we’ve learnt over the years from developing Digital Health and AI solutions are coming together for creating solutions at this time. I am most excited about the collaborations sparked by the COVID-19 crisis, and we are already seeing an exponential impact from joining hands together in this fight. I am honoured to contribute to this effort alongside the Delhi government.” Prof. Ponnurangam Kumaraguru, Professor IIIT-Delhi said, “I am humbled to be a part of the team fighting against the virus in Delhi. It is exciting as a researcher, to work at the confluence of Computing and Medicine and to see our work making a larger impact on the society." Technology innovation has a significant role to play in the fight against COVID-19, in strengthening the country’s foundations, and in predicting and combating the spread of future infectious diseases. With the ongoing global health crisis, science has been at the forefront of the battle against COVID-19 and our nation is fortunate to be making great strides in policy and technology to tackle this pandemic. Prof. Ranjan Bose added, "It is a proud moment for IIIT-Delhi that three of our faculty colleagues are inducted as a part of the Technology Innovation Group formed by the Delhi government.  The COVID-19 scenario is evolving at a fast pace, and access to reliable information is one of the most potent weapons against this pandemic.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16416/the-way-forward-for-thalassemia-patients-amid-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16416/the-way-forward-for-thalassemia-patients-amid-covid-19.html Mon, 11 May 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Amid the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, to mark World Thalassemia Day, leaders from across the healthcare sector and the Government of India came together to discuss challenges and the way forward for blood donation, availability of transportation and transfusion facilities for thalassemics in a webinar held on May 8. The webinar was organised by ASSOCHAM in collaboration with Thalassemics India, Thalassemia Patients Advocacy Group, and SPAG, a leading healthcare communications firm.  Thalassemia is a disease of the blood in which there is increased destruction (haemolysis) of the red cells. There are various severities of the disease from thalassemia major to thalassemia. This is an inherited blood disorder, in which both parents must carry the defective gene in order to pass on thalassemia major to the child. - shorten this  From availability of blood in blood banks to availability of transportation and transfusion facilities, there are multiple challenges being faced by these patients in the wake of this pandemic.  Dr Prabodh Seth, Joint Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment during his keynote address highlighted the guidelines that have been issued to support the thalassemics. “Blood donation and transfusion are crucial and essential services especially for thalassemics. COVID-19 has affected the delivery of this service for thalassemia patients. The government has actively been taking steps to ensure they aren’t ignored amidst this pandemic,” he said. This was followed by an in-depth discussion with a panel discussion. “We are taking active measures to ensure that not just facilities are provided but we work towards prevention as well. Counselling and testing are important. Now is the time we should take care of this and learn from the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Vinita Srivastava, National Senior Consultant & Coordinator - Blood Cell, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. “We released guidelines on April 24 as well emphasising upon no discrimination within organisations as well and right to equality with dignity,” added T D Dhariyal, Former State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Govt. of NCT of Delhi. Shobha Tuli, Secretary, Thalassemics India, Dr. Androulla Eleftheriou, Executive Director, Thalassemia International Federation, Cyprus and Mr. Jaya Bharath Reddy, Head - Molecular & Blood Safety Solutions, Roche Diagnostics India were part of the panel as well. During the course of the discussion the role of parent and parent organisations was discussed alongside the road ahead for making blood safer. It was highlighted that the need of the hour was to build a thalassemia management plan for crisis situations moving forward.Dr. Sunil Gupta, Director (National Blood Transfusion Council) & Addl DGHS , NACO from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare concluded the session with a special address where he stated, “We face a challenge with management of demand and supply regarding blood too. So many times blood is donated but it cannot be stored and it sometimes goes waste because the demand is not managed. These are challenges we are actively working towards overcoming and developing systems to ensuring safety in this process.” “There are nearly two lakh people in India who are blood transfusion dependent patients of thalassemia major. They are facing unprecedented challenges due to the situation arising out of the COVID -19 pandemic. This webinar was organised to discuss how such patients can overcome these challenges,” said spokesperson of Thalessemia Patients Advocacy Group. Aman Gupta, co-founder and managing partner of the webinar’s communications partner SPAG elaborated, “We at SPAG believe in the philosophy of being real and it is important that we understand the criticality of catalysing discussions among the right people and spread awareness. This webinar worked towards that by starting a conversation about how thalassemia patients can manage the current crisis.” Overall, the webinar focussed on guiding thalassemia patients through this difficult time and laid down the measures that can be initiated to ensure these patients don’t suffe ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16398/hcg-receives-dcgi-approval-for-cytokine-therapy-trial-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16398/hcg-receives-dcgi-approval-for-cytokine-therapy-trial-.html Fri, 08 May 2020 12:00:00 +0530 In an attempt to find possible solution to the COVID-19 affected, the Centre of Academic Research of HCG Cancer Hospital has received permission from DCGI (Drug Controller General of India) to conduct cytokine therapy trial on humans, named as I-Crest protocol (Immuno-modulatory Cell-deRived cytokine ES Therapy). Acclaimed as the first such development in the world, the WHO registered clinical trial of cytokine therapy gained momentum with the encouraging support from Government of India and Government of Karnataka. Karnataka COVID task force under B.S. Yediyurappa, Chief Minister of Karnataka and led by B Sriramulu, Minister for Health and Family Welfare & Backward Classes Welfare, Dr Sudhakar K, Minister for Medical Education, and Dr. Ashwathnarayan C. N, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, Government of Karnataka has set exemplary efforts in driving the clinical trial, therefore strengthening the fight against COVID 19 in the country. The therapy recently concluded animal studies showing desired results and has received approval for single-centre, non-randomized, single-arm, open-label, proof-of-concept, first-in-man interventional trial. The trial will be conducted at HCG Cancer Hospital, Bengaluru. Cytokine therapy is aimed at treating patients with mild or moderate symptomatic covid-19 infection cases. This cytokine therapy is essentially a mix of chemical messengers that helps accentuate the switch from passive to active immunity. It also enhances the release of Interferons, which plays a crucial role in the early phases of the infection. This mixture is useful in the early phases and symptomatic patients. Clinical trial is set to commence from early next week and the pre-screening of individuals who can volunteer will start immediately. There are a set of criteria and guidelines that needs to be followed prior to selecting an individual for the trial. Speaking on the initiative Dr BS Ajaikumar, CEO and Chairman, HealthCare Global (HCG) said “India aims to be at the forefront of research and make contributions in understanding and finding solutions to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. I am glad that HCG is playing an important part in putting our best scientific foot forward in contributing towards the war against COVID-19. At HCG we not only focus on providing affordable, quality care and best outcomes in cancer care, but research and academics are also equally important for us to serve the people at large. We appreciate the support provided by the government in encouraging our efforts to conduct cytokine therapy trial on humans to combat the current pandemic”.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16396/wipro-ge-healthcare-pphf-partner-with-karnataka-govt.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16396/wipro-ge-healthcare-pphf-partner-with-karnataka-govt.html Fri, 08 May 2020 00:00:00 +0530 The Government of Karnataka has transformed its administrative office at Kandhya Bhawan, Ramanagaram District into a dedicated COVID-19 referral hospital. Wipro GE Healthcare and its NGO partner People to People Health Foundation (PPHF) have partnered with the Department of Health and Family Welfare , Government of Karnataka to support this Isolation Centre with 50 Isolation beds and an ICU comprising of 9 motorized beds. WGE and PPHF have also provided 500 PPEs and N95 masks to ensure safety of doctors and frontline healthcare workers in Bengaluru, “India is courageously working in managing the Corona impact. We are committed to take forward the vision of our government of a Corona free nation. We appreciate the timely support from Wipro GE Healthcare and People to People Health Foundation (PPHF) for supporting the dedicated COVID 19 referral hospital and donating essential protective supplies for emergency responders. Let us come out together stronger than ever as a nation said Sri. B. Sriramulu, Honourable Health and Family Welfare Minister, Government of Karnataka. “The manner in which the government, healthcare sector, companies and society has come together to solve the challenges arising out of Covid-19 is truly outstanding,” said Nalinikanth Gollagunta, Managing Director, Wipro GE Healthcare. “Our CSR is focused around efforts that positively improve lives of people and communities we serve. We are thankful to government of Karnataka for this partnership and hope this helps them address the unprecedented demand arising out of this pandemic to meet address patient needs and save lives.”   Partnership with RML, Delhi Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi has established a dedicated COVID 19 Hospital (Block 1 and Block 2), a  5-floor Isolation Centre to support the increasing demand of COVID-19 patients. Wipro GE Healthcare (WGE) and PPHF have supported this isolation centre with 90 isolation beds and a dedicated ICU comprising of 30 motorized beds. Also, 500 PPE kits and N95 masks have been provided for doctors and healthcare workers at RML. “An unimaginable crisis has surrounded us, and our collective response will save lives.  PPHF being a public health organization is collaborating with private sectors and extending its support to the Government of India on strengthening the health system infrastructure by providing life supporting medical equipment and supplies  to COVID-19 hospitals, supporting healthcare workers  on infection prevention and supporting hygiene promotion activities in the community.” said Dr Laxmikant Palo, CEO, PPHF. “I’m delighted that the Wipro GE Healthcare and PPHF partnership will help to contribute to the government’s efforts to save lives.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16387/govt-focuses-on-prevention-of-vector-borne-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16387/govt-focuses-on-prevention-of-vector-borne-diseases.html Thu, 07 May 2020 09:05:00 +0530 Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare chaired a high-level meeting through video conferencing (VC) to review the preparedness for prevention and control of Vector Borne Diseases (VBDs) (Malaria, Dengue, and Chikungunya) in Delhi. Stressing on the importance of widespread awareness on prevention and control of theVBDs, the Union Health Minister urged all stakeholders to undertake awareness drives through active community participation and cooperation of all stakeholders such as RWAs, shopkeepers’/traders’ associations while considering all the precautionary measures being taken against COVID-19. The Health Minister said,“Among the specific target-oriented modified strategies that need to be put in place for combating malaria, dengue and chikungunya, our main focus should be on controlling the vector itself.” “Simple steps can be taken for keeping the surroundings clean and free from Aedes mosquitoes. Stagnant water should be checked and larva sites should be effectively neutralized. Success of the Vector Control Programme is related to community participation and ownership”, he said. He further added, “Commitment at all levels is essential for prevention and control of these diseases andit is the responsibility of all of us to ensure that we don’t create an environment for mosquitoes to breed.” Dr. Harsh Vardhan further said that VBD problem is a perennial one and this year it has come at the time when the whole country is grappling with the outbreak of COVID-19. He further stated, “There was a severe outbreak of Dengue in Delhi in 2015, which affected nearly 16,000 people and killed 60. As compared to that situation, presently we are in a better position as around 50 dengue cases have reported so far in the city. However, we cannot afford to be complacent in our approach in our fight against Dengue.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16386/drdo-designs-uv-disinfection-tower.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16386/drdo-designs-uv-disinfection-tower.html Thu, 07 May 2020 08:00:00 +0530 Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed an Ultra Violet (UV) Disinfection Tower for rapid and chemical free disinfection of high infection prone areas.  The equipment named UV blaster is a UV based area sanitiser designed and developed by Laser Science & Technology Centre (LASTEC), the Delhi based premier laboratory of DRDO with the help of New Age Instruments and Materials Private Limited, Gurugram.  The UV Blaster is useful for high tech surfaces like electronic equipment, computers and other gadgets in laboratories and offices that are not suitable for disinfection with chemical methods. The product is also effective for areas with large flow of people such as airports, shopping malls, metros, hotels, factories, offices, etc. The UV based area sanitiser may be used by remote operation through laptop/mobile phone using wifi link. The equipment has six lamps each with 43 watts of UV-C power at 254 nm wavelength for 360 degree illumination. For a room of about 12 x 12 feet dimension, the disinfection time is about 10 minutes and 30 minutes for 400 square feet area by positioning the equipment at different places within the room. This sanitiser switches off on accidental opening of room or human intervention. One more salient safety feature of the product is the key to arm operation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16368/clinivantage-launches-management-solution-cliniq-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16368/clinivantage-launches-management-solution-cliniq-.html Wed, 06 May 2020 08:25:00 +0530 Mumbai based CliniVantage Healthcare Technologies has launched CliniQ which is a complete practice management solution with telemedicine & advanced features that encompasses a mobile application for patients and the integration of smart IoT devices. The solution launched a week back has signed up more than 300 doctors and has been successful in revolutionizing the synergy between patients and doctors by plugging intuitive technology to provide real-time care during COVID-19. Currently what India needs is a quality healthcare system that is affordable and accessible to most of Indian citizens. With all the possible uncertainties we don’t have a clear picture of how to mitigate the spread of pandemics like COVID 19 in vulnerable populations. At present, technology is turning out to be our best bet for enabling early detection of the disease and supporting remote monitoring. The right use of technology will enable physicians to do real-time monitoring of the health data to accelerate the treatment in time with improved effectiveness. Nilesh Jain, Co-Founder & Managing Director, CliniVantage Healthcare Technologies, said, “The fear surrounding the spread of the pandemic COVID 19 has increased the engagement with digital health throughout the world. The outbreak is an example of how a country like India needs to speed up the adoption of technology to address the need of the masses. The idea behind the launch of CliniQ is to bridge the gap between people, physicians, and health systems, enabling everyone, especially symptomatic patients, to stay at home and communicate with physicians through virtual channels, helping to reduce the spread of the virus to mass populations and the medical staff on the frontlines.” “CliniQ helps practitioners to build, scale, and optimize their practice by providing service through virtual examination,” he added India's healthcare system is inadequate to provide quality infrastructure and workforce to millions of its citizens is well known. CliniQ has unified all the roles of doctor’s practice so that they can provide advanced clinical care, and bypass various redundant tasks to seamlessly communicate, exchange medical records, and information. CliniQ’s patient app will allow patients to notify doctors at the time of emergency and access as well as renew the diagnostics orders & e-prescription. The startup plans to connect patients, physicians, and specialists on one platform in order to take the second opinion which is required for the right treatment. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16384/drdo-riot-labz-develop-oakmist-sanitizer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16384/drdo-riot-labz-develop-oakmist-sanitizer.html Wed, 06 May 2020 08:25:00 +0530 All government offices and residences of notable personnel, including Rashtrapati Bhawan, PMO, Supreme Court, Ministry of Home Affairs, among others have been equipped with DRDO and Delhi based Riot Labz developed OakMist, contactless sanitizer dispenser which sprays alcohol-based hand rub sanitizer solution. Following an advisory on MHA for Lockdown’s phase 3 on contactless sanitization, the product has been made available for masses. Named OakMist, the product is based on water mist aerator technology, which was developed for water conservation. The unit operates without contact and is activated through an ultrasonic sensor. A single fluid nozzle with low flow rate is used to generate aerated mist to dispense the hand rub sanitizer. This sanitizer the hands with minimum wastage. Shishir Gupta, Founder and CEO, Riot Labz said, “India’s fight against the novel Corona can only be won by adopting healthy health habits, sanitization being prime of all. Riot Labs is taking this innovation across the length and width of the country.” According to recent research, the number of times we touch our faces can be anywhere around 23 to 50 times per day. OakMist is a must for all establishments, commercial and noncommercial to ensure utmost safety against Coronavirus. The unit has already been installed in major government offices including DRDO Bhawan, PMO, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Army offices, Supreme Court and other premises.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16383/synphne-starts-telehealth-services-for-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16383/synphne-starts-telehealth-services-for-patients.html Tue, 05 May 2020 20:10:00 +0530 The COVID-19 pandemic has left a large number of patients suffering from Neuromuscular disorders such as stroke, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), Parkinsons and Learning disabilities (LD) in a precarious condition because of a sudden loss of access to therapy. To cater to the needs of these patients, SynPhNe, a Digital Neurological Therapeutics company, has adopted Telehealth initiative to provide virtual therapy/online sessions to their patients. Based on the assessment of the patient’s past and current condition, a trained therapist from SynPhNe guides them through an exercise routine that has been specially customized keeping in mind the improvement goals that are mutually set. Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability in India. People who survive a stroke suffer from acute to severe functional movements & cognition related disorders. Many of stroke survivors find difficulties in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as eating with their own hands, maintaining personal hygiene, wearing clothes by themselves etc. These patients require continual and prolonged therapy for both, improving function and to prevent regression. A lot of these stroke patients have comorbidities such as Diabetes, Hypertension, etc., which necessitates doing some level of physical exercise; the online sessions help address this need as well. The patients suffering from cognition deficit are asked to do tasks like reading, writing alphabets, doing a simple puzzle, etc. Abhijeet Pandit, Director & CEO, SynPhNe India Pvt Ltd, VP Global Network Dev. & Marketing said, “The current and future need is to adopt the concept of telehealth and telemedicine in delivering care and therapy to our patients. Since the lockdown, we have initiated, with great success, online consulting and therapy. SynPhNe technology has been made commercially available on two platforms - the SynPhNe Xpert (for franchisees, hospitals and clinics) and the SynPhNe eNabl (for home users). In the current scenario, post lockdown, depending upon the requirement, the patients can either purchase or rent the device and use it at home with the SynPhNe therapists monitoring their progress online with the help of the data being generated during every therapy session.” “We see an increasing trend of patients wanting to maintain social distancing even after the lockdown is lifted & therefore, going forward, SynPhNe will move aggressively to convince the patients to adopt SynPhNe technology at home. Post lockdown, for patients who prefer to visit SynPhNe Care centres, we will offer our patients a combination of offline and online sessions, as per their preference. The online sessions will essentially supplement what we do offline”, he added. SynPhNe has its corporate headquarters in Singapore & two subsidiaries, one in Mumbai, India and second in New Jersey, USA.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16370/sctimst-develops-2-types-of-swabs-for-covid-19-testing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16370/sctimst-develops-2-types-of-swabs-for-covid-19-testing.html Tue, 05 May 2020 09:00:00 +0530 Technologists at theThiruvananthapuram based Sree Chitra Triunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology, Govt of India, have developed two types of nasal and oral swabs and viral transport medium for COVID-19 testing. Chitra EmBed flocked nylon swabs (co-developed with Mallelil Industries Pvt ltd), and Chitra EnMesh, polymeric foam-tipped, lint-free swabs with flexible plastic handles developed by technologists Dr. Lynda V Thomas, Dr. Shyni Velayudhan and Dr. Maya Nandakumar from SCTIMST have both proven efficiency in the adequacy of specimen collection and rapid elution (extracting one material from another by washing with a solvent) of specimen into the liquid viral medium. They also have good recovery of viral RNA collected using these swabs and medium. The swabs will be available as sterile, ready-to-use devices. The swabs are designed for efficiency and comfort in the working environment and help in improved specimen collection with minimum discomfort to patients. Their safe and convenient breakpoint ensures minimal contact of the health worker with the sample during packing. The second innovation, Chitra Viral Transport Medium, is specifically designed to retain the virus in its active form during its transportation from the collection point to the laboratory. Currently, kits containing 50 (3ml/vial) viral transport medium with 50 swabs cost is upwards of Rs 12000/. Technologies for both swabs and viral transport medium have been transferred to two industries for immediate manufacture and sales- Mallelil Industries, Origin diagnostics, and Levram Life sciences. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16373/healthtech-innovations-should-focus-beyond-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16373/healthtech-innovations-should-focus-beyond-covid-19.html Mon, 04 May 2020 18:00:00 +0530 Several industry leaders in healthcare converge at this virtual conference and addressed how this ongoing pandemic is a huge opportunity for India’s healthcare industry.“Healthcare systems, in India and across the world, are being pressure tested. At such a time, the critical role of technology in bolstering the system has never been more apparent. Technology can be used for a range of purposes such as manufacturing smart low-cost devices, remote consultation platforms, monitoring health wearables, democratizing diagnostics, enabling policy development and engineer ecosystems to calibrate collective efforts of governments,” said Rekha Menon, Vice Chairperson of NASSCOM, Chairman & Senior Managing Director of Accenture in India, in her opening address. COVID19 caught us unaware but next time, we will be prepared, said Dr. Devi Shetty, Chairman & Founder, Narayana Health, while presenting keynote address at two-hour virtual web conference on Combating COVID19 Through Technology organized by NASSCOM Center of Excellence IoT & AI’s flagship healthcare initiative LHIF & NASSCOM Product Council.  He further added, "District Administrative officers need to be empowered to administer as many tests as possible, track patients and quarantine them. My advice to entrepreneurs is to develop products beyond the scope of COVID19, identify large hospital chains for strategic and fruitful partnerships, and build products that doctors can advocate. The purpose of technology is to make healthcare safer, affordable and accessible for patients." “TeleHealth made it to the Top of The Charts during this pandemic. It is not only addressing the non-COVID related healthcare needs of the public in this lock-down scenario, but it is going to significantly transform the way healthcare is delivered in the future. All new HealthTech innovators should be building solutions that work seamlessly with the TeleHealth Platforms,” said Raghuram Janapareddy, Director of Healthcare & Life sciences, NASSCOM CoE and moderator of the webinar. Technologies like Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to track patients and help authorities plan for adequate quarantine and isolation measures have delivered results in other health crises like Ebola and malaria outbreaks, and is proving to be very useful during COVID19 too, said Agendra Kumar, President of Esri India Technologies. Speaking about enhancing India’s status as a medical device manufacturer, Nitesh Jangir, Director Coeo Labs, whose product VAPCare is protecting doctors from ventilated COVID19 patients, said, "The need is to scale up India’s ability to develop products in low-resource settings and it has to be deployed across geographies." Meanwhile, other speakers discussed at length about various products and solutions designed to help navigate a ‘new world order’.  Abhishek Shah, Co -Founder and CEO Wealthy Therapeutics shared his views on managing healthcare remotely through digital therapeutics.  Dr. Aravind Kasargod, Group Medical Director, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals,highlighted how this crisis has changed the perception towards government-run hospitals in India, emphasizing that it is time to reset the healthcare ecosystem in India by actively leveraging technologies like cloud computing and AI to build products and solutions that can be widely adopted.  The entire event was driven by a unique ‘UN-conference’ format, where participants got an opportunity to suggest conferencetopics and nominate speakers of their choice. There were nearly 100 speaker nominations, which were shortlisted to four based on a consensus of public votes and internal recommendations by an expert panel. Later the participants voted for the topics to be presented during the webinar. The session featured Rekha M. Menon, Vice Chairperson of NASSCOM and Chairman & Senior Managing Director of Accenture in India who gave the opening address and Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty, Chairman & Founder, Narayana Health who presented the keynote. Dr. Aravind Kasargod, Group Medical Director, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Agendra Kumar, President of Esri India Technologies, Abhishek Shah, Cofounder of WellThy Diagnostics and Nitesh Jangir, Cofounder of Ceoe Labswere the other speakers. The Whole event was very well moderated by Raghuram Janapareddy, who leads the Lifesciences & Healthcare Practice at NASSCOM. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16358/dst-unveils-health-communication-programme.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16358/dst-unveils-health-communication-programme.html Fri, 01 May 2020 14:00:00 +0530 National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC), Department of Science & Technology (DST) has launched a programme on health and risk communication ‘Year of Awareness on Science & Health (YASH)’ with focus on COVID-19. It is a comprehensive and effective science and health communication effort for promoting grass-root level appreciation and response on health and would help saving and shaping the lives of people at large, as well as build confidence, inculcate scientific temper and promote health consciousness among them. Under the programme, strategies have been worked out to involve academic, research, media, and voluntary organizations to facilitate necessary actions and emergency preparedness of society to address the challenge.   The programme is aimed at minimizing risks at all levels with the help of public communication and outreach activities, promoting public understanding of common minimum science for community care and health safety measures like personal sanitation and hygiene, physical distancing, maintaining desired collective behaviour and so on. It also includes information dissemination mechanisms to reduce the fear of risks and build confidence with necessary understanding for adopting sustainable healthy lifestyles and nurturing scientific culture among masses and societies. "In the absence of vaccines and cure for COVID-19, conveying the authentic best practices on cutting down on the transmission of virus and its management are of paramount significance. In order for a widespread grass-roots impact, our communication strategies have to be multidimensional, engaging, informative and delivered with speed and scale," said Professor Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, DST. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16348/cmeri-designs-robot-to-assist-healthcare-workers.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16348/cmeri-designs-robot-to-assist-healthcare-workers.html Thu, 30 Apr 2020 08:05:00 +0530 Healthcare workers at hospitals are risking COVID-19 infection while taking care of those infected by it 24/7. Perhaps the level of risk may get reduced hereafter with the help of a new friend, HCARD. The robotic device HCARD, in short for Hospital Care Assistive Robotic Device, can help frontline healthcare workers in maintaining physical distance from those infected by coronavirus. HCARD is developed by Durgapur-based CSIR lab, Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI). The device is equipped with various state-of-the-art technologies and works both in automatic as well as manual modes of navigation. This robot can be controlled and monitored by a nursing booth with a control station having such features as navigation, drawer activation for providing medicines and food to patients, sample collection and audio-visual communication. Prof. (Dr.) Harish Hirani, Director, CSIR-CMERI stated that “This Hospital Care Assistive Robotic Device could be effective for frontline healthcare officials dealing with COVID-19 patients in delivering services while maintaining mandatory physical distancing”. The cost of this device is less than Rs 5 lakh and the weight is less than 80 kilograms, added Prof. Hirani. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16353/dkms-builds-stem-cell-bank-for-blood-cancer-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16353/dkms-builds-stem-cell-bank-for-blood-cancer-patients.html Thu, 30 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0530 How to help blood cancer patients even faster in the future? Especially in times of the worldwide health crisis caused by the coronavirus and other crises in the future? DKMS speeds up its process to freeze surplus blood stem cells from unrelated donors by building a stem cell bank. The innovation: A stem cell donor can save two lives with one donation. . As the world’s largest donor center, DKMS thus tackles new and future challenges with the establishment of the DKMS Stem Cell Bank, which is currently underway. Operations are planned to start already in this year in Dresden, Germany. The benefit: In the near future coordinators and transplant centers can rely on blood stem cell donations with the most common genotypes, even in difficult times. In India every 5 minutes someone is diagnosed with blood cancer or other blood related disorders like Thalassemia and Aplastic Anemia and many patients cannot survive without a life-saving stem cell donation. Only one third of patients find a matching donor in their own family while the majority depends on an unrelated donor, who is a genetic match with the patient. For many patients, the search for a donor is the beginning of a race against time. The faster a suitable donor is found, the better the chances of survival for the patient. “Freezing” or “cryopreservation” of surplus blood stem cells is a further important step when it comes to fast availability. “With the DKMS Stem Cell Bank, we are investing to be prepared for a potential second wave of the Coronavirus and the challenges associated with blood stem cell collections during a global epidemic or crisis. We are doing everything possible to overcome these obstacles now and in the future. A team of internationally recognized experts is working almost around the clock to accelerate its establishment”, says Dr. Elke Neujahr, Global CEO DKMS. In times, where the Corona crisis presents donor centers and registries such as the non-profit organization DKMS with enormous challenges, the unique advantages of cryopreserved blood stem cells acquire increased importance. “At present some donors are not allowed to or they are afraid to travel to the collection centers to make their life-saving blood stem cell donation. Thus, we plan to start operations at our stem cell bank, which will produce, store, and once requested provide cryopreserved peripheral blood stem cell products from unrelated donors hopefully by the end of this year.”, says Dr. Alexander Schmidt, DKMS Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Alexander Platz, Medical Director of the DKMS Cord Blood Bank and future DKMS Stem Cell Bank, is pursuing the project together with his team with great conviction and commitment: "Our stem cell bank is a very innovative and forward-looking. With our stem cell bank we will be able to help patients all over the world even faster and more effectively". Once a suitable match has been found for a patient, it usually takes several weeks before the donor's stem cells can be harvested and the patient's stem cell transplantation can take place.” Speaking about the importance of such stem cell bank Mr. Patrick Paul, CEO, DKMS BMST Foundation India said, “I am glad about the setup of such highly advanced and state-of-the-art stem cell bank which will help patients across the world in their fight against blood cancer. This fight can only be won if we continue to find new ways to combat this disease. Making cryopreserved peripheral blood stem cells from our donors available across the globe for unrelated stem cell transplantation is a new and efficient approach to help even more patients.” The DKMS Stem Cell Bank is not a private stem cell bank for the storage of cord blood against payment. The DKMS Stem Cell Bank makes cryopreserved blood stem cells available for unrelated allogenic stem cell transplantation. The cells are collected by apheresis in addition to a directed donation of a volunteer donor. In accordance with its mission, the stem cell bank is a non-profit organization and therefore not geared towards profit. “With this method, we can make the cryopreserved peripheral blood stem cells from our donors available to patients across the globe for unrelated stem cell transplants. Our approach is very special, straightforward and 100% ethically acceptable for our donors. There is no extra effort involved as we are only going to ask donors who are donating anyway for a specific patient. That way our donors might save two lives with one donation”, says Platz. “In our experience, many donors mobilize considerably more stem cells than a single patient actually needs,” Dr. Alexander Platz adds. The collection of the additional stem cells is therefore always only carried out within the framework of a stem cell collection, which would take place anyway, and always via the blood. In contrast to a bone marrow donation, surgery or anesthesia are not necessary for peripheral stem cell collection. For the donor, the removal of additional cells, apart from a somewhat longer apheresis period, does not mean any additional effort. A "standard” stem cell donation will be carried out in which the permissible blood volume will be processed. Once the donation takes place, it will be decided whether two products can be obtained – one for the patient waiting for the transplant, the other for storage in the stem cell bank. Before the stem cell bank can go into operation, a cleanroom laboratory needs to be set up “Building works are underway and we are confident, that we will be able to store our first 100 cryopreserved stem cell products by the end of 2020," says Platz. In a first step, DKMS will consider above all donors with particularly frequent HLA characteristic combinations and a subsequent higher probability of donation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16342/care-fit-collaborates-with-columbia-asia-india-to-enhance-teleconsultation-services.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16342/care-fit-collaborates-with-columbia-asia-india-to-enhance-teleconsultation-services.html Wed, 29 Apr 2020 12:00:00 +0530 In order to enhance its teleconsultation services in the country care.fit, cure.fit’s primary healthcare vertical has announced its partnership with Columbia Asia India. As part of the collaboration, doctors from more than 20 specialties and super specialties from Columbia Asia will be available on the care.fit platform for a tele-consult. Speaking about the partnership, Madan Somasundaram, Head care.fit said, “We are delighted to collaborate with one of the most trusted and high quality hospital chains, Columbia Asia India to provide quick and easy medical consultation to those in need, during these testing times. We are trying to pool every resource we can, to help serve people. Our association with Columbia Asia India will help in making health easy and touching more lives.” This announcement comes weeks after care.fit launched telemedicine services across the country. The organization offers primary care services, including both online and offline consultation services along with full-body check-up in its state-of-the-art clinics and customized health plans for various specialties. Dr. Nandakumar Jairam, Chairman and CEO from Columbia Asia India said, “As a leading healthcare provider in the region, we are always looking to find new ways of connecting with patients in the country. care.fit’s teleconsultation service is the apt platform to bridge the gap between patients and doctors. This will surely enable us to provide optimized services to our patients.” Columbia Asia India is one of the leading hospital chains in the country with hospitals in Bengaluru, Pune, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Kolkata, Mysore and Patiala.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16336/total-ayurveda-care-unveils-innovative-telemedicine-service.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16336/total-ayurveda-care-unveils-innovative-telemedicine-service.html Wed, 29 Apr 2020 11:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru based Ayurveda company, TotalAyurvedaCare.com recently launched a novel telemedicine platform that blends traditional Ayurvedic practices with modern technology, giving patients face-to-face interactions with Ayurvedic doctors. Through the website, patients can book an appointment with a doctor and receive a consultation. Following this consultation, the doctor will prescribe Ayurvedic medicines and provide nutritional advice. Ed Lateef, Founder and CEO of TotalAyurvedaCare.com said, “COVID-19 has brought many unexpected changes to our lives, especially in the healthcare sectors where patients are now asked not to visit hospitals or doctors clinics unless it is a dire emergency. While social distancing and hand washing are some of the keys to containing the spread of the Virus, we realized that boosting one's immunity plays a very vital role in keeping healthy. Our Telemedicine portal is ideal as patients can have access to Ayurvedic doctors at the comfort of their homes while minimizing risk to both patient and doctor.” TotalAyurvedaCare’s objective is to increase accessibility of Ayurvedic treatments, with the streamlined website allowing patients to register for online consultation easily. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16318/covid-19-disinfection-in-varanasi-using-special-drones.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16318/covid-19-disinfection-in-varanasi-using-special-drones.html Mon, 27 Apr 2020 09:00:00 +0530 Invest India, India’s National Investment Promotion Agency have closely collaborated through the AGNI Mission, and Invest India’s Business Immunity Platform (BIP) - to facilitate the use of specially designed drones to support Covid-19 disinfection in Varanasi. The Government’s Covid-19 strategies align with global best practice: protecting Indians against Covid-19, by minimising their chances of catching it. To boost local authority capacities in achieving this, the Government is leveraging the power of technology. Drones offer an answer. Using drones, authorities could spray disinfectant over large, crowded, vulnerable urban areas: protecting city-dwellers from Covid-19, while reducing human contact to keep frontline workers safe. Helping Garuda Aerospace, a Chennai-based drone startup, respond to Varanasi’s interest in such disinfection: the team worked with Central, State, and local government authorities to help get Garuda’s technologies and personnel to Varanasi. The team monitored and supported every step of this exercise: helping Government and innovator collaborate to fight Covid-19 together. Drone operations in Varanasi have just commenced. The team will now extend similar capabilities to more cities across India. This forms part of a wider effort to use innovative technology, via Government-innovator collaboration, to reinforce Indian authorities’ fight against Covid-19. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16315/iit-d-to-upscale-antiviral-nano-coatings-for-masks.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16315/iit-d-to-upscale-antiviral-nano-coatings-for-masks.html Fri, 24 Apr 2020 16:00:00 +0530 As part of Nano Mission programme, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has approved support for upscaling an antiviral nano-coatings developed by Professor Ashwini Kumar Agrawal of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi for use as appropriate material for producing anti-COVID-19 Triple Layer Medical masks and N-95 respirator in large quantities. Silver is known to have strong antimicrobial activity against bacteria, viruses, fungus, and so on. Professor Agrawal developed N9 blue nanosilver at SMITA Research Lab, IIT Delhi, under the nanomission project, and will be carrying out the upscaling work in association with two industrial partners Resil Chemicals Pvt Ltd. Bangalore and Nanoclean Global Pvt Ltd., New Delhi. Resil chemicals will provide N9 blue nanosilver. Nanoclean Global will provide face masks and PPE materials for the application of nanocoating and will help in the design and fabrication of samples at their facilities. "DST has initiated and nurtured nanoscience activities in the country in the last two decades producing quality human resources, infrastructure and knowledge in this globally competitive area. Today India stands 3rd globally in the number of scientific publications in nanosciences. The use of highly effective antimicrobial nanoparticles on PPEs, masks etc is a useful application that will provide an extra layer of protection for the high risk settings, such as for the medical workers", said Professor Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, DST. Prof Agrawal, along with his team, proposes to evaluate antiviral properties of this compound against COVID-19 in association with AIIMS, New Delhi, and ILBS, New Delhi. The N9 blue nanosilver, which is a highly potent antimicrobial agent, will be further modified to form nanocomplexes with Zinc compounds to achieve a synergistic effect. Subsequently, these nanomaterials will be applied as coatings on facemasks and other PPEs to improve their ability to protect the wearer from accidental contamination from COVID-19 virus droplets. The researchers will evaluate the shelf life of the coatings and their efficacy with different storage conditions such as temperature, humidity, and time and prepare facemasks and PPEs and provide these for field trials. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16311/max-healthcare-to-study-the-role-of-hcqs-as-a-prophylaxis-for-healthcare-workers-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16311/max-healthcare-to-study-the-role-of-hcqs-as-a-prophylaxis-for-healthcare-workers-.html Fri, 24 Apr 2020 12:35:00 +0530 Max Healthcare has announced a large-scale observational study involving the use of Hydroxy-chloroquine prophylaxis (HCQS) amongst its healthcare workers (HCW’s) including those taking care of Covid 19 positive patients. The study aims to collect sero-epidemiological data from 10,000 healthcare workers from Max Healthcare and Radiant Lifecare and study the effectiveness of HCQS as a prophylaxis for Covid 19 infection. The study will look at large amount of data from healthcare workers and will try to establish a co-relation between the use of HCQS prophylaxis and the incidence of Covid 19 amongst healthcare workers. This study assumes greater importance in the light of the recommendation of the National Task Force for Covid 19 constituted by ICMR regarding the administration of HCQS as a prophylaxis in large populations of people at higher risk. Basis the results of this study, Max Healthcare might decide to conduct a randomised control study of the HCQS prophylaxis. This is the first study involving Covid 19 that was approved by ICMR. This is also the first study from India to be registered on clinicaltrials.gov a global registry for clinical trials. Dr Sujeet Jha, Principal Investigator, Principal Director, Endocrinology and Diabetes at Max Healthcare said, ‘’Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the clinicians and scientists community have been in a race to research various aspects of this disease to explore possible prevention and treatment aspects. It is only clinical research that will help prevention of further spread of this disease. The main aim is to reach out to maximum number of HCWs, follow up on incidence of COVID in HCWs and understand the disease pattern in relation to Hydroxy-chloroquine in COVID prevention.” Abhay Soi, Chairman Max Healthcare added, ‘’Max Healthcare has always strived to be at the fore-front of medical research and this study will greatly add to our knowledge regarding the role of HCQS in preventing Covid 19 amongst the Healthcare Workers (HCW’s) and other higher risk groups. We are hopeful that this will be our small but significant contribution in the global fight against Covid 19.” The results of the study are likely to be published in another 3 weeks. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16283/hcg-to-begin-clinical-trial-of-plasma-therapy-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16283/hcg-to-begin-clinical-trial-of-plasma-therapy-.html Thu, 23 Apr 2020 10:00:00 +0530 As the number of COVID cases soar in India, HCG – the specialist in cancer finds a ray of hope to alleviate the patients diagnosed with the disease. In a positive development to the situation and adding hope to find a possibility to fight the virus, Bengaluru based HCG cancer hospital has received grant from Directorate General of Healthcare Services(DGHS), Government of India under the provisions of New Drugs and Clinical Trial Rules, 2019 to begin clinical trial of proposed Convalescent Plasma Therapy. Convalescent Plasma Therapy is an experimental procedure for COVID-19 patients. In this treatment, plasma from a COVID-19 patient who has recovered from the disease is transfused into a coronavirus patient who is in critical condition. Passive antibody therapy, through transfusion of convalescent plasma, may prevent clinical infection or blunt clinical severity in individuals with recent pathogen exposure. Antibody therapy can also be used to treat patients who are already manifesting symptoms of varying severity. Speaking about this Dr. Vishal Rao, Associate Dean – Centre of Academics and Research, HealthCare Global (HCG) Cancer Centre says, “The idea behind this therapy is that immunity can be transferred from a healthy person to a sick patient using convalescent plasma. This therapy uses antibodies from the blood of a recovered coronavirus patient to treat another critical patient. The recovered COVID-19 patient's blood develops antibodies to battle against COVID-19. Once the blood of the first patient is infused to the second patient, those antibodies will start fighting against coronavirus in the second person.” He also added, “HCG has always believed in multi-disciplinary team approach, therefore to ensure that clinical trial is successful, we have on board Immuno-Haematologist, Infectious diseases experts, Immunologist, Intensivist, Pulmonologist / Physician, Cell & molecular biologist diagnostics lab experts and Clinical Research Organisation (CRO) throughout.” Talking about the pipeline of clinical trials, Dr. Vishal added, “We have submitted 3 protocols from Karnataka to DCGI and ICMR for expedited review. These are - Cell-derived Cytokine Therapy Trial for Early stage COVID patients, Mesenchymal Cell therapy clinical trial - Moderate Stage and Convalescent plasma therapy Clinical Trial - Severe stage.” The research began during the initial days of the COVID scare, when Dr. Gururaj A. Rao, Director, iCrest, HCG Cancer Hospital decided to find out a possibility of treating COVID patients through Plasma Therapy along with colleagues and team. He says, “The concept of convalescent plasma therapy has been used earlier in other situations such as EBOLA pandemic with some success so it made sense for us to think about exploring the utility of Plasma therapy in COVID patients.  Recovered patients would have developed antibodies against the virus and we believe that these antibodies will help an ailing patient fight the virus and help in the recovery. Dr. Gururaj further added, “We submitted our protocol to the drug controller after we obtained clearance from HCG ethics committee. After several reviews by the Drug controller special review committee and the ICMR committee, we have been granted permission to start the clinical trial. The efforts put by my colleagues Dr. Jyothsna, Research Director, iCREST, HCG and Dr. Ashish Dhoot, HOD, Transfusion Medicine, HCG is outstanding. As a team, we believe that convalescent therapy holds promise in severe cases of COVID..” Supporting the clinical team’s effort to create a solution, Dr. BS Ajaikumar, Chairman & CEO said, “This is a considerable development in the given crisis situation, and I appreciate the immunology team at HCG who have been working tirelessly to create evidence based solution for clinical trial. We thank the Government of India and Government of Karnataka for supporting the trial of the protocol. The trial will begin earliest in hospitals as identified by the Government following the mandate with the expertise of the HCG clinical team. HCG aims in creating solutions and offers value based medicine - basis cutting edge research. This time we will take a final decision on the effectiveness of the Plasma Therapy after the clinical trials are completed.” Dr. Ashish Dhoot, Consultant and Head, Blood Bank and Stem Cells, HCG said, “Convalescent Plasma Therapy is a form of Immuno-Therapy wherein we provide passive immunity through focused immunoglobulins to patients with severe COVID-19 infection, who were unable to launch an active, appropriate immunological attack on the virus. This therapy, if works good in our clinical trial, will help us save such sick patients requiring ICU support to get cured quickly and will reduce mortality and morbidity of this epidemic. Corona virus is a new/novel virus that has not just crossed the animal-human barrier but has also been successful in spreading from man to man. It has a very high infectivity and an unexplained high mortality. Adding to that, researchers have reported that some of the patients, after becoming virus negative, become positive again at a later stage. And surprisingly they remain healthy afterwards. The pathophysiology of the virus is a mystery that many scientists are working on currently.” This virus shares some of its antigenic characteristics with the HIV virus. This has helped us in treating the Corona virus patients with some of the antiviral drugs used for HIV infection. Some more and efficient drugs against it are on research, including Convalescent Plasma Therapy. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16293/atlas-copco-completes-medical-gas-pipeline-project-at-sassoon-hospital-in-record-time.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16293/atlas-copco-completes-medical-gas-pipeline-project-at-sassoon-hospital-in-record-time.html Thu, 23 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Atlas Copco - a leader in medical and laboratory gas systems completed the medical gas pipeline system project at Sassoon Hospital, Pune in a record time of 11 days. Where it normally takes 4 to 5 months planning and executing a project of such magnitude, the company undertook to complete the project in a much shorter time to provide support to the hospital in treating COVID-19 patients. Amit Kumar Srivastava, Business Line Manager, Atlas Copco Compressor Technique, said, “We were actively involved in the process to ensure that we deliver our best services to the hospital in view of this pandemic. The project required flawless collaboration, along with strategic planning to accomplish the task within the almost impossible timeline. We as an organization feel very proud and humbled that we were able to contribute our bit to the fight against COVID-19 and complete the medical gas pipeline project in a record time of 11 days.” All parts of the medical gas pipeline system by Beacon Medaes, such as medical oxygen system, medical air system, medical vacuum system, medical gas outlet and other accessories, are as per international medical standards. Atlas Copco has employees working remotely, and also at sites supporting essential services, following all health and safety guidelines, and is committed to strengthening and maintaining support to customers and partners at all times. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16294/ahpi-tn-welcomes-govts-ordinance-to-end-violence-against-medical-fraternity.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16294/ahpi-tn-welcomes-govts-ordinance-to-end-violence-against-medical-fraternity.html Thu, 23 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0530 The government has passed an ordinance to protect medical staff, doctors, Asha workers and all other frontline Covid-19 workers in the wake of the recent incidents of attacks on them. This comes soon after strong objections were registered by various medical associations including the Tamil Nadu Chapter of the Association of Healthcare Providers of India (AHPI - TN) urging the government to take strong action against perpetrators indulging in violence against medical professionals and their family members. Members of the AHPI-TN had requested that the Union Government enact a law with deterrent value for violence against the medical fraternity. In a statement issued yesterday by the AHPI-TN President, Dr. S Gurushankar, he had requested the government to take swift pre-emptive action to make healthcare staff feel more secure, allowing them to dispense their duties without the fear of any ostracism or victimisation. In his earlier pleas which he has repeatedly made to the government to enact such a law, he has noted that more than 75 percent doctors across the country have faced some form of violence while discharging their duties and many even died after being assaulted in such a manner. Commenting on the matter, Dr. S Gurushankar, President, Association of Healthcare Providers of India, Tamil Nadu Chapter (AHPI-TN), said: “We heartily welcome the fact that the government has taken cognizance of our plea and passed this ordinance. Incidents of violence against doctors were being reported almost on a daily basis across the country, even before COVID-19, with some resulting in grievous injuries. After the recent incident of denial of burial to Chennai based neurosurgeon Dr. Simon Hercules, who died after contracting coronavirus disease, the medical fraternity had reached the edge and was getting demoralised for not even being acknowledged for all their selfless work. This amendment will add much needed muscle to the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 and finally protect doctors and the medical community from such unwarranted violence.” Dr. Gurushankar has reiterated many a times in the past, even going to the extent of filing a petition in the Supreme Court to direct the government to pass laws to curb violence against doctors, that there is an urgent need to understand that vandalism and violence in a hospital or clinic is a criminal offence and any civilized society should have low tolerance for such heinous acts. “Till today, social and political leaders, instead of condemning such violence against doctors, tried to justify the situation. I am so relieved that finally, there is an ordinance in place that will provide adequate protection to doctors and their safety is no longer a trivial issue. However, this is only limited to the time while COVID-19 is prevalent. Once again, I will urge the government that they pass a law which goes beyond just epidemic situations and is a long-standing law providing adequate safety cover to members of the healthcare fraternity at all times,” he said. As per the ordinance, anyone who attacks or discriminates against corona warriors, will face strict action, including a jail term ranging from 6 months to 7 years and a penalty up to Rs 5 lakh, depending on the gravity of the case. Such crime will now be cognizable and non-bailable and investigation will be done within 30 days. Accused can be sentenced from 3 months to 5 years and penalised between Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 Lakh. If vehicles or clinics are damaged, then the accused will have to shell out a compensation amounting to twice the market value of the damaged property. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16281/omnicuris-launches-oc-connect-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16281/omnicuris-launches-oc-connect-.html Wed, 22 Apr 2020 15:30:00 +0530 Omnicuris, online platform for doctors, has introduced a new digital platform called ‘OC Connect’ to help doctors better engage with patients at a time of a global pandemic and improve the much-needed flow of credible information. The app allows doctors to perform multiple functions using a single digital platform including obtaining online upskilling modules, offering tele-consultations and engaging patients with information to prevent the spread of the pandemic. With the Covid 19 outbreak grounding everyone, healthcare systems are looking for better ways to address the diverse needs of patients while giving doctors access to the latest information about the impact of the pandemic on their specialties. Omnicuris’s new digital platform is aimed at filling this void and enabling doctors to establish a better connection with their fraternity as well as their patients. Savitha Kuttan, CEO, Omnicuris said, “The global situation and our collective understanding of the novel coronavirus is evolving continually. Given the fact that this is a novel virus, even doctors around the world are learning new things every day about the disease and approaches to its treatment. Doctors working in different specialties are also eager to understand the approaches needed to better care for their patients. Apart from this, the doctor-patient relationship has also turned digital in this crisis with tele-consultations becoming the new norm. Our new product aims to address multiple requirements emanating from this crisis and improve doctor-patient connection as well as the flow of information.” With the crisis inundating the healthcare system, non-emergency OPDs have been suspended across most hospitals. Patients themselves want to minimize hospital visits to prevent any risk of cross infection. However, for patients with chronic diseases who need to remain in constant touch with their doctors, there is a need for better engagement mechanisms and improved flow of information. OC Connect aims to fill this gap effectively. Patients with underlying conditions such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, COPD or kidney ailments are at higher risk of complications from the disease. This is why it is important to keep them aware and informed about the approaches they must adopt to minimize their risk. Similarly, constant information flow is also important to bust myths or misconceptions. For example, reports indicated that people had self-medicated with hydroxychloroquine hoping it would act as a prophylactic. However, consuming any drug without medical supervision can be dangerous. Here comes the need for constant engagement by doctors to advise patients about the diet, immunity boosting foods, medication etc. needed for them and address any myths. “Doctors can use our application not only to upskill themselves by enrolling themselves in CMEs and getting the latest information about the evolving situation from their fraternity, they can also improve their engagement with their patients. Apart from virtual consultations to stay connected with their patient, doctors can also use this app to share valuable information with their patients,” added Ms Kuttan.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16266/csir-designs-personal-protective-coverall-suit-for-healthcare-workers.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16266/csir-designs-personal-protective-coverall-suit-for-healthcare-workers.html Wed, 22 Apr 2020 06:10:00 +0530 Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) constituent Lab in Bengaluru, National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL), along with MAF Clothing Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru has developed and certified the overall protective coverall suit. The polyproplylene spun laminated multi-layered non-woven fabric based coverall can be used to ensure the safety of Doctors, Nurses, Paramedical staff and Health Care workers working round the clock on COVID-19 mitigation. CSIR-NAL team lead by Dr. Harish C Barshilia, Dr. Hemant Kumar Shukla, and M J Viju of MAF have worked quickly to find the solution to the problem by identifying suitable indigenous materials and innovative manufacturing processes.  The Coveralls have gone through stringent testing at South India Textile Research Association (SITRA), Coimbatore and have been qualified for use. CSIR-NAL and MAF have plans to augment the production capacity to about 30,000 units per day within four weeks’ time.  Jitendra J Jadhav, Director, CSIR-NAL has stated that the major advantages of these Coveralls are that they are highly competitive in price as compared to other manufacturers and the import content is negligible.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16291/14-year-old-bengaluru-boy-develops-no-touch-hand-sanitiser-dispenser.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16291/14-year-old-bengaluru-boy-develops-no-touch-hand-sanitiser-dispenser.html Wed, 22 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0530 The alarming spread of the novel coronavirus or the CoVID-19 has triggered a pandemic that the world is left grappling with. As per the WHO and other medical institutions, the most significant contribution we can make to contain the spread of the CoVID-19 include washing and sanitising our hands regularly. With definite medicines or vaccination not yet available, inhibiting its spread from one individual to another is imperative to check the impact of the virus on people’s lives and their well-being.  While citizens are playing their part in the fight against the virus, numerous people touching the same sanitisers/soap dispenser is not healthy or a hygienic practice.  Krishn Gupta, a 14-year-old, a resident of Bengaluru, studying at the Inventure Academy, has developed a No-touch Hand Sanitiser Dispenser using Lego Mindstorm EV3. The concept of no touch hand sanitizer use is not very complicated. Initially, the ultrasonic sensor senses any object (a hand in this case) when it comes within a range of 12 cm of the sensor. Post that, the Large Motor which is on the robot, moves an arm, which then pushes the sanitiser knob down, which lets the sanitiser out.  Krishn has created the physical robot design by himself using Lego Mindstorm EV3 pieces and has written the code and programmed it using the 'LEGO MINDSTORM’s Education EV3' software. 14-year-old, Krishn said: "I thought of designing this ‘No-Hands Sanitiser Dispenser’ post the lockdown announcement made by our honourable Prime Minister. While my grandfather kept telling everyone in the family not to touch anything and to sanitise our hands, I noticed that everyone was touching the same sanitiser bottle. I felt the need to make a no-hand sanitiser dispenser which would promote hygiene, especially at hospitals and workplaces. My family has shifted to the no-hand dispenser and I would request everyone to practise this." Krishn has been taking robotics classes for the last few years where he learns how to make such robots and coding for the same. He has been taking part in competitions like "World Robotics Olympiad" and "First Lego League" on a regular basis. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16272/tobacco-use-in-the-times-of-covid-19-ideal-time-to-quit-tobacco.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16272/tobacco-use-in-the-times-of-covid-19-ideal-time-to-quit-tobacco.html Tue, 21 Apr 2020 13:00:00 +0530 Tobacco use in any form is harmful at any time. In the wake of the ongoing corona virus pandemic gripping the entire world, tobacco use is proving to be more harmful than ever. Using smoking products like cigarettes, bidis, e-cigarettes, hookahs etc. as well as chewing smokeless forms of tobacco like guthkha, khaini, mawa, kharra etc. make the user more prone to infection by the virus. This may be attributed to: Increased frequency of fingers (which may have been contaminated) touching the face and mouth Contact of smoking products (which may have been contaminated) with the    mouth Sharing tobacco products like cigarettes, bidis, e-cigarettes, hookah etc. and social customs of preparing khaini or mawa mixture for others. Higher risk of getting lung and chest infections in general due to the immunosuppression caused by smoking and tobacco use. This means that people who smoke have a higher risk of getting COVID-19 compared to people who do not smoke. Smoking may raise the risk of COVID-19 by elevating enzymes that allow the coronavirus to enter and damage lung cells A high proportion of smokers, compared to non-smokers, have health conditions like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - COPD (limiting the lung capacity), heart disease and asthma which are further exacerbated by other illnesses. For these smokers, catching the virus increases their risk of developing complications and is potentially fatal. Smokers are at a higher risk of progressing to pneumonia if they contract the virus. Coronavirus is known to have severe complications and even higher mortality in people with comorbidities like hypertension, diabetes, COPD which are associated with smoking. Tobacco users (particularly smokeless tobacco users) can be instrumental in spreading the disease through spitting. COVID-19 can spread through small droplets from the nose or mouth, which are dispersed when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks, exhales or spits. These droplets settle on objects and can survive for few hours or up to several days. Others can be infected by touching these objects or surfaces followed by touching their eyes, nose or mouth. Thus, use of any tobacco product – smoking or smokeless, increases the risk of being infected, increases the chances of complications and also increases the probability of spread. Considering this, a lot of Indian states have partially or completely banned tobacco use and spitting in public places. Some states and districts have also temporarily banned the production as well as sale of tobacco products. This has resulted in a lot of current tobacco users not being able to access their tobacco products leading to withdrawal symptoms due to this unintended abstinence. However, this is now the best time to quit tobacco use. Quitting tobacco now will not only help you protect yourself, your family and your community at large from the current effects of the corona virus but will also improve your health and reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, lung disease, and other tobacco-related illnesses. LifeFirst is a tobacco dependence treatment programme initiated by Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation in collaboration with Salaam Bombay Foundation that offers tobacco cessation counselling by experienced counsellors. Smokers as well as Smokeless tobacco users can call any of the telephone numbers listed below to talk to our counsellor and receive free guidance through free follow up phone calls to quit their use. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16262/swades-foundation-joins-the-nations-fight-against-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16262/swades-foundation-joins-the-nations-fight-against-covid-19.html Mon, 20 Apr 2020 13:00:00 +0530 Mumbai based Swades Foundation joins the fight against COVID-19 and extends its support to migrant workers, Adivasi communities and medical personnel who are on the frontline battling the rising cases of corona virus. Due to lack of opportunities, Adivasi community survival depend largely on the wages they receive working as labourers. The onset of this pandemic has forced the community out of work and the Foundation is working tirelessly to provide meals and consumables to the community while also backing the authorities in healthcare supplies and medical equipment’s. The organisation is directly working with the Government of Maharashtra by assisting local authorities in three districts including Raigad, Nashik and Mumbai. Swades Foundation is directly associated with the District Collector’s office in Raigad and Nashik and the BMC in Mumbai. Swades Foundation is actively involved in the relief work amid this pandemic and is providing meals to the impacted migrant workers, daily wagers and underprivileged across Mumbai. The foundation will also help the medical fraternity who is fronting all odds in their endeavour to tackle patients who are suffering from the virus. Village Development Committees (VDCs) created by Swades Foundation in Raigad with the motive of sustainability in the village, is now reaching out to villagers to ensure basic necessities are being met in this time of crisis. With the support of donor partners, the Foundation aims to provide ‘grocery and daily essential kits’ to the daily wage earners and Adivasi communities across Raigad district. These kits contain cooking items, groceries, pulses vegetables and toiletries, etc. Zarina Screwvala, Founder and MD, Swades Foundation said, “In these unprecedented times, we salute those who have worked tirelessly to safeguard the country.  We have directly started to mobilize food and basic essentials for Adivasi communities in Maharashtra who have lost their means of livelihood, and with our implementing partner Project Mumbai we are providing daily meals to our Doctors and Police in Mumbai. We pledge our support to the Government of India to help combat the existing pandemic. We are deeply grateful for the generous support of our partners and donors like Standard Chartered Bank, Sony Pictures Networks India Pvt. Ltd, Motilal Oswal Financial Service and DB Xento Systems Pvt to name a few.” With the help from Standard Chartered Bank, the foundation will be able to reach out to the homeless and migrant worker population to supply more than 3,00,000 free meals including lunch and dinner across Mumbai. Swades Foundation and its partners including citizen volunteers are making sure that meals reach as many homeless as possible. Logistics are being managed by using kitchens from different locations and engaging with food delivery services. Support from Sony Pictures Networks India Pvt. Ltd., is helping the Foundation to provide medical aid in the form of consumables, equipment, medical gear etc. to further meet the requirements of hospitals and healthcare workers. Swades Foundation is also backed by other donors such as Motilal Oswal Financial Service and DB Xento Systems Pvt. Ltd. The Foundation along with its partners, hopes to continue catering meal services and extend help to healthcare workers till the crisis seems to recede.  Swades Foundation urges CSR and individual donors to come together to support in this difficult time.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16235/whos-polio-surveillance-team-joins-covid19-fight-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16235/whos-polio-surveillance-team-joins-covid19-fight-.html Fri, 17 Apr 2020 06:10:00 +0530 Tapping into the best practices and key resources that helped India win its war against polio, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and World Health Organization has initiated a systematic engagement of WHO’s national polio surveillance network, and other field staff, for COVID19 response. Dr Harsh Vardhan, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India said, “Time and again the Government of India and WHO together have shown our ability, competence and prowess to the whole world. With our combined meticulous work, done with full sincerity and dedication, we were able to get rid of polio. Today I would like to remind you of your potential and ability, and the big things we can do together. All of you in the field – IDSP, state rapid response teams and WHO - are our ‘surveillance corona warriors’. With your joint efforts we can defeat the coronavirus and save lives.” The Minister, along with Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia, was addressing WHO and other field staff, simultaneously connected from over 1 000 sites all over the country – from capital cities to the remotest corners. “The National Polio Surveillance Project (WHO-NPSP) played a critical role in strengthening surveillance for polio that generated useful, timely and accurate data to guide policies, strategies and interventions until transmission of the poliovirus was interrupted in the country,” Dr Khetrapal Singh said, adding that the other WHO field staff involved with elimination of TB and neglected tropical diseases and hypertension control initiative were also significant resources. The Regional Director said, “it is now time to use all your experience, knowledge and skills, with the same rigor and discipline that you showed while monitoring polio activities, to support districts with surveillance, contact tracing and containment activities.” She urged the field staff to support the state and district governments. In the fight against the COVID-19, we have entered a stage where surveillance is going to play a vital role in making future strategies for containment, she said. The strengths of the NPSP team – surveillance, data management, monitoring and supervision, and responding to local situations and challenges – will be utilized to supplement efforts of NCDC, IDSP and ICMR to strengthen Covid-19 surveillance.  The NPSP team will also support in sharing information and best practices and help states and districts calibrate their response based on transmission scenarios and local capacities.  Most importantly, the WHO field staff will continue to support immunization and surveillance and elimination of TB and Neglected Tropical Diseases, the Regional Director said, adding, “disease outbreaks can negatively impact progress in a range of areas, from maternal and child mortality to vaccine-preventable diseases and other treatable conditions. India had been making stupendous progress in these areas and we cannot afford for India’s remarkable progress to be set back or reversed.” Dr Khetrapal Singh said that India has its unique challenges and also the capacity to overcome them, an example being elimination of polio in 2014. She complimented Dr Harsh Vardhan for introducing several of the key polio elimination initiatives as health minister of Delhi in 1994. Many of his initiatives were scaled up across the country and also adopted by other countries. India’s WHO National Surveillance Project, renamed as National Public Health Surveillance Project post-polio elimination, has supported a number of public health emergency responses, including Ebola, with 50 of its surveillance medical officers deployed to Africa.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16241/iiit-delhi-launches-washkaro-app.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16241/iiit-delhi-launches-washkaro-app.html Thu, 16 Apr 2020 12:10:00 +0530 IIIT Delhi is contributing in the battle against COVID-19 by innovating unique ideas and solutions. The institute has come up with several strategies in a short interval of time to raise awareness among the people regarding the Coronavirus and has furnished tools that can help them maintain a safe distance from the disease. One such solution is the WashKaro app. Currently available for Android users (iOS version under development), the app functions as Infodemic Management Suite. For this reason, it was also presented at WHO, Geneva on 8th April, via video conferencing.  WashKaro aims to provide the right information to the right people in the right format at the right time. It is targeted at the layman and the daily updated content is delivered in Hindi as bite-sized audios for those who may not be able to read. The app delivers government advisories from official pages and contains a Symptom Tracker (based upon WHO) for people to know if they are safe.  It also houses CovidTracer, which is a breakthrough technology that tells people if their safety is compromised because they're close to someone COVID-19 positive. It's a peer-to-peer network and uses Bluetooth technology for communication. It doesn't need internet or location services and no data is stored anywhere on any server.  onAIr is one of the features of the app. It makes use of the Artificial Intelligence technology to cross-reference news with WHO documents. This ensures that people are shielded from fake information and hoaxes. Besides that, the app has abundant information regarding the pandemic and therefore serves as a conduit of verified information compared to other social media sources. Dr.Tavpritesh Sethi, a  Clinican Data Scientist and an Assistant Professor of Computational Biology at IIIT Delhi said, "I have been focusing on the marriage of medicine and artificial intelligence because of my training in both. Wrong information about COVIDspreads faster than the disease itself. So wefocused on stopping this with AI and medical expertise working together. WashKaro is the first AI-powered Infodemic Management App that provides a suite of tools to keep users safe at all times by providing authentic audios in hindi, bluetooth based physical distancing,and self tracking." Prof Ponnurangam Kumaraguru, Professor of Computer Science and Dean of Students Affairs at IIIT-Delhi said, "I have been working on fake news and misinformation for a while now, and my broad theme of research is ‘Saving Lives’. The current Covid-19 situation demanded a multi-disciplinary approach. WashKaro is a very satisfying collaboration of Medicine and Computing and IIITD is well known for building AI and machine learning based systems that are widely used.” Besides the app, the institute has also developed a website by the name CoronaActionIndia, which is an updated website aggregating all the government advisories and vetted information along with a dashboard for ease of access. Another positive initiative has been the development of Patient Management and Tracking Tools. Given the increasing number of patients every day, it can be very helpful to have an organized online ledger that can track and monitor the affected individuals. It will help maintain a publicly available repository of guidelines, algorithms and calculators for patient management, which have been sourced from trusted sources like WHO, public advisories from ICMR and reputed institutionssuch as AIIMS, New Delhi. IIITD is known for its multidisciplinary research, and these initiatives have been a result of the collaboration between two professors from different fields – one from Computational Biology and the other fromComputer Science. Students and Researchers working on the projects have been crowdsourced; students are from AIIMS, IIITD, and even employees of otherorganizations are contributing to the efforts.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16233/nha-launches-express-empanelment-for-private-hospitals-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16233/nha-launches-express-empanelment-for-private-hospitals-.html Thu, 16 Apr 2020 07:00:00 +0530 The National Health Authority (NHA) has launched express empanelment to bring large number of private hospitals under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) to ensure continued essential treatment for serious illnesses such as cancer and heart ailments.  This is a significant follow-up call taken by the Government of India to its recent decision to bring testing and treatment of COVID-19 under AB PM-JAY scheme as per protocols and guidelines of ICMR, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the State Governments. During the current situation of Novel Coronavirus (COVID -19) outbreak, many medical colleges, civil hospitals and district hospitals which were otherwise treating bulk of AB PM-JAY patients are being converted as dedicated COVID-19 facilities in States. With the launch of this new mechanism called Hospital Empanelment Module (HEM) Lite, patients suffering from serious illnesses, such as cancer, cardiac issues and diabetes that require continuous treatment, will be able to continue getting inpatient services without the fear of contracting the infection. The mechanism will also help in empaneling dedicated COVID-19 hospitals as well. Hospitals can empanel themselves for a temporary period of 3 months through online system available on the scheme’s website. Dr. Indu Bhushan, CEO Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY and National Health Authority said, “To ensure that treatment of AB PM-JAY patients doesn’t suffer as many currently empaneled hospitals are converting themselves to dedicated COVID-19-only facilities, As part of our effort in enhancing our capacity for serving beneficiaries of AB PM-JAY, we have designed and launched express empanelment of private hospitals on a temporary basis to strengthen the supply of care under the scheme. We have started reaching out to the States, hospital associations and healthcare industry bodies with this new proposal to onboard private hospitals through a simple, quick and seamless system on a temporary basis. These hospitals have the choice whether to provide regular treatment for serious illnesses such as cancer and cardiac illnesses under the scheme or convert themselves into COVID-19 only hospitals providing dedicated testing and treatment to COVID-19 patients.” The State Health Agency (SHA), which is the apex body of the State Government responsible for the implementation of AB PM-JAY in the State will sign an MoU with express empaneled hospital for three months only. After this period, the SHA can continue with the empanelment on mutual agreement between hospital and SHA but only after the detailed empanelment process is followed i.e. hospital has filled the entire form and DIU and SHA have verified the details and submitted the verification report in the due course of time. The eligibility criteria for public hospitals and private hospitals are already defined. Using the HEM Lite, will take less than 1 hour for a hospital to fill the application form along with documents. The system has been built in a way to ensure that the rest of process of approval by concerned authorities is expeditious.  For your easy reference, empanelment guidebook has also been provided. In case hospitals get stuck anywhere, they can call the NHA representative for prompt response and extend full support on submission of the form.   The scheme covers more than 1500 health benefit packages of procedures pertaining to secondary and tertiary care and hospitals are reimbursed at pre-fixed rates. The package prices are revised periodically and new rates were launched last year. Over and above listed price, there is further incentive available to hospitals up to 39% (cumulative) for NABH entry level/full accreditation, geographical location (metro/aspirational districts) and for running PG courses. As on date more than 8,804 private hospitals are empaneled under AB PM-JAY across the country and account for 51% of all treatments (96 lakh hospitalizations) and 64% of the hospital admissions amount (Rs.13,000 crore).  The claim money is transferred within 15 days from date of submission of documents by hospital and there is a robust system for grievance redressal.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16237/transpact-enterprises-develops-covid-19-telemedicine-screening-testing-solution.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16237/transpact-enterprises-develops-covid-19-telemedicine-screening-testing-solution.html Wed, 15 Apr 2020 20:00:00 +0530 Mumbai-based startup Transpact Enterprises has developed a telemedicine solution and mobile app that it hopes can help manage the spread of the pandemic. The COVID-19 Online Screening and Evaluation Telemedicine Services (COSETS) will allow monitoring and engaging with patients remotely in their homes by use of a computer or smartphone. It facilitates a line of communication between quarantined people and health care services, and helps maintain visibility of those recently discharged. The mobile application uses questionnaire-based classification suggested by the World Health Organization for suspected COVID-19 patients, it will allow users to do the initial screening remotely without needing them to travel to primary healthcare, thereby maintaining social distancing. The data captured through the mobile application is stored on a common cloud repository accessible by telemedicine the system at primary as well as secondary healthcare distributing the diagnosis workload, The app captures authenticated information and grid location. The company expects the platform will use Artificial Intelligence (AI) overtime to allow providers to identify patients at risk of deterioration and optimize their care. Aslam Khan, Founder and Managing Director of Octaware Technologies “In India, COVID-19 test and treatment cases are assigned to designated public and private hospitals and diagnostic centres. Our primary objective is to help public health authorities at the national, regional and community levels by identifying who is most vulnerable,” He added that the solution could help the government plan containment strategies and prepare necessary resources to tackle any emergent the situation on a war footing. He also said “We have developed the complete architecture and prototype of mobile app and telemedicine for COVID-19. The solution is the design of a telemedicine system integrated with a personal assistant mobile application to manage the possible spread of the pandemic. our company’s solution integrates the personal assistance mobile app with telemedicine system into a centralized data storage on the cloud. The other apps just allow you to self-test with no provision for storing or pooling that data. Whereas, our application allows data to be collected and stored on the the cloud that can be accessed by health professionals for further analysis and treatment” said Khan, The company is taking the service of Dr Suleman Merchant, a former dean of SIO Municipality hospital and Dr Zahoor Patanker from (KEM Hospital)   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16236/fortis-escorts-hospital-jaipur-launches-telemedicine-services-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16236/fortis-escorts-hospital-jaipur-launches-telemedicine-services-.html Wed, 15 Apr 2020 18:20:00 +0530 Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur multi-specialty hospital has launched tele-consultation and video call services with consultants to provide health services to the outpatient department (OPD). This initiative was planned keeping in mind the growing health concerns of the public during lockdown and most importantly with outbreak of the COVID-19 virus. In this case, necessary approvals have been obtained from the concerned authorities. Through this facility, patients can avail both follow up consultation and new consultation facilities under which counselling facilities will be provided in specialties like Cardiology, Internal medicine, ENT, Nephrology, Neurology, Gynaecology, Orthopaedics, Neurosurgery, Paediatrics etc. In this regard, Neerav Bansal, Zonal Director, Fortis Escorts Hospital said, "Keeping in view the crisis of Corona epidemic and also following the advice of social distancing by the government, we have taken the initiative to provide this facility under which follow up consultation to patients will be given and problems encountered in medical counselling can be diagnosed. Specialties that require continuous counselling such as Cardiology, Internal medicine, ENT, Nephrology, Neurology, Gynaecology, Orthopaedics, Neurosurgery, etc. are being provided. Patients who need to consult a doctor for general health problems like diabetes, anxiety, cold, cough on the day, they are consulting doctors without coming to hospital. Under this facility, patients can share their reports with the doctor and after consultation; the doctor can also share the prescription as per the requirement. We all wish for better health and request you tostay home, stay safe and avoid coming to the hospital unless it is necessary and seek medical consultation through this facility from home.” This service is allowing patients to consult with consultants across specialties right from their homes, thus avoiding the long-distance travel to the hospital, especially during the lockdown period. Emergency services at Fortis will be available round the clock.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16231/manipal-hospitals-dwarka-begins-video-consultancy-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16231/manipal-hospitals-dwarka-begins-video-consultancy-.html Wed, 15 Apr 2020 16:55:00 +0530 To provide health care services in the times of an unprecedented outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and lockdown to contain it, Manipal Hospitals, Dwarka has started video consultation for its enlisted as well as new patients. The Hospital has constituted a 10-member COVID RESPONSE TEAM (CRT) under the chairmanship of Dr Yugal K Mishra, Chief of Clinical Services and it strongly recommends Online OPDs to avoid physical contact and encourage social distancing to contain the outbreak and make medical services available to the patients. To fight against COVID 19 and to facilitate the home stay for the safety of the patients, Manipal Hospitals Dwarka has taken this tech-driven initiative of Video Consultation with the Specialists. The Hospital would also provide doorstep delivery of medicines and home collection of lab samples. “Our enlisted and new patients can book an appointment with their particular specialists for video consultancy and at the given time they would require to interface for consultancy. We have begun the Video Consultancy for the ease of our patients and requested them to opt for this. Online OPDs will be open from 9 AM to 5 PM. We have requested all patients from our database that unless it is unavoidable or the case is critical, there is no need to visit the Hospital,” said Dr Yugal K Mishra Pramod Alagharu, CEO, Manipal Hospitals, Dwarka said, “The key to managing the COVID-19 outbreak is to maintain social distancing and isolation. We are fully prepared to deal with COVID-19 cases. For patient safety and ease, we are emphasising on Video Consultancy. It is promising to note that every day more and more people are opting for video consultancy.” The Hospital said that for non-avoidable elective surgeries, Medical Administration is taking all due precautions to provide support to the patients and their family.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16229/credihealth-launches-platform-for-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16229/credihealth-launches-platform-for-covid-19.html Wed, 15 Apr 2020 15:50:00 +0530 Indian healthcare portal, Credihealth has announced the launch of a range of support services linked to COVID-19 for citizens across the country. The platform hosts a bevy of content pieces that encompass basic ‘do’s and don’ts’ for the patient under quarantine and his caregiver and how Credihealth can bring the aforementioned services to them. Ravi Virmani, Founder, and CEO of Credihealth said, “The society is inquisitive and apprehensive about the recent developments around COVID-19 and what they require is a platform where both these issues can simultaneously be handled with ease and comfort. While they require updated content as to what, when and how the COVID-19 virus functions within a human body, at the same time, they must also be educated about what ones needs to do in case of symptoms.” "Hence we have brought together under one care platform, a range of services which include COVID-19 screening tests by our partners, same-day pharmacy solutions, air and road ambulance service across the nation,” he added. Virmani further adds, “We’ve been an undisputed leader in managing the end to end patient experience for the serious illness and patient admissions business, and our recent foray in the COVID-19 space is a natural progression at these trying times for everyone. We've accumulated our knowledge base and large network and brought them forth for the patients in need, all under one easy to access platform.” The brand has also put out a team of highly qualified and trained COVID-19 Care Managers who assist susceptible patients or those who require any of the aforementioned services. Speaking about the recent development and the new initiatives, Gaurav Gupta, Senior Vice President-Market Development said, “Today, consumer-facing health technologies need to reinvent their offerings according to the need of a patient experiencing social distancing and locked-down state of affairs. Hence, we have expanded our services in COVID-19 screening tests, pharmacy, diagnostics, critical care assistance, home care aid and equipment delivery at doorstep, mental wellness and counselling among others.” Last month Credihealth had launched tele/ video consultation service with some of the private hospitals in the country. Through that service, patients can now contact over 2500+ doctors from 50+ hospitals in the country-by far the largest network in the nation. The brand claims to handle more than 500 tele/ video consultations per day and is gearing up to scale that number upwards of 2000 consolations per day.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16225/drdo-develops-kiosk-for-covid-19-sample-collection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16225/drdo-develops-kiosk-for-covid-19-sample-collection.html Wed, 15 Apr 2020 05:00:00 +0530 Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad has added another product to the portfolio of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to combat Coronavirus (COVID-19) by developing COVID Sample Collection Kiosk (COVSACK). The unit has been developed by DRDL in consultation with the doctors of Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), Hyderabad. The COVSACK is a kiosk for use by healthcare workers for taking COVID-19 samples from suspected infected patients. Patient under test walks into the Kiosk and a nasal or oral swab is taken by health care professional from outside through the built in gloves. The Kiosk is automatically disinfected without the need for human involvement, making the process free of infection spread. The shielding screen of kiosk cabin protects the health care worker from the aerosols/droplet transmission while taking the sample.This reduces the requirements of PPE change by health care workers. After the patient leaves the Kiosk, four nozzle sprayers mounted in the kiosk cabin disinfect the empty chamber by spraying disinfectant mist for a period of 70 seconds. It is further flushed with water & UV light disinfection. The system is ready for next use in less than two minutes. Voice command can be given through two-way communication system integrated with the COVSACK. It is possible to configure COVSACK to be used either from inside or outside as required by the medical professionals. The COVSACK costs nearly Rs one lakh and the identified industry based at Belgaum, Karnataka can support 10 units per day. The DRDO has designed and developed two units and handed over these to ESIC Hospital, Hyderabad after successful testing. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16218/apollo-hospitals-and-airtel-join-forces-to-break-covid-19-chain.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16218/apollo-hospitals-and-airtel-join-forces-to-break-covid-19-chain.html Tue, 14 Apr 2020 13:00:00 +0530 As part of its mission to use its networks and digital tech for the good of society, Bharti Airtel (“Airtel”) has announced an innovative collaboration with Apollo 24|7, the digital business unit of The Apollo Hospitals Group to support India’s battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. The partnership aims to bring together Airtel’s pan-India network reach and Apollo Hospital’s industry leading digital healthcare platform – Apollo 24/7 to raise awareness and break the chain of spread of COVID-19.  Apollo 24|7 has launched a FREE digital self-assessment test on Airtel Thanks app to enable its customers to check their COVID-19 risk profile. The test, which has been developed by Apollo 24/7, uses AI based technologies to allow users to assess their COVID-19 risk profile by answering a few simple questions. Based on the user responses, the digital tool generates a risk score and suggests next best action including online consults on Apollo 24|7 free, dialling COVID non-prescriptive helpline from the app itself, self-care tips, social distancing guidelines and other important prevention steps as suggested by WHO and MOHFW. Apollo 24|7 free COVID helpline has over 100 Apollo expert doctors answering questions and clearing doubts of all those who are taking the scan. These initiatives are designed to help millions of Airtel customers alleviate any anxieties or doubts relating to COVID-19 and ensuring that the country, at large, stays safe. Ms. Shobana Kamineni, Executive Vice Chairperson of The Apollo Hospitals Group said, “Apollo 24|7 truly empowers individuals to protect their health. With the free COVID19 scan AI tool, Airtel customers across India will get validated data and Apollo’s resources to take care of their health, well-being and safety. Our association with Airtel should help us Touch more lives.”  Gopal Vittal, MD & CEO (India and South Asia) Bharti Airtel said: “These are unprecedented times and we are working hard with our partners such as Apollo 24|7 to leverage digital technologies to help the nation. Airtel Thanks platform reaches millions of people in India and we hope this innovative tool can provide a sense of urgency around the need for social distancing to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19. Airtel remains fully committed to serving the nation in this difficult hour and support the efforts of the Government.”   Through a deeper integration, the tool also allows users to also check the COVID-19 risk profile of their region through an India wide COVID-19 heat map grading regions from high to low risk based on aggregated responses from these locations. This enables users to be more aware of the evolution of the situation within the country, and be more adept at maintaining social distancing to break the COVID-19 chain Patients at risk and falling under the ICMR approved testing parameters will be guided to the authorized testing centers for the COVID-19 test. The scan is not meant to replace a doctor and the interaction is not be taken as expert medical advice. Any information shared is be kept strictly confidential. The quick risk scan can be taken across platforms including mobile smartphones, laptops and desktops. At a time when patients are facing difficulties in travelling to clinics and hospitals for their regular consultations, Apollo 24/7 allows doctors to conduct tele-consults for the patients so that they need not come to the hospital for follow up care and remain in the safety of their homes. In less than 2 months since national launch, Apollo 24/7 has organically acquired over 600 thousand registered users.  In addition, Airtel customers will now be available to recharge their Airtel connections at over 3000 Apollo Pharmacy stores across India. This offers added convenience to Airtel customers looking at offline recharge options.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16219/cloudnine-hospitals-collaborates-with-ola-to-help-expecting-mothers.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16219/cloudnine-hospitals-collaborates-with-ola-to-help-expecting-mothers.html Tue, 14 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0530 In response to the growing customer demands for transportation services during the health crisis caused by the outbreak of COVID-19, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, India’s leading chain of maternity, fertility and child care has collaborated with Ola, India’s leading mobility platform, to offer mobility services to its customers. This service will be available across all six Cloudnine centres in Bengaluru located in Jayanagar, Old Airport Road, Malleshwaram, Bellandur, Whitefield and HRBR layout. Following the government’s advice, booking an Ola ride will remain restricted to essential visits to the hospital only. As a part of this collaboration in Bengaluru, Ola will station its cabs at each Cloudnine hospital. A special area has been designated for Ola pick-ups and drop-offs where Cloudnine staff will help customers in and out of the vehicles. All the bookings will be facilitated to the customers through the Cloudnine call centre. This service comes as an extension to the hospital’s recently launched teleconsultation services allowing customers to consult doctors from their homes via video thereby avoiding all the non- essential travel to the hospital.  Doctors will advise patients to visit the hospital only when there is an urgent need to undergo a medical scan or test which requires immediate attention. Speaking on the collaboration with Ola says Raviganesh Venkataraman, CEO, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals “Safe patient transport is a critical area in healthcare access, serving as a link between home and health facilities. Our collaboration with Ola is an endeavour to play an active role in easing challenges in the current situation and streamline the delivery of our services to our customers. We are confident that this service, along with accessible healthcare shall ensure access to affordable means of mobility.  We are privileged to provide safe and reliable transportation options through our collaboration with Ola thereby making our services accessible to customers under all circumstances.” Adding further, Raviganesh Venkataraman said: “As our country faces challenging times, availability of transportation services comes as an extension to our teleconsultation services. At Cloudnine, customer centricity has always been our core value and we are happy to make this service easily accessible and available to address their needs and requirements. We are constantly innovating and looking into all available options to increase accessibility of care for our customers”. Speaking about the collaboration, Anand Subramanian, Spokesperson and Head of Communications Ola said: “In the face of this unprecedented medical and economic crisis, it is imperative that we come together to mobilise all resources at our disposal to fight this pandemic. By enabling access to mobility, in this case for expecting mothers to and from Cloudnine Hospitals, we are filling in for a much needed reliable and secure mobility solution in these challenging times. Ola’s collaboration with Cloudnine Hospitals is yet another initiative through which we will continue to serve essential travel for citizens, as we all emerge stronger together in these testing times.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16194/homeopathy-in-managing-viral-infections-like-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16194/homeopathy-in-managing-viral-infections-like-covid-19.html Fri, 10 Apr 2020 13:35:00 +0530 With COVID-19 spreading like wildfire through the globe and very little achieved in terms of a vaccination or a preventive medicine, there is evidence to suggest that homeopathy may be able to provide safe prophylaxis against modern infectious diseases such as the novel coronavirus, passed on from animals to humans. Conventional medicine is still struggling to find specific treatment for novel viruses and medical research laboratories are yet to discover an effective vaccination. The current phase is crucial in generating evidence that will inform prescription practices for this illness for the immediate future. Homeopathy has effectively treated severe and life-threatening viral infections in the past and may well play a crucial role, particularly, in COVID-19 patients not responding to conventional medicines. Commenting on the effectiveness of homeopathy in treating viruses and infections, Dr. Kalyan Banerjee and founder, Dr. Kalyan Banerjee’s Clinic said, “Homeopathy has a long history of prophylaxis against epidemics and a lot has been said about increasing the immunity with homeopathy. Historically, homeopathy was used to treat and protect against the Spanish flu epidemic after World War 1. A researcher called Marino has published peer reviewed research about homeopathic prophylaxis against swine flu and dengue.” Dr. Kushal Banerjee, a second-generation homeopath at the Clinic said, “Dengue and swine flu can result in multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (M.O.D.S.) which can be life threatening. Homeopathic prescriptions have frequently helped patients in intensive care. We noted similar positive effects in Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (S.A.R.S.) cases as well. This is the kind of background that informs homeopathic advice on modern infectious diseases like the novel clinical entity, COVID-19.” Dr. Kushal Banerjee added, “Over the last ten years, treatment of an average of 20,000 cases over several cycles of these diseases can be considered enough anecdotal evidence as their protective effect and outcomes have been quite encouraging. Conventional medicine, too, does not have any specific treatment for COVID-19 and suggested medicines like hydroxychloroquine as well as anti-viral medicines in different combinations are also still in the trial stage, achieving only variable degrees of success. Homeopathy, with its rich and consistent history of addressing viral infections, both as prophylaxis and treatment, should be considered a serious therapeutic option. Just as conventional medicine is engaged in the treatment and prevention of COVID-19 with little or no evidence base to work with, homeopathy should be, too.” While a cure or vaccine for COVID-19 is not available in homeopathy, in the absence of any side-effects and adverse interactions with any conventional medicines along with a robust safety profile and repeated evidence-based successes in prophylaxis against viral infections, homeopathy may play an important role in the fight against COVID-19.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16200/india-to-conduct-plasma-therapy-to-cure-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16200/india-to-conduct-plasma-therapy-to-cure-covid-19.html Fri, 10 Apr 2020 13:00:00 +0530 Kerala based Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) an Institution of National Importance under the Department of Science and Technology has obtained a go-ahead for taking a bold step to provide innovative treatment to patients suffering from COVID-19 disease.  Technically called “convalescent-plasma therapy”, the treatment aims at using the immune power gained by a recovered person to treat a sick person. Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), the top authorising body in India has given approval to the SCTIMST for carrying out the novel treatment.  “We have applied for age cut off to the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for permissions for relaxation of the norms for blood donation,” said Dr Asha Kishore Director, SCTIMST. “Initially we will try in a small number of patients. At present it is permitted as an experimental therapy for restricted use for severely affected patients only. We will be getting the informed consent before they are recruited. This will be conducted as a clinical trial” said Dr Kishore. COVID clinics of five medical college hospitals will be partnering. This therapy is not simple to harness, primarily due to the difficulty of obtaining significant amounts of plasma from survivors. In diseases like COVID-19, where most of the victims are aged, suffering from other medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and so on, not all recovered patients can volunteer to donate blood. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16166/aesl-joins-hands-with-assocham-to-support-healthcare-workers-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16166/aesl-joins-hands-with-assocham-to-support-healthcare-workers-.html Wed, 08 Apr 2020 16:20:00 +0530 Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL) has joined hands with apex industry body, ASSOCHAM, in supporting the food requirements of 500 healthcare professionals/workers at the new facility specially set up at Safdarjung Hospital in the city to care for Covid-19 patients. In conjunction with ASSOCHAM Foundation For Corporate Social Responsibility, AESL will support lunch and dinner for 500 healthcare personnel (1,000 food packets) every day for the next one week. Safdarjung Hospital has set up a new 500 bed facility for the care of patients affected by Covid for which it will be using a dedicated staff of over 1500 healthcare professionals. Aakash Chaudhry, Director and CEO, Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL) said, “We feel it is an honour for us if we can in anyway support our Covid Heroes in this time of crisis when they are doing a great service to mankind for being at the forefront of this war that we are fighting against an unknown virus. It is our responsibility to support our COVID-19 frontline workers – doctors, nurses and healthcare personnel – who are working around the clock to save precious lives. I urge people and organizations to contribute and help our country in whatever way possible. At this moment, the need to help the world is greater than at any other time.” Sharing his views on the joint effort by ASSOCHAM and AESL, the Chamber's Secretary General, Deepak Sood said, "We are very pleased to collaborate with our esteemed member organizations to support India's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic thereby extending the spectrum of initiatives being undertaken as part of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in these testing times. In our endeavor to advance CSR initiatives aimed at supporting our communities we have joined hands with Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL) to provide packed meals (twice a day) for 'corona-warriors' including the healthcare professionals, cleaning staff and others for the current week at Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital's new 500 bed facility for COVID-19 patients." He further said that ASSOCHAM will continue supporting such initiatives as community service is firmly rooted in the chambers' core values. AESL had made a contribution of Rs 1 crore out of which Rs 50 lakhs have been donated to the PM Cares Fund. Apart from the PM Cares Fund, AESL has also donated another Rs 50 Lakhs to the Delhi Police Welfare Society.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16165/helyxons-digital-solutions-helps-in-monitoring-of-covid-19-patients-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16165/helyxons-digital-solutions-helps-in-monitoring-of-covid-19-patients-.html Wed, 08 Apr 2020 16:00:00 +0530 Oxy-2 and 98.6 FeverWatch developed by HELYXON jointly with IITM’s Healthcare Technology Innovation Centre (HTIC) in IIT Madras Research Park are now helping in the monitoring of COVID-19 patients and better management of the pandemic. Constant and accurate monitoring of vital parameters of patients or suspects are critical components of managing coronavirus patients. Vital health parameters such as temperature, oxygen saturation as well as heart rate offer critical clues to the health condition of the patient and any aberration demands medical intervention. However, when the outbreak grows requiring remote monitoring of huge number of suspected people, people at home or in isolation, monitoring and updating these parameters for all patients becomes a challenge. Here is where HELYXON’s digital solutions – ‘OXY-2’ and ‘98.6 Fever Watch’ offer an effective way to manage the outbreak. Health authorities in North America, Middle East and Far East countries are actively seeking to deploy HELYXON’s technology in a major way in combating the COVID 19 pandemic. Vijai Shankar Raja, Founder, HELYXON said, “With number of patients increasing exponentially and flooding hospitals, this is an overwhelming time for healthcare providers across the globe. What they need are appropriate technological interventions to help ease processes by automating as many mundane, critical and high-risk tasks, as possible. COVID 19 patients, particularly those deemed high risk, need continuous monitoring of temperature, heart rate as well as oxygen saturation as these parameters can oscillate suddenly and dangerously. Our AI-backed biosensor devices reliably captures trend of such parameters and alerts the remote medical staff or an attendant in case of any anomaly. This allows immediate intervention when needed; plus it also cuts down the work of regular manual monitoring which is in any case impossible for thousands of patients.” HELYXON’s biosensor devices are designed in such a way that they enable the user to place them at the right places of the body and connect to a mobile device through Bluetooth. And the stream of data is further pushed to a cloud computer server through GSM or Wifi. The data from the server can be accessed by any authorized person especially the care providers across the globe easily using a mobile device or a Laptop. Similar path is used for the escalation of alerts raised out of breaches to reach the other end live. Sridhar Ranganathan, CEO, Helyxon said, “The digital solutions are very useful for intensive care settings as well as for monitoring at- home patients suffering from not just COVID 19 but also conditions as serious as IMR and MMR and as simple as seasonal flu, which require constant support through sustained engagement. As India prepares for a surge in COVID-19 cases, it is important that hospitals and healthcare systems adopt technology-backed solutions to better manage the outbreak. Our digital systems OXY-2 and 98.6 Fever Watch offer viable solutions to manage large numbers of patients in both hospital and home settings. They can also be very helpful in helping effectively manage quarantined patients of COVID 19.” The devices keep a track of the spikes and aberrations and whenever an anomaly is observed a system-generated call alert is made to the user while an automatic escalation to the local provider is done. The devices are equipped with Geo-fencing tracking alerts to keep a track of patients’ movements and ensure isolated patients do not violate the provisions of quarantine. The 98.6 Fever Watch is particularly useful for unwell children in whom continuous monitoring of temperature is a vital parameter in disease management. The compact watch weighs 5 gm and is 1.5 inches in diameter. It connects to hospital systems or personal systems or devices and keeps transferring patient information to a central dashboard. Globally, hospitals and healthcare providers are co-opting such technologies to improve healthcare efficiency in these testing times. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16161/regular-cancer-care-amidst-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16161/regular-cancer-care-amidst-covid-19.html Wed, 08 Apr 2020 12:00:00 +0530 As we all are aware that COVID-19 is the novel Corona virus infection that started in last month of 2019 and has now been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. Bats are the natural hosts of this virus, however the recent studies in ‘Nature Medicine’ a scientific journal, have shown that the journey of this virus to man was facilitated by its transmission through scaly ant eater or the pangolins. The virus has changed its character (mutated) over time to adapt and evolve. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness. The emerging data shows that Covid-19 causes symptoms varying from mild to severe, the latter necessitating a hospital admission and breathing assistance through ventilators. The symptoms start within 5-14 days of a person’s exposure and the affected person needs to be in isolation for another 14 days after being cured so that he/she is not infective to others. Cancer, as we know is chronic disease and causes a high rate of mortality, second only to heart disease worldwide. Cancer is a relentless disease that continues to grow unless checked in a particular time frame. In such a situation, cancer patients receiving radiation therapy (time-bound) need to be attended to and continue their treatment. Since stopping treatment is not an option, all due care for the patients, attendant’s and medical professionals is required to prevent the COVID-19 infection and stop its transmission amongst this group of patients. According to Dr. Tejinder Kataria, Chairperson Radiation Oncology, Cancer Institute, Medanta – The Medicity, “Patients on Radiotherapy treatment are not as immune- compromised as the patients who receive chemotherapy. Their blood tests are done once or twice weekly and if required, support with colony-stimulating medicines is given to support them through the treatment in a normal course. They are also supported with a high protein diet and enough fluids during their radiation treatment. They are given detailed instructions for personal hygiene during the course of their visit to the hospital. These protocols have to be adhered to, strictly during the whole course of treatment. The same protocol with a few additional precautions, as outlined below are expected to help us to continue treatment during the COVID pandemic.” Universal precautions that include meticulous hand-hygiene, masks, gloves and hospital scrubs are provided for the medical professionals to prevent them from the infection. The patients and their attendants as well as the hospital staff is screened at the entrance with a thermal sensor and also queried about their history of fever, body aches, cold, cough or respiratory symptoms besides the history of travel in last 15 days. If such a history exists the visitor is asked to remain outside the treatment premises and visit the Infections Disease (ID) specialist for further instructions. Since Medanta the Medicity is a multi-speciality hospital with a full department of Infectious Diseases (ID),and we have already established are infection control corridors for COVID-19 cases ,patients undergoing Radiation Therapy are entering the hospital and moving to the treatment area through a separate entrance(hence a green corridor already exists).  The patients are asked to bring only one attendant with them to the hospital and both are asked to wear masks as well as sanitize their hands as soon as they enter the premises for treatment. Except for patients of Head & neck or brain tumours when the patient has to wear an Orfit cast, all other patients are asked to keep a mask on their face during treatment. A separation of 3 feet is maintained between two persons in the waiting hall. The reception staff are separated from the patients by setting up a Q-manager to create 3 feet distance. “The executive staff have to provide a letter, for the patients, to Civic authorities to permit travel to patients & their attendants during the lockdown. The staff has similarly been assisted by giving letters to travel to & from their residence, if required”, she added. To keep the safety norms in place, the waiting areas have been cleared off magazines, books and newspapers to prevent cross-usage. We already have established cleaning practices for each patient accessory after each application, hence they are being continued by the house-keeping staff. The door-knobs, handles, computer monitors, bannisters, floors, shiny surfaces are cleaned every 4 hours with 1% solution of sodium hypochlorite (bleach) by the housekeeping staff. All the access doors, that can be kept open are left open, to minimize the human contact. The world has recorded bubonic plagues and influenza pandemics in earlier centuries. The difference now, is the availability of digital tools that disseminate the knowledge in a few hours all over the world. This tool can be harnessed to learn & adopt behaviours that can reduce the COVID-19 infection, its mortality as well as keep assisting our patients where and when they need medical care. The digital world has opened up new awareness for us to also offer distant learning to our students through video conferencing and using Tele-medicine we are offering consults to patients from the comfort of their home. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16152/icmr-scales-up-capacity-to-fight-covid-19-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16152/icmr-scales-up-capacity-to-fight-covid-19-.html Wed, 08 Apr 2020 06:10:00 +0530 The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is working relentlessly to implement scientific interventions to combat the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic. The Council has expanded its capacity to diagnose and manage COVID-19. ICMR has procured 10 lakh Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) kits used for diagnosis and 7 depots have been established for uninterrupted supply of reagents across the nation for efficient distribution to government testing laboratories. New RT-PCR kits are being validated by 4 ICMR institutes for their use. Till now, 19 non-US FDA EUA/CE IVD real-time RT-PCR kits have been validated of which 05 have been recommended based on 100% concordance with positive and negative samples. The recommendations have 2 | P a g e been shared with the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation(CDSCO) for taking it forward. Apart from this, antibody-based tests have also been made available for sero-surveillance. However, antibody tests are not suitable to diagnose live COVID-19 infections. ICMR has released advisory to start rapid antibody based blood test for COVID-19 as a strategy for areas reporting clusters (containment zone) and in large migration gatherings/evacuees centres. ICMR has validated and recommended 7 such test kits for use. In addition to this, all US-FDA/EU CE approved RT-PCR and antibody kits can be used for COVID19 diagnosis after approval from Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) and intimation to ICMR. ICMR has validated and recommended TruenatTM beta CoV test on TruelabTM workstation as a screening test. All positives through this platform will need to be reconfirmed by confirmatory assays for SARS-CoV-2. All negatives may not be processed further. Currently, there are nearly 300 TruelabTM workstation already deployed in country and it will be utilized for the testing. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16148/aiisma-launches-consumer-to-business-data-marketplace.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16148/aiisma-launches-consumer-to-business-data-marketplace.html Tue, 07 Apr 2020 18:10:00 +0530 Aiisma, an India born data marketplace has launched Aiisma App comprising of the marketplaces’ location sharing and health mapping features that can be used for effective contact tracing, which has been the strongest aid in fighting Covid-19 so far. The insights gathered by the Aiisma ecosystem naturally create a digital fence against the Covid-19 spread, supporting citizens and authorities in the fight against the virus. Via the Aiisma mobile app, users can consensually and anonymously trade their behavioural data for rewards and receive extra compensation for viewing ads on the marketplace and businesses can access this data through the Aiisma dashboard in a legal and economical format, to create relevant products and services offerings. Furthermore, the same channel can deliver highly targeted text, banner and video ads to increase marketing efficiency for businesses. In light of the current Covid-19 situation, Aiisma has also expedited the release of its health mapping feature for individuals, to manually share and monitor health insights. Commenting on the launch of services, Ankit Chaudhari, Founder and CEO of Aiisma said, “India’s large and young population, which is digitally savvy, will make for one of the largest contributors in the approaching data economy. We at Aiisma believe that the users should reap financial rewards for this contribution and intend to do exactly this. A few days before the launch, I discussed with my father, who is a specialist microbiology consultant with the state government and he emphasized on the importance of real-time data to fight Covid-19, whilst respecting citizen privacy. This motivated us at Aiisma to expedite the health data feature, which in combination with location sharing will probably become the most used feature of our application over the coming weeks. The economic impact of the pandemic will wreak havoc for small and medium business, where again information from consumer generated data will act as an enabler for SMB’s to make smart decisions with respect to their path forward. The Covid-19 pandemic is an unfortunate situation for the world, but we are glad that we can make a positive contribution through the technology we have been building.” Adding to this, Nicholas Böhnlein, Co-Founder and COO of Aiisma said, “As a millennial I understand the power and value of my data, which is regularly monetized under the pretext of freemium by BigTech companies. We at Aiisma want to give the power of data and the huge economic value back to data creators. With the help of Aiisma’s technology ecosystem, consumers can choose the kind of data they wish to share with businesses for a fair value. In our eyes every individual is a #datapreneur. We look forward to our launch and hope to bring value to Indian consumers. Also, I would like to mention that we are open to sharing anonymous information with the respective authorities to assist them fighting the pandemic.” The Aiisma App is in beta and will soon be available on mobile app stores                   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16146/omnicuris-collaborates-with-state-medical-university-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16146/omnicuris-collaborates-with-state-medical-university-.html Tue, 07 Apr 2020 16:40:00 +0530 As it was announced that final year medical students can join coronavirus pandemic fight, leading digital CME provider Omnicuris, which offers medical skill upgradation to doctors through online modules and courses, has joined hands with Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) and Maharashtra University of Health Sciences to train their medical and nursing students for making them aware on how to deal with coronavirus using digital technology. The module includes precautions to be taken while in contact with a suspect, how to take care of personal hygiene, how to conduct testing for a suspect and guidelines on how to treat patients. With total count increasing to 1071 in India including 215 in Maharashtra and 81 in Karnataka, this initiative will strengthen the health care workforce, speed up the process of testing and treatment and provide protective cover to ageing doctors who are themselves at high risk of contracting the infection and, possibly, dying of it. The development came after sector experts suggested an all-hands-on-deck approach with strategic protection to older specialists. Through this association, Omnicuris will be able to strengthen its scientific expertise and facilities and widen its reach to doctors. By going digital for lectures, Omnicuris reach out to the final year students of these universities in the times when people are going through a nationwide lockdown. Savitha Kuttan, Founder & CEO of Omnicuris said, “We are very happy to collaborate with Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences and Maharashtra University of Health Sciences. Through this association, we will be able to teach final-year medical students about COVID-19, which has so far affected over 1000 people in India. Making this training available to the budding doctors and nurses is an important element to breaking the unbreakable chain of coronavirus pandemic and will also provide an aid to our healthcare industry. With our disease burden due to the COVID-19 is constantly increasing, continuous skill upgradation and training healthcare professionals become very important for all doctors.” According to various reports, India has one doctor for every 1,500 persons; World Health Organization (WHO) norms suggest that there must be one doctor for every 1,000 persons. In rural India, however, this ratio goes down to as low as one doctor for over 10,000 patients. Every year, nearly 38,000 postgraduation and 70,000 MBBS students graduate from colleges in India. Dr Dilip Mhaisekar, Vice Chancellor, Maharashtra University of Health Sciences said, “The main aim of conducting this online lecture series is to provide maximum knowledge to the person, who is working in the field. They should also have proper understanding of the innovations that are happening everyday. They should also gain knowledge on the new ideas to fight Covid. The HCPs and PG students of students of MUHS working on the field are not getting spare time to read on Covid-19 and through the collaboration with Omnicuris they now will get updated knowledge and know what is happening on a day to day basis.” Dr S. Sachidanand, Vice Chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences said, “Coronavirus is a vast topic and the way it’s affecting people across the world, students need to be prepared when they are working on the ground. They should know every detail about the COVID-19 pandemic and what all precautionary measures they should adhere to as a healthcare professional. We are sure that Omnicuris will help our students to stay updated about it”. In India, everybody has access to specialists in tier 1 cities. However, in smaller towns, primary care physicians are usually the first line of medical help people receive. Ability to perform appropriate diagnosis and reference is crucial for primary care physicians who act as the most important cogs in the medical wheel. Omnicuris is also planning to do the same in Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16145/motherhood-hospital-launches-online-lamaze.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16145/motherhood-hospital-launches-online-lamaze.html Tue, 07 Apr 2020 14:45:00 +0530 In order to help pregnant women to fight anxiety, stress during COVID-19, Motherhood hospital has launched virtual LAMAZE (information-based classes for childbirth preparation and breastfeeding) and prenatal yoga classes for their regular as well as new patients. Dr. Shilpi Srivastava, Consultant, Physiotherapist & Lactation expert, Motherhood Hospital Noida is guiding the hour-long session. She has personally monitored the ultrasound reports and doctor’s consent of each patient before letting them be a part of the virtual class. She is teaching basic yoga asanas like pranayam (breathing exercise), bridging pose, clam pose, cat and cow pose and child pose which are highly beneficial during pregnancy. Patients with high-risk pregnancies are not allowed to join the virtual sessions. Dr Shilpi Srivastava said, “Regular exercise is one of the cornerstones of a healthy body and mind. If you are in the habit of exercising daily, but find yourself unable to do so because of mobility restrictions, then yoga is the perfect solution. That’s why we have come up with this yoga session for pregnant women, who have been advised to stay indoors. Yoga not only offers great flexibility when it comes to indoor exercise options, but also helps to keep the stress and anxiety away. The best line of defense is to stick to a healthy lifestyle. It also boosts your immune system functions a lot better.” “We (doctors) all are available round the clock on call for our patients, especially those who are in a nuclear family setup or are single mothers. We have also been providing consultation to new mothers whenever they are feeling low or isolated. We talk to them till the time their anxiety doesn’t go away. That’s how we are supporting each and every patient of ours. Sometimes, we also ask them to practice breathing session for 10 minutes while we are on call with them,” added Dr Shilpi. It’s also giving the opportunity to interact online with doctors online and fellow participants.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16144/rainbow-childrens-hospital-launches-video-consultations-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16144/rainbow-childrens-hospital-launches-video-consultations-.html Tue, 07 Apr 2020 13:00:00 +0530 With strict restrictions on movement and safety concerns forcing people to stay at home, patients needing medical care are also finding it hard to access a doctor. In an attempt to address these concerns, Rainbow Children’s Hospital & BirthRight by Rainbow has thrown open video consultation facilities to help women and children seek medical advice for Gynecological and Pediatric issues from the safety of their homes. The Hospital Group is ensuring that doctors are available for patients at the click of a button. And from 1st March to till now they have done 80 deliveries in their hospital.  The development comes a few days after the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare issued guidelines on the practice of telemedicine, giving much-needed statutory cover to health practitioners offering remote care in India. Dr. Ramesh Kancharla, Chairman & Managing Director, Rainbow Hospitals said, “While the restrictions on movement are much-needed to control the spread of the Covid 19 pandemic, it is essential for healthcare providers to find ways to ensure uninterrupted medical care to patients. Technology has given us viable alternatives to address the medical concerns of a number of patients remotely through video consultations and we want to assure our patients that we are available for them in these challenging times. Our Doctors will continue to offer video consultations to as many patients as possible until the outbreak is controlled. Only patients needing physical examination or those with a healthcare emergency will be asked to visit the hospital.” In view of the current health scenario, as a precautionary measure against COVID-19, several constraints have been implemented to limit the spread of the pandemic.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16133/telangana-deploys-veras-covid-19-monitoring-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16133/telangana-deploys-veras-covid-19-monitoring-system.html Tue, 07 Apr 2020 09:05:00 +0530 In a major COVID-19 pandemic Public Health initiative, the Public Health and Family Welfare Department, Govt of Telangana, swiftly deployed India’s first automated “COVID – 19 Monitoring System App” developed by Vera Smart Healthcare to identify, undertake live surveillance, track, monitor, and provide real-time analytics to Chief Minister and the Health Department. “COVID – 19 Monitoring System App”, developed in a record time to deal with the pandemic, enables live surveillance, monitoring, tracking, reporting, and major bulletins. The analytics by the app also facilitate assurance to the stakeholders by providing the facts and figures in their fingertips. The system empowers each health-caller to handle 1500+ calls, and simple chatbot interaction every day with a patient, to ensure that the symptomatic or confirmed ‘positive’, quarantined and is under treatment, helping to strengthen the COVID contacts outreach significantly. The callers will also persuade and remind the patient to self-administer the prescribed treatment, to maintain social distancing, as well as give a reminder to stay home and stay safe. This user-friendly app is developed by the US and Hyderabad based, early stage start-up Vera Smart Healthcare, which had earlier helped Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu, to create detailed health profiles for more than 50000 people across these 3 states in a record number of days. Vera has introduced the first-ever mobile hospital in India to help increase healthcare accessibility in rural areas covering most of the Indian villages. The company focuses on building smart hospitals in India along with its technology partner Fellow. Announcing the successful deployment of Vera’s COVID – 19 Monitoring System App, Director of Public Health Dr. G Srinivas Rao, for COVID surveillance, commended Vera Smart Healthcare expertise to handle COVID surveillance complexities, understand the protocol, and developing the technology platform in a record of 3 days. The system has helped us first, track and monitor the foreign returnees; community spread and already hospitalised for severe acute respiratory infection (SARS) very early to control spread of COVID pandemic in the state.” “Vera Centralised COVID Monitoring System is a timely technology innovation, eased the pain off by effective surveillance, and deploy a meticulous tech-enabled method to collate vital data, at the click of a button empowering active associates across the state, from the hierarchical polity to bureaucracy to the front line ASHA & ANM workers, to make COVID – 19, a history.” Dr. Srinivas stated “The Monitoring System which is built on a digital platform, erases human errors, and provides accurate information. The quick turnaround, and the innovative psyche, has initiated improved surveillance, tracking – effective monitoring, and supervision.” Dr. Srinivas added. Explaining its benefits, Dharma Teja Nukarapu, Founder and CEO of Vera Healthcare stated “Our technology is based on IoT, Smart devices, GPS and Geotag via a super lite centralized App – COVID – 19 Monitoring System, which is installed in the phones of all associates from the ground level till the Chief Minister’s Office. The system was built by Vera in record time. Every stakeholder got comprehensive training on using the App.” “Among the vital features of the app is Geotagging and GPS tracking of the home quarantined person, to ensure that he/she is not breaching the law of quarantine. With instant trace and trackability, accurate information is pushed to the authorities even if there is a breach. Every detail reported –reaches the Chief Minister’s Office through various updaters like the ASHA worker, Doctor, Police, concerned Bureaucrat.” “Vera Healthcare is now readying to release a batch of “SMART PATCH” which tags the patient geographically, monitors and disseminates his / her real-time health progress” Dharma Teja added. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16139/findmyhealth-launches-self-assessment-online-test-for-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16139/findmyhealth-launches-self-assessment-online-test-for-covid-19.html Mon, 06 Apr 2020 18:30:00 +0530 The COVID-19 pandemic has upended the lives of billions of people around the world. Healthtech startups are taking these challenges into stride by working on different ways patients can opt for virtual OPDs using teleconsultation modules, where doctor-patient communication can happen remotely. People in larger numbers are opting for virtual consultation because they want to avoid hospitals during the time of coronavirus.  To meet this rise in demand digital healthcare startups are stepping up to fight  Covid-19. FindMyHealth, an AI-powered preventive healthcare platform is offering a quick self-assessment online test, driven by #AI to know your current risk level for Corona. To perform this test one needs to click on the website/App link. FindMyHealth enables online tests for the current Coronavirus pandemic. The first one is ‘Corona Risk Calculator’ which is a quick self-assessment online test, driven by #AI to know your current risk level for Corona. The Calculator evaluates symptoms, exposure and World Health Organization data for observed mortality. It is based on the data and guidelines released by the Centre for Disease Control/World Health Organization. The main concept behind this is to be a first point of triaging, helping users address their anxiety regarding corona infection. For borderline and high-risk users are connected to the nearest helpline number and also get a free call back for high-risk users who opt for this service. Call back allows a medical professional to immediately talk to them and suggest appropriate actions. The second test is an Ayurvedic Immunity Booster which can be taken by Individuals with low immunity score (apart from our AI-driven inner health analysis). The booster is a combination of eleven specifically identified herbs that regulate immunity, which is our primary defense against any bacteria or virus. This can be widely deployed to proactively identify high-risk individuals for further testing and care. Hindi version is also available. FindMyHealth, started by Flipkart and IIT Mumbai alumni, helps individuals get a peek into their inner health using a combination of AI and Ayurveda. It was recognized as the 20 most promising health tech startups in 2020 by CIOReviewIndia.              ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16126/drdo-develops-equipment-for-effective-public-sanitation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16126/drdo-develops-equipment-for-effective-public-sanitation.html Mon, 06 Apr 2020 09:05:00 +0530 In the continuing quest for developing indigenous solutions to combat the Corona Virus Pandemic, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is ready with technologies for sanitising areas of different sizes. The Centre for Fire Explosive & Environment Safety (CFEES), Delhi has developed two configurations of sanitising equipment. These are spinoffs from technologies developed for fire suppression applications.   Portable Backpack Area Sanitisation Equipment The CFEES, Delhi with the help of its industry partner has developed portable sanitisation equipment for spraying decontamination solution consisting of one per cent Hypochlorite (HYPO) solution for sanitisation of suspected area. The portable system can be mounted as a backpack and can be carried by the operations personnel. This system incorporates low pressure twin fluid (air & disinfectant liquid) technology to generate very fine mist. The system is capable of disinfecting upto 300 square metre area. The application areas can include hospital reception, doctor chambers, office spaces dealing with general public, corridors, pathways, metro and railway stations, bus stations, etc.   Trolley Mounted Large Area Sanitisation Equipment The Centre with the help of its industry partner has also developed a higher capacity which is carried on a trolley. The system incorporates low pressure single fluid (disinfectant liquid) technology generating very fine mist. It is capable of disinfecting upto 3,000 square metre area. It has a tank capacity of 50 litres and has a lancing (throw) distance of 12-15 metres. This is useful for disinfecting hospitals, malls, airports, metro stations, isolation areas, quarantine centres and high risk residential areas.  Two of these systems are being provided to Delhi Police for immediate use. These can be made available to other agencies with the help of industry partners. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16131/nayati-healthcare-dedicates-200-beds-for-covid-19-treatment-in-mathura.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16131/nayati-healthcare-dedicates-200-beds-for-covid-19-treatment-in-mathura.html Sat, 04 Apr 2020 16:00:00 +0530 Noida based Nayati Healthcare & Research Pvt Ltd has dedicated 200 beds for the treatment of COVID-19 patients at their flagship hospital, Nayati Medicity in Mathura. The 200 beds comprise of 102 dedicated ICU and HDU beds along with 98 isolation beds. The announcement is part of its strategy to contain and tackle the growing number of cases in the state which is amongst the top 5 presently. Nayati Medicity is a 377 beded comprehensive super-specialty quaternary care hospital at Mathura with seven Centres of Excellence and 14 Speciality departments, including a state of the art facility for end to end treatment of cancer center in a Tier 3 city. It is the first of its kind tertiary care super specialty equipped hospital serving a large community and is NABH accredited. Chairperson & Promoter, Niira Radia said, “The responsibility of dealing with such a pandemic cannot be only with the public healthcare system, the private sector is playing an equal. Considering the steep rise in the number of Corona virus cases in the country and Uttar Pradesh contributing substantially to those numbers we are fully geared for treatment of COVID patients at Nayati Medicity Mathura and Agra. Considering that we are the only advanced critical care centre in this part of the region, and in the wake of corona virus, we have reoriented our hospital and our teams. We have segregated and equipped ourselves with 102 ICU beds, and 98 isolation and high dependency beds. We have equipped ourselves to serve over 1500 -2000 COVID patients in an 8/12 week period which includes critical care too. Three levels of triaging has been prepared and patients in triage are being screened in separate zones being set up. In the 1st phase the 70 bed isolation area will be used which has 70 beds of which ICU beds equipped with ventilator and ECMO. Nayati Hospital Agra has been converted into a level 1 Quarantine Centre on request of the UP Government. Mathura will handle all the level II & III Covid cases. There is a strong commitment from our 1200 team members who cut across all specialities, nurses para meds - support services etc , to participate and fight this menace together. Additionally, the Nayati Campus, home to the Nayati doctors and paramedics, who have come to this region from all across the country to make Mathura, Vrindavan their home for the last 4 years, will act as the satellite campus providing food and lodging to external teams, who join to support if the need arises.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16122/portea-medical-launches-fit-to-fight-corona.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16122/portea-medical-launches-fit-to-fight-corona.html Fri, 03 Apr 2020 14:15:00 +0530 As part of a collective effort to provide care at home, various leading Home healthcare providers including Portea Medical have come together to form the Home Healthcare Association.   The association has been engaging various government bodies and healthcare federations to offer solutions on the ground to jointly fight the COVID-19 health crisis. One of the key solutions offered by this industry group is Home Quarantine management. As part of this, Portea has launched a home quarantine solution called ‘Fit to Fight Corona’. Portea is offering both its direct customers and corporate partners, a 14-day home quarantine management service to enable them to stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic and manage symptoms if any. The symptoms of Coronavirus resemble many other respiratory ailments and flu. There is thus a lot of confusion among people on how to manage the condition, when to get tested, etc. The virus can also harm people with low immunity such as the elderly, more so if they have associated conditions like high blood pressure. Given this, Portea has undertaken initiatives to not only sensitize people about the condition but also offer support in more ways than one.  Speaking about this, Meena Ganesh, MD, and CEO, Portea Medical, said, “The novel-Coronavirus (Covid-19) has emerged as one of the biggest threats to global healthcare in modern times. With over 200,000 infections and a mortality rate of 4%, this virus has once again underscored the role that health-tech startups can play in such a scenario. Apart from accurate information and awareness on Coronavirus, there is a need to also ensure that people with low immunity such as the elderly are provided with basic healthcare services at home. This will ensure that they do not come into contact with those who have the infection given their susceptibility.” Adding further, Meena Ganesh said, “Home quarantine can be of help in this regard and it is also essential for anyone who is at risk of contracting the infection. Through the Fit to Fight Corona solution, we aim to ensure that our customers can remote assessments at home and are continuously monitored by health professionals. This helps them know early on as to whether their symptoms require them to take any proactive action e.g testing or visiting a hospital. We also plan to partner with some hospitals for home quarantine solutions. This is our way of ensuring that we fight this public health crisis together and take collective action by preventing it from spreading further.” The 14-day home quarantine package for Portea’s regular customers starts with an onboarding call for assessment and education on home quarantine. There will be daily calls to check for the next 5 days including temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and questions on an increase of or any new symptoms. They will also be advised on isolation and nutrition and there will be an essential call by a doctor on 0, 7th and 14th day.  In case there are symptoms that require escalation e.g testing or visit to a COVID-19 hospital, the would be advised and provided the appropriate guidance. Portea has recently partnered with the Government of Goa and Verloop to launch the Cobot-19 Information and Awareness Chatbot. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16113/government-launches-coronavirus-tracker-app.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16113/government-launches-coronavirus-tracker-app.html Fri, 03 Apr 2020 06:00:00 +0530 The Government of India has launched a mobile app developed in public-private partnership to bring the people of India together in a resolute fight against COVID-19. The App, called ‘AarogyaSetu’ joins Digital India for the health and well-being of every Indian. It will enable people to assess themselves the risk for their catching the Corona Virus infection. It will calculate this based on their interaction with others, using cutting edge Bluetooth technology, algorithms and artificial intelligence. Once installed in a smart phone through an easy and user-friendly process, the app detects other devices with AarogyaSetu installed that come in the proximity of that phone. The app can then calculate the risk of infection based on sophisticated parameters if any of these contacts is tested positive. The App will help the Government take necessary timely steps for assessing risk of spread of COVID-19 infection, and ensuring isolation where required. The App’s design ensures privacy-first. The personal data collected by the App is encrypted using state-of-the-art technology and stays secure on the phone till it is needed for facilitating medical intervention. Available in 11 languages, the App is ready for pan-India use from day-1 and has highly scalable architecture.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16107/indira-ivf-launches-tele-consultation-services.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16107/indira-ivf-launches-tele-consultation-services.html Thu, 02 Apr 2020 13:50:00 +0530 The covid-19 outbreak has taken over the world and the cases are increasing on the regular basis. The rapidly spreading virus is affecting lots of countries. The hospitals at this time is flooded with patients and the staff is trying the best to contain the disease. Taking into consideration the current situation, Indira IVF- fertility chain has come up with tele-consultation services for its patients. The main aim behind this concept is to reduce the number of patients to visit hospitals for non-emergency cases. Indira IVF started its services in all 89 centres. The tele-consultation services can be attained by patients who are already undergoing treatment or the ones to want to seek advice. IVF specialists will be providing the tele consultation services to the patients. The company has advised the patients not to come to the hospital in case of non-emergency and advised the pregnant patients to keep sufficient medicine in their home required for a pregnant lady. Also, with the help of a helpline contact, patient can reach out to doctors/specialist for further assistance. Speaking about the instruction given to patient undergone IVF, Nitiz Murdia, Director Embryology, Indira IVF, Said, “For females who have undergone IVF embryo transfer in last few days, we are advising them to quarantine themselves for 14 days and avoid meeting unnecessary people as well as stay indoor and safe”. Speaking about the new technique, Dr Kshitiz Murdia, CEO Indira IVF said, “Tele-consultation is a very promising platform to connect patients with the Fertility specialist even if a patient is present in a remote location. In the present condition where its advisable to restrict the movement and stay at home, this platform is boon for patients who wish to reach their doctors and take advise”. Today, most hospitals are restricting the visit of patients hence in the demand of the tele consultation with the doctors in on the peak. Many hospitals/ corporate chains are trying to bring in tele consultation services for the patients where they can consult the doctors easily. As per the reports, the demand for the tele-consultation has gone up by 30%. The tele consultation services will be provided across 89 centres in 22 states 70 cities by the team of 200 Fertility specialist.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16095/trivitron-launches-range-of-sanitizers-protective-coverall.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16095/trivitron-launches-range-of-sanitizers-protective-coverall.html Thu, 02 Apr 2020 05:05:00 +0530 Trivitron Healthcare’s Kiran Medical Systems has launched “Kiran Health Shield” range of Hand Sanitizers & Protective Coverall for Healthcare Professionals. The Kiran Health Shield Hand Sanitizers will be available in 4 Variants:   Pro-Liquid: 75% Isopropyl Alcohol with Hydrogen Peroxide for advanced care in Hospitals, ICUs etc. Ultra Pro-Liquid: 70% Isopropyl Alcohol with Chlorhexidine Gluconate for advanced care in Hospitals, ICUs etc. Hand Cleanser Gel: 60% Denatured Ethanol with moisturizer and humectant in Gel form for regular use in Homes, Offices, Clinics, Laboratories, Restaurants, Stores, Schools etc. Hand Cleanser Liquid: 60% Denatured Ethanol with moisturizer and humectant in Liquid form for regular use at Homes, Offices, Airports and Transportation Hubs, Clinics, Laboratories, Restaurants, Stores etc. The Kiran Health Shield Protective Coverall is a disposable Personal Protective Wear made from high quality laminated non-woven fabric and offers adequate barrier protection against light fluid contact and particulate matter. Speaking on the occasion Satyaki Banerjee, CEO, Medical Imaging, Trivitron Healthcare commented, “Over the last 2 Weeks, Trivitron Healthcare has literally changed the gears with a single motto to create solutions in our relentless fight against Covid-19 pandemic. The new Kiran Health Shield range of Hand Sanitizers & Personal Protective Coverall is the result of the same. We at Trivitron Healthcare Salute the Healthcare Professionals for their selfless service and our employees who have come together during these testing times to deliver Products that are needed on utmost priority. Trivitron Healthcare is at war footing and will continue to deliver more Covid-19 oriented solutions that will benefit the country over the coming weeks. All products are manufactured at our ISO 13485 compliant manufacturing facilities.” Commenting on this development Dr. GSK Velu, Chairman and Managing Director, Trivitron Healthcare Group of Companies said, “First of all, I thank the Healthcare Professionals and Government employees for their selfless service to fight Covid-19. When the country needed, Trivitron responded. We look at this moment as an opportunity to serve the nation more than anything else. In fact, the entire Trivitron group strategy is now around creating Coronavirus solutions right from testing kits, ventilators to protection solutions etc and these are possible thanks to our hardworking and determined employees during this crisis.” The Products are the result of Trivitron Healthcare’s commitment to support the fight against infectious diseases like the Covid-19 pandemic.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16101/covid-19-impacts-patients-with-blood-cancer-and-related-disorders.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16101/covid-19-impacts-patients-with-blood-cancer-and-related-disorders.html Thu, 02 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Doctors worry as the pre-aligned blood stem cell transplant procedure comes to a halt due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. Primarily, experts are facing logistics issues as donors are not able to travel to the hospital / collection centers to donate their blood stem cells. Dr. Sunil Bhat, Senior Consultant in Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Narayana Health City said “The corona virus pandemic has posed lot of challenges for patients with hematological-oncological conditions and in need of a blood stem cell transplant. In the context of unrelated blood stem cell transplants there is lots of logistic support needed. The current lockdown situation has impacted the usual process for transporting blood stem cells across borders and countries. This has come to a halt and especially overseas patients requiring transplants urgently are unable to get the blood stem cells from Indian donors.  Also, within the country, blood stem cell donor collections have drastically reduced.  There is also a fear factor in the voluntary blood stem cell donors about blood stem cell donation during this time.” Dr. Sunil also added that blood cancer and other blood disorder patients suffer from immune deficiency. Even regular respiratory viruses are a problem and the spread of coronavirus is a major risk for the patients.  These patients are more sensitive to infection than any other group, because the treatment itself destroys their own immune system, and replaces it with the donor’s. Thus, the management of such high-risk patients have also become challenging in this situation. Speaking about the situation Patrick Paul, CEO, DKMS BMST Foundation India, said “Even during the current situation, potential blood stem cell donors registered with DKMS-BMST are contacted daily in order to donate blood stem cells for people facing life-threatening diseases. The health and well-being of the donors will always be our utmost priority.” When entering the collection center and before any donation a screening for the COVID-19 virus risks is carried out. These measures serve to protect the donor as well as the recipient and the employees in the collection centres. Health experts have confirmed in an important finding, that there is no evidence that the COVID-19 virus can be transmitted via blood, bone marrow, or stem cell products. Apart from this, physical donor drives are put on hold that has affected potential donor registrations. “The COVID-19 outbreak has prompted people to stay indoors due to which we are not able to conduct blood stem cell donor registration drives. To bridge this gap and continue our fight against blood cancer, we urge people across India to register themselves as potential blood stem cell donors through the online registration link which we recently launched. By doing this, the planned-on ground registration drives can take place digitally instead and the database of potential stem cell donors can increase,” said Patrick Paul, CEO, DKMS BMST Foundation India. Most often, a blood stem cell transplant is the mainstay of care for patients suffering from blood cancer and related blood disorders. Only about 30% of the patients in need of a stem cell transplant as life-saving treatment can find a sibling match. The rest 70% depend on finding a matching unrelated donor which makes it vital for people to register themselves as potential donors and help save a life. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16103/aster-announces-support-package-for-kerala-to-fight-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16103/aster-announces-support-package-for-kerala-to-fight-covid-19.html Thu, 02 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0530 In an effort to support the State Government of Kerala in managing the COVID-19 pandemic, Aster DM Healthcare is undertaking proactive measures as a responsible healthcare organization with significant presence in the State. The measures were announced by Dr. Azad Moopen- Founder Chairman and Managing Director of Aster DM Healthcare following his conversation with the Honorable Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, who is the leading Kerala’s efforts to contain the COVID-19 crisis.  The measures are: Aster shall be donating Rs 2.5 Crores to Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to support the excellent efforts by the Government of Kerala to contain and eradicate COVID-19 Aster has hospitals at Kochi, Kozhikode, Kannur, Kottakal and Wayanad. Aster shall dedicate 750 beds in these hospitals for accepting patients referred by the Government authorities for expert management. Aster shall explore with the Government to organize cluster of isolation/ observation rooms for suspected and positive COVID cases, around the Aster hospitals in Kochi, Kozhikode and Kannur by seeking the co-operation of hotel and apartment owners. The doctors and nurses of Aster shall provide medical support in these facilities. Aster has already started Tele-Health Centers for providing out-patient consultation for patients in panic or people seeking medical consultation on COVID-19 which can be accessed through the website and call centers of all Aster units in India and GCC. Aster MIMS, Kozhikode is one of the 2 labs in the private sector recognized by ICMR to perform the COVID PCR test. This shall be made available to public as directed by the Government. The organization is also seeking permission to perform the COVID Rapid Test in all the 5 Aster Hospitals in Kerala to help the people who are worried and want to get tested. This would increase the number of people being tested for identification, quarantine and treatment. Speaking on the occasion Dr. Azad Moopen said, “As a healthcare organization, it is our foremost responsibility to work closely with our Governments and introduce all possible measures to contain the health crisis that the world is facing today. In this we applaud the commendable leadership of our Honorable Chief Minister of Kerala Shri Pinarayi Vijayan and our Health Minister Smt. KK Shailaja for their timely and strategic response to help the people of Kerala cope-up with the current situation. We remain committed to working with the Governments and the people in the countries that we operate in to help fight COVID-19.” “Through our hospitals in India and particularly in Kerala, we remain committed to provide all the necessary support that is needed to help our Governments and the people fight the pandemic. All our hospitals are now offering support through Tele-health services for people seeking advice on COVID following the WHO and government guidelines. We have also introduced protocols to safeguard our existing patients from potential positive cases that may arrive at our facilities,” said Dr. Harish Pillai, CEO- Aster DM Healthcare India.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16096/fortis-hospital-mumbai-launch-telehealth-services.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16096/fortis-hospital-mumbai-launch-telehealth-services.html Wed, 01 Apr 2020 15:20:00 +0530 In an endeavor to ensure that people receive accurate and timely medical aid, Fortis Hospitals Mumbai has launched Telehealth initiative. The initiative is also aimed at promoting ‘Social Distancing’ and preventing crowding at the hospital. Speaking about the initiative, Dr S. Narayani, Zonal Director, Fortis Hospital, Mulund, said, “While Social Distancing is the need of the hour, and a nation-wide lockdown has been imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19, one cannot forget that the healthcare needs of the community also need to be met. An optimal way of curbing transmission, beyond Social Distancing, is to make telemedicine available to all patients. With this initiative, we will continue to meet the healthcare needs of the community without taking our eye off the COVID-19 battle”. Through this initiative, a consultation with the specialist will be hosted over a video call. To begin with, Fortis Hospitals Mumbai has started this service of few specialties and will gradually expand the offerings.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16094/infosys-foundation-partners-with-narayana-health-city-to-open-100-bed-quarantine-facility.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16094/infosys-foundation-partners-with-narayana-health-city-to-open-100-bed-quarantine-facility.html Wed, 01 Apr 2020 14:40:00 +0530 Infosys Foundation, the philanthropic and CSR arm of Infosys and Narayana Health, one of the largest healthcare provider in the country, launched a 100-room quarantine facility for COVID patients in the vicinity of Narayana health city in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The facility, aimed at serving patients belonging to the economically weaker sections of the society, will accommodate patients, provide regular monitoring by doctors, nurses, and essential medication free of cost. The patients in the isolation facility will be monitored by the doctors and nurses of Narayana Health City. This partnership is another step in the Foundation’s efforts to expand hospital and quarantine facilities and ensure proper medical treatment for the patients belonging to the economically weaker sections of the society. Sudha Murty, Chairperson, Infosys Foundation, said, “Diseases often hit the underprivileged the hardest, because not only can they not afford proper treatment, but they also lose livelihood when they are dealing with the illness. This is a small effort by the Foundation to ensure that the underserved people of our society get access to clean, hygienic accommodation as well as appropriate medical treatment. We are thankful to Narayana Health City for their partnership and the thoughtfulness of this initiative.” Dr. Devi Shetty, Chairman, Narayana Health, said, “We are pleased to partner with Infosys Foundation to open this 100-room quarantine facility for underprivileged patients. Providing safe-spaces, with proper medical care to enable patients to isolate themselves, will play a big role in India’s fight against COVID-19, and we thank Infosys Foundation for their support in this endeavor.” Earlier this week, Infosys Foundation announced its commitment of INR 100 crore to help the government with COVID-19 relief efforts.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16091/government-issues-manual-on-homemade-masks.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16091/government-issues-manual-on-homemade-masks.html Wed, 01 Apr 2020 10:10:00 +0530 The Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India has issued a detailed manual on homemade masks : “Masks for Curbing the Spread of SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus”. Quoting the World Health Organization , the manual states that “Masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water. If you wear a mask, then you must know how to use it and dispose of it properly.” Analyses show that if 50% of the population were to wear masks, only 50% of the population would be infected by the virus. Once 80% of the population wears a mask, the outbreak can be stopped immediately. On Why Wear a Mask?, it says that  “COVID-19 virus spreads easily from person to person contact.  Virus carrying droplets dry fast enough to form droplet nuclei and remain airborne eventually landing on different surfaces. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has been detected in aerosols for up to three hours and on plastic and stainless steel surfaces for up to three days. (N.EnglJ.Med. 2020)”. The manual says that Masks lower the chances of coronavirus entering the respiratory system through droplets still in the air from an infected person. It says that reducing the chances of inhaling the virus by wearing a protective mask that is cleaned thoroughly using a combination of approaches that use Heat, UV light, water, soap and alcohol, will be vital to stopping its spread The proposed guide is meant to provide a simple outline of best practices to make, use and reuse masks to enable NGOs and individuals to self-create such masks and accelerate widespread adoption of masks across India. The key criteria for proposed designs are Ease of Access to Materials, Easy of Making at Home, Ease of Use and Reuse. Wearing of masks is especially recommended for people living in densely populated areas across India. Earlier in its update on  Science, Technology and Innovation response to COVID-19, the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India stated that the Science and Technology Empowered Committee for COVID-19 response has rapidly worked towards implementation of scientific solutions. The following actions are in place keeping in view the critical need to increase the testing facilities for COVID-19: An office memorandum allowing institutes under DST, DBT, CSIR, DAE, DRDO and Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to self assess and prepare their labs for research and testing through the standard and rigorous protocol. Testing will be stratified according to priorities set by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and ICMR. Research will also be stratified into short and mid-term returns. The S & T Empowered Committee was constituted on 19th March 2020.The committee is chaired by Prof. Vinod Paul, Member, NITI Aayog and Prof. K VijayRaghavan, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, and is responsible for coordination amongst science agencies, scientists, industries and regulatory bodies, and to take speedy decisions on research and development to implementation related to the Sars-Cov-2 virus and the COVID-19 disease. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16081/paras-healthcare-scales-up-tele-consultation-services-across-8-hospitals.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16081/paras-healthcare-scales-up-tele-consultation-services-across-8-hospitals.html Tue, 31 Mar 2020 14:20:00 +0530 Paras Healthcare has thrown open tele-consultation services at all its hospitals across India with an objective to allow a greater number of patients to seek medical consultation from the safety of their homes as the country locks down to prevent the spread of the Covid 19 outbreak. Paras Group of hospitals across Gurugram, Patna, Darbhanga, Panchkula and Ranchi are actively offering tele-consultations to patients seeking medical opinions for a wide variety of ailments including suspected cases of COVID 19 who require monitoring under quarantine. They are also working to scale up its preparedness for the impending rise in cases of COVID 19 by initiating a series of measures such as procuring adequate safety and protection equipment for doctors, ventilators as well as creation of isolation wards. Dr Shankar Narang, COO, Paras Healthcare said, “In view of the Covid 19 outbreak, we have opened tele-consultation services across all our 8 hospitals in the country. This will work to reduce crowding at hospitals and will ensure that a sizeable number of patients who need medical care for different health conditions do not need to visit hospitals at this critical time. In fact, the demand for our tele-consultation services has shot up by 30% in the past week as more and more people try to stay at home. To ensure faster accessibility, we have increased the number of executives manning our tele health helplines and have also strategically co-opted time from doctors to ensure faster availability.” Patients seeking medical help virtually include a number of people with flu-like symptoms that overlap with symptoms of Covid 19. The symptoms of such patients are assessed carefully and they are advised to monitor their temperature and alert the doctors in case there is any worsening of the symptoms. Among measures initiated to boost hospitals’ preparedness to meet any eventuality, the administration is training medical staff as well as doctors to make them abreast about the guidelines to be followed in treating Covid-19 patients. “We have trained our medical staff and doctors so that they are ready to follow the required protocols in treating Covid 19 patients. We are also procuring requisite supplies of protective gear and equipment for our doctors and medical staff to ensure their safety. With the recently announced decision of NHA, we have also included COVID-19 treatment in the Ayushman Bharat scheme at Darbhanga unit,” added Dr Narang. The organization is advising patients to increasingly seek virtual consultations and visit hospitals only in cases of medical emergency. A bulk of patients have shifted to the virtual consultation route at we are also insisting people to seek video consultation and teleconsultation through our Paras Health Mate Application designed for this only.  The video consultation is through the app i.e. Paras Health-mate app, wherein both the options for tele and video consultation are available wherein healthcare consultant actively providing consultation basis on the availability.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16078/milaap-launches-campaign-to-fight-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16078/milaap-launches-campaign-to-fight-covid-19.html Tue, 31 Mar 2020 13:15:00 +0530 Covid-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, has infected more than 4.9 lakh people worldwide, killing more than 22,000. The country is now under a lockdown for 21 days. However, there are many people in our society like doctors, nurses, delivery staff, conservancy workers (garbage/waste segregators) and field volunteers, among others, still working tirelessly to ensure our societal needs are met: often at the risk of their personal safety.  Moreover, with the increasing number of people being tested positive worldwide, it’s also important to remember that not everyone can remain in quarantine without their lives being completely upturned. The financial impact of the pandemic, especially on blue-collar workers and families that survive on a daily wage, is far reaching.  Milaap, South Asia’s largest crowdfunding platform, opened itself up for fundraisers around Covid-19. In an attempt to help those whose lives have been worst affected by the pandemic, a separate page, milaap.org/covid19 has been launched. The causes range from providing essentials to nearby slums in bigger cities to equipping doctors/their social initiatives with protective gear, and even ventilators for smaller hospitals without the facility. While renowned people like Luis Miranda and Venkat Iyer have set up fundraisers on one hand, there are many regular individuals who are raising funds to support particular families in distress around them. In the spirit of global solidarity, Milaap has waived off their platform fee completely for all fundraisers under this cause. Mayukh Choudhury, CEO and co-founder of Milaap said, “This crowd funding project is to highlight citizen initiatives across India to mitigate the economic crisis faced by vulnerable families, as well as support those who are in the frontlines, with the monetary resources they deserve. Our larger objective is to inspire each one of us to look within our circles, our neighbourhoods, and support the vulnerable in this hour of need. While it might take a while to get back to normalcy, even small acts of kindness can make this easier.” “We have always stood by communities during natural calamities and disasters. This is no different. In this digital era, generosity can flow unhinged even when physical infrastructure crumbles. Many of our donors have reached out to us for verified, credible avenues to express their support for citizen-led fundraising initiatives. Within a week, nearly 6000 donors have supported fundraisers under the cause and the number is rising as we speak. Since the only way to fight a crisis at this scale is to do it together, Milaap is doing it’s best so that people can help each other. On our end, we are offering the platform at a 0% fee so that people in need can get all the help coming their way.” he added. Milaap, a crowdfunding platform primarily for personal medical causes has so far raised nearly 10 Crores from 40,000+ donors for such emergency causes and disaster relief, including the floods in Chennai, Assam and Kerala. While the platform can only extend support for causes in India, fundraisers can accept help from anywhere across the world.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16070/cloudnine-group-launches-teleconsultation-services.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16070/cloudnine-group-launches-teleconsultation-services.html Mon, 30 Mar 2020 17:00:00 +0530 After PM Modi's Covid-19 appeal, in order to assure steady and quick medical services available to its customers, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, India’s leading chain of maternity, childcare and fertility care group of hospitals headquartered in Bengaluru, has announced the launch of its teleconsultation service with doctors in response to the growing public health concerns caused by the spread of the COVID-19 virus. This first of its kind service in the maternal and child healthcare is part of the emergency response measures for new coronavirus infectious disease based on the guidelines released by Medical Council of India in partnership with NITI Aayog. The service has been made available across Gurgaon, Noida, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru and Chennai units of Cloudnine.  This service shall allow customers to consult doctors from their homes via video thereby avoiding all the non- essential travel to the hospital. Doctors will advise and follow up with patients according to their conditions and symptoms. Customers may use this service for follow up consultation on their ongoing treatment as well. This value-added health service shall be available on mobile phones through “It’s our Baby” app which has currently 100k users. This will include doctor consultations, electronic prescriptions and electronic medical certificates. Speaking at the side-lines of the launch of this service says Raviganesh Venkataraman, CEO, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals “In the wake the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in most parts of the world, the use of remote health consultation can be an effective way of triaging potential cases and also can serve as a form of first line of defense, while keeping frontline healthcare staff safe unless there is an urgent need for immediate medical attention/treatment.  In the case of India, the experience of COVID-19 could be an opportunity for remote health consultation to enter into the mainstream and the availability of this service will allow us to continue to provide comprehensive quality care to patients. By combining revolutionary health technology and the convenience of telemedicine, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals is helping to empower consumers to take control of their health, anytime, anywhere.” Adding further, “Providing Digital solutions has always been core to our business that, unlike a lot of others, we really didn't look at it (digital) as being a separate entity but instead we brought that on completely in-house. The introduction of extensive telehealth capability adds to our comprehensive functionality for practitioners and patients. For customers, the technology partnership helps to connect their doctor at their fingertips — saving on travel and waiting time. It also provides incredible convenience for people who are working to see a practitioner without needing to leave home to do so”. Speaking about the service, says Chaitanya Shravanth, Chief Digital Officer & Chief Marketing officer at Cloudnine Group of Hospitals “Digital health is a critical enabler for the overall transformation of the health system and Cloudnine has always been at the forefront by adopting innovative technological solutions. This service was developed by our in-house team of experts in less than 36 hours. We are trying to put all the B2C services (pharmacy, delivery etc) and we are confident that the tele consultation in real time shall facilitate simultaneous and rapid exchange of information with all our customers”. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16066/apollo-hospitals-partners-with-enterprises-to-combat-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16066/apollo-hospitals-partners-with-enterprises-to-combat-covid-19.html Mon, 30 Mar 2020 16:00:00 +0530 The Apollo Hospitals Group, India’s largest integrated healthcare chain, took forward its comprehensive response plan to COVID-19, Project Kavach, which was announced on 26th March Isolation is an important part of #break the chain strategy. Project Stay I is an innovative initiative to strengthen the bulwark against COVID-19 by creating isolation rooms in hotels with light medical supervision for quarantine and creating a barrier to ensure people recover without spreading the virus, and or be supervised so they can move to medical care at the right time. This also ensures that people who don’t need hospital beds are not using the scarce resource if they are not critically sick. The objective is to create isolation and quarantine facilities away from the main hospitals in cities across the country and reduce the burden on hospitals providing acute care. To ensure affordable, safe rooms overnight, clean environments, Apollo Hospitals has joined forces with Hindustan Unilever, State Bank of India, Oyo Rooms, Lemon Tree, Ginger hotels and Zomato to launch a social impact initiative on isolation care called “Project Stay I” (Stay Isolated). Project Stay I is an innovative strategy to strengthen the bulwark against COVID-19 by creating isolation rooms in hotels with light medical supervision for quarantine and creating a barrier before people come into the hospitals. These isolation rooms will be rolled out in the following cities – Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Delhi, starting with approximately 500 in Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, going up by 50 rooms every three days, to reach an eventual target of 5000 rooms across the country. The ramp up in the number of rooms will be calibrated as per the need. And cities will be added based on government requests, support of local healthcare providers and support for CSR. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16062/doceree-opens-its-platforms-for-free-amid-covid-19-lockdown.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16062/doceree-opens-its-platforms-for-free-amid-covid-19-lockdown.html Mon, 30 Mar 2020 13:40:00 +0530 Coming to the aid of pharma, medical and healthcare companies amid coronavirus mayhem globally, New York based start-up Doceree which is the first Ad Exchange for branded Healthcare Professional Marketing has announced that it will allow companies to advertise on its platforms for free and help them reach out to doctors uninterruptedly. This is an initiative taken to support them when their crucial workforce of medical and sales representatives are locked indoors. The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic upsurge followed by curfew, lockdown and ‘Social Distancing’ supposed to be the effective preventive measures have almost put a pause in the lives of the people, posing serious challenges around. Despite putting sweat and blood round the clock to discover a vaccine or medicine for COVID-19 cure, medical scientists from across the world haven’t come out with flying colours yet. Owing to strict ‘Social Distancing’, Lockdown and stringent regulations coming up amidst COVID-19 scare for its prevention, Pharma companies are unable to reach out to the doctors as their Reps can’t get face time with them to provide them with the free flow of scientific information about the drugs. Neither can they organise CMEs that update physicians’ information domain. Physicians need product information, KOL and Advisory Board content, services and support that Reps provide. In such circumstances where there is a complete disconnect between the doctors and the pharma, a New York-based Pharma Ad-tech start-up Doceree has created a digital Artificial (AI) based platform, which might be instrumental in bringing doctors and pharma together remotely despite Social Distancing and Lockdown. Dr. Harshit Jain, Founder & CEO, Doceree said, “Of course, the outbreak of COVID-19 has been a sort of unexpected invasion over our personal and professional lives for several days and weeks. And the intensity of its ceaseless surge might prolong for a few months. In a situation where everything is locked in, HCPs can’t have the option to put themselves out of their duties. However, they need some support which they get routinely by the pharma companies. But the question is — how it could be done? Yes, this could be done through a technology-enabled remote working system that we call the digital medium.” He adds further, “We have developed an Artificial Intelligence (AI) based technology that uses data segmentation & analytics and offer the power to deliver sequential content, to promote the behaviour change needed to take the HCPs down the conversion funnel. This technology also understands doctors’ behaviour, so that one can connect with them better. Hence, in the situation when social distancing has been turning out to be quint-essential to fight the COVID-19 pandemic out, this is the only technology left for the pharmaceutical companies to reach out to the physicians.” Despite willing to provide credible scientific information about the drugs to the doctors, the pharma companies are unable to reach them out as the COVID-19 pandemic is pacing faster. In such a situation, the digital medium is the only way forward wherein Doceree has been doing a marvellous job, influencing the US Pharma marketing & advertising with its latest digital modules based on AI. This technology has the potential to bridge the gap between the pharma and the doctors, paving the way for the former to reach out to the latter. In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, the specific module developed by the Doceree for the pharma companies that address the real problems they face in reaching out to the doctors has been largely superb. This innovative technology has been instrumental in bringing pharma companies back on track to reach out to the doctors in minimum resources with maximum credible scientific information. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16061/fortis-puts-in-place-3-tier-covid19-defense-structure.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16061/fortis-puts-in-place-3-tier-covid19-defense-structure.html Mon, 30 Mar 2020 11:50:00 +0530 Fortis Healthcare has initiated a 360-degree action plan to meet the challenges of treating COVID19 patients with a slew of initiatives. As the entire country comes together to beat this pandemic, Fortis has set up isolation wards in all of its 28 hospitals across the country and a total of 262 isolation beds have been earmarked to treat COVID19 patients.  The medical teams at Fortis are already treating 21 COVID19 positive cases along with 87 suspected cases at various hospitals. The current capacity of isolation beds across the network has considerable scope for expansion as per situational requirements. Speaking on the preparedness of Fortis to treat COVID19 patients, Dr Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, CEO & MD, Fortis Healthcare, said, “Fortis stands ready to support the needs of the country in these challenging times. We hope that the visionary pre-emptive 21 days’ lockdown announced by Honourable Prime Minister of India will help to break the chain. At the same time, we are working closely with the central and state governments to ramp up the infrastructure of isolation and critical care beds along with the necessary medical supplies and equipment to meet the challenge. We are continuously monitoring the evolving situation and will do everything possible to expand bed availability should the situation require the same. We are also doing everything possible to keep our doctors, nurses and other staff, safe and protected.” Fortis hospital, Jaipur diagnosed one of the first few cases of COVID19 in the country on 1st March 2020 when an Italian national was admitted. Since then its network of 28 hospitals across India has been meticulously enhancing skills and capacities to enable the hospital chain to stand shoulder to shoulder with the rest of the healthcare delivery system to effectively combat this pandemic.   A “3-tier COVID defence structure” is in place at all Fortis hospitals, with immaculate screening, Fever (FLU) Clinics, and in-patient isolation facilities. Fortis is also laIsioning with health authorities at the district and state level intensely with the result that for health authorities in Punjab, Haryana and Maharashtra, Fortis has been their go to destination. Summing up, Dr Raghuvanshi added, “It is indeed a time to collaborate and support in every possible way in this fight against COVID19. It is very inspiring to see the Government being so proactive in devising a strong approach to deal with this issue. With a national footprint across the country, we at Fortis Healthcare are proud to be an integral part of this formidable counter force.”   Social distancing and testing remain the bedrock of fighting COVID19. SRL Diagnostics, Fortis’s diagnostics company, has been working closely with the Government and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), to augment the nation’s COVID19 testing capacity. Two clinical labs – Goregaon (Mumbai) and Gurgaon (Delhi-NCR), which are NABL and CAP accredited with BSL2 features for sample collection, have started testing in Delhi, Gurugram and Mumbai. These two labs have the capacity to cater to the rest of the country.         ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16059/axio-biosolutions-sets-up-global-helpline-desk-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16059/axio-biosolutions-sets-up-global-helpline-desk-.html Mon, 30 Mar 2020 11:30:00 +0530 The 21-day lockdown across India to contain the COVID-19 pandemic has left countless patients in limbo. People with chronic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers (India has over 5 lakh patients), venous leg ulcers, bedsores, burns and other complex wounds, are struggling to get access to basic medical care. Leo Mavely, CEO, Axio Biosolutions said, “Even before the lockdown was announced in India, we had started getting customer queries from across the globe on how to treat wounds in a lockdown situation. It is vital for people with chronic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers, to get the dressing done on a regular basis. Or else, it can lead to other health complications and in some cases, even prove to be fatal. The need of the hour is to adopt self-care.” To help address the issue, Axio Biosolutions has set up a global helpline number. Anyone who needs medical assistance at home can call the helpline and fix up an appointment for a video call with trained professionals and nurses. The video call offers easy-to-follow, step-by-step guidance on how to manage and dress wounds at home. Axio will be putting up additional patient-friendly information on their social media portals as well. Also, Axio is working on rolling out Do it Yourself (DIY) home healthcare kits, as soon as the situation permits. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16055/government-launches-national-tele-consultation-centre.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16055/government-launches-national-tele-consultation-centre.html Mon, 30 Mar 2020 07:10:00 +0530 The Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare Dr. Harsh Vardhan has launched the National Teleconsultation Centre (CoNTeC). The project CoNTeC, an acronym for COVID-19 National Teleconsultation Centre, has been conceptualised by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and has been implemented by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. On the occasion Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that CoNTeChas been made operational at AIIMS with a view to connect the Doctors across the country to AIIMS in real time for treatment of the COVID-19 patients. He further informed that the Doctors would be available in the facility 24X7 and to keep it operational 24 hrs.The boarding and lodging facility is also made availablefor the Doctors manning it. He said that it has been set up in the AIIMS so that the small states should also make use of the vast experience of the Doctors at AIIMS. He informed that the doctors world over are using different protocols to treat COVID-19 patients and the goal of the facility is to at least connect the doctors in the country together to discuss amongst themselves the protocols undertaken and provide the best treatment accordingly. The CoNTeC is a Telemedicine Hub established by AIIMS, New Delhi, wherein expert doctors from various clinical domains will be available 24x7 to answer the multifaceted questions from specialists from all over the country. It is a multi-modal telecommunications hub through which 2 way audio-video and text communications can be undertaken from any part of the country as well as the world at large. The modes of communication will include simple mobile telephony as well as two way video communications, using WhatsApp, Skype and Google Duo. The CoNTeC is also fully integrated with the National Medical College Network (NMCN) to conduct a full fledged Video Conference (VC) between the 50 Medical Colleges connected through the NMCN with its National Resource Centre located at SGPGI, Lucknow. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16072/mmhrc-launches-video-consultation-services.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16072/mmhrc-launches-video-consultation-services.html Mon, 30 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Keeping in view the current scenario of lockdown in the country with everyone advised to stay at home, Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre (MMHRC) has introduced ‘MMRHC Consult’ a unique video consultation and advice service to provide patients with expert medical help at their doorstep. ‘MMHRC Consult’ is a telehealth service introduced by MMHRC to help patients consult medical experts within the convenience of their homes. Patients can simply log on to www.mmhrc.com and click on the ‘video consultation’ option and connect with a physician of their choice. Experienced doctors will be available between 8 am to 8 pm for advice and consultation. This service can be useful for those who are suffering from common ailments as doctors can diagnose the problem by understanding the symptoms and then prescribe medications or dispense advice about different treatment modalities. Dr. Gurushankar, Chairman, Meenakshi Mission Hospital & Research Centre said, “Telehealth services can help identify serious health issues and in giving advice for further treatments. This service is also of great benefit to patients for a quick consultation with healthcare experts within the convenience of their homes.” Dr. Kannan, Medical Administrator - Operations, Meenakshi Mission Hospital & Research Centre added, “Ours is a patient-centric approach which will not only help in reaching patients in such times but also be instrumental in providing virtual quality patient care. Patients will be able to consult healthcare experts and discuss their issues real-time especially with regards to their urgent care consultations and will know their treatment options within minutes”. J Adel, General Manager - Operations, Meenakshi Mission Hospital & Research Centre added, “This facility is also available as a Mobile App in both Google Play Store and iStore. The MMHRC Consult offers the Telehealth service within the comfort of your smartphone. This service will also make it easy for those living in remote areas with zero access to immediate healthcare facility near them. However, in case of emergency it is advisable to reach a nearby doctor or a hospital as soon as possible.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16056/karnataka-focuses-on-avoiding-community-transmission-on-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16056/karnataka-focuses-on-avoiding-community-transmission-on-covid-19.html Sun, 29 Mar 2020 17:00:00 +0530 While the country grapples with containing the spread of Covid-19, with the disease threatening to move to stage 3, which is community transmission, Doctors in Karnataka are confident that the State can avoid the potential community transmission stage. They are of the opinion that if the right combination of medical and socio-economic norms, along with responsible public behavior is achieved, the spread can be contained. Dr. Prakash Kumar, Joint Director, Communicable Diseases, Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Karnataka said, “While effective measures to stop the spread of Covid19 have been put in place in the State of Karnataka, the coming week is very crucial for us. If there is a spike in the number of new cases, then we will have to scale up our efforts even further to combat the virus. We are not yet in the community stage, where there will be large scale spreading of the disease and in order to avoid that, it is very critical that the public respect the lockdown ordered by the Government and do not step out of their houses, unless it is absolutely necessary. Even if they do come out for essential items, the public have to maintain social distancing. Those people who have been put under home quarantine should strictly observe the instructions that have been given to them by the Health Department and behave in a responsible manner, so as not to allow the disease to be passed on to others.” Replying to a query as to whether the State was equipped to handle a crisis situation, Dr. Prakash Kumar said, “Currently, all patients who are admitted in the mass quarantine centers and in the hospitals are being given adequate care. In fact, we have already had patients who have been discharged. The State is well prepared to handle Covid-19, even if there is a community outbreak. There are adequate number of beds and ventilators to support the team of doctors and medical staff who are working to fight Covid-19 and provide medical care to the patients. We also need to keep in mind that majority of patients with Covid-19 will recover with medication and only around 4% of patients would require ventilator support” “The Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Karnataka is taking all steps possible to ensure that people who have been home quarantined remain indoors and as such has formed squads to ensure that they are monitored regularly and necessary instructions are passed on to them. The public need to understand that doctors, nurses and others who are responsible for the functioning of essential services are putting themselves at risk for the benefit of the public. Under this stressful time, as doctors, we urge the public not to ostracize them but rather appreciate the fact that they are working for the public. In fact they need to be encouraged so that they can continue to carry out their duties.” Dr. P K Srinivas, Medical Advisor, Ayushman Bharat- Arogya Karnataka (ABARK), GoK said. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16047/onco-com-introduces-teleconsultation-service-to-help-cancer-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16047/onco-com-introduces-teleconsultation-service-to-help-cancer-patients.html Fri, 27 Mar 2020 17:00:00 +0530 Onco.com, India’s only internet aggregator for cancer care, has introduced a teleconsultation service to help cancer patients and care givers get advice from oncologists through a telephonic call or video conferencing. The recently launched teleconsultation service Call Onco offers support to patients to get their questions answered, with queries ranging from their current treatment status, diagnosis, and precautions against COVID-19. The teleconsultation will be 20 minutes long and will be scheduled within 24 hours. For Patients who are looking for a detailed treatment advice, Onco offers a premium online opinion service called “Onco Tumour Board”; where patients and their caregivers can get detailed treatment advice in the form of an online report from a multi-disciplinary panel of senior oncologists. Every patient who opts for the tumour board service gets a complimentary Call Onco service as well and they can schedule the call before or after their report is shared.  Commenting on the launch of Call Onco, Dr. Amit Jotwani, Co-founder and Chief Medical Officer, Onco.com, says: “Cancer patients undergoing active treatment or those with blood cancers have reduced immunity and they are at a much higher risk of acquiring COVID-19 infection. They need to be more careful about prevention. As patients are unable to travel and consult doctors, we have also started "Call Onco" service to help them speak with Oncologists and get specialist guidance regarding their treatment and address their concerns and doubts. At Onco.com, we have also taken the responsibility to create awareness about COVID-19 precautions for cancer patients and we are releasing informative videos and articles to spread the right information.”  With the novel virus COVID-19 been declared a pandemic, world over citizens are being urged to take precautionary measures and #stayhome to restrict the spread. Those with a higher risk of getting infected are people with a lower immunity such as the elderly, children under the age of two, and those already suffering from a medical condition, including cancer. Patients undergoing treatment tend to have a lower immunity which makes them more vulnerable to infections, and so are strongly advised to remain in self-quarantine and/or in isolation.  Rashie Jain, CEO and Cofounder, Onco.com, says, “We are working very closely with our oncologists and hospital partners to ensure continuity of care towards cancer patients, especially during the COVID19 pandemic. In addition, every cancer patient at Onco.com is assigned a designated care manager who will engage with them throughout their treatment journey. Our hope is that cancer patients feel safe and connected with our oncology ecosystem at all times whether or not they can travel.”  Onco.com is also offering appointment bookings for patients who need to start their treatment now. There are several hospitals and cancer clinics in India that are currently treating cancer patients and are open for consultations. The company is working with them to offer appointment booking services to patients with the nearest hospital. To get an online opinion or to schedule a call with oncologists, patients and caregivers can visit www.onco.com or call on +91-7996579965. Care Managers from Onco.com will speak to them and take their details and reports, which will be shared with the oncologist(s) for better understanding of the case ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16040/apollo-hospitals-launches-project-kavach-against-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16040/apollo-hospitals-launches-project-kavach-against-covid-19.html Fri, 27 Mar 2020 06:10:00 +0530 Apollo Hospitals, India’s largest integrated healthcare chain, has announced the launch of a comprehensive and integrated response plan to take the battle to COVID-19. The announcement was made at a virtual media conference held online with the top management from Chennai and Hyderabad addressing the press across the country. Titled ‘Project Kavach’, which means ‘shield’, the response plan is a comprehensive approach that encompasses all aspects from information, screening and assessment, testing, to readying the infrastructure for quarantine and treatment. The culmination of a month of preparation, Project Kavach will bring together all the resources of Apollo Hospitals to fight for the people of the country against this pandemic. Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “We are fighting a war not just for this generation but also for the generations to come. The novel coronavirus pandemic knows no borders, makes no distinction between religion, caste, creed, colour or social status. It will require for all of us to come together, young and old as one to ‘Break the Chain’. The entire Apollo Hospitals family is ready to go beyond the call of duty and work with the Government to emerging victorious in this battle. Project Kavach will augment the Government’s initiatives to address the COVID-19 pandemic and is part of our pledge to partner with the Government and be at the frontlines in this critical battle.” Shobana Kameneni, Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “Apollo Hospitals has specially designed an AI-based Coronavirus Risk Assessment scan for screening and initial assessment, which is available in the form of an app and on the website (https://covid.apollo247.com/). The Risk assessment scan, which is available in 6 regional languages, will guide individuals about the potential risk of having the Virus through simple interactive questions. Based on the risk level, people are guided to contact the certified help center.” She further added “Over 6 million people have already gone through the screening on the Apollo 24 I7 app and website and it is expected that over 10 million Indians will use this scan to know their risk score. The digital Apollo 24 I 7 app also offers virtual and telephony consultation with facility to tele-connect with all doctors at Apollo Hospitals enabling patients to seek healthcare while staying at home. The 3800 Apollo pharmacies across 18 states will be pressed into action to serve people with all the medication, consumables and supplements as required. Stocks have been doubled, prices will be strictly monitored and controlled, and home delivery capability has been enhanced. It is estimated that the capacity can be ramped up from the 500,000 people served on a daily basis to 1 million if required.” Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “Testing is a critical part of breaking the chain, most Apollo centers have been cleared for COVID-19 testing, the full infrastructure is expected to be in place and full scale testing to start by the end of March. There will be provision for home collection of samples as well as Drive Through Testing. In-hospital testing will be discouraged except for inpatients. Dedicated, fever clinics are being setup to screen people. People who qualify under the criteria for tests would enter via the drive through, make the payment as per the government recommended charges and then be tested. She further added “Once we start extensive screening, number of positive cases will come up, which need to be strictly isolated. This is not possible in many Indian homes where 6-7 people share common accommodation and toilet. Soon we will be launching “Project Stay I”, an innovative strategy to create medical rooms in hotels/hostels with light medical supervision for quarantine and creating a barrier before people come into the hospitals. This would address the situation where over 50% of the cases need only isolation and paracetamol. These medical rooms will be rolled out in the following cities – Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Bangalore and Delhi, starting with approximately 50 in each city, going up by 50 rooms every three days, to reach an eventual target of 5000 rooms across the country. These will be calibrated as per the need”. The importance of up-scaling the infrastructure is to be prepared in a scenario where each virus loaded patient can infect up to 4-5 people. At this stage we should also be able to also address the anxiety of these patients in getting access to the right treatment. With “Project Stay-I” we expect to help over 10000-15000 patients in a month and prevent over 50 lakh infections. Preetha Reddy, Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “At the same time, we are also cognizant of the need to ensure continuity of care for its existing patients. She further added “Apollo Hospitals has the necessary protocols in place to manage patients who test positive for COVID-19 at all stages. A dedicated healthcare team trained in various aspects of the diseases including selfprotection, identification of symptoms and information flow in case of suspected cases will be assigned for the assessment and testing.” In locations such as Andhra Pradesh, Bhubaneshwar where the government has set aside separate hospitals for COVID care, Apollo is assisting them by managing a certain number of beds within large government hospitals. The group is also preparing for the next stage of community transmission of the virus. She further added, “While we hope that community transmission does not take place on a large scale, we need to be prepared for the eventuality. This stage will see a constant requirement of highly specialized treatment for the critically ill. Apollo Hospitals with its network of 70 hospitals also has the largest number of isolation and ICU facilities in the private sector. There will be over 250 beds which can be enhanced to 500 beds, created only to treat the critically ill at any given time. We expect to give advanced care to over 2000 patients a month.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16045/dozee-offers-free-devices-to-track-respiratory-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16045/dozee-offers-free-devices-to-track-respiratory-health.html Fri, 27 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Dozee is a contact-free health monitor that tracks heartbeat, respiration, sleep, and stress-recovery with medical-grade 98.4% accuracy. Dozee has announced offering free devices to those quarantined in Bangalore. The brand has witnessed 5 requests within 15 minutes of the announcement. It is the only device that gives continuous respiration data, that too without the need of wires or any technical expertise. Dozee is a device that has a thin sensor sheet that goes below the mattress. This initiative is supported by Duroflex , leading sleep solutions brand with over five decades of expertise in making premium mattresses and sleep accessories. This activity will help in proactive health monitoring at this crucial hour as vitals can be checked at home, doctors can check their health remotely and possibly flag off health deterioration in advance. Those in self-quarantine or with a potential risk can monitor their health on an ongoing basis at home. Since our healthcare system, hospitals, etc. are working tirelessly towards fighting the virus, doctors can check their vitals, heart rate, stress levels, breath rate, etc. remotely. One can remotely monitor the health of their loved ones and thereby reduce anxiety related to their health.    Launched in mid-2019, Dozee is available on both Amazon.in & its website. Dozee has also been backed by reputed companies like Qualcomm and Department of Biotechnology – Govt of India – BIRAC and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for product development and acceleration. This Bengaluru based healthcare startup is the brainchild of Mr. Mudit Dandwate and Mr. Gaurav Parchani, both IIT alumni.  Mudit Dandwate, CEO, Dozee, states, “This initiative will help Bangalore residents to monitor their health on an ongoing basis in the comfort of their homes. This is enabling care at home, unlocking the value of telemedicine and reducing pressure on our healthcare system. Our aim is to be a health companion to all Indians and this is a small step towards the residents facing a lockdown in Bangalore. Continuing our objective we are closely working with NGOs, hotels, hospitals to create step-down ICU set up using Dozee.”  Mathew Chandy, Sleep Evangelist, and Managing Director,  Duroflex said “As a company, we are deeply invested in providing our consumers with innovative sleep solutions. In daunting times like these, the well-being of our consumers our top priority. Along with the measures taken by us at a company level, we are excited to partner with Dozee  to offer free health monitoring devices to help quarantined residents in Bangalore monitor their progress during this pandemic.  With this common goal in mind, we hope to help consumers keep track of their health while at home and help them sleep better. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16035/amazfit-launches-whatsapp-helpline-to-fight-covid19-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16035/amazfit-launches-whatsapp-helpline-to-fight-covid19-.html Thu, 26 Mar 2020 13:10:00 +0530 China based Huami Amazfit has announced the launch of a dedicated Whatsapp helpline for doctors and hospitals who are in need to hygiene supply and high-quality masks. They have donated high-quality N95 masks & some protective suits to multiple Hospitals including AIIMS New Delhi, Manipal Hospital. They also announced a donation to MP Dr. Mahesh Sharma, in Noida for helping people fighting against the coronavirus pandemic. After the outbreak of COVID-19, the situation being faced across the globe is challenging and difficult. India is a densely populated country; it’s recommended to plan and take all necessary measures to combat the disease collectively. CP Khandelwal, CEO - PR innovations, Managing India Business Amazfit said, “With a belief that the worsening condition of COVID-19 doesn’t go out of control in India. We want to extend our support to the government authorities and leading hospitals who are working really well during this tough time where the nation is facing a shortage of masks and hygiene essentials. We are thankful to Dr. Mahesh Sharma Honorable Member of Parliament and also a noble Doctor by profession, for giving us a chance to work towards this social cause and give our utmost contribution during this hard time.” “On behalf of Huami, we are open for all requests from doctors & hospitals or any government authority for providing support for various hygiene essentials & Supply. I have converted my alternate no for this cause & Interested authority can directly reach out to our Whatsapp support line +91-85954 38550” says Honey Singh CEO, ARM Worldwide while launching the WhatsApp helpline for Doctors, Hospitals & front liner's who are leading the Fights against Corona.” “Covid-19 has been declared a Pandemic by WHO. In the time of this health emergency, every health facility requires personal protective equipment and logistics. During this crisis, PR Innovations has extended a gesture of compassion and humanity by donating N-95 masks required by the team of clinicians staff and paramedics”, says Dr Jitendra Sodhi, Assistant Professor, Department of Hospital Administration, AIIMS, New Delhi. “Celebrating the human spirit of aid and positivity to combat the COVID-19 Pandemic through this generous gesture, Manipal Hospital, Dwarka gives heartfelt thanks to Huami Amazfit, PR Innovations and Mr. Honey Singh, CEO #ARM Worldwide, for donating N-95 masks to us at this tough time,” says Pramod Alagharu, CEO, Manipal Hospitals Dwarka. Huami Amazfit has recently faced a tough time due to the COVID-19 outbreak in China. The organization is already working with various NGOs in China and wants to extend open support to the Indian Government for any future donation requests.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16033/e-zest-neurosynaptic-provide-solution-during-covid-19-pandemic.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16033/e-zest-neurosynaptic-provide-solution-during-covid-19-pandemic.html Thu, 26 Mar 2020 12:00:00 +0530 Pune based e-Zest Solutions and Bengaluru based Neurosynaptic Communications have announced the ReMeDi® SCAN-CORONA platform, an innovative technology solution to help control the Novel COVID-19 pandemic.As countries worldwide grapple to contain the spread and flatten the curve while treating the ones infected, the need of the hour is to deploy widespread screening and testing procedures to identify and isolate those showing symptoms.The ReMeDi® SCAN-CORONA platform has a 3-pronged approach to controlling the Pandemic that makes the task of Screening, Testing, Tracking and Reporting extremely easy and manageable at a large scale.Shree Shingane - Founder and Managing Director, e-Zest Solutions GmbH, “Mass screening and testing is the need of the hour. With the scarcity of Healthcare Professionals, there is a need of technology enabled platforms to do this at a large scale with minimal to no human intervention. The ReMeDi® SCAN-CORONA brings together remote healthcare expertise and the power of emerging technology such as AI & ML, and promises to reduce the load on the healthcare system, so that timely care reaches the right set of people as fast as possible.”The solution features a Corona-Screen Kit – a portable, lightweight kit that includes basic screening tools that seamlessly connect and feed data into a Patient Health Record (PHR) system without any manual intervention. It also features a geo-tagging powered Screening app that, by importing and analyzing data from the screening tools as well as travel and medical history. The input from a 3rd party COVID-19 rapid testing kit further enhances the accuracy of the outcome. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16024/ccmb-to-develop-affordable-diagnostic-kits-for-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16024/ccmb-to-develop-affordable-diagnostic-kits-for-covid-19.html Wed, 25 Mar 2020 16:00:00 +0530 Hyderabad based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) is working overtime on the development of cost-effective and accurate diagnostic kits for wide distribution. “We are helping our incubating companies; they have come out with ideas and we are supporting them. We are testing and validating the diagnostic kits proposed by them. We may come up with some good kits and it may take at least 2-3 weeks if everything goes well. Quality and accuracy of the kits are the most important things. If the kits give 100 percent results, then only they will be approved,” said Dr R K Mishra, Director, CCMB. The organisation is also keeping in mind the cost. “Our estimate is that the test should be less than 1000 rupees. We are also thinking of kits which are as cheap as 400-500 rupees, but at present we cannot assure that, as it is a different route and all this needs more standardisation”, said Dr Mishra. Further, CCMB is also planning to culture the covid-19 virus. Dr Mishra said that the institution has facilities for this and they have got the approvals from the government too, they are yet to receive sample and kits to initiate the culture. “In the meantime, our facilities are set and we are actually training people who are going for the testing in other recognised places in the city” he said.  There are 5 government designated testing centres in Telangana state. CCMB has trained 25 people so that they can go and do the testing in these centres. Some of the labs where the COVID-19 testing will be done include Nizam's Institute Of Medical Sciences (NIMS) Hydrabad, Gandhi Hospital, Osmania General Hospital, Sir Ronald Ross Institute of Tropical and Communicable Diseases or the Fever Hospital and the Warangal Hospital. The Centre for DNA Finger Printing and Diagnostics (CDFD) is also likely to be added to this group. Vaccine and drug development are another aspect of fighting the virus. But as of now CCMB is neither working on the vaccine nor on the drug development. “We have no expertise for working on this. However, when the virus is being cultured, we will try to set up a system as it can be used for screening” said Dr Mishra. He told that may be CCMB’s sister organisation Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) is working for repurposing of drugs as making a new drug is a long-term process. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16022/healthians-launches-chatbot-for-coronavirus.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16022/healthians-launches-chatbot-for-coronavirus.html Wed, 25 Mar 2020 15:00:00 +0530 Healthians, India’s doorstep health test provider has announced that the company has launched a chatbot to spread awareness about the virus, where individuals can ask their queries and receive verified information. The Chatbot will disseminate accurate information about the coronavirus to the masses and dispel myths & doubts. It is simple to use and has been customized keeping for Indian audience. Deepak Sahni, Founder and CEO of Healthians said, “We have received many queries from customers calling and panicking with minor symptoms and wanted to consult a doctor or get tested. We quickly responded to the situation by making it easy for people to get self-informed and it’s our responsibility to create this awareness. This bot is trained to answer frequently asked questions on the new coronavirus, we want to help out as many people as possible with the right information.” Healthians has raised over two rounds of funding from multiple investors including Health Start, Yuvraj Singh's investment venture YouWeCan, Asuka Holdings, BEENEXT, Digital Garage and others. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16025/who-issues-new-recommendations-for-tb-prevention.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16025/who-issues-new-recommendations-for-tb-prevention.html Wed, 25 Mar 2020 10:10:00 +0530 New World Health Organization (WHO) guidance will help countries accelerate efforts to stop people with tuberculosis (TB) infection becoming sick with TB by giving them preventive treatment. The new consolidated guidelines recommend a range of innovative approaches to scale up access to TB preventive treatment: WHO recommends a scale-up of TB preventive treatment among populations at highest risk including household contacts of TB patients, people living with HIV and other people at risk with lowered” immunity or living in crowded settings. WHO recommends an integration of TB preventive treatment services into ongoing case finding efforts for active TB. All household contacts of TB patients and people living with HIV are recommended to be screened for active TB. If active TB is ruled out, they should be initiated on TB preventive treatment. WHO recommends that either a tuberculin skin test  or interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) be used to test for TB infection. Both tests are helpful to find people more likely to benefit from TB preventive treatment but should not become a barrier to scale-up access. Testing for TB infection is not required before starting TB preventive treatment in people living with HIV, and children under 5 years who are contacts of people with active TB. WHO recommends new shorter options for preventive treatment in addition to the widely used 6 months of daily isoniazid. The shorter options that are now recommended range from a 1 month daily regimen of rifapentine plus isoniazid to 3 months weekly rifapentine plus isoniazid, 3 months daily rifampicin plus isoniazid, or 4 months of daily rifampicin alone. As people around the globe come together to commemorate World TB Day on March 24, WHO is calling on governments, affected communities, civil society organizations, health-care providers, donors, partners and the industry to unite forces and step up the TB response - notably for TB preventive treatment - to ensure no one is left behind,” said Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director of WHO’s Global TB Programme. “The new WHO guidance shows the way forward for millions to rapidly access new tools and shorter, safer options for preventive treatment. The time for action is now.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16016/seniority-docsapp-bring-24x7-covid-19-helpline-for-elderly.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16016/seniority-docsapp-bring-24x7-covid-19-helpline-for-elderly.html Wed, 25 Mar 2020 06:10:00 +0530 As the world faces a major health crisis due to the pandemic situation caused by the novel Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, the number of reported cases is precipitously growing across India. While people of all age groups are equally susceptible to this virus, the health stakes are high for the elderly due to chronic illnesses and lower immunity. They are more likely to suffer from underlying conditions that hinder the body’s ability to cope with and recover from serious illnesses. Seniority, India’s largest shopping destination for seniors, and DocsApp, a leading digital healthcare platform in the country, have joined hands in an attempt to bust myths, reduce panic and help educate the elderly on Coronavirus. The collaboration will help Seniority provide exclusive medical assistance from DocsApp to older adults and their family members. A 24*7 helpline support (080 4719 3443) has been launched to enable people to have access to skilled medical professionals during such critical times. Individuals on the platform may avail free online consultations across all departments from doctors at the convenience of their homes, without possibly exposing themselves to the virus on the platform. Seniority along with DocsApp has also created a repository of informative articles, blogs, weekly newsletters and webinars that will impart accurate information and safety measures related to Coronavirus. Ayush Agrawal & Tapan Mishra, Co-founders of Seniority commented on the collaboration, “There is a significant rise in the number of COVID-19 affected people in the country as well as worldwide. Being a senior care brand, we are especially empathetic to the elderly in such challenging times and consider it our duty to spread awareness about the current situation. Our collaboration with DocsApp will help us reach out to a large number of people who are prone to virus infections. With the 24*7 helpline support, we are happy to extend our services and offer free consultation by medical specialists to ensure that people take adequate care. The safety and welfare of everyone around is of prime importance to us and we sincerely hope that we are able to fight back together in such unforeseen circumstances.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16028/nova-ivf-fertility-launches-virtual-teleconsulting-services.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16028/nova-ivf-fertility-launches-virtual-teleconsulting-services.html Wed, 25 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0530 In its endeavor to continue extending medical counsel and support during these challenging times, Nova IVF Fertility introduces tele counselling services across all its 25 centres in the country. The service which will be provided by Nova’s highly acclaimed team of IVF specialists can be availed by existing patients as well as those seeking advice on IVF and other fertility treatments. The introduction of this special service comes at a time when access to medical care is a challenge, with states across the country under lockdown. In order to book a tele counseling slot, patients will have to call Nova IVF’s official help centre number (1800 103 2229) to place the request for a virtual video consult or send an email to info@novaivffertility.com. Post the registration process Nova service co-ordinators will connect with the patient and set up a tele counseling session with the requested IVF Specialist at respective location. This service will ensure continuity of care for patients who are currently going through IVF treatment while creating an opportunity to help those who are seeking to start their IVF treatment. Speaking on the introduction of teleconsulting services, Shobhit Agarwal, CEO, Nova IVF Fertility said, “Under the present circumstances it is increasingly becoming difficult for patients to physically reach out to doctors not only for their follow up consultations but also for many who wish to do their first consultation. By leveraging the teleconsult technology we are enabling the virtual interface of patients with their doctors. As India’s leading network in the IVF space it was important for us to provide all possible support in these uncertain times. We are not restricting this service to Nova’s patients but to the community at large” “Optimizing technology to address medical queries related to fertility treatment will go a long way in providing confidence to patients that in times of social distancing their doctors are still accessible to them” said Dr Manish Banker, Medical Director, Nova IVF Fertility. The Tele counselling support by Nova IVF will be provided across their 25 centres in 18 cities through a team of 60 IVF specialists.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16013/government-puts-focus-on-national-ayush-mission.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16013/government-puts-focus-on-national-ayush-mission.html Tue, 24 Mar 2020 10:10:00 +0530 The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has approved the inclusion of AYUSH Health and Wellness Centre (AYUSH HWC) component of Ayushman Bharat in National AYUSH Mission (NAM). The proposal entails an expenditure of Rs. 3399.35 Crore (Rs.2209.58 Crore as Central Share and Rs. 1189.77 crore as State share) for operationalization of AYUSH HWCs within a period of five years that is from financial years 2019-20 to 2023-24. The operationlization of AYUSH HWCs component under NAM shall have to achieve the following objectives: a.  To establish a holistic wellness model based on AYUSH principles and practices focusing on preventive promotive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative healthcare by integration with the existing public health care system. b.  To provide informed choice to the needy public by making the AYUSH services available. c.  The AYUSH services include community awareness about lifestyle, die, Yoga, medicinal plants and provision of medicines for selected conditions as per strength of AYUSH systems.   The Ministry of AYUSH, in consultation with States/UTs, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and other line Ministries, has proposed following two models for operationalization of 12,500 AYUSH Health & Wellness Centres throughout the country: Upgradation of existing AYUSH dispensaries (approximately 10,000) Upgradation of existing Sub Health Centres (SHCs) (approx. 2,500)   Benefits: Enhanced accessibility to achieve universal health coverage for affordable treatment. Reduced burden on secondary and tertiary health care facilities Reduced out of pocket expenditure due to "self-care" model. Integration of AYUSH in implementation of SDG 3, as mandated by NITI Aayog Validated holistic wellness model in target areas. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16012/icmr-sets-fast-track-approvals-for-covid-19-testing-kits.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/16012/icmr-sets-fast-track-approvals-for-covid-19-testing-kits.html Tue, 24 Mar 2020 09:05:00 +0530 Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has recommended two RT-PCR (Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) test kits for use in ICMR approved government and private laboratories. These test kits have been found to have 100% concordance among true positive and true negative samples. ICMR has established a fast-track mechanism for validation of non-US FDA EUA/CE IVD approved kits at ICMR NIV Pune. ICMR NIV Pune has completed evaluation of 9 non-US FDA EUA/CE IVD kits. Only test kits with 100% concordance among true positive and true negative samples have been recommended for commercial use in India. In addition to the above US FDA EUA/CE IVD approved kits can be used directly after due approval from DCGI and intimation to ICMR.   List of testing kits- Altona Diagnostics - RealStar SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR kit  MY LAB - Patho Detect  BGI - Real Time detecting 2019-nCoV Krishgen Bio System - SARS-CoV-2 (RT-qPCR) Detection  ABI - TaqMan 2019-nCoV Control Kit HIMEDIA - Hi –PCR Corona Virus (CoViD-19) Probe PCR  HUWEL - Quantiplus detection kit  IIT-Delhi SYBR Green based one step QRT-PCR  KILPEST (BLACKBIO) - TRUPCR      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15995/-aster-dm-healthcare-launches-24x7-covid-consultation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15995/-aster-dm-healthcare-launches-24x7-covid-consultation.html Mon, 23 Mar 2020 05:05:00 +0530 In the wake of the on-going coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, Aster DM Healthcare and Aster Volunteers have launched a 24/7 COVID-19 Support Centre for people from across India. The tele-triage (assessment of the condition and appropriate guidance for treatment) service will be free for everyone across India who are seeking medical help if they suspect they have symptoms related to the novel coronavirus disease. India has reported 153 cases and appropriate precautionary measures need to be adopted to curb its spread by identifying and reporting the symptoms early on. People can register on the website or Facebook page of any of Aster’s 13 hospitals in India namely, Aster Medcity Hospital in Kochi; Aster MIMS Hospitals in Calicut, Kannur and Kottakal; Aster CMI and RV Hospitals in Bengaluru; Aster Aadhar Hospital in Kolhapur, Aster Prime Hospital in Hyderabad and Ramesh Hospitals in Andhra Pradesh; and book an appointment with healthcare experts. The appointment would be conducted by internal medicine and emergency experts through a video call following medical protocols approved by local authorities and WHO for triaging COVID-19 patients. Speaking about the initiative, Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman and Managing Director, Aster DM Healthcare said, “In these trying time, we would like to put every possible measure in place to help people identify symptoms related to coronavirus and get appropriate help on time. The online service promotes social distancing while it also gives patients easy access to expert advice when they need it the most. A teleconsulting tool like Aster COVID Support Centre has the potential to enable earlier detection of cases and channelize patients to seek appropriate treatment on time.” Dr Harish Pillai, Chief Executive Officer, Aster DM Healthcare India said, “Through this online support centre, we aim to reach out to patients who might be experiencing symptoms related to the coronavirus infection and are seeking professional help. Our experienced doctors will be available to answer all questions to the best of their knowledge under the guidelines defined by the government and the World Health Organisation.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15992/timely-genetic-screening-crucial-for-downs-syndrome-in-babies.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15992/timely-genetic-screening-crucial-for-downs-syndrome-in-babies.html Fri, 20 Mar 2020 12:40:00 +0530 According to recent statistics, the incidence of Down’s Syndrome in India is 1 per 850- 900 live births. It is one of the most commonly occurring chromosomal abnormalities in India and children born with the condition have an average life expectancy of 50 to 60 years. Down’s Syndrome or Trisomy 21 is a genetic condition marked by an extra copy of chromosome 21. It is associated with intellectual disability, a characteristic facial appearance, and a weak muscle tone (hypotonia). While there is no exact reason for its occurrence, the age of the mother at the time of conception and family history of the condition may be two of the risk factors. Speaking about this, Dheeraj Jain, Founder, Redcliffe Lifesciences, said, “Genetic disorders such as Down’s Syndrome are a very serious health burden and there is a need to work towards making available informed choices to parents as early as 10th week of the pregnancy. With advent of Next Generation Sequencing and increasing awareness, there are non-invasive screenings such as DNA based Prenatal Genetic Testing available today that can help identifying three types of trisomies one of which is Trisomy 21, the anomaly behind Down’s Syndrome. At Redcliffe, we offer genetic screening options at our in-house lab to enable both clinicians and parents to understand the risk of their child being born with the condition. An NGS routine genetic testing is comprehensive and can detect all types of genetic mutations. At Redcliffe we have made it affordable to masses with fastest turnaround time to the clinicians, in order to break the myth that samples sent to western countries are very expensive test” Some signs in a child with this condition include low muscle tone, enlarged tongue, and a flat facial profile. They also experience intellectual disability apart from health issues such as respiratory infections, heart defects and hearing problems. Adding further, Padma Shri Awardee, Dr K K Aggarwal, President, Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Confederation of Medical Associations of Asia and Oceania (CMAAO), said, “The space of genetic testing is growing at a rapid pace and more intensive research is being carried out. It is important to raise awareness on how beneficial these tests are when it comes to detecting abnormalities such as Down’s Syndrome early. Making screening compulsory at a nation-wide level can be the first step in this regard.” Although it may not be possible to prevent all birth defects, there are steps women can take to reduce the likelihood. Some of these include undertaking regular check-ups, routine exercises, consuming folic acid daily before and during pregnancy, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding habits like smoking and drinking.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15986/jindal-naturecure-unveils-naturopathy-health-app-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15986/jindal-naturecure-unveils-naturopathy-health-app-.html Fri, 20 Mar 2020 10:30:00 +0530 Bengaluru based Jindal Naturecure Institute, one of the naturopathy hospitals in India launched India’s first Naturopathy Health app for its patients. The idea of launching a mobile app sparked during the launch event of the Fit India movement. With inspiration from this national movement to make India healthy, the institute built its app to take nature’s healing science to the mobile population. Dr. Babina NM – Jt. Chief Medical Officer, Jindal Naturecure Institute said, “With the increasing human dependence on electronic gadgets, there has been an increase in lifestyle diseases. We thought of using that as a medium to reach those people and let them know the healing power of nature through Naturopathy. We treat as many as 15,000 patients every year for a variety of diseases, with this app; we want to allow easy access to the age-old naturopathy treatments and the benefits of yoga to fight non-communicable chronic diseases.” Unregistered users can browse through the naturopathy services, its benefits and know about Naturopathy tips. A registered user can submit an application for treatment and easily manage it with a few clicks. For inpatients, the app allows viewing upcoming appointments & schedules, in-campus activities, monitoring diet plan, etc. With a belief to make patient treatment and stay smooth, the institute has introduced on the go feedback system within the mobile app and an in-detail view of the 120-acre campus through its map. KR Raghunath, Sr. Chairman, Jindal Naturecure Institute said, “This is our first step towards reducing the usage of paper and supporting digital India. We are also reviewing giving up single-use plastic to make a greater contribution towards building a sustainable environment.” One of the most important features of the first Naturopathy mobile app is the ‘health tracker’. It allows the app to count the user’s steps and translates it to the distance covered and ultimately to calories burned during the day.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15988/portea-medical-verloop-launch-cobot-19-chatbot.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15988/portea-medical-verloop-launch-cobot-19-chatbot.html Fri, 20 Mar 2020 10:00:00 +0530 Portea Medical which is a home healthcare company, in partnership with Verloop, a Customer Support and Engagement Automation Platform has announced the launch of Cobot-19 Information and Awareness Chatbot. The initiative that has been launched in partnership with the Government of Goa comes at a time when the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged private players to harness technology to tackle the ongoing health crisis. The Cobot-19 will disseminate information related to coronavirus through data gathered from trusted sources including the World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Johns Hopkins. Portea’s experts have further reviewed the information to ensure that only authentic, helpful and easy-to-understand information is shared with the general public. Verloop has developed the technical aspects of the Chatbot. Speaking on the launch, Vishwajit P. Rane, Minister of Health, Government of Goa said, “We are happy to launch Cobot-19 as a one-stop source of information for our citizens on COVID-19 and its various aspects. We are the first state in the country to take up an initiative at this scale and our aim is to resolve the confusion caused by countless advisories from different sources as well as rumors. Taking inspiration from how the Singapore Government harnessed the power of WhatsApp recently, we have created this Chatbot as a unified official point of communication for all Covid-19 related information. It is revolutionary and will be an effective interface to stem the flow of misinformation and clear doubts around the disease. We thank Portea Medical and Verloop for their support.” With the Cobot-19, people will be able to resolve their queries around precautions to be taken to avoid getting infected, diet to boost immunity, health department contact information in case of emergency, among other things. Speaking about this, Meena Ganesh, MD and CEO, Portea Medical, said, “In a country like India, which is home to a population of over 100 million senior citizens who are especially vulnerable; timely dissemination of verified information, education and avoiding fake news are a must during a public health emergency. The Cobot-19 is our attempt at dispelling myths and ensuring that people stay aware of the latest developments in relation to the Coronavirus pandemic and know who to approach. We are the only country after Singapore to have launched such a Chatbot at this scale and if successful, we aim to replicate it at the national level as well. We thank the Government of Goa and Verloop for their support”. Adding his comments, Gaurav Singh, Founder, Verloop, said, “During a health crisis, people always look for verified sources of information. With the Cobot-19, they will be able to get access to comprehensive details about COVID-19, how they can avoid it, what preventive measures are to be taken, and a list of helpline numbers they can refer to. WhatsApp is used by many to propagate fake news, but we aim to utilize the same interface to stem the flow of misinformation and clear doubts around the disease.” The bot is available in English and Konkani currently.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15983/whatsapp-unveils-coronavirus-information-hub-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15983/whatsapp-unveils-coronavirus-information-hub-.html Thu, 19 Mar 2020 05:00:00 +0530 WhatsApp has announced the launch of two initiatives in support of the global fight against the Coronavirus pandemic: the global launch of the WhatsApp Coronavirus Information Hub in partnership with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and UNDP, and a $1m donation to the Poynter Institute's International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN). The WhatsApp Coronavirus Information Hub will provide simple, actionable guidance for health workers, educators, community leaders, nonprofits, local governments and local businesses that rely on WhatsApp to communicate. The site also offers general tips and resources for users around the world to reduce the spread of rumors and connect with accurate health information.  While people need to spend time apart, WhatsApp will continue to provide a simple, reliable, and secure way for people to communicate. These recommendations provide quick guidance on how small groups can make the most of WhatsApp features, and will be distributed by UNDP to those coordinating local efforts. In addition, WhatsApp is working with the WHO and UNICEF to provide messaging hotlines for people around the world to use directly. These hotlines will provide reliable information and will be listed on the WhatsApp Coronavirus Information Hub. WhatsApp’s $1m grant to the IFCN will support fact-checking for the #CoronaVirusFacts Alliance, which spans more than 100 local organizations in at least 45 countries. Over the last year, WhatsApp has worked to bring over a dozen fact-checking organizations directly onto WhatsApp so they can crowdsource and report on rumors that may be circulating on various messaging services including WhatsApp or SMS. The grant will support training to use the advanced features within WhatsApp Business, including the WhatsApp Business API. Expanding the presence of these IFCN certified fact-checking organizations will help ensure local communities are aware and responding to potential harmful rumors.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15979/kai-india-conducts-nail-hygiene-awareness-drive-with-kv.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15979/kai-india-conducts-nail-hygiene-awareness-drive-with-kv.html Wed, 18 Mar 2020 12:00:00 +0530 To make students aware about the nail hygiene and prevention against deadly diseases, KAI Manufacturing India Pvt Ltd recently initiated an awareness drive at one of the Kendriya Vidyalaya in Delhi. Under this program, children were sensitized about the importance of nail hygiene and over 1500 nail clipper samples were distributed to them. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the virus can be spread from person-to-person by standing in close contact to one another, coughing and sneezing and to combat that, one should maintain a strict hand and nail hygiene. Rajesh U Pandya, Managing Director, KAI India said, "India has a culture of eating food with hands, which makes it more important to trim our nails regularly and keep them clean. Keeping nails short, trimming them regularly and washing hands for atleast 20 seconds, will make the chance of diseases slimmer & will prevent from any kind of viruses.” “India’s response to disease outbreaks has been quite strong. During the Ebola scare of 2014, we managed to develop quality testing centers and establish appropriate protocols. When the Nipah virus hit Kerala in 2018, the state government was successfully able to contain the transmission. However, the coronavirus outbreak is not localized like Nipah. It is a multiplicative risk, and we need a more flexible public health plan to tackle it, especially because the symptoms resemble that of the regular flu and can remain asymptomatic in a lot of cases. Prevention lies in our own hands. We need to maintain stringent hand nail hygiene to keep ourselves healthy & strong”, he added. Through KAI India’s program, awareness about nail hygiene and the importance of short and clean nails will be created through various activities.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15973/who-calls-for-aggressive-actions-to-combat-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15973/who-calls-for-aggressive-actions-to-combat-covid-19.html Wed, 18 Mar 2020 10:30:00 +0530 The World Health Organization called on Member states in South-East Asia Region to urgently scale-up aggressive measures to combat COVID-19, as confirmed cases cross 480, and the disease claims eight lives. Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia Region said, “The situation is evolving rapidly. We need to immediately scale up all efforts to prevent the virus from infecting more people.” Eight of the 11 countries of WHO South-East Asia Region have confirmed cases of COVID-19. While Thailand has 177 confirmed cases, Indonesia 134, India 125, Sri Lanka 19, Maldives 13, Bangladesh 5, Nepal and Bhutan one each. These numbers are increasing quickly. “More clusters of virus transmission are being confirmed. While this is an indication of an alert and effective surveillance, it also puts the spotlight on the need for more aggressive and whole of society efforts to prevent further spread of COVID-19. We clearly need to do more, and urgently,” the Regional Director said. Looking at the numbers, some countries are clearly heading towards community transmission of COVID-19, the Regional Director said, adding this should best be prevented. Of critical importance are continued efforts to detect, test, treat, isolate and trace contacts.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15978/icmr-isolates-covid-19-virus-strain.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15978/icmr-isolates-covid-19-virus-strain.html Wed, 18 Mar 2020 10:05:00 +0530 Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the apex health research body of India has successfully isolated the COVID-19 virus strain. The isolation is the first step towards expediting the development of drugs, vaccines and rapid diagnostic kits in the country. The other countries that have isolated the virus are Japan, Thailand, United States of America and China. ICMR has been closely working with the Ministry of Health, and other departments to coordinate the effort to tackle COVID-19. ICMR, which is also the testing agency for the virus, has expanded its network of labs equipped to test COVID-19 from 51 to 65. The secondary test for reconfirmation of the virus which was earlier conducted only in National Institute of Virology have also been expanded to 31 labs. These steps will enable India to expedite detection of the virus and will help in effective management. Till date ICMR has tested more than 6500 samples of 5900 individuals, out of which 78 cases have been tested positive for the virus. ICMR is equipped to handle more volumes of samples if the need arises. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15975/ifa-all-set-for-its-clinical-fellowship-art-training-course-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15975/ifa-all-set-for-its-clinical-fellowship-art-training-course-.html Tue, 17 Mar 2020 18:15:00 +0530 Earlier infertility was considered as one of the very rare problems but now it has become a most common health issue due to the stressful lifestyle. IVF is one of the treatment which comes under Assisted Reproduction Technology (ART) and appropriate ART method is recommended only after the factors contributing to infertility are analyzed. Indira IVF, fertility chain in India provides clinical and embryology training through its Indira Fertility Academy (IFA). IFA is starting its next clinical fellowship ART training course from 28th March’20 for 3 months. They have started its enrollment procedure where 8-10 gynecologist can enroll themselves for the fellowship course. The course is scheduled quarterly for doctors who wishes to get exposure to IVF or open their IVF centers. So far, 225 doctors have been trained domestically and 25 international doctors have been trained. IFA is a fully equipped training centre located at head office Udaipur. The institute offers advanced training at national and international level to candidates in the field of assisted reproductive technologies. IFA provides three-month and four-month training course for clinical and embryology course respectively costing $5,000 each. Each batch consists of 25 doctors or embryologists. IFA runs courses throughout the year and provides best training and guidance in candidates’ academic excellence, cutting-edge technology and highly - skilled expertise. The training centre has been providing ART training since 2014. Speaking about the academy, Dr. Kshitiz Murdia, Medical Director, Indira IVF, said, “The ART diploma course gives you intense knowledge about the complete ART process in selection, pre-cycle evaluation, selecting the best protocol for stimulation and the entire cycle to and through the embryo transfer. The course is targeting at beginners who want to refine the skills and choose this option as their career in the field of ART.” Candidates get hands-on simulator training in clinical treatment, embryology, gamete handling, IVF, ICSI, embryo culture, gamete and embryo Vitrification. IFA helps candidates to interact with established clinical embryologists and reproductive medicine specialists. The course offers a lab tour of IVF lab setup. Speaking about the same, Dr. Nitiz Murdia, Lab Director, Indira IVF stated, “Embryology is confined not only to collection of gametes or embryos but it is about making embryos to achieve higher pregnancy rates. We have deployed senior embryologists as trainers who have over 10,000 IVF cycle experience. This course gives hands-on experience and focus on quality assurance parameters to run the lab successfully.” In India, IVF industry is expected to grow at the CAGR of 28% and reach $775 million by 2022. As per the data, around 3 crore couples are diagnosed with infertility and it is gradually increasing. With more couples preferring IVF treatment, there has been an increase in the demand of trained embryologists. Indira IVF has over 88 Fertility Hospitals across India with little over 200 Clinicians and 125 Embryologists performing over 33,000 Embryo Transfer a year and already have some 60,000+ successful IVF cases to their credit across the country. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15974/in-india-kidney-failure-patients-are-much-younger-fortis-escorts.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15974/in-india-kidney-failure-patients-are-much-younger-fortis-escorts.html Tue, 17 Mar 2020 17:50:00 +0530 Taking note of the fact that diabetes-related conditions are on rise, the doctors at Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur opined that the lifestyle-disorder has also increased the burden of kidney failure not only in Jaipur but also worldwide. The doctors believe that people have limited knowledge and awareness about diabetes, which progresses to some form of kidney damage in their lifetime, even if they never experience kidney failure or end up on dialysis. Kidney failure is the final stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Kidney failure, also known as nephropathy, renal insufficiency, or renal failure, is a condition in which the kidneys do not function properly, and do not filter waste products from the blood. Filtering waste products from the blood is the main function of the kidneys. People with kidney failure undergo dialysis, an artificial blood-cleaning process, or transplantation to receive a healthy kidney from a donor. Dr Rajesh Garsa, Consultant Nephrology, Fortis Escorts Jaipur said, “As diabetes is a systemic disease, its effects are felt in virtually all parts of the body. Most diabetes-related complications are related to problems in the blood vessels, usually involving changes in blood flow or in the ability of blood to clot. These complications are generally classified into two broad categories: microvascular (involving small blood vessels) and macrovascular (involving large blood vessels). Microvascular damage is responsible for causing eye, kidney, and nerve complications. It has been seen that diabetes is a major cause of renal failure. Approx 40% to 50%of diabetics develop chronic kidney disease. Preventive measures can help to avoid 10% of these kidney failures. However, it has been seen that lack of preventive measures and awareness is causing XX% of diabetic patients to have kidney failure.” Even kidney failures are of various kinds. First, there is Acute Kidney Failure. This kind of kidney failure is usually reversible, and there is usually a cause for it. In Chronic Kidney Failure, there is usually also a cause, but the damage is irreversible. In Chronic Kidney failure, the damage is not an “acute” attack on the kidneys, but rather a chronic wearing down of the kidney’s functioning over time. People with diabetes can have acute kidney failure. However, they most often have chronic kidney failure. The symptoms of chronic kidney failure includes decrease in urine, or an absence of urine, or an increase in the level of waste products in the blood as indicated by increased creatinine or urea levels in the bloodstream. Blood loss and protein loss in the urine can also signal kidney insufficiency or failure. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15968/sterling-accuris-diagnostics-puts-focus-on-preventive-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15968/sterling-accuris-diagnostics-puts-focus-on-preventive-healthcare.html Tue, 17 Mar 2020 10:10:00 +0530 Gujarat based Sterling Accuris Diagnostics, a front-runner in world-class diagnostic services in Western India, has launched a campaign entitled #BimariBolkeNahiAati to create awareness about regular preventive health check-ups among masses. Commenting on this new campaign, Mr. Rajiv Sharma, CEO & Managing Director, Sterling Accuris Diagnostics mentioned, “For the last 5 years, we have been aggressively working around our core philosophy – Accurate, Reliable and Advanced. We are committed to providing accurate, reliable and advanced pathology services to our patients. Taking this forward, we have launched our first branded content film #BimariBolkeNahiAati.” #BimariBolkeNahiAati the intention is to highlight the importance of regular preventive check-up in today’s fast-paced world where chronic diseases have become a common phenomenon. The good part is that millennials are now more aware and concerned about themselves and their family members; they completely understand that timely checkups and proper treatment improve the quality of life which eventually reduce the stress and financial instability. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15963/manipal-hospital-dwarka-gets-license-for-heart-liver-transplants.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15963/manipal-hospital-dwarka-gets-license-for-heart-liver-transplants.html Mon, 16 Mar 2020 14:50:00 +0530 Dwarka-based Delhi Unit of Manipal Hospitals has recently got licenses for Heart and Liver Transplants from Delhi Organ Transplant Cell, State Health & Family Welfare Department. Manipal Hospitals, Dwarka has been performing 4-5 Kidney transplants every month since it became operational in Delhi and had applied for Heart and Liver transplant to the authority. Integrated multispecialty units at the Hospital facilitated the approval process. The approval has been given to Manipal Hospitals, Dwarka under the provisions of Transplantation of Human Organs & Tissues Act 1994. Dr Yugal Kishore Mishra, Head of Cardiac Sciences, Chief Cardio Vascular Surgeon &Chief of Clinical Services, Manipal Hospitals Dwarka, New Delhi said, “With approval, the Hospital has started the process of registration of the patient who requires to undergo transplant. With world-class facilities, we are successfully performing Kidney transplants here. Now we are all set to perform Heart and Liver transplant.” Being dependent on cadaver donors, heart transplants are the most complicated and complex. Any patient with severe Heart Failure not controlled on medicines and who does not have other contra-indication for a transplant like immune-compromised status, chronic infection, chronic lung disease etc. can undergo a heart transplant. “During the heart transplant procedure, the heart is harvested from a brain-dead person and transplanted in a heart failure patient after removing his diseased heart. After surgery most patients are normally shifted toward after 4-5 days and discharged from hospital in 10-15 days. Patients have to take regular immune-suppressants after the surgery and have to come for regular follow-up. But the biggest limitation for Heart Transplant is the availability of donor,” Dr Mishra explained. Dr Shailendra Lalwani, Head of the Department of Liver Transplant and Hepato-Pancreatic-Biliary Surgery, Manipal Hospitals Dwarka, New Delhi said, “Unlike heart transplant, which depends on the cadaveric donation, liver transplant can be performed by taking part of the liver from healthy donor from the family. Though cadaveric liver transplant is ideal as there is no risk to the donor but due to less donation rate, living donor liver transplant is most commonly performed liver transplant in Delhi and NCR. Advantage being no waiting time. In cadaveric liver transplant prolonged wait time is associated with very high mortality. In Manipal Hospital, Dwarka we have facility of all types of liver transplant which include living donor liver transplant (adult and paediatric), cadaveric liver transplant, combined liver and kidney transplant and ABO incompatible transplant.” “Liver transplant is a major surgery and risk involved in this procedure is between 5 to 10 percent. One year survival is 90 percent and 5 year survival is about 75 percent” said Dr Lalwani According to Organ Retrieval Banking Organisation’s (ORBO) estimates the annual requirement of heart transplant about 15,000 whereas only 250 heart transplants happen. There is a need of 40,000-50,000 liver transplants every year but only 1,700-1,800 takes place, as per ORBO estimates. Similarly, India needs nearly 2 lakh kidney transplants a year, while only about 8,000 transplants happen. Though in Delhi waiting list is very high to get an organ for transplant, however with increasing awareness and availability of high-end facilities, doctors feel that the huge demand-supply gap can be bridged.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15954/goqii-launches-contact-tracking-features-for-covid-19-alert.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15954/goqii-launches-contact-tracking-features-for-covid-19-alert.html Mon, 16 Mar 2020 10:10:00 +0530 In the wake of coronavirus, Vishal Gondal led GOQii, the smart-tech-enabled preventive healthcare company has launched ‘Contact Tracking’ features, to help users track every movement, activity and also track those who have been in close contact with them.   The updated feature will effectively help in social distancing as is recommended by the World Health Organization. A first-of-its-kind initiative especially in cases of a positive detection, where users can immediately backtrack every movement and individuals that one has come in contact with, in the last few days. This will ensure prevention, quick detection of virus carriers and thus curtail the spread of the virus.  GOQii has specially updated the app to help users self-track, to the level of keeping a tab on every person one must have come in contact with, like cab sharing apps like Uber, Lyft, Ola, E-commerce and food delivery services like Amazon, Flipkart, Swiggy and Zomato. One can record the person’s name, contact number as well as photographs.  GOQii app follows the privacy policy. The data logged by the user is private to the user. The privacy settings in the app let the users decide whether they want to share their logs publicly, with just their friends or keep them visible only to themselves.  Healthcare authorities and professionals can leverage GOQii's cutting-edge wearable, artificial intelligence & coaching ecosystem to accelerate COVID-19 surveillance and interventions.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15956/apollo-partners-with-mfine-to-manage-covid-19-outbreak.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15956/apollo-partners-with-mfine-to-manage-covid-19-outbreak.html Mon, 16 Mar 2020 09:10:00 +0530 mfine, an AI powered, on-demand healthcare service which enables virtual medical consultation, has announced a partnership with Apollo Hospitals Bangalore to provide mobile assessment for patients showing symptoms of COVID-19. Amidst the Coronavirus outbreak, hospitals are facing a surge in outpatient cases with flu-like symptoms. mfine will assist Apollo Hospitals and provide mobile screening through its app to detect probable cases of COVID-19 and help in asserting if a patient requires immediate attention or if they are going to be okay. Virtual consultations will help safeguard healthcare workers who are among the most at risk of contracting the virus, and also keep patients away from crowded waiting rooms and potential risk of infection. mfine has also launched a preliminary screening for Coronavirus and more than 1200 users got assessed and the numbers are increasing. Many people are opting for doctor consultations to get the assessment done rather than getting anxious and being carried away by misinformation. Additionally, mfine is also adding an AI system for recognising cough sounds from patients directly on the app. With this, it should make the triaging even more accurate. The AI allows users to record a sound of their cough and the AI system classifies the nature (dry, wet, lower or upper respiratory) and severity of the cough for the doctors to take the right course of action. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15958/wipro-plexis-partner-for-digital-healthcare-transformation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15958/wipro-plexis-partner-for-digital-healthcare-transformation.html Mon, 16 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Wipro, a leading global information technology, consulting and business process services company, has announced its global strategic partnership with PLEXIS Healthcare Systems. This partnership will enable a streamlined, efficient, accurate and integrated plan administration solution to support healthcare payers and plan sponsors worldwide. The aim is to offer secure, compliant, high-value, end-to-end “digital-first” plan administration solutions at a cost-effective price point along with enhanced customer experience. The partnership will initially focus on supporting Medicare and Managed Medicaid programs but will expand to support Accountable Care Act and commercial lines of business. At its core, Wipro’s Medicare platforms will combine with PLEXIS’ healthcare payer claims and care management platforms, to deliver a state-of-the-art technology backbone. This will enable Wipro to deliver world-class Business Process as-a-Service (BPaaS) for efficient and effective management of the entire value chain including enrollment processing with Centre for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) member billing, fulfilment, care management, claims to process and Encounter Data Processing to CMS. Wipro-PLEXIS partnership will provide Medicare and Medicaid plans, a CMS compliant, easy and affordable turnkey option, with a focus on member satisfaction, improved care outcomes, data collaboration and reduced administrative costs.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15950/practo-launches-health-plan-for-unlimited-consultations.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15950/practo-launches-health-plan-for-unlimited-consultations.html Fri, 13 Mar 2020 11:35:00 +0530 Practo, India’s digital healthcare platform has announced the launch of a new monthly healthcare plan under the umbrella of Practo Plus. It is a subscription-based healthcare plan that provides unlimited online consultations with doctors from over 20 specialities. This plan has been conceived with an aim at making quality healthcare affordable and accessible to all. As per the company statement, “In these changing times when seasonal diseases and chronic ailments are demanding constant medical attention, this plan renders 24*7 access to quality healthcare, irrespective of the time and location of the patients, from a network of thousands of doctors. This gives patients reassurance, and counters the popular, but not preferred, route of self-diagnosis and self-medication. Corroborating this, Practo’s online consultation witnessed a 93% increase over the last year. An average user consults a doctor online close to 1.5 times a month while Practo Plus health plans have empowered users to consult 3x more number of times. The plan not only helps people save 10x the amount of money spent on doctor consultations, but also makes them proactive about their health and ensuring that no symptom goes undiagnosed.” Dr Alexander Kuruvilla, Chief Healthcare Strategy Officer, Practo said, “In India, more than 50% of the people resort to self-medication. In the wake of widespread diseases threatening to spread a lot of false symptoms and remedies, it is imperative that we inculcate the habit of consulting specialists for health issues. Unlimited online consultations encourage people to clarify their queries with specialists instead of self-diagnosing. It can also act as the first line of defense, helping curb overcrowding at hospitals and clinics. We are thrilled to introduce the new monthly Practo Plus plan, which also aligns with the government's vision of a healthy India, where there’s access to high quality and affordable healthcare services to all. Over 18 crore patients have received high quality care through Practo and Plus is aimed at making it even more affordable and accessible.” As part of Practo econsult, there are qualified doctors who give quality medical advice on health issues and help patients identify next steps which may include further tests, a prescription or lifestyle tips. Built in features like image sharing, voice calling and video call (only on app) ensures that doctors get all the required information for a diagnosis, and refer for a physical visit to a clinic if required. The response time to get in touch with doctors is also as low as one to 60 seconds in some specialities. Every consultation on Practo is completely private and confidential. Practo Plus network has 30,000+ doctors, clinics and hospitals across specializations. 70% of the doctors in the Plus network have more than 10 years of experience and all of them are highly rated by patients. Practo is dedicated towards building the network and adding thousands of more providers over the coming months.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15953/icmr-launches-affordable-test-kits-for-diabetes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15953/icmr-launches-affordable-test-kits-for-diabetes.html Fri, 13 Mar 2020 10:30:00 +0530 As informed by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), “SuChek” has been developed with financial assistance from ICMR,  which is 100% indigenous glucometer suitable for diverse climatic conditions, affordable and validated as per International standards. Another indigenous device developed as a part of ICMR study for HbA1c testing is under validation. To leverage mobile technology, an application called mDiabetes has been launched for generating awareness,  promoting adherence to treatment and inculcating healthy habits among the masses. Media campaigns are undertaken for creating awareness about risk factors of NCDs, including  diabetes. The Government is implementing National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS), the objectives of which include awareness generation for prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), screening, early detection, management and referral to an appropriate level health facility. Under NPCDCS, testing, diagnosis and treatment facilities for Diabetes is provided through different levels of healthcare facilities. To tackle the challenge of NCDs including diabetes, 616 NCD Clinics at District level and 3,827 NCD Clinics at Community Health Centre level have been set up across the country under NPCDCS. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15944/system-level-factors-influence-access-to-kidney-disease-care-in-rural-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15944/system-level-factors-influence-access-to-kidney-disease-care-in-rural-india.html Thu, 12 Mar 2020 12:25:00 +0530 Poor knowledge and awareness of kidney disease, shortages of healthcare professionals, limited access to essential diagnostics, and medicines, fragmented referrals pathways and inadequate continuum of care result in suboptimal response to kidney disease burden in rural India Even as the world Kidney Day this year is focusing on Kidney Health for Everyone Everywhere, a new study by the George Institute for Global Health has identified barriers and enablers that impact care to patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in rural India. According to the study, while the major patient-level barriers to care, include poor knowledge and awareness of the disease; health system-level barriers include shortages of skilled healthcare professionals and medicines and fragmented referral pathways to the specialists at the hospitals with inadequate follow-up care. The study entitled “Access to CKD care in rural communities of India: a qualitative study exploring the barriers and potential facilitators” published in BMC Nephrology recently highlighted the responses of patients and healthcare providers in a primary health care setting in rural India. It suggested ways to improve access to CKD care in rural India—these included educational initiatives to increase awareness of CKD among healthcare providers and patients, provision of CKD related supplies, and a systems-level approach to promoting care including task shifting by engaging community health workers as potential facilitators. Prof Vivekanand Jha, Executive Director of The George Institute for Global Health India and President of the International Society of Nephrology said, “We identified several barriers to accessing CKD care at the primary level in rural India that need urgent attention. Targeted CKD screening programs and CKD specific educational initiatives may improve awareness. Accordingly, primary care infrastructure needs to be strengthened for CKD care apart from ensuring trained staff, availability of essential diagnostics and medications, and creating efficient referral pathways.” Approximately 1 in 5 adults in India have CKD and diabetes is the single largest contributor accounting for one-third of the CKD burden. Development of CKD and its progression to end stage kidney disease can be prevented by prompt detection and early institution of non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic therapies. “Patients with early disease do not have symptom. This makes it important to screen high-risk individuals such as those with diabetes, hypertension, obesity may help create awareness and promote health seeking behavior”, adds Prof Jha. According to the study, the health system in India is unable to manage the current and rising burden of CKD, especially in rural areas. Although different cadres of community health workers including the auxiliary nurse midwife (ANM) and accredited social health activists (ASHAs) provide basic services related to maternal and child health and facilitate a link between the community and the primary health centers, they do not have the mandate or training for health promotion services for non-communicable diseases including CKD. The primary health centers serve a population of approximately 30,000, and most are staffed by only one physician. Research indicates there is a lower density of qualified doctors in rural India as medical doctors are unwilling to serve rural areas. Further, nephrologists are in very short supply in rural areas in India, as most practicing ones (total of 1850 in a country of 1.3 billion) are concentrated mainly in the urban areas. Shortage and unequal distribution of the healthcare workforce further deter quality care for chronic conditions like CKD. Oommen John, Senior Research Fellow, The George Institute India, and the study co-author said, “Understanding the challenges faced by the patients and providers regarding the management of early CKD is critical to designing strategies that are potentially effective for improving outcomes.” Evidence is mounting regarding the role of trained non-physician health workers in the management of hypertension and diabetes in South Asia. Furthermore, digital platforms are being increasingly used for health promotion, as well as screening and management of non-communicable diseases. However, the factors that influence access to early-stage CKD care in rural communities of India and neighboring countries are yet to be studied.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15940/am-foundation-conducts-diabetes-camp-in-tamil-nadu.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15940/am-foundation-conducts-diabetes-camp-in-tamil-nadu.html Thu, 12 Mar 2020 10:30:00 +0530 AM Foundation, the corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of Singapore-headquartered AM International, recently conducted a diabetes camp across villages in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, India. The mega camp was organised in collaboration with Jyothi X-Ray ECG and Laboratory, a leading diagnostic centre in the city. The camp was inaugurated by S. R. Ramakrishnan, Wholetime Director, Southern Petrochemical Industries Corporation Limited (SPIC) in the presence of Dr. Arun Kumar, Chief Health Officer, Corporation of Tuticorin. Additionally, the medical team of AM Foundation, comprising of Dr. Ravichandran (MD-Diabetes), Dr. Anbalagan, Dr. Kanaga Mahalakshmi, participated in the inauguration along with other representatives of SPIC Tuticorin. The multi-location diabetes camp was conducted at the primary healthcare centre (PHCC) at Abhiraminagar, catering to residents in Maravanmadam, Kulayankarisal, Soosai Nagar, Abirami Nagar, Muthiahpuram, Mullakadu and other surrounding villages. PHCCs at some of these villages are run by AM Foundation directly. Participants were examined by health workers at the PHCC as well as those appointed by Jyothi Laboratory. As a part of the camp, participants diagnosed with diabetes-related conditions will be provided with continued care at their respective PHCCs. The camp witnessed participation by 150 persons. Of these, 55 were recommended for the continued care programme. Commenting on the success of the diabetes camp, Mr. Ashwin Muthiah, Chairman, AM International, said, "At AM Foundation, we believe that community health is a critical factor in the prosperity of the nation. Given that diabetes is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, it is crucial to promote diabetes control and ensure patient well-being. Through the diabetes camp, we aim to enable access to appropriate medical care for diabetes control and management for communities in remote areas. We were fortunate to find a partner in Jyothi Laboratory in our pursuit. The complexity related to diabetes management prompted us to introduce the continued care programme. Through this, we ensure that the treatment, once started, is not left midway. The success of the camp shows that our efforts are in the right direction." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15930/ainu-opens-at-hyderabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15930/ainu-opens-at-hyderabad.html Thu, 12 Mar 2020 10:05:00 +0530 The Asian Institute of Nephrology & Urology (AINU) is expanding its presence in Hyderabad by adding new facility to its existing capacity. AINU recently inaugurated its second facility in Dilsukhnagar, Hyderabad; a 60-bedded kidney care center with specialized 10-bedded acute kidney care unit. Established in 2013, AINU is a specialized urology and nephrology-focused tertiary care hospital, offering a full suite of medical and surgical services, day care services and supporting services. The new facility will house a specialized dialysis unit of 12 beds with an advanced HDF dialysis capable units for critically ill patients. A dedicated team of fulltime urologists and nephrologists are available 24x7 to provide quality care to the patients. Over the past 7 years, the NABH accredited AINU has established itself as a premier institute in the city with over 100 beds dedicated to kidney care. AINU is equipped with both surgical and acute kidney intensive care units; and has emerged as a referral center for complex and high-end endoscopic, laparoscopic and robotic urological procedures for kidney stones, prostate enlargement, kidney cancer, prostate cancer, urinary bladder cancer,  congenital urinary tract disorders and Kidney transplantation to name a few. Commenting on the new facility, Dr. C Mallikarjuna, Managing Director, AINU, said “Asian Institute of Nephrology & Urology said, “AINU is renowned for its world-class infrastructure and advanced medical support. The new facility too is equipped with a comprehensive in-house laboratory and diagnostic facilities comprising of X-ray, Ultrasound, Multi-slice CT scan and Urodynamics. There are two fully equipped operating rooms specifically designed for urological procedures with all the latest surgical equipment like Lasers, ESWL and high-end HD laparoscopic instruments.” “AINU is well equipped with state-of-the-art HDF dialysis machines at acute kidney care unit to deal with nephrological emergencies and an enviable track record in delivering a successful renal transplantation program. The prime focus at AINU has always been on advancing the knowledge of renal care among the fraternity,” concluded Dr. Purna Chandra Reddy, Executive Director. With three advanced facilities in Telugu States, AINU is on the path to emerge into a premier institute in Nephrology and Urology; and to be at the forefront of new developments in medical and surgical technique and technology that are beneficial to patient care. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/views/98/15939/if-left-untreated-thyroid-could-lead-to-severe-muscle-disease.html https://biospectrumindia.com/views/98/15939/if-left-untreated-thyroid-could-lead-to-severe-muscle-disease.html Thu, 12 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Our body is made up of a complex and numerous set of organs, muscles, tissues, and glands that help usfunction. The outer appearance might look simple but below the skin, there is a lot that is going on and alot that needs careful attention. It is not enough to look fine for a healthy body but to also ensure theproper functioning of the internal parts of our body which are controlled my multiple chemicalmessengers called hormones. For instance, the thyroid gland which is a tiny butterfly gland in our necks might not be felt or thoughtabout unless an abnormality occurs with it or it becomes dysfunctional. However, this little gland holds ahuge significance as it is responsible for making hormones that control your metabolism. The hormonesreleased by the body, thyroid hormones, hence control the way the body makes use of energy, so theyaffect almost every organ in your body and contribute in almost every other function in the body, be itrelated to the brain, the muscles or digestion. Any irregularity with the thyroid can lead to various healthproblems in the longer run. Thyroid problems have multiple forms too. When the thyroid hormone is not enough in our body, it causes a condition called hypothyroidism or low thyroid which makes one's system slow down. Whilewhen the thyroid is overactive and produces more thyroid hormones than the requirement of the body,it is referred to be a case of hyperthyroidism. Either of the forms, if left untreated, can impact themuscles. Myopathy or muscle disease can occur as a result of hypothyroidism (hypothyroid myopathy) as well ashyperthyroidism (hyperthyroid myopathy). Thyroid-related myopathy can be severe and debilitating butcan also be treated if handled timely on a mild stage. Hypothyroid Myopathy The exact cause is still unclear but experts do speculate the deficiency of thyroxine (T4) seen inhypothyroidism leads to abnormal oxidative metabolism, which causes muscle injury and impairedmuscle function. Some of the symptoms include: In the case of hypothyroid myopathy, general weakness is experienced by the person especiallyin the muscles closest to the center of their bodies, such as the thigh or shoulder. This tends tocause problems climbing stairs or combing your hair. Apart from muscle symptoms, an increased creatinine kinase (CK) level could also be observed.Creatinine kinase is a muscle enzyme that increases with a muscle injury. In rare scenarios, hypothyroidism can also lead to more severe muscle symptoms and canexperience enlarged muscles, significant muscle stiffness, weakness, and pain. If not treated properly, combined with vigorous exercise and cholesterol-lowering medication, itcould also result in rapid muscle breakdown. In the case of hypothyroid myopathy, the thyroid hormone replacement medication can usually help inimproving the muscle symptoms like cramps and stiffness but this improvement also takes time. When itcomes to muscle weakness, it generally takes months altogether to resolve. Hence the early thetreatment, the faster the cure. Hyperthyroid Myopathy When it comes to myopathy in hyperthyroidism, it's likely that the elevated level of thyroid hormones inthe body directly impacts the muscles. High thyroid hormone levels may lead to increased muscleprotein degradation and muscle energy use. Some of the common symptoms in case of hyperthyroid myopathy are: Irregular muscle cramps and pain Weakening of the muscles. This may create difficulty for the person in climbing stairs, risingfrom a chair, holding or gripping objects, and even in reaching their arms above their head. In some rare cases, in myopathy from hyperthyroidism, the muscles that are affected can eveninclude those that help you swallow and breathe. Muscle wastingIn the case of hyperthyroid myopathy, treating hyperthyroidism can cure muscle disease as well.However, it takes a very long time even after the thyroid is brought back to normal. Hence it becomescrucial to not leave your thyroid untreated for a long time. Muscle complaints are not uncommon in thyroid diseases. However, if they are left untreated and thethyroid is not timely and appropriately addressed, it can generally be alleviated with simple remedies. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15932/max-healthcare-conducts-women-bone-health-survey-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15932/max-healthcare-conducts-women-bone-health-survey-.html Mon, 09 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Max Healthcare selected the theme of ‘Women’s bone health and orthopaedic issues’ to spread awareness about the issue and establish the need for self- care. A survey was done with 500+ women in Gurgaon/Delhi NCR aged between 20 to 45 years and above and various aspects were understood. A balanced share of respondents across the following profiles included – Homemaker and Working Professional. Impact of high heels on bone health Wearing high heels over a period of time have known to impact a women’s bone health. One may not realise the impact of this when young and healthy but consistent use of heels over a long duration of time impacts one’s posture and thereby cause orthopaedic issues in women. Yet, as per the survey, almost 50% of women wear high heels on a regular basis to work or meetings, out of which 85% are between 20-30 years of age. Heels are most often associated with corporate power dressing, which is perceived to have an impact on a woman’s confidence and self-image, but if it brings grave downside along, then one should be conscious and wary.  Wearing high heels, coupled with an urban lifestyle which is plagued with stress, occasional alcohol consumption, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle can have huge negative implications.  48.5% women wear high heels on a regular basis or on the weekends for social gatherings 37.5% of 20-30 year old women wear high heels daily 85.4% 20-30 year old women wear high heels daily or on weekends for parties 43.7% working women wear high heels daily While only 14.6% 20-30 year old women do not prefer high heels at all or wear occasionally, 52.9% 30-45 year old and 83% above 45 year old women feel this way Dr. S.K.S. Marya, Chairman & Chief Surgeon, Orthopaedics and Joint Replacement, Max Hospital, Gurgaon says, “Our survey has shown that a shocking 48.5% women wear high heels on a regular basis or on the weekends for social gatherings. While societal norms and dress code followed in corporate offices push them to wear high heels, it is imperative that they are wary of various nuances associated with it. High heels when worn on a regular basis, impacts the back, toes and the joints of ankle and knee. This puts immense pressure on the spine which can hamper the overall bone structure and posture of women over a period of time. It has also been observed that heels such as pumps, stilettoes, platforms are far more stressful on the posture of young women as the risk of deformity on developing bones are more. These heels create an anomalous and awkward angle for the ankle which further creates pressure and hinders the circulation to the foot. In many cases, the big toe becomes deformed also known as ‘Hallux Valgus’, and require correction surgery. Regular use of high heels might also lead to early osteoporosis and permanent backache. Therefore, women should only wear high heels occasionally and go for flats, ballerinas, loafers, slip ons, oxfords etc. for daily use.” Daily Posture and Bone Health A human body is just like a machine which is designed to function in a certain way. Every individual finds comfort in siting, standing, walking and conducting her daily chores in a certain posture. But, just about any posture is not a healthy posture, one should be conscious of her posture on a regular basis to avoid any unnatural stress on the joints and bones. Yet, over 50% women do not focus on their daily posture and are ruining their bone health in the process. In addition, it was also observed that homemakers in comparison to working women are far less conscious about their posture while doing their daily chores and managing home. Only 55% women are conscious about their daily posture at work or home 41.7% 20-30 year old care about their daily posture while 58.3% are unconscious of their daily posture 55.9% 30-45 year old care about their daily posture while 44.1% are unconscious of their daily posture 66% 45 year and above care about their daily posture while 34% are unconscious of their daily posture 51.2% homemakers and 58.6% working women take care of their daily posture 59.2% women feel some kind of bone or joint pain after sitting for too long 41.7% 20-30 year old women have back pain, joint pain or both 63.2% 30-45 year old women have back pain, joint pain or both 69.8% 45 year and above women suffer from back pain, joint, pain or both 57.3% homemakers and 60.9% working women suffer from back or join pain and sometimes both 42.7% homemakers and 25.3% working women are unaware of exercises for bone health or not able to take out time Dr. S.K.S. Marya also added, “The data derived from our survey once again goes to prove that majority of women be it a homemaker or a working professional is unable to take out time for herself especially her bone health. They neither pay attention to their posture while sitting on their desk or doing household work nor they undertake set of few simple yet effective exercises which can help them in the long run. Another dangerous trend that has come out of the survey is that almost 60% of young working women aged between 20-30 years of age either don’t pay attention to their daily posture or think it doesn’t matter. The survey also finds out that 31% women are likely to be social drinkers and prefer hard liquor over a lighter one. It was also surprisingly found that 44%, women smoke daily or while drinking. Hence, when the widespread ignorance about daily posture is combined with a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy habits such as smoking, and consumption of alcohol can harm their bone health enormously. Therefore, there is a dire need to raise awareness on how day to day health habits and correct posture can be of immense help to these young women and protect them from major orthopaedic issues in the long run.” The untold side of motherhood – Orthopaedic issues post-childbirth Majority of times the media glamorizes ‘motherhood’ – the celebrated glow, the celebrity fad diets and yoga regime and the fancy twinning wardrobe for a new mother and her baby. However, there’s an untold side of motherhood as well. One of them being permanent and semi-permanent orthopaedic issues women go through post childbirth. With increasing age followed by the occurrence of menopause, the quality and quantity of bone minerals also decreases. 38% of women have faced bone health-related issue post-childbirth whereas 62% have either not faced at all or are not aware 74.5% women above the age of 30 have faced orthopaedic issues after childbirth While 30% normal and 24.3% overweight women have face post-labour orthopaedic issues, a staggering 68.2% underweight women have faced this issue 40% homemakers and 35% working women have faced orthopaedic issues post childbirth "The child is inadvertently feeding on the mother and her reserves including her bone health resources. As per our survey, 38% women have faced bone health related issue post childbirth out of which 74.5% women were above the age of 30. This occurrence is a result of when bone minerals are not replenished properly. This leads the woman to suffer from deficiencies which might cause orthopaedic issues such as Lower Backpain, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Plantar Fasciitis, Osteitis Pubis and more. The chances of postpartum orthopaedic problems increase in women who have multiple childbirths, childbirth at a younger age or are already deprived of nutrients essential for bone health. Therefore, the incidence is seen more among underweight women with 68.2% underweight women having postpartum orthopaedic issues as they are already running short of bone health reserves. However, in many of these cases, the complication can certainly be avoided with proper nutrition, regular exercises and consuming components to improve health but making sure there’s no gain of excess weight", Dr. S.K.S. Marya added. While, the above factors are directly correlated to women’s bone health, there are plethora of other factors which indirectly have a huge role to play – stress, air pollution, nutrients and minerals and genetic pull. Below are some findings of the survey which highlight the importance of each of these. Stress (From a scale of 1-10) While personal and professional stress combined does not have a direct impact on women’s bone health, a high level of stress impacts the physical health which in turn impacts bone and muscle health.Through the survey, it was observed that women aged between 20-30 years are highly stressed (rated 7.25) – general + professional. This particular factor is also influenced by activity levels, nutrition, socialising etc. resulting in aches and pains in the body. Air Pollution High level of air pollution also has an implicit effect on women’s bone health. Air pollution leads to poor oxygenation which further hampers the circulation of bone minerals. Pollutants in the environment combined with a sedentary lifestyle make the situation worse. Like any other morbidity, the elderly population is more prone to air pollution-induced orthopaedic issues. A staggering 75.7% women are exposed to the medium to high degree of pollution. Some of the precautionary steps include wearing masks, air purifiers, no smoking etc. Nutrients and Minerals One of the most neglected as well as the most important factor that impacts women’s bone health in consumption of the right amount of nutrients and minerals on a regular basis. A lot of people are also unaware that while calcium is a key component for bone health, without enough vitamin D, the body will be unable to absorb the calcium. While, women are aware of the value of protein (98.2%), roughage (39.6%) and carbohydrates (22.5%) for bone health, 51% women are unaware about the importance of Iron and Potassium for bone health. Therefore, there needs to be a balance of all the essential nutrients and minerals to maintain good bone health in the long run, Genetic Pull Genes play a major role when it comes to women’s bone health.  Orthopaedics has genetic concerns both in terms of disease and quality of health. Some of the most common genetic orthopaedic issues that are passed on include rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis, thyroid and parathyroid. A very perilous trend that came out of the survey was that 62.5% of 20-30-year-old women are not aware if orthopaedic issues run in their family. This lack of knowledge might delay the diagnosis and exacerbate the situation. Some of the regular tests women must undertake include Vitamin D, Dexa Bone Scan, Vitamin B12 & Calcium + Phosphorus. The insights derived from the survey highlight the dire need to raise awareness about bone health among women. From direct factors such as high heels, daily posture, childbirth to additional factors like stress, air pollution, genetics and diet – all play a major role in determining the quality of women’s bone health in the long run thus, ensuring a healthy body and mind.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15922/medicalwale-launches-dbioms-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15922/medicalwale-launches-dbioms-.html Fri, 06 Mar 2020 15:25:00 +0530 Medicalwale, a knowledge-based, omni-channel healthcare platform has launched DBIOMS (Doctors Business and Internal Operation Management Systems) for Docnity/Doctor Community. DBIOMS is a technology enabled business software solution for doctors to expand their business portfolio and connect with their own community without any hassle. Through this tech enabled solution, doctors can not only manage multiple intricacies such as managing online consultancy and clinic, handling various business ledgers in a jiffy but also connect with different doctors and discuss case studies. In India, healthcare sector is experiencing a new wave of opportunity with advanced developments and technologies. The concept of mHealth has become an influential factor in today’s time with growing proliferation of digitalization. Through various online apps, the communication between doctors and patients is becoming seamless. In India, there are nearly 60,000 healthcare related apps on Android and IOS as mobile technology makes huge inroads in the healthcare space. Built on the accessibility and affordability of mobile phones around the world, the mHealth provides new set of opportunities for improving health care services, even tier 2 and tier 3 areas. The mHealth in India strives to address the challenges of making healthcare initiatives far more accessible and speedier, in an improved and cost-effective manner in India. Commenting on the launch of DBIOMS, Obaid Abdul Aziz, Founder, Medicalwale.com said “We at Medicalwale.com aim to empower India with access to world-class personal care and healthcare through innovative technologies, appropriate products and efficient services. Being an omni-channel healthcare platform, we promise to serve every Indian and global citizen transparent, economical and affordable health, beauty & fitness services. With DBIOMS, we believe to cut down all the complexities for doctors by providing them hassle free app to communicate and connect with their patients and other doctors. Medicalwale.com aims to put India at the top of the global healthcare chart and provide access to consumers to the best of the facilities with their platform.” “mHealth in India is one of the biggest technology trends. With the latest mobile technology, it has now become easy to touch upon rural areas and provide them with quality healthcare services at affordable cost. With high proliferation of mobile phones across demographics, there are high chances to reach large pockets of underserved population in India”, adds Obaid Abdul Aziz. DBIOMS manages 3 different profiles of a doctor namely – Health, Business & Social with complete security.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15921/6-in-10-women-suffers-from-anaemia-in-delhi-metropolis-healthcare-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15921/6-in-10-women-suffers-from-anaemia-in-delhi-metropolis-healthcare-study.html Fri, 06 Mar 2020 15:00:00 +0530 In its recent study on anaemia, Metropolis Healthcare found that 6 in 10 women from 36 cities of India have low haemoglobin levels indicating iron deficiency, anaemia. Anaemia is a condition that develops when there is lack of healthy red blood cells or haemoglobin in the blood. The incidence of anaemia was reported highest in the 20-50 age group. For this study, Metropolis Healthcare had tested 17,00,000 samples of girls and women over a period of two years. In Delhi, Metropolis tested samples of 2,12,761 girls and women. Among them, 6 in 10 samples were tested anaemic. In Delhi, the anaemia prevalence was found to be higher in the age group of 20-50. On the study, Dr Puneet Kumar Nigam, Chief Quality Officer, Metropolis Healthcare Ltd said, “The most common reason for anaemia is a deficiency of iron which can be taken care of with supplements and good nutrition. But in India, women continue to live with anaemia. Menstruating girls and women are more deficient due to the monthly blood loss. The most common signs to watch out for anaemia would be lethargy, unexplained fatigue, pale skin and pale eyes. In kids, more severe form of anaemia is characterized by a behaviour called as pica where the child builds a tendency to eat dirt, clay and other unusual substances. This is not a harmful behaviour and disappears once anaemia is cured.” Dr. Nigam commented on anaemia diagnosis, “While routine blood tests like Complete Blood Cell (CBC) count can give us an overall picture on the status of Hb and Red Blood Cell components, it is important to undergo thorough diagnosis to find out the exact cause of anaemia. Other causes of anaemia may include internal bleeding and our body’s inability to absorb iron. Whatever the cause, it is important to get diagnosed early on to avoid further complications and correct the condition, as soon as possible.” He added, “While iron deficiency induced anaemia and pregnancy are two of the largest causes of mild and moderate anaemia, some cases of severe anaemia may have serious underlying causes, which may affect a person’s quality of life. These include Beta Thalassemia, Macrocytic Anaemia and other Chronic Diseases with permanent consequences.”  During the study, Metropolis observed that often anaemia symptoms are mistaken as cause of stress and overwork.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15918/isic-hosted-international-symposium-on-healthcare-management-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15918/isic-hosted-international-symposium-on-healthcare-management-.html Fri, 06 Mar 2020 11:55:00 +0530 Coronavirus outbreak has already affected people of more than 60 countries sending governments across the world in a flurry of panic and preparedness to ensure that they do their best to treat patients of coronavirus as well as contain the epidemic from spreading further. If not contained now this global emergency can easily become a disaster. With an increase in the number of disasters and emergency events, super speciality institute Indian Spinal Injuries Centre hosted a day long International symposium and strategic meet on disaster medicine and disaster health on 5th March 2020. The event was organized by Disaster Medicine Special Interest Group of International Federation for Emergency Medicine (IFEM) and Society for Emergency Medicine, India (SEMI) in collaboration of Indian Spinal Injuries Centre. Minister of State for textiles, Member of Parliament, Ajay Tamta was the chief guest at the event. Other key dignitaries included Prof. James Duchrame (Canada), President, IFEM, and Prof. Sallyann McCarthy (Australia), President-Elect IFEM, Dr.A.K.Mukherjee, Director General, ISIC, and Dr.H.S.Chhabra, Medical Director & Chief of Spine Services, ISIC. Ajay Tamta said, “The reason I am late is because of the increasing spread of coronavirus in the country about which we were discussing in the parliament as well. I am from Uttrakhand so I have seen firsthand the impact of a disaster and the lives it can ruin. My own sister was a victim of spinal injury and at first she went to treatment in Haldwani but when she was not getting better she came here to Indian Spinal Injuries Centre. Now she is living her life in a healthy manner thanks to proper and effective treatment. We need to train more and more doctors for emergency care as although many BSF soldiers and members of the air force came to help during the Kedarnath disaster in 2009 not many healthcare professionals were available to treat patients. Apart from training we also need to instill courageous mindset in healthcare professionals so that they are not afraid to approach a disaster and are always prepared to deal with one.” Dr. H S Chhabra said, “Disaster medicine is an area of health-care management that is getting increasingly focused across the world. Hospitals across the world struggle to keep up with sudden influx of patients and knowing how to prepare ourselves for such situations will be a great help to the doctors and staff at the emergency department. Besides, it will also help us to build protocols to ensure all the patients are being attended to with quality service in minimum time. As 30 cases of coronavirus have come to light, it’s high time that we should stay alert against this threat.  We have stepped up our screening and quarantine measures for all the domestic and international patients in our hospital.  In order to have a prompt response, we have stockpiled the needed equipment to control the disease. For our medical staff, who will be the closest contact with patients, we have incorporated N95 respirator masks in the hospitals because these masks provide much better protection. We are once again monitoring all patients about their recent travel history.” The symposium focused on the role of healthcare and preparedness of healthcare providers to attend the patients in the event of disaster or calamity.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15912/isar-begins-digital-initiative-with-docmode-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15912/isar-begins-digital-initiative-with-docmode-.html Fri, 06 Mar 2020 09:05:00 +0530 DocMode, a global online medical learning platform for outcome based education, will be associating itself with ISAR (Indian Society for Assisted Reproduction) for implementing 'Seed to Soil’; the latter's digital initiative for specialists in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). ‘Seed to Soil’ comprises a series of online live lectures on ART that is expected to assist about 4000 members of ISAR (including gynaecologists and embryologists) and other participating doctors, on the latest developments in assisted reproductive surgery. It would also allow an even more in-depth understanding through various case studies and aid in guidelines. The lectures, each of 90 minute-duration, are available to ISAR members for viewing free of cost the DocMode website. Dr. Jaideep Malhotra, President of ISAR, said, “ISAR has always been trying to train and mentor young infertility specialists. Through the webinars, eminent personalities would address a lot of topics, which would in turn encourage health experts towards protocol-based management of infertility patients in the country.” As of now, two lectures have already been held—the first titled ‘Right Choice Right Time - Case Selection for Infertility Management’; by Dr. Jaideep Malhotra. She spoke on the importance of patient selection. Under infertility management, patient selection is a crucial process where an evaluating surgeon decides whether to accept responsibility for the treatment of a potential patient. Almost 15 per cent of India’s population is sub fertile out of which only about four per cent reach an ART specialist. And, even when they manage to contact an infertility specialist, they don’t always get the right treatment. The webinar attains significance in this context. The second lecture recently conducted, focused on ‘Evidence for Surgery in Infertility’; by Dr Madhuri Patil, Clinical Director of Dr. Patil's Fertility & Endoscopy Clinic, Bengaluru. “Reproductive surgery is an integral part of the management of an infertile couple. It is used both for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. However, one must remember reproductive surgery is not necessary in all patients,” she said. The webinar is an eye-opener for understanding the evidence for reproductive surgery in female infertility. Hans Lewis, Founder and CEO of DocMode said, “DocMode has been sparing no effort in ensuring continued medical learning for health professionals for some time now. The 'Seed to Soil’ programme is a unique learning initiative by ISAR for its members and also for participating doctors in the scenario of constantly emerging developments. Topics like fertility treatment consist of a wide range of subjects requiring continuous evaluation and DocMode’s association with ISAR will facilitate learning and understanding for doctors who are facing difficulty in participating in seminars and events.” “As infertility specialists or OB/GYN, we always feel at loss because there are no uniform patterns and no guidelines assisting and directing us in management of these patients. Hence, the ‘Seed to Soil’ programme has been designed to help health experts in an algorithmic and protocol-based management of infertile patients,” Dr Jaideep said. There will be two lectures every month on the second and fourth Thursday. In all, there would be 24 lectures in a year with the participation of 24 faculties-both national and international.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15913/119-rise-in-women-seeking-online-medical-consultations-in-2019.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15913/119-rise-in-women-seeking-online-medical-consultations-in-2019.html Thu, 05 Mar 2020 09:45:00 +0530 Practo, digital company has recently came out with a healthcare map on Indian women which is based on insights from seven crore women users in the period of Jan 2019 - Dec 2019. The Insights summarize the recent trends which reflects the way women in India address their health concerns and take care of their health needs. Key insights: Gynaecology emerged as the most popular speciality amongst women, esp in the age group of 20-30 Women in the age group of 20-30, accounted for 66% of the overall consults on gynecology Overall, eConsults for gynaecology grew by 44% since last year Growth among metro cities stood at 67%, with most of the consults coming in from Bangalore, Delhi NCR, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Chennai (in that order) Non-Metros grew at 57% since last year, with cities like Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Indore, Agra and Varanasi contributing majorly Top queries discussed were irregular periods, pregnancy, unprotected sex complications and PCOD 6pm-8pm is when most consults happened with gynecologist, indicating, a growing trend of consulting after office hours Dermatology and Sexology rank as the second and third most popular specialities amongst women users in 20-30 age group  Overall, Dermatology consults grew over 40% since last year Trichology and cosmetology were the top categories of discussion among young women who are increasingly taking professional advice when it comes to the wellbeing of their skin and hair Overall, Sexology consults witnessed an increase of 130% in the last one year Indian women find econsults as a safe alternative to self-diagnosis, especially when it comes to their sexual health. It empowers them to be more proactive about their health, say medical experts Children’s health (Pediatrics) was the top concern for women in the age group of 30-40 Women in the age group of 30-40, accounted for 76% of the overall consults on pediatrics Overall, Pediatrics witnessed a growth of 45% since last year Health queries around remedies for cold and cough for infants and vaccination for babies were among the most discussed queries last year Top eConsults for pediatrics came from metro cities like Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi NCR, Mumbai and Pune Non-metro cities like Lucknow, Patna, Jaipur, Mangalore, Visakhapatnam and Indore witnessed a 125% growth in the number of eConsults that came in for pediatrics Queries regarding infants’ health saw a 93% rise during odd hours(10 pm - 6 am) as new mothers tend to get worried by even the smallest of symptoms in infants Women above 40 consulted Orthopedists the most 76% of the consults for orthopedics came from women aged 40 - 50 Overall, Orthopedics witnessed a growth of 32% in the last one year and most discussed queries were high grade knee tear, back and joint pain, fractured or broken tibia and arthritis Bangalore city topped the chart when it comes to consulting for orthopedics from specialitists on Practo Non-metro cities like Jaipur, Patna, Lucknow, Bhopal and Kanpur witnessed a growth of 120% Problems like spinal strain and lower back pain that are related to severe work pressure topped the query Women preferred afternoons to consult orthopedists indicating a preference of consulting during office hours Dr Alexander Kuruvilla, Chief Healthcare Strategy Officer, Practo said, “Today's consumers face three key challenges in their healthcare journey: access, quality and affordability. eConsults have emerged as a preferred alternative to consumers, esp. millennials, for whom time and quality is of essence. It has the power to reach users even in the remotest of villages, at the oddest of hours, when access to specialists may be a challenge. And that's one trend that's emerging strongly, esp. among women users. We see women increasingly using our platform to consult doctors instead of self-diagnosing or worse still, ignoring their symptoms all together. In our endeavour to make quality healthcare affordable and accessible to billions, eclinic plays an important role, and we're committed to widening its reach even further over the coming years." Dr Vanita Vaishnav, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Bangalore, said, “Digital platforms like Practo provides an excellent opportunity for people, especially women to seek medical assistance from specialized doctors by empowering them with the right information, and easy access to quality healthcare. There is an increased awareness among women in India regarding various health problems as well as growth in the number of people consulting the right specialists due to efficiency of channels like online consultations. Digital healthcare has played a significant role in improving the overall experience of the patients in terms of accessibility, quality, convenience, and especially trust.” This report aims to highlight the disease trends facing Indian women. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15908/nathealth-calls-for-collaborative-fight-against-covid-19-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15908/nathealth-calls-for-collaborative-fight-against-covid-19-.html Thu, 05 Mar 2020 09:30:00 +0530 Apex healthcare industry body NATHEALTH has called for a unified response to arrest the cascading impact of Covid 19 and said that private sector would work collaboratively with the Government to ward off the disease before it takes Greater proportions. Time is of essence and therefore it is imperative to diagnose and prevent the spread of the disease at the earliest, NATHEALTH emphasised in a statement issued recently. As per WHO guidelines, Government of India has initiated a number of critical measures and build up necessary reserves based on planned contingencies for critical medical supplies and reduce cascading effect of coronavirus impact on human lives. These include potential response scenarios for containing travel related cases reported within India, local transmission of COVID, large outbreaks and the disaster response scenario of an endemic. Some of the steps include Inter-ministerial coordination, Early Detection through Points of Entries Screening, Community Surveillance through Integrated Disease Surveillance Program, Early Diagnosis, Buffer Stock and Risk communication for creating awareness among public to follow preventive public health measures. Dr H Sudarshan Ballal, President, NATHEALTH said, “Private sector players will be happy to collaborate with the Govt to augment the diagnostics/ treatment capacity as was done in 2009 when H1N1 had started spreading incessantly.Covid19 has surfaced again in India and we do believe that we need to be as alert as possible in containing this disease without creating any panic. Though the disease is more infectious than the regular flu it seems less fatal than some of the other epidemics we have faced.” Public awareness and a united concerted effort by the public and private health care sectors is needed along with the cooperation of the citizens to contain this new novel viral epidemic. Siddhartha Bhattacharya, Secretary General, NATHEALTH said, “It is high time to be prepared and agile. Healthcare sector in India stands united at this juncture to respond to the evolving scenario. We must prevent the spread through Government and citizen led public health measures while putting in place a unified preparedness strategy to treat COVID-19 across India." On behalf of industry, NATHEALTH makes the following recommendations for consideration of Government: Include private sector early in contingency planning to potential scenarios at both central and state levels in India Create a strategic pool of private sector hospitals, diagnostic labs, protective equipment supply, medicines and frontline workers. Demarcate their roles in different contingency scenarios. Enroll private sector diagnostic centers early- one or few government labs will not be able to provide diagnosis for large scale testing, without which the risk of infection will increase. Most people will not go to hospitals and isolate themselves while waiting for test results unless we can give results in 24 hours. US FDA has now allowed private labs meeting accreditation standards to work with government to test. Similar proactive approach is also required for hospitals Collate a list of clinical experts across Public and Private sector to review the treatment protocols for screening, isolation, treatment of COVID-19 infections and ensure appropriate standardized quality of care. Build up capacity and expertise available to use next generation sequencing for the Viral DNA at short notice Global data for this virus should be open sourced so that researchers and technocrats around the world can create AI based protocols to screen for COVID-1 We must collate the data assiduously for posterity and also to monitor the progression of the disease. Towards this end, the Govt should circulate the Formats so that the Private partners fill the data as is being advised in the case of program "Nikshay"- for eradication of TB. Create a dedicated fund to deal with COVID-19 and ensure priority financing to sustainably deal with this public health crisis across both public and private sector. Given the utmost importance of the matter, the Govt may like to make diagnosis affordable at the hands of the patients so that they don't shy away from undertaking the test. As of now the kits are not manufactured in India and thus it will be of great help if the Govt could waive the import duty and local tariffs on the Kits (raw material/ reagents) for the limited purpose of fighting Covid 19. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15910/ahpi-tn-chapter-condemns-renewed-violence-against-doctors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15910/ahpi-tn-chapter-condemns-renewed-violence-against-doctors.html Wed, 04 Mar 2020 17:20:00 +0530 Dr. S Gurushankar, President of Tamil Nadu Chapter of the Association of Healthcare Providers of India (AHPI), has condemned renewed violence against doctors across the country, in light of the assault on a gynecologist by a patient’s relatives at a Kolkata hospital recently. The Association called such violence as unacceptable and highlighted the need for stringent laws to punish the perpetrators. It also said that if doctors continue to be assaulted at work, taking healthcare to every part of the country will not be possible and the entire health infrastructure may be at risk of failure. Dr. S Gurushankar said, “Incidents of family members of patients abusing and assaulting doctors and vandalizing hospital property have become common across India. This is not only demeaning for doctors, it also puts them at a risk of serious injury. There is an urgent need to provide adequate protection to doctors at work to ensure their safety and enact stringent laws to jail the perpetrators. The police need to take prompt action and not treat safety of doctors as a trivial issue.” “Laws to protect doctors from patient rage exist in many states but suffer from poor implementation. No one has been convicted till now in India for assaulting a doctor. Things will continue to slide until some vandals are given stiff punishments to set an example to others and send a strong message that safety of doctors is sacrosanct”, he added. In September 2019, Supreme Court had directed the Central Government to respond to a petition filed by AHPI (TN Chapter) to make violence against doctors and other medical personnel a separate penal offence. The petition sought immediate action against those indulging in violence against medical professionals and causing damage to clinical establishments.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15899/health-ministry-puts-emphasis-on-controlling-deafness.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15899/health-ministry-puts-emphasis-on-controlling-deafness.html Wed, 04 Mar 2020 09:30:00 +0530 “We have to work cohesively so that no child is left out for the screening and treatment related to hearing loss, as this is one of the key components of the vision of our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji to make a healthy and new India by 2022”, said Dr. Harsh Vardhan , as he chaired a high level multi-stakeholder consultation. 3 March is observed as “World Hearing Day”. Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that there is a strong need to create awareness for early detection and treatment related to hearing loss. He also said that hearing loss is the fourth leading cause for "Years Lived with Disability' (YLD). Government of India has started the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Deafness (NPPCD) with focus on early identification, diagnosis and treatment of ear problems responsible forhearing loss and deafness. He further informed that the program is being implemented in 558 districts and total numbers of cases examined in the year 2019-20 (9months)with deafness are3,27,172 and total number of ENT surgeries performed are 18,745. The Union Health Minister also stated that the 13,411hearing aids have been fitted and the number of person referred for rehabilitation are 45,953 during the year 2019-20, so far. Dr. Harsh Vardhan advised that a more focused strategic approach is needed to implement this program in a mission mode. He stated that in order to strengthen the current program to achieve the goal, more brainstorming sessions, awareness camps, monitoring mechanisms etc., need to be started for the desired outcomes. The Union Health Minister also suggested finding out the possibilities to associate NPPCD along with other national programs/schemes related to mother and child care. He also added that there is a strong need to promote public awareness through appropriate and effective Information, Education & Communication (IEC) strategieswith special emphasis on prevention of deafness along with capacity building&development for prevention, early identification and management of hearing impaired and deafness cases. In addition, training would be provided from medical college level specialists (ENT and Audiology) to grassroot level workers. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15887/new-rc-to-promote-high-quality-primary-health-care-across-the-globe.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15887/new-rc-to-promote-high-quality-primary-health-care-across-the-globe.html Mon, 02 Mar 2020 17:05:00 +0530 Seven international research organizations have come together to form a Primary Health Care Measurement and Implementation Research Consortium (RC). The consortium is funded by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and will have its secretariat at the India office of The George Institute. The other six global research organisations who are the founding members of the consortium are the American University of Beirut, Lebanon; Ariadne Labs, USA; George Washington University, USA; International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh; Primary Care and Family Medicine Network (Primafamed), Sub-Saharan Africa and World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA). The consortium has been set up to develop, conduct and disseminate research designed to address priority knowledge gaps in delivering high quality, person-centred primary health care in low- and middle-income countries, also known as LMICs. Prof Bob Mash from Primafamed, Chair of the research consortium’s Steering Committee said, “The value of a research consortium that enables collaboration between research institutes in LMICs is clear. There is immediate potential for global reach, both to identify knowledge needs and to do effective country-based research and dissemination.” Additionally, the research consortium will develop and maintain a global primary health care research network. These organizations will conduct prioritized and policy-relevant research to support country and global efforts to build high-quality primary health care systems in pursuit of effective universal health coverage and health-related Sustainable Development Goals. The consortium will bring together primary health care practitioners, researchers, and policymakers from multiple disciplines representing academic institutions, government agencies, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations to prioritize areas and define a way to accelerate progress in primary health care research. Dr D Praveen, Head of primary healthcare research in George Institute, and Acting Director of the research consortium said, “The consortium will enable meaningful engagement with stakeholders, both knowledge users and beneficiaries. This engagement will integrate best practices in knowledge translation, dissemination science, and dialogue in the research process.” "The formative work already conducted by the consortium combined with the extensive networks that the founding organisations currently participate in will support rapid engagement in multiple low- and middle-income countries through policymakers, implementers and academic institutions,” says Dr Praveen. The research agenda will focus on answering questions raised by countries and regions in how to more effectively measure and improve primary health care, initially centring on the delivery mechanisms. Focus areas will be primary care governance, financing, organization and models of care, and performance management, quality, and safety. Partnering organizations have already conducted extensive work to develop evidence gap maps, prioritized questions, and potential research projects engaging a wide range of stakeholders from more than 65 countries. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15886/two-new-cases-of-coronavirus-detected-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15886/two-new-cases-of-coronavirus-detected-in-india.html Mon, 02 Mar 2020 16:40:00 +0530 Ministry of Health & Family welfare has confirmed two fresh cases of the new coronavirus in India. one positive case of the Covid-19 was detected in New Delhi, the other was reported from Telangana. Both the patients are stable and being closely monitored. As per the statement released by the Government, “Person from Delhi had travelled to Italy and the other visited Dubai. Both are stable and being closely monitored.” India has so far reported three confirmed cases of the virus, all in Kerala. All three from Kerala, who had tested positive for coronavirus, have recovered. The three students, had earlier tested positive for the coronavirus on their return from Wuhan, the epicentre of the deadly outbreak that has left over 3,000 people dead in China.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15883/george-institute-partners-with-oxford-university-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15883/george-institute-partners-with-oxford-university-.html Mon, 02 Mar 2020 11:10:00 +0530 With the burden of diabetes increasing among people living in low- and middle-income countries, the incidence of deaths due to infection in hospitals are also on the rise. However, not much research has been done to evaluate the relationship between diabetes and infection. The George Institute for Global Health India in collaboration with Oxford University has launched a unique diabetes and infection network to explore how real-world data sets can be used to evaluate the relationship between diabetes and infection in low and middle-income countries.     The first meeting of this newly created network was held at the George Institute for Global Health India office recently where researchers, clinicians, data scientists, health economists and ethicists from across the globe especially those working together on the intersection between diabetes and infection discussed how it is important to bridge the gap between infection and diabetes and how collection and analysis of real world data can enable knowledge sharing and pooling of resources to fight the diabetes-infection nexus. Some of the organisations which are being represented at the two-day meeting included the Norway India Partnership Initiative; Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit-Thailand; Centre for Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, icddr,b, Bangladesh; Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine, India; Edinburgh University, UK Christian Medical College, India and Manipal academy of Higher Education, India among others. Prof Vivekanand Jha, Executive Director, The George Institute for Global Health, India said, “The major burden of diabetes is now being felt in low-and middle-income countries where the incidence of diabetes is increasing rapidly. Diabetes accelerates susceptibility to infection and exacerbates outcomes for other infectious diseases like tuberculosis, melioidosis and dengue.” The workshop will result in the establishment of collaborations to tackle key questions in this domain, and identification of specific funding calls to apply to for support,” he added. Prof Susanna Dunachie, Associate Professor and Consultant in Infectious Diseases, Oxford University and Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, UK said, “We hope that the diabetes and infection network will enable meaningful engagement with stakeholders interested in this domain, both knowledge users as well as beneficiaries. This engagement will also integrate best practices in collating diabetes and infection data for research and promote innovations in data research. It will encourage the use of big data and artificial intelligence approaches to diabetes and infection and influence the funding landscape.” Prof S V Madhu, Director and Head of Department, Centre of Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism called the coupling of tuberculosis and diabetes in countries like India a double whammy. "The highest number of cases of tuberculosis associated with diabetes are reported from India,” he added. Over the past two days, participants discussed data sharing, statistical and modelling approaches to address bias when analysing real-world historic data, and how to develop expertise in LMICs to enable them to do research using large patient data sets. Additionally, discussions centred around big data research platforms, ethics, data sharing, modelling and scope of large-scale studies, and the landscape in South and Southeast for research using electronic patient records.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15874/datacore-to-launch-global-rd-center-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15874/datacore-to-launch-global-rd-center-in-india.html Mon, 02 Mar 2020 07:25:00 +0530 U.S. based software-defined storage company DataCore has announced that it will be setting up its second largest global R&D centre in Bangalore, India. With an unequivocal commitment to innovation and the development of the next generation suite of solutions, DataCore plans to drive major global R&D efforts out of Bangalore. The Bangalore center will cater to clients across the US and EMEA for now. Over 1,000 hospitals and health systems rely on DataCore software-defined storage to simplify management, reduce costs, and provide high-performance storage systems with zero downtime. DataCore plans to expand the facility into a fully functional centre of excellence over the next 12 months. The company will leverage the IP it has accumulated over the past 20 years to drive its R&D efforts in Bangalore. With the launch of the centre, DataCore aims to leverage the sizeable pool of diverse and highly skilled talent in India to further its pioneering work in the software-defined storage space. The company is creating an extensive recruitment plan in the systems and storage domain that will see hiring from India’s top educational institutions. It plans to fill lateral roles with its existing talent thereby allowing the hires to capitalise on the opportunities for growth. It is also creating a disciplined internship program for graduates to leverage its domain expertise, and help them through the transition to skilled professionals. Commenting on the launch of the R&D centre in Bangalore, Rizwan Pirani, Chief Product Officer & SVP Global R&D, DataCore said, "DataCore is an authority on software-defined storage, at a point in time where organisations all over the world are realizing the importance of software-defined storage. India, and Bangalore in particular, have been the R&D hub for technology companies globally. We see tremendous potential with the impressive diversity of talent in the market, and are committed to making this our second largest R&D center after Florida, in terms of people. We look forward to working with our teams here to spearhead the development of the next generation suite of solutions for our global customers." The R&D centre in India will be led by Vani Sharma, Center Head India & Vice President – Products, DataCore and will have a full-fledged functional presence that will be operational by the end of 2020.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15877/organ-india-hosts-fourth-collaborative-conclave-for-organ-donation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15877/organ-india-hosts-fourth-collaborative-conclave-for-organ-donation.html Fri, 28 Feb 2020 17:20:00 +0530 ORGAN (Organ Receiving & Giving Awareness Network) India recently organized its Fourth Collaborative Conclave for Organ Donation, where speakers expressed concern over the dismal state of organ donors, which is comparatively too small, given the size of India’s population. The speakers at the conclave discussed the way forward to encourage organ donation in India and suggested innovative concepts for spreading awareness on organ donation through effective utilization of various social media tools for mass outreach. According to Anika Parashar, co-founder, ORGAN India and Chairperson, Parashar Foundation, “This collaborative conclave will go a long way to help spread awareness across the country about the importance of organ donation. Our collective aim is to educate people about the life-saving effects of being an organ donor. We have been mandated by the Delhi government to educate all schools. We have started the country’s first transplant directory as well.” The conclave was attended by around 70 participants, including from the government such as top officials from the Ministry of Health. Sunayana Singh, CEO and co-founder of ORGAN India said, “Bringing organizations working for organ donation on one platform rather than working individually has always been one of our goals. The conclave was a resounding success as the participants discussed ways to collaborate as one entity to further the cause for encouraging organ donation. The latest in the space is that we are all going to get together and send athletes to the World Transplant Games.” The day-long conclave was inaugurated by Dr. Vasanthi Ramesh, Director of NOTTO (National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Dr. KR Balakrishnan, one of India’s most successful heart transplant surgeons delivered the first Kirti Parashar Oration and talked about the present state of organ donation and cardiac transplants in India. “One of the biggest challenges is that the heart has to be transplanted within 4 hours of retrieval from the donor. Most of this time is consumed in transport of the organ. We are trying to develop newer technologies so that the heart can survive for longer than 4 hours which will benefit more and more patients,” said Dr. Balakrishnan. Dr. Harsha Jauhari, technical advisor, NOTP, DGHS, MoHFW, Government of India, enlightened the audience on the ethics and law in organ donation. “Every year while we are debating, millions are dying. We don’t want that. We can make a change for which people have to come together,” emphasized Dr. Jauhari. Dr. Devansh Vaish, manager, strategy & fundraising, ORGAN India said, “The conclave brought together government representatives, organisations and individuals working for organ donation, on one platform to discuss innovative concepts to spread awareness. Ways to raise funds for public education and funding transplants for those who cannot afford it were also discussed.”́ ORGAN India is an initiative that was launched in March 2013 by Delhi-based NGO Parashar Foundation to address the dismal state of deceased organ donation in India.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15875/ayush-concludes-icosditaus-2020.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15875/ayush-concludes-icosditaus-2020.html Fri, 28 Feb 2020 16:35:00 +0530 ICoSDiTAUS-2020, the two-day International Conference on Standardisation of Diagnosis and Terminologies in Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha Systems of Medicine concluded in New Delhi recently with adopting the “New Delhi Declaration on Collection and Classification of Traditional Medicine (TM) Diagnostic Data”. The sixteen countries which came together for the cause of Traditional Medicine at this conference are Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Serbia, Curacao, Cuba, Myanmar, Equatorial Guinea, Qatar, Ghana, Bhutan, Uzbekistan, India, Switzerland, Iran, Jamaica and Japan. ICoSDiTAUS-2020 is the biggest ever international event dedicated to standardisation of Diagnosis and Terminologies of Traditional Medicine in terms of the broad level of participation covering virtually all the continents. The inaugural address of Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO - SEARO on 25th February 2020 set the tone for the conference, and underlined the power of TM systems and their significance in addressing the public health challenges of the 21st century. Dr Samira Asma, Assistant Director General, WHO, joined in through video conference, emphasised on the potential of strategic use of data and evidence to advance TM systems into public health. Dr. Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, AYUSH, in his talk in the inaugural session explained the extent of the contribution being made in Traditional Medicine systems in India in the effort to achieve universal health coverage. Alexander Kodwo Kom Abban, Deputy Minister for Health, Govt. of Ghana and Suzanne Camelia Romer, Minister of Health of Curacao took leadership roles in the deliberations, and strongly advocated adopting Information Technology and new statistical tools for advancing the practice of TM systems across the globe. The conference succeeded in taking forward the objective of expanding the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) into the realm of Traditional Medicine systems at a conceptual level with all the countries endorsing the same. There was also a consensus that work on the second module of the Traditional Medicine Chapter of ICD should be expedited, and collaborative efforts of stake-holding countries are needed for this. The suitability of Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha systems for inclusion in the TM Chapter of ICD was also pointed out. The New Delhi declaration emphasised the commitment of the countries to Traditional Medicine as a significant area of health care. It further sought the opportunity for including traditional systems of medicine like Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha in the International Classification of Diseases of WHO which is the standard diagnostic tool for health management across the world.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15858/type-1-diabetes-foundation-of-india-coming-up-soon.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15858/type-1-diabetes-foundation-of-india-coming-up-soon.html Thu, 27 Feb 2020 10:40:00 +0530 On March 1 Dr. C.N. Ashwath Narayan, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka will be launching a national organisation of Type 1 diabetes - Type 1 Diabetes Foundation of India. Unfortunately, India will soon become the diabetes capital of the world. According to the International Diabetes Federation, the number of people with diabetes in India is currently around 69.2 million and is expected to rise to 123.5 million by 2040. Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is one of the most common pediatric endocrine illnesses. Type1D is now commonly seen in kids and young adults, who constantly need medication and monitoring throughout their lives. These children and their diabetes education, multiple daily insulin injections, daily blood glucose monitoring, prevention and handling of acute complications, screening for and managing chronic complications, safe disposal of sharps, psychological support, and societal support rather than discrimination. Across India, there are Type1D support groups, who provide free support services to the T1D affected kids and their families. Under the umbrella of the Type Diabetes Foundation of India, all these support groups aim to represent one unified voice to raise awareness about Type1D and rush for laws and benefits to make Type1 lives better. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15862/experts-underline-power-of-traditional-medicines.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15862/experts-underline-power-of-traditional-medicines.html Thu, 27 Feb 2020 10:05:00 +0530 ICoSDiTAUS-2020, the two-day International Conference on Standardisation of Diagnosis and Terminologies in Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha Systems of Medicine concluded in New Delhi on 26 Feb with adopting the “New Delhi Declaration on Collection and Classification of Traditional Medicine (TM) Diagnostic Data”. The sixteen countries which came together for the cause of Traditional Medicine at this conference are Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Serbia, Curacao, Cuba, Myanmar, Equatorial Guinea, Qatar, Ghana, Bhutan, Uzbekistan, India, Switzerland, Iran, Jamaica and Japan. ICoSDiTAUS-2020 is the biggest ever international event dedicated to standardisation of Diagnosis and Terminologies of Traditional Medicine in terms of the broad level of participation covering virtually all the continents. The inaugural address of Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO - SEARO on 25th February 2020 set the tone for the conference, and underlined the power of TM systems and their significance in addressing the public health challenges of the 21st century.  Dr Samira Asma, Assistant Director General, WHO, joined in through video conference,emphasised on the potential of strategic use of data and evidence to advance TM systems into public health. Dr. Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, AYUSH, in his talk in the inaugural session explained the extent of the contribution being made in Traditional Medicine systems in India in the effort to achieve universal health coverage. The topics discussed in the conference included: The challenges in Counting and classification of traditional medicine encounters. Adapting ICD to TM Systems and their implementation. Relevance and regulation of Traditional Medicine in Health Systems.   TM data and digital health, in which the global picture was presented by Prof Kenji Watanabe of Japan, a leading proponent of adoption of TM in public health, and country perspectives were given by different participants. Alexander Kodwo Kom Abban, Deputy Minister for Health, Govt. of Ghana and Mrs. Suzanne Camelia Romer, Minister of Health of Curacao took leadership roles in the deliberations, and strongly advocated adopting Information Technology and new statistical tools for advancing the practice of TM systems across the globe. The conference succeeded in taking forward the objective of expanding the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) into the realm of Traditional Medicine systems at a conceptual level with all the countries endorsing the same. There was also a consensus that work on the second module of the Traditional Medicine Chapter of ICD should be expedited, and collaborative efforts of stake-holding countries are needed for this. The suitability of Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha systems for inclusion in the TM Chapter of ICD was also pointed out. The New Delhi declaration emphasised the commitment of the countries to Traditional Medicine as a significant area of health care. It further sought the opportunity for including traditional systems of medicine like Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha in the International Classification of Diseases of WHO which is the standard diagnostic tool for health management across the world. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15855/apollo-hospitals-group-unveils-amazon-alexa-skill-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15855/apollo-hospitals-group-unveils-amazon-alexa-skill-.html Wed, 26 Feb 2020 10:25:00 +0530 Apollo Hospitals, the largest and most trusted healthcare provider in India, has announced the launch of their Amazon Alexa Skill - Ask Apollo. Apollo Hospitals Group has always been at the forefront of adopting latest technology to make healthcare more accessible and with this latest digital initiative, Apollo Hospitals has enabled users to find the nearest Apollo Hospitals, clinics, pharmacies and book appointments with doctors of their choice using simple voice commands. The Ask Apollo skill, developed by MobiSprint Consulting, would provide users access to over 5,000 super-specialty and multispecialty doctors spread across 72 Apollo Hospitals throughout the country. The skill would also enable users to choose their preferred Apollo clinics and access to over 3,500 pharmacies, covering the largest geographical reach in the country. Once enabled, the skill would allow users to interact with Apollo Hospitals through voice commands on all Echo range of devices such as Amazon Echo Show, Echo Plus, and Echo Dot as well as Alexa built-in devices. The skill can also be accessed via the Alexa app available on iOS and Android. “The mass adoption of artificial intelligence in the lives of people has fuelled the shift towards voice applications and the number of IoT devices have given voice assistants more utility in a connected user’s life. With our Alexa skill, Apollo Hospitals has become the first and largest healthcare group in India to power voice-assisted hospital search and appointment booking. We will be adding more features to the skill in the near future,” said Dr. Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15850/huge-increase-in-diabetes-rates-in-rural-tamil-nadu.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15850/huge-increase-in-diabetes-rates-in-rural-tamil-nadu.html Wed, 26 Feb 2020 10:10:00 +0530 In order to study the current status of diabetes in rural Tamil Nadu, the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) and the University of Dundee have taken up a joint research collaboration to screen 15,000 people in 25 selected villages in Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu. The program called as the TREND (Telemedicine pRoject for screENing Diabetes and its complications in rural Tamil Nadu) project has already screened over 8000 people till date. Headed by Professor Colin NA Palmer, Associate Dean for Research and Chair of Pharmacogenomics, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School Dundee and Dr.V.Mohan, Chairman and Chief Diabetologist – Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre and Director MDRF, the TREND project focuses on finding the burden due to diabetes and its complications in rural Tamil Nadu and providing novel solutions for its management. In 2017, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) of the Department of Health, UK funded the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) and the University of Dundee, Scotland to take up the INdia-Scotland PartnershIp for pRecision mEdicine in Diabetes (INSPIRED) project. This project aims to develop a strategic plan of research and collaboration on diabetes. The resultant breakthroughs aim to achieve multiple goals namely, develop a large-scale Scotland clinical partnership to combat diabetes in India, work on understanding the heterogeneity of diabetes in India, develop innovative new tools and big data science to facilitate low cost diabetes screening in India and implement next generation precision telemedicine in India. Twelve Ph.D students have been registered so far under this programme with 9 students from the University of Dundee and 3 students from University of Madras. The TREND project is part of the overall INSPIRED program. Elaborating his experience in the project, Professor Colin Palmer said, “On behalf of the University of Dundee, we are extremely glad to be associated with Madras Diabetes Research Foundation with Dr.V.Mohan and his team to have worked on this breakthrough project emphasizing the need to have Telemedicine as the most desirable solution for screening and treating rural population in India. The aim of this research is to improve the health of patients and public in low and middle-income countries like India. This four-year Indo-UK collaborative project has me, Prof. Colin Palmer from University of Dundee as the lead from UK and Dr.V.Mohan and colleagues from MDRF as the lead from India. We have found that risk factors that drive early onset diabetes in South Asian and white Europeans differ markedly, suggesting that the etiology of type 2 diabetes differs markedly across these two ethnicities.” Leading the Indian team of researchers from MDRF, Dr. V.Mohan commented “In the TREND study we observed that the prevalence of diabetes in rural Tamil Nadu has increased from 4.9% in 2006 in the Chunampet Rural Diabetes Prevention Project (CRDPP) to 8% in 2011 in the ICMR- India Diabetes (ICMR-INDIAB ) study in Tamil Nadu to 13.5% now in the TREND project representing a nearly threefold (300%) increase in diabetes prevalence in rural Tamil Nadu within 15 years. During the same period obesity rates also increased markedly. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 21.0 kg/m2 in 2006 which increased to 22.0 kg/m2 in 2011 in the ICMR-INDIAB study and to 25.0 kg/m2 now in the TREND study. We utilized telemedicine technology in the 25 villages that were selected from Cheyyur taluk, Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu state. So overall early and timely screening for diabetes and pre-diabetes, prevalence of hypertension and obesity, screening diabetic complications in eye using retinal images, foot and kidney as well as assessing diabetes control among individuals etc. were carried out through this project.“ Awareness, diagnosis, regular checkups and other ways of preventing as well as treating NCDs especially Diabetes, are very low among the rural sector. Through the TREND project, the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) and the University of Dundee aims to address these challenges with innovative use of technology that will enable even remote areas gain access to quality medical diagnosis and care. Another novelty of the INSPIRED project is the use of retinal images to predict future risk of not only diabetic complications, but also other diseases like future heart disease, stroke and even dementia. This is one of the first such projects to be carried out in India and was possible due to use of novel software called VAMPIRE (Vascular Assessment and Measurement Platform for Images of the REtina) led by the Universities of Dundee (Prof E Trucco) and Edinburgh (Dr T MacGillivray).   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15849/oracuras-smart-water-flossers-enhancing-oral-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15849/oracuras-smart-water-flossers-enhancing-oral-healthcare.html Wed, 26 Feb 2020 06:10:00 +0530 Oracura, India’s leading pioneer of innovative dental healthcare products launches its avant-grade range of smart water flossers. The novel flossers reach every nook & cranny of mouth to help cope with the age-old oral health problems. It removes 99.9% plaque especially from hard to reach areas plummeting away bad breath and making you feel, clean and healthy. Ideal for cleaning, the rich line-up is easy to use around critical areas like braces, bridges, and crowns and clinically proven to be 3 times more effective in removing plaque than the traditional approach. The technology used drives sophistication to the conventional string floss as it efficiently removes plaque around complex dental implants as well.  “We provide our customers with top-notch products while securing maximum functionality and ease of use. Our diverse range of water flossers is carefully devised to cater to specific needs and situations of different individuals. The majority of our efforts are emphasized on delivering wholesome dental hygiene for the user and balance out the rise of poor dental hygiene in the country”, said Mr. Sagar Awatad, Founder and Director, Oracura.   Water flossers secure a deeper cleanse by spraying water along the gum line. The ordinary floss serves the basic purpose while water flossers get deeper into the gum pockets to remove the majority of trapped food, debris, and plaque from hard-to-reach places. The enhanced accessibility is a bonus since it requires low manual work and the possibility of exercising a poor technique is also minimal.  Furthermore, the pulse-modulation technology used is quickly becoming instrumental in promoting gum health by flushing away bacteria responsible for gingivitis and other oral infections. It also massages the gums and stimulates treated areas to reduce gum bleeding.   Oracura’s next-gen flossers are complemented with different types of 360-degree nozzles, a high capacity water tank, pulse mode to massage gums, tongue scrapper, and multiple setting options to modulate water pressure.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15843/health-minister-reviews-further-preparedness-on-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15843/health-minister-reviews-further-preparedness-on-covid-19.html Tue, 25 Feb 2020 11:00:00 +0530 Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare undertook a review of the ongoing Novel Coronavirus (COVID19) management across the country, with the senior officials of the Ministry recently in New Delhi. Dr. Harsh Vardhan was informed that at present, the screening of passengers is being done in all 21 airports, 12 major and 65 non-major seaports and border crossings. In all 4,214 flights and 4,48,449 passengers have been screened so far. Also, as informed by MEA, departure of the Air Force flight to Wuhan is being planned for 26th Feb and the evacuees will arrive on 27th February. As of now, 2,707 samples have been tested of which only 3 samples had earlier tested positive (Kerala) and all the three patients have been discharged from the hospitals and are now in home isolation. All Indian evacuees from Wuhan have tested negative for COVID19 and have gone back to their homes from the quarantine facilities. In all, 23,259 persons were brought under community surveillance in 34 States/UTs through the Integrated Diseases Surveillance Programme (IDSP) network. Dr. Harsh Vardhan was briefed that a revised travel advisory on travel to Singapore has been issued on 22nd February, 2020. Regarding movement across Kartarpur border in Punjab, it was informed that in discussion with the Home Ministry, Health Ministry and Health Secretary, Punjab, special screening has been strengthened across the border and further necessary facilitation for masks to be worn by pilgrims is being initiated. He was also informed that taking into consideration the larger cases being reported from other countries besides China, universal screening is being initiated from 10 countries and in this regard Special Secretary (Health) held a Video Conference (VC) today with officials of Airport Health Organization (APHO)from 21 airports and Health Secretaries of respective States. At present, in addition to screening of passengers from flights coming from China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Japan and South Korea, entry screening has been extended to flights coming from Vietnam, Nepal, Indonesia and Malaysia w.e.f. 23rd February, 2020.Further, Secretary (HFW) informed that close coordination is being maintained with Indian embassies abroad to get daily updates on Novel Coronavirus (COVID19) across the world. While complementing States for their exceptional efforts to manage the Novel Coronavirus (COVID19), Dr. Harsh Vardhan also directed that all Joint Secretaries and Senior Officers from Health Ministry may be deputed to visit States & UTs to ensure strengthening of the State surveillance machinery and to address their concerns, if any. The Union Health Minister appreciated the various precautionary measures being undertaken in close coordination with various ministries at the central level, States as well as Indian embassies abroad. He also lauded the States for actively monitoring the cases as well as updating the requisite information pertaining to screening and surveillance on the central web portal. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15841/new-industry-watchdog-analysis-shows-philip-morris-international-addicting-a-new-generation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15841/new-industry-watchdog-analysis-shows-philip-morris-international-addicting-a-new-generation.html Tue, 25 Feb 2020 10:50:00 +0530 STOP (Stopping Tobacco Organizations and Products) published new analyses recently that show Philip Morris International is addicting new users to its IQOS product because its cigarette business is under threat, not because it solely wants smokers to quit. According to “Addiction at Any Cost: Philip Morris International Uncovered,” PMI also continues marketing its cigarettes to young people and undermining global progress to reduce smoking. STOP examined publicly available information, market research data and company documentation to develop the most recent comprehensive analysis of what the company says versus its behavior. A Business Under Threat Creates a New Epidemic for Profit PMI promotes the idea that IQOS is an alternative product just for smokers, but the analyses of company and market data show that IQOS products offer a profitable way for the company to offset declines in the deadly cigarette business: PMI launched its IQOS product during a period (2008-2018) when global sales of cigarettes declined by 20%. In the same period, total retail value in the most profitable cigarette markets (Western Europe and North America) declined from 56% to 51%. An analysis of PMI’s market entry strategy showed that it targeted IQOS at countries with stronger regulations, where cigarette sales were already declining, including Australia, Brazil, Canada and the United Kingdom. “PMI wants to create a new epidemic of IQOS users while simultaneously selling as many cigarettes as possible. Despite what the company says, IQOS is not just for existing smokers; the way in which the product is marketed appeals more widely,” said the report’s lead author, Dr. Karen Evans-Reeves from the Tobacco Control Research Group at the University of Bath, a partner in STOP. “IQOS is not about helping people quit smoking. In fact, PMI admits IQOS is not a cessation product. When you look at the data, it’s plain to see that IQOS is a cynical ploy by PMI to addict a new generation, irrespective of the harm they may cause. Profit is the true objective.” PMI Perpetuates the Current Tobacco Epidemic  PMI’s global “Unsmoke” marketing campaign, which launched in 2019, suggests the company wants smokers to quit or, if they cannot, to switch to alternative addictive products. STOP researchers cite abundant evidence that PMI continues to invest in cigarettes, a deadly business that kills 8 million people every year: PMI made more than 700 billion cigarettesin 2019. In March and April 2019, as the “Unsmoke” campaign was being launched, PMI marketed its Mega Blast Capsule brand at events for young people in Argentina and Costa Rica. In May 2019, PMI targeted young people again when it advertised its Marlboro cigarettes using music-themed advertisements and packaging in Israel. In March 2019, PMI launched a new brand of cigarettes in Indonesia. In December 2019, PMI announced a deal with a local company in Uzbekistanto start producing Marlboro cigarettes. PMI filed more than a dozen lawsuits challenging regulations like packaging restrictions, point-of-sale advertising bans and flavor bans, and smoke-free policies, which would reduce tobacco use. Challenges are pending in Brazil, Colombia, India and the Philippines. PMI’s Failing Foundation An analysis of PMI’s Foundation for a Smoke-Free World, which claims to be an independent scientific body, shows that despite almost $1 billion in pledged funding, the Foundation is failing: PMI remains its sole funder, despite the Foundation’s claims that it would seek additional funders. Credible researchers have rejected its grants and others have returned funds when alerted to the Foundation’s links to PMI. The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health cancelled a special issue proposed by the Foundation when the publisher realized the Foundation was funded by a tobacco company. At least eight senior executives have left in the last two years, including four board members, its chief operating officer and chief health, science and technology officers. Events to engage the public health community and government were cancelled in Turkey and Thailand due to low registration, government action and civil society protest. Hundreds of global healthexperts called for governments to reject collaboration with the Foundation. “PMI’s future depends on showing its products are safe,” said Professor Anna Gilmore, Director of the Tobacco Control Research Group at the University of Bath and a partner in STOP. “Unfortunately, it has an appalling track record of setting up supposedly independent research organizations to fund favorable science. We must therefore remain highly skeptical of both PMI and its Foundation and any research they produce. Researchers are rightly rejecting its advances.” Recommendations In its report, STOP provides recommendations for how the global community can counter PMI’s efforts to create multiple epidemics of harm: Policymakers should exclude the tobacco industry and tobacco funded or linked research from policy discussions on tobacco control and alternative products. Advocates and the public health community can continue to hold the industry accountable. Consumers should not support a business that builds a portfolio of addictive, deadly products while fighting efforts to reduce smoking. Journalists should challenge the discrepancy between PMI’s claims and its actual behavior.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15840/saifee-hospital-hosts-international-conference-on-peritoneal-surface-oncology-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15840/saifee-hospital-hosts-international-conference-on-peritoneal-surface-oncology-.html Tue, 25 Feb 2020 10:25:00 +0530 Saifee Hospital – one of Mumbai’s renowned - multispecialty hospital and the first to have a dedicated Peritoneal surface malignancy unit in the country, today, compered an international conference on “Annual Update in Peritoneal Surface Oncology” from 20th to 22nd February 2020, at the Tata Memorial Hospital. The conference addressed the needs of both beginners and experienced peritoneal surface oncologists providing a comprehensive update on the current standards of care in the field as well as the emerging therapies. The Three-day extensive scientific program had the best in the field from around the world who conducted interesting sessions including the basics, topics of debate and the new developments in this field, through lectures, training workshops and case study discussions. Video sessions and live surgeries were performed by the experts that were streamed live from the operation theatre in Saifee Hospital. The highlight of the program was live surgical demonstration conducted by Dr. Paul Sugarbaker, well-known for developing the principles of peritoneal cancer surgery. Along with the other stalwarts of the field like Prof. Olivier Glehen (Lyon, France), Prof. Yutaka Yonemura (Osaka, Japan), Dr. Avanish Saklani (India), Dr. K S Gopinath (India), Dr. Francois Quenet (Montpeliier, France), Dr Shivendra Singh (India), Dr. Ramakrishnan A S (India), Prof. Sang-Yoon Park (National Cancer Center, Korea) and Dr. Aditi Bhatt (India). The primary objective of this initiative was to educate and collaborate with fellow practitioners and experts. Based on registry statistics, Mumbai alone has more than 2000 patients that have this aggressive form of disease, where standard treatment modalities give poor results. The idea is to create awareness of the medical fraternity, to help in early diagnosis so that patients could be referred to a high volume centre for better treatment. Commenting on the same, Dr. Sanket Mehta – Chief of Division of Peritoneal Surface Oncology at Saifee Hospital & President of Society of Peritoneal Surface Oncology, India said, “This is our Xth year and we are extremely thrilled to have witnessed such a great turnout for the program year on year. Our objective is to create a credible industry platform and assimilate some of the greatest talent from the world at one point and exchange the latest developments and learnings in the field. The exchange of knowledge from the experts around the world certainly would provide an edge to the new doctors and other medical practitioners in the field of Oncology” Highlights of the program: Day 1: Rationale for treating peritoneal metastases, Ovarian Cancer- Current surgical standards and case discussion with the experts Day 2: Live surgery, Preventative and Social Medicine Programme(PSM), Prescription Monitoring Programme(PMP) and Mesothelioma and rare tumours Day 3: Collaboration in Peritoneal Surface Oncology, Gastric Cancer and Colorectal Cancer ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15838/metropolis-healthcare-presents-study-on-thyroid-disorders-in-delhi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15838/metropolis-healthcare-presents-study-on-thyroid-disorders-in-delhi.html Mon, 24 Feb 2020 14:55:00 +0530 A study conducted by Metropolis Healthcare Ltd, chains of pathology labs in India shows the presence of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism in a significant number of patients. Thyroid diseases are probably among the most common endocrine diseases globally and Delhi seems to be no different. The Thyroid Gland is responsible for providing our bodies with energy as well as regulating the metabolism of our body. It also regulates our heartbeat and controls the digestive system. Thyroid produces tetraiodothyronine (T4) & triiodothyronine (T3) which are two crucial hormones controlling how our cells utilise energy. The Thyroid Stimulating Hormone itself is produced by the pituitary gland. The TSH stimulates the production of T3 and T4. Thus, A high TSH suggests your thyroid is underactive (hypothyroid) and not doing its job of producing enough thyroid hormone. A low TSH suggests your thyroid is overactive (hyperthyroid) and producing excess thyroid hormone. A TSH test is ordered when symptoms of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism is present. The symptoms of hypothyroidism include sudden weight gain, fatigue, lowered heart rate, increased blood cholesterol, fertility issues and weak memory. In women, it can also affect the menstrual cycle. Timely blood tests can help detect any changes in the body. Hypothyroidism can be easily treated with medications. The symptoms of hyperthyroidism include irregular heartbeat, lack of sleep, brittle hair, and breast development in men. Like hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism is also curable through regular medication. Regular exercise, proper diet, timely diagnosis & treatment can help resolve thyroid problems completely. A total of 1,22,498 samples were tested for thyroid stimulating hormone over the last 2 years by Metropolis Healthcare. As many as 16% were found to be suffering from hypothyroidism. The presence of hypothyroidism was found to be highest in the age group of 40-50 (23%) followed by 50-60 (22%) & 60-70 years (21%). 18% of all males and 16% of all females tested were found to be suffering from hypothyroidism. The study also revealed that over 4% were found to be suffering from hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is when your body produces too much of thyroxine, which is the thyroid hormone, while hypothyroidism is when it is unable to produce the requisite amount. Commenting on the study, Dr. Puneet Kumar Nigam, Chief Quality Officer, Metropolis Healthcare Ltd. said, “Globally, thyroid disorders continue to be a common, yet the most under-determined and ignored chronic health condition. Thyroid disorders affect the normal functioning of the thyroid gland, leading to abnormal hormone production that leads to hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. If left unattended, hyperthyroidism can cause heart problems, bone problems, mood elevations and a serious condition called thyroid storm. In pregnant women, hypothyroidism can cause placental abnormalities, as well as increased threat to the foetus.” Dr. Nigam added, “Timely blood tests can help in detecting any change in the body. All thyroid disorders can easily be treated with medications that will help in the long term. Lifestyle modifications such as regular exercise, proper diet, timely diagnosis and treatment can help resolve thyroid problems.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15834/dpsru-hosts-international-conference-of-cardiovascular-sciences.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15834/dpsru-hosts-international-conference-of-cardiovascular-sciences.html Mon, 24 Feb 2020 11:35:00 +0530 Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University (DPSRU) hosted an International Conference of Cardiovascular Sciences- 2020 (ICCS-2020) on 22nd February and 23rd February, 2020. Inaugurated by Dr. Randeep Guleria (Director – AIIMS), it also saw presence of Prof. Ramesh K. Goyal (Vice-Chancellor – DPSRU), Prof. Harvinder Popli (Officiating Registrar – DPSRU), Prof. C. C. Kartha (President, IACS – India Section), Prof. S. K. Gupta, Dr. N.S. Dhalla, Prof. Raja Babu Panwar (Vice-Chancellor, Rajasthan University of Health Sciences, Jaipur), and Dr. Mukesh Nandave, Coordinator, ICCS 2020. Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Ramesh K. Goyal focused on the need for such conferences to promote the research in cardiovascular sciences. Earlier during the day, IAS Sanjeev Khirwar, Secretary- Health & Family Welfare, Delhi Govt. and MLA Ajay Dutt inaugurated a Mega Health Camp for Free Screening of Lifestyle-related disorders in collaboration with Rotary Club of Delhi Central. While inaugurating the health camp, IAS Khirwar expressed the need for direct connect between hospitals as well as Mohalla Clinic with Pharmacy University. The conference witnessed participation of over 600 delegates, eminent speakers from various parts of India and other countries, clinicians, basic scientists, and young investigators who will have a good opportunity to interact with each other.  ICCS 2020 is considered as connect between basic scientists, clinicians including cardiologists and academicians from medical as well as pharmacy colleges.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15830/ordi-organises-racefor7-to-raise-advocacy-for-rare-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15830/ordi-organises-racefor7-to-raise-advocacy-for-rare-diseases.html Mon, 24 Feb 2020 10:10:00 +0530 The Organization for Rare Diseases India (ORDI), a not for profit organization committed to addressing the challenges of rare disease patients and their families, has announced the fifth edition of Racefor7, a multi-city run/walk to raise awareness for rare disease patients in India. Racefor7, symbolically representing 7000 rare diseases and the average of 7 years it takes to diagnose a rare disease, is a one of its kind event for rare diseases in the world with 7000 people running or walking 7 kilometers. The fifth edition will be on a much larger scale than before with events scheduled in 20 India cities. Racefor7 is held in February to commemorate World Rare Disease Day which falls on the last day of the month. This year’s rare disease theme is Reframe Rare for Rare Disease Day with the message that ‘Rare is many, rare is strong and rare is proud!’ The campaign message reframes perceptions of what it means to be ‘rare’ so that no one is left behind in achieving greater equity. “This year’s Racefor7 comes soon after the release of the National Policy for Rare 2020 draft by the Government of India which the rare disease community has found wanting in several areas,” said Prasanna Shirol, Ashoka Fellow and Co-founder, ORDI, and the father of a rare disease patient. “We hope that this event will create an opportunity for more voices of the rare disease community to be heard across all stakeholders so that the rare disease community can lead a life of dignity and equality. We need to increase our efforts to show that ‘rare isn't scarce, rare isn't infrequent, rare isn't remote’ and the idea of holding Racefor7 in more cities this year is to show policy makers that rare is not as rare as it is made out to be.”   Collectively across the world, rare disease patients make up the third largest country in the world and in India, the rare disease community is about the size of Thailand’s population. “IQVIA is delighted to be associated for the fifth consecutive year as the main sponsor of Racefor7 which is a unique way of bringing together rare disease patients, their caregivers and the community at large for a common cause. It is extremely rewarding to learn of the positive impact that Racefor7 has had for the rare disease community over the last five years,” said Amit Mookim, Managing Director, IQVIA South Asia. Rare Diseases is a key therapeutic focus for IQVIA who has provided clinical services for more than 321 rare disease studies in 87 countries worldwide since 2014. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15827/blk-treats-brain-tumor-with-neuro-navigation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15827/blk-treats-brain-tumor-with-neuro-navigation.html Fri, 21 Feb 2020 13:45:00 +0530 New Delhi based BLK Super Specialty Hospital’s Neurosurgeons performed a six-hour-long microsurgical complete excision of large brain tumor with Neuro Navigation recently. "The patient was admitted to the hospital with complaints of recurrent seizures, vomiting, aphasia, urinary incontinence, diminution of vision, and right side weakness of the body. MRI BRAIN was suggestive of a large left frontal mass lesion with midline shift which was occupying more than half of the cerebral hemisphere with a tumor size of 8.7x8.6x7.8cm,” informed Dr. Anil Kansal, Director & HOD - Neuro Surgery & Neuro Spine in BLK Centre for Neurosciences. "Brain tumors are rare in kids specifically and such large size tumors are rarest. In Joyford’s case, this highly vascular tumor presented several risks of surgery including the risk of paralysis of a limb or any other neurological deficit. Excess bleeding during surgery was also a major risk. With a thought-through process, we planned a microscopic resection of the tumor. Surgery was successful and post-operative patient was perfectly fine without any neurological complication, which was a major risk in this case. The tumor biopsy showed that the tumor was cancerous and patient underwent radiation therapy at the hospital,” elaborated Dr. Kansal. According to experts, an ependymoma is a primary central nervous system (CNS) tumor. This means it begins in the ependymal cells in the brain and spinal cord that lines the passageway where the cerebrospinal fluid nourishes the brain flow.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15820/tattvan-unveils-second-medical-opinion-service.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15820/tattvan-unveils-second-medical-opinion-service.html Thu, 20 Feb 2020 14:15:00 +0530 Tattvan, the first – of – its kind telemedicine  healthcare E - clinic has launched India’s first  ‘Second Medical Opinion Service’ for multispecialty advanced care patients across India. The offering will be particularly helpful for the patients who are recently diagnosed but not sure what to do next? As a leader in the e-clinic sector, Tattvan has earned tremendous success in providing healthcare to thousands of people, expecting to replicate the same with the launch of its new service. Patients can now share their case files with Tattvan counsellors via email, phone or whatsapp. They can also share their details through its website www.tattvansecondopinion.com. Post study, the counsellors will share their files with relevant hospitals as per patients need. Based on responses from hospitals, Tattvan’s team will gather the most optimum options available for the patients and share a detailed second opinion report with them. The suggested options would be customized to the patient budget, location, travel preference and hospital preferences. The patients will also be benefitted with express services and discounts at all Tattvan network hospitals. Not just that, the patients will also be able to consult directly with specialists’ team from their homes via Tattvan’s app. Speaking about its newly inaugurated service, Tattvan’s CEO, Ayush Mishra says “Every day we receive queries from patients in smaller towns who are in dire need of an advanced care treatment that isn’t available in best quality in their city which forces them to travel to a nearby big city. However, there does not exist any organized service that can help millions of such patients to avail the best treatment for them. We at Tattvan are just trying to address that by gathering all the best available options.” The healthcare provider has a plan to further expand to other Indian cities. The company’s global footprint is also expected to increase with clinics planned in Bangladesh, Tajikistan, and Uganda this year. The CEO adds “We currently have a network of biggest Indian hospitals in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, Chandigarh, Indore, Bangalore and Chennai. We will keep on expanding to other big city hospitals depending upon patient needs” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15814/legrand-sets-up-telemedicine-centre-with-nssh-in-mumbai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15814/legrand-sets-up-telemedicine-centre-with-nssh-in-mumbai.html Wed, 19 Feb 2020 16:05:00 +0530 Legrand India, a part of the Legrand Group and a specialist in electrical and digital building infrastructure has kickstarted its medical health centre for the people in Haridwar and Jalgaon. As a part of its India CSR initiative, Legrand has collaborated with Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital (NSSH), Mumbai to set up this telemedicine centre, which will aid in free super-speciality tele-consulting for patients for whom specialist healthcare is difficult to reach. .A synergy between the best in medical and telecommunication technology, this CSR project is designed to be sustainable and scalable considering it can be replicated in other locations for Legrand. The facility will enable patients to connect with the doctors real-time through audio/video technology. Patients can diagnose and submit their health data such as  BP, blood test, X-Ray etc. online which will be remotely made available to the doctor sitting at Nanavati Hospital with the help of paramedical staff available at the centre. Doctor and patient can then be connected real-time through audio-video. This technology also enables doctors to use a digital stethoscope to listen to the heart, lungs similar to a physical examination and subsequently prescribe relevant medicine.   Speaking on this occasion, Mr Tony Berland, CEO and MD, Legrand India said, “Business ecosystem, People and Environment are the three CSR focal areas at Legrand Group, in line with this objective, this CSR drive  is a strategically driven project to support the health and wellbeing of the communities.” He further added, “As a part of our worldwide CSR effort, we are actively involved in providing telehealth facilities for remote communities in India. As a leading provider of connected products, it made complete sense to leverage this approach for helping the community and try to bridge the huge gap of healthcare accessibility in India. Over 11,000 people have availed of tele-consultations successfully at our centres. We would like to thank Nanavati Super Specialty Hospital for supporting this initiative as our Medical Consulting Partner and providing specialized doctors from their team for this centre.”  Mr Manpreet Singh Sohal, Director and Chief Operating Officer, Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital, said “In order to have continuous awareness & engagement of the marginalized community, so far 16 health camps have been organized in presence of Nanavati Hospital doctors at various location nearby Telemedicine Centres and more than 2500 community members availed the health camp services. This effective intervention will continue in future as well. The number of tele-consultancies at TMC is increasing which is supporting our premise that there was an acute need of specialized tele-consultation. We are proud of our association with Legrand“. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15813/apollo-telehealth-inks-mou-with-telehealthcare-malaysia.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15813/apollo-telehealth-inks-mou-with-telehealthcare-malaysia.html Wed, 19 Feb 2020 16:00:00 +0530 Apollo TeleHealth Services has inked an MoU with TeleHealthcare Malaysia under which it will set up 100 tele-clinics in that country to provide remote multi-specialty care and consultation to 3 million people. The partnership is part of the organization’s broader objective to scale up its reach to touch 25 million lives globally by 2022. A unit of Apollo Hospitals Group, Apollo TeleHealth uses new-age digital technology to create an alternate channel of healthcare delivery for under-served communities. In addition to providing healthcare services, it has been providing tele-education and telementoring services as well. Vikram Thaploo, CEO – TeleHealth at Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited said, “Over the past 20 years, when we pioneered the concept of TeleHealth services in India, Apollo TeleHealth has emerged as the world's leading telehealth platform. Our objective is to expand our collective reach to as many as 25 million lives by 2022 through a series of initiatives in India and abroad. In line with this objective, we have signed an MoU with TeleHealthcare Malaysia under which we will operationalize 100 tele clinics in a phased manner by the end of this year. Eight of these centres will be piloted by March itself. Overall, Apollo TeleHealth aims to add 5000 points of presence globally over the next 2 years.” The telehealth centres in Malaysia that are planned to be located at a distance of 50 kms each will provide teleconsultations in multiple specialties including Endocrinology, Nephrology, Cardiology and Orthopaedics. They are expected to touch the lives of as many as 3 million people. Dr. Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited said, “Public health delivery is affected deeply by economic and geographical disparities, particularly in developing nations such as India. Not only does India face a shortage of healthcare practitioners, it also faces the problem of inequitable availability with almost 70 per cent of available doctors concentrated in urban areas. To be able to address this accessibility gap in public healthcare delivery, we need to devise solutions that are innovative, technology-backed and cost effective. We strongly believe that leveraging telehealth services can help us achieve our goal of Universal Healthcare faster. At Apollo TeleHealth we have been a pioneer in adopting technology to act as a major leveler in reducing disparity and inequitable access. As it works to make Digital India a reality, the government must also put greater emphasis on using telemedicine and telehealth services to realize its objective of achieving Universal Healthcare.” The organization aims to add new products and services to its kitty over the next couple of years with a focus to offer comprehensive healthcare solutions through telemedicine in states where healthcare suffers from major dearth of resources.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15793/chp-urges-strengthening-treatment-of-pediatric-cancers-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15793/chp-urges-strengthening-treatment-of-pediatric-cancers-in-india.html Wed, 19 Feb 2020 10:30:00 +0530 The Council for Healthcare and Pharma (CHP) has cited the urgent need to strengthen the system for the treatment of cancers in children, in India. Speaking on the occasion of the International Childhood Cancer Day on 15th Feb, Dr Gurpreet Sandhu, President, Council for Healthcare and Pharma said, "Cancer in Children from birth to the age of 18 is rearing its head as a huge problem. The irony is that if it were to be detected and treated early, children with cancer would have the highest chances of survival and recovery. Unfortunately, this is not the case as our systems to deal with paediatric cancer are woefully inadequate, leading to a high mortality rate, among children, on account of the disease." The International Childhood Cancer Day is a global campaign to raise awareness about childhood cancer and to express support for children and adolescents with cancer, the survivors and their families. According to the Lancet Oncology Journal, July 2019, childhood cancers constitute 3-4% of all cancers in India and it is estimated that nearly 40-50,000 fresh childhood cancer cases are added each year. Approximately 20,000 children remain undiagnosed and untreated and as a consequence succumb to the disease. The other 20,000-30,000 are treated at medical centres where there are no adept oncologists. Without the essential holistic components of education, social support and nutrition, their survival rate is around 30-40%. 70% children with cancer still die of the disease in India due to lack of information about early symptoms of childhood cancer, late diagnosis, misdiagnosis, absence or weak referral systems, difficult access to care and treatment, high cost of treatment and medicines. Inadequate data also adds to this gap. Efficient Surveillance needs to be setup to monitor and identify challenges. Population-based cancer registries (PBCRs) and Hospital-based cancer registries (HBCRs) are therefore urgently needed and must be set up. The most commonly occurring cancers in children are of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Hodgkin's lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Wilms' tumor, retinoblastoma, brain tumors, bone tumors, neuroblastoma, Ewings sarcoma, osteosarcoma. However, the precise causes of most childhood cancers are as yet undetermined in contrast to adult cancers which are better researched. India despite its capability in generic medicines experiences a lack of availability of essential anti-cancer drugs for treating childhood cancers. According to a study titled 'Evaluating access to essential medicines for treating childhood cancers essential anti-cancer medicines' (like Bleomycin, Carboplatin, Cisplatin, Cyclophosphamide, Dacarbazine, Daunorubicin, Etoposide, Ifosfamide,Vincristine, Thioguanine have been in short supply significantly lower than the WHO target of 80% availability across hospitals and pharmacies. This situation can be substantially improved through early diagnosis, better access to specialised and affordable treatment as children suffering from cancer respond well to medical interventions. Each year, more than 300,000 children ages birth to 19 years are diagnosed with cancer around the world. Approximately 8 in 10 of these children live in low and middle-income countries (LMIC) where their survival rate is often near 20%. In LMIC, where access to health care is limited and very challenging, survival rates are as low as 10-20% meaning that only 1-2 children out of 10 who are diagnosed with cancer and receive treatment will survive. The World Health Organizations' (WHO) Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer aims to reach at least a 60% survival rate for children with cancer by 2030. It plans to increase prioritization of childhood cancer by raising awareness at global and national levels and by expanding the capacity of countries to deliver best practice in childhood cancer care. The Council for Healthcare and Pharma (CHP) is an integrated, not-for-profit, Global think tank that advocates the development of sustainable health systems around the World. It looks at engaging with Governments and other stakeholders to adopt rational approaches that capture benefits, that accrue through the optimization of the eco-system and value chain involved in treating diseases and keeping people healthy. CHP members include global Pharmaceutical companies, Providers of Diagnostics, Medical device Manufacturers, Hospitals and adjunct services. Headquartered in New Delhi, India, CHP focuses on Africa, Brazil, China, Germany, India, Japan, UK and the USA. Its important areas of work are in ease-of-doing-business; increasing competitiveness; broadening access to safe, efficacious and affordable healthcare services and medicines including generics and bio-similars. CHP is guided in its work by expert advisory committee's in Intellectual Property; Market Access; Regulatory Policy; Key Therapeutics - Women's Health, Oncology & Tropical Diseases; Research & Development (R&D); Artificial Intelligence (AI); Environment; Healthcare start-up's. As a significant and credible stakeholder in alleviating the burden of disease, the CHP brings to bear the collective wisdom of industry and policymakers on health issues that stand to make a positive contribution to society in bringing about Universal healthca ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15803/nnef-releases-latest-findings-of-idci.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15803/nnef-releases-latest-findings-of-idci.html Tue, 18 Feb 2020 11:10:00 +0530 The latest findings of India Diabetes Care Index (iDCI) unveiled that the average HbA1c level decreased to 8.19 from 8.25 during October to December 2019 as compared to the preceding quarter in Mumbai. The overall HbA1c level decreased to 8.37 from 8.52 as compared to the preceding quarter in the country. The average postprandial glucose level, i.e. the average ‘post-meal’ glucose level was recorded at an alarmingly high 224.87 mg/dL. In Delhi, the average HbA1c level decreased to 8.47 from 8.76 during October to December 2019 as compared to the preceding quarter in Delhi.  Speaking about the status of diabetes control in Delhi, Dr Ambrish Mithal, Chairman and Head of Endocrinology and Diabetes at  Max Healthcare Hospitals, Delhi said, “We are happy that there is a marginal dip in the Hb1Ac level as compared to the last quarter. However, this marginal reduction in HbA1c can be further improved if we avoid the intake of high refined carbohydrate. This high carbohydrate content leads to high post meal sugar values. Post-meal spikes are known to increase the chances of cardiovascular diseases. We need to concentrate on addressing both fasting and post-meal glucose levels across all HbA1c levels. For this, people with diabetes should follow the right diet, (for example vegetables with high fiber content,) exercise, regular consultation with their doctors and appropriate medications.” The uncontrolled diabetes is known to increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) by 2 to 4 times. The India Diabetes Care Index, a part of the 'Impact India: 1000-Day Challenge' programme by Novo Nordisk Education Foundation (NNEF) studies the blood glucose levels across cities through various parameters. Speaking about the status of diabetes control in Mumbai, Dr. Manoj Chadha, Consultant Endocrinology, Hinduja Hospital said, “While Mumbai witnesses a marginal dip in the average HbA1c level in compared to the recent quarter, the major concern is the high average ‘post-meal’ glucose level. Blood glucose levels rises post meal mainly because of high carbohydrate content in the diet. When people consume large amount of carbohydrate-rich meals in a day, it directly impacts the heart. Hence, the chances of increase in cardiovascular diseases are more. Unlike West, in India, we need to focus on addressing both fasting and post-meal glucose levels across all HbA1c levels. This can be done through a blend of right diet, exercise and proper treatment.” India has more than 77 million people living with diabetes which leads to nearly 7.09 million cases of diabetes related heart disease. The HbA1c test indicates the average blood glucose level over a period of 3 months and is considered as one of the best recommended indicators of long-term blood glucose control. More than 26970 people with an average age of 56 years were part of the assessment in Mumbai, out of which 54% were male and 46% were female. These patients are at a higher risk of developing complications involving heart, kidney, eyes besides many others if their diabetes is not managed well. It should be noted that 1% reduction in HbA1c can reduce the risk of heart failure by 16% and the risk of heart attack by 14%. Talking about programme, Dr. Anil Shinde, Trustee, Novo Nordisk Education Foundation said, “Monitoring the glucose level is an important pillar in diabetes management. The India Diabetes Care index studies the status of diabetes through multiple parameters in various cities which eventually helps to understand the requirements in specific regions while enabling doctors as well as patients to take appropriate steps. Overall, we aim to raise greater awareness around diabetes care in the society through this programme.” The 'Impact India: 1000-Day Challenge' programme was launched in 2018 to address the issue of suboptimally controlled diabetes in India. The ambition of the programme is to reduce the national average of HbA1c by 1%, which can help reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications significantly in India.  iDCI® (Indian Diabetes Care Index) was introduced in 2018 as a part of the programme to improve diabetes care in the country. Based on big data analytics, iDCI® has been providing a real-time view of the average HbA1c in India across select cities. Under the Impact India programme, digital platforms are being leveraged to partner with healthcare practitioners (doctors and paramedics) to evolve and implement an approach to diabetes care appropriate for India. iDCI® is a dynamic tool that not only tracks the status of diabetes care but also helps to increase awareness, motivate and sensitise the healthcare professionals (HCPs) and society. The IMPACT India programme will continue its three-pronged approach over the next two years through interactions with healthcare practitioners (HCPs), societal/patient engagement and monitoring.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15798/rotary-celebrates-a-century-of-service-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15798/rotary-celebrates-a-century-of-service-in-india.html Tue, 18 Feb 2020 10:50:00 +0530 Rotary celebrated 100 years in India at the Rotary India Centennial Summit at Kolkata. Nearly 4,000 Rotary members from 35 countries, government officials and topic experts explored ideas and solutions around disease prevention and treatment, water sanitation and hygiene, education and other topics relevant to India. Mark Maloney, President, Rotary International; Shekhar Mehta, Rotary International President-nominee for 2021-22 and Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare were part of the event. Rotary began its journey in India from the city of Kolkata, on Jan. 1, 1920 inspired by the organization’s motto, “service above self”. In the last 100 years, Rotary has grown from one club to 4000 with 1.5 lakh Rotary members in India. In 2018-19, The Rotary Foundation in India supported projects worth $22.81 million, including: Improving the education system; Tackling significant public health problems throughout the country; Providing women entrepreneurs with sustainable access to microfinance; Enhancing sanitation and hygiene standards, especially for women and girls; Providing access to clean and safe drinking water; Helping rebuild homes, schools, and businesses affected by natural disasters and much more. As a driving force behind global efforts to eradicate polio – Rotary will join India in celebrating its sixth polio-free year on March 27, 2020. Since 1995, Rotary worked with the Indian government to institute National Immunization Days each year to immunize 172 million children under five years of age. Congratulating Rotary on achieving this 100-year milestone, Jagdeep Dhankar, Governor of Bengal said, “The third decade of this century will be a decisive one for India, and organizations like Rotary, with its resources and commitment to creating positive and lasting change in the world, have an important role to play. Ending polio in India is a testament to Rotary’s dedication and action. We look forward to collaborating with Rotary to address India’s other challenges.” As part of the celebration, Rotary honored four individuals with its Rotary Hero Humanity Awards: Mr Bhrigu Borthakhur from Guwahati for his work supporting basic education and literacy; Mr Adhik Sadashiv Kadam from Pune for his work supporting economic and community development; Mr Swapnil Arun Gawande from Amravati for his work in supporting disease prevention and treatment for organ donation awareness; and Dr Shalini Saxena from Chandausi for her work supporting clean water, sanitation and hygiene with creating awareness around menstrual hygiene. In his address to attendees, Maloney said, “As we celebrate our impact over the last 100 years in India, I’m inspired by these creative solutions to some of our toughest challenges, from economic inequality to conflict resolution to fighting disease. India is one of Rotary’s fastest-growing countries with a 56 percent increase in membership over the last decade, so there is unlimited potential.”  Mehta said, “For an organization with the motto “service above self”, the best way to celebrate our 100-year milestone is to enhance our humanitarian activities, and this is what Indian Rotarians are doing. They have raised the bar so high that I am compelled to say that every Rotary member truly is the Koh-i-Noor in the Rotary world.” During his one-year term as Rotary’s 111th president beginning on 1 July 2021, Mehta will focus on increasing Rotary’s impact by expanding partnerships with organizations that specialize in promoting peace; fighting disease; providing clean water, sanitation and hygiene; saving mothers and children; supporting education and growing local economies. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15802/new-platform-for-safer-antibiotics-production.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15802/new-platform-for-safer-antibiotics-production.html Tue, 18 Feb 2020 10:50:00 +0530 In order to tackle the escalating problem of antimicrobial resistance, a new collaboration platform has been recently launched. The platform, initiated by Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), will bring together people from civil society, governments and the pharmaceutical industry. It could mean a breakthrough for the responsible manufacturing of antibiotics and reduce the risk of the industry itself contributing to the spread of antimicrobial resistance.          Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the biggest global health threats, projected to kill 10 million people every year by 2050. There is growing concern that emissions of antibiotics, or their residues, into the environment are contributing to the spread of AMR, with consequences for ecosystems, as well as for human and animal health. An often-overlooked source of antibiotics in the environment is emissions from manufacturing, which is contributing to the problem, alongside the irrational use of antibiotics in human and veterinary medicine.    Nicolai Schaaf, Programme Manager of the Pharma Team, SIWI said, “Reducing emissions of antibiotics from manufacturing is a shared responsibility. This requires changes both in industry practices and when it comes to market demand and regulation. Acknowledging this as a shared objective in the fight against antimicrobial resistance is the starting point for our collaboration platform.” In dialogue with Shawview Consulting and a broad network of stakeholders, SIWI has developed the proposal of a Responsible Antibiotics Manufacturing Platform (RAMP) as a multi-stakeholder collaboration. The goal is to contribute to the fight against antibiotic resistance by promoting collaboration between pioneers in the field of sustainable public procurement and the pharmaceutical industry. Brendan Shaw, Principal, Shawview Consulting said, “Shawview Consulting and SIWI developed concrete action plans in partnership with state governments and industry that can take forward feasibility studies to support local company adoption of the AMR Industry Alliance's Framework.” The platform will be launched in India, one of the world’s major antibiotic producers and one of the countries most impacted by emissions from manufacturing facilities. This, in combination with mis-/overuse of antibiotics, has led to extreme levels of AMR. In response to this, India in 2017 launched an ambitious National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance and could now become the first country in the world to regulate industrial effluents of antibiotics. The country’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) recently announced a draft notification on environmental standards for bulk drug and formulation (pharmaceutical) industry. There is now an opportunity to take great strides towards more responsible manufacturing of antibiotics, with the new platform making it easier for business pioneers to take their work to the next level, through mutual learning and exchange of experiences. In addition, the implementation of the platform will build upon the piloting of joint technical solutions and strategic procurement leverage.  After countries like Sweden and Norway, as well as the UN Initiative on Sustainable Procurement in the Health Sector, began requesting information about how antibiotics are produced, the progressive part of the pharmaceutical industry formed the AMR Industry Alliance and started to develop voluntary standards for responsible antibiotics manufacturing. But a lack of incentives and transparency has prevented further progress, and the new platform is an opportunity to recharge the process.  Several high-level speakers will contribute to the RAMP launch. Among them is Joint Secretary Jigmet Takpa of the Indian Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, who will give a keynote address. He signed the groundbreaking draft notification that can make India the first country in the world to regulate industrial effluents of antibiotics. Other speakers at the event include the ambassadors of Sweden, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, UN representatives (WHO, UNEP, UNDP), members of the AMR Industry Alliance (GSK, Centrient Pharmaceuticals), SIWI, and Shawview Consulting.  RAMP has a long-term vision that by 2030 “the release of antibiotics to the environment from manufacturing is minimized, and broader sustainability gains have been achieved in partnership with industry and governments, international agencies and other related stakeholders to provide a competitive advantage to the implementing companies, ensuring access to functional antibiotics that have been manufactured in a manner that does not promote antimicrobial resistance.” RAMP is launched by SIWI and builds upon two earlier initiatives: Reducing Emissions from Antibiotics Project (REAP 2017-2020) and Reducing AMR Through Sustainable Antibiotic Manufacturing (RATSAM). REAP was led by SIWI and UNDP and funded by the Swedish Postcode Foundation. RATSAM was led by Shawview Consulting, with support from the global pharmaceutical industry and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). While REAP initiated changes in global supply chains, procurement practices, incentives and regulations, RATSAM developed pilot projects to help local companies and state governments to implement the AMR Industry Guidelines for sustainable antibiotic manufacturing. The key challenge is to better interlink the need for effective and resource-efficient technical solutions and the market demand and necessary incentive structures enabling the implementation of these technical improvements. A whitepaper, summarizing the key findings of the REAP project, has recently been published and will be presented at the event.  The experience gained from the initial work in India will also be carried to other countries with significant antibiotics manufacturing and in need of improved industry practice. The case of India also shows how important the regulation is, as a third dimension complementing the supply and demand side of the market.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15790/dbt-nih-support-9th-annual-meeting-of-report-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15790/dbt-nih-support-9th-annual-meeting-of-report-india.html Mon, 17 Feb 2020 09:05:00 +0530 The Department of Biotechnology, India and the National Institute of Health, USA supported the 9th Annual Joint Leadership Meeting of RePORT India from February 10 to 12, 2020.  The Meeting was hosted by P. D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre, Mahim, Mumbai. The RePORT India Initiative is a bilateral programme of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), USA, with an aim of advancing tuberculosis research in India. A network of seven Indian Institutions and five US Universities constitute the RePORT India Consortium with the co-ordination hub located at JIPMER, Pondicherry. The Consortium is chaired by Dr. Sonali Sarkar, Additional Professor, JIPMER on the Indian side and Dr. Amita Gupta, Professor, Johns Hopkins University, USA from the US side with oversight provided by DBT and NIH. The Joint Leadership meeting is an annual event and provides a forum for discussions on current scientific activities and for outlining future priorities. P. D. Hinduja Hospital & MRC is one of the Indian Institutions of the RePORT India Consortium with focused research on Multi Drug Resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). A Letter of Intent (LoI) was signed by the Hospital with with NIH in 2016, following which nearly 100 MDR-TB patients were enrolled for the study. The efforts are important considering that, 1.5 million people die of Tuberculosis (TB) annually across the world and India carries the highest burden of TB related deaths worldwide – 449,700 deaths in 2018. Scientists from various institutes of the consortium participated actively and shared their knowledge of novel biomarkers, drug targets and vaccines for effectively addressing the threat of tuberculosis (TB). Dr. Sonali Sarkar, India chair of RePORT India programme said, “We are also learning new science of how the bodies react to tuberculosis which helps in designing better vaccines and therapies against TB. Dr. Amita Gupta, the US Chair of RePORT India said, “The RePORT consortium is an excellent example of how collaboration between Indian and US scientists and governments can effectively advance discovery of new diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines for tuberculosis. Medical and public health research often happens in silos. By bringing together leading researchers from India and the US, our team science approach is greater than the sum of its parts in fighting the scourge of tuberculosis.” Researchers speaking at the consortium said that working with TB patients and their families and following them over time has helped them identify the influence of conditions  like malnutrition, diabetes, age and air pollution on the risk of getting tuberculosis or having a bad outcome from treatment. Dr. Camilla Rodrigues, Consultant Microbiologist, P. D. Hinduja Hospital & MRC and Chairperson Infection Control Committee, said, “The contribution of P. D. Hinduja Hospital’s team to the RePORT India consortium includes the “MDR Mukt” initiative, as part of which newly diagnosed MDR TB patients are offered routine diagnostics, treatment and counselling. State of the art diagnostics include MICs, whole genome sequencing and assessment of drug levels for second line TB drugs.” Experts said that it is a really exciting time to be involved with TB research as there are so many new and improved diagnostics, treatments and vaccines to study for TB. RePORT India consortium thus is a great example of how leading scientists and families impacted by TB can come together to collectively fight against TB, the number one killer from an infectious disease.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15788/practo-partners-with-indian-heart-rhythm-society.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15788/practo-partners-with-indian-heart-rhythm-society.html Fri, 14 Feb 2020 15:10:00 +0530 Practo has partnered with Indian Heart Rhythm Society to livestream India’s 1st National Physiological Pacing Symposium on the Practo website. The two day event, held in association with The Madras Medical Mission and accredited by the Indian Society of Electrocardiology is scheduled for 14th and 15th February, and will see clinical experts from all over the world, exchange knowledge and share details of advancements around Physiological Pacing practices in the field of Cardiac sciences.  As their digital healthcare partner, Practo is live streaming the entire event on its platform so that physicians, students and others from the medical community can join and benefit from it, from anywhere in the world. The recent success of physiological pacing has changed the practice of device implantation for patients requiring ventricular pacing. Physiological pacing is evolving as a cost-effective method of pacing and resynchronization therapy. This would be highly beneficial in making the treatment method more affordable for the Indian population. Therefore, through this symposium, the technique and procedure of performing Physiological pacing would be shared with the experts attending the event in-person or via Practo webcast. The symposium would showcase live-implantation procedures performed by renowned Cardiac-Electrophysiologists from India and abroad. The experts attending the event will have the opportunity to have 'hands – on' experience with the operator. The cases of cardiac ailments in the nation are increasing significantly owing to reasons ranging from genetic predisposition, to changing lifestyle, to increasing  obesity and other such factors. Medical experts across India and internationally are undertaking best efforts possible for adoption of advanced technology and clinical application to come up with novel solutions and it is imperative to share this knowledge within the community. Through the webcast, Practo aims that these important events are being attended by the healthcare experts, irrespective of their location. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15783/aios-2020-successfully-commences-78th-international-conference.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15783/aios-2020-successfully-commences-78th-international-conference.html Fri, 14 Feb 2020 10:20:00 +0530 With an aim to boost the latest and advanced technologies available for the treatment of eye related ailments in India, the 78th Annual International Conference organized by All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS) commenced successfully recently. The event was inaugurated by Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog in presence of Sudhir Singla MLA Gurugram. As expected, India’s biggest scientific extravaganza was attended by over 8000 National and International delegates. Dr. Mahipal S.Sachdev, Incoming President, AIOS said, “AIOC 2020 is one of the biggest platforms for the Indian Ophthalmologists providing an opportunity to share experiences of ophthalmologists, discuss pitfalls and design the path for the future of ophthalmology in India. Scientific deliberations and social interactions were discussed at the highest order. Deliberations in this conference shared by over 2000 renowned National and International faculty membersare expected to be a genesis of a lot of ingenious and indigenous therapeutic protocols and ideas which will become gold standards of ophthalmic care the world over.” The 4 day-long conference which is scheduled to be held from 13th Feb to 16th Feb 2020 is one of the World’s largest platforms for the Indian ophthalmologists to gain knowledge among the renowned International and National Faculties through exchange of ideas. Dr. S. Natarajan, President, AIOS said, “Apart from the burden of blindness in India, around 15% of the Indian population suffers from preventable blindness and some kind of vision problem. With advancements in the field of ophthalmology, timely detection and treatment can prevent almost all types of vision problem thereby preventing addition of blindness burden in the country.” Dr. Namrata Sharma, General Secretary, AIOS said, “According to the recent data provided by WHO, India accounts for around 30% of the World’s blind population attributing to a total of 12 million cases. With an addition of 2 million new cases annually, is not only affecting the quality of life of the individual, but also dragging the holistic development of the nation. It is only adoption of the latest technological advances in the field of Ophthalmology, which can lead to a reduction in the blindness load of India”. The highlights of the event included spirited debates, keynote presentations, Oral talks, Poster presentations, workshops and networking opportunities. Multiple international associations like the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Global Eye Genetics Consortium, Asia pacific Glaucoma Society and SAARC had also participated in the conference.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15766/tata-elxsi-wins-international-if-design-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15766/tata-elxsi-wins-international-if-design-award.html Fri, 14 Feb 2020 10:00:00 +0530 Tata Elxsi, a global design company headquartered in Bengaluru, that blends technology, creativity, and engineering, has won this year's iF Design Award, a world-renowned award for design excellence. Tata Elxsi won this award for its innovative and exceptional design concept for Mixed Reality (MR) Based Smart Assistive Wearable Devices. These devices have been designed by the company to help people with special needs such as Autism or Alzheimer's to deal with social situations, which they might otherwise find difficult. The system is deliberately discreet and the clever use of audio ensures others in the environment are less aware of the support being provided. For example, the device may help people recognise a person whose name they may have forgotten, or support the individual in stressful situations by playing music or pre-recorded calming phrases. The devices employ Mixed Reality by taking information from input devices like discrete wearable cameras driving facial and environment recognition and microphones then, feeding back to the user using earphones / ear buds and sound collars. These devices in turn help users to participate in social interactions by giving them subtle guides in the form of audio cues. Jack Quarmby - Designer at Tata Elxsi London Studio said, "We were interested in MR solutions that did not require headsets or visual feedback, which we believe may not be appropriate for everyone. A combination of 'natural vision' for environment perception, combined with augmented audio seemed to open up interesting use cases. Seeing this as an opportunity, we designed an innovative solution, which is less intrusive than an obvious 'wearable' and yet has potential to be chic, smart and desirable. These devices use face and environment recognition cameras which are designed to empower the users to provide support in an active but understated way." Nick Talbot – Head of Design & Innovation at Tata Elxsi said, "Getting recognised globally for our work is really rewarding. This award is a testament to Tata Elxsi's multi-disciplinary design and technology teams for creating world-class solutions across industries. For these MR based Smart Assistive devices, we see real-world application opportunities in healthcare, social care, augmented  retail experiences, entertainment through audio gaming, and others that would be interest to service providers and solution providers in these segments." Dating back to 1953, the iF Design Awards is an international design competition organized by Germany's oldest independent design organization, Hannover-based iF International Forum Design GmbH. This year, a total of 7298 entries were submitted from 56 nations. An expert 78 member jury from more than 20 countries made up of independent experts in industry, design and architecture from all over the world adjudged the winners. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15772/smile-train-india-announces-new-cleft-care-centre-at-nhi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15772/smile-train-india-announces-new-cleft-care-centre-at-nhi.html Fri, 14 Feb 2020 07:10:00 +0530 Smile Train India, the children’s cleft charity, announced its partnership with National Heart Institute to support free cleft lip and palate surgeries in Delhi - NCR. Free cleft treatment will be available to patients all year round at the new cleft centre at National Heart Institute. The cleft surgeries will be performed by renowned plastic surgeon, Dr. Karoon Agrawal, who has been associated with Smile Train since 2009. Since 2000, Smile Train India has been actively involved in supporting cleft treatment for underprivileged children who are forced to live with untreated clefts due to poverty and ignorance. Smile Train India has supported more than 14,000 surgeries in New Delhi through various partner hospitals. Talking about the partnership, Sheila Koyyana, Program Manager, Smile Train India, said “There are millions of children born with cleft lip & palate who need help, but can’t receive timely care due to monetary constraints and lack of awareness about its treatment. Our ‘Teach a man to fish’ model has empowered 300+ medical professionals and 150+ hospitals across India with funding, training and resources to provide 100% free cleft treatment in their communities. This approach helps create long lasting, robust and sustainable impact in cleft care. We are very happy to partner with National Heart Institute and Dr. Karoon Agrawal to help children born with clefts in Delhi - NCR.” Dr. Karoon Agrawal, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon, National Heart Institute said, “Hundreds of thousands of children continue to live with untreated clefts due to ignorance and poverty. We are happy to be associated with Smile Train India to support treatment to children born with cleft lip and palate, absolutely free of cost. Smile Train has been a game changer, creating awareness about the cause and providing comprehensive cleft care throughout the country.” In India, it is estimated that more than 35,000 babies are born with clefts every year. Hundreds of thousands of children with untreated clefts live in isolation, but more importantly, have difficulty eating, breathing and speaking, as their families cannot afford the life-transforming cleft treatment. Smile Train India’s sustainable model focuses on training and empowering local medical professionals to provide 100% free cleft treatment in their own communities. Through this sustainable model, Smile Train India has supported more than 600,000 free cleft surgeries across India.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15777/manipal-hospitals-whitefield-performs-arthroscopic-latarjet.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15777/manipal-hospitals-whitefield-performs-arthroscopic-latarjet.html Thu, 13 Feb 2020 12:20:00 +0530 Manipal Hospitals Whitefield performed 'Arthroscopic Latarjet' surgery for the first time in Bangalore. This novel and minimally invasive procedure was used to give new lease of life to 3 patients - 29 year old Mr. Paras, 40 year old Mr. NM Pradeep and 25 year old Mr. Muzammil who were suffering from recurrent and multiple shoulder dislocation. Dr. Ayyappan V Nair, Shoulder Specialist and Orthopedic Surgeon at Manipal Hospitals Whitefield performed the surgery through a keyhole camera with minimal incisions. So far 9 patients have been successfully treated using this novel procedure. Shoulder dislocation is a condition where the shoulder joint slips and the bones of the shoulder loose contact with each other. Shoulder is the most common joint to get dislocated. Once dislocated, chances of repeat dislocation is more when the patient is young. This incidence decreases with age. Usually, this kind of shoulder instability is treated with a keyhole surgery called Bankart surgery where the ligaments, which are torn in the shoulder, are required back. However, in patients with multiple dislocations this ligament repair procedure will not suffice due to extensive bone loss of the ball and socket and hence Latarjet procedure is done. The case of 29-year-old Mr. Paras was heart-warming as he came with a history of multiple dislocations of right shoulder. To correct the same, in the last 3 years he underwent two failed surgeries at other hospitals. Despite both the surgeries, he continued to experience dislocations. Fortunately, when he came to Manipal Hospitals, Dr. Ayyappan V Nair performed Arthroscopic Latarjet surgery that showed great signs of recovery and he was able to resume his normal routine in just six months. Similarly, 40 year old Mr. BM Pradeep came with history of four Dislocations in four months. However, post undergoing Arthroscopic Latarjet at Manipal Hospitals Whitefield 3 months ago followed by regular physiotherapy, he too has resumed his daily routine. The third case was of 25-year-old Mr. Muzammil, who came with a history of over 50 dislocations and post Arthroscopic Latarjet which was performed 6 weeks ago, he is on his recovery road and is undergoing rehabilitation. Sharing details on the case and Arthroscopic Latarjet, Dr. Ayyappan V Nair, shoulder specialist and orthopedic surgeon Manipal Hospitals Whitefield said, "All the three patients had a bad history of multiple shoulder dislocations and one of the patients had undergone 2 failed surgeries with no respite. Shoulder is a ball and socket joint, with multiple dislocations there is significant bone loss in the socket part of the joint due to repeated denting of the glenoid by the dislocating humeral head which causes bone defect and needs to be filled. The process of filling the defect in the socket is called as a bone block procedure 'latarjet'. Here a piece of bone called coracoid, which is next to the shoulder joint is cut, rotated and fixed on to the side of socket this technique is usually done as an open procedure with an extensive surgical incision." "Unlike the open procedure, Arthroscopic Latarjet gives excellent precision in positioning the bone block and the blood loss is also minimized. Infact the procedure further reduces complications and hospital stay with great clinical outcomes. Since the procedure is technically demanding, it is done by only few surgeons worldwide and in India," he added. Sharing his thoughts on the success of three surgeries, Mr. Arnab Mondal, Hospital Director, Manipal Hospitals Whitefield said, "This is indeed a great milestone for Manipal Hospitals Whitefield. I congratulate Dr. Ayyappan V Nair and his team for their dedication and commitment as all the three cases were extremely challenging. With our expert pool of doctors and state of the art infrastructure, we aim to provide quality and affordable healthcare services and will continue our efforts of offering cutting edge healthcare solutions to people." Sharing his happiness, Mr. Paras Solanki, Patient said, "Having undergone 2 surgeries earlier and almost 19 doctor consultations I had almost lost hope. Fortunately, Dr. Ayyappan V Nair assured me that my dislocation can be completely cured using a novel procedure which is Arthroscopic Latarjet surgery. Today 3 months post the surgery my life is back on track as now I have resumed my regular routine. I also go for swimming and do regular exercise, really thankful to the doctor who has given me a new lease of life." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15776/india-finds-and-treats-missing-million-tb-cases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15776/india-finds-and-treats-missing-million-tb-cases.html Thu, 13 Feb 2020 11:35:00 +0530 Since the launch of the new National Strategic Plan (2017-25), there has been a 38% increase in TB case notifications to the government – from 17.36 lakhs in 2017 to 23.98 lakhs in 2019, informed Vikas Sheel, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India during a media sensitization workshop on TB in New Delhi. He further added that the government has been successful in closing the notification gap (between estimated incidence and notified cases), referred earlier as the ‘missing million’, to less than 3 lakhs, through greater engagement with private sector health care providers. Under the National Strategic Plan (2017-25), the Government of India committed to ending TB by 2025, five years ahead of the SDG target – 80% reduction in incidence and 90% reduction in mortality by 2025 from a baseline of 2015. For this, the government has ensured adequate budgetary allocations to ensure patients seeking care in the private sector also receive free and standardized treatment. In line with the National Strategic Plan, the government is rolling out private sector engagement programs across the country to engage private providers such as formal and informal doctors, chemists and diagnostic labs, aimed at facilitating appropriate delivery of TB diagnosis and treatment. In 2018, the government partnered with the Global Fund to launch JEET or the Joint Effort for Elimination of TB, a private sector engagement program operating in 45 large cities across the country. To intensify this engagement, the Government of India along with the state governments has already scaled up the model through domestic resources across 125 other districts. This is being further scaled up in 2020. Vikas Sheel added, “The TB program has come a long way in the last few years and the increased number of notifications is an important step in the elimination of the disease from the country. The government has reiterated is commitment to provide free-of-cost, high quality TB care to all patients in the country, including those being treated in the private sector. We are already providing patients in the private sector with diagnostics, UDST and free drugs, since last year.” Multiple studies conducted in India through the years have shown that around 25% TB patients seek care through private sector health care providers. Recognizing this, in 2012, the Government of India made TB a notifiable disease – each provider was mandated to notify each TB case to the authorities. In 2018, the government further strengthened the policy by issuing a Gazette Notification for mandatory notification along with provisions of penal actions, in case of non-compliance. The government also provides incentives to private providers for notifications and reporting of treatment outcomes. Increasing community participation in the TB program In the past year, the government has launched TB forums at various levels, including at the district and block levels. The forums aim to address a range of issues including improving awareness about the TB program initiatives and ensure its high uptake, and address stigma around the disease by engaging with a range of stakeholders including patients, elected leaders (including Gram Pradhans), and health care workers, among others. The program has also worked on building the capacity of TB survivors to serve as TB ‘champions’ to help others in completing treatment successfully. Till date, over 300 TB champions have been empowered and mentored to supporting over 8000 TB patients. Dr. K. S. Sachdeva, Deputy Director General, Central TB Division, Government of India who was also the part of the briefing gave an overview of the achievements of the TB program in 2019. “In the last few years, India has transitioned from a TB control response to one which focuses on elimination. We have therefore introduced several transformative strategies such as private sector engagement, community participation and a provision for social support, which are changing the way we diagnose, treat and prevent TB,” he added. Going forward, the government aims to scale up community participation by expanding patient mentoring programs, create a grievance redressal mechanism, and expand engagement with Panchayati Raj institutions, self-help groups and other grass-root platforms.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15773/indians-ask-1000-queries-related-to-sexual-and-reproductive-health-per-hour.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15773/indians-ask-1000-queries-related-to-sexual-and-reproductive-health-per-hour.html Thu, 13 Feb 2020 11:20:00 +0530 According to a recent study, less than 10% of young men and women in India learn about sex from adults including teachers, health care professionals, or family members. Sexual and reproductive health is a topic that most Indians are still not comfortable discussing or are ignorant about. The stigma attached to these topics are the root cause for other, larger issues people, especially women, face every day. Only 45% young men and 28% young women have a comprehensive knowledge about HIV/AIDS and its prevention in our country. The state of prevention of other sexually transmitted infections for both genders is very low owing to the fact that no proper medical assistance is availed.  In light of such statistics, Practo conducted an internal study to understand how India sees sexual and reproductive health and goes about seeking help.  There has been a 139% growth in sexual health consults, since last year. Users have increasingly preferred online consultation for sexual health queries as it is an easily accessible, private and trustworthy option that can be done from the comfort of one’s home. Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad witnessed a significant growth in the number of online sexologist consultations compared to the previous year. People aged between 21 to 30 contributed to 72% of the overall e-Consults on sexual health.  Practo Insights: Sexual and Gynaecology accounted for 41% of all e-Consults received last year 46% of all sexual health-related consults come from men, while 54% were from women 72% of the queries came from people aged between 21-30 followed by people from the 31-40 age group T7 cities witnessed a growth of 196% for sexual health-related e-consults year-on-year 70% of the e-consults for sexual health were from T7 cities like Bangalore, Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai Queries for sexual health in Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad has been growing at a rate of 50% year-on-year  Sexual health has been one of the topmost concerns for people from non-metro cities contributing to 30% of all e-consults on sexual health In Non-T7 cities most of the queries came from Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Bhubaneshwar, and Chandigarh  Top topics discussed were abortion, unplanned pregnancy, masturbation, and premature ejaculation Dr Alexander Kuruvilla, Chief Healthcare Strategy Officer, Practo, said, “e-Consults are empowering patients and practitioners across the country by improving access to quality health services and combating stigma and discrimination. Most people in India brush aside symptoms, esp. those pertaining to sexual and reproductive health, due to societal biases and/or shame, leading to worsening of condition and a low quality of life. Hence, it’s important to consult experts, and for that, access is key. That’s what digital healthcare is solving for: access, convenience and affordability, so there’s less resistance and more empowerment to take control of one’s health.” Dr Gayathri D Kamath, Obstetrician & Gynecologist, Fortis Bangalore, said, “There has been a significant change in the way people in India, especially women, approach sexual health. Across all age groups there has been a constant rise in the number of people seeking information and medical help online regarding sexual and reproductive health. Earlier, couples would shy away from talking about sexual problems for several reasons. They now acknowledge the issues and seek proper assistance in the early stages from specialists which helps in further treatments. Digital platforms like Practo have played a major role in increasing awareness of the different facets of sexual health and in helping people seek professional help instead of suffering silently.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15763/ficci-nathealth-to-jointly-strengthen-healthcare-systems.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15763/ficci-nathealth-to-jointly-strengthen-healthcare-systems.html Wed, 12 Feb 2020 11:05:00 +0530 The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the healthcare industry body -Healthcare Federation of India (NATHEALTH) to jointly strengthen healthcare systems through Policy Advocacy & Public-Private-Partnerships. The MoU aims to provide a wider representation of the healthcare industry to key stakeholders in areas of policymaking and creating a suitable environment to benefit all stakeholders.  Under the agreement, two apex industry bodies intent to co-operate and focus their efforts on creating and implementing policies that help build trust, share knowledge and resource and create commercial opportunities for the mutual benefit of its members. Through this collaboration, FICCI and NATHEALTH have identified five major areas of collaboration viz. Policy Advocacy, Public-private partnership, Recommending financial models, Patient Charter and Capacity Building.They have alsoagreed to develop a common minimum agenda for the year, aligned to national healthcare goals and work towards getting the government’s support in taking this agenda forward. (Hony.) Brig Dr Arvind Lal, Chair, FICCI Health Services, while signing the MoU said, “FICCI has set up several Task Forces to recommend measures for strengthening number of specialist doctors, pricing and accountability in healthcare and bridging the trust deficit. Through this collaboration both FICCI and NATHEALTH would be able to present a unified voice for the healthcare industry in critical areas such as capacity building, quality and Patient Charter.” Dr H Sudarshan Ballal, President, NATHEALTH said, “We have common interest and objectives. We will establish channels of communication and co-operation that will promote and advance the objectives of the members through common dialogue and representation. NATHEALTH, in association with FICCI, will formulate joint representations on behalf of the members on matters relating to successful implementation of government’s program under National Health Mission including AB-PMJAY.” Capacity building in Tier II & III cities is a priority for the government and the industry is committed to extending all its support. Dr Lal added that, “while we would work towards capacity creation in smaller cities and recommend locations that are best suited for the government to initiate public-private partnerships, we will also explore sustainable PPP/philanthropic/CSR modelsfor efficient running of the 150,000 HWCs under Ayushman Bharat for imparting quality primary healthcare, control of NCDs and availability of high quality diagnostics”.   FICCI and NATHEALTH will work together in recommending reference cost structure for building and operating hospitals in non-metro locations and suggesting models for revenue and costing that meets the ‘inclusive healthcare’ objective of the government. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15760/medanta-organises-multi-stakeholder-meeting-to-optimise-tb-free-block-pataudi-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15760/medanta-organises-multi-stakeholder-meeting-to-optimise-tb-free-block-pataudi-.html Wed, 12 Feb 2020 06:00:00 +0530 "Mission TB Free Haryana’’, a flagship initiative of Medanta in collaboration with the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Central TB Division of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India and the Government of Haryana launched ‘’TB Free Block Pataudi’’ in November 2019 to eradicate tuberculosis in the block through diagnosis and treatment. To optimise the program, a multi-stakeholder meeting was held at Medanta which was attended by local Government officials and over 150 village Sarpanchs from Pataudi. The objective of the multi-stakeholder meeting was to sensitize the sarpanchs about the importance of screening for effective management of the disease. Evangelizing the initiative, these sarpanchs will encourage residents in their respective villages to undergo screening for timely detection and treatment of TB. ‘’TB Free Block Pataudi’’ aims to screen a population of 6 lakh in the Pataudi block over the next two years. As part of this initiative, volunteers from Medanta along with ASHAs, the grassroots health workers in villages have been conducting door-to-door screenings for detecting people who are at potential risk. The ones who screen positive for cough attend treatment camps with X-ray, sputum and geneXpert facilities available at point of care in a mobile van and the diagnosis is confirmed on the same day. Dr Naresh Trehan, Chairman & Managing Director, Medanta said, “TB is a serious challenge that has been plaguing the nation and a multi-stakeholder approach is required to tackle this disease. Screening and detection play a crucial role in the prevention and management of the disease and there should be collaborative efforts towards making India TB-Free by ensuring no one goes undiagnosed or untreated’’. Internationally acclaimed respiratory disease expert, Dr Bornali Datta, Director, Pulmonary Medicine, Respiratory & Sleep Medicine, Medanta said, ‘’As part of our commitment to making India TB free, we have screened 25,000 patients through Mission TB-free Haryana over the last six years. Strongly partnered and supported by the Government, the TB Free Block Pataudi program is based on the Active Case Finding Methodology which focusses on proactively looking out for and screening people who are at high disease risk rather than waiting for them to develop symptoms of an active disease. Our volunteers are working in collaboration with ASHA workers towards the objective of screening 6 lakh people in the Pataudi block over the next two years.’’ Mission TB Free Haryana was introduced in 2015 as a model to improve the diagnosis of tuberculosis in the underserved rural areas, to eradicate or at least substantially reduce the burden of this deadly disease which is widely prevalent in our country. Under this initiative, each of the 21 districts of Haryana have been divided into five clusters of four districts each and one van equipped with X-Ray machines is used per cluster for screening patients. Post the success of Mission TB free Haryana, Medanta - The Medicity also launched this Mission in Jharkhand and Ranchi and this will be expanded to other districts progressively.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15756/global-hospital-conducts-neuroscience-updates-2020-in-mumbai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15756/global-hospital-conducts-neuroscience-updates-2020-in-mumbai.html Tue, 11 Feb 2020 14:45:00 +0530 Global Hospital, Parel, Mumbai organized a CME regarding various neurological disorders such as Stroke, Parkinson’s, Epilepsy and Brain Tumour. The CME witnessed the participation of around 400 doctors from Mumbai, who got an opportunity to attend the interactive and educative sessions, and learn how to manage neurological disorders more efficiently.  ‘Time is Brain’ was the message given through this conference. Neurological disorders are diseases that affect the brain the spinal cord and nerve muscles. Today, the number of people suffering from neurological disorders is increasing at a rapid rate. To help people deal with them, Global Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, took a much-needed initiative to reduce the increasing burden of neurological disorders and improve the quality of life of patients. Dr. Shirish Hastak, Regional Director, Neurology, Stroke and Neurocritical Care, Global Hospital, Mumbai, said, the Neurosciences Update 2020, was lauded and attended by general practitioners in large numbers. The sole motto of this CME was to educate the doctors about life-changing neurological disorders such as Stroke, Parkinson’s, Epilepsy and Brain Tumour. Informative sessions about interventions when it comes to ischemic stroke and current guidelines, how window opportunity in certain ischemic stroke patients can be extended up to 24 hours (in selected cases), improving quality of life in Parkinson’s disease with deep brain stimulation (DBS), how endoscopic surgery can help tackle problem, and how surgery can help in epilepsy were conducted by renowned doctors.” He added, “My session was about pupil’s “window to the brain”. Pupils tell you what happens inside an unconscious patient’s brain. We are one of the few hospitals in India with an electrode pupillometry to access changes in brain function. Timely treatment with a proper assessment of pupils can help save a stroke patient’s life.” “Global Hospital relentlessly works for providing better healthcare to the patients. The hospital is committed to providing round-the-clock care, cutting edge technology, and expertise to help people fight various fatal conditions, and get back on track. The hospital comes up with interesting initiative, drives and campaigns to educate people, and help them take charge of their health. This initiative by the hospital has received a good response from the doctors. The doctors will be able to guide patients regarding the surgery, medications, other available treatments, and how can a patient lead a normal life after neurological problems. In the near future, the hospital is determined to conduct more awareness programs like this one,” Dr. Vivek Talaulikar, Chief Executive Officer, Global Hospital, Mumbai. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15757/global-hospital-conducts-neuroscience-updates-2020-in-mumbai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15757/global-hospital-conducts-neuroscience-updates-2020-in-mumbai.html Tue, 11 Feb 2020 14:45:00 +0530 Global Hospital, Parel, Mumbai organized a CME regarding various neurological disorders such as Stroke, Parkinson’s, Epilepsy and Brain Tumour. The CME witnessed the participation of around 400 doctors from Mumbai, who got an opportunity to attend the interactive and educative sessions, and learn how to manage neurological disorders more efficiently.  ‘Time is Brain’ was the message given through this conference. Neurological disorders are diseases that affect the brain the spinal cord and nerve muscles. Today, the number of people suffering from neurological disorders is increasing at a rapid rate. To help people deal with them, Global Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, took a much-needed initiative to reduce the increasing burden of neurological disorders and improve the quality of life of patients. Dr. Shirish Hastak, Regional Director, Neurology, Stroke and Neurocritical Care, Global Hospital, Mumbai, said, the Neurosciences Update 2020, was lauded and attended by general practitioners in large numbers. The sole motto of this CME was to educate the doctors about life-changing neurological disorders such as Stroke, Parkinson’s, Epilepsy and Brain Tumour. Informative sessions about interventions when it comes to ischemic stroke and current guidelines, how window opportunity in certain ischemic stroke patients can be extended up to 24 hours (in selected cases), improving quality of life in Parkinson’s disease with deep brain stimulation (DBS), how endoscopic surgery can help tackle problem, and how surgery can help in epilepsy were conducted by renowned doctors.” He added, “My session was about pupil’s “window to the brain”. Pupils tell you what happens inside an unconscious patient’s brain. We are one of the few hospitals in India with an electrode pupillometry to access changes in brain function. Timely treatment with a proper assessment of pupils can help save a stroke patient’s life.” “Global Hospital relentlessly works for providing better healthcare to the patients. The hospital is committed to providing round-the-clock care, cutting edge technology, and expertise to help people fight various fatal conditions, and get back on track. The hospital comes up with interesting initiative, drives and campaigns to educate people, and help them take charge of their health. This initiative by the hospital has received a good response from the doctors. The doctors will be able to guide patients regarding the surgery, medications, other available treatments, and how can a patient lead a normal life after neurological problems. In the near future, the hospital is determined to conduct more awareness programs like this one,” Dr. Vivek Talaulikar, Chief Executive Officer, Global Hospital, Mumbai. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15754/resmed-india-organizes-sleep-summit-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15754/resmed-india-organizes-sleep-summit-in-india.html Tue, 11 Feb 2020 11:05:00 +0530 ResMed, digital health company whose cloud-connectable devices help treat sleep apnea and other respiratory diseases in more than 120 countries, hosted Sleep Event in India recently. It was attended by 70 plus respiratory and chest physicians, sharing latest advancements for sleep related disorders and sleep related breathing disorder aka, OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA. With continued research and developments in medical scientific technology and better understanding of the human body has found that sleep hygiene is vital for our body's wellbeing. OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA is one of the most common disorders that lead to disturbances in sleep leading to poor quality of sleep.  Disturbances in sleep are mainly caused by repeated narrowing of the upper airway during sleep due to relaxation of the body muscles. This narrowing leads to partial or complete obstructions in airflow leading to repeated waking up from sleep, causing poor quality of sleep. Stopping breathing at night results in repeated fall in oxygen supply leading to increased heart rate and work of the heart during sleep leading to high blood pressure or hypertension at an earlier age. Repeated fall in oxygen levels also leads to incomplete oxidation inside our body forming unwanted and dangerous free radicals which predispose one to diabetes or heart disease. The reason, these go unnoticed and often untreated is that snoring is considered a cultural nuisance rather than a disease symptom. It is to be understood that snoring is the indicator of airway obstruction during sleep, and is actually marker of something very dangerous happening underneath. Once OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA is diagnosed POSITIVE AIRWAY PRESSURE technology via a machine that blows air through a tube and mask keeping the air passage splinted open during sleep, thus removing the obstruction and its ill effects is the recommended method of treatment. Such a machine or the CPAP machine (continuous positive airway pressure) works on electricity, is light and portable, and can be used during sleep. Improvements can be seen from day 1 of use with immediate disappearance of snoring, appearance of freshness after waking up, followed by better control in blood pressure, blood sugar and heart diseases. This CPAP machine may be required for life long depending upon the advantages gained from it, but the lives saved from premature hypertension, diabetes and heart disease is tremendous. The quality of life of such sleep troubled patients actually improves and so the lives of their immediate family members. The conference was comprised, few of the best sleep experts across India in the panel - Dr Shahid Mahdi, BLK Hospital-New Delhi, Dr. B P Singh, Midland Healthcare & Research Centre-Lucknow, Dr Sujeet Rajan, Bombay Hospital Institute of Medical Science-Mumbai, Dr Indranil Haldar, College of Medicine and JNM Hospital, Kalyani, Dr BV Murli Mohan, Narayana Medical Centre-Bangalore, Dr Srinivas Kishore Sistla, Care Hospital-Hyderabad, Dr Rahul Modi,  L H Hiranandani Hospital & SENTRA Clinic & Hospital, Mirror, Dr Dipankar Datta, Belle Vue Clinic-Kolkata, Dr George D Souza, St John’s Research Institute- Bengaluru, Prof Dipti Gothi, ESICMR-New Delhi, Dr Raja Dhar, Fortis Hospital- Kolkata, Dr A Ashwin Oliver, CMC Vellore, Dr KS Sathish, Fortis Hospital & Vikram Hospital-Bengaluru, Prof Anant Mohan-AIIMS, Dr Dhanasekhar SRMC- Chennai, Dr Supraja K Madras Medical Mission Hospital-Chennai, Dr KD Modi, Medwin Hospital-Hyderabad, Dr Pratibha Dogra, Pratiksha Hospital- Gurgaon, Dr Salil Bhargava, MGM College-Indore, Prof Lokendra Dava GMC-Bhopal, Dr Anand Jaiswal, Medanta Hospital-Gurugram, Dr Animesh Arya-ASRA New Delhi, Dr SK Madhukar, Patna, Dr Bhuwaneshwari Rajendran, Kauvery Hospital-Chennai, Dr Saurabh Karmakar, AIIMS –Patna. Shubhi Khurana, General Manager, India and South Asia, ResMed, said, “The idea is to bring the medical fraternity together and give them hands-on experiences and understanding of Sleep technologies, latest researches and advancement”. “A healthy sleep is one of the 3 important pillars of managing good health, hence it is very important to make people aware of its any disorder which compromises it and its consequences. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), is one of the most underdiagnosed and untreated condition, which tend to result in many serious complications, like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart strokes, obesity, day time sleepiness causing road accidents, decreased productivity etc. With 63 million potential people suffering from the same in India it is as big a problem as Diabetes and Hypertension perhaps.  It is becoming the need of the hour for not just doctors but corporates, road authorities, even the decision makers to address issues, and promote a healthy sleep”, she added. Panel discussions revolved around, basics of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Special topics on Sleep disordered breathing, Patients based outcome, Public Health-policy and Connected care.         ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15751/health-ministry-conducts-tenth-round-of-deworming.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15751/health-ministry-conducts-tenth-round-of-deworming.html Tue, 11 Feb 2020 10:10:00 +0530 The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) conducted the tenth round of National Deworming Day (NDD) on 10th February. This will be followed by the mop-up day on February 17, 2020. As part of this campaign, children and adolescents aged 1-19 years are being administered Albendazole (400 mg) across government, government-aided schools, anganwadis, private schools and other educational institutions.  The NDD is implemented with an objective to reduce the prevalence of Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH), commonly called the parasitic intestinal worms, among all children and adolescents. Infections with the main STH – roundworm, whipworm and hookworms – contribute to 50.1 lakh disability adjusted life-years (DALYs) worldwide (WHO, 2010). One DALY can be thought of as one lost "healthy" year from a life. In India, over 22 crore children under 14 years are at risk of STH infections (WHO, 2017).  Launched in 2015, the NDD is the largest public health program implemented on a single day reaching crores of children and adolescents through two NDD rounds every year. This year, 19 states took up activities to reach 9.35 crore of the target population. NDD will be observed in 34 States/UTs over the next weeks and is expected to reach an estimated 30 crore of the target population. Implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Development and Ministry of Human Resource Development, NDD is a key intervention of Anemia Mukt Bharat. Its success and impact lie in convergence with the Swachh Bharat Mission. NDD presents opportunities to further policy dialogue on health and nutrition as a way of supplementing efforts under POSHAN Abhiyaan. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15744/experts-debate-on-financing-indias-healthcare-needs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15744/experts-debate-on-financing-indias-healthcare-needs.html Tue, 11 Feb 2020 10:00:00 +0530 India has made significant strides in healthcare over the last few decades, with key indicators of health outcomes showing marked improvement. Various government initiatives have mobilized communities on health, and large scale health financing initiatives have enabled access to the private sector for all sections of the population. However, India’s out of pocket expenditure (OOP) constitutes more than 60% of all health expenses which is a major drawback in a country like India where a large segment of the population is economically backward. To bring clarity on the matter, Goa Institute of Management (GIM) organized a conference on the theme - Accelerating and Sustaining Investments for Financing India’s Healthcare Needs – where thought leaders representing Government, Industry and Academia deliberated on the opportunities and challenges. Speaking at the event said the Chief Guest Shri Vishwajit P. Rane, Hon’ble Minister of Health, Government of Goa, “Goa has been the first in many healthcare initiatives and is successfully implementing the DDSSY programme. There are challengers but there have also been learnings. And I welcome suggestions and learnings where we can improve. I request GIM to suggest solutions to us from time to time and be a knowledge partner to the Health Department. We look towards GIM to offer us researched suggestions, solutions and guidance” He added, “NITI Ayog has offered a good framework to work within for state governments. Collaborations between the public and private entities can assist a great deal. Private medical collages can collaborate with district hospitals which will be excellent. We are also looking towards the possibility of creating efficient home care for the elderly where a community work force can be trained to offer care and support to the elderly at the local panchayat level. The elderly are often neglected and it is our responsibility to take care of them”.  Mr. Alok Kumar, Advisor, NITI Ayog, Government of India said, “Healthcare is not a T20 match. The solutions may take some time. There are drastic differences in the health systems across states within our country. We have a highly fragmented healthcare system. Therefore, for us to believe that an identical approach will work across the country is an ambitious thought. State governments need to be more proactive on finding solutions to the healthcare needs prevalent in the state and cannot expect strategy to be outsourced to the centre. Secondly we need to elevate the approach from being schematic to be systemic. There needs to be a certain elevation from being mere schemes to creating effective systems. Thirdly the roles within the health ministry ecosystem need to be clearly defined” Hon Brig. Dr. Arvind Lal (Padma Shri), Chairman and Managing Director, Dr. Lal PathLabs stressed that greated investment in healthcare is the need of the hour. “The government has made significant strides in the healthcare space. To see greater improvements, the government needs to immediately increase the financial allocation for the dispensing of healthcare from a mere 1% out of a total of 3.9% of GDP to 2.5% of GDP. A good starting point would be to spend an extra 0.5% of GDP every year on healthcare for the next three years. Unfortunately, in the latest budget, the allocation is up only 7% against last year’s budgeted estimate and we may miss the target of the earlier stated aim of the Union Government of spending 2.5% of GDP by 2025. Dr. Kheya Furtado, Assistant Professor of Goa Institute of Management presented findings from a WHO funded study conducted for the National Health Authority, Government of India on ‘Strategic purchasing in the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana through the Trust and Insurance model’. She emphasized that claim audits need to be facilitated by tools such as STGs and long- term capacities need to be built and retained in the public Trusts for management of claims. As scheme utilization increases, costs are likely to change, especially in Insurance model States due to the sharing of financial losses that may lead to larger premiums charged to States by Insurance companies. Contract terms with insurance companies must be closely monitored and address these potential changes. Differential pricing may be developed to incentivize larger hospitals to participate in the scheme. Incentives based on hospital infrastructure, location etc. may also be developed in addition to the base rate, to address supply side constraints. R Chandrashekhar, Chairman, Centre for The Digital Future, Former Secretary Electronics & IT, GOI Former Chairman Telecom Commission and Secretary, Department of Telecom, GOI, Former President, NASSCOM in his address stressed on the need to focus on the goal which is to deliver value to society and aim for significant improvements over aiming for perfection. “Integrating innovation, value addition and regulation within a technology driven atmosphere is key to the success of implementing a process” he said. Dr. Ajit Parulekar, Director Goa Institute of Management said “We run several cutting edge programmes and GIM’s Healthcare Programme is the finest in the country. This second edition of the conference is furthering GIM’s objective of being a management thought-promoter and providing a platform for meaningful discussions in the healthcare domain.” Over 170 delegates from across the country, consisting of doctors, healthcare managers, academicians, researchers and students attended the event. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15747/experts-debate-on-financing-indias-healthcare-needs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15747/experts-debate-on-financing-indias-healthcare-needs.html Tue, 11 Feb 2020 10:00:00 +0530 India has made significant strides in healthcare over the last few decades, with key indicators of health outcomes showing marked improvement. Various government initiatives have mobilized communities on health, and large scale health financing initiatives have enabled access to the private sector for all sections of the population. However, India’s out of pocket expenditure (OOP) constitutes more than 60% of all health expenses which is a major drawback in a country like India where a large segment of the population is economically backward. To bring clarity on the matter, Goa Institute of Management (GIM) organized a conference on the theme - Accelerating and Sustaining Investments for Financing India’s Healthcare Needs – where thought leaders representing Government, Industry and Academia deliberated on the opportunities and challenges. Speaking at the event Vishwajit P. Rane, Minister of Health, Government of Goa said, “Goa has been the first in many healthcare initiatives and is successfully implementing the DDSSY programme. There are challengers but there have also been learnings. And I welcome suggestions and learnings where we can improve. I request GIM to suggest solutions to us from time to time and be a knowledge partner to the Health Department. We look towards GIM to offer us researched suggestions, solutions and guidance” He added, “NITI Ayog has offered a good framework to work within for state governments. Collaborations between the public and private entities can assist a great deal. Private medical collages can collaborate with district hospitals which will be excellent. We are also looking towards the possibility of creating efficient home care for the elderly where a community work force can be trained to offer care and support to the elderly at the local panchayat level. The elderly are often neglected and it is our responsibility to take care of them”.  Alok Kumar, Advisor, NITI Ayog, Government of India said, “Healthcare is not a T20 match. The solutions may take some time. There are drastic differences in the health systems across states within our country. We have a highly fragmented healthcare system. Therefore, for us to believe that an identical approach will work across the country is an ambitious thought. State governments need to be more proactive on finding solutions to the healthcare needs prevalent in the state and cannot expect strategy to be outsourced to the centre. Secondly we need to elevate the approach from being schematic to be systemic. There needs to be a certain elevation from being mere schemes to creating effective systems. Thirdly the roles within the health ministry ecosystem need to be clearly defined” Dr. Arvind Lal (Padma Shri), Chairman and Managing Director, Dr. Lal PathLabs stressed that greated investment in healthcare is the need of the hour. “The government has made significant strides in the healthcare space. To see greater improvements, the government needs to immediately increase the financial allocation for the dispensing of healthcare from a mere 1% out of a total of 3.9% of GDP to 2.5% of GDP. A good starting point would be to spend an extra 0.5% of GDP every year on healthcare for the next three years. Unfortunately, in the latest budget, the allocation is up only 7% against last year’s budgeted estimate and we may miss the target of the earlier stated aim of the Union Government of spending 2.5% of GDP by 2025”, he added. Dr. Kheya Furtado, Assistant Professor of Goa Institute of Management presented findings from a WHO funded study conducted for the National Health Authority, Government of India on ‘Strategic purchasing in the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana through the Trust and Insurance model’. She emphasized that claim audits need to be facilitated by tools such as STGs and long- term capacities need to be built and retained in the public Trusts for management of claims. As scheme utilization increases, costs are likely to change, especially in Insurance model States due to the sharing of financial losses that may lead to larger premiums charged to States by Insurance companies. Contract terms with insurance companies must be closely monitored and address these potential changes. Differential pricing may be developed to incentivize larger hospitals to participate in the scheme. Incentives based on hospital infrastructure, location etc. may also be developed in addition to the base rate, to address supply side constraints. R Chandrashekhar, Chairman, Centre for The Digital Future said, “Integrating innovation, value addition and regulation within a technology driven atmosphere is key to the success of implementing a process.” Dr. Ajit Parulekar, Director Goa Institute of Management said “We run several cutting edge programmes and GIM’s Healthcare Programme is the finest in the country. This second edition of the conference is furthering GIM’s objective of being a management thought-promoter and providing a platform for meaningful discussions in the healthcare domain.” Over 170 delegates from across the country, consisting of doctors, healthcare managers, academicians, researchers and students attended the event.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15750/aster-dm-healthcare-wins-6-awards-at-ahpi-awards-2020.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15750/aster-dm-healthcare-wins-6-awards-at-ahpi-awards-2020.html Tue, 11 Feb 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Five hospitals of Aster DM Healthcare group were recognised with the Association of Healthcare Providers India (AHPI) Awards 2020, which recently concluded in Bengaluru. The annual award by AHPI recognizes and celebrates the excellence achieved by healthcare organizations across various fields. Aster Medcity- Kochi, Kerala was conferred with the ‘Excellence in Community Engagement’ and ‘Best Place to Work For’ awards. Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru won the ‘Nursing Excellence Award’ while Medcare Women and Children Hospital-Dubai received the ‘Nursing Excellence Award’ in the overseas segment. Medcare Hospital-Dubai was awarded for being the ‘Green Hospital’ in the overseas segment. Aster MIMS Hospital- Calicut, Kerala won the award in the ‘Best Place to Work For’ in the regional segment.  Commenting on the achievement, Founder Chairman and MD of Aster DM Healthcare, Dr. Azad Moopen said, “We are honoured to be recognized with the prestigious AHPI Awards for our institutions for consecutive years. We relentlessly strive in our journey for quality healthcare and recognitions like AHPI Awards renews our commitment to strive more. We hope to set new benchmarks in Clinical Excellence and Service Excellence, in our pursuit to become one of the best healthcare providers in the region.” Dr. Harish Pillai, Chief Executive Officer, Aster India said, “We’d like to thank our patients, employees and stakeholders for trusting us. We are delighted to have won in the significant categories of community engagement, quality and nursing. It is a proud moment for us as we stand by the Aster promise: We’ll treat you well and continue to offer the best in healthcare to our patients across geographies.” Aster DM Healthcare is one of the largest networks of healthcare service providers in GCC and an emerging player in India. The group is currently the third-largest healthcare company in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15743/ayushman-bharat-pm-jay-receives-national-gold-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15743/ayushman-bharat-pm-jay-receives-national-gold-award.html Mon, 10 Feb 2020 14:30:00 +0530 Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) has been awarded gold under Category-1 for "Excellence in Government Process Re-engineering for Digital Transformation" for e-governance 2019-20.  The award was presented during 23rd National Conference on e-Governance held in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Implemented by the National Health Authority along with its State counterparts, AB PM-JAY, is the world’s largest publicly funded health assurance scheme covering 50 crore poor and vulnerable citizens. This award seeks to recognize government projects that involved analysis and redesign of workflow and which resulted in improvement in outcomes related to efficiency, effectiveness of process, cost, quality, service delivery or a combination of these. The impact of the re-engineering process is to have a significant digital transformation. Receiving the award on behalf of the National Health Authority, the apex organisation responsible for the design and implementation of the scheme, Dr. Indu Bhushan, CEO, AB-PMJAY and National Health Authority said, “It is a huge honour to receive this award today. This award is not only a recognition of the sophistication of the IT system that is the backbone of PM-JAY  but also of  our efforts for moving towards universal health coverage through digital transformation. Through this award we will be able to showcase the innovation and talent we have deployed to build one of the best IT systems in the world. In the near future our efforts will be channelled towards further strengthening this digital backbone into empowering the beneficiaries, maximising efficiency of service delivery, expand coverage of the scheme to the left out population groups, enhance convergence with existing central and State health schemes and minimise fraud and abuse with use of frontier technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning into our systems.” The purpose of the award is to recognize achievements in the area of e-Governance, disseminate knowledge on effective methods of designing and implementing sustainable e-Governance initiatives. This award encourages innovations in successful e-Governance solutions with promotion and exchange of experiences in solving problems, mitigating risks, resolving issues and planning for success. National Awards for e-Governance are presented every year to recognize and promote excellence in implementation of e-Governance initiatives. Talking about the IT system of AB PM-JAY, Kiran Anandampillai, Advisor IT, National Health Authority said, “We have created an IT platform with the focus to provide seamless, quality, affordable healthcare services to the poorest citizens in the remotest corners of India. We are building several layers of security to protect sensitive personal patient data therefore ensuring that there is no misuse of the data collected and used. We are deploying advanced data analytics to monitor the implementation on real-time basis. The insights received is helping us not only take timely action but also do evidence-based policy decision-making.” These awards also seek to recognize the national level e-Governance projects which resulted in delivering enhanced value to citizens’ through effective use of Information and Communication Technology. This is an effort to recognise the adoption of emerging technologies (such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, machine learning, natural language processing etc.) for e-Governance projects.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15741/manipal-hospitals-whitefield-organizes-basic-workshop-on-ecmo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15741/manipal-hospitals-whitefield-organizes-basic-workshop-on-ecmo.html Fri, 07 Feb 2020 16:50:00 +0530 Department of Critical Care at Manipal Hospitals Whitefield organised a ECMO basic workshop on February 4th 2020. Didactic lectures on various topics related to care of ECMO patients and hands on workshop was conducted. The workshop witnessed several delegates participating at the event from across specialities like Intensivists, training fellows, critical care nurses and perfusionists such as Dr. Rajesh Mohan Shetty, Dr.Rajavardhan R, Dr. Manjunath T and Dr. Nithya CA, Consultants Critical Care, Manipal Hospitals Whitefield. The ECMO survivors too participated in the workshop and shared their experiences of the timely use of ECMO and how it succeeded in saving their lives at Manipal Hospitals Whitefield. The didactic lectures were organised on various topics like 'Physiology of ECMO and basics', 'indications/types techniques for accesss', 'know cardio help and cannulae', 'know cardio help and cannulae', 'care of ECMO patient' and 'hypoxemia in VV ECMO'. To provide a more hands on workshop to deal with ECHMO patients, various topics were covered like 'priming of circuit', 'trouble shooting in cardio help' and 'concentrating on V ECHMO'. Dr. Rajesh Mohan Shetty, Consultant Critical Care at Manipal Hospitals Whitefield, said, "Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is a boon in the form of a machine which acts as a heart - lung bypass. It can support and perform the functions of the lung and the heart, individually and together. The ECMO circuit acts as an artificial heart and lung for the patient during ECMO therapy. It is important to be aware of the usefulness of ECMO for health professionals as well as families." Dr. Rajavardhan R, Consultant Critical Care at Manipal Hospitals Whitefield, said, "We had 3 cases who were extremely critical and the timely use of ECMO was helpful in saving their lives. The first case was of Mr. Murugan a 50-year male civil contractor who was admitted with severe fever, cough and breathing difficulty. Initially, he was treated with antibiotics, flu medicine (oseltamivir) and oxygen. Because of increasing breathing difficulty and decrease in the oxygen level, he was put on a ventilator. He was then put on resting lung ventilation and his kidneys had failed as well. When his condition improved, he was removed from ventilator and kidney function improved post dialysis .Initial few days he needed regular follow up with nephrology, plastic surgery team. He is now independent, doing his routine work." Dr. Nithya CA, Consultants Critical Care, Manipal Hospitals Whitefield, said, "ECMO plays a very critical role and is a savior. We had Mrs.Lakshmamma, a 37-year-old female homemaker was referred from an outside hospital with a history of fever, cough and cold on 10/08/2019. Initially, she was treated with antibiotics, flu medicine(oseltamivir) and oxygen. Even on ventilator full support, her oxygen levels did not improve, the family was given the option of initiation of ECMO- family agreed for the same and she was initiated on ECMO. She was put on resting lung ventilation. Her condition gradually and she was taken off the ventilator. Initial few days she required oxygen therapy, nebulization because of cough. Now she is independent doing all her routine, including taking her of kids." The third case was of Mr. Prashanth Kumar, a 34 year-old man, who works with G4S Secure Solutions as an Assignment Manager had come with complaints of fever, cough, and breathlessness on 20/12/2019. Initially, he was treated with antibiotics, flu medicine (oseltamivir) and oxygen. Even on ventilator full support, his oxygen levels did not improve; which was why the family was given the option of initiation of ECMO. The family agreed for the same and he was initiated on ECMO. He was put on resting lung ventilation. Eventually, he was weaned off ECMO and was discharged with oxygen to home. He no longer requires oxygen now. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15742/smile-train-organizes-cleft-reparative-surgery-training-program-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15742/smile-train-organizes-cleft-reparative-surgery-training-program-.html Fri, 07 Feb 2020 16:50:00 +0530 An international charitable organization - Smile Train recently organized a live surgery demonstration at Sant Parmanand Hospital, New Delhi, where eminent plastic and maxillofacial surgeons from across India performed reparative surgeries on patients with cleft lip and palate. Surgeries to repair clefts are extremely sensitive and require the highest level of dexterity and technical expertise, as they are an important aspect of facial reconstruction. The objective was to upskill India’s young surgeons and post-graduate students to improve the quality and safety of surgical outcomes. Cleft repair surgeries not only help in alleviating difficulties in eating and breathing, they also improve speech quality and help individuals born with clefts overcome challenges like social stigma and isolation. The surgeons at the helm of this initiative focused on sharing best practices in reparative surgery. They also interacted with the young surgeons watching the webcast at Eros Hotel after performing the surgeries. This is one of the many initiatives taken by Smile Train India towards capacity building of the medical fraternity in India to ensure quality and safe surgical care to cleft affected individuals. The surgeons who lead this initiative included Dr. Larry Hollier - Chief of Plastic Surgery Service, Texas Children’s Hospital, USA; Dr. B. Krishnamurthy - Maxillofacial Surgeon, Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Hospital, Bangalore; Dr. Mukunda Reddy - Plastic Surgeon, Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, Hyderabad; Dr. P.V. Narayanan -  Consultant Reconstructive Surgeons at Jubilee Mission Medical College & Research Institute, Thrissur, Kerala’ Dr. S. C. Sood - Senior Consultant and Head of the Department of Plastic Surgery, Sant Parmanand Hospital, Delhi; Dr. Rajesh Powar - Professor & Head, Department of Plastic Surgery, K.L.E.S. Prabhakar Kore Hospital & Medical Research Centre, Belgaum & Dr. Karoon Agrawal - Plastic & Maxillofacial Surgeon, Safdarjung Hospital and VM Medical College, Delhi Smile Train empowers local medical professionals with training, funding, and resources to provide free cleft surgery and comprehensive cleft care to children globally.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15740/iit-m-aiims-mangalagiri-to-bring-affordable-healthcare-solutions.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15740/iit-m-aiims-mangalagiri-to-bring-affordable-healthcare-solutions.html Fri, 07 Feb 2020 12:55:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT M) is going to collaborate with AIIMS Mangalagiri (Andhra Pradesh) on affordable future technological solutions in various areas including Patient Safety and Quality Healthcare. The partnership between these institutions will also feature academic and research collaborations in areas of mutual interest, exchange of scholarly information, students and faculty besides sponsorship of joint seminars, workshops, health and wellness projects of high impact. Prof Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Director, IIT Madras, and Dr. T.S. Ravikumar, President, AIIMS Mangalagiri, signed the MoU recently and held discussions on the scope of collaboration as well as the deliverables. Speaking about this collaboration, Prof. M. Manivannan, Touch Lab, Biomedical Engineering Group, Department of Applied Mechanics, IIT Madras, who is leading the project from IIT Madras, said, “What India needs is affordable and high quality healthcare technologies, not high end technologies,  for making high impact, reaching out even the bottom of the pyramid. Both IIT Madras and AIIMS Mangalagiri have the same mission.” Highlighting the areas of collaboration, Dr. T.S. Ravikumar, President, AIIMS Mangalagiri, said, “The strengths that IIT Madras brings with depth in many technological fields such as Virtual Reality, Haptics, AI, Robotics, and health economics, among others, aligns well and is synergistic with AIIMS Mangalagiri goals (MTP) of creating happy communities through healthcare transformations.” Several other collaborations discussed include: Ø  Healthcare robotics, Ø  Predictive models using Artificial Intelligence/ Deep Learning, and Ø  Remote presence point-of-care solutions to improve hospital and community health outcomes.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15736/first-ever-international-seminar-on-predictive-homeopathy-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15736/first-ever-international-seminar-on-predictive-homeopathy-in-india.html Fri, 07 Feb 2020 06:10:00 +0530 In a first-of-its kind initiative, MD doctors from all across Europe are attended a seminar ‘Predictive Homeopathy- International Seminar 2020’, organized by renowned Indian Homeopath Dr. Prafull Vijayakar and his school in Mumbai. The 10-day event, scheduled for 27 th January-7 th Feb 2020, was held at Predictive Homeopathy’s Corporate Office in Khar West. This is the first ever international seminar on predictive homeopathy in India, where not only the new findings from the field were presented, but live cases of patients were taken on stage too. The event, graced by 30 European doctors, was inaugurated by Dr. Prafull Vijayakar & Dr. Ambrish Vijayakar. In course of the seminar, recent breakthroughs and research carried out by Dr. Prafull Vijayakar and his team were shared with the attendees, that focused on relevance of modern homeopathy treating a wide variety of diseases. One of the largest gathering of European homeopaths in India, this also happens to be the only platform, where live cases were attended and discussed. Talking about the initiative, Dr. Prafull Vijayakar said, “An age-old method of treatment, homeopathy has also evolved with time and there have been a lot of breakthroughs in the field. Predictive homeopathy in India has reached a height with its findings and research to treat a wide variety of diseases, that needs to be shared with the world as well as patients. This international seminar is an occasion to spread that knowledge in presence of the renowned European homeopaths.” Predictive Homeopathy by Dr. Prafull Vijayakar is the only school of homeopathy, that has received affiliation from ECPD UN. Besides, it’s also the only school of homeopathy, that assimilates Genetics and embryology. Conducting more than thousands of seminars across the world, the institute is now hosting this kind of an event for the first time in this country. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15735/giostar-launches-stem-cell-research-centre-in-chandigarh.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15735/giostar-launches-stem-cell-research-centre-in-chandigarh.html Thu, 06 Feb 2020 14:20:00 +0530 US based Global Institute of Stem Cell Therapy and Research (GIOSTAR), a provider of regenerative medicine has announced the inauguration of a new stem cell / cancer research and therapy center in Chandigarh, India. This facility represents the global expansion efforts spearheaded by GIOSTAR in India, Mexico, the United States, and numerous other countries. Deven Patel, Co-Founder and CEO, GIOSTAR said, “GIOSTAR Chandigarh occupies 4 stories and 12,000 square feet, with a sleek, modern design that reflects the cutting edge, elite science that GIOSTAR has been delivering for over two decades." Following the recent opening of a center in New Delhi, it is the most recent in a series of hospitals being launched throughout the country. Future plans for expansion include Kolkata and Bangalore. GIOSTAR Co-Founder and Chairman Dr. Anand Srivastava said, "GIOSTAR is proud of our tradition of excellence in research, and we are privileged to welcome such influential leaders in the field on this auspicious occasion." GIOSTAR has long played a central role in the evolution of regenerative medicine within India. This began with the 2011 launch of the world's first dedicated stem cell therapy hospital in Gujarat, resulting from a landmark partnership with Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi.  GIOSTAR is also collaborating with a few state governments of India.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15730/experts-seek-multi-pronged-approach-to-tackle-diseases-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15730/experts-seek-multi-pronged-approach-to-tackle-diseases-.html Thu, 06 Feb 2020 10:40:00 +0530 With India emerging as a major economic power, set to enjoy the demographic dividend in the long term, global healthcare leaders rang the alarm bells on the rising lifestyle-led non communicable diseases like diabetes, anemia, hypertension and obesity, which could impact the nation's productivity and output. They stressed on a multi-pronged approach to adopt a 'Act Today to Change Tomorrow' preventive strategy to tackle the issue on a war-footing. Addressing a joint Press Conference in Varanasi, the healthcare leaders said the issue needed a multi-stakeholder engagement involving the government, public and private healthcare sectors, NGOs, youths, innovators and specialists considering the vastness of the country and the population needed to be covered. "Today, Artificial Intelligence-led technology platforms are creating wonders in the field of healthcare services. A perfect blend of technology and initiatives by all the stakeholders concerned can help us in evolving an effective preventative healthcare strategy," they added. Emphasising on the urgency required to tackle the problem, renowned gynaecologist Dr. Hema Divakar, who is also the Vice-Chair of Pregnancy & Non-Communicable Diseases Committee (PNCDC), International Federation of Gynecology & Obstetrics (FIGO), pointed out that Diabetes has already reached 80 million in India and will increase by 74% in the next decade. "This is just the case with diabetes. If we take into consideration the number of people with obesity, hypertension and anemia, the numbers are humungous. As a developing nation, we need to factor in the productivity and output of the population for the coming decades. In parallel, these numbers will be a huge burden on the nation's finances, as our healthcare sector is not equipped to face the tsunami of non-communicable diseases," she added. According to her, all these need to be addressed at the womb level before the new generation discovers it at a later stage. "Today, diabetes and anemia can be detected at the womb level and preventive measures can be taken. Unfortunately, we don't have an ecosystem to support this approach. There is a disconnect between the maternal healthcare system and wellness centres. If we build effective and reliable systems and practices now, we will be able to see a healthy generation 30 years from now. Mere awareness is not sufficient, we need to move towards systematic and strategic implementation. Otherwise, we will continue to have new generations that are born with non-communicable diseases exposed at a later stage in life," Dr. Hema said. Dr. Moshe Hod, Chair - PNCDC, FIGO, noted that testing and screening of pregnant women for anemia and diabetes in government hospitals in developing countries had still not reached the mature stage, "That's' where AI and technology can play a crucial role - there are devices which can help pregnant women follow a disciplined lifestyle, help healthcare service providers monitor and follow-up such cases and caution when interventions are required. We also need to build a robust system in hospitals where the service providers can perform crucial tests instead of specialists."   Dr. Liona C Y Poon, Member - PNCDC, FIGO, was of the view that engagement of stakeholders concerned was critical for the success of ushering in a healthy generation for the future. "At Hong Kong, we have successfully implemented this model and we are seeing improvement in results. India too must have effective systems in place to ensure that all pregnant women are effectively screened and treated for these NCDs, which will manifold at a later stage," she added. Sharing similar views, Dr. Rajesh Jain, Collaborator, World Diabetes Foundation Initiative, said that various agencies of the Centre and the States are being sensistised on the need for connecting and collaborating. "The multi-stakeholder engagement must complement the Fit India Movement. We are not in a position to manage the ratio between specialists and the patients. The way forward is to evolve an effective preventive FIGO has already launched a pilot project in India to strengthen capacity building of the healthcare service providers in public and private hospitals to ensure better screening of pregnant women for diabetes and anemia. The training includes streamlining testing and reporting process, instituting proper management, follow-up and counselling," he added. "We have trained more than 1,200 doctors and 844 staff nurses in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka in the last 18 months. We intend to extend this to five other states," said Dr. Hema Divakar, who has been pioneering the training programme. Bengaluru-based ARTIST (Asian Research & Training Institute for Skill Transfer) has been involved in the training programme by evolving need-based modules that covers crucial aspects of maternal healthcare and non-communicable diseases at the womb level. "It is a blend of connect and collaborate initiatives and we are seeing improvement in the percentage of pregnant women being tested and screened. This training programme will have a cascading effect with the next level of staff being trained by those already trained," added. Dr. Hema. In an effort to expand the scope and reach of the training programme, the FIGO delegation is meeting Dr. Dinesh Baswal, Deputy Commissioner, Maternal Health, Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. PNCDC-FIGO is hopeful that this programme is extended to all parts of the country and can contribute to reducing the disease burden in the long run. FIGO is open to launching many such initiatives to foster a healthy generation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15726/study-examines-quality-of-life-in-patients-with-kidney-disease-in-india-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15726/study-examines-quality-of-life-in-patients-with-kidney-disease-in-india-.html Wed, 05 Feb 2020 16:30:00 +0530 A new study indicates that even early stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) can negatively impact individuals’ quality of life. The findings, which appear in an upcoming issue of CJASN, point to the importance of addressing, in addition to the medical aspects of chronic diseases, other factors that are important to patients.   A common perception of CKD is that patients are generally well until they require dialysis or a kidney transplant, but even patients with early stages of the disease may struggle with medical issues and declining quality of life. To provide a more accurate assessment of the quality of life in adults in India with mild-to-moderate CKD, a team led by Vivekanand Jha, MD (George Institute for Global Health) and Gopesh Modi, MD (Samarpan Kidney Institute and Research Center) examined data from the Indian Chronic Kidney Disease Study. “There is almost no information on quality of life measurements in patients with CKD from low-middle income countries including India, which is home to about one-sixth of the world population and has over a million people with CKD. The Indian Chronic Kidney Disease Study is the only large, multicentric prospective cohort of patients with CKD representing all parts of India. The primary objective of the study is to examine the natural history of CKD and the association of sociodemographic, clinical, laboratory, and biological variables with clinical outcomes, including those important to patients”, said Dr. Jha In the study, all patients had their quality of life assessed at baseline and annually. This included assessments of mental health, physical health, burden of kidney disease, symptoms and problems of kidney disease, and effects of kidney disease. “We found that between 15 and 22 out of every 100 Indian patients with mild-to-moderate CKD had significant impairment in at least 1 of the 5 domains of quality of life,” Dr. Jha said. “The findings point to the need to prioritize interventions targeted to these populations. Better understanding of the nature of these associations, and how they evolve over time—which will be ascertained in the follow-up phase of the study—will allow development of tailored interventions.” After adjusting for confounding factors, lower quality of life scores were associated with lower income, poor education, and female gender.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15717/govt-to-curb-cancer-from-roots-on-priority-ak-choubey.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15717/govt-to-curb-cancer-from-roots-on-priority-ak-choubey.html Wed, 05 Feb 2020 10:00:00 +0530 Cancer Summit 2020, an initiative of Integrated Health and Wellness Council was organized in Delhi on the World Cancer Day. The summit was powered by Biocon Biologics, a partner to Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), and Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF). Dr. Christiane Hamacher, CEO, Biocon Biologics; Dr. Anil D'Cruz, President-Elect, Union International for Cancer Control & Director, Oncology, Apollo Hospitals, and Dr. Bhawana Sirohi, Director - Medical Oncology, Max Institute of Cancer Care were present at the event along with Kamal Narayan, CEO, Integrated Health & Wellbeing (IHW) Council. In a major gathering of health professionals, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Ashwini Kumar Choubey has announced that the Narendra Modi-led government has taken up the mission of curbing the dreaded disease from the roots on priority. He also stated that the government has also introduced many schemes and policies for the cancer patients as it has been observed that 50 percent of deaths happen due to the lack of treatment. “I am very happy and thankful to the IHW Council that they have taken up the initiative to make people aware about the disease that can take life if not checked on time. The government-funded schemes for cancer patients include Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare gives financial assistance as one-time grant up to INR 1, 00,000 for BPL patients for treatment at super specialty hospitals/Institutes or other Government hospitals. Another scheme under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is State Illness Assistance Fund (SIAF) in which, BPL patients get treatment for cancer or other life-threatening illnesses if they undergo treatment at the government hospitals for costs upto INR 1,50,000. We also need to establish cancer tissue banks to make treatment accessible to more people,” says Ashwini Kumar Choubey. Hailing the government’s move to set up Jan Aushadhi stores and regulate drug prices through National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), Dr. P D Vaghela, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, said it has made cancer drugs affordable to a large section of the affected people and may play an important role in addressing the cancer treatment needs of the Indian middle-class. He added, “Health expenditure in India is INR 2500 per capita, 50 per cent of which is spent for medicine. Health expenditure is one of the biggest causes of pushing families below poverty line and the middle-class is particularly vulnerable. Therefore, we need to encourage the use of generic drugs. The Jan Aushadhi stores supplies 6000 types of generic drugs, including 38 types of anti-cancer drugs and at a price that is 50 to 80 per cent less than the market rate. However, it is only multispeciality hospitals were cancer treatment are carried out. We request such hospitals to open Jan Aushadhi stores at their facilities and urge the practitioners to prescribe generic drugs so that the middle class does not suffer due to cancer treatment expenditure. Generic medicines are as good as branded medicines; in fact, the sample success of generic medicines is higher than the branded ones.” Dispelling the idea that NPPA is a price control mechanism, Dr Vaghela said, “We do not want to control the price but we need to regulate profiteering. Through trade margin rationalisation approach, we have made 42 cancer drugs more affordable to patients – cancer drugs that were earlier sold for INR 10,000 and INR 25,400 are now available for INR 892 and INR 2,510, respectively. It has benefitted 1000 crore cancer patients in India.” “We want to fight the emperor of all maladies as we can today detect far more cases than before. Also people these days are aware of the cancer-causing physical and environmental factors they need to be cognizant of. I am a cancer survivor myself as I was diagnosed with the disease 8 years ago and was fortunate to have the support of loved ones as well as good health care. The disproportionate strain on family savings when cancer strikes and the dread of cost management is real as although we have many toolkits to diagnose cancer, we are yet to make a significant advance. Women are more prone to cancer as the camps to diagnose breast and cervical cancer are just not available. However, we cannot defeat it alone as we need strong alliance and we can see that Biocon's commitment for affordable cancer care resonates with WHO and Government of India. Every opportunity to look for precancerous lesions should not be missed if you are going for a regular check-up or the gynaecologist’s office as only the can we truly beat it,” says Dr. Christiane Hamacher According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one-third of deaths from cancer occur due to 5 leading behavioural and dietary risks. These are high body mass index (BMI), low fruit and vegetable intake, lack of physical activity, tobacco use, and alcohol use. “Cancer is a huge concern and a timely one as over 1300 people die of cancer every year. This causes massive distress on the economy as people who are still in their working years are unable to contribute positively. Today, most cancer deaths are not only caused by tobacco consumption and HPV but are a result of poor environmental and dietary choices. The government has helped people with cancer with Ayushman Bharat and other initiatives. In the recently concluded budget, the FM announced the initiative for TB free India with ‘TB Harega Desh Jeetega’ message and I hope in the next budget, we have made enough progress to say ‘Cancer Harega Desh Jeetega’,” says Kamal Narayan The five most frequent cancers in men and women in India are that of breast, cervix, oral cavity, lung and colorectal; together, they cause maximum number of deaths after cardiovascular diseases and are largely preventable. Other sessions at the event included panel discussions on government's perspective on addressing cancer, upgrading the healthcare ecosystem for early diagnosis and initiation of clinical care, accessing state of the art therapeutics at affordable prices, and leadership for an effective cancer response.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15715/medlife-launches-campaign-to-eliminate-stigma-around-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15715/medlife-launches-campaign-to-eliminate-stigma-around-cancer.html Wed, 05 Feb 2020 06:35:00 +0530 Medlife has announced a campaign called #ICanWeCan marking World Cancer Day. As a part of this, a web conference was held with three eminent oncologists as a step towards addressing the stigma surrounding the ailment. In line with this year's theme - 'I Can. I Will', a cancer survivor, who battled the disease and overcame social taboos, also shared her experience to inspire many others with the condition. They are exclusively launching Esperer Onco Nutrition online. It is a comprehensive nutrition solution for cancer therapy, complying with ICMR guidelines and RDA for Indian population. EON helps to rebuild the lost tissues, reduces oxidative stress, improves gut health, reduce inflammation and improve innate immunity of the patient. India’s cancer incidence is estimated at 1.15 million new patients in 2018 and is predicted to almost double as a result of demographic changes alone by 2040. There is a need to create awareness around the condition, the risk factors and how it can be prevented and managed. Medlife’s campaign aimed at this and clearing the air around the myths associated with the condition. Speaking about this, Dr Prashant Dash, Director Medical Services, Medlife, said, “Although there have been several advances in medical technologies, cancer is still considered as a death sentence by many. The structural barriers to care add to the negative psychosocial perceptions and many people only come for treatment when the condition has advanced. Prevention is key to avoiding cancer and awareness is imperative to dispel myths.” Adding further, Dr Baswantrao Malipatil, Columbia Asia Hospital, Bengaluru; Dr Shashidhar Karpumath, Vydehi Cancer Centre; and Dr Suraj Manjunath, Vikram Hospital, said, “There has been a tremendous increase in the incidence of non-communicable diseases in India, particularly cancer. What exacerbates this situation more is the social stigma and negative perceptions around the condition. This initiative by Medlife aims to raise this pertinent issue and dispel some of the common notions that people associate with cancer.” Medlife is also running a campaign on different social media platforms. The videos bring to the consumer information about Ayurvedic herbs that have anti-cancer properties. They also talk about a diet that can prevent cancer and demystify common cancer-related myths. Medlife continually conducts such campaigns to raise awareness among the masses. It was during the election campaigns that the company began what was called #HealthForTheNation. As part of the campaign, people who voted and shared it with the campaign hashtag received a 25% OFF on their next medicine order on the Medlife.com portal.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15719/manipal-hospitals-pledge-for-cancer-free-future.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15719/manipal-hospitals-pledge-for-cancer-free-future.html Tue, 04 Feb 2020 17:40:00 +0530 Manipal Hospitals, foremost multi-specialty healthcare provider committed to clinical excellence and patient care pledged for cancer free society on 'World Cancer Day.' Ms. Ganavi Laxman, Kannada Actress graced the occasion to lend her support for this initiative. Team of doctors lead by Dr. Sudarshan Ballal, Chairman Manipal Hospitals, Dr. Somashekhar S.P, MBBS, MS, MCh (Onco), FRCS. Edinburgh, Chairman & HOD Surgical Oncology-MHEPL, Consultant Surgical & Gynec. Onco & Robotic Surgeon, HIPEC Super Specialist, Manipal Comprehensive Cancer Center emphasized the need to raise awareness on cancer and early screening to detect and defeat cancer. Cancer is a disease caused primarily due to environmental and genetic factors. It can affect almost any part of the body. According to National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR), an estimated number of around 2.25 million people are living with cancer. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. H. Sudarshan Ballal, Chairman Manipal Hospitals said, " The alarming statistics of cancer is the cause of great concern globally. Lack of awareness, delayed diagnosis and often denial and ignorance are the primary culprits. Management of cancer is the key and this can be achieved through world-class treatment. Fortunately, at Manipal Hospitals, we invest in the latest technology in terms of treatment and create opportunities to make them accessible to public thereby reducing the burden of transportation. In fact, we have been supporting the cause of cancer awareness for years now with various initiatives. Therefore, curing cancer through Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) and Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC) is providing a ray of hope to people battling cancer. We have the expertise to handle the most challenging and complex cases thus facilitating better patient outcomes and even curbing reoccurrences of Cancer."  Sharing her thoughts on the occasion, Ms. Ganavi Laxman , Kannada Actress said, "Cancer is indeed deadly and very traumatizing. However, we can overcome it by adopting a positive attitude and healthy lifestyle. It is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid consumption of tobacco and alcohol. However, there is a need for creating awareness on cancer, early detection and working towards preventing the disease. I am glad to be a part of this initiative by Manipal Hospitals where I can encourage people and contribute towards the cause to some extent." Elaborating on Immunotherapy and HIPEC & PIPEC, Dr. Somashekhar S.P, MBBS, MS, MCh (Onco), FRCS. Edinburgh, Chairman & HOD Surgical Oncology-MHEPL, Consultant, Surgical & Gynec, Onco & Surgeon, HIPEC Super Specialist, Manipal Comprehensive Cancer Center said, "Significant proportion of cancers can be cured by surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy and immunotherapy, especially if they are detected early. However, with advancements in cancer treatments like Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) and Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC), the burden of cancer care has reduced. In fact, Manipal Comprehensive Cancer Center at Manipal Hospital is the referral Center for HIPEC and PIPAC across South East Asia and India for advanced ovarian cancer and GI peritoneal cancers and highest number of HIPEC and PIPAC in entire Asia are done here. Both the techniques have great advantages like reducing chemotherapy side effects, improving chemotherapy absorption and susceptibility of cancer cells and so on." He further added, "Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) refers to the aggressive surgery that entails removal of all visible tumors present throughout the peritoneal surfaces. It lasts for 6 to 8 hours and involves number of complicated surgical procedures that can be accomplished only by skilled surgeons in every attempt to remove all visible tumour in the peritoneal cavity. Hyperthermic Intraoperative Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) refers to the intraoperative administration of heated chemotherapy fluid into the peritoneal cavity immediately after CRS is completed. Pressurized Intra Peritoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC) is the newest method of giving chemotherapy to patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15716/experts-introduce-tech-based-solution-to-beat-tobacco-addiction.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15716/experts-introduce-tech-based-solution-to-beat-tobacco-addiction.html Tue, 04 Feb 2020 17:00:00 +0530 While tobacco use has fallen significantly in countries like the United States over the last decades, tobacco dependency persists in India at alarming levels. According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (2016-17), nearly 30% of all Indian adults use tobacco - Cigarettes, beedis, and pipe tobacco, along with smokeless tobacco like snuff, snus, and dissolvable tobacco products are widely prevalent. This addiction persists despite a majority of Indians’ being fully aware that tobacco use is harmful. Half of all smoking and smokeless tobacco users are planning to quit tobacco - but few are equipped with the tools to do so successfully. It’s a dire predicament, with the resulting diseases such as lung, oral and esophageal cancers claiming the lives of lakhs of Indians.  To address this challenge, Mumbai-based ACI Cumballa Hill Hospital and Asian Cancer Foundation has joined hands with health tech startup Hopscotch Health to design a structured program called ‘Tobacco Minus’, for tobacco users for over a period of 6 months. The tailor-made program consists of monitoring via a smartphone app, consultations, and counseling sessions. Padmashri Awardee Dr. Ramakant Deshpande, Onco Surgeon & Chairman of Asian Cancer Institute, highlighted, “According to the World Health Organization, (WHO), tobacco kills more than 8 million people each year. Over 7 million deaths are a result of direct consumption, whereas 1.2million is the result of passive smoking. It is the need of the hour to help people overcome tobacco addiction via cessation programs.  Tobacco dependency invites a plethora of health problems such as lung and oral cancer, tooth and gum diseases, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD, asthma, heart disease, oral infections, bronchitis, and even gastrointestinal issues.” He added, “The ‘Tobacco Minus’ program will make it easy for doctors and counselors to keep track of the health of the patients. Stopping nicotine usage can cause withdrawal symptoms and that also can be managed through this program.”  Varun Deshpande, Director at Hopscotch Health said, “The ‘Tobacco Minus’ program is a 6-week quit plan, that will guide a tobacco user towards quitting tobacco through in-person consultations with psycho-oncologist and a smartphone app that monitors the user's craving and moods. The app can perform daily check-ins; provide daily inspiration or information on coping strategies, and request information from the user to personalize their experience further. The user can notify the app if they’re feeling a craving, in order to receive a mitigation strategy based on established coping strategies.”  “The app has been designed using insights from the forefront of behavior change and technology development. It is a testament to the power of technology to help people lead healthy lives, more effortlessly. We’re proud to partner with ACI Cumballa Hill Hospital to reduce the burden of tobacco-related deaths, and improve the quality of life of the patients,” concluded Varun. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15714/max-hospital-hosts-workshop-in-collaboration-with-boston-scientific.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15714/max-hospital-hosts-workshop-in-collaboration-with-boston-scientific.html Tue, 04 Feb 2020 14:15:00 +0530 Boston Scientific, a global medical device company, with its continued commitment towards advance therapy adoption in interventional cardiology for treating Complex and High-Risk Coronary Intervention (CHIP) patients, has collaborated with a leading interventional Cardiologist Dr. Masahisa Yamane, Director of Cardiovascular Division, Sekishinkai Saitama Hospital, Saitama to proctor a set of coronary intervention workshops in India. Keeping in line with the mission to transform patient lives, Boston Scientific is regularly striving to adopt newer and advanced treatment mechanisms that improve the health of patients around the world. In one such endeavor, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Shalimar Bagh hosted a workshop today in collaboration with Boston Scientific and Dr. Masahisa Yamane from Japan, focusing on providing a knowledge sharing platform for Interventional Cardiologists to discuss and develop expertise in adoption of latest technologies for complex and high - risk angioplasties. The workshop will also spread across India including Delhi, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Patna between February 3, 2020 and February 7, 2020. Eminent cardiologists of the Max Super Speciality Hospital, Shalimar Bagh hospital participated in the workshop that witnessed complex high-risk angioplasties, using advanced technologies like Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) and Rotational Atherectomy, that are now providing the physician with critical information about the diseased area and aiding in selection of optimal treatment methods for treating artery blockages and coronary complexities. Usage of such advanced technologies may provide better outcomes in the long term for patients, thereby improving the quality of life. Dr. Naveen Bhamri, Director and Head of Department, Cardiology- Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh said,’’ We are extremely happy to collaborate with Boston Scientific and the international faculty for this workshop. The cardiology scenario is witnessing a paradigm shift in treatment mechanisms and technologies. Cases related to chronic total occlusion of coronary arteries, and calcification of the blood vessels is on the rise and so ongoing innovation in medical technology may enables physicians to provide better treatment and improve quality of life for patients with cardiovascular diseases.” Technology is paving the way for improved medical treatment to help people suffering from cardiovascular diseases (CVD). According to WHO, an estimated 17.9 million people died from CVD in 2016, representing 31 percent of all global deaths. Out of the 17 million premature deaths, under the age of 70, 37 percent were caused by CVDs *. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15711/india-witnesses-94-increase-in-appointments-with-oncologists.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15711/india-witnesses-94-increase-in-appointments-with-oncologists.html Tue, 04 Feb 2020 10:00:00 +0530 Cancer cases in India have doubled in recent years. According to reports, India’s cancer incidence was estimated at 1.15 million new patients in 2018 and is predicted to almost double  by 2040. Karnataka is in the top five states in India, when it comes to reporting new cancer cases every year. For every one lakh men and women, there are 113.4 and 139.1 cancer cases diagnosed respectively. This average is greater than that of New Delhi and Mumbai. Practo insights corroborate this fact where the increase in the number of online consultations and appointment bookings with Oncologists in Bangalore is almost double that of Delhi NCR and Mumbai. The appointment bookings for Oncologists in Bangalore grew by 44% in the last year while Mumbai and Delhi NCR saw an increase of 23% and 19% respectively. Additionally, there has been a 95% increase in the number of people searching about cancer on Practo as compared to last year. Our insights indicate that there’s an increased awareness among people regarding cancer and the need for timely medical assistance from a qualified specialist.   Oral cancer emerged as one of the most discussed cancer-related topics last year, according to the latest Practo Insights report. Oral cancer is a major public health problem in India where it ranks among the top three types of cancers in the country. It accounts for over 30% of all cancers reported in the country. India has one third of oral cancer cases in the world. The types of queries that came in with respect to oral cancer were on smoking and tobacco chewing.  Practo Insights: Practo receives an average of 25000 cancer related queries every month Online consultations with Oncologists witnessed a 44% increase 70% of these requests came from men Majority of the queries  came from people aged between 21-40 In-clinic appointments for oncologists grew by 108% The most discussed topics on cancer are breast cancer, oral cancer, prostate cancer and blood cancer Bangalore, Mumbai, Lucknow, Indore, Chennai and Kolkata are the cities where search for Oral cancer is higher than the others The type of queries that came in for oral cancer were ‘Can smoking cause oral cancer’, ‘Can ulcers in the mouth cause oral cancer’, ‘early signs and symptoms of oral cancer’, and ‘Does tobacco chewing cause oral cancer’ The top cities W.R.T online queries and in-clinic consultations are Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai (in that order) In Bangalore, oral cancer was the most-searched cancer related topics while breast cancer, Oesophageal cancer, lung cancer and blood cancer topped the search results for cancer queries in Bangalore, Hyderabad, New Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai respectively   Dr Alexander Kuruvilla, Chief Healthcare Strategy Officer, Practo, said, "Digital is helping healthcare get to grips with patients' evolving expectations and experience. It empowers patients to be in control of their health and caregivers to deliver better quality care. Reports indicate that India is likely to register over 17 lakh new cancer cases and eight lakh deaths by 2020. It's important to tap into technology, esp. for early detection and access to high quality care, that are critical in oncology care. With Digital, there's more awareness and access to qualified specialists and facility to consult remotely, which serves as a lifeline, particularly to patients in rural and underserved areas. As the country's leading digital healthcare platform, we are committed to bringing digital healthcare's convenience to a billion Indians." Dr Sandeep Nayak, Director, Department of  Surgical Oncology, Fortis Cancer Institute, Bangalore, said, “It is true that the incidence of cancer is increasing. The increase is due to multiple factors. One of the important reasons is the increase in our aging population as life expectancy has increased. Today people have better awareness of cancer, so they get diagnosed earlier. People are seeking online opinions as well as look for information online for the same from platforms like Practo for reliable content. This has resulted in tremendous demand for online information. It is the responsibility of the medical fraternity to provide the right content online to help people. We need to strongly believe in the World Health Organisation theme of cancer day that is 'I Can, We Can', which indicates that every small contribution that we all make towards cancer awareness is valuable. “ Dr Dhruv Kacker, Cofounder, Aaroogya (MDS, Prosthodontist) - We, at Aaroogya are solving the problem of late detection of Cancer of Breast, Oral and Cervical of women by prevention and early detection. And, the most important element of prevention is self awareness which is reaching a vast audience and making them understand the need for proper medical examinations. Our outreach is multiplied by partnering with digital healthcare platforms like Practo which acts two ways - Digital mode to create awareness, and give proper medical solutions with relevant doctors by analysing the trends of Cancers across geography and timeline. We have reached around 51000 women across India and we believe that platforms like Practo will have the ability to help us extend our reach multifold in the coming years.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15703/naidu-calls-for-waging-war-against-ncds.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15703/naidu-calls-for-waging-war-against-ncds.html Mon, 03 Feb 2020 11:05:00 +0530 The Vice President of India, M Venkaiah Naidu called for waging a war against the growing incidence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and urged the younger generation to shun sedentary lifestyle and undertake regular physical exercise to stay healthy. Addressing the gathering after participating in the Yoga Camp organized by the Patanjali Yogpeeth of Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev in Hubbali, he emphasized the need to transform movements such as the Fit India and yoga into people’s movements and make India a healthy and happy nation. With about 60 per cent of India’s population below the age of 35 years, Naidu said that India was poised to realize a huge demographic dividend. “However, the need of the hour is for the youth to be healthy in a holistic manner”, he added. “Yoga is the cheapest medicine for your health”, he told the youth. Pointing out that the economic burden of non-communicable diseases in terms of lost productivity and expenses for treatment, among others, in India has been projected to amount to 6.2 trillion dollars during the period of 2012-2030, he said that Yoga practice would have a beneficial effect on people, especially at a time when sharp rise in lifestyle diseases is being witnessed. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15686/doctors-pledge-to-eliminate-leprosy-by-2025.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15686/doctors-pledge-to-eliminate-leprosy-by-2025.html Mon, 03 Feb 2020 11:00:00 +0530 On World Leprosy Day, IADVL (Indian Association of Dermatologists Venereologists & Leprologists), the country’s premier institute of Dermatologists announced the inauguration of its 48th Annual National Conference DERMACON 2020 in Pune. The 4-day conference from 30th January 2020 to 2nd February 2020, witnessed doctors and the medical fraternity addressing Derma led grave diseases like Leprosy, Vitiligo and abuse of steroid-based medicines. In the year 2005 India leprosy was eliminated from India and today shockingly due to the resurgence of disease we are home to 66 per cent of cases global. In other words, two out of every three new global leprosy cases are detected in India. IADVL which is the second-largest dermatologist association, on World Leprosy Day took a pledge to spread awareness and work towards the eradication of Leprosy in India. DERMACON is one of IADVL’s initiative which is an annual event to educate and communicate the people about the disease. DERMACON also addressed the lack of awareness and abuse of steroid-based ointments, medicines which are being purchased over the counter from medical or general stores. In recent years India has reached a pandemic where such skin diseases have become steroid-resistant and more and more cases are being reported. This year’s conference was attended by globally renowned doctors (31 International Faculty and 400 + Indian faculty), where they shared their expertise and knowledge.  In 2005 WHO had declared that India is fully eradicated of leprosy, but shockingly with 66% of the cases prevailing in India, sadly our country is the capital of Leprosy. With the aim to eliminate the disease, IADVL is working towards many initiatives and one of the key focus is on educating society. During the discussions at the event, it was revealed that in Maharashtra itself there are Sixteen thousand new cases reported every year out of which 4500 cases are from Nagpur itself.  The active districts where leprosy is widespread are Thane, Raigad, Vidharbh and Palghar, there are cases reported because of the tribal belt. The resurgence was reported first in UP in 2012 with 20000 new cases followed by Bihar with 18000 new cases every year. During the inauguration of DERMACON 2020, Dr. P Narasimha Rao, IADVL President said “It is time we face the harsh reality that Leprosy is coming back, and it can be tackled only by collaborative efforts. To make India truly Leprosy Free – we all need to have a correct understanding of leprosy and compassion toward those with the disease. It is only then that Leprosy patients will seek treatment and will be able to live with respect in the society. Leprosy is not a disease of the past, it is still an ongoing issue therefore, on World Leprosy Day 30th January 2020, we at IADVL pledge to work towards Mission Leprosy Free India”. Dr. Kiran Godse, President-Elect (IADVL) reiterated the fact that “There is a lot of stigma and isolation which is associated with leprosy which is very harsh for the patients and their families have to endure it. Patients are abandoned not just by the society but their families as well and in India it’s very sad to see that even the law doesn’t show any compassion towards them. Today, through the efforts of research and science, leprosy is a curable disease if detected early and for that the drugs are also distributed free of charge. Fearful of being diagnosed, people often do not go to a clinics or hospital because of the stigma related to the disease. This therefore is one of the biggest obstacles to early diagnosis and treatment thereafter.” “Despite the fact that early diagnosis is 100% curable and prevents further deformity and spread of the disease, the fact that leprosy can be treated with drugs, just like other diseases.  The people who are suffering, continue to face discrimination to the extent that they are separated from their families; children are unable to attend school; a few lose their jobs; and a few who have missed out on the chance of getting married.  Even after their recovery they are still termed as ‘ex-leprosy patients’ and are looked down upon, said Dr. Anil Patki, Leprosy Specialist Pune” "Though leprosy is claimed to be eliminated, the continued occurrence of new cases and static new case detection rate in the country for the last fifteen years post elimination (2005) is a matter of great concern. There is a need for strengthening referral systems, identifying the magnitude of clinical problems like reactions, nerve damage and deformity and their early management specially after stopping treatment in order to contain the morbidity associated with the disease in the community. Evaluation of chemoprophylaxis as a strategy is important and so also monitoring and surveillance of drug resistance at national level, said Dr Vivek Vasudev Pai, Director, Bombay Leprosy Project”. Dr. Narendra G Patwardhan, Organizing Chairman (DERMACON 2020) addressed the abuse of steroid-based medicines and said “Corticosteroids, also known as steroids, are anti-inflammatory medicines used for a range of conditions. These are present in some creams used as fairness creams, combination drugs, antifungal, anti-bacterial combination, these irrational combinations are prescribed by family physicians, pharmacists without understanding the dangerous impact of steroid use.” Dr. Dhanashree Bhide, Scientific Chairman (DERMACON 2020) further added that “The widespread misuse of skin creams and lotions that contain steroids in India is harmful and out of control. Indian doctors are witnessing a pandemic of adverse effects induced by topical corticosteroids. These steroid creams and lotions can lead to substantial and permanent damage, especially on thin skin, such as on the face and groin. Side effects include pigmentation and breakdown of the skin, small and widened blood vessels on the skin, as well as bacterial and fungal infections. Misuse can also lead to resistance of infections that can make these difficult to diagnose and treat”. Dr. Pradyumna Vaidya, Organizing Secretary (DERMACON 2020) spoke about developed countries where topical corticosteroids are available strictly by prescription and sale thru any other medium is restricted. These should be used judiciously, for appropriate indications and duration and only if prescribed by qualified Dermatologists.  He further added “Citizens, as well as doctors of all specialities, need to be informed and educated about safe use of topical corticosteroids. The government needs to implement a strict policy for its dispensing, approvals and prescription given by respective authorities.  Even qualified medical practitioners in India are ignorant about rational prescribing, therefore, we at IADVL appeal to the government to ban these "irrational combinations".   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15694/boston-scientific-to-hold-workshops-in-interventional-cardiology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15694/boston-scientific-to-hold-workshops-in-interventional-cardiology.html Fri, 31 Jan 2020 12:50:00 +0530 Boston Scientific has collaborated with international interventional cardiologist, Dr. Masahisa Yamane, Director of Cardiovascular Division, Sekishinkai Saitama Hospital, Saitama, Japan to proctor workshops in five cities India including Delhi, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Patna between February 3, 2020 and February 7, 2020. Dr. Yamane will be working collaboratively with leading Indian physicians for effective usage of latest innovative technologies for optimal treatment of extremely complex and high-risk angioplasties to ensure better patient outcomes. Boston Scientific has therapies available in India which enable medical imaging using ultrasound waves to view inside the target blood vessels in the heart. This can provide the physician with critical information about the diseased area and may aid in selection of optimal treatment plan and stent implantation. A global clinical study reported that solely based on such imaging evaluation of blood vessels in the heart, Intervention Cardiologists changed their angioplasty strategy in 74% of patients.  Drug Eluting Stents which have extensive clinical evidence in human populations across geographies and globally acknowledged accreditations with optimum drug eluting regimen of 3- 4 months may also provide better outcomes in Highly Complex Angioplasties in the long term for the patients, thereby improving the quality of life. Manoj Madhavan, Managing Director, Boston Scientific said, “We at Boston Scientific are dedicated to transforming lives through innovative medical solutions that improve the health of patients around the world. Collaborative workshops like these conducted on latest technological advancements in the Interventional Cardiological space would enable a platform for our doctors in India to discuss how technology has aided the journey of CVD treatments, with next generation stents and therapies like Intravascular Ultrasound and Rotational Atherectomy as frontrunners that may aid in treatment of artery blockages and other coronary complexities.” As per data by WHO, the global burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) is expected to increase to 57% by 2020. And almost half of NCDs related mortalities can be attributed to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). At the domestic front, India tops the global burden (235) of CVDs at 272 per 100,000 people. This epidemiological transition in the disease profile is largely driven by the presence of comorbidities like obesity, high cholesterol, hypertension, and sleep apnea. The result is that there has been a surge in CVD related mortalities from 155.7 (1990) to 209.1 (2016) deaths per 100,000 people. Within the divisions of CVD, Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is emerging as an alarming public health issue leading to a steep increase in heart diseases among Indians below the age of 45 years.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15683/qualcomm-wireless-reach-collaborates-with-opasha-for-tb-treatment-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15683/qualcomm-wireless-reach-collaborates-with-opasha-for-tb-treatment-.html Fri, 31 Jan 2020 10:00:00 +0530 India bears more than 27 percent of the global burden of TB, with 2.7 million cases and 449,000 deaths annually. The TB treatment regimen prescribed by the World Health Organization is painful and lengthy, and getting patients to adhere to this 6 to 8-month long treatment regimen is a challenge. Early diagnosis and completion of the full treatment regimen is the cornerstone of an effective TB prevention and control strategy. Qualcomm Wireless Reach and Operation ASHA (OpASHA) has announced the results of their collaboration on the development of a mobile-enabled e-Counselling application to help Community Health Workers (CHWs) in India improve tuberculosis (TB) treatment outcomes. The e-Counselling app is provided to CHWs on a Qualcomm SnapdragonTM powered tablet. CHWs use this technology to educate themselves about TB and provide more effective counseling to patients. The e-counseling mobile app features high-value informational videos about TB. Each video addresses a different topic, such as critical aspects of the disease and treatment, treatment myths, and strategies for getting patients to adhere to their full course of treatment.   The e-counseling app has enhanced the effectiveness of CHWs in the TB counseling process because it has increased awareness and understanding of TB and its treatment regimen among patients and their families leading to adherence of the patients to the TB treatment regimen. Further, the e-counseling app helps in removing the stigma and myths associated with the disease.   Until now, more than 10,000 patients in six states of India have been counseled using the videos. Based on this program’s success, OpASHA has expanded the use of its e-Counselling videos to Cambodia, Zambia, and Afghanistan.   Qualcomm Wireless Reach and Operation ASHA have also collaborated on developing video conferencing solutions for training CHWs in their city instead of bringing them to Delhi for classroom training. 99 CHWs based in 11 districts of India have collectively received more than 900 days of training via video conferencing on 4G LTE networks. The remote training has reduced OpASHA’s training costs by more than 60 percent. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15688/indias-ntd-partners-organise-awareness-workshop.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15688/indias-ntd-partners-organise-awareness-workshop.html Fri, 31 Jan 2020 06:20:00 +0530 On January 30, the world observed the first-ever World NTD Day. The date is also recognized as Anti-Leprosy Day in India in memory of Mahatma Gandhi’s Martyrdom Day. In line with the commitment to highlight the burden of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and raise public discourse on the issue, NTD partners in India - Global Health Strategies (GHS), The Leprosy Mission Trust India (TLMTI) and National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) organised an awareness workshop at the Constitution Club, New Delhi designed around ‘Future Forward 2020: Building A Momentum for Inclusion And Elimination’.  All partners committed to adopt an integrated approach to support each other and galvanize visibility on the issue. At the workshop, Dr Neeraj Dhingra, Director, NVBDCP and DDG (Leprosy), re-iterated India’s focus and commitment towards accelerating the pace of eliminating NTDs in the country to protect the most vulnerable communities. He further added that with increasing understanding against all these diseases and improvements in technology, healthcare systems over the past few years, India will continue to focus on integrating efforts to address NTDs. India will always be vigilant and strengthen its surveillance to ensure that progress made so far is maintained and that the community at large is aware of the importance of adopting preventive services provided by the Government. Dr. Dhruv Pandey, National Professional Officer, Visceral Leishmaniasis, World Health Organization (WHO) shared insights on World Health Organization’s new NTD road map which will guide endemic countries like India to progress from 2020 until 2030 to end the epidemic of NTDs. In the ensuing panel discussion, partners and representatives from Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, and NCPEDP touched upon the role of legislation and strategic litigation in advancing equality to the need for unifying efforts and reaching the last mile to protect the rights of the most vulnerable.   Dr. Mary Verghese, Executive Director of TLMTI said, “In my work with people affected by leprosy, I meet numerous people every day, who by sheer grit and courage have overcome the challenges of leprosy and live dignified lives in their communities. Their stories reiterate the fact that leprosy is not a limiting factor for realising dreams.” January 30 was a critical landmark as it was on this day that the London Declaration on Neglected Tropical Diseases, a collaborative disease eradication programme was launched in London. India’s NTD partners are committed to leverage this opportunity to shine a light on NTDs as an urgent public health issue in the country and call on all stakeholders to address persistent challenges associated with NTD elimination programmes in the country.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15695/healthcare-experts-launch-proactive-health360-a-next-gen-health-tech-platform.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15695/healthcare-experts-launch-proactive-health360-a-next-gen-health-tech-platform.html Fri, 31 Jan 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Preventive Healthcare is the need of the hour. Preventive healthcare means avoiding illness and mitigating any associated risk factors to reduce disease burden and resulting complications. In India, a disappointing 9.6% of the overall healthcare expenditure goes towards preventive healthcare, and about 90% goes into treating diseases and their complications—amounting to more than Rs 3.6 lakh crore per year. Proactive Health360 is a next-generation Health-Tech platform designed to put individuals in control of their own health. Many chronic conditions are silent and cause no symptoms in the beginning. As a result, we can go years without even knowing about them. The Proactive Health360 platform was carefully designed by Dr Amit Newatia, MD, so that patients can be empowered to reverse the downward spiral of poor health outcomes resulting from neglect. Dr Newatia is a practising physician in the U.S. who specializes in the field of Radiology and has long been an advocate of preventative healthcare. He founded this venture because he has witnessed first hand the devastating and avoidable complications resulting from chronic conditions. He partnered with Dr Aditi Kalra to developthe Proactive Health360 platform and bring this concept to the Indian public. Dr Aditi is a certified physiotherapist and wellness consultant who has over 15 years of experience in the healthcare industry. The primary goal of ProactiveHealth360.com is to encourage patients to become advocates of their own health. This is done by empowering patients with information that is easy for them to visualize and understand. The Proactive health dashboard gives the individual complete control over every aspect of their health. It also serves to educate individuals on their current health conditions and predicts their risks of developing many chronic common conditions. In addition to these risk scores, individuals receive a PH Score which is a comprehensive health score generated using an advanced algorithm comprising a number of different factors. The PH Score changes over time with the health data and is a powerful way to track overall health progress. Unlike other platforms that provide one-time testing or consultation, Proactive Health360 stays with patients throughout their health journey by providing valuable health and nutrition coaching along the way. It is easier for someone to make healthy lifestyle decisions and enjoy a better quality of life when they have curated information and proper guidance about their overall health. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15685/cii-with-s-ilf-to-support-people-affected-by-leprosy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15685/cii-with-s-ilf-to-support-people-affected-by-leprosy.html Thu, 30 Jan 2020 16:35:00 +0530 Sasakawa-India Leprosy Foundation(S-ILF), an organisation which works for the social and economic empowerment of persons affected by leprosy and their families has announced its collaboration with CII to further its efforts to eradicate the social stigma faced by persons affected by leprosy and their families. This tie-up was declared during an event organized by Sasakawa-India Leprosy Foundation on Anti Leprosy Day in the presence of Dr Harsh Vardhan, Minister of Health & Family Welfare & Dr Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog. On this occasion, S-ILF shared details of the outcomes of its livelihood and education program in India which has achieved meaningful results for both persons affected by leprosy & their children. As a result of S-ILF’s continuous efforts in providing assistance to the socially discriminated population, 2,230 persons affected by leprosy and their families have found livelihood of their preference. The top states which have benefited from this intervention are MP and Bihar where the numbers of assisted beneficiaries are 340 and 270, respectively. Also, as part of enabling lives of dignity and social acceptance, S-ILF has successfully implemented and rolled-out its education programme for the children of persons affected by leprosy. This has so far helped benefit 1,5070 plus children of across 15 states. As far as job preferences are concerned; retail, livestock, and farming are the top three professions of choice of persons cured by leprosy in India. In the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, 37.5% of the leprosy cured patients took farming as their most preferred occupation as they had access to land donated years ago by some trust. In Chhattisgarh, 26% preferred livestock as their most preferred profession. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said, “It gives me great happiness to be a part of this noble cause especially on the death anniversary of the Father of our Nation, who dedicated his life to the eradication of leprosy. S-ILF is doing great work with these patients and I, myself, today volunteer to work with these patients to better their health and help remove the stigma and discrimination that revolves around the disease and the patients. I have already written a letter to the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi for the abolishment of the more than 100 discriminatory laws and I assure the patients and the foundation that these laws will be completely eradicated in the very near future. Our government is invested in making the lives of the people better in all ways and the abolishment of these laws is one of the biggest supports we can provide to people affected with leprosy.  I consider this initiative to be very important and believe that Mr Sasakawa’s book on his journey will serve as a motivation and inspiration to the many youth, who want to work towards the betterment of the society.” Talking about Leprosy, Tarun Das, Chairman, S-ILF said, “S-ILF is actively engaged in skilling and funding persons affected by leprosy for self-employment. Our organization not only works for the social and economic empowerment of persons affected by leprosy but also helps their children improve their prospects for a better life.” On the occasion, Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII, said, “We are happy to join hands with Sasakawa-India Leprosy Foundation to support this great cause. CII is committed to leverage its touchpoints in the industry fraternity and work towards sensitizing and educating shop level workforce on the issue. CII will also work towards integrating the youth impacted and affected by leprosy into CII skilling programs to make them employable and financially independent. I am confident that our joint efforts will help bring awareness and acceptance in the society and would further reduce the prevalent discrimination faced by persons affected by leprosy and their families.’’ CII, in partnership with S-ILF, will drive proactive initiatives towards Awareness, Advocacy, and Economic integration of the leprosy affected community. CII will also engage and advocate for industry action towards the upliftment of the leprosy affected community through Corporate Social Responsibility and other social projects. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15675/experts-forge-strategic-alliance-for-malaria-free-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15675/experts-forge-strategic-alliance-for-malaria-free-india.html Thu, 30 Jan 2020 10:00:00 +0530 Parliamentarians from across party lines have joined hands and formed a coalition to support India’s efforts to eliminate malaria by 2030. The group called “Parliamentarians for Malaria Elimination” includes eleven (11) Members of Parliament (MPs) belonging to different states, including many with a high malaria burden. More MPs are expected to join in the near future. Hon K.J. Alphons (MP, Rajya Sabha, Bharatiya Janta Party, Rajasthan), Hon Gaurav Gogoi (MP, Lok Sabha, Indian National Congress, Assam), Dr. Prabhakar Kore (MP, Rajya Sabha, Bharatiya Janta Party, Karnataka), Hon Vijila Sathyananth (MP, Rajya Sabha, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Tamil Nadu), Dr. Amar Patnaik (MP, Rajya Sabha, Biju Janata Dal, Odisha), Dr. Vikas Mahatme (MP, Rajya Sabha, Bharatiya Janta Party, Maharashtra), Hon Harshvardhan Singh Dungarpur (MP, Rajya Sabha, Bharatiya Janta Party, Rajasthan), Hon Prabhat Jha (MP, Rajya Sabha, Madhya Pradesh), and Hon Prasanna Acharya (MP, Rajya Sabha, Biju Janata Dal, Odisha) Hon Prof. M.V. Rajeev Gowda (MP, Rajya Sabha, Indian National Congress, Karnataka) Hon Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal (MP, Lok Sabha, Bharatiya Janata Party, Bihar) Hon K. J. Alphons, coordinator of the group, said “India is well placed to eliminate malaria by 2030 and we, as Parliamentarians, must play an active role in helping the country achieve that goal. We will work with key stakeholders at the central, state, and district levels to accelerate malaria elimination not just in the states we represent but across the country.” The MPs are committed in their resolve to raise the profile of the disease and act as the bridge between the government and other stakeholders in this fight. Successive Indian governments have prioritised malaria control. There was a sustained reduction in malaria mortality during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime. Subsequently in 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government demonstrated exemplary leadership when it made a commitment at the East Asia Summit that India would eliminate malaria by 2030. Following the high-level commitment, the National Framework for Malaria Elimination 2016-2030 and National Strategic Plan 2017-22 for Malaria Elimination were launched. Recently, the Hon Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan reaffirmed that malaria elimination is a top priority for the government. WHO’s World Malaria Report 2019 acknowledged India’s extraordinary progress in recent years. From more than 800k confirmed cases in 2017, India managed to reduce cases down to just over 400k in 2018, thanks to the extraordinary resolve and leadership at both the central and state levels. It is however premature to declare victory. India remains one of the countries with the most number of malaria cases globally and real challenges remain. Malaria is fast retreating to hard- to-reach areas in India. People living in tribal belts, forests, mountainous regions, and border districts – who often have the least access to healthcare – are the most vulnerable. “Malaria is and will continue to be a ‘disease of poverty’. We want to build on the commitment made by the National Government and ensure this is being translated locally and leaving no one behind.” said Hon Dr. Prabhakar Kore. Speaking on the importance of collective action, Hon Gaurav Gogoi said “this group believes that collective action, beyond political parties and ideologies, will push the needle towardsending malaria for good.” The group will advocate for increased investments in malaria elimination, development of specific strategies to reduce malaria burden among vulnerable populations, and increased multisectoral collaboration to end malaria for good. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15668/orthopod-online-focuses-on-orthopaedic-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15668/orthopod-online-focuses-on-orthopaedic-healthcare.html Wed, 29 Jan 2020 13:05:00 +0530 Orthopod Online (OO) is a digital platform that covers the entire spectrum of orthopaedic care including General orthopaedics, Hip & knee, Spine, Children’s orthopaedics, Sports medicine, Physiotherapy, Pain management and Holistic care. OO is a virtual clinic of a group of reputed doctors, with decades of experience and credibility, who have come together to provide high quality healthcare for patients through in-person & online consultations (through Tele-Health), second opinions, follow-up consultations etc. OO also provides a wealth of information on bone and joint issues and diseases through online and physical consultations. According to the WHO, there is a serious scarcity of doctors in general, and orthopaedic specialists in particular, in India. It is estimated that despite 840,000 registered medical practitioners, India still faces a shortfall of over 600,000! Even more alarming is that the number of qualified orthopaedic surgeons in India is roughly 20,000 for a population of over 1.3 billion people. OO has partnered with Doctorscabin Health Technologies, a company with strong expertise in digital health technologies and platforms since 2011. Dr Vijay Shetty, a mentor and full-time consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Hiranandani Hospital, Mumbai says “a steady rise in ageing population and lifestyle shifts has resulted in deteriorating bone and joint conditions that does not have access to good orthopaedic specialists. Orthopod online aims to provide a platform for patients to access top quality orthopaedic care under one roof. Telehealth, as promoted by the Indian Government, can be very useful for thosepatients who are unable to visit doctors, especially post-surgery” Consultant orthopaedic surgeon at OO, Dr. Saurabh Talekar says, “first of all, the platform offers a modern way to engage with patients anywhere they are and for the consultants, OO offers complete clinic management platform and information and resources. As a young surgeon, I feel that this will be particularly helpful in the future. “ Vikram Nair, CEO of DoctorsCabin says, “this is a unique offering as it is a doctor led initiative and platform. The technology serves the patients and doctors first and foremost.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15669/ayush-ministry-issues-advisory-for-coronavirus.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15669/ayush-ministry-issues-advisory-for-coronavirus.html Wed, 29 Jan 2020 10:00:00 +0530 The outbreak of a mysterious new Coronavirus is rapidly spreading. The whole world is going through the fear of this Coronavirus, the Research Councils under the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India have issued advisory based on the Indian traditional medicine practices Ayurveda, Homeopathy and Unani. As per the Ayurverdic Practices the following Preventive Management Steps are suggested- •        Maintain personal hygiene. •        Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available. •        Drink Shadang Paniya (Musta, Parpat, Usheer, Chandan,Udeechya & Nagar) processed water (10 gm powder boiled in 1-liter water, until it reduces to half). Store it in a bottle and drink it when thirsty. •        Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. •        Avoid close contact with people who are sick. •        Stay home when you are sick. •     Cover your face during cough or sneeze and wash your hands after coughing or sneezing. •        Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. •        Preferably, use an N95 mask while traveling or working in public places to avoid droplet transmission •        If you suspect Corona Viral infection, wear a mask and contact your nearest hospital immediately. Prophylactic Measures/Immunomodulatory drugs as per the Ayurvedic practices. •        Measures shall be taken to strengthen the immune system through a healthy diet and lifestyle practices. •        Agastya Harityaki 5 gm, twice a day with warm water. •        Samshamani Vati 500 mg twice a day. •        Trikatu(Pippali, Marich & Shunthi) powder 5 gm and Tulasi 3-5 leaves (boiled in 1-litre water, until it reduces to ½ liter and keeps it in a bottle) keep taking it in sips as and when required. •        Pratimarsa Nasya: Instill two drops of Anu taila/Sesame oil in each nostril daily in the morning. (This advocacy is for information only and shall be adopted in consultation with registered Ayurveda practitioners only.) At the instance of Ministry of AYUSH, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) discussed the ways and means of prevention of Coronavirus infection throughHomoeopathy in 64th meeting of its Scientific Advisory Board on 28th January 2020. The Group of Experts inter-alia has recommended that homoeopathy medicine Arsenicum album30 could be taken as prophylactic medicine against Coronavirus infections, which has also beenadvised for prevention of ILI.It has recommended one doze of Arsenicum album 30, daily in empty stomach for threedays. The dose should be repeated after one month by following the same schedule incase Coronavirus infections prevail in the community. The Expert Group has furthersuggested that general hygienic measures for prevention of air-borne infectionssuggested by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India, for prevention ofthe disease should also be followed by the public. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15672/first-ever-mobile-learning-platform-for-hospitals-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15672/first-ever-mobile-learning-platform-for-hospitals-in-india.html Wed, 29 Jan 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Impelsys Inc, a world’s leader in online content and learning solutions enters India with iPC Health, an end-to-end mobile learning and upskilling solution for the healthcare sector. The mobile-first platform brings a much-awaited solution to impart ‘on-the-go’ training and education for hospital staff and in turn deliver better outcomes and save lives. Present at the unveil recently in Bengaluru were Honorable Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Ashwath Narayan CN, CEO Impelsys Sameer Shariff , Mr Phil Smithers, Global Sales & Marketing Head, Royal College of Nursing (RCNi) amongst other dignitaries from the healthcare industry who collectively acknowledged and stressed upon the need of a systematic multi-level learning approach that can improve the way healthcare is delivered in the country today. iPC Health is a first-ever advanced and comprehensive learning interface that will offer certified ‘anytime anywhere’ education programs rendering upskilling, advanced learning and compliance training for healthcare professionals in India. The solution hosts multiple digitized courses curated by knowledge partners and noted domain experts from across the world such as RCNi, American Heart Association, Wolters Kluwer and many other leading medical education publishers. Introducing iPC Health, CEO Impelsys Sameer Shariff said, “In India, skill development and access to quality healthcare clearly are the two areas of improvement. iPC Health is curated to bridge the skill gap and ensure standardization across the healthcare sector in the country. Our aim is to enhance learning and professional expertise of healthcare personnel and help hospitals manage their greatest assets-their people effectively. This will, in turn, create an impact by improving the quality standards of healthcare services in the country”. Qualitative research ‘The State of Skills in the Indian Healthcare Industry’ undertaken by IQVIA highlighted current need gaps in the learning and development arena across the healthcare industry. The research undertaken across leading 20 hospitals in the country indicated that the workforce is open to invest time in receiving on-the-job training but lacks an understanding of its impact. They do not have access to reliable content, effective trainers and are overwhelmed with their workload currently. “Today we have the best of the infrastructure, technology and clinical expertise a country could have. But standardizing ‘delivery of care’ is a huge challenge we face. We are grappling with a skill set that can deliver first aid, critical care in ambulances, operate world-class equipment etc. The industry needs a systematic approach to train a workforce and hone their skills and a product like iPC Health can be instrumental in bridging this gap”, said Hon Depute CM Karnataka Shri Ashwath Narayan. Focused on spreading knowledge through technology, iPC Health brings forth specific learning modules for every healthcare professional ranging from receptionists, nurses, support staff, lab assistants and ambulance drivers to doctors and medical experts, improving the overall quality of healthcare delivery. RCNi, a premier provider of innovative and creative information solutions for a nursing team is one of the knowledge partners that curated a robust learning and assessment module for nurses in India. This comes in with an objective to not only enhance their skills but also provide them with an opportunity to carve out a professional learning curve for themselves. “Nurses are directly involved in almost all aspects of hospital care. But, the industry-academia gap in the sector is huge and most of the under-graduate nurses joining the profession are not immediately employable. Solutions that can address this gap at the hospital level is the need of the hour”, said Dr Naresh Shetty, President MS Ramaiah Memorial Hospital. Apart from education, iPC Health will offer induction, compliance, emergency medical services as well as soft skill training modules. The platform will enable hospitals to manage their learning and development more effectively through a comprehensive learning management system including content management tools, reporting dashboards and assessment modules. Healthcare organizations can leverage the learning platform to educate, analyse the progress and to enhance employee specific career goals. The platform is now ready for organizations including corporate hospitals, speciality hospitals, small- scale independent hospitals, nursing homes, clinics etc. aiming to improving the overall quality of healthcare delivery.   Photo Caption- Sameer Shariff, CEO, Impelsys with Hon Min Ashwath Narayan, Deputy CM Karnataka and other dignitaries at iPC Health launch ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15642/tgi-collaborates-with-igg-for-better-health-services-in-mp.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15642/tgi-collaborates-with-igg-for-better-health-services-in-mp.html Tue, 28 Jan 2020 06:00:00 +0530 The George Institute for Global Health (TGI) and the Atal Bihari Institute of Good Governance and Policy Analysis, (IGG) a think-tank of the Government of Madhya Pradesh will work together in a number of key health areas to make health services better in the state. An MoU between the institute and TGI was recently signed and has identified various key areas on which this collaboration will work. TGI has rich experience in rapid evidence research and their experience will be used in further studies. These areas include research in non-communicable diseases, capacity building of ANM and other grassroots workers, lowering deaths due to snakebite and road traffic injuries through research-based interventions, knowledge management in the health sector, etc. The aim of the collaboration is to inform health systems and policy decision making through joint publications, forums, seminars, and other dissemination activities at both state and national levels. The MoU was signed by R Parasuram, Director-General, IGG and Amit Khanna, Director, Finance and Operations, The George Institute. Welcoming the partnership, Amit Khanna said, “We at TGI look forward to collaborative work in a State that has come forward to use high-quality evidence to improve the life of its people. Through this partnership, we would endeavor to demonstrate the use of innovative approaches to create system-wide change for the people at the bottom of the pyramid.” R Parasuram said, “The areas to work on include working in a collaborative manner to enhance the capacity building so that the outreach of the services becomes better. There are a number of areas on which we have to work including systemic improvements. Health is a focus area in MP and an area of concern to the government.” The MoU seeks to explore other opportunities where the skills and expertise of both organizations can be beneficially combined. Dr. Soumyadeep Bhaumik, research fellow, TGI added, “The partnership between IGG and TGI is very exciting and I look forward to working together for policy-relevant research particularly around snakebite, and road traffic injuries in Madhya Pradesh. We also look forward to creating expertise in the area of systematic reviews and rapid evidence synthesis which can benefit policymaking in the State” The function was attended by Madan Mohan Upadhyay, Principal Advisor, Social Sector and other team members from IGG and TGI.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15660/naidu-focuses-on-stepping-up-basic-research-funding.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15660/naidu-focuses-on-stepping-up-basic-research-funding.html Tue, 28 Jan 2020 06:00:00 +0530 The Vice President of India, M Venkaiah Naidu has underscored the need for global cooperation for early detection of new viruses and to contain any serious fallout from outbreak of epidemics. Addressing scientists and researchers of CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad, the Vice President while referring to the newly-discovered strain of Coronavirus, said that it was spreading across the nations and causing a major concern to health authorities. He pointed out that period outbreak of epidemics and new viruses highlighted our vulnerability to diseases. Referring to the vital role of the Indian Science and Technology Innovation (STI) System in achieving national goals as India aspires for sustainable and inclusive growth, he appealed to the private sector to create a fund for financing innovative scientific projects that will address societal concerns. Observing that investment in STI plays a major role in promoting research and developing cutting edge technologies, Naidu said the funding for basic research also has to be stepped up. The Vice President also urged CCMB to develop Rapid DNA Testing Kits for detection of some of the rare diseases and many other genetic disorders. “It is important to predict and prevent genetic diseases as more than 70 million Indians are estimated to be suffering from genetic disorders, according to the Organization for Rare Diseases India (ORDI)”, Naidu added. He also advised institutions like CCMB to take up campaigns on a massive scale to create awareness among the people about the health risks associated with consanguineous marriages, particularly those relating to congenital disorders. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15658/health-secretary-reviews-preparedness-on-coronavirus-through-video-conference.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15658/health-secretary-reviews-preparedness-on-coronavirus-through-video-conference.html Tue, 28 Jan 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Ms. Preeti Sudan, Secretary (HFW) chaired a video conference (VC) with Chief Secretaries and DG (Police) of the five states bordering Nepal (Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Sikkim) and Pr. Secretary (H) of other states/UTs, to review their preparedness for prevention and management of coronavirus. Shri Ajay Bhalla, Secretary (Home), Dr.Balram Bhargava, Secy (DHR), Shri G.V.V. Sarma, MemberSecy (NDMA), Dr Gangakhedkar, Scientist (ICMR), Ms. Rubina Ali, JS (M/O Civil Aviation), Shri R K Agarwal,JS (Ports), M/O Shipping also joined the VC. Secretary (H) also informed the states/UTs that Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare is closely and regularly monitoring the status of preparedness. The Union Health Minister has written to Chief Ministers of the five States bordering Nepal, and to Chief Ministers of other States/UTs, requesting them to personally review preparedness measures in the matter. In response to the confirmed case of Novel Coronavirus in Nepal, India has stepped up the vigil at the border of Nepal. Secretary (HFW) reviewed the preparedness of these bordering states in terms of orientation of health and other agencies; adherence of various prevention &management protocols; awareness regarding prevention of coronavirus among the people being screened and those transiting the border with Nepal; self-reporting by these people; isolation wards; protective gear etc. The States have informed that they have made all necessary arrangements for screening of people transiting across the border. They also informed that travel advisories, other guidelines and protocols issued by the Health Ministry have been also widely disseminated. Orientation of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), the medical personnel, and health officials has also been conducted. Awareness drives are being undertaken through miking, distribution of leaflets and signages at the border check posts. Secretary (H) has also advised for Special Gram Sabhas to be organised in coordination with Dept of Panchayati Raj over this week for enhancing awareness regarding the coronavirus diseases, its symptoms, preventive measures, reporting etc.in the border villages. She also advised them to coordinate with the Hotels Association for wider self-reporting by travellers from Nepal visiting religious and other tourist places in these states.  Secretary (HFW) informed that passengers are being screened at 7 airports, and risk communication and self-declaration at 12 other Airports. She advised the states to ensure that medical officers are deputed to coordinate with the airport authorities, while tertiary hospitals are also identified for these airports. She also advised the states to ensure that protocols for contact tracing, and timely collection and transportation of samples from suspected cases to NIV, Pune is followed. States need to assess requirement of personal protection equipment, masks etc., and undertake necessary procurement to ensure sufficient supply, she stated. Secretary (H) assured states of all support from the Health Ministry, including orientation of medical personnel/staff and other agencies through regular video conferencing. States have been advised to depute a nodal officer for coordinating the efforts of the different agencies within the states, and to regularly update progress to the Union Health Ministry. Sh. Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Secretary, Home Affairs interacted with DGP of the States/UTs and guided them on key steps to be taken up in the bordering areas, in coordination with the Health Dept. The Shipping Ministry informed that necessary communication has been sent to the national port authorities. They were also directed to follow up with the Inland Waterways Authority of India, and coordinate with the maritime states. NDMA has been requested to share its guidelines and other relevant information with the state authorities. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15662/rare-disease-cdkl5-deficiency-disorder-granted-who-disease-classification.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15662/rare-disease-cdkl5-deficiency-disorder-granted-who-disease-classification.html Tue, 28 Jan 2020 00:00:00 +0530 The rare genetic disease CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder (CDD) has been designated with a new disease code in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), the medical classification list from the World Health Organization (WHO). The CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder diagnostic code will be incorporated in the October 1, 2020 classification revision.  The medical classification, currently in its tenth revision (ICD-10), uses a list of alphanumeric codes to document a person’s medical condition. For example, a person with migraine headaches will receive the G43 code and a person with type 2 diabetes the E11 code. These codes are then used for clinical research and care, and increasingly also for health insurance billing and reimbursement. According to the WHO, about 70% of the world’s health expenditures are allocated using ICD codes for reimbursement and resource allocation.  There are many medical conditions that do not have a code in the international medical classification, and these diseases can be invisible for most clinical research and have difficulties accessing insurance and reimbursement. This previously included CDD, a rare genetic disease that leads to frequent seizures shortly after birth and severe impairment in neurological development, with most affected people being unable to walk, talk or care for themselves.  “Obtaining an ICD-10 code for CDD is a big milestone for our field and one more step towards having approved therapies and ensuring patient access to these treatments," said Ana Mingorance PhD, Chief Development Officer at the Loulou Foundation, a private non-profit foundation for CDD therapeutic development which spearheaded the ICD-10 code effort. “One of the reasons why we requested a code for CDD is because there are four ongoing clinical trials for therapies that might treat the disease, including a clinical study in the latest stage before approval. With an ICD-10 code for CDD, everything from research to reimbursement will become more efficient.”  “We know that CDD occurs in approximately 1 in every 40,000 births because of genetic studies,” explains Karen Utley, co-founder and President of the International Foundation for CDKL5 Research (IFCR), the largest patient advocacy group for CDD families in the United States. “But because there was no ICD-10 code for the disease, each of these patients is being coded in a different way at hospitals and we have no way to identify who they are or to know how many are out there.”  ICD-10 codes are used by clinicians, health insurance companies, and public health agencies across the world to represent diagnoses. The disease classification is reviewed once a year, in a process managed by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), housed within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Last year, IFCR and the Loulou Foundation submitted a proposal to the NCHS for the creation of a new unique code for CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder. “The existing ICD-10 codes were not specific enough to capture the multisystem effects of CDD,” said Dr Eric Marsh from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, one of the leading clinical investigators in the disorder and the Principal Investigator at the CDKL5 clinical Center of Excellence who also participated in the proposal. “This leads to the inconsistent records and introduces friction into clinical care, insurance authorization and research studies, all of which depend on ICD-10 codes.”  The proposal included support letters from numerous medical organizations including the American Epilepsy Society, American Academy of Neurology, and the Child Neurology Foundation, as well as from leading patient advocacy organizations like the National Organization for Rare Diseases. Several pharmaceutical companies also contributed support letters.  Following the evaluation, CDD was successfully granted a new code (G40.42), in an acknowledgement that it represents a separate medical condition with unique medical needs and that it, therefore, required its own ICD-10 code. This milestone follows another major achievement for the CDD patient community, which on November 1, 2019, hosted a Patient-Focused Drug Development meeting with the FDA, in which caregivers shared their experiences and future treatment expectations with the regulators.  The Loulou Foundation, IFCR, and the International CDKL5 Alliance, representing worldwide CDD patient advocacy groups, believe that the new ICD-10 code for CDD will help improve the quality of life of people living with CDD, and urge the medical community and healthcare leaders to advance policies and protocols to ensure early access to genetic diagnosis that will identify currently undiagnosed cases of this disorder. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15654/readiness-is-key-to-detect-combat-spread-of-new-coronavirus-who.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15654/readiness-is-key-to-detect-combat-spread-of-new-coronavirus-who.html Mon, 27 Jan 2020 18:10:00 +0530 The World Health Organization South-East Asia has urged countries in the Region to remain vigilant and strengthen readiness to rapidly detect any case of importation of the new coronavirus and prevent its spread. Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia Region said, “It is time to focus all efforts on readiness guided by whatever is known about the new coronavirus.” As in the case of any new virus, much remains to be understood, the Regional Director said, adding that globally WHO has prepared interim guidance on case detection, testing, clinical management of cases, infection prevention and control during health care, home care for people suspected to have the virus, and guidance on reducing transmission. WHO is working with countries in the Region to roll out these guidelines, prioritizing reviewing and building capacities for laboratory diagnostic, including referral of specimens and diagnosis; trainings in case management, specimen collection and transportation, and infection prevention and control; logistics support and communicating risks and promoting desired behavior in the community. The Regional Director has been in contact with the Ministers of Health since the onset of the outbreak. Last week Dr Khetrapal Singh also took stock of the preparedness and support being extended by WHO to countries. Two countries in the WHO South-East Asia Region – Thailand and Nepal - have reported confirmed cases of the new coronavirus. Globally, WHO continues to work with networks of researchers and other experts to coordinate global work on surveillance, epidemiology, modelling, diagnostics, clinical care and treatment, and other ways to identify, manage the disease and limit onward transmission. Dr Khetrapal Singh said, emphasizing that “We should continue to be vigilant and ready to contain and prevent any further spread.” Though the new coronavirus being called novel coronavirus-2019 was not declared a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) by the Emergency Committee of the International Health Regulation which met last week, its risk was assessed to be ‘high’. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15652/dkms-bmst-foundation-india-conducts-blood-stem-cell-donor-drive.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15652/dkms-bmst-foundation-india-conducts-blood-stem-cell-donor-drive.html Mon, 27 Jan 2020 15:50:00 +0530 On the eve of country’s 71st Republic Day, DKMS BMST Foundation India, a non-profit organization conducted a blood stem cell donor registration drive at ‘Lalbagh Botanical Gardens’ in Bengaluru. Alongside the colorful and bright ongoing flower show at the botanical garden, the organization conducted awareness sessions amongst people towards blood cancer and the need for blood stem cell donation to save lives.  The drive saw over 100 registrations. Blood cancer cases are on the rise in India-most of them needing a blood stem cell transplant. But unfortunately, many patients are not able to avail the life-saving treatment due to the absence of a matching donor. “Ethnicity plays a key role in finding the perfect match. Patients and donors of Indian origin have unique HLA characteristics that are severely under-represented in the global database, which makes the probability of finding a suitable donor even more difficult. Hence, it is important that more and more Indians sign up to be a potential blood stem cell donor. Our aim as an NGO is to create as much awareness as possible and encourage people to register as a potential blood stem cell donor”, said Mr Patrick Paul, CEO, DKMS BMST Foundation India. Speaking on the association, Mr. B Venkatesh, Director, Department of Horticulture, Lalbagh said, “Every year the flower show attracts many people and we are glad that this year we were also able to do something different by assisting DKMS BMST Foundation India in the drive. We are happy to be a part of a cause which raises awareness among the public about being a blood stem cell donor and the impact of blood stem cell transplant on a patients’ life.”  The event is a part of DKMS-BMST Foundation’s initiative to raise awareness among the public about being a stem cell donor and the impact of blood stem cell transplantation on a patients’ life. From time to time, the foundation conducts patient-donor drives across the city and different parts of India to encourage registration and spread awareness. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15650/sl-raheja-hospital-mahim-a-fortis-associate-and-institute-of-digestive-liver-care-organize-synergy-2020.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15650/sl-raheja-hospital-mahim-a-fortis-associate-and-institute-of-digestive-liver-care-organize-synergy-2020.html Mon, 27 Jan 2020 12:50:00 +0530 The three-day ‘SYNERGY 2020’ convergence hosted by SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim and Institute of Digestive & Liver Care concluded yesterday. It was aimed at engaging young doctors from across the globe about the relevance of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography techniques (ERCP), Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS), Percutaneous Trans- Hepatic Biliary Drainage (PTBD) in the management of Biliary & Pancreatic diseases. The convergence was spearheaded by Dr. Vinay Dhir, Executive Director, Institute of Digestive & Liver Care and supported by Thailand’s Prof. Rungsun Reknimitr, Australia’s Prof. Arthur Kaffes & Spain’s Prof. Manuel Perez Miranda. The journey of endoscopy from a simple diagnostic tool to an advanced therapeutic tool has evolved over the last few decades. The convergence drew focus to this evolution; it witnessed participation from 24 experts across 09 countries, who shared insights, discussed and debated about newer techniques, medical advancements & management of disorders like Gall Stones, Bile Duct Stone, Biliary Tumors, Pancreatic Tumors, treatment of Jaundice, etc. Over 400 freshly graduated doctors from across 11 countries attended the session. Experts hosted hands-on training sessions for the doctor as a part of the conference in three important areas of advanced endoscopy i.e. ERCP, EUS module and third space. Live demonstration helped explain- The ERCP module which is a procedure that involves the entry of the pile and pancreatic duct using accessories to treat stones, tumors and the pancreatic system- The EUS module which is a combination of endoscopy and ultrasound is used to detect abnormalities including lumps or lesions- Third Space which is a relatively new technique where endoscopic work is performed between the layers of the intestinal wall, also useful for non-surgical removal of tumors in the intestine Speaking at SYNERGY 2020, Dr. Vinay Dhir, Executive Director, Institute of Digestive & Liver Care, SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim-A Fortis Associate, said, “This year we celebrate five decades of ERCP, a procedure which transformed the management of Biliary and Pancreatic disease. Like ERCP, EUS also remained a pure diagnostic procedure for a long time. PTBD, the first non-surgical technique for biliary drainage is now seven decades old has given excellent results in patients with failed ERCP and complex hilar structure. Our aim at the IDL Care is to bring experts from across the globe on a single platform to share their knowledge and expertise, helping provide a bountiful learning experience for young doctors.” Speaking about SYNERGY 2020, Dr. Hiren Ambegaokar, CEO, SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim-A Fortis Associate, said, “I thank all the experts who have shared their experience-based learnings at this conference, and encourage young doctors to come forth and learn from these stalwarts.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15641/fortis-bengaluru-performs-south-indias-first-hivec-procedure.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15641/fortis-bengaluru-performs-south-indias-first-hivec-procedure.html Mon, 27 Jan 2020 11:00:00 +0530 A team of doctors at Fortis Hospitals, Bangalore successfully performed South India’s first HIVEC (Hyperthermic Intra-Vesical Chemotherapy) technique on a 58-year-old male suffering from bladder cancer. The procedure was performed by a team of experts led by Dr Mohan Keshavamurthy, Director Urology, Uro-oncology, Andrology, Transplant & Robotic Surgery, Fortis Hospitals, Bangalore.  HIVEC technology comes as a gold standard for patients of bladder cancer who are Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) resistant. This procedure is a safe and effective option for high-grade cancer bladder who have recurrence despite intravesical BCG therapy. It is also useful for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer who want to preserve their bladder and avoid radical cystectomy. The patient underwent three sessions of HIVEC over a period of 20 days. “Bladder cancer is one of the common urological cancers and its incidence seems to be increasing. In high grade or muscle-invasive cancer bladder, removal of the bladder is the treatment of choice that has a social and psychological impact on the patient. Also, there is a significant probability of cancer recurrences for patients with bladder cancer in case of BCG therapy. With HIVEC, the chances of recurrences of the cancer becomes minimal along with good success rates,” said Dr Mohan Keshavamurthy- Director Urology, Uro-oncology, Andrology, Transplant & Robotic Surgery, Fortis Hospitals, Bangalore.  HIVEC treatment requires the use of a small machine that is called The COMBAT BRS system. This system is connected to the patient’s catheter via a closed circuit of small tubes. The system warms the chemotherapy drug before it then enters the bladder through a special catheter. The chemotherapy drug is heated to a temperature of 43°C which is a similar temperature to that of a warm bath. It is then gently re-circulated around the bladder and back through the system up to 4 times a minute. This is to make sure that the whole area inside the bladder is kept at a constant target temperature of 43°C and that the chemotherapy drug is well distributed so the whole bladder is treated. Recent evidence has shown that heating the chemotherapy drug when it is inside your bladder can help to increase its ability to kill cancer cells. This is because the heat allows the chemotherapy drug to be more easily absorbed into the bladder lining, allowing for deeper penetration into the bladder wall. The heat generated inside the bladder can also help to directly kill any remaining cancer cells, as well as increases the body’s natural immune response which will also target the cancer cells and kill them. Currently, high-grade bladder cancer in India is treated with BCG intravesical immunotherapy. However, a large proportion of patients experience a recurrence. If BCG becomes unresponsive, then a cystectomy (removal of the bladder) has to be performed. Some patients may not be considered for this option due to side effects. Approximately 50% of patients with bladder cancer develop recurrence after BCG therapy. HIVEC helps in bladder preservation strategy for such patients. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15638/indian-society-for-clinical-research-focuses-on-new-regulations.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15638/indian-society-for-clinical-research-focuses-on-new-regulations.html Mon, 27 Jan 2020 10:30:00 +0530 Beyond New Regulations - Increasing Participation and Enhancing Patient Safety was the theme of the 13th Annual Conference of the Indian Society for Clinical Research (ISCR) held in Mumbai on the 24th and 25th of January, 2020. The two day event, preceded by six pre-conference workshops, saw around 1000 clinical research professionals from across India and other countries come together to discuss the evolution of clinical research ecosystem in India post the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019, introduced in March last year, and deliberate on what more needs to be done to move India’s clinical research agenda forward “The decade beginning 2010 was a defining one for clinical research in India,” said Dr. Chirag Trivedi, President, ISCR. “It was a period that saw the industry go through several peaks and troughs but one that ended on an optimistic note with the introduction of the New Drugs and Clinical Trial Rules, 2019. The new rules brought greater clarity and speed in the regulatory approval process for clinical trials, while ensuring that patient safety was not compromised. We hope that more clinical trials will now be conducted in India to find newer treatment options for the unmet medical needs of our Indian patients.” India has the world’s second highest population and the highest disease burden and yet, less than 1.2% of global clinical trials are conducted in India (source: www.clinicaltrials.gov). “Ethical Clinical Research is finally looking up of late with the regulations and guidelines in place. Investigators and sponsors have tightened their shoe laces and India is set to take on the world in this space with the patient at the centre. This conference with the theme Beyond New Regulations- Increasing Participation and Enhancing Patient Safety is but a mirror to the real world situation and will be covering all the aspects of clinical research from all stakeholders perspectives,” said Dr. Urmila Thatte, Professor and Head at the Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Seth G S Medical College, KEM Hospital, Mumbai. The 2020 conference of ISCR focused on various clinical trial reforms towards building a strong research enterprise of the future, while also covering discussions on emerging clinical research opportunities in India. Over the two days, attendees had a choice of attending four parallel tracks focused on Clinical Operations, Clinical Data Management, Biostatistics and Medical Writing. From deliberations on private-public participation in clinical research to academia-industry collaborative partnerships, to risk-based monitoring and artificial intelligence and machine learning, the Conference covered a wide gamut of topics at the frontier of discussions around clinical research. Stakeholders across the clinical research spectrum, including industry, investigators and ethics committees, discussed how India can build a robust ecosystem that will protect the rights, safety and well-being of participating patients, while enhancing the conduct of quality and  ethical clinical trials in the country. “India must proactively participate in conducting clinical research and assume a leadership role globally so that we can offer newer treatment options for our patients in India and across the world,” added Dr Trivedi. “Towards achieving this and furthering ISCR’s vision, ISCR has identified the following goals: Short term goals (1-2 yrs) Continue confidence building measures and advocacy efforts for all stakeholders Increase patient awareness about clinical research Work with government, policy makers, regulators, physician and industry associations to further the cause of clinical research in India Increase outreach to various stakeholders Publish white papers/publications Continue clinical research awareness/training programs Mid-term goals (3-5 yrs) Expand from clinical trials to clinical research Increase working with academic institutes Increase capacity building across stakeholders for e.g., doctors, para-medical staff, hospitals, ethics committees, industry, etc. Indian physicians/scientists to be a part of global committees Long term goals (>5 yrs) Increase digital adoption for the clinical research fraternity as well as by patients participating in clinical trials Help India lead in global drug development To achieve these goals, ISCR believes it is imperative that all concerned stakeholders viz., the industry, government, policy makers, regulators, hospitals, doctors, ethics committees, etc. work together to develop the clinical research ecosystem and facilitate drug development in India. The Government can play an important role in facilitating this through formulating and revising policies that will facilitate the conduct of ethical and good quality clinical trials in India, creating a collaborative platform for all stakeholders, building a conducive ecosystem and the infrastructure, undertaking initiatives to support large scale capacity building and supporting innovation in the country for drug development. “It is an exciting time to be in clinical research in India,” concluded Dr Trivedi, “and we look forward to this decade with hope and optimism and a better future for our patients.”. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15637/blk-centre-for-bmt-completes-fastest-1000-transplants-in-northern-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15637/blk-centre-for-bmt-completes-fastest-1000-transplants-in-northern-india.html Fri, 24 Jan 2020 17:40:00 +0530 BLK Centre for BMT has emerged as Asia’s largest BMT unit and has completed the fastest 1,000 bone marrow transplant in Northern India. Few patients who were part of this decade long journey marked their presence on the occasion. Credited for performing hundreds of high risks transplants, Dr Dharma Choudhary, Senior Consultant & Director, Centre for Hemato-oncology & Bone Marrow Transplant, BLK Super Speciality Hospital said, “With Bone Marrow Transplants, we are successfully curing incurable diseases like Leukaemia, Myeloma, Thalassemia and also improving the quality of life for the patients. It has emerged as an innovative option to fight critical and life-threatening diseases.  Performing a large number of transplants provides us with an edge to make the life-saving medical procedure safer and more effective for patients.”  According to Dr. Chaudhary, “Haemopoietic Stem Cell is sourced from Bone Marrow (BM), Peripheral Blood Stem Cell (PBSC) and Placental Umbilical cord Blood (P-UCB). Bone Marrow Transplant is a Medical Procedure under Cellular Therapy which includes Allogeneic Transplants (HLA match most important), Blood group need not match, Matched Sibling, the Best match for major and minor antigens. Another form of the procedure is Autologous transplant and Cord Blood Transplant. It is promising to note that Matched Unrelated-donor registries now have over 10 million donors.” Achieving a milestone by performing over 1,000 Bone Marrow Transplants during the last decade, BLK Super Specialty Hospital’s Centre for Bone Marrow Transplant today also released the data related to types of transplant procedures and treatment of critical diseases such as Leukaemia, Thalassemia and Myeloma. Data shows the majority of patients who underwent BMT were suffering from Leukaemia, Thalassemia and Myeloma. As per Data released by the Centre, during 2010-2019, the Centre performed 1020 BMT procedures which included treatment of 228 acute Leukaemia, 223 Thalassemia major, 189 multiple Myeloma, 114 severe aplastic anaemia, 103 lymphomas among others.   Out of these, 740 were Allogenic transplants with 547 Match Related donors and 28 Match Unrelated donors including two cord blood transplants. The Centre also performed 280 Autologous transplants where the blood stem cells from one’s own body are taken out and given back after very high doses of chemotherapy. Nearly 160 Haploidentical transplant was yet another achievement. The patients who underwent the procedures during the last decade admitted that the BMT gave them normal active life again. Experts underlined the critical role of Bone Marrow Transplant as a curative option for several critical diseases such as Cancer and Thalassemia. “Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is the only cure but non-availability of a suitable HLA matched donor, inherent high risk of the procedure restricts its practicality. However, the availability of highly trained transplant experts and quality care have well-equipped us to handle a large number of rare procedures,” Dr Choudhary added.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15622/nanavati-super-speciality-hospital-updates-on-recent-outbreak-of-coronavirus.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15622/nanavati-super-speciality-hospital-updates-on-recent-outbreak-of-coronavirus.html Thu, 23 Jan 2020 11:00:00 +0530 As World Health Organisation’s emergency Committee is set to ascertain whether the outbreak of Coronavirus should be identified as a public health emergency of international concern, experts from Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital threw some light on the deadly infection. As on January 22, a total of 440 cases of Coronavirus infection are found in China, followed by two in Thailand and one each in Japan, South Kora, The United States and Australia (potential). With no specific treatment and vaccination being still in developing stage, prevention is the most effective cure against the Coronavirus said Dr. Rahul Tambe, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital.  Nature of the infection: Coronavirus is a respiratory infection thatprimarily affects the animals and in rare instances, causes infections in humans. Its known to cause mild respiratory tract infections—very similar to other respiratory tract viral infections. Rarely, upon disease progression,it causes pneumonia and respiratory failure and death. The Novel Coronavirus originating from china is found to infect humans as well. Respiratory secretion and coughing are two known sources of infection transmission amongst the humans. Preventive measures: It’s highly advisable to screen patients who have returned from China or suspected areas of Corona Virus outbreak. Relatives and close personnel of the patients should wear protective masks and avoid close contact to prevent infections. Patients with dry cough, high temperature and breathlessness should report to nearest medical facility.   In view of respiratory mode of transmission, the virus has capacity to spread rapidly from travellers across the globe and can involve multiple countries and continents in no time. Diagnosis and isolation of the virus can be done at advanced laboratories. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15619/fogsi-collaborates-with-maharashtra-govt-for-maternity-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15619/fogsi-collaborates-with-maharashtra-govt-for-maternity-care.html Thu, 23 Jan 2020 06:00:00 +0530 Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) has announced its partnership with Public Health Department, Government of Maharashtra to improve quality of care in private maternity services in Maharashtra. The initiative aims to establish a uniform mechanism for care in every private maternity care hospital, nursing home, clinic and expects to cover all districts and municipal corporations in the state.  The initiative has been named LaQshya-Manyata and both the custodians will be jointly promoting and implementing 26 clinical and facility standards in private hospitals (maternity care) in the state. This will entail training and aligning hospitals with labour room & Maternity Operation Theatre layout and workflow basis ‘Labour Room Standardization Guidelines’ and ‘Maternal & Newborn Health Toolkit’ issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. The initiative aims to strengthen   competencies and knowledge required for life-saving critical care as well as ensure strict adherence to clinical protocols for management and stabilization of the complications before referral. In doing so, it is committed to build simple and effective practices and processes, which can help reduce preventable maternal mortality and enrich the experience of every mother in the state. The components of the program have been carefully identified by renowned private sector OBGYN specialists and partners covering vital areas for delivering quality care. Key approach under this initiative is quality improvement using PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle. This would require reorganization of labour room structure (Infrastructure, HR, and Drugs & Equipment) and processes. The process includes online registration of the hospital, initiating a baseline and gap assessment, followed by trainings for the hospital staff through establish district level training structures of Government of Maharashtra and FOGSI. This would be followed by mentorship support for capacity building. Once hospital is ready, FOGSI and Public Health Department will jointly assess it. If the hospital is found compliant with the clinical (16) and Facility (10) standards achieving a score of 85% and 65% respectively, they would achieve LaQshya-Manyata certification from Public Health Department, GoM and FOGSI, a recognition of the excellence in maternity services. LaQshya-Manyata is a giant leap forward in advancing maternal healthcare outcomes in the state. By addressing quality care in the private sector, the program complements other public sector efforts towards building a holistic health system – such that, no mother dies during child birth. On the announcement, Dr Nandita Palshetkar, President, FOGSI said, “Our endeavor, as private sector, is to complement India’s national maternal health priorities. Through LaQshya-Manyata, we are recognizing those providers who consistently deliver quality care during pregnancy and childbirth knowing that better, safer and respectful care will reach mothers. Together, through this partnership, we have come a step closer to providing access to quality care in every corner of the state, through a strong network of National Health Mission and Obgyn societies. We hope this will create a quality care momentum for other states to follow in the same direction” While safety of women is at the core of the program, LaQshya-Manyata is also valuable for other stakeholders in the maternal care ecosystem such as the private maternity providers. It enables them to build capable teams, with improved ability to manage life-threatening complications during deliveries. Furthermore, the program, with flexible training sessions and simplified standards, is designed to meet private providers’ diverse needs, making it particularly suitable for small private sector maternity hospitals.  Dr Hema Divakar, National Convener, FOGSI-NPMU said, “Since the inception of FOGSI’s Manyata program, we have recognized that within the geographies in the same region and between different states, there are different strategies that we need to use to influence positive behavior change in health care providers to ensure the perception and implementation of quality care. Our recent experiences with blended teaching on a digital platform has paved the way to fast track this initiative. I have no doubt that in collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra, FOGSI can ensure quality care to every woman and every girl – both in the private and public sector.” At a juncture, where the private sector accounts for nearly one third of the institutional deliveries in the state of Maharashtra - this partnership between the Government of Maharashtra and FOGSI comes at an opportune time. LaQshya-Manyata, while setting an example for other states to follow, aims to lead the way for reducing maternal mortality through continuous innovations, in the state and nationally.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15621/fopd-enables-face-2-face-consultation-by-international-doctor.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15621/fopd-enables-face-2-face-consultation-by-international-doctor.html Wed, 22 Jan 2020 17:55:00 +0530 For the very first time in India, FOREIGN OPD ™(FOPD) -India’s first and only medical healthcare brand that enables face2face™ second medical opinion consultations brings Dr. Simon Taylor, Consultant Hepatologist from Imperial College London, to India. In a scenario where the Indian Healthcare industry is evolving rapidly and more & more patients are demanding world class expertise and experience, this is a milestone achieved where a top level medical expert is coming down to India to cater to the growing demand of patients, that too at an affordable price.  Speaking on the occasion Dr. Inder Maurya, Founder & CEO said, "We are happy to bring Dr. Simon Taylor an eminent faculty from the Imperial College, London, to India.  Our country is poised to avail of these kinds of service level innovations in Healthcare. Foreign OPD sees that the best of the best and world class 2nd medical opinion can be made available to patients suffering from chronic diseases and are unable to fly to International shores to seek such consultation if they discern. It is a paradigm shift in terms of how Healthcare is consumed in India and we are proud to assume a pioneering role”.   Talking to the press, Dr. Simon Taylor, Consultant Hepatologist, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK said, "I am extremely happy to come to India and associate with Foreign OPD. The Medical & Healthcare sector is extremely professional in India and there are several innovative leaps that the country has taken in this direction which makes them on a par with global best practices. World over, the 2nd medical opinion is a pressing need, given the increasing complexity of modern medicine and these are concrete steps being taken in that direction”. He further added, “In UK / EU for Hepatalogy, the fraternity that I belong to, there are regional liver units and a network of hospitals sending patients for 2nd opinions and they operate in a hub & spoke model. A formal second medical opinion is actually mandatory before treatment!  I am happy to have engaged with Foreign OPD, who has also provided me with a platform to engage with my fellow colleagues for a fair exchange of knowledge as well" ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15609/bd-puts-focus-on-correct-insulin-injection-technique.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15609/bd-puts-focus-on-correct-insulin-injection-technique.html Wed, 22 Jan 2020 10:00:00 +0530 Insulin therapy is often a crucial part of diabetes management. Type 2 diabetes patients ultimately require insulin therapy in the course of the disease for effective glycemic control and injection technique remains crucial in the process. To enhance awareness on safe insulin injection practices, a multi-city educational campaign was organised by BD-India with leading endocrinologists on Insulin Injection Day. Insulin Injection Day commemorates the 98th anniversary of first successful insulin administration on 11th January 1922, at Toronto General Hospital, Canada. Dr. K. Venu Gopal Reddy, Director - V. G. R. Diabetes Specialities Hospital, Vijaywada said, “It is important for patients living with diabetes to have proper knowledge about their condition and guidelines on correct usage of insulin injection. I extend my support to Insulin Injection Day awareness campaign led by BD in India which can help patients to learn the right techniques and manage their condition well.” Added Dr. Arun Vadavi, Diabetologist, Sudha-The Prevention Centre, Bangalore, “Knowing the right technique for insulin injection is a critical factor in managing diabetes and can improve the injection experience for people living with diabetes. With awareness campaign led by BD on right injection techniques for insulin, I believe people will be better informed on appropriate injection and avoid complications during their therapy.” Highlighting the need for such awareness campaigns Pavan Mocherla, Managing Director-BD India & South Asia said, “Insulin therapy is a crucial part of diabetes management. We at BD, understand the importance of right insulin injection techniques for a patient living with diabetes. BD has been a leader in diabetes injection devices for more than 90 years now and Insulin Injection Day is a perfect occasion for us to encourage talking about the best practices in managing insulin therapy for better outcomes.” The experts also emphasized that incorrect insulin injection technique could lead to lipohypertrophy, which is a thickened, rubbery swelling under the skin at the patient’s usual injection sites. Lipohypertrophy can lead to poor glycaemic control, hypoglycemia and glycaemic variability. Some of the FITTER insulin injection recommendations Site rotation ·      An easy-to-follow rotation scheme should be taught to the patients from the onset of injection therapy. Needle/syringe hygiene Do not reuse needles. Use a new needle for each injection. Lipohypertrophy Injection sites should be inspected at every visit. Patients should be taught to inspect their own sites and should also be given training on how to detect lipohypertrophy. Injection sites Injection should be given at a clean site with clean hands. Prior to the injection, the site has to be palpated for lipohypertrophy and inspected for wounds, bruises, or blisters. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15604/physicians-save-more-than-1-m-hours-annually-as-per-iks-health-2019-data.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15604/physicians-save-more-than-1-m-hours-annually-as-per-iks-health-2019-data.html Tue, 21 Jan 2020 17:35:00 +0530 IKS Health, a premier healthcare solutions organization, today announced it has furthered its impact on the healthcare industry by saving physicians more than one million hours annually across the United States. These savings are enabled by the use of Scribble, IKS Health’s virtual scribe solution, which saves providers more than two hours per day. Further, this time savings estimate does not consider further time saved by the entire IKS platform, which helps increase efficiencies in both the exam room and the business office. For an organization with around $1 billion in revenue, this amounts to more than $72 million bottom line contribution when the entity leverages IKS’s full- service solutions suite. As organizations continue to uncover strong opportunities and success with IKS’s services, IKS expanded its reach in 2019 by 19 new and existing contracts with some of the nation’s leading healthcare provider organizations. New clients include Femwell Group Health, US Digestive Health, Village MD, Dimensional Dental, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Central Vermont Medical Center, Health Care Associates of Texas and Burger Rehabilitation at Casamba. Annual growth also includes the extension of existing partnerships with organizations such as Brigham Women’s Hospital, Milford Hospital, Pentucket Medical, and Wentworth Douglas. With these new and expanded partnerships, IKS has added nearly 2,800 physician users to their services, many of them taking advantage of Scribble implementation to advance their documentation practices. “Using Scribble has increased the passion our physicians have for patient care, which has helped us combat physician burnout as it has become a growing concern for the industry. As we innovate the way we treat patients, we understand the tools we use can impact the amount of care and time our physicians give daily. Our partnership with IKS has allowed us to focus on what’s needed to ensure our staff are as satisfied and engaged in the care provided as patients are,” said Dr. Michael Rossi, chief physician executive of LVHN and president of Lehigh Valley Physician Group (LVPG). With the advent of a new year and a new decade, IKS is entering its second decade of operations. Focusing initially on financial stability for client organizations, and moving into addressing the burden of clinical documentation, IKS will further its innovation in the year ahead. In 2020 and beyond, IKS will continue advancing its technology capacity and capability to improve automation and efficiency across organizations. Further, to help organizations uncover new opportunities with population health and revenue cycle, this holistic approach to partnerships and collaboration will increase strategic cost efficiencies and help organizations deliver better safer care. “For the past decade, there has been a growing need for physicians to focus on compliance, revenue management and other administrative tasks which has caused an advance in physician burnout and concerns with improving patient care,” said Sachin K Gupta, Founder and CEO, IKS Health, “As we strategically pair technology with expertise to fill gaps in an organization’s operations, we refocus everything back onto patient care and the provider experience, thus creating an influx of ease across staff workflow and the revitalization of the patient encounter, which is the most rewarding and impactful result our industry can achieve.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15602/jaslok-hospital-raises-awareness-on-intellectual-disability-in-children.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15602/jaslok-hospital-raises-awareness-on-intellectual-disability-in-children.html Tue, 21 Jan 2020 17:30:00 +0530 Jaslok Hospital and Research Center, renowned super-multi specialty hospital in Mumbai and amongst the reputed medical institutions across the country, participated in the Mumbai Marathon-2020 to support their social initiative for children with intellectual disability. Team from Jaslok participated in different races at the Marathon, wearing Jerseys that proclaimed the run mission - #ChooseToInclude. The oldest non-profit working in this space, Jaivakeel Foundation and Research Centre (Jaivakeel) has shifted their lens from care to discovery of potential, thereby leading to the ultimate aim of inclusion and acceptance. A platform such as the Mumbai Marathon connects with all the patrons of the city, thus Jaslok hospital took the initiative to participate in this event and promote Jaivakeel’s vision – to create sensitivity and positive acceptance for ID children in the society. Speaking on this, Ms. Archana Chandra, CEO, Jaivakeel said, “Within the disabilities space, ID seems to be the most invisible. Children with disabilities are one of the most marginalized and excluded groups of children, experiencing widespread violations of their rights. Jai Vakeel Foundation has been working in this space for over 75 years, reaching out to Lakhs of such children, most of whom are born to the poorest families in the country. As we celebrate our platinum anniversary, Jai Vakeel Foundation we took several such steps to spread awareness about the cause and the power of inclusion– from on-ground events to digital campaigns. We found further support from Jaslok Hospital who are advocating our mission of reaching to all the ID children in this country.” In addition to Jaivakeel Foundation, Jaslok Hospital also extended support to another social organization, Bal Asha which is an institution providing shelter and care to orphan children. Team Jaslok supported these organizations with #JaslokforJaiVakeel and #JaslokForBalAsha, slogans on their jersey. Talking about this initiative, Mrs. Kanta Masand, Chairperson, Jaslok Hospital & Research Center said, “Bal Asha is a safe haven for orphan and abandoned children in Mumbai and we focus not only to provide shelter but also help them with education and basic healthcare support. In fact six students from Bal Asha study at Jaivakeel. Jaslok Hospital has always been one of our support and we are delighted to have them represent us at the marathon, because it will help create awareness of our work and help like- minded people & corporate to come forward and support our endeavor”  Bal Asha Trust is an awarded charitable organization, founded in 1985 that helps abandoned and marginalized children in the city of Mumbai. The Children’s Home has tie-ups with outstanding government, private and municipal hospitals. This includes Jaslok Hospital and Research Center, offering excellent medical services. Bal Asha Trust also supports children of the nearby locality through educational, health and nutritional projects in Mumbai and surrounding areas. The top management of Jaslok Hospital also participated in the marathon, in addition to the ‘Jaslok Team’ of 13 runners. The sponsorship for the marathon preparation of these runners was led by Jaslok Trustee Mr. Jagdesh M CHanrai, supported by Mrs Kanta Masand, Chairperson, Jaslok Hospital while the force and inspiration behind their participation was her daughter, Ms. Maleeka Rafiq Lala who is also a volunteer with Jaivakeel Foundation. The sponsorship included their attire, gear, training, diet and participation formalities. From Team Jaslok, Mr. Mukund Vedphatak ran the full marathon while Mr. Sachin Patil ran the half marathon and the rest participated in the Dream Run.   The Trustees have decided to promote and partially sponsor all athletes in different sports who are employees at Jaslok Hospital and cannot afford their gear and training. Mr. Mukund was the first runner with many to follow and the Jaslok cricket team is the first team sponsored, who has been winning local matches for years. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15601/goqii-unveils-sixth-edition-of-india-fit-report.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15601/goqii-unveils-sixth-edition-of-india-fit-report.html Tue, 21 Jan 2020 17:00:00 +0530 GOQii, the smart-tech-enabled preventive healthcare ecosystem has unveiled the sixth edition of India Fit Report. India Fit Report 2020 is a result of a year-long study of 5 million GOQii users – presents a holistic overview on the health and lifestyle of Indians across different parameters such as steps taken, lifestyle diseases (Diabetes, Cardiac and Hypertension), BMI (Body Mass Index), nutrition, water, stress, sleep, gut health and immunity, allergies, smoking and alcohol consumption; all of which are classified according to gender and key cities. This year India Fit report has gone a step further and decoded the secret to ‘India’s Ikigai-longevity of life’ from 90 years old and above across the country. Speaking about the study, Vishal Gondal, Founder & CEO of GOQii said, ‘’The GOQii India Fit report is an important marker for India’s fitness. Our study indicates that people who report being happy and satisfied with their lives are more likely to enjoy longer life span with good health and fewer long-term limiting health concerns. Bonding with family and friends appears to enhance health, and even increase longevity. At GOQii, our endeavor is to create awareness about preventive health while providing people a platform to improve their health and fitness and move a step ahead to increase India’s average lifespan to 80 years and above.’ Diabetes has increased from 7.1% to 12% this year. The incidence of Diabetes is highest among older adults at 23.81% and seniors at 36.82%. As per the report, 13.5% of Indians have Cholesterol issues. High Cholesterol can even occur among people who are underweight, or overweight, thin or fat thus regular monitoring is key in keeping cholesterol in check. Currently 36% of the people who have high cholesterol have heart issues too while 51.7% of the people who have diabetes have abnormal cholesterol too. This past year Thyroid issues have increased from 6.8 to 10.7 %. The report also suggests that 13.4% of the people in India have high blood pressure. The GOQii India Fit Report has been administered across 16 cities in the country and data has been collected from a cross-section of 5 million GOQii app users. The study evaluates the health of users basis the Health Risk Assessment (HRA) that recorded the data on a daily basis that is tracked by users on the App. HRA considers factors such as current body statistics, medical parameters, current nutrition, physical activity, stress, sleep, alcohol, smoking, current illness, lifestyle diseases, immunity levels, symptoms or health indicators. The data that is tracked by the users on a daily basis is their steps clocked, food logs, sleep, water intake and their vital parameters. This edition of the report has focused on doing in-depth interviews with India’s oldest citizens. Over 100 respondents across the length and breadth of India, between 90 and 100 plus years of age were an integral part of the study. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15599/techies-take-stride-for-good-health-through-fitness-challenge-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15599/techies-take-stride-for-good-health-through-fitness-challenge-.html Tue, 21 Jan 2020 13:30:00 +0530 The Grand Tech park fitness challenge which was launched in the month of December by Columbia Asia Hospital Sarjapur Road for the techies at Embassy Tech Village was concluded with full fervour and loads of positive energy. ‘The ETV Fitness Challenge’, was organised to encourage employees from MNC’s and various corporates in the tech park to focus on their fitness regime, burn extra kilos and lose weight. The event witnessed participation of more than 350 employees from over 24 different corporates who pre-registered themselves for the fitness challenge one month back. With the launch of the event, the registered teams had input their current weight and other stats, which was re-recorded on the last day of the event, and the winners were chosen. During the course of this one month of the challenge, Columbia Asia Hospital Sarjapur Road conducted a host of fitness and preventive health activities involving Diet, nutrition and Physiotherapy sessions and, Mindfulness sessions and Ergonomic sessions for all the participants in the Columbia Asia hospital clinic which is inside the Embassy Tech Village. The winning teams were awarded by Ms. Manisha Kumar, General Manager, Columbia Asia Hospital Sarjapur Road, in the presence of senior HR and management of participating corporates. The winners were from various corporates such as Software AG, Flipkart, L&T Infotech, Just Energy to name a few and were given exciting prizes in form of latest fitness gadgets and appliances. Ms. Manisha Kumar, General Manager at Columbia Asia Hospital, Sarjapur Road said: “Given the sharp increase in lifestyle diseases, preventive healthcare is deemed to be of utmost importance today. This event is our effort and another step to spread the message and create awareness in the community about a healthier lifestyle and hence prevention of diseases. We are delighted to see the overwhelming response from ETV in terms of huge participation for our event. We can proudly say that our effort and aim behind doing this event has been achieved.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15598/cloudnine-group-focuses-on-neonatal-emergency-service.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15598/cloudnine-group-focuses-on-neonatal-emergency-service.html Tue, 21 Jan 2020 13:20:00 +0530 Since December 1, 2019, an outrage of neonatal deaths in India were reported from six government hospitals in Rajasthan and Gujarat. Among the factors that have been proved detrimental to child survival are lack of education in the mother, malnutrition (more than half of Indian women are anaemic), age of the mother at the time of birth, spacing, and whether the child is born at home or in a facility. Despite several efforts, one area that have been a neglected subject of attention of our policymakers, government and industry at large is the neonatal transport, in other words providing transport services and right medical care to pre term babies who are not getting the required clinical treatment they deserve at the time of their birth due to lack of quality NICU infrastructure. This is particularly evident in the context of developing countries like India. Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, India’s leading chain of maternity, childcare and fertility care group of Hospitals as a pilot project in Bengaluru has started the Neonatal Emergency Transport Service (NETS), a 24/7 initiative that is designed to provide adequate clinical support that is required for precious deliveries done in any of the hospitals which themselves may not have sufficient neonatology infrastructure to handle extreme pre term deliveries. This service was launched on 25th September 2019. Requests for retrievals from few hospitals and parents where the facility to cater to premature babies was not available led to the launch of this service which further helped in channelising our efforts to consciously reach out to more hospitals and offer our services for babies in distress. All the units of Cloudnine would be taking part in the senior consultant rota although the service is currently operational at Cloudnine Jayanagar and Cloudnine HRBR. With 80 beds, team of 20 Neonatologists and more than 100 specialised NICU trained Nursing staff spread across 6 hospitals, NETS offers advanced care – ON TIME. Parents can call on the Cloudnine Helpline number 9972899728 in case of such emergency. Under this initiative, Cloudnine group has approached close to 197 hospitals including public, private and clinics in Bengaluru. Total number of hospitals empaneled with us are 36. Since September 2019 till date we received close to 27 hospitals have been referring patients to us. The total number of retrievals from April to December are 100. Some of the peripherals from where we have received retrievals include Anantpur, Bellary, Kolar, Chitradurga, Kanakapura, Tumkur. In our country, a vast majority of the babies are born in places where the appropriate resources who can look after the babies is not available and therefore would need to be transferred to an care setting. We as doctors should aim to bring the NICU to the patient, so that as they arrive we may spend a considerable amount of time at the bedside with the baby. We should stabilize the baby whenever possible prior to loading them for transport. We may spend time placing IVs or umbilical lines, evaluating X-rays, protecting the airway and working to provide respiratory support, in addition to providing medications to ensure your baby is stable for transport. In such a scenario, a Neonatal Emergency Transport Service (NETS) is integral  to the delivery of a high quality neonatal service. According to Nitin Nag, Regional Director (South) at Cloudnine Group of Hospitals “ We at Cloudnine believe that quite a few pre term babies are not getting the required clinical treatment they deserve at the time of their birth due to lack of quality NICU infrastructure. NETS has been designed as an initiative that is aimed at providing timely new born care to these precious deliveries regardless of where they are born. We believe with NETS we are going closer to the place where our core skills in neonatology and NICU infrastructure become extremely relevant. Through this initiative, we will be able to save more babies than what we are able to in our own hospitals”. Under this initiative, any hospital (public/ private/ clinics) can leverage the access to Cloudnine’s NICU infrastructure and allowing the clinicians to be present during delivery, stabilizing the baby post-delivery and transfer of babies that need high end care to any of our hospitals in the network across the city. NETS is not just a transport service, NETS provides a referral service for hospitals faced with a neonatal emergency. It ensures no matter where someone lives, they can be assured that their baby or child will receive the same commitment to care as if living next to a tertiary neonatal unit. Cloudnine Hospitals Bangalore, is amongst the first maternal and child health players to set up a 24X7 transport service comprising of well qualified doctor and nurse team who would be equipped in resuscitation and stabilisation and transfer of babies. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15594/smart-group-a4m-conclude-first-india-conference-2020.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15594/smart-group-a4m-conclude-first-india-conference-2020.html Mon, 20 Jan 2020 16:35:00 +0530 The Smart Group, a leading, diversified business conglomerate in partnership, with American Agency of Anti Aging Medicine (A4M) together held their 1st India Conference recently in New Delhi. The two-day conference featured esteemed speakers, celebrated doctors and learned professionals in the field of preventive, integrative and traditional medicine from India and across the globe. Addressed by some of the world’s leading faculty in preventive healthcare, the event was attended by more than 300 doctors and featured the most cutting edge and futurists innovations in healthcare. The guest speakers at the conference were globally renowned scholars who have been leading integrative medicine globally and key leaders of the $4 trillion global wellness industry which is due to swell to $30 trillion.  Dr Andrew Heyman (MD, MHSA); Dr Pamela Smith (MD, MPH, MS); Dr Daniyar Jumaniyazov (MD, PhD); Dr Graham Simpson (MD); Dr Brian Delaney (PHD) and Indian health leaders like Deepak A V Chaturvedi (MD), endocrinologist from Mumbai; Alok Sharma, President, Stem Cell Society - India; Dr BS Rajput - Vice President , Stem Cell Society - India ; functional medicine experts like celebrity nutritionist, Dr Anjali Hooda amongst others were also the part of the event. A series of sessions as conducted by renowned industry experts, featured new age topics including intermittent fasting, regenerative medicine, autoimmunity, biochemical detox, and sub-fertile male amongst others, all of which have taken urban India by storm and are being increasingly endorsed by celebrities from Bollywood, sports and even politics. Keeping with the futuristic theme of the conference, Dr M (BK Modi) Founder-Chairman, Smart Group, addressed the audience via a video conference. Detailing his own experience with stem cells, he said, “I am very glad that doctors in India are taking a keen interest in preventive health. Cellular therapy has personally given me a renewed zeal and has enabled me to pursue my passion despite my age. I wish more people discover the benefits of preventive health, and can lead happy & healthy lives, beyond 100.”  The thought was echoed by Preeti Malhotra (Chairman, Smart Bharat and President - Organising committee, Smart A4M India conference, “Medicine has taken an exponential leap this century. Preventive health has had a profound effect on human longevity, awareness, mental wellbeing. There are researches claiming that children born in the coming years may live for upto a 1000 years, this has a profound effect on social relations, economies and the future of a nation. I am very happy that we were a able to bring A4M into India to initiate this conversation, much needed in a country like ours.”  A key feature of the conference was the scientifically curated exhibition featuring nutraceutical providers, companies in cellular regeneration & gene testing, healthcare equipments enabled by artificial intelligence. Healthcare stalwarts like Dabur and Apollo showcased their futuristic vision for healthcare in India.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15593/apeejay-stya-and-svran-group-organize-8th-iog-dr-stya-paul-awards-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15593/apeejay-stya-and-svran-group-organize-8th-iog-dr-stya-paul-awards-.html Mon, 20 Jan 2020 16:20:00 +0530 The Apeejay Stya and Svran Group organised the 8th Indian Obstetrics and Gynaecology (IOG) Dr Stya Paul Awards which have been instituted to recognise outstanding contributory articles published in the IOG Journal for Basic & Clinical Research. The gathering included leading gynaecologists, industry stalwarts, bureaucrats, diplomats and noted academicians. The IOG Dr Stya Paul Awards were initiated by Sushma Paul Berlia, Co-Promoter & President, Apeejay Stya and Svran Group. The IOG Journal is a peer reviewed indexed medical journal with wide circulation in India and abroad. The highlight of the event was an oration lecture on the topic ‘Generative Soil for a Fertile Seed’ by Dr Hugh S. Taylor, Professor of Women’s Health and Chair of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Science, at the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut. He is also Professor of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology at Yale University. Sushma Paul Berlia said, “Infertility is an emergent issue in India. Nearly 27.5 million couples in India  suffer from infertility. Dr Hugh Taylor elaborated some of the most critical issues related to infertility in his oration lecture which in turn will be of immense enrichment value for the medical fraternity and through its cascading effect on society at large.” Mrs Berlia also pointed out that the real reason for setting up the commemoration awards in the name of Dr Stya Paul is to go beyond remembering his illustrious life by cherishing the values he stood for and to keep on taking them forward.” She added that along with education, Dr Stya Paul was always deeply involved in supporting healthcare issues and the welfare of women & children. Dr Hugh S. Taylor, in his oration lecture, dwelled on one of the most challenging issues in the management of infertility, i.e. defective endometrium (uterine lining). He explained that a healthy seed is just not enough to get a healthy plant unless grown on a fertile soil, similarly a healthy embryo needs a receptive endometrium for successful implantation. He went on to elucidate on how to achieve the same.   The IOG Dr Stya Paul Awards were instituted for the authors of Best Papers published in the IOG Journal under three categories: Best Case Report, Best Review Article and Best Original Study. Since the last two years, a slew of new awards have also been added, including the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ and the ‘Distinguished Chair Award’. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15591/lupin-and-european-association-of-urology-successfully-conclude-masterclass-best-of-eau19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15591/lupin-and-european-association-of-urology-successfully-conclude-masterclass-best-of-eau19.html Mon, 20 Jan 2020 15:45:00 +0530 Pharma major Lupin Limited (Lupin) announced that it has successfully concluded the third edition of its series of medical symposiums for the Indian urology community. The latest edition, titled Masterclass: Best of EAU19, was organised in collaboration with the European Association of Urology (EAU) across four cities — Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata — from December 18-22, 2019 and saw an impressive turnout of 550 urologists in attendance. It also marked the second consecutive year of Lupin’s collaboration with the EAU for organising the Masterclass. This Masterclass leveraged the best of the Annual EAU Congress and enabled discussions around the latest clinical practices and key innovations in the field of urology. It also acquainted urology practitioners in India with the advancements made globally in this field and shared ideas to apply new best practices for patients in India. Speakers at the event included globally renowned specialists such as Prof. Christopher Chapple from Sheffield U.K., an expert in functional urology; Prof. Marko Babjuk from Charles University, Prague, Cezch Republic; Prof. Maarten Albersen, Assistant Professor and adjunct head of clinic in Urology, University Hospitals Leuven; and Prof. Nikolaos Grivas, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Department of Urology. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15589/medvarsity-tree-hospital-to-enhance-emergency-medicine-department-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15589/medvarsity-tree-hospital-to-enhance-emergency-medicine-department-.html Mon, 20 Jan 2020 14:20:00 +0530 Hyderabad based Medvarsity Online Ltd., a leader in online medical education, has partnered with Bengaluru based People Tree Hospitals to provide healthcare professionals with an advanced and well-structured Fellowship Program in Emergency Medicine intended to provide an in-depth understanding of the subject with a practical approach to students. The 1-year course, 'Fellowship in Emergency Medicine' is a collaboration project between both the organizations which envisions to increase the number of emergency medicine experts, thereby improving one of the most important aspects of healthcare and impacting the Indian medical fraternity.  The prime goal of the fellowship program is to strengthen the medical practitioners to be able to handle the emergency cases with precision. This also focuses on bridging the gap between the number of emergency medicine healthcare professionals (HCPs) in India and the foreseeable requirement for the future. PRS Legislative Research had estimated that India had witnessed over 5 lakh road accidents which killed about 1.5 lakh people in 2015. According to the most recent statistics (2018), the number of road deaths in India was observed to be 1.49 lakhs. Conspicuously, there is no substantial improvement in the situation over the period of 4 years even though 2017 had seen a fall of 3% compared to the figure in 2016.  Despite the consistent occurrence of accidents and subsequent deaths, there is a significant dearth of emergency care specialists and services in India, which is because of the paucity of HCPs specializing in the domain. Evidently, there is a dire need for more HCPs with specialization and expertise in emergency medicine who can contribute in providing timely and high-quality emergency health services in the country.  The course, 'Fellowship in Emergency Medicine', aims to provide a thorough knowledge and impart imperative practical skills needed from practitioners to improve the healthcare quality in the emergency medicine domain. Furthermore, it intends to exude competencies in triaging patients and identification & treatment of life-threatening emergencies. The biggest advantage of having an established emergency medicine department with abundant experts is that it provides the healthcare facilities with adequate resources to diagnose patients, identify the main components of the problem, and initiate proper care at a very early phase of illness or injury. This increases the likelihood of the improvement in the condition of the patient, thereby increasing the speed of recovery to a substantial extent.   The increase in the number of experts in the emergency care department can streamline a lot of operations in the healthcare facility. In the contemporary scenario of the healthcare industry, the specialist who is capable of treating a particular condition comes at a very later stage of the treatment. This is particularly because of the lack of expertise in the junior HCPs deputed in the emergency care department because of which the magnitude of time taken to diagnose and identify the problem is significantly increased, which leads to further deterioration of the patient's condition. On the other hand, the availability of experts at the emergency department can reduce that time, thereby pacing up further treatment and reducing the risk of deterioration of the patient's condition.  The Fellowship in Emergency Medicine by Medvarsity enables the students to: Enhance their knowledge and gain competence required for the prevention, diagnosis, and management of acute and urgent aspects of illness and injuries.  Gain expertise in the treatment of life-threatening emergencies.  Explore multiple career opportunities in the field of Emergency Medicine. Gain ability in resuscitating a critically ill patient and performing life-saving procedures.  Develop good communication and counselling skills required in emergency care.  In addition to the aforementioned aspects, the course captures all the proactive practices that will help a physician working in the emergency care department to treat the patients better.  The blended learning program has 240 hours of learning content and a 48 weeks of skill sessions which helps students gain comprehensive coverage of the subject. It also has live lectures and webinars by renowned clinicians.  Any physician or HCP who has completed MBBS with internship and has MCI/State Medical Council Registration is eligible for the course. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15581/abmh-invests-rs-45cr-to-upgrade-facility.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15581/abmh-invests-rs-45cr-to-upgrade-facility.html Mon, 20 Jan 2020 06:00:00 +0530 Pune based Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital (ABMH) is fully geared to extend necessary support to its patients as it invests Rs 45 crore in their healthcare facility. The hospital is designing a new paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) with child-friendly designs and play area elements embedded in the unit, giving a separate entrance to those coming for deliveries and opening up the gym and wellness centre even to outsiders for preventive care. Rekha Dubey, Chief Executive Officer, ABMH, said, “A majority (about 80%) of the investment has gone into equipment upgrade that will enable the hospital to use artificial intelligence, robotics and assist terminally ill patients. The investment is about 6-8 times the usual investment that the hospital undertakes on upgrades every year.” She further added, “It was not easy in the beginning when we started in 2006. It was too huge for a hospital and all our doctors were not a much-known name then. People preferred to go to the doctors they knew. Over time, the hospital has managed to retain all its doctors and they are very much known among people, at large.” The hospital works closely with an in-house team, of 115 full-time consultants, as they do not go to any other hospital. The hospital is not bounded by any government regulations as the hospital does not take any government aid and is a part of Aditya Birla Health Services. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15586/intravascular-lithotripsy-breaks-up-problematic-hard-blockage-in-coronary-arteries-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15586/intravascular-lithotripsy-breaks-up-problematic-hard-blockage-in-coronary-arteries-.html Fri, 17 Jan 2020 16:25:00 +0530 Dr. Ashok Seth, Chairman Fortis Escorts Heart Institute and his team performed the first case in India using Coronary Shockwave Lithotripsy to open a very difficult and hard calcified blockage in a 70 year patient with a heart attack. Shockwave Intravascular Lithotripsy is a novel Procedure brings hope for those suffering from an advanced form of coronary artery disease (CAD) having angina or heart attack in which the blockage becomes very hard due to deposit of calcium. This happens in 20% - 25% of the patients especially those who are elderly, diabetic have chronic kidney disease, have long standing blockages or previous bypass surgery. Previously to tackle this heavily calcified blockage there were only drills called Rotablator or ultra-high pressure balloons which are difficult to use and carry risk of rupturing the artery. Launched by Shockwave Medical, USA, its an innovative technology that generates sonic pressure waves to break up problematic calcium so that artery can be opened with ease and blood flow restored with the placement of a stent. The therapy leverages a similar minimally invasive approach that has been embraced by physicians for decades to treat kidney stones, which are also made up of calcium. Dr. Ashok Seth, Chairman, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, New Delhi said, “We are happy to be the first to offer this innovative technology to the benefit of the numerous patients in India undergoing angioplasties. Hardened calcified blockages are a big challenge to treat by angioplasty and stents and is getting commoner. Such blockages can now be opened with ease and safety to give patients the best results for long term. The sonic pressure waves produced when performing Intravascular Lithotripsy give us a novel, safe and proven treatment option to break up the calcified plaque, with potentially less risk of injury to the artery compared to other treatments.” Dr. Jonathan Hill, Head of Department of Cardiology, King’s College Hospital, London, who has the highest experience with this therapy in the world, was present with Dr. Seth during the first case. He added, “This is a path breaking therapy which is revolutionizing the treatment of hard plaque in Coronary arteries world over and I am glad that this is now available in India to patients in India. This will bring hope for many patients whose arteries could not be opened by balloon angioplasty because of calcium build up and were considered for Bypass Surgeries or left on medical management.” Calcium slowly develops and progresses to its hardened, bone-like state over the course of several decades of cellular growth and death in diseased plaque within the heart arteries. While it is slow to develop, its impact is immediately encountered when performing procedures in calcified lesions. The calcium’s hardened structure restricts normal artery movement and makes the rigid arterial tissue resistant to traditional balloon therapies that have been designed to compress the plaque within the artery wall to restore normal blood flow. For these reasons, the presence of calcium increases the complexity of most cases and decreases the effectiveness of most treatments. Gurmit Singh Chugh, CEO, Translumina, partners of Shockwave Medical for India said, “Indian is amongst the 10 countries where this therapy has been launched and we are happy that Indian patients now may not need to travel abroad to get IVL.” Intravascular Lithotripsy uses a small generator to produce therapeutic sonic pressure waves from a catheter that is threaded through the arterial system to the site of the blockage. The pressure waves pass through the soft vascular tissue, preferentially disrupting the hardened calcified plaque inside the arterial wall by creating a series of micro-fractures. After the calcium has been modified, the artery can be expanded using a low-pressure balloon and a stent, thereby enabling even historically challenging CAD patients to be treated effectively with minimal injury to the vessel.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15584/tej-kohli-foundation-moves-one-step-closer-to-cure-blindness.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15584/tej-kohli-foundation-moves-one-step-closer-to-cure-blindness.html Fri, 17 Jan 2020 15:15:00 +0530 The Tej Kohli Foundation has moved one step closer to a non-surgical treatment for corneal blindness as it prepares to enter into collaboration with researchers in Montreal, Canada and Moorfields Eye Hospital, UK to develop the Foundation’s recently acquired proprietary technology into an injectable biosynthetic ‘glue-filler’. The biosynthetic solution is a liquid form that sets as a gel at body temperature and which can then be modified to act as a tissue glue. The biosynthetic material has the potential to seal corneal perforations and cause the regeneration of corneal tissue, which would eliminate the need for corneal transplant surgery and reduce the risk of rejection. Like a cavity in a tooth, the ‘filler’ will be applied after the pathological tissue is removed, and can be used to fill a corneal perforation and regenerate the cornea in patients that would otherwise require a corneal transplantation. Between January 2016 and November 2019, the Tej Kohli Cornea Institute in Hyderabad – a collaboration between the Tej Kohli Foundation and the LV Prasad Eye Institute - collected 38,255 donor cornea and completed 43,255 surgical procedures for patients who could not otherwise afford to access treatment. A large proportion of surgeries were vision-restoring corneal transplants using donor cornea. But relying on donor cornea has many limitations. India, the country with the world’s largest corneal blind population, needs 100,000 donor corneas annually, but only 17,000 eyes are being procured every year. This shortage of donors, combined with the prohibitive $4,000 cost of invasive corneal transplant surgery and the medicines needed to prevent graft rejection, has created an unmet medical need in many poor communities around the world, where curable blindness often goes untreated. The Tej Kohli Foundation has a long-standing interest in technologies that can be developed into a scalable, affordable and accessible treatment that can bridge the gap between the high cost of treatment and the unmet medical need in poor communities.For a solution to be viable and affordable in poor communities the Foundation believes that it must cost less than $500. The biosynthetic technology was developed as the result of years of collaborative research among ophthalmology departments in Montreal, Canada; Hyderabad in India, and London’s Moorfields Eye Hospital and the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology. Earlier research using solid implants made from recombinant human collagen were successfully tested in patients at the Tej Kohli Cornea Institute in Hyderabad and in Odessa, Ukraine. However, these implants were too expensive to produce and required a full operating theatre. By contrast the biosynthetic ‘glue filler’ could be administered from a syringe by an ophthalmologist in a 30-minute procedure without an operating theatre. Moreover, the reliance on the regeneration of the patients’ own corneal tissue means that rejection will be low compared to grafting, removing the long term need for expensive immunosuppressant drugs. Laboratory studies on 100% thickness corneal wounds have already shown great promise for the biosynthetic, with pre-clinical studies now underway. Dr Bruce Allan, Consultant Eye Surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital said,“Blindness as a consequence of corneal perforation is common, particularly in developing countries where there is often no access to corneal transplantation. Novel glue fillers that have the potential to seal the cornea and promote natural tissue regeneration do not require expensive infrastructure and can be used anywhere. We are very excited to be working with the Tej Kohli Foundation on this.” Wendy Kohli, co-Founder of the Tej Kohli Foundation said, “Our mission is to eliminate needless corneal blindness by 2035. Whilst the thousands of corneal transplant surgeries that the Foundation funds each year transforms many lives, it is statistically impossible to eliminate corneal blindness in this way. That’s why for a number of years we have also been quietly funding our Applied Research program to develop an affordable, scalable and accessible treatment for corneal blindness that is suitable for the poor and underserved communities where corneal blindness is most pervasive. It is very exciting that our proprietary solution is now ready to enter into clinical trials.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15578/nha-signs-mou-with-itc-e-choupal-to-raise-awareness-on-ayushman-bharat-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15578/nha-signs-mou-with-itc-e-choupal-to-raise-awareness-on-ayushman-bharat-.html Fri, 17 Jan 2020 11:25:00 +0530 National Health Authority has signed an MoU with ITC e-Choupal to enable farmers across the country to avail benefits under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY.  Through this collaboration NHA and ITC e-Choupal will spread awareness about AB PM-JAY scheme and conduct outreach and training activities. The MoU was signed by Dr. Praveen Gedam, Dy.CEO NHA and Anil K. Rajput, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, ITC in the presence of Dr. Indu Bhushan, CEO, NHA. The two organisations have come together to spread awareness about the AB PM-JAY to help eligible farmers have a better understanding of the scheme and seek hospital treatment for serious illnesses through the scheme. Through this partnership, millions of farmers would be able to access the information via 6,000 e-choupals. E-choupal means “village meeting place” will constitutes a network of rural kiosks, providing number of information and communication related services for rural population. Speaking about the collaboration, Dr. Indu Bhushan said, “This partnership between National Health Authority and ITC e-Choupal, will empower millions of citizens in the rural India and Indian farmers with digital interventions.  The collaboration focuses on providing secondary and tertiary treatment for a range of serious illnesses such as cancer, heart ailments, etc to farmers and their families in rural areas. It will also demonstrate how such innovative models can reach the remotest corners of the country.” Sharing his views, Anil K. Rajput said, “The partnership with the National Health Authority will help to improve the health scenario in rural India. E-chaupal will empower farmers in the hinterland by providing necessary information through an integrated network. Signing of MoU will help pave the way to quality curative care for farmers and all citizens outside urban centers.” As part of the MoU, ITC will conduct awareness camps through 400 Village Health Champions (VHCs) covering nearly 800+ villages across 10 Districts of UP and MP on a pilot basis. These VHCs will make women and adolescents aware of the programme through group meetings and door-to-door connect. ITC will also promote AB PM-JAY thorugh 23 Choupal Saagars and 18 fuel stations. NHA will provide training modules and kit to train VHCs and Choupal Sanchalaks who will in turn raise awareness about the scheme among farmers and their families. ITC e-Choupal is a network of 4 million farmers in over 35,000 villages across 10 states (Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu) in the country.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15572/merck-launches-mobile-primary-healthcare-unit-in-kolkata.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15572/merck-launches-mobile-primary-healthcare-unit-in-kolkata.html Fri, 17 Jan 2020 10:50:00 +0530 Merck, a science and technology company under its corporate social responsibility (CSR) program facilitated the launch of a Mobile Primary Health, Cancer Screening and Palliative Care Unit (mobile medical unit) in Kolkata in association with Global Cancer Concern India (GCCI) a not for profit organisation that will manage the mobile medical unit and implement the health program. The mobile medical unit was flagged off by Dr. Shashi Panja, Minister of State, Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare, Govt. of West Bengal, in the presence of Anandram Narasimhan, Managing Director, Merck Specialties Pvt Ltd. and Dr Harvinder Singh Bakshi, Chief Executive Officer, GCCI.  Prof. (Dr.) Subir Ganguly, Ex-HOD, Dept. of Radiotherapy, R G Kar Medical College, currently Consultant Physician, Dept. of Radiation Oncology, Apollo Gleneagles Hospital and Dr. P. N. Mohapatra, Medical Oncologist, Apollo Gleneagles Hospital were also present at this launch among other guests. The mobile medical unit will provide primary health services, cancer awareness, cancer screening and palliative care to the economically underprivileged in the slums of Kolkata. The unit will be operational for three years. Speaking on the importance of this initiative, Anandram Narasimhan said, “Providing access to health is one of the core pillars of our corporate responsibility work. With an increasing incidence of cancer and the limited infrastructure for patient support in the country, it is imperative that we extend our support in this disease area. We are happy to partner with GCCI to roll out this mobile medical unit that will help address many unmet needs in cancer management. The project aims to create awareness of cancer symptoms, encourage early detection, primary and palliative healthcare for underprivileged cancer patients in Kolkata. We remain committed to the cause of cancer care management with the aim of improving and prolonging patients’ lives.” Dr. Harvinder Singh Bakshi, observed that Despite the best efforts of the Government, poor availability of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease affects the patients in India and that there is a great need for the different stakeholders to work together in this area. As the world’s oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company, Merck is committed to improve Access to Health (A2H) on a global scale: by making use of the company’s core competencies, expertise and experience across the health value chain. Merck aims to be a valued partner in addressing the worldwide health needs of under-served populations and communities. In tackling access barriers in developing countries, the company upholds the core values of quality, collaboration, accountability, transparency and respect for human rights.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15573/hpe-ehealth-centers-facilitate-one-million-patients-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15573/hpe-ehealth-centers-facilitate-one-million-patients-in-india.html Fri, 17 Jan 2020 10:50:00 +0530 Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) announced that its eHealth Centers (eHCs) have collectively facilitated over 1 million patient visits across India. Offering a digital healthcare solution, the vast eHC network offers remote diagnosis free of charge in underserved communities, reaffirming HPE’s long-term commitment to the country and its mission to advance the way people live and work. Many citizens lack access to primary healthcare services, which are critical to reducing mortality rates from chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Recognizing the significant role of technology in improving access and effectiveness of primary healthcare in underserved areas, HPE launched its eHC initiative in 2012. The eHCs, designed to fit and deploy within a standard shipping container, connect patients with highly skilled medics. These centers also combine online training materials for remote healthcare workers with diagnostic tools that capture the patients’ vital statistics on a cloud-based application. Additionally, by leveraging data analytics, the eHCs facilitate health monitoring and management by identifying disease patterns in local communities. “At HPE, we believe technology can play a significant role in addressing rapidly-evolving healthcare needs. Being a purpose-driven organization, we strive to develop innovative models such as eHCs to make our world better,” said Som Satsangi, MD – India, HPE. “The one million eHC patient visits is a significant milestone in reaffirming our commitment to build a culture of innovation that positively impacts local communities across the country.” Working towards a TB-free IndiaIn support of the government’s target of making India TB-free by 2025, HPE signed the USAID TB pledge. Under this pledge, the eHCs will screen symptomatic patients and target the “Missing TB” cases who carry the disease and go undiagnosed. The diagnosed patients will be referred to the nearest government recognized TB treatment center. The eHCs target to provide free diagnostic services to over 50,000 TB patients by July 2020.Expanding the eHC networkCurrently, there are over 130 eHCs deployed across 18 states in the country. To further increase the reach of affordable and personalized healthcare services, HPE will set-up additional eHCs across the country. The success of eHCs in India has resulted in HPE launching such facilities in Bhutan and the Philippines. HPE’s commitment to further improving global access to healthcare helped inspire the launch of Tech Impact 2030 in 2018. Along with the World Economic Forum, HPE announced the initiative focused on bringing together technology, industry and government to power meaningful change by the year 2030. Under this initiative, HPE introduced a challenge to enable real-time, personalized medical care for patients by 2030. Looking forward, HPE envisions emerging technology to radically improve the cost, speed and accuracy of medical research and patient care.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15566/hilleman-labs-expands-into-maternal-and-child-health-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15566/hilleman-labs-expands-into-maternal-and-child-health-.html Thu, 16 Jan 2020 14:10:00 +0530 In a bid to strengthen its vaccine portfolio and expand into areas of unmet need, Hilleman Laboratories, a global research and development organization focused on delivering high-impact and affordable vaccines has announced its plans to venture into the area of maternal and child health. In this regard, Hilleman Labs is undertaking research and development of an effective and affordable vaccine against Group B Streptococcus to add a positive impact to women and children living in low middle-income countries. Streptococcus agalactiae or group B streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of serious neonatal infections including septicaemia, pneumonia and less frequently meningitis, and urinary tract infections, chorioamnionitis, endometritis and bacteremia in women. GBS is an opportunistic commensal constituting a part of the intestinal and vaginal physiologic flora in almost 25% of healthy adult women. Maternal colonization is the principal route of GBS transmission. GBS converts from the asymptomatic mucosal carriage state to a major bacterial pathogen causing severe invasive infections. As per 2017 WHO estimates, almost 18% pregnant women, totalling approximately 22 million, worldwide, carry GBS in all regions of the world; ranging from 11% in eastern Asia to 35% in the Caribbean. India is one of the top five countries for GBS carriage with more than 2.4 million pregnant women affected with the disease followed by China, Nigeria, United States of America and Indonesia. Various studies have established that a maternal vaccine may prevent 231,000 infant and maternal GBS cases but, despite several vaccines to prevent GBS are in development, none is currently available in the market. Dr Davinder Gill, CEO, Hilleman Laboratories, said, “Hilleman Labs has embarked on a project to develop a safe, effective and affordable vaccine against Group B Streptococcus.  In this project, we will use our expertise in the conjugate vaccine technology in which we have substantial experience.  We will design, assemble and test the vaccine within our R&D centre in India. We will pay close attention to Group B Streptococcus strains that are prevalent in India and South East Asia.  Thereafter, we will partner with a vaccine manufacturing company for further development, manufacture and sale of the vaccine.  Since there is currently no approved vaccine for Group B Streptococcus, our initiative is an important one for women and children living in low middle-income countries.” Dr. Manoj Kumar, Senior Director-R&D at Hilleman Labs stated, “Over the years, Hilleman Labs has demonstrated its expertise in the development of conjugate vaccines through our work on Hib as well as meningococcal conjugate vaccines utilizing novel cost-effective processes including a novel organic synthesis approach.  Now, we would like to apply our knowhow in this area to produce an innovative vaccine against Group B Streptococcus and we are very excited about the opportunity”.  Currently, patients who acquire Group B Streptococcus infections are prescribed antibiotics – which has resulted in the appearance of Group B Streptococcus strains that are drug resistant.  The organization feels there is an urgent need to develop alternate solutions such as safe vaccines to prevent the threat of anti-microbial resistance (AMR).   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15558/president-kovind-puts-focus-on-organ-donation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15558/president-kovind-puts-focus-on-organ-donation.html Wed, 15 Jan 2020 16:00:00 +0530 The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, graced and addressed the tenth foundation day of the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) and the seventh convocation ceremony in New Delhi on January 15, 2020. Speaking on the occasion, the President said that In India, we need about two lakh liver transplants a year, while only a few thousand are done every year. There is need to establish liver transplant programs in more public hospitals and ILBS can provide necessary expertise in this regard. But perhaps most crucial is to encourage organ donation and spread awareness about it. There is a huge gap between the requirement and availability of organs needed for saving lives. The dearth of donors results mainly from lack of awareness about organ donation. He urged ILBS to prepare a roadmap suggesting ways and means to encourage Liver donation, to improve the related procedures and protocols, and to strengthen the infrastructure needed to support a higher number of Liver transplants than is currently possible. The President said that the growing incidence of liver diseases is also linked to our unhealthy lifestyles. He noted that, at present, nearly one out of four Indians have fatty liver and may be ten per cent of them have liver diseases due to excessive body fat. He said that this condition is known to be a precursor to development of diabetes and heart disease. And diabetics have greater incidence of liver disease than others. It is for institutes like ILBS to take up research that can clarify the linkages between our lifestyle and liver diseases. That would help in developing a preventive care system based in lifestyle changes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15547/homoeopathic-institutions-need-cutting-edge-research-facilities-anil-baijal-delhi-lg.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15547/homoeopathic-institutions-need-cutting-edge-research-facilities-anil-baijal-delhi-lg.html Tue, 14 Jan 2020 14:25:00 +0530 Third International Conference on “Homoeoprophylaxis: A Worldwide Choice for Disease Prevention; Evidence and Education - the Keys to Change” took place in New Delhi from January 11-12. The event was supported by other international organisations from the Netherlands, Australia, and USA along with indian institutes like Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India; Nehru Homoeopathic Medical College, Delhi; Dr. B. R. Sur Homoeopathic Medical College, Delhi and professional bodies like Indian Institute of Homoeopathic Physicians & Homoeopathic Medical Association of India While inaugurating the conference Anil Baijal, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi said, “To leverage specific advantages of Homoeopathy, there is an urgent need to strengthen the research infrastructure of Homoeopathic institutions to undertake research projects of public health importance.” The conference was attended by about 250 experts/delegates from USA, Australia, Netherland, Cuba, Thailand, Ministry of AYUSH, National and State Government Institutions, colleges, research institutions and private practitioners. Dr. Raj. K. Manchanda, Director (AYUSH), Govt. of Delhi and organising Chair; Dr. Anil Khurana, Director General, Central Council of Research in Homoeopathy, Govt of India and Chair Committee, HPWWC- 2020 and Cathy Lemmon (US) President, HPWWC were also the part of the conference. Dr R.K Manchanda, while welcoming delegates laid stress on the opportunity for India to undertake high quality research in the prevention of various infections. Cathy Lemmon, extended her wishes to the delegates and addressed the conference. She stated that our mission is to promote Homoeopathy in diseases prevention, creating platform for scientific discussion. Baijal said, “In the last few decades, basic researches in homeopathy have reached incredible heights. However, there is a need to combine innovative research strategies to conduct focussed evidence-based research. The research infrastructure of Homoeopathic Institutions in Delhi should also be strengthened in undertaking research projects of public health importance. Today, world at large and India in particular, is facing challenges of several outbreaks of diseases like Dengue, Chikungunya, Malaria, Encephalitis, Diarrhoea and Gastroenteritis among others where there are no effective vaccines in allopathy, Homoeopathic researchers should work to find out the solutions to these diseases based on modern scientific parameters. In Delhi, we have created an admirable infrastructure in the form 106 Homoeopathic Dispensaries, 2 medical colleges namely Nehru Homoeopathic Medical Colleges and Dr B R Sur Homoeopathic Medical College. About 1.8 million patients are treated every year in these facilities.” Given the merits of Homoeopathy, the experts advocated it as a useful choice for promoting health and preventing diseases. They were of the view that Homoeopathy can play an important role as “first line of treatment” if it is utilised in its right perspective. Homoeopathy aims at curing the patient holistically and gently. The inherent strengths of the system enable it to be free from adverse side effects and make it a safe, easy and cost-effective mode of treatment.  Its medicines are safe, non-addictive, palatable, and easy to administer. It can safely be used for pregnant and lactating women, infants and children and old people. These impart a natural and specific stimulation to the body’s defence mechanism without inducing drug resistance.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15538/nathealth-signs-mou-with-association-of-healthcare-providers-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15538/nathealth-signs-mou-with-association-of-healthcare-providers-india.html Tue, 14 Jan 2020 06:00:00 +0530 Taking forward the spirit of cohesive collaborations and partnerships to achieve the goals of Universal Health Coverage with quality care, two apex Healthcare Industry bodies- NATHEALTH and Association of Healthcare Providers of India (AHPI) have announced to work in collaboration with each other. The partnership aims to share knowledge and resources in the healthcare sector. The healthcare industry bodies have also agreed to work together in recommending price and cost models for key components of healthcare delivery. NATHEALTH and AHPI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at a function held in, Bengaluru. In 2019, NATHEALTH had announced its partnerships with National Health Authority (NHA), NASSCOM, Wellness and Roche Diagnostic. AHPI similarly has formal association with key healthcare bodies including Indian Medical Association, Association of National Board Accredited Institutions and Consortium of Accredited Healthcare Organizations etc. The partnership between NATHEALTH & AHPI therefore will promote more effective use of each other’s resources, memberships and provide a wider representation of the healthcare industry to key stakeholders in areas of policymaking and creating a suitable environment to benefit all stakeholders. This partnership will leverage the benefits of efforts on creating and implementing policiesthat help build trust, share knowledge and resource in the healthcare sector. “We agreed to form a partnership with AHPI to work together in formulating a model arrangement for active participation of private hospitals in programs launched by the government. This would include creating a reference document for the public-privatepartnership. Collectively we will take up regulatory/taxation issues with authorities such asState and Central Government affecting patient care to improve quality of care or healthcare expenditure of patients,” said Dr H. Sudarshan Ballal, President, NATHEALTH. Speaking on the collaboration, said by Dr Alex Thomas, President AHPI said; “This partnership would provide momentum to our ongoing efforts. With our combined resources, we hope to witness a significant contribution and development in the healthcare systems. We wish to network and share knowledge on various aspects of healthcare delivery systemsand for the mutual benefits of members of two organizations to whom we are meant to serve.” Under the agreement, NATHEALTH and AHPI have identified major areas of collaboration, which would promote information sharing, advocacy with governments, Private-Public Partnerships, rational cost structure &; pricing, and formulation of Patient Charter. The joint initiative will collectively act as an interface between the industry and government on various policy and regulatory topics to improve the regulatory environment in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15531/resmed-india-conducts-training-on-non-invasive-ventilation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15531/resmed-india-conducts-training-on-non-invasive-ventilation.html Mon, 13 Jan 2020 11:45:00 +0530 ResMed, a digital health company whose cloud-connectable devices help treat sleep apnea and other respiratory diseases in more than 120 countries, hosted a workshop for Intensivist and Chest Physicians on when and how to prescribe non-invasive ventilation (NIV) to patients in hospital and homecare environments in Delhi recently. ResMed India is centered around people and technology that are changing the face of healthcare. ResMed Academy is the clinical arm of ResMed in India, who conducts educational workshops for medical experts throughout the year in the fields of NIV and Sleep for education and patient benefit. Non- invasive Ventilation is a newer way of providing ventilation to patients without a need to perform any invasive procedure. The ventilation is provided to the patient through mask and an air tube connected to the ventilator. It is recommended in various Respiratory diseases, in hospitals as well as long term management of such diseases at home and one such indication is COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a common, respiratory disease that is characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation that is due to airway and/or alveolar abnormalities usually caused by significant exposure to noxious particles or gases. The chronic airflow limitation that is characteristic of COPD is caused by a mixture of small airways disease (e.g., obstructive bronchiolitis) and parenchymal destruction (emphysema), the relative contributions of which vary from person to person. It is one of the leading causes of deaths in India, especially during winters. A survey claimed 12 lac plus deaths in 2017-18 through both outdoor and indoor pollution. The most common causes and risk factors for COPD are smoking, passive smoking, fumes, chemical and dust in construction sites. Patients benefit from NIV as it provides pressure support and which assists patient’s breathing. This decreases their work of breathing (WOB) and improves quality of life. This workshop covered both theoretical and hands-on learning on the application of Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in various respiratory diseases including acute hypercapnic respiratory failure, acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, and chronic respiratory failure. Dr Prashant Saxena, Associate Director & Head, Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine, Max Super Specialty Hospital, Saket followed by Dr. Anand Jaiswal, Director, Respiratory & Sleep Medicine, Medanta Hospital, Gurugram; Dr (Brig) Ashok K Rajput, Chief Respiratory Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Artemis Hospital, Gurugram; Dr Sandeep Nayyar, Director & HOD, Chest & Respiratory Disease, BLK Super Speciality Hospital, Delhi and Dr Manoj K Goel, Director & Unit Head, Pulmonology, Pulmonary Critical Care Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Gurugram were part of the symposium. Dr Saxena started with the introduction of NIV, goals, settings and interfaces, Dr Jaiswal discussed usage of NIV in Hypoxemic failures. Dr Rajput took a session on Hypercapnic failure, in order to spur this application, for the patient benefit or end users whereas, Dr Nayyar touched the areas of Chronic care and Dr Goel gave the download on NIV initiation, Monitoring, troubleshooting and guidelines. Further, Dr. Ashwini Mandana, Clinical specialist ResMed, shared newer modes of NIV devices and interface. On the occasion, Dr Ashwini Mandana, Clinical Specialist, ResMed Academy mentioned, “NIV has revolutionized the management of Chronic respiratory failures like COPD, Obesity and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Further it is useful in management of mild to moderate hypoxemia respiratory failures by avoiding intubations and providing ventilator support. Hence it is very useful to have comfortable life in the patients with COPD and OSA which is easy to use at home, thus preventing hospitalization of a such patients”. The workshop offered all the doctors from different specialty in the healthcare system a platform to learn, share and connect. The workshop brings together a multi-disciplinary audience from across the healthcare spectrum to share their experiences, ideas and break the conventional silos that exist in this field. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15523/unani-medicine-bengaluru-hosts-workshop-on-medical-astrology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15523/unani-medicine-bengaluru-hosts-workshop-on-medical-astrology.html Fri, 10 Jan 2020 12:00:00 +0530 Apex Professional University, Arunachal Pradesh in collaboration with National Institute of Unani Medicine, Ministry of AYUSH, Bengaluru hosted a one-day workshop on the topic Medical Astrology 'An Integral Part of Prevention, Diagnosis and Therapeutics of Diseases', which was inaugurated and presided by Dr. S. Sacchidanand, Hon'ble Vice Chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bengaluru. The workshop commenced at 9:30 am on 8th January 2020 in the auditorium of National Institute of Unani Medicine, Kottigepalaya, Magadi Main Road, Bengaluru. Dr. Sachidananad highlighted that integrated outlook in treatment strategies should be taken on a higher priority instead of remaining as different compartments of medical disciplines. He also added that RGUHS will function as a bridge between various systems and help to break the walls currently existing. The Resource person of the scientific session of the workshop Acharya Dhanwant Singh who is an IIM Alumnus, a Corporate Yogi and the Hon'ble Founder and Chancellor of Apex Professional University, Arunachal Pradesh., scientifically explained in depth the parameters of the influence of celestial bodies on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Dr. Abdul Wadud, Director, National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bengaluru delivered the director's address narrating the relevance of Astrology in Unani treatment system. Prof Dr. Mohammed Zulfikar gave a brief talk on the System of Unani medicine and its close relations to the Science of Astrology.  The occasion also marked the release of the book 'Essentials of Research Methodology in Unani Medicine', by the Dignitaries on the Dias. The Workshop was attended by students, and faculty from various health care institutions and medical officers of ministry of AYUSH wherein the session was concluded by the vote of thanks from Dr. P. Ajith Kumar, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Apex Professional University. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15522/indegene-adds-syneos-health-as-minority-investor.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15522/indegene-adds-syneos-health-as-minority-investor.html Fri, 10 Jan 2020 11:35:00 +0530 Bengaluru based Indegene, a leading Healthcare Tech firm focused on the global life sciences industry, announced Syneos Health as a strategic collaborator and minority investor in Indegene Omnipresence Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Indegene. Syneos Health is the only fully integrated biopharmaceutical solutions organization, and provides end-to-end drug development and commercialization solutions to biopharmaceutical customers in more than 110 countries. Omnipresence is a next-generation unified customer experience platform for healthcare and life sciences organizations with CRM, omnichannel engagement, advanced analytics, and AI capabilities in a single unified platform. The Omnipresence platform, built as a strategic alliance with Microsoft since 2017, brings together Microsoft Azure analytics as well as Microsoft AI together with Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power Platform for business applications, and Microsoft Office 365 and Teams for productivity and collaboration. Combined with Indegene's deep industry expertise, analytics, and omnichannel engagement IP, Omnipresence enables life sciences organizations to elevate and transform the experiences they can deliver to healthcare professionals, patients, and business stakeholders. "We are excited to welcome Syneos Health as an investor for Indegene's Omnipresence subsidiary. This investment will further accelerate the roadmap and deployments of our Customer Experience Management (CXM) platform for life sciences and healthcare clients. Indegene Omnipresence truly applies the power of modern omnichannel technology and advanced capabilities such as machine learning to achieve best-in-class customer-centric experiences," said Manish Gupta, co-founder and CEO of Indegene. Dr. Rajesh Nair, co-founder and President, Indegene, added, "Both Indegene and Syneos Health are experienced in life sciences clinical development, commercialization, and global enterprise scale engagements. With this investment, Indegene Omnipresence will significantly strengthen its position as the next-generation Customer Experience Management platform through expanded global resources and expertise, providing a much-needed option to meet the dramatically changing needs of the industry." Sanjay Virmani, EVP with Indegene and lead of the Omnipresence initiative, will continue as the CEO of Indegene Omnipresence Inc. Alistair Macdonald, CEO, Syneos Health, commented, "We're excited to partner with Omnipresence the innovative platform, underpinned by Microsoft technologies, to address customer demand to drive high-value commercial relationships in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Syneos Health's Dynamic Assembly network is an open ecosystem of the most agile data and technology collaborators, such as Omnipresence, to strategically address our biopharmaceutical customers' challenges." "Omnipresence is a good example of an industry-specific, multi-cloud solution built with Microsoft's enterprise technologies working together in uniquely disruptive ways. We are excited to see Indegene add Syneos Health as another strategic collaborator in our joint mission to bring new value to life sciences and healthcare organizations," said James Phillips, Corporate Vice President, Business Applications Group, Microsoft. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15517/ima-recommends-weight-management-wellness-programs-of-vlcc.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15517/ima-recommends-weight-management-wellness-programs-of-vlcc.html Fri, 10 Jan 2020 10:10:00 +0530 In a first in the fast-growing Wellness services segment in India, the Weight Management and Wellness Programmes of Beauty & Wellness brand, VLCC now has the “Weight Management and Wellness Program Recommended By Indian Medical Association” (IMA) stamp. This was announced by the company recently, stating that it is the only weight management and wellness services player in India to have been given such a rating by the IMA. The Weight Management and Wellness Program approval was received by VLCC after due diligence as well as a process and technical expertise audit by IMA, covering the company’s wellness and weight-management delivery process and results thereof. VLCC’s weight management and wellness programmes are based on dietary modification, physical activity regimen, therapeutic body therapies and behavioural counselling and are customised for each individual. These programmes are delivered in each of its Wellness centres by teams of specialists including nutritionists, physiotherapists, fitness experts and behavioural counselors, under the supervision of a medical doctor. VLCC currently operates over 250 Wellness & Beauty centres across over 150 cities in 16 countries spanning South Asia, Middle East and East Africa.   Speaking on the approval, Vandana Luthra, Founder & Co-Chairperson, VLCC Group said, “We are indeed encouraged to be recommended by IMA. It is further affirmation that VLCC’s scientifically validated solutions and delivery processes are safe and effective. We have been able to achieve this distinction through consistent investment in R&D and highly qualified professionals as well as sustained and strict adherence to best-in-class service delivery standards. VLCC has always been the flag bearer of the industry by introducing the best, most scientific weight management and wellness solutions with a clear focus on measurable outcomes. We will continue to invest in technologies, experts, methods and proprietary processes to transform human lives.” Commenting on the occasion, Dr. Ramesh Kumar Datta, Finance Secretary, IMA said, “Non-communicable and lifestyle diseases like obesity and overweight and their related illnesses, while being easily preventable, are fast becoming public health hazards in India. The country’s curative healthcare delivery infrastructure is being increasingly burdened with the strain of managing such illnesses, whereas it would be far better deployed addressing life threatening and communicable diseases. VLCC, with their process-driven wellness and weight-management programmes, is playing an important role in preventive healthcare delivery. We would urge other constituents of this ecosphere to also adopt scientifically validated service delivery methodology.” VLCC deploys 2% of its annual revenue in R&D and has a multi-national team of over 70 specialists and experts across 10 countries who spearhead this effort.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15515/pg-healths-panache-announces-first-set-of-winners.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15515/pg-healths-panache-announces-first-set-of-winners.html Thu, 09 Jan 2020 15:55:00 +0530 Procter & Gamble Health Limited (formerly known as Merck Limited) has announced the culmination of the 2019 edition of PANACHE - a first of its kind platform to support India’s Gen  X doctors in their medical education journey. PANACHE aims to assist students in honing skills for holistic patient care including medico–legal aspects, ethics, role of technology, emotional intelligence, problem-solving and leadership among others. Dr. Vivek Nidhi from Burdwan Medical College and Hospital, Burdwan (winner), P. Shri Ram from Gandhi Medical College, Secunderabad (1 st runner-up), Dr. Tejaswini M from Yenepoya Medical College, Mangalore and Suma Damera from Rangaraya Medical College, Kakinada (joint 2 nd runners-up) emerged as the winners from among >11,000 participants from > 250 colleges across 130 cities in India*. Their PANACHE journey included 2 rounds of online quiz assessments, and a live final round at the Annual Conference of the Association of Physicians of India (APICON) 2020, wherein they competed among 12 finalists in the presence of stalwarts from the medical and science fraternity. In addition to being recognized as the winners of this prestigious pan-India program, the 3 winners will also be offered a scholarship for an amount of Rs. 3 lakhs, 2 lakhs and 1 lakh respectively, for pursuing educational courses, by P&G Health Limited. Speaking at the felicitation ceremony, Milind Thatte - Managing Director, Procter & Gamble Health Limited stated, “P&G Health’s PANACHE was conceptualised with an aim to go beyond sharing medical expertise for any therapy area, to help equip the doctors of tomorrow with holistic skills that encompass all aspects of clinical practice. We are overwhelmed by the response it has received in its first year and are extremely proud to announce Dr. Vivek Nidhi, P. Shri Ram, Dr. Tejaswini M and Suma Damera as our winners  today at the prestigious APICON 2020. I would like to thank the APICON team for giving this platform to our finalists to compete in front of senior members of the medical fraternity. I also express my gratitude to the renowned medical expert panel who helped us design PANACHE, Heads of medical colleges for their support and participation, and to all medical students who went through the PANACHE experience.” Hailing from Burdwan and an intern of Burdwan Medical College and Hospital, PANACHE 2019 Winner Dr. Vivek Nidhi commented, “I am extremely thrilled to have won! This achievement brings honour to my college  and I would be delighted if it inspires students from colleges from small towns to participate in such platforms. It is indeed a thoughtful step by P&G Health to institute this program for medical students to learn crucial skills as well as medical ethics. I hope P&G Health continues this program in the years ahead to enable many more students to develop themselves for the future”. The date and venue selected for the grand finale has special significance as it marks the 75th anniversary i.e., Platinum Jubilee of APICON. Over the years, APICON has been established as the platform to showcase the latest research, developments and innovation conducted by the medical fraternity. Congratulating the winner and reiterating the need for such a learning platform in India, Dr. P.K. Maheshwari, organizing secretary for APICON added, “Along with the right diagnosis and treatment recommendation, sound general knowledge, good communication skills and the right attitude are essential for today’s doctors. While I congratulate the winners, I would also like to congratulate P&G Health for this initiative and for associating with APICON by letting us be a part of this grand event. My best wishes to the winners and to P&G Health for future editions of this program.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15512/columbia-asia-to-become-plastic-free-hospital.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15512/columbia-asia-to-become-plastic-free-hospital.html Thu, 09 Jan 2020 13:00:00 +0530 Keeping in mind the health hazard of plastic and its impact on our environment, Columbia Asia referral Hospital, Yeshwanthpur, Bengaluru has launched a year-long anti-Plastic campaign at the hospital. The focus of this drive is to replace plastic usage and create awareness about the negative impact of use of plastic on the environment and how beneficial it is to switch to sustainable alternatives among the hospital staff and neighbourhood. As a part of this initiative the hospital has removed all the plastic covers used in Pharmacy for dispensing the medicines and has replaced with paper covers. Implementing this drive, the hospital has taken up eco-friendly measure which included distribution of steel bottles to all its staff. Dr. Ananth Rao, General Manager Columbia Asia Referral Hospital said “We are pleased to take this first step and would like to reduce maximum use of plastic in our hospital. Our initiative focuses on persuading our staff and neighbourhood to give up use of plastic and look out for alternatives. It is very important for us to think about our future generations. We should implement as many as eco-friendly initiatives around us and avoid all the plastic-based materials. We hope to inspire people to avoid usage of plastic and take a step closer towards healthy and eco-friendly environment”. The hospital also conducted exhibition for all the departments which included display of posters and models prepared by the staff working in various departments, question and answer rounds, describing the innovative ideas. There was also brain storming sessions which focused on reduction and replacement of plastics. The staff shared bio-degradable ideas like replacement of plastic ID’s with wooden ID cards, organic sanitary napkins made of banana fiber, reusable silicon bags instead of plastic bags and box, bamboo straws,Coconut shell, steel cups,  silicon baby feeding bottles, steel bedpans instead of plastic, wooden combs and wooden toothbrush, plastic dustbins to metal bins, plastic flowerpots to be replaced with clay pots, canned water bottles  with ozonized water supply, recycling vacutainer tube, reagent bottles, urine bottles and ESR pipettes. The posters and models were judged on the basis of innovation, presentation skills and the best idea was awarded with the prize. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15498/super-specialty-hospital-to-come-up-in-lakshadweep.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15498/super-specialty-hospital-to-come-up-in-lakshadweep.html Wed, 08 Jan 2020 14:00:00 +0530 The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind arrived has laid the foundation stone of a super specialty hospital in Kavaratti, the capital of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep While addressing the audience the President said "I am aware that living here comes with some unique challenges, such as maintaining connectivity with the mainland and among islands, and harsh weather conditions particularly during monsoons. Nothing though has prevented Lakshadweep’s onward march and progress." The President said that he was happy to lay the foundation stone of the super-specialty Hospital here at Kavaratti. He said that the hospital will address many of the health related issues of people living here in Kavaratti as well as those living in other islands. More importantly, when this hospital comes up and becomes fully functional, it would significantly reduce the need for patients to go to Kochi for treatment.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15497/aditya-birla-health-insurance-joins-hands-with-paytm.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15497/aditya-birla-health-insurance-joins-hands-with-paytm.html Wed, 08 Jan 2020 11:45:00 +0530 Aditya Birla Health Insurance Co. Limited. (ABHICL), the health insurance subsidiary of Aditya Birla Capital Limited (ABCL), a significant non-bank financial services’ conglomerate, announced its partnership with Paytm, India's leading payment gateway to promote bite sized group health insurance products for Paytm’s 130 million active customers across the country. Bite-sized insurance cover, also known as sachet insurance, is available with hassle-free documentation process as compared to traditional health insurance products. These products are tailored as per the needs of working professionals and millennials. Bite sized products are popular among customers who are seeking health plans at an affordable low price for their specific health needs. The whole idea behind this partnership is to make health insurance extremely affordable and instantly available to the people. Aditya Birla Health Insurance in association with Paytm will offer a host of innovative offerings, including unique covers like common communicable illness cover, dental cover, diabetes cover and cancer cover with premium starting as low as Rs 149. Additional benefits ·          No paperwork needed - No medical required ·          Immediate policy issuance at affordable premium ·         Fully digitally enabled enrolment journey - get health insurance in just2-clicks Speaking on the announcement Mr. Mayank Bathwal, CEO, Aditya Birla Health Insurance Co, Ltd. said, “At Aditya Birla Health Insurance, our endeavour is to provide need-based health insurance solutions to our trusting customers. We are acknowledged for our product innovation, customer engagement, and technology advancements. Our association with one of the leading payment aggregators Paytm, further strengthens our commitment to make quality health insurance products more affordable and conveniently accessible to millions of customers across India through digital innovations.” He further added, “With this partnership, we look forward at extending our health insurance solutions through Paytm’s robust presence across the country backed by technological innovations Speaking on the announcement Mr. Amit Nayyar, President, Paytm said, "We are deeply focused on offering innovative and customized insurance solutions to our millions of customers. We are looking to simplify the journey for customers from purchase to claim process. Offering need based bite sized-products in simplified digital mode helps customers to get insured easily and increase insurance penetration in India. This partnership further strengthens our ability to offer innovative products to our customers." List of health covers available on Paytm platform:   For SMOG Care : Group Activ Health and Group Activ Secure covers Respiratory tuberculosis, Bronchitis, Pneumonia, Asthma +50 more diseases along with accidental death & hospitalization cover Key Features 18-60 years 1-year tenure can be bought for as little as Rs. 100 Users have other options for increased sum-insured of 50,000 &1 lakh at premium of Rs. 200 & Rs. 400 respectively For Cancer Care : Group Protect Key Features Individual cover for 18-60 years with premium starting as low as Rs. 199 only 1 year Comprehensive cancer cover (fixed benefit) for all 3 stages of Cancer SI options up to 10 lakhs For Cardiovascular Care : Group Protect Key Features 1-year cover can be opted from 1 to 5 lakhs SI with starting premium of Rs. 499/- For Common Communicable Diseases Care : Group Activ Health Malaria, Dengue, Typhoid, Tuberculosis and Tetanus Key Features Premium starting at Rs. 149 for the year Hospitalisation benefits upto Rs. 20000/- For Diabetes Care: Group Activ Healthcovers OPD test for RBS, unlimited tele/chat OPD consultation for1 year Key Features Two SI options of 25000 & 50000 are available at starting premium of Rs. 929 Comprehensive in-patient cover with SI reload option For Dental Care : Group Activ Health Key Features OPD expenditure on scaling & filling upto Rs. 150 along with major dental procedures covered for inpatient hospitalisation for one year. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15489/bj-wadia-hospital-for-children-launches-in-house-pulverization-department.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15489/bj-wadia-hospital-for-children-launches-in-house-pulverization-department.html Tue, 07 Jan 2020 14:25:00 +0530 First-of-its-kind in-house Pulverization Department established at Mumbai based Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children which is open for all needy patients in the city. FDA has given special permission and approval after the request from the Hospital. It was inaugurated by Dr Minnie Bodhanwala (CEO), present on the occasion were Dr SS Prabhu (Medical Director), Dr Suhas Pawar (Medical Superintendent), Dr Amjadkhan Pathan (Head Clinical Pharmacology). Pulverization is the process of reduction of medicine dose as per the need of patients. It means to grinding or crushing medicines into fine particles and then dividing it in the required doses as per the requirement of the patient. This technique will be useful for non-coated tablets.  In order to help paediatric patients enhance their quality of life, the hospital has come forward with a great move of opening a Pulverization Department at a minimal cost. A special nano weighing scale  is used for the process of dose reduction. Dr Minnie Bodhanwala, Chief Executive Officer of the Wadia Hospitals, said, “Earlier, patients relative had to be in the queue for 2-3days, for getting the pulverized medicine (dose reduction) from outside facilities. Due to the delayed dose of medicine, many patients had prolonged hospitalization just waiting for the pulverized medicine from outside. After looking into this issue, the hospital decided to start the in house Pulverization department.” She added, “Now, The FDA has given special permission and approval after the request from Hospital as the paediatric dosage is different from what is recommended to the adults. Usually the medicine dosage are dependent upon the weight of the patient and hence, paediatric patient have very small dosages requirement.  Neonatal patients unit also requires nano doses of medicine which is not available in the market. So, the doctor advises reducing the dose into one- forth or one-eight part which is impossible for parents. However, this dose can be reduced by well-qualified pharmacists who can do the Pulverization in the sterile and aseptic areas. The hospital remains at the forefront of the latest technology and promises to give round-the-clock-care to the patients. We are committed to come up with more such helpful initiatives for the benefit of the patients, in the near future too.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15477/cadila-pharma-gives-emphasis-to-kneecare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15477/cadila-pharma-gives-emphasis-to-kneecare.html Mon, 06 Jan 2020 16:00:00 +0530 Ahmedabad-based Pharma major Cadila Pharmaceuticals hosted a session on knee care as a part of its Employee Wellbeing initiative under its HappyShift program recently. Dr Dhaval Patel, consultant knee surgeon from the team of Dr KC Mehta from Apollo Hospital, addressed the participants at the session on December 27. The session was attended by Cadila Pharma employees across all age groups. Addressing the session, Dr Patel emphasized on how the younger generation should make healthy living a part of their lifestyle for leading a long and healthy life. He gave simple tips to take care of one’s knees so as to help prevent unnecessary wear and tear, and to avoid the need for knee replacement at a later stage. He spoke about the advances made in the field of knee replacement and busted myths about who can and who cannot undergo the surgery. Dr Patel educated the participants as to how they can ascertain if their knees might be weak and they may have the need for medical help in the future. Dr Dhaval also shared some real-life case studies with the audience. He talked about basic health tips such  reducing weight  to reduce pressure on the joints, exercise regularly to keep the joints active, incorporate stretching exercises in your daily lifestyle,  avoid long period of bending of knees or high impact activities such as jumping, high intensity aerobics exercises,  and advice to wear the right kind of shoes while exercising. The session was followed by a Question & Answer round where the employees cleared their doubts about knee replacement surgery and how they should ensure the right kind of treatment. Cadila has been taking employee wellbeing initiatives throughout the year. “Employee wellbeing is a very important part of our strategy. We want to focus on enriching the journey of all our employees and making sure that they are happy”, shared Dr Sunil Singh, CHRO Cadila Pharmaceuticals. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15471/experts-seek-innovation-to-improve-healthcare-delivery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15471/experts-seek-innovation-to-improve-healthcare-delivery.html Sun, 05 Jan 2020 16:00:00 +0530 The annual conference of Global Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (GAPIO) was held on 4th & 5th January at Kingsway Hospitals, Near Kasturchand Park, Mohan Nagar, Nagpur. The two-day conference - attended by more than 300 delegates from USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Middle East, Africa and India – provided a great platform to the delegates to share their knowledge; exchange ideas on skill development; and come up with solutions to contemporary health issues and modernizing the approach to delivering healthcare. The organizers planned a structured scientific program in addition to plenary and keynote address to update regarding the latest advances.  Renowned speakers from across the world covered various topics including Cardiology, Neurology, Nephrology, Oncology, Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Bariatric Surgery and Tuberculosis / Pulmonology. Pre-conference workshops were also held on 3rd January and included Young Doctor’s Forum, Women’s Forum, Medical Education and USG & X-Ray in Emergency apart from a Round Table meeting on Global Workforce Crises. Dr. Prathap C Reddy, Chairman Apollo Hospitals Group and Founder President of GAPIO said, “This conference is a celebration of India’s invaluable contribution to global healthcare in the form of highly talented doctors who form a valuable resource India and the world at large is facing an epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, heart disease and cancer. We seek involvement of everyone to overcome this biggest challenge to mankind posed by NCDs.” Dr. Anupam Sibal, Group Medical Director at Apollo Hospitals, Senior Consultant Pediatric Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist, present Vice President and incoming President of GAPIO said, “The Indian diaspora has a wealth of healthcare talent. They can contribute to change the healthcare delivery in India to face the challenge of NCDs. We need to find ways to help medical students getting trained in China, Bangladesh and Russia, so that they can pass the license exam and can practice in India. Only 18% of Indian students who have studied medicine abroad in recent years have passed the licensure exam.” Dr. Nandakumar Jairam, Secretary General GAPIO announced that, GAPIO Leadership award for community service projects will be conferred on Dr. Prasad Rao Nimmagadda, Dr. Ashish Aneja, Dr. Surendra Gupta, Dr. Loknath Shandilya, Dr. V K Raju and Prof. Parag Singhal. GAPIO Lifetime Achievement Award was conferred on Dr. M. K. Mani, a renowned Nephrologist from Apollo Hospitals, Chennai. Dr. Ramesh Mehta, President GAPIO and BAPIO-UK said, “Research & Innovation can improve the delivery of healthcare in India. The country needs to take up skilling of doctors, nurses and technicians in a big way to meet the shortage of healthcare workers in India.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15470/spi-expresses-concern-on-privatising-public-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15470/spi-expresses-concern-on-privatising-public-health.html Sun, 05 Jan 2020 10:00:00 +0530 The Niti Aayog has unveiled a plan to hand over district government hospitals to private players. It claims that the guiding principles for the public-private participation scheme will be based on “international best practices”. Socialist Party (India) or SPI condemns this plan to privatise India’s public healthcare system. It should be remembered that the Indian government’s per capita expenditure on healthcare is among the lowest in the world (and in the South Asian region). The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that countries spend at least 4-5% of their GDP on health to achieve optimal healthcare outcomes. In the current central budget, the percentage of funds allocated for healthcare is 2.25%. This comes to about 1.4% of the GDP, which is much less even than the 2.5% of GDP goal set by the National Health Policy of 2017. In contrast, India spends about 10% of its budget on defence. Some of the best, most efficient and inclusive healthcare systems in the world are government-run. The healthcare systems of countries like Canada, Iran and Sri Lanka are shining examples. In India too, the current Delhi government has made remarkable strides in improving access to quality healthcare among the general public by making significant investments in close to 200 primary healthcare centres around Delhi, called Mohalla Clinics, and ensuring they are well-staffed and properly equipped. In 2019, the Delhi government allocated 14% of its budget to healthcare. The Niti Ayog would do well to take note of these international best practices. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15457/icmr-aiims-extends-mission-delhi-initiative.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15457/icmr-aiims-extends-mission-delhi-initiative.html Thu, 02 Jan 2020 08:35:00 +0530 Mission Delhi is an ICMR-AIIMS initiative to provide care to STEMI Heart Attack patients, launched 25th April 2019 at AIIMS New Delhi as pilot project and covering about 30 sq kms. As a Pilot Project Mission Delhi has received 44 cases till date. The Project has now been extended to 78 sq. Kms around AIIMS New Delhi and will now cater to a population of 20-25 lakhs in the National capital. STEMI Heart attack is an acute, high risk, time sensitive life threatening disease. The management of STEMI heart attack patient requires treatment to be started within the golden hour (90 minutes) of the onset of symptoms and providing clot buster therapy to patient within 30 minutes of reaching the hospital. Delays in reaching hospital and initiation of clot buster therapy are the major causes of deaths in STEMI Heart Attack patients. On receiving a call at MISSION Delhi’s Toll – Free Emergency Helpline numbers (1800111044 and 14430), the mobile medical nurse team is dispatched immediately for examining the patient, providing necessary medication/CPR, transmitting ECG to consultant at AIIMS. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15453/awareness-about-warning-signs-of-heart-attack-imperative-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15453/awareness-about-warning-signs-of-heart-attack-imperative-in-india.html Thu, 02 Jan 2020 07:10:00 +0530 As per recent statistics, about two million heart attacks occur every year in India and the symptoms are different in both men and women. Lack of awareness about the signs and symptoms of an impending heart attack prevent many people from seeking treatment on time. There is a need to raise awareness that time is muscle in such cases and can help save lives before complications arise. Many people including youngsters are at a risk of heart attack today due to factors such as family history of the condition, an unhealthy lifestyle, smoking, consumption of processed food, stress, obesity, and lack of physical activity. When a person suffers from a heart attack, administering medications within the first one hour can save lives. Speaking about this, Dr Sumeet Sethi, Associate Director - Interventional Cardiology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, said, “Heart attack occurs when a part of the heart muscle dies when it does not receive adequate blood flow. Some warning signs that one should be aware of include chest discomfort, upper body pain, and shortness of breath as well as an unusual feeling beginning at the centre of the chest and eventually radiating out. Women can develop pain in the jaw, neck or back, or and show symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, or nausea. What is most important here is timely action. Not only can this help in providing immediate medical attention but also limit cardiac damage.” Adding further, Dr Sethi, said, “Many heart attacks are entirely painless and may manifest as sudden burning sensation in chest, breathlessness, dizziness, uneasiness, vomiting or sweating. If these prolong, it could indicate a heart attack. The ‘Golden Rule’ is thus to take them immediately to a specialist within what is called the ‘Golden Hour’. If this is done, it is possible to minimize damage to the heart muscle. Primary angioplasty should be undertaken immediately.” Primary angioplasty begins with emergency coronary angiography in which the doctor inserts thin catheters into the groin or wrist artery and generates pictures of the coronary arteries supplying the heart. The blocked artery can then be opened by passing a wire and then a balloon. Medicines can also be injected directly into the blocked vessel. A stent/ wire mesh tube is inserted into the artery to keep it open. Nowadays we use drug-eluting stents (DES) which prevent the arteries from getting blocked again by releasing an anti-proliferative drug. DES can help prevent plaque buildup, promote good blood flow to the heart, and relieve chest pain. They may also lower the person’s chances of having a repeat heart attack. These can also help the person get back to a regular life faster.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15449/aster-flags-off-another-mobile-medical-service.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15449/aster-flags-off-another-mobile-medical-service.html Wed, 01 Jan 2020 10:10:00 +0530 Aster Volunteers, the CSR arm of Aster DM Healthcare, flagged off its 9th Mobile Medical Services, in continuation of its commitment announced during the 33rd Foundation day of Aster DM Healthcare in December 2019. The Mobile Medical Services was flagged off jointly by Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman and Managing Director, Aster DM Healthcare, and Mr. Hibi Eden, Member of Parliament – Ernakulam, Kerala at a function held at Aster Medcity Hospital in Kochi. Services of the mobile clinic will provide healthcare access to communities and populations in the remote areas of Kochi. It will facilitate outreach to orphanages, destitute homes, government schools, anganwadis and migrant labour camps in the Ernakulam district to provide primary care. Sharing his comments on the occasion, Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman and Managing Director, Aster DM Healthcare said, “Aster Volunteers already operates Mobile Medical Services across different regions in India. More than 1.2 million people have benefitted from various initiatives of Aster Volunteers during the last few years. The response received from them has encouraged us to extend these services in regions that most warrant these healthcare requirements. With an objective to reduce the yawning gap between basic healthcare needs and access to it, I am glad to announce and be part of the launch of the 9th Aster Volunteers Mobile Medical Service.” The Aster Volunteers Mobile Medical Service will be accompanied by experienced doctors, nurses and a driver who will conduct regular medical camps in their respective regions on an ongoing basis. The mobile clinic will function in association with voluntary organizations and social activists in different parts of the district. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15448/india-commences-largest-animal-vaccination-programme.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15448/india-commences-largest-animal-vaccination-programme.html Wed, 01 Jan 2020 10:05:00 +0530 The Government has launched a new scheme National Animal Disease Control Programme for FMD and Brucellosis with a financial outlay of Rs. 13,343.00 crore for five years (2019-20 to 2023-24) by vaccinating 100% cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat and pig population for FMD and 100% bovine female calves of 4-8 months of age for brucellosis to prevent loss of Rs. 50,000 crore to the Government exchequer and also to increase the economic output of farmers. The mission mode approach for eradication of these diseases is the biggest step any country of the world has ever taken either for human or animal vaccination programme to control any disease. This programme combined with providing unique PashuAadhar to 535 million animals (Cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, and pig). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15438/manipal-hospitals-performs-robotic-liver-transplant-without-scars.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15438/manipal-hospitals-performs-robotic-liver-transplant-without-scars.html Tue, 31 Dec 2019 07:00:00 +0530 Manipal Hospitals Bengaluru performed a unique robotic liver transplant on a 40-year-old patient and scripted Karnataka's first unprecedented transplant wherein the donor had only a small scar in the bikini area but no scar in abdomen. Dr. Ravichand Siddachari, HOD & Consultant HPB & Liver Transplantation Surgery at Manipal Hospitals Bangalore, conducted this milestone surgery. Sharing his thoughts on the successful transplant Dr. Ravichand Siddachari, HOD & Consultant HPB & Liver Transplantation Surgery at Manipal Hospitals Bangalore said, "The patient was suffering from chronic liver failure and his condition was critical. Infact liver transplant was the only hope for him. However, we had to be careful about the scar for the donor who is young and was apprehensive about the same. The robotic arms and a camera were positioned inside the donor's abdomen. The camera facilitated a 360-degree view, which enabled the robotic arms to remove part of the liver from the donor with absolute precision. The scar caused by the key hole camera was only about 10 cm, as opposed to almost 35 cm scar caused by an open surgery. Use of robotic arm has many advantages, which includes speedy recovery, precision, minimal loss of blood and hospital stay is minimized. The robotic arm can reach to small crevices, which human hands are unable to achieve and there is no surgical fatigue as well. Robotic surgery is usually performed for kidney, heart and Gynaecological related medical issues." Expressing her happiness over the liver Hepatectomy, the donor said, "Initially I was concerned about the scars on my abdomen but Dr. Ravichand and team assured me that the scars would be negligible as they will be using robotic arm to take out part of my liver. My family and I are extremely happy on the success of the transplant and I am feeling healthy. I have recovered well and performing my normal duties without any issue. We are extremely grateful to the support and care shown by doctors at Manipal." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15433/jivagram-signs-mou-with-vietnam-ministry-of-public-security.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15433/jivagram-signs-mou-with-vietnam-ministry-of-public-security.html Mon, 30 Dec 2019 09:10:00 +0530 Jivagram Centre for Wellbeing has recently signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Traditional Medicine Hospital - Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam, which lays the groundwork for the Vietnamese hospital to gain deeper understanding of treating and preventing diseases through Ayurvedic medicines, diet and lifestyle. The MOU was signed by Rishipal Chauhan, MD, Jiva Group and Dr. Le Thi Hoai Anh, Deputy Director, Traditional Medicine Hospital, Vietnam. Dr Anh represented a delegation of 12 doctors who had arrived at Jivagram to sign the MOU. Jivagram is also currently hosting another group of Taiwanese wellness seekers who had arrived on 24th December for treatments as well as Ayurveda education. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15436/dr-harsh-vardhan-kiren-rijiju-meet-to-synergise-fitness.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15436/dr-harsh-vardhan-kiren-rijiju-meet-to-synergise-fitness.html Mon, 30 Dec 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare recently met Kiren Rijiju, MoS (I/c) Youth Affairs and Sports for charting the convergent actions of the two Ministries for greater visibility and synergy towards popularising fitness in the country in various age groups. He stated, “In a significant move, it has been decided that there shall be convergence of activities of the Ministries of Health & Family Welfare, and Youth Affairs and Sports for giving thrust to the national ‘Fit India’ movement, that was launched by Hon. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji earlier this year to encourage people to remain healthy and fit by including physical activities and sports in their daily lives.” He added that the Ministry shall be engaging with all institutions of the Health Ministry along with other medical institutions and organisations such as IMA to create nationwide consciousness about fitness and wellness. The Ministry shall also actively engage with the state governments, the state Health Ministers and principals of various medical colleges. Additionally, this shall be taken forward with the frontline health functionaries that implement the NationalHealth Mission (NHM) in close association with the communities. This becomes all the more significant as world over the burden of non-communicable disease is growing due to our changing patter of lifestyle. Preeti Sudan, Secretary, Health & Family Welfare; Radheyshyam Julaniya, Sports Secretary; Pawan Agarwal, CEO (FSSAI) and senior officers of the Health Ministry were also present during the meeting. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15430/max-bupa-launches-health-premia-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15430/max-bupa-launches-health-premia-.html Fri, 27 Dec 2019 10:50:00 +0530 Max Bupa has launched its most comprehensive health insurance plan, ‘Health Premia’ - a disruptive product that combines comprehensive features and benefits any customer across age groups would expect in a health insurance plan, with sum insured up to INR 3 crores. The newly launched product will fulfill the aspirations of people who want a 360-degree health cover in India as well as provide coverage while traveling abroad. This product also provides coverage for up-to 19 relationships with an individual sum insured for everyone and a floater cover which is common to all. Health Premia features health checkup for adults as well as children from Day 1 based on their preference, worldwide maternity cover and newborn cover without any additional premium from the day baby is born till policy year end. The plan offers international coverage for specified illnesses and medical emergencies, along with in-built travel insurance coverage. Health Premia has a one--year waiting period for specified diseases which is one of the lowest in the industry. The plan also covers advanced treatment methods such as Cyber knife and Robotic surgeries, Laser treatment and Bariatric surgery. Speaking on the launch, Ashish Mehrotra, MD & CEO, Max Bupa Health Insurance said, “We are very excited about Health Premia, our most comprehensive product till now. It is another testimony to our wide product portfolio and reinforces our belief in giving greater value to our customers while also meeting their changing healthcare requirements. The product will cater to the evolving healthcare needs of customers who want a high-quality health insurance solution and don’t want to compromise when it comes to health and wellbeing. Health Premia is a result of thorough analysis of the evolving customer needs, market intelligence and our laser sharp focus on customer centricity and innovation. With rising personal incomes and changing lifestyle, Indians are spending over 60% more overseas on a year on year basis. A substantial portion of this spending is on medical expenses for those suffering from critical illnesses. Keeping this in mind, Health Premia has been designed to provide coverage for emergencies as well as critical illnesses abroad.  The plan has indeed been designed as a comprehensive health insurance plan for covering healthcare expenses that a regular health insurance plan may not be able to cover.” With an aim to provide greater benefits to customers, Health Premia addresses the daily health needs of people including in-patient hospitalization, OPD, diagnostics, personalized health coaching, 2nd medical opinion, pharmacy & diagnostic services and many more. Health Premia also has an enhanced pre and post hospitalization coverage along with the refill benefit on partial exhaustion of the sum insured, which can be used for the same illness as well. The customers of Health Premia will also have access to top-of-the-class exclusive services. Health Premia offers features such as Premium Waiver which allows the premium for next year to be waived off, if the proposer of policy passes away or is diagnosed with a specified illness during the policy period. Health Premia also brings Loyalty Additions which gives 10% increase in the base sum insured annually even if the person has claimed in the previous year.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15420/iview-announces-iview-1201-clinical-trial-results-in-acute-adenoviral-conjunctivitis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15420/iview-announces-iview-1201-clinical-trial-results-in-acute-adenoviral-conjunctivitis.html Thu, 26 Dec 2019 11:55:00 +0530 iView Therapeutics Inc. has announced that the first patient has been dosed in the Phase 2 IVIEW-1201-01-AIC clinical trial program assessing the efficacy of IVIEW-1201 in patients (age ≥15 years) with Acute Adenoviral Conjunctivitis. First subject was dosed on 19 Dec in India at Disha Eye Hospital Pvt. Ltd. Kolkata under this Phase II Clinical trial program.  This study is planned in US, India and China simultaneously.   "Acute Infectious Conjunctivitis is the most common and contagious ocular infections globally. There is no approved treatment for acute viral conjunctivitis, which represents a large unmet medical need in ophthalmology," said Bo Liang, Ph.D. MBA, Chairman & President, iView Therapeutic Inc. "IVIEW-1201 is a broad spectrum antiseptic gel forming ophthalmic solution which is potentially effective against all infectious pathogens including bacteria, mycobacteria, fungus and virus. The initiation of the global Phase 2 clinical trial program is an important milestone as we seek to provide an effective treatment option for AVC patients."  Acute infectious conjunctivitis is a leading cause of ocular morbidity, epidemic eye infection, lost productivity, patient discomfort and in some cases permanent visual compromise. Viral conjunctivitis is very contagious and can often lead to long term ocular morbidity but there is currently no FDA-approved treatment.The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of IVIEW-1201 as a first-line treatment for ocular infection in the setting of an acute adenoviral conjunctivitis infection. "As we have successfully dosed our first patient in India, we are excited and looking forward to have more patients get treated and be benefit from this study," said leading PI, Dr. Virender Sangwan, Director of Innovation at Dr. Shroff Charity Eye Hospital.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15419/icmr-releases-estimates-on-burden-due-to-mental-disorders.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15419/icmr-releases-estimates-on-burden-due-to-mental-disorders.html Thu, 26 Dec 2019 11:00:00 +0530 The first comprehensive estimates of disease burden due to mental disorders and their trends in every state of India from 1990 published in The Lancet Psychiatry by the India State-Level Disease Burden Initiative show that a significant proportion of India’s population faces the burden of mental disorders of varying severity. These include depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, idiopathic developmental intellectual disability, conduct disorders, and autism. In 2017, 197 million Indians were suffering from mental disorders of whom 46 million had depression and 45 million anxiety disorders. The contribution of mental disorders to the total disease burden has doubled between 1990 and 2017. At the release of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) India Mental Disorders paper at ICMR, Prof Balram Bhargava, Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Health Research and Director General, ICMR said, “The findings of this research demonstrate important differences between the states—the prevalence of adult mental disorders is higher in the southern states and that of childhood onset mental disorders is higher in the northern states of India. The insights provided by this study are important for titrating strategies for mental health improvement in each state. Given the significant contribution of mental disorders to the disease burden in India, further research should continue to track the changing trends of mental disorders in different parts of the country.” Key findings from the paper: In 2017, 197.3 million Indians (14.3% of the total population) were suffering from various mental disorders. Of these, 45.7 million had depression and 44.9 million had anxiety disorders. The contribution of mental disorders to the total disease burden in India in terms of DALYs increased from 2.5% in 1990 to 4.7% in 2017. Mental disorders were the leading contributor in India to years lived with disability (YLDs), contributing 14.5% of all YLDs in 2017. Depression contributed 33.8% of all mental disorder DALYs in India in 2017, followed by anxiety disorders (19.0%), idiopathic developmental intellectual disability (10.8%), and schizophrenia (9.8%). Among the major mental disorders that manifest predominantly during adulthood, the prevalence of depression was 3.3%, anxiety disorders 3.3%, bipolar disorder 0.55%, and schizophrenia 0.25%. Among the mental disorders that have onset predominantly during childhood and adolescence, the prevalence for idiopathic developmental intellectual disability was 4.5%, conduct disorder 0.80%, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder 0.42%, and autism spectrum disorders 0.35%. The prevalence of predominantly childhood and adolescent onset mental disorders was higher in the less developed northern states, and that of the ICMR/ PR UNIT/IIFO/2019/50 mental disorders manifesting predominantly during adulthood higher in the more developed southern states. There was a significant association between the prevalence of depression and suicide death rate at the state level, with this association slightly stronger in females than in males. The prevalence of depression, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders was significantly higher among females, and the prevalence of conduct disorder, autism spectrum disorders, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder was significantly higher among boys. The prevalence of depressive disorders increased with age in India in 2017, with the highest prevalence in elderly. The burden of mental disorders which manifest predominantly during adulthood increased in India from 1990 to 2017. The burden of mental disorders of predominantly childhood and adolescent onset decreased in India from 1990 to 2017, but this decrease was relatively less in the less developed states. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15410/dr-harsh-vardhan-inaugurates-11-opd-services-at-aiims-bathinda.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15410/dr-harsh-vardhan-inaugurates-11-opd-services-at-aiims-bathinda.html Thu, 26 Dec 2019 07:45:00 +0530 Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare in the presence of Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Union Minister for Food Processing Industries has launched 11 OPD services at AIIMS Bhatinda. OPD Services that were operationalized for AIIMS Bathinda include General Medicine, Gynae & Obs; General Surgery including consultation in surgical oncology, urology & pediatric surgery, Orthopedic, ENT, Ophthalmology, Psychiatry, Dermatology, Dental, Basic Radiology (X-Ray, Ultrasound and colour Doppler), Basic Biochemistry & Hematological tests; and medicines at discounted rates through AMRIT pharmacy. Dr Harsh Vardhan also announced that the satellite centre for PGI Chandigarh will come up at Firozpur at a cost of Rs. 450 cr, and this shall be operational by 2022. While inaugurating the OPD services, Dr Harsh Vardhan said, “AIIMS Bhatinda will be fully functional by June, 2020 and PGI Chandigarh is the mentor institute supporting it. First Batch of 50 MBBS Students of AIIMS Bathinda has been started from the academic year 2019-20 in Baba Faridkot University. The Cabinet approved the proposal for establishment of AIIMS at Bathinda in Punjab at a cost of Rs 925 crores in the month of July. The operationalisation of the OPD services will immensely benefit the people of Bhatinda and the nearby regions with high quality and affordable medical services, the Union Minister said. “Under the leadership of Shri Narendra Modi ji, the Hon. Prime Minister, health has been positioned as one of the top priorities of the government”, he stated. The government through its continual efforts aims to ensure that assured, affordable and quality health services are provided to all. It is a reflection of the commitment of the government to the health sector that the numbers of AIIMS have now increased to 21 and work is also progressing on setting up of 157 Medical Colleges mainly in the aspirational districts of the country to ensure that people here are provided superior health services”, he added. He also said, “Upgradation of 75 district hospitals to Government Medical Colleges/Institutes envisaging to improve tertiary health infrastructure through construction of Super Speciality blocks / Trauma Centres etc., have been taken up and is rapidly progressing. The Union Health Minister also stated that with Ayushman Bharat, while on the one hand comprehensive primary healthcare is being provided through the 1.5 lakh Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs), PMJAY has already benefitted nearly 70 lakh people who are the most needy and vulnerable, while 11.66 cr beneficiaries have been provided the e-cards. He also highlighted the efforts being made by the government through Fit India movement and Eat Right India campaign. “To meet global targets of universal health coverage, we have expanded the basket of vaccines; now immunisation against 12 vaccine preventable diseases is available under UIP”, he stated.  Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Union Minister for Food Processing Industries stated, “New AIIMS at Bhatinda shall help the people of the region avail of superior healthcare services. Under the leadership of the Hon. Prime Minister, healthcare services are being strengthened all over the country.” Om Prakash Soni, Minister for Medical Education & Research, Govt. of Punjab; Sukhbir Singh Badal, Member of Parliament; Shwait Malik, Member of Parliament; Balwinder Singh Bhunder, Member of Parliament along with the officials of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and PGIMER, Chandigarh were also present during the inauguration ceremony.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15416/hhric-to-conduct-advanced-research-on-tobacco-cessation-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15416/hhric-to-conduct-advanced-research-on-tobacco-cessation-.html Tue, 24 Dec 2019 16:00:00 +0530 Silicon-Valley based fund Metaform Ventures, lead by a serial entrepreneur Nilesh Jain, is incubating a Harm Reduction Research & Innovation Centre (HRRIC) to conduct advanced research on tobacco cessation and harm reduction, with focus on smokeless tobacco (SLT) products like packaged tobacco, mishri, khaini, ghutka, and other new innovative products like SNUS. Further, the focus will include research on chemical properties, manufacturing process, biomarkers of exposure, and epidemiological and toxicological studies across a slew of products, including SNUS, a moist powder smokeless tobacco product. HRRIC aspires to build research capacity for south east asia, specifically India and be a leading centre of excellence that empowers interdisciplinary communities to conduct research on the hazards of substance use and conventional ways of harm reduction. The center plans to adopt an evidence-based approach to create a robust and credible analysis of drug-related harm and its long-term impact on the lives of people. HRRIC also aims to collaborate with entities focused on developing healthier alternatives in order to trigger the process of harm reduction. Nilesh Jain, Managing Director says that “HRRIC seeks to build active research capacity & contribute towards overall substance & behaviourial harm reduction. Currently, our focus is on the tobacco cessation market to stir awareness and research on harm caused by toxic constituents in the SLT products to save hundreds of thousands of lives. Ultimately, we want to create an ecosystem that is free from substance use, but with the help of the right tools, practices, resources, and support solutions. We hope, through our research initiatives, we are able to improve or give rise to cost-effective SLTs and also reduce the rate of deaths caused due to oral cancer or other tobacco-related illnesses.” The center has recently received funding worth 2 Million USDto commence and provide hard empirical data that encourages the adoption of harm reduction tools, cessation techniques, and products for a tobacco-free India. With this new funding, HRRIC is looking to tackle the smokeless tobacco epidemic on a global scale and complement the process by innovating alternatives and safer options in the smokeless tobacco cessation market. Researchers at the center will also examine the negative health, social, and legal impact of substance use and solutions to reduce or eliminate it. To expand its reach of research links, HRRIC will also be collaborating with key regulators, policymakers, and researchers to further advancements, standards, and guidelines in this subject. While expressing the need for extensive research on tobacco cessation and harm reduction, Francie Patel, COO said, “Our approach is very simple – to generate robust, credible data that will not only fill the current gap in research but also spur interest across the research community to become proactive in setting up lab testing infrastructure for Indian SLT product characterization and building research capacity. This focus on HPHC SLT characterization would not only massively improve the innovation of cost-effective SLTs but also help researchers to reduce some of the highest oral cancer death rates and tobacco-related disability rates." Industry-wide studies suggest that the use of smokeless tobacco products (SLT) has resulted in approximately 90% of oral cancers in India or 300000 deaths per year. In line with this outcome, HRRIC’s main objective is to perform and project the characterization of harmful and potentially harmful constituents in Indian smokeless tobacco products and test them individually to aid product innovators and regulators to introduce safer alternatives or create injunction to prevent future harm.  Going forward, HRRIC also envisions launching programs, practices, and treatments for overcoming drug addiction and management. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15404/sankara-titan-launches-free-mobile-rural-vision-screening-program.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15404/sankara-titan-launches-free-mobile-rural-vision-screening-program.html Tue, 24 Dec 2019 10:00:00 +0530 Sankara Eye Hospital in collaboration with Titan has launched Mobile Rural Vision Screening Program to provide a comprehensive mobile eye care for the general public of rural and urban areas of Karnataka. The Mobile Rural Vision Screening bus was inaugurated by Dr. Kaushik, Sankara Eye Hospital and C.K Venkataraman, Managing Director, Titan.  Covering rural and urban districts of Bangalore, Karnataka, this free check-up program by Sankara Eye Hospital has well equipped mobile bus that includes Vision examination, Direct and Indirect Ophthalmoscopes, optical dispensing, latest spectacles and frames along with patient counselling.  Inaugurating this program, Dr. Kaushik, President, Medical Administration, Quality & Academic, Sankara Eye Hospital, said, “I’m delighted to have company such as Titan Ltd. supporting us for this program. We hope to reach out all possible rural areas of Karnataka and provide them with adequate eye care facilities, our motto is to eliminate curable blindness and other eye related issues.”  The hospital is aiming to reach out more people with vision issues and provide them with comprehensive diagnostic facilities at the camp site itself. This would be more convenient for people coming from long distance based districts of the state, which is the main bottle neck for the implementation of this project.  Sankara eye hospital’s vision is to give quality eye care for the people irrespective of their socio-economic backgrounds and fight against preventable and curable blindness.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15396/health-researchers-policy-makers-to-bridge-the-know-do-gap.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15396/health-researchers-policy-makers-to-bridge-the-know-do-gap.html Mon, 23 Dec 2019 10:50:00 +0530 There is a need to embed evidence generation processes into the policy cycle and leverage increased use of evaluation at political levels. This involves building the capacity of researchers to convert information into data and knowledge that can be used and increasing their ability to synthesize various sources of knowledge into policy-usable matters. Delivering the George Institute India’s annual evidence2policy lecture on the topic: Evidence to Policy – Lessons learnt from the National Health Mission”, Dr Rajani Ved, Executive Director of the National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC) said that there was an urgent need to build capacity to bridge the know-do gap and the commissioning of evidence should be done by those who implement the evidence. Dr. Ved, who currently leads the design and implementation support for India’s primary health care initiative under the Ayushman Bharat program, said that a key barrier to evidence-informed policy processes was that knowledge producers and knowledge users were uneven and hierarchical. The nature of evidence to inform policy spans reviews including systematic reviews and rapid evidence synthesis, research studies, case studies of a particular intervention, pilot intervention, field reports, best practice cases, expert opinions and tacit knowledge of practitioners. She said it was critical to building the capacity of researchers to do rapid evidence synthesis and systematic reviews as it will ensure that timely and opportune evidence is available to the policymakers and highlight the role of context in the introduction, interpretation, and application of evidence. Dr. Randeep Guleria, director of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, who was the Chief Guest on the occasion said that the burden of the disease has changed from communicable to non-communicable diseases and the way to manage them has also changed from being curative to being investigative.  This is where he said the role of evidence comes in. The Australian High Commissioner, Harinder Sidhu said, “Health was the focus for the Australian Government in the new economic strategy they have launched recently and hoped that the collaboration between academic institutions like TGI and the Australian Government would increase substantially in the future.” In his opening remarks, Prof Vivekanand Jha, Director of the George Institute India said, “The annual evidence2policy lecture series was a very important initiative from TGI to build the crucial gap between research and evidence. The George Institute India, he said is committed to knowledge translation and make evidence available to policymakers.” The lecture was followed by a stimulating panel discussion on the theme of Changing Paradigm of Healthcare in India. Panelists included Prof Abraham Joseph from CMC Vellore; Dr. Krishna D Rao from John Hopkins University; Professor Rama Baru from Jawaharlal Nehru University and Dr. Shirshendu Mukherjee from Biotechnology Industry Research Council (BIRAC). The panelists talked about the availability or non-availability of evidence on various health issues, especially at the level of primary health care. Translating evidence into policy requires a broader understanding of health systems, how to integrate community health with larger health policy, an understanding of how NCD implementation in health systems is different and how capacities for using data and evidence for policy-making need to be built. There was also a thrust on the democratization of health systems. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/reports-white-papers/98/15391/lenovo-breakthrough-in-virtual-reality-brings-hope-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/reports-white-papers/98/15391/lenovo-breakthrough-in-virtual-reality-brings-hope-.html Fri, 20 Dec 2019 16:25:00 +0530 A groundbreaking use of Lenovo technology is demonstrating the possibilities of virtual reality (VR) in managing pain for hospitalized children. Pediatricians are using the Lenovo Mirage™ Solo VR headset as a procedural tool for critically ill young patients, primarily to reduce anxiety during mild to moderately painful procedures. By using VR as a calming distraction, several patients have been able to undergo these procedures while awake, cutting down lengthy recovery times, and reducing the need for medication.  This technology has strong potential for India, where technology is becoming more broadly accepted as part of the solution for improving healthcare: Lenovo today released the results of a new global survey that shows people in India are among the world’s strongest supporters of the potential of technologies, such as VR, to positively impact health. Around 61 percent of Indians surveyed – the largest percentage of any market in the world other than China – agree that technology has had a positive impact on society by improving healthcare. Additionally, Indian respondents rank healthcare second in the global challenges most likely to be solved by technology (after education).  Rahul Agarwal, Regional General Manager, Lenovo India, commented:“India has the right combination of strong technical knowledge and openness to make the most of technology in new ways. As technology transforms the world into a more intelligent and inter-connected place, the application of virtual reality to areas like pain management is one of many examples of Lenovo’s commitment to creating smarter technology that transforms society. In addition, our new global survey shows that people in India share our belief that technology can benefit humankind in crucial areas such as health and wellness.”  This application has been highlighted in a new film, This is Life, focusing on the Starlight Virtual Reality program at Children's Hospital Colorado in the United States. Hundreds of Starlight partner hospitals and healthcare facilities in the US use the headsets as an alternative to general anesthesia.  Joe Albietz, MD, Medical Director at Child Life, Children’s Hospital Colorado, commented:“Due to the distressing nature of treatments such as a lumbar puncture, where a needle is used to withdraw spinal fluid and sometimes administer medication, our patients often receive the procedure under general anesthetic. Virtual Reality can be used in place of general anesthesia to help tolerate pain, and in fact, it is having a profound impact on the quality of life of our hospitalized children. We are seeing children who used to require general anesthesia, now able to be fully awake with minimal medications.”   To unearth new insights into the social changes and benefits of intelligent technology and smart devices, Lenovo surveyed more than 15,000 individuals, across the US, Mexico, Brazil, China, India, Japan, UK, Germany, France and Italy. The research found that people around the world believe new technologies have the power to transform the health care space, with 47 percent of global respondents saying technology will be “critical” in transforming health care in the future.  Furthermore, the majority (84 percent) of respondents say they believe technology can empower people, communities and society to help address and solve big global problems, including in the health care field, while a quarter (25 percent) report they feel technology companies have a responsibility to help address and solve major challenges facing society and the world. Lenovo aligns its mission – Smarter Technology for All – with this societal responsibility using smarter technologies from VR to Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve lives.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15385/ihw-council-organizes-the-first-stroke-summit.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15385/ihw-council-organizes-the-first-stroke-summit.html Fri, 20 Dec 2019 11:15:00 +0530 Noting that the incidence of stroke has in India increased almost 100 per cent in the past few decades, neurologists and public health experts recently called for an integrated and comprehensive approach to address the growing burden of stroke at the first Stroke Summit here organised by health think tank Integrated Health & Wellbeing (IHW) Council and endorsed by World Stroke Organization. Noting that stroke is the leading cause of death in north-eastern states of India, surpassing cardiac problems and tuberculosis, Dr. MV Padma Srivastava, Head, Neurosciences Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) says, “Stroke has become the 5th leading cause of death in 2016 from 12th cause in 1996 and claims 119-145 lives in every 100,000 population, which is almost a 100 per cent increase. Our stroke burden is enormous but we need more of small, India-centric solutions. Every year, 1.8 million people suffer stroke in India, but we have only about 2000 neurologists. We need to understand and acknowledge that ‘time is brain’ and plug the gaps such as lack of awareness, delay in arrival, and lack of centres offering thrombolysis. Thrombolysis is the game changer in the stroke management sector and mobile stroke units, like those in the northeast, can offer relief. We also need to look into amalgamating different approaches such as Ayurveda and homeopathy to bring the patient back into disease-free mode.” According to the Global Burden of Disease study of 2013, 25.7 million people survived stroke, 6.5 million died, and 10.3 million new strokes were recorded. It also noted that the low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), of which India is a part, have witnessed more than 100 per cent increase in incidence of stroke whereas the developed countries have witnessed a drop of 42 per cent. Highlighting that the average mortality of stroke in rural India is more than the country average, Dr. Jeyaraj Pandian, Vice President, World Stroke Organization (WSO), says, “Our study in rural India showed that mortality is higher than the Indian average. In Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, it was found to be 194 in every 100,000 population while rural areas around Ludhiana, Punjab, the mortality is 210 in every 100,000 population. The gaps in India include prehospital care, stroke services, thrombolysis and rehabilitation of stroke patients that we need to address to bolster our continuum of care.” Ramdas Athawale, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment said, “Stroke needs to be prevented and stroke care should be provided as quickly as possible because stroke can cause serious disability and many of the affected people cannot access rehabilitation. There are 1.6 crores disabled people in India as per the 2011 census, which is 2.1 per cent of our total population. Today’s Stroke Summit discusses the crucial need to talk about the stroke treatment. We need to work towards bringing down the percentage of disability. We are determined to expand education and insurance services to society in order to make people aware about the need to treat stroke. Our ministry is trying to empower them through an integrated approach and enabling access to physiotherapy and occupational therapy.” Kamal Narayan, CEO, Integrated Health & Wellbeing (IHW) Council said, “India is facing a rapidly growing burden of diseases, especially the non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Stroke is definitely one of them – it often goes undiagnosed and even if identified, is not addressed on time. There is a lot of health activism around many other NCDs such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, but stroke does not get similar priority or attention. India’s flagship healthcare program Ayushman Bharat has limited coverage of stroke that is a leading cause of death and disability. We need a more comprehensive coverage and act fast to make India stroke ready and eventually stroke-free – that no life or ability is lost due to stroke is what we aim to achieve.” Every year, approximately 1.8 million people suffer from stroke, which is the second most common cause of death after coronary artery disease (CAD) globally. The summit will also host sessions discussing stroke burden, Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, CVD and Stroke (NPCDCS), upgrading the frontline healthcare ecosystem and the criticality of golden hour, and developing an integrated stroke strategy suitable to Indian context. IHW Council is a not-for-profit organization that works towards creating awareness and advocacy for a healthier world. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15375/iit-h-launches-vaccination-clinic-in-collaboration-with-gates-foundation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15375/iit-h-launches-vaccination-clinic-in-collaboration-with-gates-foundation.html Fri, 20 Dec 2019 07:00:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad’s Center for Healthcare Entrepreneurship (CfHE) Fellow Jignesh Patel has launched in Pune a Vaccination on Wheels Clinic. This is being done in collaboration with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which provided a grant to Jignesh Patel under its Grand Challenges Explorations. Called ‘VaccineOnWheels.com’ as they have adopted VOW (Vaccination On Wheels) concept, this clinic will go to schools, colleges and corporates to conduct vaccination camps at their doorsteps. It will offer only vaccination services. It was launched on 15th December 2019 in Pune city’s PCMC area. This unique, unconventional, creative, low-cost and high on convenience model has been designed with the idea of ‘reaching the bottom of the pyramid.’ Jignesh Patel founded Jivika Healthcare to provide this vaccination service. There are many additional features which makes it a unique vaccination service including: Ø  Providing low-cost vaccination service to the low-income group of the population Ø Creates awareness for government’s immunization programme and sells only those vaccines which are not provided through government Ø  Cold chain maintenance as per WHO guidelines with state-of-the-art equipment Congratulating CfHE Graduate Jignesh Patel on launching this service, Prof. Renu John, Co-Head, CfHE, and Head, Department of Biomedical Engineering, IIT Hyderabad, said, “This is a unique programme that works hand-in-hand with the government to cover the last mile in delivering vaccines to people of all strata of the society.” Awareness camps are conducted in community areas through this Vaccine Clinic with the help of animated videos designed in Marathi and Hindi languages. With these videos and group discussions, the clinic motivates mothers to avail free vaccines from the government. Jivika Healthcare Social Workers will explain how vaccines can save lives of children and help save money by avoiding hospitalization. Every week between Monday and Saturday, the social workers create awareness and utilize Sunday to invite interested families to visit the clinic for the vaccination drive. Speaking about the goals of VaccineOnWheels.com, Jignesh Patel said, “We have taken this mission to support government and society in getting children fully immunized as per World Health Organization (WHO) and Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) standards for children who are taking vaccination from government centres. With this mission in mind, our social workers and nurses conduct awareness camps in various community areas where the government conducts immunization camps. Through the awareness drive, we educate mothers to get their children vaccinated.” The One-Year Residential Healthcare Entrepreneurship Programme at CfHE, IIT Hyderabad, helped Jignesh Patel to understand the gaps in vaccine delivery model from close quarters and identify various issues faced by diverse stakeholders primarily from infants/caregivers/parents in getting vaccinated. The initiative of Jivika Healthcare's VaccineOnWheels.com is appreciated and supported by well-known Pediatric doctors of Pune - Dr. Jayant Navarange and Dr. Sadhana Lachyan. On the day of inauguration, Jivika’s healthcare team successfully administered 27 vaccinations to the children from low-income group families. Jivika Healthcare is highly motivated to vaccinate more and more children and everyone in the family. As the more vaccinated people, the fewer opportunities a disease can spread and in-turn it will help save millions of lives. Grand Challenges Explorations is a US $100 million initiative funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It supports innovative thinkers worldwide to explore ideas that can break the mould in how we solve persistent global health and development challenges. Jignesh Patel’s project was one of the approximately 50 Grand Challenges Explorations for which grants were announced by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. CfHE programme is dedicated to achieving universal healthcare by igniting the spark of entrepreneurship in youth and providing them with focused training and top-notch mentorship.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15359/paras-healthcare-to-establish-presence-in-jharkhand-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15359/paras-healthcare-to-establish-presence-in-jharkhand-.html Thu, 19 Dec 2019 06:15:00 +0530 As part of efforts to expand presence in Tier II and Tier III cities of northern India, Paras Healthcare has tied up with PSU Heavy Engineering Corporation (HEC) to establish and operate a 300 bed multi-specialty hospital in Ranchi. The new facility will upgrade the existing HEC Hospital in Ranchi by adding secondary and tertiary care facilities such as MRI, CT and Cath lab services. The new facility is to be called Paras HEC Hospital. The opening of Ranchi hospital marks the entry of the Paras group in Jharkhand and with this hospital; Paras group has added one more feather to its cap in North India. Dr Dharminder Nagar, MD, Paras Healthcare said, “We are happy to announce that we are collaborating with the prestigious PSU HEC to upgrade the existing HEC Hospital in Ranchi to a multi-specialty hospital with advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities. Paras HEC Hospital, Ranchi is being set up under Design – Build – Finance- Operate & Transfer (DBFOT) basis on public-private partnership by Paras and HEC. HEC shall handover the hospital to Paras in existing condition with a long term lease agreement. Paras shall renovate the existing structure, built additional area equipped with all modern technologies, arrange for all project and operational expense and manage it for the entire lease term. This move will help us improve the availability of secondary and tertiary care to the large population in Ranchi and adjoining areas.” Paras HEC Hospital has already started operations of general specialties through a 50 bed set up and has a plan to invest further to build 250 beds facility over the next 2 years & meet the medical needs of underserved population of Ranchi. In first phase Paras would be starting key clinical programs which includes General Surgery, Orthopedics, pediatrics, Gynecology & Obstetrics, Internal Medicine, ENT to name a few. In the second phase, we would be coming up with Tertiary care services which include Neurosurgery, Cardiac Surgery, Neurology, Gastroenterology, Urology etc. The hospital will provide a 24*7 Emergency and Trauma Centre, ICU and NICU facilities as well as advanced Radiology and Pathology services. “As a healthcare provider, we have a reputation of providing highly affordable care without compromising on quality. Over the past decade, our focus has been on expanding our presence in smaller towns and cities among the under-served populations of the country. Our hospitals in Patna, Darbhanga and Panchkula have been instrumental in filling a major void of tertiary care in these areas. With its strategic location and good connectivity by rail and road, Ranchi has the potential to serve as a healthcare centre for not just the adjoining towns and districts of Jharkhand but also to the border towns of Bihar, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal,” added Dr Nagar. Paras Group currently operates 8 hospitals across India.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15358/hcg-launches-new-cancer-care-centre-in-mumbai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15358/hcg-launches-new-cancer-care-centre-in-mumbai.html Wed, 18 Dec 2019 10:50:00 +0530 Healthcare Global Enterprises Ltd. (HCG) has announced the launch of the first private comprehensive centre dedicated to Cancer care in Borivali, Mumbai. The 105 bedded centre will provide comprehensive diagnosis, radiation, medical and surgical oncology services under one roof. The centre was inaugurated by cancer winner and actor Manisha Koirala along with Dr. BS Ajaikumar, Chairman & CEO, HCG. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. BS Ajaikumar said, “With the launch of HCG’s cancer centre in Borivalli, we shall step up to providing comprehensive oncology services focused on delivering specialized outcome based treatments with a multi-disciplinary clinical approach in Mumbai. For years, HCG has been defining and redefining the future of cancer care with a steadfast vision towards patient centricity and being at par with global standards. The Centre offers stereotactic radio-surgery (SRS), Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Nuclear Medicine department among others, and an experienced team of oncology specialists who are dedicated to deliver the highest quality of care and outcomes while catering to diverse segments of the society. HCG is best known for its outcomes in cancer care and the same has been testified by Harvard business review.” Present at the inauguration, Manisha Koirala said, “Being a cancer winner myself, I would take this opportunity to laud HCG’s dedication towards cancer care. I have undertaken the fight against cancer few years back and, I strongly believe that ‘Hope’ is the most important formula that has helped me win over cancer. Ignorance and denial will only result in diagnosis and treatment delays, which could prove fatal in many cases. Cancer did change my life, but only to a better and positive person who is now a bastion of hope for the many undergoing the journey right now. I would urge each and every one to take their heath a little more serious and be well informed of its warning signs.” To address the growing need for expertise and quality medical services in the region, HCG Cancer Centre will be offering holistic cancer care with multi-disciplinary approach through specialist doctors in Medical, Surgical and Radiation Oncology. The cancer center is equipped with the advanced radiation machine, Elekta HD-Versa, which provides faster and accurate treatment for a wider range of cancers. The Centre is also equipped with PET CT for planning and diagnosing along with a 24 hours Pathology Lab. It also has a Bone Marrow Transplant Unit with 6 beds and a state-of-the-art facility that has advanced ICU and dedicated isolation rooms. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15354/dkms-bmst-raises-awareness-on-blood-stem-cell-donation-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15354/dkms-bmst-raises-awareness-on-blood-stem-cell-donation-.html Tue, 17 Dec 2019 14:25:00 +0530 Pinkathon 2019-the biggest women’s run created with an objective of spreading awareness about health-related issues, sees mass participation in support of blood cancer this year. Milind Soman, founder of Pinkathon along with DKMS BMST Foundation India a non-profit organisation dedicated to the fight against blood cancer and other blood disorders, led the conversation at the platform that sees a massive participation from all age groups every year. Every year about 80,000-1,00,000 patients search for blood stem cell donor on an average, but, as little as only 2,000 patients find a matching donor due to the lack of awareness amongst the public about stem cell donation. The run saw a participation of survivors as well as families who could not find a matching donor in time and lost their loved one to blood cancer. Saluting sisterhood against blood cancer, one of the mother Ms Divya Shenoy who lost her 3-year-old son, Ishaan, to blood cancer said, “We have been through the hopeful ‘wait’ to find a match for our beloved son. Knowing that someone around the world can save your dear one and yet being helpless is the most difficult part of the journey. We urge more and more people to register themselves as a potential lifesaver for patients who suffer from blood cancer and related disorders as blood stem cell transplant  sometimes is the only way to save them”. At the event, a team of volunteers from DKMS BMST Foundation India organized a donor registration drive to raise awareness about the incidence of blood cancer and related disorders and encourage the Pinkathon participants to register as a potential blood stem cell donor. “One new blood cancer patient is added every 5 minutes in India. However, the ratio of people who are able to find a suitable match within their families are as low as 30 percent only. The rest of 70 percent of blood cancer patients are heavily dependent upon an unrelated donor who can be a perfect match. This can be achieved only when more and more people commit to register as a blood stem cell donor”, said Patrick Paul, CEO, DKMS BMST Foundation India. Milind Soman, Pinkathon founder, Actor and fitness promoter encouraged everyone to come forward and register as a blood stem cell donor, he gave an insight about how important it is for blood cancer patients to find a matching donor. He said if more and more people register as a stem cell donor, we can save more lives and stem cell donation can help a person with life threatening disease where stem cell transplant is the only hope of survival. Explaining the process of a blood stem cell donation Dr Sunil Bhat, Director and Clinical Lead, Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Blood & Marrow Transplantation, Narayana Health Group of Hospitals (Bangalore and Mumbai) said, “The process of peripheral blood stem cell donation is relatively simple. The process is very similar to platelet or blood donation and it is absolutely safe for the donors. It is amazing how a simple "act of donation" can gift another life to someone battling diseases like blood cancer and other blood related disorders. The bigger challenge is awareness in the society and commitment to donation”. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15352/jaslok-performs-third-highest-mrgfus-treatments-in-the-world.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15352/jaslok-performs-third-highest-mrgfus-treatments-in-the-world.html Tue, 17 Dec 2019 13:00:00 +0530 Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, a leading multi-super specialty hospital in Mumbai, commemorated the 9 year long successful operation of their MRgFUS (Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound) center. This hospital was the pioneering medical institution to incorporate MRgFUS and they have performed the 3rd highest number of MRgFUS procedures in the world. Apart from being the first center in India, it is also the only center in the world doing near total /total ablation of prostate gland with MRgFUS. As part of this milestone celebration, Jaslok Hospital organized a ‘Knowledge Forum’ based on the theme of raising awareness on MRgFUS (Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound). The forum was attended by senior doctors and medical practitioners from leading hospitals across the city and included an insightful panel discussion on the ‘Clinical application of MRgFUS’ followed by patient testimonials. MRgFUS (Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound), is a technique that uses a combination of high intensity ultrasound waves and magnetic resonance imaging to provide a non-invasive alternative treatment to surgery for tumours. The uniqueness of MRgFUS is that it focuses the ultrasound energy to a small spot about the size of a peanut inside the tumor and heats that spot sufficiently to cause cell death. The magnetic resonance enables the doctor to detect the tumor and the surroundings in 3D. it also helps in getting a real time knowledge about the temperature changes in the treated areas and observe what has been treated. MRgFUS can be useful in treatment of Uterine fibroids (Symptomatic fibroids, any size, number), Adenomyosis (Focal definable uterine adenomyosis), Facet arthropathy (Low backache due to facet joint degeneration), Bone metastasis, Benign bone tumours and Prostate cancer (Localized low risk malignancy). A broad comparison between HYSTERECTOMY, MYOMECTOMY and MRgFUS shows that the complication rate for traditional surgery is 10 – 15% while for MRgFUS it drops to 0 – 0.1%. The hospital stay also reduces to just a day depending on the number of sessions and the recovery period is also merely a day as compared to 4 – 6 days otherwise.  Since its inception, MRgFUS center at Jaslok Hospital has successfully treated enumerable cases namely UTERINE FIBROID (1525), ADENOMYOSIS (135), FACETAL ARTHROPATHY (180), BONE METASTASIS (9), PROSTRATE CANCER (7) OTHER BONE TUMOURS (1) Jaslok Hospital aims to upload its reputation as the most respected medical institution of India, providing the highest quality patient care through state-of the art medical infrastructure and nurturing and delivering clinical excellence & research, and aims to raise awareness about such cutting edge technology led treatment options into the forefront and recommend it to patients due to its benefits. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15348/-international-arogya-2019-to-begin-from-19th-december-in-varanasi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15348/-international-arogya-2019-to-begin-from-19th-december-in-varanasi.html Tue, 17 Dec 2019 12:45:00 +0530 The 2nd International Conference and Exhibition on AYUSH and Wellness, ‘International Arogya 2019’, is being organized in Varanasi from December 19 – 22, 2019. The four-day conference and exhibition is organized by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), jointly with Ministry of AYUSH, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India along with Pharmexcil. On the theme ‘An integrative system of healthcare and wellness for the world’, the event will showcase the strength and scientific validation of traditional Indian systems of medicine in the global context, including Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy (AYUSH), and facilitate their worldwide promotion, development and recognition. Arvind Varchaswi, Chairman, FICCI AYUSH Committee and Managing Director, Sri Sri Tattva said, “The whole world is looking towards India for natural and holistic health care solutions through Ayurveda. International Arogya 2019 will open new doors of opportunities for trade and collaboration with world partners as well as for research & development of new formulations. FICCI & Government of India are working together to showcase the immense potential that the AYUSH System of medicine holds for the entire world.” Along with the exhibition, International Arogya 2019 will also organize sessions and panel discussions on topics like- Indian CEOs’ Roundtable; Mainstreaming The Brand Through Global Strategies; Integration of AYUSH Services in Modern Healthcare; Global Regime and Standardization of AYUSH products and services; Value Chain Integration and Providing Quality Raw Materials, and Prevention & Management of Urban Lifestyle Diseases. After the successful first edition held in December 2017, International Arogya 2019 will witness a large number of delegates and buyers from India, as well as international delegates from 60 countries including importers, regulators and Government officials. The international summit is expected to witness the participation of over 250 manufacturers of alternative medicine, who will showcase their products & services. The mega event will bring key stakeholders of AYUSH sector under one roof, help boost exports of AYUSH products, showcase latest research and developments in alternative medicine systems of India and harness the potential of this fast-growing and globally emerging sector.         ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15344/piramal-swasthya-partners-with-the-rockefeller-foundation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15344/piramal-swasthya-partners-with-the-rockefeller-foundation.html Tue, 17 Dec 2019 11:10:00 +0530 Piramal Swasthya Management and Research Institute, the primary healthcare initiative of Piramal Foundation, and The Rockefeller Foundation have announced a strategic partnership to align with and support the Government of India’s vision to ensure Universal Health Coverage. In the initial stages, the partnership aims to set a global example by leveraging digital technology to reduce preventable deaths amongst mothers and children living in Aspirational Districts and tribal areas. The Piramal Swasthya and Rockefeller teams will be working closely with the government on building cutting-edge primary health innovations and scaling them through policy interventions. The partnership will strengthen healthcare systems by integrating technologies such as artificial intelligence for evidence-based decision making. The idea is to save maternal and child deaths by providing appropriate and timely insights leading to effective policy making and implementation of focused interventions. The Piramal-Rockefeller partnership focuses on five of the 25 Aspirational Districts that are mentored by NITI Aayog. They are also part of the 117 Aspirational Districts identified by the Government of India as having urgent health and development needs. Many residents of these districts are members of tribal populations, who have significantly worse health outcomes than non-tribal populations. The maternal mortality rate in India is 122 deaths per 100,000 live births, while in the tribal communities it is even higher. Similarly, other health indicators such as infant mortality rates, child malnutrition rates, and incidence of malaria and tuberculosis are much higher among tribal communities than the general population.  At the outset, the Piramal-Rockefeller partnership will focus on two main streams of work: Develop and test novel approaches for using digital technology—including mobile communications, predictive analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning—to more efficiently and effectively deliver primary healthcare services to vulnerable people in their communities. Assess how vital information on community health needs can be better collected and analyzed through digital tools, so that the government and others can make informed, real-time decisions about targeting health resources. “We are delighted to partner with The Rockefeller Foundation to leverage our combined strengths and experiences and to co-create transformative solutions for equitable primary care health services in India. Health should be a right for everyone, not a privilege for some,” said Dr. Swati Piramal, Vice Chairperson, Piramal Group, and Director, Piramal Swasthya. “India is at the cusp of a historic public health transformation, and we are hopeful that this partnership will accelerate government goals to democratize health across the country. Through this partnership, we are committed to building an evidence-based decision-making culture in the government’s primary healthcare ecosystem in India, and institutionalizing it. Piramal Swasthya is also building a technology platform for primary care which is going to be a public good. The platform will help create better ways for the government health workers to make informed decisions when it comes to identifying issues in primary healthcare. The aim is to create a technology & evidence driven system as a public good in public primary healthcare which will help create better governance, accountability and knowledge repository.” “Digital innovation offers tremendous promise to deliver quality healthcare to more people, especially the most vulnerable among our communities,” said Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President, The Rockefeller Foundation. “By working with Piramal Swasthya, we aim to accelerate India’s commitment to using digital technology to promote health equity, which will serve as an exemplar for the world.” The Piramal-Rockefeller partnership brings together two impact- and outcome-driven organizations with a robust history of collaboration with governments to strengthen public health programs for vulnerable people. Both teams stand committed towards complementing and supplementing the Indian Government’s vision of Universal Health Coverage. This partnership will work towards co-creating high impact solutions that will contribute significantly towards bringing a change in the space of primary public healthcare that India needs.   Photo Caption:  (L:R): Ajay Piramal, Chairman, Piramal Group, Dr. Swati Piramal, Vice Chairperson, Piramal Group and Director, Piramal Swasthya and Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President, The Rockefeller Foundation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15340/jiva-ayurveda-signs-research-mou-with-thsti.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15340/jiva-ayurveda-signs-research-mou-with-thsti.html Tue, 17 Dec 2019 10:35:00 +0530 With the objective of using Ayurvedic diagnostic protocols to detect Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease at an early stage, and use diet and lifestyle-based treatments to prevent the progression of the disease, Jiva Ayurveda has signed a memorandum of understanding with Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI).   The MOU was signed by Dr Partap Chauhan, Director, Jiva Ayurveda and Prof. Gagandeep Kang, Executive Director, THSTI. Globally, millions of people suffer from NAFLD. People over the age of 40 are at a higher risk of developing the disorder, but a growing inclination to replace healthy meals with junk food, and towards unhealthy lifestyle choices has made all groups vulnerable to NAFLD.  Diet and lifestyles are the primary reasons behind NAFLD and since Ayurveda focuses on diet and lifestyle for disease treatment, the MOU will enable researchers to integrate the Ayurvedic perspective in order to develop markers for a more efficient early detection system. Jiva Ayurveda has treated thousands of liver and gall disorders and will contribute data insights along with the Ayurvedic perspective on the disease.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15349/dr-trust-offers-affordable-cardiovascular-telemedicine-solutions-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15349/dr-trust-offers-affordable-cardiovascular-telemedicine-solutions-.html Tue, 17 Dec 2019 10:30:00 +0530 In sync with the rapidly evolving global healthcare scenario, Dr Trust, a leading name in the home health-tech space, is driving the case for far-reaching adoption of effective and affordable cardiovascular telemedicine solutions powered by the advantages of Internet of Things (IoT) through its Dr Trust ECG Pen home monitoring device. Powered by a patented sensor technology, Dr Trust ECG Pen can connect cardiovascular surveillance from home settings to physicians for continued and comprehensive care, thus facilitating timely medical intervention in urgent situations. The device enables the detection of common aberrations in cardiovascular rhythm like atrial fibrillation and even third-degree heart blocks which can remain clinically silent for years. Explaining how Dr Trust ECG Pen is leveraging the benefits of telemedicine and IoT, Mr Saurabh Goyal, Executive Director of Nureca Pvt Ltd, which owns the Dr Trust brand, said, “Dr Trust ECG Pen can help identify cardiovascular disease with high precision in real time, thus saving thousands of precious lives. It enables patients to track their readings on the smart phone and share them with their doctor, along with live ECG reports, anytime from anywhere.” Goyal observed that a major factor behind the high mortality rate due to heart ailments in India is the delay in seeking medical attention after the onset of complications like chest pain, which could well be a sign of a heart attack. “Dr Trust ECG Pen can precisely detect these warning signals in the first stage itself so that appropriate remedial action can follow before the problem assumes life-threatening proportions,” he said. The Bluetooth-compatible device is equipped with a fully integrated end-to-end system which closes the loop between patient and physician, thus empowering patients to take control of their own cardiovascular monitoring. Further, the compact and lightweight design of the device allows it to even fit in a pocket with portability an added advantage for patients.   Recognised by the USFDA as equally accurate as a 12-lead clinical ECG, this handy device is powered by a patented technology which is clinically validated for delivering accurate results every time. It monitors a number of heart conditions like irregular heartbeat and irregular heart rate simultaneously and gives a glimpse of all electrical activities in simply 30 seconds. Goyal said Dr Trust ECG PEN can store data of the past 36 measurements in an Android and iOS-compatible app, which can be used for periodical analysis and convenient diagnosis. “In a country where over 2 million people die of cardiac problems every year, Dr Trust ECG Pen is addressing the life-saving need for timely detection of cardiac complications. The device can also monitor the effects of medications and keep a check on the functioning of hearts of patients who have suffered a stroke or undergone surgeries like angioplasty and bypass,” he said. Unlike traditional medical-grade ECG, which can only be conducted and analysed by qualified medical personnel through a cumbersome process that involves attaching 3-10 electrodes at specific points of the body skin, the one-button-push Dr Trust ECG Pen does not require patches, wires and other attachments, thus making ECG monitoring, data storage and analysis hassle-free with its automated operation process. Dr Trust ECG Pen can also help manage conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hypertension and stress, the major factors leading to coronary heart disease, with its capability of continuously taking more than 500 readings for patients suffering from these conditions. Explaining the underlying idea behind introducing this device for heart patients, Goyal said, “We, at Nureca, are driven by the passion for innovation, and it is our endeavour to promote wellness through our pioneering technologies.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15342/3m-launches-flagship-nursing-recognition-program-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15342/3m-launches-flagship-nursing-recognition-program-.html Tue, 17 Dec 2019 10:05:00 +0530 3M India Limited, the Indian subsidiary of 3M, a global innovation company, announced the launch of their flagship nursing recognition program ‘3M Nursing Leadership Awards’. This unique initiative aims to recognize nurses for their contribution towards achieving excellence in clinical practice, quality, safety, community outreach service, leadership and innovation. The initiative will focus on promoting best practices and replicate them to upgrade overall nursing practices in India. The national platform for recognition, in its first edition, received 150+ nominations from 100+ registered hospitals. The company also leveraged its partnership with INS (Indian Nurses Society) and AORN (Association of Operating Room Nurses) to evaluate the nominations and select the final 13 awards across 5 categories. The jury members included Col. Binu Sharma – President, INS India & Sr. VP Nursing Services, Columbia Asia; Swapna Joshi- Advisor- AORN, Professor and Nursing Superintendent TATA Memorial Hospital and Dr. Vikram Guduri- ICU ROH Solutions Leader – Asia Region, 3M Medical Solution Division. Col. Binu Sharma, President, INS India and Sr. VP Nursing Services, Columbia Asia said, “The National Leadership Summit is an excellent initiative to bring Nurse Leaders together to share best practices, networking opportunities and a very engaging learning platform. The National awards has been a great thought to motivate, inspire nurses to showcase the excellence in the various job roles and apply newer ideas in Nursing practice. I congratulate and compliment 3M for a great initiative providing multiple opportunities to Nurse Leaders at a National Level.” Swapna Joshi, Advisor-AORN, Professor and Nursing Superintendent TATA Memorial Hospital, said, “I appreciate the initiative taken by 3M team this year. It was excellent to see such response from upcoming leaders. It will motivate them to participate and grow in their career path and develop leadership. Nurses in India need such opportunities to explore their potential. Congratulations to 3M.” Rajiv Gupta, Country Business Leader, Healthcare Business, said, “The nursing community plays an immense role in patient care and well-being. At 3M, we are committed to creating awareness about the contribution of nurses. The 3M Nursing Leadership Awards is a step in this direction, to recognize their extra-ordinary contribution at a national level and inspire more people to learn from best practices. We intend to utilize this platform for sustained engagement with the nursing community for knowledge and skill enhancement through learning courses across ICU, Operating rooms and sterile services departments.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15328/aditya-birla-wellness-launches-new-health-proposition.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15328/aditya-birla-wellness-launches-new-health-proposition.html Mon, 16 Dec 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Aditya Birla Wellness Private Limited (ABWPL), the wellness arm of Aditya Birla Capital Limited (ABCL), has announced the launch of its health and wellness proposition – ‘Multiply Wellness’. ABWPL is a joint venture between Aditya Birla Capital and MMI Holdings Ltd. (MMI), a large and diversified financial services leader in South Africa. ‘Multiply Wellness’, is a unique Wellness and Rewards program which inspires and motivates individuals and their families to live a healthier life. This digitally enabled health and wellness ecosystem offers multiple benefits starting day 1 on leading lifestyle brands to incentivize and reward customer’s efforts towards a healthy lifestyle. The offerings include:  Workout Anytime, anywhere at 1000+ leading gyms and fitness centres across the country  Annual Health and Fitness assessment to assess health  Year round wellness coaching for all health and nutrition requirements  Rewards for staying healthy with discounts and cash backs on leading brands like Uber, PVR,Amazon, Indian Oil and more.  On the launch of Multiply Wellness, Mr. Murtuza Arsiwala, Head – Wellness, Aditya Birla Wellness Private Limited said, “It is known that rewards stir the motivation of individuals and push them to go the extra mile. With our goal of creating a healthy India, through the launch of this unique wellness and rewards program, we want to influence, motivate and incentivise individuals to accomplish their health goals and live fulfilling lives. This is India’s first wellness and rewards program that actually rewards individuals from day 1 for getting healthy.”  Multiply opens up access to over 1000+ gyms and select centres of fitness brands across the country such as Talwalkars, Gold’s, Contours, Fluid Fitness, Mickey Mehta, Snap Fitness 24x7, Sarva Yoga Studio, MultiFit, FitnessONE, Skale Fitness and more. It also offers complimentary health and fitness assessments along with unlimited online wellness consultations from health experts.  In addition, customers also get discounts and cashbacks on a host of everyday expenses like, groceries, entertainment, travel, holidays and fuel from leading brands like Amazon, Bigbasket, Goibibo, Idea, IndianOil, PVR Cinemas, Uber, Samsung to name a few. Now healthy living is not just easy, but also rewarding with Multiply Wellness. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15332/dmrc-jodhpur-shifts-focus-to-national-level-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15332/dmrc-jodhpur-shifts-focus-to-national-level-research.html Mon, 16 Dec 2019 06:30:00 +0530 Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Hon’ble Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Science and Technology and Earth Sciences and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Union Minister of Jal Shakti visited ICMR’s -Desert Medicine Research Centre (DMRC), Jodhpur as Chief Guest for the renaming ceremony of DMRC Jodhpur Institute to National Institute for Implementation Research on Non-Communicable Diseases (NIIRNCD). This National Institute will now focus on National level research with field stations located in other parts of the country. The Hon’ble Ministers also laid the foundation stone of the administrative block of the Institute. At the event Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Hon’ble Union Minister appreciated the research work being done by the Institute and said that generally any institute is named first and its action plan is prepared later; but this Institute has demonstrated the advantages of implementation research; made an action plan and now it is named after its work. In the coming years, this institute will work for the people of the country by facilitating and carrying research in the area of Non Communicable diseases. Addl. DG ICMR and Director NIIRNCD Dr. G.S.Toteja, briefed the Ministers about the research activities of the institute since its inception in 1984. He informed that under the mega community based study on sickle cell anaemia, more than one lakh tribal population have been screened and cards related to their status as normal/ carrier or diseased have been distributed to them. He also informed that under another project for early detection of breast cancer in women, about 84,000 women have been trained for breast self-examination and out of these women, 489 were found to be suspected of breast cancer, out of which 9 women have been confirmed with breast cancer cases and are currently undergoing treatment. Dr. Toteja said that the Institute will continue to work in collaboration with the State Government for the community so that effective health care reaches to the poorest. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15323/goqii-charts-its-2020-roadmap-of-new-products.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15323/goqii-charts-its-2020-roadmap-of-new-products.html Fri, 13 Dec 2019 11:05:00 +0530 GOQii, the smart-tech-enabled preventive healthcare platform, made a slew of announcements during its annual event #ReimagineHealth in Mumbai. Given the state of ‘Sickcare’ infrastructure in India, GOQii strongly believes that preventive healthcare is the only long-term solution to transform Healthcare. GOQii is working on its vision of ‘The Internet of Health’ by making preventive healthcare accessible under the GOQii Ecosystem. "LevelUp Your Health" is the mantra GOQii is adapting to help people take ownership of their health and become a better version of themselves. Vishal Gondal, Founder & CEO of GOQii announced the launch of its product ‘GOQii Smart Stride - Connected Treadmill’ in India. The first-of-its-kind smart treadmill that immerses the user with GOQii Play - live and on-demand workouts, at the comfort of one’s home. Health enthusiasts can indulge in activities such as walking, running and other forms of cardio, under the supervision of live celebrity coaches. With Real Time ClassSync: Coaches can remotely control the speed of all treadmills to ensure that users are getting the same intensity of Workouts during the class. The GOQii Smart Tread – Connected treadmill base model will be priced from Rs.25,000/- and comes with a 12-month GOQii Coach and Care team subscription. The company also launched the ‘GOQii Smartwatch’. The smartwatches are trendy and will be available in different colours to suit the preferences of the health-conscious customers. GOQii VitalPro version will be powered with ECG Monitor and GOQii RunGPS Pro version will be powered with ECG Monitor and GPS. Pricing of the smartwatches will be starting at Rs.6999/- and will be available by March 2020 and comes with a 3-month GOQii Coach and Care team subscription. GOQii also announces launch of GOQii Smart Scale which can measure BMI, Body Mineral Content, Muscle Mass, Body Fat, Body Water percentage, BMR, Visceral Fat level and Skeletal Muscle with a 3-month GOQii Subscription. GOQii Balance Smart weighing scales will be available from Jan 2020 with prices starting at Rs. 3999/- At the event, Vishal Gondal announced a partnership with Bajaj Allianz General Insurance to take Health Insurance to the masses codenamed 'Ayushman India'. GOQii & Bajaj Allianz General Insurance will be offering GOQii users a Universal Healthcare Cover of Rs 5 lakhs with benefits based on preventive health matrices. The service is expected to launch in the 1st half of 2020.  GOQii, the smart-tech-enabled Preventive Healthcare company and Visa, the global leader in payments technology has also announced a strategic collaboration to develop innovative health and wellness-focused payment solutions for the Indian market. The collaboration is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Fit India Movement to promote fitness and help Indians get healthy. GOQii and Visa will work together to design products to make life simpler for its vast consumer base in India. The association will also look at exploring possibilities around digital payments and come up with innovations in contactless payments in India.  GOQii has proudly partnered with PM Modi's Fit India Movement, to encourage India to stay fit and healthy by promoting physical activities and sports in their everyday lives. As a ‘Fit India Partner’, GOQii will support the Fit India Movement with the objective of fostering a culture of fitness among the citizens across the country. GOQii will work closely with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to promote fitness by organizing fitness programs and activities involving citizens across the country. With India Health Quiz lead by Bollywood star, Akshay Kumar, the GOQii brand has reached the masses. To take its offering across a wider segment, GOQii is also investing into offline retail. Over the next 12 months, GOQii’s slew of products & services will be available across 10,000 plus stores in partnership with Compuage Infocom Ltd, one of India’s leading volume technology products distributor. Currently, GOQii is available across online platforms Amazon, Flipkart and offline via Croma. As part of its initiative to focus on helping millions of Indians manage their Diabetes, GOQii has also announced the India Diabetes Challenge 2020 to encourage people to adopt healthier lifestyle choices and manage their diabetes with the help of GOQii Digital Therapeutics solutions. Users who successfully reduce their HbA1c during the period of the challenge will be eligible to earn Gold by Paytm. Metropolis Healthcare Ltd. will be the official diagnostics partner for the challenge and Bajaj Allianz General Insurance is the Health Insurance Partner.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15322/hemocue-ab-strengthens-activities-to-fight-anemia-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15322/hemocue-ab-strengthens-activities-to-fight-anemia-in-india.html Fri, 13 Dec 2019 11:00:00 +0530 In 2019, Sweden and India celebrate 10 years of collaboration under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Health. It also marks 10 years of our local presence as HemoCue India. Globally, as well as locally, we share our commitment in supporting national and global Public Health Initiatives. Already in 2015, HemoCue launched the initiative "Embrace Health - Unite to Screen and Treat Anemia" for improved health, global prosperity and in support of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The program will now be extended to incorporate additional activities and areas to combat anemia. Implementation of anemia control programs requires not only careful baseline and epidemiologic evaluation but also selection of appropriate interventions - a tool to detect and a tool to treat. HemoCue hemoglobin analyzers and solutions have successfully been used in large-scale intervention anemia screening programs worldwide and we are proud that they have been used in the large National Family Health Surveys in India. "With a knowledge-based approach, interventions to combat anemia can be successful in improving health and the quality of life for large groups of people. HemoCue is devoted to provide lab-quality point-of-care testing solutions that support Public Health priorities - and anemia screening is key to us", says Christophe Duret, CEO at HemoCue. "At HemoCue, we are committed to support health initiatives that can break the intergenerational effect of anemia. A single drop of blood contains a world of knowledge and can mean an immense amount of difference for our children, to our society as well as to our future", says Lena Wahlhed, Director Alliance Development at HemoCue.   India, carrying the largest burden of anemia globally, has experience from government-run programs to combat anemia. In acknowledgment of its importance of health, Anemia Mukt Bharat and Ayushman Bharat has recently been launched. While Anemia Mukt Bharat focuses on reducing anemia utilizing e.g. national "Test, Talk and Treat" (T3) camps across India, Ayushman Bharat is focused on the upgrading of 150K healthcare facilities into Comprehensive Health and Wellness Center (CHWCs) aimed at making quality healthcare affordable and accessible for all. Combating non-communicable diseases including diabetes is one of the key subjects on the agenda. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15316/isic-organises-design-thinking-workshop-on-spinal-injuries.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15316/isic-organises-design-thinking-workshop-on-spinal-injuries.html Fri, 13 Dec 2019 10:10:00 +0530 The Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC) organised a ‘Design Thinking Workshop’, as a part of the Canada-India Science and Technology Innovation Dialogue and discussed various aspects of treating spinal cord injury patients including innovative technologies and sustainable rehabilitation of patients. The dialogue is hosted by the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre in collaboration with the India-Canada Centre for Innovative Multidisciplinary Partnerships to Accelerate Community Transformation and Sustainability (IC-IMPACTS) and Praxis Spinal Cord Institute (formerly known as Rick Hansen Institute) in collaboration with leading research agencies of Government of India and supported by Canadian and Indian partners. Dr. Nemkumar Banthia, CEO and Scientific Director IC-IMPACTS, Bill Barrable, CEO, Praxis Spinal Cord Institute (formerly known as Rick Hansen Institute), and Dr. H S Chhabra, Chief of Spine Services and Medical Director of Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC) participated at the event along with multidisciplinary experts and other dignitaries. The workshop made the delegates interested in the means to innovate for an inclusive society. Felicitated projects included developing artificial hands for spinal injured (ISIC-IITD), tele-medicine based exercises for patients in rural India, means to connect the researchers and portable scanner for data aquisition. A design thinking competition was also organized on the theme "Improving the quality of lives of Spinal Cord Injured and persons with disability". The innovators presented their product sand discussed ways to bring them to the market. Bill Barrable said, “We, at Praxis, want this world to be free of spinal cord injuries and paralysis that follows it. However, it is very important to keep pushing levels and bring in new technologies and treatment methods to offer relief to SCI patients. The rapid advancement in science and technology is our key motivation – the ISNCSCI algorithm has been downloaded more than 1500 times in 168 countries and we have successfully engaged 20,000 SCI-affected people to build an incredible network of partners.” Dr. H S Chhabra added, “Spinal cord injury is one of the biggest reasons of disability not only in India but across the world. As healthcare providers, we have to aspire for and achieve newer horizons of treatment so that more and more people can be freed from the clutches of this debilitating physical condition. Spinal cord injury, which may be caused by a simple fall, can render a person completely in paralysis for life. There is a need to make people aware of the various aspects of SCI. Besides, rehabilitation of SCI patients is crucial so that they are not left out and can remain productive in spite of the injury – this is one area we need to work on since hundreds of SCI patients away from big cities cannot access rehabilitation services and are forced to live life in the margins. We are very proud to host this brainstorming and award session here and hope it will take the advancements deeper into the country.” Dr. Nemkumar Banthia said, “As a Canada-India Research Centre of Excellence dedicated to the development of research collaborations between the two countries, IMPACTS seeks to bring together researchers, industry innovators, community leaders, government agencies, and community organizations from across India and Canada to work together to find solutions to the key challenges facing the communities. Both the countries have their unique strengths and it is time to leverage each other’s strengths.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15319/indian-fertility-society-organizes-fertivision-2019-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15319/indian-fertility-society-organizes-fertivision-2019-.html Thu, 12 Dec 2019 17:15:00 +0530 With an aim to provide the most comprehensive academic platform in the field of Infertility and Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) befitting the theme of the meeting “Beyond Tomorrow”, Fertivision 2019 was recently organized by Indian Fertility Society (IFS). Dr M Gouri Devi, President, IFS and Organising Chairperson said, “Renowned and leading expert faculty from around the world including President (Elect) of International Federation of Fertility Societies (IFFS), President, British Fertility Society(BFS) and senior officials of  European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) gathered and delivered talks in the cutting edge scientific program which did not only enrich the current knowledge and cleared all doubts faced in day-to-day clinical practice, but also enlightened people about the latest innovations and ongoing research.” “The pre-congress workshops on 6th December were specially designed for informal in-depth training with hands-on sessions on simulators and live, where ever feasible. There were four simultaneous running streams on 7th & 8th December covering a wide variety of topics, enabling participants to choose the deliberations specific to their area of interest and clinical practice,” she added.  The three days of the scientific event encompassed didactic lectures, keynote presentations, panel discussions and orations. There were 9 Preconference workshops based on Ovulation Induction, Ultrasound, Andrology, Embryology, Hands-on Embryo Transfer, Ovum Pickup and more. “These workshops were in addition to the special state of the art workshops by the faculty from the IFFS, and ESHRE. Apart from Europe we have delegates from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Middle - East Countries, and African Nations who shared their domain knowledge and expertise informed Dr Pankaj Talwar, Organising Secretary, Fertivision and Secretary General, IFS.  Simultaneously, the IFS organised an exhibition at the venue and the exhibition area was one of the highlights of the conference. Exhibiting provided tremendous benefits to both the participating industry and society.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15318/ayush-with-ficci-seeks-attention-on-healthcare-and-wellness.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15318/ayush-with-ficci-seeks-attention-on-healthcare-and-wellness.html Thu, 12 Dec 2019 17:05:00 +0530 The 2nd International Conference and Exhibition on AYUSH and Wellness, ‘International Arogya 2019’, is being organized in Varanasi from December 19 – 22, 2019. The four-day conference and exhibition is organized by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), jointly with Ministry of AYUSH, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India along with Pharmexcil. On the theme ‘An integrative system of healthcare and wellness for the world’, the event will showcase the strength and scientific validation of traditional Indian systems of medicine in the global context, including Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy (AYUSH), and facilitate their worldwide promotion, development and recognition. Arvind Varchaswi, Chairman, FICCI AYUSH Committee and Managing Director, Sri SriTattva said, “The whole world is looking towards India for natural and holistic health care solutions through Ayurveda. International Arogya 2019 will open new doors of opportunities for trade and collaboration with world partners as well as for research & development of new formulations. FICCI & Government of India are working together to showcase the immense potential that the AYUSH System of medicine holds for the entire world.” Along with the exhibition, International Arogya 2019 will also organize sessions and panel discussions on relevant topics like- Indian CEOs’ Roundtable; Mainstreaming The Brand Through Global Strategies; Integration of AYUSH Services in Modern Healthcare; Global Regime and Standardization of AYUSH products and services; Value Chain Integration and Providing Quality Raw Materials, and Prevention & Management of Urban Lifestyle Diseases. After the successful first edition held in December 2017, International Arogya 2019 will witness a large number of delegates and buyers from India, as well as international delegates from 60 countries including importers, regulators and Government officials. The international summit is expected to witness the participation of over 250 manufacturers of alternative medicine, who will showcase their products & services. The mega event will bring key stakeholders of AYUSH sector under one roof, help boost exports of AYUSH products, showcase latest research and developments in alternative medicine systems of India and harness the potential of this fast-growing and globally emerging sector. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15314/bd-india-organises-masterclass-to-combat-amr.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15314/bd-india-organises-masterclass-to-combat-amr.html Thu, 12 Dec 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Addressing the concern of the most significant threats to the health and well-being of the world’s population, BD, a leading medical technology company in India recently organized a multi-city masterclass on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). The masterclass organized at  Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai witnessed the participation of international speakers, healthcare experts and city’s leading microbiologists. The key topics deliberated were on the impact of AMR to patients and impact of patient outcomes through improved diagnostic solutions. Dr. Patrick R Murray, VP-Scientific Affairs, BD Life Sciences said, “The rapidly growing problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) must be addressed now. A major contributor to this problem with the widespread use of empiric therapy that is frequently inactive. Only with the use of rapid, accurate diagnostic tests can physicians identify specifically the infecting organism and move from empiric therapy to appropriate directed therapy. Additionally, diagnostic tests can identify patients who are asymptomatic carriers of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and, in conjunction with a well-organized infection control and prevention program, prevent the spread of these organisms in the medical community. Diagnostic Stewardship, Antibiotic Stewardship, and Infection Control and Prevention Stewardship are the foundation for solving the AMR problem.” AMR occurs when antimicrobials (the life-saving drugs), which are commonly used to treat infections, stop working as the organism becomes resistant to the drug. It is projected to become one of the leading causes of human mortality and will cause 10 million deaths each year by the year 2050, exceeding those caused by cancer. India carries one of the largest burdens of drug-resistant pathogens worldwide and it is one of the largest consumers of antibiotics worldwide. [i] Healthcare settings are high-risk environments for the spread of organisms that cause infections. 7% to 10% of hospitalized patients and 33% of patients in intensive care units contract at least one healthcare-associated infection. 25% of healthcare-associated infections in long-term acute care settings are caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Dr. Savita Nagaraj, Professor & Head of Department of Clinical Microbiology, St. Johns Medical College & Hospital, Bengaluru said, “The threat of Antimicrobial resistance is a global problem, hospital and community, and we cannot afford to ignore it. Our only hope to save the existing molecules (for today and tomorrow) is to adopt a holistic approach by integrating conscious, rational use of antibiotics (prescribers and users) and ensuring good hygienic and safe infection control practices, to prevent transmission. It is a serious concern for the future of all mankind.”  In India, lately we have received various concerns from patients on AMR. With the advancing of these bacteria and the number of infections attacking us, it is very essential that we curb the issue of AMR as resistant infections spread easily among patients in health care facilities. Hence, it becomes very critical for India to tackle this problem before it affects the masses and leads to mortality”, said Dr. Iyer Ranganathan N, Senior Consultant Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Global Hospitals, Hyderabad. Dr. Anusha Rohit, Head of Department of Microbiology and Sr. Consultant, Madras Medical Mission, Chennai said, “Preventing the occurrence and spread of infections is the first line of defense in addressing AMR. Investments in improved water and sanitation are critical components of community-based prevention. All healthcare facilities need to implement required cleaning and disinfection protocols and should properly dispose the biohazardous wastes to reduce the potential spreading of healthcare- associated infections. Improving the quality of these practices and use of advanced decontamination technologies are the need of the hour. Laboratories need to focus on diagnostic techniques that are quality controlled and up-to-date to ensure proper testing and reporting of AMR.” Preventing the occurrence and spread of infections is the first line of defence in addressing AMR. Accurate diagnosis is essential to reducing misuse of antimicrobials as diagnostic tests can identify the organism causing the infection. Once the infective organism has been identified, diagnostic tests can also determine which specific antimicrobials are effective and can guide the physician in appropriate drug choice and dosage. On this occasion, Pavan Mocherla, Managing Director, BD-India/South Asia said, “Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most serious global public health threats in this century. The capabilities of BD as a company are highly relevant to the global objective to prevent and control AMR. With a broad portfolio of AMR solutions supporting infection prevention and control, diagnostic testing and surveillance and reporting, we believe we can enhance our customers’ ability to contain AMR and achieve effective antimicrobial stewardship. BD also joined with organizations around the globe to create the Antimicrobial Resistance Fighter Coalition in order to raise awareness on AMR through the "I'm a resistance fighter™" campaign. We encourage you to join us in raising awareness about AMR and play an important role in the fight against its spread.” BD diagnostic platforms reduce the risk of transmission of HAIs, promote fully informed prescribing decisions and enhance clinical outcomes by rapidly identifying major drug-resistant threats identified by the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rapid detection and identification of infectious agents - Identification systems, Automated molecular diagnostic systems, Automated culture systems, Laboratory automation with microbial imaging Applications (BD BactecTM FX System, BD MaxTM System & BD Bruker MBTTM) Precise susceptibility testing - Automated susceptibility testing systems, Antimicrobial susceptibility test discs, Automated liquid culture and drug susceptibility testing for tuberculosis (BD PhoenixTM M50 System, BD BactecTM MGIT System & BD BBLTM Sensi Disc- Susceptibility Test Disc) ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15311/who-gets-new-advice-on-curbing-ncds.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15311/who-gets-new-advice-on-curbing-ncds.html Wed, 11 Dec 2019 17:30:00 +0530  World leaders and health experts, have handed 8 recommendations to WHO’s Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, that could save millions of lives and promote mental health. The WHO Independent High-level Commission on noncommunicable diseases was convened by Dr Tedros in October 2017 to identify innovative ways to curb the world’s leading causes of death: cardiovascular disease, cancers, diabetes, respiratory diseases and mental health conditions. The report laid out a set of 8 recommendations for WHO: Encourage Heads of State and Government to fulfil their commitment to provide strategic leadership by involving all relevant government departments, businesses, civil society groups as well as health professionals and people at risk from or suffering from NCDs and mental health conditions. Support countries in efforts to empower individuals to make healthy choices, including by ensuring that the environment is conducive to living a healthy life, and that people receive the information they need to make healthy choices. Encourage countries to invest in the prevention and control of NCDs and mental health conditions as a key opportunity to enhance human capital and accelerate economic growth. Advise countries to include services to prevent and treat NCDs and mental health as essential components of Universal Health Coverage. Ensure that no one falls into poverty because they have to pay for health care out of their own pockets through the provision of adequate social protection for everyone. Increase engagement with businesses and provide technical support to Member States so they can mount effective national responses to NCDs and mental health conditions. Encourage governments to promote meaningful engagement with civil society. Advocate for the establishment of a multi-donor trust fund to support countries in activities to reduce NCDs and promote mental health. The Report was launched on 10 December in Muscat, Oman at the WHO Global Meeting to Accelerate Progress on NCDs and Mental Health in front of more than 600 people coming from governments, UN agencies, civil society, private sector, philanthropies, and academia. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15297/gavi-board-approves-new-ebola-vaccine-programme.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15297/gavi-board-approves-new-ebola-vaccine-programme.html Tue, 10 Dec 2019 11:15:00 +0530 A global emergency stockpile of Ebola vaccines will be available to countries for outbreak response and prevention following the approval of a new Ebola vaccine programme by the Board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which met recently in New Delhi. Gavi will open a new funding window, with estimated investment of US$ 178 million between now and 2025 for the new Ebola vaccine programme. Gavi-supported low- and middle-income countries will be able to access the stockpile free of charge and will receive support for the operational costs of vaccination campaigns. Wealthier countries will be able to access vaccines but will be expected to self-finance. As well as creating the emergency stockpile, Gavi will also support targeted preventative vaccination outside of an outbreak in high-risk populations, such as health workers, in countries at risk. The target populations and scope of countries will be based on future recommendations by the WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation (SAGE). The WHO’s SAGE Working Group on Ebola Vaccines and Vaccination has provided guidance that the global emergency stockpile should be maintained at 500,000 licensed doses of vaccines. The price of Ebola vaccines funded by Gavi will be defined as part of a tender process managed by UNICEF, as Gavi’s partner and procurement agency. There are currently eight candidate Zaire Ebolavirus vaccines at different phases of development. This includes Merck’s vaccine currently being used under compassionate use as part of the response to the ongoing DRC outbreak, which has recently received conditional marketing approval from the European Commission and prequalification from the WHO. More than 250,000 people have received it since the outbreak started in August last year. Moreover, close to a thousand people have received a second candidate vaccine manufactured by Johnson & Johnson as part of a study in North Kivu, DRC. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15281/bengaluru-chandrashekhar-portal-creates-an-easy-passage-to-the-outside-ligaments-of-the-knee.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15281/bengaluru-chandrashekhar-portal-creates-an-easy-passage-to-the-outside-ligaments-of-the-knee.html Fri, 06 Dec 2019 14:50:00 +0530 Dr Chandrashekar P, Sr. Consultant & HOD – Orthopaedics at SakraWorld Hospital has devised a new technique to create a portal/passage. This surgery has been developed to approach the upper portion of the outside ligaments of the knee using keyhole surgery technique. Clinically referred to as Direct Lateral Portal and also known as “Bengaluru Chandrashekhar Portal”, it is an extension of an arthroscopic surgery developed for the first time in the world to address the health problems occurring in the Outside or Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) of the knee. LCL are the two surrounding connective tissues that connect the knee bones together, keeping it stable. This newly devised portal serves multiple purposes - it can be used to address the pathologies of all types of injuries or broken LCL, Avulsion Fractures, Calcium Apatite Deposition Disease (CADD), Popliteus and Anterolateral Ligament (ALL) Reconstruction. Despite medical and surgical advances in the field of knee surgery, the normal practice has been through open surgery. No defined portal or entry technique was developed till date to reach the area in the LCL of the knee. There is a need to create a passage to address the different pathologies. But, narrow ligaments and multiple blood vessels in the knee pose a significant challenge for surgeons to operate. Using keyhole surgery continues to be difficult while trying to reach the upper part of the pathology and calcific deposit in the LCL. After years of research, Dr Chandrashekhar P and his team at Sakra World Hospital discovered a new passage to reach the point in the LCL without any struggle using keyhole surgery technique. This technique was conceptualized to prevent tearing of the ligaments during open surgery and was conducted on a cadaver study on both the knees at a cadaver lab and further dissected to know the safety of the portal. The process involves incision to reach the part in the outer ligaments of the knee without damaging the LCL fibres and peroneal nerve (a branch of sciatic nerve that originates from the lower spine required for movement) while making the portal. Cases of pathologies in the LCL are rare and occur in about 1 in 1,000 cases.   Speaking about his discovery of the technique, Dr Chandrashekar P. said, “Almost 70% of the knee and joint surgeries are conducted through keyhole surgery since they are less painful, involves less incision and scar, ensures speedy recovery and reduced hospital stay. For the past three years, we have been constantly researching to find out a new portal to address the pathologies in the LCL. Without the knowledge about the portals, it becomes difficult to reach to this particular area of the knee and joint. With this new technique, the aim is to create an entry to the LCL region of the knee without any hassle. This new discovery is dedicated to the people of Karnataka and has been named as ‘Direct Lateral Portal/Bengaluru Chandrashekhar Poral’.” The new technique has been accepted and published in the Global Journal of Medical Research that serves as a knowledge-sharing purpose for the medical fraternities globally.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15280/maxivision-unveils-advanced-retina-clinics-in-telangana-ap.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15280/maxivision-unveils-advanced-retina-clinics-in-telangana-ap.html Fri, 06 Dec 2019 14:35:00 +0530 Maxivision Group of Super Specialty Eye Hospitals, Super Specialty Eye Care network in Telangana & AP has announced the launch of Advanced Retina Clinics in its all hospitals across AP, Telangana and unveiled Alcon Constellation Vision System @10,000 cut rates”, an advanced Vitreo Retina Surgery unit in Madhapur recently. All branches of Maxivision are Super Specialty Comprehensive Care hospitals, and hosts state of the art technology and Robotic Surgeries, to treat Cataract, Glaucoma, high glass powers, Glaucoma, Cornea and Paediatric Eye care. Now the network has Retina Care across its branches. With the increasing incidence of Retina diseases due to Diabetes and various other reasons, Maxivision has now invested in Retina Care Technology in its Tertirary Care centres at Somajiguda, Madhapur and Warangal. This technology is from Alcon, USA, the Leaders in Eye Care technology across the world. This advanced endowment of Constellation, an advanced Vitreo Retina Surgery unit, will be able to tackle all complicated Retina Surgeries and provide painless, and quick recovery of critical retina surgeries. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Kasu Prasad Reddy, Founder, and Co chairman said: ‘Diabetes is one of the leading causes of vision loss in India, and elsewhere in the world. International Diabetes Federation report 2017 estimated that there were 425 million diabetics in the world and this figure is expected to grow to 629 million by 2045. Survey reports say one in every 7 diabetic patients are suffering from Diabetic Retinopathy or are visually impaired. Uncontrolled sugar levels are the cause of Diabetic Retinopathy. It is advisable for all Diabetics, to have their vision examination, and a detailed retina check up, at least once in 6 months.  It is also very important that all Ophthalmologist’s take serious note of this rising epidemic and train themselves in treating the disease, or educate the patients to have preventive check ups, to avoid Retina blindness”. Elaborating on this, Sudheer, Chief Operating Officer, of Maxivision group, said: “Maxivision had Diabetic Retinopathy treatment across its branches. During last couple of years, due to steady inflow of the patients, for Retina care, we have invested in advanced Green Lasers, and Fundus Cameras across our network. To encourage preventive care, we initiated a series of education programs, free Diabetic Retina check up and news articles for public awareness on criticality of Retina and possible vision loss. Surgical Retina was taken care by our Head of Retina Services, Dr.Muralidhar Rao, who has over 18 years of experience in Retina Surgeries, and one of the leading expert surgeon in this part of the region. During last couple of years, we have roped in around 6 more experienced Surgeons to the group, thus panelling 7 Super Specialty Retina Specialists for the group, making it largest group of Retina specialists, to cater to the growing necessity of Retina Care. This latest investment in Constellation, a State of the art Retina Surgery Station, in Somajiguda, Madhapur, and Warangal will make us one of the closely networked Retina care group, managed by expert surgeons in Retina, with combined experience of over 20 years. Addressing the gathering, Dr Muralidhar Rao, Head of Retina Services, explained: “Preventive care is the best remedy to reduce the risks of vision loss due to retina damages. All diabetics should have their Retina checked once in 6 months from a Retina Specialist, and not a General Ophthalmologist. Retina evaluation need skill, and technology, and expertise to make correct diagnosis and plan the right treatment. Retina surgeries are very critical surgeries, and hence expertise is very important to have good surgical outcome. ARMD (Age related macular degeneration) is also a leading cause of Retina blindness, and we have various types of treatments to prevent further vision loss to the patients. Dr Tandava Krishnan, who is an 8 years experienced Vitreo Retina Surgeon, in Madhapur said, During last couple of years, I have been treating RoP (Retinopathy of Prematurity) which is Retina Disease amongst new born. Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is an eye disease that can happen in premature and low birth weight babies. It causes abnormal blood vessels to grow in the retina, and can lead to blindness. If the disease has progressed to the point of membrane, the retina formation will begin to detach. ROP has no signs or symptoms. The only way to detect it is through an eye examination by an ophthalmologist who is specially trained in Retina Diseases. We visit various other hospitals, to diagnose the babies and suggest the best treatment to babies. Maxivision has been in the forefront of tackling Retina diseases comprehensively, and this latest technology addition will help surgeons in the group to tackle the disease with more efficiency and accuracy.” Now with this latest technology in Somajiguda, Madhapur, and Warangal, and other superior technology in Vijayawada, and Vizag, Maxivision group will have 5 Retina Surgery units, and Medical Retina & Diabetic Retina care across all its 14 branches.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15272/nha-joins-hands-with-the-akshaya-patra-foundation-and-helpage-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15272/nha-joins-hands-with-the-akshaya-patra-foundation-and-helpage-india.html Fri, 06 Dec 2019 12:05:00 +0530 National Health Authority has inked MoU’s with The Akshay Patra Foundation and HelpAge India to raise awareness about the ‘Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana’ (PM-JAY) scheme and beneficiary enrolment. Implemented by the National Health Authority along with its State counterparts, PM-JAY, is India’s flagship public health insurance/assurance scheme, which is also world’s largest publicly funded health insurance/assurance scheme.  The MoUs were signed in the presence of Dr. Indu Bhushan, CEO, NHA and Dr Praveen Gedam, Deputy CEO, NHA by Sundeep Talwar, CMO, The Akshaya Patra Foundation and Matthew Cherian, CEO, HelpAge India. As per the MoU, the NHA will leverage the network of organisations to reach the potential beneficiaries for their enrolment under the scheme and to raise awareness of its benefits. NHA will conduct various community campaigns, parent meetings, rallies etc., and engage with local panchayats and other community members to sensitize the underprivileged community about the objectives and benefits of PM-JAY. Sharing his views, Sundeep Talwar, Chief Marketing Officer, The Akshaya Patra Foundation said, “The partnership with the National Health Authority is a step forward in enabling quality healthcare for eligible kids and their families. The effort will be to spread the word about the benefits of the scheme so they can have a brighter and healthier future.” Commenting on the development, Matthew Cherian, CEO HelpAge India said, “The elderlies are at a greater disadvantage when it comes to health issues. The awareness of PMJAY scheme would help the eligible elderlies struggling with the cost of treatment as they have limited means of sustenance.” Dr. Indu Bhushan, CEO, AB-PMJAY and National Health Authority said, “The partnership with the Akshaya Patra Foundation, Bharti Foundation, and HelpAge India has provided us an opportunity to reach out to the potential beneficiaries. We believe that these organisations’ long-term presence in the rural areas and their grassroot connection will help us in achieving the desired awareness level for the scheme across the country.” The Akshaya Patra Foundation strives to eliminate classroom hunger by implementing the Mid-Day Meal Scheme in government schools aiming to counter malnutrition and supporting the right to education of socio-economically disadvantaged children. The Akshaya Patra would undertake distribution of information material to school children. HelpAge India is a leading charity in India working with and for disadvantaged elderly for nearly 4 decades. HelpAge advocates for their needs such as for Universal Pension, quality healthcare, action against Elder Abuse and many more at a national, state and societal level with Central and State governments. HelpAge India would help with enrolling eligible beneficiaries and would also undertake distribution of informational material in the villages and panchayats where it has projects. Since the launch of PMJAY, NHA has been working tirelessly to reach potential beneficiaries to educate them on the benefits of the healthcare scheme and enrolling them under the scheme. As on date 33 States and Union Territories are implementing Ayushman Bharat PMJAY and have issued over 11,48,33,583 beneficiary cards. PMJAY has more than 19,000 hospitals empanelled where nearly 68,37,588 people have availed of treatments under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15271/edelweiss-tokio-lifes-organ-donation-awareness-drive-creates-a-new-guinness-world-records.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15271/edelweiss-tokio-lifes-organ-donation-awareness-drive-creates-a-new-guinness-world-records.html Fri, 06 Dec 2019 11:50:00 +0530 Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance has created a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for collecting the highest number of pledges for organ donation in a single day, following an impactful awareness drive throughout November. While the awareness drive garnered over 1 lakh pledges during the month, the insurer created history by collecting 54,626 pledges in a single day on November 28, 2019. Commenting on the initiative, Sumit Rai, MD & CEO, Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance said, “It gives us immense satisfaction that we have created the right platform to educate people and facilitate their decision-making towards organ donation. The support we have received for this cause, has been unprecedented. Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance will continue to create awareness on this cause to make people’s #ZIndagiUnlimited through this initiative.” Edelweiss Tokio Life observed November as Organ Donation Awareness Month, focused on educating, and mobilising support for this cause. Throughout the month, the insurer conducted informative workshops in educational institutions, and maximised reach through its 4,000-strong workforce. For this cause, the insurer also collaborated with MOHAN Foundation, an NGO actively working for organ donation, and Actor Rahul Bose who has already pledged his organs. Rashesh Shah, Chairman and CEO, Edelweiss Group said, “Edelweiss has always nurtured a philanthropic culture of giving back to society. Increased awareness in Organ Donation is the need of the hour in India, given that many don’t understand its significance or processes surrounding the subject. This cause has brought the Edelweiss Group together as one, with our employees across different business groups coming together to make this noble cause successful.” Given the dismal donation rate in India, the insurer also conducted a study on the factors affecting people’s decision-making process. The research titled ‘Life After Life: State of Organ Donation in India,’ brought to light some interesting trends, myths and beliefs that people have regarding organ donation. The research shows that 80% of the respondents are aware about the concept of organ donation, but only 35% understand the process of how to donate.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15265/dubai-health-authority-chief-inaugurates-organ-transplant-centre-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15265/dubai-health-authority-chief-inaugurates-organ-transplant-centre-in-india.html Thu, 05 Dec 2019 10:30:00 +0530 A high-level delegation from Dubai led by His Excellency Humaid Al Qutami, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) visited the BR Life SSNMC Hospital at Raja Rajeshwari Nagar, Bangalore, India recently. The delegation was received by Dr. B R Shetty, Chairman, BRS Ventures, Mr. Binay Shetty, Vice Chairman and Group CEO, BRS Ventures and Col. Hemraj Singh Parmar, Group CEO, BR Life at the BR Life SSNMC Superspecialty Hospital premises at Raja Rajeshwari Nagar, Bengaluru. Al Qutami inaugurated the two latest superspecialty departments of Multiorgan Transplant Sciences and Andrology cum Reproductive Sciences at the hospital during his visit. The delegation was provided an overview of the services at the hospital. BR Life made its foray in India in 2013 and currently operates and manages close to 1,600 beds across locations in Bangalore, Trivandrum, Bhubaneshwar, Udupi and Raipur. The group plans to create a strong network of hospitals in India and the Indian subcontinent in the coming years. These hospitals deliver advanced, accessible and affordable world-class superspecialty quaternary healthcare with the motto “care with compassion”. BR Life Hospital group has already made its mark in the superspecialties of Cardiac Sciences, Neuro Sciences, Ortho Sciences, GI Sciences and Oncosciences and now is also adding Multiorgan Transplant (Kidney, Liver and Pancreas) Sciences along with Andrology & Reproductive Sciences to its armory of world-class superspecialty quaternary care. Through this medical exchange collaboration program, BR Life will focus on building capacity and creating an ecosystem for exchange of clinical excellence, ideas and services and develop a new vision for the future of the burgeoning medical industry. Al Qutami said, “In line with the vision of the leadership of Dubai, we are keen to foster and promote collaborations with leading institutions in the world in the health sector with an aim to provide high-quality care to our patients and visitors. Through our collaborations we will forge new partnerships and share experiences and expertise with the aim to further enhance the health sector in Dubai and provide world-class medical care.” Talking on the visit, Dr. B R Shetty, Chairman, BRS Ventures said “This visit from the Dubai Health Authority to explore a collaborative medical exchange program is a proud moment for all of us at BR Life.  We are keen to enhance healthcare collaboration between India and UAE. “With highly skilled doctors and clinical expertise. We look forward to a long-standing relationship with Dubai Health Authority wherein we work closely with each other to create a unique value proposition.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15263/nha-to-promote-ayushman-bharat-in-rural-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15263/nha-to-promote-ayushman-bharat-in-rural-india.html Thu, 05 Dec 2019 07:00:00 +0530 Bharti Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Bharti Enterprises has announced the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Health Authority (NHA), an apex body responsible for implementing India’s flagship public health insurance scheme “Ayushman Bharat Pradhanmantri Jan Arogya Yojana”. As per the MoU, the NHA will leverage Bharti Foundation’s reach in villages across 16 states, through its education programs, to bolster PM-JAY’s objective of reaching the underprivileged and educating them on the benefits of the healthcare scheme to potential beneficiaries. Speaking on the occasion Mamta Saikia, CEO, Bharti Foundation said “We are delighted to partner with the National Health Authority and support them in raising awareness about the benefits of Pradhanmantri Jan Arogya Yojana. Bharti Foundation has always endeavoured to support the national priorities for social development and this collaboration to bring the benefits of quality healthcare is in line with our efforts to ensure better life for underprivileged families in rural India.” Under this association, the Foundation and NHA will conduct various community campaigns, parent meetings, rallies etc., and engage with local Panchayats and other community members to sensitize the underprivileged community about the objectives and benefits of PM-JAY. Dr. Indu Bhushan, CEO, AB-PMJAY and National Health Authority said National Health Authority said, “The partnership with Bharti Foundation has provided us an opportunity to reach out to the potential beneficiaries. We believe that the Foundation’s long term presence in the rural areas and their ability to empower children to bring about the desired change in the society will help us in achieving the desired awareness level for the scheme across the country.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15264/who-conducts-review-meeting-with-ayush.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15264/who-conducts-review-meeting-with-ayush.html Thu, 05 Dec 2019 07:00:00 +0530 The three day meeting organized by the World Health Organisation (WHO) with the support of Ministry of AYUSH at Jamnagar to review the draft documents on Terminologies of Ayurveda, Unani & Siddha has laid a firm foundation for the globalisation efforts of these three AYUSH systems. The meeting was held during 2nd to 4th December, 2019 at the Institute of Post Graduate Teaching & Research in Ayurveda (IPGT&RA), Jamnagar, Gujarat. IPGT&RA is India’s oldest PG College for Ayurveda, and is also a designated WHO Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine. The Standard International Terminologies Documents reviewed here were developed by WHO as part of its global strategy to strengthen the quality, safety and effectiveness of Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM).  Development of these documents is included in the Project Collaboration Agreement (PCA) on Cooperation in the field of Traditional and Complementary Medicine under WHO strategy on T&CM covering the period 2014-2023 signed between World Health Organization (WHO) and Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India. Traditional Medicines are an important integral part of Universal Health Coverage Program especially under Sustainable Developmental Goal-3 (SDG-3) of United Nations.                             In the WHO Working Group Meetings (WGMs), each of the three zero draft documents prepared by experts were reviewed and an international consensus regarding the structure and content of each of the documents was arrived at. The documents are expected to provide the list of terms in the respective systems, definitions (short or explanatory descriptions as required) including contextual meanings of the terms, classical usages and references, suggested English terms, synonyms and exclusions if any. The documents cover terms related to basic principles, fundamental theories, human structure and function, diagnosis, pathologies, patterns and body constitutions, pharmacognosy, pharmacology, preparation of food and medicines, therapeutics, preventive and promotive health interventions and miscellaneous terms of the respective medical systems. The standardized terminologies will facilitate better communication between practitioners of modern and traditional medicine, and support integration of traditional medicine into the national health system. These documents will be of immense utility to other health professionals, medical students and relevant researchers also. A total of 20 International experts of Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha from 13 different countries (Covering all six regions of WHO) like Japan, Canada, Denmark, Austria, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, UAE, Bangladesh, Switzerland, Malaysia, South Africa, Nepal and Iran along with 21 National experts and four WHO officials participated in the meeting. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15243/aakash-healthcare-launches-s-p-e-e-d-knee-program.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15243/aakash-healthcare-launches-s-p-e-e-d-knee-program.html Mon, 02 Dec 2019 14:50:00 +0530 A new initiative for the people suffering from knee pain called S.P.E.E.D. Knee program has been launched by Aakash Healthcare Super Speciality Hospital, Dwarka, New Delhi recently. The Hospital also launched India’s first mobile knee clinic called Knee Express, which will provide doorstep service to patients suffering from severe knee problems. These initiatives are led and directed by Dr. Aashish Chaudhry, Managing Director & Senior Consultant, Department of Orthopedics & Joint Replacement at Aakash Healthcare Super Speciality Hospital, Dwarka. The chief guests of the launch program were Isac Doru, Technical Director, Indian National Football Team & JC Chaudhry, Chairman, Aakash Healthcare Super Speciality Hospital, Dwarka along with Dr. Aashish Chaudhry, Managing Director & Senior Consultant, Dept of Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement and Dr. Kousar A Shah, COO and senior doctors and management of Aakash Healthcare Super Speciality Hospital, Dwarka. The launch and ribbon cutting were followed by flagging off the Express Knee Van by Doru.  Knee Express also offered free knee check-up and consultation on in order to spread awareness among people about the initiative. The SPEED Knee programme is designed for people in need of knee replacement surgery, providing them an all-inclusive and personalised treatment. In the word SPEED, the S stands for Safe surgery protocols, the P stands for Painless multimodal management, the E stand for Exact fit through robotic precision, the E stands for Express recovery & fast rehabilitation and the D stands for Durable and long-lasting implant. On the other hand, the advanced Knee Express van is India’s first mobile knee clinic on wheels to serve the patients at their doorstep and at their comfort. The van is a well-equipped mobile clinic, which carries services in it like full automated digital x-ray facility, advanced POC machines for conducting various vital blood investigations, patient monitoring system, video conference facility, and an air-conditioned consultation room. Dr Aashish Chaudhry said, “Owing to the sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle, an increasing number of people are falling prey to orthopaedic problems such as knee pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis being the most common of them all. It is inevitable for anyone to have knee pain at an old age but, it is shocking to find people even at the age of 30-35 years facing such problems. People tend to avoid consulting a doctor due to fear of surgeries. In majority of the cases people try to live with their knee pain until they are completely immobile. With SPEED Knee programme in place, people will be able to available all inclusive and highly precise solution for knee replacement surgery.” “The Knee Express program is a dream project for me. I have seen patients suffering from knee pain but they could not get the required treatment due to various reasons. Through this van, we will reach each and every person who is suffering from knee pain. The best part of this initiative is that the patient doesn’t need to go anywhere. We will to their doorsteps to provide the state-of-the-art facilities that to without any cost”, Dr. Aashish added. Dr Kousar A Shah said, “The SPEED Knee program is one of its kind, to treat patients suffering from knee problems, and this program, with its futuristic technologies, will provide end-to-end knee care for the patients. The Knee Express intends to reach out to those who face knee related problems but have varied reasons for being unable to reach out to the hospitals. For such patients, this unique program will maximise the extent of healthcare facilities at the ease of their home or societies. Being India’s first on the wheel knee treatment programme, it facilitates on-the-go consultations and diagnosis facilities as per the requirement of the patient. It is estimated that through this programme we would be able to reach out to the maximum population to generate awareness about knee care.” According to a research published by Indian Journal of Orthopaedics, 28.7% people in India were found to have knee osteoarthritis on an average. While many factors are associated to such high prevalence of the disease, gender is the most important of all. Almost 40% of Women after the age of 65 years show symptoms of knee problems. Calcium deficiency, sedentary lifestyle, hormonal changes can be linked to this problem.  These problems worsen significantly causing excruciating pain during the winters due to fall in temperature.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15237/practo-introduces-std-health-package.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15237/practo-introduces-std-health-package.html Mon, 02 Dec 2019 09:00:00 +0530 India has the third-largest HIV epidemic in the world, with 2.1 million people living with HIV. Even today, after all the awareness initiatives, AIDS is considered to be a taboo, and any open discussions are avoided. According to hiv.gov, the symptoms caused by the HIV Virus can be unreliable and minimal during the early stages. The only way of knowing that the person is affected is by getting it tested. To help people quell their suspicions of a possible infection, Practo, India's leading digital healthcare company has introduced an STD health diagnostic package which includes HIV test Elisa, Anti Hepatitis C Virus (Anti HCV) Total, Herpes Simplex Virus II IgM among the others. This health package, priced at Rs 3499, is available for users across the country from 1st December 2019. Users can now seamlessly book for a home sample collection which will be collected by a certified professional. The results will be accessible on the Practo app apart from being mailed to the users. To understand the results better, users have the option of consulting a qualified specialty doctor online. Practo insights show that patients with sexual problems have increasingly preferred online consultations as it allows them to talk about their issues without inhibitions whilst maintaining their privacy. Sexual health has emerged as one of the top concerns of teleconsult users in India, registering a growth of 97% since last year. In the past year, Practo has witnessed 37% growth in the number of people searching for AIDS-related queries. Out of those, 55% of all the queries came from men. Most of the queries were sought by people aged between 25-34. Top cities from where the queries came from are Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Chandigarh and Coimbatore. These insights signify people's growing awareness regarding HIV, the need for regular tests in case of doubts, and taking timely medical assistance from a qualified specialist. Platforms like Practo empower people with the right tools to be proactive and more in control of their health. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15235/india-diabetes-care-index-reveals-hba1c-level-increased-in-mumbai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15235/india-diabetes-care-index-reveals-hba1c-level-increased-in-mumbai.html Fri, 29 Nov 2019 17:35:00 +0530 Novo Nordisk Education Foundation unveiled the first-year report of India Diabetes Care Index under the 'Impact India: 1000-Day Challenge' programme. According to the report, HbA1c level, the best recommended indicator of long-term blood sugar control increased from 8.10% to 8.25% in Mumbai. HbA1c test gives an idea about the average level of blood sugar control for 3 months. Around 56,000 people with an average age of 56 years were part of the analysis in the city, out of which 52% were male and 48% were female. Speaking about the report, Dr. Siddarth N. Shah, consultant Physician and Diabetologist from Mumbai said, “Diabetes, if ignored, can lead to vascular complications. People in Mumbai are known for their fighting spirit and today is the time we all should join hands and make efforts to control the menace of diabetes in the city. The latest India Diabetes Care Index report revealed that the average HbA1c level in the city has increased, which is alarming. If people living with diabetes become more careful about their diet, adequate physical activity, timely medications and monitor sugar levels regularly, diabetes can be managed effectively.” Talking about the programme, Dr. Anil Shinde, Trustee, Novo Nordisk Education Foundation, said, “The “Impact India: 1000-Day Challenge” Programme was introduced to address the growing concern of uncontrolled diabetes in India. With the Impact India initiative, we have set an ambitious target and hope to see India emerge as a role model in diabetes care.” The programme was launched a year ago, to address the issue of suboptimally controlled diabetes in India. The ambition of the programme is to reduce the national average HbA1c by 1%, which can help reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications significantly in India.  iDCI® (Indian Diabetes Care Index) was introduced in 2018 as a part of the programme to improve diabetes care in the country. Based on big data analytics, iDCI® has been providing a real-time view of the average HbA1c in India across select cities. Under the Impact India programme, digital platforms are being leveraged to partner with healthcare practitioners (doctors and paramedics) to evolve and implement an approach to diabetes care appropriate for India. iDCI® is a dynamic tool that not only tracks the status of diabetes care but also helps to increase awareness, motivate and sensitise the healthcare professionals (HCPs) and society. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15232/who-issues-new-recommendations-for-hiv-testing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15232/who-issues-new-recommendations-for-hiv-testing.html Fri, 29 Nov 2019 11:40:00 +0530 The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued new recommendations to help countries reach the 8.1 million people living with HIV who are yet to be diagnosed, and who are therefore unable to obtain lifesaving treatment. The new “WHO consolidated guidelines on HIV testing services” recommend a range of innovative approaches to respond to contemporary needs. Responding to changing HIV epidemics with high proportions of people already tested and treated, WHO is encouraging all countries to adopt a standard HIV testing strategy which uses three consecutive reactive tests to provide an HIV positive diagnosis. Previously, most high burden countries were using two consecutive tests. The new approach can help countries achieve maximum accuracy in HIV testing. WHO recommends countries use HIV self-testing as a gateway to diagnosis based on new evidence that people who are at higher HIV risk and not testing in clinical settings are more likely to be tested if they can access HIV self-tests. The Organization also recommends social network-based HIV testing to reach key populations, who are at high risk but have less access to services. These include men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, sex workers, transgender population and people in prisons. These “key populations” and their partners account for over 50% of new HIV infections. For example, when testing 99 contacts from social networks of 143 HIV-positive people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, 48% tested positive for HIV. The use of peer-led, innovative digital communications such as short messages and videos can build demand- and increase uptake of HIV testing. Evidence from Viet Nam shows that online outreach workers counselled around 6 500 people from at-risk key population groups, of which 80% were referred to HIV testing and 95% took the tests. The majority (75%) of people who received counselling had never been in contact before with peer or outreach services for HIV. WHO recommends focused community efforts to deliver rapid testing through lay providers for relevant countries in the European, South-East Asian, Western Pacific and Eastern Mediterranean regions where longstanding laboratory-based method called “western blotting” is still in use. Evidence from Kyrgyzstan shows that HIV diagnosis which took 4-6 weeks with the “western blotting” method now takes only 1-2 weeks and is much more affordable resulting from policy change. Using HIV/syphilis dual rapid tests in antenatal care as the first HIV test can help countries eliminate mother-to-child transmission of both infections. The move can help close the testing and treatment gap and combat the second leading cause of stillbirths globally. More integrated approaches for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B testing is also encouraged. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15231/icons-infocom-unveils-latest-speech-recognition-solution-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15231/icons-infocom-unveils-latest-speech-recognition-solution-in-india.html Fri, 29 Nov 2019 11:25:00 +0530 ICONS Infocom has announced the launch of Dragon Medical Practice Edition 4.2 in the Indian market, the latest locally installed version of speech recognition solution. Through deep learning technology and sophisticated acoustic models, Dragon Medical Practice Edition 4.2 puts Nuance's leading artificial intelligence (AI)-powered technology in the hands of busy clinicians in independent practices. Increased documentation efficiency allows for more time with patients, improved quality to better inform care teams and staff, decreased turnaround time and increased cost savings.Dragon Medical Practice Edition 4.2 is an easy-to-install, easy-to-use documentation solution that enables enhanced clinician productivity though quick creation of accurate patient notes to help keep pace with patient loads. DMPE 4.2 offers contextual guidance and productivity tips tailored to clinician usage that helps accelerate proficiency and discover advanced features."The accuracy of the product straight out of the box is phenomenal, it's faster more accurate than the previous version 3.2. DMPE 4.2 is based on Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning Technology which makes it the most accurate product ever. Used by hundreds of hospitals and a couple of 1000s clinicians in India, our AI‑powered solutions capture 300 million patient stories each year. We help unburden clinicians, radiologists, pathologists, MROs and care teams with efficient new ways to capture clinical information, creating Discharge summary, applying real-time intelligence for better decision making across the continuum of care," said Manish R.Goenka, Country Head - ICONS Infocom P.Ltd.The latest version of Dragon Medical Practice Edition also delivers: Greater mobility – Compatibility with Windows 10 touchscreen devices provides clinicians with the ability to document on-the-go. Enhanced usability – The newly designed DragonBar provides easy access to popular capabilities and automatically collapses when not in use freeing up screen space. Powerful voice capabilities – Clinicians can use simple voice commands to interact with select web-based applications and websites, generate text within applications and EHR textbox fields, or use the Dragon dictation box to compose content. User Login & Password: Every user gets a unique user login ID and Password so it can restrict un-authorised usage or accidental usage by others. DMPE 4.2 is available immediately and ICONS Infocom will be running a special launch offer for a limited period of time. Having distributed the previous version of the software to Hundreds of clinicians Pan-India and supporting them with our extensive online/onsite support team and are committed to helping hospitals, diagnostic centres provide their best patient care. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15233/two-day-annual-summit-on-reimagining-collaboration-to-strengthen-indias-healthcare-growth-trajectory-kicks-off-today.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15233/two-day-annual-summit-on-reimagining-collaboration-to-strengthen-indias-healthcare-growth-trajectory-kicks-off-today.html Fri, 29 Nov 2019 00:00:00 +0530 Healthcare Federation of India –NATHEALTH - two-day 6th Annual Summit on ‘Reimagining Collaboration to Strengthen India’s Healthcare Growth Trajectory,’ which kicked off on 28th November in New Delhi, achieved a milestone by bringing the voice of healthcare onto one platform.  Dr Vinod Paul, Honourable Member (Health), NITI Aayog, Chief Guest of the event presented the Inaugural address and Dr Indu Bhushan, CEO, National Health Authority was the keynote speaker at the event.  NATHEALTH presented a representation to govt. on key reform ideas that will unlock the potential around Ayushman Bharat, investments and UHC, quality, skilling and healthcare innovation. On day 1 of the Annual Summit, NATHEALTH announced support of distinguished industry bodies CII, Association of Healthcare Providers (India), FICCI, Indian Chambers of Commerce (ICC), ASSOCHAM and PHD Chamber of Commerce. The summit brought together the entire gamut of players, decision-makers, domain experts and academicians to reimagining collaboration to strengthen India’s healthcare growth trajectory. The inaugural session of the Summit witnessed several other announcements, which would shape the future of Indian healthcare.  Welcoming the guests and delegates, Dr. Sudarshan Ballal, President NATHEALTH & Chairman, Manipal Health Enterprises Pvt. Ltd., reaffirmed that Government and industry need to work together to realize the Prime Minister’s vision of Health for All.  NATHEALTH is living up to its core mission of collaborating with all stakeholders and bringing the voice of the industry to one forum.  Dr Ballal also presented a five-point agenda which included galvanizing NATHEALTH resident knowledge and expertise to provide innovative solutions, Mobilising partners from India and outside, Informing & shaping healthcare policies and government regulations to serve diverse stakeholders, Advocating the cause of Healthcare sector participants via sustained communication and education campaigns and catalyze innovation in Healthcare by bringing industry and private sector experience and resources together and mentor start-ups.   For transparency and ethical practices in the healthcare sector, NATHEALTH- Indian Medical Association reinforced its Ethics Code and the leadership committed that the Federation will disseminate it widely across the industry and work with other federations and industry members to drive acceptance. An expert group will be set up to monitor and drive this adoption and dissemination  Ms Preetha Reddy, Senior Vice President, NATHEALTH & Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Group emphasised on the need for a “World-class Brand India for Healthcare”.  She emphasized, “The importance for building trust between investors, policymakers and people seeking care whether from India or from outside cannot be undermined. The Indian Healthcare sector needs more investments and we can set up a health care investment promotion bureau as a PPP. This can initially be a single window for all industry to discuss with Government on reforms required to achieve UHC”. The industry also suggested that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds could be used to push the critical segments such as preventive health, skilling and digital technologies. NATHEALTH expressed its willingness to pool industry CSR and work with Government and development sector partners to test innovative delivery models and create replicable pathways for scale.  NATHEALTH expressed its willingness to collaborate with government on the National Digital Health Mission (NHDM) and work with its collaborators to steer the digital health agenda in close collaboration with govt.,” Dr Ballal said. Dr. Harsh Mahajan, Vice President, NATHEALTH & Founder and Chief Radiologist, Mahajan Imaging presented an industry memorandum of key issues and potential proposed solutions to the government. “The government needs to set up an empowered group to examine and resolve them under a single window. We need to be open and transparent while tackling challenges in a time-bound manner by bringing all decision-makers into one platform,” he added.   In his concluding remarks, Mr. Badhri Iyenger, Secretary, NATHEALTH & Managing Director, South Asia - Smith & Nephew Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. said, “There is a need for stable, predictable and long term policy roadmap that allows open and fair marketplace. The industry seeks long-term high-quality regulations that is rule-based at par with global standards and processes. NATHEALTH is willing to build the competencies and processes jointly by working with Government.  Dr Siddhartha Bhattacharya, Secretary General, NATHEALTH, reinforced, “As we meet today, we stand at crossroads of time as India’s healthcare is ready for change. The path to achieve this challenging goal hinges on collaboration, where all the key industry stakeholders can come together, deliberate, cooperate and work in tandem to bridge the vital gaps in service delivery. True to the theme of the event - this will require integration, collaboration and re-imagination of all healthcare stakeholders at an unprecedented scale. NATHEALTH stands committed to playing this role to drive the different players towards this common goal and shape a unified healthcare ecosystem voice” Key Highlights  NATHEALTH outlines a roadmap of collaboration and partnership with Government on a common vision to achieve health for all in India NATHEALTH announces support of notable industry bodies CII, Association of Healthcare Providers (India), FICCI, Indian Chambers of Commerce (ICC), ASSOCHAM, PHD Chamber of Commerce, all of whom share a common vision for better, high quality and affordable healthcare in India.  This builds NATHEALTH existing partnerships with a number of other bodies like NASSCOM, Regional Nursing Associations and International Bodies who specialise in different aspects of the healthcare ecosystem NATHEALTH reinforced a common industry Ethics board which it has jointly developed with Indian Medical Association (IMA) and announced disseminating it widely across industry NATHEALTH emphasised the need to position healthcare in India as a credible global brand and suggested a PPP with a single window for all healthcare industry to discuss with Government reforms required to achieve UHC Dr Vinod Paul, Honourable Member (Health), NITI Aayog released NATHEALTH Diagnostic Study that highlights the challenges and opportunities in the diagnostic segment which is important pivot to India’s response to the twin challenges of communicable and non-communicable diseases.  NATHEALTH signed a MOU with Start-Up Nation Central (SNC), Israel to exchange best of breed expertise in digital health, scaling innovations and connecting the domain experts across India and Israel on one platform  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15224/nathealth-6th-annual-summit-focuses-on-integration-collaboration-and-re-imagination-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15224/nathealth-6th-annual-summit-focuses-on-integration-collaboration-and-re-imagination-.html Thu, 28 Nov 2019 17:25:00 +0530 Healthcare Federation of India –NATHEALTH- two-day 6th Annual Summit on ‘Reimagining Collaboration to Strengthen India’s Healthcare Growth Trajectory,’ started today in Delhi. Dr Vinod Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, Chief Guest of the event presented the Inaugural address and Dr Indu Bhushan, CEO, National Health Authority was the keynote speaker at the event.  NATHEALTH presented a representation to govt. on key reform ideas that will unlock the potential around Ayushman Bharat, investments and UHC, quality, skilling and healthcare innovation. On day 1 of the Annual Summit, NATHEALTH announced support of industry bodies CII, Association of Healthcare Providers (India), FICCI, Indian Chambers of Commerce (ICC), ASSOCHAM and PHD Chamber of Commerce. The summit brought together the entire gamut of players, decision-makers, domain experts and academicians to reimagining collaboration to strengthen India’s healthcare growth trajectory. The inaugural session of the Summit witnessed several other announcements, which would shape the future of Indian healthcare.  Welcoming the guests and delegates, Dr. Sudarshan Ballal, President NATHEALTH &Chairman, Manipal Health Enterprises Pvt. Ltd., reaffirmed that Government and industry need to work together to realize the Prime Minister’s vision of Health for All. NATHEALTH is living up to its core mission of collaborating with all stakeholders and bringing the voice of the industry to one forum.  Dr Ballal also presented a five-point agenda which included galvanizing NATHEALTH resident knowledge and expertise to provide innovative solutions, Mobilising partners from India and outside, Informing & shaping healthcare policies and government regulations to serve diverse stakeholders, Advocating the cause of Healthcare sector participants via sustained communication and education campaigns and catalyze innovation in Healthcare by bringing industry and private sector experience and resources together and mentor start-ups.   For transparency and ethical practices in the healthcare sector, NATHEALTH- Indian Medical Association reinforced its Ethics Code and the leadership committed that the Federation will disseminate it widely across the industry and work with other federations and industry members to drive acceptance. An expert group will be set up to monitor and drive this adoption and dissemination  Preetha Reddy, Senior Vice President, NATHEALTH & Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Group emphasised on the need for a “World-class Brand India for Healthcare”.  She emphasized, “The importance for building trust between investors, policymakers and people seeking care whether from India or from outside cannot be undermined. The Indian Healthcare sector needs more investments and we can set up a health care investment promotion bureau as a PPP. This can initially be a single window for all industry to discuss with Government on reforms required to achieve UHC.” The industry also suggested that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds could be used to push the critical segments such as preventive health, skilling and digital technologies. NATHEALTH expressed its willingness to pool industry CSR and work with Government and development sector partners to test innovative delivery models and create replicable pathways for scale.  NATHEALTH expressed its willingness to collaborate with government on the National Digital Health Mission (NHDM) and work with its collaborators to steer the digital health agenda in close collaboration with govt.,” Dr Ballal said. Dr. Harsh Mahajan, Vice President, NATHEALTH & Founder and Chief Radiologist, Mahajan Imaging presented an industry memorandum of key issues and potential proposed solutions to the government. “The government needs to set up an empowered group to examine and resolve them under a single window. We need to be open and transparent while tackling challenges in a time-bound manner by bringing all decision-makers into one platform,” he added.   In his concluding remarks, Badhri Iyenger, Secretary, NATHEALTH &Managing Director, South Asia - Smith & Nephew Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. said, “There is a need for stable, predictable and long term policy roadmap that allows open and fair marketplace. The industry seeks long-term high-quality regulations that is rule-based at par with global standards and processes. NATHEALTH is willing to build the competencies and processes jointly by working with Government.” Dr Siddhartha Bhattacharya, Secretary General, NATHEALTH, reinforced, “As we meet today, we stand at crossroads of time as India’s healthcare is ready for change. The path to achieve this challenging goal hinges on collaboration, where all the key industry stakeholders can come together, deliberate, cooperate and work in tandem to bridge the vital gaps in service delivery. True to the theme of the event- this will require integration, collaboration and re-imagination of all healthcare stakeholders at an unprecedented scale. NATHEALTH stands committed to playing this role to drive the different players towards this common goal and shape a unified healthcare ecosystem voice."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15209/docmode-launches-e-learning-course-to-advance-cardiology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15209/docmode-launches-e-learning-course-to-advance-cardiology.html Wed, 27 Nov 2019 11:15:00 +0530 Mumbai based DocMode, a global medical learning platform, has launched a continued e-learning course to practising and resident cardiologists to aid them in diagnosing and treating Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). In short, ACS describes a range of conditions associated with sudden, reduced blood flow to the heart. “The target participants are MBBS and MD doctors and who have done their post-graduation in cardiology as well as cardiology residents. They would learn about clinical entities which constitute acute coronary syndromes; prognosis and diagnostic methods and comprehensive management including pharmacological therapy and the role of revascularization,” said Hans Lewis, Founder and CEO, DocMode. Understanding the many ways of clinical presentation enables treating physicians to ask for correct diagnostic tests for ACS. These in turn determine steps that need to be taken, the urgency with which one should approach a patient and eventually leading to long-term prognosis and treatment. “In cases like acute coronary syndrome that is a medical emergency, introduction of related courses is of great importance to cardiologists. Comprehensive awareness and constant growth are inevitable factors that need to be given due attention,” said Samir Kapadia, MD, Chair of Cardiovascular Medicine at Cleveland Clinic, whose heart program ranks number one in the United States by U.S. News & World Report for the 25th consecutive year. This course will discuss in detail ACS and will consist of presentations of modules by Cleveland Clinic cardiologists, who are experts in their fields. For easy understanding, each module will have a topic with subheadings. Case examples will be presented to emphasise clinical relevance of the discussion. There will be questions on the topic with answers provided later. “Our endeavours are to provide comprehensive online learning access for cardiologists who are focussing to stay abreast on the diagnosis and treatment of Acute Coronary Syndrome, said Paulson Paul, Founder and COO, DocMode. There are also other courses in the pipeline that would focus on pulmonary arterial hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. On completion of the course, learners will have to pass MCQ to obtain a certificate from Cleveland Clinic. Currently, Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) have become the leading cause of mortality in India. About 2.8 million people die of various heart problems and the number is expected to rise to an alarming 23 million by 2030! Early diagnosis, prompt and appropriate management have undoubtedly a dramatic impact on outcome and long-term prognosis. Otherwise, patients are faced with the prospect of early demise, compromised left ventricular function or complex ventricular arrhythmias. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15207/oil-india-piramal-swasthya-to-bring-mobile-medical-units-in-assam-ap.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15207/oil-india-piramal-swasthya-to-bring-mobile-medical-units-in-assam-ap.html Wed, 27 Nov 2019 07:00:00 +0530 Oil India Ltd. and Piramal Swasthya partner to launch SPARSHA mobile medical units in under-served areas of Assam & Arunachal Pradesh. Rameshwar Teli – Member of Parliament and Hon’ble Union Minister of State, Food Processing Industries, Govt. of India along with MLA Lahoal – Rituparna Baruah in the presence of R K Talukdar ED (HR&A), OIL India Ltd., Hardeep Singh Bambrah – Head, Assam & North East Operations, Piramal Swasthya and Mr. Pallav Jha – DC, Dibrugarh, has launched 7 mobile medical vans in Dibrugarh. Oil India Limited has been conducting mobile dispensary services in the OIL operational areas in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh through its in-house healthcare team of doctors and paramedics and catering to the primary healthcare needs of poor and the needy free of cost since 1980s. However, this has also been supplemented with Project SPARSHA under which mobile health camps are conducted in remote areas, where access to primary healthcare is a challenge. Piramal Swasthya Management and Research Institute (PSMRI), one of largest not for profit organization supported in the public health space has been selected by Oil India Limited as the implementing partner for this project in the OIL operational areas of Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Charaideo districts in Assam and Changlang district in Arunachal Pradesh. The project consists of 7 Mobile Medical Units, each having a capacity of 2 Doctors, 2 Nurses, and 2 Pharmacists which will conduct a total of 168 camps on a monthly basis by providing free health checkups, lab tests and medicines to the targeted and vulnerable population of these districts. The concept is to basically provide primary health care services to the inaccessible and vulnerable population of the remote OIL operating areas. This is an end to end solution, thereby cutting the distance, cost and time of the beneficiaries by providing the health service right at their door steps. The Mobile Dispensary primarily extends the following services- Clinically diagnosing and treating select NCDs and chronic diseases and common diseases /ailments. Conduct health checkups, lab tests and dispensing medicines to beneficiaries as deemed necessary via valid prescriptions provided by competent Medical Officers (Doctors). Provide awareness on lifestyle diseases and special flood relief camps   On this occasion, Rameshwar Teli - Honb’le Hon’ble Union Minister of State, Food Processing Industries, Govt. of India said “ I appreciate the efforts being taken up by Oil India Limited through their CSR initiatives in providing healthcare services in their OIL operational areas of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Considering the skewed Doctors availability in rural and tea garden areas, the SPARSHA project will immensely benefit its covered population to a great extent. I also acknowledge the contributions and experience of Piramal Swasthya in running Govt. and CSR projects across India including 104 services in Assam. If time permits I will personally visit the camps to have a look at the activities and will also inform the community members through the village and panchayat members to avail the SPARSHA services” Adding on to this, R K Talukdar, ED (HR&A) OIL India Ltd. said “Oil India limited under our corporate social responsibility initiative is extending mobile dispensary services in the remotest parts of its operational areas of Dibrugarh, Tinsukia and Charaideo districts of Assam and Changlang district of Arunchal Pradesh where medical services are not readily accessible. For implementing OIL Sparsha mobile dispensary project for the next four years, we have collaborated with Piramal Swasthya to contribute towards the healthcare sector of our region.” Commenting on the partnership Vishal Phanse – CEO, Piramal Swasthya said “India has embarked on the journey towards ensuring Universal Health Coverage and Piramal Swasthya is contributing with its experience & expertise of building innovative solutions that impact at scale. Our partnerships with corporates, thought leaders across public & private sectors, innovators & not for profits in the domain have helped us in moving towards our vision of transforming health ecosystems. OIL India Ltd has been a proactive partner and expanding our services across Assam and Arunachal Pradesh would certainly help in moving the health indicators of the states significantly.” Each of the 7 vans would conduct 24 service camps in a month and the mobilization of beneficiaries is facilitated by engaging 2 Field Volunteers in each location of service. Given the problems of availability, accessibility and affordability of primary health services in the remote and unreached areas of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh by the rural population, the “Sparsha” Mobile Healthcare Service at the beneficiaries’ doorsteps comes as a boon for the needy patients of the operational areas of Oil India Ltd. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15206/medanta-launches-tb-free-block-pataudi-in-haryana.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15206/medanta-launches-tb-free-block-pataudi-in-haryana.html Tue, 26 Nov 2019 17:25:00 +0530 In continuation of its commitment to make India TB free, Mission TB free Haryana, a flagship initiative of Medanta, in collaboration with the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), Central TB Division of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India and the Government of Haryana has launched ‘’TB Free Block Pataudi’’ to improve the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis in the district. ‘TB Free Block Pataudi’ aims to screen a population of 6 lakh across 142 villages in the Pataudi block over the next 2 years. Volunteers from Medanta along with ASHAs, the grassroots health workers in villages will conduct door-to-door screenings for detecting people who are at potential risk. The ones who screen positive for cough will be invited to attend a camp with X-ray, sputum and geneXpert facilities available at point of care in a mobile van. The diagnosis will be confirmed on the same day and the results will be available on a unique mobile application which has been developed in-house by Medanta. Dr Naresh Trehan, Chairman & Managing Director, Medanta said, “Every year, India witnesses over 8,50,000 cases of TB that go undiagnosed and untreated and it is a serious challenge that has been plaguing the nation. Screening and detection play a crucial role in the prevention and management of the disease as currently a vast majority of patients go undetected in India, thereby increasing the disease burden significantly. The private sector can play an important role in the prevention and treatment of TB by taking on a larger role in the eradication of the disease’’. ‘TB Free Block Pataudi’ is a collaborative effort and a step forward to making Haryana TB free. Internationally acclaimed respiratory disease expert, Dr Bornali Datta, Director, Pulmonary Medicine, Respiratory & Sleep Medicine, Medanta said, ‘’ As part of our commitment to making India TB free, we have screened 25,000 patients through Mission TB-free Haryana over the last six years. Mission TB Free Block Pataudi has a twofold goal - to eradicate TB from the block over the next two years and to develop a cost-effective model that can be scaled country-wide. Since TB patients can remain apparently healthy for several months, it leads to delay in diagnosis.  People usually do not visit a doctor until they are significantly unwell. Therefore, there must be enough awareness in the people as most of the TB cases can be cured when the disease is diagnosed early, and appropriate medicines provided’’. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15202/healthsignz-unveils-ai-powered-app-ayuriti.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15202/healthsignz-unveils-ai-powered-app-ayuriti.html Tue, 26 Nov 2019 12:20:00 +0530 Bengaluru based AI-powered healthcare startup HealthSignz has recently launched its Ayurveda-based App – AyuRiti. Wisdom of Ayurveda and Yoga coming from age, blended with Artificial Intelligence algorithms has developed a platform providing the users with a Preventive, Curative and Management approach to their Health Challenges. Our modern way of life has transferred the burden to lifestyle diseases – be it cancer, heart disease or diabetes contributing to nearly 70% of deaths. Modern medicine focuses on the treatment of symptoms and not the root cause. Ayurveda – the 5000-year old science of medicine which works on the principle of life and lifestyle i.e. root cause, imparts answers to these unattended challenges. AyuRiti, by bringing together the concepts of Ayurveda and Yoga, comes as a panacea to these ever-mounting challenges. Dr. Vinod P Nair, Co-founder, HealthSignz said “With the advent of new-age Renaissance, the health quotient of an urban individual is reaching to a stage of serious threat, AyuRiti is an initiative through which we aim to curb this threat.” AyuRiti uses sophisticated algorithms to evaluate a user’s daily habits and body functions to determine dosha imbalance. Personalised suggestions, basis dosha types, are provided to improve the lifestyle, which leads to balancing of doshas and brings the body back to its natural rhythm. The app tracks your progress and recommends diet, exercise, personal care, and hygiene solutions. It understands your body type and mental state to recommend relevant Yoga asanas, Pranayama techniques, and mindfulness practices. Health solutions to an individual are as unique as individual oneself. AyuRiti customises all recommendations based on the unique body constitution and doshas. AyuRiti plays the role of curator for biggest challenges Ayurveda face today – knowledge and awareness. To enable solutions for lifestyle transformation, AyuRiti sources certifiably authentic Ayurvedic health and personal care products from all over the country and provides original music collection for mental well-being. For every step the user takes in this journey, one is rewarded with points which can be redeemed to avail more benefits. “AyuRiti is a landmark step in accordance with AYUSH ministry’s objective to revive Ayurveda. The fact that AyuRiti app has 3000+ organic downloads within a week of its launch is an indicator that people are searching for a holistic solution to their lifestyle challenges” said Surendranath, Co-founder, HealthSignz. Ayuriti marks the beginning to a transformational journey of a healthy individual and a healthy India rooted to its rich ancient science.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15199/ayush-ministry-to-host-who-meetings-on-traditional-medicines.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15199/ayush-ministry-to-host-who-meetings-on-traditional-medicines.html Tue, 26 Nov 2019 07:00:00 +0530 Ministry of AYUSH is hosting two important WHO meetings during the last week of November and first week of December 2019 at the Institute of Prost Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (IPGT & RA), Jamnagar, Gujarat and another is Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga & Naturopathy, New Delhi. The WHO - International Experts Consultation Meeting (IECM), being held from 26th to 29th November 2019, shall host 51 selected international experts (from all six WHO regions) of Ayurveda, Unani and Panchakarma, as well as Traditional Medicine practitioners, researchers, health policy makers, regulators and administrators. The WHO Working Group Meeting (WGM), held from 2nd to 4th December 2019, shall host 42 selected international experts (from all six WHO regions) of Traditional Medicine literary research, and other related academics including different language experts (Sanskrit, Arabic, Persian, Urdu, and Tamil) with specific knowledge and considerable experience in working in the area of Traditional Medicine languages and scripts.   WHO is developing Benchmarks Document for Practice of Ayurveda, Panchakarma & Unani and International Terminologies Documents in Ayurveda, Siddha & Unani as part of its global strategy to strengthen the quality, safety and effectiveness of Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM).  Development of this benchmarks document is included in the Project Collaboration Agreement (PCA) signed between World Health Organization (WHO) and Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India on Cooperation in the field of Traditional and Complementary Medicine under WHO strategy on T&CM covering the period 2014-2023. The consultation meeting of international experts (IECM) on the benchmarks for practice is a continuation of the Working Group Meeting (WGM) WHO organized on the same subject during the September of 2018 at National Institute of Ayurveda at Jaipur. The practice benchmark documents are expected to serve as international benchmarks for qualified practice of Ayurveda, and Unani. They will frame the safety requirements for practicing Ayurveda, Panchakarma, and Unani and provide qualifying criteria for practitioners of Ayurveda and Unani among addressing other details and nuances of medical practice. These documents shall serve as reference to national authorities to establish/strengthen regulatory standards and ensure practice of Ayurveda, Panchakarma, and Unani, and assure patient safety. The purpose of the WHO Working Group Meeting (WGM) is to review, comment and revise the draft documents prepared on the Standard Terminologies of Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha by a select group of nine experts. The WGM shall help in arriving at an international consensus regarding the structure and content of each of the documents, including on occasions, consensus on the meanings and definition of words used in these systems. The documents are expected to provide: list of terms in the respective systems,  their definitions (short or explanatory descriptions as required) including contextual meanings of the terms,  classical usage/ of the terms with references to the definitions,  suggested English terms, synonyms, and even define exclusions to the meanings of the term in medical context.  The documents shall cover terms related to basic principles, fundamental theories, human structure and function, diagnosis, pathologies, patterns, and body constitutions, pharmacognosy, pharmacology, preparation of food and medicines, therapeutics, and preventive and health promotion interventions, and miscellaneous terms in the respective medical systems. The 93 International experts are  being invited  from  nearly 30 different countries (Covering all six regions of WHO ) including Japan, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, India, Mauritius, Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania, UAE, Iran, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Germany, Latvia, Austria, Denmark, Russia, Hungary, USA, Canada, and Argentina. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15193/goqii-unveils-vital-ecg-to-monitor-heart-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15193/goqii-unveils-vital-ecg-to-monitor-heart-health.html Mon, 25 Nov 2019 09:00:00 +0530 GOQii, the smart-tech-enabled preventive healthcare platform, launches Vital ECG with Bollywood superstar and India's biggest fitness icon, Akshay Kumar. Vital ECG has been designed to track your heart health with just a tap of your fingertip.  GOQii Vital ECG will provide ECG reports powered by Tricog Health, a platform that instantly and accurately interprets ECG readings with advanced technology and medical expertise. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 17.7 million people lost their life due to cardiovascular disease in 2015, making it the number one killer. In India, around 1.5-3 million deaths happen due to heart attacks every year. The high rate of mortality caused by heart attacks is mainly because the symptoms are often ignored or misunderstood. The likelihood of surviving a heart attack is over 80% if action is taken within the first 2 hours. However, the average time between symptoms and treatment in India is over 6 hours.  Most people only check their ECG once they have suffered a cardiac episode, even though it is a quick and inexpensive test. The reason being most primary care clinics are not equipped with ECG machines owing to their high cost and complex nature. Secondly, a lot of primary care doctors do not receive sufficient training in ECG interpretation.  Vishal Gondal, Founder & CEO, GOQii said, "We at GOQii are fostering a preventive health ecosystem. Our aim is to focus on real-time & easy ECG diagnosis on your fingertip coupled with lifestyle coaching advice. We are interpreting GOQii Vital EGG data along with state-of-the-art deep learning-based Arrhythmia detection algorithm by Tricog Health. This is a big step towards the reduction in India's mortality rate due to heart disorders and is in support of PM Modi’s Vision of #FitIndia" The launch of GOQii Vital ECG wrist wearable that can record a one lead ECG, off the user's wrist will make diagnosis readily available to the masses. Also, users can book an online consult with a cardiac specialist at a nominal fee. The consultant can help analyze the ECG report along with the lifestyle data, to recommend changes. Once ECG report is available on GOQii health locker, the users have an option at a nominal fee to consult a qualified expert.   The newly launched band also has a feature to detect serious heart conditions like Atrial Fibrillation. This has been made possible due to Tricog Health's deep learning-based Arrhythmia detection algorithm - DeepRhythm™. It will provide GOQii's users with accurate interpretation of their single-lead ECG. DeepRhythm is Tricog's proprietary algorithm* (FDA pending) that has been developed with over three years of research, using 30 million traces of ECG recording to detect several forms of Arrhythmias. The GOQii Vital ECG is only a screening device and not a medical-grade device. Dr. Vanita Arora, Director and Head Cardiac Electrophysiology Lab & Arrhythmia Services Max Saket said, “The GOQii Vital ECG band will help diagnose symptoms of arrhythmia that are transitory in nature, thus aiding in quick analysis and interpretation as the symptoms exist only for a brief period. The patient can understand that the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat is irregular in a period of 30 seconds, and can take immediate action to prevent any fatalities.” "Cardiac diseases is the number 1 killer in India, due to the lack of awareness and availability of necessary medical infrastructure," said Dr. Charit Bhograj, Chief Cardiologist and CEO at Tricog. "The collaboration with GOQii will bring in a new generation of heart monitoring on people's wrists. Undetected Arrhythmias can lead to potentially life-threatening conditions like strokes, that can be prevented with the use of technology and medicine," he added.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15189/isha-to-provide-standard-guidelines-for-central-sterile-supplies-to-1000-hospitals-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15189/isha-to-provide-standard-guidelines-for-central-sterile-supplies-to-1000-hospitals-.html Fri, 22 Nov 2019 17:55:00 +0530 Noting that preventing hospital-acquired infection is key to patient safety, the Indian Sterilization Healthcare Association (ISHA) will be distributing free copies of the ISHA Guidelines for Indian Sterile services to 1000 hospitals across the country. Guiding the congregation on the ISHA VISION 2020, Union Minister of State, Health and Family Welfare, Ashwini Kumar Choubey said, “The Central Sterile Supply Departments (CSSD) in hospitals can play a key role in the ‘Swachh Bharat’ movement, and we need to consolidate CSSD as an able, individual, technically competent and self-sufficient department in both corporate and government sectors to fill the void of efficient and effective services. A body like ISHA should be empower as a beacon of knowledge, a harbinger of good practices and a lighthouse of support. ISHA should seek and ensure government cooperation to establish academic curriculum, such as a diploma or degree program for CSSD personnel aligned to their needs.” Dr A K Mukherjee, Director General, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC) said, “India is a strong follower of scientific principles from time immemorial. The country which echoes the concept of physical, spiritual, social and emotional wellbeing can teach a lot about scientific principles. Sterile Services need more focus because it is the basis of a healthy life that people aim to regain when they come to hospitals.” Capt Baban Rai, President, Indian Sterilization Healthcare Association (ISHA) said, “In the last decade, some work was done by the government in developing a standard operation procedure to ensure that the central sterile supply departments of hospitals follow it. However, there were issues at the implementation level due to which there is no standardized measures for these departments which are important in ensuring the patients do not acquire infections during their stay at the hospital. Sterile supplies are also crucial to contain the deadly drug-resistant variants of the viruses and bacteria. Hence, ISHA has decided to distribute free copies of the ISHA guidelines to at least 1000 hospitals by next year so that we can make a start towards the goal of eliminating infections at hospital.” He also stressed the need of standardization of entry level education of CSSD professionals across the country so that CSSD services also can be standardized. The Indian Sterilization Healthcare Association is a voluntary organization that works to eliminate healthcare-associated infection and strengthen CSSD practices in India.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15187/lupin-launches-adhero-to-support-treatment-of-respiratory-disease.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15187/lupin-launches-adhero-to-support-treatment-of-respiratory-disease.html Fri, 22 Nov 2019 17:10:00 +0530 Lupin has announced the launch of “ADHERO,” a new connected smart device for metered-dose inhalers. It is is designed to help patients with chronic respiratory diseases track their MDI usage and facilitate improved adherence to therapy. Inhalers are the preferred treatment option for managing the rising incidence of chronic respiratory diseases like Asthma and COPD in India. However, it is estimated that nearly 45 percent patients do not adhere to therapy (in terms of filling / refilling prescriptions or maintaining prescribed medication schedule), which adversely impacts clinical outcomes and patient quality of life. The new device, ADHERO, is designed to improve patient adherence to therapy. Lupin has collaborated with Aptar Pharma in bringing this class device to market. ADHERO is a bluetooth-enabled, reusable smart device which attaches to the top of a MDI. With built-in sensors, the device tracks the patient’s daily medication usage and consumption patterns. Patients can access this information by connecting their ADHERO device to the “MyAdhero” app on their smartphones. The app is also equipped to send reminders, provide contextual health alerts based on factors like Air Quality Index (AQI) at the patient’s current location and enable visual analytics. Physicians too can access patient-related information and medication tracking data through the patient dashboard portal as well as through the app. Speaking on the launch, Rajeev Sibal, President India Region Formulations, Lupin Limited said, “Lupin lays great emphasis on three aspects of Respiratory Medicine, namely Disease Awareness, Diagnosis and Adherence. The launch of ADHERO will be a great help to patients using metered dose inhalers, as well as, for Doctors to track adherence and compliance to therapy, thereby improving clinical outcomes and quality of life of patients.” Last year Lupin launched Anya, an artificial intelligence-powered health chatbot hosted on Facebook Messenger to raise health awareness and help patients get medically verified responses to their disease and treatment-related queries. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/reports-white-papers/98/15181/india-diabetes-care-index-reveals-hba1c-marginally-drops-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/reports-white-papers/98/15181/india-diabetes-care-index-reveals-hba1c-marginally-drops-in-bengaluru.html Fri, 22 Nov 2019 12:50:00 +0530 Novo Nordisk Education Foundation unveiled the first-year report of India Diabetes Care Index under the 'Impact India: 1000-Day Challenge' programme. According to the report, HbA1c level, the best recommended indicator of long-term blood sugar control reduced marginally from 8.45% to 8.39% in Bengaluru.  HbA1c test gives an idea about the average level of blood sugar control for 3 months. More than 27,500 people with an average age of 55 years were part of the analysis in the city, out of which 55% were male and 45% were female.  Speaking about the report, Dr KM Prasanna Kumar, Director, Primer Academy of Medical Sciences (PAMS) said, “It is good to know that average HbA1c level in the city has dropped a bit according to the latest India Diabetes Care Index. However, we should aim to bring it further down which can only be possible if we manage diabetes effectively.  Healthy diet, exercise, medications and monitoring of blood sugar level should be done regularly in order to manage diabetes in a systematic way.”  Talking about the programme, Dr. Anil Shinde, Trustee, Novo Nordisk Education Foundation, said, “At Novo Nordisk, we have been working towards changing diabetes for nearly 100 years. With the Impact India initiative, we have set an ambitious target and hope to see India emerge as a role model in diabetes management. The “Impact India: 1000-Day Challenge” Programme was introduced to address the growing concern of uncontrolled diabetes in India.”  The programme was launched a year ago, to address the issue of suboptimally controlled diabetes in India. The ambition of the programme is to reduce the national average HbA1c by 1%, which can help reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications significantly in India.  iDCI® (Indian Diabetes Care Index) was introduced in 2018 as a part of the programme to improve diabetes care in the country. Based on big data analytics, iDCI® has been providing a real-time view of the average HbA1c in India across select cities. Under the Impact India programme, digital platforms are being leveraged to partner with healthcare practitioners (doctors and paramedics) to evolve and implement an approach to diabetes care appropriate for India. iDCI® is a dynamic tool that not only tracks the status of diabetes care but also helps to increase awareness, motivate and sensitise the healthcare professionals (HCPs) and society.  The IMPACT India programme will continue its three-pronged approach over the next two years through interactions with healthcare practitioners (HCPs), societal/patient engagement and monitoring. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15177/ayush-ministry-signs-mou-with-jnu-and-ilbs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15177/ayush-ministry-signs-mou-with-jnu-and-ilbs.html Fri, 22 Nov 2019 06:35:00 +0530 Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) under Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India has entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with JawaharLal Nehru University (JNU) and Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) for cooperation in the field of Research & Development and Training in Ayurveda & Traditional Medicine in the presence of Minister of State (IC) for AYUSH and Defence, Sripad Naik at New Delhi. Speaking on this occasion the Minister stressed upon the need for Translational Research in Ayurveda through interdisciplinary approaches for global acceptance and understanding of Indian Knowledge System of Medicine such as Ayurveda and appreciated the efforts of CCRAS, JNU and ILBS for their noble initiatives that may open new horizons in this field. Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Vice Chancellor, JNU Prof. M. Jagadesh Kumar and Dr. Vijay Kumar, Dean (Research), ILBS were also present on this occasion. This Research Collaboration with these State of Art Institutions would be able to generate tangible evidences on fundamental principles of Ayurveda through multiomics studies and also safety, efficacy of Ayurveda Interventions for emerging health challenges such as non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15163/vikram-hospital-launches-centre-for-huntington-disease-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15163/vikram-hospital-launches-centre-for-huntington-disease-in-bengaluru.html Thu, 21 Nov 2019 07:25:00 +0530 Vikram Hospital Bengaluru, a multi-specialty hospital, has launched the state-of-the-art ‘Center of Excellence’ for Huntington Disease. The first of its kind center caters to all the patients across India and abroad who have been suffering from Huntington Disease, a rare genetic disorder that causes nerve cells in the brain to break down. The clinic offers patients, expert care and support from pre-diagnosis through late stages of the disease. The Center of Excellence will feature a multidisciplinary approach to care that will aim to be a one stop shop for patients. Dr. Prashanth LK,  Parkinson’s disease and Movement Disorders specialist is the lead for this specialized clinic for Huntington’s disease. The Huntington’s disease clinic in Vikram Hospital comprises of Movement Disorders Specialist, Psychiatrist, Nurse Practioners,  Neuropsychologist, Physiotherapist and  Nutritionist.  The clinic will run on 4th Wednesday of every month with prior appointments. Huntington disease stems from genetic factors which is typically inherited from their parents. Mutation within the gene coding for the Huntington protein affects a person’s normal functioning and may lead to complete dependency. While this disease is predominant in the Western countries, a lot of cases have been seen in India lately. Most of the patients belong to the age group of 40 to 60 years, and about 5 to 10 percent of cases are seen in the younger age group. On the whole, between 20,000 to 40,000 are suspected to be affected with Huntington disease in India and more than 0.2 million might be at risk of being affected.  Dr. Prashanth pointed out that the number of Huntington’s disease patients seen in Indian specialist movement disorders clinic are on raise and they require more specialized attention and care.  “Huntington disease is a major concern today, as there is a concept of “Anticipation”, which means the next generation develops symptoms much earlier than the previous generations”, says Dr. Prashanth L. K, Consultant Movement Disorders Specialist, Vikram Hospital Bengaluru. “Some of the symptoms of this disease could be behavioral (like depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts) or Movement disorders (like restlessness movements) or cognitive (like difficulty in organizing, loss of flexibility, impulsive, etc). As the disease progresses, symptoms become more obvious, including uncontrollable jerky movements and drastic personality changes and by later stages, they become completely dependent for all activities.” Dr. Anand Jayaraman, Consultant Psychiatrist, Vikram Hospital Bengaluru, tells that the behavioral symptoms many times predates the other symptoms leading to difficulties in their professional and family lives in early career.  The center is collaborating with various research labs and scholars across India and abroad to get best of the therapies to the Indian Huntington’s disease patients.  The disease can be diagnosed through a blood test where specific genetic mutations are studied. It can be passed on from one generation to another. For instance, if a parent has the gene, each child has a 50/50 chance of inheriting it or escaping it. The Center of Excellence will have all the facility for tracking the disease and the severity of the same. Addressing the briefing at Vikram Hospital Bengaluru, Dr Somesh Mittal, CEO & Managing Director, “Vikram Hospital is happy to announce to be the first multispecialty hospital in Bengaluru to come up with the special care facility on Huntington disease. The disease is challenging if not detected early adding significant pressure on the individuals as well as their families. Finding specialized care can be very difficult at times. Most patients currently travel outside India to find treatment. With this launch at our hospital, patients can now receive expert care they need all in one place.” While there are no specific treatments that can decrease or stop the advancement of this disease, supportive care and medications can help patients manage the symptoms. Dr. Prashanth LK, informs that currently we may be at the cusp of possible disease modifying therapies as many recent new medication trials have shown very promising results.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15165/piramal-foundation-to-set-up-tribal-health-collaborative-for-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15165/piramal-foundation-to-set-up-tribal-health-collaborative-for-india.html Thu, 21 Nov 2019 07:00:00 +0530 Piramal Foundation has announced the setting up of a Tribal Health Collaborative for India - the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will be one of their first partners in this Collaborative. This multi-stakeholder Collaborative will focus on improving health and nutrition outcomes in high-burden and tribal districts, including the Aspirational Districts, and aims to support the Government of India as it works towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 by 2030. SDG 3 is focused on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all.  The Tribal Health Collaborative will work closely with the Government of India by supplementing and complementing its efforts towards achieving Universal Health Coverage. It aims to build a high-performing, sustainable health ecosystem to address the needs of marginalized sections of society, particularly tribal communities, covering a population of more than 150 million across several districts, including Aspirational Districts in Central, Eastern, and North-Eastern India. Ajay Piramal, Founder, Piramal Foundation said, “We’re committed to supporting India’s vision to achieve its SDG 3 goals by 2030. Increased focus on rapidly transforming the lives of marginalised sections of society, will serve to accelerate impact at scale. Piramal Foundation has been working with unserved and underserved tribal communities across several states in India, including 25 of the Aspirational Districts. Given the complexity and magnitude of the problem, we believe that partnerships with like-minded, values-based organizations such as Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, that seek to complement the Government’s efforts, will provide the much needed impetus. Our proposed Collaborative aims to harmonize the interventions of the Government, Organizations and Philanthropists with the ‘voice of the community’ by creating a framework to democratize healthcare in India.” Bill Gates, Co-chair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation said, “India’s focus on health and nutrition, particularly for its most vulnerable, is critical to the country and the world’s efforts to meet SDG3. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the government in its work to improve the health and well-being of the world’s poorest.” India’s tribal population has poor health indicators when compared to the general population. The average maternal mortality rate in India is 130 deaths per 100,000 births, while tribal communities average 230 deaths per 100,000 births. Similarly, other health indicators such as infant mortality, child malnutrition rates, and incidence of malaria and tuberculosis are much higher among tribal communities than the general population. The Collaborative will rest on two key pillars: working closely with the government, and co-designing and co-implementing interventions for tribal communities. The four key functions of the platform include: Facilitating the implementation of key public health interventions in partnership with government functionaries across all levels. Developing and enabling knowledge sharing across districts by working closely with the District Administration. Optimizing utilization of district level funding for improved healthcare services. Leveraging technology to ensure better governance and accountability, and creating an integrated beneficiary-focused health technology platform for the delivery of affordable and accessible primary healthcare services for all. The collaborative is slated to launch in early 2020 with participation from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Piramal Foundation, and additional partners to be announced. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15167/jaslok-hospital-research-centre-introduces-hip-preservation-program.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15167/jaslok-hospital-research-centre-introduces-hip-preservation-program.html Wed, 20 Nov 2019 17:55:00 +0530 Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre, a leading multi-super-specialty hospital, has introduced Hip Preservation Program, to provide a modern alternative surgical procedure to patients wherein the natural joint is preserved for as long as possible, thus providing patients a better quality of life. This is the only comprehensive Hip Sports and Preservation Hip Surgery Centre program in India with a regular programme & specialized equipment to perform keyhole surgery with the latest technique. With this program, Jaslok Hospital becomes a centre of excellence for Hip Sports, Hip Arthroscopy and Preservation Hip Surgery. It is a lead centre in India having a structured treatment program for patients with Hip problems – this involves a dedicated Hip Sports &Preservation Hip Clinic, Hip physiotherapy services in liaison with specialist doctors and highly specialized equipment to treat simple and complex hip problems. Speaking about this, Dr Ameet Pispati, Director of Orthopaedics at Jaslok Hospital said, “There is a common misconception that Arthritis or issues related to joints is usually the ailments of the elderly. However, in recent time, an alarming number in the youth brigade is beginning to show symptoms and signs of joint pain – Hip joints related cases being the common one. Also hip injuries are common among sportspersons, so alternate procedures like hip preservation surgery not only preserves the natural anatomy of the joint, but also helps patents to recover and have a better quality of life.” The Program will be run by Dr. Sanjeev Madan (UK) and Dr. Ameet Pispati (Mumbai) wherein they will examine and evaluate patients with hip problems with a focus on trying to save the Hip. Various options will be offered to best help the patient, ranging from a proper diagnosis to highly specialised physiotherapy, hip injections where needed in conjunction with our world class ultrasound department, and Minimally Invasive Surgery/Hip Arthroscopy if required. As part of the launch campaign for this program and to raise awareness about Hip preservation, Jaslok Hospital organized a symposium on ‘New approach to saving the Hip’ which was attended by over 100 doctors from various leading hospitals, across the city. The sessions deliberated on Hip related injuries, diagnosis, sporting injuries and Hip problems and possible solutions through Hip preservation procedures. Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre aims to provide the best possible medical care using state-of-the-art technology to all the patients. They have specialized clinics like IVF clinic, first of its kind adolescent clinic, Epilepsy Clinic, Heart Failure Clinic, Pain Management Clinic, Pelvic Floor Clinic, Varicose Veins Clinic, Bladder clinic, Headache Clinic, BP Clinic, Arthritis Clinic, Liver Clinic, Movement Disorder Clinic, a new state of the art ICU, Speech clinic, and varied others, all under one roof. Apart from the recently launched Breast Cancer Clinic, the hospital now also has a Hip preservation program, so that patients get the entire treatment and care under one centre. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15146/himalaya-drug-launches-awareness-campaign-on-cleft.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15146/himalaya-drug-launches-awareness-campaign-on-cleft.html Mon, 18 Nov 2019 21:35:00 +0530 The Himalaya Drug Company, India’s leading Wellness Company, brings its flagship initiative - ‘Muskaan’ to West Bengal. Championing the cause of treating cleft for children in need, Himalaya Lip Care launched its campaign ‘Ek Mutho Hanshi’ in Kolkata in collaboration with Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft charity, to provide free life-saving cleft surgeries to children. The campaign is focused at spreading the joy of smiles. Padma Shri Usha Uthup, leading playback singer, heightened the spirit of the launch at the event by extending her support to the initiative. Rajesh Krishnamurthy, Business Director-Consumer Products Division, The Himalaya Drug Company, kickstarted the event with great fervor. “This year, with our campaign ‘Ek Mutho Hanshi’, we are committed to raising awareness in West Bengal about cleft and the importance of early intervention to help children with clefts lead a happy and fulfilling life. Our Muskaan initiative truly reflects Himalaya’s brand vision - “Khush Raho Khushaal Raho” to bring wellness and happiness in every home. Through this initiative, more than 550 children have received cleft surgery till date. Our endeavor is to continue transforming the lives of many more children with clefts and help them achieve their dreams,” he said. Talking about the brand’s association with this cause, Philipe Haydon, CEO, The Himalaya Drug Company, shares, “This initiative is very close to our hearts. We are dedicated and passionate about spreading happiness and wellness, not only through our products but also by supporting causes that change the lives of people. Muskaan focuses on creating awareness and providing access to free treatment.” Key dignitaries, Mamta Carroll, Vice President & Regional Director for Asia, Smile Train, and Medical Experts - Dr. Parthapratim Gupta, Institute of Child Health, Kolkata, and Dr. SA Faizal, CAMRI Hospital, Bardhaman, also attended the event. Smile Train India has introduced a helpline number, 1800 103 8301, where people can call to enquire about cleft and avail free medical intervention. Children with clefts not only face physical challenges, but also social challenges that affect their lives. Focusing on this issue, Carroll said, “Every year in India, more than 35,000 children are born with a cleft condition. They are unable to breathe, eat, and speak properly. There is a lack of awareness that cleft can often be treated with a safe 45-minute surgery. We are proud of our partnership with The Himalaya Drug Company, which has brought smiles to many children with clefts across India in the last five years.” Adding her voice to the cause, Usha Uthup said, “Children are the future of our country. Nothing should hold them back from chasing their dreams. I am honored to be part of Muskaan, a meaningful and life-changing cause that is helping children lead a healthy, happy, and fulfilling life.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15137/icmr-signs-doi-with-bill-melinda-gates-foundation-nih-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15137/icmr-signs-doi-with-bill-melinda-gates-foundation-nih-.html Mon, 18 Nov 2019 11:40:00 +0530 Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the apex body in India for health research has signed a Declaration of Intent (DoI) with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAD) of the National Institutes of Health, USA and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF). This Declaration of Intent builds on an ongoing collaborative research and training program between India and US, including enhancement of research capacity. The Declaration of Intent was exchanged in the presence of US Ambassador Mr Kenneth I. Juster and Mr. Bill Gates, Co-Chair, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The collaboration will establish a research fellowship programme for young scientists in India and US to expand research that will advance discovery to improve clinical practice and benefit public health in both countries. The initial focus of this fellowship programme is intended to engage scientists in infectious disease and immunology research, with an emphasis on diseases that affect women and children. During the event, which also marked the celebration of 108th Foundation day of ICMR, Mr Gates also presented ICMR Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Achievement in Healthcare to three game-changers of the country in the field of Health: Dr Cyrus S. Poonawalla, Chairman and Managing Director, Serum Institute of India; Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairman and Managing Director, Biocon India and Dr Prakash Baba Amte, Director, Lok Biradari Prakalp. The awardees have been recognized for their efforts in providing better health care to people in the country and globally through innovative diagnostics, cost-effective life-saving tools and increasing access to healthcare at the grassroots. The Standard Treatment Workflows (STWs) of India developed with the goal of empowering primary, secondary and tertiary care physicians/surgeons towards achieving the goal of Universal Health Coverage were also released on the occasion by Mr. Bill Gates, Dr. V. K. Paul, Dr. Balram Bhargava & Dr. Indu Bhushan. STWs will facilitate the successful implementation of Ayushman Bharat in the country. Commenting on the importance of the collaborative fellowship programme with NIH and BMGF, Prof (Dr.) Balram Bhargava, Secretary, Department of Health Research and Director General, ICMR said, “There are great benefits in investing in research, especially in areas of infectious diseases and immunology, which will help the world in combating some of the debilitating diseases of the world. ICMR is aggressively working towards major advances in preventing, treating, and curing diseases. This collaboration will give us a boost in finding cures that will make lives healthy and productive, not only in India but across the world.” Bill Gates, Co-Chair, BMGF said, “The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is committed to working collaboratively with the ICMR to provide support in development of solutions to some of the major health challenges facing India and the world”. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15135/mysuru-hosts-international-conference-on-yoga.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15135/mysuru-hosts-international-conference-on-yoga.html Mon, 18 Nov 2019 07:00:00 +0530 Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH and Defence, Shripad Yesso Naik inaugurated two days International Conference on Yoga recently at Mysuru, Karnataka. The theme of the conference is ‘Yoga for Heart Care’. More than 700 national and international delegates participated in the conference spread over ten technical sessions involving fifty resource persons & experts.  Vd. Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary Ministry of AYUSH, Swami Ram Dev, Patanjali Yog Peeth, Haridwar,  Pratap Simha, Member of Parliament, Mysuru. Dr. H.R. Nagendra, Chancellor, SVYASA, Bengaluru, and Kamlesh D. Patel, Ramachandra Mission, Hyderabad, were also present in the inaugural session. In his inaugural address the Minister said that the Government has introduced several schemes for promotion of Yoga among the people of our country. He said that the rewards of Yoga are so immense that people are easily motivated to adopt Yoga in their lives once they learn about its benefits. The Minister further said that by introducing Yoga in the schools in the curriculum of physical education, generations of healthy Indians can be raised and crores of rupees now being spent on medical care can be saved. Shripad Naik informed the gathering the Ministry has constituted a Yoga Certification Board to address to certify individual trainers and accredit Yoga Training institutions. He said the Board’s programme is essentially a Voluntary scheme of Certification and will increase quality and standards in Yoga teaching and promote Yoga as a career skill. The Minister added “as many of you are aware Yoga is an integral part of the 1.5 lakh primary health care centres under AYUSHMAN BHARAT. This will make learning Yoga and practicing it easier for the people all across the country”. On the first day of the conference, technical sessions on ‘Yoga for heart care; emerging trends and researches’, ‘role of Yoga in preventive cardiology’, ‘Role of Yoga in the management of Hypertension’ and ‘Yoga for coronary artery disease’ were discussed.  During the second day of the conference, technical session on ‘physiology and integrative cardiology’, ‘Yoga for Cardiovascular health’ were organized. A Symposium on ‘need for promotion of Yogasana as sports’ and presentation of research papers on ‘Yoga for heart care; emerging trends and researches’ were also be organised. The Pre-conference events such as Yoga walk, mass Yoga demonstration, CME programme etc were planned to project the health benefits of Yoga and healthy lifestyle. This conference is fifth in the series to commemorate the unanimous adoption of Resolution by the United Nations General Assembly during its 69th Session for observing 21st June as International Day of Yoga. After the UN declaration of International Day of Yoga since 2014, overwhelming interest towards Yoga has been witnessed from the international communities across the globe. The tremendous success of the International Yoga Conferences organized by the Ministry of AYUSH during last four consecutive years is evident from the participation of increasing large number of Indian and foreign delegates. Indian Missions in the countries with whom the Ministry of AYUSH has some kind of cooperation such as MoUs, Academic Chairs, Information cells, etc. have been requested to nominate two prominent Yoga experts or enthusiasts from the country/countries under their jurisdiction, who would participate in the Conference to enable them capture and understand various dimensions of Yoga, and could help them to further propagate the same in their respective countries. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15127/5th-international-summit-on-medical-value-travel.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15127/5th-international-summit-on-medical-value-travel.html Fri, 15 Nov 2019 11:35:00 +0530 5th International Summit on Medical Value Travel - ‘Advantage Healthcare India 2019’ was recently organized by FICCI jointly with the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry. Speaking at the summit, Dr Anup Wadhawan, Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry said, “healthcare industry to set up an online portal that will facilitate international patients coming to India for treatment. The portal will have relevant information and services to help patients plan their travel and treatment. Medical value travel is beyond just treatment, it’s treatment-plus and the industry should see what are the qualitative aspects that need to be improved in our healthcare services.” Dr Wadhawan added that India has significant medical infrastructure, yet the majority of these are in the metro cities. To provide comprehensive medical coverage, it is imperative that rural areas should also have access to the latest and affordable healthcare.  Sangeeta Godbole, Director General, Services Export Promotion Council, Government of India, said, “India has very strong traditional healthcare ways that will help in furthering the cause of healthcare not only in our country but also in the rest of the world.” Dr Sangita Reddy, President-elect, FICCI, & Joint Managing Director Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited, said that India is unparalleled in delivering quality medical care at one-tenth of the global cost and aims to transform this sector so that India becomes the epicenter of medical value travel. Concepts of telemedicine and online consultations are growing tremendously.” Dr Harish Pillai, Chair, FICCI MVT Committee, & Chief Executive Officer, Aster India, Aster DM Healthcare Ltd, said that the Indian medical and wellness market is growing, and medical value travel is also adding to this growth. “India has emerged as one of the fastest-growing markets in medical value travel and the National Medical Value Travel Committee at FICCI has been giving recommendations to the government, advocating policy change in the sector,” added Dr Pillai. Dr Narottam Puri, Adviser MVT & Health Services, FICCI, and Ex-chairman, NABH, while introducing the ‘FICCI Code of Ethical Conduct by Indian Hospitals’ said, “Hospitals signing this code provide a commitment of morality and ethics in the management of patients.” Dr Devlina Chakravarty, Former Co-chair, FICCI MVT Committee, & Managing Director, Artemis Hospitals, said that Indian hospitals have worked hard to deal with the issue of infection in hospitals and today the rate of infection has come down due to the stringent anti-microbial policy brought in by major hospitals across the country. ‘FICCI-EY Knowledge Paper on India: Building Best Practices in Healthcare Services Globally’ was also released during the event. Key takeaways of the report: Medical value travel (MVT) has evolved rapidly in the past two decades. Many countries, especially developing counties, are trying to establish themselves as major MVT hubs. The global medical travel market was valued at US$53,768 million in 2017. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.9% from 2018-25. As healthcare turns costlier in developed countries like USA and UK, India's MVT market is expected to become US$ 9 billion by 2020. Major destination cities in India are Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. A total of 27% of medical travellers visit Maharashtra out of which 80% go to Mumbai. Chennai attracts nearly 15% while Kerala handles around 5-7%. Major source markets for India are countries from Southeast Asia, Middle East, Africa, and SAARC region. More than 50% of medical travelers coming to India are from Bangladesh. India's offerings in the MVT space have led it to be one of the most popular MVT destinations. These offerings include affordable treatment, service and care and tourism. The three-day event including exhibition will witness participation of over 400 buyers, 200 exhibitors from 70 countries.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15126/dr-harsh-vardhan-commences-advanced-services-at-aiims-jhajjar.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15126/dr-harsh-vardhan-commences-advanced-services-at-aiims-jhajjar.html Fri, 15 Nov 2019 11:25:00 +0530 Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr. Harsh Vardhan visited the National Cancer Institute, AIIMS, New Delhi (Jhajjar Campus). He stated that the NIC has been able to reduce the waiting list for surgery of Cancer patients very significantly thus providing very valuable service to the healthcare seekers. The Union Minister stated that “Under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the National Cancer Institute’s patient care facilities were made operational under the first phase of its construction and operationalisation plan. The National Cancer Institute, AIIMS, New Delhi (Jhajjar Campus) was dedicated to the nation by the Prime Minister on 12.02.2019.  Dr. Harsh Vardhan also commissioned advanced facilities and services such as Linear Accelerator  (LINAC) Services, AMRIT Pharmacy and the auditorium during his visit to the Institute.  In addition, the Union Minister performed the Bhoomi Pujan for an 800 bedded Vishram Sadan at the Campus. To operationalize Linear Accelerator Services, two high end Linear Accelerator (LINAC) machines have been procured at the cost of approx. Rs. 50 Crore and installed at NCI.  These high-end LINACs will help deliver precise high-energy x-rays or electrons to the region of the patient's tumor such that cancer cells are destroyed while largely sparing the surrounding normal tissue. Commissioning of LINAC Services completes the spectrum of treatment being provided for cancer patients at NCI as the patients shall be able to avail surgical, chemotherapy and radiation therapy services under one roof in an integrated manner, the Union Minister stated.  Dr. Harsh Vardhan further added that the AMRIT Pharmacy commissioned which will go a long way in providing all required medicines at subsidized rates to the poor patients which was dreamt by the Prime Minister.  Also, the Auditorium commissioned will prove to be useful for professional interactions and large conferences at the Institute, he added. During his visit, he also visited the operational wards and interacted with the patients. Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that the cancer patients often have to stay for longer duration due to multiple cycles and types of treatment given to them. To provide shelter facilities for the accompanying attendants of such patients, Infosys Foundation, as a part of its CSR, is constructing an 800 bedded Vishram Sadan at NIC, Jhajjar.  For this, AIIMS is providing land, electricity & water supply while the entire construction cost (approx. Rs. 80 Cr) is being borne by the Foundation.  The Vishram Sadan will be close to the hospital and OPD Blocks and will have nine floors including the ground floor.  It will be mix of Dormitory and Private Rooms.  The ground floor will house common dining facility, pharmacy shop and other utility shops. The National Cancer Institute, Jhajjar Campus is the flagship project of Govt. of India.  It has been constructed with an approved cost of Rs. 2035 Crore. NCI is the largest investment by the Government of India in a single hospital project. It is planned as the apex center for translational research in cancer care/prevention and has 710 patient care beds, 25 operation theaters, state-of-the art diagnostics, advanced radiation treatment, 1500 dwelling units, 2705 faculty & staff, etc.  The Phase – I comprises of 250 patient care bed, 50 bedded day care facility for Chemotherapy, 9 Operation Theatres, 25 bedded ICU, Oncology emergency, Robotic core clinical laboratory, two Linear accelerator, Brachytherapy, 4D CT Simulator, X-Ray, CT Scan, MRI and Ultrasound.  The facilities of SPECT & PET Scan are under installation. Currently, over 100 patients are visiting NCI every day and the numbers are increasing day by day. The Phase – II will be commissioned as when the number of patients increases beyond a threshold. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15125/70-women-unable-to-proactively-manage-diabetes-and-undertake-self-care-plans-portea-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15125/70-women-unable-to-proactively-manage-diabetes-and-undertake-self-care-plans-portea-.html Fri, 15 Nov 2019 11:15:00 +0530 A recent analysis of over 12,000 diabetes patients by Portea Medical has revealed that men outnumber women exponentially when it comes to selecting a diabetes care plan. The findings are based on the patients on Portea’s InControl programme and reveal that even the tech-savvy women deprioritize their health. About 70% of them are unable to manage their diet due to busy schedules. Women also seem to join the program at a relatively more advanced stage compared to men, The average fasting blood glucose level (FBS) for men who opted for the program was 155 while that for women stood at 165. The maximum engagement from women for Portea’s programme came from Karnataka (16%) followed by Kerala (13%). The trends are a result of Portea’s experience with customers as part of the Portea InControl programme over the last 6 months. Speaking about this, Meena Ganesh, Managing Director and CEO, Portea Medical, said, “We have seen some interesting trends emerge from patient behaviour. Of the people who are joining the program, most have recently been diagnosed with Diabetes and are seeking a solution to manage their conditions without impacting their lives and livelihood. Even though, the percentage of women is far less than that of the men, women on the program are far more compliant than their male counterparts. They attend their counselling calls, follow their diets and are always ready with their parameters to be discussed in their scheduled calls. Portea believes that with the right product offerings, a great infrastructure can be built for helping people manage their disease along with their doctors, without the hassle of queuing up at clinics. This is what we are also trying to achieve with our comprehensive programme called Portea InControl.” Portea’s findings also indicate that about 47% of the women patients were suffering from diabetes for more than 5 years compared to 35% men. However, it is encouraging that about 30% of women with diabetes are serious about following the doctor’s recommendations and indicated that they are keen to gather maximum information on how to manage it. There is thus a need to counsel and handhold them to ensure that they understand the intimal impacts of the disease. The study also found some challenges around the lack of access to diabetes management programmes such as poor connectivity, rescheduling of counselling calls, and lack of knowledge on how to use devices to monitor their condition. Many patients in the study believed that managing diabetes is more of a function of diet and exercise and less of medical supervision. About 74% of the patients in the program used the glucometer for the first time after joining the program.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15122/p-d-hinduja-hospital-mrc-host-free-diabetes-screening-camps-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15122/p-d-hinduja-hospital-mrc-host-free-diabetes-screening-camps-.html Fri, 15 Nov 2019 11:00:00 +0530 P.D Hinduja Hospital & MRC on the occasion of “World Diabetes day” hosted free diabetes screening camps in Mumbai. Aligning with WHO’s theme this year of ‘The family and diabetes’ the hospital collaborated with the Western Railways to work towards a combined mission of creating awareness on screening of diabetes among the people. The comprehensive health screening camp included Random Blood Sugar (RBS) tests to check glucose levels of participants along with height, weight, blood pressure check, bone marrow density, body composition analysis and HBa1c test only for already diabetic people. The camp was inaugurated by V.K Tripati, AGM, Western Railways and total 550 beneficiaries were checked. 45 were found to have blood sugar in the higher range were counselled by a dietician. Treatment was referred to as per the requirement.  Joy Chakraborty, COO, P.D Hinduja Hospital & MRC expressed, “India is known to be the diabetes capital. However, the disease can be controlled and managed with early detection and right treatment, or else it can lead to multiple organ failure. The purpose of hosting this screening camp at these locations is to spread awareness amongst the local commuters who are unaware about the significance of timely screening. Through this initiative, our key focus is to make healthcare accessible to every individual and try our best to create awareness around monitoring the disease. We are thankful to the Western Railway Association for supporting us in this activity.” Dr. Phulrenu Chauhan, Endocrinology and Diabetic Consultant & Section Co-ordinator Department of Endocrinology, P. D. Hinduja Hospital & MRC said, “Earlier diabetes was known to be the disease of the elderly, however, it is now a commonly found lifestyle disease amongst youth. We urge the individuals to do their bit by following a healthy lifestyle and getting themselves checked at least once a year. If diabetes is not controlled well, it could lead to complications such as kidney, nerve, and eye disease. Therefore, it is extremely important to make a shift and work towards prevention, rather than cure. Organizing awareness camps works as an eye-opener and motivates individuals to stay fit.” Diabetes is a medical condition caused by an increase in blood sugar levels. It is characterized into type 1 and types 2 depending on the pathology. It could either be due to modifiable (central obesity, diet, sedentary lifestyle) or non-modifiable (hereditary) causes. A good rule of thumb would be to keep a track of on sugars and visit the doctor regularly to ensure that no complications occur in the future. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15121/j-pal-south-asia-partners-with-odisha-government.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15121/j-pal-south-asia-partners-with-odisha-government.html Fri, 15 Nov 2019 10:55:00 +0530 Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) South Asia co-founded by Nobel Laureates Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Odisha to engage in a strategic evidence-based approach to policy making in order to maximize the impact of state anti-poverty programs across a wide range of sectors. Under this partnership, J-PAL South Asia, which is hosted at the Institute for Financial Management and Research (IFMR) in Chennai, will provide technical assistance for the scale-up of evidence-backed programs to improve development outcomes. The partnership establishes an overarching collaboration between J-PAL South Asia and the Government of Odisha under which J-PAL will work with several departments, including, but not limited to Labour, Education, Health, and Women and Child Development, to conduct policy-relevant randomized evaluations of new anti-poverty and development programs. Additionally, a diagnostic exercise and subsequent workshops will be conducted to build state capacity in the area of monitoring and evaluation. The agreement was signed during a ceremony with the Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister of Odisha; Iqbal Dhaliwal, Global Executive Director of J-PAL, and Shobhini Mukerji, Executive Director of J-PAL South Asia. Senior ministers and officers of the Odisha Government were also in attendance. In his remarks, Naveen Patnaik said, “I am delighted that a Memorandum of Understanding has been made between the J-PAL and State Government of Odisha with a focus on policy dialogue encompassing malnutrition, distress migration, women empowerment, agricultural productivity, and health sector issues. As a part of our 5T Charter it is our government’s endeavor to partner with those who set global benchmarks. J-PAL, co-founded by Nobel Laureates Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo will also add great value to our transformation initiatives. I have been closely monitoring and look forward to the outcome of this partnership. The success we demonstrate will be a major step closer to my dream of an empowered Odisha.” Iqbal Dhaliwal said “We are very grateful to the Government of Odisha for inviting us to work in the state. We are very impressed by the clear vision of the government for a transformative agenda, and its capacity to deliver as evidenced by the effective response to the cyclones. Our hope is to work closely with various departments on a journey to combine local expertise with rigorous evidence to inform policies that improve the lives of the poor.” J-PAL South Asia and The Government of Odisha will conduct an annual Policy Dialogue to identify the Government’s top policy priorities, conduct discussions to share evidence, and jointly come up with innovative solutions that can be field-tested through rigorous randomized evaluations.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/reports-white-papers/98/15115/79-4-diabetic-people-unaware-about-normal-blood-sugar-level-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/reports-white-papers/98/15115/79-4-diabetic-people-unaware-about-normal-blood-sugar-level-.html Thu, 14 Nov 2019 15:45:00 +0530 Recently, Gadge’s Diabetes Care Centre conducted a survey amongst diabetics based in Mumbai to understand how many people are aware of diabetes, its risk factors,  Hba1c level, and its normal range.  The number of people with diabetes is increasing at an alarming rate. With an aim to spread awareness about this fatal condition & facilitate diabetes education, Gadge’s Diabetes Care Centre conducted a study from June 2019 to October 2019. This study encapsulated the data points of 1683 patients (891 female & 792 males) with a 2-year history of Type 2 Diabetes, within the age group of 18-75 years. According to the study, the majority (65%) of the participants did not know what is type 2 diabetes nor were they acquainted with the causes or risk factors associated with it. Diabetes Mellitus is one of the most widely prevalent diseases in India & has been recorded at 11.8% in the last four years with almost same percentage of men and women suffering from the disease which is often called a ‘silent killer’. There are numerous risk factors associated to type 2 diabetes which include: obesity following a sedentary lifestyle faulty eating habits (consuming a lot of calories and sugary foods) lack of physical activities or not exercising stress As a part of their diabetes education initiative & to support patients with better diabetes management, this study was conducted by Dr Pradeep Gadge, Director At Gadge’s Diabetes Care Centre. The data was collected by conducting personal interviews with the participants using a pre- designed questionnaire which was administered by the Diabetes Educators of Gadge’s Diabetes Care Centre.  Dr Pradeep Gadge, a leading Diabetologist, said, “Our comprehensive study (conducted from June 2019 to October 2019) evaluated 1683 patients with a 2-year history of Diabetes (891 females & 792 males) in the age group of 18-75 years. The findings of the study were  mindboggling. According to the study, the majority (65%) of the participants did not know what diabetes is and were unaware of the causes or risk factors associated to it.” He added, “More than half (79.4%) of the participants did not know what should be the normal range of blood sugar levels. Of the 1683 patients, only 590 participants (16.5%) knew what is Hba1c and its normal range. Our study shows that the majority of participants have poor knowledge of several aspects of the condition including its causes, complications, management, and prevention.” This study also revealed that the percentage of women, the backbone of a family being diagnosed with diabetes is higher than men. Owing to these figures & increased need of family involvement in overall diabetes management, the theme for this year’s World Diabetes Day is ‘The Family and Diabetes.’   “Family support in diabetes care is vital and can help improve the health outcomes. There is an urgent need to raise the level of awareness of this silent but deadly condition, and adhere to lifestyle modifications like healthy eating and exercising. If we truly want to change the scenario, diabetes education is imperative,” concluded Dr. Gadge       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15108/novo-nordisk-education-foundation-unveils-first-year-report-of-impact-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15108/novo-nordisk-education-foundation-unveils-first-year-report-of-impact-india.html Thu, 14 Nov 2019 09:25:00 +0530 In the run-up to World Diabetes Day, the Novo Nordisk Education Foundation has unveiled the first-year report of their 'Impact India: 1000-Day Challenge' programme. The program was launched a year ago, to address the issue of suboptimally controlled diabetes in India. The Year One report was launched in the presence of Melvin D’Souza, Managing Trustee, Novo Nordisk Education Foundation; H.E. Freddy Svane, Ambassador of Denmark to India; Prof. Dr. Nikhil Tandon, Professor and Head, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, AIIMS, New Delhi and Prof. Dr. A.K. Das, Professor and Head, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry and Patron of the Impact India programme. The ambition of the programme is to reduce the national average HbA1c by 1%, which can help reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications significantly in India. iDCI® (Indian Diabetes Care Index) was introduced in 2018 as part of the programme to improve diabetes care in the country. Based on big data analytics, iDCI® has been providing a real-time view of the average HbA1c in India, a key indicator of the state of diabetes control across select cities.  Under the Impact India programme, digital platforms are being leveraged to partner with practitioners (doctors and paramedics) to evolve and implement an approach to diabetes care appropriate to India. iDCI® is a dynamic tool that not only tracks the status of diabetes care but also helps to increase awareness, motivate and sensitise healthcare professionals (HCPs) and society. Certain cities have shown a dip in the HbA1c levels. Visakhapatnam in South India, Kolkata in the Eastern region, Varanasi in the North zone and Pune in the Western region are the top cities which have shown a decrease in HbA1c levels. Southern regions are doing well in terms of diabetes control. As observed in iDCI®, a reduction in HbA1c over the last year is seen in Visakhapatnam, Ernakulam, Bengaluru and Chennai. Key statistics over 1 year period from Oct 2018 to Sep 2019-Visakhapatnam - 9.16 to 8.91 (down by 0.25); Ernakulam - 8.38 to 8.17 (down by 0.21); Bengaluru - 8.45 to 8.39 (down by 0.06); Chennai - 8.33 to 8.25 (down by 0.08) Barring Varanasi where the HbA1c levels dipped from 8.50 to 8.45 (down by 0.05) in the 12 month period , majority of the northern Indian cities like Delhi, Lucknow, Chandigarh etc. have seen an increase in HbA1c levels Key statistics over 1 year period from Oct 2018 to Sep 2019- Chandigarh - 7.87 to 7.88 (increase by 0.01), Lucknow 8.25 to 8.45 (increase by 0.02), Delhi - 8.58 to 8.76 (up by 0.18) In the Eastern region, Kolkata has shown a dip in the HbA1c levels from 8.26 to 8.02 (down by 0.24) in the 12 month period , while Guwahati has seen an increase from 8.62 to 8.80  in the same period Pune in Western India has noted a dip from 8.15 to 8.13 (down by 0.02) in the 12 month period and Mumbai has seen an increase from 8.10 to 8.25 (up by 0.15) in the same period. The annual iDCI® booklet carrying details of the progress made across 19 key cities in the past 12 months, was unveiled by the dignitaries present at the event. Speaking about the scientific approach, Dr. A.K. Das said, “Impact India is working towards creating awareness on the ‘Indian Reality’ of diabetes management and is focused on evolving a treatment approach more suitable to India. In Year one, we organised four advisory boards with 60 advisors (IMPACT Leaders) to develop and validate the scientific framework. Once validated, it was shared with 500 doctors (IMPACT Ambassadors) as a part of our train-the-trainer approach and is now being further cascaded. Overall 3311 doctors have been reached through 180 Impact Workshops across 153 cities and towns in India during phase one. We are confident that our efforts will reap encouraging results over the coming years.” Melvin D'souza said, “At Novo Nordisk, we have been working towards changing diabetes for nearly 100 years. With this new initiative, we have set an ambitious target and hope to see India emerge as a role model in diabetes management. The “Impact India: 1000-Day Challenge” Programme was introduced to address the growing concern of uncontrolled diabetes in India and so far we have been able to reach over 30,000 clinicians and medical practitioners. Cities like Visakhapatnam, Kolkata, Varanasi and Pune have shown a noticeable dip in HbA1c level in the past year. However, we are confident that in the coming years we will see a similar downward trend across multiple regions.” Dr Nikhil Tandon said, “India has the 2nd highest population of people living with diabetes in the world with 73 million cases, which are expected to nearly double by 2045. Diabetes control is less than satisfactory with an average HbA1c of 8.9%. Novo Nordisk’s initiative will give diabetes care a major impetus and provide medical practitioners with real-time data that can help  understand and evaluate the areas of improvement and work accordingly in a systematic manner. The goal of 1% reduction in HbA1c  as observed from landmark trials in type 2 diabetes is estimated to reduce the risk of stroke by 12%,  heart attack by 14%, diabetic eye disease by 31%, diabetic kidney disease by 33% and diabetic limb disease by 43% in people affected by diabetes. This will not only improve India’s healthcare status but also mitigate costly complications like heart attacks, kidney failure, blindness, etc.” H.E. Freddy Svane mentioned, “While there are numerous health issues that the world is battling with, diabetes is one of the most concerning ones as it is progressive in nature. Novo Nordisk Education Foundation has done praiseworthy work in the field of diabetes awareness since its entry into India. The Impact India 1000 day challenge is one such unique initiative to improve the status of diabetes care in a systematic way.  I congratulate all partners who have contributed towards effective initiation of this programme across India and wish the team a great success for the coming years.” The IMPACT India programme will continue its three-pronged approach over the next two years, by evolving interactions with healthcare practitioners (HCPs), societal/patient focus and monitoring. The journey of HCPs participating in the IMPACT India programme will expand into experience sharing forums. Moreover, partnering with governments through the public-private partnership model will help in creating the right interaction platforms with HCPs. To maximise reach in a diverse country like India, the NNEF is exploring the possibility of customised/regional forums and will continue to leverage occasions such as World Diabetes Day, Insulin appreciation Day, etc. Government and influencer endorsement are the pivot points of the programme and are being actively pursued. On the monitoring front, Novo Nordisk Education Foundation expects the macro and micro- monitoring tools to generate relevant insights that will be communicated and used to improve the situation. These learnings will help the medical fraternity to improve control and enhance the quality of life for people living with diabetes.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15105/goqii-launches-comprehensive-solution-for-diabetes-management.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15105/goqii-launches-comprehensive-solution-for-diabetes-management.html Wed, 13 Nov 2019 17:40:00 +0530 GOQii Technologies, a leading smart-tech-enabled preventive healthcare company that is focusing on Digital Therapeutics launches a 3600 integrated diabetes management solution for people with diabetes. GOQii App has been technologically upgraded to bring together all the key stakeholders, including Pharma, Device, Diagnostics and Insurance, to provide a seamless experience for people with diabetes to manage their disease condition. This cloud-based solution will be accessible to all diabetes patients across the length and breadth of the country. As a first step towards this upgrade, GOQii has entered into a partnership with Ascensia Diabetes Care, a member of the PHC Group. Ascensia is a global diabetes care company that is dedicated to improving the health and lives of people with diabetes through its CONTOUR range of Blood Glucose Monitoring devices. This is a first of its kind collaboration in the country where a Blood Glucose Monitoring device is integrated with a lifestyle and disease management App, a significant step towards providing comprehensive diabetes care. Under this agreement, GOQii Technologies will offer its range of lifestyle and disease management services such as personalized and video coaching, digital health locker, and community support to users of the CONTOUR® PLUS ONE system. “We at Ascensia Diabetes Care India are pleased to help people with diabetes through the extended community support offered by GOQii. We are sure that the combination of the world-class-technology of Ascensia and the effective community support system of GOQii will be a win-win for improving the quality of life of all people with diabetes,” Albertraj Balraj, Country Manager and Director, Ascensia Diabetes Care India Pvt Ltd. India is the Diabetes Capital of the world with ~76.7 million PWDs (People with Diabetes), expected to reach by 134.3 million by 2045. The CONTOUR PLUS ONE glucometer allows patients to seamlessly manage their diabetes by regular monitoring of their blood glucose level. Through this partnership, the data will be automatically fed into the GOQii glucose section of the app and can be used to help people with diabetes have informed discussions with their doctors. GOQii is committed to helping people with Chronic Diseases like Diabetes and helps them take ownership of their health. Monitoring blood glucose levels regularly helps people with Diabetes adapt their diet and exercise, monitor the effects of Diabetes medications and understand the impact of stress and illness on blood sugar levels. The blood glucose readings residing in the device is of limited use to the Healthcare Practitioner (HCP) & patients alike since they are not likely to be used to influence treatment decisions. Currently, there are no means to extract the data residing in the glucometer. The partnership with the CONTOUR PLUS ONE dramatically changes this as the data will seamlessly flow into the GOQii app and be readily available for meaningful discussions with HCPs. In addition, the patients will be handheld on their journey with personalised advice on Nutrition, Physical Activity, Medication compliance by Nutritionists, Video coaching (GOQii play) & Community support (GOQii Arena). “We are very excited about this partnership as it will help thousands of patients with Diabetes to improve their health outcomes. GOQii is a unified platform to provide a holistic approach to disease care. We already have several people with diabetes on our platform who have reversed their diabetes and pre-diabetic conditions purely with lifestyle modification,” said Vishal Gondal, Founder & CEO, GOQii. GOQii’s comprehensive ecosystem assists people with Diabetes by providing personalized coaching & provision for logging their blood glucose and HbA1c levels. The coaches provide dietary and physical activity recommendations to the patients. Also, patients are rewarded for showing adherence to their healthy habits. This ecosystem is designed to help patients with diabetes to improve their quality of life and outcomes. The blood glucose level data resides in the glucometer and not easy to access on-demand, for eg during in-clinic discussions. Regular testing and logging blood glucose levels increase the awareness and hence adherence to medications, lifestyle modifications which in turn helps people with diabetes reach their goals. Access to blood glucose level trends on the app along with steps, hydration and nutrition helps the patient have a meaningful conversation with the doctor during the visits. Doctors can identify the glucose level trends and use it to titrate medications for the individual patient. These help in building the doctor-patient relationship, an important consideration for chronic diseases like Diabetes. Measuring your blood glucose level lets the patient adapt their diet and exercise to what is necessary, monitor the effects of diabetes medication on their blood sugar levels, and understand how factors such as stress or illness may affect blood sugar levels. Overall, this will allow the patient to track their improvement in controlling blood sugar levels and overall health goals. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15096/max-hospital-launches-oncology-tower-in-uttar-pradesh.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15096/max-hospital-launches-oncology-tower-in-uttar-pradesh.html Wed, 13 Nov 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Max Super Speciality Hospital, Vaishali has inaugurated a new Oncology Tower. The building (MICC Tower II) was inaugurated by General V K Singh, MOS for Road Transport and Highways and MP Ghaziabad, in the presence of other dignitaries. Abhay Soi, Chairman, Max Healthcare; Dr. Harit Chaturvedi, Chairman, Max Institute of Cancer Care, senior oncologists, members from Max senior leadership and representatives from Ghaziabad administration were part of the inauguration. Commenting on the launch Abhay Soi said, “With the commencement of operations at Max Oncology Tower, we wish to strengthen our commitment towards cancer treatment and research at Max Healthcare. We would combine our clinical strength with the top research institutions in India and on the world stage to lead cancer research efforts. In Vaishali alone, we have over 50 cancer specialists providing the most specialized treatment in a very comprehensive manner. We have introduced the Disease Management Groups as well as invested in advanced technologies for comprehensive treatment of cancer patients.” Dr. Harit Chaturvedi commented, “Our focus on DMG based clinical practice with best technology and processes to improve experience for patients and doctors helps us attract the best professionals. Our DMG based tumour boards are already adding a healthy dimension to the level of planning for each treatment. Also, the dedicated wing for women will offer specialised care, quick diagnosis and staging, and, personalised service to females of all age and backgrounds. We have ensured that close to 95% hospital staff on this floor is women. Incidence of cancer is growing across India and it is crucial for us to fight the challenge comprehensively. We have a launched a campaign on Lung Cancer, the most lethal of all cancers, with focus on mass awareness, early diagnosis and specialised treatment. We’ll prepare similar strategies for other cancers and continuously evolve our cancer crusade.” Col. HS Chehal, Senior Director and Chief Operating Officer - Cluster 2, Max Healthcare, commented, “Max Healthcare has been at the forefront of cancer treatment across North India for over a decade. We take pride in our dedicated teams of clinicians and the state of the art infrastructure and medical facilities. This dedicated tower at Vaishali adds to our combined Oncology strength and we are sure that patients from across Delhi NCR and neighbouring cities and towns will benefit immensely.” With the new ‘Disease Management Groups’ based approach, the oncology team of Max Healthcare is all set to provide comprehensive and optimal care for  management of cancer. Owing to their specialized and targeted approach, these DMGs are dedicated to specific kinds of cancer and are better equipped to diagnose and offer customized and advanced care to the patient. Such an approach also ensures inclusivity and enables second opinions within the system, making the procedure intensive and effective at the same time. As per Indian Council of Medical Research data, India will have over 17.3 lakh cancer cases by 2020 -- a doubling of cases in 25 years. It may see over 8.8 lakh deaths due to the disease, with only 12.5 per cent of the patients receiving treatment in early stages. Breast cancer, cervical cancer, oral cancer, and lung cancer together constitute 41 per cent of cancer burden in India. In India, there are 450,000 follow-up patients every year and the annual registration of new patients in India is 50,000, with limited oncology specialists.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15094/tgi-mahe-join-hands-to-promote-excellence-in-public-health-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15094/tgi-mahe-join-hands-to-promote-excellence-in-public-health-research.html Wed, 13 Nov 2019 06:00:00 +0530 The George Institute for Global Health in India (TGI) and the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) have joined hands to promote public health research in India and to build the capacity of budding researchers to do research in the area. The partnership is focused on addressing real-world health challenges through the development and testing of innovative solutions that bridge the gap between research and policy. As part of the partnership, researchers from both institutions would work together to promote evidence-based research. This will be done by creating a system whereby researchers from the two institutions will work together in the spirit of cross-fertilization of best ideas and solutions to health challenges facing the country Announcing the partnership, Prof Vivekanand Jha, Executive Director, George Institute for Global Health, India said the George Institute works with world-class institutions across all its offices, including the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; University of Oxford, UK and the Peking University Health Science Centre, Beijing, China. “We hope this partnership evolves along similar lines. As the popular saying goes, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a small step.” Welcoming the initiative, Dr. H Vinod Bhat, Vice-Chancellor, MAHE, said “We are excited about this partnership and will work together to promote excellence in the field of public health and produce high-quality outputs. MAHE has a high tradition of promoting research and excellence and we see this partnership as a stellar example further accentuating our recent recognition as an “institution of eminence.” As part of the affiliation agreement, eligible TGI researchers will receive faculty affiliations at MAHE and develop joint proposals for conducting world-class research. “Capacity building of future researchers in the area will be the focus of the partnership,” said Dr Jha. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15098/eddii-unveils-interactive-ai-powered-app-for-diabetes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15098/eddii-unveils-interactive-ai-powered-app-for-diabetes.html Wed, 13 Nov 2019 06:00:00 +0530 Interactive AI-Powered App for Diabetes ‘The eddii virtual health buddy app’ has launched in India in the run up to the World Diabetes Day. It is an AI-powered virtual character who guides users on a digital adventure. The whimsical cartoon leaf uses stories, jokes and games to encourage people to input data like carb counts, insulin usage, exercise notes and mood. Advanced technology allows the chatbot to examine that data and identify patterns. For example, some people will discover that within hours of eating a certain food, their mood shifts. Farhaneh Ahmadi, eddii Founder and CEO said, “While there have been significant advancements in diabetes treatment that make it easier to control, lifestyle-choice tracking has been slow in many regards, focusing primarily on presenting data rather than engaging the user and teaching them how to take charge of their health. The team of scientists, artists and engineers at eddii created a solution that allows people to take charge of their relationship with chronic illness.” “Once people can identify patterns that impact their physical and emotional health, they are empowered to make positive changes. eddii cheers them along every step of the way,” said Ahmadi. One of eddii’s most popular features is its ability to engage in conversation. Some of the conversations are silly and entertaining. Others offer vital health benefits. The eddii interactive health buddy team worked with a psychologist to build techniques common in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy into the app. That means eddii can recognize unhealthy patterns and help you change them. This is so much more than a journal or tracking app. We are harnessing the power of machine learning to really make a difference in people’s lives. We believe that taking care of yourself should be fun and engaging, not burdensome and demanding", noted Ahmadi.  The eddii team chose to launch the app in India because so many people in the country are currently struggling with diabetes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly nine percent of adults in India have diabetes. That’s more than 80 million people. Every year diabetes kills about a million people in India. eddii aims to change that by removing roadblocks from diabetes management. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15095/interactive-ai-powered-app-for-diabetes-launched-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15095/interactive-ai-powered-app-for-diabetes-launched-in-india.html Tue, 12 Nov 2019 14:50:00 +0530 The eddii virtual health buddy app, launched in India in the run up to the World Diabetes Day, solves that problem by gamifying health tracking and management.  “While there have been significant advancements in diabetes treatment that make it easier to control, lifestyle-choice tracking has been slow in many regards, focusing primarily on presenting data rather than engaging the user and teaching them how to take charge of their health,” said eddii Founder and CEO Farhaneh Ahmadi. “The team of scientists, artists and engineers at eddii created a solution that allows people to take charge of their relationship with chronic illness.”eddii is an AI-powered virtual character who guides users on a digital adventure. The whimsical cartoon leaf uses stories, jokes and games to encourage people to input data like carb counts, insulin usage, exercise notes and mood. Advanced technology allows the chatbot to examine that data and identify patterns. For example, some people will discover that within hours of eating a certain food, their mood shifts. “Once people can identify patterns that impact their physical and emotional health, they are empowered to make positive changes. eddii cheers them along every step of the way,” said Ahmadi.One of eddii’s most popular features is its ability to engage in conversation. Some of the conversations are silly and entertaining. Others offer vital health benefits. The eddii interactive health buddy team worked with a psychologist to build techniques common in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy into the app. That means eddii can recognize unhealthy patterns and help you change them. “This is so much more than a journal or tracking app,” noted Ahmadi. “We are harnessing the power of machine learning to really make a difference in people’s lives. We believe that taking care of yourself should be fun and engaging, not burdensome and demanding.”The eddii team chose to launch the app in India because so many people in the country are currently struggling with diabetes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly nine percent of adults in India have diabetes. That’s more than 80 million people. Every year diabetes kills about a million people in India. eddii aims to change that by removing roadblocks from diabetes management. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15088/tata-projects-completes-1000-bed-medanta-hospital-in-lucknow.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15088/tata-projects-completes-1000-bed-medanta-hospital-in-lucknow.html Tue, 12 Nov 2019 08:05:00 +0530 TATA Projects Limited, one of India's fastest growing and most admired infrastructure companies, recently completed and handed over Lucknow’s 1000-bed Medanta hospital which was thereafter inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. This is a super speciality hospital with total built-up area of 1.4 million sq ft, includes two basements, lower ground floor, upper ground floor and 11 upper floors. Dr Naresh Trehan, Chairman and Managing Director, Medanta said, “Medanta was envisioned as a synthesis of the wealth of traditional knowledge of the east and advancements of modern medicine. It is actively contributing to advancements in medical science and is expanding its footprint of patient-centric medicine in cities like Lucknow.” Speaking about this prestigious project, K Satyanarayana, COO – Industrial Systems, Tata Projects Ltd, said, "We are extremely delighted to have constructed and completed this project by incorporating globally available best practices and technologies. The completed hospital stands as testimony to the expertise of Tata Projects team to execute hospitals within shortest possible time while adhering to global standards. This project will not only provide world-class medical services to residents of Lucknow but also cater to people from across the region.”   The recently inaugurated hospital by Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh will comprise world-class facilities such as cardiology and cardiac surgery, neurology, gastroenterology, urology, orthopaedics, radiology, transfusion medicine, pulmonary medicine, medical oncology, internal medicine, and endocrinology, among others. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15089/nathealth-summit-to-focus-on-collaborations-innovations-investments.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15089/nathealth-summit-to-focus-on-collaborations-innovations-investments.html Tue, 12 Nov 2019 08:00:00 +0530 The double-burden of disease, shortage of medical professionals, lower investments, low penetration of health insurance, huge gap of service delivery in rural and urban areas, lack of quality and affordable medical care are the key challenges of the country. The Global Burden of Disease Report 2017 ranked India at 154 out of 195 countries in terms of accessibility to healthcare. To take on the challenges of the Indian Healthcare sector, Apex Healthcare Industry body (NATHEALTH) will be organizing two day National Health Summit in New Delhi on November 28-29, 2019. The NATHEALTH Summit would focus on Digital Health, Investment, Skilling and Mainstreaming Innovation, to drive a stronger healthcare narrative and achieve impeccable delivery of a Modern Healthcare System “Made in India” for India. The summit will bring together the entire gamut of players, decision makers, Domain Experts and Academicians to reimagining collaboration to strengthen India’s healthcare growth trajectory. Dr Sudarshan Ballal, President, NATHEALTH said, “The Summit aims to herald a paradigm shift in the way the sector is perceived to grow. The trust barometer among the providers, payers, regulators and the end consumers in the healthcare ecosystem has spiralled down to new lows. The new Government can provide the much needed leverage to the existing schemes and programs and help create new dimensions of growth, infuse positive conversations, besides building a stronger narrative for healthcare in India.” “Today, we stand at crossroads of time which is ready for change. The path to achieve this holistic goal hinges on collaboration, where all the key industry stakeholders can come together, deliberate, cooperate and work in tandem to bridge the vital gaps in service delivery,” he added. According to NATHEALTH, to facilitate private investment & participation on a sustainable basis in making Ayushman Bharat a big success, it is imperative to take actions to reduce cost of creating new infrastructure as well as running healthcare operations. Strengthening the four pillars for Healthcare- Investments, Digital Health, Skill Development and Innovations-would be the main focus areas of Healthcare Federation of India-NATHEALTH’s Annual Summit.  The Summit will be a two day conclave on Reimagining Collaboration to Strengthen India’s Healthcare Growth Trajectory and aims to drive a stronger and purpose-driven healthcare narrative for India. Union Health Minister, Dr. Harsh Vardhan has been invited to inaugurate Healthcare Federation of India (NATHEALTH) Annual Summit 2019. “The summit will open engagement gateways among academia, start-ups incubators, private industry and investors. The Conclave offers a unique platform conducive to meaningful dialogue that will pave the way for collaboration among various stakeholders. The Summit will provide a rare knowledge platform with inspiring keynotes, intense deliberations &participative panel discussions. It will further pave way for a stronger healthcare narrative and achieve impeccable delivery of a Modern Healthcare System which is ‘Made in India’,” said Dr Ballal.  The Summit is expected to provide a platform for building ideas, sharing best practices, showcasing technological innovations around healthcare. Apart from sharing sectoral insights and success stories, we will also be organising an exhibition to showcase medical products and services. The Conclave will host five technical sessions. On day 1, inaugural session would be followed by a session on ‘Digital Solutions: Driving Transformation in the Healthcare Industry to enable next wave of accessibility and affordability. The session would focus on Government & Industry tie-ups for driving transformation in healthcare services in India by leveraging technology. The long-term outcomes would be greater engagement and dialogue at multiple levels to drive policy consensus, ensure enforcement of necessary mechanisms and guidelines to enable healthcare service delivery providers to operate within an established framework efficiently. An added goal of this summit will be to create a harmonized voice for the industry with inclusive participation and clear communications on key issues across industry federations. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15074/cytecare-cancer-hospitals-receives-esmo-accreditation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15074/cytecare-cancer-hospitals-receives-esmo-accreditation.html Fri, 08 Nov 2019 11:15:00 +0530 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), the leading European professional organisation for medical oncology, has presented Cytecare Hospitals in Bengaluru with ESMO accreditation as a Designated Centre of Integrated Oncology & Palliative Care. Cytecare is the first  cancer hospital in India to receive this prestigious accreditation within 3 years of inception . The accreditation was presented during the 6th ESMO world congress at Barcelona, Spain in September 2019. The ESMO Designated Centres of Integrated Oncology and Palliative Care accreditation programme was initiated in 2003 to recognise cancer centres that achieve a high standard of integration of medical oncology and palliative care. The ESMO accreditation is valid for three years. European Society of Medical Oncology provides the accreditation after rigorous assessment of the hospital to ensure that the care is patient centric. Till date only 10 Hospitals in India have received this award. For Cytecare, this has been possible because of the sustained ethos of initiating Comprehensive Oncology care in the first year, which includes interdisciplinary Cancer Care, followed by improvising services in the second year and extending services towards caregivers and families in the third year.  Every cancer is different, as is every patient battling the condition. Cytecare specialises in customised oncological care. From Disease Management (chemotherapy, radiation and surgery) to Supportive Care (blood transfusions, electrolyte, IV fluids, etc.) and Symptom Control (ease pain, nausea, fatigue, constipation, sweating etc.), the multi-disciplinary team of clinicians is strongly guided by national as well as global protocols. Speaking about the latest global recognition, Suresh Ramu, Co-founder & CEO, Cytecare Hospitals said, “We are honoured to receive the ESMO certification, which is granted only to outstanding oncology centres in the world. As India’s first organ-site focused oncology care private hospital, Cytecare is founded on the principle of ‘Fighting Cancer the Right Way’. We have an oncology team comprising of world-class cancer specialists, renowned for their holistic approach to a group of diseases that can be cured, if diagnosed and treated on time. Our practice is strongly in line with the following four pillars- Organ site focused and specialist Oncologists, Standardised Global Guidelines & Tumor Board, Patient-centric culture and Clinical Research.  For us, each patient is unique, as is their treatment journey. Our mission is to make India a global cancer care destination by creating a network of centres excellence across the country.” As practitioners of cancer research methodologies and evidence-based therapies, Cytecare also offers the following services: Physical rehabilitation (helping patients recover and regain strength); Onco-nutrition (re-introducing the concept of balanced eating); Mind-body therapy (designed to support patients and his/her caregivers); Patient navigators (offering highly personal services and strong support network); Pain and palliation (aiming to support, prevent and ease the suffering from the effects of cancer and its treatment); and Psycho-oncology services (psychological counselling, psychotherapy and psycho-education to patients and their loved ones). Dr Raghavendra, Senior Consultant- Pain & Palliative Care, Cytecare Hospitals, said, “Providing comprehensive care to cancer patients has been our ethos from the day of our inception. We have adopted a holistic and patient centric approach rather than focusing only on cancer treatment. This approach has been proved beneficial worldwide; and not only improves the quality of life but also allows patients to undergo treatment and thus improving longevity of life. This kind of patient centric interdisciplinary care which ranges from simple pain management, psychology services, rehabilitation services, onco-nutritional support, mind body medicine and home care support services is a rarity to find under one oncological institute.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15073/vp-calls-for-high-quality-emergency-health-services-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15073/vp-calls-for-high-quality-emergency-health-services-in-india.html Fri, 08 Nov 2019 11:10:00 +0530 The Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu has called for stepping up investments to provide timely and high-quality Emergency Health Services in India. He also wanted all stakeholders in the health sector to develop programs and manuals to train citizens in emergency first aid procedures such as Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for people as they would help in saving lives while waiting for emergency services. Inaugurating the 10th Asian Conference of Emergency Medicine (ACEM) at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi on 7 Nov, the Vice President pointed out that over 3,700 die in accidents on world’s roads every day and tens of millions get injured or disabled every year. He said children, pedestrians, cyclists, and older people were among the most vulnerable of road users. Many of the road accident deaths could be prevented by providing immediate pre-hospital care. Calling for steps to create a well-structured Emergency Medical Services, he said that bystander training and protocols for trauma resuscitation were extremely important elements in improving the architecture of emergency medicine. While pointing out that schemes such as Ayushman Bharat would greatly help the poor and needy in accessing quality healthcare and emergency medical services, the Vice President said “Irrespective of insurance coverage or a person’s capacity to pay, no hospital can deny the right to treatment in emergency cases,” he said. The Vice President stressed the need to develop standardized treatment manuals for all hospitals dealing with emergency and trauma cases in India. “Taking into consideration the topographical and other diversities between India and the Western countries, the Asian Society of Emergency Medicine should come up with tailor-made solutions to the emergency conditions peculiar to this region with particular focus on reaching the rural population,” he said. Naidu asked Medical colleges to incorporate courses relating to emergency medicine and train the undergraduates to deal with the whole gamut of emergencies such as accidents, heart attacks, natural calamities, and others. Referring to the growing incidence of Non Communicable Diseases, especially among the youth, Vice President urged medical professionals to visit nearby schools and colleges to create awareness on preventive measures and to adopt healthy dietary and lifestyle habits. Prof. Yildirey Cete, President, Asian Society for Emergency Medicine, India, Dr. K. Hariprasad, Executive Chairman, ACEM, Dr. Sateesh Kailasam, President, Asian Society for Emergency Medicine were among the dignitaries present at the inaugural of the Conference. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15052/fehi-conduct-heart-transplant-surgery-on-59-year-old-patient-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15052/fehi-conduct-heart-transplant-surgery-on-59-year-old-patient-.html Wed, 06 Nov 2019 11:15:00 +0530 Surgeons at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute (FEHI) are conducting a heart transplant surgery on a 59-year-old male Delhi resident, suffering from Dilated Cardiomyopathy. Waitlisted for over a year, the recipient’s condition was deteriorating rapidly, and a heart transplant was essential to save his life. The transplant became possible when a 43-year-old male, was declared brain dead at Fortis Memorial Research Institute (FMRI) who was suffering from a brain stem bleed. His family consented to donate his heart, liver, kidneys saving the lives of four recipients. Retrieved by team of surgeons from FEHI, the donor heart was transported to FEHI in 31 minutes covering 28 kms by road. Dr Z S Meharwal, Executive Director and Head of the Department of Adult Cardiac Surgery, VAD & Heart Transplantation Program, FEHI is performing the 12th heart transplant for the hospital. Bidesh Paul, Zonal Director, FEHI said, “Our first heart transplant took place in January 2015. Over the past three and a half years, we have come a long way, and this is the 12th Heart Transplant happening in FEHI. As of today, we have a team of almost 40 people under our “Advanced Heart Failure” program, who work on protocol from heart retrieval to heart transplant. With respect to this case we had 10 people to harvest the heart from FMRI. We are extremely thankful to the Delhi and Gurgaon traffic police for their constant support and involvement in making transplants a reality and ensuring ease in execution.” Dr Ritu Garg, Zonal Director, FMRI said, “I would like to extend my gratitude to the brave family who took the noble decision to save lives. Our prayers are with the departed soul and wish the speedy recovery for the recipient. This is an extremely intricate process, which involves co – ordination and synchronization with different stakeholders. We receive support from NOTTO, our clinicians and nursing staff, the police and traffic authorities – who play an imperative role in making each transplant successful. We ensured that the donor family received the necessary counselling and once consent was given, we put into the motion the necessary actions.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15046/aiims-completes-evaluation-of-biolog-ids-transfusion-solution.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15046/aiims-completes-evaluation-of-biolog-ids-transfusion-solution.html Tue, 05 Nov 2019 12:35:00 +0530 After first contacting almost 18 months and completing the preliminary phase, AIIMS (New Delhi, India) and Biolog-id (Paris, France) have a multi-phase evaluation protocol in the field of transfusion medicine, the Transfusion® solution from Biolog-id, successfully completed. The aim of this study was to validate the overall management and traceability of red blood cell concentrates, from the suitability of the blood product to patient transfusion, within this reputed facility. Following the successful completion of Phase 1, with independent inventory management of red blood cell concentrates using Biolog-id's Transfusion® solution, evaluation phases 2 and 3 began at the Central Bank in early September. Phase 2 demonstrated the remote management of the inventory, as well as full traceability, and in real time, between the central blood bank and the emergency room. In particular, physicians were able to allocate and release RBC units using automatic updating of the database, thus avoiding any potential human error, be it in the assignment itself or due to loss of products due to decay or inadequate transport conditions. The evaluation was completed during the third month of October with the implementation of the X-Match module by Biolog-id to ensure the last step in bedside transfusion. This total control from the product to the patient ensures the correct allocation of the products and thus the avoidance of possible transfusion errors, which could be fatal. These three phases have now been successfully completed. Now, the application will be submitted to the administration, so that it can come through a formal process for the full implementation of Biolog-id's transfusion solution. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15042/group-of-iitians-with-senior-gynecologist-conceptualizes-imumz-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15042/group-of-iitians-with-senior-gynecologist-conceptualizes-imumz-.html Tue, 05 Nov 2019 07:00:00 +0530 When an expecting mother nurtures a life in her womb, it is not just her physical health that impacts fetal development but her mental framework and state of emotions also heavily influence the baby’s brain architecture and IQ. Unfortunately, while modern medicine works stupendously to reduce rates of maternal and neonatal mortality, the focus on holistic maternal health and well-being has dwindled over time. Keeping this in mind, two IIT graduates, meditation coach and senior gynecologists has conceptualized a new endeavor ‘iMumz’. It aims to revolutionize the way society approaches maternal health. The platform revives the focus on holistic maternal well-being engrained in the Vedic philosophy of Garbh Sanskar that strongly advocates the need for physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual wellness for a mom-to-be. The iMumz app was recently launched by spiritual guru Brahma Kumari Sister Shivani in the presence of Dr. Dinesh Baswal, Deputy Commissioner, Maternal Health at the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, India and Dr. Shiv kumar Alle Mariyappa, Cardiac Surgeon, MD-CEO, United Global Health & Health Advisor to Prime Minister of India & Nepal. Ravi Teja Akondi, Co-founder & CEO, iMumz said, “While modern medicine does a very good job at reducing maternal mortality rates and giving birth to physically healthier babies, the overworked system does not have the time needed to coach every individual mother about the right approach to mental well-being and lifestyle. Unfortunately, almost 15% of pregnant women end up suffering from a life-threatening complication during pregnancy while a whopping 70% have mild to severe anxiety. Modern lifestyle and prevalence of nuclear families significantly impacts the expecting women’s state of mind. iMumz aims to change this by becoming a constant companion of expecting mothers and coaching them in the right way of approaching maternal health. The digital platform has received immense support from gynecologists from across the country, who is actively recommending it to the patients.” Pregnancy is a physiological process and the mind of a mother plays a huge role in the baby’s development. In fact, the mother’s state of emotions can have up to 51% impact on the baby’s IQ. Researchers have found that through neuropeptides released by a mother’s brain, babies can accurately sense her emotions and this profoundly impacts the baby’s brain architecture. The activity-based digital platform aims to take this awareness to a wide section of expecting mothers and help them adopt a mentally healthy lifestyle. Dr. Jaideep Malhotra, Co-founder, iMumz, President - ISAR, ISPAT & SAFOMS said, “While we understand the importance of physical wellness for expecting mothers, the importance of mental wellness is often inadequately understood. iMumz aims to spread this awareness among mothers and guide them towards adopting the right mental approach to provide the baby the growth environment it needs. The activities we involve the mothers in include mindfulness, creative pursuits, relaxing music as well as yoga, among others. Scientific research has proved how these activities make way for healthy mental development of the baby through the mother’s mind and emotions.” iMumz app engages women in a series of activities to practice mindfulness and mental exercises that help them control anxiety, experience positive emotions and stimulate their minds on an everyday basis. It includes brain boosting exercises that stimulate the baby’s mental development, music therapy to relax and control anxiety, and creative activities that improve the awareness and IQ of the baby. The endeavor aims to bring about a paradigm shift in the approach to maternity health. Apart from acting as a life coach to mothers, the digital platform also intends to devise solutions and tools for clinics and hospitals to offer wholesome well-being to expecting women. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15038/gramalaya-seeks-eco-friendly-alternatives-for-menstrual-hygiene-management-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15038/gramalaya-seeks-eco-friendly-alternatives-for-menstrual-hygiene-management-.html Mon, 04 Nov 2019 15:30:00 +0530 About 180 participants representing more than 75 social enterprises and NGOs from different countries took part in First Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Summit organised by Gramalaya. The two day summit was power packed with several panel discussions and plenary sessions conducted at three different halls in the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, on 26 & 27 September.  Representatives from various Government organizations including Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, NIRD, Hyderabad, Agencies, NGOs and International organizations like UNICEF, PATH India, WSSCC, India, WASH United interested in Menstrual Hygiene & management,  specialists, Medical practitioners, University colleges and Research Institutions, Healthcare consultants, Vendors of menstrual products, and suppliers were present at the summit. It was very interesting to see Business entrepreneurs and start ups exploring MHM related initiatives who chose MHM India Summit 2019 as a valuable platform to showcase, network and promote their eco-friendly products and services.  The inaugural ceremony was magnificently conducted with the presence of Mr. Sujoy Majumdar, WASH Specialist, UNICEF India, Dr. Archana Patkar, Global Thought Leader - MHM, Ex Head of Policy at WSSCC, Ms. SnehaShergill, Mrs.India 2016, Brand Ambassador for MHM, Gramalaya, Mr. S.Damodaran, President - MHM Summit India 2019, CEO, Gramalaya, Sadhvi BhagawatiSaraswati, Ph.D, Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh and Dr. Surbhi Singh, Sachhi Saheli.  Then, four plenary session and six breakaway sessions were held in the summit and experts in the field of MHM, Health, Environment, Gender and Nutrition discussed various topics especially upon issues related to Menstrual hygiene management and other women related topics. They also spoke about their experiences in MHM and Swachh Bharath Mission program menstrual waste management.  The summit was attended by 180 plus delegates including 46 speakers who are the MHM experts and champions in promoting Menstrual Hygiene. The delegates include eco friendly cloth sanitary pad manufacturers, medical practitioners, social entrepreneurs, Government officials, representatives of international organisations and NGOs working for WASH and MHM. There were exhibitors on MHM products including two sessions on do it yourself cloth pads stitching experience.  As a unique experience, the summit embraced a Nukkad Natak (skit play) by the Padbank, UP team and a one of a kind eco-friendly pad making demonstration and pad making experiential workshop conducted by Ms.Lakshmi Murthy, Founder Member, JatanSansthan. The summit encompassed a grand Valedictory Session and Award ceremony lead by Mr. S.Damodaran, President - MHM Summit India 2019, CEO, Gramalaya with Ms. Ena Singh, Assistant Representative, UNFPA and Mr.S.Paramasivan, Sanitation First, India. Gramalaya has conferred unsung hero awards for MHM Excellence to individuals and NGOs working on the MHM field and Eco-friendly alternatives.  The topics discussed at the MHM India Summit include:  In rural India people do not know really what is menstrual hygiene. Age old customs and beliefs such as - do not touch pickle, not to enter the house, etc., People in rural areas use various materials like jute, ash, etc., during the menstruation. Girls attaining puberty at very young tender age of 8/9 years due to various reasons.  Discussions also included, the availability of menstrual products; awareness among the menstruating women on the issues of good and bad practices during the menstrual periods. Rural girls using unhygienic practices and products. Products impact on the pocket of rural girls and women. With free availability and social acceptability of pad, environment is suffering and girls/women's lack of knowledge to dispose the same gets challenging. Girls/women's bodies are more susceptible to infections with poor management of products. Girls/women are nutritionally weak and their vulnerability increases.  The lack of knowledge of proper ways to dispose the pads gets traumatic for girls.    Some of the issues raised by the speakers in the first session which are important:  Initiating a discussion on the needs of physically challenged people regarding safe sanitation. Orientation of people at Panchayat level. Sanitation facilities at public places.   Focus of NGOs should not only be on school children but also upon communities. Recommendations of the MHM India Summit held at New Delhi: The Summit recommended the Government to ban the use and throw sanitary napkins which are harmful to women’s health and the environment.  Without a ban on single use plastic sanitary napkins, we cannot prevent the menstrual waste in the country. Government should have to spend more money to repair the loss made by disposable sanitary napkins to human health and to our water resources. The Government menstrual waste management policy requires more attention on this in a manner of war footing. The summit strongly recommended the Government, MHM volunteers and other stakeholders to encourage and support for eco friendly menstrual Hygiene products and women friendly ones. MHM education, promotion and menstrual waste management should be included in the school curriculum. Women and adolescent girls should be given MHM education in the rural and urban areas. Girls friendly school Toilet complexes should be promoted so that it would reduce the school drop outs and girls attend schools without absence during menstruation days. Gramalaya has promoted 12 villages in Tamil Nadu with 100% Reusable Cloth pads using women and adolescent girls and 100% toilets coverage in the households stopping open defecation practices. ATK Nagar, Uppilikudi panchayat of Kunnandarkoil Block in Pudukottai District of Tamil Nadu is the India’s first village where 100% of the women and adolescent girls using reusable cloth pads as a part of menstrual Hygiene and preventing menstrual waste with 100 % toilet coverage as ODF zone declared by the District Collector through a stone inscription on 14th February 2019. All the menstruating girls and women should be educated about the good and bad practices of poor MHM.  The family members should support the girls and women during the periods and help them overcome the difficulties. Girls and Women have to be educated about the use of natural organic bio-degradable sanitary napkins. Girls and Women have to be educated about the correct and incorrect practices of personal hygiene during the periods.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15034/national-unani-medicine-centre-for-skin-disorders-opens-in-hyderabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15034/national-unani-medicine-centre-for-skin-disorders-opens-in-hyderabad.html Mon, 04 Nov 2019 12:05:00 +0530 Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH Shripad Yesso Naik has inaugurated the National Research Institute of Unani Medicine for Skin Disorders (NRIUMSD) upgraded from Central Research Institute of Unani Medicine (CRIUM) at AG Colony Road, Erragadda, Hyderabad, on 3 Nov 2019. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs G. Kishan Reddy was also present on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, Naik lauded success of the CRIUM in the treatment of vitiligo and other chronic and stubborn diseases and said that it’s perhaps the only medical institution in the world which has treated more than 1.5 lakh patients of Vitiligo alone. In his address, G. Kishan Reddy called the researchers to find safe and viable solutions to prevalent health challenges, such as vector borne diseases, non- communicable diseases, cancer and tuberculosis. Addressing the audience, Additional Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH Pramod Kumar Pathak highlighted current health challenges and urged all to exploit the potential of Unani Medicine in addressing them through its cost effective remedies. Earlier in his welcome address, Prof. Asim Ali Khan, Director General, Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) said that the NRUMSD has been upgraded from the Central Research Institute of Unani Medicine (CRIUM) to a premier institute under the CCRUM. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/views/98/15030/the-other-side-of-breast-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/views/98/15030/the-other-side-of-breast-cancer.html Fri, 01 Nov 2019 17:25:00 +0530 Need for awareness With more than 1 million breast cancer cases per year in India, it is evident that the disease is a growing epidemic among women in the country. Men, though a much lesser percentage, also fall prey to this majorly gender-biased disease. Since, women visit medical experts much more often in their life span for various health problems such as menstrual disorders, prenatal examinations, high- risk pregnancy complications, menopausal issues etc, they get examined by default resulting in the diagnosis of cancer at an earlier stage. According to a report by National Cancer Database, the mortality rate among men due to breast cancer is much higher than in women. Therefore, it is imperative to educate men about the risk reduction of breast cancer as it leads to screening and detection of early-stage breast cancer. As October is observed as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, knowledge-sharing about the subject can further help in increasing the awareness about prevention and early diagnosis of this disease among men. Key factors Breast Cancer in males accounts for less than 1% of all cases in the country. The disease tends to occur at a slightly older age group in men (67 years and above) than in woman (61 years and above), although younger males might also be affected. The conditions that seem to be consistently associated with an elevated risk of male breast cancer are obesity and testicular disorders like cryptorchidism, mumps, orchitis, and testicular trauma. Drugs that cause hormonal imbalance, such as those used for the treatment of prostate cancer, may also increase the risk. In a lot of cases, the condition is directly associated with radiation to the chest wall and occupational exposure to radiation or electromagnetic fields.   Complexities involved Bloody nipple discharge may occur at a fairly early stage and is associated with malignancy in 75% of the cases. Compared with the female breast, changes in the nipple-areolar complex, seen as fixation, retraction, inversion and ulceration, occur with greater frequency in males as compared to females. Tumour characteristics related to advanced-stage (tumour size > 2 cm and positive axillary lymph nodes) are more common in men. Invasive carcinoma of no special type (NST) is the most common and is identical to that occurring in the female breast. Positivity for estrogen receptors is reported in >90% of cases of breast cancer in men and for progesterone receptors in 80% of cases.  Genetics matter Genetic counselling is advised in patients with a strong family history of breast/ovarian carcinoma. As in women, only a small proportion of breast cancers in men can be explained by genetic mutations. Approximately 15-20% of men with breast cancer report a family history of breast or ovarian cancer. Risk is particularly increased in cases of an affected sister (relative risk, 2.25%) or both mother and sister (relative risk, 9.73%). Men who inherit germline mutations in BRCA2 have an estimated lifetime risk of breast cancer of 5%-10%, while the risk in the general population is 0.1%.  Holistic support can help As you know, when a man is diagnosed with breast cancer, it not only puts them under immense stress due to the taboo attached to the subject but also massively impacts the emotions of his family and friends. Fighting breast cancer not only challenges the physical ability of the patients but also their mental health in the form of grief, hopelessness, depression and anxiety. Hence, it is vital that the community surrounding the affected men and the medical experts take care of them, both pathologically as well as emotionally. It is also essential for an initiative to ensure increased awareness about the disease and improved diagnostics.   Aditi Dewan, Consultant Pathologist, CORE Diagnostics ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15017/sanofi-unitaid-global-fund-lower-tb-drug-pricing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15017/sanofi-unitaid-global-fund-lower-tb-drug-pricing.html Fri, 01 Nov 2019 11:00:00 +0530 A new agreement announced by Unitaid, the Global Fund and Sanofi will drastically lower the price of rifapentine, a critically important drug used to prevent tuberculosis (TB). It was announced at the 50th Union World Conference on Lung Health that took place from 30th October to 2nd November in Hyderabad. The conference was convened by the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union).The agreement with Sanofi brings rifapentine (Priftin®) 150mg tablets down from €13.60/pack of 24 tablets to a price of €4.62/pack of 24 tablets, a 66 percent discount. The discounted price will be available to the public sectors of low-income countries, lower-middle income countries, and upper-middle-income countries with a high burden of TB and TB-HIV.The announcement comes on the back of promising Phase IIb results of the M72 TB vaccine candidate reported by pharmaceutical company GSK and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) earlier this week at the TBScience pre-conference event.The official press conference on prevention also revealed that the NIH will launch a  Phase III  multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) prevention trial (Phoenix) in 12 high burden countries including India (Chennai and Pune) and that the final results of The Union’s TITI study point to a new model of pediatric TB prevention efforts.“If we are to end the TB emergency, we need a prevention revolution,” said José Luis Castro, Executive Director of The Union. “It is indeed timely that we are seeing such promising movement on all facets of prevention – vaccines, drug prices and new drugs – now we need to ensure that going forward, preventing wherever we treat becomes the new normal.” The Union World Conference is the world’s largest gathering of clinicians, policy makers, public health managers, researchers and advocates working to end the suffering caused by lung disease, with a focus specifically on the challenges faced by low- and middle-income countries. Some 3,500 delegates from over 80 countries attended the event which was inaugurated by the Honourable Vice-President of India, M Venkaiah Naidu, at the Opening Ceremony. Film and television actress Claire Forlani ambassador for The Union, Dr Ren Minghui, Assistant Director-General at the World Health Organization, senior representatives of the State of Telangana, and Nandita Venkatesan, a TB survivor also addressed delegates at the ceremony. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15019/health-minister-releases-the-14th-nhp-2019.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15019/health-minister-releases-the-14th-nhp-2019.html Fri, 01 Nov 2019 10:00:00 +0530 Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare released the 14thNational Health Profile (NHP) 2019 & its e-book (digital version) in New Delhi. The NHP is prepared by the Central Bureau of Health Intelligence (CBHI) and covers comprehensive information on demographic, socio-economic health status, health finance indicators, health infrastructure and health of human resources in the country. This 14th edition of NHP is the continuation of the publication since 2005. Speaking at the function, the Health Minister stated that data is an important source of understanding the needs and issues of the population. It helps in understanding the goals, our strengths and weaknesses and is also an important means to strategize area specific interventions. Good quality data enables the policymakers to make evidence-based policies and aids effective implementation of various schemes, he added. Dr Harsh Vardhan also suggested that this document should be highly disseminated, so that more and more people who want to develop health interventions or programs can utilize this data and come up with unique solutions and policy suggestions. HFM further said that the e-book of NHP-2019 is a step towards realizing Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Digital India, as digital documents give us an opportunity for wider dissemination of information. Speaking on the occasion, Preeti Sudan, Secretary (Health) stated that data is not only important for understanding the health indicators of the country, but it also provides an opportunity to monitor the situation. She said that the National Health Profile – 2019 indicates that significant progress has been made in the country for various health outcomes, which is an encouraging sign. The NHP highlights substantial health information under major indicators viz. demographic indicators (population and vital statistics), socio-economic indicators (education, employment, housing and amenities, drinking water and sanitation) and health status indicators (incidence and prevalence of common communicable and non-communicable diseases andRCH) etc. The health finance section provides an overview of health insurance and expenditure on health, both public and Out of Pocket Expenditure (OOP)etc. The section on human resources provides an overview of availability of manpower working in the health sector, while health infrastructure sectionprovides details of Medical and Dental Colleges, AYUSH Institutes, Nursing Courses and Paramedical Courses etc. Also present at the release function were Dr. Sanjay Tyagi,DGHS, Dr. Madhu Raikwar, DDG & Director (CBHI) and other Senior Officers of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Directorate General of Health Services. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15015/vp-calls-for-long-lasting-tb-vaccine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15015/vp-calls-for-long-lasting-tb-vaccine.html Thu, 31 Oct 2019 14:05:00 +0530 The Vice President of India, M Venkaiah Naidu has called for developing a new and long-lasting vaccine to combat TB, which was one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide in 2018. Inaugurating ‘The 50th Union World Conference on Lung Health’ in Hyderabad,  he referred to the contention that the effect of BCG vaccine being  administered for TB does not last for many years and said there was an absolute need for a booster vaccine or a new vaccine that is effective and long-lasting. The four day Conference is being attended by the delegates from 130 countries. He expressed happiness that the Indian Government has initiated trials for testing new candidate vaccines. Calling for addressing various causes that spread TB, including poverty and overcrowding, Naidu said that prevention was the most effective way to control the spread of TB and said that more efforts were needed in that direction. Lifestyle disorders such as diabetes also increase the risk of TB, he pointed out. Stressing the need for improved diagnostics to detect TB in organs other than lungs, he said that TB treatment saved around 58 million lives globally between 2000 and 2018 and the TB mortality rate fell by 42% during that period. Expressing concern over the rising incidence of respiratory and lung-related diseases due to air pollution, he observed that exposure to ambient air pollution could lead to reduced lung function, respiratory infections and aggravated asthma. Stating that Government of India was in the forefront of global action to end the emergency on account of the prevalence of Lung Disease and Tuberculosis, he said that the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has pledged a firm commitment to eradicate TB by the year 2025 Referring to the positive outcomes of initiatives such as the Revised National TB Control Program (RNTCP) that brought down TB incidence in India at an annual rate of 1.7%, the Vice President said Public and Private sector must work together to reach out to more TB patients and provide them affordable treatment. Describing Telangana as a dynamic and growing hub for innovative medical science and biomedical industry, the Vice President called upon the business leaders in the state to play a more pro-active role in supporting Research and Development in treatment, care and prevention of TB. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15012/ashas-can-deliver-culturally-appropriate-comprehensive-care-for-ncds-george-institute-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15012/ashas-can-deliver-culturally-appropriate-comprehensive-care-for-ncds-george-institute-.html Thu, 31 Oct 2019 11:15:00 +0530 Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) can deliver culturally appropriate comprehensive care for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) if provided with appropriate training and supervision to maintain quality of service and adequately remunerated to keep them motivated. Community embeddedness, supporting infrastructure with suitable remuneration schemes are critical for the success of any program based on Community Health Workers (CHWs). These are the major findings of a qualitative study undertaken in Andhra Pradesh, India by The George Institute for Global Health researchers. Marwa Abdel-All from The George Institute and the lead author of the study said, “Although ASHAs in Andhra Pradesh are well accepted by the communities they serve, yet, they are not recognized as an integral part of the National Program for Cardiovascular Diseases, Diabetes, Cancer and Stroke (NPCDCS) service delivery team.” While NPCDCS is well designed and described on paper, its roll out lacks details and has led to the sub-optimal implementation of the program. ASHAs are identified as part of the NPCDCS team at the policy level, but not recognized as part of the formal NPCDCS service delivery team on the ground. The study found that as a part-time volunteer in the health system, ASHAs feel overburdened, as they deliver several NPCDCS activities on top of their routine primary care workload without receiving remuneration for the NCD related activities. The study found adequate recognition and integration of CHWs into the health system, functional infrastructure, and a clear role description to be key enablers to optimize CHW programs. “In order to optimize the efficiency of ASHAs, the Indian government should commit towards the development and capacity building of ASHAs for NCD control,” says Dr Marwa, adding that the findings of this study highlight the importance of training, monitoring and support, with evaluation and career development options for ASHAs. There is a gap between community expectations and what CHWs are trained to do. Training should reflect the job description, position requirements, and needs to include both technical and non-technical competencies. “CHWs are uniquely embedded in their communities making them the best-placed with in the health system to deliver some NCD services effectively if provided with appropriate training and supervision to maintain the quality of services. Adequate remuneration, health system recognition together with supporting infrastructure is critical for the success of CHWs programs in India and other developing countries”, says Rohina Joshi Associate Professor of Medicine, UNSW, The George Institute India and the senior author of the study.   “As the range of services provided by ASHAs expands, there will be a debate on whether to increase the number of ASHAs or to create a separate NCD specific cadre. However, in empowering ASHAs for more responsibilities, knowledge, and skills, it is important that they get remunerated for the services and continue to be embedded in the community so that they leverage the strong relationship that is necessary to effectively provide healthcare across the life course”, says Prof Vivek Jha, Executive Director of The George Institute India and Professor of Medicine at UNSW. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15002/jaslok-hospital-launches-breast-cancer-clinic.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/15002/jaslok-hospital-launches-breast-cancer-clinic.html Wed, 30 Oct 2019 09:25:00 +0530 Mumbai based Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre, a leading multi-super-specialty hospital, has launched a new Breast Cancer Clinic to provide quality care, right treatment plan and support to patients with any breast related disease. It is a Multi Disciplinary Cancer Clinic (MDCC) wherein the patient case will be studied by team of specialist multi disciplinary clinical physicians, basis which they will offer coordinated and comprehensive treatment planning to the patient.  Speaking at the launch, Dr. S H Advani, Director, Onco-Sciences, Jaslok Hospital said, “Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting Indian woman. But there is there is so much fear and myths associated with cancer that the patient is immediately plunged into a series of doctor visits, tests and medication. But it is important to help the patient understand the medical condition, be informed of the array of treatments options, support to cope with the situation and have a coordinated care with the doctors to ensure they receive the best medical care. The breast cancer clinic is an effort to help patients not only receive the requisite quality care and treatment but also help other patrons to come for regular screening or consultations so that early detection is possible.” The Breast Cancer Clinic will have multi-disciplinary team of specialists collaborating to give the patient the right treatment plan for any breast related disease. When the patient is at the clinic, the clinic history and physical examination is documented with every visit made to individual specialty physician. These recorded data and other requisite tests results are then studied by the specialist team and a treatment course is drawn based on their recommendation. The clinic also has a MDCC volunteer who will act as a support group for these patients. As a pioneer in specialties like Cardiology, Oncology, IVF, Nephrology and Robot-assisted treatments, the hospital seems to recognize its win through quality-centric approach towards treatment. They have specialized clinics like IVF clinic, first of its kind adolescent clinic, Epilepsy Clinic, Heart Failure Clinic, Pain Management Clinic, Pelvic Floor Clinic, Varicose Veins Clinic, Bladder clinic, Headache Clinic, BP Clinic, Arthritis Clinic, Liver Clinic, Movement Disorder Clinic, a new state of the art ICU, Speech clinic, and varied others, all under one roof. Apart from the Breast Cancer Clinic, the hospital also plans to start a Hip preservation program, so that patients get the entire treatment and care under one centre. The launch of the Clinic was a star studded affair with actor & style icon Kunal Kapoor and Bollywood singer Papon gracing the occasion as the Chief Guests. Kunal Kapoor also heads Ketto, a crowding funding platform for fund raising of social, charity initiatives. Ketto is also the crowd funding partner with Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre.  The launch was followed by a panel discussion on breast cancer and 25 cancer conquerors were also felicitated. The evening ended on a musical note with the doctors showcasing their singing and dance skills.  The launch aptly lauds the sentiment of the month as October is celebrated as-Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Clinic launch also elevates the ‘Pink Note’ endeavour – a community initiative from Jaslok Hospital to raise awareness around breast cancer, a notch higher. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14994/health-minister-to-announce-scale-up-of-innovations-to-treat-lymphatic-filariasis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14994/health-minister-to-announce-scale-up-of-innovations-to-treat-lymphatic-filariasis.html Fri, 25 Oct 2019 15:25:00 +0530 National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India is organizing a National Symposium with the theme ‘United to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis’ on 30 October 2019 in New Delhi. The symposium is to be inaugurated by Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare and will include representation from NITI Aayog and senior government officials from 21 States and UTs. The symposium that will bring together diverse stakeholders including global and national public health experts, partners & donors, research organizations, pharmaceutical companies will deliberate on building a common vision towards achieving the elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis by 2021. Dr. Neeraj Dhingra, Director, National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), says “It is very appropriate that the meeting is being held at this time of the year as 10 states and union territories including high-burden states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha will implement large scale MDA campaign starting in November 2019 that aim to benefit around 106 million population. Out of these, the new Triple Drug Therapy (IDA) will be scaled up in 16 districts across 5 states namely Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Maharashtra to accelerate the pace of elimination of the disease in the country. “ Since the launch of the Global Program to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) by the World Health Organization in 2000, endemic countries across the world including India have adopted a twin pillar strategy including prevention through Mass Drug Administration (MDA) using combination of 2 anti-filarial drugs (DEC and Albendazole) and providing Morbidly Management and Disability Prevention (MMDP) services to those affected by the disease. According to the World Health Organization, MDA is comparable to the top 10 most cost-effective health interventions in the world. Till 2018, 16 out of the 72 endemic countries have been certified by WHO to have achieved elimination of lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem. Learnings from endemic states in India that have stopped MDA and are under surveillance like Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Daman and Diu and Goa and success from IDA pilot districts of Arwal (Bihar), Nagpur (Maharashtra), Simdega (Jharkhand) and Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) will be shared during the day long symposium. The focus of discussions during the meeting will be on: Operationalizing scale-up of innovations like the WHO approved Triple Drug Therapy which uses a combination of 3 anti-filarial drugs - Ivermectin, Diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC) and Albendazole (IDA); Role of effective communications & social mobilization and reaching communities through compelling stories; Creating collaborations and integration between NTD elimination programs like Lymphatic Filariasis and Kala Azar; Ensuring sustained financial prioritization to accelerate elimination efforts for Lymphatic Filariasis; and Increasing access and quality of Morbidity Management and Disability Prevention (MMDP) services to people who are already affected with the disability.  The meeting will be an occasion for mutual sharing of experiences between states and planning for the expected final steps for India to move into what is hoped to be the final phase of elimination efforts for Lymphatic Filariasis in India. (Sixteen countries and territories- Cambodia, The Cook Islands, Egypt, Kiribati, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Niue, Palau, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Vanuatu, Viet Nam, Wallis and Fortuna and Yemen) and Yemen.) ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14990/aakash-healthcare-conducts-successful-total-femur-replacement-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14990/aakash-healthcare-conducts-successful-total-femur-replacement-.html Thu, 24 Oct 2019 18:05:00 +0530 Aakash Healthcare Super Speciality Hospital, Dwarka successfully treated the impossible case of bone cancer of a 42 years old patient. A 1.25 kg tumour in the thigh bone formed a life-threatening risk for the patient. The huge malignant tumour was life threatening and needed treatment, but things seemed to only deteriorate even after 3 chemo sessions. The only option that was suggested to him was amputation of the leg. Dr Aashish Chaudhry, Managing Director and Sr. Consultant - Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement, Aakash Healthcare Super Speciality Hospital, Dwarka and Dr Arun Giri, Head of Surgical Oncology, Aakash Super Speciality Hospital, Dwarka told him that he can get rid of the humongous malignant tumour in his thigh, without having to get his leg amputated. The treatment procedure involved removal of his femur and replacing it with an implant made of alloy for him to walk normally. Recalling the entire case Dr Aashish Chaudhry said, “We knew we could do it and replace the thigh bone with an implant. However, the size of the tumour was a great challenge and most importantly, such a surgery is not much in records due to rarity of such a case. Along with this there were other risk factors involved such as excessive blood loss and heart issues may arise in the patient. After a thorough check-up we strategized the entire plan of the treatment for Sayed Mahmood Sadat. Nevertheless, we were determined to bring his life back to something nearest to normalcy. The procedure was extremely strenuous and took almost 6 hours to remove the hip joint, femur, knee joint and then replace them with metal implants, which were in a way specially designed for this case only.” According to a study conducted in 2016 by The South Asia Journal of Cancer, the occurrence of bone cancer in India is less than 0.2% of all cancer cases, and prevalence of the cancer in femur is even less. Whereas, globally only 3.4 out of a million cancer cases  are of osteosarcoma. Having such a rare incidence rate the treatment options available are also limited. Though this was a challenge for the doctors, they opted to replace the femur bone instead of cutting the entire leg. Total femur replacement for oncological reasons, though is not something unknown to the medical industry, but it is a highly challenging and rare practice. The entire hip-joint, femur, and knee joint was replaced with artificial implants.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14991/aig-hospitals-joins-mayo-clinic-care-network.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14991/aig-hospitals-joins-mayo-clinic-care-network.html Thu, 24 Oct 2019 12:00:00 +0530 Hyderabad based AIG Hospitals is the first health care facility in India to become a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, a group of carefully vetted, independent health care systems that have special access to Mayo Clinic's knowledge and expertise. Physicians from AIG Hospitals will be able to combine their understanding of their patients' medical needs with Mayo Clinic expertise, so patients get exactly the care they need close to home. There is no additional cost to patients. "We at AIG Hospitals are passionate about bringing world-class medical expertise, innovation and technology to India for the benefit of our communities," says Dr D. Nageshwar Reddy, M.D., chairman and managing director, AIG Hospitals. "Our collaboration with Mayo Clinic is a giant leap forward in empowering our patients and physicians to access international clinical expertise and cutting-edge medical knowledge for superior clinical outcomes."  AIG Hospitals is a unit of Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, one of India's leading gastroenterology hospitals. Spread across 1.7 million square feet, AIG Hospitals is one of the largest hospitals in India today, serving over 600,000 patients annually. Tertiary care services include organ transplantation, oncology, cardiology, nephrology, urology, obesity and metabolic therapy, pulmonology, liver sciences and hepatology.  "Mayo Clinic is pleased to welcome AIG Hospitals to the Mayo Clinic Care Network," says Dr David Hayes, M.D., medical director, Mayo Clinic Care Network. "AIG Hospitals is committed to the health and well-being of its communities through dedicated, high-quality care. We look forward to working closely together." AIG Hospitals was selected to join the Mayo Clinic Care Network by demonstrating a commitment to the highest-quality, patient-centered care. In addition, AIG passed Mayo's comprehensive evaluation and review of clinical and business practices, quality, safety and service efforts. Mayo Clinic developed the first integrated multispecialty group practice more than 150 years ago. Today, Mayo Clinic is the largest nonprofit group practice in the world, serving about 1.3 million patients annually. As a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, AIG Hospitals will have access to:   AskMayoExpertThis point-of-care tool offers concise clinical information on hundreds of medical conditions, and includes medical protocols, treatment recommendations and medical references. This tool can be used wherever health care is provided.   eConsultseConsults enable AIG Hospitals' physicians to contact Mayo Clinic specialists for second opinions on specific patient cases when they believe additional input will benefit their patients.   eBoardsThe live video conferences enable AIG Hospitals' medical teams to review and discuss complex cases with a Mayo Clinic panel and other doctors within the Mayo Clinic Care Network.   Health Care ConsultingAIG Hospitals can access Mayo's extensive experience, knowledge and subspecialty expertise to attain clinical, operational and business goals.   Staff from AIG Hospitals also can use educational materials designed for patients, and access opportunities for professional development and continuous medical education. Created in 2011, the Mayo Clinic Care Network has more than 40 member organizations across the U.S., and in Asia, Mexico and the Middle East.   Photo caption- (L-R- Dr D. Nageshwar Reddy, M.D., Chairman and managing director, AIG Hospitals and Dr David Hayes, M.D., medical director, Mayo Clinic Care Network) ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14971/govt-releases-new-guidelines-for-peritoneal-dialysis-services-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14971/govt-releases-new-guidelines-for-peritoneal-dialysis-services-.html Wed, 23 Oct 2019 10:00:00 +0530 In what can be considered as a very important step in the care of patients with kidney disease in India, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has come up with guidelines for establishing peritoneal dialysis services under the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Program. It has also requested all States to include proposals for establishing peritoneal dialysis under their respective program implementation plans. The guidelines aims to serve as a comprehensive manual to States that intend to set up peritoneal dialysis and for providers of peritoneal dialysis as a best practice document for ensuring delivery of high quality, cost effective service and supplies to develop a clinically safe and effective program for children, young people and adult women and men. It also aims to achieve equity in patient access to home-based peritoneal dialysis, reduce the overall cost of care to the system by focusing on efficient leveraging of resources, and bring in consistency of practice, pricing and a full range of product availability.   Development of these guidelines involved a consultative process that was coordinated by the National Health Systems Resource Center and an Expert Committee that was chaired by Prof Vivekanand Jha, Executive Director of the George Institute for Global Health, India and included nephrologists from around the country, as well as health systems and policy experts.  Welcoming the move, Prof Vivekanand Jha, who is also the president of the International Society of Nephrology, said, “This is good news for about two lakh Indians, who develop end-stage kidney failure every year in India. They now have another treatment option that allows them to do dialysis at home with potential flexibility in lifestyle. Mass-based peritoneal dialysis programs also have the potential to substantially bring down the cost of treatment”.   The Government of India announced the National Dialysis Program in the 2016 Union Budget. The first phase of the program envisaged setting up of hemodialysis centres in all districts, Given that peritoneal dialysis avoids the substantial costs of infrastructure set up and maintenance and staffing, reduces the demand on healthcare system and offers patient autonomy, the decision has  now been made to include peritoneal dialysis in the ambit of the National Dialysis Program. “Our evaluation of the implementation of the Hemodialysis program implemented by the State of Andhra Pradesh under the Pradhan Mantri National dialysis scheme shows that making quality dialysis services affordable for people living in rural areas of the country is critical. Establishing Peritoneal Dialysis services under proper supervision of trained manpower can go a long way in making this a reality,” points out Dr Jha.  Prof Arvind Bagga, Professor and Head of the department of Pediatric Nephrology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, and a member of the Expert Committee said, “Children with kidney failure were particularly disadvantaged due to the exclusion of peritoneal dialysis from this program. This modality is particularly suited to children who need dialysis because of biological and lifestyle reasons. Further, pediatric hemodialysis facilities are scarce in India.” The guidelines envisage providing training to community health workers to provide support to persons on peritoneal dialysis in home or in primary health care settings. Prof Narayan Prasad, Secretary General of the Indian Society of Nephrology and a member of the Expert Committee said, "We recommend that simple self-care tools can be developed which can help people on peritoneal dialysis to pre-empt development of complications by detecting them early and be in constant communication with care providers.”  “Our research shows that home-based or self-dialysis can improve the quality of life as well as be cost-effective in the long run. A self-care tool can help patients be in control of their health by receiving real-time assistance through an automated evidence-based clinical decision support system,” says Prof Jha. As part of The George Institute’s larger work on prevention and management of chronic kidney disease, the Institute has developed an innovative mobile phone-based self-care tool for patients suffering from end-stage renal treatment. The application provides a virtual simulation of the care provision scenario under the supervision of primary care patients and nephrologists.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14975/aditya-birla-finance-partners-with-ida.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14975/aditya-birla-finance-partners-with-ida.html Tue, 22 Oct 2019 16:35:00 +0530 Aditya Birla Finance Limited (ABFL) in partnership with Indian Dental Association (IDA) has launched an easy EMI facility for dental treatments at 11th World Dental Show 2019, to make dental treatments more accessible and convenient in the country. Over the past few months Indian Dental Association has been constantly working to bring the most beneficial and economical programs for dentists and patients. This partnership aims at bridging the gap between dentists and patients by making dental financing accessible, cashless, and convenient. Most insurance policies do not cover dental treatments. At times, dental treatments could be expensive and inconvenient. Therefore, availability of easy EMI facility can be immensely useful for people to access right treatment with easy installment options starting at 0% interest. The aim of easy EMI facility is to help dentists with flexible monthly payment options to enable their patients to take advantage of all dental treatment plans without any financial worries. It is a simple, easy and alternative treatment payment method that can be used by dentists to help their patients avail the right treatment with easy installment options. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Ashok Dhoble, Secretary General, Indian Dental Association said, “Easy EMI facility for dental treatments is an important step in facilitating and boosting the dental practice in India. A much-needed service that will ease the patients in terms of easy financing options on EMI basis. This facility is indeed a need of the hour to encourage people to willingly undertake oral treatment. Gearing-up on similar lines as in some of the developed countries.” Rakesh Singh, MD & CEO, Aditya Birla Finance Limited added, “Our partnership with IDA will further enhance our product offering, providing the customers with great value in the form of hassle-free credit with easy installments for their dental treatments. It will be a seamless, fast and convenient transaction which is a win-win for both doctors and patients. At ABFL, we are continuously leveraging technology through strategic partnerships to address the credit needs of customers in the quickest and secure manner.” Currently the program pilot has been launched in Mumbai and Delhi with limited IDA dentist members and will be implemented Pan India in a phase wise manner.         ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14973/acem-2019-announces-10th-asian-conference-to-be-held-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14973/acem-2019-announces-10th-asian-conference-to-be-held-in-india.html Tue, 22 Oct 2019 14:25:00 +0530 The Asian Society for Emergency Medicine (ASEM) and Society for Emergency Medicine India (SEMI) announces the 10th Asian Conference on Emergency Medicine (ACEM) in New Delhi, India from November 7th-10th, 2019. Witnessing its first in India, the biennial conference intends to aim at lectures, discussions and talks on affordable emergency care for all sections of the society, bridging gaps in healthcare and creating a positive impact on society. More than 2000 emergency medicine experts from over 32 nations will be the part of this conference. Eight keynote speakers, including a specialist in emergency and injury/ trauma-care from the World Health Organization (WHO), are scheduled to speak at ACEM 2019. The conference is chaired by Dr Tamorish Kole, Past president- Society for Emergency Medicine India and President-Elect, Asian Society for Emergency Medicine and co-chaired by Dr Sanjay Jaiswal, President – SEMI – DELHI chapter. There are diverse skill-honing pre-conference workshops to prepare doctors in life-saving skills, research and administration abilities. The workshops will be hosted at the conference venue and hospitals all across the capital and NCR. The conference itself will have 228 talk sessions, lectures, panel discussions, board exchanges and debates over 3 days on ongoing advances in emergency medicine (EM), disaster medicine, advocacy in emergency care, simulation medicine, technology in EM, the use of social media in EM, gender equality and equity in emergency medicine and many more innovative tracks. ACEM 2019 has been supported by the International Federation for Emergency Medicine (IFEM), American College of Emergency Physicians(ACEP), Australian College for Emergency Medicine, Association of Healthcare Providers India (AHPI), Association of National Board Accredited Institutions (ANBAI), Healthcare Sector Skill Council of India(HSSC), Association of Environmental and Occupational Health Delhi (AOEHD), Doctors For You (DFY) and British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO) training academy. Dr Tamorish Kole said “ACEM 2019 will provide a wonderful forum to refresh our knowledge base and explore the innovations in emergency medicine. The conference will feature some of the giants of emergency medicine, people who’ve been heard before and some young guns too who are climbing the ladder to success very quickly!”  Speaking on the first ACEM in India, Dr Sateesh Kumar Kailasam, President SEMI, said, “Our Mission is to promote High standards of diagnosis and management of Acute and critical aspects of illness and injury affecting the patients of all ages & to promote Academic and scientific activity in the field of Emergency Medicine. In this endeavour, we are hosting the 10th ACEM at New Delhi to build strategies for emergency care across Asia.”  Representatives from organizations like WHO, IFEM, AHPI, CAHO, Royal College of Emergency Medicine, UK and various other national societies representing emergency medicine in Asia will be sharing their experience and thoughts on providing safe and effective emergency care.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14969/nayati-wins-india-emerging-healthcare-services-provider-company-of-the-year-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14969/nayati-wins-india-emerging-healthcare-services-provider-company-of-the-year-award.html Tue, 22 Oct 2019 13:15:00 +0530 Recognizing its pioneering efforts of taking tertiary and quaternary level healthcare to the people living in tier II tier III cities of India, global business consulting firm Frost & Sullivan awarded Nayati Healthcare with the prestigious India Emerging Healthcare Services Provider Company of the Year 2019. The highly coveted annual Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognizes and awards companies demonstrating visionary growth and strategic development and thought leadership across industries.   Committed to providing world-class healthcare to patients of tier II and III cities in India, Nayati Healthcare has been working towards revolutionizing the healthcare industry in India. Nayati Healthcare is dedicated to developing superlative healthcare institutions which are advanced, affordable and where a patient’s welfare is at the heart of every action. Nayati believes that good healthcare should be sans boundaries and seamless across the country and has embarked on a revolutionary journey of taking advanced tertiary level treatment across the tier II and III cities which have been long neglected.  Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Niira Radia, Chairperson of Nayati Healthcare said, “We are humbled to receive the prestigious award.  We believe that quality healthcare is a basic right to dignity and it is our mission to make quality healthcare accessible, affordable and accountable to all." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14964/fitbit-collaborates-with-bristol-myers-squibb-pfizer-alliance.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14964/fitbit-collaborates-with-bristol-myers-squibb-pfizer-alliance.html Tue, 22 Oct 2019 11:45:00 +0530 The Bristol-Myers Squibb-Pfizer Alliance and Fitbit have announced that they are working together to help drive timely diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (AFib) with the aim of improving earlier detection in individuals at increased risk of stroke. The BMS-Pfizer Alliance and Fitbit plan to collaborate on the development of educational content and guidance to support people at increased risk for AFib. Upon submission and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance of the AFib detection software on Fitbit devices, the parties will aim to provide users with appropriate information to help encourage and inform discussions with their physicians. Wearable technology has continued to become more integrated in the healthcare landscape as people have recognized the value that 24/7 health tracking can have for people of any age or health status, including those at increased risk for specific conditions. Yet, those who use wearables to track their heart rhythm may lack the education or guidance on what to do with the data gathered from their device. “Too many people discover that they are suffering from atrial fibrillation only after experiencing a stroke. In fact, some studies suggest that this is true for more than 25 percent of people who have the condition,” said Joseph Eid, M.D., Head of Medical Affairs, Bristol-Myers Squibb. “These efforts with Fitbit exemplify not only our unwavering commitment to addressing the evolving needs of patients with atrial fibrillation, but also our dedication to advancing care by embracing technology as a part of routine clinical practice.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14962/ayush-minister-inaugurates-ayurveda-unit-at-base-hospital.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14962/ayush-minister-inaugurates-ayurveda-unit-at-base-hospital.html Tue, 22 Oct 2019 11:35:00 +0530 Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH and Defence Shripad Yesso Naik recently inaugurated Ayurveda Palliative Care Unit at Palliative Care Centre, Base Hospital, Delhi Cantt, New Delhi.  On this occasion, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between Ministry of AYUSH and Ministry of Defence for the Integration of AYUSH under the health establishments of Directorate General of Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS). In his inaugural address, the Minister said that our Army soldiers work in very challenging environmental conditions right from Glaciers of Siachin to the Desserts of Thar, which takes a toll on their physical as well as mental health. He said that Ayurveda and Yoga can help the soldiers of Indian army to attain the best of physical and mental health and can improve their endurance. Naik further informed that Ayurveda medicines and Panchkarma procedures like Snehana and Swedana are very effective in treating the Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSDs). Secretary AYUSH Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha and Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services Lt. General Bipin Puri were also present on this occasion. Under the MoU Ayurveda Units will also be established at  Palliative Care Centre, Army Research and Referral Hospital, Air Force Hospital, Hindon, Ghaziabad and Five identified Ex- Service men Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) Polyclinics in Delhi –NCR.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14961/bd-india-organises-heal-o-nomics-focusing-on-hospital-acquired-infections.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14961/bd-india-organises-heal-o-nomics-focusing-on-hospital-acquired-infections.html Tue, 22 Oct 2019 11:30:00 +0530 The rising number of Hospital-acquired infections (HAI) in our country has led experts to gather and discuss the ways to prevent them. BD-India, a leading medical technology company recently organised 'Heal-o-nomics’ in Ahmedabad and Hyderabad, a program conceptualized to apprehend the challenges in preventing HAIs to achieve better health outcomes at optimised cost. Sharing the expertise on the issues related to HAIs, the President of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC), Dr Victor D. Rosenthal, presented his findings on the epidemiology and prevention of Blood Stream Infections (BSI). Hospital-Acquired Infections, also known as a nosocomial infection, are acquired from the healthcare facilities through hospital staff, patients, contaminated equipment and linens. Out of every 100 hospitalized patients, at any given time, seven in high income countries and 10 in low- and middle-income countries will acquire one or more health care associated infections (HAIs). Hundreds of millions of patients worldwide are affected by HAIs each year. According to the World Health Organisation, at any given time over 1.4 million people across the globe suffer from hospital-acquired infection (HAI). HAIs account for 2 million cases and about 80,000 deaths a year. Dr Victor Rosenthal, President, of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium said, “Over last few years India has found the real incidence of Health Care Acquired Infections (HAIs) among hospitalized patients. These infections have been probably caused due to the insufficient compliance with infection control guidelines, such as hand hygiene, and the use of outdated technology. HAIs have further led to morbidity, mortality and increased financial burden among patients. Hence, there is an urgent need to bring down this incidence of HAIs by updating guidelines and increasing compliance with those recommendations and then preventing the infection with bacterial resistance rather than treating it with antibiotics. Spreading education, engaging healthcare workers in conversations around their safety are some other measures that can be implemented in hospitals to aid infection control.” He further added that, “The adverse impact of Catheter-Related Blood Stream Infections (CRBSIs) has been observed in both, patients with central and peripheral vascular catheters. Hospitals use ten times more peripheral vascular catheters than central vascular catheters, the total number of bloodstream infections in patients with peripheral vascular catheters is five times more than the patients with central vascular catheters. To address this issue, we need to opt to better technologies which are based on clinical outcomes, and cost-effectiveness.” The most common types of HAIs are Bloodstream infection, Pneumonia, Urinary Tract Infection, and Surgical Site infections. A study conducted by Dr Victor Rosenthal published in 2015 by INICC evaluated the rates of device-associated infections across 40 Indian hospitals compared to several other countries. The studies were conducted on patients in intensive care units (ICUs). The findings specified that 7.92 central line-associated bloodstream infections occurred per 1,000 central line-days, 10.6 catheter-associated urinary tract infections per 1,000 urinary catheter-days and a ventilator-associated pneumonia rate of 10.4 per 1,000 mechanical ventilator-days. Dr Sajan Nair, CEO, Zydus Hospital, Ahmedabad said ““It has been observed that overcrowding in hospitals with compromised infrastructure, lack of basic infection control practices, skewed healthcare professionals to patient ratio, and non-enforcement of quality accreditation contributes to nosocomial infections-associated deaths in India. Considering these alarming facts, it is important to create a robust environment by implementing required strategies to ensure patient safety. Providing proper trainings to the healthcare workers can be the first step towards creating the safe ecosystem. Initiatives like ‘Heal-o-nomics’ from BD will create a greater impact in improving the patient outcomes in our healthcare facilities.” Dr PBN Gopal, Head of Critical Care Medicine at Continental Hospitals said “Today maximum patients we encounter have been affected by HAIs. It has been observed that overcrowded hospitals with poor infrastructure, lack of basic hygiene, low healthcare professionals to patient ratio, inappropriate usage of invasive devices and antibiotics, and lack of regulation enforcement contributes to nosocomial infections-associated deaths in India. Considering these alarming facts, it’s essential to create a robust environment by implementing required strategies to ensure better patient safety and care. Providing proper trainings to the healthcare workers can be the first step towards creating the safe ecosystem. Initiatives like ‘Heal-o-nomics’ has created a great impact and we are consistently improving the patient outcomes in our healthcare facilities.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/views/98/14958/ayushman-bharat-our-journey-towards-a-healthy-caring-and-structured-healthcare-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/views/98/14958/ayushman-bharat-our-journey-towards-a-healthy-caring-and-structured-healthcare-system.html Mon, 21 Oct 2019 15:35:00 +0530 As Ayushman Bharat completes one year of implementation, we must celebrate India’s leap closer to its intended targets of Universal Health Coverage and SDG3 goal. With more than 18,000 hospitals empaneled, over 10.9 crore E-cards issued and over 54 lakh pre-authorised hospitalisations, the scheme has already benefitted numerous underprivileged families across the country. It is indeed a commendable achievement in a short span and we, as Indians, are proud of this. As we traverse to Ayushman Bharat 2.0, it is important to consolidate and act upon learnings from the first phase. While the idea of Ayushman Bharat is well intended and supported by all stakeholders, implementation calls for improvement. The government has fast-tracked some initiatives aimed at achieving key tenets of UHC i.e, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, capacity building, enhanced use of technologies, as well as access to free medicines and screening; however, achieving the desired results seem improbable in the current landscape. The mammoth scheme, intending to cover about 40% of our population, has many barriers to be resolved. Although many states have joined the scheme, the central and the state schemes are not completely aligned with each other, bringing in anomalies in implementation. Successful execution of Ayushman Bharat would first require a change in the government mindset to bring about massive structural modifications, substantial financial investment along with concerted effort to work with the industry in an atmosphere of faith and trust. Although, the government recognises the significance of private sector participation in the scheme, appropriate incentives for private healthcare providers have not been planned well. Private healthcare sector- that has served as the bedrock of capacity and capability in the last few decades, accounting for nearly 60% of all inpatient care, and being responsible for radically enhancing the quality of care- is currently beset with multi-faceted challenges. These include low profitability, highly competitive markets, decreased investor interest, unviable price caps, unpredictable regulatory environment, rising costs of human resources and many others. Additionally, rising trust deficit of people and the government on the private providers, along with increasing cases of violence against doctors are making the sector unattractive for top talent in the country. The FICCI-EY 2019 report on ‘Re-engineering of Healthcare 2.0’ has observed that while major hospital chains witnessed a surge in bed capacity addition between 2014 to 2016 (at 14%), capacity addition has been significantly decreased between 2016 to 2019 (at 8%). Despite being preferred over government hospitals, the private healthcare sector is currently witnessing declining performance both for profitability and Return on Capital Employed (ROCE). It is expected that with allocation of only 25% of capacity to AB-PMJAY patients, multi-specialty NABH accredited hospitals are likely to witness upto 25% decline in ARPOBs (Average revenue per occupied bed day), upto 50% decline in EBITDA and upto 60% decline in ROCE. The recent corporate tax reduction to 22% is expected to benefit some hospitals, although full recovery from the slowdown will take time. In case of GST, while the government has granted exemption to healthcare services, cost of care to the patients has increased owing to an increased cost incurred by providers on inputs and services consumed to deliver care in absence of provision of input tax credit. The government needs to immediately consider zero-rating of healthcare services, which will ensure that the credit chain is intact, and the input taxes are not loaded into the cost of services but are available as refund to healthcare providers.  The government also needs to concede that unviable pricing in the sector directly impacts patient safety as well as quality of care. Apart from implications of unpredictable policy changes like price caps on medical devices, non-viable reimbursement rates and delays in payments to providers under various public health insurance schemes have been adversely affecting not only financial sustainability of empaneled hospitals but their ability to deliver quality healthcare.  Although delay in payments has been rectified under AB-PMJAY, package rates remain non-viable. On announcement of increase in the rate of 270 packages, addition of 237 new packages and adoption of 43 stratified packages, the industry was hopeful for some resolution on viability. However, the new list has dropped common procedures like dialysis and some cardiology packages have been reduced. It would still be a challenge for 250 bedded tertiary care hospitals to sustain at most of these rates. Further, the approach used for calculating these rates is still unclear and does not include data from private healthcare providers. FICCI has been advocating for adoption of a scientific costing framework to derive rational reimbursement rates. To present evidence, in 2018, FICCI conducted a sample costing study based on Time Driven Activity Based Costing (TDABC)- an internationally recognised bottoms-up costing approach for estimating costs of processes used in patient care, which was submitted to the government.  It is imperative that the government formulates a rationalised reimbursement tariff that defines differential rates for stratified provider groups. Bronze, silver and gold accreditation ratings under NABH, proposed by NHA, is a welcome step; however, stakeholder sensitisation and awareness is required. Ratings should also be coupled with optimal payment models that orient away from fee-for-service (FFS) to reimbursement mechanisms that incentivise quality, efficiency and clinical outcomes.  The government must recognise that unviability in the private healthcare sector- that supports 70% of population’s healthcare needs- is not in the interest of the country. The industry, which has marked India amongst prominent Medical Tourism destinations through its high quality, technologically advanced care at lower costs than global markets, is not only helping earn foreign exchange but also enhancing India’s soft power status. A sick health sector will also result in huge loss in employment as healthcare is one of the largest generators of direct and indirect employment.  For effective participation in the scheme, the private sector also needs to focus on driving 30% plus efficiency improvement across major cost heads by redefining their business models, as recommended in the FICCI-EY 2019 healthcare report. Healthcare providers need to adopt a holistic approach aimed at redesigning operating cost model through a radical design to cost (D2C) approach. This will enable providers to rationalise layout design, human resource, material consumption, medical technology, utility cost and formulary design backed by an unrelenting focus on buying efficiency and commercial excellence along with clinical excellence.  Ayushman Bharat is a long-term opportunity for the country but it will only succeed when there is positive engagement and involvement from all the stakeholders to build a robust, affordable, viable and quality conscious healthcare ecosystem.    Authored by:(Hony) Brig. Dr Arvind Lal, Chair, FICCI Heath Services Committee and CMD, Dr Lal PathLabs ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14956/india-shows-progressive-signs-to-eradicate-malaria-cases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14956/india-shows-progressive-signs-to-eradicate-malaria-cases.html Mon, 21 Oct 2019 12:55:00 +0530 Data from the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) suggests 50% decline in malaria cases in India in 2018. Asia-Pacific has seen remarkable success in its fight against malaria. The recent East Asia Summits saw the regions’ Heads of Government and Foreign Ministers reaffirm resolve to eliminate the disease by 2030. The commitment and new resources have led to plummeting malaria incidence and death rates across the region. Building on this success, global experts now believe that we can eradicate the disease from the world by 2050, according to a new report by The Lancet Commission on malaria eradication. The Asia-Pacific launch of the Commission's seminal report was held recently at the National University of Singapore. The report synthesizes existing evidence with new epidemiological and financial analyses to demonstrate that – with the right tools, strategies, and sufficient funding – eradication of the disease is possible within a generation. Authored by 41 of the world’s leading malariologists, biomedical scientists, economists, and health policy experts, the Commission’s report is the first peer-reviewed, academic document of its kind. Sir Richard Feachem, Co-chair of The Lancet Commission on malaria eradication and Director of the Global Health Group at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) said, “For too long, malaria eradication has been a distant dream, but now we have evidence that malaria can and should be eradicated by 2050.” The region plays a critical role in global malaria eradication While parts of the world have seen a recent resurgence of malaria cases, Asia-Pacific continues to show encouraging signs of progress. Between 2016 and 2017, India alone achieved a 3 million (24%) drop in cases—the only country among 11 high-burden countries to report a reduction in cases.  Many countries once plagued by malaria, including Singapore and Sri Lanka, have eliminated malaria, and momentum seems to be building. China, Malaysia, and Timor-Leste recently reported zero cases of indigenous malaria, and Bhutan and Nepal are on the cusp of elimination. Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs said, “The expertise and technology to eradicate malaria are now available here in the region. Whether we succeed is actually a matter of political will. Countries like Singapore that have eliminated malaria are supporting their peers. The experience gained in the Asian elimination journey can support the effort to eradicate malaria globally.” Dr. Satish Koul, Superspeciality Hospital, Gurugram commented, “It is encouraging to see India leading the world with its success against eliminating malaria and driving down mortality ratio in its highest burden areas. In cognizant with the Narendra Modi government’s vision to eradicate malaria from India completely by 2030, The Lancet Commission report also demonstrates that with coordinated multi-stakeholder approach, right tools, strategies and sufficient funding the disease can be eradicated from the world completely by 2050. India has always been on the forefront of the global fight against malaria and these efforts can be sustained with a strong political will, people involvement and dedicated grassroot level health functionaries”. Fight smarter, bend the malaria curve Asia-Pacific’s war on malaria presents both opportunity and urgency. The Commission calls for specific and deliberate actions to bend the curve and accelerate the decline in malaria transmission in the region and globally. First, effective management and implementation of malaria programs are necessary. Stronger program management capacity, nimble data-driven decision-making, active community engagement, and partnership with the private sector will greatly improve program implementation. Secondly, innovations are vital to overcoming biological challenges to eradication, including new diagnostics, drugs, and vector control as well as novel approaches that can address the region’s most pressing technical challenges of outdoor biting, resistance, and meeting the needs of communities at high risk for malaria. Lastly, malaria eradication will require increased annual investment. Global malaria eradication is likely to cost somewhere between US$6 billion and US$8 billion per year. Currently, the world spends around US$4.3 billion. The Commission proposes a significant increase in government malaria spending. The upward trend of domestic financing for malaria in Asia-Pacific must be sustained. Dr Benjamin Rolfe, CEO of Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance and a member of the Commission said, “Strong leadership and accountability are critical to bend the curve. The Commission proposes that the driving force for global eradication must be a strong push for regional elimination. Asia-Pacific is truly leading the charge with 23 leaders now committed to end malaria here by 2030. If we remain steadfast, our actions here in the region will propel us towards a world without malaria by as early as 2050.”       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14955/major-milestone-for-who-supported-ebola-vaccine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14955/major-milestone-for-who-supported-ebola-vaccine.html Mon, 21 Oct 2019 12:45:00 +0530 The World Health Organization (WHO) welcomes the European Medicines Agency (EMA) announcement recommending a conditional marketing authorization for the rVSV-ZEBOV-GP vaccine, which has been shown to be effective in protecting people from the Ebola virus.  Today’s announcement by EMA, the European agency responsible for the scientific evaluation of medicines developed by pharmaceutical companies, is a key step before the European Commission decision on licensing. In parallel, WHO will move towards prequalification of the vaccine. “The conditional authorization of the world’s first Ebola vaccine is a triumph for public health, and a testimony to the unprecedented collaboration between scores of experts worldwide,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “My deepest gratitude is to the studies’ volunteers, researchers, health workers in Guinea, other countries and the Democratic Republic of the Congo who have put themselves at risk to ensure people are protected with this vaccine.” In the past five years, WHO has convened experts to review the evidence on various Ebola vaccine candidates, informed policy recommendations, and mobilized a multilateral coalition to accelerate clinical evaluations. The EMA review was unique in that WHO and African regulators actively participated through an innovative cooperative arrangement put in place by WHO, which will help accelerate registration for the countries most at risk.    A randomized trial for the vaccine began during the West Africa Ebola outbreak in 2015. When no other organization was positioned to run a trial in Guinea during the complex emergency, the government of Guinea and WHO took the unusual step to lead the trial. A global coalition of funders and researchers provided the critical support required. Funders included the Canadian Government (through the Public Health Agency of Canada, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, International Development Research Centre, Global Affairs Canada); the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (through the Research Council of Norway's GLOBVAC programme); the Wellcome Trust; the UK government through the Department for International Development; and Médecins Sans Frontières. The trial was successfully run using an innovative ring vaccination design. In the 1970s, this ring strategy helped to eradicate smallpox, but this was the first time that an experimental vaccine was evaluated this way.  WHO celebrates the commitment and sacrifices made by so many over the last five years, an international effort that led to this landmark moment in public health. The difficult and painstaking work was undertaken by a global team of researchers, health workers, partners, regulators, governments and field workers from logisticians to vaccinators, and finally, local communities. Together they overcame many obstacles. WHO also recognizes the Canadian government contribution to the early development of this vaccine. Anticipating that in coming years there will be higher Ebola vaccine demand during and between outbreaks, WHO is working with Gavi, UNICEF and other partners to develop a Global Ebola Vaccines Security Plan, as increased supply capacity and multiple manufacturers will be needed in the short- to medium-term to meet this demand and ensure vaccine security. There are 8 vaccines undergoing clinical evaluation. WHO continues to work with partners towards an internationally coordinated governing mechanism to ensure access according to risk criteria, and manage supply and stockpiles, especially as supply will remain limited until a full manufacturing capacity is established or other vaccines are licensed. A roadmap aiming to accelerate prequalification and coordinate actions and contributions to the licensing and roll-out of the rVSV-ZEBOV-GP vaccine in African countries has been developed. This announcement will not have an immediate effect on how the vaccine is accessed or administered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as licensing has not yet occurred, and licensed doses will only be available mid-2020. The vaccine will continue to be used in the country under a research protocol (also known as “expanded access” or “compassionate use”), and with the ring vaccination strategy. In the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, more than 236,000 people have been vaccinated with rVSV ZEBOV GP donated by Merck to WHO, including more than 60,000 health and frontline workers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda and Burundi. “This vaccine has already saved many lives in the current Ebola outbreak, and the decision by European regulator will help it to eventually save many more,” said Dr Tedros, WHO Director-General. “I am proud of the role WHO has played, from supporting the research, to conducting the trial in Guinea in 2015.”  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14951/indian-dental-association-inks-partnership-with-docmode.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14951/indian-dental-association-inks-partnership-with-docmode.html Mon, 21 Oct 2019 12:20:00 +0530 The Indian Dental Association (IDA) in partnership with Mumbai based DocMode has introduced online dental continuing education (CE) courses for dentists across India. The CE will provide practising dentists and dental students’ access to a series of live courses on the evolving clinical advances coupled with recent scientific and technological progress in dentistry. The IDA-DocMode association would deliver cutting-edge and innovative online education to the dental professionals, having direct impact in the patient treatment outcome, besides improving medical practice. “We’re committed to improving public oral health by promoting advanced, science-based dentistry besides education, research and development of high standards for dental care in India,” said Dr. Ashok D. Dhoble, Secretary General, Indian Dental Association. “With this vision, our aim is to further boost the most advanced continuing education courses for all practising dentists and dental students, enhancing their knowledge, skills and capabilities for highest standard of healthcare and patients outcome,” Dr. Dhoble, further added. The comprehensive online learning courses will be a 45 to 50-minute session, which will continue for a period of one year. Participants will receive a certificate from IDA upon course completion. “Continuing education and specialized development are crucial for dentists, due to advances in medical science and the need to integrate new knowledge and techniques to best manage oral health in present times,” said Hans Lewis, Founder and CEO, DocMode. “We’re offering a wide range of courses that addresses widely prevalent practices today in the oral heath segment. The courses will be excellent and informative for all dentists,” said Paulson Paul, Founder and COO, DocMode. Practising dentists and students from different parts of the country are expected to participate in the series of live lectures on different specialties of dentistry. India has 180,000 registered dental graduates, out of whom only about 80,000 active practitioners. Practising dentists, however, are mostly concentrated in the urban while rural India continues to suffer from inadequate dental services. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14949/hcfi-organizes-26th-perfect-health-mela-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14949/hcfi-organizes-26th-perfect-health-mela-.html Mon, 21 Oct 2019 12:00:00 +0530 The Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) organized its annual flagship event – the 26th Perfect Health Mela between 18th and 20th October 2019 in association with the Health and Family Welfare Dept. NCT Delhi, NDMC, and other central and Delhi state government departments at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi. The theme for this year’s event was ‘Fit Delhi, Fit India’. Speaking at the valedictory, Padma Shri Awardee, Dr KK Aggarwal, President, HCFI, said, “I am extremely happy to witness huge participation once again this year at the Mela and I am thankful to everyone who made this event a success. Our campaigns on hygiene, fitness and harm reduction have taken off well and we hope to cover more ground on these issues. It is time that each one of us focuses on holistic health and fitness by making changes to our diet and lifestyles. I also urge everyone to have a healthy Diwali, and take necessary precautions to protect oneself and others from injury and harm.” In his message, IAS Radheyshyam Julaniya, Secretary Sports, Government of India urged everyone to join the Fit India Movement and congratulated HCFI on the success of the event. A special campaign on antibiotic resistance was launched in association with the World Health Organization. Thousands of people took the pledge that they will not take antibiotics without consulting with their doctors. Medical practitioners too promised to only prescribe antibiotics when absolutely necessary.  The event was supported by brands including personal and fabric hygiene brand Fena, restaurant chain Imperfecto, educational institute Ansal University, medical device company Medtronic, Coca Cola, LIC and other organizations. Speaking on the occasion, Prof Dr. Monica Chaudhry, Director, School of Health Sciences, Ansal University, said, “We are delighted to support an event of the scale of Perfect Health Mela and it is heartening to see the huge participation over the last three days. Students can become a great force in propagating the message of preventive health and HCFI is leading by example in this aspect.” Among other things, the Mela this year focused on Happiness Index, fitness for a better living and harm reduction. A campaign on the benefits of saline nasal drops during the Diwali season to combat ill effects of pollution was also launched in association with Nasivion S. Saline drops are a safe solution for dry and stuffy noses and can help improve nasal hygiene and are safe to be used in all age groups including kids.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14946/nha-eastern-coalfields-organize-ab-pmjay-awareness-drive-at-jharkhand.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14946/nha-eastern-coalfields-organize-ab-pmjay-awareness-drive-at-jharkhand.html Mon, 21 Oct 2019 09:00:00 +0530 PM-JAY Ayushman Bharat in collaboration with the Eastern Coalfields Limited, organized an Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) Beneficiary Identification and awareness drive at Mugma Regional hospital and Chapapur Colliery, open cast project under Mugma area, Jharkhand, wherein approx. 200 contractual staff and ad hoc labour including coal miners were screened to identify the beneficiaries and their families. This drive was organized to increase awareness about the Government of India’s flagship scheme AB PM-JAY and the benefits offered under the scheme. It will enable the contractual staff of the Coal India Limited and their families to verify their eligibility under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY at the Beneficiary Identification system (BIS) kiosks. This will help the identified beneficiaries avail secondary and tertiary treatment for serious illnesses anywhere across the country. The objective behind the execution of this drive was to understand the feasibility level of BIS rollout via CSC, wherein 5 VLEs were responsible for their kiosk. Earlier in South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), Chhattisgarh, the execution of BIS drive enabled us to understand the feasibility level of BIS rollout via empaneled hospital. Both the models were successful in implementing the BIS drive. Sharing their views, Vinay Ranjan, Director (P), Eastern Coalfields Limited highlighted that their partnership with the National Health Authority is a step forward in enabling quality healthcare and access to the patients. They look forward to a productive partnership. Dr. Indu Bhushan, CEO, AB-PMJAY, and National Health Authority said, “With successful drives in South Eastern Coalfields Limited and seven railway zones earlier, this collaboration with Eastern Coalfields Limited will enable us to further expand our network to provide quality inpatient care. Across all drives, we have received an incredible response from the contractual staff and we look forward to effectively drive awareness about Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY among potential beneficiaries. We deeply appreciate Eastern Coalfields Limited’ support in helping us expand our network by empaneling their hospitals with us.” Earlier this year, National Health Authority signed an MoU with the Coal India Limited empaneling 32 hospitals covering 6 subsidiaries under PM-JAY. This Seventh drive is a step forward to streamline processes of healthcare delivery in the country by bringing in coal hospitals in the PM-JAY network and enable more and more people to seek and avail inpatient care at the country’s best hospitals. In line with this initiative, one pilot has already been successfully conducted on 1st June 2019 in Mumbai at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (under Central Railways) and at Mumbai Central (under Western Railways).   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14936/icd-therapy-can-help-reduce-mortality-among-sca-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14936/icd-therapy-can-help-reduce-mortality-among-sca-patients.html Fri, 18 Oct 2019 09:50:00 +0530 It is a well-known fact that less than 5% of patients survive a cardiac arrest outside a hospital setup. In patients who have undertaken ICD, the first-year recurrence rate of SCA has been reduced by 1% to 2%. A recent study of patients with a high possibility of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) revealed that use of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) resulted in a 49% relative risk reduction in mortality, compared to those without an ICD implant. The use of ICD therapy to prevent SCA remains underutilized among patients in India. The need of the hour is to raise awareness on the effectiveness of this therapy in saving lives and the fact that it has proven to be 99% effective in treating ventricular arrhythmias – a major risk factor for SCA. SCA is caused when there is a sudden and abrupt loss of heart function due to the rapid and/or chaotic activity of the heart known as ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF). People with a family history of the condition or a case of heart diseases previously are at risk for SCA. Speaking about this, Dr. Manoj Kumar, Director & Head - Cardiac Cath Lab, Max Super Specialty Hospital, Patparganj, New Delhi, said, “A sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is triggered by an electrical malfunction in the heart causing arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) in the form of Ventricular fibrillation and VT. With this disruption in the heart function, other organs of the body also stop receiving blood supply. In the absence of immediate treatment, the person can die. One of the most effective ways to treat an SCA is defibrillation, a technique in which an electrical shock is delivered to the heart. ICDs are often used to defibrillate and help the heart return to a normal rhythm. These devices also help in collecting information, which can be used in diagnosis, and addressing the exact needs of the patient.” An ICD is a small, pacemaker-like device placed under the skin, and can reset the heart’s rate and rhythm. It continuously monitors the heart 24 hours a day and if a rhythm problem is detected, the device sends out electrical signals to correct it. Adding further, Dr. Manoj Kumar, said, “Timely intervention and defibrillation are crucial to improve the chances of survival during an SCA. Survival rates as high as 50% to 70% can be achieved if defibrillation is done within 3 to 5 minutes of collapse. Further treatment can be initiated after the person is resuscitated and taken to the hospital.” Some tips to prevent a Sudden Cardiac Arrest Patients with positive family history and baseline electrical abnormalities on ECG require cardiologist’s evaluation and AICD implantation prophylactically if indicated. Survivor of sudden cardiac death, implantation of AICD is mandatory. Patients with cardiomyopathy (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy) should be evaluated for heart rhythm abnormalities and ICD implantation to prevent sudden cardiac death. Eat healthy. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are all imperative in preventing damage to the heart. One should also consume less of saturated fat and cholesterol-rich foods. Use less salt and sugar while cooking. Reduce stress through techniques like yoga and meditation. Extreme stress can increase blood pressure and contribute to heart problems in the long run. Make sure you get adequate physical activity every day. This improves the heart rate and blood circulation. It will also keep weight under check. Ensure you get your vitals checked regularly. This includes blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14935/indo-dutch-summit-focuses-on-innovative-healthcare-solutions.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14935/indo-dutch-summit-focuses-on-innovative-healthcare-solutions.html Fri, 18 Oct 2019 09:40:00 +0530 The Department of Science and Technology along with CII recently organized the India-Netherlands Technology Summit in New Delhi with a theme ‘NEXUS’ having discussions focused on co-creating innovative solutions for global challenges pertaining to water, food and good health. The Technology Summit served as a forum for showcasing opportunities for Indo-Dutch collaboration across key areas as well as for highlighting fruitful cooperation on topics pertaining to the public good. Together, the two countries have made strides in addressing societal challenges and leveraging technology towards creating a better future. One of the key areas of joint efforts has been tackling Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) through a “One Health” approach, and the Summit featured dedicated sessions on this. AMR is a multi-faceted challenge, with drivers going beyond mere overuse or misuse of antibiotics in humans and animals. That is why the ‘One Health’ approach also looks at environmental factors that contribute to the AMR burden, including inadequately treated effluent from pharmaceutical manufacturing units, run-off from poultry farms, slaughterhouses, and liquid waste from hospitals. Compared to other countries in the European Union, resistance rates are particularly low in the Netherlands, primarily because of early adoption of the ‘One Health’ approach, which aims to combat AMR holistically in the healthcare system, in animals, in food and in the environment through coordinated action. The Global Action Plan on AMR outlines five strategic priorities for action, and the Indian National Action Plan on AMR (NAP-AMR) goes one step beyond and adds a sixth priority – Leadership and Collaborations – which covers international, national as well as state-level collaborations. Frans Vlaar, Member, AMR Industry Alliance (Responsible Production and Consumption) and Vice President for Centrient Pharmaceuticals stated that, "This battle against AMR isn't for governments to fight alone. The pharmaceutical industry has an important role to play in ensuring that both manufacturing and sale of antibiotics are done in a sustainable manner. The AMR Industry Alliance is a coalition of life-science industry players who have joined forces to curb antimicrobial resistance in four different areas: research & science, appropriate use, access and manufacturing.” Lav Aggarwal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India said,  “India launched its National Action Plan on AMR (NAP-AMR) in April 2017 in line with the ‘One Health’ approach proposed in the Global Action Plan. Antimicrobial Resistance is a global public health challenge, and it is imperative that countries come together to jointly fight it. The Netherlands’ National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), which advises the Government of Netherlands on AMR related matters, has also been working closely with the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Our collaboration with the Netherlands has helped us learn from their experiences and success on AMR surveillance, and containment of resistance in the environment.” Dr. Henk Bekedam, the WHO Representative to India, stated, “Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been identified as a global, regional and national priority for WHO. Integrated solutions are needed to address the complex, multi-factorial and multi-sectoral challenge posed by AMR. The ‘One Health’ approach involving all stakeholders from human health, animal health, agriculture, food and environment are critical in our battle against AMR. We are committed to strengthening collaboration on AMR, standardizing surveillance, ensuring infection prevention and control, and antimicrobial stewardship towards containment of AMR. As the technical partner for the India-Netherlands collaborative project on AMR, WHO will support the analysis and dissemination of lessons learnt to help scale up interventions across India.” Dr. Sujeet Singh, National Centre for Disease Control, Government of India said, “India remains committed to the fight against AMR, and we have made progress across various fronts in this regard. We are grateful for support from the Netherlands for the ongoing pilot study underway with them in the state of Andhra Pradesh, which we will be able to expand to other states. International cooperation is a key pillar of our NAP-AMR commitment, as the world does not have time to lose in containment of AMR and together, we stand stronger and better prepared.” In addition, to the Netherlands, India also has ongoing cooperation with the United Kingdom, Sweden, USA, Norway and Japan to promote and support research on various aspects of AMR and strengthen India’s surveillance capacities. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14922/yrgcare-collaborates-with-netsuite-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14922/yrgcare-collaborates-with-netsuite-.html Thu, 17 Oct 2019 10:00:00 +0530 YRGCARE, an Indian non-profit that provides clinical care to individuals diagnosed with HIV and other infectious diseases, has selected Oracle NetSuite to support its mission to save more lives. Through NetSuite’s Social Impact program, YRGCARE has been able to focus its resources on helping those in need and support a growing number of patients across India by taking advantage of unified platform to streamline business processes and reduce operating costs. To bring its clinical care, education and research to more people and support expanded services for patients with hepatitis C, tuberculosis, STDs and other infectious diseases, YRGCARE has expanded from three locations across India to 15. To support its growing operations, which currently help approximately 4,000 people a year, and ensure all resources are used as efficiently as possible to support its mission, YRGCARE selected NetSuite.  Ganesh Aylur Kailasam, chief program officer and research administrator, YRGCARE said, “We are focused on the needs of those who are not receiving care, support, education, and information about HIV other infectious diseases. I joined YRGCARE when we launched 25 years ago and as we have grown to help more and more people, our operations have become more complex. With NetSuite we have been able to reduce that complexity so we can ensure we can spend time and resources on making a real difference in people’s lives.” With NetSuite, YRGCARE has been able to automate previously manual processes and enhance visibility across its growing operations. NetSuite has enabled YRGCARE to reduce the time taken to close its financial processes from 45 days to 10 days and redeploy resources that were previously dedicated to procurement and IT management to focus on directly helping those in need. The enhanced visibility into business operations has enabled YRGCARE to track expenses on a per-project basis and comply with reporting requirements from donors, which includes several U.S. government agencies, while also meeting Indian government tax requirements. Graeme Burt, VP & Chief Commercial Officer, Oracle NetSuite JAPAC said, “Nonprofits like YRGCARE do amazing and incredibly difficult work and that requires complete focus. With NetSuite, the YRGCARE team has been able to drive efficiencies across their core business processes so they can focus their time, resources and expertise on reducing the spread of infectious diseases in India.  We have huge admiration for the YRGCARE team and applaud their commitment to the communities in which we live and work.” As a nonprofit, YRGCARE is benefitting from donated software through the Oracle NetSuite Social Impact program. Through the Suite Pro Bono part of the program, the organization is receiving support, at no cost, from skilled NetSuite employees to help them use the platform more effectively. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14923/narayana-health-city-cures-bone-cancer-with-pedicle-cryotherapy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14923/narayana-health-city-cures-bone-cancer-with-pedicle-cryotherapy.html Wed, 16 Oct 2019 17:30:00 +0530 Doctors at Narayana Health City performed pedicle cryotherapy, a new procedure to treat bone cancer in 28 year old patient suffering from bone cancer. The procedure not only cured her from bone cancer, it also allowed her to retain her natural bone. Pedicle cryotherapy is one of the newer surgical techniques. Unlike, in the traditional form of surgery wherein the cancer affected bone is cut at two ends, removed from the body and the section replaced with an artificial bone, in pedicle cryotherapy only one end of the affected bone is cut. The treatment is done keeping the other end in continuity with the limb and the surrounding muscles, tendons as well as soft tissue. The affected area is dipped in liquid nitrogen. Liquid nitrogen produces temperature of -195 degree, which kills all the tumor cells. Once the cells are destroyed the same bone is put back in its original position and fixed with a plate. The patient underwent surgery under the aegis of  Dr Suman Byregowda, who did a wide local excision of the involved part of the thigh bone and around 20 cm of thigh bone containing the tumour was dipped in liquid nitrogen, sterilized and positioned back in the same place and fixed with a plate. The bone healed completely in 3 months. As the treatment protocol requires chemotherapy she was advised to undergo chemotherapy for 5 months post the surgery healing. Elaborating about the advantages of pedicle cryotherapy, Dr. Suman Byragowda, Musculo-Skeletal Oncosurgeon, Narayana Health City, said “The biggest advantage of pedicle cryotherapy is it allows the patient to do any activity without restriction. As traditional surgery inserts an artificial metal bone, the patient is restrained from sitting on the floor or doing any physical activity that exerts pressure on the legs. Another advantage is that the recovery is much faster as the normal bone and soft tissue structures are not damaged. Further, in pedicle cryotherapy, the cost is almost half of the standard procedure as it obviates the need for metallic bone / prostheses. It also eliminates the need for revision surgeries that come with prostheses. The metal bones do not last more than 15 years and require replacement every decade. Further, apart from well trained and skilled orthopedic oncosurgeon and Operation theatre and supporting staff, the procedure doesn’t need high end machines and infrastructure like bone banks or Radiotherapy bunks.” Bone cancers are rare tumors accounting to only about 1-3 % of all types of cancers. Few years back, bone cancer was considered to be as a dreaded disease. Today with the advent of modern surgical techniques, chemotherapy and radiotherapy it is possible to save the limb in more than 90 percent of patients and cure cancer completely in about 60-80 percent of patients compared to just 20% patients earlier. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14915/ivf-experts-call-for-early-implementation-of-art-laws-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14915/ivf-experts-call-for-early-implementation-of-art-laws-.html Tue, 15 Oct 2019 17:40:00 +0530 Given mindless utilisation of infertility treatments and discard of age factors, fertility experts strongly recommend urgent revisit on Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Bill 2017 by the government to properly regulate and monitor it in the country.   Recently a 74-years old woman delivered twins and that alerted the fertility fraternity. As per the Bill —the reproductive technology services shall not be available to a woman below the age of 18 years and above the age of 45 years. Dr Archana Dhawan Bajaj, Gynecologist, Obstetrician and IVF Expert, Nurture IVF Centre said, “The government needs urgently to revisit the Bill. Due to a lack of strict regulation through ART laws, we are witnessing a surge in unethical practices and rampant commercialisation of IVF. As an IVF expert, I also strongly recommend that the ART should not be made available to women below the age of 18 and above the age of 45.” It is a proven fact that women are most fertile between the ages of 15 and 30.  “IVF at advanced ages come with risks of pregnancy loss, fetal anomalies, stillbirth, and obstetric complications. It is also associated with medical comorbidities in mother due to increasing maternal age like hypertension, diabetes and heart problem. It poses risks to both mother and child,” Dr Archana added. The Indian Fertility Society (IFS) has also condemned the mindless misutilization of IVF technologies.  Appealing all its members and health professionals to abstain from such unethical malpractice which may risk the lives of the patients, offsprings and future generation, Dr. Pankaj Talwar, Secretary General IFS, said, “We, as reproductive health professionals, have a great responsibility towards society and couples. The ART should not be made available to women below the age of 18 and above the age of 45.” In India, currently, there is no prohibition on the ART above 45 years of age or below 18 years.  Dr. Anoop Gupta from Delhi IVF Fertility Research Centre said, “The Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) has come as a boon for infertility treatment. However, this needs to utilise ethically and we need to keep both the health and social aspects of the patient in mind. I strongly recommend that the ART should be available to a woman above the age of eighteen years and below the age of forty-five years.” The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has been making efforts to put in place regulations and had drafted the ART Bill. Fertility experts expect that now ICMR would take urgent action to once again re-introduce the Bill in Parliament.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14914/technologically-advanced-equipments-in-spine-surgery-attains-a-success-rate-of-more-than-95-fortis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14914/technologically-advanced-equipments-in-spine-surgery-attains-a-success-rate-of-more-than-95-fortis.html Tue, 15 Oct 2019 17:30:00 +0530 Doctors at Fortis Hospital, NOIDA claimed that the success rate of Spine Surgery performed with modern and technically advanced equipments is more than 95%. The application of systems like High-end Operating Microscope, Neuro Monitoring System, Neuro Navigation or use of Robotics and good quality Fluoroscopy helps improve the success rate of spine surgery. This was revealed by Dr Rahul Gupta, Head of Department of Neurosurgery, Fortis Hospital, NOIDA and Dr Gaurav Bansal, Senior Consultant, Department of Neurosurgery, Fortis Hospital, NOIDA. To corroborate with this revelation, five patients shared their first-hand accounts when they underwent spine surgery successfully to cure them of spinal tuberculosis, tumors and other such lethal conditions. The prevalence, treatment and prevention of such condition can be successfully cured through Spine surgeries using modern techniques under expert guidance of neuro-surgeons. Fluoroscopy is a type of medical imaging that shows a continuous X-ray image on a monitor, much like an X-ray movie. During a fluoroscopy procedure, an X-ray beam is passed through the body. Neuro-monitoring system helps reduce the risk of nerve damage during surgery. High end Operating Microscope magnifies the size of nerves and vessels to prevent any operative injury. Speaking about the success of spine surgery, Dr Rahul Gupta said, “Technology helps elevate humane expertise to greater extents. Spine surgery is also an example of this. With the developments and advancements in technologies, our experience in treating complicated spinal diseases has improved drastically. This demolishes the myth of any doubt around success rate of spinal surgeries. Please consult an expert neuro-surgeon who is eloquent with these techniques for better results while undergoing spinal surgeries.”  On the occasion of World Spine Day, the focus has also been on enabling people to manage their back and neck pain through movement and exercise. This was also communicated today at the awareness talk today about spinal health and spine disorders. On this, Dr Gaurav Bansal said, “Back ache related to spine is very common now-a-days. Due to our change in our job profiles, sedentary lifestyle, lack of exercise, use of heavy backpacks etc. accentuates these problems. Many of these may develop into extremely serious conditions that must be treated surgically. Back pain is most common and may have a long term effect worsening to a point of immobility. It is important to lead a healthy lifestyle and seek professional help if you are suffering from chronic back ache.” In an independent report, young population in Delhi undergoing back pain is highest in the country. At least 20% of the patients treated for back & neck conditions fall into the age group between 16 and 34 years. Prevention is therefore key and this year’s World Spine Day encourages people to be make changes to their lifestyle and reduce the load on their spine by exercising and ensuing movement.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14912/non-profit-yrgcare-selects-netsuite-to-save-more-lives.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14912/non-profit-yrgcare-selects-netsuite-to-save-more-lives.html Tue, 15 Oct 2019 17:05:00 +0530 YRGCARE, an Indian non-profit that provides clinical care to individuals diagnosed with HIV and other infectious diseases, has selected Oracle NetSuite to support its mission to save more lives. Through NetSuite’s Social Impact program, YRGCARE has been able to focus its resources on helping those in need and support a growing number of patients across India by taking advantage of unified platform to streamline business processes and reduce operating costs.  Founded in 1993 by the late Dr Suniti Solomon, a pioneer in India’s fight against HIV, YRGCARE has supported more than 20,000 patients ranging from small children to pregnant women and other infected adults. To bring its clinical care, education and research to more people and support expanded services for patients with hepatitis C, tuberculosis, STDs and other infectious diseases, YRGCARE has expanded from three locations across India to 15. To support its growing operations, which currently help approximately 4,000 people a year, and ensure all resources are used as efficiently as possible to support its mission, YRGCARE selected NetSuite.  “We are focused on the needs of those who are not receiving care, support, education, and information about HIV other infectious diseases,” said Ganesh Aylur Kailasam, chief program officer and research administrator, YRGCARE. “I joined YRGCARE when we launched 25 years ago and as we have grown to help more and more people, our operations have become more complex. With NetSuite we have been able to reduce that complexity so we can ensure we can spend time and resources on making a real difference in people’s lives.”  With NetSuite, YRGCARE has been able to automate previously manual processes and enhance visibility across its growing operations. NetSuite has enabled YRGCARE to reduce the time taken to close its financial processes from 45 days to 10 days and redeploy resources that were previously dedicated to procurement and IT management to focus on directly helping those in need. The enhanced visibility into business operations has enabled YRGCARE to track expenses on a per-project basis and comply with reporting requirements from donors, which includes several U.S. government agencies, while also meeting Indian government tax requirements.  “Nonprofits like YRGCARE do amazing and incredibly difficult work and that requires complete focus,” said Graeme Burt, VP & Chief Commercial Officer, Oracle NetSuite JAPAC. “With NetSuite, the YRGCARE team has been able to drive efficiencies across their core business processes so they can focus their time, resources and expertise on reducing the spread of infectious diseases in India.  We have huge admiration for the YRGCARE team and applaud their commitment to the communities in which we live and work.”  As a nonprofit, YRGCARE is benefitting from donated software through the Oracle NetSuite Social Impact program. Through the Suite Pro Bono part of the program, the organization is receiving support, at no cost, from skilled NetSuite employees to help them use the platform more effectively.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14904/nanavati-hospital-conducts-program-on-spine-management.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14904/nanavati-hospital-conducts-program-on-spine-management.html Tue, 15 Oct 2019 11:55:00 +0530 Only one in five patients, suffering from spinal disease, need to undergo a surgery, said leading spine surgeons from Nanavati Institute of Spine Surgery (NISS). The team has performed over 1000 spine surgeries in past two years and said majority patients neglected back pain and lacked awareness about the spine management programs. The spine rehabilitation program at Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital, spearheaded by eminent spine surgeon, Dr Mihir Bapat cited spinal diseases as one of the most feared and common diseases today. “There is a huge economic, psychological and physiological burden in terms of loss work due to frequent leaves and decreased quality of life. Fear of spinal diseases tends to drive these people towards opting for traditional treatment methods rather than seeking a professional spine rehabilitation program,” said Dr Bapat, Director NISS who recently accomplished the feat of completing 8000 spine surgeries. Statistical trend of spine patients at Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital (NSSH) showed sedentary lifestyle and poor postures as the most common causes of spinal ailments. While the patient suffering from back problems were spread across age group of 18 to 65 years, lumbar slip disk was considered as most common disorder amongst all. “Mobile and computer over use and obesity were also amongst the common causes of back pain as they tend to put excess pressure on the spine and spinal column. Due to technological and clinical advancements, we were able to perform successful microsurgical, key-hole procedure to ensure minimal hospital stay and early recovery” said Dr Amandeep Gujaral, Senior Consultant, NISS.  Dr Rajendra Patankar, Chief Operating Officer, Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital said the spine rehabilitation program at the hospital is one of the most advanced and busiest in the country. “The annual prevalence of Spinal Cord Injuries is about 20 million and majority of patients fear of spinal surgeries and increase their probabilities of temporary or permanent disability. All our patients who lead a painless, post-surgical life are standing testimonials of advancements in spinal surgeries and its success rate,” said Dr Patankar.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14903/proper-diagnosis-critical-to-address-liver-kidney-diseases-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14903/proper-diagnosis-critical-to-address-liver-kidney-diseases-in-india.html Tue, 15 Oct 2019 11:45:00 +0530 Timely screening for creatinine levels through a simple blood test, proper blood pressure monitoring and eating sensibly were some of the key takeaways at a conference held in Mumbai recently. “Long standing diabetes is a major cause of kidney disease in affluent and urban population of India in Delhi and Chennai. Even in Singapore and Mumbai, Diabetes happens to be the major cause for Kidney failure,” informed leading Nephrologlist Dr Lye Wai Choong , Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Singapore during his speech.  Kidney stone, infections and kidney tissue inflammation are the causes of kidney disease outside major cities in India. Hypertension is a manifestation of kidney disease and is difficult to control it. Therefore, creatinine levels have to be assessed. It should be ideally at 1.3, if it is above that then kidneys are functioning at less than 50% and needs therapeutic intervention. Dr Choong further remarked on the sidelines of the conference, “Fatty liver happens to the leading cause of Kidney disease. Our kidneys are the best kidneys no matter how bad they are. No kidney transplant last forever. Immunosuppression is double edged sword with side -effects. Therefore, post-transplant management is therefore important to help kidney transplant become successful.”   Dispelling the myth about adverse affects of hypertensive medicines on Kidneys, Dr Choong clarified, “hypertensive medicines given to kidney disease patients need to be customized based on the patient’s medical condition and are widely available in India with no side effects”. Besides this, early detection of Hepatitis B virus infection allows for timely intervention and treatment to prevent or delay serious complications in liver disease patients. According to Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist, Dr Kieron Lim, Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Singapore “Common causes of Liver Cirrhosis are Hepatitis B and Fatty Liver. Compounding problem further, 75% of people with Hepatitis B live in Asia and Fatty Liver is the most common problem in the world impacting people in the age group of 40 to 60 years. Estimated prevalence of Fatty Liver is 10-40 % in general population and 70% in diabetics.” Non –alcoholic Fatty liver Disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease, affecting 17 to 46% of the developed world. Left undiagnosed, it may lead to complications such as liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14902/pm-jay-crosses-50-lakh-treatments-mark.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14902/pm-jay-crosses-50-lakh-treatments-mark.html Tue, 15 Oct 2019 09:55:00 +0530 Half a crore hospital treatments have been provided under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), the flagship health assurance scheme of the Government of India, in just over a year. There are 9 hospital admissions every minute across India, in the first year. PM-JAY was launched by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi on September 23, last year. The scheme has now crossed 50 lakh treatments mark. These secondary and tertiary level treatments worth Rs. 7,901 crores have been carried out in the 32 States and Union Territories implementing the scheme. More than 60% of the amount spent has been on tertiary care. Cardiology, Orthopaedics, Radiation Oncology, Cardio-thoracic and Vascular Surgery, and Urology have emerged as the top tertiary specialities. Lauding the progress of the scheme, Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare said, “The Ayushman Bharat family is growing by leaps and bounds. In just over one year, under PM-JAY more than 50 lakh treatments have been availed by beneficiaries across the country. But, this is just the beginning for this path-breaking scheme. We are grateful to our Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi ji for his visionary leadership. The successful implementation of this scheme will help us take forward Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay’s vision of “Antyodaya” – the upliftment of the last man, such that this deprived man gets the benefits of development. The aim of our government is to make Bharat “Rog mukt and Ayushmaan!” Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Indu Bhushan, CEO, NHA said, “50 lakh hospital treatments is a significant  milestone for PM-JAY, but there is a long journey ahead. The scheme will continue to focus on reducing catastrophic out-of-pocket health expenditure, improving access to quality health care and meeting the unmet need of the population for hospitalization care, so that we move towards the vision of Universal Health Coverage. Empowering the poorest people in the country with the assurance of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY is a major area of focus for us.” PM-JAY is a partnership of public and private sector health systems. The 50 lakh hospital admissions have taken place in the public and empanelled private hospitals that provide care to the beneficiaries under the scheme. To date, 18,486 hospitals have been empanelled across India. In the first year, 53% of the empanelled hospitals are private, especially multi-specialty hospitals. So far, the scheme has been implemented in 32 States and Union Territories, and there are more than 50,000 portability cases, wherein migrant and travelling eligible Indians have availed their treatment outside their home states.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14900/medica-hospital-bags-cleanliness-award-by-goi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14900/medica-hospital-bags-cleanliness-award-by-goi.html Mon, 14 Oct 2019 16:30:00 +0530 Kolkata-headquartered Medica Superspecialty Hospital has been recognised for its dedicated efforts towards excellence in promoting cleanliness, high standards of hygiene, sanitation and infection control. The city-based private hospital has been honoured with the Kayakalp Awards constituted by the Government of India (GoI) under the category of Hospital contributing to improved quality of care. Dr. Alok Roy, Chairman of Medica Superspecialty Hospital received the award from Hon’ble Union Health Minister, Dr. Harsh Vardhan. Medica Superspecialty Hospital is the only multi-specialty Hospital to have received this prestigious award from Eastern India in the year 2019-20 under the Kayakalp scheme of the Centre, which is aimed at encouraging public health facilities to maintain cleanliness and hygiene. Addressing the delegates and dignitaries present at the award ceremony in Delhi, Dr. Alok Roy said, “Cleanliness should be incorporated in our daily lifestyles. We are thankful to the Government of India, as Kayakalp has played a pivotal role in reinstating and reconfirming trust and confidence of the citizens in public and private health facilities. As we celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the efforts put up by the public and private healthcare to conform to the Kayakalp standards well go on to pay a true tribute to the Mahatma.” Introduced in 2015 by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Kayakalp Awards are given to district hospitals and health centres that maintain cleanliness and hygiene throughout the year by taking extra initiatives. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14899/aakash-healthcare-launches-two-new-programs-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14899/aakash-healthcare-launches-two-new-programs-.html Mon, 14 Oct 2019 15:55:00 +0530 Aakash Healthcare Super Specialty Hospital, Dwarka has recently celebrated 1100 births at the facility with the launch of Aakash MomMe program and Aakash Citizen Card, to join the home coming of little ones and to provide them care even after the newborn has been taken to their home. Priyanka Raina, Founder - Gracia Raina Foundation launched the programme along with Dr. Aashish Chaudhry, Managing Director; Dr. Kousar Ali Shah, Chief Operating Officer; Dr. Meinal Chaudhry, HOD & Senior Consultant, Dept of Radiology; Dr. Shilpa Ghosh, Director, Dept of Obs & Gynecology, Aakash Healthcare Super Speciality Hospital, Dwarka, New Delhi. The Aakash MomMe program is a program dedicating to Would-be Mothers to ensure that their journey during pregnancy goes smooth with adding benefits like prenatal yoga classes, lactation counseling, postnatal exercises, lamaze/childbirth education & baby care sessions etc. At the event Aakash Healthcare gifted the parents of newly born with complimentary Aakash Citizen Card which offers enormous benefits and specialized healthcare services for the children, ensuring the celebrations and care to go on even after the child is born. Dr. Shilpa Ghosh said, “Aakash MomMe is not only a program. It is a concept and philosophy of inclusions of choices in the beautiful journey of 9th month pregnancy. Our expert team of doctors, nurses and the state-of-the-art birthing studio offer compressive, compassionate world class care to the mother and the baby.”   Priyanka Raina said “Being a mother is an undefinable strength and inspires one to explore capability to provide their children with the best. Health being the first priority, it is undeniable that we need to be prepared towards all maladies that our children might come across. MomMe Programe by Aakash Healthcare is one such program which provides quality healthcare facilities to the members.” Dr. Meinal Chaudhry said, “Celebrating this occasion makes us happy, especially with the 1100 families that put their trust with Aakash Healthcare. Aakash MomMe program and Aakash Citizen program are two precious program of ours which we are offers various services and offers to a mom to be and to her new born baby till the age of 17 years with each time they visit the Hospital.” Dr. Aashish Chaudhry said, “Seeing all those happy faces and adding up to their joy makes us extremely proud. However, children need to be taken care of especially in the early years as this is their most important time for development of mental and physical capabilities. Preventive healthcare is need of the hour, parents should check and treat any illness or congenital problems in early years of their newborns; awareness and quality healthcare services are key in managing such disorders.” This event was organized to show gratitude towards couples and families who showed their trust to deliver their bundles of joy at Aakash healthcare.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14894/fortis-hosts-india-arthritis-and-osteoporosis-conclave-2019.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14894/fortis-hosts-india-arthritis-and-osteoporosis-conclave-2019.html Mon, 14 Oct 2019 11:40:00 +0530 Fortis Flt. Lt. Rajan Dhall Hospital in collaboration with the Bone and Joints Society, Indian Orthopedic Association - Delhi Chapter, Dr Joints Group of Clinics and G.D Goekna University, Gurugram, organized the ‘India Arthritis and Osteoporosis Conclave’ recently at Taj Vivanta Ambassador, Sujan Singh Park, New Delhi. The theme of the event was, ‘Locomotion Disability Prevention in Senior Citizens’. A team of doctors from Fortis Flt. Lt. Rajan Dhall Hospital Dr. Dhananjay Gupta (Director, Orthopedics), Dr. Alka Jha (Director, Endocrinology), Dr. Abhilekh Srivastava (Consultant, Neurology), Dr. Varun Kumar (Consultant, Orthopedics), Dr. Gurinder Bedi (Director, Orthopedics), Dr. Manoj Miglani (Director, Orthopedics) along with Mahipal S Bhanot, Facility Director, Fortis Hospital Shalimar Bagh, Mangla Dembi, Facility Director, Fortis Hospital Vasant Kunj along  with other dignitaries like Ortho Heads from AIIMS, Safdarjang Hospital, LNJP Hospital, Sports Injury center, prominent lawyers, Insurance co Director, school principal were part of this event. The conclave aimed at bringing the key issues afflicting the senior citizens in the sunset years. World Arthritis Day is celebrated on 12th October and World Osteoporosis Day is celebrated on 20th October. Both these conditions along with muscle sarcopenia affect the locomotion of elderlies significantly making them a burden on the society. Timely investment in phased manner is likely to create an asset for the society which can be utilized effectively for upliftment as a whole of country. This can be best achieved by bringing together healthcare practitioners from the fields of neurology, orthopedics and endocrinology, general physicians and physiotherapists with the objective of building synergies to effectively minimize the risk posed by progressive rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). Key lies in early detection and that can be accomplished by sensitizing the first line of medical personnel’s who come in contact with senior citizens. The Important topics that were covered included locomotion syndrome, sarcopenia, gait disturbances, degenerative versus inflammatory arthritis, data collection in arthritis and osteoporosis, fragility fractures, guidelines for the pharmacological management of osteoporosis, use of robotics in joint replacement surgeries, bone regeneration and optimization of post-surgery outcomes. Dr. Dhananjay Gupta said, “We are extremely proud to be hosting the ‘India Arthritis and Osteoporosis Conclave’ this year. It is an important platform for practitioners across India where they can come together to discuss important issues pertaining to rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) and Osteoporosis.” Rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) are a diverse group of diseases that commonly affect the joints, but can also affect the muscles, other tissues and internal organs. There are more than 200 different RMDs, affecting both children and adults. They are usually caused by problems of the immune system, inflammation, infections or gradual deterioration of joints, muscle and bones. Many of these diseases are long term and worsen over time. They are typically painful and Iimit function. In severe cases, RMDs can result in significant disability, having a major impact on both quality of life and life expectancy. Fragility fractures are seen in Osteoporotic bones, commonly affecting the spine and hip joint, making them bed bound for long duration. If not treated well, they may end up with more such debilitating fractures.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14893/who-welcomes-vital-addition-to-global-funds.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14893/who-welcomes-vital-addition-to-global-funds.html Mon, 14 Oct 2019 11:35:00 +0530 The World Health Organization (WHO) welcomes new funding commitments made at the Global Fund’s Sixth Replenishment Conference in Lyon hosted by the Government of France, on 9-10th October 2019. The pledges, amounting to $14.02 billion will cover a three-year period (2020-2022) to finance the fight against HIV, TB and malaria. The renewed commitment to replenish the Global Fund will mean that over 110 affected countries will receive critical financial support for health allowing them to scale up infectious diseases responses and to fight back against drug resistance and other threats. It is expected that the Global Fund will continue to invest a good proportion of this money to strengthen health systems, including building diagnostics capacities, surveillance systems and supply chains. WHO and the Global Fund have worked closely together since the Global Fund was set up in 2002 to help countries establish and sustain nationally-driven programmes to fight HIV, TB and malaria. It provides vitally needed funding, while WHO supplies technical expertise and guidance at both global and country level.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14672/bmj-india-launches-course-in-palliative-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14672/bmj-india-launches-course-in-palliative-care.html Sat, 12 Oct 2019 11:00:00 +0530 Palliative care is dedicated medical care for people with serious illness. This type of care is focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family. The most common and serious symptom experienced by patients in need of palliative care is pain.  Most severe pain experienced during advanced progressing conditions like cancer and AIDS demand the need for optimum ways of pain control including use of opioid analgesics. To ensure most effective care for patients, palliative care should be started at the time of diagnosis and continues throughout the treatment, and if need be, the support is even offered to the family after patient’s death.  If cure is possible, palliative care provides pain relief, symptom control and minimizes suffering.  One of the major areas of intervention for Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation, since 2002, has been supporting training and capacity building and infrastructure development in cancer care. It has been committed to making cancer treatment and care available to the patients across all socio-economic strata. Considering the significant role played by prevention, in 2010, the Foundation added cancer prevention to its program on cancer care. Since then it has been supporting capacity building initiatives in the areas of cancer prevention, screening and referral. Another important component in the field of cancer treatment being palliative care - the foundation has now decided to grow its support for palliative care initiatives which can enable communities across socio-economic categories to access care. Also, considering that availability of medical practitioners in the field of palliative care is the biggest limitation, the Foundation has decided to work towards creating a pool of resources that are scientifically trained in the field of palliative care. We always believe that the Palliative care as a specialized stream of service that needs to find its ground in the healthcare space.   As a step towards that the Foundation along with BMJ has facilitated developing an online course on palliative care. The course is expected to be launched in October 2019 around the World Hospice and Palliative care day (12th October). It is a three-month online course for physicians and interested medical professionals that has been curated and authored by eminent experts from the field of Palliative care in India and edited by a team of experts in the United Kingdom. The course will enable learners to understand and apply the principles of palliative care in chronic and life-limiting illnesses, help them to identify the palliative care needs of the patients, assess and manage pain and other physical symptoms amongst many more important areas. The scope of palliative care is not just limited to end of life but to large number of adult and pediatric patients with chronic illness till receiving curative treatment. There is emerging evidence to suggest that palliative care intervention significantly improves quality of life, survival, symptom control, psychosocial issues, communication, and access of health resources and cost of care. Worldwide cancer forms only 25% of palliative care needs in adults and 6% of palliative care needs in children. Therefore, there is a huge need to address non-cancer palliative care need. According to Dr. Monique Kamat, Chief Executive Officer, Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation "Our country is classified under high palliative care requirement region of the world (AS PER Global Atlas of Palliative Care) - about 175-275 people per 100,000 population need Palliative Care services in India However, not all of them have access to it, the gap in the service provision is visibly huge. With increasing trend of Non-communicable diseases and longevity of treatment due to advancement in medical technology – the demand for palliative care services is bound to further increase. Health services and social ecosystem must work together towards making community aware about patients’ rights to provide living will about treatment options in end of life care. Community must be made aware about the significance of home-based palliative care provisions, which has the potential to improve the quality of End of Life Care". Due to increasing number of non-communicable diseases and cancer cases, at the same time advances in the medical science and technology – need for Palliative care is ever increasing; There are number of diseases that may require provision of palliative care including: Alzheimer’s and other dementias, cancer, cardiovascular diseases (excluding sudden deaths), cirrhosis of liver, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, kidney failure, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14891/zifi-fdc-breaks-world-record-for-health-pledges-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14891/zifi-fdc-breaks-world-record-for-health-pledges-.html Fri, 11 Oct 2019 16:25:00 +0530 Mumbai based ZIFI-FDC has officially broken the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDSTM (GWR) title of the Most pledges received for health campaign of completing Antibiotic course. Antibiotic Resistance is one of the major challenges that doctors are facing today worldwide. Antibiotic Non-Compliance has been one of major factors for Antimicrobial Resistance. To address this raging public health concern of Antibiotics Resistance and Antibiotic  non-compliance, ZIFI-FDC Ltd. took the initiative and ran a campaign called ‘SANKALP’, where  FDC Spectra Field force involved  all key stakeholders like Patients, Doctors, Chemists and Paramedical staff by taking a pledge from them for completion of full course of Antibiotic therapy. ZIFI took the initiative to educate maximum number of patients about the importance of completing the full course of antibiotic therapy and supporting Health care professionals (Doctor, Paramedical staff & Chemists) ZIFI through SANKALP Campaign  has covered  maximum number of people by taking their pledge for completing the full course of antibiotic therapy,  5,69,057 (five lakh Sixty nine thousand fifty seven) pledges were taken by key stake holders like doctors, chemists, patients and paramedical staff, thereby breaking the world record which was audited and approved by Guinness World Records.    FDC would like to thank all doctors, patients & Chemists involved in this social awareness of completing antibiotic course to reduce the AMR. This Global recognition is representation of FDC’s commitment towards wise Antibiotic usage and Compliance, where Mr G. C.Kandpal, Sujit Barge have lived the passion of protecting current Antibiotic with wise usage and Mr. Narendra Sharma has executed to the ground in coordination with FDC-Spectra Field force under the able guidance of Mr Masood Shauqi for completing the campaign in specified period. Along with this we appreciate the efforts of Mr. Kushal Bhagchandani (Kushaya Crafts) for conceptualising this work and getting the record achievement end to end. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14888/fortis-healthcare-launches-unmuteyourself-campaign.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14888/fortis-healthcare-launches-unmuteyourself-campaign.html Fri, 11 Oct 2019 14:00:00 +0530 On the eve of World Mental Health Day, Fortis Healthcare has to launch an initiative called #UnmuteYourself. This is an online movement against silence and stigma attached to the mental health.  As part of this initiative, Fortis Healthcare and PLUC will be conducting an interactive workshop with school and college undergraduate students to sensitise them about the importance of mental health in everyday lives. These workshops will be conducted by Dr Samir Parikh, Director, Department of Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences at Fortis Healthcare. The workshops will be conducted across Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Jaipur, Mohali, Ludhiana and other cities. Commenting on the workshop, Dr Samir Parikh said, “It’s important that positive conversations around mental health take place in social media. Social media has a significant reach and we need to ensure that this reach is beneficial. #UnMuteYourself is an initiative by Fortis Healthcare to encourage people to talk rather than bottling up their feelings.” Close to one in every five people across the world suffer from a mental health related disorder at some point in their life. According to the latest findings by World Health Organisation (WHO), depression is now the leading cause of disability worldwide. Despite its prevalence, problems related to mental health continue to be shrouded in stigma. Mental health problems therefore continue to go unidentified or untreated, and people continue to suffer in silence.           ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14885/fortis-healthcare-launches-unmuteyourself-challenge.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14885/fortis-healthcare-launches-unmuteyourself-challenge.html Fri, 11 Oct 2019 09:10:00 +0530 On the eve of World Mental Health Day, Fortis Healthcare, India’s leading healthcare solution provider, partnered with TikTok, the world’s leading shot-video platform, and People Like Us Create (PLUC), India’s leading mobile storytelling network, to launch an initiative called #UnmuteYourself. This is an online movement against silence and stigma attached to the mental health.  As part of this initiative, Fortis Healthcare and PLUC will be conducting an interactive workshop with school and college undergraduate students to sensitise them about the importance of mental health in our everyday lives. These workshops will be conducted by Dr Samir Parikh, Director, Department of Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences at Fortis Healthcare. The workshops will be conducted across Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Jaipur, Mohali, Ludhiana and other cities. Close to one in every five people across the world suffer from a mental health related disorder at some point in their life. According to the latest findings by World Health Organisation (WHO), depression is now the leading cause of disability worldwide. Despite its prevalence, problems related to mental health continue to be shrouded in stigma. Mental health problems therefore continue to go unidentified or untreated, and people continue to suffer in silence. To extend further support and mobilize more people to participate in this movement, TikTok, the world’s leading short video platform, will launch a hashtag #UnmuteYourself, an in-app challenge inviting users to join movement against silence and stigma. Additionally, the hashtag description will provide information about the 24*7 helpline run in 14 languages by The Department of Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences at Fortis Healthcare at +918376804102. Commenting on the workshop, Dr Samir Parikh said, “It’s important that positive conversations around mental health take place in social media. Social media has a significant reach and we need to ensure that this reach is beneficial. #UnMuteYourself is an initiative by Fortis Healthcare to encourage people to talk rather than bottling up their feelings.” “The topic of mental health has not been discussed enough, and those who have expressed concerns about their mental health have often been made to feel inadequate. It’s high time we tackle this matter without inhibitions. Through this collaboration, we hope to create a community of users who can support and offer viable solutions to break stigmas related to mental health and motivate individuals to freely express themselves,” said Mr Nitin Saluja, Director, Public Policy (India) at TikTok.  “With this #UnmuteYourself challenge, we aim to encourage TikTok users to create videos that are essentially personalized action plans for people wishing to take early action to improve their mental wellbeing. This is part of our ongoing commitment towards empowering our users to take care of their mental health,” Mr Saluja further added.  “Mobile phone and social media apps are strong tools to empower and spread positivity. We look forward to more such initiatives from trusted brands like Fortis Healthcare and TikTok”, said Mr Shubham Gupta, Head of Storytelling at PLUC. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14884/hcg-puts-focus-on-psychological-care-for-cancer-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14884/hcg-puts-focus-on-psychological-care-for-cancer-patients.html Fri, 11 Oct 2019 09:00:00 +0530 On World Mental Health Day, HCG – The specialist in cancer care organised a session to bring about conscious awareness and highlight the importance to facilitate professional psychological assistance to cancer patients and their families. According to the 2019 report Cancer patients have a 4-fold risk of suicide compared to the general population. There is also a two-fold increase since a previous study in 2002. This risk is potentially preventable if we address the psychological needs of cancer patients and their families. Unfortunately to meet this crying need we have only about 25-30 psycho-oncologists in India! Unmet psychological needs of cancer patients have huge clinical implications: patients drop out of treatment, have poor tolerance to treatment and treatment outcomes, including the high risk of suicide and survivorship. Therefore, International agencies such as International Psycho-oncology Society (IPOS), UICC including WHO has endorsed the emotional well-being of cancer patients as the 6th vital sign and recommend integrating Psycho-oncology into mainstream cancer care. Dr. Brindha Sitaram, Group Director, Psycho-oncology Service said, “Cancer brings with it tremendous psychological distress to cancer patients and their families. Nearly 3 out of 5 Cancer patients experience severe psychological distress warranting professional psychological intervention. A nationwide study in India showed that nearly 92% of cancer patients experience psychological distress of varying magnitude. Psycho-oncology addresses the Psychological issues and concerns of cancer patients and their families and must be integrated into mainstream cancer care. Dr. B. S. Ajaikumar, Chairman & CEO, HealthCare Global Enterprises Limited addressing on World Mental Health Day said, “Cancer not only affects the body but also have a profound psychological impact like anxiety and depression throughout the cancer journey and beyond. Cancer care professionals need to address the emotional needs of their patients and refer them to qualified mental health professionals. Early detection of emotional difficulties of patients can lead to a better quality of life and treatment outcomes.” In India, to meet this ultimate objective, it is imperative that the professional care providers (Oncologists, Nurses, Mental health professionals) must be sensitized to emotional needs of cancer patients and de-stigmatize the psychological needs for cancer patients and their families. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14870/dr-harsh-vardhan-launches-strategic-roadmap-to-work-with-who.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14870/dr-harsh-vardhan-launches-strategic-roadmap-to-work-with-who.html Thu, 10 Oct 2019 11:30:00 +0530 “The country is passing through a phase of not only transition, but also immense productive transformation in the health sector”. This was stated by Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan as he launched ‘The WHO India Country Cooperation Strategy 2019–2023: A Time of Transition’, in New Delhi. The Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) provides a strategic roadmap for WHO to work with the Government of India towards achieving its health sector goals, in improving the health of its population and bringing in transformative changes in the health sector. Speaking at the event, the Health Minister stated that the four areas identified for strategic cooperation of WHO with the country encompass: to accelerate progress on UHC; to promote health and wellness by addressing determinants of health; toprotect the population better against health emergencies; and to enhance India’s global leadership in health. He added that under the vision and leadership of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi , the country has seen phenomenal advances made in various aspects of the health sector. Dr Harsh Vardhan stressed on the need for health to be made a people’s movement where the positive health attitude is inculcated in everyone, and everyone takes responsibility of their own health through preventive and promotive health approach. He mentioned about various social initiatives taken up such as Eat Right India movement, Fit India movement and Poshan Abhiyaan that have collectively engaged with the people and enhanced the awareness around these crucial health areas through people’s participation.  Dr Harsh Vardhan added that besides the health priorities detailed in the strategy, focus needs to be given on other equally pertinent health areas of environmental and occupational health, accidents and road injuries, and good nutrition and food safety. Emphasizing the need of inter-ministerial collaboration for a healthy nation, Dr Harsh Vardhan suggested that a mechanism needs to be institutionalized wherein every ministry has a health section/department, so that every policy factors in its health implications. Preeti Sudan, Secretary (HFW) stated that India is conscious of the challenges that still exist. Given this, the document needs to have flexibility in order to factor in the changing health scenario in the country. She added that the CCS builds upon the work that WHO has been carrying out in the last several years. “In addition, it identifies current and emerging health needs and challenges such as non-communicable diseases, antimicrobial resistance and air pollution. We are fully committed to this collaborative strategy”, she added. Dr Henk Bekedam, WHO Representative to India said “The implementation of this CCS will build on the remarkable successes in public health that India has demonstrated to the world. It’s a great opportunity to showcase India as a model to the world in initiatives such as digital health, access to quality medicines and medical products, comprehensive hepatitis control program and Ayushman Bharat. We are geared to step-up to leverage opportunities and address challenges to ensure maximum public health impact.” The India CCS is one of the first that fully aligns itself with the newly adopted WHO 13th General Programme of Work and its 'triple billion' targets, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and WHO South-East Asia Region’s eight Flagship Priorities. It captures the work of the United Nations Sustainable Development Framework for 2018–2022. The CCS outlines how WHO can support the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and other allied Ministries to drive impact at the country level. The strategy document builds on other key strategic policy documents including India’s National Health Policy 2017, the many pathbreaking initiatives India has introduced — from Ayushman Bharat to its National Viral Hepatitis programme and promotion of digital health amongst others. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14867/practo-witnesses-88-growth-in-mental-health-queries-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14867/practo-witnesses-88-growth-in-mental-health-queries-.html Wed, 09 Oct 2019 16:25:00 +0530 According to World Health Organization, one person dies every 40 seconds because of some form of mental disorder and only 10% of patients suffering from mental illness receive treatment in India. Still considered a taboo subject, mental illness is often swept under the carpet and patients who suffer from mental disorders are leading poor quality life in India. In a country like ours, the stigmas attached to mental health and societal pressure has led to hesitancy in seeking timely medical assistance.  In light of such statistics, Practo has been striving hard to bridge the gap between the need for medical assistance for mental health and accessibility to the right healthcare professionals in India through technology.   Practo’s Online Consult has registered an 88% growth in psychiatric queries since last year. Consumers have increasingly preferred online consultation as it helps in understanding the symptoms via virtual assistance at the initial stage and removes all apprehensions of visiting a doctor for further treatment. Online consult also aids in getting immediate answers to some burning questions about anxiety, depression and more from Medical Council registered quality doctors. Solving for accessibility issue, Practo’s Online Consult is not just helping people from metro cities but also patients from tier 2+ cities and rural areas where the availability of mental health professionals is very limited.  According to the Practo Health Insights, Indians outside of the 7 Metro cities are consulting specialists in these areas, more than ever before! Mental health has been one of the topmost concerns for Online Consult users in India, not just in metro cities but also for people from non-metro cities  Most of the queries related to mental health were from Bangalore, followed by Delhi and Mumbai Mental health-related queries grew 367% In Non-metro cities, last year 40% of all mental health-related consults come from women, while 60% are from men Chandigarh is the fastest growing city with 353% growth from 2018 followed by Ahmedabad and Lucknow which grew at 342% and 233% respectively   The growth in the number of queries witnessed on Practo’s online consultation service for mental health queries is a testament to the fact that it has become the platform of choice for patients in India. Dr Alexander Kuruvilla, Chief Healthcare Strategy Officer, Practo, said, “Over the last decade, we’ve continuously made efforts to simplify healthcare access for millions of consumers. Digital healthcare and technology have transformed mental healthcare in a way that makes it easy for patients to consult a psychiatrist or psychologist online and book an instant appointment if required. Also, people who suffer from mental health disorders are worried about confidentiality and privacy while discussing their mental condition. At Practo, we make sure that only the patient and the doctor has access to all records, thereby ensuring complete privacy.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14863/who-launches-first-world-report-on-vision.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14863/who-launches-first-world-report-on-vision.html Wed, 09 Oct 2019 14:25:00 +0530 1 billion people worldwide are living with vision impairment  because they do not get the care they need for conditions like short and far sightedness, glaucoma and cataract,  according to the first World report on vision issued by the World Health Organization. The report, launched ahead of World Sight Day on 10 October, found that ageing populations, changing lifestyles and limited access to eye care, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, are among the main drivers of the rising numbers of people living with vision impairment. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General said, “Eye conditions and vision impairment are widespread, and far too often they still go untreated. People who need eye care must be able to receive quality interventions without suffering financial hardship. Including eye care in national health plans and essential packages of care is an important part of every country’s journey towards universal health coverage.” Dr Tedros adds, “It is unacceptable that 65 million people are blind or have impaired sight when their vision could have been corrected overnight with a cataract operation, or that over 800 million struggle in everyday activities because they lack access to a pair of glasses.” Globally, at least 2.2 billion people have a vision impairment or blindness, of whom at least 1 billion have a vision impairment that could have been prevented or has yet to be addressed. Other main findings of the report include: The burden of eye conditions and vision impairment is not borne equally: it is often far greater in people living in rural areas, those with low incomes, women, older people, people with disabilities, ethnic minorities and indigenous populations. The unmet need of distance vision impairment in low- and middle-income regions is estimated to be four times higher than in high-income regions. Low- and middle-income regions of western and eastern sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia have rates of blindness that are eight times higher than in all high-income countries. Rates of cataract and trachomatous trichiasis are higher among women, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. US$14.3 billion is needed to address the backlog of 1 billion people living with vision impairment or blindness due to short and far sightedness, and cataracts. Main causes of rising cases of vision impairment Eye conditions that can cause vision impairment and blindness – such as cataract, trachoma and refractive error – are the main focus of national prevention and other eye care strategies. But eye conditions that do not typically impair vision, including dry eye and conjunctivitis, must not be overlooked as they are among the main reasons for people to seek eye health care services in all countries, the report states. The combination of a growing and ageing population will significantly increase the total number of people with eye conditions and vision impairment, since prevalence increases with age. Other main drivers of the most common eye conditions include: Myopia (near-sightedness):Increased time spent indoors and increased “near work” activities are leading to more people suffering from myopia. Increased outdoor time can reduce this risk. Diabetic retinopathy: increasing numbers of people are living with diabetes, particularly Type 2, which can impact vision if not detected and treated. Nearly all people with diabetes will have some form of retinopathy in their lifetimes. Routine eye checks and good diabetes control can protect people’s vision from this condition. Late detection: Due to weak or poorly integrated eye care services, many people lack access to routine checks that can detect conditions and lead to the delivery of appropriate preventive care or treatment.   Access to services Stronger integration of eye care is needed within national health services, including at primary health care level, to ensure that the eye care needs of more people are addressed, including through prevention, early detection, treatment and rehabilitation, the report found. Dr Alarcos Cieza, who heads WHO’s work to address blindness and vision impairment, says “Millions of people have severe vision impairment and are not able to participate in society to their fullest because they can’t access rehabilitation services. In a world built on the ability to see, l eye care services, including rehabilitation, must be provided closer to communities for people to achieve their maximum potential.” The report states that all people living with blindness and severe vision impairment who cannot be treated are still able to lead independent lives if they access rehabilitation services. Options include optical magnifiers and reading use Braille, to smartphone wayfinders and orientation and mobility training with white canes.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14854/piramal-swasthya-receives-recognition-for-healthcare-innovations.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14854/piramal-swasthya-receives-recognition-for-healthcare-innovations.html Tue, 08 Oct 2019 14:30:00 +0530 United States Agency for International Development (USAID) ‘Inclusive Health Access Award’ was given to Piramal Swasthya Management & Research Institute at the ‘Locally Leading the Way to Universal Health Care’ event aligned to the United Nations General Assembly’s theme of Universal Health. The award was bestowed for innovations including primary healthcare through Community Outreach Programs and Telemedicine Services. Vishal Phanse, CEO, Piramal Swasthya, accepted the award at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Five winners from 400 applications across 68 countries received a US$30,000 Grant from USAID’s Innovation Incentive Award Authority. Dr. Swati Piramal, Vice Chairperson, Piramal Group said, “We are delighted to be recognized by Inclusive Health Access Award for services across 20 states in India. Over the last decade, Piramal Swasthya has successfully implemented several primary healthcare services and initiatives for the marginalized sections of society, especially in remote and inaccessible geographies across the country. At Piramal Swasthya, we are committed to delivering sustainable, scalable, replicable and affordable primary healthcare solutions to unserved and underserved sections of society.” The Inclusive Health Access Prize is a global call for proven successes in expanding access to life-saving basic health care in low and middle-income countries. The prize recognizes evidence-based solutions that increase accessibility, affordability, accountability, and reliability of essential healthcare. USAID also facilitates access to financial and other support so that proven models can obtain maximum reach and impact. Commenting on the occasion, Vishal Phanse, CEO, Piramal Swasthya said, “USAID’s Inclusive Health Access Award is a testament to Piramal Swasthya’s role as a catalyst. I am humbled that our efforts in this area have been recognized globally. Piramal Swasthya is poised to transform India’s most pressing healthcare needs and help India achieve a Maternal Mortality Rate of 70.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14851/health-ministry-launches-first-ever-oral-healthcare-platform.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14851/health-ministry-launches-first-ever-oral-healthcare-platform.html Mon, 07 Oct 2019 19:20:00 +0530 Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare launched the eDantseva website and mobile application, the first ever national digital platform on oral health information and knowledge dissemination, in New Delhi. This marks an important milestone as e-DantSeva will reach out to more than one billion people with one click in the form of a dedicated website and mobile application. The Union Health Minister also released the Braille booklet and Voice over on Oral Health Education for the visually impaired individuals, along with the oral health posters for pregnant women and children. At the event, Dr. Harsh Vardhan stated that these significant initiatives have taken inspiration from the importance given to digital platforms for people’s knowledge and information by the Hon. Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. “e-DantSeva is the first ever national digital platform that provides oral health information both in the form of a website and mobile application,” Dr Harsh Vardhan said. He further added that oral health is indispensable for the wellbeing and good quality of life. “Poor oral health affects growth negatively in all aspects of human development,” he said. He further said that dental caries/cavities and periodontal disease remain the two most prevalent dental diseases of the Indian population and dental infections have a potential for serious diseases/infections. This initiative of the Ministry with AIIMS and other stakeholders aims to sensitize the public about the significance of maintaining optimum oral health and equips them with the tools and knowledge to do so, including awareness on the nearest oral health service facility. The website and mobile application provide oral health information gathered from authentic scientific resources and connects the public to timely advice for managing any dental emergency or oral health problem. e-DantSeva contains information about the National Oral Health Program, detailed list of all the dental facility and colleges, Information, Education and Communication (IEC) material and a unique feature called the ‘Symptom Checker’, which provides information on symptoms of dental/oral health problems, ways to prevent these, the treatment modes, and also directs the user to find their nearest available dental facility (public and private sectors both).  The website also provides GPRS route/images/satellite images of the facility for easier access to the general population. Braille is the primary reading method for the visually impaired people to access information and education independently. Dissemination of Printed Braille oral health books along with the voice-over among visually impaired individuals will provide them with the opportunity to read and hear about the essentials and importance of oral health. At the event, two visually impaired children demonstrated how the Braille booklets can be useful tools for such information. The developed IEC material aims to eliminate the prevailing myths and misconception regarding maternal and child health and also encourages a visit to the dentist during pregnancy and early childhood years. In 2014, National Oral Health Programme in its current form was introduced. The Center for Dental Education and Research (CDER), AIIMS, New Delhi functions as the National Center of Excellence for Implementation of NOHP. The Centre has been instrumental in providing consultation and support for the research and other activities for the National Oral Health Program.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14850/nha-with-google-to-strengthen-implementation-of-ab-pmjay-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14850/nha-with-google-to-strengthen-implementation-of-ab-pmjay-.html Mon, 07 Oct 2019 18:10:00 +0530 National Health Authority (NHA) has signed a Statement of Intent (SoI) with Google to collaborate and strengthen the implementation of Ayushman Bharat -Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). The two organizations will be working closely to explore various use cases for increasing process efficiencies in day-to-day applications. Google will also support NHA in improving PM-JAYs digital presence and showcasing relevant content to the 50 crore entitled beneficiaries. Furthermore, Google will be helping in providing training and support to NHA personnel to build on digital skills. The collaboration will seek to bolster PM-JAY’s objective of reaching the poor and vulnerable, reducing their high out-of-pocket health expenditure, and improving access to quality healthcare. Speaking on the alliance with Google, Dr Indu Bhushan, CEO NHA said, “Robust technology is the mainstay of PM-JAY. In various areas such as fraud prevention and detection, claim approvals, the use of technology can help reduce the turnaround time and aiding faster closure of processes will enable the States to implement the scheme more effectively. "We look forward to collaborating with Google to improve our online presence.” Speaking about the partnership, Chetan Krishnaswamy, Director Public Policy, Google India and South Asia, said, “We are delighted to collaborate with National Health Authority to strengthen its online presence, and drive digital training programs for the teams and also explore the best possible ways to extend the benefits of Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana to the citizens. With the advancements in technologies like Machine learning, the teams will also explore the best solutions that can help NHA to efficiently scale the process of PM-JAY.” The first year of PM-JAY has been significant. This alliance with an innovative  technology  player like Google will provide further momentum to NHA in its long journey ahead; and will help take India one step closer towards its goal of Universal Health Coverage.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14849/jni-to-introduce-mobile-app-with-special-feature.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14849/jni-to-introduce-mobile-app-with-special-feature.html Mon, 07 Oct 2019 17:55:00 +0530 Jindal Naturecure Institute has celebrated the 41st anniversary of its establishment, laying special emphasis on the need to create a sustainable ecosystem for the institute while spreading awareness about the efficacy of naturopathy in fighting the rising incidence of lifestyle diseases. Having started as a 100 bed facility, JNI has expanded its infrastructure in order to provide quality healthcare facilities to its growing number of patients, becoming a 550-bedded hospital now. The institute, which is celebrating the 41st anniversary this year, has gained greater value over the years among the patients and helped in generating knowledge about the age-old naturopathy medicine and the benefits of yoga to fight against non-communicable chronic diseases. Rising incidence of chronic non communicable diseases and greater awareness on the need for diet and lifestyle management is prompting a new interest in naturopathy based medicine in India. With as many as 14,000 patients being treated every year for a variety of diseases, Jindal Naturecure Institute has made a mark as a leader in providing alternative medicine in the country. The institute also places special focus on sustainability with an emphasis on creating a self-sustainable ecosystem for the institute. It currently has Organic Farms, Herbal-gardens, Dairy-farms, Vermicompost, STP, RO, and Solar water heaters to ensure a sustainable and energy neutral establishment. R Raghunath, Sr. Chairman, Jindal Naturecure Institute said, “In our existence over the last four decades, JNI has seen a steady rise in number of patients. Initially, only a small number of patients with knowledge or curiosity about Naturopathy and obesity related issues were visiting JNI, but over time naturopathy's principle of addressing the cause of the disease and not just the symptoms has gained greater value. This approach is Holistic and JNI has over the years documented it with adequate research. While 10 years back, the average number of annual patients visiting the institute was around 6000, it has gone up to 14000 today. With the increasing number of patients, even the multiplied their beds to 550 from 100.” “In today’s time, technology plays a vital role. Even for our health records and better health care facility, we are completely dependent on technology. Keeping the technological benefits in mind, JNI is also planning to launch an in-house mobile app which will enable the patient to ease out their whole treatment process. Like other fitness apps, JNI app will have a special feature of health tracker which will have data of your daily activities and also encourage the users to switch to a healthier way. This app has been developed in sync with Narendra Modi’s ‘Fit India’ movement,” added K. R Raghunath. The annual day celebration also saw the presence of B D Garg, Chairman and Naveen Mehta, Vice Chairman. The hospital is about to launch a mobile app with a special feature of ‘JNI Health Tracker’ to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Fit India’ movement. The health tracker will help users keep a tab on their vital statistics and activity levels while encouraging them to adopt fitter and more active lifestyles. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14842/apollo-hospitals-launches-medical-emergency-awareness-initiative-in-mumbai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14842/apollo-hospitals-launches-medical-emergency-awareness-initiative-in-mumbai.html Sat, 05 Oct 2019 16:05:00 +0530 Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai announced the launch of a yearlong public awareness programme called “ Apollo Life Saver”. Apollo Life Saver will educate the public and create awareness about medical emergency services and offer basic life support training and first aid management in medical emergencies. Training will be provided to individuals especially in institutions such as housing societies, schools, colleges and corporate houses. Patients often experience warning signs before an impending medical emergency and tend to either ignore it or put off medical intervention. However, if the condition worsens some can be left with a critical or life-threatening condition. For early diagnosis & screening, people can walk into the Apollo Emergency Department wherein the patient will be examined and assessed by the emergency physician and thereafter will be counselled/ advised regarding future course of treatment and action.  The patient will not be levied any fee for the consultation by emergency physician. The initiative will focus on driving an understanding of the importance of early diagnosis of an ailment that may worsen if not tackled at the earliest. Sunil Lokhande, DCP Traffic, Navi Mumbai, said, “We are glad that the people of Navi Mumbai will be able to access timely emergency care if they meet with a medical emergency. An efficient emergency medical services team would save a lot of lives if the patients are diagnosed and treated immediately.” Santosh Marathe, COO & Unit Head, Apollo Hospitals said “Apollo Hospitals has been a pioneer in emergency medicine and we are proud to initiate the “Apollo Life Saver” programme. In last 3 years, we have had more treated over 40,000 patients in the ER department with excellent clinical outcomes. State-of-the-art infrastructure, latest emergency protocols & 24/7 accessibility to senior cardiologists, neurologists, surgeons and trauma specialists has been the key in providing optimal care for the patients. To encourage early diagnosis and screening, patients can get themselves assessed by the Emergency physician at ER department and they will not be levied any fee for the emergency consultation.” Dr. Nitin Jagasia, Head, Emergency Medicine, Apollo Hospitals, said, “Golden hour management - correct assessment of the patient as well as the immediate treatment - is the key when it comes to life threatening emergencies like heart attacks, strokes, road traffic accidents etc. Along with this, recognizing the emergency as well delivering first aid & basic life support would complete the chain of survival to give our friends & family the best chance to beat a medical emergency. With the Apollo Lifesaver programme we aim to support this objective with no assessment charges for the Emergency Physician assessment and deliver training across the community in First Aid & Basic Life support.” “Young individuals often ignore warning signs before any forthcoming medical emergency and do not seek medical attention. They are susceptible to heart ailments with the rising number of cardiovascular cases. Early detection in medical emergency cases can help save lives, provide superior clinical outcomes and improve the quality of life of the patients” Dr. Rahul Gupta, Consultant, Cardiology added. Dr. Sunil Kutty, Consultant, Neurosurgery, Apollo Hospitals said, “The programme is also intended for patients who have gone through severe trauma. Sometimes these conditions can get worse and leave them in critical condition, which cannot be fixed at a later stage. With the state-of-the-art infrastructure, every aspect of emergency services can be addressed. A case in point is the critical case of police sub-inspector Prashanth Desai earlier this year. He had met with an accident that caused brain tissue to jut out of his nose. Our team of doctors implanted a 3D printed skull with a titanium mesh. Mr Desai recovered successfully, but it wouldn’t have been possible if the advanced emergency systems & protocols were not in place.” Addressing a real life case study, Quick Response Team ( QRT ) commando Swapnil Mandlik said, “Some patients are unable to reach a hospital on time. I am living example of emergency medical care provided by Apollo Hospitals when I had a serious spinal injury while saving a man attempting suicide this year in June.  It is in addressing situations such as these that emergency systems and accessibility to specialists helps in saving lives. I’m thankful to the Doctors who for giving me a new lease of life.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14841/fortis-bannerghatta-opens-cancer-treatment-unit.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14841/fortis-bannerghatta-opens-cancer-treatment-unit.html Sat, 05 Oct 2019 16:00:00 +0530 To counter the growing scourge of cancer in the state of Karnataka and give patients access to world class treatment facilities the leading chain of healthcare services, Fortis Hospitals, launched a specialized Cancer Institute in Bangalore. Honorable Home Minister of Karnataka, Basavaraj Bommai, and the MP, Bangalore South Constituency, L. Suryanarayana Tejasvi inaugurated the institute which is equipped with advanced technology and the latest equipment at Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta Road unit to provide comprehensive cancer care in a holistic manner.  The cancer institute will have 200 beds dedicated for treating patients with an aim to provide 360 degree comprehensive cancer care under one roof. There are various services available at the centre which includes advanced surgical oncology, robotic cancer surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, haemato oncology, neuro oncology, uro oncology, nuclear medicine, psycho oncology, onco-pathology, interventional radiology, palliative and rehabilitative care, all made available to enhance patient experience while undergoing cancer treatment. In line with this, Dr Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, MD & CEO, Fortis Healthcare, said, “With the rise in cancer cases and with the lack of specialised centres, having a dedicated institute for treating the disease is the need of the hour. We are happy to launch this oncology institute which will provide the citizens of this state and the country access to global oncology experts and other world class amenities under one roof. This is our first specialised cancer institute in Bangalore which adheres to our commitment of offering high quality clinical care with focus on outcome of care for our patients. Chief Operating Officer (Rest Of India) Ashish Bhatia, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to fighting this disease and improving the lives of as many patients as possible at the Cancer institute. Talking about the vision that the hospital has towards taking medical care to the last mile patient, Dr Manish Mattoo, Zonal Director, Fortis Hospital Bangalore, said, “Fortis Hospitals in Bangalore have served the people of the state for over 3 decades and feel privileged to be bringing the best in cancer care to the state now.  The necessity of having a dedicated cancer facility is to provide highly specialized care to patients because this disease demands the best from the patient, the family, the doctors and the hospital care givers. The institute will have the advantages of a modern dedicated cancer institute within the confines of multi-super specialty hospital so that our patients get a comprehensive and complete care. Through the institute, we aim to provide a complete array of treatment options available anywhere in the world to our cancer patients and help them and their families heal faster.” According to the WHO, cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and accounted for 7.6 million deaths. There are only 62 dedicated cancer care hospitals that cater to an estimated 2.25 million patients in India, according to the National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR).  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14838/blk-super-specialty-hospital-hosted-the-4th-congress-igrehn.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14838/blk-super-specialty-hospital-hosted-the-4th-congress-igrehn.html Fri, 04 Oct 2019 16:30:00 +0530 BLK Super Specialty Hospital has organized 4th Congress International Guild Robotic & Endoscopic Head and Neck Surgery (IGReHNS) where Robotic and Endoscopic surgeons from around the world has gathered to pass on their knowledge, skill and expertise to young medical professionals. The three-day Congress mainly aimed at training and skill development to explore new horizons in the field. Training in Robotic and Endoscopic Surgeries was imparted through live surgeries, video presentations, technical sessions, and case discussions. In the presence of hundreds of top surgeons and specialists of the field from several countries, Dr. Surender Kumar Dabas, Director - Surgical Oncology & Chief – Robotic Surgery, BLK Super Speciality Hospital & Congress President, IGREHNS and Dr. Ashwani Sharma, Associate Director, Surgical Oncology Director - Surgical Oncology & Chief – Robotic Surgery, BLK Super Specialty Hospital along with Dr. J. Scott, Professor of otolaryngology head & neck surgery, University of South Florida College of Medicine, USA inaugurated the Congress. Dr. Surender Kumar Dabas said, “We are happy to be the hosts of the 4th edition of Robotic and Endoscopic Surgeries Congress. The IGReHNS has been our important collaborator and supporter in organizing major events related to head and neck surgery and cancers of oral cavity, throat, thyroid and salivary glands. The event has witnessed huge participation from colleagues across India and other countries and has provided a major learning opportunity for delegates to gain lessons from eminent names of the field. Such continuous endeavours are vital for the passing of knowledge, experience and skill training to the next generation for the larger benefit of the citizens of the country.” Highlighting the complexity of cases faced by surgeons of the field, Dr. Scott said, “India has one of the higher prevalence of critical diseases, which require surgery in the world owing to its large population. Surgeons need to be well trained to deal with complicated cases. This summit will provide all delegates a platform where experts will be sharing their experiences of how to handle critical cases to enhance the outcomes in such cases.” “Apart from debating on multiple aspects of robotic surgery, the conference also included several video training sessions, various case discussions, and recent trends in management of Head and Neck malignancies and other methods of making patients more safe and comfortable with favourable outcomes” explained Dr. Ashwani Sharma  Over 100 robotic surgeons and 300 delegates participated in the Congress. During the Congress, top surgeons performed surgeries at BLK Super Specialty Hospital which was shown live to the participants and delegates at the event venue. To train the next generation of specialists, the live surgeries covered various aspects including new procedures, guidelines, patient safety among others.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14837/sgrh-completes-1000-vascular-surgery-cases-in-artis-q-hybrid-or.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14837/sgrh-completes-1000-vascular-surgery-cases-in-artis-q-hybrid-or.html Fri, 04 Oct 2019 16:10:00 +0530 The Institute of vascular and endovascular sciences at SGRH, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH) has set up a high-end Hybrid Operating Room (HOR) equipped with Artis Q angiography system with a surgical table from Siemens Healthineers for vascular applications and has proudly completed 1000 cases since its commissioning in November 2018. Burden of vascular diseases - disorders of blood vessels and blood circulation in our body - is increasing at an alarming pace in India, across genders, age groups and geographical spread. Increasing prevalence is largely on account of the changing lifestyle and the socio-economic conditions. It can be mainly attributed to, advanced age, smoking, alcohol consumption, over eating, obesity, physical inactivity coupled with diabetes and hypertension. All these enhance the disease process with potential risks to limb, organ and or life. India today, is the diabetic capital of the world, with almost 60 million diabetics. Varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis with serious potential complications involving veins are also on the rise. Accidents with injury involving major blood vessels are rapidly increasing with socioeconomic changes in the community. A large number of patients with arterial disease have multilevel disease which requires a combination of open surgery and endovascular intervention therapies. It is possible to perform complex procedures using Artis Q Hybrid OR with fusion imaging capability, to ensure optimal endovascular repair. Hybrid OR combines both open surgery and endovascular intervention therapies in a single stage rather than subjecting patients to repeated procedures. Artis Q angiography system offers unparalleled performance with the new powerful X-ray tube for high contrast resolution at any angle and for any patient size. The high-dynamic range (HDR) detector enables enhanced image quality in advanced 3D imaging resulting up to 70% better visibility of small vessels. It delivers innovative applications offering precision for enhanced guidance during interventional procedures during surgery. It is powered with first ever EVAR Guidance tool with automated workflow support for endovascular repair. StraightView maintains upright images for all C-arm and table positions providing imaging access at any angle. Dr. Varinder S. Bedi, Chairman, Institute of Vascular and Endovascular Sciences, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital said, “Our motto is to achieve excellence in the field of Vascular Surgery which is only possible by good surgical and endovascular techniques along with latest state-of-the-art equipment to produce results comparable to the best centers of the world. With Artis Q, we have proven confidence to further enhance and extend the clinical advantages of this technology to the patients.” Sanjay David, Head of Advanced Therapies at Siemens Healthineers, India said, “The excellent team at SGRH with Artis Q Hybrid OR has set a benchmark in Vascular Surgery offering unmatched clinical expertise and cutting edge technologies. Through our unique solutions we are committed to play a significant role in transforming care delivery in India.” Artis Q angiography system is floor mounted ensuring maximum hygiene in the OR. It features a floor rotation point with motorized swivel ensuring optimum access to the patient’s head as well as extensive coverage from head to toe. A special orthogonal position with rotated surgical table enables easy access to the patient’s head and sides for hybrid procedures.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14833/international-council-of-ophthalmology-collaborates-with-docmode.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14833/international-council-of-ophthalmology-collaborates-with-docmode.html Fri, 04 Oct 2019 14:15:00 +0530 The International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO), in partnership with DocMode, has introduced Continuing Education (CE) online courses on Glaucoma and Neuro-ophthalmology for ophthalmologists. The online courses will aid practising ophthalmologists and optometrists in gaining reasonable understanding of the diagnosis of primary open angle glaucoma and its management. Besides, it will also facilitate competence in neuro-ophthalmic examination, diagnosis and management of common, critical and potentially extreme neuro-ophthalmic conditions amongst the patients. “The e-learning will foster the participant in effectively recognising the normal and abnormal optic discs and characterise the abnormalities, describe diagnostic and management considerations for the most common optic neuropathies and also identify normal and abnormal pupil and be able to characterise pupillary abnormalities. He or she will easily be able to describe the basics of ocular motility examination and identify common ocular motility abnormalities. “In addition, the courses will also allow the participant to describe an approach to a patient who has visual loss or symptoms but has a ‘normal’ examination and finally also describe and identify neuro-ophthalmic manifestation of common systemic diseases,” said Dr. Karl Golnik, President, International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO). “It has been estimated that by 2020, there will be approximately 80 million people with glaucoma, an increase of about 20 million since 2010.Primary open angle glaucoma is estimated to affect 6.48 million people. Equally, neuro-ophthalmic conditions have always been a concern, be it in India or elsewhere,” said Prof. Dr. S. Natarajan, President, All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS). In addition, people with diabetes have increased risk of glaucoma. India is home to 73 million persons living with diabetes of whom 58.4% are unaware that they have diabetes. Population aged >20 years is known to be in the pre-diabetic state. “With the lightening rate of development in the field of medical research and the booming amount of knowledge that this brings with it, learning is a continuous and lifelong process for junior and senior doctors alike. It is heartening to see the introduction of such highly-beneficial online courses for ophthalmologists that would help them to stay updated with recent advances in our science,” informs Prof. Dr. S. Natarajan. “My dream project for the next 5 years is nationwide screening of diabetic retinopathy. I urge ophthalmologists across our country to support “STOP (Screening through Tele Ophthalmology in Prevention) Diabetic Blindness – Jyot Se Jyot Jalao” in improving eye care delivery in rural India,” Prof. Dr. S. Natarajan’s further adds.  The unique format for the online course with didactic videos by renowned glaucoma faculty helps ophthalmologists know the ropes within a short period of time. Courses are comfortably paced and centered to drive home basics of the disease by illustrations, animations and easy-to-remember mind maps, stated Dr. Rajiv Brahmane. “We take pride in our association with ICO for the betterment of healthcare professionals. DocMode hopes that the CE courses for ophthalmologists will help them overcome the challenges in the field without much trouble,” said Paulson Paul, Founder and COO, DocMode. “Glaucoma has a high prevalence in India. Poor patient awareness coupled with factors such as inadequate resident training and cost of medications make glaucoma an extremely dangerous condition with a large potential for causing irreversible visual impairment in millions of patients. By partnering with ICO, we expect that the courses for ophthalmologists will aid them prevail over the challenges related to training,” said Hans Lewis, Founder and CEO, DocMode. In the next 3 to 4 months, DocMode- ICO partnership will witness a step further through the launch of more courses on subjects like Dry Eyes, Cataract, Infectious Eye Disease, Managing posterior capsule rupture: Vitrectomy techniques and strategies for the cataract surgeon, Refractive surgery for the cataract surgeon: Strategies and techniques using multifocal IOLs and also a glaucoma counselling course for counsellors. Participating doctors will have access to both the courses on DocMode, a comprehensive and interactive e-learning platform. Participants would receive a certificate on completion of the course and passing the test of multiple-choice questions (MCQ).  The comprehensive course on primary open angle glaucoma is of 8-hour duration with 7 modules and around 12 hours with 6 modules for neuro-ophthalmology course. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14823/carer-partners-with-fortis-for-holistic-approach-to-cancer-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14823/carer-partners-with-fortis-for-holistic-approach-to-cancer-treatment.html Fri, 04 Oct 2019 11:00:00 +0530 Carer, India’s first integrative oncology startup that provides personalized cancer care to patients, has partnered with Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore to provide an integrative approach to treating cancer.  Integrative Oncology is the use of non-clinical therapies along with conventional forms of cancer treatment to improve the effectiveness of treatment and patient outcomes. Through this partnership, Carer will deliver non-clinical therapies like physical rehabilitation, psychological intervention, and nutrition management to help cancer patients manage their disease better.   The Carer Protocol will be delivered to Fortis patients at home from the time of diagnosis and continue throughout treatment and post-treatment. As a part of the partnership, Carer will work closely with doctors, consultants and non-clinical departments at Fortis to provide holistic and therapeutic interventions to patients at home. Commenting on the tie-up, Samara Mahindra, CEO & Founder of Carer said “This partnership with Fortis enables us to reach out to a wider and concentrated group of patients and caregivers who are looking for a holistic approach to treating cancer. When a reputed hospital chain like Fortis advocates a patient-centric approach in treating cancer,  it creates a paradigm shift in the field of cancer care. This tie-up further strengthens our effort in making integrative cancer care as a part of mainstream treatment”  Speaking about the partnership, Dr. Manish Mattoo, Zonal Director, Fortis Hospitals, Bangalore “The Carer protocol has the potential to add great value in the recovery of a cancer patient. Today, a number of cancer cases are predominantly lifestyle-related.  Integrated cancer care synchronises medical treatment with lifestyle management by treating the condition with allopathy complemented by nutrition therapy, yoga, movement, and mental wellbeing. Carer’s holistic approach will help in the successful and effective integration of conventional treatment and lifestyle management in treating cancer patients”  Currently, Carer has tied up with 7 major hospital groups in South India. In the next one year, Carer plans to partner with 10+ hospitals across India.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14813/bjwhc-collaborates-with-unicef.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14813/bjwhc-collaborates-with-unicef.html Tue, 01 Oct 2019 18:15:00 +0530 Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children (BJWHC) in association with UNICEF formally inaugurated the Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre facility at BJWHC. The inauguration was presided by Jim Morris, United States Representative on the Executive Board of the United National Children’s Fund (UNICEF) along with Rajeshwari Chandrasekar, Chief of UNICEF Field Office for Maharashtra, Ness Wadia, Trustee, Wadia Hospitals, Dr. Minnie Bodhanwala, CEO, Wadia Hospitals and other dignitaries. The state of the art Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre will address child survival and development with equity among the most deprived urban poor communities in and around Mumbai by providing advanced treatment support with a focus on early childhood development for children with Severe Acute Malnutrition at BJWHC. More than 250 SAM children will get holistic inpatient care at this facility every year. As part of this effort, UNICEF has been continuously offering technical and training support to staff members functioning in the hospital. This state of the art NRC plus unit will also establish itself as the centre for research. This centre would also become the training hub for health staff and field staff on management of children with SAM. Jim Morris said, ”Children should be healthy and not hungry, hunger and malnutrition cause serious health issue for children and adults everyday, no baby should struggle, there should be happiness in every babies eyes. BJWHC in association with UNICEF is doing a wonderful job towards this cause and I am privileged to be a part of this inauguration.” He further added, “The work done by the hospital is so impressive, so good and thanked all for the work they are doing for the children from so many years.” Rajeshwari Chandrasekar said, “UNICEF has partnered with Bai Jerbai Wadia Children’s hospital, a lead hospital for pediatric care for underprivileged in India for establishing state of the art nutrition rehabilitation centre for management of children with severe acute malnutrition. This hospital is providing mentoring and coaching support to improve the quality of services in infant and young child feeding and early childhood development. This partnership will contribute in improving the capacities of the institutions in the state in the area of child nutrition and will go a long way in the holistic development of the children.” Ness Wadia, Trustee, Wadia Hospitals said, “We welcome and highly appreciate the role being played by UNICEF to address the issue and challenges with respect to Malnutrition. The centre of excellence established through partnership with UNICEF will provide much-needed encouragement to Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children in its resolve and commitment to provide the best treatment possible to children suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition.” Dr. Minnie Bodhanwala, Chief Executive Officer of the Wadia Hospitals said, “We are extremely delighted to formally inaugurate our Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre in association with UNICEF. Hunger and malnutrition have devastating consequences for children and have been linked to low birth weight and birth defect and poorer educational outcomes. We at BJWHC are highly committed towards this cause and this initiative takes us one step closer towards our goal of providing all services for children under one roof. We have an excellent team of medical staff who will take care of the children here and ensure they get a chance to laugh and learn like other kids around.  We are very thankful to UNICEF for extending their support and look forward to further strengthening our partnership with them to improve child nutrition and early childhood development in India.” Child Under nutrition remains the biggest threat to child survival, growth and development despite significant development in the social and economic sector across the Country. It continues to be a huge public health challenge and future global prosperity and security are intimately linked with our ability to respond adequately to this urgent challenge. ‘The Lancet’ 2013 series shows that under nutrition contributes to the deaths of about 3 million children each year - 45% of the total mortality load of the under-fives.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14811/portea-organizes-we-care-on-international-day-of-older-persons.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14811/portea-organizes-we-care-on-international-day-of-older-persons.html Tue, 01 Oct 2019 16:45:00 +0530 Commemorating the International Day of Older Persons, Portea Medical has recently organized a wellness and happiness programme called We Care in various NGOs across Bengaluru, Delhi, Chennai and Hyderabad. The aim of the wellness programme that covered over 500 senior citizens in the four cities was to make them feel special, happy, and appreciated. The initiative was in alignment with Portea Medical’s core values of care and compassion. With a large number of people crossing over into the senior citizen category, the world’s elderly population is estimated to touch 1.4 billion by the year 2030. Although the elderly will form more than a fifth of the country’s population by 2050, there is still not much awareness on special mental, physical and nutritional requirements of senior citizens at large. Portea’s We Care programme was thus aimed as an initiative towards enhancing the quality of life for the elderly. The one-hour sessions were conducted in Kalaivani Old Age Home and Charitable Trust, Chennai; Gandhi Old Age Home, Bengaluru; Fathima Old Age Home, Hyderabad; and Guru VishramVridh Ashram, New Delhi.  Exercise and other social engagement activities can have a positive effect on the mind and body of the elderly. They help in boosting serotonin, a chemical that when released by the body helps in promoting a feeling of general happiness and well-being. In this context, the We Care programme encompassed wellness for the mind, body, and soul for the senior citizens. It aimed to engage them positively through mediation and simple guided exercises. Speaking about this, Meena Ganesh, Co-Founder and CEO, Portea, said, “In the last 5years, Portea Medical has served more than 300000 elderly patients, and we have always strived for a better and healthier life for them. The We Care programme was also an effort in that direction. Caring for the elderly does not only entail their health but also their holistic wellness. Through this programme, the senior citizens in the NGOs not only engaged in exercises and meditation, but also expressed themselves and shared their concerns with our volunteers. It is a part of Portea Health Prime that aims to enable growing elder communities in key cities.” Portea covers everything from lab services, pharma delivery, and equipment/devices rentals and sales to medical manpower deployment at the patients’ home.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14805/eternal-hospital-performs-complex-correction-of-heart-valves-in-one-procedure.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14805/eternal-hospital-performs-complex-correction-of-heart-valves-in-one-procedure.html Tue, 01 Oct 2019 11:50:00 +0530 The Eternal Hospital Jaipur has become the first hospital in India to successfully perform a complex, minimally invasive transcatheter double valve replacement procedure on a 78-year-old woman to correct the narrowed aortic and mitral valves of the heart. The process otherwise requires an open-heart Surgery, was not feasible in this case due to the risk of morbidity assessed around 25 – 30 per cent. The patient from Nagpur was admitted in the hospital with complaints of chest pain and shortness of breath. He underwent an open-heart Surgery in 2012 when both the aortic and mitral valves were replaced. However, they became dysfunctional later- the replaced valve started leaking and the Aortic valve became stenotic. Dr. Ravindra Singh Rao, Director TAVR Program, Eternal Hospital, Jaipur who performed the procedure said, “Since she had an open-heart surgery in past, therefore, the risks of performing another surgery were too high. Considering the fact, we replaced both the aortic valve and mitral valve by going through a groin artery and vein. We carried out two procedure in one sitting – first, we carried out Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) and then Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair (TMVR) to correct the stenosis. The new valves started functioning immediately and the patient was fully conscious after the 1.5-hour-long procedure. This type of double valve replacement without an open-heart surgery is done for the first time in India. The patient was in the ICU for one day and stayed in the hospital for the next 4 days after the procedure. It was like magic to see her recover remarkably and she was able to walk for 30 to 45 minutes in one stretch.” “Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) is a very successful process for correcting stenosis of valves – the USA-based Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved it for low-risk patients as well. This because it offers faster recovery, low mortality, and lower risk of complications such as stroke or kidney problems. With an experience of performing 300 TAVRs across the country and 85 in Eternal Hospital, I can say the process is beneficial for lower risk to high-risk patients. However, Transcatheter DVR is the first case in India. TAVR and TMVR is an established therapy for patients which complex heart problem. It has been proven in thousands of patients that when compared to open heart surgery. It has better survival and lesser complication rate.  Eternal Hospital is a Centre of Excellence and an established Research Centre for TAVR aiming to help more and more doctors to take up this process that does not involve the risks of an open-heart procedure,” says Dr Rao Aortic stenosis (AS), or narrowing of the aortic valve, is caused by age, genetic predisposition, rheumatic fever, or build-up on the leaflets of calcium, cholesterol (fat), etc. making it difficult for the valve leaflets to move easily or open fully and decreases the pumping ability of the heart to push blood to your body. It may also cause regurgitation (backflow of blood through a defective heart valve) as the valve becomes damaged or worn out and blood is able to leak backwards. This makes the heart work harder to circulate the blood, and, if left untreated, can result in heart failure or even sudden death. Mitral stenosis refers to the narrowing of the mitral valve opening that blocks blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14803/paras-hospital-creates-awareness-on-healthy-heart.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14803/paras-hospital-creates-awareness-on-healthy-heart.html Tue, 01 Oct 2019 11:45:00 +0530 To celebrate World Heart Day 2019, a cyclothon was organized by Paras Hospital to raise awareness against the importance of keeping a healthy heart. The cycle race was started from Paras Hospital, Gurugram and concluded at Paras Trinity, Sector-63, Gurugram. The cyclothon was flagged off at 5:30 am and over 550 cycling enthusiast participated and supported the cause. The cyclothon was divided amongst 3 categories –5km, 10 km and 20 km. The aim was to aware people about how controllable risk factors like diet, physical inactivity and stress largely determine the risk of heart disease and how heart disease has escalated among the younger generation with a significant risk in both males and females. The event saw the presence of Dronacharya & Padma Shri Awardee Dr Sunil Dabas, former coach National Female Kabaddi Team and was attended by Dr. DK Jhamb, Director- Cardiology, Dr. Bharat Kukreti - Associate Director- cardiology, Dr. Amit Bhushan - Associate Director Cardiology, Dr. Mahesh Wadhuwani- Head-CTVS & Dr. Sameer Kulkarni – Facility Director, Paras Hospital. Dr. DK Jhamb said, “According to the World Health Organization (WHO),  about 1.7 million Indian hearts stop beating every year. Therefore, it becomes important that we create awareness about maintaining a healthy heart in India. The increase in all cause of mortality of heart disease is due to sedentary lifestyle. Physical inactivity doubles the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity. It also increases the risk of high blood pressure, imbalance in lipid levels and anxiety, which individually contribute to heart disease.” Dr Sunil Dabas said, “Heart diseases claim many lives in India every year. The most common heart diseases plaguing Indians between the age group of 25-60 are cardiovascular diseases, cardiac arrests, congestive heart failures, coronary heart diseases, rheumatic heart diseases and strokes. We take a closer look at these heart stopping diseases.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14802/abbott-with-tedxgateway-discusses-future-of-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14802/abbott-with-tedxgateway-discusses-future-of-healthcare.html Tue, 01 Oct 2019 11:35:00 +0530 Abbott, a global leader in healthcare, in collaboration with TEDxGateway, hosted an interactive Salon session focused on the ‘Future of Healthcare’ – a platform dedicated to discuss how technology driven innovation is shaping the healthcare industry across the globe and here in India. Three global visionaries gave keynote talks at the event – Jack Kreindler, Founder, Medical Director – Centre for Health and Human Performance Ltd, Balaji Ganesh, Chief Executive Officer – TexRAD Ltd and Yuval Mor, Co-Founder, Beyond Verbal Communication. The speakers shared their insights on how technological innovation is driving change in the healthcare landscape and highlighted how technology can enable wide access, improved diagnosis and aid precision treatment. Abbott facilitated this first-of-its-kind event within the healthcare industry in India, as a continuation of its focus on fostering a culture of technology and innovation, to help solve pressing health problems in India and the world. Abbott is committed to the transformation that technology brings and discussions that are required to understand and adopt these in a systematic way. Speaking on Abbott’s association with TEDxGateway, Jawed Zia, head of Abbott’s pharmaceutical business in India, said, “We are delighted to present this year’s TEDxGatewaySalon focusing on the future of healthcare. We believe that technology has the power to change strategic decisions and fundamentally influence the quality and efficiency of services for better patient outcomes across the continuum of care.” The eminent speakers also shared their innovations which are life-saving and help in improving people’s lives. Jack Kreindler, Founder, Medical Director – Centre for Health and Human Performance Ltd shared his thoughts on the future of health optimization with the use of precision medicine. Speaking at the occasion, he said, “We are getting older! That will come as no surprise to anyone, but as the world's population ages, every health system and humanity must now face up to the challenge of cancer and chronic conditions - the diseases of getting older and having more wealth per capita. This talk revisits the question of whether exponentially advancing technologies, data, computation and connected devices, can enable us to build virtual, preventive and predictive digital health systems delivering diagnostics and decision support to billions of underserved people in developing countries.” Balaji Ganesh, Chief Executive Officer – TexRAD Ltd. explained the use of medical data through non-invasive imaging biomarkers, data archiving/storage and easy access to medical imaging and data through improved communication via mobile technologies/devices. Speaking at the event, he further said “I am excited and look forward to sharing my research and work on how texture analysis of radiological scans in cancer care can capture additional clinically relevant information. There’s more than what meets the eye.” Yuval Mor, Co-Founder, Beyond Verbal Communication spoke about how voice-recognition is being used to detect coronary heart diseases and how this technology could bring about an exponential impact by understanding discrepancies in the future of coronary healthcare. “In traditional Indian and Chinese medicine, voice has been used for many centuries as a way to get insights into a person's health" he said. "By using advanced technologies such as Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI), backed by extensive research, it's clear now that voice can be used as a biomarker for health conditions. Coupled with the revolution of smart home devices and personal voice assistants – this can have a tremendous effect on telemedicine and providing health services in remote areas,” Mor added. As spending on healthcare increases year-on-year, the industry stands at the cusp of a technological revolution to meet the growing expectations of consumers. Data, innovation and digitally led solutions will shape and impact the environment in India, and around the world in the years to come. This event is a step in the collaborative process that is required to develop sustainable solutions to help people live better. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14796/haryana-govt-j-pal-south-asia-to-improve-healthcare-outcomes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14796/haryana-govt-j-pal-south-asia-to-improve-healthcare-outcomes.html Tue, 01 Oct 2019 10:05:00 +0530 The National Health Mission (NHM), Government of Haryana and Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) South Asia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to systematically integrate the use of data and evidence from rigorous research to improve state programme implementation and health outcomes. This partnership will also seek to build the capacity of Health Service Providers and departmental staff to improve the quality of data collected through the state government's health information systems. The NHM has committed to a continuous collaboration with J-PAL to apply data and results from rigorous impact evaluation to strengthen NHM decision-making. To this end, NHM is expanding the coverage and use of its new health information systems for frontline workers, including the ANMOL (Auxiliary Nurse Midwives Online) application. Aparna Krishnan, Project Director of J-PAL South Asia’s IDEA Lab said, “We commend the NHM for launching this forward-looking the initiative, and for recognizing the importance of data-driven decision making in health policy design and service delivery. This partnership will allow NHM to strengthen its data collection systems, as well as undertake the systematic analysis of large volumes of data from ANMOL, e-upchaar and other digital platforms. Research facilitated by this data can then lead to stronger programme implementation in areas of maternal and child health, and non-communicable diseases, among others.” The first engagement under the Memorandum of Understanding will be to leverage data from the ANMOL application to improve immunization rates through the identification of local “ambassadors” who can help increase community participation in immunization camps. This signals the expansion of the innovative immunization intervention, which was found to be highly successful when recently evaluated by J-PAL affiliated researchers in partnership with the Haryana NHM. This partnership was launched under J-PAL’s new “Innovations in Data, Experiments, and Action” (IDEA) initiative to expand the use of administrative data for decision-making through collaborative engagements with state and central government ministries. The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) is a global research center working to reduce poverty by ensuring that policy is informed by scientific evidence. Anchored by a network of 181 affiliated professors at universities around the world, J-PAL conducts randomized impact evaluations to answer critical questions in the fight against poverty. J-PAL was launched at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2003 and has 6 regional offices around the world. J-PAL South Asia, hosted by the Institute for Financial Management and Research (IFMR), Chennai, and has built partnerships for the generation of new research and the advancement of evidence-informed policymaking with 16 Indian state and central government ministries, as well as training partnerships with the governments of Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14792/max-to-chair-first-chapter-of-inshlt-2019.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14792/max-to-chair-first-chapter-of-inshlt-2019.html Mon, 30 Sep 2019 14:15:00 +0530 Indian Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (INSHLT), a body that works towards creating awareness and Knowledge about Scientific advances, Research and clinical management in the Fields of Heart, Lung Transplants and Heart failure including assist devices, among Medical professionals and general public and facilitate establishment of Infrastructure in achieving these objectives in India. The society is holding its first annual meeting in Delhi on 1st and 2nd October and the gathering will see over 100 national and international experts and delegates in attendance. Dr K K Talwar, Chairman, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket is the Patron in Chief and Dr Kewal Krishan, Director Heart Transplant & LVAD Program Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket is the Organising Chair of this event in India.  Talking about the initiative, Dr Kewal Krishan said, “As the Organising Chair of the event, it is my honour to be able to bring together several iconic and inspirational professionals from the field of Heart & Lung Transplant LVAD and ECMO together under one roof. We’re asking the question - what is the future of Heart and Lung transplant, artificial hearts globally and in India? And I truly believe that the answer to that question can best be discovered when we work as a cohesive unit a collective. This meeting aims to create awareness for significant scientific developments in the field of Heart and Lung Transplantation, Heart Failure and Artificial Hearts.” Highlighting his concern about various trends and patterns seen in patients of heart diseases, Dr Viveka Kumar, Director - Cath Labs MSSH (East) Saket, “It is being increasingly seen that patients in their 20s and 30s are showing up with various diseases affecting their hearts owing to stress, lifestyle modifications, etc. Also, the belief that women were protected till they reached menopause is also seeing a shift in trend. This means that ailments which plagued people in their 50s and 60s are showing up much earlier and hence the number of people who may land with chronic heart failures/diseases requiring either transplants or support devices will see a significant rise in numbers in the coming decades. Added to this, longevity amongst geriatric patients will also attract newer technologies to support failing hearts at affordable prices.” Indian Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (INSHLT) is being joined by organisations like Cardiology Society of India (CSI), Indian Association of Cardiothoracic Surgeons (IACTS), Indian Heart Rhythm Society (IHRS) and National Heart Failure Summit (NHFS) in this noble initiative.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14788/apollo-hospitals-group-conducts-discussion-on-heart-disease-prevention.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14788/apollo-hospitals-group-conducts-discussion-on-heart-disease-prevention.html Mon, 30 Sep 2019 11:55:00 +0530 Apollo Hospitals Group hosted the first “Futuring Cardiac Care Summit” on 28th September in Chennai. The summit provides insights and perspectives that have the potential to transform the efforts towards prevention and eradication of heart disease. Bringing together all stakeholders on a single platform, the Futuring Cardiac Care Summit brought together key partners, expert clinical consultants, prevention specialists and Apollo Hospitals’ leadership to develop targeted recommendations and specific action steps towards reversing the epidemic of heart disease. The summit brought to the fore the synergy between modern cardiac care delivery and technology adoption for a disease free India. Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, Founder and Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group, said, “Cardiovascular disease is one of the major NCDs and the leading cause of death with India having the highest burden of cardiovascular disease in the world. We need to acknowledge this crisis and take urgent action to prevent and reverse the rise in cardiovascular diseases. The Futuring Cardiac Care Summit is an important step in this direction, and provides a platform to bring together the physician and public health community to develop targeted recommendations and specific action steps. This summit is a beginning to initiate a systemic process for developing possible outcomes and planning for the future.  Apollo team, as a futurist is willing to explore changes and innovate with you. Together, we will free INDIA from cardiac disease!”   The two highlights of the summit were: Apollo Hospitals Group sign MoU with Wellysis to set up joint venture in Chitoor, Andhra Pradesh: Apollo Hospitals Group and Wellysis a spinoff company of Samsung SDS South Korea have signed an MoU to develop, manufacture and commercialise cardiac wellness, diagnostic, monitoring and therapeutic devices, which would have a positive impact on people across the world. The joint venture will be set up in Chitoor, Andhra Pradesh. The MoU was exchanged by Mr. Rick Hongryul Kim, CTO/CMO & Co-Founder, Wellysis; and Dr. Hari Prasad, Group President, Apollo Hospitals Group; in the august presence of Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group.   Demonstration of Cardiac Command Centre: The demonstration of the Cardiac Command Centre with modern connected technologies enabling Tele ECH Monitoring, CICU monitoring, Tele ECHO Monitoring , Remote Cathlab and ER Response Module. The Cardiac Command Centre will also have facilities for training and development, and a management dashboard for tracking and control. Over 40 such command centres are already live across Apollo Hospitals Group. Any doctor across the country can register for the Command Centre and gain access to the knowledge and experience of over 300 cardiologists across Apollo Hospitals’ ecosystem.   Dr. Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group, said, “There has been a massive increase in deaths due to heart diseases in the last three decades. Our country has only 4,000 cardiologists as compared to the 88,000 that we should ideally have. It is a huge gap to cover and the best way to start covering this gap is through technology. The goal of this initiative is to come together, witness, discuss and learn from each other new ways of addressing cardiology. Robotics, AI, Tele-cardiology… these are some things we know happening today.  But do we experience how these innovations are applied to our practice? How we can use and potentially leverage them to create new innovations, processes, & future that we are not thinking today. We hope this summit will help open-up such foresights and possibilities that will lead to a cardiac disease free world. The Cardiac Command Centre with high end screening tools along with the National Cardiac Registry will form the foundation of the battle against cardiovascular diseases.” “Aspects of the cardiovascular diseases epidemic in India are particular causes of concern, including its accelerated build-up, early age of disease onset in the population, and missing out on cases due to misdiagnosis and under-reporting of CVD and the high case fatality rate. The Cardiac Command Centre provides a great opportunity to physicians in Urban & Sub-urban settings, Standalone clinics/nursing homes, National/State Medical Associations, Government Institutions, and New-Age Start-ups in cardiovascular space to join this network and gain access to knowledge and experience of over 300 cardiologists across the Apollo ecosystem to save precious lives,” added Preetha Reddy, Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Group. Agim Beshiri, M.D., Senior Medical Director, Global Medical and Scientific Affairs for Abbott's diagnostics business said, “Abbott collaborates with likeminded partners to improve cardiac health outcomes worldwide. We are pleased to work with Apollo to set up a national cardiac registry that helps in assessing risk of cardiac events potentially years in advance. Abbott’s life-changing technology has the potential to transform how doctors identify those at risk for developing heart disease because our diagnostic test uses a biomarker specific to the heart. We’d like to congratulate Apollo Hospitals on building a powerful platform that combines healthcare and various technological innovations that have the potential to change the way cardiac diseases will be treated in future.” “We are pleased to partner with Apollo Hospitals for the FUTURING cardiac care. Together, we created a process to connect a century old life-saving technology – ECG between patient, local General practitioner, and an expert cardiologist at the Apollo Command Centre. During our pilot run, we could guide 25000 patients from as far away as 2000 KM from the centre during chest pain, guide general practitioners to provide appropriate care to patients and provide timely support and intervention to save 250 of them who were going through acute MI,” said S Ganesh Prasad, Managing Director, GenWorks Health Pvt Ltd., a Wipro GE Healthcare invested company.  “At Genworks we believe that we have to build a strong, connected eco-system – doctor at the point of care, patient, specialist at super hospitals and technology can make it happen and save lives. Our vision is to take technology and process as this to every physician in any part of the country to be able to intervene in times of need and save lives,” added Ganesh Prasad. The Futuring Cardiac Care Summit, organised with support from partners including GenWorks, Abbott and HealthNet Global,  is a one of kind platform with an objective to eradicate the high risks of cardiovascular and its affinity towards the future generations and finding integrated solutions to screen and detect such complications in a more efficient way. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14786/empowering-young-people-to-make-informed-choices-about-their-sexual-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14786/empowering-young-people-to-make-informed-choices-about-their-sexual-health.html Fri, 27 Sep 2019 16:55:00 +0530 One cannot emphasize strongly enough the importance of freedom of choice, especially when it comes to young people and the range of options they are facing in this period of life. The annual World Contraception Day (WCD) on September 26th aims to raise awareness regarding sexual and reproductive health. Bayer, through its WCD initiatives around the world, aims to provide young people with access to scientifically accurate information about contraception, and remind them of their power of options to make conscious decisions in planning for their future. The WHO states that an estimated 33 million unintended pregnancies occur each year, and many may be due to contraceptive method failure or ineffective use. This emphasizes the importance that everyone, specifically young people, should be well-informed about the different methods of contraception.. According to the NFHS 4 survey in India, the unmet need for family planning among young married women (15-24) remains high at 22%. The survey also showed an overall decline in the use of contraceptives. 47% of the married women between 15-49 years did not use any method of contraception “With half of the country’s population younger than 25 years of age, there is a need to raise awareness on the use of contraception among the youth, and better family planning amongst young couples,” says Dr Kalpana Apte, Secretary-General, Family Planning Association of India (FPAI). Only when everyone who is sexually active can make conscious decisions based on the awareness of their contraceptive options, can they live a self-determined life and create a desirable future for themselves. Therefore, one important priority of the challenge to empower young couples is spreading knowledge about contraceptive methods and their effective use. Bayer’s commitment to women’s health dates back more than 90 years. “Now in its 12th year, World Contraception Day is an important event for Bayer the world over, as we commemorate this occasion to raise awareness among the youth about contraception and encouraging them to know their options. We engage with key stakeholders like the FPAI and the medical fraternity to work towards a world where every pregnancy is planned and women are empowered with the necessary tools and knowledge to take control of their sexual health and family planning, says Manoj Saxena, Managing Director – Bayer Zydus Pharma. The global WCD Coalition consists of 16 organizations and is supported by Bayer. The partners are dedicated to increasing access to and availability of family planning services and education. They have united to create and enhance awareness, and to underline the importance of empowering young people to take their sexual and reproductive health into their own hands, as well as to have informed discussions with healthcare providers and partners on their contraceptive options. The partners of the World Contraception Day Coalition are: Asia Pacific Council on Contraception (APCOC) Centro Latinamericano Salud y Mujer (CELSAM) DSW (Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevoelkerung) EngenderHealth (EH) European Society of Contraception and Reproductive Health (ESC) Family Planning 2020 (FP2020) International Federation of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology (FIGIJ) International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) Marie Stopes International (MSI) Pathfinder International Population Council Population Services International (PSI) The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Women Deliver (WD) ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14770/health-minister-launches-new-campaign-for-tb-elimination.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14770/health-minister-launches-new-campaign-for-tb-elimination.html Thu, 26 Sep 2019 11:00:00 +0530 Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare has launched the new TB Harega Desh Jeetega Campaign, along with the National TB Prevalence Survey. Multi-stakeholder and community participation shall form the pivot of the countrywide campaign. “As part of our commitment to end-TB, we have established patient forums in over 95 per cent of all districts in the first 100 days, which clearly shows our strong commitment to ending TB in the shortest time. These district forums will bring the voices of the affected to the fore, and highlight on-ground challenges faced by patients and their families in accessing TB care services”, he stated.  The Union Health Minister also flagged off a van for the National TB Prevalence Survey. In all, 25 such vans will be part of the prevalence survey, which shall take 6 months and be carried out across the country. This shall present national and state level data, which will be used as a policy tool for further interventions. Dr. Harsh Vardhan also released the TB India Report (2019), the Work Place Policy Framework for TB, Operational Guideline for Employer Led Model on TB, Training module for transforming TB survivor to TB champion, and Elected Representative’s Handbook on TB. In addition to these, as an important step, the Union Health Minister also launched an all oral regimen kit for multi-drug resistant TB patients which does not include injections which are painful and can have side effects. He also announced a partnership with the World Bank which is providing a $400 million credit for accelerating TB response in 9 states through private sector engagement and other critical interventions. Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of State (HFW) was also present at the launch of the campaign. Highlighting some of the key features of the new TB control campaign, Dr Harsh Vardhan stated its three strong pillars include clinical approach, public health component and active community participation. Other supporting elements of the campaign comprise private sector engagement, patient support, and political and administrative commitment at all levels. He added that the Government is committed to ensuring all patients, irrespective of where they seek care (private sector included), receive free-of-cost, high quality TB care. “In line with the Honourable Prime Minister’s vision, we have introduced pivotal initiatives that are changing the way we diagnose, treat and prevent TB, and are on track to achieving our target of a TB-free India by 2025, much ahead of the global target of 2030,” he said. Dr Harsh Vardhan said that we have now more than 300 TB Champions in the TB program. He applauded the courage of Chinmayi from Odisha who narrated her story of fighting brain TB, and how she turned into a strong advocate and supporter for efforts for TB control. “TB survivors like Chinmayi and many others who have shown exemplary courage to follow the course of treatment, should be given the opportunity to lead the way”, Dr Harsh Vardhan said. The Union Health Minister further added that India’s campaign to eradicate polio could be successful because of the thousands of volunteers who contributed to the cause. “Who were these people? These were people from all walks of life - doctors, leaders, health workers, community members, faith-healers - and with their sustained and dedicated effort, India managed to eradicate polio. What we did with Polio then, we need to do with TB now,” he stressed. Dr Harsh Vardhan also awarded states for their excellent performance in tackling TB. Among states with a large population (>50 lakhs), Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat were awarded as best performers, while Tripura and Sikkim were recognized for their efforts among medium population (less than 50 lakhs) states. Puducherry, and Daman and Diu were judged as the best performers among Union Territories. The new TB campaign aims to improve and expand the reach of TB care services across the country, by 2022. This includes preventive and promotive approaches, and proposes potentially transformative interventions such as engagement with private sector health care providers, inter-ministerial partnerships, corporate sector engagement, latent TB infection management, and community engagement. The interventions will be accompanied by a comprehensive, mass media and communications campaign to generate awareness about the disease and the free treatment services available under the government program. The media campaign was also launched by the Health Minister today. In the past few years, there have been several important policy initiatives, resulting in an increase in the number of cases reported to the government. In 2018, 21.5 lakh TB cases were reported to the government, compared to 18 lakhs in 2017, an increase of 17% in one year. Moreover, notifications from private sector health care providers reached 5.4 lakhs, an increase of 40%, contributing to 25% of all TB notifications. The Government of India has also partnered with the Global Fund to launch JEET (Joint Effort for Elimination of TB), a private sector engagement program operating in 45 cities across the country. In the last year, with domestic resources, the Govt. of India through the NHM has also approved additional 120 cities across 19 states. In April 2018, the government launched the Nikshay Poshan Yojana, a direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme to provide nutritional support to TB patients. Under the scheme, TB patients have been receiving Rs. 500 per month for the entire duration of treatment. Since its inception, a total amount of Rs. 427crore has been paid to over 26 lakhs beneficiaries through direct transfers to their bank accounts. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14761/ayush-ministry-announces-establishment-of-3-new-hospitals.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14761/ayush-ministry-announces-establishment-of-3-new-hospitals.html Wed, 25 Sep 2019 11:05:00 +0530 Shripad Naik, the Minister of State (I/C), Ministry of AYUSH has informed that 3 New AYUSH Hospitals have been set up in Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Odisha during the 100-day period of the present government while 306 Ayush hospitals have been upgraded. The essential medicines have been supplied and sanctioned to more than 11,980 Hospitals and dispensaries which will benefit more than 2.9 cr patients, the minister informed. The support to 2,853 PHCs with co-located AYUSH Centres has been extended during the period for medicines and contingencies which will benefit 64.6 lakh patients. Naik was addressing the media on achievements of Ministry of AYUSH during the first 100 days of the present Government. Rajan Vaidya Katoch, Secretary, AYUSH and senior officials of the ministry were also present at the conference. Pointing out that the Health insurance for AYUSH treatments is essential for increasing the access for the public to AYUSH healthcare, Naik informed that the Ministry of AYUSH has been pursuing the expansion of insurance cover for AYUSH procedures diligently. He also informed that a proposal for inclusion of 19 AYUSH packages in PM-JAY has been finalised and submitted to the National Health Authority. “We have also finalised the guidelines for expanding insurance to additional AYUSH treatments, and the response of the Insurance Companies to this has been positive” added the AYUSH Minister. The AYUSH Minister further informed that his Ministry has set a target to operationalise 4,200 AYUSH Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) under Ayushman Bharat Scheme during 2019-20. He also added that after scrutiny of proposals from States, 1,754 HWCs from different States/ UTs are sanctioned, and funds for 1,037 HWCs already released. The Minister shared the commitment of the Ministry for strengthening the AYUSH health services in States / UTs and informed that an amount of Rs. 325 cr funds has been released to states for activities under NAM after due scrutiny of proposals. While highlighting the efforts of the Ministry of AYUSH in medicinal plants cultivation, the AYUSH Minister informed, “Proposals related to Medicinal Plant cultivation have also been supported. State Action Plans from 17 States were finalised, covering approximately 6500-hectare area, and costing around Rs.36.00 crore. This will benefit over 3000 farmers, and will include establishment of 44 nurseries and 16 processing units.” To observe the 150th anniversary of the Father of the Nation, 150 mega Naturopathy camps will be held in different States during the one-year period from 2nd Oct 2019. To globalise AYUSH systems, the Minister informed that efforts in this area “have yielded notable success”. “The BIMSTEC nations with whom we share excellent political and social equations have agreed to jointly set up a BIMSTEC University of Ayurveda and Traditional Medicine in India. Another significant development has been the Country to Country MoUs signed with Gambia and Guinea, in July and August respectively, for joint efforts in promotion of Traditional Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy. In another landmark development, a MoU signed between India and China on 12th August 2019. This will see the world’s two largest Traditional Medicine Administrations collaborating for the benefit of the people of the two countries”, added the Minister. The promotion of research activities in AYUSH Systems based on modern approaches is a priority area for the Ministry and an outlay of Rs. 490 cr is anticipated over two years for this project, which is expected to create a world-wide impact”, Naik informed and said that a high impact Research project on introducing Ayurveda intervention in Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) in Public Health was operationalised in Primary Health Centres of Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. “This will have 10,000 expecting mothers as subjects, a huge sample size for a medical research project. The project is expected to establish the effectiveness of GarbhiniParicharya, the traditional Ayurvedic intervention for Ante-natal care” he added. “The Central Research Councils of Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha together validated 110 classical formulations for 60 conditions during this period, completed by generating evidence on clinical safety and efficacy” informed the AYUSH Minister. The 10 National Institutes functioning under the Ministry of are setting new benchmarks for education in their respective disciplines. The upgradation of National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA), Jaipur is under way, and procurement of 1.37 acres of land for building 2nd campus of NIA, Jaipur finalized. All India Institute of Ayurveda, Sarita Vihar has signed an MoU with Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie for setting up an Ayurveda Wellness Centre at the Academy, and has finalized the project plan for the same. To popularise yoga in the world, observation of the International Day of Yoga 2019 on 21st June 2019 resulted in the participation of more than 13 cr people across the country. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14758/aster-dm-collaborates-with-karnataka-lingayat-education-society.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14758/aster-dm-collaborates-with-karnataka-lingayat-education-society.html Wed, 25 Sep 2019 10:00:00 +0530 Aster DM Healthcare is growing its presence in the Karnataka region with the introduction of two new hospitals. For its fourth hospital, to be named as Aster KLE Hospital, the Company has entered into an agreement with KLE Society which runs over 270 institutions across Karnataka and Maharashtra and Delhi. A 25-year lease deed agreement was signed with Karnataka Lingayat Education (KLE) Society. The Company is introducing two new hospitals in the city of Bengaluru. The third 350-bedded hospital is coming up in Whitefield, Bengaluru in next 12-18 months. First 150 beds would be made operational by April, 2020. It would also have a dedicated mother and child block. Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman and Managing director of Aster DM Healthcare said, “We are looking forward to the launch of the new hospitals. The establishment of the third and fourth hospitals in Bangalore cements our promise to offer path-breaking medical technology and treatment, making quality healthcare easily accessible to the people in the region. The expansion is also a part of our efforts to strengthen and diversify our operations in the State where we already have two operational hospitals.” Dr Prabhakar Kore, Chairman of KLE Society, Member of Rajya Sabha from Karnataka said, “It has always been our effort to bridge the gap between modern facilities of diagnostics and treatment, including super specialty services, at affordable costs to people in remote areas and places where there is a dearth of these facilities. KLE Society has a long history of providing transformative healthcare, education and research and will continue to do so with this association with Aster DM Healthcare. The launch of the new hospital will be a vital blend of infrastructural, medical and technological excellence.”    Sreenath Reddy, Group CFO, Aster DM Healthcare said, “We have received very good reception towards our existing hospital facilities in Bangalore, enabling us to expand our footprint with the development of Aster KLE. This project in Yeshwantpur suburb area is also based on an asset light model similar to Aster CMI and Aster RV Hospital and is sure to address healthcare concerns of patients in an around the region.” Dr. Harish Pillai, CEO, Aster India said, “Aster KLE Hospital will be the fourth unit in Bangalore to join the existing13 hospitals across India and increase our bed capacity to 4643.Currently, we are serving 2 million patients in India annually and with the added capacity through the two new hospitals in Bangalore and diversified service offering through the Aster laboratories and clinics we would be able to extend the best medical practices including diagnostics, curative, rehabilitation and preventive services to as many patients as possible. Our world-class facilities at the hospital units in Bangalore are equipped with cutting-edge diagnostic and therapeutic competency. The launch of Aster KLE Hospital is a step further to fulfilling our commitment – We’ll treat you well. We are committed to more investments in Bangalore and our India operations will be headquartered in the same city.” Commenting on introduction of the new hospital, Dr. Nitish Shetty, CEO, Aster Hospitals, Bangalore, said, “Aster KLE Hospital will be one of the largest units under the Aster DM Healthcare banner in Bangalore. It will cover crucial medical specialties under its Centres of Excellence with Cancer Care, Cardiac Sciences, Neurosciences, Liver Care, Organ transplant, Orthopaedics, Urology, Nephrology, among others, along with the latest, state-of-the-art medical technologies and equipments.”    The 600 bedded hospital to be located next to KLE Dental College near Yeshwantpur on Tumkur NH Highway Road, would be Aster’s 15th hospital in India and part of its global network of existing 25 hospitals, 115 clinics and 231 pharmacies. The hospital is scheduled to begin operations in April 2024.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14759/docprime-launches-online-consultations-via-audio.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14759/docprime-launches-online-consultations-via-audio.html Tue, 24 Sep 2019 15:20:00 +0530 Docprime, health-Tech venture by EtechAces Marketing and Consulting Private Limited (“Policybazaar Group”) has completed one year of its operations. To mark the first anniversary, Docprime announced the launch of a new service in the primary healthcare segment. The company will be offering online consultations through audio mode. In the past one year, Docprime has provided 10 lakh free chat based Online Consultations & 2 lakh Prescriptions. Speaking about the journey, Ashish Gupta, CEO Docprime.com said, “We feel immense happiness on successfully completing a year of our operations and have witnessed great support from all our stakeholders. In the first year, we focused on bringing technology led solutions in order to deliver high quality and affordable primary healthcare affordable to the masses. As we enter into the second year, we stay more committed in bringing digital solutions to the Indian healthcare ecosystem.” "The audio consultation feature with enhanced user experience will help doctors to handle more complex or advanced health issues. It is an added component to the virtual doctor visits, he added.” According to consultation data of last one year, 23% of total online consultations were primarily seasonal health issues i.e. common cold, fever, pain, headache etc. 11% and 9% of the online consultations were related to skin and women related health issues respectively. Out of the 2 lakh prescriptions, approximately 50% were prescribed to people residing in ‘Top 10 cities’. The ratio of male and female audience stood at 55:45 Elaborating on this, Ashish Gupta, said, “At Docprime, affordability and accessibility remains at the core of every milestone we achieve. The ever-increasing cost of healthcare has made quality healthcare services limited to a set of population in India. With the help of technology, it’s our endeavour to make healthcare services accessible to all at click of a button.” In this one year, the company has provided online consultations to a tough mix of young and middle-aged people with 41% of prescriptions issued to the age group of 18-25 years. This was followed by 21% and 18% of people belonging 25-30 and 30-40 age group bracket respectively. People under the age group 40-60 had a share of 12%.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14757/nnr-treats-45-years-old-suffering-from-skin-psoriasis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14757/nnr-treats-45-years-old-suffering-from-skin-psoriasis.html Tue, 24 Sep 2019 15:00:00 +0530 Nirvana Naturopathy and Retreat has treated a forty-five years old patient, who was suffering from skin psoriasis for a quite a long time. Essentially, Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. In normal condition, skin cells grow and replace themselves in a month. But in the case of psoriasis, skin cells fail to do that and that creates painful conditions for the patients. Shroff’s immune system was to blame for this traumatic condition.  Dr. Suunita, BNYS (Bachelor of Naturopathy and Yogic Science) and Healer at Nirvana Naturopathy and Retreat, Igatpuri, said, “Shroff came to us with itchy dry skin, small bumps, inflamed and bleeding patches. He was also suffering from depression and joint pain. It took us nearly 15 days to manage his disease and make him normal healthy again. At Nirvana Naturopathy and Retreat, Igatpuri, first of all, we put our patients on a special diet to treat psoriasis. Our experience tells us that the right diet does a miracle in such a condition. Another important intervention was keeping the skin moist most of the time.” According to a Global Report on Psoriasis by WHO, the prevalence of psoriasis in countries ranges between 0.09% and 11.43%, making psoriasis a serious global problem with at least 100 million individuals affected worldwide. In modern medicine, common management of the disease includes prescription creams & medicines, UV light therapy, Sunscreen, Moisturizer containing ceramides. But in Naturopathy, apart from the right diet, the treatment includes mud therapy, hydrotherapy, acupuncture, acupressure, meditation, and yoga. According to the naturopathy expert, several known factors can trigger the onset of psoriasis or make it worse. These factors include bacterial infections, stress, sunburn, smoking, and some medications. Consumption of processed and pre-packed food regularly could also be the reason. When the immune system attacks healthy skin cells, it results in Psoriasis. Skin psoriasis has a severe effect on the quality of life and mental health. Naturopathy treatment can be truly life-changing. It helps a lot in winning a battle against pain, irritation, aches, itching and overall to get rid of a stigma associated with such a visual skin condition.  Nirvana Naturopathy & Retreat was established in the year 2014 by Life Care & Peace Mission with a purpose to provide healthy lifestyle to all health-conscious individuals and improve their quality of life through natural healing coupled with Yoga Sadhana, to stay disease free unto old age. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14751/3m-india-launches-quality-improvement-program-in-infusion-therapy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14751/3m-india-launches-quality-improvement-program-in-infusion-therapy.html Tue, 24 Sep 2019 11:25:00 +0530 3M India, a subsidiary of leading global innovation company has signed a MoU with Infusion Nurses Society (INS-Ind) to launch “INFUZE”, a quality improvement program in Infusion therapy in India. The program is aimed at improving compliance to the best practices in Infusion therapy. As an extension to the partnership with INS-Ind since its inception, 3M India, now as the technical partner, will design workshop modules and conduct initial compliance assessment. While Infusion therapy is viewed as niche segment, insertion and maintenance of peripheral intravascular catheters is expected of every registered nurse. The importance of this is missed in the absence of a dedicated curriculum. Addressing this, 3M India will create educational modules and checklists on the INS Policy and Procedures, and also conduct training workshops in the enrolled centers to help them comply with the Infusion Therapy Policy and Procedures and Guidance Manual. 3M India will also undertake an initial compliance assessment of the center within two months of completion of every workshop. Rajiv Gupta, Country Business Leader, HCBG, 3M India, said, “We at 3M, believe in giving back to our customers and communities. We have continuously invested in promoting global healthcare best practices through our products and services. “Patient safety” is one of the most discussed issues in healthcare worldwide, including India. Our association with INS India, through INFUZE is built on strengthening this cause through means of standardization of healthcare practices in Infusion Therapy.” Ninad Gadgil, ex- Country Business Leader, HCBG, 3M India, said, “We are proud of our association with INS India, as founding members through its inception. It is an added privilege to be a technical partner for the program. The commitment of the members of INS India, who not only do their day job but also invest time in helping raise the standards of the entire industry, is outstanding. We are confident that INFUZE will help improve the adoption of best practices in infusion therapy and play a remarkable role in the standardization of health care practices.” Binu Sharma, President INS India, said, “INS India has been thinking of initiating excellence awards in infusion therapy through an objectively driven program. “INFUZE” a quality improvement program in collaboration with 3M has come at the right time and we are excited that we will be soon completing 10 years. Through INFUZE, INS-India is setting up various forums with industry experts for assessments and audits; technical committee with nurse leader experts and an advisory panel of critical care clinicians. The online course on peripheral cannulation is a welcome move and the first in line of the education that the organization intends to offer to its members. We are looking at other avenues to expand the reach and educate.” Keeping in mind the graduality of the program, a 5-member core committee will be formed in every hospital to discuss and ensure successful execution. The program is relying on the “Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice” and “Policies and Procedures in Infusion Therapy” for defining the scope and execution. INS India has close to 3000 lifetime members and new are added with each passing year.  Leveraging INS-India’s existing presence, the program will start in chapters in Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kerala, Bhuvneshwar and Chandigarh ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14750/healthcare-meets-information-technology-in-hyderabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14750/healthcare-meets-information-technology-in-hyderabad.html Tue, 24 Sep 2019 11:10:00 +0530 The 9th edition of Transforming Healthcare with IT (THIT), the largest healthcare & IT based International conference and trade show in India, was organized by Apollo Telemedicine Networking Foundation from 12th to 14th September 2019 in Hyderabad. The conference saw a presence of 49 speakers from 12 countries and 780 delegates.  There were exhibitors from 47 Health IT solution providers.  Participation came in from Niti Aayog , Union Ministry for Human resources development , Union and State ministries of Health and Family welfare in addition to trade delegations from UK , Holland , Mongolia , South Korea, and several African nations.  There was a confluence of technology and patient safety resulting in a genuine and action-oriented “International Health Dialogue”. Some interesting highlights were Microsoft announcing the National Preview of the Cardiac  Risk Score , Zebra Med announcing the ML algorithm for brain bleeds, CHiME unveiling the plans for the innovation collaboration in India, and Apollo Remote Healthcare in collaboration with Zipline and Govt. of Telangana announced the launch of pilot program “Drones Delivering Medicine”. A pre conference CHiME Masterclass on Leadership and Digital Transformation was held on 12th September 2019 and saw close to 84 delegates with CIOs from 35 hospitals and health systems in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14745/medlife-unveils-campaign-to-spread-awareness-about-cpr.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14745/medlife-unveils-campaign-to-spread-awareness-about-cpr.html Tue, 24 Sep 2019 10:00:00 +0530 Medlife has launched a campaign called #BecauseHeartMatters ahead of the World Heart Day. As part of this campaign, Medlife will conduct CPR training sessions across 5 major cities in India in association with leading non-profit organization the Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI). An integrated digital campaign has also been launched on Facebook as a part of which, an augmented reality (AR) filter has been created. This will help people understand the CPR technique in an engaging and interactive manner. Developed in collaboration with Facebook and Bangalore based creative tech agency alive now, Medlife aims to reach out to over 35 Million Indians through the interactive filter. Heart diseases are the leading cause of deaths in India and claim about 2.8 million lives each year. Timely interventions such as CPR to revive someone after a sudden cardiac arrest can help save many lives. However, a recent survey indicates that about 98% people are not trained in this basic technique. Through the campaign, Medlife aims to raise awareness about the importance of providing the right response to sudden cardiac arrest patients in a timely manner through CPR. Speaking about this, Meera Iyer, Chief Marketing Officer, Medlife, said, “Medlife’s vision is to help improve health outcomes for a billion Indians by making healthcare simple, accessible and personal. In this light, the campaign on CPR training assumes importance since sudden cardiac arrest is a condition that can affect anyone, anytime and anywhere. CPR can be performed by anyone and we aim to educate people about this through both our offline and digital campaigns.” Adding further, Padma Shri Awardee, Dr KK Aggarwal, President, Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI), said, “We are happy to join hands with Medlife for conducting CPR training at such a large scale. Although CPR is a lifesaving technique, not many people are aware of how to carry out the procedure. Learning CPR is real voluntary work. It is a simple measure that can save lives when two minutes can also be the deciding factor between life and death during a sudden cardiac arrest. We hope that the campaign will create the much-needed awareness about the importance of CPR and encourage people to further educate others too.” Over 50 training sessions will be conducted across Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Pune at over 30 corporate organizations including Reliance General Insurance, Titan, AO Smith, LIC, Bajaj Allianz and others. Over 2000 people are expected to undergo training in the lifesaving procedure and over 35 Million people will be reached online.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14733/virinchi-with-rri-to-develop-innovative-kidney-failure-treatments.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14733/virinchi-with-rri-to-develop-innovative-kidney-failure-treatments.html Mon, 23 Sep 2019 10:00:00 +0530 Virinchi Hospital, Hyderabad is at the forefront of providing world class treatment for kidney ailments and is leading a crusade to develop new path-breaking treatments to alleviate the suffering of patients suffering with this dreadful disease. In these efforts it is joining hands in highly innovative, collaborative research, with the world-renowned Renal Research Institute, New York, a wholly owned subsidiary of German firm Fresenius Medical Care. The first joint project is to advance the allo-hemodialysis device, which is a novel, inexpensive treatment for terminal kidney failure. This treatment has the potential to revolutionise the treatment of kidney failure worldwide, especially in impoverished parts of the world, so that no person anywhere dies for the lack of access to dialysis treatment, something that is currently elusive, primarily for economic reasons. Leading these projects from Virinchi Hospital will be Dr K S Nayak, a world expert in treating kidney diseases along with Prof Peter Kotanko, Research Director at the Renal Research Institute, New York. It is expected that this formal collaboration between these two leading institutions will be the beginning of many ground breaking inventions aimed at providing new and affordable treatments for kidney failure. Lack of affordable renal replacement therapy (RRT), especially in limited resource settings, puts patients with kidney failure at risk of imminent death. The 2019 published Global Kidney Health Atlas projected that in 2030, 14.5 million people will have end stage kidney disease and need RRT, yet over 60% (9.1 million patients) will not receive it due to economic, social, and political factors. "We propose allo-hemodialysis (alloHD) as a novel dialytic RRT modality where the patient’s blood flows in the dialyzer counter-current to the blood of a healthy subject (“buddy”). Fluid and toxins transferred from the patient to the buddy are excreted by the buddy’s healthy kidneys. It is envisioned that, for example, a child with acute kidney failure could be treated by relatives who serve as buddies. A range of delivery models are currently under discussion, they will highly depend on local and medical considerations. AlloHD could be delivered also at home, avoiding the costs of building and operating conventional dialysis centers", said Dr Nayak. Vish Kompella, Founder, Virinchi Hospitals added, "Currently, the research on the advancement of the allo-hemodialysis device is going on. Further we will apply for the government approval. We intend to make this service available in the rural areas in particular." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14722/ola-collaborates-with-ayushman-bharat-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14722/ola-collaborates-with-ayushman-bharat-.html Fri, 20 Sep 2019 10:50:00 +0530 Ola, India’s mobility platform and Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), the world’s largest government healthcare scheme, have announced a partnership to facilitate comprehensive health insurance for Ola’s 2 million driver-partners. Vijay Ghadge, Vice President-Operations, Ola has signed an MoU with Dr. Praveen Gedam, Deputy CEO of AB-PMJAY and National Health Authority to extend the benefits of the Centre-sponsored healthcare scheme to provide secondary and tertiary care to driver-partners and their families. The MOU was signed in the presence of Dr. Indu Bhushan, CEO, AB-PMJAY and National Health Authority. A representative from Common Service Centres (CSC), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, also signed the MoU in the capacity of a third-party administrator. Launched in September last year, AB-PMJAY provides 10.74 crore economically disadvantaged and vulnerable families in India with hospitalization benefits through a health cover of Rs. 5 lakh in government and empanelled private hospitals. As a part of the partnership, the two organizations will work in tandem to identify driver-partners eligible for the scheme and provide them with access to the benefits under the PM-JAY scheme. Through this partnership, hundreds of thousands of eligible driver-partners will be able to access in-patient care for serious illnesses at a country-wide network of 18,073 government and private hospitals empanelled under PM-JAY.  Driver-partners can get their AB-PMJAY e-cards issued at an Ola office closest to driver-partners. Dr Praveen Gedam, Deputy CEO, Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY said, “The goal of AB-PMJAY scheme is to provide access to quality curative health care and ensure it reaches every last citizen who is eligible. Ola, as India’s largest mobility platform reaches out to a vast network of drivers. We appreciate Ola’s efforts in supporting the Government of India’s Universal healthcare goals and are confident that our combined energies will accelerate our goal to reach 500 million people across the country.” Speaking about the partnership, Vijay Ghadge said, “Driver-partners and their welfare are a key priority for us and we are constantly working towards improving their lives and committed to their well-being. We applaud the government’s efforts to strengthen access to healthcare and widen the scope of coverage. In partnering with Ayushman Bharat, we are addressing the evolving needs of our driver-partners, offering them, and their families, access to reliable and quality healthcare services.” The first phase will see Ola and AB-PMJAY conducting a pilot in Delhi NCR, which will subsequently be rolled out at scale to other cities across the country. Eligible driver-partners as well as Ola employees, across verticals, will be able to avail the benefits of the program and obtain an Ayushman Bharat card at a minimal cost of Rs. 30. Officials from the National Health Authority will work closely with the concerned department at Ola to carry out efficient handling of the process from checking eligibility to handing out the AB-PMJAY e-cards. They will also train Ola staff to execute the process independently. Ola has in the past partnered with several state governments and government initiatives such as Skill India, Digital India and Swachh Bharat. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14721/ncrtc-collaborates-with-the-empathy-campaign.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14721/ncrtc-collaborates-with-the-empathy-campaign.html Fri, 20 Sep 2019 10:40:00 +0530 The Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) in association with National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) organised ‘I Pledge…(my support)’ activity at NCRTC’s Corporate Office recently. All the NCRTC employees including the staff and workers availed the benefit of the campaign. This activity was undertaken as a part of ‘Empowering People Against Hepatitis: The EMPATHY Campaign’ Project supported by Airports Authority of India (AAI), being implemented by ILBS that aims to spread pan India awareness on the menace of viral hepatitis B & C. An awareness talk was organized to sensitize and educate staff on various aspects of Hepatitis, followed by a free health camp for screening of Hepatitis B & C along with the vaccination for Hepatitis B. Dr. Neeraj Raizada, Assistant Professor-Epidemiology, and PI (Project Empathy), ILBS and senior officials of NCRTC were present on the occasion. Dr. Neeraj Raizada, gave the key note address and explained the importance of screening for Hepatitis B & C. He also emphasized on the vaccination against Hepatitis B and encouraged people to get themselves tested and vaccinated for the same. He said, “Many people are still unaware about the menace of this viral disease, there is an urgent need to act against Hepatitis. We need to generate dialogue and create awareness on this issue to end this epidemic. It is vital to act and get tested in time. We have cost-effective and high impact interventions and vaccinations available to prevent these infections. Need of the hour is community dialogue & action.” To address the problem of Hepatitis B & C, ILBS has undertaken a comprehensive program, namely, “Empowering People Against Hepatitis: The EMPATHY Campaign”, conceptualized by Padma Bhushan recipient Dr. Shiv Kumar Sarin, Director, Institute of Liver & Biliary Sciences. This cause is supported by Airports Authority of India (AAI) under its CSR, to generate awareness on Hepatitis B and C across India through multi-pronged advocacy strategies for improving healthcare seeking behaviour. The ‘I Pledge...(my support)’ initiative, a component of the EMPATHY Campaign, focuses on spreading awareness by sensitizing the staff of various organizations and encourage them to pledge their support for spreading awareness about Hepatitis B & C, and to contribute in its prevention and early management. Following this, all staff also extended their full support by sharing their pledge for the cause. ILBS team conducted a free screening cum vaccination for the employees. They were vaccinated against Hepatitis B and screened for Hepatitis B & C, on voluntary basis. About 60 million Indians are inflicted with Hepatitis B and C virus infections which are responsible for liver cirrhosis and cancer. Majority harbouring the infection are undiagnosed and unaware of their status. While several initiatives are currently being undertaken by the Govt. under the National Viral Hepatitis Control Program, to improve access to vaccines, diagnostics and treatment for such individuals and those at risk but the stigma and consequent discrimination associated with these infections is a significant hindrance to care-seeking, compliance and mainstreaming, as often the infected do not want to be identified for the fear of social isolation. This event generated a chain of champions for the cause i.e., ‘Ending the Hepatitis B & C epidemic’, at NCRTC, each talking to ten, and growing number of people within the organisation and in their society becoming aware of the menace of Hepatitis B and C and pledging to get screened, and treated for hepatitis and to help those infected by supporting them and giving them their due at the workplace and in the society.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14712/p-d-hinduja-hospital-mrc-spread-awareness-on-the-first-world-patient-safety-day.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14712/p-d-hinduja-hospital-mrc-spread-awareness-on-the-first-world-patient-safety-day.html Thu, 19 Sep 2019 14:10:00 +0530 On the occasion of the first-ever World Patient Safety Day observed on 17th September, P.D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre, Mahim, conducted awareness programs on 16th and 17th September 2019 with an attempt to reach out to maximum number of people to create awareness about prioritizing patient safety as a global health priority to urge people and healthcare professionals to show their commitment towards making healthcare safer. In a first, the hospital lit up the Hinduja Hospital building in ‘Orange’ colour as per the WHO colour code to show their commitment to the safety of patients.   As a part of the initiative, Dr. Anjali Shetty, Consultant Microbiologist, and Dr. Rishi Kumar, Consultant General Medicine alongside the trained hospital staff conducted sessions on “Rational Use of Antibiotics” and “CPR Training”. These sessions were conducted in partnership with the patients to spread awareness on a patient safety culture. The intention is to create awareness amongst the public on the key issues relating to patient safety and ideas to improve the same. This initiative will help to encourage the development of systems and procedures for the elimination of all avoidable healthcare-related harm to patients, and management of risks in health care Apart from hosting orientation programs, P.D. Hinduja Hospital took an initiative to promote “World Safety Patient Day” with Mr. Boffin a mascot handing over handouts to in-patients and visitors with a small distribution kit containing hand wipes, mask, and a sanitizer to drive safety measures educating people around the topic 'Be our Patient Safety Partner'. Other initiatives to create awareness included: 1) Digital posters, Standees, Posters on noticeboards: The communication encouraged visitors to ‘Be our Patient Safety Partner’. The hospital also displayed 5 Moments of Medication Safety (WHO Campaign) 2) International Patient Safety Goals were put up @ Nursing Stations throughout the hospital 3) Training was given on Infection Prevention by healthcare providers 4) Demonstration and training on Hand Hygeine session for school children was held at the Rural Health Programme Joy Chakraborthy, COO, P.D. Hinduja Hospital & MRC said, “There is a need to create awareness amongst patients about seeking medical help, and making decisions about the management of minor diseases. Patient safety is our ultimate goal and we are happy to be part of this initiative adopted by WHO on the very first World Patient Safety Day. Individuals today self-medicate themselves. It is associated with risks such as misdiagnosis, use of excessive drug dosage, and prolonged duration of use, and drug interactions. Hence, monitoring systems and building a partnership between patients, physicians and pharmacists and the provision of education and information to all concerned on safe self-medication maximize benefits and minimize risk.” According to WHO, Millions of patients are harmed each year due to unsafe health care worldwide resulting in 2.6 million deaths annually in low-and middle-income countries alone. At least five patients die every minute because of unsafe care and most of these deaths are avoidable. Hence the theme color showers a high degree of positivism that helps to restore balance to our physical energies. Four out of every ten patients are harmed during primary and ambulatory health care. The most detrimental errors are related to diagnosis, prescription and the use of medicines. Medication errors alone cost an estimated US$ 42 billion annually. Unsafe surgical care procedures cause complications in up to 25% of patients resulting in 1 million deaths during or immediately after surgery annually.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14706/ncg-vishwam-cancer-care-connect-opens-in-vienna.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14706/ncg-vishwam-cancer-care-connect-opens-in-vienna.html Thu, 19 Sep 2019 10:00:00 +0530 K. N. Vyas, Secretary Department of Atomic Energy & Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission of India launched NCG Vishwam Cancer Care Connect on 17th September 2019 in Vienna on the sidelines of 63rd General conference of International Atomic Energy Agency. By virtue of this, National Cancer Grid (NCG) established and managed by Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), which has 183 participating stake holders from India has been made open to the cancer hospitals and other relevant institutes from foreign countries. Dr. Rajendra Badwe, Director, Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) gave the details of NCG and how it could be extended to the foreign hospitals and the benefits which they shall accrue. The objective of the NCG has been removing the disparity in Cancer Care. The NCG Vishwam is expected to play the same role globally. Eleven countries expressed interest immediately after the launch. Hospitals from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh conveyed their appreciation through a video message of offering the NCG to foreign countries. May Abdel-Wahab, Director, NAHU, IAEA conveyed appreciation of IAEA on the launch of NCG Vishwam, called it as comprehensive package help bridging the gap in cancer care and underlined IAEA’s support to the initiative. Official logo of NCG Vishwam Cancer Care Connect was launched on the occasion.        Chairman AEC said, “Cancer Care is an integral part of the responsibilities of the Department of Atomic Energy. The radioisotopes for detection of cancer and treatment are exclusively produced by the Department. The Department is also involved in development of newer radiopharmaceuticals. A cobalt teletherapy machine, called Bhabhatron, for cancer treatment, has also been developed by the Department.  The Tata Memorial Centre (or TMC), which is an integral part of the Department, has been a premier cancer care facility since 1941 and it has struck an excellent balance with trilogy of patient care, education and research. The Centre has championed cost effective interventions, accessible all over India. Research conducted at the Centre has saved many lives across the globe. The Centre offers state of the art training to create human resource for cancer care. TMC today has seven hospitals and one research institute catering to the needs of more than half a million patients every year, among which there are ~100,000 new patients. I am very happy to announce that India is launching a global cancer care network, “NCG-Vishwam Cancer Care Connect” (NCG-Vishwam 3C). Vishwam is a Sanskrit word, which means Universal or Global. Through this connect, we shall join hands with all interested partner countries in our fight against Cancer. NCG-Vishwam envisages integration of the hospitals and relevant cancer care institutes from partner countries with the National Cancer Grid (NCG) of India. NCG is managed by TMC and was established in 2012 with the broad vision for creating uniform standards of cancer care across India. In the short span of seven years, it has grown to a large network of 183 cancer centres, research institutes, patient advocacy groups, charitable organizations and professional societies. Incorporating virtually all stakeholders of cancer care in India, it has now become a strong, unified and powerful System in the fight against cancer. We have been receiving requests from a number of partner countries for sharing the platform and this has been the incentive for the launch of NCG-Vishwam 3C. We invite Member States to be a partner in this noble cause. Our partner countries shall benefit in different ways through the NCG Vishwam connect, such as NCG guidelines for management of common cancers; Second Opinion Service for patients/ physicians; decisions on treatment; availability of massive open online courses; etc. I am happy that different hospitals from Russia, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, Nepal, United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Jamaica, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Zambia have agreed to become part of the NCG-Vishwam.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14701/aquity-solutions-launches-scribing-service-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14701/aquity-solutions-launches-scribing-service-in-india.html Wed, 18 Sep 2019 12:50:00 +0530 Leading healthcare solutions provider Aquity Solutions has launched a scribing service in the city. The new service is expected to encourage meaningful compliance and enable physicians stay updated on latest CMS requirements. For the new service, Acquity Solutions will be a new  employment source generator for para-medical professionals  with relevant qualifications. The launch of new services signify Aquity’s relentless pursuit to excel with emphasis on high- quality clinical documentation. Not only will it add a new dimension to the palette of services offered by Aquity  it will also reduce time and generate employment. Through the service, Aquity aims to offer the most talented pool of manpower that is scalable and adaptable to the growing needs of any organization. The other noted innovations by the company are Computer-Assisted Physician Documentation (CAPD) and Speech recognition solutions for physician documentation.  Headquartered in Mumbai, Aquity Solutions has presence across western India - Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Aurangabad, Nagpur and down south- Bangalore, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Vizag, Chennai. Furthermore, state -of- the- art offices and trained staff in in eastern India –Kolkata, Bhuvneshwar, and up north - Delhi, Noida and Gurgaon. Aquity Solutions justify its position as one of the largest medical transcription services in world, with over 8,000 US-based and global production staff for processing more than 300 million minutes of dictation each year. Technavia report has predicted that the global medical transcription market size will grow by USD 19.16 billion during 2018-2022. The medical transcription market growth is propelled by the growth in chronic diseases and aging population. This will drive the need for medical transcription to enable assistance to the Medical Profession at large and accelerate the growth in this sector. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14699/bayer-launches-safetrack-to-mark-international-patient-safety-day.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14699/bayer-launches-safetrack-to-mark-international-patient-safety-day.html Wed, 18 Sep 2019 12:10:00 +0530 On International Patient Safety Day, Bayer’s Pharmaceutical division in India ( Bayer Zydus Pharma),  announced the launch of SafeTrack, a quick, simple and convenient adverse event reporting tool for the public. International Patient Safety Day is an initiative by the German Coalition for Patient Safety, and calls for all stakeholders in health care systems to work together to improve patient safety. As a leading pharmaceutical company, patient safety is one of Bayer’s core values, and the launch of SafeTrack demonstrates Bayer’s commitment to ensuring the safety of current and future patients and consumers. Consequently, Bayer is committed to advancing health literacy as patients who are actively engaged in their own healthcare are more likely to stay healthy and manage their conditions. Bayer staff, healthcare professionals and the public of all ages play a key role in ensuring the optimal use of medicines around the world.  Throughout the years, Bayer has developed an array of tools and platforms for patient safety – work is currently being undertaken to implement an artificial intelligence- based solution to augment drug safety data management. The aim is to increase efficiency to tackle the growing volume of received adverse event reports. The system helps to extract necessary data and classify it accordingly, improving patient safety through the identification of adverse drug reactions.  Bayer's new web-based tool, SafeTrack allows for the easy, quick and convenient reporting of adverse events. The tool balances the need to capture comprehensive data against ease and speed of use and is available in eight different languages. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14696/tattvan-e-clinics-expands-footprints-into-south-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14696/tattvan-e-clinics-expands-footprints-into-south-india.html Wed, 18 Sep 2019 11:10:00 +0530 Tattvan E-Clinics, telemedicine healthcare organisation is expanding footprints to southern India. The brand is using technology to provide best quality healthcare services to tier 3 and tier 4 markets and it is strengthening its presence in India by opening a ‘CRC’ (Clinical Response Centre) in Hyderabad which will soon be established in Hyderabad. The new facility will provide healthcare services including medical devices integrated on a digital platform and an embedded pharmacy for instant medicine dispensing. The new Tattvan E-clinic is in process of hiring over 60 qualified and experienced healthcare professionals to offer 24X7 Primary Health Care services in Hyderabad. Spearheaded by Ranga Sudhakar, the Chief Strategy Officer & Co-Founder, Tattvan is also establishing E-clinics in the southern region of India. Along with the recent expansion and hiring, the company is in the final stage of tying up with top-notch hospitals of South India, like KIIMS (Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences), Global Hospitals, Continental Hospitals, Rainbow Children's Heart Institute (The only one in the country), Citizens Specialty Hospitals, American Oncology Institute, CARE Multi Speciality Hospitals, SUNSHINE Multi Speciality Hospitals, AIG Hospitals, etc. to name few. Speaking about the expansion, Ayush Mishra, CEO & Co- Founder, Tattvan E-Clinics said, “We are excited about our expansion as it will help us tap other places in India and overseas more effectively and fulfil our desire to succeed in our endeavour of becoming a leading E-Clinic company. Our recent expansion brings us a step closer to realising our vision of bringing the best quality healthcare to the masses.” Speaking about his role, CSO & Co-Founder, Ranga Sudhakar said, “Since South is one of the prime focus for us to provide some of the best healthcare facilities, our foray in these markets would push Tattvan a step ahead in achieving its goal of transforming healthcare in remote regions. Through this strategic partnership, I am confident that we are determined in building an environment where healthcare services are available to one and all.” “Our immediate focus is now into Government domains and work on with the PPP models across the country, and also penetrate more into overseas markets with our Tele Medicine platform”, he added. Tattvan is also planning to diversify into B2B, B2C and B2B2C markets with its various models and packages in domestic and international markets.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14686/pharma-medical-devices-sectors-seek-benefits-from-pm-jay.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14686/pharma-medical-devices-sectors-seek-benefits-from-pm-jay.html Wed, 18 Sep 2019 11:00:00 +0530 As the government’s ambitious National Health Protection Scheme (NHPS) under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana or or Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) completes a year, SKP – India’s leading provider of business consulting, business services, and professional services– published a whitepaper titled India’s National Health Protection Scheme: Ayushman Bharat – Growing Opportunities in Affordable Healthcare. The paper aims to examine the impact of the scheme that signals a shift in the government’s traditional role in healthcare from being the primary provider to being a payer. NHPS is a major indicator of the government’s assurance to focus on secondary and tertiary healthcare, particularly for sections of the population that do not have easy access. Since its launch, NPHS has covered about 100 million eligible families, offering insurance coverage of ~USD7000 across 1,350 procedures in major therapies. Over 30 states and union territories have been covered so far. The paper explores different aspects of the scheme with a focus on how NHPS provides the government with a unique opportunity to bring institutional reforms to a sector, where historically, change has been difficult to implement. In a country like India, the penetration of health insurance has been on the lower side for years. However, it has almost doubled between FY 2013-17 across urban and rural India, witnessing an upward trajectory. The paper lays thrust on the fact that the NHPS offers an important stimulus to the healthcare industry, spiking up growth rates across sectors in the future. It mentions how the Healthcare Delivery sector would be the largest beneficiary by volume, as hospital capacity needs to be built up significantly and rapidly to service the added influx of patients. The Medical Equipment and devices industries could naturally follow, with improved demand arising out of the jump in access and affordability. India’s medical devices industry is at a very nascent stage and is significantly smaller than other emerging and developing economies. Due to NHPS and the resultant expansion in the patient pool and bed capacity, this industry may benefit to a great extent, particularly for categories like equipment and instruments, and consumables and disposables. Some medical device product categories like diagnostic equipment, syringes and needles, stents, etc. are likely to witness a greater impact than others. The whitepaper mentions that there is also a chance that the pharmaceutical industry may see an acceleration in growth gradually. In terms of a boost for the pharma industry, the addition of 150,000 Health and Wellness centers could create a massive influx of first-time patients who are prescribed medicines at the primary care level. NHPS’ target coverage is about 500 million individuals (or 100 million families). As of March 2019, close to 15,000 hospitals have empaneled with NHPS and are treating ~6000 patients per day, with an average claim of ~USD 170. This translates to 2.5 million patients availing services annually, with an inpatient ratio of around 0.75%. The National Health Agency is targeting a four-fold increase in the number of patients to 30,000 patients per day. This equals roughly 10 million patients annually once the program stabilizes over the next few years. The paper further asserts that implementing such a large scheme in India is an ambitious task, and the long-term success will depend on many factors. In its role as an enabler, the Indian government may have to join hands with the private sector and not-for-profit organizations, while paying attention to regulations, technology assessments, pricing structures, quality of care, and infrastructure. For now, NHPS is being seen as a stepping stone to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in India. The whitepaper suggests that in the long run, NHPS will provide the government with a unique opportunity to bring institutional reforms to a sector, where traditionally, change has been difficult to implement. Ayushman Bharat is India’s first move towards a Continuum of Care approach to providing healthcare delivery in India. The program is being viewed as one to bring a mindset shift for the target population by identifying healthcare as an important pillar in improving both quality of life and economic prosperity of the nation. Speaking about the paper, Ravi Menon, Senior Business Adviser - Healthcare (APAC) at SKP said, “The Indian healthcare market is underpenetrated and has tremendous potential for growth. For now, Ayushman Bharat has the potential to set the stage for considerable long-term benefits. While the immediate impact of NHPS on Healthcare Delivery may be limited, it is expected to see growth with an increase in awareness, average spend, and policy focus towards Universal Health Coverage.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14694/apollo-hospitals-group-brings-comprehensive-health-management-program.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14694/apollo-hospitals-group-brings-comprehensive-health-management-program.html Wed, 18 Sep 2019 10:00:00 +0530 Apollo Hospitals Group, India’s first multi-speciality chain of hospitals, has launched Apollo ProHealth Program – the most powerful, proactive Health Management program. Apollo ProHealth will be a first of its kind, comprehensive health program, powered by pHRA (personalised Health Risk Assessment), enabled by Artificial Intelligence. This program is specially curated and conceptualised by Apollo’s experts and innovators in preventive healthcare, basis the experience & learning of over 20 million health checks conducted by Apollo. ProHealth empowers individuals & businesses with actionable health analytics, to know & eradicate health risks, and, lead healthier & happier lives. The program brings technology & human elements together by providing a personal Health Mentor to guide each individual to stay focussed on health track and gain better health & lasting happiness. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Prathap C Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “We all are focussed on cure not care. I want people to focus on the CARE in HealthCare. Treating diseases is not the only way to health. If we Care for our health we will not need to cure anything ever. World is facing tsunami of NCDs (Non-communicable diseases), that is threatening even our young generations. An economy like ours, which is both ambitious and aggressive, needs healthy citizens to realise its true potential. This is not possible with the growing menace of lifestyle diseases or NCDs. Cancer, Diabetes, Strokes, Obesity, Smoking are increasingly impact our capability, which in turn impacts our productivity & economic growth. Apollo ProHealth is an innovative giant step towards changing the way we treat our health. A true healer heals before there is need to heal.” Apollo Hospitals Group had introduced to the country its first ‘Personalized Preventive Health Check’ over four decades ago, and now we are introducing the world’s most powerful preventive health management program to redefine newer dimensions of healthcare today. About 80% of NCDs mortality is preventable, and, Apollo ProHealth program will help prevent these preventable deaths.” he added. Preetha Reddy, Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “Non-communicable diseases pose the greatest healthcare challenge. The WHO has emphasized that chronic lifestyle ailments are best managed via preventive measures. Preventive healthcare in the form of personalised and health management programs can play a vital role in detecting diseases in their early stages. Apollo ProHealth is designed on the three principles of Predict, Prevent and Overcome to ensure tangible, measurable changes in the lives of people. The use of AI to assess risk is backed by learning gained from over 20 million health checks and the program will transform the concept of preventive healthcare in the country. With the AI enabled personalised Health Risk Assessment (pHRA), Health Mentor and appropriate clinical and life style interventions every individual is guided at every step on to the pathway towards healthy living.” Upasana Kemineni Konidela, Vice Chairperson, Apollo Foundation, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited, said on the occasion, “Work life dynamics are fast changing around us. Challenges of the lifestyle diseases or NCDs (Non- Communicable Diseases) is on an up rise. Our workforce is fast succumbing to tsunami of NCDs, suffering from preventable deaths and disability due to Stroke, Diabetes, Cancer, Obesity, sleep deprivation, Cardiac ailments etc. The situation is critical and alarming given more people at increasingly younger ages falling prey to them. It is imperative to bring Health into the main stream of business planning by corporate organisations. Preventing workforce from the ill effects of tsunami of NCDs using predictive tools to mitigate issues at an early stage is essential given that this tsunami can strike anyone anytime. In today's complex and fast-changing health care environment, visionary employers must taking lead in providing innovative approaches for employee health and well-being while realizing real results. I’m certain that a small shift from curative to preventive health-watch with a mid to long term view will better the health index of employees”. Dr. Prathap C Reddy added, “Life is Priceless! The notional value of a human body as indicated by scientists is in excess of 6 trillion dollars! This is what it would cost if we had the ability to make a human being. It is our responsibility to protect that which is truly priceless – our body and health! Let’s together declare war on NCDs and ensure good health and happiness for all!” Apollo ProHealth has been launched in Chennai and Hyderabad and plans are in place to cover all the metro cities by subsequently. Apollo ProHealth will be launched and available across the Apollo ecosystem by the end of the year. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14693/sii-zipline-maharashtra-govt-launch-medical-delivery-drones-services.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14693/sii-zipline-maharashtra-govt-launch-medical-delivery-drones-services.html Tue, 17 Sep 2019 17:20:00 +0530 The Government of Maharashtra and Zipline, the world’s first and only national-scale drone delivery service, announced a partnership to use a logistics network of autonomous delivery drones to help transform emergency medicine and critical care in one of India’s most populous and dynamic states.  The launch of this ground-breaking initiative will be supported through a grant from SII (Serum Institute of India), the largest vaccine manufacturer in the world. The revolutionary new service, which is expected to launch operations in early 2020, is part of Government of Maharashtra's bold vision of using drone delivery to establish universal, seven-days-a-week access to lifesaving and critical medicines for each of its 120 million citizens over the coming years. Zipline drones will make on-demand and emergency deliveries of blood products, vaccines and life-saving medications.  The Government of Maharashtra's vision is for Zipline to establish a total of 10 Distribution centres across Maharashtra in phases over the next several years. The government's goal is to put almost all of its 120 million citizens within minutes of a lifesaving medical delivery by drone. In the first phase of operations, two distribution centres located near Pune and Nandurbar will be established to service public health facilities in those regions beginning in early 2020. The operations in Pune and Nandurbar will be financed through a grant from SII. Future distribution centers will be financed by the Government of Maharashtra and other private and philanthropic partners. “Maharashtra has one of the best health care systems in India. But while we celebrate our successes, we must also recognize that we have much more work to do to create universal access to critical healthcare for all,” said Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. “This new emergency drone delivery service is a great solution to deliver vaccines, blood and other lifesaving products instantly when time is of essence. It will help ensure that millions of people in Maharashtra will always get the care they need." “Millions of people across the world die each year because they can’t get the medicine they need when they need it,” said Zipline CEO Keller Rinaudo. “Instant drone delivery can help solve that problem. We’re proud to partner with the Government of Maharashtra and The Serum Institute of India to ensure that millions of people  have on-demand, instant access to the blood, vaccines and critical medicines they need to stay healthy and alive.” “At SII, we are committed to ensuring full immunization cover and better healthcare solutions for citizens across the country,” Adar Poonawalla, CEO of SII said. “With this association and the support provided by the Government of Maharashtra as well as the technological advancements provided by Zipline, we hope to create deeper impact and extend immunization cover in the state, bringing our vision to life.”   The Global Problem Access to vital health products, in India and around the world, is hampered by the last mile problem: the difficulty of matching the supply of medicine from central storage to the demand at urban and rural health facilities All too often, people requiring lifesaving care do not get the medicine they need when they need it. Zipline's medical drone delivery system is designed to eliminate this problem. About Maharashtra's Medical Drone Delivery Service To increase access and reduce medical waste, key stock of blood products, vaccines and life-saving medications will be stored at Zipline’s distribution centers for just-in-time delivery. Health workers will place orders by text message or call and promptly receive their deliveries in 30 minutes on average.  The drones both take off from and land at Zipline’s distribution centers, requiring no additional infrastructure or manpower at the clinics they serve. The drones fly autonomously and can carry 1.8 kilos of cargo, cruising at 110 kilometers an hour, and have a round trip range of 160 kilometers—even in high speed winds and rain.  Each of the two Zipline distribution centers in Maharashtra will cover a delivery area of more than 20,000 km. They will collectively be capable of serving up to 20 million people. Deliveries are made from the sky, with the drone descending to a safe height above the ground and releasing a box of medicine by parachute to a designated spot at the health centers it serves. Zipline’s Record To Date  Zipline's autonomous drones have flown millions of kilometers, made tens of thousands of on-demand medical deliveries and helped to save thousands of lives in emergencies. Since launching in October of 2016 to deliver blood to 21 hospitals Rwanda, Zipline has expanded its service nationwide putting most of the country's 12 million citizens within minutes of a lifesaving delivery of hundreds of medical products at 450 facilities. In April of 2019, Zipline partnered with the Government of Ghana to launch the first of four distribution centers that will serve 2,000 health facilities and a population of 12 million people across the country.     Zipline’s Global Expansion in 2019 and Beyond Zipline’s commercial partnerships with the Government of Maharashtra, Ghana and Rwanda are expected to help save tens of thousands of lives over the next several years. Zipline’s goal is to serve 700 million people in the next five years. The company is hard at work catching up to demand to expand drone delivery services to developed and developing countries across Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Americas, including the United States. Zipline is working with the U.S. state of North Carolina to launch its medical drone delivery as a part of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) UAS Integration Pilot Program (UASIPP) in 2019.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14690/clove-dental-clinic-organizes-25th-leadership-conclave.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14690/clove-dental-clinic-organizes-25th-leadership-conclave.html Tue, 17 Sep 2019 15:10:00 +0530 Clove Dental Clinic recently organized 25th Leadership Conclave in Delhi. Striking good rapport with patients to ensure good outcomes form the basis of dental care, Louis Shakinovsky, one of the leading global thought leaders and Chairman of Global Dental Services has said. Exhorting young dentists to be attentive and caring, he gave a new mantra to young doctors to be successful - meet, greet, treat and complete, which nicely highlights the need to be compassionate and caring, even while adhering to quality protocols. Experts at the Conclave also advised adoption of latest technologies which is the best way to improve outcomes of dental treatment. They also reiterated on the need to build good infrastructure and following finest quality protocols. “This patented technology from the U.S. enables dentists to deliver anaesthesia precisely where it is needed and in the exact dosage required, for significant pain reduction,” says Lt Gen Dr Vimal Arora, CCO of Clove Dental. Clove doctors use latest rotary tools which are imported from Germany and Japan. “These fine machines enable doctors to drill with greater precision, so the plaque and bacteria present at the site can be thoroughly removed,” he added. Amarinder Singh, founder and CEO of Clove Dental said, “To provide quality health for patients and achieve health equity, advanced use of technology is crucial. It not only improves the quality of healthcare delivery but also increases patient safety as well as decreases medical errors.” Citing quality infrastructure as an inevitable part of healthcare during the discussion, Singh added, “Sub-standard and unhygienic clinics only add to the existing problems. Clove Dental has been working relentlessly and is committed towards its core values i.e. trust, integrity and respect towards patients.” Dr Arora informed that doctors are continually trained in the use of advanced technology and equipment, and in clinical best practices, to ensure that patients get the finest care as per global standards. He talked about the core values as the pillars of the Clove environment and culture, and said, “The trust of patients through clinical quality, hygiene and excellence in service; the respect of customers, team members, vendors and support staff through compassion, cooperation, rights and privacy; and integrity in ethics, honesty, learning and conflicts of interest are very important for us.” At the conclave, Clove Dental also announced launch of 3 more clinics, one each in Hyderabad, Jaipur and Ahmedabad. Dr Anil Kohli, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shree awardee and ex-chairman of Dental Council of India, asked young dental surgeons to focus on improving their professional and communication skills to make the patients happy so that they form an enduring bonding. Dr Dharendra Srivastava, Dean ECIS Dental College; Dr Sraita Kohli, Dean of Jamia Millia Islamia University; and Dr Anup Kanase, Prof and Orthodontist at Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences were also the part of the conclave. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14688/infusion-nurses-society-deliberates-on-safe-practices.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14688/infusion-nurses-society-deliberates-on-safe-practices.html Tue, 17 Sep 2019 15:00:00 +0530 Keeping in line with its purpose of advancing the delivery of quality therapy to patients and focusing on safe infusion practices, Infusion Nurses Society (INS) organised their 8th National conference with the theme ‘Standard Infusion Practices – Insight and Innovations’. The conference was organised to impart knowledge on the importance of adopting safe infusion practices to prevent nurses and patients from potential risks and also showcased some of the latest technological solutions in safe infusion therapy. The BD Masterminds quiz launched nationwide saw participation by an unprecedented 7000 nurses nationwide. PSG Hospital, A.J.Hospital & Research Centre, Columbia Asia Hospital- Pune, Apollo Gleaneagles Hospital- Kolkata, Medanta- The Medicity Gurugram were the regional winners who represented their respective regions in the Grand finale of the BD Masterminds Quiz. Medanta- The Medicity Gurugram was declared as the national winner of the BD Masterminds Quiz.  Another highlight of the INS conference was “Skillathon”, a first-of-its-kind educational event where 24 experienced teachers imparted 8 key nursing skills related to infusion therapy to more than 600 nurses attending the conference. Some of the skills showcased were on Peripheral IV Cannulation, Blood Culture Sample Collection, Port Protection & Central Venous Access and Care, PICC Line – Insertion and Maintenance apart from safe infusion and injections. Speaking on the occasion, Col. Binu Sharma, President-Infusion Nurses Society, India said, “A robust environment created for nurses can improve the quality of care and improve patient outcomes. Infusion Nurses Society is committed to work towards creating a safe work environment for nurses by creating awareness on Standard Infusion Practices and we shall continue to encourage them to innovate newer methods in Infusion Therapy Practice and implement INS standards.” Dr Jothi Clara Micheal, Organizing Chairperson- 8th INS Conference 2019 added, “INS actively works in accordance with healthcare professionals to standardize infusion therapy practices in the country and continually strives towards high-quality infusion care. Patient safety is the utmost priority for every healthcare institution and by adherence to INS’s standards, nurses can reduce the risks involved assuring safer care to the community they serve. Through this conference, I urge infusion nurses to think out of the box and bring about innovation for the next generation.” The two-day conference deliberated on an array of topics, such as Clinical integration in Safe Infusion Practices; Role of Technology in Optimizing Cost, Quality and Safety in Infusion Therapy; Standardized Safe Infusion Practices; Best Practices in Intravenous Therapy; IV Therapy Challenges leading to Innovations. Safe infusion therapy can bring down cost for both patients and hospitals by reducing waste of resources, prevention of infection and inflammation and reduce errors, incidences, and sentinel events. With the rapid technological advances and shifts in healthcare delivery, it is vital to make healthcare professionals aware of safe practices and adequate training should be imparted to ensure complex situations are handled with ease by following key safety standards in infusion therapy. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14685/fujifilm-india-puts-focus-on-better-medical-connectivity.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14685/fujifilm-india-puts-focus-on-better-medical-connectivity.html Tue, 17 Sep 2019 14:45:00 +0530 Fujifilm India Pvt Ltd, a leader in imaging innovations in healthcare technologies and Peerless hospital, a pioneer in the healthcare domain in the Eastern region of India, announced their association for the installation of Fujifilm’s SYNAPSE technology at the hospital. To shed more light on the innovation, Fujifilm and Peerless Hospital organized a Health Informatics Symposium to address the key challenges and highlight the benefits of this innovative technology placed at the hospital last year in Kolkata. Keeping in mind the growing challenges that a hospital faces daily on managing the radiology imaging services, Fujifilm introduced SYNAPSE to improve the tracking of patient workflow and imaging information across the entire healthcare enterprise. Empowering users to manage medical diagnostic images, share them within and among medical facilities, and process them for specific diagnostic applications with this next-generation technology. Commenting on the occasion, Haruto Iwata, Managing Director, Fujifilm India Pvt Ltd. said, “Our association with Peerless Hospital is a significant step towards the initiative to boost smooth workflow of medical processes in hospitals. This new state-of-the-art technology will not only prove efficient for the hospitals but also provide greater benefits to the patients at the hospital. With this, we will continue to thrive on our lineup of leading-edge medical imaging solutions that will help detect patterns in images successively empowering radiologists.” Dr. Sujit Kar Purkayastha, Managing Director, Peerless Hospital said, “With advancements in healthcare it is important to keep ourselves updated and have simple IT solutions for complex situations. We are extremely thrilled to announce our partnership with Fujifilm, which is the imaging company with the MI portfolio & underlying architecture to serve as a single vendor enterprise imaging solution. Through the IT solution we have acquired, it is helping us improve Hospital workflow by digitization. With this conference, we look forward to throwing some light on the dynamic healthcare landscape and the need for developed clinical technology. An advanced facility as this will also add on to data documentation and analysis for different clinical research work that we take up time to time.” The installation of SYNAPSE technology at the Peerless Hospital offers various IT Solutions from its comprehensive Synapse® Enterprise Imaging portfolio; including Synapse PACS, Synapse 3D, Synapse Mobility Enterprise Viewer and Radis RIS. These products will help the hospital in the smooth workflow, reduction in turn-around time, better interconnectivity of all the departments, easy access to patient reports and images with improved data management in chronological order. Explaining the objective, Chander Shekhar Sibal, Senior Vice President, Head of Medical Division, Fujifilm India Pvt. Ltd. said, “We at Fujifilm keep on introducing solutions to improve workflow that will help hospitals to serve their patients faster, improve the quality of reporting and yield in better patient outcomes and satisfaction. With the SYNAPSE enterprise, we aim to help hospitals better engage with their patients and stay ubiquitous in the new consumer-driven, quality and efficiency-focused world of healthcare. Being a market leader in enterprise imaging, we further aim to expand robust analytics and workflow capabilities of this system beyond radiology.” The symposium witnessed industry experts who discussed the development of algorithms and current AI-based applications. Followed by an interactive sessions highlighting radiologist's views on digitization and the improving Hospital workflow by digitization. Throwing more light on the IT solutions that SYNAPSE offers, Dr. Sayan Das, Junior Consultant- Intraventional and Imaging , Peerless Hospital commented, “With the installation of Fujifilm SYNAPSE, we are not only contributing to the hospital but are offering additional aid to patients. Through the installation of this software, we are able to offer the patients at the hospital with services like less waiting time, tighter security of their data, better diagnostics and faster reporting. With the imaging expertise, we look forward to delivering instant access, browser flexibility and multiple device functionality at our world-class Peerless Hospital in Kolkata.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14680/ck-birla-hospitals-initiates-hands-of-hope-campaign-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14680/ck-birla-hospitals-initiates-hands-of-hope-campaign-.html Mon, 16 Sep 2019 17:10:00 +0530 On the occasion of ‘World Heart Day’, in an effort to teach basic life support skills to patient attendants and citizens, CK Birla Hospitals – BMB has launched ‘Hands of Hope’ campaign. The campaign with a tagline ‘Your heart, my heart...#handsofhope’ aiming to provide a platform for heart patients and the mass to get connected with the experts of this field who could help them with all-rounded guidance regarding basic life support training. This weekly training will walk the participants through the procedures of CPR with a thorough follow up basic life support drill. Post training, every participant will receive certificates and batches. Dr Simmardeep Gill, COO, CK Birla Hospitals said, “Quite a number of people who suffer cardiac arrest die before reaching a hospital. Starting effective BLS within two minutes can increase the chance of survival. Our comprehensive BLS training Hands of Hope aims at educating every participant on how to deal with cardiac arrest during the golden hour. We believe in making long-term positive difference in our patient’s lives and this training is custom-made to do just that. This world heart day we will focus on supporting policies that would promote healthy hearts and invest in heart-healthy workplaces.” Dr. Anil Mishra, Senior Consultant, CK Birla Hospitals – BMB and Dr. Anjan Siotia, Senior Consultant, CK Birla Hospitals – BMB have also created a special training programme to bring awareness among people from various walks of life. Apart from few hundred patient attendants, they will be giving this training to Kolkata Police, top corporate executives, different community members and non-medical staffs. Striving to make people cognizant of heart diseases and imparting them with the correct BLS skills during cardiac arrest will help in saving lives in times of need. Dr Anil Mishra commented, “With an upsurge in cardiovascular diseases, the incidence of heart failure is growing at an alarming rate .Unfortunately, due to unavailability of all-inclusive knowledge repository and lack of awareness, many people are unable to help their family members, friends and fellow citizens when sudden cardiac arrests happen. Through this initiative we intend to make people aware about not only the need for immediate medical attention but strengthen them with life-saving BLS skills.” Dr Anjan Siotia says that “This year on World Heart Day, as part of our mission to ensure heart health equity for all, we want to create a global community of Heart Heroes. Starting from the initiative of Hands of Hope  which will ensure participants  from all walks of life who wishes to  live longer, better, heart-healthy live -  by making a promise  to themselves of  cooking  and eating  more healthily,  exercise more and help them to be more active, to say no to smoking and help our loved ones to stop. Lets take a pledge to make a better tomorrow.” Presently, cardiovascular ailments have become the major killer disease all over the world with more people dying of heart attacks than of cancers, infectious diseases or respiratory diseases. Unfortunately, half the people who survived heart attacks never suffered from any symptoms before to warn them about the possibility of heart problems. The first time they have a chest pain is when they are having a heart attack. Another important fact to note is that half the people who die of heart attacks die within the first hour. So, time is the essence and it is imperative that a heart attack is diagnosed at the earliest as well as treated promptly. And for the same reason, knowledge of basic life support skills is crucial among citizens, so that all of us can reach out to each other in times of crisis.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14677/first-of-a-kind-paediatric-art-center-to-treat-hiv-children.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14677/first-of-a-kind-paediatric-art-center-to-treat-hiv-children.html Mon, 16 Sep 2019 13:10:00 +0530 Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that tends to breaks down certain cells in your immune system (your body's defense against diseases that helps you stay healthy). The causes can be attributed to blood transfusion, sexual abuse, and also children can acquire from parent. Due to the lack of treatment, one with HIV is likely to suffer from Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Currently, there is no cure for HIV, but with the help of antiretroviral therapy is can be well-managed. To end the HIV epidemic, Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children has come up with a unique public private partnership (PPP) model of Paediatric ART center in association with NACO which was inaugurated by Dr Srikala Acharya of Mumbai District AIDS Control Society.   Dr Ira Shah, a leading paediatric infectious diseases specialist who has been looking after HIV infected children, since 2001 will be heading the Paediatric ART center. “With the establishment of the Paediatric ART center at B J Wadia Hospital for Children in Mumbai, children with HIV can get a holistic paediatric treatment under one roof with the help of a team of experts. Earlier, around 1.5% infants in Mumbai would get HIV from their mother. But now the percentage is lesser than that.” Wadia Hospital sees several newly diagnosed HIV paediatric patients every month. In addition, it sees follow up patients in the oldest Pediatric HIV OPD in the city of Mumbai at Wadia Children Hospital.    She added, “At the moment, the number of kids with HIV has decreased due to preventive programme. But they are still a lot of children who are undiagnosed.  Hence, paediatric patients with HIV and associated infections will get a free HIV medicines - as well as complete Paediatric services for managing opportunistic infections and it’s comorbidities as Wadia hospital has all the facilities related to paediatric care,” highlighted Dr Ira Shah, paediatric infectious diseases specialist, B J Wadia Hospital for Children. Dr Minnie Bodhanwala, CEO, Wadia Hospitals said, “The Paediatric and Perinatal HIV clinic at B J Wadia Hospital for Children is the first paediatric HIV service in the city of Mumbai that was started in 1996. Till date, the clinic has treated more than 900 HIV infected children and has prevented HIV in over 1400 babies born to HIV infected mothers. With the help of NACO and MDACS, now free ART will be available to all HIV infected children as part of PPP Paediatric ART center at B J Wadia Hospital for Children.”   She added,  “Even before prevention of parent to child transmission (PPTCT) of HIV was available in the country, B J Wadia Hospital for children was offering the PPTCT programme and had brought down the transmission rate from 40% to <2% in these patients. Constant research in the field of HIV from this institute has helped in various guidelines and updates in the field of HIV.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14670/unani-and-siddha-centres-open-at-safdarjung-hospital.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14670/unani-and-siddha-centres-open-at-safdarjung-hospital.html Mon, 16 Sep 2019 11:25:00 +0530 Minister  of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH and Defence Shripad Yesso Naik inaugurated an Unani Medical Centre and Siddha Clinical Research Unit at Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi. The Unani Medical Centre has been established by the Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) and Siddha Clinical Research Unit has been established by the Central Council for Research in Siddha Medicine (CCRS). Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that the Government of India is taking special interest towards healthcare of the people through AYUSH systems of medicine and the Ministry of AYUSH will cater to 1.5 Lakhs Health & Wellness Centres across the country as part of Ayushman Bharat. Shri Naik informed that the Government has set a target of setting up 12,500 AYUSH Health & Wellness Centres across India, 4000 of which will be set up during this year. He hoped that the Unani Medical Centre and Siddha Clinical Research Unit will provide holistic healthcare through Unani and Siddha systems to the patients visiting Safdarjung Hospital from different parts of the country. On this occasion, Additional Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH Pramod Kumar Pathak said that the Ministry of AYUSH has a mandate to ensure optimal development and propagation of AYUSH systems and is working on their mainstreaming by promoting their use in National Public Health System. Medical Superintendent, Safdarjung Hospital Dr. Sunil Gupta said that because of the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, AYUSH systems are receiving greater acceptability worldwide.  The dignitaries also released Siddha dossier and Journal of Research in Siddha Medicine (second issue) published by the CCRS, and IEC booklets on Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension and Obesity brought out by the CCRUM. The CCRUM is presently running Unani Medical Centers at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital in Delhi.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14669/ficci-highlights-opportunities-for-ai-in-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14669/ficci-highlights-opportunities-for-ai-in-healthcare.html Fri, 13 Sep 2019 12:15:00 +0530 Adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) offer huge opportunities in healthcare and manufacturing sectors, an official from industry body NASSCOM (National Association of Software and Services Companies) said at the  second edition of Industry 4.0 Summit organized by Gujarat State Council of FICCI on the theme ‘Improving Competitiveness in Manufacturing Using AI & IoT’  on 12th September. Delivering the inaugural address, former FICCI president Pankaj Patel  said that technology is advancing at an unimaginable pace, but stressed that adoption of latest technology is a must to become  globally competitive. Pankaj Patel, who is also chairman of pharma major Zydus Cadila, said that technology has made it possible for them to process and make use of large amounts of data that was earlier lying unused in notebooks or in computer files. “The data processing by use of technology will be very important to make our lives better. Lot of diseases can be cured. There are huge opportunities for use of technology in pharmaceutical and healthcare,” he stressed. In his remarks, Sunil Parekh, Co-Chairman FICCI Gujarat State Council, said, that Artificial Intelligence is poised to be become even bigger than Information Technology. “AI will be much more pervasive and even more of value addition than IT. We are on the cusp of a civilizational change. The way we work, we travel, we interact has changed due to IT, but AI will change it in a much deeper and more intelligent way,” he said. Sunil Parekh said that adoption of AI and IoT is high in pharmaceutical and equipment manufacturing sectors in Gujarat. Speaking at the Summit,  Sanjeev  Malhotra, Head NASSCOM – Centre of Excellence , said “Healthcare and manufacturing are the two most important domains. Looking at our population, we will never be able to produce as many doctors. The only answer is technology. Similar is the case with manufacturing. These are the two areas where technology can make maximum difference. NASSCOM is putting a lot of focus to take technology to end users and to show how it can solve problems.” Incidentally, NASSCOM launched its first Centre of Excellence in Gujarat just a day earlier. The Centre will function at IIT Gandhinagar, and support the start-up ecosystem. “New technologies are there. The Centre of Excellence will support start-ups and work with them on putting to use the home grown technologies for betterment of industry,” he said. In response to a question, Malhotra said that Gujarat is the most advanced state when it comes to tech adoption with medium and large sized units open to adopt technology solutions. The Summit was also addressed by Sameer Garde, president of CISCO in India and SAARC, Prasanna Iyengar, Product Head – Connected Machines, Robert Bosch Engineering & Business Solutions, Bhupendra Bhate, CIO at L&T Technology Services, and Dr. Prashant Sharma, President – Manufacturing, Zydus Healthcare, among others. Separate panel discussions on academia and startups & industry were also organized as a part of the Summit. Later, six mature startups across verticals took part in a startups pitching session. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14668/fogsi-with-docmode-focus-on-women-healthcare-delivery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14668/fogsi-with-docmode-focus-on-women-healthcare-delivery.html Fri, 13 Sep 2019 12:10:00 +0530 In a unique initiative, an online learning program, Connect, has been launched to accelerate specialised knowledge and skills enhancement amongst the Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in India, by the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI), in partnership with DocMode. The platform will offer continued e-learning for medical practitioners on the innovative and significant development in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, facilitating secure women healthcare delivery in India. “The country still has a maternal mortality ratio of about 174 per 100,000 live births and most of the cases are attributed to complications during labour and childbirth. The quality of care before, during and after birth can considerably reduce the ratio in developing nations. Under our theme-We for Stree – Safer, Stronger, Smarter; Connect is a step towards imparting knowledge and skills for better healthcare outcome in women across India,” said Dr. Nandita Palshetkar, President, FOGSI. Further speaking Dr. Palshetkar stated that “coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress and working together is a success.” Connect is part of E-Pathshala, a digital learning initiative of FOGSI, to promote online teaching by eminent senior and respected teachers from premier academic institutes all over India. “The association will create a massive resource of continuing education provided by leading experts from FOGSI. It will generate one central hub of knowledge for physicians to access the latest advances and extensive training regardless of geographical location,” said Hans Lewis, Founder and CEO, DocMode. On the outreach of the association, Paulson Paul, Founder and COO, DocMode, said: “We provide authoritative, comprehensive and interactive learning programmes for health professionals across the world. The association will go a long way in broadening knowledge, advancing excellence and enhancing coverage for health outcomes.” The live lectures will be available on the first and third Tuesday of every month. Each lecture spans 60 minutes of which 15 minutes will be meant for question and answer session. Doctors who are unable to attend the live lectures need not worry as they can later attend the archive lecture and get accounted for one Indian College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (ICOG) credit point. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14659/sakra-world-hospital-launches-neuromuscular-facility.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14659/sakra-world-hospital-launches-neuromuscular-facility.html Thu, 12 Sep 2019 11:55:00 +0530 Sakra World Hospital, a leading multi-speciality hospital in Bengaluru launched the first-of-its-kind dedicated Sakra Neuromuscular Clinic in the presence of Dr. H V Srinivas, Senior Consultant – Neurology, Sagar and Agadi Hospitals, Professor A Nalini, Consultant – Neuromuscular diseases & Professor of Neurology (NIMHANS), doctors, employees, and staff members today. The department of Sakra Institute of Neurosciences launched this clinic with the vision to provide world-class clinical healthcare treatment and services to the patients suffering from neuromuscular disease and set the clinic as Nodal Quaternary Referral Center in the field of Neuromuscular Diseases across the country. Sakra Neuromuscular Clinic aims at providing children and adults with a comprehensive multidisciplinary treatment and care for all types of neuromuscular diseases under one roof. To ensure this endeavour is carried out successfully, Sakra Institute of Neurosciences headed by renowned neurosurgeons Dr. Swaroop Gopal and Dr. Satish Rudrappa brought on board the best talent in the country Dr. Bawani Anand, Senior Consultant – Neurology & Dr V. Preethish Kumar, Associate Consultant – Neurology which will spearhead the clinic. This special wing at Sakra World Hospital will dedicatedly work towards providing patients with holistic and multidisciplinary care for neuromuscular diseases. Neuromuscular disease (NMD) is a broad sub-specialty in Neurology (similar to epilepsy, acute neurology) that deals with every disease that affects the nerves and muscles in a body. NMDs impair the normal functioning of anterior horn cell, radicle, plexus, peripheral nerve, neuromuscular junction and muscle. Common symptoms include tingling and burning sensation of muscles and nerves, numbness, pain/cramps/stiffness in muscles, excessive fatigue, weakness or wasting of the muscles. Sakra Neuromuscular Clinic will facilitate diagnosis of neuromuscular disorders and perform advanced electrodiagnostic tests like Electromyography (EMG), Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS), Repetitive Nerve Stimulation (RNS), SFEMG (Single-Fiber EMG), VEP, SSEP, BERA (associated tests). Speaking on the launch of Sakra Neuromuscular Clinic, Dr. H V Srinivas, Senior Consultant – Neurology, Sagar and Agadi Hospitals said, “In India, we have very few clinical centres that provide comprehensive treatment and care for such rare health conditions like neuromuscular diseases. Most of the people who suffer from these diseases often go undiagnosed due to lack of healthcare centres that provide appropriate help and treatment. To address this alarming issue, I am glad that Sakra World Hospital has come up with a dedicated clinic for neuromuscular diseases to help improve the living conditions of people with such disorders and provide treatment on time before the condition worsens further.” “There is a belief among many patients that neuromuscular diseases cannot be treated leading them to avoid clinical consultation on time. However, most of these diseases can be effectively managed and treated through common interventions such as immunosuppressive drugs that can treat certain muscle and nerve diseases and diseases of the nerve-muscle junctions. Under our exclusive management program available at Sakra Neuromuscular Clinic, we aim at providing patients and their family members with latest treatment such as dedicated physiotherapy, rehabilitation alongside genetic testing and genetic counselling,” said Dr. Bawani Anand, Senior Consultant – Neurology, Sakra World Hospital. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14657/pm-launches-national-animal-disease-control-programme.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14657/pm-launches-national-animal-disease-control-programme.html Thu, 12 Sep 2019 11:15:00 +0530 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NACDP) to control and eradicate the Foot & Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis amongst the livestock in the country, at Mathura. The 12,652 Crore fully Central Government sponsored programme will vaccinate over 600 million cattle in the country in an effort to mitigate the two diseases. The Prime Minister also launched the National Artificial Insemination Programme and a country wide workshop in all the KrishiVIgyanKendras (KVKs) in all the 687 Districts of the country on vaccination and disease management, Artificial Insemination and Productivity.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14650/early-detection-of-anaemia-high-bp-diabetes-crucial-in-pregnant-women.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14650/early-detection-of-anaemia-high-bp-diabetes-crucial-in-pregnant-women.html Wed, 11 Sep 2019 11:15:00 +0530 Improved education of healthcare providers and follow-up of women with hypertensive disorders and diabetes during pregnancy are needed to limit the future risk of cardio-metabolic disease finds new research from The George Institute for Global Health. There is also an urgent need to raise awareness among rural women and healthcare workers at all levels of the postpartum period and long-term health of women with a history of hypertension and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM). Early identification and counseling of women at high risk of cardio metabolic disorders through innovative community-level interventions may offer opportunities to address the escalating burden of these conditions. These are the major findings of a qualitative study named “Women’s and healthcare providers’ perceptions of long-term complications associated with hypertension and diabetes in pregnancy” undertaken in Andhra Pradesh and Haryana by researchers from The George Institute for Global Health, India and UK (affiliated with the Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health at the University of Oxford). This is the first qualitative study exploring the views and knowledge of women and key healthcare providers around the long-term cardio-metabolic consequences of high-risk conditions in pregnancy in rural India. “Anaemia was identified as the most common and important high-risk condition affecting pregnant women at both study sites,” says lead researcher Dr. Shobana Nagraj, who conducted focus group discussions with pregnant women in the two States to understand their knowledge and perception of cardiovascular risk. Their qualitative findings on the significance of anaemia amongst this population group are corroborated other studies which have highlighted that over half of the pregnant women in India are anaemic. The Government of India has recognized the importance of the early recognition and treatment of the condition throughout a woman’s life-course and have recently launched the ‘Anemia Mukt Bharat’ (Anaemia Free India) campaign. This includes comprehensive guidelines for the diagnosis and management of anaemia in pregnancy, including free medication (iron folate tablets and intravenous iron sucrose), and resources to improve diet and adherence to medication. “We also observed a mismatch between behavior change interventions provided by healthcare workers around anaemia prevention and the constraints of pregnant women within their socio-cultural environments,” said Dr. Nagraj, adding that the finding highlights the importance of adopting wider societal and family-based awareness programs for anaemia in pregnancy, particularly targeting key household members, in addition to individually, focused opportunistic counseling. GDM has been the key priority area for funding and research within the Indian context. Most studies of GDM in India have focused on the growing semi-urban and urban populations, where there are significant differences to rural settings, in terms of physical characteristics (body mass index), the nature of daily labor, and socio-economic status. The Government of India has recently launched new guidelines for GDM testing in rural settings, recommending community-based gold standard oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).   “We are excited by the opportunity to work in India and the study will form the basis of launching a new toolkit for ASHA workers to detect cardio-vascular risk among pregnant women,” said Dr. Jane Hirst of the Nuffield Department of Women and Reproductive Health.   The barriers to the widespread implementation of GDM guidelines and successful integration into the existing healthcare system in rural areas is significant. Strengthening of health systems, through supporting rural PHCs, provision of adequate training, education, equipment, supply chains of medications and diagnostics, is required before high-quality implementation of these guidelines is possible. Postpartum management and long-term follow up of high-risk pregnant women were found to be lacking. "Home-based BP monitoring by CHWs has been shown to be feasible and effective in several studies, both within and outside the context of pregnancy. With the correct support and supervision, task-sharing postpartum care with CHWs may help address the significant workforce shortages affecting specialist obstetricians in rural India,” says Dr. D Praveen, Head Primary Health Care, The George Institute. As socio-cultural practices around childbirth in rural India often require the women to stay at home for the first six weeks postpartum, Community health workers (CHWs) are ideally placed to deliver community-based interventions to engage and follow up women in their homes, and ensure continuity of care. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14643/samsung-launches-good-vibes-relmno-for-deafblind.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14643/samsung-launches-good-vibes-relmno-for-deafblind.html Wed, 11 Sep 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Samsung has introduced two unique solutions—Good Vibes and Relúmĭno that will help provide a strong communication tool to the deafblind and enable people with low vision to see better. Good Vibes, developed in India, enables the deafblind to have a two-way communication with their caregivers using their smartphones. The Good Vibes app uses Morse code to convert vibrations into text or voice and vice-versa. The app has two different user interfaces (UI). One interface has an invisible UI for the deafblind, which uses vibrations, taps and gestures, while the other has a visible UI, a standard chat interface, for the caregiver. With the deafblind interface, a deafblind person uses a combination of dots and dashes to send their messages. The standard interface allows users to type or use voice to send messages to the deafblind. The text or voice is received as vibrations in Morse code that the deafblind can interpret. Good Vibes app is currently available at Samsung Galaxy Store and will be made available on Google Play Store for all other Android smartphone users soon. As part of its Citizenship Initiatives, Samsung has partnered with Sense India, a not-for-profit dedicated to improve the lives of the deafblind in the country, to take Good Vibes to the deafblind across the country. Samsung has so far conducted training workshops for Sense India educators and deafblind individuals along with their caregivers in Delhi and Bengaluru. It is now providing Samsung Galaxy A20 smartphones, with Good Vibes installed, to the not-for-profit, which will distribute it to deafblind and their caregivers. Over the last few months of training with the deafblind and their caregivers, the basic functionality of the app was tested and fine-tuned through their feedback. The notifications, text sizing, duration and interval of vibrations were improved upon after these workshops. For Relúmĭno, Samsung has partnered with the National Association for the Blind (NAB) Delhi. It will provide Samsung Gear VR and Galaxy Note9 smartphones to NAB Delhi, and will also provide training on how to use them. NAB will use Relúmĭno in classrooms where students with low vision using these devices will be able to see better, helping them improve their learning abilities. Peter Rhee, Corporate Vice President, Samsung India said, “Samsung uses both its innovation and global network to create positive change, responding to people’s needs around the world and helping them to live better lives, with more choice, freedom and greater possibilities. We are happy we were able to develop technologies such as Good Vibes and Relúmĭno that will help improve quality of life of the deafblind and people with low vision, allowing them to become more aware of the world around them and better integrated with society.” Parag Namdeo, Head, Advocacy and Networks, Sense India said, “Good Vibes is going to create a platform where our society will be able to communicate with deafblind people using smartphones. Samsung is doing exactly what it believes in ‘Do What You Can’t’. We are glad to see Samsung leveraging its technology prowess to build meaningful solutions that help society. At Sense India, we have been working with deafblind for their betterment and development through comprehensive trainings. Good Vibes will help them connect with a larger number of people around them, something they were unable to do so far.” Relúmĭno, which was developed by Samsung employees as part of the Company’s C-Lab program globally, is a visual aid application for people with low vision. It enables them to see images clearer by magnifying and minimizing images, highlighting the image outline, adjusting colour contrast and brightness, and reversing colour.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14648/health-ministry-signs-mou-with-echo-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14648/health-ministry-signs-mou-with-echo-india.html Tue, 10 Sep 2019 18:35:00 +0530 Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) aims to improve access to care for rurally and traditionally underserved patients by training health professionals in high quality, evidence based treatment of complex diseases. Clinicians based in rural and underserved communities participate in teleECHO ‘clinics’ through a Hub and Spoke model. This model also offers an opportunity for reviewing programs, capacity building of staff and dissemination of programmatic updates. To enable National Programs, National Institutes and Hospitals under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) to further benefit by using the ECHO Model, an MoU has been signed between the MoHFW and the ECHO India which obviates the need for separate MoUs with individual Programmes and Institutes of the MoHFW. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14642/isic-organizes-4th-world-spinal-cord-injury-day.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14642/isic-organizes-4th-world-spinal-cord-injury-day.html Tue, 10 Sep 2019 16:05:00 +0530 The Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC) recently organized a wheelchair rally at India Gate. The event was flagged off by the Chief Guest, Union Minister for Textiles and Minister of Women & Child Development, Smriti Irani in the presence of Major HPS Ahluwalia, Chairman, ISIC; Dr A K Mukherjee, Director General, ISIC and Dr H S Chhabra, Medical Director and Chief of Spine Services, ISIC. The event witnessed participation of over 200 wheelchair users and 1500 able-bodied citizens, thereby increasing awareness on spinal cord injury and prevention, as well as rehabilitating affected people in mainstream life to create an inclusive society. Speaking on the event Smriti Irani says, "Today is a day full of hope as it was announced that the Vikram is located at moon - instilling faith that there is much to look forward in life even for the people facing disabilities. There is no dearth of trying as the SCI army move from Rajpath to Vijaypath on the course similar to our brave soldiers.  I would like to highlight two things: the rampant prevalence of road accident related spinal cord injury and Osteoporosis amongst youth and women respectively. I urged and entreat everyone to abide by two things- the youth should pay stringent attention to the road rules, while preventing the cause of spinal injury. As for women, a  better look towards their diet would prevent the occurrence of  Osteoporosis in later years."  "ISIC is proud to become an organizer of the 4th World SCI Day, in association with ISCoS. Such events are a reminder of how people with disability have capabilities and talent hidden from plain sight. Our aim is to bring forth that hidden aspects of SCI survivors to boost their confidence and make able-bodied people aware of their fellow citizens. Disability should not deter people from living a healthy and fruitful life,” says Major H P S Ahluwalia, Chairman, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC), New Delhi and an SCI survivor himself after being injured in the 1965 Indo-Pak war. Nearly 20 to 40 per million people in India are affected by spinal injuries, mostly due to falls and road accidents. Spinal cord injury and the resultant paralysis impacts the overall well-being of a person, increases the economic and emotional burden on the affected person and his or her family. Organized in support of Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Day on 5th September every year, in association with International Spinal Cord Society, the event was an advocacy drive to support an inclusive life for persons with disability in keeping with this year’s theme of ‘Living Life to the Fullest’. “As an inseparable extension of the brain, an injury to the spine can render a person, temporarily or permanently, partially or completely paralyzed. In many cases, the cause of the injury is preventable. Very often these injuries are not managed comprehensively. Year after year, we are trying to dispel the misconceptions around SCI and encourage people to get the treatment so that the survivors are not subjected to lack of self-confidence which prevents them from leading an inclusive life. This year’s the theme is applicable to the able-bodied as well. Few people really live life to the fullest.  We get stuck in daily routines and seldom try to introspect and explore ourselves. Sometimes a major event in life makes us do so. Why wait for that moment to wake up? Why not explore now how to live life to the fullest?” says Dr.H S Chhabra, Medical Director & Chief of Spine Services, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC), New Delhi and President, International Spinal Cord Society. Apart from the wheelchair rally, other sporting and cultural events of the day included dance, yoga and human pyramid for which wheelchair-bound and able-bodied participants collaborated. The Indian team of wheelchair cricket will also participate in the event and will cheer the cultural fiesta. In India, Spinal Cord Society (SCS) joins hands with Association of Spine Surgeons of India (ASSI), Indian Orthopedic Association (IOA), Indian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (IAPMR), Indian Academy of Neurology (IAN), Asian Spinal Cord Network (ASCoN), Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC) and The Spinal Foundation (TSF) to carry out various activities across India each year. The events include wheelchair rallies, road shows, symposiums and awareness campaigns in schools and colleges in various cities including, Delhi, Chennai, Chandigarh, Bhuvneshwar, Jalandhar, Hyderabad, Vizag, Manali, Ranchi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Amritsar, Nagpur, Cochin, etc.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14640/isic-organizes-4th-world-spinal-cord-injury-day.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14640/isic-organizes-4th-world-spinal-cord-injury-day.html Tue, 10 Sep 2019 11:55:00 +0530 The Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC), a premier spine, orthopedic, and neuromuscular surgical centre of the country, organized a wheelchair rally at India Gate, New Delhi. The event was flagged off by the Chief Guest, Honorable Union Minister for Textiles and Minister of Women & Child Development, Smt Smriti Irani in the presence of Major HPS Ahluwalia, Chairman, ISIC, Dr A K Mukherjee, Director General, ISIC and Dr H S Chhabra, Medical Director and Chief of Spine Services, ISIC.  The event witnessed participation of over 200 wheelchair users and 1500 able-bodied citizens, thereby increasing  awareness on spinal cord injury and prevention, as well as rehabilitating affected people in mainstream life to create an inclusive society. Speaking on the event Smriti Irani says, "Today is a day full of hope as it was announced that the Vikram is located at moon - instilling faith that there is much to look forward in life even for the people facing disabilities. There is no dearth of trying as the SCI army move from Rajpath to Vijaypath on the course similar to our brave soldiers.  I would like to highlight two things: the rampant prevalence of road accident related spinal cord injury and Osteoporosis amongst youth and women respectively. I urged and entreat everyone to abide by two things- the youth should pay stringent attention to the road rules, while preventing the cause of spinal injury. As for women, a  better look towards their diet would prevent the occurrence of  Osteoporosis in later years."   “ISIC is proud to become an organizer of the 4th World SCI Day, in association with ISCoS. Such events are a reminder of how people with disability have capabilities and talent hidden from plain sight. Our aim is to bring forth that hidden aspects of SCI survivors to boost their confidence and make able-bodied people aware of their fellow citizens. Disability should not deter people from living a healthy and fruitful life,” says Major H P S Ahluwalia, Chairman, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC), New Delhi and a SCI survivor himself after being injured in the 1965 Indo-Pak war. Nearly 20 to 40 per million people in India are affected by spinal injuries, mostly due to falls and road accidents. Spinal cord injury and the resultant paralysis impacts the overall well-being of a person, increases the economic and emotional burden on the affected person and his or her family. Organized in support of Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Day on 5th September every year, in association with International Spinal Cord Society, the event was an advocacy drive to support an inclusive life for persons with disabilities in keeping with this year’s theme of ‘Living Life to the Fullest’. “As an inseparable extension of the brain, an injury to the spine can render a person, temporarily or permanently, partially or completely paralyzed. In many cases, the cause of the injury is preventable. Very often these injuries are not managed comprehensively. Year after year, we are trying to dispel the misconceptions around SCI and encourage people to get the treatment so that the survivors are not subjected to lack of self-confidence which prevents them from leading an inclusive life. This year's theme is applicable to the able-bodied as well. Few people really live life to the fullest.  We get stuck in daily routines and seldom try to introspect and explore ourselves. Sometimes a major event in life makes us do so. Why wait for that moment to wake up? Why not explore now how to live life to the fullest?” says Dr.H S Chhabra, Medical Director & Chief of Spine Services, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC), New Delhi and President, International Spinal Cord Society. Apart from the wheelchair rally, other sporting and cultural events of the day included dance, yoga and human pyramid for which wheelchair-bound and able-bodied participants collaborated. The Indian team of wheelchair cricket will also participate in the event and will cheer the cultural fiesta. In India, Spinal Cord Society (SCS) joins hands with Association of Spine Surgeons of India (ASSI), Indian Orthopedic Association (IOA), Indian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (IAPMR), Indian Academy of Neurology (IAN), Asian Spinal Cord Network (ASCoN), Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC) and The Spinal Foundation (TSF) to carry out various activities across India each year. The events include wheelchair rallies, road shows, symposiums and awareness campaigns in schools and colleges in various cities including Delhi, Chennai, Chandigarh, Bhuvneshwar, Jalandhar, Hyderabad, Vizag, Manali, Ranchi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Amritsar, Nagpur, Cochin, etc. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14628/ppcb-organizes-workshop-on-environmental-aspects-of-amr.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14628/ppcb-organizes-workshop-on-environmental-aspects-of-amr.html Mon, 09 Sep 2019 10:00:00 +0530 The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) in partnership with Centrient Pharmaceuticals, manufacturer of beta-lactam antibiotics, organized a sensitization workshop on the environmental aspects of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). While the Central and State Governments have been making strides to tackle overuse and misuse of antibiotics in humans and animal use, this workshop was a step forward in looking at environmental contributors to antimicrobial resistance, such as effluents and waste from pharmaceutical manufacturing plants and hospitals. Underlining the critical nature of the fight against AMR, Rakesh Kumar Verma, Principal Secretary, Department of Science, Technology & Environment, Punjab, who was the Chief Guest, set the context for the workshop. He highlighted that, “AMR is a serious public health threat, and if immediate action is not taken to combat it, by 2050, the global death toll attributable to AMR could be as high as 10 million per year. As endorsed by the National Action Plan for Containment of AMR, a holistic one-health approach is needed to tackle this challenge of AMR, especially since a number of factors, including environmental and industrial ones, contribute to its rapid spread. At this juncture, unmitigated spread of AMR could lead to humankind losing one of its most fundamental pillars of healthcare – antibiotics - and all stakeholders, including policymakers must work in convergence to save antibiotics for the future generations.” The workshop was attended by academicians from the pharmaceutical and environment sector, doctors and representatives of pharmaceutical manufacturing companies from Punjab. Professor Satwinder Singh Marwaha, Chairman of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), which organized the workshop, in his welcome address he stated that, “Punjab has already been actively working on pollution abatement from various industries with the objective of ensuring environmental sustainability. In the case of pharmaceutical pollution, the odds are even higher since untreated antibiotic residue affects both the environment and public health. We understand that environmental regulations for the pharmaceutical industry are soon to be revised to include antibiotic residue limits, and it is imperative that the industry be prepared well in advance in order to ensure successful adoption and implementation of these regulations. This workshop is the first step in creating awareness amongst pharma industry players, environmental research and civil society groups about the need for sustainable manufacturing of antibiotics, adequate treatment of antibiotic-laden effluents, and monitoring and measurement of residue levels in wastewater.” Manjit Singh Saluja, WHO Representative in India (Environment); Dr. Jyoti Joshi, Head-South Asia and GARP, Asia Coordinator, Centre for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy (CDDEP), and Dr. Rajeshwari Sinha, Deputy Programme Manager, Food Safety & Toxins, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). A representative from Punjabi University shared insights into the local scenario in Punjab, and the threat reckless antibiotic pollution poses to the environment and public health. Tata Power Limited also gave a brief overview about Green Energy Technology. The National Action Plan on AMR calls on state governments to formulate goal-oriented Strategic Action Plans for Containment of AMR (SAPCAR) at state-level. Recently, Madhya Pradesh became the second state to release its SAPCAR, following the lead of Kerala. In an encouraging development, both SAPCARs have taken cognizance of the threat posed by untreated pharmaceutical waste in exacerbating the issue of AMR and Madhya Pradesh’s Plan even targets training of its environment regulators over the coming years for proper enforcement of rules and to prevent release of untreated antibiotic residue into the environment via industrial effluent.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14624/who-seeks-accelerated-efforts-to-eliminate-cervical-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14624/who-seeks-accelerated-efforts-to-eliminate-cervical-cancer.html Mon, 09 Sep 2019 09:10:00 +0530 World Health Organization urged countries in its South-East Asia Region to accelerate efforts to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030. “Countries need to expand vaccination, screening, detection and treatment services for everyone, everywhere to address the growing problem of cervical cancer,” said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director WHO South-East Asia, at the Seventy Second Session of WHO Regional Committee here in Delhi. Cervical cancer is a significant public health problem in the Region. In 2018, an estimated 158 000 new cases and 95 766 deaths were reported due to cervical cancer, which is the third most common type of cancer. Addressing cancer risk factors and reducing its prevalence has been a regional flagship priority since 2014. All countries in the Region are taking measures for screening and treatment of pre-cancers. Four countries in the Region - Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Thailand - have introduced HPV vaccine nationally. “We need to scale up both our capacities and quality for screening, treatment services and palliative care,” the Regional Director said. Vaccination against human papillomavirus, screening and treatment of pre-cancer, early detection, and prompt treatment of early invasive cancers and palliative care are proven effective strategies to address cervical cancer. Member countries are working towards interim global targets - of achieving 90% girls fully vaccinated with the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine by 15 years of age; 70% women screened with a high-precision test at 35 and 45 years of age, and 90% women identified with the cervical disease receive treatment and care by 2030. The Regional Director said there is need to strengthen national cervical cancer control plans, including appropriate strategies and guidelines for immunization, screening, treatment and care, including palliative care. “It is necessary to include these services in the essential services packages towards universal health coverage to meet the targets,” Dr Khetrapal Singh said. WHO is prioritizing cervical cancer elimination as worldwide cervical cancer remains one of the gravest threats to women’s lives.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14619/cipla-foundation-partners-with-b-j-wadia-hospital.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14619/cipla-foundation-partners-with-b-j-wadia-hospital.html Fri, 06 Sep 2019 12:50:00 +0530 Cipla Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of Cipla Limited (Cipla), has partnered B.J. Wadia Hospital for children in setting up India’s first-of-its-kind paediatric palliative care unit. This care unit has been working alongside doctors in the hospital to ensure that the children and their families get physical and emotional comfort.   Close to 100 children and their families at B.J. Wadia hospital are getting access to holistic care to help them cope with serious and chronic illnesses treated at the hospital. Over the next three years, this number is expected to grow nearly twenty times, with close to 2000 children receiving this specialized line of care.   Dr YK Hamied, Chairman Cipla, who set up Cipla Palliative Care Centre in Pune in 1997, one of India’s first dedicated palliative care facilities, was present to officially inaugurate the unit at Wadia hospital and congratulate the team on their success. Cipla Foundation strongly believes that palliative care focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of an illness at any point, yet most patients are referred to it only towards the end. In line with Cipla Foundation’s primary approach to palliative care, a multi-disciplinary team comprising doctors, nurses and counsellors are working towards combining palliative care with the treatment. The team draws up a customized comprehensive care plan for the identified children and their families. It includes sessions to explain the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment plan, counselling sessions, diversion strategies, symptom and pain management techniques and bereavement visits, amongst other services. This has helped both patients and physicians to see the benefits of including palliative care as early on as possible to improve the quality of life of children and their families. An estimated 50% of children with cancer, congenital conditions, acute severe illnesses and chronic disorders require palliative care. However, the number of palliative care facilities for children in India are deficient to meet the growing demand in the country and those that exist focus primarily on cancer. The unit at Wadia hospital is going beyond oncology to include caring for children with all life-limiting and life-threatening conditions treated at the hospital. Of the cases seen so far at the unit, more than 60% are children with conditions other than cancer.  Ms. Rumana Hamied, Managing Trustee, Cipla Foundation, says, “We believe palliative care is responsive care, adapted for the unique need of every patient. When a child is diagnosed with a serious illness, both the child and the family need a care plan that suits them so they can manage the illness with more ease. Our vision is to provide this support system to these children and their families, by integrating palliative care into the treatment, right from the start.” As part of this effort, Cipla Foundation has been offering technical and training support to staff members functioning in the unit through webinars with Cipla Palliative Care & Training Centre.   Dr. Minnie Bodhanwala, Chief Executive Officer of the Wadia Hospitals said, “BJWHC has always been at the forefront of pediatric care in India and with this new unit we are able to provide comprehensive care plans for palliative and supportive care, this unit will definitely enhance the quality of care for children and their families. We are happy to associate with Cipla Foundation for this initiative and look forward to further strengthen this partnership”.   This initiative makes way for a dialogue with doctors, nurses and all health care professionals to adopt palliative care as a vital component of treatment. It has the potential to transform the overall quality of care provided for children in India. The project also intends to undertake research and share learnings from this initiative with other health care providers to promote the integration of paediatric palliative care early in the diagnosis. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14618/biontech-to-develop-hiv-tb-programmes-with-gates-foundation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14618/biontech-to-develop-hiv-tb-programmes-with-gates-foundation.html Fri, 06 Sep 2019 12:35:00 +0530 BioNTech SE, a German clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on patient-specific immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer and other serious diseases, has announced that it has signed an agreement with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (the Gates Foundation) to develop HIV and tuberculosis programs, further expanding the Company’s infectious disease portfolio. This partnership includes an initial equity investment of $55 million. The funds will be used to develop preclinical vaccine and immunotherapy candidates to prevent HIV and tuberculosis infection as well as to lead to durable antiretroviral therapy-free remission of HIV disease. Total funding under the collaboration could reach $100 million through potential future grant funding from the Gates Foundation that would be used to underwrite the evaluation of these candidates in the clinic and support the initiation of new infectious disease projects. Under the terms of the agreement, the collaboration will fund the identification of potential HIV and tuberculosis vaccine and immunotherapy candidates and their pre-clinical development. It will further enable BioNTech to build out its infectious disease infrastructure, including platform development and may allow the Company to initiate three new additional programs within its infectious disease portfolio. All programs will utilize BioNTech’s proprietary platforms and the Company will retain rights for commercialization of the vaccine and immunotherapy candidates in the developed world while providing affordable access to the candidates in developing countries. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14610/new-fdi-world-dental-federation-care-pathway-promotes-dentist-patient-collaboration.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14610/new-fdi-world-dental-federation-care-pathway-promotes-dentist-patient-collaboration.html Thu, 05 Sep 2019 12:15:00 +0530 During the ADA FDI World Dental Congress in San Francisco, USA, FDI World Dental Federation (FDI) released its latest resources on the treatment and care of patients with partial tooth loss. Rather than losing all their teeth as they age, more and more dental patients are greeting old age with a number of their teeth still intact. Having more teeth has led to the advent of a relatively new dental patient group: partially dentate patients. These patients have one or more missing teeth, which are either congenitally absent or have been extracted due to disease, trauma or surgery. FDI has launched a series of tools to offer this patient group a tailored, comprehensive approach to treatment and care. These include the Collaborative Care Continuum: The 3Cs pathway for partially dentate patients white paper, as well as guidelines designed for oral health professionals that support patient-practitioner communication and offer advice to manage patients who are partially dentate. Even partial tooth loss affects many aspects of life and may: Limit the enjoyment of certain foods; Undermine self-confidence; Lead to social isolation and affect relationships with others. "Our work is focused on a personalized approach to managing partially dentate patients," said FDI President Dr Kathryn Kell. "We know that good patient-practitioner communication is linked not only to increased patient satisfaction, but also with better adherence to treatment." Caring for a partially dentate patient follows a three-step process called the collaborative care continuum, or the 3Cs care pathway. This pathway includes: A pre-treatment and assessment phase; A treatment phase; and A post-treatment and long-term care phase. Oral health professionals should place equal importance on each of these three phases and organize their treatment and care plan along this continuum. FDI's work on partially dentate patients is supported by GSK. "We are excited to collaborate with FDI to improve the treatment and care for this unique group of patients," said Dr Roshan Varghese, Global Medical Affairs Director, Denture Care, GSK. We believe that the most successful treatment relies on comprehensive patient education. A focus on long-term care and maintenance needs to become an integral part of any treatment for partially dentate patients." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14605/swades-foundation-inks-mou-with-maharashtra-govt-to-improve-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14605/swades-foundation-inks-mou-with-maharashtra-govt-to-improve-healthcare.html Thu, 05 Sep 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Swades Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Maharashtra on 27th August 2019, which will expand its area of operation across the state of Maharashtra. Previously, its area of operation was restricted to just six blocks of the Raigad district. However, given the outstanding work of the Swades Foundation in the areas of Anaemia, Eye Care, Paediatric Care, Hygiene and Nutrition over the past three years, the Public Health Department of the Government of Maharashtra wants it to take up this good work across the State. In 2016, Swades Foundation announced a strategic partnership with the Public Health Department of the Government of Maharashtra to implement crucial health interventions in six blocks of the Raigad district. In an acknowledgement of the stellar work done over the past three years, the Government has now inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will enable Swades Foundation to implement these health interventions across the state of Maharashtra. The Foundation has been striving towards an anaemia free geography and can be credited with rolling out India’s biggest pilot programme on Therapeutic management of Anaemia, which was subsequently adopted by the Government. Over the course of three years, 75% (4,151 out of 5,518) of the children who completed medication are  cured of anaemia and an additional 10% children have (584 out of 5,518) shown increased levels of haemoglobin. Further, about 2,000 more children are currently under treatment. Across the six blocks, it also conducted Anaemia awareness campaign in over 1,100 schools and anganwadis and trained 324 anganwadi workers on nutrition and best nutrition practices. Besides anaemia, the Foundation has worked tirelessly in the areas of paediatric vision, hearing and cardiac health. It has partnered with the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karykram and Block Health Team to organise 23 health camps which benefitted at least 18,000 children across the Raigad district. It has also helped improve eye care amongst adults, screening at least 2,80,000 individuals. This was further bolstered through a distribution of spectacles and conducting cataract surgeries amongst those in need of intervention. To improve hygiene outcomes, it distributed IEC posters of best hygiene practices at the Gram Panchayat level and provided hygiene kits to schools, as part of a hand wash programme, at the school level. Speaking on the occasion, Zarina Screwvala, Co-founder, Swades Foundation said, “We have a wonderful partnership with the Public Health Department of the Maharashtra Government with whom we have worked in Raigad district since 2013 on both Health & Nutrition and formalized into an MOU in 2016. With the renewal of our MoU, we hope to create the first (preventable, iron deficient) anemia free blocks and dramatically reduce SAM & MAM while creating strong community empowerment programmes to ensure sustainability.  This will be a matter of great pride for all our 300+ strong team at the Swades Foundation.” Dr Anup Kumar Yadav, Commissioner (Health Services) & Mission Director (National Health Mission), Public Health Department, Govt. of Maharashtra – India, further added, "The Public Health Department of Maharashtra is committed to the health and wellbeing of all, and realises the potential of a Public-Private Partnership to complement the efforts of the Government in delivering holistic health services. With the aim of taking this forward and encouraging NGOs’ participation, we have signed a MoU with Swades Foundation. We appreciate Swades Foundation for their work in the Raigad district, in assisting the government to counter health issues like cataract, anaemia and malnutrition. With this MoU, we expect them to extend similar services all over the State with the same conviction and commitment. I wish them luck and express our willingness to encourage such collaborations with all stakeholders who wish to support the Government in realizing its dream of making Maharashtra the healthiest state in India." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14606/gramalaya-organises-worlds-first-menstrual-hygiene-management-summit-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14606/gramalaya-organises-worlds-first-menstrual-hygiene-management-summit-.html Wed, 04 Sep 2019 16:35:00 +0530 The world is currently looking towards a safe and hygiene driven environment for women and adolescent girls as it takes prompt steps to embrace integration and implementation of trusted Menstrual Hygiene Management [MHM] ecosystems. Globally, more than half of women are currently of reproductive age—and menstruation is a monthly reality. Yet all around the world, many women lack access to eco-friendly menstrual hygiene products or sanitation facilities. There is an immediate action required by various stakeholders to come together to implement a program build a sustainable framework for the Menstrual Hygiene Management initiatives.   Making safe and eco-friendly menstrual products available to over 300 million women in India can only be achieved with due cooperation of all stakeholders including Government at National level to improve the status of menstrual hygiene in India. Gramalaya has been working in the WASH and MHM sector for more than three decades with national-level presence supported by Government, donors and corporate groups under CSR initiatives. Gramalaya has successfully demonstrated models in the field of WASH, MHM and Nutrition in different demographic conditions covering rural, urban, coastal and tribal areas. The Government of India has approved Gramalaya as one of the National Key Resource Centres (KRC) for providing training and capacity building support to Government Officials and NGOs working in the sector. Gramalaya has promoted more than 6,00,000 individual household toilets in covering different states including capacity building support at national level. Gramalaya has appointed the first Brand ambassador for MHM on world Menstrual Hygiene day, 2019. So far, Gramalaya has imparted MHM education among 5,43,000 women and girls studying in schools in the rural and urban areas. With the rich experience in the space of WASH, MHM and Nutrition, Gramalaya now convenes a National-level summit on MHM for knowledge sharing and exchange of experiences and expertise in the MHM sector from various Government Departments, NGOs, donors and Corporate Groups interested in promoting MHM. The MHM India Summit 2019 invites participants to attend this exclusive summit scheduled to be held on the 26th & 27th September 2019 at Jacaranda Hall, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, India. This summit has a clear agenda of meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The two days Summit will gather 200+ delegates, 20+ exhibitors, and 50+ leaders, donors, corporate and startups. All of them will not only share innovative ideas, but also offer their valuable experience during the MHM India Summit 2019. The summit will result in rich networking opportunity, knowledge sharing for sustainable MHM initiatives. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14599/70-90-of-indians-are-vitamin-d-deficient-at-risk-of-having-diabetes-and-hypertension.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14599/70-90-of-indians-are-vitamin-d-deficient-at-risk-of-having-diabetes-and-hypertension.html Wed, 04 Sep 2019 14:05:00 +0530 Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) continue to be a public health imperative in India, fueling substantial increases in morbidity and mortality. Among NCDs, Type 2 diabetes and hypertension are increasing at an alarming rate. A 2019 pan-India study authored by PG Talwalkar, Vaishali Deshmukh, M.C. Deepak and Dinesh Agrawal has found that Vitamin D deficiency was significantly associated with Type 2 diabetes and hypertension. The study shows that 84.2% of Type 2 diabetes patients and 82.6% of hypertension patients were Vitamin D deficient. This important India-specific finding further confirms the body of research that links Vitamin D deficiency to chronic disease. In India, multiple studies have estimated that the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency is between 70% to 90% of the population, with almost undetectable Vitamin D levels during winter. Moreover, studies show there is no significant variation in deficiency levels across North, South, East or West regions, with each reporting deficiency prevalence of 88%, 90%, 93% and 91% respectively. In Mumbai, a study has found 88% prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in urban adults. Vitamin D is a critical micronutrient that helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphorus in the body. These in turn are required to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy. Vitamin D is also important for overall health. Deficiency is associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and infectious diseases such as tuberculosis. Though Vitamin D can be synthesized endogenously i.e., produced entirely by the body with adequate exposure to sunlight, it remains the most under-diagnosed and under-treated nutrient deficiency in the world. The causes of Vitamin D deficiency in a sun-drenched country like India are manifold. Most people do not receive adequate exposure to sunlight, as modernized lifestyles have resulted in less time spent outdoors for work or leisure. Moreover, high levels of air pollution can hamper the transmission of UVB rays required to synthesize Vitamin D in the skin. Conservative dress customs, combined with social norms that emphasize the attractiveness of a fair complexion, lead many to avoid exposure to sunlight during noon hours when it is most beneficial. Furthermore, vegetarianism has a prominent place in the Indian diet, which decreases the consumption of Vitamin D rich foods. For a significant part of the population, poverty fuels undernutrition, which means their consumption of Vitamin D rich foods is not frequent enough to avoid deficiency. The deficiency is widespread, across all age groups, both genders and various professions. The consequences of deficiency can be significant. During childhood and adolescence, Vitamin D sufficiency along with adequate calcium intake is necessary to achieve peak bone mass in adulthood. Children with low bone mineral density can suffer from skeletal deformities known as rickets. Dr. Srirupa Das, Medical Director, Abbott, explained, “Pregnant women in India have up to 84% prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency, which also correlates with the level of Vitamin D deficiency in their newborns. Children of mothers with suboptimal Vitamin D are at risk of reduced prenatal and postnatal skeletal development, which affects both height and bone-health.” In adults, Vitamin D deficiency is associated with low bone mass and muscle weakness, which results in increased risk of fractures and bone disorders such as osteomalacia, osteopenia and osteoporosis. The deficiency is also linked to chronic disease. The 2019 pan-India study authored by P.G. Talwalkar et. al. found that Vitamin D deficiency was significantly associated with Type 2 diabetes and hypertension. In this cross-sectional study, the overall prevalence of patients with low Vitamin D levels (deficiency and insufficiency) was 83.7%. Out of this, 82% were newly diagnosed cases. This high prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in newly diagnosed cases indicates that Vitamin D deficiency may have been missed in a large proportion of patients with Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or both conditions. Dr. PG Talwalkar of Talwalkar Diabetes Clinic observed, “More than 84% of Type 2 diabetes patients were Vitamin D deficient, as were 82% of hypertension patients. Similarly, 84% of patients with both Type 2 diabetes and hypertension were deficient. The study also investigated co-occurence of deficiency with hypothyroidism and obesity or overweight condition. A majority (76%) of hypothyroid patients had low levels of vitamin D. Moreover, 82% of patients were obese or overweight, indicating that there may be a link between the deficiency, its comorbidities and body-weight. These findings highlight the need for routine screening to ensure early diagnosis and effective management of Vitamin D deficiency to help reduce the burden and risks associated with non-communicable disease.” Deficiency can fuel complications in patients with chronic disease. For example, prior population studies have found there is a 3-fold increased risk of ischemic stroke associated with low Vitamin D levels in patients with hypertension. In cases of severe deficiency or high risk where immediate treatment is required, pharmacological supplementation is the most reliable way to treat the deficiency. Dr. PG Talwalkar stated, “Typically, a dose of 60,000 IU administered weekly for 8 weeks is the norm, though such treatment needs to take factors such as age, development stage, pregnancy and seasonal variations into account. Once sufficiency is restored, sustaining it may require a combination of sunlight exposure for 30 to 45 minutes around noon hours, a diet rich in Vitamin D and calcium as well as ongoing supplementation, depending on patient compliance and circumstances. Dietary sources of Vitamin D include cod liver oil, salmon fish, mackerel, sardines, tuna, egg yolk and mushrooms exposed to sunlight.” In addition to intake of Vitamin D, ensuring its optimal absorption by the body can help increase sufficiency. Innovation in delivery formats can play an important role. One study in India found that using a micellized form of Vitamin D3 for supplementation resulted in higher Vitamin D levels in children than using fat-soluble Vitamin D3 with milk. Dr. Srirupa Das commented, “Given its high prevalence and the consequences of deficiency, there is a need to recognize Vitamin D sufficiency as a health priority. Abbott is committed to raising awareness of the importance of this micronutrient, the use of preventive and treatment methods to ensure sufficiency and to providing innovations to ensure its optimal absoption in the body.” In fact, all children receiving the micellized form of supplementation attained sufficiency. Similarly, a 2015 study found that novel drug delivery systems, such as nanotechnology launched by Abbott, led to greater absorption of Vitamin D that was 90% higher than the conventional preparation, for which absorption is around 50%.             ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/reports-white-papers/98/14600/clinical-communication-and-collaboration-market-to-exceed-us-370-mn.html https://biospectrumindia.com/reports-white-papers/98/14600/clinical-communication-and-collaboration-market-to-exceed-us-370-mn.html Wed, 04 Sep 2019 14:05:00 +0530 The global Clinical communication and collaboration market was valued at ~ US$ 240 Mn in 2014, and is expected to exceed ~ US$ 370 Mn mark by the end of the year 2019. The Clinical communication and collaboration market is projected to grow at a CAGR of nearly 14% during the forecast period, and is expected to reach a market value of ~ US$ 1.3 Bn by the end of the forecast year 2029.  Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) to Boost Market Growth Increasing digitalization in the healthcare industry has led to an improvement in the performance parameters of hospitals. The deployment of clinical communication and collaboration solutions in hospital systems helps them improvise the CDI (Clinical Documentation Improvements). CDI is an important aspect of clinical communication and collaboration platforms. CDI minimizes a patient’s physical efforts, as using this clinical communication and collaboration feature, patients, physicians and hospital staff can share medical reports with each other. These medical records and other patient related documents are loaded onto the Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems. This feature is expected to be responsible for driving the demand of clinical communication and collaboration solutions during the forecast period. Large format hospitals and other clinical institutions started to face the problem of reaching out the most responsible physicians, as traditional ways of communication were using pagers or a common alarm system at the hospital. With the deployment of clinical communication and collaboration solutions, clinicians can easily contact patients as well as nurses, physicians, and other hospital staff. The use of smartphones, wearable devices such as bands, badges in patients’ arms, and other sensor-based signals are creating an ease for clinicians to reach out the most responsible physician of the hospital. This helps in time reduction for attending to a patient at the hospital. Thus, the difficulty faced by clinicians to reach physicians is resulting in an increasing demand for clinical communication and collaboration solutions in this region. Tier-wise Analysis of the Clinical Communication and Collaboration Market Structure  Study has segregated the clinical communication and collaboration market down to three levels: Tier-I, Tier-II, and Tier-III. Tier-I represents companies holding market shares above 12% of the clinical communication and collaboration global market. Cisco Systems Inc. and Microsoft Corporation Are Tier-I companies in the global clinical communication and collaboration market. Tier-II represents companies holding market shares in the range of 6% to 12%. Companies, such as TigerText, Vocera Communications, Inc., and Jive Software, Inc., constitute the 2nd tier of the global clinical communication and collaboration market. Tier-III represents companies holding market shares below 6%. Tier-III of the global clinical communication and collaboration market constitutes companies, such as Intelligent Business Communication – AGNITY, PerfectServe, Inc., and Ascom, among others.  In January 2019, Ashfield announced to create a new global alliance Asia’s largest multi-channel provider of medical communications, marketing services, events management, and drug information. In July 2019, NEC Corporation acquired OncoImmunity AS, which develops exclusive machine-learning software to help the fight against cancer. This acquisition is essential for enhancing the capabilities and resources that support the growth of its individualized immunotherapy pipelines. In February 2017, Uniphy Health Holding LLC partnered with Catholic Health Service (CHS), a Long Island-based company, which is one of the leading provider for the health services. Using this partnership, Uniphy Health Holding LLC launched a mobile application for physicians who are associated with Catholic Health Service (CHS).  Some of the key players identified across the value chain of the global Clinical communication and collaboration market include Uniphy Health Holding LLC; Everbridge Inc.; Microsoft Corporation; Jive Software Inc.; Cisco Systems Inc.; Intelligent Business Communication; TigerText; and Vocera Communications Inc., among others. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14588/nathealth-establishes-elder-care-and-rehabilitation-vertical-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14588/nathealth-establishes-elder-care-and-rehabilitation-vertical-.html Wed, 04 Sep 2019 09:00:00 +0530 NATHEALTH's Elder Care forum will receive leadership support from elder care experts Genesis Rehabilitation Services India (GRSI) and Max Antara Senior Living. As the need for robust elder care facilities in India continues to develop, NATHEALTH has taken an initiative to institutionalize, standardize, and galvanize elder care in India.  NATHEALTH will receive leadership support from Genesis Rehabilitation Services India (GRSI), a leading operator of Senior Care and Rehabilitation Services in India and Max Antara Senior Living, NATHEALTH will work with these industry experts to establish a dedicated Senior Living Vertical, which will create comprehensive support systems for elder care.  An increasing incidence of chronic ailments, low insurance penetration, lack of universal standards of geriatric healthcare services, government attention and a growing elderly population have called for urgent attention to transform the way India provides care to elderly. With the establishment of a Senior Living Vertical under its platform. The initiative aims to set a charter for creating quality services in India for elder care and long term assisted living care as per global standards. This vertical is well aligned with NATHEALTH strategic initiatives to create quality universal healthcare in India by bringing together financing, robust delivery models, digital health, skilling programs and innovation. Dr. Sudarshan Ballal, President, NATHEALTH, after the signing of a Memorandum of Association said, "The main drivers for elder care are changing demographics, increasing disposable incomes and quest for quality care. A large proportion of problems in the elderly occur due to chronic diseases. Elder care space would prove very effective. However, India needs to have an adequate health infrastructure, partnership and policy framework to push this segment. NATHEALTH's initiative aims to build comprehensive support systems.” "With improvements in healthcare and support facilities, life expectancy is enhanced with more elderly requiring social, psychological, financial and medical support. In such a scenario, elder care is an essential component of people-centered care and the delivery system for healthcare has to evolve to cater to preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative spectrums," said Siddhartha Bhattacharya, Secretary General, NATHEALTH. Nanki L. Singh, Chief Executive Officer of GRSI said, "India is at an inflection point with the joint family system evolving and baby boomers becoming senior citizens. GRSI, with our partner Genesis Rehabilitation Services from the United States, is very excited to be in a position to provide world class care to our Seniors and enable them to live life to their fullest capabilities. We envision providing senior care verticals with specialized services, including Memory Care and Long Term Care across India.  We are thrilled to partner with NATHEALTH to further our goal of delivering exceptional elder care services to all of India." Rajit Mehta, CEO & MD of Max Antara Senior Living said, "India's demographics are undergoing a fundamental shift. The ageing population has grown from 7.5% in 2001 to 8.6% in 2011 and may reach ~20% by 2050. This has implications on: how families provide for financial and psychological resources; how governments respond by creating a favorable eco-system to cater to geriatric services; and how corporations approach products and services that cater to this segment." “It's very heartening to see NATHEALTH embrace this shift proactively by creating a Senior Living vertical. With healthcare providers, diagnostic companies and medical device organizations already an integral part of NATHEALTH, this integration with Senior Living is both timely and much required”, continued Mehta According to NATHEALTH – Aarogya Bharat Report, the changing demographics that yield a higher proportion of geriatric individuals in the overall population (11% in 2025) will increase the burden on supply-side infrastructure. With global population trends on elderly citizens projected at 2 billion people by the year 2050 and 300 million (25% of the total population) particularly in India, elder care is set to witness growth in terms of both providers as well as end-users.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14592/practo-receives-recognition-for-digital-healthcare-contribution.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14592/practo-receives-recognition-for-digital-healthcare-contribution.html Tue, 03 Sep 2019 16:40:00 +0530 Practo, India’s largest and one of the leading digital healthcare platforms in the world has been recognised as a significant contributor to the field of Indian Ophthalmology by Karnataka Ophthalmic Society (KOS) at the iBeach Film Festival that was held in Goa from Aug 30th to Sep 1st. The award recognises Practo’s contributions as a pioneering technology innovator in the healthcare industry, and its unwavering efforts towards simplifying healthcare in India, by enabling doctors with digital tools and empowering patients with instant information, accessibility and connectivity at their fingertips 24*7. Abhinav Lal, co-founder and CTO was felicitated by the CM of Goa, Pramod Pandurang Sawant, in the presence of a host of other dignitaries from the medical and industrial fraternity. Practo serves as KOS’ digital healthcare partner and works in step with the physicians’ continuous learning and development programs. As technology becomes an integral part of healthcare, Practo has also become an essential enabler in helping doctors understand the nuances of managing and securely storing all health data. Practo encrypts all data with 256-bit encryption (many banks use just 128-bit), uses HIPAA compliant data centres, and is one of the few healthcare companies to be ISO 27001 certified. With digital healthcare taking off in India in a big way, Practo is the only platform in the country to offer integrated healthcare Digital healthcare encompasses everything from digitisation of medical practice management, increasing reach and visibility of doctors manifold, ERP management for large hospitals to providing patients with a unified platform for medical access at the touch of a button - be it doctors, diagnostics and/ or medicine. With Practo’s one-stop shop for all healthcare needs and all its offerings viz. searching and booking an appointment with a doctor at his/her clinic or hospital, Diagnostics and Medicine Delivery, in addition to its clinic and hospital management software like Ray and Insta - doctors have a host of technology-enabled tools and services at their disposal for managing their services more efficiently. Today, Practo is present in 21 countries, helps 16 crore+ patients a year and connects patients with 1 lakh+ verified healthcare providers.          The iBeach Film Festival is a first-of-its-kind three-day ophthalmic film festival in India with informative symposia, video competitions, quiz sessions, out-of-the-box techniques in imaging, creative videos, complication management, innovative videos in patient care, competitive ophthalmic and general photography. The festival recognised the doyens of Indian Ophthalmology for the yeoman service rendered in the field. Video-based roundtables and keynotes were a highlight of the ceremony that was attended by nearly 300-400 Indian and International registered medical practitioners and medical faculty. It was organised by the Karnataka Ophthalmic Society, a registered professional organization that has done stellar work in the advancement of Ophthalmology with scientific and academic research, training and practice management in the state and the country. Dr. Krishna Prasad Kudlu, Director, Prasad Netralaya, Member, Scientific Committee, AIOS, Hon Secretary, Karnataka Ophthalmic Society and Chairman, Vision Committee, Govt of Karnataka was the organising chairman of event. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14590/medical-abortion-pills-vanishing-from-markets-threatening-safe-abortion-care-pratigya-campaign-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14590/medical-abortion-pills-vanishing-from-markets-threatening-safe-abortion-care-pratigya-campaign-study.html Tue, 03 Sep 2019 14:50:00 +0530 A study conducted by Pratigya Campaign for Gender Equality and Safe Abortion found that Medical Abortion (MA) drugs are rapidly vanishing from the shelves. The study 'Availability of MA drugs across four Indian states' found that chemists in Rajasthan and Maharashtra are not stocking MA drugs anymore and only 37.8% are stocking in Bihar and 66% in Uttar Pradesh. Those who are not stocking identified legal/regulatory barriers as the main reason for non- stocking. Non-availability of MA drugs is threatening women's access to safe abortion, especially in a scenario where even today an estimated 10 women die in India due to unsafe abortions, the third leading cause of maternal mortality in India. The study was conducted among 1008 chemists across Bihar, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Provision of safe, effective and accessible abortion services including Medical Abortion (MA) Drugs is a priority for promoting women’s health and reproductive rights. Medical Abortion (MA) has emerged as the preferred method of abortion care in India with an estimated 81% of the 15.6 million annual abortions being performed using MA drugs. Yet, abortion drugs seem to have started vanishing from chemists shelves. The study found that of the chemists who are not stocking MA drugs in Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, regulatory/legal barriers was the primary reason for not stocking the drugs. Bihar was the only exception, where low demand was cited as a reason for not stocking.  Chemists have been informally asked not to sell MA drugs and there have been MA specific visits by regulatory authorities. Specific visits related to MA drugs were high in Rajasthan at 14.3% and Maharashtra at 17.4%. As high as 56% chemists reported that MA drugs are overregulated as compared to other schedule H drugs. Speaking at the launch of the report, V.S Chandrashekar, Pratigya Campaign Advisory Group member and Chief Executive Officer, Foundation for Reproductive Health Services India said, “India has achieved great success in improving access to safe abortions, thanks to the proactive steps taken by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare over the past decade and a half. Availability of MA drugs, particularly combi packs has been instrumental in the decline of unsafe abortions. The non-availability of MA drugs can potentially reverse the gains made over the past few years.” The study attempted to capture chemists' awareness, knowledge and attitudes about abortions and MA drugs.  43% of chemists thought abortions were Illegal; and only 26% were aware that it is legal up to 20 weeks gestation.  In Rajasthan, a whopping 60.7% chemist said abortions are illegal followed by 51.8% in Bihar.   15% felt that availability of combi pack MA drugs contributes to gender biased sex selection with Maharashtra topping with 42.5%. Dr. Kalpana Apte, Pratigya Campaign Advisory Group member and Secretary General, Family Planning Association of India said, "This is a wrong perception since combipacks are indicated only for use up to nine weeks gestation and the commonly used and affordable technology to identify the sex of the fetus, Ultra Sonography can detect the sex only around 13-14 weeks gestation. This misconception seems to be resulting in overregulation of MA drugs, significantly affecting availability of a safe, simple and affordable method of safely terminating a pregnancy, compromising the health, wellbeing and reproductive rights of women in India.” The study estimates that very few, 9.6% of women who purchase MA drugs actually return to the chemists for advice to manage complications or contraception.  This indicates that for a large majority of women who purchase MA drugs from chemists the drugs seem to be effective and those who do face complications seem to be seeking care from health facilities.  Almost all chemists who have clients coming back with perceived complications refer women to a doctor, which is heartening.  The study findings show that 50% of buyers came with prescriptions as against a common perception that a majority of MA drugs are purchased without prescriptions.   “Allowing all allopathic doctors to prescribe MA drugs will definitely increase prescription and medical support for women seeking MA.  As law and rules stand now, only Obstetrician and Gynaecologists and allopathic doctors who are approved abortion provider under the MTP Act can prescribe MA drugs.   It is estimated that only 60-70,000 doctors, largely in urban areas, can prescribe MA drugs in the India which is woefully inadequate for a country of our size" says V.S. Chandrashekar Given the number of abortions estimated annually in the country, if chemists stop stocking MA drugs, a black market for MA drugs could emerge, pushing up prices and creating economic barriers for women to access their preferred method of abortion. MA drugs are safe and even if it is incorrectly used, it is unlikely to create an emergency situation or seriously impact the health of a woman. The World Health Organisation in its recently published list of essential medicines has moved MA combipack to core list, it was part of the complimentary list previously.  More importantly the previous list had an asterix (*) against MA drugs which indicated that MA drugs require close medical supervision.  "The removal of this asterix implies that MA combipacks can be used even without close medical supervision and the risks it poses are minimal." Dr Apte added. The study clearly indicates that MA drugs are under greater scrutiny by drug control authorities and their non- availability in retail chemist shops is a major cause of concern in Maharashtra and Rajasthan. To ensure that MA drugs are easily accessible Pratigya Campaign recommends, “The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Drug Controller General of India should send an advisory/guidance to all State Drug Controllers clarifying that cracking down on combipack does not help in curbing sex selection and that MA drugs should be subjected to the same standards/scrutiny as other schedule H drugs. Secondly, there is inconsistency with the MTP rules and the DCGI approval regarding the gestation up to which MA can be used (rules say seven weeks and DGCI approval is for nine). This needs to be harmonised.  MoHFW/DGCI should consider increasing the gestational limit for MA drugs up to 12 weeks, in line with WHO guidelines.  The MTP rules should be amended to allow all allopathic doctors to prescribe MA drugs (after undergoing a short online/face to face course) increasing  the number of doctors who can prescribe MA drugs and enabling women to seek medical support while using MA.  Further, Government, in partnership with MA drug marketing companies and Chemists and Druggists association should focus on improving the knowledge of retail chemists on abortion and MA so that they provide correct information.” Women in large numbers find MA drugs effective, affordable and convenient in terminating unwanted pregnancies and are using it for indications permitted by the MTP Act.  Greater scrutiny resulting in MA drugs vanishing from shelves of chemists would result in millions of women being denied access to lifesaving drugs and compromise their ability to exercise their sexual and reproductive rights.  Providing access to safe abortion services will enable women to take control over their own bodies and life, critical to promoting reproductive health rights and gender quality.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14589/fogsi-hosts-aarogya-mahila-summit.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14589/fogsi-hosts-aarogya-mahila-summit.html Tue, 03 Sep 2019 14:30:00 +0530 The Federation of Obstetricians and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI), supported by Abbott India and Global Health Strategies, organized two day Aarogya Mahila Summit in New Delhi, featuring discussions on public-private partnerships in women’s healthcare in India with prominent stakeholders in the government and private healthcare community. The Summit was inaugurated Dr Harsh Vardhan, Minister of Health and Family Welfare; Ashwini Choubey, Minister of State (MoS), Health and Family Welfare; Dr Nandita Palshetkar, FOGSI President and Dr Meena Agnihotri and Dr Hrishikesh Pai, Joint Summit Convenors. Dr. Harsh Vardhan spoke at length about past and ongoing government collaborations with FOGSI in addressing women’s health issues. He said, “FOGSI’s passion for serving people, and their consistency in addressing women’s health pro-bono is unparalleled. Through a meeting of minds and a meeting of actions between FOGSI and the Health Ministry, we can address many issues together, such as ending maternal and under-5 mortality, anaemia and family planning. We are planning to launch new initiatives and we look forward to your support in order to ensure health for all.” The summit brought together the private sector, associations, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Niti Aayog, NGOs such as Jhpiego and international organizations such as USAID, WHO, UNICEF, MSD for Mothers together to discuss a diverse set of issues, including family planning, reproductive rights, maternal and child health, and non-communicable diseases, set against diverse backdrops of legislation, quality care, and research. Highlighting the need for private sector participation in women’s health, Ambati Venu, Managing Director, Abbott India Ltd. said, “Women play a vital role in maintaining the health of their families, yet often neglect their own well-being. With unique needs spanning gynaecological conditions, hormonal disorders, reproductive health, pregnancy, menopause, cardiovascular conditions and diabetes, women’s health requires a focused and specialized approach. By addressing these needs holistically across the spectrum of awareness, detection, treatment and management, healthcare companies play a critical role in helping to find solutions to some of these problems. Abbott is committed to helping women live healthier and better lives, and to make their health a priority. For many years, our portfolio has been offering innovative and effective medicines with the aim of enhancing the quality of life of women affected.” The representatives from the ministry urged FOGSI to engage and collaborate on national initiatives such as adopting aspirational districts, promoting family planning in high fertility districts, supporting IEC on maternal and newborn health. International organizations expressed desire to collaborate on evidence generation, advocacy and capacity strengthening of healthcare providers. Dr Nandita Palshetkar elaborated on FOGSI’s vision and the organization’s commitments to the nation in her capacity as FOGSI President. Talking about reproductive rights for women, one of the main things on FOGSI’s agenda, she said, “Years of gender inequality has meant that a woman is still not in control of her own body and her health. This is where the role of advocacy and education are crucial in empowering women with choice, freedom and autonomy to make decisions about their own body. Organisations like FOGSI can contribute immensely in offering non-coercive, non-judgmental services to advance women’s reproductive rights. Above all, we need to highlight the unmet need  of 1 in 5 women who do not have access to contraception and safe abortion — which contribute significantly to maternal and neonatal deaths every year. In order to address this issue, it is essential that we reach that last mile by providing and safeguarding reproductive rights for women.” Commenting on the importance of the summit, convenor Dr. Hrishikesh Pai said, “Women’s health is undergoing a transition where the burden of non-communicable diseases is rising, there are still unmet needs for contraception, there are inequities in accessing quality care. Over the years, public-private-partnership in healthcare has gained greater national discourse. FOGSI is working to support the government’s public health goals, to have a population-level impact. Collaborative solutions between the government and the private sector can help in achieving affordable quality care for all women. Platforms such as the Aarogya Mahila help in sharing knowledge, ideas and best practices between the public and private sector so that both can build effective partnerships in addressing women’s health challenges together." Issues around demystifying reproductive rights, the much debated area in women’s health were also discussed. Anjali Nayyar, Executive Vice President, Global Health Strategies said: “Education, gender empowerment, socio-economic development are closely interlinked with reproductive health and rights. When women and girls are given quality education, reproductive information, contraceptive choices and accessible services, they make responsible decisions – which in turn, results in healthier and more prosperous communities.” FOGSI is single largest institution of obstetricians and gynaecologists in India and globally, and is part of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO).  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14587/indian-spinal-injuries-centre-organises-ifascon-2019.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14587/indian-spinal-injuries-centre-organises-ifascon-2019.html Tue, 03 Sep 2019 11:45:00 +0530 Over 500 orthopedic surgeons and physiotherapists participated in the 32nd annual conference hosted in association with the Indian Foot and Ankle Society (IFAS) The Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC), orthopedic healthcare provider in the country, has brought together more than 500 national and international orthopedic surgeons and physiotherapists under the umbrella of IFASCON 2019, the 32nd annual conference hosted in association with the Indian Foot and Ankle Society (IFAS). The academic and training sessions at the conference, in keeping with the theme of ‘Foot Surgery Simplified’, were addressed by 15 renowned international faculty members and more than 30 faculty members from India. The training sessions included a cadaveric workshop and a workshop on novel techniques for total ankle replacement. Besides, participants also explored opportunities of being selected for prestigious fellowshipsfrom the UK, the USA, Singapore,Germany, and India, some of which come with full salary. Dr. Maninder Shah Singh, Senior Consultant Orthopaedics & Chief of Foot & Ankle Services , Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC) said, “The conference started at a small scale when foot and ankle surgeries were not considered as an important domain. Earlier, orthopedic surgeons had to go abroad to attend foot and ankles courses. However, in last 5 years, orthopedic surgeons and physiotherapists have become increasingly interested in corrective surgeries of foot and ankle. That is reflected in the large number of participants this year. The interest in the cadaveric workshop demonstrating total ankle replacement was very encouraging. It is still a new field in India despite ankle-related sprain being common in young people and sportspersons. This is a promising field and surgeons are keen to know more about it. We also had a rehabilitation workshop and couple of other topics.” Foot and ankle problems affect a large number of people in India across age groups – some of the most prevalent problems are flat foot, pain in heels and sprains in ankles. Challenges including late presentations, delayed diagnosis, neglected cases, malunions, complex deformities and diabetic foot often delay treatment and increase complications. “As a sub-domain of orthopedics, foot and ankle surgeries have come a long way in its journey to be established as a specialty in India. There is a substantial amount of interest in doctors to explore new domains and sub-domains as well as acquire deeper knowledge of their existing domains. Events like IFASCON2019 is aimed at addressing their needs and training them on new processes to speed up correct diagnosis and provide quicker relief to the people,” says Dr. H S Chhabra The conference began in New Delhi with a pre-conference workshop on Thursday and will conclude on Sunday. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14584/pm-unveils-10-ayush-health-wellness-centres.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14584/pm-unveils-10-ayush-health-wellness-centres.html Tue, 03 Sep 2019 11:10:00 +0530 The  Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched 10 AYUSH Health and Wellness Centres (AYUSH HWCs) located  in Haryana, in line with Ministry of AYUSH’s commitment to make 12,500 AHWCs functional in next three years. The Prime Minister said, necessary improvements are being brought in for roping in more and more professionals in not only in the field of modern medicine, but also the AYUSH. He also praised the idea of AYUSH grid, which will help remove a number of silos in this sector.  Modi said, the government is keeping AYUSH in mind while planning over 1.5 lakh wellness centres in the country. Of the 12.5 thousand AYUSH wellness centres planned, around four thousand are likely to be opened within this year, he said. Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH Shri Shripad Yesso Naik said that the Prime Minister takes special interest in AYUSH system. It was his initiative that Ministry of AYUSH will run 10% of the 1.5 lakh health and wellness centres across the country as part of Ayushman Bharat.   He further elaborated that these Centres will be complementing the National Health Policy 2017 that insisted upon integration and mainstreaming of AYUSH services in conventional health care delivery system. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14583/health-minister-addresses-72nd-session-of-who-se-asia-meet.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14583/health-minister-addresses-72nd-session-of-who-se-asia-meet.html Tue, 03 Sep 2019 11:00:00 +0530 “Universal Health for all, a disease-free India and global standards of excellence in healthcare is our aim for a new India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modiji”. This was stated by Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare at the inauguration of the ‘72nd Session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia,' in New Delhi Dr Harsh Vardhan further stated that under the visionary Prime Minister, India is on the brink of a healthcare sector revolution and is moving with urgency to change the health landscape of India. “The Prime Minister has spelt out his commitment, in no uncertain terms, that the health of our citizens is his government’s topmost priority. The charismatic Prime Minister has fast-tracked many policy initiatives aimed at achieving all the core tenets of Universal Health Coverage to deliver affordable and inclusive healthcare for all,” Dr Harsh Vardhan elaborated. Dr Harsh Vardhan was also unanimously elected as Chair of the 72nd Session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia. Eight Ministers of Health from the 11 countries of the WHO South East Asia Region (SEAR), Smt Preeti Sudan, Secretary (HFW), Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia Region were also present at the inaugural session. This is the second time that India is hosting the Regional Committee meeting; the previous one was also hosted by India in New Delhi. Reiterating the commitment of the government, the Union Health Minister said that Ayushman Bharat is India’s road to Universal Health Care. The first component of this is establishing 1,50,000 Health and Wellness Centres by the year 2022, which shall provide an entire gamut of preventivehealthcare. We have already operationalized more than 20,000 Health & Wellness Centres. “The second component, Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana, is aimed at providing health protection cover to over 100 million poor and vulnerable families for secondary and tertiary care including pre- and post-hospitalization expenses. Key features include health cover of up to Rs. Five hundred thousand per family. A total of 17,000 hospitals have been empanelled so far under this scheme. More than 4.1 million persons have become beneficiaries under this scheme and have thus saved a total of an approximate120 billion Indian Rupees on health expenditure,” Dr Harsh Vardhan mentioned in his inaugural ceremony address. As another component of preventive healthcare, the Union Health Minister further said that “We have charted out a plan to increase full immunization coverage to 90% people through intensification of campaigns under Mission Indradhanush. The range of diseases covered under Universal Immunization Program has also been increased with inclusion of Rotavirus, Pneumococcal and Measles Rubella Vaccines,” he added. Dr Harsh Vardhan further said that ending vaccine preventable diseases remains an important priority of the government. Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia Region stated that as governors of health in this region, it also requires that we look beyond our day-to-day concerns and the immediate horizon. She stated, “The flagship priorities have provided targeted focus and been responsible for a series of remarkable achievements. In advancing maternal and child health, tackling measles and rubella, in the battle against NCDs, NTDs, TB and AMR, the Region has performed with skill and determination”. She stressed that updating the Flagship Priorities, which we will do at this Regional Committee, will help ensure continued progress.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14560/india-collaborates-with-peru-to-promote-medicinal-plants.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14560/india-collaborates-with-peru-to-promote-medicinal-plants.html Mon, 02 Sep 2019 12:00:00 +0530 The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved signing of agreement between the National Medicinal Plants Board, Ministry of AYUSH of the Republic of India and the National Institute of Health of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Peru on Cooperation in the field of Medicinal Plants. Considering the fact that both countries having rich medicinal plants biodiversity and medicinal plants based indigenous traditional system of medicines and recognizing the existing friendly and cooperative relations, the proposed Agreement will further enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the area of Medicinal Plants. This will be of immense importance to both countries. This Agreement will provide structured framework for cooperation between the two countries on Medicinal Plants. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14576/tattvan-e-clinics-to-offer-telemedicine-services-in-china.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14576/tattvan-e-clinics-to-offer-telemedicine-services-in-china.html Mon, 02 Sep 2019 10:00:00 +0530 Tattvan, telemedicine healthcare E-clinics, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China and will now offer tele consultation services in China via Tattvan empanelled Indian specialists and super specialists based in Delhi NCR, Mumbai and Hyderabad. The MOU was signed between Tattvan and Hunan technology under the patronage of India China Business Council and India China Pharma Trade Center in Hyderabad. Speaking on this great occasion, Ayush Mishra, CEO & Co-founder, Tattvan E-Clinics said, “Tattvan believes in transforming lives of people living in the remote regions of the country. Telemedicine delivers better healthcare support to patients at home or in rural areas. It’s a great opportunity for us and we are thrilled to be expanding to one of the biggest healthcare market in the world.” A delegation headed by Professor Zack Shengzhi made a two week visit in Delhi and Hyderabad, trying to find a solution to tackle the affordability and opinion access to Chinese patients especially for Oncology, Nephrology and Dental. Professor Zack Shengzhi, Chairman of China India Business Council and India China Pharma Trade Center, said, “Telemedicine is the best model and the most sound solution to offer access to quality opinion and affordable medicines through government vision route map in China. CIBC is very happy to witness the signing ceremony between Tattvan and Hunan Tech.” Ranga Sudhakar, Chief Strategy Officer, Tattvan highlighted, “We are very excited at the prospect. Indian specialists and super specialists services are amongst the best and most affordable in the world and we are happy we could contribute towards increasing its outreach globally.” Further he added, “Religious approach and empathy are the two backbone of any healthcare solution and we ensure to stand by these in our China engagement as well.” Over the next few months, Tattvan plans to set up 15 clinics in cities like Moradabad, Guwahati and few more. The brand is expanding its healthcare services across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand, and Jharkhand with more than 50 E-Clinics over next 18 months. On the International level, Tattvan E-Clinics is looking forward to expanding in Bangladesh, Tajikistan, Ethiopia and Maldives.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14573/prostate-cancer-accounts-for-6-78-of-all-malignancies-in-delhi-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14573/prostate-cancer-accounts-for-6-78-of-all-malignancies-in-delhi-.html Thu, 29 Aug 2019 18:25:00 +0530 Alarm bells are ringing. Delhi Data shows cancer of the prostate is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer among men in Delhi and accounts for about 6.78% of all malignancies. In view of rising prevalence of prostate cancer cases experts recommend targeted or smart screening to diagnose prostate cancer in early stage and cure the disease. In India, it is the second most common cancer in Indian males as per ICMR and various state cancer registries. The incidence rate in India is 9-10/100000 population which is higher than other parts of Asia and Africa but lower than the USA and Europe. The data shows that almost all regions of India including Delhi are equally affected by this cancer. The incidence rates of this cancer are constantly and rapidly increasing in all the PBRCs. As per GLOBOCAN – 2018, 25966 new cases of Prostate cancer are reported every year. The cancer projection data shows that the number of cases will become doubled by 2020. According to the experts, there is a need to introduce Targeted screening or Smart screening in India to diagnose prostate cancer in early stage and cure the disease. All patients attending Urology OPDs or urinary complaints should undergo yearly PSA and Digital rectal examination after 50 years and 40 years with a family history of prostate cancer. The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland present only in males. It is a part of the genito-urinary system and is situated just below the bladder. Its role is to produce prostatic fluid which provides nutrition to the sperms. As a man ages, he starts facing issues with the prostate gland. The prostate disease will predominantly have 3 representations, BPH – Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, Prostate cancer and Prostatitis (Inflammation of the prostate gland). Prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are common prostatic diseases; that affects millions of men worldwide. Even though BPH isn’t prostate cancer and doesn’t make anyone more likely to get it. However, it affects the prostate health of people which can lead to further critical complications. Symptoms of prostate cancer include; frequent urination especially at night, a weak or an interrupted urinary stream, achieving or maintaining an erection, blood in the urine should not be neglected and needs immediate doctors’ attention. Moreover, a routine blood test of PSA levels can help in early detection of prostate cancer in a very early stage. Age and family history should not be neglected either as these two are the most influential risk factors for the development of prostate cancer. Prof (Dr) Anup Kumar, Head of Department, Department of Urology and Renal Transplant, VMMC and Safdarjang Hospital said, “With the introduction of robotic surgery, surgical intervention for management of prostate gland has become much easier. Robotic surgery has numerous advantages over the open surgery which include, minimal blood loss, smaller cuts to the abdominal tissue, better vision of internal organs to a surgeon and lesser days of hospitalization. The chances of a patient surviving for more than 10 years are very high if Prostate cancer is treated at an early stage.” There are many new clinical trials which have shown that combinations of few drugs can help in extending survival. If diagnosed at an earlier stage when the cancer is confined only to the prostate gland, there is a very good chance of curing it. This can be done either by giving radiation therapy to the prostate gland to kill the cancerous cells or by surgically removing the cancerous gland from the human body. According to Dr. Sudhir Kumar Rawal, HOD & Director, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre, “If prostate cancer is diagnosed at an early stage – localized, it can be very well treated with radiation therapy or removed surgically. In both cases, the probability of 10-year survival is very high. Prostate cancer symptoms are like the ones in BPH with an additional sign of hematuria (blood in the urine) which is mostly associated with Prostate cancer”. With the introduction of Ayushman Bharat Scheme, 10 crores families can have benefits of cancer treatment, up to 5 lacs per year. This will prevent morbidity and mortality in these poor patients, due to poverty. "The facilities of advanced 3-D laparoscopy and Robotics, along with cancer drugs are available free of cost in tertiary care government hospital like SJH, AIIMS", Dr Gupta added. Experts emphasised that PSA should be a part of routine health check-up just to avoid missing the disease. The aggravation of urological symptoms should not be neglected at any time and consulting a Urologist will only help in this case.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14571/pm-launches-the-fit-india-movement.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14571/pm-launches-the-fit-india-movement.html Thu, 29 Aug 2019 15:55:00 +0530 The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi launched the Fit India Movement at a ceremony in New Delhi today on the occasion of National Sports Day. The Prime Minister urged the people of the country to make fitness their life style. Launching the people’s movement on the birth anniversary of Major Dhyanchand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to Major Dhyanchand, India’s sports icon who enthralled the world with his game and techniques. He also congratulated the young sportspersons of the country who are keeping the tricolor afloat on the world stage through their efforts. “Their medals are a not only the result of their hard work but reflection of a new zeal and new confidence of a New India”, the PM said. The Prime Minister said that ‘Fit India Movement’ should become a national goal and its aspiration. In an effort to inspire the nation, the Prime Minister said that Fit India Movement may have been started by the government but it is the people who have to lead it and make it a success. Success is related to fitness, success stories of all of our icons from any field of life have a common thread- most of them are fit, have a focus on fitness and are fond of fitness.” He also added, “Technology has reduced our physical ability and has robbed us of our daily fitness routines and today we are unaware of our traditional practises and lifestyle which could keep us fit. With time, fitness has been relegated a lower priority in our society. Earlier a person used to walk or cycle for kilometers, today mobile apps have to tell us how many steps we walked.” “Today lifestyle diseases are on a rise in India affecting even the young. Cases of diabetes and hypertension is on the rise and even common among children in India. But small lifestyle changes can prevent these lifestyle diseases. ‘Fit India Movement’ is an effort to bring these small lifestyle changes”, the PM said. The Prime Minister said that people in any profession can make themselves efficient in their profession if they are mentally and physical fit. If body is fit, then you would be mentally fit. Sports has a direct relation to fitness but ‘Fit India Movement’ aims to go beyond fitness. Fitness is not just a word but an essential pillar to a healthy and prosperous life. When we prepare our bodies for battle, we make the country strong as iron. Fitness is part of our historic legacy. Games and sports are played in every nook and corner of India. While working on the body they also train the mind, increasing focus and coordination of body parts. A healthy Individual, a healthy family and a healthy society are the essentials to make New India a Fit India. Industry Reactions: Lack of physical activity is today a major risk factor for a number of deadly diseases including heart disease, cancer, hypertension, obesity as well as diabetes. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in four adults globally is not active enough while more than 80% of the world’s adolescent population in insufficiently active. The role of physical inactivity in India’s growing NCD epidemic cannot be understated. In fact, physical inactivity is being increasing being recognized at the “new smoking” when it comes to increasing risk for diseases. In this light, the Prime Minister’s move to launch a ‘Fit India movement’ is highly welcome and worth appreciating. The movement must focus on creating greater opportunities for all sections of population to adopt physically active lifestyles. An hour of sports and physical activity every day must be made mandatory in schools. At the same time, workplaces must also be encouraged to join the movement by dedicating 30 minutes of their daily space to some sort of physical exercise. It has been observed that lack of safe public spaces such as parks and walking spaces are a significant factor that deter a number of people especially women from venturing out and exercising. It is important for the urban planners to include safe public spaces in all areas while also creating safe roads and infrastructure for cycling. We hope this campaign also helps generate the requisite awareness among people about the need for adopting physical activity.   Dr Shankar Narang, COO, Paras Healthcare  Fit India is a pioneering movement by our honourable Prime Minister, a powerful advocate of healthy living himself. This initiative will truly benefit the majority of the Indian population. We, at GOQii, are deeply excited to share the same vision as PM Shri Narendra Modi, and extend our complete support in making 130 crore Indians healthy. Finally, as the focus shifts from curative to preventive healthcare, it will open doors for more research and development, and several new initiatives. In order to make Fit India Movement a success, I urge all players, right from startups to corporates to collaborate and embark on this journey, empower themselves and others to be fit and healthy. Vishal Gondal, Founder & CEO, GOQii ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14569/rising-incidence-of-ncds-is-turning-more-people-towards-naturopathy-jni.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14569/rising-incidence-of-ncds-is-turning-more-people-towards-naturopathy-jni.html Thu, 29 Aug 2019 15:30:00 +0530 Rising incidence of chronic non communicable diseases and greater awareness on the need for diet and lifestyle management is prompting a new interest in naturopathy based medicine in India. With as many as 14,000 patients being treated for a variety of diseases, Jindal Naturecure Institute has emerged as a leader in providing alternative medicine in the country. Non-communicable chronic diseases are currently responsible for more than 61% of the deaths in the country. With modern medicine proving inadequate to offer comprehensive and long lasting solutions to chronic diseases, an increasing number of people are today turning to a drugless herbal approach. This can be gauged by the fact that among the most common diseases for which patients seek treatment at JNI includes Hypertension, Diabetes Type 1 and 2, Obesity, PCOD, Hypothyroidism, Chronic Constipation, Insomnia, Bronchial Asthma, Migraine, osteoarthritis, cervical lumbar spondylitis and dyslipidemia. In 40 years of its existence, JNI has seen a steady rise in number of patients. Initially, only a small number of patients with knowledge or curiosity about Naturopathy and obesity related issues were visiting JNI, but over time naturopathy's principle of addressing the cause of the disease and not just the symptoms has gained greater value. This approach is Holistic and JNI has over the years documented it with adequate research. While 10 years back, the average number of annual patients visiting the institute was around 6000, it has gone up to 14000 today. R Raghunath, Sr. Chairman, Jindal Naturecure Institute said, “Adverse side effects, drug resistance, and rising costs of treatment for non-communicable diseases have forced patients to look for alternative systems of medicine, especially since a lot of these conditions do not respond effectively to traditional pharmaceuticals. Patients seek much more than just treatment of symptoms; they want the root cause of their disease to be addressed through naturopathy. More people today prefer a natural approach and this is clearly evident from the increasing number of patients visiting JNI every year. We focus on a drug-less approach, promoting the power of the human body to heal it. We have even had many modern medicine doctors from across the country visiting our Institute, wanting to know how naturopathy can help treat patients suffering from osteoarthritis, diabetes, obesity, depression, rheumatic conditions and insomnia.” “India is in the middle of a silent public health crisis and naturopathy might help us understand the scope and scale of the crisis. It provides a more expansionist and preventive model of holistic care, countering the reductionist and reactionary approach of pharmacology. Naturopaths treat the root cause of diseases and not just the symptoms. Our approach is more integrated and we take into account the patient’s physical, mental, emotional health, while considering all the social and environmental factors. By taking a more patient-centric approach, we have successfully managed to curtail the progression of NCD symptoms in our patients, and their expectation from naturopathy has increased over time”, he added. According to the WHO, non-communicable diseases kill over 41 million people annually, with 15 million people between the ages of 30 and 69. Over 85 percent of the premature deaths occur in low and middle income countries. The number is only set to rise due to rapid urbanization, lifestyle changes, and other physiological and environmental factors. Currently, only 27 percent of Indians have health insurance. NCDs require them to make regular visits to the hospital, putting a dent in their pockets and increasing the burden on understaffed primary healthcare centers. The preventive approach of alternative medicine can significantly reduce this health burden. Notably, WHO urges its member states to consider inclusion of traditional systems of medicine in their national health systems and establish protocols for qualification and accreditation for practitioners of traditional medicine. If the government allots just a small part of its budgeted funds and attention meant for healthcare sector to alternative medicine, the country can have certified institutes of naturopathy and yoga in every state within a short time. By adopting naturopathy, the states could greatly improve disease prevention mechanism and reduce the pressure on overcrowded hospitals. It would take us one step closer to achieving universal health coverage in line with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14568/atnf-organizes-international-conference-on-transforming-healthcare-with-it.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14568/atnf-organizes-international-conference-on-transforming-healthcare-with-it.html Thu, 29 Aug 2019 15:20:00 +0530 In 2019, Apollo Hospitals Group brings together the biggest confluence of Patient Safety and Technology experts at the VIII International Patient Safety Conference (IPSC) and the IX International Conference of Transforming Healthcare with IT (THIT) to be held at HICC, Hyderabad, India on the 13th and 14th September 2019. Transforming Healthcare with IT (THIT) is the largest Healthcare & IT-based International conference and trade show in India organized by Apollo Telemedicine Networking Foundation every year. THIT offers its attendees comprehensive two days of interactive sessions, educational programs, social activities and a trade exhibition showcasing the latest products, technology, services, and industry information. The scientific program features eminent national and international speakers. The audience profile includes decision-makers in the emerging Healthcare IT arena including leading IT companies and leading healthcare institutions. National organizations like the Telemedicine Society of India, Computer Society of India, Indian Medical Association and several Government organizations are endorsing and participating in this event.  We are pleased to share with you that The Telemedicine Society of India (TSI), International Society for Telemedicine and eHealth (iSfTeH), Association of Healthcare Providers India (AHPI) are our supporting partners. Our Knowledge Partners include Indian School of Business (ISB), College of Health Information Executives (CHiME), Center for Healthcare Entrepreneurship of IIT Hyderabad (CfHE – IIT Hyderabad), University of Pittsburgh (Joseph M Katz School of Business), Columbia University (School of International and Public Affairs).  We will also have a Digital Transformation Leadership Masterclass on 12th September 2019 hosted by the Apollo – CHiME Academy with faculty for the same coming from CHiME – the USA and Leading Health IT CIOs from the USA.  This year we have confirmations from Shri. K Vijayaraghavan, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Dr. Indu Bhushan, CEO, Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana & National Health Authority, Government of India, IT Secretaries from the states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, Prof. Mark Britnell, Global Chairman & Senior Partner, KPMG, UK, Mr. Russ Branzell, President and CEO, CHiME, Mr. Marc Probst,VP &CIO,Intermountain Healthcare, Utah, Mr. Bruce D. Broussard, President and CEO, Humana, Kentucky USA as some of our esteemed speakers.  Doctors will be awarded 4 CME credit hours for the main events being held on 13th and 14th September 2019. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14567/artemis-gurugram-performs-north-indias-first-endoscopic-sleeve-gastroplasty.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14567/artemis-gurugram-performs-north-indias-first-endoscopic-sleeve-gastroplasty.html Thu, 29 Aug 2019 15:10:00 +0530 Artemis Hospital, Gurugram has become the first hospital in North India to introduce Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG), a newer and revolutionary non-invasive procedure to treat obesity. It’s performed to help to lose weight and potentially lower the risk of serious weight-related health problems. Recently Artemis Hospital treated north India’s first patient who had obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension. Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is a newer type of weight-loss procedure. ESG reduces the size of your stomach using an endoscopic suturing device without the need for surgery. It is performed to help you lose weight and potentially lower your risk of serious weight-related health problems, including, Gastroesophageal reflux disease, heart disease and stroke, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and type 2 diabetes. Considering the patient’s severe condition, the team of doctors led by Dr. Atul Sharma, Senior consultant at Artemis Hospital decided to apply the ESG (Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplastiy) procedure. The treatment is so convenient with such high success rate that he was discharged within 48 hours of procedure and resumed his normal routine life. Dr Kapil Jamwal, Head Gastroenterology Unit, Artemis Centre of Excellence for Digestive and Liver Diseases said that, “ESG is a day care procedure in which a flexible tube with endoscopic suturing device attached is inserted into the stomach through mouth and fat is taken out. With no operative complications involved, the process is cost effective. The entire process takes approximately 90 minutes with no anesthesia required and majority of patients can go home same day. It reduces the size of stomach with the endoscopic device without surgery. Apprehensions regarding cuts, surgeries and scars are no more involved in the treatment of obesity.” The team of Dr. Atul Sharma, Senior consultant and Clinical Lead in Motility, UBD and Third Space Endoscopy, Dr Kapil Jamwal, Head of the Gastroenterology Unit, Artemis Hospital, Gurugram and Dr. Rajesh K Padhan, Senior Consultant and Clinical Lead in Hepatology and Pancreas at Artemis Hospital have brought this ESG treatment for the first time in North India. Elaborating further Dr. Jamwal said, “ESG is the future of bariatric and metabolic endoscopy for patients with or without comorbidities. ESG has minimal or no side effects leaves no scars or sutures on patients and can be done in patients who are not fit for Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy and bariatric surgery. The procedure is presently being done in a few centers across India and we are proud to introduce the procedure for our patients across north India.” This treatment is common in the USA but now through Artemis Gurugram, Delhi and NCR population and others will also be benefitted. Till now the most common procedure done for obesity worldwide is Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy but it has its own limitations. Obesity can now be treated with a new endoscopic procedure which is Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty or ESG, in this procedure the stomach size is reduced from 60-70% of the original after passage of the endoscope from the mouth and with placement of sutures in the stomach.  The procedure shows effects over 6 months to 1 year and patient loses around 60-80% of the excessive body weight. Obesity has become the biggest epidemic in India with an obese population of 7.5 crore and over 5 crore are morbidly obese. With such a high rate, a treatment like ESG is the most appropriate and feasible treatment option available. According to NFHS (National Family and Health Survey) 2007 data Delhi and NCR had the highest overweight population with 45% in males and 49 % in females. As per the latest report of Obesity Surgery Society of India, the country has seen a 100-fold increase in weight-loss surgeries in the past 15 years, rising from just 200-odd in 2004 to more than 20,000 in 2019. During this period, the number of surgeons who specialize in the surgery also went also went up from eight (in 2003) to 450. Delhi, Punjab, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu lead in the number of surgeries performed every year.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14543/apollo-brings-largest-patient-safety-focused-conference-in-asia.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14543/apollo-brings-largest-patient-safety-focused-conference-in-asia.html Wed, 28 Aug 2019 10:00:00 +0530 Apollo Hospitals Group is organizing the 8th edition of the International Patient Safety Conference (IPSC), a not-for-profit initiative, on 13-14th September 2019 in Hyderabad. IPSC, the largest patient safety-focused conference in Asia, will address critical issues in patient safety with global experts on the subject discussing the role of proactive practices and streamlined systems in improving patient safety. With sessions around this year’s theme of ‘Imagine, Innovate, Inspire’, the IPSC will provide healthcare professionals an opportunity to learn from patient safety and quality experts from across the world. The conference is being organized in partnership with leading organizations including Joint Commission International (JCI), World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH), NABH, PWC, AsQuA, IsQua, IMA, FSSAI, ISA, CAHO,HIMA to name a few. The discussions at the conference will range from debates on technology versus touch; the healthcare manpower of the future; overall patient safety aspects including infection control, medication management, radiation safety to facility safety and accreditations. Precursor to the conference there will be eight pre-Conference workshops on 12th September 2019 being held along with JCI, NABH, CAHO and Apollo Hospitals that will be jointly and on Food Safety and Basic Life Support on the conference days. Sangita Reddy, Jt. Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “Patient safety is a vital aspect of healthcare delivery and should be the top priority as India advances towards universal health coverage through Ayushman Bharat. We must keep a check on our health systems as well as work towards a skilled talent pool to address the healthcare workforce crisis, which has an impact on patient safety. The International Patient Safety Conference serves as a platform where all stakeholders can share experiences, exchange ideas, and discuss best practices for improving patient safety. We look forward to an outcome where the suggestions generated are integrated into a national policy to improve patient safety across the healthcare system.” Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes the importance of patient safety through statistics that indicate a 1 in a million chance of a person being harmed while travelling by plane, as against a 1 in 300 chance of a patient being harmed during healthcare treatment. Industries with a perceived higher risk such as the aviation and nuclear industries have a much better safety record than healthcare. Patient harm is the 14th leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, comparable to diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria. It is estimated that there are 421 million hospitalizations in the world annually, and approximately 42.7 million adverse events occur with safety issues in as many as 1 in 10 patients during hospitalization. Over two-thirds of all adverse events occur in low and middle-income countries. A study on the frequency and preventability of adverse events across 26 low and middle-income countries showed the rate of adverse events to be around 8%, of which 83% could have been prevented and 30% led to death. 15% of health spending is wasted dealing with all aspects of adverse events including venous thromboembolism, pressure ulcers, and infections. In 2018, the 7th International Patient Safety Conference had brought together over 170 speakers and 1500 delegates from 20 countries across the globe. This year the 8th edition is expected to see an increased participation with industry stalwarts like Dr. Indu Bhushan, CEO, Ayushman Bharat; Prof. William B. Eimicke,  Professor of Practice in International & Public Affairs and the founding director of the Picker Center for Executive Education of Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs; H.E Dr. Te Kuyseang, Ministry of Health, Cambodia; Hon. Dr. Joseph Nsambi, Ministry Of Health, Lubumbashi, DRC; Hon. Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, Sri Lanka; Dr. Zakaria Al Alttal, Ministry of Health, UAE; Ms. Paula Wilson, President and CEO, Joint Commission International; Dr. Mark Britnell, Global Chairman & Senior Partner, KPMG, UK as some of the esteemed speakers. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14550/bcbpf-cancer-foundation-calls-for-rational-policymaking-on-ends.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14550/bcbpf-cancer-foundation-calls-for-rational-policymaking-on-ends.html Wed, 28 Aug 2019 09:50:00 +0530 In a press meet organised at the India Habitat Centre by bcbpf-The Cancer Foundation, international experts Riccardo Polosa, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Italy and Ron Borland, Professor of Psychology, School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Australia; along with Dr. Sameer Kaul, Sr. Consultant Surgical Oncology & Robotics, Apollo Cancer Institute, New Delhi, came together to discuss the “ Urgency of Tobacco Harm Reduction in India: Decoding the evidence on ENDS”. During the meet, experts shed light on the existing statistics that tobacco is costing India many lives and nearly 1.3 million Indians (approximately 25,000) deaths per week, are related to tobacco. Smoking is the number one cause of preventable death and disease worldwide, killing one out of every two smokers. The experts highlighted that the cohort studies on which the ICMR white paper based its recommendations show a high probability of bias from sources such as combining ‘subjects’ with or without a quit motivation. They further highlighted that it was difficult to understand why the ICMR’s white paper recommends a complete ban on e-cigarettes for the ‘greater interest of protecting public health’, while the traditional cigarettes continue to sell in the market. Policy making should be based on scientifically sound evidence and where such evidence is in nascent stages, efforts must be focused on speeding up or encouraging research. In the light of this need, Dr. Kaul also announced the commencement of a nation-wide, cross sectional, randomized study on Indian subjects, led by bcbpf-The Cancer Foundation. Building up on the disease burden caused by tobacco consumption, Dr. Sameer Kaul, Sr. Consultant Surgical Oncology & Robotics, Apollo Cancer Institute & Founder President, bcbpf-The Cancer Foundation, New Delhi, said “It is important to weigh the science and document the well-known damaging effects of smoking against the risks and harm reduction potential of e-cigarettes. Without regulating combustible smoking that is significantly more harmful, banning e-cigarettes that has proven social, economic and health benefits over combustible cigarettes, is not justified. ENDS present an excellent opportunity for India to accelerate a decline in smoking rates and adult smokers who want to quite but may be unable to, have the right to be able to access harm reduction alternatives such as ENDS”. Furthering the on-going discourse on the subject worldwide and the policy scenario in India, three renowned global experts including Prof Riccardo Polosa recently co-authored and published a scientific evidence based critical appraisal of the white paper, in the Indian Journal of Clinical Practice. Prof. Riccardo Polosa during his presentation at the press meet, called out the need to better evaluate the existing evidence on ENDS and said “ICMR in its white paper presented an uncritical evaluation of evidence gathered from poor quality studies. Through a robust appraisal of the reports and scientific data featured in the ICMR report, we aim to provide access to information, and with it, health literacy to all stakeholders. In our endeavor to support policy makers towards constructing a better future for India, a detailed, critical appraisal of all existing evidence on ENDS, was imperative. With our in-depth review, we hope to convince ICMR to reconsider their recommendation for a complete prohibition of the category”. Globally, Tobacco Harm Reduction movement is picking up pace and many scientific institutes of repute have acknowledged that ENDS pose significantly less risk to health compared to traditional cigarettes or bidis. 69 countries have regulated ENDS, including 34 out of the 36 OECD countries. Giving examples of specific countries, the experts mentioned countries like the UK and Canada which have chosen to regulate ENDS alongside cigarettes and tobacco products. UAE, on the other hand, which had banned the category, recently overturned the ban after taking into consideration the increasing medical evidence.  Adding to the discussion at the press meet, Prof. Ron Borland, while sharing his views, said “We believe that e-cigarettes represent an important tool for smokers to reduce their risk of smoking-related illness, and e-cigarettes can be a tool for public health to promote tobacco harm reduction. This opportunity to improve public health will be lost if India bans e-cigarettes, and with no new strategies the tobacco epidemic will continue. We want to encourage scientific authorities throughout India to review the available evidence with objectivity, fairness and an open mind, assessing both the potential benefits, risks of a new policy implementation and its potential impact”. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14544/sparsh-hospital-launches-osteo-clinic.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14544/sparsh-hospital-launches-osteo-clinic.html Tue, 27 Aug 2019 13:00:00 +0530 SPARSH Hospital, one of the leading authorities on Orthopaedics, has launched its first fully-equipped, cutting-edge Osteoporosis Clinic in all its branches across Bengaluru. The move comes at a time when there are an increasing number of cases being reported on osteoporosis. The clinic intends to address the increasing rate of the condition among Bengaluru’s populace. Termed an Urban Disease, Osteoporosis is a painful ailment which causes bones to go weak and fragile, making the person exposed to fractures, injuries and constant pain. It can start at an age as young as 25 years. Worldwide, osteoporosis causes more than 8.9 million fractures annually, resulting in an Osteoporotic fracture every 3 seconds. Osteoporosis cases have been seeing a steady rise among middle-aged people, especially women. In a study conducted by International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) worldwide, 1 in 3 women over age 50 will experience osteoporotic fractures and among Indian women aged 30-60 years, Bone Mineral Density (BMD) was much lower. Spending on healthcare is also a major concern among affected families, particularly because once fractured, the person is said to be vulnerable to multiple injuries.A recent survey done by SPARSH Hospital in Bengaluru discovered that less than 50% of the respondents were aware of Osteoporosis, its causes and impact on life. While a sedentary lifestyle, habits like smoking, drinking, using antidepressants, sedatives can all increase the risk of fractures and injuries, it could also be genetic, studies say. But early care is the key to preventing this ailment from affecting our day to day activities. Maintaining a Calcium and Vitamin D rich diet, exercising regularly, keeping habits in check and regular check-ups can really help keep this ailment at bay.Dr. Sharan Patil, Chairman of SPARSH Hospital, said on the occasion, “Living longer, even beyond 100 years seems to be within the realm of modern medical possibilities. However, Osteoporosis, with its implications, seems to be a critical impediment for good quality of life. Fortunately, today’s medical science offers us great options of preventing and treating Osteoporosis. At SPARSH, we are launching a focussed, comprehensive clinic to take care of this dreaded condition of Osteoporosis which has become endemic. Preventing fractures due to Osteoporosis is a far superior option than treating one” Dr. Saraswati Vishwanathan, a specialist in Paediatric Orthopaedics and pain management, will be heading the Infantry Road Unit. Dr. Lakshmi V Reddy and Dr. Naveen Tahasildar will be heading the Yeshwanthpur and Bommasandra units respectively. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14538/assi-launches-scoliosis-screening-program-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14538/assi-launches-scoliosis-screening-program-in-india.html Tue, 27 Aug 2019 10:45:00 +0530 Spinal deformities characterized by abnormal curvature of the spine are usually found in children below 14 years of age. However, due to lack of awareness and absence of medical screenings, late presentation of disease remains a major problem in India. In a first of its kind initiative in India, the Association of Spinal Surgeons of India (ASSI) has launched a major scoliosis screening program for school children across multiple cities with an objective to increase early identification and spread awareness. The screening program aims to reach around 1 to 1.5 lakh school children in two years. While the first phase will target schools in 9 cities, thereby, the screening program is expected to be extended to 14 cities. As part of the initiative ASSI also plans to undertake steps to launch an e-learning programme to enable common people to identify spinal deformity. Notably, several online applications such as Scoliometer and Angle meter are available for people to check for spinal deformities themselves. The ASSI awareness program will also educate parents about their availability and usage. Early identification of abnormality increases treatment options and helps prevent the progression of deformity as the child grows. As the apex body of spine surgeons in the country, ASSI has also recommended that all children between 10 to 14 years of age be screened for spinal abnormality. Spinal deformities such as scoliosis and kyphosis need to be identified early so that effective intervention can be undertaken to prevent deformity progression which can affect a person’s appearance as well as health. Dr H S Chhabra, President, ASSI and Chief of Spine Service & Medical Director, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, New Delhi said, “Such deformities can have devastating consequences on cosmetic appearance and neurological function. While many cases of curvature are mild and require only ongoing observation, other cases can worsen with time and require active treatment such as bracing and surgery. Screening for spinal deformity is an established process worldwide. However, in India we do not have comprehensive screening programs that result in late presentation of the condition. Through our screening program, we aim to reach out to around 10,000 kids in each city. This will be a first of its kind major study conducted country wide.” The purpose of a scoliosis screening program is to identify students with spinal curvatures that will require further follow up by a healthcare provider. Collation of long term data under the study will help experts to study the prevalence of spine deformities and their prognosis in India. Notably, there exists a paucity of comprehensive studies and data on this subject in India. In the first phase, ASSI has reached out to schools in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Coimbatore, Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Indore, Lucknow and Patna. Under the drive, parents and children will be educated on the subject and spine screening will be conducted for children who consent to participate in the study. The spine examination has to be conducted by medical officers or nurses at the school after they are briefed by the spine surgeon. Free counseling of the parents by the concerned spine surgeon will be facilitated and treatment process initiated where required. All the data thus collected will be private and confidential. Dr Shankar Acharya, President-elect, ASSI Sir Ganga Ram Hospital said, “Scoliosis, a sideways curvature of the spine is the most common spine deformity in the pediatric population. Other less common curvatures include lordosis – an accentuated forward curvature of the lower spine, and kyphosis -- a rounding of the upper spine. In the absence of medical screening, Kyphosis is often confused with poor posture in children when it actually is a structural deformity. Lack of awareness remains a major challenge and is a major factor behind late identification of the condition. With the development of curvatures occurring most often between 10-18 years, it is important that it is detected in early adolescence. Notably, curve progression occurs at rates 7-8 times higher in girls than boys.” Experts underline that recent advances in spine surgery including neuromonitoring, navigation, robotic technology and minimally invasive surgery have helped make spinal surgery highly safe and effective today. Innovations in spine care and deformity surgery have also helped significantly improve outcomes in affected people. The prospect of spinal surgery often intimidates people. It is therefore important to raise awareness among people about safety, effectiveness and improved surgical outcomes of spinal surgeries today. Recent advances such as neuromonitoring and robotic surgery have in many ways revolutionized spinal surgery. While neuromonitoring allows monitoring of the nervous system and neural structures during surgery, computer-assisted navigation and surgical robotics minimize risk of complications and reduce exposure to radiation. Spinal deformity can be effectively managed and corrected with the help of these advanced surgical tools.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14533/iot-india-congress-puts-emphasis-on-wellness-centres-for-ab-pmjay-success.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14533/iot-india-congress-puts-emphasis-on-wellness-centres-for-ab-pmjay-success.html Tue, 27 Aug 2019 09:00:00 +0530 The fourth edition of India’s largest confluence of digital-technology stakeholders, the IoT India Congress 2019 concluded its two-day event in Bangalore with a footfall of 1600+  participants  and 70+  speakers recently.  The two-day session focussed on ten tracks, namely: Energy, Healthcare, Defence, Standards and Regulatory, Retail, Digital Communication, Skills and Development, Agriculture, Manufacturing and Smart Cities. During the event, a whitepaper was launched emphasising on 'Why wellness centres are the key for the success of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Ayogya Yojana (AB- PMJAY)'. The Primary Health Centers (PHC) have been the cornerstone of the healthcare delivery mechanism in the country. What the scheme needs is a robust mechanism by which not only can patients be monitored at large but also show the Primary Health centres are equipped with state-of-the-art facilties to make proactive intervention a reality. "The 2019 budget again allocates close to Rs 62659 crores to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for ensuring health standards for the entire population. While it is a step in the right direction we still feel that the fundamental issues that lie with the Primary Health centres are yet to be addressed today. At best 20% of the Primary Health centres meet any government criteria for public health. More than 25 to 30% of them operate without equipment doctors as well as medicines. To bolster the presence of the Primary Health centres what we feel needs to be done is to create an ecosystem where private Health Services work with government supported by robust technology and program brought on from technology start-ups to ensure that 24 7 monitoring can be done", mentions Dr Vikram Venkateswaran Director – Digital Risk, Risk Advisory, Deloitte India. According to the whitepaper, the most important ingredient for the success of the Wellness program is creating the right ecosystem that includes the provider of the PHC, the family, local physician, medical device provider, district hospital, the local health authorities, technology providers and the network providers.  "The challenge in the past has been that the onus of Wellness has been put on the individual. Most care providers would not intervene post discharge and would pick up the onus of care only if the patient is admitted again. Given the lack of funds and lack of resources, the only way to ensure success is to monitor patients for Wellness. This would mean a change in philosophy from defence to attack. In other words the entire mechanism has to be cleared to be proactive in identifying monitoring and managing emerging disease conditions. As you can see, we need a complete ecosystem of constituents to come together and create a low cost solution to make this happen", points out Ajit Ashok Director, Marketing Solutions , Big Data & Analytics, Philips Innovation Campus Wellness is a new concept in India. While healthcare standards have improved, wellness needs a change in policies, technology, processes and people. The correct approach to wellness would reduce the burden of admissions in the Ayushman Bharat Program. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14537/jiva-ayurveda-to-introduce-ayurveda-courses-in-svs-university.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14537/jiva-ayurveda-to-introduce-ayurveda-courses-in-svs-university.html Mon, 26 Aug 2019 19:20:00 +0530 Jiva Ayurveda has signed a memorandum of understanding with Shri Vishwakarma Skill University (SVSU), to teach specialized courses to the youth. This initiative will empower the youth with employable skills in the domain of Ayurveda and healthcare industry. The courses will cover several topics such as Wellness Management, Ayurveda Health Management, Massage and Panchakarma, Ayurvedic Beautician and Nutritionist, Yoga and Fitness Instructor etc. The MOU was signed by Shri Rishi Pal Chauhan Chairman, Jiva Group and Prof. Raj Nehru, Vice Chancellor, SVSU. The event was graced by Chief Guest, Dr Hanif Qureshi, IPS, Inspector General of Police, Haryana. Shri Vishwakarma Skill University, which is the first government skill university of India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14535/motherhood-hospitals-win-ficci-healthcare-excellence-awards-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14535/motherhood-hospitals-win-ficci-healthcare-excellence-awards-.html Mon, 26 Aug 2019 18:35:00 +0530 Motherhood Women & Children’s Hospital which has network of 12 hospitals in India has won the FICCI Healthcare Excellence Award for Best Patient Care. The award was conferred upon the company for projects and initiatives taken by its hospitals for creating a measurable impact in improving patient care particularly in the area of neonatal care.   The FICCI Healthcare Excellence Awards was conceptualised in 2009, to felicitate organizations and individuals for their contributions to the industry. The awards have emerged as the definitive recognition for contribution to healthcare in the country over the years based on Innovation, Impact and Sustainability & Scalability which forms the three criteria for evaluation.  Speaking on the felicitation, Mr. Vijayrathna Venkatraman, CEO, Motherhood Hospitals said, “This award is a recognition of our efforts to ensure patient safety across all our facilities. It reiterates the commitment and incredible team work by our Neonatology Team to provide excellent care to every newborn. We are committed to deliver the best care to our patients in the women and children’s speciality “  The esteemed jury nominated Motherhood for their Neonatology Patient Safety Initiative. Nearly 0.75 million newborns don’t survive every year in India, the highest for any country in the world. Most of the Neonatal deaths happen in semi urban areas due to lack of good neonatal intensive care units which are backed by highly competent neonatologists and nursing services. Keeping this in mind, Motherhood Hospitals started “NICU on Wheels” where the clinical team reaches remotest of places to resuscitate premature or sick new born babies and transport them to the Motherhood Hospital for advance care. As a part of this initiative the Neonatology team also conducts Advance Neonatal Resuscitation Training Program for doctors and nurses in semi urban and rural areas to enable them to handle such babies till the time NICU on Wheels reaches the location to transport the baby to Motherhood centres. This initiative has saved the lives of many new borns.   This award category saw nominations from other providers like Apollo & Ruby Hall Hospitals. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14532/aster-to-set-up-an-innovation-and-research-hub-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14532/aster-to-set-up-an-innovation-and-research-hub-in-india.html Mon, 26 Aug 2019 16:45:00 +0530 To improve the ultimate health outcomes for patients and enhance their overall experience at all its facilities, Aster DM Healthcare is setting up Aster Innovation and Research Centre in India and Gulf Cooperation Council (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman). Over the next three years, the Centre will aim to achieve key milestones like introduction of innovative solutions for home healthcare with focus on digital primary care, establishing a rich eco-system of digital health partners from start-ups to academia and starting digital health/ informatics/ medicine as a stream for future healthcare workers. Joining as the Chief of Innovation, Dr. Satish Prasad Rath, MD would be spearheading the innovation projects that will aim to leverage the advances in digital health research like AI, cognitive psychology, blockchain, IOT, behavioral economics etc. and on-board start-ups which can drive innovation. The Centre will also work in a collaborative manner focusing on applied research with academia, startups and industry partners. Aster DM Healthcare has the unique positioning of providing an integrated service offering that ranges from primary care (aster clinics and pharmacy) to quaternary care, along with an in-house research center as MIMS Research Foundation and a medical college as DM Wayanad Institute of Medical Sciences (DMWIMS). The new center will accelerate various ongoing innovation projects being led by different units, like the diabetes, sepsis and dialysis projects; and will be working to introduce an interdisciplinary subject on digital health/medicine at DMWIMS. The founder chairman and managing director of the group, Dr Azad Moopen, said, “Our main objective as an organization has been to ensure that quality and affordable healthcare is easily available at the doorsteps of our patients. With evolving patient needs, it is essential to focus on digital transformation of healthcare because of advances being made in various areas like AI, genomics and molecular biology which is likely to produce a quantum leap. We are confident that under the leadership of Dr. Satish, Aster Innovation and Research Centre would play a major role in introducing the most advanced and unique patient care solutions and enable our organization to become one of the most technologically progressive healthcare providers in the world.” Dr. Satish Prasad Rath, a post-graduate medical doctor and a digital health scientist with multiple patents, comes with rich experience of leading research and innovation labs at Xerox Innovation Group, Wipro Technologies, Intel labs and Philips Research. He is also an adviser to several start-ups and incubators.  Commenting on the occasion, Dr. Satish said, “Today, there are many inefficiencies being experienced by the healthcare industry. We can reach far more people who are not able to access health system due to geography, knowledge or affordability constraints. Leveraging AI, IoT, blockchain, cognitive computing we can address these difficult segments in sustainable way. We will be tapping into the rich evolving entrepreneurship culture of start-ups and academia in a collaborative model whom we can curate and co-create for better future.  Simultaneously we will be preparing the digital health aware/ empowered workforce in collaboration with govt and teaching institutions.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14529/medanta-organizes-2nd-world-neurosciences-summit-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14529/medanta-organizes-2nd-world-neurosciences-summit-.html Mon, 26 Aug 2019 12:20:00 +0530 Medanta Institute of Neurosciences organised the World Neurosciences Summit at JW Marriott, Aerocity, New Delhi.  The theme for the three-day conference was Basic, Beyond and Continuum. The conference highlighted advances such as robotics, virtual reality amongst others which are changing the way diseases and conditions associated with the human nervous system are being managed. The summit gave the attending neurosurgeons and neurologists an exposure to latest technologies in Neurosciences through a series of informative sessions and discussions by various renowned Indian and international experts. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Naresh Trehan, Chairman & Managing Director, Medanta said, “Technology enabled patient care is driving incrementally greater efficiency in end-to-end healthcare. In neurological treatment, patient-centric solutions powered by technology are improving patient care and management, resulting in better patient engagement and satisfaction. The World Neurosciences Summit engages participants to share and exchange knowledge and best practices.” Dr. Sudhir Dubey, Director, Institute of Neurosciences, Medanta – The Medicity added, “The second edition of World Neurosciences Summit is an effort to acquaint participants with advancements in minimally invasive, keyhole image guided and neuropsychological monitored surgery with real time imaging. It is a great platform to share and exchange knowledge and best practices.” “The World Neurosciences Summit reflects our commitment to how technology such as robotics, artificial intelligence and machine learning can be used to advance patient care. These efforts contribute to better diagnoses and more precise treatment,’’ said Dr. Arun Garg, Director, Institute of Neurosciences, Medanta – The Medicity. The summit was a first-of-its-kind platform wherein latest technology available for precise and safe brain and spine surgery was showcased. Hands-on training was also provided to participants through cadaver labs, animal labs, simulation models and virtual lab model. Surgeries were also screened at the venue, live from Medanta – The Medicity. International and Indian faculty along with delegates from across the globe were part of the conference.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14528/max-hospital-launches-onco-daycare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14528/max-hospital-launches-onco-daycare.html Mon, 26 Aug 2019 12:10:00 +0530 Max Healthcare has launched daycare cancer centre in Gurgaon. The centre marks Max Healthcare’s expansion into standalone Oncology care. The centre will cater to patients not only in Gurgaon but also the neighboring districts of Rewari, Jhajjar and Mewat. Abhay Soi, Chairman, Max Healthcare inaugurated the centre. Also, gracing the event with their presence, were Dr. Harit Chaturvedi, Chairman – Max Institute of Cancer Care, Saket and Dr. Bhawna Sirohi, Director - Medical Oncology, Max Hospital, Gurgaon. The new clinical model will be at par with the best in class available technology and clinical expertise along with personalised care in an ‘’un-hospital’’ like environment so that it can cater to the growing needs of patients in the neighborhood. The amenities available at this centre are intended to enhance patient experience, while they are undergoing therapy for cancer. Some of these services include – rapid diagnostics for cancer detection on the same day, screening packages within 2 hours and DMG (disease management groups). Additionally, a 24X7 chemo-helpline answered by trained doctors and nurses will ensure that existing patients, many of whom are elderly, are provided free services round the clock in case of emergencies. With Integration of @Home services, continued care for patients as and when they require will also be ensured. An in-house video conferencing facility will help connecting our specialists to conduct tumour boards from across network hospitals as well as with international oncologists of repute. The initial plan is to run this as a daycare facility from 8 am to 5 pm and then extend as per patient requirements. Having an in-house onco-pharmacist stationed at the nursing centre will make the task of administering drugs much faster. Max Healthcare was the first in India back in 2009 to introduce oncology-pharmacy in the country. The current daycare has an international level admixing facility with an in-house onco-pharmacist with inputs from the international pharmacist. Speaking about the launch, Dr. Bhawna Sirohi, Director - Medical Oncology, Max Hospital, Gurgaon, says, “Cancer is a growing disease burden in India and worldwide. Presently, there are more than a million cancer cases in India and 17.3 lakh new cases of cancer are estimated to occur by 2020. For cancer patients, determination and the will to fight is half the battle won. Therefore, the thematic ambience has been tailored to be soothing and pleasant for the patients and is quite unlike any hospital in this neighborhood. All chemotherapy chambers have natural lighting in abundance which will help boost a patient’s morale and aid faster recovery of the individual.” Max Institute of Cancer Care currently caters to surgical procedures for breast, head & neck and GI. With an emphasis to connect and bond with the community at large, the focus for this centre will also be to extend free transport services for the elderly patients to the Saket facility for radiotherapy and PET CTs.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14527/hcfi-to-organize-the-perfect-health-mela-in-october-2019.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14527/hcfi-to-organize-the-perfect-health-mela-in-october-2019.html Mon, 26 Aug 2019 12:05:00 +0530 HCFI, a non-profit organization has announced that its annual flagship event, the Perfect Health Mela will be organized from 18th to 20th October 2019 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi. The event completed 25 years in October 2018. The Mela is being jointly organised with the Health and Family Welfare Dept. NCT Delhi, DST and other central and Delhi state government departments. The Perfect Health Mela is a one-of-its-kind event held every year with a mission to generate all-around awareness on health using entertainment as a medium. The theme last year was “Affordable Healthcare” and Dr Tusker, the friendly elephant, was the mascot for the event. Among the new additions to the Mela last year were the Perfect CSR Awards and the Everyday Mela. Free medical check-ups, a regular feature every year, will be provided to all visitors. The theme this year is Harm Reduction. Started in 1993, the Perfect Health Mela caters to people from all age groups and all walks of life. It showcases activities across categories such as health education seminars, check-ups, entertainment programmes, lifestyle exhibitions, lectures, workshops, and competitions. The Mela is attended by over 200 organizations each year including those from the state and central government, PSUs, and leading corporates. Speaking about the Mela Padma Shri Awardee Dr KK Aggarwal, President HCFI & National President IMA said, “After a successful run as part of the 25th Silver Jubilee Year in October 2018, we are happy to announce the dates for the Perfect Health Mela this year as well. Over the years, the event has addressed several relevant themes and topics around health and access to healthcare, apart from providing a platform for organizations to showcase their capabilities. The Mela is attended by thousands of visitors. This year, the event promises to be bigger, better, and more exciting for everyone as we have introduced many new features.” Some of the most attended events at the Mela include Harmony and Ecofest National inter-school competitions, Youth Rock Band/Orchestra Festival, Divya Jyoti Medical Masti Youth Festival, conferences, and Nukkad Natak. The HCFI recognizes that dance and music are an excellent medium for creating awareness albeit in an entertaining way. The Perfect Health Mela thus uses the mediums to spread awareness on various health-related topics.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14526/prof-kang-highlights-tribulations-of-clinical-research-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14526/prof-kang-highlights-tribulations-of-clinical-research-in-india.html Mon, 26 Aug 2019 11:45:00 +0530 Prof. Gagandeep Kang, Executive Director, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Faridabad, recently delivered a keynote lecture on ‘Trials and Tribulations: Clinical Research in India’,  at the XIV International Conference on Public Policy & Management at IIMB. “The very purpose of clinical research is to improve health. Hence, everyone who participates in clinical trials is a partner and should be deemed as champions of the cause, and hence it is the responsibility of us professionals to serve these people to the best of our ability. Without their trust, the advancement of both clinical science and medical practice would falter,” observed Professor Gagandeep Kang, Executive Director, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI). She went on to say that such trials need to be carried out responsibly and ethically, based on a relationship of trust with the participants where total understanding is a given, and the findings are shared with the communities. “There are regulatory bodies to raise the standard of clinical research and curb unethical practices. But although we have very good basic biology institutes, investment is still not to the level that it should be,” she lamented. Prof. Kang, who is an Infosys Prize Winner in Life Sciences and in 2019 was elected to the Fellow of Royal Society, the first Indian woman to achieve this, began her address by providing a background to public health in India, and proceeded to talk about the need for clinical research, the different players of healthcare delivery, and also gave an insight into her ongoing research and future work.   ‘Need to build trust and accountability’ She  listed the factors that have worked so far in this domain as: identification of needs in public health research, partners who provided appropriate training, targeted and monitored mentoring, commitment to the communities that professionals work in and with as well as commitment to quality, building multidisciplinary research groups of young faculty, availability of academic positions and funding, working in collaboration with government and like-minded institutions, more investment in R&D, and new initiatives in public health. She said that lack of value systems, lack of systems, sclerotic bureaucracy, hierarchy, restrictive polies and lack of institutional support were some of the challenges of clinical research. “Going forward, we need to focus on setting priorities, looking at evaluating effectiveness, access, and healthcare management. As academicians, we need to help the government in setting priorities, carry research, translate results into practice in India, and extend and reinforce research and training.” She cited the example of the rotavirus vaccine which was developed overseas and was very costly. An Indian vaccine was developed as an alternative based on estimates which was introduced in 2016. Prof. Kang rounded off her discussion by highlighting the importance of teamwork. She also said: “High quality clinical research is being and can be done in India. Policies can be changed with planning and evidence accumulation”. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14516/medica-hospitals-collaborates-with-south-asian-liver-institute.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14516/medica-hospitals-collaborates-with-south-asian-liver-institute.html Mon, 26 Aug 2019 11:00:00 +0530 Kolkata headquartered Medica Hospitals has launched the ‘Medica Centre for Liver Disease’ in association with the renowned South Asian Liver Institute (SALi), a Tom Cherian initiative.The founder Prof. Dr. Tom Cherian was previously the National Director of HPB Surgery & Liver Transplantation, in one of India's largest hospital chains. He currently continues to be the Professor of Transplant surgery at the prestigious Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), in Hyderabad, having started the liver transplant programme there. He had completed over 400 liver transplants in England before his return to India, where he has completed a further 250 transplants. Most importantly Prof Tom Cherian & his team have over the last 5 years achieved over 90% survival for their transplant recipients. These outcomes are comparable to the results from the best liver units in the world. Moreover, in the last 50 liver resections, Prof Tom Cherian has done for liver cancers, their mortality or death rate was amongst the least, despite the fact that they have performed some of the most complex liver cancer resections in the country. Medica Centre for Liver Disease aims to meet a growing requirement for treatment of liver conditions, including transplant, in Eastern India. The Centre is equipped to handle most diseases of liver, pancreas and gall bladder. Medica’s liver transplant program will involve both living and cadaver donors. Medica is amongst a very few hospitals in the region with comprehensive facilities for treatment of complex liver diseases transplant surgery.This is a great addition to the existing liver disease management team at Medica, led by the experienced Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist Dr Pradeepta Kumar Sethy, Director of Gastroenterology, Medica Superspecialty Hospital. “It is indeed a timely decision to come up with the Centre for Liver Diseases. No doubt, we can have a focussed holistic approach in dealing with patients suffering from such ailments and diseases,” said Dr Sethy. Talking about The Medica Centre for Liver Disease, Prof (Dr.) Tom Cherian, Founder, South Asian Liver Institute (SALi) said "We want to try and make the treatment of liver disease, WORLD CLASS. And what is world class? It simply means there must be no difference in the treatment of a patient with liver disease between Kolkata & London. I promise to make every treatment that I used to perform in London for liver disease, eventually available here in Kolkata! We have already treated several patients from Kolkata, who are doing well and back in the city now, but had to travel far previously for their treatment. I am glad we are able to bring this treatment to this great city, which deserves a superb liver service.” Dr. Alok Roy, Chairman, Medica Group of Hospitals said, “This Centre for Liver Diseases is a huge step, and I believe, this is a milestone not only in Kolkata and Bengal but also in Eastern India as a whole. We have a fantastic team of doctors, surgeons, and infrastructure to deal with liver diseases and associated complications.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14519/world-neurosciences-summit-exchanges-knowledge-and-practices.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14519/world-neurosciences-summit-exchanges-knowledge-and-practices.html Mon, 26 Aug 2019 10:00:00 +0530 In continuation of its commitment to bringing world-class healthcare to all, the Medanta Institute of Neurosciences organised the World Neurosciences Summit at JW Marriott, Aerocity, New Delhi. The theme for the three-day conference was Basic, Beyond and Continuum. The conference highlighted advances such as robotics, virtual reality amongst others which are changing the way diseases and conditions associated with the human nervous system are being managed. The summit gave the attending neurosurgeons and neurologists an exposure to latest technologies in Neurosciences through a series of informative sessions and discussions by various renowned Indian and international experts. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Naresh Trehan, Chairman & Managing Director, Medanta said, “Technology enabled patient care is driving incrementally greater efficiency in end-to-end healthcare. In neurological treatment, patient-centric solutions powered by technology are improving patient care and management, resulting in better patient engagement and satisfaction. The World Neurosciences Summit engages participants to share and exchange knowledge and best practices.” Dr. Sudhir Dubey, Director, Institute of Neurosciences, Medanta – The Medicity added, “The second edition of World Neurosciences Summit is an effort to acquaint participants with advancements in minimally invasive, keyhole image guided and neuropsychological monitored surgery with real time imaging. It is a great platform to share and exchange knowledge and best practices.” “The World Neurosciences Summit reflects our commitment to how technology such as robotics, artificial intelligence and machine learning can be used to advance patient care. These efforts contribute to better diagnoses and more precise treatment,’’ said Dr. Arun Garg, Director, Institute of Neurosciences, Medanta – The Medicity. The summit was a first-of-its-kind platform wherein latest technology available for precise and safe brain and spine surgery was showcased. Hands-on training was also provided to participants through cadaver labs, animal labs, simulation models and virtual lab model. Surgeries were also screened at the venue, live from Medanta – The Medicity. International and Indian faculty along with delegates from across the globe were part of the conference. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14520/clinical-robotic-surgery-association-launches-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14520/clinical-robotic-surgery-association-launches-in-india.html Fri, 23 Aug 2019 21:45:00 +0530 The inaugural meeting of Clinical Robotic Surgery Association (CRSA), Indian Chapter, is opening on August 24-25 in Hotel Le Meridien, New Delhi. Robotic Surgery is the latest advancement in the field of surgery. It involves using computer assistance and artificial intelligence to help do complex surgical procedures with precision and best clinical outcomes. Clinical Robotic Surgery Association (CRSA) is the leading body of experts in the field of Robotic Surgery across the world, based out of Chicago, USA. It has started with the first international chapter in India. The inaugural meeting of the chapter is being done in New Delhi on August 24-25, 2019 at Hotel Le Meridien. This is the first Indian robotic surgery society. The inaugural meeting of CRSA India will see leading surgeons from all over the country and abroad come together and share their knowledge and wisdom in the field of robotic surgery. CRSA India would also provide training opportunities to young surgeons who want to train themselves in the field of Robotic Surgery. It would help surgeons learn from the best experts with the help of a peer reviewed journal and online video library. The members can access the surgical techniques of experts, and visit them for further training. Honorable speaker of Lok Sabha, Om Birla will be the chief guest for the inaugural event. Prof. Ranjan Sudan, Professor of Surgery and Vice-Chair of Education at Duke University who is current worldwide president of CRSA would be the guest of honor. More than 250 surgeons from across the country and abroad have registered for the meeting. There will be hands on training opportunity on the robotic system and simulator for the surgeons who attend the meeting. The proceedings of the meeting would be shared live online. There would be panel discussions between experts in the field to share ideas, and reach conclusions in gray areas. Dr. Vivek Bindal, Chapter Regent, CRSA India said “With this launch of Indian robotic surgery society, both surgeons and patients would be benefited. It would lead to better training and mentoring opportunities for surgeons, and the society would formulate norms to ensure safe surgery for patients. Also, there will be opportunities for visiting centers of excellence throughout the world, and gain knowledge and skillset in the field of robotic surgery”. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14514/merck-acquires-data-management-and-analysis-platform-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14514/merck-acquires-data-management-and-analysis-platform-.html Fri, 23 Aug 2019 11:35:00 +0530 Web-based platform provides easy on-demand access, across functions and with suppliers, to data for aggregation, analysis, visualization and management Advances company’s BioContinuum™ Platform to deliver contiguous manufacturing Merck has acquired all ownership rights to the ProcessPad™ platform from Simplyfeye Softwares Private Limited. The agreement includes the transfer of all copyrights and relevant intellectual property related to this software platform.  The ProcessPad™ platform is a data management and analytics solution developed specifically for the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industry. The platform:    Aggregates data from a variety of external data sources for various batches, parameters and unit operations, efficiently capturing all development, scale-up, commercial and process data on one single platform  Analyzes quantitative and qualitative batch manufacturing data using various process analysis tools, which also aid in troubleshooting  Visualizes the data by generating a variety of report, charts, and tables for annual product reviews, root cause investigations and corrective and preventive action (CAPA) implementation, etc.  Manages data simply through easy browser-based access to all process data from a variety of diverse stakeholders  The acquisition of the platform is another building block for Merck’s BioContinuum™ Platform, a confluent offering of intensified, advanced processing and digital technologies and services that allow a customer to go beyond continuous processing. The BioContinuum™ Platform will deliver contiguous manufacturing for Biopharma 4.0, the industry-specific global vision and initiative based on Industry 4.0.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14513/experts-disagree-with-icmr-recommendations-on-ends.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14513/experts-disagree-with-icmr-recommendations-on-ends.html Fri, 23 Aug 2019 11:30:00 +0530 Sixty-two leading specialists in nicotine science, policy and medicine have written to the Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in response toICMR’s “White Paper on Electronic Nicotine Delivery System”, which was published on May 31, 2019. The experts’ letter draws upon the findings of an elaborate Critical Appraisal of the Scientific Evidence cited in the ICMR White Paper and challenges ICMR’s radical recommendation of complete prohibition on ENDS or e-cigarettes, claiming that these views are in contradiction of the broad consensus amongst the scientific community. The letter, signed by experts from 20 countries, including India, urges ICMR to reconsider its recommendation of banning e-cigarettes. The Critical Appraisal has been co-authored by renowned global experts Konstantinos Farsalinos of National School of Public Health, Greece, Riccardo Polosa of the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Italy, and Dr. Atul Ambekar of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi and Chairperson of the Addictive Disorder Specialty Section, Indian Psychiatric Society. The experts claim that the ICMR White Paper fails to present a balanced overview of the risk-benefit ratio of ENDS vis-à-vis other combustible tobacco products and therefore, their recommendations for e-cigarette ban are not justified. The Critical Appraisal systematically reviews the four key arguments made by ICMR and presents evidence to counter them.   ICMR’s Concern 1: Health Risks and Effects of E-cigarettes The experts state that ICMR’s paper presents a selective review of literature and fails to consider the substantial evidence that demonstrates the harm reduction potential of e-cigarettes. In their critical appraisal, the experts highlight that credible international institutes maintain that e-cigarettes are at least 95 percent less harmful than tobacco cigarettes. This calculation is based on the much lower toxic emissions of e-cigarettes. One of the major contentions of ICMR’s white paper was the lack of long-term evidence. However, it is accepted practice, even among pharmaceutical products, to rely on post-marketing surveillance to examine long-term health effects, as it is unviable for any product to be marketed only after decades of research.   ICMR’s Concern 2: Second-Hand Exposure to E-cigarettes Contrary to ICMR’s position, the evidence highlighted in critical review states that >99.9% of e-cigarette emissions from exhaled breath of vapers consist of the base ingredients (propylene glycol, vegetable glycerol), water and nicotine. In addition, unlike in cigarette smoke, side-stream emissions are absent in e-cigarettes and the only environmental exposure is from diluted aerosol exhaled by users.   ICMR’s Concern 3: Effects of E-cigarettes on Smoking Reduction and Cessation Additional evidence cited in the Critical Appraisal shows a positive association between e-cigarette use and smoking cessation or reduction. An analysis of a large US Population Survey indicated that the substantial increase in e-cigarette use between 2010 and 2015 was significantly associated with the first significant increase in smoking cessation in the past 25 years. ICMR’s criticism of sustained use of e-cigarettes by people who’ve managed to quit smoking is in direct contradiction of the stance taken by the US FDA and UK MHRA, which recommend the long-term use of nicotine in the form of alternatives if needed, to maintain smoking cessation, prevent relapse, or even to reduce smoking. Studies have shown that risks from long-term nicotine intake are minimal and by far outweigh the benefits of smoking cessation.   ICMR’s Concern 4: E-cigarette Use by Youth and Gateway to Smoking and Addiction Effects ICMR’s paper claims that e-cigarettes are a gateway to “smoking and nicotine addiction”, citing the 2016 US Surgeon General’s report which reports a large increase in e-cigarette use among youth. However, the Critical Appraisal shows that the US Surgeon General’s report does not differentiate between ever-use (even once), experimental use (in the past month) and regular use. The experts present evidence from the US’ Monitoring the Future and National Youth Tobacco Survey, which shows that frequent e-cigarette use is confined almost completely to smoking youth and rate of use among never-smokers is low. The issue of addiction to nicotine from e-cigarettes, therefore, is irrelevant since its users were already addicted to nicotine from tobacco cigarettes.   Monitoring and Regulation According to the experts, ENDS offer an opportunity to improve public health and they fear that this opportunity will be lost if ENDS are banned in the country. Farsalinos, Polosa, and Ambekar draw attention to the regulatory framework for e-cigarettes in the European Union and Canada and urge that India combat its huge tobacco challenge by including tobacco harm reduction in its tobacco control strategy and frame regulations on similar lines. Endorsing tobacco harm reduction and regulating ENDS could present a historical opportunity for India to accelerate the decline in smoking rates, reducing health impact on users and bringing down the financial cost of smoking treatment without any cost to the government. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14512/infosys-announces-new-collaboration-for-precision-medicine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14512/infosys-announces-new-collaboration-for-precision-medicine.html Fri, 23 Aug 2019 11:25:00 +0530 Infosys, a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, has announced a strategic partnership with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) to develop new technologies and systems in precision medicine. Through this partnership Infosys also becomes a member of the Center for Computational Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine (CCBGM). The adoption of new technologies by healthcare companies has significant benefits, including allowing caregivers to predict patients’ diseases and control prohibitive healthcare costs, in turn benefiting both patients and healthcare companies. This partnership will combine Infosys’ strength in advanced machine learning, its artificial intelligence capabilities through the Infosys Nia platform, with UIUC’s expertise in computing systems, bioinformatics and genomic applications, to improve preventive care and enhance predictability of treatment outcomes of potential diseases. “The partnership between Infosys and UIUC along with our membership in CCBGM opens up a lot of potential for Infosys’ work in the healthcare industry,” said Venky Ananth, Senior Vice President, Head of Healthcare at Infosys. “Not only do we have an opportunity to develop technologies and solutions that can improve and enhance patient care and management, but we also get a chance to collaborate with some of the finest minds on the new frontiers of healthcare innovation.” “The future of precision medicine, which allows tailoring diagnosis and treatment to each patient in order to optimize outcome, is dependent on the ability to jointly analyze large datasets of heterogeneous biological (genomic, metabolic, neuroimaging, etc.) and clinical measures while incorporating key clinical domain knowledge. This is a complex challenge and will require innovations in both data-driven analytics and system design to succeed.” said Professor Ravishankar K Iyer, Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois and CoPI of the CCBGM. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14498/health-minister-expresses-appreciation-for-ab-pmjay-progress.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14498/health-minister-expresses-appreciation-for-ab-pmjay-progress.html Thu, 22 Aug 2019 09:00:00 +0530 “I am pleased to know that more than 39 lakh people have availed cashless treatment worth over Rs. 6,100 crore for serious illnesses since the launch of AB-PMJAY. This has resulted in savings of Rs. 12,000 crore to the beneficiary families.” This was stated by Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare at the high-level review of the implementation of Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). The Union Health Minister appreciated the progress of the scheme as it nears completion of its first year since launch and sated that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has envisioned the scheme for the health and wellness of the poorest and most vulnerable of the country’s people. “We have to ensure that the vision of our beloved and inspirational Prime Minister is fulfilled,” he emphasized. Dr Harsh Vardhan further stated that it is important that this initial momentum be maintained in the implementation across the country and the states put in greater strength and efficiency in scaling up their progress and providing seamless health services to the last mile. At the review meeting, Dr Harsh Vardhan also launched the newly designed grievance management portal of AB-PMJAY. This is an online system to help members of the general public to register their grievances and get assisted support. Dr Harsh Vardhan also gave the go-ahead tothe preparations for the first anniversary of the scheme. Several events are being planned across the country to commemorate the occasion. 23rd September will be celebrated as Ayushman Bharat Diwas. The fortnight of 15th – 30th September will be marked as the “Ayushman Bharat Pakhwara” where several activities will be carried out in the States to generate awareness around the scheme and celebrate this gift of health to the nation.  A mega national event “Gyan Sangam” will be organised from 29th – 30th September in New Delhi to highlight the progress and achievements of AB-PMJAY. The Union Health Minister also visited the different teams and mingled with officials asking them about their work in NHA. He took a deep interest in the cyber security and privacy mechanisms set up at NHA to protect the beneficiaries’ data. He appreciated that NHA has from the very beginning developed the necessary policies and guidelines and adopted the highest global standards and principles including the HIPAA of US Healthcare, GDPR of the European Union and ISO 27001 to safeguard data of crores of citizens. He emphasized that the highest standards of security and privacy, and zero tolerance for corruption and fraud be the cornerstone of the culture of AB-PMJAY.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14483/tgi-brings-indias-first-rapid-evidence-synthesis-unit.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14483/tgi-brings-indias-first-rapid-evidence-synthesis-unit.html Wed, 21 Aug 2019 09:00:00 +0530 The George Institute for Global Health, India (TGI) in collaboration with the National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC), and with support from WHO Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research has established India’s first rapid evidence synthesis unit. The goal is to provide rapid evidence synthesis products that are rigorous, unbiased, and developed on-demand through continuous engagement with stakeholders, end-users and decision-makers.   Rapid evidence synthesis is a pragmatic and efficient approach that provides a summary of the best available research evidence, contextualized to suit the requirements of decision making. This is done by methodological tailoring as per the actual requirements for decision making in a time-sensitive and cost-effective manner. RES outputs are rapid reviews, which can be done in four to 12 weeks, and rapid policy briefs, which can be produced in two to four weeks. Dr. Rajani Ved, Executive Director, and National Health Systems Resource Centre said, “There is a need for policymakers and researchers to develop evidence-informed health policies, which would involve collaboration between evidence synthesis units such as the TGI-RES and the National and State health system resource centers.” Experiences in India and abroad demonstrate that evidence can improve health outcomes, help balance competing demands of various stakeholders, and ensure accountability and transparency, as well as build citizen trust in the decision-making process. For this to happen, evidence has to be synthesized, meaning, for a particular topic, available research knowledge across multiple studies has to systematically be put together. This is known as an evidence synthesis, which takes into account the quality of studies compiled and assesses the strength of findings across them. Evidence synthesis takes a lot of time to carry out but of course, is more likely to be relevant, and used, when it is produced in a timely fashion. This is where Rapid Evidence Synthesis comes into the picture. Devaki Nambiar, Program Head, Health Systems and Equity, The George Institute India said, “Health systems managers and policymakers - at national, state or district levels - have to make important, life-saving decisions. Deciding what interventions to implement in what setting, what challenges to anticipate and how to address them, is routine in a decision maker’s life. Relevant and contextualized research evidence can inform decision-makers as they put plans in place to improve coverage, quality, and efficiency, all the time keeping equity in perspective.” Recognizing the need for skilled people working within the health policy and systems decision making space to conduct rapid evidence synthesis for time-sensitive decisions, The George Institute for Global Health, India and the National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC) are hosting a 3-day training workshop from August 19 to 21 designed to prepare researchers and policymakers to develop, conduct and report rapid evidence synthesis. The workshop will introduce participants to the concept of evidence-informed health policy decision making, evidence synthesis including rapid evidence synthesis and the various tools and resources to aid the conduct of rapid evidence synthesis products. This program takes an interdisciplinary approach drawing on state of the art international norms and standards to identify the best available evidence and stakeholder needs. At the conclusion of this program, participants will be skilled in promoting and supporting the adoption of rapid evidence synthesis in health policy decision-making. This comes in the wake of an in-country training workshop held at the NHSRC from June 18 to 20 2019. The workshop was conducted by Dr. Ismael Kawooya and Mr. Edward Kayongo from The Center for Rapid Evidence Synthesis, Makerere University, Uganda. It was instrumental in reflecting on our platforms work processes, strengths, and limitations and gave participants a better understanding of the technicalities of the RES process. In April 2019, TGI organized a National Consultation on RES for health systems and policy decision-making on the sidelines of a National Symposium on Evidence Synthesis in Medicine, Public Health, and Social Development. During the consultation The George Institute India disseminated its first  rapid evidence policy brief on multi-level health providers as well as introduced the concept of RES, it's potential utility and received feedback.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14488/malaria-no-more-india-announces-flagship-campaign.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14488/malaria-no-more-india-announces-flagship-campaign.html Wed, 21 Aug 2019 09:00:00 +0530 On World Mosquito Day, Malaria No More India, launched its flagship campaign India Against Mosquito in New Delhi to create a mass movement for collective action to build mass awareness and promote innovative solutions for controlling the mosquito – the common enemy for many diseases.World Mosquito Day is celebrated every year on 20th August in the commemoration of Sir Ronald Ross’ discovery of malaria transmission by mosquitoes. Despite the progress being made by the country, India continues to struggle in its battle against the mosquito. An expert consultative workshop was held in the capital to discuss technical and communication challenges faced by the country.The workshop was inaugurated by Dr. Neeraj Dhingra, Director, National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), in the presence of other experts from the scientific and media backgrounds. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Dhingra stressed on the commitment to curb vector-borne diseases, “Improving health outcomes is a shared responsibility of all the stakeholders. Malaria No More India’s efforts to raise awareness and promote community action against the mosquito is truly commendable. Increased awareness and practical approaches to manage the vector can go a long way in setting the country up for elimination from mosquito-borne diseases.”Malaria No More India Country Director, Dr. Sanjeev Gaikwad stated, “We want to make #IndiaAgainstMosquito campaign a mass movement. New and traditional media along with celebrities will play a major role making it a truly national movement. We will need high-level political commitment, media and society to participate in this campaign together, to be able to win the war with mosquitoes.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14484/max-healthcare-launches-cancer-care-campaign.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14484/max-healthcare-launches-cancer-care-campaign.html Tue, 20 Aug 2019 14:20:00 +0530 Appreciating the will power of the cancer survivors for beating the fatal disease and boosting them to live a quality life, Max Healthcare under the cancer care campaign ‘Nidarr Hamesha’ felicitated the brave warriors who have survived the most life taking disease cancer.  The event aimed to celebrate the victory of such strong-willed and fearless survivors over cancer and showcase them as an example and motivate others going through similar situation. The felicitation was done in three major categories, viz a viz established & budding NGO’s working for the cause and individual category - include the cancer patients and the caregivers who have been doing much beyond for the society and achieving great heights. Indian film and television actor, Rajiv Khandelwal was overwhelmed as he spoke about recently losing his mother after her one and a half year long battle with cancer. He also expressed appreciation towards those who touched their lives during this fight and gave them their unconditional love and support.  The event also saw a huge participation from various cancer survivors who shared their experience about the positives of their journey in fighting cancer and a better quality of life post treatment to induce hope for the present patients. While the disease tarnishes one’s stability and willpower, there are few who have successfully won the battle against the disease and have set an example for others who might be going through similar situations. The survivors along with their loved ones shared their intriguing and inspirational journey to survival and the various challenges faced by them along the way.  The session was led by Dr. Harit Chaturvedi and his team and the highlights included discussions on topics such as preventive care, increasing prevalence of cancer cases and importance of counselling for coping with the illness.  Highlighting the importance of raising awareness on cancer, Dr. Harit Chaturvedi, Chairman, Max Institute of Cancer Care, said, “With ‘Nidarr Hamesha’ campaign, we would like to raise awareness on how each cancer is unique, with different symptoms, risk factors, and prevention strategies. While there is an alarming increase in cancer incidences, there is still a strong stigma in our society around the subject. The attitude towards cancer in our society has made cancer patients invisible, preventing open discussion and creating a vicious cycle of fear and misinformation for the masses. This is what is hindering attempts to raise awareness about avoidable cancer risks and the importance of early detection.” Veteran actor, Nafisa Ali shared instances from her journey with peritoneal cancer, which is a rare kind of cancer. She spoke about the inner qualms that go through one’s mind when diagnosed with cancer and ways to fight it. She expressed her interest in going back to the cinema and preferably, playing an elegant role in a future movie. ‘Chak De’ actress, Shilpa Shukla also shares her thoughts on the subject and praises the survivors on being able to fight this illness valiantly. Dr. Meenu Walia, Director, Max oncology centre, Max Super Specialty Hospital said, "Much behind the confines of the disease, for over 3 decades, we have been receiving so many cancer patients and their caregivers who not only fought against cancer but have overcome it with such inspiring stories. Being in this field of medicine and have treated over thousands of cancer patients,  i believe this is such a platform where these inspiring stories should come to the world and everyone gets inspired which is the sole motto of this campaign.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14482/advanced-cath-lab-facility-now-available-at-bhatia-hospital.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14482/advanced-cath-lab-facility-now-available-at-bhatia-hospital.html Tue, 20 Aug 2019 11:55:00 +0530 Mumbai based Bhatia Hospital has inaugurated its advanced Cath lab department to cater to the increasing number of patients with heart-related issues in the city. The new facility will enable the Hospital to offer Angiography and Angioplasty facilities within its premises now. The Cardiology department will have heart specialists and anesthesiologists on duty 24x7. The Cath lab treatment will be carried out by Dr Anuj Basin and his team of professional expert interventional cardiologists and surgeons. Given the high volume of cardiovascular cases the hospital receives, the advanced lab will benefit a significant number of patients. Globally, cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in most countries. In India, more than 17 Lakh people die every year due to heart diseases and by 2030, the figure is expected to increase with 2.3 crore deaths. Bhatia Hospital will be using the advanced technology of Philips Azurion series new generation image guidance in diagnostic, interventional and minimally invasive surgery procedures for clinical application areas including vascular, non-vascular, cardiovascular and neuro related procedures. The technology will perform cardiac imaging applications like diagnostics, interventional and minimally invasive surgery procedures. The facility is specifically designed for the interventional lab to provide both high performance for real-time multitasking and an outstanding user experience where interventional team members can work parallelly at flexible work spots without interrupting each other. This can lead to higher throughput and faster exam turnover. No other Cath systems have this capability currently. Dr R B Dastur-Medical Director, Bhatia Hospital said that, “Life-saving procedures are a priority and we will continue to invest in technology, manpower and management systems to provide the highest quality of care to our patients. The introduction of this technology will directly benefit patient outcomes and experience. The advanced Cath lab will have Digital Angiography along with Road Map facilities where catheter is inserted in the arteries which are used to show the vascular pathway. Cath lab machinery capable of monitoring the arteries carrying blood to the heart for blockages is also available. In case blockages are detected, Angioplasty is carried out to remove them. The machinery used to monitor the arteries carrying blood to the brain, kidney, lungs is also available.” The Hospital will also provide Angiography and Angioplasty at affordable rates for people from lower economic backgrounds.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14479/42-indians-at-risk-of-misdiagnosis-of-hypertension-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14479/42-indians-at-risk-of-misdiagnosis-of-hypertension-.html Tue, 20 Aug 2019 11:00:00 +0530 India Heart Study (I.H.S) findings highlight a high prevalence of masked hypertension and white-coat hypertension in Indians at 42% on first office visit. It was also found that Indians have a higher average resting heart rate of 80 beats per minute, higher than the desired rate of 72 beats per minute. In Mumbai (1643 participants), the study found, that 4% of the respondents were oblivious of their high blood pressure levels (masked hypertension) and 8% of respondents were found to have white-coat hypertension and were misdiagnosed As compared to other places where this study was conducted, with 50 percent participation in Mumbai, more women seemed to be conscious of their health. In Karnataka, the study found that  12.7% of the respondents were oblivious of their high blood pressure levels (masked hypertension) and 25% of respondents were found to have white-coat hypertension and were misdiagnosed Another striking finding of the study is that unlike other countries, Indians seem to have higher blood pressure in the evenings than in mornings which should guide doctors to rethink the time advised for anti-hypertensive drug dosage. Any treatment for hypertension should also consider the choice of medicine which will help reduce higher heart rate. The study was conducted over a period of nine months, starting from June 2018 till March 2019. The blood pressure measuring device from Taiwan headquartered Microlife Corporation was used during the study. Dr. Upendra Kaul, Cardiologist, Chairman and Dean Academics and Research of Batra Hospital & Medical Research Centre (BHMRC), who was the Principal Investigator of I.H.S, said “India Heart Study points to a need for better clinical management of hypertension in India. This is India-specific data and should help shape the best practices for the diagnosis of high blood pressure among Indians. The study presents exhaustive data on the various aspects of hypertension.” Throwing light on the study, Dr. Willem Verberk, PhD., Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), and a key investigator, said, “For the ‘correct’ detection of hypertension, home blood pressure monitoring is advised. However, different patients may have different co-morbidities, like diabetes, which makes the use of validated devices for home blood pressure monitoring important. Home blood pressure monitors for pregnant women, adolescents and people with kidney disorders needs to be validated separately.”   Dr. Viraj Suvarna, President – Medical, Eris Lifesciences said, “Masked Hypertension, if undetected, is a dangerous phenomenon. It is important to monitor one’s blood pressure, beyond the clinic, even at home, according to prescribed guidelines. Accurate diagnosis of hypertension is an important element of our fight against this disease and improving health outcomes.” According to Dr. Brian Pinto of Holy Family Hospital, Mumbai, and a co-ordinator for IHS from Mumbai: “The incidence of masked hypertension, of people not knowing they had hypertension, was found at 15% among Mumbaikars. This can have serious consequences for patients and needs their attention.” Dr. C K Ponde, Cardiologist at Hinduja Hospital, and a co-ordinator for I.H.S from Mumbai, said, “Uncontrolled high blood pressure or hypertension is the most common cause for rise in heart attacks in the country. Since the symptoms do not manifest themselves early on, it’s hard to detect the existence of hypertension. A higher heart rate further complicates matters.” White-coat hypertensives who are misdiagnosed and put on anti-hypertensives have to take unnecessary medication. There is also a risk of hypotension (low blood pressure, less than 90/60) in such persons. On the other hand, a masked hypertensive may go undiagnosed running the risk of complications for heart, kidney, and brain, leading to premature mortality. “High blood pressure affects multiple organs in the body including the kidneys. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to Chronic Kidney Disease which complicates disease management,” added Dr. Prashant Rajput, a renowned Nephrologist. What sets this study apart is that it was conducted a ‘drug-naive’ set of participants using a comprehensive process of taking blood pressure readings. The investigators examined the blood pressure of 18,918 participants (male and female) through 1233 doctors across 15 states over a period of nine months. The participants’ blood pressure was monitored at home four times in a day for 7 consecutive days. Eris Lifesciences commissioned this study that was conducted under the aegis of Batra Hospital & Medical Research Centre. The company is also starting with another study very soon- The Ongoing Outcome (TOO) which will be based on patient follow-ups.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14464/health-minister-inaugurates-abv-institute-of-medical-sciences.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14464/health-minister-inaugurates-abv-institute-of-medical-sciences.html Mon, 19 Aug 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare recently inaugurated the Atal Bihari Vajpayee (ABV) Institute of Medical Sciences at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, in New Delhi. He also laid the foundation stone for the Super Speciality Block and new doctors’ hostel at the Institute. Dr Harsh Vardhan mentioned that Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences (ABVIMS) has 100 MBBS seats this year. “It will be a state-of-the-art medical college with reputed faculties and world class infrastructure. Super Specialty Block has more than 550 beds and the New Resident Doctors’ Hostel has 827 bed units,” he elaborated. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14459/medlife-launches-goodhealthisfreedom-campaign-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14459/medlife-launches-goodhealthisfreedom-campaign-.html Fri, 16 Aug 2019 12:10:00 +0530 Medlife, India’s largest e-health company has launched a digital campaign #GoodHealthIsFreedom. As a part of this, Medlife has created an online health calculator akin to a health risk assessment test or HRA. The online health calculator incorporates important questions around parameters such as family history of certain health conditions, lifestyle, diet, etc. Based on their responses to the questions, respondents are scored on a scale of 100. Medlife has already received an overwhelming response to the campaign so with over 1000 respondents taking the assessment since it went live. What’s even more encouraging is that about 70% of these respondents are women. Speaking about this, Dr Prashant Kumar Dash, Director, Medical Services at Medlife.com, said, “One question that has plagued mankind for centuries is whether there is a way to stop ageing. There are no immediate answers to this question and researchers are working hard to understand different aspects of ageing. However, the biological effects of ageing can certainly be delayed or prevented through healthcare assessments. It is imperative to make certain lifestyle changes, undergo preventive checkups, and regular vaccination. Filling a simple health risk assessment form is the first step; such as the one launched as part of Medlife’s #GoodHealthIsFreedom campaign. It can help in changing, if not saving, your life.”  The campaign assumes importance given that India is already facing a huge burden of non-communicable diseases, for which an unhealthy lifestyle is a major risk factor. By understanding where they stand in terms of the health risks, the campaign will help users take the first step towards prevention and management.  Medlife continually conducts digital campaigns to raise awareness among the masses about preventive and curative health. During the recent elections they launched a campaign called #HealthForTheNation where they encouraged people to vote not just for a new government but also for the nation’s health and well-being. They also released health scorecards for 29 Indian states which revealed startling gaps in doctor-to-patient ratios, incidence of diseases etc. Medlife has a customer-centric approach and offers genuine healthcare products and services from authorized dealers at discounted prices, cashback, and referral discounts. The company has three distinct business lines including pharmacy, diagnostics and e-consultation. Since its inception in November 2014, Medlife has scaled rapidly to become the first e-pharmacy to clock 1000-crore revenue run rate. It currently services 29 states, 4,000 cities and 25,000 pin codes in India fulfilling over 25,000 deliveries daily.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14447/smile-train-india-to-boost-cleft-care-ecosystem-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14447/smile-train-india-to-boost-cleft-care-ecosystem-in-india.html Fri, 16 Aug 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Smile Train India, a children’s charity with a sustainable approach to a single, solvable problem: cleft lip and palate, announced a new partnership with Ashraya Hastha Trust, a charitable organization funded by Infosys Co-Founder K. Dinesh and his family. The partnership with Ashraya Hastha Trust will boost the cleft care ecosystem in India by supporting 850 cleft surgeries, 3 capacity development trainings for Smile Train’s local medical professionals, and vital safety and mobilization infrastructure at Smile Train India’s partner hospitals. Dinesh, Co-Founder of Infosys said, “We extend our support to Smile Train India for their commitment towards treating babies born with clefts. The greatest challenge today in our country is the accessibility and affordability of healthcare. A small step towards bridging this gap is supporting the lesser known cause and helping children who are the future of our country.”  In India, it is estimated that more than 35,000 babies are born with a cleft lip and/or palate every year, and hundreds of thousands of children with untreated clefts live in isolation, but more importantly, have difficulty eating, breathing and speaking, as they cannot afford cleft treatment. Cleft surgery is safe and the transformation is immediate. The Trust will support free cleft surgery for 850 underprivileged children at Smile Train’s local partner hospitals at Bengaluru, and underserved locations such as Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Furthermore, Divya Dinesh, Founder & CEO of Addvantis Enterprises LLP, shared her journey as a child born with a cleft and the challenges she faced. “Through this partnership, we are proud to bring forever smiles to many children in India. Cleft treatment not only helps a cleft patient lead a healthy life but also boosts their confidence and self-esteem to lead a more full and productive life,” said Divya. Apart from surgeries, Ashraya Hastha Trust is supporting capacity building medical trainings and safety and mobilization equipment, enabling an environment for best in class cleft treatment at Smile Train’s local partner hospitals. Over a one year period, medical trainings will be conducted for surgeons, nurses and anesthetists in different parts of India. The Trust will support safety equipment such as pulse oximeters and mobilization equipment like vans to upgrade hospital safety infrastructure and build greater awareness about the treatment. Mamta Carroll, Vice President & Regional Director for Asia at Smile Train expressed her gratitude towards K. Dinesh and his family and appreciated Divya Dinesh for her passion and interest in helping babies born with clefts. “Safety and quality has always been a priority for Smile Train. The project will support cleft surgeries enabling underprivileged children born with clefts to live healthy and productive lives. The partnership with Ashraya Hastha Trust will help us strengthen our local cleft treatment infrastructure and reach children in remote locations who do not have access to cleft treatment,” Mamta added.  Smile Train’s sustainable model provides training, funding and resources to empower local medical professionals to provide free cleft surgery and comprehensive cleft care in their own communities. Since 2000, Smile Train India has supported more than 550,000 free cleft surgeries across India, through a network of 160+ partner hospitals.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14451/p-d-hinduja-hospital-mrc-hosts-a-patient-education-seminar-on-ivf.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14451/p-d-hinduja-hospital-mrc-hosts-a-patient-education-seminar-on-ivf.html Wed, 14 Aug 2019 16:45:00 +0530 India’s renowned IVF consultant and Padmashree Dr. Indira Hinduja, Honorary Gynaecology Consultant, P.D. Hinduja Hospital & MRC conducted a free patient education seminar on In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) for couples aspiring to become parents . In addition to Dr. Hinduja’s session, Dr. Priyadarshani Sukhadeve, Nutritionist shared her knowledge with the couples on the impact of nutrition and stress on infertility. There are several reasons that can cause infertility among individuals. In women, the causes could be hormonal imbalances, stress, obesity, age and lifestyle related issues.  In men, the reason could be low sperm count, hormonal problems, pre-existing genetic disorders. Alcohol and smoking are also one of the major reasons for infertility in men and women. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a series of procedures used to help with fertility and assist with the conception of a child.  IVF works by using a combination of medicines and surgical procedures to help the sperm fertilize an egg, and help the fertilized egg get implanted in the uterus. Speaking at the seminar Dr. Indira Hinduja said, “IVF is a common mode of treatment used by every hospital across the world.  With 5 decades of experience in the field, I have seen around 15000 couples successfully conceive babies by opting this technique. It is an absolutely safe way for couples who face fertility issues in starting a family. Initially, the success rate was only 10% amongst 20 cases I would take up, now, with the advent of technology the success rate that we see on an average, every year is about 40% to 45%.” Dr. Priyadarshani Sukhadeve, Nutritionist, P. D Hinduja Hospital took a session on bridging the gap between nutrition & infertility, stating that smoking, alcohol and steroids are the main factors causing infertility in both male and female. Limiting caffeine intake and adopting a healthy lifestyle could minimize fertility problems. She urged everyone to follow a balanced diet, take sufficient amount of rest and provide physical activity to the body. With the right guidance and technology, the success rate of IVF has drastically increased making parenting a reality for many couples who would otherwise be unable to conceive.  Around 30 couples attended the seminar.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14444/ramdas-athawale-unveils-nayati-organ-donation-nod-program.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14444/ramdas-athawale-unveils-nayati-organ-donation-nod-program.html Tue, 13 Aug 2019 16:55:00 +0530 Nayati Healthcare launched the Nayati Organ Donation (NOD) program, an initiative to educate and raise awareness around the importance of saving lives, by pledging organs. The program aims at reaching out to over 1 million people at the grass-roots level in a period of two years. Honorable Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Mr Ramdas Athawale unveiled thep rogram, in presence of Members of Rotary Club and Organ Donation India Foundation.  Honorable Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Mr Ramdas Athawale speaking in his poetic demeanour, lauded Nayati’s efforts of taking quality healthcare closer to people. He said “I am happy to be part of the Nayati Organ Donation (NOD) program, I am sure through the initiative, Nayati will reach out to people across different sections of the society, educate and empower them to participate in the noble cause and thus strengthen the nation.”  Talking about the initiative, Ms Niira Radia, Chairperson of Nayati Healthcare said “The Nayati Organ Donation (NOD) program is an initiative very close to my heart. Every day we witness precious lives being lost for the need of organs, the situation is more acute in this region where people struggle with chronic organ diseases, and most of the times are not even aware of the magnitude of their condition." "Nayati Healthcare performed the first kidney transplant in the region. We have been relentlessly working towards making transplant treatment services within the reach of the masses and will soon be launching our heart and lung transplant program. India is witness to huge disparity between the number of transplants awaited, and the organs available. In 2017, 4 lakh people pledged, out or which only 13,000 people donated their organs. The condition is no different for blood donation where India faced a shortage of 1.9 million units in 2016-2017. The need of the hour is for us to adopt the ‘opt-out’ scheme, thus raise organ donation rates.”  She further added, “The idea behind the Nayati Organ Donation (NOD) initiative is to bring about a change in the perceptions and foster a culture of organ donation. Each one of can save upto eight lives and that is the best legacy for us to leave behind. I would like to express my sincere gratitude towards Shri Ramdas Athawale Ji for extending his support to the cause. A simple NOD can go a long way in saving lives.” Nayati Healthcare plans to connect with over 1 million people in the next two years through a multilayered approach. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14435/wadia-hospital-opens-first-outreach-opd-in-nashik-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14435/wadia-hospital-opens-first-outreach-opd-in-nashik-.html Tue, 13 Aug 2019 11:20:00 +0530 Wadia Hospitals has joined hands with Vijan Hospital & Research Centre (VHRC), to introduce Outreach OPDs. It is a first-of-its-kind initiative by the hospital, to provide high-end clinical diagnosis and consultation by heart specialists for paediatric patients. Dr Minnie Bodhanwala, CEO, Wadia Hospitals, Parel, said, “Since the inception of cardiac Department in Wadia Hospitals, in 2017, with state-of-the-art Cath lab and dedicated Cardiac Operation theatre and ICU, more than 1500 cases have been treated with 100% success rate, out of which 150 were only from Northern Maharashtra. By understanding the importance of patients receiving from other parts of Maharashtra, Wadia management has taken the noble step to come up with Outreach OPD centres. Heart specialists from Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children would conduct OPD’s on alternate Sundays, twice a month. This will make life easier for those children as most procedures and follow-ups can be done at their doorstep in Nashik itself.” Congenital heart disease, also called as congenital heart defect, is a heart abnormality present at birth. This cardiac disease is found in 0.16 to 0.36 amongst 1000 live neonates, and is also responsible for 25% of all cardiac deaths occurring within the first week after birth. Hence, BJWHC, has taken an initiative, and launched an Outreach OPD in Nashik and entire North Maharashtra. This would be a boon for children with heart ailments, as they will be offered a state-of-the-art care at subsidised cost at Bai Jerbai Hospital for Children, Mumbai.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14434/jni-helps-obese-patient-lose-weight-with-naturopathy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14434/jni-helps-obese-patient-lose-weight-with-naturopathy.html Tue, 13 Aug 2019 10:55:00 +0530 A 48-year-old US-based diabetic patient weighing 112 kgs with hypertension and hypothyroidism managed to lose 10 kgs through a rigorous naturopathy and yoga based treatment at Jindal Naturecure Institute, Bengaluru through a series of body detox and rejuvenating therapies, the treatment not only helped him lose weight but also helped to bring down his blood sugar, increase his metabolism rate, and reduce his systolic and diastolic blood pressure. An NRI living in Massachusetts, USA, was feeling extremely unhealthy when he reported his condition to JNI. His excessive body weight along with hypertension and diabetes had made him lethargic besides pain in his upper back. The patient was also suffering from hypothyroidism which increased the peripheral vascular resistance and exacerbated the hypertension. High levels of fatty acids and cholesterol worsened the condition.  Dr. Babina J, CMO, Jindal Naturecure Institute said, "The naturopaths at Jindal Naturecure Institute examined his medical reports, analyzed his condition and decided that the situation had to be handled with utmost care as he was on medication for hypothyroidism, hypertension and diabetes. We opted for a gradual approach, starting off with a standardized deep cleansing protocol designed to help get the toxins out of the system, following which we tapered down his medication for blood pressure and controlled the hypertension with a customized diet and treatment regimen. Correcting his obesity while controlling his hypertension and keeping his blood sugar in check were the main goals of our treatment programme.” The Naturopaths started his treatment by cleansing the system with a mud pack to the abdomen and an enema for colon cleansing. This was followed by a sauna and hip bath. On completion of cleansing, patient was put on a customized treatment plan, which included oil therapy and combination of hydrotherapies, to mobilize and burn the fat in the body. This was coupled with a low calorie diet. We monitored his blood sugar at regular intervals, and a Random Blood Sugar test was performed on the sixth day which revealed his blood sugar level to be 128 mg/dl. After that, he was put on fasting for five days, which was broken on the sixth day with a controlled fruit diet after which he was switched back to a regular diet. “We prescribed internal cleansing treatments (enema/colon), while in the later weeks we prescribed therapies for fat mobilization and improving blood circulation including a series of oil therapies. Simultaneously, fasting therapy was prescribed for detoxification and weight loss,” said Dr. Babina J added. For the first four days after the patient was taken off his blood pressure medication, he experienced headaches, along with a cold and cough. This was quickly brought under control with the help of various natural therapies and a carefully structured and regimented diet. His treatment programme also included an early morning walk for 45 minutes, followed by a Kriya, Yoga session and day-long therapies. He was also prescribed exercise at gym in the evening followed by aerobic exercises. He ended the day with a guided meditation session. Dr. BTC Murthy, CMO, Jindal Naturecure Institute said, “When Naturopathy is combined with yogic sciences, it does bring wonder to your body, mind and soul. Our treatment protocol helps people struggling with obesity and secondary complications to get in control of their bodies again without recourse to any drugs or any invasive procedure such as bariatric surgery which is often prescribed for morbid obesity.” The comprehensive programme cleansed his internal systems, drastically improved his metabolism and facilitated cellulite/fat burning. It also brought down the blood sugar level and blood pressure. By the end of the programme, he overcame the initial discomfort, had lost 10 kgs, reported feeling comfortable and energetic, and demonstrated a willingness to participate in day-to-day activities.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14423/digital-devices-may-help-in-identifying-signs-of-alzheimers.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14423/digital-devices-may-help-in-identifying-signs-of-alzheimers.html Mon, 12 Aug 2019 11:15:00 +0530 Initial results from a feasibility study conducted by Eli Lilly and Company, Evidation Health, and Apple Inc. showed that an iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad and the Beddit sleep monitoring device, in combination with digital apps may be able to differentiate people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild Alzheimer's disease dementia.  The exploratory results were presented at the Association for Computing Machinery's KDD conference in Anchorage, and are published on the conference website as one of the top papers of the conference. In ways not previously detected through common clinical screening tools, data obtained through the use of Apple devices suggested an ability to differentiate between individuals with mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer's disease dementia, and those without symptoms. The 12-week study evaluated 113 participants, ages 60-75, in real-world settings to determine whether Apple devices in combination with mobile applications, were able to help identify cognitive and behavioral differences among the study participants with and without mild cognitive impairment.  Evidation established a secure study platform to obtain study participants' consent to collect and analyze 16 terabytes of data across a number of sources, including: passively derived sensor data from the smart devices, questionnaires about mood and energy, and simple assessment activities on the Digital Assessment App. The App included psychomotor tasks, such as dragging one shape onto another or tapping a circle as fast and as regularly as possible, reading tasks and a typing task. "With further study, we may be able to screen people at high risk or detect dementia and Alzheimer's earlier with the devices we use in our everyday lives," said Christine Lemke, co-founder and president of Evidation Health. "These early findings suggest the potential of novel digital measures that are based on data generated and controlled by individuals." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14413/paras-hospital-treats-rare-deformity-of-knee.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14413/paras-hospital-treats-rare-deformity-of-knee.html Fri, 09 Aug 2019 11:20:00 +0530 Old age comes with its fair share of complications, with Rheumatoid Arthritis being one of the most painful, which can escalate to sever flexion deformity. Now, Paras Hospital has come up with an effective solution, as they successfully cured a patient above maladies, without need for an extensive physiotherapy. Using their recent novelty- bone preservation, Paras has done the unattainable as it provided a conclusive relief to this ongoing problem. 50 years old Sandhyawati, who hails from village Khosli, Rewari, Haryana, had been suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis for fifteen years. Her knees had been so badly damaged that for the last year or so they had assumed severe acute flexion deformity (a condition in which knees are permanently bent more than ninety degrees) rendering her bedridden and unable to stand or walk at all. Her attempts at self-mobilization were limited to crawling on ground by taking support of her hands for a few steps. Life had come to a stand-still with no hope of walking ever again. Despite prior diagnosis and surgery at innumerable hospitals in the pass, no conclusive solution came to this malady. As a final effort to get a respite, she was referred to Paras Joint Replacement & Sports Injury Centre.  Dr Vivek Logani, Chief, Paras Joint Replacement & Sports Injury Centre who led the surgical team said, “Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory arthritis which affects small as well as large joints of the body and rapidly destroys the joint cartilage unless specific therapy is started early. After careful examination and physical assessment, we apprised the patient of the possible risks and complications of the corrective surgery and decided operate upon the case. Such cases are extremely challenging and quite rare in the practice of Joint Replacement and we have had the opportunity to treat about a dozen such crawling patients in the last 17-18 years of exclusive joint replacement practice. The complexity of the procedure is enormous and risks of nerve and blood-vessel damage are very high.” A team, led by the competent Dr Vivek Logani, Chief, Paras Joint Replacement & Sports Injury Centre, helped in providing complete correction of deformity in about 10 days after surgery. The surgery and recuperation was so decisive that the patient got relief without suffering any complications to nerves and blood vessels. She can now able to bear full weight and is currently able to walk with the support of walker. In fact, she does exercises on her own without the need of a physiotherapist anymore. “Such neglected cases are hardly reported in literature as surgery is generally not attempted owing to high risk of complications. They are not seen in western countries as patients do not reach such a complicated stage as treatment is instituted early. With the computer navigation technology (to ensure accuracy and bone preservation) and special soft tissue release techniques, it is possible to simplify the complexity of the procedure to make it safer and to allow correction of deformity easily in a few days of surgery without aggressive physiotherapy”, said Dr Logani. There is a wide spread need of awareness that Rheumatoid Arthritis is completely treatable if proper therapy is started early and even such severe deformities can be treated successfully with Computer navigation technology and surgical experience. Bone preservation is an essential aspect of medical science that India should explore. While AIIMS was the first on to introduce this facility, Paras Hospital, Gurugram is the 2nd hospital to include this cutting-edge practice to their roster of prolific healthcare facilities.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14412/ihw-organizes-cme-summit-and-excellence-awards.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14412/ihw-organizes-cme-summit-and-excellence-awards.html Fri, 09 Aug 2019 11:00:00 +0530 With an aim of highlighting the importance of Continuous Medical Education (CME) for doctors, Indian Health and Wellness Council (IHW) recently organized the inaugural edition of ‘CME Summit and Excellence Awards’in New Delhi. Rooting for generic medicines instead of the branded ones, Secretary of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Dr P D Vaghela highlighted the stringent sampling and testing rules in India and the low failures indicates at the good quality of generic medicines. “My request to the doctors is to prescribe generic medicines at least to the poor patients. The generic medicines are like the branded medicines. The drug pricing control order (DPCO) in 2017 has made medicines more affordable and has brought a saving of more than INR 12400 crores. Jan Aushadhi stores have generated a saving of INR 315 crore and INR 2000 crore for consumers in the last financial year,” says Secretary of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Dr P D Vaghela. He emphasized the role of medical staff other than doctors in providing quality healthcare and should come under the ambit of continuing medical council (CME). “Those doctors who are ignoring CME are doing at their own peril. Though we cannot rule out information bias of pharmaceutical giants in CME, I believe including nurses and other support staff will make it more effective. We may also partner with IHW to develop CME programs,” says Dr Vaghela. He also highlighted the series of technological advances that have made headway across the world and are going to impact India as well. Kamal Narayan, CEO, Indian Health and Wellness Council (IHW) said, “The effectiveness of medicines depends not only on its quality but also on the doctors who are administering it. I believe supply of medicine is going to be important as the supply of basic necessities of healthy life – good air, water and food, are insufficient. Producing good medicine, however, does not guarantee food health, we need to make sure that the doctors have the knowledge to implement the upgradations.” Dr Arun Kumar Gupta, President, Delhi Medical Council highlighted the importance of including knowledge about rules and regulations that is required in day to day practice. “We have launched our CME programs yesterday. But that is not enough. A doctor needs to deal with 28 laws to run a small clinic and as many as 100 laws to run a hospital. However, nowhere is a doctor taught about this. The doctors know the science of medicines but we need to teach them the art of it – teach empathy for patients. Besides, financial management and good self-care should also be a part of the CME curriculum for the doctors,” says Dr Gupta. “Learning is a lifelong process for doctors. In science, the actual truth of today is always a relative truth of tomorrow. As Indian gears up for universal healthcare access, expected to be the largest in the world, it is important to bring our attention and focus towards the public and the private stakeholders to the simple and low cost medical tools that can provide quality patient care,” says Savitha Kuttan, Founder & CEO, Omnicuris, during vote of thanks. CME courses in India are funded by a wide range of organizations such as Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Medical Council of India (MCI), as well as international organizations such as UNICEF. The Medical Council of India established a code of ethics stating that members should complete 30 hours of CME every five years in order to re-register as doctors but low literacy levels and poor awareness of good medical practice at the community level, there is little pressure from patients to motivate doctors to participate in CME programmes, despite what he referred to as the “dismal quality” of the medical service. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14410/practo-rbl-launch-first-health-credit-card-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14410/practo-rbl-launch-first-health-credit-card-in-india.html Fri, 09 Aug 2019 09:00:00 +0530 RBL Bank, one of India’s fastest growing private sector banks and Practo, India’s leading digital healthcare platform, have partnered to launch a co-branded credit card, powered by Mastercard. This industry-first credit card is available on both Practo and RBL mobile apps and websites. In a world where people are increasingly busy to pay attention to their day-to-day health needs, this is an innovative step to encourage users to think health-first on a daily basis. The card is designed to cater to customers in both metros and non-metro cities, through Practo and RBL Bank’s extensive customer base that spans across the country. With benefits like unlimited online consultations with doctors 24*7, users are guaranteed that there is an experienced qualified doctor available to them whenever there is a need - instead of relying on self-diagnosis or advice from friends and relatives. The benefits of RBL Bank Practo Plus credit card include: Unlimited online consultations with doctors 24*7 for 1 year One free full body health check-up For every Rs. 100 spent on this card, cardholder earns 1 Practo HealthCash HealthCash can be used while availing Practo services like ordering medicine, tests, online consultations (1 Healthcash = 1 Rupee) The moment the credit card is issued, a Practo health plan account gets created on Practo app. The cardholders need to login with their registered mobile number to access this plan under the "MyHealth Plan" section on Practo. The card also offers two complimentary domestic airport lounge access every quarter. At the launch of the card, Harjeet Toor, Head – Retail, Inclusion & Rural Businesses, RBL Bank, said, “We are delighted to enter into a partnership with Practo and launch a card that prioritizes good health and well-being. The partnership is a perfect example of how two diverse industries can come together to offer a compelling value proposition for customers. Healthcare is a largely untapped segment and this partnership will be a great opportunity for the Bank and Practo to leverage on each other’s strength to capture the market and offer customers a one-of-a-kind health card with exciting offers. The Bank’s credit cards business has performed extremely well this year and with this partnership we look forward to strengthen our business further by entering a new market segment.” Commenting on the partnership, Tarun Bhambra, VP & Business Head, Practo, said: “We are delighted to partner with RBL Bank for launching a new credit card that is focused on making healthcare more affordable for consumers. We all have regular spends on appointments, medicine and diagnostic tests. This card gives a unique ability to consumers to use their regular spends for household expenses for subsidizing their monthly health spends on Practo platform. At Practo, it's our constant endeavor to make healthcare simpler, more accessible and affordable. This card is one step towards achieving this vision.” Digital healthcare market is on a tremendous uptake in India and is expected to reach $372 bn by 2022. Practo is currently the only platform in the country that lets patients manage their healthcare needs end-to-end. It provides a single platform that helps patients meet all their healthcare requirements at one go – from finding the right doctor to booking an appointment, online doctor consultation, getting lab tests done and medicines delivered. The company also enables doctors to digitise their medical practice management - lowering practice management burdens and increasing efficiency - extend their reach and visibility to patients, and even establish credibility through a digital presence complete with details of practice history, qualifications and documented patient experiences.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14408/brains-launches-hybrid-operating-room.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14408/brains-launches-hybrid-operating-room.html Thu, 08 Aug 2019 16:15:00 +0530 Brains Neuro Spine Hospital has launched the first if its kind operating suites at BR Life SSNMC Hospital. Sri Sri Sri Jayendra Puri Maha Swamiji, Padasevaka Peetadhipathi of Sri Kailasha Ashrama Mahasamsthana launched and blessed the complex. The new operation theatre complex has got exclusive operating rooms with the most modern gadgets to make the brain and spine surgery safe and effective. This complex consists of independent operating suites. Hybrid Operating Room: This hybrid operating room is the first of its kind in India. The operating theatre can be used for dual purpose: micro-surgery as well as simultaneously for cerebrovascular intervention. This two-in one operating room has the most sophisticated operating facility along with miniaturized cerebral angiography suite. In the operating room itself angiography for the brain can be performed, for diagnosis, for tumor embolization, retrieval of clot, to control bleeding, to study the blood flow, to deploy a stent and also to help the surgeons in preserving the normal blood vessel and also to control the bleeding during surgery. Here two operating teams can work together – one team can perform micro-surgery and simultaneously other team can help assist, compliment and treat through endovascular techniques. The Zeihm technology from Germany installed in the theatre has this dual application machine which almost works like a cath-lab in the operating room. The main advantages are – space utilization, ability for both the teams to work and compliment each other especially in complex surgeries like highly vascular tumors, brain haemorrhage, aneurism and arteriovenous malformations. Yet another advantage is that the patient need not be moved from operating room. In addition, this technology provides a 3 -dimensional imaging of the brain and spine making the neurosurgery very precise and effective. Along with this, Neuro-endoscopic suite, an operating theatre offering minimal invasive neuro-surgery through endoscopic system was also launched. Starting from cranial endoscopy, skull-based endoscopy to spinal neuro-endoscopy will be performed. The major advantages of minimal invasive surgeries include less pain, less tissue injury, quick recovery and shorter hospital stay. Two other operating suites with total range of micro neuro surgery, having the most advanced operating microscopes, neuro navigation system, computer assisted and guided intra-operative neuro monitoring, micro-doppler system, ultrasonic surgical aspirators and high-speed drills are available. Stereotactic and functional operation suites equipped with stereotactic frame and special instrumentation for diagnosis of deep-seated lesions as well as treatments such as DBS for Parkinsons disease, epilepsy, pain, lesioning, implantation of devices and pumps and treatment of chronic pain. With the spinal stimulation – vagal nerve stimulation and sacral nerve stimulation can be performed. Speaking about the initiative Dr. NK Venkataramana, Founder Chairman & Chief Neuro Surgeon, Brains Neuro Spine Hospital, Bangalore said “All these have been done in order to bring the contemporary technology for neuro surgery all under one roof for the benefit of ailing neuro patients.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14406/-columbia-asia-hospital-hebbal-bags-best-green-hospital-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14406/-columbia-asia-hospital-hebbal-bags-best-green-hospital-award.html Thu, 08 Aug 2019 15:30:00 +0530 Columbia Asia Hospital Hebbal has been honoured with the ‘Best Green Hospital Award’ under Social Footprint category of the Express Healthcare Excellence Awards 2019 organised by Indian Express Group.  The hospital was audited on the parameters like standards of Green OT certification, usage of heat pumps instead of boilers, use of solar energy and LED lights and the practicing of eco- friendly refrigerants and anaesthesia gases. “We are extremely excited to be awarded as the Best Green Hospital for our green initiatives. This recognition motivates us to introduce more such environmental initiatives. Introducing green concepts in the healthcare facilities will help address issues like infection, epidemics, water efficiency, energy efficiency, consumer waste and in general conservation of natural resources. Most importantly, these concepts can enhance patient health, recovery and well-being” said Mr. Arun S H, General Manager, Columbia Asia Hospital, Hebbal.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14403/zorgers-launches-app-to-make-home-healthcare-tech-friendly.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14403/zorgers-launches-app-to-make-home-healthcare-tech-friendly.html Thu, 08 Aug 2019 13:50:00 +0530 Zorgers, a pioneer in the home healthcare industry strives to make Home Healthcare in India available at your fingertips. Having made its mark in the industry by serving over 10,000 clients in North India alone, Zorgers has now joined the mobile app bandwagon by launching an Android app that aims to help monitor its patients remotely. The app also provides information about the health of the patients and navigation to caregivers, whenever in need. Zorgers understands that technology is at the core of monitoring healthcare. Therefore, the app is aimed to ensure convenience for healthcare professionals and keep them connected to the healthcare ecosystem throughout the day. The app also enables Caregivers by helping them manage locations, addresses, and contact information of the clients, on their app. When a new Carer comes aboard, the app helps him/her to track the exact details of the patient, keeping the contact information safe at the same time. “Technology seems to have touched every aspect of the Indian urban lifestyle. Healthcare services at Home in India have evolved from simple tests to elderly care, oncology care, at-home consultations, nursing and much more. Health-Tech platforms have mushroomed making consumers more aware of their health problems and steps they can take to cure it.Earlier if there were ways to analyse a health parameter, it would be only at a clinic or a hospital. The scenario has changed drastically now. Thanks to the evolving home healthcare and health-tech industry, such information is now made available to consumers at the comfort of their homes and mobile devices.” shared Varun Gupta, CEO of Zorgers Healthcare. The Indian home healthcare market is expected to grow to around $4.46 billion by 2018 and $6.21 billion by 2020. The adoption of home healthcare solutions in India is still at an early stage. In comparison to countries like the US where home healthcare comprises 8.3% of the $280-billion healthcare industry India falls behind severely comprising merely 2% of the spend. Centralizing a widely decentralized home care industry is possible, with some limitations course. The industry has introduced remote, real-time equipment for continued monitoring. Zorgers has been researching on projects regarding real-time monitoring of the patient. In such a case, the app would send alerts in real-time, in case the patient falls. Eventually, the aim lies in improving home healthcare protocols at the heart of the Internet of Caregiving. Zorgers is providing regular updates to its app to focus on the integration of technology in the home healthcare space. If you analyse the economics of the Home Healthcare sector, it would seem evident that there is a noticeable demand-supply gap in Caregiving. There exists a need to uplift Caregiving standards through constant training and enabling Do’s and Don’ts. Real Time Location Tracking: As apps continue to get popular amongst the users, real-time tracking comes in handy to track and monitor assistance 24 * 7. Co-ordination:  The app also serves as a platform to keep the patient, doctor and nurse on the same platform. Alerts are sent to ensure the medical intervention is available whenever required. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14393/tcd-teams-up-with-tata-memorial-centre-to-beat-oral-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14393/tcd-teams-up-with-tata-memorial-centre-to-beat-oral-cancer.html Thu, 08 Aug 2019 12:30:00 +0530 Taking a decisive step towards validating a non-invasive diagnostic test that is capable of identifying oral cancer at an early stage, the Tata Centre for Development (TCD) at UChicago announces its collaboration with the Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), one of the oldest and largest cancer centres in the world. UChicago Medicine and Strand Life Sciences, in collaboration with the TCD, have developed a saliva-based test that could be used in patients to detect tumour DNA from mouth cancers. The core objective of this research project is to detect presence of mutations in a non-invasive method from the tumour in patients with oral cancer. ­ Currently, observational clinical trial is going on throughout India to develop the test.  This collaboration with the TMC will augment the efforts towards collecting tumour tissue and matched saliva from patients with oral cancer. Nishant Agrawal, Professor of Surgery, Director of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, UChicago Medicine said, “With recent advances in sequencing technology, we have been able to demonstrate that tumour DNA can be detected in saliva of patients. It is an easily accessible, non-invasive liquid biopsy method. Our collaboration with the Tata Memorial Centre will help us in developing the assay and conducting the trial.” Dr. Rajendra Badwe, Director, Tata Memorial Centre said, “This test uses the potential of saliva—which contains cells, DNA, RNA and proteins—to detect the presence of and measure the rate of prevalence of mutations in the tumour. The research holds promise for both the patients and the doctors because it gives them an opportunity to address pre-cancerous lesions and early detection of invasive cancer and treat it with simple interventions. We are happy to contribute to this important piece of work.” Oral cancer ranks among the top three types of cancer in India. It is also the leading cancer among men and the fifth most frequently occurring cancer in women. India, reportedly, contributes nearly 60 per cent to the oral cancer burden worldwide, and the number of cases is expected to double by 2030. Unfortunately, 60-80 per cent of oral cancers are diagnosed at advanced stages when survival is well below 50 per cent. Evidence suggests that if oral cancer is diagnosed early and treated as localised tumors, the five-year survival rate would significantly improve. The five-year survival rate for stage III or IV cancer is between 20 and 40 per cent as opposed to 70-90 per cent for stage I or II cancer. In addition to improved survival, treatment of early stage cancer is also associated with improved quality of life and decreased medical costs. Salivary DNA diagnostics, and eventually screening, will decrease morbidity and mortality from oral cancer in India, while minimising the disparity in outcomes due to access or socio-economic barriers. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14400/histoindex-ilbs-launch-coe-for-rd-on-nash.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14400/histoindex-ilbs-launch-coe-for-rd-on-nash.html Thu, 08 Aug 2019 12:30:00 +0530   HistoIndex, Singapore and the Institute of Liver & Biliary Sciences (ILBS) in New Delhi, India have jointly launched a Centre of Excellence (CoE) to aid diagnostics and clinical trials focusing on NASH. The CoE is HistoIndex's first Genesis Imaging Service (GIS) partner in India and joins the company's global network of medical, academic and referral laboratory partners who are involved in comprehensive clinical and scientific studies on NASH and other chronic liver conditions. The CoE was launched today during the Dr V. Ramalingaswami Oration and Hepatopathology Meeting 2019 at the ILBS. The CoE - an integration of HistoIndex's AI-based digital pathology expertise and ILBS's superior position as a national clinical and research institute for Hepatology - will be recognised as a top-notch clinical and research facility that will ultimately benefit the treatment options of patients afflicted with NASH or similar liver conditions. "ILBS is constantly working towards the mission of developing a facility with international standards, which consists of a comprehensive and modern setup for diagnosis and treatment, and an advanced centre for the dedicated research and training in the field of liver diseases, including liver transplantation, gall bladder and biliary diseases, and allied specialties. We are pleased to collaborate on the CoE in SHG imaging, which will be the first of its kind in India with immense potential to serve our country's healthcare sector." Said Professor Shiv Kumar Sarin, Director of the ILBS, Distinguished guests in attendance at the launch included Professor Balram Bhargava, Secretary, Department of Health Research, (Ministry of Health & Family Welfare), Government of India and Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and Mr Lim Thuan Kuan, High Commissioner of Singapore in New Delhi. Large Clinical Interest for Advanced NASH Diagnostics HistoIndex's SHG digital pathology will be the core of the CoE, serving India's enormous clinical and research interests for better histopathological standards in the assessment of NASH, which is on the rise in the country. In addition, the CoE will be the perfect training site for pathologists to equip themselves with the skills necessary to work with AI-based digital pathology. With the adoption of the technology, pathologists will be able to analyse and quantify NASH characteristics such as fibrosis, steatosis, ballooning and inflammation. This will: Determine treatment efficacies during clinical trials, where the data generated by the SHG imaging and algorithms will allow pharmaceutical and biotech companies to design their later stage clinical trials and develop new treatments. Allow clinicians to make critical decisions and potentially determine a patient's ability to receive or respond to treatment. Mr Tay Lian Chew, Global Markets Director for South Asia, Enterprise Singapore said, "Enterprise Singapore works closely with Singapore companies to build their capabilities and expand overseas. Having connected Histoindex with ILBS, it is encouraging to see them partner each other to launch this CoE, which will be HistoIndex's first foray into the India market. The CoE is testament to how Singapore companies can partner Indian healthcare players to enhance healthcare delivery with innovative technology and solutions." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14396/bank-of-baroda-max-bupa-health-insurance-join-hands-with-feeding-india-to-launch-swasthaneev.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14396/bank-of-baroda-max-bupa-health-insurance-join-hands-with-feeding-india-to-launch-swasthaneev.html Wed, 07 Aug 2019 17:40:00 +0530 Bank of Baroda and Max Bupa Health Insurance have jointly pledged to feed 112,000 meals to the underprivileged citizens, within a span of two months. The initiative is aimed to contribute to the nation’s fight against hunger and enable the underprivileged citizens to lead healthier lives. Bank of Baroda and Max Bupa Health Insurance have partnered with Feeding India, a not-for-profit organization, to launch the ‘SwasthaNeev’ initiative to cover various hunger points, across 100 cities. The SwasthaNeev initiative was launched by Vikramaditya Singh Khichi, Executive Director, Bank of Baroda and Ashish Mehrotra, MD & CEO, Max Bupa Health Insurance, who pledged to serve as ‘Hunger Heroes’ and motivate their teams to actively contribute towards the cause. Speaking on ‘SwasthaNeev’, Vikramaditya Singh Khichi, Executive Director, Bank of Baroda, said, “Almost 50% of deaths under 5 years of age occurs due to malnutrition and this cause of getting together with Max Bupa and Feeding India is an initiative taken for the long journey together. I request all Bank of Baroda colleagues to take this initiative seriously so that the pledge to provide meals to 112,000 meals can be achieved together.” Ashish Mehrotra, MD & CEO, Max Bupa Health Insurance said, “The SwasthaNeev initiative enunciates Max Bupa’s deep commitment to its purpose of enabling more and more Indians lead healthier, more successful lives. Two daily meals is the most basic need of a human being to lead a healthy life and there are over 190 million people who go hungry every day in India. It is disheartening to see that despite tremendous industrial and economic growth in recent years, we still have many people with no access to food and nutrition. Alongside, food wastage is a major concern in our country, given that about 14.8% of the country’s population is undernourished, as per the Food and Agriculture Organization (FOA). This precarious situation calls for a robust and systematic approach that will help these people get adequate food and nourishment and lead a healthier life. Through the ‘SwasthNeev’ initiative, we along with our partner Bank of Baroda will contribute towards helping the needy meet their basic need of daily nutrition and in turn contribute towards improving the health of the nation.” Feeding India volunteers will distribute fresh nutritious meals through food recovery vans, to the underprivileged and needy people, including children.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14388/government-brings-omnicuris-onboard-for-skill-upgradation-of-delhi-doctors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14388/government-brings-omnicuris-onboard-for-skill-upgradation-of-delhi-doctors.html Wed, 07 Aug 2019 11:15:00 +0530 Online CME platform Omnicuris has collaborated with Delhi Medical Council to help provide free of cost medical skill upgradation to Delhi's government doctors through online modules and courses. Under the initiative, Omnicuris has been selected as Delhi government's official partner for online CMEs. The announcement was made recently at a conclave inaugrated by Satyendra Kumar Jain, Delhi Health Minister; Savitha Kuttan, CEO of Omnicuris, and Dr Arun Kumar Gupta, President of Delhi Medical Council. The conclave focused on solutions to address the knowledge as well as practice skill gap for both private and public doctors. Regular Continued Medical Education (CME) is an important requirement for doctors to help them stay abreast with the latest developments -- conceptual as well as technological -- in their fields. CMEs are a crucial source of skill upgradation and sharpening of knowledge for doctors and is critical to their performance in delivering quality healthcare. However, for heavily loaded government doctors practicing in overcrowded public hospitals, attending regular CMEs becomes challenging. Online CME courses allow doctors to access latest modules in their respective fields through the digital medium at a space and time of their convenience. Launched in 2016, Omnicuris is a leading online CME provider that has been upskilling doctors. So far over 1 lakh doctors have accessed online CME modules offered by Omnicuris. These doctors are spread in both the private as well as in the public sectors across various NHM (National Health Mission) priorities which include – NCDs, infectious diseases, maternal and child health etc. Omnicuris offers free of cost courses in 10 specialties across medicine and has partnerships with over 35 medical associations. By going digital for lectures, Omnicuris boosts its reach to doctors across the country including in smaller towns and rural areas irrespective of their geographic locations or travel budgets. Healthcare providers and presenters should consider these benefits for their forthcoming classes as online CME is becoming more and more commonplace within the medical community. Savitha Kuttan, CEO of Omnicuris said, “We are very happy to work in collaboration with the Delhi Government and DMC. Through this association, we will be able to spread our reach among a larger number of doctors practicing in the national capital. Making regular CME available to all practicing doctors is an important element of improving our overall healthcare delivery. Quality online CME modules make it convenient for busy doctors access this important element of continuous medical education. It is crucial to enable them adhere to the most updated medical practices, drug prescription as well as surgical methodologies. With our disease burden constantly evolving and new features being added constantly to existing medical knowledge, continuous skill upgradation becomes very important for all doctors. We have already started working towards achieving our aims to reach 2.5 lakh doctors by the end of 2019, with a special focus on Eastern, North Eastern states.” In India, everybody has access to specialists in tier 1 cities. However, in smaller towns, primary care physicians are mostly the first line of medical help people receive. Ability to perform appropriate diagnosis and reference is crucial for primary care physicians who act as the most important cogs in the medical wheel. The need for making regular CMEs accessible as well as compulsory is the need of the hour to sharpen the knowledge and skills of doctors. A Lancet report published last year found that 1.6 million people died due to poor quality of care in India in 2016. It concluded that inadequate quality of healthcare was a greater problem than access to healthcare. Various studies have proven a significant knowledge gap as well as practice gaps by both public and private doctors behind the inadequate quality of healthcare. This highlights the need for upskilling and reskilling of doctors and regularly upgrading their knowledge. Satyendra Kumar Jain, Delhi Health Minister, launched the online platform in the event and praised the initiative as it will help the doctors to upgrade their skills free of cost.  “The best part of this CME platform is that you don’t have to travel far off to attend the sessions. A doctor can access the session by sitting at the home and that also without paying for it. One of the drawbacks of our education system is it is formal and we don’t pay attention to the education after passing out from school and college. There is no focus on continuous education.  Another drawback is with the advent of internet, it has become difficult to comprehend whether the knowledge we are getting is authentic information or not. But, with Omnicuris, one can study without thinking about all these. I just have one request that their study modules should have chapters on food, exercise, thought process and soft skills as these are very important for a doctor as well as patient,” said Satyendra Kumar Jain. Dr Arun Kumar Gupta, President of Delhi Medical Council said, “Now doctors of Delhi can update their knowledge and get credit points without moving physically from one place to other. In era of rapidly advancing medical science it’s of utmost importance to keep your knowledge updated. Attending conventional CMEs takes lot of travelling, time and money. We are providing this service free to all doctors of Delhi at comfort of their homes.” The need of the hour is to upgrade the knowledge so that we can address the changing disease pattern and rising incidence of NCDs in the country. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14380/hcl-oracle-health-sciences-to-accelerate-mhealth-in-clinical-trials.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14380/hcl-oracle-health-sciences-to-accelerate-mhealth-in-clinical-trials.html Wed, 07 Aug 2019 09:00:00 +0530 HCL Technologies (HCL), a leading global technology company and a Platinum-Level member of Oracle Partner Network (OPN), and Oracle Health Sciences have announced a collaboration to help life sciences companies execute and scale the next generation of digital clinical trials to reduce the time and cost of drug development. The collaboration includes the availability of HCL’s Faster Intelligent Trials (FIT) Solution using Oracle Health Sciences Mobile Health (mHealth) Connector Cloud Service (Oracle mHealth Cloud). HCL’s FIT solution can be leveraged for a number of use cases, including improving patient engagement, collecting patient reported outcomes, monitoring patient safety, improving medication adherence, or conducting e-visits during clinical trials to reduce patient and site burden. The solution can also be applied for drugs already launched commercially, such as for remote patient monitoring, gathering real world evidence, or as an accompanying application for digital therapies. Shrikanth Shetty, Executive Vice President and North America Business Head for Life Sciences and Healthcare at HCL, said, “Although many of our customers have already established a strong case for leveraging mHealth technologies in clinical trials or digital therapies through proof of concept, we still see a chasm between the potential and actual adoption at scale. As a strategic partner to a large number of life sciences companies, HCL offers a comprehensive portfolio of services to navigate the journey from concept to adoption and continues to support them through the operational support services during or beyond clinical trials.” Jim Streeter, Global Vice President, Product Strategy, for Oracle Health Sciences said, “The life sciences industry has a great opportunity to radically change the way we understand and interact with patients during clinical trials. The collaboration between Oracle Health Sciences and HCL enables clinical teams to establish digitally enabled clinical trial processes and new digital trial methods such as remote patient monitoring. This is a very exciting time for the pharma industry as new technologies such as mHealth continue to accelerate clinical trials and speed time to market for patients who are waiting.” The portfolio of mHealth services offered by the HCL and Oracle collaboration will help clients across different phases of their journey for adoption of mHealth technologies. Those looking to establish a business case or roadmap can engage HCL and Oracle for a six- to eight-week “Proof of Value” package. Companies that have more advanced mHealth initiatives can leverage the HCL FIT solution using Oracle mHealth Cloud “as a service” for a specific clinical trial. HCL also provides implementation services for clients looking to adopt Oracle mHealth Cloud as an enterprise platform across all mHealth initiatives. HCL further helps the clients scale the operations by providing managed services for supporting stakeholders engaged in the clinical trials, including patients and investigators across global trial locations. HCL offers a comprehensive portfolio of services to support clients throughout the clinical trial lifecycle, including business process redefinition, study setup, patient concierge, global device provisioning/kitting, multilingual support, customization, or building trial specific applications. In addition, there are core implementation services around Oracle mHealth Cloud, Oracle Health Sciences InForm Cloud, Oracle Health Sciences Trial Management and Monitoring Cloud, Oracle Health Sciences Data Management Workbench Cloud, and other required components in an Oracle Cloud service to ensure trials are executed as efficiently as possible. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14375/fortis-performs-laparoscopic-swap-kidney-transplant-a-first-in-rajasthan.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14375/fortis-performs-laparoscopic-swap-kidney-transplant-a-first-in-rajasthan.html Mon, 05 Aug 2019 17:40:00 +0530 A team of doctors at Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur performed a landmark surgery when a swap kidney transplant was conducted through laparoscopic technique, a first in the state. All the FOUR surgeries were completed within SIX hours by the team consisting of two surgeons, two nephrologist, four anaesthetics and support staff. Anil (name changed), 24-year-old from Haryana, was suffering from Chronic Kidney Failure that required an urgent kidney transplant. Kanaram (name changed), 44-year-old from Rajasthan, was suffering from high Blood Pressure that affected his kidney with an urgent need for a transplant. However, donors for both, mother of the former and wife of the latter, failed to get a match. However, when both the patients came to Fortis Escorts Hospital in Jaipur, the patients saw a ray of hope for a possible swap kidney transplants to save both the patients. After all due procedures and tests were done, the doctors found out that both the candidates are eligible for a transplant. Dr Sandeep Gupta, Additional Director- Urology, Andrology & Kidney Transplant Surgery, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur said, “Swipe kidney transplant in India is permissible by a person who is related to the patient. However, in this case, the potential donors were not related to the respective recipients which posed a challenge in terms of getting permissions for the process – we had to take permissions from no objection certificate from state government. An expert team of two surgeons, two nephrologists, 4 Anaesthetics along with support staff chose to perform this process laparoscopically and it took us 6 hours to perform the surgery that was done at the same time on all 4 of them. Dr Ajay Singh, Nephrologist – Metro mass Hospital who was treating Mr Kanaram, played an important role in this episode. When Dr Ajay Singh find that Kanaram’s wife can’t donate her kidney to his husband because of the different blood groups, he shared the case with other Doctors including me, fortunately we have second family’s details in our records which matched the donor’s & recipient’s medical needs.” Kidney failure is the extreme state of kidney diseases that is on rise due to increase in lifestyle and metabolic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, to name a few. The transplant of kidney is required for diseases that are not curable. However, due to nuclear families, number of legal donors are plummeting, and patients struggle to find a suitable donor outside the family. Dr Rajesh Garsa, Consultant – Nephrology, Fortis Hospital Jaipur said, “Organ donation is one of the ways in which we may address this shortage. This is possible in people who are brain dead as well as in those who are alive. Donating one organ may require a donor remain extra careful to a heady lifestyle but his or her donating an organ can save a life. We need to spread awareness about the importance of organ donation and dispel the myths around it. Besides, it is important that people take urgent steps to avoid contracting lifestyle diseases – they should maintain a healthy and active lifestyle, should go for regular check-ups to check sugar levels and control diabetes.” Vivan Singh Gill, Zonal Director, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur, Rajasthan said, “This has been a unique and unprecedented opportunity for Indian medical fraternity to display its dexterity in sensitive surgeries. The legacy of Fortis has been upholded by the quick and meticulous solution provided by our competent team of doctors. I would like to thank Dr Sandeep Gupta, Dr Rajesh Garsa and other supporting staff for their extraordinary support to the hospital to uplift the skills of hospital. I am certain that with such brilliant professionals under our roof Fortis is sure to augment the path of excellence for Indian medical fraternity.” According to Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) report entitled India: Health of the Nation’s States”, published in 2017, the contribution of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) to Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALY) has increased from 0.8% in 1990 to 1.6% in 2016. According to Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) report entitled India: Health of the Nation’s States”, published in 2017, the contribution of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) to Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALY) has increased from 0.8% in 1990 to 1.6% in 2016. Kidney diseases are estimated to be increasing, mostly due to increasing number of patients with diabetes and hypertension and increasing acute kidney injury cases and ageing population inter-alia.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14363/pd-hinduja-hospital-mrc-receives-pdq-platinum-grade-certificate.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14363/pd-hinduja-hospital-mrc-receives-pdq-platinum-grade-certificate.html Mon, 05 Aug 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Mumbai based P. D. Hinduja Hospital & MRC was recently awarded the coveted Pharmacy De Qualite (PDQ) Platinum Grade certificate by Bureau Veritas in Pharmacy Management on July 23, 2019. The hospital also became the first hospital in the country to score 100% in its first attempt. The Pharmacy De Qualite’ certification programme has been brought to India by Abbott in association with Bureau Veritas – a global testing, inspection and certification services provider in order to create ‘Pharmacies as centre of excellence’. In order to achieve the 100% strike rate, the hospital had 9 trainers who conducted 26 training sessions. These sessions were followed with periodical bilingual written tests for the staff. Employees scoring less than 80% in these tests were again placed under the training sessions and prepped to take the tests again. Accepting the award, Joy Chakraborty, COO, P. D. Hinduja Hospital & MRC said, “It’s a privilege accepting this award from Bureau Veritas and feel all the more enthralled to know that P. D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre is the first hospital to have scored 100% in its first attempt. This is a proud moment for the entire team at P. D. Hinduja Hospital who has worked tirelessly to achieve this feat. The award is the fruition of all the hardwork and dedication shown by the employees. The Pharmacie De Qualitie Platinum Grade has added another golden feather to our milestones. We aim to maintain this numero uno position in the market in the successive audits as well.” The Pharmacie De Qualite’ certification highlights best practices of pharmacy, optimal services and evidence based care to patients. It recognises hospital pharmacy management, contribution towards improving effectiveness of health-care system, maintaining and improving professional performance and providing effective medication therapy management.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14359/icmr-expands-india-hypertension-control-initiative.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14359/icmr-expands-india-hypertension-control-initiative.html Fri, 02 Aug 2019 11:05:00 +0530 Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), in collaboration with World Health Organization and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has announced nationwide expansion of their program India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI). Launched in November 2017 IHCI has enrolled more than three lakh patients with high blood pressure in the government health facilities in 25 selected districts of the country in the states of Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Telangana, and Maharashtra. Now IHCI will expand to 100 districts across India covering all the states. The project will accelerate the implementation of quality hypertension treatment for over 15 crore population over the next four years and prevent deaths from heart attack, stroke and kidney failure. IHCI complements the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke (NPCDCS) of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. IHCI will continue to accelerate the achievement of targets of Government of India by ensuring a continuum of care and give a boost to the ongoing “Ayushman Bharat” program. Launching the expansion of IHCI, Dr. Balram Bhargava, Secretary, Department of Health Research and Director General ICMR said, “The Government of India has adopted a national action plan for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases and has set a target for a 25% reduction in high blood pressure by 2025. With approximately 20 crore adult patients with hypertension in India, more support from all quarters will be needed to help the Government achieve this target. IHCI is a model initiative towards that. Prevention and treatment of hypertension is far safer for patients than expensive interventions like bypass surgery and dialysis.” “Everyone above the age of 30 years should get BP measured once a year and adopt a healthy lifestyle very early in life” Dr. Bhargava added. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14348/microsoft-partners-with-apollo-hospitals-for-combating-cardiovascular-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14348/microsoft-partners-with-apollo-hospitals-for-combating-cardiovascular-diseases.html Thu, 01 Aug 2019 12:20:00 +0530 As part of Microsoft’s AI Network for Healthcare initiative, Microsoft India and Apollo Hospitals Group have set up a National Clinical Coordination Committee (NCCC) for the AI-powered Cardiovascular Disease Risk Score API (application program interface). The committee consists of leading doctors from Apollo Hospitals; All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi; and King George’s Medical University, Lucknow. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the biggest cause of mortality in India with nearly 25 percent of mortalities – amongst the age group of 25 to 69 years. The condition also seems to affect Indians at least a decade earlier as compared to Europeans. Given the high prevalence of CVDs affecting Indians, Apollo Hospitals and Microsoft India, in 2018, launched the first ever AI-powered CVD Risk Score API, designed specifically to predict the risk of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) in the Indian population. Till date, over 2,00,000 people have already been screened using the AI-powered API across Apollo Hospitals and in many cases, physicians have been able to predict the risk score of patients 5 to 7 years in advance. Built on Microsoft Azure, the API aims to determine a more accurate CVD risk score for the Indian population taking into consideration risk factors including lifestyle attributes like diet, tobacco & smoking preferences, physical activity and psychological stress & anxiety.   Speaking about the National Clinical Coordination Committee, Ms. Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group, said, “We have brought some of the best cardiologists from renowned hospitals like AIIMS and KGMU together to be a part of this committee. The NCCC will help us immensely in our fight against the rising tsunami of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). We are also extending the scope of our partnership with Microsoft to meet the growing healthcare demands of people across the country and contribute more towards saving precious lives.” The NCCC will be assisting the core team at Apollo Hospitals and Microsoft by providing guidance on all cardiology and cardiovascular related AI projects; clinical insights on developing clinical algorithm and treatment guidelines based on the inferences of national, multi centre prospective study. “The NCCC is a great step forward as part of our partnership with Apollo. We are also engaging global consortium partners to scale the AI-powered API. We have already received approval for a pilot study and we hope that the findings will enable physicians to better understand the causes of CVDs in Indian population,” said Anil Bhansali, Corporate Vice President, Cloud & Enterprise, Microsoft.   Apollo Hospitals and Microsoft India are already in discussions with renowned health systems across the world to scale the API and contribute towards World Health Organization’s goal of reducing the risk of premature mortality (30 to 69 years of age) from NCDs, including CVDs, by 25% by 2025 ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14343/need-for-evidence-informed-funding-for-leptospirosis-research-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14343/need-for-evidence-informed-funding-for-leptospirosis-research-in-india.html Thu, 01 Aug 2019 09:00:00 +0530 The George Institute for Global Health India has released an evidence gap map (EGM) that analyzed 557 research studies conducted on leptospirosis in India. The analysis highlighted gaps in research for basic biomedical research, epidemiology (disease distribution and risk factors), diagnostic tests and prevention, management, and control efforts to address the problem of Leptospirosis. The development of the evidence gap map was supported by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and is expected to inform future strategic decisions in the area of research. Leptospirosis is an infectious disease which peaks seasonally, often in the form of outbreaks. The Kerala Floods last saw Leptospirosis outbreaks and the Maharashtra government this year is taking pre-emptive steps to prevent outbreaks. In the recent past, there has been a surge in incidence and outbreaks of leptospirosis with cases reported from several states in India. The National Centre for Disease Control identifies Andaman & Nicobar, Gujarat (4 districts), Kerala (14 districts affected), Maharashtra (4 districts and Mumbai), Karnataka (9 districts) and Tamil Nadu (2 districts and Chennai) as areas of high burden. A National Program for Control and Prevention of leptospirosis in endemic states was started by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 2015. The Indian Council of Medical Research, (ICMR) Expert Committee on Leptospirosis identified the need to inform future strategic decisions for research through systematic appraisal of available research in the country. ICMR entrusted The George Institute with developing an evidence-gap map for Leptospirosis research in India.  The EGM project focused on developing visual maps of available research on Leptospirosis in India.  Dr Soumyadeep Bhaumik, the lead for the project and Research Fellow at The George Institute for Global Health, India said, “Incremental increase in knowledge is a key tenet of science. Public funding of research should be to fill existing gaps and tools like Evidence Gap Maps facilitate the process. We are glad to have indigenously built on previous work to develop maps across the domain for a condition such that they can inform research priorities nationally.” Under the project, an advisory committee consisting of key stakeholders was constituted to guide the development of multiple EGMs and multiple databases and websites were searched to identify research studies on Leptospirosis in India which was mapped under four broad domains: basic biomedical research, epidemiology (disease distribution and risk factors), diagnostic tests and prevention, management and control efforts.  Key research gaps in Leptospirosis research in India There is limited basic biomedical research on developing new drug targets and/or leading to the development of diagnostic tests. The number of rigorous studies on rapid diagnostic kits for detecting Leptospirosis is few and they have not been evaluated in different settings. There are only a couple of studies on clinical diagnostic criteria for diagnosing Leptospirosis. There is an immense need to fund more research on it considering its immense utility. Risk factors for leptospirosis in high-risk groups like farmers, miners, slaughterhouse workers, sanitation/sewer workers, and tribal people are poorly researched. Future funding should also focus on understanding risk in animals and the animal-human interface. Robust randomized controlled trials for various interventions for prevention, management and control efforts for Leptospirosis is scant. Research on Systems and policy level efforts (including one health research) need to be urgently funded. A Consultative Meeting on Evidence Gap Maps (EGM) to identify research priorities for Leptospirosis in India was held at The George Institute, India today. The consultation presented the evidence gap-maps and highlighted key gaps in research. The EGMs have been developed in formats to facilitate stakeholder visualization and usage for decision-making were also discussed. At the meeting, the indigenous cost-effective approach to develop EGMs and related methodological innovations were also discussed.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14344/amaara-by-fortis-saved-many-newborns-by-supplying-1142-470-litres-of-pasteurized-human-milk.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14344/amaara-by-fortis-saved-many-newborns-by-supplying-1142-470-litres-of-pasteurized-human-milk.html Wed, 31 Jul 2019 17:10:00 +0530 Fortis La Femme, Delhi’s specialized hospital for women & newborns in collaboration with the Breast Milk Foundation (BMF), a non-profit organization established the first Pasteurized Human Milk Bank, ‘Amaara’ in Delhi-NCR three years back in 2016. The key objective was the promise and hope to save newborns, babies with safe, hygienic breast milk and those mothers who are unable to breastfeed. In these three years, the Amaara Milk Bank has been able to help 716 babies during their NICU (neo-natal intensive care unit) stay, create a strong volunteer base of 190 donors, and pasteurize 1155 litres of milk. India has one of the largest number of low birth weight babies in the world, with significant mortality and morbidity rates. According to IndiaSpend Report 2016, as many as 700,000 newborns die in India each year—29 per 1,000 births—due to low birth weight and preterm deliveries. Today, there are 60-plus human milk banks in India, in both public and private hospitals. This number has risen from 14 in 2014, to 30 in 2016. Today, Fortis La Femme Amaara Milk Bank has a total of 190 volunteer mothers who have donated their milk and have supported this unique initiative. The process to apply as a donor is very simple - register, get a physical check- up and a general background check. The next steps for the selected mothers is to express the milk and store it in their home refrigerators, to be collected by the milk bank staff. According to Dr Raghuram Mallaiah, Director & HOD, Neonatology at Fortis La Femme - “Breast milk is the best nutritional food source for premature and low birth weight infants and should be available to babies deprived of their mother’s milk. WHO and UNICEF strongly recommend that to reduce infant mortality, breast milk from own mother or a healthy donor mother is the best possible way. In certain medical situations, mothers are unable to breastfeed their newborns or unable to produce sufficient milk for their babies. In all the cases, pasteurized donor milk is the best and essential recommendation. Since 2016, we have been associated with 38 hospitals across Delhi/NCR where we are able to provide pasteurized milk to babies who are admitted in the NICU and who are critically in need of breast milk.” Dr Anita Sharma, Lactation Consultant, Fortis LaFemme- “Mother’s milk is a baby’s birthright. The content and nutrients of mother’s milk can’t be replaced by any formula milk in the world. Since we will be observing Breastfeeding Week from tomorrow 1-7 July 2019, this gives an ideal opportunity for us to bust all myths related to breastfeeding. In cases where mothers aren’t able to breastfeed their newborns due to various reasons, milk banks such as Amaara is a boon for them.” Vritti Lumba, Facility Director, Fortis LaFemme said, “We are providing pasteurized milk to 38 hospitals around Delhi/NCR and helping newborns get access to safe, hygienic breast milk. Although, globally human milk banking is common practice, it is a fairly a nascent concept in India and is gradually picking up. We need to come together to fight infant mortality with more pasteurized milk banks.” A 2016 UNICEF - WHO report on Nurturing the Health and Wealth Of Nations: The Investment Case For Breastfeeding notes that India, along with Indonesia, China, Mexico and Nigeria, accounts for more than 236,000 child deaths every year due to inadequate breastfeeding.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14338/health-minister-inaugurates-new-facility-at-ncdc.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14338/health-minister-inaugurates-new-facility-at-ncdc.html Wed, 31 Jul 2019 11:30:00 +0530 “National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has contributed phenomenally in elimination and eradication of several diseases of public health importance such as smallpox, polio, guinea-worm and yaws.” This was stated by Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare at the 110th Annual Day celebrations of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), in New Delhi. At the function, the Union Health Minister inaugurated the laboratory complex (Lab 3) at NCDC and the new building of National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) in presence of Ashwini Kumar Choubey, MoS (HFW). The L3 laboratory complex has five floors and houses 22 Bio safety level(BSL) II laboratories. Setting up of this state-of-art laboratory will give impetus to laboratory diagnosis of various emerging diseases of public health importance. Thanking the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his visionary leadership and constant guidance, Dr Harsh Vardhan stated that under the charismatic Prime Minister, India is going to witness the elimination of diseases like Tuberculosis, Leprosy, Measles, Malaria and Kala Azar where NCDC is poised to play a very pivotal role. Dr Harsh Vardhan further said that the Ministry is committed to end TB by 2025, five years ahead of the global target of 2030. Congratulating NCDC for its contribution in containing Nipah, Dr Harsh Vardhan said that the recent multi-sectoral response co-ordinated by the government for combatting Nipah outbreak in Kerala is another feather in the cap. “It is quite impressive that during the recent reporting of Nipah in Kerala,NCDC has been pivotal in coordination of the response and communication among various sectors and State Govt. It has strengthened the outbreak detection and response capacities and reduced turnaround time for quick decision making. We will take measures to further make it a state-of-art Emergency Operations Centre”, the Union Health Minister added. He also commended NCDC’s role in supporting the state of Bihar in managing AES. The NCDC’s upgradation plan is also an ambitious plan to keep pace with the changing public health needs of the country and there is a blueprint to build 50 labs in this campus alone, Dr Harsh Vardhan mentioned. He also stated that that six centres of NCDC will soon be set up across the country in Lucknow, Ranchi, Patna, Imphal, Dimapur and Thiruvananthapuram. Ashwini Kumar Choubey, MoS (HFW) stated that NCDC provides a gamut of services to the people through its laboratories, and strengths in epidemiology, public health capacity building, entomology, etc. NCDC’s role in steering the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) ContainmentProgramme in the country is commendable. “NCDC can act as a focal point with greater authority and resources for disease surveillance, monitoring of health status, educating the public, providing evidence for public health action and enforcing public health regulations,” Choubey mentioned. He also stressed on the importance of public awareness and people’s participation in keeping today’s lifestyle diseases at bay. As part of the Annual Day celebrations, a scientific session on “Climate Change: Resilient Health Sector” was also organized by NCDC which was attended by academicians, NCDC and NVBDCP faculty and other eminent experts from the field of public health. Sanjeeva Kumar, Special Secretary (HFW), Dr AK Saxena, Director General Health Services, Dr Henk Bekedam, WHO Representative to India, Lav Aggarwal, JS(HFW) and Padmaja Singh, JS(VBD) were also present along with other senior officers from NCDC, NVBDCP and the Ministry during the inaugural function. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14337/biocon-foundation-launches-integrated-program-for-ncd-screening.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14337/biocon-foundation-launches-integrated-program-for-ncd-screening.html Wed, 31 Jul 2019 11:25:00 +0530 Biocon Foundation, the CSR arm of Biocon Ltd. has launched an integrated program for screening of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) for Pourakarmikas, the sanitation staff of  Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). Around 3000 Pourakarmikas will be screened over four months from areas in BBMP West Zone. The program aims at controlling NCDs including diabetes, hypertension and oral, breast and cervical cancers, by increasing awareness about lifestyle modifications and providing training in self-breast and oral examination. In her message, Smt. Gangambike Mallikarjun, Honourable Mayor of Bengaluru said, “There is an increase in the incidence of non-communicable diseases in Karnataka. At BBMP, we are committed to the health of our Pourakarmikas. Through this program, we will be focussing on improving their health condition with adequate health education, early diagnosis and treatment. We are glad to be associated with Biocon Foundation, KLES Institute of Dental Sciences and Bangalore Political Action Committee (BPAC) for this program.” In her communique, Dr Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Managing Trustee, Biocon Foundation said, “We appreciate the sincere efforts of our Pourakarmikas to alleviate the burden of solid waste management on a daily basis, to keep our city clean.  Biocon Foundation has undertaken the NCD screening to improve the health of these sanitation workers by leveraging technology for continuum of care.” “Cancer is emerging as one of the major health concerns in Karnataka between the age group of 35 and 65 years, affecting individuals at their productive peak. The awareness amongst Pourakarmikas regarding signs and symptoms of cancers is minimal and being involved in the service of people, they deserve to get attention to their own health.” said Dr. C Ramachandra, Director, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology. A pilot screening program was conducted by Biocon Foundation in December 2018 for 89 Pourakarmikas from Shankarmutt ward. This pilot enabled the roll out of the program on a larger scale. NCDs are the result of an interplay of non-modifiable as well as modifiable individual, metabolic and environmental factors. From screening programs in work place settings it was found that attendees of the clinics are more receptive to behaviour change when they come from similar work environments. Biocon Foundation has developed a scalable model for risk surveillance as well as screening of NCDs. The “Mobile Health” (mHealth) platform connects frontline healthcare providers with remote specialists. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14333/fortis-doctors-perform-unique-limb-preservation-surgery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14333/fortis-doctors-perform-unique-limb-preservation-surgery.html Tue, 30 Jul 2019 16:50:00 +0530 Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road successfully implemented a rare and unique treatment modality on a 32 year old male, suffering from Chondrosarcoma of the pelvic bone. Chondrosarcoma is a rare type of bone cancer which usually begins in the bone, but it can also occur in the tissues surrounding it. The team of doctors was led by Dr Anil Kumar M R , Lead Consultant Radiation Oncology, Fortis Hospital, Bangalore along with Dr. Srinivas C H, Ortho oncologist. The patient was diagnosed with a malignant tumour in the pelvic bone and was admitted to Prakriya Hospital, Tumkur Road for the removal of the tumour-bearing bone. The doctors at Fortis and Prakriya Hospital, Tumkur Road decided to conduct the unique radiation modality called Extracorporeal irradiation (ECI) on the resected bone. This method involves delivering high doses of radiation in a single sitting to the operated bone compared to the conventional six weeks of radiation. While the patient was still in the operation theatre, the bone was extracted and sent to Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, for the procedure.  Dr Anil Kumar M R, Lead Consultant Radiation Oncology, Fortis Hospital, Bangalore, said, “ECI is relatively rare and unique method used in the management of malignant bone tumours. Earlier, many of the patients were compelled to undergo amputation. However, the recent management strategies favour limb preservation therapy (LPT) in most patients, than amputation. This has been possible because of the multidisciplinary treatments which consist of optimal use of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. This method also carries a lot of advantages as it also reduces the risk of recurrence. Above all, it has a psychological advantage as the patient feels that their own bone is being used as prosthesis.” Dr Srinivas C H , Ortho oncologist, Prakriya hospital, Tumkur road said, ‘ The patient was detected with pelvic bone cancer with tumor of 8cm and was going through a lot of pain while walking and sitting. That is when we decided to go ahead with this unique procedure with the help of the doctors at Fortis Hospital. In this case, we extracted the tumour-bearing bone, and post high dose radiotherapy we grafted the bone back through implantation. At present, the patient is free of cancer and will recover in 15-20 days with the help of this innovative technique.”  The patient, Mr Naresh (name changed), said, “I had reached out to the doctor with excruciating pain in the pelvic region. After a series of tests and diagnosis, I was devastated to hear that I was suffering from cancer. The doctor patiently explained to me about the whole new procedure and its advantages, I trusted the doctors and agreed to undergo surgery. I am very grateful to both the doctors for saving my life and my limb.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14315/medtechconnect-all-partner-workshop-focuses-on-improving-healthcare-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14315/medtechconnect-all-partner-workshop-focuses-on-improving-healthcare-in-india.html Tue, 30 Jul 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Cyient and Xynteo’s India2022 Coalition hosted its second MedTechConnect All Partner Workshop at Cyient’s Manikonda Campus in Hyderabad. The theme was “Bridging the Gaps: Scaling Healthcare Technology for the Last Mile.”  The workshop focused on the development of unique business models to deliver portable medical technology solutions. An additional focus was on collaborative efforts that are needed from various medtech ecosystem stakeholders to produce better outcomes across the healthcare continuum.  Participants identified new business models and solutions that will help increase the accessibility and affordability of portable devices for priority disease areas. They agreed to collaborate on deploying these solutions through various delivery channel partners and networks.  Mr. Jayesh Ranjan, Secretary of Information Technology, Industry & Commerce, Government of Telangana,offered his support to the MedTechConnect platform and said, “There is a genuine sense of interest in this state for technology-led solutions that can have large scale impact.”  Krishna Bodanapu, Managing Director and CEO of Cyient said, “Cyient in partnership with Xynteo, established MedTechConnect to promote high-quality indigenous healthcare technologies and make them accessible to people from all demographic and geographic backgrounds. We are excited by the innovative solutions that were discussed at the All Partner Workshop and the opportunity to optimize healthcare delivery across India.”  In his closing remarks Brian Wyatt, Senior Vice President and Head of the Medical Technologies & Healthcare business unit at Cyient, said, “We need inclusivity to make these solutions work. Collaboration between partners that moves beyond independent results to a shared risk and responsibility model is key to success.”  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14316/docprime-partners-with-first-moms-club-to-offer-primary-healthcare-services.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14316/docprime-partners-with-first-moms-club-to-offer-primary-healthcare-services.html Tue, 30 Jul 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Docprime.com, a Policybazaar group company is partnering with a multi-platform community First Moms Club (FMC) with an aim to bring digital accessibility to healthcare. The company intends to provide primary healthcare services in line with its vision for affordable and accessible healthcare solutions. It has integrated its Online Consultation Platform on the First Moms Club’s website which will help to get its target audience (Moms) free and timely medical advice for not only their kids but the whole family. Commenting on the partnership, Ashish Gupta, CEO, Docprime.com said, “With inadequate infrastructure and limited resources, the country faces a challenge to achieve health for all. And, the rising cost of healthcare adds to this crisis. Docprime’s constant endeavor of providing the best healthcare services with a prime focus on primary health care is a step towards affordable healthcare for masses.  In this journey, we are happy to partner with a platform like First Moms Club’s to reach over 200000 organic users who visit the website per month.” Ruchita Shah, CEO & Founder, First Moms Club said, “Over the last decade, we at FMC have realized that mothers in general and our members, in particular, have a whole range of health and medical questions ranging from daily home remedies to common ailments to more complex ones that really ought to be answered by trained professionals. With the Docprime partnership, mothers can get help from people best equipped to do so while being guaranteed all the support they have come to expect from fellow community members.” The overreaching benefits of securing the entire family through this alliance will aid women within the age group of 18-60 years & above and mothers who can take medical advice for their kids too across 100 Indian cities in India. FMC has wide presence across all social media platforms with over 15K+organic followers on Instagram, 4K+ twitter followers (organic) and has a Facebook Global community with 70,000+ organic members. Docprime.com is the latest venture of the Policybazaar Group with an aim to redefine how Indians seek healthcare services. It connects patients with doctors in real-time and bridges the gap between need and fulfillment using state-of-the-art technology and a robust offline network. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14310/health-minister-inaugurates-host-of-facilities-at-safdarjung-hospital.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14310/health-minister-inaugurates-host-of-facilities-at-safdarjung-hospital.html Mon, 29 Jul 2019 12:05:00 +0530 Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare recently inaugurated a host of facilities that include Geriatric Sunday OPD, 3T MRI Facility, Biplane Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and ESWL Lab at Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi. During the visit, Dr Harsh Vardhan stated, “Under the leadership of our Prime Minister we are aggressively moving towards setting up state-of-the-art health facilities with the best equipment, techniques and buildings. These are comparable to the very best in the country and the world,” he said. As we move towards the vision of the Prime Minister of a New India by 2022, health shall be one of the key determinants and components of our advanced country, he stated. While interacting with the staff, para-medics and doctors at the Emergency Block, Dr. Harsh Vardhan stated that the aim of everyone in the hospital should be to see that no patient is turned back or referred to any other emergency facility. “Let us aspire to build our capacities and strengths such that we are able to attend to each emergency patient that needs our care”, he stated. He took a round of various wards, labs, OTs, Cath Labs, geriatric and pediatric ICUs, and interacted with the patients and their caregivers. He also reviewed the processes of registration of patients, referral and other services. He also visited the new Super Specialty Block and planted a sapling. Dr Harsh Vardhan visited the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi  Kendra within the premises. He was told that medicines which cost as much as Rs. 500-600 in the market are sold at very economical rates of as low as Rs.105 at the Kendra. “The government is committed to ensuring that the out-of-pocketexpenditure on medicines which form a significant part of healthcare cost is considerably reduced through such pharmacy centres”, he stated. He further stated that one of the priorities of the government is to expand quality tertiary health care facilities in all parts of the country. With the announcement of new AIIMS, the total number of AIIMS will go up to 22. Further, super specialty blocks along with MCH wings are being set up in many districthospitaland medical college across the country. Apart from the already planned 82, additional 75 district hospitals are being upgraded to medical colleges all over the country by 2022. The Union Health Minister further stated that the budget for the Health Ministry showed an appreciable increase of more than 19%in the total outlay in the General Budget this year. This reflects the importance accorded to the health sector in the country, he added. “Under the guidance and visionary leadership of the Prime Minister Shri Modiji, Ayushman Bharat Yojana has been launched with its two important pillars of Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs), and PMJAY. It aims to benefit the poor and vulnerable. While stress is on preventive health through HWCs, catastrophic expenditure on healthcare has been ameliorated through the PMJAY component, Dr Harsh Vardhan further said. He highlighted that one of the key benefits of PMJAY is its portability. A person can now access quality healthcare services anywhere in the country without having to worry about the money. Dr Harsh Vardhan also interacted with few PMJAY beneficiaries who have received costly treatments at Safdurjung Hospital, free of charge. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14309/eko-launches-eko-home-a-cardiac-remote-monitoring-application.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14309/eko-launches-eko-home-a-cardiac-remote-monitoring-application.html Mon, 29 Jul 2019 12:00:00 +0530 Eko, a Silicon Valley-based digital health company applying machine learning in the fight against heart disease has announced Eko Home, a first-of-its-kind service that enables precise remote monitoring of cardiac function using ECG and heart sounds. Eko Home can be used to create drug-data combinations to demonstrate real-world efficacy for pharma trials, while simultaneously allowing clinicians to collect high quality data while outside of the clinical environment. The Eko Home application is currently being used in an active Mayo Clinic study. The purpose of the study is to evaluate different strategies of cardiovascular therapy with carvedilol aiming to reduce the incidence of heart function declines and heart failure in at-risk breast cancer patients while on trastuzumab therapy. Eko expects to offer the drug-data combinations with other life science partners by the end of the year with additional plans to offer its SDK to hospitals and healthcare providers that wish to build the platform directly into their applications. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14308/ilbs-organizes-empathy-conclave-2019.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14308/ilbs-organizes-empathy-conclave-2019.html Mon, 29 Jul 2019 09:45:00 +0530 The Institute of Liver & Biliary Sciences has unveiled a major awareness campaign to educate people about hepatitis prevention and treatment as also to provide much-needed psycho social support to patients suffering marginalization in society. The ‘EMPATHY Concave 2019: Empowering People Against Hepatitis’ brought together leading policy makers, healthcare experts as well as social activists to discuss the way forward in India’s fight against viral Hepatitis. The country-wide awareness campaign is being implemented with support from the Airports Authority of India (AAI). With 1.5 lakh deaths annually and almost 60 million Indians affected, viral hepatitis continues to be a serious public health concern. Most of the mortality due to Viral Hepatitis is attributed to Hepatitis B & C, which are also known as silent killers as > 80% of the infected aren’t aware of their infection. Hepatitis B & C infections can remain asymptomatic for years, even decades, slowly damaging the liver. Discrimination and marginalization of people living with the chronic infection is another major concern that needs to be addressed with a collective effort from the government and society. Om Birla, Speaker of Lok Sabha; Dr Harsh Vardhan, Minister for Health & Family Welfare, and Minister of Law & Justice, Ravi Shankar Prasad were among the key stalwarts who attended the event and shared their insights into government’s efforts to fight the disease as well as address stigmatization of patients. EMPATHY or“Empowering People Against Hepatitis” is part of a 4-year-long mega awareness drive on hepatitis started by ILBS in collaboration with AAI, on 28th July, 2018. It is estimated that 4 crore people are suffering from Hepatitis B and 0.6-1.2 crore people are suffering from Hepatitis C in India. Dr. (Prof.)  S.K. Sarin, Director, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences said, “Fighting hepatitis is difficult because both hepatitis B and C are chronic infections that often remain dormant in the body for years before damaging the liver. Liver cirrhosis and liver cancer are common culminations of these chronic infections. The problems are manifold. Firstly, most people infected with the virus are not aware about their disease status. Only preventive screenings to high risk individuals such as those who have undergone dialysis or blood transfusions can identify dormant infections and treat them on time. Secondly, misconceptions and stigma attached to the disease often leads to marginalization and discrimination against patients. Our fight against the disease must focus on multiple fronts -- prevention of hepatitis B through universal vaccination, identifying and treating patients through screenings and providing psycho social support to patients.” People who were discriminated against after being diagnosed with hepatitis B shared their experience at the conclave. Awareness about safe blood transfusion and use of safe needles for injections is very important, Similarly, it is crucial to educate youth about the threat of hepatitis infection through unsafe needles used in tattooing and body piercing. Chronic HBV infection accounts for 40-50% of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 20-30% cases of liver cirrhosis while chronic HCV infection accounts for 12-32% of HCC and 12-20% of liver cirrhosis in the country. Mother-to-Child transmission is considered to be the most common mode of transmission for HBV. However, the HBV infection is both preventable by a very effective vaccine as well as treatable with oral drugs. Improving India’s birth dose coverage of HCB vaccine is essential to our fight against Hepatitis B.  “Several initiatives are currently being undertaken by the Government under the National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (NVHCP), to improve access to vaccines, diagnostics and treatment for patients and those at risk. However, the stigma and discrimination associated with these infections is a significant hindrance to care-seeking, treatment compliance and mother to child transmission mainstreaming. That’s the reason of rise in hepatitis related deaths. It is vital to take steps to prevent the infection & keep your liver healthy. Through our EMPATHY conclave and associated campaign, we want to create a change in the mindset of the people,” said Dr. Sarin. ILBS has been spearheading a nation-wide campaign to make people aware about Hepatitis B & C. EMPATHY Campaign is focused on generating community dialogue for empowering people against Hepatitis B & C, by implementing a mix of call to action initiatives, awareness camps, mass media and social media campaign in conjunction with each other. Over the last year, several initiatives have been undertaken, like creation of EMPATHY Network of People living with hepatitis B & C, several call to action initiatives, such as I pledge…(my support), Art For a cause, Let’s Talk Hepatitis, to name a few. Six-time world boxing champion, MC Mary Kom is now the brand ambassador for the Empathy Campaign. Educational content is being disseminated at Cinema halls, FM channels and airports across the country and metro stations. As part of the campaign, the work force in many organizations are taking pledges for the cause and to make people know about the disease and encourage them to disapprove any kind of discrimination against those living with Hepatitis.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14306/isic-introduces-diaphragmatic-pacing-program-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14306/isic-introduces-diaphragmatic-pacing-program-in-india.html Mon, 29 Jul 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, has tied up with leading US based Gastrointestinal Surgeon, Dr Raymond P Onders, to introduce a program of the path breaking procedure of Diaphragmatic Pacing in India. The procedure pioneered by Dr Onders enables ventilator free breathing in paralyzed patients dependent on ventilator support. Dr Onders conducted a day-long course for doctors at Indian Spinal Injuries Centre to train them in this procedure that brings new hope for patients dependent on ventilator support for breathing. Patients who are partially or fully paralyzed due to spinal injury or neuromuscular illnesses sometimes need the help of assisted breathing devices or mechanical ventilator. Such patients can benefit enormously by diaphragmatic pacing that can help improve the patient’s natural breathing performance and potentially stop their dependence on a mechanical ventilator. Dr Onders is Chief of General and Gastrointestinal Surgery, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Ohio, USA. He has more than 15 years of experience in the field of Diaphragmatic Pacing and numerous publications on the subject. “Diaphragm pacing is a minimally invasive procedure to allow ventilator-free breathing for patients paralyzed due to spinal injury and can decrease invasive mechanical ventilation in intensive care units.  By artificially stimulating the diaphragm to contract, we enable the patient to breathe naturally without the help of a ventilator. The diaphragm pacing system acts as a rehabilitative tool and allows patients to reduce their dependence on a ventilator or even eliminate the patient’s need for artificial breathing support. I am glad to help doctors at Indian Spinal Injuries Centre to acquire the ability to perform this procedure that will benefit hundreds of patients,” said Dr Onders. The procedure involves implanting electrodes into the patient’s diaphragm muscle and connecting them to an external stimulator which sends electrical impulses. This stimulation to the muscles and nerves of the diaphragm causes it to contract and helps the patient breathe without the help of a mechanical ventilator. Dr H S Chhabra, Medical Director Cum Chief of Spine at ISIC said, “Patients paralyzed due to high cervical spinal cord or non-respiratory conditions including traumatic brain injury or neuromuscular illnesses like cannot breathe on their own because the nerves and muscles of their diaphragm become dysfunctional. They have to depend on assistive breathing devices or ventilator support. Diaphragm pacing procedure involves artificially stimulating the diaphragm to enable the patient breathes normally. It can reduce or completely eliminate the patient’s dependence on ventilator support. We are very happy to have Dr Onders on board to train and equip our doctors in performing this procedure pioneered by him. It will help us start this program for the first time in India and improve the quality of life of many patients.” Case Study: A 53-year-old man who received a bullet injury in the third vertebrae in the cervical spine (C3) was on ventilation for past three-and-a-half years at home. Dr. Onders checked through laparoscopy whether the diaphragm, muscle used for respiration can be stimulated or not - the left side was fine but the diaphragm on the right was partially stimulable due to non-use. The electrodes were sent on each side and were tunneled out just over the skin and doctors will start stimulating the diaphragm from tomorrow. "We exercise the diaphragm muscle with the help of external electrical stimulation and he will show improvement from tomorrow. He will be on the ventilator as of now but the requirement of the ventilator and the flow of oxygen will gradually reduce; we expect that in next 6-9 months, he should get rid of ventilation. We already have completed one case successfully, he is the second case. The third will be done shortly and we are assessing two more people for a trial to see if they are eligible for the process.” said Dr H S Chhabra. Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, New Delhi organized the “Live Diaphragmatic Pacing Surgery Course” to help equip its doctors in the procedure to help improve the quality of life of patients who are dependent on mechanical ventilation due to non-respiratory conditions. The day-long academic session was attended by 150 doctors and included live demonstration of surgeries as well as an in-depth discussion about the procedure. The academic session had Dr Onders highlight the importance of Diaphragm Pacing, its application and important technical aspects pertaining to the procedure.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14305/stop-tobacco-industry-watchdog-exposes-industry-allies-that-undermine-public-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14305/stop-tobacco-industry-watchdog-exposes-industry-allies-that-undermine-public-health.html Fri, 26 Jul 2019 16:35:00 +0530 A new database released by STOP (Stopping Tobacco Organizations and Products) reveals dozens of groups from around the world aiding the tobacco industry in its considerable efforts to subvert public health policies. These tobacco industry allies act as lobbyists, spokespeople and validators against smoke-free workplace protections, tobacco tax increases, health warnings, and restrictions on youth marketing. They usually claim independence but often have direct financial links to tobacco companies. STOP investigators verified 92 organizations in 27 countries, with dozens more still under investigation, that promote the industry’s agenda while appearing to be independent. The largest concentration of tobacco industry allies in this initial research was in the United States and the United Kingdom, but groups were identified across Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America, highlighting the global effort to interfere with tobacco control policies. “Tobacco companies are so untrustworthy that they need other organizations to carry their messages to policy makers and consumers,” said Anna Gilmore, Director of the Tobacco Control Research Group at the University of Bath and Partner in STOP. “This new database exposes these relationships so that governments and advocates don’t get tricked into believing those messages are credible.” The tobacco industry has a long history of funding pro-business, anti-regulatory issue groups and think tanks to build credibility and influence. STOP researchers profiled allies in three categories which describe both their level of industry alignment and activity:   Front groups: Organizations that claim independence but are established, funded or controlled by corporate interests. These groups have the strongest alignment with the industry. Examples: Foundation for a Smoke-Free World (U.S.), International Tobacco Growers Association (Portugal)   Astroturf groups: A specific type of front group that recruits real or fake supporters to give the impression of grassroots support for an industry-friendly issue or policy. Examples: Forest (U.K.)   Third Parties: Organizations that undertake a lobbying or public support role on behalf of tobacco companies yet appear to be independent. Examples: Americans for Tax Reform (U.S.), Libertad y Desarrollo (Chile), Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Zambia)   “Deception is the strategy and working through allies is the tactic,” said Sandra Mullin, Senior Vice President at Vital Strategies and Partner in STOP.  “Tobacco companies are desperate to build credibility and will continue to recruit new allies. We urge the global health community to send us names and evidence so we can expose the truth about these organizations.” “No country is immune to industry interference in health policy, either directly or through these groups,” said Nuntavarn Vichit-Vadakan, Chair at the Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control (GGTC) and Partner in STOP. “By shining a light on industry allies, governments can be better prepared for their arguments and misinformation.” “The tobacco industry is the single greatest barrier to reducing disease related to tobacco use,” said Gan Quan, Director of Tobacco Control at The Union and Partner in STOP. “STOP is wholly dedicated to providing information and tools that make it easier to sort the truth from the lies.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14302/gleneagles-conducts-successful-heart-lung-transplant-program-which-saved-150-lives.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14302/gleneagles-conducts-successful-heart-lung-transplant-program-which-saved-150-lives.html Fri, 26 Jul 2019 16:20:00 +0530 Delhi saw a drop of more than 50% in organ donations from brain-dead patients in 2018. Leave alone Maharashtra (132), Tamil Nadu (137), Telangana (167), and Andhra Pradesh (45), the national capital lags far behind even the neighbouring Union Territory of Chandigarh (35). The ever increasing number of brain dead in the capital in road accidents is also on the rise. Delhi reports around 1562 road accident deaths each year, and a significant number of the victims have extensive head injuries leading to clinical brain death. It is accepted worldwide that these unfortunate individuals are potential organ donors. India has one of the lowest organ donation rates in the world at 0.5 donors per million population and every bit to spread awareness be it among schoolchildren, corporate or celebrities- helps. Despite major advances in healthcare and medical facilities in India, more than 5 lakh people die every year due to unavailability of organs. For patients whose last chance of survival is a transplant, the acute shortage of donors in the country is proving to be a painful reality. The Heart and Lung Transplant Team of Gleneagles Global Hospitals, led by Dr Sandeep Attawar, Director and Chair of the Heart and Lung Program, are credited with 169 transplants in the past 25 months , the strength of this program and what makes it unique is the fact, It is the country’s only comprehensive  solid thoracic organ program where the expertise and efficiencies have allowed equally successful heart & lung transplants to be performed in large number with internationally benchmarked outcomes in success and one year survivals, post-transplant. Gleneagles Global Hospitals’ national flagship program has performed 78 Heart, 75 Lung and 16 combined heart and lung transplants, which is by far the highest in the country in the past two and half years. The focus of the program is to stabilize patients as they await transplantation and provide medically the most suitable options for those who are not transplant candidates. Dr Sandeep Attawar said, “The 85% success rate of the program has been published in ISHLT (The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation), bringing our Heart and Lung transplant program on par with some of the best centers in the western world.”  “In addition to considerable deterioration of health indicators in India due to numerous factors, the incidence of Heart & Lung Failures can be attributed to genetic abnormalities, ischemic heart disease, diabetes (and India is considered as a diabetes capital), smoking habits, pollution, stress, unhealthy eating habits, rise in obesity levels & other lifestyle issues. As a result, there are a large number of patients with end stage medically advanced disease for whom transplant is the only life saving solution. Though 74% Indians agreed in a 2018 Ipsos survey that they would allow their organs to be removed in order to help others in need, the deceased donor donation rate in India is only around 0.34 per million, which is abysmally low compared to other developed countries like Spain (36), Croatia (35), USA (27.02). With more than 50,000 people waiting for a heart transplant every year, and more than 20,000 annually for a lung transplant, there is a wide gap between the number of transplants awaited and the organs available,” says Dr Attawar, who has managed to assimilate. one of the finest teams in South Asia spearheading the Heart & Lung Transplant Program at Gleneagles Global Hospitals across 4 cities. Various socio-cultural factors such as lack of awareness, lack of faith in the healthcare system, religious beliefs and superstitions among others are the biggest factors why families refuse to give consent for organ donation in India. Which is why under such a situation, Dr Sandeep urges the importance and positive impact of being registered on the National Registry for Organ Donor. There is a need for the Government to conduct a wide reaching public information campaign to focus on the vital need for more organs, the need to discuss organ donation with family members, dispel pre-existing misconceptions about organ donation process, bring about an attitude change in the approach towards deceased organ donations, and also address the infrastructural bottlenecks. Dr Attawar adds with a selfless optimism that, “Celebrities, leaders & all of us need to step up for spreading awareness as agents of change. Mere advocacy would not suffice; we need to lead by example by pledging organs ourselves. Consider heads of state, prominent political leaders and celebrities calling out to people that they have pledged their organs, and exhorting others to do the same; it would be total game changer leading to saving thousands of lives. The awareness levels we have noticed in southern & western parts of India is tremendous, which we need to spread to the north Indian states as well.” With rapid advances in technology, timely intervention precise medications and surgical procedures, increasing number of Heart and Lung transplant recipients are living longer than ever before. With better and immunosuppressive drugs, more than 80% of heart recipients survive more than 3 years after the operation. Lung transplantation is a relatively new procedure in our country that continues to see greater acceptance. Currently, more than 65% of lung recipients survive at least 5 years after a transplant.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14301/swachch-bharat-will-help-fight-hepatitis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14301/swachch-bharat-will-help-fight-hepatitis.html Fri, 26 Jul 2019 16:05:00 +0530 A major healthcare burden, viral hepatitis is standing at a pedestal with HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. Hepatitis A virus (HAV) and Hepatitis E virus (HEV) cause both sporadic infections and epidemics of acute viral hepatitis (AVH). The high attack rate of HAV is found in the age group of 15-24 years followed by 5-14 years. The prevalence is related to contaminated water and open defecation, leading to the need to stick to 'Swachch Bharat Abhiyan' and show seriousness towards improving the living standards. If you look into diagnostics or laboratories center, today there are about 4 crore people suffering Hepatitis D and 80-90 lakh people are suffering from hepatitis C in India itself. Government has planned a National Action Plan for Viral Hepatitis and in 2018 launched National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (NVHCP) under National Health Mission. "In this plan the two important thing and that was implemented was that we have to provide free diagnostics to people who were suspicious of having hepatitis or suffering from hepatitis that will be followed by providing free of cost drugs lifelong. Along with that whatever preventive measures need to be taken prevents it, promote it, for vaccination to pregnant women, to making the public aware of how does it spread. Action needs to be taken in the primary health center, secondary center, and tertiary center. I am sure by 2030, the aim was to get away with hepatitis C patients and reduce other Hepatitis occurrences," Dr. Ravi Gaur, COO, Oncquest Laboratories. Hepatitis A and E comes from the transmission foodborne, hygienic issue or waterborne. Hepatitis D and C are a major challenge and leads to chronic disease, liver failure, and cancer. HEV outbreak is particularly dangerous for pregnant women leading up to acute liver failure in 10-22 percent of the cases. In HEV, the prevalence is dependent on living standard and requires maintaining hygienic conditions in the surroundings. HAV is responsible for 10-30% of acute hepatitis and 5-15% of acute liver failure cases in India. And, HEV is responsible for 10-40% of acute hepatitis and 15-45% of acute liver failure.   "Viral Hepatitis A and E are predominantly because of poor hygiene, they are basically food and water borne diseases. That's where Swachch Bharat Abhiyaan will help as it stops open defecation as stool is carrier of infection. People get infected from there, they don’t wash their hands properly, scavengers are exposed to solid waste, sewage lines, contaminated water. These are the major causes of Hepatitis A and E," says Dr Gaur. On the other hand, B and C is a challenge as it comes by IV fluids, needle pricks. "During surgery suppose patient has Hepatitis B and then blood get exchanged with someone else or blood transfusion happens then they will get affected. There is area of sexual transmission also. It also get transferred from pregnant mother to the infant. Wear gloves, wash your hands properly maintain proper hygiene," adds Dr Gaur. People should make sure that therapeutic injections that are being administered are safe. Unsafe injections in India lead to 21 million Hepatitis B (HBV) infections (32% of global burden) and 2 million Hepatitis C (HCV) infections (40% of global burden). "There guidelines are for safety workers, lab workers that they should be vaccinated by Hepatitis B and monitored regularly so that protection is adequate. Wearing gloves and masks so that infection is not transferred from staff to patient or the other way round. One should follow these steps to avoid spreading Hepatitis," says Dr Gaur. Urban people are aware and know that it can be cured. But in certain rural areas and semi-urban areas people believe that you should keep away from people suffering from Hepatitis B and C. "People in rural and semi-urban areas believe that Hepatitis B and C is a lifelong thing and person is ostracized. But the fact is that it is not a lifelong thing and if proper treatment is given it can be cured. That is why all health should be confidential. If you take the adequate treatment then there is 100% cure of hepatitis B, which can become chronic if proper care is not taken. Whereas Hepatitis A and E are curable within 4-5 weeks if you take rest and proper medication. All the viruses require adequate rest and infection can be cured by antiviral drugs which are easily available now. Hepatitis C is not very common and Hepatitis D is very rare in India," adds Dr Gaur. The role of Laboratory services is a very critical component of any response to control viral hepatitis. After NVHCP, there is a guideline on laboratory services that are aimed at standardization of protocols and algorithms.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14297/dr-mohans-diabetes-conducts-6th-edition-of-international-diabetes-update.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14297/dr-mohans-diabetes-conducts-6th-edition-of-international-diabetes-update.html Fri, 26 Jul 2019 15:25:00 +0530 Renowned for its pioneering practices in Diabetology, Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre has launched first-of-its-kind  dance routine, THANDAV, at the 6th edition of its annual flagship conference, International Diabetes Update. Aimed at Promoting physical activity as preventive measure for obesity and diabetes amongst Asian Indian adolescent girls, THANDAV (Taking HIIT And Dance to Adolescents for Victory over NCDs) was curated and inspired based on the Indian dance forms, as a unique regimen to combat NCDs (Non Communicable Diseases) through a culturally sensitive physical performance. Attended by a record number of over 3000 doctors from across India, the three day conference was inaugurated by the Chief Guest Dr. Andrew J. Boulton, President-Elect, International Diabetes Federation in the presence of Dr. Satish K. Garg, Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics & Director of Adult Diabetes Program, Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, Colorado, USA - Dr. A. Muruganathan, Governor, American College of Physicians(ACP), India Chapter and other renowned practitioners from the field of Diabetes Management. Currently in its 11th year, Dr. Mohan’s Education Academy conducts the annual International Diabetes Update with an aim to increase awareness and update knowledge on basic epidemics of diabetes. This year for the first time, the update is being organized in collaboration with ATDC (Achieve Targets in Diabetes Care ) of the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes, Denver, Colorado, USA and is supported by American College of Physicians(ACP), India Chapter. Commenting on the occasion, Dr. V. Mohan, Organizing Chairman of the Diabetes Update and Chairman, Dr. Mohan’s Group of Diabetes Institutions, said “Over the past five years, Dr. Mohan’s International Diabetes Update has earned its place as the most awaited event on diabetes in India. Year on year, the conference helps enable physicians with the latest knowledge in the field of diabetes management for an improved assistance to patients. The main aim of the Diabetes Update is to help clinicians and scientists to keep abreast with the latest advancements in diabetes prevention and management. This year, the 6 th edition of the Update includes eminent line-up of International & National Faculty who will provide a wonderful academic feast.” Dr. R .M. Anjana, Member Organizing Committee and Managing Director, Dr. Mohan’s Group of Diabetes Institutions said, “Scientific program of the Update will take place over three days, featuring high-level speakers from India and rest of the world. We have a special women centric workshop on “Diabetes and the importance of lifestyle modification”. This workshop will enable participants to keep abreast of the latest information on the link between dietary patterns and physical activity and their significant impact on metabolic health and diabetes. In addition, for the first time in India, the workshop will showcase a culturally sensitive and appropriate high-intensity exercise regimen which has been developed based on Indian dance forms- the THANDAV (Taking HIIT and Dance to Adolescents for Victory over NCDs).” Dr. Ranjit Unnikrishnan, Member Organizing Committee and Vice Chairman, Dr.Mohan’s Group of Diabetes Institutions, further elaborated “As always, the update will bring together the best of diabetes researchers and clinicians from all over the world to discuss topics of general and special interest. The Update will provide unique opportunities for diabetes professionals to share ideas, learn about significant advancements and make important connections. Orations, lectures, themed symposia and workshops will cover the entire gamut of Diabetology from bench to bedside” Dr. Guha Pradeepa, Member Organizing Committee and Head, Research Operations, Madras Diabetes Research Foundation said, “The Update will help to tackle a broad range of diabetes issues, from latest scientific advances to cutting-edge information on prevention, management and awareness. For this edition of the Update, more than 3000 delegates are participating and we have over 100 National and International Faculty working in the field of diabetes contributing to the scientific program. The scientific program has special sessions on emerging therapies in diabetes, challenges in management, workshops on insulin, diabetic retinopathy, gestational diabetes, panel discussions and many others.” This year the International Diabetes Update had several eminent clinicians and scientists as International Faculty including Dr. Andrew J. Boulton, Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Manchester and Consultant Physician at Manchester Royal Infirmary, UK and President-Elect, International Diabetes Federation, Dr. John C. Pickup, Emeritus Professor, Department of Diabetes and Metabolism, King’s College London, UK , and the Editor of the famous Pickup’s Textbook of Diabetes, Dr. Satish K. Garg, Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics & Director of Adult Diabetes Program, Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, Colorado, US and many more. On the whole it featured a gamut of who is who of senior diabetologists and scientists working in the field of diabetes from India and across the globe. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14295/doconline-to-implement-e-phc-services-at-phc-systems-in-uttar-pradesh.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14295/doconline-to-implement-e-phc-services-at-phc-systems-in-uttar-pradesh.html Fri, 26 Jul 2019 15:00:00 +0530 DocOnline ,a leading online healthcare consultation platform announced the bagging of an order to implement e-PHC services at Primary Health Centres in Uttar Pradesh. As part of the PPP project DocOnline will run couple of e-PHCs or digital dispensaries across major districts of UP to provide complete Healthcare solutions to the citizens of these locations. Citizens are entitled to these services at no cost. DocOnline will establish and manage these centres for a period of 3 years.  The digital dispensary shall enable online doctor consultation, conduct basic investigations & diagnostic tests and distribute medicine as may be prescribed. The digital dispensaries shall be operational for minimum of 8 (eight) hours every day and 6 (six) working days every week. Healthcare delivery in these regions is plagued by various challenges that include non-availability of doctors due to extreme shortage or absenteeism, pilferage of medicines, lack of basic lab facilities, non-qualified nurses to treat urgent cases amongst others.  “Increasingly we are finding that technology will play a pivotal role in addressing the healthcare challenges of affordability, accessibility, awareness and quality in India. Technology based delivery is helping us expand our footprint in the country with ease and in providing innovative solutions such as the digital dispensaries to improve the overall healthcare requirements even in remote regions.  Our vision is to create a healthier life for all people in India and we will continue to use latest in the technology to shape these creative healthcare solutions.”, said Mr. Markus Moding, CEO DocOnline. As per various reports, though doctor availability and access in certain urban areas is improving, but still the gap (doctor/patient ~ 1/19972) in Uttar Pradesh is huge and in most part of the country it’s an escalating concern. Technological revolution has a huge opportunity to address the demand supply gap in the requirement of 400,000 more doctors by 2020 to a large extent, which otherwise is unlikely to be met. How DocOnline will make a difference DocOnline will equip each of the PHC locations provided by the government, approximately around 1000-1500 sq. ft comprising of 2-3 rooms with a bed, lab testing facilities and a trained lab technician, a nurse and video conference equipment.  A state of art automatic dispensing system placed at each of the centres will ensure not only correct medicine basis the prescription is dispensed but also drastically lowers the pilferage.  DocOnline through its hi-tech virtual doctor consultation platform will ensure that doctors are available constantly during specified times for all patients walking into the PHC across the 10 locations to consult via video at these locations. Patients can also take advantage of consulting specialists for the first time through these digital dispensaries, due to access to DocOnline’s extensive panel of doctors. 24/7 Power back-up systems will ensure that there is continuity in delivery of the services. Typically, primary healthcare centres witness complaints of snake, dog and scorpion bites apart from cold, cough fever and pregnancy cases. Nurses stationed at the centre are extensively trained and fully equipped to handle such emergencies. Commenting on the implementation of the e-PHCs Mr. Rahul Paith, Chief Operations Officer & Head of Government Affairs– DocOnline said, “These solutions provide for multiple benefits to large number of stakeholders – patient, physician and the hospitals leading to timely, cost effective and quality healthcare delivery and reducing the burden on the government. Affordable accessibility to quality and specialised healthcare to the patients. For the physicians it means improved diagnosis and better treatment management, access to computerized, comprehensive data (text, voice, images etc.) of patients – offline as well as in real time, quick and timely follow-up of patients discharged after palliative care and continuing education or training through video conferencing periodically. And significant reduction in unnecessary visits & hospitalization for specialized care at tertiary hospitals, earlier discharge of patients leading to shorter length of stay in hospitals, increase in the scope of services without creating physical infrastructure in remote hospitals.” As per the contract DocOnline will operationalize these from middle of September’19 and serve lakhs of patients every month and conduct online doctor consultations for this project.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14290/portea-medical-launches-healthcare-service-for-elderly.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14290/portea-medical-launches-healthcare-service-for-elderly.html Fri, 26 Jul 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Portea has launched an exclusive healthcare service for people above 65 years of age. The service line called Portea Health Prime is designed to address the comprehensive health monitoring needs of elders. Through this membership-based service, elders will get an assigned doctor for their health screening, and a personal health manager for addressing all their healthcare needs and appointments. It also includes personalized wellness plans such as lab tests, physiotherapy, dental checkups, specialist consultations, diabetes care, etc. Coimbatore is a favorite city for retirees, due to its weather and infrastructure. However, the health care ecosystem in the city is not completely evolved to support home healthcare needs for seniors who might not want to visit a hospital for every need. Portea Health Prime is thus designed to address basic but essential requirements such as doctor supervision and assistance in getting various health care services. The membership includes a dedicated health manager for every individual and regular home visit by doctors and will prove to be a complete solution for elders. The offerings have been further tailormade for Coimbatore residents through a partnership with Dr Rahul Padmanabhan. He is a clinical gerontologist and wellness consultant and holds a Masters’ degree in Applied Gerontology and Wellness Management from Ball State University, USA. Dr Padmanabhan has been working for eldercare in Coimbatore since more than a decade. Speaking about this, Vaibhav Tewari, COO, Portea Medical, said, “Portea is setting new benchmarks in India’s healthcare ecosystem by providing hospital-quality care at the patients’ homes. Through Portea Health Prime, we aim to extend the same high-quality care to senior citizens who can benefit greatly with a customized care plan developed in consultation with their treating doctor. This service has already been launched in NCR and Bangalore and we’re getting great reviews from those who have availed it for their parents. We expect to serve the large elder community of Coimbatore city through this advanced comprehensive product offering.” Dr Rahul Padmanabhan, commented on the association “When it comes to elders, preventive and primary care is the most cost-effective way to keep them healthy. Over the years, I have treated thousands of patients both at my clinic and at their homes. I feel that Portea Health Prime is the right offering to keep elders healthy and ensure the well-being of the recuperating elders. With the right partners in place now, I am confident of raising the bar in elder healthcare not only in Coimbatore but also the entire state of Tamil Nadu.” The new offering is developed by Portea’s doctors, geriatric consultants, and follows international protocols designed for geriatric care. Digitized health records; integrated reports and sophisticated monitoring systems will use technology to offer a medically superior patient experience.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14288/doctors-at-fortis-vasant-kunj-fhvk-perform-first-simultaneous-open-heart-surgery-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14288/doctors-at-fortis-vasant-kunj-fhvk-perform-first-simultaneous-open-heart-surgery-.html Thu, 25 Jul 2019 16:35:00 +0530 A team of doctors from Fortis Flt. Lt. Rajan Dhall Hospital, Vasant Kunj, consisting of oncologists, cardiologists, radiologists, anesthesiologists and critical care specialists, conducted simultaneous open-heart surgery and segmental mastectomy under general anesthesia on a 55-year-old patient from Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. The treating team consisted of Dr. Mandeep Malhotra, Dr. Tapan Ghose and Dr. Sanjay Gupta. This form of dual surgery is rare and the first of its kind. Dr Sanjay Gupta, Director, Cardiac Surgery/ Cardio Thoracic Vascular Surgery FHVK said, “Another challenge under the circumstances was that immunotherapy and certain chemotherapeutic drugs, sometimes cause weakening of heart, therefore heart function should be at its optimum best to withstand the treatment. The Atrial Myxoma can form a thrombus, rupture and lodge itself in the internal organs causing a stroke. Also increase in its size can compromise the heart functions. The presence of a tumor in the body had increased the risk of a stroke, and the myxoma compounded this risk. Cancer by itself is a thrombogenic state, chances of stroke are more. If we plan to operate before the breast, it will take at least 4 to 5 weeks for patient to recover from open heart surgery which is ample enough time for stage III cancer to become Stage IV. Starting Breast Cancer treatment before addressing heart tumor, increases the risk of the chances of breast cancer treatment being stopped in case of adverse effects on heart due to treatment drugs which will also affect patient's life.” Dr. Mandeep Malhotra Head, Department of Head Neck and Breast Oncoplasty, FHVK shared, “The histopathology of the patient proved that she was suffering from stage 3 breast cancer with an atrial myxoma. Profiling showed that she was an ideal candidate for targeted therapy in the form of Trazatususmab, which often causes weakening of the heart. Had we operated the heart only, delaying the surgery for breast, then this could have led to progression of cancer impacting the patient's survival. Therefore, in order to ensure survival and proper treatment, the heart needed to be stable. Only then could the treatment for the breast cancer be properly administered and completed.  It was, therefore, decided in our medical board in consultation with the patient, that both the operations would be done together, and the patient would be placed under general anesthesia. She then underwent an open-heart surgery first, and after the chest was closed and the patient stabilized, the breast was operated on, to remove the cancer. She was kept in the ICU for 48 hours, following which she was shifted to the ward. Her post-operative period was smooth and she was discharged on the 7th day, post her surgery. At present the patient's main tumor or disease load due of Breast Cancer has gone, heart has been optimized to withstand the chemotherapy and Targeted Therapy to prevent the Breast cancer from coming back.” Dr Tapan Ghose, Director, Cardiology, FHVK added, “During the heart surgery, the patient was put on a heart-lung machine and administered blood thinners. Therefore, the second surgery had to be meticulously performed to avoid bleeding. The team also took all precautions to keep the patient stable for the second surgery and optimize her heart to bear targeted therapy and chemotherapy. She is now free to take the necessary therapy for the next few months, to be completely cured of breast cancer.” Mangla Dembi, Facility Director, FHVK said, “Two major operations in one sitting is in itself a major challenge. We appreciate the courage and will of the patient and her family, and also the faith they had in our team and institute. Our competent, experienced anesthesia and critical care teams who are highly equipped, was a major reassurance. Conducting two major surgeries simultaneously is a rare case. We are satisfied with our considered decision and the procedure was seamless.  The patient is recovering well and her previously undetected heart problem has also been dealt with, alleviating the future risk of stroke and thrombus formation.” The patient was presented to the hospital with a cancer in her right breast. A CT scan of her chest revealed clear lungs, but a malignant mass in her breast and something in her heart (left atrium) which was asymptomatic. The cardiology team then proceeded with further tests - a 2D echocardiograph, angiography and a trans-esophageal echocardiography – which suggested that the mass or lesion in the heart was an atrial myxoma, a benign cardiac tumor. With the presentation of evidence of two separate tumors – one in the breast and one in the heart, treatment options were narrowed. The team assessed the situation as the malignant tumor in the breast needed to be treated urgently and treatment involved surgery, chemotherapy, targeted immunotherapy, radiation and hormonal therapy.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14280/cdsa-supports-launch-of-icmr-tb-vaccine-trial-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14280/cdsa-supports-launch-of-icmr-tb-vaccine-trial-.html Thu, 25 Jul 2019 11:25:00 +0530 This is the first-ever government led vaccine trial after the BCG vaccine trial that was undertaken decades ago. After a detailed land scape analysis of the available vaccine candidates, two potential vaccines were shortlisted for a ICMR led Phase III trial of 12000 healthy house hold contacts of sputum smear positive TB patients. Clinical Development Services Agency (CDSA), launched by Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India in 2009, has provided study start-up support to all sites and oversaw the recruitment and vaccination of the first participant at National Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases (NITRD) New Delhi on 15th July 2019. The trial launch at NITRD, Delhi was attended by Dr. Balram Bhargava, Secretary, DHR & Director General, ICMR, Dr. Rohit Sarin – Director, NITRD, Dr. Manjula Singh- Scientist “E” EDC, ITRC-ICMR project team and CDSA team members - Dr. Monika Bahl, Ms. Shubhra Bansal,  Mr. Tarun Puri and Ms. Jinisha Shukla. Dr. Bhargava emphasised the need in India where the disease is endemic for clinical trials to show that the vaccine is safe and effective. Participants will be recruited from twelve sites in six states—Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa, Tamil Nadu and Telangana. CDSA is an extramural unit of Translational Health Science & Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14278/abbott-its-fogsi-to-raise-awareness-on-thyroid-screening-in-pregnant-women.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14278/abbott-its-fogsi-to-raise-awareness-on-thyroid-screening-in-pregnant-women.html Thu, 25 Jul 2019 11:05:00 +0530 Indian Thyroid society (ITS) has been working towards creating awareness about thyroid disorders, with focus on maternal and child health, for over a decade. Under its campaign, Making India Thyroid Aware (MITA) and in partnership with Abbott India, ITS seeks to drive awareness amongst doctors and patients for early diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disorders amongst women in the age group of 25 to 45 years. MITA drives education amongst healthcare professionals to improve diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disorders, with respect to patients with conditions such as pregnancy, diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, PCOS and infertility. In 2017-18, Abbott extended an unconditional grant to Federation of Obstetric and Gynecological Societies of India (FOGSI) to develop the first online certificate course on thyroid. Endorsed by ITS and awarded by the Indian College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ICOG), the 15-credit hour course on “Diagnosis & Management of Thyroid Disorders in Pregnancy” has catered to almost 10,000 gynecologists till date. Following this success, FOGSI plans to offer this program in neighboring countries. In 2018-19, Abbott collaborated with ITS and FOGSI to launch a first-in-kind program to educate gynecologists on the importance of diagnosing and treating thyroid disorders during pregnancy, as well as in young adolescent women and adult women. These Metabolic Women’s Health workshops will be conducted through 35 sessions across India, engaging 3,500 gynecologists. This year, Abbott, ITS and FOGSI plan to educate another 20,000 physicians and gynecologists across the country. MITA also aims to provide affordable diagnosis to those suspected of thyroid disorder to facilitate confirmation and treatment in partnership with NABH accredited laboratory chains ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14277/cabinet-approves-merger-of-nimh-with-icmr.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14277/cabinet-approves-merger-of-nimh-with-icmr.html Wed, 24 Jul 2019 20:50:00 +0530 The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved to dissolve National Institute of Miners' Health (NIMH), an autonomous Institute under Ministry of Mines (MoM) and merge / amalgamate with ICMR-National Institute of Occupational Health (NIOH), Ahmedabad, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoH&FW) with all assets and liabilities; and absorb all the employees of NIMH in NIOH in the similar post/pay scale as the case may be and their pay be protected. NIMH, ICMR, NIOH, MoM and Department of Health Research (DHR), MoH&FW to take actions required for effecting dissolution and merger/amalgamation of NIMH with NIOH. Impact:       The merger / amalgamation of NIMH with NIOH will prove beneficial to both the Institutes in term of enhanced expertise in the field of occupational health besides the efficient management of public money. Background: NIMH was set up by Government of India in 1990 and registered as a Society under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act, 1960. The registered office of NIMH is located at Kolar Gold Fields, Karnataka and the Central Laboratory in Nagpur. The Institute conducts applied research in occupational health and hygiene and specializes in providing technical support services to mining and mineral based industry with special reference to metalliferous sector and endeavors for safe mines and healthy miners through research & development. The focus areas of NIOH include a vast array of areas related to occupational health which also includes, occupational medicine and occupational hygiene. In the context of review of working and performance of autonomous institutes, Expenditure Management Commission recommended, inter-alia, that- "Organisations with similar objectives can be considered for merger to encourage synergy in operations and reduction in cost". Accordingly, recommended merger of NIMH with NIOH. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14276/swasti-health-catalyst-join-hands-with-marks-spencer-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14276/swasti-health-catalyst-join-hands-with-marks-spencer-.html Wed, 24 Jul 2019 15:55:00 +0530 Growth of urban centres are often accompanied by a splurge of urban slums in small clusters. Nestled in the heart of Gurugram, is the retrograded urban poor settlements of Mohammadpur. There are about 60,000 people dwelling in Mohammadpur, out of which more than 25,000 people are migrants working in the nearby factories. These migrant community members primarily come from rural areas of Bihar, UP, and Jharkhand. This semi-urban, semi-rural community face several challenges in creating a healthy and safe environment due to lack of access to healthcare services, clean water and waste management system. Combined with widespread cases of gender-based violence, the situation in Mohammadpur is grim. Upon observing the grim situation in this locality, Swasti Health Catalyst, India based not for profit in partnership with Marks & Spencer, an international  brand, have taken up the initiative to address the challenges faced by the community in Mohammadpur and transform the lives of at least 11,000 people by September 2019. Under the program, community members are sensitized about their wellbeing through healthy living and gender equality. Members of the community are made aware about nutrition, menstrual health, reproductive health, mental health, legal literacy, social protection and norms, various forms of gender-based inequalities as well as foundational life skills. In order to create a healthier environment for the community, Swasti initiated a sanitation and cleanliness campaign called Mission Swachh Mohammadpur with the support of Municipal Corporation of Gurugram and ECOgreen. While men have higher rates of disease morbidity for major diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria and others; a large proportion of women die since they are brought for diagnosis and treatment at severe or last stages. Hence, to prevent such instances, it must be fortified that universal health coverage and financial protection reaches every woman. Keeping the context in mind, the gender equality is a cross cutting theme within Swasti’s Invest for Wellness programme in Mohammadpur is designed with a combination of health and wealth interventions for the poor in an affordable, quality assured and scalable way. Commenting on the initiative, Shaonli Chakraborty, Urban Health and Gender Lead, Invest for Wellness, flagship programme, Swasti Health Catalyst said, “Swasti advocates for better health and well-being for everyone with an ecosystem approach, especially women and girls from the marginalised community. Following the belief that women and girls have the right to choose for their health, we facilitate it by providing access to information and facilitate services related to health, gender rights, gender equality and nutritional benefits under Invest for Wellness (i4We) programme” “We build capacities of women to maintain cleanliness and hygiene, conduct regular trainings to ensure they are well informed. Through the model we aim to establish an affordable and accessible primary healthcare system, so that the community members are benefitted,” She added. Ranjeeb Sarma, who is heading CSR and Sustainability at Marks & Spencer India commented, “We are proud to e have partnered with Swasti’s flagship programme, ICHW to drive the behavioral change programme in Mohammadpur. The programme has immensely impacted the lives of the local people There has been an increase in the level of awareness among resident families on issues related to health, hygiene and gender equality. We look forward to the continuing to work in partnership to create a -lasting impact within the community.” Other community engagements such as movie screening around socially relevant movies, nukkad nataks (street plays) around gender equality, Taekwondo for youth empowerment, support group formations, sanitation drive for cleanliness have been undertaken to improve the living conditions. It is important to continue to promote the shift in attitudes and behaviour towards better hygiene and health. Swasti Health Catalyst, founded in 2004, is a springboard from where innovative solutions are developed, adapted or scaled to create transformative changes in the lives of the poorest communities. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14266/uae-india-humanitarian-medical-mission-helps-yemen-citizens-to-get-treatment-at-medeor-hospital.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14266/uae-india-humanitarian-medical-mission-helps-yemen-citizens-to-get-treatment-at-medeor-hospital.html Tue, 23 Jul 2019 17:55:00 +0530 Abdullah Saleh Hassen, Ms. Fatima Mohammad Ali Mohasen, Abul Rehman Ali and Abdullah Mahdi Saleh Mohammed are among those 1000 war-injured Yemen soldiers and civilians who faced severe bullet and blast injuries during the civil war and recently underwent treatment at Medeor Hospital in India. India’s medical excellence and support from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government helped them and hundreds of war-injured fellow citizens to lead a normal active life again. The UAE government brought several batches of victims from war-torn Yemen to India for better treatment. The recent batch (June) comprises of 26 Yemen citizens who were victims of the blast, bullet, and other injuries. The patients are undergoing treatment at Medeor Hospital here. The patients were attended by an expert team of doctors and staff from various departments such as Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, General Surgery, Plastic Surgery, and Ophthalmic surgery. Dr Ahmed Albanna, UAE Ambassdor to India said, “UAE has strongest bilateral tie-ups for cooperation and collaborations. Healthcare is one of the most important area of collaboration. UAE government, as its international responsibility and humanitarian aid, chose VPS Healthcare-Medeor Hospital as its partner to provide healthcare facilities to war-injured Yemen people in India. Since July 2016 till date we have provided medical help to over 1,000 Yemen people in India.” UAE is providing all kinds of medical and rehabitation support to Yemen. Dr.Shamsheer Vayalil, Chairman and Managing Director of VPS Healthcare said, “The mission was initiated by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. We are extremely privileged that the UAE government has kept the trust upon us to send the Yemini patients to our hospital in India for treatment.  We have formed a special team of specialist doctors and nurses to attend the batch of patients. We are providing them with the best of the facilities and care.” The patients from Yemen were brought to New Delhi as part of the bilateral relationships between India and UAE. The Indian government has issued a medical attendance visa for these patients. The success of this mission could be attributed to the good relationship maintained by both countries. Dr. Shajir Gaffar, Group Director, BD, VPS Healthcare, said, “India’s medical excellence is well established in the world. The UAE leadership chose us due to our excellence in healthcare in terms of quality and affordability. We hope to accomplish this humanitarian mission with a sense of brotherhood; commitment to serving people in need, providing the best-in-class multi-specialty services, and compassion. The diversity and extent of our network-enabled patients to be referred from remotely located Yemen to more centralized and super-specialty hospitals like Medeor.” The UAE-India Medical Mission began in 2017. To date over 600 patients have been successfully treated in India. Most of the patients need multi-disciplinary treatments and were required to undergo orthopaedic, plastic, general and neurosurgery to make full recovery. Detailing the initiative, Rajiv Misra, Regional COO, Medeor Hospital, New Delhi said, “India has been well-known for medical tourism due to its world-class medical and clinical expertise. As part of the UAE government’s compassionate mission to help victims of war, patients have been sent to our hospital in batches. A large group of UAE government officials and doctors regularly visit the hospital for follow-up with the patients to ensure their well-being.”  “Yemen is facing the world’s worst humanitarian crisis and people there desperately need quality healthcare to overcome war injuries. The wounded have been flown to India for specialised treatment. VPS Healthcare –Medeor’s compassion & tender touch, highly qualified team experts and our expertise in treating international patients helped patients from Yemen both medically and psychologically,” he added.  This action of the UAE government to extend a helping arm has come as a great relief to those people in Yemen who were deprived of hope and disillusioned by the armed rebellion. “Our medical infrastructure and the capability of doctors to provide a full range of multi-disciplinary treatment have led to successfully curing patients who have gone back, thanking India and the UAE’s generosity for medical support and recovery,” said Marwan Haji Nasser, Director, VPS Healthcare During the Conference, a few patients from the current batch narrated their trauma and said they had severe injuries and had been undergoing treatment in their country for long. But limited medical and clinical expertise nearly made them lose hope of ever getting well. It was then that they sought help from the UAE government and was sent to India for treatment. Renowned Orthopaedician and Chairman, Department of Orthopedics, Medeor Hospital, New Delhi, Dr. PK Dave said, “Most of the patients had undergone multiple surgeries earlier and that made our tasks tough. Bullet and blast injuries severely affected their knees, elbows, and joints.  We performed surgeries and did joint replacements to provide them relief and a normal-active life.” The patients from Yemen were brought to New Delhi as part of the bilateral relationships between India and UAE. The Indian government has issued a medical attendance visa for these patients which is valid for six months. The success of this mission could be attributed to the good relationship maintained by both countries.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14253/find-ilbs-calls-for-joint-action-against-hepatitis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14253/find-ilbs-calls-for-joint-action-against-hepatitis.html Tue, 23 Jul 2019 11:10:00 +0530 The Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) and the Institute for Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) organized a daylong conference ‘Marching together to achieve Hepatitis C elimination – targets and action’ in New Delhi as a run-up to World Hepatitis Day 2019. The conference saw the launch of the “Delhi Model” – a result of the HEAD-Start project, which highlights that decentralized screening and treatment management at the primary health care level is the way forward for tackling HCV in Delhi. The ‘Delhi Model’ underpins the work undertaken by FIND and ILBS under the guidance of the Directorate of Health Services (DHS), Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of NCT of Delhi. The booklet and a poster on HCV awareness were released by Mr Vikas Sheel, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India along with other dignitaries on the dais. The event will be followed by hepatitis C screenings camps across polyclinics under the Head-Start project. Dr S K Sarin, Director, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) said, “The implementation of the HEAD-Start project in Delhi has been possible, thanks to the support of FIND and the Government of NCT Delhi.  ILBS has a great team which combines medical and operational capabilities. I would like to reiterate that we need to use elimination as a target and not just control. ILBS has taken a few steps – we are a WHO Centre for NVHCP – but we need to do more and reach out to unreached areas. So far, we have trained 4500 health workers and are running programmes for doctors on liver therapy areas through live cases and demos. ILBS would also like to offer our services through the UNAIDS to the African countries and Nepal. The Delhi Government has been a significant ally in all our initiatives  – our steps are just a small drop as of now, so it is essential to march together as the journey really starts now.” Acknowledging the combined efforts of organizations like ILBS  and FIND, Dr Vikas Sheel, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said, “While access to basic treatment services is available,  we intend to take this initiative further down to sub-district level, starting with all district hospitals, then block and PHC levels. We are going to start our national toll-free helpline for both TB and Hepatitis from 28th July 2019 to enable people to know more about the diseases and access treatment services. We are aiming to establish a patient registry service maintaining patient confidentiality through our website with the support of all key stakeholders. All these joint efforts (HEAD-Start project) should reflect on the NVHCP portal – we need to do more on surveillance to control new infections and provide treatment to existing patients – all of us need to work together in this endeavor. Some of the key challenges before us are tackling stigma, providing varied solutions to empower people with information and treatment access. Injection safety is another key issue especially w.r.t to informal service providers – we, therefore, need practical solutions – convergence among various government progammes is also essential. Lastly, there needs to be a mechanism so that stakeholders come together more often to share ideas, best practice models along with the engagement of the private sector.” Dr. Sanjay Sarin, Head of FIND India said “over the last few years, there has been a significant transformation in hepatitis C treatment with the availability of all oral, potent and well-tolerated DAAs which has made it possible to achieve treatment cure rates of more than 90%. Access to accurate, rapid and inexpensive HCV diagnostics, however still remains a challenge. Through the Delhi Model under project Head-Start, we are providing access to HCV screening, diagnosis and treatment through an innovative decentralized model to the general population.” The different sessions of the conference focused on the interventions of the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP), defining targets for public health initiatives and laboratory diagnosis of HCV. A special session was devoted to innovations in viral hepatitis testing and linkages to care. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14250/fortis-doctors-pioneer-rare-laparoscopic-surgery-to-cure-type-ii-diabetes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14250/fortis-doctors-pioneer-rare-laparoscopic-surgery-to-cure-type-ii-diabetes.html Mon, 22 Jul 2019 17:45:00 +0530 The Department of Minimal Access, Bariatric and Gastro Intestinal Surgery, Fortis Memorial Research Institute (FMRI), Gurugram performed a rare laparoscopic surgery to permanently cure Type II diabetes in an Iraqi national. Ayad Khadim Shawal Al-Elay Awi, 43 years, had been suffering from Type II diabetes for the past 15 years and was on the verge of multi-organ failure. Despite multiple medications, his condition was beyond control. A team of doctors led by Dr. Ajay Kumar Kriplani, Director and HOD, Department of Minimal Access Bariatric and GI Surgery (MABGIS), FMRI performed the ‘Ileal Interposition’ via laparoscopy to permanently cure the patient’s diabetes. ‘Ileal Interposition’ surgery is a new and evolving concept, which has been done for the first time in North India. On presentation, Awi had an incredibly high blood sugar (PP) of 354 and a blood sugar (fasting) of 218. The average range for the same is 150 and 110 respectively. Despite taking medication for the last 15 years, there had been no improvement in his condition. His diabetes gradually spiraled out of control. Since he was seeing no results, Awi stopped taking the medications three months prior to his presentation at the hospital. Dr. Ajay Kumar Kriplani, Director and HOD, Department of Minimal Access Bariatric and GI Surgery (MABGIS) said, “Ileal Interposition with sleeve gastrectomy is a key-hole surgery designed for normal and overweight patients with uncontrolled diabetes who can now look forward to achieving complete diabetic remission. Normally after a meal, the food is delivered from the stomach to the proximal small intestine (jejunum), then traverses to distal small intestine (ileum approximately 200 to 250 centimeters long) and lastly to colon or large intestine. The ileal interposition procedure involves the rearrangement of the small intestine so that distal small intestine (ileum) is interposed between stomach and proximal part of the small intestine (jejunum). Undigested food from the stomach is now delivered into distal part of the small intestine (ileum) first and then goes to the proximal part of the small intestine (jejunum). This rearrangement or interposition induces release of certain hormones from the gut, called incretins, which in turn increase insulin secretion from the pancreas and sensitize organs to insulin thus decreasing insulin resistance. This surgery is a first in North India.” Ayad Khadim Shawal Al-Elay Awi shared, “I was on regular insulin for 15 years and despite that my diabetes was unmanageable. When I heard that diabetes can be completely cured with a surgery, I had to get it done. I had my surgery 15 days back and I have not taken a single medicine for diabetes since then. My sugar levels are controlled, and I am happy that I can lead my life free of diabetes now.” Congratulating the team, Dr Ritu Garg, Zonal Director, FMRI said, “Ileal interposition or diabetic surgery is a lifeline for patients who have been struggling with diabetes for a number of years, have uncontrolled sugar despite medication or lifestyle measures and whose organs have started exhibiting signs of early damage due to impact of the condition on the kidney and other organs. Early organ damage may get reversed after diabetes remission due to ileal interposition.  We are happy that our capable team at FMRI has pioneered yet another surgical intervention.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14244/ilbs-to-host-empathy-conclave-2019-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14244/ilbs-to-host-empathy-conclave-2019-.html Mon, 22 Jul 2019 12:15:00 +0530 With 1.5 lakh deaths annually and almost 60 million Indians affected, viral hepatitis continues to be a serious public health concern. In order to create the awareness and accepting the patients as a part of our society, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) is organizing a major conclave in the national capital on the eve of World Hepatitis Day. The major congregation, EMPATHY Conclave 2019, is part of a mega awareness drive on hepatitis started by ILBS. EMPATHY stands for “Empowering People Against Hepatitis”. The day-long conclave will bring together leading healthcare experts, law makers, government representatives, social influencers and prominent personalities from different strata of society to discuss effective ways of addressing the chronic disease. Viral hepatitis has been recognized as an important public health problem not only in India but also across the world. According to WHO estimates, it caused 1.34 million deaths globally in 2015, a number comparable to deaths due to tuberculosis worldwide. Whereas, In India, it is estimated that 4 crore people are suffering from Hepatitis B and 0.6-1.2 crore people are suffering from Hepatitis C. While Tuberculosis remains as the leading infectious cause of death in India, an increasing trend in mortality due to Viral Hepatitis. In response the Government of India launched the National Viral Hepatitis Control program in India of 28th July 2018. Chronic HBV infection accounts for 40-50% of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 20-30% cases of liver cirrhosis and chronic HCV infection accounts for 12-32% of HCC and 12-20% of liver cirrhosis in the country. Mother to Child transmission of HBV is considered to be the most common mode of transmission for HBV. However, the HBV infection is both preventable by a very effective vaccine as well as treatable with oral drugs. The first dose is given to the infant as early as possible after birth, preferably within 24 hours, followed by 3 doses at 6, 10 and 14 weeks is known to prevent transmission in > 90% perinatal HBV transmission. Vaccine can be given to both children and adults. Further, tests for Hepatitis C are both cheap and widely available, and it has an effective, low cost treatment of 12-24 weeks, free availability of is now being scaled-up by Government of India.  The conclave will focus on spreading awareness about HBV & HCV and address the stigma associated with the disease by encouraging dialogue among policy makers, program managers, care providers, civil society and the patients. Since one of the routes of transmission of these infections is unsafe sexual practices with an affected person besides blood transfusion; a person feels guilty to open up about the disease. The fear of being diagnosed or status being revealed to family members often keeps people away from getting tested, seeking effective treatment and preventive measures. This can lead to worsening health outcomes. In addition, some institutions maintain discriminatory policies and practices that prevent individuals living with chronic viral hepatitis from pursuing professional opportunities even though hepatitis B is vaccine preventable and hepatitis B and C are treatable. Stigma has a direct detrimental influence on mental and physical health. In some situations, the discovery of the disease or the beginning of the treatment can lead to significant changes in the lives of patients. Many patients with chronic hepatitis experience shame, decreased self-esteem, fear, depression, and isolation. There is a sense of guilt where they hide the disease or attribute it to themselves for being careless. “Several initiatives are currently being undertaken by the Government under the National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (NVHCP), to improve access to vaccines, diagnostics and treatment for patients and those at risk. However, the stigma and discrimination associated with these infections is a significant hindrance to care-seeking, treatment compliance and mother to child transmission mainstreaming. That’s the reason of rise in hepatitis related deaths. It is vital to take steps to prevent the infection & keep your liver healthy. Through our EMPATHY conclave and associated campaign, we want to create a change in the mindset of the people,” said Dr. (Prof.) S.K. Sarin, Director, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences. ILBS has been spearheading a nation-wide campaign to make people aware about Hepatitis B & C. The cause is being implemented with support from the Airports Authority of India (AAI). EMPATHY Campaign is focused on generating community dialogue for empowering people against Hepatitis B & C, by implementing a mix of call to action initiatives, awareness camps, mass media and social media campaign in conjunction with each other. Over the last year, several initiatives have been undertaken, like creation of EMPATHY Network of People living with hepatitis B & C, several call to action initiatives, such as I pledge…(my support), Art For a cause, Let’s Talk Hepatitis, to name a few. Six time world boxing champion, Mc Mary Kom is now the brand ambassador for the Empathy Campaign. The campaign has reached out to several public and private organizations engaging them in the cause. As part of the campaign, the work force in these organizations are also taking pledge for the cause and to make people know about the disease and encourage them to disapprove any kind of discrimination against those living with Hepatitis.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14243/clove-dental-launches-four-new-clinics-in-chandigarh.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14243/clove-dental-launches-four-new-clinics-in-chandigarh.html Mon, 22 Jul 2019 11:55:00 +0530 Clove Dental has announced the launch of four more clinics in Chandigarh adding that the new launches now take the total count of clinics to 16. Chandigarh, the city which has been known as a pensioners’ paradise, also has seen rapid urban development due to the emergence of outsourcing services and IT services. Besides, the availability of advance health expertise here makes the city most sought after for healthcare needs for the neighbouring states as well. Thus, the city needs more avenues offering quality and affordable dental treatment, especially in the Tri-city area. Highlighting the uniqueness of what makes Clove Dental special, Dr Pankaj Kaushik said, “Clove clinics offer latest advancements in dental technology and equipment to ensure quality healthcare for the patients. Clinic operatory areas are chemically sterilized and all surfaces are treated with disinfectants after each patient visit to ensure 100% sterilization.” “Our clinics are fitted with state-of-the-art equipment and technology and offer the highest thresholds for hygiene, clinic safety, transparency, ethics, and customer service. Our Four-Step Protocol guarantees that each instrument and surface that comes in contact with patients is thoroughly sterilized prior to the next patient’s consult,” he added.   Lt Gen (Retd) Dr Vimal Arora, Chief Clinical Officer, Clove Dental said, “Apart from precision in operations, technology, investment, and ethics, we have laid crucial and indispensable emphasis on the following core values: trust, respect, and integrity. The trust of patients through clinical quality, hygiene, and excellence in service; the respect of customers, team members, vendors and support staff through compassion, cooperation, rights, and privacy; and integrity in ethics, honesty, learning, and conflicts of interest have been the pillars of the Clove environment and culture. Keeping in mind the growth of Tri- city area Clove Dental can see taking the total number of clinics in the city to 50 in the future.” One of the big challenges for dentistry is the lack of quality infrastructure and adequate training to dental graduates. Against a WHO-recommended dentist to population ratio of 1:7500, our ratio is 1:10271 in urban areas and 1:150,000 in rural areas. We are working in this direction. “Our state-of-art clinics based on best global standards will go a long way in raising the benchmark in dentistry in India,” added Dr Arora.   Clove Dental is working to expand dental facilities in India and to achieve its milestone of 600 clinics by 2021.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14240/blk-super-speciality-hospital-opens-multi-specialty-clinic-in-south-delhi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14240/blk-super-speciality-hospital-opens-multi-specialty-clinic-in-south-delhi.html Mon, 22 Jul 2019 11:45:00 +0530 BLK Super Specialty Hospital recently announced the opening of a multispecialty Clinic for South Delhi residents. The Clinic, located in Safdarjung Enclave is now operational with a health check-up camp wherein consultations in Orthopaedics, Joint Replacement, Cardiology, and Gastroenterology were given and more than 100 people from neighbouring Resident Welfare Associations availed the services and tests facilities. Announcing the launch of the Clinic, Dr. Sanjay Mehta, Head Medical Services, BLK Super Specialty Hospital said, “The South Delhi clinic is an initiative to take our quality services to closer to people. It is an effort towards easy access to quality healthcare. The Clinic shall provide specialised services in South Delhi by our highly experienced experts, who will be available to the people of this area on a regular basis. Seeing the remarkable response of the camp today, we are planning to bring more such events in this area in the coming months as well.” The health check-up camp was organised at the Clinic and more than 100 people were screened with free tests for Hypertension, BMD, Blood Sugar, Hb, HbA1C, Hepatitis B&C, Lipid Profile and LKFT (Liver & Kidney Profile). Dr. Bhushan Naraini, Director of Joint Replacement at BLK Super Speciality Hospital said, “We are happy to see the overwhelming response of the camp from neighbouring residents.  We have screened a large number of people who underwent various investigations during the camp including Bone Mineral Density. It was observed that out of all people between the age of 50 to 60 years, 80% have lower bone density, nearly 50-60% people had complaints of back pain and around 30-40% were having joint/knee problems.” “We specialise in the treatment of joint pains with advanced Minimal Invasive Surgery (MIS) for Total Knee replacement as well as replacement of hip, shoulder and elbow joints. With this new clinic, the residents of the entire South Delhi will also be benefitted by the same,” added Dr. Nariani The new Clinic is going to benefit a large number of people including sportspersons. South Delhi has several sports complexes including Tennis Stadium near Safdarjung Enclave, hence sports enthusiasts would be the main beneficiaries and now they will have world-class facilities in neighbourhood to take care of their bone & joint health. Apart from orthopaedics, people would also be benefitted from advanced treatment for Cardiology, Oncology, and Nephrology. The South Delhi Clinic offers specialty services in Joint Replacement, Arthroscopy & Sports Medicine, Gastroenterology, GI Surgery, CTVS & Cardiology, Nephrology, Rheumatology and Medical Oncology. Along with Dr Bhushan Nariani (Joint Replacement), senior specialists from BLK Hospital including Dr Deepak Choudhary (Arthroscopy & Sports Medicine), Dr Ajay Kumar (Gastroenterology), Dr Sunil Prakash (Nephrology), Dr. V.P. Bhalla (GI Surgery), Dr Deep Goel (GI Surgery), Dr Sushant Shrivastava & Dr Gaurav Gupta (CTVS), Dr Neeraj Bhalla ( Cardiology), Dr. Puneet Girdhar (Ortho Spine), Dr Vishal Kaura Aggarwal (Rheumatology) and Dr Saphalta Bagmar (Medical Oncology) will be visiting the Clinic on a regular basis.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14237/fortis-hospital-network-procures-alair-system-to-treat-asthma.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14237/fortis-hospital-network-procures-alair-system-to-treat-asthma.html Mon, 22 Jul 2019 11:20:00 +0530 Estimated prevalence of Asthma in the adult Indian population is 2%, and about 1-2 million Indian adults are estimated to suffer from severe Asthma. To address the needs of this huge patient base, Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi - A Fortis Network Hospital announced the procurement of The Alair System to conduct Bronchial Thermoplasty, today. Dr Prashant Chhajed, HOD-Respiratory Medicine & Interventional Pulmonologist along with Mr Sandeep Guduru, Facility Director, Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi – A Fortis Network Hospital, hosted the inauguration. Patients with severe Asthma undergo comprehensive screening, to identify and treat modifiable factors responsible for poor Asthma control. Subsequently, such patients undergo Bronchial Thermoplasty which uses radiofrequency controlled energy to shrink the bronchial muscles, to improve Asthma control. This procedure is performed through a Bronchoscope which is inserted through the nose or the oral route, in three separate sessions, two to three weeks apart. Excess airway muscle tissue is targeted with mild heat, through The Alair System. After one undergoes Bronchial Thermoplasty, inhalers and other medicines may still be needed, but the dosage and usage requirement can reduce. Post procedure, one may have fewer Asthma attacks, fewer episodes of hospitalization, and fewer ‘zero’ productivity days. Talking about the acquisition and how severe Asthmatics will benefit from this procedure, Dr. Prashant Chhajed, HOD-Respiratory Medicine & Interventional Pulmonologist, Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi-A Fortis Network Hospital, said, “Asthma is a leading public health concern, majority of the patients with Asthma are able to control their symptoms with medications. However, some patients continue to have severe symptoms despite being on proper medications. Bronchial Thermoplasty, in such cases, will help adult patients have better control of their Asthma”. Speaking about the procurement of the Alair Sysytem, Mr Sandeep Guduru, Facility Director, Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi-A Fortis Network Hospital, Mumbai said “We are happy to be Western India’s 1st to have procured the Bronchial Thermoplasty system that will aid patients with severe Asthma and are proud that we are adding another first as an organisation.This revolutionary procedure can be conducted on adults, and as reports suggest, has proven to be beneficial worldwide”. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14226/ilbs-organizes-conference-for-hepatitis-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14226/ilbs-organizes-conference-for-hepatitis-patients.html Fri, 19 Jul 2019 10:05:00 +0530 With 1.5 lakh deaths annually and almost 60 million Indians affected, viral hepatitis continues to be a serious public health concern. However, stigmatization and discrimination against patients hampers the country’s fight against the disease. The need to enact effective policies to fight prejudice and provide psycho social support to patients was at the centre of discussion as experts came together for a conference organized by the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS). India’s leading gastroenterologist & hepatologist Dr S K Sarin, Director of ILBS stressed the need to protect Hepatitis affected people from prejudice and biases while addressing a round table conference on ‘Hepatitis: Detection, Acceptance and Elimination’. He highlighted the need for fighting myths and misconceptions associated with the disease and underlined that Hepatitis B and C were viral infections that can be suppressed with proper treatment. “Several instances of discrimination and rejection against people with Hepatitis have come to light over the past few years including in the field of medicine. Not only have people been denied jobs because of being diagnosed with hepatitis, many are also denied work visas to some countries if they are victims of Hepatitis B. This is why we feel that government should initiate strong policy measures to address discrimination and stigmatization of patients. Enacting a law to ensure Right to Live without discrimination must also be considered,” said Dr Sarin while addressing the conference along with Dr. Anil Agarwal (Head-Administration, ILBS), Lt. Col R S Singh (Deputy Head-Human Resources, ILBS), Dr. Neeraj Raizada (Asst. Professor-Epidemiology and Project Incharge-Empathy Campaign). Notably, the Indian government has already enacted and enforced a law that prohibits discrimination against persons with HIV and AIDS. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency (AIDS) Syndrome (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017 lays down clear guidelines against discrimination and places obligations on establishments to safeguard their rights. ILBS is all set to launch EMPATHY (Empowering People Against Hepatitis) campaign, which is a CSR initiative of Airport Authority of India (AAI), on World Hepatitis Day to address the issue. EMPATHY Conclave 2019 to be held on July 27 is part of a mega awareness drive on hepatitis initiated by ILBS and will bring together leading healthcare experts, law makers, government representatives, social influencers and prominent personalities from different strata of society to discuss effective ways of addressing the chronic disease. “Through our EMPATHY conclave and associated campaign, we want to create a change in the mindset of the people,” he added. According to estimates, 4 crore Indians are suffering from Hepatitis B while almost 1.2 crore have Hepatitis C. However, both Hepatitis B and C can be suppressed with proper treatment. Hepatitis B is vaccine preventable, just with 3 doses (for adults) at 0 day, 30 days and 6 months interval. Hepatitis C is curable, with 12-24 weeks of effective treatment India is the only country where medication for Hepatitis C is available at an affordable rate as compared to western countries.  Unfortunately, the stigma and discrimination associated with these infections is a significant hindrance to care-seeking, treatment compliance and mother to child transmission mainstreaming. “Many patients with chronic hepatitis experience shame, decreased self-esteem, fear, depression, and isolation. There is a sense of guilt where they hide the disease or blame themselves for being careless about prevention. Hepatitis B and C are not communicable or sexually-transmitted disease. They can only happen through blood transfusion,” explained Dr Sarin, underlining that a series of myths and misconceptions about the disease contribute to the stigmatization of patients. Several initiatives are currently being undertaken by the Government under the National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (NVHCP), to improve access to vaccines, diagnostics and treatment for patients and those at risk. It is vital to take steps to prevent the infection & keep your liver healthy. The campaign aims to bring together leading healthcare experts, law makers, government representatives, social influencers and prominent personalities from different strata of society to discuss effective ways of addressing the chronic disease. Viral hepatitis has been recognized as an important public health problem not only in India but also across the world. According to WHO estimates, it caused 1.34 million deaths globally in 2015, a number comparable to deaths due to tuberculosis worldwide. Whereas, In India, it is estimated that 4 crore people are suffering from Hepatitis B and 0.6-1.2 crore people are suffering from Hepatitis C. While Tuberculosis remains as the leading infectious cause of death in India, there is an increasing trend in mortality due to Viral Hepatitis. In response the Government of India launched the National Viral Hepatitis Control program in India of 28th July 2018.   The campaign will focus on spreading awareness about HBV & HCV and address the stigma associated with the disease by encouraging dialogue among policy makers, program managers, care providers, civil society and the patients. The fear of being diagnosed or status being revealed to family members often keeps people away from getting tested, seeking effective treatment and preventive measures. This can lead to worsening health outcomes. ILBS has been spearheading a nation-wide campaign to make people aware about Hepatitis B & C. The cause is being implemented with support from the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Over the last year, the campaign has reached out to several public and private organizations engaging them in the cause. As part of the campaign, the work force in these organizations are also taking pledge for the cause and to make people know about the disease and encourage them to disapprove any kind of discrimination against those living with Hepatitis.        ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14225/h1n1-dengue-patients-on-a-rise-in-mumbai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14225/h1n1-dengue-patients-on-a-rise-in-mumbai.html Fri, 19 Jul 2019 10:00:00 +0530 Monsoon invites a plethora of diseases such as H1N1, dengue, malaria, typhoid, flu, viral fever, and hepatitis which can be life-threatening.  SRV Mamata Hospital, Dombivli,  reported 2 dengue, 2 malaria, and 1 swine flu. Surely, the numbers are harrowing! Hence, Experts have highlighted some preventive measures like avoiding stagnant water which is the perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Monsoon is pleasing and helps you get that much-needed relief from the scorching heat. But, along with that, it can also put you at the risk of fatal diseases like swine flu, dengue, malaria, typhoid, flu, viral fever, Leptospirosis, and hepatitis. The number of inpatients and outpatients related to these diseases are queuing up in the hospitals. According to the data provided by BMC, in the Month of July,they witnessed 8 Dengue, 146 Malaria, 467 Gastro, 138 Hepatitis and 21 cases of Leptospirosis. Dr. Nirmaldutta Thakur, General Physician, SRV Mamata Hospital, Dombivli, said, "With intermittent rains, people can easily fall prey to dengue and malaria, so they need to take adequate precautions. These worrisome diseases can be prevented by avoiding stagnant water near the house, wearing full-sleeved clothes, and opting for insect repellents.” Dr. Vikrant Shah, Internal Medicine Expert, Zen Multispeciality Hospital underscores, “Vector-borne infections, like H1N1, dengue and malaria, have started sprouting as soon as monsoon has arrived in Mumbai. Most H1N1, dengue and malaria patients came to us with atypical symptoms. They represented with no fever, but throat irritation and acute breathlessness."     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14220/aiims-calls-for-dna-testing-facilities-to-stop-sexual-assaults.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14220/aiims-calls-for-dna-testing-facilities-to-stop-sexual-assaults.html Thu, 18 Jul 2019 10:45:00 +0530 In a symposium on the ‘Role of Forensic DNA Technology in Expediting Justice and Fighting Crime, held at India International Centre, an expert panel led by the forensic department of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, called for country-wide implementation of one-stop sexual assault examination, care, and research centres enabled with state-of-the-art DNA collection and testing facilities. Dr Sudhir K Gupta, Head, Department of Forensic Medicine, AIIMS, New Delhi said, “The lack of proper facilities at hospitals has a direct correlation with the quality of DNA evidence collected. The results for the vaginal swabs and semen samples can be analysed quickly to help catch the culprit but currently 80-90% samples do not yield viable results either because they are not collected and sealed properly, or because they are stored at an unsuitable temperature. There is a dire need for educating and training first-line responders on proper collection & handling of DNA samples while at the same time creating dedicated infrastructure to attend to rape survivors.” Even though 40,000 cases of rape have been reported in India every year, post-trauma care that survivors get at authorised hospitals remains poor. Presently, government hospitals just provide a room in the existing gynaecological emergency with no dedicated forensic staff and even send them off to the regular OPD (out-patient department) which can take days. Dr Deepa Verma, Director, Delhi FSL said, “Creation of one-stop sexual assault examination and care centres is a step in the right direction. In any case pertaining to sexual assault or rape at known or unknown sites, forensic evidence needs to be preserved at all costs and handled with care. We have noticed a steady rise in demand for DNA testing and are increasing our capacity to assist investigators. We are planning to constitute specialised trained crime scene examination teams to ensure quick retrieval of forensic evidence while ensuring proper collection and preservation.” Along with AIIMS, other premier medical institutions like KEM Hospital, Mumbai, have also recently taken steps towards setting up dedicated units for examination, testing, and post-trauma care for rape survivors with facilities for physical check-up, treatment of injuries, forensic tests, DNA profiling, and psychiatric counselling—all under one roof. Once operational, the AIIMS centre is expected to take on the role of a nodal agency for setting up similar units in other parts of the country. Dr Harish Pathak, Head of Forensics, KEM Hospital, Mumbai said, “We get over 200 cases of sexual abuse every year but lacked a dedicated space for counselling, medical examination and stay for survivors. Hence, we have constructed a dedicated one-stop centre with special counselling suite where department of forensic medicine along with experts from gynaecology and psychiatry collectively gather history, counsel, conduct medicolegal examination, and collect evidences to prepare combined reports for investigation agencies. We always lay special emphasis on collection of relevant biological samples for DNA analysis wherever and whenever scientifically appropriate as to ensure all precautions and measures are taken for maintaining and documenting chain of custody and sanctity is evidence in such cases.” Tim Schellberg, Founder & President, Gordon Thomas Honeywell—GA noted, “India is adequately aware of the power of DNA. In the 2012 Nirbhaya gangrape trial, the prosecution built an airtight case based on the DNA of the accused found at the crime scene. In such cases, samples should be collected, tested and compared to known suspects immediately. Without an aggressive DNA program, violent criminals and sexual predators will continue to escape punishment; conviction rates will remain low; and justice will elude victims.” As per recent estimates, the number of DNA profiles developed from crime scene evidence has doubled over a year from 10,000 cases tested in 2017 to nearly 20,000 this year. Despite an uptick in the number of profiles being tested, the volume remains low considering that nearly more than 4 cases of rape are registered every hour. Official statistics show a dramatic increase in the number of crimes against women, which have increased more than 80% over 10 years, with only one in 4 rape cases resulting in conviction. Forensic DNA has emerged as the most reliable crime-fighting technology the world over. Many countries are effectively using forensic labs and protocols to collect, test and compare DNA at crime scenes with that of suspects with promising results. Where law machinery world over is increasingly relying on DNA forensics to solve crime, the pace in India has been slow. Lack of scientific methods in investigations and absence of a proper policy framework in the country continue to hamper justice. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14198/lv-prasad-eye-institute-to-treat-chemical-burns-in-eye.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14198/lv-prasad-eye-institute-to-treat-chemical-burns-in-eye.html Thu, 18 Jul 2019 10:00:00 +0530 For the first time a tissue-softening enzyme, collagenase, will be used in patients who have suffered acid attacks or industrial accidents. It follows research by a team from Newcastle University, UK, who earlier this year showed that applying collagenase to the cornea softens the underlying tissue allowing the stem cells situated there to repair any damage. The first-in-man trial will examine how effective the enzyme is at softening the underlying tissue in the eye allowing the patient’s own stem cells to repair the damage and restore the patient’s sight. Every year, about 2 million people worldwide become blind due to corneal trauma, with one in every five cases caused by chemical burns to the eye. The trial involving 30 patients is funded by the Ulverscroft Foundation, a UK charity that supports organisations helping the visually impaired. It will be carried out in collaboration with Dr Sayan Basu and Dr Vivek Singh at the world-renowned LV Prasad Eye Institute in Hyderabad, India. Professor Che Connon, the director of the study and leader of the Tissue Engineering Lab at Newcastle University said: “The simplicity and relative low cost of this therapy compared to existing approaches in which stem cells have to be transplanted is a game-changer. It greatly expands the number of potential patients being treated for corneal burns across the world and may well have applications in other diseases.” Previous research by the Newcastle team recreated the effects of chemical burns in rabbit and donor corneas and treated the wounded, stiffened areas of the cornea using small and localised doses of collagenase. The enzyme made the area once again pliable and able to support the patient’s own stem cells and promote healing. The collagenase formulation has already been approved for related therapeutic applications by both the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicine Agency so the team were quickly able to take it into clinical trial. Dr Ricardo Gouveia, Research Fellow at Newcastle University and lead author of the research is very optimistic about this next stage, he said: “As a scientist it is exceptionally rewarding to be involved in a bench-to-bedside project, using a scientific discovery to create a new treatment that benefits patients and helps improve lives. This is especially true when such work is made possible by the support of an organisation like the Ulverscroft Foundation.” The Ulverscroft Foundation was founded as a charity in 1973 to help visually impaired people. It supports research into the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases, and funds medical equipment and facilities. Suitable participants for the trial will be selected by an assessment team at the LV Prasad Eye Institute in India after rigorous medical and ethical approval, and results from the trial are expected in 2021.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14213/health-ministry-to-launch-campaign-to-accelerate-vector-control-measures.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14213/health-ministry-to-launch-campaign-to-accelerate-vector-control-measures.html Wed, 17 Jul 2019 12:10:00 +0530 Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is all set to launch a special campaign in Delhi to sensitize and mobilise the community on measures for prevention and control of Vector Borne Diseases (VBDs) like Malaria, Dengue and Chikungunya. The three –day campaign is starting from 17th July, 2019. Speaking on the eve of this campaign, Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare stated that this three-day campaign is aimed at making the community a partner for checking vector/mosquito breeding across Delhi. “It is going to be a ‘Peoples Movement’ from 17th to 19th July, 2019 in Delhi through active involvement of people’s representatives, officers from Government of India, Government of NCT Delhi, all three Delhi Municipal Corporations, New Delhi Municipal Council, Railways and Cantonment boardand other stakeholders to combat malaria, dengue and chikungunya”, the Union Health Minister said. “With collective effort and active people’s participation, it is easy to ensure that before the monsoon we make our neighbourhoods and various premises free of mosquitoes”. This is probably the first time that three governments-national, state and local bodies- will converge in their efforts to mobilise the community for a public health activity, he added. Dr Harsh Vardhan further stated that letters have been sent to the Chief Minister of Delhi, all Members of Parliament of Delhi and Mayors of all three Delhi Municipal Corporations for their active involvement in this campaign. “A total of 286 ward-wise teams (in all 272 Municipal wards and 14 locations of NDMC) have been constituted with 20-25 members per team including officers of the Municipal Corporation along with officers from Central Government and Government of NCTD,” he said. The Union Health Minister added that the Northern Railways and Delhi Cantonment Board will also carry out the activities in campaign mode for prevention and control of VBDs in their areas. Outlining the strategy, Dr Harsh Vardhan said that each ward team will comprise members from respective Ward Malaria circle, officers from all civic bodies, Government of NCTD, Central Government and field workers from Municipal Corporations. The concerned Malaria circle incharge will coordinate and the teams will visit residential areas, RWA, schools, hospitals, market associations, etc. Pointing out the activities to be undertaken, Dr Harsh Vardhan said that during the visit of team to schools, the members will meet the Head of the Institution/Principal, teachers and staff includingthe nodal teacher and sensitise them towards keeping the school premises free of vectors. They will also address school children explaining methods for prevention of VBDs, demonstrate the larvae and adults of vector mosquito, distribute the handbills and other communication material and check the school premises, eliminate breeding habitat if any. Wherever needed, larvicide will be applied, the Union Minister said. Dr Harsh Vardhan further elaborated that at the time of visit to the hospitals, the team will meet with the Medical Superintendent/Nodal Officer/Caretaker and sensitize them followed by health talk on prevention and control of VBDs. The team will also place IEC materials with messages on prevention and control of VBDs at strategic locations and interact with patients and accompanied person. The team shall also check the hospitals premises for breeding of vector mosquito, eliminate breeding habitat if any. Wherever needed, larvicide will be applied. Similarly, the teams will also meet the members of Resident Welfare Association and communityand undertake the awareness activities with them, Dr Harsh Vardhan said. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14209/pristyn-care-launches-own-clinic-in-gurgaon.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14209/pristyn-care-launches-own-clinic-in-gurgaon.html Wed, 17 Jul 2019 10:50:00 +0530 Pristyn Care, India’s leading healthcare startup has announced the launch of its own clinic in Gurgaon following its entry into the healthcare sector. The clinic offers specialty services across General Surgery, Gynaecology, ENT and Urology using advanced laser & laparoscopic techniques. On their way to build a strong asset-light model, the healthcare provider has vested a lot of efforts and resources to set-up a hassle-free system for seamless patient experience. The clinic is designed and established with the aim to provide the best possible care to the patients. The ambiance of the clinic is quite refreshing and gives a positive vibe. Patients requiring advanced medical assistance can get direct access to specialized doctors at Pristyn Care Clinic. “The idea was to transform the healthcare services by using improved medical techniques and personalized care to make the patient experience more satisfying. The year-long visioning has helped us to identify areas where we can serve our patients really better,” said Dr. Vaibhav Kapoor, Co-founder, Pristyn Care. “Throughout my journey as a Doctor over the last 10-15 years, I identified a lot of gaps in the Patient Experience in India. The motto of Pristyn Care is to make the Patient Care better than ever,” he added. In our conversation with Dr. Garima Sawhney, Co-founder, Pristyn Care, we found out that the clinic was launched on 1st July 2019, which was also marked as the first anniversary of the organization. This interesting fact showcases the dedication of the team and leadership. Dr. Garima also added that the new model is slightly different from the previous one but the intent & values remain the same. She also mentioned that women have different health and well-being requirements at different stages of their life. Pristyn Care’s experienced surgeons specializing in Laser Gynecology are capable of performing Laser-assisted procedures in the clinic itself. The clinic is designed to connect with women’s innermost desires to keep track of their health. “With the vision to develop a reliant operational system to deliver a seamless surgical experience, we strive to deliver better care, formulate a one-stop solution and remain on top in modern treatments in several categories,” said Harsimarbir Singh, Co-founder Pristyn Care. Pristyn Care, a team of 40+ surgeons now, is not new to its patients. But for those who are yet to know, the healthcare service provider is on the verge of transforming the surgical & healthcare space. With modern procedures, which are safe for every age group, Pristyn Care is shouldering the responsibility of changing the traditional mindset. After financial backing from Sequoia India, Pristyn Care has expanded in Lucknow, Gwalior, Chandigarh, Kanpur Ludhiana, Bhopal, and Agra. Already being operational in Delhi NCR, Bangalore, and Hyderabad, they are soon launching in Chennai and Kolkata. They have nearly 50 Clinics now with about 100 partner hospitals in their network. Pristyn Care Clinic is an advanced care clinic built on an ecosystem of daycare procedures where the patient meets doctor for specialized treatments. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14189/blk-hospital-decommission-artificial-heart-of-an-iraqi-patient-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14189/blk-hospital-decommission-artificial-heart-of-an-iraqi-patient-.html Mon, 15 Jul 2019 15:50:00 +0530 During the past couple of years, Hani Jawad Mohammed, an Iraqi businessman, experienced many phases of life from captivities by terrorists, gunshots, crippled heart, and terminal hear failure. Hani Jawad immediately required surgical intervention for his heart and Dr. Ajay Kaul – Chairman & Head of CTVS, BLK Heart Centre and team with advanced Artificial Heart Transplant (LVAD), gave him a new lease of life. Post implantation, patient was on constant & consistent follow up with Dr. Kaul and his team in order to maintain his parameters. One year of continuous monitoring and medications helped recuperate the ailing original heart. A year after he came back to BLK Super Specialty Hospital for follow up and after thorough investigations, doctors found the original heart had restarted functioning properly even beyond their expectation. Hence, they weaned off the artificial heart and now Jawad’s own natural heart started beating again normally without any support. Dr. Ajay Kaul, Chairman & Head of Department, CTVS, BLK Super Speciality Hospital said, “Hani Jawad visited us in a critically ill state a year back – with a failing heart and rapidly deteriorating health condition.  He was given an option of a heart transplant or artificial heart implant.  But because of the acute shortage of donor's heart and serious condition of Hani Jawad, Artificial Heart Transplant was one and only alternate we had to save his life.  Post-surgery he was in constant follow up with us and we were monitoring his Implant and his natural heart which was put on medication and rest.” “After a year now when he came for follow up, we found that the patient’s own heart which was failing before the implant was responding very well and beyond our expectations.  With a well thought planning, we monitored his original heart’s functioning by slowing down the artificial implant’s functioning.  We repeated the process 3-4 times in over two months and realised that his heart gradually started recovering after having a rest of about a year. Generally, in such condition, the original heart may show recovery of 10-15% but his heart functioning was way better, which is more like a medical miracle. Post confirmation we weaned off the artificial heart with new technology without operating him again,” added Dr. Kaul, who has invented an innovative and most advanced technique of weaning off the support of the artificial heart. Jawad said, “I am very happy and thankful to Dr. Ajay Kaul who gave me a new lease of life with natural heart once again. I had several attempts on my life. The first was one being the in captivity of terrorist, where I managed to escape. Even after having received multiple gun-shot injuries, I survived after multiple surgeries and finally an Artificial Heart Transplant here. It is a new birth, from the failed heart to artificial heart to natural one once again.”  Dr. Kaul said, “Jawad’s story is an example of a modern medical miracle of medicines which lead him to a better quality of life. It is considered to be the first time in India & probably in Asia. An artificial Heart (LVAD) which is considered as a bridge to transplant and generally patients wait for receiving a cadaveric heart as the final treatment.  But in his case, artificial heart transplant has proved as destination therapy with complete recovery of his ailing heart to a normal heart.” “India is fast becoming the preferred healthcare destination for people suffering from various terminal diseases like the one Mohammed had.  Highly experienced experts, quality treatment, state-of-the-art technologies and a growing compliance on international quality standards are paving way for demand of medical treatment in India,” concluded Dr. Kaul. The Iraqi businessman couldn’t even walk a few steps and was on a wheelchair when he first came to BLK Super Speciality Hospital last year. He was refused surgery at many hospitals because he had multiple operations for gun-shot injuries and was extremely high risk. The major threat to his life was a severe heart failure, which he noticed in the year 2017-18. With no hope, he had contacted Dr. Kaul at BLK Hospital and underwent implantation of LVAD (Artificial Heart) in July 2018.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14185/assocham-to-host-conclave-focusing-on-implementation-of-ayushman-bharat.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14185/assocham-to-host-conclave-focusing-on-implementation-of-ayushman-bharat.html Mon, 15 Jul 2019 14:25:00 +0530 The Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) will host “AYUSHMAN BHARAT CONCLAVE : A Big Leap towards UHC in India” on 9th August 2019, at Shangri-La's - Eros Hotel, New Delhi. Ayushman Bharat Yojana or Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) or National Health Protection Scheme is a centrally sponsored scheme aimed to cover over 10 crore poor and vulnerable families (approx. 50 crore beneficiaries) providing health coverage upto Rs. 5 Lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. It is an umbrella of two major health initiatives namely, Health and Wellness Centres and National Health Protection Scheme (NHPS). The Conclave is aimed at discussing and describing the role of Ayushman Bharat programme in shaping and elevating current healthcare system. It also focuses on the role of private sector in successful adoption and implementation of AB programme. The event will bring together speakers from NITI Aayog, National Health Authority (NHA), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), State Health Authorities and who’s who of leading pharmaceutical, medical devices & diagnostic companies, leading healthcare providers and health insurance companies on a single platform to discuss the implementation of the scheme so far and the focus areas for its continued success.   The Conclave will encompass the following themes:   Ayushman Bharat Programme: It will include discussion on current implementation status of the programme across the country and how scheme will be a key enabler in strengthening the healthcare system in India.   Leveraging core competencies of Private Sector/Industry in AB & UHC: The programme relies on a collaborative effort by both public and private health sector. An effective implementation of the scheme will help the entire healthcare and allied sector such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics, data management, insurance/TPAs, hospitality, quality accreditation and human resource management with the help of information and communication technologies across value chain. The session will elucidate how various stakeholders can work together to not only enable successful implementation of the programme but also take a step towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC).   The conclave will also witness the release of thought leadership paper on Ayushman Bharat Programme which will act as a ready reckoner for the healthcare industry, containing scheme’s insights, current implementation status and role of private sector in execution of this revolutionary scheme. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14179/bajaj-finserv-offers-waterborne-diseases-cover-for-waterborne-illnesses.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14179/bajaj-finserv-offers-waterborne-diseases-cover-for-waterborne-illnesses.html Mon, 15 Jul 2019 11:00:00 +0530 In 2018, more than 1.3 crore people were diagnosed with waterborne diseases in India, according to data reported from the CBHI & Ministry of Health. Moreover, 2,439 people also lost their lives to waterborne diseases like typhoid, cholera, viral hepatitis, and acute diarrhoeal diseases. Doctors and medical professionals observe a spurt of these diseases during the monsoon season. Hence, opting for an effective insurance policy that provides adequate financial coverage for waterborne diseases is essential. Here are a few features and benefits of the Waterborne Diseases Cover from Bajaj Finserv. Pocket-Friendly Insurance Treatment for these diseases is expensive and can drain your savings quickly if you do not have a good insurance plan. With the Waterborne Diseases Cover from Bajaj Finserv, you can get coverage up to Rs. 50,000 at just Rs. 349 per annum. Here, the premium amount is affordable and helps you take care of all your medical expenses with ease. Maximum Coverage- Along with hospitalization expenses, the Waterborne Diseases Cover from Bajaj Finserv also covers a range of medical requirements. These include diagnostic tests conducted before and after hospitalization, doctor’s fees and medications required before, during, and after hospitalization and other treatment expenses. This insurance also provides coverage for hospital room rent as per the specified limit. You can claim Rs. 1,000 per day as normal room charges and Rs. 2,000 per day as ICU charges. However,  the insurance can be claimed only after 30 days from the commencement of the policy period and is valid for one year.  Bajaj Finance Limited, the lending arm of the Bajaj Finserv group, is one of the most diversified NBFCs in the Indian market catering to more than 31 million customers across the country. Headquartered in Pune, the company’s product offering includes Consumer Durable Loans, Lifestyle Finance, Digital Product Finance, Personal Loans, Loan against Property, Small Business Loans, Home loans, Credit Cards, Two-wheeler and Three-wheeler Loans, Commercial lending/SME Loans, Loan against Securities and Rural Finance which includes Gold Loans and Vehicle Refinancing Loans along with Fixed Deposits. Bajaj Finance Limited prides itself on holding the highest credit rating of FAAA/Stable for any NBFC in the country today. It is also the only NBFC in India with the international ‘BBB’ with stable outlook for long-term, by S&P Global Rating. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14165/isic-achieves-a-major-milestone.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14165/isic-achieves-a-major-milestone.html Mon, 15 Jul 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Achieving a major milestone, the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC), New Delhi has become the first hospital outside the US to add a highly advanced robotics system to its spine surgery capabilities. The hospital has already performed more than 5 successful precision surgeries using the recently acquired advanced Spine Robotics System. “Indian Spinal Injuries Centre is the first facility in the world after US to introduce the advanced Spine Robotic system. Surgeries conducted through advanced robotics reduce implant inaccuracies, revision surgeries, radiation exposure, length of stay and infection. Such high improvements in so many parameters simultaneously can drive significant clinical efficiency and reduce the burden on healthcare system in the medium to long run. It gives us immense pleasure to announce its induction in our system as this will help the doctors of ISIC serve the patients of spine injuries better and in a cost-effective manner,” says Dr. H S Chhabra, Medical Director Cum Chief of Spine Services, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC), New Delhi. This week, a team of spine surgeons led by Dr. H S Chhabra, Medical Director Cum Chief of Spine Services, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC) successfully operated on Preeti Pandey, a 33-year old woman suffering from Post Tubercular Kyphotic Deformity. Preeti complained of severe progressive weakness of both lower limbs, inability to control bowel and bladder involvement and deformity of back. She was diagnosed with cervico-thoracic kyphosis due to the spinal tuberculosis where two procedures – robotic posterior stabilization, vertebra column resection, deformity correction and mesh cage insertion – were performed to correct her deformity and stabilize her movement.  She experienced minimum post-operative pain and started walking within a day. In another case, doctors performed a spinal fusion procedure on Satish Kumar, a 50-year man working in the Indian embassy at Beijing, China, who had developed low back pain radiating to the legs as well as heaviness in both the legs and was unable to walk more than 100 metres. He was diagnosed with spondylolisthesis, a spinal disorder in which a bone (vertebra) slips forward over the bone below it. The robotic minimal invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Inter body Fusion (TLIF) was performed with minimal incision and bleeding. Satish is significantly better after surgery and could walk up to 3 kilometers without any leg pain and with minimal post-operative pain within 3 days of surgery. Robotics is a recent advancement in spine surgery, a specialized approach to a complex procedure that allows planning a surgery and facilitates highly accurate and predictable execution of the plan. Robotics is helpful in inserting implants in the spine – for a spine surgeon robotics is a boon, particularly in high volume facilities such as the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC). This robotic system combines advanced software, robotic technology, navigation, and instrumentation. The advanced software has deep artificial intelligence and sophisticated 3D analytics component. The latest generation robotics also has an infra-red camera that continuously tracks and navigates the movement of instruments and implants in relation to the patient anatomy and surgical plans. On the hardware front, the system uses a customized robotic arm that can perform extremely difficult maneuvering to enable complex procedures with high degree of precision. “Spine is one of the most important parts of the human body and performing a surgery on it is extremely delicate as even a minor error can cause severe, long-term consequences on the person which could be devastating. Hence, spine surgeons have to be extra careful about the methods they choose and are more than likely to opt for a technology that enhances their precision and ensures a better outcome. Those who are suffering from neck or back conditions can immensely benefit from the advanced technology that allows surgeons to perform less invasive surgical procedures with smaller incisions, less operative bleeding, faster recovery time and shorter hospital stays – it allows them to plan and create a blueprint for each surgical case. Serious medical complications such as complex cases of scoliosis and kyphosis, degenerative disc diseases, herniated discs, and spondylolisthesis can be successfully treated while those who are seeking a spinal fusion or revision surgery from failed prior surgery may also seek robot-guided assistance for the process,” says Dr. Chhabra. The technology allows surgeons to use images from a computerized tomography scan (CT scan) taken before surgery to create a blueprint for each case. These images are loaded into a computerized 3D planning system. In the operating room, surgeons do the physical surgery while the system guides his or her instruments based on pre-operative planning of spinal implant placement. During the surgery, the robot is placed near the patient either by attaching it to the bed or directly anchoring it to the spine of the patient. ISIC is the most advanced Spine, Orthopedic and Neuromuscular Surgical centre in India with the latest state of the art diagnostics and surgical equipment and a highly qualified team of specialists recognized internationally who have been trained in leading institutes of India and abroad. Indian Spinal Injuries Centre provides state of the art facilities for the management of all types of spinal ailments. It has a team of dedicated, internationally trained acclaimed spine surgeons providing cutting edge medical, surgical technology. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14176/ziqitza-healthcare-optimises-efficient-healthcare-delivery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14176/ziqitza-healthcare-optimises-efficient-healthcare-delivery.html Mon, 15 Jul 2019 09:00:00 +0530 One of the leading EMS (Emergency Medical Service) providers Ziqitza Healthcare Ltd (ZHL) started the ambulance service with just 10 ambulances in 2005. However, over the years, the company expanded its presence across various states in the country and abroad. Today, it operates over 3,500 ambulances across the country. Ziqitza Healthcare has been instrumental in changing the landscape of emergency medical care in the country and Odisha is no exception. The company has been serving the people of this East Indian state with dedication and zeal. It all started in 2017, when the Government of Odisha recognised the need of enhancing emergency medical services in the state and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ziqitza. The Chief Minister of Odisha – Naveen Patnaik himself presided over the signing of the MoU. One of the highlights of the MOU signed between the two parties included the sanctioning of 92 ambulances, adding to the 420-strong fleet of 108 ambulance service of Ziqitza at that time. Additionally 6 boat ambulances were also sanctioned from state budget to ensure accessibility of healthcare services in cut-off areas of Koraput, Malkangiri, Kalahandi and Kendrapara districts.  Apart from this, 28 basic support ambulances were also upgraded to advance life support ambulances forimproving the emergency response service along with critical roadways. Today, Ziqitza’s presence in the state has improved the emergency medical services significantly. The company has setup an emergency service number - 108 to assist people in need of medical services.  Since then, the company has expanded its services to various other states in the country. Recently, itforayed into the Emirate of Dubai and has deployed 20 EMS ambulances, becoming the first privately owned ambulance service provider in Dubai. It is looking forward to expand its services to Abu Dhabi. The company is also present in Africa and Latin America and has been providing EMS ambulances since last few years. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14173/kiran-medical-systems-launches-a-portfolio-of-lightweight-radiation-protection-aprons-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14173/kiran-medical-systems-launches-a-portfolio-of-lightweight-radiation-protection-aprons-.html Fri, 12 Jul 2019 10:00:00 +0530 Kiran Medical Systems, the radiology division of Trivitron Healthcare and a global leader in Radiation Protection Products, has developed ZeroLead Air Series of Radiation Protection Aprons using cutting edge Microparticle Technology to offer Aprons that are “Lighter than the Lightest”. Radiation Protection Aprons are an essential accessory worn by healthcare providers during most medical procedures involving ionizing radiation. They play a cardinal role in protecting the healthcare providers from the damaging effects of ionizing radiation generated by X-ray systems, C-Arm systems, Cathlabs, Fluoroscopy Systems and CT. Radiation Protection Aprons are heavy and considering the fact that most healthcare providers need to wear such Aprons for extended durations every day, it affects the general comfort and puts a lot of strain on the joints during long procedures. Keeping these considerations in mind, Kiran has been developing lightweight aprons over the years using novel core material technologies. Ultralite, ZeroLead are examples of such lightweight Aprons that Kiran has been offering. ZeroLead Air is a quantum leap in this endeavour, made possible through extensive research in particle engineering and material science. These Aprons are 10% lighter than existing ZeroLead Aprons without compromising the radiation attenuation levels that Kiran Aprons are known for. The use of novel plasticizers ensures that the Aprons offer a soft and supple feel further enhancing the comfort. All ZeroLead Air Aprons would feature Kiran’s Satin Touch fabric with Anti-microbial coating and is expected to set a Global benchmark in Premium Radiation Protection Segment. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Satyaki Banerjee, CEO, Kiran Medical Systems, said, "Kiran has been committed to the field of Radiology and has been offering Research-Oriented World Class products for 4 decades. The launch of Zerolead Air is a step further in our endeavour of offering the ultimate to our customers who have reposed their trust and faith on the Kiran brand all these years. We are obsessed with our customer’s needs and we work hard to identify the unmet needs of Radiologists across the world and direct our efforts towards research and development to develop state of the art products to address these unmet needs. ZeroLead Air is the Culmination of 4 Decades of Experience in Radiation Protection and we are sure it would be a global benchmark for a good period of time to come”. Kiran’s product portfolio includes a comprehensive range of Radiation Protection Products, Ultisys range of Mobile & Fixed Radiography systems, Infinity and Elite series of Analog & Digital C-arm systems, Sonorad Ultrasound Systems, Felicia – Digital Mammography, K-series Contrast Media, Anti-scatter X-ray grids and a wide range of Imaging Consumables & Accessories ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14158/amc-felicitates-dr-bipin-pandit-for-his-achievements.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14158/amc-felicitates-dr-bipin-pandit-for-his-achievements.html Wed, 10 Jul 2019 12:45:00 +0530 The “Sanjeevani Distinguished Services” Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed on Dr Bipin Pandit by The Association of Medical Consultants (12000 members in Mumbai alone), at the Doctor’s Day Celebration on 1 July 2019. Dr Pandit is a renowned Obstretician & Gynaecologist. He is currently serving as the Director of Mukund Hospital in Mumbai. He is a former executive council member of Maharashtra Medical Council. He has many publications and presentations to his credit and has also written a book Docusmart on ideal documentation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14157/iiph-reveals-adequate-number-of-health-professionals-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14157/iiph-reveals-adequate-number-of-health-professionals-in-india.html Wed, 10 Jul 2019 10:40:00 +0530 The recent study on “Size, composition and distribution of human resource for health in India: new estimates using National Sample Survey and Registry data” carried out by the researchers from the Indian Institute of Public Health, Gurugram has revealed that India has an adequate number of health professionals based on the data collected from the registry institutions and the estimated data from the NSSO 2011-2012 to the projected population as of on January 1, 2016. The study addresses the issue of distribution of Human Resource for Health (HRH) in the country.  In India approximately 71% of people living in a rural area whereas 36% of all health workers are deployed in rural areas. The Open access of this study is available at :  https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/bmjopen/9/4/e025979.full.pdf The density of the total health workers is estimated to be 29 per 10,000 population based on NSSO and 38 per 10,000 population based on the registration data, which is close to WHO’s minimum threshold of 22.8 health workers per 10,000 population. The study also reports a disparity in the density of doctors and nurses across the country. The number of doctors in Kerala and UTs is high as compared to larger states such as Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Bihar. The study used 2011-12 National Sample Survey data and projected Human Resource for Health (HRH) number for 2016 using census projection and worker participation rate. In addition the survey used 2017 registry data of health professionals (Medical Council of India, India Nursing Council, Dental Council of India and other professional associations). This was stated by the Minister of State (Health and Family Welfare), Ashwini Kumar Choubey. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/reports-white-papers/98/14147/mhealth-market-will-register-38-0-cagr-growth-to-cross-289-4-bn-by-2025.html https://biospectrumindia.com/reports-white-papers/98/14147/mhealth-market-will-register-38-0-cagr-growth-to-cross-289-4-bn-by-2025.html Tue, 09 Jul 2019 14:05:00 +0530 Growing prevalence of chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and cardiac diseases will drive mHealth market growth in the coming years. mHealth technology is viewed as a solution to improve healthcare cost efficiency as healthcare providers seek to maximize their patient outreach while minimizing costs, thus leading to industry growth. Moreover, increasing penetration of tablet and smart phones users and growing need for remote patient monitoring services will boost the market growth in the future. Growing demand for healthcare information systems and launch of new mobile applications related to mHealth technologies are the factors driving the growth of global market. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mHealth is the practice of using mobile technologies to support public health and medicine. Hence, ease of access and mobility provided by the application of mHealth offers immense opportunities for the healthcare industry, thereby resulting into more accessible, faster, better, and cheaper healthcare solutions. Mobile apps segment held significant share of total mHealth platform market, accounting for a total value of USD 20,915.7 million in 2018. Mobile apps comprise wellness management and health condition management. Mobile apps enable healthcare experts to reach their patients anytime and from anywhere. In addition, it also improves the operating performance of their clinics enabling patients to receive quick and easy solutions for their health ailments, thereby boosting the segmental growth Wearble devices segment is estimated to expand at a CAGR of 39.3% over the forecast period. Factors such as effective tracking and maintaining of patient’s diet, body movements, and blood glucose levels along with improved diagnosis and treatment of various chronic disease by healthcare experts will drive the market growth during the forecast period. mHealth Market, By Application: Remote data collection market segment dominated the industry, accounting for USD 7,887.3 million in 2018. The application of mHealth for remote data collection is on rise due to significant cost savings, and better job satisfaction reported by healthcare providers thereby resulting into greater efficiency and flexibility provided by the technology. The application of mHealth for disease and epidemic outbreak tracking will grow rapidly at 40.1% during the forecast timeframe. Factors such as ability of mHealth technology to quickly capture and transmit data on chronic disease incidence, that will eventually help in the prevention and containment of outbreaks will boost the market growth in the long run. Disease and epidemic outbreak tracking with the help of mHealth application is being used in various developing countries such as Peru, Rwanda, and India, thereby monitoring the spread of infectious diseases. mHealth Market, By End-use: Physician segment generated maximum revenue share in the year 2018 with a value of USD 9,097.3 million. Factors such as growing adoption of mHealth by physicians and increasing technological innovations in healthcare industry is driving the market for physicians as an end-use. Moreover, mHealth technology streamlines the healthcare system to a great extent by saving administration time of hospitals and clinics, thereby propelling the market growth. Patients market segment is expected to experience robust growth at 39.8% over the projection period. Increasing incidence of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases along with growing demand for the use of mobile applications to remain physically fit will drive the market growth amongst the patient population. mHealth Market, Regional Analysis: U.S. market valued USD 8,057.6 million in the year 2018. Presence of large number patient pool, increased affordability in the country along with favorable government initiatives will boost the market for U.S. mHealth market. Additionally, mHealth results in maximizing healthcare expert’s time, productivity, quality, and stimulates greater consumer involvement, thereby potentially decreasing healthcare costs in the U.S. China market is estimated to expand with 39.8% CAGR over the forecast timeframe owing to increasing prevalence of chronic diseases as well as substantial number of elderly people suffering from enfeebling condition. Mature telecommunications infrastructure and growing adoption of mobile apps for availing healthcare solutions will stimulate China mHealth market over the coming years. Germany market is poised to reach USD 22,277.1 million by 2025. Major factors driving mHealth market is increased adoption of wearables and health apps for monitoring personal health. High disposable income coupled with momentous growth in companies offering technologically advanced wearables will foster Germany market in the future. India market is estimated to expand at a CAGR of 42.7% during the forecast timeframe. Factors such as increasing usage of smartphones and internet among the Indian population, and greater demand for easier and convenient means to receive healthcare solutions will boost the Indian market growth rapidly during the forecast period. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14143/aditya-birla-wellness-join-hands-with-fitternity-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14143/aditya-birla-wellness-join-hands-with-fitternity-.html Tue, 09 Jul 2019 11:30:00 +0530 Aditya Birla Wellness Private Limited (ABWPL), digitally enabled wellness and rewards program from Aditya Birla Capital Ltd (ABCL) has announced its partnership with Fitternity, preventive healthcare company in the country. This partnership will enable ABWPL to strengthen their product offering by providing access to a largest network of gyms and fitness studios across India. Fitternity uses technology, personalisation & has 10,000+ partner network of fitness centres to enable users to discover & avail fitness services. They have pioneered the ‘Pay-Per-Session’ offering across the entire partner network which is changing the fitness consumption patterns in India.  Till date, over 1 Crore Indians have used Fitternity to get started in their fitness journey. With over 5 lacs monthly active users they are the de-facto platform for fitness services discovery & booking across the country.  Murtuza Arsiwala, Head Wellness - Aditya Birla Wellness Pvt Ltd., said, “The tie-up with Fitternity has helped us expand our reach of fitness centres across the country exponentially. Our customers can access fitness centres anywhere and on the go. This will certainly enhance our customer experience in simpler and quicker manner. With their advanced technological solutions, customers can now avail their cash-back with all our fitness networks seamlessly.” Jayam Vora, Co-Founder of Fitternity India, said: We believe that preventive healthcare is going to take centre stage in the lives of urban Indians over the next 2-3 years. We are geared up to positively impact the ABWPL ecosystem through technology and our network of 10,000 controlled and partnered gyms & studios to enhance health and wellness for millions of Indians in the near future.  Sensing the need for an upgrade and expanding the network of existing health and fitness ecosystem to 1000+ centres, ABWPL and Fitternity partnership aims to improve the user experience in this category and modernize the way consumers are rewarded for healthy living and staying fit.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14137/abwpl-and-fitternity-to-make-health-and-fitness-a-rewarding-experience.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14137/abwpl-and-fitternity-to-make-health-and-fitness-a-rewarding-experience.html Tue, 09 Jul 2019 10:30:00 +0530 Aditya Birla Wellness Private Limited (ABWPL), a unique digitally enabled wellness and rewards program from Aditya Birla Capital Ltd (ABCL) is pleased to announce its partnership with Fitternity, one of the largest and fastest growing preventive healthcare company in the country.  This partnership will enable ABWPL to strengthen their product offering by providing access to a largest network of gyms and fitness studios across India.  Fitternity uses technology, personalisation & has 10,000+ partner network of fitness centres to enable users to discover & avail fitness services. They have pioneered the ‘Pay-Per-Session’ offering across the entire partner network which is changing the fitness consumption patterns in India.   Till date, over 1 Crore Indians have used Fitternity to get started in their fitness journey. With over 5 lacs monthly active users they are the de-facto platform for fitness services discovery & booking across the country.   Sensing the need for an upgrade and expanding the network of existing health and fitness ecosystem to 1000+ centres, ABWPL and Fitternity partnership aims to improve the user experience in this category and modernize the way consumers are rewarded for healthy living and staying fit.  Mr Murtuza Arsiwala, Head Wellness - Aditya Birla Wellness Pvt Ltd., said: “The tie-up with Fitternity has helped us expand our reach of fitness centres across the country exponentially. Our customers can access fitness centres anywhere and on the go. This will certainly enhance our customer experience in simpler and quicker manner. With their advanced technological solutions, customers can now avail their cash-back with all our fitness networks seamlessly.” Mr Jayam Vora, Co-Founder of Fitternity India, said: We believe that preventive healthcare is going to take centre stage in the lives of urban Indians over the next 2-3 years. We are geared up to positively impact the ABWPL ecosystem through technology and our network of 10,000 controlled and partnered gyms & studios to enhance health and wellness for millions of Indians in the near future ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14129/ihf-looks-for-innovative-solutions-to-eliminate-malaria.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14129/ihf-looks-for-innovative-solutions-to-eliminate-malaria.html Mon, 08 Jul 2019 14:20:00 +0530 Tata Trusts’ India Health Fund (IHF) has announced its Malaria Quest, a nationwide search for innovations towards eliminating Malaria in India. This is being partnered by The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance Secretariat (APLMA), Roll Back Malaria Partnership, and the Malaria Elimination Research Alliance India of the ICMR and Social Alpha. The Malaria Quest is aligned with IHF’s vision to foster innovations and support innovative products and processes through comprehensive support to innovators including funding, technical mentorship, handholding for their lab to last mile journey, connecting resources for better adoption, and ensuring sustainability of these efforts. India has set a target of eliminating Malaria by 2030. Aligned with the national goals, India Health Fund (IHF) aims to promote innovations that supplement human efforts to facilitate greater access, better quality of care and equity and bring together resources to engender transformative change that will effectively address the complex challenges posed by malaria. The Malaria Quest is seeking for innovation on the four problem areas listed below:  Innovative technologies to strengthen surveillance to provide accurate estimates of disease burden and data-based-decision making and risk-prediction Developing innovative methods of vector control and personal protection for enhancing or complementing current strategies  Improving logistical modalities and quality assurance of malaria consumables Consistently detecting and diagnosing cases of malaria, both in high and lowendemic regions Selected applications stand to receive wide support, including milestone-based funding support for validation, beta prototyping, feasibility studies and pilot introduction, as applicable. The awardees will benefit from collective engagement with national and global stakeholders and access to the global ecosystem working towards Malaria elimination. Hands on mentoring by a committee of experts for guidance on policy and programme, deployment design, and methodology, navigating regulatory landscape and understanding market dynamics. Applications will be accepted till September 02, 2019.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14125/sankara-eye-hospital-in-association-with-beeorganized-conduct-run-for-the-blind-2-0-marathon-to-raise-awareness-about-pledging-eye.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14125/sankara-eye-hospital-in-association-with-beeorganized-conduct-run-for-the-blind-2-0-marathon-to-raise-awareness-about-pledging-eye.html Mon, 08 Jul 2019 12:05:00 +0530 Sankara Eye Hospital in association with BeeOrganized conducted ‘Run for the Blind 2.0’ marathon to raise awareness about pledging eye in Bengaluru. About 600 participants were part of the marathon out of which 30 visually impaired students participated along with Sankara Eye hospital staff, students and other members of the public. More than 400 participants signed up the pledge to donate their eye. Dr Pallavi Joshi, Consultant- Cornea, Refractive services and Ocular Surface Diseases, Sankara Eye Hospital said, “We are glad that we have been part of this very noble initiative. There is a need to spread awareness on eye donation and we at Sankara Eye Hospital have constantly endeavoured to achieve this vision. Initiatives like this will definitely help many to fight blindness. The event has helped in creating awareness among citizens regarding their roles and responsibilities and the utmost importance of eye donation”. With the success and positive response of the first edition of Run for the Blind 1.0 the second edition was organised to add light to the lives of visually impaired by signing up to pledge eye. The run had 3 different open categories like 3k run, 5k run and 10k run. Winners were awarded with cash, certificate, trophy and medal. Sankara Eye Hospital, Bengaluru an NABH accredited tertiary hospital is a unit of Sankara Eye Foundation. The hospital was established in 2008 with a vision to provide highest quality and value for money in eye care services. It is a centre of excellence for Cornea, Retinal diseases, Glaucoma, Paediatric Ophthalmology, Cataracts, Oculoplasty, Lasik and Vision Rehabilitation. Sankara Eye Foundation has its presence across 7 states and total bed strength of 2200. Till date, more than 1.8 million free vision restoration surgeries have been performed. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14144/jiva-ayurveda-to-offer-free-consultation-across-india-during-the-jiva-health-week.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14144/jiva-ayurveda-to-offer-free-consultation-across-india-during-the-jiva-health-week.html Mon, 08 Jul 2019 11:40:00 +0530 The seventh edition of Jiva Health Week by Jiva Ayurveda will take place across all its 80 clinics in India from July 5 to 15. More than, 10 thousand patients are expected to benefit during the health week. Jiva Ayurveda, which has one crore successful consultations to its credit is giving free consultation and benefits of up to Rs 350 including discounts on wellness products and treatment packs. Dr Partap Chauhan, Director Jiva Ayurveda said, "Every year, Jiva Ayurveda organizes the Jiva Health Week to provide high quality treatment through free consultations. We have seen very good response from people across villages and cities in our all previous health weeks, and I am confident people will come out of their homes and get the benefit of Jiva Health Week this time too.” Jiva Ayurveda has treated thousands of patients for lifestyle, chronic and season-related disorders with personalized medicines along with customized diet and lifestyle recommendations that are uniquely prepared for each patient, which contributes to treating diseases from the root, rather than just treating it symptomatically. Jiva’s Ayunique™ is one of the innovations which is a proprietary approach pioneered by Jiva Ayurveda that empowers Ayurvedic doctors to diagnose and treat patients effectively. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14124/all-bbmp-hospitals-to-have-ai-based-niramai-breast-health-test.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14124/all-bbmp-hospitals-to-have-ai-based-niramai-breast-health-test.html Mon, 08 Jul 2019 11:20:00 +0530 As part of the Government’s programs to increase healthcare awareness and making screening accessible to all, the Mayor of Bengaluru, Gangambike Mallikarjun under the guidance of a medical expert committee has approved free breast cancer screening for underprivileged women at all Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) hospitals to be conducted by Niramai. The aim is to enhance access, awareness and provide cost-effective services. One in twenty-five women is diagnosed with a breast abnormality during their lifetime. There's a good chance of recovery if it's detected in its early stages. These screening camps will be conducted at various BBMP hospitals offering Niramai’s AI-based early stage breast cancer detection technology. Thermalytix, their core technology of breast cancer screening can detect tumors 5 times smaller than what clinical exam can detect, is non-contact, painless and free of any radiation, apart from being low-cost, and universally accessible. Women younger than 40 can also undertake the screening, unlike current screening methods. Thermalytix uses a high-resolution thermal sensing device and an analytics solution for analyzing thermal images. NIRAMAI’s solution has led to 9 granted US patents. Dr. Geetha Manjunath, CEO & CTO, Niramai, said, “Our vision is to make breast cancer screening available and accessible to all women. We are honored that the Mayor of Bengaluru has supported our artificial intelligence based technology to be made available at BBMP hospitals across Bengaluru and we hope to conduct many more such screening camps.”  Recently Rotary Bangalore Palmville announced the launch of a mobile breast cancer screening center, The Pink Express, in association with Sakra World Hospital, powered by Niramai solution. The Pink Express will be used for conducting awareness and screening camps for the underprivileged across Karnataka and Tamilnadu. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14116/who-launches-5-year-plan-to-improve-quality-of-health-products-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14116/who-launches-5-year-plan-to-improve-quality-of-health-products-.html Fri, 05 Jul 2019 11:20:00 +0530 Despite global progress, serious problems with health product quality and safety persist, particularly in lower- and middle-income countries. These problems threaten the health of people every day and waste resources. Quality and safety of medicines, vaccines and other products are compromised when manufacturers, whether by accident or intent, produce substandard products, when the supply chain allows unsafe medical products through, and when systems (usually due to lack of resources) are too slow to respond to adverse events. As a reuslt, the World Health Organistation (WHO) has launched a five-year plan ‘Delivering Quality-assured Medical Products for All 2019–2023’. The plan outlines work and activities to reach four main objectives: Strengthen country and regional regulatory systems – improving the functioning of regulatory authorities but also speeding up product registration timelines so that patients can get the product sooner, and facilitating cross-border collaboration; Increase regulatory preparedness for public health emergencies – equipping regulators with the knowhow to deal with emergencies, including by fast-tracking product approval processes and improving crisis communication; Strengthen and expand WHO prequalification – WHO prequalification of priority health products has contributed to treating millions of people with quality, cost-effective HIV medicines, as well as to the vaccination of millions of children through Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. It is now expanding to include cancer medicines as the cancer burden grows in low- and middle-income countries; Increase the impact of WHO’s Regulatory Support activities – by aligning work across all levels of the organization, with particular attention given to countries’ needs. While WHO has worked to improve the quality and safety of health products for many years, this is the first time it is aligning goals and activities with global partners (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, UNITAID, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, GAVI and UNICEF) to ensure full coordination and work towards a common goal – to deliver a safe and quality-assured supply of medicines, vaccines, medical devices and other health products for all populations.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14106/impact-of-iot-ai-on-job-creation-in-healthcare-sector.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14106/impact-of-iot-ai-on-job-creation-in-healthcare-sector.html Fri, 05 Jul 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Broadband India Forum (BIF), a think tank for Digital Transformation held a seminar on ‘The Impact of IoT on Jobs in Rural India’ to highlight the positive impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) on job creation in the healthcare sectors in India. As part of the seminar, BIF also released the findings of an on-going study that has being done in consultation with the Electronics Skill Council of India and the Healthcare Sector Skill Council. The study highlights that IoT and AI based applications can have a transformational impact with regards to rural job creation and at a conservative estimate, will create over 2.8 million jobs in rural India over a period of 8-10 years with an annual value of Rs. 60,000 crores (approx. US$ 8.9 billion). Of this, 0.7 million jobs will be created for the rural healthcare sector. These jobs will be created over next 8 – 10 years and the pace and quantity of job creation is likely to further increase post 2021-22 once 5G technology is implemented. The Electronics Skill Council of India and Healthcare Sector Skill Council of India have also supported BIF in this seminar and a formal report on the study is expected to be released shortly. In his inaugural address, Yaduvendra Mathur, Special Secretary, NITI Aayog said, “There is no denying the role that avant-garde technologies such as IoT and AI can play in the agriculture and healthcare sectors – especially in rural areas. India is the Saudi Arabia for generation of data. It is important to realize that India has the hardware, we have the data scientists, we have the algorithms – what we don’t have is real-time, clearly labelled and relevant data from the field.  From a Niti Aayog perspective, our focus is on data and that we get access to real-time data that can impact the creation of policy. We are therefore looking at a huge volume of real-time data being harvested from both the healthcare and agriculture domains and shared with us. A lot of work using AI is currently already underway by the government in the healthcare domain – for example the programme for the elimination of Tuberculosis is using AI to improve TB diagnosis. From an agriculture perspective, AI and IoT are important because the diversification of Indian agriculture will not happen unless the farmer trusts the data that is shared with him. This will also require the participation of the private sector, specifically start-ups in the collation of labelling of this data, which in itself will create a huge number of jobs at the data-labelling level.”  Dr. Saikrishna Nanduri, CEO, National Skills Sector Council in his address said, “Indian agriculture employs 50% of manpower and we’ve been seeing declining levels of employment as people leave the sector for better opportunities. The net contribution to the GDP also remains low. IoT and AI can make a huge contribution to transforming Indian agriculture, specifically with regards to productivity enhancement. What is a huge enabler to this is also the high levels of digital literacy in India and our demographic dividend that makes us the world’s youngest country. We need to begin by data collection and aggregation – much of it through start-ups. This data will need to be collated and labelled by large Big Data companies and public sector organisations. Once this is done it can be integrated into the user interface and then used by communities, organisations and individuals who will gladly even pay for this.” TV Ramachandran, President Broadband India Forum further added, “It is no secret that the impact of AI and IoT will be truly transformational across industry. The BIF report, for the very first time, shares very significant findings in relation to the impact of IoT on job creation in rural India, specific to agriculture and healthcare. Given India’s young demographic profile, sustained job creation is the most critical aspect to keep the wheels of the economy running. Rural India, with 50% of the country’s workforce needs to ensure that it garners a significant share of this.” The study also highlights the significant potential when it comes to job creation through IoT in the rural Healthcare sector. At present as much as 60% of India’s healthcare professionals serve 30% of the population (residing in urban India). This trend is likely to change as leading healthcare service providers open new specialty hospitals in Tier 3 and Tier 4 towns. The government’s Ayushman Bharat initiative is also expected to transform the primary healthcare sector in the country and will help introduce IoT based applications to a rural patient ecosystem. Applications like Remote Medical Assistance & Surgery, Smart Diagnosis, Cloud Based Eye Screening, Pre-Emptive Oncology Diagnosis, Smart Ambulance &Emergency Care, Medical Record Digitization, and Smart Consulting can help bridge the gap between rural healthcare centres and urban hospitals. The release of the findings was followed by three panel discussions that centered around: (i) National strategy for AI & IoT in Healthcare; (ii) Impact of AI and IoT on healthcare.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14112/nirdpr-bharat-dynamics-collaborate-to-create-awareness-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14112/nirdpr-bharat-dynamics-collaborate-to-create-awareness-.html Thu, 04 Jul 2019 15:10:00 +0530 National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR) is collaborating with public sector enterprise Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) on a pilot project to create awareness on menstruation and menstrual hygiene among children in government schools in Telangana State. The pilot project will benefit over 11,516 girl students enrolled in 75 government schools in five mandals of Telangana State. The project, taken up as part of BDL’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, is likely to be expanded to 22 more mandals in the next phases consequent upon the results. BDL has provided a funding of Rs. 71.82 lakh for this project. The sanitary napkins will be supplied to students free of cost through the team of volunteers identified and female teachers from the schools. BDL is a Government of India Enterprise under the Ministry of Defence and is a manufacturing base for guided missiles and allied defence equipment in the country. It has approached NIRDPR to implement this pilot project on ‘Awareness Creation and Supplying of Sanitary Napkins to the Girl students of Government Schools.’ Highlighting the importance of this project, Prof. R. Murugesan, Head, Centre for CSR, Public Private Partnership and People’s Action, NIRDPR, said, “The present union government is giving more attention to health and sanitation issues. CSR is a catalyst for inclusive development, uplifting rural poor through skill development, employment generation and substantiating income and environment. Through this particular project, NIRDPR is aiming to create awareness on health and menstrual hygiene along with sociological and environmental issues, and removing the stigma associated with menstruation among rural adolescent girls, driving them towards fruitful education without any absenteeism and health hazards. We have also prepared IEC material in both Telugu and English languages which may be useful not only for the students but also for other women in the villages. For procuring the sanitary napkins, we are giving importance to Self Help Group entrepreneurs who produce them and also call for open tenders for meeting additional requirements if any. Based on the experiences, we hope the project will be expanded to other areas as well to benefit adolescent girls with the generous support of corporate donors”. The objectives of the overall pilot project are: Ø  To conduct programs to create awareness on menstruation, hygiene and its importance for adolescent girls in government schools Ø  To share knowledge on the use of good quality sanitary napkins among adolescent girls studying in government schools primarily in rural areas Ø  To ensure safe disposal mechanism of sanitary napkins without affecting the environment Ø  To supply sanitary napkins to students in need who are enrolled in the selected government schools Speaking about this CSR Initiative, a BDL official said, “It is a felt need for any adolescent girl in the government schools in rural areas. We are very keen on investing to ensure hygienic and clean environment. We are sure that this project would yield expected results and positive impact in line with the objectives.” Hygiene-related practices of women during mensuration are of considerable importance as it has a health impact in terms of increased vulnerability to Reproductive Tract Infections (RTI). The interplay of socio-economic status, menstrual hygiene practices and RTI are commonly noticeable in the rural areas.  Selection of Targeted Beneficiaries (Girl Students) S. No.   NAME OF MANDAL  NO. OF SCHOOLS NO. OF BENEFICIARIES 1 Gandipet 10 1609 2 Moinabad 16 1451 3 Rajendranagar 11 2478 4 Serilingampally 17 3450 5 Shamshabad 21 2528   TOTAL 75 11,516 Source: Department of Education, Govt of Telangana.   According to the Department of Secondary Education, Government of Telangana State, there are 38,656 girl students studying in 419 government schools. To attain the objectives, NIRDPR is reviewing the range of economic, social, cultural and geographical conditions with feasible representatives of beneficiaries in the sample areas. The methodology also includes Focus Group Discussions (FGD) to deliver fair information to the sample respondents. NIRDPR has established an exclusive Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility, Public Private Partnership and Peoples Action (CSR, PPP & PA) which is functioning as ‘Nodal Centre’ for engaging the leaders in business, Panchayati Raj Functionaries, Government Development Administration, NGOs, Public and Private Sector Enterprises and other stakeholders in policy dialogue and advocacy for better involvement of these players towards inclusive development of the country. The Centre – CSR provides academic services on consultancy basis in the form of specific training-on-demand such as capacity building and Millennium Development Goal (MDG) programs on CSR management and undertakes research activities like Baseline surveys, Monitoring and Evaluations, Impact Assessment studies and Social Audits etc. for Public Sector Undertakings, Private Corporate Houses, National and International Service Organisations. Many CSR Executives have been trained through such national level programs. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14109/nirdpr-to-collaborate-with-bdl-to-create-awareness-on-menstruation-hygiene.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14109/nirdpr-to-collaborate-with-bdl-to-create-awareness-on-menstruation-hygiene.html Thu, 04 Jul 2019 14:50:00 +0530 National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR) is collaborating with public sector enterprise Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) on a pilot project to create awareness on menstruation and menstrual hygiene among children in government schools in Telangana State. The pilot project will benefit over 11,516 girl students enrolled in 75 government schools in five mandals of Telangana State. The project, taken up as part of BDL’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, is likely to be expanded to 22 more mandals in the next phases consequent upon the results. BDL has provided a funding of Rs. 71.82 lakh for this project. The sanitary napkins will be supplied to students free of cost through the team of volunteers identified and female teachers from the schools. BDL is a Government of India Enterprise under the Ministry of Defence and is a manufacturing base for guided missiles and allied defence equipment in the country. It has approached NIRDPR to implement this pilot project on ‘Awareness Creation and Supplying of Sanitary Napkins to the Girl students of Government Schools.’ Highlighting the importance of this project, Prof. R. Murugesan, Head, Centre for CSR, Public Private Partnership and People’s Action, NIRDPR, said, “The present union government is giving more attention to health and sanitation issues. CSR is a catalyst for inclusive development, uplifting rural poor through skill development, employment generation and substantiating income and environment. Through this particular project, NIRDPR is aiming to create awareness on health and menstrual hygiene along with sociological and environmental issues, and removing the stigma associated with menstruation among rural adolescent girls, driving them towards fruitful education without any absenteeism and health hazards. We have also prepared IEC material in both Telugu and English languages which may be useful not only for the students but also for other women in the villages. For procuring the sanitary napkins, we are giving importance to Self Help Group entrepreneurs who produce them and also call for open tenders for meeting additional requirements if any. Based on the experiences, we hope the project will be expanded to other areas as well to benefit adolescent girls with the generous support of corporate donors”.  The objectives of the overall pilot project are: Ø  To conduct programs to create awareness on menstruation, hygiene and its importance for adolescent girls in government schools Ø  To share knowledge on the use of good quality sanitary napkins among adolescent girls studying in government schools primarily in rural areas Ø  To ensure safe disposal mechanism of sanitary napkins without affecting the environment Ø  To supply sanitary napkins to students in need who are enrolled in the selected government schools Speaking about this CSR Initiative, a BDL official said, “It is a felt need for any adolescent girl in the government schools in rural areas. We are very keen on investing to ensure hygienic and clean environment. We are sure that this project would yield expected results and positive impact in line with the objectives.” Hygiene-related practices of women during mensuration are of considerable importance as it has a health impact in terms of increased vulnerability to Reproductive Tract Infections (RTI). The interplay of socio-economic status, menstrual hygiene practices and RTI are commonly noticeable in the rural areas.  According to the Department of Secondary Education, Government of Telangana State, there are 38,656 girl students studying in 419 government schools. To attain the objectives, NIRDPR is reviewing the range of economic, social, cultural and geographical conditions with feasible representatives of beneficiaries in the sample areas. The methodology also includes Focus Group Discussions (FGD) to deliver fair information to the sample respondents. NIRDPR has established an exclusive Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility, Public Private Partnership and Peoples Action (CSR, PPP & PA) which is functioning as ‘Nodal Centre’ for engaging the leaders in business, Panchayati Raj Functionaries, Government Development Administration, NGOs, Public and Private Sector Enterprises and other stakeholders in policy dialogue and advocacy for better involvement of these players towards inclusive development of the country. The Centre – CSR provides academic services on consultancy basis in the form of specific training-on-demand such as capacity building and Millennium Development Goal (MDG) programs on CSR management and undertakes research activities like Baseline surveys, Monitoring and Evaluations, Impact Assessment studies and Social Audits etc. for Public Sector Undertakings, Private Corporate Houses, National and International Service Organisations. Many CSR Executives have been trained through such national level programs. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14108/transasia-bio-medicals-unveils-blood-donation-app-saviour.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14108/transasia-bio-medicals-unveils-blood-donation-app-saviour.html Thu, 04 Jul 2019 14:40:00 +0530 Transasia Bio-Medicals Ltd., India’s leading In-vitro Diagnostic Company, unveiled ‘SAVIOUR’, a location-based blood donation app that is available free to everyone. It is the first in India to be on both Google Play and App Store. The new app is likely to empower those who have the resources to acquire blood but lose out on timely help due to inadequate blood bank infrastructure. It connects patients to the nearest donors, and notifies the patient in real-time on the number of donors who accept the request. Additionally, it sends out notifications to the registered donors on the need for blood-based on their type. Reminders sent by the app, ensure that the donors do not forget about their commitment. Once a donation has been made, a donor is advised to not donate blood in the recovery period. At this time, the app goes into a precautionary dormant state, in order to ensure complete safety of the donor. Moreover, the app makes it very convenient for donors; they just need to check-in at the nearest hospital through the app, a step that helps save time and ensurecredibility. Donors are incentivized with personal goodwill points, based on the number of donations and lives saved. In his comments, Suresh Vazirani, Chairman & Managing Director, Transasia Bio-Medicals Ltd., said, “Blood donation saves millions of lives. The new app is another by Transasia in line with our mission since inception, to make healthcare affordable and address the limited access to quality medical infrastructure for the masses. As the name rightly connotes, ‘SAVIOUR’ has been developed with a vision to empower both donors and patients and to save them from unethical practices which have led to corruption and exploitation of the needy. We will invest heavily in the promotion of the new app to facilitate its widespread use and save as many lives as possible. I would like to thank my team for their efforts in developing this app and ensuring it addresses most gaps with existing alternatives. I urge the healthy youth of our nation to register onthe app as donors and share the light of their life.” According to WHO estimates, blood donation by 1% of the population is the minimum needed to meet a country’s basic blood requirements. In 2016-17, India’s blood collection fell 15% over the previous year, or 1.9 million units short of the 1% benchmark. The WHO norm, however, is based on global averages and does not take into account India-specific factors and disease burden. As per Industry reports, in 2016-17, over 6.57 lakh units of blood and its products were discarded. 50% ofthe wasted units was Plasma which has a longer shelf life as compared to whole blood and red blood cells that have to beused within 35 days. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14104/docsapp-bags-recognition-with-a-staggering-580-growth.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14104/docsapp-bags-recognition-with-a-staggering-580-growth.html Thu, 04 Jul 2019 11:45:00 +0530 DocsApp, India’s leading online doctor consultation platform, has been conferred with the coveted “Industry Achievement Award” by Hurun Report, a leading entrepreneurship publishing platform that recognizes the outstanding work done by entrepreneurs and enterprises in India and China. The award was handed over by  Sidharth Menda (Owner- CoWrks, RMZ) in the presence of a selected panel of industry leaders, comprising the likes of Ajit Isaac (Owner - Quess Corp), Nithin Kamath (Owner - Zerodha) & Dilip Surana (Owner - MicroLabs). The award ceremony also witnessed the presence of some of India’s top start-up founders. Established in 2015, DocsApp holds the distinction of being one of the first successful online doctor consultation platforms in India. It started its operations at a time when telemedicine was a novel concept in the Indian healthcare space. Over the years, the company has revolutionized the way patients connect with doctors, by providing one-tap access to specialists doctors across the country. With more than 5000 registered doctors onboard, DocsApp offers specialists’ services for all age groups in 19 categories including dermatology, gynaecology, sexology, paediatrics, general medicine, psychiatry, weight management and more. Given the shortage of qualified doctors and with around 97% of specialists practicing in metropolitan cities, DocsApp has helped to bridge the physical distance between patients and specialist doctors through its platform. With its unwavering commitment, to making quality healthcare accessible to all, DocsApp has successfully built its credibility as a brand. Commenting on their achievement, Mr. Enbasekar, Co-Founder, DocsApp, said, “We are truly delighted to have been recognized and felicitated for our work by such a reputed platform. Since the very beginning of our journey, we have been working relentlessly to make quality healthcare accessible to millions of Indians across the country. It gives me immense pride to acknowledge the fact, which DocsApp has emerged as India’s most trusted online doctor consultation platform. DocsApp now provides high-quality healthcare to over 2,00,000 patients per month.  This award is a testament to the contributions we have made towards the society and it will further motivate us to set new benchmarks.” DocsApp continues to be India’s most preferred medical app by registering a whopping growth of 580% (6.8 times) in the last financial year. The fact that over 60% of DocsApp’s users are from tier II and tier III cities in India, makes this feat even more remarkable. The company also ensures the safe delivery of medicines and home pick up of samples for lab tests via partners. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14089/columbia-asia-hospitals-felicitated-with-the-economic-times-best-healthcare-brands-2019.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14089/columbia-asia-hospitals-felicitated-with-the-economic-times-best-healthcare-brands-2019.html Wed, 03 Jul 2019 10:40:00 +0530 Columbia Asia Hospitals has been felicitated at the prestigious ‘The Economic Times Best Healthcare Brands 2019’ by Siddharth Nath Singh, Minister for Medical and Health, Government of Uttar Pradesh and Nafisa Ali, Indian Actress & Social Activist. A survey was conducted through an interview method across 11 cities across India, with over 9000 respondents comprising of consumers, patients, healthcare professionals, hospital stakeholders (employees and staff members).The criteria for consideration as a Best Healthcare Brand 2019 was based on Innovation in Health care, Infrastructure, Healthcare standards adopted, Overall awareness and perception, Level of communication and transparency, etc. On the basis of an extensive research Columbia Asia was chosen as one of the Best Healthcare Brands of 2019. Speaking about the occasion, Dr Nandakumar Jairam, CEO, Chairman & Group Medical Director, Columbia Asia Hospitals said, “It is a great honor to be recognised and felicitated in such an august gathering. It is overwhelming for all of us at Columbia Asia, it is the outcome of our dedication towards providing the best healthcare services and constantly reinventing ourselves and using technology to reach out to our customers and serve them better. Our belief in integrity, ethics, and transparency at every level has given us recognition in the industry.” The event invited the active participation of professionals from the healthcare sector including doctors, surgeons, govt. representatives, healthcare services providers, hospitals, clinics, pharmaceutical companies, insurance providers, consultants, and financial institutions.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14088/higher-funding-in-healthcare-needs-to-be-a-top-priority-nathealth.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14088/higher-funding-in-healthcare-needs-to-be-a-top-priority-nathealth.html Wed, 03 Jul 2019 10:35:00 +0530 In order to meet the growing need of higher funding, NATHEALTH has sought a priority status to healthcare sector and urged the government to expand health insurance coverage to other sections of society. In its pre-budget memorandum to the Government, the body stressed upon ‘priority sector’ status to meet the long term funding and financing requirements. According to NATHEALTH, a priority sector status will act as a catalyst for channelizing funds from the banking sector and not only create a necessary healthcare infrastructure but will also ensure that the societal objectives of the Government are adequately met. Dr. Sudarshan Ballal, President, NATHEALTH said, “Existing shortcomings of the Healthcare sector are impeding the sector’s potential in terms of infrastructure development, entrepreneurial spirit and capacity building. Priority status will not only facilitate ease of access to funding but also bring in accessibility, availability and quality in Tier 3 & 4 cities and rural areas.” “In order to ensure access to preventive and curative care of sufficient quality and safeguards the entire community from financial distress, initially the government can give  organized sector employees  an option of either paying their ESI contribution or purchasing health insurance from any IRDA regulated insurance company. Eventually it can be expanded to middle and upper middle classes,” he added. The harmonized master list of infrastructure sub sectors by the Reserve Bank of India in 2012 includes Healthcare as a priority area for development. However, often these projects are long term based and require adequate funding options which are still not available at a Healthcare provider level. Thus long term funding options with clearly defined gestation period would certainly be a step in the right direction. Following are the recommendations and suggestions that the apex healthcare body has put forth for the Government: Facilitating ease of access to capital, NATHEALTH recommends a dedicated fund for healthcare infrastructure and innovation not only for encouraging entrepreneurship with newer business models but also improve accessibility, availability and quality in Tier 3 &4 cities including rural areas. Emphasizing on the problem of low penetration of health insurance being a major reason behind the rising out-of-pocket spending for healthcare services in India, NATHEALTH recommends the government should undertake additional efforts to make mandatory coverage for all citizens. NATHEALTH suggests that organized sector employees could be given the option of paying their ESI contribution or purchasing insurance from any IRDA regulated insurance company. Gradually, the focus can be then shifted to the middle and upper middle classes respectively in order to ensure access to preventive and curative care of sufficient quality and safeguards the entire community from financial distress. The industry rightly expects that the Union Budget 2019-20 will be announced keeping in focus the incentives for medical value tourism, Zero rating GST on healthcare services and health insurance premiums. Other areas which require efforts include incentivizing capacity building and promotional policies for private providers. These are long standing suggestions from the Industry and are critical to expedite investment in capacity building especially in Tier 2 & 3 cities for the realization of the dream of Universal Healthcare.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14086/stanford-university-hcg-team-up-to-offer-new-solution-for-cancer-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14086/stanford-university-hcg-team-up-to-offer-new-solution-for-cancer-care.html Wed, 03 Jul 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Globally India is among the top three countries in terms of cancer incidences and mortality. India registers over 1,157,294 new cancer cases every year and 784,821 mortalities are attributed to this disease. And the cancer burden in the country has more than doubled in the past 26 years. Seeing the burgeoning scenario it is most important to bring in strategies to equip the healthcare sector to enable safe treatment now and in the years to come. Healthcare has volumes of data which can be evaluated to bring in outcome based treatment. Oncology care has largely been driven by evidence based medicine and through the creation of protocols for treatment. Stanford University has already implemented outcome based treatment in the US. Bengaluru based Healthcare Global Enterprises Limited (HCG) is associating with Dr. Jayanta Bhattacharya, M.D., Ph.D. Professor of Medicine at Stanford University on this tried and tested method. HCG is looking to leapfrog in the direction of precision medicine by making a calculated and organized start into evaluating Indian cancer care data collated over the years. The wealth of data resting with HCG that includes predictive analysis, outcomes and even a patient’s response to a particular form of treatment would help to analyse and measure pointers that will offer the best course of treatment for a patient. By means of creating a scorecard for doctors & hospitals, patients will be able to review where HCG stands in comparison with global standards in treating a particular form of cancer, based on our own data and outcome measures. Dr. B. S. Ajaikumar, Chairman & CEO, HealthCare Global Enterprises Limited said, “This is a very important and strategic association for us. It is now time for us to migrate from expensive treatments to a model where cost and outcomes are measured. When we put technology, advances in treatment and talent together, we can achieve global standards of outcome, which defines quality of care. I am sure that with time and enough research on this, we would be the forerunners in India providing cost-effective and outcome-based treatments.” Speaking on the collaboration with HCG, Dr. Jayanta Bhattacharya M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Medicine, Stanford University said, “India and the US have similar issues in healthcare and it is all about providing treatment that has monetary value to the patient. Enforcing a link between cost and outcome is very important in a low resource environment like India. Data is the right way to go and when analyzed correctly, this data would help us reach the desired outcomes. My goal, along with HCG’s goal is to improve healthcare step by step and I am confident that using lessons learned in the American context and applying it to the Indian scenario, we would be able to positively change the way forward.” HCG aims to make each of its units into Centres of Excellence by offering the right treatment at the right time, thereby reducing recurrences and improving outcomes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14077/book-on-knee-osteoarthritis-by-indian-surgeons-released-at-bios-conference-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14077/book-on-knee-osteoarthritis-by-indian-surgeons-released-at-bios-conference-.html Tue, 02 Jul 2019 12:10:00 +0530 World renowned knee surgeon, Professor AA Shetty launched a book on Knee Osteoarthritis in a ceremonial function organized last weekend during the annual conference of British Indian Orthopaedic Society (BIOS) in Leicester, England. On this occasion several orthopaedic surgeons were present including President of Indian Orthopaedic Association Prof. Rajesh Malhotra, president of BIOS Prof. Gautam Chakrabarty. Prof. (Dr.) Vaishya also delivered the guest lecture on ‘3D printing’ and ‘Research in clinical practice.’ This book “Knee osteoarthritis-clinical update”, edited by renowned orthopaedic surgeon and medical researcher Prof. (Dr.) Raju Vaishya extensively describes various modes of non-operative treatment of knee OA. Speaking about the book “Knee osteoarthritis-clinical update”, Professor AA Shetty said, “I congratulate the editor and the authors for producing a comprehensive monograph on knee osteoarthritis. This book is a comprehensive book containing scientific literature on various aspects of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee, along with citations of many illustrative and exciting cases. It deals with the complete spectrum of this disease, explaining the basics to the most advanced information about the knee OA. The book has been compiled and edited extremely well and should be of great help to geriatric physicians, orthopaedic surgeons, physiotherapists, and nurses as well as to postgraduate students in orthopaedics and researchers. Editor of this book, Prof. (Dr.) Vaishya told that he believes that this book will certainly help medical students and professionals in the field gain in-depth knowledge. This book extensively describes various modes of non-operative treatment of knee OA, the role of physiotherapy in OA, various modalities used in physiotherapy, orthotic devices used to assist or restrict motion, nutraceuticals, the use of pain-relieving medications and intraarticular Injections. Surgical and non-surgical management of knee OA is extensively presented in this book. The recent developments in implant designs and surgical techniques have been covered in an exclusive chapter. These include custom Implants, coated Implants, gender-specific Implants, high flexion knees, unicompartmental arthroplasty, computer-assisted (CAS) navigation system, patient-specific total knee arthroplasty and robot-assisted navigation. Dr. Raju Vaishya is well-known researchers in the Orthopaedic community of India. He has more than 350 publications to his credit, in the various reputed International and National journals and has also authored many books and chapters. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of the reputed Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma. Also, he is on the Editorial Board and Reviewer of several other well- known medical journals. Dr. Raju Vaishya is also working as Senior Orthopaedic and Joint Replacement Surgeon at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi. He is also the President of Arthritis Care Foundation and Indian Cartilage Society. Dr. Vaishya is also the recipient of several other distinguished awards like Dr. B.C. Roy Oration Award and Gold medal, Siemens-GAPIO innovation award in Medicine, Pride of Asia International Award, Vijaya Raje Scindia Excellence award, Professor’s gold medal for the best research at Oswestry, University of Birmingham, UK and the Best Researcher IRJULA title awards. The world famous Royal College of Surgeons of England had also conferred on him FRCS.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14076/max-healthcare-organizes-doctors-day-event-life-ten-on-ten-after-liver-transplant.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14076/max-healthcare-organizes-doctors-day-event-life-ten-on-ten-after-liver-transplant.html Tue, 02 Jul 2019 12:00:00 +0530 On the occasion of Doctor’s Day, Max Healthcare organised a day-long event today at Max Hospital, Saket to celebrate the ‘true spirit of living a full life’. Ten on ten – life after liver transplant programme was attended by 100+ patients and their attendants who underwent liver transplant over a decade ago and have been leading a healthy life ever since. Select patients narrated their story of triumph over fatal life incidents as an inspiration to many others. The event was organised by the Liver and Biliary Sciences team of Max healthcare led by Dr. Subhash Gupta, renowned liver transplant surgeon who pioneered liver transplant in India / South Asia over 20 years ago. Bollywood actress, Chitrangada Singh who was surprised to see the quality of life after liver transplant and praised the excellent clinical work being done by Max Institution and congratulated the medical team. Also present at the occasion was, Pallavi Kumar, Executive Director, MOHAN Foundation who spoke about the importance of organ donation and encouraged people to come forward for this noble cause. Liver holds a crucial function in human anatomy and over the years, liver disease burden has gone up in India. Changing lifestyle, obesity, increasing prevalence of diabetes, alcoholism are important contributors to this liver epidemic. Luckily there is an effective hepatitis B vaccine and a cure for Hepatitis C. Liver failure is from severe deterioration of liver function when a large portion of the liver is damaged. Most of such cases are manageable if detected early and the patient consciously decides to follow the disciplined path but when you hit the end of the road and liver transplant is the only option left, then an experienced liver team will help you recover quickly. A decade ago, ‘liver transplant’ was looked upon as an impossible and fearful form of surgery - but with technological advancements, skill upgradation, rising clinical expertise, improved infrastructure, global exposure and knowledge exchange and more and more live donors coming forth to save lives. Talking about this event, Dr. Subhash Gupta, Chairman - Liver and Biliary Sciences, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket said, “It is overwhelming to see so many old patients living a complete and healthy life after liver transplant. I would take this opportunity to request and urge people to pledge their organs after death so that more and more transplants can be done. I also salute the spirit of these patients and more importantly, their families and friends who loved them enough to donate a part of themselves to save their lives.” Speaking at the event, Chitrangada Singh said, “This meeting has been a pleasant surprise for me as I had thought that liver cirrhosis meant sure death. I am amazed to see how life returns to normal after transplantation. But perhaps it is more important to prevent liver disease by avoiding excessive alcohol, taking a balanced diet and by regular exercise. The gathering of 100+ patients is a testimony to the fact that a combination of advancement in medical science and an individual’s willpower can help patients lead a fulfilling life even after a complicated and risky procedure such as liver transplant. Therefore, there is more and more timely need for liver transplant operations in order to save patients of cirrhosis.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14074/gleneagles-hospital-partners-with-make-a-wish-foundation-on-this-doctors-day.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14074/gleneagles-hospital-partners-with-make-a-wish-foundation-on-this-doctors-day.html Tue, 02 Jul 2019 11:45:00 +0530 Gleneagles Global Hospitals partnered with ‘Make a Wish’ Foundation this National Doctors Day to help actualize the dreams of a few young children who desired to grow up and become a doctor. Make a Wish Foundation grants the most cherished wishes of children suffering from life-threatening illnesses. On National Doctor’s Day, staff across the Gleneagles Global Hospitals network rallied together to fulfil the dreams of young kids who aspired of being doctors. Five children spend their day at various centres of Gleneagles Global Hospitals in Hyderabad, Mumbai & Bangalore with doctors & hospital staff. On the day, these kids were welcomed by the CEOs & doctors into the hospital. They were then presented with their very own doctor coats marked with their names. Following this, they spend the day as a doctor normally would, with a visit to the OPD, meeting with doctors and patients, and a tour of the Operation Theatre, where they got to see the various equipments used in surgery and also interacted with surgeons and learnt more about their jobs. The little tots were enthusiastic; shooting frequent questions to every doctor they met. Dr K. Ravindranath, Founder and Chairman, Gleneagles Global Hospitals, said, "National Doctor’s Day marks the selfless contributions of the hard-working doctor community and the unique role they play in our society. It’s easy to forget just how important, valuable and necessary good doctors are – that is, until you get ill. For others, this day should encourage them to be considerate of the long hours doctors work, their compassion, and the effort they put into practicing medicine. This year, we wanted to mark National Doctor’s Day with a special initiative. We decided to collaborate with Make a Wish Foundation across our hospitals in Hyderabad, Bangalore & Mumbai. For our doctors, this meant having the privileged opportunity to fulfil the wishes of a little child who dreamt of being a doctor one day." Jean-Francois Naa, Interim Chief Executive Officer, India Operations Division, Parkway Pantai added, "Even small acts of kindness can have great effects on others. It can help someone who is going through hard times, it can impact someone’s attitude and it can help pay it forward. These children are putting up a fight for survival and to have a day to completely be themselves and live their dream is an opportunity our doctors were thrilled to be a part of." National Doctors’ Day is celebrated every year on the 1st of July to celebrate and recognize the contributions of doctors to individuals and to the society at large. This Doctors’ Day, a collaborative effort with Make a Wish Foundation meant five young children have a unique experience, playing the role of a doctor. Gleneagles Global Hospitals has multi-super speciality hospitals in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Mumbai. The brand is the most preferred hospital group for multi-organ transplants in Asia region. The parent entity of Gleneagles Global Hospitals is IHH Healthcare, a leading premium integrated healthcare provider with a network of 84 hospitals and more than 16,000 licensed beds. It is one of the largest healthcare groups in the world by market capitalisation and is listed in the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia and Main Board of SGX-ST. IHH is a leading player in the home markets of Malaysia, Singapore, Turkey and India, and in their key growth markets of China and Hong Kong. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14063/eris-lifesciences-plexusmd-to-offer-ai-powered-learning-platform.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14063/eris-lifesciences-plexusmd-to-offer-ai-powered-learning-platform.html Tue, 02 Jul 2019 09:15:00 +0530 Eris Lifesciences, a leading pharmaceutical company, and PlexusMD, India’s largest professional networking platform for doctors have announced their partnership for a unique AI-powered learning platform named “Saarthi”. Through this endeavour, the companies aim to enable Indian physicians stay connected with global developments and practise evidence-based medicine to improve patient health outcomes. Artificial intelligence (AI) empowered technology and machine learning can help tailor the content and adapt the pace of delivery to each practising physician’s unique learning needs for them to apply the insights more effectively in their practice. This app-based platform will be a one-stop destination to provide Continuing Medical Education (CME), medical content, medico-legal precedents, medical conference feeds, case discussions, etc. for physicians. “Saarthi” is an interactive, innovative and relevant platform to simplify learning for doctors, who continuously face time-constraints in their attempt to keep abreast with latest developments in the medical field. With an artificial intelligence empowered technology, Saarthi will help doctors in their evidence-based practice as each patient case can be unique. A distinctive feature of the app is a calculator that will help doctors quickly arrive at the right dosages, drug combinations and diagnostic criteria for commonly encountered situations. Highlighting the need for such an offering, Dr. Viraj Suvarna, President Medical, Eris Lifesciences Ltd. said: “This is a collaboration between two very exciting pioneers, one from the pharmaceutical space and the other from technology. This partnership is a step forward in a domain that requires deep learning but where time constraints become a major deterrent for doctors”. Elaborating on the partnership, Dr. Rohan Desai, Founder, PlexusMD, said: “E-learning is the reality in every domain, including medicine. Saarthi is a unique platform where an AI-powered engine will deliver precise and customized content to the enrolled doctors depending on their interests and learning requirements. The app will address two critical issues in today’s time –information overload and fake news – to ensure doctors are provided with information relevant to them.” “Technology has made learning an enjoyable experience. The traditional learning that doctors were exposed to during their graduation and post-graduation days can now be made exciting with the use of technology. Doctors can learn from case studies using virtual and augmented reality”. Eris Lifesciences is focused on filling up the gaps in patient care: diagnostics, therapeutics and patient compliance. PlexusMD, an online professional network for medical professionals and healthcare organisations, is centered on professional growth of doctors.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14067/aakash-healthcare-performs-complex-life-saving-brain-tumor-removal-surgery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14067/aakash-healthcare-performs-complex-life-saving-brain-tumor-removal-surgery.html Mon, 01 Jul 2019 17:15:00 +0530 Aakash Healthcare Super Speciality Hospital performed a complex life-saving brain tumor removal surgery on a 3-year-old baby. The baby had a large tumor like mass in the brain stem with hydrocephalus (collection of water in the brain). The baby underwent emergency surgery for removal of the brainstem lesion and opening of channels for free drainage of brain water. Team of doctors lead by Dr. Amit Srivastava, Director - Neurosurgery and Dr. Nagesh Chandra, Senior Consultant and HOD, Neurosurgery & Spine, Aakash Healthcare Super Speciality Hospital, Dwarka performed this successful surgery. Family of Ayoob approached Aakash Healthcare, Dwarka with complain of repeated passing out (unconscious state), difficulty in breathing and inability to move both hands and legs. He was critically ill as the tumor had spread to the important part of the brain which control limb movement (in Brain Stem) and had become life threatening. He was immediately attended by a team of neurologists who advised a MRI of the brain along with requisite blood tests. The tests revealed brain tumor on the brain stem and it was spreading gradually to critical areas of the brain. Further investigations and diagnosis revealed that removal of the tumor entails high risk to life and can develop complications to the body but was critical to his survival. Explaining about this critical case Dr Nagesh Chandra, Senior Consultant and HOD, Neurosurgery & Spine, Aakash Healthcare Super Speciality Hospital, Dwarka said, “The brain stem is the “No Man’s Land” in Neurosurgery as this small compact area controls breathing, heart activity, consciousness and movement of hands and legs. Any surgery in this area is technically challenging and even a minor mishap here can result in devastating complications, often irreversible. Hence, we planned for minimally invasive microscopic neuro surgery, this is an innovative surgical technique used to remove brain tumors through surgical removal of part of the bone from the skull to expose the brain. Specialized tools are used for removal of the brainstem lesion and opening of channels for free drainage of brain water. This purely microscopic approach of removing tumor is highly advantageous to the patients who are in a very critical stage and any mis-happening can happen from open surgery.” Commenting upon this complex and challenging case, Dr. Amit Srivastava, Director- Neurosurgery further explained, “The surgery went for 05 hours and concluded successfully on 16th April, 2019 and within 3 days the child started moving his limbs well and taking oral feeds. On referring the international peer reviewed literature it is found that only one case of brainstem hydatid cyst was reported earlier and that too was in an adult patient, hence this is the youngest baby with case of hydatid cyst in brainstem. In the case of baby Ayoob the biggest disadvantage was that he approached us at later stage when the lesion has already spread to brain and things went beyond medical control. Though it was a challenging surgery, it was conducted successfully.” These kind of surgery sometimes might develop risks such as weakness of one side of body, speech problem, etc. but he showed no signs of complications and is doing well now and recovering. His post-operative CT also showed no residual tumor. And after 08 days of good post-operative care he recovered and has been discharged. He is under medication for the next 03months/days but can do all normal routine activities.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14065/indias-most-successful-heart-and-lung-transplant-program-now-anchored-at-global-hospitals-parel.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14065/indias-most-successful-heart-and-lung-transplant-program-now-anchored-at-global-hospitals-parel.html Mon, 01 Jul 2019 16:55:00 +0530 Doctors from Global Hospital, Mumbai, the latest addition to the geographical footprint of Gleneagles Global Hospitals, India informed that their Hospital is now equipped and capable to deal with very complex and chronic heart and lung ailments and has started a robust Heart and Lung Transplantation program. Global Hospital, Mumbai which is a part of Gleneagles Global Hospital’s Integrated Heart and Lung Transplant Program has successfully completed three transplants and the flagship program nationally has performed 63 heart, 74 lungs and combined 16 heart and lung transplants, which is the highest in the country in the past two and a half years. Briefing on the program’s vision, doctors from Global Hospital informed that the focus of the program is to stabilize patients as they await transplantation and provide medically the most suitable options for patients who are not transplant candidates. The program has developed a customized approach towards treating congestive heart failure that is reducing hospital admissions, improving the quality of life for patients and lowering mortality rates. The program is rooted in a rounded medical approach that emphasizes intensive education and lifestyle counseling. "Every program of such complex nature needs the right ecosystem of a wide range of medical professionals, high-end technology and a very responsive team-work culture. We have been evidently able to overcome this challenge in Mumbai. We are fully ready to scale the program in a full-fledged manner now across Western India and offer patients, continuity of care in all major cities in this part of the country,” said Dr Sandeep Attawar, Director and Chair of the Heart and Lung Program, Gleneagles Global Hospitals. Dr. Attawar informed, that in India preservation of heart and lungs in a deceased patient is quite challenging. He added, “The heart and the lungs are the first organs to suffer damage in a brain dead person if they are not managed well. It requires a high level of monitoring, medication, and expertise. As a result, in every 10 donations, liver or kidneys may be viable in 7 or 8 cases, because they tend to be fairly well preserved. Unfortunately, the lungs are viable 1 or 2 times out of 10 donations. Lungs tend to be easily damaged either due to poor ventilator support or improper care of the lung or due to unavailability of the right expertise or incorrect antibiotics used. When a lung is considered for transplantation, there have to be 8 or 10 parameters that have to be met before deeming its suitability for a recipient.” Speaking on this occasion Dr. K. Ravindranath, Chairman of Gleneagles Global Hospitals group expressed great satisfaction in the progress of the program and its stability in Mumbai. He stated, therefore, "I would like to compliment the pioneering efforts by the clinical team and thank them for pursuing this challenging work, bringing a multi-disciplinary team together and training them to work on this singular goal. I am sure this program in Mumbai will offer a safe and caring atmosphere for all patients like all our other organ transplant programs running for decades across India.” Speaking on this occasion Dr. Vivek Talaulikar, CEO- Global Hospital, Mumbai said, “With the introduction of the Heart and Lung transplant program at Global Hospital, Mumbai we now offer the services of the most successful and robust Heart and Lung transplant team to the people of Mumbai and Western India. I would also like to compliment the efforts taken by the ZTCC and appreciate the hospitals in Maharashtra who have taken the lead in ensuring awareness towards organ donation. A special mention goes to the families who even in their moment of grief display great courage and motivation to serve humanity by consenting for organ donation. As per data shared by ZTCC, organ donation in Mumbai city alone, within the first six months of the calendar year has already crossed the last year’s total annual figure. The need of the hour is to raise awareness about the importance of organ donation. Our goal is to educate the masses through sustained awareness programs and help save precious lives and families”. Heart and Lung transplant recipients are living longer than ever before, thanks to rapid advances in technology, medications and surgical procedures. With advances in surgical techniques and immunosuppressive drugs, more than 80% of heart recipients survive more than 3 years after the operation. Lung transplantation is a relatively new procedure that continues to see improvement. Currently, more than 65% of lung recipients survive at least 3 years after a transplant. The success rate of our program is at 85% and this has been published in ISHLT, bringing our Heart and Lung transplant program racing ahead of many of its world competitors. A few transplant recipients from Maharashtra attended the conference and shared their story. All of them thanked and expressed gratitude to the donors and their family, program and the doctors who gave them a new lease of life. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14056/bajaj-finserv-salutes-medical-practitioners-this-doctors-day-with-its-onelifemanyroles-campaign.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14056/bajaj-finserv-salutes-medical-practitioners-this-doctors-day-with-its-onelifemanyroles-campaign.html Mon, 01 Jul 2019 11:05:00 +0530 Bajaj Finserv’s #OneLifeManyRoles is one of the digitally engaging initiatives by the company to appreciate the efforts and contribution of the medical fraternity and showcase their customized suite of financing options designed especially for them. Bajaj Finance Limited, the lending arm of Bajaj Finserv, has announced a special campaign in honor of Doctor’s Daywhich will be celebrated on July 1, 2019. Through their latest digital campaign #OneLifeManyRoles which is on for a limited period during 28 June 2019 and 4 July 2019, Bajaj Finserv is celebrating and acknowledging the professional and personal journey of doctors. Doctors can win prizes such as an assured Amazon Echo Dot and assured indemnity insurance of up to Rs.20 lakh once they avail a Loan for Doctors from Bajaj Finserv. This complements Bajaj Finserv’s exclusive range of customized financing options for doctors, which helps them fulfill their many roles and responsibilities, be it as a provider, caregiver, parent, counselor, innovator, or mentor without any hassles or compromise. Doctors successfully don multiple roles and the financing options for Doctors charted by Bajaj Finserv are devised keeping in mind the multiple personal and profession-based requirements of doctors. Financing options from Bajaj Finserv are convenient with part prepayment options and are backed by user-friendly online account access to manage it all. The exclusive suite of loan for Doctors range from Personal loan for Doctors, Business Loan for Doctors, Home loan for Doctors and Loan Against Property for Doctors. Under this umbrella of loan options, doctors can avail a personal or a business loan of up to Rs. 32 lakh. The Home loan for Doctors and the Loan Against Property for Doctors option enables them access of up to Rs. 2 crores of the loan amount. With multiple tasks to tick off their list, their finances need extra flexibility. Bajaj Finserv offers this via its Bajaj Finserv RBL Bank Doctor’s SuperCard. Doctors can give their purchasing power a boost, access an interest-free emergency loan, make cash withdrawals without paying interest, earn reward points and get professional indemnity insurance of up to Rs.20 lakh Doctors can secure their future and plan for their retirement by investing in Bajaj Finance Fixed Deposits. The #OneLifeManyRoles campaign encourages doctors to engage in a social media contest and win the technologically advanced Amazon Echo Dot. The contest is also open for all. Participants stand a chance to win attractive giveaways like Shoppers Stop vouchers, Amazon Echo Dot and Google Pixel 3 smartphones for them as well as their doctors. To participate in the contest and win exciting prizes, visit https://www.bajajfinserv.in/doctors-day/onelifemanyroles ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14055/doctors-bust-the-myths-around-epilepsy-stress-that-it-is-completely-curable.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14055/doctors-bust-the-myths-around-epilepsy-stress-that-it-is-completely-curable.html Mon, 01 Jul 2019 10:55:00 +0530 Stressing that Epilepsy is completely curable and there is no need to panic, a group of doctors from Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh took part in a social media campaign to bust the various myths associated with the neurological disorder, and to urge patients to trust modern medicine. The patient awareness campaign Care with Compassion was undertaken by Ahmedabad-based pharma major Cadila Pharmaceuticals and was aimed at creating awareness about Epilepsy and the available treatments. Lack of knowledge of anti-epileptic drugs, poverty, cultural beliefs, stigma, poor health infrastructure, and shortage of trained professionals contribute to the treatment gap, according to experts. As a part of the campaign, Dr Lomesh Bhirud of Surat stressed on the need to take Epilepsy patients to neurologists rather than risking their lives by taking them to Bhuvas. Dr Vishal Jogi of Ahmedabad reiterated that the latest technological advancements have made Epilepsy completely curable. Dr Amit Patanvadiya from Surat emphasized on the need for using proper anti-epileptics to control epileptic attacks. Epilepsy affects 14 people per 1,000 population in India, the majority of them children and young adults, and in rural areas. An estimated 12 million people in India are epileptics. In fact, the country is home to one of every six people suffering from Epilepsy worldwide. What has made Epilepsy a bigger problem than it is a lack of awareness and social stigma attached with the disorder. According to estimates, 60% of the Persons with Epilepsy consult a doctor after suffering a seizure. However, the corresponding number is just 10% in rural areas. Further, a staggering 95% of the people with active Epilepsy do not receive appropriate treatment for their condition, leading to large treatment gap. Dr YC Shah from Ahmedabad spoke about various common myths associated with epilepsy. Dr Kaushik Rana of Vadodara supported the latest research on epilepsy and urged patients and caretakers not to get panicky. Dr. Malay Ghodasara of Rajkot urged patients to avail of modern treatment, and not to opt for traditional rituals for treatment. Doctors from Uttar Pradesh were also roped in for the awareness campaign Dr Ashish Tiwari from Varanasi provide valuable insights into the signs and symptoms of the disease. Dr Arun Kumar Singh from Lucknow reiterated that there was no need to fear Epilepsy anymore. Dr Sanjeev Suri of Kanpur spoke about the various stigmas that surround the disorder and urged people to treat it like just any other disease. Cadila Pharmaceuticals launched the campaign Care with Compassion last month with doctors coming together to spread awareness around Schizophrenia. The campaign had garnered more than 1 lakh impressions.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14054/-aster-dm-healthcare-expands-with-multi-specialty-hospital-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14054/-aster-dm-healthcare-expands-with-multi-specialty-hospital-in-bengaluru.html Mon, 01 Jul 2019 10:50:00 +0530 Aster DM Healthcare, one of the largest integrated healthcare service network in the GCC and the third largest healthcare company in India, is expanding its footprint by commissioning its second multi-specialty quaternary care hospital in Bangalore called Aster RV Hospital.Located in the heart of the city at JP Nagar 1st Phase, the hospital has been formally inaugurated by the Honourable Governor of Karnataka Shri Vajubhai Vala; in the presence of Ms. Sowmya Reddy, MLA, J.P. Nagar Constituency; Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman and Managing Director of Aster DM Healthcare and Dr. Panduranga Setty, President of RV Group of Institutions. The 250 bedded Aster RV Hospital is introducing specialty services through its Centers of Excellence in Cardiac-Sciences, Neuro-Sciences, Gastro-Sciences, General and Laparoscopic surgery, Integrated Liver Care, Organ Transplant, Urology and Nephrology, Orthopedics, Urology & Nephrology & General Medicine; with added features like Bi Plane Cath Lab, Da Vinci Robotic System for robotic surgeries, Intra-Operative MRI Machine, Integrated Liver Care and 53 critical care beds across ICU, CCU & TICU. Spread across 1.5 lakh sqft of built up area, the quaternary care hospital has 39 out-patient consultation rooms, 9 operating theatres and offers other specialties like ENT, General Medicine, Endocrinology, Plastic Surgery, Dermatology, Radiology among others, supported by a team of highly qualified doctors, medical professionals and nurses. Speaking on the occasion Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman and Managing Director of Aster DM Healthcare said, “It gives us great pleasure to launch our second world-class healthcare facility in the Garden City of India. Aster entered Karnataka with its first hospital in Hebbal few years back and was promptly recognized as a trusted name. This prompted us to come up with the 2nd hospital so quickly at J P Nagar, which happens to be our 25th hospital worldwide. We now have 13 hospitals in 5 Southern States of India with 4573 beds in India and 1100 in GCC. This new hospital will offer state-of-the-art quaternary care services to the people of Bangalore as well as those coming to the city as part of Medical Value Travel from outside the country. We are thankful to the people of the Karnataka and the medical fraternity of the state for the confidence showered on us.” Aster RV Hospital is also keen to proactively address the health needs of people with special needs in Bangalore and with this thought, Ms. Sowmya Reddy, MLA, J.P. Nagar introduced the Aster Enable privilege cards for the special-needs community on the occasion of the launch. The privilege card will allow the card holder to have access to exclusive privileges and services. These services would also be extended to people with special needs across Aster facilities in India.    "The long-standing ambition of Rashtreeya Sikshana Samithi Trust of providing different services like quality health science education and quality health services has come to fruition with the opening of Aster RV Hospital. RV Institutions are happy to be associated with Aster DM Healthcare, one of the world’s best health services provider. Aster RV Hospital will provide state of the art modern health care to South Bengaluru which hitherto lacked these services," said Dr. Panduranga Setty, President of RV Group of institutions. Commenting on the launch Dr. Harish Pillai, CEO of Aster Hospitals & Clinics in India said, “The inauguration of the new facility - Aster RV at J.P Nagar by the Hon’ble Governor of Karnataka Shri Vaju Bhai Vala, re-affirms our commitment to the residents of Bengaluru and neighboring districts in offering the best quality healthcare which is easily available and accessible. Holistic and comprehensive treatments are offered to the patients using cutting - edge diagnostic and therapeutic technology, making it one of the few facilities of its kind.  Aster RV has got an excellent clinical faculty with an empowered support team that will consistently deliver best in class clinical and service excellence at all touch points. With this second unit in the city after Aster CMI -Hebbal, we shall continue to deliver upon our commitment of We’ll Treat You Well and extend services across a larger footprint within Bengaluru.” “At Aster, we are on a mission to create multiple centres of clinical excellence built on Aster’s global culture of excellence. Aster RV hospital aims to provide medical care in accordance with the global best practices in healthcare. It is our endeavor to deliver all preventive, diagnostic, curative and rehabilitation services under one roof. The hospital will cater to the requirements of regional, national and international patients seeking quality and affordable healthcare services. Aster RV hospital’s ambience and infrastructure has been designed to make patients- Feel better to heal better,” said Dr. Nitish Shetty, CEO – Aster Hospitals & Clinics, Karnataka, India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14048/mobile-breast-cancer-screening-bus-to-serve-women.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14048/mobile-breast-cancer-screening-bus-to-serve-women.html Mon, 01 Jul 2019 10:00:00 +0530 Rotary Bangalore Palmville has launched The Pink Express, a mobile breast cancer screening centre equipped with breast cancer screening equipment.  The event was attended by senior dignitaries from Rotary, Sakra World Hospital and the industry. This is an initiative by Rotary Bangalore Palmville supported by Sakra World Hospital ( a leading Hospital in Bangalore). The Pink Express will be used for conducting awareness and screening camps for the underprivileged free of cost. While the Rotary is funding all the medical equipment for the Pink Express, Sakra Hospital is providing the doctors and medical technicians to conduct these camps.  Speaking at the occasion, Mr Ritesh Goel ( President - Rotary Palmville) said "Rotary is involved with many community service based  projects involving Healthcare, Education, Environment and Vocational areas. Today, we are very happy to launch this initiative as a part of Rotary International's global focus on Healthcare.  The technology being used in the Pink Express for screening is based on Thermal Imaging. This is a "No Touch No Pain" process encouraging more women to undergo this test and hence create a bigger social impact" Mr Takashi Maki ( MD of Sakra World Hospital ) said "This initiative is in line with our philosophy of community services. We are very pleased to partner with Rotary who are committed to projects for a social cause. Breast Cancer is the biggest killer among women in India today. While in western countries the survival rates in Breast Cancer over the years has become progressively very high, sadly in India it is still woefully low. This is primarily due to lack of awareness and periodic screening as a result of which majority of the cases get detected in stage 3 or stage 4. This initiative is hence focused on Awareness Building and Early Detection leading to higher survival rates" Added Mr Soumitro Ghosh ( Program Director- Rotary Palmville): “The Pink Express will travel to parts of Rural Bangalore, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to do the camps. It is equipped with the Thermal Imaging equipment and an Ultrasonogram. The unique thing about the screening is the use of a new technology which is based on Thermal Imaging where heat maps of the breast are captured and subsequently interpreted by the system automatically aided by AI-based Machine Learning software. The solution- Thermalytix is from Niramai, a Bangalore based company. Besides other benefits like a pain free process and no radiation hazards, this technology can detect abnormalities even below the age group of 40 years which is very relevant as India has a growing incidence rate of Breast Cancer in the younger population" ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14050/cancer-foundation-challenges-icmr-report-on-ends.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14050/cancer-foundation-challenges-icmr-report-on-ends.html Mon, 01 Jul 2019 10:00:00 +0530 In a letter to the Minister of Health and Family Welfare, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), The Cancer Foundation – a non-profit organisation involved in multi aspect alleviation of cancer problem, shared a rebuttal to the white paper released by ICMR on May 29, 2019. In the letter, referencing the white paper which called for a complete ban on Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), The Cancer Foundation (CF) expresses concern that both ICMR and the Government of India are taking a one-sided view of the situation and a contrarian viewpoint should be given due consideration with a view to formulate regulations for the category. Highlighting the statistics on the increase in disease burden caused by consumption of tobacco is at a rise, the letter called out that in India itself, approximately 45% of all cancers among males and 17% among females are directly attributable to tobacco use. In addition, nearly 1.35 million Indians die due to tobacco related illnesses each year, taking a toll not just on families and society but also on the public health system. To this end, the letter states that “many scientific institutions of repute have acknowledged that tools such as Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) pose significantly less risk to health compared to traditional cigarettes or bidis. These devices, which contain addictive nicotine, but do not emit the toxic medley of carcinogens found in cigarette smoke, are growing popular as an alternative that smokers can opt for to reduce their exposure to toxins and lower risk of cancer and other tobacco-related illnesses”, the letter said. The Cancer Foundation in its letter also raised questions on why ENDS is an exception when cigarettes, which make the population sicker and are conclusively linked to high mortality rates are not banned? “If India opts to impose a ban on ENDS, it is inevitable that a black market will emerge where it will become impossible to prevent sale to youth and non-smokers. Global regulations also set benchmarks for manufacturing standards, battery and e-liquid quality, and nicotine content, but in the event of prohibition, these parameters will also be beyond control, and if anything, black marketing may lead to an influx of poor quality ENDS into the market, which could pose serious risk of injury and harm”, the letter added. Elaborating on the concerns around the possible ban on ENDS products, CF in its letter emphasised that this approach might be a step away from the larger goal of tobacco control in the country. In addition to preventing adult smokers from having access to reduced harm alternatives, a ban could potentially be detrimental to attempts towards addressing the risk of tobacco related cancer. The letter also highlights regulatory and programmatic initiatives from other countries including the recent initiative by the Government of New Zealand that encourages adult smokers to switch to vaping. “Recently, the Ministry of Health of New Zealand launched a campaign and website (called Vaping Facts) to inform smokers of the facts about vaping and to encourage them to make the switch. The key message is that vaping can help some smokers quit, but it is not completely harmless and is not for non-smokers. The website also clarifies certain myths about vaping and informs that switching can limit exposure to toxic substances, reduce risks of heart and lung ailments (including cancer), and has no health impacts for by-standers.” Urging the Government of India to adopt a similar approach the letter states that  “India, too, can use a combination of regulatory and programmatic awareness tools to help existing smokers make an informed choice about their health.” The letter also highlights that none of the legislation mentioned in the ICMR report are applicable to ENDS as a product class including the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and that an attempt to retrofit ENDS under the DCA will not pass legal muster on account of prior positions adopted by the Drugs Consultative Committee and the Delhi High Court. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14049/saince-introduces-novel-healthcare-platform-qural.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14049/saince-introduces-novel-healthcare-platform-qural.html Sat, 29 Jun 2019 19:45:00 +0530 Saince a leading healthcare software solutions company from Atlanta, USA has introduced “Qural” (pronounced Cure-all) in India. Qural is a free-to-subscribe, comprehensive healthcare mobile and desktop application to aid patients, physicians, pharmacies and labs interconnect with each other. The application enables easy and seamless flow of information across and between stakeholders, critical for patients as well as doctors. Qural has a simple dashboard, UI and UX features that even a common man can handle very easily. In beta for a month now, this free to use app, is commercially available in app stores from today. The application is already having an active subscriber base of 10,000 users, is aiming to add 1,000,000 more subscribers in next 12 months. The company aims to launch the app in all major metros during the next 90 days. Raghu Vir, Founder and CEO, Saince Health Tech, reveals, “Qural is very different. There are several healthcare apps in the market but they all operate in a narrow segment, unable to address the complexities involving multiple stakeholder interactions required in healthcare delivery. Qural is an integrated platform connecting all stakeholders in healthcare delivery in an intuitive manner.” “Even non-technical people will find it easy to use, and interconnect in real-time and grow their relationships. Although Qural is a free platform, we are very selective and careful about whom we on board onto this solution.” Raghu added.   Benefits of using Qural Patients: Patients can search for high quality doctors and book appointments directly. They can also save their family’s medical information in a safe and secure location. Records are also shareable with their doctor through the app. Other utilities include ordering medicines from neighbourhood pharmacy including search option for labs. There are also  Health Calculators to help keep track of health. Healthline and HealthTube on the other hand keeps users informed and responsive. Physicians: Physicians will have the ability to manage their appointments, write e-prescriptions and order for tests for their patients. Qural comes with an in-built electronic drug database which is a first in the industry. Doctors can also use the integrated EMR for documenting the patient care they provide. Retail Pharmacies: At a time when major online pharmacies are driving the small retailer out of business, Qural platform enables the small retail pharmacy to effectively compete with these online pharmacies. Once a pharmacy sets up their account, they can immediately start accepting online orders and provide ‘take-away’ or ‘home delivery’ service to their customers. Labs and Imaging Centers: For labs and imaging centres, Qural gives them the ability to accept and process electronic orders received from their referring doctor community. Once these orders are received, they can schedule patients and provide services thereby increasing patient as well as referring physician satisfaction.   Raghu Vir says “With Qural, we are effectively democratizing the technology and levelling the playing field. Unlike other players in the market, we connect each player directly with their peer.” All these retail pharmacies, once they come on board with Qural, will have the same technical strength as larger online pharmacies. Costs can also drop since patients can avoid frequent doctor, lab or even pharmacy visits. Saince continues to invest in new technologies to benefit patient care and doctor communities. The company is promoter funded and reinvests its profits to augment its business growth. The company has invested over Rs.50 Cr to build the platform and drug database technology. Saince sees a huge potential for this application in the market and it is keen to grow the app’s utility and launch it new markets. Raising funding is an option the company might consider in future but at the current time all growth is funded from internal sources. Saince HealthTech is the India arm of the parent company and has its operations in Hyderabad. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14045/aster-cmi-launches-initiative-for-blood-stem-cell-donor-registration.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14045/aster-cmi-launches-initiative-for-blood-stem-cell-donor-registration.html Fri, 28 Jun 2019 16:50:00 +0530 In order to call out stem cell donation as the need of the hour for blood cancer patients in India, Aster CMI Hospital is launching a donor registration campaign by inviting people to register as stem cell donors. In addition to all Aster employees getting registered as stem cell donors on that day, it will be an open to all event in order to provide general public an opportunity to register themselves as stem cell donors and relieve India of its whopping burden of blood cancer and blood related disorder. DATRI, India’s biggest stem cell registry has come on- board and will collaborate with Aster CMI in the donor registration drive. While about only 2,000 stem cell transplants take place in India every year, around 80,000 to 1,00,000 annual transplants are required to tackle the large burden of blood cancers and fatal blood disorders. The stem cell donation drive by Aster CMI is expected to bust several myths related to stem cell donation, preventing adequate number of donors from getting registered. Also, it will spread awareness among most Indians who do not have the knowledge that a one-time stem cell donation can give a new lease of life to a dying patient and is safe and causes negligible pain and discomfort. A significant percentage of the urgent need for transplants can be met if more Indians come forward to register themselves and donate stem cells. India has only about 4 lakh donors registered on a stem cell registry. Because of the small database of donors in India, the chances of finding a donor match are as low as 10-15% as compared to the west, where the chances are as high as 60-70%. In order for a successful match to be made, both donor and patient must have an HLA match depending on the type of transplant. It is difficult to find the right match, even within the own family, where only 30 per cent of people are able to find a match with their siblings. Unlike blood donation, not many are registered as stem cell donors. For patients such as those diagnosed with Leukemia, a blood stem cell transplant is the only chance of a cure. However, people believe that their energy levels would be depleted if they donate blood stem cells which is not true and all that is required is a simple swab of the inside of one’s cheeks. Commenting on this initiative, Dr. Vijay Agarwal, Lead & Sr. Consultant Medical Oncology & Hematology, Aster CMI Hospital said: “There is a need to increase awareness and encourage more people in India to register as blood stem cell donors.There is lack of awareness on the ground, and also misinformation to some extent.It takes just a couple of minutes to register as a potential donor. The only thing that is required is a simple swab of the inside of your cheeks to determine your HLA characteristics. Given this easy way of registering, I would request more people to come forward and join the registry.” To register / pledge, he or she will first have to fill a registration form and consent form, followed by a cheek swab. The cell sample is then sent to a lab to determine the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) type, which is saved in the registry.These donors are then on the registry till 60 years of age.They could get the rare opportunity to give hope of a second chance at life to their genetic twin by donating their renewable blood stem cells through a safe process. A survivor, Sonia (name changed), who was a recipient of stem cells from a donor said: “I have had a miraculous life. I waited for very long for the donation and it was a critical period of my life. It is not easy to go through cancer and blood cancer in particular has few survivors.” “It is the best feeling in the world to save a life and be responsible to our community and the feeling of meeting the person who is alive because of you would be the biggest high in one's life,said a donor Saieesh. Speaking at the event, Dr Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman and Managing Director of Aster DM Healthcare, said: “At Aster, it has always been a priority to bridge the gap between patients in-need and access to the required medical care. This initiative for enrolling donors for BMT organized as a part of the Aster Volunteers with support from DATRI, we would like to increase the awareness around stem cell donation. Employees of Aster across the globe shall register themselves as a stem cell donor for saving lives through BMT.” Reeth Abraham, renowned athlete and Arjuna awardee who is the chief guest at the event, said: “Many patients suffering from blood cancer and other blood disorders need a blood stem cell transplant to survive. Unfortunately, the majority of patients are never able to receive a transplant due to unavailability of a matching blood stem cell donor. A lack of understanding and multiple misconceptions existing amongst people about the process, impacts the cause. This is why we should join hands and build up a strong awareness and stem cell donor data base in order to help our fellow countrymen who are in need of stem cell to survive and make India a better place to live in.” Aster DM Healthcare Limited is one of the largest private healthcare service providers operating in multiple GCC states and is an emerging healthcare player in India. With an inherent emphasis on clinical excellence the Company is one of the few entities in the world with a strong presence across primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary healthcare through its 24 hospitals, 116 clinics and 219 pharmacies. These are manned by our 18,700+ employees from across the geographies that we are present in, delivering on a simple yet strong promise to its people: “We’ll treat you well.”  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14040/kci-medical-india-honored-as-one-of-economic-times-best-healthcare-brands-of-2019.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14040/kci-medical-india-honored-as-one-of-economic-times-best-healthcare-brands-of-2019.html Fri, 28 Jun 2019 15:35:00 +0530 KCI, an Acelity Company has announced that the Company has been recognized in India as one of the Economic Times’ Best Healthcare Brands of 2019. This prestigious award honors brands with robust growth, brand excellence, high customer satisfaction and a commitment to innovation across the healthcare sector. Data was collected through an 11-city survey, comprised of more than 9,000 consumers, patients, healthcare professionals and hospital stakeholders to build a list of brands who symbolize quality, trust and reliability in the Indian healthcare market. The winners were chosen after extensive quantitative and qualitative analyses of the data collected and overall performance of the companies. This year marks the Economic Times’ third edition of this initiative. “We are honored to have been recognized as one of the Best Healthcare Brands of 2019 in India by the Economic Times,” said R. Andrew Eckert, Chief Executive Officer, KCI. “As a company, we are committed to increasing patient access to our advanced wound care solutions around the globe. We are pleased with the continued success of our operations in India and look forward to reinforcing our position as a company that healthcare providers and their patients can turn to for their advanced wound care needs.” “As the healthcare sector in India continues to strengthen, establishing an even stronger foothold in the region has been a keen focus for us,” said Sanjeev Kumar Sawhney, Regional Vice President and General Manager, India, KCI. “Since establishing operations in India in 2012, we have been tirelessly working to ensure clinicians and patients across the country have access to our products when they need them most. This award is a testament to the hard work KCI Medical India has put in over the last few years and we hope to continue the trend of growth, high customer satisfaction and unwavering innovation in the market.” KCI, an Acelity Company, is a well trusted brand in advanced wound care. It is a leader in negative pressure wound therapy, providing solutions for both wound healing and surgical management. Its product offerings are available in more than 90 countries and deliver value through solutions that speed healing. KCI is a leader in quality, safety and customer experience and is committed to advancing the science of healing. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, KCI employs approximately 4,500 people worldwide. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14039/bioderma-plans-to-strengthen-presence-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14039/bioderma-plans-to-strengthen-presence-in-india.html Fri, 28 Jun 2019 15:25:00 +0530 NAOS Skin Care India Private Limited is on an expansion spree in India. Bioderma, one of the renowned skincare brands of NAOS, plans to strengthen its presence and deploy its global best practices in the market. Bioderma Hero Brand Sensibio Micellar Water is the inventor of Micellar water globally. Sensibio Micellar Water acts as a cleanser and makeup remover. Currently, Bioderma is growing at a healthy pace of 20-25% Y-o-Y and it aims to further expand as per market standards. The firm is working on expanding its organization structure at national and regional levels, which would eventually help them in transforming the regional infrastructure. Besides, Bioderma looks to grow its business on a pan-India level. Commenting on the expansion plans, Mr. Sanjay Sahu, Managing Director of NAOS Skin Care India Private Limited said, “We believe, in a country like India, with around 25-30% (approx.) of the overall population residing between age group 18 and 39 years, the cosmetics market is bound to witness healthy growth from this category. The rising disposable incomes, the aspiring and beauty-conscious millennials are expected to drive growth and transform the cosmetics industry in the coming years. From a strategic standpoint, India is one of our key markets due to huge Young population, shifting demographics and high digital dependency.” Currently, we see a lot of potential in the Derma cosmetics category and want to deliver the best to our consumers. At NAOS, we believe in philosophy of eco-biology and all our products ensure to take care of our consumers’ beautiful skin. Our target markets are similar to any premium cosmetic category players and we wish to penetrate in the market phase wise.” According to Red Seer Consulting, the size of India’s cosmetics market is expected to touch $20 billion by 2025 from the current level of $6.5 billion. With India’s growing millennial population contributing to the exponential sales growth of cosmetics, Bioderma envisions catering to this segment and strengthening its Indian presence. France-based, science-driven derma firm NAOS, is present in the Indian market since 2014 and is one amongst the renowned global cosmeceuticals companies to have preserved its independence. Around, 40 years ago, Jean-Noël Thorel-Founder, pharmacist-biologist, overthrew the established understanding of the beauty industry by giving birth to a disruptive but respectful approach: eco-biology. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14036/early-diagnosis-can-help-cure-most-childhood-cancers.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14036/early-diagnosis-can-help-cure-most-childhood-cancers.html Fri, 28 Jun 2019 11:25:00 +0530 Bengaluru based Onco.com, the world’s first online cancer care platform, has announced it is now providing free cancer consultations for all children below the age of 14 who are suffering from cancer. Said Rashie Jain, Cofounder & CEO, Onco.com: “Not many people relate cancer to young kids, but the reality is that childhood cancers account for 3-5% of all cancer cases in India. The country hosts a fifth of all childhood cancer patients in the world. As many as 50,000 children get affected by cancer every year in the country, a number growing by 1.5% annually. We believe that no child should ever die of cancer, especially when it can be treated with a high degree of success. We at Onco.com have decided to provide free cancer consultations for all children below the age of 14 years.”    Onco.com has served more than 250 child cancer patients till now and gets 5-8 requests for treatment guidance every month for child patients. The Incidence of childhood cancer in India ranges between 80 to 260 per million population. More boys get afflicted with cancer than girls. The commonest cancers in children are related to blood and brain. In boys, the commonest cancers are leukemia and lymphoma, while for girls, these are leukemia and brain tumors. The commonest symptoms of blood cancers are frequent fever, loss of weight, generalized weakness, paleness of skin and loss of appetite.  Dr. Amit Jotwani, Cofounder of Onco.com and Chief of Medical Services who himself is a seasoned oncologist said: “Childhood cancers have better chances of cure as they are more responsive to treatment. In developed nations, the cure rate for childhood cancer is 80%. This plunges to just 40% in developing nations like India. The results also vary within the country, with metro cities and states with better healthcare facilities having much better cure rates. The incidence of childhood cancers in India is quite low compared to the total number of adult patients. Because of this, the infrastructure for treatment of childhood cancer patients is lacking in the country, even though they require more intensive care and monitoring than adult patients. There are not enough centers providing specialized treatment of childhood cancers. This adversely affects the quality of childhood cancer care, eventually leading to poorer cure rates.”   Talking about the survival rates of patients, Dr. Amit Jotwani said: “There is not enough mortality data for childhood cancers in India. However, there are three major causes of death in children with cancer: delayed diagnosis at advanced stage; lack of adequate treatment facilities; and lack of proper care during treatment. Less than 30% childhood cancers in India get diagnosed in time, which adversely affects the young patient’s chances for a cure.”   Pointing out the various myths and challenges regarding child cancer, Rashie Jain, Cofounder & CEO, Onco.com, said: “The most common myth is that cancer doesn't affect children and it is a disease of old age. This leads to a delay in diagnosis, which makes it difficult to achieve cure. People need to be educated that cancer can affect anyone, from a new born to an elderly person. Even when a child is diagnosed with cancer, many parents think that cancer cannot be cured and do not make enough effort at treatment. Little do they realize that childhood cancers actually have much higher chances of cure than adulthood cancers.”    She added: “As a society, we need to increase awareness about childhood cancers so that both parents and doctors do not miss this disease in its early stages. We also need to spread the message that childhood cancers are highly curable if treated in time. Government should set up well-equipped treatment centers for childhood cancers with facilities for advanced treatment, as well as provide research and training of specialists. Dedicated funds should be allocated for treatment of childhood cancers under government insurance schemes, as children require much more intensive care than adults.”   Talking about the role that online portals like Onco.com can play in improving outcomes, Dr. Jotwani recounted the case of a child suffering from Wilm's tumour, whose parents had approached the cancer care platform for advice. He said: “The child had been operated two weeks before and the parents were not sure regarding further treatment. Once they approached us, we formed a panel of senior oncologists for their opinion. The patient had not been advised further treatment and was asked to go home, as the surgeon who operated on the child earlier was not a childhood cancer specialist. Our panel recommended immediate radiation treatment followed by chemotherapy. We guided the parents to a childhood cancer specialist in a hospital equipped with cancer care for childhood patients. Wilm's tumour has more than 90% chances of cure. Had the child not undergone further treatment on our advice, he would have been deprived of cure from this disease.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14017/nasscom-nathealth-to-boost-digital-health-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14017/nasscom-nathealth-to-boost-digital-health-in-india.html Fri, 28 Jun 2019 09:00:00 +0530 India’s National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) has announced its collaboration with apex healthcare industry body NATHEALTH. The partnership is with NASSCOM’s Center of Excellence for the Internet of Things (CoE IoT) and will leverage the benefits that IoT and AI can bring to the healthcare sector. They aim to deploy emerging technologies, to ensure better delivery of healthcare. The healthcare sector is at the cusp of transformation in terms of digital adoption and through robust policy advocacy initiatives. Debjani Ghosh, President, NASSCOM said, “This partnership would coin the two bodies as pioneers in the healthcare space, and with our combined resources we hope to witness a significant contribution and development in the healthcare systems accessible in our country. Through such collaborations, we can strengthen our potential as an innovation hub and bring about a transformation in varied sectors across industries. With technology permeating through all verticals today, we are confident that we see advanced healthcare facilities that provide easily accessible and affordable services to the citizens of our country.” Through this collaboration, NATHEALTH and CoE have identified five major areas of collaboration, which would promote efficient, accessible and easily available technology enabled products and solutions for the citizens of India. a) Digital Adoption by Healthcare Industry: Work with members and member organizations of NATHEALTH to improve technology adoption through co-creation programs. Especially focus on IoT, AI/ML/DL, Robotics, AR/VR and Blockchain technologies that have a positive impact in improving healthcare in India. b) Universal Healthcare: Jointly work with Central and State Government Organizations, NGOs and Corporate CSR Teams to identify healthcare projects that have a significant impact on public health. Work towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and support the Government in achieving Healthcare Goals. c) Policy Advocacy Initiatives: Jointly work on collecting the voice of the Industry on various policy and regulatory topics that directly or indirectly impact healthcare delivery in India. Where needed and feasible, represent the industry voice with the policy makers in the Government, with a view to improve the regulatory environment in India. Examples include DISHA, EHR2016, National Healthcare Blueprint etc. d) Thought Leadership: Collaborate on joint health-tech events across India to drive change management across the healthcare delivery industry, enable peer group collaboration, panel discussions, special workshops, presentations and recognition of success stories etc. e) Tech Enabled Innovation: Jointly work in curating and seeding tech enabled innovations to accelerate India’s drive towards universal health coverage and also create pathways for scale. Dr. H. Sudarshan Ballal, President, NATHEALTH said, “We agreed to form a partnership to equip the future of Indian healthcare through effective usage of technology enabling growth and advancement in Healthcare industry. The initiative will be supported by our members, networks, and brand. NATHEALTH aims to provide support to innovation through co-creation program with specialized focus on IoT, AI, Robotics, AR/VR, Blockchain technologies that have a positive impact.” Siddhartha Bhattacharya, Secretary-General, NATHEALTH said, “NATHEALTH and NASSCOM have come together to innovate and create scalable models for healthcare delivery. This is an area where India can truly excel and be a model for many countries. Healthcare is ready for technology disruption and the time is now.” The joint initiative will collectively act as an interface between the industry and government on various policy and regulatory topics with a view to improve the regulatory environment in India. Through this agreement, health start-ups can leverage access to capital, mentorship, industry partnerships and technology support. The collaboration will also help them scale newer markets.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14025/curofy-launches-new-chat-feature.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14025/curofy-launches-new-chat-feature.html Fri, 28 Jun 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Curofy, a healthcare networking application for doctors has launched ‘Curofy Chat’ feature. The new feature offers a fast and simple messaging service where doctors can chat with his/her fellow doctors and also can share /answer medical cases at the same time. Not only this, one can chat with hospital members and even discuss cases in group. The main aim behind this feature is to provide a platform for doctors for immediate diagnosis. A survey was conducted on around 4,00,000 doctors where more than 85 % doctors were in favour that Curofy has become a problem-solving platform for them especially in the rural areas where the doctor count is less. Also, with the help of this, doctors can communicate at a faster way using the new innovation in the medical world. Curofy Chat helps to discuss clinical cases in real time, create private chat room for doctors, connect without sharing the contact, one can form the professional multi-speciality groups and also robust communication. Discussion about problems in such groups can help to reduce the time of consultation and treatment. When doctor is in doubt about any case, he/she can easily get second opinion from his/her choice of doctor in the private chat as well. Speaking about the feature, Pawan Gupta, Co-Founder, Curofy, "The chat feature transforms Curofy from being a knowledge sharing platform to an immediate diagnosis platform. This truly has the potential of disrupting doctors' day to day life in a good way. This is one of our biggest launch since our inception.” Curofy is a Gurugram based doctors’ networking platform which creates a spam-free and secure environment to communicate with each other.           ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14032/new-curofy-chat-feature-from-curofy-app-helps-doctors-on-real-time-cases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14032/new-curofy-chat-feature-from-curofy-app-helps-doctors-on-real-time-cases.html Thu, 27 Jun 2019 23:10:00 +0530 Curofy, a leading healthcare networking application for doctors has launched ‘Curofy Chat’ feature. The new feature offers a fast and simple messaging service where doctors can chat with his/her fellow doctors and also can share /answer medical cases at the same time. One can also chat with hospital members and even discuss cases in a group. The main aim behind this feature is to provide a platform for doctors for immediate diagnosis. A survey was conducted on around 4,00,000 doctors where more than 85% of doctors were in favour that Curofy has become a problem-solving platform for them especially in the rural areas where the doctor count is less. Also, with the help of this, doctors can communicate in a faster way using the new innovation in the medical world. Curofy Chat helps to discuss clinical cases in real time, create a private chat room for doctors, connect without sharing the contact, one can form the professional multi-speciality groups and also robust communication. Discussion about problems in such groups can help to reduce the time of consultation and treatment. When a doctor is in doubt about any case, he/she can easily get the second opinion from his/her choice of doctor in the private chat as well. Speaking about the feature, Mr Pawan Gupta, Co-Founder, Curofy, "The chat feature transforms Curofy from being a knowledge sharing platform to an immediate diagnosis platform. This truly has the potential of disrupting doctors' day to day life in a good way. This is one of our biggest launches since our inception.” Keeping into consideration, the demand and needs of doctors, the chat feature serves as a new gadget for the users. Unlike other social application, Curofy Chat is exclusively dedicated to the medical professional. Curofy is a doctors’ networking platform which creates a spam-free and secure environment to communicate with each other. With more than 4,00,000 doctors on its platform, Curofy helps to solve more than 400 cases every day. With 4,00,000 cases solved so far, Curofy is indeed the biggest digital repository of the patient care in the country. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14026/religare-health-insurance-launches-customer-awareness-campaign-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14026/religare-health-insurance-launches-customer-awareness-campaign-.html Thu, 27 Jun 2019 15:05:00 +0530 Religare Health Insurance (RHI) has taken the initiative to drive awareness among its customers and public at large on the various Do’s & Don’ts that help a customer in utilizing their policy better. The campaign is titled – ‘The Moment of Truth’ since it endeavours to simplify a customer’s experience at the time when they need their insurer the most, i.e. claiming on their Health Insurance Policy.  Sharing his thoughts on the company’s initiative, Anuj Gulati, MD and CEO, Religare Health Insurance said, “Health Insurers are often faced with situations wherein there is a gap between customer’s understanding of the product, terms & conditions and their expectations. We believe it is our responsibility to build trust & confidence for the industry among consumers & prospect, and therefore the objective of this campaign is to inform people at large about the significance of having.” Sharing his thoughts on the campaign, Raghu Bhat, Founder, Scarecrow M&C Saatchi said, “Trust is the holy grail for any health insurance brand. Educating and empowering the consumer with relevant information that helps him gain access to quality healthcare – is a great way to earn that trust. But this intent has to be backed with the right execution. We are happy that instead of being preachy, Religare Health Insurance has chosen the path of storytelling, through engaging and entertaining videos” As a pro-active effort to educate consumers, the company targeted not just its customers but also public at large. The campaign also highlights the company’s key strength – Fast and Paperless Claim Settlement Process via technology interface – Claim-genie which facilitates intimation of a claim via online submission of documents.          ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14019/fitbit-enters-into-partnership-with-cardiogram.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14019/fitbit-enters-into-partnership-with-cardiogram.html Thu, 27 Jun 2019 10:55:00 +0530 Cardiogram and Fitbit, Inc. have partnered to bring Cardiogram’s suite of health monitoring features to Fitbit users around the world, with the goal to improve care management, empower users, and potentially save lives. Fitbit pioneered the wearables category more than a decade ago with the vision of making everyone in the world healthier, and today has more than 27 million active users around the world. The Cardiogram app is a digital health and fitness diary, using heart rate and sleep data from wearable devices and displaying it on a user’s phone with insights and tracking. Over one million people use Cardiogram to track how their heart rate is affected by anything from stress, workouts, sleep, or even an episode of Game of Thrones. Now, Fitbit users can access Cardiogram’s health screening tools, which have been clinically validated to detect signs of conditions like diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, and atrial fibrillation using heart rate data from Fitbit devices. If a user is flagged as at risk for a health condition, they’re offered convenient confirmatory diagnostic testing, and newly-diagnosed users are guided to condition management programs.  Fitbit users have the option to upgrade to Cardiogram Premium—a subscription service that enables sharing of live Cardiogram data, insights, and confirmatory test results with a loved one or caretaker, and easily export data to share with a physician. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14013/manipal-hospitals-nasscom-to-enhance-healthcare-management.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14013/manipal-hospitals-nasscom-to-enhance-healthcare-management.html Wed, 26 Jun 2019 17:45:00 +0530 Manipal Hospitals, one of the nation’s leading healthcare providers, has announced its collaboration with NASSCOM Center of Excellence to capitalize on the multiple benefits of advanced technologies for improved healthcare delivery. The partnership will leverage the benefits that IoT and AI can bring to the healthcare sector. They aim to deploy emerging technologies, to ensure better delivery of healthcare. The two companies have identified the following major areas of collaboration: Manipal Health will closely with NASSCOM CoE in evangelizing the digital healthcare solutions adoption by the healthcare delivery organization, through NASSCOM CoEs, flagship initiative LHIF (Lifesciences & Healthcare Innovation Forum). LHIF is a collaborative innovation platform consisting of Start-ups, Medical Device Companies, Pharma Companies, Insurance Companies, Academia and government representatives. This forum helps in peer group collaboration, deliberate on contemporary topics around technology adoption, policy level challenges, disruptive delivery models etc. Under the co-creation program, Manipal Health works closely with NASSCOM CoE in identifying latest health tech products and solutions available in the eco-system consisting of Startups and Technology companies, to meet their internal business needs and address their operational challenges. This co-creation program helps Manipal Health in sourcing innovative solutions at affordable cost and with quick implementation time frames. NASSCOM CoE, provides access to latest innovations emerging in the Indian eco-system that can be leveraged by Manipal Health for adoption. In turn Manipal Health provides mentorship to the healthcare startups in designing their solutions and scaling up their business, by providing access to their experts and giving them the opportunity to work with them through co-creation program. Work together on social impact projects that benefit the corporate social responsibility objectives of Manipal Health.   Speaking on the occasion, Sanjeev Malhotra, CEO, NASSCOM Center of Excellence, said, “This partnership with Manipal Hospitals is reflective of the synergy between healthcare and technology today. The Center of Excellence is fostering innovation across leading industry verticals, and healthcare is one such industry at the forefront of digital transformation. Through this partnership, I am hopeful that we can accelerate Manipal Hospitals’ endeavour to be a leader in adopting digital technologies for enhanced patient care.” As per Dr. Anoop Amarnath, Chief of Clinical Services, Manipal Hospitals, “Technology is the only means through which healthcare can be delivered to a wider audience. As India moves towards universal health coverage, this partnership between Manipal Health and NASSCOM CoE, will enable technology-enabled healthcare models to reach out to the truly deserving.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14006/p-d-hinduja-hospital-mrc-hosts-a-conclave-called-skilling-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14006/p-d-hinduja-hospital-mrc-hosts-a-conclave-called-skilling-india.html Wed, 26 Jun 2019 10:45:00 +0530 P.D. Hinduja Hospital & MRC in association with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Healthcare Sector Skill Council (HSSC) hosted a conclave on ‘Skilling India - Skilling for Healthier India’ on 22nd June, 2019 in Mumbai. Globally, organizations have gained an understanding that talent is not developed in isolation but is the collective effort of diverse skill sets and continuous dedication towards maintaining and enhancing expertise. With a similar thought process, P.D. Hinduja Hospital & MRC organized a conclave and a panel discussion that aimed to introduce an integrated approach towards developing well-trained medical professionals. On the occasion, Healthcare Sector Skill Council (HSSC) also the launched Western Regional Council. P.D. Hinduja Hospital & MRC, has always believed that quality healthcare starts with well-trained healthcare professionals. The demand and supply gap for skilled professionals in the allied health sciences area is huge and the hospital is committed to addressing this gap with niche courses and skill development programs. Under Allied Health Sciences, the hospital provides courses for Advanced Medical Laboratory Technician, Critical Care Technician, Dialysis Technician, Operation Theatre and Anesthesia Technician, Radiology Technician Certificate, etc. The duration of these courses is one year and is open for H.Sc pass/ Graduates depending on their desired specialization. Addressing the conclave Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee IAS, Secretary, Medical Education & Drugs Department, Government of Maharashtra said, “There is a shortage of trained allied health professionals in the field of healthcare, it is therefore imperative for us to collaborate and introduce courses that can adequately address this shortage by imparting knowledge on diverse and niche skills sets. Curriculums need to be revisited and designed basis the challenges that we are facing today, apart from this we also need to collectively work towards setting high standards for healthcare deliverables in India, putting us on par with the best in global healthcare practices.” Mr. Ashish Jain- CE0, HSSC said, “We have the best of healthcare providers who have come from both public and private sector like pharma companies, medical device companies etc. The ultimate Goal for us is to cater to the demands of the overall healthcare sector which will be helpful with the Board coming together”. “We are very thrilled to be a part of this path breaking event. This is a step in the right direction and can be seen as a guiding tool for training the healthcare professionals which is the need of the hour today. Here is an opportunity, wherein the western region of our country can identify the current need of the jobs that a public health system and healthcare providers require” said Dr. Shubnum Singh, Special Guest & Chairperson HSSC & Director, Medical Education & Research, Max Healthcare Institute Ltd. Mr. Joy Chakraborty COO, P.D. Hinduja Hospital & MRC and also Chairman HSSC West Region said, “Under Skilling India program we are targeting to generate 50000 skilled work force and job opportunities likewise. The healthcare industry will not be able to accomplish its goals without allied health professionals and it is imperative to equip them with essential tools that can enable them to excel in their respective fields. We aim to train medical professionals who can make a positive impact on the healthcare landscape in India. We are very proud of our students and we would like to congratulate our current batch of students and wish them success in their respective careers.” The conclave was attended by eminent personalities from the healthcare industry. The Special Guest was Dr. Shubnum Singh, Chairperson HSSC & Director, Medical Education and Research, Max Healthcare Institute Ltd, Guest of Honour was Ms. R. Vimala IAS, CEO MSRLM Government of Maharashtra and the key note address was given by Chief Guest Sanjay Mukherjee IAS Secretary, Medical Education & Drugs Department, Government of Maharashtra. The eminent speakers at the conclave were Ms Jane Karkeda , Regional Director CII Western Region, Mr Ashish Jain, CEO HSSC and Mr Joy Chakraborty, Chairman HSSC West Region and COO P.D Hinduja hospital and MRC. The topics of panel discussions were ‘’Allied Health Professionals: Role in Transforming Healthcare Delivery”, “Challenges in Allied Health Skilling”, “Expectation of services provider organizations from Allied Health Workforce/Training” and “Workforce Crisis in Healthcare learning from the Globe”. The panelist consisted of eminent personalities from the Healthcare industry like Mr V.Krishna Business Unit Head Meril, Dr. Manoj Gandhi, Secretary, BNHA, Ms. Anita Rajan – CEO Tata Strive, Dr. Rajkumar Patil – Medical Director, Suburban Bombay Hospital, Dr. P.M Bhujang, President Association of Hospitals, Prof Neela Dabir, Dean – School of Vocation Education, TISS, Dr. Avinash Supe, Director Hinduja Healthcare, Dr. P. Navalkar, Director, LIHS, Dr. Sangeeta Pikle, Director, HSSC Maharahtra, Dr Snjay Arora, Managing Director, Surburban Diagnostics,Dr Ankit Thakkar – Executive Director and CEO, Jupiter Hospital, Dr. Neil Sequeira – Vice President HR & Admin, KDAH and Dr. Aparna Jairam – Secretary APPI.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14005/nha-indian-railways-join-hands-to-organize-ayushman-bharat-pm-jay-drive.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14005/nha-indian-railways-join-hands-to-organize-ayushman-bharat-pm-jay-drive.html Wed, 26 Jun 2019 09:00:00 +0530 PM-JAY Ayushman Bharat in collaboration with the Indian Railways, organized a Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) Beneficiary identification and awareness drive at New Delhi Railway Station. Similar drives were also carried out at Old Delhi Junction, Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station and Anand Vihar Terminal Railway Station in the capital and a total of over 1000 individuals were screened. This drive is being organised to increase awareness about the Government of India’s flagship scheme AB-PMJAY and the benefits offered under it and will enable the contractual staff of the Railways and their families to verify their eligibility under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY at the Beneficiary Identification system (BIS) kiosks and avail secondary and tertiary treatment for serious illnesses anywhere across the country.  Earlier this year, National Health Authority signed an MoU with the Ministry of Railways empaneling 91 hospitals covering 17 zones under PMJAY. This is a step forward to streamline processes of healthcare delivery in the country by bringing in railway hospitals in the PM-JAY network and enable more and more people to seek and avail inpatient care at the country’s best hospitals. Speaking on the occasion, Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Railways highlighted that, “Under the visionary and dynamic leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India is implementing the world’s largest health care initiative, Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). Over 50 crore people are the expected beneficiaries. Indian Railways is proud to partner with the National Health Authority in enabling the country’s poorest and most vulnerable families to access quality healthcare under this noble initiative. Railways has been helping in identification and awareness drives at various stations in Delhi including New Delhi Railway Station, Old Delhi Junction, Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station and Anand Vihar Terminal Railway Station. I am informed similar drives have been successfully carried out in Mumbai and Chennai as well. These drives will go a long way in helping take the Government’s programmes to the masses. This initiative will also provide support to members of our contractual staff community who have devoted their lives to Indian Railways.” Talking about the partnership, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare said, “More than 30 Lakh people in the country have availed cashless treatment for life-threatening illnesses like cancer through Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY.  There is still a sizeable percentage of the vulnerable population that is not able to access hospital treatment because they do not have the means to afford it. This collaboration with the Indian Railways will enable us to further expand our network to provide quality inpatient care to a large section of the most vulnerable people who are currently left out from any of the Government-run health schemes and programmes.” Dr. Indu Bhushan, CEO, AB-PMJAY and National Health Authority said, “We were inspired by the success of the previous two drives held in Mumbai and Chennai earlier this month and the tremendous response we got from the staff and karamcharis and decided to conduct a third one at a much bigger in scale in Delhi. Partnering with the Indian Railways has enabled us to effectively drive awareness about Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY among potential beneficiaries. We deeply appreciate their support in helping us expand our network by empaneling their hospitals with us.” In line with this initiative, one pilot has already been successfully conducted on 1st June 2019 in Mumbai at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (under Central Railways) and at Mumbai Central (under Western Railways) which was followed by a second drive on 18th June 2019 at Chennai Central (under Southern Railways).      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14001/hamdard-launches-first-wellness-centre-in-karnataka.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/14001/hamdard-launches-first-wellness-centre-in-karnataka.html Tue, 25 Jun 2019 14:40:00 +0530 Hamdard India, an over 112-year-old FMCG and Unani company in India has further expanded into retail with the launch of Hamdard Wellness Centre in Bengaluru, the first in the state after the successful opening of the centres in Delhi, Hyderabad, Kanpur, and Patna. The centre will offer specialised unani consultation by experienced doctors and unani medicines at the fully stocked unani pharmacy for problems related to diabetes, heart, liver, fertility, skin, hair, digestion, piles, kidney and general health issues. The centre was inaugurated by Sivananda S Patil, Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Govt of Karnataka. "The government is gradually moving in to this field of natural therapy such as unani and ayurveda. I urge Hamdard to tie up with few districts in Karnataka and open more such centres", he said at the inaugural ceremony. Mansoor Ali, Chief Marketing and sales officer, Hamdard India said, "Hamdard India spends 85 per cent of our resources on CSR activities through our Hamdard National Foundation. We started this wellness initiative about 2 years ago. The wellness centre at Bengaluru is the outcome of this initiative of reaching out to many people with unani medicines. After this centre, we are opening two more wellness centres in July- one in Meerut and one in Ghaziabad".   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13997/apollo-endosurgery-completes-patient-enrollment-for-merit.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13997/apollo-endosurgery-completes-patient-enrollment-for-merit.html Tue, 25 Jun 2019 12:20:00 +0530 Apollo Endosurgery, a leader in less invasive medical devices for gastrointestinal and bariatric procedures, has announced that the final patient has been enrolled in the Multi-Center ESG Randomized Interventional Trial (MERIT). The US-based, prospective randomized multi-centre-controlled trial is evaluating the effectiveness of the endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty procedure. ESG is an endoscopic minimally invasive weight loss procedure based on full-thickness endoscopic suturing using Apollo’s OverStitch device. In the ESG procedure, a series of sutures are placed through the gastric wall reducing the stomach volume by up to 80% creating a restrictive endoscopic sleeve. The result allows a patient to consume less food and remain satiated longer. The purpose of the study is to demonstrate weight loss and quality of life at 12 months following the ESG procedure when compared to lifestyle modifications alone. Additionally, improvement in hypertension and type 2 diabetes at 24 months versus control will be measured. The MERIT-Trial is being conducted at nine sites in the United States. The trial’s safety and effectiveness endpoints are based on endpoints set forth in a consensus statement of the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) and the American Society of Metabolic Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and its impact on obesity related co-morbidities in patients with obesity and body mass index (BMI) between 30 - 45 kg/m². The trial enrolled two hundred patients (80 treatment / 120 control), stratified into three groups (Obesity, Obesity with hypertension, Obesity with diabetes). ESG participants who do not achieve the endpoints will receive a repeat upper endoscopy at 52 weeks +/- 4 weeks to evaluate stitch placement and thereafter remain in follow-up for twelve additional months. Control participants will follow a low-calorie, healthy lifestyle intervention for twelve months and then may be eligible for crossover to receive the ESG procedure.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13994/nathealth-the-netherlands-explore-bilateral-collaborations-in-digital-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13994/nathealth-the-netherlands-explore-bilateral-collaborations-in-digital-health.html Tue, 25 Jun 2019 10:55:00 +0530 To create a platform that brings together the Dutch and Indian expertise in digital technologies, apex Healthcare industry body-NATHEALTH and the Netherlands Embassy recently organized a Digital Health Conference in New Delhi. The conference aimed at driving digital innovation in healthcare. The Dutch healthcare experts are in India on a Digital Health Mission to explore bilateral collaborations in the sector. The Conference brought the Dutch Delegation in contact with relevant stakeholders from the ecosystem to help forge partnerships in the eHealth domain. While welcoming the experts, NATHEALTH Secretary General Siddhartha Bhattacharya said, “Our main agenda was to understand how both countries can work in partnership to address common challenges faced by the sector and co create solutions. Digital health awaits a huge opportunity as the country aspires to become a middle income nation by 2030 given its technological penetration, advancing economy and accelerating healthcare industry.” “To achieve the goal of Universal Health Care with continuum of care across primary, secondary and tertiary facilities, digital interventions would play the role of a powerful catalyst. Digital health interventions, with huge opportunities for investment and penetration, would make India a global leader,” he added. Highlighting Dutch expertise and a need for collaboration in the digital healthcare space, Ron Roozendaal, Director of Information Policy and CIO Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, Netherlands said, “Life Science and health is priority sector for strategic investment in both the Netherlands and India.  Growing market opportunities in India, combined with the Netherlands’ strengths in areas such as Digital Health, Medical devices and Diagnostics create excellent opportunities for partnerships that address shared societal challenges with smart solutions.,” “India and the Netherlands have a joint ambition to provide high-quality, affordable and accessible healthcare to all. Rapid developments in India create opportunities for the adoption of e-health concepts from the Netherlands and the joint development of new solutions that help bring care from the hospital to the home.  We look forward to explore these opportunities during this mission and learn about new approaches that might help address challenges faced in both our countries”, he added During the session experts highlighted the benefits of digital health and said that it is time for the healthcare industry at large to step up its efforts for better outcomes. The experiences of digital health technology forerunners (such as The Netherland) provide collaboration opportunities with key partners like India. The session also showcased on existing PPPs in Med-Tech/ e-Health space and highlighted Global Stars collaboration on Medical Robotics between IIT-M and Eindhoven Medical Robotics.  Cardiac AI Program (Apollo Hospitals, Microsoft & MUMC), Living Lab on eHealth & Med-Tech drew much attention of the experts. These success stories indicated both potential and opportunities in digital health space.  The area of digital healthcare is also a central theme for the India-Netherlands Technology Summit in October this year. The annual conference-cum-exposition organised jointly by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, will celebrate Indo-Dutch excellence in science, technology and innovation in especially the NEXUS of water-agrifood-health.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13992/health-minister-commemorates-netra-kumbh.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13992/health-minister-commemorates-netra-kumbh.html Tue, 25 Jun 2019 09:00:00 +0530 According to the World Health Organisation, there are around 180 million visually disabled people worldwide. Of these, between 40 and 45 million people are blind and India is the home to 15 million of them. Sadly, 75% of these people suffer avoidable blindness. Considering the vast and wide spread reach of Kumbh mela, many organisations have made it the launch pad for their initiatives. One such noteworthy initiative undertaken at Divya Kumbh 2019 is Netra Kumbh which provided free eye check-up and spectacles to the masses.  The initiative also attempted Limca book of records for maximum number of people screened in a day during Prayagraj Netra Kumbh. As many as 6,660 people were screened which is three times more than the last record which was 2,067. Overall, 2, 02,020 people were screened of which 1, 56,020 patients were given free spectacles. In a bid to commemorate and honour the initiative, a ceremony was organized recently at Manekshaw Centre, Dhaula Kuan in the presence of Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Health Minister occasion. Speaking about the initiative, at the event, Dr. Vardhan said, “Vision problems are very common across the country and there is also a lack of understanding and knowledge about eye health among the population of India. Netrakumbh is indeed the need of the hour and is a major step towards decreasing the burden of vision problems. I would extend my warmest congratulations to everyone for this magnificent initiative.” Dr. Harsh Vardhan also facilitated the award to HEAL Foundation for ''Exemplary contribution to the Grand success of Netrakumbh at Kumbh 2019 at Prayaagraj'. HEAL Foundation, a not for profit organisation, aims to nudge masses towards healthier practices by spreading awareness around relevant health issues. Speaking about the prestigious award, Swadeep Srivastava, Founder, HEAL Foundation, said, "Netra Kumbh is indeed a visionary attempt for vision related problems and is the need of the hour. We are very happy to be associated with such a significant platform. HEAL firmly believes that by changing health seeking behavior of all individuals and making health a priority for everyone, India’s disease burden will decline and our health status shall improve leading to country’s growth at all levels.” A souvenir which focuses on all the health initiatives taken up by several organisations at Kumbh 2019 was officially launched at the event. Besides, a special documentary and an exhibition around Kumbh was showcased. The event was also graced by Swami Chidanand Sarasvati Ji Maharaj, Dr. Krishna Gopal, Joint General Secretary of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Dr. G.N Rao, Chairman, LV Prasad Eye Institute and several other industry leaders. Dr. Rashmi, Member of Sanchalan Samiti of Netra Kumbh said, “Around 11 million people live in a state of avoidable blindness in India and most of these have not even visited an eye specialist in their life. Netra Kumbh assessed thousands of people every day with a distinction of being the longest eye hospital camp in the world, which ran throughout the length of the Prayagraj Kumbh. This was Netra Kumbh’s first ever. With the response received from visiting pilgrims and support of our partners and well-wishers, we would now like to make it a regular affair at all Kumbh Melas.” Netra Kumbh was supported by partners like Saksham, Antodaya Health Mission, Sir Ganga Ram Kolmate Hospital Delhi, National Medicos Organisation, and Rajendra Singh Smriti Nevanya. Besides, 400 doctors and thousands of volunteers were engaged in this initiative.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13982/fogsi-bayer-zydus-pharma-launch-vision-for-endometriosis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13982/fogsi-bayer-zydus-pharma-launch-vision-for-endometriosis.html Mon, 24 Jun 2019 10:45:00 +0530 FOGSI (Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecological Societies of India) in conjunction with Bayer Zydus Pharma has launched the key practice points for endometriosis – VISION (Valuable Insights in Indian Endometriosis - Redefining Outcomes) at the ‘National Conference on Technology, Advances and Infections in Obstetrics and Gynaecology’ in Hyderabad. Over 200 thought leaders from across India were involved in formulating the protocols of practice on endometriosis after a national meeting in Mumbai followed by regional meetings in Ahmedabad, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata and early this year. Endometriosis is a chronic disease that affects five to ten percent of women of childbearing age. About 176 million women suffer from it globally, and of these 26 million women belong to India alone[i]. The objective of VISION is to understand the current usage pattern of various therapeutic options in Endometriosis and develop an algorithm to guide doctors at the point of care in the management of endometriosis based on different patient profiles. The protocol will focus on providing management recommendations for endometriosis to physicians and patients from an Indian perspective. Highlighting the key focus of VISION, Dr Nandita Palshetkar, President - FOGSI said, “The key practice points aim to engage the medical fraternity to be more cognitive of diseases such as endometriosis and provide patients with the right diagnosis and treatment options. Since management of endometriosis can be challenging for the patients and the treating doctors, VISION will enable us to execute a multi-disciplinary approach and expertise to improve patient’s quality of life. I urge all gynaecologist to refer to these practice points and ensure best treatment methods are followed.” Manoj Saxena, Managing Director - Bayer Zydus Pharma, added further “Collaborations like this have a potential to bring about development within the social structure and address the health concerns of women in the society. With almost nine decades of experience, Bayer has been a true pioneer in the field of women's health. We have been working closely with FOGSI over the years on several initiatives and this joint effort to develop a protocol for managing endometriosis, extends our practice of research and development for innovative medications and new therapeutic approaches, helping make a difference to lives of Indian women suffering from endometriosis.  We will also continue to raise awareness on endometriosis as part of ‘Bayer for Women’ initiative where we address various women’s health topics, with an aim to improve their quality of life.” Diseases such as endometriosis represent a great unmet medical need in the gynaecology field. These diseases generally have a substantial negative impact on the health and quality of life of affected patients. There is a need to develop more satisfactory drug therapies for these common disorders, which affect a large number of women in our society. For several years now, Bayer has therefore been focusing its research on women's health on developing new therapies for these gynaecological diseases. Bayer’s association with FOGSI highlights their efforts in increasing awareness for endometriosis at the physician and patient level. The Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) is the professional organization representing practitioners of obstetrics and gynaecology in India. With 252 member societies and over 36,000 individual members spread over the length and breadth of the country, FOGSI is one of the largest membership-based organizations of specialized professionals. FOGSI exists to encourage and disseminate knowledge, education and research in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology, to pilot and promote preventive and therapeutic services related to the practice of obstetrics and gynaecology for betterment of the health of women and children in particular and the wellbeing of the community in general, to advocate the cause of reproductive health and rights and to support and protect the interest of practitioners of obstetrics and gynecology in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13981/gvk-mial-along-with-the-yoga-institute-curates-a-yoga-session.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13981/gvk-mial-along-with-the-yoga-institute-curates-a-yoga-session.html Fri, 21 Jun 2019 17:25:00 +0530 Yoga and arts, are delightfully harmonizing disciples rich in imagination and rooted in self-assertiveness. Each asana tells a story; the sequences and kriyas can be practised as designed movements in a symphony, and the experiences can be rightly declared as witnessing an incredible masterpiece. Understanding the yoga as a beautiful form of human art, GVK Mumbai International Airport along with The Yoga Institute curated a yoga session especially for travellers to increase awareness amongst the anxious flyers on the occasion of International Yoga Day. This was the first time that the airport’s terminal building hosted an activity at such a huge scale by the art wall. The sessions saw participation from all the patrons over meditation and asanas before boarding their flight. The activity was spread across sprawling 600 meters and the first one-hour session in the morning brought together not only the passengers travelling via Terminal 2 but also various stakeholders, employees of the airport amongst other members to pause, reflect and relax . MIAL, as industry tastemaker, understands art and takes immense pride in its largest public art initiative, ‘Jaya He Museum’. The airport through its vision and mission to own, develop, and operate an airport aims to reflect the true heritage of India and the spirit of Mumbai. Taking cues and enhancing its cultural experience a notch higher, passengers were introduced to Travel Yoga – a fulfilled yet relaxing yoga session for passengers on the move. The hassle-free yoga asanas and kriya session especially curated by the Mumbai Airport and the Yoga institute focused on asanas that can be practised on the flight, at the office or at home without disturbing the others. Considering the lifestyle and busy work schedule of the stakeholders and employees, the yoga session hosted at the MIAL heightened awareness about how senses are often ignored and how yoga helps in relaxing the mind and body. The session also emphasized on how meditation can calm the senses and demonstrated asanas that are easy, travel-friendly and specially curated for travellers who tend to be anxious while travelling. Through its continuous and tireless efforts to relive the forgotten Indian culture, the airport through its initiatives is bringing to life a sense of Indianness to Mumbai. A frontrunner in leading numerous industry innovations and pioneering facilities, Mumbai International Airport aims at providing world class services to its patrons. Understanding that travelling could cause anxiety and hassle amongst flyers, MIAL’s initiatives like the botanical gardens with exotic species, water fountains and trails provides a soothing atmosphere to the nervous flyers. Additionally, the dog therapies and majestic art installations and architecture provide an experience of a destination rather than just a transit point for passengers from around the world. Being the world’s best single runway airport, Mumbai International Airport has taken various initiatives on achieving level 3+ of carbon neutrality, emission reduction, energy conservation, noise abatement measures, etc. that help in providing a friendly travel experience to its patrons. GVK Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) is a Public Private Partnership joint venture between a GVK-led consortium and the Airports Authority of India (AAI). GVK MIAL was awarded the mandate for operating and modernizing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai (CSMIA). Through this transformational initiative, GVK MIAL aims to make CSMIA one of the world’s best airports, which consistently delights customers besides being the pride of Mumbai. The new integrated Terminal 2 at CSMIA enhances the airport’s capacity to service 40 million passengers and one million tons of cargo annually. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13979/bai-jerbai-wadia-hospital-establishes-a-paediatric-palliative-care-unit-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13979/bai-jerbai-wadia-hospital-establishes-a-paediatric-palliative-care-unit-in-india.html Fri, 21 Jun 2019 16:20:00 +0530 The goal of palliative care is to improve the quality of life of patients with serious illnesses. It prevents or treats symptoms and side effects of disease and treatment, along with tackling emotional, social, and practical problems that illness brings up. Hence, Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for children, Parel, Mumbai, is the first exclusive pediatric Hospital to start a paediatric palliative care unit in India, on May 1, 2019, to enhance the quality of life of children, and help the caregivers too.    Paediatric palliative care is the need of the hour. Many children with life-threatening conditions like cancer, HIV/ AIDS, drug-resistant tuberculosis, and life-limiting conditions such as chronic organ failure, genetic diseases, and neurological diseases, need palliative care support. India mainly has palliative care services for adults and for children suffering from cancer. Children with complex or chronic conditions represent an under-served population, and their families are often drained emotionally, financially, spiritually and physically. To help these children, the Bai JerbaiWadia Hospital for Children established the Palliative Care Unit in Mumbai and first of its kind in the country in association with Cipla Foundation. This will be the first structured palliative care service for children and will   include palliative care support for cancer as well as non-cancer conditions.   The palliative care team at this large multi-specialty hospital is composed of doctors, nurses, counselling psychologists and social workers, in collaboration with physiotherapists. Furthermore, nutritionists will provide additional support to improve quality of life for children, along with their families. This team of experts will work to empower caregivers and provide support to the child and family, alongside the treating team. In a unique approach, the palliative care team will be present in the wards where children are receiving treatment so that palliative care can be easily integrated along with treatment to maximize outcomes for patients and their families.    The unit is established to see in-patients and out-patients, in order to manage pain and other distressing symptoms and to provide psychosocial and spiritual support via holistic approach. Planning home care and training relatives to take care of the child at home is an important aspect of the team work. Good communication is extremely vital while providing support for care-givers and siblings with psychosocial and spiritual distress, particularly when the child is reaching the end of life, and after. Sensitization and awareness among health professionals is a part of the team’s activities.    Palliative care should be provided from the point of diagnosis throughout the child’s life, embracing physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs through treatment  till the end  and beyond as bereavement support for the family. It is appropriate at any stage of illness, and can be provided together with curative treatments. In cases, where cure is no longer possible, improving the quality of life becomes the main focus in caring for the child and family.   Dr Minnie Bodhanwala, CEO, Wadia Hospitals, Parel, said, “ There are 420  million children in India, and roughly, 1 in 1,000 children in India or world, need palliative care. 4.2 lakhs children under the age group of 18 may need palliative care in India. To help children with life limiting or chronic illnesses like severe malformations, organ failure, and genetic diseases, along with caregivers, on May 1st, paediatric palliative care services have been started in the Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital. Unfortunately in India, palliative care is for oncology patients, and there are no centres dedicated for ailments like organ failure or genetic diseases. Moreover, it is also not recognised by the health professionals, as there are so many chronic diseases with the lack of treatment. Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for children, Parel, Mumbai, is the first exclusive paediatric Hospital to establish a paediatric palliative care unit in India. Since May 2019, out of the 400 admissions in the hospitals, 40 patients are being taken care by the palliative care team.”   “The purpose of palliative care is to ease your child’s pain and other symptoms and provide emotional and other support to your entire family. It is a partnership between your child, your family, and the health care team. This team listens to your preferences and helps you think through the care options for your family. They will work with you and your child to make a care plan for your family. The team will help children gain the strength to carry on with daily life. Thus, it meets the emotional and developmental needs of the patients. Not only this, the team may help patients and families explore their beliefs and values so they can move toward acceptance and peace,” she concluded.    Romana Hamid, Managing Trustee, Cipla Foundation said, “Cipla first started a dedicated palliative care centre in Pune over 20 years ago. The need for palliative care in India is growing and we have been striving to make palliative care accessible to as many patients and families, as early on as possible. The partnership to launch the first paediatric palliative care OPD at Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital is a step in this direction. We are proud to work with Bai Jerabai Wadia hospital in this unique endeavour and also towards a shared vision of ‘Caring for Life’, especially for the most vulnerable groups such as children who are living with life limiting and life threatening conditions.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13976/srkf-gcri-jointly-organize-camp-for-early-detection-of-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13976/srkf-gcri-jointly-organize-camp-for-early-detection-of-cancer.html Fri, 21 Jun 2019 15:05:00 +0530 Shree Ramkrishna Knowledge Foundation (SRKKF), Surat and The Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute (GCRI), Ahmedabad jointly organized an Early Detection Cancer Camp for local residents at Lathi Taluka in Amreli District of Gujarat at 'Lalji Dadano Vadlo' managed by Santokbaa Medical Centre on 16th June, 2019. The cancer camp aimed to spread awareness, diagnose and offer treatment of Breast Cancer, Cervical Cancer and Oral Cancer to the natives of Lathi. The team of GCRI was present with their 'Sanjivani Rath', a mobile cancer clinic equipped with modern facilities and medical equipments like digital radiography, mammography, endoscopy and tele medicine, etc. An expert team of doctors comprising of Onco Surgeon, Onco Gynecologist, Radiologist and Community Oncologist rendered their services to the patients. Teams consisting of Engineers and Legal professionals were also available to offer their assistance as needed. Cancer screening tests like Mammography for Breast Cancer, Papanicolaou Test (Pap Smear) for Cervical Cancer and other examinations were done primarily of the patients. Tests like Mammograms and Pap Smears can spot cancer before any other symptoms have developed. Out of total population of 1.3 lakhs from 51 villages, more than 140 patients were examined and 34 patients have been held doubtful of having symptoms of cancer. The doctors, not only performed the physical examination of the individuals, they also inspired them to abandon the habit of chewing tobacco and pan masala which can cause serious mouth infection and may put their lives in jeopardy. Doctors urged the individuals to take pledge for not chewing tobacco henceforth and lead a healthy life. SRKKF will assist those patients who have reportedly shown some symptoms of cancer with further check-up for biopsy and serology tests. The promotion of the camp was done vigorously to alert the public for the event and about the significant health issue. Meetings, social gatherings, digital/personal communication, banners, and pamphlets were distributed at every doorstep of the villages. People in large numbers were encouraged to come for the primary check-up even in case of minor doubt. Resident doctors, medical officers, active members of various organizations and volunteers all together extended their support in making this event beneficial. SRK Knowledge Foundation has conveyed gratitude to Dr. Shashank Pandya, Director, GCRI and his team for their assistance and effective implementation of this mammoth mission. SRKKF has also expressed its willingness to organize such camps every year to reduce the intensity of this deadly disease. Shree Ramkrishna Knowledge Foundation (SRKKF) is a culmination of the evolution journey embarked upon, more than half a century ago, by our Founder Chairman, Shree Govind Dholakia in 1964. His focused, resilient, visionary, passionate and innovative approach along with his belief of 'Giving back to the Society' has inspired to setup SRKKF.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13975/vikram-hospital-emphasises-on-early-diagnosis-for-spinal-tb.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13975/vikram-hospital-emphasises-on-early-diagnosis-for-spinal-tb.html Fri, 21 Jun 2019 15:00:00 +0530 India hosts about one-fifth of the total world population of tuberculosis patients, with nearly 6 million cases of the disease existing in the country. Of all the TB patients, one to two percent suffer from TB of the skeletal system, with TB of the spine accounting for more than half the number of cases of skeletal TB. Paralysis of the leg and lower parts of the body are the most devastating complications of spinal TB (also called Pott's Spine). The patient may get bed-ridden, with all the negative consequences for the family such as unemployment and high financial burden of treatment. Said Dr. Amrithlal A Mascarenhas, Consultant Spine Surgery, Vikram Hospital, Bengaluru: “TB kills 1.6 million people worldwide. This disease cannot be eradicated from India till poverty remains. As long as there is poverty, there will be illiteracy, malnutrition, over-crowding, drug abuse, HIV infections, alcoholism, etc. All these factors are inter-related and lead to spread of TB. Diabetes, immunosuppressive treatment and genetic susceptibility are other risk factors. Spinal TB can affect both male and female, and any age group – children, adolescents, adults, elderly. Young adults and females in the reproductive age group are more susceptible to TB.” Talking about the symptoms of spinal TB, Dr. Amrithlal A Mascarenhas said: “In the active stage of the disease, patients suffer from malaise, loss of weight, loss of appetite, night sweats and evening rise of body temperature. The spine become stiff and painful on movement, with localized deformity. There are persistent muscle spasms around the affected vertebrae. These vertebrae relax during sleep, permitting movement between the inflamed surfaces, resulting in typical night cries of the patient. Spinal TB may also be associated with neurologic problems caused by compression of the spinal cord.” Said Dr. Vasunethra Kasaragod, Consultant Chest Physician, Vikram Hospital, Bengaluru: “In patients with spinal TB, anti-TB treatment should be started as early as possible. In patients with established complications of spinal tuberculosis, surgery may also be required. The treatment varies between conservative management with drugs to surgical management, or a combination of both, depending upon the severity of the disease.” Dr. Vasunethra Kasaragod added: “Using multidrug therapy, the recurrence rate for skeletal TB is about 2 percent, although the relapse rate was much higher when treatment used to be given using a single drug. Long-term multidrug anti-TB treatment helps reduce the relapse rate of spinal TB. Effective medical and surgical management of spinal TB has improved outcome of patients significantly even in the presence of neurologic deficits and spinal deformities. Neurologic complications due to spinal TB can be relatively benign if early medical and surgical management is done. Younger age of the patient and radical surgery, along with anti-TB chemotherapy, can drastically improve the outcome.” Talking about the various challenges in treatment of spinal TB, Dr. Amrithlal A Mascarenhas, Consultant Spine Surgery, Vikram Hospital, Bengaluru, said: “Accurate clinical diagnosis of spinal TB is often difficult as symptoms may not be definitely pertaining to TB. Multi-drug resistant TB poses a higher challenge to treat spinal TB adequately. There is a high chance of drug defaulters and recurrence of the disease due to lack of compliance from patients. Majority of them are illiterate and from poor background, and patient counselling may not give doctors the expected response.” Said Dr. Somesh Mittal, MD & CEO, Vikram Hospital, Bengaluru: “TB has devastating consequences for the patients, their families and the society as a whole. Spinal TB is very painful and can leave the patient immobile. Early diagnosis is the key. It is a disease borne out of poverty and poor living conditions. Luckily, India’s economic growth has accelerated since liberalization of the economy. With rising per capita income and improvement in general living standards of the people, the country will hopefully be able to drastically reduce the incidence of this disease in the next couple of decades.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13973/bwpo-iks-health-to-modernize-patient-experience.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13973/bwpo-iks-health-to-modernize-patient-experience.html Fri, 21 Jun 2019 14:20:00 +0530 Brigham Women’s Physicians Organization (BWPO), a leading global healthcare provider, has announced its new partnership with IKS Health, a premier healthcare solutions organization based in US and India, to address the demand for more detailed documentation, enable better patient and physician engagement, and increase practice efficiency.  Through this partnership, BWPO will begin implementation of IKS’ Scribble services in June 2019. Scribble allows more time for physician/patient interaction during clinical visits, frees up the physician schedule for additional patient access and reduces time spent on administrative tasks—giving doctors more time to care for both patients and themselves. Leveraging this technology, some physicians can spend up to 60 percent less time documenting data, saving 1-2 hours per day, and enabling them to see more patients. “We are working to identify solutions that allow providers to focus on taking care of patients,” said BWPO’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jessica Dudley. “By removing the burden of documentation requirements, IKS’ Scribble program will enable doctors to be more present and engaged with patients, rather than focusing on the computer.” “IKS, has always been focused on the future of healthcare and worked to provide quality care to all patients, while reducing administrative burden,” says Sachin Gupta, founder and CEO of IKS Health. “Working with Partners HealthCare and BWPO, we believe we’ll see this vision become reality as we effectively reach and improve even more patient lives through innovative technology, ensuring all stakeholders in the healthcare continuum continue to push forward and see quality improve for both patients and providers.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13972/everest-group-peak-matrix-recognizes-wipro-as-a-leader-in-healthcare-payer-digital-services.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13972/everest-group-peak-matrix-recognizes-wipro-as-a-leader-in-healthcare-payer-digital-services.html Fri, 21 Jun 2019 13:50:00 +0530  Wipro Limited,  a leading global information technology, consulting and business process services company, has announced that it has been cited as a leader in Everest Group’s Healthcare Payer Digital Services PEAK Matrix Assessment and Service Provider Landscape - 2019. The report evaluated the digital services capabilities of 20 service providers and mapped them on the Everest Group PEAK Matrix basis several vision and capability, and market impact-related parameters. Wipro was positioned as a leader for delivering transformative engagements by leveraging next-generation technologies, fostering innovation, and enhancing value-based care in the healthcare segment. Everest Group recognised Wipro as a leader in terms of its vision and strategy, innovation and investments in the Payer Digital Services space, and for leading technology adoption in the market. Wipro’s strategic acquisitions, the company’s creative ‘as-a-service’ client engagement constructs and its use of automation, cognitive capabilities, and analytics for driving superior user experience, competitive advantage and efficiency for payers have been commended in the report. “There is a perfect storm building towards digital transformation and smart patient experiences in healthcare. Regulators, payers, and the supply ecosystem are now converging on a path to accelerated innovation,” said Abhishek Singh, Vice President, Everest Group. “Wipro’s work with clients in the last few years has helped augment its credentials as an execution and innovation partner in this space.” Mohd Ehteshamul Haque, Senior Vice President and Global Head - Healthcare and Services Vertical, Health Strategic Business Unit, Wipro Limited said, “The healthcare payer industry is at a point of inflection given the innovation that is underway in this space. At Wipro, we bring together capabilities in healthcare strategic consulting, member experience design and engineering transformation to help our clients differentiate in a disruptive and competitive environment. Our rating as a leader in Everest Group’s Healthcare Payer Digital Services PEAK Matrix™ Assessment and Service Provider Landscape – 2019 underlines the success of our strategy for this unique segment.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13957/yoga-day-event-organised-by-dr-mohans-diabetes-specialities-centre.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13957/yoga-day-event-organised-by-dr-mohans-diabetes-specialities-centre.html Thu, 20 Jun 2019 15:15:00 +0530 On the occasion of International Yoga Day, Dr. Mohan's Diabetes Specialties Centre organized an hour-long Yoga Confluence to celebrate the ancient practice by joining hands with over more than 200 Chennaites. Inaugurated by Minister for Tamil Official Language and Tamil Culture and Archaeology, Govt. of Tamil Nadu Ma Foi K. Pandiarajan, the confluence brought together best-of-the-best practitioners to educate and spread awareness about Yoga in combating diabetes and leading a healthy lifestyle. Chairman of Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre, Dr. V. Mohan also delivered a special address as part of the confluence highlighting the importance of Yoga in fighting Diabetes. The one hour Yoga Confluence conducted in Gopalapuram Corporation ground showcased special Yoga demonstrations conducted by Yoga instructors that one can easily adopt for practice in day-to-day life. The confluence also reiterated the key messages of Let’s Defeat Diabetes campaign with a strong emphasis on prevention of Diabetes for non-diabetics and control of Diabetes for Diabetics. The Yoga event had various flexible asanas, meditation, breathing exercises and other postures proven to help in combating and regulating diabetes as well as other lifestyle related complications. “Inspired from ancient science, Yoga is the need of the hour for millions of people who are combating various health challenges owing to the modern lifestyle, eating habits and inadequate physical activities. Yoga is a holistic philosophy which helps in proper mind and body coordination which in turn enhances the quality of life for those who practice it regularly.  I appreciate and laud the efforts taken by the Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialties Centre in spreading this great message on the need and significance of Yoga in improving health and Diabetes”, added Ma Foi K. Pandiarajan Addressing the gathering, Dr. V. Mohan expressed “Dr. Mohan's Diabetes Specialities Centre has always been in the forefront of spreading awareness about leading a healthy lifestyle in order to combat diabetes. Today on the occasion of International Yoga Day, we take a further step towards further spreading the awareness about bringing Yoga practices into our everyday life to control Diabetes effectively. Yoga is an ancient practice that helps one master physical, mental and spiritual well-being, which is a holistic practice that we urge our patients to adopt. Yoga is the best lifestyle strategy which facilitates in reducing physical inactivity, impaired sleep, depression, stress, dysfunctional habits, which are commonly seen in type 2 diabetes and thereby helps in better management of diabetes.” People were also advised and made aware of the dos and don’ts of Yoga for immediate adoption. Participants from various walks of life had gathered for the event which showcased some very important Yoga demonstrations which will help in fighting Diabetes in the long run.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13954/esperer-bioresearch-launches-health-supplements-for-cancer-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13954/esperer-bioresearch-launches-health-supplements-for-cancer-patients.html Thu, 20 Jun 2019 10:20:00 +0530 Backed by a strong research on the nutritional deficiencies in cancer patients in India; Esperer BioResearch has launched 2 health supplements Es- Fortitude (nourish, protect &recovery) & Es- Invigour (base formula) in Delhi. The supplements aim to bring optimal efficacy of the main therapy in cancer disease management to ensure better quality of life of patients across the globe. One of the most relevant syndromes that increase as cancer progresses is cachexia that compromises the life of the patient and irremediably causes weakness and death. Hypermetabolism is correlated with clinical and biological markers of cancer cachexia and is associated with a shorter survival in metastatic cancer patients.  Thus, there is a need for preparing the body for the treatment, during the treatment and during recovery stage. All 3 phases are different and require nutritional care basis the cell biology of the body.  Dr. Rakesh Chopra, Director Medical Oncology, Hematology & Bone Marrow Transplant Aakash Healthcare: Super Specialty Hospital - Dwarka; “Food is referred as metabolic therapy amongst Cancer patients. There are different changes in different metabolic pathways in different cells in different parts of the body. A scientific formula that can aid in maintaining the quality of life of the patient along with maintaining the nutritional balance is a promising progress. We look forward to prescribing such effective health supplements and revolutionary formulas for cancer care in the future.” Raktim Chattopadhyay, Founder & CEO said; “It is our endeavour to work towards a better quality of life for cancer patients. We believe that “Personalized Medicine” is our chance to revolutionize health care. Nutritional imbalance has a direct impact on the cancer disease and our quest is to mitigate the risk that stems from nutritional deficiency in cancer patients.” Manufactured at US-FDA approved nutraceutical plant at Bengaluru; the company has been researching and providing onco-nutrition therapy to cancer patients. Delhi recorded the maximum number of cancer incidences recent days. The highest number of cancer cases recorded from Indian states were from Haryana at 39.6 % followed by Delhi at 27.3 % and Uttar Pradesh at 12.7%. As per the data collated by Delhi's Cancer Registry shows that prostate cancer is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer among men in the city, just behind oral and lung cancer cases.  The top cancers among men vary by area and include prostate, mouth, larynx, and esophagus. For women, breast cancer is consistently the highest incidence rate; this rate is also substantially higher in Delhi. Cervix Uteri and ovarian cancer are second and third respectively.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13944/ferring-pharma-collaborates-with-woom.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13944/ferring-pharma-collaborates-with-woom.html Wed, 19 Jun 2019 15:00:00 +0530 Ferring Pharmaceuticals and WOOM today announced a collaboration, which aims to improve and shorten the fertility journeys of the one in six couples who have difficulty conceiving.1 The WOOM ovulation and fertility app, currently available in Spanish - with registered users across Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Argentina and Peru - is able to analyse a woman’s menstrual cycle, lifestyle factors and biometrics to help couples better understand their bodies to either help conceive naturally or go and see a specialist as soon as possible. The app was developed in partnership with medical professionals. As part of the partnership with Ferring, a test group of 500 WOOM users from across Spain and/or Latin America will be assessed via a bespoke Fertility Programme. The programme creates a personalised journey that will help couples know faster if they have any fertility challenges and connect potential parents with local fertility services, helping unlock the door to earlier fertility treatment intervention. ‘With over 50 years of heritage in reproductive medicine, we have the expertise to interpret trends captured through the WOOM app, and to use those insights to enable more people to navigate their fertility journeys quickly and easily,’ said Klaus Dugi, Chief Medical Officer, Ferring Pharmaceuticals. ‘On a macro level, it’s our hope that this collaboration will positively and measurably impact the future of fertility access and treatment, so that more people worldwide can build a family.’ ‘We created WOOM in response to our personal experiences of becoming pregnant and by understanding the large need of having relevant information that you can trust and that is applied to you,’ said Laurence Fontinoy Co-founder and CEO of WOOM, ‘We already have over 600,000 users across Spanish speaking countries and, by collaborating with Ferring, a renowned leader in the fertility space, we hope to expand our reach to help more people achieve their dream of becoming parents sooner.’ Ferring Pharmaceuticals is a research-driven, specialty biopharmaceutical group committed to helping people around the world build families and live better lives. Headquartered in Saint-Prex, Switzerland, Ferring is a leader in reproductive medicine and women’s health, and in specialty areas within gastroenterology and urology. Ferring has been developing treatments for mothers and babies for over 50 years and has a portfolio covering treatments from conception to birth. Founded in 1950, privately-owned Ferring now employs approximately 6,500 people worldwide, has its own operating subsidiaries in nearly 60 countries and markets its products in 110 countries. WOOM is a women's technology company that through data provided by women such as menstrual cycle, age and lifestyle, helps to predict the chances of pregnancy and thus increase their chances of conceiving. WOOM also focuses on women's health and helps all women by providing them with personalised information for each of them. This FemTech company has a community where all women create groups and talk freely about their experiences, helping and giving advice to all those who need it. With 600,000 records and 900,000 downloads, it has helped more than 128,000 women become pregnant within 3 years. References: 1. Thoma ME et al. Prevalence of infertility in the United States as estimated by the current duration approach and a traditional constructed approach. Fertil Steril. 2013 Apr;99(5):1324-1331.e1. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13940/bridging-the-gap-regarding-awareness-of-vaccination-among-parents-is-important-shaina-nc-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13940/bridging-the-gap-regarding-awareness-of-vaccination-among-parents-is-important-shaina-nc-.html Wed, 19 Jun 2019 13:25:00 +0530 Shaina NC, known for her charitable work and prominent position as a BJP spokesperson recently participated in a panel discussion at a media house along with other dignitaries such as Chandrashekhar Chiplunkar, Assistant Health Officer, BMC and Dr. Nitin Shah, Consultant, Pediatric, Haemato- Oncologist, Hinduja Hospital. The panel discussion held by the Network18 group focused on Swasth Immunised India and the health of our future generations. It specifically highlighted the importance of immunization and discussed the various myths that are associated with it. Lending her voice towards the campaign, she highlighted that for a Swasth India, it is imperative that preventive measures are taken and that is possible only when people are made aware of the available preventive measures both via the government and private institutions. During the conversation, Shaina said, “A Swasth India can only materialize if we have a Swasth Immunized India. The government has undertaken initiatives such as running campaigns for measles, typhoid, and polio and will continue to do that under the health ministry. Most important is the pricing of vaccination and raising awareness for mothers, thereby encouraging them to seek these preventive measures; as a mother, I would want every parent to understand the significance of timely and proper vaccination and how it helps in providing a healthier life to children.” Further delving into the topic, the other panellists; Chandrashekhar Chiplunkar and Dr. Nitin Shah, raised their concerns about the ignorance of parents for vaccination. In one of his conversation, Dr. Nitin Shah mentioned, “There are two aspects as to why people are opposed to vaccination; one due to their lack of awareness and secondly, there are willingly not taking vaccines due to the influence of anti-vaccine groups. This knowledge gap has to be bridged by both private companies and government officials, while also addressing myths such that the anti-vaccine groups’ influence on people is reduced.” He further added, “We have increased our completely immunized children chart from 65% to 82%, but we want more doctors, media, health authorities and parents to come together and form a lobby against anti-vaccine lobbies so as to see further increase in the number of immunized children in India.” Engaging the audience with this conversation and encouraging them to consider their child’s health as priority, the panelists highlighted the recent outbreak of measles (India and abroad) which was considered to be eradicated. As per the WHO and Government of India guidelines, every child should be given 2 doses of vaccination (In 9 months and 16 months) against measles. Stating a real situation, Chandrashekhar Chiplunkar mentioned that Maharashtra has successfully implemented MR vaccine to over 90% population) and the government has conducted 42000 Immunization sessions for parents. Concluding this engaging and topical conversation, the panelists mentioned to the audience, especially the mothers, that the side effects of vaccinations are short-lived, and urged the audience and viewers to share the knowledge they have received as well as encourage other members of their respective communities to participate in immunizations drives to help prevent their children from contracting fatal diseases. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13937/sanofi-and-google-to-develop-healthcare-innovation-lab.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13937/sanofi-and-google-to-develop-healthcare-innovation-lab.html Wed, 19 Jun 2019 11:25:00 +0530 Sanofi and Google will establish a new virtual Innovation Lab with the ambition to radically transform how future medicines and health services are delivered by tapping into the power of emerging data technologies. The collaboration aims to change how Sanofi develops new treatments and will focus on three key objectives: to better understand patients and diseases, to increase Sanofi’s operational efficiency, and to improve the experience of Sanofi’s patients and customers. Sanofi and Google will leverage deep analytics across data sets to better understand key diseases and extract related patient insights.  This will enable Sanofi to research and develop more personalized approaches to treatment and identify accompanying technologies to improve health outcomes. The companies will apply technology and analytics on Sanofi’s large real world database to better understand what treatments work for patients. This aims to result in an improved ability to offer personalized treatment advice, thus optimizing patient care and reducing healthcare costs. Sanofi and Google also plan to apply artificial intelligence (AI) across diverse datasets to better forecast sales and inform marketing and supply chain efforts. Using AI will take into account real-time information as well as geographic, logistic and manufacturing constraints to help the accuracy of these complex activities. Additionally, Sanofi IT will be modernizing its infrastructure by migrating some existing business applications to Google Cloud Platform (GCP). By leveraging automation, scalability, and agility—along with increases in data and analytic capabilities—Sanofi will accelerate and simplify legacy management, provide easy access to recent technologies and its integration into business plans. The transition to GCP will maximize operational cost efficiency and support business objectives, including the Innovation Lab. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13931/experts-underline-need-for-harm-reduction-at-global-forum-on-nicotine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13931/experts-underline-need-for-harm-reduction-at-global-forum-on-nicotine.html Wed, 19 Jun 2019 09:00:00 +0530 The 6th Global Forum on Nicotine (GFN), the only international conference that focuses on the role of safer nicotine products, saw the presence of 650 public health experts, academicians, industry executives and consumer advocates from 70 countries, this year in Warsaw, Poland. Examining the rapidly developing science in relation to nicotine and its use, this year’s theme, ‘It’s time to talk about nicotine’, stirred the conversations on development of a policy framework for the use of new nicotine products with appropriate standards and regulations. At a time when India looks at banning e-cigarettes, a viable choice for smokers all over India, experts at GFN highlighted that ‘Quit or die’ is no longer the only option for those who cannot give up nicotine. Safer nicotine products such as e-cigarettes offer another way – ‘Quit or Try’ by providing an alternative without active carcinogens. The key message being that banning these products, or subjecting them to onerous regulation effectively denies access to potentially lifesaving or life enhancing products. Shedding light on the need for viable alternatives to conventional cigarettes, experts asserted the need to move away from the world of combustion through harm reduction with the ultimate goal of a smoke-free world. The discussions threw light on the viability of e-cigarettes as a proven less harmful alternative to smoking, taking examples from countries like the UK where 1.7 million former smokers have converted from smoking to exclusively vaping instead. Multiple studies presented at the conference gave insights into why people use e-cigarettes. The top reasons being to manage their tobacco consumption patterns and that smokers were convinced that vaping is less harmful than using tobacco. Tobacco Harm Reduction emerged as an important part of the conversations as experts from across the world emphasized on the imperative need to embrace combustible tobacco harm reduction as a legitimate approach that could help countries like India tackle their smoking epidemic.  ‘Harm reduction’ refers to regulations and policies which focus on the reduction of health risks, by providing safer forms of hazardous products, or encouraging less risky behaviors, rather than merely focusing on eradication of products or practices. Speaking at the forum, Dr. David Abrams, Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences New York University College of Global Public Health stated “harm reduction sits at the intersection of human rights and social justice. And that it’s about the people- including smokers and their fundamental right to make decisions for themselves and have access to technology that assists them in attaining better standards of health”. As India tightens the noose on tobacco consumption, e-cigarettes have become the front and center of conversations with arguments emerging from both sides of the aisle. For a country that is home to an estimated 11.2% of the world’s smokers, comprising of the second largest smoking population, India needs more than blanket bans to address the tobacco crisis and that too of the alternatives.   Present at the forum, Dr. Konstantinos E. Farsalino, Research Fellow at the Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center in Athens-Greece who has been conducting laboratory and clinical research on e-cigarettes as a principal investigator since 2011 stated “Tobacco harm reduction has been one of the most promising strategies in public health. As public healthcare professionals, it is our ethical duty to provide proper guidance and the right to have access to a less harmful alternative to our smoking population. India represents a highly complex public health landscape in terms of smoking and tobacco use. Tobacco use involves not only smoking boxed tobacco cigarettes but also other local forms, which is why, the Government must consider harm reduction alternatives to provide consumers a viable alternative.” Speaking on the recent discussions in India on the proposed ban Riccardo Polosa, Director Institute of Internal and Emergency Medicine, University of Catania Italy highlighted that providing alternatives such as E-cigarettes to the Indian population presents a formidable opportunity for the government to push on their tobacco control measures and advance public health agenda through reduction in tobacco-related illnesses and deaths. Therefore, policy makers and health experts must provide active smokers a chance to make informed choices and opt for alternatives that are less harmful to health. Tobacco smoking is one of the biggest public health threats in the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates there are more than one billion smokers globally and predicts one billion premature smoking-related deaths during the 21st century. For every person who dies from a smoking-related disease, there are around 20 people living and suffering from a smoking-related disease. As India inches closer towards its goal of reducing the tobacco burden, it is ironic for e-cigarettes and harm reduction products to be banned, even as legal sale of tobacco cigarettes and other harmful tobacco product continues. While the world is talking about fighting tobacco with evidence-based solutions, is India moving away from the root of the problem? Maybe it’s time to rethink if banning the only alternative available to smokers will help us fight the tobacco menace.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13928/squats-targets-to-raise-up-to-5-million-usd.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13928/squats-targets-to-raise-up-to-5-million-usd.html Tue, 18 Jun 2019 12:50:00 +0530 Underlining its commitment to growing its unique fitness ecosystem, Pune-based online fitness community SQUATS has recently announced its target to raise up to $ 5 million within the next year. The capital infusion will be leveraged to take SQUATS’ message of preventive healthcare to a much larger audience across the globe. The platform aims to clock more than 1 million FITTR downloads by 2019 and bring more than 400 global transformation coaches on board its platform by 2020. SQUATS’ distinguished and result-oriented approach has helped it achieve exponential organic growth and profitability. Since its inception, the platform has driven more than 70,000 paid fitness transformations and has built a strong, highly-engaged online community of 5,00,000 members. Till date, SQUATS has generated cumulative revenues worth $ 8.5 million – all without any external funding or marketing/advertising. By raising external funds, the platform now envisions generating a revenue of $100 million by the 2021-22 fiscal. Commenting on the projected numbers, SQUATS Founder Jitendra Chouksey, said, “SQUATS has been successfully breaking the cycle of misinformation and inefficient fitness routines since its inception, delivering tangible and verified results to thousands of Indians. Our differentiated, community-based approach has also driven strong brand loyalty amongst all our members, without burning money on heavy marketing and advertising. We are now looking to accelerate our growth trajectory. Raising external funds will help us enhance our underlying technological framework, strengthen our team, and expand our operations globally, thus making the world fitter and creating meaningful jobs in the fitness space.”  SQUATS has recently secured an undisclosed investment from Bollywood actor, producer, and entrepreneur, Suniel Shetty. With this investment, both SQUATS and its now strategic stakeholder, Suniel, have pledged to initiate a lifestyle shift amongst Indians from curative to preventive health care. This will further power the company’s long-term vision of making 50 million people fit and also enable it to create one lakh jobs in the fitness space. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13923/fortis-hospital-removes-a-gargantuan-tumor-from-the-abdomen-of-an-african-patient.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13923/fortis-hospital-removes-a-gargantuan-tumor-from-the-abdomen-of-an-african-patient.html Mon, 17 Jun 2019 17:45:00 +0530 Doctors at Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh recently removed a gargantuan tumour from the abdomen of a 32-year-old African patient. It was 36 by 40 cm in size and weighed an astounding 24 kilograms. As the tumour grew in the patient over the last few years, it gradually suppressed major organs, causing severe distress. The patient had sought help from doctors in his home country of Tanzania, but they were unable to operate a tumour of this size. The case was then presented before Dr. Pradeep Jain, who along with his team, was successful in managing this complex case, which had a high-risk rate, requiring precision and intricate skill. On presentation, the patient was extremely weak. He had a large bulge in his abdomen along with a scar (from a previous surgery which he had undergone in Tanzania). His MRI report confirmed the presence of a large solid cystic tumor in the abdomen. He was re-evaluated at Fortis Hospital Shalimar Bagh, and the MRI, PET and CT scan confirmed the presence of a large intra-abdominal tumour which was pushing the intestines on one side and compressing the ureters (the tube which brings urine from kidney to urinary bladder). He was operated on the 31st May 2019. The tumour was densely adherent to the abdominal wall, urinary bladder and small intestines with large blood vessels surrounding it. Slow and deliberate dissection was performed to remove it. It was extracted along with a segment of the small intestine and part of urinary bladder. The procedure took six hours, during which the patient lost close to 4 litres of blood. To overcome the heavy blood loss, the team was prepared with blood, plasma and platelets. To stop the bleeding, the doctors had to pack the bed of the tumour (which was in the pelvis) with abdominal sponges. Dr. Pradeep Jain, Director, GI Oncology, Fortis Hospital Shalimar Bagh said, “The patient came to us in a very severe condition. The tumour had been growing in his abdomen for the past 1.5 years and was pushing against the large intestines and was compressing the ureters. It was densely adherent to all organs and had large feeding vessels, making it a highly vascular tumour. The surgery was very difficult because of the tumour’s size. During the operation, there was a chance of massive blood loss which could have been life threatening. There was also a risk of intestinal and urinary leak as the tumour was very close to intestines and urinary bladder. The surgery was successful, and the patient responded very well to the treatment. It is extremely rare to see a tumour of that size. it weighed 24 kilograms, making it life threatening. Mr. Jawe was extremely fortunate to have survived this long without suffering any severe medical condition. While some patients may not have adequate medical facilities in their native countries, it is advisable to get the best treatment at the earliest and not wait for the condition to become this serious.” Mahipal Singh Bhanot, Facility Director, Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh said, “While we have piloted several complex surgeries in the past, this case was truly rare. When the patient came to us, we were aware of the challenges the case would bring. The patient’s situation was life threatening, however, it was successfully handled. The post-operative period was fraught with complications, but Dr. Pardeep Jain and his team was able to handle them.” Post-surgery the patient was put onto a ventilator. The abdominal packs were removed 60 hours after the procedure. He came off ventilator support on the fourth day post-surgery. Within 2 weeks of his surgery, he had recovered and is doing well. A histopathology report stated that the patient had a high grade gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST). He will be given targeted oral chemotherapy now to ensure full recovery and avoid any re-occurrence.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13920/nearly-half-of-indian-fathers-work-stress-taking-a-toll-on-their-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13920/nearly-half-of-indian-fathers-work-stress-taking-a-toll-on-their-health.html Mon, 17 Jun 2019 16:25:00 +0530 Becoming a father is one of the most rewarding experiences in life. However, it also comes with big responsibilities and sacrifices. According to a study conducted by Future Generali India Life Insurance Company Limited and Market Xcel - Market Agency Research in India, Indian fathers in their characteristic way are more worried about their child's future than their own health. A sample size of 1319 respondents with an average age of 35 years were surveyed across seven cities. A majority of the people surveyed had a graduate degree and had a household income with more than 5 lakh rupees. The study, which comes around Father's Day, finds that in the pursuit of achieving their financial goals, dads are making their health take a backseat. As per the study, only 19 out of 100 fathers surveyed place their health as the topmost priority. At the same time, 49 out of 100 fathers are under work stress most of the times, which is taking a toll on their health. It also revealed that 68% of Indian fathers are working 6 days in a week. Further, the average working hours are 7-9 hours for 55% of fathers. With changing lifestyles, fathers are concerned about their health but feel they are not able to do enough about it. Consequently, they feel fatigued and tired regularly. Vacation with family and outing with friends are seen to be most preferred solution to overcome work related stress. Interestingly, nearly half of the respondents have health insurance at an overall level. The penetration of health insurance is low in cities like Kolkata, Delhi, and Lucknow. Rakesh Wadhwa, Chief Marketing Officer, Future Generali India Life Insurance Company commented, "Through this study, we wanted to understand life's priorities of Indian fathers and their health habits. While health is one of most talked about subjects in families, our fast-paced lifestyle is increasingly taking away personal time from us. Young fathers who neglect their health are far more prone to lifestyle diseases and work-related stress than ever before. As the study indicated, fathers often end up sacrificing their own health goals while providing the best for their children. We believe that health is your true wealth and therefore, it should be prioritised over any other financial goal you may wish to achieve in life." As most of the people are engaged in private/service sector they are often under work stress. For example, in metros like Mumbai, 62 out of 100 respondents feel under work stress most of the time. In non-metros like Jaipur, 58 out of 100 respondents reel under work stress most of the time. 46% of survey respondent expressed that time is a major constraint they face to achieve health and wellness goals. Also 85% of father's feel that their careers don't allow them to have a work-life balance. Good nutrition plays a pivotal role in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and the study found that 75% pay attention to what they eat. Young fathers prefer to follow diet plans and getting adequate sleep to maintain good health. Surprisingly, having a fitness routine and following a regular work-out regime was not the top choice. 36% feel it is expensive to maintain a healthy lifestyle. A hectic lifestyle has paved way for stress, fatigue, and neglected health. There is a widespread understanding of benefits of healthy living; however, fathers are neglecting the need to take actions that will positively impact their health in the longer run. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13919/pmi-launches-online-hub-for-people-keen-on-unsmoking.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13919/pmi-launches-online-hub-for-people-keen-on-unsmoking.html Mon, 17 Jun 2019 16:15:00 +0530 Philip Morris International (PMI) has launched unsmokeyourworld.com, a new online hub for those that want to unsmoke themselves or their loved ones, their communities, or the world. The website aims to provide an inspiring and engaging place to help people kick-start their smoke-free journeys. The best way to unsmoke is to quit cigarettes and nicotine completely. For adult smokers that don’t the next best option is to switch to a better alternative. A new survey conducted by Povaddo, commissioned by PMI, shows the potential to improve personal and social relationships by quitting cigarettes. Almost three-quarters—71 percent—of nonsmokers who are in a relationship with a smoking partner said they have had disagreements with their partner because he/she smokes cigarettes. The results showed even higher levels of disagreement in Israel, Italy and Russia, with 80 percent or more stating they have argued with their partner over smoking. Have you ever had a disagreement or argument with your partner or spouse because he/she smokes cigarettes?     Yes     Russia   U.K.   U.S.   Hong Kong   Israel   Italy     82%   63%   63%   67%   80%   87%     Japan   Mexico   Australia   Brazil   Denmark   Germany     55%   77%   68%   72%   56%   55% Base: former and never smokers with a partner that smokes Smokers, however, were less likely to recognize the impact that smoking has on their relationships with loved ones, with just, on average, 36 percent of them acknowledging that smoking has caused arguments with their loved ones. “This research shows the scale of the task ahead to help smokers understand the positive impact that unsmoking could have on their relationships,” said Jacek Olczak, Chief Operating Officer, PMI. “We believe that this type of insight should be made known to smokers so they can engage in a conversation and understand the benefits of getting behind the #unsmoke movement.” Aiming to unify communities toward a smoke-free world, PMI’s unsmokeyourworld.com is an online hub where adult smokers and those that care about them can discover more about ways to unsmoke. The site shares stories of unsmoke heroes describing their smoke-free journeys and encourages readers to share their own stories. Olczak continues: “Change comes from communities uniting behind a positive conversation, which is why we have created this place forpeople to come together and hear each other’s stories for inspiration. This is an important new tool for adult smokers and those who care about them so they can access resources to inspire them to leave cigarettes behind.” Interactive elements engage readers to understand the facts behind unsmoking and allows them to publicly get involved. Users can add an ‘Unsmoke Your World’ overlay to any image they want so they can show support on social media. They can also download and share a selection of gifs to celebrate unsmoke successes. Since April 2019, over 115,000 digital #unsmokeyourworld actions have taken place across the globe—ranging from individuals supporting the campaign on social media to engaging with digital content. PMI’s is calling for people to take action and create a strong movement to an unsmoked world. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13915/the-cowrks-foundry-and-yigh-launch-healthcare-accelerator-program.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13915/the-cowrks-foundry-and-yigh-launch-healthcare-accelerator-program.html Mon, 17 Jun 2019 12:40:00 +0530 Earlier this year, the CoWrks Foundry partnered with the Yale Institute for Global Health (YIGH), supported by RMZ Foundation, to announce the collaborative Sustainable Health Initiative (SHI).      The SHI is a 24-week long interdisciplinary business accelerator program for young & early stage startups building innovative solutions in healthcare. On 7th June, the program officially launched with an event at CoWrks Residency Road to commemorate the partnership, by announcing the startups selected for the prestigious program.  In attendance from Yale were Sten H. Vermund, M.D., Ph.D., (Dean, Yale School of Public Health) and Michael Skonieczny (Deputy Director, Yale Institute for Global Health). The event was an exclusive gathering of healthcare entrepreneurs, experts in policy and seasoned practitioners. The objective of the event was to inspire and align and connect founders, investors and coaches. The event aimed at creating a community, with a shared focus on ushering innovative and scalable solutions to the Indian healthcare sector.  A keynote speech was delivered by Yale School of Public Health’s Dean Sten Vermund on the important role of social entrepreneurship in healthcare. Vermund’s speech was followed by a fireside chat between Vikram Damodaran, (Founder of five. eight), Anand Anandkumar (Founder of  Bugworks) and Dr. Charit Bhograj (Founder of Tricog Health).  Moderated by Sten Vermund, the panel discussion was centered around the key challenges, opportunities and strategies in healthcare sectors in both rural and urban India. The event came to a close with all the shortlisted startups delivering immersive product pitches to the audience. The inaugural cohort of the Sustainable Health Initiative (SHI) program comprised innovative startups building new age solutions across maternal health, infectious diseases, and healthcare accessibility and affordability.  The SHI program has been designed to power ‘Innovation’ for long-term social, health and environmental impact in emerging economies. With the ecosystem ripe for innovation, healthcare companies in India are effectively poised to impact billions in the country as well as globally.  “The cohort that we've assembled today is the culmination of a highly selective global application process. After a tough and intensive review that included multiple rounds of interviews and diligence, we've shortlisted companies from both the Indian ecosystem and Yale that are solving a diverse set of complex problems with a mission to impact the life and health of millions across the world. We find this class to consist of humble founders, passionate missions and resilient business models and look forward to arm these companies with the expertise, frameworks and network required to succeed at scale,” said Nruthya Madappa, Managing Partner, The CoWrks Foundry.  As part of this program, each startup will receive up to USD $70,000 in seed funding, mentorship from Yale’s faculty and alumni, as well as benefits from a network of Indian industry experts. In addition, the program includes structured sessions to help startups evolve into a sustainable and scalable business model, refine their go-to-market strategy and build a global network.  “Around the world, we face growing health and economic disparities.  The public sector cannot fully address the scope and scale of these challenges without private sector ingenuity and creativity,” stated Sten Vermund, Dean, Yale School of Public Health.   “We are enthusiastic about the launch today of the Sustainable Health Initiative  to further find innovate solutions that will have a significant impact on the health of communities in India, the U.S., and around the world.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13912/amitabh-bachchan-launches-see-now-campaign-to-help-end-avoidable-blindness.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13912/amitabh-bachchan-launches-see-now-campaign-to-help-end-avoidable-blindness.html Mon, 17 Jun 2019 11:30:00 +0530 Amitabh Bachchan is the face of a new campaign in Uttar Pradesh that is expected to reach tens of millions of Indians with a simple ask: go and get your vision checked.   A new SEE NOW campaign will deploy creative content across five key districts - Unnao, Lucknow, Raebareli, Lakhimpur Kheri and Sitapur.  Amitabh Bachchan said “Vision problems are extremely common in India, currently about 550 million Indians have serious vision problems which affect their families, their work and their quality of life. The basic lack of understanding and awareness of how eye health works leads to stigma around simple and easy treatments. People are often not aware of the availability in their area of quality eye care services. It really is very simple to avoid a lot of different sorts of blindness by preventative care” The social impacts of vision loss are extreme: Almost half of all drivers having impaired vision, creating a public safety issue; Women account for 67% of vision problems, but are 40% less likely to access services; Vision impairment is the second highest risk factor for learning difficulties in children; and Poor vision accounts for $37 billion in lost annual productivity. The central solution lies in raising awareness of the importance of eye health, and the safe, simple and available services that exist. Amitabh Bachchan has chosen to support this campaign to help raise awareness and urge people to go and get their vision checked at government approved services. He is a proud wearer of glasses, and hopes that this will encourage others to wear glasses without any stigma. Nick Martin, Director of Public Affairs, The Fred Hollows Foundation said,  “The Fred Hollows Foundation is honoured to have Mr Amitabh Bachchan spreading the word on the importance of eye health in India which ranks second in the world for blindness and vision impairment.” Nick Martin, Director of Public Affairs, The Fred Hollows Foundation said, “A lack of awareness and access to eye care prevents 1 in 3 Indians from seeing the world clearly. Essilor is proud to support the See Now campaign breaking down these barriers as we work towards our ambition to eradicate poor vision by 2050.” RN Mohanty, CEO, Sightsavers India said, “The See Now Campaign is much needed to generate awareness amongst the masses to simply go and get their eyesight checked as over 75% of blindness is preventable. Sightsavers India is very happy to be a part of this campaign. What is much needed in Uttar Pradesh is for people to realise the adverse implications of poor vision and to seek immediate care without delay. This need will be met through the See Now campaign. The timely initiative is highly appreciated.” The campaign is funded by The Fred Hollows Foundation and in part by Essilor Vision Foundation, and is working in partnership with Sightsavers India and Vision2020 India among others. Through partnership with Sightsavers and Essilor 2.5 NVG, the campaign has also profiled “eye heroes” who work to restore vision and fit glasses. The campaign includes an interactive call centre to allow people in those districts to find out where their nearest Sightsavers eye camp or Eye Mitra Optician is located. If none are located in the vicinity, it will register the location to request for an eye camp in the future. People in the campaign areas can put in a missed call to 9266 021 666 to hear a recorded message from Mr Bachchan and find out where their nearest eye health service is located.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13911/saifee-hospital-organizes-an-exhibit-to-give-an-insight-into-blood-the-magical-fluid-of-life.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13911/saifee-hospital-organizes-an-exhibit-to-give-an-insight-into-blood-the-magical-fluid-of-life.html Mon, 17 Jun 2019 11:20:00 +0530 This World Blood Donor Day, Saifee Hospital organized a science fair, 'Blood- the magical fluid of life' to create awareness about blood donation. The two-day event was open to all and was conducted with the help of medical professionals on 14th and 15th June, 2019. The main aim of the event was to create awareness about blood donation and showcase how blood functions and contributes to human well-being. The medical professionals and doctors addressed various myths and facts of blood and shared their insights through interactive audio visual mediums to help people reduce apprehensions towards donation. Doctors and dieticians present at the science fair provided health and diet suggestions that one could incorporate in their daily lifestyle, since blood responds to one’s food habits, lifestyle and affects the overall health and well-being of a person. Along with this they also provided information on various kinds of blood conditions affecting health. A Virtual Reality (VR) experience of blood cell flow, sound station to listen and understand the blood flow along with live demonstrations of blood cells under microscopes were conducted. Commenting on the same, Dr. Ainy Choonia, Head of Blood Bank, Saifee Hospital said, “As per a recent report, India needs4 crore units of blood every year but only 40 lakh units are available. This highlights the urgent need for the citizens to start donating blood as it can be a deciding factor in saving lives. The event was organized with the aim to eliminate the misconceptions that make blood donation an intimidating process. At Saifee Hospital, we have always believed in providing the best healthcare services to people in need and contributing to the society holistically. The response was overwhelming and we thank the attendees for spending a day understanding the need of the hour and how they can contribute in ensuring a healthier country.” Pro bono blood tests were conducted for the attendees for them to know their eligibility, blood type, haemoglobin levels and quality of blood. Since blood has a short life-span after donation, events like this can help raise awareness to create a regular pool of blood donors in the society.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13903/transasia-bio-medicals-unveils-blood-donation-app.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13903/transasia-bio-medicals-unveils-blood-donation-app.html Mon, 17 Jun 2019 09:00:00 +0530 On the occasion of World Blood Donors Day, Transasia Bio-Medicals Ltd., India’s leading In-vitro Diagnostic Company, has unveiled ‘SAVIOUR’, a location based blood donation app that is available free to everyone. It is the first in India to be on both Google Play and App Store. The new app is likely to empower those who have the resources to acquire blood but lose out on timely help due to inadequate blood bank infrastructure. It connects patients to the nearest donors, and notifies the patient in real-time on the number of donors who accept the request. Additionally, it sends out notifications to the registered donors on the need for blood based on their type. Reminders sent by the app, ensure that the donors do not forget about their commitment. Once a donation has been made, a donor is not advised to donate blood in the recovery period. At this time, the app goes into a precautionary dormant state, in order to ensure complete safety of the donor. Moreover, the app makes it very convenient for donors; they just need to check-in at the nearest hospital through the app, a step that helps save time and ensure credibility. Donors are incentivized with personal goodwill points, based on the number of donations and lives saved. In his comments, Suresh Vazirani, Chairman & Managing Director, Transasia Bio-Medicals Ltd., said, “Blood donation saves millions of lives. The new app is another by Transasia in line with our mission since inception, to make healthcare affordable and address the limited access to quality medical infrastructure for the masses. As the name rightly connotes, ‘SAVIOUR’ has been developed with a vision to empower both donors and patients and to save them from unethical practices which have led to corruption and exploitation of the needy. We will invest heavily in promotion of the new app to facilitate its widespread use and save as many lives as possible. I would like to thank my team for their efforts in developing this app and ensuring it addresses most gaps with existing alternatives. I urge the healthy youth of our nation to register on the app as donors and share the light of their life.” According to WHO estimates, blood donation by 1% of the population is the minimum needed to meet a country’s basic blood requirements. In 2016-17, India’s blood collection fell 15% over previous year, or 1.9 million units short of the 1% benchmark. The WHO norm, however, is based on global averages and does not take into account India-specific factors and disease burden. As per Industry reports, in 2016-17, over 6.57 lakh units of blood and its products were discarded. 50% of the wasted units was Plasma which has a longer shelf life as compared to whole blood and red blood cells that have to be used within 35 days. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13908/cait-stresses-on-regulations-over-a-blanket-ban-on-e-cigarettes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13908/cait-stresses-on-regulations-over-a-blanket-ban-on-e-cigarettes.html Fri, 14 Jun 2019 16:20:00 +0530 The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), in a letter to the government, has opposed the ban and stressed on the need for regulations with respect to the distribution, sale, trade and manufacturing of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) in India. CAIT has pointed that post assessment of research, many advanced economies have come up with robust frameworks that ensure stringent and transparent regulation that address the risks and benefits of the category adequately. This letter was in the light of the latest development wherein the health ministry has reportedly proposed to classify electronic smoking devices, as "drugs" under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, in an endeavour to ban the category. According to official sources, the proposal has been approved by the Drug Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), the government's top advisory body on technical matters related to medicines in the country. “CAIT recognises and supports Government’s tobacco control strategies. However, we also remain cognizant that technological innovation in the field of tobacco harm reduction offers an opportunity to smokers through products such as ENDS that significantly reduce the risks of tobacco consumption”, the letter said. They have also opposed the ban on ENDS by stating the harm it brings to the government, traders and consumers as a prohibition would cause an increase in illicit trade, counterfeit & spurious products, revenue loss and most importantly, an increased risk to the health of consumers. “It is our strong belief that allowing sale and access to less harmful alternatives as ENDS at such outlets, with appropriate regulatory measures and safeguards including age verification, will help in curbing cigarette smoking while ensuring sustained revenue for the traders and the government”, the letter added. As per studies assessed by CAIT’s research wing, advanced economies such as United States, UK, and Canada among 98 other countries have already debated this and come up with robust frameworks that ensure stringent and transparent regulation that address the risks and benefits of the category adequately. Many countries such as UAE, UK, Canada and New Zealand have invested in researching the public health impact of these devices to develop appropriate regulations for optimizing its positive impact, instead of imposing outright prohibition. Infact, according to the assessment made by Public Health England, ENDS are at least 95 per cent less harmful than combustible cigarettes and the Government of UK views ENDS as a potential tool to reduce their public health-care expenditure incurred on account of tobacco related illnesses. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13906/saveetha-medical-college-opens-a-course-in-medical-clowning.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13906/saveetha-medical-college-opens-a-course-in-medical-clowning.html Fri, 14 Jun 2019 16:05:00 +0530 MeDiClown Academy in association with Saveetha Medical College, Chennai and ranked 25th by National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) is offering an accredited & certified Fellowship in the Art and Science of Medical Clowning (FASMC). This program offered through Saveetha Medical College and Hospital will integrate the therapeutic art and science of happiness, humour and healing through laughter, joy, play and love. The program has been designed for aspirants in health and wellness, education, social sector and corporate organizations, to facilitate a happy and healthy India for all. Clowning in healthcare as a profession has been practised in the western world for over 30 years, and is now a global discipline and career. Medical Clowns are highly specialised, trained and qualified professionals. International scientific research has shown that Medical Clowning has a significant positive impact in improving mental, emotional and physical health. Stress, anxiety and depression decrease, along with a number of conditions and  illnesses including high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and infertility, to name a few. Founded in 2013, MeDiClown Academy is a registered activity of the Auroville Foundation, incubated as a social startup by Fif Fernandes and Hamish Boyd. The Academy aims to transform health and social well-being through Medical Clowning in rural and urban India. The winner of YES! i am the CHANGE 2018 Grant and Accelerator Award by the YES Foundation, MeDiClown Academy is utilising the grant to scale up operations and introduce this course for the first time in India. The FASMC program will include workplace protocols, research, sustainable health and well-being techniques, theatre and theatrical practices, core academics and fieldwork such as shadowing International Medical Clowns, amongst other training modules. The duration of this full-time course is 6-months/600 hours. Criteria for application includes a Bachelors or Post-graduate degree in any discipline from a duly recognized University; or life experience. The course will open up avenues for graduates to venture into new career lines. Speaking about the launch of the FASMC course, Fif Fernandes, Co-founder of MeDiClown Academy said, “We are extremely elated to collaborate with an esteemed university such as Saveetha University to introduce this unique fellowship program. This will help us to achieve our Vision of ‘Healing through Love, Laughter and Humour - A Healthy Happy India for All’. It will also develop job opportunities with a large pool of professionally trained MeDi Clowns.” Hamish Boyd, Co-founder of MeDiClown Academy added, “Our course curriculum has been designed after thorough research and selection of the right teaching methodologies. We are confident that our students will deliver the desired impact of MeDi Clowning on health and wellbeing outcomes in healthcare, educational, corporate and community settings.” Dr. Saveetha, Director, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital said, “As a renowned medical institution in India, we are happy to be the first to introduce this course along with MeDiClown Academy. With well documented research and studies, therapeutic clowning is now a global practice and career. Medical clowns add value in several work areas including private/government hospitals, schools, women self-help groups, traumatic and stressful environments such as in the Airforce, Army and Navy, amongst others.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13901/allmed-healthcare-management-joins-fight-to-end-opioid-epidemic.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13901/allmed-healthcare-management-joins-fight-to-end-opioid-epidemic.html Fri, 14 Jun 2019 15:45:00 +0530 AllMed Healthcare Management has announced a corporate initiative designed to increase coverage of and access to evidence-based addiction treatment. A cornerstone of the initiative is a partnership with Shatterproof, a national nonprofit focused on transforming the addiction recovery system. AllMed is also investing in additional efforts to educate providers, payers and policymakers about evidence-based addiction treatment and will host a webinar June 20 for providers and payers on opioid use disorder. The opioid epidemic is an urgent, far-reaching crisis that has touched the lives of many Americans. In fact, drug overdoses are the No. 1 cause of accidental death in America, claiming the lives of nearly 200 Americans a day. And although the epidemic is growing, research shows few people have access to treatment proven to save lives. AllMed partners with leading payers and managed care organizations to make care management decisions for a wide range of conditions and procedures, including the treatment of substance use disorders. In that role, it has seen substance use-related claims growing dramatically. In 2018, AllMed tripled the number of cases it reviewed for addiction recovery services compared to a year earlier. "We are witnessing first-hand the tremendous increase in requests for addiction recovery services, but research shows not all patients are receiving the care they need and deserve," said Andrew Rowe, chairman and CEO of AllMed Healthcare Management. "As an industry, we must continue to promote access to quality, evidence-based care. We know Shatterproof shares this goal, and we look forward to working together on this important issue." "As Shatterproof works to transform the way the system is aligned to treat and prevent addiction, we are glad to have partners like AllMed on board," said Gary Mendell, founder and CEO of Shatterproof. "AllMed's expertise will be a strong asset as we work to broaden our partnerships with leading health care organizations nationwide." In addition to its partnership with Shatterproof, AllMed will be hosting a series of webinars for payers and providers on opioid use disorder and evidence-based addiction treatment. June 20, AllMed Medical Director Dr. David Spiro will lead an interactive discussion with Rowe and Dr. Alina Vrinceanu-Hamm, a board-certified general and addiction psychiatrist, on the opioid epidemic. As a leading provider of comprehensive physician review services, AllMed Healthcare Management partners with top health care payers to provide patients better access to evidenced-based care, while controlling overutilization that drives health care costs. AllMed's partners coordinate and manage care for more than 200 million Americans. In May 2019, the company received the Oregon Ethics in Business Award, which honors organizations demonstrating ethical business practice in the workplace, the marketplace, the environment and the community. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13885/apollo-hospitals-and-abbott-to-build-indias-first-cardiac-registry-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13885/apollo-hospitals-and-abbott-to-build-indias-first-cardiac-registry-.html Fri, 14 Jun 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the biggest cause of mortality in India with nearly 25 percent of mortalities – amongst the age group of 25 to 69 years – attributed to CVDs. The condition also seems to affect Indians at least a decade earlier as compared to Europeans. With the aim of improving preventive care for cardiovascular disease in India, Apollo Hospitals and Abbott are working towards building the country’s first cardiac registry. As part of the registry, both the organizations will collect heart health data of patients visiting Apollo Hospitals across the country, including troponin levels measured by Abbott’s High Sensitive Troponin-I blood test. The data collected as part of the cardiac registry will help researchers better understand how heart disease impacts Indians, as well as patterns in cardiac risk that can help prevent CVDs and enable physicians and patients to manage their condition much more efficiently. According to the American Heart Association, setting up of cardiac registries in the US has helped hospitals and physicians improve the quality of care provided to the patients. Setting up a national cardiac registry in India would help physicians save countless lives in the years to come. Dr Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals, said, “Over the last decade, data has been central to improving the standard of care across the world. By setting up a national cardiac registry in India, we aim to collect invaluable data that would enable us improve cardiac care and save a number of lives.”   Apollo Hospitals in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata set up a pilot test last year to help its employees better understand their risk of developing heart disease. More than 16,000 Apollo's employees have been screened and the data collected has already been added to the registry. "As a leader in heart health, Apollo Hospitals is proud to pioneer the use of Abbott's blood test in India. Our employees have been the first to benefit from this initiative. We have already added the data collected to the registry and we will be making this blood test part of routine health check-ups to enable us capture more data," added Dr Sangita Reddy. Preliminary findings from the pilot indicate that the test is able to identify a younger and wider set of patients at risk of developing heart diseases - ranging from low to medium to high. More than 80 percent of the people participating in the pilot were under the age of 45, and the captured data enabled researchers to identify high-risk patients in this age group, who do not typically get assessed for their risk for heart disease. Agim Beshiri, M.D., Senior Medical Director, global Medical and Scientific affairs at Abbott's diagnostics business said, "This life-changing technology has the potential to transform how doctors identify those at risk for developing heart disease. We know not all patients fit the typical profile of a person at high risk for heart disease. Now, we have a simple and accessible blood test that is specific to the heart, sensitive for women and works across the age groups to address the earlier onset of heart disease in India." Commenting on the strategic partnership between Apollo Hospitals and Abbott’s Diagnostics business, Narendra Varde, General Manager and Country Head at Abbott’s Diagnostics business said, “This is a unique collaboration that will help transform India’s approach to cardiac care. Armed with an ahead-of-time understanding of cardiac profiles, both doctors and surgeons will be better prepared to manage health outcomes.” Troponin blood tests have been used in emergency rooms to help aid in the diagnosis of a heart attack but now research shows it could be used in a preventive setting. When added to existing cardiac risk scoring systems, such as the Framingham Risk Score, Abbott's test can more accurately predict a person's chances of  having a cardiac event even in those who show no apparent symptoms of cardiac disease – potentially years in advance.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13890/columbia-asia-referral-hospital-yeshwanthpur-conferred-with-certificate-of-merit-believers-category-at-sustainability-4-0-awards-2019-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13890/columbia-asia-referral-hospital-yeshwanthpur-conferred-with-certificate-of-merit-believers-category-at-sustainability-4-0-awards-2019-.html Thu, 13 Jun 2019 14:50:00 +0530 Columbia Asia Referral Hospital Yeshwanthpur, the leading super-speciality hospital in Bangalore has been acknowledged by Frost & Sullivan and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) for its diligent adherence towards sustainable practices and has been conferred “Certificate of Merit - Believers Category” at Sustainability 4.0 Awards 2019. The hospital was recognized for ‘Actively integrating sustainability principles into their business culture’. Sustainability 4.0 Awards aims at highlighting the need for linkages between an organization’s strategy, governance & financial performance and the social, environmental & economic context within which it operates. Through this initiative, they aspire to assist organizations to unearth the risks, leverage onto the opportunities, enable them to benchmark their performance and reward them for their accomplishments. This program enables businesses to take more logical & sustainable decisions that ensure long term stakeholder value. Columbia Asia is an international private healthcare company founded by an American entrepreneur, Mr Daniel Baty in 1996. From the outset, Columbia Asia envisioned to provide quality, affordable healthcare services easily accessed by people wherever they live - driven by our vision statement, a passion for making people better. It is owned by an investment fund, International Columbia US, LLC (ICU). In 2016, Mitsui & Co., a Japanese conglomerate with deep operating experience in Asia joined as a shareholder in ICU. Today, Columbia Asia is one of the largest and fastest growing hospital groups in Asia. It currently has 12 hospitals in Malaysia, 11 in India, 2 in Vietnam and 3 in Indonesia.  With no more than 200 beds per hospital, it leverages modern technology to provide efficient specialist care and to reduce length of hospital stays which results in more cost-effective care. The hospitals of Columbia Asia provide a wide array of specialist services such as General Surgery, Paediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Orthopaedics, Internal Medicine, Oncology, Cardiology, Neurosurgery, Bariatric surgery and more.  These are appropriately supported by ancillary services that include an Intensive Care Unit, Neonatal Care Unit, Physiotherapy, Laboratory, Pharmacy and Imaging.   At Columbia Asia, strict clinical governance, ethics and excellence is demanded.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13889/zoylo-launches-zoycare-health-kiosks-at-delhi-metro-stations.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13889/zoylo-launches-zoycare-health-kiosks-at-delhi-metro-stations.html Thu, 13 Jun 2019 14:45:00 +0530 ZOYLO, online healthcare platform has launched a unique initiative ‘Zoycare’, to bring preventive healthcare services to the people of Delhi on the move. Zoylo Digihealth Pvt. Ltd. in association with the Delhi Metro has launched “health kiosks” at two key metro stations - IIT and INA metro stations with proposed expansion plans to cover more stations soon. This health kiosks would give metro passengers quick access to diagnostic services, vital health check-ups and other preventive healthcare services. This launch brings Zoylo a step closer to its mission of making healthcare accessible to all. Well trained and experienced medical technicians at Zoycare health kiosks offer on the spot health check-ups and also facilitate services like medicine orders, pathology tests, online doctor consultations, home healthcare services and more for metro passengers. Based on the health check-up results, Zoycare team provides a predictive health analysis report and can further guide/offer the users to take necessary steps like doctor consultations, wellness services and treatment plans. This is a great move towards preventive healthcare for Delhiites, who being busy in their fast-paced life, keep postponing their healthcare needs.  Vinod Kumar Reddy, CEO, Zoylo Healthcare said, “In today’s hectic life, our health usually takes a back seat. A busy schedule makes it difficult to go for a health check-up and a person keeps postponing till it is too late! People usually consult a doctor only when there is a medical issue that gives them discomfort and delays right on time treatment. Over 25 lakh passengers use the Delhi Metro every day and Zoycare will offer them a convenient option to take charge of their health again. Zoylo Health Kiosks will help in early detection and diagnosis of many of the non-communicable diseases like diabetes, thyroid, cardiovascular disease, vitamin & mineral deficiencies at an early stage. This early diagnosis will definitely help people to seek on time treatment and stay healthy.” ZOYLO is an online healthcare platform that connects users to the entire spectrum of healthcare services creating a resourceful ecosystem of service providers and the users. Dedicated to extend the horizons of healthcare facilities and services beyond regional limitations and make it accessible to all under one roof, it stands as a synonym for healthcare digitalisation.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13784/afpi-practo-highlight-potential-of-digital-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13784/afpi-practo-highlight-potential-of-digital-healthcare.html Thu, 13 Jun 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Practo, India’s leading digital healthcare platform has signed a MOU with Academy of Family Physicians India (AFPI), an independent academic discipline and national association of family physicians, to work collaboratively towards greater understanding and adoption of digital healthcare technology. Practo will serve as AFPI's digital healthcare partner and together the two institutions will work on the areas of continuous learning and development in digital healthcare for all physicians associated with AFPI. There are a host of activities lined up as part of this MOU. Together, the two institutions will focus on conducting workshops with participation from key members of the AFPI to help spread awareness and update association members on latest trends in technology that can help them provide better care to patients. As part of the collaboration, AFPI members will not only dive deep into Practo’s industry-leading technological expertise in the healthcare domain, but will also understand the nuances of managing and securely storing all health data. Practo encrypts all data with 256-bit encryption (many banks use just 128-bit), uses HIPAA compliant data centres, and is one of the few healthcare companies to be ISO 27001 certified. AFPI is actively transforming the healthcare delivery system in India through enhanced level of community-based high quality services. The academy currently has a membership base across India and a chapter in almost every state. The members include family medicine specialists, practising family physicians, general practitioners, medical officers who provide generalist medical care across all age groups, genders and organ system. Dr Raman Kumar, President, Academy of Family Physicians India (AFPI) said, “Practice management in India today is becoming increasingly dependent on technology. Without the tools and services enabled by technology, it is very difficult for both patients and doctors to access quality care and manage relationships. As the domain leader in healthcare, Practo can help sharpen our technological capabilities to reach and serve patients much more efficiently.” With digital healthcare taking off in India in a big way, Practo is the only platform in the country to offer integrated healthcare. Digital healthcare encompasses everything from digitisation of medical practice management, increasing reach and visibility of doctors manifold, ERP management for large hospitals to providing patients with a unified platform for medical access at the touch of a button - be it doctors, diagnostics and/ or medicine. With Practo’s one-stop shop for all healthcare needs and all its offerings viz. searching and booking an appointment with a doctor at his/her clinic or hospital, Diagnostics and Medicine Delivery, in addition to its clinic and hospital management software like Ray and Insta - doctors have a host of technology-enabled tools and services at their disposal for managing their services more efficiently. Commenting on the partnership, Varun Dubey, Vice President, Practo, said: “We are excited to partner with AFPI in their quest to grow adoption of digital tools amongst doctors. India faces a severe shortage of doctors and our technology and tools can enable providers to offer a superior healthcare experience to their patients such as 24x7 instant booking, low wait times and digital health records. These tools also dramatically ease the clinic and hospital management so doctors can stay focused on treating and caring for their patients while technology takes over the rest. We look forward to working with Dr Raman and the AFPI team to empower our provider community with the right tools and information so they can deliver digital healthcare in India. Practo is a leading digital healthcare platform in Asia and this MOU is a part of Practo’s strategy to solidify collaborative relationships with such bodies and associations and contribute towards the seamless adoption of digital healthcare in the country. This MOU is the first step of many such collaborations Practo plans to undertake this year to realise its vision of simplifying healthcare by making quality healthcare more accessible, affordable and convenient. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13877/afpi-practo-highlight-potential-of-digital-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13877/afpi-practo-highlight-potential-of-digital-healthcare.html Thu, 13 Jun 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Practo, India’s leading digital healthcare platform has signed a MOU with Academy of Family Physicians India (AFPI), an independent academic discipline and national association of family physicians, to work collaboratively towards greater understanding and adoption of digital healthcare technology. Practo will serve as AFPI's digital healthcare partner and together the two institutions will work on the areas of continuous learning and development in digital healthcare for all physicians associated with AFPI. There are a host of activities lined up as part of this MOU. Together, the two institutions will focus on conducting workshops with participation from key members of the AFPI to help spread awareness and update association members on latest trends in technology that can help them provide better care to patients. As part of the collaboration, AFPI members will not only dive deep into Practo’s industry-leading technological expertise in the healthcare domain, but will also understand the nuances of managing and securely storing all health data. Practo encrypts all data with 256-bit encryption (many banks use just 128-bit), uses HIPAA compliant data centres, and is one of the few healthcare companies to be ISO 27001 certified. AFPI is actively transforming the healthcare delivery system in India through enhanced level of community-based high quality services. The academy currently has a membership base across India and a chapter in almost every state. The members include family medicine specialists, practising family physicians, general practitioners, medical officers who provide generalist medical care across all age groups, genders and organ system. Dr Raman Kumar, President, Academy of Family Physicians India (AFPI) said, “Practice management in India today is becoming increasingly dependent on technology. Without the tools and services enabled by technology, it is very difficult for both patients and doctors to access quality care and manage relationships. As the domain leader in healthcare, Practo can help sharpen our technological capabilities to reach and serve patients much more efficiently.” With digital healthcare taking off in India in a big way, Practo is the only platform in the country to offer integrated healthcare. Digital healthcare encompasses everything from digitisation of medical practice management, increasing reach and visibility of doctors manifold, ERP management for large hospitals to providing patients with a unified platform for medical access at the touch of a button - be it doctors, diagnostics and/ or medicine. With Practo’s one-stop shop for all healthcare needs and all its offerings viz. searching and booking an appointment with a doctor at his/her clinic or hospital, Diagnostics and Medicine Delivery, in addition to its clinic and hospital management software like Ray and Insta - doctors have a host of technology-enabled tools and services at their disposal for managing their services more efficiently. Commenting on the partnership, Dr. Alexander Kuruvilla, Chief Healthcare Strategy Officer, Practo, said, “With doctor-patient ratios barely meeting the minimum, India has a severe shortage of skilled doctors. Our only hope of improving healthcare lies in increasing efficiency of the current force of doctors through digital tools. We are excited to partner with AFPI in their quest to grow adoption of digital tools amongst doctors. Digital healthcare can enable them to offer a superior healthcare experience to their patients such as 24x7 instant booking, low wait times and digital health records. These tools also dramatically ease the clinic and hospital management so doctors can stay focused on treating and caring for their patients while technology takes over the rest. We look forward to working with Dr Raman and the AFPI team to empower our doctor community with the right tools and information to deliver digital healthcare in India.” Practo is a leading digital healthcare platform in Asia and this MOU is a part of Practo’s strategy to solidify collaborative relationships with such bodies and associations and contribute towards the seamless adoption of digital healthcare in the country. This MOU is the first step of many such collaborations Practo plans to undertake this year to realise its vision of simplifying healthcare by making quality healthcare more accessible, affordable and convenient. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13879/bariatric-endoscopy-is-the-most-suited-weight-loss-procedure-for-young-obese-people.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13879/bariatric-endoscopy-is-the-most-suited-weight-loss-procedure-for-young-obese-people.html Wed, 12 Jun 2019 21:40:00 +0530 To help young urban Indian fight obesity, famous Mumbai based gastroenterologist Dr. Amit Maydeo, and Dr. Mohit Bhandari, globally renowned Bariatric Surgeon have come together to launch bariatric endoscopy centers- ENLITEN. These centers will be a boon for the ones with obesity and visceral fat (a type of body fat that's stored within the abdominal cavity. The doctors’ duo has already performed 157 Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) procedures and the number is growing. They shared the information while addressing media fraternity on the eve of launch of ENLITEN in Mumbai. Dr. Mohit Bhandari is Founder Director and Chief Surgeon at Mohak Bariatrics & Robotics, Indore whereas Dr Amit Maydeo is the Chairman of Baldota Institute of Digestive Sciences, Global Hospital, Mumbai. Dr Mohit Bhandari, having performed Asia’s highest number of Bariatric Surgeries Said, “I introduced the procedure in India in 2017, and have performed ESG on 52 female and 41 male patients. On June 13th, I will perform this procedure on the 100th patient. Overweight people in 20-40 age group, especially the ones following sedentary lifestyle, are opting for ESG. I am a Bariatric & Metabolic surgeon and while I have performed more than 12,000 bariatric surgeries, the thought of introducing the non-surgical procedure arose because in my practice I meet a lot of patients who · want to lose around 15-20kg weight and/or are afraid to undergo surgery. · Low BMI Diabetics · Have regained weight after bariatric surgery   Impacts of hormonal changes and professional health hazards are few other reasons. Then there are obese young girls finding it difficult to get married or conceive. ENLITEN is the ray of hope for them all. Also, with Endoscopic technique patients who have underwent bariatric surgery but have not had the desired result or have regained some weight can now undergo that weight loss by this Endoscopic revision procedure.” According to Dr. Bhandari, along with weight loss, it can also improve other conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), heart disease or stroke, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. “ENLITEN, our new endeavor shall commit to establish bariatric endoscopy centers of international standards, across the country. With our joint expertise, we aim to create standards to bring best patient outcomes with utmost quality care”, he concluded. Dr Amit Maydeo, Director, ENLITEN said “ESG is a non-surgical procedure where the patient gets discharged just after a day’s stay in the hospital. It is carried out using an endoscope, a flexible tube with a camera and an endoscopic suturing device attached. The tiny camera allows the doctor to carry out the procedure without making incisions. The sutures placed in the stomach modify the stomach structure thereby restricting the amount of calories the body absorbs. Starting with a liquid diet to semi-solid foods, and then to a regular healthy diet, the patient resumes the normal lifestyle in about a few weeks.” He explained that ESG has many advantages like stomach function, anatomy and physiology remain normal. It is less expensive than bariatric surgery and can help one get rid of 15 to 20% of overall body weight. It is noteworthy that a loss of just 10% of total body weight reduces co-morbidity risk like heart problems by 90%. ESG is a restrictive procedure and the size of the stomach is reduced by 50%, the patient feels full early and won’t be hungry for a long time. “I have done 62 procedures till now, in which 80% were females, and 20% males” he added. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13878/meenakshi-mission-hospitals-pan-india-car-rally-on-childhood-cancer-ends-in-madurai-after-covering-10000-km-across-15-states.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13878/meenakshi-mission-hospitals-pan-india-car-rally-on-childhood-cancer-ends-in-madurai-after-covering-10000-km-across-15-states.html Wed, 12 Jun 2019 21:30:00 +0530 Meenakshi Mission Hospital & Research Centre (MMHRC), the biggest hospital in South Tamil Nadu with 1,000 beds, organized a month-long pan-India car rally for spreading awareness about childhood cancer. This first-of-its-kind mass connect initiative for the diseasecovered 15 states of India, travelling more than 10,000 kilometers. The rally, that began from Madurai in end of April, travelled all the way up to Laddakh and Srinagar and back again to Madurai, passing through 30 cities across the country in a period of 30 days. The car rally was flagged off with much fanfare at MMHRC campus in Madurai on Apr 27th, 2019, by Dr. S Gurushankar, Chairman of the hospital, in presence of distinguished guests, doctors, nurses and administrative staff. Speaking about this unique initiative, Mr. J Adel, GM Head - Marketing MMHRC Madurai, said, “Globally, more than 3 lakh children are affected by cancer every year. Parent are devastated the moment they hear that their child has cancer, but not many of them know that more than 80% patients of childhood cancer can be totally cured if detected in time. That is why creating awareness about this disease among the masses is very important. At our hospital, we have a dedicated department for child cancer and have treated thousands of patients successfully. With this month-long car rally covering 30 cities in as many days from South to North India, we wanted to spread the message of curability of childhood cancer and help reduce its incidence in the country.” Doctors say that cancers that develop in children are different from those that develop in adults. The main cause of these is not lifestyle or environmental factors, but the DNA changes in cells that take place very early in a child’s life. Across the month of May, the car rally of Meenakshi Hospital travelled through 30 cities including Madurai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Nagpur, Gwalior, Agra, Bareilly, Nainital, Rishikesh, Dehradun, Shimla, Manali, Pathankot, Jammu, Pulwama, Srinagar, Sonamarg, Kargil, Leh, Pangong, Nubra Valley, Amritsar, Jaipur, Ajmer, Ahmedabad, Surat, Mumbai, Pune, Hubli and Salem. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13871/medica-superspecialty-hospital-treats-a-patient-by-tavr-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13871/medica-superspecialty-hospital-treats-a-patient-by-tavr-.html Wed, 12 Jun 2019 11:15:00 +0530 A 76-year old patient with past history of heavy smoking, was admitted with shortness of breath on exertion and chest pain in a city-based private hospital.  Echocardiogram revealed severe obstruction of the main valve of his heart, aortic valve. With all his comorbidities, like lung disease, advanced age. Patient belonged to intermediate to high risk category for open heart surgery for replacement of the heart valve. At the same time he was not at all ready to undergo heart valve surgery under general anaesthesia with a cut open of his chest wall. Alternative option in such situation was valve replacement through small puncture in his groin artery and taking the valve with the help of a catherter. This is a new procedure which has been established in such patients yielding good results. It is known as TAVR. Patients who are scared of open heart surgery for aortic valve operation they may choose TAVR. The patient and his family consulted the Medica Heart Team doctors comprising Interventional Cardiologists, Anaesthetists and Cardiac Surgeons. Dr Dilip Kumar, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, Prof. (Dr.) Rabin Chakraborty, Senior Vice-Chairman, Cardiology Services, Cardiac Surgeon Dr. Kunal Sarkar, Senior Vice-Chairman, Medica Superspecialty Hospital met the patient together and on clinical evaluation; suggested a TAVR procedure considering all the aspects. The entire procedure was very clearly explained to the patient and his relatives. The highly skilled and experienced heart team Medica Hospital was confident to perform this procedure. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a minimally invasive procedure which repairs the valve without removing the old, damaged valve. The surgery may also be called Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). “Upon admission, he complained of shortness of breath and palpitation,” said the team of doctors. TAVR was carried out on April 4. The access to the procedure was done through femoral puncture under protection of Proglide system which takes care of the puncture site after the procedure is over. “The entire valve system was taken over a stiff wire from the femoral artery to the Left Ventricle,” said the doctors. Usually valve replacement requires an open heart procedure with a sternotomy in which the chest is surgically opened. The TAVR procedure can be done through a very small puncture at groin. Patients can be discharged in 48 hours after the procedure and resume his normal routine. “This case was not technically challenging but it required a lot of planning and involvement of a multi-disciplinary team,” said Dr. Dilip Kumar. Management of this type of heart issue is generally done by surgical correction, open heart surgery. But non-surgical intervention is being practised as a safe alternative in India in the last two years, too. “TAVR can be an effective option to improve quality of life in patients who otherwise have limited choice to repair their aortic valve. Risks of open heart surgery like prolonged general anaesthesia, ventilator, long ICU stay, infection can be significantly minimised in TAVR patients”, explained Dr. Chakraborty. “Keeping in mind the patient-centered treatment plans, we recommended TAVR to treat the structural heart disease, which is not so uncommon. There are many patients of heart valve diseases who are otherwise unfit for open heart surgery, general anaesthesia. Dr Sarkar added that today with a good skilled interventional cardiologist’s team TAVR is definitely a suitable option. Heart care is definitely in the midst of a transformation," said Dr. Sarkar. Dr. Alok Roy, Chairman, Medica Group of Hospitals said, “The doctors came to the consensus on the line of treatment, ensuring a rational approach with evidence-based medication for better outcomes. Skill, efficiency and meticulous planning were the pillars of this case. We are happy to have cured a person who had come to us all the way from Assam within such a short time. Such cases done in the East certainly puts the healthcare system in this part of the country on the forefront.” The interventional Cardiology team and the surgical team took around an hour to complete the procedure. The patient was not under general anesthesia and there was no requirement of blood transfusion. The patient recovered immediately after the procedure and became ambulatory within 48 hours. The patient was seen after a month on a follow up visit. He is doing well and leading a normal life.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13867/lifesaving-surgery-performed-by-max-hospital-on-83-year-old-with-heart-rupture.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13867/lifesaving-surgery-performed-by-max-hospital-on-83-year-old-with-heart-rupture.html Tue, 11 Jun 2019 15:00:00 +0530 83 year old suffered a massive heart attack due to sudden blockage of the main artery supply in the heart leading to death of the heart muscle causing heart rupture Heart diseases claim significant number of lives in India across a wide range of demographic profiles. Men are known to be at a higher risk in comparison to women and with age and pre-existing co-morbidities, complexities go up. But, a slowly weakening heart is much easily treatable in comparison to a massive heart attack, which leads to internal bleeding and may cause permanent damage. Such was the case of 83 year old N.S. Mehra, a retired businessman from Preet Vihar, who underwent complex open heart surgery which saved his life. A rare medical feat as only very few rupture cases are successfully treated within stipulated timelines in India and globally. Talking about the case, Dr. Gaurav Mahajan, Principal Consultant & Head – CTVS, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Vaishali says, “In majority of heart rupture cases, the patients are unable to reach the hospital in a treatable condition as the condition deteriorates at a life threatening rate. In this case, owing to effective emergency response, timely and accurate diagnosis and immediacy of surgery, we were able to save Mr. Mehra. Being an aged individual with history of hypertension, he suffered a sudden heart attack which ruptured wall of left ventricle of the heart leading to internal bleeding." "The ECHO confirmed our diagnosis and without losing a single second, a highly complex open heart surgery was performed by team of multidisciplinary team of doctors including cardiac surgeons, physicians, anaesthetists, nurses and perfusionists. We repaired the rupture through a double suturing, also known as ‘double-layered repair’ using synthetic materials i.e. PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) and the pericardium. After a week of post-surgery care and observation, Mr. Mehra was discharged with a positive prognosis", he added. Patient had a history of hypertension and suffered a massive heart attack due to instantaneous blockage leading to hole in wall of left ventricle. His heart was beating at double the normal rate @ 140/min. Patient’s ECG and ECHO revealed that the heart attack had led to a severe rupture in the left ventricle wall of the heart. This resulted in internal bleeding causing accumulation of blood in the pericardium (the membrane enclosing the heart). Patient was scheduled for an immediate surgery (From emergency to OT in record time of 25 minutes). Patient was brought to Max Super Speciality Hospital, Vaishali on a ventilator to be treated by Dr. Gaurav Mahajan. Requisite medication given to stabilize the BP @ 90/60 for the surgery. The patient was put on a heart-lung machine and his heart was arrested for almost 2 hours. The rupture was repaired through a double suturing, also known as ‘double-layered repair’ using a small part from synthetic materials or PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) and the pericardium (the outer the membrane enclosing the heart). The 6 hour high-risk cardiac surgery was successfully carried out on 1st Feb, 2019 and the patient was discharged a week of undergoing this life-saving surgery and is currently doing well.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13864/healthcare-experts-question-gois-generic-directive-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13864/healthcare-experts-question-gois-generic-directive-.html Tue, 11 Jun 2019 14:30:00 +0530 The Bihar health department on June 1, 2019 issued a directive to doctors of the state government-run hospitals, to prescribe generic medicines and essential drugs list available at hospital outlets. The letter stated this directive is to be enforced from June 2 onwards. However, who would be responsible if a patient did not respond to the prescribed generic medicines? Is there an assurance to the quality and efficacy of generic medicines circulating in the domestic market? These are the concerns looming amidst the medical fraternity. This development is a reinforcement of the notification issued by the Medical Council of India in 2017 which mandates every physician should prescribe generic names and ensure rational prescription of drugs. If compliance of this provision fails, the letter stated, "strict disciplinary action" would be taken. Subsequently, on April 2017 Prime minister Narendra Modi announced plans of putting a legal framework to ensure doctors prescribe generic medicines. This move by the government is aimed at reducing healthcare expenses, but it should not be at the cost of quality. Dr. Neelam Mohan, Director - Paediatric Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Institute of Digestive and Hepatobiliary Sciences, Medanta said, “Personally, when I use a generic drug, I prefer the ones manufactured by a company which follows Good Laboratory Practice and Good Manufacturing Practice regulations. The government’s decision to ask doctors to prescribe a generic name has made things complicated. I don’t know where it was manufactured and whether good manufacturing regulations were strictly followed! We need a lot more clarity about manufacturing guidelines before it’s tools out completely.” According to The Lancet study, more Indians die due to poor quality of healthcare (1.6 million people out of 2.4 million deaths in 2016) rather than having proper access to it. Also, India’s score according to the report of the Office of Pharmaceutical Quality, which determines the quality of any manufactured product, is below the global average. In this scenario, it is necessary for the newly formed government to place its higher focus on the quality of generic drugs available in the market since the poor quality will only deteriorate the growth of the pharmaceutical industry and hamper India’s position in the global market. “Branded generics manufactured by research-based companies are backed by high-quality standards, reliable and sophisticated supply chain infrastructure, and clinical science and innovation. Everyone deserves to be benefited by the value branded generics bring in the form of assured quality standards, proven safety and efficacy, better absorption, and reduced side-effects. Generating awareness around the value of branded generics and differences between branded and unbranded versions is the key to aid patients in taking informed decisions and reinstall the trust in the overall Indian healthcare system,” said Amir Ullah Khan, Economist and Director of research at Aequitas. The absence of an international standard drug regulatory mechanism deters Indian doctors from trusting most generic drugs. The doctor prescribes a drug label keeping in mind the level of efficacy assured. “When it comes to healthcare, it is not a battle between expensive brands and cheaper generics, but a movement for quality and safety of medication for consumers without compromising on the expected outcomes and the Standard Treatment Guidelines. Even as health policy circles frequently blame branded drugs for raising healthcare costs, the argument lacks substance. In fact, branded generics were introduced as a premise to make simple and complex drugs available at affordable prices,” said Bejon Kumar Misra, founder of Patient Safety and Access Initiative of India Foundation. While the government is advocating a generics-only model in a bid to make healthcare affordable and accessible. But, is India ready for the change? ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13860/roche-wellthy-showcase-compelling-data-to-improve-diabetes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13860/roche-wellthy-showcase-compelling-data-to-improve-diabetes.html Tue, 11 Jun 2019 11:30:00 +0530 Roche, a pioneer in innovative diabetes technologies and Asia’s leading Digital Therapeutics company Wellthy Therapeutics, showcased compelling data of improved diabetes care outcomes in a South Asian population when patients followed prescribed plan of medication and lifestyle modification in conjunction with a combination therapy of self-monitoring blood glucose device and a clinically validated digital therapeutic (DTx). The results were presented at the 79th Annual Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association, in San Francisco, USA. The study evaluated data from 833 individuals who used both the Accu-Chek Active® blood glucose monitor and the Wellthy Care Digital Therapeutic, to form an iPDM (integrated personalized diabetes management) solution. The Accu-Chek Active® device was used to monitor blood glucose values, while the Wellthy Care Digital Therapeutic provided real time artificial intelligence-powered feedback and coaching, with a self-management program based on AADE guidelines. The study results are particularly encouraging since the study was conducted in real world settings, indicating the potential use of the self-monitoring blood sugar device and DTx combination in resource constrained, low health literacy markets such as India. “Evidence based care is moving from clinical trial settings to real world evidence. Delivering effective iPDM solutions to help patients improve their diabetes management and monitoring to improve outcomes and quality of life, is of paramount importance for better diabetes care. We are encouraged to see the ongoing results coming from the combined use of Accu-Chek Active® with Wellthy’s Digital Therapeutic,” said Dr. Varsha Khatry, Head Medical and Scientific Affairs at Roche Diabetes Care India. The study demonstrated that increased engagement on the combined Digital Therapeutic (DTx) was highly correlated with reduced blood sugar levels from baseline. There was a significant difference between the mean first and last logged fasting blood sugar (FBS) (149.33 mg/dl vs 132.83 mg/dl, p = 0.0013) and random blood sugar (RBS) (202.20 mg/dl vs 169.79 mg/dl, p = 0.004) values. The highest tertile of DTX engagement was correlated with a larger blood sugar reduction in both FBS and RBS, than those who were in the lowest tertile. Dr. Vinod Mattoo, Wellthy's Chief Scientific Officer, said, “Evidence-based recommendations on lifestyle management are crucial for good diabetes management, as much of the treatment is dependent on the patient’s day-to-day behavior outside the prescribed pharmacological therapy. The key finding of this study was the successful improvement seen in the variability of post-activity glucose outcomes, suggesting that self-monitoring blood sugar devices combined with DTx can provide an effective, low-cost method for optimizing individual patient management through personalized insights.” Dr. Rajeev Chawla, President of the Research Society for Diabetes in India (RSSDI) said, “Improving real world patient outcomes in a chronic disease such as diabetes is the highest priority for countries like India. Adding clinically validated self-management tools such as Wellthy Care’s DTx, with self-monitoring tools like SMBG, is a powerful combination to improve patient real world data, patient engagement, and most importantly improve patient outcomes and access to self-care. I’m glad to see medical device companies and digital therapeutic companies come together, to combat the growing burden of diabetes in India.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13858/aakash-healthcare-raises-awareness-about-the-importance-of-voluntary-blood-donation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13858/aakash-healthcare-raises-awareness-about-the-importance-of-voluntary-blood-donation.html Mon, 10 Jun 2019 16:55:00 +0530 As part of World Blood Donation Day celebration and promoting need of voluntary blood donation, Aakash Healthcare Super Speciality Hospital, Dwarka organised a Walkathon. The 5km walk was flagged off at 6:30am from Aakash Healthcare Super Speciality Hospital, Dwarka, the participants raised slogans and created awareness relating to the importance of voluntary blood donation in different sectors near the hospital. The walkathon witnessed more than 350 participants from hospital staff, local NGOs, health groups and a cyclist group. The event was flagged off by Guest of Honours- Dr Mausumi Swami, Director- SBTC & Head Department of Transfusion Medicine, DDU Hospital, AK Nasa, Head of Office/Controlling Authority/Licensing Authority/Deputy Drug Controller and Dr Praveen Kumar, Additional Project Director, DSACS. Aakash Healthcare Super Speciality Hospital, Dwarka organized the walk with an aim to educate and sensitize the residents about the urgent need for voluntary blood donation, and providing safe blood for all. This year’s World Blood Donation Day’s theme, ‘Safe Blood For All’ is aimed to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood and also to raise awareness of the need for regular blood donations to ensure that all individuals and communities have access to affordable and timely supplies of safe and quality-assured blood and blood products, as an integral part of universal health coverage and a key component of effective health systems. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Aashish Chaudhry, Manging Director and Orthopaedic Surgeon, Aakash Healthcare Super Speciality Hospital, said, “We are happy to see an overwhelming response from the participants. The World Blood Donation Day walk evoked an enthusiastic response, with a large number of girls, women and youth taking part, giving an indication that people are enthusiastic about voluntary blood donation and saving lives. We hope the Walkathon will encourage people to continue walking for a healthier future. A special thanks to our Guest of Honors who supported and made this possible for us.” India fell short of 1.9 million units of blood in 2016-17, which is equivalent to 60 tankers. It could have helped in 320,000 heart surgeries or 49,000 organ transplants, reveals official data. Blood donation is a rising need in the country and people are not aware that not only blood donation saves life of others but can help the donors in a great way as regular blood donation cuts down one’s risk of cholesterol, cardiac issues and overload of iron in the body. And also helps the donors with regular blood screening and purification of blood.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13843/rainbow-group-of-hospitals-launches-rainbow-childrens-heart-institute-at-hyderabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13843/rainbow-group-of-hospitals-launches-rainbow-childrens-heart-institute-at-hyderabad.html Mon, 10 Jun 2019 11:25:00 +0530 Rainbow Group of Hospitals has launched the first-of-its-kind exclusive Children’s Cardiac Care Center –Rainbow Children’s Heart Institute. With nearly 2 decades of rich experience in pediatric super speciality healthcare services, Rainbow Group has crossed yet another milestone of launching a dedicated hospital to offer Comprehensive Cardiac Care. Rainbow Children’s Heart Institute is poised to function under the surveillance of the best pediatric cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons using the state-of-the-art infrastructure, facilities and nursing care. On the occasion of the Launching Ceremony, a special Press Meet was organized. The directors of the cardiac institute and core team of doctors comprising of Dr. Dinesh Kumar Chirla, Dr. K. Nageswara Rao and Dr. Tapan Kumar Dash interacted with media during the Press Meet. Speaking on the occasion Dr. Dinesh Kumar Chirla, Director – Rainbow Children’s Heart Institute, said, “At Rainbow, we can listen to every beat of children’s tiniest hearts. We are indeed proud to say that no one knows children like we do. The world-class institute will provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment of patients with congenital cardiac disorders. We feel privileged to have India’s best pediatric cardiologists, pediatric cardiac surgeon well supported by the pediatric cardiac anaesthetist and pediatric cardiac intensivist at the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) of Rainbow Children’s Heart Institute who have experience in managing children with complex cardiac disorders. The goal of the heart institute is to ensure a high quality of life and outcome for children with cardiac diseases. We believe the tiniest hearts deserve the greatest care!” Sharing his happiness, Dr. K. Nageswara Rao, Director – Pediatric Cardiac Services, Rainbow Children’s Heart Institute said, “Rainbow Children’s Heart Institute offers specialized care for children with heart ailments and congenital cardiac issues. Our expert pediatric cardiologists ensure complete care for the tiny patients. We provide best-in-class healthcare services both for in-patients and outpatients. Our hospital is unique in the country to conceptualize complete paediatric cardiac care from fetus to adult with congenital heart defuse. Our team had got specialists to deal with fetal interventions, athlete screening childhood obesity, heart failure and GUCH patients. Now many small babies can undergo catheterizations processors using our own device called “KOWAR – MFO”. Our team of doctors use real-time three-dimensional echocardiography and advanced fetal cardiology equipment to generate an accurate diagnosis for all forms of complex congenital heart diseases among children.” Briefing the media representatives, Dr. Tapan Kumar Dash, –Director – Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, Rainbow Children’s Heart Institute said, “Cardiac care for infants and children is indeed a challenge. We surpass such challenges every day at Rainbow with the support of highly trained cardiothoracic surgeons and staff. Our heart surgeons offer customized care that encompasses the special needs of infants, children, and teens, and more importantly, we provide solace to patients’ families. The cardiothoracic surgery team provide the best medical care for children before, during, and after surgeries. Our surgeons are experienced in performing highly complex surgeries with results comparable to the best centres of the world. We also have the best team of paediatric intensivists managing post operation of neonates. We are in fact delighted to declare that at Rainbow Children’s Heart Institute, we are bringing everything a tiny heart needs, under one roof.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13840/sbf-healthcare-gives-cancer-treatment-technology-to-the-west.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13840/sbf-healthcare-gives-cancer-treatment-technology-to-the-west.html Mon, 10 Jun 2019 09:00:00 +0530 For the first time in Indian history, Sequentially Programmed Magnetic field (SPMF) Therapy invented by Wg Cdr (Dr) V G Vasishta, Founder & Chairman, SBF Healthcare, has set its benchmark in medical technology and has been recently adopted by the US for neuro-oncology research for treatment of malignant brain tumor cancer. Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) have also been signed between SBF Healthcare and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and University of Pennsylvania for advancement in neuro-oncology research for treatment of malignant brain tumor cancer. In India, at least 40000-50000 people are diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) brain tumors. Brain tumors are primarily treated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. After these treatments, the average survival is not more than 14 months. However, with SPMF therapy, the survival rate for patients increases for more than five years on an average. The patient's condition is evaluated using MRI and the Karnofsky Performance Score (KPS) which are the gold standards for evaluating the efficacy of a therapy. This treatment is administered through an advanced medical device called AKTIS SOMA. This device has been manufactured at the R&D centre of SBF Healthcare. A typical treatment of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation costs around $200,000 for brain tumor patients. With SPMF therapy, the treatment cost drops down to approximately $3000. This therapy is conducted over a 28-days period, one hour per day. Besides brain tumor, this therapy has also been successful in treating osteoarthritis.  Dr Vasishta is also looking into using this therapy for treating diabetes and Alzheimer's in the coming years. Trials for diabetes treatment have already been approved by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13834/tata-memorial-hospitals-to-extend-cashless-facility-to-reliance-health-insurance-customers.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13834/tata-memorial-hospitals-to-extend-cashless-facility-to-reliance-health-insurance-customers.html Fri, 07 Jun 2019 12:40:00 +0530 Cancer goes Cashless as Reliance Health Insurance partners with TATA Memorial Hospital to introduce cashless treatment facility to its customers across major Tata Memorial hospitals in India. Tata Memorial has been a front runner as far as treatment of cancer patients in India is concerned and has contributed significantly in the field of cancer treatment. TATA Memorial Hospital is counted among the leading cancer treatment centres worldwide, funded and managed by the Department of Atomic Energy, it has cured thousands of cancer patients so far. At Reliance Health, there has been a constant emphasis to make health insurance #EasytoUse, thus setting up a network hospital within 10 KM of every customer. Staying true to this promise, Reliance Health Insurance has become one of the fastest health insurance company to onboard over 5000 hospitals across the length and breadth of the country. Every insurance company looks to empanel as many hospitals within their network, but very rarely, a specialist cancer treatment and research centre gets into a partnership with a health insurance company. With Reliance Health Insurance joining hands with TATA Memorial Hospital to provide cashless treatment to its policyholders, the customers at large would benefit, and Reliance Health is expected to gain a significant edge over other health insurers in the market. Speaking on the association, Mr. Ravi Vishwanath – CEO and Executive Director of Reliance Health Insurance added, “With Tata Memorial added to our list of network providers, we are happy to extend cashless facility to our customers who require timely and best cancer care at the Tata Memorial centres.” Reliance Health Insurance customer with the requirement of Cancer care treatment can avail treatment on cashless basis at any of these Tata Memorial Hospitals – Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai; Tata Memorial Centre ACTREC, Kharghar; Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital, Vishakhapatnam; Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital, Varanasi; Dr. Bhubaneshwar Boroogh Cancer Institute, Guwahati. Reliance Health Insurance has put up a special service desk at these hospitals to make sure the customers can easily avail cashless access. The customer or their family can easily reach out to a Reliance Health Insurance representative, and the rest will be taken care of by the insurer through its #Easytouse priority claim process. This is the key advantage of having an automagic health insurance. Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, and it’s affecting more people with time. For any middle-class family, the high upfront treatment cost can be a huge financial blow. Plus, the long duration of treatment also remains a matter of prime concern. Even if one has enough savings in their bank account, arranging the funds immediately for treatment can still be a challenge, particularly during emergencies. Therefore, having a cashless treatment policy from a reliable company like Reliance Health Insurance will keep you at bay from such hassles. Besides being Easy to Choose, Reliance Health cashless policies are Easy to Use as well. You don’t have to worry about paying anything at the hospital, as your Reliance Health Insurance policy’s cashless treatment will take care of it. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13833/parvathy-hospital-takes-cartilage-repair-to-the-next-level.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13833/parvathy-hospital-takes-cartilage-repair-to-the-next-level.html Fri, 07 Jun 2019 12:35:00 +0530 Articular cartilage repair has been approached with a new perspective by orthopaedic experts from Parvathy hospital, by reducing the two-step surgery process and thereby reducing the cost of surgery approximately by 5 times. This case has been featured in the Asian Journal of Arthroscopy. Dr. Vetri Kumar, Consultant Knee surgeon of Parvathy Hospital, along with his 4 member team - surgeons from Italy and Poland performed this innovative technique - CARTILAGE REPAIR USING MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS. This technique provides a new approach to articular cartilage repair in the form of Biological Arthroplasty. Osteoarthritis of the knee is the most common problem worldwide leading to disability. Almost 19% of population above 40 years and 50% of people above the age of 75 years in the world suffer from it. Over the years people diagnosed with osteoarthritis have offered the solution of knee replacement which helps the patient to lead a pain free but compromised life by avoiding jogging, squatting, playing sport. However, considering the new-gen middle age population who prefers to be active even at the age of 60 years, surgery using artificial prosthesis fails to satisfy them. Hence, orthopaedic surgeons along with biologist and researchers have been hunting for a biological solution for more than a decade. Dr. Vetri Kumar, trained by Dr. Alberto Gobbi, Milan, Italy - The pioneer of cartilage repair using stem cells has put an end to the above said problem. This technique has provided a new dimension of cartilage repair. Articular cartilage is responsible for the smooth gliding of the knee, but it is a delicate structure with poor healing capacity. Hence once damaged it requires a fine repair to augment its healing process. Usually the surgery for cartilage repair is a two-step process involving Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI). This is done by harvesting and growing the patients own cartilage cells in the lab for 2-3 weeks following which the patient undergoes the second procedure for implanting the grown cartilage tissue, this two-staged procedure leads to longer recovery, longer holiday from work also it increases the cost of the procedure by 5 folds. According to Dr. Vetri, "This isn't a procedure which everyone suffering from OA can fancy. Owing to the longer rehabilitation, this procedure is aimed at patients who are athletic and who leads an active lifestyle. Rather patient choosing this procedure its more about their activity which demands this procedure." Keeping this base, a single step procedure with the use of Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) has been studied and successfully carried out in patients with osteoarthritis leading to preserving the patient's natural joint for 10 years and beyond. This eliminates the need of two-step surgery and gives back normal active lifestyle to the patients. Dr. Vetri Kumar concludes, "I started as a joint replacement surgeon however latest techniques have made me lean towards joint preservation techniques. This, we at Parvathy's believe will improve the quality of life in every patient who comes with different demands. Our team will continue to research in this field making joint preservation possible for a much wider group of patients." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13824/clinivantage-healthcare-technologies-partners-startup-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13824/clinivantage-healthcare-technologies-partners-startup-health.html Thu, 06 Jun 2019 14:10:00 +0530 CliniVantage Healthcare Technologies Inc. is a comprehensive healthcare platform that delivers various PaaS-based healthcare solutions for clinical, non-clinical, radiology and administrative services. CliniVantage has entered into a partnership with StartUp Health, a global platform where health transformers, partners, customers, investors, patients, and caregivers connect and accelerate the progress of the health moonshots. Presently on track to deploy across 65+ hospitals, 500+ Clinics, 2500+ doctors, 18.5M consumer records, across 8 countries, with strong partners like IBM, Hitachi, EDS, Edifecs for global scalability, and with multiple recognition awards - Champion of Change, Village Social Transformation Foundation, Jain International Trade Organization – CliniVantage joins the community of Health Transformers at StartUp Health Academy, to partner on the Access to Care Moonshot. The Access to Care Moonshot aims to deliver quality healthcare services to everyone, regardless of location or income, which sits squarely with CliniVantage’s mission to bridge the gap between the providers and consumers and making the service accessible to all when they need. The platform empowers its consumers and enables them to have a complete solution under one roof. The association brings tremendous benefits to CliniVantage in the form of access, expertise, knowledge sharing, and exposure to the US market. The combination of coaching, community, media, and capital would open new avenues for CliniVantage in terms of collaborations and partnerships, to help scale faster. Commenting on the association, Mr. Nilesh Jain – Managing Director & Co-Founder – CliniVantage Healthcare Technologies Inc says, “We’re thrilled to associate with StartUp Health. The biggest challenge with healthcare today is not its cost, but the access to care and medical records/information. Healthcare today is delivered on an ad hoc basis, beyond the typical provider touch points, the patients are on their own. With our disruptive PaaS model, we strive to connect the providers, doctors, and patients on a comprehensive platform to ensure better care delivery and patient experience. The association will bring in opportunities for partnerships, technological improvement, and customer development. The active network of Health Transformers will endeavor to achieve our health moonshot.” "Our mission at StartUp Health is to collaborate with Health Transformers who have the mindset to achieve Health Moonshots," said Polina Hanin, Academy Director of StartUp Health. "The commitment that Nilesh and the entire CliniVantage team have for the Access to Care Moonshot cannot go understated. Having already partnered with hundreds of clinics and helped millions of patients, we believe that they will continue to impact the delivery of care to everyone in the world." CliniVantage has the ability to disrupt the way healthcare professionals engage with patients. It can help healthcare (providers) leaders take strides in improving their digital capabilities and not only have the chance of improving patient satisfaction, but also the opportunity to boost their own efficiencies & improve cost optimization. The aim of this platform is to realize patient-centric care, where   services by providers are tailored to individuals, and available to support lifestyles that are healthy and fulfilling to the new generation of the population; lead by clinicians and defined by consumers. It also makes it possible to manage and utilize healthcare data throughout the care continuum, accelerate provider lead creation of cross-industry services using health and medical information, including that by hospitals and clinics.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13799/icmr-nie-to-strengthen-the-research-capacity-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13799/icmr-nie-to-strengthen-the-research-capacity-in-india.html Tue, 04 Jun 2019 11:15:00 +0530 ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), a premier institute of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has announced the launch of Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) ‘NIE-ICMR eCertificate’ courses– called as NIeCer courses with the aim to strengthen the research capacity in India. The first in the NIeCer series, Health Research Fundamentals (NIeCer 101) –is a basic level course in health research methods. The course is designed and conducted by faculty members from ICMR School of Public Health at ICMR-NIE. It will explain the fundamental concepts in epidemiology and bio-statistics related to research methods. This course will provide an overview of steps and principles for designing bio-medical and health research studies among human participants. The Health Research Fundamentals (NIeCer 101) was launched in 2016. Approximately 21,000 candidates from across the Country have participated in the course until now. The next session of the course is scheduled during 29 July – 20 September 2019. Interested Participants can now register until 29 th July 2019. The course will be useful to any current or potential health researchers including students, clinical/ public health/ laboratory researchers, physicians, research associates, allied health professionals, scientists, statisticians, ethics committee members and project managers. The course is open to undergraduate students in Medical/Dental/AYUSH disciplines or graduates in any other discipline as well. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13788/minimal-surgical-procedure-is-revolutionizing-knee-replacement-surgery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13788/minimal-surgical-procedure-is-revolutionizing-knee-replacement-surgery.html Mon, 03 Jun 2019 14:30:00 +0530 Minimal invasive total knee replacement is being hailed by specialists as one of the most effective knee replacement surgical procedures available to date. This advanced technique has shown its efficacy while replacing damaged knee surfaces and guiding the surgeon throughout the implantation process to know the exact position for placing new knee implants. People struggling with knee disorders like osteoporosis and arthritis is a common phenomenon in India. While geriatric patients in the west take their health seriously, in India, the importance of wellness in old age is taken for granted. In spite of its documented advantages, most Indians are unaware of the advanced surgical procedures available to treat knee problems. Globally, patients operated with this procedure have expressed their pleasure about reduced post-operative pains, minimal scar formation, shorter hospital stays, and a quick return to normal life. The minimal invasive technology is preferred by doctors as it works well for people of all age groups and is safe for patients suffering from diabetes, high obesity, cardiac disorder, and hypertension. Dr. L. Tomar, Director and Unit Head, Department of Orthopaedics and Joint Replacement Surgery, Max Super Speciality Hospital and Director, Tomar Orthopaedics commented on the benefits of this procedure, “Minimally invasive technology in knee replacement surgery ensures efficacy, simplicity and more flexion in knees as compared to conventional surgeries. In fact, people over 80 years of age can also safely undergo knee replacement with the assurance of almost absolute normal locomotive recovery.” Regarding the need of greater awareness about this procedure, he said, “Considering the rising incidence of knee pain and the requirement of knee replacement surgeries, bringing a change in mindset and attitude of Indians towards knee replacement surgery is the call of the hour.” Dr. L Tomar has been practising in Orthopaedics. He is an expert Joint Replacement Surgeon with more than 25 years of experience in the field of Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement. He has collaborated with the doctors in the USA, Switzerland, Germany, U.K, and Australia while performing complex orthopedic surgeries. He is a specialist in the field of invasive and non-invasive joint replacement surgeries and a part of various global organizations, including the FICS -USA and FASIF – Switzerland. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13783/nephroplus-introduces-peritoneal-dialysis-program.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13783/nephroplus-introduces-peritoneal-dialysis-program.html Mon, 03 Jun 2019 12:35:00 +0530 NephroPlus, India’s largest dialysis centre network that is focused at redefining dialysis care, introduces Freedom- A Peritoneal Dialysis Program in India. Given NephroPlus’ presence in over 100 cities and its vast experience of servicing over 15000 dialysis patients, the Freedom- A Peritoneal Dialysis Program is designed to provide the highest clinical care in the comfort of a patient’s home. In an aim to provide the best possible treatment solutions for its Dialysis patients, NephroPlus analyzed the problems that patients face in regards to non-compliance, lack of training, demand & supply, poor diet etc. and subsequently crafted a unique solution that would focus on training patients, the most important aspect in the treatment therapy. The Freedom Program will further ensure timely supply, monthly consultation, online access of clinical data and monthly diet consultations. Speaking on the introduction of Peritoneal Dialysis Solution, Vikram Vuppala, Founder & CEO, NephroPlus said, “Anyone who is diagnosed with ESKD should have all the options for treatment presented to them along with the pros and cons. They, along with their family and the treating doctor should then decide which therapy they want to opt for. Keeping this in mind, we have come up with Freedom, a unique, first of its kind PD service by a service provider and not a manufacturer of PD fluids. We will ensure a hassle-free experience and best in quality care for patients who opt for PD.” “I have personally been on Peritoneal Dialysis for over 5 years out of my total duration of 23 years in dialysis. My time on Peritoneal Dialysis was the most productive time” says Kamal Shah, Co-Founder & Director, Guest Services, NephroPlus. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13782/ayush-announces-two-yoga-apps-for-international-yoga-day.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13782/ayush-announces-two-yoga-apps-for-international-yoga-day.html Mon, 03 Jun 2019 11:10:00 +0530 A Two-day Yoga Mahotsava, a Curtain Raiser for International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2019 was inaugurated by the Vice-Chairman, NITI AYOG Shri Rajeev Kumar at New Delhi recently. Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY) under Ministry of AYUSH will be organising the Yoga Mahotsav-2019 to sensitize the masses for celebration of IDY 2019. On this occasion Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha announced two Applications ‘Yoga Locator’ and ‘Bhuvan App’ related to International Day of Yoga 2019. Rajiv Kumar, addressing of huge gathering of Yoga students and professionals, emphasized on popularizing the yogic culture through the medium of social media. He also mentioned his proposal of National Council of Integrated Medicine which will further promote Indian natural and traditional medicine culture. . He further said that Yoga teaches us to live with the nature rather than conquering it that makes ‘Vasudhaiv Kutubkam’ possible and we live with harmony and peace. On this occasion, Secretary, AYUSH announced the launch of ‘Yoga Locator’ application which is specially designed for IDY to record and show Yoga events across the world. He also informed about ‘Bhuvan App’ which has been designed in collaboration with ISRO. It will provide geo time location and documentation. He presented ‘Yoga for Heart’ as theme for IDY 2019. Meenakshi Lekhi, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha; Dr. H. R. Nagendra, Chancellor, SVYASA University, Bengaluru and Hansa Jaidev, Director, The Yoga Institute, Mumbai, was also present on this occasion. A very special session on Know about Yoga is also a part of the Yoga Mahotsav-2019 for the Yoga enthusiasts. In this session historical, medical and educational prospects of Yoga will be discussed in detail. Seeing the participation of huge number of youngsters, an exclusive session “My self-experience in Yoga-A Motivational Journey” and Celebrity Sessions have been specially scheduled in a two day Yoga Mahotsav-2019. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13780/dr-agravat-clinic-launches-revolutionary-dental-solution.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13780/dr-agravat-clinic-launches-revolutionary-dental-solution.html Mon, 03 Jun 2019 10:10:00 +0530 Dr. Agravat One Day Implants Clinic has again reiterated its goal of helping its clients get the fastest possible beautiful smile with the introduction of the innovative concept that is designed to streamline the treatment process and provide the patient with Teeth in record time. Over the years, dental implants have been associated with extended healing times, high costs and patient discomfort, often leading to the loss of productive time. However, Dr Bharat Agravat's Smile in Hour Cosmetic Clinic is looking to change this narrative with the revolutionary system. Incorporating the latest advantages of CT Scans and 3-D imaging software, the system ensures the accurate evaluation of the jaw bone structure, creating a permanent restoration prior the dental implants surgery, and ultimately offering patients a more accurate and safer positioning of dental implants. In addition to offering a fast yet effective front tooth implant procedure, other features and benefits of the concept are briefly highlighted as follows: No Incision No Suture No Pain Same Day Implants Placed Same Day Fix Teeth Dr Bharat Agravat's Smile in Hour Cosmetic Clinic Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, has further established itself as a one-stop dental solutions provider with the amazing concept to fix crooked, broken, chipped or missing teeth in as little as sixty minutes, allowing patients to get back to their daily activities immediately. He is setting new benchmarks of excellence with 18 distinguished awards and 20 years of experience. He has done his Clinical Mastership in Implant Dentistry from New York University USA, Advanced Education in Implant Dentistry at Harvard University School of Dental Medicine USA, Min-Residency in Advanced Endodontics from University at Buffalo USA and Online Externship Implant Fellowship Program with DentalXP & NYU Dentistry at Atlanta, USA. Dr Bharat Agravat is 'World Records India' holder for Dental Tourism. 'First Time in The World & India's First' Dental Travel Android Mobile Apps. Patented Innovations in Cosmetic & Implants Dentistry related Product 'One Touch Smile'. Diplomate & Fellow at the International Congress of Oral Implantologist - DICOI & FICOI, USA. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13766/e-cigarettes-a-viable-solution-to-reduce-tobacco-harm-says-new-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13766/e-cigarettes-a-viable-solution-to-reduce-tobacco-harm-says-new-study.html Thu, 30 May 2019 17:35:00 +0530 A recent paper on The Prospects of e-cigarettes in India: Overview of Evidence, Opportunities and Challenges Based on Experience in Western Countries by Konstantinos Farsalinos, Christopher Russell and Rajesh Sharan evaluates evidence from western countries, their regulations and provides insights on how India too can develop an appropriate framework to maximize the potential of e-cigarettes to complement available tobacco control measures and minimize adverse public health effects. The paper highlights that not only are e-cigarettes significantly less harmful, but that in the past few years, countries like UK, US, New Zealand, UAE, Canada that have set out pragmatic regulations for e-cigarettes have witnessed unprecedented decline in adult smoking rates. These findings position e-cigarettes as a viable alternative to reduce tobacco smoking, and make a strong case for regulating the sector, to address issues of quality, labeling, promotion and sales, and to ensure that e-cigarettes are made available to adult smokers to reduce their personal health risk. India is home to nearly 12% of the world’s cigarette smokers, and an even larger section of the population uses other forms of tobacco including smokeless tobacco (SLT) such as khaini, gutkha, zarda, or local smoking tobacco like bidi, hookah, chillam, or a mixture of these. The World No Tobacco Day, which is observed to create awareness on harmful effects of tobacco use and discourage its use is an opportune time to explore how alternatives to cigarette can support lowering India’s staggering tobacco death rate of 1.35 million per year. It is pertinent to note that, India is a member of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and is bound by MPOWER policy recommendations to reduce tobacco demand. The Indian Government must consider its on-ground implementation with practical solutions that help bring down tobacco consumption rates. Despite the awareness programs and expenditure towards educating about the health consequences, India has the lowest quit rates among the GATS-2 countries. This begs the question - Why is India not exploring the Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) policies which aim to prevent or reduce harm by promoting substitution of combustible tobacco with less harmful non-combustible sources of nicotine? These products are already being used to support existing tobacco control measures especially in developed countries like United Kingdom, Canada and the United States. Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), an increasingly popular THR tool, have been the focus of intense public health debate. From a safety perspective, compared to e-cigarettes, cigarette smoke contains thousands of chemicals, many of which are carcinogenic and toxic. E-cigarettes, on the other hand, do not contain tobacco, and the ingredients of e-cigarette liquids in controlled quantities reduces risk that a smoker would otherwise be exposed to by an order of magnitude. A risk assessment analysis by Stephens WE had concluded that carcinogenic risk of e-cigarettes is about 0.4% that of smoking, and based on currently available evidence, there is little doubt that e-cigarettes are far less harmful than smoking. As per a study by Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH), cigarette smokers who initiated e-cigarette use had 7.88 times the odds of switching to 30-day cigarette cessation compared to non-users of e-cigarettes. In US, tobacco use data from 2010 to 2015 showed a substantial increase in e-cigarette use. The data on prevalence and growth of e-cigarette also presents a very strong correlation with significant increase in cessation rates in the US. The UK and European Union regulatory framework for e-cigarettes includes quality standards, nicotine concentration limits, marketing restrictions, and can easily be modified for implementation in India. In fact, the UK Department of Health has also pledged to support adult smokers in switching to less harmful nicotine products like e-cigarettes, while also maintaining that complete cessation is the ideal solution. The country’s liberal approach has paid off, as UK witnessed record-breaking decline in the adult smoking population. In 2017, the lowest ever smoking rate of 15.1% was recorded in UK. Smoking prevalence among young adults in UK has also declined by 25% since 2011. Encouraged by the impact thus far, the UK Commons Science and Technology Committee recently concluded that regulations on e-cigarette licensing and advertising should be further relaxed. It is imperative that India learns from the experience of other countries, and provide tobacco users with a less harmful alternative, rather than prohibiting e-cigarettes and missing out on an unprecedented opportunity to help adult smokers in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13758/sightsavers-india-launches-a-new-endeavour.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13758/sightsavers-india-launches-a-new-endeavour.html Thu, 30 May 2019 13:55:00 +0530 The organization has been working in the field of eye health, disability and inclusive education since 1966 in India. The India Fellowship Program is a first of its kind initiative that will identify up to 10 promising young ophthalmologists from all over the country. This program aims to groom the young ophthalmologists through an innovative course of mentoring and surgical exposure to expand their perspectives on rural eye health and to shape the youth into promising and skilled ophthalmologists. Preventable blindness continues to be a major eye health issue in the country. It’s a challenge that can only be surmounted by having adequate eye health services in the remote locations of the country led by skilled ophthalmologists. Thus, Sightsavers came up with India Fellowship Program, an opportunity for promising and passionate young ophthalmologists to get trained at some of the leading eye health institutes in India. The selected fellows will be placed in one of the 8 states – Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Odisha. Kabir Bedi, Brand Ambassador, Sightsavers India said, “Sightsavers India Fellowship Program is a unique initiative for the young ophthalmologists to embark on an exciting journey of 24 months and learn along with established ophthalmologists, researchers and educators. During the course of the program, the selected ophthalmologists will be given 24 months of structured process of learning, hands-on surgical, clinical training at leading eye health institutions, exciting regional postings along with international exposure and residential facility.“ Speaking on the initiation of the India Fellowship Program, RN Mohanty, CEO at Sightsavers India said, “The program’s vision is to cultivate a capable and competent workforce in the eye care field for rural India. Currently, there are nearly 18,000 Ophthalmologists present in the country, which is nowhere near enough with respect to the ratio of the population in the country. India needs more ophthalmologists. Thus, Sightsavers has come up with fellowship program for the future ophthalmologists.  We aim to train and groom motivated youths to help them transform into exceptionally skilled ophthalmologists early in their career. With this new initiative we hope to bring about positive substantial impact in the society.” The shortlisted Fellows will get a chance to use their skills and knowledge acquired at the course of the fellowship program and from their medical student journey days in the real world scenario while being placed under Sightsavers India Eye Health Programme. The selected candidates will be placed under Sightsavers’ partner hospitals. This will be a huge step towards better eye care facilities in rural India and upskilling of the young ophthalmologists.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13757/medical-devices-market-to-value-us-602-1-bn-at-cagr-of-5-3-by-2025.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13757/medical-devices-market-to-value-us-602-1-bn-at-cagr-of-5-3-by-2025.html Thu, 30 May 2019 13:15:00 +0530 The study entitled "Medical Devices Market: Global Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2018-2025" forecasts the global Medical Devices Market to exhibit a CAGR of 5.3% between 2018 and 2025. At this pace, it is expected to reach US$ 602.1 Bn by the end of 2025, as against US$ 397.5 Bn valued in 2017. "Strategic initiatives by several market players will help them to contribute towards the growth of the Medical Devices Market," says a lead analyst at FBI. Some of the recent innovations by leading players, which are likely to boost the Medical Devices Market are: In 2017, DePuy Synthes launched Purevue, a high definition visualization system to capture HD images. The system is also used to perform minimally invasive endoscopic surgeries. In 2018, Siemens Healthineers launched a next generation ultrasound system called Acuson Juniper to use it across different clinical segments. Rising Geriatric Population to Increase Adoption of Medical Devices Fortune Business Insights projects the demand for medical devices to increase in the coming years owing to the rise in geriatric population. As per the National Institute of Health (NIH), the U.S. listed around 617 million people aged 65 years and above in 2015. The figure is forecast to rise further in the coming years, thus enabling growth in the Medical Devices Market. Several other factors spelling growth for the medical devices industry are: Rising prevalence of chronic diseases such as cancer, coupled with growth in surgical procedures across the world, boosts the market. Governments across regions are investing in the new generation medical devices, thus creating a growth space for the Medical Devices Market. Technological advancements and rising demand for innovative therapies to overcome unmet needs in the healthcare sector are supporting growth of the medical device market. This has further led to the advent of new medical device designs, which will drive the Medical Devices Market during the forecast period. In terms of end user, the hospitals & ambulatory surgical centers segment dominated the global Medical Devices Market in 2017. Developing healthcare infrastructure, rising healthcare expenditures, increasing emphasis on better patient outcomes, and lucrative reimbursement policies are expected to drive the hospitals & ambulatory surgical centers segment during the forecast period.  Fortune Business Insights expects the demand from hospitals to shoot up during the forecast period. Rapid Adoption of Novel Medical Technologies Boosts Medical Devices Market in Asia Pacific The global Medical Devices Market in North America was valued at US$159.0 Bn in the year 2017. The region is likely to hold a considerable share in the global Medical Devices Market during the forecast period. This is ascribed to the high adoption rate of advanced treatments and large target patient population. Besides North America, Asia Pacific is forecast to offer lucrative growth opportunities to the Medical Devices Market. The region exhibits high growth potential owing to rising disposable income among consumers and improving healthcare infrastructure. However, the Medical Devices Market in Europe is anticipated to expand at a relatively lower growth rate during 2018-2025, attributed to a relatively mature market and the smaller patient pool. Companies operating in the global medical device market is likely to leverage product innovations to establish a strong foothold.  Manufacturers are likely to continue focusing on modifying medical devices to gain competitive strength. The presence of several players at global as well as regional levels, has rendered the global Medical Devices Market highly fragmented. Among these, Medtronic held the highest share in the global Medical Devices Market in the year 2017. The company is likely to show positive growth in the coming years owing to its diverse product portfolio and innovative strategies. In addition to this, the company has a strong and an established brand presence. This, coupled with the robust R&D focus, will enable the company to maintain a stronghold in the global Medical Devices Market. Fortune Business Insights in a new study attributes such factors to catapult Medtronic to the fore of the global Medical Devices Market.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13754/experts-urge-for-understanding-of-multiple-sclerosis-call-it-crucial.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13754/experts-urge-for-understanding-of-multiple-sclerosis-call-it-crucial.html Thu, 30 May 2019 12:20:00 +0530 Every year, 30th May is commemorated as the World Multiple Sclerosis day. This year Multiple Sclerosis Society of India (MSSI) organized an event in Mumbai to spread awareness about the gravity of the condition to encourage support for people suffering from Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Eminent stakeholders including Renuka Malakar, National Secretary, MSSI and Sheela Chitnis, Co-founder of MSSI spoke about the various aspects of MS, challenges in its long-term management and importance of awareness about the condition in India. Patients suffering from MS were also present at the event. MS is a condition affecting the central nervous system (mainly brain and spinal cord) resulting in nerve damage. This disrupts communication between the brain and the body. It's a lifelong condition that has the potential to cause serious disability. This year, the theme for MS Day is ‘Invisible MS’ which addresses the invisible symptoms of MS. These could be blurry vision, urinary incontinence, fatigue, dizziness, difficulty in speech, difficulty in walking, inability to process information, etc. Addressing the symptoms and treatment options Dr. Satish Khadilkar, Dean, Professor and Head, Department of Neurology, Bombay Hospital & Medical Research Centre said; “Early Diagnosis and availability of new drugs and treatment options can help improve the quality of a MS patients’ life. MS is a condition which affects the central nervous system (mainly brain and spinal cord) resulting in nerve damage. MS is more prevalent among the youngsters; therefore, the impact is more as they age. But the fact is still that girls are more affected than boys. It affects the functioning of important parts of their body. The symptoms include blurry vision, difficulty in urination & difficulty in balancing. The need of awareness of availability of treatment options and early diagnosis is very important in this modern world.” Commenting on the condition, Dr. S.M Katrak, Neurologist, Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai said, “The current prevalence of MS in India can be estimated to be 7-10 per 100,000 people. This data is also incomplete as there are very few studies & there isn’t any information available on the rural population. Increased awareness about the condition amongst neurologists and availability of MRI’s have resulted in more patients being reported over the last few years.  The cause of MS can be attributed to 2 factors - namely genetic and environmental. The onset of MS has been observed amongst the age group of 25-35 years with male:female ratio of 1:2. The rising incidence is an eye opener for India to be more inclusive of the condition and its disabilities.” In 2016, MS got added under the Disability Act of India. However, many don’t know about it. Also, as MS shows invisible symptoms, patients have to undergo a lot of hardships to get a disability certificate. Thus, it is imperative for the disability officers to understand the nuances of the condition and help these patients get their disability certificate without a hassle of presenting visible symptoms. Renuka Malakar added, “The 40% criteria for benchmark disability should not be applied for MS patients. Owing to the unpredictable symptoms, the degree of disability can get worse for a patient within days. We have started speaking to multiple stakeholders to advocate rights of people with MS.”  Commenting on the same, Sheela Chitnis said, “The life of an MS patient is full of obstacles not knowing what the next episode has in store. They face discrimination at work, family and social level due to their invisible symptoms. We provide counseling to these patients to tackle this social stigma. Despite the recognition in the Disability Act, patients face difficulty in getting their condition considered correctly due to the invisible symptoms. In MS, the degree of disability isn’t the only measure for consideration as the patients face unpredictable symptoms. We would like to urge the disability commission to understand the ordeal of these patients and provide them with a disability parameter of over 60%. We are also working towards raising awareness to make every vicinity more disable friendly.” The event was also a platform for the patients to discuss their individual challenges and journey. With the advent of technology, MS patients have a support group online as well, ‘World v/s MS’ where they can draw inspiration from each other’s struggles and positive stories.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13749/experts-urge-for-understanding-of-multiple-sclerosis-call-it-crucial.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13749/experts-urge-for-understanding-of-multiple-sclerosis-call-it-crucial.html Thu, 30 May 2019 10:40:00 +0530 Every year the last 30thof May is commemorated as the World Multiple Sclerosis day. This year Multiple Sclerosis Society of India (MSSI) organized an event in Mumbai to spread awareness about the gravity of the condition to encourage support for people suffering from Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Eminent stakeholders including Dr. S M Katrak, Dr. Satish Khadilkar, Ms. Renuka Malakar, National Secretary, MSSI and Co-founder of MSSI, Mrs. Sheela Chitnis spoke about the various aspects of MS, challenges in its long-term management and importance of awareness about the condition in India.  Patients suffering from MS were also present at the event. MS is a condition affecting the central nervous system (mainly brain and spinal cord) resulting in nerve damage. This disrupts communication between the brain and the body. It's a lifelong condition that has the potential to cause serious disability. This year, the theme for MS Day is ‘Invisible MS’ which addresses the invisible symptoms of MS.These could be blurry vision, urinary incontinence, fatigue, dizziness, difficulty in speech, difficulty in walking, inability to process information, etc. Addressing the symptoms and treatment options Dr. Satish Khadilkar, Dean, Professor and Head, Department of Neurology, Bombay Hospital & Medical Research Centre said; “Early Diagnosis and availability of new drugs and treatment options can help improve the quality of a MS patients’ life. MS is a condition which affects the central nervous system (mainly brain and spinal cord) resulting in nerve damage. MS is more prevalent among the youngsters; therefore, the impact is more as they age. But the fact is still that girls are more affected than boys. It affects the functioning of important parts of their body. The symptoms include blurry vision, difficulty in urination & difficulty in balancing. The need of awareness of availability of treatment options and early diagnosis is very important in this modern world.” Commenting on the condition, Dr. S.M Katrak, Neurologist, Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai said, “The current prevalence of MS in India can be estimated to be 7-10 per 100,000 people. This data is also incomplete as there are very few studies & there isn’t any information available on the rural population. Increased awareness about the condition amongst neurologists and availability of MRI’s have resulted in more patients being reported over the last few years.  The cause of MS can be attributed to 2 factors - namely genetic and environmental. The onset of MS has been observed amongst the age group of 25-35 years with male:female ratio of 1:2. The rising incidence is an eye opener for India to be more inclusive of the condition and its disabilities.” In 2016, MS got added under the Disability Act of India. However, many don’t know about it. Also, as MS shows invisible symptoms, patients have to undergo a lot of hardships to get a disability certificate. Thus, it is imperative for the disability officers to understand the nuances of the condition and help these patients get their disability certificate without a hassle of presenting visible symptoms. The 40% criteria for benchmark disability should not be applied for MS patients. Owing to the unpredictable symptoms, the degree of disability can get worse for a patient within days. We have started speaking to multiple stakeholders to advocate rights of people with MS” said Renuka Malakar, National Secretary, MSSI. Commenting on the same, Mrs. Sheela Chitnis, Co-Founder of MSSI said, “The life of an MS patient is full of obstacles not knowing what the next episode has in store. They face discrimination at work, family and social level due to their invisible symptoms. We provide counseling to these patients to tackle this social stigma. Despite the recognition in the Disability Act, patients face difficulty in getting their condition considered correctly due to the invisible symptoms. In MS, the degree of disability isn’t the only measure for consideration as the patients face unpredictable symptoms. We would like to urge the disability commission to understand the ordeal of these patients and provide them with a disability parameter of over 60%. We are also working towards raising awareness to make every vicinity more disable friendly.” The event was also a platform for the patients to discuss their individual challenges and journey. With the advent of technology, MS patients have a support group online as well, ‘World v/s MS’ where they can draw inspiration from each other’s struggles and positive stories.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13742/sightlife-restores-sight-of-100000-individuals-since-its-inception.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13742/sightlife-restores-sight-of-100000-individuals-since-its-inception.html Wed, 29 May 2019 15:00:00 +0530 SightLife, the US-based global nonprofit has announced that together with its partners in India, 100,000 individuals suffering from corneal blindness have had their sight restored through a corneal transplant in the last ten years since operations began in India. SightLife is a nonprofit global health organization dedicated to eliminating corneal blindness by 2040. “We are incredibly proud of this milestone because it’s a testament of the hard work by our partners and supporters in India over the last decade,” said CEO Claire Bonilla. “But more importantly, it means that 100,000 individuals have not only had their sight restored, but also their independence and livelihood, which ultimately contributes to a better and more sustainable world for future generations.” “This is a monumental achievement and exemplary of the importance of partnership in eliminating corneal blindness,” said Eye Bank Association of India (EBAI) President, Dr. Gobinda Mukherjee. SightLife commenced operations in India to address the rapidly growing number of corneal blind in the country, estimated at more than six million. Corneal blindness is one of the most common causes of blindness in India. Leveraging decades of experience in the US, SightLife built its global programs which focus on advocating for policy change to increase access to donors and care, preventing corneal blindness, training corneal care providers to ensure access to quality care, strengthening eye banking systems to increase the number of high-quality transplantable corneas, and creating access to innovative solutions. “SightLife is compassionately changing lives by transforming health systems to treat preventable blindness and restore sight,” said SightLife Vice President, Atul Kapoor. “Across India, we collaborate with 23 partners – eye bank institutions, hospitals, government organizations, nonprofits, and the Eye Bank Association of India, working together to achieve our mission of eliminating corneal blindness worldwide by 2040.” In late 2016, SightLife partnered with King George Medical University (KGMU) and The Hans Foundation (THF) to open a state-of-the-art eye bank and center of excellence in Uttar Pradesh – the KGMU UP Community Eye Bank. The eye bank provides a full scope of services, including counseling for families, cornea recovery and processing, distribution of corneal tissue to surgeons and training for technicians and surgeons. The year before the eye bank opened, only 650 transplants were performed across the whole state of Uttar Pradesh (UP). In its first year, the eye bank facilitated over 400 transplants and to date has provided tissues for sight restoring surgeries for more than 1,350 individuals. “We’ve made significant progress, but there is a lot of work ahead,” said Anurag Taneja, SightLife Director of Partner Account Management. “To truly eliminate corneal blindness, we must continue to foster partnerships for sustainable development, bring new, innovative products and technologies to more people, and scale models that work in India and beyond.” There are 12.7 million people in the world needlessly suffering from corneal blindness, which is the scarring of the cornea caused by disease or injury. This condition goes beyond not being able to see the world around you or the faces of your loved ones; it could mean falling out of the education system, becoming unemployed, or being unable to care for your family. But there is hope – 80 percent of corneal blindness is preventable or treatable. Through its multi-faceted programs, SightLife is on a mission to reach these 12.7 million by continuing to exponentially scale their work in India and around the world. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13740/new-hope-for-blood-cancer-patients-to-find-a-matching-blood-stem-cell-donor.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13740/new-hope-for-blood-cancer-patients-to-find-a-matching-blood-stem-cell-donor.html Wed, 29 May 2019 11:50:00 +0530 This World Blood Cancer Day, DKMS - one of the largest international blood stem cell donor centers in the world joined forces with Bangalore Medical Service Trust (BMST), a centre of excellence in the areas of blood banking, transfusion and immunohematology in Bangalore. DKMS BMST Foundation India will provide access to a large pool of potential blood stem cell donors to provide patients suffering from blood cancer and other blood disorders such as Thalassemia or Aplastic Anaemia, both in India and worldwide, with a second chance at life. Speaking of the challenge we face today, Dr Biju George MBBS, MD, DM, Professor & Head, Department of Haematology at CMC Vellore said, “Every 5 minutes someone in India is diagnosed with blood cancer and other blood disorders wherein Leukaemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma are the top 3 forms to be found. While blood cancer is life-threatening, a set of healthy blood stem cells from a matching donor can be life-saving”. The registry DKMS-BMST at present has over 27,000 registered potential blood stem cell donors. This number will increase considerably over the years with the aim of finding a matching donor for every patient in need. Highlighting the impact of the myths that exist in India, Dr Latha Jagannathan, Medical Director & Managing Trustee of BMST said, “Many patients suffering from blood cancer and other blood disorders need a blood stem cell transplant to survive.   Unfortunately the majority of patients are never able to receive a transplant due to the unavailability of a matching blood stem cell donor. In India, only 0.03% of the total population is registered as a potential blood stem cell donor. This is significantly lower than many other countries including the US where 2.7% and Germany where 10% of the population is registered as a potential donor. A lack of understanding and multiple baseless misconceptions existing amongst people about the process, impacts the cause. It is high time that we all overcome this and commit to being a life saver to save our children”. A successful blood stem cell transplant needs a perfect HLA tissue match. Patients and donors of Indian origin have unique HLA characteristics that are severely under-represented in the global database, which makes the probability of finding a suitable donor even more difficult. 70 percent of patients do not find a matching donor within their family and instead rely on finding an unrelated donor in the global database. “Every year, about 80,000 donor searches are initiated across the globe. Mainly due to the lack of a matching donor, India has one of the highest ratios of searches that do not result in transplantation. At DKMS, we are working to find a donor for every patient in need and require your support in achieving the same here in India. Through this venture with BMST, we are delighted to be able to save many more lives, but we still need to do more. Indian patients mainly require an Indian tissue match which means that we need to increase the awareness and encourage many more people in India to register as a blood stem cell donor. It only takes a few minutes to register as a potential donor. All that is required is a simple swab of the inside of your cheeks to determine your HLA characteristics – so please come forward and join the registry”, said Dr Elke Neujahr, Global Chief Operating Officer at DKMS. Chirag, a 12 year old beta-thalassemia patient waited for 10 years for an unrelated matching donor to undergo a blood stem cell transplant. A donor for him was found in the database of DKMS and he underwent the transplant two years ago at Apollo Chennai. Present at the launch, Chirag’s father said, “We struggled for over 10 years seeing our child undergo a blood transfusion every fortnight. Despite this emotional trauma, we were still doubtful to undergo the blood stem cell transplant for our son when we found a donor. After talking to parents of other successful transplant cases we gathered courage. Today, we cannot stop thanking Dr Revathi and the team that met us several times, helped us overcome our concerns and counselled us to take this live saving step”. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13738/clinito-aims-to-revolutionize-access-to-advanced-rehab-technologies.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13738/clinito-aims-to-revolutionize-access-to-advanced-rehab-technologies.html Wed, 29 May 2019 11:25:00 +0530 Clinito, an online marketplace for medical equipment, consumables and services, in its flagship event ‘Spotlight’ undertook an interactive Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy workshop for clinicians and healthcare professionals to strengthen their knowledge to enhance clinical outcomes for their patients. Aimed at ‘Fostering Scientific Interactions’, the event was themed around Robotic Assisted Rehabilitation and Aqua Rehab at Asia’s first under water Gym with sessions led by Dr. Amit Dhumale, D.N.B (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation) Diploma Orthopedics, M.B.B.S and Dr. Priya Tawde, Occupational Therapist. Participants at the workshop were taken on a tour of the rehabilitation facilities with a live session on aqua rehab and a hands-on-session at the Neuro Rehabilitation gym at Jupiter Hospital's Centre of Excellence in Rehabilitation. A leader in creating state of the art facilities for rehabilitation, Clinito Spotlight’s partnership with Jupiter Hospital highlights how advanced rehabilitation technologies such as assisted robotic therapies and aqua rehab can be leveraged for improved patient outcomes. Clinito now is enabling access to doctors to use advanced rehabilitation technologies such as assisted robotic therapies and aqua rehab to provide a faster and better recovery for patients. Speaking about Clinito Spotlight, Anand Apte, Co-founder & CEO, Clinito said, “At Clinito, our objective has always been to build our community of clinicians through knowledge sharing initiatives. As procuring partners of leading hospitals across India, we also truly believe in the importance of giving our medical fraternity access to the latest technical innovations and applications in their areas of expertise. Clinito Spotlight is a step in this direction and we hope that healthcare professionals find value in our events which leads to positive clinical outcomes.” Dr. Amit Dhumale, D.N.B (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation) Director of Rehabilitation Services said “The Clinito Spotlight event conducted at Jupiter hospital Rehabilitation center of excellence are unique in focussing on improved scientific interactions. We are interacting with young rehab professionals and old alike and giving them access and exposure to Advanced Rehab Technologies. I do believe with this level of exposure Jupiter Hospital and Clinito improve the knowledge and skill level of the rehab professionals. These advanced Rehab technologies are not easily available for training elsewhere even though they play a crucial role in the rehab process - making Clinito Spotlight the need of the hour.” Over the last few months, Clinito Spotlight’s Physio and Rehab event series has received an overwhelming response from the healthcare industry. In continuation of its efforts, Clinito now plans to create and roll-out various medical programmes through webinars and live sessions. In partnership with leading hospitals, Clinito is set to adopt best practices, enable access to technological innovations and improve the quality of healthcare in India with more such industry focused events. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13735/sofy-launches-indias-first-cool-napkin-that-comes-with-innovative-coolpad-technology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13735/sofy-launches-indias-first-cool-napkin-that-comes-with-innovative-coolpad-technology.html Tue, 28 May 2019 16:35:00 +0530 To celebrate Menstrual Hygiene Day, Sofy, Unicharm’s leading feminine hygiene brand, has unveiled the cool sanitary napkin 'Sofy COOL’ in India. The product comes with a revolutionary “Coolpad Technology” which gives a feeling of coolness for an “Irritation Free Period”. The brand believes in providing innovative solutions to their consumers which helps to achieve their dreams even during their periods. With the changing lifestyles, young girls are becoming more aware of their menstrual hygiene and look for advanced products to satisfy their needs. According to Sofy’s research, 68%** consumers have a feeling of irritation from their sanitary napkins during periods. They look for products that can help them get them rid of feeling of irritation, warmth and stuffiness. Sofy recognised this as one of the top needs for the females and launched the new product “Sofy Cool” that gives feeling of coolness for an irritation free period. It also has a ‘Deep Absorbent Sheet’ that prevents leakage along with the unique innovation of “Coolpad Technology” which gives a long-lasting cool effect. Through this new launch Sofy plans to fulfil both the functional and the emotional need gap of leakage and irritation free period. It also has a cool water fragrance that gives a feeling of freshness for a long time. Sofy unveiled the ‘Keep It Cool’ campaign which they launched through a series of digital films with Bhumi Padnekar, Barkha Singh and Namrata Purohit The campaign captures small instances that women face in their day to day life and how SOFY helps them keep it cool during their period. Yuji Ikeda, Marketing Director of Unicharm India said, “As a brand, we are invested in understanding our consumers and their needs. Our research says that the top three factors that cause irritation during periods are stickiness, itching and sweating***. To address these issues and give girls an irritation free period, we launched Sofy COOL that gives a mild cooling sensation and persisting comfort for a long period of time. We believe that Menstrual Hygiene Day is a perfect opportunity to drive conversations around period irritation. Sofy COOL is a product that will not only help women stay comfortable during periods but also help them achieve their dreams and aspirations.” *Source: As per Unicharm Survey, it is the only napkin that gives cool feeling due to menthol formulation among major brands in India as on Nov’18. **Source: U&A Study, 2018 conducted by Nielsen ***Source: Qualitative Research conducted by Nielsen in 2018 Unicharm is a wholly-owned subsidiary  of Unicharm Japan started its journey in India in 2008. Unicharm’s grew to become  Asia’s leading manufacturing company in the fast evolving global FMCG segment under the leadership of Takahisa Takahara, Global CEO. Our growth is driven by Nola and Dola, a philosophy built on the idea of caring for people and helping them lead a happier life. Unicharm has number of brands under its portfolio including MamyPoko, Sofy and Lifree.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13734/narayana-health-city-performs-the-worlds-first-pda-stenting-and-regions-first-thoracopagus-surgery-on-conjoined-twins-with-shared-heart.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13734/narayana-health-city-performs-the-worlds-first-pda-stenting-and-regions-first-thoracopagus-surgery-on-conjoined-twins-with-shared-heart.html Tue, 28 May 2019 15:50:00 +0530 Team of doctors at Narayana Health City performed the world’s first PDA stenting as well as region’s first thoracopagus separation surgery and saved the life of baby Cleanne Papillon. Hailing from Mauritius, Baby Cleanne Papillon was one of the conjoined twins who had a shared heart with her sister. Born to Mrs. and Mr. Ian Papillon, the babies were thoracopagus twins. Generally in thoracopagus twins the bodies are joined from the neck to the upper abdomen, however, in this case their heart were also joined. Instead of four chambers for each, together, they had seven chambers. As their survival required expert care, the Mauritian health department reached out to hospitals abroad. However, as it was a complex case with negligible chances for survival, many of the hospitals in Europe and other Asian countries were not open to consider the case. Narayana Health City stood up as a Good Samaritan and took up this challenging case owing to their vast experience in handling complex pediatric cases. As the children shared a heart and were not in a position to even breathe, they were supported by hand pumps for oxygen through the journey. As soon as they arrived, the multi-disciplinary team under the aegis of Dr. Ashley D’Cruz, Director & Sr. Consultant Pediatric Surgeon & Urologist, Dr Sanjay Rao, Sr consultant – Paediatric Surgery and Organ Tranplant, Dr. Shreesha Shankar Maiya, Consultant – Paediatric Cardiology and Electrophysiology, Dr. Riyan Shetty, Consultant Critical Care Services & Head of Extracorporeal Life Support, Dr Ganesh Sambandamoorthy, Consultant – Anaesthesia & Critical Care and Dr. Harini Sreedharan, Consultant Neonatology, did a thorough examination of the babies. Considering the babies had a shared heart and survival chances were bleak, multiple specialties had to deliberate to find a way to save at least one of them. With the parents consent the team of doctors started the treatment. The doctors put them on intensive care. The intensive care team under the leadership of Dr. Riyan Shetty and Dr Ganesh Sambandamoorthy ensured the babies were stabilized faster. Once they were stabilized, PDA stenting was performed to improve the condition of the heart. Elaborating about PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus) stenting, Dr. Shreesha Shankar Maiya, Consultant – Paediatric Cardiology and Electrophysiology said, “Open surgery was not a choice in this case as the children were conjoined from the thorax region. Further, their heart was fused and the chambers were merged making their case a complex and unsuitable one for any surgical treatment. PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus) stenting is interventional procedure wherein a stent is placed in the PDA and the blood flow from the heart is maintained. The intervention was successful and they were oxygenated well.” While the intervention was successful, as staying together will affect both the lives, the doctors advised separation surgery. Though the babies were twins, one of them suffered from non correctable congenital anomalies. In fact, the unhealthy child was becoming more like a burden on the healthy baby and hence the parents along with the doctors chose to support the healthy child. They separated the babies. The tissues of sacrificed baby were used to reconstruct the torso of surviving twin. Elaborating about the case, Dr. Ashley D’ Cruz said, “The survival rate in conjoined twins are minimal. In fact, the survival ratio of siamese twins with fused heart is even low. The child is the ‘3rd Miracle Baby’ in the world who has survived a Thoracopagus separation surgery.” Expressing his gratitude, Mr. Ian Papillon, father of the patient said, “When we got to know that we are expecting twins, we were very excited. After the delivery when we were informed that our daughters were conjoined and were sharing a single heart we were shattered. We thought we will lose both of them. Today, we have at least one of our daughters with us only because of the doctors at Narayana Health and I am extremely thankful to them for that. We are also grateful to our government for funding my children’s visit and their treatment. While I am taking back one daughter, however for me she is mirroring for her sister as one.” Baby Papillon has responded well to the intervention and is in a position to return to her homeland. Equipped with a team of multi disciplinary experts Narayana Health City has become one of the most sought after hospital to treat conjoined twins. The surgery makes Narayana Health City one of the few hospitals in the world to have successfully completed and saved 4 sets of conjoined twins and 1 case of parasitic twinning apart from this case.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13730/who-releases-strategy-to-control-snakebite-envenoming.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13730/who-releases-strategy-to-control-snakebite-envenoming.html Tue, 28 May 2019 11:40:00 +0530 The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released full details of its strategy to prevent and control snakebite envenoming, a neglected tropical disease that affects 1.8–2.7 million people each year, claiming 81 000–138 000 lives and causing 400 000 cases of permanent disability. The aim is to halve the numbers of deaths and cases of disability due to snakebite envenoming over the next 12 years through a programme that targets affected communities and their health systems, and by ensuring access to safe, effective treatment through increased cooperation, collaboration and partnership at all levels. The strategy was developed by a 28-member panel of global experts in consultation with WHO regional offices, the scientific and research community, health foundations, advocacy groups and stakeholders. Given the importance of prevention, improved community education and empowerment and effective first response, the strategy commits to engaging communities to achieve these goals. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13727/medvarsity-online-partners-with-medanta.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13727/medvarsity-online-partners-with-medanta.html Tue, 28 May 2019 10:40:00 +0530 Medvarsity, a pioneer in online medical training, announced its partnership with Medanta - The Medicity Hospital. The two entities launched a 'Fellowship in Clinical, Preventive & Non-invasive Cardiology' course as a joint program under this association. This partnership promises to work towards strengthening the Cardiology practices to the next level in India. A quarter of deaths in India are due to cardiovascular diseases, according to the global burden of disease report. The number of heart disease cases is alarmingly high and only increasing with demanding lifestyle changes. Even though these numbers are rising constantly, there is a significant lack of trained cardiologists in the country. India requires around 88,000 but only has about 4,000 cardiologists, which opens up the need for more trained physicians who can handle such cases, and in turn bridge the gap effectively. Talking about the partnership, Mr. Gerald Jaideep, CEO, Medvarsity Online Ltd., said, "Partnering with Medanta allows us to develop a pool of skilled clinical practitioners to address the increasing demand for cardiology services in India. We aim to discover viable ways to improve patient care and effectively contribute to the ever-changing landscape of the medical industry." The course aims to address the increasing demand for cardiology services in India. It has been curated to provide physicians with the opportunity to learn more effectively and become better healthcare professionals with advanced skills to handle the rising challenges in the cardiovascular department. By introducing new age learning methodologies and digital education, it gives more scope to the medical professionals to enhance their skill set. The course is innovatively designed keeping in mind the futuristic needs of the cardiology field, to provide quality care to patients. Commenting on the partnership, Dr. Ravi. R. Kasliwal, Chairman-Division of Clinical & Preventive Cardiology, Medanta - The Medicity, said, "This partnership will help doctors become better caregivers in this rapidly changing 21st-century landscape. We are aiming to provide a robust, point of care access to the students interested in building a career in all aspects of clinical cardiology, a complete nuance of echocardiography and allied techniques and acute care cardiology. We are looking forward to an association that will help curb the menace of the cardiovascular disease epidemic in the country." Physicians trained in MD/DNB Internal Medicine, DNB Family Medicine, and PGDCC are eligible for taking up this course. This 2-year full-time program includes hospital-based practical training and online learning through theoretical content on LMS - textual reading material, recorded videos, live virtual classes (webinars), online virtual simulations and research methodology training. Fellowship certification will be awarded by Medvarsity and Medanta Institute of Education & Research to all students who successfully complete the program. Medvarsity Online Ltd. is India's first and largest online healthcare training company with over 45,000 medical professionals trained and certified.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13725/new-robotic-technique-in-knee-replacement-surgeries-at-aakash-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13725/new-robotic-technique-in-knee-replacement-surgeries-at-aakash-healthcare.html Mon, 27 May 2019 17:40:00 +0530 Aakash Healthcare has introduced the revolutionary robotics technique on 27 March, 2019 for the treatment of Total Knee Replacement Surgery - NAVIO Robotics by Smith & Nephew. The NAVIO Robotics is designed to deliver consistent and accurate results through the utilization of a surgeon-controlled robotics assisted hand piece, coupled with NAVIO specific cut guides. This unique combination yields an intuitive and efficient workflow for the team of surgical experts. Not only does this technology benefits the surgeons and clinicians, it benefits the patients a great deal, the recovery scale is quick, stays are shorter than usual, blood loss is minimal and preserves all-natural structures of the joint with precision. So far through NAVIO Robotics, Aakash Healthcare has completed 30 number of successful surgeries. NAVIO provides the accuracy from robotics-assistance as well as the flexibility of multiple pioneering implant designs for partial and total knees to accommodate surgeon and patient needs. The versatile NAVIO planning software enables precise implant alignment and ligament balance, without the need for a pre-operative CT scan. Eliminating the dependency on pre-operative imaging allows the surgeon to seamlessly plan for either a partial or total knee procedure at the time of surgery. The NAVIO system provides robotic assistance through an advanced computer program. Before a Knee replacement surgery, the computer scans and relays precise information about the patient’s knee joint to a robotics-assisted arm. By using this patient-specific information, the computer establishes boundaries for the robotics-assisted arm, so that the surgeon can balance the Knee joint and position components with greater precision. The reported benefits of computer navigated TKR include better component positioning, improved patient satisfaction, superior clinical outcomes, lesser blood loss and lower blood transfusion rates. It also results in lesser post-operative inflammation which may reduce pain and swelling aiding early mobilization and recovery. One of the essential advantages of picking the Navio Surgical System is the simple fact that there is no specialized preparation for the procedure or surgery nor any post-operative recovery concerns. The framework, due to its CT free route approach gives the patient lower expenses and to a lesser extent, recuperation time. The robot-assisted system eliminates the possibilities of human error and this leads to perfect alignment, leading to the longevity of the joint implant. It ensures lesser bone removal, preserves natural anatomy and facilitates better post-operative outcomes for the patient. It is equally beneficial for the young people who intend to return to their active lifestyle sooner and elderly people who are suffering from end stage arthritis. Emphasizing on the importance of the use of NAVIO Robotics, Dr Aashish Chaudhry, Manging Director and Orthopaedic Surgeon, Aakash Healthcare Super Speciality Hospital said, “Robotic joint replacement surgery via NAVIO Robotics has numerous benefits over traditional joint replacement surgeries. The most important function is the bone conserving technology, as it helps in preserving natural anatomy. Surgeons are now able to operate with enhanced precision even in the most complex procedures and critical cases. Enhanced precision and lesser bone removal lead to less blood loss, painless surgery, faster surgery and quick recovery and other better post-operative outcomes for the patient. Robotic-assisted joint replacement is at a much higher level at many parameters than traditional joint replacement surgery.” After the earlier successes of larger complex systems in medical field, it is probable that progress in the next decade will be incremental rather than revolutionary, leading to many different smaller simple robotic systems across a wide range of applications. Robotic surgery is thus likely to see a change of direction but will become more clinically relevant.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13710/googles-ai-system-outperforms-human-experts-at-spotting-lung-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13710/googles-ai-system-outperforms-human-experts-at-spotting-lung-cancer.html Fri, 24 May 2019 12:00:00 +0530 Google AI researchers working with Northwestern Medicine created an AI model capable of detecting lung cancer from screening tests better than human radiologists with an average of eight years’ experience. When analyzing a single CT scan, the model detected cancer 5% more often on average than a group of six human experts and was 11% more likely to reduce false positives. Humans and AI achieved similar results when radiologists were able to view prior CT scans. When it came to predicting the risk of cancer two years after a screening, the model was able to find cancer 9.5% more often compared to estimated radiologist performance laid out in the National Lung Screening Test (NLST) study. Detailed in research published recently in Nature Medicine, the end-to-end deep learning model was used to predict whether a patient has lung cancer, generating a patient lung cancer malignancy risk score and identifying the location of the malignant tissue in the lungs. The model will be made available through the Google Cloud Healthcare API as Google continues trials and additional tests with partner organizations. Google technical lead Shravya Shetty and product manager Daniel Tse explained in a blog post, “The AI system uses 3D volumetric deep learning to analyze the full anatomy on chest CT scans, as well as patches based on object detection techniques that identify regions with malignant lesions.” The model was trained using more than 42,000 chest CT screening images taken from nearly 15,000 patients, 578 of whom developed cancer within a year, during a low-dose computed tomography LDCT study the National Institutes of Health (NIH) conducted in 2002. Results were then validated with data sets from Northwestern Medicine. Lung cancer is one of the most common causes of death on Earth, according to World Health Organization data, taking more than 2 million lives annually and killing roughly as many people each year as breast cancer. A 2015 analysis found that only 2-4% of patients get an LDCT screening today. “By showing that deep learning can increase specificity without sacrificing sensitivity, we hope to spur more research and conversation around the role AI can play in tipping the cost-benefit scale for cancer screening,” the blog post reads. This is by no means Google’s first foray into cancer detection and treatment. Google Inception v3 was used to detect lung cancer by New York University researchers last year. And deep learning is also behind Google’s advances in diabetic retinopathy diagnosis through eye scans, as well as DeepMind’s AI that can recommend the proper line of treatment for 50 eye diseases with 94% accuracy.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13702/doconline-collaborates-with-okira-for-affordable-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13702/doconline-collaborates-with-okira-for-affordable-healthcare.html Thu, 23 May 2019 10:25:00 +0530 DocOnline, a Hyderabad based telemedicine company has tied up with Okira Health Care Private Limited (a leading health care provider in multi-states including West Bengal, Bihar, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh) to offer health cards in West Bengal. As part of this tie-up, Okira will offer Okira Health Cards on Mobile App to the customers and when a customer purchases this card, DocOnline will enable access to online doctor services. As a result, customer will get multifarious benefits of instantaneous, convenient, affordable, and accessible healthcare at a very nominal cost. Okira’s customers must download DocOnline’s app to avail its consultation services. Keeping in mind the digital divide, if a customer does not have a smart phone or an internet connection, DocOnline will provide a hotline number (tollfree) so that a user can call and avail DocOnline’s subscription services. When a customer consults a doctor through DocOnline, the doctor will generate a digitally signed prescription which will be received by the customer via an app or through an email. Okira currently plans to offer this health card in West Bengal and plans to expand across India very soon. Further, when a customer purchases an Okira Health Card, he/she will get three more free cards which they can use for their family members to get discounts at network hospitals/diagnostic centres/medical stores/nursing homes. Speaking on this occasion, Markus Moding, CEO and Founder DocOnline said, “Using technology to further the cause of healthcare in India is the need of the hour and DocOnline intends to be at the forefront. Our vision is to create a healthier life for all people in India and we will continue to apply technology to get creative healthcare solutions”. Rahul Paith, Chief Operating Officer (COO), DocOnline added – “We are very happy to partner with Okira to offer affordable, accessible and quality health services in West Bengal.  DocOnline’s mission is to provide more accessible, more affordable, more trustworthy and better quality healthcare and this partnership is a step in this direction.” Subir Ghosh, Founder & Director, Okira Healthcare said, "The synergy arising out of Okira's reach and DocOnline's technology will help the customer access affordable and quality healthcare easily”. The National Sample Survey (2014) found that 86 percent of rural population was not covered under any scheme of health expenditure support. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13696/study-shows-positive-impact-of-homeopathic-treatment-on-patients-with-hypothyroidism.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13696/study-shows-positive-impact-of-homeopathic-treatment-on-patients-with-hypothyroidism.html Wed, 22 May 2019 15:50:00 +0530 Early findings from a retrospective observational study conducted by Delhi-based Dr. Kalyan Banerjee’s Clinic has shown a positive impact of homeopathic treatment on a significant percentage of patients of hypothyroidism. The study analysed the records of 2,083 patients from 2011 to 2015. It was found that by the fourth visit to the clinic, 35% of patients demonstrated an improvement in their serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) readings. For the purposes of the study, a catchment period was defined and data of patients with this condition coming to Dr Kalyan Banerjee’s Clinic during that catchment period was extracted. Said Dr. Kalyan Banerjee, Founder, Dr. Kalyan Banerjee’s Clinic: “The early observations are very interesting. The data seems to indicate that specific homeopathic medicines given to patients were able to improve functioning of the thyroid gland, thereby bringing down the thyroid stimulating hormone readings. This has the potential of reducing – or entirely stopping – the dosage of thyroid hormone replacement in patients. This runs contrary to the understanding that the progression of hypothyroidism cannot usually be controlled. More than one-third of patients of hypothyroidism benefitting from homeopathic medicines is a very significant number, considering that 11% of Indian population suffers from hypothyroidism.” Explained Dr. Kushal Banerjee from Dr. Kalyan Banerjee Clinic: “Hypothyroidism is a common disease and has no resolution in conventional medicine. Our clinic treats thousands of patients regularly who have been reporting improvement in their thyroid function tests after our treatment. We therefore decided that an evaluation of our treatment regimen was in order to confirm what the anecdotal evidence seemed to indicate: homeopathic treatment benefits patients of hypothyroidism. With this study, we hope that research interest will lead to randomised trials using our treatment regimen to provide more confirmation about the efficacy of homeopathic medicines in hypothyroidism." Added Dr. Kushal Banerjee: “These are early findings, but we encourage all doctors to consider the provision of homeopathic treatment for patients of these conditions. The homeopathic medicines have a proven high safety profile and cause no adverse reactions with any other medicines. They are safe to use. We will be happy to work with specialists in these fields to conduct robust trials and collaborate with research bodies to understand the mechanism of action of these remedies for hypothyroidism.” Doctors at Dr. Kalyan Banerjee’s Clinic practice an evidence-based approach and have arrived at specific medicine and potency combinations for specific diseases using the clinical experience of millions of prescriptions over four decades. These specific treatment regimens allow for doctors to be properly trained in prescribing proven effective medicines. If a patient does not respond to the medicines, the doctors know that the second line of treatment needs to be started. Vital time is saved, and doctors assess cases far more effectively than in conventional homeopathy, leading to superior outcomes.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13685/who-launches-online-resource-to-develop-new-health-products.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13685/who-launches-online-resource-to-develop-new-health-products.html Tue, 21 May 2019 11:15:00 +0530 WHO’s new Science Division has launched an online resource to guide the development of new health products for which there are limited markets or incentives for research and development. An essential tool for realizing universal health coverage, the Health Product Profile Directory aims to promote  research and development for products to combat neglected diseases and threats to global health, including antimicrobial resistance and diseases with pandemic potential.  The Health Product Profile Directory is a free-to-use online resource created and developed by TDR, the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, on behalf of WHO as a global public good. It provides a searchable database of profiles for health products needed to tackle pressing health issues in global health including those prioritized by WHO. The summary of the published profiles outlines 8-10 key characteristics (such as target population, measures of efficacy and dosage) for the development of health products, including medicines, vaccines and diagnostics. Building in these characteristics at an early stage of the development process is essential to ensure that the final products will be accessible to the populations that need them.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13678/fda-warns-against-use-of-unapproved-devices-for-diabetes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13678/fda-warns-against-use-of-unapproved-devices-for-diabetes.html Mon, 20 May 2019 15:35:00 +0530 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning patients and health care professionals of risks associated with the use of unapproved or unauthorized devices for diabetes management, including continuous glucose monitoring systems, insulin pumps and automated insulin dosing systems. In the safety communication issued recently, the agency noted that the use of unapproved or unauthorized devices could result in inaccurate blood glucose (sugar) measurements or unsafe insulin dosing, which can lead to injury requiring medical intervention or even death. The FDA is aware of manufacturers illegally marketing unauthorized devices for diabetes management, which have not been reviewed by the agency for safety and effectiveness. Companies are also illegally marketing components, such as unauthorized continuous glucose monitors that some patients may integrate into unauthorized automated insulin dosing systems. Additionally, the FDA is aware of patients combining devices or components that are not intended for use with other devices. The FDA recommends that patients talk with their doctor about appropriate diabetes management devices for their needs and to only use devices and components that have been reviewed by the agency for safety and effectiveness.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13673/merck-foundation-marks-world-hypertension-day-2019-by-building-hypertension-care-capacity-in-africa-and-asia-through-their-nationwide-programs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13673/merck-foundation-marks-world-hypertension-day-2019-by-building-hypertension-care-capacity-in-africa-and-asia-through-their-nationwide-programs.html Mon, 20 May 2019 11:40:00 +0530 Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany marked ‘World Hypertension Day 2019’ by building hypertension care capacity in Africa and Asia through their nationwide programs. Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, “Merck Foundation launched ‘Merck Hypertension Award’ in 2016 in more than 40 African and Asian universities in partnership with health ministries, First Ladies and Academia. The winners are enrolled for One Year Post Graduate Diploma in Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine with University of South Wales, UK. The aim is to build a platform of hypertension experts in underserved communities.” Winners of the Merck Hypertension Award 2017 were announced last year. The award attracted over 500 concept submission applications from universities in Africa and Asia. The winners from each university have been provided with an opportunity to study for a one-year online Post Graduate Diploma. “At Merck Foundation, we mark the “World Hypertension Day” every day through providing doctors with one-year diploma to be diabetes and hypertension experts in more than 40 African and Asian countries. We strongly believe this is a critical strategy to achieve better hypertension and diabetes prevention and management in underserved communities,” added Dr. Rasha Kelej. Dr. Joel Allotey from Ghana, an award winner from Merck Hypertension Award says, “I am very delighted to be given the opportunity receive Postgraduate Diploma in Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of South Wales, under the sponsorship of Merck Foundation. The course has exposed me to new scientific developments in interventions for the prevention of cardiovascular disease among individual patients as well as to larger at-risk population groups. I have gained expertise in current trends with regards to the prevention of cardiovascular conditions, as well as identify research opportunities in cardiovascular medicine, peculiar to my local healthcare setting.” The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to innovative healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare and scientific research capacity and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13661/people-with-hypertension-need-to-be-careful-while-monitoring-their-bp-at-home.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13661/people-with-hypertension-need-to-be-careful-while-monitoring-their-bp-at-home.html Fri, 17 May 2019 10:40:00 +0530 At-home blood pressure monitors make it convenient for people to check their readings, but many of them still want assurance that the numbers are accurate for health reasons. Differences between readings at home and at the doctor’s clinic may reveal that something is wrong with an at-home monitor. Hence, if you’ve been checking up on your blood pressure at home, it’s more than likely you’ve gotten skewed results. A study published in the American Journal of Hypertension, in 2017, suggests that 70 % of at-home blood pressure monitors are wrong and that inaccuracy could have serious health consequences. City experts advise you to regularly visit the doctor to get accurate readings, and not to solely rely on at-home blood pressure monitor. Dr Behram Pardiwala, Internal medicine expert, from the Wockhardt hospital, Mumbai Central, said, “About 10 % of the people who visit me complain about inaccurate readings after checking the blood pressure at home. People may notice a fluctuation in their readings and this indicates that the readings are inaccurate. Hence, I recommend people to use instruments validated by the hypertension society of British and the World Health Organization. Check with your doctor when there are discrepancies between at-home and clinic readings. Furthermore, you must also ask your doctor to teach you to tie the machine, about the right position of the arm and duration. Avoid drinking a caffeinated beverage or smoking during the 30 minutes before monitoring your blood pressure. People with hypertension need to be extra careful while monitoring their blood pressure at home as hypertension is a ‘silent killer’. Before stopping your BP medication, check with your doctor as it can be dangerous for you.” “About 5% of patients who come to me say that the readings done at home don’t match to the ones in the clinic. To know whether the at-home blood pressure monitor is accurate or inaccurate, you should get your readings in front of the clinician. This will help you to notice the difference as devices are bound to have some errors and the readings vary from device to device. There are two ways of measuring blood pressure which is lying down in a supine position and while sitting. You should speak to your doctor before measuring the blood pressure at home and while doing so, make sure that you tie the machine properly to help you get accurate results. Blood pressure also varies depending on the arm circumference and size of the cuff. The too tight cuff can give rise high blood pressure and bigger cuff would give us falsely low readings. Once the accuracy of the device is verified from the clinician then measuring blood pressure at home becomes an important tool for keeping track on blood pressure," highlighted Dr Dipak Bhuktar, General Physician, SRV Mamata Hospital, Dombivali. Dr Bipeenchandra Bhamre, Cardio-Thoracic Surgeon, Sir H N Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, said, “Systolic blood pressure higher than 140 and diastolic higher than 90, is called as hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension in the urban population is 30%, and 20-22%, in the rural population. Hence, it is imperative for people with hypertension who check their readings at home, to visit the doctor immediately and also go for regular follow-ups. This is so because the ones with hypertension are at an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. So, it is the need of the hour to know your numbers properly. Moreover, to bring your numbers down, don’t forget to exercise, opt for relaxation techniques like meditation and yoga which can help you de-stress, and take your blood pressure medications on time.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13650/apollo-proton-cancer-centre-achieves-a-milestone.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13650/apollo-proton-cancer-centre-achieves-a-milestone.html Fri, 17 May 2019 09:00:00 +0530 In a first-ever milestone in cancer treatment in India, the Apollo Proton Cancer Center (APCC) in Chennai has successfully performed Total Marrow Irradiation (TMI) as a conditioning protocol prior to Bone Marrow Transplant. Dr. Preetha Reddy, Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Group said, "The Apollo Proton Cancer Centre has opened new frontiers in cancer care and it is a proud moment today, just a few months after the launch, to see the APCC achieve this significant landmark for the first time in the country. This achievement validates our investment in the APCC in bringing this best and latest medical technology to India. We are sure that the future will see the APCC achieve many more milestones and take the battle against cancer forward not just for patients in India but also from South East Asia." A 35-year-old nurse from Oman underwent the procedure at South East Asia's first Proton Therapy Center. She was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) with mixed phenotypic acute leukemia. After the diagnosis, she was referred to Apollo Hospitals for Bone Marrow Transplant. The doctors at Apollo decided to proceed with Total Marrow Irradiation based conditioning for the transplant. "With modern radiation technology, it is now possible to deliver Total Marrow Irradiation (TMI) which spares the normal organs from radiation induced damage," said Dr. Srinivas Chilukuri, Senior Consultant Radiation Oncology. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13659/tuv-rheinland-opens-state-of-the-art-wireless-iot-lab-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13659/tuv-rheinland-opens-state-of-the-art-wireless-iot-lab-in-bengaluru.html Thu, 16 May 2019 15:40:00 +0530 TUV Rheinland India has boosted its service offering in the sub-continent's expanding market with the opening of a state-of-the-art Wireless/IoT laboratory in the IT and design hub of Bangalore. The new 1,500 square meter lab will provide measurement and testing services in accordance with the latest international regulations. The new lab focuses on radio testing, radiated spurious emissions (Wireless/IoT) and radiated emissions (EMI/EMC) testing as well as providing full Wireless/IoT conformity assessment for a broad range of electrical, medical, commercial and automotive products. It also features the first third-party, 3 meter fully-anechoic chamber in the country. "The world is going Wireless and the technology is invading everything, from farms and factories to self-driving vehicles and even people's pockets. The explosion in IoT devices is also widening applications still further and boosting demand for safe, reliable and standards-compliant products – many of which will be designed and manufactured in India for local and global markets," said TUV Rheinland, Regional Executive Vice President, Andreas Hoefer. "Launching a Wireless/IoT Laboratory in a high-tech design centre like Bangalore puts industry-leading testing and certification capabilities closer to customers, helping them to shorten development cycles and respond to opportunities quickly and cost-effectively," he added. The laboratory is fully equipped to support testing for a wide range of products, such as smart-meters, wearables, IoT-gateways and mobile phones. It covers a variety of protocols such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and ZigBee as well as 2G, 3G and 4G. The new facility's unique features include: Omnidirectional Antenna Performance testing for both 2D & 3D pattern measurement Wireless Alliance testing offering for LoRa and Sigfox Alliances Chamber in line with the recommendations of 3GPP, CISPR, ETSI and FCC "The launch of the new Wireless/IoT Laboratory in the heart of India's high-tech industrial sector underpins our commitment to supporting the country's development as an international design and manufacturing powerhouse. TUV Rheinland will continue to expand this facility, strengthening its capabilities and providing world-class services to meet the evolving needs of our customers," said Holger Kunz, Executive Vice President, Products at TUV Rheinland. Staffed by highly-qualified and experienced engineers, the lab is capable of supporting round-the-clock testing activities in accordance with the latest international regulations. It is a Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) designated CAB (Conformity Assessment Body) in India. It is also accredited under ISO/IEC 17025 (NABL) to perform RED directive testing, as well as American Association for Laboratory Accredited (A2LA) for the US & Canada (FCC & ISED). "In addition to shortening testing-turn-around times from weeks or months to a few days, customers will be able to actually see their device being tested and gain access to ongoing expertise -- things that were previously impossible when they had to send products overseas," said TUV Rheinland India Managing Director, Thomas Fuhrmann. "The ease of scheduling lab slots, particularly during design and development stages, will simplify the entire process and significantly reduce the challenges of accessing lucrative, but highly-regulated markets," he said. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13654/godrej-hit-establishes-indias-first-platelet-donor-helpline.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13654/godrej-hit-establishes-indias-first-platelet-donor-helpline.html Thu, 16 May 2019 14:25:00 +0530 Dengue cases are only going up in India. From less than 60,000 cases in 2009, dengue cases in India increased to 2,89,575 in 2018, almost 500 % spike, as per the data from Health Management Information System 2018. Dengue patients face a decline in blood platelets count leading to internal bleeding and eventually death in extreme cases. Thus, this drop in platelet count requires quick platelet transfusion to save lives. However, platelets are not readily available as they cannot be stored for more than 5 days. On this National Dengue Day, India’s first platelet donor helpline ‘7878782020’ by Godrej HIT is committed to assist citizens in Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai, avail platelets through a ready pool of platelets donors. In 2017, Godrej HIT established an online community of platelets donors with an intent to build a base of donors big enough to save lives.  This online donor community with a dedicated 24X7 helpline ‘7878782020’ has now grown to 1.25 lac registered donors. The helpline has successfully saved the lives of 5 critical dengue patients till now.   Dengue patients or their relatives seeking platelet can call on HIT Platelet helpline ‘7878782020’. On receiving requests, 1.25 lac registered donors are updated through calls and SMS. The platelet donor visits the patient directly at any hospital where he/she is admitted or the platelets are sent to the patient. They can also avail platelets transfusion at their nearest Apollo Hospital, the medical partner for the helpline, even if they are not admitted there. Commenting on India’s First Platelet Donor Helpline, Mr Sunil Kataria, CEO – India & SAARC, Godrej Consumer Products Limited, said, “Platelet donor helpline is India’s unique platform bringing donors and dengue patients together to help each other crowdsource platelets. It helps patients get platelets which cannot be stored. We are happy to see that over the last one year more than 1 lac people have registered to be platelet donors resulting in 5 lives being saved. Though this is a good start, we consider it as our responsibility to create mass awareness around how platelets are crucial during dengue and encourage more platelet donations.” Speaking on the initiative, Ms Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group, said, “Vector-borne diseases like dengue are emerging as a threat to public health in India. To address this issue, we at Apollo Hospitals, have tied-up with Godrej HIT to build a platelet donor community. Through this initiative, we are trying to bridge the disparity in awareness and provide ready resources to manage diseases like dengue.” A survey conducted by Godrej HIT found 94% citizens are unaware about the critical level of platelets count below which platelet transfusion is required in dengue cases. Unlike blood, platelets can't be stored for more than 5 days. The report also informed that 80% of the citizens are unaware of this fact. Due to the short shelf life of platelets, there is also a high demand for platelet donors. Platelets are extracted from a donor through a process called apheresis which allows extraction of large amounts of platelets from a single donor. The procedure is safe and one can return to normal activities soon. In fact, the body replaces the platelet count back to normal within 24 hours. As part of the platelet donor community, Godrej HIT wanted to educate masses on platelet donation and threats posed by the loss of platelets in dengue cases. Over the last one year, an awareness program reached out to over 5 million citizens across India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13648/dr-rasha-kelej-meets-the-first-lady-of-kenya-to-build-healthcare-capacity-in-the-country.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13648/dr-rasha-kelej-meets-the-first-lady-of-kenya-to-build-healthcare-capacity-in-the-country.html Wed, 15 May 2019 17:00:00 +0530 Merck Foundation CEO, Dr Rasha Kelej has met the First Lady of Kenya, H.E. MADAM MARGARET KENYATTA to discuss partnership opportunities with aim to build healthcare capacity in the fields of Oncology, fertility and diabetes through nationwide programs.   Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany underscored their commitment to build healthcare capacity in Kenya during a high-level meeting held at the State House between The First Lady of Kenya, H.E. MADAM MARGARET KENYATTA and Dr Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation.   The First Lady of Kenya, H.E. MADAM MARGARET KENYATTA emphasized, “It was an honor and to meet and hold talks with the Chief Executive Officer of Merck Foundation, Dr. Rasha Kelej. I am looking forward to partnering in the training of more oncologists and experts in diabetes and infertility management, as well as in @BeyondZeroKenya.”   Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President, Merck More Than a Mother explained, “I am proud and elated to meet Her Excellency The First Lady of Kenya, MADAM MARGARET KENYATTA to discuss Merck Foundation’s commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of people of Kenya by improving access to quality and equitable healthcare in the country by training more doctors in the fields of Fertility, Cancer and Diabetes care through nationwide programs. Also, to work closely to break the stigma of infertility in Kenya and other African countries.”   Merck Foundation launched ‘Empowering Berna’ project under the flagship global program ‘Merck More than a Mother’ in Africa to help childless and infertile women starting their own business and thus achieve financial independence and become stronger and happier. The project has benefited more than 100 women across Kenya.   Merck Foundation has provided embryology training on fertility speciality to Kenyan doctors in the past two years and will continue this program to improve access to quality and equitable fertility care in the country.   Merck Foundation has developed a two-year oncology fellowship program in partnership with the University of Nairobi, Kenya to improve cancer care in the country. Merck Foundation has enrolled six doctors and will continue to enrol more in the next five years with the aim to build cancer care capacity nationwide.   Merck Foundation has also provided eight Kenyan doctors with one-year diabetes and hypertension diploma and will continue to enrol more doctors from all counties in collaboration with local governments in the next five years through their nationwide Merck Foundation Diabetes blue points project in Kenya.   Moreover, Merck Foundation also provided first-ever Health Media Training to more than 150 journalists from different part of Kenya to benefit in understanding the infertility issue in African communities and to learn the best media practices to cover such issues and raise awareness by following international standards of reporting and media ethics.   Merck Foundation also partnered with local singers to produce songs to address infertility stigma and empower infertile women in their communities. The songs were produced by Octopizzo and Suzan. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13647/breaking-the-mould-51-females-connect-through-docprimes-digital-consultation-platform.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13647/breaking-the-mould-51-females-connect-through-docprimes-digital-consultation-platform.html Wed, 15 May 2019 15:35:00 +0530 With around 5000 consultations a day, Docprime, a Policybazaar group company connected 51% women, who took the online consultation from dedicated medical consultants. This leaves the rest, 49% males taking on the digital consultation. With the underlining digital gender gap that still persists in India, this transformation seems relevant and going forward, the internet usage is expected to be more gender balanced.    The statistics reveal that between January and April 2019, medical consultancy on chat by women increased by 43.9 %. It is hard to ignore the significant jump (almost double) in first two & three months of the year --- 24.4% between January & February to 45.4% between January & March. Ashish Gupta, CEO, Docprime.com puts the spotlight on need and importance of technology in improving women's well-being. “Women, especially mothers tend to ignore their health as family becomes their priority. Providing them the digital platform like Docprime helps to break the ice as they prefer to consult a doctor while maintaining the privacy.” The statistics further reveal that of the 2 lakh consultations made by women, those under the age 18-40 years aggressively used digital consultancy as a medium to seek medical advice, with a lion’s share of 82%.  “Access to technology has helped in addressing the increasing health issues of women and provided a better wellbeing. Women under the age group of 40-60 years and above 60 years make up the rest, which is 18%. This age bracket is more vulnerable to health related risks with limited digital literacy, which needs attention,” he highlights further. Apprehensions prevent women from seeking any medical help or openly express their problems. Technology comes to the rescue which bridges this gap and brings the privacy when it comes to health related issues for women. A quarter of the consultations revolved around mensuration & women specific health issues, seasonal health issues and sexual wellness. Pain related problems still bother most of the women-- nearly 17.3% consultations were sought for pain related issues followed by 12.56% cases concerning pregnancy. 11.95 % of the female audiences seek skin related advice Most women under the age group of 18-25 years seek advice regarding sexual wellness (58.7%).  Pregnancy and skin issues had a share of 51.9% and 52.1%, respectively. Middle age women mostly consulted on pregnancy (46.6%) and pain related issues (41.1%). It was interesting to note that 21.8% of 40-60 years aged women consulted for pain related problems, forcing us to revisit of our previous statement on limited digital literacy. Around 19% of their cases were related to seasonal health issues. In this fast-paced lifestyle, people, especially women ignore their health that leads to several health complications. Connecting people by providing them the information they need to secure themselves is the need of the hour.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13646/jaslok-hospital-research-centre-to-continue-its-legacy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13646/jaslok-hospital-research-centre-to-continue-its-legacy.html Wed, 15 May 2019 15:25:00 +0530 350 bedded Jaslok Hospital has announced that handling of operations and management control will remain with the hospital and rests all speculations about taking over of daily operations. Jaslok Hospital is ramping up its refurbishment plan with plans to add 50,000 sq. ft. to its current space. The hospital is now committed to expand its state-of-art Modular Operation Theatres, expanded OPD services, Catheterization Laboratory, alongside other medical facilities. The expansion plan will be divided in different phases to ensure continuity of the hospital services in a full-fledged manner. The first phase of the refurbishment began last year. Talking about this development and putting all market speculations to rest, Jitendra Haryan, CEO, Jaslok Hospital stated “After strategic rounds of discussion, Jaslok’s management with the goal to continuously improve efficiency has initiated refurbishment project and has seen encouraging feedback from the patients as well as doctors. Looking at completion in 2023 the hospital is certain to provide not only clinical excellence but also experiential recovery which will be a unique combination in a legendary hospital like Jaslok. The hospital’s long term vision is to create experience for the patients & patient’s family and provide them with world class facility. As a medical institution with center of excellences focused towards progressive ways of treatment, we are focused towards reforming and looking at Speciality departmental approach within the institution, state of the art Modular Operation Theatres, patient friendly outpatient and day care facility, a dedicated research center office, amongst others.” He further added, “We feel that there is a huge opportunity to build relationships between patient & provider, and for best being known for clinical excellence, we are looking to strengthen the infrastructure of this iconic hospital by adding 50000 sq. ft. Approx 300 crore will be invested in the refurbishment over next 5 to 6 years. It will be raised in a phase wise manner through combination of internal accruals and debt. We believe that for our doctors and patients, the pay-off of experiential healthcare will be profound as long-term results of patient-centred care and experience are always rewarding.” On the development, Kanta Masand, Chairperson, Jaslok Hospital says “We want to continue the legacy of Jaslok and continue to be the hospital of choice for our patients, doctors and employees.” The hospital already launched at the hands of Amruta Fadnavis, a 37-bedded advanced ICU with multi-para monitors, ventilators, experiential waiting area for patient relatives and shifted it on the 4th & 5th floor.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13645/number-of-tobacco-smokers-in-mp-higher-than-national-average-gats-2-survey.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13645/number-of-tobacco-smokers-in-mp-higher-than-national-average-gats-2-survey.html Wed, 15 May 2019 15:10:00 +0530 Tobacco smoking is one the most critical public health challenges that the global community faces today. India is home to approximately 106 million cigarette smokers, accounting for almost 11.2% of the world’s smokers. Tobacco smoking has been linked to cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory ailments and on an average, 5 people die per minute due to tobacco-related illnesses in India which is one-sixth of the World’s tobacco related deaths. In Madhya Pradesh specifically, as per the GATS 2 survey, 30-40% of the state’s population uses tobacco in some form. These numbers are higher than the national average of 28.6%. While there has been a modest decline in tobacco use prevalence in the state since 2009-10, there is still a long way to go to reduce the state’s tobacco burden. To strengthen the commitment and collaboratively work towards decreasing the economic cost of tobacco related illnesses and deaths, Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI), brought together multiple stakeholders for deliberations on the need for “Tobacco Harm Reduction: A viable alternative to the scourge of combustible cigarettes” in the State. Dr. K.K. Aggarwal, President, Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI), while underscoring the importance of evaluating and adopting evolving harm reduction measures said, “India bears a particularly high non-communicable disease burden, and as per WHO estimates, nearly 61% of all deaths in India can be attributed to NCDs, including heart disorders and cancer. Increase in cancer incidence is directly correlated with unhealthy lifestyles, including tobacco consumption, specifically cigarette smoking, which is one of the leading preventable causes of disease and death across the world.” “Despite efforts to reduce tobacco burden by means of taxation and stringent labelling requirements, cigarette volumes have not witnessed significant decline. Therefore, reduced harm alternatives such as electronic nicotines delivery systems (ENDS) coupled with behavioural counselling need to be made available as there are several smokers who are unwilling or unable to quit with the help of nicotine gums or patches. ENDS are a sui generis product, which can significantly reduce harm among smokers if they completely switch from combustible cigarettes. There is increasing international and local evidence that ENDS or e-cigarettes are considerably less harmful than conventional smoking, with lifetime cancer risk of e-cigarettes is assessed to be less than 0.5% of the risk of smoking”, he added. While tobacco control has been an active area of interventions by central and state governments using a mix of economic deterrents and awareness efforts, cigarette volumes have been slow to decline. In fact, cigarette volumes are only declining by ~2.2% annually in India, despite prices going up by ~3.5X in the last 8 years. Emphasis on tobacco harm reduction by means of alternatives such as ENDS could play a key role in strengthening India’s tobacco control efforts. Recently, researchers at the North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong lead by Prof. R. N. Sharan conducted the first-of-its-kind ‘systematic review and meta-analysis on the health and safety implications of ENDS’ and found that toxic chemicals (including class 1 carcinogens and carcinogenic metal ions) were present in significantly higher quantities in conventional cigarette smoke than in ENDS vapor. More importantly, they concluded that ENDS do not inculcate significant vaping habit among non-smokers. Sharing his views, RN Sharan, Professor, Biochemistry Department-North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) said, “Tobacco Harm Reduction (or THR) strategies are based on the fact that even though nicotine is addictive, it doesn’t cause harm and has an overall low risk profile. There is growing scientific evidence to support the use of e-cigarettes as a sustainable and more effective alternative to cigarette smoking and that long-term effects of these products will be minimal. In fact, many countries that have regulated ENDS are already witnessing record reductions in smoking rates. In the UK, smoking rate fell to 15% in 2017, reaching its 2025 target eight years earlier and in the US where e-cigarettes are available more readily available, cigarette sales volumes dropped by as much as 5.3% in 2016-17 alone and this downward trend seems to be continuing.” Last month, Heart Care Foundation of India had released a consensus statement signed by leading medical practitioners, which was also published in the Indian Journal of Clinical Practice. The statement highlighted the harm reduction potential of ENDS basis the available evidence and encouraged formulation of a robust regulatory framework for the category. The dialogue concluded with an interactive discussion and proposed recommendations on the need for recognising the value of harm reduction tools like e-cigarettes, which can be used by adult smokers to reduce tobacco harm or quit smoking. There was consensus amongst the participants that there is a need for the government to make informed decisions and collaboratively work towards devising a regulatory framework for ENDS that enables India that accounts for the cost and benefits of such products adequately.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13644/eye-allergies-increase-the-risk-of-distorted-vision-in-children.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13644/eye-allergies-increase-the-risk-of-distorted-vision-in-children.html Wed, 15 May 2019 15:00:00 +0530 Increasing incidence of eye allergies among children due to rising pollution and exposure to mobile phone screens is leading to thinning of cornea and blurred vision, said ophthalmologists of Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital. The condition, called keratoconus, is a progressive eye disease in which the cornea becomes thin and begins to bulge into a cone-like shape. This cone shape deflects light as it enters the eye on its way to the retina, affecting the ability of the child to see properly. Said Dr. Raghu Nagaraju Senior Consultant, Cornea & Refractive Surgery, Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital, Bengaluru: “The incidence of eye allergies among children is rising due to increasing pollution. Also, widespread exposure to artificial lights and computer and mobile screens is causing dry eyes. Dryness and inflammation is a vicious combination which leads to eye allergies. When children keep rubbing their eyes due to allergies, it causes keratoconus.” If keratoconus has progressed beyond moderate grade, children cannot hope to get 100 percent vision back even if they start wearing the best of correctional glasses or contact lenses. The treatment of keratoconus involves collagen crosslinking, but this can only halt further progression of the disease, not fully restore the vision which has already been lost. In severe cases, cornea transplant is the only solution. Dr Ravi, Medical Director, Senior Consultant, Cataract Oculoplasty Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital, Bengaluru added: “About one child in 1,500 in India suffers from keratoconus. Children between 10 to 15 years are especially vulnerable. If eye allergy is severe, children as young as 8 years can suffer from the condition. Since keratoconus is a progressive disease, it can keep advancing for years, worsening vision gradually, unless treatment is taken. Cases of keratoconus have risen by 10% in India in the last five years, mainly due to rise in the incidence of eye allergies among children. Luckily, with advances in diagnostic tools, it is possible to diagnose the condition in very early stages.” In Dr Agarwal’s eye hospital we have seen an average of 20-25% raise in patients who are freshly diagnosed to have keratoconus. In 2017-18 we had diagnosed 400 cases of keratoconus and in 2018-19 we had seen 480 patients with keratoconus.  There is significant raise in patients who have undergone treatment for keratoconus. Symptoms of keratoconus include blurred vision even after using correction glasses. Patients often feel itching in the eye, sensation of a foreign body in the eye, or some sort of visual disturbance that troubles them in their day to day activities. Dr Preethi, Consultant Ophthalmologist Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital, Bengaluru Said: “Any child who is rubbing eyes frequently needs treatment for allergy, as well as eye examination by a corneal specialist to rule out keratoconus. This condition is also suspected in cases where blurred vision does not improve even after wearing glasses. As precaution, parents should limit exposure of children to dust, get treatment for allergies, avoid too much artificial light, limit exposure to computer, phone or TV screens.” Dr Raghu Nagaraju of Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital showcased the treatment of a 32-year-old patient Yuvraj who was suffering from keratoconus in one eye. His eye condition turned severe with best vision reduced to only 6/60. Initially, the doctors tried non-surgical interventions, but the patient was not very comfortable. Since his cornea was very thin with scarring, surgeons therefore opted for optical keratoplasty (cornea transplant). The patient’s vision drastically improved to 6/9 post-surgery and he can now see well. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13640/ipm-urges-india-to-create-regulatory-environmant-for-smoke-free-alternatives.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13640/ipm-urges-india-to-create-regulatory-environmant-for-smoke-free-alternatives.html Wed, 15 May 2019 14:40:00 +0530 India Philip Morris welcomed the April 30, 2019 confirmation by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that IQOS, Philip Morris International’s (PMI) electrically heated tobacco system, is appropriate for the protection of public health and its authorization for sale in the United States, and has urged the Indian government to create a regulatory environment for scientifically substantiated smoke-free alternatives. IQOS is the first electrically heated tobacco product to qualify for sale in the US under the 2009 law that empowers the agency to regulate tobacco products, including regulatory responsibility for innovative products. The US now joins 47 other countries where IQOS can be legally sold.  In just two years, 7.3 million people around the world have abandoned cigarettes and switched completely to IQOS. Unlike cigarettes, the IQOS system heats but does not burn tobacco. Commenting on the FDA’s announcement, Alexander Reisch, Managing Director of IPM India Wholesale Trading, said, “I welcome the FDA’s decision and encourage everyone, including the Indian Government, to read the US FDA’s statement. Hopefully the Indian Government can one day create a regulatory environment where a variety of scientifically substantiated smoke-free alternatives can be made accessible to the more than 100 million adult smokers in India.” PMI submitted a comprehensive body of scientific evidence in support of the application, which was submitted alongside an application in parallel for IQOS to be categorized as a ‘Modified Risk Tobacco Product”. This is still under review. The company is building a future on a new category of smoke-free products that, while not risk-free, are a much better choice than continuing to smoke. “The FDA's announcement is a historic milestone. The decision to authorize IQOS in the U.S. is an important step forward for the approximately 40 million American men and women who smoke. Some will quit. Most won’t, and for them IQOS offers a smoke-free alternative to continued smoking. All of us at PMI are determined to replace cigarettes with smoke-free alternatives that combine sophisticated technology and intensive scientific validation,” Alexander adds. "The FDA order sets out clear commercialization guidelines, including marketing requirements, that maximize the opportunity for adults to switch from cigarettes, while minimizing unintended use. We fully support this objective, and would welcome the opportunity to engage with the Indian authorities to develop a set of similar high standards for commercialization of such products in India, which will ensure that these products reach only the right audience – current adult smokers.”, Alexander adds. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13624/br-life-ssnmc-hospital-to-offer-holistic-medicare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13624/br-life-ssnmc-hospital-to-offer-holistic-medicare.html Tue, 14 May 2019 11:20:00 +0530 BR Life SSNMC Hospital, founded by philanthropist billionaire, Dr BR Shetty, has announced its association with Art of Living Foundation with an aim to provide holistic wellness and medical care to its patients. Through this partnership, an amalgamation of Allopathy with Ayurveda with  Yoga & Meditation for chronic lifestyle diseases such as Diabetes, Hypertension, Obesity, Migraine, Gastric problems, Cardiac ailments etc., will be offered to patients at BR Life SSNMC Hospital and Art of Living Foundation. A MoU was been signed between both the entities in the presence of his holiness Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ji and Colonel Hemraj Singh Parmar, Group CEO, BR Life Group of Hospitals. With this association, BR Life SSNMC Hospital will be working with SSCASRH, a teaching hospital operating under SSRVM Trust and affiliated to CCIM & Ayush Department, GoI, New Delhi, and Vyakti Vikas Kendra India, an educational and humanitarian NGO that will help BR Life SSNMC Hospital to introduce a cohesive healthcare model. Integration of traditional medicine therapy using Ayurveda with modern Allopathic medicine has been the key to offer holistic healthcare. This unique healthcare model will help in shifting the focus from offering ‘only’ clinical treatment to complete well-being and prevention of lifestyle diseases. This initiative is in sync with the health and wellbeing program introduced by the Union Government of India that emphasizes the importance of both Ayurveda and Allopathy. This association will provide new opportunities to both BR Life Hospital’s and Art of Living Foundation to deliver holistic wellness through various Art of Living programs, meditation and yoga across BR Life Group of Hospitals. BR Life Group would provide the best in care and class evidenced based clinical medicine while blending the same with time tested ayurvedic concepts in this unique blending of Allopathy and Ayurveda. Highlighting the association with BR Life SSNMC Hospital, his holiness Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji said, “We are delighted to associate with BR Life Group of Hospital’s across India and Internationally and introduce holistic traditional therapies like Ayurveda and Yoga to the patients in addition to the existing clinical treatments. Holistic wellbeing is the need of the hour today and it is of utmost importance to provide such treatments to help patients prevent lifestyle diseases and lead a healthy life. I am sure that this association will help us to provide highest quality clinical care and complete wellness to everyone." Commenting on the partnership, Col Hemraj Singh Parmar, Group CEO, BR Life shared, “With our valued association with Art of Living, we have received a unique opportunity to provide holistic care to our patients. As a leading healthcare provider in Bangalore and in other parts of the India, we always prioritize our patients’ needs, their wellbeing and requirements. Our association with Art of Living Foundation will help in fulfilling these healthcare needs of all our patients and also help the SSCASRH patients to utilize our services at our BR Life Hospital’s across the group.” Col. Hemraj Singh Parmar, Dr. Ajoy Raj Malpe, Group Medical Director, BR Life, Dr Simanta Sharma, Group Marketing Head and  Dr Kiran Kumar, Unit Head, BR Life SSNMC Hospital Commodore  Harsha, Chairman, VVKI, Mr. Gautam Mukherjee, Chairman, SSRVM  were present in the event. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13622/who-to-establish-technical-advisory-group-for-digital-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13622/who-to-establish-technical-advisory-group-for-digital-health.html Tue, 14 May 2019 09:00:00 +0530 WHO is establishing a global multi-disciplinary technical group to advise on issues related to digital health. WHO’s newly-established Digital Health Department will work to harness the power of digital health technologies and steer developments to contribute to the attainment of all people to the highest level of health through the General Programme of Work (GPW13) triple billion goals and Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages). World Health Assembly resolution WHA/71 A71 on digital health underpins this work. To support this work, WHO is establishing roster of experts in various areas related to digital health, such as strategic approaches, areas for intervention and governance structures for regulations and adoption of digital health solutions and products. Some of those experts will be selected to be part of a technical advisory group, and others may be called on the be part of specific subgroups.  Members of the technical advisory group will have an understanding and experience working in digital health, national or large scale digital health programs and policy, artificial intelligence and health, virtual and augmented reality in healthcare, biomedical innovation, robotic surgery, wearable technologies and health and wellness, traceability (e.g. block chain) and health,  ethics, governance and security in healthcare ecosystem with focus on digital health, health economics with focus on digital health and health law with focus on digital health technologies. Individuals interested in applying to participate in this group will find details on the application process here.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13609/sakra-launches-pediatrics-institute-with-super-specialities.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13609/sakra-launches-pediatrics-institute-with-super-specialities.html Mon, 13 May 2019 11:20:00 +0530 Sakra World Hospital, has announced the launch of Institute of Pediatrics with Pediatric Super Specialty Facilities which will be spearheaded by Dr. Surender Kumar Yachha, who joined the hospital recently. This newly launched centre is well equipped for performing various pediatric complex surgeries (Neonatal & Urology), Diagnostic and Therapeutic Pediatric endoscopy and has the capability of performing Endoscopy on digestive system on all children including the newborns. Nearly 40% of Indian population are children*, but the availability of Super Specialists to treat critical diseases are not enough across the nation. The Sakra Institute of Pediatrics and Pediatric Super Specialty seeks to address this concern by providing all Super Specialty services under one roof. Under the supervision of Dr. Yachha, the newly launched dedicated pediatric super specialty department is poised to treat neonatal to pediatric cases which will focus on curing the diseases and not just the symptoms. Dr. Yachha, a pioneer who introduced Pediatrics Gastroenterology as a super-specialty department in India, is the Founder-President of Indian Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ISPGHAN). He is also the recipient of 94 prestigious awards for his relentless efforts and contribution to healthcare services. Prior to joining Sakra World Hospital, Dr. Yachha was the Professor and Head- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology at Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India. He has successfully treated innumerable cases of gastro-intestinal, liver and pancreatic disorders in infants and children. He has extensive experience in performing both diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures in infants and children. During his illustrious career spanning 30 years, Dr Yachha has showcased a unique approach while treating even the m  ost complex cases.  Sakra Institute of Pediatric and Pediatric Super Speciality OPD is spread across 2,250 sq. ft. and has been built to create a child-friendly environment. Children can indulge themselves in the gaming area that can help them overcome fear of facing a doctor or visiting a hospital. The department is equipped with the most advanced facilities including high-frequency ventilators, nitric oxide delivery and ECMO. The Pediatric Intensive Care is a 24/7 facility, manned by doctors and paramedical staff trained in India as well as overseas. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is at par with international standards, offering the best possible results to neonates. The eminent team of doctors include Dr. C Ramachandra, Senior Consultant and HOD Pediatric Surgery, Dr. Anil Kumar P L, Senior Consultant Pediatric Surgery & Pediatric Urology, Dr. Ravi Kiran S, Senior Consultant- Pediatrics & Neonatology, Dr. Sai Shankar, Consultant – Pediatrics & Neonatologist, Dr. Shivkumar Sambargi, Consultant – Pediatric Intensivist & Neonatologist. Speaking on the occasion of the launch of Sakra Institute of Pediatrics and Pediatric Super Specialty, Dr. S.K Yachha said, “Children are not mere small adults, their spectrum of disorders, reaction to the diseases and pattern of manifestation are different from adults. Children are ever growing in terms of their weight and height and is in the phase of rapid development and maturation, they pass through a dynamic phase of growth that may get hampered by various disorders. In India, since there is scarcity of Pediatric Super Specialty departments as compared to what is available for adults, there is a big need to fill this gap of development so that it becomes parallel to what is seen in the western world. Thus, there is a big requirement of generating trained man power in different specialties, well-equipped departments and specialised services for the pediatric super specialty. My goal in Sakra is to project this unique hospital in terms of pediatric super specialty development, create new training programs relevant to the specialties and also to offer a wide variety of specialised consultant based care to the children of our nation. I’m sure that the goals will be fulfilled keeping in view of Sakra World Hospital’s dedication, ethical goals and great drive for delivering state-of-the-art healthcare services.” “Children are the future of our nation. Therefore, their health and well-being is of utmost importance.  I am delighted to be part of the launch of Sakra Institute Pediatrics and Pediatric Super Speciality to be spearheaded by Dr S K Yachha, who is known for his clinical expertise in managing pediatric gastroeneterology cases.  I wish both the centre and Dr Yachha good luck for the future,” said Mr. Praveen Sood, Director General of Police, CID, Economic Offences & Special Units, Bengaluru, Karnataka on the inauguration of Sakra Institute of Pediatrics & Pediatric Super Specialty. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13607/ohpcon-2019-focuses-on-improving-occupational-health-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13607/ohpcon-2019-focuses-on-improving-occupational-health-in-india.html Mon, 13 May 2019 09:00:00 +0530 BR Life SSNMC Hospital and Worksafe Organization in association with Department of Factories, Boilers, Industrial Safety and Health, Karnataka organized a day long Occupational Health Physician Conference (OHPCON) 2019 recently at Hotel Radisson Blu Atria in Bangalore. The main objective of this conference was to focus on the magnitude of creating a safe and healthy work environment and the ways it can promote a healthy work culture that can help reduce workplace-related diseases and injuries. More than 120 doctors from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Hyderabad participated in the event to discuss basic occupational health services, etiquettes of occupational health physician’s, recent advances in neurosciences, occupational health practice future etc. According to researches, close to 160 million cases of work-related diseases are reported to occur globally each year, with 2 million people facing death. This indicates that every day, almost 5,000 workers die as a result of preventable diseases such as COPD, skin diseases, radiation illness, which has been induced or aggravated by a particular exposure in the workplace. The major occupational diseases/morbidity of concerns in India are silicosis, musculo-skeletal injuries, coal workers' pneumoconiosis, chronic obstructive lung diseases, pesticide poisoning and noise-induced hearing loss. Commenting on the aim of this conference, Dr. Kiran Kumar, Unit Head, BR Life SSNMC Hospital said, “The number of occupational injuries and diseases are on the rise in India due to ignorance of what causes them as well as the lack of facilities that can help in recovering from them. Women especially are at higher risk as they dedicate much of their time for work and family and little time to take care of their health. Through such industry meets, doctors get to meet their peers and discuss ways to handle such critical health problems.” Talking about the event Col. Hemraj Singh Parmar, Group CEO, BR Life said, “A healthy workplace always improves the productivity of the employees thereby, leading to the growth of the company. A small step taken by organizations today can initiate the necessary preventive measures towards occupational health hazards. Such measures can improve the lifestyle of each working class and can help in leading a healthy work-life balance.” Doctors from various corporate organizations such as doctors from Toyota, IBM, Adithya Birla Fashions, Ultra Tech Cements, Astra Zeneca, HAL, BEL, Automotive Axles, Asian Paints, TVS, Grasim industries, Textron, Volvo, Honda Motors participated in OHPCON 2019 ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13606/aster-cmi-conducts-special-campaign-for-thalassemia-day.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13606/aster-cmi-conducts-special-campaign-for-thalassemia-day.html Fri, 10 May 2019 22:45:00 +0530 Aster CMI Hospital in association with DKMS BMST Foundation India (DKMS-BMST) conducted an event to mark the occasion of World Thalassemia Day which was observed recently. More than 100 delegates were present along with the Deputy Director & State Nodal officer, State Blood Cell and Directorate of Health and Family welfare services. The event focused around creating awareness on the condition of Thalassemia patients and aimed at registering more number of potential stem cell donors to give maximum number of Thalassemia patients a second chance at life.  Every six minutes, someone in India is diagnosed with blood cancer, thalassemia and aplastic anaemia! By registering with DKMS-BMST, donors can donate their stem cells to someone in need of a stem cell transplant. The event was held to not only to get help for Thalassemia patients but also to improve their survival chances and give hope to those patients who are searching for a tissue-matching donor for a lifesaving treatment. Commenting on Thalassemia, Dr Stalin Ramprakash, Consultant, Paediatric Haematology, Oncology & BMT, Aster CMI Hospital, said: “Beta thalassaemia is the most commonly inherited genetic disorder in India and India is the world capital of thalassaemia. Now most of the infectious diseases are coming under control, non-infectious conditions like thalassaemia are contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality. Thalassaemia is an easily preventable disease as has been well demonstrated by countries like Italy but there needs to be a co-ordinated effort in increasing awareness and political will. The conservative management is improving but still a long way to go and bone marrow transplant offers the hope of permanent cure for a proportion of these children. With World Thalassaemia Day being observed recently, let us make a resolve to work towards prevention of birth of thalassaemic children, optimise the care of existing patients and consider bone marrow transplant for all eligible children – finally aiming towards a thalassaemia free India in the future.” Currently, Thalassemia has no permanent cure, and people afflicted with the ailment need regular blood transfusions to live. The disorder is caused by mutations in the DNA of cells that make haemoglobin — the substance in an individuals red blood cells which carries oxygen throughout one’s body. The mutations associated with thalassemia are passed on from parents to children. Speaking on the need to increase the support for thalassemic patients Gagandeep Singh Chandok, President, Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Society of Bangalore said: “We are thankful to Dr. Prabhakar T.S, Director, Directorate of Health and Family welfare services, Bengaluru and Dr. Swatantrakumar Banakar, Deputy Director & State Nodal officer Blood Cell, Karnataka for gracing the occasion and making it a grand success. This event is to celebrate the World Thalassaemia Day which is celebrated worldwide on 8th May. It is an event to unite and bring 'Us', the Thalassaemics, together to thank the Health and Family welfare services for the free iron chelation medicines in Karnataka. We want to thank DKMS BMST Foundation for the Free HLA camp. We are thankful to Aster CMI Hospital for their support in conducting this event and for the free health check-up.  We hope to get more support from everyone in improving the living conditions and ensuring the best treatment for all Thalassaemics in the state, as well as well as make Karnataka a zero thalassemia Birth state. We are eagerly waiting for the Thalassaemia registry and disability certification to start in the state as soon as possible. We, the Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Society of Bangalore, will provide all the support required by the government for whenever they require it, and will continue to fight for the rights and the welfare of all Thalassaemics. '' Also speaking at the event, Dr.Swatantrakumar Banakar ,Deputy Director & State Nodal officer, State Blood Cell, Directorate of Health and Family welfare services said: "We will ensure Thalassemics will continue to get free blood transfusions and free iron chelation medicines in the state. We will work with the Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Society of Bangalore to ensure that all Thalassaemics get the best medical treatment as well as work on Thalassemia awareness and prevention programmes. We will work on launching the Thalassemia registry soon in co-ordination with the Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Society of Bangalore. We will be putting up posters in all blood banks and hospitals in Karnataka to make all Thalassemics aware of the availability of free Iron chelation medicines in all district hospitals." "We will work on programs and projects to provide the best medical treatment in the state of Karnataka. Free Iron chelation medicines have been made available in all district hospitals. We are working on a Thalassaemia prevention programs to bring about awareness of Thalassemia and make Karnataka a Zero Thalassemia Birth state. It is important for Patient Run Organisations like the Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Society of Bangalore, to work side by side with us in all our programs and highlight the problems that the Thalassaemics are facing so that we can solve them. We are working on the Disability certification program for the Thalassaemics and will get the same issued at the earliest.'' said Dr.Prabhakar.T.S, Director, Directorate of Health and Family welfare services, Bengaluru while addressing the audience on the government’s work towards making Karnataka a zero Thalassemia Birth state. Thanking the Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Society of Bangalore and Health and Family welfare society for their commitment towards ensuring best medical treatment to thalassemia patients, Lakshmi Punjabi, a Thalassaemic Patient said: "The event was excellent. I thank the Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Society of Bangalore, lead by Gagandeep. We got updates from the Health and Family welfare that they are working to provide us the best medical treatment. I am happy that they are providing free iron chelation medicines and we pray that they continue to provide them. We are awaiting the disability certificate to be issued. I hope that the government will continue to support and work on Thalassaemia awareness programs. We are thankful for the support from Aster CMI Hospital for organizing a free health check-up. Many parents were happy about the free HLA match test that was performed during the event by the DKMS BMST Foundation. I hope Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Society of Bangalore does more events and we will support them in every program.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13602/bd-india-addresses-hospital-acquired-infections-related-issues.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13602/bd-india-addresses-hospital-acquired-infections-related-issues.html Fri, 10 May 2019 15:15:00 +0530 With the steep rise in Hospital acquired infections (HAI) in the country, BD-India, a leading medical technology company organised 'Heal-o-nomics’. The program is conceptualized to apprehend the challenge of preventing HAIs with the aim to achieve better health outcomes at optimised cost. Sharing his expertise on the issues related to HAIs, the President of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC), Dr. Victor D. Rosenthal, presented findings on the epidemiology and prevention of BSI, to the Hospital Infection Control Committee (HICC) of prominent health institutes in Delhi and Bangalore. Hospital-Acquired Infections, also known as a nosocomial infection, are acquired from healthcare facilities through hospital staff, patients, contaminated equipment and linen, among other factors. According to the World Health Organisation, at any given time over 1.4 million people across the globe suffer from hospital-acquired infection (HAI). HAIs account for 2 million cases and about 80,000 deaths a year. Dr. Victor Rosenthal, President, of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium said, “Over the years, we have seen an increase in HAIs among patients. The infections are caused due to the lack of compliance with infection control guidelines, such as hand hygiene, use of outdated technology, misuse or excessive use of antibiotics and more. These infections are further leading to morbidity, mortality and increased financial burden among patients.  Therefore, there is an essential need to bring down the incidence of HAIs by implementing proper guidelines and preventing the infection with bacterial resistance rather than treating it with antibiotics. Through initiatives like ‘Heal-o-nomics’, our aim is to educate the healthcare institutes to follow guidelines which may help in better treatment and care.” He added, “Catheter-Related Blood Stream Infections (CRBSIs) are associated with extra length of stay, morbidity, mortality, and cost. The adverse impact of CRBSIs has been observed in both, patients with central and peripheral vascular catheters. Hospitals use ten times more peripheral vascular catheters than central vascular catheters, the total number of Blood Stream Infections in patients with peripheral vascular catheters is five times more than the patients with central vascular catheters. To resolve this issue, we need to opt for improvements in behavioural change, and select the right technologies based on clinical outcomes, and cost effectiveness, rather than just their costs.” A study conducted by Dr Victor Rosenthal published in 2015 by INICC evaluated the rates of device associated infections across 40 Indian hospitals compared to several other countries. The studies were conducted on patients in intensive care units (ICUs). The findings specified that 7.92 central line-associated bloodstream infections occurred per 1,000 central line-days, 10.6 catheter-associated urinary tract infections per 1,000 urinary catheter-days and a ventilator-associated pneumonia rate of 10.4 per 1,000 mechanical ventilator-days. Dr Navin Kumar, Consultant and Head, Clinical Microbiology and infection control, Manipal Hospitals, Delhi stated “HAIs take a considerable toll on patients and hospital resources. These infections can change a person’s disease profile from a mild health problem to a life-threatening condition. It is essential for every healthcare setting to follow correct strategies which help improve patient safety. One of the key reasons of most infections in ICU is Central-venous-catheter-Related Blood Stream Infections (CRBSIs), resulting in morbidity, extra length of stay and hospital costs. Therefore, it is essential to provide proper training to healthcare workers and abide by strict guidelines for sterilization and disinfection. We thank Dr. Rosenthal for sharing the latest findings on this subject and providing us with a perspective towards curbing this situation.” Elaborating on the initiative, Dr. Naresh Shetty, President, MS Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, Bangalore stated, “Dialogues like ‘Heal-o-nomics’ help in countering infections and improving patient outcomes in healthcare facilities like ours. While contacting patients it is essential that healthcare workers follow proper hygiene and sanitation. Factors like unclean hands, floors and sheets along with medical instruments such as catheters, respiratory machines, and other hospital tools increase the burden of HAI. Hence, robust monitoring and surveillance are required to reduce the chances of contracting HAI for both the medical staff and the patients.” A successful strategy for addressing HAIs is to implement strong safety standards along with a robust hygiene strategy. It is crucial that proper guidelines and newer techniques are brought into practice for better supervision and disease management. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13598/apollo-opens-new-department-for-holistic-care-of-women-child.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13598/apollo-opens-new-department-for-holistic-care-of-women-child.html Fri, 10 May 2019 13:00:00 +0530 Apollo Hospital, Sheshadripuram, one of the premier multispecialty hospitals in India launched their "Department of Women & Child Care" recently at Bangalore for the wellbeing of the mother and the child and the women who are delivering. Comprising of a 43-bedded adult Intensive Care Unit and a 4-bedded Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the hospital is well equipped with all that is necessary at the face of an emergency and to enhance safe delivery. Speaking on this occasion, Ms Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group said, "As a wholly patient-centric organization, Apollo Hospitals have been at the forefront of introducing international standard care protocols across its medical facilities. In keeping with this ethos, the new women and child care facility at Apollo Hospitals Seshadripuram will offer cutting edge multidisciplinary maternity care steered by highly skilled medical professionals dedicated to providing young mothers and newborns with world-class care." Furthermore, as research suggests, although that there has been a considerable drop in India's maternal mortality rate by 22%, that is, 167 (2011-13) to 130 (2014-2016), yet we have a long way to go in terms of doing away with neonatal and maternal deaths completely. The Union health ministry has attributed this improvement primarily to rise in institutional deliveries across the country as almost 80% of women are now giving birth in hospitals, both public and private. Be it in any kind of delivery, caesarean or normal or through IVF, there is always an underlying risk factor both for the mother and the child in terms of complications that might stem at any moment. Organs might fail. There can also be a need for immediate blood transfusion owing to blood loss. Hence, round the clock support from other departments such as Urology, cardiology, nephrology and the presence of a ready in-house Blood Bank proves to be a saviour. In case of hypertension, diabetes or gestational diabetes or if the baby is in the breech position, or pregnancy with multiples or for other issues, a multispecialty hospital becomes indispensable for an expecting mother at all stages and beyond. Apollo Hospital encompassing holistic services starting right from Gynaecology, Pregnancy & Child Birth, High-Risk Pregnancy Care, Fertility Care, Round the clock multispecialty Support, 24 Hours Triage, Diet & Nutrition to General Paediatrics, Neonatology –NICU, Paediatric Surgery, Paediatric Cardiology, Paediatric Neuro-Surgery, Antenatal Care, Pre & postnatal care, Child Birth/ Delivery, Blood bank, 24/7 Ambulance, Physiotherapy, Parental and Yoga Counselling vouches for the utmost safety and comfort for the mother as well as the child. "The inauguration of the women and child care unit at Apollo Seshadripuram will be a valuable addition to the neighbourhood, I am sure it will provide world-class birthing and neonatal care to the community with the highest safety standards" added Dr Soumyalatha S.K, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bangalore. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13597/incurable-no-more-inaccessable-no-more.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13597/incurable-no-more-inaccessable-no-more.html Fri, 10 May 2019 12:25:00 +0530 Adding 10,000 new Thalassemic Major and an equal number of Thalassemia Intermedia children to the world, India is one of the countries worst affected by the disease. Despite being such a widespread disease, it is one of the lesser understood ones, surrounded by myths and misconceptions. For instance, people commonly believe that two Thalassemia carriers cannot have a healthy child. This is merely misconceptions. Truth is, there are medical solutions for 2 thalassemia carriers to have a healthy child. It is also commonly believed that Thalassemia is incurable, when in fact, the field of medicine has come up with a cure for this deadly disease. Unfortunately, most of these children do not make it past their twenties and thirties. In fact, there are over 1 Lakh children with Thalassemia being transfused every month. Unfortunately, most of them do not make it past the age of 20 due to lack of access to treatment. Financial constraints could be a great impediment to access in a country like ours with great economic inequality.   According to a research conducted at the Institute of Haematology & Transfusion Medicine located in Medical College, Kolkata, an average 18.5%±14.3 of the total annual income is spent on the treatment for thalassemia in low-income families. Average man-days or school days lost for the patients was 29.87±18.5 and 19.07±12.7 for the accompanying persons. So far, a bone marrow transplant is the only known permanent cure for this deadly disease, though the treatment may cost anywhere between 10-15 Lakh and 30-45 Lakh. In some states like Tamil Nadu and Assam, the government provides financial aid to those suffering from this disease, but despite all help, the amount can easily go beyond the affordability of a common man. Shayan Dey was diagnosed with Thalassemia Major when he was just 7-months-old. By the time he turned 4, he was vomiting blood and having fits at night. Even with his limited means, Sayan’s father could not afford to miss a single transfusion. With no matching donor in his family, the only life-saving treatment, a bone marrow transplant was estimated to cost 43 Lakh. The doctor helped the family set up an online fundraiser on Milaap. People from across the world showed their support and made Shayan’s treatment possible. Today, Shayan is hail and hearty thanks to the generosity of over 2400 complete strangers who knew nothing about him before the fundraiser. Bangalore, with a bunch of super-specialty hospitals, is a hub for people seeking quality healthcare solutions, especially those traveling from the far east and north, particularly from states like Tamil Nadu, Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and even from Bangladesh. For them, the treatment costs are accompanied by additional expenses of travel, stay and even food. Dr. Sunil Bhat, Head of Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation at Mazumdar Shaw Cancer Center, Narayana Health City, Bangalore said, “ The cost of a Bone Marrow Transplant is still quite low in India in relation to west and approx 10-15% of cost in US or Europe. One would be lucky to find a matching donor in one's family, in which case the treatment would cost significantly lesser (10-12 lakhs). However, if there are no fully matched donors in the family, we have options of unrelated donors and half-matched donor transplants, the costs may go up to 40 Lakh or more. Crowdfunding should definitely be one of the options people explore for financing healthcare expenses. With the number of people online with the ability and willingness to help, platforms like Milaap open up a promising ray of hope for patients” Knowing how difficult it could be for his patients after spending most of their life earnings on transfusions, Dr. Bhat has been running digital fundraisers for his patients for the past 4 years on Milaap, South-Asia’s largest platform for personal and medical needs. He has so far set up over 250 fundraisers, which have raised a total of more than 16 crores on Milaap. Regarding this collaboration, Anoj Viswanathan, President and co-founder, Milaap, said, “It’s heartening to see healthcare providers like Dr. Bhat going one step ahead to ensure people get the quality treatment and care they seek for their loved ones, irrespective of financial constraints. Milaap aims to connect those in need with those who can help, and it is amazing to see how so many patients are helped by complete strangers.” Unfortunately, the only way to prevent this deadly disease is by testing the carrier state before marrying or planning a child. On the bright side, the disease is no more incurable. The treatment available is highly specialized and intricate, but the results have been great so far, especially in the case of younger children. Milaap urges parents to not hesitate and open the doors of help to the world. Milaap works with over 300 hospitals across the country to reach out to people like Shyan and his family, making the process of verification, data collection and even fund transfer hassle-free for those in need. Setting up an online fundraiser is a process of less than 5 minutes and does not require a lot of technical know-how. Campaigns can be setup using Whatsapp, other instant messaging apps and even without typing, by recording their story in any of the 8 available Indian languages. It is then automatically transcribed to create text. All of these features open up online fundraising to anyone with a smartphone. Milaap has so far raised over 550 Crores for such causes from across India, over 80% of which is for medical and related needs. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13594/columbia-asia-organises-free-lung-screening-for-traffic-policemen.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13594/columbia-asia-organises-free-lung-screening-for-traffic-policemen.html Fri, 10 May 2019 12:00:00 +0530 Columbia Asia Hospital Hebbal organized a week-long free lung screening health check-up camp for the traffic policemen at the hospital. The camp was inaugurated by MS. Sara Fathima, North Traffic Dy. Commissioner of Police Traffic North Division. Around 100 policemen were screened at the hospital as a part of the health awareness campaign.  “We appreciate this initiative by Columbia Asia Hospital Hebbal.  Lungs screening is very essential for the traffic policemen as they spend most of their time on roads controlling traffic and constantly inhaling the poor quality air of the vehicular traffic. Hence it is advisable that they have their health check’s done regularly to avoid any further health complications,” said MS. Sara Fathima, North Traffic Dy. Commissioner of Police Traffic North Division.  “Traffic cops are continuously exposed to air pollution and are at increased health risks. Regular health check-up is very important and preventive measures should be taken to prevent respiratory problems” said Dr. Mahesh Mylarappa, Consultant - Emergency Physician, Columbia Asia Hospital Hebbal. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13591/prosthetic-limbs-distributed-to-needy-patients-by-am-foundation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13591/prosthetic-limbs-distributed-to-needy-patients-by-am-foundation.html Thu, 09 May 2019 15:20:00 +0530 AM Foundation, the CSR arm of AM International, Singapore conducted a medical camp to distribute prosthetic legs to needy patients free of cost. Mr. Ashwin Muthiah, Chairman AM Foundation & Founder Chairman of AM International Group, Singapore, was present at the medical camp and gave the prosthetic limbs to the patients at SPIC Nagar Medical Center, situated inside  SPIC’s Tuticorin factory complex. With over 50 patients attending the camp, a total of over 110 patients have been provided with this facility since its start. Speaking on occasion, Mr. Ashwin Muthiah, Chairman AM Foundation & Founder Chairman, AM International Group, Singapore, said, “AM Foundation's motto is impact investing that drive's change, and I believe, no single individual should lose his or her mobility due to disability. With medical science making the due progress, we feel privileged to be able to contribute to mitigating another fellow human being's suffering in a meaningful manner. The medical camp has become an annual feature, and with co-operation with the district administration we are committed to reaching out to many more differently abled and needy patients around our plants and offices.”  The noble initiative started in the year 2017 till date has distributed free prosthetic legs to more than 110 differently abled people. The camp has a due process of collaborating with the district administration and department of Different Abled who provide the names of the eligible patients by sourcing it from their official records. It usually consists of people living within a 25 kilometers radius, and the names are provided through the state government database. The prosthetic limbs are purchased from the Rotary Club of Coimbatore Midtown through their service project "Walk Again" where it manufactures limbs, calipers and crutches locally. Each prosthetic limb has a life of 2-3 years, and patients can seek a replacement. According to publicly available data, India today has 26 million who are differently abled forming 2.1% percentage of its population. At AM Foundation we promise to create awareness and resources with an endeavor that they can lead a normal, healthy and productive life. AM Foundation is the CSR arm of AM International, Singapore with a belief in impact investing to drive positive change. Founded in 2015, it is committed to undertaking CSR activities of its member corporate including Manali Petrochemicals Limited, Tamil Nadu Petroproducts Limited, Greenstar Fertilizers Limited, Sicagen India Limited, and others. This program is running for three years in collaboration with the Department of Differently Abled, The Rotary Club of Coimbatore Midtown and District administration, this program is running for three years. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13589/paras-hospital-opens-free-cancer-care-centre.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13589/paras-hospital-opens-free-cancer-care-centre.html Thu, 09 May 2019 15:10:00 +0530 Paras HMRI hospital, Raja Bazaar, Patna has made arrangements to provide free accommodation to not just cancer patients being treated at its cancer centre but their relatives/acquaintances as well, within the hospital premises. The centre has been named Cancer Care Centre. The building was inaugurated by Dr D. Nagar, Managing Director, Paras Health Care. It is now open as a dormitory which houses 20 beds for both males and females. However, separate arrangements have been made for female patients. The centre consists of bunk beds with bed frames stacked on top of each other. Patients will be accommodated on the lower frames while their relatives will be able to occupy the upper frames of the bed. It has been ensured that the centre also has proper and hygienic washrooms. The arrangements have been made with intent to relieve patients of additional economic burden. Dr. Talat Halim, Regional Director, Paras HMRI Hospital said, "At the centre, there are beds for patients as well as their relatives. However, there is no such provision to cook food inside the centre. The hospital shall provide food at subsidised rates, where each plate will cost a patient a meagre 20 rupees. One will be able to have rice, lentils and cooked vegetables twice a day (morning and night) at this cost." Dr Halim further added, "Radiotherapy and chemotherapy go on for long in the treatment of cancer. In such situations, it gets difficult for patients and their relatives to continue treatment. Hence, in order to help them cut down the additional cost, we have opened the centre. Patients will also be able to wash their own clothes as there is a facility for the same. Besides, arrangements will be made to increase the number of existing beds in case the number of patients increases." Paras Healthcare was founded in 2006. The key specialties that are mainly focused in all units are - cancer care, neurology, neurosurgery, orthopaedics & joint replacement, urology, nephrology, kidney transplant, cardiology, cardiac sciences, gastroenterology & GI surgery, general & lap surgery along with plastic surgery to list a few. Approximately each unit has at least 30 specialties and super specialties. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13581/apollo-clinic-partners-with-hearfon.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13581/apollo-clinic-partners-with-hearfon.html Wed, 08 May 2019 16:30:00 +0530 Apollo Clinic has announced a strategic partnership with India’s leading hearing aids and speech therapy clinic HearFon for providing specialized speech and hearing therapies to patients of Apollo Clinic. The tie-up will provide patients of Apollo Clinics access to various types of Speech / Voice Therapies, Hearing aids, by qualified audiologists. Under the terms of the partnership, HearFon will set up the speech and hearing therapy centres within Apollo Clinics. This facility will be available in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Mysore, Visakhapatnam and Ghaziabad. According to WHO study published in 2016, five million children in India suffer from speech and hearing impairment warranting the need for such specialized speech and hearing therapies. Speaking on the tie-up, Mr. Anand Wasker, COO, Apollo Clinic said "At Apollo our aim is to make quality healthcare and treatment available within arm’s reach. Our partnership with HearFon reinforces this commitment. HearFon has the right set of qualitative and sophisticated hearing aids, testing equipment’s and therapies underscoring the partnership with HearFon”. Over and above offering therapies and hearing aids, Apollo Clinics and HearFon will also offer AMC packages for continued preventive maintenance and extended warranty schemes on the hearing aids. Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Krishnakumar G, Audiologist, CEO and Founder at HearFon Hearing and Speech Clinics said " We at HearFon are driven by passion to improve the quality of life for the hearing & speech challenged across India. With support from Apollo, we will certainly excel in the Hearing Health Care Segment, further accelerating our shared growth. We are confident of this partnership and look forward to meeting milestones together by providing world class professional services and creating the best platform for audiologists across India to help us serve our clients better each day.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13580/dwc-sets-up-first-dedicated-wound-care-centre-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13580/dwc-sets-up-first-dedicated-wound-care-centre-in-india.html Wed, 08 May 2019 16:25:00 +0530 Dalvkot Wound Care (DWC), a one-of-its-kind wound care centre, has launched its first dedicated wound care centre at Vydehi Campus, Whitefield, Bengaluru, India. DWC, a brain child of Dr Mahesh Kottapalli, M.D. - Infectious Diseases Consultant and Wound Care Specialist in Dallas, Texas, USA, aims to provide non-invasive and effective remedies to chronic wound problems and also offers the ‘Limb Salvage Programme’, which was not available in India until now. The centre is armed with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) that involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber. DWC has installed a Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber to accelerate the healing of chronic wounds. Hyperbaric oxygen is used to treat all conditions which benefit from increased tissue oxygen availability, as well as infections where it can be used for its antibiotic properties, either as the primary therapy, or in conjunction with other drugs. This procedure can be performed as an Outpatient Day (OPD) Care procedure and does not require hospitalization. DWC has an extremely talented and experienced team of wound care specialists as well as certified endovascular, cardio and laparoscopy surgeons. They are supported by a team of 50 trained wound care nurses. The cost of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for 10-12 sittings for 1-1.5 hrs is approximately INR 40-45K, although it varies due to individual patient healing response. Dr DV Chalapathy, Director, DWC said, “DWC as a dedicated wound care is a pioneering effort in India. At our facility, we have set up the latest technology single chamber HBOT (USFDA approved) costing close to INR 2.5 crore. The wound care centre also set up a 25-bed facility in Bengaluru. With this, we plan to expand our footprint to at least 25 more centres all over India. I am delighted that DWC is all set to mark a new chapter on affordable, focused & next gen wound management in India.’’ ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13575/apollo-clinic-partners-with-hearfon-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13575/apollo-clinic-partners-with-hearfon-.html Wed, 08 May 2019 14:35:00 +0530 Apollo Clinic has announced a strategic partnership with hearing aids and speech therapy clinic HearFon for providing specialized speech and hearing therapies to patients of Apollo Clinic. The tie-up will provide patients of Apollo Clinics access to various types of Speech / Voice Therapies, Hearing aids, by qualified audiologists. Under the terms of the partnership, HearFon will set up the speech and hearing therapy centres within Apollo Clinics. This facility will be available in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Mysore, Visakhapatnam and Ghaziabad. According to WHO study published in 2016, five million children in India suffer from speech and hearing impairment warranting the need for such specialized speech and hearing therapies. Speaking on the tie-up, Anand Wasker, COO, Apollo Clinic said "At Apollo our aim is to make quality healthcare and treatment available within arm’s reach. Our partnership with HearFon reinforces this commitment. HearFon has the right set of qualitative and sophisticated hearing aids, testing equipment’s and therapies underscoring the partnership with HearFon.” Commenting on the partnership, Krishnakumar G, Audiologist, CEO and Founder at HearFon Hearing and Speech Clinics said, “We at HearFon are driven by passion to improve the quality of life for the hearing & speech challenged across India. With support from Apollo, we will certainly excel in the Hearing Health Care Segment, further accelerating our shared growth. We are confident of this partnership and look forward to meeting milestones together by providing world class professional services and creating the best platform for audiologists across India to help us serve our clients better each day.” Over and above offering therapies and hearing aids, Apollo Clinics and HearFon will also offer AMC packages for continued preventive maintenance and extended warranty schemes on the hearing aids. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13566/philips-india-launches-awareness-campaign-on-world-asthma-day.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13566/philips-india-launches-awareness-campaign-on-world-asthma-day.html Wed, 08 May 2019 10:35:00 +0530 Royal Philips, a global leader in health technology, has launched a strong campaign to increase awareness around asthma and associated respiratory issues, especially amongst children. The multichannel initiatives across social media and on-ground initiatives intents to bridge the alarming gap in knowledge around managing asthma, risks of asthma attacks and its triggers associated with indoor pollution.  With an estimated 15-20 million of the total Indian population suffering from asthma, the allergy and asthma sufferers are looking for ways to ease the symptoms by reducing indoor air-borne pollutants. It has been observed that asthma is prevalent in roughly 10-15% of children aged between 5-11 years old. The strongest risk factors for developing asthma are exposure, especially in infancy, to indoor pollutants (such as house dust mites in bedding, carpets and stuffed furniture, cats and cockroaches, PM2.5 and pollen) and a family history of asthma or allergy.The initiative will witness Philips organizing live demonstrations across 100 consumer electronics and appliances stores in the country, reaching out to respiratory patients and parents of young kids to spread awareness around health impacts of indoor air pollution, and how air purifiers help in combating asthma triggers. Philips is also running a campaign tilted ‘‘Help your child Fight against Asthma” across its social media handles including, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Google Display Network. In addition to this, Philips is also distributing leaflets in catchment areas to spread awareness around Asthma and its prevention.Expressing his concern, Dr. Himanshu Garg, Head Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, W Pratiksha Hospital said, “Cases of Asthma and other respiratory allergies are on the rise. With poor air quality and rising air pollution, our purpose is to reduce number of people suffering from asthma with proper diagnosis and treatment. Managing our indoor environment by reducing the triggers is also needed to preventing frequent attacks”Commenting on the launch, Mr. Gulbahar Taurani, President, Philips Personal Health for Philips India Sub-continent said, “At Philips, we are constantly looking for new opportunities to improve peoples’ lives through meaningful innovations. With the growing concern around increasing number of asthma patients and growing hypersensitivity towards various harmful pollutants present indoors, our endeavour is to bring in highly advanced technology that truly makes a difference to the lives of our customers. We believe that combating Asthma starts at home, and prevention is the key. This campaign is in line with our endeavour to spread awareness to reduce asthma triggers at home and provide effective solutions to consumers to manage their Asthma symptoms better.”Philips India, with its background in Health Technology and through its initiatives around key health issues, is consciously raising awareness about asthma, existence of hazardous indoor air pollutants and the role of air purifiers to combat these harmful pollutants.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13559/social-media-intervention-puts-a-spotlight-on-urban-sanitation-challenge-in-india-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13559/social-media-intervention-puts-a-spotlight-on-urban-sanitation-challenge-in-india-.html Tue, 07 May 2019 14:10:00 +0530 BBC Media Action has launched a bold new social media initiative #FlushKeBaad (#NoFlushAndForget) to encourage public discussion of issues related to faecal sludge management (FSM). This is one of the few social media behaviour change communication initiatives on FSM in the world. BBC Media Action, supported by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has been addressing sanitation issues in India through creative communications since 2015. This latest initiative seeks to tackle the critical issue of FSM, and its impact on the environment and people’s health. According to UNICEF, more than 1,600 people die every day due to diarrhoea which is closely associated with lack of sanitation. While India has made considerable progress in building and using toilets, according to the Central Pollution Control Board, 70% of the sewage generated from urban India is not treated. This is dumped indiscriminately in water bodies, empty spaces and agricultural lands. It then comes back to us via water, food and even air, posing a serious health hazard. Most recently, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has decided to set up a sub-mission to work towards the management of faecal sludge in cities and census towns. FlushKeBaad uses entertaining content to create awareness and generate conversation about risks people face every day from untreated faecal sludge. It focuses on the idea that "what goes comes right back to you". The centrepiece of the initiative is a digital film that can be viewed here. The musical medley literally makes a song and dance about what happens after you flush the toilet. Using different genres such as Qawwali, opera, vintage Bollywood and rap, it features two types of people facing off against each other: those who know and care about what happens #FlushKeBaad, and those who do not, and are sceptical about treating it as a ‘real issue’.Since the launch of the initiative on 29th March 2019 on Facebook, the campaign has reached 7.7 million unique users, with 2.7 million total views. The audience engagement rate for the campaign on Facebook so far is 11% and 8.2% on Twitter. Celebrities including Aamir Ali and Randeep Hooda have amplified the digital film through their social media handles. Speaking about the social media intervention, Radharani Mitra, Global Creative Advisor, BBC Media Action said, "One gram of poo has more than one million pathogens – I didn’t know that before I started working on the issue. The #FlushKeBaad musical sawaal-jawaab (question-answer) has been crafted to start a conversation that’s well overdue, given the magnitude of the FSM challenge in urban India." Madhu Krishna, India Country Lead, WSH, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation said, "For safe sanitation, we need to stop any untreated faecal sludge from going into the environment. That can only happen when every citizen understands what happens #FlushKeBaad. This musical is a smart route to creating that understanding and engagement.” "The digital film which is at the centre of the intervention will be complemented by other online posts like vox-pops, star videos and informational factoids to create risk perception from open discharge and indiscriminate dumping of faecal sludge. The idea is to make #FlushKeBaad everyone’s business", said Soma Katiyar, Executive Creative Director of BBC Media Action, India. The social media intervention also complements BBC Media Action's television drama series on urban sanitation – Navrangi Re!(Nine to a Shade) which is being broadcast on Colors Rishtey. This initiative is being funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation via the Centre for Social and Behaviour Change, Ashoka University, who are also evaluating the initiative. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13558/gapio-to-focus-on-prevention-early-detection-of-ncds.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13558/gapio-to-focus-on-prevention-early-detection-of-ncds.html Tue, 07 May 2019 11:55:00 +0530 The Global Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (GAPIO), a non-profit organization, founded by Padma Vibhushan, Dr. Prathap C Reddy, Founder and Chairman of Apollo Hospitals Group, Dr. Sanku Rao, Past President of AAPI and Dr. Ramesh Mehta, President of BAPIO organized its 9th Mid-Year Conference in collaboration with the American University of Antigua (AUA) and Antigua Medical Association (AMA) in Antigua. His Excellency Mr V Mahalingam, High Commissioner to Antigua Guyana was the Chief Guest at the inauguration ceremony. The High Commissioner complimented the physicians of Indian origin for their contribution in enhancing the level of healthcare in several countries. Sir Vivian Richards was the Chief Guest at the evening gala. Welcoming all the delegates to the land of the Sun and Sea, Antigua, Sir Vivian Richards highlighted the importance of discipline, exercise and right diet to promote good health. Mr. Neal Simon, the President of American University of Antigua (AUA), ), Dr. Ramesh Mehta, President, GAPIO, Dr. Anupam Sibal, Vice President, GAPIO, Dr. Sudhir Parikh, Joint Secretary of GAPIO and Dr. Sanku Rao, Past President of GAPIO, Mr. Vernon Solomon, Vice President AUA, Dr. Par Prem Kumar, Associate Director AUA for Special Projects and Dr. Alafea Stevens Secretary and Treasurer of the Medical Association of Antigua and Barbuda were present. Dr. Prathap C Reddy, Founder President GAPIO said, “Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are a global pandemic, claiming 63% of all deaths. Globally, the NCD burden is set to increase significantly in the next ten years. GAPIO is focusing on prevention and early detection of NCDs and will enhance efforts to control NCDs”. Dr. Ramesh Mehta, President of GAPIO added, “the scientific sessions on recent developments and advances in Cardiology, Metabolic Syndrome like Obesity and Diabetes were highly appreciated by the delegates”. Dr. Anupam Sibal, Vice President of GAPIO and Group Medical Director and Senior Pediatric Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist, Apollo Hospitals Group said “GAPIO is the platform that brings together physicians of Indian origin from different countries. Indian doctors are recognized globally for their contribution to medicine. The high calibre of the presentations was reflective of this expertise". Dr. Nandakumar Jairam, Secretary General, GAPIO and Chairman, CEO & GMD, Columbia Asia hospitals, India Pvt Ltd, said, “GAPIO has organized 16 soft skills enhancement training workshops under Leadership Development Programs across India. Clinical Knowledge development program will be launched on 1st July 2019 at New Delhi". Dr. Sudhir Parikh, Joint Secretary of GAPIO and Chairman, Parikh World Wide Media, and ITV Gold highlighted “GAPIO now has representation from 34 countries. In the coming year, plans will be created to expand the presence of GAPIO. Social media will be used effectively to break geographical barriers. A resource centre is being created.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13548/sparsh-hospital-unveils-sports-dedicated-medical-center.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13548/sparsh-hospital-unveils-sports-dedicated-medical-center.html Mon, 06 May 2019 15:50:00 +0530 SPARSH Hospital, Bengaluru’s noted super speciality hospital, has launched  Karnataka’s first sports-dedicated medical center, SPORTHO, and awarded  SPORTHO Excellence Awards 2019 to three eminent sports personalities from the city. SPORTHO is an endeavour to create a holistic healthcare system that addresses the needs of sportspeople specifically, across ages and professional levels. SPORTHO Excellence Awards is part of the same movement, established to bring more attention to various field of sports, the challenges faced by sportspeople and recognise outstanding contribution of sportspeople across sectors. In the first edition of the award, Mr. Jude Felix, former captain of the Indian Hockey team and Olympian; Mr. Samim Rizvi, Ultra-Endurance Cycling Champion and Mr. Sharath Gayakwad, Paralympic Swimmer were felicitated by Dr. Sharan Patil, eminent philanthropist, orthopaedic surgeon, Chairman and Founder of SPARSH Hospital. Each awardee was presented with a cheque of Rs 25,000 as a token of recognition from Dr. Patil. Dr. Sharan Patil, who inaugurated SPORTHO, said on the occasion, “It is critical for us to consider a holistic image of sports healthcare - from the grassroots level. We need to look at a specific, sports-related healthcare system that can address the needs of the sporting fraternity across all levels. SPORTHO is a commitment by SPARSH born out of this desire. As the first sports-dedicated healthcare facility in Karnataka, we bring together the latest technologies, the expertise and the care to help sportspeople - professional, amateurs and in training, to win over injury without compromising their careers.” The new sports medicine center (SPORTHO) will have a team of specialists consisting of Mr. Padmanaban Sekaran, a specialist physiotherapist and an internationally acclaimed movement therapist along with Dr. Rudra Prasad and Dr. Harish Puranik, anthroscopy surgeons and sports medicine specialists,. The center is located in SPARSH Hospital’s Infantry Road Unit. The facility is equipped with the latest technologies for fitness and treating sports-related injuries. The SPORTHO Team also includes eminent orthopaedic surgeons, sports psychologists, strength and conditioning experts, physiotherapists, nutritionists and cardiologists who are committed to working in tandem for speedier sports injury recovery and fitness of the sportspersons ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13543/national-thalassemia-welfare-society-organizes-the-25th-international-thalassemia-day.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13543/national-thalassemia-welfare-society-organizes-the-25th-international-thalassemia-day.html Mon, 06 May 2019 11:25:00 +0530 National Thalassemia Welfare Society organized recently the “25th International Thalassemia Day” at Constitution Club, New Delhi. The event was inaugurated by the Chief Guest TD Dhariyal commissioner disability Govt. of Delhi. He threw light on Thalassemia and RPWD Act 2016. He said that “Thalassemia, Sickle Cell Anemia and hemophilia have been included in the RPWD Act 2016. Now Thalassemics comes under 5% reservations for higher education under disability. However they have no reservation in employment but now they cannot be refused or discriminated on health grounds. Thalassemics will be entitled to all the benefits under schemes made for disabled persons except reservations in jobs.” Vinita Srivastava, National Senior consultant & coordinator Blood cell – NHM was Guest of honour for the event. She apprised the audience that National guidelines on management and prevention of Haemolobinopathies (Thalassemia & Sickle Cell anaemia) were published in 2016, Policy draft is ready, may be notified any time after the elections. Funds have been released to provide adequate treatment to thalassemics in each state. The event also saw the support of corporate like TCS, Sodexo HCL, Soil, Walmart, Jaquar and RNA Technology & IP Attorneys who came together and talked about policies with regard to Thalassemia patients. The corporate reiterated that they are taking steps and changing policies recruiting Thalassemia patients.  Dr. JS Arora, General Secretary, National Thalassemia Welfare Society thanked Vinita Srivastava for taking initiatives to provide adequate treatment specially recently in Punjab & Karnataka, but unfortunately in most states still the condition is grim specially in Haryana, Delhi, UP & Bihar. Medicines availability is inadequate and irregular. He further said, “Guidelines to grade disability was notified in Jan 2018 were not rational, Criteria for grading disability in Thalassemia & Sickle cell Anaemia have been simplified by the experts but have not been notified.” He requested Vinita Srivastava to get it notified at the earliest. Dr Arora also requested TD Dhariyal commissioner disability to direct the disability boards to issue disability certificates within stipulated time. Dr J.S Arora shared his concerns on how Delhi was first state where all the three chelating agents were always available, but we see only one or two chelators available. Dr Arora requested the companies to take special care to adjust their treatment schedule like blood transfusion dates, investigations, admissions etc. with their work schedule.  Anurag Krishna CSR Lead - North TCS, Mr Sandeep Kumar Head HR Operations – Sodexo; Rajiv Kumar HR Head HCL infotech Ltd; AN Bhattacharya, Professor & Chair, Marketing & Social Innovation- SOIL; Sunita Patnaik General Manager Walmart; Kanwar Shamsher Relan, Head CSR- Jaquar Foundation and Rachna Bakhru, Partner - RNA Technology & IP Attorneys were present.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13533/experts-recommend-inhalation-therapy-as-effective-treatment-for-asthma-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13533/experts-recommend-inhalation-therapy-as-effective-treatment-for-asthma-.html Mon, 06 May 2019 09:00:00 +0530 A press conference to create awareness on Ashtma was recently organized in New Delhi. In view of rising number of Asthma especially among children in the country in general and traffic polluted city New Delhi in particular experts recently called for more awareness through dialogue. Urging to adopt right treatment for better outcomes, experts also stressed upon dispelling myths and fears associated with inhalation therapy to effectively manage asthma and to encourage those affected by this condition to live a life without limits. Addressing a press conference Dr Anant Mohan, Head of Department – Chest (Pulmonary Medicine), AIIMS and Dr Gaurav Sethi, Pediatrician, In Good Hands Clinic, New Delhi provided valuable tips to WIN AGAINST ASTHMA and a live #BEROKZINDAGI. Asthma is a chronic disease which affects large populations worldwide and its number is rising every year. According to the WHO Fact sheet, between 100 and 150 million people around the globe -suffer from asthma. In India, the soaring numbers have reached 15-20 million and the number will continue to grow until adequate emphasis is laid on the importance of identifying the right medication, which can help manage asthma effectively.   The reasons for the increasing prevalence of asthma are multifactorial. They include rising air pollution with increase in air particulate matter, smoking, incorrect treatment in children, viral infections in early childhood and increasing awareness among health care professionals. According to a Lancet Report, traffic-related pollution caused asthma among 350,000 children in India in 2015, second only to China. The Lancet study analysed 194 countries and 125 major cities worldwide.  Although less than half the size of China's burden, India had the next largest number of cases (350,000) due to its large population of children.  Among cities Paris ranked 21st (33 per cent), New York ranked 29th (32 per cent), London 35th (29 per cent), and New Delhi 38th (28 per cent).[i] Emphasising on right treatment and awareness, Dr Anant Mohan said, “It is very important to change the perception towards Asthma and Inhalation therapy. While inhalation treatment can play a crucial role in reducing the impact of asthma on people’s lives, adherence is crucial. Inhaled medicines help to deliver the drugs directly to the lungs where they are required, so they work faster, better and with negligible side effects.” “The challenge is convince the patients to accept inhalers and adhere to the treatment prescribed in order to get the full benefit. Inhalation therapy works to control asthma by preventing and relieving symptoms and reducing flare-ups, but they will work if patients work in partnership with their physicians and take them as advised,” he added. Another challenge to manage asthma when there is discontinuation of the medication once the symptoms have subsided. Unfortunately, this may also result in the aggravation of the disease and flare-up of symptoms –leading to worsening of disease. Experts suggested consulting a doctor before taking such steps as asthma usually requires long-term treatment. According to Dr Sethi, ongoing education is of paramount importance in chronic diseases like asthma. “This is precisely where #BerokZindagi will lead to “Winning against Asthma” and will enable patients to participate and have a more effective role in their own treatment,” he added.  “While encouraging an increased dialogue on the management of asthma, lets us mark this World Asthma Day to directly resonate with our endeavor of enabling people with the condition to achieve more in their daily lives,” said  Dr Sethi. There are many reasons why patients discontinue inhalers. These include myths about inhaler devices and social stigmas regarding their use, concerns about the cost of medication and their side effects, and lack of awareness about why long term therapy is required. The need for the hour is to overcome barriers/ taboos and understand the importance of inhalation therapy and adhere to it. According to the experts, for a sure win against asthma, an effective treatment such as inhalation therapy is required. "Inhaled corticosteroid therapy (ICT) is the cornerstone of asthma management. For the effectiveness and safety of any treatment modality, optimal drug delivery is crucial. In the case of ICT, the drug reaches the inflamed airways directly in small doses, limiting the potential side effects. In the case of oral medication, the drug dosage is many times higher than in ICT. This excess dosage then reaches other parts of the body too, where it is not required and increases the systemic side-effects," explained Dr. Mohan. Experts were of the view that myths associated with the treatment needs to be busted. Inhaled corticosteroids have been recognized and widely accepted as the mainstay of asthma management. However, due to lack of awareness, many people remain reluctant to take this therapy. Several studies report poor adherence towards asthma medication with measured rates of non-adherence ranging from 30 to 70 percent. Newer innovations in inhalers have been recently made, such as incorporating dose counters in the device. The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP), in its updated guidelines, also recommended the use of ICT for mild, persistent asthma across all age groups, including children. Inhaled corticosteroids have been found to bring about improvements in the quality of life of patients by helping reduce the frequency of asthma attacks, improving asthma control, reducing the requirement of oral steroids and by bringing down the frequency of emergency room (ER) visits and hospitalizations. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13535/zoylo-brings-online-healthcare-ecosystem-to-transform-healthcare-delivery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13535/zoylo-brings-online-healthcare-ecosystem-to-transform-healthcare-delivery.html Fri, 03 May 2019 14:25:00 +0530 Zoylo Digihealth has successfully designed online healthcare ecosystem that brings together seekers of medical care and service providers on an integrated transparent platform. Zoylo is India`s offline and online integrated healthcare platform with a wide network of service providers offering 360o coverage of healthcare services across 600+ locations in India. With over 500,000+ app downloads, Zoylo is currently serving individuals across the country, allowing them to live healthily empowered by technology.   Vinod Kumar Reddy, CEO - Zoylo Digihealth said, “Our vision is to empower every single entity in the healthcare lifecycle and enable transparent communication and exchange of information among them for seamless healthcare delivery. The cohesive ecosystem designed by Zoylo spells accuracy and efficiency in service delivery by looping healthcare, payers, patients and other users in one dynamic network.” Today an individual has access to his or her social profile, professional profile, lifestyle profile and KYC through various social media apps. But there is no system where he can access his Health Profile online, anytime, anywhere. Zoylo is working towards its vision of creating ‘Health Profile of Individuals’ as an important element of this healthcare ecosystem that will include details of medical history, diagnosis, risk assessment and other details of an individual. Quick online access to these crucial information would enable fast, accurate and efficient treatment delivery to the user anytime. Preventive healthcare solutions, which has always remained a thrust area of the company, is benefitting individuals with early detection of lifestyle diseases, especially NCDs like hypertension, diabetes, obesity and cancer. The solutions will help individuals to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Online consultations will remove the barrier of distance and enable individuals in areas without specialised and super-specialised doctors to consult with the best of doctors across the country and avail of their experience and advice. Reddy said, “We are offering the Practice Management Software to all the doctors for free with an aim to manage individual health records online and create a Complete Healthcare Ecosystem. We are glad that our efforts have been recognised with various awards and recognitions for disrupting the healthcare ecosystem and aiming at becoming a brand which stands for simplified healthcare by harnessing technology.” In addition to helping individuals in creating Health Profile and managing health history online, Zoylo will also help to save medical expenses, get accurate diagnosis and experience the convenience of Healthcare@Home on a Pan India level. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13530/asian-malaria-endgame-under-threat.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13530/asian-malaria-endgame-under-threat.html Fri, 03 May 2019 11:25:00 +0530 Asian malaria experts surveyed in a new report are saying that new tools are needed as the disease is becoming resistant to existing prevention and therapy measures. They called for continued investment in R&D for new antimalarials and insecticides to achieve the World Health Organization’s 2030 elimination targets. The Malaria Futures for Asia (MalaFAsia) report was launched on April 23 in Bangkok. It captures the views of malaria program directors, researchers and NGOs in Cambodia, India, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam on progress towards malaria elimination. The study was conducted by independent policy researchers and commissioned by Novartis, the company that launched the first fixed-dose artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) two decades ago. ACTs are the current gold standard treatment for malaria. The report comes against a background of enormous progress, where the number of reported malaria cases per thousand population has fallen by over 60 per cent across the region since 2010.  Nearly two-thirds of experts surveyed believe that the region is likely to meet its malaria elimination targets for P. falciparum malaria, the most severe form of the disease. However, a majority expressed skepticism that the P. vivax strain could be eliminated by 2030. “This is the first time in many years that Asian policymakers and implementers on the ground have been asked about their views on progress, challenges and opportunities toward malaria elimination,” said Prof Yongyuth Yuthavong, former Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand and member of the RBM Partnership to End Malaria board, and co-chair of the study. “While most are confident about progress, some are perhaps too confident. Complacency is always a danger. I have spent a lifetime fighting malaria and know that this final stage toward elimination will be the toughest.” Resistance to insecticides and to artemisinin-containing treatments is also a serious concern, and while some respondents believe it can be contained as the region progresses toward elimination, others are much less confident. Nearly all said support for R&D into new insecticides and malaria treatments was critical. Novartis is currently conducting clinical trials on new antimalarials in Thailand and Vietnam in case ACT resistance spreads. The remaining pockets of malaria in South and Southeast Asia are primarily in hard-to-reach forested areas and among mobile and migrant populations, the experts said. These pockets are often in remote border areas, therefore tracking them and ensuring those at risk receive diagnosis, treatment and care is challenging. As the region approaches elimination, many thought integration of malaria services into broader health systems will become necessary. However, respondents did express concerns that specialist skills – particularly in microscopy diagnosis – might be lost in this process. “Developing comprehensive primary care systems is vital as the Asian region faces the rising epidemic of chronic disease,” said Dr. K. Srinath Reddy, President, Public Health Foundation of India, the other co-chair of the MalaFAsia study.” However, we must be careful to preserve the expertise needed to achieve malaria elimination.” Novartis commissioned the MalaFA studies as part of a large two-year effort to understand the views of national and regional experts across Asia and Africa on progress and challenges toward malaria elimination. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13528/roche-diabetes-introduces-latest-integrated-management-solution.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13528/roche-diabetes-introduces-latest-integrated-management-solution.html Fri, 03 May 2019 10:25:00 +0530 Roche Diabetes Care (RDC) India has unveiled its latest Integrated Diabetes Management Solution  (IDMS) with the launch of the “mySugr” app and “Accu-Chek Instant” blood glucose monitoring system, which together, form the next generation blood glucose monitoring system. Together, the mySugr App and Accu-Chek Instant bring advanced connectivity and accuracy to help people with diabetes (PwDs) effortlessly manage their blood sugar levels and spend more time in range. With this launch, RDC India aims to offer a collaborative, integrated and personalized approach for optimal therapy to people with diabetes or those at risk of developing the disorder.  The app provides bluetooth connectivity with Accu-Chek Instant, enabling the automatic uploading of data. The app provides easy access to blood glucose monitoring data to caregivers and doctors, enabling dynamic therapy modification. Through this app, users will also have access to diabetes coaching at their fingertips. Accu-Chek Instant exceeds current accuracy criteria and provides wireless connectivity. It offers  accuracy of 10/10 in blood sugar monitoring that exceeds the current ISO 15197:2013/EN ISO 15197:2015 system accuracy requirements. The easy to understand colour coded Target Range Indicator (TRI) helps in quick assessment. Its wide dosing area allows the placement of a small drop of blood anywhere along the blood application area, making the process of applying blood much easier. “At RDC India we are committed to help patients maintain a vigil on their blood glucose levels. Successful diabetes management relies on efficient communication between people with diabetes, and their healthcare professionals. Key to doing this is providing an integrated platform of innovative hardware and digital technology that enables self-monitoring of blood sugar (SMBG) adoption and better diabetes management. This  integrated platform allows patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to view, share, and access blood glucose data anytime for timely advice, and optimised treatment decisions. With the launch of the “mySugr app” and “Accu-Chek Instant”, RDC India is introducing an integrated personalised diabetes management solution for self-monitoring for enhanced personalised healthcare to patients across India.” says Dr. Gaurav Laroia, General Manager, Roche Diabetes Care India . There is an urgent need for implementing the diabetes management programs that are tailored to Indian population and the subsequent strong implementation of these programs. RDC India has taken a step ahead by establishing the Center of Excellence where the healthcare professionals will be trained on the “Integrated Diabetes Management – IDM”. IDM model will improve the physician-patient-dialogue, patient and physician satisfaction, patient adherence and glycemic control. It will also enable patients to master the complexity of managing diabetes to improve “Time in Range”, elaborated Dr. Varsha Khatry, Head – Medical & Scientific Affairs, Roche Diabetes Care India. "India has around 80 million people with diabetes and almost an equal number with pre-diabetes. We want to make India the diabetes care capital of the world and empower the Indian people to take control of their diabetes. To manage the blood glucose levels better its important to have precise and accurate blood glucose management tools which are enabled with the latest technology and ease of use. Digital diabetes needs latest applications which can not only be signalling alarms for high or low sugar attacks but also motivational tools for behavior change. Roche Diabetes Care India has now the latest smart "instant" meter and "my sugar" app as management-cum-empowerment tools to make Indians confident and get better control of their sugars. My mantra to prevent diabetes for Indians is eat less, walk more, monitor regularly, sleep well and smile", says Dr Shashank Joshi, Endocrinologist, President, Indian Academy of diabetes Chair (elect) IDF South east Asia “Accu-Chek Instant” is a high end monitoring system providing advanced accuracy and Target Range Indicator (TRI) that provides patients visual reassurance of their blood glucose values. With the launch of the new “mySugr” app and “Accu-Chek Instant” patients across India will get dual benefit of advanced data sharing capabilities to help simplify diabetes management.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13518/sunil-gavaskar-to-sponsor-34-lifesaving-heart-surgeries-totally-free-of-cost-for-children-from-economically-deprived-sections-of-the-society.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13518/sunil-gavaskar-to-sponsor-34-lifesaving-heart-surgeries-totally-free-of-cost-for-children-from-economically-deprived-sections-of-the-society.html Thu, 02 May 2019 15:00:00 +0530 Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaska during the opening of Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani International Centre for Child Heart Care in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai has announced sponsoring 34 lifesaving heart surgeries. These paediatric heart surgeries are for children from economically and socially challenged sections of society and will be done over the next few months. The state-of-the-art centre is the first such centre in the west zone and will provide free of cost services, based on Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s model of quality healthcare. The first paediatric cardiac surgery is scheduled for later this month.  The centre will treat children with congenital heart disease who are awaiting surgical intervention. It will also support and train grassroots healthcare workers and Anganwadi sevikas in basic pediatric cardiac detection and treatment, to help strengthen primary maternal and infant health services in the region. Each year, approximately 240,000 children are born in India with congenital heart disease. Of these, approximately 40% die before their third birthday. Since expensive and sophisticated paediatric care is beyond the reach of most citizens, Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospitals chain in Navi Mumbai (Maharashtra), Naya Raipur (Chhattisgarh) and Palwal (Haryana) is India's largest provider of totally free paediatric heart care with over 8,600 surgeries and catheter interventions completed and over 71,000 children treated as outpatients. Speaking at the inauguration of the centre, Mr C Sreenivas, Chairman of the Sri Sathya Sai Health and Education Trust, which runs the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospitals and Centres for Child Heart Care, said: “The centres are testimony to the work and message of Sri Sathya Sai Baba and his model of Quality Healthcare, providing totally free-of-cost services, irrespective of religion, caste, creed, nationality and gender.” Speaking to the attendees, Sunil Gavaskar said, “These tiny tots are waiting for their hearts to be healed. Paediatric cardiac treatment should be within the reach of every child and every parent irrespective of financial or social status. I am pleased that Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Centre is now open in Mumbai and will provide precious life-saving service to the people.” A new cardiac medical device-cum-service was also launched by HD Medical Inc, USA. This device called HD Stethis an ECG integrated intelligent stethoscope invented by Shri Arvind Thiagarajan, the founder of HD Medical Inc. HD Medical is training hospital staff and volunteers for outreach camps in small villages, public health centres and tribal areas to use the HD Steth. This device is a smart stethoscope which uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to diagnose unidentified children with heart problems through a wirelessly connected app on a tablet or a smartphone. Mr Vivek Gaur, Managing Trustee for Heart to Heart Foundation said, “Paediatric cardiac treatment should be within reach of every child irrespective of the financial or educational status of their parents, gender, caste, religion or social and economic background.  Shri Arvind Thiagarajan, Founder of HD Medical Inc said, “We at HD Medical are committed to this selfless cause and with our global technology will always aspire to train & help in diagnosis in this noble cause of saving lives. We are sure that our easy to use, instant diagnostic technique, which uses AI, will help detect Congenital Heart Disease” (CHD) at a very early stage and children can then be operated at an earlier stage, before complications sets in. The Sanjeevani Centres are the single largest dedicated chain of centres in the world addressing the treatment of Congenital Heart Diseases. In optimising the goal of providing healthcare at the grassroots levels, the Sai Sanjeevani Model has chosen to use the unique ‘Tertiary through to Primary Healthcare Model’. Established in 2012, the centres have completed 78,000 patient consultations, 6,771 child heart surgeries and 1,834 paediatric cardiac catheter Interventions, 71,000 child health screenings and 13,000 pregnant mothers followed up for safe pregnancies and motherhood. Mission Statement of Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Centres Endeavour to serve in greater measure the national burden of child ill-health, free of cost and to become institutions of Paediatric Cardiac Excellence for India and several developing countries To develop skilled and compassionate medical, nursing and allied healthcare providers trained to collectively address the burden of Congenital Heart Disease. To advocate the Right to Healthy Childhood by bringing a sharper focus on Child Heart Care, enabled by Research and Technology solutions that inform all stakeholders in the healthcare spectrum of Preventive, Curative and Educative Care.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13513/cvs-health-joins-quit-big-tobacco-campaign.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13513/cvs-health-joins-quit-big-tobacco-campaign.html Thu, 02 May 2019 10:35:00 +0530 CVS Health, a US based premier health innovation company as well as the 7th largest company in the United States in terms of revenue, has pledged not to work with advertising or public relations agencies who work with tobacco and e-cigarette companies, following its decision to remove tobacco from its stores five years ago.  They are the first major corporate brand to join the Quit Big Tobacco campaign created by Vital Strategies, an international public health organization headquartered in New York.  The tobacco industry spends billions of dollars each year on cigarette and e-cigarette marketing, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Marketing tactics, such as kid-friendly flavors and promotion by social media influencers, have contributed to the nearly 80% rise in vaping among U.S. high school students between 2017 and 2018. A National Health Institute survey found that 40 percent of young adults who use e-cigarettes every day or some days were never smokers before trying e-cigarettes. “This is what corporate leadership looks like,” said José Luis Castro, President and CEO of Vital Strategies. “CVS Health’s pledge builds on their 2014 forward-thinking decision to stop selling tobacco products in their stores, thus depriving the tobacco industry from the creative talent it needs to target youth in the United States and around the world. It’s a game changer. We hope this bold decision will encourage other health-minded companies to follow suit. We congratulate CVS Health and thank them for taking the Quit Big Tobacco pledge.” “Five years ago, we quit selling all tobacco products and made a commitment to help people lead tobacco-free lives, including investing in youth tobacco prevention programs in order to support the first tobacco-free generation,” said Norman de Greve, Chief Marketing Officer for CVS Health. “Big tobacco is increasingly using new channels to directly target our youth – including leveraging social media and influencers. We unequivocally take the Quit Big Tobacco pledge, meaning we will not work with any marketing and public relations agencies that have ties with the tobacco industry, and we urge other companies to join us in this critically important fight.” CVS Health is the first major corporate brand to pledge to Quit Big Tobacco, joining more than 200 organizations that have signed on to the campaign. Vital Strategies promotes its Tobacco-Free Agencies list so that companies can make sure the ad or public relations agencies they work with have no ties to the tobacco industry. Vital Strategies also unveiled the Quit Big Tobacco badge, which may be displayed by pledgers to convey their involvement in the campaign. CVS Health is working to add language outlining the requirement to contracts for both current and future partnerships with all marketing agencies.  "CVS Health's leadership as the first major brand to sign the Quit Tobacco Pledge sends a powerful message to the advertising, marketing and public relations communities that engaging with an industry that makes billions by harming millions will cost you,” said Robin Koval, CEO and President of Truth Initiative. “We have no doubt more companies will follow CVS Health and sign the pledge, especially given the urgency surrounding the growing e-cigarette epidemic addicting a new generation to nicotine and putting youth at greater risk of smoking deadly cigarettes.” “Tobacco companies claim that all their lying and deception is behind them, but they’re reaching out to their old advertising friends under new pretenses,” said Alex Bogusky, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of advertising agency Crispin Porter Bogusky. “At CPB, we know agency reputation and new business suffers when a client’s goal is selling addiction. CVS Health’s pledge to Quit Big Tobacco is a strong signal to our industry that cutting ties with the tobacco industry isn’t just good practice- it’s good business.” Quit Big Tobacco, an initiative of Vital Strategies, unites leading advertising agencies, public relations firms, and health-oriented organizations and brands to pledge not to work with the tobacco industry or agencies that do. Ad and PR agencies that pledge to Quit Big Tobacco join a list of Tobacco-Free Agencies committed not to work with tobacco or vaping clients. Organizations and brands that value health pledge not to work with agencies that have tobacco clients. By taking talent and expertise away from Big Tobacco, Quit Big Tobacco aims to reduce the uptake of tobacco use and its health harms so that people can live longer, healthier lives. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13511/six-sigma-healthcare-doctors-to-be-trained-by-indian-army-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13511/six-sigma-healthcare-doctors-to-be-trained-by-indian-army-.html Wed, 01 May 2019 18:05:00 +0530 Indian Army's High Altitude Warfare School will train Six Sigma Healthcare in High Altitude Rescue techniques at Kashmir Indian Army will impart High Altitude Training to private medical team of Six Sigma at High Altitude Warfare School, Gulmarg, Kashmir. Exercise includes the exercises on Mountain Medicines, Latest Mountain equipment, Rock climbing, River crossing, Peak climbing, Rappelling, Basic life support, Advance Cardiac life support, Communication on High Altitudes, Glacier and Avalanche Rescue etc. The exercise is conducted first time in collaboration with Indian Army, the aim was to train the “Medical Officer’s of Six Sigma Team, because the organization is highly active on high altitudes medical services and rescue work. Dr. Pradeep Bhardwaj, Medical Director- Six Sigma High Altitude Medical Rescue Services said, “These life-saving skills will help them in better rescue management on high hills. The Mountain Medicines is the most difficult medical services. Every year Millions of people travel to high-altitude every year for recreation and for work. Twenty percent of those traveling to altitudes below 5500 m/18,000 ft are affected by some form of altitude illness.” Six Sigma Healthcare is medical organization for providing free Mountain Medicine Service at high hills. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13492/bd-launches-prime-in-conjunction-with-jci-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13492/bd-launches-prime-in-conjunction-with-jci-in-india.html Mon, 29 Apr 2019 13:55:00 +0530 BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), a leading global medical technology company, has launched a new patient safety programme for hospitals, called Preventing Risks of Infections and Medication Errors in IV Therapy (PRIME). Aimed at addressing the two critical challenges in a hospital setting - infection prevention and medication safety – PRIME is developed by Joint Commission International for Patient Safety, with sponsorship by BD. Speaking about JCI’s initiation of PRIME with BD, Dr. Marwa J. Zohdy, Vice President, Global Consulting Services, Joint Commission Resources/Joint Commission International (JCI) said, “The preparation and administration of medication is critical to safe, high-quality patient care around the world.  At JCI, we recognize a fundamental need on this topic, and the unique PRIME programme addresses that need.  Leading experts from JCI with the support of BD have created a practical curriculum that will bring critical skills to life.” A unique programmematic approach towards patient safety will be implemented over a six-month duration, composed of goal-setting, constant progress review, tele-consultations with experts and scientific updates through webinars. Hospitals will be certified upon successful completion of the programme. Emphasizing on launching PRIME in India, Pavan Mocherla, Managing Director, BD-India & South Asia said, “Increasingly, healthcare facilities across India are working to upgrade quality standards to achieve a future of better patient outcomes, increased patient safety and cost efficiency in healthcare systems. In this pursuit of quality and safety, BD is pleased to work on enabling the hospitals achieve standardized and compliant care and improve patient outcomes through PRIME - a Gold Standard benchmarked safety programme with JCI. Through this hallmark programme for hospitals, BD will be able to help enhance patient and clinical outcomes by eliminating complications and improving safety for patients and providers leading to accessing better care.” So far, the hospitals that have signed up for the programme in India are: Kolkata - Belle Vue Clinic, Fortis Hospital Anandapur Mumbai – Breach Candy, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital & Medical Research Institute Trivandrum - Kerala Institute of Medical Sciences Manipal - Kasturba Hospital Mohali - Fortis Hospital Delhi/NCR - Max Healthcare, Saket and Medanta The Medicity-Gurgaon PRIME has been launched across South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13489/fortis-hospital-conducts-successful-liver-transplant-on-wilson-disease-patient-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13489/fortis-hospital-conducts-successful-liver-transplant-on-wilson-disease-patient-.html Mon, 29 Apr 2019 10:45:00 +0530 A 28 year old girl suffering from Wilson’s disease successfully underwent a liver transplant at Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta road. Wilson disease is a rare inherited disorder that causes copper to accumulate in liver, brain and other vital organs. The team of doctors was led by Dr. Mahesh Gopasetty- Sr. Consultant Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary and Liver Transplant Surgery, Fortis Hospitals, Bangalore. The patient came with a complaint of inability to consume food and water. Being specially-abled since birth, the patient was also unable to perform her daily chores. Further it was diagnosed that she had repeated infections and there was water accumulation in her body. The patient’s condition was deteriorating and there was an urgent need for liver transplant, so a cadaver liver transplant procedure was followed for her. Dr. Mahesh Gopasetty said, “It was a complex case for us as the patient has Wilson disease. It was difficult for us to understand the symptoms, as mostly in such cases, patient with wilson disease also suffer from neurological and psychological disorder. In this case also, the patient had psychological issues since her birth. On diagnosis, we found out that there was copper accumulation in her liver, so we had to perform immediate liver transplant surgery. Post consent from the family, we went ahead with the liver transplant and the patient withstood the procedure well. We hope that with this transplant, she would have a healthy life ahead.” According to reports by NCBI, “Approximately Wilson disease affects 1 in 30,000 to 40,000 individuals. Around 15-20 cases are registered annually, out of which two-thirds are a cause of acute liver failure.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13470/bd-launches-patient-safety-program-prime-in-asia.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13470/bd-launches-patient-safety-program-prime-in-asia.html Fri, 26 Apr 2019 19:05:00 +0530 BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), a largest global medical technology company in the world, has launched a new patient safety program for hospitals, called Preventing Risks of Infections and Medication Errors in IV Therapy (PRIME). Aimed at addressing the top two challenges in a hospital setting - infection prevention and medication safety - PRIME is developed by Joint Commission International for Patient Safety, with sponsorship by BD. Speaking about JCI's initiation of PRIME with BD, Dr. Marwa J. Zohdy, vice president, Global Consulting Services, Joint Commission Resources/Joint Commission International (JCI) said, "The preparation and administration of medication is critical to safe, high-quality patient care around the world. At JCI, we recognize a fundamental need for evidence-based capability building on this topic, and the unique PRIME program addresses that need. Leading experts from JCI with the support of BD have created a practical curriculum that will bring critical skills to life." A unique programmatic approach towards patient safety will be implemented over a six-month duration, composed of goal-setting, constant progress review, tele-consultations with experts and scientific updates through webinars. Hospitals will be certified upon successful completion of the program. Raymond Chow, vice president for Central Asia at BD said, "Administration of medication via invasive routes presents unique risks. Particularly in emerging countries, the risks may be greater due to lack of awareness, standards, assessment of skills and adoption of safe technology and practices. PRIME is set to address these very risks that are often unnoticed due to inadequate focus or knowledge of streamlined processes in medication management." PRIME was officially launched between 22-26 April in the following countries: SouthKorea, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and India. To date, 21 leading hospitals have signed up for the program. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13482/wockhardt-hospital-celebrates-patient-safety-week.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13482/wockhardt-hospital-celebrates-patient-safety-week.html Fri, 26 Apr 2019 16:40:00 +0530 Wockhardt hospitals, a reputed chain of tertiary care super specialty hospitals in India celebrated Patient Safety Week across all its hospitals at Nagpur, Nasik, Vashi (Navi Mumbai), Rajkot, Surat, Wardha, South Mumbai & North Mumbai. The programme aimed at reinforcing and strengthening the defined practices to achieve better patient care and safety. The three day programme focussed on a wide range of topics from Accurate & Complete Documentation of Medical Records, Early warning Signs i.e. Rapid Response Team concept, Biomedical waste handling, Infection prevention and control, Lab & Radiology safety, & fire safety that are important components of a comprehensive patient safety programme. Commenting on the initiative, Zahabiya Khorakiwala, Managing Director, Wockhardt Hospitals, said, “Prevention is always better than cure. It is mandatory that healthcare institutions practice basic and best practices and adhere to them for quality care and patient safety. At Wockhardt Hospitals we believe in quality care and delivering the same to our patients.” Dr. Clive Fernandes, Group Clinical Director, Wockhardt Group Hospitals, said, “Wockhardt hospitals aim for clinical excellence and uncompromised standards of patient care and safety. Following best practices and doing it the right way 365*24*7 is our way of ensuring patient safety and we periodically conduct such events to reinforce all our defined best practices.” Role plays at work station by identified associates, poster competition on patient safety themes, Quiz sessions, audits and many more activities were carried out aiming at reinforcing all the policies and practices defined towards ensuring safe patient care. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13480/icmr-licenses-shigella-vaccine-technology-to-hilleman.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13480/icmr-licenses-shigella-vaccine-technology-to-hilleman.html Fri, 26 Apr 2019 16:25:00 +0530 Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) licensed the technology for Shigella vaccine developed by ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (NICED) for further scaling up and commercialisation to MSD Wellcome Trust Hilleman Laboratories Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi on April 23, 2019 at the ICMR Headquarters. Biotech Consortium India Limited (BCIL), New Delhi, executed the License Agreement with NICED on behalf of ICMR and Hilleman Labs. Shigellosis is an infectious disease, marked by bloody diarrhoea with or without fever caused by Shigella species with huge disease burden globally causing ∼125 million diarrhoeal episodes annually, around 160,000 deaths, with a third of these associated with children under five years age. Management of shigellosis includes improvement of sanitation, rehydration therapy and most essentially, antibiotic therapy. Considering the global emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR), absence of effective Shigella vaccine and one of the prioritised vaccines recommended by the WHO; developing this indigenous vaccine against shigellosis is the need of the hour and is a major breakthrough. Shigella Vaccine has been developed by ICMR-NICED, a leading ICMR institute in the form of heat treated/formalin killed vaccines as well as next generation vaccines including OmpA nano-formulation and OMVs (Outer Membrane Vesicles) to address the need for controlling Shigella infection. Dr. Shanta Dutta, Director, NICED, during her address said that licensing the Shigella vaccine technology to Hilleman is an unprecedented event towards execution of translational research which further strengthens the NICED's mission to identify, develop strategies for prevention and control of enteric infections. Professor Balram Bhargava, Secretary, Department of Health Research, (Ministry of Health & Family Welfare), Government of India and Director General, ICMR, said that it is a major step to pave the way for development of the first indigenous Shigella vaccine. He expressed commitment of ICMR in extending all support for expeditious development and commercialization of cost-effective vaccine based on the technology for the benefit of mankind. The licensed Shigella vaccine candidate has shown significant immune response and protective efficacy against the infection during challenged studies in various animal models, Dr. Hemanta Koley, lead inventor of the vaccine added. Dr. Davinder Gill, CEO of the Hilleman Labs said that they are pleased to collaborate with ICMR and NICED for developing an affordable vaccine for shigellosis suitable for Low Middle Income Countries (LMIC). He briefly described Hilleman’s plan for further scaling up of the vaccine and making it accessible to shigellosis affected regions of the world. Dr. Purnima Sharma, Managing Director, BCIL said that this collaboration brings together four institutes with complementary strengths and they are pleased to provide necessary assistance to the stakeholders in achieving the timelines for commercialization of this much-needed vaccine. The licensed Shigella vaccine candidate has been developed through support from ICMR, Okayama University, Japan and National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan. The translation of the licensed Shigella vaccine candidate to a market ready product will involve a stringent pre-clinical and clinical development pathway before it reaches the market. In view of no licensed Shigella vaccine and emergence of increased antimicrobial resistance, the vaccines are the only effective tools to fight against the disease. The Shigella vaccine, developed by ICMR-NICED is expected to have a huge potential and likely to benefit children living in lowand middle-income settings. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13479/hcg-introduces-usfda-approved-digital-pathology-solution-across-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13479/hcg-introduces-usfda-approved-digital-pathology-solution-across-india.html Fri, 26 Apr 2019 16:20:00 +0530 HCG- The Specialist in Cancer Care has introduced USFDA approved Digital Pathology Solution by Philips Intellisite Pathology Solutions across all its centres in India. This state-of-the-art technology marks a major step forward in cancer treatment through precision, speed, efficiency and ease of use with immense potential to provide significant clinical benefits to both the physicians and patients. HCG began using the digital solution from October 2018 onwards, gradually adding it to all its centres post successful validation and integration of the system in the workflow. The official launch of the digital solution by HCG took place recently in Bengaluru. “Pathological diagnosis is one of the most important steps in oncology and at HCG, we have always believed in organ specific pathologists reviewing the samples. With digital pathology, the way the samples are presented and its magnification are infinitely better than the human eye reviewing them. The best advantage is that several people can review the slides at the same time, in countries like India and Africa, where it may be difficult for patients to get expertise. Digital pathology can bridge this gap”, said Dr BS Ajaikumar, Chairman & CEO, HCG Enterprises at the launch. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13471/apac-biz-leaders-team-up-with-world-economic-forum-to-eradicate-malaria.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13471/apac-biz-leaders-team-up-with-world-economic-forum-to-eradicate-malaria.html Fri, 26 Apr 2019 14:10:00 +0530 In Asia, malaria is being defeated, with a halving of cases in the last 8 years. But, the gains we have made are fragile, and malaria has come back from near-elimination before with devastating consequences. Across the region, a staggering 237 million people are still at high risk of contracting the disease. The only way we can truly beat malaria is by working together - across the private and public sector. The Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (APLMA) and the World Economic Forum announced the M2030 Champions Council. Consisting of CEOs and Presidents from some of the most far-reaching businesses in Asia-Pacific, as well as leaders from the public sector and civil society, the Council will drive corporate leadership to eliminate malaria in Asia. Started by APLMA in 2018, M2030 is a movement that brings together businesses, consumers and health organizations in a unique partnership. Corporate partners can use the M2030 brand for awareness and fund-raising campaigns to fight malaria. One hundred percent of all funds raised support malaria elimination programs in the region. Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, also announced a new M2030 campaign spanning five countries in South-East Asia. For every dollar spent by shoppers on a curated product selection, Shopee will donate the same amount to M2030 supported malaria programs in Myanmar and Vietnam. "The first phase of our partnership with M2030 was met with great success. With that, we are pleased to launch the second phase, where we aim to further rally Shopee users from across the region to support M2030's funding efforts and accelerate the defeat of malaria. We hope to make a positive difference to this cause together as one community," said Chris Feng, Chief Executive Officer of Shopee. Melvyn Pun, Chief Executive Officer of Yoma Strategic Holdings and member of the M2030 Champions Council, added "I have seen the devastating impact of malaria up close, Yoma is proud to lead the private sector charge in ending malaria in Myanmar", and continued "New Holland Myanmar and Pun Hlaing Siloam Hospitals have active M2030 campaigns to raise funds and awareness to support the malaria elimination goal." M2030 partners with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Since 2013, the Global Fund has invested over US$ 350 million to fight drug-resistant malaria in the Greater Mekong. Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund and member of the M2030 Champions Council, said "M2030 is a great initiative that engages the private sector in supporting malaria elimination efforts in the region. Public-private partnerships are essential to ending malaria once and for all". ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13465/worlds-first-malaria-vaccine-launched.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13465/worlds-first-malaria-vaccine-launched.html Thu, 25 Apr 2019 16:05:00 +0530 WHO welcomes the Government of Malawi’s launch of the world’s first malaria vaccine in a landmark pilot programme. The country is the first of three in Africa in which the vaccine, known as RTS,S, will be made available to children up to 2 years of age; Ghana and Kenya will introduce the vaccine in the coming weeks. Thirty years in the making, RTS,S is the first, and to date the only, vaccine that has demonstrated it can significantly reduce malaria in children. In clinical trials, the vaccine was found to prevent approximately 4 in 10 malaria cases, including 3 in 10 cases of life-threatening severe malaria. The vaccine is a complementary malaria control tool – to be added to the core package of WHO-recommended measures for malaria prevention, including the routine use of insecticide-treated bed nets, indoor spraying with insecticides, and the timely use of malaria testing and treatment. The WHO-coordinated pilot programme is a collaborative effort with ministries of health in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi and a range of in-country and international partners, including PATH, a non-profit organization, and GSK, the vaccine developer and manufacturer, which is donating up to 10 million vaccine doses for this pilot.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13453/fortis-malar-doctors-conduct-unique-pediatric-heart-transplant.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13453/fortis-malar-doctors-conduct-unique-pediatric-heart-transplant.html Wed, 24 Apr 2019 15:00:00 +0530 Fortis Malar Hospital successfully conducted a unique heart transplant surgery to save the life of two-year-old Rohan (name changed) from Villupuram. This became possible after Rohan received the heart from the country’s youngest organ donor – a two-year-old boy from Mumbai. The transplant was performed by a team of doctors led by Dr. K R Balakrishnan, Director, Cardiac Sciences, Fortis Malar Hospital and Dr. Suresh Rao KG, Head of Department, Critical Care & Cardiac Anaesthesia, Fortis Malar Hospital. Rohan was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy with severe LV dysfunction. He kept getting admitted repeatedly with complaints of breathlessness. However, despite medication, his condition did not improve. As heart transplant was the only solution for him to recover, he was registered in the State Transplant Registry for a possible donated heart. On February 10th, 2019, the two-year donor suffered irreversible brain damage. The family decided to donate the organs that helped save and enrich the lives of six people, out of which four recipients were children including Rohan. A team of doctors flew from Fortis Malar Hospital to retrieve the heart which was airlifted to Chennai later. Commenting on the transplant, Dr K R Balakrishnan said, “This surgery was difficult and challenging as the recipient was a two-year-old toddler. So we had to sensitively balance all the challenges to perform the transplant to the child. We are humbled to acknowledge that this surgery is another milestone in the treatment of pediatric cardiac patients requiring heart transplants.” This unique heart transplant was performed under the CM’s Comprehensive Health Insurance scheme which covered the entire cost of surgery and post-operative treatment as well as the requisite medication for a period of one year. Commenting on the transplant Dr Suresh Rao said “It is difficult to find a matching donor for pediatric patients. The recipient was lucky to get a 2-year-old heart and is recovering well.” Mother of Rohan said, “I am extremely delighted and thankful to Fortis Malar and the team of doctors since we never knew such options of transplant is available.  I deeply thank the parents of the donor from the bottom of my heart and pray for the family.”     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13451/max-bupa-launches-exyourexcuse-campaign-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13451/max-bupa-launches-exyourexcuse-campaign-.html Wed, 24 Apr 2019 14:15:00 +0530 Max Bupa has initiated a month long integrated campaign #ExYourExcuse, in order to nudge people, especially the youth, to take their health seriously by giving up on unhealthy habits and excuses that keep them from achieving their health goals. With the increase in lifestyle and critical illnesses, it has become pertinent for people to follow a healthy lifestyle and manage their health and with this campaign; Max Bupa is urging people to take small steps towards leading a healthier and fitter lifestyle. Most often people think that taking care of their health needs a lot of time and effort; however it is not about time but making small lifestyle changes towards making health a habit which certainly has varied benefits. People find innumerable excuses to not follow their daily health routine, such as not being able to wake up early, unexpectedly late working hours, difficulty in resisting junk, etc. Max Bupa has been amplifying the campaign across its social media channels through engaging content, videos, and also collaborated with digital influencers like Pallavi Ruhail, Megha Sarin, Aman Singh Virk among others to promote the campaign and encourage their followers to adopt a healthy routine. As part of the campaign, Max Bupa is also running a contest asking people to share videos, photos and voice notes of their health mantra and how they managed to overcome their health excuses. So far, 500+ people have already participated in the contest and shared their videos and photos of eating healthy food to indulging in physical activities like swimming, going to gym etc. Speaking about the campaign, Anika Agarwal, Senior Vice President and Head-Marketing, Digital and Direct Sales, Max Bupa Health Insurance said, “In keeping with our purpose of helping our customers lead healthier, more successful lives, #ExYourExcuse campaign has been launched to trigger a meaningful conversation around health and to enable people prioritize their health by encouraging them to leave behind their usual excuses. We are indeed overwhelmed with the response as our social media channels are flooded with highly motivating videos of people who are trying hard to give up their excuses and make a healthy start.” Last year, Max Bupa did 360 degree campaign #DonateYourWeight, in association with Cuddles Foundation, to support the underprivileged and malnourished children battling cancer which garnered stupendous response with 10.2 million total reach, 11.5 million total impressions and 876K total video views.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13442/global-healthcare-medical-tourism-conclave-to-open-in-mumbai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13442/global-healthcare-medical-tourism-conclave-to-open-in-mumbai.html Wed, 24 Apr 2019 11:20:00 +0530 The first edition of the Global Healthcare & Medical Tourism Conclave, Awards & Expo is taking place in Mumbai on 2nd October 2019. It is the flagship event which will bring people from significant sectors to narrow the gap & help the industry to collaborate & provide the best to the society. The conference will provide excellent networking opportunities for those looking to start or grow their business. It will bring together global Thought Leaders, Key Decision Makers, Business Leaders, members of Government and Non-Government Organisations, Young Entrepreneurs, CEO's/CXOs, Investment and Promotion Agencies from all sectors of the healthcare ecosystem to connect, learn, and share best practices in an elite networking forum resulting in an exchange of valuable strategies. The purpose behind this conference is to offer proactive top-quality learning and an opportunity to network with organizations and people that value quality health information and also to recognize as well as reward the achievements of any individual, group of people or an entire organization. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13436/path-and-mmv-launch-5-year-global-initiative-to-support-elimination-of-relapsing-malaria-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13436/path-and-mmv-launch-5-year-global-initiative-to-support-elimination-of-relapsing-malaria-.html Tue, 23 Apr 2019 12:15:00 +0530 PATH and Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) announce a 5-year, jointly-led initiative, VivAccess, to support countries in the elimination of Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) malaria. The initiative is part of the larger global effort to support malaria-endemic countries in the adoption and use of new and existing tools, to facilitate well-tolerated and effective radical cure to prevent relapse. VivAccess's work is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. P. vivax is the most frequently occurring species of malaria parasite outside of sub-Saharan Africa, putting approximately 2.5 billion people at risk and causing around 7.5 million infections a year. Each infection can lead to multiple relapses due to the parasite's ability to lie dormant in the liver. To completely clear the body of parasites and achieve radical cure, two drugs are required: one for the blood stage infection causing malaria symptoms, and another for the liver-stage. The class of liver-stage drugs currently used to treat P. vivax malaria can cause hemolysisin individuals who have the common genetic disorder G6PD deficiency that affects approximately 400 million people globally. It is therefore important to test for G6PD deficiency in order to guide the appropriate use of liver-stage drugs. The goal of VivAccess is to support introduction and increased access to the suite of radical cure products to address these challenges. George Jagoe, Executive Vice President, Access & Product Management at MMV said, "Because one infection caused by the P. vivax parasite has the uncanny ability to cause a patient to relapse in the absence of a new infective mosquito bite, it amplifies the burden of malaria, placing a huge burden on the individuals, communities and countries it infects. New tools to stop this cycle of disease have been developed, and more are in development. VivAccess is set to accelerate their access to those in need and in doing so protect patients from relapses and support countries to move towards malaria elimination." Dr. Larry Slutsker, Director of the PATH Center for Malaria Control and Elimination said, "Relapsing malaria due to Plasmodium vivax is the most geographically widespread malaria, with well over 2 billion people living in areas of risk for infection. Vivax malaria causes massive suffering in terms of illness, anemia, and death. The new tools that we can now bring to bear through the VivAccess partnership present a unique opportunity to make progress against this major public health challenge and underscore the importance of continued investment in malaria research and development." Through VivAccess, the partnership will continue to work closely with the World Health Organization, National Malaria Control Programs, and country-based healthcare partners to support the introduction and use of these effective tools, which include malaria diagnostics, G6PD diagnostics, blood-stage drugs, and liver-stage radical-cure drugs. Guided by the leadership of national health agencies, VivAccess will provide support in terms of market analytics, technical expertise, and product delivery coordination as countries seek to introduce effective radical cure into national malaria protocols and accelerate progress towards their malaria elimination goals. In the process, the initiative will strengthen national and local capacities in alignment with the WHO malaria strategic agenda.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13417/who-releases-first-guideline-on-digital-health-interventions.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13417/who-releases-first-guideline-on-digital-health-interventions.html Mon, 22 Apr 2019 13:35:00 +0530 World Health Organization (WHO) has recently released new recommendations on 10 ways that countries can use digital health technology, accessible via mobile phones, tablets and computers, to improve people’s health and essential services. “Harnessing the power of digital technologies is essential for achieving universal health coverage,” says WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Ultimately, digital technologies are not ends in themselves; they are vital tools to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable.” Over the past two years, WHO systematically reviewed evidence on digital technologies and consulted with experts from around the world to produce recommendations on some key ways such tools may be used for maximum impact on health systems and people’s health.  “The use of digital technologies offers new opportunities to improve people’s health,” says Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Chief Scientist at WHO. “But the evidence also highlights challenges in the impact of some interventions.” She adds: “If digital technologies are to be sustained and integrated into health systems, they must be able to demonstrate long-term improvements over the traditional ways of delivering health services.” For example, the guideline points to the potential to improve stock management. Digital technologies enable health workers to communicate more efficiently on the status of commodity stocks and gaps. However, notification alone is not enough to improve commodity management; health systems also must respond and take action in a timely manner for replenishing needed commodities.  “Digital interventions, depend heavily on the context and ensuring appropriate design,” warns Dr Garrett Mehl, WHO scientist in digital innovations and research. “This includes structural issues in the settings where they are being used, available infrastructure, the health needs they are trying to address, and the ease of use of the technology itself.” Digital health interventions are not sufficient on their own The guideline demonstrates that health systems need to respond to the increased visibility and availability of information. People also must be assured that their own data is safe and that they are not being put at risk because they have accessed information on sensitive health topics, such as sexual and reproductive health issues. Health workers need adequate training to boost their motivation to transition to this new way of working and need to use the technology easily. The guideline stresses the importance of providing supportive environments for training, dealing with unstable infrastructure, as well as policies to protect privacy of individuals, and governance and coordination to ensure these tools are not fragmented across the health system. The guideline encourages policy-makers and implementers to review and adapt to these conditions if they want digital tools to drive tangible changes and provides guidance on taking privacy considerations on access to patient data. The guideline also makes recommendations about telemedicine, which allows people living in remote locations to obtain health services by using mobile phones, web portals, or other digital tools. WHO points out that this is a valuable complement to face-to-face-interactions, but it cannot replace them entirely. It is also important that consultations are conducted by qualified health workers and that the privacy of individuals’ health information is maintained. The guideline emphasizes the importance of reaching vulnerable populations, and ensuring that digital health does not endanger them in any way. WHO’s work on digital health This guideline represents the first of many explorations into the use of digital technologies and has only covered a fraction of the many aspects of digital health. In 2018, governments unanimously adopted a World Health Assembly resolution calling on WHO to develop a global strategy on digital health to support national efforts to achieve universal health coverage. That strategy is scheduled to be considered at the World Health Assembly in 2020. Although WHO is expanding its focus on digital health, the Organization has been working in this area for years, for example, through the development of the eHealth Strategy Toolkit in 2012, published in collaboration with International Telecommunications Union (ITU). To support governments in monitoring and coordination of digital investments in their country, WHO has developed the Digital Health Atlas, an online global repository where implementers can register their digital health activities. WHO has also established innovative partnerships with the ITU, such as the BeHe@lthy, BeMobile initiative for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases, as well as efforts for building digital health capacity through the WHO Regional Office for Africa.  Over the years, WHO has released a number of resources to strengthen digital health research and implementation, including the mHealth Assessment and Planning for Scale (MAPS) toolkit, a handbook for Monitoring and Evaluation of Digital Health, and mechanisms to harness digital health to end TB. On 6 March 2019, Dr Tedros announced the creation of the Department of Digital Health to enhance WHO’s role in assessing digital technologies and support Member States in prioritizing, integrating and regulating them. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13416/asic-and-13d-promote-gender-equality-at-indian-workplaces-though-panel-discussion.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13416/asic-and-13d-promote-gender-equality-at-indian-workplaces-though-panel-discussion.html Mon, 22 Apr 2019 12:50:00 +0530 Asia Society India Centre, a leading global non-profit institution and 13D Global Strategy & Research, an independent global research firm recently hosted  a panel discussion on promoting gender equality in Indian workplaces, involving more women in decision making roles and understanding implementation challenges faced by employers and employees in the Indian workforce. Speakers on the panel were - Ameera Shah, Managing Director, Metropolis Healthcare Ltd, Anurag Bansal, Managing Director, Southeast Asia 13D Global Strategy & Research, Ravinder Kaur, Professor of Sociology, IIT Delhi, Animesh Kumar, Chief People Officer, Zee Entertainment Enterprise Ltd and Monica Ralli, Chief Marketing Officer, 13D Global Strategy & Research as moderator.  During the panel discussion Ameera Shah, Managing Director of Metropolis Healthcare Ltd said – “We have to go back to psychology (to understand) how we deal with gender equality in our homes. It starts from family. The parents need to create an environment which will help develop an entrepreneurial spirit of taking risks and making difficult decisions in the face of uncertainties among  women of the family (and) explore and face the world with their heads held high.” Animesh Kumar, Chief People Officer at Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) said – “HR plays a very vital role in co-creating gender equality in a workspace. Fundamentally, the performance management ecosystem in any company is about delivering two essentials, building an organizational ecosystem that attracts the best talent weather that be male or female and building an ecosystem of the intervention of culture and performance which enables employees to deliver their best. If you can achieve both of this, you can build the best organization in the world.” Bunty Chand, CEO, Asia Society India Centre said – “We need to address gender equality at the roots and start with our homes. Our sons and daughters need to be afforded equal opportunities and taught mutual respect in order to address flaws in a system which invariably favors men and predominantly ascribes women to roles of caretakers and working mothers. Enabling a system that supports women employees, favors meritocracy in growth prospects and prioritizes equality in every organizational decision is in the best interest of organizations and ultimately the nation. Gender equality needs to move beyond a PR or CSR tool for a company and become a norm. A boardroom with an equal number of women and men  should not surprise anyone.” Monica Ralli, Chief Marketing Officer at 13D Global Strategy & Research said- "Fairness and mutual respect are vitally important, but they are not enough of an incentive to make businesses reinvent themselves.  We need to tell a better story, a story so compelling that business leaders will in turn encourage managers and employees to reach their own conclusion that diversity is good news, both personally and for the company.  Once the realization occurs, once people see it for themselves, they start behaving in a more inclusive way and progress can be real, rapid and lasting. Ravinder Kaur, Professor of Sociology and Social Anthropology at the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology – Delhi said, “India has one of the lowest female labor force participation rates in the world. Between 2005-06 and 2015-2016 this figure has reduced by almost 12 percent. Economists use various hypothesis which predicts that the women workforce participation of a developing economy declines and rises again later due to the changing nature of socio-economic factors within the national ecosystem. The decline in the curve is a result of factors such as the incompatibility of work and family duties, the structural imbalance of parenting responsibilities, the stigmas surrounding women working outside the home, and the high incomes of their spouses rendering their contribution to family income negligible. At this juncture, we need policies to tackle structural barriers which prevent women from being recognized as key components of the Indian workforce.” Anurag Bansal, Managing Director, East Asia & Central Asia said "Research suggests that a firm’s financial performance and productivity improves considerably with gender-equal workplaces and corporate boards. Women possess valuable traits that will be essential for succeeding in the 21st-century global workplace. Reaching gender parity would have a greater impact in India than any other region in the world. A rise in female employment rates to the male level would provide India with an extra 235 million workers, more than the EU has of either gender. If the world’s largest democracy fails to make the case for inclusion, its outsize demographic dividend will soon become a liability." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13410/magnetic-resonance-therapy-aids-in-regeneration-of-liver-cells.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13410/magnetic-resonance-therapy-aids-in-regeneration-of-liver-cells.html Sat, 20 Apr 2019 20:10:00 +0530 The incidence of liver diseases is on the rise considering that there has been a widespread increase in the rates of alcohol consumption. Alcoholic liver disease is the third most common cause of liver transplants globally. Moreover, we are also witnessing a rise in incidence of infectious diseases such as hepatitis and cancer of the liver, which ultimately lead to liver failure. Although, the Indian government has proposed measures to eradicate hepatitis in the country by the year 2030, the need of the hour is novel therapeutic strategies to treat those already suffering from liver damage. We may have heard that the liver possesses the ability to regenerate itself (return to a constant size) within a short period after injury. However, chronic exposure to toxins and medications scar the liver permanently and impair the regenerative ability. Having said that, remarkable advances have been made in the area of liver regeneration. The key is to capitalize on the regenerative capacity of the organ and make attempts to enhance the same. Regenerative medicine and cell-based therapy have the solution to this issue. Mesenchymal cells in our body are capable of self-renewal and differentiation into various cell types. To understand the mechanism of how cell-based therapy helps in enhancement of liver function, let us look into the pathology underlying the disease. Hepatic damage induces a process of regeneration, like a reactive change/protective measure. When the disease progresses, cellular adaptations take place and the microenvironment of the organ changes, which may hamper normal functioning. Mesenchymal cells target this change in the microenvironment and stabilize the deleterious changes through their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory property. Moreover, formation of newer hepatic cells with normal function is facilitated by transplantation of mesenchymal cells. These cells also possess paracrine properties that further enhance the function of other cells, thereby inducing a holistic healing response. A supportive modality that enhances the effects of cell-based therapy is nuclear magnetic resonance therapy. This technology has been patented under the brand name MBST and has been creating waves in the field of orthopedics. The technology aids in regeneration of damaged cartilage and bone, thereby finding applications in treatment of osteoarthritis and other sports related injuries. Recently, MBST has been studied in liver regeneration based on the same principle of reducing the inflammatory burden and increasing blood supply to the organ. It is well known that hemodynamic factors trigger regeneration of the liver, thus MBST, by enhancing blood flow aids in healing. MBST is based on the principle that metabolism of tissues in the human body is controlled by electric and magnetic fields. In health, our body regulates the regeneration of cells and tissues with own signals. However, in cases of tissue damage, there is interference in signaling mechanisms, which inhibits regeneration and repair. The proposed mechanism of action of MBST is the stimulation of hydrogen protons using radio waves, which creates a “high energy” state. This energy is then released in the same manner as in MRI and is absorbed by the surrounding tissue. On absorption of energy by the tissue, reactivation of regeneration of cells is initiated. The combination of cell-based therapy and MBST will aid in definitive regeneration of liver cells and reduce the need for surgery and ultimately liver transplantation, which poses a huge challenge in the treatment of liver failure, due to shortage of donors. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13408/incidence-of-cancer-higher-in-women-compared-to-men-reveals-a-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13408/incidence-of-cancer-higher-in-women-compared-to-men-reveals-a-study.html Sat, 20 Apr 2019 19:55:00 +0530 The incidence of cancer is higher in women compared to men, according to a cross sectional study conducted amongst 6000 cancer patients at Jupiter Hospital, Thane. The 8-year-long study between 2001 and 2018 was conducted by renowned Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Manish Chandra from Jupiter Hospital. The survey of the patients from Mumbai and Thane who underwent radiation therapy at Jupiter Hospital diagnosed 55 percent women with cancer as against 45 percent males. Of all the cancers in women, the survey discovered that the incidence of breast cancer was the highest at 21% while gynaecological cancer accounted for 15% cases. The survey further revealed a trend of breast cancer incidence starting at an early age as 19.9% patients diagnosed with the condition were below the age of 40 years. The marathon survey, which took years of meticulous work and compilation, found the incidence of head and neck cancers at 32% - men and women constituting 77% and 23% respectively. The study further found higher prevalence of cancer in the age group of 41 to 60 years, women and men accounting for 1849 and 1220 cases respectively. “This is extremely worrying because 41-60 is a productive period when each patient plays a crucial role in securing his or her family’s future. So, the impact is felt by the entire family, not just the victim,” pointed out Dr. Manish Chandra. The data collected at Jupiter Hospital leads the way in understanding demographics of patients who underwent radiation therapy for various malignancies. “It helps to understand the trend better and evolve strategies to come up with specific plans suiting patient population in areas from where they were drawn to this survey,” added Dr. Manish Chandra. Cervical cancers have shown an overall decline across globe. However, of the 15% gynec patients in the survey, 637 were diagnosed with cervix cancer while 178 had cancer in the endometrium. As for lung cancer, of the total number of patients, males and females accounted for 64% and 36% respectively. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13404/as-india-battles-surge-in-liver-diseases-naturopathy-best-bet-to-maintain-healthy-liver.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13404/as-india-battles-surge-in-liver-diseases-naturopathy-best-bet-to-maintain-healthy-liver.html Fri, 19 Apr 2019 12:20:00 +0530 Unhealthy lifestyles, stress and increasing exposure to toxins in food and water have in recent years led to a dramatic rise in lifestyle diseases including liver diseases. According to WHO, around 10 lakh Indians are diagnosed with liver Cirrhosis every year. As India battles a liver disease surge, adopting Naturopathy practices in daily life can go a long way in helping our population maintain a healthy and toxin free liver. Liver ailments are among the 10 leading causes of deaths in India, with fatty liver disease emerging as a rising cause of liver damage. As we celebrate World Liver Day, it is important to educate people about the need for following liver-healthy lifestyles and natural liver detoxification practices. Jindal Naturecure Institute has restudied and revitalised a series of natural liver cleansing and detoxification therapies that have existed in India for thousands of years. Everyday kitchen staples such as lemons, apples, berries, amla, turmeric, beetroot and grapes among others can become potent tools to maintain a healthy liver if used with the right knowledge and regimen. Dr. Babina N.M, Jt. CMO, Jindal Naturecure Institute said, “Liver is an important organ with many essential functions including cleansing our bodies of harmful toxins. A number of factors have increased the toxin load on our livers. Regular consumption of processed food -- especially white flour, refined sugar, saturated, rancid and hydrogenated fats, smoked meat and alcohol are toxic to the delicate operation of the liver cells. Additionally, the presence of additives and pesticides in food, pollution, drugs and anger – all have negative impact on liver health. This is why it is important to adopt naturopathy practices in our daily lives as a holistic approach to our health.” To follow these simple yet time-tested steps of Naturopathy not only help in reducing excess body weight, abdominal girth, blood pressure levels, but also improves liver and renal functions. Sushma P.S, Chief Dietician (Naturopathy), Jindal Naturecure Institute said, “Some very simple solutions can help us maintain good liver health. One of them is Jindal Naturecure’s seven-day Apple therapy to cleanse the liver naturally and druglessly. This therapy involves consuming 6 to 8 apples every day for six days. On the sixth day, the patient must have no dinner but drink Epsom salt water at 6 pm and 8 pm followed by drinking a mixture of concentrated lime juice (200ml) + olive oil (125ml at 10 pm). On the seventh morning, the patient must consume tender coconut water, followed by Sweetlime juice, little Khichidi and curd for lunch. This is just one of the many wonderful natural treatments available to improve liver health.” Nature Cure Treatments such as enema, colon hydrotherapy, mud bath, mud pack, abdominal pack, hip bath, partial oil therapy to abdomen, hot and cold fomentation to abdomen, and castor oil pack are highly beneficial for improving liver functions. Maintaining a physically active lifestyle and practicing yoga are other important ways to improve one’s health.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13392/prolonged-shoulder-pain-it-may-be-rotator-cuff-tear.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13392/prolonged-shoulder-pain-it-may-be-rotator-cuff-tear.html Thu, 18 Apr 2019 10:55:00 +0530 Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine Centre, BLK Super Speciality Hospital recently organized a press conference where Dr. Deepak Choudhary, Director, Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine discussed about how prolonged shoulder pain can be a Rotator Cuff Tear. Dr. VK Saraswat, eminent scientist and Member, NITI Aayog and former Secretary, DRDO had a normal shoulder pain which continued for six weeks. After clinical investigations, it was diagnosed as a rotator cuff tear. With early diagnosis and conservative treatment (physiotherapy), Dr. Saraswat got rid of shoulder pain and is now actively doing routine chores. While discussing the same he said, “I was undergoing acute shoulder pain and it was difficult for me to raise my hand. I was not able to do easy tasks with my right hand. Initially, I thought it is normal shoulder pain due to some weight lifting or muscle tear. When pain did not subside with medicines and exercise, friends advised me to go physiotherapist as it looks like frozen shoulder case. Meanwhile, I consulted my friend Dr. Choudhary and he raised an alarm and asked me to undergo some tests under his observation. I am thankful to him for relieving me from shoulder pain and that also without a surgery.” “We tend to delay treatment for shoulder pain and I also delayed proper medical intervention for quite sometimes. People, suffering from shoulder pain, need to be made aware about the rotator cuff tear and availability of an effective Arthroscopic treatment for that”, he added. A national level young wrestler from Bhiwani, Haryana, Hemant (18) had to undergo minimal invasive Arthroscopic surgery to get rid of his shoulder pain. Last year, during a wrestling competition, he had severe shoulder injury which was previously diagnosed as frozen shoulder and took steroids for relief. But pain continued and he could not move his hand. On advice of a family friend, he consulted Dr Choudhary and got the correct treatment. After Arthroscopic surgery, now he is planning to go back to wrestling mat with full strength.  Dr. Choudhary who is credited with performing over 12,000 complex Arthroscopic knee and shoulder surgeries said, “Normally in such cases patients consults doctors and physiotherapists who diagnose this condition as frozen shoulder and the patients undergo some steroid shots in the shoulder and many sessions of physiotherapy without much relief. Hemant’s case was similar and timely diagnosis detected the problem of rotator cuff tear and we performed a minimally invasive surgery (Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair), where the torn tendon was repaired back to the bone using some imported anchors.  It has been 6 months after surgery and he is pain free and has regained normal strength in his shoulder. Dr. Saraswat got rid of pain with conservative treatment and there was no need for a surgery.” In the last six months at BLK Super Speciality Hospital, Dr. Chaudhary has treated over 80 patients who suffered from similar problems and nearly 70% patients were suffering with rotator cuff problem but are misdiagnosed as frozen shoulder. Patients kept suffering for a long time due to lack of awareness and missed diagnosis. Rotator cuff is a group of 4 muscles over the shoulder joint which with advancing age undergoes degeneration and sometimes after trivial trauma or even without trauma can be torn leading to severe pain especially at night and weakness of the shoulder.  Dr. Shiv Chouksey, Associate Consultant, Centre for Sports Medicine, BLK Super Specialty Hospital explained, “The key to successful treatment of the condition is to diagnose the condition early and performing repair in well selected cases.  Some initial cases do respond to conservative medicine like steroid injection and physiotherapy. The latest conservative modality in early cases is Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection where patient’s own blood is withdrawn and the growth factors centrifuged and injected into the injured area resulting in healing.” According to the Arthroscopic Surgeons, only after proper evaluation, the correct plan for treatment whether conservative or surgical can be decided for a patient depending on his age, activity level and other associated conditions.  Arthroscopic treatment in well selected case of rotator cuff repair provides dramatic relief in terms of pain and regaining strength.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13391/aster-cmi-doctors-treat-brain-aneurysm-with-a-unique-method.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13391/aster-cmi-doctors-treat-brain-aneurysm-with-a-unique-method.html Wed, 17 Apr 2019 15:25:00 +0530 The doctors at Aster CMI Hospital successfully treated a 55-year-old patient suffering from the severe problem of a brain aneurysm and SubArachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH), also known as Brain Hemorrhage recently.  In a demonstration of path-breaking technology and commitment to save lives, the doctors at the hospital showcased how the latest treatment methods in neurosurgery can play an effective role in brain hemorrhage treatment. Mr. Sharma (name changed) was leading a completely normal life unaware of the fact that he was suffering from an aneurysm in one of the major blood vessels of the brain. He was suffering from severe headaches commonly described as “the worst headache of your life” and came to doctor with an altered sensorium. His family had taken him to various neurosurgeons across the city for treatment, but there was no solution. After imaging was conducted on him, he was diagnosed with SAH and was referred later to Aster CMI Hospital for treatment. The Brain Angiogram (DSA) showed Blister Aneurysm in one of the major brain blood vessel (ICA), which is difficult to treat with open brain surgery. After a detailed case evaluation, the patient was treated by endovascular procedure by placing a Pipeline Flex Flow Diversion device in the diseased area. “This is essentially a flow diversion device to treat complex giant aneurysms or blister aneurysms (in this case) that cannot be treated with surgical clipping. A flow diverter seals the affected vessel, allowing the aneurysm to heal and reducing the risk of rupture,” Dr. Santhosh N U, Consultant, Neurosurgery & Endovascular Neurosurgery, Aster CMI Hospital explained. A brain aneurysm is a tiny bubble or bulge off the side of an artery on the brain’s surface. Over a period, due to high blood pressure, use of cigarettes or due to genetic predisposition, it weakens the arterial wall of an aneurysm that can become so thin that it bursts, spilling blood over the brain’s surface. Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH) commonly called Brain Hemorrhage is the most feared outcome of a brain aneurysm and is what drives the urgency in treating many brain aneurysms, even if found accidentally. Such cases are very serious because there is a high chance of another hemorrhage, which can prove to be fatal. The common symptoms of brain hemorrhage can include sudden and severe headache, problems with vision, loss of balance or coordination, sudden tingling, weakness, numbness or paralysis of the face, arm, or leg. After the procedure was conducted, Mr. Sharma exhibited normalcy. Aster CMI Hospital has a dedicated Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Neurosciences which offers state-of-the-art treatment facilities to a gross spectrum of patients – right from infants to senior citizens. The Department combines expertise in neurology and neurosurgery. The hospital has a multi-disciplinary team of doctors and offers services with a modern approach involving imaging equipment and the latest technological developments to offer the best clinical services. Aster CMI’s neurosciences department is among the first to have a team on call 24/7, to handle all kinds of neurological emergencies, stroke, and trauma. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13374/medidata-launches-acorn-aitm-and-appoints-dr-rama-kondru-as-cio.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13374/medidata-launches-acorn-aitm-and-appoints-dr-rama-kondru-as-cio.html Tue, 16 Apr 2019 12:30:00 +0530 Medidata Solutions has announced that it is taking the next significant step to accelerate the digital transformation of life sciences in the age of precision medicine. It is launching Acorn AITM, a Medidata company, and appoints Rama Kondru, Ph.D., as the chief information officer for Medidata. Acorn AI is designed to provide actionable insights to the front lines of decision-making by making data liquid across the entire lifecycle, from R&D to commercialization. Leveraging the company’s AI capabilities and expertise, customers and partners can now unlock the power of data to conquer the most complex diseases. The new business is backed by: Medidata’s cumulative R&D investments in technology, data pipelines, data science, and acquisitions such as SHYFT Analytics The Medidata platform, comprised of more than 17,000 clinical trials (5,000 active) and the ability to analyze 45 billion patient records from 2 million providers The industry’s largest structured, standardized clinical data repository with over 4.8 million patients More than 1,200 active customers with 150,000+ certified users To solve companies’ complex scientific and commercial challenges, Acorn AI is proposing new products such as a Value Discovery Engine to make better go/no-go decisions; Intelligent Trials to improve study success and speed; Integrated Evidence to help demonstrate value to regulators, payors, providers and patients; and Connected Devices to integrate the new generation of medical devices within the digital healthcare ecosystem. Sastry Chilukuri, who recently joined Medidata, is now the president of Acorn AI. Rachel Sherman, M.D., former principal deputy commissioner of FDA, joins as chief scientific and medical advisor. Kathy McGroddy-Goetz, Ph.D., who joined Medidata from IBM Watson Health, drives strategy and alliances. Rama Kondru, leads technology development for Acorn AI, in addition to handling his broader responsibilities as the newly appointed CIO of Medidata. Nitish Mittal, Practice Director at Everest Group said, "Life science firms are looking at data-centric and AI-based business models to revamp functions, such as drug discovery, R&D, clinical trials, and commercial operations, to cater to an evolving patient profile, a converging ecosystem, and emerging therapy areas. They are looking for strategic partners that can deliver AI-as-a-Service, underwriting their risk of innovation. Medidata's new venture, Acorn AI, builds on a combination of deep life science pedigree, proprietary data sets, and AI methodologies to help life science customers reimagine their operating model.” Medidata has also appointed Rama Kondru as its first-ever CIO. He is now leading the company’s enterprise data strategy, architecture and future platform development for Medidata’s product portfolio. With his expertise, Medidata will accelerate the creation of leading-edge technologies, such as AI and IoT capabilities, for broad use in healthcare. Rama Kondru is now part of Medidata’s senior leadership team. Tarek Sherif, chairman and chief executive officer, Medidata said, “For 20 years we’ve been steadfast in our mission of powering smarter treatments and healthier people by heavily investing in our platform, data, AI and expertise. With the launch of Acorn AI and Rama’s appointment, we are now uniquely positioned to create a new paradigm for life science companies who want to drive actionable insights at scale using data and AI.” As the former CIO of Janssen Americas, Rama Kondru is an innovative and strategically focused executive with over 20 years of experience in diverse roles in pharma, medical devices, data science, and academia. He brings a wealth of experience designing and developing technology products to deliver enhanced patient outcomes and experiences. Rama Kondru is well recognized in the industry having received multiple awards and developed 25 patents, along with authoring more than 30 peer-reviewed scientific publications.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13361/medanta-hosts-the-8th-season-of-menc-2019.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13361/medanta-hosts-the-8th-season-of-menc-2019.html Tue, 16 Apr 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Medanta Heart Institute organised the 8th Echo and Cardiology Conference at The Leela Ambience, Gurugram on 13th April. The theme for the conference was Frontiers in Cardiovascular Sciences: Triumphs and Challenges. The conference highlighted the prevention and management of heart failure, high blood pressure, early stage diagnosis, valve replacement by cardiologists, diagnosis of heart valve disease without radiation hazard and pain, and the role of artificial intelligence in Cardiology through a series of informative sessions and discussions by various renowned Indian and international experts.  Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Naresh Trehan, Chairman and Managing Director, Medanta said, “Technology enabled patient care is driving incrementally greater efficiency in end-to-end healthcare. In cardiac treatment, patient-centric solutions powered by technology are improving patient care and management, resulting in better patient engagement and satisfaction. The Echo and Cardiology Conference engages participants to share and exchange knowledge and best practices.” Dr. R. R. Kasliwal, Chairman, Clinical and Preventive Cardiology, Medanta further added, “The Echo and Cardiology Conference reflects our commitment to the currency of knowledge and harnessing it to deliver the best globally benchmarked treatments. It offers a unique academic platform comprising leading cardiac experts and key opinion leaders.’’  India is the cardiovascular capital of the world. Heart attacks were earlier associated with people in their late 50s or 60s. However, over the last few years, younger individuals in the age group of 20-40 years are increasingly suffering from heart ailments. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13367/diabetes-india-launches-the-1000-days-initiative-to-mark-100-years-of-insulin-use.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13367/diabetes-india-launches-the-1000-days-initiative-to-mark-100-years-of-insulin-use.html Tue, 16 Apr 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Image Source : Synthetic Urine Review January 11, 2022 will mark 100 years of insulin use, when a young boy dying from diabetes was given the first insulin injection. Setting a 1000-day countdown to the date, the Research Trust of Diabetes India (Diabetes India) has launched its ‘1000 Days Initiative’ to intensify diabetes control and management efforts in the country. Back in 1922, the first insulin injection was given to a young boy Leonard Thompson by Banting and Best, and their team. While it did not work immediately, they worked relentlessly to develop another solution which within 15 days dramatically brought down the boy’s blood sugar levels. Today however, despite many advancements made in diabetes care, the growing knowledge and development of modern medication, the management of diabetes in India remains dismal. Commenting on this scenario, Dr S.M. Sadikot, President Diabetes India and Former President International Diabetes Federation said, “India has 74 million people with diabetes and over 57% of these people do not even know they have the condition. And another 50% do not have their diabetes under control. Through the 1000 Days Initiative I would like to make the entire medical community face these problems head on and work to bring diabetes under control in India by 2022.” The 1000 Days Initiative will bring together leading endocrinologists and diabetologists across India to create clinical guidelines and provide recommendations on how to ensure early diagnosis of diabetes, monitor HbA1c levels, encourage lifestyle changes, reduce tertiary complications and manage existing complications for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes more efficiently. It targets to reach close to 50,000 general physicians and family physicians, since 95% of people with diabetes are managed by their family/general physicians (GPs) to improve diabetes consultations, treatment and care and to bring down the current average HbA1c levels by 1% - from 9.2 to 8.2. Dr Sadikot added that diabetes is the leading cause of lower limb amputations, second only to accidents. It is also the largest cause of legal blindness. One in three or more people undergoing haemodialysis or kidney transplants have diabetes and more than 50%-60% of Indians with diabetes may die at least 10-15 years earlier from cardiovascular complications. He stressed the need for concerted action and relentless efforts, much like Banting and his team, to find new solutions to bring diabetes under control in India. During April 18 - 21 2019, Diabetes India will also hold walkathons across the country with local doctors to raise awareness on diabetes care and the need for a healthy lifestyle to tackle the chronic condition. Diabetes India will also reach out to more than half a million families in India through education initiatives and knowledge-sharing activities on diabetes.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13363/medica-superspeciality-hospital-organise-health-tech-2019-in-kolkata.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13363/medica-superspeciality-hospital-organise-health-tech-2019-in-kolkata.html Mon, 15 Apr 2019 11:25:00 +0530 Health Tech 2019 – Technologies for Universal Healthcare was jointly organised by Medica Superspecialty Hospital and The Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry on 12th and 13thApril, 2019, in Kolkata. Healthcare industry is undergoing rapid transformation especially in this disruptive era. Technology has become intrinsically related and linked to almost all facets of work flow within the healthcare systems to optimise and speed up efficiency as it affects all stake holders involved namely the patients, providers and payers. The system involves massive use and transfer of data among all stake holders. As the industry is edging towards being the fastest service centric sector, there is a gradual shift about using a centralised data to give the best to end users. Dr. Alok Roy, Former President, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Chairman, Medica Group of Hospitals said, “The application of technology to radically improve performance and human care has become a trending topic for healthcare organisations across the globe. Digital technology is touching the lives of every human being today in one way or the other.” Indrajit Sen, President, The Bengal Chamber stated, “Apart from providing the best healthcare facility to all patients, The Bengal Chamber IT committee proposes that both public and private healthcare systems adopt blockchain based Electronic Health Record (EHR) where entire summary, prescriptions, reports to the respective unique citizen id stored on the blockchain platform.” The highlight of the opening day was the release of knowledge paper “Reimagining Health Information Exchange in India using Blockchain” drafted by PricewaterhouseCoopersPrivate Limited. Arnab Basu, Chairperson, IT Committee, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Leader - Technology Consulting, PwC India said, "Indian healthcare is on the cusp of transformation by adopting the Ayushman Bharat and moving to attain the goal of Universal Health Care (UHC). It has been facing challenges of affordability, quality of care and availability of adequate skilled resources for a long time. Add to this, the various limitations of existing technology that has led to challenges around meaningful health information generation, ownership, storage, standardization, security and exchange. Blockchain offers a solution to these challenges by providing a trust enabled information exchange platforms for the healthcare ecosystem to generate, store, and exchange meaningful health information in a secured manner.” Last year’s topic highlighted the significance of two emerging technologies – Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) in addressing some of the key challenges of healthcare like accessibility and affordability. Some of the key participants were Kazuya Nakajo, Chief Director General, JETRO, New Delhi; Hubert Goffinet, Trade and Investment Commissioner, Embassy of Belgium to India; Dr Kunal Sarkar, Senior Vice Chairman and Senior Consultant Cardiac Surgeon, Medica Hospital among others.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13362/fortis-hospitals-conducts-robotic-cancer-surgery-workshop-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13362/fortis-hospitals-conducts-robotic-cancer-surgery-workshop-.html Mon, 15 Apr 2019 11:15:00 +0530 Fortis Hospitals conducts a workshop on Head & Neck Robotic Onco-surgery, MASOCON-2019 to impart knowledge and understanding around advanced surgical modalities of treatment in the oncology vertical for surgeons. Around 150 surgeons took part in the workshop headed by Dr Sandeep Nayak, Consultant- Surgical Oncology, Fortis Hospitals, Bangalore and a few thousand watched it online worldwide. The workshop transmitted live specialized surgeries called Robotic Assisted Breast-Axillo Insufflated Thyroidectomy (RABIT) & Robotic Minimally Invasive Neck Dissection (R-MIND) for oral cancer, which are newly devised surgeries by Dr Sandeep Nayak. These are being demonstrated for the first time in the world in this workshop. Dr Sandeep Nayak said “With the rapid development in technology we have better and advanced equipment available to doctors. The doctors need to learn to use these to the best advantage of the patients. Robotic assisted surgeries have extensively helped doctors in enhancing the capabilities for performing surgeries with more precision and magnified view. Through this workshop, we wanted to train the surgeons on newer treatment methods using robotics in the field of head and neck oncology which would be of great help to them in their field.” The theme of the workshop was ‘Old Territory, New Approach’ which focused on robotic surgery for oral cancer, throat cancer and thyroid surgeries which are some of the most common cancers in India. These procedures were included in the workshop since they have benefitted many patients, and needs to percolate well in the medical fraternity. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13350/deloitte-google-cloud-to-collaborate-for-transformative-healthcare-solutions.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13350/deloitte-google-cloud-to-collaborate-for-transformative-healthcare-solutions.html Fri, 12 Apr 2019 15:20:00 +0530 Deloitte and Google Cloud have announced plans to collaborate on next-generation solutions for the life sciences and health care to accelerate the pace of biomedical research, improving health care access, optimizing operations, and modernizing the management of health care data. Google Cloud made the announcement at its annual conference in San Francisco, Google Cloud Next, attended by more than 30,000 developers, partners and technology leaders. Janet Foutty, chair and CEO, Deloitte Consulting LLP and chair-elect, Deloitte LLP said, “We are thrilled to make this commitment with Google Cloud to bring the power of its leading technologies to our enterprise clients. Together, we plan to transform operating models across these key sectors by harnessing the power of cloud technologies and the extensive industry-specific knowledge and experience of our practitioners.” Thomas Kurian, CEO, Google Cloud said, “Deloitte’s reputation for enterprise transformation makes them an ideal teammate for us as we expand our cloud into new industries and with the world’s biggest customers. Industries from health care to financial services to retail share a need to modernize—quickly. We’re excited to join with Deloitte and deliver solutions and technology to help them do just that.” Deloitte was also recognized as Google Cloud’s Global Services Partner of the Year, for its solutions related to analytics, machine learning, cloud-native application development, SAP, security, workload migration, and managed services. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13345/brains-empowers-parkinsons-families-on-world-parkinsons-day.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13345/brains-empowers-parkinsons-families-on-world-parkinsons-day.html Fri, 12 Apr 2019 10:45:00 +0530 Basal Ganglia Support Group, a unit of Brains Hospital recently organized the World Parkinson’s Day to educate and empower patients of Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers.  Speaking on the occasion Dr. NK Venkataramana, Founder Chairman& Chief Neurosurgeon, Brains Hospital said: “The prevalence of Parkinson’s disease is increasing in India every year. Even though it is mostly seen among the elderlies, above 50 years old, stress and modern lifestyle has contributed largely in the rise of this neuro-degenerative disorder in young adults today. In addition, a group of autoimmune disorders and Genetic disorders are contributing to the young onset Parkinson’s disease. Also, taking care of these patients is becoming difficult owing to lack of knowledge about the therapeutic treatment. Hence, support groups like Basal Ganglia helps the patients and their families to understand the illness in general and get better prepared to face the problems “.  Basal Ganglia Support Group started for Parkinson’s patients and their care givers in 2007 by Mrs. BR Radhamani and Dr. NK Venkataramana. Today, the group has over 140 members & their families who meet once in three months to discuss about the therapies as well as a variety of day to day problems thereby, improving the quality of life.  Despite relentless efforts involving the most powerful medical brains and technologies, Parkinson’s disease has thus far eluded cure. Every year this deadly neurodegenerative/autoimmune disease cripples millions of people around the world. There are an estimated 6.3 million people living with this disease around the world. In the last 20 years it has grown from 20 per 15 million to 5000 per 5 million thus contributing to the disease burden across the global. However, in the recent years more and more young people are being affected with this disease 3 to 5 % of total PD patients belong to young onset group.  At the event, over 50 Parkinson patients and their caregivers were counselled by eminent experts—neurologists, neurosurgeons, physiotherapists, speech and occupational therapists—on the best ways of understanding and coping with the disease. Speaking about the medical management aspect of Parkinson’s Disease Dr Aravinda R V, Consultant Neurologist, Brains Hospital he said how correct dose and right medication is important in treating Parkinson’s. He related about a few of the unique Parkinson’s cases which he handled at the hospital successfully.  Dr.Joshy E.V, Senior Consultant Neurologist, Brains Hospital spoke about the common symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, treatment, medications and how the immune therapy helps in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. “Along with the treatment, a good diet is highly important for Parkinson’s patient as this helps in keeping their bone healthy, prevent side effects of medicine like dry mouth and also constipation” said Dr Sreemathy Venkataraman, Clinical Nutritionist, BRAINS Hospital. Dr AadilRashidwani, Chief Physiotherapist, Brains Hospital, explained about the different therapies available which helps in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.  There have been several advances in the management and treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Of all these, aqua-therapy is one of them. Saddam Hussain, Aqua-therapist at Brains Hospital explained about few of the best aqua exercises and how it has helped patients.    Meanwhile, present on the occasion renowned yoga therapist Dr Deepak B Hadagali demonstrated a few of the yoga asanas that actually helps in improving quality of life in Parkinson’s patients.  Dr Jayalakshmi, Music Therapist enthralled the audience as well as the Parkinson’s patients present with several ragas that help in improving quality of life in Parkinson’s patients and reduce their level of anxiety.  Dr N K Venkataramana spoke about the surgical treatment for the Parkinson’s disease, the options & opportunities.  At the end there was an interaction with the patients, families & the specialists which was the highlights of the program. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13342/experts-assert-need-to-manage-parkinsons-with-advanced-solutions.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13342/experts-assert-need-to-manage-parkinsons-with-advanced-solutions.html Thu, 11 Apr 2019 16:15:00 +0530 On the occasion of World Parkinson’s Day, health experts highlight the role of innovations in improving the lives of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) patients. Minimally invasive treatments are transforming lives by treating a variety of disabling neurological symptoms like tremors, muffled speech and slowed movements.  Parkinson’s disease is a neurologic disorder that develops when the cells in the brain producing a chemical called dopamine stop working properly or are lost over time. These cells control movements like writing, walking, talking, etc. With the degeneration of these cells, the symptoms start to appear. Over the decades, the disease has brought many lives to a screeching halt. “Unlike the conventional Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) systems which use pacemaker technology, the advanced MICC technology (Multiple Independent Current Control) delivers precise and controlled stimulation suited for the specific needs of the brain. DBS offer symptomatic benefit which can ease symptoms but have not been proven to change the underlying course of disease,” said Dr. Sumit Singh, Director Neurology, Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon. DBS systems come with rechargeable batteries that make the device work 24 hours. Essentially, the device wakes up with you and manages your symptoms at all times. The latest DBS systems are engineered for precise neural targeting to customize therapy for patients with Parkinson’s disease. “The evolution in technology leading to innovations like rechargeable pacemakers in the latest DBS systems, are helping patients manage the disease more efficiently. This technology needs a replacement surgery only after 15-20 years. That is to say, the pacemaker in the device lasts up to 20 years. A patient in the age group of 45 to 55 is best suited for this technology," shared Dr. Aditya Gupta, Director Neurosurgery, Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon. After the surgery, the patient will still have to live with Parkinson’s, but it becomes manageable. You have a device that controls the tremors as soon as they disturb the brain. The treatment journey for PD has come a long way from when experts relied only on pallidotomy and thalamotomy that involved the targeted destruction of brain cells, which is irreversible. DBS, on the other hand, is reversible. If the patient is not comfortable, we can switch off the stimulation and there will be no impact to the brain, which is not the case with Pallidotomy or Thalamotomy. Advanced solutions like DBS are significantly improving the day-to-day experiences for movement disorder patients and reducing the reliance on medication. And it is time the patients are made aware about such treatments. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13340/pharmeasy-joins-hands-with-purple-quarter-to-get-their-cto-on-board.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13340/pharmeasy-joins-hands-with-purple-quarter-to-get-their-cto-on-board.html Thu, 11 Apr 2019 15:45:00 +0530 PharmEasy, online health platform has announced its partnership with Purple Quarter, a Tech Head Search firm that predominantly concentrates on bringing the right CTOs to these business establishments. Purple Quarter facilitated Abhinav Yajurvedi, an alumnus of the University of Delhi and IIT-Roorkee, Ex Senior Vice President from Myntra, as a CTO for PharmEasy. Abhinav holds exposure within the Supply Chain and CRM Tech Business whilst his stint with Myntra. His previous experiences with Amazon and Trilogy builds a strong foundation for the growth phase at PharmEasy. Dharmil, CEO of PharmEasy said, “These sensitive moves need experts to make the process real smooth, and that’s what Purple Quarter has done! I love the way Purple Quarter works, right from understanding the role in virtue of the organization to cherry-picking the most suitable candidates for a defined role that makes Purple Quarter different from any other Tech Head Search Firm.” Roopa Kumar, COO, PurpleQuarter said, “HealthTech domain moves a notch higher as they are solving complex tech problems and creating a new age ecosystem. Fast forward into 2023 and this domain will create maximum impact into the Tech space and would have built a more defined ecosystem around Health. This thought leadership of Pharmeasy founders helped us inspire Abhinav Yajurvedi to join PharmEasy as CTO.” Purple Quarter has also successfully facilitated 6 Tech Heads for various Unicorn Companies such as Walmart, Swiggy, InMobi, Rivigo, BrowserStack, UrbanClap and PharmEasy in a span of 11 months.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13339/thanks-a-dot-creates-breast-cancer-awareness-for-indian-rural-women.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13339/thanks-a-dot-creates-breast-cancer-awareness-for-indian-rural-women.html Thu, 11 Apr 2019 15:10:00 +0530 On World Health Day, SBI Life Insurance, one of the most trusted life insurance companies of the country, organised ‘Thanks A Dot’, a Breast Cancer awareness drive in Sonepat, Haryana. Research indicates that 1 in 3 women in rural India have not heard of the deadly disease and as many as 90% of them are unaware of the possibility of self- breast examination. For this purpose, the insurer organised a workshop conducted by breast cancer survivor and motivational speaker, Ms. Sujaya Walia, for the rural women to explain the risks of breast cancer, educate them on the benefits of self-examination and empower them to be self-prepared. More than 60 women along with a few men of the village attended the workshop and all of them received the ‘Thanks-A-Dot’ kit free of cost.  Studies indicate that the average age of breast cancer in India is almost a decade lower than in the west. One of every 2 woman newly diagnosed with breast cancer doesn’t survive in India. Also, out of 2,000 women detected with cancer, 1,200 were diagnosed at a late stage. This means it reduces the first-year survival rate by 3 to 17 times for breast and cervical cancer.  Taking the initiative to the rural interiors, Mr. Ravindra Sharma, Chief of Brand & Corporate Communications, SBI Life Insurance said, “Breast cancer is most common in women and can be cured if detected at an early stage. Most women in rural areas neglect their health and delay in seeking medical advice early because of unawareness, illiteracy, myths or superstition and many a times, due to financial constraints. It is imperative for these women to have deeper understanding and awareness of the symptoms of this disease. Therefore, we took ‘Thanks-A-Dot’ initiative to the rural interiors to create awareness and encourage every woman to spur a positive conversation about self-breast examination among each other and get away with sense of hesitation”.  He further added, “Women are custodians of family health, playing a critical role in maintaining the health and well-being of their communities. In other words, healthy women will ensure healthy families, healthy communities and a healthy nation. As a responsible life insurer, we believe that we have an important role to play in educating and empowering women by increasing awareness towards the disease and we hope that ‘Thanks-A-Dot’ can bring about the necessary change in the attitude of the women towards their health.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13327/bayer-launches-seresto-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13327/bayer-launches-seresto-in-india.html Wed, 10 Apr 2019 12:35:00 +0530 Bayer Animal Health in India announced the launch of Seresto™, an easy-to-use, convenient collar, which provides effective protection against fleas and ticks in dogs for up to 8 months. Since its first launch in Europe in 2011, millions of pets have been treated with Seresto™ worldwide. Seresto™ represents a major advancement in the development of anti-parasitic prevention and treatment is registered in 79 countries around the world, including India. Seresto™ is designed to deal with the vagaries of climate change and the resultant rise in temperatures across the globe that makes the pet community vulnerable to fleas and ticks around the year. The collar is enriched with research-based innovative polymer technology that helps in the sustained release of active ingredients in desired concentrations, for up to eight months.   Speaking about CVBD, Dr A Sangaran, Professor, Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai, who is also the the General Secretary of the Indian Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (IAAVP) said, “In a tropical country like India, climatic conditions are such that the product is bound to gain popularity very quickly. With an increasing incidence of Canine Vector Borne Diseases, it is high time we control the commonly found vector ticks on dogs and take care of the pets’ surrounding environment. The protection not only concerns the well-being of the animal but also the health of families owning the pets, as the disease could be transmitted to humans if it is not addressed within time.” Rajesh Aggarwal, Head Commercial Operations – Asia, Bayer Animal Health said, “Seresto™ is designed to free the pet owners of the monthly hassle of prevention and treatments and we are excited to launch it for the Indian market. The collar offers a real benefit to pet owners and their pets with the confidence that their dogs are well protected for a whole season against fleas and ticks wherever they go. Seresto ™ is an innovative solution in which factors for pharmaceutical quality, long-lasting efficacy, safety, and market innovation are aligned. The global success of Seresto™ confirms the belief that we offer products that really meet customers’ needs.” Bayer Animal Health team in India introduced Seresto™ to about 500 veterinarians through a scientific session discussing the Companion Vector Borne Diseases (CVBD) landscape in India and the need for prevention.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13320/hcah-introduces-upskilling-courses-for-nurses-and-physiotherapists.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13320/hcah-introduces-upskilling-courses-for-nurses-and-physiotherapists.html Wed, 10 Apr 2019 10:25:00 +0530 Healthcare at home (HCAH), home healthcare solution provider, has become the first home healthcare company to upskill its resources at international standards. In association with Fortis Memorial Research Institute (FMRI), they have introduced a professional development course to help general nurses become ICU nurses. Furthermore, they have also introduced CPD UK accredited specialization courses for physiotherapists. In the first ever course conducted in association with FMRI, HCAH upskilled 8 nurses into ICU nurses and 58 are currently under training. On the graduation ceremony of the first batch of nurses, conducted on 26th March 2019, Dr. Gaurav Thukral, COO of HCAH said, “At only 1.7 nurses available per thousand population (WHO recommendation is 2.5 nurses per 1000 population), India has a crippling shortage of nurses, despite being the highest producer of trained nurses in the world. We are short of 2.5 million nurses. Situation is complicated by the fact that we are also amongst the top 5 exporters of nurses. Hence, it is important that the current manpower is trained and specialised to handle critical care cases.Critical care requires special skills and it takes around 2 to 3 years to a general nurse to acquire those skills in the normal hospital scenario. With our targeted course, we have successfully brought down the upskilling time to 6 months through a mix of classroom training , onsite hospital trainings and e-learnings through our E-Mitra mobile app.” Vivek Srivastava, Co-Founder and CEO of HCAH said, “HCAH has adapted people-centric approach from the first day of its inception. We are equally concerned about patients and resources. In a highly competitive world, upskilling is essential to earn respect and survive. We present internationally accredited upskilling opportunities to our resources, which helps them hone their skills and helps us deliver the best care to our patients. During the courses, exposure in multi-speciality hospital ensures that resources have the skills and confidence to deal with critical healthcare scenarios. HCAH is India’s first home healthcare company to introduce upskilling opportunities for nurses and physiotherapists. It not only helps our medical manpower but also helps us retainthe best of the industry minds. When a company takes care of its resources, they reciprocate with best service delivery and contribute with the highest efficiency toward company growth.” Dr Sandeep Dewan, Director and Head of Department, Critical Care at Fortis Memorial Research Institute said, “Nurses are the most essential part of the critical care. One may survive a bad doctor but it’s difficult to survive a bad nurse. Noticing correct symptoms at right time can be a difference between life and death and a person only observe things which their mind knows.” Along with nurses, 6 general physiotherapists also graduated to being specialist physiotherapists in management of low back pain, painful knee conditions, stroke, and critical care by undertaking specialised courses accredited by CPD UK. 39 physiotherapists are currently undergoing training. Amongst many others, even celebrated Top Indian wrestler and thanked HCAH’s Physiotherapy Specialist – a physiotherapist specialising in knee pain management - and recommended HCAH. HCAH is dedicated on the concept of creating specialized physiotherapist for the specific ailments. Dr Ritu Garg, Zonal Director, FMRI said, “Nurses and physiotherapists are the backbone of hospitals. Even in a home healthcare set up, patients and their families develop a lot of trust on their careers. Be it home or hospital, patient’s quick and comfortable recovery is the priority. With nurses and physiotherapists spending a significant amount of time looking after the patients, it is of high importance that they deliver high quality care to the patients. The initiative of upskilling of nurses and physiotherapists by HCAH and FMRI is landmark in ensuring quality care to the patients.” Recently, HCAH has been awarded the ‘Mark of Sustained Quality’ by QAI along with accreditation.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13311/nulta-partners-with-phonepe-and-tiss-to-help-patients-deal-with-mental-health-issues.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13311/nulta-partners-with-phonepe-and-tiss-to-help-patients-deal-with-mental-health-issues.html Tue, 09 Apr 2019 11:05:00 +0530 Roy de Souza, a serial entrepreneur focused on curing cancer has funded nULTA,  a leading online consultation platform that connects patients to specialist doctors. The app has partnered with PhonePe, India’s leading digital payment apps, using the iOS and Android and iCALL helpline staff (run by TISS) to help counsel customers dealing with mental health issues and with MBBS doctors to answer the medical questions. According to a report by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India, the overall Indian healthcare market, which is worth around $100 Bn, is likely to grow at a CAGR of 23% to reach $280 Bn by 2020, thanks to smartphone and Internet adoption.  Speaking on the occasion, Roy de Souza, Founder, nULTA said, “We are delighted to partner with PhonePe and TISS to provide our users with safer and seamless consultation experience. We partnered with PhonePe and iCALL, a mental health awareness project by TISS to  help patients deal with their issues. Whenever they need, these PhonePe app users (iOS and Android) across India  can contact a qualified doctor or qualified counselor right from the PhonePe app - without installing any new apps.” Commenting on the partnership, Rituraj Rautela Head of In-app category PhonePe, said, “We are very excited with this new and unique addition to our in-app platform. Healthcare is a key focus area for us and we are really happy to partner with nULTA which provides counselling for mental health issues. Our rapidly increasing user base will get to avail nULTA’s services through their PhonePe app without the hassle of installing multiple apps, and enjoy the comfort and sense of security while making payments through PhonePe.” Speaking on the occasion, Tanuja Babre, Programme Coordinator, iCALL, TISS, said, “Mental health facilities in India are still quite insufficient owing to the limited number of services being offered as well as, the inadequate number of trained and supervised professionals. We partnered with nULTA to help the clients in need of counselling services get consultation through iCALL which endeavours to provide professional counselling sessions transcending geographical distances while ensuring confidentiality.” nULTA is a mobile app similar to Teladoc of the US that allows  Indians to pick up their smartphone and easily connect to fully qualified doctors or trained  professional counsellors for a chat based consultation.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13307/portea-medical-launches-portea-health-prime.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13307/portea-medical-launches-portea-health-prime.html Mon, 08 Apr 2019 15:35:00 +0530 Portea, India’s leading consumer healthcare brand has launched an exclusive healthcare service for people above 65yrs of age. The service line is called Portea Health Prime and is designed to address the comprehensive health monitoring needs of elders. The population of seniors in the country is growing rapidly and many of them have one or more chronic conditions. This combined by the fact that most of them live on their own, and not with extended families, makes their healthcare management a rapidly growing challenge. Children living abroad, or in other cities, desire to attend to their parents’ health, however, struggle to do so due to their busy lives.       Through the Portea Health Prime membership, Portea offers every family a doctor that is constantly monitoring their health needs. The doctor would carry out a comprehensive assessment and create a customized plan for the couple. The membership comes with additional benefits like access to Portea’s exclusive Care Club, Hospital partners and a tailor made social calendar for seniors. The health manager who is a single point of contact assigned to the family then ensures that the customized plan is delivered seamlessly to the family. That apart any other health needs are attended to, either at home or at a hospital as appropriate. The health manager becomes the go-to person for the children, helping them manage their parents’ health in a stress-free manner. Speaking about this, Meena Ganesh, MD and CEO, Portea Medical, said, “In the last 5 years, we’ve served more than 100,000 elderly patients, and the one common thread in all the cases is that the families feel that if someone had medically monitored their elders better, they would have lead a more independent and healthy lives. People need a partner in effective care of their elders’ health. This is the need that Portea Health Prime will address by assigning a health manager to each member, who will then work with Patient’s family and their consulting doctors. We’ll also tie-up with NGOs and event agencies, to create workshops and events for the enrolled members, to enable growing elder communities in the key cities.” Portea has currently introduced these services in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, and Chennai. The new offering is developed by Portea’s Doctors, geriatric consultants, and follows international protocols designed for geriatric care. Digitalized health records; integrated reports and sophisticated monitoring systems will use technology to medically superior patient experience.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13308/swiss-indian-exchange-of-innovative-healthcare-ideas-dhc-2019.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13308/swiss-indian-exchange-of-innovative-healthcare-ideas-dhc-2019.html Mon, 08 Apr 2019 15:35:00 +0530 Indo-Swiss HealthTech Conclave 2019 on Digital Health was recently conducted in Bengaluru. The Digital Health Conclave (DHC) 2019 put forward a platform curated by swissnex India to showcase cutting-edge technologies and innovations in healthcare from Switzerland and India. Selected representatives of the Swiss and Indian healthcare sector presented their vision for enhancing the quality of patient-hospital interaction and healthcare delivery at the conclave. “With this Indo-Swiss Digital Health Conclave, we are establishing a forum for exchange and inspiration on the latest trends, opportunities and challenges with regard to various aspects of digital health. Switzerland is known to be an innovation hub, particularly in medical technologies and pharmaceutical research, while India’s healthtech sector is changing rapidly, creating many opportunities for both countries to collaborate in education, research and innovation”, said Sebastien Hug, CEO of swissnex India and Consul General of Switzerland in India. Prof. Dr. med. Andreas Trojan, Founder, Consilium shared information about the newly developed smartphone healthcare app referred to as Consilium which is currently under validation in Switzerland. Prof Trojan plans to launch the service soon in Singapore and India. Joining him in the same session, Randy Ramin-Wright, International Business Director, Clinerion spoke about his plans of introducing a Real World Data ecosystem in India very soon. “Traditional trial countries in Europe and North America are in high demand and may be somewhat saturated, with clinical trials competing for the same patient population. However, regions like Asia offer attractive untapped potential. Moving East has become a highly effective way for pharmaceutical companies to streamline operations and concentrate on their core activities. However, the local infrastructure and cultural understanding of emerging regions can present formidable barriers”, Ramin-Wright pointed out. Highlighting the implementation of technology in the area of diagnostics, Prof Hans-Peter Beck, Head of Molecular Parasitology-Epidemiology Unit, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute elaborated upon the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in improving malaria detection. “For all our efforts to control malaria, diagnosing it in many parts of the world still requires counting malaria parasites under the microscope on a glass slide smeared with blood. Now an artificial intelligence program can do it more conveniently. We are currently conducting studies in Odisha in India and few parts of Africa so that we can implement the AI technology for malaria detection in these parts”, Prof Beck mentioned. Clemedi is another player in the field of digital health at Switzerland who has developed a TB diagnostic test based on machine learning. “We wish to tailor our test for the Indian market by collaborating with the right partners. We are planning to conduct multi-centre studies in countries such as India, South Africa and Eastern Europe where there is high prevalence of drug resistant strains of TB”, said Dr Prajwal, Founder & CSO, Clemedi. The conclave also saw interesting presentations made by the healthcare experts in India. Dr Sailesh Mohan, Joint Director, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) talked about the various health technologies developed by PHFI keeping affordability in mind as the prime criteria. An interactive session between Dr Paul C Salins, Senior VP- NH Narayana Health; Medical Director- Mazumdar Shaw Medical Centre and Dr Shravan Subramanyam, MD, Roche Diagnostics India was quite engaging as the experts spoke about the various challenges facing the healthcare system in India. “India needs to scale up and skill up the healthcare system. The trend is now shifting from treatment to prevention. We are at a pivotal moment in healthcare history. An unprecedented convergence of medical knowledge, technology and data science is revolutionising patient care. In order to ensure timely screening, diagnosis, treatment and even prevention of diseases, we need to ensuring the right treatment for the right patient at the right time”, said Dr Shravan. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13309/mumbai-obstetric-and-gynecological-society-holds-first-conference-of-the-year.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13309/mumbai-obstetric-and-gynecological-society-holds-first-conference-of-the-year.html Mon, 08 Apr 2019 15:35:00 +0530 On 6-7 April 2019, the Mumbai Obstetric and Gynecological Society (MOGS) hosted its first conference of the year, which focused on sexual and reproductive health. The conference reached approximately 2,000 healthcare providers who serve Mumbai’s 57,26,442 women. It was held at the Taj Santacruz Hotel and coincided with World Health Day on 7 April. In addition to MOGS, conference organizers included: The Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI), The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) and The Asia & Oceania Federation of Obstetrics & Gynaecology (AOFOG). The conference was a platform to address diverse sexual and reproductive health issues, such as family planning, abortion, LGBTQ rights and menstrual hygiene. Conversations explored the dilemmas obstetricians and gynecologists face in daily practice and how they can best support women and men’s sexual and reproductive health needs. Dr Nandita Palshetkar, President, FOGSI said, “Today, millions of people across India, especially women, have an urgent unmet need for quality, sexual and reproductive health services. Barriers to access include lack of awareness, stigma and legal restrictions. Yet it’s heartening to see thousands of Mumbai’s healthcare providers come together who are dedicated to breaking down these barriers. Together, I am confident that we can empower more women to lead healthy, productive lives.” Dr Jaydeep Tank, Secretary General, FOGSI said, “Throughout my career, I have witnessed first-hand how sexual and reproductive health services allow women to realize their dreams. And they’re not just good for women. They are key to building strong and equitable societies. It’s been proven time and time again that when women have access to quality, sexual and reproductive healthcare and can choose what to do with their own bodies, families, communities and entire nations thrive.” To inspire action from obstetricians, gynecologists, civil society and media, the conference delved into specific challenges that women and men face. One issue at the top of the agenda was family planning. Rowshan Ara Begum, Chair Sexual and Reproductive Health Committee, AOFOG said, “Family planning, which allows people to make decisions about when and how to have children, is a fundamental reproductive right and cost-effective pathway to sustainable development. Every dollar spent on family planning can save up to six dollars for achieving other development goals. It’s time to make universal access to family planning an international priority.                 Another key theme was safe abortion. The conference explored the myriad of reasons why women resort to unsafe abortion and how healthcare providers can navigate this issue.  Dr Anibal Faundes, Immediate Past Chair, Working Group on Preventing Unsafe Abortion, FIGO said, “Abortion is completely safe when administered by a well-trained provider. And in many places around the world such as India, it is legal. So, it’s unfathomable that women still die every day from unsafe abortions. Healthcare providers can play a critical role in addressing this problem by promoting accurate information about where and how women can access safe services, dispelling myths and creating a supportive environment for women who choose to terminate their pregnancies.” The conference also drew upon global perspectives, recognizing that gaps in sexual and reproductive healthcare are not unique to India. Globally, they account for nearly one fifth of the burden of illness and premature death, and one third of the illness and death among women of reproductive age.   Highlighting the value of global exchange, Sir S Arulkumaran, former President of the RCOG and British Medical Association emphasized, “Many countries face related, pressing challenges in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology – from improving access to contraception to removing harmful legal restrictions around abortion. Conferences such as these are important opportunities to focus on shared concerns, exchange knowledge and identify potential solutions that raise the bar of sexual and reproductive healthcare around the world.” All in all, the conference provided an opportunity to unveil the gaps that remain in sexual and reproductive healthcare, explore practical ways that providers and other stakeholders can help close them, and rally participants around empowering more women with the ability to make decisions about their own bodies. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13305/bajaj-finserv-launches-health-campaign-on-world-health-day.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13305/bajaj-finserv-launches-health-campaign-on-world-health-day.html Mon, 08 Apr 2019 15:10:00 +0530 The right to good health is everybody prerogative. Yet, millions all over the world don’t have access to even the most basic healthcare. WHO’s theme for World Health Day 2019 is ‘Universal Coverage: Everyone, Everywhere.’ This idea was chosen to remind the world that everyone should have the right to access healthcare when in need, no matter where they are.   To mark World Health Day,  Bajaj Finance Limited, the lending arm of Bajaj Finserv launched #MyHealthMyWay campaign which aimed at making health care a priority for all. The idea was to educate individuals not to compromise on their health and empower them to make well informed decisions when it comes to availing quality treatment or access to the best hospitals.    Given the well‐documented relationship between lifestyle, disease burden and health care costs, the underlying message of the campaign was to hold individuals responsible for their own health care and hence #MyHealthMyWay. The campaign will run on the company’s social media assets till April 8, 2019.   To ensure that shortage of money doesn’t stop you from receiving the best medical treatments, you can turn Lifecare Finance available via the Bajaj Finserv EMI Network. Here you can avail 160+ medical treatments across 2,700+ partner clinics & hospitals on the EMI Network. One can also avail funds up Rs. 4 lakhs within minutes and can repay the loan with no cost EMIs within a tenor of 12 months.    This offering from Bajaj Finserv is a positive step towards combating the problem of under-insurance in India, where customers either do not buy insurance or opt for inadequate coverage due to high premiums. New customers can connect with the Bajaj Finserv executive at the store to submit few documents and avail the Lifecare Finance instantly. Existing holders of Bajaj Finserv EMI Network Card can transact using their card. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13296/quality-primary-care-key-to-advancing-uhc-who.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13296/quality-primary-care-key-to-advancing-uhc-who.html Sat, 06 Apr 2019 19:15:00 +0530 The World Health Organization has said quality healthcare services for people at the community level across all age groups, wherever they live and whenever they need them, without financial hardship, is fundamental to advancing universal health coverage for achieving health and well-being of everyone, everywhere.“A well-functioning primary care system that meets most of a person’s health needs, throughout the life course, is central to universal health coverage,” said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia, on World Health Day, celebrated every year on 7 April. The theme of the day this year is Universal Health Coverage, ‘Health for All: Everyone, Everywhere’.Universal health coverage or UHC is WHO’s number one goal globally. In the WHO South-East Asia Region, UHC has been a flagship priority program since 2014. The Region has seen encouraging progress, with essential health service coverage improving in all countries, along with the availability of doctors, nurses and midwives. There is also growing inter-country collaboration to improve access to quality medicines through the South-East Asia Regulatory Network.However, more needs to be done as, despite progress, around 800 million people still lack full coverage of essential health services and at least 65 million people are pushed into poverty because of health spending, most of which goes on medicines, Dr Khetrapal Singh said.Identifying opportunities and areas where efforts are needed to advance UHC, the Regional Director said frontline services must adapt to emerging challenges - such as for continuing care for increasing numbers of people with noncommunicable diseases and health issues associated with ageing. Primary care services should lead in preventing and treating disease.Frontline and hospital services should work together, to increase the use of primary care and decrease over-crowding in hospitals.“As a large share of outpatient care is delivered by private providers and financed by out-of-pocket payment, we need new approaches to address the double challenge of protecting people from financial exploitation and poor-quality care, while harnessing the private sector’s extensive assets,” the Regional Director said.Community and local government representatives are key allies in building healthy communities. Digital technologies could be better leveraged to empower people and communities to look after their own health.In October 2018, at the Global Conference on Primary Health Care in Astana, countries from across the world agreed that providing quality primary health care was fundamental to advancing UHC. In September 2019, the UN General Assembly will hold a high-level meeting on UHC, where delivering more equitable access to primary health care will be core to the discussion to achieve ‘Health for All: everyone, everywhere’. “Now more than ever, the Region can harness the momentum from these global processes and drive real impact where it matters most: in countries, and at the grassroots. Doing so is crucial to achieving health and well-being for all, at all ages,” the Regional Director said. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13288/viiv-healthcare-declares-juluca-maintains-hiv-viral-suppression-at-148-weeks.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13288/viiv-healthcare-declares-juluca-maintains-hiv-viral-suppression-at-148-weeks.html Fri, 05 Apr 2019 11:55:00 +0530 GSk’s subsidiary, ViiV Healthcare recently presented three year results from the SWORD 1 & 2 studies, demonstrating that 84% (432/513) of participants who switched from their current three- or four-drug antiretroviral regimen to a 2-drug regimen of dolutegravir (ViiV Healthcare) and rilpivirine (Janssen Sciences Ireland UC, part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson) maintained viral suppression (viral load ≤50 copies/mL). These results were presented at the 25th Annual Conference of the British HIV Association (BHIVA) taking place from 2-5 April in Bournemouth, UK. Professor Chloe Orkin, Consultant Physician and Clinical Professor at Queen Mary University of London and SWORD investigator, said, “With the SWORD data we now have three year data showing the excellent effectiveness and tolerability of Juluca, the first approved dolutegravir-based 2-drug regimen. Importantly, the improvements in bone markers seen at earlier timepoints in the study are maintained over three years. Combined with the potential benefits of lowering the number of antiretroviral agents patients take, these data support the strategy of switching virologically-suppressed, stable patients to the 2-drug regimen of dolutegravir and rilpivirine.” Findings in the ‘late switch’ arm (n=477), where participants continued on their current antiretroviral regimen until week 52 before switching to the 2-drug regimen of dolutegravir and rilpivirine, showed comparable virologic suppression, tolerability and resistance to that seen in the early switch group at week 100.Through 148 weeks of the study, there was a low number of confirmed virologic withdrawals (CVWs) across study populations who received dolutegravir + rilpivirine .  John C. Pottage, Jr, M. D. Chief Scientific Medical Officer at ViiV Healthcare, said, “The SWORD 1+2 studies are the first phase III HIV studies to show long-term data for switching from three-drug combination to an oral 2-drug regimen , and the efficacy, tolerability and barrier to resistance out to three years demonstrated in the study provides further reassurance of the suitability of Juluca for many virologically supressed adults living with HIV.” Juluca has been approved in the EU2, the US3  and other countries, with further regulatory marketing applications submitted worldwide. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13290/wockhardt-hospital-conducts-minimal-invasive-surgery-for-mitral-valve-in-heart-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13290/wockhardt-hospital-conducts-minimal-invasive-surgery-for-mitral-valve-in-heart-.html Fri, 05 Apr 2019 11:40:00 +0530 A team lead by Dr. Mangesh Kohale, Cardio Thoriac Surgeon at Wockhardt Hospital, SOBO performed a minimal invasive surgery for 2 patients. Minimal Invasive Surgery is a newer form of heart surgery in India. It is a relatively new and advanced technique of performing coronary bypass for the treatment of coronary heart diseases. In this technique, the heart is approached through the side of via a small 4- 6 cm incision. This cut is placed just under the nipple. The chest is entered between the ribs without cutting any bones and by splitting the muscle. One patient had a complaint of breathlessness. An 2decho was done which revealed mitral valve disease hence advised replacement treatment. Dr Mangesh Kohale and team performed minimal invasive mitral valve replacement surgery with a 6cm small incessive below right side of the chest. Whereas the other one had a severe chest pain from last 2 months and critical 90% blockage of main artery. Similarly, Dr Kohale performed minimal invasive bypass surgery from left side of the chest with 6cm incision. Dr Mangesh Kohale, Cardio Thoriac Surgeon at Wockhardt Hospital Mumbai Central says, “Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery has several advantages over the traditional technique such as the fact that no bones are cut. It has advantages in reducing pain, and a patient can live back to normal life including driving or other activities, blood loss is almost negligible eliminating blood transfusion in most and eliminating blood borne infection. This makes the procedure ideal in diabetics and older patients who have poor resistance to infection.” “A cardiac surgery was conventionally non-cosmetic is getting cosmetic with the incision of just 5-6 cm. All these benefits put together make for very short hospitalization and recovery. The best part is that all the blocks irrespective of their location in the heart can be bypassed in a safe and predictable manner.” Adds Dr Mangesh. Ganesh Tare Patient says, “We are happy with minimal invasive surgery. We are back to our routine life with less pain. We are thankful to Dr. Mangesh who explained us procedure and made us understand pro and cons of surgery.”  The number of elderly patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) and valve replacement continue to increase. In both the case Dr Kohale have performed minimal invasive surgery which is new in Mumbai. Minimal Invasive surgery is not for each and every patient, one has to be very choosey while selecting the patient as there is a very small area to look inside heart and regarding job done, Selection of patient is most important. As of now 15-20% routine surgery patients can be done with minimal invasive surgery later it might increase.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13284/india-is-getting-serious-about-healthcare-practo-insights.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13284/india-is-getting-serious-about-healthcare-practo-insights.html Fri, 05 Apr 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Practo, India’s largest Digital Healthcare platform, has released its third edition of India’s annual healthcare map, highlighting key consumer healthcare trends, concerns and behaviour. The healthcare map has been compiled from data of hundreds of thousands of searches and appointments, by over 13 crore patients, across 50+ cities and 250+ specialities, in 2018. The report demonstrates the rise in adoption of digital healthcare in the country. With 65% of its population below the age of 35, India, at a median age of 29 years, is using digital technology to actively get in touch with doctors, using both online and offline channels. As India ages over the coming years, the company sees this number going up. Japan, for instance, at a median age of 47, visits doctors 13 times, while the US at a median age of 37, visits doctors a little over 4 times. Practo believes three primary causes driving this trend include: Greater awareness : More information about diseases, illness from varied sources Increased accessibility : Ability to get in touch with doctors at the touch of a button Growth in lifestyle diseases, disorders like Diabetes, Obesity, Deficiencies like Vitamin D, Calcium, to name a few “Healthcare is slowly becoming a key priority for Indians. Improving doctor-patient ratio overnight is not possible, hence, it’s important to increase efficiencies, make it more accessible and affordable.”  Organized Medicine Academic Guild feels that “as young India gets older, the need for medical supervision will only go up and Digital healthcare companies like Practo will play a huge role in that.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13275/israel-india-to-work-on-ocular-surface-disorders.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13275/israel-india-to-work-on-ocular-surface-disorders.html Thu, 04 Apr 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Israel based Ocular Discovery and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi, have announced the launch of a novel research partnership investigating the mechanism of action of DCGI (Drug Controller General of India) approved Dipyridamole, for optimized delivery and therapeutic treatment of various Ocular Surface Disorders (OSD). The research collaboration led by Dr. T Velpandian, AIIMS and Moshe Rogosnitzky, Ocular Discovery, seeks to illuminate the drug's mechanism of action and effectiveness in the treatment of widespread Ocular Surface Disorders in order to advance delivery, optimize dosage, and substantiate its use as a viable treatment option. Globally prescribed Dipyridamole, used for the treatment of cardiovascular conditions for over 50 years; is already approved and available in Israel for the relief of various ocular conditions and disorders. The drug has shown marked symptomatic benefit in patients with pterygium and related dry eye symptoms, as well as offers accessible and efficient delivery of the medication. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13271/cadabams-group-signs-up-with-uks-ntw-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13271/cadabams-group-signs-up-with-uks-ntw-.html Wed, 03 Apr 2019 15:25:00 +0530 Cadabam’s Group, provider of mental health services has announced its association with United Kingdom’s Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (NTW) to reduce the treatment gap and enhance the quality of mental healthcare services in India. Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (NTW) provides mental health and disability services across the North East England, will be working as a ‘Knowledge Partner’ with Cadabam’s Group based in Bangalore to develop above programs through sharing of expertise, mutual support and training. The partnership offers both organisations an opportunity to share their expertise in the delivery of mental healthcare to different regions. John Lawlor, Chief Executive of NTW, and Sandesh R Cadabam, Director of Cadabams Group, signed a memorandum of understanding at St Nicholas Hospital in Newcastle to formally launch the collaboration. Sandesh R Cadabam, Director of Cadabam’s Group, said, “This collaboration will support us in progressing towards standardising our current services and developing new ones along the model of comprehensive care pathways which NTW excels in. I am excited that an association with such an outstanding NHS organisation will bring a quantum leap in the quality and accessibility to mental health and learning disability services across India, as well as providing a huge opportunity for us to mutually learn from each other.” John Lawlor, NTW Chief Executive, said, “Our Trust is excited to be working with the Cadabams Group. Our partnership is based on shared values, including the importance of compassionate care as well as embracing innovation, and I am looking forward to seeing how it develops and how we can learn from each other. I am particularly pleased that this collaboration will support the delivery of mental health and disability services to some of the most-vulnerable individuals in the regions of India that Cadabams serves.” WHO's Mental Health Atlas 2017 reveals, although some countries have made progress in mental health policy-making and planning, there is a global shortage of health workers trained in mental health and a lack of investment in community-based mental health facilities. Moreover, there is an extreme shortage of mental health workers like psychologists, psychiatrists and doctors. In the latest available data, in 2014 it was as low as ''one in 100,000 people'' Talking of the pilot project, disease burden of mental illness in India and optimisation of the efforts being taken, Dr B R Madhukar, Medical Director of Cadabams Group, said, “This partnership as a pilot in Bangalore where about 40 mental health professionals, including counsellors, nurses, clinical psychologists, social workers and other professional staff will be trained by us to handle the basic-to-complex cases of mental illnesses. Post this, we aim to spread the knowledge to other parts of the country, including a few hundreds to thousands of healthcare professionals. In most parts of India, mental health is still considered a stigma and therefore, nearly 70% of the patients are not able to seek or get the right help. Out bigger objective is to reach people in the community where the patients did not have a chance to receive mental health support, ultimately covering districts and states. In this process, we will develop healthcare services and systems, including care pathways and clinical protocols to manage the delivery of healthcare in India.” Talking on this new partnership Dominic Mc Allister the British Deputy High Commissioner of Bangalore said “Mental health is a growing area of concern globally, and this collaboration lays the foundation for better, responsive and accessible treatment options for local patients. This partnership is a great example of UK-India collaboration in improving access to quality healthcare services. The Department for International Trade (DIT) and British Deputy High Commission Bengaluru are proud to support this collaboration, which brings together specialist knowledge and services from the NHS with Cadabam’s experience in healthcare delivery to provide enhanced local services in mental health.” As part of the partnership, NTW will provide support for Cadabams to develop new ways of working within areas including addictions, smart prescribing, school mental health, community and home-based care. The organisations were introduced to each other by the British Deputy High Commission- Dominic McAllister, who supported the collaboration process throughout its development. Considering the benefits this would bring mental healthcare services in India, he was keen for this collaboration to happen so that collectively they could work together and bring about a resourceful outcome benefiting all.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13266/max-bupa-wins-the-the-economic-times-best-brands-2019-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13266/max-bupa-wins-the-the-economic-times-best-brands-2019-award.html Wed, 03 Apr 2019 12:55:00 +0530 Max Bupa, one of India’s leading standalone health insurance players, has been recognized with the prestigious ‘Economic Times Best Brands 2019’award, at a ceremony in Mumbai on March 29. The recognition was conferred upon Max Bupa basis the results of an independent consumer survey, conducted by The Economic Times in association with research agency ‘Nielsen’, across 15 industries in 12 Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities with a sample size of 7500+ consumers in the age group of  21–50 years. Max Bupa emerged as the only health insurance brand among the 50 most preferred brands of the Indian consumers to be felicitated with the honour. The Economic Times Best Brands, now in its third year, is a prestigious and credible forum that recognizes brands across various sectors including FMCG, Lifestyle, BFSI, Healthcare, Education, Technology and Luxury. The key brand attributes against which the brands were rated included thrust on innovation, uniqueness, brand engagement, heritage and trustworthiness. Over the last few years, Max Bupa has worked incessantly towards introducing many innovative and technologically advanced offerings that cater to the evolving health needs of various customer segments across India. These include introduction of first of its kind service offerings like AnyTimeHealth (ATH) machines – a completely automated, technology-based model with a simple interface that offers a comprehensive awareness-to-purchase journey, 30 minutes cashless claims promise. In addition, initiatives such as Point of Care - a first-of-its-kind physical set-up of the company’s dedicated ‘hospitalization assistance cum claim assistance personnel’, InstaInsure and SARAL for bancassurance tie-ups, along with the launch of a dedicated ‘Health App’ for consumers have helped Max Bupa become a ‘brand with a purpose’ to help Indians lead healthier, more successful lives. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13259/successful-bone-marrow-transplant-performed-on-a-patient-with-griscelli-syndrome.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13259/successful-bone-marrow-transplant-performed-on-a-patient-with-griscelli-syndrome.html Wed, 03 Apr 2019 10:15:00 +0530 A successful life-saving bone marrow transplant was performed on  5 year old Ayan with Griscelli syndrome by doctors of Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children. The patient hails from Nanded and had Griscelli syndrome since birth. He developed haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis because of Griscelli syndrome, which is a life-threatening disorder of excessive immune activation. Ayan was first presented to Wadia hospital with haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis when he was 2 years old. His overactive immune system was affecting the liver and bone marrow, so he was  treated with steroids and chemotherapy to control the overactive immune system. He responded well to the treatment and was advised to undergo bone marrow transplant in another centre since the bone marrow transplant facility was not available at Wadia hospital. Ayan’s parents chose not to go for bone marrow transplant and continued follow up with Wadia hospital. When he was 4 years old, he presented with recurrence of haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis affecting the liver, bone marrow and brain. Immunology doctors in Wadia hospital started him on steroids and chemotherapy and referred him to the newly opened bone marrow transplant facility at Wadia hospital. Ayan has two siblings. Unfortunately, both the siblings did not have the same tissue type as Ayan. Therefore, bone marrow transplant team performed a donor search and found a completely matched volunteer unrelated donor through DATRI (Stem cell transplant registry).  “Ayan’s transplant was particularly challenging because Ayan continued to have active disease involving the liver and bone marrow, despite treatment with steroids and chemotherapy. We treated Ayan with an imported drug called Alemtuzumab to control the overactive immune system. Ayan had good response to Alemtuzumab. This improved the chance of success of the bone marrow transplant procedure. Ayan is now 3 weeks post-transplant. Bone marrow graft is working well and all his affected organs such as liver, bone marrow and brain are functioning normally. He is scheduled for discharge at the end of this week. It is really satisfying to perform bone marrow transplant procedure exactly the way one would perform it in the UK or USA," said the doctor. Dr Minnie Bodhanwala, CEO, Wadia hospitals said "It is the beginning of new era for BJ Wadia Children’s hospital. We are pleased to offer complex procedures such as bone marrow transplant to patients irrespective of their economic status. 500 Cases in Maharashtra requires BMT, there are very few centres offering such facilities and we are delighted that we will be able to treat such cases at affordable costs.”     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13258/cognizant-digitally-transforms-the-clinical-trial-protocol-process-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13258/cognizant-digitally-transforms-the-clinical-trial-protocol-process-.html Wed, 03 Apr 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Cognizant has introduced Cognizant Protocol Creator, a SaaS collaboration product that automates the development of clinical trial protocol documentation. A first for the life sciences industry, Protocol Creator enables clinical teams to create and review protocol documentation in a purpose-built collaborative environment. The software simplifies the production of protocol documents saving time and ensuring quality through the adherence to industry standards and best practices. Taking a design-thinking approach to the development of Protocol Creator, Cognizant embedded itself with medical writing and clinical trial teams to learn about and address their challenges. With a goal of getting a protocol to submission faster, Protocol Creator generates clinical trial documentation as a structured document. It helps teams collaborate, manage review cycles and deadlines, and enables the final protocol to be published as a traditional document or in machine-readable formats that lay the foundation for downstream automation.  Patricia Belissa-Mathiot, Director Center of Excellence Clinical Operations at Servier, an international and independent pharmaceutical company, governed by a non-profit foundation, headquartered in France said, “The development of the protocol document is a long standing target for driving efficiency in our clinical trial processes. Cognizant understands the challenges involved in the creation of a protocol and has created a product that addresses most of the processes’ pain points, improve the ways of working and offers some future opportunities for downstream activities. It has been exciting to be part of the journey that has led to the launch of Protocol Creator.” Bhaskar Sambasivan, Senior Vice President & Global Head, Life Sciences, Cognizant said, “Bringing a single new treatment to market today costs more than a billion dollars. Every extra day spent before a protocol is approved is costly for the company and, more importantly, causes a delay in alleviating the condition of a patient who needs that treatment. Cognizant Protocol Creator redesigns the entire submission process to be digital first as opposed to one built around antiquated systems that were never intended for writing clinical protocols. Not only does it shorten the time to create the protocol and improve its quality, it lays a foundation for a fully digital lab & clinical eco-system that uses automation and artificial intelligence to improve clinical outcomes.” Todd Paoletti, Vice President and General Manager, Cognizant Accelerator said, “We are firmly focused on delivering transformational products that adopt digital technologies to drive efficiencies throughout an organization. Cognizant Protocol Creator demonstrates this focus, as it plugs a gap in the clinical trial lifecycle that has been, to date, ignored by most technology vendors. With Protocol Creator, we’re underscoring our commitment to the life sciences industry as a service and product provider.” Cognizant Protocol Creator is the latest Life Sciences product conceived, validated and developed by Cognizant Accelerator to reach general availability. Cognizant Accelerator, the company’s product and platform incubator and venture investing division, worked with Cognizant Life Sciences to bring Protocol Creator to the market.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13246/mgm-healthcare-aspires-to-become-amongst-the-first-to-offer-fetal-neurosurgery-in-s-e-asia.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13246/mgm-healthcare-aspires-to-become-amongst-the-first-to-offer-fetal-neurosurgery-in-s-e-asia.html Tue, 02 Apr 2019 10:25:00 +0530 MGM Healthcare  who over the course of two decades have dedicated themselves to create a new era in healthcare, is creating awareness on a  condition known as Spina Bifida. MGM Healthcare also announced that they would soon be setting up a state of the art multi-disciplinary Fetal Neurosurgery department which would be the first of its kind in South Asia. Dr. K. Sridhar, Director and Group Head, Institute of Neurosciences and Spinal Disorders, MGM Healthcare Pvt Ltd, highlighted the symptoms and preventive measures (clinical as well as surgical) for Spina Bifida. In India, 25000 new cases of Spina Bifida are reported each year (Maximum reported worldwide) which is approximately 6-8 cases per 1000 births. Spina Bifida is a birth defect that occurs when foetus’ spinal cord fails to develop or close properly while in the womb. Symptoms can sometimes be seen on the skin above the spinal defect. These include an abnormal tuft of hair, a birthmark or protruding spinal cord tissue. Spina Bifida is a congenital neurological problem that causes lifelong issues for the patient from complete paralysis of the legs to lack of control over the bladder and bowels. Spina Bifida is also associated with multiple other brain related issues as the child grows. While consumption of Folic acid is a well-known pre- conception prevention strategy, there are still many children born with Spina Bifida. Post Natal surgery has been the mainstay treatment for this condition.  Fetal Neurosurgery has been validated as a strategy to prevent and reduce the enormous burden of neurological problems that a child with Spina Bifida (Meningomyelocele) may have post birth. Surgically correcting the defect in the womb has been clearly shown to prevent and reduce not only the immediate problems of Spina Bifida but also reduce the incidence of associated problems such as hydrocephalus and tonsillar herniation. “Fetal Neurosurgery is a unique concept, available only in a few centers across the western world, that addresses congenital problems when the child is still in the womb” said Dr. K. Sridhar, Director and Group Head, Institute of Neurosciences and Spinal Disorders, MGM Healthcare Pvt Ltd. “Fetal Neurosurgery requires an integrated approach for both the mother and child with a high end infrastructure. The Institute of Neurosciences and Spinal Disorders, MGM Healthcare, Chennai, along with Obstetrics, Fetal Medicine, Radiology, Neonatalology and Neuro Rehabilitation will soon be one of the first to have such a facility in South Asia, making MGMH in Chennai a hub for Fetal Neurosurgery” added Dr. Sridhar. In order to spread awareness on the importance of having an integrated Fetal Neurosurgery centre, MGM Healthcare also held a symposium recently at their facility inviting some of the top specialists in the field. The Symposium, spearheaded by Dr. Sridhar,saw experts such as Dr. Samer Elbabaa, Director, Pediatric Neurosurgery, Director, Pediatric Neurosciences Centre of Excellence, Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, Florida, USA, Dr. Indrani Suresh, Director, Mediscan, Dr Chitra, Director & Superintendent, ISO KGH, Dr Ravikanth Balaji, Head Department of Radiology, MGM Heathcare, Dr. Deepthi Jammi, Obsteric Sonology & Fetal Medicine, Women’s Clinic and Scan Centre, amongst others to share knowledge and know how on the subject of Fetal Neurosurgery. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13243/incidence-rates-of-autism-may-surpass-that-of-down-syndrome.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13243/incidence-rates-of-autism-may-surpass-that-of-down-syndrome.html Mon, 01 Apr 2019 15:35:00 +0530 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) refers to neurodevelopmental abnormality that occurs in early childhood. The condition presents with a characteristic triad of symptoms: impairments in social interaction; impairments in communication; and restricted interests and repetitive behavior. Affected children may also manifest with other non-specific symptoms including: unusual sensory perception skills and experiences, motor clumsiness (and problems with proprioception) and insomnia. The condition appears in early childhood and is not associated with remission. The prevalence rate in India is approximately 1 in 500 or 0.20% individuals. In recent times, ASD is becoming more common and it is a cause for concern that the incidence rates of this condition may surpass that of Down Syndrome. “The main issue in our country is that most neurological conditions are viewed as intellectual disability/mental retardation. The same holds true for ASD, wherein it is believed that affected individuals lack normal IQ”, explains Dr. Pradeep Mahajan, Regenerative Medicine Researcher, Mumbai.. Understand that ASD is a developmental disability which may affect an individuals’ ability to interact socially. Autistic individuals simply need more explicit communication for them to understand and respond to commands and emotions. Individuals with ASD are not necessarily cognitively impaired. Cognitive abilities vary between those with average to above average intelligence, to borderline and mild mental retardation, and others who function within the moderate to profoundly mentally retarded range. “We do not know the exact cause for ASD, although several genes have been identified that may be responsible. However, environmental factors also tend to play a role in the pathogenesis. In recent times, research has indicated that gut related inflammation and microbial dysregulation may further exacerbate the condition. Children with autism have been found to have inflammation of both the peripheral and central immune systems as indicated by increased levels of pro inflammatory molecules” explains Dr Mahajan. There are no specific tests (blood/radiographic etc.) to diagnose autism. Genetic testing may be done to identify the defective gene in certain neurological conditions; however, initial diagnosis is possible only by observation of the behavior of the child and developmental delays. It is important to recognize any delays in development as early as possible in order to initiate early therapeutic interventions. Early initiation of treatment is important to lessen associated deficits and family distress, and to increase quality of life and functional independence. Current available therapeutic approaches for autism can be broadly classified into behavioral, educational, medical, allied health, and complementary and alternative medicine interventions. However, there is no defined standard treatment for ASD.” Since ASD is predominantly associated with deficits in social interaction, understand that the child may respond gradually with familiarity. It is therefore important to target this aspect at the outset. Share the interests of the child while aiding him/her to perform the task and communicate regularly. Positive reinforcement goes a long way in achieving tangible results. While the child may not respond each time you speak or command, he/she will develop trust and familiarity of sound and speech. Do not treat these children as disabled. Treat them like normal children with a little extra care and observe the changes in their communication skills” advices Dr Mahajan. The above-mentioned approach is important to modify the behavioral manifestations. However, we also need to target the internal pathology. Regenerative medicine and cell based therapy has the ability to address the neurologic, gastrointestinal and immunologic disturbances seen in ASD. Mesenchymal cells show promise in the management of autistic children, likely owing to their immunomodulatory capacities. Treatment of immune dysregulation reduces the intestinal and systemic symptoms and improves neurologic function. These cells can also integrate into the damaged neural networks thereby aiding in regeneration of new cells and networks. Several studies have shown that cell based therapy can improve some behavioral symptoms and function in autistic children. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13242/cadabam-ntw-collaborate-to-fight-mental-health-disease-burden-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13242/cadabam-ntw-collaborate-to-fight-mental-health-disease-burden-in-india.html Mon, 01 Apr 2019 15:00:00 +0530 Cadabam’s Group, India’s largest private provider of mental health services which has been providing its services for 26 years, announced its association with United Kingdom’s Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (NTW) to reduce the treatment gap and enhance the quality of mental healthcare services in India. Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (NTW) provides mental health and disability services across the North East England, will be working as a ‘Knowledge Partner’ with Cadabam’s Group based in Bangalore to develop above programs through sharing of expertise,  mutual support and training.The partnership offers both organisations an opportunity to share their expertise in the delivery of mental healthcare to different regions. John Lawlor, Chief Executive of NTW, and Sandesh R Cadabam, Director of Cadabams Group, signed a memorandum of understanding at St Nicholas Hospital in Newcastle to formally launch the collaboration. Sandesh R Cadabam, Director of Cadabam’s Group, said, “This collaboration will support us in progressing towards standardising our current services and developing new ones along the model of comprehensive care pathways which NTW excels in. I am excited that an association with such an outstanding NHS organisation will bring a quantum leap in the quality and accessibility to mental health and learning disability services across India, as well as providing a huge opportunity for us to mutually learn from each other.” John Lawlor, NTW Chief Executive, said, “Our Trust is excited to be working with the Cadabams Group. Our partnership is based on shared values, including the importance of compassionate care as well as embracing innovation, and I am looking forward to seeing how it develops and how we can learn from each other. I am particularly pleased that this collaboration will support the delivery of mental health and disability services to some of the most-vulnerable individuals in the regions of India that Cadabams serves.” WHO's Mental Health Atlas 2017 reveals, although some countries have made progress in mental health policy-making and planning, there is a global shortage of health workers trained in mental health and a lack of investment in community-based mental health facilities. Moreover, there is an extreme shortage of mental health workers like psychologists, psychiatrists and doctors. In the latest available data, in 2014 it was as low as ''one in 100,000 people'' Talking of the pilot project, disease burden of mental illness in India and optimisation of the efforts being taken, Dr B R Madhukar, Medical Director of Cadabams Group, said, “This partnership as a pilot in Bangalore where about 40 mental health professionals, including counsellors, nurses, clinical psychologists, social workers and other professional staff will be trained by us to handle the basic-to-complex cases of mental illnesses. Post this, we aim to spread the knowledge to other parts of the country, including a few hundreds to thousands of healthcare professionals. In most parts of India, mental health is still considered a stigma and therefore, nearly 70% of the patients are not able to seek or get the right help. Out bigger objective is to reach people in the community where the patients did not have a chance to receive mental health support, ultimately covering districts and states. In this process, we will develop healthcare services and systems, including care pathways and clinical protocols to manage the delivery of healthcare in India.” Talking on this new partnership Mr Dominic Mc Allister the British Deputy High Commissioner of Bangalore said “Mental health is a growing area of concern globally, and this collaboration lays the foundation for better, responsive and accessible treatment options for local patients. This partnership is a great example of UK-India collaboration in improving access to quality healthcare services. The Department for International Trade (DIT) and British Deputy High Commission Bengaluru are proud to support this collaboration, which brings together specialist knowledge and services from the NHS with Cadabam’s experience in healthcare delivery to provide enhanced local services in mental health.” As part of the partnership, NTW will provide support for Cadabams to develop new ways of working within areas including addictions, smart prescribing, school mental health, community and home-based care. The organisations were introduced to each other by the British Deputy High Commission-Mr.Dominic McAllister, who supported the collaboration process throughout its development. Considering the benefits this would bring mental healthcare services in India, he was keen for this collaboration to happen so that collectively they could work together and bring about a resourceful outcome benefiting all. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13232/tattvan-witnesses-100-growth-set-to-launch-50-e-clinics-in-2019.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13232/tattvan-witnesses-100-growth-set-to-launch-50-e-clinics-in-2019.html Mon, 01 Apr 2019 11:30:00 +0530 Tattvan, a telemedicine healthcare clinics, is expanding their healthcare services across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand, and Jharkhand in 2019 with 50 more E-Clinics. Tattvan started providing healthcare services with their first E-Clinic in Bareilly in July 2018 and the second E-Clinic in Kashipur. Excited with the expansion, Ayush Mishra, CEO & Co-Founder, Tattvan E-Clinics, said, “The need of quality healthcare in tier II and tier III cities led to the establishment of Tattvan E-Clinics, but today the increasing requirement of quality healthcare across remote areas in India has set a chain reaction. In the first phase, we are going to expand in various cities of Uttar Pradesh including Pilibhit, Rudrapur, Haldwani, Sahajahanpur, and Aligarh. We are also collaborating with doctors and medical practitioners in other states as well to set-up Tattvan E-clinics. Along with this, we will also start our international E-clinic in Baghdad, Iraq this year.” “Statistically, we have registered a growth of 70-100% month-on-month basis since the establishment of our first E-Clinic in Bareilly. In fact, patients traveling to Delhi for surgeries through our help and support have also registered 60% month-on-month growth in past 6 months. Owing to such great response, we are confident of reiterating our success across other Indian states as well. We thrive to become a beacon of hope in bringing quality healthcare across India”, he added. Conceptualized in August 2017 with the headquarter in Gurgaon, Tattvan E-clinics brings doctors and specialists from reputed hospitals in big cities to the smaller regions, catering to their various medical requirements. Tattvan e-clinics have a team of full-time doctors and nurses, available to ensure quality consultations through video conferencing and telemedicine technology. The quick services with special features of Tattvan E-clinics like automated patient follow-ups to ensure the best treatment for patients in remote areas make them a revolutionary venture in the Indian healthcare sector.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13223/krishna-shalby-hospital-performs-a-rare-heart-bypass-surgery-in-an-awake-patient.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13223/krishna-shalby-hospital-performs-a-rare-heart-bypass-surgery-in-an-awake-patient.html Fri, 29 Mar 2019 11:15:00 +0530 Doctors at Krishna Shalby Hospital, Ahmedabad conducted a rare heart bypass surgery on an awake patient who was discharged on the 3rd post-operative day, as opposed to normal cases wherein patients are discharged not before 7 to 8 days. The complete procedure was done recently under Mukhyamantri Amrutam 'MA' Yojana, wherein the patient is not being charged a single rupee for the surgery and its related expenses. Mr. Umarbhai Bhima, aged 45 and hails from Mangrol in Gujarat was suffering from chest pain. Doctors at Krishna Shalby, Ahmedabad investigated on his condition. Angiography was conducted the report revealed that one of his coronary arteries (vessel supplying blood to heart) was blocked. The only option remaining for this patient was to undergo bypass surgery, as a pervious stent in his coronary was also found to be blocked. Dr. Sadanand Patwari, Cardiac Surgeon at Krishna Shalby Hospital, Ahmedabad, who conducted the bypass surgery said, "Usually heart bypass surgery is done under general anaesthesia, whereby the patient is completely sedated. But, for this patient, me and my cardiac anaesthesia team comprising Dr. Himanshu Mehta, Dr. Vinay Solanki and Dr. Ajay Rathod, decided to do bypass surgery under ‘Epidural Analgesia’ - an injection given in Spine making the surgery totally pain free. The patient was completely awake during the surgery, listening to music and watching the happenings in the operation theatre. After the surgery, the patient was shifted to ICU for a day and another day in the ward. After review of his condition on the 3rd day, we discharged him. Normally, a surgery under general anaesthesia takes 7-8 days for the patient to get discharged.” Commenting on the procedural benefits of ‘Awake Heart Surgery’ Dr. Sadanand Patwari further added, “the benefits of ‘Awake Heart Surgery’ include, avoiding complications of general anaesthesia, better pain control, early recovery of patient and shorter hospital stay.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13221/worlds-first-portable-neonatal-cpap-device.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13221/worlds-first-portable-neonatal-cpap-device.html Fri, 29 Mar 2019 09:00:00 +0530 InnAccel Technologies, an indigenous MedTech innovator that is identifying Indian unmet healthcare needs and developing unique novel globally certified medical devices for India and global emerging markets, has recently launched world’s first portable neonatal CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) device – SAANS. It is a revolutionary product that addresses more than 160,000 annual deaths of premature babies in India due to respiratory distress, a third of which occur during transport. It is built to provide breathing support to critically ill neonates with Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) in resource-poor settings and during transport. It will help reduce one of India’s major causes of infant mortality. “The major challenge faced by the innovators in India is the product acceptance. We struggle at times in order to convince the doctors about the acceptability and convenience of the product we have developed to solve a common problem. We hope to make a difference in the times to come and change this perception. We aim to transform the country’s healthcare landscape through unique technologies that address key causes of mortality and morbidity”, said Siraj Dhanani, Founder, CEO, InnAccel Technologies. The product has been conceptualized in collaboration with Dr. Kristian Olson (USA) and Dr. Data Santorino (Uganda) of the Consortium of Affordable Medical Technologies (CAMTech). Since 2014, InnAccel and it’s divisions, Coeo Labs and Sattva MedTech, have been developing a diverse portfolio of innovative products in three different therapeutic areas- ENT, Critical Care and OB/GYN. InnAccel is reimagining medical device innovation by using the Stanford Biodesign Process to uncover local Indian unmet clinical needs, and engineering world-class technologies to address these needs. InnAccel plans to set up commercial operations in India, Southeast Asia and Africa as part of its growth trajectory in the next three years. The company also has its eyes set on tapping into the developed markets like the US, EU, China and Japan through strategic partnerships. Moreover, it is looking to expand its product base by launching 20 products by 2025, with the goal of impacting 25 million lives. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13224/association-of-medical-consultants-releases-indias-first-patient-doctor-manifesto.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13224/association-of-medical-consultants-releases-indias-first-patient-doctor-manifesto.html Fri, 29 Mar 2019 09:00:00 +0530 India’s first-ever "Patient & Doctor Rights Manifesto" defining the various aspects of doctor-patient relationship authored by the Mumbai-based surgeons Dr. Aparna Govil Bhasker and Dr. Debraj Shome was released to the Indian people recently. Dr. Vipin Checker, President of the Association of Medical Consultants – a Doctor's body representing over 11,000 medical specialists in India – formally launched the document. Dr. Lalit Kapoor who is the founder of Association of Medical Consultants (AMC) provided critical inputs to this document. The Manifesto forms a part of the upcoming book “Dear People, With Love and Care, Your Doctors,” authored jointly by renowned surgeons Dr. Bhasker and Dr. Shome. This eagerly anticipated compilation of stories by some of the most compassionate doctors talks about some of the most touching experiences in their careers. This book will be globally launched inJuly 2019 by the renowned literary house Bloomsbury, with foreword written by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The Manifesto highlights the rights of both patients and doctors. It helps set the perimeter of their mutual relationship and conduct on 17 different aspects, including empathy; trust; information and communication; cost of treatment; identity and professional status; records and reports; emergency medical care; informed consent; confidentiality; second opinion; non-discrimination; safety and quality care; deficiency in service; alternative treatment options; source for obtaining drugs or tests; discharge, referral and transfers; and redressal. Speaking at the launch of the Manifesto, Dr. Debraj Shome said: “The Doctor-patient relationship is one of the purest bonds that has existed in the society from times immemorial. Unfortunately, in the last few years, there has been a gradual erosion of faith and trust in this equation. Times have changed and from being treated akin to God once upon a time, today we hear stories of doctors being assaulted in public. The aim of this Manifesto is to clearly delineate the rights and duties of both doctors and patients to help restore the pristine balance and sanctity of this sacred relationship.” Added Dr. Aparna Govil Bhasker: “The systemic problems in society are creating a rift between doctors and patients and we hear many discouraging stories of this strained relationship in the media daily. The lack of trust from both parties is so widespread that today we have come to a state where it almost feels like India is at war with its doctors. There are various reasons for this and deep introspection is needed from both sides to evaluate the reasons for this deteriorating relationship. This Manifesto will help re-establish a dialogue between the two parties and the book attempts to bring back the glory of this wonderful relationship. We hope to change the narrative and initiate a positive discourse in the doctor-patient relationship in India today.” Said Dr. Vipin Checker, President of the Association of Medical Consultants: “At the end of the day, medicine is about love, kindness and compassion, and we need an urgent dialogue about the crucial need of reviving these values between a patient and the healer. This Manifesto, unanimously adopted by the Association of Medical Consultants, will go a long way in changing the way the world today perceives healthcare and the doctor-patient relationship.” Said Dr. Lalit Kapoor, Founder of AMC, “We doctors believe that both doctors and patients are two sides of the same coin and without one, the other is incomplete & cannot exist. The relationship is extremely important to the basic fabric and ethos of society as a whole.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13217/mpower-conclave-on-grief-and-bereavement.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13217/mpower-conclave-on-grief-and-bereavement.html Thu, 28 Mar 2019 16:10:00 +0530 The incidence of traumatic experiences that young people face has shown to be on the rise. Complex trauma affects children in a variety of ways including learning and behavioral problems, school refusal, conduct disorder and substance abuse. Where children and young people are involved, the need to involves the surrounding systems including family and school becomes that much more important. Working in this sector can be daunting, emotionally draining and can lead to burn out if professionals do not take care of themselves including being part of a community Network of professionals who share the same passion and goal of helping as many children and Young people as possible. The emotional toll of trauma can wear on professionals as well as the children and families they serve. Some types of traumas affect a whole community, thus affecting the helping professional both directly and indirectly through their clients’ experiences. Self-care for professionals is important and includes watching for signs of burnout (e.g., exhaustion, numbing or distancing from others, over involvement with trauma survivors). Taking time to take care of yourself, limiting hours spent focusing on trauma, and seeking peer consultation can be effective ways to alleviate this type of stress. The concept of the Mpower Conclave is to get professionals working in the space of Child and Adolescent Mental Health together to discuss cases and share their experience as well as expertise. The aim is to build the knowledge base towards an enriched community of mental health workers. The topic of the 2nd edition of the Conclave is grief & bereavement in children and adolescents, and how to deal with this in your capacity as a Mental Healthcare professional. We hope to build a network of professionals who can come together and support each other in a professional capacity where we all learn something from each other “It's what you learn after you know it all that counts.”   Dr. Sapna Bangar, Psychiatrist & Head - Mpower - The Centre ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13216/indias-first-ever-blockchain-services-partnership-in-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13216/indias-first-ever-blockchain-services-partnership-in-healthcare.html Thu, 28 Mar 2019 15:00:00 +0530 CallHealth, the world’s first and truly integrated healthcare platform for “Everything about health”, has partnered with ThynkBlynk, the developers of ChainTrail, to ensure secured healthcare data integration on its platform. This is India’s first-ever blockchain services partnership with a healthcare service platform. It has the unique ability to securely integrate data from all types of healthcare services and thousands of healthcare ecosystem providers like Doctors, Nurses, Hospitals, Clinics etc in compliance with stringent data privacy regulations. eHR systems in India use different information models. Due to this, stringing together data from multiple healthcare sources is becoming a challenge. By standardising Healthcare outputs like prescriptions and reports, information is made verifiable and interoperable, giving patients better control over their personal health information. Patients can take their verifiable personal health data and transact with anyone they choose. At the same time, Healthcare providers can verify and ensure any data migration into their systems is accurate. A win-win proposition. The practical application of CallHealth and ThynkBlynk’s ChainTrail Blockchain Distributed Ledger approach in Healthcare addresses key issues plaguing the Indian Healthcare system, such as – Fake or fraudulently modified documentation coupled with lack of digital data verification is leading to clinical inaccuracies and dependency on manual verifications which in turn result in high overhead costs Demand for repeated procedures and pathological tests in the absence of trusted data sources, is causing high out of pocket expenses for patients and strains the already burdened healthcare system By ensuring every data point is auditable, traceable, controlled and is immutable, a trusted information exchange platform provides for better integration within the Health ecosystem. Furthermore, Printing and retaining paper, providing copies to patients of their data on demand, transferring paper trail through the entire network of doctors, hospitals diagnostic centres etc and manually verifying data at every stage is a cumbersome as well as expensive experience for providers and patients. Chaintrail makes the entire supply chain efficient by providing a single-point interface for greater operational simplicity. Commenting on the partnership, Hari Thalapalli, CEO, CallHealth said, “For an otherwise fragmented eco-system to work in cohesion, the integrity of all information exchange is imperative. CallHealth and ThynkBlynk’s ChainTrail can process millions of transactions per day and can integrate with a billion smartphone users in India and over 4.5 billion users globally. It will provide transparency of each healthcare data source and has the ability to derive meaningful insights from the terabytes of data generated across millions of transactions. It will empower clinicians with information for accurate diagnosis and monitoring potential disease outbreaks. Thus, enabling timely, preventive actions and improved clinical outcomes.” As CallHealth’s partner to help protect the large data tracts, Mr. Parag Jain, Founder, ThynkBlynk remarks, “Reliable Data is the new oil! And protecting Customer/Client data is critical for an enterprise dealing with people and their personal details, especially those in the healthcare sector. ChainTrail is the perfect platform that helps CallHealth not just protect the data, but also eases use of the same data by the customer who has the proprietary rights on it. At ThynkBlynk we believe that a distributed data-interchange will alter how data-based interactions will be carried out in the future. Offering such innovative solutions will have positive impact not just on businesses, but also on the global society at large.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13213/sl-raheja-hospital-launches-dedicated-digestive-and-liver-care-clinic.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13213/sl-raheja-hospital-launches-dedicated-digestive-and-liver-care-clinic.html Thu, 28 Mar 2019 13:30:00 +0530 Aiming to provide comprehensive Digestive Care services to patients who are faced with gastrointestinal problems, Institute of Digestive and Liver Care (IDL Care) has been launched at SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim-A Fortis Associate. A multidisciplinary team of specialists at this center of excellence for Digestive Care will help tackle all gastrointestinal issues, which do not appear life-threatening but hamper one’s quality of life tremendously. Spearheaded by Dr NH Banka, Chairman & Dr Vinay Dhir, Executive Director, Institute of Digestive & Liver Care, SL Raheja Hospital Mahim-A Fortis Associate, the clinical team comprises of distinguished Gastroenterologists, Hepatologists, Endoscopists, Surgeons, Intensivists, Pathologists and Radiologists. Inaugurated by the hands of Padma Bhushan Dr D. Nageshwar Reddy, IDL Care will also host dedicated centers for treating diseases related to Pancreato-Biliary, Inflammatory Bowel, Liver, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) & GI Motility, Cancer detection, Nutrition & Obesity, etc. Prof Pierre Deprez, St Luke University, Brussels, Prof. Ho Khek Yu Lawrence, Vice Dean, National University Health Science, Singapore & Prof. Nonthalee Pausawasdi, Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok and other eminent dignitaries joined in at the inauguration. At the launch, Dr NH Banka, Chairman, Institute of Digestive & Liver Care, SL Raheja Hospital Mahim-A Fortis Associate, said, “This is the fruition of our efforts to offer composite treatment to all patients with GI issues. We are delighted that some of our esteemed peers were able to join us for the inauguration, it is indeed a proud moment for us”. Speaking about the launch, Dr Vinay Dhir, Executive Director, Institute of Digestive & Liver Care, SL Raheja Hospital Mahim-A Fortis Associate, said, “At IDL Care, we adopt a holistic approach to treat our patients so we don’t just tackle the symptoms but tackle the disease as a whole. We also hope to bring focus to the fact that early detection can help combat a host of life-threatening diseases, including Cancer. Research wing at IDL Care ensures that our learnings are made accessible to our peers and to-be Digestive Care specialists; so they benefit the fraternity and therefore the patients”. Speaking at the inauguration at the hospital, Dr Hiren Ambegaokar, CEO, SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim-A Fortis Associate, said, “With the launch of IDL Care at the hospital, we have brought together medical experts and latest technology under one roof, to help us tackle all diseases in the broad-spectrum of Digestive System. We understand that patients consult at least two non-specialists before that meet a specialist, this leads to delay in receiving targeted treatment to tackle the disease, till such time, they have only received symptomatic treatment. This initiative will help shorten the ‘patient to specialist time’, so the treatment is immediately initiated and does not alter the life patterns of the patients”. While the team comprising of Dr Tariq Patel, Dr Rahul Shah, Dr Suryaprakash Bhandari, Dr Rajesh Sainani & Dr Priyanka Udawat have been addressing GI concerns at IDL Care, under the able guidance of Dr NH Banka, Chairman & Dr Vinay Dhir, Executive Director, are now se to address the concerns of increasing number patients coming in from across Maharashtra & Gujarat. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13211/aster-medcity-doctors-successfully-perform-resection-for-klippel-trenaunays-syndrome-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13211/aster-medcity-doctors-successfully-perform-resection-for-klippel-trenaunays-syndrome-.html Thu, 28 Mar 2019 12:10:00 +0530 In a rare surgery, doctors at Aster Medcity have successfully resected last part of colon and rectum of a 43-year-old male patient, who was suffering from Klippel Trenaunay’s Syndrome with intractable rectal bleed, using laparoscopy. Klippel Trenaunay’s Syndrome, a rare congenital vascular disorder, is characterised by three clinical syndromes- port-wine stain, varicose veins and bony and soft tissue hypertrophies. The surgery was performed by a medical team led by Dr. Prakash K., Senior Consultant, Aster Medcity Kochi.The patient in his childhood, had undergone multiple surgeries for arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in his right lower limb. He was diagnosed with Klippel Ternaunay syndrome involving lower limb, distal rectum, anal canal perineum and spleen. The patient had been passing a large amount of blood in his stools with each bowel movement for the past three-four years and required three-four units of blood transfusions every month. On evaluation, a contrast CT scan showed varicosities and AVMs in the right lower limb and gluteal region and multiple dense varicosities and AVMs around the rectum. As the patient’s lesions were not easily manageable by intervention radiology approach, he was advised surgery. The resection was successfully performed with the help of vessel sealing devices and done without a stoma. The patient has made an uneventful recovery after the surgery. Rectal bleed in Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome is unusual and as per the medical literature only nine such cases have been successfully managed through surgery, according to the medical team. The laparoscopic approach was reported only in a couple of cases. The medical team further said that the excellent result in successfully managing the case s is also an example of multidisciplinary team approach as well as technical expertise in laparoscopic surgery supported by excellent equipment and infrastructure in managing such cases at Aster Medcity. Set in a 40-acre waterfront campus, Aster Medcity, Kochi is a 670-bed JCI and NABH accredited quaternary care facility with one Multispeciality Hospital and ten dedicated Centres of Excellence in Cardiac Sciences, Neurosciences, Orthopaedics & Rheumatology, Nephrology & Urology, Oncology, Women’s Health, Child & Adolescent Health, Gastroenterology & Integrated Liver Care, Multi-Organ Transplant and Minimal Access Robotic Surgery. One of India’s most advanced healthcare destinations, Aster Medcity lives by its simple promise: We’ll Treat You Well.The specialised units at Aster Medcity include the Centre for Fertility which offers comprehensive infertility management and ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) services; Aster KIND (Kids Integrated Neurodevelopmental Centre) for holistic management of developmental and neurological problems in children; FASTER 24-hour on-call hyperacute stroke clinic and Centre for Integrated Medicine that combines Ayurveda and traditional healing therapies like Yoga to provide sustained physical and mental wellbeing.Spearheaded by Dr. Azad Moopen, Aster Medcity is the flagship initiative of Aster DM Healthcare, a global healthcare group with 350+ medical establishments across 9 countries. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13210/hiranandani-hospitals-opens-at-a-third-location-to-offer-the-finest-healthcare-facilities.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13210/hiranandani-hospitals-opens-at-a-third-location-to-offer-the-finest-healthcare-facilities.html Thu, 28 Mar 2019 12:00:00 +0530 Hiranandani Hospitals has opened at a third location in Hiranandani Parks, Oragadam. It is NHB (Nursing Home Board) Certified and has commenced operations in association with Dr. C. Anbarasu, MBBS, FCGP, FAMS. It has started off as a 30 bedded multi-specialties hospital. Hiranandani Parks Hospital is the third such location where the expertise of Dr. L H Hiranandani Hospitals is being shared. Dr. L H Hiranandani has been the inspiration behind the edifice of Dr. L H Hiranandani Hospital. Real estate industry leader Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani, his Son, built the Dr. L H Hiranandani Hospital as a tribute to his father. The hospital is being run in two locations, both are mixed-use township projects of the Hiranandani Group - Powai, Mumbai and in Thane. Oragadam is the third such location. Committed to our aim of creating a better life for the communities, Hiranandani Group consistently tries to serve the communities since its inception, said Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani. “The Hiranandani Parks Hospital marks a significant step in this direction. It is our endeavor to provide the finest healthcare facilities with expert healthcare professionals and latest equipment. The Hiranandani Parks Hospital is designed to be one of the leading and most preferred healthcare services providers in Chennai,” he added. “It is our endeavor to provide the finest healthcare facilities with the expert healthcare professionals and latest types of equipment. Hiranandani Parks Hospital is going to be a best multi-specialty hospital in and around Oragadam, Chennai,” said Dr. C. Anbarasu.Hiranandani Parks Hospital would be initiating Telemedicine Department Support, which will help to overcome distance barriers and to improve access to medical services that would often not be consistently available in distant rural communities. It is also used to save lives in critical care and emergency situations.Hiranandani Parks Hospital will conduct weekly medical camps in nearby villages to create awareness on spreading diseases and give proper assistance on precautions and hygiene. Its healthcare outreach model focuses on preventative care. At medical camps, the hospital will provide basic treatment and general check-up to help people be aware of their health status. Hiranandani Parks Hospital will organize teams of doctors, nurses and a lab technician who will work tirelessly to see that every patient is attended to.Hiranandani Parks Hospital will consistently serve the healthcare needs of people in Chennai. Hiranandani Parks Hospital will consolidate the aim and efforts of the Hiranandani Group to serve the community and create a better life for them. “Working tirelessly 24 X 7, Hiranandani Parks Hospital is a sincere effort of giving wholesome health to the people of Oragadam, Chennai,” concluded Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13208/ima-vows-to-end-tb-in-maharashtra.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13208/ima-vows-to-end-tb-in-maharashtra.html Thu, 28 Mar 2019 11:25:00 +0530 The Indian Medical Association (IMA), a national voluntary organization of Doctors of the modern scientific system of medicine, have announced various initiatives to achieve the Government of India’s vision to ‘End TB’ as part of a joint collaboration with the Central TB Division, Ministry of Health, Government of India (GoI) to reach out to every private doctor and through them, every TB patient in Pune and Maharashtra. Under the IMA End TB Project, Continuous Medical Education Programmes (CMEs) is being conducted for IMA members for Standards of TB Care in India, to improve notification of TB patients from private providers, establish linkages for expanding diagnosis and treatment in line with standards of care and thereby enhancing the quality TB care to TB patients. Notification of patients through the NIKSHAY app will enable private doctors to access the various facilities made available by the Government under the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP) for the benefit of patients seeking care from private sector, including free diagnosis and drugs tests as per the Standard for TB Care in India, as well as the NIKSHAY Poshan Yojana under which every TB patient gets Rs.500/- per month towards nutrition support till completion of treatment. In Pune and Maharashtra, IMA is regularly monitoring TB notifications and all districts have conducted meetings with Drug control officers and Chemist associations. In addition, IMA is taking innovative steps to promote NIKSHAY app and incentives to improve notification from private sector. The IMA is working to galvanize doctors in the private sector to increase notification and work toward the cause of ending TB by optimal utilization of NIKSHAY. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13205/who-marks-five-years-polio-free-certification.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13205/who-marks-five-years-polio-free-certification.html Thu, 28 Mar 2019 09:00:00 +0530 On 27th March 2014, WHO South-East Asia Region was certified polio-free, proving wrong many public health experts who believed that the Region, which accounts for one-fourth of the global population, would be the last bastion for polio eradication. Five years on, the Region not only continues to maintain its polio-free status but is demonstrating how the polio legacy can effectively strengthen overall immunization and other programs.“Member countries, partners and the community themselves continue to work together to keep the crippling virus at bay. The polio program’s emphasis on innovation and reaching everyone, everywhere is being replicated by many other public health programs with impressive results,” said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia Region.The last case of wild poliovirus in the Region was reported from West Bengal, India, where a two-year old girl suffered polio paralysis on 13 January 2011.  An intense response by Government of India supported by WHO, UNICEF, Rotary International and other partners ensured it remained the last case in WHO South-East Asia Region.  Post certification, these efforts continue. Every year, more than 32 million children across the Region are being reached with oral polio vaccines under routine immunization and through mass polio vaccination campaigns to maintain high population immunity against polio. In India, an additional 460 million doses of oral polio vaccines were given to children through four mass polio vaccination campaigns conducted in 2018.As a part of the vigilance for polio in the Region, surveillance for polio continues to be further strengthened. More than 75 000 stool samples were tested in 16 poliovirus laboratories in the Region in 2018. Environmental surveillance for poliovirus detection has been expanded three-fold in the last five years. Samples are now collected for testing from 74 sites in India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Thailand. In 2014, environment surveillance was conducted only in India, from 23 sites.While continuing to maintain a strict vigil against polio, the entire polio machinery in the Region is also geared towards strengthening routine immunization to further boost defense against polio as well as other vaccine preventable diseases. There has been a steady progress in immunization coverage of the basic vaccines provided in the first year of life.  Nearly 88% children in the Region are receiving three doses of the basic vaccines before they achieve the age of one year. In seven of the 11 countries, this coverage is over 90%. All countries have introduced at least two new vaccines under their routine immunization program to protect children from vaccine preventable diseases.Polio programme and its lessons are guiding efforts to eliminate measles and control rubella, a flagship priority programme in WHO South-East Asia Region.   The polio networks are also supporting countries to strengthen vaccine preventable disease surveillance.“This day is a reminder of our momentous victory against polio, a reminder of our commitment to health of our children, and a reminder of our potential, of our determination to turn impossible into possible,” the Regional Director said. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13207/blk-super-speciality-hospital-launches-radixact-9-for-cancer-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13207/blk-super-speciality-hospital-launches-radixact-9-for-cancer-patients.html Thu, 28 Mar 2019 09:00:00 +0530 BLK Super Speciality Hospital Delhi has launched the most advanced version of TomoTherapy – Radixact 9 for treatment of cancer patients with high degree of precision, speed and accuracy. The new and advanced machine has come as boon for patients who need radiation therapy for treatment of critical diseases especially cancers. BLK Cancer Centre has brought in the first Radixact 9 TomoTherapy. This radiation machine provides several clinical benefits to cancer patients. Highlighting the key features of TomoTherapy Dr. S Hukku, Chairman & Sr. Consultant, Radiation Oncology, BLK Super Speciality Hospital said, “TomoTherapy has come as a boon to cancer patients. It is now used as a curative treatment for cancer, the second leading cause of death across the world. With the most recent introduction of TomoTherapy, the radiation oncology has touched an all new high in the race of effective curative treatment for serious illnesses. BLK Super Specialty Hospital has acquired the latest version of the machine for TomoTherapy: Radixact 9, which enables a fully integrated platform for intelligent treatment planning, data management and treatment delivery.” “Using a refined x-ray beamline and next-generation imaging technology, the system delivers scalable and highly reliable treatments for patients with a variety of individual treatment needs. TomoTherapy is an all in one advanced form of cancer treatment that combines Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) with the accuracy of Computed Tomography (CT) scanning technology and Image Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT)”, added Dr.  Hukku. TomoTherapy is marked as the latest and the smartest radiation therapy to trick and treat the most complicated cancer tumors.  Dr. Shikha Halder, Director & Sr. Consultant, Radiation Oncology, BLK Super Speciality Hospital said, “The launch of the most advanced version of TomoTherapy is truly a remarkable development which will completely change the way cancer has been treated in India forever.” With this system we can deliver both fractionated radiotherapy as well as SBRT and Radiosurgery.” During the launch ceremony Dr Mradul Kaushik, Director, Operations & Planning, BLK Super Speciality Hospital said “The launch of the most advance version of TomoTherapy reinforces our commitment for delivering excellent radiation therapy treatment for cancer patients. New generation radiation machine and our highly experienced team enable us to move ahead towards precise and personalized care, therefore improving the quality of life of cancer patients. TomoTherapy ensures that the most advance care is now accessible by the patients of NCR and the neighboring states.” The most advanced version TomoTherapy:Radixact 9 is now functioning   at the Hospital ensuring precision, speed, efficiency and ease of use to get better clinical outcomes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13203/hcah-receives-the-mark-of-sustained-quality-by-qai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13203/hcah-receives-the-mark-of-sustained-quality-by-qai.html Wed, 27 Mar 2019 15:55:00 +0530 HealthCare atHOME (HCAH), has become the first home healthcare solution provider to be accredited QAI for their home healthcare solutions. They have been awarded the ‘Mark of Sustained Quality’ for maintaining high quality services to their patients at the comfort of their home, by QAI (Quality and Accreditation Institute) for a period of 3 years starting January 2019. When it comes to number of hospital beds and doctors, India is way below WHO recommendations. Despite home healthcare being an immediate and cost-effective solution to counter this shortage, home healthcare industry is still only about 2% of the total Indian healthcare industry. Standardization can revolutionise the home healthcare industry by making it more affordable and increasing its acceptance amongst the masses.  Commenting on the achievement, Vivek Srivastava, Co – Founder and CEO of HCAH says, “Home healthcare is the future of Indian healthcare industry. Standardisation is the key to its sustainable growth and acceptance by hospitals, doctors and patients alike. Quality and Accreditation Institute’s initiative of setting standardisation norms and providing accreditation to deserving organisations is the need of the hour and a very welcome step. HCAH has always endeavoured to be a leader in setting and following quality benchmarks in India. Becoming India’s first home healthcare provider to receive QAI’s accreditation and mark of sustained quality is a big step for HCAH in this direction.” Commenting on the process, Dr. Thukral says, “QAI designed home healthcare standards with support of a Technical Committee which comprised of health industry leaders and stalwarts of home healthcare in India. The standards rely on measurable criteria to ensure proper governance, competent human resources, adequate facility, appropriate information management, quality improvement opportunities and safe practices. The standards have been approved by the Board of QAI’s Centre for Accreditation of Health & Social Care which is chaired by Prof.Dr. M. C. Mishra, former director of AIIMS, New Delhi. The organization accredits Home Health Care organizations by evaluating them on 69 standards and 278 parameters, spread across 9 chapters. We respect the audit process and congratulate QAI on taking this much needing step towards standardization of home healthcare. It is a welcome move for the industry.” QAI is the brainchild of Dr. B K Rana who is its founding CEO. Dr. Rana, former Director of NABH, says, “Success of healthcare solutions relies on quality. At QAI we understand that home healthcare is Indian healthcare’s future. Hence, one of the first standardisation modules that we created was for home healthcare. HealthCare atHOME is a leader in India’s home healthcare industry. Not only have they pioneered the concept, they are still leading the way with exceptional innovations and quality standards. QAI will continue to define standards of healthcare in India and recognize organisations like HCAH who meet the standards.” QAI’s initiative of setting standardization norms and providing accreditation to organisations can lead to home healthcare solutions being covered by health insurance and home healthcare becoming even more affordable for the masses.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13190/iscr-welcomes-new-drugs-and-clinical-trial-rules-2019.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13190/iscr-welcomes-new-drugs-and-clinical-trial-rules-2019.html Tue, 26 Mar 2019 15:40:00 +0530 Welcoming the New Drugs and Clinical Trial Rules, 2019 which were notified by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and made public on March 25th, the Indian Society for Clinical Research (ISCR) said that the new Clinical Trial Rules are well balanced and will further the conduct of ethical and quality clinical trials in the country which, in turn, will benefit patients. “We thank the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and CDSCO for notifying the Rules which were long coming and will go a long way in reassuring local and global stakeholders about India’s commitment to building a robust regulatory and clinical research ecosystem. The new Rules protect the rights, safety and well-being of patients, while ensuring a strong scientific base for the conduct of clinical trials,” said Dr Chirag Trivedi, President, ISCR. “We hope this will lead to more stability and growth in clinical research being done in India which will ultimately ensure that our patients have access to faster and more effective treatment.” India has the second largest population in the world and the highest disease burden but does less than 1.2% of global clinical trials. According to ISCR, some of the salient features of the Clinical Trial Rules are: Deemed approval for clinical trials in 30 working days, if no communication is otherwise received from the Central Licensing Authority, for drugs discovered in India or for drugs whose R&D is done in India and proposed to be manufactured and marketed in India. This is a huge push towards encouraging local drug development. 90 working days approval timelines for global clinical trials. This will support India’s participation in global drug development as these timelines are globally competitive and in line with timelines in developed countries. Pre and post submission meetings have been introduced. This is a welcome step as it will provide clarity to various applicants and help smoothen the application process. Conditions for providing post-trial access of drugs to patients who require it have been defined for the first time. The validity of Clinical Trial approval has been determined as two years to initiate a study which is extendable by one year. This step is important in ensuring initiation of approved studies and quicker access to new treatment for patients. For the first time, Orphan Drugs have been defined as a drug intended to treat conditions which affects not more than five lakh persons in India. In addition, fee waivers for orphan drug trials will encourage more trials for rare diseases in India. Requirements and the conditions to be met for conducting Bioavailability and Bioequivalence studies have been included in the Rules, including the specifications for centres conducting such studies. This provides clarity for planning, conduct and reporting such studies. The rules specify the conditions under which data from a local clinical trial may not be required to be submitted along with the application for permission to import a new drug for sale or distribution. This rule also specifies the conditions for conducting a Phase IV clinical trial in India for such new drugs for establishing its safety and effectiveness. This will help in providing early access to Indian patients to drugs already approved in the specified countries. Finally, there is no changes in the rules for safety reporting process and timelines and in the process and requirement for compensation payout which is an acknowledgement that the current system is working well.   “We are grateful to the regulatory authorities for ensuring a collaborative and consultative process, involving all stakeholders, in developing the new rules. As we all know, clinical trials in India went through a very challenging few years and we are still in the process of rebuilding the trust and confidence of sponsors in placing trials in India. It is incumbent on all those involved in clinical research to publicise the new rules so that we can have more clinical trials in India. Our patients are waiting,” added Dr Trivedi. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13189/study-reveals-majority-cancer-patients-in-india-not-getting-right-treatment-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13189/study-reveals-majority-cancer-patients-in-india-not-getting-right-treatment-.html Tue, 26 Mar 2019 15:20:00 +0530 A study by Onco.com, the world’s first online cancer care platform, has come up with startling findings about the treatment being given to cancer patients in India. It found that over 15% of patients were getting completely wrong treatment, 27% were not being given the right chemotherapy drugs, and 41% did not undergo complete tests. In fact, only 17% of patients were on the right treatment path as per international scientific guidelines. In other words, a whopping 83% patients were getting mistreated! Said Rashie Jain, Cofounder & CEO, Onco.com: “The purpose of the study, conducted across a six-month period with data captured by Onco.com, was to understand the adherence to international treatment protocols for cancer patients who undergo cancer treatment in India. It covered 365 patients who took online second opinion from Onco’s multi-disciplinary tumor board regarding their treatment. About 80% of these hailed from India, 10% from Africa, and 5% each from Bangladesh and the Middle-East.” Said Dr. Amit Jotwani, cofounder of Onco.com and a seasoned oncologist: “Cancer is a complex disease and requires a multi-disciplinary and evidence-based approach. While this is followed in developed countries, in developing nations like India, patients don't get access to multi-disciplinary care. This is a major reason for higher death rates in these countries. Our study has shown that taking second opinion in the form of multi-disciplinary review by a team of doctors from three specialties – surgical, medical and radiation oncology – can dramatically improve outcomes for cancer patients. Such a review provides much-needed validation and correction in a patient’s treatment plan, thus preventing mistreatment and unnecessary treatment and optimizing costs.” Mistreatment in medical terminology is defined as deviation from the standard treatment protocol. It does not necessarily mean wrong treatment, but that the patient is not getting the best available treatment. Commenting on the high rate of mistreatment among cancer patients in India found by the study, Dr. Amit Jotwani explained: “Because of a lack of access to specialized doctors, most Indian patients are unable to get multidisciplinary opinion. This affects the treatment they get, which eventually leads to poor outcomes. Cutting-edge research is happening daily in cancer, improving outcomes from new therapies and triggering changes in the standard treatment protocols. Practicing doctors in India may sometimes not get the time to update themselves with the latest treatment guidelines and protocols. Such non-adherence leads to mistreatment. Another reason is that most Indian patients do not get multi-disciplinary care, so they end up getting whatever treatment advice is available to them.” Added Dr. Amit Jotwani: “Considering the findings of the study, our advice to cancer patients in India would be to always seek multi-disciplinary opinion. They should be fully informed about their disease and the best treatment available for them before they start treatment. They should make it a point to ask questions and ensure they are comfortable with the recommended treatment plan. It is important that they empower themselves and seek multiple opinions, if required, to validate their treatment. They should not just go with word of mouth, but always get advice from credible sources for their treatment plan.” Said Rashie Jain: “Today, less than 10% cancer patients in India get second opinion because of lack of awareness and non-availability of unbiased, credible service providers. Onco.com’s tumor board opinion service is accessible to patients from the convenience of their home from anywhere in the world. In oncology, since majority treatment decisions are taken based on report findings, it allows us to provide a comprehensive option based on the reports shared by the patients remotely. A multi-disciplinary panel is a novel concept among developing countries. For every patient, we form a team of cancer specialists – typically a medical oncologist, a surgical oncologist, and a radiation oncologist. This ensures that our patients receive a complete picture about their cancer, and take treatment decisions accordingly.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13180/fujifilm-india-joins-hands-with-yashoda-super-speciality-hospital-to-eliminate-tb.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13180/fujifilm-india-joins-hands-with-yashoda-super-speciality-hospital-to-eliminate-tb.html Mon, 25 Mar 2019 12:25:00 +0530 Fujifilm India Pvt Ltd, a leader in the development and application of imaging and information innovations in healthcare technologies, in partnership with Yashoda Super Speciality Hospital, Kaushambi, Ghaziabad, organized an awareness program ‘TOGETHER END TB’ to help eradicate tuberculosis in India. The event was held at the Leela Ambience Conventional Hotel, New Delhi to mark the World TB day. According to WHO’s Global TB report, Tuberculosis is the 10th leading cause of death worldwide, and since 2011 it has been the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent, ranking above HIV/AIDS and claiming over 4000 lives a day. India has the highest number of TB cases in the world at 27% of the 10 million people who developed the disease in 2017 globally. The situation in India is primarily due to the patients suffering from undetected tuberculosis for too long; late detection of disease which increases their risk of transmitting the disease to others. While the burden of the disease is declining slowly worldwide, the progress in controlling disease and mitigating its consequences is extremely imperative in India. To expedite the cause, continuous and conscious efforts need to be taken for early diagnosis and treatment. Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Haruto Iwata, Managing Director, Fujifilm India Pvt. Ltd. said, “Our association with Yashoda Super Speciality Hospital is in line with our endeavour to fight against Tuberculosis in India. The correct education and awareness from Hospitals and doctors is a crucial first step and can significantly contribute to the government’s vision of completely eradicating the disease from the country by 2025.” Understanding this need, Fujifilm India looks to contribute towards the wellbeing of the people who are suffering from the disease and yet are unaware of its repercussions. The main objective of the program TOGETHER END TB is also to emphasize that incomplete or delayed treatment can lead to serious complications or fatalities. Further throwing light on the importance of early diagnosis of TB, Ms. Upasana Arora Director Yashoda Super Speciality Hospital said “The longer the disease is left undetected, the higher the chance that the patient will end up transmitting the infection in the community. With our joint efforts with Fujifilm, we look at addressing the issue in order to achieve the goal of ‘End TB’ in India.” The program also encourages patients in India to complete their treatment cycle as ignorance or complacency can lead to MDR TB, which is even more dangerous and often not treatable. Explaining the objective of the program, Mr. Chander Shekhar Sibal, Senior Vice President, Head of Medical Division, Fujifilm India Pvt. Ltd. said, “In India, every year around 2.8 million people develop this disease with nearly 40% of them being infectious. Today’s program is our effort along with Yashoda Super Speciality Hospital to raise consciousness and promote advanced diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis among patients.” Fujifilm India in association with Yashoda Super Speciality Hospital, distributed 1000 coupons for free chest X- Rays and TB check-ups. The installation of the Fujifilm’s Digital Radiography System ‘FDR Smart f’ at the hospital will help in efficient workflow and excellent image quality for the better diagnosis of Tuberculosis. “Mapping the disease will help in predicting, preventing and treating a number of cases in the community. The collaboration will open up new possibilities and help in generating awareness among the masses” said Dr. Sunil Dagar General Manager - Operations & Quality talking about the roadmap to deal with the problem. ‘FDR Smart F’, installed at Yashoda Super Speciality Hospital comes with its latest Flat Panel Detector that has many unique features like, the `FDR Smart F’ is a great DR solution that offers exceptional Image Quality without any compromises, can be customized as per different budget requirements of the customers. The other features include-Wired / Wireless configuration, ISS reading Technology (for High Resolution at low dose),  In-built image Storage, Anti-bacterial quoting, IPX6 water proofing, Strong & 310 kg load bearing capacity, that makes it a 1st choice for the clinicians.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13174/its-time-to-accelerate-progress-to-end-tb-who.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13174/its-time-to-accelerate-progress-to-end-tb-who.html Mon, 25 Mar 2019 10:25:00 +0530 The WHO South-East Asia Region’s Member States are leading the charge to End TB by or before 2030. In March 2017 they issued a Call for Action underscoring how to accelerate progress against TB. A year later they adopted a Statement of Action highlighting the need to intensify efforts to combat the scourge. Since 2016 domestic budgetary allocations to fight TB Region-wide have more than doubled, while new technologies and people-centered approaches are being rapidly adopted. Member States and civil society made crucial contributions to the Political Declaration on the Fight against Tuberculosis issued at last year’s UN General Assembly. Region-wide leadership is a commendable – and much-needed – response to TB’s disproportionate burden. World-wide, around 10 million people fall ill with TB annually. An estimated 1.6 million are killed by it. Though the WHO South-East Asia Region accounts for just over a quarter of the world’s population, it comprises around 44% of global TB cases and 50% of associated mortality. To accelerate efforts to End TB, as per the Region’s Flagship Priorities, operationalizing the UN’s Political Declaration is critical. Region-wide, by 2022 at least 18 million TB patients – including 1.5 million children – must be diagnosed and effectively treated; over 500 000 patients with drug-resistant TB must be successfully treated; and approximately 12 million people at risk of developing the disease must be provided preventive treatment. Each outcome can be achieved. To do so, active case-finding to reach the Region’s missing 1.5 million TB cases should be intensified. Modelling shows that this will significantly reduce case incidence at the same time as ensuring all patients receive quality treatment. Member States should likewise develop a roadmap on how new diagnostics and community engagement can help find missing cases and how people-centered treatment can be provided to all. A time-bound action plan to cover all high-risk groups should be developed and implemented. Treating latent TB infection must be prioritized; ensuring new drugs that prevent latent cases becoming active must be harnessed. As part of this, treating childhood, adolescent and adult contacts of TB cases, alongside other at-risk groups – including people living with HIV or who are immunocompromised – is vital. All partners should support the supply of quality assured, low-cost TB drugs via south-south cooperation. Several Member States produce drugs and diagnostics. Others are developing technologies that show great promise. The Region’s innovative potential should be fully leveraged, including through the royalty-free transfer of new technology, without patent limitations. Finally, community engagement must be a core priority for all. Affected communities should not only be included in developing TB-related policies; they should also be empowered to monitor the quality of services and support outreach efforts. WHO will continue to provide Member States full technical and operational support to pursue these and other imperatives. As international backing increases and Member State funding mechanisms are streamlined, the opportunity to chart further gains will be enhanced. On World TB Day, we must reflect on the momentum developed and the life-changing outcomes we can achieve. It’s time to seize the moment and accelerate progress to End TB. - Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13168/who-paves-way-for-governance-on-human-genome-editing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13168/who-paves-way-for-governance-on-human-genome-editing.html Fri, 22 Mar 2019 17:25:00 +0530 The World Health Organization’s new advisory committee on developing global standards for governance and oversight of human genome editing has agreed to work towards a strong international governance framework in this area. Over the past two days, the committee of experts reviewed the current state of science and technology. They also agreed core principles of transparency, inclusivity and responsibility that underpin the Committee’s current recommendations. The committee agreed that it is irresponsible at this time for anyone to proceed with clinical applications of human germline genome editing.   The committee also agreed that a central registry on human genome editing research is needed in order to create an open and transparent database of ongoing work. The committee asked WHO to immediately begin working to establish such a registry.   The committee has invited all those conducting human genome editing research to open discussions with the committee to better understand the technical environment and current governance arrangements and help ensure their work meets current scientific and ethical best practice.   The committee will operate in an inclusive manner and has made a series of concrete proposals to increase WHO’s capacity to act as an information resource in this area.    “The committee will develop essential tools and guidance for all those working on this new technology to ensure maximum benefit and minimal risk to human health,” says Dr Soumya Swamanathan, WHO Chief Scientist. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13163/clean-water-essential-to-eliminate-ntds-who.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13163/clean-water-essential-to-eliminate-ntds-who.html Fri, 22 Mar 2019 14:30:00 +0530 Access for all to clean and safe water is fundamental to controlling and eliminating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) from across the WHO South-East Asia Region. Alongside other interventions, access to clean and safe water is a powerful means to ensure all communities can combat and control NTDs and that in partnership with health authorities they can sustain their achievements and accelerate progress.As per the Region’s Flagship Priorities, recent progress against NTDs has been substantial. In 2015 India was declared yaws-free. In 2016 Maldives and Sri Lanka eliminated lymphatic filariasis (LF) as a public health problem; in 2017 Thailand achieved the same. Bangladesh, India and Nepal have meanwhile made substantial gains against visceral leishmaniasis, while in 2018 Nepal was validated to have eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, with the WHO SAFE strategy and its emphasis on access to clean water crucial to its success. Indonesia has reduced the prevalence of schistosomiasis to very low levels.Further progress is needed. The most recent figures show that the Region is the world’s second most affected by NTDs, with remote and hard-to-reach communities bearing the bulk of the burden. It is no coincidence that these are the very same communities that are most disadvantaged when it comes to accessing clean and safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).As WHO’s recently released toolkit – ‘WASH and health working together: A ‘how-to’ guide for Neglected Tropical Disease programmes’ – outlines, WASH must be core to any NTD programme. National NTD programmes Region-wide should work with partners and across sectors to target affected populations and make full use of the tool.Where communities lack access to clean and safe water, for example, sustainable solutions must be found. That could mean addressing stigma-based exclusion from improved drinking water sources or ensuring health care facilities and schools – particularly in rural areas – have improved water and hygiene services available. It could also mean ensuring access to handwashing facilities where appropriate, and that household waste is safely disposed of to prevent the transmission of diseases such as schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminthiases.Behavioral change campaigns can also enhance WASH to help combat NTDs. All stakeholders should identify behaviors that exacerbate (or can alleviate) the impact NTDs have on individual sufferers, as well as their broader spread. Locally tailored messaging that empowers communities should then be developed to promote positive outcomes that will accelerate NTD-related progress alongside other goods.Monitoring and evaluating the impact of interventions is key. To do this effectively, good baseline data is needed, with the provision of WASH services incorporated into disease mapping and the impact of WASH policies measured accordingly. Ongoing information on the effectiveness of policies is crucial to adapting interventions and ensuring the inattention that defines NTDs and exposes whole communities to stigma and marginalization is overcome.On World Water Day, WHO highlights the critical role access to WASH is to the fight against NTDs specifically, and the social good it provides generally, as outlined in Sustainable Development Goal 6. The outcome we are pursuing really is crystal clear: water for all, whoever you are, wherever you are.   Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13154/number-of-patients-opting-for-bariatric-surgery-soars-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13154/number-of-patients-opting-for-bariatric-surgery-soars-in-bengaluru.html Thu, 21 Mar 2019 15:30:00 +0530 Bariatric surgery is increasingly becoming an option for Bengalurean patients with uncontrollable diabetes or other conditions like PCOD and Hypothyroidism. Gleneagles Global Hospital, Richmond Road reports having completed 70 bariatric surgeries in 18 months; the highest number of bariatric surgeries completed by a city hospital in bengaluru. Interestingly, this centre has demonstrated a 100% success rate in post-surgical results in bariatric surgery. The multi-disciplinary team of doctors provide comprehensive obesity treatment and is experienced in performing single incision bariatric surgeries that guarantee a scar less and painless surgery.  Sedentary lifestyle is predominant amongst city dwellers. With minimal exercise and poor nutrition; obesity and associated conditions like diabetes are on the rise. bengaluru is presently known to have the 3rd highest diabetic population in India. Bariatric and metabolic surgery can be a useful approach in diabetic patients whose sugar levels cannot be controlled with optimal medical treatment. Doctors have noted that40 – 50% of the patients who approach them for bariatric surgery are diabetic. As demonstrated in many cases, these diabetic patients were able to completely stop their diabetes medication post-surgery. A year ago, Dr Moinoddin and team operated on a 200 kilo patient with a BMI of 87. The patient had been diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. He experienced difficulties such as obstructive sleep apnea, shortness of breath while walking short distances, constant pain in his knees and back and the presence of gall bladder stones. He suffered from severe lymphedema in both the legs due to which daily activities were challenging.  Doctors performed a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and lap cholecystectomy. The main challenge in this case was the high BMI, high visceral fat and heavy liver. This had caused technical difficulties and had also made intubation very problematic. The procedure has led to many benefits. The patient has lost 50 kgs in the last year and he no longer suffers from mobility issues or sleep apnea. Dr Moinoddin G, Consultant Bariatrics & Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeon at Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Richmond Road, Bengaluru is an expert in the field. He has trained in various cities across India and countries like Korea, Taiwan and Belgium. He commented, “India suffers from the double burden of rising obesity and diabetes. Over 80 percent of diabetic cases are caused by obesity. Our burgeoning middle class opts for unhealthy eating, including processed food and snacks as well as fast-food. The obesity rate among teenagers is alarming because they are addicted to junk food and gadgets and tend to be physically inactive. Overseas patients seeking bariatric surgery is also increasing in numbers. This surgery is no longer merely a cosmetic procedure but could potentially save lives.” Post-surgical period is a crucial time in the recovery of a bariatric patient. A positive environment inside and outside of the hospital where the patient feels comfortable is an important factor. At Gleneagles Global Hospital, Richmond Road, the centre hosts quarterly support group meetings which essentially unite patients who have undergone the surgery with patients who are considering opting for the surgery. This helps not only to alleviate doubts and concerns but also provides a platform to support each through post-surgical recovery. Ms Shailaja Suresh, CEO, Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Bengaluru added,” Medical literature on Bariatric surgeries proves that it can solve many health issues. There is an increasing awareness amongst medical practitioners as well as general public about its various health benefits and that once morbid obesity is treated, comorbidities can also be treated.“ ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13150/new-who-recommendations-to-accelerate-progress-on-tb.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13150/new-who-recommendations-to-accelerate-progress-on-tb.html Thu, 21 Mar 2019 09:45:00 +0530 WHO has issued new guidance to improve treatment of multidrug resistant TB (MDR-TB). WHO is recommending shifting to fully oral regimens to treat people with MDR-TB. This new treatment course is more effective and is less likely to provoke adverse side effects. WHO recommends backing up treatment with active monitoring of drug safety and providing counselling support to help patients complete their course of treatment. The recommendations are part of a larger package of actions designed to help countries increase the pace of progress to end tuberculosis (TB) and released in advance of World TB Day. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General said, “The theme of this year’s World TB Day is: It’s time to end TB. We’re highlighting the urgent need to translate commitments made at the 2018 UN High Level Meeting on TB into actions that ensure everyone who needs TB care can get it.” Since 2000, 54 million lives have been saved, and TB deaths fell by one-third.  But 10 million people still fall ill with TB each year, with too many missing out on vital care. The WHO package is designed to help countries close gaps in care ensuring no one is left behind. Key elements include: An accountability framework to coordinate actions across sectors and to monitor and review progress A dashboard to help countries know more about their own epidemics through real-time monitoring – by moving to electronic TB surveillance systems. A guide for effective prioritization of planning and implementation of impactful TB interventions based on analyses of patient pathways in accessing care. New WHO guidelines on infection control and preventive treatment for latent TB infection A civil society task force to ensure effective and meaningful civil society engagement Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director WHO’s Global TB Programme said, “This is a set of pragmatic actions that countries can use to accelerate progress and act on the high-level commitments made in the first-ever UN High Level Meeting on TB last September.” On 22 March, key partners will come together at a World TB Day symposium at WHO in Geneva to develop a collaborative multi-stakeholder and multisectoral platform to accelerate actions to end TB. WHO will present the new package at the meeting.   TB is the world’s top infectious disease killer, claiming 4 500 lives each day. The heaviest burden is carried by communities facing socio-economic challenges, those working and living in high-risk settings, the poorest and marginalized.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13149/fortis-hospital-spreads-awareness-on-world-head-injury-awareness-day.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13149/fortis-hospital-spreads-awareness-on-world-head-injury-awareness-day.html Thu, 21 Mar 2019 09:40:00 +0530 On the occasion of World Head Injury awareness day, Fortis Hospitals, Bangalore along with their accident survivors came forward to spread awareness on road safety. The drive was conducted in association with Bangalore Traffic Police. The survivors wanted to put across the strong message about their fight for survival while giving away helmets to the ones riding without helmet. The sole aim of the initiative was to take responsibility for themselves as well as for the pillion rider. Fortis hospital together with college students came forward to give away 150 helmets. Dr Ganesh Veerabhadraiah , Senior Consultant, Neurosurgery said “Helmet use lowers the risk of head injury during the time of accidents. People tend to ignore helmets and don’t realise that a lot of cases of head-injuries due to accidents can be avoided if taken care. It is also recommended to use full face helmet as it offers the best protection for your head and neck. Initiatives like this, will help people realise the importance of wearing helmets which they otherwise only wear to avoid getting caught by the traffic cops.” Dr. Priya Sreedharan, Facility Director, Cunningham road, said, “Fortis Hospitals have been spreading the message of road safety for the three consecutive years now. As a responsible hospital, we want to make people realize the importance of wearing helmets so that they are safe while riding. We hope this initiative will create a bigger impact on the non-helmet wearer and convey the message to be safe on the roads by wearing the helmet. Fortis Hospitals Bangalore has been taking several initiatives to spread awareness on safety regarding various healthcare issues in India.” According to a report from the World Health Organization, “Every year the lives of approximately 1.35 million people are cut short as a result of road traffic crash. Between 20 and 50 million more people suffer from non-fatal injuries, with many incurring a disability as a result of their injury.” In sheer numbers India has more numbers of deaths due to road accidents than anywhere else and most of them are recorded to be on motorized two wheelers.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13146/idc-to-develop-guidelines-for-acupuncture-therapy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13146/idc-to-develop-guidelines-for-acupuncture-therapy.html Wed, 20 Mar 2019 14:45:00 +0530 The Department of Health Research (DHR), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has constituted an Inter-Departmental Committee (IDC) for identifying viable new systems of medicine/therapy. The proposals received for recognition of Acupuncture as a system of medicine were considered by the IDC. On consideration of the IDC’s report in the matter by the Government, an Apex Committee on Acupuncture has been constituted for developing guidelines for Acupuncture as a system of Healthcare/Therapy; chaired by Dr. V.M. Katoch, former Secretary, DHR and DG ICMR. The Committee will frame detailed guidelines for promotion and regulation of Acupuncture as a system of Healthcare/Therapy and will suggest steps for implementation of the guidelines as well as for reimbursement for acupuncture. Also, the Committee will suggest appropriate authority/Department for implementation of the guidelines. The Committee is to submit its final report within a period of three months. Further action in the matter will be taken on the basis of the report to be submitted by the Apex Committee on Acupuncture. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13145/sparsh-hospital-receives-license-to-conduct-hand-transplant.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13145/sparsh-hospital-receives-license-to-conduct-hand-transplant.html Wed, 20 Mar 2019 14:35:00 +0530 SPARSH Super Speciality Hospital, Bengaluru’s leading hospital chain, has become the first hospital in Karnataka to be licensed to conduct hand transplant surgeries. SPARSH has established a special facility to perform cadaveric transplantation of hand and upper limb focused towards upper limb amputees. Many people lose their upper limbs for various reasons including accident, this has a deep physical and psychological impact on the individual and society. This hampers their day to day activities and means of living. Hand Transplantation restores functions sensation proprioception voluntary motor control making the person whole and complete. Hand transplants have been successfully done across the world, and in a few centers in India. However, there is no special unit in Karnataka so far. SPARSH’s special unit will be led by Dr. Anand K, recently appointed Chief of Cosmetics, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at the hospital’s Infantry Road unit. Commenting on the license, Dr. Anand said, “We are proud to be the first hospital in Karnataka to be able to perform cadaveric hand transplant. These are successful in the world but we want to do this at SPARSH as well. Now, with this, we will be giving a new lease of life to people who struggle every day without the support of their limbs. Anyone, who has lost both the limbs can get the benefit of the hand transplant program and interested individual can contact SPARSH Hospitals.” SPARSH Hospital, which gained international recognition for its Orthopaedic services, transitioned to a Super Specialty hospital. The hospital chain has expanded their services to include Gastroenterology, Neurosurgery, Cardiology, Cosmetic & Reconstructive surgery along with all organ transplant and all other sub speciality services. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13138/abbott-introduces-new-digital-service-in-india-as-part-of-its-global-acare-program.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13138/abbott-introduces-new-digital-service-in-india-as-part-of-its-global-acare-program.html Wed, 20 Mar 2019 09:00:00 +0530 The global healthcare company Abbott has announced the launch of its new digital health service in India as part of its global a:care program. The a:care platform from Abbott’s pharmaceuticals business provides doctors and consumers with services and information to help people achieve better health. India is the first country in which Abbott launched the digital platform, which can be found online atwww.acare.co.in or as a web app downloaded from the Android Play Store. Abbott’s a:care is the first digital platform in the country that will bridge communication between patients and doctors across multiple therapy areas. The platform supports people with a broad range of healthcare needs, from prevention to awareness, adherence to treatment and motivation. For instance, using the platform, a doctor can get access to the latest science, medical education and patient support services, and consumers can access educational health information or participate in a motivational points-based program to help them adhere to treatments prescribed by their doctor. "This is a transformational time in healthcare" said Jawed Zia, head of Abbott’s pharmaceutical business in India. "We’re seeing rapidly growing populations of people with chronic diseases in the country. The need for technology-based services that help people manage these health challenges has never been greater. a:care is an important part of Abbott’s mission to help people live healthier lives." Abbott designed its global a:care program not only to help people manage their health, but also to help alleviate some of the pressure on growing healthcare systems around the world. In many emerging markets, the number of doctors per 1,000 people is often well below the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) average of 2.8. This means that doctors’ overburdened work schedules can serve as a barrier to providing the best care. New technologies that monitor health, analyze data and offer personalized recommendations can be a real asset to help educate people on prevention. Thanks to emerging digital technologies that use data and artificial intelligence to monitor patients, targeted education and precise information can help people work together at every stage of a healthcare treatment plan. The new online portal is designed to help bridge communication between consumers and doctors to ensure a supportive, cohesive approach to managing health. One example is that through the a:care portal, consumers grant their doctor access to the health information they input online, privately and securely and doctors can see patients’ medical adherence reports. In the first phase, a:care will address the needs of doctors and patients, while pharmacists will be included at a later date. The digital platform currently includes three specialty areas, namely diabetes, thyroid and osteoarthritis, with plans to include more therapies in a phased manner later in the year. Other future enhancements include the launch of a native app, interactive and regional content, a multilingual platform and personalized health coach to better equip patients to manage their health condition. Dr. Manoj Chadha, Consultant Endocrinologist, Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai & Immediate Past President – Endocrine Society of India, while speaking at the a:care launch event, said, "Digital technology is playing a growing role in increasing disease awareness amongst patients. By providing scientifically validated information and access to advice from qualified experts, a:care will help combat misinformation and debunk myths. This enables physicians to have high-quality engagement with patients, which can drive better outcomes.” Dr. Ram Chaddha, Consultant Spine Surgeon, Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai & Past President – Association of Spine Surgeons of India further added, “A platform such as this helps us in remaining connected with our patients once they have left our clinic, so that we can help them with adherence and clarity on their condition. This helps in long-term management of chronic diseases that need continuous monitoring. Further, with our busy schedules, a:care is a good reference for medical and scientific literature, which is critical to our work." a:care for Doctors Through the a:care online platform, doctors can access scientific information, virtual learning tools and education-based games. Doctors can learn from top local and international experts, ensuring they have the most accurate and relevant information to provide the best care for their patients. If a patient grants their doctor access, a doctor can review a patient’s profile and progress on a treatment plan remotely. Or, if the patient is coming for a visit, doctors can review the patient information in advance, saving time and allowing him or her to be more engaged with patients.One of the offline components that a doctor has access to is the a:care academy. The a:care academy is a three-year, comprehensive program that aims to provide doctors with knowledge on critical topics beyond their regular classroom curriculum. It has integrated learning modules on clinical, research and allied domains and ‘future ready’ personal learning modules to help them deal with changing healthcare scenarios. a:care for Consumers The a:care platform also enables consumers to better understand, manage and monitor their conditions. The program provides guidance, information and tools to help people manage their health, and incentivizes patients to earn health-related rewards for adhering to their medication and treatment plans powered by gamification concepts. a:care is the global brand for a range of healthcare services offered by Abbott’s pharmaceuticals business. With a mission to help people achieve better health, a:care services are designed to meet a range of healthcare needs, from prevention to awareness, treatment and motivation. The global a:care program includes the new online portal available now in India, as well as other digital apps and offline solutions, such as educational kits for doctors to share with patients. a:care offerings vary by country. The services are free and not tied to any product, treatment or disease. People do not have to be using an Abbott medication to use a:care. Doctors who wish to enroll themselves on a:care can call our national helpline to request for a:care set-up. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13121/annual-saarc-conference-puts-emphasis-on-effective-diabetes-management.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13121/annual-saarc-conference-puts-emphasis-on-effective-diabetes-management.html Mon, 18 Mar 2019 08:00:00 +0530 A team of leading endocrinologists from SAARC countries recently inaugurated the annual ‘SAARC Diabetes Conference’ in New Delhi.  The themes of this year’s conference is ‘Sharirmadyam Khalu Dharmasadhanam’ which lays importance on an individual’s responsibility to keep his body healthy. Good health is key to wellness and contributes to the overall performance of an individual. The two-day annual conference organised under the aegis of Dept. of Endocrinology and Metabolism at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. is the only platform that brings leading medical experts from SAARC countries together to exchange best practices, update on latest products and other technical advancements that can aid in improving the overall management of Diabetes. Opened by Prof (Col) Surender Kumar, President of SAARC Diabetes Association, the conference was attended by all leading endocrinologists across the country including Dr V Mohan, Dr Nikhil Tandon and Dr Ambrish Mittal amongst other dignitaries. It was also attended by like-minded stakeholders and practitioners from SAARC countries who highlighted the progress made over the past year towards tackling diabetes in their respective regions as a result of focused awareness programs undertaken. “SAARC countries are among the highest populations of people with diabetes. This conference enables us to exchange key notes, progress and developments on improving the way Diabetes is managed currently. In India specifically, ‘IMPACT India the 1000-Day Challenge’ provides a clear goal and direction for improving diabetes care by reducing HbA1c by 1% over a 3-year period. This is the primary program that can serve as a guide for other countries to learn from”, said Prof (Col) Surender Kumar, Chairman, Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. As per the 8th edition of IDF Diabetes Atlas, the incidence of Diabetes in South East Asian countries was found to be over 82 million in 2017 which is expected to grow upto 151 million by the end of 2045. This clearly indicated that worldwide, there is a steady increase in the diabetes population owing to ignorance and sedentary lifestyle. Especially in the Indian sub-continent, the high incidence rate of diabetes, has led to a significant health burden. This teamed with lack of awareness and undiagnosed diabetes has paved way for the rise of various heart, kidney, eye and limb diseases. “In India alone, 1 in 12 adults suffer from diabetes and over 11.2 lakh succumb to its complications. To combat this growing burden, the need of the hour is to burst myths and improve awareness on the need to manage diabetes better by adopting a healthy lifestyle and being aware”, adds Dr Sudhir Tripathi, Senior Consultant, Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.   About IMPACT India: 1000 Day Challenge: Under IMPACT India, the 1000 Day challenge, Novo Nordisk Education Foundation has taken an initiative to improve awareness and education amongst 150,000 practitioners and 10,000 paramedics through over 6,000 medical meetings and continuous medical education (CMEs) programmes. Novo Nordisk Education Foundation has also developed India Diabetes Care Index, a tool to track progress of diabetes care in India that provides a first ever real-time data on the state of diabetes care and the average blood sugar found in people living with diabetes. Currently, as per this index, the three-month average HbA1c level of people with diabetes in key cities is high against the recommended target of <7%. Delhi is found to be at 8.53%, Mumbai at 8.13%, Chennai at 8.41% and Kolkata at 8.24%. India on the whole is found to be at an average HbA1c of 8.51%. Through this program, the ambition is to improve the understanding of the principal factors behind the rise of diabetes in India, enhance understanding on uncontrolled diabetes and then share and apply that knowledge to real-world solutions for people to live healthier lives with diabetes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13122/sakra-hospital-launches-novel-shoulder-care-centre.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13122/sakra-hospital-launches-novel-shoulder-care-centre.html Mon, 18 Mar 2019 08:00:00 +0530 Sakra World Hospital has launched its Shoulder Centre in Bangalore recently.  This centre is a one-of-its-kind dedicated specialized shoulder care centre in Karnataka and will offer advanced state of the art surgeries for shoulder and upper limb. Sakra Shoulder Centre is equipped with highly specialized team and will cater to sports injuries from various sporting bodies and organizations and non-sporting shoulder injuries from patients across India. This centre of excellence is spearheaded by Dr. Banarji B H, Senior Consultant, Department of Orthopaedics, Sakra World Hospital. Dr. Banarji, an upper limb orthopaedic specialist surgeon, specializes in shoulders, upper limbs disorder, arthroscopy and sports medicine. He has performed over 3,000 shoulder surgeries, which include highly skilled endoscopic reconstructive procedures like reconstruction of ligaments, shoulder stabilisation procedures and shoulder and elbow joint replacement through keyhole surgeries.  Dr. Banarji is the first surgeon in the state to have conducted innovative endoscopic surgeries of shoulder. “Shoulder is often one of the most integral yet ignored part of the body. It is important to provide due care and attention to shoulder injuries as lack of proper care can cause limb impairment and disability.  Sakra Shoulder Centre is a dedicated unit in Sakra institute of Bone & Joint which will perform the most advanced shoulder and elbow procedures and surgeries which is backed with best-in-class surgical and imaging technology and ultra-modern Rehabilitation centre that provides excellent pre and post-operative care for a person’s everyday physical demands, help prevent re-injuries and return to daily activities as quickly as possible,” said, Dr. Banarji B H. The centre offers routine surgical procedures including Endoscopic Reconstructive Procedures, Reconstruction of Ligaments, Shoulder Stabilisation Procedures and Shoulder and Total Elbow Joint Replacement; unique surgical procedures comprising of Arthroscopic AC Joint Repair, Arthroscopic Suprascapular nerve decompression, Arthroscopic Transosseous Rotator Cuff Repair. The centre is equipped with computer navigation system, intraoperative CT scan, high definition cameras, Arthroscopic Equipment for performing technically challenging procedures, cutting edge imaging technologies and a skeletomuscular rehabilitation facility spanning 7,000 sq. ft. The Sakra Shoulder Centre was inaugurated by the Professional Armwrestling League President Igor Mazurenko from Poland. It was launched during the occasion of the ongoing Unified Ranking of Professional Athletes (URPA) World Ranking Series, organised by Bulldog Arm-wrestling and Professional Arm-wrestling League (PAL).    “Injuries on the field during a match or practice sessions are extremely common and are known to put a lot of successful careers to rest. Throughout my professional arm-wrestling career and now as a coach, I have always believed in providing the best of medical intervention and rehabilitation to all of our players. I am delighted to see the world-class facilities and expertise at Sakra Shoulder Centre. I am sure, that under the expert care of Dr. Banarji and team, we can be rest assured regarding the quality of treatment provided to athletes and other patients.” said Mr. Igor Mazurenko, President, PAL. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13109/tata-trusts-ventures-into-menstruation-hygiene-management-in-7-states.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13109/tata-trusts-ventures-into-menstruation-hygiene-management-in-7-states.html Fri, 15 Mar 2019 11:25:00 +0530 Under the Tata Water Mission umbrella, the Tata Trusts has announced its intervention into Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) in the rural areas of Karnataka, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra and Jharkhand. Since 2015, the Trusts’ Tata Water Mission has been working among rural communities for improved access to safe, assured, and adequate drinking water, improved environmental sanitation and hygiene facilities. Divyang Waghela, Head, Tata Water Mission, The Tata Trusts, said, “Behaviour change is our primary objective with regard to hygienic menstrual practices in an environment that supports menstruation. In addition to the trainings delivered, we will facilitate women federations and local social entrepreneurs to establish supply chain mechanism to provide options of a range of products, preferably environment friendly products. Normalizing conversations on menstruation in all spheres helps create a platform to provide comprehensive information, safe products, and infrastructure. It is essential to streamline efforts and messaging related to normalizing menstruation and reach out to influencers at all levels from families to policy makers to shift the conversations on menstruation from impurity and shame to normal and healthy.” The announcement of an MHM was made against the backdrop of an engaging and thought-provoking series of panel discussions at the inaugural edition of The Force Beyond, a philanthropic effort by the Tata Trusts, to create a level playing field for women. The gathering brought to the fore the unwavering and inimitable force of women with messages of hope and encouragement to inspire more people to become Champions of Change. The MHM programme has been split into two parts - school interventions and community interventions: The community interventions will see sessions being delivered to menstruating women up till the age of 55.  In schools, adolescent girls from Class VI to Class XII, will have school modules delivered over 4 sessions, building capacities of peer mentors and teachers who in turn ensure sustainability within the school in the coming years. Additionally, boys from Class VIII upwards will be made aware of subjects such as the reproductive cycle (male & female) and how to provide a supportive socio-cultural environment for their mothers and sisters. The Tata Trusts will train community members and young girls to become Community Resource Person(s) to implement the community and school programmes respectively. The Trusts have partnered with organizations such as Sukhibhava, Bangalore and Jatan Designs, Rajasthan for providing technical support. The Tata Trusts will also partner with Government authorities, local stakeholders and like-minded entities addressing all aspects of the MHM value chain; by ensuring sustainability through building capacities of front-line workers. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13104/us-based-mindfultms-neurocare-enters-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13104/us-based-mindfultms-neurocare-enters-bengaluru.html Thu, 14 Mar 2019 19:45:00 +0530 After the success of its first super-speciality psychiatric neurocare centre in New Delhi, Rangsons Healthcare, a venture of the Mysore-based NR Group, launches its 2nd mindfulTMS Neurocare™ centre in India in ‘Bangalore’.  The centre has been specially-designed to provide a holistic approach to treating mental illnesses with the US FDA-approved Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) at its core. mindfulTMS Neurocare, a global brand with a presence in the US, Europe and Asia, brings clinical expertise of neuropsychiatrists from the US, along with cutting-edge Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) treatment and individually customized treatment protocols that have yielded successful results for treating mental illnesses over time. Pavan Ranga, MD, Rangsons and Managing Partner, NR Group, along with Dr Vijay Mehtry, Consultant Psychiatrist, mindfulTMS Neurocare, Bangalore and Dr. Ajit Bhide, President of Indian Psychiatric Society(IPS) were present at the event. A Live demo to experience the working of TMS was organized by the clinic where the effectiveness of the treatment was spoken about in depth. NR Group has invested around Rs 20-25 crore in this venture to address the mental health disorders such as depression and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) particularly. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13102/br-life-ssnmc-hospital-opens-exclusive-kidney-health-clinic.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13102/br-life-ssnmc-hospital-opens-exclusive-kidney-health-clinic.html Thu, 14 Mar 2019 19:35:00 +0530 On the occasion of World Kidney Day, Bengaluru based BR Life SSNMC Hospital has launched ‘Know Your Kidney Number’ clinic, an exclusive kidney health screening clinic to create awareness on kidney health. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is the sixth fastest growing cause of death globally. However, many tend to ignore kidney related health issues since it does not show any symptoms in the initial stages. ‘Know Your Kidney Number’ clinic will help people get an assessment of their kidney health and also ways to take care of it. “Know your kidney number” clinic will commence in the hospital from March 14- 31, 2019 and will cater to everyone who will visit the hospital to know more about their kidney health. Urine and Creatinine tests are offered along with hemoglobin, calcium, phosphorus and uric acid tests, and ultrasound test if required, for further investigation. Consultation and treatments are offered based on the problems the patients are facing. Speaking on the increasing kidney problems, Dr. Manjunath, Nephrologist, BR Life SSNMC Hospital said, “Diabetes and Hypertension are the biggest reasons for kidney problems in our country. These lifestyle diseases account for 40 – 60% of Chronic Kidney Diseases. The rising lifestyle problems among youngsters have resulted in increasing kidney issues at a younger age. Lesser fluid intake, increased alcohol consumption and smoking are also adding to the existing problems to increase kidney disease incidence. It is important for everyone to be aware of their kidney health. A simple change in lifestyle can make your kidney health better.” Also, on this event, BR Life SSNMC Hospital has launched “I LIVE ON “campaign to encourage people to come forward and pledge to donate their organs. ‘I LIVE ON’ is an online platform to pledge organ donation initiated by BR Life SSNMC Hospital. The process of registration for organ donation is made simple and easy with this portal. In the wake of huge problems faced by the people in terms of organ donation and transplant, especially in case of kidney, , BR Life SSNMC Hospital has taken this initiative to create awareness and influence donors  to pledge on donating their organs. Speaking on the “I LIVE ON” Campaign, Col Hemraj Parmar, Group CEO, BR Life said, “There is a wide gap between the number of organs available and transplants awaited. According to Ipsos MORI research, organ donation rate in India is around 0.34 per million, which is abysmally low compared to other developed countries like Spain (36), Croatia (35), USA (27.02). More Indians should be aware of the donation process and must come forward to pledge their organs for donation. A donor can save as good as 8 lives by donating various parts of the body once deceased. I am hopeful that with “I Live On” campaign, we will be able to raise awareness about organ donation and get more people to pledge their organs. This will have a positive impact on the healthcare industry in India.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13098/aster-cmi-doctors-rescue-teen-suffering-from-rarest-of-the-rare-genetic-disease.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13098/aster-cmi-doctors-rescue-teen-suffering-from-rarest-of-the-rare-genetic-disease.html Thu, 14 Mar 2019 12:30:00 +0530 A 13-year-old-girl from Mauritius, suffering from rarest of the rare Complement Deficiency genetic disease, C1q deficiency since the age of 2, became the first teen in Asia suffering from this complex condition to receive a bone marrow transplant. Girl was suffering from repeated skin rashes and kidney ailments for over a decade and also developed difficulty in walking and stiffening of lower limbs. Until the transplant, Ciara was on multiple immune-suppressants to control the autoimmune condition – Systemic lupus erythematosus and was being treated with over 10 different medications for her severe skin disease, kidney disease and pulmonary hypertension. Not just she was wheelchair bound, but also had very high risk of permanent renal failure till the Pediatric Immunology department at Aster CMI Hospital diagnosed her to have a very rare genetic disease – complement C1q deficiency as confirmed by the genetic studies conducted at the hospital. She was advised to undergo a bone marrow transplant and her father was found to be a full HLA match. He donated his bone marrow to Ciara and the teen has been cured to lead a normal life now. Currently, she is under medications and would require close follow-up for the next six months. Efforts taken by the hospital to help the family raise a large sum worth Rs. 26.5 lakhs through a crowd funding platform played a vital role in making the successful transplant possible. Currently, less than 10 such cases have been successfully transplanted in the world so far. The first one was conducted in UK in 2014. The transplant was carried out by the joint efforts of Dr Sagar Bhattad, Consultant, Pediatric Immunology and Rheumatology, Dr Stalin Ramprakash and Dr CP Raghuram, Consultants, Pediatric Hematology and BMT, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore. While speaking about the rarity and complexity of such cases during the event, Dr Sagar Bhattad, Consultant, Pediatric Immunology and Rheumatology, Aster CMI Hospital said: “We may have come across families who say “My child has been unwell for years. He/she falls sick very often, has been admitted thrice/many times in various hospitals and is not growing well.” Some of these families may have children with problems in the immune system. These children get hospitalized on several occasions. They are treated with variety of antibiotics. However, one wonders why should a child fall repeatedly ill? The caregivers do not find a proper answer to their ongoing problems, despite consultations from several doctors. “ “Majority of such children suffer from a dreaded group of diseases called ‘Primary immune deficiency diseases’. Unfortunately, physicians and pediatricians are not well versed with these diseases and this may result in undue delay in the diagnosis. Though considered to be rare diseases, our hospital is witnessing 3-4 new children every month who are diagnosed to have an Immune Deficiency. We strongly believe that this is only the tip of the iceberg and several thousand children will continue to suffer without being diagnosed unless we increase awareness about these diseases amongst doctors and public,” added Dr Bhattad. He is also the first DM super-specialist in Pediatric Immunology in the country and a gold medalist for research in C1q deficiency lupus. Dr Nitish Shetty, CEO, Aster CMI Hospital, said: “It is a great pleasure to see a young life from another country getting a new bloom in India, thanks to the hard work and efforts of our doctors. We are glad to have a dedicated Immunology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit (BMT) recognized as the center of excellence by FPID for treating those suffering from very rare, complicated genetic anomalies, the treatment and awareness of which is not available everywhere and among everyone. We strive to create benchmarks in the immunodeficiency treatment as we have done across other segments and hope to save many precious lives in years to come.” Dr Stalin Ramprakash, Lead Pediatric BMT expert at Aster CMI Hospital said, “Transplants in children with severe autoimmune diseases and Immune deficiencies are much more complex than transplants for other conditions (thalassemia, leukemia). These children often present with serious infections and internal organ damage, making the treatment more challenging. Our BMT team is well versed in handling such cases and presence of a dedicated Pediatric Immunologist and relevant laboratory facilities helped make this treatment possible.” The Pediatric Immunology Department at Aster CMI is recognized as Foundation for Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases (FPID) center of excellence in the field of Primary Immunodeficiency (PID). FPID is an international organization based in US that supports the education, early diagnosis, genetic counseling, therapy, and research of PID in both India and the US. It recognizes institutes for its capacities in the diagnosis and treatment of such challenging cases. Dr Sudhir Gupta, Founder of FPID, said: “Though PIDs are 4 times more common than haemophilia, twice common as cystic fibrosis, and almost as common as multiple sclerosis, yet very few people and physicians know about PIDs.  Therefore, there is a great need to educate the population in general regarding warning signs of PIDs, and practicing physicians to diagnose and treat these patients to prevent complications and death. In India, there are very few institutions where patients with PIDs are diagnosed or treated; the majority of patients remained undiagnosed and die, contributing in part to India’s high infant mortality rate. FPID supports research and treatment of several needy patients at these centres of excellence”. As per a research conducted worldwide, 1 in 2,000 children suffer from an immune deficiency. If these figures are extrapolated to the city of Bangalore, around 5,000 children will have immune deficiency disease. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/reports-white-papers/98/13096/study-shows-higher-incidences-of-renal-disorders-in-millennials-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/reports-white-papers/98/13096/study-shows-higher-incidences-of-renal-disorders-in-millennials-.html Thu, 14 Mar 2019 12:25:00 +0530 While heart attacks and neurological disorders continue to be the top life-threatening ailments across the country, kidney related disorders are on the prowl and on a steady rise, particularly amongst the millennials, reveals a study conducted by SBI General Insurance. The study comes out on the occasion of World Kidney Day, with the objective of spreading awareness around the rising incidences of renal impairments within the country. As per the data released by SBI General Insurance, kidney ailments continue to shoot up for millennials. The study also throws light on the fact that from the overall kidney related claims, the total number of claims made by males is higher as compared to women. In FY 15-16, the percentage of claims for women were 39% whereas for men were 61%, in FY16-17, it stood at 43% for women and 57% for men, in FY 17-18, it stood at 44% for women and at 56% for men. In the last year, FY 18-19, the percentages stood at 44% for women and 49% for men. So, it is interesting to note that year on year, the percentages have gone down for men whereas they have increased for women. Metro cities have reported majority percentage of claims – 69% whereas non-metros have reported 31% claims only. This may be due to specialized treatment and dialysis facility available at metros and a lack of health resources within access in smaller cities. Appended are a few interesting trends that emerged:  4% of the total health insurance claims paid are for kidney-related claims Second highest disease settled for renal Diseases usually associated with Heart related complaints with one of the complications with renal diseases 70% of claims settled for kidney-related ailments over the last four years are under the non-surgical category, where most of the diseases are managed with dialysis. There has been a year-on-year increase in this since FY 15-16 to FY 18-19 Majority of the claims - 69% are paid from metropolitan cities while 31% are from non-metro cities. This could be due to the specialized treatment and dialysis facilities available in metropolitan cities.  Mr. Sukhesh Bhave, Head, - Accident & Health Claims, SBI General Insurance said, “In its early stages, chronic kidney disease can lurk silently in the body, showing fewer or no symptoms at all. However, as time passes, it starts affecting vital organs leading to impairment and failure. The end stage renal disease may result in renal failure or kidney failure and can be life threatening.”  World Kidney Day, celebrated in March every year, is a valuable platform to spread awareness about kidney-related ailments to educate people on the importance of keeping these ailments at bay to live a healthy and wholesome life. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13091/diabetes-a-leading-cause-for-ckd-in-karnataka.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13091/diabetes-a-leading-cause-for-ckd-in-karnataka.html Wed, 13 Mar 2019 17:30:00 +0530 Diabetes is driving the rising incidence of kidney disease in Karnataka, with chronic kidney disease (CKD) afflicting 10% of the state’s population, said Dr. Satish Kumar MM, Sr. Consultant Nephrologist & Transplant Physician, Vikram Hospital, Bengaluru on the occasion of World Kidney Day. While diabetes continues to be the commonest cause of CKD in Karnataka, other risk factors include hypertension, obesity, late diagnosis, smoking, alcoholism, high intake of salt (over 12-15 gm a day) and the use of over-the-counter (OTC) pain killers. Dr. Satish Kumar MM said: “Karnataka has one of the highest incidence of diabetes in India, and up to 30 percent of diabetics develop CKD. A family history of renal disease is a risk factor. Control of blood sugar and blood pressure is most important for long-term kidney health. High salt intake increases the incidence of hypertension, which is an indication of kidney damage. Obesity leads to an adverse hormonal milieu in the human body, which in turn can damage the delicate filtering structures present in the kidneys.” Talking about kidney disease in rural areas, Dr. Partha Pradeep Shetty, Consultant Nephrologist & Transplant Physician, Vikram Hospital said, “Mass screening for kidney disorders is required at villages level, along with preventive measures such as provision of safe and clean drinking water and preventing chemical pollution of ground water. Good control of diabetes & hypertension will help avoid progression of kidney diseases”. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13086/digital-health-conclave-2019-to-showcase-innovations-in-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13086/digital-health-conclave-2019-to-showcase-innovations-in-healthcare.html Wed, 13 Mar 2019 13:50:00 +0530 Indo-Swiss HealthTech Conclave 2019 on Digital Health being held on 8th April 2019 in Bengaluru, is a platform curated by swissnex India to showcase cutting-edge technologies and innovations in healthcare from Switzerland and India. Selected representatives of the Swiss and Indian healthcare sector will present their technologies and their vision for enhancing the quality of patient-hospital interaction and healthcare delivery at the conclave. The rich pool of participants will have the unique opportunity to engage with their peers in intimate discussions that could pave the way for fruitful collaborations. Swetha Suresh, the Head of Innovation Partnerships at swissnex India said, “The current ecosystem in India, especially in Bengaluru-Hyderabad region, provides an excellent opportunity to connect Swiss academia, looking for international partners, to co-develop tools for next generation digital health practitioners. There’s also potential for startup exchanges to take advantage of access to pharma in Switzerland and rich medical cases in India. The conclave will provide visibility to new innovations and present gap-opportunity analysis for collaboration.” The conclave is predominantly an innovation showcase ending in a CxO chat discussing challenges and opportunities in this sector, and exclusive opportunities for B2B connect. It will host four promising startups from Switzerland - Digipharm, Clemidi, Mobile Health and Noul as well as two leading Swiss universities - Zurich University of Applied Sciences and University of Basel. “With this Indo-Swiss Digital Health Conclave, we’re establishing a forum for exchange and inspiration on the latest trends, opportunities and challenges with regard to various aspects of digital health. Switzerland is known to be an innovation hub, particularly in medical technologies and pharmaceutical research, while India’s healthtech sector is changing rapidly, creating many opportunity for both countries to collaborate in education, research and innovation”, says Sebastien Hug, CEO of swissnex India and Consul General of Switzerland in India. Talk-points that the conclave will feature include Blockchain, Value based healthcare, Intelligent Dx, Clinical trials, Patient-provider interaction, AI for Antimicrobial resistance detection, Global health, and Research collaboration. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13076/booster-for-medical-imaging-ai-in-india-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13076/booster-for-medical-imaging-ai-in-india-.html Wed, 13 Mar 2019 09:00:00 +0530 HealthNet Global (HNG), a part of the Apollo Hospitals Group, India and Zebra Medical Vision (Zebra-Med), one of the global leaders in AI Imaging software, Israel have announced a new collaboration that will focus on validating and deploying AI based tools at scale across India. The companies shall jointly receive support from India-Israel Industrial R&D and Technological Innovation Fund (I4F) for their $4.9 Million project to co-develop and to provide clinical validation, and evidence of the efficacy of radiology Al based tools in India as per I4F norms. The final developed project will be able to assist as a primary screening method for major diseases in large scale screenings. For example, World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 3.6 million people with TB are missed by health systems every year and do not receive adequate care. This is primarily because patients with TB may present with mild or no symptoms, particularly early on. Many affected people arrive at clinics too late with advanced disease or multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB), which is difficult to treat and more likely to cause death. One of the key strategies to tackling TB is early diagnosis. Unfortunately, sputum testing is only 50% accurate and frequently misses the disease in its early stages. Both companies will focus on development of AI-based Chest X-ray interpretation tool for TB which can help address the gap.  In addition to leveraging clinical depth and breadth of the Apollo Hospitals network, HNG will work in close collaboration with Apollo Radiology International, a distinguished part of Apollo Hospitals, to bring in leadership, experience and technology in Radiology reporting to the project.  The partnership will capitalize on the advancements already achieved by Zebra-ed in developing dozens of AI tools. The arsenal of algorithms will include deep learning algorithms for the detection of acute conditions such as brain bleeds in head CTs and Pneumothorax in chest X-ray, detection of breast cancer in mammograms, Osteoporosis in CT scans and 40 other conditions. The grant will aid the partners to focus on development of India specific algorithms tool which would be of immense benefit to patients across India and other emerging nations. The project will also modify existing algorithms to make them suitable for the Indian population. The final product will assist provide high quality radiology access to remote locations by alerting the presence of critical findings immediately. This will help provide timely, cost-effective, quality care to patients in remote and rural locations.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13070/fortis-mulund-organizes-a-seminar-for-kidney-disease-patients-transplant-recipients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13070/fortis-mulund-organizes-a-seminar-for-kidney-disease-patients-transplant-recipients.html Tue, 12 Mar 2019 12:35:00 +0530 World Kidney Day observed every year in March, is aimed at spreading awareness about the importance of Kidney health and to bring down the impact of Kidney disease. In India, 1 in 10 people are estimated to suffer from some form of Kidney disease, and around 175,000 are predicted to suffer from Kidney Failure, requiring Kidney Transplant or Dialysis. Keeping to the year’s theme, ‘Kidney health for everyone everywhere’, the Kidney Support Group of Fortis Hospital, Mulund organized a seminar for patients undergoing dialysis, waitlisted patients, along with past donors and their families. Over 200 attendees participated in the seminar, which comprised of creative session, drawing competitions, skits, singing and dance. Dr Haresh Dodeja, Consultant Nephrologist at the hospital addressed the participants on Kidney health, Kidney Transplants, its advantages and processes. Noted Marathi actor, Rahul Shirsat who has himself undergone a Kidney Transplant at the hospital, lent support to the initiative and his team performed skits on organ donation. Speaking about this initiative Dr Haresh Dodeja, Nephrologist, Fortis Hospital, Mulund, said, "Annually, Fortis Hospital Mulund & Kalyan treats hundreds of patients suffering from end stage renal failure. When it comes to treatment of patients with organ failure, transplant is a better and cost effective treatment option in comparison to Dialysis. With increasing numbers, it is imperative that we build awareness about Kidney care amongst the community as a whole. Spotting the symptoms, timely doctor consultation and prompt treatment is the best line of action." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13067/wockhardt-foundations-social-initiative-programme-scores-big.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13067/wockhardt-foundations-social-initiative-programme-scores-big.html Tue, 12 Mar 2019 10:45:00 +0530 Mobile 1000, a social initiative programme by Wockhardt Foundation achieves its next milestone by launching the 200th medical van. The mobile 1000 vans aim at providing professional healthcare delivery to the rural most areas in the country. The launch of the 200th van is significant as it further strengthens the reach of the programme. The 200th mobile medical van was launched in the state of Karnataka with the contribution from Kotak Life Insurance Co. Ltd. Health vans are instrumental in bridging the gap in delivery of health services for the patients who have limited access to these facilities. The Wockhardt Foundation mobile medical vans are already serving patients in rural areas across Maharashtra, Telangana, Assam, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, etc.    Launched in 2007, Wockhardt Foundation’s ISO 9001:2015 approved the programme has been successful in administering free primary healthcare services to people from more than 4072 villages across 20 states of India. Each van services on an average 20 villages in a week. Each van services close to 25,000 people per year and till now close to 23.27 million people have been treated or directly benefitted through these services. Sir Dr. Huz was elated with the 200th launch and said, “With the objective of providing quality healthcare services to the masses, we have reached a milestone of 200 medical vans. I am really grateful to all the partners for their immense contribution to this initiative and making this basic facility accessible to the rural population.” The programme is aimed towards creating awareness in rural areas about the basic health requirements in terms of sanitation, hygiene, safe drinking water, anemia, mother and child healthcare, HIV, tuberculosis, diabetes, etc. The vans travel across various villages to provide health screening and free basic health services. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13064/panforanic-focuses-on-preventing-hospital-acquired-infections-and-amr.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13064/panforanic-focuses-on-preventing-hospital-acquired-infections-and-amr.html Tue, 12 Mar 2019 09:15:00 +0530 Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, New Delhi, organized PANFORAnIC, the first combined meeting of Anaesthesiologists (PANFORA) and Infection Control (PANFORIC) teams from Fortis hospitals across India on 9-10 March 2019. The primary objective was to discuss infection prevention and control, share knowledge on best practices and recent advances among specialties, taking priority measures and planning exchange training programmes. The event saw participation from delegates from hospitals from across the Fortis network in India. The PANFORAnIC conclave witnessed paper presentations, interactive sessions, posters and other collaterals with key messages, quiz and workshops. It brought together specialists, clinicians, microbiologists, anaesthetists, nurses and other support groups to deliberate upon the challenges to successful outcomes around healthcare associated infections, effective strategies for their prevention and control, and some of the complex emerging problems like antibiotic resistance. Identifying “Antibiotic Stewardship” as a major initiative being undertaken by Fortis control to spread awareness about appropriate use of antibiotics, participants called the advent of ‘super bugs’, or ‘antimicrobial resistance’, a critical public health issue requiring commitment and action from all stakeholders offering healthcare service delivery. Participants spoke about how they are not only working towards safer outcomes, but also behavioral change on using and preserving antibiotics. This conclave held periodically over the last few years is a necessary exercise for clinicians and key stakeholders to discuss and arrive at most effective measures of infection control. Without effective antimicrobials for treatment of infections, risks during critical medical procedures such as cardiac implants, organ transplants, chemotherapy, diabetes management, caesarean birth deliveries and hip/knee replacements become very high. Coupled with the fact that the microorganisms causing such infections have also developed survival mechanisms, antibiotic resistance is likely to cause or directly contribute to around 20 lakh Indian patients dying of healthcare associated infections by 2050. A report by the Centre for Disease Dynamics, Economics and Policy (CDDEP) 2015 on the State of the World’s Antibiotics has noted that 58, 000 new-born babies died in the year 2013 in India due to drug-resistant infections. Dr Murali Chakravarthy, Chairman, Central Infection Prevention and Control Committee, Fortis Healthcare said, “The Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) programme at Fortis Healthcare calls for rational and judicious use of life-saving antibiotics with the unconditional support of Fortis clinicians. The ultimate goal is to address the rising issue of anti-microbial resistance and overall purpose is to bring about a change in the antibiotic prescription patterns with focus on the safety of patients and the larger community.” According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Antimicrobial resistance happens when microorganisms (such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites) change when they are exposed to antimicrobial drugs (such as antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals and antimalarials). Microorganisms that develop antimicrobial resistance are sometimes referred to as “superbugs” As a result, the medicines become ineffective and infections persist in the body, increasing the risk of spread to others. In addition, Healthcare associated infections or Hospital acquired Infections (HAIs) are the major challenge today for the healthcare industry. As bugs increasingly grow resistant, treating options are also becoming limited. The cost of healthcare for patients with resistant infections is higher than care for patients with non-resistant infections due to longer duration of illness, additional tests and use of more expensive drugs. Globally, 480,000 people develop multi-drug resistant TB each year, and drug resistance is starting to complicate the fight against HIV and malaria, as well.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13060/variantata-trusts-collaborate-for-advanced-cancer-care-solutions.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13060/variantata-trusts-collaborate-for-advanced-cancer-care-solutions.html Tue, 12 Mar 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Tata Trusts and Varian announced the signing of a framework agreement intended to increase patient access to advanced radiation therapy treatments in the country. The three-year agreement is focused on world-class cancer care delivery through the installation of radiation therapy treatment systems across India where Varian has been selected as the preferred supplier by Tata Trusts. The agreement is part of a program undertaken by Tata Trusts with the goal of creating patient-centric cancer institutions to deliver standardized and affordable care closer to patients' homes in different regions in India, including rural areas where many patients do not have the financial means to access existing care options.  Included in the scope of the agreement, is the creation of a significant number of new cancer centers, as well as the installation of advanced radiotherapy equipment in already existing centers in these areas. At its culmination, the program is targeted to bring world-class cancer care to an estimated quarter million patients per year that previously did not have easy or affordable access to treatment options. In addition to the installation of the radiation therapy treatment systems, the Varian ARIA® oncology information system and Eclipse™ treatment planning system will be implemented in a secure network hosted on a private cloud, to assist in elevating the level of care across India. The first systems are estimated to begin installation later in 2019. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13058/fortis-hospitals-conducts-first-kidney-transplant-in-association-with-chirayu-hospital.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13058/fortis-hospitals-conducts-first-kidney-transplant-in-association-with-chirayu-hospital.html Mon, 11 Mar 2019 14:20:00 +0530 Fortis Hospitals, Bangalore along with Chirayu Hospital conducted first ever kidney transplant in Kalaburagi, part of Hyderabad-Karnataka border. The team of doctors was led by Dr Mohan Keshavamurthy, Director- Urology, Uro oncology, Andrology, Transplant & Robotic surgery, Fortis Hospitals, Bangalore. The 38-year-old patient was suffering from chronic renal failure and was on hemodialysis. He was in urgent need for a kidney transplant when his wife promptly came forward to donate her kidney. Dr Mohan Keshavamurthy said, “With increasing life expectancy and prevalence of diabetes, hypertension and unhealthy lifestyle, there has been a significant increase in chronic kidney diseases in India. There is a huge need for specialized Uro-Nephro facility with the ability to perform kidney transplant in remote areas of the country for patients with renal failure. The availability of appropriate treatment and care at the doorstep in the middle of Hyderabad- Karnataka region catering to 15 million citizens which was hitherto unavailable, will help the patients to get back to productive life at minimal distance, instead of traveling to far-off metro cities for medical treatment.” The Fortis Urology team comprises of 18 qualified urologists, performing over 10,000 surgeries, in a 360 compass in a year. The team covers over 15 locations in Karnataka and surrounding states and 7 locations in Asia and Africa. Dr Manjunath Doshetty, Nephrologist,MD,Chirayu Hospital, said, “We are glad that we have an association with Fortis Hospital Bengaluru , which has enabled us to provide a quaternary facility like kidney transplantation at doorstep to the people of Kalaburagi. Having a specialized medical clinic in the segment is helping patients get access to the right treatment within their city. Kidney transplantation is the best option for patients with permanent kidney failure in all terms including longevity, quality of life, productivity and costs. In continuation to the best of our initiatives, we have also inaugurated exclusive transplant ICU at the hospital today to handle the critical transplant patient at our center and also look forward to promote deceased donor transplantation in the region.” The Chirayu Nephrology- Critical care team comprises of two Nephrologists, six Intensivists and three counsellors. The team has a satellite centre at Bidar and caters to more than 1000 Dialysis session per month.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13056/shilpa-shetty-inaugurates-dr-manika-khannas-gaudium-women-hospital.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13056/shilpa-shetty-inaugurates-dr-manika-khannas-gaudium-women-hospital.html Mon, 11 Mar 2019 13:15:00 +0530 India’s first women hospital, Gaudium Women Hospital was inaugurated on 8th March 2019 i.e International Women’s Day in Janakpuri, New Delhi. The inauguration ceremony was held in the august presence of Bollywood Actress, Shilpa Shetty, Delhi BJP President, Manoj Tiwari, and Dr. Manika Khanna, Founder and CEO Gaudium IVF and Gynae Solutions, Dr. Peeyush Khanna, renowned Jagran singer Narendra Chanchal, Secretary BJP Delhi, and Parvesh Sharma, MP. Gaudium Woman is Women Health specialist facility in India with focus on not just providing tertiary services in women healthcare, but on preventive and holistic health, too. It supports this holistic approach to the health and wellbeing of women and newborns under the aegis of world-class medical leadership and through leading innovation in these areas. Gaudium Woman aims to provide healthcare services with a determination to build a friendly and humane healthcare environment where medical ethics are highly respected, emphasizing seamless medical care to the patients in a home-like environment. Arun Jaitley wished the Gaudium Hospital saying, ”I am happy to note that Gaudium is celebrating IN Women’s Day by inaugurating Gaudium Women Hospital, exclusively dedicated for women. I wish the hospital to work hard and provide the best possible treatment and healthcare facilities. I extend my best wishes for the success of the hospital”. Dr. Manika Khanna welcomed all for the inauguration of Gaudium Women Hospital and reflected her vision for empowering women saying that “Not just woman health, I wish to uplift entire women gender to a level where all are empowered, independent and in the best of health." Dr. Khanna thanked her entire team for putting efforts and making Gaudium a success. She said that “Gaudium as a brand believes that every woman is unique because it supports every woman in her journey through different phases of life”. Bollywood actress and celebrity judge Shilpa Shetty thanked the Gaudium Hospital for inviting her, applauding the efforts of team Gaudium. Believing that every woman is beautiful and every woman should be healthy she said: “what is the meaning of beauty if it is not backed by health.”  The actress thanked science for creating IVF treatment as some kind of a miracle saying that surrogacy gives an opportunity to a woman be able to grace motherhood. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13050/viiv-healthcare-shows-positive-results-of-combo-treatment-to-beat-aids.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13050/viiv-healthcare-shows-positive-results-of-combo-treatment-to-beat-aids.html Mon, 11 Mar 2019 11:35:00 +0530 ViiV Healthcare is a global specialist HIV company established in November 2009 by GlaxoSmithKline  and Pfizer. The company recently presented comprehensive 48-week data from the   ATLAS (Antiretroviral Therapy as Long-Acting Suppression) and FLAIR (First Long-Acting Injectable Regimen) pivotal phase III studies of the novel, investigational, long-acting regimen of cabotegravir and rilpivirine. These two studies met their primary endpoints, showing that the combination of ViiV Healthcare’s cabotegravir and Janssen’s rilpivirine, injected every four weeks, was non-inferior in maintaining viral suppression in adults infected with human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) when compared to a standard of care, daily, oral three-drug regimen. The data was presented at the 2019 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in Seattle, Washington. ATLAS 48-week efficacy and safety results ATLAS, had a primary endpoint of showing non-inferiority to an oral three-drug dose of two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and a third agent. The endpoint was met, with virologic suppression rates at Week 48 similar in both treatment arms. Confirmed virologic failure (CVF) was infrequent, with three patients, about 1 percent of the study group, who received the injection developing resistance to one or both agents. In two of the patients, NNRTI resistance was already present. Two of the three were Russians, and all three had HIV-1 A subtypes, common in Russia, Eastern Europe and East Africa, but seen less commonly in the rest of the world. In the oral CAR group, four patients developed CVF, three from drug resistance mutations. FLAIR, which stands for First Long-Acting Injectable Regimen, met its primary endpoint, with the two-drug injection showing non-inferiority to ViiV’s Triumeq (abacavir/dolutegravir/lamivudine-ABC/DTG/3TC) at Week 48. CVF was infrequent in both arms of the trials. Three receiving the two-drug combo were confirmed virologic failures, all diagnosed with treatment-emergent NNRTI and INSTI resistance. All were from Russia and had HIV-1 subtype A1. Three patients in the Triumeq arm developed CVF with no treatment-emergent resistance observed. ViiV is also investigating the two-drug combo in the ATLAS-2M trial, which is evaluating whether it is effective when administered every two months. The company plans to use the data from the FLAIR and ATLAS studies for regulatory submissions. There are other potential benefits. Getting shots at a clinic can lend more privacy to patients worried about the stigma of filling an HIV prescription at a pharmacy, said Dr. Susan Swindells of the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, who presented results at an HIV conference in Seattle. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13047/president-launches-countrywide-pulse-polio-programme-2019.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13047/president-launches-countrywide-pulse-polio-programme-2019.html Mon, 11 Mar 2019 10:50:00 +0530 The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, recently launched the Pulse Polio programme for 2019 by administering polio drops to children less than five years old, at the Rahstrapati Bhawan, in the presence of J P Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare. The President administered the polio drops on the eve of the National Immunization Day, which was observed on 10th March. More than 17 crore children of less than five years across the country will be given polio drops as part of the drive of Government of India to sustain polio eradication from the country. Speaking at the function, the Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare J P Nadda said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Universal Immunization Programme is focusing to protect children from more diseases than ever before and has introduced several new vaccines like Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine, Rotavirus vaccine, and Measles-Rubella vaccine in the recent past. “To provide additional protection to our children, Government has also introduced the injectable Inactivated Polio Vaccine into its routine immunization program,” Nadda added. J P Nadda pointed out that Government is making all efforts to protect children from more and more diseases and emphasized that all vaccines under the programme must reach every last child of the country. “Along with Universal Immunization Programme of the country, we have also launched Mission Indradhanush to accelerate our goal to achieve more than 90% full immunization coverage. More than 3.39 crore children and 87 lakh pregnant women have been vaccinated through Mission Indradhanush drives,” Nadda elaborated. Nadda further informed that strengthening of immunization programme has contributed significantly to the decline of Infant Mortality Rate from 39 in 2014 to 32 per 1000 live births in 2017. The Health Minister also appreciated the efforts of State Governments and the supporting organizations like WHO, UNICEF and Rotary International etc., for strengthening the efforts of the Government not only for polio programme but also for other initiatives in immunization. He also applauded the efforts of the thousands of volunteers, frontline workers, and health officials across the states for their tireless efforts in keeping the country polio-free. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13044/jiva-ayurveda-to-offer-free-consultation-across-india-during-the-jiva-health-week.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13044/jiva-ayurveda-to-offer-free-consultation-across-india-during-the-jiva-health-week.html Fri, 08 Mar 2019 18:15:00 +0530 The sixth iteration of Jiva Health Week by Jiva Ayurveda will begin across all its 80 clinics in India from March 9 to 18. Around, 10K patients are expected to benefit during the health week. Jiva will be giving free consultation and discounts on wellness products.  Dr Partap Chauhan, Director Jiva Ayurveda, said: "Every year, Jiva Ayurveda organizes the Jiva Health Week to provide high quality treatment through free consultations. We have seen very good response from people across villages and cities in our last health weeks, and I am confident people will come out of their homes and get the benefit of Jiva Health Week this time too.” Jiva Ayurveda’s technological innovations includes Ayunique™ which is a proprietary approach pioneered by Jiva Ayurveda that empowers Ayurvedic doctors to diagnose and treat patients effectively. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13040/who-revamps-management-structure.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13040/who-revamps-management-structure.html Fri, 08 Mar 2019 15:55:00 +0530 The World Health Organization (WHO) has revamped its senior management structure. The revamp, includes the creation of new positions and divisions which will help WHO achieve its triple billion targets in its new five-year strategic plan. Zsuzsanna Jakab, currently regional director at WHO in Europe, will be the new deputy director-general. Soumya Swaminathan and Jane Ellison, who currently serve as deputy director-generals, will be taking on new positions. Swaminathan will be chief scientist, heading the new chief scientist division created to strengthen WHO’s core scientific work and ensure the quality and consistency of WHO’s norms and standards. Ellison will now be executive director for external relations and governance. WHO’s new corporate structure is based on four pillars which will be mirrored throughout the organization. The Programmes pillar will support WHO’s work on universal health coverage and healthier populations. The Emergencies pillar will be responsible for WHO’s critical health security responsibilities, both in responding to health crises and helping countries prepare for them. The External Relations and Governance pillar will centralize and harmonize WHO’s work on resource mobilization, communications. The Business Operations pillar will likewise ensure more professionalized delivery of key corporate functions such as budgeting, finance, human resources and supply chain. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13032/philips-launches-azurion-with-flexarm-in-india-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13032/philips-launches-azurion-with-flexarm-in-india-.html Fri, 08 Mar 2019 12:40:00 +0530 Royal Philips has introduced Azurion with FlexArm, to set a new standard for patient imaging and positioning flexibility for image-guided procedures in India.  During increasingly complex interventions, clinicians need to quickly and easily visualize critical anatomy and identify changes to the patient during the procedure. Azurion with FlexArm includes a set of innovations that makes it easier for the clinician to perform imaging across the whole patient in both 2D and 3D. As the clinician moves the system, the FlexArm’s 270-degree range of movement allows all imaging positions to be reached without hampering optimal team positioning without needing to move the patient table. Commenting on the launch, Rohit Sathe, President, Philips Healthcare, Indian Subcontinent said, “Imaging plays a critical role in helping clinicians to improve performance, diagnosis as well as overall care delivery. Our latest offering Azurion FlexArm with its intuitive and seamless approach will enhance patient care and save time while opening up opportunities for new image-guided procedures as the field continues grow.” The range and complexity of diseases that can be treated with minimally invasive procedures continues to grow. Likewise, the procedures are also becoming more trivial requiring more physicians from different disciplines in Hybrid OR to work together in a highly coordinated way. As a result, the clinical team is required to carry out increasingly challenging procedures in a highly constrained environment. As per the release, “Azurion with FlexArm’s innovative design provides lexibility and intuitive control. Powered by a unique smart kinematic engine, the system moves on eight different axes, all controlled with its single ‘Axsys’ controller. Simulation tests with clinicians have demonstrated the system’s potential to significantly reduce the repositioning of the patient, staff and equipment to improve access for minimally invasive procedures, including those that enter the body through the patient’s wrist (‘radial access’), and to reduce the risk of unintentional pulling of wires and tubes, as well as significant time savings. The system is ideally suited for Hybrid ORs that cater to multiple specialties in one room, such as a combination of surgical and endovascular procedures.” Azurion with FlexArm is the latest innovation in Philips’ portfolio of systems, smart devices, software and services in image-guided therapy, which combine to provide healthcare providers with sophisticated, procedure-oriented solutions. As the range of diseases that can be treated with minimally invasive procedures continues to expand and the procedures themselves become more efficient, the patient’s treatment experience continues to improve. They experience less trauma, and as a result, their stay in hospital can be dramatically reduced – often returning home after one night in hospital, and for some procedures even leaving the hospital on the same day.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13031/philips-acquires-carestream-health-biz-to-expand-ri-portfolio.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13031/philips-acquires-carestream-health-biz-to-expand-ri-portfolio.html Fri, 08 Mar 2019 12:25:00 +0530 Royal Philips a global leader in health technology announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire the Healthcare Information Systems business of Carestream Health Inc., a US-based provider of medical imaging and healthcare IT solutions for hospitals, imaging centers and specialty medical clinics. Carestream’s cloud-based enterprise imaging platform will augment Philips’ current radiology informatics (RI) offering for imaging data management, workflow enhancement, and advanced visualization and analysis. Moreover, Carestream’s Healthcare Information Systems business and installed base in Latin America, Europe and Asia are highly complementary to Philips’ market leadership in high-end radiology informatics in North America.  Philips expects to complete the transaction in the second half of 2019, subject to customary closing conditions, including the relevant regulatory approvals. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.  Philips’ current enterprise imaging solutions combine deep clinical and informatics expertise with technological innovation to securely connect patients, care teams, and data across entire health systems. Its visualization and analysis applications use adaptive intelligence to support the clinician at the point-of-care by providing clinical insights and improving collaboration among clinical teams.  Upon completion of the transaction, Philips will feature Carestream’s cloud-based enterprise imaging platform—including state-of-the-art Vendor Neutral Archive (VNA), diagnostic and enterprise viewers, multimedia reporting, workflow orchestrator and clinical, operational and business analytics tools—as part of its expanded portfolio. The Healthcare Information Systems business and its approximately 900 employees will become part of Philips’ Healthcare Informatics business within the Diagnosis & Treatment segment.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13029/healthcare-at-rs-8-on-womens-day-docsapp.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13029/healthcare-at-rs-8-on-womens-day-docsapp.html Thu, 07 Mar 2019 18:05:00 +0530 DocsApp celebrates Women’s day this March 8th, as a small initiative to encourage women to get health advice and embrace a healthy lifestyle. All women can consult any specialist doctor on DocsApp at just Rs. 8 from 6 - 8th March. DocsApp will also be launching a special package called ‘DocsApp SuperWoman Full Body Checkup’. The superwoman full body checkup gives you access to 60+ lab tests worth Rs. 2000 at a special price of Rs. 888. Women are burdened with different challenges throughout their lives, and amidst all these, they forget to take care of their physical and mental health. Excessive Stress, PCOD, Depression, Thyroid, Conceiving issues, pre & post Pregnancy care, Weight management, hair and skin concerns are some of the most common health issues faced by women of all ages, but there is hardly any time left to visit a doctor, after attending to various family, education & work responsibilities. However, DocsApp lets you consult specialist doctors on chat & call 24/7. College girls, working women and housewives all are welcome to discuss their health concerns privately with Highly qualified Specialist Doctors from across India. “Women wear many hats through their personal and professional lives. It is important for each of us to remember that a healthy woman can lead to a healthy society. With continuing pressures and changing lifestyle, it is imperative that we reach out and seek help for our healthcare issues early on to have a holistic future.” - Dr. Gowri Head Of Medical Operations, DocsApp We at DocsApp provide consultations with specialist doctors to millions of people across India. Most of our users are from tier 2, 3 cities and villages. Women there generally do not have direct access to proper healthcare, and it is difficult for them to go to the doctor alone. In our mission to make healthcare accessible to every corner of our country, we are also empowering these superwomen, who take care of the health of their entire family, but never have time for themselves.” Satish Kannan, CEO & Co-founder DocsApp ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13027/icmr-launches-indicleft-tool.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13027/icmr-launches-indicleft-tool.html Thu, 07 Mar 2019 15:25:00 +0530 A national web-based portal on cleft education and researchers’ platform has been launched at Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi by Secretary DHR and DG ICMR Prof. Balram Bhargava recently. The Indicleft tool is the first of its kind in the world that provides facility to the researcher’s data and findings to upload cleft anomaly from any site. The tool envisages on all aspects of cleft anomaly from the time of conception, birth and till adulthood. The research tool was developed under aegis of a Task Force multispeciality project funded by ICMR in collaboration with Centre for Dental Education and Research, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. The project is on multicentre mode. The overall goal of the project is to establish strategies for prevention and treatment of this deformity. As a part of the study, a comprehensive IndiCleft tool has been developed in collaboration with National Informatics Centre (NIC), which has been employed across different participating centres in the country. The Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for recording extra and intra oral photographs, radiographs, dental study model and investigations on hearing and speech defect have been developed in the IndiCleft tool. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13026/lumenis-salutes-women-with-no-more-stretch-marks-campaign.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13026/lumenis-salutes-women-with-no-more-stretch-marks-campaign.html Thu, 07 Mar 2019 15:15:00 +0530 Lumenis Ltd, the world’s largest energy-based medical device company for surgical, aesthetic and ophthalmic applications has announced a campaign ‘No more stretch marks’ to salute women who are shaping the world every day. The campaign is aimed at conducting awareness among women with specific requirement to remove stretch marks and body scars, and runs on both digital medium as well as off line medium by conducting events across various centers. Prominent dermatologists across various cities are participating in this campaign by sharing their experiences and offering special promotions to celebrate the occasion of International Women’s Day at their respective centers. At the launch of the campaign, Bijal Shah, Country Manager, Lumenis India, said, “The newly launched campaign is a part of our awareness initiative, identifying prominent clinics across the country alongside running awareness programs on scar management. We feel great that Lumenis ResurFX technology is a one-stop solution provider for women who have been searching for quick solutions for their scar management & skin rejuvenation.” Stretch marks can affect people of nearly all ages and skin types. Skin damages are caused due to injuries, burns, skin infections or any disease which may heal but leave behind scars. Talking of the problem of stretch marks, Dr Abhiraj Thakur and Dr Tavinder Thakur said, “Stretch marks are very common. People develop stretch marks when there is rapid stretching of the skin, for example during times of quick growth or weight gain, and pregnancy. The revolutionary ResurFX resurfacing technology offers remarkable results on scars and in anti-ageing treatments making the skin look younger, glowing and healthy.” ResurFX is tailored to address the early signs of ageing and it gives noticeable results for skin texture & overall skin appearance. The patient can experience “lunch time treatment” with minimal downtime and return to their busy lifestyle. Gurgaon-based leading dermatologist Dr. Seema Oberoi Lall described the campaign as a great initiative designed around International Women’s Day. “Up to 90% of women get stretch marks during pregnancy and ResurFX technology is an effective solution with desirable outcomes,” she said. Mumbai-based ace dermatologist Dr. Swati Srivastava said, “ResurFX is an innovator in the laser segment for treatment of stretch marks and gives visible results.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13025/manipal-fertility-launches-affordable-fertility-services.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13025/manipal-fertility-launches-affordable-fertility-services.html Thu, 07 Mar 2019 15:10:00 +0530 Manipal Fertility, chain of infertility centres of Manipal Hospitals, in association with Dr. Bina Vasan Foundation has launched “ANKUR CLINIC”, affordable fertility services, with the aim of helping economically challenged patients to avail infertility treatment. Under this initiative, infertility treatment, particularly IVF that may cost as high as Rs. 2.5 lac will now be offered to poor people with more than 50% discount. A couple, who have a monthly income of Rs.15,000 or less, can register their name in the Ankur clinic which will be providing comprehensive fertility services for men and women on consultations, blood tests, ultrasound, surgeries at a maximum discounted rate extent of 50%. As many couples will need IVF (regular cost: Rs.2.5 lacs), this procedure is specifically discounted to an all-inclusive price of Rs.1,00,000/-including medicines. The registration can be done in any Manipal Fertility centre across India from Monday to Sunday 8 Am to 12 noon, which will help them avail the subsidised service. The only document to be produced is an Income certificate by revenue officer of the respective State Govt in India. Dr Vasan S S, CEO and Medical Director, Manipal Fertility, “Male & Female fertility problems are on the rise irrespective of the economical strata. The modern lifestyle being the prime reason for infertility in the upper & middle class segment whereas for poor patients, infections like Tuberculosis, malnourishment, excessive smoking, drinking alcohol, living in a polluted environment, working in industries which are not fertility friendly & lack of awareness of early consultation put those patients on the back foot in seeking fertility services, which are always placed at a higher cost. With our moto of “FERTILITY FOR ALL“, we believe that the cost of treatment shouldn’t be a hindrance for seeking fertility services. ANKUR CLINIC is our effort to address the issue of affordability of infertility treatment for lower economic strata of the society.” This is line with State and Central Govt policies of inclusive care. The clinic aims to provide international quality service with success rates better than SART (USA) data and there is no compromise on any aspects of their treatment. Once the couple registers their name under this scheme, they will be given a green card, which will entail them to avail all the discounts under the clinic scheme. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13023/online-consultation-empowers-women-about-their-health-finds-practos-healthcare-map.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13023/online-consultation-empowers-women-about-their-health-finds-practos-healthcare-map.html Thu, 07 Mar 2019 12:40:00 +0530 Practo, India's largest healthcare platform has released India’s most comprehensive healthcare map on women. This first of a kind report aims to highlight the disease trends facing Indian women. Some of the key findings of the report are: Dermatology issues, stomach pain, kidney stone, chest pain and breast cancer arethe most commonly searched terms by women >50 years Women increasingly prefer consulting online: growth of 176% amongst women usersusing online consult, while 31% growth of women users for physical appointments Gynecologist and dermatologist are the top most searched specialties among allIndian women, both for physical and online appointments Some of the key insights are: Growth in online consultation primarily reflects two trends:a. Women find online consultation an easily accessible, private andtrustworthy option, especially during working hours and late in the night.While women residing in smaller towns and cities find online consult reallyhelpful as it provides them access to top doctors otherwise inaccessible forthemb. Online consultation is becoming a great replacement for self-diagnosisand medication as it is more reliable and takes much less time (60 seconds tochat with a doctor, instead of hours online searching) Increased focus on mental health and wellbeing:a. Psychiatrist emerges as one of the top specialties in online consult. Expertspoint that women prefer discussing stigma-related or private matters withdoctors onlineb. Depression emerges as one of the top areas in online consult for women inthe age group of 21-30. Experts suggest that this often has symptoms such as loss of interest and enjoyment in practically every aspect of life, in addition to various physical symptoms such as heavy headache, backache, insomnia, restlessness, blurred vision, amongst other such symptoms. It also indicates a growing trend of people seeking helpc. Relationship counselling is one of the two fastest growing issues amongstwomen booking for physical appointments with 257% growth Women use online consultation to discuss issues concerning their children as well.Pediatrics registers a 144% growth in searches. Experts suggest women reachout to Pediatricians esp. at odd hours when there’s an emergency and for secondopinions, mostly for their peace of mind PCOD/PCOS is on a rise too, with a 135% year on year growth in searches forphysical appointments Diet and Nutrition has emerged as the fastest growing healthcare concerns foronline consultation, with a 321% growth year on year. It shows awareness andefforts taken by Indian women to maintain a healthy lifestyle Experts see the next phase of online consult growth, esp. among women,coming from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, where getting a trusted doctor andspecialist may be a challenge. Jaipur has registered the highest growth in thisregard with 666% growth, closely followed by Visakhapatnam at 569% andGuwahati at 375% Indian women find Monday 6pm-8pm &; Saturday 10am-12pm as the best suited time to see doctors physically, while Monday - Friday - 10am-12pm & 6pm-8pm as the best time to consult doctors online. Overall, Practo helps over 2 crore patients each month.   Access to healthcare for women is not limited to that one individual's health, but has a wider impact on the community's health and wellbeing. It's important for women in all strata of the society, across urban, rural or remote villages to get access to doctors in a timely manner; not just for themselves but for their family which includes the elderly and children. Telehealth is the answer to this, where are the click of a button, women can connect with doctors anytime and for any issues - a routine or minor ailment or in emergency situations. Technology has contributed to reducing infant mortality, maternal mortality, ensuring timely vaccinations for mothers to be and infants significantly.  It’s heartening to see this technology reaching out to elderly, esp. women, who have taken very little initiative in the past to take care of their health proactively. It truly has empowered all sections of our society by simplifying the process significantly.” - Dr. Sanjay Sharma, Jt. Secretary cum Treasurer, Telemedicine Society of India ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13019/the-ck-birla-hospital-for-women-launches-the-breast-centre.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13019/the-ck-birla-hospital-for-women-launches-the-breast-centre.html Thu, 07 Mar 2019 11:30:00 +0530 The CK Birla Hospital for Women has announced the launch of one of India’s most comprehensive breast health facilities, ‘The Breast Centre’ in Gurugram.  It offers a full spectrum of breast health services including prevention & genomics, screening (breast exams, ultrasound and mammogram) breast surgeries, breast reconstruction and conservation, chemotherapy and post-treatment support in the form of rehabilitation and counselling services. The hospital has also partnered with the National Association for the Blind (NAB) to offer a unique breast screening technique - Medical Tactile Examination which uses the highly developed sense of touch of blind women in the early detection of any abnormalities which could be indicative of breast cancer. With this, the hospital becomes the only hospital in Gurugram to offer this unique service. Breast cancer is the number one cancer among Indian women and accounts for 14% of all cancers in women. In urban areas, 1 in 22 women is likely to develop breast cancer during her lifetime. Out of these women 1 in 2 may not survive making the outlook even more bleak. It is believed that one of the biggest reasons for the high mortality rate is the late diagnosis which is primarily due to lack of awareness and the absence of a proper breast cancer screening programme. The CK Birla Hospital for Women has developed a very comprehensive programme for breast cancer prevention and screening. Under the programme, it is offering a free comprehensive breast cancer screening package worth Rs 5000. The package includes a clinical breast examination, a radiology screening in the form of an Ultrasound or Mammogram depending on the age and risk factor of the woman and a consultation with a breast specialist. This will not just help in the early breast cancer detection but also aims to identify women who are at high risk of developing breast cancer so that they can make lifestyle modifications and take the necessary medical guidance to tackle the issue. Speaking on the launch Avanti Birla, Promoter, the CK Birla Hospital for Women said, “The rising incidence of breast cancer is a reality and early detection is key to the successful cure and treatment of breast cancer. Our Breast Centre provides all screenings as well as treatments for Breast Cancer that are available anywhere globally.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13020/pratigya-expresses-concern-on-womens-health-and-rights.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13020/pratigya-expresses-concern-on-womens-health-and-rights.html Thu, 07 Mar 2019 11:30:00 +0530 Election manifestos in the past have largely failed to incorporate the critical component of public health, focusing, if at all, on insurance-based initiatives alone. India is a country with large swathes of population that are poor, vulnerable, and in need for better access to consistent and equitable public health information and services. Recent studies have shown that India lags behind several countries including Sri Lanka on its expenditure on health , it is time we reaffirm our commitment to preserving the health of the people in the country. We urge the political parties at the forefront to demonstrate their commitment to prioritising universal access to quality health services, and increasing the overall budgetary allocations for public health by at least twice the current allocation. While 2.2% of the latest total interim budget is allocated to healthcare , there is an immediate need to increase the allocation for health to at least 5% of the country’s annual budget. The current spending on public health is 1.15-1.5% of the GDP, despite the government stating its ambition to increase it to 2.5% . We seek an immediate increase in the health expenditure to 3.5% of the GDP. There is also a need to increase investments in sexual and reproductive health in general and contraceptive and safe abortion access in particular. Women constitute a significant proportion of the voting population – it was reported that 260.6 million women exercised their right to vote in the 2014 elections for the parliament, and in 16 out of 29 States, more women voted than men . Prioritising women’s health and rights as an election issue is likely to be rewarding, and have positive reverberations on the overall health of the country. Adolescents, youth and women form an important demographic in the country, whose health needs and rights are likely to impact future generations and other key development indicators such as education, and therefore must be recognised. It is only through political will to safeguard the rights of women that a holistic approach to promoting healthcare for women can be achieved.   -Pratigya Campaign for Gender Equality and Safe Abortion ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13017/cloudnine-launches-first-pcos-and-menopause-clinic.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13017/cloudnine-launches-first-pcos-and-menopause-clinic.html Thu, 07 Mar 2019 11:10:00 +0530 To mark the International Women’s Day 2019, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, tricity’ s leading chain of maternity, childcare and fertility hospitals has  announced the launch of its first dedicated PCOS and Menopause clinic. This comprehensive clinic will aim at providing one stop solution for women of all age groups especially young adolescent girls and elderly women to discuss their problems with a team of doctors related to PCOD, lifestyle disorders, menopause, fibroids and endometriosis. Expert team of doctors will comprise an endocrinologist, nutritionist, gynecologist and fertility specialist under one roof. This special women’s clinic will be operational at Cloudnine Hospital, Chandigarh once a week, every Thursday from 2 pm to 4 pm.  All appointments will start from 8th March 2019 through the helpline number 1860 500 9999. At the sidelines of the launch says Dr.Pawan Kumar, Regional Director (North), Cloudnine Group of Hospitals “Within our complex system of long-term care, women's caregiving is essential in providing a backbone of support to the family. Women regardless of professional achievements, are still relied upon by the family and society as the central caregivers and it is all the more essential to provide them with a platform where they can discuss, evaluate and act upon any health conditions which can be challenging at later stage. I am happy to announce the launch of our novel initiative which not only engage but offer the best solutions to every women under one roof by our excellent panel of doctor. Offerings under this clinic will make healthcare more accessible to the women in the tricity and nearby regions”. Speaking at the unveiling ceremony of the clinic, Dr.Seema Sharma, Senior Consultant – Obesetriction and High risk Pregnancy specialist, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Chandigarh said “the problem of PCOD is a very prevalent reproductive disorder in women these days and one of the leading causes of infertility among women today. At least 1 out of every 5 women today suffer from some kind of hormonal health issues and many aspects of the disorder are not understood properly as its symptoms and severity vary greatly. There is a need that early diagnosis and treatment is offered to help and prevent any kind of health problems in women. Through this clinic, we aim to connect with women of all age groups and offer a well-rounded treatment approach to manage their health”. Says Dr.Ritambhara Bhalla, Senior Consultant - Gynecologist and Obesetriction, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Chandigarh said “ There is a general lack of awareness regarding hormonal health issues and it often remains undetected for years which leads to further health complications such infertility or recurring miscarriages. Unbalanced lifestyle, lack of physical activity, late marriages are some of the reasons contributing to these problems. As reproductive functions play out over time hormone levels take a plunge, triggering the onset of menopause and common hormone imbalances associated with the change of life, it is very important that women are given a common platform to talk and discuss their problems and arrive at preventive measures” In India, women’s health is often neglected and understanding the causes of hormone imbalance empowers with a specialized team of experts allows every women to prevent them, and at the same time, feel better, think better, and better prevent the occurrence of many other diseases. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13006/dr-manika-khanna-announces-the-launch-of-indias-first-women-hospital-in-delhi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13006/dr-manika-khanna-announces-the-launch-of-indias-first-women-hospital-in-delhi.html Wed, 06 Mar 2019 12:10:00 +0530 Gaudium Hospital, India's first women's hospital will be launched in the capital on 8th March 2019 i.e. International Women's Day. Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty will be inaugurating the hospital. The inauguration event will also be graced by Manoj Tiwari, Delhi BJP President, Devesh Srivastava, Joint Commissioner of Police, Delhi Police, Narendra Chawla, Mayor SDMC, and Pawan Monga, Secretary BJP, Delhi Pradesh. Dr. Manika Khanna, a Gynecologist, and pioneer in Assisted Reproduction in Human (I.V.F), founded the Gaudium Women Hospital with a firm notion of improvising the health of women. For her dedicated service in the field of infertility, she had been praised and recognized by the former President of India, Pratibha Patil. Gaudium, meaning Joy in Latin, has brought the health and well-being of the woman and newborn at the forefront. Gaudium Women Hospital will provide with a wide range of health facilities to women including laparoscopic surgeries, urogynaecology, cancer screenings, cosmetic therapy, nutrition and wellness guidance along with high-end intensive care during preterm deliveries, nursing and pediatrics, IVF treatments to childless couples and neonatal care under experts. Gaudium Women Hospital provides a home-like environment for every woman's need for health and care. Sensitizing to the patients' requirements. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13000/hinduja-healthcare-launches-heart-failure-and-valve-clinic-at-khar.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/13000/hinduja-healthcare-launches-heart-failure-and-valve-clinic-at-khar.html Tue, 05 Mar 2019 15:30:00 +0530 Patients suffering from Aortic Stenosis (Heart Failure in simple words), now have immediate access to life-saving cardiac procedure TAVI (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation). After receiving TAVI accreditation, Hinduja Hospital, Khar becomes the first hospital in Mumbai/Western India to be authorized for TAVI procedure without a Proctor. This is extremely beneficial for people at high surgical risk as the waiting time for the patients for conducting TAVI will be reduced drastically.   The hospital has a Comprehensive Cardiac Unit- under which the Heart Failure and Valve Clinic will also function. This will aid patients to get instant and intensive care.   Speaking on the advantages of Valve clinic, Dr. Avinash Supe, Executive Director-Hinduja Hospital, Khar said, “I'm happy for the TAVI accreditation that we have received for our hospital. TAVI is a far more superior technique than Open Heart Surgery which would be beneficial for the patients.”   TAVI is a minimally invasive procedure for treating abnormal narrowing of aortic valve known as aortic stenosis. TAVI is a USFDA approved procedure which is an alternative for the surgery that is normally done for aortic valve replacement and is done for people at high surgical risk due to age, other ailments, previous bypass surgeries etc.   Dr. Haresh Mehta, Consultant Interventional Cardiology, Hinduja Hospital, Khar, recently operated on an 87-years-old patient at the hospital adopting the TAVI procedure. It is the latest revolutionary technology in treating heart valve defects and is better in terms of safety and efficacy.   Speaking about the benefits of valve clinic for the patients, Dr Mehta said, “Valve clinic is a one-stop shop for all valve and other structural heart diseases and its solutions. It will be a center of excellence offering cutting edge technology expertise under one roof.”   Expert Faculty, Dr. Peter Andreka, Head of Department of Adult Cardiology at Gottsegen Hungarian Institute of Cardiology, described more in details about TAVR and its significance.   Dr. Peter Andreka said, “This procedure is opted when a patient’s valves have become very narrow and there are lesser chances of survival. One of the greatest benefits of this procedure is that this increases the life-span of the patient and improves the quality of life.”   Speaking about this initiative Dr. Vishal Beri, CEO- Hinduja Hospital, Khar said, “We are very pleased that we are one of the few centres offering this cutting edge technique in the city. This has now made it possible to offer hope and a chance of survival to patients where earlier there was none. The opening of this clinic reiterates our commitment to offering the best treatment options to all our patients.”   85 years old, Mrs. Badar Issa was diagnosed to have critical high-risk aortic stenosis, which necessitated the TAVR procedure. She also shared how TAVR gifted her a second life. Mrs. Issa said, “The TAVR procedure has given me the opportunity to continue my independent and active lifestyle with the support and love of my family and friends” She also added, “It was a very good team and am so glad that at the age of 85, am re-living my life. Thanks to Hinduja Healthcare, Khar; Dr.Haresh Mehta and the Cardiac team.”   Patient Cases:   Patient 1 78 years old, Jethanand Teckani was complaining of chest pain after walking for five minutes and was found to be suffering from IHD (Ischaemic Heart Disease). A known case of Hypertension, which persisted post-PTCA (minimally invasive procedure to open up blocked coronary arteries, allowing blood to circulate unobstructed to the heart muscle). He also had a history of pedal edema (left>right) since 2 months. On admission, the patient was diagnosed to have severe aortic stenosis thus TAVI procedure was initiated.   Patient 2 Badar Issa, 85-year-old woman was complaining of chest pain with breathlessness on exertion. On admission, patient was diagnosed to have critical high-risk aortic stenosis thus requiring the TAVR procedure. She was also found to be suffering from hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus, due to which TAVI procedure was the only life-saving option.   The Patient had already undergone cardiac procedure-CAG (Corona Angiography) in the year 2017.   Patient 3 Aruna Shah, a 74-year-old resident of Mumbai was complaining of dry cough since three weeks. She was also suffering from cirrhosis of liver and Diabetes Mellitus. Shah also complained of breathlessness on exertion after her knee replacement surgery in the year 2016. 2D Echo was suggestive of aortic stenosis. Patient also has a history of pedal edema since 2½ years with mild AR. Subsequently, Shah underwent TAVR in December 2018. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12992/oasis-centre-for-reproductive-medicine-opens-new-facility.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12992/oasis-centre-for-reproductive-medicine-opens-new-facility.html Tue, 05 Mar 2019 11:05:00 +0530 Hyderabad based Oasis Centre for Reproductive Medicine, a comprehensive healthcare provider with specific attention to infertility treatments, recently inaugurated a new centre at Miyapur to expand its services wing. There are currently eight centres across South India and the new one at Miyapur is the fifth centre in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. With the inauguration of the 9th centre, Oasis has now covered all the prime locations in Hyderabad to provide these services. And also, Oasis launched an exclusive Male Fertility Clinic – Androlife at all their facilities. This is the first such male-specific reproductive facility throughout India. There has been a multifold increase in male fertility arena and as a result of this; Androlife was launched to be the one-stop solution for male fertility issues. Androlife operates its services at each of their centres located in Hyderabad, Warangal, Vijayawada, Vizag and Chennai with customized treatments & Advanced state of art Andrology lab. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12988/practo-emphasises-on-use-of-technology-for-paediatric-care-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12988/practo-emphasises-on-use-of-technology-for-paediatric-care-.html Mon, 04 Mar 2019 14:20:00 +0530 Practo, India’s leading digital healthcare platform, focussed on improving the access, affordability and quality of healthcare in India, partnered with the 4th Annual National Conference-SIMULUS 4, held from 27th February to 3rd March 2019 at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. The event was aimed at raising awareness of the need for high quality healthcare and use of technology in Paediatric Care. Along with other esteemed speakers from International and National Paediatrician society, Dr. Ajay Alexander, Head - Medical, from Practo took the floor. Dr. Ajay spoke about Practo’s passion for building quality healthcare ecosystem in India and how it’s integrated in everything Practo does. Country’s geographical and infrastructural challenges, allow for digital healthcare to play a pivotal role in bridging gaps and providing access to quality healthcare 24/7, even in remotest corners of the country. Practo recognises the need for building a one-stop shop for all healthcare needs and all its offerings viz. searching and booking an appointment with a doctor at his/her clinic or hospital, 24/7 Online Consult with 60 seconds Turnaround-Time (TAT), Diagnostics and Medicine Delivery, sometimes within two hours, are tailored to that effect. Speaking at the event, Dr Ajay Alexander, Head - Medical, Practo said “Digital healthcare holds possibilities for transformative outcomes unimagined before. With the help of technology, we’re enabling access to quality healthcare to all. It complements the existing healthcare options, by ensuring patients do not self-diagnose, or get worked up worrying about their illness till they see a doctor physically. Paediatric care is a prime example of how online consult offers a peace of mind to parents by helping with a trusted, verified doctor’s advice at odd hours, during the time of an emergency, or even for any follow-up questions that the parents may have post a doctor visit. It’s one of the fastest growing speciality in online consultation at 250% y-o-y growth, and goes a long way in furthering our vision to help Indians live longer, healthier lives.” Dr Ajay noted the growth of online paediatric consultations over the last year, as he spoke about the trust that patients are placing on the platform. As important it is to be available for all queries, it’s equally important to know when to draw the line and direct patients to see a doctors physically, he said. He spoke about the need for all ecosystem partners and doctors to come together to ensure patients are at the centre of everything. Safety and real time accessibility is of primary concern especially in the field of Paediatrics and neonatal emergencies. A view supported by Dr. Rakshay Shetty, President and Founder Member, PediSTARS India - “We thank Practo for their support and commitment towards delivering quality healthcare solutions to millions. Paediatrics has emerged as one of the fastest growing specialization in India and online consultation has played an important role in ensuring quality care is delivered at all times. It acts like our extended arm to ensure patients get the care they need, and have someone to fall back on, when a doctor cannot be reached physically. Dr Jhuma Shankar, Asst. Professor - Dept of Paediatrics - AIIMS, and Organising Secretary of SIMULUS 4, further added – “Being part of SIMULUS4 is a great experience as we firmly believe that technology is the next healthcare frontier for all medical providers in India – doctors and hospitals alike. The changing patient behaviour, demand for 24X7 healthcare and the impact on preventive healthcare are all gradually disrupting the healthcare landscape in India. It’s heartening to see new-age healthcare players like Practo support important causes like these, that are meant to change the face of quality healthcare in future.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12986/medgenome-aster-cmi-organise-educative-programme-on-rare-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12986/medgenome-aster-cmi-organise-educative-programme-on-rare-diseases.html Mon, 04 Mar 2019 12:25:00 +0530 MedGenome Labs, a genomics and clinical data driven diagnostics and drug discovery research company and Aster CMI a leading hospital based in Bangalore organized a day-long educative session on World Rare Disease Day for medical practitioners at Aster CMI recently. Themed at ‘Back to Basics-Types of Genetic Tests’, the session was chaired by Dr. Mohan Kubendra, President Karnataka Chapter, The Academy of Family Physicians, Dr. VL Ramprasad, Chief Operating Officer, MedGenome Labs and Dr. Sheetal Sharda, Consultant Clinical Geneticist at MedGenome Labs. The session focused upon bridging the gap between the rapidly evolving technical diagnostics capabilities available in the country for rare diseases and what is being leveraged in the day to day medical practice in the area of rare diseases. Explaining the need to be aware as physicians who are the first port of call for patients, Dr. CP Ravi said, “With around 450 rare diseases recorded in India and 8000 in the world, it is estimated that over 350 million people are affected by them. It is also an eye-opener that a rare disease patient is often misdiagnosed and it takes at least eight physician visits and 4.6 years on an average to be rightly diagnosed”. Rare Diseases are inherited disorders and thus affect children more than adults. They often hide behind the symptoms of common diseases that can create confusion and a delayed diagnosis. Furthermore, due to lack of clear symptoms at the onset, they often go misreported and thus the affected patient is not able to receive an appropriate course of treatment. Highlighting the importance of spreading awareness about rare diseases and genetic testing Dr. VL Ramprasad, COO, MedGenome Labs said, “Genetic disorders or inherited disorders is no more a rare phenomenon as we have seen a steady rise in reportage of these diseases. It is hence crucial for young physicians and other medical professionals to understand the need for genetic tests and scenarios where a patient should be advised for these tests. It is equally important to know where these confirmatory tests can be conducted and their protocols. A simple blood test can assess the complete genetic make-up of an individual today”. Commonly found rare diseases in the country currently are Haemophilia, Thalassemia, Sickle-cell Anaemia and Primary Immuno Deficiency in children, auto-immune diseases, Lysosomal storage disorders such as Pompe disease, Hirschsprung disease, Gaucher's disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Hemangiomas and certain forms of muscular dystrophies. With latest ‘Next Generation Sequencing’ diagnostics technology, the diagnoses and analysis has become much faster has not only helped in bringing down the time taken for the diagnosis of these rare diseases but have also reduced the cost of taking multiple tests to assess and diagnose. Earlier the test reports would take around two to three years which led to delayed diagnosis. However, with NGS technology reports today are generated within four to eight weeks. Currently, MedGenome Labs offers over 450 genetic tests across key disease areas like Immuno-oncology, Diabetes, Ophthalmology, Cardiology, Reproductive Health and Rare Diseases. MedGenome’s Clinical Exome test is the most comprehensive test currently in India which diagnoses majority of the prominent rare diseases. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12985/fortis-hospital-spreads-awareness-on-womens-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12985/fortis-hospital-spreads-awareness-on-womens-health.html Mon, 04 Mar 2019 12:20:00 +0530 Ahead of International Women’s Day, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road conducted an interactive session on women’s health led by Dr Parimala Devi-Consultant, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Fortis Hospitals, Bannerghatta road. The health awareness session addressed the audience on some common health related issues that women could experience at different stages of their lives such as PCOD, pregnancy, menopause and urinary incontinence. Dr Parimala also shared a few ways that women can take in daily routine to ensure good health. The children from Belaku Academy (an NGO for blind children) also showcased their talent through a performance during the session.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12981/tech-mahindra-foundation-launches-all-women-healthcare-academy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12981/tech-mahindra-foundation-launches-all-women-healthcare-academy.html Mon, 04 Mar 2019 10:50:00 +0530 Tech Mahindra Foundation under its Employability vertical has launched Tech Mahindra SMART Academy for Healthcare in Mumbai. Its third SMART Academy is in association with Auxilium Convent School, Pali Hill, which was conceptualized following the success of the first two healthcare academies in New Delhi and Mohali. Inspired with Tech Mahindra Foundation’s CSR mandate of benefiting over 50% women beneficiaries, the Mumbai Academy is an “All Women” Academy with both the staff and student being women. To strengthen the objectives of SMART Academies for Healthcare, Tech Mahindra Foundation recently launched the #MainBhiHero campaign that aims at creating awareness about the skill-gap of Paramedical Professionals in the country. This All Women SMART Mumbai Academy is a major step ahead in this direction. Inaugurating the new Academy in Mumbai, Anand G. Mahindra – Chairman, Mahindra Group, said, “This All Women Healthcare Academy in Mumbai, will open new doors for women and ensure that they get equal access to quality education and career opportunities in the healthcare sector. Indian women have made us proud in so many ways. Their nurturing hands will make a big difference in our Healthcare Services.” The Mumbai Academy is a state-of-the-art institute envisaged to create skilled Paramedic and Allied Healthcare professionals. It is equipped with hospital simulated labs, industry-relevant study material, and experienced faculty to help young women make a career in the noble healthcare sector. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12979/mental-health-rehabilitation-institute-to-come-up-in-mp.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12979/mental-health-rehabilitation-institute-to-come-up-in-mp.html Mon, 04 Mar 2019 10:40:00 +0530 Shakuntala D. Gamlin, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment recently laid the foundation stone of the ‘National Institute of Mental Health Rehabilitation’ at Sherpur Village along Bhopal-Sehore highway, District Sehore, Madhya Pradesh. This Institute will be first of its kind in the country. The Central Government has approved an outlay of Rs 180 crore for this project for an initial period of three years. The land for this institute measuring about 25 acre was allocated free of cost by the Government of Madhya Pradesh in October 2018. The Institute will promote mental health rehabilitation using an integrated multidisciplinary approach, to undertake capacity building and to involve in developing trained professionals in the area of mental health rehabilitation and help the Government in formulating policy and programs/models for rehabilitation of persons with mental illness. It will run various courses starting from certificate course to M.Phil in the area of vocational counselling, care giving, psychiatric nursing, community based rehabilitation, clinical psychology and psychiatric social work etc. The construction work of the building will be undertaken by CPWD, Bhopal and is expected to be completed within a period of two years. During the construction phase the institute will run some of the courses and provide certain services from a temporary accommodation. Once the institute is made fully functional, it will serve as an expert body in the area of mental health rehabilitation besides developing various models for rehabilitation of mental ill persons including their mainstream in the society. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12974/apollo-raises-awareness-on-colorectal-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12974/apollo-raises-awareness-on-colorectal-cancer.html Fri, 01 Mar 2019 16:35:00 +0530 In an effort to raise awareness about colorectal cancer in India, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals in collaboration with Colo Rectal Cancer Research Foundation (CRCRF) hosted a public lecture on the ‘Rising trend of colorectal cancer in India and how to curb it’. The awareness program which was organised by the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery and GI oncology, Apollo Hospital, Delhi detailed the risk, present status, newer operative techniques and specialised surgical procedures performed on the colon and rectum which are parts of the large intestine. The meeting which was attended by large number of senior citizens, doctors, surgeons and specialists in the field of gastrointestinal surgery was put in order now because March is celebrated as International colorectal cancer prevention month. Dr. Deepak Govil, HOD and Senior Consultant, Department of Surgical Gastroenterology & GI oncology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi commented, “Colonic diseases, both malignant and benign have increased significantly not only in India but globally. This can be attributed to both an increase in the overall population and increasing lifespan of an average individual. Sedentary lifestyle and increase in consumption of junk food, animal fat, red meat, alcohol intake and smoking have contributed to this increase. Also, decreased physical activity has led to rise in obesity which contributes to a higher risk of colorectal cancer. Inflammatory bowel disease is also a leading cause of hospitalisations in India which also increases the individual risk of colorectal cancer. It is estimated that in India although the incidence is less as compared to western countries but it is increasing and we see younger patients with advanced colorectal cancer. In USA alone, colorectal cancer is among the top 5 causes of cancer related deaths.” In line with the ‘Do Not Assume’ campaign, he further stressed on the importance of getting screened regularly, “With the campaign, ‘Do Not Assume’ we want to highlight that one shouldn’t assume that just because they are young, or no one in their family has colorectal cancer, they are completely safe from the disease. One should be vigilant about their health and should not neglect the common symptoms of colorectal cancer such as blood in stools, long term unexplained anaemia and weight loss, family history of colorectal cancer, among others. Prevention is better than cure, and the key to prevent colorectal cancer is to educate oneself about the disease. If detected on time, colorectal cancer can be treated successfully. Today, on 1st March, 2019 we have decided to dress in blue to show solidarity in beating colorectal cancer with collective effort.”  Dr. Govil also spoke about the importance of surgical procedures in managing and treating colorectal cancer, “Most patients with colorectal cancer are amenable to curative surgical treatment at the time of diagnosis. Surgical management of colorectal cancer is extremely complicated, requiring high level of skill and expertise. Today laparoscopic and robotic surgical techniques help the patient with less surgical pain, enhanced recovery and early return to work. To increase the chances of a successful outcome, such surgeries should be performed at tertiary care centres where there is infrastructure to provide adequate support and post-operative care.” Dr. Govil’s address was followed by a panel discussion by Dr. Vivek Tandon, Dr. Saket Goel, Dr. Yogesh Batra, Dr. O P Sharma and Dr. Anita Jatana who further elucidated on the subject that gastro-intestinal and colorectal cancer is beatable, highlighting and debunking various myths associated with the disease. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12971/shripad-naik-lays-foundation-stone-of-unani-medicine-institute.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12971/shripad-naik-lays-foundation-stone-of-unani-medicine-institute.html Fri, 01 Mar 2019 15:20:00 +0530 Union Minister of State (IC) for AYUSH Shripad Yesso Naik laid foundation stone for National Institute of Unani Medicine (NIUM) recently at Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh in the august presence of Union Minister of State for External Affairs General V. K. Singh. Addressing the foundation stone laying ceremony, Shripad Yesso Naik informed that the Ministry of AYUSH is establishing the NIUM, Ghaziabad as a part of its commitment towards provision and promotion of quality education, research and healthcare services through Unani Medicine and other AYUSH systems. He further said that this institute would be developed with an approximate cost of Rs 300 crore on 10 acres of land and would be one of the largest institutes of Unani Medicine in Northern India. With a 200 bedded hospital, the institute would cater to the needs of the masses and would have facilities for quality research and education at postgraduate and PhD levels, he added. In his address, General V. K. Singh extended his gratitude to the Ministry of AYUSH and Government of India for selecting Ghaziabad for the establishment of NIUM. Speaking about Unani Medicine, he said that this system has effective treatment for various diseases especially skin disorders for which other medical systems have very limited intervention.  Earlier in his welcome address, Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, said that his has taken various initiatives like NAMASTE-Portal and A-HIMS for harnessing the potentials of Information Technology in the development and promotion of AYUSH systems. He said that the Ministry is committed to develop the NIUM, Ghaziabad as a world class institution of Unani Medicine. He further informed that the Government of India has made threefold increase in the AYUSH budget during the last four years. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/views/98/13135/oracle-dba-certification-become-database-administrator-with-prep-material-from-prepaway.html https://biospectrumindia.com/views/98/13135/oracle-dba-certification-become-database-administrator-with-prep-material-from-prepaway.html Fri, 01 Mar 2019 12:00:00 +0530 Oracle is a highly recognized corporation which provides numerous hardware and software solutions intended to simplify and improve the IT industry. Primarily known for its database software, Oracle also provides solutions along Engineered Systems, Servers, Cloud and Storage. There are also numerous professional certifications offered along these tracks. Description The Oracle Database certification is specifically tailored for professionals who interact with Oracle databases. In this domain, Oracle certifications are highly sought after and coveted in the IT industry. Oracle Database certifications are offered at various certification levels. The main categories are: Oracle Certified Associate (OCA) – Oracle Database 12c Administrator With this certification, an individual can be part of a database management team as a member or an application developer. This level requires the individual to pass one of these SQL exams: Oracle Database 12c SQL fundamentals (1Z0-061) Oracle Database 12c SQL fundamentals (1Z0-051) Oracle Database SQL expert 1Z0-071. Besides, candidates must pass Oracle Database 12c: Installation and Administration (1Z0-062) exam in order to be considered for this Oracle credential https://www.prepaway.net/. The associate certification validates the skills and the ability in creating, retrieving, maintaining and editing data in a database. MySQL programming skills and sufficient knowledge of the relational database is very important as they are the key concepts tested in the exams. Primarily, it shows competency in the day-to-day operational management database skills of the associates. Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) – Oracle Database 12c Administrator Oracle Professional Certification demonstrates skills in large Database Management as well as the application of large-scale database. The ideal candidates for this certification level must possess OCA certification. Additionally, they are required to pass Oracle Database 12c: Advanced Administration (1Z-063) exam. After successfully passing the exam, the individual needs to submit a course completion form in order to be an Oracle Certified Professional (OCP). Alternatively, the professionals who already possess Oracle Database 12c Administrator or Oracle Database 11g Administrator certification can upgrade to Oracle Database 12cR2 Administration Certified Professional certification by passing 1Z0-074 exam. This certification level validates the skills in installation, maintenance, fine-tuning, and troubleshooting of Oracle databases. Oracle Certified Master (OCM) –Oracle Database 12c Administrator Oracle Master Certification is the most coveted level of the database certification. It requires one to have 3-4 years’ experience of professional enterprise-level. A candidate needs to complete two advanced courses from a list of 21 offered courses. There is the possibility of these courses coinciding with those at the OCP level. However, those taken at that level may not be used to validate one for the master certification. As in the professional level mentioned above, one should submit a completed course form and pass an Oracle Master Certification (12COCM) exam. Furthermore, the candidate must submit the fulfillment of Kit request. To find more information about DBA certifications, go to Oracle official website. Preparation Options for Oracle Exams For all these levels, it is mandatory for individuals to attend instructor-led training and offer proof of that. Oracle testing centers are available across the globe. However, there are numerous third-party certified institutions that offer the Oracle Database Certifications. It is very important to check updated information on courses and tests on the official Oracle website. Extensive exam preparations are also made available online ranging from hands-on instructor-led training, virtual courses, practice exams, training on demand to exam preparation seminars. These materials are customized to meet the current industry standards. The objectives are clearly outlined and at the end of the course, candidates should have a clear understanding of how to administer standalone databases. A number of training material for DBA certification is at your disposal on the internet. Thus, numerous websites offer exam dumps. Check PrepAway online resource, as it’s considered to be the most reliable one among exam takers. The files provided on PrepAway are valid and updated, as the real exam takes can upload them directly on the website. Moreover, you can find video lectures for the Oracle exams there and take the course you need. These video lectures are led by IT experts which means that you’ll be shared the most significant details on the Oracle exam which you won’t find anywhere else. Try PrepAway out and pass the Oracle certification exam on first try. Benefits of Oracle Database Certifications To begin with, Oracle as an IT corporation has its major focus on high-end and world-class solutions. Many organizations incorporate Oracle products into activities that are vital to their businesses. This is because products offered by Oracle boast a high performance and offer highly scalable tools for medium to high-end organizations. Companies remunerate Oracle Database Certified Individuals highly as compared to their Relational Database Management System Professionals. In addition, the accreditation creates a demand for an individual’s skills. Taking into consideration that a software solution is critical to an organization, it would hire a professional who is able to add value and provide the best solution. Oracle Database certifications are recognized globally. This means that one gets an advantage at gaining work experience in any part of the world as a database administrator. No organization in the world will ever doubt your certification because Oracle services are known all over the world. Individuals may appreciate the Oracle Database certification in the following scenarios: When they are starting out on new careers such as database administrators. When they have little or no hands-on product experience. When they are contemplating switching their jobs. Oracle Database certification also creates an opportunity for career advancements especially when one will be re-entering the formal employment sector after a long time. Oracle Database certification proves to employers that an individual is keen on advancing their knowledge and skills in the fast-growing and evolving industry. The certification of this leading IT vendor is always based on the current industry trends. Along with the professional benefits, Oracle provides successful candidates with a digital badge which can be displayed on their Social Media Profiles. The certification adds value to the curriculum vitae and will make one stand out from the crowd. Job Opportunities Database Administrator Database Architect Engineer Application programmers In conclusion, Oracle Database certifications validate one as a highly skilled database professional who can provide solutions to critical systems. Oracle is a brand to reckon with because it has the biggest share of the relational database in the job market. Oracle database skills will be always profitable to IT professionals. Just prepare properly with PrepAway, get certified and build your career with the certification recognized worldwide. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12966/cabinet-approves-implementation-of-master-plan-of-aiims-new-delhi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12966/cabinet-approves-implementation-of-master-plan-of-aiims-new-delhi.html Fri, 01 Mar 2019 09:40:00 +0530 The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given ‘in principle’ approval to the Implementation of Master Plan to convert All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi into a world class Medical University. The Master Plan envisages freeing up adequate space through redevelopment, vertical expansion and reorganizing the land usage, thus optimizing the infrastructure of the Institute for the next 20 years. It is proposed to re-develop the infrastructure of AIIMS, New Delhi by consolidating the Patient Care, Teaching, Research, Administration and support services in areas in the East Ansari Nagar (Main) Campus and residential facilities from East Ansari Nagar (Main Campus) to Trauma Centre Extension (New Rajnagar) Campus. The project would provide highly specialized state-of-the-art healthcare to the patients and an integrated ‘One Campus’ answer to all the investigative, physiotherapeutic, operative, rehabilitative and vocational needs of the patients. It would ensure smart mobility and accessibility for the patients and become an apex tertiary care centre for advancement of research, clinical applications and management of patients. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12958/delhi-conducts-1st-edition-of-ayushman-bharat-conclave.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12958/delhi-conducts-1st-edition-of-ayushman-bharat-conclave.html Fri, 01 Mar 2019 09:00:00 +0530 1st Edition of Ayushman Bharat conclave happened in New Delhi recently. The mega conclave was held in on a day when India’s universal healthcare coverage program completes 157th day since launched. While speaking at the 1st edition of the Ayushman Bharat Conclave Dr. Indu Bhushan, CEO, National Health Authority said, “India’s ambitious healthcare coverage scheme Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) has already covered 13.5 lakh hospitalizations worth Rs 18000 crore, effectively allowing one hospitalization every five seconds.”  Providing the figures in the opening address at the maiden edition of Ayushman Bharat Conclave held here today, Dr. Bhushan said, “Every year, 6 crore people fall below poverty line due to catastrophic health expenditure. Besides, 40 per cent of the poor people do not have access to private healthcare that provides 70 per cent of the services. 33 states on board for rolling out the program and Punjab and Kerala are going to start soon. We are yet to have an official word from West Bengal on withdrawing from the program. The states also have the option to expand the beneficiary base it wants to cover – in that way, Ayushman Bharat has the possibility of covering as many as 14 crore families, more than the targeted number.” The mega conclave was inaugurated today in the presence of National Health Authority CEO, Dr. Indu Bhushan and Tim Kelsey, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Digital Health Agency. Suresh Prabhu, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry addressed the conclave via a video message. Presenting a summary of the achievements of Ayushman Bharat so far, Dr. Bhushan said that more than 2 crore health cards have been issued under the scheme and 92 per cent of the e-cards have been verified through Aadhar while over 6,000 cards issued are portable. He said that out of the 14,708 empaneled hospitals, 55 per cent are from the private sector taking care of 65 per cent of the treatment needs of the beneficiaries.  “Ayushman Bharat is a great leap to universal healthcare. It is a gamechanger on the scale of providing services, a more meaningful engagement of private sector hospitals as well as has unique aspects of providing affordable healthcare through collective bargaining of services, consumables, and devices, and providing cash on the delivery of services. The program increases access of the poor to quality, affordable and accountable healthcare and reduces the fragmentation of the services providers – public sector providers can refer patients to private hospitals for tertiary services,” Dr. Bhushan said. “Ayushman Bharat is the most ambitious program by the honorable Prime Minister which is going to help considerably not only the people of India but also the rest of the world. This is the most comprehensive and aggressive program in which healthcare is made available – hospitalization and medication needs are taken care of. Also, people who suffer because of lack of medical facilities are included in it. Unfortunately, I cannot join the conclave today but I am very happy that such an initiative is taken,” said Suresh Prabhu in a video address. Kamal Narayan, Principal Founder, India Health and Wellness Summit initiatives said, “Health doesn’t discriminate between rich and poor. Ayushman Bharat is a crucial step that the government of India has taken for creating a happy and prosperous country; the possibilities are immense. I hope that the conclave today will have some very insightful discussions, assessing initiatives and exploring collaboration opportunities.” Tim Kelsey, who was also awarded the ‘Torchbearer of the Ayushman Bharat’ award, emphasized on paperless healthcare services and increasing the use of technology in providing healthcare services, especially in the rural and remote areas. “Paper-based healthcare has failed – it is not efficient, cannot keep up to the large amount of data and track trends. IT is unable to support precision medicine. We need to work much harder on creating a clinical culture to adopt technology to ensure safety, quality and equity in healthcare. We also need to empower people who now do not question the recommendations of the doctor. Digitizing healthcare will also help it make more accountable and transparent,” he added. “Today, we have the political will to provide universal healthcare and address the needs of those who face economic fluctuations and go below the poverty line due to healthcare expenditure. Ayushman Bharat is a big step in preventing this. It also ensures quality healthcare – quality is paramount when it comes to health services,” said Dr. Bobby John, Co-founder, India Health and Wellness Summit initiatives; Founder & Principal Advisor, Global Health Advocates in his Vote of Thanks. Leading experts in healthcare and policymakers from India and abroad converged today to discuss major challenges, opportunities and the way forward towards successful implementation of the Ayushman Bharat, a program that aims to cover people equal to the total population of America, Canada, and Mexico together. The conclave held sessions on Resolutions, Possibilities, Actions for an Ayushman India, The Journey towards health protection and Ayushman Bharat: The Local and Global Impact, Operational Perspectives on Securing Health, Capacity Building Challenges at Various Healthcare Levels, Directly from the Experts: The Doctor’s Word for Ayushman Bharat, Forecasting demand and ensuring consistent and adequate supply of healthcare services, and More health for money spent – incentivizing preventive services. The PMJAY has already issued 1.71 crore e-cards and benefitted over 12.27 lakh patients since it was launched by the Narendra Modi-led government last year. Today, the scheme is supported by a network of around 15,000 empaneled hospitals from both government and private sectors and the growing numbers is a proof of the program being well-received by the people.  A stronger public and private partnership will further boost the initiative and better the patient load sharing between hospitals. The conclave is an initiative of leading industry forum India Health and Wellness Summit, which has been at the forefront of creating constructive discourses around holistic health for several years, supported and participated by institutions such as the Asian Development Bank, key industry bodies and civil society organs.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12959/lsdss-appeals-to-pm-for-pledged-rs-100-cr-for-treating-rare-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12959/lsdss-appeals-to-pm-for-pledged-rs-100-cr-for-treating-rare-diseases.html Thu, 28 Feb 2019 16:50:00 +0530 Lysosomal Storage Disorders Support Society (LSDSS), a non-profit organization, representing the cause of patients and families affected by rare diseases, has appealed to the Hon’ble Prime Minister to save the lives of rare diseases patients, a majority of whom are children. LSDSS appealed the Prime Minister to release the pledged Rs. 100 crore for the treatment of rare diseases and immediately implement NPTRD, which had been withheld by the Government. The letter of appeal has been submitted to Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. For rare disease patients in India, the government’s promise to release Rs. 100 crores, under NPTRD, for the treatment of rare disease was the much-needed help for fighting these life-threatening diseases. However, the hope was shattered when in December 2018 Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced that the policy is being “kept in abeyance.” This abrupt and surprising decision of the Government is a big setback for rare disease patients in India and has pushed their life towards uncertainty and death. Only Karnataka and Kerala state governments have come forward to help rare disease patients. According to Manjit Singh, President, Lysosomal Storage Disorders Support Society (LSDSS): “We appeal to the Hon’ble Prime Minister for his urgent intervention in honouring the Government’s commitment towards rare disease patients in India. We request the Government to immediately revoke the ban on NPTRD and, as outlined in the policy, to immediately release the corpus fund with initial amount of Rs. 100 crore towards funding treatment of rare diseases. NPTRD is a progressive policy and its speedy implementation would ensure that treatment of rare diseases in India gets the much-needed boost that is immediately required.” Under NPTRD the government has acknowledged the contribution of other countries in formulating patient-friendly policies and helping them access critical medical care. These countries include Chile, Peru, Argentina, Egypt, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines and Serbia. A good example has also been set by governments of developed nations like Canada and Scotland with their own rare diseases policies that help patients in the treatment of rare diseases. Lysosomal Storage Disorders Support Society (LSDSS) is headed by a group of parents of LSD Patients. The most common rare diseases recorded in India are Lysosomal Storage Disorders – Hunter Syndrome, Gaucher Disease and Fabry’s Disease. The diagnosis of LSDs unlike any other rare disorder is the first and most critical and frustrating challenge for anyone with a rare disorder. The Society represents and requests the Central and State Governments representatives for the immediate need of financial support and establishment of diagnostic facilities in all major hospitals of India for LSDs patients. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12957/infosys-signs-mou-to-build-300-beds-hospital-complex.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12957/infosys-signs-mou-to-build-300-beds-hospital-complex.html Thu, 28 Feb 2019 11:40:00 +0530 Infosys Foundation, the philanthropic and CSR arm of Infosys, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, Bengaluru, to build a 300-bed hospital complex in the present Jayadeva premises. This project will help reduce the congestion faced by the hospital and also treat poor patients from various parts of the country. The foundation stone laying ceremony, was attended by Karnataka Chief Minister, H.D. Kumaraswamy, Infosys Foundation Chairperson, Sudha Murty, S.R. Mahesh, Minister for Tourism, Govt. of Karnataka and Dr. C.N. Manjunath, Director, Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, Bengaluru. Additionally, as part of its continued focus on healthcare, Infosys Foundation also signed an MoU with the District Health and Family Welfare Department in the Kanakpura taluk of Ramanagara, Karnataka, to help construct a 100-bed capacity maternal and child care hospital. The foundation stone laying ceremony was attended by Infosys Foundation Chairperson Sudha Murty, D.K. Shivakumar, Minister for Major Irrigation, Govt. of Karnataka, and D.K. Suresh, Member of Parliament. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12954/sanofi-genzyme-observes-rare-disease-day-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12954/sanofi-genzyme-observes-rare-disease-day-in-india.html Thu, 28 Feb 2019 10:20:00 +0530 Sanofi Genzyme, the specialty care global business unit of Sanofi, observes Rare Disease Day on 28th February 2019, in India. Rare Disease Day takes place on the last day of February, a month known for having a ‘rare’ number of days. Sanofi Genzyme has partnered with - Organization of Rare Diseases India (ORDI) for the ‘RaceFor7’ run in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and New Delhi; and with Lysosomal Storage Disorders Support Society (LSDSS) to raise awareness in Delhi, Chennai, Jaipur and Kozhikode about such debilitating disorders.  Given the nature of rare diseases, there is limited awareness of the concept, the existence, the diagnosis and the prevalence of such diseases.  This day provides an important opportunity to shed light on the impact that these chronic and debilitating diseases have on patients and their families. Sanofi Genzyme is committed to working with the medical fraternity, the government, scientific bodies, universities and patient advocacy groups to support greater awareness & education for timely diagnosis and access to treatment.  Sanofi Genzyme’s humanitarian program is in its 21st year in India and supports over 130 patients diagnosed with four of the treatable Lysosomal Storage Disorders. Through India Charitable Access Program, it provides the treatment totally free of cost to these patients, in a country where treatment access is limited.  Sanofi Genzyme in India is focused on treatment for rare diseases, multiple sclerosis and immunology, and is committed to working with key stakeholders to develop sustainable partnership models. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12953/anupriya-patel-inaugurates-the-international-digital-health-symposium.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12953/anupriya-patel-inaugurates-the-international-digital-health-symposium.html Wed, 27 Feb 2019 19:55:00 +0530 Anupriya Patel, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare inaugurated ‘International Digital Health Symposium’ recently in New Delhi. The Digital Health Symposium follows the two-day Global Digital Health Partnership (GDHP) summit and allows wide engagement with innovators, clinical leaders, academia, researchers, healthcare establishments, government representatives, international and national technical experts, entrepreneurs and the research community. She also inaugurated the exhibition on Digital Health as part of the Symposium, where participant countries along with various Government Ministries, states and other stakeholders showcased key innovations, implementation experiences and innovative Digital Health Interventions.  She said, “India has taken the digital inclusion approach to ensure all levels of health services and to include appropriate digital health interventions.” Upendra Yadav, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health, Nepal; Dr Arlindo Nascimento do Rosário, Minister of Health, Cape Verde; Dr Ulana Suprun, Minister of Health, Ukraine; Faizal Cassim, Deputy Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous, Sri Lanka; Dr. Shah Mahir, State Minister of Health, Maldives also graced the inaugural session and reiterated their commitment towards the digital health agenda. Dr VK Paul, Member, NITI Aayog; Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, World Health Organization, South-East Asia Region; Preeti Sudan, Secretary (Health) and Sanjeeva Kumar, AS, were also present at the Symposium Anupriya Patel further stated that the Government’s policies have essentially included the affordability, accessibility and availability of healthcare services to all citizens as an action item. “We have successfully been able to provide healthcare to each citizen through various interventions. It is here we are leveraging digital health interventions to maximize impact,” she added. Dr. V K Paul, Member said that India is ready to take the big leap in digital health. “India shall soon be unveiling the India’s National Health stack and is focused on creating digital revolution encompassing national nutrition mission, telemedicine and other interventions with focus on aspirational districts. We envision that by year 2022, all the 1.3 billion Indians will have digital health records,” Dr Paul elaborated. Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh stated, “adequate planning and designing with focus on people centered care, adhering to standard and guidelines and interoperable solutions, can save time and money. WHO will facilitate the collaboration and to establish specific mechanism to centrally coordinate digital health to assist among key stakeholders in member states for sustainable introduction of digital technologies and maximize the use of digital health.” Preeti Sudan, Secretary (Health), stated that Ministers and government officials from over 34 countries attended the 4th Global Digital Health Partnership Summit, and the Delhi Declaration on Digital Health adopted affirms the attainment of sustainable development goals and to improve the health and wellbeing of citizens through the best use of evidence based digital technologies. “The international symposium organised today further builds to discuss the impact of digital technologies on health systems and health services delivery,” she added. The Symposium provided a forum to learn from key global leaders in the field of digital health and innovation. This was an opportunity for countries to showcase key innovations and share experiences of implementing digital health interventions for health systems strengthening and Universal Health Coverage. The Symposium held discussions on various themes such as Futuristic Health Systems, Challenges in Health IT Sector, Privacy and Security in the Digital Arena, Aadhaar and National Health Stack, Innovation Ecosystem, Start-ups and AI for Health, Digital Health Innovations for transforming primary care, Remote Monitoring/Wearables /IOT/Home based care, National health information systems, Financing Digital Health, Public Health Surveillance Systems, Enabling Environment for Public Private Partnerships in Digital Health, Personalized Precision Medicine leading to possible policy interventions and clear outcomes. Approximately 700 delegates including high level delegates from the government, stakeholders from academia, clinical leaders, government institutions, healthcare institutions, researchers, innovators, start-ups, entrepreneurs, non-governmental organization and industry participants from international, regional and national levels from the networks of individuals and organizations participated in the above symposium.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12951/olif-technique-emerging-as-a-treatment-of-choice-for-spine-surgeries-medanta.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12951/olif-technique-emerging-as-a-treatment-of-choice-for-spine-surgeries-medanta.html Wed, 27 Feb 2019 19:30:00 +0530 Statistics indicate that lumbar spine disorders are on a rise in India with people as young as 16 to 34 years of age suffering from some form of a spinal problem. Over time, this can lead to numerous complications. While there are several options available to treat such degenerative spine disorders, the Oblique Lateral Interbody Fusion (OLIF) technique is gaining popularity as the preferred mode that can treat over 80% of the spinal problems. Some reasons for this include lower rate of morbidity, decreased postoperative pain, and reduced operating time and hospital stay. A majority of back and leg pain originates from the lumbar spine which also bears the most stress. The lumbar spine refers to the lower back, where the spine curves inward toward the abdomen. It starts about five or six inches below the shoulder blades, and connects with the thoracic spine at the top and extends downward to the sacral spine The OLIF procedure allows surgeons to treat lumbar spine conditions from an oblique lateral position. This spinal fusion procedure helps them in achieving the same outcomes as in a traditional spine surgery albeit in a minimally invasive manner. It is also safer when compared to the conventional open spine procedures as the latter requires larger incision, leads to more blood loss, increased duration of hospital stay and recovery, and more analgesics post operation. It also leads to muscle stripping and cutting and poses a higher risk of nerve injury. Speaking about this, Dr Sudhir Dubey, Director, Institute of Neurosciences, Medanta The Medicity, said, “Given the rise in the number of degenerative spinal disorders, the need of the hour is to raise awareness about the availability of minimally invasive techniques like OLIF. It has better health outcomes than others. The technique avoids the Psoas muscle surrounding the spine on both sides in the lower levels. By doing so, it limits the chance of damage to those nerves thereby reducing the risk of leg pain, thigh weakness, and numbness. A majority of patients in the country tend to ignore spinal ailments and OLIF can prove to be a boon in addressing these. I am thankful to Dr John K Schuster for being with us today and sharing his experience and global best practices in the treatment of spinal disorders". Dr John K Schuster (MD), Orthopedic Spine Surgeon at the Northwest Orthopedics, Washington, USA said, “Minimally invasive surgery is an evolving trend in addressing spinal disorders and makes use of smaller incisions to do traditional surgeriesthrough new approaches. OLIF is one such type of surgery, which is beneficial in more ways than one. It avoids harming major blood vessels by goingbehind intestines (peritoneum); reduces the potential risk to the nerves locatedin Psoas muscle surrounding the spine; and the interbody footprint gives more options for corrections and promote spinal fusion. I thank the entire team at Medanta for having me here today to help raise awareness about spinal ailments and also give a live demonstration of spinal surgery using the OLIF technique. “ Performed under general anesthesia, in OLIF the patient is positioned with their right side down and left side up for surgery. Once the skin is cleaned and sterile drapes are placed, a small incision is made over the appropriate spinal level. For multiple levels, a longer skin incision is made. After moving the abdominal contents to the side, blood vessels are safely protected, and spinal discs exposed. The psoas muscle is then gently moved out of the way and a minimally invasive spinal retractor is placed. The disc is then removed and the ends of the spinal bones (vertebrae) are prepared for the spinal fusion. OLIF treatment plans and outcomes are specific to the individual patient and can produce varying results. However, its advantages include the fact that a larger size of interbody can be placed which helps in giving the human spine natural lordosis and increased surface area for early fusion. Patients can go back to their normal life early, there is less post-operative pain, no long-term muscle scarring or neural damage, and overall pain free outcomes.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12950/godrej-protekt-mr-magic-initiates-swine-flu-awareness-program.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12950/godrej-protekt-mr-magic-initiates-swine-flu-awareness-program.html Wed, 27 Feb 2019 19:15:00 +0530 Focusing on the vulnerability of children to viruses like H1N1, Godrej Protekt Mr. Magic has initiated a week long awareness program for school children. As a part of this initiative, a team of doctors from Godrej will sensitize school students on the importance of hand sanitation as the first line defense against various viruses. This swine flu awareness program has been rolled out across 47 schools in Delhi, with more than 42,000 students. Children across schools will be educated on preventive measures to curb the spread of swine flu, as they are more susceptible to such diseases and viruses in crowded places like schools. The session will be followed by free product distribution. Speaking on the swine flu awareness program, Sunil Kataria, CEO – India and SAARC, Godrej Consumer Products Ltd said, “The best prevention for swine flu is to keep hands sanitized and clean. Most people make the mistake of washing their hands with water only. Even when they wash their hands, they use soap bar, while a more hygienic alternative is liquid hand wash, which is considered expensive. So, we have empowered Indian households with Protekt Mr. Magic handwash that makes a bottle full of hand wash at just INR 15. As a health and wellness brand, Protekt Mr. Magic aims to spread awareness on hand hygiene habits, especially when a simple act of hand washing with a liquid hand wash can curb the spread of life-threatening diseases like swine flu. The awareness program in Delhi is our contribution towards ensuring safety and well-being of children in a scenario when swine flu cases are constantly rising.” Swine flu cases have seen a spike across India, including Delhi, since the beginning of 2019. As per data released by Union Health Ministry, Swine Flu has claimed 312 lives, with over 9000 cases being reported in India. In Delhi alone, swine flu cases have mounted to 1,965 as per according to a report by Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12944/ayush-and-who-to-jointly-review-benchmarks-for-training-in-yoga-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12944/ayush-and-who-to-jointly-review-benchmarks-for-training-in-yoga-.html Wed, 27 Feb 2019 09:55:00 +0530 Ministry of AYUSH and WHO are jointly organizing a three days Working Group Meeting for reviewing the WHO document “Benchmarks for Training in Yoga” from 26-28 February, 2019 at New Delhi. The meeting is coordinated by Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY). WHO is developing Benchmarks Document for Training in Yoga as part of its global strategy to strengthen the quality, safety and effectiveness of Traditional and Complementary Medicine.  Development of this benchmarks document is included in the Project Collaboration Agreement signed between World Health Organization (WHO) and Ministry of AYUSH on Cooperation in the field of Traditional and Complementary Medicine under WHO strategy covering the period 2014-2023. Total 16 experts of yoga would be reviewing the draft document. Out of 16 experts, 11 International experts are from USA, UK, Canada, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Japan, Australia and Malaysia. There would be 4 session on all 3 days. All the technical sessions would be coordinated by the experts from WHO Secretariat. The specific objectives of the meeting are to discuss the challenges in training of Yoga, to review & discuss the scope and structure of the working draft document, to review and discuss the contents of the working draft document, to identify the type, scope and criteria of information/data that are further required, and to discuss the working procedure and time frame for further development of the document. This benchmarks document will be used in evaluating Yoga therapy, identifying trends in utilization, developing payment structures for service models, establishing regulatory framework for Yoga practice. World Health organization launched Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014-2023 to help health care leaders to develop solution that contribute to a broader vision of improved health and patient autonomy. The strategy has two key goals: to support Member States in harnessing the potential contribution of Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM) to health, wellness and people centered health care and to promote the safe and effective use of T&CM through the regulation of products, practice and practitioners. These goals will be reached by implementing three strategic objectives are  1) Building the knowledge base and formulating nation’s policies; 2) Strengthening safety, quality and effectiveness through regulation; and 3) Promoting universal health systems. Updating and enhancing the strategy has allowed WHO to acquire a better understanding of how to boost the global integration of T&CM into health systems. It will provide Member States with a road map to achieving further success in their T&CM strategic planning. Under this WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014-2023, a Project Collaboration Agreement (PCA) was signed between WHO and Ministry of AYUSH on 13 May, 2016 for cooperation on promoting the quality, safety and effectiveness of service provision in traditional and complementary medicine between WHO and Ministry of AYUSH (2016-2020). Area of collaboration are Development of the WHO publication : Benchmarks for training in Yoga, Benchmark for practice in Ayurveda, Unani and Panchakarma, Basic ( essential) terms for T&CM, Project on the establishment of a WHO database for global T&CM practitioners and Support the establishment of a network of international regulatory cooperation for T&CM practice.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12941/delhi-declaration-on-digital-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12941/delhi-declaration-on-digital-health.html Tue, 26 Feb 2019 21:15:00 +0530 “This Delhi Declaration on digital health firmly aligns with our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s Digital India.”  This was stated by Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, at the concluding session of the ‘4th Global Digital Health Partnership Summit,’ in New Delhi recently.  As part of the high-level summit, the ministers and delegation also adopted the Delhi Declaration on digital health for sustainable development, which called for WHO’s leadership in digital health and for it to establish a specific mechanism to centrally coordinate digital health to assist its Member States. Anupriya Patel, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare also graced the occasion along Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia Region (SEARO) and Preeti Sudan, Secretary (Health). Ministers and government officials from over 34 countries attended the event to discuss the impact of digital technologies on health systems and health services delivery. The global intergovernmental meeting on digital health is being hosted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfarein collaboration with World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Digital Health Partnership (GDHP). Choubey further stated that the declaration marks India’s commitment in maximizing the digital health investments to ensure UHC and realize Ayushman Bharat”. He further stressed on the need for sharing best practices in Digital Health among the countries. Anupriya Patel highlighted the initiatives of the Government in Digital Health. She said, ‘engaging citizens in partnering with government for planning and management of digital health interventions in health services delivery and improving governance are important.’ Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, WHO in his live video address shared that, “Digital technologies are not just the latest trend – they are a vital tool for strengthening primary care, achieving universal health coverage, and achieving Sustainable Development Goals.” Speaking on bridging the gap of access to health services, Dr Tedros said, “Telemedicine, remote care and mobile health are helping us transform health by delivering care in people’s homes, instead of in hospitals and clinics Preeti Sudan, Secretary (Health) emphasized on the need make technology accessible so that people can benefit from digital health. “Our vision is to create an integrated digital health platform and have longitudinal electronic health record for 1.3 billion people of India with a view to reduce cost of repeated diagnostics, reduce out of pocket expenditure and ensure precision medication,” she said. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12935/atul-kulkarni-inaugurates-joint-replacement-centre-at-upasani-super-specialty-hospital.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12935/atul-kulkarni-inaugurates-joint-replacement-centre-at-upasani-super-specialty-hospital.html Tue, 26 Feb 2019 16:50:00 +0530 Doctors at the Upasani Super Speciality Hospital in Mumbai this week performed two back-to-back successful Robotics-assisted total knee replacement surgeries, for the first time in Mumbai on a 65 years old Kanchan Patil both with severe knee pain since over 5 years. These surgeries were done using the NAVIO PFS Robotics surgical system, the latest advanced generation Robotic intervention in joint replacement (developed in the USA). Dr. Tejas Upasani, renowned Orthopaedic Surgeon and Head of Orthopaedics at Upasani Super Speciality Hospital said, “Robotics assisted joint replacement is at a much higher pedestal than traditional joint replacement surgery.” “The NAVIO Robotics-assisted system reduces the possibilities of human error and ensures perfect alignment, leading to the longevity of the joint implant. Though this is a very high end technology in our hospital, we have chosen to not make it expensive - so that more patients will be able to benefit from this”, confirms Dr. Tejas Upasani, who operated upon the 2 patients. Robotic Assisted Joint Replacement Centre at Upasani Super Specialty Hospital was inaugurated at the hands of Chief Guest Actor Atul Kulkarni. Atul Kulkarni said, “This significant change in the medical sector has enhanced the lives people, it is the science to prove that the progress made in medical science and new facilities and equipment helps in diagnosing bigger diseases.” The robotic-assisted system is set up by the initiative of Dr Tejas Upasani, Orthopedic and Dr.Vinod Lahiri, Head of department of Seth GS Medical College Dr Lahiri added, “Robotic technology makes artificial joint replacement more beneficial for a patient, in less time, more accuracy can be obtained, which also increases the longevity of implants and joints. I am very happy to hear that Mumbai now has Robotics in Joint Replacement and in the hands of the right surgeons at Upasani Super Specialty Hospital” Dr Tejas Upasasni, when asked why he chose to get this technology, said “We at USSH have always believed in giving the best to the patients. We always focus on patient safety and outcomes. With Robotics we are driving this and are at par with the with the world in healthcare.” Robotics-assisted joint replacement surgery has many definitive benefits over traditional joint replacement surgery: It enables the surgeon to operate with enhanced precision even during the most complex procedures and difficult cases. Enhanced precision and lesser bone removal leads to less blood loss, painless, faster and better post-operative outcomes for the patient.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12931/medica-hospital-organises-9th-masterclass-live-neurosurgery-workshop.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12931/medica-hospital-organises-9th-masterclass-live-neurosurgery-workshop.html Tue, 26 Feb 2019 11:35:00 +0530 With an aim to impart knowledge and help the practitioners in staying updated with the latest trends in Neurosurgery, Kolkata-based Medica Superspecialty Hospital organised the 9th Masterclass Neurosurgery Workshop and Live Surgery on February 23 and February 24. Senior Neurosurgeons from across the country took part in the conference for the benefit of junior doctors and medical students. The event was attended by over 250 doctors from all over the country. The choice of operations, videos, lectures were in the field of skull base, vascular, CV Junction, spine and tumours.  The live procedures as well as video-lecture sessions were conducted by guest faculties like Prof. Atul Goel (Mumbai), Dr. Suresh Sankhla (Mumbai), Dr. Paritosh Pandey (Bengaluru), and Dr. Lokendra Singh (Nagpur) among others. Consultants from Kolkata including Dr. L. N. Tripathy, Director, Medica Institute of Neurological Diseases & course convener, Dr. Harsh Jain and Dr. Sunandan Basu (host-faculty), Dr Sandeep Chatterjee, Dr P.R. Datta, Dr D.K. Pradhan and many more participated in the interactions. Elaborating on the Masterclass Workshop, Dr. L. N. Tripathy, Sr. Vice-Chairman and Director, Medica Institute of Neurological Diseases (M.I.N.D) & course convener, said, “Neurosurgery is an evolving and dynamic area of expertise which demands doctors to stay updated with the advancements in order to provide the best quality care for all patients. These workshops are essential for the training of the next generation aspiring neurosurgeons who will carry the mantle forward.” Dr. Alok Roy, Chairman, Medica Group of Hospitals, while inaugurating the Seminar, said: “I would like to congratulate MIND team lead by our dynamic Senior Vice-Chairman, Dr. Tripathy, the team of masterclass neurosurgeons from all over India who came and offered a unique learning experience for the aspiring neurosurgeons. I am sure the live surgery and discourses on advanced neurosurgery will definitely benefit the trainees.” “The live surgeries provided a real-time experience to us. The two-day workshop allowed us to exchange the thoughts and intuitive learning which will be beneficial for us in the coming years,” said a trainee, who witnessed the masters operating live. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12925/india-hosts-4th-global-digital-health-partnership-summit.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12925/india-hosts-4th-global-digital-health-partnership-summit.html Mon, 25 Feb 2019 18:05:00 +0530 J P Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare inaugurated the ‘4th Global Digital Health Partnership Summit’ in the presence of Ravi Shankar Prasad Union Minister of Law & Justice and Electronics & Information Technology and Health Ministers from several countries. The global intergovernmental meeting on digital health is being hosted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in collaboration with World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Digital Health Partnership (GDHP). Upendra Yadav, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health, Nepal; Dr Tawfiq Al Rabiah, Minister of Health, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Zahid Maleque, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Bangladesh; Lena Hallengren, Minister of Health, Sweden; Dr Arlindo Nascimento do Rosário, Minister of Health, Cape Verde; Dr Ulana Suprun, Minister of Health, Ukraine; Faizal Cassim, Deputy Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous, Sri Lanka; Biggie Ganda Butale, Assistant Minister of Health and Wellness, Botswana; Dr. Shah Mahir , State Minister of Health, Maldives and government officials from over 35 countries were also present at the inaugural session. Ravi Shankar Prasad spoke about the use of technology innovations in transforming healthcare. He highlighted the various initiatives of the Government towards digital healthcare. He said that India is committed to reaching the last man in the line through digital health interventions and digital inclusion. “Digital governance is good governance and bridging a digital divide must be achieved through technology that is low cost,’ he added. J P Nadda said that the entire healthcare system in India and the world is undergoing a rapid transformation. “The way we know of healthcare being delivered and accessed is poised to change for better. The digital health interventions are accelerating this transformation. It has a huge potential for supporting Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for which Government of India is committed,” he stated. He further said that India under the leadership of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi is committed to securing Universal Health Coverage for the underprivileged and deprived section of our society with the launch of a comprehensive healthcare scheme by the name of Ayushman Bharat, with the twin pillars of Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs) at primary and secondary levels of healthcare and PM-Jan Aarogya Yojana (PMJAY) at the tertiary level. “I am happy to share that after the roll-out of ‘Modicare’, in merely 155 days, nearly 1.3 million people have availed the benefits of more than Rs.16 Billion under this scheme,” he informed. Nadda mentioned that Ayushman Bharat is primarily dependent on maximising the use of digital tools for effective implementation and monitoring. The scheme is completely digital wherein all the processes from beneficiary identification to hospital empanelment and settlement of claims are done electronically. Hence all the benefits of the scheme are delivered in a mode that is cashless, paperless & completely transparent for all stakeholders, he expounded. He added that India took the world stage at the 71st World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland by successfully introducing and unanimous adoption of Resolution on Digital Health. This resolution highlighted global attention to the potential, challenges and opportunities of Digital Health interventions and the need for closer collaboration on the issue globally for countries achieving health-related SDG targets as well WHO's implementation of 13th General Program of Work. He said that the Health Ministry is in the process of establishing an Integrated Health Information Platform for interoperability amongst various health IT systems and a pan-India exchange of Electronic Health Records of citizens ensuring privacy, security, and confidentiality of data. The Ministerial Conclave discussed the implication of digital health interventions to health services accessibility, quality and affordability and explores ways of leveraging digital health technologies to strengthen the healthcare delivery systems globally. The Global Digital Health Partnership (GDHP) is an international collaboration of governments, government agencies and multinational organisations dedicated to improving the health and well-being of their citizens through the best use of evidence-based digital technologies. Governments are making significant investments to harness the power of technology and foster innovation and public-private partnerships that support high quality, sustainable health and care for all. The GDHP facilitates global collaboration and co-operation in the implementation of digital health services. Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia Region (SEAR); Dr. Preeti Sudan, Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare; Harinder Sidhu, Australia's High Commissioner to India; Sanjeeva Kumar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Tim Kelsey, Chief Executive, Australian Digital Health Agency, Australia were also present at the inaugural session.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12922/who-goodwill-ambassador-welcome-indias-hepatitis-initiatives.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12922/who-goodwill-ambassador-welcome-indias-hepatitis-initiatives.html Mon, 25 Feb 2019 15:50:00 +0530 The World Health Organization and its Goodwill Ambassador for Hepatitis in South-East Asia Region, Amitabh Bachchan, have welcomed India’s national action plan for viral hepatitis which aims to reach life-saving drugs and diagnostics to over 50 million affected people across the country. “The process of detection of hepatitis is important. If detected timely, hepatitis can be cured and I am an example of that,” said Amitabh Bachchan, a hepatitis B survivor who has been passionately advocating for countries to prevent, test and treat hepatitis. He was speaking at the release of India’s National Action Plan for Viral Hepatitis. The hepatitis programme in India is expected to benefit an estimated 50 million people suffering from hepatitis -  40 million from hepatitis B, which is preventable, and over 10 million from hepatitis C, which can be cured. Complimenting India for becoming the first country in WHO South-East Asia Region to release a national action plan for hepatitis, Regional Director Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh said, “India’s efforts are commendable and reflect the country’s commitment to health and universal health coverage.” The Regional Director and WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Hepatitis were speaking at an event yesterday where Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare released the National Action Plan for Viral Hepatitis and the National Guidelines for Hepatitis B. The action plan, which is in sync with the WHO’s regional and global action plans, follows launch of the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme on the World Hepatitis Day last year. The programme aims at comprehensively addressing – prevention, treatment and management of hepatitis A to E. Free drugs and diagnostics will help timely detection, treatment and prevention of disease complications. People would get themselves treated without any financial hardship. I look forward to phased implementation of these guidelines and their introduction at all levels of the health system and assure WHO’s partnership and support to India in eliminating hepatitis”, added Dr Poonam An estimated 257 million people are living with chronic hepatitis B and 71 million with hepatitis C globally. Only 5% of those with hepatitis B and 3% of those with hepatitis C have access to treatment. Twenty one countries account for 75% of global hepatitis burden, almost 15% of which is in countries of WHO South-East Asia Region, mainly in India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Thailand. Nearly 40,000 people die in WHO South-East Asia Region every year. Lauding the contribution of WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Hepatitis, Dr Khetrapal Singh said there is now a momentum for hepatitis elimination in the Region. For the past two years Mr Bachchan’s passion, voice and generosity of spirit has significantly increased awareness of hepatitis, influencing policymakers and the public alike. His many initiatives as Goodwill Ambassador have effectively resonated that we can and we must eliminate hepatitis as a public health problem. “If my voice can make a difference, I am willing to join the campaign for hepatitis whenever needed,” the Goodwill Ambassador said, adding that spreading awareness about hepatitis and ending discrimination, particularly against women affected by hepatitis B, is his priority. WHO has been advocating for hepatitis B vaccine at birth and subsequent doses in routine immunization programme for children, safe blood and blood products, safe syringes and vaccination of health workers, among key preventive measures. India has rolled out a number of cross sector initiatives for safe drinking water, sanitary toilets, and Swachh Bharat (clean India), which are also expected to contribute to prevention of viral hepatitis. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12921/bengaluru-doctors-conduct-first-simultaneous-double-lung-transplant-and-cabg-surgery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12921/bengaluru-doctors-conduct-first-simultaneous-double-lung-transplant-and-cabg-surgery.html Mon, 25 Feb 2019 14:30:00 +0530 Doctors at BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital, Bengaluru conduct state’s first simultaneous double lung transplant and coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG). In the past most people with coronary heart disease (heart blocks) weren’t considered candidates for a lung Transplantation. These complex surgeries were hitherto undertaken only by expert teams at highly equipped medical facilities abroad. It is an extremely critical procedure to combine lung transplantation with coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) as the risks involved are numerous. Mr Ishaq Abdel Hakim Ahmad Sharawi, a 61 year old gentleman from Jordan, was diagnosed with advanced interstitial lung disease with both lungs permanently fibrosed and damaged. He was completely wheelchair bound and dependent on 10 liters of oxygen per minute 24/7. He was evaluated for lung Transplantation but tests showed 2 major blocks in his heart blood vessels. Since he was deteriorating fast the team led by eminent heart and lung transplant surgeon, Dr Sandeep Attawar decided to undertake combined lung transplant with heart bypass surgery. He was medically optimized by a team consisting of heart failure cardiologists Dr Ravi kumar, Dr Arul Narayan and Transplant Pulmonologists Dr Vijil Rahulan, Dr Apar Jindal and Dr Sandeepa HS. Preoperative cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and dietary optimization was done to prepare him for this complex and long surgery. Luckily, a matching Donor became available on 20 February at Sparsh hospital. Lung transplant Retrieval team led by cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr Bhaskar B.V was sent to Sparsh hospital and the organ was transported to BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital in record time of 20 minutes with the help of a green corridor set up by traffic police. The lung transplant surgery was done with the help of a cardiopulmonary bypass machine. After the Transplant was completed, a vein graft was harvested from the patient’s leg and a coronary artery bypass surgery was done to bypass the 2 heart blocks he had. The entire surgery lasted five and a half hours. A team of cardiothoracic and vascular (CTVS) surgeons including Dr Govini Balasubramani, Dr Bhasakar B V and Dr Madhusudana assisted Dr Attawar in this complex surgery. Anesthesia and Intensive care was provided by renowned cardiac anesthetist Dr Prabhat Dutta, supported by Dr Anoop Mohandas and Dr ShivaPrakash. The patient is recovering well. He was taken of the ventilator after 24 hours and mobilized in the second day post-surgery.   The heart lung transplant team led by Dr Sandeep Attawar has the best record of experience in lung Transplantation in India with 70 Lung transplants done since April 2017. They have also completed 59 heart transplants making them leaders in heart and lung transplantation in the country. This includes 6 successful lung transplants at BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital in Bangalore.  A third center for transplantation has also recently started in Global Hospitals Mumbai to cater to increasing transplantation needs in India.  This is the team’s 3rd combined lung Transplant and CABG, but the first done in Karnataka. The team is also credited with giving second Life to Mr Raghuveer, the first Kannadiga to receive combined heart and double lung transplant back in November 2018. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12917/race-for-7-sees-participation-from-rare-disease-patients-in-mumbai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12917/race-for-7-sees-participation-from-rare-disease-patients-in-mumbai.html Mon, 25 Feb 2019 11:50:00 +0530 ‘Race For 7’, an initiative championed by the Organization for Rare Diseases India (ORDI), was organized in Mumbai to raise awareness for rare disease patients, 50% of whom are children. Race for 7, a first of its kind event for rare diseases in the world, symbolically represents 7000 rare diseases with 7000 people running for 7 kilometers to represent the average number of years it takes to diagnose a rare disease. Although an estimated 1 in 20 Indians suffers from a rare disease, lack of awareness and information has created several challenges for patients and their caregivers, most importantly delayed diagnosis, affordable and targeted care and treatment and access. Besides members of the general public, several rare disease patients and their families participated in ‘Race for 7’ to draw attention to the challenges faced by rare disease patients, especially children, and the urgency for governments and other institutions to recognize their unique needs and create enabling policies and a more supportive environment for them. ‘Race for 7’ is held in the month of February to commemorate World Rare Disease Day which falls on the last day of February. The theme for Rare Disease Day  2019 is ‘Bridging health and social care’, focusing on the need to better coordinate all aspects of care to improve the lives of people living with a rare disease. What started as an awareness walk to commemorate World Rare Disease Day in February 2016 has now grown into a significant campaign, conducted simultaneously in multiple cities and two countries – India and the USA. Prasanna Shirol, Founder Director, ORDI, and father of a rare disease patient, says: “50% of all rare disease patients are children. This is a fact not many are aware of and supports our urgency of spreading awareness about rare diseases. In fact, 1 in every 20 Indians, is a rare disease patient. Besides lack of access to early intervention and treatment because of the lack of widespread awareness about rare diseases, the cost of treatment where available is often prohibitively expensive. Therefore, we urgently need national and state policies that address the unique requirements of the rare disease community and enable them to lead lives of dignity and self-worth. We also need institutions like corporates and schools and colleges to create a more inclusive environment for rare disease patients.” “IQVIA is delighted to be associated for the fourth consecutive year as the main sponsor of Race for 7, an event that has been growing in stature and impact. While rare diseases, by virtue of their definition, affect relatively fewer number of patients, the overall number of rare disease patients is large enough to warrant more focused attention. We hope that the public will come forward in large numbers to participate in Race for 7 and help amplify the voice of the rare disease community. Race for 7 is a unique way of engaging the community with those who matter most –patients and their caregivers - for a common cause,” said Amit Mookim, Managing Director, IQVIA – South Asia. Rare Diseases is a key therapeutic focus for IQVIA who has provided clinical services for more than 258 rare disease studies in 87 countries worldwide since 2011. Prasanna added the importance of having a rare disease policy and an Orphan drug Policy for holistic management of Rare Diseases for patients, in absence of any health care policy /insurance coverage and to support the Industry to develop newer drugs and research respectively. ORDI has been working tirelessly among rare disease patients in India. Besides the annual ‘Race for 7’ run, ORDI also started the First Rare disease Helpline in India (+91 8892 555 000); RDCCC (Rare Disease Care Co-Ordination Center); First COERD (Center of Excellence for Rare Diseases) in India at Bengaluru; First Exclusive Day care center for Rare Diseases in India at Bengaluru; Second RDCCC center in Mysore in JSS Hospital; Campaign for National Rare Disease Policy; First NMD (Neuromuscular Clinic in India); India’s First Assisted Living facility for Rare Disease patients in Bengaluru to name a few.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12915/fortis-hospital-treats-rare-heart-condition-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12915/fortis-hospital-treats-rare-heart-condition-.html Mon, 25 Feb 2019 11:20:00 +0530 A 7- year old child suffering from post viral dilated cardiomyopathy, a rare type of heart failure was treated successfully at Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road.  The team of doctors was led by Dr. Yogesh Gupta, Head of PICU and Pediatrician, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road and Dr. Hetal Mehta, Consultant Pediatric Cardiologist, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta road. Post viral dilated cardiomyopathy is a condition triggered by unknown reasons or sometimes follows after a viral infection that causes an acute inflammation of the heart muscle causing weakness in the pumping chamber muscle leading to heart failure. Post viral dilated cardiomyopathy is not a common scenario in young children. In cases of younger children, it is often preceded by a viral infection caused by viruses which includes those that causes cold, diarrhea like influenza (flu) virus, coxsackie virus, parvovirus, and adenovirus could trigger this deadly reaction. If condition worsens, it can lead to refractory heart failure needing cardiac transplant. Dr. Yogesh Gupta said, “The child was brought to us with a complaint of viral infection along with shortness of breath, low blood pressure and chest pain which were symptoms that indicated towards congestive cardiac failure.  The child was diagnosed with post viral dilated cardiomyopathy, we used non-invasive ventilation along with (medicines to improve heart muscle functions and blood pressure) inotropic drugs and other anti-heart failure medications to stabilize his condition. But as child’s condition was getting critical and due to time constraints, we decided to use Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy to treat him. Fortunately, the child started responding to the treatment, his heart rate and the rhythm improved. After his condition was stabilized, on the 6th day we took him off the external breathing support. Serial ECHO showed improvement in Cardiac function and contractility. Quick diagnosis, proper timely treatment and the child’s response to the treatment, helped him recover without reaching the stage of heart transplant.” Many a times, it can be a simple viral infection which can lead to this deadly complication. The most important thing is to seek early intervention with expert advice before it causes more harm to the heart.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12912/president-inaugurates-apollomedics-super-speciality-hospital-in-lucknow.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12912/president-inaugurates-apollomedics-super-speciality-hospital-in-lucknow.html Mon, 25 Feb 2019 09:25:00 +0530 The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, inaugurated the Apollomedics Super Speciality Hospital in Lucknow on February 24, 2019. Speaking on the occasion, the President emphasised the importance of quality and affordable healthcare in the country, and particularly in Uttar Pradesh. He pointed to the successes in meeting the challenges of traditional infectious and communicable diseases, and also to the changing disease patterns in the country that are giving rise to greater cases to non-communicable or lifestyle ailments. In this context, the President said, the Ayushman Bharat programme, launched in 2018, will go a long way in providing medical cover, especially to underprivileged citizens. Others who were present and spoke on the occasion included Rajnath Singh, Union Minister for Home Affairs, Suneetha Reddy, Chairperson, Apollomedics Super Speciality Hospital and Dr Prathap C. Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group. The President said, ”quality health for everybody was a shared goal. As such, he was happy the government, civil society, private and charitable institutions and other stakeholders were working together. The Apollomedics Super Speciality Hospital would provide state-of-the-art medical care to the people of the state and the region at a reasonable cost.” Speaking at the inauguration, Ram Naik, Governor of Uttar Pradesh welcomed Apollomedics Super Specialty Hospital in Lucknow and expressed happiness that this hospital is now ready to serve the people of Uttar Pradesh. He lauded the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi for his contributions to the development of the country. He said that, “The hospital is set to cater to lakhs of patients in Lucknow and cities which border the region. The people of Uttar Pradesh, over many decades, have been seeking Apollo’s services in Delhi and other states. Their continued faith and trust in the high quality of care is greatly valued and it is expected that they will expand their footprints in the region with medical services in the state.” Rajnath Singh said, “Apollomedics Super Speciality Hospital will prove to be a model for other hospitals in the city. The healthcare facility is open to all patients not only for Lucknow, but also from across Uttar Pradesh, and from other countries as well. With Apollomedics in the city, Lucknow is set to become an important centre for quality treatment and cancer related ailments.” Talking about the medical tourism Rajnath Singh said, “India has become one of the major destination, and private hospitals have played an important role to promote medical tourism. He said the Government is also constantly working to make healthcare affordable and available to all the people of the country with Ayushman Bharat scheme where Rs.5 lakhs cover has been provided to each family for the medical treatment.” Speaking on the occasion Dr. Prathap C Reddy said, “In our endeavour to bring the finest healthcare services to the people of India, we at Apollo have always relentlessly pursued going closer to our patients, which is the reason why we established 71 hospitals across the country. Over the decades many patients of Uttar Pradesh treated at Apollo Hospitals in other cities expressed their wish that we bring our service to the heartland of India, i.e. Uttar Pradesh. With the launch of Apollomedics Super Speciality Hospital in Lucknow, our 72nd hospital, I am happy that we are now able to go even closer to the people of the state with the best in class health care services they can look forward to.” Suneetha Reddy said, “In modern times, Uttar Pradesh has become a bellwether of the mood of the nation. The development of Uttar Pradesh, and its social and economic prosperity, is in the interest of every citizen of this country, because when Uttar Pradesh does well, India does well. That is why we are excited to inaugurate Apollomedics Super Speciality Hospital in Lucknow, in partnership with some of the finest clinicians in this part of the country. It will serve patients across 30 specialities, and is equipped with cutting-edge technology and treatment protocols.” Dr. Sushil Gattani, Founder & Co-Chairman, Apollomedics Super Speciality Hospital said, “This will be one of the largest hospitals in the city, and also one of the most advanced healthcare providers. Apollomedics has a dynamic team of highly experienced Doctors, Nurses and Paramedical technicians in place to ensure seamless delivery of medical excellence at every level of patient care. We hope to make quality healthcare more accessible in this part of the country so that people of Lucknow and nearby places do not need to travel to long distant cities for quality treatment.”  The Apollomedics Super Speciality Hospital will provide diagnostic, curative, preventive and rehabilitative care across specialities through Centres of Excellence in Cardiac Sciences, Oncology, Neuro Sciences, Gastro Sciences, Renal Sciences, Orthopaedics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Critical Care and 24X7 Trauma Care. Apollo Hospitals will utilise its expertise to introduce new services and offerings built on its deep domain expertise.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12908/healthcare-summit-2019-by-tie-delhi-ncr-puts-focus-on-ayushman-bharat.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12908/healthcare-summit-2019-by-tie-delhi-ncr-puts-focus-on-ayushman-bharat.html Fri, 22 Feb 2019 18:45:00 +0530 TiE Delhi-NCR, one of the most committed chapters in the global TiE network, concluded Healthcare Summit 2019 under the aegis of its Healthcare Special Interest Group (SIG) at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi recently. Following the welcome address by Vikas Kuthiala, Chair, Healthcare SIG and the keynote speech by Bhavdeep Singh, CEO, Fortis Healthcare, the Healthcare Summit 2019 proceeded with a session titled ‘Demystifying the Ayushman Bharat scheme’. In the inaugural session chaired by Dr. Bobby John, Managing Director, Aequitas Consulting Pvt. Ltd. it was illuminated that Ayushman Bharat, the world’s largest healthcare mission, is currently operating about 36,000 centres in India, facilitating more than 5 crore people to access quality healthcare. By the end of the mission, the scheme aims to install 1, 50,000 centres across the country. Speaking about the summit, Ms. Geetika Dayal, Executive Director, TiE Delhi-NCR, said, “With this Summit, TiE’s intent is to encourage startups and investors alike to help showcase & deliberate on finding advanced & effective healthcare solutions for not only India but globally.  Our attempt has been to touch all the facets disrupting the Healthcare sector.” Session Chair, Sandeep Sinha, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Lumis Partners said, “We have been able to spot some interesting trends in the healthcare sector which has generated tremendous interest from the investor community. TiE Healthcare Summit has been a great opportunity to get at the same forum leading investors, startups & leading industry stakeholders to deliberate on the future of healthcare.” The session themed “Emerging Technologies Disrupting Healthcare”, focused on cutting-edge technologies like VR, AR, 3D Printing and Natural Language Processing that medical professionals are already leveraging to provide enhanced healthcare services to patients.  In the following sessions, investments into new healthcare ventures and facilitation of affordable healthcare across India were also discussed. The sessions were chaired by Sandeep Sinha, Co-founder and Managing Partner, Lumis Partners and Dr. Rana Mehta, Partner and Leader Healthcare, PricewaterhouseCoopers Pvt. Ltd. respectively.   Healthcare Startups got an opportunity to showcase and exhibit their path-breaking offerings. Some of them included Vitor Health. GenElek Technologies Pvt. Ltd. & Apex Orthowears who showcased their unique products and services and performed free on-ground health check-ups. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12905/1-in-20-indians-affected-by-a-rare-disease-ordi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12905/1-in-20-indians-affected-by-a-rare-disease-ordi.html Fri, 22 Feb 2019 16:20:00 +0530 The Organization For Rare Diseases India (ORDI), a not for profit organization committed to addressing the challenges of the rare disease community in India, today announced Race for 7, a multi-city run/walk to raise funds and awareness for rare disease patients in India. Race for 7, a first of its kind event for rare diseases in the world, symbolically represents 7000 rare diseases with 7000 people running for 7 kilometers to represent the average number of years it takes to diagnose a rare disease. The run is organized in Mumbai on February 24, Sunday. Although an estimated 1 in 20 Indians suffers from a rare disease, lack of awareness and information has created several challenges for patients and their caregivers, most importantly delayed diagnosis, affordable and targeted care and treatment and access. Besides members of the general public, several rare disease patients and their families will participate in Race for 7 to draw attention to the challenges they face and the need for governments and other institutions to recognize their unique needs and create enabling policies and a more supportive environment for them. Race for 7 is held in the month of February to commemorate World Rare Disease Day which falls on the last day of February. The theme for Rare Disease Day 2019 is ‘Bridging health and social care’, focusing on the need to better coordinate all aspects of care to improve the lives of people living with a rare disease. What started as an awareness walk to commemorate World Rare Disease Day in February 2016 has now grown into a significant campaign, conducted simultaneously in multiple cities and two countries – India and the USA. Over the years, the run has expanded and in 2019it will be conducted over February and March across 10 Indian cities – Bengaluru, Mysuru, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, Jaipur, Coimbatore, Bikaner, New Delhi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi. Prasanna Shirol, Founder Director, ORDI, and father of a rare disease patient, says: “One in every 20 Indians suffers from a rare disease. almost half of whom are children, an important fact that often doesn’t get highlighted. Besides lack of access to early intervention and treatment because of the lack of widespread awareness about rare diseases, the cost of treatment where available is often prohibitively expensive. We urgently need national and state policies that address the unique requirements of the rare disease community and enable them to lead lives of dignity and self-worth. We also need institutions like corporates and schools and colleges to create a more inclusive environment for rare disease patients.” “IQVIA is delighted to be associated for the fourth consecutive year as the main sponsor of Race for 7, an event that has been growing in stature and impact. While rare diseases, by virtue of their definition, affect relatively fewer number of patients, the overall number of rare disease patients is large enough to warrant more focused attention. We hope that the public will come forward in large numbers to participate in Race for 7 and help amplify the voice of the rare disease community. Race for 7 is a unique way of engaging the community with those who matter most –patients and their caregivers - for a common cause,” said Amit Mookim, Managing Director, IQVIA – South Asia. Rare Diseases is a key therapeutic focus for IQVIA who has provided clinical services for more than 258 rare disease studies in 87 countries worldwide since 2011. Shital Bhatkar, mother of a rare disease patient and ORDI - Coordinator for Maharashtra and Founder, With Arya, “Events like Race for 7 help increase awareness about rare diseases and create a platform for disease specific parent support groups like With Arya, Cure SMA , IPWSA, support group for Neiman Pick disease, to come together for the unified cause of the rare disease community.” Prasanna added the importance of having a rare disease policy and an Orphan drug Policy for holistic management of Rare Diseases for patients, in absence of any health care policy /insurance coverage and to support the Industry to develop newer drugs and research respectively. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12903/idci-draws-up-the-hba1c-count-of-people-with-diabetes-in-key-cities.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12903/idci-draws-up-the-hba1c-count-of-people-with-diabetes-in-key-cities.html Fri, 22 Feb 2019 15:00:00 +0530 The India Diabetes Care Index iDCI introduced by Novo Nordisk Education Foundation, reveals that the three-month average HbA1c level of people with diabetes in key cities is high against the recommended target of <7%. Delhi is at 8.53%, Mumbai at 8.13%, Chennai at 8.41% and Kolkata at 8.24%. India on the whole is found to be at an average HbA1c of 8.51%. Dr H B Chandalia, Director, Dept. of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai, said, "HbA1c is the best indicator of the long-term blood sugar control in a person with diabetes. Mumbai's high average HbA1c shows that there are already many people living with uncontrolled diabetes and are at risk of developing diabetes related complications."     80% of people with diabetes in India have HbA1c above the recommended levels1 leading to over 3.14 crore2 cases of micro and macro vascular complications such as heart, eye, kidney, nerve and limb disease. The annual diabetes related healthcare cost was up to INR 63,000 crore in the year 20173. Dr V Mohan, Chairman & Chief Diabetologist, Dr. Mohan's Diabetes Specialities Centre said, "It is worrisome that a city such as Chennai has a high HbA1c number, based on the sample of people who have tested themselves at diagnostic centres. This means that there may be an even higher number of individuals who are already at risk since uncontrolled diabetes increases the chance of developing a heart disease." "With 1 in 5 persons with known diabetes likely to have heart disease, it is estimated that there are currently more than 65 lakh such cases in India4," said Dr Nikhil Tandon, Head, Dept of Endocrinology, AIIMS.  The iDCI was introduced in 2018 as a part of Novo Nordisk Education Foundation (NNEF) and Novo Nordisk India's 'IMPACT India: The 1000-Day Challenge' to improve diabetes care in India. Based on big data analytics, iDCI provides a real-time view of the average HbA1c in India and its key cities. "The data shows us that the need to manage diabetes well continues to be as important as the need to prevent. We need to continue to improve awareness to ensure timely treatment," said Dr Subhankar Chowdhury, Editor-in-Chief, Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism. The overall ambition of 'IMPACT India: The 1000-Day Challenge' is to reduce the average HbA1c of the country by 1% in partnership with likeminded stakeholders.  Dr A K Das, Patron IMPACT India programme, said, "Society-wide programmes such as IMPACT India have an important role to play in changing diabetes in India. I invite my fellow members of the medical community to join in this programme to improve the level of diabetes care in India." Melvin D'souza, CVP and GM, Novo Nordisk India said, "A large segment of people with diabetes continues to be exposed to developing heart diseases. With the 1000-Day Challenge, we will continue to work with all stakeholders on a targeted approach to improve diabetes care." As part of the awareness efforts, Novo Nordisk ran a social media and radio campaign in 12 cities to get people to focus on the relationship between uncontrolled diabetes and heart disease. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12899/3m-india-crf-to-educate-pulmonologists-on-chronic-respiratory-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12899/3m-india-crf-to-educate-pulmonologists-on-chronic-respiratory-diseases.html Fri, 22 Feb 2019 11:10:00 +0530 India subsidiary of leading global innovation company, 3M India signs a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Chest Research Foundation (CRF) to collaborate on a research study to generate data that can help give solutions to reduce the increasing cases of asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD) and occupational lung diseases. The MoU was signed recently at the CRF headquarters located in Pune, Maharashtra in the presence of representatives from both organizations. Hinged on academic research and industrial expertise, the study will focus on creating awareness among 3500+ pulmonologists in India about the management, prevention and long-term impact of chronic and occupational lung diseases. Globally, respiratory diseases are the third leading cause of death worldwide, and India bears 32 per cent global burden of respiratory diseases. There is an alarming number of cases reported year-on-year about the high burden of chronic respiratory diseases and high pollution levels across cities in India. Studies have indicated that the number of COPD and asthma were 1.7 and 2.4 times higher respectively, in India than the global average in 2016. Owing to lack of data, infrastructure and skills at the primary and secondary healthcare levels, most of the cases of asthma and COPD remain undiagnosed, and therefore it is of utmost importance to educate the medical fraternity and citizens to enhance early and accurate diagnosis, and proper treatment. Speaking about the need for accurate diagnosis and proper treatment of respiratory diseases, Dr. Sundeep Salvi, Director, Chest Research Foundation, said, “The cases of patients suffering from COPD and asthma in India, is alarming. Along with the deteriorating air quality in our cities, this number is increasing yearly. At the Chest Research Foundation, we have been studying the situation and our collaboration with 3M will further generate data, especially in the area of respiratory protection at the workplace. We are excited to partner with a leading global organization and hope to build awareness about the growing concerns around chronic respiratory disorders in the country.” Speaking at the MoU signing in Pune, Debarati Sen, Managing Director 3M India Region (India & Sri Lanka), said, “We are delighted about joining hands with the Chest Research Foundation for a singular cause of utmost importance in India. Our interest in the subject stems from our thirty years of experience of working with industrial workers in India, where we recognize a compelling need to create awareness about using the right apparatus to prevent occupational lung diseases and respiratory disorders. Globally, 3M has been at the vanguard of numerous studies and research in the areas of air pollution, ill effects of exposure and how to protect against exposure to hazardous pollutants, thereby making this collaboration symbiotic.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12898/serum-institute-launches-biggest-immunisation-awareness-drive-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12898/serum-institute-launches-biggest-immunisation-awareness-drive-in-india.html Fri, 22 Feb 2019 10:50:00 +0530 Serum Institute of India (SII), vaccine manufacturer launched a nation-wide vaccination and immunisation campaign called ‘Swasth Immunised India’ in association with Network18, India's most diversified media conglomerate. Endorsed by popular and eminent actor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, the campaign aims to spread awareness on the importance and benefits of immunisation among the general populace. The campaign in addition to building awareness will work towards dispelling myths and misconceptions pertaining to the administration of vaccines. Commenting on the initiative, Adar Poonawalla, CEO, Serum Institute of India, said, “Vaccination is an integral part of public health system. It has proved to be instrumental in combating and curbing fatal contagious diseases. A majority of people in India still refrain from vaccination due to lack of knowledge and misconceptions around vaccines. We believe this reluctance needs to be addressed as it is a major contributing factor to the growing infant and child fatality rate. Swasth Immunised India is a step forward to tackle these issues eliminate the cause by focusing on its effects and benefits. We will ensure that Swasth Immunised India representatives follow a door-to-door approach in spreading awareness among the marginalized and unaware sections of the society.”  Vaccination has been accredited to be one of the most affordable and feasible method to prevent life-threatening diseases. India's long-standing tryst to attain full immunisation has awarded it with successful eradication of deadly diseases such as Polio and Small Pox. Continued efforts implemented by leading global institutions and organizations has put India in the forefront to tackle the impending problem of full immunisation coverage. Despite of the government and other bodies’ proactive approach, India is still home to the highest number of unvaccinated (56%) and incompletely vaccinated children (32%).  “A strong personality, with great conviction and stature, there could not have been a better face for the campaign than Kareena Kapoor Khan. Her role as an influencer and as a mother will help in taking our message far as well as garner more acceptance towards the initiative. As a responsible and generous corporate, Serum Institute of India will also provide free vaccines across various locations in India. We will also look to base vaccination camps at strategic and convenient points that will provide all the required information to mothers and families regarding the health and development of a child”, added Adar. On the association, Adar Poonawalla, said, “Network18 has a large base of loyal audience spread across the country. We are glad to have partnered with the media conglomerate for Swasth Immunised India. Reaching the remotest areas via Network18’s vast regional news network will help in raising awareness and achieving the goal of the campaign.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12896/nabh-revamps-entry-level-certification-process-for-hospitals.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12896/nabh-revamps-entry-level-certification-process-for-hospitals.html Fri, 22 Feb 2019 09:50:00 +0530 National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Organizations (NABH) has revamped Entry-Level Certification Process to make it simpler, digital, faster and user-friendly. The revised process is driven through a new portal called HOPE - Healthcare Organizations’ Platform for Entry-Level-Certification with a focus to promote quality at nascent stages by enrolling a wide range of hospitals across the country including Healthcare Organizations (HCOs) and Small Healthcare Organizations (SHCOs). The aim is to create a momentum for HCOs and SHCOs that want to avail benefits associated with Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) and Ayushman Bharat by getting themselves NABH certified along with the primary aim of creating a quality healthcare ecosystem in India.  The idea of cashless payment to patients under insurance coverage has been promoted by IRDAI to reduce financial burden on households. The IRDAI has mandated hospitals to ensure a quality healthcare ecosystem through NABH Entry-Level Certification Process. HOPE is an online platform for smooth and secure registration. It provides a self-explanatory questionnaire to be filled by the HCO/SHCOs. A mobile application has also been developed to support HCO/SHCOs for directly uploading geotagged and timestamped evidences required for compliance to the standards. It has also changed the assessment process which is now carried out on a technology based application where the data is captured and validated on a real-time basis. To ensure an active participation of HCO/SHCOs in the HOPE process, various activities have been initiated: Nationwide awareness workshops to sensitize the hospitals on the entire process of assessment. Call center support to hospitals through an active helpline for resolving issues while filling the application form. Platform to connect hospitals with certified consultants for assistance in the certification processfollowing a cost effective manner. Knowledge bank providing a comprehensive guidebook, presentation etc. with detailedinformation of the step-by-step certification procedure. Created a larger and stronger network of qualified assessors. In order to support maximum HCO/SHCOs in the country, QCI and NABH have partnered with several organizations like, Indian Medical Association (IMA), Patient Safety and Access Initiative of India Foundation (PSAIIF), Consortium of Accredited Healthcare Organizations (CAHO) and other stakeholders for spreading awareness about the process.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12891/takeda-microsoft-eurordis-releases-action-plan-to-end-the-diagnostic-odyssey-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12891/takeda-microsoft-eurordis-releases-action-plan-to-end-the-diagnostic-odyssey-.html Thu, 21 Feb 2019 13:15:00 +0530 The Global Commission to End the Diagnostic Odyssey for Children , co-chaired by Takeda, Microsoft and EURORDIS-Rare Diseases Europe, an alliance of more than 800 rare disease patient organizations, announced its actionable recommendations in a report to address the barriers to diagnosis for people living with a rare disease.  In 2018, the Global Commission Co-Chairs, Shire (now Takeda), Microsoft, and EURORDIS, joined forces to bring together a multidisciplinary group of patient advocates, physicians and other experts to help solve the complex challenges impacting the rare disease community. Over the past year, the Global Commission gathered input from patients, families and other expert advisors to gain key insights to guide solutions to shorten the rare disease diagnosis timeline. The roadmap's recommendations can be mapped back to three solution pathways: Empowering patients and families: Create opportunities to develop tools for caregivers to connect seemingly unrelated symptoms, inquire about additional testing and work together with physicians to achieve a correct diagnosis. Equipping frontline providers: Examine ways to equip physicians with the knowledge and tools to quickly and effectively identify patients who may have a rare disease and take appropriate action through solutions such as machine learning technology, expert-level guidance and genetic testing opportunities. Reimagining the genetic consultation: Identify innovative ways to enable medical geneticists to see priority patients more quickly, such as standardizing reporting methods and utilizing telemedicine for increased access to more patients. "There are more than 6,000 identified rare diseases, the vast majority of which begin in childhood, with patients receiving a misdiagnosis more than once in 40 percent of cases," said Wolfram Nothaft, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Takeda and Global Commission Co-Chair. "As champions for those living with a rare disease, we've outlined real solutions to lessen the time to diagnosis for the more than 300 million people affected worldwide."  The Global Commission is supporting three pilot projects to bring its solution pathways to life, utilizing the expertise of its members and engaging like-minded partners who are pushing the boundaries of innovation. The pilot programs include 1) multifactorial machine learning to recognize symptom patterns, 2) collaboration tools for "intelligent triage" and clinical geneticist virtual panel consultation, and 3) developing a secure patient registry and rare disease passport, which may use emerging technologies like blockchain. In its roadmap, the Global Commission also emphasizes the importance of global policy frameworks for rare diseases to be recognized as an international public health priority. The policy recommendations, designed to support and enable the specific solution pathways, focus on four key areas: Centers of Excellence, Genetic Screening, Data Sharing and Privacy.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12885/srl-diagnostics-opens-its-first-laboratory-in-tirupati-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12885/srl-diagnostics-opens-its-first-laboratory-in-tirupati-.html Thu, 21 Feb 2019 09:00:00 +0530 In line with the increasing demand for quality diagnostics in the country, SRL Diagnostics, India’s leading diagnostics chain with the largest accredited lab network, launched its first laboratory in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh recently. The new lab will allow the Most Doctor’s Preferred Diagnostic Chain to offer its services at subsidized rates to around 3 crore pilgrims that visit one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in the country as well as the residents in surrounding areas of one of Andhra Pradesh’s most important cities. SRL, being a pan-India provider of quality diagnostics services, has a unique advantage in a city like Tirupati that sees people from all parts of the country and of varied lifestyles visiting every year. SRL has some of the most experienced and renowned doctors in the country on its rolls apart from the most state-of-the-art innovations in place to serve its customers. The lab is built along the lines of the strategy being followed by the company, of expansion in unserved and underserved markets where they are most needed, following a partnership model. Through its extensive network, SRL Diagnostics touches the lives of millions of patients in over 600 cities spread across India. SRL Diagnostics is the most doctor preferred lab in the country, with highest number of doctors and technicians on roles, 4 Centers of Excellence and a portfolio of 4,000 tests designed to best servean average of 15 million patients every year. Arindam Haldar, CEO, SRL Diagnostics said, “Tirupati, referred to asthe ‘Spiritual Capital of Andhra Pradesh’, attracts about 3 crores of pilgrims every year, from across all parts of the country.  The city is popular for the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, as well as various other temples of historic and religious significance. As people travel long distances to go to Tirupati, it is important that they have easy access to quality medical and diagnostics services, particularly pathology investigations, well in time to be treated. With this launch, we aim to serve the crores of pilgrims, as well as residents from neighboring areas. We believe that early diagnosis of diseases goes a long way in helping people opt for curative or preventive measures, well in time. The new lab is well equipped with state-of-the-art technology and other amenities designed to provide customers with best-in-class diagnostics services. We are committed to serve communities with better healthcare facilities and change lives for the better.” Currently, Tirupati is already a home to many super specialty hospitals rendering quality medical care to patients including SVIMS, BIRRD Trust, Ruia and two government medical colleges and SRL’s lab in Tirupati is a step to augment the medical infrastructure and provide the population of Tirupati, best in class pathology services. Established in 1995, SRL Diagnostics has been at the vanguard of primary healthcare by delivering high quality diagnostics services to its customers regularly. Over the course of its two decade old journey, SRL has grown into a leading ‘Full Service Diagnostics’ player in the healthcare industry striving to provide excellence in services in all aspects, including accuracy, empathy, innovation and transparency. SRL Diagnostics has also partnered with governments of various states such as Jharkhand and Himachal Pradesh under Public private partnerships. These associations have enabled SRL to cater the masses by providing them with quality healthcare services at affordable rates. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12886/narayana-health-boston-children-hospital-host-session-on-vascular-anomalies.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12886/narayana-health-boston-children-hospital-host-session-on-vascular-anomalies.html Thu, 21 Feb 2019 09:00:00 +0530 In an effort to create awareness and to provide insights about Vascular Anomalies and to develop innovative ways to manage it, Narayana Health City, Harvard Medical School and Boston Children Hospital jointly organized a symposium. Titled “Vascular Anomalies 2030: India” the two day knowledge sharing session was inaugurated by Dr. Devi Shetty, Chairman and Executive Director, Narayana Health and Dr. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, CMD, Biocon in the presence of Dr. Steve Fishman, Co-Director, VAC, Harvard Medical school and Dr. Paul C Salins, Medical Director-Mazumdar Shaw Medical Centre & Head Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, Narayana Health City. Addressed by international and national experts the symposium illustrated the need for convergence of multiple specialties in medicine and advanced engineering specialities to successfully address vascular anomalies. It highlighted how emerging cutting edge technologies like sirolimus, 3D printing, telemedicine and artificial intelligence can help in the condition. The event also witnessed a hack clinic wherein the participants were given an opportunity to interact with some of the foremost global experts from engineering, meditech entrepreneurs, representatives from Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Participants witnessed unique success stories and case studies. Speaking at the event, Dr. Devi Shetty, Chairman and Executive Director, Narayana Health, said, “Continuous learning is critical for individual as well as organizational growth. Platforms like this present an excellent opportunity for practitioner to learn and adopt the best practices from across the world. It also opens up their mind towards research and development.” “Vascular Anomalies is prevalent worldwide. However, many are unaware of the condition, and how to manage it especially in the developing countries. In fact, half of the critical cases get misdiagnosed and mistreated. By providing a platform to exchange knowledge Narayana Health has taken a step forward to make the world aware of vascular anomalies and how it can be treated.” said Dr. Steve Fishman, Co- Director, VAC Harvard Medical school Vascular anomalies are vessel abnormalities that affect the capillaries, veins, arteries and lymphatics either individually or as a combined lesion. As the condition impacts the blood supply it often has devastating impact on the person’s life. “Compartmentalization is obsolete in today’s world. Collaboration is the need of the hour. Effective management of complex conditions like vascular anomalies calls not only for evolved medical interventions, it requires a collaboration of engineering, medicine and art.” said, Dr. Paul C Salins, Medical Director- Mazumdar Shaw Medical Centre & Head Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, Narayana Health City. A platform for assimilation and sharing of knowledge, the event saw active participation from more than 150 participants comprising of Surgeons, radiologists, neurointerventionalist, pediatricians, pediatric surgeons, general practitioners, ENT surgeons, engineers and entrepreneurs from across the country and World.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/reports-white-papers/98/12884/microsoft-releases-white-paper-titled-age-of-intelligence.html https://biospectrumindia.com/reports-white-papers/98/12884/microsoft-releases-white-paper-titled-age-of-intelligence.html Wed, 20 Feb 2019 15:50:00 +0530 Envisioning the potential of AI for India, and continuing in its mission to empower India, Microsoft detailed the country’s readiness for AI in a whitepaper titled ‘Age of Intelligence’. Focus on making India a digital economy, mobile phone penetration, reduced data costs are all collaborating to make for an environment conducive to extend connectivity and services to the underserved segments of the population, Microsoft said in a whitepaper on AI, unveiled at the NASSCOM Technology and Leadership Forum (NTLF) 2019. The whitepaper titled ‘Age of Intelligence’ outlines challenges and opportunities with respect to AI and how appropriate government policies, technological advancements including growing internet penetration and connectivity help reap benefits of digital transformation in years to come. Furthermore, Microsoft called for the technology industry to actively partner and engage to help realize India’s aspirations in AI, given that many of the initiatives outlined need technology as the backbone to achieve scale, efficiency and sustainability. Cloud infrastructure and rapid deployment of intelligent cloud services will play a key role in driving AI adoption in the country. Anant Maheshwari, President, Microsoft India said “Our ambition is to enable a human-centered approach to AI. India is currently at an inflection point in the adoption of AI. Building on the four foundational pillars – enabling digital transformation across industries, forging coalitions for innovation, building a future-ready workforce and creating sustained societal impact will unlock and accelerate the potential of AI. All of this should be done within an over-arching ethical framework for AI development and usage.” In this paper, Microsoft presents an industry point of view on the ‘age of intelligence’ that this world is embarking upon, wherein intelligence will be experienced in every facet: in products and services, in the way individuals communicate, how organizations function and collaborate, and how society and countries evolve. Microsoft AI is a vision for empowerment – for every developer to innovate, every organization to redefine industries and every individual to transform society. Developers to innovate Microsoft is democratizing AI and is making the technology used in building its own AI applicationsavailable on Azure to empower developers and institutions in solving their most difficult problems. For instance, a challenge in India relates to inclusion- given India’s linguistic diversity and literacy. This results in a digital language barrier, with services not being easily accessible to all citizens. AI is playing a key role in removing this barrier, by enabling voice recognition, text to speech and translation for all key Indian languages. Once that is fully available, all services can be offered to all citizens, in the language of their choice. Microsoft is closely working with developers to bring these services to all major Indian languages.   Enterprises to redefine Enterprises can achieve far more with a comprehensive AI being AI to every application, every business process, and every employee. AI enables organizations to take better-informed decisions by making it easy to derive insights from data, helping them expand customer engagement, optimize operations, and improve offerings. Reimagining business processes with AI also makes work more efficient, saving employees time so they can focus on higher priorities. Healthcare sector will be transformed through effective use of analytics driven insights decoding the complex data available, which so far remained a significant challenge worldwide. Microsoft has enabled analytics-driven individualized treatment plans based on a patient’s genetic makeup, medical history, lifestyle along with cloud-based solutions to empower healthcare organizations and help them build and deploy compliant, virtual health assistants can provide users with conversational and engaging access to the most relevant and accurate healthcare services and information. For instance, Narayana Health is looking at new avenues to optimize its operations and augment patient care with technology. One of the ongoing projects being piloted internally is to use Artificial Intelligence to decipher X-Rays to point out any irregularities from a normal X-Ray, which would help doctors save time in diagnosis.  India is digitally ready for a comprehensive AI framework aligned to industries long-term strategy. With the size of the market and opportunity for growth it’s imperative to implement AI for India that bring economic, societal and inclusive growth. Microsoft is best positioned to address the current AI needs and ready to support all stakeholders across the entire spectrum including government, businesses, and communities by collaborating with them to accelerate all AI opportunities to drive critical growth for India’s progress. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12876/pm-inaugurates-two-cancer-hospitals-in-varanasi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12876/pm-inaugurates-two-cancer-hospitals-in-varanasi.html Wed, 20 Feb 2019 10:15:00 +0530 The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi during his visit at BHU in Varanasi recently inaugurated Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya Cancer Hospital and Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital, Lahartara. These Hospitals will provide comprehensive treatment to the patients from UP, and nearby states of MP, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar. Ram Naik, Governor of UP, Yogi Adityanath, CM of UP and other dignitaries were present on the occasion. PM also dedicated first New Bhabhatron with precision technology, to the nation. He visited Day Care Unit & OPD and interacted with the patients. PM also interacted with the beneficiaries of PMJAY- Ayushman Bharat.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12873/indigenous-affordable-stereotactic-frame-to-perform-stereotactic-and-functional-neurosurgery-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12873/indigenous-affordable-stereotactic-frame-to-perform-stereotactic-and-functional-neurosurgery-.html Wed, 20 Feb 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Brains Hospital recently launched the indigenously developed and affordable Stereotactic Frame “3DR Stereotactic System” to perform Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery. The event was presided by Defence Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, who then launched the frame.  Addressing the gathering Honourable Defence Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman lauded the idea of the visionaries behind the indigenous Stereotactic Frame “3DR Stereotactic System”. Appreciating the teamwork of doctors, engineers and technicians from India who have toiled hard to come out with the piece of medical art she said: “Bangalore is blessed with people who are ready to make the national dream of Make in India a reality. I am sure the Government can do many such things and make it replicable in other areas as well. Make in India is not a futile call, it is a call for all of us.” Speaking on the occasion CS Sunder Raju, MD, Atria Group, Director- BRAINS said: “This is a classical example of how clinical doctors engage with technological partners and try to translate the vision of government into reality. We are witnessing tremendous changes in the field of information technology and life sciences and these two are going to be aggressive in few years from now.  Creating the right environment to traverse the journey in the eco system is essential to make India a leader in life sciences.” Dr. NK Venkataramama Founder Chairman & Chief Neurosurgeon, Brains Hospital, Bengaluru said: “Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery is one of the fast advancing sub specialty in Neurosciences. The clinical and research applications are fast advancing. It is a type of minimally invasive surgery performed with the assistance of a specially designed frame. This frame is fixed to the head that guides the surgeon to reach different, select and specific targets in the brain with precision. Stereotactic surgery or stereotaxy is a minimally invasive form of surgical intervention which makes use of a three-dimensional coordinates to locate small targets inside the brain and to perform procedures on them such as ablation, biopsy, lesion, injection, stimulation, implantation, radiosurgery (SRS), etc.” Stereotactic surgery is used for brain biopsy of a tumor in the brain either deep seated or in an eloquent area. We can also do functional surgery for conditions like Parkinson’s disease, pain, epilepsy, movement disorders, conditions like cysts, abscess or blood clots can be treated in a minimally invasive method.  Many implantable devices can be deployed into the brain as well.  A stereotaxic apparatus is a device that is used, along with a brain atlas of coordinates, to precisely insert a recording electrode into a specific brain region. The apparatus utilizes a set of three coordinates (x, y, and z) to mark each point of the brain in the three dimensional space. Speaking about the frame Dr Venkataramana said “Many such frames are available in the market but the cost is prohibitive. 3D Arc is an indigenous frame, conceptualized and designed at Bangalore (both hard ware and software). In addition it has been simplified adding 25 years of personal learning to make it user friendly and versatile. It is available at the 1/3rd of the cost of the imported frames and every Neurosurgeon can use it with confidence. It was conceptualized by Dr. NK Venkataramana and designed to its completion by Bangalore based “Mahalasa Medical Technology“ spear headed by two innovative Biomedical Engineers Sadashiva Bhat and Sharath V Bhat.   This is a significant contribution to the field of Neurosurgery. This affordable device will benefit the concept of “Make in India” of our honorable Prime Minister and also will change the scenario of Stereotactic and Functional neurosurgery in India in the future years, Dr Venkataramana further added. We earnestly hope that this humble contribution can benefit large number of  needy Indian patients. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12874/first-dedicated-womens-hospital-opens-in-indore.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12874/first-dedicated-womens-hospital-opens-in-indore.html Wed, 20 Feb 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Motherhood Hospitals, India’s fastest growing network of women & children’s hospital announced the launch of their 12th new hospital in Indore recently. The Bengaluru-based healthcare chain is a part of the Asia Healthcare Holdings enterprise and operates a network of women & children’s hospital across India. Through a dedicated team of highly skilled Obstetricians, Gynecologists, Neonatologists, and Pediatricians the hospital provides a range of services for women across different stages of life. Ranging from women wellness programs, adolescent health, expertise in handling all kinds of pregnancies including high risk ones to advanced gynaecology surgery, the hospital has great competency in providing care for women.  It also provides high-end neonatal intensive care units for preterm babies or those requiring intense neonatal care. The NICU at Motherhood hospital is one of the largest in the city. From looking after the needs of the expectant mother and handling high-risk pregnancies with the utmost care to bringing smiles in the lives of childless couples through its advanced Assisted Reproductive Therapy (ART) programme – Motherhood Hospital - Indore is a leading centre in all these areas. Moreover, the team of medical experts at the centre are highly-skilled and have vast experience in the field of minimally-invasive surgery. Speaking on the occasion, Vijayarathna V, CEO, Motherhood Hospitals, said, “We are elated to be foraying into Indore and driving our vision of providing accessible, affordable and comprehensive healthcare to women across ages in the country. An exclusive women hospital was a need of the hour in Indore and we are much happy to provide a comprehensive facility that caters to healthcare needs of woman at different stages of life.” The wide range of services include prenatal and postnatal counselling, round-the-clock gynaecology and paediatrics consultations, medical management of lifestyle problems through the right diet and exercise regime, state-of-the-art Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) with specialised care for preterm babies and painless delivery options for the mother. The focus is on personalised care coupled with accurate diagnosis and treatment of complex gynaecological conditions. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Asha Baxi, Gynaecologist and Infertility Expert, Motherhood Hospitals, said, “Motherhood Hospitals foray into Indore is going to enable women by giving them access to world class healthcare for all their medical needs. We provide a gamut of specialized services ranging from prenatal & postnatal counselling and round the clock Gynaecology & Paediatrics consultations to state-of-the-art NICU and painless delivery. Our doctors adopt a compassionate, multi-disciplinary and holistic approach to treatment, and deliver the best possible medical care. With the latest technological adoptions in this facility, we are creating a benchmark for comprehensive healthcare in women“. The comprehensive women and children hospital in Indore is equipped with 70 operational beds with 20 beds of Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The key specialties include gynecology, pregnancy care, neonatology, pediatrics, fertility care, advanced laparoscopy surgery, fetal medicine, cosmetology and radiology. The hospital has 4 state-of-the-art operative theatres and medical intensive care units. The hospital will provide 24/7 service by a team of full time doctors that includes pediatricians, gynecologists, trained and experienced team of nurses &nutritionists and physiotherapists, lactation consultants as part of the larger team.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12875/goqii-encourages-indians-to-adopt-a-healthier-lifestyle.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12875/goqii-encourages-indians-to-adopt-a-healthier-lifestyle.html Wed, 20 Feb 2019 09:00:00 +0530 GOQii, India’s leading preventive healthcare ecosystem, has announced the launch of ‘India Steps Challenge’ – a first-of-its-kind 100-day nationwide challenge with an aim to encourage Indians to walk more and make India active and healthy. This challenge is open to all Indian residents who have downloaded the GOQii app on their mobile phones. The challenge will begin on 22nd February. According to GOQii's latest 'India Fit Report', more than 57 per cent population across key cities such as Delhi, Hyderabad and Chennai are overweight. Further, lifestyle diseases have witnessed a steady rise - Diabetes has increased to 5.1% in 2018 from 3.6% in 2017, Cholesterol has increased to 12.1% in 2018 from 5.2% in 2017 and High Blood Pressure has increased to 9.4% in 2018 from 4.9% in 2017. In another study by Stanford in 2017, Indians were found to be among the world’s laziest citizens clocking in an average of just 4, 297 steps a day. India is ranked 39 among the 46 countries surveyed. There is a critical need to break this pandemic of physical inactivity which is leading to a steady rise in lifestyle diseases. GOQii’s initiative looks to end this pandemic by promoting the simplest and oldest form of activity; walking, which has several benefits; it reduces the risk of chronic diseases and strengthens bones, boosts immunity, aids weight loss, reduces stress and depression and significantly increases overall productivity. The GOQii India Steps Challenge is open to all 29 States and 7 Union Territories of India, which will compete to be the healthiest state in the country. How does it work? The participant can download the GOQii app on their Android or iOS device The participant can sign up for the ‘India Steps Challenge’ and choose a state they wish to represent Participants can use any of GOQii’s Activity Trackers or their in-built phone sensor. The tracker has to be connected to the GOQii app to record their daily step count The average step count of all the people belonging to a particular state or region will be taken into account There will be a state-wise leaderboard on the app as well as on the website to keep track of every state’s performance At the end of 100 days, the state with the highest daily average steps will be awarded as the ‘Most Active State’ The GOQii India Steps Challenge has 100 levels and there are prizes set at every milestone. Overall, more than 40, 000 prizes totaling to Rs 5 crores will be given. The individual with the highest step count will win a cash prize of Rs 5 lakhs. Other prizes include backpacks, GOQii trackers and mobile phones, among others. GOQii Play coach, India’s ex hockey captain Sardar Singh said, “GOQii’s India Steps Challenge is a move in the right direction to encourage Indians to embrace a permanent healthier lifestyle. Walking has proven benefits that minimise the risk of developing lifestyle diseases (such as diabetes, cardiac issues and others) which are witnessing a steady rise in India and must be tackled in the early-stage itself. I am happy to support this initiative which will surely inspire many Indians to stay fit and take control of their lifestyle, which will ultimately reduce the country’s disease burden.” Fitness coaches who are a part of GOQii Play, an interactive live video platform within the GOQii app, will motivate participants to walk daily and inculcate exercise into their daily regimen. Commenting on the GOQii India Steps Challenge, Vishal Gondal, Founder and CEO of GOQii said, “We are thrilled to announce the GOQii India Steps Challenge, an initiative to start a shift to a healthier lifestyle. At the end of this 100-day challenge, we hope active participants will see the transformation within themselves and permanently adopt a healthier and active lifestyle, a critical need of the hour.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12871/fda-nih-funded-study-finds-genetic-vulnerability-to-menthol-cigarette-use.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12871/fda-nih-funded-study-finds-genetic-vulnerability-to-menthol-cigarette-use.html Tue, 19 Feb 2019 17:50:00 +0530 A genetic variant found only in people of African descent significantly increases a smoker’s preference for cigarettes containing menthol, a flavor additive. The variant of the MRGPRX4 gene is five to eight times more frequent among smokers who use menthol cigarettes than other smokers, according to an international group of researchers supported by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health. The multiethnic study is the first to look across all genes to identify genetic vulnerability to menthol cigarettes. The paper was published online in the journal PLOS Genetics. Menthol provides a minty taste and a cooling or soothing sensation, and plays a particularly troubling role in U.S. cigarette smoking patterns. According to the FDA, nearly 20 million people in the United States smoke menthol cigarettes, which are particularly popular among African-American smokers and teen smokers. In the U.S., 86 percent of African-American smokers use menthol cigarettes, compared to less than 30 percent of smokers of European descent. In addition, menthol cigarettes may be harder to quit than other cigarettes. Although not originally the focus of the study, researchers also uncovered clues as to how menthol may reduce the irritation and harshness of smoking cigarettes. Andrew Griffith, scientific director and acting deputy director of NIH’s National Institute on Deafness and Other Communications Disorders (NIDCD) said, “This study sheds light on the molecular mechanisms of how menthol interacts with the body. These results can help inform public health strategies to lower the rates of harmful cigarette smoking among groups particularly vulnerable to using menthol cigarettes.” The research team, led by Dennis Drayna, Ph.D., chief of the Section on Genetics of Communication Disorders at the NIDCD, conducted detailed genetic analyses on 1,300 adults. In the initial analyses, researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (UT Southwestern), used data from a multiethnic, population-based group of smokers from the Dallas Heart Study and from an African-American group of smokers from the Dallas Biobank. In conjunction with researchers from the Schroeder Institute® for Tobacco Research, Washington, D.C., the scientists further confirmed their findings in a group of African-American smokers enrolled in the Washington, D.C., Tobacco Quitline. The researchers report that 5 to 8 percent of the African-American study participants had the gene variant. None of the participants of European, Asian, or Native American descent had the variant. Identifying the genetic variant pointed the researchers in an unexpected direction, leading them to provide the first characterization of this naturally-occurring MRGPRX4 variant in humans. The gene codes for a sensor, or receptor, that is believed to be involved in detecting and responding to irritants from the environment in the lungs and airways. “We expected to find genes that relate to taste receptors, since menthol is a flavor additive. Instead, we discovered a different kind of signaling molecule that appears to be involved in menthol preference”, said Drayna. Collaborators at the University of North Carolina (UNC), Chapel Hill, then worked with the research team to look more closely at the effect of the African-specific variant on the function of the MRGPRX4 receptor. They found that the variant alters a specific type of cell signaling, and that menthol alters this further. Additional studies confirmed that this sensor is found in the airways, suggesting that menthol is likely to affect how we sense irritation in the airways. “While this gene variant can’t explain all of the increased use of menthol cigarettes by African-Americans, our findings indicate that this variant is a potentially important factor that underlies the preference for menthol cigarettes in this population. While things like cultural factors or industry advertising practices have been a focus for understanding menthol use thus far, our findings indicate that African-specific genetic factors also need to be considered,” said Drayna. The FDA has sought public commentary and scientific information on the use of menthol in tobacco products. The agency has announced plans to propose a ban on menthol-flavored cigarettes and cigars, in large part because of the high use of menthol cigarettes among youth and young adults. More than half of smokers ages 12 to 17 smoke menthol-flavored cigarettes. The prevalence rises to 7 out of 10 among African-American youth who smoke, according to the FDA. In addition to UT Southwestern and UNC Chapel Hill, research collaborators were from the NIH’s National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health; the University of Bologna, Italy; the Estonian Biocenter, Tartu; the University of California, Merced; and the Schroeder Institute® for Tobacco Research. This study was funded in part by the NIH intramural research program and the FDA through an interagency agreement through funds via the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, as well as by NIH through the NIDCD, the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and the NIH Office of the Director through the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the Illuminating the Druggable Genome Common Fund Initiative.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12861/abbott-launches-ai-assistant-for-its-field-force-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12861/abbott-launches-ai-assistant-for-its-field-force-.html Tue, 19 Feb 2019 12:15:00 +0530 Abbott, in association with SmartBots AI, has successfully launched an innovative new virtual assistant to support and engage their pan-India sales force — and her name is Maya. In early 2018, Abbott deployed an AI assistant for its field force. Abbott’s Pharmaceuticals Division initiated a pilot by getting around 3,000 sales employees to start engaging with Maya for their day to day queries. Maya acts as a personal assistant to the employee, providing sales operations support and keeping them ready for the day, providing access to contextual information at their fingertips. She is their virtual assistant while they are in the field meeting doctors. With Maya handling the nitty-gritties of querying and fetching information from enterprise applications, an employee can focus on the crucial aspects of his role and leave the spadework to Maya. Deepak Chembath, Director Business Effectiveness, Abbott India said, "While Maya started as a chat BOT answering redundant questions, over a period of time the scope of Maya grew. With integration across enterprise systems and self-learning (machine learning) from usage, Maya makes it simple for the field force to access critical business insights. With most commercial chatbots, failures are not handled well but with Maya, any unanswered query gets logged as a ticket with our employee helpdesk. The unique differentiator is that Maya gets continuously trained on failed questions and is able to answer such questions going forward, thus making it an intuitive technology.” Developed by SmartBots AI, and powered by Amazon’s LeX technology, Maya uses a voice or chat interface to communicate with employees in simple natural language, and provides them the assistance they need. She acts as a facilitator, helping employees to tap into an enterprise knowledge base (like SalesForce or Tableau) through familiar, easy-to-use communication channels. Since launch, Maya has addressed close to 12,000 queries. Currently, 32% of the monthly queries raised by Abbott reps are now being answered by Maya with a 74% success rate. Medical representatives can also check their execution parameters, expense reimbursement status, plan for the day and leave balance on Maya leading to increased satisfaction. Narsimha Rao Polisetty, Founder of SmartBots said, “We designed Maya to evolve with every single conversation. She has supervised machine learning capabilities that help flag any unexpected behavior. Our objective is to provide a platform where companies can build and manage their own bots, depending on their employees’ specific needs. We can deploy bots across multiple channels, like Skype or Alexa, and can be used by anyone who wants business insights right at their fingertips.” Having tested Maya’s capabilities with the Sales team, Abbott has deployed this virtual assistant to more than 8,000 employees and plans to use the SmartBots AI platform to build bots for several other departments.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12852/increased-affinity-of-healthcare-industry-for-hybrid-cloud.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12852/increased-affinity-of-healthcare-industry-for-hybrid-cloud.html Mon, 18 Feb 2019 17:15:00 +0530 Nutanix, a leader in enterprise cloud computing, has announced the healthcare industry findings of its Enterprise Cloud Index Report, measuring healthcare companies’ plans for adopting private, hybrid and public clouds. The report revealed the healthcare industry is increasingly leaning toward adopting hybrid clouds that combine private and public cloud services, and their respective benefits — with healthcare ranking third in the number of hybrid cloud deployments currently running, by industry. According to respondents, in just two years, healthcare providers’ hybrid cloud deployment will jump from 19% penetration to 37%. Today, healthcare organisations need to address a variety of critical IT needs, including a need for increased security, protection of sensitive patient data and meeting regulatory compliance. Over 28% of healthcare respondents named security and compliance as their number one decision criterion in choosing where to run workloads. With hackers targeting medical records containing sought-after personal details like patient healthcare and insurance information, hospitals and providers require technology solutions that can handle the movement of sensitive data without risk. And, as healthcare providers also have to meet necessary security and HIPAA compliance [healthtechmagazine.net] for patient data, they seek out a solution that fits those specific needs. To address ongoing security and compliance concerns, results showed the healthcare industry turning to hybrid cloud for optimum flexibility and the ability to move applications between private and public clouds. More than half of survey respondents from the healthcare industry noted inter-cloud application mobility as “essential,” further demonstrating this need for seamless movement of applications and associated data, networking services, and security policies between different types of clouds. From a patient and clinician perspective, adopting a cloud model, hybrid or otherwise, also allows for providers to undergo a digital transformation of healthcare delivery. Infrastructure innovations allow hospitals to manage different applications and data types, take advantage of automation and create new service lines such as telehealth or remote monitoring, thus leading to improved patient engagement. Other key findings of the report include: Healthcare companies overspend on public cloud: Another motivation for deploying hybrid clouds is likely enterprises’ need to gain control over their IT spend. Organisations that use public cloud spend 26% of their annual IT budget on public cloud, with this percentage set to increase to 35% in two years’ time. The survey demonstrated healthcare companies report being about 40% over budget when it comes to public cloud spend, compared to 35% of cross-industry global companies. Healthcare public cloud usage outpaces other industries for IoT: The healthcare industry is embracing public clouds at about the same pace as most sectors, reporting a 13% penetration compared to the 12% global average. However, healthcare companies outpace the averages for certain applications, such as ERP/CRM, data analytics, containers, and Internet of Things (IoT). Hybrid IT skills are scarce in healthcare: While 88% of respondents said that they expect hybrid cloud to positively impact their businesses, hybrid cloud skills are scarce in today’s IT organisations. These skills ranked second in scarcity only to those in artificial intelligence and machine learning. “India has always looked to provide a premier healthcare system for its citizens. But an ageing population, a rise in chronic disease, increased health costs and a host of other technical and social factors are putting increased pressure on the country’s hospitals and healthcare professionals,” said Neville Vincent, Vice President ANZ, ASEAN and India, Nutanix. “There is no quick cure for these issues but investing in next generation IT infrastructure is the first step in preserving the current quality of care and bringing healthcare to the individual rather than the other way around.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12853/healthcare-industry-fascinated-to-hybrid-cloud-report-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12853/healthcare-industry-fascinated-to-hybrid-cloud-report-.html Mon, 18 Feb 2019 17:15:00 +0530 Nutanix, a leader in enterprise cloud computing, today announced the healthcare industry findings of its Enterprise Cloud Index Report, measuring healthcare companies’ plans for adopting private, hybrid and public clouds. The report revealed the healthcare industry is increasingly leaning toward adopting hybrid clouds that combine private and public cloud services, and their respective benefits — with healthcare ranking third in the number of hybrid cloud deployments currently running, by industry. According to respondents, in just two years, healthcare providers’ hybrid cloud deployment will jump from 19% penetration to 37%.   Today, healthcare organisations need to address a variety of critical IT needs, including a need for increased security, protection of sensitive patient data and meeting regulatory compliance. Over 28% of healthcare respondents named security and compliance as their number one decision criterion in choosing where to run workloads. With hackers targeting medical records containing sought-after personal details like patient healthcare and insurance information, hospitals and providers require technology solutions that can handle the movement of sensitive data without risk. And, as healthcare providers also have to meet necessary security and HIPAA compliance for patient data, they seek out a solution that fits those specific needs.   To address ongoing security and compliance concerns, results showed the healthcare industry turning to hybrid cloud for optimum flexibility and the ability to move applications between private and public clouds. More than half of survey respondents from the healthcare industry noted inter-cloud application mobility as “essential,” further demonstrating this need for seamless movement of applications and associated data, networking services, and security policies between different types of clouds.   From a patient and clinician perspective, adopting a cloud model, hybrid or otherwise, also allows for providers to undergo a digital transformation of healthcare delivery. Infrastructure innovations allow hospitals to manage different applications and data types, take advantage of automation and create new service lines such as telehealth or remote monitoring, thus leading to improved patient engagement.   Other key findings of the report include:   Healthcare companies overspend on public cloud: Another motivation for deploying hybrid clouds is likely enterprises’ need to gain control over their IT spend. Organisations that use public cloud spend 26% of their annual IT budget on public cloud, with this percentage set to increase to 35% in two years’ time. The survey demonstrated healthcare companies report being about 40% over budget when it comes to public cloud spends, compared to 35% of cross-industry global companies. Healthcare public cloud usage outpaces other industries for IoT: The healthcare industry is embracing public clouds at about the same pace as most sectors, reporting a 13% penetration compared to the 12% global average. However, healthcare companies outpace the averages for certain applications, such as ERP/CRM, data analytics, containers, and Internet of Things (IoT). Hybrid IT skills are scarce in healthcare: While 88% of respondents said that they expect hybrid cloud to positively impact their businesses, hybrid cloud skills are scarce in today’s IT organisations. These skills ranked second in scarcity only to those in artificial intelligence and machine learning. “India has always looked to provide a premier healthcare system for its citizens. But an ageing population, a rise in chronic disease, increased health costs and a host of other technical and social factors are putting increased pressure on the country’s hospitals and healthcare professionals,” said Neville Vincent, Vice President ANZ, ASEAN and India, Nutanix.  “There is no quick cure for these issues but investing in next generation IT infrastructure is the first step in preserving the current quality of care and bringing healthcare to the individual rather than the other way around.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12851/tie-delhi-ncr-to-organize-healthcare-summit-2019-in-new-delhi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12851/tie-delhi-ncr-to-organize-healthcare-summit-2019-in-new-delhi.html Mon, 18 Feb 2019 16:30:00 +0530 TiE Delhi-NCR, one of the most committed chapters in the global TiE network, is gearing up to organise Healthcare Summit 2019 under the aegis of its Healthcare Special Interest Group (SIG) at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. Scheduled on February 22, 2019, the day-long event will bring together key stakeholders – including policymakers, industry leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs – to discuss existing challenges and opportunities within the Indian healthcare sector.  The topics that will be dwelt upon at Healthcare Summit 2019 will include a session demystifying the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Top industry leaders will also share insights on various topics such as emerging health-tech trends and tapping into opportunities within the healthcare sector. The issue of investments into new ventures by medical practitioners to facilitate affordable healthcare for less-privileged consumers across India will also be discussed at the event.  Healthcare Summit 2019 boasts an impressive speaker line-up of 25+ industry leaders. This includes Ashwin Raguraman (Co-Founder & Partner- Bharat Innovation Fund), Dinesh Goel, Partner at Saina Capital; Dr. Shuchin Bajaj (Founder Director – Cygnus Hospitals); Garth Holloway (CMD – Innotech Aqua Ltd), Siddhartha Bhattacharya (Secretary General, NATHEALTH – Healthcare Federation of India), and Rema Subramanian (Co-Founder and Managing Partner – Ankur Capital), Anamika Roy Rashtrawar, Director Marketing IFFCO Tokio General Insurance, Dr. Avijit Bansal, Co-Founder & CEO Windmill Health Technologies, Dinesh Arora, Deputy CEO National Health Agency, Govt. of India among others.  Through its latest event, TiE Delhi-NCR aims to encourage investors and entrepreneurs to tap into the potential for disruption within the Indian healthcare ecosystem. The summit will also provide a conducive space for meaningful conversations about emerging industry trends and recent technological developments, as well as its future direction. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12848/priya-dutt-roncon-celebrates-international-childhood-cancer-day-at-srcc-childrens-hospital.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12848/priya-dutt-roncon-celebrates-international-childhood-cancer-day-at-srcc-childrens-hospital.html Mon, 18 Feb 2019 14:10:00 +0530 SRCC Children’s Hospital, managed by Narayana Health celebrated International Childhood Cancer Day at the hospital. The event was part of an awareness drive by SRCC Children’s Hospital to make children suffering from cancer and their parents aware of its curability and motivate them. Priya Dutt Roncon, Ex-Member of Parliament and daughter of renowned Bollywood celebrities Mr Sunil Dutt and Mrs Nargis Dutt, was the chief guest for the event. Priya Dutt Roncon attended the event and encouraged children by cheering them during the dance performances. She personally met children who are being treated for cancer at the SRCC Children’s Hospital. There was special dance performance by cancer survivors & members of Ugam, a Childhood Cancer Survivors Support Group functioning under umbrella of Indian Cancer Society. Chhandam Nritya Bharati Group performed Indian traditional dance form Kathak. Commenting about the event, Dr Purna Kurkure, Chairman, Clinical Oncology Collegium Narayana Health Group and Head, Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology & BMT at SRCC Children’s Hospital said, “International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) is celebrated around the world each year on February 15th. ICCD is founded by Childhood Cancer International (CCI), a global network in association with International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP) the lead organization with over 2000 healthcare professionals engaged in treatment of childhood cancer. The story of Childhood Cancers is a journey from Nihilism to Optimism. Childhood cancers which were invariably fatal 50 years ago now enjoy a long -term survival of 70-80% when treated promptly, appropriately & adequately and most survivors are cured. First chance is the best chance and giving optimum treatment at outset is the most important factor in deciding the outcome of these cancers.” Each year, more than 300,000 children from birth to 19 years age are diagnosed with cancer around the world. Approximately 8 in 10 of these children live in low and middle-income countries where their survival rate is often near 20%. This is in stark contrast to high-income countries, where cure rates exceed 80% for many common childhood cancers. Children with cancer in low- and middle-income countries are four times more likely to die of the disease than children in high-income countries because their illnesses are not diagnosed, they are often forced to abandon treatment due to high costs, and the health professionals entrusted with their care lack specialized training. Approximately 5% of total cancer burden in India is in this age group as estimated by cancer registries. Thus, 40,000-50000 new childhood cancers are estimated to be diagnosed annually. Only 20-25% children with cancer are in the net for treatment in India. “Together, on ICCD, we raise our voices and envision the day when there will be No More Pain and No More Loss for all children with cancer regardless of where they live in the world.” SRCC Children’s Hospital located at Haji Ali Park in Mumbai central is a 207-bed tertiary care facility offering multi-speciality services exclusively for infants, children and adolescents. It is managed by Narayana Health with strong credentials in paediatric care backed by SRCC – an institution renowned for serving the needs of children with physical challenges. Designed on international standards the hospital offers affordable, yet world-class medical care with all super-specialities under one roof apart from a complete set of rehabilitation programs. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12841/aster-dm-healthcare-wins-accolades-at-ahpi-awards-2019.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12841/aster-dm-healthcare-wins-accolades-at-ahpi-awards-2019.html Mon, 18 Feb 2019 08:00:00 +0530 Six hospitals of Aster DM Healthcare group were recognised with Association of Healthcare Providers (AHPI) India Awards 2019, which recently concluded in Delhi. The annual award by AHPI recognizes and celebrates the excellence achieved by the healthcare organizations in various fields. The categories in which the hospitals in India were awarded are ‘Excellence in Community Engagement’ for Aster Aadhar, Kolhapur, Maharashtra and Aster WIMS, Wayanad, Kerala. In the category of ‘Quality beyond Accreditation’, Aster Medcity, Kochi, Kerala was the winner and for ‘Nursing Excellence’ category, the award was won by Aster MIMS, Kozhikode, Kerala. Similarly, the two Dubai based hospitals of the group- Medcare Multi-Specialty Hospital, Al Safa and Medcare Women and Children’s Hospital, won ‘Quality beyond Accreditation’ and ‘Patient-friendly’ award respectively. Commenting on the occasion, Founder Chairman and MD of Aster DM Healthcare, Dr. Azad Moopen said, “The pursuit for excellence is ingrained in our DNA. As an organization our teams are continuously striving to push boundaries and scale greater heights of excellence in healthcare. The recognition conferred by AHPI further strengthens our commitment towards quality healthcare, patient friendly infrastructure and giving back to the community that we serve every day.” Attending the award ceremony, Chief Executive Officer - Aster Hospitals & Clinics, India, Dr. Harish Pillai said, “We are delighted to be recognized as the best hospitals in the categories of community engagement, quality and nursing. Aster hospitals have been the front-runners in the field of quality healthcare and contributing to the improvement of overall healthcare scenario in the countries that we operate in. We are thankful and indebted to all of our patients and stakeholders for trusting us.” This is the second consecutive award for Aster WIMS for Engagement in Community Services, after FICCI conferred the award in the same category.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12830/cloudnine-group-of-hospitals-expands-footprint-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12830/cloudnine-group-of-hospitals-expands-footprint-in-bengaluru.html Thu, 14 Feb 2019 15:00:00 +0530 Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, India’s leading chain of maternity and childcare and fertility group of hospitals has announced the expansion of its nation- wide footprint by launching its dedicated fertility centre in Bengaluru at HRBR layout. Headquartered in Bengaluru, HRBR layout will third standalone clinic for the Cloudnine Group in Bengaluru and first clinic in North Bengaluru specializing in offering fertility treatments. The state-of-the-art centre, would provide high-quality assisted reproductive services to help and support couples at every stage of their parenting journey. This fertility centre in North Bengaluru will offer quality treatment for fertility related issues backed by world class infrastructure and a team of experienced clinicians. The facility was inaugurated by Dr. R. Kishore Kumar, Founder Chairman and Neonatologist at Cloudnine Group of Hospitals in the presence of several dignitaries and doctors from Cloudnine Group of Hospitals. The new centre at HRBR layout comprises of advanced medical infrastructure, personalized patient care and OT labs. It will offer end to end treatment at the clinic for procedures such as Intrauterine insemination (IUI), In vitro fertilization (IVF), Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), egg/embryo  freezing, TESA, embryo biopsy, laser assisted  hatching , laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, blastocyst transfer, consultation, counselling, PGS, micro TESE, comprehensive male and female fertility solutions will be offered at the unit. The team of specialists include experienced doctors in fertility, reproductive medicine, reproductive endocrinology, embryology, andrology among others. All this will enable the patients to avail all the services under one roof. While the hospital group has been offering fertility treatments across all its units, this is a dedicated fertility centre at HRBR layout, North Bangalore. Speaking at the inauguration of the clinic, Dr. R. Kishore Kumar, Founder Chairman, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals said “Fertility has always been an important part of the services we offer and the launch of our unit in HRBR will be a testimony to the organization’s commitment to fertility as a specialization. These days late marriages, stress and a career centric lifestyle has led to a rise in infertility among couples in the millennium city. This has led to awareness and acceptance of fertility treatments such as, in-vitro fertilization (IVF). The launch our unit in HRBR opening will cater to the longstanding requirements of our patients seeking quality treatment for fertility related issues”. Speaking at the sidelines of launch Nitin Nag, Regional Director (South), at Cloudnine Group of Hospitals said, “At Cloudnine, we believe in offering a colocation model of hospital and fertility centres within it. This will be our first venture for opening a stand-alone unit especially in North Bangalore as we felt there is an increasing need and the lack of availability of quality fertility care in the vicinity. With this this fertility unit, our team of specialists and trained staff will provide the best possible care and advanced fertility services to the patients who are facing problems in conceiving. Adding further he said “Our specialized and dedicated unit at HRBR will help us reach out to markets & micro markets in North Bengaluru.  This launch will help us expand our footprint in Bangalore” “We recognize that fertility issues can happen due to multiple causes and reasons such as genetic disorders, stress, urbanization, and late settlement in life as well as the rising incidence of an unhealthy lifestyle contribute to it. As a result, many couples are facing issues with conception and child birth. With the availability of advanced medical technology, it is imperative that timely interventions can be attempted and the root cause and the treatment is mapped which in turn is very crucial to enable couples embrace parenthood at the right time and in memorable manner. We are very happy with the launch of our dedicated fertility clinic at HRBR layout” said Suresh Pandiyan – Vice President, Fertility, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12826/wehealth-collaborates-with-m-i-t-to-synergize-homecare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12826/wehealth-collaborates-with-m-i-t-to-synergize-homecare.html Thu, 14 Feb 2019 11:05:00 +0530 WeHealth by Servier, Servier Group’s Digital Health business unit, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), announced today a collaboration agreement to define new market paradigms of home technologies.  WeHealth and the AgeLab will interact together through the AgeLab C3 Connected Home Logistics Consortium, along with other industry leaders, to conduct collaborative research to envision the development of home services to tackle the growing challenge of connectivity, convenience and care to improve individual health and well-being in elderly people. “This partnership is an unprecedented opportunity to synergize our forces for advancing healthcare” said Dr. David Guez, General Director of WeHealth by Servier.  In a context of increasing chronic diseases and an aging population, the development of home health care is a significant issue. e-Health makes it possible to provide innovative and effective solutions that meet the evolving needs of patients. It facilitates patient‘s distance care and assistance and care pathway in terms of prevention, compliance and homecare services.  e-Health also reflects a change in the behavior of patients who are increasingly involved in their health and treatment plans by being better informed - via specialized websites and mobile health - and better self/ remotely monitored, thanks to the emergence on the market of connected devices (i.e. glucose meter, portable ECG, treatment reminders, sensors) and affordable home diagnostics tests.  Data analytics is the common denominator to all digital technologies. The solutions designed as part of the partnership between WeHealth by Servier and AgeLab MIT will meet with new health needs and requirements in a secured manner to protect and respect patient confidentiality. The innovations will also ensure data interoperability between the different solutions on the market and broader health data (i.e. Electronic Medical Records), ultimately breaking down siloes of data while improving access data by patients and healthcare professionals. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12825/ayush-minister-launches-e-aushadhi-portal.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12825/ayush-minister-launches-e-aushadhi-portal.html Thu, 14 Feb 2019 11:00:00 +0530 Minister of State (IC) for AYUSH, Shripad Yesso Naik has launched the e-AUSHADHI portal, for online licensing of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy drugs and related matters recently at New Delhi. Addressing the gathering Naik said that this e-AUSHADHI portal is intended for increased transparency, improved information management facility, improved data usability and increased accountability. The Minister informed that timelines will be fixed for processing of application through this portal with SMS and e-mail status updates at each step of the process. He said that such an initiative of the Ministry of AYUSH is a reflection of our Government’s commitment towards e-governance, ease of doing business and Make in India. Speaking on the occasion Vaidya Rajesh, Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH said that Ministry endeavours to come out with new initiatives and solutions to address the problems faced by practitioners, manufactures and consumers of AYUSH medicines.  In this direction, this new e-portal is an acronym for Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy Automated Drug Help Initiative. He further added that this portal will not only aid the licensing authority, manufactures and consumers, as it will provide real time information of the licensed manufactures and their products, cancelled and spurious drugs, contact details of the concerned authority for specific grievances. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12820/optrascan-neuberg-diagnostics-launch-global-telepath-network.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12820/optrascan-neuberg-diagnostics-launch-global-telepath-network.html Wed, 13 Feb 2019 15:45:00 +0530 OptraSCAN® Inc., global digital pathology solutions provider and Neuberg Diagnostics, one of the Top 4 Diagnostics Service Provider in India; announced launching of Global TELEPath™ Network for the pathologist community in UAE, India and South Africa under a new joint venture namely, “Neuberg DIGIPATH, Powered by OptraSCAN®Inc.” The joint venture is in initial phase and will be formed in three months. The Global TELEPath™ Network, promoted by OptraSCAN was launched in US and European region last year. The new venture combines the exceptional histopathology and cytology services provided by Neuberg Diagnostics with advanced digital pathology capabilities offered by OptraSCAN and brings to the table a whole new array of services related to digitization of tissue slides and telepathology with an objective of making new-age life-saving healthcare technology available to the human kind.  The JV promises access to a large pool of histopathologists – who diagnose and study diseases using expert medical interpretation of cells and tissue samples – from UAE, India and South Africa. Histopathology is, among other applications, integral to cancer management through the staging and grading of tumours.  This new venture ‘Neuberg DIGIPATH, Powered by OptraSCAN® Inc.’ services comprise of digitization of tissue slides, storage and archiving, slide discussions and digital learning modules, automated slide processing platforms and second-opinion tele-consulting services. Apart from user-friendly features like a compact, high-resolution and cloud-ready platform with smart-recognition facilities, the new entity promises an economically priced “walk-away technology” for the healthcare sector. The partners intend to provide labs with cutting-edge technology using the following products and services   OptraSCAN’s 15-slide Brightfield Digital Pathology Scanner OptraSCAN’s Image Management tools  OptraSCAN’s Telepathology Software platform and second Opinion Services through a teleportal to be launched with NeubergDigiPath.com  Neuberg’s own Histopathology Network based in India / Middle East & Africa  Enrolling world class histopatholgists for second Opinion Services through a TelePath Site called NeubergDigipath.com Cost Effective Neutral digitization services for all healthcare institutions and patients in all key locations where Neuberg network is present  Digital Sharing and Learning platform for practicing Pathologists & Pathology Students using Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence Tools and Digital Slide Library  Through this partnership joint venture, both the companies aim to expand their market base and have planned a phase and region-wise expansion. In phase-I, the JV intends to launch its products and services in UAE, India and South Africa; followed by Phase-II, wherein it hopes to expand their offerings to Rest of Asia, Europe and the rest of Africa. The JV partners intend to make on-demand cutting-edge digital pathology solutions available to leading hospitals in the Middle East region thus taking healthcare and diagnostics deep into the digital age. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12817/mit-suggests-policy-and-practice-for-accessible-and-sustainable-healthcare-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12817/mit-suggests-policy-and-practice-for-accessible-and-sustainable-healthcare-.html Wed, 13 Feb 2019 15:10:00 +0530 The MIT-based Financing and Reimbursement of Cures in the US (FoCUS) consortium released a series of large-scale policy and practice recommendations for financing new and upcoming curative and durable treatments to ensure broad patient access and healthcare system sustainability. The recommendations were released at a FoCUS-hosted conference at the National Press Club. The conference featured keynote remarks from U.S. Senators William Cassidy (R-LA) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and 30 other speakers spanning the spectrum of healthcare system stakeholders. Curative and durable treatments encompass a class of therapies with a short, sometimes single dose, treatment regime that offer the opportunity of lasting benefits. Yet, these therapies have a significant health care financing challenge for many consumer and payers. "We have got to establish new paradigms to pay for these drugs," said Senator Cassidy. "The choice is not between paying whatever a company decides to charge for a medication, or denying access to a life-saving drug, but a middle [that] establishes a cost society can afford and a means which facilitates paying that cost, and at the same time rewarding innovation and making sure there's access." Milestone-based contracts, performance-based annuities, and novel Orphan Reinsurer and Benefit Managers (ORBMs) will help healthcare organizations meet new financing challenges by navigating complexity in disease and patient profiles, novel therapies, funding mechanisms, and performance risks. The accompanying policy suggestions for public agencies and programs, such as the FDA and Medicaid, include new performance metrics policies, payment and reimbursement practices, and legal frameworks to sustain innovative therapies. "Cell and gene therapies are giving us the opportunity to cure diseases that we could once only hope to manage," said Senator Whitehouse. "I'm excited about the pilots being launched by MIT to test milestone-based contracts and other creative ways to pay for therapies. These payment models represent a fundamental shift in the way we think about paying for value and they aim to help the market bear medical innovations." "We focus on helping the system catch up with the science in biomedical innovation, and do it in ways that are both patient-centered and system-sustainable," said Dr. Gigi Hirsch, Executive Director of the NEWDIGS Initiative. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12816/hitlab-innovators-summit-empowering-meaningful-digital-health-innovation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12816/hitlab-innovators-summit-empowering-meaningful-digital-health-innovation.html Wed, 13 Feb 2019 14:35:00 +0530 Empowering meaningful digital health innovation for over a billion lives throughout India is the theme of the 2019 HITLAB Innovators Summit: India. The one-day event, sponsored by ANSYS, Praava Health, and Tech Care for All, will be held on February 16 at IIT Delhi, an Institute of Eminence. It brings together leaders and practitioners in life sciences, technology, academia, public health, medicine, investment, and design to leverage digital solutions and bring meaningful change to populations. The global HITLAB Summit, taking place in India for the fifth time, is centered around disruptors-those driving change across the digital health ecosystem and redefining what is possible in healthcare delivery. Summit topics range from establishing a culture of innovation across stakeholders in healthcare to examining the current state of open innovation challenges. "Bringing innovation to over a billion lives in India begins with an engaged ecosystem desiring to move beyond the status quo," said Stan Kachnowski, HITLAB Chair. "New Delhi is an ideal venue for the digital health community to gather and define the next decade of innovation." The event features an Experts Speak session, led by ANSYS, along with diverse panels and talks from leaders representing AIIMS, Philips Healthcare, Terumo, Columbia University, Dubai Health Authority, HIMSS India, NITI Aayog, Biotech Consortium of India, and more. "I am excited to participate in the 2019 HITLAB Innovators Summit: India as Indian engineers are amongst the most innovative in the world, eager to adopt engineering simulation to accelerate and amplify technology progress, especially in healthcare sectors," said Thierry Marchal, Global Industry Director at ANSYS. "My experience at the HITLAB Innovators Summit: India has always been that of transformational learning and networking," said Professor Supten Sarbadhikari, Former Director at the Centre for Health Informatics, National Health Portal. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12815/novartis-to-unite-with-tech-startups-to-bring-revolution-in-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12815/novartis-to-unite-with-tech-startups-to-bring-revolution-in-healthcare.html Wed, 13 Feb 2019 12:00:00 +0530 Novartis is on a mission to transform healthcare in Asia by partnering with the health tech ecosystem.  "Novartis in Asia seeks to leverage data, digital and exponential technologies to address the most pressing health challenges in the region. From Big Data, Machine Learning, Telemedicine, the use of sensors to Virtual Reality -- we aim to harness all these technologies to create disruptive opportunities, transform the healthcare landscape and save lives. This is why we are partnering with key heath-tech startups in Asia to equip our company in bringing transformative healthcare solutions to patients," said Alexis Serlin, Head of Asia Cluster, Novartis AG.  With an industry-leading development pipeline, Novartis is well positioned to spearhead a transformative revolution in healthcare. The Novartis pipeline has 26 potential blockbusters in confirmatory development and 13 projects in clinical development across Cell, Gene & Radioligand therapies, with 60 major submissions planned from 2019 to 2021.  Novartis is advancing a pipeline of medicines with the potential to change the standard of care in high-burden disease areas, such as multiple sclerosis, asthma, age-related macular degeneration, sickle cell disease, and lung cancer. The quality and consistency of Novartis' R&D is reflected in its #1 position as the company with the highest number of Breakthrough Therapy Designations (BTDs), a key measure of innovation. Between 2005 and 2018, Novartis secured regulatory approval for more new drugs than any other pharmaceutical company.  According to Mr. Serlin, Novartis intends to map the health-tech space in Asia, particularly start-ups focused on enhancing healthcare delivery avenues, such as improving patient outcomes, transforming patient journeys, and creating differentiated and transformational customer engagement models, among others.  "There are a lot of health-tech start-ups in Asia brimming with transformational business ideas, and we intend to incubate them," said Serlin.  To this end, Novartis Asia in partnership with Galen Growth Asia held its first Asia Business Model Transformation Workshop last November in Singapore. The workshop aimed to connect senior Novartis leaders in Asia with health-tech startups in the region to co-create solutions to keep people well and keep them well.  "We are delighted to partner with Novartis on its digital business transformation journey, leveraging our unique and extensive data analytics, insights and network drawn from the $75B Asia Pacific HealthTech ecosystem, the second largest in the world," said Julien de Salaberry, CEO & Founder of Galen Growth Asia. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12808/medica-treats-a-rare-heart-disease.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12808/medica-treats-a-rare-heart-disease.html Tue, 12 Feb 2019 16:05:00 +0530 Kumar Yadav (name changed), a 23-years old man from a small village Bahadurpur in Bihar, had a heart disease diagnosed when he was four years old. He used to get tired very easily and had his lips and fingers appeared blue. The doctors told the family that the situation demanded surgery. However, due to financial constraints, the surgery could not be done at that point of time. Seeing Kumar’s condition slowly deteriorating over 17 years as he got breathless even on walking for a short distances or climbing a few stairs, the family took him to a local government hospital in Bihar for treatment. On consultation he was referred to a cardiologist in Kolkata. Dr. Rana Rathor Roy, Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Medica Superspecialty Hospital diagnosed that the young person was significantly blue. For diagnosis and necessary treatment, Dr. Rana further referred the case to Dr. Anil Kumar Singhi, Senior Consultant Interventional Paediatric Cardiologist, Medica Superspecialty Hospital. “Kumar weighed less than 35 kgs. The oxygen saturation was only 58 per cent in the patient, whereas it is around 98 per cent to 100 per cent among normal people. His height was 4.9 feet, which is less than a normal 23-year-old person, due to his long-standing heart disease,” said by Dr. Anil Kumar Singhi. The Chest X-Ray of Kumar revealed that his heart was positioned on the right side of the chest. The Echocardiogram revealed large left-sided heart chambers but without any hole between two big chambers or ventricles, as diagnosed outside. A bubble contrast test highlighted an abnormal connection between left-sided lung arteries, which carries impure blood, to left-sided atrium-the chamber having pure blood.  Ultimately, the computed tomographic angiogram (CT Pulmonary angiogram) was done to outline the defect and a very large and dilated abnormal birth related connection between left lung arteries to left-sided atrium was confirmed. The narrowest point of the abnormal connection was huge, around one inch in diameter, larger than the size of the main big artery of the body. The impure blood was being mixed with the pure blood causing bluish discoloration (Cyanosis) of fingers, nails, and lips. The treatment options were truly challenging. Non-surgical closure by placing a device through a vein in the leg was discussed to reduce risk. These types of devices are very soft, durable, and non-corrosive. As the size required was very large, it had to be ordered, explained Dr. Singhi. The non-surgical trans-catheter procedure was done in one hour and fifteen minutes under local anaesthesia. Through leg veins, the defect was crossed with wire and small catheter. A specialized sheath was introduced in the defect area in cardiac catheterization laboratory. A large 24 mm Lifetech muscular VSD device was placed across the defect under monitoring and angiogram. Immediately, the oxygen saturation increased to 99 per cent in Kumar, which is normal.  “The procedure was a success and the patient was taken to ICU. Kumar was shifted to the general ward within 24 hours after the procedure. He was discharged on the third day. Kumar was prescribed with some blood thinning medication,” said Dr. Singhi. “Medica gives due importance to effective healthcare irrespective of the affordability of the patients. We are indeed very pleased to say that this important breakthrough in congenital heart disease treatment itself is a significant benchmark. We hope that in near future, Medica will be coming up with new milestones. Congratulations to the whole team and our colleagues for their exemplary dedication and commitment,” said Dr. Alok Roy, Chairman, Medica Superspecialty Hospital. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12803/max-organizes-cyclothon-to-generate-awareness-on-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12803/max-organizes-cyclothon-to-generate-awareness-on-cancer.html Tue, 12 Feb 2019 15:30:00 +0530 More than 500 participants took part in the 11 km Cyclothon organized by Max Hospital Vaishali under the Cancer Campaign banner by Max Hospital, ‘Nidar Hamesha’ in association with Grameen Sneh Foundation.  The drive was flagged off at Max Super Speciality Hospital Vaishali in the presence of Dr Meenu Walia- Director, Medical Oncology, Max Super Speciality Vaishali. The participants consisted of cycling enthusiasts, employees of Max Super Speciality Hospital Vaishali and members of Grameen Sneh Foundation.  Dr Meenu Walia- Director, Medical Oncology, Max Super Speciality Vaishali, said, “This initiative organized today by Max Super Speciality Hospital, Vaishali, aims to create a platform that strengthens the willpower and give people the courage to fight cancer. We run numerous initiatives/ campaigns / awareness drives for cancer patients on an ongoing basis. Additionally, we have introduced a campaign called– ‘Nidar Hamesha’ which offers support and compassion to patients and families who are fighting cancer. Cancer survivors join us in motivating and helping people battling with this disease through such groups. Today’s drive was to showcase our love and support, and offer strength to those who face the many challenges that are presented after being diagnosed with cancer.” Dr. Walia, further added, “Cancer cases are rising at an alarming rate in India and it is one of the leading cause of mortality, mostly due to late detection of the disease. If detected early, cancer treatment is not only multiple-times more effective but also less complex and cost effective. Presently, there are more than a million cancer patients in India and looking at the medical facts, unfortunately this number will rise in future. For these patients who are battling cancer, determination and the will to fight is half the battle won. At Max Super Speciality Hospital, Vaishali, we salute the spirit of every person who has fought or is still fighting cancer. With the Cyclothon, we aim to unite everybody under the same banner and inspire them to stand up for each other to fight the complex disease.”  Olympics champion, Sushil Kumar, commented, “I am happy to be a part of this noble initiative by Max Super Speciality Hospital Vaishali. Such initiatives help in creating awareness and encourage people to understand the importance of support and care needed by the cancer fighters in our country.” India has around 2.25 million cases with over 1 lakh new cases being registered every year, according to Cancerindia.org. In 2018, the disease led to nearly 7 lakh deaths. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR estimates that the country is likely to register over 17 lakh new cases and report over 8 lakh deaths by 2020. At Max Healthcare, it is our continuous effort to make life easy for the people battling with cancer and through this drive we wanted to put an effort to showcase the people that we the people of Max stand by with you in your fight.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12801/isic-organizes-conference-for-epilepsy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12801/isic-organizes-conference-for-epilepsy.html Tue, 12 Feb 2019 12:05:00 +0530 While advancements in epilepsy treatment have helped a majority of patients lead normal and productive lives, the social stigma attached to it continues to hamper their prospects of marriage and having a family, especially in case of female patients. The need to educate people about this condition and help patients lead successful married lives was a central theme as leading experts gathered at the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre for a major conference on Epilepsy and its challenges. The day-long conference hosted by ISIC was organized to advocate a holistic environment for epilepsy awareness and treatment to mark “World Epilepsy Day”. Organized in collaboration with eminent bodies such as International League Against Epilepsy, International Bureau of Epilepsy and Indian Epileptic Association, this conference witnessed participation of doctors, medical experts, and researchers from around the globe. Nearly 100 faculties became a part of the day-long conference in an effort to bridge the gap between awareness and diagnosis of epilepsy, especially amongst females.  A variety of topics such as “Epilepsy and its Global Burden” “Causes of Epilepsy and Epileptogenesis” “Epilepsy and Marriage” “Epilepsy is a disease or as symptom?” “Epilepsy and its social dimensions and impacts” were discussed by eminent professionals such as Dr Aparna Gupta, Neurology, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, Dr. (Prof) Manjari Tripathi, Dr AK Sahani, Neurologist, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, Dr Debashish Choudhury, HOD, G.B. Pant Hospital and many others. Especially, the strengths and opportunities of the society which help overcome many challenges were discussed. Like every other aliment, epilepsy too has gender specific implications. Some issues around risk are specific to girls and women with epilepsy, depending on their age, type and number of seizures and any medication they are on. For some girls and women, there is a link between hormones and when they have seizures. This means that they may be more likely to have seizures, and be at greater risk of injury because of seizures. Awareness on these sensitive stations is important for proper diagnosis and treatment. Women also face a greater burden of the social stigma attached to the condition. “Epilepsy is a significant health burden, with close to 70 million suffering from it. Unfortunately, awareness, education and sensitization about this condition is limited. Apart from removing the social stigma around this condition, we must also work towards creating better and more holistic treatment protocols for female patients with a focus to enable them have normal lives and families. With effective treatment, a majority of epilepsy patients become seizure free or reduce number of seizures. Major cause of epilepsy are brain injuries. We received patients mostly who have suffered from brain injuries due to road accidents. One should always wear helmets and should take road safety measures. One should always take proper sleep and diet. Patients should take one’s medicine on time. Unfortunately, society views epilepsy as a taboo and patients, especially women face challenges in finding a partner. Creating more awareness and sensitization is the need of the hour,” said Dr. A.K. Sahani, Neurology, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre. “Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions today. There is a gender divide here too as consequences are far graver amongst women. Because these issues are often complicated and specific to each woman, it is important that women have comprehensive conversations with their epilepsy specialist. As doctors, our efforts should be focused on devising treatment protocols that can help them overcome medical challenges associated with this condition. There are specific issues around pregnancy for women with epilepsy with some anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) found to have caused birth defects or developmental problems in unborn children. This risk needs to be balanced with the risk of injury to the mother and baby if seizures are not controlled with medication. This is why epilepsy treatment must also evolve to become gender sensitive,” said Dr. A.K. Sahani, Neurology, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre The experts also focused on the need for Epilepsy patients with better rehabilitative care and treatments options. Various initiatives for penetration of best available technology and post-surgery rehabilitative and therapeutic care and mindset of loved ones/caregivers were discussed in this conference. Apart from discussing the above critical issues, ISIC has undertaken a host of activities to generate awareness on the cause of epilepsy. Apart from debunking myths on the causes and the cure of epilepsy, ISIC has conducted events that promote road safety. A walkathon from Mahipalpur to Dedhiya mor was conducted, to promote awareness on road safety. They also have engaged the hospitality industry, visiting dhabas and restaurants to train the cooks in ways to maintain hygiene of the food. Awareness on stroke risk factors was generated through discussion and activities on World Stoke Day. Apart from this, a nukkad natak was held today to generate awareness while debunk myths and sensitize general public, paramedics and citizens on the various points of epilepsy. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12795/unani-medicine-can-address-current-health-challenges-dr-najma-heptulla.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12795/unani-medicine-can-address-current-health-challenges-dr-najma-heptulla.html Tue, 12 Feb 2019 09:00:00 +0530 “Unani Medicine can offer the right solution for many health challenges we are facing due to lack of treatment of many diseases and paucity of resources”, said Dr. Najma Heptulla, Governor of Manipur, inaugurating the two-day National Conference on Unani Medicine organized by the Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) as a part of 3rd Unani Day celebration in New Delhi recently. Dr. Heptulla urged the Unani fraternity to progress and evolve with the changing times, adapt to new techniques of health research and contribute new approaches to health management. She informed that Manipur has the treasure of over 500 medicinal plants and invited the medical scientists to visit the state for research. Addressing the conference themed on ‘Unani Medicine for Public Health’, Minister of State (IC) for AYUSH, Shripad Yesso Naik enlightened the audience on concrete steps taken by the Ministry of AYUSH to promote Unani Medicine in national public healthcare system through regulation of research and integration of quality products, practices, and practitioners into the health system. ‘Our efforts are focused to tap the real potential of AYUSH systems in imparting preventive, promotive and holistic healthcare to the people’, he added. Tribute was paid to Hakim Ajmal Khan, whose birth anniversary is celebrated as Unani Day on 11th February every year. Highlighting the strengths of Unani Medicine and other AYUSH systems in his address, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that the AYUSH systems are golden key to health and wellbeing and India is the strongest hub of Traditional Medicine which is one of the reasons medical tourism is flourishing in the country. Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary to the Ministry of AYUSH urged to adapt Information Technology and informed about the steps taken by the Ministry of AYUSH in the form of National AYUSH Morbidity and Standardized Terminologies Electronic Portal (NAMASTE - PORTAL), initiative for incorporation of AYUSH Morbidity Codes in WHO – ICD 11, AYUSH Grid, use of Social Media and A-HMIS.  He made the announcement for allotment of land and allocation of Rs. 250 crore for National Institute of Unani Medicine to be setup in Ghaziabad. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12793/axio-biosolutions-launches-innovation-in-advanced-wound-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12793/axio-biosolutions-launches-innovation-in-advanced-wound-care.html Mon, 11 Feb 2019 16:05:00 +0530 Introducing the latest innovation in wound care, Axio Biosolutions has launched MaxioCel, a next generation wound care dressing made of chitosan. Dr. V. S. Bedi, Director and Chairman, Vascular and Endovascular Department, Sir Gangaram Hospital, launched MaxioCel at the ‘Endovascular Live 2019’ at Pullman Novotel, New Delhi. In 2018 Axio had become the first Indian company to get USFDA clearance for its innovative hemostatic dressing - Axiostat. With MaxioCel, the next generation Chitosan-based advance wound care product range, Axio is poised to further disrupt the wound care market. The ‘first of its kind’ product is expected to provide comfort and faster healing to patients suffering from chronic wounds, such as pressure ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, cavity wounds, skin abrasions, donor sites and post-operative surgical wounds, to name some.  Unique, 360-degree advanced wound management solution, MaxioCel was launched before a rapt audience of over 300 renowned vascular and endovascular surgeons, interventional radiologists, interventional cardiologists, podiatrists and general surgeons at ‘Endovascular Live 2019’. A paper was presented by Dr. Srujal Shah on experience of using MaxioCel. The presentation mentioned various cases done using MaxioCel range of products – Venous ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers and other complex wounds. Commenting on the product launch, Dr. Srujal Shah (M. Ch.), Vascular & Endovascular Surgeon, IndoVasc Hospital, said, “There is a colossal increase in the number of patients suffering from chronic wounds. However, there are no products in wound care management that provide substantial relief from the high levels of discomfort and pain endured by patients. MaxioCel range of advanced chitosan dressings have the potential to address this gap and be a true game changer. The medical fraternity needs to embrace technological innovations happening in advance wound care management space in order to improve the quality of life of patients with chronic wounds.” Leo Mavely, CEO, Axio Biosolutions, further added, “With the latest addition of MaxioCel to our product portfolio, we now have a complete range of innovative products spanning pre-hospital, intra-operative and post-operative clinical needs. India is becoming a world diabetic capital with millions of patients needing advanced wound care products every year. MaxioCel fulfils a large gap in the market with its combined hemostatic, pain management and scar improvement properties. We are proud to bring this product as an Indian innovation in wound care for the world market. Axio Biosolutions is a medtech company with focus on biomaterials. Its first product range Axiostat is a USFDA and CE approved product that stops bleeding instantly. Catering to the Indian Armed Forces, BSF, NSG, para-military forces, hospitals and emergency services not only in India, but across the globe, the home-grown first aid solution has prevented countless deaths due to haemorrhage and grievous injuries. Headquartered in Cambridge, Axio Biosolutions has its corporate office in Bengaluru. The company has manufacturing facility in Ahmedabad and has strong R&D with multiple patents to its credit. Last year, Axio Biosolutions raised $7.4 million in a Series B funding round led by Ratan Tata’s UC- RNT, along with existing investors Accel Partners and IDG Ventures India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12792/columbia-asia-hospitals-adopts-healthcare-technology-by-mphrx.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12792/columbia-asia-hospitals-adopts-healthcare-technology-by-mphrx.html Mon, 11 Feb 2019 14:20:00 +0530 MphRx has announced that Columbia Asia Hospitals has launched their Patient Engagement Application Suite, with patient-facing applications available on Web, Android and Apple devices. Powered by MphRx’s FHIR based digital health platform - Minerva, the integrated patient engagement applications provide an aggregated view of patient’s health data across the network’s hospitals and enables online booking of health care services and physician appointments. Deen Sulbigar Ali Ahamed (Zulfi), Group Head of IT, Columbia Asia Group of Hospitals said, “Minerva’s industry standard open platform approach enabled us to execute our digital patient engagement strategy. Minerva is a unified platform that allows patients to book and manage appointments through any channel of their choice whether it’s website, mobile app or even by making a call to customer care. Patients can avoid hospital queues by registering online and paying for consultation and services through the app. Further, patients get notified when their reports are ready and they can easily view the lab results and download reports from anywhere. We are excited to roll out this solution, and look forward to giving our patients a simplified and seamless experience.” Mahesh Uberoi, President, and CEO of MphRx said, “We feel extremely proud and honored to be chosen as the technology partner for Columbia Asia Hospitals in their digital transformation journey, providing health applications to improve patient engagement and drive clinical excellence. Columbia Asia is one of the largest network of hospitals in South East Asia and has been expanding its care network quite rapidly. This implementation was particularly complex with its multi-national requirements and we are proud to have deployed our product at this scale. It’s a one-of-a-kind deployment, where a health system has deployed a single digital platform across multiple countries that they operate in. With Minerva as the underlying platform, Columbia Asia Hospitals can easily scale up their IT infrastructure to support the broadening patient base and deliver a seamless user experience at the point of care across all its facilities.” The Minerva patient engagement suite allowed them to provide a single point of care solution on both web and mobile. The underlying Minerva platform, integrates clinical and non-clinical data across disparate health IT systems and facilities to provide a 360-degree view of patient data accessible instantly from anywhere and on any device. The applications allow patients to book and manage appointments, access all their lab results and radiology reports instantly, and get medication alerts and reminders. The Minerva Customer Care application provides marketing and helpdesk tools that enable the Columbia Asia Customer Care department to manage on-boarding of patients, book and manage appointments on the behalf of patients, and set up and manage appointment slots for all physicians. The physicians at Columbia Asia Hospitals, via the Minerva physician application will get instant access to aggregated medical records, order laboratory and radiology services for patients, add and edit progress notes, and view and edit discharge summaries of any in-patient episode.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12782/one-health-initiative-to-tackle-urgent-health-threats.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12782/one-health-initiative-to-tackle-urgent-health-threats.html Mon, 11 Feb 2019 09:00:00 +0530 The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) in partnership with Departments of Agriculture Research and Education (DARE) and Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries (DAHDF), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India, Departments of Health Research (DHR) and Health & Family Welfare (DHFW), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India in collaboration with The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals (IAHVB), Penn State University, USA is organizing the “One Health India Conference, 2019”, which will be held at Scope Convention Center, SCOPE Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi on February 18-19, 2019. This premiere event will launch India’s new One Health Initiative – an inter-sectoral approach to tackling some of the world’s most urgent health threats including Brucellosis, Tuberculosis, Anthrax, Antimicrobial Resistance. It will bring together thought leaders from India and around the globe, and provide a platform for researchers, public and private stakeholders and policymakers to integrate knowledge and identify needs and opportunities to better coordinate activities to address major human, animal and environmental health challenges. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12781/health-ministry-conducts-8th-round-of-ndd-campaign.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12781/health-ministry-conducts-8th-round-of-ndd-campaign.html Fri, 08 Feb 2019 18:20:00 +0530 The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) conducted its eighth round of National Deworming Day (NDD). This key program initiative is implemented with an objective to reduce the prevalence of Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH) or parasitic intestinal worms so that they are no longer a public health problem. As per WHO, 64% of the Indian population less than 14 years are at risk of STH infections. Launched in 2015 through a single fixed day approach, the NDD program in this round, targets to reach 24.44 crore children and adolescents in 30 states/UTs, in the age group of 1-19 years. The program is implemented with the Ministries of Women and Child Development and Human Resource Development, where the anganwadi workers and teachers administer the deworming medicine to children and adolescents at the anganwadis and schools. ASHA workers support the efforts through community mobilization and sensitization of communities about the ill effects of worm infestations. The success of the NDD program has incrementally increased with each round as the coverage has increased from 8.9 crores in Feb 2015 to 22.69 crores in the last round in August 2018. In this round of NDD, there will be an enhanced participation from private schools and institutions where all children 1- 19 years old are engaged, such as technical institutes, junior colleges and others. The NDD program is a cost-effective program at scale that continues to reach crores of children and adolescents with deworming benefits through a safe medicine Albendazole. Deworming has shown to reduce absenteeism in schools; improve health, nutritional, and learning outcomes for children; and increase the likelihood of higher-wage jobs later in life as per global evidence. Using Albendazole tablet for deworming is an evidence-based, globally-accepted, and effective solution used to control worm infections in all children, regardless of socio-economic background. NDD is observed bi-annually on 10th February and 10th August in all states and UTs followed by mop-up activities. This year the NDD is being conducted on 8th February and mop up day on the 14th February. NDD falls under the purview of the Extended Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, and is also committed to improving the nutritional uptake in all children and adolescents and has immensely contributed to the cause of Anemia Mukt Bharat and Poshan Abhiyaan, under the National Nutrition Strategy, formulated by Niti Aayog in December 2017, with a vision towards anemia and malnutrition reduction by 2022. The convergence of NDD with the Swachh Bharat Mission is another step towards ensuring cleanliness and hygiene in our surroundings and towards prevention and control of worm infestation. Awareness generation activities have also been undertaken under this program to sensitize the public about the harmful effects of worm infestation due to open defecation and to promote healthy habits to keep worm infections under control. In view of the preparations for the event, the teachers and anganwadi workers have been trained to administer the tablet to children, while ASHAs and other government functionaries such as Panchayati Raj Institution members and youth volunteers are disseminating about the NDD in communities towards a worm free India. Deworming may have very few side effects and some children, especially those with high worm infections, might experience nausea, mild abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue. In line with the guidance from the MoHFW, comprehensive adverse event protocols have been put in place. The MoHFW envisions an open-defecation-free India which holds the capacity to reduce the overall worm burden in a community.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12780/siicp-becomes-1st-hospital-in-india-to-use-mayo-clinic-technology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12780/siicp-becomes-1st-hospital-in-india-to-use-mayo-clinic-technology.html Fri, 08 Feb 2019 17:15:00 +0530 SMILES International Institute of Coloproctology is the first hospital in India to use anorectal manometry technology developed by Mayo Clinic USA.  The Mayo Clinic designed and manufactured M-Compass is an FDA approved anal manometry device. Using an M-Compass, the Anorectal Manometry Test (ARM) is performed to evaluate patients with fecal incontinence/chronic constipation. Today millions suffer from fecal incontinence and constipation while access to manometry equipment is limited. Easier access to M-Compass can put many suffering from fecal incontinence/chronic constipation on the road to recovery and drastically improve their lives.   The M-Compass device is portable, wireless, and weighs only 3 lbs. It is easy to use, affordable and can be used in a doctor’s office. Conventional ARMs are huge, aren’t portable, and can only be used in a dedicated room. The M-Compass is also simple to setup, consists of only 3 components, and has built-in software guidance while conventional ARMs are large complicated systems. Speaking about how people will benefit from the M-Compass Dr. Parameshwara CM said “This innovative technology will allow people across India to be tested more accurately than ever before. Using M-Compass an ARM can be completed in as little as 5 minutes. Of the millions across India who suffer from incontinence/chronic constipation, many will be greatly helped by M-Compass. We believe that bringing this technology to the masses so that millions can live more comfortable and happier lives is needed. We’re proud to be the first hospital in India to do so”. Prior to performing an ARM using an M-Compass, no bowel preparation is required and there is no need to restrict one's diet. Also patients who undergo an ARM using an M-Compass are not required to discontinue routine medication. An advantage of the Anorectal Manometry Test is, when it is used along with adjunctive tests, it can not only confirm a clinical diagnosis but also provide new information that cannot be clinically detected. It can also influence the outcome of patients suffering from incontinence/chronic constipation. Patients who have been tested so far using the M-Compass are highly satisfied.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12775/pfi-presents-evidence-supporting-increased-investments-in-family-planning-to-mp.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12775/pfi-presents-evidence-supporting-increased-investments-in-family-planning-to-mp.html Fri, 08 Feb 2019 14:05:00 +0530 The Speaker Research Initiative, which serves as a platform to bring together Members of Parliament (MP) to discuss issues of national importance, invited Population Foundation of India (PFI) to the Parliament for a workshop on “India’s Population: Emerging Dimensions”. PFI presented evidence from two recently concluded studies that analysed health and economic implications of investing in family planning and budgeting and expenditure of family planning activities under the National Health Mission. Speaking at the workshop, Ms. Poonam Muttreja, Executive Director of the Population Foundation of India said, “Family Planning directly and indirectly impacts all 17 of the sustainable development goals. Advancing and investing in family planning will be one of the primary drivers for translating the development goals of the nation and impacting SDGs. Universal access to contraception is a priority target for India’s national health and family planning objectives”. The workshop was attended by MPs, government representatives and academic scholars. Discussions included India’s changing age structure and ways to take advantage of the demographic dividend opportunity. The need to focus on youth through improved access to education and healthcare services were considered key steps to reap the benefits. Participants also highlighted the importance of increasing access and availability of family planning methods, and shifting focus from terminal methods of contraception to spacing methods. PFI’s study projects a policy scenario, where family planning programmes are implemented to their maximum potential and estimates the potential costs and benefits to the nation over the course 15 years, from 2016-2031, by comparing it with the current (business as usual) scenario. The projections indicate that with increased investments in family planning over 15 years, India would not only save as much as Rs. 27,000 crores in public health spending and redirect it to other health priorities, but also enable its citizens to save Rs. 77,600 crores of out-of-pocket expenditures (OOPE) on child birth and child hospitalisation. The projected demographic and health gains of the policy scenario include prevention of 2.9 million infant deaths, 1.2 million maternal deaths, 206 million unsafe abortions and 69 million additional births at the national level. It highlights the benefits of strengthening family planning strategies at the community, state and national level. Population Foundation of India (PFI) is a national NGO, which promotes and advocates for the effective formulation and implementation of gender sensitive population, health and development strategies and policies. The organisation was founded in 1970 by a group of socially committed industrialists under the leadership of the late JRD Tata and Dr Bharat Ram. PFI addresses population issues within the larger discourse of empowering women and men, so that they are able to take informed decisions related to their fertility, health and well-being. It works with the government, both at the national and state levels, and with NGOs, in the areas of community action for health, urban health, scaling up of successful pilots and social and behaviour change communication. PFI is guided by an eminent governing board and advisory council comprising distinguished persons from civil society, the government and the private sector. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12771/dr-kewals-lab-clinic-introduces-youth-clinic.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12771/dr-kewals-lab-clinic-introduces-youth-clinic.html Fri, 08 Feb 2019 12:10:00 +0530 With an aim ‘Healthy Youth, Healthy Nation’, Lab & Clinic a brand owned by Dr. Rajesh Kewalramani introduces Youth Clinic – a program that focuses on creating awareness and managing various health concerns in the adolescent and young adults. With the continuous advancement in the technology available at affordable prices, the number of the Internet Users in India will rise in the near future, especially in the younger age groups. It is a known fact that India has the world’s largest youth population. However, with youth comes a new set of health concerns ranging from lifestyle disorders to untreatable STIs. Dr Kewal’s Youth Clinic reaches the youth of the city through Health Conversations in colleges and university campuses—the year started with a session at Xavier’s Institute of Communication, Fort – Mumbai on Tuesday, 8th January 2019, continues with an engaging session at IIM Indore Mumbai Campus yesterday and will go on until its voice echoes in every youth of the country. On why creating awareness among the youth is necessary despite the exposure to the new age media, Dr Kewal says, “Today, we are all digitally connected. Every day, we search, read and share information online. But how much of the information that we are reading is accurate? And even if it is accurate, is it apt for the individual? Case Taking and Clinical Examination are two crucial elements before a doctor comes to a diagnosis. Reading online information could lead to self-diagnosis and self-medication – both of which are harmful for the health of an individual.” Furthermore, he adds, “When it comes to sexual health, being ambiguous may lead to misunderstandings that can be detrimental in the long run. There is a need to address some genuine concerns of the young curious minds. One misstep can lead to a big fall, a fall from which an individual may not recover. Some STIs like HIV yet do not have a cure. Considering the changing lifestyle patterns and approach to life, it is important to make our youth aware on the right choices.” Lab & Clinic, a brand owned by Dr Kewal's Speciality Lab & Clinic, was founded in the year 2003. This Centre of Excellence in Mumbai offers both Lab and Clinical Consultation services.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12770/robust-policy-framework-to-back-healthcare-innovations.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12770/robust-policy-framework-to-back-healthcare-innovations.html Fri, 08 Feb 2019 10:50:00 +0530 Speaking at the 2nd Health Tech India, 2019, Dr. Indu Bhushan, CEO, AB-PMJAY and NHA informed that technology has become the backbone for Ayushman Bharat by making the entire system cashless and paperless. With over 50 crore population coming under the purview of healthcare, technology is going to become an even bigger market in healthcare. However, Dr. Bhushan also cautioned that technology would cost money and therefore, both healthcare providers and other stakeholders should be prepared to balance this high cost as financial allocation would be needed. “Technological Innovations in Healthcare need to be backed by a Robust Policy Framework”, he emphasized. The 2nd edition of Health Tech India, under 23rd International Engineering and Trade Fairs was held from 3rd to 5th February 2019 in Pragati Maidan by Confederation of India Industry. Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, speaking at Health Tech India, highlighted that the focus of Indian healthcare over the years has changed from being curative to slowly becoming preventive which has also led to an increase in scope for innovation. “The beneficial aspects of technology in India, lie in the fact that, in a country like India, it can overcome geographical and financial barriers to reach those who actually need it” he added. Kenji Hiramatsu, Ambassador of Japan to India, speaking at the inaugural session, brought to light some of the factors on which high life expectancy in Japan (women=86 years and men=81years) is dependent upon; they are efficient management of skills and logistics in the medical device sector, well-trained doctors and nurses and the commitment of the government to Universal Health Coverage. Japan is the partner country for the second consecutive edition of the event. Hiramatsu expressed full support of his country in collaborating with India to take the agenda of health technology forward. Shobana Kamineni, Immediate Past President, CII & Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited emphasized on the importance of frugal health technology that is going to make high quality healthcare services both affordable and accessible. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12767/nayati-cancer-centre-successfully-treated-more-than-1000-cancer-patients-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12767/nayati-cancer-centre-successfully-treated-more-than-1000-cancer-patients-.html Thu, 07 Feb 2019 19:50:00 +0530 Nayati Cancer Centre – a unit of Nayati Healthcare, India’s first hospital chain committed to providing world-class healthcare services to masses – served more than 1,000 cancer patients since its inception in November 2017by providing specialized cancer care in Nayati Medicity, Mathura. Speaking on the occasion, Niira Radia, Chairperson – Nayati Healthcare, stated “Uttar Pradesh has the highest incidence of cancer in the country and to address this challenge in a comprehensive yet humane manner we established a well-equipped Cancer Centre in November 2017. In last 5 years, through our outreach program we have screened close to 9 lakh people for cancer and a sizeable population was found to have early-stage cancer or pre-malignant conditions. To cater to the rising cancer cases we decided to set up the most advanced state-of-the-art facility for cancer care at Mathura. The very word cancer shatters us in three ways- one the fear of living with an incurable disease, secondly being burdened by its expensive treatment and thirdly the trauma of travelling long distance. An end- to- end cancer centre where preventive care to advanced diagnostics to treatment with the best in class technology for the right radiation dose in shortest possible time was set up for managing the cancer cases thereby addressing the challenges faced by the patients. We have now come up with a Bone Marrow Transplant program and we are today the only cente in the region to have all the services under one roof. Our centre is today frequented not just by the patients of Western Uttar Pradesh but whole of Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and we are also seeing a reverse flow from Delhi NCR. We are confident, in the years to come, the Nayati Cancer Centre at Mathura will emerge as one of the most recognized cancer centre of the world.“ she further added. The Nayati Cancer Centre offers holistic integrated care via medical, surgical and radiation technology for end-to-end treatment. Besides minimal access and open surgical interventions for different cancers, high-end radiation therapy, critical care, bone marrow transplantation, palliative care, isolation rooms, plastic and reconstructive surgery, pain clinics and counselling services are also available. Dr (Prof) Santanu Chaudhuri, Chairman, Centre for Oncology – Nayati Healthcare, said, “It is a proud day for all of us in crossing a major milestone of serving more than 1,000 lives via successful cancer treatment. As per the Nayati Cancer Directory, we have observed that 30% of the total cancer patients fall under the 51-60 age group, with the majority being diagnosed with head-and-neck cancer followed by genito-urinary and breast cancer. Others were diagnosed with cancers related to bone & soft tissue, brain, lung, lymphoma, gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary & pancreas, skin, and other forms. Cancer is completely curable provided it is detected timely. The increasing number of our cancer survivors are a testimony to that. To reduce the mortality rate due to cancer, it is imperative it is caught early hence we appeal to people above 40 to get their cancer screening done every year.”  “We have set up a tumour board internally at our Cancer Centre that’s a multidisciplinary team effort for this complex condition. When cancer is diagnosed, patients always seek more personalized care and want as many people as possible to work together in treating them. The board discusses every case and work out the best treatment modality. Nayati Medicity’s Cancer Centre holds hope for the growing number of patients via advanced and comprehensive cancer care,” he further added.  Dr. Rupashree Dasgupta, Director & HOD - Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Gynaecological Oncology stated, “We are seeing an increasing number of gynaecological cancer patients from the region suffering from uterine, cervical, and ovarian cancer. We understand the need of the Aligarh communities and Nayati’s endeavor has always been to reduce the trauma of patients travelling long distance hence our Nayati teams are available in Aligarh on second and fourth Tuesday of every month from 10 am – 2 pm at Maxfort Hospital. We all know that Cancer is a disease affecting not just the individual but his/her entire family. Therefore, at Nayati Medicity, we organize a unique program “Cancer Support Group” for patients, families, and caregivers. Apart from providing basic cancer care information, patients get an opportunity to share their experiences with other survivors. A good support system boosts the chances of survival, including long-term recovery and rehabilitation.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12766/era-test-can-revolutionize-the-ivf-industry-by-decreasing-repeated-ivf-failure.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12766/era-test-can-revolutionize-the-ivf-industry-by-decreasing-repeated-ivf-failure.html Thu, 07 Feb 2019 19:10:00 +0530 Nova IVI Fertility, one of the largest service providers in the fertility space aims to bring advanced Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) to India in partnership with IVI of Spain. The partnership has resulted in a substantial addition to Nova’s IVF services and technology, including proprietary software, training, and quality management. With IVI’s know-how and vast international expertise, NIF brings the same exceptional standard of processes, protocols and policies to India. In addition to providing core procedures such as IUI, IVF, and Andrology services, NIF offers several state-of-the art technologies such as Vitrification for preserving embryos and eggs, ERA to find out the timing of the uterus’ capacity to accept embryos, PGS and PGD for the transfer of genetically normal embryos, all procedures that significantly improve the chances of a pregnancy following IVF-ICSI, even in patients with multiple previous failures. Human embryo is an incredibly complicated and also multifactorial procedure. Effective implantation needs the existence of a good embryo, as well as a receptive endometrium. There are several possible factors which can cause the implantation to fail. There are many different tests which can help doctors narrow down the issue, Endometrial Receptivity Array (ERA) being the latest technique. Endometrial Receptivity Array (ERA) is a molecular diagnostic test used to investigate the receptivity of the endometrium. Receptivity of the endometrium is a condition in which the endometrium (uterine lining) is ready for implantation of the embryo. The ERA is a state-of-the-art diagnostic technique that helps to evaluate the woman’s endometrial receptivity from a molecular perspective. Embryo implantation is the process of the embryo syncing with the endometrial wall in a woman. Discussing the significance of the test at a press briefing, Dr. Richa Jagtap, Fertility Consultant at Nova IVI Fertility, said “The ERA test is recommended for women with recurrent implantation failure, defines as women with two or more unsuccessful embryo transfers. The ERA test can increase the possibilities of a successful pregnancy in patients because we can time the embryo transfer to be within the time bracket when implantation is most likely to occur. That is how we can personalize the time of the embryo transfer in each patient. While ERA is not necessary or appropriate for every infertility patient, it has proved to be a key intervention for some patients who were not finding success otherwise. A displaced window of implantation was detected in approximately 25% of these patients. ERA helps us to reveal the patient’s personalized window of implantation before starting assisted reproductive system (ART).” When should one use ERA test? Diagnosis of endometrial receptivity has posed a challenge and so far most available tests have been subjective and lack accuracy and a predictive value. Use of ERA test in patients improves reproductive performance and chances of a successful pregnancy in patients with recurrent implantation failure. Dr. Richa further added, “When an IVF embryo transfer fails, it is very disheartening and frustrating to the couple undergoing treatment. In a search for answers we consider the embryo itself, which is a combination of sperm and egg, and we also the environment in which we are putting the embryo. Though there can be multiple reasons for IVF failure, one key reason is the embryo not being transferred at the right time. ERA helps in diagnosing the right time for an implantation of the embryo. There are a lot of patients who have a normal womb and still seek answers for their fertility and fail, they either stop trying or move to surrogacy. ERA comes as a boon in such cases, fulfilling the dreams of many.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12765/ayushman-bharat-to-cover-50-lakh-indians-develop-india-as-a-healthcare-hub.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12765/ayushman-bharat-to-cover-50-lakh-indians-develop-india-as-a-healthcare-hub.html Thu, 07 Feb 2019 17:30:00 +0530 India is called as the pharmacy of the world with every 3rd tablet sold in the world is by an Indian manufacturer and every 5th patient treated by an Indian doctor. However it is also ironic that it is only 40 percent of the Indian population who has access to basic healthcare facilities. This is all set to change now with the launch of Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, stated Ms Malti Jaswal, Sr Consultant, World Bank at the CII Healthcare, Pharma and Medtech Conclave 2019- Making Healthcare Accessible Affordable and Sustainable at Mumbai. Ms Jaswal mentioned that under the scheme, primary health centers from the most rural areas in the country would be converted to health and wellness centers (HWC) which would be well equipped for universally screening of common non communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and three common cancers. “The idea is set up 150, 000 HWC by December 2022. Almost 10 lakh people have already benefitted under the scheme since its launch and Rs 1456 crores have been spent,” she informed. In the first year, the scheme is expected to generate a demand for 43000 additional hospital beds and 5000 more doctors. “The scheme is believed to result in 1.7 crore hospitalizations in the first year. Out of the total spending almost 40 percent or Rs 5260 crore would go to the public sector hospitals and Rs 7250 crore or 60 percent would go to the private sector,” she added. Maharashtra has been operating the biggest public healthcare scheme in India since the year 2012 under which 2.25 crore families have been covered. “Nearly 90 percent of the families with ration card have been covered under the scheme whereby an insurance cover of Rs 1.5 lakh is offered to the families. The government pays an insurance premium of almost Rs 2000 crore in premium. The entitlement under the scheme is based on the colour of ration card,” Dr Sudhakar Shinde,CEO  of Jeevan Dayee Yojana Maharashtra explained. There are three ration card schemes like yellow, orange and white based on their income limit. According to Dr Shinde, almost 22 lakh Indians have been benefitted under the scheme. “For every Rs 100 of amount claimed, nearly Rs 96-97 is disbursed. 90 percent of all the claims are paid within just 10 days of it getting posted on our website,” He added that the scheme has been extended to 2 lakh additional families last year. “UK has a well-developed healthcare ecosystem and has been collaborating with the government of India in the Healthcare space. Realizing the potential of artificial intelligence in the field of healthcare, both the prime ministers of UK and India did have collaborative agreements in the month of April 2018 for best solutions in primary healthcare which are a priority for the government of India,” Mr Crispin Simon, British Deputy High Commissioner Western India, Her Majesty's Trade Commissioner South Asia said. Joy Chakraborty, Chairman- CII WR Healthcare, Pharma and Medtech Conclave and Expo 2019 and Chairman CII WR taskforce on Healthcare emphasized that an unprecedented regulatory framework has been developed in the healthcare sector in the last two years in the country. “Government programs like the Ayushman Bharat would be a game changer with even the underprivileged getting access to quality healthcare. Due to these programs, there would be a demand for at least one million doctors and 2.5 million medical workers by the year 2025,” he added.    Sudarshan Jain, Former MD, Abbott Healthcare and senior Advisor, APAX Partners explains that in India there is too much focus on the cost rather than value driven. “There is too much focus on the affordability. This does not help in creating infrastructure. There are five ‘S’ that is very important to develop the healthcare sector. They are Supply driven model, Stability, Scaling up of operation, Sustainability and Synergy.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12761/point-of-care-testing-market-to-surpass-34b-by-2024-global-market-insights.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12761/point-of-care-testing-market-to-surpass-34b-by-2024-global-market-insights.html Thu, 07 Feb 2019 15:05:00 +0530 As per a recent industry report put forward by Global Market Insights Inc., Point of Care Testing Market is forecast to register its name in the billion-dollar fraternity down the line of seven years, by exceeding a revenue of USD 34.2 billion by 2024 with a projected CAGR of 7.2% over 2018-2024. Increase in number of pathology labs and services equipped with advanced diagnostic equipment in North America will be one of the major factors driving the growth of POC testing market. Healthcare infrastructure development has resulted in the industry growth. Majority of the population staying in developed countries rely on healthcare facilities developed by the public healthcare sector, that will positively impact the industry growth. As per the report, “Molecular diagnostics holds significant role in the field of microbiology. Conventional culture method is not helpful in obtaining timely results. Molecular testing technology allows nucleic acid detection directly through amplification and screening of sample. Real time PCR is used for this purpose. Industry players have been focusing their efforts on developing new point of care molecular diagnostic technologies to deliver faster results with high accuracy and specificity.” “Pregnancy and fertility testing products market held a significant amount of market share in the year 2017 and was valued around USD 2,384.7 million. Factors such as heredity, late child bearing and changing lifestyles are the major risk factors that lead to infertility. Hence, increase in number of infertility cases will significantly contribute to assisted reproductive technology market growth in forthcoming years”, reports elaborates. Solid phase technology market is estimated to witness a growth of 9.2% during the forecast time period. Presence of HIV antibodies will result in a spot or dot with the help of a signal reagent. Such tests have high sensitivity and are designed to aid in the diagnosis of diseases along with the determination of antibody levels, thereby driving the segmental growth. Prescription-based testing market was valued around USD 8,640.0 million in the year 2017. Diagnostic uncertainty escalates the risk of unnecessary antibiotic prescribing hence point of care testing is considered as key to rational prescribing. Issuance of such guidelines favoring use of point of care testing will drive segmental growth over the forecast timeframe. The use of point of care testing devices in nephrology testing is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.4% during the estimation period. Increasing incidence of kidney failure and kidney diseases will stimulate demand for nephrology testing over the forecast period. Rising number of people suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and other risk factors such as smoking leading to kidney diseases will fuel demand for nephrology testing over the forecast timeframe. Germany dominated the Europe POC testing market and was valued around USD 1,717.4 million in the year 2017. In the Federal Republic of Germany, point-of-care systems are increasingly used within hospitals and medical practices. Other medical facilities where point of care testing is widely used includes outpatient nursing care, pharmacies and home visits. Japan POC testing market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.7% over the projection period. As per the statistics published by the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 20,000 people were suffering from HIV and tuberculosis in Japan in the year 2016. Major companies operating in the POC testing market include Abbott, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Johnson and Johnson, Siemens AG, and Abaxis, among others. The company’s major strategy includes launching of technologically advanced new and innovative products.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12757/12500-health-wellness-centres-need-to-be-identified-across-the-country-shripad-naik.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12757/12500-health-wellness-centres-need-to-be-identified-across-the-country-shripad-naik.html Thu, 07 Feb 2019 11:35:00 +0530 The fourth Conference of AYUSH/Health Ministers of States/UTs was inaugurated by the Minister of State for AYUSH (Independent Charge) Shripad Yesso Naik in New Delhi recently. The day long conference was organized by the Ministry of AYUSH to provide an opportunity to States/UT to interact with each other for the development of AYUSH sector. The conference was attended by AYUSH/Health Ministers/Secretaries and officials from 29 States/UTs; senior officials of AYUSH Ministry and representatives of AYUSH organizations. The theme of the conference was to share the views, opinions, difficulties and experiences by the States / UTs in respect of AYUSH and to move forward progressively in promotion of these medical systems. The conference also took stock of where the States and UTs presently stand and how to mainstream AYUSH and also the required actions in this regard. In his inaugural address, the AYUSH Minister said, “States and Union Territories are important partners in the journey of Ministry of AYUSH for promotion of Traditional systems of medicine to all mankind. Public health delivery system has been of highest priority. We look forward to an effective integration in the National progress related to health.” “Financial support is being extended to all States and Union Territories under National AYUSH Mission (NAM) Scheme for up gradation of infrastructure and manpower in the AYUSH institutions. 12500 health and wellness centres need to be identified across the country for rendering AYUSH services to the people at grass-root level with special reference to preventive health care.  Research Councils under Ministry of AYUSH are conducting National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke (NPCDCS) in states. CCRAS is conducting NPCDCS programme in three states, namely Surendra nagar Distt., Gujarat; Bhilwara Distt., Rajasthan and in Gaya, Bihar. Similarly, CCRH is implementing the programme in Darjeeling District in West Bengal and Krishna District in Andhra Pradesh. The results are encouraging and would be scaled up”, he added. On this occasion Rajiv Kumar Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog said, “AYUSH deserves equal recognition and patronage as is enjoyed by the modern system of medicine. He said that the holistic nature of AYUSH systems need to be recognized nurtured and proliferated in the interest of the health of the mankind. Emphasise role of regulatory bodies is critical in maintaining the quality and standards of AYUSH systems and we need to have a robust regulatory system for AYUSH drugs and education. Indian Embassies can also play a role in spreading the message of AYUSH systems and converting it into a universal ‘Jan Andolan’. State health authorities pointed out their problems in implementation of various programmes and schemes of AYUSH and concerned officers of Ministry of AYUSH addressed their issues.  The conference also reviewed the progress made by the States and UTs in the implementation of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the National AYUSH Mission (NAM). An overview regarding the AYUSHMAN Bharat, a flagship initiative of the Government of India to extend healthcare facilities to the people at the grass root level was shared in the conference. It was also apprised that recently the Ministry of AYUSH has been given the responsibility to run 12, 500 health and wellness centres across the country and contribute the preventive health aspects by virtue of AYUSH philosophy in all the health and wellness centres.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12752/tata-medical-centre-partners-with-ihcl-for-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12752/tata-medical-centre-partners-with-ihcl-for-cancer.html Thu, 07 Feb 2019 09:25:00 +0530 The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has partnered with Tata Medicalcentre ahead of World Cancer Day to launch ‘Dil Se Deejiye’, a philanthropic initiative specifically aimed at raising funds for Tata Medical centre, Kolkata. Through this initiative, IHCL will collect a voluntary contribution of INR 100 or more from guests across its hotels. Established to serve all sections of society with 50% of the beds earmarked for the underprivileged, Tata Medical centre, Kolkata is a state-of-the-art centre for cancer research, diagnosis and treatment. Speaking on the initiative, Mr. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IHCL, said, “IHCL is partnering with Tata Medical centre for this noble cause. Tata culture’s ethos is rooted in the spirit of giving back to society and ‘Dil Se Deejiye’ reflects our commitment to support cancer cure in India. A contribution, no matter how small, will go a long way.” Recently, on the occasion of 115 years of The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, the Company raised and donated substantial funds towards the same cause.“East India has the highest number of cancer patients. The statistics of the people waiting for treatment in the region are staggering. Small change for guests is a big change for us. I am grateful to IHCL for partnering on this initiative.” said Geeta Gopalakrishnan, Honorary Director, Donor Relationships, Tata Medical centre. Make a difference to precious lives by contributing INR 100 or more to the Tata Medical centre, Kolkata, over and above your bill on check-out. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12746/tagnos-to-showcase-clinical-logistics-solutions-at-himss19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12746/tagnos-to-showcase-clinical-logistics-solutions-at-himss19.html Wed, 06 Feb 2019 16:25:00 +0530 TAGNOS, innovator of clinical logistics solutions for improved healthcare delivery, will showcase its solutions at HIMSS19 Booth 540 where it will demonstrate how the integration of IoT, artificial intelligence (A.I.) / machine learning and mobile communication improve the functional aspects of healthcare delivery. TAGNOS is the only company that's developed an A.I. application that uses machine learning combined with real-time data capturing capabilities to provide a solution that continually updates and adjusts its operational intelligence. The convergence of real-time IoT data with A.I. / machine learning delivers sustained improvement in OR and ED patient flow, along with enhanced asset and supply management. TAGNOS solutions are proven to reduce operational costs, improve outcomes and optimize capacity. Using mobile information access along with a dashboard and reporting suite, TAGNOS breaks down the barriers that often prevent staff from easily accessing data they need to plan care and make real-time course corrections to better run their hospitals and serve patients every day.   "Data is being collected in a variety of hospital systems today, but is often latent, inaccurate and also not integrated together to derive 'smart' operational and situational insight. TAGNOS solves these challenges with the powerful integration of the internet of things (or IoT), the AI application of machine learning and a mobile communication application, to deliver the tools everyone on the care delivery team needs to Orchestrate Excellence," said Neeraj Bhavani, President and CEO of TAGNOS.   Expanding from its early focus on decreasing patient wait times, today TAGNOS delivers orchestrated workflows for care delivery teams that collect data from real-time locating systems such as RFID tags on patient wristbands, and combines it with data from ADT, EHR, CPOE, surgical scheduling, lab, radiology and other systems hospitals use every day. Harnessing the power of A.I.  / machine learning, the TAGNOS system continually gains knowledge to identify patterns, provide predictive metrics and pinpoint areas for increased efficiency, cost reduction and revenue opportunities over time. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12738/icd-reduces-mortality-amongst-patients-at-risk-of-sca-improve-sca-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12738/icd-reduces-mortality-amongst-patients-at-risk-of-sca-improve-sca-study.html Wed, 06 Feb 2019 10:55:00 +0530 IMPROVE SCA study which is the largest prospective study of patients at risk of SCA in emerging countries with 4,000 study patients from 17 countries including India, has revealed that primary prevention ICD patients at high-risk of SCA and implanted with ICDs had 49% relative risk reduction in mortality, compared to those without ICD implant. Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is an abrupt loss of heart function that might lead to death within minutes. Community based studies in India have shown that Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) constitutes around 10% of total mortality in India. Ventricular arrhythmia is reported to be the leading cause of SCD. The prevalence of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) has been estimated to be 7-10% in urban areas and 3-5% in rural areas. Patients of acute coronary syndromes in India reported to be predominantly male (>70%), relatively younger (mean age of 57 years) with more presence of additional risk factor like hypertension and diabetes compared to those of western countries. The medical community has established guidelines endorsing the use of ICDs in patients who have survived an SCA episode (known as secondary prevention), as well as in those who have not previously experienced, but are at risk of, a life-threatening heart rhythm (known as primary prevention). Despite the burden of SCD, ICDs are underutilized amongst eligible patients in emerging countries like India. Benefit of ICDs for secondary prevention of SCA is well recognized in the emerging countries; however, because they were not included in landmark studies of ICDs for primary prevention, the benefit in these patients is not well quantified. In the IMPROVE SCA study, physician researchers in 17 countries considered four previously documented, additional risk factors of SCA, to determine whether they might predict an increased risk of SCA. These four risk factors include non-sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias; frequent premature ventricular contractions (extra heart beat originating from one of the lower chambers of heart); Left ventricular ejection fraction (a measure of the heart’s pumping capacity) of less than 25 percent; and syncope, also known as fainting. Primary prevention patients with one or more risk factors were termed – “1.5 primary prevention” i.e. at higher risk. The results of the study were presented at the recent Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS) Congress in Taiwan, the largest gathering of physicians in the Asia Pacific region in the field of cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmia management. The results were also presented at Indian Heart Rhythm Society congress held in Jaipur last month.    According to Dr. B. Hygriv Rao, Senior Consultant Cardiologist & Electrophysiologist, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad and one of the principal investigators of the study, “In India, every year approximately 7 lakh individuals die suddenly, and this number is progressively increasing. Many of these individuals are around 60 years of age. It is important for physicians and cardiologists to identify patients who can be protected from sudden cardiac death by ICD therapy. The use of ICD therapy to prevent SCA remains underutilized amongst eligible patients and appropriate prescription of this therapy can save many lives.” According to Dr. Balbir Singh, Chairman Electrophysiology and Pacing, Heart Institute at Medanta, The Medicity, Gurgaon and member of global steering committee representing India, “In relevance to clinical practice in India for SCA patients; not all the patients at high risk of SCA episode receive implant therapy or are well informed about the preventive options. The IMPROVE SCA study for the first time identified a high-risk group prone to sudden cardiac episode and the data confirm the mortality benefits of ICD therapy and aligned with past landmark studies, now with data from regions where prospective evidence on the benefits of ICDs in preventing SCA had previously been limited” The study enrolled 3,889 analysable patients of which 818 patients were from India. Data from the study confirms the mortality benefits of ICD therapy in a primary prevention population and align with past randomized trials.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12735/wipro-establishes-chair-for-ai-at-swinburne-university.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12735/wipro-establishes-chair-for-ai-at-swinburne-university.html Wed, 06 Feb 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Wipro Limited, a leading global information technology, consulting and business process services company, has announced setting up of the Chair for Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia. Professor Ryszard Kowalczyk, currently the Director of Swinburne’s Key Lab for Intelligent Software Systems, and the head of Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Agent Technology research group at Swinburne has been appointed as the Professorial Chair of Artificial Intelligence. Wipro and Swinburne University also plan to establish a joint innovation centre to conduct high-impact, industry-focused research in the areas of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) with specific applications for digital health and smart cities. This partnership between Wipro and Swinburne University of Technology will focus on creating innovations in Artificial Intelligence (AI) that would benefit enterprises in Australia and the ASEAN region. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12730/2-out-of-5-children-lack-healthy-bmi-reveals-the-9th-annual-health-survey-by-edusports.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12730/2-out-of-5-children-lack-healthy-bmi-reveals-the-9th-annual-health-survey-by-edusports.html Tue, 05 Feb 2019 15:45:00 +0530 The latest Annual Health Survey by EduSports’ which was launched 9 years ago to understand the overall health and fitness levels of children in schools revealed that children are displaying alarmingly poor fitness levels all across India. The nationwide study has covered 1,53,441 children in the age groups of 7 years to 17 years from 279 schools across 113 cities and towns in 21 states. The study showed that only 60% of the children had healthy BMI. Although the current data is alarming, there has been a 50% (40 % to 60 % of children having healthy BMI) increase in the number of children with a healthy BMI. There has also been an improvement in the number of children having ideal upper body strength (50 % increase), flexibility (33 % increase) and anaerobic capacity (100 % increase). The survey further shows that only 47 % government school children had a healthy BMI (as compared to 61% for private school children). The percentage of government school children who are underweight is exceedingly high (39 %) as compared to private school children (15%). Despite this, government school children are healthier than the private school children in various fitness parameters such as lower body strength, flexibility, aerobic and anaerobic capacity. Across all regions more than two-third of the children do not have healthy BMI. The northern, western, centraland southern parts of India all have shown close to 40 % of children having poor BMI. The east lags behindwith 51 % children having unhealthy BMI. The survey further showed that girls fared slightly better with 63% of them having healthy BMI as compared to 59 % of the boys. Girls were observed to be fitter than boys in several fitness parameters such as upper body strength, abdominal strength and flexibility. However, the boys outscored the girls in the fitness parameters of lower body strength and aerobic capacity. Although the study shows a cause for concern, it also highlights the ways in which we can rectify the situation. A comparative fitness assessment for all children was done before and after their annual summer break. It was observed that during break, there was a drastic drop in the fitness levels of children across all the parameters. This shows that schools play an important role in helping to keep children healthy. When children lose access to the sports infrastructure and regular sports programs that schools provide, their fitness is negatively impacted. Mr. Saumil Majmudar, CEO and co-founder, EduSports says “Although the high percentage of unhealthy children is alarming, we still have an indication of how we could rectify the situation. The study reinforces the idea that schools, by providing play spaces, act as catalysts for maintaining the fitness of children. In the current context, when there is a lack of safe play-spaces in many cities, schools are the only places where children have the opportunity to play. This also reinforces the need and importance of effectively utilizing andstructuring any available play time in schools so that all the children benefit from the program – and not just the school teams.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12726/picooc-smart-health-scales-launched-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12726/picooc-smart-health-scales-launched-in-india.html Tue, 05 Feb 2019 09:15:00 +0530 Picooc has launched Picooc Mini, a high-precision health monitoring smart weighing scale in India which will be distributed exclusively by Optiemus Infracom Limited. Staying true to its name, Picooc Mini is a compact device, making it easy to store and carry and can also be connected to the user’s smartphone using a Bluetooth connection and processes the measurement data to create health trends. It also offers personalised suggestions on the Picooc Mobile App. The device allows to create unlimited profiles, hence, making it ideal for family use as well.  Using Picooc Mini, users can measure their weight along with 12 additional body vitals including BMI, Body Fat, Muscle Mass, Protein, Bone Mass, Metabolic Age, Visceral Fat Index, BMR, Body Water, Body Type, Skeletal Mass & body girth. In addition to this, it also offers a unique body score that is calculated using the body vitals. The device is provides all this information in the shortest span of just three second, therefore providing the user a holistic view of their health in no time. The device provides professional grade data accuracy using the BIA technology with a metal-less ITO layer that enhances the sensitivity, therefore enabling to track the tiniest changes that occurs in the user’s body. Combining high-precision data recording & big data core algorithm, the device is designed to offer one of the most accurate comprehensive health measurement report making it ideal for health-conscious people who want to keep track of their fitness from the comfort of their home. Picooc Mobile App is available for both Android and iPhone devices. The application shows data that can help the users to set goals towards their desired fitness plan. The app also provides personalized suggestions using the big data core algorithm technology and shares the user’s body score with their friends and family to encourage them in attaining their fitness goals. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12722/cancer-task-force-recommends-guidelines-for-cancer-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12722/cancer-task-force-recommends-guidelines-for-cancer-care.html Tue, 05 Feb 2019 09:00:00 +0530 The Oral Cancer Task Force, an expert committee comprising leading oncologists from all over India, recently presented their recommendations to create guidelines for the management of head and neck cancer. Head and neck cancer, which includes oral cancer, has been a major public health issue in India for several decades. The Convenor of the Task Force and Founder and Managing Trustee of Biocon Foundation, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw said, “Given that a third of oral cancer cases in the world are reported in India, it is a huge opportunity for our country to be at the forefront, both in the areas of policy-making and therapeutic innovation. We should not be restricted to the low end of the spectrum but go beyond, to research in epidemiology, genetics and all that goes with diagnosis and treatment. We should aspire to achieve the best outcomes for head and neck cancer with new discoveries coming out of translational research, technologies and approaches like bio-specific antibodies and checkpoint inhibitors to drive the best possible treatment. Our aim should be to move from cancer care to cancer cure.” Although, there are global guidelines for the management of head and neck cancer, India with its huge head and neck cancer burden has several demographic and genetic peculiarities, which require focus and specific therapeutic guidelines. The Task Force met with the objective of identifying optimal treatment for head and neck cancer, based on existing evidence on best outcomes among Indian patients. Dr. G K Rath, Head, National Cancer Institute, AIIMS, and the Chair of the meeting said, “Every patient has the right to receive ideal and optimal care, and healthcare should be made accessible to all. We should be able to offer both the ideal and optimal approaches to our patients.” This consortium of 24 eminent oncologists, also included Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi and Dr. Kumar Prabhash, from the Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, Dr. K Govind Babu, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bengaluru and, Dr. Munish Gairola and Dr. Manish Singhal from Delhi. Dr. Kumar Prabhash said, “What we follow are Western guidelines. There is a need for developing our own India specific guidelines.”  His colleague from the Tata Memorial Hospital, Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi added, “While addressing India specific needs, there are still many unanswered questions and research should be encouraged. We should pursue those research proposals actively and be at the forefront of research in the global space.” Dr. Govind Babu said: “While arriving at a consensus on the management of head and neck cancer is of utmost importance, it is equally demanding to focus on prevention and early detection. All stakeholders need to participate in spreading awareness and saying no to tobacco,” he said. The Oral Cancer Task Force has laid down recommendations for the management of head and neck cancer. The document will be released soon to help physicians and patients in establishing the best healthcare solutions for head and neck cancer patients in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12717/nearly-50-cancer-patients-are-uninsured-edelweiss-tokio-life-study-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12717/nearly-50-cancer-patients-are-uninsured-edelweiss-tokio-life-study-.html Mon, 04 Feb 2019 15:35:00 +0530 Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance, in partnership with Ipsos Research, conducted a study with 100 oncologists across 15 cities to assess the state of cancer care in India and its impact on the patients. With healthcare expenses touted to rise in coming years, a grim reality has come to the fore as doctors believe almost 50% of cancer patients pay out of their pockets for treatment, an Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance study shows.   A majority of oncologists believe that cancer incidences are likely to increase by almost 25% over the next five years. Breast Cancer is likely to account for a greater proportion of these incidences followed by Lung, Oral, and Cervical Cancers. Commenting on the study, Sumit Rai, MD & CEO, Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance said, “The financial impact of cancer is glaring. While there are advanced treatments available, the staggering cost involved makes it unaffordable for several patients. Through this study, we wish to highlight the economic burden created by cancer care and create awareness that a simple tool like insurance can be your friend during such a challenging time.” Currently, a standard cancer treatment for early and locally advanced stages costs about Rs. 4.5 lakh, and for metastatic stage cancer about Rs. 6.0 lakhs. The financial burden increases sharply if a patient opts for advanced therapy. Across all cancer types, advanced therapy costs about Rs. 10 lakhs for locally advanced stage (stages 2 & 3) and about Rs. 14 lakhs for metastatic stage. “The awareness about insurance for critical illnesses is quite low in India. Despite the escalating medical costs, a large population avails loans or sells their assets to provide for the massive medical expenditures. In fact, 92% doctors believe that a majority of patients discontinue the much-needed treatment due to unaffordability,” Rai added.  While treatment cost increases, survival rates of patients drop as cancer progresses across stages. The study reveals, after a year of diagnosis, survival rate stands at 77% in early stage, lowers to 58% in locally advanced stage (stages 2 & 3), and drops further to 45% in metastatic stage. These findings draw an ugly picture and more people must become cognisant of these facts. Early detection is extremely essential – it not only increases the patient’s chances of surviving at a curable stage, but also significantly reduces the cost of treatment.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12718/92-oncologists-believe-a-majority-of-patients-discontinue-treatment-due-to-unaffordability-shows-edelweiss-tokio-lifes-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12718/92-oncologists-believe-a-majority-of-patients-discontinue-treatment-due-to-unaffordability-shows-edelweiss-tokio-lifes-study.html Mon, 04 Feb 2019 15:35:00 +0530 With healthcare expenses touted to rise in coming years, a grim reality has come to the fore as doctors believe almost 50% of cancer patients pay out of their pockets for treatment, an Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance study shows.   Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance, in partnership with Ipsos Research, conducted a study with 100 oncologists across 15 cities to assess the state of cancer care in India and its impact on the patients. A majority of oncologists believe that cancer incidences are likely to increase by almost 25% over the next five years. Breast Cancer is likely to account for a greater proportion of these incidences followed by Lung, Oral, and Cervical Cancers. Commenting on the study, Sumit Rai, MD & CEO, Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance said, “The financial impact of cancer is glaring. While there are advanced treatments available, the staggering cost involved makes it unaffordable for several patients. Through this study, we wish to highlight the economic burden created by cancer care and create awareness that a simple tool like insurance can be your friend during such a challenging time.” Currently, a standard cancer treatment for early and locally advanced stages costs about Rs. 4.5 lakh, and for metastatic stage cancer about Rs. 6.0 lakhs. The financial burden increases sharply if a patient opts for advanced therapy. Across all cancer types, advanced therapy costs about Rs. 10 lakhs for locally advanced stage (stages 2 & 3) and about Rs. 14 lakhs for metastatic stage. “The awareness about insurance for critical illnesses is quite low in India. Despite the escalating medical costs, a large population avails loans or sells their assets to provide for the massive medical expenditures. In fact, 92% doctors believe that a majority of patients discontinue the much-needed treatment due to unaffordability,” Rai added.  While treatment cost increases, survival rates of patients drop as cancer progresses across stages. The study reveals, after a year of diagnosis, survival rate stands at 77% in early stage, lowers to 58% in locally advanced stage (stages 2 & 3), and drops further to 45% in metastatic stage. These findings draw an ugly picture and more people must become cognisant of these facts. Early detection is extremely essential – it not only increases the patient’s chances of surviving at a curable stage, but also significantly reduces the cost of treatment.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12713/omega-healthcare-increases-awareness-on-multiple-sclerosis-with-mssi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12713/omega-healthcare-increases-awareness-on-multiple-sclerosis-with-mssi.html Mon, 04 Feb 2019 12:50:00 +0530 Omega Healthcare, along with Multiple Sclerosis Society of India, observed the India Multiple Sclerosis Day by flagging-off a bike rally to generate awareness about the degenerative disease on Saturday. Flagging off the rally were V. S. Basvaraju, State Disability Commissioner, Government of Karnataka and Purushothama Reddy, Senior Vice-President-Finance & Head of CSR, Omega Healthcare Management Services Pvt. Ltd.  Around 200 participants from Rotary Club, Rotaractors from Presidency College, committee members of MSSI, MS persons and employees of Omega Healthcare were a part of the bike rally. Similar biker rallies were held across the country by MSSI in Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Indore, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune too. While addressing the gathering V S Basavaraju said, “The government has always been supportive of causes to help increase awareness of many diseases and the treatment. It is important for us to support people who have certain disabilities and ensure they feel more inclusive. We are happy to support MSSI’s Bangalore chapter to help spread the word about Multiple Sclerosis. With corporates such as Omega Healthcare stepping forward to help such noble efforts, I am sure we can collectively make a lot more difference to the society.” Speaking at the event Purushothama Reddy said, “At Omega, we always associate with organizations striving to bring a change within the society. Considering the incredible work done by MSSI we were convinced to associate with them for the cause. On our part, we want to provide all the support we can so that people who are afflicted with MS continue to live a fuller life.” In line with this, Punkaj Gupta, Secretary MSSI-Bangalore Chapter said, “We at MSSI, extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to Omega Healthcare for their commitment and support in helping us spread awareness about Multiple Sclerosis. Surprisingly, public knowledge about MS is very low, though it is prevalent across all sections of the society. There is little information out there about MS and it tends to drive patients underground. We need more partners like Omega Healthcare to help us support the cause.” MS is a chronic neurodegenerative condition that affects different parts of the central nervous system. It is often referred to as the mysterious crippler of the young adult as it generally strikes its victims between the age group of 20 and 40 years. It is a chronic, progressive disease in which even the simplest of everyday tasks can no longer be taken for granted. It impacts the functioning of various parts of the body and can greatly impact a patient's quality of life. There are about 2.3 million people in the world who suffer from the disease. It is estimated that the total no. of MS patients India is close to 180,000 people. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12714/access-health-india-launches-new-bestseller-by-dr-william-a-haseltine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12714/access-health-india-launches-new-bestseller-by-dr-william-a-haseltine.html Mon, 04 Feb 2019 12:45:00 +0530 ACCESS Health International launched a new bestseller authored by Dr. William Haseltine, Chair and President of ACCESS Health International, World Class: A Story of Adversity, Transformation, and Success at NYU Langone Health. The book tells the remarkable story of an underperforming New York City medical center that was transformed into a world class, patient centered institution that now delivers clinical excellence, produces outstanding research, and offers free education to medical students. According to Dr William Haseltine, “The NYU Langone Health case study offers valuable lessons for India in transforming healthcare delivery through systems thinking, innovation in medical education, and leveraging the powers of digital health. It also demonstrates the boundless possibilities of an integrated care model and is an important example of that all healthcare leaders in India and elsewhere can learn from.”  Ten years ago, NYU Langone Health was losing tens of millions of dollars and ranked in the bottom third of academic medical center hospitals for quality and safety. Now, NYU Langone Health is ranked as the number three medical school in the United States, just behind Harvard and Johns Hopkins. NYU Langone Health also moved from the bottom third in national quality and safety rankings to regularly ranking number one or two in the country, all while reducing costs and more than tripling their top line. Addressing the media, Dr. Krishna Reddy, Country Director of ACCESS Health India, said that, “The NYU Langone Health story is in line with the founding principles of ACCESS Health: to study best practices across the world and share them with others to improve health and to create a positive impact in our world. Dr. Haseltine’s latest book follows an earlier book – Every Second Counts – which tells the groundbreaking story of the national ambulance services developed by EMRI in India. Both books have key learnings that are relevant to our healthcare systems here, including the power of digital health to drive efficiencies, to improve quality and patient experience, and to move towards integrated care. As India moves towards Universal Health Coverage through its ambitious Ayushman Bharat scheme across the country, the need for a comprehensive, national digital health system becomes more and more critical, especially in the context of driving safety and quality across delivery system.” ACCESS Health has been part of a recent collaborative effort to address issues at the systems level. ACCESS Health supported donor organizations and international and national researchers on work devoted to universal health coverage, quality of care, preventive and primary care, and digital health.  To this end, ACCESS Health is committed to carry forward its work on various recommendations for health systems improvement in collaboration with other research and implementation partners.  ACCESS Health International will celebrate its twelfth anniversary this year. Over these years the not for profit organization has expanded from a single office in Hyderabad to offices in many of the major cities of the world, including New Delhi, Singapore, Beijing, Shanghai, Manila, Stockholm, and New York. ACCESS Health International, Inc. is a think tank and advisory group with a vision that all people no matter where they live, no matter what their age, have the right to access high quality and affordable healthcare. ACCESS Health partners across sectors in low, middle, and high income countries to drive innovation in healthcare finance, delivery systems, quality and process improvement, training, and business engagement.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12711/max-healthcare-organizes-3rd-annual-patient-safety-conference.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12711/max-healthcare-organizes-3rd-annual-patient-safety-conference.html Mon, 04 Feb 2019 12:25:00 +0530 Max Healthcare, recently organized their 3rd Annual Patient Safety Conference at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The two day conference took place from 1st and 2nd Feb, 2019. Present at the conference was Chief Guest Paula Wilson, President and CEO of Joint Commission Resources & Joint Commission International (JCI); USA. During the conference, Max Healthcare launched a white paper on Patient Safety and Clinical Excellence, which focuses on the key clinical and safety outcomes – showing year-on-year decline in complications, and higher patient satisfaction levels. Notable amongst these were declining hospital acquired infection rates, which are comparable to the outcomes of best institutions in the world. Some of the key personalities from the healthcare industry who were present at the Conference included Dr. Sandeep Budhiraja, Conference Organizing Chairman, Director Max Institute of Internal Medicine, Clinical Director, Max Healthcare, India; Prof. (Dr.) Ruby Pawankar MD, President, APAAACI Dept. of Pediatrics, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan; Dr. Suhas Nafday, Associate Professor of Paediatrics and Director of New born Services and Chair, Neonatal Quality Improvement and Patient Safety, USA & Dr. Sujeet Jha, Director & HOD-Institute of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Max Healthcare. Patient Safety is the absence of preventable harm and the reduction of unnecessary harm to a patient in the process of healthcare. It is important to understand that patient safety and reduction of preventable medical error is one of the major challenges faced by clinicians and healthcare players around the world. According to The World Health Organization, in developed countries, as many as 1 in 10 patients is compromised while receiving hospital care. Of every hundred 100 hospitalized patients, 7 in developed and 10 in developing countries will acquire health care-associated infections. For tertiary hospitals, patient safety should be a top priority. Strong health care teams, driven by SOPs reduce hospital acquired infection rates, put checks and balances in place to prevent mistakes, and ensure strong lines of communication between hospital staff, patients, and families. However, in India, not every hospital, especially in Tier II and III cities, is equipped to contain infections and ensure better patient safety norms. But, if every healthcare provider, consciously makes it a priority to secure the patient from preventable harm, safety levels can definitely improve over a period of time. The two-day conference focused on how a strong focus on Patient Safety while delivering care, surveillance activities, reporting and improving continuously can reduce these risks. Leadership accountability and active staff and patient and family participation ensures continuous focus. Innovation in processes and technology will reduce the risks and incidents of adverse events. At the event, Rajit Mehta, MD and CEO, Max Healthcare, shared, “Max Healthcare is committed to provide its patients with the best-in-class service, clinical expertise and a system managed and enabled by technology, that will address their needs and provide them with the best possible results. Our unflinching focus on Clinical Excellence over the past few years has ensured that the care we provide to our patients is comparable to the best in the world standards. Our robust set of processes and protocols are designed to ensure patient safety at all touch points. On an operational level, this translates into a strong Clinical Governance Framework covering aspects of empathetic patient care, clubbed with high quality medical standards which are uniformly practiced across all our network hospitals. We have also invested in building information technology systems, developing clinical Data and Analytical capabilities; and Research and Quality monitoring tools that layout a superlative quality framework for other hospitals to adopt and follow for better patient safety outcomes.” The Clinical Governance Framework system helps in creating accountability to the organization and continuously improving the quality of their services. This also helps in safeguarding high standards of care by creating an environment in which excellence in clinical care will flourish. Under this framework, 11 committees have been formed which focus on infection control, central mortality, emergency services, Neurosciences forum, clinical ethics, performance improvement and safety, and many more.    Commenting on the occasion, Dr. Sandeep Budhiraja stated, “Healthcare players operate in a ‘High risk’ environment every day. Inherent to the industry, these risks include infections, adverse effects of medications, accidental injury, delay in emergency care, and other environmental risks such as fire, chemicals, and other disasters. The Conference aims to work towards a coordinated and focused movement to not just improve patient safety but to remove the probability of risks completely and attain 100% Patient Safety. We have an organization wide anti-microbial stewardship program that guides our doctors to prescribe the most optimum antibiotics for the patient. Our commitment is to reduce the burden of antibiotic resistance and ensure cost effective and safe antibiotic usage. We are the first organization in the country to use technology to track high risk patients, provide online and ready access to antibiotics and track positive cultures that trigger an alarm of a hospital acquired infection in vulnerable patients.” He added, "Our unique Max Medical Excellence Framework provides us with tools and methods to build one of the best health care systems that protects patients, improves quality, and is generating excellent results. Our patient care teams have worked tirelessly to get us to this level.” As part of the conference, several organizations shared over 9 successful patient safety case studies. These will be open for others to access, learn and implement in their organizations. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12706/hinduja-to-spread-cancer-awarenes-through-the-cancer-is-curable-ride.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12706/hinduja-to-spread-cancer-awarenes-through-the-cancer-is-curable-ride.html Mon, 04 Feb 2019 11:15:00 +0530 Given the increasing incidences of cancer, on the occasion of World Cancer Day which is celebrated on 4th February globally, P.D. Hinduja Hospital & MRC in association with Ride4Cause organized a unique initiative to spread awareness on cancer through ‘The Cancer is Curable Ride’. Following this year’s theme set by the Union of International Cancer Control (UICC) called #IAmAndIWill, approx. 100 bikers rode with very special pillion riders- cancer survivors, to spread hope and a positive message that there is life after cancer. The ride was flagged off at P.D. Hinduja Hospital and continued to Jehangir Art Gallery. Concluding with a special musical performance by Padma Shri Sivamani, the event brought together people from different walks of life to celebrate the spirit of survival. Mr. Joy Chakraborty, COO, P.D. Hinduja Hospital & MRC said “This World Cancer Day, we want to send out strong message that cancer is curable by making the survivors themselves take a step by going on a unique bike ride across Mumbai. With the alarming incidence of cancer in India, it is imperative to spread awareness about the disease. Through this initiative, we want to convey that cancer is not the end of your life and you can fight it, survive it and come out as a winner.” According to Dr. Asha Kapadia, Head, Department of Medicine and Oncology at P. D. Hinduja Hospital & MRC “While the numbers of cancer cases have increased, we are also seeing more awareness and social acceptance of cancer, it is no longer seen as a social stigma. Initiatives like these are important to spread a positive message that there is life after cancer and it can be cured through early detection and treatment.” Cancer is slowly becoming an epidemic and early diagnosis is the best way to aid prevention. One should pay attention to symptoms and get check-ups done regularly. Women, especially over the age of 40, should go for regular screenings for early detection. Avoiding tobacco and alcohol is one of the most important health decisions one can make as a part of cancer prevention. Making changes such as eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise is also an important step towards cancer prevention.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12702/goa-govt-joins-hands-with-sanofi-to-reduce-diabetes-burden.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12702/goa-govt-joins-hands-with-sanofi-to-reduce-diabetes-burden.html Mon, 04 Feb 2019 10:00:00 +0530 Progressive in its approach to holistic healthcare, Directorate of Health Services has announced a 3-year partnership with Sanofi India Limited (SIL), to build awareness of diabetes and its management, for a better quality of life. Through this Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) collaboration, Sanofi India’s team of medical experts and diabetologists will educate and upskill the State department’s healthcare personnel serving the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) cell; and the Medical Officers of the Health and Wellness centers. Alongside, Directorate of Health services will also partner Sanofi India to run its international programme KiDS (Kids and Diabetes in School), to raise awareness of diabetes amongst school children. The public-private partnership between the State of Goa and Sanofi India Limited follows a two-pronged approach. One, where training on diabetes management will be conducted for the staff (doctors, counsellors and ANMs) at the RBSK cell and the Medical Officers of the Health and Wellness centres (as a part of Ayushman Bharat). The other, where education and engagement about diabetes amongst school children (10-15 years old), teachers and parents, will help curtail the overall disease burden on the State. Commenting on the partnership, Vishwajit Pratapsingh Rane, Hon’ble Minister of State for Health, Craftsmen Training, Women and Child Development, Goa said, “Goa’s population is facing diabetes-related issues that are growing at an alarming rate. Immediate action is required to curb this menace, so the State does not face repercussions in the foreseeable future. We look forward to partnering Sanofi in battling various non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heart disorders, which are collectively known to be responsible for over 70% of all deaths, worldwide*.” Rajaram, Managing Director, Sanofi India Limited said, “Diabetes must be addressed both in clinics and hospitals, as well as in classrooms and homes. Through programmes specially designed to achieve sustainable change, Sanofi is committed to working closely with States and policy-makers in their progressive efforts to fight Non- Communicable Diseases (NCD) such as diabetes, heart disorder and cancer. The impact of this 3-year CSR partnership will strengthen our fight against the diabetes epidemic.” RBSK doctors and Medical Officers of Health and Wellness Centres will participate in capacity building workshops which will help them manage NCDs better. They will also be equipped with educational tools for patients. Sanofi will also place awareness posters in the public areas of the Health and Wellness Centers.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12685/medlife-international-acquires-digital-healthcare-platform.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12685/medlife-international-acquires-digital-healthcare-platform.html Thu, 31 Jan 2019 16:45:00 +0530 Medlife International, India’s leading e-pharmacy company with about 30% market share, announced its acquisition of Medlabz, a Mumbai based Digital Healthcare platform and ‘Diagnostics at home’ services company. With this acquisition Medlife will consolidate its diagnostics business by integrating its technology platform and logistics strengths of both companies. Medlife also announced its first state of the art Central Laboratory in Bengaluru. These combined investments are part of Medlife’s plans of offering an enhanced and seamless healthcare experience in diagnostics for Indian customers. Medlife has now become a first of its kind online pharmacy company, providing integrated services catering to all the healthcare needs of the customer - from doctor e-consultations, lab tests, health supplements, to delivery of medicines. The Central Lab is spread over 5,000 sq. ft and is fully automated path lab including Biochemistry, Immunology, Hematology, Clinical Pathology and Cytology. The lab will provide a wide range of services ranging from Digital X Ray, 3D Ultra Sound, 2D Echo, Cardiac tests like ECG and TMT with a capability of processing nearly 10,000 tests in a single shift. With the technology integration from Medlabz, this will empower patients with data insights about their health in easy to understand language and will be madeavailable in their preferred language. Reports can be seen online, via app or WhatsApp. Home sample collection will also be available through in house fleet of medical exerts with real time sample tracking. Medlife which is currently clocking an annualized revenue run rate of Rs. 100 crore per month is expected to double it to Rs. 200 crore by March 2019 and touch Rs. 500 crore by March 2020. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12679/the-stop-tb-partnership-india-health-fund-to-roll-out-new-people-centered-tb-innovations-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12679/the-stop-tb-partnership-india-health-fund-to-roll-out-new-people-centered-tb-innovations-in-india.html Thu, 31 Jan 2019 12:25:00 +0530 The Stop TB Partnership and the Confluence for Health Action and Transformation Foundation (“India Health Fund”) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Geneva. This MOU represents a critical milestone for the tuberculosis (TB) community, as it contributes to accelerating the roll-out of new, people-centered TB innovations in the fight against TB in India and other high burden countries, in support of India’s ambitious commitment to end TB by 2025 and the targets committed to by global leaders at the United Nations High-Level Meeting (UN HLM) on TB. The MOU between the Stop TB Partnership and the India Health Fund will focus on joint advocacy and knowledge sharing to increase access to healthcare for people affected by TB in India and other high burden countries by modernizing how and where TB care services are provided, sourcing and supporting start-ups and small-medium enterprises from India developing new, people-centered TB innovations, and identifying public and private sector donors and investors to support the Stop TB Partnership’s Accelerator for Impact (a4i) and the India Health Fund. “Signing this MOU with the India Health Fund is very promising step in the right direction. There is an unbelievable amount of game-changing solutions coming from India, and the Stop TB Partnership strongly believes that we need to do whatever we can to get these innovations to the people who need them, not only in India but to the world. We also foresee this unique opportunity as a tangible way to strengthen our engagement with the private sector in India to jointly develop creative solutions in the vast TB space, which is in dire need of novel approaches to solve complex problems,” said Dr. Lucica Ditiu, Executive Director of the Stop TB Partnership. Mr. Manoj Kumar, Director, India Health Fund, said, “The vision of a TB-free world by 2030, and India by 2025, is as promising as it is challenging. To achieve this, we simply cannot rely on traditional approaches. We need to think bolder, take risks, and invest in disruptive innovations, that can accelerate TB elimination in a non-linear manner. Solutions that are validated and scaled up in India, have the potential to catalyse elimination of the disease across the world. India Health Fund, which is seeded by the Tata Trusts, aims to aggregate philanthropic capital, and efficiently allocate the pooled funds to the most promising innovations, catalysing their lab-to-market journey. We, at India Health Fund, are delighted to formalise our collaboration with the Stop TB partnership and join hands in this endeavour to leverage the power of innovations in ending TB.” The India Health Fund is a collaborative initiative, seeded by the Tata Trusts, which endeavors to leverage the power of collective impact to eradicate TB in India by 2025. The MOU was signed during the Stop TB Partnership’s 31st Board Meeting, which is taking place from 29-30 January 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12674/pm-inaugurates-state-of-the-art-hospital-in-surat.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12674/pm-inaugurates-state-of-the-art-hospital-in-surat.html Thu, 31 Jan 2019 11:00:00 +0530 The Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated state-of-the-art super specialty Rasilaben Sevantilal Shah Venus hospital in Surat. He expressed happiness that this hospital will also serve the people under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme.  Addressing a public gathering, PM said that his government is working for a healthy India. He mentioned, “The pro-poor steps taken by the government. He said that initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyaan and Mission Indradhanush played a vital role in the decline in the mortality rate.” In a befitting reply to those who made a mockery of PM’s announcement of Swachta Abhiyan from the Red Fort, he said that today due to extensive sanitation drive, 97% population has access to clean toilets now. “Ayushman Bharat Scheme will create an entirely new ecosystem which helps to create healthier India. The scheme will boost set up of new hospitals in tier 2-3 cities, which also increases job opportunities in the healthcare sector, he added. More number of generic medicines are now available for the people which will not only reduce the cost of health care but also save many precious lives”, he added. PM also emphasized the importance of preventive health care and said the world has recognized the role of Yoga for wellness.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12672/nippon-foundation-launches-global-appeal-2019-for-leprosy-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12672/nippon-foundation-launches-global-appeal-2019-for-leprosy-patients.html Thu, 31 Jan 2019 10:15:00 +0530 Continuing its practice of bringing together different stakeholders to speak up against the baseless stigma and discrimination that is faced by persons affected by Leprosy, The Nippon Foundation in collaboration with Sasakawa-India Leprosy Foundation (S-ILF) recently organised their annual event Global Appeal 2019 in New Delhi. The International Chamber of Commerce has endorsed this year’s global appeal.   The appeal was read in the presence of the Hon’ble Minister of Law and  Technology, Ravi Shankar Prasad and John Denton, Secretary General, International Chamber of Commerce. It aims at bringing international attention to the stigma and unjust treatment that still affects those affected by this fully curable disease. The major step in fighting stigma and discrimination is awareness and scientific knowledge. The launch of the Appeal in India further highlights the essence of the landmark Supreme Court Judgement of 14th September 2018 which exhorted the government to act on ending stigma against persons affected by leprosy by both more effective medical outreach and proactive initiatives for their social and economic integration. At a ‘Dialogue on Leprosy’, held as part of the Global Appeal 2019, discussion was focussed on Hon’ble Justice Misra’s historic verdict on Leprosy and the way forward. The event saw presence of important stakeholder groups including Persons affected by Leprosy, Representatives from WHO, Representatives from Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Representatives from Ministry of Social Justice, TNF Members, NGOs and CII Members. The participation and coming together of different stakeholders to work together to further the recent commendable efforts made by the Ministries of Health, Social Justice and Law, was an important outcome of the Dialogue and will lead to significant changes in the social perception of leprosy and those affected by it. Calling for a Global Appeal and the need for a country wide program of awareness building, Yohei Sasakawa said: “We are indeed proud of our annual initiative of Global Appeal, which has not only been able to make a difference to the lives of people affected by leprosy but also attracted the attention of respectable organisations such as the International Chamber of Commerce. I hope that all stakeholders present today, including the Media, will support us to win the war against leprosy. This will require a call to action to raise awareness in society by providing correct information about leprosy, including that it is a curable disease with free treatment available and that discrimination is unjustifiable.” Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman Nippon Foundation, is also the Goodwill Ambassador of the World Health Organization for Leprosy Elimination. He has recently been awarded The Gandhi Peace Prize 2018, in recognition of his work towards the eradication of the disease in India and across the world. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12671/genetic-testing-critical-during-family-planning.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12671/genetic-testing-critical-during-family-planning.html Thu, 31 Jan 2019 10:10:00 +0530 MedGenome Labs, a genomics and clinical data driven diagnostics and drug discovery research company organized an education workshop in Bengaluru recently highlighting the importance of carrier screening before marriage. The workshop had sessions by Dr. VL Ramprasad, Chief Operating Officer, MedGenome Labs, Dr. Priya Kadam, Program Director, Non-invasive prenatal testing and Dr. Sheetal Sharda, Consultant Clinical Geneticist. The workshop highlighted the importance and relevance of carrier genetic testing for couples in India. Emphasizing on the existing health risks due to genetic disorders, Dr. Sheetal Sharda, Consultant Clinical Geneticist, said “In India, the frequency of genetic disorders is very high compared to other countries. Due to the large population, high birth rate and the prevalence of consanguineous marriage among certain communities, it is estimated that over 70 million people are affected with rare diseases in the country namely Hemophilia, Thalassemia, Sickle cell anemia, muscular dystrophy etc. The problem is that a couple, may not even be aware that they are carriers until a child with the disorder is born and then it is too late. The incidence of certain lethal and high morbid disorders can be controlled if couples undertake a carrier genetic test to study their genes before they plan pregnancy and discuss the reproductive options available to prevent the disorder in their child.” Highlighting the importance of genetic testing in clinical practice, Dr. VL Ramprasad, COO, MedGenome Labs said, Genetic testing is rapidly becoming an integral part of medical practice as it adds a significant value to clinical management of patients with genetic diseases.” The national policy of rare diseases clearly acknowledges that over 80 percent of rare disease patients are affected by approximately 350 rare diseases. Experts and researchers all across the world are working to study our genes better and to make genetic assessment simpler especially in the area of reproductive health. As a result of the same, one of the latest screening tests formulated is a non-invasive prenatal test. It is a next generation technique that analyses the genetic health of an unborn child through a simple blood draw of an expecting mother. Realizing its importance and benefit, currently over many hospitals have mainstreamed this test into their day-to-day proceedings. “Most of the chromosomal/genetic disorders come with a huge financial and emotional cost. A carrier screening or a prenatal test provides an opportunity to couples to be able to make an informed reproductive choice based on the prenatal genetic screening/diagnosis of their unborn child.  It also provides timely diagnosis of genetic disorder and allows interventions that can substantially improve the quality of life.” says Dr. Priya Kadam, Director- NIPT, MedGenome Labs. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12669/vikram-hospital-launches-home-care-service-for-cancer-patients-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12669/vikram-hospital-launches-home-care-service-for-cancer-patients-.html Wed, 30 Jan 2019 17:55:00 +0530 Vikram Hospital (Bengaluru) has announced the launch of its best-in-class ‘Home Care Service’ for cancer patients to tackle the increasing cases of cancer in Bengaluru. The service will be available only in Bengaluru for now and will expand to other cities of Karnataka depending upon the demand. Latest figures available with Population Based Cancer Registry of Indian Council of Medical Research states that, Bengaluru has the highest number of cases of Cancer in India with 113 males and 139 female cancer patients per 100,000 population. Dr. Somesh Mittal, Managing Director & CEO, Vikram Hospital (Bengaluru) said, “We strive for excellence in best possible service to patients with the highest regards to quality, patient safety and patient satisfaction. Our ‘Home Care Service’ in Oncology will include treatment of cancer patients including advanced cancers, basic intravenous drugs, safer chemotherapy, pain and palliative care, post chemotherapy care, post radiotherapy and postoperative care. Our team comprising primary care doctor, nurse and attendants will be equipped with basic medical equipment like bedside monitors, ECG machine Blood Pressure instruments, Pulse oximetry, IV Stands, Home Oxygen Concentrators, etc. at all the time and their charges will be based only on usage.” Commenting on the demand for Home Care Service Dr. Somesh Mittal further added, “The demand for Oncology home care is huge as there is a large subset of patients on home palliative care who need pain management, supportive care and medical review from time to time, but cannot travel to hospital as arranging ambulance, etc. takes a lot of time and resources. However, patients prefer to be connected to the primary treating team always because of trust, empathy and compassion and hence we have included Home Care Service in Oncology.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12667/fortis-hospital-to-be-awarded-with-pharmacie-de-qualite-certification.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12667/fortis-hospital-to-be-awarded-with-pharmacie-de-qualite-certification.html Wed, 30 Jan 2019 15:20:00 +0530 Fortis Hospitals, Bannerghatta Road has been awarded with ‘Pharmacie De Qualite (Platinum) Certification’ for the best practices and excellence in maintaining in-house pharmacy operations. Fortis Hospital is the first hospital in Bangalore and second in Karnataka to receive this accreditation. The Pharmacie De Qualite’ certification is based on WHO’s definition of Good Pharmacy Practices as well as the International Federation of Pharmacists, which highlights best practices of pharmacy, optimal services and evidence based care to patients. It recognises hospital pharmacy management, contribution towards improving effectiveness of health-care system and public health, maintaining and improving professional performance and providing effective medication therapy management. Dr Manish Mattoo-Zonal Director, Fortis Hospital, Bangalore, said, “Monitoring and maintaining an in-house pharmacy at the hospital is a huge responsibility. Availability of best drugs at the required time needs continuous monitoring to match it with the patient walk-ins. To keep the standards high, we ensure that we provide the best care to our patients and observe global standards in quality care for pharmacies. We are glad that we have been certified with ‘Pharmacie De Qualite Certification’, we look forward to deliver optimal clinical care and excellence.” The hospital pharmacists are responsible for monitoring the supply of all medicines used in the hospital and are in charge of purchasing, manufacturing, dispensing and quality testing their medication stock along with help from pharmacy assistants and pharmacy technicians.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12658/gleneagles-global-hospitals-completes-200-liver-transplants.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12658/gleneagles-global-hospitals-completes-200-liver-transplants.html Wed, 30 Jan 2019 09:00:00 +0530 BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital is currently host to the busiest transplant program in Karnataka with 200 successful Liver transplants in 9 years. They currently average 2-3 liver transplants a month. Since inception, the team has also managed the most number of multi-organ transplants in Karnataka including 8 Liver-Kidney and 9 Kidney-Pancreas transplants. BGS Gleneagles Global Hospitals has an experienced team performing a high number of living donor Liver Transplants. In 2018, the team of doctors performed 29 transplants, including 14 living donor liver transplants, with a success rate of over 93%. Commenting on the milestone, Dr Sanjay Govil, Senior Consultant and Head, Department of HPB Surgery and Liver Transplantation, BGS Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Bengaluru said, “The transplant programme at Gleneagles Global Hospitals is the longest running liver transplant program in Karnataka. This has been possible because organ transplantation has been a core focus of this hospital group. Over the years, we have built our team and expertise in multi organ transplantations in order to serve this category of patients better. Being a community centric hospital, this program is predominantly for patients from Karnataka. From the onset, we have collaborated with Jeevasarthakathe to raise awareness on cadaver donations. Our transplant program is one of the few that has a healthy balance of living donors and cadaveric donors. We have worked tirelessly to reduce costs for low risk patients and help others raise funds to finance their transplants.” Dr Sanjay Govil leads a team of doctors with extensive experience in managing liver diseases and transplants. The team includes Dr Suresh Raghavaiah, Consultant, HPB & Multi Organ Transplantation, Dr Jayanth Reddy, Consultant, Multi Organ Transplants and Dr Sandeep Satsangi, Consultant, Hepatologist and Liver Transplantation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12659/advanced-art-tech-can-reduce-repeated-ivf-failure.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12659/advanced-art-tech-can-reduce-repeated-ivf-failure.html Wed, 30 Jan 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Infertility is a growing concern around the world. India has nearly 10-12% of married couples who suffer from the inability to conceive naturally. Among them, only 1% of couples have turned to IVF (in - vitro fertilization) or other infertility treatments for pregnancy. However the uptake of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) for conceiving is on the rise. In the 40 years since the world’s first IVF baby was born, over 8 million IVF babies have been born worldwide. Dr. Parul Katiyar, Fertility Consultant at Nova IVI Fertility, Delhi said “IVF is usually opted by couples who even after trying for several years are unable to conceive naturally. Often fertility treatments are recommended to patients having blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, male factor infertility, which also includes decreased sperm count or sperm motility, women with ovulation disorders or who have had their fallopian tubes removed, premature ovarian failure, uterine fibroids, unexplained infertility, etc. The treatment modalities for two patients are never the same, as each patient faces a different fertility issue. One patient may conceive undergoing a simpler treatment like medication or IUI (intrauterine insemination), while other may require multiple cycles of IVF or ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection). Thus, it is very important to understand the reason of infertility for better treatment.” “With the increasing trend in personalised medicine and healthcare services, IVF has witnessed a growing need for individualised protocols such as personalised embryo transfer (pET) and individualised ovarian stimulation to optimise treatment. ART has developed with multiple solutions to aid in finding a suitable treatment alternative for every infertile couple. Technologies like blastocyst culture, Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting (MACS) and reproductive genetics like Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS), Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD), and Endometrial Receptivity Array (ERA) have helped to increase the success rate of IVF by significant percentages,” said Dr. Parul. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12642/3hcare-marks-offline-presence-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12642/3hcare-marks-offline-presence-in-india.html Tue, 29 Jan 2019 10:15:00 +0530 3hcare.in, a leading healthcare portal, recently announced its expansion of offline footprints throughout tier 3 & 4 cities by opening their labs in Jhajjhar and Kosi. The online portal is aggressively ramping up its activities in other locations in Haryana and Western UP and plans to expand PAN India by 2020.  The pathology labs will operate under the name ‘3Hcare Labs’ which assures same day delivery of reports and free home sample collection to all the neighboring customers. To assure quality services the lab is already undergoing ISO certification and will soon be receiving NABL accreditation. “There is a gigantic gap between the availability and the demand for pathological labs in small villages and towns which is promising potential for growth. With the recent launch of our labs in Kosi and Jhajjar, many local residents have been benefitted. To cater to quality services, 3Hcare Labs offers better and consumer-friendly services like home sample collection and timely reports. With a tremendous rise in population, an upsurge in chronic ailments, insufficient availability of diagnostic centers and demand for accurate and timely medical care, 3Hcare Labs aims to provide the best quality pathology services here.” Says CA (Dr) Ruchi Gupta, Founder & CEO, 3hcare.in  Due to the absence of qualitative certification and entry barriers, local diagnostics in tier 3 &4 cities are thriving with only sample collection centers and the patients have to travel to the nearby metro cities even for basic pathology tests. In such a scenario, 3hcare labs (which is well established as 3hcare.in in the online segment) has a greater scope for penetration and a stronghold in these villages and towns in the offline segment as well.  Delhi-based 3Hcare.in is one of the leading healthcare portal in India rendering services such as diagnostics and plan my surgery with over PAN India reach.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12639/a-study-reveals-that-heartfulness-meditation-keeps-the-heart-healthy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12639/a-study-reveals-that-heartfulness-meditation-keeps-the-heart-healthy.html Mon, 28 Jan 2019 17:00:00 +0530 Heartfulness Practices are a set of yogic meditative practices having a positive effect on heart rate variability, blood pressure and heart rate. This was the conclusion of this first of its kind study conducted by the National Resource Centre for Value Education in Engineering (NRCVEE) at IIT Delhi, and the Department of Non-Invasive Cardiology, Max Super Specialty Hospital, Saket, New Delhi. The data pointed towards the fact that there was a significant effect of the Heartfulness practices of Cleaning and Meditation on the heart rate, blood pressure and heart rate variability, which is an indicator of cardiovascular as well as overall health.  The authors concluded that a 30-minute session of Heartfulness Meditation and Cleaning produces significant modulation of the autonomic nervous system towards parasympathetic dominance, so as to favourably moderate basic vital parameters. The results also indicate that these practices helped improve the feeling of overall happiness and well-being following the Meditation sessions, without being demanding (See Figure 1). The findings of the study have been published in the Indian Heart Journal, the official journal of the Cardiological Society of India (Indian Heart Journal 70 (2018) S50–S55). The study was authored by Narendra Kumar Arya, Kamlesh Singh and Anushree Malik, from the NRCVEE, and Rahul Mehrotra, Head, Department of Non-Invasive Cardiology, Max Super Specialty Hospital, Saket, New Delhi. Commenting on the study, Kamlesh D Patel (Daaji), the Heartfulness Guide, said, “While meditation is now readily recognized as a practical, safe and effective tool to reduce stress and manage health, this research is the first attempt to study Heartfulness practices and their effect on cardiovascular measures. Several studies have shown the beneficial effects of Heartfulness Meditation on physical health, psychological health, emotional intelligence, and sleep etc., but there was a gap in the literature on studies pertaining to the impact of the Heartfulness practices of Cleaning and Meditation on heart rate variability. This study is the first step to filling this vital gap.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12636/aster-cmi-doctors-rescue-25-day-old-baby-from-rare-flesh-eating-infection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12636/aster-cmi-doctors-rescue-25-day-old-baby-from-rare-flesh-eating-infection.html Mon, 28 Jan 2019 16:30:00 +0530 Being eaten to death, less than a month - old new born who had been infected by a superbug recently, was saved by the combined effort of the doctors at Aster CMI Hospital and active intervention by a Good Samaritan. Baby girl was suffering from a rare life threatening infection of the skin, Necrotising Fasciitis, also known as flesh eating disease with a high mortality rate. Team of doctores included Dr Sudheer KA, consultant neonatologist, Dr Madhusudan G, lead consultant plastic surgeon, Dr Chetan Ginigeri, consultant PICU and Dr Shilpa V, senior specialist at department of paediatrics ensured the child’s survival. The baby will now be able to lead a normal life, thanks to the effectiveness of the medical procedures deployed in treatment. Within five days of her birth, Rekha was noticed to have pus filled vesicles on skin over the right chest wall. Although she was administered with injectable antibiotics at a hospital in Jharkhand, the child’s condition continued to worsen with superficial infection eating away her skin and muscles underneath. The infection spilled into her bloodstream causing high grade fever, poor feeding and respiratory distress, making her vulnerable to death and leaving the parents helpless. The case involved necrotising fasciitis of the right antero-lateral chest wall followed neonatal pustulosis, a group of disorders characterized by various forms of highly inflammatory skin condition resulting in large fluid-filled blister like areas seen in first four weeks of life. The child had an innocuous looking superficial skin infection manifesting as small pus filled boils which then eroded into the skin and underlying fascia and muscle to cause local destruction of tissues. The bug commonly known as MRSA - Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus Aureus is a very potent bacteria which can cause life threatening infections. The child was managed with appropriate antibiotics, wound debridement with vacuum assisted closure (VAC) and skin grafting. Dr Sudheer K A said, “After the initial assessment, we realised that the child was in a complicated condition. She was severely septic and the chest was being rapidly eaten away leaving a gaping defect over the skin which would definitely leave a scar. We had to quickly address three issues – control blood stream infection, debride and remove dead skin and flesh thereby controlling the source, and optimise wound care so that the baby girl did not have a gaping defect and scar over her chest wall.” The child was given appropriate antibiotics after culture reports revealed presence of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (MRSA) – a superbug which can cause life threatening infections. Dr Madhusudan G said, “We adopted a unique method of debridement followed by Vacuum Assisted Closure (VAC) for wound care. VAC dressing is an evolving mode of treatment in new-borns for necrotising fasciitis and other major wounds including post cardiac and abdominal surgical wounds. It has been proven to be safe in neonates with birth weight as low as 650 grams. Vacuum assisted dressing over the wound bed allows the arterioles to dilate, increasing the effectiveness of local circulation, promoting angiogenesis, which assists in the proliferation of granulation tissue and enhancing wound healing. Patients on VAC were seen to have early granulation and rapid wound healing compared to saline gauze dressing”. Dr Shilpa V said, “Following the surgery, we advised the parents to moisturise the wound site twice daily with cream and gentle massaging of the same for the next four to six months. The girl will go on to live a normal life with minimal or no scaring to show for the turbulence she went through.” Dr Chetan Ginigeri said, “As her parents were from financially less privileged background, we made use of crowd funding platform  to raise Rs 7 lakh for this complex procedure and overall care. Left to themselves, the family would have continued treatment locally and the child would have succumbed to the deadly infection. The initiative by a friend, doctors and hospitals taking the ownership of medical, social and financial care made the treatment successful.” After 14 days of IV antibiotics and negative pressure treatment, the baby was taken up for split skin grafting on the 26th day of her life (graft site: right thigh). She was monitored in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) for 24 hours post operatively and was then shifted to her mother’s side. The grafting was completely taken up at the wound site and epithelialisation, the process of covering wound with epithelial tissue was noted at the wound site and the graft site. The baby was discharged on the 10th post-operative day.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12633/aetna-anthem-hcsc-pnc-bank-ibm-to-collaborate-for-establishment-of-blockchain-technology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12633/aetna-anthem-hcsc-pnc-bank-ibm-to-collaborate-for-establishment-of-blockchain-technology.html Mon, 28 Jan 2019 16:10:00 +0530 Aetna, Anthem, Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), PNC Bank and IBM has announced a new collaboration to design and create a network using blockchain technology to improve transparency and interoperability in the healthcare industry. The aim is to create an inclusive blockchain network that can benefit multiple members of the healthcare ecosystem in a highly secure, shared environment. The goal is to allow the blockchain network to enable healthcare companies to build, share and deploy solutions that drive digital transformation in the industry. Despite major initiatives to digitize healthcare information, major improvements in transparency and interoperability among various groups in the healthcare system are still necessary. By reducing administrative errors and friction through the application of blockchain technology, healthcare information could be exchanged more efficiently. These improvements, once realized could help enhance patient care and reduce unnecessary costs. The collaboration members intend to use blockchain to address a range of industry challenges, including promoting efficient claims and payment processing, to enable secure and frictionless healthcare information exchanges, and to maintain current and accurate provider directories. "We are committed to improving the healthcare consumer experience and making our healthcare system work more effectively," said Claus Jensen, chief technology officer at Aetna, a CVS Health business. "Through the application of blockchain technology, we'll work to improve data accuracy for providers, regulators, and other stakeholders, and give our members more control over their own data." "At Anthem, we recognize the importance of driving change that will simplify the healthcare system for all Americans," said Rajeev Ronanki, Chief Digital Officer of Anthem, Inc. "We view Blockchain as an enabler for establishing trust. Timely access to medical information has been a stumbling block for creating a seamless consumer experience. With a trusted foundation based on transparency and cryptography, we will provide a faster, safer and more secure way to exchange medical information to transform the consumer healthcare experience." "HCSC is continuously exploring how technology and data can improve the lives of our members by reducing fragmentation of information and connecting parts of the health care system," said Steve Betts, senior vice president and chief information officer, HCSC. "We are proud to be part of this collaboration focused on enhancing technical knowledge, understanding capabilities and unlocking the possibilities to drive quality, affordable care." "Blockchain's unique attributes make it suitable for large networks of members to quickly exchange sensitive data in a permissioned, controlled, and transparent way," said Lori Steele, general manager for Healthcare and Life Sciences for IBM. "The fact that these major healthcare players have come together to collaborate indicates the value they see in working together to explore new models that we think could drive more efficiency in the healthcare system and ultimately improve the patient experience." "This collaboration will enable healthcare-related data and business transactions to occur in way that addresses market demands for transparency and security, while making it easier for the patient, payer and provider to handle payments" said Chris Ward, head of product, PNC Treasury Management. "Using this technology, we can remove friction, duplication, and administrative costs that continue to plague the industry." Aetna, Anthem, HCSC, PNC Bank, and IBM are actively working to further define the initial use cases for the health utility network. The collaboration will add additional members to the network in the coming months including other health organizations, healthcare providers, startups, and technology companies. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12622/india-to-host-preparatory-meeting-for-strengthening-health-systems.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12622/india-to-host-preparatory-meeting-for-strengthening-health-systems.html Mon, 28 Jan 2019 11:40:00 +0530 The Government of India had previously announced that it would host the Global Fund's Preparatory Meeting of the Sixth Replenishment in February 2019, an important milestone to mobilize funds aimed at accelerating the end of AIDS, TB and malaria as epidemics and building stronger health systems. The Preparatory Meeting will be held in New Delhi on 8 February 2019, and will provide partners with key information on the impact to be achieved and the financial resources needed to end the epidemics by 2030 in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals. The meeting is also a forum for representatives of governments, civil society, the private sector, multilateral agencies and communities affected by the diseases to share views on how to achieve the global goals through increased investment, innovation and a sharper focus on results. The Global Fund’s Sixth Replenishment will be held eight months after the preparatory meeting in New Delhi, on 10 October 2019, hosted by President Emmanuel Macron in Lyons, France. The meeting will raise funds for the period 2020 to 2022. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12615/kokilaben-dhirubhai-ambani-hospital-celebrates-its-decade-of-distinction-in-mumbai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12615/kokilaben-dhirubhai-ambani-hospital-celebrates-its-decade-of-distinction-in-mumbai.html Fri, 25 Jan 2019 17:15:00 +0530 One of India’s top Multispecialty Healthcare Institutes, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital (KDAH) and Medical Research Institute, today celebrated 10 years of its commitment to redefining healthcare services in India. Chairperson, Ms Tina Ambani and acclaimed actor Shri Amitabh Bachchan graced the occasion with their presence. Commenting on the ten year journey of KDAH, Tina Ambani, Chairperson said, “In the past 10 years, we have committed ourselves to transforming healthcare in India by making it more accessible and building awareness to make people more proactive, rather than reactive about their health; employing the best technology and treatment protocols in the world; and striving to create an ecosystem of inclusion by working together with other likeminded organisations. On this milestone, we reiterate our determination to extend our embrace of care and compassion, strive harder and aim higher to give Indians the healthcare they truly deserve.” Furthering their commitment to healthcare in the country, opening of two new hospitals in Indore and Raipur by 2020 was announced. As part of the initiative to open 18 Cancer Care Centres across Maharashtra two Centres in Akola and Gondia have already been launched with a third in Solapur, ready to open by March. Clinics and Telemedicine Centres in Surat and Rajkot are active since 2016. Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Medical Research Institute is in dialogue with Boston Children’s Hospital, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center & National Cancer Institute, USA for Clinical Research in Paediatric Cardiac Sciences and Cancer. Taking the cause of Medical Research ahead in the country, the Institute has conducted over 112 Research Projects, 22 International Multi-centric Drug Trials and published 138 Research Papers in International Research Journals. The institute is among the leaders in the world in research on Wilson Disease, having identified genetic mutations specific to Indian patients with Wilson’s disease. Dr. Ram Narain, Executive Director, said, “Medical Excellence and Research have been our focus through the last decade of distinction at Kokilaben Hospital. In the coming years, we will strive to raise the bar in terms of Clinical Excellence, launch new programmes to further bridge gaps and engage in path breaking research that benefits the country at large.” In the field of Academics, the hospital offers a Masters in Emergency Medicine (MEM) program with George Washington University, USA. Kokilaben also started the first Varian Clinical School for Stereotactic. Radiotherapy in Asia and the da Vinci Epicentre for Robotic UroOncology to train UroOncologists from the SAARC Region. A healthcare landmark in India, the Hospital sees 265000 Outpatient cases and has 40000 plus inpatient Admissions every year with over 20% of patients coming from the rest of India. Over 7000 Children Heart Surgeries have been done with 60% of these being in babies less than 30 days old. With a success rate of 97% the outcomes are at par with Boston Children’s Heart Hospital, USA. Having done more than 600 Robotic Surgeries in 2018, we run the largest programme in the country. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12608/medidata-joins-the-world-economic-forum.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12608/medidata-joins-the-world-economic-forum.html Fri, 25 Jan 2019 16:00:00 +0530 Medidata has announced that it has entered into a three-year strategic collaboration with the World Economic Forum. The company becomes a Partner Member Associate and will participate in the WEF System Initiative focused on Shaping the Future of Health and Healthcare. The initiative has a goal of transforming the continuum of care – from prevention to diagnosis, treatment, cure and maintenance of health – to enable people to lead healthier lives and access the care they need. It will initially focus on Europe, the Middle East and Africa, with plans to expand to North America and Asia Pacific. Medidata will work with WEF and its partners to create new business models that put the needs and health outcomes of patients at the forefront. The approach is based upon adopting a globalized use for high-touch, data-enabled delivery systems that are integrated across the continuum of care. The Healthcare Initiative has set a roadmap for the public and private sectors to work together in delivery of primary care through universal health coverage. It is already engaged in understanding how precision medicine, for example, can become a tool for inclusive healthcare delivery. “Medidata is proud to bring to this initiative our deep expertise in life science technology, data and analytics to shape a new approach to driving better outcomes for patients,” said Christian Hebenstreit, general manager and senior vice president, Medidata EMEA. “WEF and Medidata are aligned in the common goal of transforming the future of global healthcare. We’re excited to collaborate with healthcare organizations, regulators and influencers in this important cause,” commented Tarek Sherif, chairman and CEO, Medidata. “The World Economic Forum’s System Initiative on Shaping the Future of Health and Healthcare brings together governments, civil society and leading companies to help deliver affordable and quality healthcare for nearly 9.7 billion people by 2050,” said Vanessa Candeias, Head, Shaping the Future of Health and Healthcare, Member of the Executive Committee. “We welcome Medidata as a new Forum Member Advisor, and are looking forward to engaging them with our community and platform for public and private cooperation.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12609/eliminate-leprosy-related-discrimination-who.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12609/eliminate-leprosy-related-discrimination-who.html Fri, 25 Jan 2019 16:00:00 +0530 Leprosy-related discrimination, stigma and prejudice are the most powerful barriers to ending leprosy for good, especially given the disease is 100% curable when detected early. Though the number of leprosy cases has steadily declined worldwide, an estimated 200 000 cases continue to be reported every year, with India accounting for more than half. Significant numbers are detected elsewhere in the WHO South-East Asia Region, Brazil, sub-Saharan Africa and the Pacific. Though leprosy is often equated with serious deformity and disability, the percentage of patients that present with these symptoms is down to 6%, demonstrating the disease is being diagnosed earlier than ever. More than that, however, it demonstrates that leprosy needn’t cause the disability and deformity that fuels leprosy-related discrimination, stigma and prejudice. As core public health interventions such as active case-finding, improved treatment regimens and strengthened surveillance continue to drive-down leprosy’s incidence and spread, the disease’s bio-social components must be brought to the fore. As outlined in WHO’s Global Leprosy Strategy 2016-2020, policies that promote inclusion and aim at ending leprosy-related discrimination, stigma and prejudice should be front and centre of all leprosy programmes, both as goods in themselves as well as powerful tools to achieve a leprosy-free Region and world. First among them is empowering people with leprosy to be agents of social change. This could include training them in advocacy and social mobilization to enhance community buy-in and secure high-level support and funding for leprosy programmes. It could also include helping them form psycho-social support networks to reduce emotional and economic distress, thereby promoting the active participation of persons affected by leprosy in society more generally. Second is the need to promote access to purpose-built social and financial support for persons affected by leprosy. While the inclusion of leprosy-affected persons in vocational training is already underway in most endemic countries, these programmes should be expanded wherever possible. As part of this, clear information on how they can be accessed should be made available to every eligible person, thereby ensuring no one is left behind. And finally, the human rights of persons affected by leprosy must be prioritized. Notably, in recent years India, along with other countries in the Region and beyond, has repealed legislation that discriminates against persons affected by leprosy: In 2016, for example, it repealed the draconian colonial-era Lepers Act, while earlier this month it repealed a law allowing leprosy as legitimate grounds for divorce. Both initiatives are to be commended. WHO remains committed to providing Member States the normative and material support needed to chart bold progress and congratulates WHO Goodwill Ambassador and chairman of the Nippon Foundation Yohei Sasakawa on being awarded the 2018 International Gandhi Peace Prize for his contribution to ending leprosy in India and across the world. On World Leprosy Day we must renew our focus on accelerating towards a leprosy-free world and ensuring the disease is no longer a source of shame and anxiety, stigma and prejudice, but is rather a challenge all of us can unite around to overcome. That opportunity must be grasped, and a leprosy-free world secured for all. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12606/apollo-inaugurates-south-east-asias-first-proton-cancer-centre-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12606/apollo-inaugurates-south-east-asias-first-proton-cancer-centre-.html Fri, 25 Jan 2019 13:15:00 +0530 India's first multi-speciality chain of hospitals, has opened the Apollo Proton Cancer Centre (APCC), giving cancer patients access to a specialised form of radiotherapy that is extremely precise in destroying cancer cells. The Apollo Proton Cancer Centre was inaugurated in Chennai by the Hon'ble Vice President of India, Shri Venkaiah Naidu. Opening a new frontier in cancer care, the 150-bed APCC is an integrated cancer hospital in Chennai providing world-class 360o comprehensive cancer care and offers the most advanced site/organ-specific personalized treatment procedures. The APCC will offer patients advanced multi-room proton therapy with cutting-edge pencil-beam scanning technology that provides the highest degree of precision. Speaking on the occasion, the Hon'ble Vice President of India, Shri Venkaiah Naidu said, "Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and is a major cause of mortality in India. My heartiest congratulations to Dr. Prathap C. Reddy and the Apollo Hospitals group on the launch of the first Proton Cancer therapy centre that will serve patients not just in India, but also our neighbours in South East Asia. This pioneering treatment also marks a new milestone in the medical journey of our country." Speaking at the launch, Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group said, "The launch of the Apollo Proton Cancer Centre puts India on the global map for the best and latest in cancer treatment and will give new hope to cancer patients not just in India, but across South East Asia, the Middle East and Africa. It is with a sense of pride that we dedicate the Apollo Proton Cancer Centre to the health of the nation!" ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12590/karnatakas-1st-heart-and-lungs-transplant-patient-makes-rapid-strides-in-recovery-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12590/karnatakas-1st-heart-and-lungs-transplant-patient-makes-rapid-strides-in-recovery-.html Thu, 24 Jan 2019 16:40:00 +0530 68 year old retired Central Govt employee from Bangalore who recently underwent ‘heart and lungs’ transplant at Narayana Health City earlier this month, is presenting speedy recovery. With this surgery he became with first patient in Karnataka to receive ‘heart and lungs’ from a single recipient. Within 10 days of the surgery, the patient started speaking effortlessly and by now he has started walking as well. He has become an inspiration to many around him in the hospital. Speaking about the case Dr. Julius Punnen Senior Consultant, Cardiothoracic and Transplant Surgeon at Narayana Health City said, "Heart and lungs function in tandem to supply and deliver oxygen to the rest of the body, which makes this transplant more complicated than single organ transplant. For this transplant organs were retrieved as a bloc and transplanted to the recipient’s body. Such requirements and conditions are rare in our country. The surgery is successful and the patient is responding to the treatment positively" Dr. Basha Khan, Senior Consultant Pulmonology/Intensive Care and Medical Director-Lung Transplant, Narayana Health City said, “Lung transplant is complicated, risky and the chances of infections are higher and in this case we were doing bloc transplant which made the surgery more complex. The patient was under observation in ITU for few days after the surgery to avoid any complications. The organs were transported via green corridor with the help of Bangalore Traffic Police on 3 Jan 2019.” The heart and lungs retrieval and transplant was performed by Dr. Julius Punnen, Dr. Varun Shetty- Consultant Cardiothoracic and Transplant Surgeon, Dr. Bagirath Raghuraman, Senior Consultant, Program Director Heart Transplant, Dr. Vijay C L, Consultant – Thoracic Surgery, Dr. Govardhan Reddy Associate Consultant – Cardiothoracic Surgery, Dr. Inaythulla Khan, Associate Consultant – Cardiothoracic Surgery. Team of Physicians led by Dr. Basha  Khan, Dr. Syed Tousheed - Consultant Pulmonology and Dr. Murali Mohan Senior Consultant – Pulmonology, all at Narayana Health City, Bangalore. The patient received ‘heart and lungs’ from a 24yr old male from Bangalore who met with a road accident and was admitted at a city hospital. Doctors declared him ‘Brain Dead’ and the family consented in the presence of Jeevasaarthakathe for organ donation to save many lives.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12578/healthcare-lab-informatics-market-to-beat-us-2-2-bn.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12578/healthcare-lab-informatics-market-to-beat-us-2-2-bn.html Wed, 23 Jan 2019 16:20:00 +0530 The Healthcare Laboratory Informatics Market is set to grow from its current market value of more than $1.3 billion to over $2.2 billion by 2024; as reported in the latest study by Global Market Insights, Inc. Industry manufacturers are shifting from paper-based processes to electronically executed manufacturing operations in order to increase production quality and efficiency. The introduction of cloud-based solutions will improve configurable abilities for specific lab needs, reduce costs, and stimulate market growth during the forecast period. Increasing volume of data and its real-time integration and collection will drive demand for healthcare laboratory informatics solution. Technological advancements in sequencing and data analysis will enable faster and real-time result generation, thereby propelling market growth. Growing influence of healthcare informatics that provide improved convenience for formulating business strategies will drive healthcare laboratory informatics market. Healthcare Laboratory Informatics Market A laboratory information management system is estimated to reach USD 825.6 million by 2024. High growth rate is attributable to development of advanced designs to meet the ever-increasing need of biobanks, other healthcare settings and life science industries. Furthermore, easy data maintenance and reduction in data interpretation errors will further strengthen segment growth. Cloud base solutions will grow at CAGR of 8.8% during the forecast timeframe. Cloud technology facilitated labs to streamline operations and save resources, guaranteeing maximum user satisfaction. A cloud solution is extensively helping biobanks in managing sample and patient data. It is now becoming part of clinical, diagnostics, testing and research laboratories worldwide. Service segment is estimated to reach USD 1,484.0 million by 2024. High growth rate is attributable to development of technologically advanced solutions to meet specific needs of healthcare sector. Pharmaceuticals segment is expected to grow with CAGR of 8.0% over the forecast period. Growing investment in R&D activities leading to generation of huge volume of experimental data will lead to increasing inclination of pharmaceutical companies towards laboratory informatics solutions. Germany healthcare laboratory informatics market will grow at 7.5% CAGR across the projected timeframe. Growth is attributable to demand for cost effective workflow management systems and technological evolution related to laboratory informatics solutions. The major factor promoting the development of the laboratory informatics market is increasing adoption by biobanks for LIMS solutions along with the rising demand for integrated healthcare solutions over the forecasted period. India Healthcare Laboratory Informatics Market Size, By Product, 2017 & 2024, (USD Million) Japan healthcare laboratory informatics market will reach USD 168.1 million by 2024 owing to growing implementation of solutions by biobanks coupled with the rising demand for integrated healthcare laboratory informatics solutions. According to the National Bureau of Asian Research, Japan is one of the leading country in technology innovation as well as in R&D spending. Some of the prominent players involved in healthcare laboratory informatics market are Abbott Informatics, Agaram Technologies Pvt Ltd, AgileBio LLC, Agilent Technologies, CSols Inc., Genologics, ID Business Solutions Ltd., Infosys, LabLynx, Inc., LabVantage Solutions, Inc., LabWare, PerkinElmer, Inc., Tech Mahindra, Thermo Fisher Scientific and Waters Corporation. These firms adopt strategic initiatives including new product launch, mergers and acquisitions and geographical expansion. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12574/hp-brings-full-colour-3d-printing-platform-to-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12574/hp-brings-full-colour-3d-printing-platform-to-india.html Wed, 23 Jan 2019 15:00:00 +0530 HP Inc. has expanded its 3D printing portfolio in India with the introduction of its new Jet Fusion 300/500 series of 3D printers, the industry's first 3D printing technology to enable manufacturers to produce engineering-grade functional parts in full color, black or white in a fraction of the time of other solutions. The new Jet Fusion 300/500 series complements HP's existing industrial-grade Jet Fusion 4200/ 4210 3D solutions which deliver the lowest cost per part and are designed for manufacturing environments. Currently, the new 3D printing facility at AP MedTech Zone, Vizag features HP 4200 MJF printer among many other 3D Printers.. This facility is using the printers for prototyping and batch production of parts for medical devices like MRI, ECG, Ultrasound machines and so on. "HP is committed to transforming Asia's $6 million manufacturing industry, with its diverse collection of global brands and contract manufacturers", said Rob Mesaros, Head, 3D Printing & Digital Manufacturing, HP Asia-Pacific & Japan. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12549/aster-hospital-introduces-dialysis-and-chemotherapy-day-care-centre-in-yelahanka.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12549/aster-hospital-introduces-dialysis-and-chemotherapy-day-care-centre-in-yelahanka.html Mon, 21 Jan 2019 14:45:00 +0530 Bangalore based Aster Hospital has announced the launch of first of its kind new Dialysis and Chemotherapy Day Care Centre besides their already existing preventive healthcare diagnostic setup in Yelahanka. The facility, inaugurated by Hari K Marar, Managing Director & CEO, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), intends to reduce the hassle and anxiety that the patients go through due to lack of access to cancer and kidney care locally at Yelahanka.  Ramesh Kumar, COO, Aster CMI Hospital, said, “Currently in Bangalore, people are not able to tend to the needs of their health due to several factors such as traffic and distance issues. This facility, placed at the vicinity of one’s home will enable ease and convenience of seeking consultations and medical advice. With the new services, patients will also have the choice of a second opinion, enabling the doctors to choose the best line of treatment, especially for critical health issues like cancer and end stage kidney disease.” Speaking at the launch, Dr. Vijay Agarwal, Lead & Sr. Consultant Medical Oncology & Hematology, Aster CMI Hospital said, “Owing to the rising number of cancer patient every year, it has become the need of the hour to come up with dedicated chemotherapy clinics apart from the existing chemotherapy units in the hospital. This not only helps in maximizing the reach of the treatment among patients but also makes it easy for them to get access to quality treatment at a reasonable cost and without having to travel long distance. Now cancer patients in Yelahanka can avail chemotherapy facility closer to their homes.” Dr. Vidya Shankar P, Lead Consultant, Nephrology, Aster CMI Hospital said, “For patients suffering from end stage kidney disease, lack of adequate dialysis centers have always been the pain point. By providing these services locally, we are confident that such patients will benefit from the accessible, affordable, timely and quality care. The launch of this new center will also enable us to treat patients coming to the facility in an efficient way and make them feel at home.” At the inaugural event, Hari K Marar said, “It is unfortunate that India suffers from the tremendous burden of cancer and renal anomalies and so many of people succumb to these deadly conditions every year. What makes this even worse is the lack of adequate diagnostic and treatment facilities. The launch of dedicated centers for chemotherapy and dialysis in this fast-growing area of North Bengaluru will be a step in the right direction to contain the rising incidence of these conditions and provide a new lease of life to many. Aster’s initiative of a new chemotherapy and dialysis units in Yelahanka clinic is highly commendable.” Aster clinics offers specialist consultation and services like that for Gynaecology, ENT, Paediatric, Dermatology, Cardiology, Orthopaedics, Ophthalmology, Endocrinology and Neurology etc.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12546/coursera-launches-health-content-for-next-gen-health-workers.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12546/coursera-launches-health-content-for-next-gen-health-workers.html Mon, 21 Jan 2019 12:25:00 +0530 Coursera, the global online learning leader, has announced the launch of their health vertical—a broad portfolio of health content from the world’s top universities curated specifically to help address the acute shortage of skilled workers in the health industry and meet the demands of a digital health economy. The 100 new courses, 30 new specializations, and two public health-focused master’s degrees will provide learners with the skills they need to enter high demand jobs, particularly related to Health Informatics, Healthcare Management, and Public Health. Coursera and top-ranked partners in health—including Columbia University, Emory University, Imperial College London, Johns Hopkins University, University of Colorado, University of Michigan and University of Minnesota —are committed to making high-quality content and healthcare education more widely accessible. The new portfolio of content which includes Specializations focused on Biostatistics, Population Health Management, Nursing Informatics, and Social Welfare Policy is designed to develop or supplement knowledge for those already working in the healthcare space or to provide a path to a career in healthcare. The new Specializations will roll-out through 2019 and will be available for a subscription range of $39 to $79 per month. The two health-focused master’s degrees from Michigan and Imperial are accepting applications in January. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12536/online-consultation-platform-docsapp-offers-sdk-integration.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12536/online-consultation-platform-docsapp-offers-sdk-integration.html Fri, 18 Jan 2019 17:15:00 +0530 In its constant endeavour to provide access to specialist doctors instantly to Indians, DocsApp, the leading online doctor consultation platform, has announced the launch of its software development kit (SDK) for android and web platforms. The SDK integration will enable DocsApp customers to consult a doctor without downloading DocsApp, therefore making the lives of patients easier and more convenient. In addition, users will be able to easily access their DocsApp profiles from any website or android app that has integrated the DocsApp SDK. The SDK integration will also help other businesses to offer doctor consultation services without requiring their customers to move outside the application. With the integration, their users can also talk to doctors within 8 minutes. Few medicine delivery apps, a popular chat app and a medical information website have already initiated the process of integrating the DocsApp SDK with their platforms. “As we enter the next phase of our growth, the SDK integration will enable us to cater to a larger section of the population with our on-demand and high-quality doctor consultation. Since the beginning, DocsApp has been committed to making quality healthcare accessible by all, breaking geographical as well as socio-economic barriers. And, the latest development further reinforces our purpose,” said Satish Kannan, CEO/Co-founder of DocsApp.  “We will be making SDK open for any business who wants to provide specialist doctor access to their customers. Any website or mobile application owner can integrate the SDK without any hassle. We are confident that the SDK integration of DocsApp will offer a seamless experience not only to our customers but also other users who are seeking doctor consultation but are not logged into DocsApp yet,” he added. DocsApp is a frontrunner in the online doctor consultation space, adhering strictly to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 3As - Availability, Affordability, and Accessibility. With more than 5000 world-class doctors on board, the platform provides consultation in 19 specialities including gynaecology, sexology, paediatrics, dermatology, psychiatry, weight management among others. Through its mobile application and website, DocsApp has helped patients residing in even the remotest corners of India to access the best quality medical consultation. With a dedicated focus on expanding its scale of operations, DocsApp aims to reach 5 million users across the country by the end of this year. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12530/pm-unveils-super-specialty-public-hospital-in-ahmedabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12530/pm-unveils-super-specialty-public-hospital-in-ahmedabad.html Fri, 18 Jan 2019 10:05:00 +0530 Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently unveiled the state of art, super-specialty public hospital - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in Ahmedabad. Built by Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, the 78 meter high, 1500 bed hospital is equipped with all modern amenities, including an air ambulance. Built at a cost of Rs. 750 crore, the 17 floor hospital would provide world class services at an affordable price and is linked with Ayushman Bharat. Addressing a gathering on this occasion, Modi emphasized the importance of Ayushman Bharat saying, “It is because of Ayushaman Bharat there is an increasing need for new hospitals in even smaller towns. New hospitals are opening faster, the demand for doctors and paramedic staff is increasing, thereby creating many employment opportunities are coming up for the  youth in the healthcare sector”. Prime Minister said the country has seen a major expansion in healthcare facilities and medical education over the past four years which will be of great help in meeting the health care needs of the citizens. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12524/engenderhealth-steps-up-support-to-karnataka-govt-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12524/engenderhealth-steps-up-support-to-karnataka-govt-.html Thu, 17 Jan 2019 12:35:00 +0530 Traci L . Baird, President and CEO of EngenderHealth—a global women’s health and sexual and reproductive rights organization—met  with H.D Kumaraswamy, Chief Minister of Karnataka and Sivananda S. Patil, Health Minister of Karnataka, to discuss areas of collaboration and support intended to strengthen the State Government’s priorities on family planning. The meetings were held as part of Baird’s 4-day visit to India, one of the first countries in EngenderHealth’s global portfolio that she has visited since joining the organization just over three months ago. Prior to visiting Karnataka, Baird met with senior officials in the Central Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in the national capital. The Chief Minister spoke about his government’s committement to social and economic development, and thanked Baird for the support EngenderHealth was providing to the state in the area of family planning.  The Health Minister acknowledged the technical expertise EngenderHealth brought into the partnership, and greatly appreciated the support provided to enhance the capacity of the government health personnel to scale quality post-partum family planning services. EngenderHealth supports the Government of Karnataka in the effort to strengthen family planning services in 14 hard-to-reach districts, where performance of family planning services is lower than the state average. The project, supported by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, aims to promote a range of contraceptive methods, in particular postpartum and post-abortion family planning methods. One of the mandates of the project is to roll out the delivery of newly introduced injectable contraceptive method—Antara—in public health facilities in Karnataka. In addition, the project is building capacities of the Accredited Social Health Activists—the frontline health workers at the village level—to counsel and provide information to young couples on family planning. Baird said “At EngenderHealth, we know that sexual and reproductive health and rights are necessary for all people, particularly women and girls, to achieve gender equality and reach their full potentials. As an organization, we envision a world where all people can exercise their sexual and reproductive health rights and choices as full participants in society.” “We are pleased to work with the Governments of India and Karnataka in our shared mission to improve access to reproductive health and family information and services. I am impressed and inspired by the political commitment and leadership shown by the Karnataka Governments in this endeavor and to the empowerment of women and girls.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12512/roche-launches-upath-enterprise-software-for-digital-pathology-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12512/roche-launches-upath-enterprise-software-for-digital-pathology-.html Wed, 16 Jan 2019 17:20:00 +0530 Roche has announced the launch of its innovative uPath enterprise software for digital pathology. Offering a new standard of personalization for pathology workflows, the uPath enterprise software improves on the previous version, known as VENTANA Virtuoso. uPath software enhances the user experience by drastically decreasing image rendering times, integrating automated image analysis and improving efficiency by enabling an improved workflow for sharing cases between pathologists.  To aid in the development of uPath software, Roche acquired the Leeds Virtual Microscope (LVM) technology from the University Of Leeds, U.K., and the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, U.K. With this technology, pathologists can diagnose a patient case more quickly by viewing all slides in a case in a single seamless view, as well as viewing all available patient information simultaneously.  Multiple slides appear on a canvas-like display, enabling pathologists to move seamlessly between hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), immunohistochemistry (IHC) and special stains in a single view, which is not possible with a standard microscope. The LVM technology operates on displays that range from laptops to ultra-high definition Powerwalls, to transform pathologists' ability to diagnose disease.  The uPath software offers pathologists, histotechnicians, and administrators a universal platform to manage all aspects of the pathology workflow through diagnosis. With the customization offered through uPath software's highly configurable interface and scalability, requesting second opinions and sharing cases take a fraction of the time that has traditionally been required, with no geographical limitations as compared to glass slides.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12510/paras-healthcare-opens-232-bed-multi-super-specialty-hospital-in-panchkula.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12510/paras-healthcare-opens-232-bed-multi-super-specialty-hospital-in-panchkula.html Wed, 16 Jan 2019 15:15:00 +0530 Paras Healthcare, one of the country’s leading healthcare providers, has opened a new multi super specialty hospital in Panchkula – the largest private facility in the city – aiming to fill the specialized tertiary care gap in the under-served region. Paras Hospitals, Panchkula, the new 232 bed hospital, is the first in the region to provide comprehensive cancer care facilities ranging from chemotherapy, surgical oncology, radiation therapy and nuclear medicine. It is the first hospital in Panchkula to have a PET CT Scan machine, the latest technology which aids in cancer detection. The radiation oncology will include the latest third generation technology of LINAC and will provide Precision Radiotherapy along with VMAT, IGRT, IMRT. In all, the hospital provides 44 specialties and centres of excellence consisting of – Cardiology,  Cardiac Surgery, Orthopedics & Joint Replacement, Nephrology & Kidney Transplant,  Cancer Care, Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, Urology, Neurology and Neurosurgery, to name a few. “We are very happy to announce that our new hospital in Panchkula has commenced operations. The objective behind starting a multi-specialty hospital in Panchkula, which is the largest in the region, is to become a leading provider of world class tertiary care in the region. The Hospital has 60 ICU beds and looks to increase basis the demand and our main aim is to provide quality healthcare in affordable price to the Middle class segments.In this year We will also cater to patients from adjoining cities such as Shimla and Kalka who currently have to travel all the way to Mohali to seek specialized medical facilities. With this facility we aim to fill a major void in the availability of specialized tertiary care to people of the under-served populations of the region and in In total Paras Healthcare will add 830 beds in 2019-2020” said Dr Dharminder Nagar, Managing Director, Paras Healthcare. Located near Nada Sahib Gurudwara, this is Paras Healthcare’s second hospital in the city after Paras Bliss which has been providing specialized mother and child care to the city’s residents for a decade. “Paras Hospitals, Panchkula will be a game changer in this region when it comes to quality of services, infrastructure as well as diagnostic facilities. Our hospital is playing a revolutionary role in providing best cancer care to the people of the city and adjoining areas, with top notch treatment and diagnostic facilities, an 18 beds chemotherapy unit as well as a team of world class doctors and technicians. The rising incidence of different types of cancers make our facilities all the more relevant. This is also the first hospital in Tricity to have a comprehensive Neurosciences Program. Our 24X7 Comprehensive Emergency Unit is also equipped with highly trained paramedics working with the single minded focus of saving lives. In a nutshell, our services have been aligned to our motto of providing the best quality healthcare at affordable prices,” said Mr. Ritesh Mittal- GM Operations, Paras Hospitals, Panchkula. The increase in incidence of lifestyle diseases like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer is not restricted to urban areas, but has also gripped people of smaller towns and rural areas.With this rising burden of non-communicable diseases, India needs more widespread and democratic availability of tertiary care.This hospital marks another step by Paras Healthcare to expand its presence in Tier II cities to fill the void of quality tertiary care, which is currently concentrated in few metropolitan cities. Apart from Panchkula, Paras Healthcare already runs hospitals in New Delhi, Gurgaon, Patna and Darbhanga. Paras Hospitals, Panchkula, hospital is equipped with 60 ICU Beds and 8 Modular Operation Theatres. In addition the hospital also consists of the latest radiology equipment to support radio-diagnosis and clinical outcomes – 3 Tesla MRI ,128 Slice CT, Mammography, Digital X Ray, 3D & 4D Ultrasound, to list a few. Paras Hospitals, Panchkula is also equipped with the latest pathology and genetic labs providing complete support to the specialties, especially cancer. The hospital is also equipped with a 24X7 Blood Bank service and Apheresis Technology. The other notable facilities of the hospital include – 18 beds Dialysis Unit, Heart Station (ECHO, TMT, ECG),and Isolation Rooms for the patients with infectious diseases. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12503/wba-microsoft-to-develop-new-health-care-delivery-models.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12503/wba-microsoft-to-develop-new-health-care-delivery-models.html Wed, 16 Jan 2019 11:40:00 +0530 Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (WBA) and Microsoft Corp. have joined forces to develop new health care delivery models, technology and retail innovations to advance and improve the future of health care. The companies will combine the power of Microsoft Azure, Microsoft's cloud and AI platform, health care investments, and new retail solutions with WBA's customer reach, convenient locations, outpatient health care services and industry expertise to make health care delivery more personal, affordable and accessible for people around the world. Current health care systems are a complex combination of public- and private-sector organizations, providers, payors, pharmaceutical companies and other adjacent players. While there has been innovation in pockets of health care, there is both a need and an opportunity to fully integrate the system, ultimately making health care more convenient to people through data-driven insights. This is what brought WBA and Microsoft together. Through this strategic partnership, the companies will deliver innovative platforms that enable next-generation health networks, integrated digital-physical experiences and care management solutions. As part of the strategic partnership, the companies have committed to multiyear research and development (R&D) investment to build health care solutions, improve health outcomes and lower the cost of care. This investment will include funding, subject-matter experts, technology and tools. The companies will also explore the potential to establish joint innovation centers in key markets. Additionally, in 2019 WBA will pilot up to 12 store-in-store "digital health corners" aimed at the merchandising and sale of select health care-related hardware and devices. The companies will focus on connecting WBA stores and health information systems to people wherever they are through their digital devices. This will allow people to access health care services, such as virtual care -- when, where and how they need it. WBA and Microsoft will also focus on enabling more personalized health care experiences from preventative self-care to chronic disease management. WBA will pursue lifestyle management solutions in areas such as nutrition and wellness via customers' delivery method of choice, including digital devices and digital applications or in-store expert advice. Additionally, the companies will work to build a seamless ecosystem of participating organizations to better connect consumers, providers -- including Walgreens and Boots pharmacists --pharmaceutical manufacturers and payors. Microsoft and WBA will leverage each other's market research and identify the right partners to develop solutions. Through this agreement, Microsoft becomes WBA's strategic cloud provider, and WBA plans to migrate the majority of the company's IT infrastructure onto Microsoft Azure. This will include new transformational platforms in retail, pharmacy and business services, new capability in data and analytics, as well as certain legacy applications and systems. The company also plans to roll out Microsoft 365 to more than 380,000 employees and stores globally, empowering them with the tools for increased productivity, advanced security, internal collaboration and customer engagement. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12497/risk-of-heart-failure-increases-4-to-5-times-during-winter-in-people-with-cad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12497/risk-of-heart-failure-increases-4-to-5-times-during-winter-in-people-with-cad.html Tue, 15 Jan 2019 14:45:00 +0530 Statistics indicate that there has been an increase of about 300% in the incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in Indians, especially in the last three decades. Approximately 12% of those affected are in urban India. Apart from the common risk factors including regular consumption of processed food and a sedentary lifestyle, the condition can exacerbate in winter. Those with a family history of the condition must be more careful and take precautionary measures. Research has shown that each 1 ⁰C reduction in temperature is associated with about 200 additional heart attacks – there are 53% more such cases in winter. Lower temperatures bring about a variation in the plasma level of hormones and blood clotting factors. In winter months, the heart must also work harder to maintain body temperature. Such hyperactivity can cause blood pressure to increase and lead to further narrowing of blood vessels in people with existing heart vessel blockage. Speaking about this, Dr Manoj Kumar, Director & Head - Cardiac Cath Lab, Max Super Specialty Hospital said, “Sudden change in temperature causes thermal stress for the body and the latter must work more to maintain a constant temperature. This type of stress has a profound and direct effect on blood viscosity, making it thicker, stickier, and more likely to clot (known as ‘angry platelets’). Low temperatures can cause blood vessels to narrow which restricts blood flow throughout the body. This further leads to a reduction in the amount of oxygen that reaches the different organs including the heart. The heart, therefore, has to work doubly hard to ensure that enough blood and oxygen is pumped to the entire body. Over time, this can lead to heart failure, especially in people with coronary artery disease (CAD). Heart failure does not indicate that the heart has stopped working. However, it is a life-threatening condition wherein the heart is unable to work to its optimum capacity.” People tend to ignore the symptoms that can indicate an underlying heart problem, especially in the winter months. Some of these include unusual gastric problems, profuse sweating, and any pain lasting more than 15 minutes. Adding further, Dr Kumar, said, “It is imperative to avoid any stress on the heart in winter. Avoid tasks that can exhaust you. Overindulgence in alcohol or processed food can lead to atrial fibrillation over time. This is a condition that causes irregular heartbeat and is also known as arrhythmia. Eat in small quantities at regular intervals. In individuals with extreme complications, treatment such as radiofrequency ablation, implantable cardioverter defibrillator, and supportive care such as cardiac monitoring may be needed.” Patients with atherosclerosis and angina may need a surgical procedure known as angioplasty. During angioplasty, a catheter with a balloon at its tip is inserted into a blocked coronary artery and inflated to clear the artery and improve blood flow. In stenting, a small, self-expanding, metal mesh tube called stent is placed inside a coronary artery and prevents it from re-closing. Nowadays, there are drug-eluting stents available which are coated with a medicine. This medicine helps further prevent the arteries from re-closing. Another option for patients with atherosclerosis and angina, is coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), in which a healthy artery or vein from the body is connected, or grafted, to the blocked coronary artery. The grafted artery or vein bypasses the blocked portion of the coronary artery.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12494/india-facing-knee-arthritis-epidemic-dr-vikram-shah.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12494/india-facing-knee-arthritis-epidemic-dr-vikram-shah.html Tue, 15 Jan 2019 12:00:00 +0530 More than 15 crore Indians suffer from knee problems, out of which about 4 crore patients need total knee replacement (TKR), imposing a huge health burden on the country. In contrast, in China, about 6.5 crore people suffer from knee problems – less than half the number in India. The incidence of knee arthritis among Indians is 15 times higher than that in Western nations. This is because of the genetic predisposition of Indians towards knee arthritis, and a lifestyle that results in the overuse of knee joints. This was said by Dr. Vikram I. Shah, Founder Chairman & Managing Director, Shalby Hospitals (Shalby Limited), Ahmedabad, who on an average conducts total knee replacement surgery on 700 to 800 patients from Mumbai every year. One of India’s foremost orthopedic surgeons who is considered an authority on knee transplants, Dr. Shah was speaking at a patient education workshop on knee and hip replacements in Mumbai. He also felicitated over 400 of his patients from Mumbai who have undergone joint replacement at Shalby Hospitals. Dr. Vikram I. Shah said: “Tremendous advancements have been made in joint replacements in India in the last 20 years, yet the unmet demand remains huge. The country is seeing a knee arthritis epidemic. The incidence of knee arthritis in the Indian population is believed to be as much as 15 times higher than what is found in Western nations. USA, with a population of 30 crores, sees 7 lakh total knee replacement surgeries every year, but for India, this figure is only 150,000. While this is a huge jump from a mere 350 knee surgeries that were performed in India in 1994, the unmet demand in the country would be a staggering one crore knee replacements each year, considering the huge size of the population and the propensity of Indians for knee arthritis. Compared to this, India will be seeing just about one million knee replacements every year by 2022. Knee Replacements today involve much lower infection rates and shorter hospital stays.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12493/eu-research-consortium-selects-hd-wireless-to-treat-osteoarthritis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12493/eu-research-consortium-selects-hd-wireless-to-treat-osteoarthritis.html Mon, 14 Jan 2019 17:45:00 +0530 H&D Wireless AB has been selected as an IoT partner in a European research consortium that aims to greatly reduce the disease of osteoarthritis. H&D Wireless will contribute with the Internet of things (IoT) solution based on the company's proprietary Griffin ® IoT Cloud platform. The agreement is worth SEK 5.5 million for H&D Wireless, half of which is paid at the start of the project in Q1 2019. The project is fully financed by the EU. Osteoarthritis is a population disease that affects approximately one in four Swedes over 45 years of age and in average 10% of the population. In total, the EU estimates that 40 million are affected, which is estimated to double within 10 years as a result of ageing populations and increased obesity. The market for osteoarthritis is expected to increase from 1.4 billion EUR 2016 to 3.1 billion EUR by GlobalData. The consortium that has chosen the H&D Wireless as partner has eight participating players under the leadership of one of Europe's most reputable universities in the field. In addition to customizing the Griffin-IoT platform for this application, H&D Wireless delivers radio communication for sensor reading and dosage, mobile app for both doctor and patient and a secure cloud platform for testing and prototyping. The project will be conducted within business unit LABS and is funded at 100% "That we have been selected as partners in an advanced research project for new healthcare shows how far ahead we are within IoT, but also that our solution is very versatile. Griffin is an IoT platform that is flexible and scalable and manages to handle a lot of data in a secure way and with this project we take a step forward to help digitize healthcare," says Pär Bergsten, CEO of H&D Wireless. The project will start in January 2019 and runs through December 2022. More detailed information regarding the project will be distributed in February 2019.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12489/burst-biologics-joins-hands-with-adventist-health-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12489/burst-biologics-joins-hands-with-adventist-health-system.html Mon, 14 Jan 2019 12:10:00 +0530 US based Burst Biologics enters a new partnership with Adventist Health System, a faith-based health care organization centered on quality, safety, and patient satisfaction. This relationship will give distributors with Burst Biologics reliable access to a large number of surgical hospitals without the need to contract with each one at a local level. Adventist Health System has a heavy presence in Florida, Texas, and South Carolina. The organization includes a network with an estimated 41 owned hospital affiliates, 5 non-owned affiliates, and 481 owned ambulatory care centers. Burst Biologics plans to utilize the partnership to contract with new distributors throughout the network. "We're looking forward to our partnership with Adventist Health System. This represents a tremendous benefit to our surgical product distributors and surgeons, and at the same time helps more patients gain access to our cutting-edge neurosurgical technologies," said Christopher D. Jones, CEO of Burst Biologics. Burst Biologics is committed to expanding its distribution network and plans to establish additional relationships with group purchasing organizations (GPOs). Burst also supports its distributors with a range of marketing materials and peer-reviewed research studies. With new distribution opportunities, a prominent portfolio of products, and support from industry experts, Burst Biologics is a promising partner for a distributor business.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12481/nmh-launches-dedicated-oncology-department.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12481/nmh-launches-dedicated-oncology-department.html Fri, 11 Jan 2019 16:25:00 +0530 As per the research done by India Against Cancer, In India more than 2 million people are living with cancer and a majority of them do not have access to quality diagnosis and care. To bridge the accessibility gap, Narayana Multispecialty Hospital, Whitefield has launched a dedicated oncology department in its campus. The department was inaugurated in the presence of Shri. N Santosh Hegde, Former Supreme Court Judge and Lokayukta of State of Karnataka, and Dr. Sharat Damodar, Clinical Director–Mazumdar Shaw Medical Center and Sr. Consultant Hematologist & Head – Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Narayana Health City. Speaking about the facility, Dr. Sharat Damodar, Clinical Director – Mazumdar Shaw Medical Center and Sr. Consultant Hematologist & Head – Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Narayana Health City,  said, ‘Apart from timely diagnosis, cancer care in India is mired with  accessibility. With our newly launched department, we hope to bridge this gap and provide easy access to comprehensive quality cancer care to the residents in the peripheral areas of the city.” “The department is also equipped with a tumor board wherein doctors of different specialties come together and identify the best possible treatment plan for each individual patient. The facility helps to provide patients with holistic care as well as better treatment outcome.” added Dr. Sharat The dedicated department will offer medical Oncology, surgical Oncology and haematological facilities for all types of cancer. The special wing will have specialist doctors for Medical Oncology, Musculo Skeletal Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Onco- Gynaecology, Oncology Breast & Oncoplastic and Oncology- Head & Neck Surgery.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12475/fortis-conducts-successful-knee-surgery-on-hiv-patient-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12475/fortis-conducts-successful-knee-surgery-on-hiv-patient-.html Fri, 11 Jan 2019 11:55:00 +0530 A 61 year old, HIV positive patient successfully underwent a bilateral total knee replacement surgery at Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta road.  Dr Srinivas JV- Director of Orthopaedics-Fortis Hospitals, Bannerghatta road along with Dr Sheela Chakravarthy-Director, Internal Medicine and Dr Venkatesh S- Consultant, Interventional Cardiology, led the team of doctors. The patient visited Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta road with a complaint of severe pain in both the knees. Post diagnosis, the doctor found that she was suffering from severe osteoarthritis in both knees along with an underlying HIV positive status. Since the last five months, she was unable to do her day-to-day activities including walking, bending and squatting. Dr. Srinivas J.V said, “The patient was suffering from severe knee pain which had affected her daily routine and activities like walking and bending knees. As the patient is HIV positive, we performed a fitness and preoperative evaluation before recommending total knee replacement surgery. Post consulting Dr Sheela Chakravarthy and Dr Venkatesh S, we went ahead with the surgery. The patient withstood the procedure well and was mobilised with full weight bearing walking with a walker post operation. The patient was discharged after a week post surgery and we advised her to continue physiotherapy along with proper rest of 3-4 weeks.” Dr. Sheela Chakravarthy said, “HIV patients are at a high risk considering their immunocompromised status. Proper evaluation and optimisation of HIV drugs and assessment of early warning signs helps in managing the condition. This helps in giving them a chance to lead a normal life and manage their complications better with the help of highly skilled orthopaedic surgeons. Additionally, an intensive care unit enables to manage early setbacks expected because of HIV disease” NCBI states that there are challenges in the management of inflammatory arthritis in patients who are HIV-positive, which includes difficulties in assessing the disease activities and limited information about the safety of immunosuppressive drugs in these individuals. Rheumatic diseases are very common in patients who are infected with HIV. The HIV virus can cause many of the symptoms of arthritis and rheumatic diseases. Some joint and muscle related diseases can result from HIV infection affecting any age group. Sometimes it can also occur due to the medicines consumed to keep a control on HIV. Rheumatic diseases can cause a lot of discomfort, weakness and improper functioning. It is important to inform the doctor if a patient experiences joint pain or muscle weakness while consuming the HIV drugs. People with HIV should follow a well-balanced diet along with healthy eating habits and following a proper exercise regime. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12474/fortis-successfully-conducts-bilateral-total-knee-replacement-surgery-on-hiv-patient.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12474/fortis-successfully-conducts-bilateral-total-knee-replacement-surgery-on-hiv-patient.html Fri, 11 Jan 2019 11:45:00 +0530 A 61 year old, HIV positive patient successfully underwent a bilateral total knee replacement surgery at Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta road. Dr Srinivas JV- Director of Orthopaedics-Fortis Hospitals, Bannerghatta road along with Dr Sheela Chakravarthy-Director, Internal Medicine and Dr Venkatesh S- Consultant, Interventional Cardiology, led the team of doctors. The patient visited Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta road with a complaint of severe pain in both the knees. Post diagnosis, the doctor found that she was suffering from severe osteoarthritis in both knees along with an underlying HIV positive status. Since the last five months, she was unable to do her day-to-day activities including walking, bending and squatting. Dr. Srinivas J.V, Director of Orthopaedics, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road said, “The patient was suffering from severe knee pain which had affected her daily routine and activities like walking and bending knees. As the patient is HIV positive, we performed a fitness and preoperative evaluation before recommending total knee replacement surgery. Post consulting Dr Sheela Chakravarthy and Dr Venkatesh S, we went ahead with the surgery. The patient withstood the procedure well and was mobilised with full weight bearing walking with a walker post operation. The patient was discharged after a week post surgery and we advised her to continue physiotherapy along with proper rest of 3-4 weeks. Dr. Sheela Chakravarthy-Director, Internal Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road said, “HIV patients are at a high risk considering their immunocompromised status. Proper evaluation and optimisation of HIV drugs and assessment of early warning signs helps in managing the condition. This helps in giving them a chance to lead a normal life and manage their complications better with the help of highly skilled orthopaedic surgeons. Additionally, an intensive care unit enables to manage early setbacks expected because of HIV disease” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12471/india-autism-center-organizes-international-conference-on-autism-in-kolkata.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12471/india-autism-center-organizes-international-conference-on-autism-in-kolkata.html Thu, 10 Jan 2019 18:00:00 +0530 India Autism Center (IAC) is hosting an international conference on Autism on and from January 10 to 12, 2019 at Swabhumi, Kolkata. Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects about ten million Indians. As per the data released by World Health Organisation in 2017, nearly 1 out of every 160 children are suffering from ASD globally. It refers to a range of conditions characterized by some degree of impaired social behaviour, communication and language. The term “Spectrum” reflects that symptoms can occur in any combination and with varying degrees of severity, implying that it manifests itself differently in every individual. Suresh Somani, Managing Trustee & Chairman, India Autism Center, stated, “The 3-day conference is an effort to answer one of the most pressing public health questions of our time - how to effectively treat individuals with Autism. Experts were specially invited to help care-givers, families and service providers with behaviorally based interventions like applied behavior analysis, behavioral psychology, and positive behavior support that have the most empirical support to autism. The speakers highlighted several key areas for continued focus. These included how quickly a child receives an autism diagnosis, the need for early intervention, and ensuring that families have accurate information about effective treatments.” The Conference includes subject experts, professionals, researchers, educators and parents from the around the world exchanging ideas on Autism Spectrum Disorder, behaviour therapy, applied behaviour analysis, speech and language therapy, social skills therapy and occupational therapy which can help reduce the difficulties of individuals suffering from Autism while helping them learn new skills and make the most of their strengths. Around 28 speakers from around the world, globally acclaimed researchers from the medical fraternity like are part of this conference.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12470/in-a-first-for-india-20-day-old-baby-weighing-just-1-160-kg-undergoes-brain-surgery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12470/in-a-first-for-india-20-day-old-baby-weighing-just-1-160-kg-undergoes-brain-surgery.html Thu, 10 Jan 2019 17:35:00 +0530 Surgeons at Faridabad-based Sarvodaya Hospital & Research Centre have successfully conducted brain surgery on a 20-day-old baby boy weighing only 1.1160 kg. This is the first time in India that neurosurgery of such a low-weighing baby has been done by opening the skull and removing a life-threatening blood clot from the brain which caused a seizure in the neonate. The premature baby was one among twins born preterm at 33 weeks to parents Deevakar Jha and Deepa Mishra. The baby, who cried late after birth, was referred to Sarvodaya Hospital for respiratory distress and perinatal asphyxia, where a team of surgeons led by Dr. Pankaj Dawar and Dr. Mukesh Pandey took the child under their supervision. Explaining the case, Dr. Pankaj Dawar, Senior Consultant, Centre for Brain & Spine, Sarvodaya Hospital &Research Centre, said: “At birth, the baby weighed 1160 kg, but had perinatal asphyxia and respiratory distress thereafter and was immediately admitted to Sarvodaya Hospital. He was put on ventilator for five days. On the 19th day of his birth, the baby suffered from seizure.” “A MRI scan revealed a large intracranial blood clot inside the skull, probably from bleeding disorder. On Day 19 of his birth and weighing only 1.160 kg, he was wheeled into the operation theatre for brain surgery. His skull was opened to expose her brain (mini-craniotomy) and the blood clot (hematoma) was successfully removed. With this, he has become the baby with the lowest weight to ever undergo brain surgery in India and probably in the world”, he added. Dr Manish Pahuja, Consultant, Department of Anaesthesia, Sarvodaya Hospital and Research Centre said, “Brain surgery of a baby of such low weight has not been done before in the country. This requires very careful consideration and specialized equipment for anaesthesia." As per Dr Sushil Singla, senior consultant and HOD, Department of Paediatrics, Sarvodaya Hospital and Research Centre, "presence of a blood clot in the brain of a baby of such age and low weight posed a huge challenge for us. If untreated, the condition would have proved fatal.” “Even if the baby had survived, he would have suffered from neural problems and the brain would not have developed fully. After successful brain surgery and removal of the blood clot, the baby is perfectly fine. He is gaining weight and meeting all neural milestones adequately at last follow up visit”, he added. The condition would have proved fatal had it not been treated promptly. Sarvodaya Hospital has applied for LimcaBook of Records and Guinness Book of World Records to recognize this unheard-of surgical feat.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12469/epilepsy-smartband-gets-fda-approval.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12469/epilepsy-smartband-gets-fda-approval.html Thu, 10 Jan 2019 17:25:00 +0530 Embrace by Empatica has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in children. Embrace is an epilepsy smartband that detects patterns in motion and physiological signals that may be associated with generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and immediately alerts caregivers. It is the first non-EEG based physiology signal seizure monitoring system to be cleared by the FDA for use in a pediatric population, highlighting the challenges and complicated processes that come with this type of testing for children. The clearance for children is not only positive development for families, but also for doctors, providing them with reliable technology that can assist in patient treatment and care. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12460/reliance-vision-express-completes-10-years-of-delivering-eye-care-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12460/reliance-vision-express-completes-10-years-of-delivering-eye-care-in-india.html Wed, 09 Jan 2019 16:30:00 +0530 Vision Express, a joint venture brand between Grand Vision and Reliance Retail Limited, has completed ten years of delivering eye care in India. Founded in 2008, Vision Express has established a countrywide presence with 160+ stores across 32 cities. The brand recently opened doors in Amritsar & Bhopal, which marked its expansion into two new territories, Punjab & Madhya Pradesh respectively.   Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Gurpreet Singh Bhatia, CEO- Vision Express, said, "A brand completing 10 years, while growing stronger with each passing day in these dynamic times in India, is a proud moment for all of us in the Reliance Vision Express family."   Vision Express ensures that the eye care needs of users are thoroughly examined and the best-suited advice is suggested. With a staunch commitment to eye care, the optical retail chain offers a comprehensive 6-step eye test, a process certified in Europe, conducted by qualified optometrists.   The brand offers a wide range of high-quality lenses and frames made of superior materials in latest designs to ensure that consumers get the latest trends in eyewear at affordable prices. Vision Express also offers European styled sunglasses for sun protection and the latest range of contact lenses for extra comfort. Vision Express in India, currently houses private labels designed in Europe, which go by the brand names of Miki Ninn, In Style, Sensaya, Julius etc.   "India as a market has been waking up to the significance of protective eyewear and regular eye checkups. Consumers' perception of sunglasses - such as prescription sunglasses, as a need-based product has happened only in the recent years. As an optical retail chain with over 120 years of international heritage being present in the country over a decade, we feel responsible for educating people about eye care and offer what is best for them," said Mr. Gurpreet Singh Bhatia.   Vision Express is part of a 120-year-old heritage of GrandVision Europe, which is a global leader in optical retail and is committed to delivering superior and affordable eye care to people around the world. With a presence over 7,000 brick and mortar stores and online presence, GrandVision is present in more than 40 different countries and over 150 million customers visit GrandVision stores every year.   "The prescription eyewear market is witnessing 15% CAGR approximately. These are exciting times to be a part of optical retail, being a part of Grand Vision & Reliance Retail, we are able to deliver immense value to the end user," said Mr. Gurpreet Singh Bhatia.   "Being global eye care experts, we want to be present wherever consumers need our services. In the coming months, we will further increase our footprints to make our world-class products and services more accessible to our customers," he added.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12458/correct-insulin-injection-critical-for-diabetes-management.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12458/correct-insulin-injection-critical-for-diabetes-management.html Wed, 09 Jan 2019 16:15:00 +0530 Diabetes has become an epidemic in India with more than 72.9 million patients with diabetes. According to a study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology journal, Nov 2018 showed that worldwide, the number of adults with type 2 diabetes is expected to rise by more than a fifth from 406 million in 2018 to 511 million in 20301. The study also shows that nearly 98 million people in India may have type 2 diabetes by 2030. Insulin and correct injection technique plays a vital role when it comes to diabetes and its management. Understanding the importance of managing diabetes, BD-India, a leading medical technology company organized an awareness campaign emphasizing on the right technique for insulin injection. The campaign witnessed participation of leading endocrinologists and diabetes educators emphasising on insulin injection technique for better management of diabetes. Dr. Manoj Chadha, Endocrinologist, PD Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre Mumbai and Hope & Care Centre, Vashi & FITTER India Scientific Advisory Board Member, said “Mostly people are unaware of the complications that may arise due to incorrect insulin administration. According to recent observations, about 60-70% of people haven't received proper education in terms of how to give an insulin shot correctly. I appreciate BD-India’s efforts to enhance awareness on right injection techniques for insulin that will help patients to comply with their regime and prevent any complications that may arise due to incorrect techniques.” Dr. Anushree Mehta, Diabetologist-Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Mumbai added, “I have been on insulin therapy for the past 22 years. My journey with insulin injections was comfortable only because I had an amazing doctor and Juvenile Diabetes Foundation to guide me with proper knowledge about the correct insulin injection technique. This has helped me manage my condition well and today I live a very healthy lifestyle. I am happy to contribute towards this awareness campaign as I feel it is essential to impart proper knowledge about diabetes and guidelines on using correct insulin injection technique for patients.” The right technique of insulin injection is crucial for patients to avoid complications. In this regard, Forum for Injection Technique & Therapy Expert Recommendations (FITTER) India 2017 laid emphasis on the importance of good injection practices including barriers to insulin injection therapy and its preventive measures, recommendations on device specifications, insulin injection practices in indoor settings, adverse safety outcomes of faulty techniques and measures to enhance awareness of the good injection practices among HCPs and patients. Highlighting their role as a partner committed to diabetes care, Pavan Mocherla, Managing Director-BD India & South Asia said, “Insulin delivery technique education is a critical factor in effective diabetes management. BD is committed to helping improve the injection experience for people living with diabetes, through continuous patient education, and innovating high-quality technologies that make a difference. We have been a leader in diabetes injection devices for almost 95 years and Insulin Injection Day is a perfect occasion for us to encourage talking about best practices in managing insulin therapy. I am sure with such collaborative efforts to raise awareness on the right insulin injection technique, we will be able to achieve improved patient outcomes going ahead.” BD has demonstrated its long history of innovative firsts - the first insulin syringe in 1924, the first 5 mm pen needle in 1999 and the world's first 4 mm pen needle, the BD Nano, and now educating doctors, and patients on good insulin injection techniques. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12457/suresh-prabhu-to-inaugurate-convergence-india-2019-expo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12457/suresh-prabhu-to-inaugurate-convergence-india-2019-expo.html Wed, 09 Jan 2019 15:55:00 +0530 Emerging technologies, their application and ability to disrupt the way things function are highly deliberated subjects today. How these trends will evolve in the coming year and how businesses can best tap this potential is the theme of Convergence India 2019 expo’s 27th edition. The event will bring together the latest technology innovations and trends from healthcare and food sector under one roof. Suresh Prabhu, Minister of Commerce & Industry, commented, “I am happy to learn that Exhibitions India Group, along with India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) as co-organiser, is hosting the 27th edition of Convergence India 2019 expo, the 3rd edition of Internet of Things India 2019 expo, and Embedded Tech India 2019 expo in New Delhi.” “This will be a great opportunity for industry leaders and influencers to discuss the latest trends and disruptions impacting various industry verticals. I would like to congratulate the organisers for hosting these events, which continue to provide a remarkable opportunity to various stakeholders to come up with innovative solutions for India’s growth in the future”, he added. The three-day exhibition and conference, to be held in New Delhi from 29-31 January, 2019, will welcome 800+ exhibitors and 200+ speakers from 30+ countries. Over 25,000 trade visitors are expected, including key government officials and overseas representatives.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12456/medidata-appoints-sastry-chilukuri-as-executive-vp-of-digital-and-ai-solutions.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12456/medidata-appoints-sastry-chilukuri-as-executive-vp-of-digital-and-ai-solutions.html Wed, 09 Jan 2019 15:25:00 +0530 Medidata has announced the addition of executive vice president of Digital and AI Solutions, Sastry Chilukuri to its senior leadership team. As the most used platform in life sciences, and with its comprehensive clinical data assets, Medidata applies artificial intelligence and advanced analytics to help clients deliver innovative therapies. Chilukuri will be responsible for accelerating the development, go-to-market, and delivery of these capabilities. Chilukuri brings 19 years of experience in healthcare technology. He most recently was a partner at McKinsey & Company, where he worked for 12 years advising bio-pharma, medical device, technology, public sector and regulatory clients around the world. Prior to that he worked for GE Healthcare in software engineering, product development and operations. “Sastry brings tremendous experience and vision to our team, and will work closely with our clients to deliver breakthrough therapies in the age of precision medicine,” said Tarek Sherif, chairman and chief executive officer, Medidata. “The breadth and depth of his thought leadership on the impact of digital and AI across the life sciences value chain is unmatched.” “I am excited to join the company leading the digital revolution in life sciences. I look forward to helping our clients accelerate their transformation, and maximize the value from AI and analytics,” said Chilukuri. Chilukuri holds a Master of Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University; a Master of Science from The Ohio State University and a Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech) from the Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12455/massive-demand-for-health-insurance-fuelled-by-increase-in-lifestyle-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12455/massive-demand-for-health-insurance-fuelled-by-increase-in-lifestyle-diseases.html Wed, 09 Jan 2019 13:20:00 +0530 Healthcare issues have remained a challenge in India for a very long time. Overall trust in the healthcare system has deteriorated further with 96.5% of people not trusting the system. With 67.8% of Indians not trusting Hospitals. To add to this, the rising cost of healthcare has prompted Indians to focus more on health insurance. 62.8% of Indians believe having a health insurance policy is an absolute necessity and approximately 85% believe health insurance should be bought by the age of 30, indicates the GOQii-India Fit report 2019 titled ‘Insurance: An Investment in Health’. GOQii, India’s leading preventive healthcare ecosystem has unveiled the fifth edition of ‘India Fit Report. India Fit Report 2019 is a result of a year-long study of more than 700,000 GOQii users – a first-of-its-kind report that presents a holistic overview on the health and lifestyle of Indians across different parameters such as steps taken, lifestyle diseases (Diabetes, Cardiac and Hypertension), BMI (Body Mass Index), nutrition, water, stress, sleep, gut health and immunity, smoking and alcohol consumption; all of which are classified according to gender and key cities. This year India Fit report has gone a step further to also look at what people think of Health Insurance and can it be looked at as Investment in health? The report indicates despite the increasing awareness about the importance and need for an insurance policy, 20% of the respondents still don’t own insurance policy. The common notion that continues to prevail is that insurance is confusing to understand, a prime reason that discourages people from buying one. The high cost of insurance also deters them. Approximately 90% of people believe healthier people should pay lesser premiums on their insurance policies. 70% are willing to share health data with insurance companies to get a discount on premiums. The survey deep dives into insurance as that will be a critical aspect in the years to come for all individuals. Respondents strongly believed cashless hospitalization (87.9%) is the most sought-after health insurance benefit followed by medical bills reimbursement facility (67.7%) and better treatment in best hospitals (59.0%). Most people decide to buy a particular policy due to the good quality hospital network it provides (42.3%). Further, people also buy a policy from a particular provider because of its easy claim procedures (41.9%) and an accessible hospital network (40.3%). Low cost, good coverage and benefits, simple terms and conditions are some of the other convincing factors for people to buy health insurance. Further, the report indicates, 38.3% people between the age group of 20-45 suffer from at least one lifestyle disease ranging from Diabetes, BP, Cardiac issues to Thyroid, Acute GI and Acidity. In the last two years, lifestyle diseases have shown an increase. Cases of Cholesterol among people have increased from 10.1% to 14.1% this year, High blood pressure is on the rise, with an increase from 9% to 12%. This data signifies that a strong insurance system will be imperative for all individuals and GOQii is leading the efforts in this space, by being the first player to build a preventive healthcare model and showing the need and benefits of insurance, through this study. Increase in lifestyle diseases and medical costs coupled with the lack of trust in healthcare has prompted people to get active and be healthy. This also arises from the fact that people are not wanting to spend their life being disease struck. GOQii India Fit Report 2019 indicates that as compared to 2017, in 2018, people are taking to running has increased from 22% to 33% among people wanting to be active. Cycling has increased from 10% to 15%. Conscious of being healthy has also led people to sleep and take rest more. The report reveals that Indians have slept more (6:51 hrs) from (6:32 hrs) last year. When it comes to being healthy, Bangaloreans seem to be at the forefront. According to the report, Bengaluru has yet again topped the list of being the healthiest city in India beating Mumbai. However, the one aspect that is bothering Indians to a large extent is ‘Pollution’. Air pollution has been a killer in the last couple of years and the situation is only worsening. The India Fit report has studied 8 main cities on 3 basic parameters namely Air, water and food to find out how India has fared? The results have shown that Pune is the most livable city on air, water and food quality front and Delhi is most polluted in terms of its air quality.   Commenting on the findings of the India Fit Report 2019, Vishal Gondal, Founder and CEO of GOQii said, “Trust in healthcare has further deteriorated and there is a dire need to reimagine health. We are aiming to change and get people to move away from a reactive and cure based healthcare to a preventive healthcare system,”. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12438/mynd-analytics-emmaus-life-sciences-announce-merger-and-spin-off-transaction.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12438/mynd-analytics-emmaus-life-sciences-announce-merger-and-spin-off-transaction.html Tue, 08 Jan 2019 14:20:00 +0530 MYnd Analytics, a predictive analytics company aimed at improving the delivery of mental health services through the combination of telemedicine and data analytics has announced that it has entered into a definitive stock-for-stock merger agreement with Emmaus Life Sciences, a leader in sickle cell disease treatment.  Pursuant to the merger agreement, Emmaus will become a wholly owned subsidiary of MYnd Analytics in exchange for MYnd Analytics’ issuance of common stock to Emmaus shareholders and other equity holders.  The exchange ratio will result in Emmaus security holders owning approximately 94% of the MYnd Analytics’ common stock on a fully diluted basis after the merger. The company expects to meet all applicable requirements for initial listing upon completion of the merger and, therefore, expects to continue to be listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market. The completion of the merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of approval from the shareholders of each company and Nasdaq approval. A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners is acting as a financial advisor to Emmaus in connection with this transaction. In connection with the transaction, MYnd Analytics intends to transfer all of its assets (including cash and its equity interest in Arcadian Telepsychiatry Services, LLC) and liabilities into its wholly-owned subsidiary, MYnd Analytics California, and to distribute the shares of MYnd Analytics California to MYnd Analytics’ shareholders as of a record date prior to the merger, which will be set prior to the merger effective time.  MYnd Analytics expects that the MYnd Analytics California subsidiary, following the spinoff, will commence trading as an independent company at a date to be announced. Under the leadership of its new CEO, Patrick Herguth, the MYnd Analytics California spin off intends to continue operating, integrating and growing its technology-enabled telepsychiatry and teletherapy businesses in order to provide enhanced access to behavioral health services, improve patient outcomes and help lower the costs associated with behavioral health issues. MYnd-Arcadian customers include major health plans, health systems, and community-based organizations. The parties do not expect there to be any disruption to the existing business or customers. Emmaus is a commercial stage biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery, development, marketing and sale of innovative treatments and therapies, including those in the rare and orphan disease categories. Its lead prescription product, Endari, demonstrated positive clinical results in a completed Phase 3 clinical trial for sickle cell disease and received FDA approval in July 2017.  Yutaka Niihara, MD, MPH, CEO and Chairman of Emmaus, stated, “The merger with MYnd Analytics, and concurrent Nasdaq listing, will be a major milestone for the company, and builds on our recent progress, including the FDA approval of Endari, the publication of our Phase 3 results in The New England Journal of Medicine, Medicaid coverage, the addition of major pharmaceutical distributors, and a presentation at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) 2018 Annual Meeting.  Just as important as these accomplishments was the launch and market acceptance of Endari – the first medication (FDA approved) for sickle cell disease in almost 20 years. Endari addresses a $3 billion global market.  In addition to the treatment of sickle cell disease, we believe our platform technology has the potential to address other clinical indications such as diverticulosis.  Through this merger, we believe we can maximize value for shareholders and we are grateful to MYnd for this opportunity.” Robin Smith, Chairman of MYnd Analytics, commented, “We are excited to announce this definitive merger agreement with Emmaus, whereby the MYnd shareholders will own equity in Emmaus, and upon our expected spin-off, will continue to own 100% of the predictive analytics and telemedicine business, which we expect to begin operations as a new standalone public company.  We are quite encouraged by the outlook for the business and look forward to further integrating and accelerating the growth of our offerings under Patrick Herguth’s leadership.  We plan to provide further details on the new operational direction, branding, and growth strategy in the coming weeks and months.”    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12425/fortis-successfully-treats-rare-brain-inflammation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12425/fortis-successfully-treats-rare-brain-inflammation.html Mon, 07 Jan 2019 15:10:00 +0530 A 2.5-year-old boy suffering from a rare brain inflammatory condition called Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM) was treated successfully at Fortis hospital, Bannerghatta Road. The team of doctors was led by Dr. Yogesh Kumar Gupta, Consultant-Pediatrician & Intensivist, Head of PICU, Fortis Hospitals, Bannerghatta road & Dr Ashok Kumar Singhal, Consultant- Neurology, Fortis Hospitals, Bannerghatta Road. Parent brought the child to Fortis Hospital with a complaint of fever that lasted more than a week. He also had a difficulty in swallowing (could not even swallow his own saliva, Aphasia (Loss of acquired ability to speak) along with prolonged episodes of fits. At the time of admission to PICU he was in altered state of consciousness. Post MRI scanning and Cerebro -spinal fluid testing, doctors identified it as Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM). It is described as a life-threatening illness that targets the central nervous system and spinal cord cells. In this immune-mediated disorder, there is a widespread inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, further damaging the nerve tissue. Dr. Yogesh Kumar Gupta, Consultant-Pediatrician & Intensivist, Head of PICU at Fortis Hospitals, Bannerghatta road, said “Being a rare disease, we made it a point to conduct MRI scanning and spinal fluid test to confirm that it was a case of ADEM after ruling out other diseases that can present like ADEM." He also said, "The child had lost the ability to think and react, as, in this condition the protective covering of nerve fibers (Myelin) that make up part of the central nervous system responsible for carrying messages between the brain and the body get damaged. After confirming the diagnosis, we started the child on IV Corticosteroids which is considered as the preferred treatment after a discussion with Neurologist. Corticosteroids help in ADEM by reducing the inflammation and controlling the immune reaction. The child was kept under observation and gradually on the third day of the medication, the child started showing recovery signs.” “He became alert, started interacting with parents and started consuming small quantities of water and by day five, he was alert, smiling and was able to swallow the food normally. Only deficit remaining was the ability to speak. After completing the injections, he was put on oral steroids. By day 8 child started speaking and became completely normal as before. What makes this case interesting is his complete recovery as majority of the cases of ADEM would end up in some or other neurological deficit”, he added. According to National Multiple Sclerosis Society, “ADEM can appear at any age, however children are more likely than adults to develop it. More than 80 percent of childhood cases occur in patients younger than 10 years. Most of the remaining cases occur between the ages of 10 and 20 but ADEM is sometimes (rarely) diagnosed in adults. ADEM is thought to affect 1 in every 125,000 to 250,000 individuals in a given year.”     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12420/thsti-aiims-develop-collaborative-platform.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12420/thsti-aiims-develop-collaborative-platform.html Mon, 07 Jan 2019 10:35:00 +0530 Translational Health Science And Technology Institute (THSTI), Haryana and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the purpose of bridging the clinician-scientist gap through AIIMS-THSTI collaborative platform. The MoU was signed by Dr. Gagandeep Kang, Executive Director, THSTI and Dr. Randeep Guleria, Director, AIIMS in an open house session held at AIIMS recently, in the presence of Dean (Clinical Research), THSTI; Dean (Academics), Assoc Dean (Academics) Assoc Dean (Research), AIIMS ; Nodal Officer-THSTI, Department of Biotechnology. The mission of the collaborative platform is to promote a systematic organized approach to solve the unmet challenges in medical practice and health services by engaging experts from multiple disciplines both within and outside the scope of a problem. This collaborative platform may help in critical identification of the problems faced by the practicing doctors in diverse situations ranging from primary health center to tertiary care super-specialty hospitals and initiate the work for sustainable solution which can be commercialized following the regulatory guidelines. Developing specialized human resources in interdisciplinary domains will be an important goal of the collaborative platform. A joint colloquium series, intra-mural research funding for collaborative proposals, joint summer school/workshop for students are some of the main features of the collaborative platform. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12426/digital-technologies-essential-to-bridge-indias-skill-gap-accenture-study-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12426/digital-technologies-essential-to-bridge-indias-skill-gap-accenture-study-.html Mon, 07 Jan 2019 04:10:00 +0530 A new report from Accenture outlines an approach to bridging the skills gap that, if not addressed, could result in India forgoing as much as US$1.97 trillion in gross domestic product (GDP) growth promised by investment in intelligent technologies over the next decade.  The report, “Fueling India’s Skill Revolution,” identifies the skills that are rising in importance across most job roles as intelligent technologies transform the nature of work. It notes that skills such as complex reasoning, creativity, and socio-emotional and sensory perception cannot be taught through traditional teaching and learning.  The report includes a framework that combines a suite of innovative learning methods grounded in neuroscience research to make skills development more effective, enabling organizations to reskill their people at scale while providing learning experiences that are more tailored to the individual.  The approach is based on Accenture’s own ‘New Skilling’ framework which helped more than 160,000 Accenture employees around the world become conversant in the latest IT skills and more than 100,000 to be job-ready in less than two years. The framework supports the four stages of an individual’s learning journey, which can be augmented by a combination of digital technologies:  Awareness: Digital platforms and artificial intelligence (AI) can help with content curation and dissemination to ensure that students are aware of the skills they need. Conversant: AI-based adaptive programs can build specific pathways to tailor learning to individual needs. Job-ready: Augmented and virtual-reality technologies can enable immersive training to make people job-ready. Expert: Blockchain-based micro-credentials can help individuals stay on the path to lifelong learning and build deeper expertise.  “Intelligent technologies increasingly require people to hone more exclusively human skills such as creativity, empathy and ethical judgment,” said Rekha M Menon, chairman and senior managing director at Accenture in India. “These skills cannot be acquired in the classroom. We must offer more experiential on-the-job training and help people adopt life-long learning as their jobs are transformed. Digital tools and applications — like artificial intelligence, analytics and blockchain — will be essential in delivering these new learning approaches.”  The report also recommends four actions that stakeholders in India — including government departments, industry bodies, academia, non-profit organizations and corporates — need to initiate to ensure that the country’s workforce has the skills needed for the digital economy.  Unify a fragmented ecosystem: Use digital platforms to connect the stakeholder ecosystem so that employers, education providers, start-ups and public agencies can work together to address skills demand, create jobs and tackle other challenges facing job seekers. Analytics could help identify the areas for intervention and recommend appropriate actions; and blockchain could improve the transparency and accountability of the process of awarding skills development grants. Use blended learning models: Improve learning retention and ‘stickiness’ through blended learning formats that offer the optimal mix of in-person interaction, on-the-job learning and online learning.  Start at the source: Create a comprehensive skills-based learning path in schools and colleges and adapt curriculum in institutions of higher learning to cater to the broader needs of the digital economy. Customize to the local context: Build technology solutions that can be applied at scale while being relevant to local needs. Ensure that digital solutions are affordable, device-agnostic, multi-lingual, and compatible with offline infrastructure.  “It’s critical that companies collaborate with the broader ecosystem to bridge the skills gap that is keeping India from harnessing its demographic advantage,” Menon said. “Organizations must recognize that they need to be innovative not just in developing products and services, but also in the way they offer learning opportunities that ensure their communities are ready for the future.”         ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12419/parkinsons-drug-apomorphine-set-to-enter-eastern-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12419/parkinsons-drug-apomorphine-set-to-enter-eastern-india.html Fri, 04 Jan 2019 18:00:00 +0530 Medica Superspecialty Hospital in association with Kings College, London and UK-based Britannia Pharmaceuticals, has launched a revolutionary treatment that will change the way Parkinson’s disease is being treated in eastern India. ‘Apomorphine Pen & Pump’ is the treatment that will radically change the life of a Parkinson’s patient. Dr Sunandan Basu, Consultant Neurosurgeon, Medica Superspecialty Hospital said, “Apomorphine is a highly selective Dopamine receptor emulator, which promotes the release of Dopamine in the brain from the nerve cells.” While explaining further, Prof Kalyan Bhattacharya, Consultant Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Specialist, Medica Superspecialty Hospital said, “DBS was not a choice for all ages & stages of Parkinson’s disease.  Hence there were limitations and there was a need for therapeutic options in moderately advanced Parkinson’s disease.” Dr. Laxmi Narayan Tripathy, Senior Vice Chairman; Director and Senior Consultant, Neuro & Spine Surgeon, Medica Superspecialty Hospital said, “Apomorphine is a wonderful option in treating Parkinson’s disease especially in advanced disease.” Dr. Alok Roy, Chairman, Medica Group of Hospitals said, “We are privileged to have Kings College, London and Britannia Pharmaceuticals, with us for the launch of Apomorphine PEN & PUMP. We wish to transfer the benefits of this medicines to our patients in eastern part of India.” Dr. Vinod Metta, Consultant Interventional Neurologist, Kings College Hospital, London, & Medical advisor to Britannia Pharmaceuticals India, told that, “Apomorphine pens work dramatically on patients within a couple of minutes and are very similar to usage to that of Insulin Pens.” Prof. Kallol Ray Chaudhuri, Director of National Parkinson’s Foundation Center, King’s College, United Kingdom, feels that “It was indeed a long overdue for Indian patients and these therapies will add significantly to the benefit of patient care and reducing caregiver burden.” Constantino Savinnidis, International lead & Business Director, Britannia Pharmaceuticals, UK, concluded: “Thanks are due in no small amount to the management team of Medica for inviting us today and it is a great privilege for us to collaborate with Medica Hospitals along with academic partner Kings College Hospital, London. It is a great honour for us to deliver Apomorphine pump and pen through Medica Hospitals for deserving patients in the entire eastern region.” The increase in life expectancy has led to a new set of medical disorders which are called as “Aging related Degenerative Diseases”. Among these disorders Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s disease are important. Parkinson’s disease is characterized by slowness, stiffness and tremors, the treatment for which is either oral medical treatment or expensive surgical options like Deep brain stimulation (DBS), a neurosurgical procedure involving the implantation of a medical device sometimes referred to as a brain pacemaker.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12416/employer-direct-partners-with-coca-cola-consolidated.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12416/employer-direct-partners-with-coca-cola-consolidated.html Fri, 04 Jan 2019 15:30:00 +0530 Employer Direct Healthcare is excited to announce its partnership with Coca-Cola Consolidated. Through the partnership, the Company will expand its member healthcare coverage offering beginning January 2019 through Employer Direct Healthcare's SurgeryPlus®, a supplemental benefit for non-emergent surgeries that provides members access to quality care at appropriate prices.  Founded over 116 years ago, the Company has committed itself to offering and providing consumers and their communities with their favorite Coca-Cola products, from sports drinks to ready to drink coffee to the classic carbonated beverages. As the largest Coca-Cola bottler in the United States, the Company makes, sells and distributes more than 300 brands and flavors across 14 states and the District of Colombia to over 65 million consumers. Through its 13 manufacturing facilities, 76 distribution and sales centers and corporate headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Company delivers Coca-Cola beverages to local stores, restaurants, entertainment venues, and more. "Coca-Cola Consolidated is dedicated to offering our teammates and their families top quality experience and delivery when it comes to their healthcare offerings," said Michael Rosales, Vice President of Total Rewards. "By partnering with SurgeryPlus®, our teammates and their families will have access to an elite, high-performance Surgeons of Excellence network that includes top quality, and 100 percent board-certified providers."  In addition, with SurgeryPlus®, Coca-Cola Consolidated members are provided with access to a full health concierge service with personal Care Advocates who handle every aspect of their surgical experience, including travel coordination and all scheduling, for a white-glove service from start to finish. John Zutter, CEO of Employer Direct Healthcare said, "We are extremely excited to be partnering with the largest distributer of the world's most recognizable brand. The Coca-Cola brand is only made possible by the passionate employees who strive to deliver the products we all know and love. We are thrilled to be a part of that journey, by providing a superior healthcare solution to serve the surgical needs of their hardworking employees."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12415/every-sixth-person-with-respiratory-disease-lives-in-india-cipla.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12415/every-sixth-person-with-respiratory-disease-lives-in-india-cipla.html Fri, 04 Jan 2019 15:25:00 +0530 Respiratory diseases are the second leading cause of death in the population aged 25 – 69 years in India. Worldwide, asthma is the second most common respiratory condition after COPD. It affects around 339 million people worldwide, 37.86 million of whom lives in India. The numbers mean that India ranks second globally in the Asthma prevalence ranking. Some may justify this ranking by the fact that India is the second most populous country. However, when we see the highest deaths and disability adjusted life years (DALYs) due to asthma, India tops the ranking. Dr Jaideep Gogtay, Global Chief Medical Officer of Cipla while speaking at HEAL Foundation’s 6th National Writers and Editors Convention highlighted that every sixth person with respiratory disease lives in India. He said, “Although India contributes to 15.69% in the prevalence of respiratory disease, the percentage rises to 30.28% for death and 32.07% for DALYs, which means every third respiratory disease patient who dies or contributes to DALYs is from India.” DALYs stands for Disability Adjusted Life Years and is now the main unit to measure the burden of a disease in a country. World Health Organization (WHO) defined 1 DALY as one lost year of healthy life. It is the gap between the current health status and the ideal health status of a person. “The state-wise disease burden is higher in states with weak infrastructure large population. Sadly, children make a large chunk of asthmatic patients with a horrifying figure of 18 million.  As asthma control remains dismal in India, 42% of patients have to visit the emergency department around 5 times a year and 18% of patients have to stay in hospitals for 2 to 3 times a year. The impact on ideal health can be understood by the fact that 93% of asthma patients reported absent from work or school”, Dr Gogate added.  The horrifying figures around asthma are a result of poor management. If the disease is managed properly, the patient can live a healthy life without any barriers. To highlight the importance of correct management Cipla has launched a campaign called #Berok Zindagi targeted to bust the myths around the management of asthma. The most effective treatment for asthma is inhalers, which are poorly accepted among masses. Many factors like lack of awareness, fear of social stigma, incorrect knowledge (last resort, habit-forming), a time constraint for educating and counselling patients, availability of alternative therapies have contributed to the rejection of inhalation therapy. However, it is important that people understand that inhalation therapy treats the disease with much lower doses than oral alternatives. Low doses mean low side-effects and better treatment means fewer absences from work and schools and fewer visits to emergency departments. With rising pollution, respiratory diseases can also be expected to rise. It is very important that people understand the disease and chose the correct treatment. Doctors also need to spend more time with their patients to be able to guide and counsel them. If India has to go down in the Asthma ranking, which we are not proud of, everyone has to come together to spread awareness and launch more programs like BerokZindagi.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12403/experts-call-for-replicating-malaria-tackling-project-in-odisha-across-india-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12403/experts-call-for-replicating-malaria-tackling-project-in-odisha-across-india-.html Thu, 03 Jan 2019 14:10:00 +0530 Experts at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) have called for replicating across the country a model project in Odisha that resulted in 85 per cent decline in average monthly malaria cases in the state over one year. The malaria control approach project, termed 'Comprehensive Case Management Programme (CCMP)', was started in four districts of Odisha leading to 47 per cent decline in malaria cases between 2015 and 2017, reported PTI. A research paper, 'Improved access to early diagnosis and complete treatment of malaria in Odisha, India', on the outcome of the project was published in the PLOS ONE journal. CCMP, initially implemented in four districts of the state -- Angul, Dhenkanal, Kandhamal and Dolangir -- led to a sharp decline in malaria cases over five years through a control approach that involved mass screening and comprehensive case management. The project was a collaboration between the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Malaria Research (ICMR-NIMR), and the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), Odisha. It was funded by the Medicines for Malaria Venture, Geneva. The CCMP was then implemented across 22 districts of Odisha under an initiative called Durgama Anchalare Malaria Nirakaran (DAMaN). WHO's 'Test-Treat-Track' strategy, that urges malaria-endemic countries to scale up diagnostic testing, treatment and surveillance for malaria, was also implemented. Between 2017 and 2018, Odisha recorded 85 per cent decline in malaria cases, as result of which India's burden of the disease decreased by almost 50 per cent, Dr Anup Anvikar, a scientist at ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, said. The programme provided universal access to malaria diagnosis and treatment, and improved the quality of services and surveillance, he said. Dr Balram Bhargava, Secretary in the Department of Health Research and Director General, ICMR, said India is committed to eradicating malaria by 2030 and there has already been significant progress in bringing down the caseload. "CCMP is a sustainable model for improving access to malaria control tools in hard-to-reach areas. Other states can take a cue from this and intensify efforts towards malaria elimination," he said. Dr Neena Valecha, Director, ICMR-NIMR termed CCMP as a living laboratory that helped in understanding the true picture of malaria in the study areas. It received technical and financial support from Medicines for Malaria Venture, Geneva, the NVBDCP and WHO. Reiterating India's commitment towards malaria elimination by 2030, Dr Neeraj Dhingra, Additional Director, NVBDCP, said the National Framework for Malaria Elimination has already been launched. "There is a need to reach out to people in remote areas in order to control malaria. The Government of India has already distributed Rs 4 crore long-lasting insecticide nets for malaria control. The country has seen a drastic decline in the number of malaria cases and deaths last year," he said. According to WHO, India accounted for four per cent of global malaria cases in 2017 and has made significant progress in bringing down its malaria burden since then. A government data said the total number of malaria cases in 2018 was 3.4 lakh, while it was 8.4 lakh and 11 lakh in 2017 and 2016 respectively. The number of deaths in the country due to malaria too decreased from 331 in 2016 to 194 in 2017 and 41 last year, it stated. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12392/american-university-of-antigua-attends-2018-aapi-global-health-summit.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12392/american-university-of-antigua-attends-2018-aapi-global-health-summit.html Wed, 02 Jan 2019 11:40:00 +0530 American University of Antigua (AUA) College of Medicine, a medical school dedicated to providing education of the highest quality, granting opportunities to underrepresented minorities and fostering a diverse academic community, is proudly attending the 2018 Global Healthcare Summit hosted by the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI).  The Global Health Summit took place in Mumbai, India from December 28-30, and provides a platform for Indian physicians and physicians of Indian origin the opportunity to share their expertise in their respective medical fields with fellow physicians. Since 2012, AAPI has recognized AUA as the leader in international medical education. After conducting a comprehensive site visit, AAPI awarded AUA this distinction based on AUA’s numerous state accreditations, strong curriculum, global health resources and graduate success. Presently, AUA is the only medical school to receive this status and recognition.  AUA President and Co-Founder Neal Simon participated in panel discussions during the Summit’s Access to Healthcare and CEO Forum where he discussed global healthcare and much-anticipated global physician shortage. Additionally, Simon joined William W. Pinksy, M.D., President  & CEO of the Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) on a panel to discuss the international medical school’s programs and the importance of credentialing and credential verification.  As a globally-focused medical school and a division of Manipal Education & Medical Group, AUA maintains strong ties to India. “We continue to be impressed with the quality of physicians, researchers, and scientists that come from India,” noted Simon. “They advance and further progress global health initiatives that impact the world. Their medical community continues to be a significant contributor to our institution’s success.”   As part of their participation in the Global Health Summit, AUA to host a free first responder demonstration to high school students in collaboration with CII and PD Hinduja Hospital. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12384/csir-dbt-and-icmr-enters-mutual-mou-for-phytopharmaceutical-products.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12384/csir-dbt-and-icmr-enters-mutual-mou-for-phytopharmaceutical-products.html Tue, 01 Jan 2019 11:25:00 +0530 India is known for its traditional systems of medicine for health care. The resource base to support delivery through such a system has been developed systematically over the years and is continuously being strengthened and positioned to attract the global attention. For the centuries, India has also been at the forefront for the use of medicinal and aromatic plants. The Gazette of India notification of guidelines for phytopharmaceutical drug development offers an opportunity to leverage traditional knowledge for drug development based on modern science and modern medicine principles. In order to leverage the effort, the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) have entered into Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for inter-ministerial cooperation. The focus is on boosting innovative research on phytopharmaceuticals. About the MoU The MoU amongst CSIR, DBT and ICMR is for mutual collaboration to develop phytopharmaceutical products for therapeutic use following international standards and norms for establishing safety, quality, standardization and efficacy. The effort would beto take forward the leads already existing with CSIR, DBT and ICMR and develop specific collaborative projects in the domain aiming at rigorous modern scientific testing and development of standard products to maintain global competitiveness. The role of each agency has been defined in the MoU. CSIR will be responsible for undertaking the R&D for developing desired phytopharmaceutical leads (both with short term & long term translational period), which can be taken forward for positioned product development following DCGI regulatory guidelines; pre-clinical pharmacology; CMC and IND enabling studies; and safety and regulatory toxicity studies. DBT would be responsible for identifying the leads based on its extra-mural research, providing funds for R&D projects taken under the MoU and preparation of respective sections of IND dossier in mutual collaboration with ICMR. Preparation of IND dossier and its submission to DCGI, preparation of clinical trials protocols, obtaining regulatory clearance for clinical trials and conducting trials with the compilation of results etc. would be the responsibility of ICMR. This synergetic approach being put in the country for the first time would lead to taking up of the identified activities in the mission mode through best of the institutions in the Country. The CSIR had launched “Phytopharmaceutical Mission” about a year back   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12383/ministry-of-ayush-signs-mou-with-dbt-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12383/ministry-of-ayush-signs-mou-with-dbt-.html Tue, 01 Jan 2019 11:05:00 +0530 India is a repertoire for traditional systems of medicine and has met primary health care needs of millions. However, for globalization of such rich traditional knowledge base, well-researched indigenous natural products have to be manufactured using best practices. In order to leverage the efforts, the Ministry of AYUSH and Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology has entered into Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for inter-ministerial cooperation. The focus is on boosting innovative research on biotechnological intervention in AYUSH sector. The MoU between Ministry of AYUSH and DBT is for mutual collaboration to explore the possibility of cooperation, convergence and synergy to have a biotechnological intervention in AYUSH sector and to have a platform for an exchange of information between both the Ministry of AYUSH and DBT. The role of each party has been defined in the MoU. DBT will be responsible for undertaking the research on domestication, identification of elite and quality planting material of selected medicinal and aromatic plants and their mass multiplication etc. The Ecological Niche modelling developed by DBT on RET (rare, endangered and threatened) species of medicinal importance will be used by National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB), Ministry of AYUSH in conservation, augmentation, development and cultivation promotion of medicinal plants. DBT would undertake R&D projects to validate AYUSH concepts and medicines and would play a major role in supply chain management of medicinal plants by developing technological intervention and DBT and NMPB can develop collaboration in the implementation of DBT’s initiatives on Phytopharmaceutical Mission in North East Region. Ministry of AYUSH will help and guide DBT in taking already available research leads forward towards developing drugs in AYUSH mode. This flagship synergistic approach would be taken-up in mission mode through networking with the elite institutions in the Country. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12376/elixsysbionest-to-organise-workshop-on-project-management-in-life-sciences-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12376/elixsysbionest-to-organise-workshop-on-project-management-in-life-sciences-.html Mon, 31 Dec 2018 11:30:00 +0530   The registration link is available at;  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1jF98fNmrXZBbINXPCmrUDQnKBtcvQsGwA-9Bh7fq_sc/edit ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12528/hcg-who-antardhwani-mull-over-the-growth-of-tobacco.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12528/hcg-who-antardhwani-mull-over-the-growth-of-tobacco.html Mon, 10 Dec 2018 13:00:00 +0530 Healthcare Global Hospitals (HCG), World Health Organisation (WHO) and Think Tank -Antardhwani, which is engaged in public policy interventions in healthcare, education, agriculture and livelihood recently organised a round table to discuss a viable and sustainable alternative crop options for tobacco farmers.  As India’s leading cancer care specialists, HCG's medical experts see hundreds of cancer patients, both smokers and non-smokers who have all been victims of tobacco. While there are campaigns against smoking in urban areas, the noise about the ill-effects of tobacco is found wanting in rural India. Highlighting the commitment towards prevention of cancer, Dr BS Ajaikumar, Chairman & CEO, HCG said “As a Think Tank engaged in public-policy interventions, it is imperative that we tackle the tobacco menace at the root level - to stop tobacco cultivation. During the last few months, we have been engaging with various stake-holders of tobacco growing and found that the farmers needed an alternative to make a living, if they stopped growing tobacco. The move certainly has challenges, but similar initiatives are the need of the hour to ensure a healthy India and make living profitable for farmers.” Senior World Health Organisation officials, environmentalists, health specialists, Karnataka government anti-tobacco officers, tobacco farmers from Mysore and Hunsur regions came together to brain-storm on the challenges for farmers for alternative cropping. “The latest Global Audit Tobacco Survey reveals that 28.6 percent (266 .8 million) adults in India - aged 15 and above currently use tobacco in some form or other.  Practically, every 10th adult in India currently smokes tobacco. This is a reflection of a bigger healthcare burden we are facing currently”, said Dr US Vishal Rao, Head and neck oncologist and member of the High Powered Committee on Tobacco Control, Government of Karnataka. “India is the third largest tobacco producing nation and second largest consumer of tobacco in the world. In Karnataka itself over 70,000 farmers were engaged in tobacco cultivation in the year 2017-18 over 2.5 lakh hectares of land across Karnataka. Finding an alternate method would be challenging but it is in the interest of the society”, said Vineet Munish Gill, National Programme Officer (Tobacco Control), WHO Country Office, Delhi. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12367/9th-international-yoga-conference-organized-by-kaivalyadhama-inaugurated-in-lonavala-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12367/9th-international-yoga-conference-organized-by-kaivalyadhama-inaugurated-in-lonavala-.html Fri, 28 Dec 2018 15:35:00 +0530 Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute’s ‘International yoga conference – Yoga as Therapy - Scope, Evidence and Evolution’ to be held from 27th – 30th December 2018 in Lonavala was inaugurated today. Present at the inauguration were Swami Maheshananda (Chairman Kaivalyadhama), Dr. D. R. Karthikeyan (Former Dir. CBI and Member of Kaivalyadhama Advisory Board), Justice (Retd.) B. N. Shrikrishna (former Judge of Supreme Court of India and Chairman Kaivalyadhama Advisory Board), Shri. P.N. Ranjit Kumar (Jt. Secretary Ministry Of AYUSH, Government of India), Dr. Pradeep Vyas (Principal Secretary - Public Health department Government of Maharashtra), Prof. Rajan Welukar (Vice Chancellor Raisoni University, Member Advisory Board Kaivalyadhama), and Shri O P Tiwari (Secretary Kaivalyadhama). Speaking on the same, Mr. Subodh Tiwari, CEO Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute said; “Over the next few days, brilliant minds from all over the globe will come together to discuss the place of yoga in the realm of healing. Through multiple academic plenary sessions and panel discussions, our endeavour would be to delve deeper into the intricate aspects of understanding yoga as a therapy. At Kaivalyadhama, we believe that we can set the proper context for conversation and truly be able to recognize that yoga, unlike many other disciplines, provides an all-encompassing method for therapy.” The aim of the conference is to understand the evolution of yoga as a form of therapy, both historically and in the current context. To add, the discussions will set the tone about the future scope of yoga therapy, studying its place in various fields: academia, modern medicine, and yoga teaching. Some of the topics discussed at the conference were - Evidence-based yoga and its integration into professional therapy practice – the Western scenario, the future roadmap – integrating yoga as complementary therapy into mainstream medical and mental healthcare, and yoga as therapy in women’s health. Dr. Satbir Singh Khalsa, Ph.D, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Hardvard Medical School, USA mentioned during the inauguration ceremony – “Today, there is a disconnect. We’ve taught dental hygiene, but not mental hygiene. Now, through the lens of yoga, as a form of healing, both from the scope of prevention and cure, we must ask ourselves how do we go from where we are now to where we need to be? I believe this conference will help answer this question and establish a roadmap for the practice & discipline of yoga therapy.” Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute’s ‘International Yoga Conference - Yoga as Therapy - Scope, Evidence and Evolution’ will see illustrious names from the various fields - yoga, general and holistic medicine, surgery, eastern philosophy, Sanskrit, psychology and other various academic fields - come together to discuss and dissect the current definition of yogic therapy as well as synthesize evidence-based research. Some of the eminent international names at the Conference are Dr. Sat Bir Singh Khalsa (Asst. Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, USA), Göran Boll (Yoga teacher, therapist and Founder of Medi Yoga, Sweden), John Kepner (Executive Director, IAYT, USA), Dr. Arthur Brownstein (Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, USA), and Dr. Luciano Bernardi (Professor of Internal Medicine, Italy) amongst others. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12361/apollo-hospital-implants-bilateral-n7-cochlear-to-an-infant-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12361/apollo-hospital-implants-bilateral-n7-cochlear-to-an-infant-.html Thu, 27 Dec 2018 15:15:00 +0530 Hearing loss impacts one throughout life. While people with mild to moderate amount of hearing loss can cope with this disability with the help of hearing aids, the ones who suffer from severe to profound hearing loss require cochlear implants to deal with the deafness. If the hearing loss is not treated early enough, the children born with hearing loss will not develop normal speech and language. Diagnosed at birth with severe hearing loss in both his ears, the baby is a resident of Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi. His parents bought him to Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals in an effort to find a treatment to restore his hearing. At the hospital, his case was referred to Dr. (Prof) Ameet Kishore, and then assessed by the audiologists at SpHear Speech & Hearing clinic (which supports the Apollo Cochlear Implant programme). He was initially fitted with hearing aids to ascertain the level of benefit, as per international protocol. The team eventually confirmed that the child would not get normal hearing with hearing aids, and the family was counselled for cochlear implants. Even though his young age of eight months presented a huge challenge, the doctors with the consent of parents decided to go ahead with the surgery. Dr. (Prof) Ameet Kishore, Senior Consultant, ENT & Cochlear Implant Surgeon, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi said, “When dealing with hearing loss in children of such a young age, the most important part is to restore the hearing of the child as early as possible. In the child’s case the treatment of choice for good hearing restoration was cochlear implant, and on top of that, it was a important to restore hearing in both his ears (bilateral simultaneous cochlear implant), which means that implantation was done in both ears at the same time. It requires extensive surgical expertise and efficiency to safely handle a small eight months old baby, weighing just 10 kg, which is why many people would hesitate to do this surgery on such a little baby. With our experience of close to 1000 cochlear implants, this was not a concern as we have operated on many small babies safely and efficiently.” The baby’s parents decided to outfit him with the latest cochlear implant Nucleus 7 (N7) devices, making him the youngest patient in the country to get bilateral simultaneous cochlear implant using the N7 device. “This has also been verified by Cochlear Corporation Company. He is probably one of the youngest children to have bilateral simultaneous cochlear implant in the country, and certainly one of the youngest in Apollo’s bilateral cochlear implant programme.” added Dr. Kishore. Dr. Kishore further highlights, “Nucleus 7 (N7) devices are the most recent cochlear implant devices in the world right now. N7 implants have a better chip and connectivity with digital devices. So such improvement in the quality of hardware and software further enhances the quality in sound that the patient gets, making it extremely good and clear.  Getting the latest and most sophisticated cochlear implant will help the baby to do very well in the future.” “The implantation surgery went well without any complications,” said Dr. Kishore, “Post the surgery, N7 devices have been switched on by the audiologists at SpHear Clinic where he is also receiving the much needed hearing and speech therapy.” He has accepted the cochlear implants, is attending the clinic for habilitation twice a week and doing very well so far, Ms. Neevita Narayan, Audiology Director & Cochlear Implant Specialist at SpHear Clinic added.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12358/narayana-health-city-treats-acute-heart-failure-through-lvad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12358/narayana-health-city-treats-acute-heart-failure-through-lvad.html Thu, 27 Dec 2018 13:00:00 +0530 A 37 year old police officer from Oman, Muscat was suffering from chronic heart failure with frequent exacerbations and recurrent hospitalisations since the last 3 years. His search for quality treatment brought him to Narayana Health City, Bangalore. A comprehensive evaluation revealed that his left ventricular function was just 15% (Normal Left ventricular function is 55%). A cardiac catheterisation test was performed and based on the data, he was not a suitable candidate for cardiac transplantation. In view of his clinical condition, he was advised to undergo Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) implantation. LVAD is a battery-operated, mechanical pump device that is surgically implanted. The LVAD device connects the patient’s failing left ventricle to the aorta. It draws out blood for the patient’s weakened left ventricle and pumps it into the patient’s aorta. An important pre-requisite for implantation of an LVAD is a normal right ventricular function, since the LVAD can support only the failing left ventricle. Patients who suffer from biventricular failure (failure of both left and right ventricles) are not suitable candidates for LVAD implantation and are advised to undergo BiVAD or Total artificial heart (TAH) surgery. This patient’s LVAD implantation surgery was successful and was funded by the Royal Oman Government. Speaking about the case, Dr. Bagirath Raghuraman, MD, DM (Cardiology), Program Director Heart Transplant at Narayana Health City said, “Mechanical circulatory support devices have become important options in the management of both acute and chronic heart failure conditions. Its value can be gauged from the fact that it is available off the shelf at short notice and is lifesaving in those patients on life support equipment waiting for a donor heart. Apart from this, LVAD is also an option for heart failure patients who are at the other end of the spectrum who are not suitable for a heart transplant due to very high pulmonary artery pressures, like this patient. We are glad that this patient has responded very well to the LVAD device. His condition has improved dramatically from the time he was admitted and now he can manage his work on his own. We will continue to monitor the patient periodically”. Dr. Julius Punnen, Senior Consultant Cardiothoracic and Transplant Surgeon at Narayana Health City who operated on this patient added “The worldwide prevalence of patients living with chronic heart failure is on a rise. With severe and chronic heart failure, the left ventricle weakens to the point that it can no longer pump enough blood on its own. Then we use LVAD to save these situations. The procedure to implant LVAD is complex and involves risks. However, LVAD can be lifesaving and can emerge as a ray of hope for many patients. We will monitor the patient periodically. Over a period of time, his pulmonary artery pressures will decrease and he may become suitable for a cardiac transplant”. Dr. Varun Shetty, Consultant Cardiothoracic and Transplant Surgeon at Narayana Health City who also operated on this patient said “Since their inception, there have been marked improvements in the design and technology of the LVAD’s making them a reliable therapeutic option for patients with advanced heart failure. The LVAD’s available today are technologically far superior to their predecessors. A decade ago, LVAD’s required to be charged once in 4 hours. However, the LVAD’s available today can work up to 11 hours after a single battery charge” . Sharing his experience the patient said, ‘Being a cop is tough and everyone looks up to you for inspiration. When I started having difficulty in managing my day to day work, my life became a living nightmare. Eventually, I could barely complete two sentences without becoming breathless and I needed constant help. Finding the right diagnosis, right doctor and correct treatment option was a tough task and I am grateful that I came to Narayana Health City.  Now after LVAD implantation, under the supervision of Dr. Bagirath and Dr. Julius and the entire team, I can independently perform all my daily routine tasks by myself and it has made me even more confident and optimistic towards life. ’ The biggest advantage of LVAD’s are that they are readily available when required, they do not require immunosuppressive medications or periodic cardiac biopsies and are extremely biocompatible thereby eliminating the risk of rejection.  The advent of mechanical circulatory support devices like the LVAD’s have not only made patients’ life easier but also helped them live a happy and fulfilling life. More importantly, they can live independently with dignity and perform most of their daily tasks without depending on others for help. About Narayana Health City, Bengaluru: NH Health City is located in Bommasandra, Bengaluru, which comprises of Narayana Institute of Cardiac Sciences (NICS), a superspecialty hospital for cardiology and cardiac surgery, and Mazumdar Shaw Medical Center (MSMC), a multispecialty hospital for cancer care, neurology and neurosurgery, nephrology, urology, and  houses what is possibly India's largest bone marrow transplant units. NH Health City operates a stem cell bank and a homograft valve bank as well. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12355/lybrate-launches-goodmd.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12355/lybrate-launches-goodmd.html Thu, 27 Dec 2018 11:40:00 +0530 India’s first online doctor consultation, Lybrate has launched GoodMD which is an exclusive social networking platform for doctors, where they can destress themselves in the midst of their busy and tiresome lives, as also voice their opinions on multitude of issues related to healthcare, including regulatory and administrative, without the inhibition of being judged. GoodMD was launched realizing the lack of a relevant online space for healthcare practitioners where they can exchange opinions with fellow doctors and bust their stress. Given the burnout level of doctors getting high, GoodMD is a gateway for them to relax and express themselves freely. The platform provides an outlet to their pent-up thoughts, find solidarity from peers to what and how they feel, share their clinical expertise with fellow colleagues, check out what their peer group has posted and stay updated on pharma, patientcare, business-related and other developments in the healthcare industry via Medshorts, which keeps them posted about healthcare-related news in just 360-characters. GoodMD is a first-of-its-kind professional-cum-personal social networking platform for doctors which is only meant for them. Guided by the approach of inclusiveness, the platform aims to bring together doctors from across specialties, including AYUSH, and multiple backgrounds to help them forge a healthy professional bond. The platform has shown doctors joining hands like never before and vociferously express their thoughts on issues whether it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks on Indian doctors in London or celebrating a doctor’s achievement or exemplary work a fellow doctor has performed. The platform has allowed doctors to engage in fruitful discussions on critical issues such as NMC Bill or Bridge Course, promoting diversity of thoughts, which is essential to strengthen the medical community.    Saurabh Arora, Founder and CEO, Lybrate said, “With Lybrate, we have built a huge network of doctors. We saw that doctors can connect with their family and friends on Facebook, they can connect with all kinds of professionals on LinkedIn, but they had no online platform to ‘engage’ with their peer group only. GoodMD provides doctors a platform to not just connect with each other and relax, but also allow them to express their thoughts on certain issues exactly in the way they feel about them.” “On some issues, the fraternity has consensus on the platform, while on some doctors do not shy away from sharing their discontent or disagreement with their fellow colleagues. This kind of action was missing when it came to doctors on a social media platform. GoodMD has filled that void for doctors,” he added. Over 70,000 doctors from across specialties are currently on GoodMD and the aim is to bring all the doctors in the country on the platform.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12350/aster-cmi-hospital-recognized-for-its-excellence-in-bariatric-and-metabolic-surgery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12350/aster-cmi-hospital-recognized-for-its-excellence-in-bariatric-and-metabolic-surgery.html Wed, 26 Dec 2018 17:55:00 +0530 In an acknowledgement of the advanced capabilities of Aster CMI hospital and its doctors and surgeons, the Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society of India (OSSI) accredited the Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery unit of Aster CMI Hospital as a first Centre of Excellence (COE) in Karnataka and recognised Dr. H V Shivaram as its Programme Director. The Certification, conferred for a duration of three years, from December 2018 to December 2021, has recognised the unit for its excellent work and for following global standards in Laparoscopic, Bariatric and Metabolic surgeries. The department underwent a rigorous process of evaluation in the supervision of OSSI experts and was evaluated on various parameters such as facilities, capabilities and experience of the surgeons of the department, number of surgeries performed in stipulated timeline, infrastructure to manage special patients who are 200-300 kgs, specialized rooms, beds, cots and chair, and toilets as normal toilet would not be appropriate for patients who are heavy and so on. The unit was declared safe and as a Centre of Excellence for Bariatric and Metabolic surgery after meeting all the parameters. Commenting on the achievement Dr. Nitish Shetty, CEO, Aster CMI Hospital said “We would like to congratulate the entire department of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery on being awarded the Centre Excellence for Bariatric and Metabolic surgery. We take immense pride in achieving this status. It gives us a sense of satisfaction and reassures the patients who undergo treatment at our hospital that they will be receiving quality care that meets best in class standards." "We would also like to thank Dr. Shivaram H.V. for helping us achieve this feat through his expertise and guidance. It is under his leadership, with a vast experience of conducting more than 400 such successful surgeries, our Bariatric and Metabolic surgery department has attained this distinction", he added. Dr. Shivaram H.V, Senior Consultant and Head of GI and Bariatric Surgery, Aster CMI Hospital on being awarded the programme director for Center of Excellence said “We have always endeavored to give the best of care and compassion to patients who visit our hospital. Achievements such as this highlight the efforts of our entire team and the prowess of the world class facilities at the hospital. While we have always believed that we are one of the best multi-specialty hospitals in the country, acknowledgement of our services from experts coming from outside the city encourages us to aim for higher goals.” The hospital has recently upgraded its bariatric unit with the launch of robotic bariatric surgery. In India presently, there are only about seven or eight hospitals which have been conferred the status of Centre of Excellence for their bariatric and metabolic surgery units.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12344/iac-to-arrange-inter-national-conference-on-autism-in-kolkata.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12344/iac-to-arrange-inter-national-conference-on-autism-in-kolkata.html Mon, 24 Dec 2018 18:00:00 +0530 India Autism Center (IAC), an initiative by Ratnabali Group, which is in process of setting up a first of its kind development center in the world for individuals with autism, over a 52-acre land near Kolkata is hosting an esteemed international conference on Autism on and from January 10 to 12, 2019 at Swabhumi, The Heritage Plaza, Kolkata. Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects about ten million Indians. As per the data released by World Health Organisation in 2017, nearly 1 out of every 160 children are suffering from ASD globally. It refers to a range of conditions characterized by some degree of impaired social behaviour, communication and language. The term “Spectrum” reflects that symptoms can occur in any combination and with varying degrees of severity, implying that it manifests itself differently in every individual Mr. Suresh Somani, Managing Trustee & Chairman, India Autism Center, stated, “There are negligible resources or centers in India that provide comprehensive care to people who suffer from Autism Spectrum Disorder. Our Conference is a humble effort to bring together the community under one single roof wherein we can acquire an in depth learning about Autism Spectrum Disorder, be aware about the best practices followed in India and around the globe being introduced to recent research and developments in the field of Autism, get our queries answered by the experts and also explore career opportunities in the field. We at India Autism Center believe that while there is no known cure for autism, an early intervention can make a big difference in the lives of many children, which is what India Autism Center aspires to provide.”   The Conference will see subject experts, professionals, researchers, educators and parents from the around the world deliberate and exchange ideas on Autism Spectrum Disorder, behaviour therapy, applied behaviour analysis, speech and language therapy, social skills therapy and occupational therapy which can help reduce the difficulties of individuals suffering from Autism while helping them learn new skills and make the most of their strengths.  There are 28 speakers from around the world who are globally acclaimed researchers from the medical fraternity like Dr. Stephen Shore, Professor at Adelphi University, USA, Ms. Jalynn Prince, Founder and President of Madison House Autism Foundation (MHAF), USA, Mr. Chris Bonnello, an award-winning writer and international speaker, Mr. Robert J. Bernstein, Author "Uniquely Normal: Tapping the Reservoir of Normalcy to Treat Autism”, Ms. Merry Barua, Activist, educator, writer and trainer and has pioneered the Autism movement in India, Dr. Neil Martin, Behaviour analyst teaching behaviour analysis courses worldwide, supervising students working with individuals with autism and consulting to organisations and families internationally, Dr. Gauri Divan, Director of the child development group, Sangath, Ms. Joanne Lara, Executive Director Autism Works Now, USA, Prof. Bhismadev Chakrabarti, Professor of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Research Director of the Centre for Autism at the University of Reading, UK and many others dignitaries are expected to address to the concerns of the parents of autistic individuals and offer solutions through discussions, speaking on early intervention, professional learning, therapy provision, services for adults and many upcoming research and clinical practices in the field of Autism.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12342/srcc-childrens-hospital-launches-bone-marrow-transplant-services.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12342/srcc-childrens-hospital-launches-bone-marrow-transplant-services.html Mon, 24 Dec 2018 14:55:00 +0530 SRCC Children’s Hospital, a super speciality tertiary care paediatric facility managed by Narayana Health, launched Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Services at the dedicated children’s hospital in Haji Ali. With the launch of BMT service, SRCC Children’s Hospital, will be able to offer the most critical treatment to children suffering from leukaemia and many other cancers as well as non-cancerous conditions such as Aplastic Anaemia, Thalassemia, certain neurological disorders etc. The BMT service was inaugurated by legendary cricket player and India’s Highest Civilian Award recipient Mr. Sachin Tendulkar and Dr (Mrs) Anjali Tendulkar. Their presence created awareness about how India needs more BMT donors to save the lives of lakhs of children. The Bone Marrow Transplant team comprised of – Dr Purna Kukure, Chairman Oncology Collegium and Head- Division of Pediatric Hemato Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant Services at SRCC Children’s Hospital Managed by Narayana Health; Dr Sunil Bhat, Director & Clinical Lead - Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Services, Narayana Health Dr Ruchira Misra, Consultant- Pediatric Hemato Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant Services at SRCC Children’s Hospital Managed by Narayana Health; Dr Sujata Mushrif, Consultant- Pediatric Hemato Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant Services at SRCC Children’s Hospital Managed by Narayana Health, resident doctors and a team Commenting at the inaugural ceremony, Dr Soonu Udani, Medical Director and Head – Pediatric Critical Care and Emergency Services at SRCC Children’s Hospital, managed by Narayana Health said, “We are extremely delighted to offer BMT services for children. Narayana Health has always believed in offering quality healthcare services that are affordable to all. In a short span, the hospital has emerged as a preferred provider for quality, tertiary pediatric healthcare not just in Mumbai, but also for the region.” “Bone Marrow Transplant has evolved over a period of time and has become safer and more acceptable. List of conditions which can be cured with BMT is expanding. More and more patients are able to find unrelated donors through donor registries and those who don’t have fully matched donors can undergo half-matched transplants from family members, thanks to the technological advances. This has given a new hope for lot of these children affected with life threatening disorders”, said Dr Purna Kukure. BMT procedure helps in the treatment of various non-cancerous diseases like Aplastic Anaemia, Immunodeficiency disorders, congenital storage disorders, congenital errors of metabolism and Haemoglobinopathies such as Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anaemia. Few cancerous conditions like acute and chronic Myeloid and Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Hodgkin’s and Non-hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Myeloproliferative Neoplasms, Primary Myelofibrosis and Multiple Myeloma also require BMT as a solution for treatment. The team has also successfully handled a challenging half matched BMT for a boy with relapsed leukemia (blood cancer) from Nepal. Commenting about this case Dr Sunil Bhat said, “The case was a relapse and the recurrence of leukemia is considered to be fatal. Bone marrow is a potential treatment for these difficult blood cancer cases but unfortunately, he had no fully matched donor in family or elsewhere. We decided to take him for haplo-identical or half-matched BMT. The boy’s father agreed to donate his stem cells and with-in few weeks of intensive management his diseases seems to be under control”. There is lack of awareness about Bone Marrow Transplant and also it is very difficult to find donors. Bone Marrow Donation is a very simple process, as simple as a blood donation. According to Marrow Donor Registry India, at any time, all over the world, there are about 3,000 patients searching for a donor for a Stem Cell transplant and less than one third of these find a suitable donor within their family. Rest of the 70% depend on unrelated donors. India treats approximately 1500 BMT cases every year which is far less as compared to other countries like China, Japan, Korea who are treating approximately 8000 cases every year. Cost of the treatment has been a concern and measures are required to address the same. Currently BMT is not covered under government health schemes including Vajpayee Arogya and Ayushman Bharat and a fraction of the support is available only through the PM / CM fund. Narayana Health is working towards making a representation to the government to include BMT under the national health scheme that will help bring a larger group of beneficiaries under the treatment modality. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12337/ibm-brings-tiny-fingernail-sensors-to-monitor-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12337/ibm-brings-tiny-fingernail-sensors-to-monitor-health.html Mon, 24 Dec 2018 13:15:00 +0530 In new research IBM team details a first-of-a-kind "fingernail sensor" prototype to help monitor human health. The wearable, wireless device continuously measures how a person's fingernail bends and moves, which is a key indicator of grip strength.  The project began as an attempt to capture the medication state of people with Parkinson's disease. Getting a new therapy approved requires quantifying how people on the therapy are doing in relation to controls. The majority of people with Parkinson’s are older, an age group with increasingly brittle, friable skin.  One method to measure a disease’s progression is to attach skin-based sensors to capture things like motion, the health of muscles and nerve cells, or changes in sweat gland activity, which can reflect the intensity of a person’s emotional state. But with older patients, such skin-based sensors can often cause problems, including infection.  This is where the potential of a fingernail sensor comes into play. We interact with objects throughout the day using our hands, such as the tactile sensing of pressure, temperature, surface textures and more. IBM team realized it might be possible to derive interesting signals from how the fingernail bends throughout the course of a day, as we use our fingers to interact with our environment, and tap into the power of AI and machine learning to analyze and derive valuable insights from that data.  One of the functions of human fingernails is to focus the finger-tip pulp on the object being manipulated. It turns out that our fingernails deform – bend and move -- in stereotypic ways when we use them for gripping, grasping, and even flexing and extending our fingers. This deformation is usually on the order of single digit microns and not visible to the naked eye. However, it can easily detect with strain gauge sensors. For context, a typical human hair is between 50 and 100 microns across and a red blood cell is usually less than 10 microns across.  Since nails are so tough, researchers decided to glue a sensor system to a fingernail without worrying about any of the issues associated with attaching to skin. Their dynamometer experiments demonstrated they could extract a consistent enough signal from the nail to give good grip force prediction in a variety of grip types.  Researchers also found it is possible to deconvolve subtle finger movements from nail deformation. They were able to differentiate typical daily activities which all involve pronation and supination such as turning a key, opening a doorknob or using a screwdriver. An even more subtle activity is finger writing, and they trained a neural network to produce a very good accuracy at detecting digits written by a finger wearing the sensor.  The system consists of strain gauges attached to the fingernail and a small computer that samples strain values, collects accelerometer data and communicates with a smart watch. The watch also runs machine learning models to rate bradykinesia, tremor, and dyskinesia which are all symptoms of Parkinson's disease.  By pushing computation to the end of our fingers researchers have found a new use for our nails by detecting and characterizing their subtle movements. With the sensor, we can derive health state insights and enable a new type of user interface. This work has also served as the inspiration for a new device modeled on the structure of the fingertip that could one day help quadriplegics communicate.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12328/medanta-to-collaborate-with-john-hopkins-for-better-patient-outcomes-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12328/medanta-to-collaborate-with-john-hopkins-for-better-patient-outcomes-.html Fri, 21 Dec 2018 12:25:00 +0530 Medanta - The Medicity, in a multiple collaborator effort with global leaders - GHPL, Hopkins, MIER and Bionworks has received 1,20,000 USD (90 lakhs) competitive international grant from Pfizer Independent Grants for Learning & Change (IGLC) and The Joint Commission (JCI) as part of Antimicrobial Stewardship program for the Asia-Pacific Region. Medanta, along with the global leaders will be in competition with 13 international JCI accredited hospitals for an innovation to improve hospital care practices for appropriate antibiotic usage to improve patient outcomes, a practice that is a topical issue globally. The Joint Commission led the application evaluation process and provided oversight for the proposal review committee that made funding decisions The Joint Commission will be solely responsible for administering and overseeing project activities Pfizer IGLC will be solely responsible for all activities related to the provision of project funding All grant funding will be provided by Pfizer On competing with 13 international JCI accredited hospitals, Dr. Naresh Trehan, Chairman and Managing Director, Medanta said, “In continuation to our commitment to world class treatment for all our patients, we are delighted to be a part of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program to excel towards improved patient outcomes”. Dr. Yatin Mehta, Chairman, Institute of Critical Care and Anaesthesiology, Medanta said, “There is a growing need to find a solution to antimicrobial resistance in a quick turn-around as it is one of the biggest challenges facing today's healthcare providers. We are proud to be a part of this international program and hope to invent best solutions to curb the rise of anti- microbial resistance worldwide.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12320/ge-healthcare-project-hope-to-address-ncd-challenges-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12320/ge-healthcare-project-hope-to-address-ncd-challenges-in-india.html Thu, 20 Dec 2018 16:30:00 +0530 Project HOPE and Anchal Charitable Trust released the findings of a multi-state formative assessment study on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as part of project SCEEN – an integrated approach on capacity building of healthcare practitioners, awareness and early detection on cardiovascular diseases, and cancers (Cervical Cancer, breast cancer and lung cancer). A national dissemination workshop was held today to share and discuss the findings of the assessment. The study assessed the community needs, behaviours and perceptions on NCDs, factors (both demand and supply side) affecting appropriate care seeking for NCDs, and the preparedness of the health system for providing NCD services at various levels of care. The study also assessed the knowledge and capacities of the health professionals - state nodal officer, district nodal officers, medical doctors, paramedical staff, and frontline functionaries. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Laxmikant Palo, Regional Director-SEA, Project HOPE said, “Our goal from this workshop is to learn more about how to trigger actions to generate and share new knowledge to address NCD programme implementation challenges at state, district, block and community level, and to learn how we can work together to tackle the challenges.” The assessment was carried out in 16 districts across Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Punjab. The assessment was conducted involving qualitative methods using In-depth Interviews (IDIs), Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and rapid health facility assessment survey to map facility readiness.  In total, 115 focus group discussions, 86 in-depth interviews and 16 health facility assessment surveys were conducted, reaching out to over 500 people, local stakeholders and healthcare providers. The methodology focused on undertaking assessment at three levels: facilities, communities and health systems, the health seeking behaviours and the existing enabling environment. Nalinikanth Gollagunta, President and CEO, GE Healthcare, South Asia said “Health interventions are an ongoing and continuous process that take years to drive meaningful impact. We have had a good start in our fight against NCDs through the multiple programs underway. The SCREEN formative assessment helps us understand some of the challenges and gaps faced on ground in effective implementation of the NCD programs. This is an opportunity for stakeholders to come together to address those gaps and ensure our fight against NCD, which has had a promising start, gets more thrust in its mission. GE Healthcare looks forward to working in supporting this agenda.” The findings of the study could help in designing a focused implementation strategy and will add to the existing body of knowledge on potential future strategies for NCD management across India. It also aims at contributing to planning and implementation of cost-effective strategies to reach out to the targeted population and create mass awareness for increased access and quality delivery of health services. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12318/nextgen-healthcare-brings-cloud-based-data-collection-platform.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12318/nextgen-healthcare-brings-cloud-based-data-collection-platform.html Thu, 20 Dec 2018 12:40:00 +0530 NextGen Healthcare, Inc.the leading provider of ambulatory-only healthcare technology solutions, announces the launch of NextGen® Health Data HubÔ, a cloud-based Health Information Exchange (HIE) platform that supports the sharing and aggregation of patient health data. The ability of Health Data Hub to work with any data management interface allows it to connect disparate systems. This provides seamless interoperability so that clinicians and healthcare providers can streamline the process of sharing or receiving patient information, thereby improving clinical decision making at the point of care. Key features of Health Data Hub include: Clinical content management: Full support of clinical data types in use by ambulatory and inpatient systems; API: An API-first design enables complete data access and enhanced system integration points; User portal: A user-accessible front-end for the display and management of patient data; Consent & data protection: Secure patient data management for sharing and access permissions; and Cloud-hosting: Fully managed, continuously delivered solution leveraging Amazon Web Services. The latest addition to NextGen’s Connected Health offerings, Health Data Hub joins a suite of innovative health IT solutions designed to optimize data aggregation and provide users with relevant patient data from across the continuum of care. Health Data Hub is programmed to provide tailored solutions that give users the opportunity to create, manage and optimize their workflow. With the launch of Health Data Hub, NextGen Healthcare is at the forefront of interoperability data management solutions that help improve patient care. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12315/valuepoint-systems-government-of-karnataka-come-together-to-implement-a-state-wide-healthcare-project.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12315/valuepoint-systems-government-of-karnataka-come-together-to-implement-a-state-wide-healthcare-project.html Thu, 20 Dec 2018 09:10:00 +0530 Government of Karnataka has partnered with the Valuepoint Systems, one of South Asia's leading Systems Integrator and complete IT infrastructure services company, to implement its one of its kind prestigious e-hospital project. The state-wide project used technology to enable Hospital Information System in 47 primary healthcare centres in Karnataka state.   Valuepoint Systems joined hands with the Department of Health & Family Welfare & AYUSH Services, Government of Karnataka for this ambitious project. The prime objective of the project was to implement one-stop solution for addressing the healthcare concerns, and connecting patients, doctors and networking 47 hospitals in Karnataka on one common platform. The initiative aimed to deploy the solution and get patient information seamlessly in these hospitals and streamline hospital processes. The duration of the project was 6 months and commenced in September 2017 and Valuepoint Systems has done a due diligence and designed, supplied, commissioned and supporting platform along with network and infrastructure components. The project has transformed the existing systems by making the patients records and information available at all the 47 centres and accessible to patients and doctors 24/7. The digital platform has allowed the tracking and monitoring of the utilization of funds and has enabled BPL patients to directly receive the government benefits. This has helped in increasing the overall quality of healthcare services. Officials concerned in the Department of Health & Family Welfare, commented, "Our aim has always been to work for the betterment of the citizens of Karnataka and India. We are glad to have worked with Valuepoint Systems for further developing the healthcare facilities in the state." RS Shanbhag, Founder and CMD of Valuepoint Systems, said, "Valuepoint Systems has been committed to creating a sustainable impact. We are delighted that with the support of the Government of Karnataka, we were able to make this project of transforming public healthcare a success. We are thankful to the Government of Karnataka for its support and commitment."   List of 47 healthcare centres (Government Hospitals): Kolar, KGF, Madikeri, Malur, Sakaleshpura, Yadgir, Tumkur, Chikaballapur, Bijapur, Ramnagar, Srinivaspura, Davanagere, Sagara, Mangalore (Wenlock + Lady Goshan), Udupi, Haveri, Jamkandi, Maddur, Bangalore (HIS Gosha + CV Raman Hospital), Koppala, Shahapur, Muddebihal, Hunagunda, Kollegala, Sira, Mudhola, Kadur, Gundlupet, Kundapura, Shorapur, Dharwad, Bagalkote, Chikkamangalore, Yellandur, Chitradurga, Mulbagal, Badami, T Narasipura, Karkala, Gadag, Bilagi,  Karwar, Chamrajnagar, Kalburgi & Bangarpet. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12308/jaslok-hospital-and-research-centre-installs-cryogatt-system-for-ivf.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12308/jaslok-hospital-and-research-centre-installs-cryogatt-system-for-ivf.html Wed, 19 Dec 2018 11:05:00 +0530 Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre takes first of its kind initiative by installing Asia's first Cryogatt System for IVF (In-Vitro Fertilization). Cryogatt has developed Globally-Unique patented RFID systems which operate at accepted safe levels for delicate biomedical samples. During IVF, there is usually a surplus of embryos and this technique will help in storing and tracking the embryos. With the help of the Cryogatt System in terms of Safety measures; Radio Frequency Safety Net help detect the embryos, Sperm and eggs. Fertility clinics can now safely, quickly and accurately identify and audit. Dr Firuza Parikh, IVF Specialist at Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre was quoted saying, "We are thrilled to have always been amongst the first centres in the world to harness new technology to provide the highest quality care for our patients. For the people who have a blocked tube, IVF provides the best opportunity of having a child using their own eggs. Couples with male infertility problem might have a much higher chance of conceiving with IVF than conceiving naturally. People who suffer from PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), where there is a hormone imbalance leading to irregular menstrual cycles. IVF has been proven very successful in patients with PCOS, who will not conceive with ovulation induction. Many other problems like these can be taken care of with the help of IVF and it can help people have a family of their own.” George Alex Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Operational Officer at Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre said, “IVF helps patients who are unable to conceive. Medicines and procedures required for IVF rarely are associated with problems or complications. While many couples who are unable to bear children opt for IVF, doctors, nurses, technicians and staff of Jaslok Hospital will be there with you every step of the way, providing you with the comfort, support and expertise you need. Dr Firuza Parikh, further added saying, "Embryos, sperm and ova can be indefinitely stored at -196 degrees Centigrade. The samples are traditionally placed in vials that are either bar coded or labelled manually. One has to be very careful that there is no mix up of biological samples. Sometimes the labels can become unstuck on defreezing. Also the correctly labelled straw has to be identified and removed from the other samples in less than 15 seconds. Any longer exposure can damage the biological material." IVF also helps patients to avoid passing on certain genetic conditions, and allows hopeful parents to plan having children after establishing a career or achieving other milestones. The launch resulted in safeguarding the samples using fast, faultless RFID solutions.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12305/rise-in-the-adoption-of-daily-disposable-lenses-by-33-between-2016-and-2018-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12305/rise-in-the-adoption-of-daily-disposable-lenses-by-33-between-2016-and-2018-study.html Wed, 19 Dec 2018 10:05:00 +0530 India based eye care brand, Lensico recently conducted a sample survey in Delhi NCR (including New Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Noida, and Greater Noida) by interviewing 1800 people on October & November in the age group from 12 to 20 to understand the consumer behavior regarding the use of daily disposable lenses. As the global eyecare market is growing at a CAGR of 3.4%, the market space has experienced a complete turnover since the introduction of daily disposable lenses. Since the market entry of daily disposable lenses in 2014, these have become the healthiest and most convenient lenses to wear. As the new age technological innovations have changed the scenario in the ophthalmology, people can have a better life with perfect eyesight and total freedom with the current advancements. The changes began with Intraocular Lenses (IOL) and started replacing conventional spectacles with quality lenses. Today, the success ratio of people relying on contact lenses, whether daily disposable or reusable, is superseding people using spectacles. Nearly 62% of users in the survey were contact lens wearers who are using contact lenses for the last 2 years, referred to in the study as ‘current users’. The other 38% included people who discarded the use of contact lenses and are relying on spectacles in the last 2 years, referred to in the study as ‘dropouts’. People from the age group of 12 to 20 were asked a set of questionnaire regarding the awareness, use, and myths related to daily disposable lenses. The questionnaire also included questions related to normal feelings of the lens wearer in terms of satisfaction, comfort, and being happy or relaxed. The study also included the expert opinion of leading ophthalmologist regarding the feasibility of daily disposable lenses as a path-breaking innovation in the field of eye care. The major insights of the study included the following founding: The study centered on the use of daily disposable lenses revealed that since the entrance of daily disposable lenses in the market there has been a rise of 33% in the adoption of daily disposable lenses by current wearers. The complete analysis of the study also revealed that there has been a fall of 12% in the dropouts owing to the awareness regarding the benefits of daily disposable lenses amongst the public. The study further showcased that the teenager segment has seen phenomenal growth in the use of daily disposable lenses during the last 2 years and the market for disposable eyewear is mushrooming within the teenager market segment owing to the reasons of having a fresh look, the ability to see their best, the freedom to be more active, fashionable and trendy. Out of 1800 people included in the study from the age group of 12 to 20, the major reason for 73% of people for the adoption of daily disposable lenses was market awareness, practically comfortable experience, better viewing, and affordability. The remaining 27% of the people belonging to the age group opted for daily disposable lenses on the ophthalmologist recommendation. The teenager surveyed in the age group from 12 to 20, comprised of 52% male current wearers and 48% of female current wearers. Nonetheless, the dropout category has a higher disparity with 67% female dropouts in comparison with 33% male dropouts. The major reasons for the increase in the number of users of daily disposable lenses were satisfaction, comfort, and ease of use. Based on the questionnaire, 38% of the current wearers responded affirmatively to ‘satisfaction’, 36% of them prioritized ‘ease of use’, and 26% of the surveyed people responded to ‘comfort’ of wearing daily disposable lenses. The research conducted by Lensico concluded with the opinion of the expert ophthalmologist that most common problems and eye-diseases related to wearing contact lenses occur because of poor cleaning routines, and the use of daily disposable lenses completely discard such situations. Using a fresh and new pair of daily disposable lenses makes it the healthiest and most convenient option amongst people. The popularity of daily disposable lenses will increase in the coming time, with a greater decrease in the number of dropouts, especially in the teenager category of 12 to 20.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12302/alzheimers-association-gathers-brain-researchers-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12302/alzheimers-association-gathers-brain-researchers-in-india.html Wed, 19 Dec 2018 09:00:00 +0530 Researchers from around the world met recently in Bengaluru to discuss one of the most challenging medical mysteries of our time – finding effective preventions, treatments and cures for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.  The goal is to facilitate connections among researchers for scientific collaboration and data sharing that can move the field closer to breakthroughs in Alzheimer’s science.  “The Alzheimer’s Association recognizes that Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are a growing global problem,” said Maria C. Carrillo, Ph.D., chief science officer, Alzheimer’s Association. “There is excellent dementia research underway in India and across Asia and neighboring countries. We want to bring these researchers together for collaborations with scientists in other parts of the world to advance our shared goals of developing better diagnosis, treatments and preventions for Alzheimer’s.”  “The maximum number of new cases of dementia will come from India and China,” said Vijayalakshmi Ravindranath, Ph.D., director, Centre for Brain Research. “The number of elderly in India will increase from 143 million to 300 million in 2050. Therefore, it is imperative for us in India to invest in research and identify risk and protective factors that contribute to diseases of the aging brain. We can then translate our knowledge to public health policies to decrease the burden of dementia. We are so grateful to Kris Gopalakrishnan, Co-Founder, Infosys for this philanthropic approach towards treating dementia. We have received huge funding from him to take our research forward. We are also awaiting a grant from DBT", she added. The two-day Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) Satellite Symposium drew more than 300 researchers, clinicians and students to hear from two dozen outstanding global experts from India, other parts of Asia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe. The Alzheimer’s Association, headquartered in Chicago, partnered with two leading local scientific organizations to convene this meeting held on December 18–19: the India Institute of Science’s Centre for Brain Research and the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS). At the symposium, scientists learned about dementia-related genetics research in India, including the GenomeIndia initiative, which will carry out whole genome sequencing of 10,000 people across India, according to Dr. Ravindranath. Other sessions included information about improvements in diagnosing and assessing individuals with cognitive decline, and a report on prevalence of Alzheimer’s and dementia across India. A promising area of treatment/prevention research focuses on multicomponent lifestyle and behavioral interventions, including diet, exercise and practices such as meditation that have been associated with improved brain health. A session at the Alzheimer’s Association symposium covered “Lifestyle/Behavioral Interventions Around the World.” Several major clinical trials are underway around the world to test the effect of adopting healthier lifestyle habits to prevent cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In the U.S., the Alzheimer’s Association is leading the U.S. Study to Protect Brain Health Through Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Risk (U.S. POINTER). U.S. POINTER is a two-year clinical trial to evaluate whether lifestyle interventions can protect cognitive function in older adults at increased risk for cognitive decline. U.S. POINTER expands on a landmark study called the Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER) that showed heart health management, a healthy diet and increased exercise, plus intellectual and social stimulation can slow cognitive decline in at-risk older adults. World Wide FINGERS is a global consortium to share experiences, harmonize data and plan joint initiatives for the prevention of cognitive impairment and dementia. According to the 2018 World Alzheimer Report, there are 50 million people in the world with dementia, and every three seconds someone in the world develops dementia. Dementia is the seventh leading cause of death worldwide. “Everyone with a brain is at risk for Alzheimer's,” Carrillo said. “Coordinated action on Alzheimer’s and dementia research is desperately needed to stem the tide of this global epidemic, and to bring hope to those living with the disease and those at risk. The Alzheimer’s Association is the primary organization consistently bringing together the global research community in new ways.” This is the fourth AAIC Satellite Symposium hosted by the Alzheimer’s Association. Previous symposia were held in Mexico City, Mexico; Varna, Bulgaria and Buenos Aires, Argentina. In 2019, the Alzheimer’s Association will convene a Satellite Symposium in Brazil. The Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s leading nonprofit funder of Alzheimer’s and dementia research. It is currently investing over $160 million in more than 450 projects in 25 countries.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12296/deenanath-mangeshkar-hosp-adopts-digital-pathology-from-optrascan.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12296/deenanath-mangeshkar-hosp-adopts-digital-pathology-from-optrascan.html Tue, 18 Dec 2018 12:25:00 +0530 OptraSCAN®, the leading On-Demand Digital Pathology solution provider has collaborated with Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital & Research Centre, affiliated to Lata Mangeshkar Medical Foundation to implement OptraSCAN’s affordable digital pathology solution, namely, a whole-slide digital scanner along with Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning (ML)-based image analysis solution for nuclear and membrane biomarker quantification.  OptraSCAN has developed world’s first On-Demand Digital Pathology Solution, initiated for research and clinical diagnosis, that assists the pathologist community in providing effective acquisition of whole slide images for viewing, storing, reporting and real-time sharing of information across hospitals, labs and their networks as against the use of optical microscopes. OptraSCAN offers some promising digital pathology solutions in the field of oncology that can be used for staging and grading cancer cells, as well as for risk assessment, thereby providing a precise and timely diagnosis.  OptraSCAN’s whole slide digital scanners are cloud-enabled and well equipped with Brightfield, Fluorescence and Confocal imaging modalities. These small footprints, low and high throughput scanners are lightweight that can easily fit into small workspaces and provide the ultimate flexibility for storing, archiving and managing digital images and metadata. OptraSCAN’s AI & ML-based image analysis solutions have been developed on an automated algorithm system that gives an accurate, rapid and reproducible analysis of nuclear and membrane biomarkers as well as of immuno-oncology and prostate cancer. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12294/sarvodaya-opens-daycare-centre-for-cancer-patients-in-delhi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12294/sarvodaya-opens-daycare-centre-for-cancer-patients-in-delhi.html Tue, 18 Dec 2018 11:25:00 +0530 Faridabad-based, 500-bed Sarvodaya Hospital & Research Centre has set up a unique standalone daycare centre for cancer patients in Delhi. Sarvodaya Medicentre was inaugurated by Vijay Jolly, Member of the National Executive Committee of BJP. The new facility is headed by Dr. Dinesh Pendharkar, one of the first practitioners in cancer chemotherapy in India who is also the President of Indian Society of Oncology and the Director of Sarvodaya Cancer Institute. It provides full nursing care and support to cancer patients in surrounding areas who need to undergo chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted cancer therapy, but do not wish to visit a hospital. Dr. Dinesh Pendharkar, Director, Sarvodaya Cancer institute said, “The opening of Sarvodaya Medicentre is the beginning of a new trend in cancer care in the national capital, where patients had no option till now other than visiting a hospital for getting chemotherapy and supportive therapies. The concept of daycare centers for cancer patients is popular abroad, but is new to India. The need for such neighbourhood facilities is being acutely felt because more than one million people in the country are diagnosed with cancer each year. Cancer patients need follow-ups for many years. As many as 70% of them require chemotherapy which can help cure, control or ease cancer symptoms.” Dr. Sumant Gupta, Sr. Consultant, Hemato-oncologist, Sarvodaya Cancer Institute said,  “Sarvodaya Medicentre in Delhi is staffed by full-time nursing staff and some of India’s best-known cancer specialists. It offers advanced treatment procedures in a clinical environment outside of a hospital setting for patients of all types of cancer including breast cancer, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, gastro-intestinal cancer, blood cancer, and cervical cancer. Such standalone daycare centres not only ensure that patients with compromised immunity are less vulnerable to hospital-acquired infections, they also get world-class treatment nearer their home without visiting a proper hospital.” Dr. Rakesh Gupta, Chairman, Sarvodaya Hospital & Research Centre said, “The Sarvodaya Medicentre in Delhi specializes in cancer management using drugs, including prevention, early detection, treatment and rehabilitation. Before patients undergo any treatment, they are given adequate counselling on side effects, dosage and after-treatment care. We are planning to launch two more such daycare centers for cancer patients in other parts of Delhi in the coming months to meet the growing demand for treatment of cancer. In the face of rising incidence of cancer, our objective is to ensure that a patient is never far from a medical facility.” Sarvodaya Medicentre also provides comprehensive preventive health check-ups involving a range of screenings and exams customized for each patient under the supervision of qualified doctors. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12278/spherule-foundation-motherhood-hospital-attempt-guinness-book-of-world-records.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12278/spherule-foundation-motherhood-hospital-attempt-guinness-book-of-world-records.html Mon, 17 Dec 2018 14:55:00 +0530 Motherhood Hospitals, India’s fastest growing network of women & children’s hospital join hands with Spherule Foundation (an NGO that works on various development & educational program for women -empowerment & health) attempting Guinness Book of World Records by taking the initiative of educating adolescent girls on the importance of menstrual health and hygiene. Dr. Rajeshwari Pawar, Gynecologist & Obstetrician with over 3 decades of experience practicing at Motherhood Hospitals, Pune, addressed a gathering of over 2500 people in Kendriya Vidyalaya on the importance of menstrual hygiene, breaking stereotypes and myths that accompany menstruation. This joint initiative has been recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records where they saw the largest group of adolescent girls, boys, men and women present together to talk about menstrual health and hygiene.  In India only 18% of the 355 million menstruating women use sanitary napkins and with the remaining 82% of women unable to afford sanitary napkins, they resort to using unhygienic substances such as newspapers, sand, leaves, mud or unsterilized clothes/rags. Such unhygienic practices lead to itching, burning, vaginal and urinary tract infections, infertility and other reproductive health complications. According to a survey conducted by UNICEF, 80% of surveyed women store their menstrual cloth in a hidden dirty place for repeated use. 40% failed to change their clothes frequently or wash them with soap after use. They are too ashamed to wash their sanitary clothes in open and wear over soaked and dirty cloth for an entire day without a change. 50% failed to dry their menstrual rags outside and in full sun which is an essential condition required to kill bacteria. Lack of privacy, safety and toilets make things worse. This initiative is trying to help our society understand the importance of menstruation and how to overcome the stigma around it. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12275/medica-organises-inaugural-meet-of-iti-kolkata-study-club.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12275/medica-organises-inaugural-meet-of-iti-kolkata-study-club.html Mon, 17 Dec 2018 10:35:00 +0530 In a step that would go a long way in opening a window to the latest advancements happening worldwide in dentistry for the local dentists, the inaugural meet of International team for Implantology (ITI) Kolkata Study Club was organised at Medica Superspecialty Hospital on Sunday.  Dental implants are planned in individuals who have lost their teeth due to periodontal diseases, tooth injuries, or aging. The one day seminar was inaugurated by Mrs Ranjit Kaur, Marketing Head, Straumann India. It was attended by over 50 well known dental practitioners and implantologists from all over the Eastern India. Dr. Manas De, Professor of Maxillofacial Surgery, Buddha Dental College was the chief guest at the event. “The study clubs are created to hold education based programs at local level. The concept is of informal meetings to provide an opportunity to learn from one another. Availability of implants as a solution for replacing missing teeth is gaining traction,” said Dr. Udey Vir Gandhi who is the Director of the newly formed Kolkata study club, while explaining the vision behind organising the event. At the conference, there was discussion on devicing ways & means of minimising complications and maximising success in clinical implant practice. The different ways to handle medical emergencies was also looked at. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12271/fujifilm-india-organizes-breast-cancer-conference-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12271/fujifilm-india-organizes-breast-cancer-conference-.html Fri, 14 Dec 2018 17:55:00 +0530 Reinforcing its commitment towards being a socially responsible brand, Fujifilm India Pvt Ltd, a leader in the development and application of imaging and information innovations to healthcare technologies conducts Amulet- TAB (Together Against Breast Cancer) that aims to trigger behavioral change and to build awareness on the fact that early detection of breast cancer can increase the rate of survival. The event witnessed an ensemble of eminent doctors from Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Aurangabad, Cochin, Shimla and Kolkata. The two-day conference acted as an interface to enable an intellectual session focused on the following topics: Breast cancer in India, Future of imaging, role of Artificial intelligence and journey of hope. It also brings together experts from the Healthcare industry as well as breast cancer survivors. Over the years, the number of cancer cases has risen dangerously. As per WHO estimates, in India 1 per 50,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. This number is expected to rise to more than 2 per 50,000 cases a year by 2030.  Out of every 2 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer in India, one woman dies. The biggest reason for these deaths is lack of awareness and ignorance because most patients reach the doctor when the cancer has already reached the last stage. Mammography is the most powerful breast cancer detection tool. Mammograms don't prevent breast cancer, but they can save lives by finding breast cancers as early as possible. According to a report by WHO, Mammograms have been shown to reduce breast cancer mortality by around 20% in women by early detection. Modern day digital mammography machines with tomosynthesis such as the Fujifilm’s 50 Micron digital Mammography – Amulet Innovality are able to detect cancers early and involve very little radiation, even less than a standard chest X ray. In future, digital mammography will become more and more common. Most oncologists agree that breast screening mammography should start at the age of 40 and earlier in patients with high risks like genetic predisposition (BRCA 1 & BRCA 2 antigen positive) and those with strong family history. Commenting on the occasion, MASAHIRO OTA, Corporate Vice President of Fujifilm Corporation & Managing Director of Fujifilm Asia Pacific said, “Breast cancer is the number one cancer that affects women. Since early detection is key to improve survival rates, we are bringing innovative solutions such as digital mammography to help women detect the disease early. I am very proud and pleased to say that as of now we have more than 3,400 happy users of our digital mammography across the world, among them 26 installations are in India. We are also making efforts to create awareness among women on breast cancer and promoting campaigns such as the Pink Ribbon to promote the early discovery of breast cancer.” “We need a holistic, comprehensive and life-course approach to improve women healthcare. We will continue to drive ourselves for better healthcare as we are committed to improve women healthcare.  We are entering in an era of “AI” and “IOT,” and Fujifilm is already working together with Japan’s top doctors to improve diagnosis with the latest technology and help the patients and the community.” He added. “In the past 2-3 years, Fujifilm India touched lives by initiating health check-ups across cities in India, especially in remote areas and associations with hospitals to drive awareness around early detection of breast cancer. We believe in enabling doctors with next generation technology that allows them to go beyond conventional knowledge, which can help save lives and encourage patients to become more engaged in their own care. Mammography machine helps in providing advance treatments attuned to every patient’s need. I believe that such associations and exchange of technology is a critical step forward towards building a vibrant and healthy India.” said Haruto Iwata, Managing Director, Fujifilm India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12270/apollo-hospitals-hosts-pediatric-urology-meeting-at-international-level-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12270/apollo-hospitals-hosts-pediatric-urology-meeting-at-international-level-.html Fri, 14 Dec 2018 17:45:00 +0530 Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals is hosting the 3-day conference on 20th annual meeting of the Asia-Pacific Association of Pediatric Urologists (APAPU) which is being held in India for the first time, starting today.  The conference, organised by Apollo Institute of Pediatric Sciences at Eros Hotel, New Delhi, witnessed a record participation of more than 320+ delegates from 20+ countries (US, UK, SAARC countries & Asia-Pacific nations). The event had detailed deliberations and presentations on new developments in the field of pediatric urology, where the delegates presented unique cases studies and medical papers to discuss new treatment techniques. Over 100 cases with their long term follow-up were also examined by the specialists with the audience in a separate session. The delegates got access to the latest robotic platform the Da Vinci Xi and laparoscopic simulator at the venue to have a free hands-on experience. A pre-conference CME was organised to discuss myths, facts and current scenario of Pediatric Robotic Surgery. The meeting started with International children’s continence society (ICCS) certified course on Pediatric Urodynamics, Enuresis and Incontinence. Post which, a wet lab training in robotic and laparoscopic surgery was organised at the World Laparoscopic Hospital in Gurugram. Workshops to provide hands-on training by experts on robotic surgery and managing bladder disorders were also put in order. Dr. Sujit Chowdhary, Consultant Pediatric Urologist, Director- Pediatric Sciences, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals and Organising Chairman, APAPU said, “It is heartening to see such an enthusiastic participation from medical professionals from all across the globe. We have made all the efforts to benefit new entrants as well as practicing Pediatric Urologists, Pediatric Surgeons, Urologists and Pediatricians. During the course of the conference intense educational exercises have been offered, covering both the practical and theoretical aspects of pediatric urology. Delegates who have attended the conference will find the knowledge they have gained to be beneficial in providing better care and improved outcomes for their patients. Once again, the Apollo Hospitals comes forward to play a pioneering role in promoting the latest techniques in paediatric treatment.” Over the course of next two days, various sessions will deeply analyse different aspects of Pediatric Urology such as Bladder Exstrophy, Pediatric Renal transplant, Vesico-ureteric Junction Obstruction, Vesicoureteral reflux, Ureterocele, among others. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12262/nearly-30m-newborns-in-need-of-special-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12262/nearly-30m-newborns-in-need-of-special-care.html Fri, 14 Dec 2018 10:00:00 +0530 Nearly 30 million babies are born too soon, too small or become sick every year and need specialized care to survive, according to a new report by a global coalition that includes UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO). “When it comes to babies and their mothers, the right care at the right time in the right place can make all the difference,” said Omar Abdi, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director. “Yet millions of small and sick babies and women are dying every year because they simply do not receive the quality care that is their right and our collective responsibility.” The report, Survive and Thrive: Transforming care for every small and sick newborn, finds that among the newborn babies most at risk of death and disability are those with complications from prematurity, brain injury during childbirth, severe bacterial infection or jaundice, and those with congenital conditions. Additionally, the financial and psychological toll on their families can have detrimental effects on their cognitive, linguistic and emotional development. “For every mother and baby, a healthy start from pregnancy through childbirth and the first months after birth is essential,” said Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Deputy Director General for Programmes at WHO. “Universal health coverage can ensure that everyone – including newborns – has access to the health services they need, without facing financial hardship. Progress on newborn health care is a win-win situation – it saves lives and is critical for early child development thus impacting on families, society, and future generations.” Without specialized treatment, many at-risk newborns won’t survive their first month of life, according to the report. In 2017, some 2.5 million newborns died, mostly from preventable causes. Almost two-thirds of babies who die were born premature. And even if they survive, these babies face chronic diseases or developmental delays. In addition, an estimated 1 million small and sick newborns survive with a long-term disability. With nurturing care, these babies can live without major complications. The report shows that by 2030, in 81 countries, the lives of 2.9 million women, stillborns and newborns can be saved with smarter strategies. For example, if the same health team cares for both mother and baby through labour, birth and beyond, they can identify problems early on.  In addition, almost 68 per cent of newborn deaths could be averted in 2030 with simple fixes such as exclusive breastfeeding; skin-to-skin contact between the mother or father and the baby; medicines and essential equipment; and access to clean, well-equipped health facilities staffed by skilled health workers. Other measures like resuscitating a baby who cannot breathe properly, giving the mother an injection to prevent bleeding, or delaying the cutting of the umbilical cord could also save millions.  According to the report, the world will not achieve the global target to achieve health for all unless it transforms care for every newborn. Without rapid progress, some countries will not meet this target for another 11 decades. To save newborns, the report recommends:  Providing round-the-clock inpatient care for newborns seven days a week. Training nurses to provide hands-on care working in partnership with families. Harnessing the power of parents and families by teaching them how to become expert caregivers and care for their babies, which can reduce stress, help babies gain weight and allow their brains to develop properly. Providing good quality of care should be a part of country policies, and a lifelong investment for those who are born small or sick. Counting and tracking every small and sick newborn allows managers to monitor progress and improve results. Allocating the necessary resources, as an additional investment of US$ 0.20 cents per person can save 2 of every 3 newborns in low- and middle-income countries by 2030. Almost three decades ago, the Convention on the Rights of the Child guaranteed every newborn the right to the highest standard of health care, and it is time for countries around the world to make sure the legislative, medical, human and financial resources are in place to turn that right into a reality for every child, the report says. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12263/high-disease-burden-on-india-due-to-air-pollution-icmr.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12263/high-disease-burden-on-india-due-to-air-pollution-icmr.html Fri, 14 Dec 2018 10:00:00 +0530 The first comprehensive estimates of deaths, disease burden, and life expectancy reduction associated with air pollution in each state of India published by the India State-Level Disease Burden Initiative report that India with 18% of the global population has a disproportionately high percentage of the global premature deaths and disease burden due to air pollution. The India State-Level Disease Burden Initiative is a joint initiative of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), and Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, along with experts and stakeholders associated with over 100 Indian institutions. These research findings published in The Lancet Planetary Health were released recently at ICMR. On the release of these findings, Prof. Balram Bhargava, Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, and Director General, ICMR, said “It is important to have robust estimates of the health impact of air pollution in every state of India in order to have a reference for improving the situation. There is increasing political momentum in India to address air pollution. The findings reported today systematically document the variations among states, which would serve as a useful guide for making further progress in reducing the adverse impact of air pollution in the country.” Highlighting the need for collaboration in addressing air pollution, Dr. S. Venkatesh, Director General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, said, “The National Health Policy 2017 has listed exposure to air pollution as a significant risk factor, and calls for convergence between sectors to reduce the growing burden of chronic diseases in the country that are often related to air pollution. We are undertaking a number of initiatives for experts to convene in order to develop strategies that would increase awareness among communities on what each one of us could do to reduce the adverse impact of air pollution on health, which would benefit from the state-specific findings reported by this study.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12258/new-investment-strategy-for-affordable-medicines.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12258/new-investment-strategy-for-affordable-medicines.html Thu, 13 Dec 2018 12:55:00 +0530 27.1% of maternal mortality deaths are caused by haemorrhage, and of these, 19.7% are due to postpartum haemorrhage.  Maternal death is preventable in almost all cases, and according to the UN Commission on Life-Saving Commodities, 2015, it makes maternal mortality an injustice that should not be tolerated given in the current day and age. Low access to quality, effective medicines across low and middle-income countries (LMICs) is one of the key causes of preventable maternal, infant and child deaths. Concept Foundation – an NGO working to improve access to quality reproductive and maternal health medicines in lower income countries – organized ‘The Quality of Life-Saving Medicines – A New Investment Strategy’, a side-event to the PMNCH Partners’ Forum in New Delhi recently. It was a high-level panel discussion that sought to explore why the private sector, investors and philanthropists of LMICs are yet to play a significant role in action on quality of maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) medicines. Further, the panel explored the motivating factors for the private sector, investors and philanthropists to invest in health initiatives, and what is the missing link that is preventing further engagement in this area. The panel discussion was moderated by season journalist Shai Venkatraman, Editor, Newzhook. The event began with an introduction to the ongoing quality of medicines issues and their impact on MNCH and development in general by Fiona Theunissen, Program Manager – Access to Maternal Health, Concept Foundation. “We need to invest from the heart. Investment is critical across a spectrum of initiatives from manufacturing, procurement and distribution to education and innovation to ensure access to quality life-saving medicines. In addition, efforts of the private sector must be coordinated and impact-oriented,” said Theunissen. Dr. Arun Kumar Aggarwal, representing FICCI at the panel discussion said, “The concept of quality control in life-saving medicines is essential, and there are strong discussions at FICCI on key issues including health, skilling, manufacturing, procurement, and more. The pharmacy system in India still requires improvements through appropriate quality checks.” According to a recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 10 ten medicines, mostly in LMICs, is substandard. There is ample evidence describing a serious, persistent problem with the quality of oxytocin, in particular, across LMICs. Oxytocin is the widely accepted and gold standard uterotonic for prevention and treatment of post-partum haemorrhage (PPH). The drug was identified as one of the 13 essential overlooked life-saving commodities, which according to a 2012 UN Commission Report, if more widely accessed and properly used, could save the lives of more than 6 million women and children. The 2017 Indian Government’s National Survey of the Quality of Medicines identified that 47% of oxytocin sampled across the nation did not meet quality standards.  Elizabeth Lule, Global Health and International Development Independent Consultant, The World Bank Group drew attention to the need to enhance public-private partnerships for ensuring access to quality medicines, adding that India has a powerful women’s rights and health movement that has largely helped reduce maternal mortality. The Quality Life-Saving Medicines – New Investment Strategy introduced new investors to the unfinished task of improving access to quality life-saving medicines, explored ways to bring the public health sector and private investors and philanthropists together and develop a path for effective collaboration on delivering quality medicines to women, infants and children across LMICs. Amitabh Mehta, Advisor, Fundraising, Innovative Finance and Market Strategy, & PPP Expert said, “There is limited collaborative private sector investment in public health initiatives currently, with the focus largely being on CSR, and most companies working in silos. There is a need for public sector organizations to propose innovative engagement models through which the corporate sector can be encouraged to invest in health while minimizing risk and ensuring impactful work. Investing in maternal health can have implications for child health, with additional positive impact on the GDP of the country.” “Medicines are the only product in India that are not bar-coded, preventing effective quality control mechanisms. This, coupled with the limited technology and leakages within the pharmaceutical world make for severe barriers to ensuring a transparent system in the sector,” said Ashutosh Garg, Founder and Chairman, Guardian Lifecare Pvt. Ltd. India is one the world’s main sources of generic medicines destined for LMICs. The pharmaceutical industry is a significant contributor to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).  Launching the ‘Quality Life-Saving Medicines – A New Investment Strategy in India’ today recognized the indispensability of industry involvement through social investment for the public health sector, while challenging all stakeholders to do more to ensure that the medicines that reach patients are of the quality necessary to save lives. Parul Soni, Global Managing Partner, Thinkthrough Consulting highlighted “the need for investment to enable powerful communication campaigns, which can be used to sensitize people to demand safe and quality medicines. Further, behaviour change communication is critical to make people aware about the indispensability of quality life-saving medicines for maternal health.” Shai Venkatraman, senior journalist, who moderated the panel discussion said, “The discussion was valuable because it brought together important voices from different fields and provided a platform for a frank exchange of ideas.” The event also displayed a photo exhibition of post-partum haemorrhage (PPH) stories – experiences of women, families and healthcare workers – from India, Nepal, Uganda and Nigeria. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12254/nayati-healthcare-team-up-with-sunder-lal-jain-hospital.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12254/nayati-healthcare-team-up-with-sunder-lal-jain-hospital.html Thu, 13 Dec 2018 10:40:00 +0530 Nayati Healthcare has announced a collaborative agreement with Sunder Lal Jain Trust to manage and operate Sunder Lal Jain Hospital in Ashok Vihar, New Delhi. Through this agreement, Nayati will extend its superlative clinical and technological expertise with the goal of enhancing the delivery of high-quality health care to people of the region. This is the second expansion by the Group in Delhi NCR, after the takeover of PrimaMed Hospital earlier this year.    Located in the largest and the most populous North-West district of Delhi, Sunder Lal Jain Hospital is a well-established institution, set up in 1986, which has over the years garnered a tremendous amount of goodwill in its primary catchment area and beyond.  Post this agreement, the hospital will offer latest state-of-the-art tertiary level care in multiple specialties, along with an enhanced capacity from the current 200 beds to 500 beds. The addition of the new hospital will help Nayati consolidate its position in North India by taking world-class healthcare facilities closer to the masses.  Sunder Lal Jain Hospital spread over 3.14 acres in a prime locality at Ashok Vihar, North West Delhi, is scheduled to begin operations under its new brand name Nayati Sunder Lal Jain Super-specialty Hospital, in a phased manner. Nayati will extend its expertise in terms of operating and running hospitals and the ensuing best practices towards patient welfare and safety.  The plan is to initially launch 75 beds in April 2019 followed by additional 75 beds in November 2019, taking the total number of beds under the Nayati brand to a consolidated 1300 beds by the end of next year. Further, it will be developed into a 500-bedded multi super specialty hospital with all key specialties by 2021.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12240/apollo-cradle-hosts-national-conference-in-hyderabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12240/apollo-cradle-hosts-national-conference-in-hyderabad.html Tue, 11 Dec 2018 13:20:00 +0530 Apollo Hospitals, Apollo Cradle and Apollo Fertility hosted a two-day National Cradle Conference, 2018 on December 08 and 09 at Park Hyatt, Hyderabad. The conference was inaugurated by Dr Prathap C. Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group and the focussed was completely on Obstetrics, Gynaecology, Fertility and Neonatology. It was organised in partnership with National Neonatology Foundation, Paediatric Academy of Telangana State and Obstetrics & Gynaecological Society of Hyderabad (OGSH) and was attended by over 600 delegates from across the country and over 80 renowned national faculty including international experts from USA, UK, Canada and Australia. The distinguished personalities who were presented at the occasion were Shobana Kamineni, Vice-Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Group; Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group and Chandrashekar, CEO, Apollo Health & Lifestyle Ltd. These days the biggest healthcare concern in India has been the high Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR), though it has declined to 130 deaths per 100,000 women giving birth in 2014-16.  The southern states performance is much better than the rest of the country. Union health ministry is attributing this improvement mainly to the rise in institutional deliveries across the country. Institutional deliveries has improved from 26% to 81%. “Apollo Cradle has built a reputation for clinical excellence, and has the capabilities to handle high risk pregnancies and complex pre-term babies. Through the recently launched, first of its kind eNICU, Apollo Cradle specialists will now be able to monitor minute details - including medication levels, nutrition, feeding pattern, calorie and growth charts of babies in NICU, whilst in the hospital and also remotely. This eNICU will also help Apollo Cradle doctors to support NICU’s in smaller towns” says Dr Prathap C. Reddy. Speaking on the occasion Shobana Kamineni said, “Apollo has been playing a stellar role in the mission to reduce Maternal Mortality Rate and Child Mortality rate, we have done over 1.5 lakh deliveries and continue to take great care for each mom and baby. The various Healthcare initiatives being undertaken by the Government like medical insurance to ten crore needy families under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, establishing 1.5 lakh Health and Wellness Centers across the country will all give tremendous impetus to mother and child care and should see drastic improvement in the health indices in the coming years. It is crucial for a developing nation like India to provide a healthy and happy childhood for its children and participation and cooperation of both Public and Private sectors is paramount to accomplish this. “The specialties of Fertility, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Pediatrics and Neonatology are so much interlinked, yet the approach has been to look at them as standalone areas of expertise. There is a great need to integrate these for optimum outcomes and this Conference is a step in that direction. It is bringing the eminent specialists in each of these fields on a single platform for a better understanding and synchronization” says Sangita Reddy.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12241/ambuja-cements-hospital-gets-nabhs-pre-accreditation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12241/ambuja-cements-hospital-gets-nabhs-pre-accreditation.html Tue, 11 Dec 2018 13:20:00 +0530 Ambuja Cements Ltd run Ambujanagar Multispeciality Hospital has been conferred with the prestigious Pre-Accreditation (Entry Level) Certificate by the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH), a recognition that strengthens Company’s commitment to drive prosperity in rural communities. It is the only hospital in the entire Gir Somnath and Junagadh districts to obtain accreditation certificate – that confirms patient safety and quality of healthcare are in compliance with the NABH Standards.  The assessment team of NABH a constituent board of Quality Council of India – evaluated the healthcare being provided to patients, safety standards and services in the hospital before granting certification under Pre-Accreditation Entry Level Hospital program which is valid till October 2020.  Established in 2016 at the Company’s mother plant in Kodinar, Gir Somnath, this hospital with the Vision - To establish the hospital into the most admired healthcare institution for patients and care providers alike – has a capacity of 64 beds; and offers state-of-the-art facilities. It is one of the most admired health institutions in the region and provides affordable services – diagnostic services, ambulatory care services, emergency services, critical care units, surgical suites and inpatient department. It serves both employees as well as communities around the plant.        In addition, Ambuja Cement through its CSR arm Ambuja Cement Foundation has been over the years implementing the Health and Sanitation intervention – a need-based program – to foster prosperity in communities across India.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12234/alcons-pd-program-celebrates-10-years-of-helping-people-see-better.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12234/alcons-pd-program-celebrates-10-years-of-helping-people-see-better.html Tue, 11 Dec 2018 08:25:00 +0530 Phaco Development (PD) program, a unique initiative between Alcon and specialist training institutes that builds cataract surgical capabilities across Asia and Russia is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Over the last decade, the Alcon Phaco Development program (PD), along with its partner faculty & partner institutes, has supported eye care surgeons to build sustainable practices in local communities in countries like India, China, Vietnam, and Bangladesh. Introduced in India in 2010, the program has helped more than 1500 eye surgeons and a million people regain their sight. India has among the world’s highest proportion of blind people (numbering nearly 12 million) against 36 million globally which makes India home to one-third of the world’s blind population. Lack of skilled professionals when it comes to number of ophthalmologists is one of the main reasons for the lack of quality eye care services in the country. In India, there are an estimated 18,000 ophthalmologists which is well below the World Health Organization’s recommended ratio of 1 ophthalmologist per 25,000 population. The PD program is dedicated platform for providing the most up-to-date eye knowledge to ophthalmic surgeons and support teams globally. PD program aims to establish sustainable cataract care practices by helping surgeons learn and adopt the latest techniques for advanced cataract procedure and strengthen the capabilities of surgical teams in communities. The strength of the program comes from its partnerships and dedication to improving eye surgery outcomes for patients. In India, Alcon partners with ‘Centres for Excellence’ such as key teaching institutions like Aravind Eye Care Hospitals, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Dr Shroff Charity Eye Hospital, Shri Sadguru Seva Sangh Trust, ICARE Eye Hospital, Susrut Eye Foundation etc. across states. These institutes host the initial training and house the wet labs on their premises. The program provides the support team, the surgical equipment and consumables for the learning. “The program is aligned to “Skill India” campaign launched by The Prime minister of India in 2015. This program is helping in capacity building & skilling eye care professionals in far flung areas enabling them to serve the unserved and the underserved for their unmet eye care needs. Thanks to the hard work of our consultant ophthalmologists and partner institutes, the unique Phaco Development program has helped bring sight back to a million people in India over the last 8 years.”, says Dr Rashmi Rani – Alcon’s Head of the Phaco Development Program across South East Asia. “Some make the assumption you can graduate from medical school and immediately do challenging eye surgery but it’s not that simple. Just like driving a car, you have to practice to improve and gain confidence. Our program ensures physicians get the practice and support they need to do effective, quality surgeries in their hometowns, and closer to their patients.” Dr. Umang Mathur, Cornea and Phaco cataract surgeon from Dr. Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital says, “The initiative is one-of-its kind partnership to support the development of practicing ophthalmologists through an innovative education and training program. In partnership with the institutes, the program provides eye surgeons with an excellent support system which ensures successful implementation of the techniques in order to help ophthalmologists after the program to shift from conventional surgical techniques such as small incision cataract surgery to what is now the global standard, phacoemulsifi­cation cataract surgery.” The practical training approach starts with pre-course support and a 4 to 11-day intensive training program that combines both theory and wet lab experiences (hands-on surgical practice with artificial eyes. An experienced Consultant ophthalmic surgeon leads this part of the training with the Phaco Development program specialists assisting participants with the surgical equipment in the wet lab Once the program participant’s graduate from the course, the Phaco Development program team accompanies the ophthalmologists to their local clinic or hospital and works alongside them providing the support needed to improve their confidence in surgical pathway and equipment use. This follow-up support happens over a period of up to six months. Since 2008, the program has enrolled over 2500 ophthalmic surgeons across Asia and Russia who have performed almost 3 million patients regain their eyesight worldwide. The World Health Organization indicates that having a cataract is one of the top two causes of vision impairment globally. In low to middle-income countries it is a leading cause of blindness. Unfortunately, almost 18 million people globally are blinded in both eye’s due to having cataracts. The International Association for the Prevention of Blindness estimates that one ophthalmologist should be able to complete up to 2,000 cataract surgeries per year, when they have the right infrastructure and support team in place, and patients can access the facility. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12227/ageless-clinic-launches-sculpsure-technology-for-body-contouring.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12227/ageless-clinic-launches-sculpsure-technology-for-body-contouring.html Mon, 10 Dec 2018 14:45:00 +0530 The AgeLess Clinic, a leading aesthetic clinic chain in Mumbai, headed by Celebrity Skin Expert Dr. Harshna Bijlani, is the now the first clinic in India to introduce SculpSure - the latest breakthrough in non-surgical fat reduction from the West ~. SculpSure is the first FDA-cleared laser treatment for noninvasive lipolysis which has rendered cooling based technologies passé. It is a non-surgical technique with zero downtime. SculpSure has received USFDA clearance to reduce stubborn fat in the belly, love handles, back, thighs and now double-chin as well! “What I love about Sculpsure© is, in my experience it not only helps with fat loss but also skin tightening simultaneously! It is such an improvement over fat freezing based technologies and has a lot less associated risks.” Dr Harshna Bijlani, Medical Head, The AgeLess Clinic How it works - SculpSure© is a safe and effective light-based treatment that precisely targets fat cells under the skin, destroying up to 24% of treated fat in a 25 minute procedure. Over time, these damaged fat cells are naturally absorbed and removed from the body, with results seen as quickly as six weeks, and optimal results typically seen at 12 weeks. Since there is no recovery time with SculpSure, patients can return to normal activities immediately. SculpSure is also clinically proven to be comfortable and well-tolerated over 90% patient satisfaction. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12225/new-techniques-can-preserve-natural-joint-expert-views.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12225/new-techniques-can-preserve-natural-joint-expert-views.html Mon, 10 Dec 2018 12:35:00 +0530 The 5th International Congress of Indian Cartilage Society (ICS) concluded today in the Rajasthan capital Jaipur where specialists discussed on measures to ensure the health and longevity of human body’s natural joints for a long time with the help of cartilage regeneration and restoration.  In this two-day conclave, around 200 cartilage specialists from India and foreign countries like US, Britain, Poland, Hungary, Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan have participated. Internationally acclaimed cartilage scientist Dr Bruce Ryder of US inaugurated the conclave. The main theme of this year’s conclave was: “Regeneration is better than replacement.”  Inaugurating the conference, Dr. Ryder said new techniques of cartilage regeneration and restoration have now triggered the hope that knee and other joints which become defective and worn out because of osteoarthritis and other causes may not be required to get replaced. Instead, natural joints should be repaired and rejuvenated through these new medical techniques. Besides Dr. Ryder, renowned international experts like Dr. Jaikak Valvaski and Prof. Raji have participated in this conference. These experts also deliberated on new techniques like articular cartilage implantation, stem cells therapy and scaffold. In his presidential address, Dr Raju Vaishya, President of Indian Cartilage Society (ICS), dwelt upon various methods in India for treatment of injuries to cartilage. “The problem of arthritis among the youths has become extremely alarming now because it is leading to their knee replacement,” he said. Dr. Vaishya informed that the medical science is now blessed with new techniques in orthopedics and it is now becoming possible to save the human body’s natural joints, which have become defective, by regenerating their tissues instead of replacing them with artificial joints. Cartilage regeneration techniques developed in recent times help in forming natural cartilage; and because of this the need for replacement of a joint is either completely eliminated or it can be delayed. In particular, such types of techniques will be beneficial for those youths whose knee or other joints have become defective because of injuries to cartilage or due to arthritis, he pointed out. Dr. Ajay Agarwal, who is based in the US, discussed about measures to preserve hip joints in youths. In this conference, stem cell therapy also came up for deliberations.   Dr. Saurav Mathur, Organising Secretary of the conference, said that cartilage is an extremely important cellular component of the human body. It is a strong tissue but is softer and more elastin as compared to the bones. Cartilage is formed of special cells which are called chondrolysis, and these cells produce in large quantities collagen fiber, proteoglycan, and extracellular matrix compounds made of elastic fibers.     Dr. Deepak Goyal, former President of ICS, informed that the tissues of cartilage have the potential to repair themselves, but this potential is extremely limited because it does not contain blood cells and blood is required for the healing process.  Dr. Nishith Shah, who is also a former President of ICS, said these days several new techniques are being used for regeneration of cartilage, and researchers are trying to develop new methods for production of cartilage which can help people get rid of severe pain from osteoarthritis and enable them to live a longer life with their natural joints.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12214/wockhardt-hospital-focuses-on-the-right-approach-for-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12214/wockhardt-hospital-focuses-on-the-right-approach-for-healthcare.html Fri, 07 Dec 2018 16:15:00 +0530 Doing it the right way in healthcare comes with no options, it has to be perfectly right- the perfect way. Wockhardt hospital, a reputed chain of tertiary care super specialty hospitals in its 6th Annual Conference focussed on the right approach in healthcare- ‘Doing it the right way’. The conference was conducted in association with Indian Medical Association (IMA)-Mira-Bhayender and Association of Medical Consultants (AMC)-Mumbai. It was inaugurated by Zahabiya Khorakiwala, Managing Director, Wockhardt Hospitals in the presence of senior leadership of Wockhardt Hospitals - Anupam Verma, President and Dr. Clive Fernandes Group Clinical Director. The two day conference witnessed industry experts from across the country delivering lectures on wide range of challenging issues in medication management, infection prevention & control, data use & misuse, IT and much more. These were discussed through numerous didactics, panel discussion, workshops and engagement activities like poster competition. Commenting on the initiative, Zahabiya Khorakiwala, Managing Director, Wockhardt Hospitals, said, “Healthcare is expanding; digitally, technologically and with innovations. In all the development it becomes very important to follow a right practise by all ways and means in all the departments and is consistent throughout the healthcare sector. The conference ‘Doing it the right way’ is to bring a consistency and similarity in the practices with the right approach and attitude. Life Wins - is our ultimate goal providing quality care and safety to the patients” Anupam Verma, President, Wockhardt Hospitals, commented, “While many may be aware about the daily and hygiene practices in healthcare, it is a mandate to know and practice the right way and not just follow the routine. Doing it in a perfectly right way is the only option.” Dr. Clive Fernandes, Group Clinical Director, Wockhardt Group Hospitals, said, “With advancements in healthcare it is important to keep ourselves updated and share our knowledge with fellow healthcare providers. With this conference we intend to share with participants how to always do it right because we believe that doing it the right way is not a skill, it is an attitude and our endeavour through this conference is to help participants develop that attitude.” Guidance on various healthcare topics were given by Kornelia Fiausch, Joint Commission International, Dr. B K Rana, CEO-QAI, John Yoon, MD-Joint Commission International (Singapore), Anil Jauhari, CEO-NABCB, Dr. Girdhar Gyani, Director General AHPI, Dr Harish Nadkarni, CEO, NABH, Dr Alexander Thomas, President, AHPI and key opinion leaders including CEOs and COO from across the healthcare industry Multiple sessions and panel discussions were held covering the entire range of topics and included speakers from Nanavati Hospital, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, HCG Hospital, Narayana Hrudayalaya, Global Hospital, Aster Hospital, Alexis Hospital, Peerless Hospital, Columbia Asia Hospital, PD Hinduja Hospital, Orange City Hospital and many more. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12213/apollo-hospitals-group-wins-accolades-for-medical-value-travel-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12213/apollo-hospitals-group-wins-accolades-for-medical-value-travel-.html Fri, 07 Dec 2018 15:35:00 +0530 Apollo Hospitals Group, India’s first multispecialty chain of hospitals was recognized for its outstanding contribution to Medical Value Travel at the recently concluded Medical Value Travel Awards held at the 4th International Summit on Medical Value Travel in Delhi. Four hospitals of the Group won laurels for their excellence in providing Medical Value Travel across specializations. The awards recognizing the units as Medical Value Travel Specialist Hospitals across various specialties were conferred upon the group by Satyajit Rajan, Director General, Ministry of Tourism. While Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals Delhi was recognized for excellence in Liver and Kidney transplants, Apollo Health City, Hyderabad won the award for excellence in Cardiac Surgery. Apollo Cancer Institute, Chennai and Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad bagged awards for excellence in Oncology. Dr. Prathap C Reddy, Founder Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “It is a matter of honor that  that four of our healthcare units have been recognized for their excellence in Medical Value Travel. India has medical expertise and potential that is at part with standards in developed countries. At Apollo, we have always endeavored to provide world-class care with cutting edge technology to patients, but at a tenth of the cost of the same abroad. This has allowed us to extend the best quality of healthcare to people across the globe and today, we proudly receive patients from over 120 countries.” The Advantage Healthcare India Summit is an avenue for healthcare collaborations between participating countries. The conference attracted more than 400 delegates from 50+ countries and witnessed participation from leading healthcare players including hospitals, insurers, healthcare facilitators, medical value travel companies etc. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12206/first-of-its-kind-symposium-on-next-gen-ab-platforms.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12206/first-of-its-kind-symposium-on-next-gen-ab-platforms.html Thu, 06 Dec 2018 18:50:00 +0530 Syngene International, a global Contract Research Organization in association with industry leaders, Thermo Fisher Scientific and Amgen Inc., hosted a two -day scientific symposium titled ‘Next Generation Antibody Platforms’ on December 3rd and 4th in Bengaluru. The symposium was hosted under the aegis of “INNO”, a platform that aims to facilitate knowledge-sharing among scientists across industry and academia. The 2-day symposium was inaugurated by Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, MD, Syngene International Ltd., Jonathan Hunt, CEO, Syngene International Ltd., Philip Tagari, VP – Research, Amgen Inc. and Dara Wright, VP – Protein & Cell Analysis Unit. Biotherapeutics, particularly antibodies, have become a significant part of Pharma R&D efforts. According to a report by Grand View Research, the global antibody production market is expected to reach a value of USD 22.6 billion by 2025. Increasing demand for therapeutic antibodies is a major factor that drives growth of the market. This has led to many pharmaceuticals and biotechnology companies focusing on the development of advanced antibodies for the treatment of chronic diseases such as cancer, rheumatic heart disease, and arthritis. Speaking about the Symposium, Dr. Jayashree Aiyar, Chair of the Symposium and Vice President – Discovery Biology, Syngene International Ltd., said, “INNO is a great platform for budding scientists in the Pharma and Biotech space to widen their scientific horizon through interacting with global scientific thought leaders. It also provides them an opportunity to showcase their research work. This symposium on antibody research helped promote innovation, facilitate knowledge sharing on cutting-edge technologies and provided an excellent opportunity for budding scientists to interact with distinguished international speakers.” The symposium boasted of a list of eminent speakers drawn from the academia and industry. The keynote addresses were delivered by Prof. Sachdev Sidhu from University of Toronto and Dr. Philip Tagari. Some of the eminent speakers included Andreas Menrad from Merck KGaA, Irina Rybina from Boehringer Ingelheim, Dinakar Salunke, Director International Centre for Genetic, Engineering and Biotechnology, Deepa Shankar from Thermo Fisher Scientific amongst others. More than 500 delegates from the industry and academia attended the symposium. Teams of scientists also presented scientific posters showcasing their cutting-edge research in the areas of antibody research. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12204/columbia-asia-supplier-recognition-awards-2018-recognizes-vendors-by-giving-them-awards.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12204/columbia-asia-supplier-recognition-awards-2018-recognizes-vendors-by-giving-them-awards.html Thu, 06 Dec 2018 18:35:00 +0530 Columbia Asia Hospital as a part of their supplier relationship management recognised its suppliers for their remarkable achievements and outstanding work by awarding them with Columbia Asia Supplier Recognition Awards-2018 held at Hilton, Embassy Golf Links, Bangalore. The suppliers were awarded based on the operational indicators relating to Quality, Volume, Delivery, Performance and long-term association with Columbia Asia Hospital. The Columbia Asia Supplier Recognition Awards was instituted to demonstrate Columbia Asia’s ongoing commitment towards the suppliers, to support development and recognize Supplier’s achievements. Columbia Asia Supplier Recognition Awards-2018 had different categories like Best Supplier of the Year, Best Performance Award, Long Term Association, Continuous Quality Improvement Award, Outstanding Service Delivery and Largest Volume Supplier. Best Supplier of the Year was received by Siemens Healthcare Private Limited and Best Performance Award was won by Daikin Airconditioning India Pvt Ltd and Hind Agencies. Johnson & Johnson Pvt Ltd, Tasktel Technologies Pvt Ltd and Shivlal Desai were the recipients of the Long Term Association Award, Yatra Online Private Limited & Beckton Dickinson India Pvt Ltd received the Continuous Quality Improvement Award, Stryker India Pvt Ltd, Duster total solutions Services Pvt Ltd, Shree Nidhi Pharma and Sheeltron Digital Systems Pvt Ltd were awarded the Outstanding Service Award and Largest Volume Supplier was awarded to Philips India Limited, Pfizer Ltd and Alpha Building Services Pvt Ltd. Speaking on the occasion, Madan Sampath, General Manager - Procurement, Columbia Asia Hospitals, said “Understanding and identifying the operational drivers of high-performance Suppliers should be the Buyer’s prime focus as part of Supplier relationship management. Moreover, honest and open business relations with a mind-set of joint problem solving with our suppliers helps us to focus on continuous improvement of quality to fulfil the requirements of our end-users/ patients”. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12201/new-parkinsons-treatment-launches-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12201/new-parkinsons-treatment-launches-in-india.html Thu, 06 Dec 2018 18:10:00 +0530 In a boon to patients in the middle stages of Parkinson’s Disease, Vikram Hospital Bengaluru, in association with the UK-based specialty pharmaceutical company Britannia Pharmaceuticals, has launched Apomorphine for the first time in India. This powerful new drug stimulates the production of dopamine by nerve cells in the brain, providing quick and effective relief to patients and improving their quality of life. Apomorphine, available both as injections and infusion pumps, has been popular in the West for over 15 years in the management of Parkinson’s, but Indian patients could not benefit from it until now. Said Dr. Prashanth LK, Parkinson’s Disease & Movement Disorders Specialist, Vikram Hospitals, Bengaluru: “Currently in India, patients of Parkinson’s have only two options: either oral treatment for the early stages of the disease, or very expensive Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery for advanced stages. There was no treatment for the middle stages of the disease. Most patients in India cannot afford DBS. This procedure is also not a choice for all ages or stages of Parkinson’s Disease. Apomorphine is recommended for patients who have started to have motor fluctuations – that is, the effect of oral medications is not lasting long enough for them. It is an effective alternative for patients who are not the right candidates for DBS, or those who do not want to undergo surgery yet. Introduction of apomorphine in India has given an important medical option to doctors in the middle stages of the management of Parkinson’s Disease and improve the quality of life of patients.” Talking about the availability of Apomorphine in India, Dr. Somesh Mittal, CEO, Vikram Hospital, Bengaluru, said: “Apomorphine, a highly selective dopamine receptor stimulator, is a long-awaited boon for patients of Parkinson’s Disease. It is not an OTC medication but has to be taken under the supervision of a Movement Disorder Specialist at specialized centres. Since the drug has just been launched in India, it will initially be distributed through select centers where well-trained movement disorders specialists are available. In due course, we aim to increase the distribution footprint to cover almost all movement disorder centers and neurology clinics across the country. Vikram Hospital Bengaluru will remain the major center for the availability and distribution of Apomorphine for the foreseeable future.” Said Dr. Vinod Metta, Consultant Interventional Neurologist & Movement Disorders Specialist, King’s College & Imperial Hospitals, London, who is leading one of the biggest sets of patients on Apomorphine in the United Kingdom: “Parkinson’s is a special neurodegenerative disorder for which good symptomatic treatment is available, but there is a huge unmet need for therapeutic options in moderately advanced stages. Even though Apomorphine pumps and pens for continuous medication release have been available in Western countries, they were not yet launched in the Indian market. Apomorphine pens are similar in usage to insulin pens. They work dramatically by giving relief to patients within a couple of minutes, in contrast to other treatments for Parkinson’s which take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour to show their effect. The launch of these therapies was long overdue for Indian patients. These will significantly benefit patient care and reduce the burden of caregivers.” Said Dr Shivam Om Mittal, Parkinson’s Disease & Movement Disorders Specialist, Vikram Hospitals, Bengaluru: “The current prevalence of Parkinson’s Disease in India is around 300-400 out of 100,000, which is expected to more than double by 2030. It will be a major non-communicable degenerative disorder along with dementia to burden the healthcare system of India. Though majority of the patients are above 50 years of age, no age group is immune to Parkinson’s Disease. Of late, its incidence in younger population is also on the rise.” He added: “The symptoms of Parkinson’s include slowness in daily activities, stiffness of muscles, a change in walking style and tremors of the hands. Many people can also have non-motor symptoms preceding the motor symptoms such as reduction in the sensation of smell, constipation, and shouting, yelling or enacting in sleep. Some of these symptoms can be present for as many as 20 years before clinical symptoms like tremors appear. Dopamine imaging is an effective test to see if suspected patients have Parkinsonism, but it is available only in select centers.” Said Dr. Prashanth LK, Parkinson’s Disease & Movement Disorders Specialist, Vikram Hospitals, Bengaluru: “Medical therapies can bring significant improvements in the symptoms of Parkinson’s.  These medications are meant to increase the supply of dopamine which gets depleted in the body of a Parkinson’s patient. Surgical therapies like Deep Brain Stimulation are available too. Parkinson’s patients need to take medications at timely intervals, which often leads to fluctuating levels of medication in their bodies and irregular benefits. Continuous Dopaminergic Therapy is a method by which the body receives dopamine on a regular and consistent basis, because of which fluctuations associated with medications are negated significantly. With the launch of Apomorphine injections and infusion pumps by Vikram Hospital, Indian patients can now benefit from Continuous Dopaminergic Therapy which till now was only available in Western countries.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12200/bayer-merck-gets-fda-breakthrough-designation-for-cteph-detection-software.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12200/bayer-merck-gets-fda-breakthrough-designation-for-cteph-detection-software.html Thu, 06 Dec 2018 16:25:00 +0530 Bayer announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Breakthrough Device Designation to the Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH) Artificial Intelligence (AI) Pattern Recognition Software, which Bayer is currently developing jointly with Merck, known as MSD outside the U.S. and Canada. Being a rare disease, physicians may not always recognize CTEPH. Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA), as well as a ventilation/perfusion scan (V/Q scan), is used to determine if the thromboembolic occlusion is causing pulmonary hypertension. Radiologists may have the first opportunity to identify CTEPH in a patient; therefore it's important they accurately detect CTEPH indicators on CTPA scans and images. Development of the CTEPH Pattern Recognition AI Software will use deep learning methodology to support radiologists by identifying signs of CTEPH in CTPA scans. This software analyzes image findings from cardiac, lung perfusion and pulmonary vessels in combination with the patient's clinical history. If the development is successful, the software could be deployed via Bayer's Radimetrics software, an informatics technology platform that connects contrast medium, injector and scan information to provide important insights. The FDA Breakthrough Device Program is intended to help patients have more timely access to devices and breakthrough technologies that provide for more effective treatment or diagnosis for life-threatening or irreversibly debilitating diseases by expediting their development, assessment, and review. While the FDA Breakthrough Device Designation is expected to expedite the software's assessment and review, its development remains complex given the nature of the disease and technology. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12198/infosys-inaugurates-innovation-hub-new-technology-in-us.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12198/infosys-inaugurates-innovation-hub-new-technology-in-us.html Thu, 06 Dec 2018 12:55:00 +0530 Infosys, a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, today inaugurated its Technology and Innovation Hub in Hartford. Infosys also announced that it has hired more than 7,000 American workers in the last 18 months as part of its ongoing commitment to accelerate the pace of digital innovation for American enterprises.  The Hartford Hub, will help Infosys work more closely with its clients in the region and will serve as the global Hub for Infosys' InsurTech and HealthTech efforts. The Hub will feature Living Labs for the Future of Insurance, the Future of Healthcare and the Future of Manufacturing amongst others. The Living Labs help organizations learn through making. They bring together expertise in business and technologies such as blockchain, extended reality and cognitive capabilities with techniques like design thinking, agile and devops. The Living Labs enable rapid experimentation and exploration of innovation efforts. "The inauguration of our Hartford Technology and Innovation Hub is an important milestone in our ongoing efforts to help American enterprises revitalize their core businesses," said Infosys COO U.B. Pravin Rao. "This Hub, along with five other hubs around the country, will help us to seamlessly collaborate with our clients to develop agile, cross-functional digital solutions to today's most pressing business needs. We are very pleased to continue expanding our presence in Connecticut and thank both Governor Malloy and Governor-Elect Ned Lamont for their support.,He added. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12197/first-in-human-telerobotic-coronary-intervention-performed-in-ahmedabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12197/first-in-human-telerobotic-coronary-intervention-performed-in-ahmedabad.html Thu, 06 Dec 2018 09:35:00 +0530 India has achieved an important breakthrough in the history of medical science with the World’s First-in-Human Telerobotic Coronary Intervention by Dr. Tejas Patel, Chairman and Chief Interventional Cardiologist of the Apex Heart Institute at Ahmedabad. He used CorPath® technology of Corindus Vascular Robotics to conduct the first-in-human (FIH) telerobotic coronary intervention. This is the world’s First Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) conducted from a remote location outside of the catherization lab. The success of this study paves the way for large-scale, long-distance telerobotic platforms across the globe. Vijaybhai Rupani, Chief Minister of Gujarat; Nitinbhai Patel,Deputy Chief Minister along with saints of Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Pujya Shri Brahmavihari Swami and Pujya Shri Ishwarcharan Swami remained present on this occasion. On this occasion, Dr. Tejas Patel said, “The first-in-human case of remote robotic PCI represents a landmark event for interventional medicine. Cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, are the number one cause of death worldwide resulting in nearly 18 million deaths per year. The application of telerobotics in India has the potential to impact a significant number of lives by providing access to care that may not otherwise have been possible. I am honoured for contributing to this historic groundbreaking research which is going to earn a lot of glory and global respect for my country.” Telerobotic coronary interventional platform has the potential to dramatically improve patient access for both elective and emergent percutaneous coronary interventions and stroke in rural and underserved populations. It will reduce time to treatment for emergent procedures such as STEMI and stroke and will also reduce variability in operator skills and thus, improve clinical outcomes.  Mark Toland, President and Chief Executive Officer of Corindus, stated, “Cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, are the world’s most significant and undertreated clinical problem due to limited access to specialized, timely medical care. As a result of existing barriers to care, including increased global poverty and a declining number of trained specialists, only a fraction of patients worldwide receives life-saving treatment, resulting in substantial death or disability. We anticipate that our technology will revolutionize cardiovascular disease treatment by providing specialized and timely medical care to anyone, anywhere.” Dr. Patel said, “I dedicate this breakthrough to His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj whose heart I had the privilege to take care of. His heart made a difference to my heart and through this technology I want to make a difference to millions of hearts.” “Furthermore, of the many options available I selected Swaminarayan Akshardham as I wanted to conduct this path breaking event of medical history from the lap of God and I feel that Akshardham being a confluence of science and spirituality, tradition and technology provides that peace and spirituality, comfort and creativity to further all fields of humanity and not just the medical field,” he said. To improve patient outcomes, Corindus has pioneered the world’s first remote telerobotic interventional platform to deliver highly specialized and timely cardiovascular care to underserved patient populations with geographic barriers to treatment. Following successful FIH telerobotic coronary stenting cases performed in India, the company plans to initialize commercialization planning for the system and expand its interventional platform to address stroke care. Pujya Brahmavihari Swami said, “Dr Tejas Patel has served as His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s personal cardiologist during which he experienced moments of deep spirituality. His own story is one remarkable journey of faith and transformation of heart. His Holiness was one of the most enlightened spiritual leaders of our times who encouraged both science and spirituality for the development of human life and universal values. As the Centenary of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj is being celebrated globally and the current 10 day festival to be attended by millions of people is beginning today in Rajkot, 5 December 2018, this day was selected in honour of his life and work. All our prayers are with Dr Tejas Patel and the entire medical world to serve humanity and scientifically, spiritually and ethically enhance the quality of human life” Cardiovascular disease, including stroke, are the number one causes of death worldwide resulting in nearly 18 million deaths per year. Geographic barriers, socioeconomic status and a rapidly shrinking number of skilled specialists significantly hinders patient access to timely, specialized cardiovascular care. This is especially of concern during highly emergent medical events, such as heart attack and stroke , where ideal treatment must be received in as little as 90 minutes or within 24 hours, respectively, to avoid death or permanent disability. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12184/max-healthcare-revolutionises-dialysis-through-cds-3-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12184/max-healthcare-revolutionises-dialysis-through-cds-3-.html Wed, 05 Dec 2018 11:00:00 +0530 Max Healthcare have introduced the Central Delivery System 3 (CDS 3) for the first time in India. Central Delivery System 3 (CDS 3) CD 3 is a fully automated online dialysis system that ensures delivery of ultrapure fluid with accurate mixing while requiring minimal maintenance. This system has been developed in association with Fresenius Medical Care. CDS 3 combines the process of the creation and supply of dialysis water and dialysis fluid to achieve high levels of purity. It also has the advantages of streamlined operation that improves efficiency and reduces human error. Water Treatment: The purity level of the water being used is a crucial factor in determining the quality of the dialysis fluid. CDS 3 ensures that the water is properly treated through reverse osmosis (RO) and the purest output is utilized for dialysis. Accurate Mixture: CDS 3 enables accurate mixing of the dialysate components at the precise point in time to remove any chances of precipitation. After this, 1 part of dialysate is mixed with 34 parts of water to prepare the dialysis fluid. It also eliminates chances of human error as the components can be mixed in exact required quantities thereby improving the quality of the resulting fluid. Media Rail Supply (MRS): Seamless delivery of the dialysate liquid is as important as the accuracy of the mixture. CDS 3 system employs Media Rail Supply that facilitates the transfer of the final dialysis fluid straight to the dialysis machine. This removes the need of cannisters thereby increasing efficiency & hygiene of the procedure and lowering the adverse impact on the environment. ISO Standards: CDS 3 system meets the highest ISO standards 13959:2014, 13958:2014 and 23500:2014. Complying to these standards, CDS 3 reduces any complications related to dialysis. Benefit to the patient: Patients suffering from chronic kidney diseases are dependent on dialysis procedure, multiple times a week, to sustain a long and productive life. CDS 3 system ensures no impurities are present in the dialysate fluid that translates into better health of the patient. CDS 3 does not incur any additional cost as compared to the traditional dialysis method. In the long run, CDS 3 can help in lowering the cost per treatment. It also provides flexibility to adjust the balance of the fluid according to each patient, including potassium or glucose-free etc. Disinfection: CDS 3 system utilizes hot feed of treated water (heated to 85OC) to disinfect the machine in place of chemicals that were used earlier. Environment Sustainability Reduced Waste: The current dialysis system involves usage of cannisters to carry dialysate fluid that are disposed after single use. Utilizing Media Rail Supply mechanism, CDS 3 reduces the burden on environment by decreasing medical waste substantially. Water Conservation: The CDS 3 water treatment system works at an efficiency of 75%. Rest of the 25% water is not wasted but utilized for horticulture purposes. Emphasizing on the importance of improving the quality of dialysis procedure, Dr. Dinesh Khullar, Chairman - Nephrology & Renal Transplant Medicine, Max Healthcare, said, “One of the key concern areas for safety of dialysis patients across the world has always been the concentrate quality and supply. CDS 3 helps in safer and convenient dialysis practices with automation enabled in the system that stores data and helps prevent failures. As the technology continues to drive the progress in healthcare, the traditional line between engineering and medical science grows ever thinner.” “With the machines and the computers that power them becoming smaller, faster and smarter, the medical device industry is making medical practice easier for doctors, more effective and affordable for patients, and convenient for the entire healthcare system. CDS 3 is the next big step in substantially improving the quality of dialysis and hence, the lives of our patients. The effectiveness of dialysis is directly dependent on the purity and chemical mixture of the fluid being used. While we constantly strive to enhance the dialysate fluid, CDS 3 revolutionizes this aspect by maintaining highest purity of water, right balance of electrolytes and conductivity and removing human error”, he added. Dr Khullar also said that, “At no extra cost, this system would certainly help the renal patients in living longer and fulfilling lives. We are delighted and proud to introduce this CDS 3 system in our Saket facility for the first time in the country for the benefit of our patients. This follows the introduction by Max Saket facility of top of the line dialysis modality i.e. online hemodiafiltration (OL-HDF) for the first time in the north India stamping our commitment towards bringing the best technology in the field of dialysis for the benefit of our patients. We will continue to work towards improving technology and procedural efficiency to deliver top notch patient care.” According to Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study 2015, chronic kidney disease (CKD) was ranked as the eighth leading cause of death. With more than 2 lakh patients being diagnosed with end-stage renal diseases in the country every year, there is an additional demand of 34 million dialysis sessions. Being a life-sustaining procedure, every improvement in the dialysis procedure would result in direct benefit to the patients and help them live a better & a longer life.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12182/government-committed-to-providing-quality-healthcare-within-outside-country-suresh-prabhu.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12182/government-committed-to-providing-quality-healthcare-within-outside-country-suresh-prabhu.html Wed, 05 Dec 2018 10:45:00 +0530 With an aim of presenting India as the most preferred healthcare destination for patients from across the globe, ‘Advantage Health Care - India 2018’ (4th International Summit on Medical Value Travel) was recently organised by FICCI jointly with the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India The dignitaries at the two-day conference and exhibition included Dilip Chenoy, Secretary General, FICCI; Dr Shohani Ramzi, Head International Relation, Health Ministry of Iraq; Suranjan Gupta, Executive Director, EEPC India; Dr Harish Pillai, Co-Chair – FICCI MVT Committee & CEO Aster Hospitals & Clinics, India at Aster DM Healthcare. The idea behind the summit is to provide an opportunity for India to showcase its immense pool of medical capabilities as well as help develop opportunities for healthcare collaborations between the participating countries. Visitors and delegates from over 71 countries are participating in the Summit. Speaking via video conferencing he said, “We have set aside almost Rs 5,000 Cr or approximately 700 million dollars for enhancing the overall services sector including healthcare.” “Government is committed to providing quality health care within the country and outside through promoting the service sector”, he also added. Sudhanshu Pandey, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, said that it is extremely important that the healthcare facilities are affordable as only then more and more people can access quality healthcare. “Our efforts in India have been to reduce the cost of healthcare services, while we take our journey towards universal coverage, we try to offer and share our resources with the global citizens,” he added. “India itself carries a very large disease burden and is trying to come up with programs and policies, latest one being Ayushman Bharat Scheme, where effort have been made to extend a wide insurance coverage to the Indian citizens numbering over 500 million so that they can have access to better health care facilities”, he added. On the occasion ‘FICCI-EY Knowledge Paper on Medical Tourism in India’ was also released by FICCI in association with Ernst and Young. Sangita Reddy, Vice President, FICCI & Executive Director Apollo Hospitals Group said, “India is unparalleled in delivering quality medical care at one tenth of the global cost, and aims to transform this sector so that India becomes an epicenter of Medical Value Travel.”  She further added that we will continue to work on better facilities, translation, food, and outstanding medical services for our foreign patients. Our doors are open, our hearts are open, and our facilities are on par with the best. Dr Devlina Chakravarty, Co-Chair-FICCI MVT Committee & MD, Artemis Hospitals said that, “India has more than 1600 NABH accredited facilities, & 32 JCI accredited hospitals. Cost is not the only differentiator for India when it comes to medical value travel, we’re also known for our talent.” Some of the key points of ‘FICCI-EY Knowledge Paper on Medical Tourism in India’: Asia accounts for the 58% share of total disease burden, while Africa stands at 24%, indicating the disease burden stress to be highly prominent in Asian region. The largest disease burden comes from cardiovascular diseases which accounts for 14-15% of the total. This is followed by cancers, mental and neurological disorders, new born complications and other NCDs. Diarrhea and other infectious disease also account for 10%. MVT is a burgeoning multi-billion dollar industry and likely to grow higher due to many benefits offered to patients. 95% of the medical travelers from Africa prefer travelling to Asia for medical treatments. A high-quality treatment at lower healthcare costs coupled with the possibility to travel to exotic places made Asia the preferred region for foreign medical travelers. India, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore are the most preferred countries for medical treatments globally due to advanced quality healthcare and affordable healthcare costs. Countries like Costa Rica, Mexico, Barbados and Antigua are expanding their services faster thus attracting patients from North America and Europe. The UAE is also developing itself as MVT hub by promoting developments in Dubai. Huge amounts of investment have been made in Dubai by the government, as it envisages itself as the medical hub in coming years. The lowest spending by the government has been observed in countries like Bangladesh and Myanmar indicating inadequate medical infrastructure. Thus, the inadequate infrastructure in source countries and higher prices of healthcare in developed economies like US and Canada, becomes the high potential region where India can focus for the development of MVT. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12176/fortis-conducts-implantation-of-first-leadless-pacemaker.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12176/fortis-conducts-implantation-of-first-leadless-pacemaker.html Tue, 04 Dec 2018 14:40:00 +0530 Cardiologists at Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta road successfully treated and implanted their first leadless pacemaker in a 74 year old morbidly obese patient suffering from transient loss of consciousness (syncope) due to intermittent high grade electrical heart block. The team of doctors was led by Dr. Shashidhar, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist, Fortis Hospitals, Bannerghatta road and Dr. Rajpal Singh, Interventional Cardiologist, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta road. The doctors went ahead with the miniature, leadless cardiac pacemaker, post confirming no contraindications exist for device implantation. The leadless pacemaker was directly placed inside the patient's heart without surgery via the femoral vein (groin vein). Dr. Shashidhar, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta road, said, “The patient had an intermittent stopping of the heart and was experiencing recurrent loss of consciousness (syncope) since past 5 months. The only way to treat her was to implant a pacemaker. However, implanting a traditional pacemaker was difficult in this case as the veins of upper arms where the traditional pacemakers are generally implanted were blocked due to the chemotherapy cycles which she received for her breast cancer treatment in the past. Therefore, we used leadless pacemaker for this patient. She withstood the procedure well and did not experience any unconsciousness post implantation. In comparison to a conventional pacemaker, the new-age leadless pacemaker eliminates the need for a surgical pocket, there is no visible pacemaker device under a patient's chest skin, no incision scar on the chest, no connector wires or lead, and no restrictions on any daily activities.“ Dr. Rajpal Singh, Interventional Cardiologist, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta road, said,” Conventional pacemakers are surgically placed under the skin of the patient with the help of wires stretching from the arm veins to the heart which can further cause complications. Whereas in the leadless pacemaker, there are many benefits - the patient does not experience any discomfort, infections, device complications and dysfunction. “ The conventional pacemakers weighs about 30 to 40 gms whereas the leadless pacemaker weights only 2gms with 0.8cc volume. The battery life of the pacemaker is same as that of a conventional pacemaker which is around 7 to 8 years. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12169/ardsi-alkem-organise-awareness-campaign-for-mental-disorders.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12169/ardsi-alkem-organise-awareness-campaign-for-mental-disorders.html Mon, 03 Dec 2018 13:30:00 +0530 The Alzheimer’s & Related Disorders Society of India, Mumbai Chapter (ARDSI) in association with Alkem Laboratories Ltd organised ‘Awarathon’, a 3 kilometre walkathon for the second consecutive year recently at Worli Seaface. Thousands of Mumbaikar’s participated in Awarathon this year; patients, caregivers, doctors, corporates, government officials, NGOs, volunteers, youth came together to support and remember those who cannot remember and are suffering from memory loss. According to the India Ageing Report 2017: ·         In India, more than 4 million people have some form of dementia ·         India’s dementia and Alzheimer’s burden is forecast to reach almost 7.5 million by the end of 2030. ·         Worldwide, at least 44 million people are living with dementia making the  disease a global health crisis too. Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of Dementia, an overall term for conditions that occur when the brain no longer functions properly. Alzheimer’s causes problems with memory, thinking and behaviour. In India, more than 4 million people have some form of Dementia. The Alzheimer’s and Dementia burden in our country is forecasted to reach almost 7.5 million by theend of 2030. Worldwide, at least 44 million people are living with Dementia making the disease a global health crisis. Vidya Shenoy, Secretary General, ARDSI  & Hon. Secretary, ARDSI Mumbai Chapter said,“Remember Those Who Cannot Remember’ for ‘Every 3 seconds someone in the world develops dementia’. Let us hold hands and work towards a dementia friendly community by handling those affected by dementia with empathy and patience”. Am pleased and grateful that at the last year’s Awarathon, Hon. Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of Maharashtra, Dr. Deepak Sawant as Chief Guest had promised and assured to support our efforts for the cause of dementia. We are very happy that 7 district hospitals now hold regular Memory Clinics and a Mental Health Authority for the State of Maharashtra has been set up”. Sandeep Singh, Managing Director, Alkem said, “Our country accounts the third highest caseload in the world, after China and the US in Alzhiemer’s. A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is life changing for the person with the disease, as well as their family and friends.” He further said, “We are happy to partner with ARDSI, Mumbai Chapter and supporting their initiatives for this social cause, as there is a real need to spread awareness and increase screening of Dementia. Our social media initiative is a step ahead to spread awareness so that people can recognise symptoms early and get the right treatment.” Last year, Alkem’s campaign, ‘A walk to remember for those who cannot remember’, took a huge leap on most social media platforms followed by this year’s campaign ‘I Remember’, which portrays the threatthat Dementia & Alzheimer’s patients have to face with when challenged byloss of memory or #MemoryBlindness. Alzheimer’s and Dementia in India is a hidden problem, only a tiny fraction of patients are formally diagnosed or treated. Most Indians still consider memory loss as an inevitable part of ageing, rather than signs of a degenerative disease. This must be dealt with through active public awareness campaigns that aim to build a safer platform for people with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12168/apollo-cradle-to-host-international-conference-in-hyderabad-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12168/apollo-cradle-to-host-international-conference-in-hyderabad-.html Mon, 03 Dec 2018 13:25:00 +0530 Apollo Hospitals, Apollo Cradle and Apollo Fertility in partnership with National Neonatology Foundation (NNF), Paediatric Academy of Telangana State (PATS) and Obstetrics & Gynaecological Society of Hyderabad (OGSH) will host National Cradle Conference 2018 a two-day conference on December 08 and 09 at Park Hyatt, Hyderabad.  The Conference will focus on advances in field of Fertility, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics and Neonatology with eminent faculties from across India and other countries showcasing the latest trends. This is an effort to bring multi-disciplinary focus on these specialties in an endeavour to make all aware about the team effort and multi-disciplinary approach required to ensure that optimal clinical outcomes for both mother and child are achieved. Dr Prathap C. Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group will inaugurate the event with over 600+ delegates are expected to attend across the country. The Conference will lay emphasis on the emerging trends in fetal imaging, managing high risk pregnancies, new diagnostic screening techniques for genetic disorders, improving preterm outcomes and early interventions in critical settings along with latest technological advancements in NICU, optimizing better outcomes in IVF and medico-legal aspects. This is an effort to bring multi-disciplinary focus on these specialties in an endeavour to make all aware about the team effort and multi-disciplinary approach required to ensure that optimal clinical outcomes for both mother and child are achieved. The distinguished faculty for the Conference comprises of internationally renowned faculties from USA, UK, Canada, Australia like Dr. Seang Lin Tan, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, Founding Medical Director at Originelle Fertility Clinic & Women’s Health Centre, Canada. One of the world's outstanding neuroscientists Dr. Wise Young, Founding Director, W. M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, New Jersey, USA and a distinguished professor. Prof. Sailesh Kumar, Head of the Mother’s, Babies and Women Health research and head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology department at University of Queensland, Australia. Dr. Sandeep Sharma Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Yorkshire Hospitals, UK. He has a special interest in management of menopause and prevention of osteoporosis. Dr. Hima Bindu Avatapalle, Consultant Paediatric Endocrinologist in Leeds Teaching Hospitals, UK with a special interest in childhood hypoglycaemia, gender dysphoria and transition endocrinology. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12160/biocon-foundation-adds-one-more-feather-to-its-cap.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12160/biocon-foundation-adds-one-more-feather-to-its-cap.html Mon, 03 Dec 2018 10:00:00 +0530 Biocon Foundation, the CSR arm of Biocon Ltd. and Syngene International Ltd., has dedicated the newly revived Hebbagodi Lake in Anekal taluk to the community. Besides the bio-rejuvenated lake, a Children’s Park and a safe drinking water facility using Reverse Osmosis (RO) technology were also opened for the public. The above facilities were inaugurated by B Shivanna, MLA, Anekal taluk; Lakshman, Chairman, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB);  Wing Commander G.B. Athri (Retd) and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, recently. As a part of its efforts to ensure environmental sustainability, Biocon Foundation,  with approvals from the Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority (KLCDA) and other government authorities, has brought back to life the dying 35-acre Hebbagodi Lake, leading to a significant improvement in the water quality and the return of flora and fauna.  A public space has been created around the lake in the form of a children’s park and walkways for recreational activities. The safe drinking water RO facility will cater to the needs of the neighbouring community. Biocon Foundation initiated the project under the inspirational leadership and guidance of Wg Cdr G.B.Athri (Retd) in mid-2016, and has successfully completed the project. . Wg Cdr G.B. Athri (Retd) played a significant role in the lake revival project by helping Biocon Foundation synergize efforts to obtain the necessary multi-government approvals and providing guidance throughout the complex process of lake rejuvenation. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Managing Trustee of Biocon Foundation, said, “I want to congratulate each and everyone involved in successfully implementing the ambitious task of reviving the Hebbagodi Lake. Biocon Foundation is committed to address the pressing social and environmental issues in Karnataka with strong community engagement and innovative solutions. The ‘proof of concept’ established at Hebbagodi Lake has opened the path for Biocon Foundation to initiate other lake rejuvenation projects and will contribute towards reviving other Bengaluru lakes.” Wing Commander G.B. Athri (Retd), said, “Water is the heart and soul of the lake. Without removing a drop of water from Hebbagodi lake (which is the usual practice), we have successfully rejuvenated the lake. The water quality has attained pristine glory with the help of natural elements. The most important aspect of Hebbagodi lake rejuvenation process is that time-tested natural processes have been put into place.” Pratima Rao, Mission Director of Biocon Foundation, said, “Biocon Foundation constantly engages with the neighbouring communities to undertake various initiatives aimed at environmental management and ecological conservation. With the help of key stakeholders, such as Wing Commander Athri, government officials and local authorities, we successfully restored the ecosystem of the Hebbagodi Lake in a time-bound, cost-effective manner. I believe this initiative will spur other corporates to come forward in implementing innovative solutions that pave the way for a better Bengaluru.” Lourd Raj Joseph, Vice-President and Head, Central Engineering & EHS, Biocon, added, “Given the importance of preserving Bengaluru’s natural lakes, we undertook the Herculean task of the rejuvenation of the Hebbagodi Lake through fresh thinking, collective effort and innovative solutions. A multipronged strategy to use bioremediation, floating islands and aerators has yielded spectacular results. Measures were also taken to protect the lake by engaging with local authorities and the community to monitor and preserve the area. A children’s park, with gardens and play equipment, has completed the transformation of the area into a clean, green space.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12158/case-study-on-lung-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12158/case-study-on-lung-cancer.html Sat, 01 Dec 2018 05:30:00 +0530 Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. According to the latest Globocan data 2018, there are 67,795 new cases of lung cancer which comprises around 5.9 percent of all cancer types in India. The data also calls out the increase incidence of lung cancer in India particularly in women and it is not very clear to identify this as many of these women are non-smokers and have still developed lung cancer in younger age. One such example is Ms. Shailaja Asave, undergoing cancer treatment currently at Tata Memorial. She was detected with lung cancer last February at the fourth stage. This came as a shock to her as she never smoked a cigarette ever, also had a very healthy lifestyle with good eating habits and active physical exercise. For a person to accept this deadly disease is very difficult with a constant mental battle that where one went wrong when it comes to lifestyle habits to get cancer. Questions like could it be second hand smoking, exposure to pollution or any other reason, these were the thoughts that kept cropping up in her mind. She reached out to the internet sifting through tons of information on why one would get cancer. But sometimes it is a lesser known cause that causes this killer disease which is gene mutation, which has no clear explanation till date. Sixty seven years old Ms. Shailaja Asave is undergoing target therapy, also known as TKIS. So it is a much painless experience for her when it comes to the treatment, all she has to do is to take a tablet a day. Procedures like chemotherapy, laser therapy and surgery which are said to be quite painful with huge side effects is not something that she is experiencing like many other cancer patients. Though there are some side effects of the tablet but that is quite minimal. Shailaja experiences a certain degree of fatigue, rashes and tiredness. According to Dr. Kumar Prabhash, Prof., Medical Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai who is treating Shailaja says “Though cancer is advancing in terms of risk factors leading to the disease and also the type of cancer that we are coming across has changed over the last few decades. Fortunately due to innovation of many successful researches leading to advanced treatments there is targeted therapy, Immunotherapy which are less painful. Talking about immunotherapy this is a treatment option that has evolved over the last six to seven years and is more individualistic and USFDA approved as a standalone and combination therapy.” Now that shailaja is living with cancer, she is contributing her time to ensure that morehealthcare professionals get trained and help more and more cancer patients. Shailaja says that though she is living with cancer, she does all her daily chores and focusesmore on the work that she is doing for the society. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12157/karnataka-enters-into-healthcare-tech-partnership-with-the-netherlands.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12157/karnataka-enters-into-healthcare-tech-partnership-with-the-netherlands.html Fri, 30 Nov 2018 18:05:00 +0530 At the recently held Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) from 29th Nov to 1st Dec, the Netherlands has partnered with the Govt. of Karnataka as a ‘Technology Partner’ bringing in Dutch experts from the field of Healthcare. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) & Taskforce for Applied Research (SIA) and Govt. of Karnataka had signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) during the visit of Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade, Sigrid Kaag and Dutch Minister for Medical Care, Bruno Bruins to Bengaluru in May 2018 to set up Living Lab in Bengaluru with the objective to ‘improve access to affordable healthcare via means of eHealth & medical devices’. Living Lab is a growing ecosystem that connects government, industry and academia to co-create innovative solutions for shared societal challenges. After the LoI was signed in May 2018, three pilot projects have been jointly selected for co-funding opportunities, where the Karnataka government would be pitching Rs 40-60 lakhs and the Netherlands would be providing a seed funding in the range of €25000-75,000. The following three projects will be pitched to stakeholders from academic institutes, hospitals, IT, med-tech companies, start-ups etc. for partnership in the Netherlands’ Health-tech session organized during BTS on 30th Nov: Development of Generic tool box to create Health Literacy application for the use in India and the Netherlands (Current partners: Manipal University in collaboration with Maastricht University Medical Centre, MUMC) Point of Care tool for fast diagnosis of e.g. Urinary Tract Infection (Current partners: MUMC in collaboration with Brightlands, Manipal University, TCS & EHE Innovations) A framework for identification of biomarkers for mass screening of population at risk of development of neurodegenerative disorders (Current partners:  M.S. Ramaiah Institute of Technology in collaboration with MUMC and potential partners include TU Delft & Bosch) In the coming months, the two sides will also explore opportunities for student exchange under the three joint projects to begin research work. Centre for Human Genetics (CHG), which is the anchor institute for Living Lab in Bengaluru will assist the process, together with Nuffic Netherlands Education Support Office (NESO) in Bengaluru and Taskforce for Applied Research (SIA) in the Netherlands. “In India and the Netherlands alike there is a need for more research and innovation to serve society in a more direct manner. The Dutch Universities of Applied Sciences do that by involving education and regional partners from the very beginning. Our students and regional partners can benefit greatly from working with Indian eHealth and ICT solutions. It is exciting to see the Living Lab provide a platform for knowledge exchange between students, researchers and regional partners from India and the Netherlands,” said Eras Draaijers, Programme Manager, Taskforce for Applied Research (SIA). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12143/cygnus-hospitals-inks-mou-with-taiwans-ncku-hospital-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12143/cygnus-hospitals-inks-mou-with-taiwans-ncku-hospital-.html Wed, 28 Nov 2018 22:55:00 +0530 Cygnus Hospitals has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) Hospital in Tainan, Taiwan for promoting bilateral exchange in medical developments. The MoU was inked, at a signing ceremony held in Tainan, by NCKU Hospital Superintendent Yang Chyun-yu and Director of Operations at Cygnus Hospitals Naveen Nishchal, who is also chairman of Voice of Healthcare, a policy think tank based in New Delhi. NCKU Hospital will provide training for medical staff at Cygnus, while presenting an opportunity for Taiwan's biotechnology industry to tap the growing Indian market. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12141/samsung-to-conduct-a-study-on-reduction-of-stress-levels-in-school-kids.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12141/samsung-to-conduct-a-study-on-reduction-of-stress-levels-in-school-kids.html Wed, 28 Nov 2018 16:00:00 +0530 Samsung India has announced the MyDream project, a research study in collaboration with UNESCO MGIEP (Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development) and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti. Under the project, ways of enhancing learning outcomes for middle school students in India and how their stress levels can be reduced. The 14 Samsung Smart Class will deliver 200 hours of course curriculum that is being developed for the Andhra Pradesh Government under the UNESCO MGIEP initiative ‘Teaching Teachers for Technology’. The course is been developed by UNESCO MGIEP so that future teachers can be effectively trained to teach students with the help of the latest technology using digital pedagogies. Under the MyDream project, Samsung and UNESCO MGIEP will conduct a two-year research study at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) schools across India. This study is designed to understand how project-based and socio-emotional learning (SEL) can be used to drive learning outcomes of students as defined by their Mathematics and Science scores measured by Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya and also to reduce their stress levels. “Through the MyDream project, UNESCO MGIEP wants to build intellectually and emotionally resilient young people. We seek to make learning fun and stress free, and training young people to be mindful, empathetic and compassionate,” said Dr Anantha K Duraiappah, Director, UNESCO MGIEP. “This research project will help us understand how learning outcomes for students can be improved and how their stress levels can be mitigated. This partnership between UNESCO MGIEP, Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti and Samsung will pave way for not just an impact in India, but a global one,” he added. For the study, 64 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya schools, where Samsung already operates a Samsung Smart Class, have been chosen. “MyDream Project in association with MGIEP and Samsung is likely to add impetus in furthering the digital pedagogy and increase digital competitiveness for India. Navodaya Vidyalaya being a residential system, introduction of project-based learning and social & emotional learning through Samsung Smart Class digital platform will give a strategic direction in reducing perceived academic stress amongst children,” said B K Singh, Commissioner, Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti. At the end of the study, a comprehensive report and recommendations will be submitted to the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12137/world-conference-on-lung-health-launches-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12137/world-conference-on-lung-health-launches-in-india.html Wed, 28 Nov 2018 14:00:00 +0530 The Union has recently launched the 50th Union World Conference on Lung Health which will be held at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre, Hyderabad, from 30 October- 2 November 2019. The conference theme, Ending the Emergency: Science, Leadership, Action, focuses on what is needed to ensure commitments become action, and that lifesaving targets are met. “It’s time to end the global TB emergency and that will mean holding governments accountable to the Political Declaration they signed at the UN meeting,” said José Luis Castro, Executive Director of The Union. “In Hyderabad we need to be seeing signs that we are seeing real leadership that is translating into both investment in diagnostic tools, new drugs and a vaccine and action on the ground.” As host country to the conference, India provides a unique backdrop to discussions on ending TB and lung disease with the current highest burden of TB in the world – one in four people infected with TB globally live in India. In 2017, 2.74 million people fell ill from TB, and 421,000 died from it. Rising rates of TB and diabetes co-infection are also causing great concern. The Indian government has pledged to eliminate TB by 2025. The 50th Union World Conference on Lung Health, Ending the Emergency: Science, Leadership, Action will bring together an expected 6,000 researchers, policy makers, global advocates, scientists, healthcare professionals and affected communities working on all aspects of lung health. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12136/medvarsity-receives-award-for-training-development-in-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12136/medvarsity-receives-award-for-training-development-in-healthcare.html Wed, 28 Nov 2018 13:55:00 +0530 Medvarsity, a pioneer in online medical training, has been awarded the 'Excellence in Training & Development in Healthcare Education' award at the 4th edition of the ABP Healthcare Leadership Awards, 2018, in Mumbai. The award recognized the company's contribution to strategic training and development in the educational field. Medvarsity has built a portfolio of end-to-end healthcare training programs for its students, over the period of 18 years. It offers courses specially designed for MBBS Doctors and AYUSH in various advanced skill set which will be beneficial for their career growth to a great extent. Additionally, it also caters to Nurses, Dentists, Physiotherapists, Dietitians, Medical Technicians & Managers as well, through its exclusive courses. With time, Medvarsity has helped empower healthcare professionals from all over the world and takes pride in stating that 20 percent of its students are based out of Europe, Asian countries apart from India, Middle East and Africa. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12129/fortis-hospital-collaborates-with-philips-for-echocardiography-training.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12129/fortis-hospital-collaborates-with-philips-for-echocardiography-training.html Tue, 27 Nov 2018 17:55:00 +0530 Fortis Hospital, Bengaluru in collaboration with Philips India has launched an echocardiography training centre, focused to help doctors learn more about echocardiography. It is the second most widely used test for investigating heart diseases. With increasing incidents of heart diseases in India, echocardiography as an easily available and affordable test needs to be better utilized in various patient scenarios. Physicians are in need of trainings to better manage their patients and to also upgrade their skills in the latest methods of TBC. This specialized learning and training centre co-supported by Philips India has a training programme in echocardiography which is related to non-invasive cardiology which is an area predominantly focusing on the various investigations done for patients who have suspected or known cardiac diseases. Dr. Satish Govind, Chief of Non-Invasive Cardiology, Fortis hospitals, Bengaluru said, “This unique training centre at Fortis hospitals, Bengaluru is fully equipped with facilities that will cater to doctors, both, nationally and internationally. The centre named as ELITE (echo learning and training education centre) will focus on basic echo for the beginners or the not so-skilled practitioners and advanced echo for professionals who may want to upgrade their skills with the latest technology and learn additional echocardiography related specialized procedures.” “Reputed and experienced faculty who will personally supervise the training, will further enhance the experience of the attendees. Training in small groups with actual equipment, as also simulators and laptop aids will be done year-round, with plans to incorporate live video teaching from overseas international faculty later in the year. The well-designed interactive training modules will be short and intense with emphasis on practical aspects, which ultimately should lead to better patient care”, he added. Commenting on the partnership, a Philips India’s spokesperson commented, “Philips has been revolutionizing pathways to address health issues through innovative products and solutions. The launch of echocardiography training centre in partnership with Fortis Hospitals, will be a milestone in imparting clinical education in diagnoses of cardiovascular diseases in India. This state-of-the art centre further drives us to work towards our mission of delivering on personalized and accessible cardiovascular care.”       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12128/notto-organizes-9th-indian-organ-donation-day.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12128/notto-organizes-9th-indian-organ-donation-day.html Tue, 27 Nov 2018 16:35:00 +0530 9th Indian Organ Donation Day was organized by the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) in Delhi recently. Anupriya Patel, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. C. Vijaya Baskar, Minister of Health, Government of Tamil Nadu, Preeti Sudan, Secretary (Health), Dr. R.K. Vats, Addl. Secretary and Dr S. Venkatesh, DGHS, were also present at the event. Ashwini Kumar Choubey stated, “People’s participation and people’s awareness is the key for encouraging organ donation.” He also administered the pledge to the participants to donate organs. In his address, Choubey further said, “Many myths and misconceptions surround organ donation. Organ donation gets discouraged on the basis of superstitions. I salute all those who have shown courage to donate organ of their near and dear ones, and shown us a direction to emulate this brave act.” Speaking at the function, Anupriya Patel stated that “When seen from the perspective of reason and rationale, the gift of life is the ultimate gift that one could give and organ donation is, therefore, a ‘God like act’ and needs to be encouraged.” “It is important to understand that in India it is mainly the living donors who are donating organs and only about 23% of the organ transplant is being done with organs obtained from the cadavers. There is a need to promote cadaver or deceased organ donation rather than relying on living donors in order to avoid the risk of commercial trading of organs and also to avoid the inherent risk to the health of the living donor”, she added. Preeti Sudan urged the people to tell their near and dear ones about their willingness to donate organs so that it can be done smoothly after they are gone. She said, “Gift life after life, let’s make life better even after we are dead.” At the event, Tamil Nadu was felicitated with best performing state in this area. The State of Maharashtra received an award for being the best State for promoting awareness on organ donations. Dr Subramania Iyer K, AIMS, Kochi was felicitated for conducting first hand transplant in the country and Dr Shailesh Puntambekar, Pune, received the award for conducting 1st Uterine Transplant in India.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12127/parvathy-hospital-gets-best-orthopaedic-and-emergency-medicine-hospital-award-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12127/parvathy-hospital-gets-best-orthopaedic-and-emergency-medicine-hospital-award-.html Tue, 27 Nov 2018 16:10:00 +0530 FICCI Tamil Nadu State Council and the Government of Tamil Nadu honoured Parvathy Hospital with the coveted 'Orthopaedic Emergency & Trauma Care Award' for its contribution to the healthcare sector.     The award under 'Specialty Medicine' category was presented to Parvathy Hospital at TANCARE (Tamil Nadu Health Care), the Flagship Healthcare Conference of FICCI, on Tuesday, 27 November 2018 at Hotel ITC Grand Chola, Guindy, Chennai. Dr. C. Vijaya Baskar, Hon'ble Minister for Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu along with Dr. J. Radhakrishnan, Principal Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of Tamil Nadu participated in the event. Sujay Sambamoorthy, Chief Executive Officer, Parvathy Hospital, received the award on behalf of the hospital. Mr. Ar Rm Arun, Chairman, FICCI TNSC & Chairman, Valingro Group; Mr. Ruban Hobday, Head, FICCI Tamil Nadu State Council; Dr. V. Balaji, Convener, Healthcare Panel, FICCI TNSC and other top dignitaries were present at the event. Commenting on Parvathy Hospital being selected for the honour, Sujay Sambamoorthy said, "It gives us immense happiness to receive this award from FICCI and the Tamil Nadu Government. This shows the good work done by Parvathy Hospital in the healthcare segment and this recognition will motivate us further to achieve more in the field. The entire team at Parvathy Hospital is elated and proud."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12125/apollo-hospitals-sets-first-footprint-into-kerala.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12125/apollo-hospitals-sets-first-footprint-into-kerala.html Thu, 29 Nov 2018 17:00:00 +0530 Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd. (AHEL) has announced their foray into Kerala by signing an Operations and Management contract relating to a 250 bedded super-speciality hospital in the fast developing town of Angamaly, the northernmost suburb of Kochi, with the Adlux Group as infrastructure partners. Apollo Hospitals would be responsible for all operations and management of the hospital. The announcement was made by Dr. Prathap C Reddy, Executive Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group in the presence of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan at an event in Trivandrum to discuss new trends in cancer care. Located close to Kochi International Airport, the Apollo Adlux Hospital, scheduled to begin operations in four to six months, would provide world class healthcare services to people of all socio-economic strata in this region. Dr. Prathap C Reddy was speaking at a knowledge session to create an awareness among people on emerging trends and treatments for cancer. Announcing the new hospital, Dr. Prathap C Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “We are happy to enter into God’s own Country, Kerala with this world-class super-speciality hospital in partnership with the Adlux Group. This is indeed a special moment for us and I am confident that Apollo Hospitals will be able to utilise its experience of 35 years to serve the people of Kerala through proven global practices augmented by cutting edge innovation in healthcare. I look forward to the blessings of the people of the state!” On the occasion, Apollo Hospitals also announced its support to rebuild the infrastructure of primary healthcare centres (PHCs) damaged as a result of the recent floods in Kerala in collaboration with the Government of Kerala. Under the agreement, Apollo Hospitals would reconstruct the PHC at Kakkodi, Kozhikode District and hand it over to the Government. Commenting on the same, Dr. Prathap C Reddy said, “It is our responsibility as healthcare custodians to contribute to the well-being of the people who have faced nature’s fury this year. This PHC is a small gesture of our support to aid them in their recovery from the natural disaster.” Speaking at the event, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan said that Kerala is known for high quality of life and has topped the health index as a result of better health infrastructure and services. He said that these advantages are now being challenged by new lifestyle diseases, adding that the threat has to be addressed through joint efforts of all the stakeholders. The hospital is designed as per international standards to ensure smooth patient flow and best in class patient experience. With world class infrastructure and cutting-edge medical technology, internationally benchmarked practices and a team of leading healthcare experts, the Apollo Adlux Hospital will provide high quality patient-centric experience. The hospital is part of the complex which currently hosts the Adlux Group’s International Convention and Exhibition Centre, which is the largest in South India. Expressing his passion for healthcare, Mr. Puzhekadavil Sudheesan, Promoter and Director, Adlux Group said, “It has always been my desire to give back to the community and I am happy to associate with the Apollo Hospitals Group to bring the best world-class healthcare services to the people of Kerala. Proximity to the airport will be a major factor for the development of medical value tourism, as it will provide easy access, especially to patients from West Asia.” The 250 beds Apollo Adlux Hospital will have 50 beds exclusively dedicated for critical care. The hospital will begin services as a tertiary care hospital with an advanced Oncology section planned for the next phase. The hospital will provide 24X7 round-the-clock super speciality treatment with experienced specialist doctors. World class equipment with advanced technology like MRI, 128 slice CT Scan, Cardiac cathlab, mammogram etc. with state of the art laboratory and emergency facilities will position the hospital as one of the best in the region. PET Scan and Linac to be equipped in the next phase will serve to strengthen the services to the patients. Super Speciality department like cardiac care, trauma care, orthopaedics, neurosciences, gastrosciences, kidney, with all affiliated specialities and sub specialities will be the hallmark of Apollo Adlux Hospital. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12123/maldicare-collaborates-with-meitra-hospital.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12123/maldicare-collaborates-with-meitra-hospital.html Tue, 27 Nov 2018 11:10:00 +0530 Maldicare has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Meitra Hospital, Kerala, to further vision of optimizing health care delivery and the overall health and well-being of patients. The MoU was signed at a ceremony held in Kerala recently. PM Shahul Hameed-Chairman of Janatha HealthCare, India- signed on behalf of MaldiCare while Director Dr. Ali Faizal signed for Meitra Hospital. According to the MoU, both partners would enter into a strategic partnership to promote and carry out health services in Maldives by Speciality doctor consultancies, medical education and patient referrals for further treatment in its Multi-Specialty Hospital at Calicut. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12120/information-platform-to-monitor-public-health-surveillance-launched-by-health-ministry.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12120/information-platform-to-monitor-public-health-surveillance-launched-by-health-ministry.html Tue, 27 Nov 2018 10:55:00 +0530 Soft-launch of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) segment of Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) was recently launched by Preeti Sudan, Union Health Secretary in seven states recently. This initiative aims to provide near-real-time data to policy makers for detecting outbreaks, reducing the morbidity and mortality and lessening disease burden in the populations and better health systems. The first one-of-its-kind initiative by the Government of India, IHIP uses the latest technologies and digital health initiatives.  Lav Aggarwal, Joint Secretary; Vikas Sheel, Joint Secretary, Dr Sujeet Kumar Singh, Director NCDC; Dr Henk Bekedam, WHO Representative to India; Dr Ramesh Krishnamurthy, Senior Advisor, WHO; Dr Pradeep Khasnobis, Joint Director, IDSP NCDC and senior officials in the Union Health Ministry were present at the launch. Speaking on the occasion, Preeti Sudan stated, “The success of this platform will depend primarily on the quality of data shared by the states. Data is power and power is to help people.” She urged the state secretaries to be earnest in adopting this platform to strengthen early outbreak detection and informed public health response. “For effective implementation of the platform, 32,000 people at the block level, 13,000 at the district level and 900 at the state level have been trained”, she added. The IHIP vision and a ready-reckoner developed to navigate the platform was also launched by her. Congratulating the government for making this ambitious undertaking a reality, Dr Henk Bekedam said, “It is imperative to collaborate with the private sector to ensure the sustainability of this initiative.” “For WHO, it has been a privilege to support the development of the platform in collaboration with numerous government stakeholders,” he added. Additional Chief Secretaries/Principal Secretaries (Health) and Mission Directors from the seven states (Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh) participated in the launch through video-conferencing.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12113/mitsui-invests-in-indian-healthcare-platform-biz.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12113/mitsui-invests-in-indian-healthcare-platform-biz.html Mon, 26 Nov 2018 14:35:00 +0530 Mitsui & Co. ("Mitsui") on November 21, 2018, acquired a stake in GOQii Inc. ("GOQii"), a business providing a preventive healthcare platform through a wearable device and smartphone app in India. GOQii was established in 2014 by Indian entrepreneur Vishal Gondal, who is developing the business with the aim of supporting users around the world to lead healthier lifestyles. The GOQii platform comes equipped with a range of solutions, including an online health data management tool, a real-time individualized health coaching service, an e-commerce store, a regular health-check management tool, a unique "GOQii Cash" program (a system that rewards health management with cash discounts), and insurance discounts based on health management data. In recent years, population growth and the aging of societies has made the growing cost of medical care into a global issue and a focus is being placed on the field of preventive healthcare to provide new solutions to this issue, as it enhances health and lowers the risk of disease. GOQii aims to operate a comprehensive platform within this field which will provide a broad range of services to people all over the world.  Mitsui aims to solve the medical supply-demand gap in Asian countries by building Asia's top healthcare ecosystem in order to deliver hhigh-quality healthcare to people. Mitsui & Co said, “As constituents of this ecosystem, we are investing in multiple businesses in various fields such as hospital care, pharmaceutical products, and dialysis clinics. Currently, GOQii is providing its services in India and we will facilitate further expansion of these services, as well as business collaborations with our existing investments in the country. We will also support the future expansion of the company into Japan with the aim of developing new services in the Japanese preventive healthcare field.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12110/a-new-drug-in-pipeline-to-improve-haemoglobin-level-in-thalassemia-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12110/a-new-drug-in-pipeline-to-improve-haemoglobin-level-in-thalassemia-patients.html Mon, 26 Nov 2018 11:20:00 +0530 To improve the quality of life of existing patients and prevent the birth of Thalassemia major children in future, a 2-day Conference was organised by the National Thalassemia Welfare Society (NTWS) in association with Department Paediatrics LHMC. The 9th edition of National Thalassemia Conference was held at Swarn Jayanti Auditorium, Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC), New Delhi. “Prevention is Cure” was the emphasis of the conference which highlighted important issues such as Thalassemia management, Blood Transfusion, Latest developments in gene therapy, National Policy of Thalassemia, Benefits of Disability for Thalassemia, Quality of Thalassemia patients, etc. Dr J.S. Arora, General Secretary, National Thalassemia Welfare Society; Dr. Sandeep Soni, Haemato-oncologist; Dr. S.K. Prasad, Deputy Commissioner, Disability, MoSJE; T.D.Dhariyal, Commissioner Disability and Vinita Srivastava, Senior Consultant & Coordinator, Blood Cell, National Health Mission MOHFW were present at the conference. Dr J.S. Arora mentioned about the new drug ‘Luspatercep’ which is in the pipeline and will improve Haemoglobin level in Thalassemia patients. He added that “this drug will drastically reduce the requirement of blood and iron chelating agent’s ultimately improving quality of the patient’s life”. He explained in detail about the research on patients who received Luspatercept subcutaneously every 3 weeks for up to five doses over 12 weeks.” In the transfusion-dependent, 20 patients (83%) achieved at least a 33% decrease in transfusion burden over any 12-week period compared with baseline, and 16 (67%) achieved at least a 50% decrease. In the non-transfusion-dependent cohort, 21 patients (78%) achieved at least a 1 g/dL increase in mean haemoglobin over any 12-week period, and 15 patients (56%) achieved at least a 1.5 g/dL increase. Dr. Sandeep Soni talked about the Gene Therapy who is doing research on gene therapy in Thalassemia at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, Palo Alto, CA. He said, “Gene therapy is designed to introduce genetic material into cells to compensate for abnormal genes or to make a beneficial protein. A gene that is inserted directly into a cell usually does not function. A carrier called a vector is genetically engineered to deliver the genes. The viruses are modified so that they can`t cause disease. He further added that the virus used is a lentivirus that is capable of introducing beta-globin genes into the cells." "The virus is the mixed with bone marrow cells that have been removed from the patients of beta-Thalassemia. This virus injects the DNA into the cell. The gene joins the rest of the DNA and becomes part of the cell`s chromosomes. When this happens to bone marrow stem cells, the healthy beta-globin gene is passed to all future generations. These stem cells result in formation of normal haemoglobin. First successful gene therapy was done in France in an 18 year old patient in June 2007 and he is transfusion free since June 2008. After that many patients have been cured with gene therapy in USA & Europe", he added. With more than 5 Crore Indians suffering from Thalassemia gene and approximately 10,000 - 12,000 new Thalassemia major born every year, there is still ignorance about this serious blood disorder. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12105/cannabis-rd-in-india-a-scientific-medical-and-legal-perspective-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12105/cannabis-rd-in-india-a-scientific-medical-and-legal-perspective-.html Sat, 24 Nov 2018 09:50:00 +0530 The conference titled “Cannabis R&D in India: A Scientific, Medical and Legal Perspective” was recently held in New Delhi. The day-long conference was jointly hosted by Bombay Hemp Company (BOHECO) and Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR). Other prominent medical experts, policy makers and researchers including Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Prime Minister’s office; Dr. Ram Vishwakarma, Director-CSIR-IIIM; Dr. Rajendra Badwe, Director, Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai; Dr. Dharmvira Gandhi, Member of Parliament,Dr Manjari Tripathi, Head Neurology),AIIMS; Dr Anurag Srivastava,Head (Surgery), AIIMS and Jahan Peston James, co-founder, Bombay Hemp Company were also present at the conference. In the last few years, cannabis has made its way into the medical mainstream in Western owing to its efficacy in multiple health conditions, but in India, patients are denied cannabis-based medicines despite the country having a tradition of thousands of years of using the properties of this plant in the treatment of various ailments. Talking about why cannabis-based modern medicines have nominal presence in India, Avnish Pandya, Director of R&D, Bombay Hemp Company said, ”Any medicine requires a standard, stable and predictable cannabis plants with standard cannabinoid output derived from their flowering tops to get consistent medicine. There is also a lack of clinical trials on cannabis and its isolated compounds. Clinical trials are based on single molecule compounds due to their predictability, in contrast to Ayurvedic medicines which represent a multi-faceted approach towards medicine. So, either cannabis has to walk down the path of clinical trials, or clinical trials have to accommodate multi-compound, complex formulations. The lack of regulatory clarity on cannabinoids other than THC, combined with socio-cultural stigma of cannabis consumption since 1985, has contributed towards the absence of cannabis-based medicines in the Indian market.” Dr Vivek Benegal, Professor, Centre for Addiction Medicine, NIMHANS said, “Though cannabis is a psychoactive drug and causes intoxication, its addictive potential is lower than that of tobacco, alcohol, heroin, cocaine etc. In fact, the cannabis plant and its commonly used forms like ganja, bhang, charas contain many chemicals which are not psychoactive but have medicinal and therapeutic capabilities.” Speaking at the conference, experts said that India lacks three very important aspects to bring it up to the level of Western nations in terms of cannabis-based medicines. These include non-availability of standard cannabis varieties or strains which will have predictable outputs; negligible clinical research on cannabis due to lack of standard material; and absence of standard product development from standard cannabis varieties. They asked India Government to provide support on the plant-breeding side of cannabis ecosystem, as standard cannabis has not been bred in India since 1985. Talking about the main challenges in the production and consumption of cannabis-based modern medicines, Dr.Dhiraj Vyas,Head of Dept-Plant Biotechnology, CSIR-IIIM said, ”There are no standard varieties or seeds of cannabis to cultivate in India. As cannabis is considered a narcotic commodity under the NDPS Act, research is restricted due to the non-availability of research-grade material. Research projects to produce standard varieties of cannabis have only recently begun in India by CSIR-IIIM in collaboration with the Bombay Hemp Company, and there are no standard extracts from which medicines can be produced. Since there are no standard medicines available, patients are reluctant to try cannabis in the form of oils, etc. and doctors lack awareness about endocannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system that is present within every mammal. As a result, only a few doctors in India are currently in a position to prescribe cannabis-based medicine to anyone.” The experts also felt that the cannabis plant is a victim of misperception despite being an integral part of India culture. For thousands of years, it has been a trusted ingredient in the treatment of various ailments. Yet cannabis is mired in ambiguity when it comes to its application in modern healthcare.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12104/lung-cancer-fast-turning-into-epidemic-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12104/lung-cancer-fast-turning-into-epidemic-in-india.html Fri, 23 Nov 2018 16:20:00 +0530 Data from Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) suggests that lung cancer is fast turning into an epidemic in India. It is a high-mortality cancer due to late stage at diagnosis and poor access to affordable healthcare, and today accounts for higher number of deaths in the country than colorectal cancer, prostate cancer and breast cancer. This was stated recently by oncologists from Vikram Hospital, Bengaluru, who were speaking at a workshop to create awareness about lung cancer in Bengaluru. Worldwide, November is observed as the lung cancer awareness month. Said Dr. Niti Raizada, Sr. Consultant Medical Oncologist and Hemato-oncologist, Vikram Hospital, Bengaluru: “Only 15 percent of cases of lung cancer are curable at the time of diagnosis. Patients with lung cancer present themselves for diagnosis at a much later stage than other cancers due to the nature of the disease. Early on, people with lung cancer have no symptoms or vague symptoms. In fact, if lung cancer is detected by chest X-ray, it is already too late for the patient. The only effective method for screening lung cancer in early stages is the Low Dose Helical Lung CT, where high-resolution images pick up early lung lesions.” Said Dr. Suraj Manjunath, Consultant Onco-surgeon, Vikram Hospital, Bengaluru: “Lung cancer has one of the highest morbidity and mortality among all cancers. It accounts for 14.5% of all cancers in men and 8.4% in women globally. It is a leading cause of cancer death in men worldwide at 22%, which means that one in five of all cancer deaths in men occur due to lung cancer. Lung cancer accounts for 5.9% of all new cancer cases diagnosed in India (both sex combined), while mortality is 8.82% of all cancers combined.” “Smoking is the single largest contributor for lung cancer. Passive smoking, exposure to carcinogenic toxins like asbestos and radon, radiation and air pollutants are other causes, besides a small percentage of genetic cancer. Exposure of women to smoke from the burning of charcoal for cooking is also a cause of lung cancer. Physical activity may reduce the risk of lung cancer by about 20 percent. Exercise is known to improve lung function and reduce the danger of other diseases too. In the West, there is a small decrease in the number of smokers. However, such trend is not seen in India yet. Moreover, the country is seeing an emerging population of women smokers. The most common age group for lung cancer is 50-59 years,” Dr. Niti Raizada said. Talking about prevention, Dr. KS Satish, Consultant Pulmonologist & Chest Physician, Vikram Hospital, Bengaluru, said: “It’s never too late for anyone to quit smoking. Quit by age 30 and you reduce the risk of smoking-related diseases by 90 percent! Quit by age 50 and you reduce the risk of smoking-related diseases by 50 percent. Quit by age 60 and you would live longer than smokers in your age group, according to data by the National Cancer Institute in US. In fact, 15 years after one quits smoking, the risk of lung cancer become the same as that of a non-smoker. Two out of every three patients with lung cancer are over 65 years of age, so one gets enough time in life to take steps to avoid this high-mortality disease.” Said Dr. Somesh Mittal, CEO, Vikram Hospital, Bengaluru: “In India, the highest reported incidence of lung cancer is from Mizoram in both males and females. Its incidence in North East India can be as high as 45 per 100,000 population. The time trends of lung cancer show a significant rise in Delhi, Chennai and Bengaluru across both sexes. The incidence and pattern of lung cancer differ as per geographic region and ethnicity, and largely reflect the prevalence and pattern of smoking.” On occasion of Lung Cancer Awareness Month in November, Vikram Hospital Bengaluru is running a lung cancer screening program for chronic smokers, including assessment by paramedical workers and, if required, a low-dose CT scan of the chest. The hospital also offers smoking cessation therapy through a dedicated clinic run by the department of medical oncology to help smokers quit smoking.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12101/hxcentral-partners-with-iihmr-to-advance-research-and-innovation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12101/hxcentral-partners-with-iihmr-to-advance-research-and-innovation.html Fri, 23 Nov 2018 13:05:00 +0530 HxCentral, a SaaS-based healthcare solution of SapphireIMS which digitizes the core processes of a hospital plans to set up a healthcare center of excellence to accelerate innovation in improving the patient safety and healthcare quality through technology. HxCentral, a healthcare experience management solutions provider has announced its partnership with Indian Institute of Health Management Research (IIHMR), Bangalore, a premier healthcare research institute, to collaboratively improve the healthcare technology solutions that help hospitals in ensuring high rate of patient safety, improve quality compliance and overall healthcare experience. Indian healthcare industry is on the cusp of digital transformation. Digitization and automation of healthcare processes is becoming a critical need for hospitals to efficiently serve more patients, ensure their safety, comply with complex standards and importantly offer affordable healthcare to the public. IIHMR will bring its years of healthcare research experience that will enable the HxCentral solutions to be even more relevant to the current and future needs of the hospitals. Indian Institute of Health Management Research (IIHMR) was established in 1984, with a fundamental purpose of creating new knowledge and developing alternate modes of improving healthcare to management research, education and training in India and other parts of the world. Baiju VY, Vice President, at HxCentral is also selected as the Academic Advisory Council of IIHMR, Bangalore. In this role, Baiju will collaborate with the IIHMR experts in advancing the curriculum to set new standards for healthcare professionals of the future. As part of the agreement, HxCentral will set up its solution in IIHMR for the students to get a practical understanding of healthcare experience solutions and also to give them the exposure to real-world issues and challenges in managing the healthcare operations. Dr. S. D. Gupta, Trustee Secretary, IIHMR, Jaipur said, "Healthcare in India needs a different and a comprehensive approach to digital transformation. An approach led by healthcare institutes, solution providers, hospitals and academics. I am glad that this partnership between HxCentral and IIHMR will be pioneering this change." Baiju VY, Vice President at HxCentral said, "IIHMR is a premier healthcare research institute and I am confident that, together we will advance the innovation possibilities on healthcare digital transformation. Healthcare standards and regulations, such as NABH, JCI, HAAD-JAWDA are complex and takes a lot of understanding and preparedness to implement in everything we do at hospitals. Our idea is to integrate the standards mindset into the solutions and not as an afterthought. The healthcare CoE is one of its kind and am happy for the students as it will give them valuable exposure to the real industry needs." Dr. Usha Manjunath, Director, IIHMR said, "We are very excited to partner with HxCentral. There is still a lot of work to be done in the healthcare digitization space and such collaborations will help both the industry and the students, who are the future of this industry. A deep association with HxCentral will give us the right balance and direction to our research efforts that can have direct impact on patient safety and healthcare compliance." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12096/icmr-releases-antimicrobial-stewardship-guidelines.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12096/icmr-releases-antimicrobial-stewardship-guidelines.html Fri, 23 Nov 2018 11:30:00 +0530 Continuing the capacity building initiative of Indian Council of Medical Research on Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs, ICMR organized AMSP training; having more than 150 participants from various hospitals and medical colleges. ICMR had organized four such workshops last year in which 150 health care staff from 32 medical colleges and hospitals were trained. Almost all the hospitals who participated in the workshop have initiated AMSP activities. The current workshop was held in partnership with Pfizer under the ICMR-Pfizer partnership on AMR in order to help in the expansion of the ongoing initiatives of ICMR in the areas of stewardship, surveillance and awareness on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) to other levels of health care. As the world Antibiotic Awareness Week 2018 is observed every year in November, ICMR has released Antimicrobial Stewardship Guidelines, to mark the World Antibiotic Awareness Week with the aim to provide guidance to Indian hospitals to set up structure and process of Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (AMSP). The audience for this document is hospital administrators and clinicians. With very few new antibiotics in the pipeline, it is important to use the existing drugs judiciously. Since inappropriate use of antibiotics is rampant in India, there is an urgent need to improve antibiotic use in hospitals, which can be achieved through implementation of good AMS Programs. AMS Programs have been found helpful in improving the quality of patient care and safety through increasing the frequency of correct prescribing for therapy and prophylaxis, reducing treatment failures and increased infection cure rates as most of hospitals in India lack structure and process of AMSP. Recognizing the importance to create AMSP structures in health care institutions in the country ICMR initiated AMSP activities by developing AMSP curriculum and conducting AMSP training workshops. The AMSP guidelines being released today provide guidance to administrators on setting up structure and processes of AMSP in their health care institutions, discusses essential elements of antimicrobial stewardship and diagnostic stewardship and provides information on tools that can be used to measure the progress.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12095/cabinet-approves-the-allied-healthcare-professions-bill.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12095/cabinet-approves-the-allied-healthcare-professions-bill.html Fri, 23 Nov 2018 10:30:00 +0530 The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the Allied and Healthcare Professions Bill, 2018 for regulation and standardisation of education and services by allied and healthcare professionals. The Bill provides for setting up of an Allied and Healthcare Council of India and corresponding State Allied and Healthcare Councils which will play the role of a standard-setter and facilitator for professions of Allied and Healthcare. Details: Establishment of a Central and corresponding State Allied and Healthcare Councils; 15 major professional categories including 53 professions in Allied and Healthcare streams. The Bill provides for Structure, Constitution, Composition and Functions of the Central Council and State Councils,   e.g.   Framing  policies  and standards, Regulation of professional conduct, Creation and maintenance of live Registers, provisions for common entry and exit examinations, etc. The Central Council will comprise 47 members, of which 14 members shall be ex-officio representing diverse and related roles and functions and remaining 33 shall be non-ex-officio members who mainly represent the 15professional categories. The State Councils are also envisioned to mirror the Central Council, comprising 7 ex-officio and 21 non-ex officio members and Chairperson to be elected from amongst the non-ex officio members. Professional Advisory Bodies under Central and State Councils will examine issues independently and provide recommendations relating to specific recognised categories. The Bill will also have an overriding effect on any other existing law for any of the covered professions. The State Council will undertake recognition of allied and healthcare institutions. Offences and Penalties clause have been included in the Bill to check mal­practices. The Bill also empowers the Central and State Governments to make rules. Central Govt. also has the power to issue directions to the Council, to make regulations and to add or amend the schedule. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12092/medlife-acquires-consumer-healthcare-startup-eclinic-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12092/medlife-acquires-consumer-healthcare-startup-eclinic-.html Thu, 22 Nov 2018 16:45:00 +0530 Online e pharmacy company, Medlife International has announced the acquisition of startup, EClinic24/7,a consumer healthcare startup for an undisclosed amount. With the acquisition, Medlife, which so far provided telephonic consultation, will now have chat and video-based doctor consultation also. It will also help add about 1,000 more doctors to Metlife's base of 3,600 doctors. The plan is to add about 10,000 doctors in the next one year. The acquisition will help boost the company’s annual turnover to about ₹830 crore for FY 19, said its founder and CEO, Tushar Kumar. The revenues for FY 18 stood at ₹300 crore. “We are growing at a much faster rate because of the services that we provide. We have four different lines of revenue at present including online diagnostics services, corporate tie-ups. The acquisition will help us offer an enhanced and seamless healthcare experience in e-consultation on the Medlife platform for both patients and doctors which will also boost our revenues,” Kumar said adding that acquisition will help boost revenue contribution from e-consultation at 5 to 10 per cent of its overall business in the near future. Currently, about 80 per cent of the revenue comes from online medicine sales. Started in 2014 by Kumar and Prashant Singh, Medlife has received about $30 million from Alkem Laboratories’s Family Office. Kumar said that he and the co-founder have pumped in $20 million of personal funds into the business and the company is not seeking any VC and PE funding at this moment. “We are self-sufficient and the business will start making money from March next year. Post that we are planning to invest close to $100 million in expansion and promotions,” he said adding that it currently has fulfillment centres in 16 cities. Medlife initially started as an online drug delivery platform and then diversified into online doctor consultation and laboratory services. The company has one diagnostic lab in Bengaluru and by end of December it plans to have one each in Mumbai and Delhi.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12090/gastro-icu-inaugurated-at-aware-gleneagles-global-hospital.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12090/gastro-icu-inaugurated-at-aware-gleneagles-global-hospital.html Thu, 22 Nov 2018 15:45:00 +0530 Aware Gleneagles Global Hospitals, a Parkway Pantai Enterprise inaugurated the Gastro Intensive Care Unit (Gastro ICU) which offers high level of intensive care for GI emergencies. The ICU is well equipped with the continuous support from a team of Gastroenterologist to serve patients suffering with GI bleeds, Liver related complications / emergencies, Acute cholangitis, Sever ulcerative cholangitis and will also treat those who have undergone complex surgeries. Dr. Sasmita Dash, M.D. – General Manager, CMO NTPC, inaugurated the facility. Speaking on the occasion Mr Girish Babu, Chief Executive Officer, Aware Gleneagles Global Hospital, L. B. Nagar, said “The Gastro ICU is launched to provide the best services to patients with critical Gastro diseases. Our team offers round-the-clock care by super specialists to ensure that the patients have the best possible care available to them.” Dr. N Ravisankar Reddy Consultant Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist, Aware Gleneagles Global hospital, said “The Gastro ICU addresses the needs of ailments specific ICU for GI as the conditions has to be dealt with differently. There are increased incidences of gastro and liver disease due to faulty life styles and habits. Gleneagles Global hospital is known for its expertise in gastro & liver disease management. So adding this facility of GI ICU is the natural progression towards the patient’s needs. “ “In this area around LB Nagar we are the only hospital with team of gastroenterologists covering emergencies 24X7. Our team also has good expertise in dealing with foreign body ingestion as an emergency”, Dr. N Ravisankar Reddy further added. The objective of a ICU is to maintain the functioning of the organ system and improve the patient’s condition, with advanced technologies and modern equipment so that the patients’ primary injury or illness is treated. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12085/wockhardt-hospital-launches-diabetes-clinic-in-mumbai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12085/wockhardt-hospital-launches-diabetes-clinic-in-mumbai.html Thu, 22 Nov 2018 13:05:00 +0530 With a growing number of diabetic patients in the country, there is a dire need for more clinics so that affected people are saved from Diabetes & Diabetes related problems. Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai Central a JCI & NABH Accredited hospitals in association with Wellthy Therapeutics a South Asia’s leading Digital Therapeutic Company has launched a “Diabetes Clinic”. Digital technologies suite for diabetes will be used to help people in treatment from the medical condition. The Launch had been followed by seminar for visiting patients with free check up of HbA1c test and diabetes camp. Digital therapeutics, also known as “software as a drug,” involves the use of digital tools or systems to treat medical conditions. In digital therapeutics, digital technologies such as apps, devices and software are used to treat patients in the same way drugs, surgeries or medical devices are applied therapeutically. Digital therapeutics may be used as stand-alone treatments or as part of a broader treatment program that incorporates both digital and non-digital (conventional) therapies. Diabetes is a growing challenge in India with estimated 8.7% diabetic population in the age group of 20 and 70 years. The rising prevalence of diabetes and other non-communicable diseases is driven by a combination of factors - rapid urbanization, sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diets, tobacco use, and increasing life expectancy. India currently represents 49 percent of the world’s diabetes burden, with an estimated 72 million cases in 2017, a figure expected to almost double to 134 million by 2025. Diabetes prevalence has increased by 64 percent across India over the quarter-century, according to a November 2017 report by the Indian Council for Medical Research, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, both research institutes, and the Public Health Foundation of India, an advocacy. Dr. Parag Rindani, Centre Head at Wockhardt Hospital, SOBO says, “Newly launched Diabetes clinic will be dedicated to provide accessible medical treatment for patients who seek aid with various problems related to diabetes. Our patients with chronic conditions like diabetes stand to benefit from continuous and real-time care provided by Wellthy Therapeutics' digital therapeutic suite, as we enable out-of-clinic extensions to our world-class in-clinic care to help our patients improve their health outcomes. Diabetes clinic will comprise of endocrinologist, Diabetic Foot Surgeon, Neurologist, internal medicine expert and other specialties.” Dr Behram Pardiwala, Internal Medicine Expert, Wockhardt Hospital, SOBO says, “Lifestyle modification is the most important component of diabetes care. Patients who follow healthy diets, exercise regularly is better positioned to prevent other complications that result from mismanagement of diabetes. “Our out-of-clinic clinically-validated digital therapeutic perfectly complements the state-of-the-art in-clinic care for patients with diabetes at Wockhardt Hospitals. We strongly believe that the combination will enable better patient outcomes and a better quality of life. We are excited to launch this partnership to augment care for all Wockhardt patients and stakeholders.” said Abhishek Shah, co-founder and CEO, Wellthy Therapeutics.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12084/max-healthcare-performs-indias-1st-daycare-total-knee-replacement-surgery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12084/max-healthcare-performs-indias-1st-daycare-total-knee-replacement-surgery.html Thu, 22 Nov 2018 10:50:00 +0530 Knee, the largest joint in the human body, supports the movement of legs and is an essential requirement to perform most of the daily activities. Due to injury or disease, knees can get damaged causing pain and impaired function. Total Knee Replacement (TKR) surgery is a procedure to replace the affected knee joint with artificial material and serves as a savior for patients with struggling with severely damaged knee joints. One such patient, 60-year old Joseph Maina Githemba from Kenya, was advised replacement for his left knee owing to an accident he had met 15 years ago. Under the care of Dr. Vikram Mhaskar, Consultant – Knee & Shoulder Surgery, Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, Joseph underwent complete check-ups before the surgery including blood tests, ECG, X-rays, cardiology and physician tests & pre-anesthesia checkup (PAC). He was ascertained as an ASA Grade 1/2 patient and was given quick clearance as he did not suffer from any comorbidities. Joseph was trained to do exercises that would be required post-surgery. Dr. Vikram and his team performed the 1st daycare TKR in India using minimally invasive technique that included no tourniquet, injecting local anaesthesia into the skin before incision as well as into tissues at regular intervals, meticulous dissection, catching all bleeds before closure of the wound and injection of tranexamic acid to reduce bleeding post-operation. General anaesthesia with adductor canal block was used to make sure that the bleeding is minimal. Along with this, a catheter was inserted into the adductor canal so that the pain relief medicine was continuously flowing around the nerve. Delighted at the success of the first-of-its-kind surgery, Dr. Vikram Mhaskar, Consultant – Knee & Shoulder Surgery, Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, said, “Total Knee Replacement has been a time taking procedure with around 3 hours of surgery and considerable hospital stay post operation. Daycare TKR has served as a revolution in healthcare industry with minimal incision, exposure, blood loss and hospitalization. It also brings down the total cost by 30-35% compared to standard TKRs. Choosing the right patient is crucial and no comorbidities in Joseph’s case made this first daycare TKR procedure a success. We wish him a speedy recovery.” Talking about his successful surgery, Joseph Maina Githemba said, “I was under severe dismay when I met with an accident around 15 years ago. I damaged my knee badly and was unable to walk with sharp pain. I decided to go for the TKR procedure as a last resort but had my doubts about the success of the daycare surgery. To my pleasant surprise, I was prepared for the procedure through exercises, several tests and pre-anaesthesia checkup. The surgery was absolutely painless and only took 1 hour. I was back on my feet the same day and could return to the comfort of my home. The role of healthcare services at home in my speedy recovery has been invaluable with critical care nurses and professional supporting me every step of the way. I am thankful to Dr. Vikram and his team for helping me goes through this procedure.” Speaking on the accelerated recovery of the patient, Vaibhav Poddar, Executive VP - Max@Home,  Ambulance & Rehab Medicine, Max Healthcare, said, “To enhance recovery, Max@Home provides medical expertise and quality care within the comfort of the patient’s home. As this was the 1st Daycare TKR procedure, we were extra cautious regarding all the arrangement and support systems. Joseph was provided with round-the-clock critical care nurses, calf pumps, monitoring systems, ambulance and doctors on standby, crash cart with essential life-saving drugs and robust infrastructure to tackle any and all requirements. All the medications were stocked in advance and communication channels were established for constant reporting to Dr. Vikram. We are happy to be a part of this first-of-its-kind procedure and wish to continue our journey in supporting the patients and helping them recover as fast as possible.” With prior planning of implant selection, surgical technique, anaesthesia and analgesia, Daycare TKR ensured minimum surgery time, blood loss and mental stress for the patient. The surgery took only 1 hour with a minimal hospital stay of 12 hours. As part of rehabilitation, Joseph was made to walk using a walker within 6 hours of the operation and was discharged briefly with information about the exercises to be done at home. Showing excellent improvement, Joseph could walk without a support in 48 hours. He reported no constipation that is otherwise a usual observation during normal TKR procedure due to convalescence and changes dietary habits. A normal TKR procedure takes up to 3 hours of surgery with 96 to 168 hours of hospitalization. It takes at least 24 hours for the patient to be mobilized and a long period of 3 weeks before the patient can walk without support. Max@Home was a crucial component of the entire procedure as a handpicked team of critical care nurses and other professionals looked after the patient for 5 days after the surgery. Entire infrastructure and technology was provided at home for monitoring and constant information purposes using message and video conference. As part of the set post-operative care, intensive care nurse, doctor visit twice a day, visit by anaesthetist and physiotherapist for the next 48-72 hours was scheduled to support the recovery of the patient. An accelerated rehabilitation protocol was followed along with arrangements for medications, crash cart with all essential life-saving drugs, ambulance and doctors on standby and established communication channels for emergency purposes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12082/ima-highlights-efforts-to-end-tb-in-mp.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12082/ima-highlights-efforts-to-end-tb-in-mp.html Thu, 22 Nov 2018 10:15:00 +0530 The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has recently highlighted various efforts to achieve the Government of India’s vision to ‘End TB’ as part of a joint collaboration with the Government to reach out to every private doctor and through them to every TB patient in the state of Madhya Pradesh. The press conference focused on the importance of involvement of private doctors in the overall effort for an increase in the notification of TB cases which is an important tool in the fight against the dreaded disease. The annual number of TB cases notified by private providers needs to increase ten-fold, from 0.2 to 2 million annually by 2020. As per the latest available data, the number of TB patients notified in MP during 2017 was 1,34,333 with 1,870 drug resistant TB cases were diagnosed. Out of this, 12% TB patients were notified from private sector. Services have been expanded in the state to cater to all forms of TB patients with 818 microscopy services, state-of-the-art 73 Cartridge Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (CBNAAT) laboratories, 4 culture and DST laboratories and 24 drug resistant TB centers. IMA will galvanize the private doctors to increase notification and work toward the cause of ending TB by optimal utilization of the Government’s notification system, NIKSHAY. The IMA will inform and encourage private doctors to take advantage of the various facilities made available by the Government under the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP) for the benefit of patients seeking care from the private sector, including free diagnosis, drugs and NIKSHAY Poshan Yojana under which every TB patient gets Rs.500/- per month towards nutrition support till completion of treatment. Addressing the media, Dr. Ravi Wankhedkar, National President, IMA said, “India has the largest burden of Tuberculosis in the world. Notification of every TB patient is the single most important intervention to meet the Government’s vision of a TB free India. The state branch of IMA will address this and encourage all private doctors to notify every TB patient in order to achieve goal of ‘End TB’ in Madhya Pradesh.If patients are detected early and accurately, it gives an opportunity to treat them early and prevent infection further.” Highlighting a successful intervention in the city of Indore, Dr. Wankdhekar said, “The city has been able to detect more pediatric cases at 9% of all notified cases which is a positive sign. This has resulted from the successful Government project targeting TB in children in Indore where doctors from public and private sectors were supported to utilize CBNAAT for diagnosis of TB in children which is otherwise difficult due to failure of children to expectorate or spit out. For treatment, child friendly dispersible and flavored fixed dose combinations (FDCs) are made available for children.” IMA will be conducting targeted CMEs in Madhya Pradesh over the next few months to sensitize private doctors on newer updates in management of TB and various benefits provided by the Government for patients and providers. Patient notification through the Nikshay app has multifold benefits for the patient, including patient home visits, counseling of the TB patient and family members and follow ups on adherence to treatment plans. Notification also benefits the doctors with access to free drugs and diagnostic tests as per the Standard for TB Care in India. Expanding on the efforts to increase notifications by the private sector, Dr. R V Asokan, Chairman IMA End TB Initiative said, “NIKSHAY has been upgraded to amore user friendly version 2.0 that is compatible with both web based and app based platforms. Private doctors can also use other methods including the Government’s call centre at 1800-11-6666 for notification of TB patients. A significant challenge faced in eradicating tuberculosis is the premature stopping of treatment by patients. Incentive schemes for the patients and doctors are available in this regard. The NIKSHAY Poshan Yojana also targets this through monetary support for patients. Chemists can also do Schedule H1 reporting through a mobile app initiated by the Government of Madhya Pradesh.” Dr. R V Asokan, took the media through the initiatives to tackle drug resistant TB. He said, “Madhya Pradesh has increased drug resistance TB treatment centers from 9 to 24 taking it to the district level. Universal Drug Susceptibility Testing has been introduced for TB patients before initiation of treatment for early diagnosis of drug resistance cases. As a result, all drug resistant TB patients are treated now with shorter regimen of 9-11 months as compared to conventional 24 months treatment which ensures better compliance and complete treatment. The new drug, Bedaquline is now available for patients with resistance to fluoroquinolone or injectable drugs.” Through CMEs and key messages through social media communication, the IMA and the Government will collaboratively reach out to private doctors for universal coverage of these services in the stateand ensure all TB patients are notified, linked with these services and provided benefits.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12078/c-dac-to-take-medical-care-to-rural-areas-in-karnataka.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12078/c-dac-to-take-medical-care-to-rural-areas-in-karnataka.html Wed, 21 Nov 2018 12:55:00 +0530 Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) is all set to take A full-fledged, self-sufficient mobile medical unit for cancer screening, including all basic diagnostics and ultrasound scan, fully designed and equipped to the rural areas in Karnataka. This is the fourth such mobile unit designed by C-DAC. It has been built out of a 11-m-long Viking chassis of a luxury bus. Apart from a spacious driver’s cabin and spacious seats for the medical team, the unit incorporates a mini lab with a haematology analyser, auto analyser and a digital microscope; an examination area with a surgical table for doing minor procedures; a digital X-ray unit in pneumatic design, housed within radiation protection walls; a 12-lead digital ECG machine; and an ultrasound scan area. The examination area has a small wash room with toilet and wash basin too. J. Binu, senior engineer at C-DAC said, “We designed the unit as per the requirements of the Kidwai Centre, which wants to use this for cancer screening and follow-up care amongst the rural population. They wanted the unit so designed that all basic investigations can be completed and a preliminary diagnosis delivered to a patient.” “In the next phase, they want to incorporate telemedicine facility also in this unit, for which the C-DAC has developed its own software with SNOMED CT-Dicom compatibility, so that the digital medical images and electronic medical records of patients can be transmitted using 4G connectivity,” he added. The previous mobile medical units that were designed by C-DAC has been having a very successful run in the State. Sanjeevani, a mobile unit with telemedicine facility designed by C-DAC is already running successfully at Malabar Cancer Care Society which is an NGO serving the rural population in five districts of north Kerala since 10 years.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12061/narayana-health-city-partners-with-jipmer-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12061/narayana-health-city-partners-with-jipmer-.html Mon, 19 Nov 2018 18:20:00 +0530 In order to harvest hands for Karnataka’s first hand donation, Bangalore based Narayana Health City collaborated with JIPMER. The patient, a 22 year old male from Anekal, was working at a retail store. He met with an accident while driving a two wheeler. The patient was brought to Narayana Health City on 15th November and was declared brain dead on 18 November 2018.Father of the patient consented to donate his Heart / Heart Valves, Lungs, Kidneys, Liver, Eyes / Cornea and hand. The heart is being donated to 18 year old girl, a student from Madhya Pradesh who was suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy and the only treatment that could have saved her life was heart transplant. She has been listed with Jeevasarthakathe since June 2018. The liver is being given to a 67 year old male, a retired central government employee, hailing from Bangalore. He was diagnosed with Hepatocellular Carcinoma and the only treatment to save his life was liver transplant. He has been listed with Jeevasarthakathe since August 2018. One of the kidney is being donated at Narayana Health City and the second kidney is being sent to Apollo, Mysore. Kidney patient at Narayana Health City is a 42 year old male, hailing from Bangalore and has been suffering from end stage renal disease since 2014. He has been listed with Jeevasarthakathe since 2015. Hands (upper limbs) are being donated to 31 year old male from Tamil Nadu and the transplant will be conducted at JIPMER, Pondicherry. The patient lost his hands due to crush injury. Team of doctors conducting the multi organ transplant include Dr. Sanjay Kumar Goja – Director and Clinical Lead, Senior Consultant and Head of Liver Transplant & HPB Surgery, Dr. Bagirath Raghuraman, MD, DM (Cardiology), Dr. Julius Punnen, Heart & Lung Transplant Surgeon, Dr. Ashely D’Cruz & Dr Sanjay Rao in Kidney Transplant team. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12058/ayushman-bharat-can-be-a-game-changer-healthcare-experts-at-gim-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12058/ayushman-bharat-can-be-a-game-changer-healthcare-experts-at-gim-.html Mon, 19 Nov 2018 16:35:00 +0530 Goa Institute of Management (GIM) recently organized a debate where thought leaders representing Government, Industry and Academia discussed and deliberated on the nuances of the Ayushman Bharat programme. Ayushman Bharat is the National Health Protection Scheme under the aegis of the Prime Minister Jan Arogya Yogana (PM-JAY) and has been at the center of conversations in healthcare circles since its launch some months ago. One of the key announcements in the national budget, 2018 of the Government of India was the launch of Ayushman Bharat through which government aims to provide health coverage to over 500 million people, many of who are unable to afford secondary and tertiary care services. Indu Bhushan, CEO, Ayushman Bharat; Sujatha Rao, Former Union Health Secretary; Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, CEO, Narayana Health; Joy Chakraborty, COO, P.D. Hinduja Hospital; A. Vaidheesh, V.P. South Asia and M.D., GSK; Ashish Kohli, V.P., One Ethicon Surgical Businesses, J&J Medical India; Punit Kohli, M.D., Fresenius Medical Care India Pvt. Ltd and Sakthivel Selveraj, Senior Health Economist, PHFI were part of this event. Speaking at the event Vishwajit P. Rane, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Goa said, “While Goa is successfully implementing the DDSSY programme, Ayushman Bharat is a revolutionary progaramme in many ways. In addition to the many benefits the programme will also lead to the creation of excellent health infrastructure.” “Goa will be adding to its healthcare infrastructure under the PMSSY scheme. We are in the process of creating a super specialty hospital at a cost of 480 crores and a cancer specialty centre all under the PMSSY programme. We look towards GIM to offer us researched suggestions, solutions and guidance”, he added. Explaining the paradoxes that exist in the country’s healthcare landscape, Indu Bhushan, CEO, Ayushman Bharat said, “India has invested in the healthcare sector for the last 70 years yet the needs of 70% of the population is met by the private sector. Similarly, while there have been significant efforts to elevate poverty, close to 6 crore people are driven into poverty each year due to healthcare expenses. While India is one of the fastest growing economy, yet govt spend is low. Ayushman Bharat will address these paradoxes.” “The ambitious program aims to offer access to affordable healthcare to the people who need it the most while also offering financial protection from high expenses on healthcare. The programme will also generate employment and create healthcare infrastructure including hospitals in tier 2 and tier 3 cities” he explained further. Dr. Ajit Parulekar, Director Goa Institute of Management said “Ayushman Bharat is a much debated subject within healthcare circles today which has thrown up many questions. What are the planned metrics? How can it instill confidence in the poor? What’s Its impact on pricing and products? All this and more is being debated here today. This conference is aligned to GIM’s bjective of being a management thought-promoter and providing a platform for meaningful discussions in the healthcare domain.”  The scheme which lays out a grand plan for the population has caught the attention of the general public, industry and healthcare professionals and thought leaders. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12057/remidio-fundus-on-phone-camera-excels-in-detecting-dr.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12057/remidio-fundus-on-phone-camera-excels-in-detecting-dr.html Mon, 19 Nov 2018 14:45:00 +0530 A team of researchers from Aravind Eye Hospitals led by Dr. Rengaraj Venkatesh and Dr. Sabyasachi Sengupta scientifically assessed the use of smartphone-based screening for Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) in a 2-year prospective study. The primary outcome of the study was to compare the sensitivity and specificity of the Remidio Fundus-On-Phone (FOP), a smartphone-based, portable fundus camera, and of TOPCON TRC-50DX, a traditional desktop fundus camera against standard clinical examination by an ophthalmologist for the detection of any type of DR. 233 eyes were imaged using both the devices and based on a comparison of the image grading output with clinicians' direct examination of the patients, images from FOP were found to better than the desktop system (TOPCON TRC-50DX) - images from the FOP were seen to be of excellent quality (59-74% vs 52-61%) which is unprecedented and quite surprising considering the cost of FOP being a fifth of the latter. These findings are set to rewrite the existing and conventional protocols in diabetic retinopathy screening. This is particularly re-assuring to 400 million patients with diabetes worldwide who are at the risk of losing vision due to DR, if not detected early.  FOP scored over TRC-50DX in the areas of image quality, ease of use and patient comfort in the study. Less number of images from FOP was deemed ungradable (1.7-2.1%) compared to the TOPCON TRC-50DX (2.6-4.3%). The Indian company, Remidio Innovative Solutions seems to have leveraged features of a standard smartphone camera in making a fundus camera portable, low cost while taking the output a notch higher. Earlier this year, an automated artificial intelligence algorithm was integrated on Remidio FOP for the first time in the world - delivering 99.1% sensitivity in detecting STDR or Sight threatening Diabetic Retinopathy. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12055/mobilehelp-healthcare-expands-diabetes-management-platform.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12055/mobilehelp-healthcare-expands-diabetes-management-platform.html Mon, 19 Nov 2018 12:35:00 +0530 MobileHelp® Healthcare, a leader in personal and enterprise healthcare technology solutions, announced expanded diabetes management capabilities through a new business relationship with Polymap Wireless. The collaboration between MobileHelp Healthcare and Polymap Wireless will allow healthcare providers to monitor patient glucose levels in addition to other vital signs such as blood pressure and weight through the MobileVitals® remote patient monitoring (RPM) platform.  The Polytel® Wireless Glucose Meter Accessory 3 (GMA3) is a Bluetooth Smart (BLE) adapter, configured to transfer medical data wirelessly from an in-home glucose monitor of the patient's choice to the MobileHelp Touch tablet base station, the communication hub of the MobileVitals system. The data is then seamlessly transferred to professional caregivers for review and feedback to the patient. "Millions of patients have glucose meters they like to use, but they don't have the built-in connectivity they need to communicate with a smart monitoring device," said Pierre Landau, Founder and President of Polymap Wireless. "Our GMA3 adapter makes it easy and secure to incorporate those legacy glucose meters into a diabetes monitoring system, such as the MobileVitals RPM solution." The GMA3 adapts to the following in-home glucose monitors: GMA3-LS for LifeLifeScan OneTouch® Ultra® Ultra® 2, and UltraMini, UltraEasy, Select GMA3-BY for Bayer Contour®, Contour® TS, Contour® Next EZ, Contour® XT and Breeze2® GMA3-AB for Abbott FreeStyle® Lite and FreeStyle® Freedom® Lite GMA3-NI for Nipro / Trividia TRUEresultTM, TRUEmetrixTM, TRUEtrackTM and TRUEbalanceTM GMA3-US for Accu-Chek Aviva Connect The Polytel Wireless GMA3 adapters will be available as part of the MobileVitals RPM platform . ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12041/maharashtra-govt-launches-ai-centre-for-rural-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12041/maharashtra-govt-launches-ai-centre-for-rural-healthcare.html Fri, 16 Nov 2018 13:25:00 +0530 The Government of Maharashtra signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the NITI Aayog and Wadhwani AI group to launch the International Centre for Transformational Artificial Intelligence (ICTAI) focusing on the rural healthcare. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that this project was aimed at a greater collaboration in the healthcare sector. ICTAI is to focus on quality healthcare to accelerate research, diagnosis and treatment delivery of diseases like cancer, tuberculosis. It also aims at capacity and capability enhancement of health workers and wellness centres in general. P Anandan from Wadhwani AI said, “We are looking forward to understanding the issues that plague healthcare, especially rural, and implementing solutions derived out of the data research and AI,” The key partners for projects are PATH, LEHS-WISH, IIT Madras, TATA Trust and the Stanford centre for population health sciences are the core partners in this project. ICTAI launch can be regarded as one of the results of a discussion paper which addresses the national strategy on artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies in India. Here, the government think tank identified five sectors to focus its efforts towards the implementation of AI to serve societal needs. The five sectors are: Healthcare: increased access and affordability of quality healthcare Agriculture: enhanced farmers’ income, increased farm productivity and reduction of wastage Education: improved access and quality of education Smart Cities and Infrastructure: efficient and connectivity for the burgeoning urban population Smart Mobility and Transportation: smarter and safer modes of transportation and better traffic and congestion problems   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12040/doctors-develop-new-technique-to-improve-ptosis-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12040/doctors-develop-new-technique-to-improve-ptosis-treatment.html Fri, 16 Nov 2018 13:10:00 +0530 A new study published in the top American Journal ‘Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery’, published by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, has shown that outcomes in ptosis or droopy eyelids can be significantly improved by modifying current surgical approaches and performing an additional procedure on the upper lid of the eye. The study conducted by eminent facial plastic surgeon Dr. Debraj Shome and researchers at The Esthetic Clinics from India also points out that commonly performed techniques may not yield results which are as good as the new technique. The study was carried over a period of 5 years between 2011 and 2016 on 100 patients, with ptosis (droopy eyelid) in one eye, since birth. The surgeries were conducted on 2 groups of 50 patients each with only one group receiving the newly modified surgery, incorporating an eyelid crease. By incorporation of an additional lid crease incision, the modified surgery technique addressed symmetry between the eyes and enhanced medical outcomes resulting in superior aesthetic appeal and greater patient and doctor satisfaction rates. Dr. Debraj Shome said, “While many surgeries have been performed in the past to rectify ptosis, our technique is unique as it suggests modifying the commonly performed current surgical approaches, to include a carefully crafted eyelid crease. This makes the eyelids look more symmetrical, thereby lending both eyes a more balanced look. In droopy eyelids, ptosis surgery gets the upper eyelid to be elevated and the Upper eyelid margin position is very important to grade the success of ptosis surgery. However, that is not and should not be considered the only gradient in determining the successful outcome of the surgery. Patients, who undergo product surgery, want symmetrical eyes and a look which appears natural and unoperated! Before our research, the surgery for ptosis did not involve creating an eyelid crease which meant that while the eyelid would open wide post the surgery, the muscle on the top would bunch up creating multiple folds. This would hamper symmetry with the normal eyelid on the other eye, which would have an eyelid crease. This actually made the operated eye look worse and lowered confidence and satisfaction post-surgery, in patients.” Dr. Shome’s modified surgical technique combines the Tarso-frontal sling surgery (attaching a band to the forehead muscle) to raise the droopy eyelid, along with eyelid crease formation performed to address symmetry between the eyelid creases. Dr. Shome warns, “Babies born with severe ptosis are especially at risk of permanent vision damage, unless timely corrective surgery is undertaken. Children with milder ptosis without impaired vision can wait till 5, but surgery is imperative if the parents don’t want their children to grow up with permanent visual impairment.”   Ptosis or when the border of the upper eyelid sags to a lower position than normal is a common condition that afflicts people of all age groups. It occurs due to presence of a weak eyelid muscle as a result of which lifting the eyelid becomes difficult. While it might not always be a cause for worry, it does spoil the overall look of the face making the eyes look asymmetrical and crooked. However, when the drooping eyelid covers all or part of the pupil, it can interfere with vision. Ptosis can be caused by many factors ranging from natural to more serious medical conditions. Anyone can get droopy eyelids—there are no substantial differences in prevalence between men and women or between ethnicities. Dr. Shome explains, “When the levator muscle, responsible for lifting the upper eyelid, stretches and weakens due to age it causes the eyelid to droop. In babies, the muscle is dystrophic or does not develop properly, so it doesn’t work at all.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12038/aiims-to-provide-belt-for-kids-to-track-pollution-impact-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12038/aiims-to-provide-belt-for-kids-to-track-pollution-impact-.html Fri, 16 Nov 2018 11:00:00 +0530 To understand the extent and impact of exposure to pollution on asthmatic children, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has initiated a multi-centre study wherein it will provide belts with monitors to a handful of youngsters to wear through the day. The study is funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Medical Research Centre in the United Kingdom. As a part of the study, the medical institute will give a wearable sensor in the form of a belt to the children, which will continuously measure the level of air pollution while they are in school, home or travelling in a bus. The project that started six months ago has so far identified 10-15 students. “The machine will identify the degree of exposure and its effect on the health of children who have continuous asthma. It will give us actual data on how much an individual is exposed to air pollution. A button-like device will also be put on the chest of a child, which will give us an idea of the overall health status,” said Dr Randeep Guleria, Director of AIIMS and the principal investigator of the study. The sensor will be concealed, and as per the researchers, no one will be able to see the data being recorded by the machine. Researchers have planned to give it to a child for a week, and repeat the same at least two-three times a year. The machine will have an in-built mechanism that will help monitor data, and real-time pollution information will be constantly recorded to help doctors identify a trend. The research is being conducted in collaboration with IIT-Delhi, University of Edinburgh and Imperial College of London, and Sri Ramachandra University in Chennai. “We are identifying schools of asthmatic children coming to our clinic for treatment. Once the school is identified, we will approach the authorities and inform them about the study. After receiving consent from parents and the school, a sensor will be given to the child. The child will wear the sensor throughout the day for at least a week. This is an ongoing project and will be completed in two years,” said Dr Karan Madaan, associate professor, department of pulmonology, AIIMS. Experts said the study will also establish a link between indoor and outdoor pollution. “The study will help us identify how the health of a child is affected with the changing levels of pollution,” added Dr Madaan.AIIM “Children are more susceptible to air pollution as they breathe twice as rapidly as adults. This means that they inhale twice the level of pollutants as compared to adults. The lungs of the children are underdeveloped,” said Dr S P Byotra, senior consultant, internal medical, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. Environmentalists have given a thumbs-up to the study. “Generating such information will be extremely valuable. The data will re-confirm how air pollution aggravates the condition of those with a history of respiratory ailments,” said Anumita Roy Chowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12027/sagar-hospitals-launches-second-branch-of-diabetes-centre.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12027/sagar-hospitals-launches-second-branch-of-diabetes-centre.html Thu, 15 Nov 2018 11:45:00 +0530 On the occasion of World Diabetes Day, Bengaluru-based multi-specialty hospital, Sagar Hospitals launched it’s second branch of Sagar centre for Diabetes and Endocrinology, a dedicated centre to provide end-to-end solutions for all diabetic and pre-diabetic conditions. The centre was inaugurated by Dr Arun Vadavi, a prominent Diabetologist in Bangalore, at their Banshankari unit. The clinic is positioned as a centre of excellence for diabetes and endocrine care. It is equipped with a highly trained, experienced and dedicated team of doctors, specialized dieticians, educators, and nurses trained to attend to diabetes patients. Inaugurating the centre, Dr Arun Vadavi said, “Diabetes is a complex health condition where symptoms differ from person to person and so does the diagnosis. The greatest problem facing them is lack of proper medical care and awareness among public. India is home to over 72 million people with diabetes mellitus and the number is increasing by the minute. I am glad to have been part of such an initiative and hope that people will be benefitted with the services being delivered, at Sagar Hospitals.” Commenting on the launch, Ishiqa Multani, Executive Director, Sagar Group of Hospitals   “We are happy to launch our second comprehensive care unit for Diabetes and Endocrinology on World Diabetes Day, that will provide complete solutions and personalized care under one roof. Having a specialized and advanced centre in the segment will help people access the right treatment available near them and recover better. At Sagar, our aim is to provide the care for healthy ageing and living.” The number of people with diabetes in India has gone up from 26 million in 1990 to 72 million in 2017, with the prevalence of diabetes in adults aged 20 years or older. India currently represents 49 percent of the world’s diabetes burden, a figure expected to almost double to 134 million by 2025.  Diabetes can affect every organ of the body and there are many complications that one might develop, such as cardiovascular disease, nerve damage (neuropathy), kidney damage (nephropathy), eye damage (retinopathy) and foot damage among many others. “The increase in diabetes occurrence across India is not just indicative of an ageing population. Lifestyle changes linked to an increase in wealth are impacting all age groups. The core treatment facilities available at the centre will address all kinds of diabetic complications and also have a team comprising of specialists from different faculties, to provide an all-round care for patients of all ages.”, said Dr Shobha Naidu, Consultant - Internal Medicine, Sagar Hospitals. Dr Channaraya V, Consultant - Internal Medicine, Sagar Hospitals said, “With the increasing life expectancy and prevalence of lifestyle diseases, there has been an increase in diabetes in India. There is a huge population who needs to be treated, therefore there is a need for specialized facilities and treatment in most areas of the country. The techniques used for the treatment of such ailments need specialized intervention with diagnostics, evaluation and methods. Our aim is to provide patients best facilities in every possible way.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12024/cigna-ttk-launches-upgraded-prohealth-insurance.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12024/cigna-ttk-launches-upgraded-prohealth-insurance.html Wed, 14 Nov 2018 15:55:00 +0530 Cigna TTK Health Insurance, a joint venture between U.S. based global health service leader, Cigna Corporation (NYSE:CI), and Indian conglomerate TTK Group, has announced the launch of an enhanced version of flagship health protection product  ‘CignaTTK ProHealth Insurance’ . The protection solution has been designed with added features for the Indian market to provide 360 degree health coverage. The product offers customers the unique benefit of combining health protection, wellness and health reserve to help them take more control over their healthcare expenses. Cigna TTK’s ProHealth Insurance offers five different plans to provide choice of right health insurance cover for different segment of customers for their needs. Range of hospitalization cover starts from Rs. 2.5 lacs and goes upto 1 Crore. The policy provides unique benefit of Guaranteed Cumulative Bonus, which increases coverage under the policy by 5% to 10% of the Sum Insured every year, irrespective of claims across plans. Cumulative bonus can accumulate maximum upto 200% of your Sum Insured. The policy also comes with Unlimited Restoration of Sum Insured for unrelated illnesses/ injury in a policy year. With Increased Healthy Reward points upto 20% of premium you also save on renewal premium.  In addition, the product offers inbuilt coverage of 546 day care treatments, along with a full coverage towards In-patient AYUSH Treatment. ProHealth Insurance offers smart health wallet under Health Maintenance Benefit that takes care of regular out-patient medical expenses including consultations, medicines, diagnostics, dental care, alternative treatments and more. The ProHealth Accumulate helps you grow a health reserve with a 5% bonus on unutilized HMB every year. You can even utilize upto 50% of the accumulated Health Maintenance Benefit towards payment of premium from 1st renewal and onwards under this version. Speaking about the policy offerings, Prasun Sikdar, Managing Director and CEO, Cigna TTK Health Insurance Company Limited said “We thoroughly understand that every customer has different requirements, hence we present an enhanced ProHealth plan that meets our customers’ unique health and wellness needs. The Product has 5 different protection solutions and multiple customization options to meet demand of various customer segments. At Cigna TTK, we have always believed in the power of the words – ‘Health hai toh life hai’. Our health plans have therefore been designed with added features to journey with our customers in times of illness and wellness". ProHealth will offer customers a wide range of Sum Insured. Redesigned in-line with customer insights, ProHealth aims to address multiple customer requirements through different plan options - ProHealth Protect, ProHealth Plus, ProHealth Preferred, ProHealth Premier, and ProHealth Accumulate. The plan also allows customers to top-up their existing coverage with Deductible option from Rs. 50,000 to 10 lacs. One can also opt for an add-on Critical Illness cover for an all-round protection As a part of ProHealth offering, the insured is also eligible for Maternity, New born baby and First year vaccination coverage as per plan. In addition, there are value added features such Expert medical opinion on critical Illnesses, Preventive health check-up and more. Tax Benefit is available as per prevailing Income Tax norms along with standard features such as In-Patient, pre and post hospitalization, Ambulance expenses and Donor Expenses cover. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12022/genesis-foundation-wpp-india-csr-foundation-treat-300-kids-with-chd.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12022/genesis-foundation-wpp-india-csr-foundation-treat-300-kids-with-chd.html Wed, 14 Nov 2018 13:15:00 +0530 WPP India Corporate Social Responsibility Foundation, along with Genesis Foundation that facilitates medical treatment for critically ill underprivileged children suffering from Heart Defects achieved a new milestone of treating 300 kids with Congenital Heart Defects (CHD). Genesis Foundation has been working as an implementation partner with WPP India CSR Foundation since 2015 towards Saving Little Hearts. Enabling children in their pursuit of good health is one of the most important pillars of support allowing them to complete their education and follow successful livelihoods. WPP India CSR Foundation and Genesis Foundation have been instrumental in supporting pivotal surgeries across the country. Over the span of three years (2015-18), this welfare collaboration has supported 300 kids. The average number of children treated per month has increased from 8 to 15 over the years, due to strategic partnerships with hospitals and diligent outreach through grass-root level initiatives. With an incidence rate of 8/1000 live births, nearly 2,20,000- 2,50,0000 children are born with CHD each year in India. Currently, CHD alone accounts for about 10% of present infant mortality in India, which makes CHD a serious life-threatening ailment. The nature of the surgeries is also noted to be complicated and so is the risk. The expenses involved are also high, since CHD surgeries require specialist paediatric cardiac professionals and cutting-edge technology, making it difficult for low-income families to support their kids. The story of two-year-old Anshul who was diagnosed with CHD is an example. Prescribed with corrective surgery at AIIMS which his father who was on a monthly salary of INR 5000 rupees could not afford, Anshul received treatment with help from WPP India CSR Foundation and got a new chance at life. Similar stories of children like Somnath Bhil, from the tribal districts of Maharashtra and Baby of Rekha, who were treated within hours of birth, are indicative of the expanse and depth of the outreach program. One of the landmark surgeries supported by WPP Foundation's grant is of little Amritha, who was diagnosed with complex cyanotic CHD. At birth, she was diagnosed with a very rare heart condition where all chambers of her heart were in an extremely unusual location. Her heart was on the right side instead of being on the left. The operation required the usage of a 3D printed heart, which was used to decipher the surgery procedure. This surgery was truly a medical and technological marvel for the country. Sharing her thoughts on the new milestone, Rama Iyer, Director-General, WPP India CSR Foundation, said, "We, at WPP India CSR Foundation feel proud to be associated with the work done by the Genesis Foundation. We work on an aligned vision of supporting young children affected by Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) through their surgeries and rehabilitating them back in their lives. One of the children, Anshul, has become a known name within WPP India, whose journey from suffering from CHD to being rehabilitated in the school, continues to inspire us in our work. Together, we believe in giving the young hearts of our children another chance to beat." Speaking about the new milestone achieved, Jyoti Sagar, Founder Trustee of Genesis Foundation, said that, "There are many in our country who are unable to access the healthcare that they so desperately require for their child due to a lack of financial resources. With the aid of Genesis' CSR partner, WPP India CSR Foundation, we have been able to support 300 kids. CSR partnerships plays a crucial role in the work we do; raising money for critically ill children, making sure that the many families affected by CHD in turn have somebody to count on. WPP India CSR Foundation has supported us year-on-year and with them we hope to save many more little hearts in future." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12014/novo-nordisk-launches-healthcare-challenge-programme-for-diabetes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12014/novo-nordisk-launches-healthcare-challenge-programme-for-diabetes.html Wed, 14 Nov 2018 10:15:00 +0530 To mark World Diabetes Day, Novo Nordisk Education Foundation (NNEF) and Novo Nordisk India Pvt Ltd have launched a ‘1000-day Challenge’ programme along with leading healthcare practitioners to address uncontrolled diabetes in India. Uncontrolled diabetes is a serious challenge in India with over INR 63,000 crore incurred in healthcare costs per year due to diabetes. The 1000-Day Challenge intends to improve awareness and education amongst 150,000 practitioners and 10,000 paramedics through over 6,000 medical meetings and continuous medical education (CMEs) programmes over the said period. In addition, for the first time, real-time data on the state of diabetes care is being made available through an innovative “India Diabetes Care Index”. The Index provides the average blood sugar control over 3 months of a given city through HbA1c data. Dr A K Das, Senior Professor, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences and Patron of the Impact India programme, said: “HbA1c levels will be adopted as the key performance indicator for this initiative. The India Diabetes Care Index reveals that the current average HbA1c of India is 8.56% against the usually recommended target of <7%. Through Impact India, we will work towards reducing the HbA1c levels of treated patients. Every 1% reduction in HbA1c reduces the risk of stroke by 12%, heart attack by 14%, diabetic eye disease by 31%, diabetic kidney disease by 33%, diabetic limb disease by 43%.” The India Diabetes Care Index will be launched for at least 15 major cities over the next few months and will be updated on a quarterly basis. The launch event in Delhi was attended by the top diabetes experts in India; former cricketer and Novo Nordisk changing diabetes ambassador Anil Kumble and Royal Danish Embassy Ambassador, HE Peter Taksøe-Jensen.  As part of the programme, Anil Kumble will champion a healthy lifestyle through measures such as encouraging daily exercise and reducing “social snacking” as well as the in-take of high calories and processed food. Anil Kumble said, “If we are to have any hope of bending the trajectory of the potentially catastrophic rise in diabetes, we have to work together to grapple with the factors that put people at risk in the first place. As a sportsperson, I look forward to tough challenges, and with the 1000-Day challenge, we are calling on every stakeholder to work collectively.” India has 72.9 million people with diabetes. The prevalence of other common co-morbidities of diabetes like hypertension and high cholesterol levels are also high in India, around 26% and 14% respectively, further predisposing the population to an additional risk for heart and blood vessel diseases. Dr Nikhil Tandon, Head of Department of Endocrinology, AIIMS, and Padma Shri awardee said: “The impact of diabetes is felt by the affected individual and the entire family, not merely as a contribution to physical ill-health, but also at an emotional as well as an economic level. A targeted programme backed by real-time data is the right approach to addressing this rising burden.” Through this program, Novo Nordisk seeks to improve the understanding of the principal factors behind the rise of diabetes in India, enhance understanding on uncontrolled diabetes and then share and apply that knowledge to real-world solutions for people to live healthier lives with diabetes. “The programme has a clear objective which can act as a rallying point for all concerned stakeholders. A tool like the India Diabetes Care Index is vital for understanding the areas that require maximum attention. For the first time, we will have a measurable system for assessing the impact of our efforts,” said Dr V Mohan, Chairman, Dr Mohan's Diabetes Specialities Centre and Padma Shri awardee. Under the programme, digital platforms will be leveraged to partner with practitioners (doctors and paramedics), physician associations, government agencies and healthcare institutions to evolve and implement an approach to diabetes care appropriate to India. “At Novo Nordisk we have been working for changing diabetes for nearly 100 years. With this new initiative, we have set an ambitious target and we hope to see India emerge as a role model in diabetes management,” said Frederik Kier, SVP, Region AAMEO, Novo Nordisk A/S.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12013/apollo-munich-reintroduces-diabetes-specific-insurance-plan.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/12013/apollo-munich-reintroduces-diabetes-specific-insurance-plan.html Tue, 13 Nov 2018 17:05:00 +0530 In yet another bold initiative towards making India health confident, Apollo Munch Health Insurance, on ‘World Diabetes Day’ strengthens its comprehensive Diabetes-specific insurance plan called ’Energy’ with advanced features. Apollo Munich’s Energy is a one stop solution for people living with both Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. It is a comprehensive plan that not only helps one avail quality healthcare but also helps in managing the condition while incentivising those who demonstrate good health. The plan comes with features such as Active Wellness Program, No Waiting Period, Rewards Points, wherein a policy holder gets a personalized health coach to help you monitor and manage your health. It also offers reward points to stay healthy and avail reduced premiums for lifelong renewal that covers the policyholder regardless of their health status or claims. The plan offers Day 1 coverage for all hospitalisation arising out of diabetes and hypertension (with no waiting period) and provide complete financial security to the patient at all stages of diabetes. The USP of Energy is that it has enhanced some of the product benefits such as addition of Restore Benefit, Shared Accommodation Benefit, HbA1C Checkup Benefit and covers both type 1 and type-2 diabetes with insulin intake. It has also reduced waiting period on PED to 24 months. KEY FEATURES OF THE PRODUCT INCLUDE Comprehensive coverage: Energy covers individuals in the age group of 18 to 65 years at entry, who are currently diagnosed with Type I Diabetes or Type II Diabetes or Pre-Diabetes (Impaired Fasting Glucose/Impaired Glucose Tolerance) or Hypertension. Sum Insured: The plan can be taken for the sum insureds basis. The sum insured options range from 2 lacs to 50 lacs. Two Variants: The plan has 2 variants – Gold (cost of wellness test included) & Silver (cost of wellness test excluded), both available with/ without the copayment option of 20% Life-long renewal: Energy comes with the option of life long renewability. By virtue of this facility, the insured can enjoy the protection offered by their medical policy for a lifetime. Day 1 Coverage: The plan provides Day 1 coverage for all hospitalisation arising out of Diabetes and Hypertension (No waiting period). Inpatient hospitalisation coverage with no sub-limits, including coverage for pre and post hospitalization). Pre-hospitalisation: The medical expenses incurred before admitting to the hospital is called pre-hospitalisation. It will cover upto 30 days, prior to admission. In-patient hospitalization: The medical expenses incurred during patient’s stay at the hospital is called in-hospitalisation. Post-hospitalisation: The medical expenses incurred after discharge from the hospital is called post-hospitalisation. It will cover upto 60 days, after discharge from the hospital Ambulance cover benefit: Expenses incurred on transportation of insured person to a hospital for treatment in case of an emergency, subject to Rs. 2,000 per hospitalization. Wellness program: The program is designed to manage your health and provide two complete medical checks administered during the policy year. An optional diagnostic monitoring program which includes a doctor consultation, to monitor and manage your health. Wellness incentives: It is offered on good health management through premium discounts and additional coverage for any health expenses. Renewal premium discounts of up to 25% is offered for management of health conditions. Similarly, reimbursement up to 25% of renewal premium towards your medical expenses (like consultation charges, medicines and drugs, diagnostic expenses, dental expenses and other miscellaneous charges not covered under any medical insurance HbA1C Checkup Benefit - Under this benefit, the company will reimburse an amount of up to Rs.450 towards the expenses of HbA1C checkup on submission of report. A maximum of two claims can be made in a Policy year. Free look up period - The Company offers a period of 15 days from the date of receipt of the policy document to review the terms and conditions of this policy. In case of any objections, there is an option to cancel the policy and the premium shall be refunded after adjusting the amounts spent on any medical check-up, stamp duty charges and proportionate risk premium. Additionally, a grace period of 30 days for renewing the policy is provided under this policy. Anyone between the age group of 18 years to 65 years can avail the policy. The policy will be issued for 1 year. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11996/tata-trusts-lays-foundation-stone-for-cancer-hospital-in-ranchi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11996/tata-trusts-lays-foundation-stone-for-cancer-hospital-in-ranchi.html Sat, 10 Nov 2018 20:30:00 +0530 Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das and Tata Trusts Chairman Ratan Tata recently laid the foundation stone of the Ranchi Cancer Hospital and Research Center. The hospital is being set up by the Jharkhand government with assistance from the Tata Trusts. The hospital will be built on 23 acres of land donated by the state department of health, medical education and family welfare department to the Tata Trusts in Kanke on the outskirts of the state capital earlier this year. According to Jharkhand health secretary Nitin Madan Kulkarni, the first phase of the hospital is expected to become operational with 150 beds by 2022.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11980/columbia-asia-conducts-frcr-2b-radiology-course.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11980/columbia-asia-conducts-frcr-2b-radiology-course.html Mon, 05 Nov 2018 22:50:00 +0530 Columbia Asia Radiology Group, Bengaluru is organizing course for FRCR 2B preparation on 5th to 7th, December. This is a mock exam course being conducted, since 2011, by Columbia Asia Radiology Group to help aspirants prepare for the final FRCR part 2B examination. Fellowship of Royal College of Radiology (FRCR) conducted by Royal College of Radiologists (RCR), UK is an assessment of clinical competency and an important marker of quality for Indian doctors. The UK has been anticipating a shortage of radiologists owing to factors such as spurt in demand for radiology procedures, long training periods and retiring workforce. RCR, the professional body for Radiologists in UK, has noted in its Radiology Workforce Census 2017 that 1 in 10 Clinical Radiology posts lie vacant and 70% of the vacant posts have been unfilled for over a year. They predict, as per published documents, a shortfall of 1600 consultant Clinical Radiologists by 2022. In an effort to take steps towards addressing this issue RCR has organized a special session of the qualifying FRCR 2B exam in January 2019.  Over 700 Indian Radiologists, having completed the first 2 parts of the exam, have been waiting for over 24 months to appear for the FRCR 2B exam. The new session announced by the RCR is an opportunity for these Radiologists to qualify the exam and achieve an international accreditation. The Columbia Asia Radiology Group invites British faculty who have served as examiners on the actual examination conducted by the RCR to simulate exam conditions. Students have an opportunity to acclimatize themselves before appearing for the exam. The Faculty, over 2 days, offers insight into how the exam is conducted and the examiner’s perspective. Students have the opportunity to interact with the faculty one-on-one during viva sessions where they are given personalized feedback based on their performance and advice on tips to prepare themselves for the examination. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11972/ayurvedic-medicine-for-dengue-is-likely-to-launch-in-market.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11972/ayurvedic-medicine-for-dengue-is-likely-to-launch-in-market.html Mon, 05 Nov 2018 15:20:00 +0530 Union Minister of State for AYUSH Shripad Naik said that Clinical trials of Ayurvedic medicine against dengue are in progress and it will be launched at the earliest possible time. Rajesh Kotecha, secretary of AYUSH ministry, said the medicine is expected to be ready after multilevel trials in the next couple of years. “Trials on the Ayurvedic medicine for dengue are currently on and we will come out with it at the earliest possible,” Naik said on the sidelines of a national conference on ‘Entrepreneurship and Business Development in Ayurveda’ held in New Delhi.   The AYUSH minister emphasised on entrepreneurial significance of ancient books Charak Samhita and Sushrut Samhita as treasure trove of medicinal knowledge, saying it could be the basis for around 20 lakh medicines for different diseases.   The ministry has aimed to expand the current size of Ayurveda and AYUSH business of around $3 billion to $10 billion by 2022, he said.   He also pointed out the need for linking Ayurveda with the Modi government’s initiatives like Digital India, Skill India and Startup India, for widening scope of Ayurveda.   Minister of State for Culture Mahesh Sharma, who was also present at the conference, said Ayurveda can serve as a vehicle to take the Ayushman Bharat scheme to lakhs of villages in the country.   “Through Ayurveda, it is possible to take Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Ayushman Bharat scheme to over six lakh villages of the country,” he said.   Sharma also hoped that the AYUSH Ministry can make a significant contribution to the economy of the country by expanding the existing market of Ayurveda and AYUSH products and therapies.   CEO of Niti Ayog Amitabh Kant said that the world has come to realise Ayurveda as “the best and purest” source of rejuvenation and there exists a “great opportunity” to create knowledge and business based on it. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11962/hcg-launches-new-generation-tomotherapy-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11962/hcg-launches-new-generation-tomotherapy-in-india.html Fri, 02 Nov 2018 16:00:00 +0530 HealthCare Global Enterprises Ltd. (HCG), India's largest provider of cancer care brings first Radixact X9 – the new generation TomoTherapy in India to treat cancer patients. The Radixact System is being used at HCG EKO cancer centre, a partnership between HCG, India’s largest provider of Cancer care and EKO X-Ray & Imaging Institute, a Premier Institute of Diagnosis, not just in Kolkata, but also across the nation that marks a major step forward in cancer treatment through precision, speed, efficiency and ease of use with the potential to provide significant clinical benefits to cancer patients in India. An early adopter of leading-edge technology, HCG – the specialist in cancer care was among the first in India to introduce the TomoH System, a fully integrated 3D conformal and image-guided intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IG-IMRT) system, and the CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery System, technology designed to deliver stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). Dr. BS Ajaikumar, Chairman & CEO, Healthcare Global Enterprises (HCG) Enterprises Ltd said, "Being at the forefront of the fight against cancer, HCG strives to offer precision treatment to cancer patients, reinforcing the ideology – the right way, the first time.  The practice of adopting cutting-edge technologies like the Radixact X9 – the new generation TomoTherapy, along with our clinical expertise, has enabled us to move one step closer towards precise and personalized care, therefore improving the quality of life of cancer patients. Introducing the Radixact in Kolkata is to ensure that advance care is accessible by the patients of West Bengal and the neighboring states, and they don’t have to travel to far off locations, away from their home and close ones for cancer treatment." Dr. Ayan Basu, Head of Radiation Oncology, HCG EKO Cancer Centre said, “Radixact now enables us to accurately deliver higher doses incorporating functional imaging like PET, improving chances of cure. The addition of India’s first Radixact X9 – the new generation TomoTherapy to HCG EKO gives our patients and radiotherapy team several key advantages: quick, accurate, daily CT scan guided, adaptable, highly conformal radiotherapy which gives the oncologist confidence to accurately treat all sites and cancer types.  To share an instance, the inbuilt CT scan imaging in a Radixact system allows treating Bone Marrow Transplant patients accurately to the complete bone marrow instead of exposing all internal organs. One of the unique advantages of the system is for children with medulloblastoma (which constitutes one fifth of all childhood brain tumors), where the child can comfortably lie on his/her back and the radiation beam treats more than three times the length possible in regular machines in a single movement of the treatment couch. Radixact is both versatile and comprehensive.” Present at the event, Dr. SK Sharma, Chairman, EKO X-Ray & Imaging Institute, “The thought behind HCG EKO collaboration is the common driving force of the two entities, which is to constantly upgrade the practice with aid of new and advanced technologies. Combining the two respective specialties, that is, diagnostic services by EKO and cancer treatment and care by HCG, the aim is to provide comprehensive facilities that cater the need for advanced cancer treatment and care all under one roof. This is further strengthened by having a production unit of cancer detection medicine (FDG) at same premises. In the endeavour for creating a centre of excellence in cancer care, HCG EKO Kolkata proudly introduces Radixact System for the first time in India. This shall benefit thousands of cancer patients of West Bengal and rest of eastern region by providing HCG’s unparalleled expertise and accurate radiation treatment.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11960/clock-is-ticking-to-break-barriers-for-health-hope-and-healing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11960/clock-is-ticking-to-break-barriers-for-health-hope-and-healing.html Fri, 02 Nov 2018 10:10:00 +0530 11th National Conference of AIDS Society of India (ASICON 2018) opens today in Bengaluru. This year marks the 18th year of AIDS Society of India (ASI), a nationwide network of medical experts providing HIV care. Dr Ishwar Gilada, President of ASI and Governing Council Member of International AIDS Society, said: “With an estimated 21 lakh (2.1 million) people living with HIV (PLHIV), India has the third highest burden of HIV in the world, after South Africa and Nigeria. India is among 193 countries that are aiming to end AIDS by 2030 and achieve 90-90-90 targets by 2020; which are not just milestones set by UNAIDS but also enshrined in Government of India’s National Health Policy (NHP 2017). Despite formidable challenges, India has made commendable progress towards these ambitious goals, but there is a very long way ahead of us, if we are to deliver on these promises." The 90-90-90 targets include: 90% of all people living with HIV (PLHIV) will know their HIV status, 90% of all PLHIV will receive antiretroviral therapy- ART, and 90% of all people receiving ART will have suppressed viral load to minimize HIV transmission. “Some partial success must not set in any complacency” warned Dr Ishwar Gilada who was among the first Indian doctors to begin HIV care. “India’s AIDS response is at a precarious point - new HIV infections which amounted to 87,580 (decline of just 27% between 2010-2017) – warrant us to reflect if we could have done better in preventing HIV transmission, diagnosing more PLHIV and putting more people on ART to inch closer towards 90-90-90 goals. We are almost the halfway point to reach the 90-90-90 targets by 2020, however the pace of progress in India has to be speeded up to match our national ambition to reach these goals”, he said. “The theme of ASICON 2018 is ‘Breaking barriers for health, hope and healing.’ And the clock is indeed ticking to break the barriers that stand in India’s way of achieving the 90-90-90 targets by 2020. After India adopted WHO’s Test and Treat strategy as a national policy, the entire machinery has been gearing up to achieve these targets. We are just about 26 months away from the deadline and a lot is yet to be achieved”, added Dr Gilada. “As per NACO data of 2017, 77% of the estimated 21.40 lakh PLHIV in India knew their HIV status; 11.81 lakhs PLHIV (56%) were on life-saving ART. We haven’t yet reached out to 23% of PLHIV, and 44% of PLHIV have yet to get ART in India, despite WHO and NACO guidelines to 'test and treat all'. We cannot slacken our efforts, because failing to reach out to each PLHIV, not putting them on ART and doing viral load testing (VLT), threatens to reverse the progress made in fighting AIDS and HIV prevention cannot take a backseat”, rues Dr Gilada. The World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines 2016 as well NACO India guidelines recommend routine viral load monitoring should be carried out at 6 months, at 12 months and then every 12 months thereafter if the patient is stable on ART. It is very important to scale up viral load testing in India to monitor the viral load suppression. Scientific evidence has shown that if every PLHIV who is on ART has undetectable viral load - <20 copy/ml, his/her risk of transmiting HIV becomes negligible, and the person can lead a normal healthy life commensurate to the principle “Undetectable = Untransmittable”. VLT in India were done only at 10 national reference laboratories for suspected treatment failure cases. In 2016-17, only around 16,500 PLHIV who were on ART received VLT, but this capacity is escalated to 160,000 VLT in public-private partnership initiative. As per WHO and NACO guidelines, every PLHIV should have received the VLT. With such a small VLT capacity, it is not known how many of the documented 11.81 lakhs people on ART are virally suppressed. "If every PLHIV needs a viral load test even once a year, then we need to scale up VLT capacity to conduct over 2 million (21.4 lakh) tests every year. How would India meet the goal of achieving viral load suppression for 90% of those PLHIV who are receiving ART by 2020 if business as usual continues?" asks Dr Ishwar Gilada. He said that efforts of National AIDS Control Programme (NACO) to move from targeted VLT to routine VLT for all patients on ART is a step in the right direction. This will help in earlier and more accurate detection of treatment failure. A viral load test will be conducted for all patients at 6 and 12 months after initiation of ART. All second/third line patients will be tested every 6 months and the first line patients will be tested annually after 12 months of ART initiation. Dr GD Ravindran, co-chair of 11th ASICON said that in 2017, Karnataka had 2,47,413 PLHIV (1,23,821 women), among who 1,55,411 (62.8%) were receiving ART. AIDS related deaths have declined in Karnataka state by 68% between 2010-2017 to 8450. Despite a decline of 46% in new HIV infections in the state, we still saw 5008 new HIV infections in 2017.” Dr Glory Alexandar, co-chair of 11th ASICON said that, “Regarding prevention of parent to child transmission of HIV (PPTCT), out of the estimated 22677 pregnant women living with HIV in India in 2017, only 13716 of them were receiving ARVs for PPTCT (60% coverage). In Karnataka however PPTCT coverage in 2017 was around 70% at 1421 against need of 1951. India aims to eliminate HIV transmission from parent to child. We need to accelerate progress towards these goals as well as maintain surveillance of HIV in pregnant women to ensure we do not risk reversing the progress made so far.” ASICON 2018 will present the latest developments in diagnosis, prevention and management of HIV, and associated co-infections/ opportunistic infections. Recent advances in the vaccine, early treatment, cure research, diagnostics and future drugs will also be discussed. Academic partners of 11th ASICON include: government of India’s National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), United Nations joint programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Medical Council of India, CAPRISA, Gilead Sciences Inc., PHO, Asha Foundation among others. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11944/cci-approves-ihh-healthcares-acquisition-of-fortis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11944/cci-approves-ihh-healthcares-acquisition-of-fortis.html Wed, 31 Oct 2018 12:40:00 +0530 Anti-trust regulator Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved Malaysia-based IHH healthcare’s acquisition of a controlling stake in largest hospital chain, Fortis Healthcare. “We understand that Competition Commission of India has approved the proposed Fortis-IHH transaction. We remain committed to work towards the seamless closure of the transaction.” Fortis Healthcare said in a statement. This was the last major approval pending for the deal to be consummated. In August this year, shareholders of Fortis approved the deal, ending the prolonged uncertainty and bidding war at the hospital chain that faced liquidity crunch and governance issues. The board of directors of Fortis Healthcare on July 13 unanimously approved a binding investment proposal from IHH to invest ₹4000 crore by way of preferential allotment. The allotment will take place at ₹170 a share. Since IHH’s post-acquisition stake in Fortis will exceed 25 percent, it is required to extend an offer to buy an additional 26 percent from existing shareholders at a price not less than the one at which the stake is being bought. After the transaction and the resultant open offer go through, IHH’s stake in Fortis could be between 31 to 57 percent, depending on the subscription received for the open offer. With the CCI approval, IHH will be able to make an open offer for an additional 26 percent stake. The money infused through the Fortis-IHH deal is expected to meet Fortis’ short term and long-term cash requirements including acquiring assets from Singapore-based Religare Health Trust and providing an exit to private equity investors in SRL, Fortis’ diagnostics arm. As per the proposal, IHH will have the right to control two-thirds of the seats on the Fortis board.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11939/roche-partners-with-wellthy-therapeutics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11939/roche-partners-with-wellthy-therapeutics.html Tue, 30 Oct 2018 13:50:00 +0530 Roche has announced its partnership with the digital health company Wellthy Therapeutics to offer users of the Accu-Chek Active system an innovative artificial intelligence-based digital diabetes coaching solution. Being a leader in diabetes management solutions worldwide, Roche will expand its integrated diabetes management offering through the collaboration with Wellthy Therapeutics. The joint offering of the two companies will encompass the trusted Accu-Chek Active blood glucose meter and the Wellthy Care app to new users. The bundle is being launched in the South and West Zones of India. Speaking about the partnership, Rahul Kedia, Ad-Interim General Manager, Roche Diabetes Care India said, “India is home to the second largest number of people living with diabetes in the world, numbering about 73 million in 2017 as per the International Diabetes Federation. The figure is expected to almost double to 134 million by 2025. Moreover, factors such as limited doctor bandwidth to connect with patients outside the clinic, low adherence to care protocols and poor access to blood glucose monitoring makes it crucial to support people with diabetes in their daily therapy management routines to maximize health benefits. There is a real need for those patients to be able to monitor their blood glucose levels regularly and be supported in their efforts to keep their diabetes under control. With Wellthy’s digital diabetes health coach, new Accu-Chek Active users can log blood glucose readings into the app to receive 24/7 guidance on understanding and managing their diabetes better. We firmly believe that this joint offering will help in improving the quality of life for Indians living with type 2 diabetes.” Wellthy Therapeutics is a digital therapeutics company that is inspiring and enabling patients to prevent, reverse and control their chronic disease. It's first digital therapeutic for Type II diabetes has been endorsed by the RSSDI, Asia’s largest diabetes association. (RSSDI). Wellthy Therapeutics has published & presented real-world data for its diabetes therapeutic at the AADE Annual Conference in Baltimore, at the AACE 26th & 27th Annual Congresses in Austin and Boston, the ADA 77th & 78th Scientific sessions in San Diego and Orlando, the IDF Congress 2017 in Abu Dhabi, the ATTD 11th International Conference in Vienna, and the RSSDI 44th, 45th & 46th Annual Conferences in India. The company has been featured as a thought leader in diabetes care by the American Diabetes Association. “Roche Diabetes Care shares our vision for digital therapeutic solutions that work alongside point of care diagnostics to achieve superior patient outcomes. We are excited about this partnership, as it gives people living with diabetes access to our clinically validated diabetes therapeutic to improve and manage their health. This partnership marks an important first step, in a larger shared vision to make a meaningful difference to the lives of millions of people living with this chronic disease”, said Abhishek Shah, Co-Founder & CEO of Wellthy Therapeutics.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11922/niramai-expands-availability-to-3-more-cities.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11922/niramai-expands-availability-to-3-more-cities.html Mon, 29 Oct 2018 13:05:00 +0530 Artificial intelligence-based health-tech company Niramai is set for a national expansion with three breast cancer screening centres in Hyderabad, Mysore and Mumbai. In Hyderabad, Niramai offers exclusive breast cancer screening centre in Lumbini Jewel mall.  While, in Mysore and Mumbai it has collaborated with Brindavan Hospital and Way2Health Diagnostics respectively. The breast health screening technology developed by Niramai is unique as it is non-touch, non-invasive and non-radiation based. Their privacy-aware test for preventive breast cancer screening that was available only in Bangalore, Pune and Dehradun is expanding its reach to multiple cities. The core technology developed by Niramai called Thermalytix, uses a high resolution thermal sensing device and a cloud hosted analytics solution for analyzing the thermal images. Their SaaS solution uses big data analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning for reliable, early and accurate breast cancer screening. The innovative methods used in Niramai’s solution have led to multiple US patents and their novel algorithms have also been peer-reviewed in international scientific conferences. Niramai’s technology detects breast cancer at a much earlier stage than traditional methods or self-examination. Dr Geetha Manjunath, CEO & CTO, Niramai, said, “Accessibility to high quality preventive care is critical to reduce breast cancer deaths in the country. We believe this can be achieved through partnership and collaboration. Our goal is to enable regular breast health check for all women in India in an affordable and accessible way”. In Hyderabad, Niramai unveiled first of a kind exclusive breast cancer screening centre in partnership with Murata Business Engineering (India) Pvt Ltd (MBEI) and Big Edge Solutions & Technology India Pvt Ltd.  This health centre, named UmAnG, is situated in Lumbini Jewel mall and will be a boon to women who want to be sure of their breast health in a friendly environment without having to visit a hospital for the same. Dr Karun Malhotra, Managing Director, MBEI, said, "We focus on healthcare solutions using electronics as a platform that are reliable, easy to use, affordable and digital. Niramai’s solution has all these advantages, and they have a great vision to transform the adoption of breast cancer screenings. Big Edge Solutions team has shown exemplary commitment towards execution of the vision of the first UmAnG center in Hyderabad”. Dr Ravindranath K, Director, Brindavan Hospital, Mysore, said, “We are happy to associate with Niramai. The cutting edge technology of Niramai gives accurate and fast screening reports and is privacy aware”. Dr. Rachna Tardeja, Consultant Radiologist & Founder Director, Way2Health Diagnostics, Mumbai, said, “We are excited to partner with Niramai to make breast cancer screening easily accessible to all women, since it is non-touch and non-invasive, who otherwise generally shy away from it”.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11917/stroke-screening-to-mark-world-stroke-day.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11917/stroke-screening-to-mark-world-stroke-day.html Fri, 26 Oct 2018 16:30:00 +0530 Stroke (Brain attack), is one of the leading cause of disability and the third common cause of death. Nearly 180-210 people per 1 lakh population are getting affected with stroke annually. More and more young people are falling prey to serious brain attack. In a bid to mark the ‘World Stroke Day’, Brains Hospital is conducting stroke screening camp at all its four centres – Sparsh Brains at Infantry Road, SSNMC Brains at RR Nagar, MVJ Brains at Hoskote and Aveksha Brains at Singapura, from October 29th –November 10th 2018. Those above 40 years of age, diabetic, hypertensive or have a family history of stroke, can get themselves evaluated at any of these centres. Dr. NK Venkataramana, Founder & Chief Neurosurgeon, Brains, says: “Brain attack is preventable. In such unfortunate event, timely intervention within the ‘Golden period’ of three hours will reduce the risk of death as well as disability. In order to make advanced treatment accessible to everyone in Bengaluru, Brains has established four major Stroke centers (Sparsh Brains, Infantry Road, SSNMC Brains, RR Nagar, MVJ Brains, Hoskote and Aveksha Brains, Singapura), along with 30 quick access ‘Golden Hour’ clinics, to enable these needy people access and get timely treatment.” Stroke screening package will comprise of ECG, RBS, total cholesterol, blood pressure check, along with neurological consultation from our top neurologists.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11912/mgm-healthcare-to-launch-new-chain-of-hospitals.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11912/mgm-healthcare-to-launch-new-chain-of-hospitals.html Thu, 25 Oct 2018 15:55:00 +0530 MGM Healthcare Group a pioneer in providing inclusive tertiary healthcare and medical education for over two decades with presence in Chennai and Pondicherry is launching new chain of hospitals. The Group completed a year long planning journey and has envisioned a new gen healthcare platform and will soon be launching its first 400 bed hospital - The first manifestation of this vision to ‘superlative health-caring’ is a state-of-the-art hospital on Nelson Manickam Road. The hospital having 3,50,000 sq. ft.  is designed and organised to be compliant to national and global healthcare standards like NABH and JCI.  The hospital is built as a green hospital to qualify for platinum LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). Spread over three-and-a-half lakh square feet, first hospital will have 400 beds, 50 out-patient consultation rooms, 10 operating theatres and over a 100 critical care beds. The quaternary hospital will have centres of excellence in the field of Cardiac Sciences, Multi Organ Transplantation, Neuro Sciences, Orthopaedics, Oncology, Gastro Sciences, Renal Sciences, Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Paediatrics, in addition to all the other broad specialties. “The year long visioning has helped us to identify areas where we can serve patients really better. We are transforming our Healthcare vertical by investing in new chain of hospital and up gradation of our teaching hospitals. As the Industry continues to change, we see a real opportunity to evolve faster and better.  We have taken proactive steps and have made transformational investments in patient experience and IT infrastructure. There will be genuine ‘first in industry service innovations’. Powered by people who are driven by altruism ideal.” “The hospital chain will be one of the best IT enabled hospitals in the country.  The highlights in technology will be Electronic Medical Records (EMR), Digital ICU with charting solutions and predictive analytics using Artificial Intelligence to prevent and treat any adverse clinical events in line with the global best practices in some of the leading institutions like Mayo and Cleveland. The hospital will also provide connected home healthcare facilities.  The hospital will have the best infrastructure with IOT enabled Building Management System, said Dr Prashanth Rajagopalan, Director, MGM Healthcare Pvt Ltd. He also said “MGM Healthcare will be launching a number of related ventures and more hospitals, in line with our vision of becoming a complete healthcare platform over the years”. “Patient care will always be our first priority at MGMH”, said, Dr. Rahul R Menon, CEO, MGM Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. “Our vision is to be the most admired and preferred healthcare institution for patients, partners and the community. We will achieve this through our commitment to the highest standards of ethical practices and values, a dedicated team of experts and professionals who consistently deliver quality healthcare and an ecosystem that encourages and invests in the most advanced medical practices and research,” added Dr. Rahul R Menon. M K Rajagopalan, Chairman, MGM Healthcare Pvt Ltd, an eminent Educationalist & Philanthropist with his visionary outlook established two large hospitals with 2000 beds which not only provides medical education and training, but also provides quality and cost effective medical treatment to the community. Dr. Prashanth Rajagopalan, Director, MGM Healthcare Pvt Ltd, did his post-graduation in Johns Hopkins University and returned to India with a vision to establish a world class healthcare platform. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11898/bayer-launches-water-based-insecticide-to-safeguard-public-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11898/bayer-launches-water-based-insecticide-to-safeguard-public-health.html Tue, 23 Oct 2018 16:00:00 +0530 Rapid urbanization in India has led to a significant rise in vector borne diseases such as Malaria and Dengue. To prevent these diseases, India needs effective and innovative vector control solutions. In line with Bayer’s commitment to safeguard public health, the company has launched Aqua K-Othrine, India’s first water-based space spray insecticide for management of mosquitoes. Aqua K-Othrine is an emulsion in water (EW) formulation. It contains an anti-evaporant to protect the water-based spray droplets from evaporative water loss. This anti-evaporant technology: FFAST (Film Forming Aqueous Spray Technology) enables Aqua K-Othrine to be diluted in water without losing efficacy. Being water-based, this innovative product eliminates the use of oil-based diluents such as diesel and helps reduce environmental impact. It also reduces the cost of application by upto 80 percent. Speaking about Bayer’s interventions around vector borne disease management, Dr. Arun Kumar, Head of Environmental Science at Bayer, South Asia, said: “At Bayer, we are committed to using science and innovation to improve people’s lives for the better. Aqua K-Othrine® is a novel product in the vector control segment to help mitigate the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. We will continue to invest significantly in the research for innovative solutions to improve public health and contribute towards Good Health and Well-Being for People[1].” The Environmental Science business of Bayer collaborates closely with both private and public players to protect communities and the spaces in which they live, work and play. Speaking about the launch of Bayer’s new innovation in vector control; Sam Easaw, Managing Director, Rentokil PCI, said: “Bayer has a long-standing partnership with Rentokil PCI in India and across the globe. The introduction of Aqua K-Othrine in India is very timely given the increasing trend of vector borne diseases in various parts of the country.” Aqua K-Othrine is pre-qualified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for use in vector control operations. This WHO assessment provides assurance of effectiveness and safety in use when used according to the label instructions. The product can be used in thermal fogging machines, ultra-low volume (ULV) sprayers and cold fogger machines against flying insect pests. One litre of Aqua K-Othrine is enough to provide coverage of 20 to 40 hectares. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11893/iavi-serum-institute-of-india-team-up-against-hiv.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11893/iavi-serum-institute-of-india-team-up-against-hiv.html Tue, 23 Oct 2018 11:00:00 +0530 The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) and Serum Institute of India, the world's largest vaccine manufacturer, have announced a strategic partnership to develop and manufacture affordable and accessible monoclonal antibody products for HIV and other global health challenges. "IAVI is committed to translating scientific innovation into public health solutions, and we are collaborating with Serum Institute to enable global access to broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (bNAbs) against HIV, if they are proven effective at preventing HIV infection. Through this partnership, we will work to pioneer a viable and sustainable pathway toward accessible, low-cost, antibody-based products for HIV, which if successful, may also be applied more broadly to innovative monoclonal antibody therapeutics targeting other disease areas," said Mark Feinberg, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO, IAVI. "We have a proven record of developing and delivering vaccines and pharmaceutical products globally, and we are already applying this expertise in the field of antibody development. I am extremely pleased that Serum Institute and IAVI have joined forces in the fight against HIV with the aim of making cost-effective monoclonal antibodies for HIV, and in the fields of antimicrobial resistance and anti-snake venom. Provided the breadth of our technology, I am confident that we will be able to make positive contributions in these important areas," said Adar Poonawalla, CEO, Serum Institute of India. "Monoclonal antibodies are providing significant therapeutic benefit in the treatment of a growing number of serious diseases. However, due to their high cost, the availability of current products is limited to wealthier countries. In light of the demonstrated efficacy of monoclonal antibodies and their future promise as globally relevant tools for disease treatment and prevention, this must change. Serum Institute is committed to developing high quality, affordable, monoclonal antibodies with the potential to treat and prevent HIV and other diseases in India and across the globe." IAVI and its partners are pursuing the development of optimized versions and combinations of some of the most promising bNAbs as a new HIV prevention approach. This includes working with scientific collaborators to rapidly select and optimize a combination of the most potent antibodies available. The partnership between IAVI and Serum Institute will focus on developing large-scale, low-cost manufacturing processes to produce these optimized antibodies, evaluate them in clinical trials, and, if effective, register and commercialize an antibody-based HIV prevention product globally. IAVI and Serum Institute will simultaneously define a pathway for sustainable access and delivery of these antibodies in developing countries, in collaboration with other stakeholders. The goal for this partnership is to be of broad benefit to the field and to enable the most promising antibodies to be developed in the most promising combinations to maximize chances of success. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11879/medtronic-partners-with-cardiac-society-of-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11879/medtronic-partners-with-cardiac-society-of-india.html Fri, 19 Oct 2018 13:10:00 +0530 Medtronic has declared a partnership between India Medtronic, its wholly owned subsidiary in India, and Cardiological Society of India (CSI) to drive awareness and training to perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), also simply known as a technique to revive heart and lungs, in public places. The training aims to increase awareness about managing the first few crucial minutes after someone has suffered a sudden cardiac arrest by performing CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) usage. The two organizations announced a partnership in Mumbai on ‘World Restart a Heart Day’. Omar Ishrak, chairman and chief executive officer of Medtronic and Dr Prafulla Kerkar, organizing secretary, CSI and head of the Department of Cardiology at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, signed the partnership document. Medtronic aims to conduct several such nationwide trainings and engage with more than 10,000 people in phase one, especially the ones who operate in public places and are typically the first point of contact for people suffering an out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest. During the training, attendees will be trained to spot a sudden cardiac arrest, provide hands-only CPR and revive the victim within minutes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11875/lupin-asha-and-npwh-to-analyze-bacterial-vaginosis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11875/lupin-asha-and-npwh-to-analyze-bacterial-vaginosis.html Wed, 17 Oct 2018 18:00:00 +0530 Lupin Pharma, the US wholly owned subsidiary of Lupin, dedicated to delivering high-quality medications trusted by healthcare providers and women across many treatment areas, has partnered with the American Sexual Health Association (ASHA) and the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH) to conduct a two-pronged national online survey among women who have been diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis (BV) and (HCPs) healthcare providers who treat women with the condition. Survey findings were presented at the 21st Annual NPWH Premier Women’s Healthcare Conference in San Antonio. Brooke Faught, nurse practitioner and clinical director of the Women’s Institute for Sexual Health (WISH) in Nashville, TN said,“The incidence of BV is staggering  we know that one in three women will get BV at some point in her life, yet the condition often goes undiagnosed.” He also said, “As providers, we believe that we’re sharing vital information about BV with our patients, yet these survey findings demonstrate the need to ensure that patients not only understand the symptoms, but the significant risks associated with this most common gynecologic infection.” BV can increase the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, trichomoniasis and HIV. Untreated BV can also increase the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which may affect fertility; it also can lead to pre-term birth and low birth weight. Yet less than half of women with BV (43 percent) report that they are aware that untreated BV can cause an increased risk of STDs, and even fewer (38 percent) are aware that it can lead to an increased risk of early labor or birth.The impact is notable – three quarters (76 percent) would have seen their HCP sooner if they were aware of the risks associated with untreated BV. Nick Hart, President, Specialty, Lupin Pharmaceuticals said,“Despite the fact that BV is the most common gynecologic infection, it often goes undiagnosed, so women don’t get the necessary treatment. Due to the risk factors associated with untreated BV, immediate diagnosis and treatment is of high importance,” He also said, “By presenting the survey data, we hope to shine a light on the gap between what HCPs believe they’re sharing with patients and the information that patients are actually taking away. If we can close that gap by encouraging a more productive dialogue, we can help shorten the path to diagnosis and treatment.” Most patients say their HCP discussed general information about BV, far fewer (34 percent) say they discussed the risks associated with BV if left untreated. Women’s health is a major focus area for Lupin Pharma, with the position strengthened through the acquisition of Symbiomix Therapeutics, a privately held company focused on bringing innovative therapies to market for gynecologic infections that can have serious health consequences. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11872/srl-diagnostics-intensifies-preventive-healthcare-with-new-campaign.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11872/srl-diagnostics-intensifies-preventive-healthcare-with-new-campaign.html Wed, 17 Oct 2018 14:50:00 +0530 SRL Diagnostics, India’s leading and most trusted diagnostic chain, has partnered with Get Active Expo, the three-day event that runs prior to the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon. This partnership is part of the 360 degree campaign rolled out by the company, over the last one year, to drive change in the mindset of people across the country towards living an active lifestyle and following preventive healthcare practices. The expo provides runners a platform to participate in a number of events and speak to experts to improve their training and performance. It also provides them access to some of the best equipment and preparation material. The Expo provides SRL the opportunity to be a part of the participating runners’ journey and support them with relevant and necessary health check-ups and expert doctor advice. The campaign is a first-of-its-kind in many ways, especially by a diagnostic chain in the healthcare sector. The company has appointed actress and fitness icon Shilpa Shetty as the brand ambassador for its preventive health care packages, branded ‘SRL Care’. The partnership with Get Active Expo is part of the on-ground activation of the overall 360 degree campaign that SRL has been running. The campaign also includes a creative film with brand ambassador Shilpa Shetty Kundra, radio commercial, digital and social media amplification. “Preventive care reduces the prevalence of disease and helps people live longer, healthier lives, while reducing the healthcare costs involved significantly. The advantages of running a marathon are immeasurable when it comes to living a fit and healthy life. From building endurance and stamina to even mental benefits of reducing stress and anxiety while gaining a sense of accomplishment. Running is an excellent means of conditioning the cardiovascular system. It also improves your immune system,” Arindam Haldar, CEO, SRL Diagnostics and marathoner. “As India sees an exponential increase in incidences of heart disease, diabetes and allergy based health issues, commonly referred to as Non-communicable diseases, the company felt the need to drive the active lifestyle and preventive healthcare narrative with a keen focus. Our strategic participation with the marathon and expo is a step in this direction,” Mr. Haldar added. “Let’s start making good health & wellness a priority for ourselves, our families and the nation. One needs to stay heathy to stay ahead.  Being the Market Leader in the space is a responsibility we take very seriously. A sustained 360 degree campaign allows us to keep on reinforcing the message across touch points. We will continue to drive the campaign across various platforms as we see it as a medium that will bring real change in the market and the country as a whole,” Vikram Ahluwalia, Director – Marketing, SRL Diagnostics said. The SRL Care packages are specifically designed to use the recommendation tool developed by SRL’s R&D team. The platform recommends a customised health-check plan to an individual consumer keeping in mind their age, gender, lifestyle, health history and life-stage etc. Consumers simply need to take an assessment on SRL’s mobile app or website, or they can just walk into any lab to get a customised preventive package that will be designed to suit their particular individual needs. With every such package, SRL Care consumers get a free health risk assessment report that outlines the risk factors that they are specifically likely to develop. The report will be given as an add-on benefit along with the regular diagnostics report. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11856/ins-banks-on-safe-infusion-practices.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11856/ins-banks-on-safe-infusion-practices.html Mon, 15 Oct 2018 17:10:00 +0530 Putting the focus on safe infusion practices, Infusion Nurses Society (INS) organised their 7th National conference-"SIT-UP" (Standardise Infusion Therapy – Upgrade Practices) recently. Held at St. John's Auditorium, the conference was a platform to throw light on the importance of adopting safe infusion practices to prevent nurses and patients from potential risks. The event witnessed the coming together of eminent industry experts, doctors and nurses from across India like Col. Binu Sharma (President, Infusion Nurses Society), Dr. Sunil Karanth (Chairman, Critical Care Unit and Infection Control, Manipal Hospital), Dr. Mustafa Afzal- Care Institute (Hyderabad), Davison P.K (CEO, Apollo Hospitals, Karnataka Region) and Pavan Mocherla (Managing Director, BD–India & South Asia) to name a few. Think Safety, Insert Safely: Recommendations for Improving Safety Practices with Short Peripheral Catheters, Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter complications, Guidelines on BSI prevention, Advances in Infusion Practices, Patient Safety and Infusion Management: Rethinking the Role of Filtration were some of the topics which were discussed. Nurses are the foundation of any healthcare setting and are critical to the delivery of quality care and improved patient outcomes. Unfortunately, they are prone to a host of infectious and non- infectious adverse events due to unsafe infusion practices and thus, it is essential to ensure a safe work environment which can reduce the risk of harm. Commenting on the same, Col. Binu Sharma, (President, Infusion Nurses Society, India) said, “Infusion Nurses Society is very proud to see the increasing awareness and implementation of Standard Infusion Practice among practicing nurses. We shall continue to focus on patient safety through continuous training and implementation of INS standards. Our collaboration with various training partners to upskill nurses shall remain the focus.” On this occasion, Pavan Mocherla, (Managing Director, BD India & South Asia) said, “Education and training are key factors for maintaining the safety of healthcare workers and we believe any improvements in clinical practices, combined with effective deployment and use of medical technology, can help to reduce risk to patients. We understand that the healthcare workers face numerous risks when carrying out their jobs, including accidental needlesticks and exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Our longstanding commitment to protecting healthcare workers is strengthened by collaborating with Infusion Nurses Society (INS) India that is at the forefront of standardising infusion therapy and upgrading practices.” Educating nurses pertaining to use of hazardous chemicals and drugs like chemotherapy, use of only one hand for recapping needles, using gloves post injury and conducting training programs to prevent such injuries are some of the steps which can be taken. Mary Jose, Organizing Chairperson, INS 2018 said, “As a leading professional organization for Infusion Nursing, the Infusion Nurses Society is the ultimate resource for the healthcare providers to expand their knowledge and expertise in infusion practices. The safety of healthcare workers contribute to patient outcomes. However, it is a sad fact that they are susceptible to potential hazards at the workplace which might hamper their ability to provide quality care. This then makes it necessary to train and educate them regarding the standards and protocols which can be adhered to for preventing risks. Patient safety is paramount for all healthcare institutions in the country and the role of nurses is key in achieving this. They are said to be the direct caregivers for patients and hence, play a major part in ensuring patient safety. Thus, emphasizing and ensuring the safety of the present and future nursing workforce is a significant factor for the future of the entire healthcare industry. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11849/niti-aayog-collaborates-with-microsoft-for-ai-cloud-based-solutions.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11849/niti-aayog-collaborates-with-microsoft-for-ai-cloud-based-solutions.html Sat, 13 Oct 2018 18:05:00 +0530 NITI Aayog and Microsoft India have announced an agreement to leverage the benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI). As part of the agreement, Microsoft India will support NITI Aayog by combining the cloud, AI, research and its vertical expertise for new initiatives and solutions across several core areas including agriculture, healthcare and the environment. Microsoft is likely to build AI- assisted models for diabetic retinopathy screening models to support early risk detection, risk assessment, and timely medical intervention. Microsoft plans to support NITI Aayog in preparing a blue print AI-led diabetic retinopathy screening programmes which the central and state governments can incorporate into their relevant health screening schemes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11846/medanta-launches-unique-therapeutic-approach-with-medanta-ayurvaid.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11846/medanta-launches-unique-therapeutic-approach-with-medanta-ayurvaid.html Fri, 12 Oct 2018 18:10:00 +0530 The Medicity in collaboration with AyurVAID Hospitals, has launched Medanta-AyurVAID. Developed on a unique approach which optimizes a fusion of modern medicine and ancient disciplines of therapy, Medanta AyurVAID is a revolutionary concept. India’s first NABH accredited Ayurveda hospital, AyurVAID is centered around precision Ayurveda that complements modern medicine. Announcing the launch of Medanta-AyurVAID, Dr. Naresh Trehan, Chairman and Managing Director, Medanta said, ‘’Medanta’s collaboration with AyurVAID Hospitals reinforces our practised belief in integrated medicine which draws from a variety of medical disciplines to craft unique, effective, customized therapeutic solutions. The synergistic approach ensures holistic treatment for effective root cause disease reversal and sustained wellbeing.” In addition to the existing range of Ayurveda led services including consultations, medicines, out-patient therapies and therapeutic yoga, Medanta-AyurVAID offers in-patient medical care for patients suffering from serious non-communicable and chronic diseases including diabetes and other lifestyle disorders, arthritis and other musculoskeletal disorders, neuro-degenerative disorders, respiratory disorders, gynecological disorders, paediatric developmental disorders etc. Integration with other specialties and co-managed care reinforces efficacy and quality of treatment. “AyurVAID’s protocols driven classical Ayurveda medical care enables appropriate integration of two mainstream clinical systems - modern medicine and Ayurveda. Our partnership with Medanta lays the foundation of a new paradigm in healthcare that is truly the best of both worlds for patients. We will demonstrate unique therapeutic value for the patients we serve through this partnership,” added Rajiv Vasudevan, MD & CEO, AyurVAID Hospitals. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11845/nimhans-adopts-dassaultsystmes-simulia-for-schizophrenia-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11845/nimhans-adopts-dassaultsystmes-simulia-for-schizophrenia-patients.html Fri, 12 Oct 2018 15:35:00 +0530 Dassault Systèmes has announced that National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), the apex center for mental health and neuroscience education in India, has deployed DassaultSystèmes’ SIMULIA applications to predict the efficacy of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), a non-invasive clinical treatment for schizophrenia patients, virtually before the clinical procedure. The announcement was made at DassaultSystèmes’ first ever local edition of its global event Science in the Age of Experience in India that aims to showcase the company’s simulation applications in transportation, aerospace and life sciences verticals. NIMHANS’s adoption of SIMULIA applications powered by the 3DEXPERIENCE platform is a first-of-its-kind deployment, where psychiatrists at NIMHANS will be able to leverage simulation technology to forecast challenges and outcomes of the treatment procedure for disorders such as schizophrenia. With SIMULIA applications, the team envisages the potential to develop a conceptual non-invasive method for Deep Brain Stimulation. Dr. G. Venkatasubramanian, MD PhD, Professor of Psychiatry, Head, Department of Clinical Neurosciences at NIMHANS, “Computational modelling and simulation technologies allow mathematical reconstruction of the impact of tDCS in the treatment of several neuropsychiatric disorders. With multiphysics simulation capabilities on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, under the WISER Neuromodulation Program at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, patient-specific finite element models of the brain are used to accurately estimate the likely impact of electrical stimulation for treating the symptoms of schizophrenia, which, in turn can facilitate personalized neuromodulation.” At the announcement, Samson Khaou, Managing Director, India, DassaultSystèmes said, “The biggest challenge faced today by the healthcare sector in India is the absence of a standard procedure to predict the effectiveness of a treatment for various chronic diseases. As the life sciences industry moves towards more ‘personalized healthcare’, custom-made simulations allow for more precise analyses and predictions of human body dynamics. With DassaultSystèmes’ SIMULIA and BIOVIA applications on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, we aim to bridge this gap by enabling our customersdevelope new and innovative methods for patients treatment.” Historically, simulation has not played as large a role in life sciences as it has in more traditional engineering industries like automotive or aerospace. In addition, the simulation of human systems and their interaction is considerably more difficult and less evolved than the simulation of metal components. Human tissue response is complex and not easily simulated with simplified models. SIMULIA applications contain a wide variety of materials, procedures and load types to simulate the human body, medical and surgical equipment, and the manner in which the equipment is used.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11844/netranjali-conducts-eye-check-ups-for-all-best-drivers.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11844/netranjali-conducts-eye-check-ups-for-all-best-drivers.html Fri, 12 Oct 2018 14:50:00 +0530 Project Netranjali, is an RPG Foundation eyecare initiative that has impacted over 5.5 lakh lives since its inception in 2014. It focuses on reducing preventable blindness by providing free eye check-ups, free spectacles and hospital referrals to those who need further eye care intervention. During the month of October 2018, to commemorate World Sight Day, Netranjali extends its support to 21 thousand BEST drivers across Mumbai through multiple eye camps. Ms. Radha Goenka, trustee, RPG Foundation opined “Strenuous driving for long hours predisposes this group to multitude of healthcare needs that are often unmet. This makes initiatives like Netranjali a necessary one.” Most of these drivers suffer from severe health problems like backaches, heart diseases and often neglect their eye health. Netranjali’s specialized camps organized at BEST depots would cater to the eye care needs of the drivers and conductors who are always on the move. Netranjali has been catering to at-risk groups such as Truck Drivers, School children, elderly and community at large and has distributed over 2 lakh spectacles till date. Netranjali garnered maximum impact through its comprehensive screening & referral model. Screening camps are conducted across cities like Jaipur, Nashik, Nagpur, Halol, Pune, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad & Chennai. Similarly, specialized camps are conducted for school children that address eye health related issues at early stage. In several large communities, a Vision Centre (Hub-and-spoke) model is set up to expand the outreach. Free spectacles are distributed to beneficiaries with uncorrected refractive errors and referrals given for hospitals in serious cases. Netranjali not only works in preventive eye care, but its ripple effect helps in preventing accidents; making the roads safer leading to saving lives and securing livelihoods. RPG Foundation is passionate about improving the quality of life of local communities and works by identifying critical need gaps, thus maximizing social impact. Some of the flagship programs spearheaded by the foundation include Swayam for women empowerment (skilling women as trained drivers and health care professionals), Pehlay Akshar for primary education (imparting functional English in schools), Netranjali for eye and vision care, and Jeevan for local community development as well as various skill training initiatives for the youth. RPG Enterprises, established in 1979, is one of India's fastest growing business groups with a turnover of Rs. 23000 Cr. The group has diverse business interests in the areas of Infrastructure, Tyres, Pharma, IT and Specialty as well as in emerging innovation-led technology businesses. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11839/early-detection-is-crucial-for-cancer-vice-president.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11839/early-detection-is-crucial-for-cancer-vice-president.html Fri, 12 Oct 2018 10:40:00 +0530 Recently, the Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu addressed the 43rd National Conference of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons of India with the theme “Innovate, inspire, integrate”, in Chennai. The Vice President said that India is the “oral cancer” capital of the world and it is among the top three cancers in India in terms of its incidence. This creates a responsibility for the oral and maxillofacial surgeons not only to treat this disease but also help in preventing the occurrence of oral cancer by increasing anti-tobacco awareness. Naidu urged the healthcare professionals to encourage people to go for early and regular medical checkups. Lack of early identification and diagnosis often leads to patients seeking care only in the terminal stages. Steps must be taken to reduce the cost of oral & maxillofacial surgery and make it affordable to common man, including those in rural areas.   Early detection is crucial for any disease, more so for cancer. Although preventive, curative and palliative care programmes have been initiated at national and regional levels, these measures seem to be too negligible for combating the spread of cancer. Unaffordable healthcare is a serious social handicap and Ayushman Bharat scheme would be a real boon to the poor and the needy, he added. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11837/india-remains-polio-free-vaccine-safe-unicef-who.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11837/india-remains-polio-free-vaccine-safe-unicef-who.html Fri, 12 Oct 2018 10:25:00 +0530 UNICEF and the WHO restated the status of India as a polio-free country in the backdrop of some oral polio vaccine vials being found contaminated with the type-2 polio virus. In a joint statement issued Thursday, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) said the risk of children getting vaccine derived polio virus was minimal in India because of high routine immunization coverage in the country. The two global agencies also asserted that all vaccines provided under the Universal Immunization Program (UIP) are safe and urged people to get their children vaccinated not only for their protection but also to keep Indian polio free. “Certified polio-free in March 2014, India continues to remain vigilant against all three types of polio viruses. The last polio case due to wild polio virus in the country was detected on 13 January 2011. In a statement, it is said that type 2 polio virus containing vaccine has been phased out globally, and in India, in April 2016, as a part of the polio endgame strategy. Like in other countries, bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV) has replaced the trivalent OPV (tOPV) in all polio campaigns and routine immunization in India. As advised by the India Expert Advisory Group, the country continues to conduct mass vaccination campaigns against polio, using bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV), to maintain high immunity. Referring to the recent incident in which type 2 polio vaccine virus was found in some sewage and stool samples, the organizations said that detection of the virus demonstrates a robust polio surveillance system jointly managed by the health ministry, the WHO and partners. A team of Indian Council of Medical Research, Drug Controller General of India and Ministry of Health investigated the matter. A few vials of bOPV, supplied by one manufacturer in India, were found to contain traces of Type 2 polio vaccine virus. The Ministry of health took immediate and decisive action withdrawing the vaccine supplied by this manufacturer from all states that it was supplied to. “Despite the risk of vaccine-derived polio being minimal, the immediate withdrawal of these vaccines demonstrates the commitment of the government to the health of children,” the statement stated. “In view of high routine immunization coverage being achieved in India under Universal Immunization Program (UIP), the risk of children getting vaccine-derived poliovirus is minimal,” the statement added.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11835/fortis-performs-complex-bilateral-knee-replacement-surgery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11835/fortis-performs-complex-bilateral-knee-replacement-surgery.html Thu, 11 Oct 2018 17:40:00 +0530 Computer Navigation Assisted Surgery is used to improve the positioning of implants during total knee surgery. It helps in improving the positioning, sizing and alignment of replacement knee joints, resulting in greater durability of joints and overall improvement in patient movement. The computer assists doctors in generating the real time images with the help of the appropriate software to precisely resurface and cut the bones of the knee and fix the implant precisely & accurately according to the pre-operative surgical plan. A 40-year-old patient suffering from immobility for the past two years successfully underwent Computer Navigation Assisted Total Knee Replacement (TKR) surgery at Fortis Hospitals, Bannerghatta road, Bangalore. The team of doctors was led by Dr Narayana Hulse, Additional Director, Orthopedics, Fortis Hospitals, Bangalore. For the last seven years, the patient was suffering from multiple joint rheumatoid arthritis, due to which she experienced severe joint pain. Her condition worsened in the last two years as she was unable to bend her knees, making her completely bedridden. A total knee replacement surgery is generally performed on the patient above the age of 60 years, however in this case the patient was too young to undergo surgery. Dr Narayana Hulse, Additional Director, Orthopedics, Fortis Hospitals, Bangalore, said, “We recommended the patient to undergo knee replacement surgery last year, however due to the fear and misconception associated with surgery she did not go ahead with the surgery then. As a result, her knee developed severe bends that made her immobile. The patient had developed flection deformity in both the knees, which made her completely bedridden. We used Computer Navigated Knee Replacement technique for this case, as it helped us place the knee in the most accurate position. It was difficult to perform surgery on this patient as her bones had become soft due to immobility and there were chances that it would break during the surgery. Considering this situation, we decided to perform staged operation on the patient. The surgery was conducted on the right knee followed by another surgery on the left knee in the interval of five days. We mobilized her knee condition gradually and progressively, then after 10 days post-surgery she was discharged. At present, the patient is able to walk independently without any support. We have recommended the patient to undergo physiotherapy and light exercises to increase the mobility her knees. “ “There is a lot of misunderstanding about Knee replacement surgery. We need to educate patient during their timely consultation with the doctor and plan an early surgery to avoid further complications and pain. “he added. The patient, Ms Gayathri Pathak, said, “I was bedridden for last two years and totally dependent on my husband for all the daily chores. He had to solely take care of the kids, house and myself all alone. Earlier, I was very reluctant to undergo the surgery as we did not have any family support who could come down and take care, but I had made up my mind to come out of my immobile condition. I am grateful to the doctor and staff at Fortis Hospitals for counselling us and treating us so well. I have not visited my parents in Lucknow since past 7 years due to the joint pain, but now due to the successful surgery, I would be able to do that soon.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11829/iuih-to-invest-rs-1600cr-for-medicity-in-uttarakhand.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11829/iuih-to-invest-rs-1600cr-for-medicity-in-uttarakhand.html Wed, 10 Oct 2018 21:05:00 +0530 One of the largest healthcare infrastructure projects in the world, Indo UK Institute of Health (IUIH), has signed up a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Uttarakhand for setting up an integrated IUIH Medicity in the state. This initiative is intended to deliver to the people of the state world-class NHS (National Health Service) standard healthcare that is available, affordable and accountable. IUIH shall enable Uttarakhand to emerge as a global hub for medical tourism, medical equipment and device manufacturing, pharmaceutical production; and cutting-edge medical research. According to Dr. Ajay Rajan Gupta, Managing Director and Group CEO, IUIH, the Medicity to come up in Uttarakhand will be developed with an investment outlay of Rs. 1600 crores. It will have a 1000 bed hospital in association with one of UK's leading NHS hospital. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11816/rangsons-healthcare-launches-mindful-tms-neurocare-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11816/rangsons-healthcare-launches-mindful-tms-neurocare-in-india.html Tue, 09 Oct 2018 19:20:00 +0530 Mindful TMS Neurocare, India’s first chain of super specialized neurocare centres for treating depression has been launched by Rangsons Healthcare, which is part of NR Group, the parent company of the popular agarbathi brand Cycle Pure Agarbathies. This will be the first of its kind centre to use US FDA-approved Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for treating Depression, Addiction and OCD in India. Pavan Ranga, MD of Rangsons, along with Dr. Murali Rao, MD, FACLP, Professor and Chairman Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences at Loyola University Chicago, USA, and Dr. Jateen Ukrani, Senior Psychiatrist, New Delhi were present at the event. Around the world, TMS has evolved has an effective non-drug based treatment option or an adjunct (add-on) treatment for depression with no side-effects. It has helped thousands of patients to overcome Depression, OCD and has shown effectiveness for addictive disorders, Parkinson’s disease, Post Stroke Depression and Depression during Pregnancy. It has also been effective for whom the antidepressants may have worked only partially. Recognizing its effectiveness, numerous health insurance companies cover TMS treatment in USA and around the world. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate targeted nerve cells and improves symptoms of depression and other listed conditions mentioned above. A typical TMS session lasts for about 19 minutes and the accelerated version lasts for about 9 minutes post which, the patients can resume their normal daily activity immediately. Pavan Ranga, MD, Rangsons and Managing Partner, NR Group, “Presently, Depression and Addiction are common ailments that plagues a large section of the population in India. I have experienced first hand the agony that families of depression patients go through. In India, there is also the challenge of a taboo associated with mental illness and lack of awareness that one may be suffering from the disease. As a result, most people suffering depression do not coming out and seek help. Our goal at  mindfulTMS nuerocare, is to create awareness about mental illnesses and to help patients who have or have not responded to medication. Our biggest strength is that we are global. We have access to globally tested protocols and practices to help increase the efficacy of the treatment. This treatment has helped over a million people in the US and now it is being brought to India. Our psychiatrists and psychologists are trained in global best practices and to understand the unique needs of patients and develop personalized treatment plans. Our clinicians will ensure that patients will feel at home in all our clinics.” Dr. Mural S. Rao, Professor and Chair, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, Loyola University Chicago, USA, “Depression afflicts a large number of adolescents, middle-aged groups and the elderly, both men and women in India, with an estimated prevalence of 56 million in India alone, as per recently published WHO report, affecting more in women than men. A large segment of depressed individuals who are in real need of treatment, are unable to get a holistic treatment and care, either because of non-availability, low awareness, prevailing stigma or discrimination of such patients. Though psychotherapy and anti-depressants are the first line of treatments available, the response and remission rates for antidepressants remain low in about 60% of depressed population, the so called treatment resistant (TRD). “For such patients, now there is a third option, now made available - a novel, advanced and evidence-based, effective and a non-invasive approach, directly affecting the disrupted neural circuitry in the brain, which could benefit thousands of patients who are now suffering silently”. “These circuitry based disruptions during depression and corrective changes following successful course of treatment are clearly demonstrated by advanced neuroimaging technologies” as explained by Dr Murali Rao, who has been practicing this modality of treatment since it was first approved by the FDA in USA in 2008. A state-of-the-art facility located at heart of the city, Greater Kailash II, will offer a distinguished treatment for psychological, psychiatric, and behavioural health and well-being. The team at the Centre includes Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist who have extensive experience in neuromodulation and neurostimulation. This makes the team well aligned to deliver Neurocare's model of sustainable, evidence-based treatments to our patients. Through MindfulTMS Neurocare, the company aims to bring more such revolutionary approaches and expertise to help many people in India who are looking for a unique and proven treatment for depression. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11815/hairline-international-launches-free-tele-dermatology-sessions.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11815/hairline-international-launches-free-tele-dermatology-sessions.html Tue, 09 Oct 2018 18:05:00 +0530 As a part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, Hairline International Hair & Skin Clinic has launched free tele-dermatology clinical consultation services for patients at Magadi General Hospital at Magadi. This has been done in association with the Health & Family Welfare Services, Government of Karnataka. Several people of Magadi and surrounding region have been suffering from hair and skin related ailments like hair loss, acne, pigmentation to more serious bacterial, fungal and viral skin and hair infections, eczema and allergies including alopecia, contact dermatitis, herpes, melasma, vitiligo and psoriasis. They did not have access to expert medical consultation, until now. Realizing this lacuna, Hairline International took it on themselves to set up a free tele-dermatology consultation service for the people of the region. This service and consultation room were inaugurated  by M V Savithri, IAS, Former Health Commissioner and Secretary Panchayathraj and Dr. Amarnath T, DHO, Ramanagar District. The inauguration was followed up with a live demonstration of a consultation through a tab which has been provided to the hospital for the service. Addressing the media, M V Savithri, IAS, Former Health Commissioner and Secretary Panchayathraj said, “This initiative by Hairline International allows for patients from rural areas to avail of expert consultations without having to wait for long hours in a hospital or for specialized doctors who make occasional visits. The ease of online evaluation and prescription gives people from the region specialized care and is a great example of the use of technology in dermatology and skincare.” Speaking on the launch, Bani Anand, Founder and Managing Director, Hairline International Hair and Skin Clinic says, “We at Hairline have always taken our corporate social responsibility initiatives very seriously. It is with this intention that we volunteered to tie up with the Health & Family Welfare Services of Government of Karnataka to provide this free service.” Elaborating on the service, Anand explains, “For three days of the week, doctors at the Magadi Hospital, at a specially allocated consultation room in the hospital, will be able to have their patients clinically evaluated for hair and skin ailments free of cost via a software that acts as an interface between the hospital doctor and the dermatologist at Hairline. Prescriptions will also be provided online. Hairline International will plug into the software that will serve as an interface from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays”. Speaking on what dermatology and trichology issues will be addressed via this online service, Dr. Dinesh Gowda, Senior dermatologist, Hairline International Hair and Skin Clinic says, “This interface technology allows an expert at Hairline International to clinically evaluate a patient for ailments of hair loss and skin, their intensity and offer a line of medication that is given through a prescription. It provides local doctors with the ability to provide their patients with expert care. Tele-dermatology may be used to diagnose acne and acne scars, pigmentary conditions, wrinkles, photo-aging, sagging skin, hirsutism, stretch marks and much more”. Dr. Premalatha V, Dermatologist, Hairline International Hairline International Hair and Skin Clinic, who performed the demo further elaborates on these consultations and explains, “Our dermatologists and trichologists will be available for consultation as well as providing prescriptions. The hospital’s software will have all the necessary online forms that will enable us to take a patient’s history, provide prescriptions and maintain a record of their consultation. The focus here is on clinical evaluation of the patient more than aesthetics. Should a further input be required by a higher authority, then the patient will be referred to a district hospital”. Currently the service is offered at one hospital and will soon go on to cover two more in the region. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11811/gleneagles-global-hospitals-bags-two-prestigious-accreditations.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11811/gleneagles-global-hospitals-bags-two-prestigious-accreditations.html Tue, 09 Oct 2018 16:55:00 +0530 Gleneagles Global Hospitals, a Parkway Pantai Enterprise, announced that it has been certified as a “CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR METABOLIC & BARIATRIC SURGERY” AND “CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR HERNIA SURGERY” by Surgical Review Corporation (SRC), USA. Gleneagles Global Hospitals is the only Hospital to be conferred with this recognition in both the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and is the second in South India. Gleneagles Global Hospitals is known for providing highest quality care for patients who undergo bariatric and hernia surgeries and in the last one year a total of 500 surgeries were performed, which is a testimony for its outstanding clinical excellence and patient-care. This award is a result of the efforts put in by Dr. K S Lakshmi, who has remarkably contributed to the field of Surgical Gastroenterology, Minimal Access & Bariatric Surgery, to Gleneagles Global Hospitals as well. The parameters that were judged by SRC (USA) to give these certifications to Gleneagles Global Hospitals were the Processes, Protocols, Clinical Pathways and Volume of work. Chairman of Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Dr. K Ravindranath said "Individuals affected by obesity usually try to lose weight by conventional means such as dieting, increasing exercise, commercial weight-loss programs, etc. but in the long term bariatric (weight-loss) surgery is the only effective treatment. It helps to improve or resolve more than 40 obesity-related diseases and conditions, including type-2 diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, sleep apnea, GERD, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and joint problems. Dr. K Ravindranath said that the same applies to management of Hernias. Even though Hernia Surgery is a very common Surgical procedure, the results vary from surgeon to surgeon and center to center. The best surgeon and center should have least recurrence rate (less than 1%) and infection rate. This has been successfully achieved at GLENEAGLES GLOBAL HOSPITALS. A key component to this treatment is the accreditation process, which is awarded by the Surgical Review Corporation (SRC), USA which administers, best-in-class Global standards for quality surgical care." Chairman of Gleneagles Global Hospitals further said "It is indeed an honour to be declared as a Centre of Excellence by SRC for Hernia surgery Metabolic & Bariatric surgery. This is in recognition of the values we strive for. At Gleneagles Global Hospitals, we believe in quality healthcare, which can be achieved only through pursuit of excellence, through Innovation, teamwork and a constant restlessness to surpass our own exacting standards. I congratulate Dr. Lakshmi for her success and greatly admire her drive and ambition to achieve perfection." Dr. Vijay Vemuri, Regional COO- Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Hyderabad remarked that "Gleneagles Global Hospitals is strongly focused on improving safety and quality of patient care, lowering the overall costs associated with successful treatment. It is a teamwork spearheaded by Dr. Lakshmi at Gleneagles Global Hospitals and her efforts are highly commendable." Dr. Lakshmi, who has performed more than 30,000 Minimal Access, 1500 plus Bariatric Procedures has an extensive experience of performing more than 5000 standard to complex Laparoscopic Hernia Repairs said, "Our job does not stop at the surgery level. Postoperative care, patient education, long-term follow-up and cooperation from support groups are very important part of the process, and ‘I’ greatly appreciate the cooperation from all my colleagues and staff members at Gleneagles Global Hospital." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11809/innovation-and-learning-centre-to-come-up-at-aiims.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11809/innovation-and-learning-centre-to-come-up-at-aiims.html Mon, 08 Oct 2018 18:20:00 +0530 A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Central Government, Haryana Government and the All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to set up an innovation and learning centre (ILC) at AIIMS, New Delhi. The main objective of this MoU is to provide technical support to the state for scaling up Comprehensive Primary Healthcare (CPHC) and to ensure quality services through Health and Wellness Centres (HWC). As many as 408 health facilities are planned to be upgraded into HWCs in 2018-19 by the state government. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11796/sandoz-hack-seeking-digital-solutions-to-local-healthcare-access-challenge.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11796/sandoz-hack-seeking-digital-solutions-to-local-healthcare-access-challenge.html Thu, 04 Oct 2018 13:40:00 +0530 Sandoz, the Novartis generics and biosimilars division has announced the launch of the second Sandoz Healthcare Access Challenge (HACk). The Sandoz HACk is a global competition that invites entrepreneurs and innovators in the field of digital technology to submit inspirational ideas with the potential to complement - or even positively disrupt - established approaches to driving access to healthcare. Sandoz HACk opens for entries on October 4 and closes on November 30, 2018. Universal access to healthcare is still arguably the largest unmet medical need and, while great strides continue to be made globally, access challenges vary hugely across geographies and communities. Therefore, a major step towards improving healthcare access globally is to identify and understand the specific needs of local communities. "There are still two billion people in this world not getting the medicines they need. This is why we are launching Sandoz HACk as we aim to inspire and embrace the brave and innovative thinking of entrepreneurs and visionaries to improve access to healthcare around the world", said Richard Francis, Division Head and CEO of Sandoz. Francis added: "Building on the inaugural Sandoz HACk, this year we are broadening the competition to anyone, anywhere, with an idea that uses digital technology to help address a local healthcare access challenge. By collaborating, we hope to create ambitious-yet-practical digital solutions that, with scale, could have a significant impact on people's lives." Digital innovation promises cost-effective and practical solutions with the power to transform access. Last year, Sandoz HACk focused on m-health (mobile health). This year's theme is 'Leveraging Digital Technologies to Solve Healthcare Access Challenges': encouraging ideas that can drive patient access or help healthcare providers to reach more people. Three shortlisted entrants, to be announced in January 2019, will receive support from Sandoz experts to develop their ideas and transform potential into real impact. Shortlisted three finalists will travel to the world's leading forward-focused gathering of creative minds, South by Southwest (SXSW; Austin, Texas) in March 2019, to explore, network and discover the latest innovative trends. Following in-person selection, one winner will be chosen and awarded seed funding and support from Sandoz, to help bring their idea to life. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11794/upcoming-scdm-conference-to-focus-on-big-data.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11794/upcoming-scdm-conference-to-focus-on-big-data.html Thu, 04 Oct 2018 12:10:00 +0530 The Society for Clinical Data Management (SCDM) is a non-profit, international organization of 2,200+ members, created to advance the discipline of Clinical Data Management and is the world’s leading advocate in the discipline. Beyond US, not only a significant component of its membership is from India, but a significant number of the CCDMs (Certified Clinical Data Managers) hail from India as well too. CCDM certification is a highly valued professional certification that demonstrates high level of proficiency in the CDM space. The society has been active in India since 2013 and has organized multiple events & conferences to bring the latest in Industry to Data Management professionals all over the country. SCDM will be hosting its 4th SCDM India Annual Conference in India at Hyderabad on 7th & 8th December 2018. The conference will be co-chaired by Praveen Dass, Country Head, VP of Data Management, Quanticate, Shankar Arun, VP & Board Member (Director), Covance Clinical Research Unit, Inc. and Appalla VenkataPrabhakar, Group Head, Clinical Database Delivery. The theme for this year’s conference has been identified as “Data Management to Data Science – DM 4.0 – Digitalization | Analytics | Statistics.” The theme is centered on the current conversation in the industry related to Big Data – Understanding how big data generated through digital technologies could be converted into actionable insights or intelligence to make informed decisions. This conference brings forth a diverse offering of thought provoking sessions like Case Studies of Effective & Efficient Monitoring of Data Quality using RBM, Data Management in the World of Virtual Trials, Descriptive, Predictive, Prescriptive Analytics & Visualizations for better decision-making - Case Studies, CDISC Standards in the Age of Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Data Science - Changing Healthcare Landscape, Data Lake - For Accelerating Data Analytics & Informed Business Decision. The invitation only leadership forum would comprise of presentations being delivered by Industry Experts on topics like Practical Applications of Block Chain, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Deep Learning in Clinical Research Landscape ;  How will evolving technologies change clinical data management & clinical trials in near future - Are we ready ; Understanding GDPR & its impact on Clinical Trials & Data Subject. Also in line with the rapid explosion happening on technology front & the way clinical research landscape is evolving, Dermot Kenny, Global Head of Data Operations, Novartis will present the keynote talk on ‘Disruptive Technology - Key to Pharmaceutical Innovation.’ Another key thought leadership presentation on ‘Virtual Trials & Remote Trials - What is the future of truly patient centric trials’ will be led by Greg Dearhammer, Sr.Vice President, Data Science, Safety & Regulatory Research, IQVIA. In the end, we have Industry Experts who would be presenting on QA & Data Integrity topics. This is a great opportunity for the CDM community to engage in peer-to-peer communication, learn and advance the CDM practice in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11793/take-solutions-supports-preventive-oncology-as-csr-initiative.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11793/take-solutions-supports-preventive-oncology-as-csr-initiative.html Thu, 04 Oct 2018 11:30:00 +0530 TAKE Solutions Ltd., a globally recognized domain intensive services provider in Life Sciences, recently announced its support for Preventive Oncology with Cancer Institute (WIA) in Chennai as part of its CSR initiative. This project is particularly important as this aligns with TAKE’s core expertise in Oncology and is fitting that it is being initiated in the Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Navitas Life Sciences, a TAKE Solutions Enterprise has supported over 650 oncology studies with some of the largest players in the therapeutic area. Cervical cancer and breast cancer are the most common cause of cancer deaths among women in India, but early detection and proper treatment can improve this prognosis and can make cancer curable. A study conducted by E&Y and FICCI has reported that in India, 2,000 women are newly diagnosed with cancer every day. 1,200 of these cases are detected in late stages, which reduces the 5-year survival rate by 3 to 17 times for breast and cervical cancer. This late detection also raises the cost of treatment by 1.5 to 2 times that for early-stage cancers. The major thrust in cancer control is early detection and prevention. Towards this, the Cancer Institute has a functional preventive oncology department set- up for early detection screening, education centres in Villupuram, Gummidipoondi, Pudukkottai and Thiruvannamaalai and a Cancer Exhibition and mammomobile for breast cancer screening. The department also functions as the training centre to train staff and coordinate the activities at the different centres. Through their efforts, the Cancer Institute has covered nearly 2,18,000 households across 260 villages in Tamil Nadu and enabled early detection screening for over 90,820 women and men. Srinivasan H R, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, TAKE Solutions Limited, said, “As part of our CSR initiative, we are delighted to support the Cancer Institute’s (WIA) Preventive Oncology unit, functioning in and around Chennai. Through its work, the department raises awareness in early detection, education and screening of the rural population in villages around Chennai. As a Life Sciences organization, TAKE’s business has an impact on human health. This initiative is particularly important to our organisation since Oncology is one of our primary therapeutic areas of focus.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11789/kj-somaiya-college-spreads-awareness-on-community-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11789/kj-somaiya-college-spreads-awareness-on-community-health.html Wed, 03 Oct 2018 15:30:00 +0530 One week drive on the Government of India theme 'Swachha Bharat – Swastha Bharat' was undertaken by the students and the staff members of the ‘Biochemistry Department’ of K. J. Somaiya College of Science and Commerce, under the community outreach program from 24th September 2018 to 29th September 2018. Six staff members and eighty undergraduate and postgraduate students of the Biochemistry Department of K. J. Somaiya College of Science and Commerce contributed in this campaign. The idea was conceptualised and the drive was initiated by Dr. Samidha M. Pawaskar, Head, Department of Biochemistry of K. J. Somaiya College of Science and Commerce. Being a Biochemist by Profession she thought of contributing to one of the most prominent theme of the Government of India “Swwachha Bharat, Swastha Bharat”. Dr. Samidha Pawaskar said, "By spreading the awareness about ‘Swwachhata - Community hygiene’ only, we can eventually attain ‘Swasthya - community Health’ for our citizens. And instead of expecting direct action, only from the government all the time, we can also shoulder our responsibilities whenever and whichever way possible and help our government, so that together we all can bring the required transformation in our society, which would ultimately be in the benefit of our nation. I hope our activity becomes inspirational for many other college and school children and staff members also, so that all the railway stations and other public places also can get covered. This way, we can prudently use some grants which our colleges get (under various schemes) from the government in the utmost benefit of our society’, she emphasized." "As stated by the father of our nation ‘Shri Mahatma Gandhiji’ – a clean body cannot reside in an unclean city. This enlightening thought of Gandhiji enthused Dr. Pawaskar to choose to undertake this social campaign of spreading the awareness among the masses with the help of her five staff members and eighty under graduate and post graduate students of Dept. of Biochemistry. The main aim behind taking up this social and educational event under “Swwachha Bharat, Swastha Bharat abhiyan” is “Motivating young minds to take up good activities and use their subject knowledge in the benefit of the society,” she further stated. "During Ganapati Festival, the incharge of Vidyavihar station, Mr. Ashok Nikam called me to ask if I can help him some way to spread such awareness at Vidyavihar station and we grabbed this opportunity to reach to the society and serving our nation in a small way that I thought I could, by increasing the alertness about cleanliness, community health, controlling pollution, railway safety, helping senior citizens, etc. which is the need of the hour. However, my thought was made a reality only due to a very very strong support from my staff members and all my students, who worked dedicatedly on my guidelines," Dr. Pawaskar added. She also thanked Vidyavihar station Incharge Mr. Nikam and his staff for their help in the said drive and a very positive and appreciating response that we have received from the society. The students painted various health and cleanliness related pictures and messages on the Vidyavihar railway station. Many passers gave very positive comments, appreciating the move and also seemed to be motivated by the messages painted by the students. A street play regarding spreading the message for ‘Swachha Bharat – Swasthya Bharat Abhiyan’ was also scripted and performed by the students on the Vidyavihar railway station to imbibe the message amongst all the students and the society. The aim of the campaign was to educate people to promote cleanliness and hygiene in the public places, which is the key to overall healthiness and the only way to bring happiness for everyone. The campaign was funded by Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, under STAR College Scheme. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11776/focus-on-taking-care-of-heart-health-on-this-world-heart-day.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11776/focus-on-taking-care-of-heart-health-on-this-world-heart-day.html Mon, 01 Oct 2018 11:15:00 +0530 The theme behind The World Heart Day was to tell people around the world to make a promise, "for my heart, for your heart, for all our hearts”, a promise as an individual to cook and eat more healthily, to do more exercise and encourage youngsters to be more active, to say no to smoking. Speaking on the occasion Dr Sai Sudhakar, Director Cath Lab, Chief Interventional Cardiologist, and Chief Cardiac Transplant Physician, at Gleneagles Global Hospitals said, "Last year in 2017 people were asked to power their hearts and inspire millions of people around the world to be heart healthy. If you have not done anything last year, here is a chance, a reminder and insistence from me and all the doctors to give a chance to Your Heart. World Heart Day is created to inform people around the globe that heart disease and stroke are the world's leading cause of death. Together, we can help people live longer, better and lead heart-healthy lives. I want to tell all the people that the heart diseases can attack any time and it is absolutely in our hands to prevent the heart diseases.” Dr Sai Sudhakar further added, “While rice is known as a staple food of south Indians and wheat of north Indians, it is not a reason for Heart diseases. Actually there is no connection between eating rice and heart diseases. It depends on how much exercise one does and the lifestyle of the person. Lack of exercise and poor eating habits are supposed to be the reasons for Heart Diseases and not eating rice or wheat.” He further added that “Smoking is another big factor because all those aged 40 and less and have died of cardiac diseases, it is noticed that around 80 % were smokers. Smoking is the single preventable cause of cardiovascular diseases. Sedentary lifestyle, obesity and cholesterol are other factors.”  Founded in 2000, World Heart Day is an initiative of the World Heart Federation. It is the world’s biggest platform for raising awareness about CVD, including heart disease and stroke. World Heart Day takes place on 29 September every year and is a chance for people across the globe to take part in the world's biggest intervention against cardiovascular disease (CVD). On and around 29 September, thousands  of activities and events are organized around the world to spread the word about how people  can combat premature mortality caused by CVD, which has been proved to be  the world’s number one killer. The data released by Census of India on causes of medically certified deaths in the country points out that the number of deaths due to heart diseases is higher in south Indian states as compared to north. While Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka recorded 57.1, 32.5, 48.8, 28.8 and 29.6 per cent respectively, it stands at 24.2 per cent in Punjab, 13.2 per cent in Chandigarh, 25.5 per cent in Himachal Pradesh, 14 per cent in New Delhi, 16.5 per cent in Uttar Pradesh, 22.7 per cent in Bihar, and 19.4 per cent in Gujarat. A cardiovascular risk study done for the entire country, by researchers of Harvard University, revealed that the people of Telangana and Andhra have a risk of high cardio vascular diseases.  However among the other South Indian States, cardiovascular disease was lowest in Telangana. The study found that after the North Eastern States, Haryana, west Bengal and Himachal Pradesh, Telangana has the highest smoking prevalence among men with 34.7 % taking to smoking that increased the risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, Telangana does show a considerably high number of people dying due to heart diseases in the country, according to data on causes of death released by the census of India. The data pertaining to 2014 says that 57.1 per cent of all medically certified deaths in Telangana happened due to ‘diseases of circulatory system’, which is also the cause for most of the deaths in the country (31.6 per cent). Among the 33,140 medically certified deaths reported to the Registrar General of India in 2014 by Telangana state, 18,912 were due to heart diseases. These included 12,028 men and 6,884 women. People in the age group 55-64 seem to be most vulnerable to being victim of heart diseases with 3,545 deaths reported in this age group, followed by 3,517 in 45-54 group. Among children, too, a heart disease is a serious concern that has hit 1,812 children aged 1-4 year. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11772/make-in-india-can-pave-way-for-successfully-implementing-ayushman-bharat-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11772/make-in-india-can-pave-way-for-successfully-implementing-ayushman-bharat-.html Mon, 01 Oct 2018 10:35:00 +0530 The recently concluded 11th Medtech Conference of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) brought together industry stalwarts and officials from the government machinery to deliberate on the past achievements and way forward for the medtech industry and its impact on the evolving healthcare scenario in India. Delivering the keynote address, Suresh Vazirani, Chairman & Managing Director, Transasia Bio-Medicals Ltd. turned the spotlight on the recently launched, ‘Ayushman Bharat Yojna’. Terming this Universal Healthcare Scheme as a historical landmark for mankind, he said, “The Ayushman Bharat scheme is a well-timed recognition for the health of its people. The government and industry need to now join hands to ensure that it is truly beneficial to the targeted 500 mn population.” In a country where 80% of the medical devices are imported, providing affordable healthcare poses a big challenge. “To ensure healthcare at an annual rate of Rs. 1200 for a family of five, we cannot depend on importing medical devices from developed countries where the average labour cost is Rs. 1200 per hour. That’s the lacuna we need to address,” emphasized Mr. Vazirani. Sharing his perspective on the way forward, he further stated, “True patient care begins with accurate diagnosis. Currently we need to overcome the roadblocks of quality, affordability and reach. As a country we need to focus on ‘Make in India’ to bridge this gap. Certain policies such as inverted duty structure need to be revisited, in order to ensure the successful implementation of the ‘Make in India’ concept and the Ayushman Bharat scheme at large.” He cited China as an example of a country that used to rely heavily on imports, but with favourable policies they have now turned the tables; ensuring 80% indigenous manufacturing. “The world has its eyes set on the success of the Ayushman Bharat scheme. And I am positive that if in the next five years, we can Make in India, our medical devices, we will be in a position to drive this scheme to 4 billion people worldwide. That is the power of Make in India,” he added. As per available government data, for every 10,000 patients, there are only 7 doctors, 17 nurses/midwives, 1 dentist and 5 pharmaceutical personnel available. These numbers are far lower than the WHO benchmark of 2.5 doctors and nurses per 1000 people, which reflects the grim reality of Indian healthcare system. Experts believe that this poses a bigger threat to current establishment. However, the real challenge is unavailability of skilled manpower in the healthcare realm and underutilization of current resources is also creating havoc to the already existing talent crunch. Ashish Jain, CEO, Healthcare Sector Skill Council, said “The Skill gap in the healthcare sector is well known. HSSC is working towards bridging this gap with active collaboration with industry. HSSC would invite medical device sector to work closely with HSSC so that Human Resource could be developed not only for India but for the world realising the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India; to make India Skill capital of the world.” Although government plans to open more medical colleges to improve the projected shortfall of resources, but experts believe that complexity of situation calls for more concrete steps beyond primary health level. Also, there is a misinformation that scarcity of skilled personnel is mainly in rural India and not in urban areas which is not entirely correct. “With the government’s prioritisation in healthcare, we are hopeful about the future ahead. Studies show that India could possibly be the largest supplier of healthcare workforce to the world. With such a demand, it is an opportunity for BD as a part of the industry to strengthen the capabilities of existing and future healthcare professionals”, says Pavan Mocherla, Managing Director, BD India & South Asia. The significant knowledge gap in the healthcare workers can ultimately compromise the quality of care provided by them, therefore, training and teaching them about management and prevention of diverse disease burden in India can help achieve the health goals to an extent. Well trained and well organised health professionals will play a substantial role in effective care management.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11766/dmu-to-lead-new-mental-health-project-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11766/dmu-to-lead-new-mental-health-project-in-india.html Fri, 28 Sep 2018 16:35:00 +0530 De Montfort University Leicester (DMU), UK is leading a significant international project to increase the mental health literacy of millions of people in India. Raghu Raghavan, Professor of Mental Health at DMU, will lead a team of researchers from DMU as well as partners from Loughborough University, University College London (UCL), Middlesex University, Tata Institute of Social Sciences and India’s National Institute of Mental health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in India. Working with mental health users and their families, this project will gather real experiences relating to the level of awareness of mental illness in both urban and rural communities in the state of Kerala in Southern India. Researchers will then work with theatre experts in India and the UK to develop an interactive theatre production that will be used to inform local people about mental health literacy. The project also aims to raise wider awareness of mental health issues in Kerala, India and beyond by working with Indian television stations, newspapers and social media so that more people are able to recognise the signs of mental ill-health and seek appropriate help and support. The work will focus on four districts of Kerala which have a total population of 16 million. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11761/apollo-munich-launches-cancer-insurance-plan.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11761/apollo-munich-launches-cancer-insurance-plan.html Thu, 27 Sep 2018 13:05:00 +0530 Reaffirming its commitment in Making India health confident, Apollo Munich Health insurance has introduced a comprehensive cancer plan, aptly-named iCan. It is a lifelong coverage plan and comes with an annual renewal policy year after year, even after claim. The plan not only covers the basic medical needs, but also provide complete financial security to the patient as well as the family at all stages of cancer. This distinctive and innovative cancer plan covers all forms of cancer, at both early and advanced stages. Apart from the standard plan that covers conventional treatment like Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy and organ transplant, this policy also gives an optional benefit of getting advance treatments like Proton beam therapy, Hormonal therapy, Stem cell transplantation, Immunotherapy. The plan comes with features such as CritiCare and FamilyCare wherein the policy holder gets 60% of sum insured as the lumpsum payment on diagnosis of cancer and 100% on diagnosis of advanced stages or recurrence of cancer, which is in addition to the hospitalization cost. It also offers lifelong renewal that covers the policyholder regardless of the health status or claims of policy holder. Speaking on this announcement, Mr. Antony Jacob, Chief Executive Officer, Apollo Munich Health Insurance said, “With the changing lifestyle, we have been witnessing an increase in number of people getting diagnosed with cancer. Every year over 7 lakh Indians are registered as cancer patients and today the estimated number of Indians living with cancer is around 2.5 million. It is perhaps for figures such as these that thought-through cancer policies are the need of the hour.” “We have conceptualized this plan keeping in mind three aspects – i) The economic burden of cancer negatively impacting families' ability to manage their cost of living with high treatment costs pushing them further into poverty, ii) The cost of advance treatments, if the person reaches advanced stage, iii) cancer treatment is often long and expensive. With the launch of iCan, we have introduced customer centric features like support for family, pre and post hospitalization including lifelong renewal among several others. It is a “future ready” product which covers advanced treatments while also offering second opinion by using sophisticated cognitive systems like using IBM Watson for Oncology to enable people make more informed treatment decisions. We look forward to serve our customers with improved products and we are confident that iCan will bring positive change in the communities at large through this distinctive offering,” he added. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11759/sbi-apollo-hospitals-launch-apollo-sbi-card.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11759/sbi-apollo-hospitals-launch-apollo-sbi-card.html Thu, 27 Sep 2018 11:10:00 +0530 SBI Card, the country`s second largest credit card issuer, and Apollo Hospitals Group, India`s leading integrated healthcare services provider announced their partnership to launch the Apollo SBI Card – a first of its kind co-branded credit card in the healthcare segment. Designed to meet the complete healthcare needs of the family, the Apollo SBI Card is a pioneering product that offers an unmatched value proposition to consumers in the health and wellness space. The Apollo SBI card is a first of its kind card that offers exclusive benefits and exceptional value to the wellness conscious consumer on all healthcare spends. Through this partnership, card holders will be able to access services from the extensive Apollo Healthcare ecosystem, which includes the Apollo Hospitals, Apollo Clinics, Apollo Pharmacy, Apollo Diagnostics, Apollo Cradle, Apollo Sugar, Apollo White Dental, Apollo Spectra, Apollo Life Studio, Apollo Telehealth Services (ATHS) and Apollo Homecare. The Apollo SBI Card will comprehensively cover all the health and wellness needs of family members at different stages of the healthcare journey. Apollo SBI cardholders receive complimentary OneApollo membership through which they can enjoy exclusive discounts and savings of upto 10% on health check-ups, diagnostic services, pharmacy products, physiotherapy etc. Through this membership cardholders can avail complimentary services such as consultations, dental screening, home sample collection, counselling with diabetic educator and dedicated relationship manager at Apollo Cradle etc. Cardholders can avail savings and benefits of up to Rs 40,000 through the OneApollo membership. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11756/rxdx-identifies-womens-health-as-priority.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11756/rxdx-identifies-womens-health-as-priority.html Wed, 26 Sep 2018 17:10:00 +0530 The new multispecialty RXDX centre in Malleswaram, Bengaluru will provide a range of comprehensive healthcare services with a focus on geriatric and women’s primary health. The new facility was inaugurated by Dr Ashwath Narayan, MLA (Malleswaram constituency), in the presence of Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid. Stating that RXDX was not a hospital driven by inpatients, but a neighbourhood community clinic with a caring soul, Dr Vijeeta Dravid, Partner at the new RXDX facility said: “We will provide a one-stop healthcare solution for outpatients. Our approach differs from a typical hospital chain – our focus remains on the patient and primary care in particular.” Dr Sunita Maheshwari, Co-Founder RXDX multispecialty clinics, said “RXDX clinics aim to bring back the Family doctor and is a GP (general physician)-led model that will be supported by diagnostics, physiotherapy, pharmacy and specialists as needed. Primary care especially in eldercare and women’s health are some of the most important healthcare areas but are often ignored, which is why we have decided to focus on these areas in particular”. In addition to elder care and a women’s, offerings at RXDX Malleswaram, which is the fifth RXDX facility in Bengaluru city, will also include primary care, health check-ups, a foot and sports clinic and home healthcare services. Fitness services include a gym, pool and a dedicated hydrotherapy centre.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11747/aiims-inks-pact-for-rural-health-services.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11747/aiims-inks-pact-for-rural-health-services.html Wed, 26 Sep 2018 11:15:00 +0530 All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Raipur and Health Department, Government of Chhattisgarh have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for establishment of Rural Health Training Centre (RHTC) recently in presence of State Health Minister Ajay Chandrakar at Raipur based Multi-Super speciality DKS hospital conference hall. The main aim of RHTC is to provide Medical Officers, Paramedical and MBBS students training at the centre. The centre would be also strengthening the community based research works on health issues. At present the community health centre Kurud building, employees’ residence and present run institution would be utilised for the services for which permission would be granted. The land would be provided on lease till the MoU period. The central government fund would be used for establishing the centre and providing graduate and PG level hostel facilities for the trainees. The administrative control and allocated land would be under AIIMS. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11746/india-158th-in-healthcare-among-195-countries-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11746/india-158th-in-healthcare-among-195-countries-study.html Tue, 25 Sep 2018 16:25:00 +0530 A first-ever scientific study published by Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation based in Seattle has said that India ranks 158th out of the 195 countries for its investments in education and health care as measurements of its commitment to economic growth. India is placed just behind Sudan (ranked 157) and ahead of Namibia (ranked 159). The United States ranked 27th, while China placed at 44th and Pakistan 164th position in an international ranking based on human capital. Human capital is a measure of the education and health levels in a population, expressed as the number of expected years lived between the age of 20 and 64. It is considered an important determinant of economic growth. By taking into account life expectancy, functional health, years of schooling and education quality, the quality of labour generated within a country can be estimated, compared with other nations and areas for increased investment focus identified. “Our findings show the association between investments in education and health and improved human capital and GDP (gross domestic product) which policymakers ignore at their own peril,” said Christopher Murray, director of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington. “As the world economy grows increasingly dependent on digital technology, from agriculture to manufacturing to the service industry, human capital grows increasingly important for stimulating local and national economies.” "It is the sum total of a population's health, skills, knowledge, experience, and habits," says the World Bank president Jim Yong Kim. The World Bank had last year requested IHME to develop a measure of human capital, that would help enable global comparisons over time and equip governments with the insights into where critical health and education investments are needed. The study is published in The Lancet. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11739/dr-partap-chauhan-addresses-the-lithuanian-parliament-on-preventive-healthcare-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11739/dr-partap-chauhan-addresses-the-lithuanian-parliament-on-preventive-healthcare-.html Mon, 24 Sep 2018 15:30:00 +0530 Dr Partap Chauhan, Director, Jiva Ayurveda was recently invited to address members of the Parliament of Lithuania, heads of Central Health Commission and various health committees during his educational tour of France, Poland and Lithuania. In his address, Dr Chauhan discussed the scope and potential of Ayurveda in nation building through preventive healthcare. He spoke on how following the principles of Ayurveda can prevent diseases and have a direct impact on reducing health care costs, increase manpower utilization and contribute in propelling the nation forward. Chronic and lifestyle diseases, such as Diabetes, Stress, Obesity and Heart disorders have become a major concern for both developing as well as developed nations around the world, and Ayurveda is the solution the world needs.  Dr Chauhan also informed the distinguished guests on the work done by Jiva Ayurveda in the fields of precision medicine and preventive healthcare over the last 25 years, and invited them to visit India to see Ayurveda in action. He also interacted with the members of the press after the address. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11735/ssnmc-launches-brains-neurosciences-center-of-excellence.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11735/ssnmc-launches-brains-neurosciences-center-of-excellence.html Mon, 24 Sep 2018 12:35:00 +0530 On the ocassion of World Alzheimers’ Day 2018, BR Life SSNMC Super Speciality Hospital, Bengaluru, launches the SSNMC-BRAINS Neurosciences centre of Excellence (CoE) at its superspecialty hospital located in Ideal Homes Layout, Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Bengaluru. The SSNMC BRAINS Neurosciences CoE is a joint collaboration between BR Life SSNMC Hospital and BRAINS Neuro Spine centre, founded by Dr BC Roy Awardee and one of India’s foremost Neurosurgeon, Dr Venkataramana NK, which has led to the launch of the state-of-the-art centre of Excellence. The centre is managed by a highly trained and specialized team of Neurosciences Specialists (Doctors, Nurses, Technicians and Paramedics) and offers a most modern, integrated and comprehensive diagnostics, treatment, rehabilitation services in the field of Neurosciences specifically targetted to brain and spine related problems.  The SSNMC BRAINS Neurosciences CoE aims to provide specialized and targetted services via introducing specialty clinics within its ambit like Stroke centre, Headache Clinic, Dementia Clinic, Epilepsy Clinic, Parkinson’s Clinic, Alzheimer’s Clinic and a state of the art modern fully equipped Neurotrauma centre providing 24x7 services for any RTA (Road Traffic Accidents), Trauma and Head Injury etc. In India alone, over 30 lakhs people are suffering from Alzheimer's and with the increase in sedentary lifestyle the number of patient suffering from Alzimers’s is morelikely to double by 2030. In the last couple of years Alzheimer's in youngsters has become a rising alarm as it is now also seen in people between the age group of 30 - 50 years which constitutes about 20% of the people suffering from Alzheimer's. Smoking, alcohol consumption, drug abuse, high BP, heart ailments, diabetes among others also lead to the development of Alzheimer's. Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease which destroys memory and other vital mental functions.  The condition occurs when brain cells degenerate and die which results in loss of memory and ability to perform other congnitive functions. On the occasion of World Alzheimer’s Day, SSNMC BRAINS NEUROSCIENCES CoE is also introducing a unique, first of its kind, BRAIN WELLNESS CLINIC at its RR Nagar Bengaluru centre of Excellence. The BRAIN WELLNESS CLINIC, is the brainchild of Dr Venkataramana NK, wherein issues pertaining to modern day psychological stress and strain due to high pressure corporate work cultures leading to anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, snoring and sleep apnoea further coupled with obesity, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, metabolic disorders will be very effectively and efficiently managed in a most holistic and comprehensive manner by a variety of methods including lifestyle assessment, neuropsychological assessment and other associated risk factor analysis.     Speaking on the occasion of World Alzheimer’s Day, Dr Venkataramana NK says “The loss of ones memories and capability to perform routine functions is devastating.  Early diagnosis, prevention of the condition and identification of treatable dementias as a therapy goal  can help provide effective treatment and improve the living conditions of the patient. The aim of SSNMC-Brains Neurosicience centre of Excellence is to provide individualistic and holistic treatment to each person walking in through our doors.” Speaking on the SSNMC BRAINS CoE initiative, Colonel Hemraj Singh Parmar, Group CEO, BR Life, said “The SSNMC-Brains Neuroscience centre for Excellence aims to provide service to people from all walks of life. With the increasing levels of stress, pollution, sedentry lifestyle etc. a steady rise among younger patients with nervous system related ailments is noticable. Our chairman, Dr BR Shetty  hope to help these individuals through our medical excellence and usage of innovative technologes for a well rounded holistic yet customized to individual treatment” “Today dementia is becoming one of the most common old-age problems. India houses the second largest number of individuals suffering from dementia. Problems such as blood pressure, heart ailments, diabetes, smoking among others result in slowing of the brain functions in most of the patients. Even though a lot of campaigns talks about dementia, the stigma still remains. Lack of awareness and delay in recognising the issue are the big factors” said, Dr. Ajoy Raj Malpe, Group Medical Director, BR Life.  The SSNMC-Brains Neuroscience centre of Excellence will provide diagnostic, consultation, minimally invasive surgical procedures along with preventive and rehabilitation facilities.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11729/dmdsc-celebrates-victory-over-diabetes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11729/dmdsc-celebrates-victory-over-diabetes.html Fri, 21 Sep 2018 16:15:00 +0530 In an effort to encourage and celebrate Indian nonagenarians with diabetes, Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre (DMDSC) recently instituted a first-of-its kind “Victory over Diabetes Award”.  Having traversed through decades of healthy life with diabetes, the awards laid a platform to recognize and reward over 20 extraordinary individuals who have lived over 90 years and enjoyed a long and healthy life, despite diabetes. The award function also witnessed special recognitions for two well-known Nonagenarians, Prof Dr. S. V. Chittibabu, Former Vice Chairman, T.N. State Council for Higher Education and Mr. P. Sabhanyagam, Former Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, who have stood testimony for leading happy and healthy life with diabetes, by maintaining a balanced lifestyle. With the elderly population of India steadily growing, the award function through the eyes of these nonagenarians helped showcase the importance of an active lifestyle fueled by balanced diet, regular exercise, regular check-ups and timely medications. The power-packed stories and anecdotes by these extraordinary individuals besides challenging mindsets of life after one develops diabetes, also brought to light the importance of overcoming the myth that diabetes shortens one’s lifespan. “It was a moment of complete satisfaction to us when we realized that we at Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre (DMDSC) have been helping many such individuals to lead a happy and healthy lifestyle with diabetes and live their full span of life without any complications of diabetes” said, Dr. V Mohan, Chairman – Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre, India’s foremost Centre of Excellence in Diabetes Care. Adding to this, he said, “What makes us even happier is the fact that these extraordinary individuals will surely inspire many people in India (and probably in the world), as there was never an occasion that showcased such inspiring stories of nonagenarians with diabetes. I am sure that this will boost the confidence level among people with diabetes across all age group and geographies.” Dr. Anjana, Managing Director, DMDSC adds “Traditionally it is taught that every year of diabetes adds one year to one’s biological age. This means that if one is chronologically 70 years old and has diabetes for 20 years, one’s biological age is 90 years (i-e) 70 years plus 20 years. That is one’s arteries and organs are 90 years old.” Dr. V. Mohan adds, “Today we have disproved this myth. Here are people who are 95 plus years old and some had over 55 years of diabetes. This means that their biological age is 150 years if we use the traditional formula!” Dr. V. Mohan further says “The simple mantras for longevity’ in people with diabetes is to eat healthy, exercise regularly, have a diabetes check up every 3-4 months, take medicines regularly and reduce stress by yoga or pranayama. Then, living to a 100 years will become a possibility for people with diabetes.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11717/live-a-better-life-after-cancer-treatment-cytecare-hospitals.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11717/live-a-better-life-after-cancer-treatment-cytecare-hospitals.html Thu, 20 Sep 2018 16:25:00 +0530 Cytecare cancer hospital recently launched an initiative called “Saahasa” for the cancer survivors to celebrate and recreate their life after Cancer treatment. This is an initiative to bring zeal among the survivors to live their life to the fullest. Dr.Ferzaan Engineer Co-founder & Chairman and Suresh Ramu, CEO and Co-Founder, Cytecare Cancer Hospital inaugurated the program. The event witnessed good participation of cancer survivors, patients, and doctors. Girish Gowda, National Kickboxing Campaign and Shirley, an artist were also part of the event. The program had a detailed talk session on ‘Life after Cancer Treatment’ by Dr. Anthony Pais, Senior Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgery, Cytecare.  Dr. Pais explained the importance of life after treatment.  Many patients lose confidence after treatment and they get lost in the trauma of recovering. People need to be aware and take conscious efforts to maintain their physical and mental health.  Survivors are the real heroes. They fought within to conquer the disease. They are the best brand ambassadors for building hope among the cancer patients. Speaking at the inauguration Suresh Ramu  CEO and Co-founder, Cytecare said, “We are glad to announce “Saahasa” an initiative to unite the survivors under one roof. This community of survivors brings a beacon of hope to other patients who are battling for life.  We are happy to see survivors enlightening other patients by sharing their journey. The need of the hour is to spread positivity that there is life after cancer treatment.  It is possible to live a fruitful life after treatment” As part of the program, Girish Gowda,  National Kickboxing Champion was demonstrating a training session for the patients and survivors on self-defense. It gives immense confidence to the people to face the world with courage and happiness. Winning the fight within helps to bring back the positivity. Shirley, an artist conducted, “Beauty and Wellness session” for the patients and survivors.  We are now helping patients to feel their inner beauty and stay positive. It is an important day to celebrate their win against the disease and spread the message  ‘after treatment there is new life to live’. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11715/who-commends-india-for-reduction-in-child-deaths.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11715/who-commends-india-for-reduction-in-child-deaths.html Thu, 20 Sep 2018 15:00:00 +0530 WHO commends India for its concerted efforts to reduce child deaths, which have resulted in under-five mortality estimates to have fallen below the one million mark.As outlined in a report released by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation, India’s share of global child deaths has been reduced from 22% in 2012 to 18% in 2017 ­– a rate that outpaces the global decline.India’s remarkable achievement was made possible via a series of initiatives the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has taken in recent years, including to vaccinate each and every child with life-saving vaccines under Mission Indradhanush and to expand the reach of diarrhea and pneumonia management across the country, with a focus on vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations.Given recent reductions, the global percentage of under-five deaths that occur in India is commensurate with the percentage of global births the country accounts for (18%), and represents a dramatic breakthrough for India, the WHO South-East Asia Region and the world.  Notably, India’s gender gap in child survival is now almost four times less than what it was five years ago, reflecting substantial advances in gender equity that the country can continue to build on, precisely as it has built on its successes in a range of other areas.As India’s progress continues – including by concentrating on reducing neonatal deaths, which now account for 62% of under-five deaths – there is immense potential to go beyond ensuring children simply survive but can also thrive and enjoy their right to the highest attainable standard of health and wellbeing.As outlined in the Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health, among other priorities that means ensuring access to adequate nutrition and early childhood development services, at the same time as continuing to increase vaccination coverage for all. Ending preventable newborn and child deaths has been one of the WHO South-East Asia Region’s Flagship Priorities since 2014.WHO is committed to supporting India and the Region consolidate the significant gains made in recent years, to accelerate further progress, and to ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11711/use-of-herbals-naturals-increasing-in-global-health-markets-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11711/use-of-herbals-naturals-increasing-in-global-health-markets-study.html Thu, 20 Sep 2018 11:15:00 +0530 Consumers in some of the largest healthcare markets globally are increasingly turning to herbal & natural medicines and supplements, fueling a huge boom in sales of Herbals & Naturals, according to a new report from The Nicholas Hall Group. The new Herbals & Naturals report found that 9 markets (Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, and the USA) together added US$1,564mn in net sales in 2017, with China and the USA the largest contributors. The combined Herbals & Naturals category in these markets totaled $33bn in 2017, growing by 5.0%, well ahead of the growth of allopathic medicines at just 3.0%. Some of the factors driving this growth include health & wellness climbing up the list of consumer priorities and herbal & natural options gaining prominence thanks to being suitable for children and perceived as safer than allopathic options. With medicated ingredients increasingly scrutinised and restricted, consumer concerns have risen about the safety of conventional medicines. Herbals & naturals have an increasing reputation for efficacy, with scientific studies / clinical backing enhancing the standing of many H&N brands. Probiotics form the single fastest-growing category among Herbals & Naturals (averaging +11% a year since 2013), driven by rising awareness of benefits, consumer focus on prevention, expansion into new niches and increasing segmentation. Positioning of many probiotics has evolved beyond well-established gastrointestinal health and immunity benefits into multiple areas, including women's health, mother & baby, metabolic, stress, healthy ageing, etc. Options for children are proving particularly popular. Other growth areas include herbal & natural cough remedies (averaging +8% growth a year) and topical analgesics (+7% a year). Herbal & natural cough is enjoying a surge in demand, helped by safety concerns over allopathic options and restrictions placed on certain ingredients (DXM, codeine); plenty of launch activity, with ivy extract thyme and honey the key growth segments. Among pain gels & rubs, the efficacy of herbal & natural formulations is highlighted, many brands relying on trusted heritage, with celebrity endorsement critical in markets like Japan and USA. Menthol and camphor are common and popular ingredients, alongside methyl salicylate, comfrey, capsaicin and arnica. China is dominated by TCMs, India by ayurvedic remedies, while homeopathics are significant in Europe and USA.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11710/nha-launches-website-helpline-to-help-ayushman-bharat-beneficiaries.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11710/nha-launches-website-helpline-to-help-ayushman-bharat-beneficiaries.html Wed, 19 Sep 2018 17:30:00 +0530 The National Health Agency (NHA), the apex body implementing the Ayushman Bharat; National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM), has launched a website and a helpline number to help prospective beneficiaries check if their name is there in final list. The ambitious insurance scheme Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) which aims to provide coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family annually and benefit more than 10 crore poor families will be rolled out from Jharkhand on September 23 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. One can visit the website mera.pmjay.gov.in or call up the helpline (14555) to check their enrolment. The official website is also an attempt to help beneficiaries in the wake of several fake websites promising PMJAY enrolment. One can check if their name is in the eligible beneficiary list through his or her mobile number, which is verified through an OTP and then complete the KYC (know your customer) online without any need for human interface with other documents. They can also call the helpline number to check if he/she is eligible. Meanwhile, 'Ayushman Mitras' to assist patients and coordinate with beneficiaries and the hospital have been appointed in district government hospitals where pilots have started. They are running a help desk, check documents to verify the eligibility and enrolment to the scheme. Also, all the beneficiaries will be given letters having QR codes which will be scanned and a demographic authentication conducted for identification and to verify his or her eligibility to avail the benefits of the scheme. The scheme will target poor, deprived rural families and identified occupational category of urban workers families - 8.03 crore in rural and 2.33 crore in urban areas - as per the latest SECC data, and will cover around 50 crore people.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11708/centaur-pharma-concludes-cold-awareness-campaign.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11708/centaur-pharma-concludes-cold-awareness-campaign.html Wed, 19 Sep 2018 12:00:00 +0530 Centaur Pharmaceuticals, the leaders in the anti-cold segment recently conducted the ‘Common Cold Awareness Week’, a nation-wide campaign from September 10th to 15th, 2018 to mark ‘Anti Cold Day’ on September 15th.  The campaign aimed to raise awareness about common cold with the intent to avoid self-medication and urged people to consult a Doctor. Common cold is an acute condition with symptoms like congestion or runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, sore throat, loss of appetite, low fever, headaches, earaches, nausea sensation etc. Many people tend to ignore it or take medicines on their own. Such acute conditions cause substantial productivity loss and missed school days because of high prevalence in related age groups. Over a decade, Centaur has been undertaking the ‘Common Cold Awareness Week’ campaign to prevent people from self-medication and encourage them to consult a doctor. Speaking on this occasion S. D. Sawant, Chairman and Managing Director, Centaur Pharmaceuticals said, “Centaur has been a leader in the cold category with its brand ‘Sinarest’ and its extensions. Over the years we have observed that self-medication has been on the rise. As a category leader, we thought it is our responsibility to educate the consumers and that is the reason we have been organising the Anti-cold awareness week. We have been extremely pleased that with the changing times, we have used Digital media to propagate the campaign this year.” Centaur launched an online Facebook community page – Nosipedia, to help spread the word with a viral video that has already crossed over 1 lakh views. As a part of the drive, the entire field force reached out to approximately 1 lakh Doctors and 25 lakh patients through their clinics spreading awareness about Common Cold and the right way to deal with it. The team also conducted school & college contact programs, in-clinic promotions and also worked closely with leading Doctors to help spread the word. Sawant further added, “Currently, on Google there are over 2 lakh searches every month about the category ‘common cold’, which clearly indicates that people wanted authentic information. So we co-created this digital campaign ‘Nosipedia’ along with Doctors and launched the 1st of its kind digital initiative to create awareness.” Centaur Pharma plans to continue with this effort round the year and continue to create awareness about the category. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11704/healthifyme-to-use-clevertaps-mobile-marketing-automation-platform.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11704/healthifyme-to-use-clevertaps-mobile-marketing-automation-platform.html Wed, 19 Sep 2018 11:05:00 +0530 CleverTap, a leading mobile marketing platform, today announced that HealthifyMe, India's largest and most loved health and fitness app, is using their advanced marketing automation platform to drive growth through personalized user experiences. Since its inception in 2012, HealthifyMe has seen its user base grow to over 6 million, who rely on it for calorie tracking, water tracking, and cloud-based nutrition and fitness coaching. In addition to these features, the app also uses gamification to keep their users motivated.  Orchestrating strategies that use optimal channels to send the right message at the right time to the right user allows HealthifyMe to engage and retain their users across their entire digital journey. HealthifyMe plans to use CleverTap's automated segmentation and Journeys - a visual campaign workflow to build targeted, omnichannel user engagement campaigns across various channels such as push notifications, in-app messages, and email messages to deliver contextual messages at scale.  HealthifyMe enhances user engagement by targeting users with personalized messaging and plans to use CleverTap's machine-learning driven segmentation feature to target users based on their predominant interests, real-time activity, and app behaviors. "We at HealthifyMe pride ourselves on being highly data-driven. Using AI, we are able to gain valuable insights on our customers' eating patterns, choice of food, activity levels and intensity of workouts. This helps us offer highly personalised feedback and effective meal recommendations to help customers adopt a healthier lifestyle. We are confident that through our association with CleverTap we can run more contextual campaigns to better engage our users and improve our retention rates," said Anjan Umamaheshwaran Bhojarajan, Head of products and growth at HealthifyMe.  "Expectations from technologies that promote healthier living are at an all time high. In order to become a part of the user's daily routine, healthcare apps must be personalized, easy-to-use, and offer value to their users. This is important to keep users motivated, or you run the risk of getting uninstalled," said Anand Jain, Co-founder of CleverTap. He further added, "CleverTap's advanced automated segmentation engine helps HealthifyMe run personalized and contextual campaigns focused at retaining users for life. With preventive healthcare set to become a $106 million industry in India, it's an exciting time for HealthifyMe and we're thrilled to partner with them in their growth story." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11702/sanofi-diabetes-india-achieve-success-in-indias-2nd-t1d-challenge-2018.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11702/sanofi-diabetes-india-achieve-success-in-indias-2nd-t1d-challenge-2018.html Tue, 18 Sep 2018 17:35:00 +0530 Twenty six young Indians with type 1 diabetes (T1D) surmounted the breathtaking Chandrakhani Pass at 13,000 ft. in the Himalayas, proving that anyone with this disease can pursue challenges that otherwise seem impossible. With last year’s success of the first T1D Challenge held in Maharashtra (at 5400 ft.), Sanofi India along with Diabetes India stepped up the initiative with a bigger challenge this year with ‘India’s 2nd T1D Challenge 2018 – OneUp Trek’. Young trekkers aged 15 to 30 years from 16 cities across India, participated in this challenge to bring type 1 diabetes to the fore, and bust myths about the disease.  Rajaram, Managing Director, Sanofi India said, “India accounts for most children with type 1 diabetes within South-East Asia and this number increases by 3-5% every year. Sanofi India introduced the ‘OneUp Trek’ to empower children with type 1 diabetes and give them the opportunity to explore their potential in an encouraging and supportive environment. We are proud of these young, enthusiastic individuals who have not only shown tremendous courage, but have also exhibited extraordinary discipline and responsibility in effectively managing their diabetes through the trek.”  Dr. Banshi Saboo, Diabetologist and Executive Secretary, Diabetes India, said “Coming from diverse backgrounds and different parts of the country, these 26 young trekkers united to establish one fact that ‘nothing is impossible’. Their courage and determination in the face of a challenging terrain is commendable and an inspiration to others living with the disease. This trek was also a demonstration of the fact that with the right kind of awareness, preparedness and motivation, people with type 1 diabetes can pursue any challenge. Discipline is the key, which comes with a controlled diet, regular monitoring of blood sugar and timely insulin”. He added, ‘It is imperative that we give people living with type 1 diabetes a platform to explore their potential and empower them to live optimally. Sanofi India has rightfully pioneered this initiative and we plan to make this bigger and more meaningful, each year.” An essential part of each participant’s trekking gear was a compact diabetes kit containing a glucometer, insulin and syringes or an insulin pen. During the trek, they had to monitor their blood sugar at least seven times a day to make sure it was well controlled. All meals were planned in advance to ensure a balanced mix of protein, carbohydrates and fat. Dr. S. Sadikot, President, International Diabetes Foundation added, “While diabetes is a known disease, not much is spoken about type 1 diabetes. This initiative not only aims to reinforce confidence, but also to dispel misconceptions around the disease. Any physical activity for people with Type 1 diabetes would require careful planning and monitoring. All the participants have shown tremendous discipline and courage in taking on this challenge head-on, and I am very proud of their accomplishment” Living with type 1 diabetes presents a unique set of challenges and people who are diagnosed with it must learn to adapt a lifestyle of control and regulation. It’s a matter of adopting the ‘fighting’ attitude, if one wants to truly beat this disease. The young trekkers’ who took part in ‘OneUp trek’ have truly illustrated that with a well-controlled lifestyle, the right attitude and proper disease management, it is possible to take on any challenge and achieve every dream. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11699/icici-bank-ties-up-with-healthassure.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11699/icici-bank-ties-up-with-healthassure.html Tue, 18 Sep 2018 13:50:00 +0530 ICICI Bank, a leading private sector bank in India, announced an association with ‘HealthAssure’, a leading primary healthcare aggregator in the country. Under this partnership, account holders of ICICI Bank’s NRI Pro & Premia savings account get complimentary access to discounted healthcare services in the country for themselves and their families. The customers will get access to ‘Health Pass’, a personal concierge facility from HealthAssure that offers a host of exclusive healthcare benefits in India. The list of benefits include discounts of up to 50% on health checkups & consultations with specialists such as pediatricians, ophthalmologists, dentists among others  at over 3000 primary health-care centers in over 1000 cities in India. Customers will also be able to avail discounts on home-care services like doctor-on-call, nurses or attendants, physiotherapists, as well as other emergency services. Additionally, it enables the Bank’s customers and their family in India to seek a second opinion from doctors around the world associated with prominent medical institutions like Johns Hopkins Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic, among many others. The customers can book these health care services from anywhere in the globe for themselves or consultation for their families in India. They can do so digitally using the Bank’s mobile banking application or through HealthAssure’s mobile app and website.                                                    Commenting on the launch, Mr. Anup Bagchi, Executive Director, ICICI Bank said, “At ICICI Bank, our focus has always been on enhancing service offerings to our customers. This offer has been designed based on the customer insights derived from serving lakhs of NRI customers across the globe over the years. The experience has given us an insight into the lifestyle and aspirations of NRIs. We understand their requirements, especially when they are away from their home and nothing could be more important than the well-being of their loved ones. We are glad to have associated with HeathAssure to provide this service to our NRI Pro and NRI Premia customers thereby helping in creating a distinctive experience for them.” “We are thrilled to partner with one of India’s largest banking organisations and look forward to bringing good health closer to more people with our concerted efforts. Our vision is to build an unparalleled primary care network and make the dream of healthcare for all a reality. Collaborations like these further boost our confidence and reinforce our ability to deliver good healthcare to consumers,” Varun Gera, CEO & Founder, HealthAssure. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11694/health-ministry-organizes-test-camp-for-anemia.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11694/health-ministry-organizes-test-camp-for-anemia.html Tue, 18 Sep 2018 11:15:00 +0530 A ‘Test and Treat’ camp for anemia has been organised at Nirman Bhawan for ten days.  The objective of this camp is to generate awareness in community regarding anemia. Facilities of hemoglobin testing and nutrition counselling will be provided at the camps by National Centre of Excellence and Advanced Research on Anemia (NCEAR-A). Nutrition counselors from National Centre of Excellence and Advanced Research on Diets (NCEAR-D, Lady Irwin College) and Centre for acute malnutrition (Kalawati Saran Children’s Hospital) will also provide nutrition counselling to the participants. People identified to be mild/moderate anemic will be provided oral IFA supplementation and counselling; and those found to be severely anemic will be referred for management at higher centres. Preeti Sudan, Secretary (Health), inaugurated the Anemia Test & Treat camps at Nirman Bhawan recently, in presence of Manoj Jhalani AS&MD (NHM) and Vandana Gurnani, Joint Secretary. The camps are being organized as part of ‘Poshan Maah’ being observed during the month of September. The month of September 2018 has been declared as ‘Poshan Maah’ with the objective to reach every household with the message of nutrition. This is a multi-sectoral convergence activity by various Ministries and departments and various activities are to be carried out from National to village level. The key stakeholders Ministries are MoWCD, MoHFW, MoRD, MoHRD and MoDW&S. The audience of this Jan Andolan strategy is people among whom change is intended, those who influence primary participants to adopt change and those who create a supportive environment. A total of 10 priority themes have been identified to improve health and nutrition in the community and these are (a) antenatal care (b) optimal breastfeeding (c) complementary feeding (d) full immunization and vitamin A supplementation (e) anemia prevention control (f) growth monitoring (g) food fortification (h) diarrhea management (i) girl education and age of marriage (j) hygiene, sanitation and safe drinking water. In order to convey the above thematic messages, various platforms are to be utilized. These platforms could be in the form of engaging celebrity, influencers and local leaders, Village Health and Nutrition Day, gram sabha, community-based events, nukkadnatak, wall paintings, television, radio beside conducing meetings, seminars and workshops and home visits to families with newborn. As per the action plan proposed by MoHFW, it has been decided that AIIMS, New Delhi along with six regional AIIMS (Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand) will be carrying out test and treat anemia campaign in their field practice with support of State Government and UNICEF, focused on Women of Reproductive Age (15-49 years) and under-five children. The month-long campaign will be undertaken in collaboration with State health system under National Health Mission. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11693/who-to-develop-benchmark-documents-for-traditional-medicine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11693/who-to-develop-benchmark-documents-for-traditional-medicine.html Tue, 18 Sep 2018 11:10:00 +0530 World Health Organisation (WHO) is developing Benchmark Documents for practice in Ayurveda, Panckarma and Unani system as part of its global strategy to provide safe, effective and accessible Traditional Medicine to global community. Development of these benchmarks documents is included in the Project Collaboration Agreement (PCA) between WHO and Ministry of AYUSH. WHO Working Group Meetings for three WHO benchmark documents scheduled 17 -19 September, 2018, was recently inaugurated at Jaipur. The three days programme containing four sessions on each day has been organized by Ministry of AYUSH and coordinated by National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA), Jaipur. On this occasion, Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha briefed about the activities undertaken by the Ministry of AYUSH.  He informed that National Ayurveda Morbidity Standardized Terminology Engine (NAMSTE) is being actively used for documentation of AYUSH facilities and activities including recent rehabilitative activities undertaken by AYUSH at Kerala Flood.  He further informed about the activities undertaken by Ministry of AYUSH under AYUSHMAN BHARAT Scheme of Govt. of India and suggested that WHO may also provide assistance in this regard.  He requested WHO may also help Ministry of AYUSH for developing country specific module and applications based program like M-Yoga and M-Ayurveda etc. Total 39 experts, representing 18 countries, 13 experts each from Ayurveda, Panchkarma and Unani would be reviewing the draft document developed by WHO through consultative process. The purposes of the meeting are to review, comment and revise as required each of the three zero draft documents prepared by the experts. This is aimed at arriving at an International consensus regarding the structure and content of each of the documents. The documents are expected to provide minimum requirements for qualified practice by practitioners of Ayurveda, Panchkarma and Unani to provide minimum safety requirement for practicing these and also to serve as a reference to national authorities to establish/ strengthen regulatory standards to ensure qualified practice of such system and patients safety. Dr. Sungchol Kim, Regional Advisor, Traditional  Medicine, WHO Welcomed all the Experts and extended his thanks to Ministry of AYUSH for financial and logdgestic support and stressed about the need of integration of Traditional Medicine System in the conventional medicine system. Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Deputy-Director General, WHO stated that Traditional Medicines are an important integral part of Universal Health Coverage Program specially under Sustainable Developmental Goal-3 (SDG-3). She informed that Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani Systems have included in 2nd Traditional Medicine Module of ICD Chapter-11 and Year 2018 is being celebrated as 40th Anniversary Year of Alma Ata Declaration. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11692/suburban-diagnostics-launches-unburden-your-health-campaign.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11692/suburban-diagnostics-launches-unburden-your-health-campaign.html Tue, 18 Sep 2018 10:55:00 +0530 Suburban Diagnostics, a front-runner in world class diagnostic services which is headed by Dr. Sanjay Arora, who is an alumnus of the Grant Medical College, Mumbai has launched a campaign entitled #Unburden Your Health to reduce the burden of disease in society by making the masses aware about various health related problems and by stressing upon the importance of undergoing periodic and regular preventive health check-ups. This will help to keep a close eye on one’s health and catch any silent developing disorders at an early stage, so as to ensure they don’t grow into unmanageable or complicated diseases. Commenting on this new campaign, Dr. Sanjay Arora, Managing Director of Suburban Diagnostics opined that “For the last 25 years of our existence, being patient centric and taking a proactive rather than reactive approach to healthcare has been ingrained in our DNA. ‘Don’t do a test only after you fall ill, do a test not to fall ill’ has been our mantra of preventive healthcare.” Through #UnburdenYourHealth the intention is to impress upon patients and healthy individuals that unburdening one’s health, translates into unburdening the entire family and then society at large, from the avoidable and preventable burden of disease. In today’s fast paced world, health and fitness can take a major beating given the kind of sedentary lifestyle and stress we undergo. Be it a homemaker, a student, a laborer, a maid or a corporate employee - we all have our own stressors and our own coping mechanisms which may not always be healthy. Smoking, alcoholism, tobacco use, junk food, sugar cravings, excessive consumption of caffeinated beverages, aerated drinks, absence of physical exercise, anxiety and sleep deprivation have become the order of the day. #UnburdenHealthcare is a clinician centric extension of the same campaign. This will provide a platform for the medical fraternity to get involved with Suburban Diagnostics, to work towards the overall betterment of healthcare in the country, raise awareness among patients about various disorders and their preventive and remedial measures; thus again contributing towards reducing the burden of diseases on India’s healthcare ecosystem. Physicians today, because of the reactive nature of our healthcare, are also faced with treating rather than preventing. Via #UnburdenHealthcare and Suburban Diagnostics’ preventive health check-ups, the company wishes to reverse the healthcare cycle, where patients will visit physicians to remain healthy and not just for treatment. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11687/cloudnine-implements-stasis-smart-monitoring-solution-for-childbirth-safety.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11687/cloudnine-implements-stasis-smart-monitoring-solution-for-childbirth-safety.html Mon, 17 Sep 2018 14:45:00 +0530 Cloudnine has been a pioneer in the mother and child care space, and a leader in women's health. As Cloudnine looks to manage more high-risk pregnancies and complex gynecological & pediatric cases, patient safety becomes a critical part of care delivery. Now, Cloudnine is raising the bar in maternal and child safety by partnering with Stasis. By implementing Stasis Smart Monitoring Solution at Cloudnine's surgical and pediatric ICUs in Bengaluru, doctors will be able to ensure the safety of their patients at all times. The Stasis Smart Monitoring Solution measures six key vitals signs and puts powerful long-term trends of the patient's condition on clinician’s smartphones. Doctors can access this data readily through the Stasis app to identify patient deterioration in real-time and intervene in a timely manner. Smart Alerts powered by proprietary Stasis AI adds an additional layer of monitoring to identify patient deterioration proactively. This partnership provides Cloudnine with the opportunity to continuously monitor all their patients and ensure the highest quality of proactive care. Commenting on the development, Dr Kishore Kumar, Founder, and Chairman, Cloudnine said, "Innovative companies like Stasis help hospitals like Cloudnine to stay on the cutting edge of technology. We are happy to be partnering with Stasis across our hospital network." Cloudnine has always been an early adopter of medical technology that aids better patient care and improves the patient experience. Stasis and Cloudnine were able to work together on an early usability pilot funded by the IFC, part of the World Bank group, to implement and define the use case for smart monitoring in maternal care. Women with late-night deliveries and those with high-risk pregnancies were monitored using the Stasis Monitoring Solution. High blood pressure, a common risk indicator post-delivery, was monitored carefully with Stasis to ensure patient safety and stability. "Using the Stasis Monitoring System has allowed me to get important notifications about the early warning score of my patients. The peace of mind about the patients' safety that comes with Stasis Monitoring System throughout the night is invaluable. Having 24 hours of high-resolution vital signs data at my fingertips and seeing the risk level of the patient has helped me confidently monitor and discharge my patients," said Ramachandra M A, Chief Anesthesiologist at Cloudnine. "Cloudnine is one of the first maternity hospitals to adopt Stasis Monitoring Solution, especially when we started operations in India. They have always believed in the need for continuous monitoring of patients for proactive healthcare delivery. We, at Stasis, are very proud to partner with Cloudnine in their journey towards creating smarter hospitals," said Dinesh Seemakurty, CEO, Stasis. The Stasis Monitoring Solution is currently being used across more than 20 hospitals including Fortis, Ramaiah, Columbia Asia, and HCG in India, with more than 500 doctors using the Stasis App to monitor their patients remotely. Cloudnine partnered with Stasis for a usability study funded by the World Bank Group through the TechEmerge program in 2017. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11686/bengaluru-gets-its-first-sports-medicine-and-foot-clinic.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11686/bengaluru-gets-its-first-sports-medicine-and-foot-clinic.html Mon, 17 Sep 2018 14:30:00 +0530 RXDX, the Bengaluru-based chain of neighbourhood primary care clinics, has opened RXDX SportsMed, a dedicated facility for comprehensive sports injury management in Whitefield, Bengaluru. RXDX SportsMed in Whitefield is Bengaluru’s first integrated sports medicine and foot clinic and is the first in a chain of dedicated sports medicine facilities that will be rolled out across the city of Bengaluru to cater for the needs of sportsmen/sportswomen as well as recreational athletes and fitness enthusiasts. RXDX SportsMed was inaugurated by Indian wicket-keeper batsman and KKR star, Robin Uthappa. Uthappa, was accompanied at the launch, by his wife and former national tennis  player, Sheethal Goutham. “In my two decades in competitive sports I have seen time and again, how access to the right experts and treatment facilities can help in injury prevention and rehabilitation”, said Uthappa. “It is very encouraging to see the high-quality sports medicine facility that RXDX has invested in. I am sure it will be very beneficial for those who play sport at a competitive level as well as people who have adopted a sports and fitness-oriented lifestyle that is so crucial to good health”.  “Bengaluru can lay strong claim to being the sporting capital of the country with a number of competitive athletes across several disciplines such as tennis, cricket, football, badminton, swimming etc., coupled with a thriving endurance sports culture with many long-distance runners, cyclists, and triathletes,” said Dr Sunita Maheshwari, Founder of the RXDX chain of clinics. “Sports activities may lead to injuries that can be prevented (and treated) with the right resources and in a timely manner. Our intention in establishing RXDX SportsMed is to provide the right sports medicine expertise to help the city’s vibrant sporting and active fitness culture to thrive,” added Dr Maheshwari. RxDx SportsMed has a full medical team with a thorough understanding of sports and incudes a sports orthopaedic doctor and musculoskeletal radiologist who are both UK-trained. They are supported by a physiotherapy, nutrition and fitness team. The 3000 sq. ft. facility focuses on both injury prevention and rehabilitation and includes a body composition analyser, game ready equipment and more. Dr Sanjay Sharma, Bengaluru’s first, dedicated foot surgeon will oversee Foot Secure, the foot clinic, which offers a full range of services for feet including gait analysis, customised insoles and more. Following the inauguration, Uthappa and his wife participated in a panel discussion on sports injury prevention and treatment, moderated by Prajwal Hegde, Tennis Editor, The Times of India. Other panellists included RXDX medical experts Dr Sanjay Sharma, Dr Chirag Thomse and Dr Gurmeet Bhalla. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11679/international-symposium-on-robotic-joint-replacement-held-in-pune-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11679/international-symposium-on-robotic-joint-replacement-held-in-pune-.html Sat, 15 Sep 2018 22:25:00 +0530 More than 250 Ortho Surgeons from all over the globe converged at the International Symposium on Robotic Joint Replacement organised by Lokmanya Hospitals, a pioneer of Robotic Surgery in India, at JW Marriott, SB Road recently. The two-day deliberations included expert National and International speakers and will include case studies, paper presentations, live surgeries and the way forward for Joint Replacement technologies. This symposium in tune with the need of the times was aptly based on the theme “Interactive Technology” and was adorned by experts who have witnessed the transition from conventional to Robotic Technologies.  During this conference, experts opined that with more accuracy, decreased operating time, less invasive, Robotic Assisted Knee Surgeries have resulted in improved patient outcomes.1500 ortho surgeons watched live surgery through webcasting across the globe. It was a great platform for sharing knowledge and experience, new technology adoption for the benefit of arthritis patients. Dr. Narendra Vaidya, Managing Director in his inaugural address said that the fact that about 159 surgical robotic systems are being developed, especially North America and Europe shows the need of these technologies for the patients and the interest that experts are taking in developing these technologies. With more accuracy, less operating time, minimally invasive technologies patient recovery is faster and therefore Robotic Knee Replacement technologies are here to stay. The cost of these treatments is high and patients have been going to Europe and the US for treatments. But we have made quality and high-end treatments available at affordable costs here in India. Organizing the first International Symposium is a concrete step in that direction by exchanging ideas and training the doctors.  The topics discussed include Conventional Knee Replacement - What is lacking?  Evolution of technology in arthroplasty, Robotic Surgery with surgeon's and engineer's perspective, brainstorming on various topics, case studies, a debate on conventional v/s robotics etc.     The problem of knee pain is a challenge world over. Every third person In US about 91 million people suffer from joint pain, while in India about 28.7% people in the age group above 60 years suffer from joint pain. Sedentary Lifestyles, lack of exercise, bad eating habits are causing joint problems in ageing population. Robotic Surgeries are precise and minimally invasive and result in faster recovery. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11676/narayana-health-city-conducts-three-successful-transplants-in-one-day.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11676/narayana-health-city-conducts-three-successful-transplants-in-one-day.html Fri, 14 Sep 2018 16:10:00 +0530 Family of a 25 year old man from an agriculture background donated his heart, kidney and liver to an 18 year old boy, 52 year old woman and 55 year old man respectively. Three patients got a new lease of life as they underwent transplant at Narayana Health City, Hosur Road. The 25 year old donor who hails from Malur was admitted at Narayana Health City for severe traumatic head injury following an accident in the month of August. He was declared brain dead post the formal protocols and the family consented to donate their son’s organs. The donor’s heart was given to an 18 year old PU student from Hubli who was admitted at Narayana Health City for heart condition. Upon review and consultations from the experts, it was diagnosed that the patient suffered a heart failure and was advised to undergo a heart transplant. The patient was registered with Jeevasarthakathe for past 5 months. Another recipient, a 52 year old female from Hoskote was on dialysis since 2014. On evaluation, it was diagnosed that the patient suffered chronic renal failure for which she was advised to undergo kidney transplant. However, the patient could not find a matched donor for transplant until recently. The third recipient is a 55 year old businessman from Delhi who was suffering from DLCD with Portal Hypertension. He was on medical management at Narayana Health, Delhi since April this year andwas registered with Jeevasarthakate as advised by the doctors in July. Donor’s liver was allocated to him for transplantation on the same day. The retrieval and transplant procedures were carried out by the team of expert surgeons at Narayana Health City.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11673/aware-gleneagles-global-hospitals-launches-i-am-emergency-ready-campaign-in-hyderabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11673/aware-gleneagles-global-hospitals-launches-i-am-emergency-ready-campaign-in-hyderabad.html Fri, 14 Sep 2018 14:55:00 +0530 Aware Gleneagles Global Hospitals has announced the launch of their Emergency Ready campaign titled ‘I AM EMERGENCY READY’. The objective of this initiative is to minimize the damage and loss during medical emergencies by training public to administer immediate care to keep a patient stable until medical help arrives. Mr. Mahesh Bhagwat, Commissioner of Police, Rachakonda inaugurated the campaign by unveiling the logo of “I am Emergency Ready” initiative in Hyderabad. Through this drive, the hospital will conduct Bystander Life Support (BLS) training for individuals, corporates, and the common man like auto drivers, roadside vendors, school students and teachers, parents, social workers, security guards etc. At the end of the training, a certificate and an emergency toolkit will be presented to the qualified participants. The hospital introduced the emergency number 8297 222222 and three fully equipped ambulances to provide outstanding emergency medical services. The speedy emergency ambulance responses will be able to bring down the mortality rate of the individuals who do not receive emergency treatment before being hospitalized. Mr B Girish Babu, CEO, Aware Gleneagles Global Hospitals said “We believe this campaign will be beneficial for the citizens, as we hope to train maximum number of individuals across the city in basic lifesaving skills. We aim to reach out to the masses and urge upon the need of arming oneself with basic first response knowledge that could potentially save a life in a medical emergency.” The hospital also announced the ‘Good Samaritan Awards’, a felicitation program that would acknowledge and appreciate those Good Samaritans who have helped victims in emergency cases. The programme encourages you to nominate an individual who has stabilized someone by providing basic life support treatment during a medical emergency or coordinated a swift evacuation in a critical emergency or donated blood or rendered any kind of unusual support in a medical emergency or took care of a person under a critical emergency condition, until help arrived. Nominations are open for 3 months from 11th September, 2018.  At the closing, three individuals will be identified for their presence of mind and lifesaving action, to be felicitated at a function where they will receive Rs 20,000/- each. Dr Vijay Vemuri, Regional COO, Gleneagles Global Hospitals said, “The ‘I am Emergency Ready’  initiative by Aware Gleneagles Global  Hospital is the most compassionate accomplishment which required the emergency department to comply, create and maintain some very stringent requirements. They need to be prepared with best of the equipment and capable team.  This initiative provides the assurance to the people that they can now access quality trauma and emergency medical care at Aware Gleneagles Global Hospital. The Call Ambulance officer said, “We believe our association with Aware Gleneagles Global Hospitals is a one that will help both entities in making a difference. Our service, Call Ambulance is an emergency response mobile app that facilitates victims to raise a distress call and the “I am Emergency Ready” campaign by Aware Gleneagles Global Hospitals is an initiative that aims at training citizens to become first responders that are equipped with basic life training skills. So it’s a perfect fit and we hope that this collaboration helps in getting these first responders to the aid of the ones in need thereby making the society emergency ready." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11668/health-experts-release-new-trends-of-ncds-suicide-in-india-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11668/health-experts-release-new-trends-of-ncds-suicide-in-india-.html Wed, 12 Sep 2018 20:50:00 +0530 The India State-level Disease Burden Initiative, a joint initiative of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), and Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, along with experts and stakeholders associated with over 100 Indian institutions, has recently released comprehensive analysis of several major non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and suicide for every state in India, based on analysis of all identifiable epidemiological data from India since 1990 as part of the Global Burden of Disease study.  These findings are reported in a series of five research papers published in The Lancet Global Health, The Lancet Public Health, and The Lancet Oncology, along with a commentary in The Lancet. Highlighting some crucial policy-relevant points in these papers, Professor Balram Bhargava, Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, and Director General, ICMR, said, “These papers through detailed analysis have elucidated disease and risk factor trends of major NCDs and suicide in every state over 26 years. While it is known that NCDs have been increasing in India, a major finding of concern is that the highest rate of increase in ischemic heart disease and diabetes is in the less developed states of India. These states already have a high burden from chronic obstructive lung disease and from a range of infectious and childhood diseases, so the control of NCDs in these states has to be boosted without delay. The proportional contribution of cancers to disease burden in India has doubled since 1990, but the incidence of individual cancers varies widely between the states, the reasons for which need to be understood better to guide prevention and control of cancer.  Another important finding is the very high contribution of India to the total suicide deaths in the world, especially among women. The ten-fold variation between the states in the suicide death rate for women emphasises the need to better understand the reasons behind these suicides and make concerted efforts to reduce this avoidable loss of predominantly young lives.” On the release of these new estimates, Professor Vinod Paul, Member, NITI Aayog, said, “The insights provided by these findings are very timely for the planning of Ayushman Bharat, the National Health Protection Mission announced recently by the Prime Minister.  The findings in these papers demonstrate that major NCDs or suicide do not necessarily follow the same trend in the less developed states, or in the more developed states, indicating the importance of planning health improvements based on specific evidence for each state.  The detailed analysis of the changes in the major NCDs and their risk factors reported in these papers are therefore quite useful for titrating the Ayushman Bharat effort according to the need of each state.  We plan to utilize these findings in collaboration with the state decision makers to determine the appropriate balance of activities under the Health and Wellness Centres to strengthen comprehensive primary healthcare in each state.” “The ability of a health system to respond to immediate and anticipated future challenges depends on estimates of major disease burdens and their evolving trends. The response also has to be appropriate to the context of each state. This study not only profiles how NCDs and suicide are posing menacing public health challenges across the country, but also enables a contextually configured health system response suitable for each state. Much of this burden is preventable and every attempt must be made to avert these diseases and suicides. At the same time, health services must be ready to provide appropriate and timely care to effectively treat diseases that have already manifested. By shining the torchlight on the specific disease burdens that each state must prioritise, this study will help direct health system resources to maximise impact through early prevention and effective treatment.” said Professor K Srinath Reddy, President, Public Health Foundation of India. Professor Lalit Dandona, Director of the India State-Level Disease Burden Initiative, said on this occasion, “It is important to note that the detailed analyses reported in these papers have been possible because of the valuable contributions of many hundreds of highly qualified collaborators from India over the past three years. Their engagement and insights have enabled utilization of relevant data from across India over three decades, methodological improvements in the analysis, balanced interpretation of the findings in the context of India’s diversity, and identification of data gaps that need to be addressed.  Encouraged by this momentum, we anticipate that this collaborative work would result in even more refined insights to inform policy decisions at the centre and in the states to improve the health of people in all parts of India.” “After the successful launch of the initial findings of the India State-Level Disease Burden Initiative last year by the Vice-President and Health Minister of India, I am delighted to see the continuing contributions being made by this Initiative in the form of deeper policy-relevant insights to inform health planning in each state”, said Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Deputy Director General, World Health Organization, under whose guidance this Initiative was started in 2015 when she was the Director General of ICMR.  “The use of the standardized methodology of the Global Burden of Diseases study by this Initiative to understand health loss due to all diseases and risk factors in a single framework, and the use of disability-adjusted life years that is a composite metric of health loss due to premature mortality and morbidity, has enabled a balanced understanding of the contribution of the various diseases and risk factors in every state of India over a quarter century”, she added. Professor Christopher Murray, Director, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, said “These studies are both invaluable and timely, as they reveal divergent non-communicable disease and suicide trends are emerging across India. The findings will help policymakers tailor health roadmaps specific to each state as they seek to address a growing ‘double’ burden of disease from communicable and non-communicable disorders alike.” Dr Richard Horton, Editor-in-Chief of The Lancet, said: “The papers in the Lancet journals reveal a rapid epidemiological transition in India. While the country is engulfed in an emerging epidemic of non-communicable disease, it is also facing the challenge of a significant burden of suicide. The introduction of the Ayushman Bharat has prioritised universal health coverage as a key political issue. As voters go to the polls in India’s general election in April 2019, health will rightly become a decisive issue for the world’s largest democracy.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11666/ahf-india-expands-stigma-free-healthcare-services.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11666/ahf-india-expands-stigma-free-healthcare-services.html Wed, 12 Sep 2018 15:30:00 +0530 AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, operating in 41 countries, inaugurated its centre of Excellence - Anti Retroviral Therapy clinic (ART clinic) in New Delhi recently. The “PEOPLE’S CLINIC” focuses on delivering state-of-the-art HIV/AIDS medical care and services to people living with HIV (PLHIV) regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.  The “PEOPLE’S CLINIC”  located in Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi, was inaugurated with a grand opening celebration and witnessed presence of several eminent politicians, activists and doctors including  His Excellency Nadir Patel, High Commissioner of Canada to India, Ms. Meenakshi Lekhi, Member of Parliament, Mr. Mahesh Girri, Member of Parliament, Dr. Kirit Solanki, Member of Parliament & Co-Convener, Forum of Parliamentarians on HIV/AIDS, Dr. Bilali Camara, Country Director, UNAIDS, Dr. R.S. Gupta, Deputy Director General, NACO, Dr. L.R. Garg, Project Director, Delhi State AIDS Control Society, Ms. Terri Ford, Chief of Global Advocacy, Policy and Marketing, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Mr. Lyle Honig, Chief Financial Officer and Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil, Ambassador, AHF INDIA. Popular to be known as “THE PEOPLE’S CLINIC”, the ART centre will operate for 12 hours a day, six days a week. The extended hours will serve the general public and incorporate an evening “MOONLIGHT TESTING” shift designed to deliver HIV testing to the most marginalized communities, including LGBTQI, people living with HIV (PLHIV), injecting drug users and sex workers. “AHF applauds India for recently decriminalizing consensual sex between homosexuals, but HIV and those it affects most are still highly-stigmatized throughout the country,” said Dr. V. Sam Prasad, Country Program Director AHF India Cares. “Building owners repeatedly turned us down due to their fear of HIV, so it’s very inspiring that we overcame numerous obstacles and are opening the clinic today. The Centre of Excellence ART Centre will complement the national AIDS response very well and is major milestone in ensuring everyone in India will be able to access HIV services.” To limit stigma and help make clients more comfortable, the clinic utilizes staff who are part of the LGBTQI community and PLHIV who work to ensure adherence to treatment through specialized peer counseling services. The facility will also be the only ART clinic in India that provides first, second and third-line treatment protocols, as well as up to a six-month supply of antiretroviral medicine to clients who are forced to travel great distances to access treatment. We’re so excited about the progress being made right now in India,” said Terri Ford, AHF Chief of Global Advocacy, Policy and Marketing. “AHF has been working in the country since 2004, and since then we have seen remarkable changes in the national response that has started to get the epidemic under control. There’s still much that needs to be done, but clinics like this are a huge step in the right direction.” The clinic will offer a safe, stigma-free environment and will be a one-stop shop for a variety of HIV services – Prevention, Testing & Treatment - including Antiretroviral therapy (ART), counseling, extensive laboratory services, consultations with specialists, a pharmacy and free condoms. Present at the inauguration ceremony, Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil, Brand Ambassador AHF India (India’s only gay prince and LGBT activist) said, “This week has been one of the best weeks in the history of India. After having done away with Sec 377, I am happy to be the AHF ambassador and be a part of the Inauguration of the “PEOPLE’S CLINIC” – the AHF Centre of Excellence ART clinic – serving the LGBTQI community with HIV services. The LGBTQI community is very happy that AHF is opening its PEOPLE’S CLINIC and will serve the LGBTQI community from across India with HIV services in a non-stigmatizing environment. AHF India has emerged as a pre-eminent HIV organization with innovative interventions such as second line ART, community-based testing (CBT), advocating for ‘Test & Treat’, health insurance for PLHIV, part of guidelines under HIV/AIDS Bill. AHF India launched its first ART clinic in India in the year 2007 with the aim to cater to people living with HIV with free HIV services ranging from HIV Testing to Treatment and beyond. The clinic currently serves approximately 1,300 clients and aims to serve over 2,000 clients by the end of the year. The organization continues to provide world-class HIV services and practice evidence-based advocacy to translate community needs to policy making/reform. With the new centre of Excellence ART Clinic, AHF India Cares is taking yet-another stride to complement and strengthen the National AIDS response towards “Ending the AIDS by 2030”. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11660/bret-lee-emphasizes-on-unhs-as-health-priority.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11660/bret-lee-emphasizes-on-unhs-as-health-priority.html Tue, 11 Sep 2018 17:45:00 +0530 Former Australian cricket legend Brett Lee was in Bengaluru, taking aim at his new favourite target: the lack of awareness about hearing loss. Brett Lee, Global Hearing Ambassador for Cochlear, the hearing implant maker, has been on this campaign for four years, to raise awareness about hearing loss and its emotional and social impact on individuals, particularly on children. Brett Lee appealed to the government to mandate Universal Newborn Hearing Screening or UNHS (this has been the core of his campaign for the last four years) spread greater awareness about hearing health. Parents of children with significant hearing loss could intervene early, and the children could go to regular schools and lead normal lives. Speaking to journalists at the Press Club, Bengaluru, to an audience of the city’s leading media, Brett Lee said, “Hearing impairment is the second most common disability in India; yet most people aren’t even aware of it,” he said. “Infants are not screened for hearing ability (or loss) as a matter of practice, compared to developed countries, where UNHS is mandatory.” Earlier in the day, Brett was at the Command Hospital (Airforce) to witness two new-born infants being tested for hearing part of the UNHS process. He was given a tour of the Command Hospital’s facilities, in particular those for new-born hearing screening for infants. According to the WHO, of the more than 466 million people in the world with significant hearing loss, 34 million are children. If the right measures – such as mandating UNHS - are not undertaken, experts suggest that by 2050, over 900 million people will have profound hearing loss. Yet, most people are unaware of the advanced treatment options available. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11658/nis-draws-300-doctors-to-discuss-innovations-in-insulin-therapy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11658/nis-draws-300-doctors-to-discuss-innovations-in-insulin-therapy.html Tue, 11 Sep 2018 13:35:00 +0530 The National Insulin Summit, one of India’s most prestigious medical symposiums, conducted by Diabetes Research Society (DIABAID) and supported by Novo Nordisk, the world leader in diabetes care was inaugurated recently by leading endocrinologists. Dr AK Das, National Convenor, 12th NIS, said that, “Indians are genetically predisposed towards diabetes. A high carb diet, obesity due to life style changes and the impact of urbanization and globalisation have led to a rapid rise of diabetes in India. In India almost 58% of people with diabetes remain undetected. Hence many patients have micro-vascular and macro-vascular complications present already at the time of diagnosis. The theme of this NIS was ‘ImpACTing diabetes together’. I am hopeful that the medical professionals gathered here will leverage this opportunity to update themselves about the latest medical advances in diabetes therapy and insulin. The need of the hour is to join the fight against diabetes for a healthy India.”      The 12th edition of the National Insulin Summit (NIS) was special as for the first time a patient interaction session helmed by Anil Kumble, changing diabetes ambassador was held under the aegis of Novo Nordisk Education Foundation. Two people with diabetes - a seven-year old child with type 1 diabetes and a 70-year old adult with type 2 diabetes for over 3 decades - shared their life story and how they overcame challenges associated with diabetes. Sharing his experience as changing diabetes ambassador, Anil Kumble said: “Over the last 1.5 years, I have been fortunate to have met real-life champions who are living with diabetes with a smile. It’s inspiring to see these people managing their diabetes well.”   The NIS with congregation of more than 300 experts in the field of diabetes from across India saw discussions, deliberations and presentations on various aspects of diabetes management and insulin therapy. Mr Melvin D’souza, Managing Director, Novo Nordisk India said: “Novo Nordisk is committed towards creating awareness about diabetes and enabling people with diabetes are provided with best-in-class quality medication. And with over 72 million people with diabetes in India, we recognise there is a need for stakeholders to collectively address this emergency. The National Insulin Summit is the right platform for doctors to come together to deliberate the advancements in diabetes care treatment and best practices. We are happy to support DIABAID in their initiative of creating a platform to ideate, debate and share scientific updates on diabetes.” Insulin remains the only treatment for glucose regulation in type 1 diabetes patients and is often the crucial element in any treatment management plan for advanced type 2 diabetes. Some of the results of late or inadequate treatment of diabetes include complications such as heart disease, hypertension, kidney failure, diabetic retinopathy and even death. However, early and appropriate use of insulin can not only prevent short-term complications, but also reduce long-term morbidity and mortality The event was well received by the participants who benefitted with various informative sessions and will contribute to the modernization of diabetes treatment in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11647/centre-for-sight-initiates-eye-donation-campaign.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11647/centre-for-sight-initiates-eye-donation-campaign.html Mon, 10 Sep 2018 14:55:00 +0530 The National Eye Donation Fortnight is celebrated every year from 25th August to 8th September. The celebration of the great campaign is go through very well in order to promote the eye donation process as well as to put forth the significant message to the people for being the special part of eye donation or eye pledging for giving normal life to the common public. To create awareness amongst the people about Eye Donation, Centre For Sight came up with #NazarLagJaye Campaign. In India, Nazar Lag jana is considered as a negative phrase and every Indian comes across this term whenever something bad happens. Centre For Sight wanted to change the outlook to this phrase in a positive manner. Hence the campaign #NazarLagJaye was launched this year by CFS, communicating that 12 Million Blind People are waiting and praying that “Unhe kisi ki Nazar Lag Jaye” Eye donation allows each one a chance to perform social good. It costs us nothing and makes no demand on our time. Our eyes, that we burn or bury after death, can be recycled into priceless gift of vision for millions of our corneally blind citizens. Keeping this in mind, CFS incepted a campaign to raise awareness around Eye Donation and increase the willingness of people to donate eyes. Anyone can be a donor, irrespective of age, sex, blood group or religion. In the end it’s all about making someone’s future brighter with your eyes. From each pair of donated eyes, two blind people will get vision and light into their life, thus making it more divine. Donated eyes can be also used to restore the vision of people who are suffering from corneal blindness. The other portions of the eye can be used to develop cures for some of the common eye diseases for research and training purposes. Preferably to complete the procedure within 6-8 hours after death. Trained staff will come and perform the procedure, which takes only 15-20 minutes. No damage would be caused during the procedure. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11637/who-se-asia-countries-to-control-dengue-eliminate-malaria.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11637/who-se-asia-countries-to-control-dengue-eliminate-malaria.html Fri, 07 Sep 2018 14:05:00 +0530 Countries in WHO South-East Asia resolved to accelerate efforts to control dengue which threatens nearly 1.3 billion people with frequent and largescale outbreaks, and control malaria, that continues to be endemic in the Region.“We need to intensify multi-sectoral approach at the national as well as the grassroots level to reach the most vulnerable and marginalized communities,  strengthen surveillance, operationalize cross-border collaboration and most importantly promote vector control,” Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director WHO South-East Asia, said at the Seventy-first Regional Committee session, which concluded recently.The 11-Member countries of the Region which accounts for one-fourth of the global population, 58% of the global burden of Plasmodium vivax malaria, and is at increasing risk of dengue and other vector borne diseases in view of the increasing urbanization and climate change, adopted a resolution to prioritize dengue control and malaria elimination.Reviewing the progress, challenges, capacities and opportunities for strengthening health workforce, the countries agreed to continue to focus on frontline workers, improve rural retention and transformative education, and increase coordination between health and other ministries.To further advance health of newborns, children and mothers, the countries agreed to enhance budgets and address social inequities. They emphasized that integrated approach with reproductive newborn, maternal, child and adolescent health programmes activities are at the heart of universal health coverage and for ensuring quality of care while “leaving no one behind”.Monitoring progress against universal health coverage (UHC) and the health-related Sustainable Development Goals, the Member countries agreed to continue to develop and implement policies to advance equity and efficiency.The Regional Committee session adopted the ‘Delhi Declaration’ with Member countries committing to make essential medical products accessible and affordable to all, both within the Region and beyond.The session adopted another resolution which seeks to strengthen emergency medical teams (EMTs) to enhance preparedness in WHO South-East Asia, prone to natural disasters.The Member countries welcomed expansion of the mandate of South-East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund (SEARHEF), from response to preparedness, to be better equipped to handle disasters. The SEARHEF has supported 37 emergencies in nine countries of the Region since its inception a decade ago, meeting immediate needs of affected communities, and save lives. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11633/doctors-call-for-pushing-eye-donations-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11633/doctors-call-for-pushing-eye-donations-in-india.html Fri, 07 Sep 2018 10:30:00 +0530 Even if just 1% of Indian population pledged to donate its eyes, the supply of corneas would be enough to completely cure the incidence of eye blindness in the country. Though as many as 80 lakh blind people currently live in India, less than 15,000 eyeballs, or corneas, are donated in a year in the entire nation! These startling figures were shared by eye specialists of Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital on occasion of the ongoing National Eye Donation Fortnight. Said Dr. Raghu Nagaraju Senior Consultant, Cornea & Refractive Surgery, Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital, Bengaluru: “Eye donation is extremely popular even in a small country like Sri Lanka which harvests more cornea than it needs and sends the surplus to other nations. In India, however, it is a different story, with supply not able to meet even 10% of the demand. Many myths continue to persist against eye donation, such as that dead people whose eyes have been harvested will not be able to attain salvation. This is sad because at least 15 lakh people are currently waiting for corneal transplants in India, but only about 7,000 to 8,000 transplants take place every year. We need a big push to increase the number of eye donations in India.” Added Dr. Amod Nayak, Regional Head, Medical Services Director, Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital, Bengaluru: “Government currently gives more importance to promoting cataract surgery than corneal transplants. Even though funds are allotted for corneal blindness in Government of India’s National Programme for Control of Blindness, the utilization of funds and execution of the project are not satisfactory. Cornea harvesting from tier 2 and 3 cities in Karnataka and rural areas is very less compared to big cities like Bengaluru and Mysuru because of lack of eye bank units. To tackle the problem of blindness, all government-run district hospitals must have a corneal specialized surgeon. More ophthalmologists are needed in tier 2 and 3 cities. Additionally, infrastructure required for corneal transplantation must be created in government-run medical colleges.” The main causes of blindness include cataract, refractive error, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and corneal blindness (opacity of the cornea which leads to blurring). Corneal blindness is the 4th leading cause of blindness globally. Corneal transplants are an effective solution to restore eyesight in such cases. Said Dr. Archana S- Senior Consultant, cataract, Cornea & Refractive Surgery Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital, Bengaluru: “Cornea has to be collected at the right time, stored promptly and transplanted as soon as possible. The less time between harvesting the tissue and the transplant, the better the outcome. We need to increase the number of eye banks to reduce transportation duration. Even after harvesting, however, only about half of the number of donated corneas get used for transplants. The rest are used for medical research and academic purposes.” Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital, Bengaluru, also organized a Walkathon to raise awareness regarding eye donation from Coles Road to Goodwill School. About 200 students from Goodwill Girls High School, Hospital staff and other members of the public participated and pledged to donate their eyes. The Walkathon was flagged off by Chief Guest Dr Sujatha, DIGP, Composite Hospital, CRPF Bengaluru along with Mr.U M Subramani, DIG, BSF. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11632/who-urges-to-strengthen-emergency-medical-teams.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11632/who-urges-to-strengthen-emergency-medical-teams.html Thu, 06 Sep 2018 17:30:00 +0530 The World Health Organization today called upon countries in its South-East Asia Region to strengthen emergency medical teams, to be better prepared to respond to public health emergencies.   “Strengthening national and regional-level emergency medical teams is a high-impact investment in reducing deaths, diseases and disabilities due to disasters, outbreaks and other emergencies. Emergency medical teams contribute to life-saving critical interventions,” said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director WHO South-East Asia Region, at the ongoing Regional Committee meeting here in Delhi, being attended by Ministers of Health and senior officials of the 11-member countries.   Experience from health emergencies in the Region have shown that following a sudden onset disaster, a large number of emergency medical teams (EMTs) or emergency response teams often arrive in the affected country to provide emergency care to affected people.   The EMTs are national, international, government, non-governmental, civilian and military. These teams have varied capacities, and their deployment is often not based on assessed needs.    “To be more effective, EMTs need to be standardized, strengthened and well-coordinated,” the Regional Director said.   WHO is helping mentor EMTs to improve their capacities in line with international standards. The WHO EMT Initiative aims at supporting countries, nongovernmental organizations, international organizations, by identifying minimum standards, best practices, logistics and standard operating procedures for operating field coordination, for saving lives, preserving health and protecting dignity.   The initiative seeks to improve timeliness and quality of health services provided by national and international EMTs, enhance the capacity of national health system to lead and coordinate such teams.   “In an emergency, the outcome of the response depends on how quickly the right expertise reaches the right place at the right time to meet the needs of the affected people,” Dr Khetrapal Singh said.   WHO urged Member countries to develop and implement a national plan for strengthening systems for emergency medical teams (EMTs) in collaboration with all key partners; and establish and strengthen national mechanisms which support effective and high-performing national EMTs in line with the WHO Classification and Standards.   The South-East Asia Region is vulnerable to various disasters and emergencies such as earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, landslides and volcanic eruptions. As per 2016 World Disaster Report, over the past decade, the Region disproportionately accounted for 26.8% of the deaths in emergencies.   Prone to natural disaster, the Region has been focusing on scaling up emergency risk management as a flagship priority. Better preparedness has helped saved lives during major disasters such as Nepal earthquake. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11630/fortis-hospitals-bannerghatta-road-performed-its-maiden-heart-transplant.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11630/fortis-hospitals-bannerghatta-road-performed-its-maiden-heart-transplant.html Thu, 06 Sep 2018 14:00:00 +0530 A team of doctors at Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road recently conducted its maiden complex pediatric heart transplant to save a 13-year-old boy from Karnataka who was suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy. The heart was harvested from a 20-year-old boy who met with a road accident and was declared brain dead later in Vishakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. A team of specialists from Fortis Hospital went to retrieve the heart before a green corridor helped the heart travel in just over an hour. The heart transplant was performed by two renowned cardiac surgeons of the country, Dr. K. R. Balakrishnan, Director of Cardiac Science; Chief Cardiothoracic and Transplant Surgeon at Fortis Malar Hospital, Chennai and Dr Vivek Jawali, Chief Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeon, Chairman, Department of Cardio Vascular Sciences, Fortis Hospitals, Bangalore. The team from Fortis rushed to Visakhapatnam to retrieve the live heart after a potential organ alert was received by the team at Fortis Hospital in Bangalore. A green corridor from the Care Hospital in Visakhapatnam to Bangalore was planned and executed to cover in less than an hour and twenty-six minutes. The transport of the live heart started at 09:30 PM and it reached the hospital in Bangalore at 10:56 PM.  The entire procedure right from harvesting the donor’s heart in Vizag, its transit and the heart transplant surgery took only 4 hours & one minute. The interstate coordination and swift execution facilitated the time bound heart transplant procedure. The recipient was in dire need of a heart transplant as he had an end stage heart failure with a serious consequence. The child was off ventilator in 6 hours and recovered smoothly. Because of the poor socioeconomic status of the child, he was kept in hospital a bit longer for ensuring good recovery & prolonged counselling. All reports including heart biopsy shows good acceptance by the body. Dr Vivek Jawali, Chief Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeon, Chairman, Department of Cardio Vascular Sciences, Fortis Hospitals, Bangalore said, “This was our first complex pediatric heart transplant surgery at Fortis Hospitals, Bannerghatta road and I am really glad that despite multiple challenges, it went smoothly. The entire procedure was carried out in around 4 hours. The boy was in a critical condition and the heart transplant was the only solution. This successful transplant is a result of cooperation and teamwork of our entire staff member and doctors at Visakhapatnam who harvested and transferred the heart to Bangalore. Also, the team who managed to the transport the heart from Visakhapatnam to Fortis Hospitals, Bannerghatta road in 45 minutes. This case proves the ease of the logistic and admirable proactivity and cooperation between the two states Government bodies. After a 48-hour non-stop saga, the child recovered uneventfully and rapidly with minimal blood loss and was off from ventilation machines in 6 hours and is recovering steadily now. The boy has started following a normal diet and additionally started his routine physiotherapy and cardiac rehabilitation exercises.” Dr Jawali further added, “India experiences acute shortage of organ donors every year. The lack of knowledge about organ donation is quite evident, however, through the story of this transplant we believe that it will create awareness among the people and they will come forward for organ donation. An organ donation means giving a second chance at life to someone and allows them to return to a normal lifestyle.” Dr. K. R. Balakrishnan, Director of Cardiac Science and Chief Cardiothoracic and Transplant Surgeon at Fortis Malar Hospital, Chennai said, “The child was suffering from a rare disease among children for which, usually, the morbidity and mortality rate in affected patients is high. In this case, heart transplant was the only way to give him a new lease of life. We had planned a structured procedure which involved removing most of the patient’s heart and creating a small cuff at the upper chambers to suit the new heart in the cavity. Post heart transplantation, with routine physiotherapy and proper diet the boy will reach his full fitness level in coming few months, leading a normal life.” The mother of the recipient said, “I am extremely grateful to the doctors and the donor’s family for giving a new life to my son. My deepest condolence to the family of the donor who agreed to donate their child's heart during this difficult time. Earlier, because of my son’s condition, he stopped going to the school as he was unable to do any physical activities and I feared he would never be able to lead a normal childhood. This surgery was a blessing for him, and he is doing quite well now. My son is a living testimony of what a positive impact an organ transplant has, and everyone deserves to have a healthy life. My main desire is to encourage people to come forward and pledge their organs.”  The two team of doctors from Fortis Hospitals, Bangalore and Fortis Malar came forward to help the patient with the heart transplant surgery at Bangalore. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11623/mfine-launches-unique-healthcare-subscription-plan.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11623/mfine-launches-unique-healthcare-subscription-plan.html Wed, 05 Sep 2018 14:45:00 +0530 mfine, an AI powered, on-demand healthcare service, is redefining how millions of Indians access primary healthcare by laying more emphasis on preventive and holistic care. To enable this, mfine today launched ‘mfine ONE’, a unique subscription plan that includes a complementary baseline health checkup and unlimited access to best doctors for the entire family. The mfine app allows users to virtually connect with doctors from leading hospitals under 60 seconds. More than 70 doctors from 30 hospitals are consulting users, under 12 specialities. The healthcare startup is aiming to acquire 25000 members through the subscription plan in Bengaluru in the next 6 months. mfine ONE is an annual/half-yearly subscription plan that allows unlimited doctor consultations for users and their immediate family members. The program will give users access to several digital tools to help them manage chronic conditions, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and aid in recovery from illnesses. Users with specific medical issues or chronic diseases will find this plan suitable for long-term care as they will have access to all their previous health records and will be able to continuously monitor and track their progress along with access to specialist doctors. As part of the subscription, consumers get a complete health assessment followed by a consultation with a physician on personal health goals and steps to achieve the same. The assessment is a comprehensive check-up to know all important health parameters of an individual including functioning of heart, kidneys and liver, complete blood count, composition of fat & muscle in the body and vitamin profile. This helps consumers to know how healthy they are and what specific health goals they should pursue. Spread of chronic and lifestyle diseases is growing at an alarming pace and much of it will end up in tertiary care if not managed and intervened at appropriate time. mfine’s vision is to enable easy access to quality primary and secondary care in India so that expensive tertiary care can be avoided. The subscription program allows users to not only monitor their own health but also of their immediate family members at no additional cost.  Launched in December 2017, more than 30,000 consultations have been done on mfine by some of the top doctors of the city. The startup has raised over $6 million and has 60 employees. The company is planning to achieve over 100,000 consultations by the end of 2018 and will partner with more than 50 top hospitals across 5 cities in the country. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11615/who-south-east-asia-region-commits-to-affordable-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11615/who-south-east-asia-region-commits-to-affordable-healthcare.html Tue, 04 Sep 2018 18:05:00 +0530 Member countries of WHO South-East Asia Region have committed to make essential medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and medical devices affordable and accessible to all, both within the Region and beyond. “Access to safe, effective and affordable medical products vital to prevent sufferings and impoverishment resulting from high out-of-pocket expenses on healthcare  by families, especially the poor,” Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia Region, said, as health ministers and officials of the 11 Member countries signed the ‘Delhi Declaration’ to improve access to essential medical products. Medical products are a major component of out-of-pocket health care spending which has pushed 65 million people into poverty in the WHO South-East Asia Region. Though significant efforts have been made by countries in recent years, as improving access to essential medicines is a WHO flagship priority programme in the Region since 2014, challenges remain in providing the right medical products at the right time to those in need. To overcome challenges, the Delhi Declaration calls for allocation of sufficient financial resources by countries, as part of overall health financing strategies, to reduce out-of-pocket payments of families on essential medicines.The declaration calls for strengthening national policies, regulation, supply chain management, and capacity to leverage intellectual property and trade for public health, to improve access to medicines and vaccines. Signing the declaration at the Seventy-first Regional Committee Session of WHO South-East Asia Region, Member countries committed to developing an effective, transparent and participatory mechanism for regional price negotiation and pooled procurement to ensure accessibility and affordability of essential medical products for life threatening and rare diseases. The Member countries committed to strengthen regulatory cooperation and collaboration to improve availability, quality and safety of essential medical products through the South-East Asia Regulatory Network (SEARN). With the Region emerging as a major manufacturer of essential medical products especially generic medicines, Member countries agreed to leverage this strength to improve accessibility and affordability both within the Region and beyond. The Member countries committed to developing an essential medical products list, in particular essential diagnostics list, for improved patient care, affordability of quality tests, and greater capacity to diagnose diseases during outbreaks and strengthened capabilities of national laboratories. The declaration also emphasized on more appropriate use of antibiotics; and innovation and investment in R&D including for neglected diseases, and affordable medical products. The Member countries agreed to ensure universal accessibility and affordability of essential medical products by 2030, as part of achieving universal health coverage (UHC) and the health related goals of SDG 2030 agenda. The Regional Committee is held annually and is hosted by one of the 11 Member countries or the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11614/narayana-health-city-conducts-unique-bone-marrow-transplant.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11614/narayana-health-city-conducts-unique-bone-marrow-transplant.html Tue, 04 Sep 2018 17:55:00 +0530 As we head closer to World Marrow Donor Day, Mazumdar Shaw Cancer Centre at Narayana Health City – one of the leading Blood and Marrow Stem Cell Transplant units in India highlights alarming cases of two Cambodian sisters aged 9 and 11 years; their hero and saviour being a 11-month-old sibling and half HLA matched father. With Bone Marrow Transplant being the only cure for Thalassemia, it becomes very important to find a matching donor for such treatment. “It is highly unlikely to find an unrelated donor for Cambodian descent patients as there is no Cambodian donor registry and number of Cambodian donors in other registries are almost negligible”, informed Dr. Sunil Bhat, Head – Paediatric Oncology, Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant at Mazumdar Shaw Cancer Centre, Narayana Health City. “Chances of a match with other ethnic backgrounds is extremely low”, he added. It was a big shock for this couple from Cambodia to have two consecutive children – both girls, suffering from Thalassemia – a potentially lethal disease. Both sisters were diagnosed with Thalassemia major – a disease that requires life-long blood transfusion every few weeks. “Most of the affected patients usually die in the second to fourth decade of life”, confirmed Dr. Sunil Bhat. Fortunately, almost eight years after the second child was born, the family was blessed with a baby boy who was normal and did not suffer from Thalassemia. The father being a doctor by profession had made every possible effort to provide the best care to both his affected daughters. However, it was getting difficult for him in Cambodia. Giving adequate, safe and effective blood transfusions and managing the complications of iron overload was becoming a challenge to the family. They had learnt that Bone Marrow Transplant is the only cure for this condition. They began their search for a centre with immense experience in paediatric bone marrow transplants. Their research led to Narayana Health City in Bengaluru and Dr. Sunil Bhat who has remarkable experience in treating complex cases of blood disorders in children. The centre is also known for its innovative techniques in Haplo identical (half-matched) bone marrow transplants. Affirming that Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) is the only cure for many life-threatening diseases, Dr. Sunil Bhat said, “For more than 100 potentially life-threatening diseases, bone marrow transplant or blood stem cell transplant is the only cure. These diseases range from cancers such as leukaemia, lymphoma, solid cancers to genetic disorders of blood forming cells and immune system like thalassemia major, sickle cell anaemia, severe immunodeficiency disorders. With increasing number of haematological disorders, the number of patients requiring a blood stem cell transplant is also increasing. There are more than 1, 00,000 patients with serious blood disorders diagnosed in India every year and they can be cured with a BMT. One of the major differences between bone marrow transplant and solid organ transplants like liver and kidney is that in BMT we need to match HLA of the patient and the donor. The chance of a patient finding a matched donor within family is only 25% to 30%; this leaves about 70% patients needing BMT for the cure of their disease but don’t have a matching donor”. The younger sister was fortunate as her brother was the HLA match who could donate, but he was only 11 months old! Extracting marrow stem cells from a donor who is an infant was a clinical challenge. The team at Narayana Health City came up with an innovative plan of taking the bone marrow from the donor at two different time points, around 4 to 6 weeks apart, in order to have adequate marrow for transplant. The transplant was performed in March this year making the 11-month-old infant the youngest donor to have donated bone marrow for his sister. The girl is completely cured of Thalassemia now. However, her elder sister was not so lucky as she couldn’t get a fully matched donor. Therefore, her transplant was even more challenging. She did not have any HLA matched donor either in the family or anywhere in the World. The next possibility was a Haplo-identical transplant. Doctors at Mazumdar Shaw Cancer Centre at Narayana Health City decided to use the stem cells of the father who was a half match with the elder daughter. A new technique was used in haplo (half matched) transplant as the donor stem cells were not fully matching the patient. “Her bad cells were taken out in a procedure called TCR alpha-beta depletion and only the good cells were given to the patient”, explained Dr. Sunil Bhat. “This avoids the risk of donor cells attacking the patient’s body”, he said. Although this technique helps in the above mentioned mechanism, it would delay the immune recovery, which would put them at risk of serious infections. “To address this issue of slow immune recovery, CD45RA depletion is an additional technique recently introduced”, informed Dr. Sunil. “This helps us to give memory cells, which can fight infections in the patient”, he said. This new technique has probably been used for the first time in India for the treatment of Thalassemia major. The transplant using this technique was performed on the elder girl in June this year and she is also cured of her disease completely. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11613/fortis-bengaluru-performs-its-maiden-heart-transplant.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11613/fortis-bengaluru-performs-its-maiden-heart-transplant.html Tue, 04 Sep 2018 17:40:00 +0530 A team of doctors at Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road recently conducted its maiden complex pediatric heart transplant to save a 13-year-old boy from Karnataka who was suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy. The heart was harvested from a 20-year-old boy who met with a road accident and was declared brain dead later in Vishakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. A team of specialists from Fortis Hospital went to retrieve the heart before a green corridor helped the heart travel in just over an hour. The heart transplant was performed by two renowned cardiac surgeons of the country, Dr. K. R. Balakrishnan, Director of Cardiac Science; Chief Cardiothoracic and Transplant Surgeon at Fortis Malar Hospital, Chennai and Dr Vivek Jawali, Chief Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeon, Chairman, Department of Cardio Vascular Sciences, Fortis Hospitals, Bangalore. The team from Fortis rushed to Visakhapatnam to retrieve the live heart after a potential organ alert was received by the team at Fortis Hospital in Bangalore. A green corridor from the Care Hospital in Visakhapatnam to Bangalore was planned and executed to cover in less than an hour and twenty-six minutes. The transport of the live heart started at 09:30 PM and it reached the hospital in Bangalore at 10:56 PM.  The entire procedure right from harvesting the donor’s heart in Vizag, its transit and the heart transplant surgery took only 4 hours & one minute. The interstate coordination and swift execution facilitated the time bound heart transplant procedure. The recipient was in dire need of a heart transplant as he had an end stage heart failure with a serious consequence. The child was off ventilator in 6 hours and recovered smoothly. Because of the poor socioeconomic status of the child, he was kept in hospital a bit longer for ensuring good recovery & prolonged counselling. All reports including heart biopsy shows good acceptance by the body. Dr Vivek Jawali, Chief Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeon, Chairman, Department of Cardio Vascular Sciences, Fortis Hospitals, Bangalore said, “This was our first complex pediatric heart transplant surgery at Fortis Hospitals, Bannerghatta road and I am really glad that despite multiple challenges, it went smoothly. The entire procedure was carried out in around 4 hours. The boy was in a critical condition and the heart transplant was the only solution. This successful transplant is a result of cooperation and teamwork of our entire staff member and doctors at Visakhapatnam who harvested and transferred the heart to Bangalore. Also, the team who managed to the transport the heart from Visakhapatnam to Fortis Hospitals, Bannerghatta road in 45 minutes. This case proves the ease of the logistic and admirable proactivity and cooperation between the two states Government bodies. After a 48-hour non-stop saga, the child recovered uneventfully and rapidly with minimal blood loss and was off from ventilation machines in 6 hours and is recovering steadily now. The boy has started following a normal diet and additionally started his routine physiotherapy and cardiac rehabilitation exercises.” Dr Jawali further added, “India experiences acute shortage of organ donors every year. The lack of knowledge about organ donation is quite evident, however, through the story of this transplant we believe that it will create awareness among the people and they will come forward for organ donation. An organ donation means giving a second chance at life to someone and allows them to return to a normal lifestyle.” Dr. K. R. Balakrishnan, Director of Cardiac Science and Chief Cardiothoracic and Transplant Surgeon at Fortis Malar Hospital, Chennai said, “The child was suffering from a rare disease among children for which, usually, the morbidity and mortality rate in affected patients is high. In this case, heart transplant was the only way to give him a new lease of life. We had planned a structured procedure which involved removing most of the patient’s heart and creating a small cuff at the upper chambers to suit the new heart in the cavity. Post heart transplantation, with routine physiotherapy and proper diet the boy will reach his full fitness level in coming few months, leading a normal life.” The Amalgamation of two team of doctors from Fortis Hospitals, Bangalore and Fortis Malar came forward to help the patient with the heart transplant surgery at Bangalore. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11606/effectiveness-of-clinical-decision-support-in-clinical-outcomes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11606/effectiveness-of-clinical-decision-support-in-clinical-outcomes.html Tue, 04 Sep 2018 12:10:00 +0530 British Medical Journal (BMJ) India conducted the third edition of BMJ Conclave, in Bengaluru this year, through two parallel and separate tracks: Effectiveness of Clinical Decision Support in Clinical Outcomes and E-resources within Libraries. The objective of conducting this event was to debate how medical institutions and hospitals can improve healthcare quality through the use of modern tools, such as, clinical decision support systems. The Chief Guest for the clinicians’ session was Dr S Sachidanand, Vice Chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) and the Guest of Honour was Dr. H. Veerabhadrappa, President, Karnataka Medical Council. The speakers of the session were Dr. George Noel Fernandes, Medical Director, Continental Hospital and Dr Alben Sigamani, Group Head - Clinical Research, Narayana Healthcare. The event was attended by many doctors from medical institutions across Bengaluru and hospitals of repute. Delegates, speakers and dignitaries appreciated the utility and importance of BMJ Best Practice, a clinical decision support tool presented by BMJ and demonstrated at the conference. The theme for the library session was E-Resources within Libraries: Access & Availability. This session focused on the maximizing usage of e-resources within medical institutions and ways on improving the availability and accessibility. The speakers of Librarian session were R Rathinasabapati, Senior Library and Information Officer, National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis & Dr Siva Chidambaram, Chief Librarian, B.B. Dikshit Library, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi BMJ, through its conclave, endeavours to present a platform that would help debate and discuss how clinical decision support tools are transforming patient care and improving patient outcomes. Through the parallel track for librarians, BMJ hopes to generate ideas on maximizing the benefits of access of e-resources within healthcare institutions. On the occasion, Prashant Mishra, Managing Director, BMJ India & South Asia, said, “It gives us immense pleasure to organize the third edition of BMJ Conclave in Bengaluru. We wish to work closely with the stakeholders in the state medical infrastructure to drive the widespread implementation of clinical decision support systems (CDSS). BMJ has been a champion of Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) movement, offering resources such as our journal Evidence Based Medicine and our point of care tool, BMJ Best Practice. Through this program we wish to increase the awareness about EBM and CDSS adoption in India. We hope this platform helps us to identify the challenges faced for widespread adoption of CDSS and helps make healthcare delivery more EBM-centric and patient-focused.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11602/tata-trusts-invests-rs-600cr-for-cancer-unit-in-andhra.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11602/tata-trusts-invests-rs-600cr-for-cancer-unit-in-andhra.html Mon, 03 Sep 2018 15:25:00 +0530 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu recently laid the foundation stone for a Rs 600 crore charitable state-of-the-art cancer care institute, to be set up in Andhra Pradesh by the Tata Trusts. The Sri Venkateswara Institute of Cancer Care and Advanced Research (SVICCAR) would come up on a 25-acre site allotted to the Tata Trusts by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). The TTD and the Tata Trusts had last year signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for setting up SVICCAR. The institute would come up with 376 beds at an investment of Rs 600 crore. The institute would have facilities like radiation, holistic care and advanced research. The centre will strive to provide care to the patients without denying it to those with financial constraints. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11598/india-to-achieve-a-hepatitis-free-status-by-2030.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11598/india-to-achieve-a-hepatitis-free-status-by-2030.html Mon, 03 Sep 2018 11:20:00 +0530 Union Health & Family Welfare Minister J P Nadda said that the government was keen to formalise a multi-stakeholder forum to arrive at policy decisions and formulate implementable strategies to make healthcare affordable and accessible to all.  He was addressing FICCI HEAL 2018 with the theme 'Healthcare at Crossroads', jointly organised by FICCI and NITI Aayog. "There is no formal structure for policy interaction and very soon we will have a forum where multi-stakeholders will join hands with the government for policy decisions and program implementation plans," he said and added that such synergies would be important to achieve a hepatitis-free India by 2030. The Minister added that Ayushman Bharat (Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna) looks at health holistically with twin pillars of Health and Wellness Centres for comprehensive Primary health Care and financial protection for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation. Dr. V K Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, Government of India said that as course correction in healthcare takes place, quality and ethics will be the guiding force. He urged the private sector to engage with the government in providing quality care at reasonable rates, monitored by the government. He said, "PMJAY is not possible without the engagement of the private sector. We need to create a pipeline of specialists and private sector can help in filling that gap."  Sangita Reddy, Vice President, FICCI and Joint MD, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd. said, "India is no longer at crossroads with the launch of Ayushman Bharat. Healthcare has entered the Universal Collective Super Highway." Setting theme of the conference, Brig. Dr Arvind Lal, Chair, FICCI Health Services Committee and CMD, Dr Lal PathLabs said that in order to ensure appropriate costs for procedures covered under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Abhiyaan, while maintaining the quality of services, it is important to derive rational and sustainable package rates. "There is a strong need to understand costs from the perspective of all relevant stakeholders, the government, the providers and the consumer."  Prof. (Dr.) Dinesh Bhugra, CBE, President, British Medical Association said, "There is need to shift the focus from secondary healthcare and hospitals to primary care. There is also a need to change the way we train the next generation of doctors and medical students." The Health Minister also released the 'FICCI Code of Ethics for the Health Services Industry. A FICCI White Paper 'Demystifying Healthcare Costs', was also released during the session. A major concern that the healthcare sector is facing today is the rising trust deficit - between the private sector and the government as well as between the provider and the patient. FICCI recognises the need for transparency and accountability in the functioning of all healthcare establishments - whether private or public. Hence, the FICCI Task Force on Accountability, along with the stakeholders from the government and industry, has developed the 'Code of Ethics for the health services industry', which encourages members to voluntarily and collectively commit to ethical professional conduct for patient care. Already, 7 other Associations, with more than 30,000 institutional and individual members and more than 15 healthcare organizations from across India, have endorsed the FICCI Code of Ethics.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11595/govt-to-create-feasible-ppp-model-to-implement-ayushman-bharat-scheme.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11595/govt-to-create-feasible-ppp-model-to-implement-ayushman-bharat-scheme.html Fri, 31 Aug 2018 17:45:00 +0530 The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Anil Baijal, gave away the 10th FICCI Healthcare Excellence Awards to 16 healthcare professionals and institutions at an awards ceremony in New Delhi on August 30, in the presence of Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel and Chairperson, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital & Medical Research Institute, Mumbai, Tina Ambani.   The following are categories of the awards and the names of the recipients:        CATEGORY NAME Patient Safety - Hospital NU Hospital Medical Technology /Devices Vita Pathfinders Consultants LLP Health Insurance Products Religare Health Insurance Co. Ltd Healthcare Start Up Leowin Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Environment Friendly Hospital Aravind Eye Hospital, Pondicherry Service Excellence  - Diagnostic Centre Dr Lal PathLabs Service Excellence - Private Hospital Artemis Hospitals Service Excellence - Private Hospital Max Healthcare Institute Limited Service Excellence  - Public Government Spine Institute, Ahmedabad Skill Development Public Health Foundation of India Social Initiative - Corporate Fortis Healthcare Limited Social Initiative - Corporate HealthMaP Diagnostics Private Ltd Social Initiative - Not for Profit ICARE Eye Hospital & Postgraduate Institute (Unit of Ishwar Charitable Trust) Healthcare Humanitarian Award Dr Abhay Bang & Dr Rani Bang - Founders ? SEARCH Healthcare Personality of the Year Dr Girdhar J Gyani - Director General, AHPI Lifetime Achievement Dr Azad Moopen - Chairman, Aster DM Healthcare   Speaking on the occasion, Baijal urged to remove paradoxical situations present on the ground in providing quality healthcare to all.    He said "development of a country is predicted on the basis of the healthcare situation in the country. We need right policy and regulatory framework to achieve remarkable growth."   Emphasising on the importance of start-ups, he said that they are redefining the healthcare sector and urged the private sector to come forward and work in collaboration with the government to take healthcare to the next level.   Minister Anupriya Patel reiterated the benefits of Ayushman Bharat scheme and said that government is working towards strengthening Public Private Partnership and creating workable and viable PPP model which can be implemented in next two-three years.   Tina Ambani mentioned five A's important for the healthcare sector. She said "accessibility, affordability, awareness, aspiration and association are the five pillars that will help to bridge the gap in providing quality healthcare to the common man."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11591/universal-robots-showcases-collaborative-robots-at-automation-expo-2018.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11591/universal-robots-showcases-collaborative-robots-at-automation-expo-2018.html Fri, 31 Aug 2018 14:35:00 +0530 Universal Robots showcased their products in the 13th Edition of Automation Expo through their channel partners AlStrut India Pvt. Ltd. and Logicon Technosolutions Pvt. Ltd. The Expo was held at the Bombay Convention and Exhibition Centre, Goregaon from 29th August to 1st September 2018. Universal Robots, the leading manufacturers of advanced user-friendly and light industrial robotic arms from Denmark showcased their latest technological advancement of collaborative robots or ‘Cobots’. Cobots was brought out in the international market with a unique intention of human – robot collaboration (HRC) which is in line with Industry 4.0. They have a wide market in the USA, Europe and South Asia, with having deployed 25,000 cobots globally. The cobot applications showcased at Automation Expo 2018 included buffing, deburring, palletizing, screw tightening, vision based conveyer tracking and pick-and-place. The UR3 table-top robot is the perfect choice for light assembly tasks and jobs that call for absolute precision.  With 360-degree rotation on all wrist joints and infinite rotation on the end joint, the UR3 is the most flexible, versatile and collaborative robots on the market today. The slightly bigger UR5 is ideal for automating low-weight processing tasks like picking, placing and testing. The medium-sized robot arm offers one of the fastest payback times in the industry. The UR10, being the largest robot arm in the UR family will automate heavier weight process tasks with payload requirements of up to 10 kg. With a reach radius of 1300 mm the UR10 robot arm is especially suitable for packaging, palletizing, assembly and pick and place where the distance between different operating areas is longer. In their efforts to take human – robot collaboration (HRC) to the next level, 2018 also saw the launch of e-Series range of cobots with increased sensitivity, force/torque sensors, easier programming and even faster installation. Based on the previous models, the e-Series comes in UR3e, UR5e and UR10e. Mr. Pradeep David, General Manager, Universal Robots, South Asia said, “The collaborative robot market is a growing one and we are working towards creating an ecosystem of developers for providing various innovative applications to consumers. We believe in a ‘shared value business model’, as the cobot provides a platform, which helps in automating virtually any process. Our robotic arms have an average payback time of anywhere from 1 - 2 years in Indian conditions, which makes them the most favourable in the market, within the reach of businesses of all sizes from MSMEs and SMEs to MNCs. We have also seen that the perception about the affordability of cobots has started changing. Indian MSMEs and SMEs are now taking a keen interest in automating their production processes and have deployed cobots for the same. We are proud to be represented through our Channel Partners at one of India’s largest trade shows in Automation.” Universal Robots has been the frontrunner of collaborative robotics since the company was founded in 2005. Industry reports state that the UR5 does in 4 hours, what it would take manual labour 2-3 days to accomplish. The UR3, the UR5 and the UR10 – each named after their payload capacity in kilograms – led the way for affordable automation in India, with the launch of the e-Series further boosting India’s automation ambition. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11590/fujifilm-india-joins-hands-with-indian-cancer-society-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11590/fujifilm-india-joins-hands-with-indian-cancer-society-.html Fri, 31 Aug 2018 14:05:00 +0530 Fujifilm India Pvt Ltd, a leader in the development and application of imaging and information innovations in healthcare technologies has announced its association with the Indian Cancer Society (ICS), one of the oldest registered healthcare NGO in the country. Purpose of the initiative is to communicate that early detection of breast cancer can save lives. Under the association Fujifilm will conduct 18 medical camps to generate awareness about breast cancer and breast self-examination. Free breast cancer screenings will be organized for women above 40 years. One of the many objectives of the campaign is to provide practical knowledge and quality screening for women of Delhi and NCR who are residing in slums and cannot afford quality treatment. A Mobile Van facilitating Mammography Screening would be available at the venues where such camps will be conducted. The campaign is strongly backed by the vision of ICS that the conquest of cancer should be by choice and not by chance. In India 50-60% of the patients die of breast cancer because of late diagnosis. This clearly proves that an informed individual is the most effective key to cancer control. Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Haruto Iwata, MD, Fujifilm India said, “We at Fujifilm have a keen desire to give back to society. Cancer is one issue where we strongly feel the need to engage with the community, and to raise awareness towards the disease in order to promote preventive measures and early detection. Our association with Indian Cancer society is an endeavour to utilize Fujifilm’s state-of-the-art technology for the betterment of people at large. ‘’ “Our association with the Indian Cancer Society is to sustain our vision, to spread awareness about early detection of breast cancer in Delhi and NCR. Our technology & innovation with the support of Indian cancer society will reach to the people who cannot afford the best of the treatments.” said Mr. Chander Shekhar Sibal, Senior Vice President and Head of Medical Division at Fujifilm India. Vice Chairperson of the Indian Cancer Society, Jyotsna Govil, said, “With the increasing incidence of cancer cases in women, there is a pressing need to raise awareness about early cancer detection at grass-roots level. Therefore, with this partnership, we aim to strengthen our reach with a shared vision of helping people fight cancer.’’ Under the association, three mobile cancer screening camps have been concluded in Delhi where over 180 screenings took place. In the coming days we are planning many more such camps in and around the Delhi and NCR region targeting 900 screenings. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11580/shroff-eye-centre-acquires-thermal-pulsation-system-for-dry-eye-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11580/shroff-eye-centre-acquires-thermal-pulsation-system-for-dry-eye-treatment.html Thu, 30 Aug 2018 18:20:00 +0530 Shroff Eye Centre, a leading eye care hospital in Delhi has announced the introduction of the LipiView advanced imaging diagnostic tool and the LipiFlow Thermal Pulsation System for dry eye treatment. Both products have been developed to manage the dysfunction of the meibomian glands, located under the upper and lower eye lids, which is the leading cause of ‘evaporative dry eye’. In over 60% of cases, dysfunction of the meibomian glands is found to be the underlying cause of dry eye, which is an underdiagnosed condition in India. Commenting on the launch, Dr.  Noshir Shroff, Medical Director, Shroff Eye Center said, “Professionals who work long hours in air-conditioned offices on electronic screens  are more susceptible to dry eye. With these new technologies we can help improve both the diagnosis and treatment of this condition.” In healthy people, the meibomian glands help lubricate the eye as a person blinks and in this way, help to protect against tear evaporation, by keeping the surface of the eye moist. In people with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), these glands get blocked, preventing the eyes from secreting adequate fluid to keep the eye well lubricated. This leads to dry eye, which causes eye discomfort, irritation and often inflammation. Research shows that the risk of MGD (and dry eye) increases with age. Women are more likely to develop dry eye syndrome, especially with hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause. Certain medical conditions also increase a person’s risk, including high cholesterol, thyroid disease, cataracts, vitamin A deficiency, autoimmune diseases such as Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, some bacterial infections, and drugs that reduce androgen or use estrogen replacement therapy. Refractive eye surgeries such as LASIK have also been found to increase dry eye risk in some people. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11579/ubm-india-bolognafiere-to-launch-cosmoprof-india-preview-in-mumbai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11579/ubm-india-bolognafiere-to-launch-cosmoprof-india-preview-in-mumbai.html Thu, 30 Aug 2018 16:30:00 +0530 With successful, signature trade shows in Bologna, Las Vegas and Hong Kong, which cumulatively involve over 370,000 professionals and 7,000 companies from across the world, the Cosmoprof platform is all set now to enter India, a dynamic, growing market for the beauty sector with Cosmoprof India. The show, which will be in the form of a Preview show in September 10 & 11 at the Sahara Star Hotel, Mumbai, will be a sourcing event not only for the entire Indian beauty business community, but also for the international beauty industry as well. Continuing its longstanding commitment to supporting and enhancing the beauty business industry, Cosmoprof India is the cutting-edge event for the International beauty community by UBM India and BolognaFiere. The Indian sub-continent is keen to discover finished world-class beauty products that are now in demand among a broader base of consumers. Further, networking with leading international brands and suppliers providing new industrial, service and packaging solutions is sure to help enhance local production, introducing to India innovative technologies and superior quality standards that are a requirement at the international level. Speaking at the announcement of Cosmoprof India, Mr. Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, UBM India, said, "We are thrilled to bring Cosmoprof to India, backed by the immense knowledge and expertise of a coveted international brand like Cosmoprof Worldwide, that so far showcases exclusively in Las Vegas, Bologna (Italy) and Hong Kong -- Mumbai  is slated to be the fourth city. With an aim to analyse and forecast trends and developments in the Beauty and Cosmetics industry along with helping businesses prosper, The Cosmoprof India Preview promises not only constructive but also an informative and engaging two days. It seeks to bring immense value to beauty and cosmetics professionals in India to reap the benefits of the advantageous market in a structured manner. The response for the preview has been sky rocketing just in its maiden edition in India." "More than 370,000 professionals and 7,000 companies are involved in the shows of Bologna, Las Vegas with Cosmoprof North America and Hong Kong with Cosmoprof Asia" says Cinzia Barbieri, Board Member of BolognaFiere Cosmoprof and BolognaFiere Group. He further added, "And now, we really expect Cosmoprof India to become the reference B2B beauty event in South-East Asia. The show represents a new opportunity both for brands of finished products, especially for Cosmetics & Toiletries, Beauty Salon, Hair, Nail and Accessories, and for the supply chain, with the leaders in raw materials and ingredients, contract manufacturing and private labels, applicators, primary and secondary packaging. Besides, attendees will have the chance to be updated on what's new in the beauty universe with seminars and workshops at Cosmotalks that will see the participation of key international experts and opinion leaders." All strata of the cosmetic industry will be represented: make up, skincare and body care, hair care, perfumery and cosmetics, beauty salon and spa, nail, accessories, furniture and supplies for salons. 97 companies - both local and international - will showcase, presenting their products to buyers and distributors in Mumbai. To increase business opportunities during the event, the preview will include an International Buyer Program by Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna that will aid B2B meetings between companies, distributors, buyers, importers and suppliers from India, United Arab Emirates and South East Asia. The Cosmoprof India Preview will be studded with a number of captivating presentations and features. For instance, the in-depth sessions and seminars of Cosmotalks, scheduled to take place at the Cosmoprof India Preview, will leverage the collaborations of internationally renowned partners. Beautystreams, specializing in consulting projects and development of market lines, will present 'Spring/Summer 2019 beauty trend forecast': colors, textures and look inspirations for the beauty industry for the next season. Euromonitor, a highly referenced market research organization, will organize the session under the title 'New consumer values and novel concepts in beauty', highlighting how consumers are turning to meaningful consumption, rewarding values such as quality, transparency, simplicity and customized experience. The seminar on 'The top 10 most important things you need to know to do business in India', organized by ICMAD - Independent Cosmetic Manufacturers and Distributors, the association of American manufacturing industries, will be dedicated to industry experts interested in the Indian market. Centdegrés, a design agency boasting of collaborations with the largest global corporations, will analyze the potential influence of Indian brands on global markets during a session called 'Designing the next generation of Indian beauty brands'. Kline & Company, consulting agency for the most important industrial groups, will present 'The challenges and opportunities of the Indian salon hair care market', focusing on the professional world, in particular the hair sector, which is one of the most important segments for the development of industry in the country. A much awaited feature, Cosmoprof OnStage will host the best of innovation and creativity for the cosmetics industry. Live demonstrations, hair shows, spectacular nail art, make-up techniques, cutting-edge beauty treatments and new products presented by exhibiting companies will take centre stage. Besides, Cosmoprof India will also partner with global design agency centdegrés to create #VibrantIndia, an exclusive experience wall to explore the opportunities of Indian beauty culture. Rich in colors and textures, Indian culture is an endless source of inspiration for beauty professionals. Furthermore, Beautystreams will be on the show floor, looking for trends among the products of the exhibiting companies. After the conclusion of the show, the report Cosmoprof India Trends will be delivered and will present the most influential items of Cosmoprof India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11572/indian-healthcare-bpo-market-to-touch-188-9-billion-by-2018.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11572/indian-healthcare-bpo-market-to-touch-188-9-billion-by-2018.html Wed, 29 Aug 2018 19:45:00 +0530 The global health care BPO market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 10.7% from US$113.2 billion in 2013 to US$188.9 billion by 2018, noted a recent ASSOCHAM-EY joint study.   The pharmaceutical outsourcing segment has the largest share and accounted for close to 80% (US$ 90.6 billion) of the health care BPO market in 2013, according to the study titled, ‘Medical Process Outsourcing in India,’ jointly conducted by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) and Ernst & Young (EY).   The outsourcing in the health care industry is on the rise especially in a country such as the US where the cost of the health care is high, the availability of man power is low and health care reforms are introduced by Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to provide affordable medical insurance to low-to-middle income Americans.   US health care accounted for the largest share (73.8%) of the worldwide health care BPO market at US$83.5 billion in 2013. It is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.2% to reach US$ 141.7 billion in 2018, pointed out the joint study.   The US health care payer, provider, and pharmaceutical outsourcing markets are valued at US$11.1 billion, US$6.8 billion, and US$65.6 billion, respectively, in 2013.   The most preferred destination for payer and provider outsourcing in India is due to the various advantages such as high number of health care professionals available at affordable cost, a large patient pool and reduced time and costs for recruitment. Furthermore, the Philippines-based health care BPO players are also looking to compete with Indian players.   With capabilities of Indian BPO vendors growing day by day, they now offer specialized services across different verticals, thereby enabling growth in targeted BPO services. The global sourcing (includes IT and business process sourcing) market is estimated to be in the range of US$148–154 billion in 2014.   India’s market share in global sourcing is estimated to be ~55% (US$81.4–84.2 billion) in 2014. However, there are other emerging BPO destinations in Eastern Europe, Asia and Latin America. Out of all the delivery centers opened in 2014, an estimated 27% (41 delivery centers) were in India, closely followed by Eastern Europe, Rest of Asia and Latin America, noted the study.   Outsourcing in health care has been late to the party globally. However, outsourcing in this industry is picking up well and India too stands to gain from the same. Primary and secondary sources estimate the overall size of health care outsourcing in India to be in the range of US$3.3–4.2 billion. Of this, around US$700–900 million would be the payer outsourcing market, US$100–200 million would be the provider market and US$2.5–3.1 billion will be the overall size of the pharmaceutical outsourcing market, noted the study.   India’s mature pharmaceutical and medical education system is a key driver of growth, since more than 1,500 institutions in the country offer various medical and pharmaceutical courses. The quality of education, medical infrastructure and facilities are also regarded as good, said  ASSOCHAM Secretary General Mr. D S Rawat.   India is regarded as one of the lead destinations for outsourcing due to factors such as large english speaking population, low cost base, and large talent pool of graduates and post-graduates in various technical and non-technical fields and maturity of the industry with more than 500 firms engaged in providing BPO services.   The overall market is estimated to be worth US$700–900 million in India with top BPO and IT vendors having presence in this segment. Claims processing and management continue to be the largest chunk of services provided but slowly other niche services such as case management, utilization management, disease management etc., are moving to India as vendors start developing capabilities in these areas.   The health care provider outsourcing market in India is a relatively small segment with an estimated size of US$100–200 million. This is primarily due to the fact that the provider market itself is fragmented and very few players have the scale to derive considerable benefits from outsourcing. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/interviews/98/11571/winmagic-provides-healthcare-information-security-and-privacy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/interviews/98/11571/winmagic-provides-healthcare-information-security-and-privacy.html Wed, 29 Aug 2018 17:50:00 +0530 Established since 1997, WinMagic Inc. provides the world’s most secure, manageable and easy-to–use data security solutions.  WinMagic's SecureDoc™ Environment is an award-winning enterprise disk encryption solution and key management product that is trusted by thousands of enterprises and government organizations worldwide.It is ideal for healthcare information security   Mr. Rahul Kumar- Country Manager, India & APAC, WinMagic Corp in a conversation with BioSpectrum  about Importance of data protection in Healthcare sector of India.   1) How will GDPR specifically affect healthcare? Technology—more than infrastructure—makes healthcare affordable, accessible and available to a large, disparate population. Private organizations are filling the last mile gap in healthcare service delivery, and they require ready access to data for building solutions. They have experience and expertise, and they are ready to enter developed markets where healthcare schemes are borne by the government. These organizations thrive on direct link to welfare schemes, insurance, data, etc., for their operations, predictive analytics and other routine processing.GDPR has changed the way these businesses operate because they no longer have ownership over the data. 2)   How can healthcare organizations comply with GDPR? GDPR prohibits unnecessary collection of personal data. Moreover, certain personal data—known as genetic data, data concerning health, and biometric data—can’t be processed unless it falls into certain categories. In any case, exceptions do exist and allow for data collection—for instance, when data is provided with the owner’s consent, when data benefits the owner, when data is used for public good, etc. 3)  What are the penalties for non-compliance? The cost of noncompliance is very high. In case of a compliance failure or a data breach, fines are calculated based on a number of factors. It varies between the standard four percent of global income and 20 million Euros, whichever is higher. 4)  What options are there to protect privacy/anonymity?  Privacy is not an end in itself; in fact, encryption is a given when it comes to GDPR. There are also obligations relating to accountability, protection, and transparency among other things, which all come together to ensure the individual’s right to data and security. This also includes the requirement for organizations to identify the person responsible for data protection, policies and procedure. 5) What will be the impact of EUGDPR on the global market and how equipped are the Indian healthcare companies today? Prior to GDPR, personal data was viewed as the property of the businesses that collected and stored the information. It is now the individual’s property. This is a radical shift, and it influences how businesses behave. On the issue of Indian healthcare companies looking to do business in Europe, I think the cost of noncompliance is a major deterrent. Secondly, there is still some grey areas relating to understanding various data processing requirements and the legal basis for carrying them out. The dust needs to settle firstand that’s going to take some more time. 6) What is the right way to handle a data breach? A breach is not the issue here; noncompliance to GDPR is. Breaches have become a part of the modern business landscape! Therefore, effective governance and adherence to standards is very important in today’s world of business. In GDPR framework, a series of steps should be initiated within 72 hours of identifying a breach. In any case, this poses a serious financial and reputational risk if noncompliance to norms is found lacking. One way to ensure that a breach would not likely result in a risk to EU resident data owners is to encrypt all collected personal data. Organizations need to consider their ability to support large amounts of encrypted traffic in transit and at rest.   7)  Why is it necessary to create a Data Breach Preparedness Plan for healthcare organizations? Healthcare organizations have a unique set of higher standards to adhere to. For instance, these organizations cannot process certain personal data categories until they meet the parameters set by GDPR. These data are categorised as genetic data, data concerning health and biometric data. It is therefore important that healthcare providers and their supply chain must identify and test incident response management plans to protect their core business functions. This will ensure cyber resilience and business continuity in the event of a data breach. 8) How does WinMagic play an important role in Indian pharma sector to protect data breaching? Information security management is critical in the pharmaceutical industry. It includes providing protection to not just patient information, but also monitoring the supply chain security, providing patent protection, and mitigating insider threats. WinMagic’ssolutions provide the necessary security layers that are proactive, intuitive, and built to last. 9) What are your business expansion plans in the Indian and global healthcare sector? Healthcare globally has been a key business segment for us led by the US. Emerging Geographies like India have started contributing and WinMagic sees this segment as a key growth vector. Global compliances like HIPAA and now Disha which is aimed at being Indian healthcare security regulations poses to bring in significant growth driver for adoption for encryption as a technology. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11569/29-states-and-uts-signs-mou-for-ab-pmjay.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11569/29-states-and-uts-signs-mou-for-ab-pmjay.html Wed, 29 Aug 2018 12:25:00 +0530 29 states and UTs have signed the MoU and have started working on the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna.   The pilots have started in 16 States / UTs. Other states/UTs will also start pilots before fully launching the scheme on 25th September.   J P Nadda, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare was addressing the media in a press conference on Ayushman Bharat - PradhanMantri Jan ArogyaYojna (AB-PMJAY), in New Delhi on August 27.   He said that the scheme architecture and formulation has undergone a truly federal process, with stakeholder inputs taken from all States and UTs through the national conclaves, sectoral working groups, intensive field exercises and piloting of key modules.   Nadda cautioned that strict action will be taken against those running the fake websites on Ayushman Bharat. He categorically clarified that no enrolment is required for beneficiaries and there is no payment for obtaining services at empaneled hospitals. “Criminal cases will be charged against fraudulent websites and agents trying to collect money from beneficiaries,” he added.   Nadda stated that Arogya Mitras training is being conducted in collaboration with National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Ministry of Skill Development to strengthen implementation and operational preparedness. “Training has already been initiated in 15 states/UTs,”Nadda said.   Reiterating the commitment of his government, the Union Health Minister said the objectives of the AB-PMJAY is to reduce out of pocket hospitalisation expenses, fulfil unmet needs and improve access of identified families to quality inpatient care and day care surgeries.   “The services will include more than 1300 procedures covering pre and post hospitalization, diagnostics, medicines etc., and the beneficiaries will be able to move across borders and access services across the country through the provider network seamlessly,” Nadda stated.   Addressing the conference, Nadda said that the Government has given total flexibility to the States to choose their own modes of implementation among Insurance, Trust or Mixed Mode and Government is ready to provide the required support also.   He further said that NHA Information Security and Data Privacy are being institutionalized to provide adequate guidance and set of controls on the secure handling of Beneficiaries Personal Data and Sensitive Personal Data in compliance with all laws and regulations applicable.   J P Nadda also unveiled the PMJAY logo to the media while Anupriya Patel, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare launched the Anti-fraud Guidelines. Ashwini Kumar Choubey launched the Data Privacy and Information Security Policy.   Later, J P Nadda and Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship presided over aMoU signing ceremony between National Health Agency (NHA) and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) for skilling 1 lakh ArogyaMitras. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11567/wadia-maternity-hospital-gets-indias-1st-qai-accreditation-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11567/wadia-maternity-hospital-gets-indias-1st-qai-accreditation-.html Tue, 28 Aug 2018 16:55:00 +0530 IVF Centre, Nowrosjee Wadia Maternity Hospital, becomes first in the country to get accreditation from QAI (Quality and Accreditation Institute). The accreditation was given by Dr. B.K.Rana Founding CEO, QAI.     On January 15th, 2016, the IVF Centre, Nowrosjee Wadia Maternity Hospital opened its doors for the public. Inaugurated by Maharashtra Health Minister Deepak Sawant, the center aims at providing the IVF facilities to every strata of the society. It is first of its kind among the public trust hospitals in Maharashtra.   The centre cites 15000 patients in OPD and 10000 IPD patients annually. With 15-20 new cases every day and a success rate of 60%, this is a boon for those couples who are unable to bear children. The first baby conceived at the Nowrosjee Wadia IVF center was delivered on 18th April, 2017. Just recently started, the center will also provide cancer patients an opportunity to experience parenthood.      Dr. Minnie Bodhanwala, CEO, Wadia Hospital, “Being honoured with QAI accreditation is matter of pride for the hospital as well and for our country. The treatment costs of various Assisted Reproduction Techniques are very high and many times out of reach of a common man and the Wadia IVF center will cut it by 25% - 50%, considering affordability. Around 27million couples in India suffer from infertility and to see a smile on their face watching their baby is a sense of achievement for us”. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11560/cytecare-organizes-international-cancer-consultation-camps.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11560/cytecare-organizes-international-cancer-consultation-camps.html Tue, 28 Aug 2018 12:35:00 +0530 Cytecare Cancer Hospital with the focus on creating awareness on early diagnosis of cancer organized a two day free Cancer Consultation camp at Meru and Marsabit, recently. A total of 150 patients were part of the camp, who were counselled on the early symptoms and better management of the disease by Dr. Prasad Narayanan, Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology of Cytecare Cancer Hospital, Bengaluru. Cytecare partnered with St. Theresa Mission Hospital, Kiirua, Meru and Marsabit County Referral Hospital for the camp. Cancer is the third highest cause of morbidity and accounts 7% of annual deaths in Kenya, according to Kenya Cancer Statistics and National Strategies. It is estimated that 39,000 new cases of cancer are recorded each year in the country, with over 27,000 deaths per year. In Kenya, cancer is now a common illness. Such high casualty rates are due to patients reporting at the last stage and lack of treatment facilities. With an objective to reduce the burden and build awareness on early diagnosis Cytecare organized the consultation camp in Kenya. During the camp, the patients and their families were explained about the misconceptions of the diseases and help them regain the confidence and fight social stigma. Speaking at the camp, Dr. Prasad Narayan, Senior Consultant, Cytecare Cancer Hospital, “We have explained the necessity of early diagnosis and importance of enhancing their quality of life. We are still losing people due to the dearth of awareness.  As an initiative to reduce the burden, Cytecare addressed the need for an early diagnosis to the people at Meru and Marsabit. Also, Cytecare was instrumental in treating over 100 patients from Kenya. We are glad to see that all our patients lead a better life.  Fighting the disease the right way and improving patient’s quality of life is our key approach. We received a tremendous response from the people and planning to organize more such camps across the globe and benefit the people.” Inaugurating the camp, Governor Mohamud Mohamed Ali, Marsabit County, said, “We are pleased to have the specialist team from Cytecare to consult and diagnose our residents. In addition, we have collaborated with Cytecare to pursue telemedicine to deliver the right treatment for our people.  Our local doctors will be trained by the specialist at Cytecare without having to travel to India. A partnership will surely go a long way in treating cancer the right way.” The consultation camp was given for high incidence cancers such as Brain Cancer, Oral Cancer, Breast Cancer, Gynecology Cancer Othropaedic, Prostate Cancer, urology etc. Cytecare’s state-of-the-art’ pathology lab, a specialized team of Onco-pathologists and comprehensive knowledge in treating cancer has ensured accurate diagnosis resulting in accurate treatment. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11549/paras-healthcare-launches-platform-for-tertiary-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11549/paras-healthcare-launches-platform-for-tertiary-care.html Mon, 27 Aug 2018 12:05:00 +0530 In a bid to bridge the healthcare gap for the destitute and medical services, leading hospital chain Paras Healthcare has announced the launch of Paras Sarthi — a unique healthcare delivery platform based on a CSR funding-focused aggregator model to provide quality medical care services to the needy and underprivileged.  Paras Sarthi is a unique initiative of Paras Healthcare that provides guidance and a participating platform to corporates to associate together for healthcare social responsibility initiatives. The program offers guidance, participation programs and impact report to the corporates to highlight their contribution towards the CSR Legislation. The announcement was made by Dr. Dharminder Nagar, Managing Director, Paras Healthcare, on the occasion of the 2018 edition of CSR Health Impact Awards, in the presence of Chief Guest Shri Vijay Goel, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs.     Highlighting the need for healthcare focused CSR initiative, Dr. Dharminder Nagar said, “The healthcare scene is challenging for the poor, with 70% of tertiary care hospitals located in urban regions and catering to 30% of urban population. Around 75% dispensaries, 60% hospitals, and 80% doctors are located in urban areas. However, we also see hope as increasingly we find individuals and organizations coming forward with innovative and impactful CSR-based initiatives directed towards health. The challenge lies in the dearth of reliable medium to implement their ideas in a manner that actually benefits the people on the ground.” Introducing Paras Sarthi, Dr. Dharminder Nagar said, “Backed by our partners for health, Paras Sarthi, a not-for-profit initiative, will metamorphose ongoing efforts of Paras Healthcare into a high-impact collaborative movement to deliver advanced healthcare interventions to the most underserved sections of the society. Using our established capabilities of delivering quality healthcare, we wish to bring about a change in healthcare scenario of the country where the poorest of the poor can have a realistic chance of accessing quality healthcare. The Paras Sarthi initiative is based on a CSR-aggregator model, which will engage individuals and organizations the ways and means to make a difference and collectively finance medical care, while Paras Healthcare shall be contributing to the initiative by only charging the cost incurred in the treatment of the patient. All overhead costs will be removed for the services given under this initiative.” As the pilot project, the platform will be tested in all cities and regions in reach of Paras Healthcare. The leading hospital chain is spread across 5 regions in Delhi NCR, Haryana, Bihar, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab.  The underprivileged sections of the society will benefit from the host of services cancer, gynecology, pediatric surgery, cardiology, and neurosurgery.    “Any organization that wants to take up CSR-based initiatives faces the challenges of determining the cost of the initiative, the right means of spending the CSR fund, the right partner for impactful implementation, the right tools to measure impact, sustainability and scalability of the initiative. Paras Sarthi becomes the one-stop reliable partner for implementing sustainable and scalable initiative with direct measurable impact and transparent assessment of cost and expenditure. Paras Healthcare is funding the initial corpus of the initiative and we will be setting an annual target to effectively mobilize our resources. To ensure the platform is ready and operational at the earliest, we are in talks with multiple stakeholders, including corporate and NGOs, to create a broad network. After the success of the pilot, the larger vision is to take this model pan-India.” Dr. Dharminder Nagar explained. Companies have reportedly spent a whopping Rs 2240 crore in healthcare in the FY 2016-17 as per the national CII Annual CSR Tracker 2017 report. Crowd funding for a cause’ is also growing fast in India with around 300 cr raised in the last FY with substantial portion for medical procedures. Pumped by the flow of funds in the CSR domain and supported by a new generation of socially conscious people who wish to contribute to the society, Paras Healthcare is driven towards making ‘Saving a Life’ as everyone’s mission. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11543/hcfi-conducts-healthcare-awareness-campaign.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11543/hcfi-conducts-healthcare-awareness-campaign.html Fri, 24 Aug 2018 12:05:00 +0530 A National NGO, Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) working in the healthcare sector, launched the ‘Make in India for Cure in India’ and ‘Indoor pollution is slow poison’ campaigns. Campaigns are part of a precursor to the 25th MTNL Perfect Health Mela to be held in from 24th to 28thOctober 2018 at the Talkatora Indoor Stadium, New Delhi. The Perfect Health Mela is a one-of-its-kind event held every year with a mission to generate all-around awareness on health. In its 25th edition, the event expects participation from over 1,00,000 individuals from all walks of life. The campaign's launch focused on strategies to reduce indoor air pollution and the need to use medical devices manufactured in India. The aim is two-fold: to raise awareness on the fact that indoor air pollution can affect health as much as outdoor pollution; and to realize the goal of affordable healthcare through the Make in India for Cure in India movement. The second largest killer, poor indoor air quality is responsible for about 1.3 million deaths in India each year, according to statistics. A building-related illness can be linked to an identifiable causative agent (e.g. hypersensitivity pneumonitis, allergic asthma related to a sensitizing agent). Host factors, such as bronchial hyper reactivity and psychosocial work issues, play a role in some cases. As per industry estimates, the Indian medical devices market will grow to USD 50 billion by 2025. Currently, India is counted among the top 20 global medical devices market and is the 4th largest medical devices market in Asia after Japan, China and South Korea. Speaking on this, Mr Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AIMED) said, “Make in India is imperative for Cure in India. Without medical devices there cannot be any health care delivery. With the government’s intentions to make India a global medical devices manufacturing hub in the coming years and to achieve the overall goal of affordable health care for all by making all critical and lifesaving medical devices available at affordable prices, it is highly imperative to translate these intentions to implementing policies that boost this campaign.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11536/rfxcel-announces-indian-market-opportunities-for-traceability-technologies-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11536/rfxcel-announces-indian-market-opportunities-for-traceability-technologies-.html Thu, 23 Aug 2018 12:35:00 +0530 rfxcel, the leader in track and trace solutions for the pharmaceutical market announced tremendous growth in India. rfxcel more than doubled its annual sales performance in India and APAC. This speaks to the significant market opportunities and demand for traceability technologies delivered by rfxcel. Traceability is the primary focus for the life sciences in 2018. According to  rfxcel customer survey of 100+ brands, 89% believe collaboration, full-service onboarding, continued support, and interoperability are important for a successful and secure supply chain. rfxcel is the first-ever traceability platform to help companies of all sizes and industries easily connect and integrate with trading partners, resulting in predictable outcomes and lower supply chain costs. rfxcel has achieved many major milestones, including: Exceptional Business Performance in India: rfxcel more than doubled annual sales growth and its customer base in 2018; while securing wins with 6 of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies in India. Exceptional Growth in Europe: rfxcel announced its successful expansion in the UK and EMEA, with triple digit revenue growth since 2017.  This includes an increase in sales headcount by 300% and an expansion in our delivery and support teams by 350% in the same period. New Board Members: Chris Sultemeier (President and CEO of Walmart Transportation LLC.) and Martin Van Trieste (Chief Quality Officer and SVP of Quality at Amgen), joined rfxcel's Board of Directors. Veterans of supply chain, Chris and Martin have played instrumental roles guiding highly visible supply chain and traceability efforts. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11535/sky-hospital-to-give-free-heart-disease-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11535/sky-hospital-to-give-free-heart-disease-treatment.html Thu, 23 Aug 2018 11:20:00 +0530 Sky Hospital, Imphal is conducting heart diseases for free for Community Mental Health Teams (CMHT) card holders or persons eligible for Ayushman Bharat (National Health Protection Mission). This announcement came after a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the State Government and the Sky Hospital recently. Sky Hospital and Research Centre, which is the only full-fledged heart hospital of Manipur, has been empanelled by the Government of Manipur for implementation of the schemes for free treatments of various heart diseases with immediate effect The package includes common heart conditions or diseases such as heart attack, heart failure, Heart Valve Diseases, Birth Heart Defects, Palpitation, Pacemaker Implant Operation, Coronary Angioplasty with Stent, any Open Heart Surgery, Surgical Closure of Holes in the heart, Heart Valve Replacement Operation (Single/Double), Coronary Bypass Surgery (CABG), Device Closure of various holes in the heart, Balloon Dilatation of blocked heart valves, RF Ablation for various palpitation (PSVT, VT) etc. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11533/fortis-mulund-first-to-implant-s-icd-in-western-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11533/fortis-mulund-first-to-implant-s-icd-in-western-india.html Wed, 22 Aug 2018 14:40:00 +0530 Saif Fakhir, a 36yr old Iraqi national was suffering from recurrent fevers for over 6 months. His condition would improve for a short span after courses of antibiotics were prescribed by local doctors; however, there was no long-term relief. Since his ordeal did not end, he visited Fortis Hospital, Mulund along with his father, and was admitted under the care of Dr Atul Limaye, Interventional Cardiologist, Fortis Hospital Mulund. A detailed assessment revealed that he had persistent blood stream infection. Dr. Limaye suggested that he undergo an Echocardiogram; the results of which concluded that the source of infection and the fever was the Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) lead, which was placed inside his heart during a procedure conducted a few years ago. Since no other solution was available to treat his condition, Dr. Limaye suggested that the infected lead be removed and replaced with a new type of lead that has no contact with the heart or vascular structures. The Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) is a small electronic device connected to the Heart which is used to continuously monitor and help regulate potentially fast and life-threatening electrical problems within the heart. The new system had to be novel, as the patient had had recurrent infections from prior trans-venous implants, the leads of which reside inside the heart chambers. Dr. Limaye decided to implant a Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (S-ICD), a unique system that sits outside the heart, with no leads in contact with the heart chambers or its vasculature. The procedure was planned in two steps; first removal of the infected lead from the heart and subsequently implanting the S-ICD system. Both procedures were conducted 4 weeks after admission, as doctors had to first manage the existing infection in the patient’s blood.  The biggest challenge faced by Dr. Limaye and his team, was the removal of the infected ICD lead from Saif’s heart. Whenever the ICD lead is inside the heart for a prolonged period, it becomes enmeshed in the trabeculae inside the heart and becomes adherent to it.  With expert precision, the team successfully removed the infected ICD system with specialized “lead extraction” equipment to free up the lead from within the heart, avoiding any damage to the heart structures. Subsequently, the S-ICD was successfully implanted, and the device was tested to ensure efficacy. Saif was kept under ICU observation and monitored round the clock for the next 24hrs and discharged 3 days after the SICD procedure. Speaking about the procedure, Dr. Atul Limaye, Interventional Cardiologist, Fortis Hospital Mulund, said, “We are the 1st center in Western India to implant the S-ICD device and 15th all over the country. The advantage of this device is that since the device is placed outside the heart, the risk of infection is extremely low, and the patient will continue to be protected from lethal arrhythmias. Saif has responded well and we expect him to return to his country shorty.”   Current scenario of S-ICD in India- Dr Atul Limaye "In India, only 16 implants have been carried out till date. Appropriate candidates for this device are patients with high infection risk, such as patients with Renal Disease, which are prone to lead to related complications. Also, many patients have inadequate venous access for the traditional Trans-Venous ICD systems. Such patients are again ideal candidates for SICD. Finally, young patients with Congenital Arrhythmias would benefit from such a device so that there is no intravascular presence (minimal risk of infection and problems of lead extraction whenever a lead or device gets infected). But there is limited awareness about prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) in patient populations prone to life-threatening Arrhythmias (such as our patient with Long QT Syndrome), therefore, in general, ICD therapy is under-prescribed in our country. SICD device and therapy has even less knowledge penetration amongst our medical fraternity. Concerted efforts by Cardiologists and device manufacturers is needed to spread awareness about this life-saving therapy.  It is vastly under-utilized technology in India. Currently, only Boston Scientific manufactures the device globally."  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11525/amazon-to-make-huge-strides-in-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11525/amazon-to-make-huge-strides-in-healthcare.html Wed, 22 Aug 2018 11:05:00 +0530 With a business model that facilitates easier connectivity between providers and patients, a powerful online platform and artificial intelligence (AI) interface, Alexa, Amazon is predicted to make huge strides in healthcare, says leading data and analytics company Global Data. In 2016, the US spent $3.3 trillion or $10,348 per person for healthcare. Even though healthcare spending in the US accounted for 17.9%, the largest portion of GDP for healthcare spending for a country in the world, patient outcomes are not as positive as they ought to be. Pavan Kottamasu, Senior Pharma Analyst at Global Data, says: “In a country like the US, where the economic foundation lies in capitalism, difficulties arise in unifying healthcare delivery practices across the country. With a wide variety of private insurance companies and federal medical spending programs, the US has an extremely complicated network of connecting patients with providers. “A solution could be to move toward universal healthcare in countries such as Australia, Canada, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK, so that all patients would have adequate healthcare coverage and access to medical attention. However, that would mean dissolving multibillion dollar private insurance companies, an idea that would not go well with the companies themselves, and the pharmaceutical, healthcare and business companies in which they are deeply vested.” The currently acceptable solution is for companies to figure out ways to navigate the complex US healthcare system so that it is easier to connect providers with patients. In addition, outcomes could be significantly better if patients had more frequent access to healthcare providers and were better educated on healthier lifestyles. By focusing on preventative measures, patients would benefit in the long run and minimize risk of obtaining chronic diseases. Of late, Amazon has been warming up to enter into the crowded healthcare space with a series of ventures, acquisitions and product developments. In January 2018, it announced that it would collaborate with Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan to launch a healthcare company for their 1.2 million combined employees in the US. Ideally, it is hoped that through this venture, the overall cost of care would decrease while improving health outcomes. In February, the company unveiled an exclusive over-the-counter healthcare product line—Basic Care. Besides poaching employees from CVS Health, Express Scripts and UnitedHealth Group over a one-and-half year period, the e-commerce giant hired over 20 staff with experience in healthcare or pharmaceutical industries in March this year. In the same month, it was granted a new patent by the US Patent and Trademark Office for a delivery drone that can respond to human gestures. In June, the company agreed to acquire US-based online pharmacy PillPack for nearly $1bn. Kottamasu concludes: “Amazon has already successfully shown the world that it can deliver products to consumers at an extremely fast rate and now has the potential to make huge strides in reducing wasteful spending in chronic disease management, over-utilization of primary care and pharmaceuticals.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11523/india-gets-first-ai-based-health-insurance-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11523/india-gets-first-ai-based-health-insurance-system.html Tue, 21 Aug 2018 18:30:00 +0530 ICICI Lombard has launched India's first Artificial intelligence (AI) based technology to facilitate instant health insurance claims approval. As a result, the traditional cashless claim request which takes an average of 60 minutes of processing has been drastically brought down to a minute using AI. The varied medical procedures where AI is being deployed includes Cataract, Maternity, Appendicitis, Hemodialysis and Hysterectomy. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11511/who-se-asia-commends-humanitarian-workers.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11511/who-se-asia-commends-humanitarian-workers.html Sat, 18 Aug 2018 14:35:00 +0530 Humanitarian workers are the backbone of every effective, life-saving humanitarian response. Though the role of a humanitarian worker is straightforward – to provide life-saving assistance and long-term rehabilitation to communities affected by acute events – the situations they must operate in are far from it: From natural disasters such as earthquakes and cyclones to disease outbreaks, war and even radiological emergencies, functioning effectively requires a special set of skills and a deep well of fortitude.Whether volunteering for a local NGO, working for an international aid organization or the United Nations, humanitarian workers are to be commended for their courage and determination. Given the nature of humanitarian work, many humanitarian workers are also health workers.With WHO South-East Asia’s support – and as per its Flagship Priority on scaling up emergency risk management – countries across the Region have worked to enhance the preparedness of health workers at all levels to respond to domestic crises. In recent years frontline health workers have been provided critical training in mass casualty management and basic emergency protocol, while higher-level officials have engaged in risk communication training. These and other activities must be conducted on an ongoing basis, with an emphasis on multisectoral cooperation and effectively utilizing information communication technologies.Notably, several Member States have also developed highly skilled national emergency medical teams (EMTs) capable of operating within the WHO-led Health Cluster during acute events in the Region and beyond. As Member States will discuss at WHO South-East Asia’s Seventy-first session of the Regional Committee in early September (the Region’s highest-decision-making body), a WHO-led mechanism to build the capacity of and coordinate these teams could enhance domestic capacity, increase the Region’s surge capacity, and reinforce regional solidarity.Beyond good training and coordination, humanitarian workers also need effective financial and logistical support. To this end, the South-East Asia Region has created its own innovative mechanism – The South-East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund (SEARHEF) – to which Member States contribute funds which are then disbursed in the event of an emergency. To date, SEARHEF funds have been used in nine of the Region’s 11 Member States and have covered 37 emergency operations, with disbursements of more than $5.9 million. Significantly, in 2016 SEARHEF opened a new funding stream to increase preparedness where gaps were identified. The extent to which that funding stream performs its purpose is incumbent on the extent to which Member States contribute funding.Importantly, the efforts of humanitarian workers must be facilitated by strong health systems at all levels – especially the primary level. Strong primary health systems ensure that what is often the first point-of-care will be an effective one and that, as necessary, referral networks can function effectively. Moreover, in the event of disease outbreaks, frontline health facilities are the first line of defense in containing a disease’s spread, meaning they must have the means to act with decisive efficiency.On World Humanitarian Day, WHO South-East Asia commends all humanitarian workers for their courage and determination, and reiterates its ongoing assistance to Member States as they strive to support and facilitate the efforts of humanitarian workers to save life and get the job done. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11500/chandra-babu-naidu-declares-andhra-pradesh-as-safety-injection-use-state.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11500/chandra-babu-naidu-declares-andhra-pradesh-as-safety-injection-use-state.html Thu, 16 Aug 2018 15:50:00 +0530 Dr. (Col) HS Ratti, an epidemiologist and Project Advisor to Safe Point has applauded the Andhra Pradesh Government for becoming the First Indian State to launch Auto-Disable Syringes for all clinical purposes and to declare the State of Andhra Pradesh as “Safety Injection Use State” The elated Dr. HS Ratti, said “I congratulate AP Govt. for implementing this important initiative. We are honoured and excited to partner with IAPG (Indian Alliance of Patient Groups) and Govt. of Andhra Pradesh to offer training programs to the healthcare workers of AP on correct and best Injection practices to avoid preventable infections.” Andhra Govt. in May 2018 passed an order to use Auto-Disable Syringes for all clinical purposes and to declare the State of Andhra Pradesh as “Safety Injection Use State” and as promised, Health Medical & Family Welfare Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh today launched “AD Syringes for Patient Safety” at a conference at AP Secretariat,  Amaravati.  As a part of the program a “Panel discussions on Patient Safety” was also organized. The objective of the Panel Discussions was to bring together Policy makers, Experts, Patient’s Networks, NGO’s & Civil  society to provide an opportunity to review the underlying systematic issues affecting patient safety, share experiences in addressing barriers and creating solution to strengthen systems and improve practices. India consumes over 4 Billion Syringes per year of which an IN CLEN study done had found nearly 60% as unsafe and 1/3 being reused. Addressing the unsafe injection practices is an important public health agenda, especially in low and middle income countries. Dr. Jitendar Sharma, Advisor for Health & Medical Technology, Govt. of AP & MD and CEO of AMTZ said “With advancement in medical technology the patient safety profile have also changed. While modern technology brings advanced safety it also brings new complexity. Govt. of AP endeavors to find technological solutions to progressively and positively impact the safety of patients and care providers” Smt. Poonam Malakondaiah, Special Chief Secretary, Health, Govt. of AP said “Govt. of AP has launched numerous interventions like RFID for eliminating errors due to patient identification, Auto-Disable Syringes to reduce infections and many other technological interventions. Govt. of AP remains committed to work with stakeholders to set new quality benchmarks in healthcare” Dr. Ratna Devi, Founding member, Indian Alliance of Patient Groups (IAPG) is delighted that states are taking the lead to ensure patient safety. She commends AP Govt’s AD Syringes initiative and hopes that this will prompt other states to follow. “We urge the Central government and all States to switch to AD syringes an initiative led by Andhra Govt. Infections due to unsafe injections is unacceptable. This is a core component of quality that should be addressed adequately to ensure Universal Healthcare.” she added The biggest Global Campaign for use of Safe Injection Practice came early in 2015 when WHO Director General Margaret Chen flagged off the biggest Global initiative since Polio Eradication and Hand Wash Campaign called "Global Health Initiative on Injection Safety" and chose India, Egypt and Uganda as the focus Countries to spearhead the Campaign.  WHO had stated that for every dollar invested in Injections Safety the RoI( Returns on Investment) was 14 dollars. WHO has given directive to all Member States and Institutions to go for mandatory use of SMART Auto-Disable Safety engineered Syringes in Healthcare System by 2020 and urged all Donor Institutions to supply only AD / RUP / SIP Syringes henceforth in their Campaigns depending upon local manufacturing capacity and availability and affordability.  Many countries including USA, EU, Canada and Japan have already adopted Safety Engineered Syringes (SES) said Dr HS Ratti, Advisor to Safe Point and an Army trained epidemiologist. “The poor hygiene in hospitals acts as amplifier for disease as a patient gets admitted for a specific treatment but ends up getting treated for a hospital acquired infection. The reuse of medical syringes continues to be a matter of serious concern as it poses grave health risks both to the patient as well as to medical professionals in light of growing AMR (Anti-Microbial Resistance) and also acts as a barrier to the Government’s resolve of eliminating these diseases by 2030.” Said Dr. Ratna Devi. Dr Ratti said “Progressive Andhra Govt’s One Injection One Syringe Policy via Auto Disable Syringes is launch of a WAR on BBI and AMR.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11491/aster-cmi-hospital-celebrates-my-india-healthy-india-campaign.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11491/aster-cmi-hospital-celebrates-my-india-healthy-india-campaign.html Thu, 16 Aug 2018 10:50:00 +0530 As part of ‘My India Healthy India’ campaign & coinciding with India’s 72nd Independence Day celebrations, Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru took up the initiative to refurbish a local government school ‘Kunthi Grama’ at Hebbal ward. The programme ‘Swach School project’ which was part of global CSR platform titled ‘Aster Volunteers’  consisted of activities such as cleaning the school compound, painting the school walls and spreading the message of health and hygiene. The school has around 30 kids and desperately needed help in terms of physical appearance and basic cleanliness. The team of Aster Volunteers at the Bengaluru unit took the task of uplifting the hygiene quotient of the school to the maximum extent possible by cleaning the premises and nearby areas which were covered with loads of waste and could have affected the health of the kids studying there. The team also painted the walls with bright and cheerful colours. The event also had professional artists from YepArt, who volunteered to do the graffiti artwork using spray and acrylic paints. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Nitish Shetty, CEO - Aster CMI Hospital said “Community initiative is an integral part within our organization. We strongly believe that the future of India depends upon the quality of education imparted to our children and this is exactly what this initiative hopes to provide. Students are entitled to good education and infrastructure and they can achieve great success when provided the same. The kids were elated to see that their school has got a much-needed facelift with colourful makeover. It was a heart-warming day for us where the smiles of these kids and warmth and appreciation we received by the teachers just made our day.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11479/fortis-bengaluru-inaugurates-first-shoulder-clinic.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11479/fortis-bengaluru-inaugurates-first-shoulder-clinic.html Mon, 13 Aug 2018 17:40:00 +0530 Fortis Hospital, Cunningham road, Bengaluru recently inaugurated a specialised shoulder clinic facility. The clinic is set up to provide best care for common sports injuries related to shoulder & knee. The special centre was inaugurated by Dr. Chirag Thonse, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Fortis Hospital and Dr. Priya Sreedharan, Facility Director, Fortis Hospital, CG Road. The clinic expertise in all kind of diagnosis, treatment and research of injuries and conditions affecting the shoulder and elbow in order to provide precise treatment to the sportsperson. As part of the inauguration, doctors conducted a session for gym trainers and coaches, on anatomy of shoulder & knee, diet tips & tricks for sportsmen and trainers. Around 200 sports trainers and coaches from independent sports academy and fitness club attended the inauguration event. In line with this, Dr. Chirag Thonse -Orthopaedic Surgeon & Specialist in Arthroscopy, Sports Injures and Joint Replacement Surgeries, Fortis Hospitals, Cunningham road said, “The clinic is dedicated to all the sports enthusiasts who incur sports injury and need specialised care and treatment. We are in an age where sports and physical activities is encouraged in all arenas, with the increase in these activities, there is a need to address sports injuries on the advanced and specialized level. The techniques used for the treatment of sport injuries need specialized intervention with diagnostics, evaluation and methods.  Our aim is to provide patients with innovative solutions for their injuries so that they can continue with ongoing sports post their treatment.” Dr. Priya Sreedharan Facility Director, Fortis Hospitals, Cunningham Road, said, “We are glad to have another specialty clinic at Fortis Hospitals, Cunningham Road. We hope this clinic will benefit the sports person and sports enthusiasts who are looking for specialized treatment. We always thrive to provide best care and facility at our unit”. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11459/narayana-health-creates-awareness-on-organ-donation-and-transplants.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11459/narayana-health-creates-awareness-on-organ-donation-and-transplants.html Fri, 10 Aug 2018 15:00:00 +0530 A team of doctors comprising of liver transplant, heart transplant, BMT and renal transplant from Narayana Health, Bangalore, came together to spread awareness on the importance of organ donation and organ transplants to mark World organ donation day which is observed on 13th of August every year. Along with them were transplant survivors who have undergone heart, liver kidney and bone marrow transplants.   The first organ transplant at the hospital was conducted in the year 2005, which was a pediatric liver transplant and since then there is no looking back. Narayana Health Bangalore has emerged as a centre of excellence for multi-organ transplants, and has performed over 1500 transplants for heart, liver, kidney, pancreas, bone marrow, and lungs. Dr. Sanjay Kumar Goja Director and Clinical Lead, Senior Consultant and Head of Liver Transplant & HPB Surgery oversee the liver transplant team at Narayana Health.     Besides Narayana Health City, which has emerged as a centre of excellence for transplants, the Heart Transplant team at Ramaiah Narayana Heart Centre comprises of Transplant Surgeons – Dr. Ravishankar Shetty, Dr. Julius Punnen and Dr. Shilpa Rudradevaru, Transplant Cardiologist – Dr. Nagamalesh U M, Transplant Anaesthesiologists – Dr. Prashanth, Dr. Guru Police Patil, Transplant Coordinator – Mrs. Reena and Logistics Coordinator – Mr. Ganesh. They are ready 24/7 to play the crucial role between an organ donor and an organ recipient.     The bone marrow transplant (BMT) unit at Narayana Health has completed more than 950 stem cell transplants with most of them being allogeneic stem cell transplants including HLA matched siblings, matched unrelated, cord blood as well as Haplo-Identical transplants. Narayana Health has the capabilities to address various conditions that require bone marrow transplant.   Blood Cancer is one of the few diseases that is perceived as incurable, however with advanced treatment options like bone marrow transplant (BMT) the chances of survival are much higher. BMT can also be used to successfully treat Thalassemia patients and till date we have treated over 250 cases alone in Bangalore.   It is also important to note that Kidney failure is a major public health problem and the incidence & prevalence is on the rise. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a common harmful & treatable disease usually caused by Diabetes, Hypertension, Glomerulonephritis, Polycystic kidney disease and pain killer abuse for which renal transplantation is a procedure of choice. In India around 0.5 Donors are available against a population of million people whereas in Western countries it is 30 against a million people.   Narayana Health has been working relentlessly to build awareness regarding organ donation over the years through outdoor outreach initiatives.   Joseph Pasangha, COO, Narayana Health City, Bangalore, said, “We have worked continually to become a centre of excellence for multi-organ transplants including heart, liver, kidney, lung, pancreas and bone barrow. Our endeavor is to continue to strengthen our capabilities in order to serve a larger audience who need world class treatment facilities at an affordable cost”.   While organ donation in India has come a long way, a lot more work needs to be done and we at Narayana Health are committed to do so. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11435/nayati-medicity-receives-prestigious-nabh-recognition.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11435/nayati-medicity-receives-prestigious-nabh-recognition.html Tue, 07 Aug 2018 10:30:00 +0530 Nayati Medicity, Mathura, the flagship hospital of Nayati Healthcare received the prestigious accreditation from the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH), the highest recognition for providing quality patient care and safety. With this, Nayati Medicity becomes the first hospital in the region to receive this certification.   NABH recognizes hospitals for fulfilling high standards in delivering quality healthcare to its patients. The accreditation recognizes the fact that the hospital meets strict standards of quality and safety set by the esteemed body.   Nayati Medicity, Mathura, commenced operations in February 2016 and has emerged as one of the finest healthcare providers in the country. The 351 bed hospital has seven Centers of Excellence and 14 Specialty departments including Cardiac Sciences, Oncology, Orthopedics and Joint Replacement, Critical Care, Renal Sciences, MAS GI & Bariatric Surgery, Neurosciences, Pulmonary medicine, Pediatrics & Neonatology, Trauma and Emergency.   These centers are supported by the region’s most advanced Intensive Care units comprising of MICU, CCU, SICU, NICU and PICU. Located two and half hours from the Delhi airport, the hospital has emerged as a preferred choice not just for residents of Uttar Pradesh and the adjoining states, but also for patients from other parts of the country and abroad.   Owing to the huge demand, the hospital is undergoing major capacity expansion from the existing 351 beds to 775 beds, making it one of the largest multi super speciality hospitals in Uttar Pradesh. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11426/nimhans-inks-pact-with-public-health-england.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11426/nimhans-inks-pact-with-public-health-england.html Mon, 06 Aug 2018 10:30:00 +0530 The National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Public Health England (PHE) to set up collaborative programmes in mental health and public health system models, including Public Health Observatories (PHOs). PHE has integrated all PHOs in England into an integrated knowledge and intelligence network. NIMHANS also recently hosted the 2nd India-U.K. Round Table on establishing India’s first Public Health Observatory. The conference was attended by 50 experts from PHE, NIMHANS and key institutions across India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11422/-six-countries-in-who-south-east-asia-achieve-rubella-control.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11422/-six-countries-in-who-south-east-asia-achieve-rubella-control.html Fri, 03 Aug 2018 12:25:00 +0530 In a significant win against childhood killer diseases, two countries of WHO South-East Asia Region, DPR Korea and Timor-Leste, were verified for eliminating measles, and six countries certified for controlling rubella and congenital rubella syndrome, two years ahead of the target year 2020. “These achievements demonstrate the commitment and resolve of countries in the Region towards health of women and children, and for universal health coverage”, said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director WHO South-East Asia. Last year Bhutan and Maldives became the first two countries in the Region to eliminate measles. With today’s announcements, four of the 11 member countries of WHO South-East Asia have now eliminated measles. Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Timor-Leste are the first six countries in the WHO South-East Asia Region to control rubella and congenital rubella syndrome. Bhutan, Maldives and Timor-Leste, have become the first three countries in the Region to achieve both elimination of measles and control of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome. The Regional Verification Commission, an independent body of experts, met in Delhi from 31 July to 2 August. Based on an in-depth review of the data and reports provided by national verification committees, the Commission verified that both DPR Korea and Timor-Leste have interrupted transmission of indigenous measles for more than three years. In 2014, WHO South-East Asia announced elimination of measles and control of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome by 2020 as a flagship program. Since then, all countries in the Region have been strengthening efforts to eliminate measles, a major childhood killer disease, and control rubella and congenital rubella syndrome, which causes serious and irreversible birth defects. Working towards the goal, efforts are being made to strengthen vaccination services for measles and rubella, enhance surveillance, build laboratory networks, and leverage reach and support of existing networks such as of the polio eradication programme. All countries in the Region have introduced two doses of measles containing vaccines in their immunization schedule. Eight of the 11 countries have introduced rubella vaccines in their immunization programmes, and the remaining countries are in the process of doing so. Nearly 400 million children are planned to be vaccinated through mass campaigns with measles and rubella vaccine in 2018-19 in the Region. The Commission acknowledged that tremendous progress has been made by all Member countries in the Region over the past four years. A huge momentum has been created in the Region and activities have been accelerated to move towards the achievement of these goals, it observed. Commending the progress, Dr Khetrapal Singh said across the Region, immunization managers and health workers are now better trained while cold-chain structures are more reliable. Injection safety has been enhanced and vaccine management systems are more effective. We have laboratory networks with greater capacity and surveillance systems that are better equipped to meet the challenges we face. “We are moving towards a brighter and healthier future for all – one that is free of vaccine preventable diseases and the unnecessary death and suffering they cause,” she said. However, we need to further intensify our efforts, Dr Khetrapal Singh said, adding, “measles moves fast, we need to move faster to protect our children against its severe consequences”. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11406/apollo-hospitals-announces-free-cardiac-surgeries-for-underprivileged-children.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11406/apollo-hospitals-announces-free-cardiac-surgeries-for-underprivileged-children.html Wed, 01 Aug 2018 17:00:00 +0530 In a gesture of humanitarian outreach, Dr. Prathap C Reddy, the visionary Founder Chairman, Apollo Hospitals announced an initiative under which 100 underprivileged children would benefit from free cardiac surgeries. The initiative is part of the Lions Clubs International – Apollo Hospitals Partnership Program, under which Lions International would refer under-12 patients for evaluation to Apollo Hospitals. Apollo Hospitals would carry out free cardiac surgeries on 100 of the most critical cases. The announcement was made on the sidelines of the function in the capital, where Dr. Prathap Reddy was conferred with the Lions Humanitarian Award for his work in increasing accessibility and affordability of world-class healthcare to bring it within the economic and geographic reach of millions. Under Dr. Reddy’s guiding hand, Apollo Hospitals has harnessed technology and insurance to take healthcare to the masses. The pioneering success of telemedicine and innovative insurance in Aragonda, the world’s first V-SAT enabled remote village in Andhra Pradesh validated the concept of ‘Healthcare for All’. The groundbreaking Apollo Reach Hospitals model has enabled high quality healthcare to reach semi urban and rural areas in the very heart of India. Dr. Reddy has been a tireless advocate for creating access through insurance. The innovative insurance project of Re.1 a day that he introduced decades ago in his native village has been adopted in multiple ways across the country and its core idea is reflected in the Government of India’s Ayushman Bharat Health Insurance programme. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11405/new-armband-sensor-technology-to-quit-smoking.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11405/new-armband-sensor-technology-to-quit-smoking.html Wed, 01 Aug 2018 16:20:00 +0530 Researchers at Case Western Reserve University are using wearable sensor technology to develop an automatic alert system to help people quit smoking.   The smart-phone app, initially limited to android-based operating systems, automatically texts 20- to 120-second video messages to smokers when sensors detect specific arm and body motions associated with smoking.   According to the researchers, the mobile alert system that they are testing may be the first that combines an existing online platform with mindfulness training and a personalized plan for quitting smoking.   two armband sensors to detect smoking motions, a technology that demonstrated more than 98-percent accuracy in differentiating “lighting up” from other similar motions and a personalized text-messaging service that reminds the user of either their own plan to quit, or sends video messages that stress the health and financial benefits of quitting.   The system was conceived, developed and tested over the course of the last year by a team of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science researchers at the Case School of Engineering and a high school intern in collaboration with a clinical psychologist at the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine.   The researchers said most previous studies have relied on smokers self-reporting how often they smoked, while the Case Western Reserve system more accurately tracked smoking activity based on the sensors.   “We’ve been able to differentiate between a single motion, which could be confused with eating or drinking, and a sequence of motions more clearly linked to the act of smoking a cigarette,” said Ming-Chun Huang, an assistant electrical engineering and computer science professor who led the technical aspect of the study.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11397/bourn-hall-fertility-clinic-india-celebrates-40-years-of-ivf.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11397/bourn-hall-fertility-clinic-india-celebrates-40-years-of-ivf.html Tue, 31 Jul 2018 17:00:00 +0530 Bourn Hall India, recently celebrated the 40th Anniversary of IVF, which is marked by the birth of the world’s first IVF baby, Louise Brown on the 25th of July 1978, thanks to the pioneering work of Bourn Hall founders, Robert Edwards and Patrick Steptoe. Bourn Hall Fertility Centre in India would like to celebrate the joy of parenthood with all couples who have conceived through IVF. Dr. David Robertson, Group Medical Director, affiliated with the inventors of IVF, Bourn Hall, UK, commented: “We are extremely happy to have helped so many couples to parenthood. Since 1978, ‘Bourn Hall’ has become synonymous with IVF and most of what is today the standard treatment protocol for IVF procedures, has been pioneered and established by Bourn Hall. Our greatest reward however is to see how couples evolve to happy families – and having been able to support and help them.” “Our most important message today goes out to all those who struggle with fertility issues”, said Hoda Abou-Jamra, Group CEO, Bourn Hall International. “You have choices and options to overcome these issues and it is our mission to educate, inform and offer you the right fertility choice for your health, your family and your life.” When people picture an ideal family – and this is a world-wide stereotype - there is a typecast of a large, bustling household full of children and an even larger extended clan of cousins, aunts and uncles. This stereotype is becoming less realistic, partially due to a growing infertility epidemic which is making it harder for couples everywhere in the world and of course also in the India to conceive at all, yet alone grow large families. In India, it is estimated that 1 in every 4 couples is struggling with infertility issues and needs treatment. Louise Brown, who is an ambassador of hope to millions of couples throughout the world struggling with infertility, had even sent a personal video message to Bourn Hall Fertility Centre thanking all who work hard to make parenthood an option for couples. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11391/wellthy-therapeutics-highlights-evidence-for-digital-therapeutics-potential.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11391/wellthy-therapeutics-highlights-evidence-for-digital-therapeutics-potential.html Tue, 31 Jul 2018 11:40:00 +0530 Wellthy Therapeutics, a leading digital health company in chronic disease management through its digital therapeutics platform wellthy.care, recently announced results from several of its real world studies, showing significant improvements in patient outcomes and compliance, along with enhanced decision support for all healthcare stakeholders. These results were presented at the recently concluded American Diabetes Association’s 78th Scientific Sessions in Orlando, FL via two poster presentations (poster 1 and poster 2), and 1 oral presentation. Patients used the Wellthy Therapeutics’ Type II Diabetes patient app for 16 weeks, while paramedical staff used the Wellthy Therapeutics’ Type II Diabetes dashboard to monitor and intervene. The result was two fold: an improvement in health behaviours and health outcomes for patients, and a large addition to real world clinical data that helped healthcare stakeholders make better decisions. In total, 102 patients were given Wellthy Therapeutics’ digital therapeutic for type II diabetes for 16 weeks in addition to their existing anti-diabetic drug prescription. This real world study was supported in part by the Research Society for Diabetes in India, along with one of India’s largest private health insurers. Patients who improved their HbA1c saw an average drop of (-1.17%) over and above the standard of care, which is significantly higher than the complementary effect of any other entry level prescribed intervention. In addition, 121,675 diabetes related clinical and lifestyle data points were generated in the study, which directly impacted paramedical capability to help patients and improve outcomes, while enabling the artificial intelligence of the Wellthy Therapeutics platform to offer clinically validated real time care to patients. Most encouragingly, this data has the potential to transform physician decision making,           by giving physicians the ability to deliver personalised care through better decision support via continuous patient clinical, lifestyle and behavioural journey data. Dr Rajeev Chawla, president elect of the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India, said, “Non-existence of reliable patient journey data between two visits has been a missing link in diabetes care. These studies show that by using the Wellthy Therapeutics platform, such data is given to physicians while at the same time taking care of the patients between two visits - that is a great combination that is much needed to improve adherence, better patient satisfaction, and most importantly better outcomes”. Dr Brij Makkar, Secretary of the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India, said, “The need for real time care using technology is very high to curb the burden of diabetes in India. These studies show how clinically validated digital therapeutics when applied in the right way have the power to encourage healthy behaviour amongst the patient population while giving the doctor necessary information to take better treatment decisions”. “Real world evidence is the gold standard in healthcare. By delivering both data generation and insights to healthcare stakeholders, we enable digital therapeutics to accelerate precision medicine. The studies published in the ADA’s Diabetes Care this year have shown that a combination of standalone improvement in patient outcomes and decision support to physicians , delivered by the Wellthy Therapeutics platform, is an effective real world intervention to combat the growing burden of Type II diabetes in India and Asia”, said Abhishek Shah, Co-founder & CEO of Wellthy Therapeutics. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11387/profitability-of-hospitals-touch-a-multi-year-low-icra.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11387/profitability-of-hospitals-touch-a-multi-year-low-icra.html Mon, 30 Jul 2018 17:15:00 +0530 The health of the hospital sector has been deteriorating since early CY2017 due to several factors that have adversely affected its profitability. These include the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), cap on prices of stents and knee implants by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) and; stiff regulatory actions by certain states, including putting restrictions on procedure rates, levying penalties and placing operational limitations on erring hospitals. Though the aggregate revenues of ICRA’s sample set have grown by 9%, from Rs. 132.6 billion in FY2017 to Rs. 144.9 billion in FY2018, the operating profit before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (OPBITDA) has dropped by ~4%, from Rs. 17.3 billion to Rs. 16.6 billion, this being the first fall in aggregate OPBITDA in the last six years. Further, the operating profitability margin has declined from 13% in FY2017 to 11.4% in FY2018, the lowest in more than six years; the highest was 15.7% during this period.  Hospital chains with a large presence in the National Capital Region (NCR) have seen the sharpest dip in the OPBITDA (up to 21%) due to additional Government restrictions placed on certain players, following media reports on alleged cases of medical negligence and overcharging. ICRA note mentions that on the operational front, all players faced pricing pressure in FY2018, primarily due to restrictions placed by the NPPA in February 2017 and August 2017. Consequently, ARPOB of the sample set has grown by a muted 3% in FY2018, the lowest growth rate in last five years and much below the five-year compounded annual growth rate (CGAR) of ~7.2%. The aggregate number of operational beds has gone up by 6%, from 19621 beds in FY2017 to 20825 beds in FY2018. The growth in occupied bed nights has been muted, at 4%, and the aggregate occupancy level has dropped during this period, from 61.5% to 60.4%, due to the sharp fall in occupancy for one of the largest hospital chains which, in addition to other regulatory measures, has also been impacted due to alleged cases of medical negligence/overcharging and internal challenges. Excluding this, the occupied bed nights of the sample set have grown at a healthy 7% and despite the increase in bed capacity the occupancy level has been stable, at ~58.5%, indicating satisfactory volume growth. The regulatory environment continues to be the overarching challenge for the hospital sector. The NPPA has already published two office memorandums in CY2018 which indicates additional pricing restrictions. Further, the Governments of West Bengal and Karnataka have implemented the Clinical Establishment Acts in 2017 to overhaul the regulatory mechanism for the sector, setting up of a grievance redressal mechanism, fixing the procedure rates and laying down the criterion for levying penalties on hospitals. “The proposed regulatory action from the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) and the Niti Aayog may further impact the margins going forward. ICRA expects that within the industry, hospitals based in the NCR are likely to face maximum pressure due to the sweeping changes proposed by the GNCTD,” said Mr. Banga. On account of the increase in debt and pressure on OPBITDA, the interest coverage ratio of the sample set has dropped from 2.73 times in FY2017 to 2.44 times in FY2018. Consequently, the net debt/OPBITDA has deteriorated from 3.08 times as on March 31, 2017 to 3.33 times as on March 31, 2018. The aggregate debt coverage indicators of the sample set include the impact of non-hospital businesses as well, such as standalone pharmacies and diagnostics services, which have fared much better.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11386/safe-point-applauds-goi-to-launch-viral-hepatitis-control-program.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11386/safe-point-applauds-goi-to-launch-viral-hepatitis-control-program.html Mon, 30 Jul 2018 15:10:00 +0530 Mr. Pradeep Sarin, the trustee of Safe Point, applauded the great initiative “National Viral Hepatitis Control Program” launched by Shri J P Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare on 28th July, 2018 to mark the World Hepatitis Day 2018 to work towards elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030 in India. At the function, Shri J P Nadda also released the Operational Guidelines for National Viral Hepatitis Control Program, National Laboratory Guidelines for Viral Hepatitis Testing and National Guidelines for Diagnosis and Management of Viral Hepatitis. Shri Manoj Sinha, MoS (Independent Charge), Ministry of Communication also released the Commemorative Stamp at the occasion. Dr. (Col) HS Ratti, an epidemiologist and Project Advisor to Safe Point which is working to create awareness about safe injections is hopeful that the ‘National Plan on Safe Injections’ initiative launched is India’s commitment towards elimination of viral hepatitis by well laid out strategy which hopefully will now be covering Prevention from Unsafe Injections, Testing patients with safe equipment that prevents Needle Stick injury to the lab technician and free Treatment to the patient. Dr. Ratti urged the Govt. to accelerate a switch to “Auto Disable Syringes” to limit HIV and Hepatitis Epidemic. There are villages with over half the population infected with Hepatitis or HIV due to reuse of Syringes by quacks. In order to prevent reuse of syringes and contain spread of infection, it is advisable and recommended to use AD syringes specifically designed to prevent reuse. This reuse prevention has been strongly advocated by WHO. Andhra Pradesh government has already taken a lead in this regard and had issued instructions in May  for 100% use of AD syringes in its public health facilities from 28th Jul 2018 which is observed as World Hepatitis Day.  MoHFW has launched the ‘National Viral Hepatitis Control Program’, with the goal of ending viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030 in the country. The aim of the initiative is to reduce morbidity and mortality due to viral hepatitis. The National Viral Hepatitis Control Program marks the beginning of the nation’s journey to control viral hepatitis thereby reducing mortality and morbidity attributed to it. The programme will prevent, find, test and treat viral hepatitis. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11384/manipal-doctors-identify-rare-blood-group-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11384/manipal-doctors-identify-rare-blood-group-in-india.html Mon, 30 Jul 2018 12:45:00 +0530 A team of doctors led by Dr. Shamee Shastry from the blood bank of Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal identified a rare blood group called ‘pp’ or ‘P null’ phenotype. ABO and Rh D are the commonly typed blood group systems. However there are more than 200 minor blood group antigens known besides A, B and Rh. A blood type is considered rare if fewer than 1 in 1,000 people have it. A person is said to have rare blood group when he lacks the high frequency antigen or multiple common antigens. The Blood Bank at Kasturba Hospital received samples from a patient who required urgent blood transfusion. The doctors were unable to find a compatible blood unit even after cross matching with more than 80 units. Extensive immunohematology workup was performed by the blood bank team and further for confirmation, samples were referred to the International Blood group Reference Laboratory (IBGRL), Bristol, UK for serological testing. With the help of reference laboratory, it was confirmed that the patient’s cells had the rare ‘pp’ phenotype. Dr. Poornima Baliga, Pro-vice chancellor of faculty of health sciences, MAHE said that it was for the first time P blood group null phenotype has been detected in India’ and she supported the Blood Bank’s initiative to build rare donor registry for the region. Dr. Shamee Shastry professor and head of the department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion said ‘The patient had a very rare ‘P’null blood group and anti PP1Pk antibody in his blood that has a potential to cause acute intravascular hemolytic reaction to incompatible blood transfusion. “Rare donor registry will be of great help in managing such cases. This antibody is also known to cause recurrent abortions in women. Finding compatible unit for such case is a near impossible task without a well-established rare donor panel,” she said. Dr. Kiran Acharya, Professor of Orthopedics and his team performed blood less surgery (Femur fracture repair) once the patient’s hemoglobin was increased to the desired level using other medications. Dr. Pragna Rao, Dean KMC, Manipal congratulated the team. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11373/who-marks-emphasis-on-approaching-hepatitis-virus.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11373/who-marks-emphasis-on-approaching-hepatitis-virus.html Fri, 27 Jul 2018 11:50:00 +0530 Millions of people across the world and in the WHO South-East Asia Region are infected with viral hepatitis without knowing and without receiving treatment. Both worldwide and in the Region less than one in 10 infected people are estimated to know their status, while less than 10% of those who do know their status are receiving appropriate treatment. This lack of awareness and treatment lead to progressive liver damage and can cause life-threatening conditions such as fibrosis and liver cancer, resulting in an estimated 410 000 deaths in the Region every year. It also allows viral hepatitis to spread: Region-wide, an estimated 40 million people live with chronic hepatitis B while an estimated 10 million live with chronic hepatitis C. Urgent action is needed to find, test and treat the missing millions suffering viral hepatitis and achieve the time-bound targets of WHO South-East Asia’s Regional Action Plan. That includes ensuring at least 50% of infected people know their status and at least 75% of those diagnosed with the disease are provided treatment by 2020. Ninety percent or more of newborns should meanwhile receive the hepatitis B vaccine’s birth dose, while at least 95% of children should complete the vaccine’s three-dose schedule. Increased injection safety in health facilities is likewise critical. To achieve these outcomes and eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, as envisaged in WHO’s Global Health Sector Strategy on Viral Hepatitis, greater awareness among high-risk groups and the general public is key. Health authorities Region-wide should deploy clear messaging regarding the disease’s signs and symptoms, where they can get tested and seek treatment, and how hepatitis infection can be prevented (for example by vaccination for hepatitis B, and safe sex and safe needle usage for hepatitis B and C). They should also build health workers’ capacity at all levels to identify symptoms and test for the disease where appropriate. To make that happen, health workers must have better access to quality point-of-care diagnostics and laboratory testing. All testing kits, for example, should be affordable and quality assured. Results should be communicated confidentially and without prejudice or stigma. Importantly, testing should be integrated with HIV, antenatal care and cancer screening and treatment services. It should also occur under a clear set of national guidelines. Where individuals test positive for hepatitis B or C, access to effective and affordable treatment is vital. While treatments have existed for hepatitis B for some time, Directly-acting antiviral drugs can now cure hepatitis C in up to 95% of cases. Notably, the cost of these treatments has dramatically reduced, while most are now registered and licensed in each of the Region’s countries. To reduce costs further, Member States should make full use of flexibilities in global trade agreements. WHO South-East Asia is committed to supporting Member States find, test and treat the missing millions suffering viral hepatitis and to harness the full potential of available tools. The stakes are high; the burden immense. Across the South-East Asia Region, urgent action is needed to counter viral hepatitis and save life. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11372/cytecare-collaborates-with-brains-to-offer-radio-surgery-treatment-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11372/cytecare-collaborates-with-brains-to-offer-radio-surgery-treatment-.html Thu, 26 Jul 2018 15:50:00 +0530 Cytecare Cancer Hospital and Brains Neuro Spine Centre launched a world-class Neuro-Onco Centre at Cytecare Cancer Hospital, recently. Under the guidance of world famous neurosurgeon, Dr. Venkataramana Cytecare and Brains will now provide Stereotactic Radio Surgery (SRS) at the centre. Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) is an exceptional form of radiation treatment. It is not a surgery; it does not involve incision or blood, it is a painless and non-invasive procedure. A ray is focused to the centre of the tumour without affecting the other parts of the brain. Radio Surgery involves Stereotactic principle to calculate the size, volume of the tumor, outlines the configuration of the tumor and identifies the vital structures surrounding the tumor. It also helps in identifying the radiation sensitive organs which will be marked for the treatment planning. Dr. NK Venkataramana, Senior Consultant Neuro Oncology, Cytecare and Founder & Chief Neurosurgeon, BRAINS said, “Radiation oncology has undergone immense changes over the years. With the development of technology in Radio Surgery, we are able to treat the tumor without affecting the other normal tissues and blood vessels of the brain”. “Though, the only limitation is the size of the tumor which should be less than 3 cms.  It can even treat multiple tumors if they are within the size limits at different locations in the brain. This treatment is a day care procedure and the entire dose is calculated and delivered in minutes. We use very high end stereotactic radio surgery machine, which is fast, safe and precise”, he added. Suresh Ramu, CEO Cytecare Cancer Hospitals, said, “Our focus is towards fighting the disease the right way and improving patient’s quality of life. We are zealous to offer this advanced radiation oncology treatment or Radio Surgery at our hospital, which helps our patients lead a better life”. Using the data derived from MR imaging, the total dose required to control this tumor is calculated and delivered by a team of neurosurgeons, radiotherapists, radiation physicists and at times an anesthetist. The most important aspect is that the entire dosage can be carried to the tumor in a single day and the treatment gets over in a few minutes. At times the tumors can be located in a very critical area, where the same dose can be fragmented into portions, ranging from 5-7 which shall be given within 5-7 days. This technique is called stereotactic fractionated radiotherapy. In addition to the tumors, arteriovenous malformations (AVM’s) can be treated and today the stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is the gold standard treatment for AVM of the brain. Post treatment follow-up is essential to monitor the response and also the regression. The growth of the tumor will stop immediately and gradually regress in three years depending upon the  size.  Hence, it’s important to repeat the MRI every six months. This process is totally safe for pediatric oncology as well as for the elderly. It is prescribable for children above five years, for elderly people with co-morbidities who are not fit for open surgery, as well as patients with recurrent tumors after their primary surgery. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11360/study-71-indians-suffer-from-poor-muscle-health-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11360/study-71-indians-suffer-from-poor-muscle-health-.html Wed, 25 Jul 2018 14:35:00 +0530 According to a recent nationwide study by InBody  a global leader in body composition analysis in association with IPSOS, leading global market and opinion research firm, an alarmingly large proportion of Indians suffer from poor muscle health.   The study was conducted across 8 cities – Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Patna and Hyderabad. Covering 1,243 people, the respondents were a mix of working and non-working individuals between the age of 30-55 years.   As per the study, 71% Indians suffer from poor muscle health and need to gain muscle mass. Poor muscle mass could lead to impaired muscle function, fatigue and poor metabolic health.    Statistics indicate that Lucknow has the highest percentage of males and females having poor muscle mass, with 82% of males and 80% of females. On the other hand, Delhi-NCR has a lower percentage of people with poor muscle mass, with 64% of both males and females.   From the 8 surveyed cities, the data revealed that more than 70% of males and females in the age group of 30-50 need to gain more muscle mass.    The study also analysed the body protein level and the trend was similar to that of the poor muscle mass levels.   Nutrition and exercise have been shown to play a major role in improving muscle health. With reference to nutrition, one specific nutrient that plays a role in muscle health is Protein. The present research acknowledges the importance of protein in daily diet and exercise to maintain good muscle health.   Adequate intake of dietary proteins is vital to maintaining muscle mass as it ensures the provision of essential amino acids and stimulates protein synthesis. Dietary protein and/or specific amino acid ingestion largely increases muscle protein synthesis rates and inhibits protein breakdown, thus favouring net muscle protein deposition.   The quantity of protein and the Essential Amino Acids are the most important stimuli for protein synthesis. Along with adequate protein intake, exercise also plays important role in stimulating muscle protein synthesis and good muscle health.   According to the study, 7 out of 10 people at the pan India level having poor muscle health is a matter of great concern and it is important to find out ways and means to address this issue. There is an urgent need to spread awareness about Muscle Health, role of adequate protein intake and exercise for a healthy life.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11354/usaid-dhfl-sign-10m-loan-guarantee-to-improve-healthcare-in-urban-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11354/usaid-dhfl-sign-10m-loan-guarantee-to-improve-healthcare-in-urban-india.html Tue, 24 Jul 2018 16:00:00 +0530 The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Dewan Housing Finance Corporation Limited (DHFL) has officially announced the signing of a $10-million loan portfolio guarantee in an effort to improve access to capital for healthcare providers in Tier II and Tier III cities. Through the risk-sharing agreement signed between USAID and DHFL, the Mumbai-based lender will be able to provide up to $10 million to small- and medium-sized enterprises operating in the health sector in India, prioritizing lending to womenentrepreneurs. Through this partnership, USAID and DHFL intend to achieve the following: Increase outreach to de-risk and improve access to finance for the Indian healthcaresector, especially breaking barriers for women entrepreneurs so they can establish orexpand their healthcare enterprises and services, buy equipment to improve diagnosis andtreatment in their communities, and improve the viability of their enterprises; Deepen collaboration with various borrowers throughout India, especially in Rajasthan,Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh; and Ensure improved access to quality, affordable healthcare and better health outcomes forunderserved communities. Speaking at the launch of the partnership, U.S. Consul General in Mumbai Edgard Kagan said, "The USAID-DHFL partnership will boost women's empowerment by prioritizing them for lending, helping women access loans and expand and improve the viability of their businesses. I am confident this partnership will take us one step closer to achieving the shared vision of improving health outcomes for underserved populations." Mr. Harshil Mehta, Joint Managing Director and CEO, DHFL, added: “DHFL’s relationship with USAID is a culmination of joint efforts to improve healthcare facilities across the country. It gives us an opportunity to help develop quality healthcare across India by offering convenient and customized financial solutions, especially for medical practitioners through medical equipment finance and expansion of facilities. DHFL has been undertaking extensive activities atgrassroots level for the urban poor and those at the bottom of the pyramid, touching the lives of over millions of people through social programs and its excellent network across 349 locations.” The partnership will take off with technical assistance provided by USAID’s flagship “Partnerships for Affordable Healthcare Access and Longevity” (PAHAL) program, implemented by IPE Global, a leading development sector consulting firm in South Asia. Mr. L.M. Singh, Project Director & Head of Impact Investments at PAHAL, said, “The PAHAL project is proud to be at the center of this unique and powerful partnership. PAHAL, through its network of providers, is already reaching 10 million urban poor across seven high priority states, and we believe this partnership will ensure access to better technology, expanded service offerings, and reach for inclusive healthcare small and medium enterprises, thereby ensuring quality affordable care for the underserved.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11348/iit-k-develops-tool-for-addressing-mental-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11348/iit-k-develops-tool-for-addressing-mental-health.html Mon, 23 Jul 2018 16:25:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, has developed an online tool, TreadWill, to help people cope with issues related to mental health. TreadWill is a website designed to help people deal with stress, low mood, lethargy and other depressive symptoms through different online exercises, questionnaires and games. The online tool has been developed by a team with collaborative support from the Computer Science and Engineering and HSS (Psychology) departments, and Dr Alok Bajpai, a psychiatrist. It is based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) that helps people with depressive symptoms. The effectiveness of CBT is well established for many mental illnesses, including mood and anxiety disorders. Based on the proven methodology of CBT, TreadWill uses simple language to help users to identify involuntary negative thoughts and behavior. Users are subsequently taught techniques to work on modifying their thoughts and actions. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11343/indias-smallest-baby-survives-at-rainbow-hospital-hyderabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11343/indias-smallest-baby-survives-at-rainbow-hospital-hyderabad.html Mon, 23 Jul 2018 11:30:00 +0530 In yet another medical marvel reported out of India, Hyderabad is home to South East Asia’s smallest baby.  Baby girl Cherry was born premature at 25 weeks gestation (nearly 4 months earlier than expected date), under the extensive care received at the hands of a multi-disciplinary team of medical experts led by Dr. Dinesh Kumar Chirla, Director Intensive Care Services at Rainbow Hospitals. The baby was discharged weighing 1.980 Kg. This was the 5th pregnancy of Cheryl's mother. She had 4 previous abortions. This was her only chance to have a live baby. Around 24 weeks the ultrasound showed that there was very less amniotic fluid around baby. She weighed just 350 grams. The blood flow from mother to baby was severely compromised.  There was no way baby would have survived in womb. Parents consulted many hospitals and doctors. No one gave any chance for survival. They were than referred to Rainbow Children’s Hospital. The parents then met Neonatologist in Rainbow Children’s Hospital. The team assured the couple that they routinely manage babies born as early as 24 to 25 weeks of gestation. However, the smallest baby saved earlier at Rainbow was 449 grams. Additionally, considering the situation that the Neonatal team was ready to take up the case, the mother was advised to deliver in Perinatal Centre at Rainbow hospitals.  The mother was shifted in ambulance and brought to Rainbow Hospital. The Perinatal team comprising of anesthetist, senior gynecologist and neonatologist all came together to make a detail plan of delivery. On 27th February, a baby girl was delivered weighing 375 grams. She was only 20 cms in length and fitted in the palm. Parents were assured that the hospital is going to go through this journey together with them. Speaking about Cherry's case, Dr. Ramesh Kancharla, Chairman and Managing Director, Rainbow Group of Hospitals said, “We are able to send baby born with birth weight as small as 375 grams home because of our advance perinatal center”. He said “close to 20 years of hard work has gone in to developing such expertise to save small babies. We need team of committed Obstetrician, anesthetist, fetal medicine specialist and neonatologist to achieve such results”. He said “a very dedicated and committed Nursing team was instrumental in saving cherry. The Neonatal Intensive Care unit is the most advance and well equipped in the country and has the most qualified team of expert neonatologist”. He also mentioned “Rainbow is striving each year in establishing clinical excellence in Neonatal, Pediatric and Obstetric care and raising the benchmark”. Elaborating on the case, Dr Dinesh Kumar Chirla, Director Intensive Care Services, Rainbow Hospital said, “The initial 3-4 days post birth are very crucial as babies are most fragile during this time. Specially, in this case, there were many health challenges like drop in the oxygen and BP level. Owing to the size of the baby, we had to find the smallest possible breathing tube to be inserted. Moreover, the baby had a breathing problem (PDA) which normally closes in everyone after birth but did not close and was large in Cherry's case causing oxygenation problem for which we had to give special medication and keep the baby under a ventilator for breathing support. Fortunately for this child, there was no bleeding in the brain.” On Day 5, Cherry had bleeding in her lungs and needed to be shifted to special ventilator called High Frequency Oscillation ventilator. She was successfully managed. However, she needed ventilator for nearly 105 days. She had many emergencies from which she was successfully saved. Cherry's case was a particularly complicated one with multiple hurdles including jaundice, feeding difficulties, multiple blood transfusion and chronic lung disease. With expert care from the medical team at Rainbow Hospitals, Cherry steadily gained weight and moved towards normalcy. She was discharged home after spending 128 days in hospital. She is breathing without support. She is feeding directly. She is maintaining temperature and looks like any other normal baby. The doctors expect her to be normal like any other baby. On follow up she weighed 2.14 kg. Expressing his happiness on sending cherry home, Dr Dinesh Kumar Chirla, Director Intensive Care Services, Rainbow Hospitals thanked his team and said, “We are able to send Cherry home because of TEAM work. Round the clock cover by expert Neonatologist and excellent nursing care with support of advance infrastructure and in-house obstetric and fetal medicine team. There was huge team of Gynecologists and Neonatologists to help and were key in sending Cherry home”. From its inception, Rainbow Hospitals has saved well over 5000 preterm babies, some of them who were too small and critical to survive. To observe the occasion of “World Prematurity Day” in 2016, Rainbow Hospitals, mobilized a gathering of 445 kids born Premature under one roof to observe and to raise awareness about issues associated with the premature birth. It is the largest ever gathering of prematurely born babies under one roof. This broke the four year old record of 386 babies set out in Argentina in the year 2012. The record is very special recognition to the dedicated service rendered by the doctors, nurses and staff at Rainbow Hospitals who believe that every child has the right to survive. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11340/dr-mohans-international-diabetes-update-opens-5th-edition.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11340/dr-mohans-international-diabetes-update-opens-5th-edition.html Fri, 20 Jul 2018 17:40:00 +0530 Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre, a world class centre for diabetes recently inaugurated the fifth edition of Dr. Mohan’s International Diabetes Update at ITC Grand Chola, Chennai. The three-day conference was inaugurated by Shri. Gopalkrishna Gandhi, former Governor of West Bengal and Bihar. The annual International Diabetes Update is conducted to increase awareness and update knowledge on basic epidemics of diabetes.The fifth edition of the conference witnessed the participation of doctors and faculty members from all around the globe sharing their insights on diabetes. This year, the landmark event comprised of key sessions on the latest developments in the ever changing field of diabetes and the importance of modifying lifestyle factors such as diet and physical activity in the prevention and control of diabetes.The conference witnessed several eminent clinicians and scientists as international faculty including Dr. Paresh Dandona, Professor of Medicine and Chief, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, The State University of New York , Buffalo, USA, Prof. Philippe Froguel, Professor, Department of  Endocrinology and Director of Lille University and CNRS 8199 research group, Pasteur Institute, Lille, France, Dr. Satish Garg, Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, Director, Adult Diabetes Program, Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes, University of Colorado, Denver, USA, Prof. Leif Groop, Senior Professor,Diabetes and Endocrinology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Sweden,Dr. Jeyakumar Henry, Director, Clinical Nutrition Research Centre, Singapore, Prof. Colin Palmer, Chair,  Department of Pharmacogenomics, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Scotland, UK, Prof. Ewan Pearson, Professor, Diabetic Medicine,Division of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine,University of Dundee, Scotland, UK and Dr. Michael Pratt, Professor, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California San Diego , San Diego, USA. In addition, over 95 senior diabetologists and scientists working in the field of diabetes from India serve as the National faculty.Dr. V.Mohan, Organizing Chairman of the Diabetes Update and Chairman, Dr.Mohan’s Group of Diabetes Institutions, elaborates “Diabetology is one of the most rapidly advancing branches of medicine. Over the past year, there have been fundamental changes in the way we prevent, diagnose and treat diabetes and its complications. The principal aim of the diabetes update is to provide insights into the basics as well as the latest advances in diabetes prevention and management in an interactive manner. We are proud to say that after the successful run for the last four years we have come back with the 5th edition of the Diabetes Update 2018. The Update will help clinicians and scientists to keep abreast with the latest developments in this ever-changing field. Just like past years, this year too our speakers include an eminent lineup of International & National Faculty represented at this International Update.” Dr. Ranjit Unnikrishnan, Member Organizing Committee and Vice Chairman, Dr.Mohan’s Group of Diabetes Institutions, says “More than 2500 delegates are participating in this event. We have over 100 National and International faculty working in the field of diabetes contributing to the scientific programs. The scientific programme has special sessions on Precision diabetes, newer therapies in diabetes, workshops on Insulin and foot and diabetes, panel discussions and many others. We are sure that this Update will be an academic feast for all those who are attending it” Dr. R.M.Anjana, Member Organizing Committee and Managing Director, Dr.Mohan’s Group of Diabetes Institutions, says “Over the course of three days, the update will offer a sumptuous academic feast featuring the doyens in the field of diabetes from India and rest of the world. Topics of general and special interest will be dealt with through orations, lectures, themed symposia and workshops. We have a special symposium on “Lifestyle modification in diabetes”. The evidence for the importance of healthy lifestyles is now overwhelming. This symposium will highlight the importance of modifying lifestyle factors such as diet and physical activity in the prevention and control of diabetes.” Dr. Guha Pradeepa, Member Organizing Committee and Head, Research Operations, MDRF, added, “ Dr.Mohan’s Diabetes Update will help in capacity building of doctors not only from all parts of India, but also from abroad. With the presence of eminent national and international experts from renowned Universities and Medical centres, this Update will serve as a forum for exchange of clinical knowledge and advances in the field of diabetes health care and research.”  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11339/docsapp-launches-web-services-for-tier-3-4-regions.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11339/docsapp-launches-web-services-for-tier-3-4-regions.html Fri, 20 Jul 2018 16:30:00 +0530 DocsApp, the leading online consultation platform that connects patients to specialist doctors in just 30 minutes via chat or call, is furthering its initiative to provide accessible healthcare across geographical and socio-economic boundaries in India. It has furthered this vision by introducing web-based consultation for the users who are not familiar with the concept of mobile applications. Having cemented its position as India’s #1 online health consultation platform, DocsApp is taking this step to reach out to more patients in tier 3 and 4 parts of India in order to make quality healthcare accessible to them, without the need of downloading a mobile application. The mobile-based platform that offers seamless and high-quality doctor consultations, has removed the necessity of using its mobile application by providing an easy-to-use web service. Top-ranked doctors across the country can now be reached via DocsApp seamlessly through a web platform. Keeping in mind that over 50% of the users on DocsApp are from below tier 2 and other rural parts of India, coupled with their lack of knowledge regarding mobile applications and prevalence of low storage mobile models, this decision is a step in the right direction for DocsApp to make its services easily available to all socio-economic sectors in India. Regarding the new service, Mr. Satish Kannan, Co-founder & CEO of DocsApp said, “As the use of internet is becoming more widespread in the semi-urban parts of India, providing consultations via web will help internet users access healthcare services via multiple devices including mobile, laptops and desktops. The goal is to make quality healthcare accessible to as many people as possible, especially the ones who don't have access to a high budget smartphones or lack the technical know-how of downloading a mobile app. The same simple Whatsapp like user interface has been used in the web version of DocsApp and there is no difference in the user experience while talking to a Doctor. The launch of DocsApp’s web consultation service is just another indicator of the platform’s unwavering commitment to taking affordable and accessible healthcare to all parts of India. DocsApp has left no stone unturned in its drive to bring world-class specialist doctors to the mobile screens of the patients, who otherwise do not have access to specialists and highly qualified doctors in their vicinity. DocsApp has on board, over 3500 doctors spread across 19 specialties, and has helped over 3.5 million Indians through its chat-based mobile application. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11327/singapore-health-firm-acquires-pune-based-platform.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11327/singapore-health-firm-acquires-pune-based-platform.html Thu, 19 Jul 2018 13:20:00 +0530 Singapore health-tech firm Symple Wellness Platform Pvt. Ltd, which operates under the Vivant brand, has acquired Pune-based wellness and health analytics platform AllizHealth. AllizHealth is a consumer-focused wellness and health analytics platform for early identification, tracking and management of health risks and conditions. Vivant offers services including digital health records, health risk assessments, doctor consults, health check-ups, health coaches and condition management programs. AllizHealth was founded by Chinmoy Mishra, Rasmi Mishra, Gaurav Vij and Dhairya Gupta in 2013. It has a team of 40 people across various functions. All co-founders except Gupta will remain with Vivant after the acquisition. Chinmoy Mishra will be chief business development officer, Rasmi Mishra will be chief product innovation officer and Vij will be chief technology officer.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11324/preventive-healthcare-market-to-touch-100b-by-2022.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11324/preventive-healthcare-market-to-touch-100b-by-2022.html Thu, 19 Jul 2018 10:40:00 +0530 As per a recent report by RedSeer, the preventive healthcare market, currently estimated to be at $55 billion, is expected to touch $100 billion by 2022. This growth can be attributed to factors such as increasing cases of overweight, type 2 diabetes, heart diseases and undernourishment. Another contributing factor is the increasing awareness among people about preventive health and wellness. The sectors covered under preventive healthcare include healthy foods and nutraceuticals, fitness and sports, health monitoring and diagnostics, wellness therapies and tourism and health insurance among others. Healthcare sectors that come into play when consumers seek prescription or cure do not form part of preventive healthcare including most of primary care, medical monitoring devices and medical tourism. Speaking about this, Ms Meena Ganesh, MD and CEO, Portea Medical, said, “The average life expectancy has increased today thanks to advances in science and technology. However, there is also a concomitant increase in the burden of non-communicable diseases due to sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy eating patterns. While this is one side of the story, the other is that there is also a rise in awareness about the need to live healthy and free of diseases. This is encouraging more and more people to get regular health check-ups and take preventive and pre-emptive action in addressing any health concerns to nip them in the bud. The growth in preventive healthcare by 2020 is a very welcome outlook for companies like Portea which are immersed not only in home care but also health and wellness. From lab tests to nutrition and diet consultations for the entire family, Portea provides an entire gamut of services. Startups with the wherewithal to offer solutions in the preventive health and wellness space stand to benefit from this rise in health awareness. When combined with technology, these solutions can pave way for a healthier future for the country." The consumption of preventive healthcare services is more among the urban Indians. Current awareness levels and concern for healthy living are riding very high in consumers psyche as per the study. Online search trends indicate that Indians rank 5th globally for large number of search for ‘fitness apps’. Fitness is set to become the largest segment of the healthcare market at $32 billion. The growth of this industry is driven largely by two factors: increasing awareness about the need to be fit and the increase in lifestyle diseases that could have been easily prevented,” said Mr Akshay Verma, Co-Founder, FITPASS. “People realize the importance of physical activity in averting diseases and this is where products such as FITPASS come in. The mindset that Indians do not want to get fit or sweat it out at gyms has changed and the whole ecosystem has evolved. Apart from our flagship membership plan that allows users universal access to workout anywhere, anytime across a network of 2500+ gyms and fitness centres, our users enjoy a proprietary A.I. led fitness coaching program (FITCOACH) that adapts and responds real-time to their needs and preferences to ensure efficient outcomes. Our app also features nutritionist assistance by experts. This is the day and age of fit-tech and through the range of services we offer, we have the power to democratise fitness and make it super affordable and accessible for the Indians.” Mega sectors of the segment are those that have grown to a substantial base and will continue to grow at a good pace. Some examples include recreational sports, wellness therapies and diagnostics. The average life expectancy has increased as has the burden of non-communicable diseases. However, there is also awareness about the need to live healthy and be free of diseases. Mr Rekuram Varadharaj, Co-founder and COO, healthi added, “With a large and growing pre-diabetic population of nearly 80m and 25% mortality attributed to Cardio Vascular Disease (CVD), India needs urgent attention to be paid to preventive health and lifestyle management. We believe that technology, in the form of personalization algorithms and analytics, can help empower, educate and engage with users, and thus drive effective preventive health and outpatient care outcomes. At healthi, we have been heartened that our personalized and targeted engagement programs have resulted in better health outcomes among our growing user base. We are glad to see that the report portends such a future of increased engagement around preventive health to be the widespread norm. “ Technology is helping solve the problem of engagement and milestone achievement which was traditionally missing in preventive practice. The fast pace of growth in fitness and the broader preventive health business provides a lucrative opportunity for tech start-ups in this space. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11314/oppi-launches-digital-campaign-thinkforhealth.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11314/oppi-launches-digital-campaign-thinkforhealth.html Tue, 17 Jul 2018 16:50:00 +0530 Industry body Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) has launched a digital campaign, ThinkForHealth, calling for ideas to improve access to healthcare in India. The initiative launched in partnership with the Telangana government will provide a platform for young minds and social and health-tech entrepreneurs to share their ideas on the mentioned topics and the three winning ideas will be given a platform to be heard. The Telangana government has expressed keenness to extend multi-faceted support to ideas which hold the potential to transform the lives of ordinary people, it added. "Make ideas in India is the most important thing for India. We should not wait for innovation to happen outside India. We need to start looking at how do we innovate in India," OPPI President and Glaxo SmithKline Pharmaceuticals MD India & Vice President - South Asia A Vaidheesh said. There is a need to generate lot of patents in India which are specific to Indian population, he added. "The ThinkforHealth digital campaign of the OPPI in collaboration with Government of Telangana is an initiative that will give further impetus to innovation and consolidate the position of Hyderabad as bio-pharmaceutical innovation hub," Telangana Minister for IT, Industries, MA & UD, NRI Affairs K T Rama Rao said. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11294/innovations-multi-stakeholder-partnerships-key-to-tb-free-india-by-2025.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11294/innovations-multi-stakeholder-partnerships-key-to-tb-free-india-by-2025.html Fri, 13 Jul 2018 10:35:00 +0530 International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, brought together leaders and experts from the government, civil society, and private sector to discuss the role of innovations and partnerships for a TB-Free India. With over 2 million incidence cases each year, India contributes to 26% of the global TB burden. Earlier this year, around World TB Day, the Prime Minister had announced an ambitious target to eliminate tuberculosis from India by 2025, five years ahead of the globally agreed Sustainable Development Goals targets. During the intense exchange of ideas between experts from various backgrounds, it was suggested that for achieving this goal, the country needs to change its approach and have greater emphasis on innovations and multi-stakeholder partnerships. Multi-sectoral engagement and participation of all stakeholders at every level of the elimination process will have a significant impact on the lives of the poor, who are most vulnerable to TB. When it comes to TB diagnosis and treatment, India still faces stringent challenges, making it pertinent for all stakeholders to address the loopholes, urgently, and accelerate the journey toward achieving the goal of TB elimination. The session on 'Transformative Innovations and Technology to End TB in India', examined the innovation dynamics for TB control in the country. They emphasized on the need for private sector entrepreneurship and engagement to derive solutions that will streamline the processes in this domain. For instance, the merits of implementing the easy-to-use rapid molecular test (GX) that helps bring the lab closer to patients, enabling a test and treat approach in one visit, was discussed deeply. The power of technology to develop tools which will ensure treatment adherence among TB patients was also delved into during this conversation. The panel on 'Advancing TB Elimination through Multi-Sectoral Actions and Sustainable Partnerships', explored the need and role of multi-sectoral partnerships that could lend their urgent intervention to hasten the progress in tackling this menacing epidemic. Given India’s progress, gaps and next steps for eliminating the deadly disease by 2025, experts deliberated on the social determinants such as poverty, malnutrition, crowded and poorly ventilated living and working environments, among others, which block the way to disease elimination. The panelists consented on the need for multi-sectoral action to enable a holistic approach and tackle the problem of determinants. Defining the imperatives shaping healthcare innovation in India, Vikas Sheel, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India said, "We cannot achieve India's TB elimination goal unless we innovate. While new product and technology development has been the general focus of innovation, we must focus on preventive, cost-effective medicine, and on educating India on leading a lifestyle that delays disease onset.  Additionally, all processes and tools that we develop should be easily replicable. I look forward to the inputs from the Ministry of Health on how we can reform our process and systems to facilitate faster roll-out of new technologies, processes, and ideas.” Speaking at the discussion, Dr. Jamie Tonsing, Regional Director-USEA, The Union, said, “Ending TB is one of the key global health priorities, of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, committed to by the UN member states, including India. Call to Action for a TB-Free India had steered multi stakeholder movement against TB in India.  Different stakeholders have responded very positively. As an active participant, we are pleased to get experts, enabling a platform to gather insights on existing challenges to TB diagnosis in the country. We hope that the comprehensions and opinions collected from this panel will help generate more momentum and galvanise collective actions to eliminate TB in our country. We thank all members for agreeing to be a part of this forum and keep the work on TB-free India going.” Voicing his opinion on the panel, Xerses Sidhwa, Director of Health Office, USAID India said, “The Indian government has identified TB elimination as a key health priority, and TB today is on the political agenda. As we move forward, it will be critical for states to continue their support. Secondly, one-size interventions don't fit all. We need to innovate, evaluate, replicate, and increase R&D investment to create newer technologies and diagnostic tools to take informed programmatic decisions." Other members who participated in the discussion included Dr Sunil Khaparde, Deputy Director General -TB, DGHS, MoHFW, GOI; Mukta Sharma WHO; Mr. Peter, Farrell, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Commercial Operations, Cepheid; Dr Sanjay Sarin, Head, FIND; Nandita Venkatesan, TB Champion, India among others. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11290/portea-medical-studies-demand-dynamics-of-home-healthcare-services.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11290/portea-medical-studies-demand-dynamics-of-home-healthcare-services.html Thu, 12 Jul 2018 10:45:00 +0530 Portea Medical, India’s leading consumer healthcare provider, has observed a major shift in the demand dynamics of home healthcare services. Apart from the huge existing demand among the elderly and those needing post-operative care, there has been a marked surge in the infants and adolescent segment for these services. About 7% of Portea’s patients are below 14 years of age, and this segment is growing 1.3 times faster (CAGR of 70%) than the company’s total patient base. Home care offerings today are positioned on 'convenience' and 'affordability' and have clearly found connect with the younger segment (early adopters of the tech-driven new age offerings). With enhanced customer experience, this segment is going to be a huge asset to influence others to adopt home healthcare and return to home healthcare providers as and when healthcare needs arise in their lives. Consumer healthcare is gaining credibility among customers with long-term needs – something once only hospitals catered to. Speaking about this, Ms Meena Ganesh, MD and CEO, Portea Medical, said, “There is a visible increase in the demand for home healthcare services in categories other than the elderly and those with chronic illnesses. There has also been an increase in requests for care in case of acute treatment conditions (which need immediate attention). The infant and adolescent group, unlike the young adults, includes those with more critical medical conditions such as palsy, delayed milestones, Down’s syndrome etc. and thus, home care services like long-term physiotherapy, attendants, nursing etc. are availed. The organized home healthcare services segment has the potential to become one of the key pillars in medical tourism as it meets most of these criteria but lacks a regulatory framework. The private sector would benefit with support from the government in terms of proactive policies and standards to regularize the industry.” In 2015 Portea served monthly about 700 patients below the age of 12 years, this number is now almost 400%. The youngest active member availing physio services is about 2 years old. The basket of services in the infant and adolescent categories include neonatal care, hypertonia, torticollis (abnormal head position), physiotherapy for pre-term babies, cerebral palsy care, autism, Infantile epilepsy, Anaphylactic shock, Down’s Syndrome, and juvenile arthritis. Portea's lab/basic physiotherapy offerings, and now nutrition, have created a consumer category, as opposed to the prescribed category by doctors/hospitals. Apart from all these services, Portea also offers a carefully designed Kanga and Roo programme. Under this, Portea assigns a medically trained caregiver to help the mother with newborn baby care and also offers after-delivery care for the mother. India’s home healthcare market stood at around $3.20 billion in 2016 and is expected to grow to around $4.46 billion by 2018 and $6.21 billion in 2020. Some social factors contributing to this growing demand for home care include the taboo surrounding institutional care for ageing parents, higher levels of perceived stress, social isolation, lack of work-life balance and negative impact on the emotional well-being of the family caregivers, and the fact that informal structures of support are unable to cope with the commitment required to take care of chronic patients and the elderly. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11287/nmmt-tata-trusts-to-open-cancer-hospital-at-navsari-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11287/nmmt-tata-trusts-to-open-cancer-hospital-at-navsari-.html Wed, 11 Jul 2018 16:00:00 +0530 The Nirali Memorial Medical Trust, established by Mr. A.M. Naik, Group Chairman of Larsen & Toubro, will set up a speciality cancer hospital at Navsari, Gujarat and the Tata Trusts will manage the operations of the facility. Nirali Memorial Medical Trust and Tata Trusts today signed an agreement to this effect, in the presence of Mr. A.M. Naik and Mr. Ratan N. Tata. The mission of the proposed hospital at Navsari, the birthplace of Mr. Naik and the Tata group founder, Jamsetji Tata, is to benefit the needy sections of society in their fight against cancer. The hospital will be built on land long associated with the Tata group.  Mr. Ratan N Tata said: “Cancer needs to be tackled on a war footing. Mr. Naik’s initiative, which should be emulated, will go a long way in making cancer care affordable and accessible.” The Nirali Memorial Medical Trust will create the hospital infrastructure with advanced facilities and install state-of-the-art equipment while Tata Trusts will be responsible for patient care and day-to-day operations. The comprehensive cancer care hospital at Navsari will have facilities that range from clinical Pathology, High-end Linear Accelerator, Histopathology, Biochemistry, USG, Digital X-Ray and Mammography to CT simulators, Brachytherapy OPDs as well as major Operation Theatres. The upcoming centre will also be a part of the overall network of cancer centres being established by the Tata Trusts across the country.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11284/mdrf-reports-higher-mortality-rates-for-diabetic-indians.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11284/mdrf-reports-higher-mortality-rates-for-diabetic-indians.html Wed, 11 Jul 2018 14:30:00 +0530 Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) has published yet another breakthrough study report focusing solely on the morality rates among Indians with and without diabetes. A brainchild of Dr. R M Anjana, and her team, the study- Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study (CURES), reports on the mortality rates based on a representative sample of 26,001 adults from Chennai city, aged over 20 years out between 2001 and 2003. All individuals with diabetes and one in ten of those without diabetes were followed up for the next 10- 15 years to look at the mortality rates. While the study revealed the startling outcome that the mortality rates are almost three times higher in Indians with diabetes compared to Indians without diabetes, it also further stated that being underweight was associated with a significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality compared to those who were marginally overweight or obese. This supports the newly emerging ‘obesity paradox’ concept and suggests that being slightly overweight especially at older age groups may not be such a bad thing after all.  The excess mortality due to diabetes was most marked in the age group of 51-70 years. Most of this excess mortality due to diabetes was accounted for by renal disease and cardiovascular disease. Dr. R. M. Anjana, Managing Director, Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre and Vice president, MDRF says, “To our knowledge, this is the first study from India to compare mortality rates in a representative population based cohort of individuals with and without diabetes. Coronary heart disease which contributed 53% of the risk of mortality in those with diabetes can be reduced if it is diagnosed and detected early and aggressively. Diabetes which is a significant contributor to mortality can also be prevented. Even if it is well controlled, it could also reduce the mortality rates”. She further adds, “Other important contributors to mortality such as physical inactivity, dyslipidemia, smoking and alcohol use and hypertension are also easily modifiable risk factors”. The prevalence of diabetes is increasing worldwide. Today diabetes is the fifth leading cause of mortality accounting for over 3.8 million deaths annually. It is estimated that one individual dies of diabetes or its complications every 10 seconds. Most of the excess mortality due to diabetes is attributable to cardiovascular disease and renal failure. While there are several studies on mortality rates in people with and without diabetes from developed countries; there is virtually no data from India. Such data are very important because Indians, in general, are known to be at increased risk of developing both type 2 diabetes as well as premature coronary heart disease. Dr. V. Mohan, Director, Madras Diabetes Research Foundation says that “The excess mortality noted among underweight individuals may reflect their poor health due to other underlying diseases e.g. tuberculosis, undernutrition or decreased immunity. The fact that excess mortality due to diabetes was highest in the age group of 51 to 70 years is possibly a reflection of the earlier age of onset of type 2 diabetes in Indians.  While, gross obesity is undoubtedly harmful, this study shows that small degrees of overweight especially in older people may not be as bad as believed earlier. This is a newly emerging finding worldwide, and needs further study. Fortunately altering risk factor through increased physical activity, smoking cessation good diabetes and blood pressure control and use of statins  could help in lowering mortality rates in Indians even if they have  type 2 diabetes. Dr. C. S. Shanthi Rani, Senior Scientist &Head, Clinical Epidemiology at MDRF says that “The representativeness of this population based sample, the long duration of follow-up, the use of standardized verbal autopsies to collect information on causes of death from the community and the good response rates are the main strengths of the study”. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11279/adoption-of-ai-driven-devices-can-change-indias-healthcare-gap-says-a-survey.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11279/adoption-of-ai-driven-devices-can-change-indias-healthcare-gap-says-a-survey.html Wed, 11 Jul 2018 10:20:00 +0530 India is facing an acute shortage of skilled healthcare professionals and hospital beds, and the situation can change if doctors embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven devices and wearables/apps at hospitals, said a new report. There are 29 skilled healthcare professionals for 10,000 people -- way below the global average of 109 and the lowest score across all 16 countries surveyed, according to the first edition of India's Future Health Index (FHI) by Royal Philips, a global leader in healthcare technology. Another barrier is the low number of hospital beds (7 per 10,000 in India in comparison to 38 per 10,000 on average globally, the findings showed. "While top hospitals and clinics in metro cities may boast of having cutting-edge technologies, semi-urban and rural areas are yet to fully leverage the potential of digital healthcare," the survey noted. The Future Health Index (FHI) is a research-based platform that helps determine the readiness of countries to address global health challenges and build sustainable national health systems. "The FHI study provides us with excellent insights about the awareness that healthcare practitioners and the population have about the role of technologies in aiding healthcare delivery. This readiness to adopt technology can be a key driver in delivering treatment to patients in tier II and III cities in India," said Rohit Sathe, President, Philips India Healthcare. Despite a lower-than-average data analytics score, Indian healthcare professionals are open to the use of futuristic technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual Reality (VR) in healthcare. "Two-thirds of healthcare professionals believe AI health tracker wearables/apps on smartphones would have the greatest impact on improving healthcare today," the findings showed. Seven in 10 healthcare professionals are knowledgeable about connected care technologies, with one-in-seven saying he/she is extremely knowledgeable.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11267/stress-increases-in-indians-due-to-work-and-finance-related-issues-survey.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11267/stress-increases-in-indians-due-to-work-and-finance-related-issues-survey.html Mon, 09 Jul 2018 16:00:00 +0530 Cigna’s India business, Cigna TTK Health Insurance, a joint venture between U.S.based global health Services Company, Cigna Corporation and Indian conglomerate TTK Group, released the results of its 2018 Cigna 360° Well-Being Survey, Future Assured. The findings reveal that stress levels are high in India compared with other developed and emerging countries including the United States, UK, Germany, France, China, Brazil and Indonesia. About 89 percent of the population in India says they are suffering from stress compared to the global average of 86 percent. In addition, one in eight people has serious trouble in dealing with stress, with Millennials suffering more than other groups. Nearly, 75 percent of respondents in India do not feel comfortable talking to a medical professional about their stress, cost is one of the biggest barriers to seeking professional help. Now in its fourth year, the 2018 Survey adopted more forward-looking approach #Future Assured, exploring people’s perceptions and concerns on health and their sense of well-being across five key areas like physical, family, social, finances and work. This year’s survey is Cigna’s most global yet, talking to nearly 14,500 people in 23 markets around the world. India takes the top spot in the overall global well-being Index for the fourth year running.  The country only showed slight declines in Physical, Social and Family wellness this year, while respondents remain optimistic about Work and Financial well-being. The largest percentages fall are in the Physical area were seen in weight and nutrition management, followed by sleep-related challenges. In the Social pillar, over 50 percent of people from India said they are not spending sufficient time with friends nor have enough time for hobbies. The dip in Family well-being is mostly due to growing concerns about the ability to financially support parents and children.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11263/eupheus-fortis-healthcare-to-create-awareness-on-mental-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11263/eupheus-fortis-healthcare-to-create-awareness-on-mental-health.html Mon, 09 Jul 2018 13:25:00 +0530 As incidents of mental health related concerns grow at an alarming rate, Eupheus Learning, a Delhi based EdTech startup and the Department of Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences, Fortis Healthcare, a leading specialist hospital in the country have joined hands to spread awareness about this sensitive issue. Dr. Samir Parikh, Director, Department of Mental Health and Behavioral sciences, Fortis Healthcare, has conceptualized #PsychEd2018 India’s only National Psychology Quiz for school students. This quiz aims to cultivate an interest in young minds for the field of psychology and promote awareness around mental health issues nationally. Psych-Ed in 2017 received an astounding participation from 460 schools from 90 cities across India. 1380 students participated in this quiz last year for the online round alone. Being knowledge partners for the contest, Eupheus Learning will be running pre-event contests on their Facebook page to promote the quiz. Together, they will also hold Facebook live sessions of 30 minute each on their Facebook page www.facebook.com/eupheuslearning where mental health experts from the Department of Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences, Fortis Healthcare will elaborately cover topics related to education and mental health. “Given the recent incidents being highlighted in the news and media, regarding mental health concerns; it has become our endeavor to reach out to the young population of the country and help them know about Psychology and take care of their mental health. Psych-Ed has been conceptualized by us to provide a fun filled, engaging platform to students to know and understand Psychology, its concepts and applications, as well as mental health. By joining hands with Eupheus Learning which is connected to between 1500-1700 schools and making them our knowledge partners, we aim to engage an even larger number of schools this year.” commented Dr. Samir Parikh, Director, Department of Mental Health and Behavioral sciences, Fortis Healthcare. Speaking about this association, Mr. Sarvesh Shrivastava, Co-Founder and MD, Eupheus Learning said, “We are actively seeking association with events that give students a novel opportunity of enhancing their understanding beyond textbooks. Our association with the Department of Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences, Fortis Healthcare is not only keeping in mind the above-mentioned pointer but also syncs well with what we are trying to achieve for the future. The next generation of young minds needs to be made aware as well as given support regarding mental health issues that have been rampant in the society like a plague.” Euphues Learning caters to pre-K to Class X in the private school segment, which consists of 22,000 private schools across India with a base of approximately 26 Million students. The Department of Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences, Fortis Healthcare is looking forward to spreading their message on mental health issue far and wide. Agenda: The first live Facebook interaction will take place on the 20th of July, 2018 with Ms. Kamna Chhibber The second live Facebook interaction will take place on the 10th of August with Dr. Samir Parikh ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11260/fortis-teams-up-with-rntcp-icmr-for-tb-symposium.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11260/fortis-teams-up-with-rntcp-icmr-for-tb-symposium.html Fri, 06 Jul 2018 23:25:00 +0530 Fortis Hospitals, Bangalore in association with Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) recently conducted ‘Tuberculosis Symposium’ with an aim to support government’s vision for a TB Free India. The symposium focussed on various aspects of Tuberculosis and the ways to eradicate it followed by a panel discussion and Q&A. Along with senior doctors from Fortis Hospitals, various other doctors from National Tuberculosis Institute, ESIMC, and members of State TB Cell took part in the conference. The panel discussed on the Global & Indian Scenario, Diagnosis of TB, EPTB( Extra Pulmonary Tuberculosis), Treatment of TB, Role of Private Sector in Elimination of TB, Programmatic Management of Drug Resistant TB  during the symposium. According to the World Health Organisation, India reported the world's highest number of TB cases, of which at least half are treated in the private sector and their diagnoses and treatment are not noted in government records. A recent study revealed that there is an increase in active TB cases, with Karnataka reporting 68,000 cases last year. Dr Shripad Patil, Director, ICMR-NGIL&OMD, Agra said, TB Free India campaign aims to ensure access to accurate diagnosis, affordable treatment and support to each TB patient. Kill the Killer.” Dr Shalini Joshi, Senior Consultant , Internal Medicine Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road said, “ The symposium brought all the private and public stakeholders at one platform to help each other work towards the same goal. We are optimistic that through our joint efforts, we will be able to provide our best to the patients.” In an attempt to eliminate tuberculosis in India, Union Budget 2018 allocated Rs 600 crores for nutritional support to TB patients in India. This allocation, with an addition to Rs 1200cr set aside as patient social and nutritional support under national strategic plan for tuberculosis budget (2017-2020) is said to decrease the fall-out of patients from treatment due to lack of nutritional support. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11255/phfi-axa-team-up-to-combat-ncds.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11255/phfi-axa-team-up-to-combat-ncds.html Fri, 06 Jul 2018 11:30:00 +0530 AXA, a French multinational insurance firm, is undertaking a project as part of it Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative with Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) on 'Implementing a setting-based health promotion intervention for prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs)'. The project involves implementing innovative behaviour change interventions on NCD prevention and control in multiple settings including schools, colleges and workplaces- across all age groups. The study is guided by a multi-disciplinary advisory committee including experts from WHO, academic institutions, NGOs and government representatives. According to Global Burden of Diseases, NCDs, including cancer, heart disease, chronic lung disease and diabetes, pose huge health and economic burden in India and account for 6.4 million deaths every year. Hence, the urgent need to augment efforts to prevent NCDs in all settings and across age groups, since most NCDs are related to living habits and unhealthy choices like tobacco consumption. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11253/wockhardt-organises-programme-to-improve-patients-clinical-outcomes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11253/wockhardt-organises-programme-to-improve-patients-clinical-outcomes.html Thu, 05 Jul 2018 16:20:00 +0530 Wockhardt hospital, a reputed chain of tertiary care super specialty hospitals in India reinforced its Rapid Response Team (RRT) in order to provide utmost Patient care to decrease mortality and increase survival rate. The three day program organized at all the Wockhardt facilities will have renowned doctors and staff members of Wockhardt Hospital delivering lectures and sharing experiences. A wide range of topics covering RRT will be discussed through clinical case simulations, quiz and collage competitions, theme plays at work stations and much more all focusing on the process of RRT that Wockhardt Hospital follows we follow at our hospitals. Commenting on the initiative, Zahabiya Khorakiwala, Managing Director, Wockhardt Hospitals, said, “RRT is evidence based clinical practise to decrease the mortality rate and provide utmost care and attention to the patient even if the slightest instability is seen. We at Wockhardt imbibe to practice evidence based clinical care for all our hospital patients.” The Rapid Response Team has several key roles. The team assists staff in assessing and stabilizing the patient’s condition and organizing information to be communicated to the physician. The Rapid Response Team member also takes on the role of educator and support to the staff at the time of the call. If the circumstances warrant, the team assists with the patient transfer to a higher level of care. Dr. Clive Fernandes, Group Clinical Director, Wockhardt Group Hospitals, said, “Rapid Response Team has shown to decrease the number of CODE BLUE’s and thus decrease mortality. We at Wockhardt Hospitals have been practising this concept since the last four to five years and have seen the improved clinical outcomes. This awareness program is just our methodology to reinforce what we have defined.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11251/asian-development-bank-to-invest-in-dialysis-firm.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11251/asian-development-bank-to-invest-in-dialysis-firm.html Thu, 05 Jul 2018 15:05:00 +0530 The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to invest $10 million of equity in DCDC Healthcare Services Private Limited (DCDCPL), a company providing dialysis and ancillary services to end-stage renal disease, to help enable the establishment of critical healthcare infrastructure in India and Sri Lanka. ADB’s financing will also include a $5 million equity investment made on behalf of Leading Asia’s Private Infrastructure Fund (LEAP), one of ADB’s co-financing vehicles dedicated to private sector infrastructure in Asia and the Pacific. The Japan International Cooperation Agency supports LEAP, launched in August 2016, through a $1.5 billion equity commitment. The agreement was signed by ADB Principal Investment Specialist for Private Sector Operations Mr. Mayank Choudhary and DCDCPL’s Founder and CEO Mr. Aseem Garg at a ceremony in New Delhi. DCDCPL offers dialysis care at its public-private partnership (PPP) centres in government hospitals, along with its centres at private hospitals and two standalone clinics. It is the second largest operator of PPP dialysis centres in India. ADB’s investment will allow the company to expand its network to more than 180 centres and increase its geographic presence by covering more states in India, as well as starting a network of centres in Sri Lanka. ADB will also assist DCDCPL in capacity building, including developing human resources, improving systems and processes, and standardizing care quality. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11240/ujjivanpiramal-launches-mobile-healthcare-programme-in-karnataka.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11240/ujjivanpiramal-launches-mobile-healthcare-programme-in-karnataka.html Wed, 04 Jul 2018 13:30:00 +0530 Ujjivan Financial Services in partnership with Piramal Swasthya, an initiative under the aegis of Piramal Foundation announced the launch of Mobile Primary Healthcare Programme in Bangalore. The Programme targets the unserved and under-served, and endeavors to make quality primary healthcare services available, accessible and affordable for all. India, basic healthcare is a critical challenge for the unserved and underserved populace, due to lack of resources, lack of adequate medical centres and steep costs of treatments. Karnataka has made significant progress in providing healthcare facilities to the residents over the last few decades. However, despite the progress, the State has a long way to go in achieving the desired health goals. Inequity in access to healthcare services, as evidenced by health outcomes in Karnataka, makes it imperative to come up with supportive programmes to provide available, accessible and affordable healthcare to the underprivileged communities. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11239/healthifyme-establishes-leadership-position-in-indias-digital-health-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11239/healthifyme-establishes-leadership-position-in-indias-digital-health-.html Wed, 04 Jul 2018 12:00:00 +0530 HealthifyMe, India’s most loved health app, has announced that it has crossed five million registered users on its mobile app platform. The milestone signifies a 4 fold growth in the last 12 months. HealthifyMe had recently also received the Google’s “Editor’s choice award” and hit a 4.6 star rating out of 5 stars, making it the highest rated app in the country, at scale. The platform also has over 1 million monthly active users who utilize the app every single month for their nutrition and workout tracking.   The milestone points to an increasingly mainstream trend of Indians using digital/ mobile apps for their health & fitness. Anjan Bhojarajan, Senior Director, Growth at HealthifyMe said, “Our growth over the last 12 months is proof of how Indians are adopting digital health & wellness solutions in a big way. We plan to cross the 10 million user base number by the end of the fiscal year and are excited at our future prospects”. HealthifyMe users have cumulatively lost more than 1 million kgs of weight in the last one year alone. They have also tracked more than 115 billion steps and burnt 12 billion kcal through their workouts. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11235/worlds-smallest-heart-pump-used-for-the-first-time-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11235/worlds-smallest-heart-pump-used-for-the-first-time-in-india.html Tue, 03 Jul 2018 12:30:00 +0530 Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, Centre of Excellence in Cardiac Care, achieved yet another milestone of success when a team led by Dr. Ashok Seth, Chairman, Cardiovascular Sciences, performed India’s first “Protected Angioplasty and stenting procedure” with support of Impella Heart Pump on a patient suffering from life-threatening blockages, who was at extremely high risk for bypass surgery. The hospital is the first in India to offer this new life-saving treatment to patients suffering from high-risk blockages and failing heart – who are at high risk for surgery and angioplasty and often left with no options. This marks the beginning of the first “Heart Recovery Program” in India, where the device can help the patient’s own diseased and weak heart to rest, recover and function on its own. The new ‘Impella Device’ is the ‘world’s smallest heart pump’, which can support a failing heart for up to 7-days and occasionally longer. The Impella Device is like a catheter and works on the principle of submersible water pump; it is a thick as a pencil and approx. 6 inches long. Unlike other devices (which are large and need surgery to implant) the Imeplla can be inserted into the heart without an operation percutaneously through the groin artery in the Cath Lab; it can provide blood flows of 2.5 – 3.5 litres/min. Impella heart pump is used to help maintain stable heart function and to help ensure blood flow is maintained to critical organs such as the brain and kidneys in cases of cardiogenic shock or during high-risk angioplasties or surgeries. Once in position, the Impella heart pump withdraws blood from the left ventricle and expels it in to the ascending aorta, the same effect that happens with the pumping motion of your heart. Dr Ashok Seth said, “The Impella can support failing heart (cardiogenic shock) due to heart attack or myocarditis for up to 7-days or even longer till heart recovery occurs. It can also be used to support the heart in cases of high-risk angioplasties (Protected PCI) in patients with poor heart function and where surgery is considered too risky. It has been proven to support the heart to improve the safety of the procedure and improve outcomes. When the procedure is over, or the heart recovery occurs, the device can just be pulled out and removed as it is like a catheter. It is approved in and has been used in USA and Europe for the last few years and has been introduced into India now.” The device was used for the first time to treat an 86-year old gentleman who was admitted to Fortis Escorts Heart Institute with severe recurrent chest pains over a week and impending heart attack. An angiogram revealed all his arteries were more than 90% blocked with very hard, calcium deposited life-threatening blockages. He had a prohibitive risk for surgery so angioplasty was performed as a lifesaving procedure under the support of Impella heart support. The patient had Rotablator drilling performed on all three arteries to remove the calcium followed by implantation of five stents in a procedure lasting for 2½ hours. The heart was supported throughout on the Impella pump to maintain stable pressure and perfusion to brain and kidneys. The patient remained conscious, stable and complication free throughout the procedure. The patient continued the recovery and was transferred to the CCU and was gradually weaned off the pump, which was removed after 5-hours. After the patient stabilized and was in CCU, the Impella pump was removed after 5-hours. The 86-year old gentleman is now well and walking around two days later. Dr. Ashok Seth also added: The device supported the heart admirably to keep the patient stable throughout the very complex angioplasty procedure and afterwards for recovery. It was an extreme high risk angioplasty which was successfully performed without any com0plcaitons with a good supply of blood being maintained to the kidneys and brain. It provides hope for numerous patients who have a heart attack, multiple blockages and failing heart who are considered the too high risk for treatment with angioplasty and surgery. They can now be treated with greater safety using the Impella Device. It would not have been impossible to do the procedure with safety without the support of Impella device. This landmark is the start of the first “Heart Recovery Program” in the country where a patient with weak hearts and cardiogenic shock can be supported at angioplasty or in CCU to allow the heart to recover by implanting a miniature catheter-based heart pump, without surgery. The device can also be used to transport a patient in shock to tertiary centres where advanced treatment can be instituted to help survival. Dr Kousar Ali Shah, Zonal Director, FEHI, “Fortis Escorts continues to be a trendsetter in using the most advanced technology in the clinical world and lives up to its reputation of being the first in so many such value additions to the world of healthcare! And congratulations to Dr Ashok Seth for once again setting an example by leading from the front and using the Impella device on this 86 years old gentleman who has got a new lease of life with this advanced device. It feels great to be associated with this institute that continues to write new history!”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11231/experts-emphasize-on-using-auto-disable-syringes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11231/experts-emphasize-on-using-auto-disable-syringes.html Tue, 03 Jul 2018 11:05:00 +0530 Andhra Pradesh is the first state in India to have come out with a policy around AD syringes. In the national capital, many of the central government hospitals are already using the Re Use Prevention syringes though the proportion of their usage is limited Acknowledging the fact that unsafe injection practices propagate Hepatitis and other blood borne pathogens, the World Health Organization had released its policy guidance on the use of safety syringes long back. Under this, WHO has recommended exclusive use of the Re-Use Prevention (RUP) syringes for all therapeutic purposes in addition to its use for immunization. WHO also urged the use of Sharps Injury Prevention (SIP) devices to avoid Needles Stick Injuries (NSIs). In more than six studies across India, NSIs have been found to be occurring in the range of 25% - 40% among the studied population, where in mostly the NSIs occurred at least once in the preceding year of the study. WHO statistics show that 33% of Hepatitis B infections and 42% of Hepatitis C infections globally are attributable to unsafe injections in developing countries like India, making it a serious health hazard. A comprehensive Health Technology Assessment (HTA) study done by PGI Chandigarh on behalf of Department of Health Research quantifies the high morbidity from re-use of syringes and from needle stick injuries and demonstrates cost-effectiveness of Auto Disable (AD) syringes. Taking cognizance of this report, Government of Andhra Pradesh has decided to make usage of AD syringes mandatory for all clinical purposes as they aim to make Andhra Pradesh a Safe Injection State with effect from 28th July 2018, the World Hepatitis Day. Dr. Ranju Singh, Professor of Anesthesia in Lady Harding’s medical college commented, “We have been using RUP syringes since 2013, even before WHO issued recommendations to this effect. These are well accepted and all our staff is trained to use them. They feel satisfied that there is no risk of even accidental reuse of such syringes by anyone.” However, lot of healthcare institutions need to have the same approach to increase patient outcomes Appreciating this development, Pavan Mocherla, Managing Director, BD – India & South Asia said, “This is a welcome step and we hope many other states would follow the movement. To achieve India’s commitment towards elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030, unsafe injection practices need to be curbed and Andhra Pradesh government’s decision to adopt exclusive use of AD syringes is laudable. We are well poised to serve the growing need of newer technology syringes and have already been supporting the state governments and specific hospitals with developing a comprehensive safety ecosystem for infection prevention & control, including the use of RUP syringes. Our teams have supported the development of several Centers of Excellence in Injection Safety like in Kerala and Puducherry in South India and we are committed to doing more to support this critical healthcare need.” Punjab state has been adopted by WHO India under their Injection Safety Implementation pilot. The state has been undertaking many measures to strengthen the Safe Injection ecosystem including the adoption of RUP syringes. Dr. Rajesh Bhaskar, Nodal officer of State Injection Safety project of Punjab added, “RUP syringes have been well accepted in Punjab. We have ensured that all staff is trained and understands the importance of locking the syringe after use else this may get accidentally reused by anyone. State government has been requested to expand the project including the use of RUP syringes.” Infection prevention and control is an important public health priority, especially in low and middle-income countries. Poor practices in hospitals act as an amplifier for infections. As per India’s National Patient Safety Implementation Framework (2018-25) released in April 2018, one in ten patients acquire Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs) while receiving care in developing countries. Re-use of medical syringes and Needle Stick Injuries (NSIs) continues to be a matter of serious concern as it poses grave health risks both to the patient as well as to health care professionals. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11218/iap-medewise-launch-mobile-vaccination-apps.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11218/iap-medewise-launch-mobile-vaccination-apps.html Mon, 02 Jul 2018 11:20:00 +0530 Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) in association with Kolkata-based startup Medewise Technology Solutions Private Limited has launched mobile applications for child health management and immunization in Vadodara. The apps were launched as a part of the two-day Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology Conference with Essentials of Pediatric Infectious Diseases course organized by IAP, IAP Infectious Diseases Chapter and Vadodara branch of Academy of Pediatrics. According to IAP, over two million children under the age of five die every year in the country and another one million or more are disabled for life. A major cause is that parents often forget to vaccinate the child on time. IAP had pioneered the Immunize India reminder service to increase vaccination compliance and provide better care and coverage to children all over the country. With the launch of MedEPed and Medewise Kids Pro – the two mobile apps for child healthcare, IAP is taking child healthcare to the next level by leveraging technology, connectivity and data. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11206/nimhans-digital-academy-to-train-mental-health-professionals-virtually.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11206/nimhans-digital-academy-to-train-mental-health-professionals-virtually.html Thu, 28 Jun 2018 12:55:00 +0530 Health Minister J.P. Nadda has launched NIMHANS Digital Academy to train mental health professionals through virtual classrooms, saying the government will see if mental health disorders can be screened at primary health centres under Ayushman Bharat. "We must match speed, skill and scale to implement the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017," he said while addressing the first batch of professionals enrolled for undergoing courses in psychiatry and psychiatric social work. Nadda said the Act brings forth a stronger and more robust legal scaffold and humane and patient-centric rights based approach for mental healthcare in the country, according to a statement by the Health and Family Welfare Ministry. "We have to be ambitious and ensure that the Act increases in scale of operations," he said. The minister also released the training modules and curricula for various training programmes to be undertaken at the NIMHANS Digital Academy. About 150,000 sub-centres that will be converted into Health and Wellness Centres under Ayushman Bharat to deliver comprehensive primary health care, Nadda said: "In the coming times, we have to see if we can detect mental health disorders at these centres and if it can be included in the universal screening ... We can think of training our frontline functionaries in detection." National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, which has always been in the forefront of capacity building and human resource training in the mental health sector, has an established infrastructure for starting a digital academy. Through the academy, it will provide large scale training to healthcare service providers like medical officers, psychologists, social workers and nurses to deliver quality mental healthcare services throughout the country. Up to 50 people can be trained in the virtual classroom with only a mobile phone with 3G connection required at the receiver's end. The courses for different categories of healthcare providers would be of about 30 hours duration each and spread across a period of three months. The courses will be digitally delivered to remotely located healthcare providers across the country. After successful completion of the course and evaluation, the participants will be awarded "Diploma in Community Mental Health" by NIMHANS, Bengaluru. Similar training programmes will also be started by the Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi, and lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur, and other mental health institutes supported by the ministry.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11198/govt-hospitals-in-tn-to-get-networked-ct-mri-machines.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11198/govt-hospitals-in-tn-to-get-networked-ct-mri-machines.html Thu, 28 Jun 2018 11:00:00 +0530 Different government hospitals in Tamil Nadu will soon be getting virtually connect 58 computed tomography (CT) and 18 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines. The fully networked teleradiology system will be officially launched in a few weeks. While doctors and technicians are currently being trained to use the system, a few hospitals have already started using it. The teleradiology system will allow select images to be uploaded to a central server and radiologists from any of the hospitals that are connected to the network can access the images and give immediate medical opinion. As part of networking the machines, a tower for dedicated connectivity has been set up at each hospital to share the images with a central server. Except for four locations, this work has been completed in the rest of the centres. To incentivise doctors to report scans uploaded from other hospitals, they will be paid them a certain amount, which is yet to be finalised. 10 hospitals in Uttar Pradesh and 20 hospitals in Haryana have been similarly networked. Kerala is in the process of implementing it across the state. In the private sector, Columbia Asia chain of hospitals in India has networked 14 hospitals. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11196/rural-dialysis-patients-have-twice-the-mortality-rate-as-urban-patients-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11196/rural-dialysis-patients-have-twice-the-mortality-rate-as-urban-patients-in-india.html Wed, 27 Jun 2018 18:00:00 +0530 NephroPlus, India’s largest dialysis provider in India recently conducted an extensive clinical study across 85 cities in 18 states of India pertaining to mortality data on dialysis.   Based on the study conducted among 16,000 patients across India, the report reveals that patients residing in rural areas have a 1-year mortality of 22% compared to 11% for their urban counterparts.   The 5 year mortality is 60% for the rural population compared to 36% for urban patients. This is thought to be predominantly due to the lack of awareness, education, accessibility and affordability among the rural population.   The study highlights the inequities that exist in India depending on where you live even 60 years after independence.   The study also showed that people who were wealthier and more educated had a lower mortality than those who were not as well-off or were not as well-educated. Patients with an income of greater than Rs. 50,000 per month had a 5-year mortality of 33% whereas those that earned less than Rs. 5,000 per month had a 5-year mortality of 66%.   Pertaining to the geographical location, the survey also states that, people who are going through dialysis, living in East India have 64% chance of less survival within 5 years of their treatment as compared to North, South and West zone of India due to the lack of accessibility of proper treatment.   NephroPlus also highlights the concern regarding the increase in mortality rate up to 60% in Tier 3 cities. This alarming rate has compelled the brand to focus on their presence in places such as Pune, Ahmedabad and Lucknow.   Less accessibility to hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis has caused major complications for patients who require constant attention to renal care.   NephroPlus discloses that the quality of treatment and its affordability has a direct impact on the mortality rate. Mr. Kamal Shah, Co-Founder & Director of Patient Services, NephroPlus says “Kidney failure is one of the most common chronic epidemics spreading across the country due to lack of affordability and accessibility to quality dialysis care to the masses. The research clearly states, that the mortality rate of the dialysis patients are significantly high due to lack of awareness to detect the severity of the disease at the right time”   With an aim to make dialysis accessible and affordable to all, NephroPlus has marked their presence all across 140 centers currently in 85 cities.   With PPP model, NephroPlus has facilitated people who are under BPL (Below Poverty Line) to avail the schemes, of free dialysis care for all. NephroPlus has successfully completed 2 million dialysis sessions after expanding their presence and servicing dialysis patients across the country.   With a ray of hope pertaining to numbers shared by NephroPlus, 52% of the kidney patients going through dialysis survive up to 20 – 21 years with the support of quality dialysis treatment and renal transplant. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11194/ibm-watson-health-showcases-technology-developments-for-diabetes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11194/ibm-watson-health-showcases-technology-developments-for-diabetes.html Wed, 27 Jun 2018 16:05:00 +0530 IBM Watson Health announced highlights from its latest advancements in applying artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and analytic technologies to address the data-driven obstacles of diabetes, as presented at the American Diabetes Association's (ADA) 78th Scientific Sessions.   Through IBM Watson Health's ongoing partnership with Medtronic, the companies announced the commercial availability of Sugar.IQ™ with Watson, an app that aims to give people insights to help manage their diabetes. IBM Watson Health also announced findings from three data presentations at ADA, including real-world data underscoring the value of machine learning and analytic tools in diabetes.   The average patient with diabetes has to make more than 180 decisions daily based on careful monitoring of their glucose, nutritional intake and activity level.1 The Sugar.IQ diabetes assistant works exclusively with the Guardian™ Connect Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) system and continually analyzes glucose, insulin, food, and other data from past and present to give users a better understanding of how lifestyle choices, medications and multiple daily injections impact diabetes management.    Using Watson, the Sugar.IQ™ app gives people with diabetes powerful, personalized insights to help them make more informed decisions to better manage glucose levels and keep them in the target range. At ADA, new data presented in an oral session by Medtronic, demonstrated the utility of Sugar.IQ in a real-world setting.   The study found that people with diabetes using the Sugar.IQ app spent 36 more minutes per day in healthy glucose range compared to before they used the app. This included 30 minutes less time in hyperglycemia (>180 mg/dL) and 6 minutes less time in hypoglycemia (<70 mg/dL). This represents more than 9 additional days in a year that a person with diabetes is spending in a healthy glucose range.   Watson Health also unveiled findings from two presentations at ADA that highlighted insights from real world evidence gleaned from IBM claims data.   Investigators from the ADA and IBM Watson Health presented a retrospective analysis in an oral presentation, which found a significant number of Type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients are not compliant with their medications after one year.   The study included data for 324,136 adults (mean age 55 years, 46% women) from the Truven Health MarketScan® Commercial and Medicare Supplemental Databases who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes between 2013 and 2016.    After three months, 31% of patients had discontinued their diabetes medications altogether; by six months, the number increased to 44%, and by one year to 58% of patients had stopped treatment.   This study suggest interventions are needed to improve adherence and avoid gaps in therapy that can be associated with serious outcomes for patients.   Separately, a study conducted by scientists from the ADA and IBM Watson Health found that applying machine learning tools can identify potential therapeutic benefits of certain T2D medication classes by comparing health outcomes reported in IBM claims data .   This analysis, presented during a poster session, demonstrated that certain T2D medications classes are associated with fewer instances of cardiovascular events, including heart failure, heart attacks and strokes, demonstrating the power of machine learning techniques to help practitioners develop new insights that can positively affect patient care.   As part of IBM Watson Health's ongoing collaboration with ADA to leverage Watson-powered solutions to support the diabetes community, the two companies also demonstrated a new proof of concept (POC) tool at this year's Scientific Sessions leveraging Watson Multimedia Services.    The POC tool ingested 90 hours of video webcasts from more than 300 webcasts from the 2017 ADA Scientific Sessions and applied AI techniques to these videos, to make it easier for people to navigate video content from last year's Scientific Session and decrease the amount of time spent searching for answers to specific questions locked away in these videos. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11185/blk-hospital-bags-healthcare-and-wellness-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11185/blk-hospital-bags-healthcare-and-wellness-award.html Tue, 26 Jun 2018 14:35:00 +0530 BLK Super Speciality Hospital, a leading healthcare provider in Delhi-NCR, was awarded CNBC-TV18 Healthcare and Wellness Awards 2017. The Hospital bagged the award under ‘Best Multi Speciality Hospital-Metro’ category. The prestigious award was received by BLK Team led by Dr Mradul Kaushik, Director, Operations and Planning at a glittering award ceremony in Mumbai on June 21. The Award, now in its eighth year, saw more than 3,000 hospitals sending in their nomination this year. IMRB, a leading market research agency, carried out an extensive field work as per scientific methodology, capturing consumer and doctors’ ratings that helped to shortlist the top names for the Jury Panel. The awards were presented by Daniel Kraft, MD, Faculty Chair for Medicine & Neuroscience, Singularity University & Founder and Chair Exponential Medicine, San Francisco, USA. The award recognized the Hospital’s excellent contribution to the field of Tertiary care. The Hospital has been offering the highest quality services at its Centers of Excellence such as BMT, Oncology, Cardiac sciences, Neurosciences, Orthopedics amongst others. “The prestigious award is very inspiring and encouraging for us. We have always set high benchmarks in patient care and healthcare delivery systems. The Award testifies BLK Super Speciality Hospital’s constant endeavour to provide world-class patient care and maintain highest standards in healthcare delivery systems across India.  We have carved a niche with highly experienced medical professionals, high quality services, innovative technological tools, IT architecture and deployment of global best practices for the patient care and safety,” said Dr Mradul Kaushik. This award is testament to the hard work and dedication shown by the BLK team to push boundaries in all spheres whether it is exploring newer geographies, digitizing healthcare with E- Health Records or an e-prescription etc. We have gone ahead to redefine patient care with technologically advanced innovations, excellent support services for overseas patients, concierge services for ease of travel of patients coming from across borders, in every sphere there is an uncompromised desire to deliver the highest standards of services for overall satisfaction of our patients. We have also adopted new components of process and technology for a new healthcare ecosystem which redefines the healthcare delivery and products space with high quality care, specialty centers of excellence and expansion of the continuum of care. Increasing patient participation, the use of technology in delivering care and priority to patient safety are some of the disruptive trends where BLK Hospital has taken a lead,” Dr Kaushik added. It is pertinent to note that BLK Super Speciality Hospital was recently granted Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation or its high level of quality, care and safety. The JCI evaluated hospital’s standard of access to care, assessment of patients, infection control, patient and family rights and education.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11179/cancon-2018-sets-guidelines-for-improving-head-neck-cancer-outcomes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11179/cancon-2018-sets-guidelines-for-improving-head-neck-cancer-outcomes.html Mon, 25 Jun 2018 16:35:00 +0530 The 2nd edition of CANCON 2018, organised by Cytecare Cancer Hospitals, witnessed participation from over 250 delegates and faculty, who deliberated over a period of two days on ‘Improving Outcomes in Head and Neck Cancer – Oncological, Functional and Beyond’.  CANCON-2018, organised by Cytecare in association with The Foundation for Head & Neck Oncology, Association of Otolaryngologists India Bangalore Chapter, Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons of India Karnataka State Chapter and The Indian Dental Association, saw deliberations on establishing consensus guidelines for improving outcomes in head & neck cancer.  Speaking at the conference, Dr. Vikram D. Kekatpure, Senior Consultant, Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, Cytecare Cancer Hospital, said, “There is a need to develop consensus guidelines for a holistic approach to improve outcomes for head and neck cancer patients, with greater emphasis on functional rehabilitation and quality of life. The faculty included leaders of national and international repute, including Dr Anil D’Cruz, Director Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, Dr Subramania Iyer, AIMS, Kochi, Dr P. Arun, Tata Medical Center, Kolkata, Dr Alok Thakar, Prof, AIIMS, New Delhi. Also present was Dr. Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi, Head and Neck Cancer Surgeon, TMH, Mumbai, who spoke on the pressing need to reduce tobacco use and burden of tobacco related diseases.  Having seen improvements in oncological outcomes in recent years, the focus today is on uplifting the functional and quality of life requirements of patients. In view of this, endoscopic resections, robotic surgery, dental implants, advances in radiation techniques, targeted therapy, molecular markers, and other techniques are being incorporated with the intention of improving functional outcomes. The conference saw symposiums on subjects such as oral cavity cancer, laryngeal-pharyngeal cancer, thyroid cancer, paranasal sinus and skull base tumours and head and neck reconstruction, targeted therapy, rehabilitation and supportive care. Residents, trainers, practicing surgeons and physicians of head and neck cancer specialty who attended the event were awarded 12 CDE and 4 CME points. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11176/jiva-ayurveda-to-promote-quality-healthcare-in-rural-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11176/jiva-ayurveda-to-promote-quality-healthcare-in-rural-india.html Mon, 25 Jun 2018 14:20:00 +0530 Jiva Ayurveda has partnered with Bharti Airtel under the flagship BharatNet program of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to make quality healthcare services available to patients in rural India. Under the partnership, Airtel and BharatNet have already set up three Broadband Experience Centres in three villages in Uttar Pradesh viz: Ghazipur, Gorakhpur and Varanasi. Airtel has committed to partner with BharatNet in up to 30500 Gram Panchayats. Airtel will provide 100 mbps connectivity to these Broadband Experience Centers. Through the Centers, villagers in rural settlements will get access to digital and web based services such as online health consultations, online banking and ecommerce. Airtel and BharatNet have partnered with Jiva Ayurveda for online health consultations. Dr. Partap Chauhan, Director, Jiva Ayurveda said, “Jiva Ayurveda is a leading Ayurvedic treatment service provider company which runs the largest telemedicine centre in the world for Ayurveda. We are pleased to partner with Airtel and applaud the efforts of DoT in this breakthrough and ambitious initiative of BharatNet. Connecting the 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats will ensure that affordable, quality healthcare becomes accessible at the complete grassroots level.” Under BharatNet, the Department of Telecom (Government of India) has embarked upon a visionary project to connect 2.5 Lakh Gram Panchayat villages with optical fiber connectivity. The project envisages the extension of optical fiber from block head quarter to the gram panchayat level. In the first phase, 1.10 lakh villages have been connected with Optical Fiber for providing seamless broadband connectivity to the rural population. The second phase of the project aims at connecting the remaining 1.4 lakh gram panchayats which is targeted to be completed by March 2019. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11154/who-releases-new-international-classification-of-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11154/who-releases-new-international-classification-of-diseases.html Thu, 21 Jun 2018 12:40:00 +0530 The World Health Organization (WHO) is set to release its new International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). The ICD is the foundation for identifying health trends and statistics worldwide, and contains around 55 000 unique codes for injuries, diseases and causes of death. It provides a common language that allows health professionals to share health information across the globe. “The ICD is a product that WHO is truly proud of," says Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “It enables us to understand so much about what makes people get sick and die, and to take action to prevent suffering and save lives." ICD-11, which has been over a decade in the making, provides significant improvements on previous versions. For the first time, it is completely electronic and has a much more user-friendly format. And there has been unprecedented involvement of health care workers who have joined collaborative meetings and submitted proposals. The ICD team in WHO headquarters has received over 10 000 proposals for revisions. ICD-11 will be presented at the World Health Assembly in May 2019 for adoption by Member States, and will come into effect on 1 January 2022. This release is an advance preview that will allow countries to plan how to use the new version, prepare translations, and train health professionals all over the country. The ICD is also used by health insurers whose reimbursements depend on ICD coding; national health programme managers; data collection specialists; and others who track progress in global health and determine the allocation of health resources.The new ICD-11 also reflects progress in medicine and advances in scientific understanding. For example, the codes relating to antimicrobial resistance are more closely in line with the GlobalAntimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (GLASS). ICD-11 is also able to better capture data regarding safety in healthcare, which means that unnecessary events that may harm health – such as unsafe workflows in hospitals - can be identified and reduced. The new ICD also includes new chapters, one on traditional medicine: although millions of people use traditional medicine worldwide, it has never been classified in this system. Another new chapter on sexual health brings together conditions that were previously categorized in other ways (e.g. gender incongruence was listed under mental health conditions) or described differently. Gaming disorder has been added to the section on addictive disorders. “A key principle in this revision was to simplify the coding structure and electronic tooling – this will allow health care professionals to more easily and completely record conditions,” says Dr Robert Jakob, Team Leader, Classifications Terminologies and Standards, WHO. Dr Lubna Alansari, WHO’s Assistant Director-General for Health Metrics and Measurement, says: “ICD is a cornerstone of health information and ICD-11 will deliver an up-to-date view of the patterns of disease.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11150/global-hospitals-in-mumbai-successfully-completes-250-liver-transplants.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11150/global-hospitals-in-mumbai-successfully-completes-250-liver-transplants.html Wed, 20 Jun 2018 17:40:00 +0530 The liver transplant team from Global Hospitals, Mumbai successfully completed 250 liver transplants over a span of 4 years at their facility. The multi super specialty tertiary care hospital currently performs three to four transplants in a month. Liver is considered as one of the most adaptable organs in our body. Any malfunction or disorder can result in various processes being affected. The comprehensive liver transplant mission at the hospital aims to provide effective health care by connecting all the people suffering with liver diseases. “Global Hospitals, Mumbai provides a comprehensive set of treatments and diagnostic procedures for the treatment of various disorders related to liver. We are staffed with team of globally recognized liver and pancreas surgeons, nurses and technicians. We have the best facilities for all endoscopic and colonoscopy procedures. Working with other specialists, our doctors provide consistent and seamless treatment to all the patients suffering from various liver diseases” comments Manpreet Singh Sohal, Regional COO Global Hospitals. Currently, India is at a stage where organ donation awareness needs to done at a community level. Liver diseases are one of the least recognized causes of mortality in India. Experts are of the opinion that less than 10 percent adults and less than eight percent of children are in need of liver transplants. “While there are regular campaigns on awareness and efforts by the healthcare providers on organ donation, we still see an evident gap between the number of organs donated and the people waiting for organ donation. Also, we witness that there is a lack of cadaveric donors. Majority of liver transplants are done with living donors. 85% of Liver transplant donors in India are living donors. We need to increase the number of cadaveric donors.” stated Dr Samir Shah, Head, Department of Hepatology Institute of Liver Diseases, HPB Surgery and Transplant. Commenting on this achievement Dr Ravi Mohanka, Chief Surgeon and Head of Department of Liver Transplant and Hepato-Biliary Surgery says “Liver disease may affect one in every 5 Indians and around 10 lakh patients of liver cirrhosis are newly diagnosed every year in our country. According to World Health Organization (WHO) liver related disease is the tenth most common cause of death in India. So it is necessary for everyone to opt for regular checkups. Programs around vaccination and expanding awareness will go a long way in addressing the problem of liver diseases.” About Gleneagles Global Hospitals, a Parkway Pantai Enterprise: Gleneagles Global Hospitals is part of Parkway Pantai, a fully owned subsidiary of IHH Healthcare. In India, Gleneagles Global Hospitals operates a chain of multi-super specialty hospitals offering tertiary and quaternary healthcare services with over 2,000 beds and state-of the-art, world-class hospitals in Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore and Mumbai. A pioneer in kidney, liver, heart and lung transplants, Gleneagles Global Hospitals provides comprehensive multi-organ transplant services in the country. Gleneagles Global Hospitals aims to strengthen and expand its leading market position as a destination for multi-organ transplant for patients from India, Middle East, Africa and South East Asia. We are committed to further our aspiration of making quality health care more accessible to all. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11148/researchers-map-cardiovascular-disease-risk-across-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11148/researchers-map-cardiovascular-disease-risk-across-india.html Wed, 20 Jun 2018 16:40:00 +0530 The average 10-year risk of developing cardiovascular disease varies widely among India's states, ranging from 13.2% to 19.5%, with substantial variation across socio-demographic groups according to a study published this week in PLOS Medicine by Pascal Geldsetzer and Rifat Atun of Harvard University, and colleagues. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in India, yet evidence on the risk factors for CVD among India's population is limited. In the new study, researchers used two large household surveys carried out between 2012 and 2014, which sampled 797,540 adults aged 30 to 74 years across India. CVD risk was examined using established risk scores by state, rural or urban residence, age, sex, household wealth, and education. The study identified substantial variation in CVD risk both among states and across socio-demographic groups. Overall 10-year risk of a CVD event ranged from 13.2% in Jharkhand to 19.5% in Kerala. District-level wealth and urbanization were both associated with higher CVD risk. Adults with higher household wealth tended to have a greater CVD risk. The study also determined that smoking was more prevalent in poorer households and rural areas, whereas body mass index, prevalence of high blood glucose, and systolic blood pressure were positively associated with household wealth and urban location. "[This] information will be essential for effective targeting of resources and interventions for prevention, screening, and treatment to those most at risk and most in need," the authors say. "Such investments in targeted CVD care programs as well as relevant health policy measures are urgently needed--particularly in states with a high CVD risk." In an accompanying Perspective, David Peiris of the University of New South Wales, Australia, and Dorairaj Prabhakaran of India's Centre for Chronic Disease Control write that the implications of the new work are different for different sectors, and could impact both clinical practice and policy making. "The risk profile heat maps generated in [the new] study could guide where the most intensive efforts are needed," they say.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11143/hairline-international-launches-home-hair-clinic.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11143/hairline-international-launches-home-hair-clinic.html Tue, 19 Jun 2018 17:05:00 +0530 Hairline International Hair and Skin Clinic has launched Home Hair Clinic that will bring select services from the leading brand in hair care to the comfort of your home. These vans will offer consultation services for Trichology-related therapies and ailments at a patient’s home. Home Hair Clinic Mobile Van was inaugurated by Ms. M V Savithri, Commissioner, Health, Family Welfare and Ayush Services recently. Speaking on the launch of this initiative, Dr. Bani Anand, Founder and Managing Director, Hairline International Hair and Skin Clinic said, “Given the pace of life and the huge amount of time spent in traffic we understand the need for patients to want consultation on hair-related therapies and ailments in the comfort of their home. This is also a service that can be helpful for cancer patients, as well as those who are conscious of the way they look. This is ideal for those would prefer to have their consultations privately”. Speaking on the launch of this service, Ms. M V Savithri, Commissioner, Health, Family Welfare and Ayush Services said, "Home Hair Clinic brings the expertise of specialists in Trichology to the comfort of your home. This is a commendable initiative by Hairline International and is something that the people of this city should avail of. The ease of having such services come to your doorstep saves you the hassle from interminable traffic as well as trying to make an appointment post indefinite working hours". Elaborating on the initiative, Dr. Premalatha V, Trichologist and Dermatosurgeon, Hairline International Hair and Skin Clinic says, “The mobile consulting team will comprise a Trichologist/technician or a nurse, based on the specific requirements of the patient being visited. Among the services offered will be laser and derma roller treatments for hair loss management. Besides this, measurement, fixing and servicing of hair toupees, synthetic and human hair wigs will be undertaken”. Elaborating on other services offered, Dr. Premalatha V says, “The Home Hair Clinic is equipped to take mouth swabs for hair DNA testing. Apart from this, Hairline will also offer medical consultation with doctors, trichoscopy tests and blood investigations based on which medical advice, prescriptions and treatments will be provided. The Home Hair Clinic vans will also be equipped to deliver cooling caps that are used by cancer patients during sessions of chemotherapy to prevent chemotherapy-induced alopecia. These cooling caps can reduce the amount of chemotherapy that reaches the head and protects the hair follicles. The mobile van team will also provide hair extensions to improve on the length of the hair or to bring in a stylised look”. As a part of the Home Hair Clinic, Hairline International has currently launched one well-equipped van that will cater to clients across Bangalore city. Appointments with the mobile consulting team are to be done online. The home page of the website will have a clickable icon - “Book a Home Appointment”. Clicking on the icon, will take you to an enquiry form that will require your contact details and details on what you would like to consult for. You can also make an appointment by filling the details on an enquiry form on the landing page or through the online chat service. Once you choose a time slot, you will be taken to a payment gateway where you will make the payment. Your appointment is then confirmed and Home Hair Clinic will visit you.  Hairline International anticipates the Home Hair Clinic concept to take off in a large way and is already looking at adding more vans to create a fleet. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11118/google-to-open-ai-research-centre-in-ghana.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11118/google-to-open-ai-research-centre-in-ghana.html Thu, 14 Jun 2018 13:40:00 +0530 Google plans to open an artificial-intelligence research centre in Accra, Ghana, the latest in a string of investments the tech company has made in Africa. The research centre will focus on using AI in areas such as healthcare, agriculture and education, Google said. "We're committed to collaborating with local universities and research centres, as well as working with policy makers on the potential uses of AI in Africa," the company said in a blog post on Wednesday, reported Business Insider. The new AI centre in Ghana will open later this year and include machine learning researchers and engineers, Google said, thought it did provide details on the number of staff it will hire. Google CEO Sundar Pichai promised last year during a visit to Lagos that Google would continue raising its profile on the continent. At the time, Pichai announced new investments in African startups as part of the company's Launchpad Accelerator in Africa. The company also launched a special version of YouTube built for users with slow internet connections. Google's interest in Africa comes at a time when a lot of international money is being spread around the continent. In 30 years, the United Nations expects Africa to be home to 25 percent of the world's 9 billion population. Not only does that represent a huge market but investors are planning for the day that Africa's developing economies hit their stride. Last month, Facebook opened a technology hub in Lagos, which will host a start-up incubator. The social network has made numerous other investments there, including launching satellites to help deliver internet access to sub-Sahara Africa. According to recent reports, Russia is eyeing investments in East Africa and the Chinese have spent billions on infrastructure and other projects there.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11110/healthcare-innovations-to-make-way-for-uhc.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11110/healthcare-innovations-to-make-way-for-uhc.html Wed, 13 Jun 2018 11:35:00 +0530 Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), Amref Africa, the Institute of Development Studies, UK (IDS UK), Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar in partnership with NITI Aayog recently organized a conclave- Innovations for Universal Health Coverage 2018. It was hosted at the GE Healthcare Centre in Bengaluru. The conclave brought together technology innovators, investors, government officials, public and private sector health service providers from India and Africa to share insights and strategies to encourage health innovation and for transforming health care delivery in Asia and Africa. At the inaugural session, Dr Vinod Paul, Member NITI Aayog, said, "The Government of India's Ayushman Bharat is committed to the wellbeing of our citizens. It is an innovator’s delight. There are 1001 areas of innovation which can bring about a change in the area of healthcare such as diagnostics, telemedicine, tele-consultation, digital health and much more". Alok Kumar, Advisor, NITI Aayog, pointed out, “We are encouraging health innovations which can improve healthcare in our country. We are looking at providing opportunities for innovations which can improve improve access, delivery and affordability of healthcare services." He also added that currently India has a shortage of healthcare professionals that needs to be addressed. The experts during the conclave discussed and explored how the creation of new kinds of partnership between public and private sectors can improve access, delivery and affordability of healthcare services, the role of regulations and regulators in encouraging the development and application at scale of innovations for meeting the health care needs of vulnerable populations. Professor K. Srinath Reddy, President of PHFI, said, "The Sustainable Development Goals have positioned Universal Health Coverage as a target to be delivered by 2030. For India, encouraging and supporting healthcare innovations that enable health services to reduce the burden of diseases at different levels of the health system and prevent disease at the population level are a high priority. These innovations must have relevance, affordability and scalability for impact. Building partnerships in health is also essential so that research explores, science discovers, technology develops, and the health system delivers. India can become the creative crucible of frugal, functional innovations that can transform health care." Dr. Priya Balu, Director UHC, PHFI said, "The conclave focused on the need to build and scale up health innovative multi-sectoral partnerships. Cross-Learning and Knowledge sharing involving different types of organizations and different sectors will augment the learning process for health innovators in India and the need to build meaningful partnerships across partners to help accelerate universal health coverage." Health Innovators like Selco Foundation - Solar energy solutions for health facilities, Jana Care - Aina Smartphone - based diagnostic for chronic diseases, I Kure Techsoft, Commcare (Dimagi) - Data collection software, CCDC (Centre for chronic disease control), Neurosynaptic Communications, Aravind Eye Care Systems - Aurolab, Tricog Health, UE Life Sciences, Meduplay Systems, Medtronic India Pvt. Ltd. Call Health showcased their innovations during the conclave. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11108/datri-psg-hospitals-felicitates-stem-cell-donors-in-coimbatore.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11108/datri-psg-hospitals-felicitates-stem-cell-donors-in-coimbatore.html Tue, 12 Jun 2018 18:30:00 +0530 DATRI, one of the largest stem cell donors’ registry in the country along with PSG Hospitals felicitated eight people in Coimbatore who have donated their stem cells in the last three years. Most of the eight people were working professionals who took time off work without hesitation to donate stem cells to unknown people. The event, which celebrated the “spirit of giving,” felicitated Anthony Robins, Satheesh Kumar Viswanathan, Kannan, Nandha Kumar, Subramani, Thiyaga Veerakumar, Dhamodharan S and Boopathy Nanjukutty. Robins also got to meet a seven- year-old boy to whom he had donated his stem cells. The boy was suffering from a rare blood disorder called Pure Red Cell Aplasia. The boy is cured and leads a normal life now. Raghu Rajagopal, co-founder & CEO of DATRI, said, “46% of the registry is made up of students. Of the 393 donations facilitated by DATRI, about 100 students have donated their blood stem cells to save lives. We are happy to associate with Institutions like PSG-IMSR which have identified the real problem and are ready to support our cause”, he said, reported Times of India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11094/nipah-update-union-minister-declares-that-nipah-virus-has-been-contained.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11094/nipah-update-union-minister-declares-that-nipah-virus-has-been-contained.html Mon, 11 Jun 2018 12:25:00 +0530 Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja has said that the deadly Nipah virus that struck Kozhikode has been finally contained and the last of the two positive cases have fully recovered. Union Minister of State for Health, Ashwini Choubey, said that the Nipah virus has been contained and there was no need to run away from Kerala, where several deaths due to the virus have been reported. He added that no fresh cases of infection have been reported. "There have been no new cases of Nipah reported from anywhere in the country. The virus has been stalled. This is a good sign. Nipah is not epidemic and there is nothing to be scared of," Mr Choubey told PTI. Mr Choubey is in the Kolkata for official meetings with several health institutions, besides state ministers. On reports of several people returning from Kerala to West Bengal fearing the virus, he said, "Our entire team is in place. The virus has been contained even in Kerala. There is no need to run away from anywhere." Nipah virus has not led to any deaths in West Bengal. Mr Choubey said that people who lost family members because of the Nipah virus, have been treated in isolation and were totally out of danger. "We have treated the family of those persons who were infected by and died because of Nipah virus. They were kept in isolation in Pune's National Institute of Virology," the minister added. "As per the latest report of the Central High Level Team, Nipah Virus is not a major outbreak and its occurrence is limited to two districts Kozhikode and Malappuram in Kerala," an advisory issued by the National Centre for Disease Control said. "There is no need for the general public to be apprehensive about the safety of their family members. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is closely monitoring the situation," the department under the Health Ministry added. The Kerala government has advised travelers to avoid visiting the four districts of Kozhikode, Malappuram, Wayanad and Kannur as a precautionary measure. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11090/global-shortage-of-health-workers-in-mental-health-who.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11090/global-shortage-of-health-workers-in-mental-health-who.html Fri, 08 Jun 2018 18:35:00 +0530 There is a global shortage of health worker strained in mental health and a lack of investment in community-based mental health facilities even though some countries have made progress in policy-making and planning for it, according to the WHO's Mental Health Atlas 2017. The report also highlighted that few countries have suicide prevention strategies despite WHO estimating that a little under 8,00,000 people die by suicide each year. Despite a slight increase in the number of countries reporting having a national suicide prevention strategy since the Mental Health Atlas 2014, only a third of upper-middle and high-income countries reported having such a strategy, with just 10 per cent of low- and lower-middle income countries with a strategy, the WHO said in a statement. The revelations are based on data provided by 177 WHO member states, representing 97 per cent of the world’s population, and measure the extent to which countries are strengthening leadership and governance for mental health and providing comprehensive mental health and social care. It also took into account the strategies that were implemented to promote mental health and prevent problems, and strengthen evidence and research as outlined in WHO's Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020. In low-income countries, the rate of mental health workers can be as low as 2 per 1,00,000 population, compared with more than 70 in high-income countries. This is in stark contrast with needs, given that 1 in every 10 person is estimated to need mental health care at any one time. Less than half of the 139 countries that have instituted mental health policies and plans, have these aligned with human rights conventions which stress the importance of transition from psychiatric institution to community-based services and the participation of people with mental disorders in decisions concerning them. And all too often, when mental health plans are made, they are not supported by adequate human and financial resources. The global rate of beds in mental hospitals was reported to be six times more (11.3 per 1,00,000 population) than the rate of beds in the psychiatric wards of general hospitals. According to the WHO report, levels of public expenditure on mental health are very low in low- and middle-income countries. "Government expenditure on mental health is less than 1 US Dollar per capita in low and lower middle income countries whereas high-income countries spend more than USD 80. The majority of spending is going to mental hospitals, which serve a small proportion of those who need care," the WHO said. "Nobody should be missing out on mental health care because of the cost. That is why WHO's push towards universal health coverage is so important: to ensure that everyone, everywhere, can access the care they need, including mental health care," Dr Shekhar Saxena, Director of WHO's Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse. This latest edition of the Mental Health Atlas provides us with yet more evidence that scale-up of resources for mental health is not happening quickly enough, he added. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11084/tata-trust-foundation-develops-affordable-mri-scanner.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11084/tata-trust-foundation-develops-affordable-mri-scanner.html Fri, 08 Jun 2018 12:00:00 +0530 Tata Trusts’ Foundation for Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship (FISE) has developed a high-tech portable Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner, designed to make MRI affordable and accessible for everyone. The product was developed within a period of two years by a group of engineers at Voxelgrids, which is incubated in the foundation. The 1.5 Tesla whole body MRI scanner can make MRI scans four times faster, compared to other scanners that are currently available in the market while consuming less power and being light weight hence easy to carry. Bengaluru based Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences is the clinical partner for the development, where the first system has been installed. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11082/apple-to-introduce-digital-health-feature-in-ios-12-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11082/apple-to-introduce-digital-health-feature-in-ios-12-.html Thu, 07 Jun 2018 18:30:00 +0530 Just after the announcement of Digital Wellbeing by Google to help monitor and in effect reduce smartphone usage with the upcoming Android P operating system, it seems like Apple is planning to release a similar sort of update on iOS 12. According to media reports, Apple is planning to introduce a feature which will ensure that you spend less time on the iPhone. The feature is speculated to be called Digital Health, will be part of the iOS 12 package. As part of its WWDC 2018 announcements, where Apple will be laying the foundation for the operating systems across its platforms for the coming year, Apple will also highlight its digital wellness feature. The Digital Health features are expected to be bundled inside the Settings menu on iOS 12 according to people who are familiar with the matter. This comes right at the time when Apple has faced a lot of criticism for the addictive nature of the iPhone and iOS apps. In January, there was news about two major Apple shareholders expressing concerns about iPhone's addictive usage on public health, especially among children. A former senior Apple executive, Tony Fadell, who had worked on the original iPhone and iPod, had also stated that Apple needs to do more to fight smartphone addiction. "There is no consensus on what constitutes healthy device usage. We need more data so that we can establish useful recommendations," said Fadell in his Wired editorial on the matter. According to him, we had the tools and data to allow us to understand how we consumed digital media, it just needed to be refined so that we could draw conclusions from that data. Nothing else is known about the Digital Health feature at the moment, but it seems like a step in the right direction. Like Fadell said, Apple iPhones are quite powerful to give you deep insights into how you use your devices and even suggest measures to avoid toxic usage of your devices.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11068/niine-movement-founders-receive-recognition-at-fogsi-health-summit.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11068/niine-movement-founders-receive-recognition-at-fogsi-health-summit.html Tue, 05 Jun 2018 15:20:00 +0530 Social entrepreneurs and founders of the Niine Movement Amar and Payal Tulsiyan participated in a high-level panel at the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) International Women’s Health Summit, which took place from the 1st - 3rd of June in Delhi. The summit convened medical and health experts to discuss the major issues and advancements regarding the treatment of women’s reproductive health, with a particular focus on pregnancy. FOGSI is a professional organisation representing the practitioners of obstetrics and gynaecology in India. With 241 member societies and over 33,000 individual members across India, FOGSI is one of the largest membership based organisations of specialized professionals within the field of obstetrics and gynaecology. Following the successful launch of the Niine Movement during the Menstrual Awareness Conclave to mark Menstrual Hygiene Day last month, founder Amar Tulsiyan and co-founder Payal Tulsiyan were amongst the panellists speaking at a session during the summit focusing on Adolescent Girls’ Health. Inspired by the harrowing story of one of the many girls across India without access to hygienic sanitary products, Amar Tulsiyan launched the Niine Movement -  an ambitious five-year plan aimed at raising awareness of the importance of menstrual hygiene and the urgent need to tackle the taboos associated with menstruation. Moderated by Dr Lila Vyas and Dr Madhuri Patel, the Adolescent Girls’ Health session featured esteemed medical experts including Dr Sampath Kumari, Dr Bharti Maheshwari, Dr Vinita Singh, Dr Gunjan Gupta, Dr Vaishali Chavan, Dr Parul Nigam and Dr Nidhi Khera. The FOGSI International Women’s Health Summit also celebrated the exceptional contributions of individuals towards the welfare of society. In recognition of their work towards tackling the taboos and stigmas associated with menstrual hygiene, Amar Tulsiyan and Payal Tulsiyan were presented the prestigious Partner in Health Award. Speaking at the session, Amar and Payal Tulsiyan’s marked the partnership between the Niine Movement and FOGSI, as they closely align on issues surrounding female reproductive health. The strategic partnership will spearhead a series of initiatives across India to bridge the gap between the women who do and do not use sanitary napkins. Speaking about their participation at the FOGSI International Women’s Health Summit in the capacity of a strategic partner and high-level panellist, Amar Tulsiyan said, “The reproductive health of girls and women in India is a subject that I am passionate about, and I look forward to discussing the issues that are most prevalent today as well as possible solutions with experts from the medical profession. I believe that this summit marks an auspicious beginning to the Niine Movement’s partnership with FOGSI, and by working together we can achieve real change for the girls and women of India.”  Dr Jaideep Malhotra President of FOGSI said, “We were delighted to have change-makers such as Amar and Payal Tulsiyan and the Niine Movement more broadly participating in the FOGSI International Women’s Health Summit. With the testimonies of FOGSI members in the medical profession, who are on the frontlines of research and treatment, as well as the advocacy and action of those in the Niine Movement, we are entering a transformational period for women’s health. We are very much looking forward to the partnership with the Niine Movement and the benefits it will bring for women’s health everywhere.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11060/anil-kumble-launches-lets-defeat-diabetes-campaign-in-karnataka.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11060/anil-kumble-launches-lets-defeat-diabetes-campaign-in-karnataka.html Mon, 04 Jun 2018 16:45:00 +0530 It is no secret that when it comes to diabetes, 50% of the Indian diabetes population are unaware of their condition and this negligence is high among rural population due to lack of access to quality diabetes care. According to international statistics, India currently has the second highest number of people with diabetes in the world with 72.3 million people and will be ‘Diabetes capital of the world’ with 134.3 million people by the year, 2045. The power to Defeat Diabetes lies in our hands. With this message, India’s leading diabetes experts, Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialties Centre (DMDSC) launched ‘Let’s Defeat Diabetes’ - a public initiative that aims at educating the individuals in Karnataka about diabetes. This initiative encourages people in the state to understand their risk of diabetes and take the pledge to adopt healthy practices that helps in defeating diabetes not just for themselves but for others around them. Extending their support to the cause, former cricketer and Padma Shri  awardee - Mr. Anil Kumble along with the team of DMDSC, Dr V. Mohan, Dr. Ranjit Unnikrishnan and Dr. R.M. Anjana took the pledge to defeat Diabetes. “Unfortunately there’s a lot of diabetes cases everywhere in India,” said Dr. V. Mohan, Chairman & Chief Diabetologist, Dr. Mohan's Diabetes Specialities Centre. “We are taking ‘Let’s Defeat Diabetes’initiative to every part of the nation to spread awareness as Diabetes is taken very lightly in our country despite the fact that it is the 7th leading cause of death in India. The progression from pre-diabetes to diabetes can be stalled successfully if the individual adopts a simple BLUE formula i.e. Blood Checks, Lifestyle changes, Understanding your food and Exercise. With proper treatment plan and lifestyle modification, patients can live a long and disease free life.” Commenting on this initiative, Mr. Anil Kumble said, “India is at high risk for Diabetes and we need to address this immediately. Every one of us needs to take steps to manage it. ‘Let’s Defeat Diabetes’ campaign is a commendable initiative taken up by Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centres. Our health is our responsibility and I would urge every individual to come forward and take the pledge to defeat diabetes.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11059/maneka-gandhi-lays-foundation-for-indias-first-advanced-forensic-lab-in-chandigarh.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11059/maneka-gandhi-lays-foundation-for-indias-first-advanced-forensic-lab-in-chandigarh.html Mon, 04 Jun 2018 14:25:00 +0530 Hon’ble Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt Maneka Sanjay Gandhi laid foundation of Sakhi Suraksha Advanced DNA Forensic Laboratory in the campus of Central Forensic Science Lab, Chandigarh today. Speaking at the event, the Minister said that forensic analysis plays critical role in criminal investigation and the Advanced Lab will contribute to address the gap in forensic DNA analysis of pending sexual assault cases in the country. The Minister added that the lab is being set up as a model forensic lab and would be replicated in other parts of the country. The Minister mentioned that the current capacity of CFSL, Chandigarh is less than 160 cases per year and the Sakhi Suraksha Advanced DNA Forensic Laboratory is estimated to increase the capacity to 2000 cases per year.  The Minister further said that 5 more advanced forensic labs would come up in Mumbai, Chennai, Guwahati, Pune and Bhopal in the next 3 months bringing the total minimum annual capacity of the labs to 50000 cases. The Labs in Chennai and Mumbai would be set up with WCD funds while remaining 3 labs would be set up with funds by Home Ministry. To meet international standards and deliver timely justice to women, advanced forensic DNA laboratories with latest high throughput DNA technology, are required, she added. Special forensic kits for rape cases: Underscoring the importance of the forensics in nabbing the culprits in sexual assault cases, the Minister said that special forensic kits for rape would be distributed to all the police stations and hospitals by the month of July. The Minister said that forensic rape kits are currently with CFSL Chandigarh for validation. These inviolable kits will be used for providing uncontaminated evidence. These kits would contain a complete list of evidence/samples to be collected along with the equipment required to collect the evidence.  The kits would be locked and sealed before being sent to forensic labs.  The details of name of the person, date and time of sealing the kit would be recorded in the kit.   Secretary WCD Sh. Rakesh Srivastava said that this project is a joint effort of Ministry of Home Affairs and WCD Ministry and it will play a vital role in justice delivery system. In sexual assault cases, the ideal time frame to complete the examination and submission of report is 90 days. Furthermore, it is important that the biological crime exhibit is stored and preserved in scientific manner so as to make any examination/reporting meaningful. However, presently such a storage/preservation capacity is around 200 cases in CFSL, Chandigarh.  At present there are 6 Central Forensic Science Labs (CFSLs) in Chandigarh, Guwahati, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Pune and Bhopal and one State Forensic Science Lab in each State/UT.  These labs are responsible for conducting forensic analysis of all cases in the country including sexual assault, criminal paternity and homicide.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11049/who-plans-collaboration-for-developing-nipah-vaccine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11049/who-plans-collaboration-for-developing-nipah-vaccine.html Fri, 01 Jun 2018 12:05:00 +0530 To tackle the Nipah Virus and to develop a roadmap to do the same, the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota, with support from the Wellcome Trust, will collaborate with the World Health Organization (WHO). This will facilitate the collaborative development of a draft ‘Nipah R&D Roadmap’. Nipah Virus is one of the pathogens in the WHO R&D Blueprint list of epidemic threats that need urgent research and development action. According to WHO, the roadmap prioritises the development of countermeasures (diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines) that need to be taken by Nipah-affected countries. It is the result of extensive consultations with the Nipah R&D roadmap taskforce, national and international experts and other key stakeholders. The first Blueprint list of priority diseases was released in December 2015, and the list was reviewed last in February 2018. The disease’s potential to cause a public health emergency and the absence of efficacious drugs and/or vaccines helps the experts determine if there is an urgent need for accelerated research and development for these diseases. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11039/gleneagles-global-hospitals-releases-campaign-on-world-no-tobacco-day.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11039/gleneagles-global-hospitals-releases-campaign-on-world-no-tobacco-day.html Thu, 31 May 2018 11:00:00 +0530 On the occasion of ‘World No Tobacco Day’ on 31st May 2018, Gleneagles Global Hospitals, a Parkway Pantai Enterprise releases its month long creative campaign ‘S.O.O.N - Quit Tobacco’. In continuation with 2017’s campaign, S.O.O.N has garnered immense support ever since its inception. S.O.O.N symbolizes Save Our Organs Now and this year’s theme of ‘World No Tobacco Day’ being ‘Tobacco and heart disease’, the campaign focuses on the impact that tobacco has on the cardiovascular health of people all over the world. Through the nationwide campaign of S.O.O.N, Gleneagles Global Hospitals aims to increase awareness on feasible actions and measures that people can take to reduce the risks to heart health posed by tobacco. There are numerous lifestyle related issues that tobacco has on a person especially when it comes to the youth. According to WHO, smoking affects the young people’s physical fitness in terms of both performance and endurance causing innumerable lifestyle concerns both directly and indirectly. The resting heart rates of young adult smokers are two to three beats per minute faster than non-smokers and are more likely to have seen a doctor or other health professionals for an emotional or psychological complaint. It is all around us. Open areas meant for gardens are being swallowed up by builders. Entire forests are being chopped to make way for highways, apartment complexes and resorts. There is no end to destruction of natural habitat to make way for human greed. Smoking, in a way, is exactly like encroachment. Most people know it is bad for the lungs; it causes multiple cancers – lungs, mouth, tongue, throat, etc. What people do not realise, or do so at a later stage, is that smoking affects the heart as well. It weakens the heart’s muscles; it increases blood pressure by thickening the arterial walls, and so on. In a way, smoking encroaches upon the heart as well. We have depicted this through a single key visual, that of the lungs shown as buildings and the heart as a lush, green forest. ‘Development’, as signified by the lungs turning into a concrete jungle, is slowly but surely inching towards the heart, causing irreversible damage. Nearly 120 million Indian adults smoke, placing India second in number of smokers. According to the data from World Health Organization (WHO), the deaths related to cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is more than any other cause of death worldwide. Smoking caused about 1 million deaths in 2010 and about 70% of these deaths occurred at the ages of 30–69 years. Tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure contributes to approximately 12% of all heart disease deaths. Additionally, consumption of tobacco is the second leading cause of cardio vascular disease, after high blood pressure. Each year, globally, 7 million people are the victims of the tobacco epidemic and close to 9 lakhs are non-smokers who die from breathing second-hand smoke. Dr Ajay Bakshi, Chief Executive Officer, India Operations Division, Parkway Pantai commented, “Our aim at Gleneagles Global Hospitals is to ensure a better quality of life. All initiatives we do are for the people, to create a more aware and healthier society. Our No Tobacco Day initiative- S.O.O.N (Save Our Organs Now): Quit Tobacco’ not only aims at reaching out and creating awareness to the masses but also executing precautions and remedies regarding tobacco since it is a rising epidemic." Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bMgt-ic5_M     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11036/vikram-hospital-raises-awareness-about-multiple-sclerosis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11036/vikram-hospital-raises-awareness-about-multiple-sclerosis.html Wed, 30 May 2018 16:40:00 +0530 Vikram Hospital, Bengaluru’s trusted quaternary care and multi-specialty hospital along with Multiple Sclerosis Society of India (MSSI) organized a special health awareness camp on the eve of World Multiple Sclerosis Day, wherein over 50 patients were medically examined. On this occasion, Vikram Hospital, Bengaluru donated specialized wheel chairs to Multiple Sclerosis Society of India (MSSI) for MS patients. The program aimed to raise awareness on the recent advances of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and its therapy, which ultimately benefits families and patients affected with this chronic disorder. Young patients were enlightened on various aspects of the disease by renowned neurologists from Vikram Hospital Bengaluru. World MS Day serves as an important reminder of the real challenges faced by thousands of people living with MS each day. MS is a chronic central nervous system (CNS) disease, which affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Even in the absence of new symptoms, the disease is a continuously active. Treatment is available in the form of injectable and oral medication but is not affordable by all as it is expensive. Symptoms of MS includes blurring of vision, double vision, tingling numbness of any part, imbalance of body while walking and as the disease progresses, there could be bladder dysfunction, cognitive changes and difficulty to walk. It is a disease that can lead to severe disabilities and dependency. Dr. Rajesh B Iyer, Neurologist, Vikram Hospital, Bengaluru, said, “Multiple sclerosis affects predominantly young individuals between 20 - 40 years of age, women are more commonly affected. It's is at least two to three times more common in women than in men probably due the hormonal influences. Although MS was initially considered to be a disease affecting individuals in colder climates (Europe and North America), it is now being increasingly diagnosed in the Indian subcontinent. If diagnosed and treated early, disability can be prevented in most patients.” Dr. Jayachandran R., Neurologist at Vikram Hospital, Bengaluru, said, “Treatment for multiple sclerosis is divided into 1st line, 2nd line and 3rd line of therapies depending on severity of diseases. Studies are going on with bone marrow transplant. People suffering from multiple sclerosis needs to realize that the disease is controllable and that there are multiple treatment options available.” Dr. Somesh Mittal, CEO, Vikram Hospital Bengaluru said, “We need to create awareness about Multiple Sclerosis and a wide range of innovative therapies that are available today for patients suffering from MS. However most patients are unable to benefit from this development as they cannot afford these therapies and are not aware of the treatments. Vikram Hospital Bengaluru has been supporting MS patients by providing specific programs, treatments and regular consultation for MS patients within the hospital.” Additionally the experts stressed on the importance of practicing regular yoga, exercises, meditation,  positive attitude, has always helped in significant improvements while treating MS. Mr. Shankar, MSSI Bangalore Chapter said, “We extend our deepest gratitude to the team at Vikram Hospital Bengaluru for their commitment and unhindered support to the cause.  We are thankful to them for donating wheelchairs and for spreading awareness on MS.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11034/aetna-launches-vhealth-with-monthly-subscription.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11034/aetna-launches-vhealth-with-monthly-subscription.html Wed, 30 May 2018 16:15:00 +0530 Aetna International (www.aetnainternational.com), one of the world’s largest health benefits businesses and a Fortune 100 company, introduces vHealth by Aetna with a monthly subscription option. Available at Rs.250 per month, this new primary care service will entitle a family of four to unlimited consultations with specially trained doctors. vHealth by Aetna offers advice and treatment for illnesses, management of chronic diseases, advice on alternative treatment options and interpretation of diagnostic reports. Consultations can be booked through a new mobile app and subscribers can choose to engage with in-house primary care doctors by video or telephone call. During their consultation, people can share medical records and pictures with doctors and store consultation details, medical reports and prescriptions for easy reference. With this monthly package, vHealth will enable people beyond metro cities, in tier-II and tier-III cities to access high-quality, affordable and personalized healthcare through teleconsultation. India’s disease burden is increasing and people suffer from self-medication, self-diagnosis and excessive use of antibiotics. By improving access to primary care, vHealth by Aetna encourages a more positive approach to health, by supporting all the healthcare needs of the family. Doctors spend quality time with patients, listening to their concerns, helping with diagnosis & treatment, and where appropriate, directing them to the right specialist. By partnering with patients throughout the treatment journey, vHealth can improve the family’s health and help them to live healthier lives vHealth by Aetna is delivered through full time, in-house doctors who are specially trained in telemedicine. Doctors follow robust scientific clinical protocols which helps them to identify the root cause of a problem. Consultations are closely monitored to ensure clinical quality. As a result, after 24,000 consultations, vHealth by Aetna has been able to reduce physical consultations by 70%. Patients have rated the consultations 4.5 out of 5 and the service has a Net Promoter score of +47. Speaking about the launch of the new product, Mr Manasije Mishra, Managing Director, Indian Health Organisation & Aetna India said, “vHealth by Aetna has been able to deliver high-quality care. Customers have appreciated the time spent by our doctors on listening to all the concerns, the proactive follow ups and regular guidance. I am delighted that we are now able to make world-class primary healthcare available everywhere in India.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11032/digital-therapeutics-improves-blood-glucose-self-monitoring-adherence.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11032/digital-therapeutics-improves-blood-glucose-self-monitoring-adherence.html Wed, 30 May 2018 14:50:00 +0530 Clinical data published in the latest edition of Endocrine Practice, the AACE Journal established the role of Wellthy Care, a digital therapeutic platform by Wellthy Therapeutics, in improving self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) for patients with Type II Diabetes. As per clinical guidelines, a Type 2 diabetic patient should check his blood glucose daily. Real World studies in India indicate, that the average educated diabetes patient checks blood glucose less than once a month. The data reported from 104 patients that recorded a total of 1288 blood glucose readings (12.38 measurements per patient on average) shows how Wellthy Care can potentially help physicians and HCPs personalize care for their patients by knowing the glycaemic variability. On completion of the 16 weeks program, 56% and 50% of patients reported a reduction in their fasting blood sugar and post prandial blood sugar values respectively, with significantly more readings than average at the time of the next physician appointment. “There is an unmet need for personalised care in between doctor visits. In emerging markets like India, SMBG still remains relatively affordable versus other blood sugar measuring diagnostic tools. Real time feedback & guidance plays a crucial role for SMBG adherence and value creation, which needs tools like chat bots and self learning logic systems like those that Wellthy Therapeutics provides for patients. Better and more data leads to personalised decision support for both the doctor and the patient, which is of utmost importance to enable the respective stakeholder to action decisions leading to better outcomes, and enables patients to unlock more value from their device” said Abhishek Shah, Co-Founder and CEO, Wellthy Therapeutics. Dr Rajiv Kovil, Consultant Diabetologist, commented “It is really great to see a tool that not just stresses on the importance of SMBG, but is effectively improving the adherence of and value to patients. SMBG is an essential tool in the optimal management of diabetes, and am glad to see clinically validated real time responses helping patients manage their blood sugar levels better”. Stressing on the importance of improved SMBG among people with diabetes, Dr. Banshi Saboo (MD. PhD), Chairman, Dia-Care Ahmedabad, Hon. Sec of Diabetes India said, “In-spite of the advice given by physicians to patients with Type 2 diabetes, compliance with SMBG in patients living in India is very low. There is a need to help, encourage and empower patients beyond the test, to enable better compliance and better glycaemic variability. Digital Therapeutics like Wellthy Care provides data that is acquired, integrated, analysed, and presented in a self‐explanatory manner to patients, while highlighting important trends that require attention for physicians, and am glad to see such encouraging results.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11027/smart-home-healthcare-market-to-hit-30-billion-by-2023.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11027/smart-home-healthcare-market-to-hit-30-billion-by-2023.html Tue, 29 May 2018 18:05:00 +0530 According to the market research report published by P&S Market Research, global smart home healthcare market is forecasted to attain a revenue of $30.0 billion by 2023, the market is mainly driven by growing geriatric population, escalating demand for personalized healthcare, increasing demand for mHealth technologies, and surge in demand of advanced smart home healthcare technologies.   On the basis of technology, the smart home healthcare market is categorized into cellular network, wireless communication, and other technologies. Of these, cellular network attained the largest revenue in the market, accounting for 64.2% share in 2017. This leading position of the category is attributed to its easy accessibility by consumers and ease of use.   The products in the smart home healthcare market require either installation and repair or customization and renovation services; installation and repair services held the larger share in the market, accounting for 72.6% in 2017.   Based on application, the smart home healthcare market is categorized into fall prevention and detection, safety and security monitoring, health status monitoring, nutrition/diet monitoring, memory aids, and others. Among these, fall prevention and detection application accounted for the largest share, with 39.0% contribution in 2017 in the global market.   According to World Health Organization(WHO), falls are the second leading cause of accidental or unintentional injury deaths worldwide and people above 65 years of age suffer the greatest number of fatal falls. For example, in the U.S., 20–30% of older people who fall suffer moderate to severe injuries such as bruises, hip fractures, or head trauma. In order to reduce this, people tend to opt for fall prevention and detection devices, globally.    During the forecast period, the smart home healthcare industry is predicted to witness the fastest growth in demand in Asia-Pacific (APAC), at a CAGR of 41.1%, owing to the growing geriatric population and increasing awareness about innovative and advanced applications of smart home-based wireless sensors.   Additionally, the increased patient base and increasing life expectancy are likely to increase IT investments in the healthcare industry in the region. Countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and India are reframing their healthcare policies and encouraging more start-ups to use disruptive technologies to solve key medical challenges.   The key manufacturers operating in the smart home healthcare market are AT&T Inc., ABB Ltd., Siemens AG, Schneider Electric SE, General Electric Company, Honeywell International Inc., Smart Solutions, Essence Group, and Koninklijke Philips N.V. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11025/healwell24-raises-rs-1-4-crore-in-its-pre-series-a-round.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11025/healwell24-raises-rs-1-4-crore-in-its-pre-series-a-round.html Tue, 29 May 2018 14:55:00 +0530 HWell24 Plus Healthcare Pvt Ltd, which operates home healthcare aggregator under the brand HealWell24, said it has raised Rs 1.4 crore in its pre-Series A round of funding from new and existing individual investors. Prashant Mehta, Mitali Pawar, Nikhil G and Bhavesh P, members of Indian Cooperative Oncology Network (ICON); and angel investor R Ranganathan are the new investors, Jyoti Kumar Singha, co-founder and director, HealWell24, said in a statement. Existing investors a member of the oncology network in Mumbai, ONCOTRUST, and an executive at medical intelligence provider Medintel Services Pvt. Ltd also contributed funds, he added. The firm will use the funds to develop its artificial intelligence (AI)-based patient mobile app, expand its services and hire talent, among others. The app is expected to be launched by October this year, Singha explained. The Mumbai-based company, which was founded by Singha and Harddik K Patel in 2017, provides solutions to patients at home-to-hospital-to-home, which is known as a 3H model. The startup provides home nursing, home attendants and has recently added home dental care as part of its services in the city. It aims to expand to Delhi, Bengaluru, Nagpur, Kochi, and Pune by the financial year 2019-2020. According to the news reported by VC Circle, HealWell24 had raised $100,000 in angel funding from three high-net-worth individuals in September last year. It generated revenue of Rs 1.25 crore in the last financial year through March since it began operations in June, Singha said. The company has also started a CHHA (Certification of Home Healthcare Attendant) programme which provides certification to all attendants as the biggest challenge for any home healthcare service is to find trained people.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11020/genetic-testing-can-increase-the-survival-of-lung-cancer-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11020/genetic-testing-can-increase-the-survival-of-lung-cancer-patients.html Mon, 28 May 2018 16:05:00 +0530 Cases of lung cancer are rapidly rising in India due to rampant smoking, including active and passive smoking, genetic testing and treatment with targeted therapy drugs can significantly improve the survival rate of patients, doctors said in the run-up to the ‘World No Tobacco Day.’ Said Dr. Vidya H Veldore, Principal Scientist – Oncology with MedGenome, a leading genomics-driven research and diagnostics company: “Most cancers, including lung cancer arise due to genetic mutations. Once the cancer-causing genetic mutation is identified through genetic testing on the tissue biopsy, doctors can administer more effective and better targeted medicines, which are known to specifically kill the cancer cells, thus improving the clinical outcomes and preventing the side-effects of chemotherapy. There is an urgent need to create awareness about the importance of genetic testing for not only lung cancer patients but also in other cancers.”  Talking about the threat to public health posed by tobacco consumption, Dr. Shailesh Bondarde, Medical Oncologist, Apex Wellness Rishikesh Hospital, Nashik, said: “India accounts for one-sixth of the 6 million tobacco-related deaths occurring around the globe every year. It is also the world’s second largest tobacco consumer, where every third adult consumes some form of tobacco. The impact on  public health is very high as more than 60 chemicals found in tobacco and tobacco smoke have been classified as cancer-causing agents. Tobacco-related cancer accounts for 42 percent of all male deaths due to cancer and 18.3 percent of all female deaths. Two most common cancers caused by tobacco are mouth cancer and lung cancer. Tobacco doesn't harm the individual alone. It also increases healthcare costs and decreases productivity.”  Lung cancer is of two types. Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) constitutes 80% of all lung cancer cases and is present in smokers and non-smokers both. Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC), accounting for 20% of all lung cancer cases, is found primarily in smokers.  25-40% of all NSCLC cases arise due to cancer-causing mutations in the EGFR gene. Once the mutation is identified by genetic testing, doctors can administer drugs specifically made to target these mutations. Thus, it prevents ineffective treatment and worsening of the disease. International guidelines like NCCN, ESMO and ASCO have made EGFR gene mutation testing mandatory in all NSCLC patients at the time of diagnosis. This helps in effective treatment planning and management. In the last one decade, targeted molecular therapy used for treating NSCLC type lung cancer has advanced rapidly. It is now possible to use targeted therapy to kill only the cancer cells, while shielding healthy body tissue from harmful effects. Such targeted therapy can be administered to a patient once the molecular make-up of the cancer has been identified by genetic testing. Continuation of such treatment often requires genetic reassessment of the tumor, which can now be accomplished through non-invasive blood-based tests called liquid biopsy. Liquid biopsy is a great alternative for patients where getting a solid tumour sample is a challenge. The importance of blood based testing or liquid biopsy in Lung cancer has been well established from clinical studies on large cohorts of lung cancer patients worldwide, for assessment of treatment response and early detection of recurrence. MedGenome was one of the pioneers in launch of liquid biopsy tests in early 2017, after completion of extensive clinical validation with India’s leading Cancer Hospitals. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11017/nagaland-nhm-inks-deal-with-hospitals.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11017/nagaland-nhm-inks-deal-with-hospitals.html Mon, 28 May 2018 11:00:00 +0530 The National Health Mission (NHM) of Nagaland has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with hospitals in Guwahati and Imphal under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), a child health screening and early intervention programme under NHM. The MoU was signed with Sri Sankaradeva Nethralaya, a tertiary eye-care hospital and an institute of ophthalmology based in Guwahati and Shija Hospitals and Research Institute Imphal, a premier hospital providing secondary and tertiary healthcare. To mark the beginning of the MoU, Shija hospitals along with the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Nagaland will be conducting a free heart screening either at District Hospital Mokokchung or Naga Hospital Authority, Kohima for all age groups. The National Health Mission, Nagaland has been implementing RBSK in Nagaland since 2013. It aims at early detection and management of 4Ds prevalent in the children free of cost- Defects at birth, diseases, Deficiency and Developmental Delays including Disabilities. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11015/-india-ranks-145th-in-healthcare-access-and-quality.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11015/-india-ranks-145th-in-healthcare-access-and-quality.html Mon, 28 May 2018 10:20:00 +0530 India ranks 145th among 195 countries in terms of quality and accessibility of healthcare, behind its neighbours like China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Bhutan, according to a Lancet study. The Global Burden of Disease study, however, mentioned that India has seen improvements in healthcare access and quality since 1990. In 2016, India’s healthcare access and quality scored at 41.2 (up from 24.7 in 1990). “Although India’s improvements on the (healthcare access and quality) HAQ index hastened from 2000 to 2016, the gap between the country’s highest and lowest scores widened (23·4-point difference in 1990, and 30·8-point difference in 2016),” the study stated. It said that Goa and Kerala had the highest scores in 2016, each exceeding 60 points, whereas Assam and Uttar Pradesh had the lowest, each below 40. India lags behind China (48), Sri Lanka (71), Bangladesh ( 133) and Bhutan (134) while its health index was better than those of Nepal (149), Pakistan (154) and Afghanistan (191). The five countries with the highest levels of healthcare access and quality in 2016 were Iceland (97.1 points), Norway (96.6), the Netherlands (96.1), Luxembourg (96.0), and Finland and Australia (each with 95.9). The countries with the lowest scores were the Central African Republic (18.6), Somalia (19.0), Guinea-Bissau (23.4), Chad (25.4), and Afghanistan (25.9). According to the study, India performed poorly in tackling cases of tuberculosis, rheumatic heart diseases, Ischaemic heart diseases, stroke, testicular cancer, colon cancer and chronic kidney disease among others. Subnational inequalities were particularly pronounced in China and India, although high-income countries, including England and the US, also saw considerable local gaps in performance, it said. “The study stated large disparities in subnational levels of personal healthcare access and quality emerged for several countries, especially China and India. “These results emphasise the urgent need to improve both access to and quality of health care across service areas and for all populations; otherwise, health systems could face widening gaps between the health services they provide and the disease burden experienced by local communities,” it said. The study used an index to measure the quality and accessibility of healthcare, based on 32 causes of death which should be preventable with effective medical care. Each of the 195 countries and territories assessed were given a score between 0-100. For the first time, the study also analysed healthcare access and quality between regions within seven countries: Brazil, China, England, India, Japan, Mexico, and the US. The study found that China and India had the widest disparities in healthcare access and quality with 43.5 and 30.8 point differences, respectively. Japan had the narrowest differences with 4.8 points. In 2016, the global average healthcare access and quality score was 54.4, increasing from 42.4 points in 2000. Disparities between countries remained similar in 2016 and 2000, with a 78.5 point gap between the best and worst performing countries in 2016 (18.6 in the Central African Republic and 97.1 in Iceland), compared with 79.3 points in 2000 (13.5 in Somalia and 92.8 in Iceland). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11009/ai-and-ml-can-profoundly-alter-indian-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11009/ai-and-ml-can-profoundly-alter-indian-healthcare.html Thu, 24 May 2018 17:40:00 +0530 Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are witnessing increasing adoption in the Indian healthcare setting. With a surge in non-communicable diseases and the increasing number of aging population in the country, the overall burden of disease management has been increasing year-on-year and to manage that, the government, the healthcare professionals and the healthcare institutions are looking for innovative ways.  Studies have shown that deep learning algorithms have given better insights to clinicians in predicting prognosis and future events in patients. Also, advanced digital technologies like AI and ML can help in prevention as well as early detection of diseases by capturing and analysing various vitals of patients.  Artificial intelligence makes it possible to access the learning and data from hundreds of thousands of patient cases.  “There is a huge assistance from AI in the delivery of healthcare today. Now the physician has a complete picture of what could be the different diagnosis and you try to compute it from there,” said Dr Naresh Trehan, Chairman & Managing Director, Medanta-The Medicity. With the power of the cloud, doctors can share high-resolution 3D imagery and consult partner doctors locally and abroad in real time and that will improve pre-planning and success of the overall procedure.  One recent development is Microsoft – Apollo Hospitals’ partnership to create an AI-focussed network in cardiology. “We built a partnership where they bring in the technology and we bring in the data, algorithms and the clinical insights into what is impacting and how this can translate into number one risk scoring and then in differential pattern and methodologies,” said Sangita Reddy, Joint MD, Apollo Hospitals.  “AI is going to help us in not only identifying the vulnerable patients early but also in terms of modifying the intensity of treatment after classifying them into high risk or very high risk group,” said Dr (Prof) N N Khanna, Senior Consultant - Interventional Cardiology and Vascular Interventions, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals.  According to Dr Khanna, the model can actually provide individual group specific risk factors of coronary artery disease and predict future coronary ailments which the patient might experience in the years to come.  Artificial Intelligence to Help in Diagnosis & Prevention  AI algorithms are helping doctors analyse a much wider scope of data and prediction with greater granularity, new drug combinations that are personalized for a patient’s specific need.  “With the help of data we can predict the people who are likely to face health issues. We can get a skeletal picture as the robot actually measures every muscle in your body and instruct the preventive steps that patients need to take in order to avoid further health complications,” said Dr Trehan.   India is a data rich country because of the volume of patients. “There will be significant amount of uptake that will happen because AI and machine learning will evolve with the Indian data that we have and the model will be a lot more robust,” said Sumit Puri, Chief Information Officer, Max Healthcare.  Technology to Empower Healthcare Sector  “We need to leverage technology because India faces huge shortage of doctors and nurses. Skill development and technology will be the two mantras in order to deliver healthcare to the last mile,” said Dr Trehan. Although India has taken large strides towards providing better healthcare to its people, the country still is inundated with several problems like growing population, increasing NCDs, lack of adequate infrastructure, limited access to healthcare facilities, adherence to treatment and availability of care providers. According to Amit Mookim, General Manager - South Asia, IQVIA, technology and digital health will bridge the gap here.  AI to Reduce Healthcare Costs AI-enabled medical care plays the role of an informative assistant that enables doctors to gain an understanding of meaningful patterns from data collection and eventually can save a lot of time, effort and costs through easy access to unbiased, consistent, good-quality diagnosis and treatment.  The acceptability and incorporation of artificial intelligence tools, such as deep learning in day-to-day medical decision making will ultimately result in improving patient care in an affordable manner. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11006/global-hospitals-successfully-perform-bypass-grafting-on-a-21-year-old-boy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11006/global-hospitals-successfully-perform-bypass-grafting-on-a-21-year-old-boy.html Thu, 24 May 2018 12:55:00 +0530 Global Hospitals, Mumbai, a multi super specialty tertiary care hospital has successfully performed CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting) on a 21 year old boy. Saurabh Maphuskar, a 21 year old boy from Lalbaug, Parel underwent a Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) at Global Hospitals, Parel, Mumbai. The surgery was performed by Dr. Hamdulay and the angiography was conducted by Dr. Praveen Kulkarni. A patient is required to go through CABG when there is a blockage or narrowing of one or more of the coronary arteries. Saurabh was suffering from Critical Triple Vessel Disease, which occurs when three major blood vessels are blocked. The patient was experiencing severe chest pain and shortness of breath when he was brought to the hospital. The level of cholesterol in his blood shot up, as a result of which, the blood supply to his heart reduced. With regard to the excessive intake of oily food, Dr. Hamdulay said “The current generation is fond of junk food which is the leading cause of such diseases. The patient had no family history of heart diseases. The cholesterol level in his blood was high. Therefore, from the reports we could conclude that this was the cause of this ailment. Saurabh will need to exercise rigorous dietary restrictions to avoid such a problem in future.” Cardiologist Dr. Praveen Kulkarni quoted, “This case is among my youngest patients undergoing CABG. Initial evaluation had revealed extensive high level of blood cholesterol; this abnormalcholesterol report explains the premature heart disease. This case should also be highlighted because a lot of naysayers are busy denying the link between blood cholesterol and heart diseases.” Dietician, Dr. Zamrud Patel added, “The patient had bad dietary habits. Now we are counselling the patient for following a healthy lifestyle which he is eager to follow.” The patient, Saurabh Maphuskar commented, “I am thankful to the doctors of Global Hospital for treating me successfully. I was shocked to discover about the high level of cholesterol and pre-matureheart disease in the reports. I used to have a lot of junk food without really giving a thought to the harmful consequences. I have come to realize this the hard way, and I will control my food habitsstrictly.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11005/qure-ai-partners-with-trs-and-telerad-tech-to-enable-better-patient-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/11005/qure-ai-partners-with-trs-and-telerad-tech-to-enable-better-patient-care.html Thu, 24 May 2018 11:20:00 +0530 Qure.ai, a healthcare AI provider has announced that it has partnered with Teleradiology Solutions (TRS), a global pioneer in remote radiology interpretation and telehealth, and Telerad Tech (T2), a global health IT company and AI-enabled RIS-PACS provider, to enable smarter and faster diagnoses of X-ray and CT-scan data, and reduce costs.  Through this partnership, Qure.ai’s chest X-ray technology will be integrated with Telerad Tech’s proprietary RIS PACS platform – RADSpa that TRS uses to provide teleradiology services globally. “At Qure.ai, we are expanding the reach of our AI algorithms to help medical professionals deliver better outcomes to their patients,” said Prashant Warier, Co-Founder and CEO, Qure.ai. “TRS and Telerad Tech are pioneers in their respective domains, and we are excited about the impact this partnership will have on the millions of patients’ lives they touch.”  TRS has reported scans for over five million patients since inception in 2002, and currently caters to the requirements of 150 hospitals and healthcare centers in more than 20 countries, including the United States, Singapore, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Maldives and India.  Telerad Tech’s RADSpa platform is deployed in 24 countries and has processed more than 20 million studies and billions of images. RADSpa is FDA approved and CE certified.  TRS’s clinical expertise and Telerad Tech’s RADSpa platform consolidates radiology report information from diverse sources so radiologists can review these reports from anywhere and anytime. By integrating Qure.ai’s algorithms that automatically generate abnormality reports from X-rays and CT scans, radiologists and hospitals using RADspa will now have cutting-edge algorithms at their disposal to help prioritize care, make smarter and faster diagnoses, and reduce costs. This integration is expected to go-live in the next four months in several Indian states where TRS provides teleradiology services.  “Making sure that doctors and hospitals have the necessary and highest quality information has to be the topmost priority,” said Dr Arjun Kalyanpur, CEO Teleradiology Solutions. “Diseases that are of public health importance worldwide such as tuberculosis, are within our focus of interest with a goal of providing high quality diagnostics to facilitate early detection. Qure.ai, TRS & T2 have a shared vision when it comes to achieving this goal, and we strongly believe this will be highly beneficial for doctors, hospitals and patients alike”.  Qure.ai’s chest X-ray solution can automatically screen for abnormal chest X-rays and tuberculosis. Qure.ai’s automated reads can have a substantial impact on the screening protocol for tuberculosis globally.  “Qure.ai’s chest X-ray solution helps in early identification of probable TB cases and helps doctors in fast-tracking of TB patients for confirmatory diagnosis. It will act as a force multiplier for early and fast detection” says Dr. Shibu Vijayan, Director at PATH India, an NGO that has been working to improve TB outcomes in India for years.  Founded in 2016, Qure.ai is funded by Fractal Analytics, a global leader in artificial intelligence and analytics that powers decision-making in Fortune 500 companies. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10998/three-directors-quit-as-fortis-takeover-battle-continues.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10998/three-directors-quit-as-fortis-takeover-battle-continues.html Wed, 23 May 2018 14:10:00 +0530 In the latest twist in a prolonged takeover of one of the country's largest hospital operators, three directors of India's Fortis Healthcare have quit ahead of a shareholder vote  to decide their future, the company said. Mr Harpal Singh, Mr Tejinder Singh Shergill and Ms Sabina Vaisoha cited personal reasons for their resignations, coming days after two major Fortis shareholders said the directors had not met their fiduciary duties. Their departures raised fresh questions about the direction cash-strapped Fortis will take as it considers bids from five parties who have proposed to buy the whole or part of the firm. Fortis has received more than a dozen competing offers since it first agreed in March to a proposal from a consortium led by rival Manipal Hospitals Enterprises. Fortis then said this month that it planned to accept an offer from Hero Enterprise Investment Office and Burman Family Office that valued the company at 90 billion rupees (S$1.8 billion). Shareholders responded by pushing the company's shares down 5 per cent. Eastbridge Capital and Jupiter India - two large investors who together control about 12 per cent of Fortis - had called for today's vote. They said the directors had not satisfactorily exercised "their respective fiduciary duties towards shareholders and have failed to maintain expected levels of corporate governance", according to a filing made by Fortis last week. A fourth director, Dr Brian Tempest, still faces a vote at today's meeting. Indian proxy advisory firms have previously questioned the independence of the Fortis board. "Shareholders need a decision-making body that is objective, independent, and does have a historical association with the promoter group or their companies," Institutional Investor Advisory Services said in a note last month. Eastbridge and Jupiter believed that the four directors were not independent and had been appointed by Fortis' founders, a source close to the two shareholders told Reuters last week. Mr Harpal Singh, one of the three directors who resigned, defended the board's decisions. In a letter made public by Fortis on Sunday, he said the selection of the Hero-Burman offer was based "on criteria of certainty, simplicity of structure, no walk away rights, an early infusion of funds, capacity to address strategic needs and the ability to traverse a challenging landscape," reports Straitstimes. Fortis' founders quit as directors in February and have denied any wrongdoing. Fortis itself is under probe in India for financial fraud. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10994/apollo-to-adopt-watson-for-oncology-and-watson-for-genomics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10994/apollo-to-adopt-watson-for-oncology-and-watson-for-genomics.html Wed, 23 May 2018 11:10:00 +0530 IBM and Apollo Hospitals - one of India’s largest specialty hospital systems - recently announced that Apollo will adopt Watson for Oncology and Watson for Genomics. The two IBM cognitive computing platforms will help physicians provide patients with personalized, evidence-based cancer care. This agreement is the first-of-its kind Watson for Oncology & Watson for Genomics deployment in India. Apollo Hospitals will build on its long legacy of clinical excellence with dedicated cancer care hospitals in India by implementing Watson for Oncology and Watson for Genomics across ten of its 64 hospitals. Watson for Oncology will be available at the Apollo Chennai and Delhi hospital from April 2018, followed by Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Bhubaneshwar and Madurai over the next few months. Watson for Genomics will become available across the same locations in the following months. The Watson for Oncology and Watson for Genomics solutions will help oncologists at Apollo surface relevant data to bridge disparate sources of information and identify treatments that are personalized to each unique patient. According to a report published by the World Health Organization,  India – there are an estimated 9. 49 lakh new cancer cases in India annually, accounting for more than 6.34 lakh deaths related to cancer each year. Also, as per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR),  there will be close to 17.3 lakh cancer cases likely to be reported in India by 2020, accounting for more than 8.8 lakh estimated number of deaths by 2020. As healthcare providers seek to enable data-driven, evidence-based cancer care, an explosion of medical information has created both challenges and opportunities to improve quality care. Currently, approximately 50,000 oncology research papers are published annually,  and by 2020 medical information is projected to double every 73 days , outpacing the ability of humans to keep up with the proliferation of medical knowledge. IBM Watson for Oncology, trained by Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK), complements the work of oncologists, supporting them in clinical decision-making by enabling them to access evidence-based, personalized treatment options from more than 300 medical journals, more than 200 textbooks, and nearly 15 million pages of text providing insight and comprehensive details on different treatment options, including key information on drug treatment selections. IBM Watson for Genomics analyses massive bodies of genomic, clinical and pharmacological knowledge to help uncover potential therapeutic options to target genetic alterations in a patient’s tumour. Using this genomic analysis, Watson produces a report for physicians, which identifies genetic alterations that are actionable based on literature as well as drugs and clinical trials that target those alterations. Watson for Genomics has been tested and validated at more than 20 leading cancer institutes worldwide. “Apollo Hospitals has been dedicated to providing patients with best-in-class cancer care for more than two decades now. Our collaboration with IBM is a reinforcement of our commitment to clinical excellence,” said Preetha Reddy, Vice Chairperson of the Apollo Hospitals Group. “Each person’s cancer journey is unique and hence each patient’s treatment plan must be unique too.  IBM Watson for Oncology and Genomics will help the clinicians and oncologists at Apollo Hospitals augment their own expertise to deliver an unparalleled and personalized patient care across our hospitals.” Speaking on the collaboration, Lisa Rometty, General Manager of Oncology, Genomics and Life Sciences, IBM Watson Health said, “This collaboration with Apollo Hospitals reflects IBM’s ongoing commitment to partner with leading healthcare providers across the world to leverage the power of artificial intelligence to support cancer care. By using IBM Watson for Oncology and Watson for Genomics the physicians at Apollo Hospitals will be empowered with efficient, data-driven insights for improved evidence-based care to give physicians more time to focus on their patients.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10986/new-algorithm-predicts-life-expectancy-after-heart-failure.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10986/new-algorithm-predicts-life-expectancy-after-heart-failure.html Tue, 22 May 2018 12:55:00 +0530 A new algorithm, developed from deep learning, can accurately predicts who is most likely to survive heart failure, and for how long. The platform can also determine whether or not a patient will receive a heart transplant. The algorithm has been devised at University College London, and it enables medical professionals to make more accurate and, most importantly, personalized assessments of people who are awaiting heart transplants. This boost in predictive analytics could enable health care providers to make more informed choices about the use of limited life-saving resources. This may come across as quite stark, but if there is only one heart available for transplant and two candidate patients, the medic will have the option to authorize the transplant for the patient who is more likely to survive, based on the data analysis. This, therefore, has the potential to reduce health care costs. With the algorithm, termed the Trees of Predictors, machine learning is used. Here the system effectively "learns" from additional new data over time. The system analyzes 53 data points, such as age, gender, body mass index, blood type and blood chemistry, in order to assess the complex differences among people waiting for heart transplants. From this it draws inferences about the compatibility between potential heart transplant recipients and donors. Research into the new algorithm has been published in the journal PLOS One, with the paper titled "Personalized survival predictions via Trees of Predictors: An application to cardiac transplantation." This reflects improvements in technology allowing medical researchers to cross-talk, mine big data and tackle unsolved problems relating to heart health. Perhaps of greatest importance is cloud computing, which provides "a powerful environment of analytical tools and state-of-the-art software to researchers who are analyzing large datasets for scientific insights." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10984/multi-disciplinary-central-team-to-investigate-the-nipah-outbreak.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10984/multi-disciplinary-central-team-to-investigate-the-nipah-outbreak.html Tue, 22 May 2018 10:50:00 +0530 In view of the rising number of cases and reported deaths due to Nipah Virus in Kozhikode, Kerala, J P Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare has assured all support to the Kerala Government and has directed a multi-disciplinary Central team from National Centre for Disease Control to immediately visit the district, and assist the State and closely monitor the situation.  “We are closely monitoring the situation. I have spoken to Shri Alphons and Smt K Shailaja, Health Minister, Kerala and assured them all support of the Central government. I have also dispatched a Central team to assist the State government and initiate required steps,” the Union Health Minister said in a statement from Geneva. On the directions of the Health Minister, Preeti Sudan, Secretary (HFW) has also spoken to the Principal Health Secretary of Kerala and reviewed the situation. The Central team includes Dr Sujeet K Singh, Director, National Centre for Disease Control, Dr S K Jain, Head Epidemiology, NCDC, Dr P Ravindran, Director, Emergency Medical Relief (EMR), Dr Naveen Gupta, Head Zoonosis, NCDC along with two clinicians and one expert from Ministry of Animal Husbandry. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10979/applying-machine-learning-to-challenges-in-the-pharmaceutical-industry.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10979/applying-machine-learning-to-challenges-in-the-pharmaceutical-industry.html Mon, 21 May 2018 12:00:00 +0530 MIT continues its efforts to transform the process of drug design and manufacturing with a new MIT-industry consortium, the Machine Learning for Pharmaceutical Discovery and Synthesis. The new consortium already includes eight industry partners, all major players in the pharmaceutical field, including Amgen, BASF, Bayer, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Sunovion, and WuXi. A large number of these have a research presence in Cambridge or the surrounding areas, allowing for close cooperation and the creation of a center for artificial intelligence (AI) applications in pharmaceuticals. The drug discovery process can often be exceedingly expensive and time-consuming, but machine learning offers tremendous opportunities to more efficiently access and understand vast amounts of chemical data — with great potential to improve both processes and outcomes. The consortium aims to break down the divide between machine learning research at MIT and drug discovery research; bringing MIT researchers and industry together to identify and address the most significant problems. As part of the broader initiative to bring together machine learning and drug research, in April, MIT hosted a summit led by Regina Barzilay, the Delta Electronics Professor of Computer Science, and Dina Katabi, the Andrew and Erna Viterbi Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. The summit gathered MIT researchers with leaders of technology, biotech, and regulatory agencies to engage in ways digital technologies and artificial intelligence can help address major challenges in the biomedical and health care industries. The earliest seeds for the consortium began with software and technology funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) “Make-It” program, which has the goal of integrating machine learning with automated systems for chemical synthesis. MIT researchers discussed the potential for a consortium with pharmaceutical industry contacts, initially meeting with company representatives in May 2017 and again in September 2017 at which time there was great interest from both industry and MIT researchers in working together. Since then, through work with the MIT Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) and the MIT Technology Licensing Office (TLO), the consortium has been officially formed. A consortium meeting on May 3 brought together industry members and MIT researchers. “The enthusiasm of the member companies and the potential of machine learning create a tremendous opportunity for advancing the toolbox for medical scientists in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries,” says Klavs Jensen, the Warren K. Lewis Professor of Chemical Engineering and professor of materials science and engineering.  The May 3 meeting aimed to introduce the industry members to fundamentals of machine learning through tutorials and joint research projects. Toward this goal, Barzilay taught the first tutorial on the basics of supervised learning; the tutorial covered neural models and focused on representation learning with the goal of preparing participants for technical presentations in the afternoon.  “The application of machine learning tools provides an opportunity to augment and accelerate drug discovery and development — and get new medicines to patients more quickly,” says Shawn Walker, director of process development of pivotal drug substance technologies at Amgen. “We are excited to participate in this MIT machine learning consortium, along with our other industry partners,” says José Duca, head of computer aided drug discovery in global discovery chemistry at the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research.“This consortium will tackle the challenge of efficient and targeted route-planning using state-of-the-art machine learning approaches. Ultimately, we hope this accelerates our ability to make safer, more potent drugs against human disease.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10970/hp-powers-mcura-to-enhance-patient-experience-at-hospitals.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10970/hp-powers-mcura-to-enhance-patient-experience-at-hospitals.html Fri, 18 May 2018 11:50:00 +0530 Healthcare start-up mCURA (Health-Tech) has partnered with HP Inc. India to enhance patient experience at hospitals. Under this partnership, HP will install the Hi-tech devices at the doctors’ OPDs which includes double-side screen systems,  that would help the doctors to go through the e-prescription entered by the clinical staff, NFC enabled tablets, automated kiosks and patient education displays at waiting area. The technology developed and implemented by mCURA at different hospital OPDs and clinics will smoothen work flow of the doctors and enhance experience for the patients visiting the hospitals. With this partnership, hospital/clinics will be ultra-modernised promising best experience to patients and doctors. Talking about the partnership, Madhubala Radhakrishnan, Founder and President of mCURA said, “Our partnership with one of the big giants like HP India will provide next-generation experience at the hospitals and clinics. With our association, we aim to bring in Smarter Healthcare IT System and remove the current major barriers of the healthcare industry.” Vickram Bedi, Senior Director, Personal Systems, HP Inc India said, “HP has been committed to improving experiences with innovative technology. Healthcare is an exceptional setting, and we are glad to partner with mCURA to deliver solutions that are safer, smarter & secure for healthcare sector.” mCURA Smart OPD is technology platform that converts desk services into integrated mobility services and covers end-to-end patient experience, increase IT adoption and accomplish additional revenue. The innovative “Tap & Pay Model” & “Shortest Service Path” models offer patients minimal counter visits while completely eliminating necessity of spending valuable time at billing and registration counters. It also enables doctors, pharmacy and labs to move into a digitally secure EMR system allowing for faster patient turnarounds, speedier diagnosis and enhanced revenues. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10968/ayushman-bharat-should-be-focused-on-quality-care-mtai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10968/ayushman-bharat-should-be-focused-on-quality-care-mtai.html Fri, 18 May 2018 10:45:00 +0530 Medical Technology Association of India (MTaI), which represents leading research-based medical technology companies with significant manufacturing investments in India, has stated that Ayushman Bharat should be developed as a value-based healthcare programme giving priority to quality of treatment while keeping the cost component within the defined limit.The government announced its plan to launch Ayushman Bharat or National Health Protection Scheme (NHPS) in February 2018 to bring over 10 crore poor and vulnerable families under cashless health insurance cover of upto 5 lakh rupees per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation. The government is currently in the process of drawing up package rates for treatments under the programme.“Ayushman Bharat has the potential to be the most comprehensive health financing and reimbursement initiative, the success of which is very important to Indian people. It can metamorphose Indian healthcare ecosystem depending on the approach we take. The government is working out package rates to contain cost of treatment. These package rates are expected to subsume the cost of medical devices. Among all the good things, this is one element of the programme which can have a vitiating impact on the entire initiative in the medium to long term.“Subsuming cost of implants, prosthesis, hardware and high risk consumables without any quality benchmarking or outcome measurement will make way for the cheapest products which may lead to sub-optimal therapies,” MTaI Director Mr. Kaustav Banerjee said.“While episodic cost may be lower, the total cost of disease management will increase. Manufacturers will have no incentive to improve device longevity. Instead, the focus will be to reduce cost by significantly sacrificing outcome. The increase in redo, revision, repeat procedures due to increased adoption of cheaper products will have a direct impact on the payer and the patient both,” he added. Giving an example of how cost-based treatments are affecting the quality of healthcare delivery, Mr. Banerjee said, “In heart valve replacement surgery, bi-leaflet valve has a higher longevity but in most reimbursement programmes currently operational in India mono-leaflet valve is being used as it is cheaper. Mono-leaflet valves have fallen away globally due to various clinical reasons such as sheer mechanical stress on mono-leaflet valve could be a predisposition to thrombosis, and requirement of elevated anti-coagulant regime that potentially affect the valve longevity. Similar issues exist for every high risk medical devices and implants.”“In order to address these concerns, it may be an ideal solution to migrate to a value based healthcare system in the long run which will focus on health outcome for every rupee spent. At the same time, it may be worth considering a short to medium term solution given the magnitude of NHPS and the time constraint in implementation. This can be done by separating the prices of medical devices from package rates and rationalising trade margins of devices to mitigate compliance risk,” he added. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10961/cabinet-approves-setting-up-of-a-new-aiims-in-deoghar-jharkhand-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10961/cabinet-approves-setting-up-of-a-new-aiims-in-deoghar-jharkhand-.html Wed, 16 May 2018 18:50:00 +0530 The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved setting up of a new All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Deoghar, Jharkhand. A provision of funds worth Rs. 1103 crore has been approved for the project and the said AIIMS will be set up under the Pradhan MantriSwasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY). The AIIMS at Deoghar will consist of: A hospital with a capacity of 750 beds, trauma center facilities A medical college with an in-take of 100 MBBS students per year A nursing college with an int-ake of 60 B.Sc.(Nursing) students per year, residential complexes and allied facilities / services, broadly on the pattern of AIIMS, New Delhi. 20 Speciality/Super Speciality Departments including 15 Operation Theatres. An Ayush Department with 30 beds for providing treatment facilities in the traditional system of medicine. The setting up of new AIIMS at Deoghar will serve the dual purpose of providing super specialty health care to the population while also helping to create a large pool of doctors and other health workers in this region to be available for primary and secondary-level institutions/facilities being created under the National Health Mission (NHM).   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10954/narayana-health-rolls-out-free-health-check-up-camps-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10954/narayana-health-rolls-out-free-health-check-up-camps-.html Wed, 16 May 2018 16:30:00 +0530 Narayana Health launched a health campaign across the city, in line with Mother’s Day and World Hypertension Day celebrations. The initiative is marked by Narayana Medical Centre, Langford hosting free health check-up camp for mothers at the hospital and Narayana Health City, Bommasandra conducting free blood pressure check-up camps across the city.   The Mother’s Day Celebrations at Narayana Medical Centre, Langford and Narayana Health City, Bommasandra is offering mothers an opportunity to avail free customized health checkup that will include  Blood Pressure check, Random Blood Sugar, ECG, Ultrasound Scan, ECHO as well as Doctor Consultation.  The camp will be held till 15th June 2018.   Mother’s Day free health check-up camp at Narayana Medical Centre Langford Date Till 15th June 2018 Tests included in the free health check Blood Pressure, Random Blood Sugar, ECG, Ultrasound Scan, ECHO and  Doctor Consultation Venue Narayana Health City, Bommasandra Narayana Medical Centre, Langford Town Time 9AM – 5PM Contact details 186-0208-0208    As part of the World Hypertension Day campaign, Narayan Health is conducting a free blood pressure check-up camp across the city. The check-up will be held at Tech Parks, Corporate Offices, Public Parks, Community Halls, Apartments/Housing Societies and Supermarkets in the city. Apart from helping people understand their blood pressure quotient, the campaign is also aimed at creating awareness about the cause and effects of the condition and educating them on how to keep blood pressure under control. The initiative is expected to reach out to more than 3000 people.   World Hypertension Day Campaign Date Till 17th may 2017 Venue Jayanagar, Electronic City Phase 1, Langford Town, Chandapura, HSR Layout, Sarjapura, Koramangala Time 10 AM – 5PM Contact details 186-0208-0208   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10947/smoking-and-drinking-may-increase-hypertension-diabetes-risk-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10947/smoking-and-drinking-may-increase-hypertension-diabetes-risk-.html Tue, 15 May 2018 17:35:00 +0530 Hypertension and diabetes are the highest in Chennai, Mumbai and Bengaluru, according to a study by eKincare, a healthcare startup. The report says that prevalence of risk factors is high among young professionals in Mumbai and Hyderabad. "Our lifestyles are changing, and so are the health risks. Young professionals, in their 20s and 30s, are battling lifestyle diseases like diabetes and hypertension. The key is to identify the risk factors and ensure timely intervention to reduce complications that can lead to morbidity and ever-increasing healthcare expenditure. Not many people realise that even occasional smoking and alcohol consumption can significantly increase the risk of hypertension and diabetes," said Kiran Kalakuntla, Founder, eKincare. "Prevention is always better than cure. A healthy lifestyle and healthy diet can prevent hypertension. Forty five minutes of brisk walk daily, avoiding excess salt and having two servings of fruits everyday are some practical tips. Smoking and regular alcohol intake should be curtailed. Those who have hypertension must have their medication regularly, and periodic follow-ups with the doctor will help detect complications early," said Dr Vivek K Nambiar, Head, Division of Stroke, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi.  “Hypertension, PCOS, hypothyroid, osteoporosis, diabetes, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, cancer and all seemingly unrelated diseases have one thing in common - fast raising insulin levels! Insulin rises in the body because of insulin resistance. And insulin resistance increases because of excess fat, excess acid and insulin like growth factor (present in milk and all dairy products). Hence, to reverse all these diseases, we need to reduce insulin resistance with a whole food plant based diet and right exercise,” said Dr Pramod Tripathi, creator of Freedom from Diabetes Program on behalf of Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO).  People with diabetes are more likely to develop hypertension and high blood pressure is known to increase the risk of developing diabetes ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10942/ai-health-tech-start-up-powers-tb-detection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10942/ai-health-tech-start-up-powers-tb-detection.html Tue, 15 May 2018 12:40:00 +0530 In the light of the Indian government’s determined efforts to make India TB free by 2025, Qure.ai, a Mumbai-based health tech start-up has designed an artificial intelligence (AI) enabled solution which will make tuberculosis (TB) detection faster and more accurate. This solution gains relevance in India and across the world as lives are lost at every stage in the TB cycle largely due to the lack of accurate diagnosis and the dearth of qualified physicians. Currently, India reports the highest incidences of tuberculosis cases in the world, accounting for nearly 27 per cent of the world’s 10 million TB cases.  One of the key challenges in TB diagnosis is the lack of trained clinicians to read chest X-rays. Training more clinicians is a solution that will take years to achieve, in the meantime, health tech start-ups are stepping in. Qure.ai, which deploys deep learning algorithms to detect and highlight abnormalities in medical images like X-rays, MRIs and CT scans, has developed an AI chest X-ray reading solution ‘qXR’  focused on diagnosing TB. This offering is being currently tested at PHCs. “The government has prioritized TB eradication and we hope to partner with them in this goal. Our TB screening solution ‘qXR’ is currently being tested in select healthcare centres before a wider roll-out,” says Dr Prashant Warier, Co-Founder and CEO of Qure.ai. When screening for TB across the country, a mobile unit equipped with an X-ray machine and microbiological testing capabilities are deployed in remote areas, to diagnose TB and provide treatment to the patients. These mobile units can greatly reduce the spread of TB by detecting more TB patients in the early stages of their illness. “This opportunity to detect TB patients is often missed due to a simple reason - there is no-one to read the chest X-ray for TB signs on the spot. The patient disappears after a chest X-ray and many end up not coming back to collect their reports, thus falling out of the TB detection and treatment system,” explains Warier. qXR solves this problem by delivering the AI-powered results of the chest X-ray in real time to the mobile unit or public health centre, thus significantly speeding up the TB screening process. “qXR helps in early identification of probable TB cases, and it helps doctors in fast-tracking TB patients for confirmatory diagnosis” says Dr Shibu Vijayan, Director at PATH India, an NGO that has been working to accelerate TB outcomes in India for years. “It will act as a force multiplier for early and fast detection. Decentralized availability of qXR, along with systems to link for confirmatory diagnostics is crucial to complete the diagnosis cascade”, he adds, referring to the potential for AI systems to provide scalable solutions to India’s long-standing TB challenge. Globally, the number of radiology images is increasing at a substantially higher pace than the number of radiologists who can interpret them. The shortage of radiologists is much more prevalent in developing countries – for instance, India has 1/3rd the number of radiologists when compared with the USA, for a population which is 4 times higher than them.  “Shortage of radiologists in India is huge and hence diagnosis suffers. There are 4.5 radiologists per million in the UK, which becomes 5.6 per million in the rest of Europe. But, in India it is a mere .7 per million,” points out Sundeep Reddivari, General Manager- Telemedicine, Columbia Asia Hospital, Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru. Qure.ai’s intelligent and trained algorithms can help a radiologist, especially in remote areas, to scale up their productivity “three times more” and become more efficient, he adds. So, what powers Qure.ai’s technology? It is based on deep learning algorithms which are trained by showing an algorithm a wide variety of chest X-ray cases, which is in some ways similar to how you would train a radiologist. “We have shown the algorithm 1.5 million X-rays, some normal and others abnormal. And trained them to understand what a tuberculosis-related abnormality would look like,” explains Warier. Qure.ai believes the government is committed to bring down TB incidence rates. “Detecting TB early can dramatically lower the costs associated with TB treatment, and prevent the disease from spreading,” says Warier. This technology is full of potential and when deployed at scale will significantly impact healthcare outcomes in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10938/wockhardt-hospitals-honours-nurses-across-centers-on-international-nurses-day.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10938/wockhardt-hospitals-honours-nurses-across-centers-on-international-nurses-day.html Mon, 14 May 2018 17:00:00 +0530 Nurse, forefront of patient care, plays a key role in all the medical institutions, with continuous nurturing and care for safety and recovery of patients. To appreciate their dedication, contribution and efforts, Wockhardt Hospitals celebrated International Nurses day at all its facilities. Every year, International Nurses Day is celebrated across the world on May 12 as a tribute to Florence Nightingale. The theme for this year’s International Nurses Day chosen by International Council of Nurses (ICN) was “Nurses A Voice to Lead – Health is a Human right”.  Various interactive programmes like theme based slogan competition, Group selfie competition on happy moments, sari draping, fancy hairstyle, cultural activities, cake cutting, etc. were organised at all Wockhardt Hospitals for the nursing staff. To recognise the significant contributions made by nurses, they were rewarded with gold coins. Also, a session on Ergonomics, Stress Management was arranged for the nurses. An active participation from nursing staff was observed during the celebration that took place across all facilities of Wockhardt Hospitals: Vashi, Mira Road, Rajkot, Nagpur, Nashik, and Surat. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10923/indian-embassy-in-kuwait-recognizes-six-agencies-to-recruit-nurses-from-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10923/indian-embassy-in-kuwait-recognizes-six-agencies-to-recruit-nurses-from-india.html Fri, 11 May 2018 17:55:00 +0530 The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had recently unearthed a Rs. 200 crore scam and arrested Varghese Uthup, a Kuwait-based recruiter. Uthup’s Kochi based firm was charging Rs. 19.5 lakh to recruit nurses in Kuwait instead of Rs. 19,500 as service charge. In another incident, an advertisement was circulated on social media sites in the north eastern states of India offering job opportunities for nurses in the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health and the Kuwait Oil Company. The Manipur government had issued a statement that time saying that the advertisement was put up without the involvement of authorized state-run agencies and to dupe prospective nurses in the country, financially or otherwise. The Indian embassy in Kuwait that time had informed that the agency mentioned in the advertisement is not registered under Section 10 of the Emigration Act, 1983 and hence was not authorised to carry out overseas recruitment business as they did not have the valid registration certificate. According to the news reported by Firstpost, the Indian embassy in Kuwait has now recognized six state-run agencies to recruit nurses from India. “In a bid to streamline the recruitment process and keep away the unscrupulous agents who fleece applicants, we have submitted a proposal to the Kuwaiti government. They have accepted it. We are working on the procedures. Soon, the recruitment will be done only through six state-run agencies,” said a senior official at the embassy to Firstpost. The proposal is aimed at stopping private agents from charging exorbitant fees from nurses seeking a job in Gulf countries. Furnishing details of nurses working in Gulf countries as on 19 December 2017, the Indian government said Saudi Arabia was the biggest employer with 3,621 Indian nurses under Emigration Check Required (ECR) category working there, followed by Qatar with 350 nurses and Kuwait with a 118 workers. The six state-run agencies in India authorized for the recruitment of Indian nurses abroad are Norka-Roots Centre and Overseas Development and Employment Promotion Consultants in Thiruvananthapuram, Overseas Manpower Corporation Ltd in Chennaim, UP Financial Corporation in Kanpur, Telangana Overseas Manpower Company in Hyderabad and the Overseas Manpower Company in Vijayawada. Six state-run agencies had been recognised by the Indian government for the recruitment of nurses to 18 ECR countries in 2015.  But despite the Indian government taking several other steps to prevent nurses from being duped by emigration-related fraudsters, including a mandatory ECR requirement, migrant rights activists in India said the number of nurses migrating through unofficial channels and private agencies remain high. Activists say nurses opting to migrate to Kuwait are charged anywhere between Rs 10 and 15 lakh by unauthorised private agencies. While they manage to get the job they were looking for at times, in most cases, they are cheated of their money and denied basic working rights on reaching the Gulf nation. “Once the government plan is put in place, job seekers will have to pay only Rs 30,000 for the recruitment process,” said the embassy official, adding that there are at least 5,000 nursing job opportunities coming up in Kuwait. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10908/tata-trusts-upgrade-8-nagpur-uphcs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10908/tata-trusts-upgrade-8-nagpur-uphcs.html Thu, 10 May 2018 13:15:00 +0530 The Tata Trusts have been providing basic information and communication technology (ITC) tools to eight urban primary health centers (UPHCs) in Nagpur, run by Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC). Tata Trusts had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the NMC on December 6, 2017, for providing infrastructural support to 28 such centers in the city. Accordingly, these eight UPHCs were upgraded with ICT tools, furniture, TV sets, feedback chambers, doctors’ chambers etc. in the first phase. The major centers upgraded included Futala dispensary, Kapil Nagar dispensary, Indora dispensary, and Zingabai Takli dispensary. The TV screens at these centers now keep projecting various facilities under the National Urban Health Mission throughout the day. Each center now has a physician and an obstetrician and gynecologist. At some centers, a pediatrician is also available. In the second phase, the plan to upgrade 10 more centers, while in the third phase another eight will be upgraded. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10907/ai-can-predict-chances-of-getting-a-heart-attack-just-by-scanning-the-retina.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10907/ai-can-predict-chances-of-getting-a-heart-attack-just-by-scanning-the-retina.html Thu, 10 May 2018 12:25:00 +0530 Last year at Google I/O, Sundar Pichai demonstrated the advanced computing powers of Google named Tensor Processing Units (TPU) which now has been working with eye hospitals like Arvind and Shankara in India to help doctors use Deep Learning, a machine learning module to screen Diabetic Retinopathy in a better way.   Turns out, the AI they built can do more than just help in screening the retina, it can predictively detect if the patient is having chances of getting a heart attack or stroke; all this just by scanning the retina.   Data in a patient's record is represented as a timeline for Google’s Deep Learning model to analyse it and predict chances of readmission.   Google has published a paper on how they are predicting medical event by using machine learning to analyse patients Electronic Health Records (EHRs). Google’s AI analyses about 100,000 data points per patient, something humans can’t do, to determine if their health is likely to deteriorate in near future and if they may need readmission. The current level of accuracy in prediction by Google’s AI is better than traditional methods by 10%; the aim is to empower doctors by nearly 48 to 24 hours in advance before a patient falls sick again.   The medical event prediction exercise was done by Google on a retrospective data, and the results are early; but a great start for machine learning and AI to help mankind live better and longer.   Google’s deep learning models are better listeners, their ability to predict chances of medical events stems from their capability to read and crunch large amount of data including diagnosis, medications, and notes created by master diagnosticians who we otherwise call as doctors.   "Google aims to make healthcare better by helping doctors be more efficient and for patients to get better quality of healthcare, what I saw at Google I/O 2018 this is only a beginning of man and machine working together to push the boundaries of humanity", said Sreeraman Thiagarajan, co-founder of Agrahyah Technologies and listed at Google Developers Expert for Marketing. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10898/the-cornell-sathguru-foundation-organizes-first-one-health-india-summit-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10898/the-cornell-sathguru-foundation-organizes-first-one-health-india-summit-.html Wed, 09 May 2018 14:45:00 +0530 The Cornell Sathguru Foundation for Development  recently organized two day ‘One Health India Summit’ to discuss the future of One health and how minor changes in can affect all concerned. The Cornell Sathguru Foundation for Development – Inaugural Summit on One Health, was opened by Dr Eshwar Reddy, DCGI and Dr SR Rao, DBT in Delhi The participants from DCGI, CDSCO, FSSAI, FAO, WHO India Office, NCDC, DBT, Wellcome Trust, CDC India Office, DAHD, Cornell University, TANUVAS. University of Hyderabad, National Institute of Nutrition, CFTRI, KVASU, CAR-NIHSAD, GADVASU, BHU, IVRI, AIIMS. Aurobindo, Globion, Bayer, Cipla, Indian Immunological, ITC, Marico, Nagarjuna Agri Chem, Merck, DSM, Intas were present. Speaking on the occasion, Pushpa Vijayaraghavan, Director – Sathguru Management Consultants, and Summit Chair, said “Interconnections of human health, animal health, food and environment can no longer be ignored and the idea of the “One Health Concept” is in essence, to appreciate the wealth of opportunity that lies in the interface area of this triad, which could be capitalized on, to protect the health of our planet as a whole.” She added “This is especially critical in the context of developing countries such as India where several looming health issues call for an integrated approach with cross-stakeholder engagement.” As the first multi-stakeholder One Health Summit in India, this provided a strong foundation for an India centric discussion and conceptualization of actionable solutions. The summit focused on the following key themes that are identified as critical in the Indian context: Anti-Microbial Resistance AMR is one of the cross-cutting challenges across the human and animal health continuum, with concerns looming at multiple points of the food chain. Pervasive use of antibiotics in humans as well as animals has rendered several strains of microbes (bacteria, viruses) to develop resistance to anti-microbial therapies (antibiotics, antivirals). Zoonosis, Vaccines & Surveillance 60% of all disease causing pathogens are of animal origin and 75% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic in nature. Many zoonotic diseases contribute significantly to global disease burden, including rabies, brucellosis, and avian influenza to name a few. While science has advanced to a level that prophylactic as well as therapeutic options exist for most of these diseases, yet, controlling these zoonotic pathogens at its animal source remain a big broken thread in the continuum. Food Safety Food safety is another integral issue that is at the heart of the One Health Concept, as the food chain inevitably interlinks the worlds of humans, animals and environment. CDC estimates 48 million people get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die from food borne diseases each year in the United States. With burgeoning incidences of food-borne illnesses, there is growing public awareness of food safety, food security and sustainability in food production practices. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10896/ascensia-diabetes-care-launches-smarter-version-of-contourdiabetes-app-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10896/ascensia-diabetes-care-launches-smarter-version-of-contourdiabetes-app-.html Wed, 09 May 2018 11:25:00 +0530 Ascensia Diabetes Care has launched its upgraded version of the CONTOUR®DIABETES app in 24 countries worldwide. This latest version includes the new My Patterns feature, which uses innovative algorithms to more intelligently analyze blood glucose results received from the CONTOUR®NEXT ONE meter, and delivers personalized meaningful feedback to patients. This feedback is designed to help patients improve diabetes self-management and maintain positive lifestyle changes. The upgraded CONTOUR®DIABETES app has recently been launched worldwide including India. This new release is now available in the Apple App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android). The CONTOUR®DIABETES app was first launched in 2016 and is designed to seamlessly connect to the CONTOUR®NEXT ONE meter*. The My Patterns feature on the upgraded CONTOUR®DIABETES app analyzes data received from the meter to identify and notify the user of sub-optimal patterns in their blood glucose readings. Once it has notified the user that a pattern has been identified, the CONTOUR®DIABETES app will prompt users about the possible causes of the pattern and provide guidance to help address it. It allows patients to set reminders or use testing plans to help improve their blood glucose patterns, and will track their progress to see if the pattern improves over time. The latest version of the app includes the ability to recognize 14 different patterns and use 11 different structured testing plans. The app will continue to evolve in the future to include additional patterns and testing plans, as well as adding new features and functionality. My Patterns has been developed using evidence-based behavioral science concepts from the Information, Motivation and Behavioral Skills (IMB) model of health behavior change, pioneered by health psychologists Dr. William Fisher and Dr. Jeffrey Fisher. This well-researched model shows that people with diabetes need actionable information, motivation to act on that information and a set of specific behavioral skills, in order to make changes to improve the self-management of their diabetes. The My Patterns feature of the CONTOUR®DIABETES app is designed to help the user in these three areas and support more effective self-management, enabled by technology. Published study data has shown the CONTOUR®NEXT ONE BGMS to be remarkably accurate, meeting accuracy criteria in both the laboratory and clinical setting.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10895/who-asks-se-asia-to-promote-hand-hygiene.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10895/who-asks-se-asia-to-promote-hand-hygiene.html Tue, 08 May 2018 14:30:00 +0530 The World Health Organization (WHO) has asked the South East Asian Region, including India, to promote the practice of good hand hygiene. The WHO says that this could help prevent sepsis, a potentially life-threatening disease that effects almost 30 million people globally, every year. The WHO’s South Asian Region consists of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Timor-Leste. WHO Regional Director of South East Asia, Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, said that promoting hand hygiene is the most cost-effective way of enhancing safety and quality of healthcare. The organization has suggested a 5 step method to promoting hand hygiene. This five-step formula requires health workers to wash their hands using an alcohol-based product for 20-30 seconds, or soap and water for 40-60 seconds, before touching a patient, before clean or aseptic procedures, after exposure to bodily fluids, after touching a patient, and after touching patient's surroundings. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10943/aiims-performs-surgery-using-3d-printed-medical-implant.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10943/aiims-performs-surgery-using-3d-printed-medical-implant.html Tue, 08 May 2018 13:10:00 +0530 Doctors at AIIMS-Delhi have successfully performed a hip joint replacement surgery using a 3D printed medical implant. A multi-disciplinary team of doctors, including orthopaedic and vascular surgeons and critical care specialists, replaced the right hip joint of 40-year-old Amit Bahnot using 3D printing technology in an eight-hour-long surgery on April 25. “It was a complicated surgery because his pelvic bone was badly damaged,” said Dr Rajesh Malhotra, professor and head of orthopaedic department, reports Hindustan Times. “I had full faith in the doctors,” said Amit Bahnot, the patient. The team included critical care specialists, professor Anjan Trikha and Dr Manpreet Kaur, and professor of surgery, Dr Biplab Mishra. “The patient lost a lot of blood during surgery and we had to transfuse about 15 units of blood and blood products. He was in the intensive care unit for three days post surgery,” said Prof Trikha. The planning for the surgery took close to five months. Doctors worked out the dimensions for the implant through a CT scan and fed into a computer to create the perfect fit implant. “First we modelled the defect and then modelled the implant. We kept fine tuning it and after six-seven attempts we finally got what was perfect for him,” Dr Malhotra said. “Very few centres around the world use 3D printing technology for creating hip joint implants. We tried it because the patient had no other choice because of a botched up surgery in which a significant portion of his pelvic bone was removed,” he said, adding that off-the-shelf implants would not have fit him. Perfect fit also increases the longevity of the implant as wear and tear is lesser. Normally, an implant can last up to 15 years. Implants created through 3D printing are essentially the same as normal implants, only a better fit. The implant cost Rs 2 lakh but it would have cost around Rs 20 lakh abroad. “Like robotics, 3-D modelling is the future of medical landscape,” said Dr Malhotra.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10887/atelerix-ltd-and-lv-prasad-eye-institute-unites-to-treat-corneal-blindness.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10887/atelerix-ltd-and-lv-prasad-eye-institute-unites-to-treat-corneal-blindness.html Mon, 07 May 2018 16:00:00 +0530 Atelerix a UK-based start-up company that has developed a method for transporting human cells at room temperature by encapsulating them in an alginate gel has collaborated with The LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI). Atelerix is a spin-out from Newcastle University in the UK, is commercialising the transformative technology for the storage and transport of viable cells, including stem cells, for a wide range of uses in human healthcare. It overcomes the problems presented by the current need for cryo-shipping as it is simple, cell-friendly and user-friendly, and offers immediate access to cell therapies. The LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) is the largest eye care network in India. It is a not-for-profit, comprehensive eye care institution committed to delivering high-quality treatment and care for patients, embracing all socio-economic backgrounds. At present, however, they can only treat patients in Hyderabad where the clinic is physically situated close to the eye bank from which they isolate the cells and culture the cells in their cGMP facility. As things stand, the shelf life of those isolated cells is 6-8 hours making it impossible to transport the cells to their other regional centres across India or to their multiple smaller centres that would otherwise carry out the procedure. The companies have agreed outline commercial terms for the treatment, once it is approved by the regulatory authorities, and a successful launch made, it could result in the restoration of sight for thousands of people. From the purely commercial perspective, this collaborative venture could generate up to £2-3M per year for the UK-based company, depending on the successful uptake of the treatment across Asia, and lead to the creation of up to 10 new jobs at its laboratories in the north-east of England.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10872/who-to-fast-track-efforts-to-eliminate-rabies.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10872/who-to-fast-track-efforts-to-eliminate-rabies.html Fri, 04 May 2018 10:45:00 +0530 The World Health Organization (WHO) recently called upon Member States and partners to accelerate efforts to end rabies which causes 59 000 agonizing and painful deaths globally every year, one person every nine minute, mostly children and the poor.Eight of the 11 Member countries of WHO South-East Asia Region account for nearly 26 000 rabies deaths, 45 per cent of the global rabies toll, as over 1.5 million people in the Region remain at risk of rabies.“Human rabies is caused mostly by dogs and can be eliminated by increasing awareness about the disease, vaccinating dogs and most importantly by making the already available life-saving rabies vaccines, medicines, tools and technologies affordable and available to all. We can, and must break the disease cycle and save lives,” Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia, told the global meeting ‘Driving progress towards rabies elimination’ here.At the meeting, the global rabies partners comprising of WHO, OIE, FAO and UNICEF and rabies endemic countries from Asia-Pacific and Africa, shared and deliberated on measures to fast-track elimination of dog transmitted rabies by 2030.Countries from Africa and Asia, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Kenya, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Vietnam, who have assessed access, delivery and distribution of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis, shared outcomes of their studies. These studies were conducted with WHO support to enable GAVI take an informed decision to support rabies vaccines. The rabies endemic countries are seeking GAVI support to improve affordability and access to rabies vaccines for vulnerable populations, of which many are children.WHO has been advocating for a shift from intramuscular to intradermal rabies vaccination, which is not only 60 to 80 per cent cheaper, but is of shorter treatment regimen of just one week. Most countries in WHO South-East Asia Region are now using intradermal route for anti-rabies vaccines.At the meeting, Member countries shared initiatives being rolled out as part of the new ‘Zero by 30: The Strategic Plan’, to be launched by WHO and partners to end dog transmitted rabies. The plan centers on One Health approach and addresses the disease in a holistic and cross-sectoral manner.  It aims at preventing and responding to dog-transmitted rabies by improving awareness and education, reducing human rabies risk through expanded dog vaccinations, and improving access to healthcare, medicines and vaccines for populations at risk. The plan calls for generating and measuring impact by implementing proven effective guidelines for rabies control, and encouraging the use of innovative surveillance technologies to monitor progress towards “Zero by 30”.  It also aims at continued stakeholder engagement at all levels to sustain financing for achieving “Zero by 30”.Investing in rabies control and elimination improves equity and access to healthcare and contributes to sustainable development. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10868/who-to-accelerate-efforts-to-address-air-pollution.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10868/who-to-accelerate-efforts-to-address-air-pollution.html Thu, 03 May 2018 11:00:00 +0530 The World Health Organization (WHO) recently called upon Member countries in its South-East Asia Region to aggressively address the double burden of household and ambient air pollution. The Region accounts for 34% or 2.4 million of the 7 million premature deaths caused by household and ambient air pollution together globally every year. Of the 3.8 million deaths caused by household air pollution globally, the Region accounts for 1.5 million or 40% deaths, and of the 4.2 million global deaths due to ambient (outdoor) air pollution, 1.3 million or 30% are reported from the Region, as per the latest WHO report.  “Though there is progress in the Region as most countries have national action plans for prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, which incorporate measures to address household air pollution, and more and more cities are now measuring air quality,  we need to do much more, and with an urgent and aggressive approach,” said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of deaths globally and in the Region, and air pollution contributes significantly to NCDs such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and lung cancer.  Cleaning up the air we breathe will help prevent NCDs, particularly among women and vulnerable groups such as children, those already ill and the elderly. Dr Khetrapal Singh drew attention to the example of India’s Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Scheme under which, in the last two years 37 million women living below the poverty line were provided free LPG connections to support them to switch to clean household energy use. The country targets to reach 80 million households by 2020.The availability of clean household energy affects us all and our families and is a key to sustainable development.  All countries in the Region are making efforts to expand availability of clean fuels and technologies, however, over 60% population do not have clean fuel.The combined effects of household air pollution and ambient air pollution become increasingly hard to address if not tackled early.  The majority of countries in the Region are at early stages of accelerated urbanization and rapid industrialization. Hence, air pollution needs to be brought under control with urgent and effective action at the earliest to stand the best chance to prevent the situation from worsening as development proceeds.A range of solutions exist. Governments need to invest in effective urban planning with energy-efficient housing and power generation; build safe and affordable public transport systems; improve industry and municipal waste management; eliminate emissions from coal and biomass energy systems; properly manage agricultural waste, forest fires and agro-forestry activities such as charcoal production; and support the transition to exclusive use of clean household energy for cooking, heating and lighting.Individuals should also contribute by valuing the environment and adopting behavioral changes such as using public transport or ‘soot-free’ vehicles; using clean, low-or no-emission stoves and fuels for cooking; using clean household energies and technologies; and reducing and disposing of household waste in an environmentally sound manner. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10863/iit-roorkee-students-develop-an-app-to-detect-the-risk-of-heart-failure.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10863/iit-roorkee-students-develop-an-app-to-detect-the-risk-of-heart-failure.html Wed, 02 May 2018 13:50:00 +0530 Scientists from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee have developed a mobile app that can remotely monitor patients at risk of heart failure and provide them with medical assistance. Developed by its Computational Biology group, the app can automatically send notifications to both the doctor and the patient, in case of any drastic changes in patient’s data indicating possibility of imminent heart failure. Led by Dr. Deepak Sharma, assistant professor, Department of Biotechnology, the app named “Dhadkan” is developed in collaboration with Sandeep Seth and Gopichandran form All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. It will be of tremendous benefit to the country as around 10 million patients are at a risk of heart failure. Dr. Sharma in a press statement said “Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee has developed a mobile app that can remotely monitor patients at risk of heart failure and provide them with medical assistance.” "Dhadkan app will be of immense help to patients who live in distant areas and cannot come at regular intervals to tertiary care hospitals," he further added. Somesh Chaturvedi (B Tech Biotechnology 4th year student) and Shreya Srivastava (PhD Biotechnology 1st year student) have developed and designed the app in such a way that it can easily be used by rural people as well. The app is freely available on Google Play Store for the use of doctors and patients and will be used for conducting a randomized control trial on 100 heart failure patients at AIIMS to validate its utility and to suggest any new/useful feature(s) that can be incorporated. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10856/fitbit-google-partner-for-smarter-fitness-bands.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10856/fitbit-google-partner-for-smarter-fitness-bands.html Tue, 01 May 2018 21:20:00 +0530 Fitbit has announced a historic partnership with Google which will enable it to get deeply involved in the healthcare industry. The fitness tracker has announced that it would use Google's recently announced heath data standard for apps, Cloud Healthcare API, to connect its fitness tracking devices to the electronic medical record (EMR) systems used by the healthcare professionals. This would provide the doctors a more comprehensive view of the patients health and help in early detection of medical conditions. The two companies will also look to help better manage chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension using Fitbit's recently acquired Twine Health. Apart from this, Fitbit also announced that it would move to Googles cloud data storage platform, majority of which, including services like Google Cloud IoT Core, are already certified as Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) compliant. This would enable Fitbit to develop more advanced healthcare devices without developing a platform compliant with HIPPA. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10852/astrazeneca-fights-asthma-through-its-healthy-lung-initiative.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10852/astrazeneca-fights-asthma-through-its-healthy-lung-initiative.html Tue, 01 May 2018 13:30:00 +0530 This World Asthma Day, AstraZeneca partnered with Bengaluru Traffic Police to increase awareness on asthma and educate traffic personnel on ways to keep their lungs healthy amidst growing levels of pollution in the city. One in four traffic policemen have reported that they have experienced respiratory problems, making this an issue of great concern amongst this population group. AstraZeneca distributed over 500 anti-pollution masks to traffic control officers with the aim to reduce their risk of asthma and other chronic respiratory conditions. Asthma is a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways in the lungs. Symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath and chest tightness. The biggest triggers include outdoor allergens, irritants in the air such as smoke, chemical fumes and strong odors, pollen from grass, trees and weeds. Dr. Anilda Dsouza, Head – Medical Affairs, AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited said, “This World Asthma Day, AstraZeneca would like to recognize and appreciate the efforts of the Bengaluru traffic department by supporting the health needs of our city’s unsung fighters. Asthma is a major cause of chronic morbidity and early interventions can help in better outcomes.”  AstraZeneca’s asthma education and awareness session was conducted by Dr. Padma Sundaram, Consultant Pulmonologist, Manipal Hospital, Bangalore. The day-long programme was held at the Bengaluru City Traffic Police Headquarters at Infantry Road and saw participation in large numbers by city traffic policemen. AstraZeneca’s respiratory team will follow this up by providing “Simple healthy breathing cards” with tips on how to manage city pollution and ensure lung health. Also, these will be distributed to traffic policemen across the country during the month of May (Asthma Awareness Month). The program was conducted by AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited under the “Healthy Lung” initiative, a program designed to increase asthma awareness and the need for more urgent and early action against the disease. The initiative urges policymakers and other stakeholders in the health system to support measures that can improve asthma diagnosis, ensure referral to specialists as needed, and expand access to newer treatment for better patient outcomes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10850/lucknow-govt-plans-to-construct-1000-hospitals-in-ppp-mode.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10850/lucknow-govt-plans-to-construct-1000-hospitals-in-ppp-mode.html Mon, 30 Apr 2018 11:50:00 +0530 The state government is aiming to construct around 1,000 hospitals in the state in public private partnership mode to provide good healthcare facilities to people. Health minister Sidharth Nath Singh said that leading consulting firm Ernst&Young has been asked to prepare details of the project, an extension of central government’s Ayushman Bharat scheme. “We have almost identified two community health centres in each district. Their land, about 3 acres each, will be given on a long-term lease to private company which will construct a 100-bed hospital, along with an operation theatre and diagnostic centre. The government will reimburse them for OPD while the National Health Protection Scheme will cover the in-patient department,” Singh said.  “I have already held discussions with some wellknown hospitals in Delhi and in south India and am expecting the project to take off by November this year,” he added. The minister said that he will move a proposal in the cabinet to set a basic minimum module (BMM) for filling posts of doctors in district hospitals. “There is a rule for the same at present which is not being followed. Transfers of doctors are taking place erratically. Once the cabinet clears BMM, it will become mandatory for establishment of certain posts in all hospitals. For example, there will be posts for ENT, paediatrician, gynaecologist, orthopaedic, etc. Unless all these posts are filled, no arbitrary transfers from this hospital will be permitted,” he said. Singh added that in case there is a shortfall of doctors, posts will be filled on contract basis. “We will issue a tender to hire doctors on contract.” he said.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10848/bike-ambulance-equipped-with-oxygen-cylinder-launched-in-mumbai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10848/bike-ambulance-equipped-with-oxygen-cylinder-launched-in-mumbai.html Mon, 30 Apr 2018 11:00:00 +0530 Lodha Foundation, Mumbai has introduced Bike ambulance services, equipped with a first-aid kit and oxygen cylinder in Mumbai to deal with medical emergencies amid heavy traffic. A Mumbai-based charitable trust launched the free bike ambulance service for swift movement through traffic in case of an emergency. The foundation backed by a local lawmaker has come up with the idea of a bike ambulance service, which will carry patients to hospitals free of cost in order to make them cover long distances in short period of time during the golden hour.  The service is unique in its approach as sometimes four-wheeler ambulances get stuck in traffic.  A politician and founder of the charitable trust, Mangal Prabhat Lodha said that the ambulance was capable of entering narrow lanes and it had all the facilities that a normal ambulance have including, medical kit, stretcher and oxygen cylinder, along with the provision of a space for doctors to sit at the back. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10845/mes-introduces-smartphone-app-for-sperm-test-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10845/mes-introduces-smartphone-app-for-sperm-test-in-india.html Fri, 27 Apr 2018 17:50:00 +0530 Medical Electronic Systems (MES), a Los Angeles based technology company specializing in rapid Automated Semen Analysis, has announced the launch of YO® Home Sperm Test in India, a first-of-its kind video-based smartphone platform that is FDA-cleared to measure Motile Sperm Concentration (the number of moving sperm) which is a critical factor in determining male fertility. With 97% accuracy, YO® provides consumers the ability to both view and measure the number of motile (moving) sperm in their sample on their phone and from the comfort of their home and make male fertility testing an easy process.  In order to address the problem of delayed male testing and to eliminate the stressful public nature of male sperm analysis, the YO® Home Sperm Test kit was developed by Medical Electronic Systems. Plans are already in place by MES for YO to individually track your sperm results over time and give you a YO SCORE result. This can help to assess the success of lifestyle changes made to improve your sperm quality. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10830/medicare-seeks-hospitals-to-post-prices-online.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10830/medicare-seeks-hospitals-to-post-prices-online.html Wed, 25 Apr 2018 12:25:00 +0530 Medicare said, it will require hospitals to post their standard prices online and make electronic medical records more readily available to patients. The program is also starting a comprehensive review of how it will pay for costly new forms of immunotherapy to battle cancer. Seema Verma, head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said the new requirement for online prices reflects the Trump administration's ongoing efforts to encourage patients to become better-educated decision makers in their own care. Hospitals are required to disclose prices publicly, but the latest change would put that information online in machine-readable format that can be easily processed by computers. It may still prove to be confusing to consumers, since standard rates are like list prices and don't reflect what insurers and government programs pay. Most insurance plans nowadays have an annual limit on how much patients must pay in copays and deductibles although traditional Medicare does not. Likewise, many health care providers already make computerized records available to patients, but starting in 2021 Medicare would base part of a hospital's payments on how good a job they do. Using electronic medical records remains a cumbersome task, and the Trump administration has invited technology companies to design secure apps that would let patients access their records from all their providers instead of having to go to different portals. Verma also announced Medicare is starting a comprehensive review of how it will pay for a costly new form of immunotherapy called CAR-T. It's gene therapy that turbocharges a patient's own immune system cells to attack cancer. "It's a new area for the agency," said Verma. "We haven't seen drugs priced at this level and we have to think about our strategy." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10826/india-highly-affected-by-antimicrobial-resistance.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10826/india-highly-affected-by-antimicrobial-resistance.html Tue, 24 Apr 2018 17:20:00 +0530 India is amongst the world’s largest consumers of antibiotics for human health. A recent white paper by Aetna International titled ‘Antibiotic resistance: Toward better stewardship of a precious medical resource’ highlights the need for immediate action to contain the situation. Multiple factors, such as high burden of disease, poor public health infrastructure, rising incomes and the unregulated sale of cheap antibiotics have amplified the crisis of antibiotics resistance in India. Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is causing around 7 Lakh deaths worldwide and the death toll may reach 1 crore per annum by 2050. A 12-country survey by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2015 demonstrates that at least 75 percent of respondents from four countries including India reported taking an antibiotic within the last six months, compared with just 35 percent of those from Barbados. As per a Lancet report, resistant infections are more expensive to treat and patients infected with resistant strains of bacteria are more likely to require longer hospitalisation. In the US alone, over 2million people suffer from illness due to drug resistant bacteria every year. This costs the United States an additional Rs.1,30,000 Crores (20 billion US dollars) in healthcare spends. In BRICS countries, antibiotic consumption is expected to increase by 99%. Agricultural consumption of antibiotics, which is primarily used to promote growth and not treat disease in animals, was estimated at 63,151 tons in 2010 and is expected to rise by two-thirds by 2030. Research shows that 75-90% of antibiotics given to animals pass through to the environment. This promotes drug resistant bacteria that infect humans and animals. A partial solution to the problem of antibiotic usage in agriculture would be to reduce people’s reliance on meat as a source of nutrition. The UK-based Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics advocates that going meat-free for one day a week can improve your health and the environment. Addressing the growing concerns around the Antibiotic Resistance worldwide, one of the contributors to the whitepaper, Dr. Prashant Kr Dash, Chief Medical Officer, vHealth by Aetna said, “The majority of Indians think antibiotics can cure illnesses such as common cold and gastroenteritis, which is a wrong perception. The majority of these infections are caused by viruses and antibiotics have no role in their treatment. This problem of inappropriate antibiotic use is compounded by their easy availability at pharmacies. In many cases, patients experience unwanted serious side effects of antibiotics like an allergic reaction, diarrhea, vomiting, kidney failure, changes in blood sugar levels and toxic effects on the heart and liver. This persuaded us to collate this study which will create awareness on the issue and draw attention to the alarming health crisis being faced globally.” On Aetna International’s plan to combat antibiotic resistance in India, Mr. Manasije Mishra, Managing Director, India Health Organisation & Aetna India said, “Antibiotic resistance is a crisis that effects everyone globally.  We need to address this issue now with a global, multifaceted strategic solution. In India, with our vHealth by Aetna teleconsultation service, Aetna is taking a three-stage approach that emphasizes antimicrobial stewardship in clinical training audit medical consultations, the identification incorrect antibiotic usage in patients and offers counseling on appropriate usage, dosage, duration and rationale of using antibiotics. By these means, we are initiating steps to help combat the growing threat of AMR in the country.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10813/who-south-east-asia-emphasizes-on-life-saving-vaccines.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10813/who-south-east-asia-emphasizes-on-life-saving-vaccines.html Fri, 20 Apr 2018 18:10:00 +0530 It is imperative that every child, adolescent and pregnant woman in the WHO South-East Asia Region receives the life-saving benefits vaccines provide. Whether to maintain the Region’s polio-free status and protect against the resurgence of maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT); to achieve the Region-wide quest to eliminate measles; or to control ongoing challenges such as rubella, diphtheria, hepatitis B or human papillomavirus, immunization is the most cost-effective way to protect individuals, communities and countries against a range of life-threatening and disabling diseases.  But to leverage vaccines’ full, life-saving potential, every child, adolescent and pregnant woman must be reached and the highest possible coverage attained. To that end, Region-wide progress has been substantial. At present, seven Member countries’ routine immunization programmes have achieved more than 90% coverage with three doses of the basic diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine. Almost half have achieved 95% coverage of both doses of measles-containing vaccine. These are significant achievements. Region-wide, each Member country should ensure all vaccines reach at least 90% of the population at all times. Doing so will save countless lives, achieve herd immunity against vaccine-preventable diseases, and ensure newly introduced vaccines have optimal impact. There are several ways to achieve this target. First, each Member country should make immunization a national priority and secure sustained, high-level political commitment to strengthening national immunization programmes. Second, individuals and communities should be given the means to fully comprehend the value of vaccines and appreciate that immunization is both their right and responsibility. Third, sustainable financing models should be developed to support national immunization programmes, leveraging partnerships at the national, regional and global levels. And fourth, Member countries should increase their research capacity, with particular focus on increasing coverage and equity and evaluating the effectiveness of different delivery, supply and communication strategies.  Alongside routine immunization strengthening, supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) play an important role. Over the past 14 months alone, 113 million children received the measles and rubella vaccine as part of mass campaigns in Bangladesh, India and Indonesia. Those vaccines will have life-changing impact for each one of those children. SIAs carried out in Indonesia in 2015 and 2016 were meanwhile critical to protecting hundreds of thousands of women and neonates from MNT and achieving national (and regional) elimination of the problem.   In acknowledging the value of SIAs, Member countries must take full advantage of them to strengthen routine immunization programmes and help build the infrastructure needed to achieve at least 90% routine coverage. Doing so will not only provide life-saving protection to millions of children, adolescents and pregnant women, but will also help achieve universal health coverage – a key Sustainable Development Goal.  As World Immunization Week begins, obtaining society-wide buy-in to that outcome is crucial. Immunization is, after all, a political and social compact – one between citizen and state; individual and community. Being protected together means honoring that compact and reaching every child, adolescent and pregnant woman in the South-East Asia Region with the life-saving benefits vaccines provide.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10812/path-mologic-collaborate-for-g6pd-diagnostic-test.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10812/path-mologic-collaborate-for-g6pd-diagnostic-test.html Fri, 20 Apr 2018 15:40:00 +0530 Non-profit organisation PATH (Programme for Appropriate Technology in Health) has signed an agreement with UK-based diagnostics firm Mologic to accelerate the development of a new rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. The test is intended to expand the existing diagnostic options required to help in treating malarial infection, as well as eliminating its causative organism, Plasmodium vivax. Vivax is difficult to eliminate as it can be dormant in the liver and re-emerge, leading to disease relapse. It can also become contagious through mosquitoes. The partners are focusing on a qualitative point-of-care test for G6PD deficiency in order to support the necessary use of the primaquine drugs. The Mologic RDT is optimised for use in environmental conditions that are typical to malaria-endemic countries, meaning it can be employed at community level, where the disease is common. Furthermore, results delivered by this simple and affordable test can be easily interpreted by users. The first product variant is set to be marketed next year, with PATH supporting commercialisation and key regulatory approval activities being carried out by Mologic. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10805/radiant-to-submit-its-bid-for-fortis-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10805/radiant-to-submit-its-bid-for-fortis-.html Thu, 19 Apr 2018 12:10:00 +0530 Radiant Hospitals which raised $200 million from private equity firm KKR last year has been looking for hospital assets with minimum 500 beds to acquire and expand its operations.  Radiant is looking to submit its bid for Fortis on Thursday, a week after Abhay Soi Managing Director of private equity firm KKR backed Radiant Hospitals. The group will bid for the assets of Fortis Healthcare. Radiant will now bid to infuse cash in Fortis by offering to buy few assets housed under Singapore based RHT Trust. The development comes after Fortis received new bids from Hong Kong based Fosun Group, Burman and Munjal trust and Malaysia based IHH. "Radiant will make an offer to infuse cash around Rs 500 crore in Fortis and buy few hospital assets", said a source closely involved in the deal who did not wish to be quoted. Radiant is expected to submit its bid next week. Radiant Hospitals which raised $200 million from private equity firm KKR last year has been looking for hospital assets with minimum 500 beds to acquire and expand its operations. Currently in possession with two hospitals in Delhi and Mumbai, Radiant says it wants to expand in metro cities. The race for Fortis assets has become a thrilling suspense with everyday new frontrunners emerging to buy the assets of the trouble group. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10804/modi-govt-to-create-1-5-lakh-wellness-centres-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10804/modi-govt-to-create-1-5-lakh-wellness-centres-in-india.html Thu, 19 Apr 2018 11:25:00 +0530 Prime Minister Narendra Modi in London gave emphasis on initiatives to improve India's healthcare sector, said that the government has plans to open around 1.5 lakh wellness centres across the country. "We have taken a holistic approach towards healthcare in India. We want to create wellness centres which will be technologically driven," said Modi during an interactive session of the 'Bharat Ki Baat, Sabke Saath' diaspora event in Central Hall in Westminster when he was asked about 'Modicare' by a British resident.  During his address, Modi listed three priorities - "children must be educated, youth must have jobs and the elderly must have access to medicines". "We want to bear the cost of medical expenditure of almost 10 crore population by providing Rs 5 lakh yearly to the families, be it an individual or the whole family," he added. Modi also stated that the government is working towards improving the healthcare sector and there is a lot scope for establishing both wellness centres and private institutes. "We have also reduced the cost of medicines in India, medical treatments can now be avail in much lower cost and will introduce medical shops which will provide medicines in lower price," he said. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10802/new-app-to-have-major-impact-on-tackling-diabetes-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10802/new-app-to-have-major-impact-on-tackling-diabetes-in-india.html Thu, 19 Apr 2018 10:10:00 +0530 An innovative mobile device-based health app to enable people in India to access essential diabetes care has been launched by The George Institute for Global Health, India. The ‘IMPACT Diabetes’ program was unveiled at an event in New Delhi recently attended by high profile guests including Harinder Sidhu, Australian High Commissioner, Gladys Berejiklian, Premier of NSW in Australia, and Professor O.P Kalra, the Vice Chancellor of the Pandit B.D. Sharma Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak. Professor Vivekanand Jha, Executive Director of The George Institute for Global Health, India, said, “Around 50 million people in India have type 2 diabetes and that number is growing every year. IMPACT Diabetes will help people living in rural areas to access timely, affordable and guideline-based healthcare in the community, reduce the risk of developing life-threatening complications and ultimately save lives.” “Digital technology coupled with using the experience and knowledge of local health workers. This is innovation at its best.” Part of The George Institute’s ‘SMARThealth’ program, the IMPACT Diabetes program will train female community health workers, known as ASHAs, in the use of a smartphone app.  They will then screen people in the communities, identify those with diabetes or at high risk of the disease, offer them lifestyle and diet advice, refer them to a doctor for drug treatment, and follow up on their adherence to treatment and control. The ‘SMARThealth’ program began in Australia in 2013 with a NSW Health-funded trial to pilot an electronic decision support tool for improving chronic care for Aboriginal people. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, who officially launched the IMPACT Diabetes program said, “In rural India alone, more than 25 million people have diabetes and the number is rising rapidly. Providing access to affordable, evidence-based and quality-controlled healthcare is a real game changer for these communities and I am so pleased to see our technology helping save lives across the world.” “This is a NSW-India partnership that is going global and benefiting people who would otherwise miss out on the kind of lifesaving healthcare that we in NSW take for granted,” Ms Berejiklian said. The SMARThealth program has now grown to multiple locations in India, Indonesia and Thailand to provide screening and care for patients with hypertension, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, mental health problems and now, diabetes.   Professor David Peiris, Director of Health Systems Science at the George Institute, Australia, said, “The program’s success will provide lessons to other countries struggling with the rising cost of providing essential healthcare to their citizens. This is a great example of how you can expand the role of community health workers with digital technology and help address the growing burden on chronic disease, not just in India, but globally.” A demonstration of the smartphone app by ASHA workers was shown at the event, followed by an interaction with community health workers where they shared their experiences and how it has enhanced their self-esteem and brought social recognition. Prof O. P. Kalra, Vice-Chancellor, Pt. B. D. Sharma Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak, said, “We are very happy to be a part of this program that is currently looking at the expanded role of community health workers in primary health care delivery. Given the growing NCD burden and shortage of rural healthcare work force, this is a step in the right direction. The learnings from these projects can inform the Government in coming up with the appropriate policy response.” Patients undergoing the screening will have their case history taken, undergo sugar level and blood pressure testing, and have their weight and height measurements recorded to calculate their risk score for diabetes. Those at high risk of, or with a diagnosis of diabetes, will then be followed up with referrals to physicians, lifestyle tips to modify diet and exercise and further visits by ASHAs to ensure their condition is being properly managed. The event was also attended by staff from Pandit B.D. Sharma Institute of Medical Sciences, including Dr Varun Arora and Dr Pradeep Khanna, project investigators; Dr Anita and Anoop, project staff as well as beneficiaries of the SMARThealth programs. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10793/dmu-to-lead-mental-health-project-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10793/dmu-to-lead-mental-health-project-in-india.html Wed, 18 Apr 2018 10:05:00 +0530 De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) will lead a project to explore the mental health of internal migrants in India after being awarded a grant of nearly £200,000. The project is funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC), Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF). DMU Professor of Mental Health Raghu Raghavan will lead the project as principal investigator and will be supported by other DMU academics as well as partners from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences in Mumbai, the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in Bengaluru, the Institute of Health Management in Pachod and Pune’s Swatantra theatre group. Over two years, investigators will work with internal migrants living in Pune’s slum communities to examine their mental resilience in the face of adversity. This is the first time that DMU has been awarded a grant by the prestigious Global Challenges Research Fund, which supports cutting-edge research that addresses the challenges faced by developing countries. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10789/lack-of-proper-treatment-likely-to-severely-affect-haemophilics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10789/lack-of-proper-treatment-likely-to-severely-affect-haemophilics.html Tue, 17 Apr 2018 16:55:00 +0530 On the occasion of World Haemophilia Day, the Haemophilia Day Care Centre (HDCC) of Delhi Government at Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) and Lok Nayak Hospital (LNH) jointly conducted a one-day patient awareness program-‘Haem Utsav, e-learning to empower Haemophilia care in India’, supported by Novo Nordisk, India. A drawing and painting competition was also conducted for the participants followed by a stage program. The awareness camp was attended by around 500 people with haemophilia, their caregivers and families. These programs are instrumental in creating more awareness about haemophilia management and treatment.  Globally India is amongst the top ten countries of people living with haemophilia A with around 18,000 reported cases. By the age of 25 years, 79% of people with Haemophilia are likely to become severely disabled if proper treatment is not provided. In the past, HDCC of Delhi Government has won a global award for introducing yoga sutra in Haemophilia, taken up advocacy and capacity building programs, launched skill-based training programs and a self-infusion program and created self-help groups for Haemophilia. Dr. Kirti Bhushan, Director of Health Services, Government of Delhi inaugurated the awareness program. Also present at the program were Dr. S. Ramji, Dean, Maulana Azad Medical College, Dr. J.C. Passey MD, Lok Nayak Hospital, and Mrs. Elen Back, Vice Principal, ABCON, Lok Nayak Hospital and Mrs S. Vats, Nursing Superintendent, Lok Nayak Hospital. The program commenced with an address by Dr. Naresh Gupta, Central Network Coordinator for Haemophilia Care and Haemophilia Society, Delhi and a release on self- infusion brochure along with a haemophilia card for patients. An updated Haemophilia India website (www.haemophilaindia.com) was also launched for e-learning. Supporting the initiative, Melvin D’souza, Managing Director, Novo Nordisk India said: “There is a huge cost burden on the families with haemophilia patients. This burden can be significantly reduced if the right treatment is initiated to these patients at the right time.” Haemophilia is a hereditary disorder of blood coagulation due to decreased levels or a complete lack of clotting factors which results in profuse bleeding into joints, muscles or internal organs, either spontaneously or as a result of accidental or surgical trauma. The number of bleeding episodes may vary depending on the severity of the condition that is based on the level of residual clotting factors present in blood. By regular replacement therapy with clotting factors, the number of bleeding episodes can be reduced to the maximum possible extent. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10788/liver-diseases-high-among-people-below-40.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10788/liver-diseases-high-among-people-below-40.html Tue, 17 Apr 2018 16:45:00 +0530 The incidence of liver diseases is rising in India, especially among the younger age group and the urban poor, due to increasing alcohol abuse, a lifestyle lacking in exercise, and consumption of unhealthy high-fat food. However, liver diseases are still largely restricted to men, said doctors of Vikram Hospital, Bengaluru, on the eve of the World Liver Day. “Liver diseases are currently among the top 10 causes of death in India, a situation that is going to get worse in the coming years,” said Dr. C Vikram Belliappa, Consultant Surgical Gastroenterologist, Vikram Hospital Bengaluru. “According to the WHO, about 10 lakh people are diagnosed with liver cirrhosis every year in India. The average age of liver disease patients is 40-45 years, but now much younger patients are also getting affected due to alcoholism, high fat diet and a lifestyle lacking in exercise. Urban poor are the most hit, though males have a much higher incidence of liver diseases than females.” Added Dr. Dheeraj Karanth C, Medical Gastroenterologist, Vikram Hospital, Bengaluru: “The cure for severe liver diseases is a liver transplant. New approaches such as stem cell therapy is also being researched. Fatigue, jaundice, itching and loss of appetite are some early symptoms of liver diseases, though symptoms usually don’t appear till the disease is well advanced, so early diagnosis is crucial.  Prevention is much better than cure. People should maintain a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and low-fat diet. It is also important to take alcohol only in moderation, get Hepatitis B vaccination, and follow safe sex practices.” In a significant initiative, as many as 32 doctors out of the total 70 working at the Vikram Hospital Bengaluru pledged to donate their organs, including the liver, to help save lives. They also vowed to create awareness about the increasing incidence of liver diseases in the society. Said Dr. Somesh Mittal, CEO, Vikram Hospital, Bengaluru: “It is heartening to see over 30 doctors at our hospital pledge to donate their organs, including their liver, to help give a new lease of life to desperate patients waiting for years for an organ transplant. By practicing what they preach, they have set an example to the rest of the society.” Dr. C Vikram Belliappa, Consultant Surgical Gastroenterologist, Vikram Hospital, Bengaluru, offers the following tips to prevent liver diseases: Ø  Adopt healthy lifestyle and have a balanced diet Ø  Eat a diet which is low in fat, derived from all food groups: grains, proteins, dairy products, fruits, vegetables and fats. Include green leafy vegetables, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, carrot, apple and walnut in your diet Ø  Ensure safe blood transfusions to avoid contracting Hepatitis A, B and C. Regular immunisation of Hepatitis B is important Ø  Say no to alcohol, tobacco and drugs Ø  Follow safe sexual habits Ø  Exercise regularly ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10785/elcia-partners-with-innov4sight-health-to-launch-gift-hope.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10785/elcia-partners-with-innov4sight-health-to-launch-gift-hope.html Tue, 17 Apr 2018 10:40:00 +0530 Multi-award winning Reproductive Health & Infertility Care Startup - Innov4Sight (I4S) has collaborated with Electronics City Industries Association (ELCIA) to conduct an intensive 3 month-long awareness programme on reproductive health titled ‘Gift Hope’, in & around Electronics City, Bengaluru from 23 April 2018. The reproductive health campaign is intended to help over 30,000 working professionals in & around Electronic City. Gift Hope will bring abundant joy to personal life as well as help them in professional growth. As part of its commitment to social responsibility, I4S is also offering to help economically poor people with free care through this programme. “The global average success rate in Assisted Reproduction Techniques (ART) such as IVF, IUI & ICSI among others is about 24% and the highest in the world is seen in Japan at 35%. India is estimated to have a success rate in fertility care outcome of below 20%. India has over 3 Crore infertile couple in the reproductive age group. Japan is already facing negative population growth. Over 20 countries globally are rapidly moving towards negative population growth. About 18 countries globally are spending billions of dollars ind addressing infertility as a public health issue ranging from Singapore, Japan, Israel, UK to more recently India”, shares Balachander Agoramurthy, Co-founder & CTO of I4S, a Bengaluru and Singapore-registered company founded in 2014. The series of workshops that will start on the 23rd Apr 2018 will be for the Employee Relations, Health & Women Welfare personnel of about 159+ member companies of ELCIA. During these workshops the attendees will get to understand the benefits that the programme will offer their employees both professionally & personally. Geetha Sanjay, Co-founder & Chief Scientific Officer of the Company claims that the companies will benefit with reduced absenteeism, increased workplace productivity and also help companies with higher retention. One of the largest employers from electronic city has already agreed to assist and support the program through reach to its 9000+ employees. Gift Hope will commence with a series of awareness workshops for the Companies and its Employees. It will be followed by Assessment, Tele-Counseling & Tele-Consultation, Screening using Home-based Diagnostics or Self Diagnostic Kits, Personalized Therapeutics & Integrated Care. Considering that 98 out of 100 childless couple don't come forward to seek assistance this program will help in maintaining privacy and anonymity for the 1000s of working professionals through the journey to have a complete family. Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre (BBC) where the Company is incubated will also serve as a host to the workshops and medical camps during the program. Some of the Clinical Partners of Gift Hope includes Garbhagudi, Altius Hospital, Mathruthva and Apollo CM Fertility. More details on Gift Hope will soon be available at www.gifthope.in & www.elcia.in. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10768/first-laser-bilateral-renal-stone-removal-surgery-at-fortis-davangere.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10768/first-laser-bilateral-renal-stone-removal-surgery-at-fortis-davangere.html Fri, 13 Apr 2018 11:20:00 +0530 The recently launched advanced clinic for Urology in Davangere, Karnataka by Fortis Hospitals Bengaluru has successfully performed a laser surgery for large stone in both kidneys. The clinic was launched with an objective to provide accessibility to patients who otherwise have to travel to Bengaluru for all kinds of kidney problems. The surgery which is the first of its kind in Davangere was led by Dr Mohan Keshavamurthy, Director- Urology, Uro oncology, Andrology, Transplant & Robotic surgery, Dr Shakir Tabrez, Consultant, Urology, Uro oncology, Transplant & Robotic Surgery and Dr Allamprabhu, Consultant, Urology ,Uro oncology,Transplant & Robotic Surgery, Davangere conducted a 45 min laser surgery that helped the patient recover in the shortest time. Renal stone disease happens to be one of the major causes of chronic kidney disease. Kidney stones are formed when the solid waste particles are not properly filtered and the urine is not dissolving them. These solid particles tend to crystallize and eventually develop as stones. If the size of the stone formed is small it can pass without causing symptoms. If it is greater than 5mm it will cause blockage of the ureter resulting in severe pain in the lower back or abdomen.  In this patient’s case, the stone was of 20mm. Lasers are more effective in dealing with renal stones that have become stuck in the ureter than conventional treatment as it helps in better breaking and clearance of stone. This is a faster surgical procedure as compared to conventional ones, and helps in early recovery of the patient. Dr Mohan Keshavamurthy, Director- Urology, Uro oncology, Andrology,Transplant & Robotic  surgery said, “Unlike conventional method of kidney stone removal, the usage of laser is easier, safer and blood loss is minimal. In this case, we had to perform bilateral renal stone removal, thus usage of laser was more convenient and preferable. We perform renal stone surgery using laser commonly at Fortis Hospitals, Bengaluru, and this case was the first of its kind at Davanagere.” Dr Shakir Tabrez, Consultant Urology, Uro oncology, Andrology,Transplant & Robotic  surgery, said, “Renal stone surgery is a very common procedure and can be undoubtedly very painful. Getting them operated with regular methods take time to cure and slow down recovery. With the use of laser, the risks involved are minor and patient recovers quickly. The whole procedure is risk-free and takes just 10 minutes to 1 hour depending on the size and the position of the stone. In this case, the surgery took 45 minutes and the patient was discharged on the first day”   In line with this, the patient, Revan Siddeshwara said, “I am glad that Fortis Hospitals has started their urology facility at Davangere. The new clinic helped me get access to quality treatment at my native place without travelling to bigger cities like Bengaluru. I was suffering from kidney stone from a long time, doctor recommended me to go for laser surgery as it would less painful and faster recovery. I would like to thank the team of doctors for successful surgery and recovery. Bilateral renal stone is one of its kind and has so far given best results in patients. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10762/gujarat-govt-to-re-hire-retired-doctors-for-upto-three-years.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10762/gujarat-govt-to-re-hire-retired-doctors-for-upto-three-years.html Thu, 12 Apr 2018 12:25:00 +0530 Deputy CM Nitin Patel announced that the state government has decided to re-appoint doctors after retirement for up to three more years on pay minus pension formula. At present, doctors retire at the age of 62. The minister said that the reappointment will be on the formula of pay (at the time of retirement) minus pension. Such doctors would have to keep their residences at the place of re-appointment. In case of death during re-appointment period, family member will get no special benefits. The minister said that this arrangement won’t affect promotions. The re-appointed docs would be relieved of duties if a regular doctor becomes available. The retiring doctors would be appointed for 12 months initially. However, they would not be eligible for receiving pension, bonus, leave encashment, and other benefits, the government clarified. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10761/aster-dm-to-expand-in-tn-for-healthcare-services.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10761/aster-dm-to-expand-in-tn-for-healthcare-services.html Thu, 12 Apr 2018 11:50:00 +0530 Aster DM Healthcare, a leading healthcare service provider in India and in GCC with presence in 9 countries, has entered into an agreement with Subramanya Constructions & Development Company Limited (SCDC), to construct a new hospital in Chennai. This 500 bedded, multi-specialty hospital is expected to be commissioned in 2020. The total project cost of the hospital is estimated at Rs 400 crore. Aster DM Healthcare operates 11 hospitals in South India with 4037 installed beds. Commenting on the expansion into the Chennai healthcare market, founder chairman and managing director of Aster DM Healthcare, Azad Moopen said, “Looking at the demand supply gap, there is a requirement for more hospitals in India in general and in Chennai in particular. With our presence in Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra and Maharashtra, we believe that our presence in Tamil Nadu would benefit patients in the country. We also see India as a key market for Aster DM Healthcare in future.” Aster DM Healthcare is present in the Middle East, India and the Philippines with a large number of health facilities including 20 hospitals and 98 clinics. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10760/first-ai-device-for-diabetic-retinopathy-gets-usfda-approval-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10760/first-ai-device-for-diabetic-retinopathy-gets-usfda-approval-.html Thu, 12 Apr 2018 11:30:00 +0530 The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permitted the marketing of the first medical device to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to detect greater than a mild level of the eye disease diabetic retinopathy in adults who have diabetes.  Diabetic retinopathy, the most common cause of vision loss for people living with diabetes, occurs when high levels of blood sugar lead to damage in the blood vessels of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue in the back of the eye, Xinhua reported.  The device, called IDx-DR, is a software programme that uses an AI algorithm to analyse images of the eye taken with a retinal camera called the Topcon NW400, according to FDA. A doctor uploads the digital images of the patient's retinas to a Cloud server on which IDx-DR software is installed. If the images are of sufficient quality, the software provides the doctor with one of two results, either "more than mild diabetic retinopathy detected: refer to an eye care professional" or "negative for more than mild diabetic retinopathy: re-screen in 12 months." IDx-DR is the first device authorised for marketing that provides a screening decision without the need for a clinician to also interpret the image or results, which makes it usable by health care providers who may not normally be involved in eye care. The FDA evaluated data from a clinical study of retinal images obtained from 900 patients with diabetes at 10 primary care sites. In the study, IDx-DR was able to correctly identify the presence of more than mild diabetic retinopathy 87.4 per cent of the time and was able to correctly identify those patients who did not have more than mild diabetic retinopathy 89.5 per cent of the time. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10750/medanta-organises-4th-international-liver-symposium-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10750/medanta-organises-4th-international-liver-symposium-.html Tue, 10 Apr 2018 13:50:00 +0530 Medanta Institute of Liver Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine organised the 4th International Liver Symposium (ILS) at The Leela Ambience, Gurugram.  The event saw participation from experts from across the world, representing the frontiers of knowledge from22 countries. Experts shared perspectives and new learnings on Hepatology, Liver Surgery and Transplantation, deliberating on practice and direction of liver diseases and transplantation.  The three-day symposium based on the theme of "Debates in Liver Diseases and Transplantation" offered  a unique academic platform comprising the world’s leading experts and key opinion leaders like Dr. Patrizia Burra (Associate Professor of Gastroenterology, MD, University Hospital of Padova-Italy), Dr. David GRANT MD, FRCSC (Professor of Surgery at the University of Toronto), Prof Anil Dhawan MD FRCPCH (Kings College Hospital, London, UK) and  Prof Nigel Heaton (Head of Liver Transplantation at King’s College Hospital NHSFT)  30% of the Indian adult population has fatty liver. Liver cancer is the second largest cancer killer in India. Cutting-edge treatment options and surgeries specific to these issues were presented in the symposium. Other than lifestyle changes, liver experts discussed the encouraging preliminary results with a new class of drugs - the FXR agonists - that can now reverse fatty liver. The group of experts additionally deliberated on alternative approaches to managing and treating Hepatitis, Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), Acute-on-chronic Liver Failure (ACLF), Alcoholic Liver Disease, Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), Hepatic Surgery and Critical Care in adults and children along with renowned experts from Institute of Liver Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Medanta – The Medicity, including Dr. AS Soin (Chairman and Chief Surgeon), Dr Neelam Mohan (Director, Pediatric Liver Transplant), Dr. S Saigal (Director, Hepatology) and Dr N Saraf (Director, Hepatology). Speaking on the occasion, Dr AS Soin said, “The  international Liver Symposium is a convergence of the leading minds, techniques, and innovations for Gastroenterologists, Hepatologists, Liver Surgeons, Anaesthetists, Intensivists, Paediatricians, Interventional Radiologists and Researchers, globally. The incidence of liver disease has risen and liver medicine and surgery have seen phenomenal rise over the last decade. At the Medanta Liver Transplant Institute, we run the world’s second largest living donor liver transplant program, performing more than 250 transplants annually.” “Our team has an experience of almost 2800 liver transplants. ILS reflects our commitment to the currency of knowledge and harnessing it to deliver the best globally benchmarked treatments”, he added ILS is a biennial feature. The 2nd ILS was held in 2013 with the theme of "Controversies in Liver Disease and Transplantation", followed by the 3rd ILS in 2016 with the theme "Current standard of care and beyond". The world’s leading experts and key opinion leaders have been a part of the ILS over the years, to discuss and debate the key management dilemmas in everyday practice of adult and pediatric Hepatology, Liver Surgery, Transplantation, Pediatric Transplantation and Transplant anesthesia, to elaborate current therapeutic guidelines (and beyond) in important areas.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10748/experts-come-together-to-raise-awareness-about-thyroid-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10748/experts-come-together-to-raise-awareness-about-thyroid-cancer.html Tue, 10 Apr 2018 13:00:00 +0530 In order to create awareness about thyroid cancer, BCPBF - The Cancer Foundation held a symposium on “Best Practices Treatment of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer in India – THYCAN 2018” in collaboration with the specialist doctors of Indraprastha Apollo Hospital.  While the general understanding about cancer and its treatment has increased manifold, people still have a lot of misconceptions about various forms of cancer and their treatment processes. While cancer might have afflicted a larger section of population in last few decades, the treatment process too has evolved and the number of cancer-survivors have also increased manifold. The program was held at Hotel Pullman, Aerocity, New Delhi with participation of eminent surgical and medical oncologists, head and neck surgeons, nuclear medicine experts and endocrinologists from all over the country. Dr. Sameer Kaul, Senior Surgical Oncologist and Robotics, Apollo Cancer Institute, New Delhi said, “In case of thyroid cancer especially, there is very little awareness in the country. Like all other types of cancers, we can control fatality from thyroid cancer too by making people aware of its symptoms and through early diagnosis.” According to Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the incidence of thyroid cancer in India amongst all cancers is only 0.1% to 0.2% in the country. “Even then thyroid cancer is considered as a curable form of cancer following right prognosis and treatment,” added Dr Kaul. Speaking about the treatment procedures and early diagnosis of cancer, Dr. Kaul said, “Today it is easy to predict the causes of various types of cancers including thyroid cancer. Early diagnosis is the key to successful treatment and survival.” Some of the methods of early diagnosis and self-care methods explained by him included, family history – which increases the risk significantly, over exposure to radiation – such as exposure to radiation for medical purpose in childhood, hepatitis – C and late pregnancy. The treatment of thyroid cancer includes surgery of the thyroid gland, where doctors remove the malignant part of the thyroid and other infected organs. Radioactive Iodine and Thyroid Hormone treatments are also undertaken in case of requirement, following the surgery to ensure a complete cure from the disease.  He also stressed upon creating a wider understanding about cancer in the society and its curability. “Every year around three million people are diagnosed with cancer in India and out of that more than five lakh people die. The number of cancer-survivors is also increasing but we have a long way to go and in order to overcome this disease we must have a better    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10742/international-liver-symposium-on-liver-diseases-and-transplantation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10742/international-liver-symposium-on-liver-diseases-and-transplantation.html Mon, 09 Apr 2018 15:55:00 +0530 In continuation of its commitment to bringing world-class healthcare to all, the Medanta Institute of Liver Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine organised the 4th International Liver Symposium (ILS) at The Leela Ambience, Gurugram. The event saw participation from experts from across the world, representing the frontiers of knowledge from 22 countries. Experts shared perspectives and new learnings on Hepatology, Liver Surgery and Transplantation, deliberating on practice and direction of liver diseases and transplantation. The three-day symposium based on the theme of "Debates in Liver Diseases and Transplantation" offered a unique academic platform comprising the world’s leading experts and key opinion leaders like Dr. Patrizia Burra (Associate Professor of Gastroenterology, MD, PhD, University Hospital of Padova-Italy), Dr. David GRANT MD, FRCSC (Professor of Surgery at the University of Toronto), Prof Anil Dhawan MD FRCPCH (Kings College Hospital, London, UK) and  Prof Nigel Heaton (Head of Liver Transplantation at King’s College Hospital NHSFT) along with renowned experts from Institute of Liver Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Medanta – The Medicity, including Dr. AS Soin (Chairman and Chief Surgeon), Dr Neelam Mohan (Director, Pediatric Liver Transplant), Dr. S Saigal (Director, Hepatology) and Dr N Saraf (Director, Hepatology).  30% of the Indian adult population has fatty liver. Liver cancer is the second largest cancer killer in India. Cutting-edge treatment options and surgeries specific to these issues were presented in the symposium. Other than lifestyle changes, liver experts discussed the encouraging preliminary results with a new class of drugs - the FXR agonists - that can now reverse fatty liver. Results with new drug Lenvatinib for advanced liver cancer were also presented. Dr. AS Soin elaborated on Medanta’s globally acknowledged protocol, which now enables successful cure of advanced stage 4 liver cancer by combining cyberknife and TARE, followed by transplant. He also spoke about the role of machine learning algorithms and artificial intelligence in donor–recipient matching, and outcome after liver transplantation. The group of experts additionally deliberated on alternative approaches to managing and treating Hepatitis, Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), Acute-on-chronic Liver Failure (ACLF), Alcoholic Liver Disease, Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), Hepatic Surgery and Critical Care in adults and children. Speaking on the occasion, Dr AS Soin said, “The International Liver Symposium is a convergence of the leading minds, techniques, and innovations for Gastroenterologists, Hepatologists, Liver Surgeons, Anaesthetists, Intensivists, Paediatricians, Interventional Radiologists and Researchers, globally. The incidence of liver disease has risen and liver medicine and surgery have seen phenomenal rise over the last decade. At the Medanta Liver Transplant Institute, we run the world’s second largest living donor liver transplant program, performing more than 250 transplants annually. Our team has an experience of almost 2800 liver transplants. ILS reflects our commitment to the currency of knowledge and harnessing it to deliver the best globally benchmarked treatments”.  An important highlight of the symposium was a cultural program in which people who had undergone liver transplant 10-15 years ago, expressed gratitude to their donors through an emotional, musical medley. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10734/aapi-announces-health-partnerships-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10734/aapi-announces-health-partnerships-in-india.html Fri, 06 Apr 2018 14:50:00 +0530 The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) has announced the launch of a new partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to end tuberculosis (TB) in India.   Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on April 2 in New Delhi and announced today in Mumbai, AAPI and USAID will work together to utilize the 100,000-strong network of physicians of Indian-origin living in the United States to support health programs in India, engage AAPI’s network of private charitable clinics for TB awareness, detection and treatment, and explore opportunities for collaborations between U.S. and Indian medical schools to exchange cutting-edge health care solutions. Home to more than one-fourth of the global TB burden, India has more TB and multidrug-resistant TB cases than any country in the world. A further one million Indian citizens, including 170,000 children, are estimated to be undiagnosed and untreated. At the Delhi End-TB Summit, inaugurated on March 13, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had emphasized the need for a multi-sectoral approach including the private sector and announced a national plan to eliminate TB by 2025, five years ahead of the World Health Organization’s stated global 2030 goal. Speaking about the USAID-AAPI collaboration, Dr. Naresh Parikh, President at AAPI 2018-19, said: “Elimination of Tuberculosis has been a matter of national concern for many years now. Through our partnership with USAID, we aim to bring American technical expertise to help strengthen India's fight against TB. Also, we intend to bring in leading subject matter experts, introduce global best practices and cutting-edge business solutions that will complement and grow existing USAID programs in India.” Mr. Xerses Sidhwa, Director of Health at USAID/India, added: "We have been supporting the TB program of the Government of India for two decades now. Along with extending technical expertise, USAID has invested $140 million to strengthen the capacity of national, state, and district-level TB programs across India. With our collaboration with AAPI, we aim to strengthen the early detection and treatment of TB, with a focus on drug-resistant strains; continue our assistance to the government to plan and implement evidence-based interventions to reach a TB-Free India, and improve patient-centered TB services." Drawing attention towards the importance of educating and empowering women to take ownership of the health and hygiene of themselves and their families, Mrs. Amruta Fadnavis, wife of Chief Minister of Maharashtra, and AAPI also launched “The Women Empowerment” campaign that will focus on raising healthcare awareness among women in the country. Dr. Raj Bhayani, Co-Chair, AAPI GHS emphasized, “Improving the healthcare services in India through its various initiatives, AAPI envisions to share the best from leading experts from around the world to collaborate on clinical challenges, research and development, philanthropy, policy and standards formulation, and clinical tracks that are of vital to healthcare in India.” “Taking up the challenge and assisting with the launch and implementation of Ayushman Bharat  program, AAPI is making this the focus of its signature CEO forum”, said Mr. Anwar Feroz Siddiqi Chief Strategy Adviser, AAPI. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10733/world-health-day-focuses-on-universal-health-coverage.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10733/world-health-day-focuses-on-universal-health-coverage.html Fri, 06 Apr 2018 14:35:00 +0530 The theme of this year’s World Health Day is Universal Health Coverage: everyone, everywhere. A regional consultation organised to mark the World Health Day 2018 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Ramaiah Medical College made a strong call for ensuring universal health coverage (UHC). The event was graced by Mr Ajay Seth, Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of Karnataka, who stressed upon the importance of working together with all stakeholders to progress towards UHC in the state. The event focused on deliberating on the various facets of UHC and the way forward in the country, sharing perspectives from the government, experts, non-government organisations, medical colleges, civil service organisations and the private sector. On the occasion of the World Health Day 2018, Dr Poonam Khatrapal singh, Regional Director, WHO- South East Asia Region, has stated that the promise of UHC is bold- that all people can access quality health services, when and where they need them, without suffering financial hardships. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10725/aleafia-initiates-battle-against-opioid-crisis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10725/aleafia-initiates-battle-against-opioid-crisis.html Thu, 05 Apr 2018 12:25:00 +0530 Aleafia Health Inc. announced that it has launched a new opiate replacement program across its 23 Aleafia/Canabo clinic network. As the opioid health-crisis continues across North America, Aleafia believes that its new initiative puts it ahead of the curve in the battle against this life-destroying epidemic. In light of new studies released by the American Medical Association that suggest cannabis may play a role in reducing some patients' need for opioids, Aleafia's opiate-replacement program is designed to: Increase the pace of Aleafia's previously announced 1,000-patient study on the use of medical cannabis to reduce opioid addiction, Conduct extensive outreach to local and regional patients and physicians announcing Aleafia/Canabo program to substitute opioids with medical cannabis, and Boost clinic education initiatives about the potential positive outcomes of replacing opioids with medical cannabis within Aleafia's patient-focused, physician-led and research-based environment. "From the very beginning, our goal at Aleafia was to provide evidence-based support for patients and their caregivers by introducing an effective alternative to the dangerous opioid option," added Aleafia's Executive Chairman, the Honourable Julian Fantino. "Today, we are ably positioned to make a meaningful difference with a large team of cannabinoid medicine experts, an established, cross-country clinic infrastructure, a much-sought-after, lucrative observational database, and an ambitious plan to grow our knowledge into more targeted, effective strains of medical cannabis for our patients." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10718/hgs-acquires-axispoint-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10718/hgs-acquires-axispoint-health.html Wed, 04 Apr 2018 11:20:00 +0530 Hinduja Global Solutions Limited (HGS) has announced that its subsidiary, HGS Population Health LLC, USA, has acquired CMH Services Subsidiary LLC, USA, operating under the trade name of AxisPoint Health, a leading population health management company. "The acquisition of AxisPoint Health adds a strategic capability to our healthcare portfolio by strengthening our presence in the clinical services segment, and specifically in the population health management space. Combined with our existing services, we see a huge opportunity to cross-sell solutions to the payer industry," said Partha DeSarkar, Chief Executive Officer, HGS. Ramesh Gopalan, President – Global Healthcare and Head of India Business, HGS said, "The population health management segment is an attractive market, with healthcare payers looking to simplify and personalize the care experience while reducing costs and improving health outcomes. HGS already has a significant presence in the US healthcare market, and we see a lot of synergies with AxisPoint Health's portfolio of services." HGS' acquisition of, and new investment in, AxisPoint Health's services will allow the latter to further strengthen its offerings. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10712/donors-pledge-over-15m-to-who-for-emergencies.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10712/donors-pledge-over-15m-to-who-for-emergencies.html Tue, 03 Apr 2018 14:05:00 +0530 Donors have pledged an additional $15.3 million to support quick action by the World Health Organization (WHO) to tackle disease outbreaks and humanitarian health crises through its emergency response fund in 2018, the Contingency Fund for Emergencies (CFE). Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, the Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland announced contributions ranging from $20,000 to $5.6 million at a conference hosted at WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland recently – increasing CFE funding levels to $23 million. This will enable the rapid financing of health response operations in the coming months filling that critical gap between the moment the need for an emergency response is identified and the point at which funds from other sources can be released. WHO will seek to secure further donor commitments to achieve its $100 million funding target for the 2018/2019 biennium. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10702/andhra-pradesh-to-adopt-blockchain-technology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10702/andhra-pradesh-to-adopt-blockchain-technology.html Sat, 31 Mar 2018 19:05:00 +0530 Andhra Pradesh government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with German firm Shivom to use the latter's blockchain-based global DNA ecosystem to enable predictive medicine for state's citizens. Andhra Pradesh which is India's eighth largest state with a population of over 60 million has also selected blockchain technology primarily to maintain the privacy of citizens DNA data. Shivom will also establish a development centre at Fintech Valley Vizag and also work closely with the Government of Andhra Pradesh’s International Institute of Digital Technologies (IIDT) at Tirupati on cybersecurity and analytics. This significant partnership demonstrates a monumental shift in focussing not just on genomic data for research but instead using the predictive power of the genetic data to empower the Andhra Pradesh healthcare system to shift from reactive to more preventative. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10700/apollo-pharmacy-opens-3000th-outlet.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10700/apollo-pharmacy-opens-3000th-outlet.html Fri, 30 Mar 2018 21:25:00 +0530 Apollo Pharmacy, a part of Apollo Hospitals Enterprise, India’s largest integrated healthcare player today commissioned its 3000thretail unit at Seevaram, Thuraipakkam. Apollo Pharmacy was started in 1987 with the single-minded goal of ensuring consumers were protected from spurious drugs and had round-the-clock access to genuine life-saving and OTC drugs. It is today India’s largest retail pharmacy chain with a presence in 18 states across India covering over 400 cities and dispenses over 3.5 Lakh prescriptions per day. Chairman & Founder Dr. Prathap C. Reddy’s message on this occasion, “I am very pleased that the movement against spurious drugs that we started in 1987 with a single store has today blossomed into a countrywide presence.  Apollo Pharmacy has always upheld Apollo’s patient first philosophy and consumers can depend on us to always safeguard them when it matters most. We greatly value the trust that has been placed in us and as clinicians we appreciate the role pharmaceuticals play in the healthcare value chain.”  Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Shobana Kamineni, Joint Vice-Chairman Apollo Hospitals said, “Apollo Pharmacy is not just Asia’s first and largest branded pharmacy network, but it has pioneered value-added services like free home delivery, refill reminder programs and community health camps. She added that this milestone had been possible because of the trust customers have reposed in Apollo pharmacy and the commitment and hard work of its 19,000 dedicated employees who serve 3,50,000 customers per day in over 400 cities and towns in 18 states. Apollo pharmacy has conceptualized new format stores with a focus on providing the latest therapies against NCD’s cognizant of the huge burden it places on public health and the nation’s economy. In the days to come Apollo pharmacy is looking to introduce several programs for chronic care and preventive care. This year, Apollo Pharmacy also introduced Holland & Barrett, UK’s leading wellness products part of its commitment towards strengthening Health & Wellness in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10697/google-tata-trusts-unite-to-investigate-cancer-care-options.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10697/google-tata-trusts-unite-to-investigate-cancer-care-options.html Fri, 30 Mar 2018 11:45:00 +0530 Tata Trusts and search engine Google are exploring options to use the tech giant’s latest solutions to access primary health and cancer care for the poor in India. Tata Trusts chairman Ratan Tata met Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin along with chief executive Sundar Pichai at their headquarters in California to discuss the future collaboration. Pichai led his senior colleagues to give Tata an overview of how their latest technology developments can impact society. Among the topics discussed included trends in machine learning and increasing access to the Internet in India. In cancer care, Tata Trusts’ objectives include early detection and prevention to bring about a significant improvement in survival outcomes and decrease in health expenditure. Tata Trusts is partnering with state governments to set up cancer hospitals so that patients, particularly the economically challenged, do not have to travel to the handful existing ones, suffering unbearable expenses. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10695/philips-introduces-advanced-tele-ultrasound-solution.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10695/philips-introduces-advanced-tele-ultrasound-solution.html Fri, 30 Mar 2018 09:40:00 +0530 Philips has unveiled a new and advanced tele-ultrasound solution designed to provide real-time connection between clinicians across the world through two-way audio-visual calls with live ultrasound streaming. The compatible, integrated tool is built on Philips’ Lumify portable ultrasound system and backed by Reacts collaborative platform from Canada-based Innovative Imaging Technologies (IIT). Reacts platform comprises interactive tools such as augmented reality designed to meet the demands of various healthcare professionals and patients. Apart from virtual guidance, the solution can be used to teach and train medical students and by emergency medical personnel, disaster relief providers and hospitals with satellite clinics. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10694/apollo-hospitals-partners-with-royal-college-of-radiologists.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10694/apollo-hospitals-partners-with-royal-college-of-radiologists.html Fri, 30 Mar 2018 09:35:00 +0530 The Apollo Hospitals Group announced its collaboration with the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR), UK to help address the shortage of skilled radiologists in the NHS and the Indian health system. Through the partnership, Apollo Radiology International (ARI), a specialty division of the Group, will provide opportunities to Indian radiologists to work for fixed terms in the UK. These jobs will help in providing experience and exposure to contemporary clinical developments in the field of radiology. The partnership envisages to help address the shortage of skilled radiologists in the UK NHS system. As part of the collaboration, eligible Indian radiologists will work and train in the NHS partner hospitals for a three year period. The jobs will involve providing a general radiology service to the UK hospital and at the same time getting subspecialty training in their area of interest. At the end of the three year period the Radiologists will come back to India and exercise their enhanced skills for the benefit of Indian patients and improve the quality and delivery of health services.   The leadership of the Royal College of Radiologists and Health Education England (HEE), which provides national leadership and coordination for the education and training for the health workforce in the UK, agreed the collaboration with the Apollo Group during their visit to India. Speaking on the collaboration, Ms. Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “We are delighted to have partnered with the Royal College of Radiologists and Health Education England to enhance multifold the availability of trained radiologists in the NHS and Indian health system. The need rapidly to up-skill and train radiologists is of immense importance, given the need for the specialty in the prevention and management of diseases, quaternary care and surgical interventions. This partnership builds on the legacy of collaboration between Apollo and the NHS, and we are confident that this engagement will help address the critical shortage of a skilled radiology workforce in India and the UK.” Dr. Nicola Strickland, President of the Royal College of Radiologists said, “This partnership will ensure that Indian radiologists get an opportunity to enhance their skills through exposure to the NHS system. Not only will this be beneficial to help address the shortages in the NHS, it will also strengthen the Indian health delivery system, when these trained radiologists return to work in India after their three year engagement. We look forward to strengthening this partnership in the years ahead.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10690/tpg-manipal-buys-fortis-healthcare-chain.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10690/tpg-manipal-buys-fortis-healthcare-chain.html Thu, 29 Mar 2018 15:55:00 +0530 The Fortis Healthcare board has approved the transaction in which its healthcare division will be merged with Manipal Hospitals. Apart from it, it will also sell a majority stake in its SRL Diagnostics to the same group. Following this transaction, Ranjan Pai will become the largest investor with a 37.9% stake and TPG will follow with 20%. The promoters of Fortis Healthcare, Malvinder Singh and Shivinder Singh will have a 0.3% stake, down from about 0.8%. Each Fortis Healthcare shareholder will get shares in Manipal Hospitals in the ratio of 10.83 for every 100 held.  The Singh brothers welcomed the move, reports The Economic Times. “The demerger of Fortis’ hospital business into Manipal Hospitals, promoted by Dr Ranjan Pai and backed by TPG, will unlock significant value for all stakeholders and will further accelerate and expand access to high quality healthcare services in India,” they said in a release. “We are happy and confident that the combination will be value accretive for all stakeholders.”  In the second part of the transaction, Manipal Hospital will buy a 50.9% stake in SRL Diagnostics from Fortis Healthcare and other private equity investors at a total equity valuation of Rs 3,600 crore. This includes Manipal Hospitals buying a 20% stake from Fortis Healthcare and an additional 30.9% stake from private equity investors.  As part of the transaction, Pai and TPG will invest Rs 3,900 crore in Manipal Hospitals. The funds will be used to finance the acquisition of the SRL stake. In addition, it will support the proposed acquisition of hospital assets owned by the Singapore-listed RHT Health Trust and the growth of the hospitals and diagnostics businesses.  The Fortis brand will also be transferred to the merged company, said a person familiar with the deal. Manipal Hospitals will be a publicly traded company and Fortis Healthcare will be an investment holding company. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10677/to-deal-stress-and-emotional-fatigue-aiims-to-open-wellness-clinic-for-doctors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10677/to-deal-stress-and-emotional-fatigue-aiims-to-open-wellness-clinic-for-doctors.html Wed, 28 Mar 2018 12:10:00 +0530 The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi  has decided to open a wellness clinic for its medical students and doctors. It will have a team of psychologists and vocational counsellors who will help the medical professionals deal with stress and emotional exhaustion. AIIMS sees at least one suicide/attempt every year. “To address the larger issue of dissatisfaction or stress among students and residents, which drives them to suicide, the institute has decided to open a wellness clinic. In-principle approval has been given for it,” Dr Aarti Vij, chief spokesperson of AIIMS. She added that plan was to have at least two psychologists and a vocational counsellor to begin with and, then, expand the team further. “We will also institute a 24X7 helpline for medical students and doctors. It will be run by the psychologists and counsellors only,” Vij added. “Many students coming from rural areas have problems coping with the academic burden. Some of them need guidance. Senior residents often face problems due to long working hours and lack of hostel facilities. Some of them live in cramped rooms. These issues must be addressed too,” Dr Vijay Kumar, a senior resident at AIIMS, said. Encouraging doctors to talk about their problems, improving the work environment and addressing issues like poor doctor-patient ratio and lack of resources could help, said experts.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10652/metropolis-to-expand-with-800-centres-and-10-labs-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10652/metropolis-to-expand-with-800-centres-and-10-labs-.html Mon, 26 Mar 2018 12:45:00 +0530 Metropolis Healthcare Limited operates a chain of diagnostic centers and hospital laboratories in India, the United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Kenya, Mauritius, and Ghana. The company is planning to add 800 collection centres and around 10 laboratories by the end of next fiscal, said Ameera Shah, Metropolis Healthcare Promoter and Managing Director. The company currently has 150 labs with 1,800 collection centres and processes over 4,500 varieties of tests. As part of the company's growth strategy, it would expand its geographical presence in North and Eastern parts of the country while growing depth in South and West, she added. During the last year, the company has set up labs in Ludhiana, Khanna, Ghaziabad, Dhanbad. We have also added labs in Kolkata, Patna and Delhi, she added. About the southern and western regions of the country, Shah said: "We are very clear leaders in West and South. Here we have to build much more depth. We are going deeper and nearer to the patients." "In Africa we will keep growing, we are looking to enter one or more countries there." Shah said on expansion of company. The interest is now on building dominance and market leadership in the places that the company is present, she added. Shah said: "Expansion will be done through internal accruals. We are also planning to invest around Rs 60 crore over the next two to three years in technology." The company had entered a public-private partnership three months ago with National Aids Control Organisation (NACO) for a three-year project to organise collection of blood and testing for HIV at 560 locations across India. Metropolis Healthcare conducts more than 30 million tests a year catering to over 20,000 laboratories, hospitals, nursing homes and 2 lakh consultants. It offers comprehensive testing in the areas of genetics biochemistry, molecular oncology, anatomic pathology, microbiology, haematology, immunochemistry, among others.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10643/jj-launches-unique-mobile-training-centre.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10643/jj-launches-unique-mobile-training-centre.html Thu, 22 Mar 2018 21:55:00 +0530 Johnson & Johnson Medical India has announced the launch of its state-of-the-art Johnson & Johnson Institute on Wheels.  This is a unique mobile training centre designed to build the surgical skills of doctors, nurses, and para medical staff to address the demands of today’s health care delivery system and provide better outcomes to patients of India. Aligned with the Government of India’s ‘Skill India’ mission, the mobile surgical training center was inaugurated by Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Hon’ble Minister of Science & Technology, Government of India who was welcomed by Mr. Sushobhan Dasgupta, Managing Director, Johnson & Johnson Medical India & Vice President, J&J Orthopaedics, AsPac at an event held in New Delhi. With only 6 doctors and 13 nurses per every 10,000 people, the demand for well-trained healthcare workers in India far surpasses the current supply especially as the country’s health challenges move from acute, communicable diseases to non-communicable chronic diseases. This is where continued education for healthcare professionals plays a crucial role in training and helping them acquire knowledge on advanced technologies and techniques. This unique mobile training centre will combine comprehensive educational programs to harness the size, reach, technological resources and rich healthcare experience of Johnson & Johnson to enhance human health in India. It will travel to various medical colleges and teaching hospitals across the country to train budding & practicing surgeons and para medical staff on specialities including general surgery, laparoscopic surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, cardio thoracic surgery, orthopaedic procedures, neurology, gynecology, colorectal, head and neck, pediatric, urology, infection prevention and OT management. Hands on training using latest technologies will be provided by faculty members comprising of experienced doctors and surgeons. “At Johnson & Johnson Medical India, we are committed to supporting the government’s ‘Skill India’ program through the delivery of educational programs to healthcare professionals for improving the standards of care in this country”, said Mr. Sushobhan Dasgupta, Managing Director, Johnson & Johnson Medical India and Vice President, J&J Orthopaedics, AsPac. “With the launch of the Johnson & Johnson Institute on Wheels, we hope to train 25,000 surgeons across 400 towns in the next five years”. In the last 25 years, Johnson & Johnson has trained over 250,000 healthcare practitioners including doctors, nurses, and healthcare technicians across various specialties in India through the company’s three Johnson & Johnson Institutes located in Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai. The honorary faculty members attached to these institutes are thought leaders from various surgical and medical specialties across the country. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10635/zoylo-records-highest-reach-in-indias-digital-healthcare-services.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10635/zoylo-records-highest-reach-in-indias-digital-healthcare-services.html Thu, 22 Mar 2018 11:10:00 +0530 As tech-enabled healthcare is revolutionizing care, Hyderabad-based digital consumer healthcare company, ZOYLO marked a major milestone to record the highest geography network coverage of doctors and diagnostic labs, spreading across 600 cities in 29 states of the country. As a digital healthcare ecosystem in India, which brings together the entire spectrum of healthcare services under a single roof, ZOYLO is a multi-functionality app which has already partnered with 50,000 doctors, 4000 diagnostic services and 3000+ hospitals & wellness centers.  Started with doctors, diagnostics and medical tourism services, ZOYLO is coming up with more map-based healthcare services including Electronic Health Records, e-Pharmacy, Online Consultations, Healthcard, Hospitals and Home Healthcare among others. Offering first map-based app with a hybrid technology, ZOYLO looks forward to an aggregation of every possible healthcare entity to create a rich healthcare network pan India making continuous innovative additions, to deliver its users a wholesome healthcare experience.  With ZOYLO’s reach covering healthcare services across the length and breadth of the digital India, it was learnt that Tamil Nadu has the highest number of urban internet users while online healthcare services are being availed maximum in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Delhi. Mr Vinod Kumar Reddy, Chief Executive Officer of ZOYLO says, “India is witnessing an unstoppable rise of digitization. Thanks to laudable central government initiatives like ‘Make in India’ and ‘Digital India,’ that created greater awareness of leveraging the latent potentials of the digital world for the betterment of individual lives. With over 80% of the doctors and 40% of the dispensaries accumulated in our urban areas, healthcare is still a largely neglected reality to a major population of the country. ZOYLO was conceived with the vision of enhancing the quality of our every countryman’s life, by providing him with his basic right to healthcare, irrespective of his location.”  ZOYLO is the recipient of “The Best Healthcare app for the Year 2016” at the India Health and Wellness Summit, for topping the charts of being the most improvised and quick map-based website and application in India. It has also made it among “The 20 Most Promising mHealth Tech Solution Providers” as reported in the CIOReview magazine. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10631/more-than-88000-tb-patients-notified-between-2015-17.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10631/more-than-88000-tb-patients-notified-between-2015-17.html Wed, 21 Mar 2018 14:15:00 +0530 World Vision India hosted a Project Axshya’s Tuberculosis Consortium Partner’s Meet at New Delhi recently. During the event the partners shared key project achievements, promising practices and emphasized the role of civil society organizations in the path towards TB elimination, recognizing the accelerated response of the government for TB diagnosis and treatment across the country. The project led by World Vision India, comes to a close on March 31st. The meet also had a panel discussion on ‘The Role of Civil Society towards TB Elimination in India- Highlights of Axshya TB Project’. The panelists included, Dr. Venkatesh Roddawar, Central TB Division (CTD) representative, Dr Ashwini Khanna, State TB officer, Delhi; MA Wohab, CEO, Southern Health Improvement Samity (SHIS); Ravi Subbiah, Technical Director, CARE; Dr Reeti Tiwari, Project Director, Axshya, Alan Fletcher (ADRA) and Dr Anita Victor, Director-Health, World Vision India. Dr. Ashwini Khanna, State TB officer, highlighted ‘The Government of India has taken up the challenge to end TB in the country by 2025. The soldiers in the fight are fully geared to eliminate the dreaded diseases. Last year we got eighteen lakh patients in a year. As of WHO 2.8 million patients were reported last year.’ The current Axshya project consortium led by World Vision India has its roots in National TB Consortium started in 2007 with a vision of a "TB Free India". The implementing partners include Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA)India, CARE India, German Leprosy Relief Agency (GLRA) India, LEPRA Society, Southern Health Improvement Samity (SHIS) and TB Alert India. Together, NTC undertook many initiatives for TB care and control in partnership with Government and multi-lateral donor organizations. The project covered the states of Bihar, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The Project mapped 100 cities, carried out home based counselling of Multi Drug Resistance  TB patients, food support and - Integrated Counseling and Testing Center (ICTC) based treatment adherence services with adherence monitoring. Dr Anita Victor, Director-Health, World Vision India also highlighted ‘We are proud to lead this consortium of NGO partners as we work with the government to eliminate TB and Axshya has been a rich learning experience, as well as glowing example of good partnerships. Our work which is rooted in the communities addressing  the most vulnerable is our strength and it will continue beyond this project as we contribute to the national strategic plan for TB elimination as civil society partners.’ ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10629/odisha-govt-to-set-up-19-new-hospitals-in-backward-areas.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10629/odisha-govt-to-set-up-19-new-hospitals-in-backward-areas.html Wed, 21 Mar 2018 12:10:00 +0530 The Odisha government has proposed to set up 19 new hospitals on Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis in 18 backward districts of the state. A bulk of these hospitals will come up in the eight districts of the KBK (Kalahandi Balangir and Koraput) region. The proposal was discussed at a meeting of the Empowered Committee on Infrastructure, held under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi.  Principal Secretary (PPP Cell) Pradeep Kumar Jena presented the project and Health & Family Welfare Secretary Pramod Kumar Meherda outlined the administrative and financial issues for discussion.  The Chief Secretary directed health officials to decide on the locations for the proposed hospitals taking into account the existing health service facilities and newly coming up medical colleges, said the official. It was proposed to establish 19 hospitals in 18 districts on the parameters of backwardness in health indicators. The total bed capacity would be around 2,600. While the government would provide land at concessional rate with other infrastructural facilities and also decide the tariff of treatment in these hospitals. The private parties would make necessary investments for setting up the hospitals and they would bring in more specialists and clinical personnel, said the official. It is estimated that the project would create direct employment for 9,500 persons and the total private sector investment would be around Rs 1,150 crore. The health department will prepare the detail project and get the approval from government. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10628/zephyr-health-receives-recognition-for-entrepreneurship.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10628/zephyr-health-receives-recognition-for-entrepreneurship.html Wed, 21 Mar 2018 11:35:00 +0530 Frost & Sullivan recognizes Zephyr Health with the 2018 North American Entrepreneurial Company of the Year Award for its Insights-as-a-Service solution Zephyr IlluminateTM. Zephyr Health is a privately held company headquartered in San Francisco with offices in London, UK, and Pune, India. It has the ability to seamlessly combine internal and external data points with publically available healthcare data using a proprietary machine learning (ML) algorithm for real-time commercial insights. "The company's Zephyr IlluminateTM solution provides pharmaceutical commercial teams—including sales, marketing, and medical affairs teams—with a real-time predictive insights platform, which sets Zephyr Health in a unique and differentiated position within the pharmaceutical analytics space," said Neelotpal Goswami, Senior Industry Analyst.  Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has demonstrated excellence in devising a strong growth strategy and robustly implementing it. The recipient has shown strength in terms of innovation in products and technologies, leadership in customer value, and speed in response to market needs. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10627/healthmode-raises-awareness-on-chronic-lifestyle-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10627/healthmode-raises-awareness-on-chronic-lifestyle-diseases.html Wed, 21 Mar 2018 10:50:00 +0530 HealthMode.Org, a recently set-up Mumbai based preventive healthcare social enterprise, today announced the launch of the ‘Window of Opportunity’ drive. This drive aims to raise public awareness of the risk and prevention of chronic lifestyle diseases in India. The public awareness initiative is also supported with a health coach available on live chat as a free public service. This is hosted on HealthMode.Org’s website to answer any questions or concerns about fitness, wellness or chronic lifestyle disease risk, prevention, care, and management. This initiative is being kicked off with an awareness-raising public education program on the physical, emotional and financial risks posed by environmental factors and poor lifestyle choices. This is conducted by Dr. Kirnesh Pandey, a leading obesity, diabetes and thyroid specialist. Madhuri Sen, Founder and Lifestyle Coach, HealthMode.Org shares, “HealthMode.Org’s ‘Window of Opportunity’ program aims to raise public awareness of how the negative impact of chronic lifestyle diseases on quality of life can be easily reduced. That the prevention, early detection, and management of chronic lifestyle diseases stem their natural progression to vascular and organ damage. We call this the ‘Window of Opportunity’. This “window” is open especially for those between the ages of 25-50 years, the age group at highest risk today.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10624/ima-pune-strive-for-licenses-renewal.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10624/ima-pune-strive-for-licenses-renewal.html Tue, 20 Mar 2018 13:10:00 +0530 The city branch of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has needed state government’s involvement after civic health officers persisted that they would not grant renewal to 150 small and medium size hospitals in Pune. Health officials of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) have told these hospitals to get their nurses registered with the council, failing which they will not be granted renewal, the deadline for which is March 31. Experts associated with the IMA, however, said that registration with the state nursing council is mandatory only for qualified nurses and not for the trained staff. “We have requested state health minister Deepak Sawant to intervene as there has been no breakthrough in this matter. These hospitals will run into trouble or even face closure if they fail to get renewal by March 31. The minister has assured to address the issue at the earliest,” said eye surgeon Sanjay Patil, chairman of IMA’s Hospital Board of India (HBI), Pune branch. “If these hospitals do not get renewed licences, they will face severe problems. PMC might not issue birth certificate to newborn delivered at such hospital. Moreover, if a medico-legal case arises, the doctor can be charged for working in an illegal establishment,” said gynaecologist Avinash Bhutkar, adviser, HBI, IMA Pune. Currently, hospitals have to abide by the norms laid down by the Bombay Nursing Home Registration Act. The Clinical Establishment Act is yet to be scheduled in the assembly. Even if the Act is passed in the next session, it provides a three-year period to implement the guidelines, say experts. Vaishali Jadhav, assistant medical officer of health (AMoH), PMC said, “IMA’s office-bearers have met with us regarding the nurse registration issue. We have sought guidance from the state government on the matter.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10613/iqvia-study-predicts-transformation-of-global-healthcare-in-2018-and-beyond.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10613/iqvia-study-predicts-transformation-of-global-healthcare-in-2018-and-beyond.html Fri, 16 Mar 2018 18:35:00 +0530 The IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science contributes to the advancement of human health globally through timely research, insightful analysis and scientific expertise applied to granular non-identified patient level data. Formerly known as Quintiles IMS Holdings, Inc., the company is a provider of biopharmaceutical development and commercial outsourcing services, focused primarily on Phase I-IV clinical trials and its associated services. According to a new report from the IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science, the types of medicines being developed, the way technology contributes to health, and how the value of health is calculated are all changing dramatically. The study 2018 and Beyond: Outlook and Turning Points, analyzes several healthcare trends in which stakeholders and decision makers are increasingly using real world evidence and technology to solve the problems of human health. The Institute’s analysis produced 10 predictions that promise to transform healthcare cost and spending, drug development and delivery, and approaches to determine the societal value of medicines. “This report focuses on the most recent real-world evidence and analysis to balance emotion and intuition that can sometimes overshadow critical healthcare decisions,” said Murray Aitken, IQVIA senior vice president and executive director of the IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science. “Based on that analysis, we’re convinced these evidence-based predictions will begin to come to pass later this year.” 2018 Harbingers of Healthcare Transformation FDA to guide the use of Real-World Evidence (RWE) to support regulation of medicines: In 2018, FDA will issue its first framework addressing the potential for RWE to support regulatory submissions and drug safety monitoring. As big data gathered in real-world healthcare settings becomes more prevalent and robust, it is increasingly being used across the entire healthcare system for evidentiary purposes. With this shift, regulators will be both enabled and challenged to accelerate the pace of their review through new data derived protocols, insights and approaches. It’s expected that this evidence, paired with existing clinical trial data, will foster more collaborative approaches between life sciences companies and the FDA around areas such as trial design and post-market surveillance. Niche biotherapeutics move toward mainstream: From 2018 to 2022, between five to eight new therapies will launch each year within a new generation of cell-based therapies, gene therapies and regenerative medicines. This wave of Next Generation Biotherapeutics will stretch the definition of “drug” as we know it. Some are engineered for individual patients, while others transform previously untreatable or chronic diseases with curative results in a single dose. Others upend spending paradigms because they carry an extremely high cost per patient relative to traditional therapies. Providing access to these clinical advances will be a challenge for governments and insurers without methods to determine which patients are eligible for treatments, negotiated payments based on outcomes, or ability to spread costs over time. Mobile health apps will be added to treatment guidelines: Treatment guidelines from major clinical organizations will adopt and recommend the use of mobile health apps this year-some already have done so. The trend toward developing and publishing hard evidence of the value of digital tools and interventions will continue with more than 3,500 studies expected through 2022. The emergence of well-designed apps and mobile devices has paralleled the development of rigorous clinical trial evidence supporting their value. As mobile apps are better integrated into provider workflows and supported by payer reimbursement, adoption will expand further. These advances offer the potential to improve outcomes for patients sometimes at near –zero incremental costs. While alignment on the appropriate sets of features and safeguards has taken time to develop, there is growing consensus and technology innovators are advancing into the field in significant numbers. Use of telehealth will expand: Nearly every privately insured patient in U.S. will have some form of access to telehealth this year, though few will use it. In 2018, telehealth visits will account for 3-3.5 percent of visits, up from 2.6 percent in 2017. Over the next five years, telehealth will grow between 4 and 7.5 percent of visits as patient concerns about being treated by a random doctor are outweighed by the dramatically lower copayments offered by their insurers. Advocates of telehealth argue that most of the reasons to see a provider in person can be supported remotely. For payers, concerns about measurable benefits and/or potential fraud are being addressed by technology and are outweighed by cost savings relative to inappropriate use of emergency or urgent care. Spending on branded medicines will dip: In 2018, net brand spending will decline in developed markets by 1-3 percent. This has the effect of reducing net spending overall on brands in developed markets by approximately $5 billion, to a total of $391 billion for this year. Net brand spending will remain flat in the next five years, despite the expected entry of new branded medicines. The overall impact on payers, however, should be same in 2022 for brands as it was in 2017. Manufacturers will continue to develop and launch drugs, but the inherent unpredictability of medicines spending will drive continued caution among payers regarding reimbursement and access. Specialty brands will drive growth in developed markets: In 2018, the $ 318 billion specialty medicines market will represent 41 per cent of developed market spending, up from $ 172 billion in 2013. In fact, specialty drugs will contribute all of the growth in medicine spending in 2018, however, those increases will be offset by spending declines in traditional therapies. The growth of spending on specialty medicines will be constrained by cost and access controls and a greater focus on assessments of value. Despite these trends, specialty brands are expected to reach 48 percent of total spending in developed markets by 2022. Slower growth across pharmerging markets: Growth in pharmerging markets will slow to 7-8 percent in 2018, down from the 9.7 percent compound annual growth rate over the prior five years. This will mark the third year that growth will be less than 10 per cent. The IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science defines pharmerging countries as those with per capita income below $ 30,000 and a five-year aggregate pharmaceutical growth of more than $ 1 billion. The share of global medicine spending from pharmerging markets rose from 13 percent in 2007 to 24 percent in 2017. The markets within these pharmerging countries are projected to grow by 6-9 per cent to $345-$375 billion by 2022, driven by volume changes and the use of generics. Overall, the progress of advance global health will continue, but the gains in access to medicine over the past decade will not continue at the same pace due to slowing economic growth within this key group of countries. U.S. net per capita spending will stabilize: Real net per capita spending on medicines in the U.S. will decline in 2018 and continue almost unchanged at roughly $ 800 per person through 2022. Spending will remain flat after factoring in the robust pipeline of new drugs, moderating brand price increases of 2-5 percent on a net basis (7-10 percent on a list price basis) and the impact of brand losses of exclusivity, which will be greater in the next five years than the last five. While setting prices freely has been a unique feature of the U.S. market compared to other countries, the leverage payers have to negotiate net price discounts is effectively offsetting price increases. Outcomes-based contract will play limited roles: The basic framework for an outcomes-based contract contains a payment schedule based on how well a drug does or doesn’t deliver results. The most common approach is for insurers to pay less for a drug if it performs worse than the reported results from its clinical trial for FDA approval and pay more for better results. Under these contracts, successful medicines get covered at full price or for proportionately less based on unsuccessful patient results. These contracts can drive real savings for payers or providers, as well as more predictability for overall costs. As the health system gains a greater comfort with electronic medical records, as well as wider use of RWE, collecting data for these outcome requirements will become easier. However, the administrative burden on all parties will escalate and become prohibitive unless the outcomes are designed to be measureable. New wave of biosimilar competition and opportunity emerges: In 2018, $19 billion of current biotech spending in developed markets will have competition from biosimilars for the first time. That amount is significantly greater than the $3 billion in biosimilar revenue that became exposed in 2017, and it adds to the $26 billion already facing competition. The new exposure to competition in 2018 is the largest single-year change to date and signals the start of the next large wave of biosimilars. The benefits of a functioning biosimilar market include expanding access and cost savings across public and private healthcare systems. While overall it appears that the next decade will provide sufficient incentives to encourage bio similar challengers, the greatest uncertainty around biosimilars is whether all medicines that can be challenged in the next decade will indeed face competition.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10601/p-d-hinduja-hospital-and-medical-research-centre-gets-imc-ramkrishna-bajaj-national-quality-award-2017.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10601/p-d-hinduja-hospital-and-medical-research-centre-gets-imc-ramkrishna-bajaj-national-quality-award-2017.html Thu, 15 Mar 2018 14:45:00 +0530  P.D. Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Mumbai was awarded the prestigious ‘IMC Ramkrishna Bajaj National Quality (RBNQ) Award 2017 in Healthcare category’ on March 09, 2018 in Mumbai. This RBNQ Award makes P. D. Hinduja Hospital one of the few hospitals in India to be recognized the second time.  The IMC RBNQ Award criteria focus on the Results (what) and Processes (how) to achieve the Results. The underlying tools for Performance Excellence are: Continuous Improvement, Benchmarking, and Innovation. The examination process for IMC RBNQ award applicants is spread over four months in four distinct stages – starting with an individual review by examiners and then a consensus review followed by a site visit and in then end a final report is submitted by the team of examiners.  The hospital was evaluated by a panel of specially trained and expert judges from different fields who assessed the hospital on several parameters like, quality of service, leadership, process management, strategic planning, measurement and analysis management and business results for over a period of few months.  A team of seven auditors visited the hospital and studied the process of various departments along with presentations, data audit and interviews. The assessors then presented the results to the jury who declared P. D. Hinduja Hospital as the winner in the healthcare category. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10594/need-for-a-clinical-establishment-act-for-the-maharashtra-govt-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10594/need-for-a-clinical-establishment-act-for-the-maharashtra-govt-.html Wed, 14 Mar 2018 18:25:00 +0530  While healthcare systems and hospitals are faced with increasing pressure to find operating efficiencies in a time where traditional cost-cutting methodologies are producing diminishing returns, it is imperative to create sustainable healthcare funding mechanism.The event convened with a panel discussion on the procurement/supply chain heads of hospitals brainstorming on the latest challenges like GST, bottom-line revival, government policies, vendor management and the future trends that will shape hospital procurement. In the spotlight session,  Varsha Kaushal, Deputy Director Materials, P. D. Hinduja Hopsital & Medical Research Centere said, “There is a need to shift the focus from hardcore procurement to utilization management”. Sharing his views on the subject matter, Dr. (Col.) VMP Thomas, AVP – Operations & Projects, Dr. L.H. Hiranandani Hospital  said, “We have to look at our vendors as partners which goes beyond providing periodic feedback. We must include them as stakeholders in the provision of healthcare”. Setting the tone for the day, Deepak Lamba, President - Times Strategic Solutions, said, “Despite its impressive growth, the Indian Healthcare industry has been inconsistent. While we have world-class hospitals, state-of-the-art technologies, highly qualified doctors and health care professionals attracting patients from all over the world, the average Indian patient faces high prices, inadequate access, and inconsistent quality. We at the Economic Times believe that this summit will help provide a strategic path ahead for the healthcare sector.” In a session that laid emphasis on fututre trends in healthcare, speakers like K Ganesh, Chairman, Portea Medical; Dr. P M Bhujang, President, Association of Hospitals and Dr. Aniruddha Chimote, Director, HosConnn Consulting Service discussed that consumers today are more demanding than ever. Not only do they want to be in control, they also want options tailored specifically to their needs and something that fits their budget. Hence for the betterment of the overall healthcare it is important to focus on personalized data, real-time information and blockchain technology that is better for patient outcomes. It democratizes health and creates greater efficiencies and scalability, thus influencing purchasing decisions in respect to healthcare. It is a catalyst for strategic planning, policy positioning and opportunity identification. In a panel comprising of the head honchos of the hospital industry discussing and mapping immediate tools  and strategies to improve excellence, quality healthcare, customer service and patient engagement in hospitals, Dr Pallavi Jain Govil, Commissioner, Department of Health services, Government of Madhya Pradesh, said, “In the public health sphere we find that transparency has improved due to the robust technology. Technology helps but there is careful need in choosing the correct technology.” In the last panel discussion based on Hospital trends, budget 2018 and beyond Randeep Guleria, Director, AIIMS said, “Medicine is a social sector rather than a cost effective service sector. There is a need to provide proper care to the citizens of India no matter what the social status is. The solution to this is the merger of the public and the private sector making it cost effective for the payers and profitable for the stake holders at the same time.”  Others who gave their valued inputs were Dr Jitendar Sharma, MD & CEO, Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone, Government Of Andhra Pradesh, Dr B S Ajai Kumar, Chairman & CEO, Healthcare Global Enterprises and Dr Harish Pillai, CEO, Aster Medcity & Cluster head(Kerala & Hyderabad), Aster DM Healthcare, amongst others. The day concluded with a felicitation ceremony and an enlightening address by the chief guest Dr. Deepak Sawant, Hon’ble Minister of Health, Govt. of Maharashtra, who said, “ The concept of smart hospitals is essential for the current scenario.” Considering the role of technology in healthcare, he said, “IT & healthcare goes hand in hand hence we must go for tele-medicine since we are short of doctors. Correct use of technology can improve patient doctor relationships and can help reduce the gap that can create issues.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10583/early-detection-of-retinopathy-through-smartphone-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10583/early-detection-of-retinopathy-through-smartphone-.html Tue, 13 Mar 2018 11:55:00 +0530 Remidio Innovative Solutions based in Bangalore, India has disrupted the field of retinal imaging with their high quality, portable devices. The Remidio Fundus on Phone (FOP) that works on smartphones, weighs 1/20th the size of conventional systems, costs just 1/5th the price, and can image without pupil dilation. Until recently, DR could only be detected by ophthalmologists and trained graders. Artificial intelligence (AI) can now be employed to grade retinal images, especially those with sight-threatening DR. In a study done at Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF), Chennai, and published by Nature Eye, retinal photographs were taken on diabetics using the Remidio FOP, (previously validated to have a clinical sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 98%) and graded by ophthalmologists as well as by the AI algorithm EyeArt. This study showed that, the use of EyeArt automated AI along with Remidio Fundus on Phone (FOP) has very high sensitivity for detecting Diabetic  retinopathy (95.8%) and sight-threatening DR (99.1%). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10581/bengaluru-researchers-develop-cost-effective-dialysis-machine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10581/bengaluru-researchers-develop-cost-effective-dialysis-machine.html Sun, 11 Mar 2018 15:15:00 +0530 Researchers at  Renalyx Health Systems in Bengaluru have come up with a made-in-India dialysis machine, which is expected to reduce cost of the medical procedure. The machine, RxT17, started undergoing clinical trials recently at the JSS Medical College Hospital, Mysuru. The machine is cloud-enabled and can be connected to a mobile app, so that nephrologists can monitor its functioning and the patient’s response from anywhere.  The company has patents and active collaborations with premier institutions, including IIT Kharagpur, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) and PESIT in Bengaluru. The company intends to take the new dialysis machine to rural areas too, given its ability to connect seamlessly and its capacity to run on solar power. Such features are not available in dialysis machines imported from Japan, the US and Germany. Dialysis machines are imported from Germany, Sweden and China at a cost of Rs 10-11 lakh a piece. A dialysis session costs between Rs 2,500 and Rs 4,000. The new machine is likely to be priced at Rs 4 lakh and it could reduce the cost of dialysis to Rs 1,000. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10577/ayushman-bharat-logo-competition-stretched-till-18th-march.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10577/ayushman-bharat-logo-competition-stretched-till-18th-march.html Fri, 09 Mar 2018 15:10:00 +0530 The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched a competition for designing of a logo and tagline for the Ayushman Bharat programme, announced in the General Budget 2018-19, this year. This shall be done through a ‘digital crowd sourcing campaign’ on MyGov portal. The competition was launched on 19th February, 2018 and will now conclude on 18th March, 2018. The main aim of the competition is to generate awareness among the population about these health sector initiatives and engage them towards ownership in shaping a healthy India. The winner of the competition shall be awarded a prize of Rs. 25,000/- while the second winner shall be awarded Rs. 10,000/-. The main theme of the logo shall be ‘Ayushman Bharat’ and the guiding principle will be SarveBhavantuSukhinah, SarveSantuNiramayah (‘सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनःसर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः). The submission can be either digital logo or a handmade submission which can be submitted as a scanned copy on the digital platform. The Government has announced, as a part of ‘Ayushman Bharat’, two path breaking initiatives that address health holistically, impacting primary, secondary and tertiary care system as well as prevention and health promotion. The 1.5 lakh health and wellness centres will provide people-centric comprehensive primary health care including for common non-communicable diseases closer to the homes of people including providing free essential drugs and diagnostics. The second initiative under ‘Ayushman Bharat’ is the National Health Protection Scheme, under which over 10 crore poor and vulnerable families (approx. 50 crore beneficiaries) will be provided treatment coverage up to Rs. 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10574/ipaqt-to-offer-hiv-hcv-diagnostic-tests-at-half-price.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10574/ipaqt-to-offer-hiv-hcv-diagnostic-tests-at-half-price.html Fri, 09 Mar 2018 11:30:00 +0530 A consortium of private sector diagnostic laboratories, Initiative for Promoting Affordable and Quality Tests (IPAQT) is planning to offer the World Health Organisation (WHO)-endorsed GeneXpert HCV and HIV viral load tests at less than 50 per cent of the market price in India. Currently, the consortium has almost 200 members who offer WHO-endorsed TB tests, such as GeneXpert, Hain LPA, BacTALERT 3D, and MGIT. IPAQT laboratories have increased the adoption of quality TB tests from 28,000 in 2013 to over 2,40,000 tests in 2017. IPAQT has been successful in negotiating with Cepheid, manufacturer of the GeneXpert platform, to significantly reduce the price for these critical diagnostic tests. IPAQT laboratories and hospitals can now offer the GeneXpert HCV and HIV viral load tests at no more than Rs 2,600 (US$40) and Rs 2,800 (US$43) respectively, while the market rate for these tests vary between Rs 4500 (US$69) and Rs 7,000 (US$108). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10569/diabetes-hypertension-major-reasons-for-kidney-problems-in-women.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10569/diabetes-hypertension-major-reasons-for-kidney-problems-in-women.html Thu, 08 Mar 2018 12:50:00 +0530 March 8 is observed as World Kidney Day all across the world. The day is celebrated to raise awareness about the importance of kidneys to our health. Kidney disease has become a worldwide public health concern, affecting large amounts of people. Diabetes and Hypertension are major reasons for kidney problems in women, says Dr Haresh Patel, Sr. Consultant Nephrology & Transplant Physician at Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad. According to WHO stats, kidney disease is more likely to develop in obese people including in those with diabetes and hypertension. CKD affects approximately 195 million women worldwide and it is currently the 8th leading cause of death in women, with close to 600,000 deaths each year. By 2025, obesity will affect 18% of men and over 21% of women worldwide, and that severe obesity will affect 6% of all men and 9% of all women around the world. “In women, hypertension occurs mostly after post menopause while diabetes triggers at any age. For hypertension, patient needs to have good control of it. If she is suffering from diabetes, she needs good control of sugar through proper medication, lifestyle modification and regular exercise. Also, basic tests like urine routine, s.creatinine, USG abdomen tests need to be done to check kidney disease”, adds Dr. Haresh Patel. Why do Kidney’s Fail? Most kidney diseases attack the nephrons, causing them to lose their filtering capacity. Damage to the nephrons can happen quickly, often as the result of injury or poisoning. But most kidney diseases destroy the nephrons slowly and silently. Only after years or even decades will the damage become apparent. Most kidney diseases attack both kidneys simultaneously. The two most common causes of kidney disease are diabetes and high blood pressure. People with a family history of any kind of kidney problem are also at risk for kidney disease. Diabetic Kidney Disease Diabetes is a disease that keeps the body from using glucose, a form of sugar, as it should. If glucose stays in the blood instead of breaking down, it can act like a poison. Damage to the nephrons from unused glucose in the blood is called diabetic kidney disease. Keeping blood glucose levels down can delay or prevent diabetic kidney disease. High Blood Pressure High blood pressure can damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys. The damaged vessels cannot filter wastes from the blood as they are supposed to. A doctor may prescribe blood pressure medication. ACE inhibitors and ARBs have been found to protect the kidneys even more than other medicines that lower blood pressure to similar levels. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), one of the National Institutes of Health, recommends that people with diabetes or reduced kidney function keep their blood pressure below 130/80. Glomerular Diseases Several types of kidney disease are grouped together under this category, including autoimmune diseases, infection-related diseases, and sclerotic diseases. As the name indicates, glomerular diseases attack the tiny blood vessels, or glomeruli, within the kidney. The most common primary glomerular diseases include membranous nephropathy, IgA nephropathy, and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. The first sign of a glomerular disease is often proteinuria, which is too much protein in the urine. Another common sign is hematuria, which is blood in the urine. Some people may have both proteinuria and hematuria. Glomerular diseases can slowly destroy kidney function. Glomerular diseases are usually diagnosed with a biopsy-a procedure that involves taking a piece of kidney tissue for examination with a microscope. Treatments for glomerular diseases may include immunosuppressive drugs or steroids to reduce inflammation and proteinuria, depending on the specific disease. Inherited and Congenital Kidney Diseases Some kidney diseases result from hereditary factors. Polycystic kidney disease (PKD), for example, is a genetic disorder in which many cysts grow in the kidneys. PKD cysts can slowly replace much of the mass of the kidneys, reducing kidney function and leading to kidney failure. Some kidney problems may show up when a child is still developing in the womb. Examples include autosomal recessive PKD, a rare form of PKD, and other developmental problems that interfere with the normal formation of the nephrons. The signs of kidney disease in children vary. A child may grow unusually slowly, vomit often, or have back or side pain. Some kidney diseases may be silent-causing no signs or symptoms-for months or even years. If a child has a kidney disease, the child's doctor should find it during a regular checkup. The first sign of a kidney problem may be high blood pressure, a low number of red blood cells, called anemia, proteinuria, or hematuria. If the doctor finds any of these problems, further tests may be necessary, including additional blood and urine tests or radiology studies. In some cases, the doctor may need to perform a biopsy. Some hereditary kidney diseases may not be detected until adulthood. The most common form of PKD was once called "adult PKD" because the symptoms of high blood pressure and renal failure usually do not occur until patients are in their twenties or thirties. But with advances in diagnostic imaging technology, doctors have found cysts in children and adolescents before any symptoms appear. Other Causes of Kidney Disease Poisons and trauma, such as a direct and forceful blow to the kidneys, can lead to kidney disease. Some over-the-counter medicines can be poisonous to the kidneys if taken regularly over a long period of time. Anyone who takes painkillers regularly should check with a doctor to make sure the kidneys are not at risk. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10568/microsoft-apollo-to-use-ai-for-early-detection-of-cardiac-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10568/microsoft-apollo-to-use-ai-for-early-detection-of-cardiac-diseases.html Thu, 08 Mar 2018 12:35:00 +0530 At the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) annual conference and exhibition in Las Vegas, NV, Microsoft announced the expansion of the Microsoft Intelligent Network for eyecare (MINE), now AI Network for Healthcare, to create an AI-focused network in cardiology, in partnership with one of the largest health systems in India, Apollo Hospitals. The AI Network for healthcare is part of Microsoft Healthcare NExT aimed to accelerate healthcare innovation through artificial intelligence and cloud computing. The partnership between Microsoft and Apollo will work to develop and deploy new machine learning models to predict patient risk for heart disease and assists doctors on treatment plans.  The team is already working on an AI-powered Cardio API (application program interface) platform. “AI Network for healthcare aims to democratize artificial intelligence by empowering healthcare providers with faster, intuitive and predictable solutions and reducing the disease burden. Our unique partnership with Apollo brings together our learnings in artificial intelligence and machine learning areas and Apollo’s experience and expertise in cardiology.  The systems of intelligence we create can change the lives of patients and the work of medical practitioners enabling accessible healthcare to all. said Dr. Peter Lee, Corporate Vice President, AI & Research, Microsoft. “This collaboration marks a paradigm shift for patients and the management of non-communicable diseases the world over. Cardiac disease is amongst India’s leading causes of mortality and morbidity, which is exacting a toll on the health and well-being of our citizens. Given our large clinical database and significant pool of clinical talent, this partnership will help impact the global burden of cardiac disease. This collaboration with Microsoft’s path-breaking technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning will help better predict, prevent and manage heart disease in the country. While we commence this in India, we will validate the algorithms and work towards creating a global consortium to tackle multiple conditions in cardiovascular disease” said Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals . Commenting on the partnership, said Anil Bhansali, Corporate Vice President, Cloud & Enterprise, Managing Director, Microsoft India (R&D) Private Limited said, “Over the last two years we have been working with a dynamic partner ecosystem of local, regional and global organisations to bring the power of AI to Healthcare. We started with eyecare - and today we are expanding into cardiac care.  We have been working with our customers and partners within the healthcare sector to create AI models that can help provide doctors and health care providers insights in their treatment plans. Our partnership with Apollo Hospitals will be a  major step in the journey towards providing accessible healthcare to everyone.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10564/hitlab-unitus-seed-fund-announce-winners-of-2018-hitlab-world-cup.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10564/hitlab-unitus-seed-fund-announce-winners-of-2018-hitlab-world-cup.html Wed, 07 Mar 2018 16:15:00 +0530 After receiving over 180 applications from digital health innovators around the world, HITLAB and Unitus Seed Fund, through its StartHealth initiative have recently announced Medi360 as the winner of the 2018 HITLAB World Cup competition It was held on February 10 at Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. Medi360 is a cloud-based telehealth solution, was the winner of the 2018 HITLAB World Cup competition. It integrates electronic medical records with diagnostic devices and prescription capabilities. Kumar Amar Jamdhiar, CEO of Medi360 said, “It was a great experience participating in the HITLAB World Cup as one of the finalists and we are extremely thrilled to be recognized as the winner. This provides further fuel to our motivation in the journey of making a meaningful impact to healthcare in India.” Runners-up include MUrgency, a medical resources aggregator, Mother Diagnostics, a low-cost digital X-ray device, Mimyk Medical Simulations, an immersive medical simulation technology, and VOTIS Subdermal Imaging, a non-invasive and inexpensive technology to identify foot pathologies in diabetics. Winners will now be considered for up to USD $500,000 (INR 3.5 crore) in grants and equity funding by Unitus Seed Fund and its AmpHealth program to fund their continued work and expansion. Stan Kachnowski, HITLAB Chair said, “Presenting at the HITLAB Innovators Summit is an unparalleled opportunity for innovators to showcase their work before an international audience of leaders in public health, medicine, science, technology, and design. We are excited to see how these digital startups will improve the healthcare system in India. The support that Unitus and HITLAB can provide these impactful organizations as they grow will prove invaluable as they bring innovative, transformational technologies to the people who need them." The HITLAB World Cup judges - representing senior leadership at Unitus, HITLAB, Boston Scientific, and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) - reviewed applications from a wide range of innovative companies working in artificial intelligence, telehealth, home health, mobile applications, and biotech devices. Entries were judged on their impact, innovation, sustainability, and feasibility. The Innovators Summit featured speakers from leading organizations including Johnson & Johnson, Stryker, IBM, PATH, Terumo, and more. The theme for this Summit - the fourth in India - was Enabling Inclusive Digital Health Innovation and Diffusion. For more than 15 years, HITLAB has helped leading organizations ideate, create, evaluate, and diffuse technology-based solutions to pressing healthcare challenges. It has hosted the annual HITLAB World Cup Challenge since 2006. Past innovations have ranged from a tech-enabled dynamic scoliosis brace to a voice-activated blockchain ecosystem for diabetic patients and caregivers. Winners have since raised over $50 million in follow-on investment funding and launched commercially viable products that transform lives. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10558/aiims-develops-new-technology-for-treating-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10558/aiims-develops-new-technology-for-treating-cancer.html Wed, 07 Mar 2018 11:40:00 +0530 Doctors at the All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi have introduced a new technology for treating cancers affecting the abdominal lining, for example colon cancer or colorectal cancer. It involves administering heated chemotherapy drugs directly into the abdomen during surgery. The technology known as hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has been used on experimental basis in western countries for nearly two decades. But in India, it has gained ground only recently. Some private hospitals in India also offer HIPEC but it is expensive. AIIMS offers it for free or at subsidised rates. According to the doctors, the technology cannot be used for all cancer patients, only those with cancer affecting abdominal lining. Also, it has to be conducted at a centre with high skilled and experienced professionals given that any variation of drug dosage or temperature control can be fatal. AIIMS recently held a workshop at the institute to train young surgeons on HIPEC. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/reports-white-papers/98/10549/top-cyber-technologies-employed-by-healthcare-firms-infosys-reports.html https://biospectrumindia.com/reports-white-papers/98/10549/top-cyber-technologies-employed-by-healthcare-firms-infosys-reports.html Tue, 06 Mar 2018 16:45:00 +0530 A report by global software major Infosys explained that Cyber security, Big Data analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are among the top technologies employed by healthcare and life sciences firms across the world. The survey had included companies from seven countries across the world, including India, however, Infosys did not name any other countries and firms that took part in it. The motive of the study was not just to identify the technology trends in healthcare and life sciences industries, but also to understand how technology improved their operations, Infosys said in the report.  According to the healthcare companies surveyed, investing in technologies like Big Data analytics for predicting risk and onset of health problems and remote hospital-like care delivery were some of the most reported trends for the next three years, it said.  Report also asserted about several healthcare firms are investing in Electronic Health Records (EHR).  According to the report, nearly 76 per cent of the life sciences firms that were surveyed considered investing in cyber security over the next three years for protecting patient data.  A total of 112 respondents from each of the healthcare and life sciences industries took part in the survey.  Analysts predict that by 2019, $75 billion (Rs 4.88 lakh-crore) will be spent worldwide on information technology (IT) related to remote delivery of healthcare through video conferencing, mobile, e-mail etc.  3D-printing (three-dimensional printing), blockchain technology and Internet of Things (IoT) were among the other technologies that could improve the healthcare industry, as assessed by the report. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10545/et-launches-landmark-event-to-explore-growth-map-of-healthcare-industry-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10545/et-launches-landmark-event-to-explore-growth-map-of-healthcare-industry-.html Tue, 06 Mar 2018 15:35:00 +0530 The 1st edition of Hospital Strategic Management Summit aims at convergence of brilliant thought leaders and stakeholders to discuss 21st century healthcare strategic management approach amidst disruptions of all nature. The one-day event to be held on 9th March 2018 at The Lalit Mumbai will see prominent industry experts deliberate on the opportunities which remain unexplored by the Industry. It will call for strategic realignment of priorities when it comes to market expansions, regulatory interventions, and regular technological disruptions. Considering the Indian pharmaceuticals market growing larger than ever, The Economic Times saw the need to cultivate a dias for researchers, pharmaceuticals industries, healthcare professionals and various stakeholders to discuss challenges the industry has been facing despite impressive CAGR(compound annual growth rate). This  is not only impacted by subdued growth in other sectors of economy but also static management & administrative approaches adopted by various strata of healthcare. The top leaders from the fraternity will throw light on the existing developments and pave way for  innovations in terms of smart hospitals, hospital care, procurement,etc. Sharing his thoughts on the same Mr. Deepak Lamba, President - Times Strategic Solutions, said, “The Indian healthcare industry is on the threshold of becoming a major global market. We at ET believe no global healthcare company can afford to ignore India and its growth. We thus wanted to provide a platform which helps the experts to recognize not only the challenges but also great opportunities  in the health industry.” The event will be graced by Dr Deepak Sawant, Hon'ble Minister of Health, Govt of Maharashtra In aspecial chief guest Address. It will see head healthcare honchos like Dr. Ram Narain, ED, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital & Medical Research Institute,Dr Nandkumar Jairam, Chairman & Group Medical Director, Columbia Asia India, Dr Pallavi Govil, Director, Health Services, Govt of Madhya Pradesh, Suresh Ramu, CEO, Cytecare Cancer Hospitals, Joy Chakraborty, COO, Hinduja Hospitals,Dr Jitendar Sharma, MD & CEO, Andhra Pradesh Med Tech Zone, Govt of Andhra Pradesh, Bhavdeep Singh, CEO, Fortis Healthcare,Samina Vaziralli, Exectuve Vice Chairman, Cipla and Dr Randeep Guleria, Director, amongst others. The experts to throw light challenges faced by the industry while mapping the trends of today on key issues such as ‘Why present is so tense in contemporary Indian healthcare’, ‘Future of Tier 1 City Healthcare, Managing financial disruptions due to technological (Change) disruptions’ and many others.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10544/br-shetty-to-invest-700m-in-indian-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10544/br-shetty-to-invest-700m-in-indian-healthcare.html Tue, 06 Mar 2018 15:25:00 +0530 UAE-based India-born billionaire BR Shetty, founder and non-executive chairman of Abu Dhabi-based NMC Healthcare, plans to set up healthcare centres/hospitals – both in private and public private partnership - with a capacity of around 20,000 beds across the country over the next five years. Shetty’s focus is on both urban and rural areas and he plans to invest about $600-700 million for the same.   Shetty forayed in India in 2013 with BR Life (headquartered in Bengaluru), NMC Group’s India affiliate. BR Life includes hospitals in India and the sub-continent. SUT Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram was the first BR Life hospital in India. Sree Narayana Hospital (SNH), Raipur, SSNMC Super Specialty Hospital Bangalore, Mother & Child Hospital in Udupi, Kalinga Hospital in Bhubaneshwar and The Grande International Hospital (GIH), Nepal are the other hospitals under the BR Life umbrella. So far, the BR life has a current capacity of around 1,500 beds in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10527/india-netherlands-to-partner-for-innovative-vaccine-solutions.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10527/india-netherlands-to-partner-for-innovative-vaccine-solutions.html Mon, 05 Mar 2018 12:30:00 +0530 Life Science and health is priority sector for strategic investment in both the Netherlands and India.  Growing market opportunities in India, combined with the Netherlands’ strengths in areas such as Therapeutics & Vaccines, Diagnostics, Medtech and E-health create excellent opportunities for partnerships that address shared societal challenges  with smart solutions. Making India, a valuable partner for the Dutch Life Sciences and Health (LSH) Sector. Dutch Lifesciences majors Philips, DSM are important players in the Indian healthcare industry. Key Indian pharma players have active and growing investment in the Netherlands; companies including Serum Institute of India, Dr. Reddys, Lupin, and Sun Pharma are leveraging the Dutch life sciences ecosystem for their global strategy. The recent decision to relocate the European Medicine Agency (EMA) will further enhance the existing position of the Netherlands as a hub for Indian pharmaceutical companies. The Affordability and accessibility of healthcare is a theme where our countries have excellent opportunities for Innovation partnerships. This theme is central to our bilateral partnership for affordable medical devices and  the Indo-Dutch living lab for e-health which is currently under development in Bangalore. Vaccine development is another priority area for new partnerships. Vaccine Development India and the Netherlands have strong historic ties in the area of vaccines. Technology transfer through the Netherlands Vaccine Institute has made an important contribution to the sector’s development in India. The emergence of India as a global manufacturing hub and its growing strength in vaccine innovation creates opportunities for partnership where vaccine players from both countries work together and leverage each other’s strengths for new product development.  A Dutch-Belgian Vaccine Delegation was in India from 21st to 25th February, 2018  to further intensify cooperation in the Life Sciences and Health Sector.  The Delegation consisted of Dutch LSH entities like Intravacc, Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development (AIGHD), Janssen Vaccines & Prevention, LiteVax. Viroclinics, and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency. Belgian vaccine entities, Flanders Bio and Flanders Vaccine, Univercells and Q-Biologicals are also participating in the mission. During their visit the delegation interacted with Government, Indian vaccine experts and Academia to explore and identify new partnerships in vaccine development under the freshly launched ‘Innovate in India’ initiative.  In addition to affordable vaccine development interactions in Delhi, the annual Vaccine World Summit in Pune  and the Bio Asia 2018 in Hyderabad also involved the delegation’s participation. “India is an important partner for the Netherlands--specifically in terms of cost-effective vaccine development. We firmly believe, the existence of affordable, innovative vaccine technology is synonymous to an improvement in global health," said Mr. Niels van Leeuwen, Senior Advisor International R&D cooperation, Life Sciences & Health, Netherlands Enterprise Agency. Leading Dutch vaccine development player, Intravacc, was also part of the vaccine delegation. “Vaccines play a critical role in public health globally- and for Intravacc, India is a vital market for partnerships in vaccine development. Through research, knowledge sharing and constantly innovating with Indian academia, public health organizations, biotech and pharmaceutical companies we contribute to providing access to affordable healthcare for all,”  Thijs Veerman, CEO, Intravacc said.  The New Delhi leg of the Vaccine Mission also included a discussion on possible vaccine collaborations between Davinder Gill, CEO, Hilleman Labs, India and the delegates. New Delhi-based Hilleman Labs focuses on high-impact, affordable vaccine solutions aimed towards effective immunization. “Affordability is at the core of our adjuvant design. We look forward to partner, collaborate and serve Indian vaccine R&D organisations," said Lukk Hilgers of Litevax BV, after discussing the scope of innovative Indo-Dutch vaccine solutions at the Hilleman Labs. Apart from forging new partnerships, the mission also involved substantiating existing Indo-Dutch vaccine R&D partnerships even further. A name synonymous to Vaccine R&D in India, the Serum Institute, Pune and Intravacc, the Netherlands engaged into exploring new joint vaccine solutions and strengthened the 40-year-long Indo-Dutch vaccine collaboration. Affordable Medical Devices In 2016, The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India and the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) / the Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development (ZonMw) opened a joint-call for project proposals. The topic for the call was, ‘Technology for a Sustainable Healthcare: Minimally invasive techniques.’ The joint call has resulted in funding for three Indo-Dutch projects that are dedicated to developing sustainable healthcare systems. Other notable joint projects under the bilateral cooperation include, the AIIMS –Erasmus MC cohort study on cognitive decline and the Imaging partnership between Maastricht University Medical Center and the NCCS in Pune which will consists of a series of joint projects and a joint master’s program. Living Lab on E-Health: To further develop strong ties between the two countries in Life Sciences & Healthcare, a 15-20 member delegation from academia and industry will visit the Netherlands from 19th to 21st March. Some of the participants include Philips, TCS, Bosch, HealthMap Diagnostics, Forus Healthcare, Apollo Hospitals, Manipal Hospitals, Narayana Nethralaya, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Manipal University and Christ University among others. The purpose of this visit is  to take the Living Lab initiative forward  where a total of 15 joint projects have been proposed in areas such as Elderly Care, Diabetes & Hypertension and Mental Health. European Medicine Agency (EMA) Furthering its reputation as a world leader in the Life Sciences and Health Sector, the Netherlands is also gearing up for the relocation of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) from London to Amsterdam in 2019. EMA is the body that assesses the efficacy, quality, and safety of new medicines, for human and animal health, before they are approved for the European market. A direct consequence of the Brexit, Amsterdam was chosen to house the new EMA headquarters among nineteen EU cities that tabled their bids for the position. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10522/africa-looks-to-india-for-healthcare-development-at-ihtc-conference.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10522/africa-looks-to-india-for-healthcare-development-at-ihtc-conference.html Fri, 02 Mar 2018 15:20:00 +0530 (L-R: Dr Khadija Sood Shikely, County Chief Officer, Department of Health services Mombasa; Anitha Niranjan - MD, CIM Global;  Dr Gangadharan, Chairman Expert Committee, IHTC; Dr. Constantine Constantinides, Health Tourism Enterprise, Greece; Dr Dan Christopher Namarika, Health Secretary, Ministry of Health - Lilongwe, Malawi ; Dr. K.S Nayak - President GHTA - Global Healthcare Tourism Association ) The 3rd Edition of the International Healthcare Tourism Congress 2018 (IHTC) was inaugurated in Bengaluru by Dr. Constantine Constantinides, Health Tourism Enterprise, Greece in the presence of Dr. Dan Christopher Namarika, Health Secretary, Ministry of Health - Lilongwe, Malawi, Dr. K.S Nayak, President GHTA (Global Healthcare Tourism association) and Dr. Gangadharan, Chairman Expert Committee IHTC. The International Healthcare Tourism Congress (IHTC), returning to Bengaluru this March, hosts 200 influential Delegates who are from targeted countries like Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Mongolia, Vietnam and many more. Representatives from 20 international hospitals will be present to arrange collaborations with Indian hospitals. The event will feature around 50 speakers from all disciplines sharing their knowledge and taking part in panel discussions. Delegates to the two-day conference will include influential policy-makers and bosses from some of the biggest companies in Indian healthcare. The IHTC's influential delegates will include 30 senior government members, including the health ministers of Somalia, Mombasa and Malawi. One of the key highlights of the congress would be the collaboration of Mombasa and Mangalore in all aspects of health. Kenya Healthcare Delegation led By Mombasa State Health Minister to visit Mangalore for Long Term Collaboration right from training their healthcare professionals to advance treatment to their citizens.  This strategic agreement would be the first international collaboration of Mangalore Hospitals with Mombasa. Healthcare tourism is set to be worth $3,000,000,000 by 2025, according to a recent survey, and organisers of India's most comprehensive healthcare tourism event, feel that the country could be a world leader in the field. The Global Healthcare Tourism Association (GHTA) will be launched by its Founder President Dr. K.S. Nayak. GHTA has a vertical focused in academic and continued medical education activities with an explicit mandate to work in the area of heath care Education, Skill development training, facilitation of Medical tourism, health care entrepreneurship and continuing education programs in geographies across the globe that are challenged in providing affordable health care on multiple fronts. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10506/max-healthcare-to-bring-out-new-ward-monitoring-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10506/max-healthcare-to-bring-out-new-ward-monitoring-system.html Thu, 01 Mar 2018 10:20:00 +0530 Max Healthcare has collaborated with US-based medical technology company Vios Medical to launch a continuous vital monitoring system built on a medical-grade Internet of Things (IoT) framework. The VIOS ward monitoring system comprises two connected sensors, chest and finger, which communicate wirelessly via Bluetooth with a bed-side tablet that maps all vital trends. The technology provides continuous monitoring of vital signs such as oxygen saturation, heart rate, respiratory rate, electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood pressure in general wards, thereby enabling early detection and critical care facility even outside an ICU set-up. The technology also aids clinicians in making more effective treatment plans by providing vital trends and patterns. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10503/7-in-10-newborns-not-tested-for-hearing-loss-cochlear-india-survey.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10503/7-in-10-newborns-not-tested-for-hearing-loss-cochlear-india-survey.html Wed, 28 Feb 2018 18:50:00 +0530 Most mothers (84.1%) believed that children should be tested for hearing loss at birth, but few (38.9%) actually had their child screened, found a survey by Cochlear India and First Moms Club. These findings show that while mothers are well aware of the need to detect hearing loss early in childhood, they are not fully aware of what they must do or where they can go to get their children screened. The Cochlear India survey was conducted with First Moms Club in the lead up to World Hearing Day (March 3rd) to find out how much Indian mothers knew about hearing loss in children. An estimated 5-6 of every 1000 newborns suffer from some degree of hearing loss in India, but few parents are able to recognize signs or know how to seek treatment. This delays diagnosis well after the critical period of intervention. Dr. Milind Kirtane, Senior ENT Consultant and Cochlear Implant Surgeon, PD Hinduja Hospital, Saifee Hospital and SRCC Mumbai, said, “Countries that have made newborn hearing screening mandatory are able to take corrective measures in children as young as 6 months of age. It is very encouraging to see the Kerala government push for universal newborn hearing screening and I sincerely hope the same happens countrywide. This must become our national priority.” So far, Kerala is the first state in the country to provide hearing screening for children in all government centres. The Kerala Social Security Mission developed a tablet/computer-based data management software where real time data of newborn screening can be recorded and shared with other institutions such as District Early Intervention Centers (DEICs) and medical colleges. Additionally, measures have been undertaken to ensure follow up and tracking in Anganwadies and schools.  Mr. Brett Lee, Former Australian Cricketer and Cochlear’s Global Hearing Ambassador, commented, “All too often, we take little things for granted such as how much hearing matters. It was a big wake up call for me when my son was diagnosed with hearing loss at the young age of 5. We were fortunate enough to restore his hearing, but what about the millions of children who suffer with the condition every day? Early screening for hearing loss can ensure that children are diagnosed and treated early, allowing them to grow up into well adjusted adults.” Three in 10 mothers surveyed were not sure if children with hearing loss were able to hear again or lead a normal life. The earlier a child is tested, diagnosed and treated for hearing loss, greater the chances of realizing his or her full potential. Research shows that children identified with hearing loss who get early intervention can develop language (spoken and/or signed) skills on par with their peers with normal hearing. These children are able to attend mainstream schools, communicate with their teachers and classmates, make new friends and feel confident in a world full of sound. Cochlear is supporting the call for action on hearing loss with its “Hearing Matters” awareness campaign. “Hearing Matters” urges everyone, especially parents, to learn more about hearing loss in children so they know what signs to look out for and determine if their child may need a hearing evaluation. Any parent that is concerned about their child’s hearing should seek the help of a healthcare professional, as there are many opportunities for treatment and care.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10497/google-apollo-to-bring-symptom-search-feature-to-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10497/google-apollo-to-bring-symptom-search-feature-to-india.html Tue, 27 Feb 2018 16:40:00 +0530 Google India has rolled out its feature called "Symptom Search" in India that lets users find quality health information on their smartphones. In collaboration with a team of doctors from Apollo Hospitals, the tech giant will add tailor-made information about commonly-searched symptoms in its Search. For individual symptoms like "headache," the app, currently available in English and Hindi, will show digital cards, providing users an overview description along with information on self-treatment options and what might warrant a doctor's visit. According to Google, the search results are intended for informational purposes only and users should always consult a doctor for medical advice and treatment. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10493/karnataka-govt-to-provide-healthcare-to-all-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10493/karnataka-govt-to-provide-healthcare-to-all-.html Tue, 27 Feb 2018 12:10:00 +0530 In a major effort to spur growth of healthcare in the state, the Karnataka government has allocated Rs.6,645 crore to ensure overall growth of the sector. The state has also approved its own Arogya Karnataka Yojana or the Universal Health Coverage which is expected to be kicked off this month. It will be implemented in the entire State by the end of this year in order to make available primary and specific secondary and tertiary treatment to all people of the State. It is a replication of the Union government’s 'Modicare' health insurance. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10483/race-for-7-bengaluru-mumbai-walk-for-rare-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10483/race-for-7-bengaluru-mumbai-walk-for-rare-diseases.html Mon, 26 Feb 2018 16:35:00 +0530 Lending their collective voice to the rare disease community in India, an enthusiastic 5300+ participants, including 60 rare disease patients and their caregivers, took part in Race for 7 in Bengaluru and Mumbai. Race for 7 is an awareness walk/run organized by the Organization for Rare Diseases (ORDI), an NGO committed to addressing the challenges faced by those living with rare diseases. The objective of Race for 7  is to raise awareness for the 7000 documented rare diseases and the estimated 70 million patients in India suffering from a rare disease. Rare Disease patients who participated included a Boston Marathon runner and paralympian champions. Race for 7 was first held in India in 2016 on the last Sunday of February to commemorate World Rare Disease Day which falls on February 28th.  This year, Race for 7 was held simultaneously in two countries and three cities, namely Bengaluru, Mumbai and Washington DC with a smaller event in Jaipur and South Carolina. Prasanna Kumar B Shirol, Founder Director, ORDI and the father of Nidhi Shirol, a rare disease patient, said, “An event like Race for 7 is a reminder that we are not alone in championing the cause of the rare disease community. It was heartening to see so many people of all ages support us today. The success of Race for 7 in previous years has gone a long way in creating better awareness and enabling us to extend our support to more rare disease patients be it in the area of early diagnosis, treatment and care and even in the advancement of policies for rare disease patients. This year’s Race for 7 focus is on ‘Rare Disease Policies’ and we hope that Central and State Governments will expedite policies for rare disease patients.” “We are extremely proud to be the main sponsors of this event. What started as one event in Bengaluru has not just expanded to other cities in India, but also to the USA, making Race for 7 a truly Make in India initiative. Awareness for rare diseases though should not just be restricted to this event and I encourage all of you to talk about it beyond and initiate dialogues with universities and researchers to help improve the lives of rare disease patients,” said Naz Haji, IQVIA India Managing Director. “   Several rare disease patients and their caregivers spoke on the occasion and, while expressing gratitude for the increased awareness and access for rare disease patients made possible by events such as Race for 7, also highlighted the need for continued awareness and education in the area. Toushif, diagnosed with pachydermoperiostosis said, “The challenges faced by those of us that live with rare diseases are many. I am happy that ORDI has stepped in to help present our unique needs to the concerned authorities and is pushing for policies that will benefit us in the long run. Rare disease patients require help and support and we are so happy that so many members of the public are here to support our cause.” ORDI was founded to address the many challenges in the management of rare disease in India. It aims to address the unmet needs of rare disease patients and serves as an umbrella organization for rare disease patients and other stakeholders throughout the country. The funds raised from Race for 7 will be utilized to help ORDI in its mission to improve health of patients with rare diseases across the country through awareness, advocacy, collaborations and information dissemination. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10479/sanofi-genzyme-reaffirms-its-support-towards-rare-diseases-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10479/sanofi-genzyme-reaffirms-its-support-towards-rare-diseases-in-india.html Mon, 26 Feb 2018 15:45:00 +0530 Sanofi Genzyme, the specialty care global business unit of Sanofi, reaffirms its commitment to go the extra mile for patients with rare diseases in India. It has partnered with patient support groups in major cities across the country on the occasion of Rare Disease Day (that falls on 28 February 2018) to raise awareness and sensitize the public about rare diseases in India. Rajaram, Managing Director, Sanofi India, said, “Given the lowburden of rare diseases in the country, these patients are often ‘invisible’ to the public health system. They incur very high diagnostic and treatment costs and do not receive the guidance and support they need. Sanofi Genzyme is committed to working with the community of patients, physicians and researchers to enable effective diagnosis, focused education and sustainable access to treatment.” Sanofi Genzyme is recognized as one of the industry's most generous in-kind givers, and 2018 marks the 20th year of Sanofi Genzyme’s humanitarian program in India. Through the charitable access program, known as INCAP (INdia Charitable Access Program), Sanofi Genzyme is currently providing free Enzyme Replacement Therapy to patients with Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSDs) in India. INCAP has grown significantly since its inception in 1999 and is widely appreciated for its altruistic efforts to support the LSD community by providing therapy to patients who lack sufficient financial resources to avail of these therapies. Today, over a hundred patients are benefitting from the enzyme replacement therapies being provided under INCAP, for rare diseases like Gaucher disease, Pompe disease, Fabry disease, and MPS I (Mucopolysaccharidoses) disease. Sanofi Genzyme in India is focused on treatment for rare diseases, multiple sclerosis and immunology. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10472/iuih-signs-mou-with-up-govt-for-medicity-development.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10472/iuih-signs-mou-with-up-govt-for-medicity-development.html Mon, 26 Feb 2018 11:10:00 +0530 The Indo UK Institute of Health (IUIH), one of the largest healthcare infrastructure projects in the world, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Uttar Pradesh government to invest Rs 1,000 crores for an integrated medicity in the state capital. The MoU was signed during the UP investors’ summit conducted recently. The medicity will have a 1,000 bed hospital and up to 20 per cent patients will be given free treatment at its facilities. It will also have a medical college, nursing college, PG academy, and training facility for allied health professionals. It shall also have a separate zone for medical equipment and device manufacturing, and pharmaceutical production. Cutting-edge medical research will be carried out at the IUIH Medicities in areas as diverse as genomics and stem cells, translational research and clinical research leveraging on the patient data available. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10471/philips-launches-focuspoint-to-reduce-costs-improve-operational-productivities.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10471/philips-launches-focuspoint-to-reduce-costs-improve-operational-productivities.html Mon, 26 Feb 2018 10:50:00 +0530 Royal Philips, a global leader in health technology, introduces FocusPoint, a network application management system to help improve biomedical and IT department productivity. The new technology provides operational alerts and statistical data to support the entire health ecosystem, from the IT department to the biomedical staff, allowing providers to increase system uptime and reduce costs associated with maintaining and servicing Philips medical devices, applications and networks. As the centerpiece of Philips remote-enabled services, FocusPoint builds on Philips’ leadership in patient monitoring with solutions tailored to specific customer needs, and integrating with the provider’s existing IT and biomedical systems and procedures.  As the shift toward value-based care continues, health systems are choosing to incorporate IT solutions into their hospital staff’s workflow to help support better use of resources, improve outcomes and optimize care. FocusPoint acts as a central point for the provider, showing which solutions are installed and running on the customer’s network. FocusPoint will be available in the US in the first half of 2018. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10468/qheart-frontier-mediville-to-make-low-cost-artificial-heart.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10468/qheart-frontier-mediville-to-make-low-cost-artificial-heart.html Fri, 23 Feb 2018 19:15:00 +0530 QHeart Medical, Australia, a pre-clinical stage medical device company in collaboration with Frontier Mediville, is developing a low cost minimally invasive cardiac assist device – Bio QCA (QHeart). This device aims to improve Quality of Life and reduce healthcare costs for millions of unserved patients worldwide and will be used for patients at risk for recurrent Heart Failure and Refractory Hypertension. To announce the entry of this medical device into the healthcare system, Frontier Mediville organized a conference recently, which was chaired by Dr. Peter Walsh, PhD, CEO, QHeart Medical, Australia, Dr. MadhusundanRao Neeli, PhD,VP R&D and Quality, QHeart Medical, Australia and Dr. Adrian Lowry, PhD, Research Scientist, QHeart Medical, Australia who had come to India from Australia to take the research further at Frontier Mediville (Research Centre) at Gumminipoondi. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. K M Cherian, Chairman and CEO of Frontier Lifeline Hospital said “Bringing improvement in healthcare and addressing the unmet medical needs of India has been the foremost aim of Frontier Lifeline Hospital. In our quest to do so, we are immensely happy with our collaboration with QHeart Medical and this is our another step towards advancement in developing innovative healthcare”. Commenting on the collaboration Dr. Peter Walsh, Inventor of the device and CEO of QHeart Medical Inc, Australia said “We are delighted to partner with a leader like Dr. K M Cherian and hope it brings revolution to improve the quality of life of our patients.” To continue the research work on the cardiac assist device, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Australia and India represented by the Prime Ministers of both the countries. Under the terms and the agreement, Frontier Mediville will oversee the planning, implementation and will be the in-charge of all preliminary approval which is necessary for the research. In the composition and structure of their tissue, pigs are the closest animal to humans. Therefore studies would be followed by survival experiments for up to 6 months in pigs to evidence safety of chronic implantation before transitioning to safety studies in man. A separate submission will be made in the future for the chronic survival studies with the help of management team and faculties at Frontier Mediville. The BioQ CA, through its commercial partner QHeart, has obtained a broad patent position in Australia, EU and the USA (2 granted and 3 pending). The proof of concept was validated in mock artificial circuits and it has undergone basic physiological testing in pigs. The first generation of this device was also tested for chronic use for 2 months in a sheep model. The device has received competitive funding from both the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). Recently additional funding was received from the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund for further development with improved engineering and large animal testing. Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF), aims to validate a new fully implantable version of the device initially in acute and terminal porcine animal studies. More specifically, this research will allow further physiological validation of the device and also permit the development of a surgical protocol for a minimally invasive implantation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10461/c-dac-focusing-on-cancer-treatment-using-supercomputers-as-a-tool.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10461/c-dac-focusing-on-cancer-treatment-using-supercomputers-as-a-tool.html Fri, 23 Feb 2018 12:00:00 +0530 The pioneers in supercomputing in India, Pune-based Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) will be putting a major thrust on cancer research in future through supercomputing.  “We are doing a lot of research in the area of bio-informatics, which is coming up in a big way. Our major focus is on cancer treatment using supercomputers as tool. We have interacted with Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, National Cancer Institute in US for doing simulation on ‘P53’ molecule on our system,” Director General C-DAC, Dr Hemant Darbari said.  ‘P53’, also known as TP53 or tumor protein is a gene that codes for a protein that regulates the cell cycle and hence functions as tumor suppressor.  Speaking at the unveiling of CDAC’s new super computer the PARAM Shavak-Virtual Reality (VR), Darbari said that his team is also working on ‘Drug repurposing’.  Drug repositioning (also known as drug repurposing) is the application of known drugs and compounds to treat new diseases. Under this concept, C-DAC is working on repurposing, in which drugs used for diabetes can be used for breast cancer research. These are some of the major initiatives that will be backed up with artificial intelligence. The new supercomputer will help its users to extend the reach beyond traditional domains of design manufacturing and entertainment. The diabetes drug used on human beings is promising and work is on to redirect it towards breast cancer treatment. The team is also trying to use some ancient knowledge from Ayurveda and check its impact on cancer treatment. "PARAM Shavak provides the computing power necessary to keep academic institutions on the leading edge in today's competitive market at affordable cost. This system is meant for research organizations and academic institutions that are on the verge of adopting high performance computing (HPC) culture in their institutions," DG C-DAC said. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10456/experts-highlight-the-risk-of-infection-transmitted-by-re-use-of-needles.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10456/experts-highlight-the-risk-of-infection-transmitted-by-re-use-of-needles.html Thu, 22 Feb 2018 15:00:00 +0530 While the key to diagnosis is many a times dependent on biopsy, some of these devices are being re-used. When reused, biopsy needle becomes a high risk source of infection & micro-organisms getting inoculated into the body. All needles that go inside tissues have the ability to infect more and therefore such hollow needles should never be reused. These views were highlighted by expert panel of Dr. Sandip Jhala (Interventional Specialist), Dr. Vidyullata Koparkar (Infectious Diseases Specialist), Dr.Anagha Zope (Breast surgeon) at an awareness program organized by Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad. The idea behind the program was to create awareness to medics, paramedics and laymen. This program was also attended by paramedical nursing staff from international countries like Tanzania, Kenya, Sudan, Nigeria followed by the public exhibition of posters by the students of Apollo Nursing Institute The needles used for biopsy can never be effectively cleaned and sterilized and reuse of it can cause spread of blood borne pathogens like Hepatitis-B, Hepatitis-C & HIV as well as other micro-organisms like atypical mycobacteria, Gram Negative bacteria & various fungi infections. Many clinics and hospitals are pursuing such practices to reduce the cost of disposable biopsy devices which is wrong. The cost of new biopsy device instead is more than justified because it is small price to pay to avoid infection against the cost of treatment, say for e.g. of cancer. Dr. Sandip Jhala said “Re-use of biopsy needle should be absolutely stopped and current practices should not include the re-sterilization of such used devices because they can never be cleaned.” Single use of biopsy needles is in accordance to CDC-USA guidelines against re-use of these needles which are termed as high risk for transmission of infection. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10455/wellthy-therapeutics-presents-groundbreaking-clinical-data.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10455/wellthy-therapeutics-presents-groundbreaking-clinical-data.html Thu, 22 Feb 2018 14:50:00 +0530 Digital therapeutics leader Wellthy Therapeutics shared interim results of an ongoing real-world pilot to evaluate the effectiveness of the Wellthy Diabetes Smartphone app, becoming the first company in South Asia to do so. The results were shared via an oral presentation and a scientific poster presented at the 11th International Conference on Advanced Technologies and Treatments for Diabetes (ATTD 2018). Wellthy Therapeutics presented data that demonstrated how the use of the Wellthy Diabetes Smartphone App (WD) improved glycemic control. On completion of 16 weeks, participants showed a reduction in their HbA1c by (-0.61%) on average, with 61.5% of participants having showed significant reduction in their HbA1c with an average of (-1.17%) reduction. Wellthy Therapeutics also presented real-world data demonstrating how WD could potentially help physicians and HCPs personalize care for their patients through data-driven decision making. This abstract reported data from 129 participants tracking them for 116 person days each. During the real-world study, participants shared 348 clinical and lifestyle data points on average. In total, the study captured 44,976 diabetes-related clinical and lifestyle data points and 144,695 minutes of physical activity over 15,042 user days. Prof. Satish Garg, Editor-in-Chief, Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics and Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Colorado Denver, said, “I am delighted to see positive results from an evidence-supported tool that is culturally relevant for South Asians living with type-2 diabetes.The number of people with diabetes continues to rise, and further improvement in population health outcomes has to be driven by decision support systems. Data-driven clinical decision support is the future of diabetes care and offers the opportunity to personalize care even further. Further larger randomized sample size studies are needed to confirm these findings.” Mr. Abhishek Shah, CEO, Wellthy Therapeutics, said, “Asia is the epicenter of diabetes incidence and growth globally. While there are plenty of companies that have shown digital therapeutic clinical efficacy in North America, we continue to pioneer real-world credible outcomes for a digital therapeutic that works for South Asians with type II diabetes.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10443/shija-hospital-to-set-up-healthcity-in-manipur.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10443/shija-hospital-to-set-up-healthcity-in-manipur.html Wed, 21 Feb 2018 12:20:00 +0530 Shija Hospitals and Research Institute Pvt. Ltd has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sun and Sands Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. for the development of ‘Shija HealthCity’ in Manipur. Shija HealthCity Manipur is a 200 acres mega project with an estimated project cost of about Rs.3,500 crores. The objective of the project is to bring an inclusive growth based on the healthcare and education. Major features of the HealthCity include 2300 bedded hospitals, Medical College up to 250 students intake, Dental College, Nursing College, Hotel & hospitality management institute, Cancer Hospital, Drugs and surgical consumable manufacturing plants, Residential Complex, Shopping complex, Ambulance including Helicopter Services etc. Sun and Sands Enterprises intends to build 100 start-up entrepreneurs from Manipur. The company feels that these is huge potential in medical tourism at Manipur.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10434/neuberg-diagnostics-forms-ppp-with-tn-govt-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10434/neuberg-diagnostics-forms-ppp-with-tn-govt-.html Tue, 20 Feb 2018 10:50:00 +0530 Neuberg Diagnostics has entered into a public private partnership (PPP) with Tamil Nadu government to set up newborn screening laboratory at Institute of Child Health in Chennai. The newborn screening lab will become operational by next month. Newborn screening begins within 24 to 48 hours of a child's birth when a few drops of blood are obtained from a heel stick. After the sample dries, it is tested at lab for hidden congenital (present at birth) disorders and other disorders that are often not apparent at birth. Such disorders may be inherited, infectious, or caused by a medical problem of the mother. Based on the response, new born screening labs will be set up at other government hospitals in a phased manner. The dried blood spot collected from newborns in government hospitals in parts of Tamil Nadu can be transported to the Chennai lab at normal temperature for screening. Neuberg Diagnostics is developing Bengaluru lab as centre of excellence in the area of proteomics, metabolomics and newborn screening. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10430/tgif-2018-witnesses-the-launch-of-cancer-care-tech-platform.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10430/tgif-2018-witnesses-the-launch-of-cancer-care-tech-platform.html Sun, 18 Feb 2018 14:10:00 +0530 At the Global Innovation Forum 2018 (TGIF) summit in Visakhaptnam, a web-based technology platform, designed to help all stakeholders involved in cancer care to collaborate globally and to synergise their actions in real time, developed by Elixsys Lifesciences, the chief promoter of VCR Park, was unveiled by Dr. Himabindu Gaddipati, its Chairperson and CEO. The proposed VCR Park, to focus on cancer research, is intended to reduce the cancer-care cost across the spectrum. The developers believe that a comprehensive cancer related eco-system is not only needed but is the only way to bend the cost curve and make cancer care affordable in India and around the world. A number of stakeholders, including eminent global scientists, researchers, academicians, doctors, tech start-ups and venture capitalists, attended the summit.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10418/zeomega-announces-the-launch-of-eldricare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10418/zeomega-announces-the-launch-of-eldricare.html Thu, 15 Feb 2018 17:35:00 +0530 ZeOmega, an industry leader in population health management (PHM) solutions servicing healthcare organizations throughout the United States, has announced the opening of its new sister company—EldriCare.Based in Bengaluru and servicing all of India, EldriCare creates and coordinates personalized care plans that help improve outcomes and lower costs for the most complex populations suffering from high burden of disease. With the goal of enhancing people’s lives by effectively engaging them to improve their own health, Eldricare will facilitate follow-up care programmes using multi-channel engagement campaigns that connect with patients via telephone, mail, text, web chat, and/or interactive voice recognition outreach. Eldricare will support patients suffering from both chronic and acute conditions by leveraging Jiva, the end-to-end PHM platform created by its parent company, ZeOmega. Jiva is a one-stop shop solution that addresses: program design and governance, data aggregation and integration, actionable intelligence, holistic, patient-centered care management, stakeholder engagement. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10417/indias-first-clinically-tested-diabetes-digital-pill-to-be-launched-in-mumbai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10417/indias-first-clinically-tested-diabetes-digital-pill-to-be-launched-in-mumbai.html Thu, 15 Feb 2018 17:25:00 +0530 The Wellthy Diabetes smartphone app will be launched at a conference held by the Maharashtra chapter of the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI) tomorrow. The 16-week diabetes intervention programme delivered through the mobile app will now be available for doctors in Mumbai to prescribe to their patients. The digital therapeutic app, developed by Wellthy Therapeutics in scientific collaboration with RSSDI, uses patient-centric design augmented by artificial intelligence to provide integrated care that complements the doctor consultation. Results from several clinical pilot studies, published in leading scientific journals, have shown that patients with Type II diabetes who complete the programme reduce their HbA1C by more than 1% on average, lose significant weight, and improve their medication and diagnostic adherence. Speaking on the launch, Dr. Amit A Saraf, Organizing Secretary, RSSDI Maharashtra said, “A chronic condition like diabetes requires regular attention and care throughout a patient’s life. Patients need to look after themselves between doctor’s appointments and during this period they often become careless in their diabetes management. We look forward to seeing our patients benefit with great outcomes using this digital therapeutic intervention.” Clinical results on the use of the Wellthy Diabetes Digital Therapeutic app have been previously presented at conferences of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE). Additional pilot results on how the app supports clinical and lifestyle management will be presented at the 11th International Conference on Advanced Technologies & Treatments for Diabetes (ATTD 2018) in Vienna, Austria. At the same conference, clinicians will also present data on the app being a valuable intervention tool for health insurers to offer their policyholders. Dr. Maaz Shaikh, VP - Clinical and Product, Wellthy Therapeutics, shared his thoughts on the physician launch and future prospects of the app and said, “As clinicians, we have always struggled in supporting our patients through the journey of changing their habits and maintaining healthy lifestyles. The Wellthy Diabetes App brings to us doctors a clinically validated programme that harnesses the power of medicine, data science and technology to drive and maintain behaviour change and achieve superior clinical outcomes for our patients with Type II diabetes. Finally, we will be able to provide comprehensive and continuous care to all our patients in a scalable and meaningful way.” Dr. Shaikh will be presenting on ‘Enabling doctors to personalise care for Type-2 Diabetes with clinical and lifestyle patient journey data using the Wellthy Diabetes app’ at the conference on the 16th of February. This will be followed by an interesting first-of-its-kind session on ‘Results and implications of a health insurer adopting an RSSDI-endorsed digital diabetes intervention’ The Wellthy Diabetes programme is a clinically verified and structured 16-week program that enables persons with Type II diabetes to better manage their diabetes in between doctor appointments. It gives patients the tools to understand and monitor their food intake, take their medications on time and track their blood sugar levels. Through the digital therapeutic app, users are assigned a dedicated Diabetes Expert, who users can chat with about all their diabetes-related questions and concerns. Every week’s completion marks the achievement of a skill learned to better self-manage diabetes. In addition, the clinically validated artificial intelligence offers real-time guidance and feedback to assist them with effective diabetes management. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10416/government-of-india-bestows-transasia-with-india-medical-devices-export-company-of-the-year-award-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10416/government-of-india-bestows-transasia-with-india-medical-devices-export-company-of-the-year-award-.html Fri, 16 Feb 2018 09:45:00 +0530 Transasia Bio-Medicals Ltd., India’s Leading In-vitro Diagnostic Company, announced today that it has been conferred the ‘India Medical Devices Export Company of the Year’ award by the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India. Mr. Suresh Vazirani, Chairman & Managing Director, Transasia Bio-Medicals Ltd. received the award through the hands of Shri Ananth Kumar, Hon’ble Minister (Chemicals & Fertilizers), Government of India, at the 3rd International Exhibition & Conference on Pharmaceutical & Medical Devices Industry – India Pharma 2018 & India Medical Device 2018 held today at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre, Bengaluru. Shri Suresh Prabhu, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, Hon’ble Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare and other well known dignitaries graced the conference. On receiving the award, Mr. Vazirani remarked, “I am honored to receive this prestigious award and grateful to the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India for conferring it on us. I am proud that Transasia is contributing to the growth of the economy through its exports to over 110 countries. With a vision of creating a ‘Healthier and Happier World’, Transasia has been successfully combining world-class technologies from our global subsidiaries with efficient, low cost manufacturing in India to meet the diagnostic needs of India and the other emerging markets.” He further added, “On this note, I would like to thank the Government of India for recognizing medtech as a sunrise sector in its Make in India initiative. India’s products are being recognized worldwide for their quality, reliability and affordability. The recent reforms are giving an impetus to the growth of this sector. Further boosts are welcome.” The award for the ‘India Medical Devices Export Company of the year’ category along with other categories was instituted by the Govt. of India in order to encourage indigenous manufacturing of medical devices.   To this effect, Transasia is the first Indian In-vitro Diagnostic Company to manufacture and export state-of-the-art blood analyzers and reagents, way back in 1990s. Transasia's main focus remains on the emerging countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and Eastern Europe. In Asia, besides India it caters to the diagnostic needs of countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam. With over 14 overseas acquisitions in countries as varied as the Czech Republic, Germany, U.K, France, Italy, Russia, Turkey, and the US, Transasia serves millions. The exhibition brought together key decision makers from the realms of the industry, academia, regulators and government to gauge opportunities and estimate the potential of indigenous manufacturing for medical devices in India and thereby create an ecosystem to enable path breaking initiatives and innovations. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10406/narayana-health-city-saves-a-life-through-a-unique-procedure.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10406/narayana-health-city-saves-a-life-through-a-unique-procedure.html Wed, 14 Feb 2018 16:30:00 +0530 Narayana Health City gives a new lease of life to a bus conductor from Tamil Nadu who was suffering from a rare heart condition through a unique procedure called Percutaneous Balloon Mitral Valvuloplasty under fluoroscopic and Intra Cardiac Echocardiography guidance (ICE). 45 year old Thulukkanam was born as a dextrocardia, a rare heart condition in which the heart is positioned on the right side of the chest instead of being on the left side. Though he was leading a normal life, recently he started developing difficulty in breathing while walking. On investigations, it was revealed that he was suffering from mitral stenosis, wherein the mitral valve or the valve that lets blood to flow from one chamber of the heart to the other had become narrow and there by blocked the blood flow. Though mitral stenosis is a commonly seen heart ailment, mitral stenosis in dextrocardia is extremely rare. A fatal condition, it has the potential to gradually lead to blood clot and even stroke or heart failure. Speaking about the condition, Dr. Uday Khanolkar, Senior Interventional cardiologist, Narayana Institute of Cardiac Sciences, Narayana Health City said, “Narrowing of the mitral valve in a person whose heart is positioned on the right side is an extremely rare condition with a global prevalence of 1 in 2,00,000 people. Until recently the condition was treated by performing a surgery involving valve change. In this case we performed a minimally invasive procedure. Further, as Interventional Cardiologists we are used to performing procedures on the left sided heart, so the orientation was also a challenge. However, ICE (Intra Cardiac Echocardiography guidance) played an important role in making the complex procedure easy and efficient.”  Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty involves insertion of a thin flexible tube through an artery in the between the abdomen and the thigh area which is then threaded into the heart. Once the tube reaches the narrowed mitral valve a balloon located at the tip of the tube is inflated. As the inflated balloon presses against the valve it enables the narrowed mitral valve to stretch open. This thereby increases the size of the mitral valve opening and improved the blood flow. While this whole process takes place inside the heart, Intra Cardiac Echocardiography (ICE) helps in visualising it and carrying it out efficiently. “While percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty is common, performing the same through ICE is rare. ICE is a technique that enables to see the structures of the heart from inside without opening the heart” added Dr. Kapil Kumawat, Senior Interventional Cardiologist & Electrophysiologist, Narayana Institute of Cardiac Sciences, Narayana Health City Having treated mitral stenosis in Dextrocardia, Narayana Health City is among the few hospitals that has the expertise to successfully treat rare cardiac conditions. Expressing his happiness, Mr. Thulukkanam said, “I never imagined that I would recover owing to my rare condition. Today, I am not only fine but also can lead a normal life again. I am so grateful to Dr. Uday and Dr. Kapil for giving me a new life.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10405/tarnea-tech-launches-new-product-to-digitise-small-pharmacies.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10405/tarnea-tech-launches-new-product-to-digitise-small-pharmacies.html Wed, 14 Feb 2018 16:20:00 +0530 Bengaluru headquartered Tarnea Technologies is furthering its mission to digitize small pharmacies by launching its latest product, Eagle Eye. As India’s first cloud based digital pharmacy, The Smartmile has helped many independent traditional pharmacy stores go digital. The new Tarnea EagleEye smartphone app will give these standalone pharmacy owners now, the ability to monitor their store in real-time 24x7, while constantly collecting data to power, cutting-edge business analytics for their store. The software’s convenient interface will help owners save precious time and money, allowing them to manage the business remotely and get all the analysis and information they need via their smart phones. Tarnea’s EagleEye has been designed specifically to help the standalone pharmacy owner compete in a new digitally-led era by becoming more data-driven and efficient. The app will enable independent pharmacy owners to have full visibility and control on their pharmacies from wherever they are, in addition to being a comprehensive resource for business intelligence and analytics on sales, customers, cash flow, inventory, purchase, and staff performance. Both simple and extremely powerful, the app gives real-time performance tracking, comparison with past performances, insightful graphs and charts, as well as the ability to track multiple stores from the same app. Pharmacy owners can be alerted and notified to high value transactions, store achievements, business summaries at the end of working hours, GST filing due dates, and stock-level dynamics. The application also helps pharmacy owners stay tuned to the latest developments by curating relevant industry news on the app for their perusal. Commenting on the launch, Suresh Satyamurthy, CEO and Co-founder, Tarnea Technologies, said, “Small, standalone pharmaceutical retailers are at a disadvantage from increasingly location-agnostic marketplaces, large branded chains, and e-commerce players. Managing their day-to-day operations, monitoring performance, and finding ways to become more efficient and grow, isn’t easy – but technology can be the great equalizer here, and Tarnea is working towards making that happen. We ensure that our solutions are crafted after considerable research into what these business owners need. We are proud to launch Tarnea EagleEye, which will give them the information and the tools they need to become more productive, more efficient, and profitable.” Tarnea has been using technology to empower small and standalone pharmacy owners to help them compete against branded pharmacy chains and e-commerce pharma platforms through its ‘Digital Pharmacy’ revolution. The company, commenced in 2012, is a fast-evolving ‘Make in India’ startup that designs products through a comprehensive outreach program,sending employees to work on retail shop floors to gain insights into what these business owners need to optimize their operations. Tarnea’s customer-focused, simple, yet revolutionary retail technology is best exemplified by Tarnea EagleEye- control, security and data intelligence.The app has currently been made available in Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Guntur, Ongole, and Erode in the first phase of the launch.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10400/the-unmet-in-diabetes-care-an-indian-phenotype-perspective-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10400/the-unmet-in-diabetes-care-an-indian-phenotype-perspective-.html Wed, 14 Feb 2018 11:40:00 +0530 An interactive session was recently organised by AstraZeneca in collaboration with Edelman India, to know more about the current unmet needs in Diabetes Care and the latest treatment advancements. Dr. Mala Dharmalingam, Prof and HOD, MS Ramaiah Medical College & Hospital, Director, BEDRC, highlighted that 8/10 Indians display a characteristic feature of the Indian Phenotype making them highly vulnerable to developing the nexus of type 2 diabetes, obesity and hypertension. Prevalence & disease burden According to the latest (2017) IDF report, India has close to 73 million people with diabetes. By the year 2045, the number of people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in India will rise to 134 million, thus making it the highest diabetic prone country in the world.  According to IDF Diabetes Atlas 2017, 57.9% of the population within the age group of 20-79 years remain undiagnosed in India and 66.9% are uncontrolled despite treatment. Indian Phenotype & diabetes Eight in ten Indians display a characteristic feature of the Indian Phenotype (greater degree of central body obesity, higher insulin resistance and characteristic dyslipidemia) making them highly vulnerable to developing type 2 diabetes, obesity and hypertension. Clinical evidence further indicates that Indian diabetes patients have comorbidities such as hypertension and abdominal obesity and are at a two-fold risk of cardiovascular and 40-70% increased risk of renal complications. 57% of the Indian population have abdominal obesities and 71% suffer from hypertension, these conditions serve as comorbidities to Indian phenotype. Current treatment options: Oral Hypoglycemic agents Insulin Secretagogues- Sulfonylureas Biguanides Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor GLP-1 agonists/ incretins Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors SGLT2i Dopamine agonist Bile Acid Sequestran Amylinomimetics Cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonists Insulin sensitizers Biguanides Thiazolidinediones Injectables Insulin-                                   GLP-1 agonists/ incretins Short Acting Intermediate Acting Long Acting Combination   Comprehensive diabetes management from the start About 67% patients don’t reach their HbA1c targets establishing the need for comprehensive treatment management. Clinical studies have demonstrated that substantial delays in treatment intensification in patients with T2DM can be an important barrier in achieving optimal patient outcomes.  There is a growing body of research that indicates early treatment intensification in diabetes may significantly improve patients’ chances of reaching their HbA1c goals. Other advantages include: a potential reduction in side effects risk by combining drugs at lower doses versus up-titration of single dose, the opportunity to combine oral antidiabetic drugs with complementary modes of action and the potential to delay disease progression. The ADA recommends that treatment for type 2 diabetes should be intensified if there is no improvement in patient HbA1c levels after 3 months of initial therapy with metformin. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10377/healthasyst-enters-into-partnership-with-ge-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10377/healthasyst-enters-into-partnership-with-ge-healthcare.html Mon, 12 Feb 2018 11:00:00 +0530 HealthAsyst, a healthcare technology solutions provider, has announced a partnership with GE Healthcare through GE Healthcare’s Centricity Partner Program. The program aims to partner with organizations offering cutting-edge solutions that effectively complement GE Healthcare’s solutions. With this partnership, CheckinAsyst, the patient check-in solution offered by HealthAsyst, is available for users of GE Healthcare’s Centricity Practice Solution and Centricity Group Management. CheckinAsyst is designed to improve practice productivity and revenue collection while delivering a convenient, self-service patient check-in experience. With robust bi-directional integration with Centricity Practice Solution and Centricity Group Management, CheckinAsyst has the ability to update the GE Healthcare systems with discrete data digitally captured during patient check-in, after an efficient validation process by the provider. The option for patients to remotely complete pre-registration via mobile or a computer will transform the way patient intake functions today. HealthAsyst has been providing innovative solutions to the global healthcare industry since 1999. It has a strong track record of successful products and services engagements across the healthcare industry spectrum. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10371/tata-to-launch-17-cancer-care-centres-in-assam.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10371/tata-to-launch-17-cancer-care-centres-in-assam.html Fri, 09 Feb 2018 15:45:00 +0530 In Guwahati, Tata Sons chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran declared that the Tata Group will join hands with Assam government to roll out an elaborate cancer care programme across 15 districts of the state from next year.  Chandrasekaran said that its proposed healthcare initiative will be spread across 15 districts of the state.  The proposed infrastructure footprint comprises 17 centres across the state and it will be able to provide much-needed services starting early next year.  The programme will work in hub-and-spoke model with all the medical colleges acting as the hubs, while the district hospitals will function as diagnosis and day-care centres.  The official also said that a three-tiered model has been conceived with leading oncologists, which would offer different levels of cancer care ranging from complicated procedures to simple diagnostic tests.  The model is centered on the use of technology and task shifting to facilitate operations in remote areas, and patient-centric design principles to provide a good in-hospital experience to the patient and care-giver.  The model will ensure that no patient will have to travel more than a few hours for accessing the full suite of cancer treatment services.  This 3-tier model will be supported by an extensive awareness, screening and early detection programme at the population level. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10355/medgenome-apollo-doctors-deliberate-on-nipt-benefits-of-pgs-pgd-in-ivf.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10355/medgenome-apollo-doctors-deliberate-on-nipt-benefits-of-pgs-pgd-in-ivf.html Thu, 08 Feb 2018 12:00:00 +0530 MedGenome, the market leader in genomics-based diagnostics and research, along with Apollo CM fertility, a leading In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) chain, organized a Continuing Medical Education (CME) session recently to discuss the scope for NIPT (non-invasive prenatal test) and benefits of Pre-implantation Genetic Screening/Diagnosis (PGS/D) in IVF. The CME hosted talks by Dr Priya Kadam, Programme Director, NIPT, MedGenome and Dr Sam Balu, Manager Scientific Affairs, MedGenome. The CME was attended by city’s leading consultants and specialists from the field of obstetrics/gynecology and assisted reproduction. Dr Priya Kadam, Programme Director, NIPT, MedGenome spoke about the need to offer non-invasive screening/testing (NIPT) solutions to all pregnant women; especially considering the risk of Microdeletion Syndromes, which occur irrespective of maternal age. DiGeorge syndrome is caused by a loss of a specific small part of chromosome 22 and is the second most common chromosomal abnormality after Down syndrome. It leads to developmental delay, intellectual abnormalities, structural defects (such as cleft lip and palate) and/or organ malformations like congenital heart disease. The frequency of this syndrome is estimated to be about 1 in every 3000 live births (the risk can go up to 1 in 1000 prenatally). Speaking on the management of these disorders she said, “There is no cure for such disorders. However commonly occurring, clinically relevant chromosomal abnormalities such as aneuploidies and microdeletions can be screened during pregnancy with non-invasive prenatal screening. Blood collected from the mother’s arm contains the cell-free DNA from the growing baby. This DNA is isolated and screened for the chromosomal abnormalities associated with these disorders. The results can tell scientists and clinicians about the baby’s risk of being affected by these conditions. This information can empower the parents to make informed choices, enable them to be fully aware of these conditions and seek medical help.” She also touched upon the capability of MedGenome’s NIPT test to screen twins, egg donor and surrogate pregnancies for such chromosomal abnormalities. Dr Sam Balu, Manager Scientific Affairs, MedGenome discussed the increasing burden of infertility with about 10% of the nation’s population affected by the condition which has led to an increasing demand for IVF. However a drawback in IVF is a lower success rate, which can results in a patient requiring multiple cycles for a successful pregnancy.  Dr. Balu highlighted that even with IVF the chances of getting pregnant being around 40% on average, but by including PGS in the process the, chances may be increased up to 70%.The aim of using PGS is to improve the overall success rate of IVF pregnancy and reduce the number of IVF cycles required to achieve a successful pregnancy. Similarly using PGD, IVF Embryos can be tested for disease causing mutation(s) inherited for their parents (such as Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anemia). This would allow the clinician to selectively implant embryos without these mutations, thereby allowing such couples to have a child unaffected by the disorder. Talking on the benefits of PGS and PGD he said, “Technology advances in medicine has helped couples to embrace parenthood which otherwise was a distant dream. PGS/PGD is a latest genomic technology which will significantly improve the chances of having a healthy baby.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10329/medial-earlysigns-clinical-study-links-diabetes-with-kidney-damage-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10329/medial-earlysigns-clinical-study-links-diabetes-with-kidney-damage-.html Tue, 06 Feb 2018 12:25:00 +0530 Medial EarlySign is a leader of machine-learning based solutions to improve non-communicable disease management. The company announced the results of an additional clinical data study in the domain of diabetes identifying diabetic patients who are at highest risk for having renal dysfunction within one year. Medial EarlySign's machine-learning based model analyzed dozens of factors residing in Electronic Health Records (EHRs); including laboratory tests results, demographics, medication, diagnostic codes and others, to predict who might be at high risk for having renal dysfunction within one year. By isolating less than 5% of the 400,000 diabetic population selected among the company's database of 15 million patients, the algorithm was able to identify 45% of patients who would progress to significant kidney damage within a year, prior to becoming symptomatic. This represents 25% more patients than would have been identified by commonly used clinical tools and judgement. Kidney problems are one of the most common diabetes-related complications, affecting approximately 20%-40% of diabetics worldwide. Early identification and treatment may help prevent or slow the progression of damage to the kidney, reducing the likelihood of future complications, such as ESRD. This model joins a group of predictive models and algorithmic calculators developed and researched by Medial EarlySign, with the goal of providing healthcare organizations a comprehensive set of predictive tools to address the challenge of engaging with the right patients and offering effective interventions to reduce morbidity and mortality from diabetes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10325/dart-conference-current-therapeutics-and-interventions-in-muscular-dystrophy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10325/dart-conference-current-therapeutics-and-interventions-in-muscular-dystrophy.html Tue, 06 Feb 2018 10:00:00 +0530 Dystrophy Annihilation Research Trust (DART) is a parent-powered NGO founded in 2012,  with a mission to create a common platform to provide counseling and support for all Muscular Dystrophy patients and their families, as well as to create awareness of Treatments and Drug Trials, and last but not least, facilitate research into alleviating the scourge of Muscular Dystrophy. DART is unique in its nature as a parent run Ministry of Science and Technology Govt. of India DSIR certified research lab. The Muscular Dystrophies are a group of genetic diseases characterized by progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal or voluntary muscles which control movement. The most prevalent and fatal form is Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) which is caused due to a lack of a protein called ‘Dystrophin”. The Disease affects only boys but girls are carriers. One out of 3500 boys is affected and there are around 4,50,000 children suffering from this terrible disease. The conference will attract over 300 delegates including Academicians, Patients, Caregivers, Patient Advocacy Organisations, Clinicians and Industry professionals from all over the world who will have the platform to: Network with partners on key issues and challenges in DMD Engage with panels of international experts who will inform, challenge and stimulate debate Acquire the latest updates on standards of care, outcome measures, patient registries and new developments on a global scale  Venue:  The Chancery Pavilion, Bangalore Date: 23rd & 24th February, 2018 For more details on the conference please visit : https://dartindia.in/registration/ ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10321/p-d-hinduja-hospital-mrc-receives-2-accreditations-from-nabh.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10321/p-d-hinduja-hospital-mrc-receives-2-accreditations-from-nabh.html Mon, 05 Feb 2018 12:35:00 +0530 P.D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre (MRC) received two accreditations from the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH), the highest national recognition and a mark of quality patient care and safety. The accreditations were conferred in recognition of Standards for Nursing Excellence (Nursing department) and Standards for Institutional Ethics Committee under Clinical Program (Research wing). The Hospital has been an NABH accredited multispecialty hospital for the past 9 years.  P.D. Hinduja Hospital & MRC has provided more than six decades of selfless and dedicated service of providing quality healthcare to the people of India.  The hospital has recently received various industry awards for healthcare delivery, innovation and technology.  The institution's focus has always been to provide patient centric healthcare experience that allows access to the best doctors and technology at an affordable cost.  The NABH is a constituent of the Quality Council of India (QCI) set up by the Central government and operates several accreditation programmes for hospitals and healthcare institutions. Accreditations by the NABH act as benchmarks for various healthcare organizations are valid for a period of three years and undergo renewal every three years. The hospital underwent several stringent assessments to check the standards of services being provided and a check on patient safety. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10318/vizag-to-get-a-cancer-research-park.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10318/vizag-to-get-a-cancer-research-park.html Mon, 05 Feb 2018 10:35:00 +0530 A world-class cancer research park is soon to be developed in Visakhapatnam. A high-level team from America-based Elixsys and noted companies in cancer care will be visiting the city to explore the project further. Named Vyas Cancer Park (VCR), it is aimed at making the park a prominent hub for cancer research. The aim of the project is to create a comprehensive life science ecosystem that specialises in bringing together various stakeholders from around the world to undertake research in the VCR Park. The park is proposed in 350 acres with an investment of Rs.3,035 crore. The promoters promise direct employment for 12,000 and indirect jobs for 17,500. The promoters of the project, experts from all over the world, and State government officials, along with Ministers, will be attending a conference being held in Visakhapatnam on February 17 and 18 to discuss about cancer research and progress with regard to establishing the park. The primary objective of the conference is to create alignment between the leadership in industry, academia, clinical care, start-ups, and government, and design innovative initiatives to improve clinical outcomes for cancer patients. The forum will provide a unique opportunity for all the delegates to showcase their expertise and participate in creative problem solving. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10313/u-s-researchers-develop-an-online-tool-that-imparts-knowledge-of-breast-cancer-treatment-options.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10313/u-s-researchers-develop-an-online-tool-that-imparts-knowledge-of-breast-cancer-treatment-options.html Fri, 02 Feb 2018 17:55:00 +0530 Researchers from Cancer Surveillance and Outcomes Research Team at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center have developed an interactive tool to help patients in the complex decision-making process about their treatment of breast cancer. According to a previous study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, patients using the interactive tool had higher knowledge and felt more prepared to make a treatment decision, as compared to static informational website users. Researchers enrolled 537 patients with newly diagnosed early-stage, breast cancer from multiple practices spread throughout four states. Patients were randomized to view a tailored, interactive decision tool called iCanDecide or to view similar information on a static website. They were then surveyed about five weeks later, after making their treatment decision. Of all participants, 496 completed the survey. Overall, 61% of patients who used the interactive tool had a higher knowledge of treatment options, compared to 42%, who viewed the static material. Patients who used the interactive tool were also more likely to say they felt prepared to make a treatment decision. The interactive site was designed to walk people systemically through key facts about breast cancer surgery, such as how often cancer recurs and the likelihood of needing additional surgery. A second module on the website helped patients understand options for systemic treatment, such as chemotherapy. The paper assesses only the surgery module. The tool also assessed patients’ values, taking them through a series of hypothetical scenarios. In the end, each patient had a customised bar graphic that showed how their preferences matched to treatments. For example, if they valued keeping their natural breast, the lumpectomy bar would be higher. Patients could interact with the figure to learn more. A similar number of patients from both groups reported making a choice in line with their values. The tool was funded by National Cancer Institute and developed by Michigan Medicine.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10312/nhs-plans-to-be-first-to-eliminate-hepatitis-c.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10312/nhs-plans-to-be-first-to-eliminate-hepatitis-c.html Fri, 02 Feb 2018 16:15:00 +0530 National Health Service (NHS) England has laid out plans for England to become the first country to eliminate hepatitis C, at least five years earlier than the World Health Organisation’s target date of 2030. NHS leaders called on the pharmaceutical industry to work with them to provide best value for money for treatments to eliminate Hepatitis C. The NHS has invested in Hepatitis C treatment each year as new treatments became available to improve outcomes for people with the virus but doctors, patient groups and NHS leaders believe it is possible to go further and is encouraging pharma companies to work with them to meet this more ambitious target. The next round of procurement, which launches in February and is to be the single largest medicines procurement ever done by the NHS, will see new agreements drawn up with drug companies that will involve collaboration to identify more people who are living with hepatitis C who need to be treated. Experts have predicted that this approach, combined with the NHS sustaining the same level of investment and the best new treatments being used could undoubtedly lead to Hepatitis C being eradicated as a major public health concern in the very near future. England is one of few countries in Europe where numbers of patients receiving new oral treatments for Hepatitis C are already increasing year on year, enabled by deals previously agreed with industry. The deals, including ‘pay per cure’ where the NHS only pays when a patient is cured and a focus on prioritising the sickest patients, have led to a 10% reduction in the number of deaths and the numbers of patients needing a liver transplant have reduced by 50%. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10298/mit-researchers-show-the-success-rates-of-clinical-trials-are-higher-than-previously-thought-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10298/mit-researchers-show-the-success-rates-of-clinical-trials-are-higher-than-previously-thought-.html Thu, 01 Feb 2018 12:00:00 +0530 A new study by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that nearly 14% of all drugs in clinical trials eventually win approval from the FDA an amount that is much higher than previous studies indicate. The researchers also found that approval rates for specific illnesses range from a high of 33.4% for infectious-disease vaccines to a low of 3.4% for cancer.  The study has broad implications for the ways in which investors, regulators, policymakers, and clinicians calculate the risks and rewards of investing in drug development programs. The probability of success (POS) of a clinical trial is a key input to their decisions.  The results of the research; the largest study of its kind to date were derived from the Citeline® dataset provided by UK-based publishing company, Informa®. The dataset contained more than 400,000 entries corresponding to 185,994 unique clinical trials of over 21,000 compounds. To analyze such a large dataset, Prof. Lo and his colleagues Chi Heem Wong and Kien Wei Siah from MIT Laboratory, developed automated algorithms to trace each drug development path, infer phase transitions, and compute the POS statistics within a matter of hours. To put this in perspective, generating POS estimates using over 217,000 clinical trial entries available in the ClinicalTrials.gov database would take months to years if the matching and inferences had to be done manually. The research team found that while approval rates did fall between 2005 and 2013, they have been trending upward since then. For example, oncology drugs had the lowest overall approval rate of 3.4%; in 2015, however, this estimate increased to 8.3%, no doubt partly due to the recent progress in immuno-oncology.  The study's findings also have important consequences for the future design and implementation of clinical trials. For instance, the study provides POS estimates for trials that do and do not stratify patients using biomarkers, a genetic sequence that causes, or is associated with, disease. The researchers found that trials using biomarkers tend to be more successful than those that do not. This indicates the growing role of companion diagnostics in improving clinical trial success rates. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10297/admedus-introduces-heart-tissue-engineering-technology-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10297/admedus-introduces-heart-tissue-engineering-technology-in-india.html Thu, 01 Feb 2018 10:30:00 +0530 Admedus in partnership with Syncronei Medical India and supported by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) has now launched its clinically-superior Adapt technology in the country. Physicians in India now have access to the benefits of the disruptive Adapt technology and Admedus’ flagship product CardioCel to provide life-changing outcomes for patients. To support the launch of CardioCel in India, Adapt inventor and Professor Leon Neethling, Vice President, Cardiovascular Technologies Admedus will deliver a comprehensive series of meetings and presentations with physicians in major health centres across India to demonstrate the product’s clinical applications and benefits. Regulatory approval to launch CardioCel, a bio-scaffold for the management of congenital and adult structural heart abnormalities, in India was granted in November 2017. Primarily used in restorative structural heart repair and reconstruction, Adapt treated tissue provides unparalleled resistance to calcification. It delivers transformative repair with long-term durability that enables native cells to successfully grow and differentiate through the entire repair, without calcification or toxicity. Both Admedus and Syncronei Medical are looking forward to working closely with Indian clinicians, health officials and key opinion leaders (KOLs) to build productive long-term relationships focused on helping to improve the health outcomes and quality of life for Indian patients with heart disease. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10289/measles-rubella-vaccination-campaign-flags-off-in-odisha.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10289/measles-rubella-vaccination-campaign-flags-off-in-odisha.html Wed, 31 Jan 2018 10:40:00 +0530 A Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign was recently flagged off by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. The campaign aims to eliminate transmission of the diseases like measles and rubella from the community by vaccinating children with MR vaccine. The Measles-Rubella vaccine is being introduced for the first time under immunization programme in Odisha. Under this campaign nearly 1.13 crore children will be vaccinated between nine months to 15 years of age group. Collectors have been sensitized to conduct the campaign at the grassroots and dedicated nodal officers are nominated for monitoring district level MR Vaccination Campaign activities. The Health and Family Welfare Department has collaborated with school and mass education, ST and SC development, panchayat raj, housing and urban development departments, for the successful implementation of the programme. MR Vaccination Campaign has development partners like World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and professional bodies like the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Indian Academy of Paediatric (IAP) and Lions International. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10270/hyderabad-govt-to-launch-its-diagnostic-brand.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10270/hyderabad-govt-to-launch-its-diagnostic-brand.html Mon, 29 Jan 2018 15:15:00 +0530 The Telangana government is planning to launch its own state-wide brand of diagnostic services called Telangana Diagnostics. It will operate under financial assistance from Centre’s National Health Mission. For manpower to execute the programme, the State plans to use its own staff to ferry samples collected at PHCs to the mini-hub. Subsequently, a professional agency will be hired to carry them to the diagnostic hub. Trials are under way to test the delivery model behind the State’s planned diagnostic services, at the Institute of Preventive Medicine in Narayanguda.  The studies have shown that a sizeable percentage of low-income groups are unable to avail themselves of diagnostic services in public healthcare despite the existence of such facilities at tertiary hospitals in Hyderabad. To provide healthcare services to that uncovered population, around 30 diagnostic investigations will be provided at the hub free of charge. The hub diagnostic centres will also provide X-ray and imaging services, but the State plans to introduce more advanced imaging techniques like CT scan in future. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10267/iihmr-to-hold-1st-annual-international-workshop-on-up-skilling-of-orthopaedicians.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10267/iihmr-to-hold-1st-annual-international-workshop-on-up-skilling-of-orthopaedicians.html Mon, 29 Jan 2018 14:30:00 +0530 Institute of Health Management and Research, Bangalore (IIHMR) created a ‘platform for Competency Enhancements’ among various healthcare providers by organising its first annual international workshop on, “Up-skilling of Orthopaedicians for Enhancement of Competencies’ for four days from 25th January to 28th January 2018. This event was the first of its kind in India, where over a hundred medical professionals from six countries came to participate. The three-day event had eight sessions and sixty-five senior teaching faculty from seventeen states of India. Orthopaedic surgical skill is traditionally acquired during training in an apprenticeship model that has been largely unchanged for nearly 100 years. Efforts must be made to learn from the experiences of developed nations and a very few open fora are organized in the developing countries for the dissemination of research findings of the developed nations in relation to skill development of clinicians. In this context, to avail hands on-workshop on the domain of up-skill training and experiential learning in the field of orthopaedics, IIHMR organized the workshop for the benefit of Orthopaedicians and organizations to enhance the skills and broaden the prospects.  Dr Usha Manjunath, Director, IIHMR Bangalore, said, ‘Upskilling is a need of today and its equally important for all the verticals be it in healthcare, education, hospitality, technology, banking etc. This workshop will enhance the existing skills of all the Orthopaedicians attending the three day workshop and discuss best practices.’   Commenting on the concerns of the industry Dr Anil Sood, organizing chairman of the conference said, “Even though orthopaedic industry is witnessing a lot of innovations, which is a good sign, but efforts should be geared towards skilling clinicians in evidence based methods. There is a need to stick to the golden techniques, while cautiously applying only proven and certified methods by Orthopaedicians. A broad base platform like the one planned would provide a very great learning opportunity in a wide array of techniques.” Eminent people from the healthcare industry Dr John Ebnezar Ex-Professor of Orthopaedics, Padma Shri recipient, Dr H P C Khincha Director of Arthroplasty, Sagar Hospitals, Bangalore, Dr Thomas Chandy  Director of Arthroplasty, Hosmat Hospitals, Bangalore and Dr K.S. Manjunath, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon at Bowring & Lady Curzon Hospital and Basavangudi Orthopedic Rehabilitation Centre, Bangalore to name a few will be addressing the need to upskill for orthopaedic surgeons to deliver quality service. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10266/fujifilm-showcases-its-latest-medical-devices-at-the-71st-annual-iria-conference-2018.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10266/fujifilm-showcases-its-latest-medical-devices-at-the-71st-annual-iria-conference-2018.html Mon, 29 Jan 2018 13:25:00 +0530 Fujifilm India Private Limited, one of the leaders in Healthcare industry,  showcased its latest medical equipment at the 71st National Conference of the Indian Radiological and Imaging Association (IRIA) and the 17th Asian Oceanian Congress of Radiology at Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel, Powai, Mumbai from the 25th- 28th of Jan 2018. This is a biannual conference that is reaching India after a gap of 25 years. Leveraging the opportunity at the conference, Fujifilm India announced the launch of EP CORSA in two variants of 15kw & 30 kw. The EPSILON EP CORSA 15kW and EP CORSA 32kW are ergonomically designed Digital Radiography Systems with High Frequency X-ray generator and two position X-ray examination table which is a new CONCEPT that improves workflow and throughput. It offers affordability, robust system design and high quality output. The system is designed to suite all radiographic examinations from skull and pelvis to extremities. To broaden the clinical spectrum with single detector solution, the examination table can be used as a wall stand in order to perform chest or orthopedic applications. For standing, seated or recumbent patients, EP CORSA can easily accommodate different examination conditions with one fixed single detector. Commenting on the launch at IRIA 2018, Mr. Haruto Iwata, Managing Director, Fujifilm India Pvt. Ltd. said, “The launch of the EP CORSA is a step for Fujifilm India to consolidate its position in the Digital Radiography (DR) Segment. This state of the art equipment is designed especially for the Indian Market with focus on affordability and performance. We are happy to launch this product at IRIA 2018 as this is an excellent platform for us to showcase and reach out to our customers. We have also displayed our other medical products including the Amulet Innovality, SYNAPSE-PACS, RIS and Mobility Solution and range CR (Computed Radiography), Imager and Dry Films.” “We currently have a 50% market Share in CR segment and are trying to increase our share in the DR segment as well which is currently at 30% Share. We hope to increase our share in the DR segment to 40% this year. The newly launched EP CORSA DR system would provide much value to existing CR customers by increasing productivity, lowering X-Ray dose to patients and improving image quality,” added Mr. Chandershekhar Sibal, Senior Vice President - Medical Division, Fujifilm India Pvt. Ltd. Array of Fujifilm’s Devices at AOCR Amulet Innovality- A highly advanced breast cancer diagnostic machine that has made early detection of breast cancer a reality with its 50 Micron 3D image quality and advanced tomosynthesis technology that reveals the internal structure of the breast with a precision enabling the detection of lesions that ordinarily get overlooked in a routine mammography. Fujifilm India has already installed this product in many top private and government hospitals in India. FDR Smart F – Fujifilm’s latest high quality, cost effective digital X-ray system which can be easily installed in limited spaces and is easy to use. This product was especially designed for emerging countries like India. In Medical Informatics, the company showcased the SYNAPSE-PACS, RIS and Mobility Solution to provide improved workflow, efficiency and quality of reporting in radiology departments. Since 1999, Synapse® has been transforming healthcare organizations with continuous innovation in diagnostic image management, advanced visualization, enterprise imaging workflow and shared informatics architecture. Prima TM, CR Systems – an affordable High-speed image processing tabletop FCR (Fuji Computed Radiography) with mammography compatibility. It sports a space saving design and provides superior image quality of 50 Micron resolutions. SonoSite X-Porte FC-I – an ultrasound machine with breakthrough extreme definition imaging for pinpoint precision. It comes with educational resources such as step-by-step tutorials viewable simultaneously with live scans. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10241/sassoon-general-hospital-opens-a-clinic-to-curb-obesity-related-disorders.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10241/sassoon-general-hospital-opens-a-clinic-to-curb-obesity-related-disorders.html Tue, 23 Jan 2018 16:55:00 +0530 Considering the growing number of diseases caused due to obesity, Sassoon General Hospital has now set up an obesity clinic. Doctors from Sassoon said that the necessity of the obesity clinic highlights its rising presence across all sections of society.  Dean Dr Ajay Chandanwale said, "Obesity is a lifestyle disease. Many non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus,malignancies, migraine, metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovarian disease,depression, sleep apnea, acid peptic disease, rheumatoid arthritis and gout are associated with obesity. In India, 40 per cent of the population suffers from obesity and related diseases."  Speaking about the obesity clinic, Dr Chandanwale said, "The main objective of the clinic is to screen patients for obesity based on height, weight and body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumference ratio and a clinical examination. Patients detected as being prone to obesity will be evaluated for biochemical tests and counselling for lifestyle modification with diet and exercise. Those with a BMI above 40 will be advised for bariatric surgery."  Preventive medicine expert, physiologist, surgeon, physiotherapist and dietitian are available for patients attending the clinic. Recently, Address Health, a provider of health services in schools, conducted a survey in Pune which claimed that one in eight children (12 per cent) across all age groups are at risk of developing lifestyle or metabolic diseases in adulthood, based on their waist to height ratio, which was in excess of the standard.  The data collected by Address Health during the current academic year 2017/18 revealed that obesity is on the rise in children with nearly 11 per cent being obese and 13 per cent being overweight. Primary and middle school children were found to be more obese and overweight.  The survey was conducted on 2,700 school kids aged 4-16.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10239/ahpi-karnataka-raises-concerns-over-nmc-bill-2017.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10239/ahpi-karnataka-raises-concerns-over-nmc-bill-2017.html Tue, 23 Jan 2018 15:25:00 +0530 To overcome the challenges being faced by the health sector in India, as highlighted by the Honorable Parliamentary Standing Committee in its report submitted to the parliament on March 8, 2016; the Government of India came up with the draft National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill 2017, aimed at creating of robust medical education regulatory system.  As per the committee report, there are huge gaps in availability of qualified doctors, specialist, and super specialist, and a huge geographical mal-distribution of medical colleges under which 2/3 medical colleges are in the regions representing 1/3 population. Moreover, the medical education regulatory framework is grossly inadequate and ineffective on ground. There is total disconnect between medical education system and needs of healthcare delivery system in the country. Keeping above in view there has been long pressing need to reform medical education. Accordingly, Government of India came up with the draft National Medical Commission bill 2017, aimed at creating of robust medical education regulatory system. Considering that reforms in health systems of nation are closely linked with nation’s medical education system, it is important that new system by way of NMC should be able to meet the challenges as mentioned above and take our health system to next level and make universal health coverage (UHC) a reality in near future. There are however, certain areas of concern in the draft bill that need to be addressed if the objectives of having world class regulatory framework are to be fulfilled. These are as follows: The proportion of elected representatives from medical fraternity in the proposed NMC 2017 is to the extent of 20% which is grossly inadequate and undermines the principles of democracy. This needs to be enhanced appropriately. The founding principles of modern medicine are evidence-based and are rooted in standard treatment protocols, which have nothing in common with the traditional systems of medicine (AYUSH). Therefore, mixing up of these systems of medicine through bridge courses will in no way be appropriate. On the contrary it will undermine the patient safety and pave the way for promoting quackery. Following successful completion of the MBBS examination enforcing another National Licentiate Examination is superfluous.  However, those aspiring to do post-graduate courses can be made to appear for common PG-entrance examination. Voicing his opinion, Dr BS Ajaikumar, Karnataka state president Association of Healthcare Providers of India said, “The draft NMC bill addresses the needs of healthcare across India, but there are certain parts which leave the door wide open for corruption. We should learn from history and ensure that the same mistakes and pitfalls are not replicated. An autonomous and independent body governing licensing, standardization, accreditation, governance and monitoring of medical education is the need of the hour. For this, I strongly recommend minimum government involvement and representation in the Committee and more participation of relevant stakeholders, in the same. Moreover, there should not be any bridging course for AYUSH doctors to practise Allopathic medicine. The Allopathic education criteria needs to be looked at realistically, thereby meeting the requirement rather than taking ad hoc firefighting decisions that will result in chaos.” According to Dr Thomas Chandy, Advisor, Association of National Board Accredited Institutions (ANBAI) Karnataka Chapter, “Medical education in India, particularly needs a serious spruce up. The NMC Bill will once and for all resolve the issue of equivalence between MD/MS & NBE degrees and there will be no disparity." Speaking at the conference, Dr Alexander Thomas, President AHPI, said, “The bill should endeavor towards providing quality, affordable and accessible healthcare to the common man.” Dr V Narendranath, Joint Secretary, The Consortium of Accredited Healthcare Organisations (CAHO), "A comprehensive NMC Bill, will be instrumental in monitoring the quality of medical institutions, thereby ensuring the quality of medical graduates and in turn the quality of healthcare delivery. Dr Devi P Shetty, Chairman, Narayana Health, and Founder Member AHPI, expressed his views on the current medical education system in India, "We need to increase the number of post graduate medical seats in our country, and also to bring down the cost of the medical education. The biggest problem in our country is that medical education is kept separated from rural healthcare. This situation definitely needs to be addressed. We are in dire need of more specialists in our country so as to ensure a better healthcare delivery system". ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10232/cardiotrack-partners-with-paras-hospitals.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10232/cardiotrack-partners-with-paras-hospitals.html Mon, 22 Jan 2018 16:10:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based start-up, Cardiotrack has expanded its presence in North India with its partnership with Gurgaon based multi-speciality hospital, Paras Hospitals. This expansion will consolidate Cardiotrack’s position as a leading provider of AI-based cardiac care solutions. Cardiotrack deals in providing best-in-class predictive diagnosis for cardiovascular diseases. The startup believes that the partnership with Paras Hospitals is the right step forward to address the growing concern with regard to heart disease, and deliver cardiac solutions that are real-time and preventive in nature. Cardiotrack will be deployed across all Paras centres. The hand-held IoT device that is driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI) will capture clinical grade ECG data using cutting-edge technology and ensure data portability through smart android-based devices. Headquartered in Singapore, Cardiotrack has a presence in over 15 countries including Myanmar, Mexico, Indonesia, Tanzania, Norway, Canada and Argentina among other countries. The pocket sized device has been well received by hospitals and primary health centres in tier 2 cities and rural areas. The Cardiotrack platform is designed to fulfil all the basic requirements of a primary care clinic. Using Cardiotrack’s technology and AI platform, doctors can detect heart health problems accurately, consult specialists, refer and track patients, maintain medical history and start the intervention process. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10222/survey-report-on-the-importance-of-stroke-rehabilitation-at-home.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10222/survey-report-on-the-importance-of-stroke-rehabilitation-at-home.html Thu, 18 Jan 2018 20:40:00 +0530 With over 1.5 million cases of stroke reported in the country each year, the incidence has increased by a staggering 17.5% during the last 15 year. Despite availability of excellent health care services, increased awareness regarding prevention and identification of stroke symptoms, stroke remains a leading cause of disability with urban India at one-and-a-half times at greater risk than rural India. A Bangalore based study revealed that male versus female incidence is 2:1, i.e., men are at higher risk. Stroke is no more a disease of the elderly; it has now become more common in patients in their late 20’s and 30’s leading to premature loss of productive lives and adding on to the disease burden in the country. There has been a lot of focus on preventing strokes and measures taken to manage the risk factors. However, there is limited evidence available regarding the patients journey during the time period after discharge from hospitals post stroke. Due to lack of awareness regarding availability of rehabilitation and less focus extended on the comprehensive approach to therapy, the burden of care falls on family members. In the interest of bridging the gap in community re-integration of stroke patients, finding insights regarding current practices in stroke rehabilitation in the community and understanding patients’ behavior, Nightingales Home Healthcare Services took the lead to conduct a survey using a novel approach by incorporating clinicians’ perspective. Highlights of the research conducted:  Typically the researches done in India among stroke patients at home have revolved around the perception of the treating Physiotherapists and/or patient family members. In a first of its kind a quantitative survey was conducted among 31 Neurologists who treat stroke patients on a daily basis.  Research was conducted across 3 cities: Bangalore, Mumbai and Hyderabad.  Double blinded research: the participating doctors were not aware regarding the organization behind the study and vice versa thereby; achieving unbiased results.  The research was conducted by a 3rd party via face to face interviews using a structured questionnaire leading to authentic and unbiased results. Key findings:  80% Neurologists perceive home rehab to be a feasible option for their stroke patients.  Improved feasibility was due to factors like compliance to prescribed therapy (78%), cost effectiveness (61%) and improved access to quality comprehensive care (61%) as per the Neurologists.  90% Neurologists perceive multi-disciplinary services/comprehensive rehabilitation as an ideal solution to managing disabilities due to stroke at home.  Our findings are consistent with a population based stroke survey done in Mumbai in 2008 which suggests that patients with stroke are not accessing appropriate healthcare probably due to non-affordability and difficulty in conveyance. The availability of multi-disciplinary services is on the rise but the awareness around how that might help patients and their family members is still relatively low.  Another interesting finding was that patients’ drop out of rehabilitation due to lack of motivation due to severity of disability (56%) and lengthy rehabilitation phase (29%) - a very important finding since effects of a stroke are very complex in nature and patients’ might be taking rehabilitation for years together which requires a lot of dedication by the patient and the therapist to see positive outcomes.  Physiotherapy (77%) is by far the most often top-of-mind service offering that Neurologists recalled to be included in a home rehab programme also widely accepted by patients. This shows that other services which are equally vital in complete patient rehabilitation like speech and language therapy or occupational therapy are not very well accepted by patients either due to lack of awareness or lack of availability.  77% Neurologists felt that family members learn the exercises and treat patients at home without any therapists’ supervision which adds on to their existing challenge and burden of accompanying patients’ for their appointments (65%). Commenting on the report, Dr. Akshata Rao (PT), Product Lead – Stroke Rehabilitation at Nightingales Home Health Services said, “Home rehabilitation as a concept is considered a feasible option by majority of the Neurologists owing to the associated benefits/drivers such as compliance, access, cost effectiveness and multidisciplinary services among others. Early comprehensive rehabilitation post stroke and compliance to prescribed rehabilitation program increases patients’ changes for a better recovery and resume their daily activities with minimal support. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10209/tata-trusts-sets-up-impact-lab-at-iit-d.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10209/tata-trusts-sets-up-impact-lab-at-iit-d.html Wed, 17 Jan 2018 11:10:00 +0530 Tata Trusts has launched an 'Impact Lab' at IIT Delhi in partnership with health innovation player PATH for healthcare solutions in areas such as maternal and child health, nutrition and diagnostics for chronic and infectious diseases, among others.  To start with, the lab will focus on communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, among others as also the major healthcare issues in India. The 'Impact Lab' will source solutions in chosen areas to improve healthcare of poor and resource challenged communities. The collaboration between the two will mobilise about $10 million to run the entire ecosystem. Together Tata Trusts and PATH are building a healthcare Iab which will become a place in the country where innovators can come with their ideas and innovation, test them and build better products and solutions out of those. The ideas and innovations will be taken to the market, to public health professionals, government, NGOs and to everybody who has to do with India's public health problems.            ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10203/medlife-ventures-into-north-east-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10203/medlife-ventures-into-north-east-india.html Tue, 16 Jan 2018 13:35:00 +0530 Expanding its business in the largely untapped North-East India market, Medlife.com is all set to become the first healthcare service provider with a pan-India presence, in the truest sense of the term. One of the largest players in the e-pharmacy space, Medlife.com has recently commenced operations in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Megahlaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim. Present in 56 cities, including Aizawl, Gangtok, Guwahati, Agartala, Shillong and Silchar, Medlife.com has the rare distinction of catering to 80 per cent of India’s pin codes. With a planned internal investment of $30 million to scale up operations, the company aims to reach 90 per cent of the country’s pin codes by the end of 2018. Founded in 2014, Medlife is counted among the leading players in Indian e-pharmacy industry, witnessing a steady growth rate of 20 per cent month-over-month. The Bengaluru-based company, that has changed the way healthcare delivery is perceived in India, expects to achieve a revenue of 900-1000 crores by the end of financial year 2019. Backed by promoters with credible experience in the pharmaceutical and healthcare e-commerce businesses, Medlife is more than just an online medicine delivery platform. The company aims to provide on-time healthcare delivery to people in the metropolises as well as those in the remotest corners of the country. By bringing doctors, patients, laboratories and pharmacies under one roof, the company provides a comprehensive healthcare ecosystem to customers for timely diagnosis and effective treatment. Tushar Kumar, CEO , Medlife, said, “As the pioneer in the fastest growing pharmaceutical market in the world, we are proud to have created this unique healthcare platform for India. The important part is the foundation that we are building to ensure long-term sustainability of our business in India. With our expansion plans, we aim to create a simple ecosystem for patients, which can solve most – if not all - their pain points that exist today. Medlife is poised to revolutionise India’s healthcare and pharmaceutical industry in the near future.” In a short span of just over two years post-launch, Medlife went on to create a customer base of one million unique customers, making it one of the fastest growing online pharma companies in India. The company is close to operational breakeven in key cities, and with its aggressive expansion plans, Medlife is ready to conquer the pan-India market. The best-in-class quality, 100% regulatory compliance, and zero-delivery error make it a comprehensive and trustworthy healthcare platform. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10204/medlife-ventures-into-north-east-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10204/medlife-ventures-into-north-east-india.html Tue, 16 Jan 2018 13:35:00 +0530 Expanding its business in the largely untapped North-East India market, Medlife.com is all set to become the first healthcare service provider with a pan-India presence, in the truest sense of the term. One of the largest players in the e-pharmacy space, Medlife.com has recently commenced operations in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Megahlaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim. Present in 56 cities, including Aizawl, Gangtok, Guwahati, Agartala, Shillong and Silchar, Medlife.com has the rare distinction of catering to 80 per cent of India’s pin codes. With a planned internal investment of $30 million to scale up operations, the company aims to reach 90 per cent of the country’s pin codes by the end of 2018. Founded in 2014, Medlife is counted among the leading players in Indian e-pharmacy industry, witnessing a steady growth rate of 20 per cent month-over-month. The Bengaluru-based company, that has changed the way healthcare delivery is perceived in India, expects to achieve a revenue of 900-1000 crores by the end of financial year 2019. Backed by promoters with credible experience in the pharmaceutical and healthcare e-commerce businesses, Medlife is more than just an online medicine delivery platform. The company aims to provide on-time healthcare delivery to people in the metropolises as well as those in the remotest corners of the country. By bringing doctors, patients, laboratories and pharmacies under one roof, the company provides a comprehensive healthcare ecosystem to customers for timely diagnosis and effective treatment. Tushar Kumar, CEO , Medlife, said, “As the pioneer in the fastest growing pharmaceutical market in the world, we are proud to have created this unique healthcare platform for India. The important part is the foundation that we are building to ensure long-term sustainability of our business in India. With our expansion plans, we aim to create a simple ecosystem for patients, which can solve most – if not all - their pain points that exist today. Medlife is poised to revolutionise India’s healthcare and pharmaceutical industry in the near future.” In a short span of just over two years post-launch, Medlife went on to create a customer base of one million unique customers, making it one of the fastest growing online pharma companies in India. The company is close to operational breakeven in key cities, and with its aggressive expansion plans, Medlife is ready to conquer the pan-India market. The best-in-class quality, 100% regulatory compliance, and zero-delivery error make it a comprehensive and trustworthy healthcare platform. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10167/sqn-health-formulates-patient-centric-approach-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10167/sqn-health-formulates-patient-centric-approach-.html Tue, 09 Jan 2018 11:45:00 +0530 SQN is a world recognised specialist clinical biometrics contract research organisation (CRO CRO). Following several years of research and development, SQN makes patient centricity a reality with the launch of the electronic Patient Reported Outcomes (ePRO) and Clinical Outcome Assessment (eCOA) app.  In drug development, patient participation is crucial to the success of clinical trials. The industry recognises the demand for better in-trial patient data and improved communication between clinicians and patients. When the patient is at the centre of the trial, researchers see improved uptake and retention, leading to more dependable results.  SQN Health is fully customisable for each and every trial, providing pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies with a bespoke, accurate and engaging way of collecting trial data. Patients are immediately more connected to their trial and this leads to enhanced protocol compliance and continued trial participation.  SQN Health is a key addition to SQN's Clinical Data Ecosystem, which brings together an entire trial or development program in one cloud-based portal. This ecosystem connects patients, investigator sites, laboratories and all project and clinical professionals involved in patient care and trial management.  Clinical oversight and patient engagement will be greatly enhanced. Clinicians will have real-time access to patients' clinical trial data allowing remote monitoring and intervention when necessary. Advanced, real-time data analytics, incorporating state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) reporting, is a game changer in the management of patients and their data. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10160/india-gets-its-first-robotic-angioplasty-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10160/india-gets-its-first-robotic-angioplasty-system.html Sun, 07 Jan 2018 17:05:00 +0530 Apex Heart Institute in Ahmedabad has introduced vascular robotic technology for coronary intervention. This has been termed as a monumental development in coronary intervention history of India. A vascular robotic system developed by US-based Corindus has been brought to India for the first time. Under the leadership of Chairman and Chief Interventional Cardiologist Dr Tejas Patel, Apex Heart has successfully conducted over 50 angioplasty surgeries since a month of commercial installation of CorPath GRX. The USFDA-approved robotic technology for coronary angioplasty or stenting provides accuracy of sub-1 mm, against the maximum possible 5-10 mm in the case of humans.  The system costs about $1.5 million, and has in-built artificial intelligence, which helps cardiologists take sound clinical judgments. Robotic surgery for heart has been the latest entrant, as against robotic surgeries for other body parts. Unlike them, the heart has constant movement, therefore it took engineers and researchers in the US 12 years to perfect this technology. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10156/bluefield-innovations-pursues-advanced-cancer-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10156/bluefield-innovations-pursues-advanced-cancer-research.html Fri, 05 Jan 2018 16:30:00 +0530 Bluefield Innovations is the collaboration between Deerfield Management and The Johns Hopkins University to catalyze early stage therapeutic development. Bluefield Innovations announced the acceptance and funding of its first project. The target, the enzyme RNA polymerase I (Pol I), is implicated in many forms of cancer. Inventing in the lab of Dr. Marikki Laiho, the Willard and Lillian Hackerman Professor of Radiation Oncology and director of the Division of Molecular Radiation Sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, the discovery illustrates how cancer cells excessively rely on the Pol I cellular pathway when compared to normal cells. Dr. Laiho's research indicates that interfering with this pathway kills cancer cells while causing little harm to normal cells. The acceptance of this project comes just two months after the launch of Bluefield Innovations. Bluefield will provide scientific, financial and operational support to Dr. Laiho's research, enabling her team to identify the clinical lead molecule and to move that candidate toward human clinical trials. Ultimately, this support could lead to the development of a first-in-class small molecule drug. A joint steering committee consisting of representatives from Deerfield and Johns Hopkins selected Dr. Laiho's research to receive the first round of support from Bluefield. The initial five-year term of Bluefield Innovations will provide support and funding to approximately a dozen of Johns Hopkins faculty and researchers. A call for applications will take place in the first quarter of 2018. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10153/health-ministry-introduces-tutorial-series-for-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10153/health-ministry-introduces-tutorial-series-for-cancer.html Fri, 05 Jan 2018 11:20:00 +0530 The Union Health Ministry has launched a digital Online Oncology Tutorial Series, which is part of a national programme that will be rolled out across the country in collaboration with state governments. As the nation's first digital Online Oncology Tutorial Series, it aims to train doctors across the country in early detection, prevention, palliation, rehabilitation and treatment of various cancers. It has been designed by the Tata Memorial Centre in collaboration with the Union Health Ministry. The initiative will help the doctors upgrade their knowledge and skills regularly thereby taking care of obsolescence. The course is intended for physicians, gynecologists, dentists and other healthcare professionals who are not oncologists, but can play a very crucial role in early detection and diagnosis of cancers. The entire series comprises of 14 hours of comprehensive e-learning through more than 40 video lectures, case studies, assessment questionnaires and periodic interactive Webinar sessions with respective consultants of Tata Memorial Hospital. It has been designed for seven weeks with different modules based on various sites and sub-sites of Cancer. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10118/medisapiens-joins-finngen-project-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10118/medisapiens-joins-finngen-project-.html Fri, 29 Dec 2017 15:00:00 +0530 MediSapiens Ltd. is a Bio-IT and bioinformatics company, a leading developer and provider of genomic, biomedical and healthcare data solutions. The company has joined 59M€ FinnGen project. It aims at improving human health through genetically profiling 500.000 Finns and combining that with a rich set of clinical data to identify new therapeutic targets, as well as diagnostic and prognostic markers for treating numerous diseases.  MediSapiens will provide its data curation, data management, data exploration and discovery software solutions to FinnGen, and will be an active technology partner in the project. As the leading provider of end-to-end solutions for biomedical data, MediSapiens is able to support the FinnGen project with cutting edge solutions for analyzing, curating, managing, exploring, interpreting and visualizing the vast pool of genetic and clinical data gathered in the project.  The FinnGen project will genetically characterize and combine clinical data from up to 500.000 individuals collected by a nationwide network of Finnish biobanks. Due to the unique genetic heritage of Finns genomics data is faster to analyze, and the probability of findings is higher than in populations that are genetically more heterogenous. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10117/neo-biomed-releases-guide-book-on-biodetectors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10117/neo-biomed-releases-guide-book-on-biodetectors.html Fri, 29 Dec 2017 14:00:00 +0530 NeoBioMed Services recently released two guide books for the biodefence sector, titled:  Biodetectors in Defence and Chemical Detectors in Defence, at an event organized in New Delhi. Shri Y. S. Chowdary, Minister of State for Ministry of Science & Technology & Earth Sciences, was the Chief Guest at the book release event. Biological Warfare Agents (BWAs) include bacterial agents, viral agents, rickettsiae and biological toxins. BWAs are capable of inflicting casualties over a large area with military effectiveness. Factors impacting their effectiveness may include use of novel agents that are not well characterized and for which there may not be vaccines or treatment. Decontamination may be difficult if deployed sensors cannot detect the agents utilized. The lag time between a biological attack and the appearance of symptoms in individuals exposed, to any bioagent could be devastating. Many biological agents are contagious, and during this lag time, infected persons could continue to spread the disease, further increasing its reach. Early detection of presence of bioagents provides first level of warning about the potential danger. Rapid detection BWAs enable faster, efficient and tailored response as it uses new approaches to differentiate between biological infections of concerns and natural contaminants. The book Biodetectors in Defence; Equipment and Accessories (A Guide Book) discusses the systems, equipments and technologies that have been under use for detection and identification of hazardous biological agents. The Book provides an exhaustive list of over 1300 gadgets, instruments, devices and technologies available from leading global providers. The focus of the book Chemical Detectors in Defence; Equipment and Accessories (A Guide Book) is on commercially available equipment, instruments, and technologies available from leading global providers in areas of detection, personal protection and decontamination. "The aim of these books is only to provide useful information about available equipment, technologies and resources to help end-users make informed decisions on technology procurement and use, providing them options best suited to meet their requirements", said Dr. Brij Mohan Gandhi, CEO and founder of NeoBioMed Services. He is also the editor of these books. Dr. B M Gandhi retired in 2006 as Adviser to the Government of India, Ministry of Science and Technology, Department of Biotechnology after serving the government for 17 years in various capacities managing promotion and policy issues in biotechnology. Prior to that Dr. Gandhi had been a Research Scientist at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi for about twenty years and was trained abroad at prestigious institutions like MIT, USA; London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK; National Institutes of Health, Maryland, USA; and completed his doctorate from the University of Bergen, Norway.  NeoBioMed Services is a Registered Partnership Firm incorporated in India in 2006, having its registered office in New Delhi, India and UK. The company has been engaged in providing technical, regulatory compliance, business support and technical services to Small and Mid-Size industries including Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, Biologics, Diagnostic, Medical Devices, Allied Health Industries and biodefence industries. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10109/pgimer-researchers-develop-a-virtual-psychiatry-tool.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10109/pgimer-researchers-develop-a-virtual-psychiatry-tool.html Thu, 28 Dec 2017 10:40:00 +0530 A group of experts at the Department of Psychiatry of the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh have developed a tool called clinical decision support system for diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders. The system can assist a non-medical person to interview a patient with mental disorders leading to an automated diagnosis. It can also assist a general physician to treat mental disorders in remote areas where there is no mental health care. A total 18 commonly seen mental disorders are covered in the tool - delirium, dementia, mania, depression, dysthymia, psychosis, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobias, reaction to severe stress and adjustment disorder, somato form disorder, dissociative disorder, neurasthenia, sexual dysfunctions, alcohol dependence, substance dependence and mental retardation. The researchers hope to disseminate the tool in the country. It has also been planned to upscale the system and create mobile platforms so that patients can access services from their homes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10101/iit-d-aiims-develop-a-device-to-detect-hearing-impairment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10101/iit-d-aiims-develop-a-device-to-detect-hearing-impairment.html Wed, 27 Dec 2017 11:15:00 +0530 The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in collaboration with researchers of Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi (IIT-D) has prepared a device which can detect hearing impairment early in young children. The screening device works on an otoacoustic emission (OAE) principle. It can detect hearing in young children, which is very difficult for parents to know for newborns and toddlers. This innovative project has been funded by Indo-German Science and Technology Centre. Experts say that the existing devices, which detect auditory capacity, are very expensive. They are priced at over Rs 3 lakh and can only be used by trained medical practitioners. But, the apparatus developed by AIIMS and the IIT-D researchers can be handled by a layman. The researchers hope to give this device to the school teachers in villages so that they can administer such a test to all children in a class. If the device indicates 'no' signal then that child can be referred for an early treatment. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10091/lung-care-foundation-petronet-lng-awarded-with-guinness-world-record.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10091/lung-care-foundation-petronet-lng-awarded-with-guinness-world-record.html Tue, 26 Dec 2017 11:35:00 +0530 In an endeavor to create awareness around ill-effects of air pollution and generating people's attention towards its medical impact, Lung Care Foundation recently organized World’s largest air pollution awareness program #MySolutionToPollution: ‘I care for Lungs’. Under this campaign, Lung Care Foundation created various touchpoints and have successfully managed to impact around 7000 plus lives across Delhi-NCR by making them brand ambassadors of the campaign. The program also witnessed one-of-its-kind activity, where Lung Care Foundation brought forward 5100 plus school children from 35 plus schools from Delhi-NCR to form the largest human image of an organ (lung). Lung Care Foundation was set up as a not-for-profit organization on 25th May, 2015 at New Delhi. The Foundation is working to achieve its aims by three means namely Education, Research and Clinical Care. This image has created history and has been awarded by the Guinness World RecordTM of creating the ‘largest human image of an organ’. Congratulating on the success of the event and achievement, Ram Nath Kovind, President of India extended his warm greetings and felicitations to all Children who took the pledge to work for a cleaner environment as a people's movement. He further expressed his joy on this initiative of "Sankalp Se Siddhi Programme for Clean Air" being organized by the Lung Care Foundation. Adding to this, Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India said, “It is a pleasure to know that the campaign ‘I care for Lungs’ is being launched by the Lung Care Foundation in Delhi to create awareness against air pollution and related lung disorders. Congratulations for organizing the unique initiative in galvanizing the support of the youth and creating awareness on a vital subject which impacts every individual.” Delighted at the cause opined Anil Baijal, Lt. Governor of Delhi said, “It is gratifying to note that in this campaign, 5100+ school children gathered inside Thyagaraj Stadium and established a record for the largest Human Image Lung Formation. I’m confident that this movement will help in Initiating a people’s movement for clean Air. I must emphasize that the measures taken to combat Air Pollution cannot succeed without active participation and contribution by the community. In this regard, children are our best ambassadors for a positive change that we wish to achieve.” Sharing his thoughts on the occasion Prof. Dr Arvind Kumar, Chairman Centre for Chest Surgery, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and Founder & Managing Trustee, Lung Care Foundation said, “With 1.2 Million dead, India saw world's most pollution-related deaths in 2015, says Lancet Commission study. We believe it’s time that the citizens themselves takes care of their action and be responsible in their deeds. We are confident that our I care for Lungs program clubbed with Governments initiative of “Sankalp Se Siddhi” (Attainment through Resolve) will bring change in the country for the betterment of country’s economy, citizens, society, governance, security and other verticals”.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10088/vatsalya-dental-develops-a-dentistry-innovation-programme.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10088/vatsalya-dental-develops-a-dentistry-innovation-programme.html Fri, 22 Dec 2017 14:25:00 +0530 Dental chain Vatsalya Dental has entered into a collaboration with Origiin IP Solutions to set up a pan-India innovation programme in Dentistry. The main objective of this programme is to create a spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation in the healthcare space. The programme aims to reach out to more than 1,000 students and young dentists in India by 2018 end, and foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly in the space of dentistry. The programme would be run from Vatsalya’s world class and expansive 4,000 sq ft innovation and incubation Centre in Bengaluru. Origiin IP Solutions, considered to be among India’s top IP firms, along with Vatsalya Dental will help young students and dentists ideate, build and market their product giving them a competitive edge in the ecosystem. The programme will also include a design and manufacturing partner who will be part of the initiative right from the ideation stage. This is a first of its kind programme, which will bring industry veterans and young dentists together, to build a world class dental infrastructure in India, and also further the cause of the ‘Make in India’ initiative launched by Government of India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10065/the-george-institute-for-global-health-celebrates-its-10th-anniversary-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10065/the-george-institute-for-global-health-celebrates-its-10th-anniversary-in-india.html Wed, 20 Dec 2017 10:30:00 +0530 The George Institute for Global Health India recently celebrated its 10th Anniversary attended by a large range of stakeholders in healthcare research, policy, communication and delivery. A highlight of the event was an Oration delivered by Prof. K. Srinath Reddy, President of the Public Health Foundation of India. Giving a sweeping overview of the evolution cardiovascular and public health research in India over 50 years, and using examples from the work of several researchers, he highlighted the progress made, described the scope of current and upcoming challenges, and reflected on possible solutions. He felt that fiscal measures, policy decisions, multi-sectoral approach and reshaping the social and environmental determinants to health were going to be critical for healthcare delivery in the future. Transdisciplinary research should provide meaningful information to policymakers, which can in turn influence policy.  He said “We ought to be able to demonstrate even in a low resource setting on how technology enabled frontline health workers can be competent and effective in detecting the common diseases and risk-factors like blood pressure & diabetes” and went on to add “the role of a health professional is to elucidate as a researcher, educate as a teacher, alleviate as a clinician, advocate ass an activist and agitate as a concerned citizen. We all play one of these roles. If we can collectively discharge all these functions, we think we can minimize death and disability due to various diseases in India.” Harinder Kaur Sidhu, Australian High Commissioner to India, Prof. Ian Jacobs, Vice-Chancellor, University of New South Wales. Dr. Rajani Ved, Executive Director, National Health Systems Resource Centre; K. Sujatha Rao, Former Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India; Dr. Dinesh Arora, Director- Health, Niti Aayog; Dr. Narottam Puri, Medical Advisor, Fortis Healthcare & Advisor Health Services FICCI and Dinesh C Sharma, Managing Editor, India Science Wire were also present. A number of contemporary issues covering a wide range of topics including patient participation in healthcare, lack of trust between doctors and patients and the role of the private sector were raised during the panel discussion. Important points that emerged was the need to increase conversation amongst members of the public around healthcare related issues, looking for long-term plans for disease prevention, ensuring adequate financing, developing sustainable delivery mechanisms and development of mechanisms to increase popular participation in healthcare planning. Established ten years ago in 2007, The George Institute for Global Health has been working to generate high-quality evidence and improve the health of millions of Indians by reducing premature deaths and disability from non-communicable diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney disease, stroke, mental health, and injuries. The George Institute India partners with over sixty national and international institutions such as the All India institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, University of Hyderabad; and affiliations with University of New South Wales, Oxford and Peking.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10058/piramal-swasthya-signs-mou-with-new-south-wales-university.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10058/piramal-swasthya-signs-mou-with-new-south-wales-university.html Tue, 19 Dec 2017 14:35:00 +0530 Piramal Swasthya and the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Australia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for joint research, training and grant writing in the field of tele-medicine, mobile health and primary healthcare in India for a period of over five years. As part of the program, students of UNSW will have an opportunity to complete internships and clinical placements across Piramal Swasthya’s networks. Piramal Swasthya is an initiative under the aegis of Piramal Foundation (the philanthropic arm of the Piramal Group). The two will jointly engage in leadership development, capacity building, development of clinical decision support systems and data analytics for public healthcare in India. Both will also work in the areas of health financing, health economics and road safety. Laurie Pearcey, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International), University of New South Wales stated that Piramal Swasthya shares UNSW’s vision for harnessing the fruits of great research and innovation to generate major clinical impact that will make a real difference to patient outcomes. Australia’s Global University looks forward to partnering with Piramal Swasthya to improve lives across the length and breadth of India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10052/datwyler-announces-the-expansion-of-its-plant-in-pune.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10052/datwyler-announces-the-expansion-of-its-plant-in-pune.html Mon, 18 Dec 2017 14:30:00 +0530 Datwyler, the Swiss-based leading industrial supplier that offers state-of-the-art solutions for drug packaging and medical devices announced that the expansion of its plant in Pune will be completed by end of 2017 and first samples will be supplied in July 2018. The facility underlines the company’s commitment to India and acknowledges the country’s role in the global pharmaceutical market. The expanded facility will manufacture according to the First Line concept, making India the first market in APAC region to incorporate this standard. The facility plays a substantial part in Datwyler’s efforts to cater to regional and global markets. Once the production site is fully operational, the facility will cover approximately 58,000 square feet and will create up to 500 jobs, which will be staffed by members of the local community. Set against the background of the ever-evolving requirements for drug packaging, Datwyler provides a unique range of future-proof health care sealing solutions and services for primary and secondary packaging. This includes the most advanced elastomer formulations, proprietary coatings, sterilization options, and aluminium seals for high-efficiency production lines, which not only meet the demands of current pharma trends, but go beyond them. In India, Datwyler’s core business consists of container closures. Manufacturing close to four billion components for vials, pre-filled syringes, and diagnostic devices per year, the Pune facility plays an increasingly strategic role for the company. In recent years, the Indian pharma and healthcare market has become increasingly important for global manufacturers, suppliers and customers. Rahul Dev, Vice President India, Datwyler, said, “The Indian market is of strategic value to Datwyler and our market share is quite substantial. We are currently supplying to the top ten pharmaceutical companies and global players in the region. For this reason, we are expanding our presence in India. We invest in growth and believe it is one of the core strengths of the Indian market – and of Datwyler.” Talking about the future plans, Mr. Dan Stefanoiu, Chief Business Officer who is in charge of global business and customer relations for the Datwyler Sealing Solutions Division said "In five years, our company will be three times big as what it is today." "Although our customers are concerned about the appropriate quality standards, it is better than the mother plant in Europe. The local team here has outperformed the team there," he says when asked about the differences in setting up a plant in India and Europe. Elaborating further he said "Our first-line facility is best-in class compared to the competitors. We are planning to further invest in India and want to make "Make In India" initiative a success." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10038/india-signs-mou-with-morocco-for-enhancing-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10038/india-signs-mou-with-morocco-for-enhancing-healthcare.html Fri, 15 Dec 2017 12:15:00 +0530 India has signed a pact with Morocco to enhance cooperation in several areas of health sector, including non-communicable diseases and maternal, child and neonatal health. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by India's Health Minister J P Nadda and Abdelkader Amara, Ministry of Health, Kingdom of Morocco. As per the pact, the main areas of cooperation include non-communicable diseases, including child cardiovascular diseases and cancer, drug regulation and pharmaceutical quality control, communicable diseases and maternal, child and neonatal health. Few other areas considered within the pact include hospital twinning for exchange of good practices and training in administration and management of health services. At the same time, another pact has been signed between the Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, and the Marrakech Mohamed VI University Hospital in Morocco. Both the institutes have agreed to collaborate in the field of telemedicine. The main objective is to focus on areas such as tele-healthcare, health education, technical support in controlling epidemics and support in rendering second opinion on various complicated cases. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10007/sartorius-stedim-launched-new-data-analytics-software-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10007/sartorius-stedim-launched-new-data-analytics-software-.html Mon, 11 Dec 2017 12:20:00 +0530 Sartorius Stedim Biotech is a leading international supplier of products and services that enable the biopharmaceutical industry to develop and manufacture drugs safely and efficiently. The company has launched a new version of its SIMCA and SIMCA online data analytical solutions, which are offered by its subsidiary Sartorius Stedim Data Analytics, formerly known as Umetrics. Every day, businesses generate a vast array of data derived from a variety of different sources. This data holds the key to better performance. The challenge is to interpret this information in a meaningful way. However, with so many parameters and such vast system complexity to consider, it is hard to find a solution that is both powerful and smart enough. SIMCA, an established advanced data analytics and visualization program as part of the company’s proven Umetrics Suite. It makes possible to combine and analyze data from all sources to isolate, understand and act on the hidden gems that hold the secret to better decision-making and greater business success. SIMCA is multivariate data analysis engine enables companies to swiftly detect and analyze deviations from normal operating conditions by modeling an idealized process. Once this model is transferred into SIMCA online, it serves as a valuable reference for your current production. The newly enhanced software offers an intuitive graphical interface and the flexibility to handle complex data, such as reworking, splitting and merging, and more. SIMCA projects can be uploaded directly to an available SIMCA-online server for real-time visualization of the process from a data point of view.  The real-time monitoring and prediction system, SIMCA online, constantly monitors processes to provide a continuous snapshot of the users operations. It not only helps to identify when set parameters change, but also enables remedial action to be taken before production is affected, ensuring that product quality remains consistent. With this level of control, it is possible to maximize resource efficiency, minimize operational costs and benefit from increased confidence in end-product quality. SIMCA online has the self-service analytics capability, which allows anyone to create fundamental process models, regardless of their background. The new notification system, along with the new web client, gives the user peace of mind about the quality of production anywhere and anytime as this system provides an overview of the production processes on devices such as tablets or mobile phones. SIMCA and SIMCA online have been developed according to GAMP5 and have been extensively tested and validated. These programs are also used by the EMA and FDA for Real-Time Release testing.  As leading experts for analyzing data, Sartorius Stedim Data Analytics helps companies in any industry, which include the pharma, chemical and food sectors, find the growth opportunities they need using the comprehensive Umetrics Suite. These solutions enable them to harness the wealth of data within an organization, identifying vital elements to improve the results of research, product development and manufacturing processes. With improved process understanding and more consistent product quality, users will be able to reduce risk, speed up time to market and accelerate business growth. A complete solution encompasses software, training, support and project management. Sartorius Stedim Data Analytics also provides the backup of an international network. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10006/health-ministry-launches-tb-campaign.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/10006/health-ministry-launches-tb-campaign.html Mon, 11 Dec 2017 11:55:00 +0530 The health ministry has launched a 15-day campaign across the country for early detection, diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis to eliminate the disease. Under this door-to-door campaign, health department workers, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and TB supervisors will make visits to find TB patients and give them free medical treatment till they are cured. Under the third phase of the Revised National TB Control Programme, the centre in collaboration with the states have identified 186 high-risk districts. The phase is called Active Case Finding (ACF). The health ministry aims to reduce incidences of TB by 90 per cent by 2025 and reduce mortality due to the disease by 95 per cent by 2030 under the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP). The programme was launched in January last year and the second phase of the exercise was carried out in July. In both the campaigns together, 15,000 cases of TB were detected and the patients were put on treatment. According to a new global report released WHO, India topped the list of seven countries, accounting for 64 per cent of the 10.4 million new tuberculosis (TB) cases worldwide in 2016. The World Health Organisation revised its TB management guidelines in 2010, recommending that the daily drug regimen be adopted under the RNTCP. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9989/helpmesee-brings-the-technology-of-flight-simulators-to-surgical-training.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9989/helpmesee-brings-the-technology-of-flight-simulators-to-surgical-training.html Thu, 07 Dec 2017 15:35:00 +0530 HelpMeSee, a non-profit organization committed to ending the global health crisis of cataract blindness through high scale simulator-based training, organized a series of events at the Comprehensive Cataract Conference 2017 (CCC 2017), that took place in Chennai from 1st December to 3rd December. The events were jointly organized by The International Society of Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgeons (ISMSICS) in association with HelpMeSee and included demonstrations of HelpMeSee’s simulation-based training program to address the shortage of well-trained cataract specialists worldwide. CCC 2017 was attended by hundreds of experts in cataract surgery, who shared insights and experiences in providing quality cataract care. HelpMeSee’s global team presented solutions that supported surgical training and patient safety. Both HelpMeSee and ISMSICS strongly supported Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery (MSICS), a high quality, quick, and low cost solution to end cataract blindness and treat visual impairment throughout the developing world. During the three-day conference, HelpMeSee hosted two scientific symposiums on “The fundamentals of simulation-based training in MSICS” and “Technology-driven community-based approach to cataract patient care to eliminate cataract blindness.” Representatives from HelpMeSee provided attendees with hands-on demonstrations of its virtual reality Eye Surgical Simulator developed to rapidly scale training of high-skilled cataract specialists. Mr. James Tyler Ueltschi, who is the co-founder and chairman of HelpMeSee and who is also the driving force behind HelpMeSee said “My father was involved in flight safety and high fidelity simulators are used in aviation industry all the time. We are bringing the technology of flight simulators and advanced training methods to surgical training and medical practice. The goal is to train cataract specialists in months instead of years.” He further states that “With this simulator, 400 hours of simulation can be done in less than six months. The Manual Small Incision Surgery costs just around $25 and takes 5 minutes. Our goal is to eliminate blindness caused by cataracts, which affects 22 million people worldwide.” During his early career, Mr. James was the Vice President and a Treasurer of FlightSafety International as well as serving on the board of ORBIS. Jacob Mohan Thazhathu, President and CEO of HelpMeSee said “Together with expert participants at CCC 2017, HelpMeSee will explore opportunities to scale surgical training in MSICS. Affordable solutions to treat cataract blindness can only be achieved by well-trained MSICS specialists in every community. HelpMeSee is committed to working together with ISMSICS to accomplish this mission.” Founder and Chairman of ISMSICS Dr. Amulya Sahu, who is a well-known eye surgeon and organizer of this global conference, said “CCC 2017 is a platform for eye surgeons from around the world to share their expertise and learn about innovations in surgical techniques and technology. We are excited that attendees at CCC 2017 will be able to get demonstrations of HelpMeSee’s simulation-based training tools for surgeons to learn MSICS without fear of damaging a patient’s eye. It is a great innovation, which I am sure every training institute will want to have in the future.” The Eye Surgical Simulator is based on the success of simulation technology in aviation training, uses virtual reality to recreate conditions during surgery and allows for immersive training in life-like situations. Simulation-based training enables trainees to achieve a high level of skill and expertise prior to conducting live surgeries, just as simulator training eliminated risks for training pilots and improved the high safety record of commercial aviation. The company’s comprehensive training program enables a rapid scale-up in training for cataract specialists. HelpMeSee supports patient centered outreach through various supporting technologies such as android-based “Reach App”, pre-sterilized single-use surgical kit, and surgical quality assurance and patient services. It follows a social enterprise business model to ensure high quality and most affordable cataract surgical care. Capital and operating funds for HelpMeSee support is provided by the Albert L Ueltschi Foundation, in addition to public and private donations. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9976/odisha-govt-moves-ahead-for-better-healthcare-delivery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9976/odisha-govt-moves-ahead-for-better-healthcare-delivery.html Wed, 06 Dec 2017 11:35:00 +0530 The Odisha government has signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with four private hospitals for better delivery of quality health care services in the state. The healthcare providers include Kolkata-based Glocal Health Care Systems Private limited, Centre for Stem Cell Research, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Narayana Hrudayalaya and LV Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar. The MoUs were signed in the presence of chief minister Naveen Patnaik. Glocal Healthcare Systems will help the state government for implementation of the digital dispensary project in 14 locations of Nabarangpur district in the first phase. Later the programme will be extended to 11 more locations of the district basing on the outcome of the first phase. Centre for Stem Cell Research and Christian Medical College, Vellore, will take part in better detection and treatment of Thalassemia and Sickle cell anaemia. It will reduce major Haemoglobinopathy disorders through screening, counselling, pre-natal diagnosis with an appropriate technology and possible curative options. Government plans to establish five-year collaboration with the institute. Narayana Hrudayalaya will help in providing a faster and better access to children detected with different heart diseases. LV Prasad Eye Hospital will help in providing specialized care to the needy children for treatment of congenital cataract and retinopathy of prematurity. The state has already identified 2436 children with eye problems and provided them treatment facilities. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9947/artemis-hospital-to-adopt-masimo-patient-safetynet.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9947/artemis-hospital-to-adopt-masimo-patient-safetynet.html Sun, 03 Dec 2017 23:20:00 +0530 California-based manufacturer of noninvasive patient monitoring technologies Masimo has announced that Artemis Hospital is adopting Masimo Patient SafetyNet™ which is a supplemental remote monitoring and clinician notification system, across all hospital care areas. Artemis Hospital is a 380-bed, multi-specialty hospital located in Gurgaon, India, the first in Gurgaon to be accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI) and the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH). Patient SafetyNet, in conjunction with SET® pulse oximetry and rainbow® pulse CO-oximetry, will enable the hospital team to monitor key patient parameters and gain insight, via changes in patient status recorded by Masimo bedside monitors, into possible signs of patient deterioration. Artemis is the first hospital in India to offer such round-the-clock patient surveillance across all specialties. With Patient SafetyNet, Artemis hopes to achieve results similar to those achieved at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in the United States: In 2016, the Medical Center, which had been using Masimo SET® pulse oximetry and Patient SafetyNet as part of a comprehensive alarm management strategy in all medical-surgical units for ten years, reported achieving a 50% reduction in unplanned ICU transfers and a 60% reduction in rescue events over those ten years, despite increases in patient acuity and occupancy.1,2 Dr. Devlina Chakravarty, Executive Director of Artemis Hospitals said, “Artemis is renowned for its patient-centric care and we wanted to further augment it using technologies that can continuously monitor patients across different care areas. Given our stringent standards for quality and state-of-the-art infrastructure, Patient SafetyNet was a natural fit.” Patient SafetyNet allows clinicians at a central station to review patient data continuously relayed from bedside monitoring devices. It also features a robust supplemental alarm notification and escalation process that relays notifications to clinicians wherever they may be in the hospital. If notifications remain unacknowledged, they are escalated to additional clinicians per a customizable protocol. Artemis care areas will be equipped with bedside monitoring devices such as the Radius-7® Pulse CO-Oximeter®, a Bluetooth- and WiFi-enabled wearable, tether less monitor used in conjunction with the Root® Patient Monitoring and Connectivity Platform, as well as Rad-97™, Masimo’s most recent bedside pulse CO-oximeter. These devices feature SET® Measure-through Motion and Low Perfusion™ pulse oximetry technology to measure oxygen saturation, pulse rate, and perfusion index for all patients, with fewer of the false alarms3 that have made monitoring patients in less nurse-intensive areas impractical.  A subset of patients will also be monitored using SpHb®, a Masimo rainbow® parameter that measures hemoglobin, continuously and noninvasively. Each floor will also use a cart-mounted Root with non-invasive Integrated Blood Pressure and Temperature monitor to provide periodic spot-checking of vital signs and input for automated Early Warning Scores, built into Root. Patient data from all of these devices, in addition to being relayed to Patient SafetyNet, will be automatically integrated with the hospital’s electronic medical record (EMR) and hospital information system (HIS). Dr. (Col.) Manjinder Singh Sandhu, Medical Director and Director-Cardiology, Artemis Hospitals said, “Artemis has always been ahead of the industry in adopting initiatives and technologies that can improve patient care. Continuous supplemental remote monitoring in areas not usually monitored is one such initiative and we wanted a solution that can seamlessly integrate with our existing protocols and infrastructure. We found Masimo Patient SafetyNet to be one such system that offered both unmatched value and hassle-free integration.” Jon Coleman, President of Worldwide Sales, Professional Services and Medical Affairs, Masimo said, “Artemis is leading the way for patient safety in India with their commitment to monitor all of their patients all of the time. Continuous remote monitoring with SET® technology saves lives and precious resources.  We are delighted to serve Artemis Hospital with our technology.”  Bharat Monteiro, Country Manager, India and ISC, for Masimo, added, “We are in the process of altering the landscape of continuous and remote monitoring in India with our customized product offerings and unique value proposition. Masimo and Artemis share a commitment to patient care and we are excited to work with the Artemis team to help make a difference in care and satisfaction of their patients and clinicians.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9944/nari-to-set-up-diagnostic-lab-for-rickettsial-infections.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9944/nari-to-set-up-diagnostic-lab-for-rickettsial-infections.html Fri, 01 Dec 2017 15:10:00 +0530 A state-of-the-art laboratory is being set up for the first time to diagnose Rickettsial infections at the National AIDS Research Institute (NARI). While the focus of NARI remains on the control and spread of HIV, researchers are also applying their expertise in managing other diseases. Researchers at the NARI laboratory will also try to find the prevalence of different organisms of the rickettsial group. Recently, Indian Council of Medical Research chief Dr Soumya Swaminathan had encouraged NARI scientists to look beyond HIV and expand the institute’s mandate to deal to manage other chronic diseases. The Indian Academy of Paediatrics has also formed practice guidelines to help paediatricians across the country in the management of Rickettsial diseases. Some of the factors associated with the infections are the increasing cases across various states, diagnostic dilemma in minds of practicing physicians, and lack of freely available, rapid and cheap diagnostic tests. These infections, transmitted by fleas, mice, lice and ticks, have been reported from various states. Once considered a disease that affects the rural population, it is now being increasingly reported from urban areas. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9925/fda-approves-first-two-drug-regimen-for-certain-patients-with-hiv.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9925/fda-approves-first-two-drug-regimen-for-certain-patients-with-hiv.html Wed, 29 Nov 2017 17:35:00 +0530 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Juluca, the first complete treatment regimen containing only two drugs to treat certain adults with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) instead of three or more drugs included in standard HIV treatment. Juluca is a fixed-dose tablet containing two previously approved drugs (dolutegravir and rilpivirine) to treat adults with HIV-1 infections whose virus is currently suppressed on a stable regimen for at least six months, with no history of treatment failure and no known substitutions associated with resistance to the individual components of Juluca. “Limiting the number of drugs in any HIV treatment regimen can help reduce toxicity for patients,” said Debra Birnkrant, M.D., director of the Division of Antiviral Products in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. HIV weakens a person’s immune system by destroying important cells that fight disease and infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 1.1 million people in the United States are living with HIV, and the disease remains a significant cause of death for certain populations. Juluca’s safety and efficacy in adults were evaluated in two clinical trials of 1,024 participants whose virus was suppressed by their current anti-HIV drugs. Participants were randomly assigned to continue their current anti-HIV drugs or to switch to Juluca. Results showed Juluca was effective in keeping the virus suppressed and comparable to those who continued their current anti-HIV drugs. The most common side effects in patients taking Juluca were diarrhea and headache. Serious side effects include skin rash and allergic reactions, liver problems and depression or mood changes. Juluca should not be given with other anti-HIV drugs and may have drug interactions with other commonly used medications. The FDA granted approval of Juluca to ViiV Healthcare. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9908/commercial-conflict-between-beckman-coulter-and-quidel-to-sell-bnp-directly.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9908/commercial-conflict-between-beckman-coulter-and-quidel-to-sell-bnp-directly.html Tue, 28 Nov 2017 11:45:00 +0530 Beckman Coulter Diagnostics helps healthcare and laboratory professionals provide better patient care by delivering the accurate diagnostic information whenever they need. To further these goals, Beckman Coulter plans in the future to sell directly to its customers a natriuretic peptide assay for its Access Family of Immunoassay Systems. Currently, Beckman Coulter customers have access to a BNP assay which, although developed and manufactured by Beckman Coulter, is sold exclusively by Quidel and its designated distributors. Quidel took over this commercial role as a result of its recent transaction with Alere. Now, Beckman Coulter requested to San Diego courts in California about, clarify and enforce Beckman Coulter's rights to sell a natriuretic peptide assay directly to its customers. While this legal matter is being resolved, Beckman Coulter's production and supply of the TRIAGE® BNP assay to Quidel and Quidel's customer relationships are expected to continue. Therefore, customers can rely on Beckman Coulter for continued and ongoing supply of high-quality BNP. Beckman Coulter believes that when efficiency and clinical outcomes are improved then patients benefit also improves. With that strong confidence they take healthcare forward for every person. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9892/expansion-of-philips-healthcare-at-home.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9892/expansion-of-philips-healthcare-at-home.html Mon, 27 Nov 2017 13:25:00 +0530 Philips India Ltd, a high quality health service provider, has announced the expansion of its Healthcare@home services beyond Respiratory and Critical care, providing high-quality and extensive range of health care facilities at home.  The new customised services will be supported by cutting-edge healthcare devices, patient monitoring systems and developed in consultation with India’s leading doctors and hospitals. The new service will be provided across NCR, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru, with further plans to reach out to 5 more cities by year end. Philips is a leading player in health systems and connected devices. Over the last few months it has successfully introduced ICU@home across 4 cities in India. It helps to bring a hospital like ICU set up at home, making things easier for both the patient and care givers. These ICU@home set ups are powered by technologically advanced devices, manned by ICU trained nurses and under constant remote supervision of a doctor. Philips is now expanding its service offerings to serve a wider patient base in both short term (non-chronic) and long term (chronic) care segments. The new care areas, which will be provided by its expert care givers in comfort of patient’s home, include palliative care for short and long term treatment, post-operative care, elderly care and drug infusion therapies. It will minimize the need for hospitalization for various diseases, wound therapy, Doctor on call, and various rehab services. Most of these services will be backed by its connected care platform, making remote monitoring possible and driving availability of hospital like care at home.  Richa Singh, Business Leader Philips Healthcare@home, India said “India by 2050, is expected to have 1 in 5 people over 50 years of age. The opportunity is immense and Philips is uniquely positioned to help transform care delivery, backed by its expert care team of doctors, paramedics and technically advanced connected care devices”.  Philips has always focused on improving people’s health and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment, and home care. With Philips’ Healthcare@home services, a patient undergoes treatment in the comfort of his home, reducing stress and disruption for the family of multiple hospital visits and long commutes. The treatment at home is much more cost effective and also helps in speedier recovery with minimised risk of secondary infections.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9882/opioid-treatment-drugs-have-similar-outcomes-once-patients-initiate-treatment-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9882/opioid-treatment-drugs-have-similar-outcomes-once-patients-initiate-treatment-research.html Fri, 24 Nov 2017 13:55:00 +0530 According to the new research published in The Lancet, Opioid treatment drugs have similar outcomes once patients initiate treatment The study was conducted at eight sites within the National Institute on Drug Abuse Clinical Trials Network. A study comparing the effectiveness of two pharmacologically distinct medications used to treat opioid use disorder – a buprenorphine/naloxone combination and an extended release naltrexone formulation – shows similar outcomes once medication treatment is initiated. Among active opioid users, however, it was more difficult to initiate treatment with the naltrexone. Study participants were dependent on non-prescribed opioids, 82 percent of them on heroin, and 16 percent on pain medications. Five hundred and seventy opioid-dependent adults were randomized to the buprenorphine combination or the naltrexone formulation, and followed for up to 24 weeks of outpatient treatment. Study sites differed in their detoxification approaches and in their typical inpatient length of stay. Buprenorphine/naloxone (brand name Suboxone) was given daily as a sublingual film (under the tongue), while naltrexone (brand name Vivitrol) was a monthly intramuscular injection. Adverse events, including overdoses, were tracked. Nora D. Volkow, M.D., director of NIDA said, “Studies show that people with opioid dependence who follow detoxification with no medication are very likely to return to drug use, yet many treatment programs have been slow to accept medications that have proven to be safe and effective.” “These findings should encourage clinicians to use medication protocols, and these important results come at a time when communities are struggling to link a growing number of patients with the most effective individualized treatment.” Scientists conducting the research expected that it would be more difficult to initiate treatment with naltrexone because it requires a full detoxification, and patients often drop out of that process early. However, both the extent of the detoxification “hurdle,” and how the medications would compare once they were initiated, was not known.  Researchers note that patients who are unable to complete detoxification and choose naltrexone should be strongly encouraged to initiate the buprenorphine combination treatment, and that improved methods to transition active users to naltrexone need to be developed. The buprenorphine combination is a partial agonist, while the naltrexone is an antagonist. Their approaches to treating opioid dependence are pharmacologically, conceptually, and logistically different. A partial agonist still activates opioid receptors, but less strongly, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. It is considered opioid maintenance treatment. An antagonist blocks the activation of opioid receptors, preventing opioids from producing the euphoria. There must be no opioids left in the body before beginning this treatment. So, there are differences in initiating treatment and withdrawal on discontinuation. Until now, these have never been compared head-to-head in the United States, so there have never been the comparative effectiveness data needed to make informed choices. John Rotrosen, M.D., the study lead investigator said, “The good news is we filled the evidentiary void, and also learned that for those who were able to initiate treatment, the outcomes were essentially identical, as were adverse events. This gives patients the freedom to choose a treatment approach that best suits their lifestyle, goals and wishes.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9881/national-organizations-support-nihs-all-of-us-research-program.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9881/national-organizations-support-nihs-all-of-us-research-program.html Fri, 24 Nov 2017 13:35:00 +0530 Fourteen national community groups and health care provider associations have partnered with the All of Us Research Program to help raise awareness about the program. This program is part of the National Institutes of Health and aims to engage 1 million or more volunteers across the country to build one of the largest, most diverse datasets of its kind for health research. This inaugural group of organizations will receive a combined $1 million to help educate their communities about the benefits of participation in this landmark project to accelerate breakthroughs in precision medicine. Eric Dishman, director of the All of Us Research Program at NIH said, “We want to build long-term relationships with our participants based on transparency and trust. These organizations will help us in that effort. We will look to them for input about what their communities want and need, as we work to create a research program that’s meaningful for researchers and participants alike.” All of Us participants will share information over many years in a variety of ways, through surveys, electronic health records, physical measurements, blood and urine samples and wearable technologies. Researchers of all types, from citizen scientists to investigators in academia and industry, may request free access to the data, which will be de-identified to protect participant privacy. Their analyses may yield new insights about how individual differences affect health and disease, potentially leading to more tailored treatments and prevention strategies in the future. Ronnie Tepp, HCM’s principal investigator said, “The organizations will conduct a variety of activities as part of their involvement in the program, which may include holding events, gathering public input, training program ambassadors, leading social media campaigns, developing additional messaging that speaks to the value of participation for their communities and offering continuing education credits for health care providers.” These key activities will add to the work already underway by an initial set of community engagement partners and other awardees in the program’s nationwide consortium. Dara Richardson-Heron, M.D., chief engagement officer of the All of Us Research Program said, “It’s been essential for us& mdash; from the very start — to have diverse voices at the table, weighing in on the best ways to engage and retain diverse communities in this program. These organizations will help us take things to the next level. They bring a wealth of experience and deep connections to their communities. It’s a privilege to welcome them to our network.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9867/motherhood-hospitals-expand-neonatal-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9867/motherhood-hospitals-expand-neonatal-care.html Wed, 22 Nov 2017 17:35:00 +0530 At a time when Neonatal Care and saving the lives of newborns is becoming a national priority, Bangalore based Motherhood, a leading network of Women & Children’s hospital is expanding their network of Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) to better serve premature newborns and sick babies born in the city of Bangalore and neighbouring districts of the State. The single speciality women & children’s hospital chain currently has 4 hospitals in Bengaluru with a 5th facility currently under execution. It has multiple new hospitals under execution across the country. The first phase of 70 beds NICU expansion at an investment of Rs. 150 million makes it a large network of NICU beds across the city of Bangalore. The network will be backed by a full-time team of 34 highly trained and specialised Neonatologists along with a team of skilled nurses. Nearly 0.75 million newborns don’t survive every year in India, the highest for any country in the world. The neonatal period—the first 28 days of life—carries the highest risk of mortality per day than any other period during the childhood. The daily risk of mortality in the first 4 weeks of life is 30-fold higher than the post-neonatal period. Still, new-born health did not receive the commensurate attention it deserved until during the past decade. This has resulted in a slow decline in neonatal mortality rate in our country.  Preterm complications & infections are the two main reasons for neonatal deaths in India. Unless immediate action and appropriate measures are not taken, the neonatal mortality rate cannot be reduced.  Mr. Vijayarathna V, CEO, Motherhood Hospitals’ said, “We are going to extend our Neonatology services to inborns (within the hospital) and also outborns (born at other institutions) who require specialised Care. 40% of our NICU beds are earmarked for babies who are born in other hospitals in Bangalore or neighbouring parts of the state who require NICU support. We also have a well-equipped Neonatal Ambulance to transport such babies from various places. With a strength of 34 Neonatologists, we intend to provide the best of care to new-borns and infants round the clock.”  Motherhood Hospitals has recently operationalised its 4th hospital in HRBR Layout and will be launching its 5th centre in South Bangalore, Banashankari by beginning of 2018. It will also foray its presence in cities like Mumbai, Pune and Chennai by end of the financial year. The company was funded by leading private equity fund TPG Growth in 2016. “Infant mortality and morbidity in the country is on the rise. India’s next big challenge is to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)–which countries have agreed upon under the aegis of the United Nations Development Programme–on child and neonatal mortality. The SDG is to reduce child mortality to 25 per 1,000 live births and neonatal mortality to 12 per 1,000 live births. Therefore, it is extremely important that healthcare in India recognizes the gap and act on it” shared by Dr. Pratap Chandra, Dr. Vikas Satwik and Dr. Prashanth Gowda, Senior Neonatologists at Motherhood. Speaking to the media, Mr. Vishal Bali, Executive Chairman, Asia Healthcare Holdings & Senior Advisor - Healthcare, TPG Growth said “As we began the expansion of the Motherhood chain of Women & Children’s Hospital across the country, the demand supply gap in high end Neonatology Care became very apparent. A good blend of high technology infrastructure with high end clinical skills is required to save many new borns across the country and provide parents the much needed confidence as they go through the birthing experience. Over the last year Motherhood Hospitals have transformed to provide not just high-end Obstetrics and Gynaecology services but with the addition of Neonatology and Reproductive Medicine (IVF) each hospital now provides comprehensive clinical services to women & children. These changes are critical to demonstrate the advancement in this spectrum of the healthcare sector.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9856/maha-govt-centre-to-join-hands-for-developing-apis-device-parks-at-mihan-nagpur.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9856/maha-govt-centre-to-join-hands-for-developing-apis-device-parks-at-mihan-nagpur.html Tue, 21 Nov 2017 13:45:00 +0530 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari are scheduled to discuss an action plan in Mumbai shortly for developing bulk drugs and medical devices park at Multi-Model International Cargo Hub and Airport at Nagpur (MIHAN) through a collaborative approach. As a part of its policy of ease of doing business, center is planning to develop multi-product Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at MIHAN.Both the ministers are scheduled to discuss modalities and explore areas of investment for setting up common facilities of manufacturing and testing in consultation with pharma industry, according to an official associated with the development. This comes close on the heels of Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) holding talks with pharmaceutical companies in Nashik, Aurangabad, Mumbai, Pune and Thane to explore investment opportunities for developing pharma hub at Multi-Model International Cargo Hub and Airport at Nagpur (MIHAN) multi-product Special Economic Zone. According to officials, 1000 acres of land in MIHAN SEZ is likely to be developed for API production, which will boost exports and deemed exports. Meanwhile, a technical feasibility study is also underway for setting up of medical device park at MIHAN which will also be equipped with common facilities for testing and manufacturing competencies on par with Andhra Pradesh Med Tech Zone (AMTZ) at Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. The MIHAN management is also in the process of earmarking the land, land rate and formulating policies on the same for developing medical device park. Currently, medical device manufacturing by few players have also started at MIHAN. These ongoing developments which are also in the interest of domestic industry is supplemented by the coming up of institutions like All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in an area of 150 acres in the coming years and Indo UK Medicity in an area of 152 acres at MIHAN. This will pave the way for development of pharma and life sciences cluster in the country.  The Indo-UK medicity currently being run in coordination with King’s College London for treating foreign patients is aimed at giving boost to medical tourism which will bring in foreign investments. Setting up of a medical device park at MIHAN, Nagpur has been deliberated comprehensively between MIHAN management team and medical device associations.  Seeing the potential in terms of investment and business prospects, the Maharashtra Airport Development Company Ltd (MADC) is inviting pharmaceutical companies to set up their units in MIHAN project. The project will have a dedicated zone along with certain benefits for the pharmaceutical companies setting up their units in the project. The multi product Special Economic Zone in MIHAN is sought to be developed for both API and formulations. These units will have the benefits of duty free import or domestic procurement of goods for development, operation and maintenance of SEZ units; 100 per cent income tax exemption on export income for SEZ units for the first 5 years, 50 per cent for the next 5 years thereafter and 50 per cent of the ploughed back export profit for the next 5 years; external commercial borrowing (ECB) by SEZ units up to US$ 500 million in a year without any maturity restriction through recognized banking channels; exemption from central sales tax; exemption from service tax; single window clearance for central and state level approvals; exemption from state sales tax and other levies as extended by the state government and 100 per cent FDI is being allowed. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9857/first-made-in-india-digital-pill-for-diabetes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9857/first-made-in-india-digital-pill-for-diabetes.html Tue, 21 Nov 2017 13:10:00 +0530 The WeDiDiT (Wellthy Digital Diabetes Therapy) trial is all set to prove the efficacy of its 16-week structured diabetes management programme delivered through a mobile app. The trial was launched by Past President of RSSDI, Dr. Sarita Bajaj at the RSSDI Annual Conference in Bhubaneswar, in the first week of November. The outcome of this multi-center randomized control trial will be measured by the HbA1C levels of patients before and after the trial.  As part of the programme, personalized diabetes self-management education and real time coaching will be offered through dedicated health coaches and an artificial intelligence powered chat bot, to engage and improve the health of patients with type2 diabetes by facilitating behavior change.  Commenting on the first-of-its-kind initiative in India, Mr. Abhishek Shah, Co-founder and CEO of Wellthy Therapeutics said, “On World Diabetes Day, we re-affirm our commitment to solve for the diabetes epidemic. Conducting a clinical trial on a mobile app is unprecedented in India and we are extremely optimistic about the study outcomes. The Wellthy app has already demonstrated its efficacy in various pilot studies. This formal clinical trial will  show that digital therapeutics have the potential to improve the lives of diabetes patients in India and around the world.”  Dr. Rajeev Chawla, Current President Elect of RSSDI said, “The need for digital interventions in diabetes care is more now than ever, especially in India. The Wellthy Diabetes intervention is an innovation born out of India, for Indians and South Asians. This clinical trial holds tremendous potential in terms of changing outcomes for persons living with diabetes, by making it easier for them to manage their blood sugar levels and improving their overall quality of life.”  Dr. Sarita Bajaj, the Past President of RSSDI added, “Wellthy and RSSDI together are set to launch the first ever landmark trial in South Asia to test the impact of using digital technologies to manage diabetes, which is the need of the hour today. The RSSDI doctors conducting the trial will offer the app to their patients to download, and as the intervention progresses, study how it impacts their patients and their clinical management. “  Diabetes is a chronic disease that requires treatment for life. This makes adherence to blood sugar controlling lifestyle modifications such as healthy eating, physical activity, and timely medication mandatory. It is common for patients to make an error in their diabetes management by either overeating carbohydrates on a particular day, not exercising enough, or forgetting to take their medicine.  “From a patient safety perspective, the benefits offered by digital therapeutics are immense. Diabetes care needs to be continual versus the episodic care. Patient journey data is essential for the treating doctor to further personalize advice and pharmacological care. It is the ultimate win-win designed with a patient-centric approach, enhancing quality of care, access and affordability.” noted Mr. Shah.  The diabetes burden in India is enormous. As per data by the International Diabetes Federation, there are an estimated 69.1 million people living with diabetes in India and another 77.2 million with pre-diabetes. This is a high-risk condition for diabetes and cardio-vascular disease. The need of an hour is to manage this epidemic, using behavioural change in the population and only technology seems like the likely answer to scale it up at an economical cost. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9848/iit-alumni-develops-a-unique-way-of-treating-tb.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9848/iit-alumni-develops-a-unique-way-of-treating-tb.html Mon, 20 Nov 2017 11:05:00 +0530 A former IIT Guwahati student has come up with a low-cost medical kit that not only dispenses medicine for tuberculosis (TB), but also educates the patient. The plate-shaped device is called Parichaya which uses touch-responsive audio and visual interface. As the medicine is dispensed, the patient hears an audio recording about why they need to take this particular medicine. The kit has also won the Gandhian Young Technological Innovation Award this year. Parichaya uses a gap of five to six minutes to interact with the patient for each medicine, where they can listen to around 14 segments of information. A new disc is provided at each treatment session. India already has a national scheme to eradicate tuberculosis. Its Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme provides medicines for free and provides for healthcare centres to be set up across the country to monitor the disease. Last year, the government made it legally mandatory for all doctors, private practitioners or otherwise, to report any case of tuberculosis they come across. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9840/golden-meditech-and-ge-healthcare-team-up-to-develop-safe-and-efficient-cord-blood-storage-services.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9840/golden-meditech-and-ge-healthcare-team-up-to-develop-safe-and-efficient-cord-blood-storage-services.html Fri, 17 Nov 2017 15:50:00 +0530 Golden Meditech Holdings Limited, a leading integrated healthcare enterprise in China, announced that it has formed a strategic collaboration with GE Healthcare. Pursuant to the collaboration, GE Healthcare will provide an integrated and automated digital system and solutions to the Group's umbilical cord blood cryopreservation processes, aiming to provide efficient storage services to customers at large.  Medical research in the past three decades has shown that umbilical cord blood contains rich hematopoietic stem cells. These stem cells could facilitate the reconstruction of hematopoietic and immune systems, and could also be applied to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation as well as the treatment of blood system, immune system and inherited metabolic diseases. Therefore, umbilical cord blood has become an important source of hematopoietic stem cells and is widely used clinically. Cord blood bank operation usually includes cord blood collection and processing, laboratory testing, stem cell cryopreservation and storage.   All these processes demanded high standard protocols. Through its partnership with GE Healthcare, the Group will utilize a fully automated cell processing system and associated disposable kit to meet the stringent requirements for extensive cord blood processing in an efficient and safe manner. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9837/fda-approves-first-ever-pill-that-can-be-tracked-by-patients-and-doctors-when-swallowed.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9837/fda-approves-first-ever-pill-that-can-be-tracked-by-patients-and-doctors-when-swallowed.html Fri, 17 Nov 2017 15:10:00 +0530 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recently approved a pill that has a digital ingestion tracking system which can tell if medication was ingested by a patient.  According to the statement by FDA, “The Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co Ltd’s Abilify MyCite tablets are the first drug with a digital ingestion tracking system to be approved in the U.S.” “The tablets, which have a sensor embedded in the pill, are meant to allow easier treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and some depression. The pill's sensor sends a message to a wearable patch, which then relays information on digestion to a mobile application that allows patients to track their medication on their smart phones. With permission, caregivers and physicians can also track the patient's medication through a web-based portal.” Mitchell Mathis, M.D., director of the Division of Psychiatry Products in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research said, “Being able to track ingestion of medications prescribed for mental illness may be useful for some patients.” The tablets are not approved for use with elderly patients, and the drugmakers warn that those who have dementia-related psychosis and are treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. The statement also cautions that the drug cannot be used to track ingestion of a medication in real-time and that there may be delays in tracking the drug's inge.  Abilify was first approved by the FDA to treat schizophrenia in 2002, and the sensor on Abilify MyCite was approved for marketing in 2012.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9836/ge-healthcare-creates-awareness-on-prematurity-day.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9836/ge-healthcare-creates-awareness-on-prematurity-day.html Fri, 17 Nov 2017 15:00:00 +0530 World Prematurity Day is observed on 17th November each year to raise awareness of pre-term birth and the concerns of pre-term babies and their families worldwide. On this occasion GE Healthcare has partnered with a few hospitals like Cloudnine in Gurgaon, Mumbai and Bangalore, Rosewalk Healthcare in Delhi, and Sahyadri Hospital in Pune to create awareness on how to deal with prematurity and the care to be taken to ensure a healthy life for a premature baby. As per the National Health Portal of India, 3.5 million babies born are premature every year in India and creating awareness about caring for these babies is very important. All stable preemies should be nestled by their mother's breasts. To reach the goals of weight gain for preemies, adequate nutrition is needed. Minimal oral feeding should commence right from day one, if possible, and feeding advancement should be conducted based on the clinical course of each preemies. During, hospitalization, oral feeding with Preemies formula and breast milk are the best practices to improve growth. After discharge, this should be individualized as per the nutritional requirements of the infant and modified continuously to achieve the target growth parameters. Talking about the initiative, Ms. Terri Bresenham, President and CEO, GE Healthcare, Sustainable Healthcare Solutions, said “while parents’ care and correct nutrition is imperative for the preemie’s recovery, what also plays an important role is the hospital’s NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). Our advanced products and technologies ensure that our partners are equipped to deliver the best possible care of the preemies. Creating an environment similar to a mother’s womb is critical in ensuring they have a better chance at not only surviving, but “intact survival”– meaning that the baby develops physically and mentally according to their age and is able to lead a healthy life. Our NICU portfolio, along with expert neonatal care from our customers helps us stay true to our motto of sending moms and babies home healthy.” Rosewalk Hospital, Delhi and GE Healthcare held an event on Early Delivery Care on 16th November, 2017. Dr. Atul Chopra, Head – Neonatology and Paediatrics who addressed the audience and spoke about the challenges of preterm births said, “We are a hospital with a strong philosophy of care. We acknowledge that when a baby is in the NICU, the mother and the family of the baby also need care and support. Many premature babies are born through a cesarean section, and the mother is often in recovery. The maternal-infant separation is also a cause of stress”. Dr.Kishore Founder Chairman of Cloudnine Hospitals addressed the expecting mothers in Bangalore and said,“ With technology and medical advancements, it is now easy to treat premature births. With breast feeding and appropriate care, we can ensure that premature babies get the necessary care to not only ensure a speedy recovery but also ensure a healthy life ahead”. “While technology, infrastructure and doctors are critical to the care of premature babies, parents play a very important role while the baby is in the NICU and after. Even while the baby is in the NICU, parents should interact and hold the baby when the baby is stable and it is possible to do so. Skin to skin contact, or Kangaroo care is very important to promote the health and development of the baby. Another very  important aspect where parent’s involvement is very important for a baby’s development is nutrition. Breast milk is of the utmost importance for the health of all infants; more so in the case of underdeveloped preemies. Breast feeding should therefore, be initiated at the earliest, either through the bottle or at the mother's breast, added Dr. Nandini Nagar: Neonatologist, Cloudnine Hospitals who was also present at the event in Bangalore. Preemies are delivered before 40 weeks, making them premature in terms of gestational age, body weight and certain developmental features. They are deprived of valuable nutrition which they would have received had they been in the womb till term. The need of the hour is to provide optimized nutrition to these preemies till they achieve adequate growth and development for a normal and healthy lifestyle. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9825/elderaid-wellness-secures-funding-from-hong-kong-based-investor.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9825/elderaid-wellness-secures-funding-from-hong-kong-based-investor.html Thu, 16 Nov 2017 11:50:00 +0530 Bangalore based social enterprise ElderAid Wellness Pvt. Ltd. has secured an undisclosed sum as angel investment from Rugmini Menon, a Hong Kong-based entrepreneur to bolster its operations in Bangalore. This investment will enable augmentation of operations, investment in critical customer management technology, marketing and brand building efforts. ElderAid is a unique end-to-end, ‘proxy child’ service set up by Dr. Vandana Nadig Nair and Santosh Abraham in 2015 to serve elders in Bangalore.  The company provides a range of at-home services including caretaker support, emergency assistance, accompanying the elder to the hospital, social events, supporting volunteering interests and hobbies, bill payments, property management, Doctor home visits, and so on. ElderAid addresses a critical need by focusing on seniors and their needs. It is projected that the proportion of Indians aged 60 and older will rise from 7.5% in 2010 to 11.1% in 2025.  In 2010, India had more than 91.6 million elderly and the number of elderly in India is projected to reach 158.7 million in 2025. Dr. Vandana Nadig Nair, Co-Founder - ElderAid said, “ElderAid Wellness was founded in response to a growing need within my own extended family. I saw my aunts and uncles in Bangalore with children in other cities / countries, who needed help and support; children who visited as frequently as once a month to tend to their parents; and worry on all sides. It is our dream to be the ‘proxy child’ and support seniors in fulfilling all their needs and aspirations. Our vision is to help elders live happy, healthy and secure lives.” Santosh Abraham, Co-Founder – ElderAid, speaking of the organization’s growth and future plans said, “Elder support is an evolving space which will come into its own in the next 3 – 5 years.  Our current focus is to stabilize and grow operations in Bangalore before we set up in other cities across India.” Speaking about the investment, Rugmini Menon said, “Often, even if one lives in the same city as their elders, the realities of our day to day lives don’t allow us to be there for our elders.  ElderAid helps bridge this gap.  Their professional, from-the-heart support to their clients ensures peace of mind for all concerned.  This is a space I am deeply committed to and look forward to seeing ElderAid grow from strength to strength.”     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9820/rssdi-partners-with-wellthy-therapeutics-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9820/rssdi-partners-with-wellthy-therapeutics-.html Wed, 15 Nov 2017 14:05:00 +0530 Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI) recently launched the #WeDiDiT (Wellthy Digital Diabetes Therapy) trial. RSSDI has more than 5500 life members from 29 Indian States and Union Territories. It is actively involved in updating the knowledge and skills of physicians. Each chapter carries out independent activities including CMEs for member physicians, local research grants, and awareness programs for public as well as diabetes patients.  RSSDI is also actively involved in diabetes awareness programs which focus on creating awareness about various aspects of diabetes among diabetes patients and their families and population at large. Wellthy Therapeutics is a digital therapeutics company that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and patient centric design to improve patient outcomes for all stakeholders in diabetes care.  Wellthy’s clinical pilots and data have shown early validation, and it has a proven record of publishing clinical evidence. It recently published real world data at the RSSDI 44th Annual conference in Hyderabad, India & the RSSDI 45th Annual conference in Bhubhaneshwar, at the AACE 26th Annual Congress in Austin, TX, and at ADA 77th Scientific Sessions in San Diego, CA This trial is all set to prove the efficacy of its 16-week structured diabetes management programme delivered through a mobile app. The trial was launched by Dr. Sarita Bajaj, Past President of RSSDI at the RSSDI Annual Conference in Bhubaneswar in the first week of November. The outcome of this multi-center randomized control trial will be measured by the HbA1C levels of patients before and after the trial. Commenting on the first-of-its-kind initiative in India, Abhishek Shah, Co-founder and CEO of Wellthy Therapeutics said, “On World Diabetes Day, we re-affirm our commitment to solve for the diabetes epidemic. Conducting a clinical trial on a mobile app is unprecedented in India and we are extremely optimistic about the study outcomes. While the Wellthy app has already demonstrated its efficacy in various pilot studies, this formal clinical trial conducted with the RSSDI will provide the evidence necessary to show that digital therapeutics have the potential to improve the lives of diabetes patients in India and around the world.” “From a patient safety perspective, the benefits offered by digital therapeutics are immense. Diabetes care needs to be continual versus the episodic care available today, and patient journey data like this is essential for the treating doctor to further personalize advice and pharmacological care. It is the ultimate win-win designed with a patient-centric approach, enhancing quality of care, access and affordability”, he added. Dr. Rajeev Chawla, Current President Elect of RSSDI said, “The need for digital interventions in diabetes care is more now than ever, especially in India. The Wellthy Diabetes intervention is an innovation born out of India, for Indians and South Asians. This clinical trial holds tremendous potential in terms of changing outcomes for persons living with diabetes by making it easier for them to manage their blood sugar levels and improving their overall quality of life.” Dr. Sarita Bajaj, the Past President of RSSDI added, “Wellthy and RSSDI together are set to launch the first ever landmark trial in South Asia to test the impact of using digital technologies to manage diabetes, which is the need of the hour today. The RSSDI doctors conducting the trial will offer the app to their patients to download, and as the intervention progresses, study how it impacts their patients and their clinical management. “ The diabetes burden in India is enormous. As per data by the International Diabetes Federation, there are an estimated 69.1 million people living with diabetes in India and another 77.2 million with pre-diabetes which is a high-risk condition for diabetes and cardio-vascular disease. The need of the hour is to manage this epidemic using behavioural change in the population and only technology seems like the likely answer to scale it up at an economical cost.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9804/online-consultation-platforms-provide-relief-to-diabetics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9804/online-consultation-platforms-provide-relief-to-diabetics.html Tue, 14 Nov 2017 11:15:00 +0530 India is touted as the ‘Diabetes Capital of the World’ with over 70 million diabetics in the country. According to the Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH), the number of diabetics in the country is projected to grow to 120 million in the next 20 years. What compounds the fact is that a majority of those with the condition is not aware about it, preventing them from visiting a specialist on time and manage the condition. Those living with diabetes must constantly monitor their diet, lifestyle, and glucose levels. The simple bottleneck sometimes is to even go to a doctor for a check-up or consultation, because of the time constraint in metro cities or because of unavailability of quality doctors in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Online doctor consultation platforms like Lybrate are fixing the gap by allowing people to consult doctors online from anywhere, anytime. With Lybrate people have found a medium to consult over 1500 Endocrinologists, General Physicians specializing in Diabetes, and diabetologists  available on the platform. As Lybrate is trying to push preventive mindset, the platform also facilitates lab tests. People can opt for at-home lab tests through Lybrate Lab+, a service directly linked to the mobile app. This has enabled people to get lab tests done for diabetes, get their reports online and consult doctors on the platform. “When it comes to diabetes, Lybrate is pushing people to take their health seriously. The platform is using technology to make quality healthcare accessible to people in the country. Shortage of time or unavailability of good doctors can’t become a bottleneck in taking a timely action when it comes to health. Diabetes is a most common health issue in the country. And Lybrate helps people to consult doctors online, get lab tests done with a sample pickup and consult doctors online to take informed decisions and control diabetes or health issues related to sugar levels effectively,” said Saurabh Arora, Founder & CEO, Lybrate. Over 70,000 interactions on Diabetes happen monthly on the Lybrate platform. Lybrate’s unique Health Feed, consisting of health tips from doctors themselves and questions that are being discussed on the platform, provides opportunity to any user to stay aware and updated about issues related to Diabetes and take corrective measures. *Interactions are defined by cumulative sum of searches for doctors, lab tests booked, health queries sought, patient-doctor communication and appointments booked. By connecting doctors and patients through its first-of- its-kind health app and letting them communicate from anywhere, anytime, Lybrate makes healthcare more accessible. Founded by former professionals from Facebook and Snapdeal in 2014, Lybrate is India's number one medical app which allows users to discuss any health issue while keeping their identity anonymous. The company raised $10.2 million from Tiger Global, Nexus Venture Partners and Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons Ratan Tata in Series A funding in July 2015. It received $1.23 million in seed funding in August 2014. Lybrate is also Indian Medical Association’s digital partner. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9788/ue-lifesciences-partners-with-ge-healthcares-accelerator-five-eight.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9788/ue-lifesciences-partners-with-ge-healthcares-accelerator-five-eight.html Thu, 09 Nov 2017 14:30:00 +0530 UE LifeSciences Inc., a USA-India based med-tech startup today announced a pivotal distribution partnership with GE Healthcare to commercialize iBreastExam (iBE) in 25+ countries across South Asia, South-East Asia and Africa. The partnership brings together UE LifeSciences’ skills to design and develop mobile health innovations, and GE Healthcare’s sales, marketing and distribution expertise in these markets to enable early detection of breast cancer in the developing world. For Mihir Shah, Founder and CEO, UE LifeSciences, it started out as a personal journey when his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer few years ago. “Large scale access to early detection is the key to lowering the burden of breast cancer in the developing world. Affordable, accurate and easy to use primary-care tool like iBreastExam is one aspect of the solution. There is also a need for experienced teams across geographies that can seamlessly connect the care pathway - from primary care and women’s health to radiology, diagnostics and oncology. Our partnership with GE Healthcare will combine the power of innovation and scale to fight breast cancer in a whole new way”, he said. Commenting on the partnership, Terri Bresenham, President and CEO, GE Healthcare Sustainable Healthcare Solutions said, “We are delighted to welcome UE Lifesciences as a partner in our efforts to improving healthcare outcomes for the world’s developing economies. GE Healthcare will begin selling iBE as part of its global portfolio of breast health and affordable care products, including mammography and ultrasound devices. The partnership provides a significant opportunity to commercially scale-up iBreastExam across India, South Asia, Africa and South-East Asia and improve breast cancer related outcomes in these regions.” IBreastExam is an innovative, validated and affordable mobile breast health solution designed for use by primary health workers, obstetricians and gynecologists to identify breast abnormalities in healthy, asymptomatic women during a routine health checkup. Being a radiation-free and painless test further makes iBE suitable to women at primary care locations such as a doctor’s clinic, community health centers, health camps or a hospital’s out-patient department.     iBreastExam is currently commercially available in India, Myanmar and Botswana. Founded in 2012, UE LifeSciences has commercially designed and developed the iBreastExam device specifically for large scale use in the developing world. The sensor technology with multiple patents has passed stringent regulatory pathways, clinical validation and implementation studies. The project has been mentored and invested by Mrs. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw of Biocon, Dr. Ranjan Pai of Manipal Education and Medical Group and Unitus Seed Fund, a social impact investor in affordable healthcare innovations. “We need to work on down staging cancer, particularly breast cancer which so common in India. We should be moving from a stage of cancer cure to cancer care. The government should adopt this strategy to establish preventive healthcare”, said Kiran Mazumdar Shaw. iBE is a “Made in India” device. It is USA FDA cleared and CE marked. With $1.3MM in grant funding from Pennsylvania Department of Health (CURE Grant), University City Science Center (QED & DHA), Drexel University (Coulter Program) and Unitus Seed Fund (StartHealth grant), iBE was developed by a team of 20+ scientists, engineers and clinicians. Three published clinical validation studies show 83-86% sensitivity and 88-94% specificity for iBE to detect clinically relevant breast abnormalities. In partnership with 40+ private healthcare, government institutions, non-profits and CSR initiatives, UE LifeSciences has screened over 75,000 women to date and enabled 100+ breast cancers to get diagnosed. “For any medtech startup, the critical point is the distribution. With this synergistic partnership with GE Healthcare, that problem is solved”, said Ranjan Pai. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9771/iisc-team-develops-a-neonatal-device.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9771/iisc-team-develops-a-neonatal-device.html Mon, 06 Nov 2017 11:30:00 +0530 A group of researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) at Bengaluru have developed a device that works by constantly monitoring the baby’s body temperature and raise alert the doctor if it goes down below the threshold limit. The device is designed to stream temperature data to the treating paediatrician through a mobile phone so that immediate corrective measures could be taken as and when temperatures drop to dangerous levels. The researchers have come up with a solution to reduce new-born deaths significantly. The solution addresses the issue of hypothermia, which is one of the major causes of neonatal deaths. Hypothermia is a medical condition where the body rapidly loses temperature. Premature babies, are highly vulnerable to develop the condition as they do not have enough body fat. The device also consists of an accelerometer to keep a track of what angle the baby is being held.It has been tested successfully on 80 children. It has been developed in association with St Johns Research Institute and St. John’s Medical College in Bengaluru. The device would be particularly useful in rural areas, where there is lack of adequate neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9753/diabetes-monitoring-made-easy-through-this-tiny-device.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9753/diabetes-monitoring-made-easy-through-this-tiny-device.html Wed, 01 Nov 2017 12:45:00 +0530 Imagine a diabetes patient receiving a text message on his mobile phone warning him that his blood glucose level is too low or a patient’s mobile phone calling an emergency number when the patient goes into diabetic shock. Both scenarios depend on automatic, continuous monitoring of blood glucose levels and transmission of that information to a phone. The development of advanced biological sensors and integration with passive radio frequency identification technologies are the key to this. According to the news reported by freepressjournal, these hold the promise of being able to free patients from finger stick sampling or externally-worn devices while providing continuous blood glucose monitoring that allows patients to manage their health more actively. The doctors said the challenge associated with diabetes management is the burden of glucose monitoring. When blood sugar is checked at home using a conventional glucose meter, one can find out only what the level is at that particular moment. “In order to understand whether the sugar is increasing or decreasing with meals, exercise, stress, alcohol one has to check the sugar at multiple points of time through the day,” said Dr Akshay Jain, consultant endocrinologist, Wockhardt Hospital. Jain further stated some of them are prone to developing low sugar while sleeping so it is impossible for patient to check their sugar level until there are waken up. Continuous glucose monitoring helps address these challenges by using RFID technology. It consists of a tiny device, slightly bigger than a Rs 10 coin, that is placed on the skin by a medical professional. It has a very fine probe (as thin as a human hair) that enters below the skin and takes glucose readings every 5-15 minutes automatically, without the patient having to draw blood. Jain further said readings are stored in the chip on the sensor and downloaded by concerned doctor. It can be used for between 7-14 days. The sensor is waterproof and one can take a shower while wearing it. It uses RFID technology for communication and hence has absolutely no radiation exposure and can even be worn on flights or around children/ pregnant women. The main benefits are that it can help understand how sugar changes in response to different foods, during sleep and whether current medications are effective, without the patient having to continuously prick their fingers. It has completely revolutionised the management of diabetes across the world. Depending on the manufacturer, there are continuous glucose monitors that might require you to check your blood sugar 2-3 times a day while wearing the device to calibrate it or certain other devices that require no input from the patient at all. When the doctor wirelessly downloads the device using a special reader, he/ she can show you how your blood sugars respond differently to different foods (e.g. roti versus rice), exercise or activity levels, alcohol intake, overnight while sleeping, etc. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9740/nephroplus-to-expand-dialysis-services.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9740/nephroplus-to-expand-dialysis-services.html Mon, 30 Oct 2017 11:35:00 +0530 Dialysis and kidney care provider, NephroPlus, is planning to open 55 centres of dialysis service across India by the end of next year. The expansion step in the Indian market could entail an investment of around Rs 55 crore. The company has about 126 dialysis centres in different cities in India. NephroPlus intends to focus of different tiers of cities while expanding. The aim is to focus on tier II, III and tier IV cities such as non-metros, state capitals and large towns for expansion. NephroPlus Founder and CEO Vikram Vuppala stated that the company would be investing around Rs 1 crore per centre, which would have around 10-12 dialysis machines. Already Rs. 100 crores have been raised from the World Bank and BS capital. NephroPlus has also partnered with HDFC bank in order to ensure sufficient funding for the next one and a half year. The company is also planning to have presence in five new countries in the next five years..   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9713/genome-india-project-starts-in-the-northeast.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9713/genome-india-project-starts-in-the-northeast.html Wed, 25 Oct 2017 12:00:00 +0530 As part of the Genome India Project, Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) of over 2,000 individuals spanning different ethnic, linguistic and socio-cultural sections of the northeastern states will now be carried out. The aim is to identify the genetic disease burden of specific subsets of populations, which will have far-reaching implications in improving the healthcare landscape of this region. Imphal-based Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD) is a national institute of the Department of Biotechnology and it will be actively collaborating with the Genome lndia initiative undertaken by the Centre for Brain Research at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). This will lead to a new understanding of the different ethnic groups of India,  which puts India in a unique position for the mapping of the human genome. The objective of this initiative is to systematically document the genetic information from whole genome sequencing for thousands of Indian individuals belonging to different geographical locations and diverse population groups across the country. It is also meant to facilitate genome wide association studies at a cheaper cost in India for any genetic disease or trait. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9708/healthscape-summit-india-comes-out-with-its-5th-edition.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9708/healthscape-summit-india-comes-out-with-its-5th-edition.html Tue, 24 Oct 2017 15:05:00 +0530 India has come a long way with key indicators like Infant Mortality Rate, Maternal Mortality Rate and life expectancy showing marked improvement from the past decade. The country is now globally being recognized as a leading destination for tertiary and quaternary care services. There is also significant expenditure and investment from government and foreign players for advanced diagnostic facilities catering to large numbers of global medical travellers. All these factors indicate that the future for the medical industry in India is promising. Now, the need of the hour is to sustain the momentum, particularly in the tier 2 and tier 3 cities in India. As a matter of fact, healthcare today has become one of India’s largest revenue and employment generation sectors due to the pressing need to bridge the disparity between rural and urban medical services. In order to facilitate the much needed growth and infrastructure development, IDE Consulting Services, a global real estate solutions company, will host the 5th Edition Healthscape Summit India from November 30 – December 1, 2017 in Bengaluru. The 5th Edition Healthscape Summit India will facilitate Face-to-Face meetings, strategically modelled networking activities and information exchange amongst the most elite assemblage of Hospital Owners, Healthcare Architects, Design Consultants, industry experts and service providers. These elements make it the most sought-after business summit by the healthcare fraternity in India. Ganesh Babu, Director of IDE said “The Healthscape Summit India in 2016 brought together 116 buying delegates and 46 supplier companies. In all, more than 900 face-to-face meetings were scheduled. It gives us great pleasure to announce that through our unique format, companies such as Evolve Architects and Holy Cross Hospitals were able to close deals with several suppliers they met at the event.” Every single buyer and supplier attending the Healthscape Summit is pre-qualified to ensure that the meetings are productive. Buyers are qualified based on their upcoming or on-going projects and suppliers are qualified based on their track record of catering to the Indian healthcare market. This creates a platform that is conducive to deals being signed at the event. If you would like to be a part of the 5th Edition Healthscape Summit, write in to marketing@ide-global.com to know more. You can also visit the event website: https://www.healthscapeseries.com/india/2017/ ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9698/sctimst-successfully-adopts-e-delivery-system-for-health-care-management-and-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9698/sctimst-successfully-adopts-e-delivery-system-for-health-care-management-and-research.html Mon, 23 Oct 2017 12:20:00 +0530 Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) which is an Institute of National Importance under the Department of Science & Technology (DST) received funds from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology under the scheme “Develop a value based e-delivery system for health care management and research”. The Institute had successfully implemented the computerization of all activities related to patient care. Activities of various departments are also being digitized and co-ordinated in an effective manner by the in-house computer division economically. Under the Government of India’s Digital India initiative; all offices have to ensure that services are made available to citizens electronically through e-governance. Keeping this in mind, the Institute had successfully implemented the computerization of all activities related to patient care. Activities of various departments are also being digitized and co-ordinated in an effective manner by the in-house computer division economically. The further step of digitization was taken up by digitizing the meetings of Governing body and Institute Body. Activities from scheduling the meetings till finalization of minutes can easily be done using the in-house developed mobile application and web portal. Agenda and Minutes of the meeting once ready, will be made available to the members in electronic form. Tablets owned by the Institute are given to the members for the smooth and secure conduct of the proceedings of its Board meetings. It was inaugurated at the 100th meeting of its Governing Body and 51st meeting of its Institute Body on October 14th, 2017, held at the Institute. Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) has now become a pioneer organization under DST in convening a completely digitized meeting.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9696/max-bupa-introduces-innovative-health-atms.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9696/max-bupa-introduces-innovative-health-atms.html Mon, 23 Oct 2017 11:40:00 +0530 Max Bupa Health Insurance (MBHI) has introduced an innovative concept of health ATMs. These machines will conduct non-intrusive medical tests and issue health policies for up to Rs 10 lakh without manual intervention. The health ATMs will initially be installed in branches of banks that partner Max Bupa for distribution. This will simplify the purchase journey for health insurance products and more importantly ensure that the policy is delivered seamlessly to them. The company will launch around 20 machines in Bank of Baroda within a month. This will be expanded to 100 in three to six months. Max Bupa is working with a health startup to launch this service. To keep this simple the company has decided to restrict the medical tests to non-intrusive tests and provide simple indemnity covers instead of the company's flagship policy which requires more documentation. The machine will be measuring various parameters of the policy buyer, starting from height, weight, blood pressure, blood oxygen levels and temperature. The data will be used to calculate parameters such as body mass index, bone mass, and muscle mass. The data will be transmitted and analysed real-time to arrive at a health score. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9693/tata-trusts-provides-rs-1000-cr-funding-for-cancer-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9693/tata-trusts-provides-rs-1000-cr-funding-for-cancer-care.html Mon, 23 Oct 2017 11:20:00 +0530 Tata Trusts has decided to contribute Rs 1,000 crores to help the central government improve cancer care facilities in India. New hospitals will come up in Assam, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. The cancer-care facilities in Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh will be upgraded on the lines of Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH) at Mumbai. TMH receives cancer patients from across India and provides free or highly subsidised treatment to 60 per cent of them. It has 700 beds and gets about 67,000 new cancer patients every year. TMH will train the doctors and paramedical staff at the new centres. Jaipur will get a new hospital, which will cost 200 crores which will be borne by the state government. A 23.5-acre new centre will be allotted to the Tata Trusts in Ranchi, Jharkhand. The current Indian Railways cancer institute and research centre will be upgraded in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, which has been taken over by the Trust recently. In Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh, 25 acres will be provided by the Tirupati Balaji Temple Trust for a new facility. After the establishment of the new or upgraded centres, patients from north India will get better access to treatment. There is also a possibility of a dedicated centre being set up in the north to speed up treatment. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9690/tamil-nadu-government-provides-a-herbal-cure-for-dengue.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9690/tamil-nadu-government-provides-a-herbal-cure-for-dengue.html Thu, 19 Oct 2017 19:45:00 +0530 Tamil Nadu government has decided to distribute a traditional Siddha herbal concoction, nilavembu kudineer, free of cost. The Central Council for Research in Siddha, working under the Ministry of AYUSH, has stated that the concoction works not just for treating the disease but also to prevent it. The state government is distributing the liquid using mobile units and government units. The government hospitals have been instructed to ensure proper hydration of all fever patients by keeping ready nilavembu kudineer, ORS, kanji (gruel). Special medical teams have been dispatched to the vulnerable districts such as Salem, Dharmapuri and Tiruvannamalai. The AYUSH ministry has also stated that the concoction can prevent and treat chikungunya. Tamil Nadu health minister Dr. C. Vijayabaskar recently mentioned that Nilavembu is a proven medicine, and has been tested in King Institute in Guindy. It increases the platelets and immunity. Although neither the results of the test nor from the clinical trials have been made publicly available by the state itself.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9675/palliative-care-services-for-chronically-ill-patients-launched-by-p-d-hinduja-hospital-mrc.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9675/palliative-care-services-for-chronically-ill-patients-launched-by-p-d-hinduja-hospital-mrc.html Mon, 16 Oct 2017 16:35:00 +0530 P.D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre today celebrated World Hospice and Palliative Care Day by inaugurating its new Palliative Care service. Providing emotional and physical support to chronically ill patients is the main aim of this service. Under this initiative, the hospital will provide palliative care services, pain relief treatment and counselling to in-patients and OPD patients, including cancer patients. Palliative Care Services are provided to patients at any age and any stage of terminal illness and further seeks to bring ease and comfort in the last stages of life. Also referred to as ‘comfort care’ or ‘supportive care’, Palliative Care Services involves providing chronically ill patients with relief from the symptoms or pain associated with a disease and seeks to improve the quality of life for both the patient and the family. Some of the diseases that come under this are Cancer, Congestive heart failure, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Kidney disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), HIV/AIDS, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, etc. Usha Raheja, Trustee, P.D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre said, “P.D. Hinduja Hospital has always been supporting various initiatives to help and enable patients to fight their disease and share their experiences. All our patients are treated like family here and this is our endeavor to walk with them through their struggles providing help wherever needed. We understand the importance of end of life care and with this new service, we hope to serve society with much needed medical attention.” Gautam Khanna, CEO, P.D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre said, “At P.D. Hinduja Hospital, we always keep patients at the center of everything that we do. Through our palliative care services, we aim to provide excellent quality care to these patients and make them feel comfortable as much as possible.” Talking on the occasion, Dr. Roop Gursahani, Consultant Neurologist, P.D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre said, “Palliative care is a medical discipline that focuses more on relief than cure that is essential during the last years of life. There is very little or no awareness about the importance and need for palliative care all over India. Access to palliative care is equally low and therefore, patients who require palliative care, often do not receive it. Through our palliative care services, we intend to change this scenario and provide best quality palliative care services to the sick.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9671/largest-facility-by-columbia-asia-to-come-up-in-bengaluru.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9671/largest-facility-by-columbia-asia-to-come-up-in-bengaluru.html Mon, 16 Oct 2017 12:05:00 +0530 Columbia Asia will be opening its 12th hospital in Bengaluru this month. Columbia Asia is a private healthcare company owned by a US based investment fund International Columbia USA LLC. This is the fifth and largest facility in India by Columbia Asia. The other arms of Columbia USA include Columbia Africa, Columbia China and Columbia South East Asia. Columbia South East Asia takes care of Vietnam Indonesia and Malaysia. The Columbia Asia Group is owned by more than 150 private equity companies, fund management organisations and individual investors. Investors in Columbia Pacific are aiming at old age homes. A new company, Serene Senior Care, has been incorporated. Preventive and curative care will be taken up by Columbia Asia for senior citizens. Living space will be provided by Serene. International Columbia USA bought Serene in March for an undisclosed sum. Serene operates four senior housing communities in south India in Chennai, Puducherry and Coimbatore. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9661/metropolis-healthcare-in-association-with-we-foundation-launch-tooshytoask.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9661/metropolis-healthcare-in-association-with-we-foundation-launch-tooshytoask.html Fri, 13 Oct 2017 13:55:00 +0530 According to a report by the United Nations Human Rights Council, there is a lack of comprehensive sex education in India. Discussion about Sex and Sexuality is an awkward subject in the Indian home. Too Shy to Ask is an app which is developed to openly discuss and anonymously ask questions to a group of experts in an easy, safe and comfortable manner. The App has been built by WE Foundation in association with Metropolis Healthcare Ltd. Dr. Duru Shah, Founder and Chairperson, WE Foundation said, “The approach towards the subject of gender and sex is impacting teenagers who are growing up in the shadows of misinformation, peer pressure and unrealistic expectations of sex and sexuality, as depicted in the media. The paradigm from viewing sex as an awkward subject to building a two-way communication that facilitates educating adolescents through an open channel is the key aim of launching this app. Both males and females can ask their questions related to sex, puberty, myths, gender violence, and such. The best part is, the identity of the person asking the question is kept completely anonymous. Previously, we imparted gender education (on reproductive and sexual health) through ‘expert led awareness workshops and camps’ to over 8 million girls in schools all over the country. Today, through this digital app, we aim to reach a larger number of girls.” Dr. Prakash Gurnani, Co-chairperson, WE Foundation added “There are over 1.2 billion adolescents (age 10-19 years) in the world; of these 243 million adolescents are in India with nearly 121 million adolescent girls. This is an age of vulnerability as well as opportunity. Investing in adolescent education reaps maximum benefit for society. However sex and sexuality education remains a big challenge. There is the growing need for sex education in our country. Since today’s youth are tech savvy, this app will help bridge the gap and curb the awkwardness around the subject and will help teenagers by answering their queries.” The highly curated content on the app is a result of months of research, and has been subjected to numerous drafts to ensure accuracy and credibility of information and rounds of pre-testing before being finalised.  The content is updated regularly in keeping with the latest medical advancements, supported by the vast knowledge of a highly qualified team of doctors and medical experts of Metropolis accessible 24x7. About WE Foundation: Women’s Empowerment Foundation – working for a society where women become active contributors to the national narrative. WE Foundation is a registered NGO that works to educate, empower and encourage adolescent girls to learn about their bodies, understand their reproductive systems, empower them with knowledge of nutrition that women require, train them in marketable skills that will earn them a living, equip them with self-defense skills to counter violence and attacks, and enable them to live a productive life that is based on their choices. We Foundation’s program works on the three fold principle of Educate, Empower, Encourage.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9660/startup-stanplus-raises-seed-funding.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9660/startup-stanplus-raises-seed-funding.html Fri, 13 Oct 2017 11:25:00 +0530 Healthcare startup StanPlus, based in Hyderabad, has raised $1.1 million for a minority stake led by Kalaari Capital’s Seed Fund, Kstart. CM Diamant, a chain of medical centres and hospital in Canada and Africa, and INSEAD Angels (Asia) also participated in the round. StanPlus is involved in providing medical transportation. The amount invested will be used to increase StanPlus’s Advance-Life Support fleet and expand across geographies, innovate with cutting-edge technologies and to cover all medical transportation categories in near future.  The funding will also be utilised to augment the technology front. The startup was founded in 2016 by three INSEAD MBA graduates – Prabhdeep Singh, Antoine Poirson and Jose Leon. StanPlus is currently spread across eight cities including Hyderabad, towns of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana. StanPlus aims to be India’s largest ambulance network dedicated to bringing quality and efficient ambulances services for emergency, non-emergency and afterlife support. StanPlus receives an average of more than 60 calls per day. With a fleet of more than 300 ambulances, around 60 ambulance operators on board, 15 hospitals accounting for more than 2000 beds that exclusively use StanPlus’ ambulance network, the company gives customers a single number access to every hospital’s ambulance.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9633/four-nations-launch-indias-first-global-path-lab-consortium.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9633/four-nations-launch-indias-first-global-path-lab-consortium.html Mon, 09 Oct 2017 15:40:00 +0530 Aggregating the fragmented diagnostic sector of the country, four nations joined forces to launch India’s first global Pathology Laboratory Consortium- Neuberg Diagnostics- in Bengaluru. Founded by the renowned healthcare entrepreneur, Dr. G.S.K. Velu, the international alliance brings together leading laboratories from India, Sri Lanka, South Africa and UAE under one umbrella, making it one among the top laboratory chains of the country from the day one of its inception, both in footprints and revenue. Neuberg Diagnostics (Neuberg literally translates to New City or New Neighbourhood apart from also being the namesake in honour of the Father of Modern Biochemistry, Carl Neuberg), was conceived with the goal to erase geographical borders and make the world of healthcare one, bringing advanced diagnostics affordable to people across the globe.  The conglomerate, which has a combined diagnostic expertise of over two centuries, is an alliance of top laboratories like Anand Diagnostic Laboratory, Supratech Micropath, Ehrlich lab, Global labs and Minerva Labs, which have already made their presence in their respective countries and states such as Karnataka, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, South Africa & UAE. Neuberg will have 3 world class global reference laboratories located in Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and Durban (South Africa) carrying out advanced range of testing using new generation In vitro diagnostics techniques along with total lab automation & big data analytics tools supported by robust world-class laboratory information system. These laboratories will have collective annual revenue of INR 400 crores with the formation of the new entity. Neuberg Diagnostics will operate under one corporate team headed by Dr. G.S.K.Velu as the Chairman, Mr. Anand K, will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer, while Dr. Sujay Prasad will be the Medical Director and Dr. Sandip Shah will be the Executive Director. The Technical Board will comprise of top pathologists like Dr. Jayaram, Dr. Bhagyam Nair, Dr. Lorna Madurai, and Dr. Bhavini Shah among others. The global brand was launched in the presence of the esteemed guests, Ms. Anupriya Patel, Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, Dr Rajitha Senaratne, Minister of Health, Nutrition & indigenous Medicine, Sri Lanka, Dr. Awatif Juma al Bahar, Medical director of Dubai Health Authority, UAE and Prof. Salim S Abdool Karim, Director of CAPRISA & Pro vice-chancellor, University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, South Africa along with the senior management officials of the brand. With full throttle growth expected to take up Indian diagnostics in the near term, the new generation consortium will pool in cutting-edge advanced diagnostics technology and actively perform 5000 plus variety of pathological tests, promoting prevention and early diagnosis, thereby empowering the Indian healthcare consumer. In conjunction with providing comprehensive laboratory services, covering all areas of laboratory medicine, Neuberg will combine conventional pathology testing, new generation laboratory techniques and basic Radiology & imaging techniques for enhanced patient outcomes. Dr. G.S.K.Velu, Chairman of Neuberg Diagnostics said, “The aim of the partnership is to develop a new shared services model for the provision of pathology services in the Middle East, Africa including west and South India. Neuberg Diagnostics is built on the vision to provide modern, innovative and sustainable services that deliver world-class lab facilities with the focus on high-end technology and services like Genomics and Proteomics to doctors and patients alike.” Anand.K, CEO of Neuberg Diagnostics added, “An association with the pathology experts will lead to the implementation of best practices, adoption of new technology and convert research into innovation, benefiting the medical community and ultimately improving patient care.” Speaking about the new venture, Ms. Anupriya Patel, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, India said, “Indian healthcare delivery is growing by leaps and bounds. A global consortium is therefore set to be a major platform to introduce new generation pathology services to the sector, thereby increasing the quality and affordability of the country’s healthcare services.” Dr. Hemantha Beneragama, Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, Sri Lanka added, “This global alliance with the top pathology laboratories will help in strengthening our relationships with the neighboring nations.  Leveraging the expertise of world-class pathology brands, we look forward to leveling the existing gaps in our healthcare system.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9622/blood-glucose-can-now-be-monitored-at-home.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9622/blood-glucose-can-now-be-monitored-at-home.html Fri, 06 Oct 2017 10:10:00 +0530 This week, the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) approved the first at-home, needle less system for continuously monitoring glucose for people with diabetes. The system, called FreeStyle Libre Flash, and manufactured by the DC-based Abbott Laboratories, allows users to forgo finger-pricking for up to 10 days at a time. The Free style libre Flash is essentially a small, circular plastic sensor that sits on top of the skin and detects blood sugar from a small wire that goes under the skin beneath the sensor. People can insert themselves using an applicator that works sort of like a rubber stamp. Once people have applied the sensor on their arms, they can wave a mobile device a little smaller than a smartphone in front of it to read glucose levels. It takes about 12 hours for the wire to become adjusted to the person’s body, but afterward the device takes continuous data that tracks blood sugar over time for over a week. Afterward, the sensor can be peeled off slowly, and a new one can be applied.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9590/apollo-hospitals-launches-special-heart-program.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9590/apollo-hospitals-launches-special-heart-program.html Wed, 27 Sep 2017 17:30:00 +0530 Apollo Hospitals recently launched the ‘Healthy Heart’ Program, India’s first heart disease prevention and reversal program. Ahead of World Heart Day, observed on September 29, the program is tailored to help persons prone to heart diseases and patients already suffering from heart ailments to arrest and reverse the progress of the disease. The Healthy Heart Program is a fee-based, annual, personalised heart disease reversal program which at enrolment stage classifies patients into high or low risk based on a physical screening encompassing 14 important health parameters. Once enrolled, the program includes continuing healthy heart doctor consultations, four cardiologist-physician consults/year, diet & lifestyle counselling (yoga, micronutrients and meditation) and continuous monitoring by a Customer Relationship Management infrastructure throughout their treatment. The program will be applicable across 60 centres of Apollo Hospitals in India. Persons enrolling in the program are also eligible for a 15% discount for any other interventions that might be required. People undergoing angioplasty or bypass surgery at Apollo Hospitals will be automatically be enrolled into the program free of cost for a year. This is to enhance the outcome of the interventions and prevent recurrence. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9565/fortis-hospitals-enters-into-partnership-with-stasis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9565/fortis-hospitals-enters-into-partnership-with-stasis.html Thu, 21 Sep 2017 10:55:00 +0530 Fortis Hospitals has partnered with Stasis with an objective to provide the best care for high-risk patients who require round the clock monitoring outside ICU. Stasis builds cloud-connected vitals monitoring solutions for vulnerable patients who require close observation without one-to-one nursing care. Together, Fortis and Stasis are committed to ensure care extends well past the ICU. The Stasis System keeps a watch on a patient’s core vitals such as heart rate, blood oxygen, respiratory rate, blood pressure, temperature, and even the electrocardiogram of vulnerable patients no matter where they are in the hospital. Unlike regular monitoring systems in ICU and wards that indicates the body functions of the patients in confusing numbers and waveforms, the Stasis System indicates different colors to communicate the patient status: green is good, yellow means patient requires care. The system helps involve caregivers and family attendees at the bedside, ensuring they are properly informed of their loved ones condition. These readings are displayed at a central tablet for medical experts to observe and take action. Most importantly, all the patients’ readings are easily accessible by their doctor from anywhere using the mobile app.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9540/highest-number-of-ecmo-cases-in-north-india-conducted-by-fortis-memorial-research-institute.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9540/highest-number-of-ecmo-cases-in-north-india-conducted-by-fortis-memorial-research-institute.html Fri, 15 Sep 2017 18:20:00 +0530 50 cases that required intervention of ECMO (Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) were conducted at Fortis Memorial Research Institute under the aegis of Dr Sandeep Dewan, Director and HOD, Critical Care and his team. Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is a machine which acts as a heart – lung bypass. It can support and perform the functions of the lung and the heart, individually and together. The ECMO circuit acts as an artificial heart and lung for the patient during ECMO therapy ECMO is rapidly gaining recognition as a technique that is used to save people when all other options have been exhausted. There were two exceptional cases that illustrated how the timely use of ECMO could save a person’s life. The first patient was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis. The second patient was shifted in a severe condition after contracting swine flu had suddenly gone into severe respiratory distress. First patient, Vidushi was a known case of type 2 diabetes mellitus and had been suffering from high grade fever and a dry cough for over a month. She had been diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and been on antitubercular treatment for over a month. On presentation, she was diagnosed with respiratory distress post which she was admitted in the ICU. Care was carried out as per protocol and she was put on the Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure system on which she maintained a saturation of 99%. Her condition deteriorated  and she had to be put on ventilator support as her oxygen levels and blood pressure began to fall and she showed symptoms of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome.  It was then that the patient was put on veno-venous ECMO support. On the 6th day, the patient’s lung function started to improve, vasopressor (a drug or other agent which causes the constriction of blood vessels) support was gradually withdrawn and oxygen levels started improving. In the second case, 27-year-old Yashi, a mother of a two-year-old was absolutely fine till August 5th when she suddenly developed high grade fever and cough which worsened with each passing day. When Yashi was shifted to FMRI, her condition had rapidly deteriorated and she developed difficulty in breathing. She was diagnosed with Swine Flu. Her condition worsened and she was unable to maintain her saturations. So, she was put on a ventilator support. Chest X- ray was suggestive of a condition called “ARDS”. ARDS is a condition where lungs are unable to function properly and the patient is unable to maintain normal saturations. Every possible manoeuvre in ventilator was being tried, but unfortunately the patient did not show any improvement. Finally, a decision to put the patient on ECMO support was decided. Since the patient was on very high ventilator requirements, it was impossible to shift the patient as she was and hence was moved to FMRI on portable ECMO. Yashi was on ECMO for three days after which she was shifted to a room and later discharged. Dr Sandeep Dewan, Director and HOD, Critical Care said, “Cases of Anju Yadav and Vidushi were one of a kind and hadn’t been reported within the medical field previously. This was the first time that ECMO was administered on a tuberculosis patient in India. Anju Yadav’s case was challenging as the patient was pregnant had severe ARDS and required ECMO which had to be administered with ongoing CPR and chest compressions. The post-operative bleeding on ECMO also had to be tackled. These cases highlight how all efforts to save a patient failed, barring the use of ECMO. Awareness about ECMO intervention is extremely important among healthcare professionals and families. It is necessary to have an option B ready at all times.” Dr. Simmardeep Gill, Zonal Director, Fortis Memorial Research Institute said, “ECMO plays an extremely critical role in the healthcare sector. It is necessary to facilitate ECMO intervention with the correct infrastructure and expertise. Knowing how and when to use it, is extremely important. The trend observed so far is that ECMO is used most often used as a last resort.  We are very proud that Dr. Sandeep Dewan has been able to save multiple lives using ECMO. So far he has dealt with 50 cases that required ECMO, which is the highest number of cases reported in the northern region of country.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9523/health-minister-inaugurates-international-conference-on-ehealth-care-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9523/health-minister-inaugurates-international-conference-on-ehealth-care-.html Tue, 12 Sep 2017 11:55:00 +0530 7th International Conference and Workshop on Cost Effective Use of Technology in eHealth Care was recently inaugurated by Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare at AIIMS, New Delhi. Speaking at the function, he underscored the urgency for harnessing Information Technology for better and effective healthcare delivery in the country. Referring to the Digital India initiative of the Honourable Prime Minister, he emphasised on the need for making optimal use of technology for delivering healthcare services to the people. The Minister further stated that that e-application in healthcare will reduce cost and save time for doctors and patients. At the event, health minister also felicitated the doctors, particularly the specialists who have successfully treated patients by e-application without actually visiting them in remote and far-flung areas. He further stated that new technology will not only enhance efficiency but will also bring greater transparency in the healthcare and health administration. The Minister congratulated Dr. Randeep Guleria, Director, AIIMS, Professor Deepak Aggarwal, Professor in-Charge Computer Facility and the organizing Committee of AIIMS for organizing the conference on highly contextual and important theme. The Minister also hoped that the e-Initiative of AIIMS would go a long way in implementing the Digital India vision of the Prime Minister. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9509/10th-medical-technology-conference-inaugurated-by-anupriya-patel.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9509/10th-medical-technology-conference-inaugurated-by-anupriya-patel.html Fri, 08 Sep 2017 11:55:00 +0530 10th Medical Technology Conference, Medical Technology Shaping Universal Healthcare, organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) was recently inaugurated by Anupriya Patel, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare. Members of the medical technology industry including the science community, industry - big corporates as well as small and medium businesses represented by their associations, consumer and citizen organizations, international organizations and development partners, experts and government officials from central ministries and States and other key stakeholders. Speaking at the function, she said, “The Health Ministry is committed to technology integration in the health sector. Digital technology can help to reduce health care costs overall, but we need to ensure our investment in new technologies is done cost effectively and frugally.” She also highlighted that the scope of digital technology in the public health sector has gone beyond service delivery and health ministry is already at the forefront of incorporating the benefits of digital technology towards achieving the goals elucidated in National Health Policy (2017) which are synchronous with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The National Health Mission (NHM) is already using throughout the country a web-based Health Management Information System (HMIS) to collect and collate data related to the health infrastructure. Minister further informed that dispensing health insurance, registration of vital health statistics like births and deaths, monitoring of Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) through Geographical Positioning Systems(GPS) and preventing female foeticide through implementation of The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition Of Sex Selection) Act 2003 Act are some of the additional tenets that are being brought online for ease of implementation, progressively decreasing costs and most importantly, increased accountability and transparency. “My Government has notified the Medical Devices Rules, 2017 and we are in the process of finalizing the Draft of Medical Device Regulation Bill for comprehensive regulation of the medical devices in the country,” she elaborated. "To support the corresponding need for trained human resource, the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Ahmedabad has been mandated to initiate a National Centre for Medical Devices (NCMD) for development of skilled manpower”, she added.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9442/masina-and-apollo-start-a-new-venture.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9442/masina-and-apollo-start-a-new-venture.html Fri, 25 Aug 2017 08:15:00 +0530 Masina Hospital, one of Mumbai's oldest charitable health institutions, has signed an agreement with the Chennai-based Apollo to set up an all new 300-bed hospital. The new hospital, which will be co-branded Masina-Apollo, will be built on four-acre land available within the sprawling Masina campus in Byculla. The existing hospital, which is run out of a heritage structure, once home to businessman and philanthropist David Sassoon, will stay untouched and is likely to be modernised with hefty royalties received from the new setup. Masina-Apollo will be a super-specialty facility with a dedicated transplant center, state-of-the-art trauma care set-up and centers for robotic surgery and neurosciences. Other specialties will include diabetes and obesity, bariatric surgery, pediatric heart surgeries, pediatric urology, and cardiovascular and thoracic surgery. Masina is one of south Mumbai's most popular hospitals, known for its well-equipped burns centre, psychiatry department and deaddiction center. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9431/healthcare-global-plans-network-expansion.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9431/healthcare-global-plans-network-expansion.html Wed, 23 Aug 2017 11:05:00 +0530 Healthcare Global Enterprises (HCG), a Bengaluru-based chain of specialised cancer care centres, plans to set up a dozen new hospitals over the next 18 months. HCG plans to expand its network of cancer care centres to about 30 from 21 now, and will add a few more IVF clinics to its existing network. HCG has a partnership with Kamini Rao, a leading medical practitioner in the field of assisted reproduction, to run IVF clinics under the brand name ‘Milann’. The IVF clinics contributed about a tenth of HCG’s revenues of Rs 700 crore for the previous financial year. Founded 27 years ago by Kumar, a doctor trained at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, the hospital chain has expanded to include centres in cities such as Cuttack, Ahmedabad and Vijayawada. It recently acquired a facility in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, and is scouting for more facilities in Africa and the Middle East. HCG raised Rs 650 crore through an initial public offering of shares in March last year. International Finance Corporation, the private sector investment arm of the World Bank, and Canadian pension fund manager Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec were among investors that subscribed to shares in the offering. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9411/ficci-and-kantar-imrb-launch-healthcare-consumer-report-2017.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9411/ficci-and-kantar-imrb-launch-healthcare-consumer-report-2017.html Fri, 18 Aug 2017 12:20:00 +0530 FICCI and Kantar IMRB have released The 2017 Healthcare Consumer Report, which is a collaborative effort to understand the patients' experiences and expectations from healthcare providers (hospitals). The report provides a complete read of the opportunities and gaps in experience and services offered by the healthcare providers from patients’ perspective in India. The Report was released at FICCI’s annual healthcare conference, FICCI HEAL 2017, titled ‘Indian Healthcare: A Patient’s View’ held at FICCI Federation House, New Delhi. FICCI HEAL 2017 focuses on various issues of the Indian healthcare ecosystem such as bringing about policy change, strategizing and effective implementation of government policies, the need for interoperability and transparency in the industry, and the need to scale-up the services provided. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Varun Khanna, Co-Chair-FICCI Health Services Committee and Managing Director, BD India said, “Given the transformation, this industry is undergoing with respect to the improving infrastructure and technological advancements, we have to be careful that the hospitals and the doctors continue to give emphasis to core essentials like empathy, care and trust. The survey reveals very clearly the role of these elements in impacting the healthcare consumers loyalty.” Talking about the study, Praveen Nijhara, Senior Executive Director, Kantar IMRB and Head, Stakeholder Management Division said, “The healthcare consumer is a multi-dimensional and a holistic consumer with exposure to multiple categories, with his expectations being shaped not only by his own past experiences but also by technology influenced categories like e-commerce, hospitality, retail etc. We believe that directions offered by this report will help hospitals craft a positive and a seamless patient experience in order to improve healthcare consumers' loyalty.” Ashok Kakkar, Co-Chair-FICCI Health Services Committee; Sr. MD Varian Medical Systems International India Pvt Ltd said, “Getting to know the view of today’s patients is an important source of information, in order to build businesses in this sector.  The healthcare consumer is no longer a passive consumer. The healthcare providers cannot be complacent anymore in this growing competitive market place. Hence, knowing both - what is important to the patients and where are the gaps in experience, will help prioritize actions for maximum benefit to the business.” Dr Narottam Puri, FICCI’s Health Services Advisor and Former Chairman – NABH said, “It is heartening to see that the healthcare consumers are appreciative of some of the improvements that have happened in the healthcare industry especially related to medical technology, and increase in healthcare providers etc. It is important for us to stay abreast of the changes in expectations that are happening, to ensure minimal gap between what the patient needs and what they get”. The Healthcare Consumer 2017 study included feedback from over 5000 patients. Patients from more than 150 multispecialty private and government hospitals across 6 leading metros of the country - Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Kolkata, were interviewed. The sample is well represented across patients seeking different treatments, socio-economic profile and demographics. Shobha Mishra Ghosh, Assistant Secretary General, FICCI, said, “The healthcare sector needs to ensure that in future the healthcare delivery model is patient-centric. For this to happen, the organization has to keep the patient’s needs and expectations in mind, while making decisions, investments, designing training and implementing processes. The report is intended to provide access to the patient’s view, which could be valuable insights for the healthcare providers in improving the patient’s experience." Some of the key Highlights of this report: 57% of the patients were found to be happy with their overall experience at the hospital. Experience at private hospitals better than Government Hospitals. The cities of Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi take the lead on delivering Patient satisfaction, over Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Kolkata Patients found to place high value on aspects such as a hospital’s reputation and service elements as well apart from treatment. Service is no doubt on its way to becoming a key differentiator for hospitals. While the treatment itself continues to remain a non-negotiable expectation. The survey also reveals the healthcare consumer as a heterogeneous one, with differing expectations basis the demographic and the socio-economic segment he belongs to. Generation Y was seen to have lower satisfaction and stiffer expectations with respect to elements like –wait time to meet the doctor, time taken to complete the discharge process etc. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9393/johnson-johnson-collaborates-with-csir-imtech-for-new-tuberculosis-treatments.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9393/johnson-johnson-collaborates-with-csir-imtech-for-new-tuberculosis-treatments.html Wed, 16 Aug 2017 15:45:00 +0530 In order to unlock the potential of Indian science and help accelerate the discovery of innovative new treatments for tuberculosis (TB), Johnson & Johnson Private Limited has announced a new partnership with the Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH) which is a part of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Under the Memorandum of Understanding, scientists from Johnson & Johnson’s global public health team will work closely with scientists from CSIR-IMTECH, based in Chandigarh, India, on a research and development program to explore potentially more effective, safer, all-oral treatment regimens to tackle multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), as well as new molecular entities to treat all TB patients. Paul Stoffels, M.D., Chief Scientific Officer, Johnson & Johnson said, “We are united with India in our determination to make TB history. While we have made great advances in recent years with the approval of new TB medicines much more needs to be done.  By bringing together some of India’s brightest minds with our scientists, we increase the potential to achieve major research breakthroughs that can lead to innovative new treatments for the millions of people in India and around the world who suffer from TB.” The new research program will capitalize on CSIR-IMTECH’s world-class expertise in microbial technology and research and the proven research and development capabilities of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies to strengthen the collective potential of our research efforts.  Dr. Anil Koul, Director, CSIR-IMTECH said, “TB remains a significant challenge in India, killing approximately half a million-people in 2015 alone. The partnership we have announced today with Johnson & Johnson has the potential to accelerate our work in support of India’s National Strategic Plan, our accelerated action plan to End TB by 2025, and most importantly save lives.” Sanjiv Navangul, Managing Director, Janssen India said, “Johnson & Johnson companies have been serving the healthcare needs of India for seventy years now; and this partnership forms an important part of our commitment to the government’s ‘Make in India’ program, supporting Indian drug development for a disease that affects more than 2.8 million people in our country.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9360/government-commercialises-ayurvedic-medicines-for-diabetes-arthritis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9360/government-commercialises-ayurvedic-medicines-for-diabetes-arthritis.html Mon, 07 Aug 2017 10:35:00 +0530 Two important drugs AYUSH 82 for Type II Diabetes Mellitus and AYUSH SG for rheumatoid arthritis developed by the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) have been commercialised. The Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS) has filed for patent of another drug, namely D5 Chooranam. The medicine is for treating Diabetes Mellitus. The Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy has developed several drugs, including Coleus forskohlii, Catharanthus roseus, Cyclosporinum and Azathioprium, among others. Drugs developed by the Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) are for filariasis, hepatitis, ulcer, vitiligo and malaria. Patents have been filed for all the medicines developed by CCRUM. In addition, the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) also conducts research for development of herbal drugs and formulations. It has developed BGR-34 for diabetes, Risorine for tuberculosis and anti-arthritis formulation for osteoarthritis. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9307/aiims-to-start-skin-bank-facility.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9307/aiims-to-start-skin-bank-facility.html Tue, 25 Jul 2017 16:40:00 +0530 In a major step towards availability of skin for reconstruction surgeries, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) will soon start North India’s first government-run skin bank facility. The Institute accounts the demand for skin for reconstruction surgeries related to congenital, trauma, cancer and burn injuries as high as 150 per cent. With this skin bank, the institute will store skin received through cadaver donations which will be available for the surgeries. However, taking note of the gap between demand and supply of skin donation the Institute is working with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi to develop “artificial skin”. The Institute has sought regulatory clearances from the Delhi government and is in process of procuring medical equipment for the bank. To be launched in close coordination with the institute’s bone bank facility, the skin bank is expected to start in the early months of 2018. Like other organ donation, experts harvest skin within six hours of death, usually from the legs, thighs and back, with only the uppermost layer of skin harvested in the process. Once the skin is harvested, the doctors are planning to use glycerol to preserve it. Due to its anti-bacterial properties, glycerol will keep the donated skin free of infection. With the planned technology, the donated skin can be preserved for a period of 4-5 years. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9287/nihr-global-health-grants-7-m-to-madras-diabetes-research-foundation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9287/nihr-global-health-grants-7-m-to-madras-diabetes-research-foundation.html Thu, 20 Jul 2017 16:00:00 +0530 Chennai-based Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) has been awarded a grant of £7million by UK’s National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Global Health programme to establish a clinical partnership with University of Dundee, Scotland. With the help of this grant, Madras Diabetes Research Foundation and University of Dundee will conduct joint research studies in India and Scotland to determine the common and specific problems related to diabetes, by accessing collated data of 650,000 diabetic patients. The project commands access to two of the most advanced diabetes management systems in the world: Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centres (DMDSC) and Scottish Clinical Care Information – Diabetes Care (SCI-DC). The SCI-DC provides a sophisticated shared electronic patient record for every individual with Type 2 diabetes in Scotland. The project will also look at new ways of providing diabetes screening, using smartphone technology and retinal scans, which will provide valuable insights into how care providers can deliver more cost-effective and affordable diagnosis and treatment of diabetes, a major issue in India and across the world. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9273/nihr-awards-1-9-m-for-stroke-care-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9273/nihr-awards-1-9-m-for-stroke-care-in-india.html Tue, 18 Jul 2017 15:05:00 +0530 The University of Central Lancashire has been awarded £1.9m from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), to support further implementation of best practice stroke care in India. The three-year research project is led by the University and will be a collaborative effort with The George Institute for Global Health in Australia and India, Christian Medical College (CMC) in Ludhiana, clinicians from three hospitals across India, and other key colleagues in the UK, India and Australia. The research is due to start immediately and will build on existing stroke unit care, implementing and evaluating best practice stroke care, and developing research that will not only help developing countries, but will inform implementation of best practice globally. Stroke incidence in India is rising. The average age of people suffering a stroke in India is in the 50s, compared to the 70s in the UK. This is largely due to change in lifestyle of the population in addition to environmental factors such as poor living conditions, lack of health awareness and fragmented healthcare infrastructure. There are currently around 50 dedicated stroke units in India. As part of this project, researchers will be working with existing stroke units at CMC, Ludhiana; AIIMS, New Delhi and SCTIMST Trivandrum. They will look to determine the most effective processes for stroke assessment, care, monitoring and therapy, as well as determining the most economical approaches to assessment. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9267/nihr-grants-1-5-million-to-tackle-psychosis-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9267/nihr-grants-1-5-million-to-tackle-psychosis-in-india.html Mon, 17 Jul 2017 16:30:00 +0530 The National Institute of Health Research’s (NIHR) Global Health Research Unit has awarded the University’s Warwick Medical School £1.5 million (almost $ 2 million) to work with this highly vulnerable and disadvantaged group. The award will be used to improve their health, well being and functioning. In India psychosis is a leading cause of disability and affects between seven and eight million people. In the absence of adequate treatment and support many of them languish in long stay hospitals for years in appalling conditions or drift into homelessness and destitution. The research award aims to identify sufferers early and ensure that they regain their health and well being. The grant has been made to the NIHR Global Health Research Group on Psychosis Outcomes: the Warwick-India-Canada {WIC} Network at the University of Warwick, which is led by Professor Swaran Singh along with partners in All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi; Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF) Chennai, and Douglas Hospital, McGill University Montreal. The three-year project will lead to evidence-informed interventions relevant to India, such as culturally appropriate interventions for families, raising standards of care, and using digital technologies to overcome infrastructure problems. The University of Warwick is also receiving £5,686,767 from the NIHR Global Health Research Unit to find better ways of delivering healthcare to slum dwellers. The long-term aims of the project include finding the best ways to deliver healthcare to people living in slums in Asia and Africa and then to persuade and work with politicians and other officials to make these changes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9225/saint-gobain-gyproc-india-launches-habito.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9225/saint-gobain-gyproc-india-launches-habito.html Mon, 10 Jul 2017 11:20:00 +0530 Saint-Gobain India Pvt. Ltd-Gyproc Business recently announced the launch of Habito, its revolutionary gypsum board. It will create new benchmarks in Drywall solution by offering enhanced performance in load fixing strength, robustness and acoustics. This innovation is designed to give customers greater flexibility with their space and ease the process of loading on drywall. Traditional building constructions have a massive impact on the environment. As urban construction is expected to rise, there will be an increase in demand for sustainable construction methods such as gypsum based drywalls. Habito the latest innovation of Gyproc India, will take the lead on sustainable habitat solutions in future combined with performance. Commenting on the launch, Sudeep Kolte, VP Sales & Marketing at Gyproc India said that buildings and living spaces need to adapt to the changing requirements of their occupants, hence flexibility is critical. Habito Drywall has been created with a new standard of performance that delivers superior well-being to occupants as compared to traditional options like brick and block or ply. Of all the sectors, the company typically deals with hotels, IT office spaces, hospitals, residential and retail. Saint-Gobain Gyproc has worked on more than 15 projects in the healthcare sector including AIIMS, Narayana Hrudyalaya, Fortis, Columbia Asia to name a few. Sudeep Kolte mentioned that the company is planning on incorporating BIM or building information modeling for the future healthcare projects. BIM is an intelligent 3D model-based process that gives architecture, engineering, and construction professionals the insight and tools to more efficiently plan, design, construct, and manage buildings and infrastructure. It will help in providing benefits to the various machines and equipment used in the hospitals. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9218/samsung-launches-healthcare-programme-in-tamil-nadu.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9218/samsung-launches-healthcare-programme-in-tamil-nadu.html Fri, 07 Jul 2017 15:30:00 +0530 Samsung India has partnered with the Tamil Nadu government to offer healthcare solutions with the effective use of technology to patients from the economically and socially weaker sections of society. As part of its "Smart Healthcare" programme, Samsung will provide advanced and innovative healthcare equipments such as ultrasound and digital radiology (x-ray) manufactured to select government hospitals in Kanchipuram and its adjoining areas. Since 2015, Samsung has collaborated with 16 government hospitals across the country to provide innovative products such as ultrasound, digital radiology and accessories that facilitate healthcare intervention to benefit communities with limited access to quality healthcare. Deepak Bhardwaj, Vice President, Samsung India stated that Samsung believes in transforming communities and creating a better life for people. Through this collaboration, we aspire to provide many more people easy access to advanced healthcare facilities. Samsung Smart Healthcare combines good infrastructure, latest technology and the best available medical expertise. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9207/uttarakhand-to-open-wellness-clinics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9207/uttarakhand-to-open-wellness-clinics.html Thu, 06 Jul 2017 15:25:00 +0530 Uttarakhand will open wellness clinics across all districts for treatment of non-communicable diseases like cancer and diabetes. In the first phase, clinics will open in Dehradun, Rudrapur and Uttarkashi district hospitals under the aegis of the health department’s national health programme. Medical experts will be deployed to assist patients in these specialised centres and records of patients would be maintained to ensure follow ups. In the second phase, such clinics will be opened in government hospitals where patients above 30 years will be screened for non-communicable diseases. The health department will open such facilities at primary level healthcare centres too and critical patients would be referred to higher centres. The health department has no record of cancer patients in the state after which DG health had directed all private hospitals to provide patients’ data to the health department. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9147/free-diagnosis-and-medicines-for-tb-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9147/free-diagnosis-and-medicines-for-tb-patients.html Fri, 23 Jun 2017 13:00:00 +0530 All patients suffering from tuberculosis will get free diagnosis and medicines, irrespective of whether they produce an Aadhaar card, under the government-run Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP). A notification by ministry of health and family welfare recently made Aadhaar card compulsory for TB patients and health providers. The earlier notification had raised concerns amongst patients and civil society that treatment will get interrupted, and bear disastrous results, if the Aadhaar card is made compulsory for accessing diagnosis and medicines. India has 2.8 million cases of TB according to data from 2015, with many unreported cases. The National Coalition of TB Survivors is concerned that implications (of this notification) may become a hurdle for patients in accessing urgently needed treatment. Tuberculosis has become a disease of the urban slum, with homeless and migratory workers forming a bulk of the vulnerable population. Most of them do not have address proof, and in some cases even bank accounts. The RNTCP will continue to provide free diagnosis and medicines through its established network of centres to all TB patients. Dr Sunil Khaparde, deputy director general (DDG), ministry of health and family welfare, and head central TB division said that the government will soon roll out an incentive scheme to support patient nutrition, under direct benefit transfer scheme. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9142/a-rare-skin-cancer-treatment-in-bangalore.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9142/a-rare-skin-cancer-treatment-in-bangalore.html Thu, 22 Jun 2017 16:00:00 +0530 Worldwide, cancer is on the way to equaling cardiac disease as the biggest killer. In India, it is now the second biggest killer, after heart disease and stroke, up from seventh position in 2000, reports the World Health Organization (WHO). Innovative diagnostic facilities in cancer treatment are opening a whole new world for possible early diagnosis and cures. The first treatment for a rare form of skin cancer – Syringocystadeno carcinoma paplliferum, diagnosed and treated by Dr.Anthony Pais at Cytecare cancer hospital Bengaluru  is one such case where the right diagnosis was the game-changer in the treatment of the disease, which was discussed at a press briefing at Taj Vivanta. Addressing the press, Dr Anthony Pais, a renowned breast cancer surgeon as well as Co-founder and Clinical Director, Cytecare said, “There are two types of skin cancer – melanoma and non-melanoma. All over the globe if you take the percentage of skin cancer cases, most of them are non-melanoma. Among all the non-melanoma skin cancers, 75% of them are basal cell cancers; 20% of them are squamous cell cancers and about 2% of them being adnexal skin tumours. Most of these adnexal tumours are benign. The rarity of this adnexal skin cancer involving the breast is the rarest of the rare cancer. In this case the problem started with the wart and with a birth mark close by, which is technically called a nevus. This grew over a period of time involving the breast. Most often it is benign but there is 10 per cent chance of being malignant.” Reflecting upon the diagnosis, he said, “It is very difficult to know about the disease or diagnose it at an early stage. So, there is no precaution and can’t be prevented. Moreover, it is not genetic. Excessive exposure to sunlight can be one of the reasons and so our farmers are at a greater risk. One might diagnose this case to be that of a breast cancer and a wrong diagnosis means unnecessary chemotherapy. The treatment is for the skin cancer arising on the breast infiltrating into it. So, proper surgery and radiotherapy is the answer. Even mammography is of no help, as it can detect only breast cancer and not the type of skin cancer on the breast. So, self-examination of the breast including the skin is the only precaution one can take.” Speaking at the briefing, Suresh Ramu, Co-Founder and CEO, Cytecare said, “Fighting cancer the right way is our philosophy and this case helps us to demonstrate our principle loud and clear. We practice approaches that help us to diagnose and treat cancer with utmost accuracy and precision” Talking about the joy of Amina being on the path to overcoming the disease, she said, “Expressing her gratitude in view of the meticulous care received at Cytecare, Mrs Amina, patient from Nigeria says, “I suddenly found a lump on the left breast in November 2014 and then was diagnosed as chronic mastitis in local hospital in Nigeria. Was put on a lot of antibiotics and then underwent surgery, wherein the biopsy report suggested papillary carcinoma. With no proper treatment plan and lack of direction, I felt horrible. For the last three years, in the absence of right diagnosis, lack of treatment and no one to approach, I kind of lost hope.”  She adds, “My family and I got very anxious about this situation and on the recommendation of a local doctor decided to visit Dr. Anthony Pais at Cytecare for treatment.  It has been a miraculous experience since the time I am here. I have got the best doctor and the best treatment, my pathogenic condition is under good control and my physical condition has improved by a series of treatment. Cancer changes your life, often for the better.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9141/new-healthcare-strategy-to-be-adopted-in-up.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9141/new-healthcare-strategy-to-be-adopted-in-up.html Thu, 22 Jun 2017 14:50:00 +0530 A new cadre of health workers is set to join the battle against non-communicable diseases in Uttar Pradesh (UP). On the lines of 'nurse doctors' in the US, the state will have mid-level healthcare providers (MLPs) who will help bridge the gap between grassroots healthcare workers and hospital-level specialist doctors. The MLPs will contribute towards screening, prevention and management of a wide range of medical conditions. These include but are not limited to pregnancy care and childbirth, child health, family planning, communicable diseases, mental health, dental care, geriatric and palliative health care besides non communicable diseases like cardiovascular ailments, blood pressure and diabetes. MLPs will work at health and wellness centres (HWC) which will each serve a population of 5,000 people. As for now, several health sub-centers would be upgraded to HWCs. An MLP would head a team of ASHA, anganwadi worker, auxiliary nursing midwife or a multi-purpose health worker (male) at the HWCs. The first batch of MLPs in UP would be nurses with a degree of general nursing midwives who will be selected for a six-month IGNOU-certified training programme. Over 600 candidates took an entrance exam on Sunday for the course. Lucknow's Veerangana Avanti Bai Women and Child Hospital has been selected and approved by IGNOU for the bridge course. MLPs also herald a paradigm shift in healthcare from disease centric to wellness or preventive approach, something agencies like World Health Organization bank on for better quality of life. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9121/bourn-hall-fertility-center-gets-a-make-over.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9121/bourn-hall-fertility-center-gets-a-make-over.html Tue, 20 Jun 2017 14:20:00 +0530 The Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) took over the Bourn Hall Fertility Centre that was part of the United Kingdom-based Bourn Hall Clinic. Credited with the world’s first in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) clinic, Bourn Hall started its operations in Kochi with the help from an Abu Dhabi-based financer in 2011. Now, the centre at MG Road, which has been closed for the past few months, will be renamed as Amrita Fertility Centre. AIMS this year got recognition from MCI for DM (reproductive medicine) and they will admit two students for the two-year super specialty course from this academic year. They will be posted at Amrita Fertility Centre that would focus exclusively on reproductive medicine and will be headed by Dr Fessy Louis, secretary general, Kerala Federation of Obstetrics & Gynaecology. The hospital is on an expansion mode in Kochi with a separate paediatric unit also being built in the AIMS campus at Edappally to cater to the needs of newborn and children.  Though at first, the Amrita Fertility Centre will mainly cater to IVF treatment, hospital authorities said that within a few months they also plan to run satellite clinics for few critical departments such as endocrinology, cardiology, gastro medicine, etc from here. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9119/apollo-takes-a-step-towards-bone-therapy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9119/apollo-takes-a-step-towards-bone-therapy.html Tue, 20 Jun 2017 12:40:00 +0530 India’s leading super speciality hospital Apollo has joined hands with RMS Regrow, a cell therapy technology specialist, to offer new cell therapy products for orthopedic patients suffering from bone and cartilage problems. The products Ossron and Chondron have been launched to tap the huge potential of orthopedic market with respect to sports injuries, accidents and alternate to hip replacements and knee replacements. Ossron for bone treatment is the first such product in the world, while Chondron for cartilage treatment is the first in India and third in the world. The two companies have tied up to make available the treatment therapy through all Apollo Hospitals, Apollo Spectra Hospitals and Apollo clinics in India. Ossron and Chondron have been launched following over eight years of dedicated research, several clinical trials and evaluation studies. Established in the year 2009, Regenerative Medical Services Pvt Ltd is the first Indian biotechnology company to introduce cutting-edge technology platform for regenerative medicine in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9114/new-technique-to-treat-varicose-veins.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9114/new-technique-to-treat-varicose-veins.html Mon, 19 Jun 2017 16:35:00 +0530 For the first time in India, Fortis Hospital has introduced a new technique to treat varicose veins that is less painful than the traditional method. Varicose veins are enlarged and twisted veins. Although the condition can occur in any part of the body, it is especially seen in legs. The technique, called Mechanico Chemical Ablation of the Varicose Veins (MOCA), is simple and does not require application of anaesthesia. A special catheter is inserted in the vein of the patient and vein is ablated along with foam sclerotherapy. As against traditional method that requires anaesthesia and hospitalisation, the technique is designed to plug any chances of its recurrence or a trail of multiple cuts. The new treatment is not only less painful but can treat a leg in 20 minutes and within two hours, the patient can go home. It is important that an expert like vascular surgeon performs this surgery. Some of the most common symptoms of varicose veins are purple or blue color twisted veins. The situation becomes painful when there is a heavy feeling in the leg or burning, throbbing, muscle cramping and swelling in lower legs. One can experience worsened pain after sitting or standing for a long durations. The disease marks an indication of a malfunction of venous system and should be evaluated by a vascular surgery specialist. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9109/web-tool-designed-for-cancer-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9109/web-tool-designed-for-cancer-patients.html Mon, 19 Jun 2017 12:45:00 +0530 A new web tool developed by scientists at University of Nottingham, UK uses a patient database from 1,500 general practices across England to predict the cancer patient’s chances of survival. The biggest question that comes to a cancer patient’s mind after overcoming the initial shock of diagnosis is: “how much time do I have to live”. Until now, doctors have used crude methods to answer this question based on the information available on the age, grade and stage of the cancer in general population. But as per the developers of this new tool, it can offer much more reliable estimate of both absolute survival rates for men and women with colorectal cancer. Current methods of estimating survival tend to be unreliable and sometimes patients can be given a fairly misleading and unnecessarily gloomy prognosis based only on the grade and stage of their cancer, only to find that in reality they live much longer than these crude predictions when other information is taken into account. According to scientists, it is the ability of this tool to take into consideration a wide range of risk factors like family history, lifestyle, body mass index and a plethora of other such relevant information before coming up with an estimate of survival. The health data of over 44,000 patients from 947 practices was studied to develop separate equations for men and women aged between 15 and 99 years old when diagnosed with bowel cancer. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9105/irevive-is-the-new-ortho-care-center-in-bangalore.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9105/irevive-is-the-new-ortho-care-center-in-bangalore.html Sat, 17 Jun 2017 18:40:00 +0530 A unique ortho-care Therapy center, iRevive has opened in Bangalore which brings to India for the first time machines that can regenerate your cartilage, tendons, ligaments as well as bone cells. These medical devices for the musculoskeletal system use Molecular Biophysical Stimulation (MBST) and are manufactured by German company MedTec Medizintechnik GmbH.   MBST is the core competence of MedTec Medizintechnik GmbH, and is focused on the creation of medical devices for musculoskeletal system. Created by medical innovator Mr Axel Muntermann and originating in Germany, this technology is used for regenerative cell stimulation in degenerative joint diseases and metabolic bone disorders. Technically, MBST which uses Magnetic Resonance Therapy is derived from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and has been in use for over two decades. MBST patients are treated along with physiotherapy or orthopedic consultation as well as prescribed exercise to aid recovery and rehabilitation. The therapy is currently available in 39 countries internationally. When put to use patients report considerable pain reduction, improvement in mobility and a better quality of life. The therapy is completely painless and requires no surgical intervention and has no known side effects. More than 300,000 patients have been treated successfully with this therapy. IEM International and MBST are a joint initiative to import MBST machines into the country and offer an opportunity to medical services, across the nation to provide the latest in rehabilitation therapies. Inaugurating the iRevive Ortho Care Therapy Center and the machines, Mr. Axel Muntermann, Founder and CEO of MedTec Medizintechnik GmbH, Germany, the Medical Innovator behind the technology said, “In all my years I have seen patients of bone and cartilage degeneration suffer through immense pain. There was no non-invasive means of regenerating cartilage and bone cells. When doctors began to notice how patients spoke of obvious pain relief post Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), we researched more to develop therapeutic devices that are based on magnetic resonance. And that is how the MBST technology came about.” “The Magnetic Resonance Therapy technology used by the machines helps in regenerating cartilage and bone cells in a non-invasive procedure, treating both the symptoms and the cause. It also helps in effective pain management. The technology manipulates the hydrogen atoms in the human body which itself is made up of 67 per cent of water. The technology works in a way to enable degenerated cells to absorb and release energy again. The cell in turn regenerates and cell metabolism is revived,” explained Mr. Axel. Speaking at the inauguration, Mr. Surendra Bhandari, Managing Director of iRevive and IEM International Pvt. Ltd., (IEM), importers of these machines said, “We are the first to bring this internationally acclaimed technology to India and Bangalore and will be working closely with the medical fraternity to provide patients with a minimally invasive treatment form that will regenerate cartilage, increase bone density as well as ensure that there is no pain and no side effects. The machines from IEM MBST are available for all those hospitals and diagnostic centers looking to provide their patients with a non-invasive, yet revolutionary treatment”. Elaborating on the treatment through the MBST machines, Dr. Gautam Kodikal, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon said, “This form of treatment is ideal for patients who are diagnosed early, especially in the first 3 stages of cartilage and bone degeneration. It is only after stage 3 that surgery becomes the only option. The machines can be used to treat osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, sport injuries and other metabolic disorders of the musculoskeletal system. It takes about 10 sessions of an hour each for 10 consecutive days for the cartilage to regenerate. The treatment form provides patients with relief from both symptoms as well as the cause of an ailment”. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9102/cancer-tests-offered-by-positive-biosciences.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9102/cancer-tests-offered-by-positive-biosciences.html Fri, 16 Jun 2017 17:05:00 +0530 India-based clinical genomics firm Positive Bioscience has signed an agreement to produce US-based Biodesix's GeneStrat and VeriStrat liquid biopsy tests in India. The tests will be accessible for Indian patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Testing will be carried out at Biodesix’s CLIA/CAP/CLEP/ISO certified laboratory located in Boulder, Colorado, US. The predictive and prognostic blood-based proteomic VeriStrat test is designed to evaluate disease aggressiveness by identifying host response to the tumour. According to the findings from clinical studies of the VeriStrat test, to allow treatment decisions, the classification as VeriStrat-Good or VeriStrat-Poor can be used for NSCLC patients with squamous or non-squamous histology, and those with wild-type or unknown EGFR mutation status. This partnership will provide lung cancer patients in India with access to critical liquid biopsy tests for the first time, enabling the highest standard of care. The test is developed to inform the use of targeted therapies for lung cancer patients by measuring circulating tumour DNA and RNA using a sensitive droplet digital PCR platform. The GeneStrat test delivers results for EGFR sensitising, EGFR resistance (T790M), KRAS and BRAF mutations, EML4-ALK, ROS1, and RETS fusion variants. In January, Biodesix also collaborated with Beijing-based Bioyong Industries and entered a distribution agreement with Israeli Progenetics in March. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9090/mou-signed-by-coimbatore-hospital.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9090/mou-signed-by-coimbatore-hospital.html Thu, 15 Jun 2017 13:05:00 +0530 Sri Ramakrishna hospital, Coimbatore signed a MoU with Gleneagles Global Health City, Chennai, for performing liver transplants at the hospital and also for training specialists. The scope of the MoU involves performance and post-operative care after transplantation in the hospital, training of various specialists in liver transplantation and allied fields and gradual transfer of techniques and technology to the hospital. The specialties include liver surgery, liver anaesthesia, liver intensive care, transplant hepatology, pediatric hepatology, transplant infectious diseases and provision of blood banking services for this highly demanding team work. Nurses in operation theatre, ICU and wards from the hospital would be trained by Gleneagles as per the MoU. Gleneagles Global Hospitals is part of Parkway Pantai, a fully owned subsidiary of IHH Healthcare. In India, Gleneagles Global Hospitals operates a chain of multi-super specialty hospitals offering tertiary and quaternary healthcare services with over 2,000 beds and state-of the-art, world-class hospitals in Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore and Mumbai. A pioneer in kidney, liver, heart and lung transplants, Gleneagles Global Hospitals provides comprehensive multi-organ transplant services in the country. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9089/iphone-can-be-the-new-hub-of-medical-info.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9089/iphone-can-be-the-new-hub-of-medical-info.html Thu, 15 Jun 2017 12:50:00 +0530 A secretive team within Apple's growing health unit has been in talks with developers, hospitals and other industry groups about bringing clinical data, such as detailed lab results and allergy lists. The Cupertino-headquartered tech giant is also scouting for start-ups in the cloud hosting space that might fit into this plan. If Apple's efforts show the desired results, both the medical community and users would have reasons to cheer. Patients often find it difficult to share their information between doctors, especially among different hospitals or clinics, even in this digital age. The lack of data-sharing between health providers can often lead to unnecessary mistakes and missed diagnoses. Apple in recent months has been in touch with health IT industry groups that are looking for ways to make this goal a reality. The company has also hired some of the top developers involved with Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources or FHIR, which is an increasingly popular protocol for exchanging electronic health records. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9074/fortis-in-partnership-with-hcah.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9074/fortis-in-partnership-with-hcah.html Tue, 13 Jun 2017 16:15:00 +0530 Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore has tied up with HealthCare atHOME (HCAH) to provide high quality medical treatment to people in need within the comfort of their home. The hospital will extend this service to the patients who need post-operative and rehabilitation care. HCAH is an integrated platform offering a bouquet of healthcare delivery services and services to pharmaceutical companies. In healthcare delivery services, it offers services like ICU care at home, cancer care, post-surgical care and specialized nursing care to its patients along with physiotherapy, medicine delivery at home and diagnostic services. This is a good start towards extending home based medical services to the patients at fortis by partnering with HCAH. Through this new partnership the patients will have better access to postoperative and rehabilitation care, reduce readmission risks and associated costs. The partnership will provide quality health care services from providers working together to ensure patients move seamlessly through their recuperation and recovery process. With advancements in modern technology, many medical services can now be done at home that were previously available only at the hospital. Many studies have shown that the effectiveness of treatment given at home is the most satisfying form of health care. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9071/next-generation-asthma-therapy-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9071/next-generation-asthma-therapy-in-india.html Tue, 13 Jun 2017 12:35:00 +0530 Boston Scientific India announced the availability of Bronchial Thermoplasty (BT) Therapy indicated for the treatment of severe, persistent, drug-resistant asthma in patients 18 years and older whose asthma is not well controlled with inhaled corticosteroids and long acting beta agonists. The first BT procedure was performed in Royal Care Hospital, Coimbatore.  The Bronchial Thermoplasty therapy helps clear the bronchial airways by delivering thermal energy to the smooth muscle. This process decreases constriction in the patient’s airways and enables easier breathing, reducing the frequency and severity of asthma attacks for patients with severe, persistent, drug-resistant asthma. Bronchial Thermoplasty is performed under moderate sedation on an outpatient basis. The first BT patient is a middle aged woman, who is suffering from severe, persistent, drug-resistant asthma for the past 30 years. She had recurrent asthma attacks and frequent emergency room visits despite her medication regimes. Prabal Chakraborty, Vice President and Managing Director, Boston Scientific, India said that there are over 18 million estimated asthmatics in the country, for some of whom currently available medication has failed to provide any relief. The company's Bronchial Thermoplasty Therapy holds great promise to help address this need gap. Boston Scientific has sufficient evidence that shows Bronchial Thermoplasty is an effective therapeutic option for patients with severe persistent, drug-resistant asthma Dr. Pattabi Raman, Head- Pulmonology Associates, Royal Care Super Specialty Hospital, who performed the first BT procedure stated that this is a ground-breaking solution which may provide a complementary treatment to severe, persistent, drug-resistant asthma patients in the country. This therapy is recognized globally and has been well received in around 20 markets. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9068/largest-trauma-centre-to-open-at-safdarjung-hospital.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9068/largest-trauma-centre-to-open-at-safdarjung-hospital.html Tue, 13 Jun 2017 11:05:00 +0530 In a major boost for trauma services in Delhi, Safdarjung Hospital has decided to throw open to public its new emergency block by next month. It will have 500 beds, including nearly 100 ICU beds, and 17 operation theatres-the largest for any public hospital in the country. The super-speciality-cum-paid ward is also ready and it will be made operational soon, in addition to the emergency block. The super-speciality block will have 850 beds for specilities such as cardiac surgery, neurosurgery and urology, among others, Prasad said. At present, the hospital has about 1,600 beds, including 80 beds, with ventilator support. According to senior doctors, apart from adding equipment and state-of-the-art facilities, Safdarjung would require adding manpower to run the upcoming facilities. Recruitment of over 1,000 nurses for the upcoming emergency and super-speciality block has been approved already. With these changes, Safdarjung Hospital is also looking to change its image from a poor man's last resort to a modern super-speciality hospital. The hospital has, among other things, a provision for a paid ward in the upcoming superspeciality block. The purpose is to encourage CGHS or Central government health scheme beneficiaries to get treatment at the hospital, instead of getting operated at private facilities and seeking reimbursements. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9030/philips-unveiles-intellisafari-in-ahmedabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9030/philips-unveiles-intellisafari-in-ahmedabad.html Tue, 06 Jun 2017 18:00:00 +0530 Philips India, a leading company in healthcare technology, has unveiled IntelliSafari in Ahmedabad. Featuring a specially designed Mobile Van, the IntelliSafari is an intensive awareness campaign through which Philips will reach out to hospitals, nursing homes and clinics in Tier 2 and 3 cities in India and familiarize them with the latest technological advancements in healthcare, available at a low cost. Recognizing the need of healthcare solutions for patients in Gujarat, the program is designed to meet the customers across cities and visit them with Philips products and solutions. The special vehicle showcasing state-of-the-art technologies from Philips Healthcare, will travel across key cities in Gujarat for the next 30 days, before moving on to Rajasthan and other parts of India. The mobile van is equipped with advanced cutting-edge products, designed to treat patients ranging from adults to neonates in ICU, CCU, as well as general wards and nursing care units. The wide range of display will showcase products such as patient monitors, portable patient monitoring solutions, cardiographs, fetal and maternal monitors, defibrillators and AED devices, portable ventilator and BIPAP devices. Hospitals and clinics challenged by their environment, financial circumstances, or patient demographics can select healthcare solutions that meet Philip’s standards and are great value for money. The vehicle is an experiential area fitted with patient monitoring healthcare equipment. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9011/more-health-and-wellness-centres-to-come-up.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9011/more-health-and-wellness-centres-to-come-up.html Mon, 05 Jun 2017 16:35:00 +0530 The government has decided to upgrade around 150,000 sub-centres into health and wellness centres across the country, as stated by Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Faggan Singh Kulaste at the 8th convocation ceremony of the International Institute of Health Management and Research (IIHMR), where he was invited as the chief guest. He mentioned that the government’s National Health Policy, 2017, stresses the promotion of health and wellness for all. With this objective in mind, the government has decided to upgrade 150,000 sub centres into health and wellness centres across the country, in a time bound manner. Kulaste admitted that the healthcare delivery system in the country is facing many challenges, especially in rural and far-flung areas. The country needs better management of resources, especially human resources. Equipment, infrastructure, procurement and delivery of essential medicines, vaccines and contraceptives need to be strengthened and streamlined. For this large numbers of qualified hospitals and healthcare managers are required in the country. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9002/ayurvedic-management-of-diabetes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9002/ayurvedic-management-of-diabetes.html Mon, 05 Jun 2017 14:40:00 +0530 BGR-34 is the first and the only Ayurvedic medicine, which has got into the club of top 20 anti-diabetic Allopathic drugs. Its efficacy in keeping a check over diabetes has been found a spiraling 67% during clinical trials. Anti-diabetic Ayurvedic drug BGR-34, developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) – the research wing of the Science & Technology Ministry, has found a place among the 20 top branded drugs manufactured by multinational Pharma Companies. This news was revealed by a survey conducted by the All Indian Origin Chemists and Distributors (AIOCD). Competing with the allopathic medicine of multinational companies such as Sanofi, Zydus and Lupin, the BGR-34,has been jointly developed by the two laboratories of CSIR, National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) and Central Institute for Medicinal and Aromatic Plant (CIMAP). The drug having 6 vital phyto-constituent extracts and derivatives makes it promising, safe and effective to help maintain normal glucose levels and reducing the chances of long term complications. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9001/sankara-academy-signs-mou-with-chinese-hospital.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/9001/sankara-academy-signs-mou-with-chinese-hospital.html Mon, 05 Jun 2017 14:25:00 +0530 Sankara Academy of Vision, the education & training initiative of Sankara Eye Foundation has entered a strategic MoU with Tonghua Eye Hospital, a leading eye care centre in China. Under the MoU, Chinese eye surgeons will be trained at the centre for cataract surgery. With the mission to eliminate avoidable blindness, Sankara Academy of Vision has been consistently in the forefront providing effective and innovative solutions for quality eye care. The MoU is another major step towards Sankara Academy of Vision’s commitment to social equity and work towards the nation’s interest of eliminating blindness through education, capacity building and research. Dr R V Ramani, founder Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Medical Trust pointed out that Sankara Academy of Vision has been providing advanced training to eye surgeons from India and across the world. This partnership between India and China has entered during the 40th year of their movement. Dr Zhao, President Tonghua Eye Hospital China, mentioned that having seen the work at Sankara and interacting with their leadership, Chinese Ophthalmologists will surely benefit from the training. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8939/felix-hospital-wins-global-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8939/felix-hospital-wins-global-award.html Mon, 29 May 2017 14:45:00 +0530 Adding yet another feather in its cap, Noida-based multi-specialty hospital Felix has received the prestigious “World Greatest Brands and Leaders of Asia & GCC countries (2016-17)” award in a recent event organised by India–UAE Business and Social Forum in Dubai. In addition, Dr DK Gupta, Chairman Felix Hospital, was recognised as a “Brand Leader” at the event that was attended by 300 prominent business leaders and diplomats from India, Dubai and other countries. Global consultancy firm Price water-house Coopers (PwC), URS Media Asia 1 Magazine and United reason Services selected only four Indian hospitals out of 1,500 hospitals that were reviewed from India and GCC region (India, Dubai, Singapore, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Kuwait and Bahrain). Indian ambassador to UAE Navdeep Singh Suri and ambassadors, diplomats from Norway, Bulgaria, local chairman of ICAI and other prominent world leaders graced the occasion. Established in 2015, Felix Hospital earned accreditation from National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare providers (NABH) for quality and safety of patient care within a year of its setting up–setting a record to have received NABH accredition in the shortest time period in the Indian hyealthcare industry. Felix is a multi and super specialty hospital with excellence in cardiology, neurosciences, mother and child care, orthopedics, plastic surgery and others. The hospital is on the panel of CGHS, ECHS, ESI, DGHS, PSUs, GIPSA, all major TPAs, health insurance companies, Noida and Greater Noida authorities. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8938/new-mobile-app-launched-by-bpl-medtech.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8938/new-mobile-app-launched-by-bpl-medtech.html Mon, 29 May 2017 14:40:00 +0530 Promising its customers a neat user experience and ease of access to product information and videos, BPL MedTech recently launched a mobile application for both Android and iOS users. The mobile app launched by BPL MedTech has bundled all products, specialities and services under one umbrella to help improve customer experience and convenience. For starters, the product menu makes it easy for the users to find the product that best suits their needs. A user looking for a specific product, like a three-channel ECG machine, can directly go to the app, click on Products -> Electrocardiographs ->Three channel ECG and browse the features, images and videos. There are links to product videos on usage and there is a link to download the brochure for future reference. The app also has inbuilt capability to suggest products across specialties. For users who would like to browse and check products under one speciality, this tab comes in handy. Medical technology being an industry where consumables and accessories play a huge role, BPL’s service tab helps users understand all the accessories and consumables the company provides such as paper rolls, gels, electrodes etc.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8927/digi-lockers-for-cancer-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8927/digi-lockers-for-cancer-patients.html Fri, 26 May 2017 16:25:00 +0530 108 cancer hospitals across India are planning to launch DigiLocker to store medical information of registered patients. DigiLocker or digital locker is a Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) initiative under the Centre that provides an online space of 1GB, links it with Aadhaar card details and allows one to store documents. A person can store driving licence, university marksheets and PAN information in the locker and link it with his or her Aadhaar card to reduce the hassle of carrying documents for verification. While the issue of linking Aadhaar information to several centers schemes is facing heat on grounds of personal security, the Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH) plans to utilise the online digital space for only willing patients who register. Under the National Cancer Grid (NCG), spearheaded by the TMH, the country’s specialised cancer hospitals conduct video conferences to brainstorm on difficult cases. Currently, 108 hospitals are part of the NCG and together, they treat around 60 per cent of cancer cases in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8926/hcg-launches-triesta-genomics-and-translational-research-center.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8926/hcg-launches-triesta-genomics-and-translational-research-center.html Fri, 26 May 2017 15:55:00 +0530 Envisioned to define the future of cancer care in India, Healthcare Global Enterprises Ltd. - The Specialist in Cancer Care inaugurated the Triesta Genomics and Translational Research Center. It is a state-of-the-art Genomics Center offering comprehensive diagnosis by leveraging the latest and innovative technologies like Next-Generation Sequencing to all patients. Triesta Genomics and Translational Research Center will support an emerging medical discipline called Genomic Medicine that involves usage of genomic data of patients for better diagnosis. These will help in making therapeutic decisions more effective and help improve health outcomes for patients.  With the largest patient base in private cancer care, HCG - Triesta Genomics and Translational Research Center stands on a strong foundation based on their access to the availability of well-annotated tissue biorepository, clinical data along with a strong clinical excellence of oncologists and scientists. The aim is to aid oncologists in their relentless pursuit to deliver personalized medicine using the genetic data of patients for better diagnosis at the very first time and achieve overall improved health outcomes.  Speaking at the launch, Dr. B.S. Ajaikumar - Chairman and CEO - HCG Enterprises Ltd. said, “Cancer cases in India are on the rise and the goal is to offer affordable as well as right cancer care to all. We have seen instances where 48 percent of patients do not respond to certain drugs due to their genetic makeup. However, by conducting genetic analysis and radiation genomics followed by ‘Precision medicine’ or ‘Personalized Medicine’, we were able to come up with an innovative approach to prevent or manage the disease and design the course of treatment with the best outcomes. With the launch of “Triesta Genomics and Translational Research”, at the Center of Excellence in Bangalore, HCG aims to implement an individualized predictive treatment model that will revolutionize cancer treatment, make it accessible for all patients to focus on improved outcomes, reduce cost and ultimately follow the HCG way of treating cancer: the right way, the first time.”  Also present at the conference, Dr. Mithua Ghosh, Director and Head - of Triesta Genomics and Translational Research Center said, “Understanding the genetic signature or profile of the cancer helps oncologists penetrate the root level cause of the disease at the molecular and genetic level. The application of next-generation advanced technologies has set its foot strongly in diagnostics and understanding the molecular landscape of cancer, which, in turn, has facilitated the development of diagnostic, prognostic and predictive biomarkers for clinical oncology. With HCG’s Genetic Counselling center and preventive oncology clinic, we have expanded the collaborative role in patient care to support the patients and their family members. Along with this, and the constant addition of new technologies like Liquid Biopsy, our center is also well-equipped to cater to the research and development needs of Biotech, Pharma, and the CRO sector."  The center has also partnered with Strand Life Sciences for clinical informatics. The wealth of data emerging from cancer genome studies will be integrated with patients’ medical histories and clinical data using predictive and big data analytics. This “Genomics Data Bank” can lead to a better understanding of Indian population genetics and help develop more tailored approaches to predict treatment response in patients.  Dr. Intezar Mehdi - Consultant - Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and BMT and Dr. Vijay Agarwal - Consultant - Medical Oncology said, “Having a molecular along with a clinical genomics laboratory and the right expertise adds up to a lot of value. There is a seamless interaction between the clinicians, molecular pathologists, geneticists, which enables us not only to adopt the comprehensive multidisciplinary diagnostic  approach  to treat cancer, but it also gives us an opportunity to answer our research by accessing the latest and innovative technologies.”  With this launch, HCG has revolutionized cancer treatment, making it accessible for all patients to focus on improved outcomes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8873/apps-launched-for-fast-and-accurate-abg-test-and-neonatal-resuscitation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8873/apps-launched-for-fast-and-accurate-abg-test-and-neonatal-resuscitation.html Mon, 22 May 2017 17:15:00 +0530 Paediatrician Dr Satish Deopujari has developed an app through which doctors can now perform Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) test on their ‘iWatch’ more precisely in just a few minutes. For a patient on ventilator, ABG test is something on which his life may depend on. Being in Intensive Care Unit (ICU), the doctor is expected to spontaneously perform the test based on manual calculations. The iWatch-based ABG app was inaugurated by Sagar Meghe, treasurer of Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences (DMIMS), Sawangi, in Nagpur on Sunday. The programme was organized by Child Hospital and Research Institute, Nagpur, in association with DMIMS, and Paediatric Intensive Care Chapter, Nagpur. ABG test checks how well the lungs are able to move oxygen into blood and remove carbon dioxide. In 2016, the ABG app was developed for cell phones (both Android and Apple-based), but realizing the value of time and ease of use for a doctor, the app was made iWatch accessible. Another mobile-based app called Neonatal Resuscitation India (NRI) was also launched at the ceremony followed by a workshop based on utilization of the app. NRI, developed in collaboration with National Neonatology Forum of India (NNFI), can be used by doctors to take right decisions while giving resuscitation. The app is based on the algorithm formed using international guidelines on neonatal resuscitation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8867/pune-hospital-successful-in-conducting-indias-first-womb-transplant.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8867/pune-hospital-successful-in-conducting-indias-first-womb-transplant.html Mon, 22 May 2017 13:25:00 +0530 A 21-year-old woman from Solapur, born without a uterus, got a shot at motherhood as a dozen surgeons performed a surgery tirelessly for over 12 hours in which her mother's uterus was removed using laparoscopic surgery and transplanted in her body. Three years of preparation, practice on cadavers and permission from the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) in the state finally made the landmark procedure possible. The recipient who has never menstruated in her entire life will be monitored closely for the next six months to ensure that her body does not reject the organ. The recipient has ovaries and her hormone function is normal. With the new uterus, she is expected to menstruate like any healthy woman. She will undergo an IVF procedure one year later using embryos already stored to enable her to have a baby. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8860/nadda-launches-pneumococcal-conjugate-vaccine-under-universal-immunization-programme.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8860/nadda-launches-pneumococcal-conjugate-vaccine-under-universal-immunization-programme.html Fri, 19 May 2017 16:30:00 +0530 “No child should die in the country from Vaccine Preventable Diseases” is the Goal & Commitment of our government. We stand committed to reducing child deaths and providing a healthier future to our children.”  J P Nadda, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare said while introducing pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) in the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) of the country in New Delhi recently. Terming this as an historic moment and an exemplary step in India’s immunization programme, the Union Health Minister added that the Government is committed to reducing morbidity and mortality in children. Strengthening routine immunization is an essential investment in India’s children and will ensure a healthy future of the country, he noted.  PCV protects children against severe forms of pneumococcal disease, such as pneumonia and meningitis. Currently, the vaccine is being rolled out to approximately 21 lakh children in Himachal Pradesh and parts of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in the first phase. This will be followed by introduction in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan next year, and eventually be expanded to the country in a phased manner. Kaul Singh Thakur, Minister of Health, Government of Himachal Pradesh, Ram Swaroop Sharma, Member of Parliament, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh and Sanjeeva Kumar, Additional Secretary, Health, were also present at the function. Reiterating the commitment of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi to save lives of children against vaccine preventable diseases, Nadda said that the Government has taken notable steps in the direction of total immunisation. Under Mission Indradhanush, so far, more than 2.6 crore beneficiaries have been immunized. From 1% annual increase in coverage of Full Immunization, Mission Indradhanush has resulted in a 6.7 % annual expansion in the immunization cover. “The immunization programme started with providing protection against 6 vaccine preventable diseases, it will now offer protection to our children from 12 diseases,” Nadda said. The Health Minister further said that all these vaccines were available in the private sector for many years, not only in India but also across the world. “While these vaccines in the private sector were accessible to only those who could afford them, by making them available under the UIP, the government is ensuring equitable access to those who need them the most, the underprivileged and underserved,” Nadda added.“Pneumonia kills more children under five years of age in India than any other infectious disease. The pentavalent vaccine which was scaled up in all states under the UIP by 2015 protects against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) pneumonia. Now, the introduction of PCV in the UIP will reduce child deaths from pneumococcal pneumonia. It will also reduce the number of children being hospitalized for pneumonia, and therefore reduce the economic burden on the families and the health cost burden on the country,” The Health Minister elaborated.The Health Minister informed that the ICT-based Patient Satisfaction System (PSS) “Mera Aspataal / My Hospital” for implementation in public and empanelled private hospitals, is envisaged to empower the patient by seeking his / her views on quality of experience in a public healthcare facility. He further said that the Free Drugs Services Initiative, universal screening for non-communicable diseases for all people above 19 years to be rolled out shortly in select 100 districts in the first phase, the Free Diagnostics Services Initiative, the District Hospital Strengthening support, roll out of comprehensive primary health care, and Quality Assurance Programme - all represent initiatives intended to reduce fragmentation of care, improve quality of care and reduce out of pocket expenses.  Kaul Singh Thakur, Minister of Health, Government of Himachal Pradesh, stated that PCV is a very important for children as it will provide protection cover to all the children below 5 years of age from pneumonia and meningitis.  Kaul thanked J P Nadda for launching the PCV from Mandi Himachal Pradesh. “This vaccine will support efforts of the state government in further bringing down the child mortality,” he added.To raise awareness about PCV, Nadda also unveiled the communication material comprising TV and radio spots, posters, banners, etc. at the event. The Ministry has planned an extensive awareness campaign so that maximum number of people can avail these services.Pneumococcal disease is the leading cause of vaccine-preventable deaths in children under five years of age globally and in India. India accounts for nearly 20% of global pneumonia deaths in this age group. In 2010, pneumococcal pneumonia accounted for approximately 16% of all severe pneumonia cases and 30% of pneumonia related deaths in children under- five years of age in India. Introducing PCV, therefore, will substantially reduce disease burden in the country.Also present at the function were Vandana Gurnani, Joint Secretary (RCH, IEC), Prabodh Saxena, Principal Secretary (Health), Govt. of Himachal Pradesh along with the other senior officers of the Health Ministry and Himachal Pradesh Government and representatives of development partners such as WHO, UNICEF, PHFI etc.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8847/national-study-by-ima-hcfi-eris-lifesciences-reveals-high-incidence-of-hypertension-amongst-the-medical-fraternity.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8847/national-study-by-ima-hcfi-eris-lifesciences-reveals-high-incidence-of-hypertension-amongst-the-medical-fraternity.html Wed, 17 May 2017 11:45:00 +0530 Indian Medical Association, in partnership with the Heart Care Foundation of India(HCFI) and Eris Lifesciences in the form of an unconditional educational grant attempted to record the maximum number of ambulatory blood pressure readings amongst the medical fraternity in a single day. About 20,000 readings were taken of 533 doctors including those of the IMA leadership spanning 33 Indian cities. The aim being to raise awareness about the benefits of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) in the timely and correct diagnosis of hypertension on the occasion of the World Hypertension Day 2017. Hypertension is one of the most common lifestyle diseases prevalent today with one in three Indian adults suffering from it. The incidence of hypertension is equally high amongst the medical fraternity owing to high-stress levels. Often hypertension is misdiagnosed given the difference in blood pressure readings at home and in a clinic. Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) can help in getting a more accurate picture of a person's BP pattern in a span of 24 hour. ABPM involves attaching a small digital blood pressure machine to a belt around your body. This is in turn is connected to a cuff around the upper arm. It does not cause any inconvenience, as it is small enough for you to carry on with your routine. This machine notes blood pressure readings at regular intervals during a 24 hour period: typically, every 15 to 30 minutes during the day and 30 to 60 minutes at night. Dr K K Aggarwal, National President, Indian Medical Association (IMA) and President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Dr RN Tandon, Secretary General, IMA said, “The IMA National study on ambulatory blood pressure measurement amongst doctors conducted in partnership with HCFI and Eris Lifesciences revealed that 21% of the doctors surveyed had masked hypertension or isolated ambulatory hypertension." "In simple terms, their BP readings were normal when evaluated through the conventional clinic measurement technique but high through the ABPM technique. Masked hypertension is associated with an increased long-term risk of sustained hypertension and cardiovascular morbidity. In addition to this, 56% of the doctors evaluated suffered from irregular BP pattern at night making them prone to future adverse cardiac events. 37% doctors had nocturnal hypertension, which can never be diagnosed through in clinic BP measurement. Over 50% physicians had uncontrolled hypertension despite taking hypertensive medicines", he added Dr Shashank Joshi, President Hypertension Society of India opined, "Your doctor may suggest ABPM for the following reasons: to find out if your blood pressure readings are higher in the clinic than at home; to see the efficacy of your medicines in controlling blood pressure throughout the day, or to note whether your blood pressure increases at night. Since there are no visible signs of masked hypertension, it is always good to let your doctor know if you have a family history of high blood pressure." "I congratulate IMA, HCFI and Eris on this initiative and believe that a collaborative effort towards raising mass level awareness on the prevention of hypertension, it's timely diagnosis and management is crucial in our country where every third person has high BP", he added   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8840/delhi-doctors-remove-6-inch-long-roundworm-from-infants-liver.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8840/delhi-doctors-remove-6-inch-long-roundworm-from-infants-liver.html Tue, 16 May 2017 13:25:00 +0530 In a rare surgical feat, doctors at Delhi's GB Pant Hospital have successfully removed a six-inch long roundworm from the liver of an infant. The surgeons removed a roundworm from the 18-month-old's organ using an adult endoscope. Roundworms are parasites, which get into the human body through ingestion of contaminated food and water and can infect people. They use the human body to stay alive, feed and reproduce. Roundworms are commonly found in the intestine but this was a rare case as the parasitic organism managed to travel to the baby boy's liver via bile duct, doctors said. Dr A S Puri, professor and head of gastroenterology department of the hospital told TOI, that "This is perhaps the second such case in the world. In older children, above three years of age, roundworm. "This is the second such case in the world. after the first case was reported in Brazil.", he added Dr Puri also said that in the first case which was reported in Brazil, the doctors used a paediatric endoscope of 9mm in diameter to remove the parasite from the liver of a one-and-a-half-year-old patient. Roundworms are parasites, which get into the human body through ingestion of contaminated food and water and can infect people. They use the human body to stay alive, feed and reproduce.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8826/milann-hospital-receives-approval-from-icmr.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8826/milann-hospital-receives-approval-from-icmr.html Thu, 11 May 2017 16:35:00 +0530 Bangalore based Milann, country’s leading fertility center, becomes the first hospital in India to receive permission for Uterus Transplant from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).  Milann has been given approval to conduct uterus transplant in two female patients & the procedure will be undertaken as a research project as per the ICMR guidelines. Research activities involving human participants in India is regulated by ICMR (Indian Council for Medical Research) and DCGI (Drug Controller General of India). ICMR also has a committee that supervises human organ transplantation rules in India. As per the committee’s directive, a research protocol, consent forms, ethical reviews from two separate registered ethics committees were obtained by Milann, further to which the hospital was granted permission from ICMR to conduct the transplant. The minimum requisite of experience to carry out this procedure, as per the Human Organ Transplant Act, by a Clinical team is not available in any group outside the Swedish group. Milann also obtained permission from MCI (Medical council of India) for the participation of Swedish doctors for the procedure which is yet another mandatory requirement. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8807/stem-cell-bank-to-come-up-at-kgmu.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8807/stem-cell-bank-to-come-up-at-kgmu.html Wed, 10 May 2017 12:55:00 +0530 A public sector stem cell bank is set to come up at UP's King George's Medical University. A project of the university's transfusion medicine department, the stem cell bank would roll out stem cell therapy to patients of thalassemia and sickle cell anaemia. The proposal is awaiting clearance from state department of medical education. Stem cells are found in human bone marrow and can be derived from the umbilical cord which contains blood vessels that connect baby in the womb to the mother to ingest nutrition required for development. Research on the therapeutic use of stem cells is underway in US, Europe, China, South East Asia besides India. In UP, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) and KGMU are both trying to explore the potential of stem cells to treat various health problems. SGPGI has, so far, restricted itself to use of allogenic (stem cells derived from bone marrow of a person), while KGMU has used stem cells derived from the umbilical cord. KGMU has sustained access to umbilical cord because of a very developed obstetrics and gynaecology department. The proposal is worth Rs 9 crore including infrastructure cost. Stem cell bank promises to become financially self-sustaining within 2-3 years of inception. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8806/simple-e-health-tool-for-helping-diabetes-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8806/simple-e-health-tool-for-helping-diabetes-patients.html Wed, 10 May 2017 12:45:00 +0530 A stringently designed web form with questions about foot ulcers, deformities and neuropathy will soon be brought into use to better protect the feet of people with diabetes. The tool is a result of research conducted at Sahlgrenska Academy. Researchers have developed a simple, standardized e-health tool for the risk assessment of feet. Clear descriptions and pictures guide the person through the 22 self-examination steps so there can be no uncertainty about the patient's status. The patient is asked questions about, for example, mobility, foot ulcers, numbness and degree of perspiration. Reduced foot perspiration may indicate a nerve injury. Likewise, the presence of a bunion (hallux valgus), hammer toe or other deformity is examined, and so on. All the question variables have been scientifically tested so that a certain condition is always given the same classification and treatment recommendation. The main advantage of this tool is that the patient's treatment is completed after just one visit and no return appointment after two-three weeks is necessary. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8793/smart-healthcare-initiative-launched-by-samsung.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8793/smart-healthcare-initiative-launched-by-samsung.html Tue, 09 May 2017 11:55:00 +0530 Samsung India introduced its Smart Healthcare program that provides affordable and quality healthcare to patients from the economically and socially weaker sections of society at Osmania General Hospital in Hyderabad. As part of its Smart Healthcare program, Samsung will be providing advanced and innovative healthcare equipment such as ultrasound and digital radiology (x-ray) manufactured by the company free to specified government hospitals across the country. The Samsung Smart Healthcare facility was inaugurated by C. Laxma Reddy, Minister for Health, Government of Telangana and Deepak Bhardwaj, Vice President, Samsung India, in the presence of other dignitaries. Samsung Smart Healthcare program aims to support the government's efforts to benefit communities with limited access to quality healthcare. With innovative products such as ultrasound, digital radiology and accessories that facilitate healthcare intervention and multiple medical examinations, since 2015, Samsung has collaborated with 16 government hospitals across to country for the Samsung Smart Healthcare program. Doctors, technicians and radiologist are also trained to handle state-of- the-art diagnostic equipment and software. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8788/inhealthcare-and-roche-diagnostics-in-partnership.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8788/inhealthcare-and-roche-diagnostics-in-partnership.html Mon, 08 May 2017 18:00:00 +0530 Digital health specialist Inhealthcare has developed a pioneering mobile app to bring a new level of sophistication to the home monitoring of long-term conditions by Britain's NHS. The app, called My Inhealthcare, partners a Bluetooth-enabled self-testing device for NHS patients launched by Roche Diagnostics Ltd, the Swiss-based global healthcare company. Roche’s new INRange device allows health readings to be transmitted via Bluetooth technology to a patient’s mobile phone via a new app, My Inhealthcare. The readings run seamlessly through dosing software and the correct dosing information is sent back to the patient. The use of Bluetooth streamlines the process of self-testing, making it more efficient for patients who no longer need to enter their readings manually. The My Inhealthcare app is available to patients on Inhealthcare services across the UK, in locations including Ilkley and Berkshire. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8787/a-new-system-for-visual-pain-communication.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8787/a-new-system-for-visual-pain-communication.html Mon, 08 May 2017 17:55:00 +0530 Danish researchers have developed a system that lets you visually draw your pain using an app on your phone. Doctors can then study your symptoms as images or video, saving time and improving treatment. A new app and web platform called Navigate Pain helps you register types, intensities, and areas of pain every day by simply drawing over sketches of the human body. The platform was initially created in the Department of Health Science and Technology at Aalborg University. It was first intended as a research tool since there was previously no way of mapping the progression of pain. With the help of Aalborg University the app has since been tested in more than 60 clinics, hospitals and research settings all around the world and is now ready for commercial use.  This week Aglance Solutions launched a website where clinics can sign up for Navigate Pain. The dedicated web platform optimized for use in health clinics will be in use by summer this year. Apart from being a useful tool in consultations and treatment, Navigate Pain's new web platform will also have important features for health clinics such as business intelligence, comprehensive statistics and automatic documentation of cases and treatments. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8784/glocal-healthcare-joins-hands-with-rajasthan-government.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8784/glocal-healthcare-joins-hands-with-rajasthan-government.html Mon, 08 May 2017 17:30:00 +0530 Kolkata-based Glocal Healthcare Services is all set to 'take smart care to rural areas' by rolling out some 5,000 odd telemedicine centres across the country in the next two years. The ball was set rolling early this month with a first of its kind initiative being taken up by the government of Rajasthan and Glocal jointly. The two jointly intend to set up one hundred telemedicine centres spanning across 31 district hospitals, 19 sub-division hospitals, 6 satellite hospitals and 44 community health centres. These centres will be connected to a central hub of doctors for consultation with a team of on-ground healthcare workers equipped to offer patient care at the point of requirement. Glocal Healthcare has so far established eleven hospitals in rural Bengal, UP, Bihar and Odisha. It has developed its own software Litmus DX which is being used for dispensing online healthcare. The healthcare company has been providing comprehensive care services at primary health centre levels in the states of Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Bihar and West Bengal. The latest partnership with Rajasthan government under the aegis of the National Health Commission will enable it to provide primary healthcare to the rural masses of Rajasthan. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8782/first-ever-healthcare-facilities-census-launched.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8782/first-ever-healthcare-facilities-census-launched.html Mon, 08 May 2017 17:15:00 +0530 With the launch of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s first ever healthcare establishment census, patients will soon be able to look up for doctors, lab facilities, and infrastructure of any hospital in their vicinity at a click. The Central Bureau of Health Intelligence of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) under the National Health Resource Repository (NHRR) project has engaged the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to develop a geo-web portal and mobile app for geo-tagging, geo-visualization, and spatial analysis of all government and private health care establishments in the country. It is being sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO). The project aims to create a geo-mapped platform for health resources, both government and private. It will cover hospitals, diagnostic labs, doctors, pharmacies, etc., and will also have data on human resource, and medical infrastructure of each health facility in the country. As per the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ISRO and MoHFW, ISRO will develop an android-based mobile application for collection of health resources and assets details. An interface on the Bhuvan platform to receive geo-tagged data will be developed. ISRO will also train ministry officials to collect data. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8748/omnicell-announces-launch-of-xt-cabinets.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8748/omnicell-announces-launch-of-xt-cabinets.html Tue, 02 May 2017 17:11:55 +0530 Omnicell, Inc. is a leading provider of medication and supply management solutions and adherence tools for healthcare systems and pharmacies. The company recently announced that customers using its AcuDose-Rx® Automated Dispensing Cabinets are now able to upgrade to the XT Series, Omnicell's most innovative cabinet, while continuing to use their installed software. The company's engineering, product development and validation teams were able to successfully complete product integration earlier than expected. As a result, AcuDose-Rx customers are now experiencing the benefits of increased capacity, security, and speed offered by the XT cabinet. For the past two and a half decades, Omnicell has partnered with hospitals, long-term care centers, and others in the healthcare continuum to best understand their needs and challenges in managing medications—a critical aspect of patient care. The XT Automated Dispensing Cabinet is designed to improve the way medications are managed. In addition, the new XT technology is designed to enable future innovations. Customers using AcuDose-Rx cabinets can now add XT cabinets that operate with AcuDose-Rx software. This means the user interface will be familiar to end users, making it easy to have a combination of AcuDose-Rx and XT cabinets in the same facility. These customers can now benefit from XT cabinet features such as Guiding Lights, which guide the user to the precise locations of medications within the cabinet, and smart drawer designs with metal locking lids that add capacity and security. The XT cabinets can be added onto the customer's existing cabinet network and share the same formulary, EHR interfaces, and overall server structure. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8734/apollo-cradle-apollo-clinic-launched-in-amritsar-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8734/apollo-cradle-apollo-clinic-launched-in-amritsar-.html Tue, 02 May 2017 15:53:07 +0530 Apollo Cradle, a hospital for women and children, has international standard operating theatres, a level III neonatal ICU that can handle the most complex pre-term babies, a pediatric ICU and ward and luxurious patient rooms. The hospital also boasts of high-end diagnostic equipment including a 4D ultrasound machine that can detect fetal anomalies. Apollo Clinic, the 79th multi-specialty clinic opened by the hospital chain, will offer specialists doctors, diagnostics, treatment facilities, including dental and physiotherapy, all under one roof. Early detection is critical to the management of non- communicable diseases (NCDs), and with the Apollo Health Checks programme, residents of Amritsar must pledge to get their health checked each year so that they win the battle against NCDs. The Apollo Clinic will also make daily healthcare simpler and more convenient, with all doctors, diagnostics and treatment facilities all under one roof. There is a virtual epidemic of non-communicable diseases in India. The economic cost of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disorder and cancer, is going to be huge. Apollo Clinics are playing a significant role in helping alleviate the burden of NCDs in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8714/cloud-based-app-for-patients-aid-in-absence-of-doctor.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8714/cloud-based-app-for-patients-aid-in-absence-of-doctor.html Fri, 28 Apr 2017 15:18:36 +0530 The Society for Administration of Telemedicine and Health Informatics (Sathi) has joined hands with a Hyderabad-based engineering institute to jointly develop a cloud-based app, which facilitates prompt medical attention to a patient even if there is no doctor available at short notice. The app will be a boon for remote area hospitals where non-availability of doctors is a major issue. It will enable the nurse to take a photograph of the wound, feed it into the computer system software, and in hardly any time an analysis of the wound will come up with suggestions on how to handle it by giving first aid. Dr Sridhar Pappu and Dr Dakshinamurthy V Kolluru from International School of Engineering (Insofe) is involved in developing the application. The app highlights how data science analytics and latest technology can be utilised to bridge the wide healthcare gap in the country’s health system. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8713/uttarakhand-to-use-real-time-tracking-to-improve-immunisation-rates.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8713/uttarakhand-to-use-real-time-tracking-to-improve-immunisation-rates.html Fri, 28 Apr 2017 15:14:46 +0530 The Uttarakhand health department is to use real-time tracking methods to boost immunisation levels of children following the National Family Health Survey-4 report indicating a decline in immunisation rates in the state. To be launched on a pilot basis in Haridwar district, which has one of the highest floating/migratory population in the hill state, the success of this initiative there will determine whether the real-time tracking will be replicated in other districts as well. As per National Family Health Survey-4, the extent of immunisation of children aged between 12 and 23 months was over 60 per cent in 2005-06, which fell to 57.7 per cent in 2015-16. Under the system, which is being launched for the first time, five ANMs (health workers) will send day-to-day updates of immunisation done by them to a designated nodal officer through WhatsApp, who will further relay the compiled report to the block level officer. The system will help in ensuring quick data transmission and transparency in the existing Health Management Information System database, under which immunisation details are updated using registers submitted manually by the health workers – which at times takes several days to be updated. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8703/siemens-healthineers-installs-indias-first-fully-automated-lab.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8703/siemens-healthineers-installs-indias-first-fully-automated-lab.html Thu, 27 Apr 2017 17:27:57 +0530 In a significant boost to availability of in-vitro diagnostic testing services in India, Siemens Healthineers has successfully installed India’s first fully-automated Aptio Automation track with multi-discipline modalities at the Aspira Pathlab and Diagnostic Limited, Mumbai. The robotic technology used in the lab allows minimum human intervention and provides quick and informed clinical decision making. The new track will enable Aspira to perform all routine hematology, biochemistry and immunoassay tests with a comprehensive selection of pre- and post-analytical modules that automate sample loading, preparation and handling so as to free laboratory staff from time-consuming, low-value tasks, the company said in a statement. The technology not only routes the samples automatically to all the instruments but also screens the test results intelligently in addition to the sample sorting and archiving. Aptio is an adaptable solution; its flexible track design option makes it easy to accommodate floor space allocations and fixtures. Integrated IT capabilities support multi-site connectivity in addition to the customized streamline workflows and result management. It delivers measurable gains in efficiency by driving the intelligent and coordinated operation of automation components, diagnostic analyzers, and high-performance assays. Siemens Healthineers is the separately managed healthcare business of Siemens AG. The company is actively engaged in developing digital health services and enterprise services. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8689/aiims-introduces-new-facility-to-treat-eye-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8689/aiims-introduces-new-facility-to-treat-eye-cancer.html Thu, 27 Apr 2017 16:06:01 +0530 The Dr. Rajendra Prasad Center for Ophthalmic Sciences at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) is now equipped to offer the plaque brachytherapy facility to treat eye tumours. Plaque brachytherapy will not only help save lives but also the vision of patients. Plaque brachytherapy is a form of local radiation delivered to the eye via a radioactive device that is stitched onto the eye. The move is expected to benefit children suffering from retinoblastoma, which is a form of eye cancer, and adults suffering from ocular melanoma. A team under the leadership of the chief of RP Center for Ophthalmic Sciences, Prof. Atul Kumar, including Prof. Bhavna Chawla, Prof. Sushmita Pathy and Prof. Subramani have initiated this facility. Prof. Arun D. Singh, the director, Ophthalmic Oncology, Cleveland Eye Clinic, US, played a key role in supporting this initiative. With this, AIIMS has become the first government hospital in the country to achieve this landmark. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8688/singapore-press-holdings-buys-nursing-home-provider-for-s164m-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8688/singapore-press-holdings-buys-nursing-home-provider-for-s164m-.html Thu, 27 Apr 2017 16:03:50 +0530 Singapore Press Holdings is entering the healthcare sector as it acquires Orange Valley (OV) Healthcare Pte. Ltd, an operator of nursing homes and ancillary services. OV's five nursing homes comprise over 900 beds which are strategically located near major hospitals or housing estates with high density of senior populations in Changi, Clementi, Marsiling, Simei and Sims Avenue. The number of Singaporeans aged 65 above is expected to double from 450,000 to 900,000 by 2030 as family sizes shrink. This will in turn lead to a strong demand for aged-care services ranging from home care, community-based care to nursing homes. This being so, the group sees a strong need for long term medical care for the greying population in Singapore ahead. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8685/barc-has-developed-a-credit-card-sized-tele-ecg-machine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8685/barc-has-developed-a-credit-card-sized-tele-ecg-machine.html Thu, 27 Apr 2017 15:50:45 +0530 Keeping rural and remote areas in mind, who do not have basic ECG machines, scientists of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre here have developed a credit card sized Tele-ECG machine. This portable, lightweight, pocket friendly, 12-channel device costs just Rs. 4,000 and uses the mobile technology that can transmit ECG over mobile phones. The Tele-ECG will have a battery inside it and will be chargeable with a mobile phone charger. Also, the accompanying app will ensure real-time sharing of a patient's ECG report with doctors. The time saved will be of critical importance in saving lives. According to a report by BARC, "The report is generated in form of an image that can be sent to the expert's mobile through Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) or any other file sharing apps. The device is ideally suited for rural health care. In city hospitals, the machine can be operated through Laptop/Desktop and report can be shared on Local Area Network (LAN). ECG report in standard graphical format can be taken on a blank A4 size paper." The concept of this 12 channel Tele-ECG is not new. The idea was first floated almost three decades ago. However this application was limited to communication between fixed locations equipped with conventional handsets. With the advent of GSM network and then the 3G network the concept received a crucial boost. The ECG image can be shared over any file sharing app, including WhatsApp. For a printed output link any printer for a A4 sized print out. Having successfully developed the low-cost prototype, BARC has begun issuing licenses to select R&D organisations and automation companies to manufacture and market the product. These firms are now modifying and readying the prototype for commercial launch. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8661/siemens-healthineers-acquires-conworx-technology-gmbh-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8661/siemens-healthineers-acquires-conworx-technology-gmbh-.html Wed, 09 Nov 2016 12:36:37 +0530 Siemens Healthineers has announced the company is expanding its informatics capabilities for point-of-care testing with the acquisition of Conworx Technology GmbH, the Berlin-based developer of point-of-care device interfaces and data management solutions. The addition of the Conworx suite-including UniPOC and POCcelerator-complements the Siemens Healthineers award-winning RAPIDComm Data Management System and will elevate the informatics offerings for the point-of-care market by delivering open connectivity for more than 100 different instruments from all major manufacturers. This acquisition is another proof point of the Siemens Healthineers strategic direction to enable healthcare providers around the world to meet their current and evolving challenges and to excel in their respective environments. Through products and solutions designed to increase efficiency and to reduce costs, Siemens Healthineers is setting new trends in healthcare together with its customers-working under the motto "Engineering Success. Pioneering Healthcare. Together." As the trend of consolidation and industrialization in healthcare continues and regulatory requirements for point-of-care testing intensify, the need for sophisticated informatics to communicate instrument and patient data at the point of care becomes increasingly important. Siemens Healthineers and Conworx will deliver open connectivity offerings that will enable seamless data integration from any manufacturer's point-of-care analyzer-managed by a single informatics solution to streamline operations and access to data, and improve risk management. "As hospitals consolidate and acquire physician offices, there is a huge need by emerging healthcare networks for seamless integration of hundreds of decentralized devices that are spread across dozens of sites," said Peter Koerte, President, Point of Care Diagnostics, Siemens Healthineers. "It is clear to us that to satisfy our customers' needs, we must deliver solutions that ensure superb connectivity, no matter which analyzer is being connected. We are determined to continue Conworx's practice of working closely with every vendor to ensure that all connected analyzers are working to the best of their ability."   Now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Siemens Healthcare GmbH, Conworx's team of 75 employees will merge with the Siemens Healthineers team to become Siemens Healthineers Point of Care Informatics. This new team of interface development, application development and data management specialists will be led by Roman Rosenkranz, the current CEO of Conworx Technology GmbH. "By joining with Siemens Healthineers, we will get access to a global organization to even better support our joint customer base," said Roman Rosenkranz, CEO of Conworx Technology GmbH. "Together we will be able to develop leading informatics products that help our customers to manage their growing point-of-care networks now and in the future." Conworx Technology GmbH was established in 1999. The deal was closed by Siemens Healthcare GmbH in late October 2016.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/8655/digital-health-the-dawn-of-a-new-era-in-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/8655/digital-health-the-dawn-of-a-new-era-in-healthcare.html Mon, 07 Nov 2016 16:14:16 +0530 Technolgy has revolutionized almost all the sectors, healthcare being no different. This convergence of technology and healthcare has open up a whole new world of possibilities which promise to improve the quality and efficiency of various healthcare services. Technology for transforming healthcareScientists, healthcare providers, technology giants across the globe have come up with new and exciting ways to apply digital technology in healthcare to make lives easy and better. With new technology advancements, healthcare and treatment is becoming cheaper and more accessible. "The healthcare industry is realizing the potential of digital technologies, with the usage of tools ranging from smartphones and tablet computers to remote sensors and monitoring devices to deliver care, information, and support to patients where and when they need it. These technologies play a key role in closing communication gaps between providers and patients and building new care models that enable patients to get care in the most convenient, cost-effective ways. Leading healthcare organizations have started using smartphone technology and remote monitoring devices to detect changes in patients' conditions and offer real-time feedback. Technology Enabled Care (TEC) - telecare, telehealth, telemedicine, mHealth, digital health and eHealth services have and will drive the healthcare domain in the future," said a spokesperson from Cisco. According to Mr Dinesh Chindarkar, co-founder, MediaMedic Communications, "Smart phones have presented thousands of health apps that enable users to track their health minute by minute. All types of diseases have some or the other value added apps and have become a part of our lives. With increasing smartphone penetration and usage it is further going to boom. Telemedicine is one more area that helps doctors connect with their patients no matter where they are. In the rural sector this has larger implications. With an increasing use of internet and smart phone, patients now find it easy to access to various doctor specialities without wasting precious time." People are more aware of their health today. Health-related information is more easily available. Earlier, ways to measure health parameters were only available with a doctor or at a hospital, but now information is available on mobile phone. In addition, hospital visits take time and can be inconvenient. Cost of healthcare is also rising. It is becoming increasingly important to detect early and take preventive care.   "Devices are needed to measure parameters and process applications that help keep track health on an ongoing basis. But patients are reluctant to enter data either because it is cumbersome or they find it a chore to do - on an ongoing basis. Thus there is a need for an integrated system where things are measured on their own without patients' having to bother entering data all the time. Weight is just one of the parameters; calories, glucose levels are some of the other indicators that need to be tracked," said Mr Dalip Singh Negi, VP - Engineering, Portea Medical. Innovations in the health technologyThe innovations in the health technology has grown leaps and bounds in the recent times. Wearable devices such as smart watches, health patches to monitor patient's vitals, glucose monitoring system to high tech innovations such as state-of-the-art prosthetic limbs have all hit the market. Further, remote patient monitoring through mobile health technology promises to deliver quality outcomes at lesser costs and reduced time. Augmented and Virtual reality are simplifying & revolutionizing healthcare in a big way. "Technologies include those that are directly accessible on a mobile device such as BP monitors and those solutions that enable mobile healthcare delivery. The next level of innovation will be around using sensors in mobiles to measure parameters. Mobiles with high magnifying cameras can be used in conjunction with an app to perform optical tests. Next level is to move away from external devices and use a good camera and mobile to do any tests which is non- intrusive," said Mr Negi. With the usage of mobile devices, wearables and electronic records healthcare providers have access to information in real time which improves the health care provision. With the help of technology, it is easier to collect and integrate data from these devices resulting in quick and better services. "The coming years are expected to witness greater deployment of tools such as telemedicine, teleradiology, Hospital Information Systems (HIS)/ Hospital Management Information Systems (HMIS), online or Electronic Medical Records (EMR), etc," said Cisco. Adoption of new technology in healthcareHealthcare has been a little traditional as an industry but technology adoption is picking up steadily. Technology has trickled down to building intelligent infrastructure for the healthcare service provider, with open interfaces, and helps them improve network security, reliability, simplicity and innovation at an unprecedented scale. "Various healthcare players have effectively used technology - look at the hospital segment who has changed the way healthcare is delivered. Recent time-bound organ transplant cases in India could have never been thought about without technology. Newer devices, lateral thinking and the young Indian digital natives will further revolutionize technology adoption in the time to come," said Mr Chindarkar. According to a recent report by Nasscom, the Indian healthcare IT market is valued at $1billion and is predicted to grow about 1.5 times by 2020."Internet of Things (IoT) and Big Data analytics will continue to drive adoption of digital technology in the healthcare sector, as increasing penetration of wearable gadgets, the customer's proactive approach towards health, and vast data generation helps enterprises to study and explore new market opportunities. For this sector, the next few years will be critical in order to integrate data from legacy systems and new-generation IoT devices into a connected platform to enhance functionality and minimize errors that will deliver a seamless experience to clinicians and patients," said Cisco. However, there are a few barriers which stops digitization, points Mr Negi. He said, "Innovation is still being driven by the US and the costing is based on this and devices are getting manufactured in developed markets, adjusting costs to the local environment is still a factor. Also, in India, bandwidth is a huge issue. Reliability and costs are prohibitive. The reliability of power is also a question which brings up the difficulties in handling remote healthcare monitoring." He further added, "Health consciousness is still not prevalent among the general population - Usage of devices is low. Doctors are not comfortable dispending treatment or advice without meeting patients and vice - versa with patients still preferring the conventional method of in-person meetings." There is also a lack of regulation and standardization. Moreover, innovation is needed on the hardware side. How telecomm is enabling digital healthTelecommunication and connectivity is the pre requisite for any group interworking. Any work flow beyond hospital needs telecommunication. Also, in India doctor, patient ratio is very poor, here telemedicine comes to the rescue. "Today, the technology is getting converted to three separate areas, i.e collection of basic data, transmission of the data and analysis of the data. Earlier, these three were integrated in any biomedical equipment. Now, the whole equipment chain is separating it out and this is happening so that you can have larger coverage area, lower cost and can also have the combination of multiple parameters rolled into one because you can always deploy multiple type of data collection. The one area in which telecomm plays a big role, it's called machine to machine communication where, you have sensors, health, biometric, sensors and then you are collecting all that information in a centralized place where you are analyzing it and separating out. This new workflow will have a very big impact," said Mr Vipin Tyagi, executive director, C-DOT. He further added, "We also are talking about high-end super speciality hospitals, where sophistication has to be as par the standard of the western both in terms of connectivity of the equipment for diagnosis and also for entertainment of patients. The hospitals need high speed broadband (true broadband) for faster image transfer and also for video conferencing etc. Completely connected ecosystem is required in these kind of sophisticated hospitals." Role of 'Digital India' in digitizing healthcareHealthcare in our country had multiple pain points. The structural opacity and lack of access to information led to a situation where the consumer was misled by multiple intermediaries. "With GOI's "Digital India" initiative, we believe healthcare industry will overall benefit through better access to quality information, real time connectivity with healthcare providers and greater transparency," said Dr Sanjiv Agarwal, MD & founder, Diabetacare. Echoing similar views, Mr Chindarkar said, "Smart cities, thousands of ASHA workers working at the grass root level, telemedicine initiatives to connect villages to nearby districts providing better expertise, consumer education in native languages through messaging services, call center support all will help shape a better healthcare picture with the Digital India initiative. Especially in a country where the doctor to patient ratio is poor, this will help bridge that gap and provide affordable yet precise health solution." There are many fundamental ways in which technology can solve a many of the problems which plagues the healthcare industry in India, says Dr Agarwal.He added, "Through ePharmacy, eDiagnostics, eInsurance etc, consumers in different parts of the country can access medication at their doorstep through a well tracked system. This has helped strengthen the authenticity in the supply chain, ensure better access and provide convenience to the patient. This has also helped address the deep rooted issues like middlemen taking commission to procure medicines (often fake and without a bill) etc." He further added, "Online models for healthcare, be it access to doctors, pharmacy or diagnostics ensure all the information is available at the patient's fingertips. Hence a consumer can compare prices, learn about more cost effective options and make sure they are not taken for a ride. They can also seek second opinion from doctors, get reviews or discuss their problems with people facing similar medical challenges through various online forums." However, Mr Negi feels the larger impact will be known in the coming years as it is still early days. In the Box:Start-up wave in the digital health space:Below is the list of start-ups that are leveraging the power of technology to improve the healthcare scenario in the country:Cardiac Design Labs have developed MIRCaM, an ambulatory cardiac monitoring and diagnosing system which is capable of real-time, intelligent, and full disclosure monitoring, analysis and diagnosis of a wide range of cardiac conditions like arrhythmia, myocardial ischemia and infarction.Cooey is an end to end health monitoring IoT platform that intends to collect (device), store, analyze and provide insights of vital signs for patients. HealthZwealtH Technologies provide innovative product in order to efficiently manage health profile. They help organize personal health records with robust safety and security measures.Preva systems leverage identity, location, mobility and ambiance information from sensors to provide real time analytics to enterprises. They have come up with a solution to support independent living for elders.Bangalore-based GetActive introduces fitness and sleep tracker band, a simple and accurate wearable device to track your steps, sleep, calories burnt and the distance travelled.DUCERE TECHNOLOGIES' Lechal is the world's first haptic footwear. Offering hands-free navigation and fitness tracking, this smart footwear is uniquely interactive and intuitive.NetMeds Marketplace Ltd. (netmeds.com) is an online pharmacy In the Box: Initiatives towards digital health:In 2015, the government rolled New Health Policy (NHP). The policy increased the healthcare expenditure and proposed to enact a national health rights act to make healthcare a fundamental right.e-Health was one of the initiatives launched with the Digital India campaign. It aims to provide effective, economical and timely healthcare services to all individuals, and especially to those people who have little access to healthcare services. This service will be linked to Aadhaar numbers, which will make getting lab reports and OPD appointments easier. An eHospital App has also been launched with an Online Registration System (ORS). This initiative allows us to skip the hassles of registration and other formalities required at hospitals.Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has released a concept note discussing establishment of the National eHealth Authority (NeHA) for India.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8658/gst-may-not-benefit-patients-health-care-consumers.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8658/gst-may-not-benefit-patients-health-care-consumers.html Mon, 07 Nov 2016 16:13:34 +0530 All this huge expectation on GST being a boon for consumers is an overly hyped expectation as products other than consumer durables are usually sold on MRP including taxes & not on transaction value, so last seller (whether retailers or hospitals )who will gain on lower cost of procurement will be the gainers - We doubt if many(or any)will pass on this cost savings benefit to consumers as an MRP, less a discount! So impact for consumers may be Nil. Currently on most medical devices it's 6% Excise and 2% CST - approx 8 % .So a 5% GST on transaction value and 1% GST on MRP would keep it overall similar for those manufacturers whose MRP is a nominal 3 times the Ex factory price . If someone is charging MRP at 10 times (or higher )then he will be severely impacted and he will be motivated to reduce his MRP to avoid paying high GST cess. The 1% Cess on MRP (at 10 times ) will then be equivalent to 10% GST - so impact will be approximately 15% against 8%. CII and FICCI medical devices forum ( read MNC importers) are lobbying for 0% GST.This is not desired as then we Domestic manufacturers can't claim modvat on our inputs and would need to increase our Ex- Factory prices to maintain our margins . For Imports price need not increase . So that's why Zero duty or too low duty where a manufacturer is unable to write off the modvat / GST paid on your inputs viz. raw materials/ consumables/ capital goods / services, becomes counter productive , as then these get added as costs and leads to inflation on ex factory price which is not the case with imports . For Medical Devices we expect GST to be at 5 or 12 % .Nil GST will make Indian products non competitive against imports . Higher GST will lead to higher competitiveness of Indian manufacturers against imports upto a certain point , beyond 18 % GST it will curb consumption or there will be risk of grey market in service industry - professionals/ Healthcare services etc . We would recommend keep all services at a nominal GST of 12% for general services or lower of 5 % for Healthcare. A corporate subcontracting out services can set of GST paid on services but not an Individual Consumer. If government has to motivate consumers to be honest tax payers best it is to keep it reasonably low. For Medical Devices and other FMCG it may be a good idea to put a 1% GST cess on MRP ( not transaction value) on all medical devices and consumer goods to control artificial inflation- this will penalize manufacturers and importers putting a high MRP on their products and reward those putting a low, reasonable MRP . This will be a deterrent to using High MRP as an inducement to retailers and hospitals to push their products - which is already leading to rapid artificial inflation in the country as competitiveness has got skewed- it's no more about more value for same (or lower price) , it's become who offers a higher margin to the trade - consumer be damned ! Ethics ? These are forcefully being kept aside as you either play the game or be jostled out of the retail shelf space . Also why too many slabs - 0%, 5%, 12%, 18%, 28 and 28+Cess (?) Why not keep it simple as in most countries so one is motivated to be honest ? Three or max four slabs were good enough. Now it will lead to political and lobbying forces in play (and pay) for moving from one slab to another ! Govt has mooted putting a Cess on GST on luxury goods. GST cess should not be linked to luxury goods , it should be linked to trade margins - so if they are high or excessive you pay higher cess!   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/interviews/98/8653/it-is-revolutionizing-the-healthcare-industry-slowly-but-steadily.html https://biospectrumindia.com/interviews/98/8653/it-is-revolutionizing-the-healthcare-industry-slowly-but-steadily.html Fri, 04 Nov 2016 11:46:00 +0530 1. Though IT has revolutionized almost all of the major sectors, Healthcare remains rather the poor user of IT, why? According to the sixth edition of consulting firm Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India Pvt. Ltd's 2016 predictions, the overall Indian healthcare market that is worth $100 billion is expected to grow at a 23% CAGR (compound annual growth rate) to reach $280 billion by 2020. The researchers at Deloitte believe that this growth will be accelerated by digital adoption. The healthcare industry worldwide has been experiencing a transformation which is being shaped by information technology's key role. In India too, while the adoption has been slow, IT is increasingly making inroads into the industry. Digital evolution is changing the way doctors and patients interact, the way medical records are maintained and improving collaborative data exchange. IT is revolutionizing the healthcare industry slowly but steadily. 2. What are the challenges that the healthcare administrators face, and how IT services can help in solving these?The healthcare industry is being dramatically impacted by the ongoing digital revolution. From the trillions of bytes of information created by electronic health records, to the patient's desire to have ready access to that information, healthcare is rapidly moving towards a digital-first environment where personalized medicine and the empowered patient is the norm. There are certain drivers in the industry that need specific IT solutions. Mentioned below are the drivers along with the challenges faced and solutions that BMC Software offers in each: The Patient as CustomerPatients are demanding better access to their healthcare information. As a result, providers are deploying online portals that allow patients to manage appointments, securely access health records, and correspond with clinicians. Additionally, mobile apps provide ready access to a wealth of information, from hospital directions, to patient support groups, to the menu in the hospital cafeteria. The challenges faced in this is making provision development and production environments faster and also deploying digital services and applications to patients faster. BMC Software's Release Lifecycle Management provides agile application release automation that deploys application changes faster, at lower cost, and with fewer errors. Additionally, Cloud Lifecycle Management orchestrates the agile delivery and ongoing management of secure and compliant IT services across private and public clouds, as well as legacy data center infrastructures. Medical Records and Big DataBy 2020 the healthcare industry is projected to generate almost 25,000 petabytes of data.   As providers and insurers retrieve, analyze, and share information, efficiently managing big data will be critical, ultimately leading to better healthcare practices and improved patient outcomes. In this scenario, effectively managing Hadoop big data environments and simplifying batch processing becomes a challenge. BMC Software's Control-M for Hadoop simplifies and automates Hadoop application processing for faster batch-job implementation and more accurate analytics. Cost-Effective Service DeliveryHealthcare IT organizations are expected to contain costs while delivering services 24x7x365. In spite of the disruptive changes taking place, healthcare IT organizations are still expected to contain costs while delivering services that are reliable, scalable, and highly available. Optimizing resource usage without compromising care is critical. Data Management Solutions for DB2® on z/OS® enable "zero outage" availability, support new unstructured data and reduce DB2 operating costs by redefining the way organizations perform DB2 database management. Security and ComplianceAlmost half of all security breaches in 2014 occurred in healthcare. With the increasing digitization of patient and clinical information, IT departments must remain vigilant to ensure systems are in compliance with security standards and policies. It is absolutely essential that companies have compliance with mandates and prevents unauthorized access to patient data. BladeLogic Server Automation helps IT rapidly remediate known vulnerabilities, and automate compliance checks for regulatory requirements. 3. How does of BMC Software's services boost hospitals' in-house operational efficiency?BMC's Remedy Solution is one of the best tools to assist self-service, accelerate tracking and increase transparency which boosts overall efficiency of hospitals. A couple of examples can be quoted. While a customer is in the hospital, Remedy MyIT can assist the customer to locate where a particular department, ward, cafeteria or section of the hospital is. These kind of self-service tools help customers find things without any hassle and help hospitals to manage customers without appointing additional manpower. Also, we all know Incident Management can help increase operational efficiency of a hospital to a great extent. We noticed with some of our customers that people typically didn't get enough information when their tickets were created. As a result, there were a lot of email exchanges between the ticket originator and the tech support agent to capture all the relevant details. In addition, as there was no way to track tickets, sometimes they languished in the system for months. There was also no way to identify ownership of incidents and the support staff could not keep people up to date on ticket status. BMC Software's Remedyforce has eliminated all these problems. Today, when an originator creates a ticket, Remedyforce ensures that all the necessary information is filled in. It then tracks all incidents and incident owners through the entire resolution lifecycle. This helps the support staff know how long every ticket spends in the queue, who owns it and they can be kept up to date on the status. 4. How do you see role of M2M communications in the healthcare sector? Is of BMC Software leveraging this technology?M2M Communication is helping hospitals capture events through a machine which can be transmitted through a network to an application and translated into actionable steps. BMC Software's Truesight solution can monitor the availability and communication of machines which are IP (Internet Protocol) and SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) enabled. This helps hospitals in M2M communication which can be a great boon in the industry to get real solutions to critical problems. 5. What are the most important trends you are witnessing in the healthcare systems and how is BMC Software adjusting to them?As mentioned earlier, Healthcare industry is gradually moving towards treating patients as customers who are ever demanding and need access to their data at any given time and place. Healthcare providers are compelled to make information more accessible and interactive so that patients can take immediate action by making appointments, downloading health records or coordinating with clinicians. This involves deploying digital services and applications to patients faster. BMC Software is helping organizations deploy application changes faster with minimum error and lower costs. 6. Hospitals generate a huge amount of (patient) data, and with the help of IT, it can be analyzed to give much more insights. Do you offer healthcare analytics related services? Are healthcare administrators utilizing it? Is there any need for such services in India? We do offer services to manage data that is collected every day so that it can help insurers and doctors derive meaningful conclusions. This data in turn helps in better healthcare practices which improves outcomes for patients. We offer accurate analytics that help healthcare practitioners manage big data. Big Data and Analytics is changing the way diseases are diagnosed, monitored and treated. Healthcare administrations have started utlilizing analytics on a regular basis. We do see a need in India but the industry has not yet developed to adopt to this need. The need in India will arise only after hospitals are completely IT enabled and transformed digitally. 7. How do you think the digitization of the healthcare system will change the role of existing healthcare professionals?Digitization is definitely changing the way healthcare professionals function. Electronic Health Record (EHR) system is one of the ways which is revolutionizing their role. EHR is making information readily available and accessible to the patient as well as the physician community. Through centralized data bases, doctors can access a list of the patient's condition without having to rely on the patient's memory alone. This helps reduce preventable errors and accidental procedures. This is also helping the healthcare community to connect and find better solution to critical cases. 8. Moving on to the future, what kind of IT services will come up for the healthcare industry, and how are your future plans aligned with those?In India, we still do not treat our patients as customers. We see this as a big game changer in the Indian healthcare industry. While private players have started adopting to some of the digital services, a push from the government is required to help the healthcare industry in to the next phase of digitization. We see India moving towards this change and BMC Software as a company is poised to address this change in the industry. We have already invested in healthcare solutions and are well equipped to serve the digital transformation in the healthcare industry in India.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8645/medtronic-gets-fda-approval-for-new-recaptureable-tavr-system-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8645/medtronic-gets-fda-approval-for-new-recaptureable-tavr-system-.html Thu, 27 Oct 2016 10:31:30 +0530 Medtronic plc has announced the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval and U.S. launch of the CoreValve(TM) Evolut(TM) R 34 mm valve-the largest sized transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) system available in the US. The new Evolut R 34 mm valve is approved for severe aortic stenosis patients who are at high or extreme risk for surgery with an annulus size ranging from 26-30 mm. This large valve segment is estimated to account for approximately 25-30 percent of the eligible global TAVR patient population. Previously, some of these patients were unable to receive a TAVR due to the larger size of their native diseased aortic valve. The Evolut R 34mm valve is delivered through the EnVeo(TM) R Delivery Catheter System, which features an InLine Sheath. The system delivers the lowest, true delivery profile currently on the market (16 Fr equivalent, approximately 1/5 inch), which provides a greater opportunity to treat patients with smaller vessels through the preferred transfemoral access route. The Evolut R System, with its self-expanding nitinol frame, is designed to fit within the native aortic valve, using its supra-annular valve position to help achieve excellent hemodynamic performance. "Heart teams can now use the Evolut R platform to treat the broadest annulus range in the U.S. market. The approval of the 34mm valve expands the patient population that can now receive this minimally invasive treatment alternative to open heart surgery," said Rhonda Robb, vice president and general manager of the Heart Valve Therapies business, a part of Medtronic's Cardiac and Vascular Group. "We look forward to working with physicians and heart teams across the U.S. to provide this valve to the many patients who need it."The CoreValve Evolut R 34 mm valve is only approved in the United States and not approved in Europe and other countries. In collaboration with leading clinicians, researchers and scientists worldwide, Medtronic offers the broadest range of innovative medical technology for the interventional and surgical treatment of cardiovascular disease and cardiac arrhythmias. The company strives to offer products and services that deliver clinical and economic value to healthcare consumers and providers around the world.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8641/philips-india-launches-initiatives-for-prevention-of-breast-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8641/philips-india-launches-initiatives-for-prevention-of-breast-cancer.html Wed, 26 Oct 2016 13:38:37 +0530 To mark Breast Cancer Week, Philips India announced the Husband Initiated Movement against Breast Cancer (HIM) campaign to raise awareness on prevention of breast cancer by educating husbands about the need to secure their wives' health. Having reached out to over one crore people, the campaign is running in its 4th year with an aim to popularise breast self-examination and promote the benefits of early detection, by motivating husbands to encourage their wives to undergo breast self -examination. With approximately 1.4 million women being diagnosed with breast cancer and one of every two women dying from it, early detection can significantly improve survival rates. The HIM campaign, implemented across India, has a multi-pronged approach with the aim of reaching out to women across different socio economic strata. In its endeavour to build awareness around breast cancer and motivate men to encourage their wives to undergo breast self -examination, Philips has joined hands with leading oncologists, opinion leaders, survivors and care providers. The initiative also provides for preventive screening and medical help through the Asha Jyoti and Mamo van projects in select states including Punjab and Kerala. The Asha Jyoti project running for the past 3 years has screened approximately 10,000 women for Breast Cancer. In addition, Philips community centres in urban slums will also spread awareness through special sessions by doctors and Street plays. The campaign will also address the role of food and lifestyle in preventing cancer. Mr V Raja, Head of Healthcare, Philips India said that "Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women. An increasing numbers of patients are in the 25 to 40 years of age, which is a disturbing trend. For a woman family concerns take precedence and her own health becomes the last priority. That is why we decided to involve husbands in this awareness initiative. It is our aim to reach the maximum number of women across various strata of society."   Philips has also initiated an online petition on Change.org encouraging husbands to pledge their support to their wives for breast cancer prevention. The petition can be accessed here.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/interviews/98/8639/chinas-sluggish-economy-forces-us-to-augment-our-nexus-in-india-hiaso-masuda.html https://biospectrumindia.com/interviews/98/8639/chinas-sluggish-economy-forces-us-to-augment-our-nexus-in-india-hiaso-masuda.html Wed, 26 Oct 2016 12:49:16 +0530 In India, medical technology sector is scaling up to new heights and the core reason behind this steep inclination is health awareness among the denizens of the country. Indians have now become more focused on taking preventive measures to dodge illness rather than sticking to old orthodox methods. The market for home healthcare in India is projected to reach $6.2 billion by 2020 at a CAGR of 18 per cent from $3.2 billion in 2016. Many companies have forayed into the medical technology sector with their devices that can come real handy in monitoring the daily health of an individual. Walking on the similar line, Omron Healthcare has been one of the prominent players in this sector. The company that houses almost 38,000 employees globally and 2,000 employees in India, is now planning to spread its sheet across the length and breadth of the country. In an exclusive conversation with BioSpectrum's Nitin Konde, Hisao Masuda, MD, Omron Healthcare India elaborates further on the brand's expansion plans and its strategies to tackle its counterparts. Q. How home healthcare devices segment has evolved over the years in Asia?Overall, people are still following the same orthodox method of going to pharmaceutical shop when they fall sick so, still there is a big scope of spreading a simple message of "Prevention is better than cure" among them. But, I feel that young generation is changing gears and they are the one who are more keen about shifting towards preventive measures to cope up with the health related problems. Q. Since the company supplies its healthcare units in many hospitals, how the use of healthcare devices has eased the work of medical practitioners?Devices have helped the medical practitioners in many ways especially, when it comes to monitoring the progress of the patient. Our main motive is to equip the people with gadgets that can help them in diagnosing, monitoring and to keep a regular check on their health so that they don't need to visit doctors. For example, individual's blood pressure tells the exact condition of his body and if a person keeps a close check on that every day, then he doesn't need to worry about many other aspects. Many health related issues can be avoided by following a simple cycle of checking the blood pressure on daily basis. Q. How the company is planning to spread its wings across the country?Currently, our presence in India is limited to the metro cities and our recent expansion plan will focus on further penetrating the Indian market by venturing around 26 Tier II and III cities such as Agra, Delhi NCR, Bhopal , Indore etc. In order to expand our nexus, we need to revamp our distribution channel by enrolling more distributors in it. Presently, we have 16 distributors across the nation and hence, we would like to increase our arsenal by adding around 10 more distributors in that list. Apart from that, there are many gaps in our canal such as maintaining a healthy supply chain, smooth distribution of products, requirement of local warehouse facility etc., we need to pin down these issues to have a hassle free distribution tunnel. We have also planned to tie-up with some micro financing institutes to bring down the cost of our products because in India people do look for an affordable range and we will going to provide them that. Q. Globally, the healthcare devices segment is growing exponentially, how it is mapping up in Asian corridors, especially in India and China, since the company is focusing more on these two countries? On practical grounds, China has lost its sheen, mainly because of its current lethargic economic situation. The business is going down in the Mainland China and there are companies who plugged out of the market due to this sluggish economy. This also forced us to shift our radar to India which is now on our prime focus list. The company is expecting a revenue growth of 30 per cent in India by the end of this fiscal. It is mainly because we see a big fruitful market of home healthcare segment here, which is currently hovering around US $3.2 billion, and we want to capitalize of each and every opportunity that comes our way.   Q. Internationally, company has also ventured into the wearable segment so, when it is planning to launch its wearable devices in India?Recently, we do launched a wearable device called 'Mira' for the US market but, we have not yet decided to unveil it in India. Currently, Indian market is flooded by such kind of devices and many companies are putting their stakes on this segment so, there is not much of a demand. Right now, we are focusing more on the home healthcare devices in India and we would like to stick to that as of now. Q. What are the challenges you faced while installing your business in India?We faced many challenges in India especially with the tax system which is very complicated. Initially, when we floated our business, we found it hard to understand the entire tax structure. During the dispatch of goods, we need to pay separate state tax for every state and then CST followed by few others. Secondly, in India, nebulizer and Blood Pressure Monitor (BPM) are not considered as medical devices, they are termed as measurement devices. This is a big road block for us because many players are buying these devices from China in bulk, since they are available on cheap rates, and dumping them in India, putting the quality on stake. To raise this particular issue, we are communicating with Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) to set up a regulation on this part and soon some fruitful result will come out. However, home healthcare is one of the fastest growing markets and India is second only to China in both scale and future expectations. In India, there is limited awareness about diseases such as hypertension, asthma etc. At the same time, major chunk of the population is unaware of devices that can help in reducing high risks involved with these diseases. So our first and foremost task is to spread awareness about the preventive health measures as much as we could.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8633/prevention-is-the-need-of-an-hour.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8633/prevention-is-the-need-of-an-hour.html Mon, 24 Oct 2016 11:49:08 +0530 Omron Healthcare, globally known for home healthcare devices, celebrated its 83 anniversary. Incepted in 1933, the brand is one the international leaders in home healthcare segment. As a part of the celebration ceremony conducted in New Delhi, the company introduced some of its popular products such as blood pressure monitoring device, nebulizer, Body Composition Monitor etc., the products which have gained popularity in the Indian market. Company has already chalked out expansion plans for India and it will be soon deploying huge amount of investment to map its presence in Tier II and III cities of the country. While shedding some light on the current market scenario of India, Hiaso Masuda, MD, Omron Healthcare India stated, "Currently, the Indian healthcare market is flooded by Chinese products and it is mainly because these units are low in cost, but quality wise, they are not up to the mark. We at Omron, don't compromise on that aspect and since it is an 83 year old brand, we have make inroads into the global market by our hard-work, dedication and delivering best quality products so, we cannot afford to lose that trust which our customers have shown on us over the years." Echoing the same voice, Prakash Tiwari, Product and Marketing Manager, Omron India, opined, "Our company's aim is to make people aware about preventive health measures and their importance. In a country like India, where people try to avoid health related issues, unless it becomes a bigger problem, prevention is the need of an hour. Our home healthcare devices have been designed to cater the daily healthcare needs of the people and this will help them to live a healthy life."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8630/medtech-industry-disappointed-with-latest-regulations.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8630/medtech-industry-disappointed-with-latest-regulations.html Fri, 21 Oct 2016 10:32:39 +0530 Indian medical device industry is absolutely disappointed with the second draft of the medical devices regulations, which were notified by the Union health ministry on Wednesday, which apart from other irritants, will pave the way to legalize pseudo manufacturing while enabling importers and traders to pass off as manufacturers. The latest regulations are being seen by the domestic industry as yet another blow to domestic manufacturing and a fatal blow to 'Make in India' efforts in medical device sector. "We are utterly disappointed, shocked! Why are we working at cross purposes," reacted Mr Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator of AiMeD, the voice of domestic medical device industry. "The latest draft regulations are an assault on 'Make in India' program. The proposed regulations will legalize pseudo manufacturing, result in closure of domestic manufacturing and drive jobs out of India," Mr Nath added. Domestic medical device industry is now quite worried about the future viability of domestic manufacturing unless some of the self-inflicting clauses are not reversed or corrected. "Manufacturing in India is on the downslide and no bigger example is there than medical devices where already simple devices earlier made in India like thermometers and stethoscopes and hot water bottles have got outsourced to China. GoI is not only losing an opportunity to drive manufacturing back into India and attract investment but by distorting the definition of 'manufacturer' to be include someone who gets the medical device made by another company on his behalf will now legalize pseudo manufacturing," say Mr Nath. "Why put up factories and be subject to Indian Inspector Raj and Red Tape? Get these made on your behalf in your Indian or American Brand in China or Taiwan and still be called a manufacturer! That Chinese factory will not be inspected! This is neither going to help 'Make in India' nor the end consumers," adds Mr Nath. Medical device industry points out it is rare for an industry to seek regulations but it does not want regulations of the Inspector Raj or traditional kind. The Industry is seeking Voluntary Compliance backed by 3rd party Certification from QCI eg ICMED, (to gain Respect for India and trust for Indian Medical Devices) as an alternative method of Compliance to the Rules and waiver of Quality Management Systems Audit by CDSCO. This voluntary compliance route which is being considered by progressive State Government and was recommended by DIPP for ensuring 'Ease of Doing Business' has now been ignored. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8625/ibm-quest-diagnostics-launch-watson-powered-genomic-sequencing-service-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8625/ibm-quest-diagnostics-launch-watson-powered-genomic-sequencing-service-.html Thu, 20 Oct 2016 11:34:55 +0530 IBM Watson Health and Quest Diagnostics has announced the launch of IBM Watson Genomics from Quest Diagnostics, a new service that helps advance precision medicine by combining cognitive computing with genomic tumor sequencing. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) will supplement Watson's corpus of scientific data with OncoKB, a precision oncology knowledge base to help inform precision treatment options for cancer patients. The launch marks the first time that Watson for Genomics has been made widely available to patients and physicians across the country. Quest Diagnostics, a leader in genomic sequencing and oncology diagnostics that serves half the nation's physicians and hospitals, extends these advanced capabilities to thousands of the country's community oncologists, who provide an estimated 70 percent of cancer care in the United States. The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard will provide additional genome sequencing capabilities as part of the collaboration. The new service involves laboratory sequencing and analysis of a tumor's genomic makeup to help reveal mutations that can be associated with targeted therapies and clinical trials. Watson then compares those mutations against relevant medical literature, clinical studies, pharmacopeia and carefully annotated rules created by leading oncologists, including those from MSK. Watson for Genomics ingests approximately 10,000 scientific articles and 100 new clinical trials every month. "The beauty of Watson is that it can be used to dramatically scale access to knowledge and scientific insight, whether a patient is being treated in an urban academic medical center or a rural community clinic," said John Kelly III, PhD, senior vice president, IBM Research and Cognitive Solutions. "Through this collaboration with the cancer community's leading clinical and pathology experts, thousands of more patients can potentially benefit from the world's growing body of knowledge about this disease." Bolstering the corpus of data Watson uses, MSK will provide OncoKB, a database of clinical evidence that will help Watson uncover treatment options that could target the specific genetic abnormalities that are causing the growth of the cancer. Comparison of literature that may take medical experts weeks to prepare can now be completed in significantly less time.   "Precision medicine is changing the way we treat cancer and giving new hope to people living with the disease," said Jay G. Wohlgemuth, M.D., chief medical officer and senior vice president of research, development and medical, Quest Diagnostics. "However, access to genomic sequencing and tumor analysis required to determine appropriate precision medicine treatments for a patient can be a challenge. This service combines Quest's state-of-the-art tumor analysis and national access with the cognitive computing of IBM's Watson and the deep cancer treatment expertise of MSK. This is a powerful combination that we believe it will leap frog conventional genomic services as a better approach for identifying targeted oncology treatments."     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8624/robotic-surgery-vattikuti-fellowship-for-7-indian-surgeons-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8624/robotic-surgery-vattikuti-fellowship-for-7-indian-surgeons-.html Wed, 19 Oct 2016 12:07:51 +0530 Detroit headquartered Vattikuti Foundation, a non-profit focused on promoting Robotic Surgery in the India, Europe and United States, has awarded year-long fellowships to seven Indian surgeons to specialize in Robotic Surgery in the areas of Urology, Gynecology and Head and Neck surgery. The fellowships, sponsored by Vattikuti Foundation, will help the seven selected surgeons gain expertise in this emerging field as they will go through extensive training under the mentorship of eminent Robotic Surgeons in these three areas. During their fellowship, the chosen surgeons would be trained in simulation-based dry laboratory for bedside patient assistance, patient positioning and port placement skills as well as in porcine laboratories (pig labs) for practical training. It is a highly structured program developed in collaboration with the Intuitive Surgical Inc. and other partner Vattikuti Institutions. The idea behind the fellowship is to grow the pool of trained robotic surgeons in India and prepare a competent robotic surgeon at the end of the program. Vattikuti Foundation and the host institutions - New Delhi NCR's Medanta Vattikuti Institute, Escorts Fortis Institute, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute; Apollo Hospital, Chennai; Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi and Manipal Hospital, Bengaluru -- selected the seven candidates from a pool of over a hundred applicants with post graduate qualifications in surgery and a super specialization in urology, gynaecology or ENT. Vattikuti Foundation already has Uro-oncology fellows working at the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute, Delhi and Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai. In all, Vattikuti Foundation, which has been promoting Robotic Surgery in the US since 1997 right from the inception of robotic surgery, has committed to 100 fellowships in India by 2020. "At the end of this rigorous training process, we expect these bright surgeons with impeccable qualifications to become accomplished Robotic Surgeons capable of handling procedures independently," says Dr. Mahendra Bhandari, CEO, Vattikuti Foundation. "The training will help Vattikuti Fellows imbibe a robust knowledge to stay at the cutting edge of technology in medicine," adds Dr. Bhandari who also serves as Director Robotic Research and Education, Vattikuti Urology Institute, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit. The seven selected Vattikuti Fellows will begin their training in robotic surgery by working with their mentors at New Delhi's Medanta Vattikuti Institute, Escorts Fortis Institute, and Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute; Apollo Hospitals, Chennai; Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi and Manipal Hospital, Bengaluru starting October 2016. Vattikuti Fellows The fellows specializing in Urology-Dr. Kalpesh Parmar, Dr. Sachin Arakere, and Dr. K. R. Seetharam Bhat will be mentored by Medanta Vattikuti Institute's Dr. N.P Gupta, Escorts Fortis Institute's Dr. Rajesh Ahlawat and at Apollo Hospital Chennai's Dr. Sivaraman Ananthkrishnan. Dr. Gaurav Desai and Dr. Sushil Kumar will specialize in Gynecological Oncology under the mentorship of Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences' Dr. Anupama Rajanbabu and Manipal Hospital's Dr. SP Somashekhar. In the field of Head and Neck Oncology Dr. Karan Gupta will be mentored by Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute's Dr. Surendra Dabas. Vattikuti Foundation runs a medical student engagement program where identified Vattikuti Scholars (with a post graduate degree in surgery and a super specialization) are exposed to webinars and invitation to participate in bi-annual Robotic Surgeons Council meets. Vattikuti Foundation Innovation Program Under the Vattikuti Foundation Innovation program, surgeons working at the Vattikuti Urology Institute at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit developed several procedures such as Vattikuti Institute Radical Prostatectomy (VIP), Robotic Radical Cystectomy, Robotic Partial Nephrectomy, Robotic surgery for children and Vattikuti technique of robotic kidney transplant surgery. These techniques were developed at the Vattikuti Urology Institute, Henry Ford Hospital in collaboration with institutions in India and across the globe and have gone on to become the Gold standard for robotic urologic surgery. American surgeon Dr. Mani Menon, Director of Vattikuti Urology Institute, Henry Ford Hospital has played a stellar role in leading the development of new applications of robotic surgery. Since then the Foundation has been working with surgeons around the world to pioneer various Robotic procedures including one for kidney transplant, developed together by Indian surgeons from Hospitals in Delhi and Ahmedabad. Robotic Surgery in India: New Milestones In the last 5 years, multi-disciplinary Robotic Surgery has established its value in India with documented superior patient outcomes and efficacy. The Vattikuti Foundation has helped expand Robotic Surgery to over three dozen hospitals in a dozen Indian cities in just five years, while the number of trained robotic surgeons has crossed 200. Indian surgeons have been adapting to this new-age tool with great enthusiasm and skill. At the forthcoming Robotic Surgeons' conference organised by the Foundation to be hosted by Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai in November 2016 nearly 150 Robotic Surgeons are expected to participate and share their experiences and techniques. Robotic Surgery Benefits Robotic surgery scores over conventional surgery as it minimizes blood loss, drastically reduces the post-operative recovery time, and brings precision in executing the procedure, thus saving healthy tissue from damage. The faster healing and lower pain-levels translate to shorter hospital stays and quick return to work. It is estimated that of the 20 million surgeries performed worldwide annually less than 100,000 surgeries are performed using a Surgical Robot. Surgical Robots combine the best of science, engineering and medicine. With 4 arms, it can reach organs and areas where human fingers can't. The 3-dimensional view that can be magnified multifold, helps the surgeons achieve precision that prevents collateral damage to healthy tissue. The single most important benefit of robotic surgery is quick recovery. If the patient is back home on the third day post surgery, instead of say a ten-day recovery period that's usual in conventional surgeries, a daily wage earner can get back to productive work much earlier, while the hospital can increase the efficiency of operations. There is little to no pain, as Robotic arms enter the body via tiny incisions, healing is quicker for the patient, scarring is minimal and savings on pain management are significant. As the incidence of tongue and mouth cancers are very high in India, Head and Neck surgery for cancer at the base of the tongue can best be undertaken using the Robot, with least pain and scarring to the patient. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8619/tata-trusts-ge-healthcare-partner-to-skill-10000-youth-for-jobs-in-the-healthcare-sector.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8619/tata-trusts-ge-healthcare-partner-to-skill-10000-youth-for-jobs-in-the-healthcare-sector.html Tue, 18 Oct 2016 11:27:21 +0530 Tata Trusts and GE Healthcare has announced a partnership to train 10,000 youth in various technical areas of healthcare over a three-year period. The partnership will focus on bridging the skills gap in healthcare technical or operating staff. The announcement was made in the presence of Mr. Ratan Tata, Chairman of Tata Trusts, Terri Bresenham, President & CEO, Sustainable Healthcare Solutions, GE Healthcare and Banmali Agrawala, President and CEO, GE South Asia. GE Healthcare Education Institute (GE HCI) will design, develop and execute these courses through a mix of both classroom training and interactive training exercises. The courses will help people graduate as X-ray, Radiography, Medical equipment, Anesthesia, Operation Theatre and Cardiac Care technicians, as well as Diabetic Education counsellors. The candidates will also undergo continuous assessment and internships during the course of this program. The successful candidates, upon clearing the Healthcare Sector Skills Council (HSSC) exam shall be granted a certification from HSSC. In the next three years, 10,000 candidates will receive loan scholarships from Tata Trusts upon qualifying for the course. GE will also fund certain candidates on the basis of their eligibility. It is estimated that the current requirement for allied healthcare professionals (AHP) in India is nearly 6.5 million as against a supply of less than 300,000. As per National Skill Development Corporation, by 2018 the healthcare technician demand-supply gap in India will be 445,000 (84% shortfall). Speaking on the occasion, Mr. R, Venkataramanan, Managing Trustee, Tata Trusts said, "At Tata Trusts, making a sustainable difference to lives is the core essence of philanthropy. Tata Trusts aim to drive improvement in healthcare delivery by enabling availability of skilled and motivated healthcare personnel. We believe that this partnership with GE Healthcare will allow many bright young minds, especially women, to come forward and bridge this gap." Training and capacity building forms an integral part of Tata Trusts' interventions, given that skilled human resources within the health sector are extremely crucial and in limited supply in India. To develop and strengthen human resources, with a focus on improving the capacities and skills of organisations, Tata Trusts has enabled the setting up of virtual classrooms at Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across rural India, thus empowering the remotest areas with a robust technology platform to equip, educate and train their youth.   Tata Trusts' Skills and Entrepreneurship Development initiatives focus on skilling and entrepreneurship development of youth through interventions across the spectrum. The initiatives focus majorly on underprivileged youth such as school dropouts and women, with a view to skill, re-skill, and upskill them. Over the next five years, Tata Trusts will look to train 500,000 youth and promote 5,000 micro and small enterprises. Sharing her perspective, Ms. Terri Bresenham, President & CEO, Sustainable Healthcare Solutions, GE Healthcare said "We are truly privileged to have the Tata Trusts as our partner for this initiative. The partnership will leverage on the leadership that Tata Trusts have in the areas of skilling and livelihood and GE Healthcare's expertise in designing and running technical courses in Healthcare. What makes this initiative even more special is the opportunity it provides to transform individuals and families by providing livelihood opportunities to the students, particularly women. This aligns with our commitment to bring more women leaders in the healthcare space through our #WomenInGlobalHealth initiative." Globally, GE Healthcare has committed USD 1 billion in healthcare education over the next four years to train more than 2 million professionals in the healthcare technology space. In India, GE Healthcare Education Institute runs its healthcare skill building and skill enhancement program - "Yogya Bharat for an Aarogya Bharat" which aims to improve access to quality healthcare throughout the country by developing skilled healthcare resources. GE HCI provides accredited skill building courses for 12th standard pass students and skill enhancement programs for existing healthcare professionals. Over 5500 people have been trained till date. The Institute today has 10 centers across India and delivers 39 different courses through six skilling partners. In order to enhance reach of its programs, GEHCI recently started offering these courses online through its portal: https://hci.gehealthcare.com   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8615/medtech-sector-urges-govt-to-expedite-regulatory-reforms-for-the-sector.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8615/medtech-sector-urges-govt-to-expedite-regulatory-reforms-for-the-sector.html Mon, 17 Oct 2016 11:06:59 +0530 AiMeD, the apex body of Indian medical device manufacturers, has urged the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for speedy implementation of the decision taken three months ago by the Prime Minister's Office to initiate wide ranging regulatory reforms for medical device sector in order to boost domestic manufacturing and investment in the sector as well as to ensure enhanced healthcare security for common Indian citizens. PMO has specifically deliberated on the need to bring a new legislation for medical device industry as well other regulatory reforms including the need to delink medical device sector from the pharmaceutical industry. Currently, the medical devices sector is governed by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, the same Act which also governs pharmaceutical sector in the country, an absurd legacy which has been impeding the growth of and investment in medical device sector. However, despite three months of having elapsed since the PMO's decision to speed up regulatory reforms, there appears to be little movement on its directives. "We are extremely thankful to the Prime Minister's office for recognizing the need to speed up regulatory reforms for the medical device industry. Early implementation of PMO's directives is in the interest of the country, enhanced healthcare security for millions of Indians and for boosting domestic manufacturing and investment in medical device sector," said Mr Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator of Association of Indian Medical Device Manufacturers (AiMeD). Reforms are also needed to lower the huge burden of import dependency in this critical sector, added Mr Nath.   To boost domestic manufacturing and investment, increase productivity and to minimize import dependency in this critical healthcare sector, the medical device industry has been specifically urging:(i) A separate Medical Device Regulatory Act and separate Rules rather than ongoing amendment to D&C Act, 1940.(ii) A separate department for Medical Devices to act as facilitator and regulator for medical devices.(iii) Strict ethical marketing regime code and disincentivization of such importers who are passing over as manufacturers by just labeling imported products."AiMeD urges MOH&FW for early implement decisions taken three months ago at the PMO on bringing in Regulatory Reforms and table the Bill on regulating all medical devices on ASAP basis. This is not only in the interest of patient safety but also to give clarity to confused apprehensive investors who are today reluctant to invest in this huge sector. We cannot move from move from 70% import dependency to self sufficiency and unleash the huge export potential appropriate regulatory reforms are undertaken urgently," pointed out Mr Nath. It may be noted that nowhere in the world, the pharmaceutical and medical device sector are governed by the same set of legislations as has been historically done in India. By strange quirk of wisdom, the Indian medical device sector which has very different R&D, technologies, investment, production and taxation requirements from pharmaceutical sector has continued to be governed by Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940! While this situation led to significant growth of the Indian pharma sector, it has had exactly opposite and detrimental impact on medical device sector - leading to its near demise in recent past but for some determined and brave efforts made by some members of AiMeD to keep the sector floating. This paradoxical situation also contributed to making India overwhelmingly import dependent and scaring away domestic and foreign investment. Currently country's overall import dependency in medical devices is around 70% while in electronic medical devices it is over 90%. To rectify the situation, AIMED has been seeking a new regulatory regime including changes in drug rules covering regulatory quality management framework. To rectify the situation, AiMeD has been persistently seeking a new regulatory regime including changes in drug rules covering regulatory quality management framework but it's been a struggle for the last decade as there has been little enlightened thinking in the interest of boosting domestic manufacturing and reducing huge import dependency. But with new government in place and with its firm commitment on 'Make in India' vision, the medical device industry has been hopeful of speedy reforms unleashing the potential of this sector which will not only lower the cost of healthcare but also generate huge quality employment. The problem for domestic manufacturers has been aggravated by pseudo manufacturers who are basically importers and are passing off themselves as manufacturer by simply labeling imported products. AiMeD wants a clearer definition and clear distinction between manufacturers and traders. "It may sound little strange that our industry is demanding regulations but this is not regulations of the Inspector Raj or traditional Pharma kind. We are seeking 'Voluntary Demonstration of Compliance via 3rd Party Certification' e.g. ICMED Certification to gain Respect for India and trust for Indian Medical Devices and Risk Proportionate Penal controls for this engineering industry," said Mr Nath. Medical device industry is now hoping that MoH&FW will speedily push the PMO's agenda of enhanced Patient Safety and Make in India and adhere to defined timelines for tabling the Bill to regulate quality of Medical Devices by this winter session itself.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8597/3m-launches-worlds-first-tablet-based-mobile-intraoral-scanner-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8597/3m-launches-worlds-first-tablet-based-mobile-intraoral-scanner-.html Wed, 12 Oct 2016 11:11:50 +0530 Mobile tablets, commonplace in many aspects of clinical practice in health care settings, have arrived in the dental industry with the introduction of the 3M Mobile True Definition Scanner, a one-of-a-kind tablet-based intraoral scanner that fits in your hand. The compact, ergonomic design is similar to rechargeable tablets that patients and clinicians use in their daily lives, allowing clinicians to move freely between operatories without power cords or carts. Flexible mounting options help to minimize workspace clutter, offering more space for the clinician and assistant to maneuver in small spaces. Informed discussion and visual patient communication is made easy with a system that can be placed directly into the hands or lap of a patient, where they can experience a cutting-edge digital visualization of their oral anatomy, and ultimately, a better understanding of proposed treatments. With easy setup - users can unbox and scan in less than an hour - the 3M Mobile True Definition Scanner can seamlessly integrate into the practice. "The 3M Mobile True Definition Scanner takes the patient experience to another level," said Karen Burquest, digital oral care global business director at 3M Oral Care. "This scanner offers clinicians the flexibility to place the tablet in the patient's hands so they can experience unprecedented access, while the clinician educates them about the treatment process. Because the tablet is compact and operates on battery, clinicians can easily hand carry the scanner between operatories. This scanner will impact the landscape of digital dentistry." Developed with the tradition of 3M science in mind, this new scanner is designed to deliver convenience for practitioners, as well as a memorable visual experience for the patient. "At 3M Oral Care, we are committed to inventing new products and processes that will positively impact a patients' oral health for years to come," concluded Burquest. Restorations created from scans are proven to be accurate - and more consistently accurate - than other leading intraoral scanners, with a 99.7 percent fit rate.1 This paired with the smallest wand on the market means scanning with this system is not only comfortable for clinician and patient alike, it delivers precision clinicians can trust. With a low-price entry into digital impressioning at just $16,995, this new mobile scanner fits the size, mobility, practice requirements and budget needs of practitioners. The decision to adopt digital scanning just got a little easier.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8593/foldscope-fame-manu-prakash-receives-macarthur-genius-grant.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8593/foldscope-fame-manu-prakash-receives-macarthur-genius-grant.html Thu, 06 Oct 2016 11:43:00 +0530   Assistant professor of bioengineering at Stanford Manu Prakash received the MacArthur "Genius Grant" on Sept. 21 as one of 23 recipients. The grant is awarded annually to residents or citizens of the United States who have shown "extraordinary originality and dedication in their creative pursuits and a marked capacity for self-direction," according to the MacArthur Foundation. It consists of a total of $625,000 paid over five years, and the recipients of the grant have no particular obligations other than to continue their activities. Individuals are nominated for the award. Manu Prakash is a physical biologist applying his expertise in soft-matter physics to illuminate often easy to observe but hard to explain phenomena in biological and physical contexts and to invent solutions to difficult problems in global health, science education, and ecological surveillance. His many lines of research are driven by curiosity about the diversity of life forms on our planet and how they work, empathy for problems in resource-poor settings, and a deep interest in democratizing the experience and joy of science globally. Prakash's projects range from explorations of how shorebirds drink to how a few drops of food coloring can demonstrate highly complex behavior such as chemotaxis, akin to active living matter. His early training and research focused on ideas of physical computation, with a goal of building new computational engines capable of manipulating not just bits of information but also physical matter. One such demonstration involved building a computer out of tiny air bubbles traveling in microfluidic channels. In recent work, Prakash demonstrated a practical implementation of this "water computer," or microfluidic processor, with potential applications in diagnostics and environmental monitoring.   More recently, Prakash has channeled his ingenuity to invent several devices that empower frugal science: these are low-cost, widely accessible, and appropriate for use in low-resource and field settings. Foldscope, a lightweight optical microscope that costs less than a dollar to produce, is assembled from an origami-based folding design from a single sheet of paper with integrated lenses and electronics. With submicron resolution, Foldscope has already been widely embraced in educational contexts. Prakash has enlisted thousands of volunteers-from medical experts to citizen scientists-to field test Foldscope as he works to refine it for use in public health and biomedical settings. Another recent project is a low-cost, sticker-like microfluidic chip that can collect thousands of nanoliter-volume droplets of saliva from mosquito bites that can be screened for pathogens. The chip would enable rapid, scalable, and low-cost collection of surveillance data that is critical for predicting and controlling mosquito-borne disease outbreaks. With remarkable breadth and imagination, Prakash defies traditional disciplinary boundaries in his coupling of basic research and fabrication of high-capability scientific instruments for widespread use in the field and classroom. Manu Prakash received a B.Tech. (2002) from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur and a Ph.D. (2008) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was a junior fellow of the Harvard Society of Fellows (2008­-2011) prior to joining the faculty of Stanford University, where he is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Bioengineering, a member of the Biophysics Program in the School of Medicine and the Center for Innovation in Global Health, Faculty Fellow of Stanford ChEM-H, and an affiliate member of the Woods Institute for the Environment. He holds numerous patents and his research has been published in such scientific journals as PLoS One, Journal of Experimental Biology, Science, and Nature, among others. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8519/uptake-medical-is-now-part-of-broncus-medical.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8519/uptake-medical-is-now-part-of-broncus-medical.html Thu, 06 Oct 2016 11:08:32 +0530 Broncus Holding Company (BHC), announced that it has acquired the assets of privately held Uptake Medical Corp, the manufacturer of vapor technology for the bronchoscopic ablation of emphysema and lung cancer. Vapor ablation has been shown to result in clinically meaningful improvement in lung function and quality of life in a recent randomized controlled trial published in the Lancet RM (July 2016). The acquisition positions BHC as the leader in providing the complete solution for the two most devastating lung diseases. BHC's Chairman Michael Zhao explains: "Our plan is to deliver a solution through combination of the technologies from our two companies, Broncus Medical Inc. and Uptake Medical Technology Inc. Broncus Medical Inc. will focus on the complete treatment for Lung cancer and Uptake MedicalTtechnology will focus on the complete treatment for emphysema. Together these two companies represent complete answers for the number one and two leading causes of pulmonary disease." "We are very excited to be able to offer an impeccable solution to bronchoscopic-based lung cancer treatment through the integration of Uptake's vapor technology and our products, LungPoint and Archimedes", said Henky Wibowo, President of, Broncus Medical Inc., San Jose, CA. "We are elated to have the additional resources and infrastructures that Broncus provides to rapidly extend our commercialization coverage in the EU and Asia. Additionally, Broncus' products will complement and extend the InterVapor system and further simplify the procedure for treating emphysema patients." said Robert Barry, President of Uptake Medical Technology, Seattle, WA.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8589/siemens-stride-coagulation-analyzer-receives-fda-clearance-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8589/siemens-stride-coagulation-analyzer-receives-fda-clearance-.html Wed, 05 Oct 2016 12:07:01 +0530 Siemens Healthineers announced FDA 510(k) clearance for a hand-held portable coagulation analyzer. The Xprecia Stride Coagulation Analyzer delivers fast, reliable Prothrombin Time International Normalized Ratio (PT/INR) testing for point-of-care monitoring and management of oral anticoagulation therapy with warfarin, a vitamin K antagonist. Millions of PT/INR tests are administered world-wide each year as part of therapy monitoring for patients with a host of conditions, including atrial fibrillation, heart valve replacement surgery, deep vein thrombosis and congenital heart defects, among others. The Xprecia Stride Coagulation Analyzer was specifically designed to meet the growing demand for fast and reliable PT/INR results in physician offices and walk-in clinics to help healthcare professionals make informed decisions about patient care. Winner of multiple international design awards such as the Red Dot Award: Product Design for 2015 and the iFDesign Award, the analyzer includes a number of innovations and features not found on most other point-of-care analyzers. No bigger than a smartphone and weighing just 10.5 oz, the Xprecia Stride Coagulation Analyzer can be held at virtually any angle and brought directly to the patient's finger for efficient and comfortable blood sample application. "Among the many challenges of point of care testing, accuracy and safety have become paramount to both the user and patient. With the Xprecia Stride analyzer, Siemens Healthineers delivers on the promise to bring a safe and lab-accurate test directly to the patient," said Michael Sampson, Senior Vice President, Point of Care, Siemens Healthineers, North America. "The Xprecia Stride analyzer is designed to be safe, efficient and ergonomically friendly. By adding the Xprecia Stride analyzer to our existing product portfolio in the U.S., we now have the ability to cover the full range of hemostasis testing from the hospital lab to the physician's office." Today's busy healthcare professional is challenged by a complex work environment and heavy patient workflow. The Xprecia Stride analyzer was designed to address these concerns through an intuitive user interface and features such as an integrated barcode scanner to simplify data capture and improve patient workflow. To further enhance usability, the Xprecia Stride features simple icons and animation in a color display more commonly found in mobile devices than medical instruments.   The Xprecia Stride analyzer uses fresh capillary (fingerstick) whole blood and results are expressed as INR. It utilizes the same Dade® Innovin® reagent used by Siemens Healthineers central lab analyzers to minimize any potential for variability. Studies have shown the performance to be equivalent to a reference laboratory hemostasis system,1 with results available within minutes. Safety features include a first-of-its kind test strip eject button that allows the user to eject a used test strip and easily dispose of it without touching it, minimizing potential biohazard exposure. When taken together, all of these innovations ultimately enable better patient care as point-of-care PT/INR testing becomes critical to healthcare providers managing the growing number of patients that require anticoagulation therapy.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8592/medgenome-inks-deal-to-sequence-genome-of-1-lakh-asians.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8592/medgenome-inks-deal-to-sequence-genome-of-1-lakh-asians.html Tue, 04 Oct 2016 17:26:00 +0530 MedGenome Labs has inked a pact with with South Korean biotech firm Macrogen Inc. and Singapore-based Nanyang Technological University (NTU) to sequence the whole genome of 1,00,000 people in Asia. Through the deal the institutions aim to build an open genome data base accessible to researchers of public institutions and pharmaceutical companies. The sequencing will cover populations of 14 Asian countries in South Asia, South-East Asia and East Asia. MedGenome offers genomics-based diagnostic solutions to hospitals and doctors as well as genomic research services to pharmaceutical and biotech companies and academic research institutions in India. The company offers more than 100 tests currently across oncology, cardiology, ophthalmology, neurology and nephrology. The company also developed India's first non-invasive prenatal test this year. As per the terms, Medgenome will invest $10 million as part of its commitment in a project estimated to cost upwards of $120 million. Macrogen and NTU will contribute $10 million each. The consortium is in the process of raising the remaining funds through contributions from academic institutions, hospitals and pharmaceutical companies. The project is proposed to be accomplished in stages. The first stage of the project called 'GenomeAsia100K' aims to sequence 10,000 Asian individuals for ethnic stratification, followed by sequencing an additional 90,000 individuals and combined with clinical and phenotype information to allow deeper analysis of diseased and healthy individuals, Medgenome said. Mr Sam Santhosh, chief executive officer at MedGenome, said, "The current genomic data available is largely of Caucasians, though Asia represent 40 percent of the world's population - they are significantly underrepresented in current genomic studies and reference genome databases. The unique genetic diversity prevalent in South and East Asia provides a valuable source of clinical insights to enable cures for all of mankind in rare and inherited diseases, as well as complex diseases such as cancer, diabetes and neurological disorders." Medgenome plans to use the a latest next generation gene sequencing machine procured from California-based Illumina Inc. at an estimated cost of $12 million, extensively in the project. "The latest machine will help to sequence human genome at cost of $1000," Mr Santhosh said. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8582/fda-nod-for-medtronics-trailblazer-angled-peripheral-support-catheter.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8582/fda-nod-for-medtronics-trailblazer-angled-peripheral-support-catheter.html Fri, 30 Sep 2016 11:47:56 +0530 Medtronic plc announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the TrailBlazer(TM) angled support catheter for use in the peripheral vascular system. Support catheters such as the Trailblazer are often used in endovascular procedures treating complex peripheral artery disease (PAD). FDA clearance was received on September 23, 2016. The new TrailBlazer angled support catheter is designed to support a guide wire during access to the peripheral arteries, and to enable delivery of solutions and diagnostic agents. The catheter features a braided stainless steel shaft for robust pushability and a 25 and 30 degree angled tapered tip to access and cross complex lesions. To enhance physician visibility, each of the .014", .018" and .035" guidewire compatible devices is designed with three radiopaque marker bands and a radiopaque shaft. Additionally, both the .014" and .018" TrailBlazer angled support catheter can fit coaxially through the .035" support catheter for increased reach and pushability. "Medtronic is committed to providing physicians with meaningful innovations and therapy choices to enhance their peripheral treatment algorithm," said Mark Pacyna, vice president and general manager of the Peripheral business, which is part of the Aortic & Peripheral Vascular division at Medtronic. "Working with physicians, we have extended the Medtronic TrailBlazer support catheter portfolio to offer a broad suite of angled options for treatment of complex lesions both above and below the knee."     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8581/sandoz-invites-young-entrepreneurs-to-enter-sandoz-hack-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8581/sandoz-invites-young-entrepreneurs-to-enter-sandoz-hack-.html Thu, 29 Sep 2016 15:45:14 +0530 Sandoz, the Novartis generic and biosimilar pharmaceutical division, announces the launch of Sandoz HACk - Healthcare Access Challenge - a global competition to generate innovative ideas and solutions to help tackle some of the world's most pressing healthcare access problems. The competition is open for entries until November 30, 2016. "There are numerous challenges that impact healthcare in a country like India and we need to collaborate with all stakeholders to improve health access," said Jawed Zia, Country President, Novartis India. "The launch of Sandoz HACk is one of the ways we want to identify and then foster creative ideas from countries like India." Despite the significant advances made in modern medicine, more than two billion people worldwide cannot access the medicines they need and more than 400 million lack access to essential health services.1 The combined efforts of stakeholders across both public and private sectors, including the pharmaceutical industry, not-for-profit organizations and governments have made significant advances in tackling healthcare access challenges worldwide. But these large scale systemic initiatives need to be supported by community-led change, driven by innovative small scale solutions that can make a big difference. Therefore, Sandoz HACk has been launched, inviting people to generate novel solutions to tackle key healthcare access challenges in local communities. Mobile technology is radically altering how care is delivered and received worldwide and the influence of mobile in healthcare is likely to continue evolving in the future. In its inaugural year, Sandoz HACk encourages today's generation of entrepreneurs and creative thinkers to enter ideas that harness mobile health technologies - M-Health - to help solve relevant local healthcare access challenges. Sandoz HACk is open for entries from 18-35 year olds around the world. Following a robust judging process, the six finalist entries will be published on OpenIDEO - a global community of leading organizations and individuals working together to design solutions to the world's biggest challenges. Entrants' ideas will be refined and evolved in partnership with this online community before being presented to a panel of judges. Three winners will be chosen and awarded seed funding and mentorship to help bring their ideas to life.   For details, please visit: www.sandoz.com/makingaccesshappen and www.facebook.com/sandozglobal       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8579/the-pfizer-iit-delhi-innovation-and-ip-program-announces-first-round-of-grant-awardees-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8579/the-pfizer-iit-delhi-innovation-and-ip-program-announces-first-round-of-grant-awardees-.html Thu, 29 Sep 2016 15:44:58 +0530 The Pfizer IIT-Delhi Innovation and IP Program', an incubation accelerator initiative co-created by Pfizer and the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT) at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT-Delhi), has announced the first round of grant awardees. The projects selected under this platform aim to address India's enormous need for healthcare innovations that are not only unique in tackling the current healthcare challenges but also cost effective, scalable and easy to deploy. The innovators/start-ups will develop prototypes, which when scaled up, aims to improve the quality of lives of millions of people across the country. Through these innovations, the start-ups would focus on providing solutions to air pollution, stroke-led disability and infectious diseases. The innovations are: I. Healthcare Innovation from Idea to IP (Resident Incubation Program)a) Early stage diagnosis & antibiotic susceptibility test of typhoid in 7 hours by Saurabh Singhb) Wearable nasal air purification device with minimal air flow resistance by Debayan Saha II. Healthcare Innovation only at IP stagec) Bioactive nanofiber for bone regeneration by Dr. Shilpa Dev, Virtisbiolabsd) Multiboard- an upper extremity workstation for rural India by Dr. Harpreet Sachdeva, AIIMSe) Green manufacturing of pharmaceutical intermediates using novel enzyme by Dr. Raj Kumar, Cellzyme Biotech Resident incubation awardee Debayan Saha says, "We believe our solution is a breakthrough that is both current and forward-looking, aimed at serving large populations in the long run and will equip India to reduce burden of diseases that impede its economic development. We think discovering cures are significant scientific achievements for public health, however it is even more effective to prevent disease in the first place. It is important for innovations like ours to be encouraged and rewarded. The Pfizer IIT Delhi Innovation and IP program has really pushed us into a promising environment that aims to provide healthcare solutions to millions in the country." Eager to address a major health challenge in India, Saurabh Singh, Co-founder of Valetude Primus Healthcare Pvt Ltd. and the second innovator to receive the Pfizer IIT Delhi grant says, "Bacterial infections continue to be a major cause of deaths globally, particularly in resource-poor settings. In the absence of rapid and affordable diagnostic solutions, patients are mostly administered a broad spectrum of antibiotics leading to antibiotic resistance and poor recovery. At present, typhoid diagnosis takes up to three days, but our portable and cost-effective innovation will help expedite diagnosis to seven hours and ensure treatment." "We are excited to announce and give the first set of grants to the selected innovators under our flagship project - Pfizer IIT Delhi Innovation and IP Program," said S. Sridhar, Executive Director, Pfizer India, "With the winners of our program identified, the stage is set for advancements in healthcare that are born and brought up in India for the benefit of our people. Given this promising start, we want to maintain the momentum and work closely with FITT at IIT Delhi to help the innovators integrate and thrive in this new era of entrepreneurship and innovation in India. In doing so, this program falls right into the basket of the Government's Start Up India Stand up India campaign that creates a vibrant innovation ecosystem in the country and enhances the creation of intellectual property." "Looking at the phenomenal response from the industry, we cannot wait to get started with the next phase of the Program. We look forward to more and more innovators seeking inspiration reach out to us" Sridhar added. Pfizer is set to launch the second phase of the Program in October 2016, wherein another set of healthcare innovations with be identified for resident incubation and IP support.   Dr. Anil Wali, Managing Director, Foundation of Innovation and Technology Transfer, IIT Delhi said, "We were greatly encouraged by the diversity of applications received for the Pfizer IIT Delhi Innovation and IP Program from across the country. Over the years we have noticed an upward trend in technology-based healthcare innovations that range from - health apps, to wearables that prevent illness, to intelligent diagnostics that predict or diagnose a disease. The five selected projects are great examples of indigenous healthcare innovations and demonstrate tremendous potential. Their teams are outstanding with the right caliber to understand the on-ground health challenges in India and have used their understanding to focus on solving very specific problems." During the Program, the two shortlisted innovators seeking comprehensive support to translate their healthcare ideas into patents, will be provided two years of residential incubation at IIT Delhi, capital boost of up to Rs. 50 lacs for each innovator, high-profile mentoring support from IIT Delhi's faculty, access to infrastructure and prototyping laboratories, IP search and filing services, guidance from Pfizer's global experts, and access to venture capitalists and other industry linkages. The three selected innovators under the IP filing support who already have a ready proof of concept and are seeking to obtain a patent, will be provided with access to IP attorneys and services and cover the patent fee under the Program, upto 3 lacs each.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8575/mapmygenome-selected-as-a-2016-red-herring-top-100-asia-winner.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8575/mapmygenome-selected-as-a-2016-red-herring-top-100-asia-winner.html Tue, 27 Sep 2016 16:27:38 +0530 Mapmygenome India has been named in the Red Herring Top 100 Asia award winners. This list is in recognition of the leading private companies from the region, celebrating these startups' innovations and technologies across their respective industries. "In 2016, selecting the top achievers was difficult as always," said Alex Vieux, publisher and CEO of Red Herring. "The variety, depth, disruption and traction we saw from the early stage companies to those with significant scale made 2016 a great vintage to judge. The Asia winners are representative of the amazing ecosystem that never ceases to astound, with new and experienced entrepreneurs continuing to push the barriers of innovation. As one of the winners, Mapmygenome should be proud of its accomplishment." Anu Acharya, CEO of Mapmygenome said, "Red Herring Top 100 Asia is a unique platform aspired by all startups. For Mapmygenome, it is time to celebrate this milestone and to focus on further innovation and excellence." Red Herring's editorial staff evaluated companies on both quantitative and qualitative criteria, such as financial performance, technological innovation and intellectual property, DNA of the founders, business model, customer footprint, and market penetration. This assessment of potential is complemented by a review of the track record and standing of startups relative to their sector peers, allowing Red Herring to see past the "buzz" and make the list a valuable instrument of discovery and advocacy for the most promising new business models in Asia.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8571/medtronics-stealthstation-cranial-software-receives-fda-clearance-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8571/medtronics-stealthstation-cranial-software-receives-fda-clearance-.html Tue, 27 Sep 2016 11:08:09 +0530 Medtronic plc announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance of StealthStation Cranial Software as an aid for deep brain stimulation (DBS) lead placement. The software is fully integrated with Medtronic's latest O-arm Imaging System, providing clinicians with a complete procedural solution for the planning and placement of DBS leads. The announcement was made at the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) in San Diego. With Medtronic's DBS Therapy, a small, pacemaker-like device called a neurostimulator is implanted under the skin of the chest and sends electronic signals to an area in the brain that controls movement. Thin wires - called leads - are implanted in the brain and are connected to the neurostimulator by an extension to enable the signals to reach the source of symptoms. The new StealthStation application, which integrates pre-operative planning, intraoperative imaging and technologies to help guide surgeons during cranial procedures, is designed to improve procedural workflow and allow for DBS lead placement with a high level of accuracy. "The new StealthStation software works seamlessly with O-arm to give me a single solution for pre-operative planning and real-time 3D imaging of the brain in the OR, and that streamlines my workflow for DBS lead placement," said Dr. Jonathan Carlson, MD, PhD, a neurosurgeon at Providence Spokane Neuroscience Institute in Spokane, Wash. "Now I have the essential information I need in one place, giving me - and my patients - even more confidence in the procedure." In the past 25 years, the StealthStation system has been used in more than 2.25 million procedures. The O-arm system has been used to help more than 200,000 patients over the past decade. Medtronic DBS neurostimulators have been implanted in over 140,000 patients around the world. Medtronic's full-body MR Conditional Activa® DBS neurostimulators help to reduce some of the movement symptoms of certain neurological disorders including Parkinson's disease and essential tremor. "We alleviate pain, restore health and extend life by providing informed and integrated neurosurgical procedures to our customers and their patients," said Scott Hutton, vice president and general manager of the Neurosurgery business in Medtronic's Restorative Therapies Group. "And as we transform the way the world treats patients with neurologic disorders, we'll utilize the breadth of our broad Brain Therapies portfolio in new and different ways to bring fully-integrated solutions like this to our customers."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8570/ge-healthcare-starts-bengaluru-accelerator-for-startups.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8570/ge-healthcare-starts-bengaluru-accelerator-for-startups.html Tue, 27 Sep 2016 11:07:31 +0530 5.8 billion. That's the number of people who need access to good quality healthcare. Partnering with Unitus Fund, Acumen, Aavishkar-Intellecap Group, and Villgro, GE Healthcare has started healthtech-focused startup accelerator five.eight. It is the first healthcare accelerator by the $18 billion GE Healthcare division. The programme will focus on startups post Series A funding. The team is looking to fund up to $5 million per startup from GE Healthcare, for the accelerator programme. "The idea of playing with the words five.eight is to focus on the world population that does not get access to quality healthcare and treatment procedures," says Terri Bresenham, President and CEO, GE Healthcare's Sustainable Healthcare Solutions. The portfolio companies of the impact funds - Aavishkar-Intellecap Group, Villgro, Unitus Seed Fund, and Acumen - will be among the initial applicants of the five.eight programme. Tricog, a Bengaluru-based healthtech startup that focuses on improving the heart attack survival rate is the first startup to be a part of the programme.John Flannery, President and CEO, GE Healthcare says, "We are looking at companies that have a proven model and market strategy. Being in India, we will have a partial focus towards Indian startups even if it is a global accelerator."   The team added that these startups will gain access to clinical mentors from GE Healthcare as well as to funding and strategic partnerships. They added that the assessment of the applications will be on the basis of market assessment of needs and the ability of the solution to meet the need. Terri added that while GE Healthcare has a strong focus on devices, the startups need not necessarily be restricted to them. She adds:If you look at Tricog, it has a mix of different solutions it provides. The idea is to find startups that are unique, different, and have a keen understanding of the problems that need to be solved; hence, the focus on commercially viable solutions. We believe that the solutions provided by these startups can change and impact lives across the globe.' GE Healthcare says they are very bullish of the five.eight accelerator. The team claims that it is a first step they are taking to explore the booming startup and healthcare market in India. On acquisitions, John added that they aren't looking at acquiring companies but are more strongly focused on strategic partnerships. "With our expertise and the innovations that the startups bring, we believe that global healthcare can see a complete evolution," says John.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8566/technology-graces-healthcare-at-1st-medical-electronics-innovation-summit.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8566/technology-graces-healthcare-at-1st-medical-electronics-innovation-summit.html Mon, 26 Sep 2016 13:00:00 +0530 The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology launched the first edition of the Medical Electronics Innovation Summit 2016 at IIT Powai in Mumbai. The Summit was inaugurated by Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, P. P. Chaudhary, Minister of State, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology along with Sri Kamineni Srinivas, Minister for Health, Andhra Pradesh. "According to an estimate, the demand for medical electronics devices was around USD 1 Bn in 2012 and is expected to reach USD 6.5 Bn by 2020. Our global share is only 2% and in the coming years, there will be greater demand for medical electronics in the country in coming years", said Ravi Shankar Prasad. The key highlight of the Summit was signing of an MOU Signing between SAMEER (Society for Applied, Electronics Engineering & Research) and the Government of Andhra Pradesh, on conducting joint and comprehensive assessment of health technologies as identified starting with Dual Energy Linear Accelerator for cancer care development. With India's medical electronics market growing to $11.7 billion by 2017, the Summit witnessed a panel discussion on the scope of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the healthcare sector, especially with opening up of 100% FDI for manufacturing of Medical devices in India last year. "Government provides medical electronics devices the same financial incentives for medical electronics devices which it provides for development of IT and telecom equipment. As a result, incentives like Modified SIPS, Electronic Manufacturing Clusters, EDF are available for the units investing in medical electronics devices", said Union Minister Prasad.   The integrated healthcare model is an initiative by the Government of India to bring together all the aspects of the healthcare sector to improve the methodology of the system. Top professors, researchers and experts from various key institute and colleagues spoke about the process innovation in healthcare services developing a sustainable model for accessible and affordable service through innovation. The day ended with power topic on Capacity Building and Infrastructure Management for technology driven medical electronics in India. "A major step taken by our Government was to allow 100% FDI through automatic route for manufacture of medical devices as early as January 2015. As a result of the incentives being offered by Government, several domestic and multinational companies have started their manufacturing activities in the country. These include GE, Philips, Wipro GE, Trivitron among others. We have received 7 proposals involving Rs 754 cr under MSIPS for medical electronics. However, when compared this investment with overall investment attracted under electronics manufacturing in other sectors like mobile manufacturing, LED, consumer electronics etc, this sector require more efforts", said Ravi Shankar Prasad . MeitY, SAMEER and CDAC have also taken steps which will stimulate innovation in this sector. CDAC Trivandrum had developed a programmable digital hearing aid which could be offered at nearly one-tenth of market price (USD 100 as against USD 1000 in market) in 2012. Similarly, SAMEER Mumbai had developed a Linear Accelerator for radiation treatment of cancer patients. A Microwave Disinfectant has also been developed by SAMEER Mumabi. "Medical electronics industry is undergoing transformation with the advent of Internet of Things. Wearables are emerging one of the fastest growing medical device segment. To support this effort, MeitY has, along with Nasscom, set up a Centre of Excellence at Bengaluru to provide an ecosystem of support for start-ups. One of the biggest concerns in medical electronics industry is the threat of cyber security. This area has been attracting the attention of global industry and turned out to be an opportunity for start-ups", said Union Minister. The Conference also presented 5 start-up companies from the healthcare sector pitching in their idea for it's Start Up Pitch Deck to a 3-member jury panel which comprising of Aditya Nataraja, Manager, IIT Patna Incubation Center, Prof. Milind Atre, SINE, IIT Bombay and Neel Bhatia, Director - Innovation and IP Ecosystem Development, Intel Technology India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8559/syngene-buys-strands-systems-biology-and-pharma-services-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8559/syngene-buys-strands-systems-biology-and-pharma-services-.html Fri, 23 Sep 2016 11:24:00 +0530 Syngene International  has announced that they have completed a deal through which Syngene has purchased assets of Strand Life Sciences related to systems biology, Heptox and pharma bioinformatics services. This includes target dossier business and rights to NGS data analytics and Sarchitect platforms, supported by a strong scientific team. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. Commenting on this development, Jonathan Hunt, Chief Executive Officer, Syngene International said, "Given the vast volumes of genetic material sequence data that is being generated globally, there is an increasing focus on biological information management and data analytics in drug discovery and development. Syngene is constantly looking for new opportunities to expand its service offerings and plans to expand into areas such as NGS, translational R&D, predictive toxicology and pre-emptive target validation services, all of which require strong bioinformatics capabilities. We believe Strand's bioinformatics platforms not only complement our existing integrated service platforms but will also meet our customers growing needs for bioinformatics and data analytic support." Chairman and Managing Director of Strand Life Sciences, Dr. Vijay Chandru, added "Strand is glad that the deal with Syngene gives it access to technologies from Strand to form part of its integrated discovery service offerings. This transaction is alsoPutting Science to Work key step for Strand to focus its energies on personalized medicine through clinical applications of all its genomics technologies." This deal gives Syngene access to Strand's patented Virtual Liver model and the NGS analytics platform. The Virtual Liver model is able to predict the toxic effect of different drugs or chemicals on the liver (both rat and human) using information from laboratory-based experiments prior to actual testing on live animals or humans. Strand NGS is an integrated platform that provides analysis, management and visualization tools for next-generation sequencing data.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8552/practo-hosts-loop-in-new-delhi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8552/practo-hosts-loop-in-new-delhi.html Tue, 20 Sep 2016 11:17:39 +0530 Practo, a leading healthcare platform hosted India's largest annual conglomeration of thought leaders in healthcare, Loop to get valuable insights on 'Advancing Healthcare through Technology'. Technology is yet to be leveraged by the healthcare sector to unleash its full potential to work towards a healthier world. Issues such as healthcare infrastructure, high disease burden, affordability and lack of awareness still plague the nation and technology can play a crucial role in effectively solving these issues. Loop was an effort towards facilitating conversations among visionary healthcare professionals, CXO's, doctors and tech entrepreneurs. Some of the key discussions at Loop revolved around 'creating a successful tele-health network', 'bridging the gap between payers and providers', medical regulations to name a few. "I am really pleased to bring Loop to New Delhi, it's amazing to see how healthcare providers across the nation are embracing technology and together we are unfolding a new chapter in healthcare by addressing some of the most crucial issues that we face today. I believe that Practo in collaboration with other healthcare stakeholders including hospitals, pharma and insurance will be able to solve the healthcare problem and give patients a chance to a healthier and longer life."- Shashank ND, Founder & CEO, Practo.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8517/philips-healthcare-introduces-dream-series-products.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8517/philips-healthcare-introduces-dream-series-products.html Thu, 15 Sep 2016 11:23:17 +0530 Philips India has recently introduced a range of Dream series products to improve care for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients. The Dream Family offers innovative, comprehensive sleep therapy technology with sleek, patient-driven design, and personalized tools to keep patients engaged and using therapy. Designed to increase patient adoption, long term use and enhanced efficiencies that could attend to patient's needs, the Dream Family helps patients get the sleep they need. The Dream Family includes the Dream Station Auto CPAP device and DreamWear mask. Dream Station Auto CPAP: DreamStation positive airway pressure (PAP) sleep therapy devices are designed to be as comfortable and easy to experience as sleep is intended to be. Connecting patients and care teams, DreamStation devices empower users to embrace their care with confidence, and enable care teams to practice efficient and effective patient management. DreamStation offers exceptional comfort, intelligent monitoring, motivation and feedback, and seamless connectivity to the care team for proven clinical care and effortless patient management. The Respironics DreamStation Auto CPAP comes in two models with SD card and without SD Card. DreamWear: It is an under the nose nasal mask. DreamWear's unique design offers many of the benefits of nasal and pillows masks to allow patients to have the best of both mask types. Allowing more freedom of movement and more comfort than their prescribed mask, DreamWear patients feel like they are not wearing a mask at all. The top of head connection of the device allows patient the freedom to move. The Under the nose nasal cushion prevents red marks, discomfort or irritation in the nostrils or on the nose bridge. The cushion comes in four sizes Small, medium, large and medium wide. The Fit Pack includes all 4 cushion sizes (S, M, L, MW) and 1 medium sized frame. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8512/aimed-welcomes-govts-move-to-introduce-ethical-marketing-code-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8512/aimed-welcomes-govts-move-to-introduce-ethical-marketing-code-.html Mon, 12 Sep 2016 12:20:51 +0530 The Government's move to put in place a separate, strict and mandatory 'Ethical Marketing Code' for medical device companies has been welcomed by the Association of Indian Medical Device Manufacturers (AiMeD). AiMed has stated that the proposed 'Code' will help curb many unethical practices currently being practiced by deep pocketed players to the detriment of Indian patients and Indian medical device manufacturers. The proposed code, at the discussion stage currently, seeks to put a total curb on many malpractices/ inducements such as foreign trips in garb of sponsoring for purportedly attending conferences for enhanced Training or expensive gifts being offered by some medical device companies to medical practitioners, their families and hospitals to influence prescriptions and orders in their favour. The pay-off in lieu of 'orders' not only distorts the market by vitiating fair competition but also hikes up the price of devices, ultimately to be paid by patients, common Indian citizens. Also read: Sun Pharma inks distribution pact with Japanese firm Mitsubishi pharma "We whole-heartedly advocate and support a strict and distinct 'Ethical Marketing Code' with penal provisions for medical device industry as it will help curb many unethical marketing practices being indulged in by powerful deep-pocketed players at the detriment of common Indian citizens and Indian medical device manufacturers," said Mr Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator, AiMeD.   The Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Govt of India - the nodal department for pharma and medical device industry - already has a 'Voluntary Code' for the Pharma Sector which is now being upgraded to 'Mandatory Code' or 'Strict Compliance Code' with punitive provisions. Till date this code was also applicable to medical device sector but like pharma sector, it also had little deterrence as it was a code without teeth. The Department is contemplating similar strict Code for medical device industry too. Currently, the Department is in the process of soliciting views of various stakeholders to draw a separate and exclusive code for medical device sector. Under the proposed code, no freebies, no extravagant hospitality, no pecuniary benefits under garb of Training etc. are to be offered to hospitals or healthcare professionals. Additionally to plug the legal loophole to protect consumers its prescribed every medical device's unit pack of sale to carry the MRP so that there are no excuses that the device is not an OTC (Over the Counter) product and hospital supply and hence not a consumer product .A media report about violations of the proposed code will be treated suo moto as a complaint against violator.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8505/aimed-proposes-complete-ban-on-import-of-pre-owned-and-refurbished-medical-equipments-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8505/aimed-proposes-complete-ban-on-import-of-pre-owned-and-refurbished-medical-equipments-.html Thu, 08 Sep 2016 11:40:43 +0530 The Association of Indian Medical Device Manufacturers (AiMeD) has strongly opposed the idea of permitting the import of any kind of pre-owned and refurbished medical equipment on the grounds of serious health safety issue for Indian people as is being lobbied by a segment of importers from the platform of CII. In addition, it has cited disruptive and adverse impact on domestic manufacturing of medical devices which only now has beginning to gain pace. An 'Inter-Ministerial Committee of Government of India for Restricting Import of Refurbished Medical Equipment including Radiology Products & Flexible Medical Video Endoscopes' has recently solicited various stakeholders' view on the matter. Giving a detailed reasoning and analysis of ground realities, AiMeD has built a strong case against any leniency for permitting import of refurbished and pre-owned medical equipment. Also read: Allergan acquires gene therapy start-up   "We are for total ban on import of used, second-hand or re-furbished medical equipment as there are real and serious health issues for Indian patients. In addition, any leniency will have a serious setback for 'Make in India' program in medical device sector which is only beginning to pick-up," said Mr Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator, AiMeD. "Can we really leave our people at the mercy of sub-standard, obsolete and unreliable equipments which have been discarded in other countries? Are Indian lives so cheap? Why should we expose them to unsafe radiation? "Wondered Mr Nath. Detailing the health issues related to sub-standard and doubtful second hand medical equipment including radiology equipment and flexible medical video endoscopes, Mr Nath said that such equipments of doubtful efficacy and quality is leading to incomplete and wrong diagnosis, causing either inadequate or wrong treatment plus undesired medication whereby the deserving patient loose one last hope/chance for proper recovery owing to time constraints or even financial constraints and in some cases even get exposed to unsafe radiation . Imports of Products such as used Flexible Medical Video Endoscopy Systems along with Camera Imaging Systems affect Domestic Flexible Medical Video Endoscope Manufacturers and similarly the Radiology Equipment Manufacturers are equally distressed. "Import of second-hand and pre-owned equipments will seriously destabilize 'Make in India' program in high end medical equipment sector which is only now beginning to pick up," pointed out Dr Velu, Chairman of Trivitron . "We don't even allow import of pre owned cars so why allow import of pre owned medical equipment?"   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8500/fortis-healthcare-and-wayforward-collaborate-on-emotional-wellness-programme.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8500/fortis-healthcare-and-wayforward-collaborate-on-emotional-wellness-programme.html Thu, 08 Sep 2016 10:00:43 +0530 Fortis Healthcare, India's leading Healthcare provider, and wayForward, a digital, mental and emotional health company based in USA, launched an app-based wellness programme in India. The programme uses techniques of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness to potentially help millions solve problems caused by stress, anxiety and other emotional or mental health issues in the comfort of their own homes, without the fear of stigma, through its unique "coach in your pocket" concept. The event was also marked by experts who spoke about stress and its impact on individuals and organizations in the present times. Dr. Samir Parikh, Director, Mental Health and Behavioural Science at Fortis Healthcare said, "Mental and emotional health issues are more common than we imagine and impact almost every family, placing a significant burden on individuals and society. Clinical experience and research data show that stress is ruining relationships and hurting our overall health and wellbeing. I believe this programme would make a positive impact on the wellbeing of individuals, hence benefitting organizations and societies at large." Launching the program, Mr Bhavdeep Singh, CEO, Fortis Healthcare said, "Many people today find themselves unable to manage daily stress in professional lives. They also find it hard to consult a mental health specialist as they feel embarrassed about it. Despite advancements on many fronts in India, there is a low level of awareness regarding stress and mental health. In such a scenario, this HR conclave by Fortis Healthcare and wayForward is a welcome initiative to bring various stakeholders together. This digital health programme is a very innovative and much-needed solution for our increasingly stressed society." Dr. Navya Singh, Founder, wayForward and researcher at Columbia University, New York explained, "Our mission is simple - to ensure that everyone has access to mental and emotional health support at all times. To accomplish this goal, we have created a solution based on scientifically proven techniques, which is available to users through their smartphones. Our research with users of the wayForward app in the US has shown that more than 80% cases showed improvement in just 3 weeks. The study also highlighted that problems, such as overeating, sleep disturbances and lifestyle diseases, can be consequences of mental and emotional health issues." The Asia-Pacific edition of Staying@work survey (2013-14) conducted by Towers Watson for Indian employees, revealed almost 1 in every 3 Indian employers had instituted stress or resilience management programmes in 2013 and an almost equal number planned to follow suit in 2014. With stress being ranked as #1 lifestyle risk factor in India, this number was expected to grow.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8501/cochlear-launches-first-off-the-ear-hearing-device-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8501/cochlear-launches-first-off-the-ear-hearing-device-.html Wed, 07 Sep 2016 12:17:08 +0530 Cochlear Limited eleased its newest innovation - Kanso - a sound processor combining the most advanced sound processing technology with a discreet design. Ms Vandana Pisharody, Regional Director, South Asia at Cochlear welcomed the launch of Kanso explaining it is a remarkable step forward in offering solutions that address an important unmet need for customers living with hearing loss. "Our recipients are at the heart of everything we do and this innovation is in direct response to us listening to our customers. We identified the need in the market place for a solution that provides the advanced technology of a Cochlear sound processor combined with a discreet design. Kanso offers our customers all that and much more," explained Ms Pisharody. Also read: Global regenerative medicine market to grow by 13% Kanso is the smallest and lightest off-the-ear sound processor on the market providing the wearer with both discretion as well as enhanced comfort. The new technology is simple, discreet and smart as it has the ability to automatically adjust to different hearing environments providing a seamless experience from visiting a restaurant, to going to the movies. Kanso includes state-of-the-art Cochlear True Wireless technology, which helps people use the phone, hear over distance and in noisy situations. The True Wireless range of accessories allows the wearer to stream conversation, phone calls, music and television programs directly to their sound processor. "We are thrilled to be able to offer this new technology to the millions of people around the world living with disabling hearing loss," said Mr Jan Janssen, Senior Vice President of Design and Development, Cochlear. "Kanso features Cochlear's industry-leading technology, including dual microphones, SmartSound iQ with SCAN and True Wireless technology which all enable the wearer to hear better in difficult listening situations. Kanso provides wearers with best-in-class hearing performance in the real world." In Kanso clinical trials, 88% of people rated their overall hearing performance with Kanso to be the same or better than with their behind-the-ear sound processor.4 Most participants rated Kanso better than their own behind-the-ear sound processor on measures of comfort, look and feel and ease of use, with 93% of users rating listening to music with Kanso to be the same or better as with their behind-the-ear processor. Hearing loss is often not thought of as a debilitating health issue. However in adulthood it is associated with greater unemployment, increased risk of poor health, depression and increased risk of other conditions including dementia. Increasingly, evidence is showing cochlear implantation for adults as an effective intervention for a much wider group of candidates than had previously been thought.  The latest sound processor technology is called Kanso - a Japanese word for 'simplicity' - in recognition of the products sleek, discreet design that can be hidden under the wearers' hair. Kanso will be available in India from 01 September 2016. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/8499/hot-start-ups-pioneers-in-genome-editing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/8499/hot-start-ups-pioneers-in-genome-editing.html Tue, 06 Sep 2016 17:26:27 +0530 Genome editing encompasses an array of recently developed technologies with a wide application in the Life Sciences industry, and has the potential to be used as therapeutics in future. These techniques give researchers tools to precisely alter gene function to study their role, or alternatively create disease models for drug discovery and pharmacological studies. Dr Rohan Kamat (33) and Dr Srikanth Budnar (36) incorporated Bangalore-based Viravecs Labs in 2014 with the sole aim of being pioneers in genome editing in India. Dr Rohan and Dr Srikanth obtained their PhDs from ACTREC-TMC (The Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer - Tata Memorial Centre), the research arm of popularly known Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai. Post his PhD, Dr Rohan spent 3 years as a DST-Cognitive Science Initiative (CSI) post-doctoral research fellow at NCBS (National Centre for Biological Sciences) in Bangalore.   Being in Bangalore's biocluster, and exposed to all facets of the Biotech industry, the idea to start-off Viravecs Labs was seeded within the founders at Bangalore's C-CAMP (Centre for Cellular And Molecular Platforms), a centre for cutting-edge research and innovation in Life Sciences, where the start-up is currently being incubated. Dr Srikanth pursued a brief post-doctoral research at Mumbai's TIFR (Tata Institute of Fundamental Research) before joining the IMB (Institute of Molecular Bioscience) at the University of Queensland, Australia, for further research in molecular cell biology. During his research, Dr Srikanth harnessed the power of molecular tools, including viral vectors and Crispr-Cas9, to genetically alter various cell lines to study and understand gene functions. Dr Rohan adds that he and Dr Srikanth continually felt the importance of translational research. "Both of us share complete knowledge to develop transgenic mammalian model systems using various emerging technologies. During our PhD years, collaborations for these skills helped the participating groups, and the commercial value of the same was also obvious to us. The thought of using our knowledge and skills to make our independent careers pushed us to think of this entrepreneurial journey. The thought was further kindled by many factors including mentoring by the right people; being in close proximity to C-CAMP; the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council's (BIRAC) Biotech Ignition Grant (BIG) scheme provided seed funding for novel, commercial ideas; and more so ever, the now-or never attitude," explains Dr Rohan. Plan of Action Once the founders set their eyes on their entrepreneurial journey, the plan of action was a little different for the duo. "We planned to go ahead only if we were awarded the grant under the BIG scheme. We were totally banking on the scheme for seed fund as we by ourselves were not in the capacity to start-off, especially Biotech being a highly capital-intensive industry. So we focused on writing for the grant and gave our best shot, and it worked! When we were awarded the grant, we went ahead and set-up our company on papers and presently we operate from C-CAMP," says Dr Srikanth. R&D takes a center stage at Viravecs, wherein platform technologies are developed to create clean model systems for Life Sciences research, with no off-target effects typically caused by collateral damage to genome while using the conventional methods. As an offset of these platform technologies, Viravecs also provide various genome-editing tools as per the needs of the clientele. "Highly customizable, low turnaround time, and low costs are some of the main features of the products and services offered by Viravecs," Dr Rohan comments. No Cakewalk Establishing a brand new lab was an experience of sorts, points Dr Rohan. "We came to our allotted bench space at C-CAMP with nothing in hand; and when we started we realized the challenge of taking care of numerous trivial and non-trivial things to have a fully functional lab. Also, this was the time when we had to be extremely judicious and efficient in using the funds at hand. "Every Rupee counts for a start-up lab like ours, unlike in well-established academic or industry lab, where revenue generation and expenditure is quite regularized. Each and every micro tips' cost was now visible. Stepping out of academic labs, where pretty much everything is taken for granted, all of that changed," he reveals. Although the founders were well aware of their product's market potential, convincing their clients was not easy "It is difficult to convince especially for a technology that is new, even for labs in the West; and when the technologies for these novel technologies come from a start-up, it is further challenging. However, we are hopeful about the Indian Life Sciences market, which we feel would give us good opportunities to prove our capabilities..." Dr Srikanth says. It also took a fair amount of time and effort for the founders to understand and execute the paperwork and administrative responsibilities. "Coming from a completely academic background, understanding the required legal procedures to start and sustain a commercial lab was also challenging," Dr Rohan recalls. Personal Savings Viravecs received tremendous help from C-CAMP; BIG partner Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology - Technology Business Incubator (KIIT-TBI); and the start-up's fellow incubatees like Bugworks and Sea6 Energy. The seed funding for Viravecs Labs came from BIG scheme offered by BIRAC-Department of Biotechnology (DBT). In terms of investments, all the ancillary cost involved were spent by the founders from their personal savings. "Since we are at an early stage, the seed fund from BIRAC has been sufficient for running the research. As we progress through this year, we are hopeful to generate revenues through our technologies, and generate a decent turnover in the next 5 years to attract investments," Dr Rohan opines. Viravecs is currently working on 3 collaborations in the academics including InStem (Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine) and IISc (Indian Institute of Science) in Bangalore, and TIFR at Mumbai. It is also in talks with a major biotech company in Bangalore for 2 projects. It is also working with Aten Porus Lifesciences to develop novel processes and formulations to deliver genome editing tools in vivo. Its other collaboration is with Shilps Sciences in using micro fluidics platforms to enhance the robustness of genome editing tools. Exit Strategy According to the founder, the start-up's growth plans will completely depend on the funds it raises henceforth. Dr Rohan says, "We plan to generate ample revenues through our platform technologies. We are also in the process of writing for grants to develop versatile genome editing technologies for small animals. To achieve these targets we plan to expand our research team, and also have a team for marketing. It is too early to talk about our exit strategy, but we feel that we can share our technologies with bigger companies for better reach of our products and services." Viravecs aims to get in the market by mid-2017. "Alternatively, if we find a suitable partner to take our project to the market a little sooner, we will happy to be associated with them," Dr Srikanth expresses. Shorter Times The current schemes which fund start-ups, particularly the BIG Scheme from BIRAC, are providing amazing opportunities for researchers. However, these schemes provide funding for a shorter time of 18 months, which is good enough to test concepts and develop technologies. "But this time frame is too short to develop the technology into a commercial product and become self-sustainable," voices Dr Rohan. "The transition from early start-up to self-sustained company is difficult especially for Biotech ventures where it takes lot of time and revenues to make a successful product. The next level funding is quite difficult to obtain, and private funding is also fairly difficult at such early stages. It will be very helpful if the Government funding agencies come up with some competitive funding schemes for start-ups which have developed technologies that can mature into successful commercial products." Academia-Industry In the West, Academic-Industry partnerships are well defined and mature into fruitful collaborations. To help academic discoveries translate into commercial products, the Universities and Institutes have close tie-ups with industry, and numerous support systems are in place to achieve this without hurdles. "India has taken an interesting way to bridge the gap between discovery and translational science by setting up research incubators, especially for Biotech start-ups where the need for established infrastructure is immense," says Dr Srikanth. "The various funding agencies have come up with competitive seed funding for researchers with ideas and plans that has the potential to develop into a successful business. Though the process has started, sensitization of the academia is of utmost importance to translate any part of their research which has commercial potential. Vice versa, the companies can also have tie-ups with academia to develop reagents and technologies that can aid discoveries in sciences." Killers & Lessons According to Dr Rohan, the death of a start-up maybe and generally is a multi-factorial process. "The most important thing that can be a killer is the difference of opinion between the partners in the game. It is highly important to trust each other, define responsibilities, stick to them and ultimately deliver as a team. The moment the team starts becoming 'me versus them', the marriage called start-up begins to fail," he adds. "The second factor," Dr Srikanth comments, "that would kill a start-up is the lack of funding opportunities. As of now in India, there are very few schemes which patch up the gap between seed fund and series 'A' funding. The seed fund helps establish the set-up and get going with the PoC. Then there is a need to get the PoC to a sellable level for which funding is scant. A lot of start-ups fail at this level in spite of having potential to survive." Though it's the beginning of the journey for the founders, they have a lot to share about their entrepreneurial journey. "For one, we have learnt the most important thing in this journey is the network. We keep on exchanging notes with people of all sorts, from junior research fellows on the campus to the senior founders of established companies. There is always something to gain from everyone; and by default there is much to contribute as well. Networking helps connect two or more people whom we may know and are useful to each other; we may gain nothing from connecting them but we know some day they will help us too," Dr Rohan says. "Secondly," Dr Srikanth shares, "the entrepreneurial journey is a crash course in money and people management, particularly since we are never taught that in Science. Suddenly the cost of every unit of everything we use is visible and we start valuing it more. Optimum output from your colleagues is desired, all the while making sure that they are happy working with the start-up." A major advice that Dr Rohan offers to upcoming Life Sciences entrepreneurs is to have backup funds. "...With no backup funds, it is very difficult to do business development, and collaborations among others. As a start-up there is an intense need for entrepreneurs to invest capital for day-to-day functioning of the company. If backup funds are difficult, give the start-up idea a second thought!" Dr Rohan advices. Essential Qualities for Successful Entrepreneurship:  Collaboration Networking Open mindedness Patience ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/8495/hot-start-ups-monitoring-the-critical-rhythm-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/8495/hot-start-ups-monitoring-the-critical-rhythm-.html Tue, 06 Sep 2016 13:21:22 +0530 India has 8 to 20 million heart rhythm disorder patients and about 50 million worldwide. Cardiac monitoring is widely used to identify heart diseases and in monitoring cardiac activity before and after surgery and other cardiac procedures. It is also used to assess the effects of therapeutic drugs on cardiac activity. Monitra's products detect heart rhythm disorders at real-time for pre-emptive treatments. Also read: Smart polymers market growth forecast at 19.98% CAGR to 2020 "We are developing wearable devices that make monitoring experience seamless, discreet and comfortable for patients that they can perform their regular daily activities while collecting rich clinical data for physicians. We are enabling our devices to connect over mobile networks to provide healthcare access at homes and also tackle last mile connectivity in rural areas," says Mr Ravi Bhogu, Founder, Monitra Healthcare. "India, unlike the West, is still largely an out-of-pocket driven market and hence making devices affordable is very important. We are toying with innovative product design and business models to make our devices cost-effective in India." Mr Ravi has lead R&D, marketing, sales and clinical support teams across India, the United States, China and Australia at Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and Global Cardiac Monitors prior to founding his venture.   He holds a Bachelor's degree in Electronics & Telecommunications Engineering from the University of Mumbai, an MS degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Houston, USA, and an MBA degree from Johnson School, Cornell University, USA. Co-founder and wife of Mr Ravi, Ms Aparna Bhogu has expertise in distributed IT systems. She has a Master's in Information Systems Management from Carnegie Mellon University, USA. Mr Ravi's brother Mr Sashank Bhogu is another co-founder who has experience in database systems, user acceptance testing and software production environments. He has an Engineering degree in Information Technology from Mumbai University. "A fabulous team, good go-to-market plan and resources are most critical for a start-up. On the team front, I was lucky to find two critical product development resources within my family itself," he expresses happily. During his MBA at Cornell in 2008, Mr Ravi explored the idea of starting cardiac monitoring services in India. His research at that time told him that the market was not ready for quick adoption of such technologies because mobile networks, a key enabler, were not so strong in the Indian market. However, when his ninety-year-old grandfather suffered a cardiac event, it almost took days for doctors to confirm the episode. "This event was the tipping point, and I decided to take the plunge," Mr Ravi reveals. Finding the right team with composite skills is most important for a start-up. Monitra's software and database requirements were taken care by both the co-founders. "It took us some time to find a person with good embedded engineering skills and mixed signal experience. India has a shortage of skilled embedded engineers while the demand is fast rising with advent of Internet of Things (IOT)," Mr Ravi adds. It is important for entrepreneurs to get plugged into the entrepreneurial eco-system to gain access to right resources such as regulatory compliances, technology licensing and management, IP management, fund-raising and networking. "I would like to acknowledge the fantastic support lent by IKP Knowledge Park in Hyderabad during the early stages. They have built a fantastic eco-system for biotech entrepreneurs," Mr Ravi appreciates. The founder initially raised money from family and through his own savings to get the venture started. "My grandfather," he reveals, "was the first to put in the seed amount. Since then, we have been focusing on raising money through innovation grants in the biotech and healthcare sector to fund our R&D. We plan to raise equity rounds as we have the minimum viable product in place now." Monitra has a prescription-based business model. It has identified cardiac electro-physiologists, cardiologists and MD physicians as its primary target user segments. The start-up's goal now is to run pilots in smaller geographies, in a state or two to establish minimum viable business model that can be easily scaled in other parts of India. "Simultaneously, we will work on getting regulatory approvals like CE and then 510k. This will get us access to global markets," Mr Ravi says. "Our goals over the next two years will be industrial design, clinical validation and running pilots to test the product and our assumptions in commercial model." The company is exploring collaboration with DuPont for developing breathable materials for its devices in the Indian marketplace, and have jointly applied for United States India Science and Technology Endowment Fund. "On the commercial side," the founder says, "we are looking to establish partnerships with med-device and pharmaceutical companies who stand to benefit from early diagnosis of heart rhythm disorder ailments." Life Sciences and Healthcare start-ups involve long gestation cycles and good amount of investment upfront. Mr Ravi has a simple suggestion to the Government. "We request for exemption from income tax for start-ups in our industry for at least first ten years of operation so that profits can be plowed back into growing the business. The Government stands to benefit far more from successfully scaled start-ups in terms of taxes, employment and accessible medical care," he opines. The healthcare infrastructure in the urban towns are built mostly by the private sector while rural places are covered by public sector. There is significant demand for healthcare in rural India but there is a limited capacity of skilled healthcare professionals. "Technology and innovation can be huge enabler to solve this supply demand dichotomy and ensuring last mile reach," explains Mr Ravi. "However, public sector procurement mechanisms such as tenders, solely rely only on established companies with prior track record. This stands as a big deterrent for technology and innovation in the rural healthcare space. Government needs to not only establish mechanisms to quickly adopt good technologies but also encourage them for the benefit of rural India." In the Indian context, simple-to-use Point-of-Care diagnostic devices that use technology to assist screening communicable and as well as non-communicable diseases are seen as emerging. With the advent of smartphones and consumer exposure to excellent design in consumer electronics, patients are now expecting the same level of product design and ease-of-use in their medical devices. "Technology is enabling access to healthcare at home rather than having to go to a doctor's clinic," he comments. For the emerging entrepreneurs, Mr Ravi explains, "Visit start-up events and talk to as many entrepreneurs in your field to learn from their experiences. Find your own path. Most importantly, get your family behind your decision as they are the ones who will be your support system during your low moments, and a root during your triumphs. Healthcare industry is complex with big established players. The rate of disruption is not as fast as in the consumer industry. It is important to note that it is a regulated market and there are established norms to follow. It is important to know what can and cannot be disrupted. Quality is very important in this industry and should focus on it right from the beginning. It can result in significant delays and cost overruns." Mr Ravi recalls that his mother always wanted to start her own business. However, owing to responsibilities and taking care of her two kids, she couldn't pursue her dream. "I'm so glad that at least I have been able to fulfil her dream to a certain extent," Mr Ravi joyfully signs-off. Monitra's Milestones:  Received BIG from BIRAC in May 2015 Completion of functional prototype of Smart MCT with wires. This version will be able to acquire biopotential signals, digitize, filter unwanted signals, compress data and transmit over wireless networks to the respective web servers and database systems with report generation capability. The next prototype in progress is said to be without wires and closer to the actual product Two provisional patents filed Vendors for sourcing materials, industrial design, prototyping and manufacturing identified   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7700/biosimulation-market-size-to-reach-3-77-bn-by-2024.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7700/biosimulation-market-size-to-reach-3-77-bn-by-2024.html Wed, 24 Aug 2016 15:00:24 +0530 The unprecedented global shift in the adoption of unhealthy lifestyles is resulting in the high prevalence of chronic diseases, such as cancer and diabetes, is expected to drive the biosimulation market during the forecast period. In addition, the rising geriatric population base highly susceptible to acquire the aforementioned chronic diseases result in enhanced demand for highly efficacious pharmacological drugs. This high requirement of efficacious drugs can be effectively met at a faster rate through the incorporation of the in silico approach, thus creating a high potential for biosimulation market growth opportunities in the future. Furthermore, increasing drug resistance, high drug failure rate, and availability of limited drugs to treat several diseases such as AIDS, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and others indicate the indisputable requirement for the incorporation of biosimulation in the drug discovery and development process. See Also: An exclusive look inside KIIT's hottest tech biz incubator   The widespread application of the in silico approach to developing efficacious drugs would generate drugs of greater potency in the market within a shorter span. The increasing demand can be attributed primarily to the significant cost reduction in the clinical trials and drug development & discovery process. This is due to the fact that the in silico software can predict adverse reactions, toxicity, and efficacy of the drugs in the early stages of the drug development, thereby reducing the probability of drug failure at the later stages and consequentially, control the overall expenditure. These above-mentioned factors serve as key reasons responsible for the heightened market demand. In 2015, North America dominated the overall biosimulation market at over 50%. The presence of regulatory authorities, consistently inclined towards ensuring patient safety, is a crucial factor presumed to be responsible for the dominant market share of this region. Moreover, the presence of highly skilled professionals also serves as a significant growth driver. The numerous collaborations amongst the leading players that are being undertaken to promote the incorporation of biosimulation systems are expected to be responsible for bolstering the growth in this region.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8215/fda-allows-marketing-of-first-of-kind-computerized-cognitive-tests-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8215/fda-allows-marketing-of-first-of-kind-computerized-cognitive-tests-.html Tue, 23 Aug 2016 14:12:46 +0530 The Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) and ImPACT Pediatric are the first medical devices permitted for marketing that are intended to assess cognitive function following a possible concussion. They are intended as part of the medical evaluation that doctors perform to assess signs and symptoms of a head injury. The device is manufactured by ImPACT Applications, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. ImPACT and ImPACT Pediatric are not intended to diagnose concussions or determine appropriate treatments. Instead the devices are meant to test cognitive skills such as word memory, reaction time and word recognition, all of which could be affected by a head injury.   The results are compared to an age-matched control database or to a patient's pre-injury baseline scores, if available. See Also: Sanofi receives FDA approval for Adlyxin "These devices provide a useful new tool to aid in the evaluation of patients experiencing possible signs of a concussion, but clinicians should not rely on these tests alone to rule out a concussion or determine whether an injured player should return to a game," said Dr Carlos Peña, director of the division of neurological and physical medicine devices at the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health. ImPACT software runs on a desktop or laptop and is intended for those ages 12 to 59, while the ImPACT Pediatric runs on an iPad and is designed for children ages 5 to 11. Only licensed health care professionals should perform the test analysis and interpret the results. Traumatic brain injuries account for more than 2 million emergency room visits in the United States each year, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and contribute to the deaths of more than 50,000 Americans. A significant percentage of these injuries are considered to be mild. A concussion is considered to be a mild traumatic brain injury. The manufacturer submitted over 250 peer-reviewed articles, of which half were independently conducted clinical research studies. The research publications analyzed the scientific value of the ImPACT devices including the devices' validity, reliability and ability to detect evidence of cognitive dysfunction that might be associated with a concussive head injury. The FDA concluded that these studies provide valid scientific evidence to support the safety and effectiveness of the ImPACT and ImPACT Pediatric devices. The FDA reviewed the ImPACT device through its de novo classification process, a regulatory pathway for novel, low- to moderate-risk medical devices that are first-of-a-kind, for which special controls can be developed, in addition to general controls, to provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness of the devices. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/1074/global-bioinformatics-market-to-touch-30-87-bn-by-2020-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/1074/global-bioinformatics-market-to-touch-30-87-bn-by-2020-.html Fri, 19 Aug 2016 16:13:36 +0530 The global Bioinformatics market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15.5% between 2014 and 2020. The market was worth $10.04 bn in 2013 and is projected to reach $30.87 bn by the end of 2020. The drug development segment is anticipated to lead all application segments. North America is expected to maintain its dominance in the global Bioinformatics market with a revenue worth $11,927.9 mn by 2020. Asia-Pacific is expected to witness the highest growth with a CAGR of 18.7% throughout the forecast period. See Also: Can predictive genomics take-off in India? The implementation of expansion strategies to enhance market share will increase the intensity of competitive rivalry on the global level for the existing market players, reports market research firm, Transparency Market Research (TMR) in a new study. To maintain their position in the global Bioinformatics market, the large number of market players operating in the global Bioinformatics market are investing in research and development projects. They are also looking forward towards technological advances for increasing application in biosciences and integrated information technology. The top three market players in the global Bioinformatics are Affymetrix, Accelrys, and CLC bio. They together comprise approximately 34.6% of the overall global Bioinformatics market in 2014. The prevalence of high entry barriers is estimated to increase the rivalry between the numerous existing companies in the global Bioinformatics market, making it highly fragmented. The existing companies are focusing on the implementation of acquisition strategies and collaborations in order to enhance their product portfolio and expand their market reach. The expansion of biotechnology applications in fields of forensic research and disease diagnosis is drawing the attention of various healthcare organizations and professionals. According to the TMR report, biotechnology with technological and process advancements tends to create high-wage job opportunities in developing and developed countries due to which governments are focusing on the growth of the biotechnology industry. For instance, The Biotechnology Industry Organization of the United States of America promotes collaborations between industry participants, academic organizations, and state governments of the country in order to develop bioscience groups. In this regard, the state governments are also increasing the implementation of strategies and programs to create job opportunities in the field of bioscience. Many companies have implemented reimbursement policies funded by the governments to train employees in order to fulfill the requirement of skilled employees working in the field of Bioinformatics services. Thus, the initiatives taken by governments to support research and development projects and creation of jobs in the biotechnology sector are anticipated to boost the global demand for Bioinformatics services. For better and accurate results, it is imperative that the Bioinformatics techniques are operated by skilled personnel. The need for heavy investment in installation and tools upgradation training tends to impede the growth of the industry. Due to this, there is a lack of skilled manpower in the Bioinformatics sector who can adapt to sophisticated and high-end biotechnology process and techniques. The scarcity of skilled workers is hindering the growth process of large clinical laboratories as they struggle to automate their processes. On the other hand, the small and medium laboratories have amplified their efforts to abridge and boost their operations with the available resources. Research and development activities also demand highly skilled personnel, but the lack of it is obstructing the growth process making it difficult for organizations and market players to benefit from their research investments. However, the expansion in web-based services for research and development is likely to cut down the cost of R&D processes. The web-based Bioinformatics segment is projected to witness substantial growth in the upcoming years in the global Bioinformatics market. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8333/infosys-narayana-health-to-launch-robotic-surgery-institute-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8333/infosys-narayana-health-to-launch-robotic-surgery-institute-.html Fri, 19 Aug 2016 11:10:05 +0530 Supported by Infosys Foundation, Narayana Health has launched an Institute of Robotic Surgery at its flagship unit at Narayana Health City, Bengaluru. The Foundation has donated the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System which will be used primarily for prostate, kidney, gynecological, colorectal and select head and neck cancer surgeries. Through this collaboration, the Foundation intends to encourage and enable rapid adoption of robotics in healthcare, and provide access to affordable, minimally invasive surgeries to a large number of people of the country. The creation of the Infosys Institute of Robotic Surgery is also aimed at training and providing research opportunities for use of robots in complex surgeries and to indigenize the production of such technology in India. Also read: Siemens, INSIGHTEC partner for Neuro technology Speaking on the importance of robotic surgery, Mrs. Sudha Murty, Chairperson - Infosys Foundation said, "The need to adopt and continually update treatment protocols that reduce errors is crucial for a country like India, which sees high patient volumes and a wide spectrum of complex diseases. Robotic surgery, with its high degree of precision and faster recovery time, has the potential to address this efficiently. Our partnership with Narayana Health, incontestably a pioneer in delivering world-class healthcare, is aimed at encouraging rapid adoption of robotics in healthcare in India. Through this endowment, we also intend to provide impetus for further research in this area, and enable the masses to reap the benefits of affordable and high-quality treatment."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/8362/genotyping-market-projected-to-reach-37-1-bn-by-2024.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/8362/genotyping-market-projected-to-reach-37-1-bn-by-2024.html Thu, 18 Aug 2016 17:46:39 +0530 The global genotyping market is expected to reach $ 37.1 billion by 2024 according to a new report by business consulting firm, Grand View Research. The increasing demand for genotyping tests to evaluate drug efficacy and safety is one of the major drivers for the genotyping market. Genotyping tests are widely used in selecting a highly responsive, patient population subset against a specific drug candidate before initiating clinical trials. The rising need for affordable genotyping services coupled with the high demand for personalized medicines is also expected to propel the market growth. Major pharmaceutical companies are collaborating with diagnostic manufacturers for the development of novel biomarker-based therapeutics. Also read: Venous Thromboembolism therapeutics market set to hit $3.7 bn by 2025   Significant opportunities for the growth of this market are anticipated due to the above-mentioned collaborative initiatives. The increasing awareness for prenatal genetic testing pertaining to early detection of chromosomal abnormalities in the high-risk population, the introduction of technological advancements, and the increasing R&D funding are the other factors accentuating the market growth over the forecast period. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8348/siemens-insightec-partner-for-neuro-technology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8348/siemens-insightec-partner-for-neuro-technology.html Thu, 18 Aug 2016 11:57:45 +0530 INSIGHTEC,has announces the signing of a strategic agreement with the global leader in Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Siemens Healthineers. The strategic collaboration will involve the development of compatibility between Exablate Neuro and Siemens leading 1.5T and 3T clinical MRI systems, MAGNETOM Aera and Skyra. With this agreement, Siemens Healthineers follows its strategy of broadening and complementing its diagnostic imaging portfolio with advanced therapy solutions. Both parties will work towards providing access to Exablate Neuro for installed base, as well as new product installation customers. Also read: How innovating emerging markets is set to disrupt the global surgical care industry? Exablate Neuro is the world's first and only CE and FDA-approved device for the non-invasive application of MR guided focused ultrasound to treat essential tremor and other conditions. Clinical research, development and regulatory approvals are ongoing for additional neurosurgical applications and markets. "Our agreement with Siemens Healthineers will allow us to significantly expand Exablate Neuro's market presence. Siemens has embraced our technology andtogether we will bring our therapy to significantly more patients and providers," said Maurice R. Ferré MD, INSIGHTEC Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board.   "INSIGHTEC is committed to continue investing in research and development of MRgFUS technology. The strategic collaboration with Siemens Heathineers will allow more patients and researchers globally to benefit from the unique MRgFUS technology," he concluded. Dr Christoph Zindel, Senior Vice President and General Manager of SIEMENS Healthineers' Magnetic Resonance business further highlights the importance of the agreement: "This strategic partnership of two leading organizations is exciting and further underlines Siemens Healthineers' strategy of enabling better patient outcomes by broadening its diagnostic imaging portfolio into advanced therapies in the area of neurological and other disorders. Together with INSIGHTEC and its innovative technology, we will jointly drive healthcare further together with our strong research and clinical customer network worldwide." Exablate Neuro uses focused ultrasound waves to precisely target and accurately ablate tissue deep within the brain with no incisions, and while minimizing damage to adjacent healthy tissue. Siemens MR imaging plans to provide patient-specific treatment planning and continuous temperature monitoring for assessing treatment outcome in real-time during Exablate Neuro procedures.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8488/how-innovating-emerging-markets-is-set-to-disrupt-the-global-surgical-care-industry.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8488/how-innovating-emerging-markets-is-set-to-disrupt-the-global-surgical-care-industry.html Wed, 17 Aug 2016 11:53:00 +0530 The growth of emerging markets is poised to transform the delivery of surgical care around the world by 2030, according to a new report. The emphasis will be on affordable technology for early diagnosis; portable modular equipment for minimally invasive and robotic surgery; and smart systems incorporating low-cost sensors and mobile technology to track clinical outcomes and improve team-based surgery. The report summarises the findings of a workshop held in Boston earlier this year by product design and development firm Cambridge Consultants. It offers unique insight into the future of emerging markets surgical care - as seen through the eyes of industry leaders. And it looks at how these new approaches to healthcare will extend beyond emerging markets to disrupt and transform how affordable quality surgical care is delivered globally. Also Read: Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital announces series of major investments in comprehensive cancer treatment "More than 85% of the world's population lives in emerging markets, yet many of these people have no access to affordable quality healthcare, particularly complex treatment like surgery," said Rahul Sathe, head of surgical innovation for emerging markets at Cambridge Consultants. "Inadequate hospital infrastructure, a scarcity of qualified clinicians and fragmented healthcare ecosystems prevent successful surgical care. The surgical device industry has unprecedented growth opportunity to address the unmet needs of very large patient populations."   The report spells out the huge opportunities for technology disruption in emerging markets. Infrastructure and regulations are still being formed, and industry legacy is not particularly strong - offering a lower barrier to innovation compared with developed markets. The primary role of technology will be twofold, says the report. It can extend the 'hospital ecosystem' across the continuum of care from early diagnosis and surgical intervention to postoperative monitoring. It can also ensure products and solutions are robust, usable and affordable - and unlock access to care.The workshop delegates predict that patient expectations and hospital ecosystems in emerging markets will dramatically evolve and, in some cases, leapfrog developed markets. Even today, some hospitals in India have better outcomes for cardiac surgery than top hospitals in the US or UK. And top-tier hospitals in China are now being designed to be eco-friendly, sensor-rich and cloud-connected. "Emerging markets will play a significant role in transforming our industry," said workshop delegate Agustin Zabulanes, Latin America marketing manager at Boston Scientific. "Local emerging market companies may provide stiff competition to multinational companies - but they may also prove to be powerful partners in global surgical care. Success will require industry players to evolve the way they do business, organise for innovation and use enabling technology." The report says 'reverse innovation' offers developed markets the opportunity to benefit from emerging markets by learning new approaches to achieving healthcare affordability and efficiency - with lasting transformation coming from integrating new business models and innovation models. "As organisations evolve and succeed, innovating for emerging markets will enable industry to disrupt and transform how surgical care is delivered globally," said Sathe.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7692/cuddle-for-imports-hurdles-for-exports-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7692/cuddle-for-imports-hurdles-for-exports-.html Wed, 17 Aug 2016 11:52:33 +0530 At a time when every country on this planet is pushing and facilitating their exports and encouraging domestic industry, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's strange reluctance to issue 'Free Sale Certificate' to domestically manufactured medical devices for the purpose of exports despite competent certifications being held by bonafide exporters and recommendations by Ministry of Commerce and DGFT has created a major roadblock for the Indian exports and domestic medical device industry. MoH&FW's stance and attitude is even more perplexing and inexplicable when imports are being given a free run even as PM Modi is un relentlessly pursuing the 'Make in India' dream to encourage domestic manufacturing and increasing India's exports of hi-value products. "It is very unfortunate that our own MoH&FW has become India's biggest non-tariff barrier for Indian exports while laying zero non-tariff barrier for market access by importers and foreign manufacturers," lamented Mr Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator, Association of Indian Medical Device Manufacturers. "Lack of availability of Free Sales Certification has resulted in lost opportunity and lost of face as manufacturers are losing their face after evoking the interest and expectations of the overseas distributors wishing to procure Indian medical devices. This is embarrassing .The myopic stance of MoH&FW is all the more perplexing at a time when PM Modi in unrelentlessely pursuing 'Make in India' dream and trying to galvanize Indian exports of high value products," added Rajiv Nath. Also read: Cipla announces changes in management team   It may be known that to export medical devices manufacturers need to take registration with foreign countries and seek approval from their regulatory authorities for permitting import of medical devices into that Country. The regulatory authorities usually ask for a 'Free Sales Certificate' from the country of origin. The intent being that if a product is freely sold within the country of origin and safe for the people of that country, then it would also be acceptable for the importing country. Typically, medical devices regulatory authorities desire this Free Sales Certificate to be issued by Ministry of Health or the Regulatory Authority of the exporting country. However, due to legacy regulatory and policy overhang, to which AiMeD has been constantly been drawing attention to, medical devices are categorized as drugs and the Free Sale Certificate in India is issued only for the 15 medical devices notified as Drugs by the State Drug Authorities with a validity of two Years. But for the rest of thousands of medical devices which are not yet covered in Regulations , the Free Sales Certificate is currently issued by DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade) as in the case of consumer goods and engineering items. Many countries especially China, South & Central America are not satisfied with the certification issued by DGFT and insist on certification by MoH if it's a medical device. In the absence of such certification, they do not permit registration to enable the Indian Manufacturers to enter and sell in their domestic market. A proposal to overcome this issue (considering absence of independent Medical Device Regulation) was made to MoH&FW / CDSCO to endorse the Certificate of DGFT which may satisfy the importing countries registration approving authorities on the basis of submission of an IS/ISO: 13485 certification by the manufacturer. In a meeting taken by the Jt Secy, MOH on 05.12.2015, it was mooted by AiMeD to MoH&FW to create an online registration for all manufacturers of medical devices (even if not regulated) which will enable Government of India to have a registry of all Indian manufacturers of medical devices whether regulated or not to enable MoH to have a dialogue with the manufacturers which is necessary for capacity building considering the inevitable regulatory framework, sooner or later. Based on the registration in database and on request of the manufacturers and exporters the Free Sales Certificate of DGFT could be endorsed by MoH at least for those manufacturers who have an IS / ISO 13485 Certification. But till date, MoH &FW/DGHS/CDSCO haves shown remarkable reluctance to endorse this simple and workable idea. India exports $1.2 Billion of Medical Devices and Imports $3.5 billion of medical devices.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7996/medtronic-launch-new-insulin-pump-in-the-us.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7996/medtronic-launch-new-insulin-pump-in-the-us.html Fri, 12 Aug 2016 10:59:33 +0530 Medtronic plc announced the US commercial launch of its MiniMed 630G system with SmartGuard technology FDA approved for the treatment of people with diabetes mellitus sixteen years of age and older. The MiniMed 630G features a new insulin pump hardware platform and new user-friendly design that combines personalized diabetes management with industry-leading clinical performance. The MiniMed 630G system is the newest member of the MiniMed family-the most prescribed integrated insulin delivery system brand in the world. Also read: Medtronic strengthens commitment to Asia Pacific The MiniMed 630G system exclusively uses the CONTOURNEXT LINK 2.4 blood glucose meter from Ascensia Diabetes Care to provide blood glucose test results that have been shown to be highly accurate. The meter automatically transmits blood glucose results to calculate boluses using the Bolus Wizard calculator and to calibrate the CGM sensor, which helps prevent manual entry errors. It also allows patients to discreetly give themselves a bolus of insulin remotely from the meter, providing added convenience to help patients manage their diabetes effectively. "This latest innovation demonstrates Medtronic's vision to transform diabetes care to enable greater freedom and better health through a commitment to continually improving both outcomes and user experience," said Alejandro Galindo, president of the Intensive Insulin Management business at Medtronic.   The MiniMed 630G system combines its proprietary SmartGuard technology featured in the MiniMed 530G system with a brand new user-friendly design. The new pump platform fully integrates continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and SmartGuard technology, which is designed to trigger an alarm when the CGM sensor glucose level reaches a preset low threshold and suspends insulin delivery if the user is unresponsive to the alarm. SmartGuard technology is the only feature available in the U.S. that takes action against lows, and is the only system proven to reduce the frequency of nighttime low episodes3 by a third.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7882/atrial-fibrillation-market-to-peak-in-2022-before-rapid-decline-to-4-9-bn-by-2025.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7882/atrial-fibrillation-market-to-peak-in-2022-before-rapid-decline-to-4-9-bn-by-2025.html Thu, 11 Aug 2016 15:26:02 +0530 The atrial fibrillation market will expand from approximately $8 billion in 2015 to hit its peak of $11.8 billion in 2022, after which the impact of patent expiries will see the market value fall rapidly to $4.9 billion by 2025, according to research and consulting firm GlobalData. The company's latest report states that the market, which covers the eight major markets (8MM) of the US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, Japan, and Canada, will decline after 2022 due to the entry of the first generics of the new oral anticoagulants (NOACs), starting with Boehringer Ingelheim's anticipated loss of US, Japanese, and Canadian patent protection for Pradaxa in 2018. Dr Jesus Cuaron, GlobaData's Senior Analyst covering Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, explains: "Since the launch of the first NOACs in 2010, this drug class has experienced substantial uptake, accounting for $6.8 billion, approximately 85% of all atrial fibrillation sales revenue across the 8MM in 2015. This uptake will continue to increase, and will be the main driver of growth in the atrial fibrillation space through 2022. "This growth will be driven further by the launch of a fourth NOAC, Daiichi-Sankyo's Savaysa, which was first approved in Japan for stoke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation in 2014. The continued uptake of such NOACs, along with the approval and launch of the first NOAC reversal agents for use in the event of uncontrolled bleeding, will contribute to initial market growth." Also read: India's medical devices market will hit $17.6 bn by 2020: GlobalData  However, GlobalData believes that a number of major barriers will hinder the growth of the atrial fibrillation space, including the generic erosion of multiple NOACs across the 8MM by 2023, and the large, costly, and comprehensive clinical trials required to support regulatory approval of novel antiarrhythmic drugs. Dr Cuaron concludes: "These factors will deter drug developers seeking to enter the atrial fibrillation market, and the wide availability of generic antiarrhythmic drugs, which will make it difficult for any novel rhythm control agents to gain reimbursement and wider uptake." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7869/china-india-to-drive-global-central-vascular-access-devices-market-to-2-3-bn-by-2022.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7869/china-india-to-drive-global-central-vascular-access-devices-market-to-2-3-bn-by-2022.html Thu, 11 Aug 2016 15:24:06 +0530 The central vascular access devices market is set to experience relatively modest growth from around $1.9 billion in 2015 to just over $2.3 billion by 2022, representing a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 2.6%, according to research and consulting firm GlobalData. The company's latest report states that this growth, which will occur across the 10 major markets (10MM) of US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, Japan, Brazil, China, and India, will be driven by a number of factors such as increases in the number of people in the treatment pool across the majority of the 10MM, high growth in central catheter placement, and healthcare providers in areas such as China and India seeking to match treatment regimens in leading markets. Also Read: India's pharma market to skyrocket from $20 bn in 2015 to $55 bn by 2020 Vascular access device is a broad term given to a range of instruments used to aid medical therapies. These instruments most commonly come in the form of thin and flexible catheters that are designed to intravenously deliver medication, nutrition, and fluids, and withdraw blood samples for further testing from large veins. Mr Amen Sanghera, MSc, GlobalData's Analyst covering Medical Devices, states that: "China and India will be responsible for a substantial proportion of the vascular access devices market growth over the forecast period, with CAGRs of 4.4% and 2.2% respectively. The European market, however, will see slow growth, with all five European countries registering CAGRs of less than 1%.   "Developing nations are growing in financial power and population size, and these two countries are destined to become financial superpowers in the future, which would enable them to provide healthcare that rivals that of the western world." In addition to growing financial power, the developing world will also see its vascular access devices space driven by an increase in major cancers. Indeed, as the developing world adopts Western lifestyles, they are also starting to inherit the caveats of that lifestyle, which include high-calorie diets, high tobacco consumption, and physical inactivity. This has resulted in the prevalence of lung and colon cancer in some countries, with incidences of lung cancer in China surpassing that of the US. Mr Sangera concludes: "Although China and India will increase their respective shares of the central vascular access devices market over the forecast period, the US will continue to dominate, with its share slipping slightly from 40.7% in 2015 to 39.0% by 2022. Indeed, increasing health burdens in the region will ensure steady growth to 2022."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7621/medtronic-receives-ce-mark-for-suretune2-for-dbs-therapy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7621/medtronic-receives-ce-mark-for-suretune2-for-dbs-therapy.html Wed, 10 Aug 2016 12:01:02 +0530 Medtronic has announced it has received CE (Conformité Européenne) Mark for SureTune2 software, which provides patient-specific visualization to help physicians make decisions on how to program - or tune - their patient's deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy. SureTune2 is currently not approved in the United States. DBS therapy applies mild electrical stimulation to precise targets in the brain in order to modulate specific symptom control. The brain targets are stimulated through lead(s) inserted into the brain and connected to an implantable neurostimulator through extensions running under the skin. A medical professional uses an external programmer to set and adjust stimulation settings. Also read: FDA approves Medtronic's deep brain stimulation Today DBS patient programming can be an interactive process, which can be time- consuming for the hospital and the patient. SureTune2 is designed for Medtronic DBS therapy and other DBS therapy delivery systems to help physicians more efficiently select the optimal stimulation settings on their programmer by visualizing patient-specific information in one comprehensive view including anatomy, physiology, and calculated stimulation field. Users can segment structures using a greyscale threshold within a region of interest, or by outlining shapes of interest from a patient image. "Medtronic is committed to providing advanced technology to the multidisciplinary teams who are helping DBS patients, and I'm convinced that SureTune will provide them with easy-to-use tools to aid in optimizing therapy outcomes," said Dr Lothar Krinke, vice president and general manager of the Brain Modulation business in Medtronic's Restorative Therapies Group. "SureTune is a key aspect of Medtronic's commitment to providing integrated solutions for improving accuracy and confidence from surgery to post-operative DBS patient management."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7373/siemens-launches-mid-volume-coagulation-analyzer-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7373/siemens-launches-mid-volume-coagulation-analyzer-.html Tue, 09 Aug 2016 11:57:13 +0530 Siemens Healthineers Laboratory Diagnostics business launched the Sysmex CS-2500 System-a mid-volume, fully-automated coagulation analyzer with smartly-designed PSI technology-in major markets including the US. Together with Lab Alliance of Central New York, the first US customer to install the high-volume Sysmex CS-5100 System, the company celebrated the availability of its new Sysmex CS Hemostasis System portfo-lio in the US. The launch of the new Sysmex CS-2500 System will enable mid-volume laboratories to leverage globally-proven PSI technology, while providing regional reference laboratories and integrated delivery networks (IDNs) with the ability to standardize testing results across multiple Sysmex CS and CA hemostasis systems. "Labs today are challenged to increase their output without sacrificing the accuracy or reliability of their results. The Sysmex CS Systems are the answer to this demand," said Franz Walt, President, Laboratory Diagnostics, Siemens Healthineers. "The increased op-erational efficiency and uninterrupted workflow delivered by the Sysmex CS-5100 and CS-2500 Systems provide our customers with the confidence, consistency and increased capacity they need to deliver timely and accurate hemostasis test results." Also read: Siemens' new high-volume coagulation analyzer In most markets, the Sysmex CS-2500 System features simultaneous multiwavelength scanning and proven PSI technologies including primary-tube sample-volume checks, clog detection, assay-based preanalytical sample-quality checks for hemolysis, icterus and lipemia (HIL) interference; automated mixing studies; automated platelet aggrega-tion; and clot waveform analysis (CWA)-enabling labs to raise the quality of test re-sults, achieve cost-effective method consolidation, simplify operations, and increase diag-nostic confidence.   The new system enhances efficiency via a wide optical spectrum, which allows clotting, chromogenic, immunologic and aggregation testing capabilities on a single platform. With an onboard capacity of up to 3,000 tests and up to 40 reagents, the Sysmex CS-2500 System delivers extended walkaway time to streamline workflow. Anne Chamberlain, Hematology Manager at Laboratory Alliance of Central New York, remarked, "The Sysmex CS Systems and the services offered by Siemens Healthineers are the perfect fit for our laboratory and laboratory networks similar to ours. The intuitive system software, readily accessible patient analysis data and result traceability simplifies our operations. This enables our lab to deliver quality test results, which positively impacts patient care for our clients." To help labs ensure consistency and improve productivity, the systems use the same rea-gents, controls and calibrators as other coagulation analyzers offered by Siemens Healthi-neers.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7350/govt-push-for-indigenous-medical-devices-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7350/govt-push-for-indigenous-medical-devices-.html Tue, 09 Aug 2016 11:56:51 +0530 AIMED has warmly welcomed the advisory issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, to all State Governments and Central Health Agencies to include and encourage domestic standards for procurement of medical devices in tender specifications by various health agencies. On behalf of Ministry, Additional Secretary Shri K B Agarwal recently issued an advisory to all State governments and Central Health Agencies to include CDSCO approved medical devices for being considered for procurement of medical device and desist from insistence of USFDA approvals. Also read: Indian Certification of Medical Devices Scheme launched The advisory is being seen by the industry as a much needed move to usher in price parity and create a level playing field between domestically produced medical devices and imports while catalyzing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Make in India', galvanizing domestic manufacturing, reduce humungous import dependency and bring down overall healthcare cost for common citizens. "We are hugely delighted and absolutely thankful to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Shri Agarwal for this much needed and timely advisory. Medical device sector is one of the corner stone of PM Modi's 'Make in India' Vision. This advisory will help create a level playing field between domestically produced medical devices and imports. If implemented in right spirit by all states, this will catalyze domestic manufacturing and boost up demand for India manufactured goods while bringing down overall healthcare cost," said Mr Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator, AIMED. It may be known that due to legacy reasons and blind imitations, tenders by Central and State health agencies have typically insisted on USFDA certifications to qualify for the same, thus creating a big disadvantage for domestic manufacturers. The tenders often do not even consider alternative options such as ISO 13485 Certification. This resulted in as the ministry's advisory states "denial of fair chance to the domestic manufacturers to compete in such procurements." The advisory also states that "such practice not only impedes competition, but also affects the 'Make in India' effort.   The insistence of USFDA Certification by reputed Central and State government health institutions had seriously undermined the credibility of our own Regulators. No other country in the world insists on only one certification source and that also USA FDA exclusively. All major countries have their own domestic or alternate international certification e.g. Canada has CDMAS, Australia has TGA and Europe has CE. India too have very competent manufacturers with CDSCO mfg license or European Certification of CE Mark or with credible ISO 13485 certification and the recently introduced ICMED 13485 certification by QCI . But strangely most public health and even Defence ministry tendering had insisted on USFDA certifications as being mandatory. "Insistence on the 'Exclusionary USFDA Certification' requirement for technical bid is a grossly discriminatory practice as it only favours large US companies in domestic public healthcare procurement process. This insistence is a pure absurdity and has resulted in exclusion of Indian manufacturers from even having access to our own Indian market and even disallowed manufacturers from other countries from bidding and thereby hiking up the healthcare costs," says Mr Nath. The ministry's advisory has recommended that "the States/UTs may (i) advise all concerned to ensure that in all proposals relating to procurement, CDSCO approved medical devices should invariably be indicated as a category in the tender documents for procurement, and (ii) the technical specifications designed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and NHSRC may as far as possible be used for all procurements in future to ensure uniformity." AIMED had for long been drawing attention of the government and other stakeholder to this lacunae which had put domestic manufacturers at a big disadvantage. It is happy to note that its long efforts have borne fruit.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/interviews/98/8409/the-sound-of-hearing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/interviews/98/8409/the-sound-of-hearing.html Thu, 04 Aug 2016 18:09:46 +0530 In 2009, IITians Mr Patel and Mr Anurag Sharma together co-founded Quadio Devices in Pune. Hearing loss in India is largely unaddressed and the existing hearing health facilities are scarce and unaffordable for many. Quadio aims to bridge this gap by empowering people by providing accessible and affordable hearing care solutions, from hearing aids to portable diagnostics. Recently, the company launched its indigenously developed India's first hearing app, Q+, a smartphone app which converts a contemporary smartphone into hearing aids by harnessing the phone's processing power, microphone and wired headsets for delivering sound to the user. BioSpectrum caught up with Quadio's CEO Mr Neeraj Dotel, who shares the company's vision and strategy in making hearing solutions affordable to the common man and Quadio's innovations in the pipeline. Edited excerpts:Q: Tell us about Quadio's recent innovations. A: Initially, we started making hearing aids but then we soon realized that the real challenge was accessibility. The company then started developing Net Dispensing, a solution built around internet and mobile technologies with a goal to improve the accessibility, affordability and adoption of hearing solutions.   We recently launched India's first hearing app, Q+, which comes with an inbuilt hearing test and automatic sound enhancement based on the user's hearing loss. Quadio's hearing solutions -- hearing aids and apps -- for individuals are do-it-yourself (DIY), programmable, personalizable and rechargeable, thus making them easy-to-use and low on maintenance. For hearing health solutions, Quadio dovetails internet and mobile technologies to connect its highly qualified pool of audiologists to the last mile point-of-care, thereby pushing the boundaries of telemedicine and hearing care. Q: What trends are impacting the global hearing solutions space? A: Globally, there is an increased awareness about the numerous medical, social and psychological consequences of untreated hearing loss. In India, however, the awareness remains extremely low. Earlier this was presumed to be an age-related impairment, but hearing loss is beginning to affect young adults due to lifestyle changes, such as excessive use of headphones for long periods on personal devices, and increased noise pollution. According to a 2015 report by World Health Organization (WHO), over 1.1 billion young adults are at risk of hearing loss. In terms of trends, consumers are rapidly moving towards pre-programmed and customizable devices that give greater control on hearing experiences. Increasingly people are buying hearing solutions over the internet in the US and Europe, since there are various affordable options available at the click of a button. Q: What is your business model? A: Quadio's business model centers on traditional hearing aids, services, and mobile and internet-based solutions. Q: What's the market size for hearing solutions in India? A: The market for hearing aid products is over Rs 350 crore and growing at 15 to 20 percent per year. However, the market size has nothing to do with market potential. WHO data states that only 1.4 percent of affected people actually use hearing devices in India as opposed to 20 to 30 percent in developed countries. Quadio aims to massively increase penetration of low-cost assisted hearing in India. Q: What's your market share in the country? A: Our growth has taken off after introducing net dispensing (telemedicine) and the Q+ app. Both of these will disrupt the hearing industry as it will be no longer necessary to rely on brick-and-mortar infrastructure to find and provide service to customers. In the coming three years we aim to be amongst the top hearing care providers in the country. Q: What are the top growth drivers for Quadio? A: Our biggest growth driver is the Q+ hearing app which can be downloaded by anyone who needs hearing care. People who need advanced diagnostics opt for our net dispensing solutions (telemedicine) that provides easy accessibility to professional hearing care from anywhere in the country through our partners like hospitals, ENT surgeons, NGOs and social organizations. Net dispensing is a proprietary solution that converts any point of care to a virtual hearing clinic. Q: What are the mammoth challenges in the Indian market? A: The biggest challenge is awareness and access to affordable hearing care. This is followed by lack of adoption for assisted hearing due to social stigma. Most people aren't aware that hearing starts degrading with age, with lifestyle preferences along with work hazards adding to it on a regular basis. Educating everybody about this is really important as hearing loss leads to depression, dementia, cognitive decline, physical injuries, Alzheimer's disease and even mortality. India also doesn't have enough number of practicing audiologists. The country has only 2000 for a population of 1.2 billion. The few practicing audiologists that we have are mostly situated in the tier 1 and 2 cities, leaving the large rural population without much options. Besides this, a good pair of hearing devices cost upwards of Rs 40,000 for each ear, thus putting it out of reach for the common man. Q: What's unique about Q+ app, though we have other apps in the same space? A: Q+ app has the following features that differentiate it from the other apps available in the market:  Inbuilt hearing tests calibrated for precision per ANSI standards Intelligently-adjusted sound per hearing test results High-quality sound enhancement by using the same algorithms as hearing aids Wide bandwidth - up to 8250 Hz - for improved comprehension and clarity of sound Automatic adjustment of amplification to reduce feedback (whistling sound) Versatile controls for customizing listening experiences Environmental noise reduction Most free apps only amplify sounds while Q+ app is designed to reduce feedback and background noise. It also provides a wider sound bandwidth. Q: How do you address a price-sensitive market like India? A: By giving a hearing aid that is free on a smart phone! Our Q+ app can work very well for an individual who suffers from mild to severe hearing loss. The Lite version of this app is free for download and the Pro version will be available for a one-time fee of Rs 500. The app is compatible on both iOS 8 and above, and Android 5 and above platforms, and hence will drastically lower the price points for hearing mechanisms in India. Our traditional hearing aids provide significant value for money in terms of features, customizability, and user control and are priced direct-to-customer. Q: What are the differences between Indian market and others when it comes to launching a new product? A: The stark differences are very visible in reach, awareness and affordability when introducing a new product. India is still a developing nation, and hence a considerable effort is required for any launch. Customization in regional languages is also a pre-requisite for the Indian market. Q: What partnerships are you looking out for? A: We are ready to partner with anyone looking to offer hearing care services with little or no upfront investment. We have partnered with hospitals, ENT surgeons, NGOs and eye care specialists to reach a large swathe of the population that needs hearing services. Q: About your clientele? A: Our clientele are customers who require hearing care at affordable prices. We also engage with health care providers who we operate with on revenue share to provide net dispensing and remote fitting of hearing aids. We are also working with heavy industries with loud factories to provide counselling around noise management as well as services for diagnostics and rehabilitation for employees. Q: Are you be open to M&As? A: We are not looking for M&As. However, any company we tie-up with has to be passionate about accessibility and affordability of hearing care. Q: To which cities or countries are you planning to expand? A: India is a huge market and we wish to increase the percentage of hearing solutions from 1 percent to 5 percent in the near future. The BRIC countries also have low penetration and Quadio plans to add value to these markets by providing them with high-quality Quadio hearing care services. The Q+ hearing app is a game changer in global markets, and we are seeing a lot of downloads in the US and Europe. We will be addressing those markets as well at the appropriate time. Q: How much do you invest in your R&D annually? A: We wouldn't like to share exact figures but would let you know that we invest heavily in R&D. Q: Where are your products designed and manufactured? A: Pune. Q: What'd be your revenue target for the next couple of years? A: We plan to be a Rs 3 crore company this year, and then continue to grow in multiples of that in the coming years. Q: What next for Quadio? A: We have some very interesting research and cool products that are not just for hearing impaired individuals but for anybody looking to have superior hearing experiences. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6190/the-worlds-first-smart-insulin-pens-with-automatic-wireless-data-transfer-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6190/the-worlds-first-smart-insulin-pens-with-automatic-wireless-data-transfer-.html Thu, 04 Aug 2016 16:56:00 +0530 Emperra GmbH based in Germany is launching the world's first Bluetooth insulin pen on the market and therefore expanding its ESYSTA product system's function. The new ESYSTA BT pen is equipped with a Bluetooth interface and transfers the injected insulin doses directly to the patient's digital blood glucose diary. The smart insulin pens automatically connected via the 868 MHz interface (similar to the ISM band) are already being successfully used in medicine in combination with a wireless transmission blood glucose meter as an integrated diabetes management system, ESYSTA. Both the hardware components and software solutions (ESYSTA portal, ESYSTA app) have been certified as CE-compliant medical products. Patients and doctors can achieve a new quality of medical care for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics using the patented ESYSTA solution. On the basis of the available scientific data and reimbursement by statutory health insurance companies on the complex German healthcare market, Emperra is striving to use this smart insulin pen based ESYSTA telemonitoring solution with an FDA filing process for the US market. FDA clearance is expected in 2016. "The smart insulin pen and corresponding software appeal to patients and doctors who prefer state-of-the-art technical solutions and who have recognised that the digitalisation of diabetes management is a simple and reliable solution," summarises Dr. Christian Krey, CEO of Emperra GmbH. With the help of innovative sophisticated software solutions compliant with medical products and the highest integrated data security standards ISO/IEC 27001, several teams of doctors can even solve complex issues with patients whose levels are hard to adjust telemedically for the first time worldwide using unadulterated insulin data from insulin pens.   The mobile CE-compliant ESYSTA app for iOS and Android plays the treatment recommendations back, among other things using innovative traffic light algorithms.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8212/alere-inc-to-strengthen-its-footprint-in-apac.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8212/alere-inc-to-strengthen-its-footprint-in-apac.html Thu, 04 Aug 2016 12:13:57 +0530 Alere Medical Pvt. Ltd, the Indian subsidiary for the world's noted Point-Of-Care(POC) Diagnostics Company Alere Inc. announced the launch of its integrated facility in India for manufacturing POC diagnostic products. The Company intends to accelerate its export strategy in India, as part of an Asia-Pacific expansion plan, in order to meet the growing demand for rapid diagnostics in APAC Region. "Alere believes in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of "Make in India," and is committed to improving access to affordable rapid diagnostics in India and throughout the Asia Pacific region through this new world-class manufacturing facility. The new factory will produce rapid tests for infectious diseases including Malaria, Dengue and HIV and export them across Asia Pacific, a region heavily impacted by these diseases," said Mr. Namal Nawana, CEO & President, Alere Inc. In sync with the 'Make In India' campaign, Alere's Indian subsidiary Alere Medical Pvt. Ltd has invested Rs 150 crores to set up a manufacturing facility in the country. The Manesar facility will initially produce more than 150 million rapid diagnostic tests per year and will have the capacity to expand to 300 Mn test over time. The facility is spread across 180,000 sq. ft. and will immediately generate 300 new jobs. Mr. Nawana further added, "Alere's new facility will support the goals of our 'Make in India' initiative, which seeks to transform India into a global manufacturing hub. Efforts to foster and expand India's medical device sector are important not only to our economic growth, but also to improve the health of the people of India.The new state-of-the-art facility will not only help us meet the needs of the burgeoning domestic market but also help us cater to the APAC market." Alere Inc aims to achieve their target of Rs. 1,000 crore over the next 3 years equipped with portfolio innovative POCT diagnostic products that will focus on improving health outcomes. The company will continue to focus on cardio metabolic diseases, infectious diseases and toxicology (Drugs of Abuse) solutions in India by providing affordable, sensitive, specific, user-friendly, devices for disease control & management.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8389/fujifilm-presents-latest-digital-radiography-innovations-at-ahra-2016-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8389/fujifilm-presents-latest-digital-radiography-innovations-at-ahra-2016-.html Tue, 02 Aug 2016 11:27:00 +0530 FUJIFILM Medical Systems U.S.A., Inc., a leading provider of diagnostic imaging products and medical informatics solutions, will have a major presence at the American Healthcare Radiology Administrators (AHRA) annual meeting held July 31-August 3, 2016, at The Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, TN. In addition to showcasing its comprehensive portfolio of digital radiography products and women's imaging solutions, Fujifilm will sponsor the keynote presentation on Tuesday, August 2nd as well as lead an educational symposium on DR and the impact of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 on Wednesday, August 3rd. "Our participation at AHRA 2016 will extend well beyond the walls of our booth, offering radiology professionals valuable information, insights and experience that they can take back to their facilities to improve department processes and patient outcomes," said Rob Fabrizio, director of strategic marketing, Digital Radiography and Women's Health, FUJIFILM Medical Systems U.S.A., Inc. Select highlights from Fujifilm's comprehensive DR portfolio include: FDR D-EVO GL - Begins shipping in the United States this month is the world's first long length DR detector. It is designed to acquire long-length radiography for scoliosis and/or long leg exams with a simple, low dose, fast, single exposure. Featuring a huge 17x49" field of view, the FDR D-EVO GL saves time, enhances efficiency, image quality and dose for upright long-length radiography exams. It simplifies long length exams reducing chances for patient movement artifacts with faster setup and less chance for anatomy cut off due to a wider field of view compared to conventional multi-exposure DR. Compared to CR, the detector uses less dose and eliminates CR reader processing steps. The wait for a single exposure long length DR is over and the benefits far exceed conventional solutions available.   Virtual Grid - Also releasing this month is Fujifilm's second generation grid simulation image processing. Virtual Grid intelligently interprets and corrects the effects of scatter radiation, adapting contrast to improve image quality for exams acquired without a grid. Virtual Grid brings valuable benefits to imaging, enhancing patient comfort; eliminating bulky grids, simplifying technologist productivity; making the detector lighter and faster to position, and lowering dose as much as 50% compared to exams performed with a grid. Virtual Grid can be used with both DR and CR, all anatomy, including long length images. Focus on Education Fujifilm's ongoing commitment to education will be evident at AHRA 2016. Fujifilm will sponsor the general session keynote speaker, Scott Steinberg, as he delivers his presentation, "Leading with Innovation: How to Future-Proof Yourself, Fearlessly Innovate, and Succeed in the New Normal." A celebrated speaker, author, futurist and strategic innovation consultant, Steinberg has earned a reputation for helping professionals and organizations cultivate competitive advantages. Fujifilm will deliver an educational symposium titled "Navigating the New Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016: Challenging Problems...DR Solutions." Led by Rob Fabrizio the session will cover the business and reimbursement impact of the new legislation on radiology departments. The session will also explore the benefits of a CR-to-DR transition including a variety of improvements to the domains of care as well as a facility's bottom line. Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions and will receive 1 ASRT approved credit.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5603/gsk-google-to-establish-bioelectronic-medicines-firm.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5603/gsk-google-to-establish-bioelectronic-medicines-firm.html Tue, 02 Aug 2016 11:26:52 +0530 GSK announced an agreement with Verily Life Sciences LLC (formerly Google Life Sciences), an Alphabet company, to form Galvani Bioelectronics to enable the research, development and commercialisation of bioelectronic medicines. GSK will hold a 55% equity interest in the new jointly owned company and Verily will hold 45%. Galvani Bioelectronics will be headquartered in the UK, with the parent companies contributing existing intellectual property rights[1] and an investment of up to £540 million over seven years, subject to successful completion of various discovery and development milestones. Bioelectronic medicine is a relatively new scientific field that aims to tackle a wide range of chronic diseases using miniaturised, implantable devices that can modify electrical signals that pass along nerves in the body, including irregular or altered impulses that occur in many illnesses. GSK has been active in this field since 2012 and believes certain chronic conditions such as arthritis, diabetes and asthma could potentially be treated using these devices. The agreement to establish Galvani Bioelectronics represents an important next step in GSK's bioelectronics research. The new company will bring together GSK's world class drug discovery and development expertise and deep understanding of disease biology with Verily's world leading technical expertise in the miniaturisation of low power electronics, device development, data analytics and software development for clinical applications. Initial work will centre on establishing clinical proofs of principle in inflammatory, metabolic and endocrine disorders, including type 2 diabetes, where substantial evidence already exists in animal models; and developing associated miniaturised, precision devices. Moncef Slaoui, GSK's Chairman of Global Vaccines, who was instrumental in establishing GSK's investments in the field of bioelectronics, will chair the board of the new company. He said:   "Many of the processes of the human body are controlled by electrical signals firing between the nervous system and the body's organs, which may become distorted in many chronic diseases. Bioelectronic medicine's vision is to employ the latest advances in biology and technology to interpret this electrical conversation and to correct the irregular patterns found in disease states, using miniaturised devices attached to individual nerves. If successful, this approach offers the potential for a new therapeutic modality alongside traditional medicines and vaccines. "This agreement with Verily to establish Galvani Bioelectronics signals a crucial step forward in GSK's bioelectronics journey, bringing together health and tech to realise a shared vision of miniaturised, precision electrical therapies. Together, we can rapidly accelerate the pace of progress in this exciting field, to develop innovative medicines that truly speak the electrical language of the body." Brian Otis, Verily's Chief Technology Officer, said: "This is an ambitious collaboration allowing GSK and Verily to combine forces and have a huge impact on an emerging field. Bioelectronic medicine is a new area of therapeutic exploration, and we know that success will require the confluence of deep disease biology expertise and new highly miniaturised technologies. "This partnership provides an opportunity to further Verily's mission by deploying our focused expertise in low power, miniaturised therapeutics and our data analytics engine to potentially address many disease areas with greater precision with the goal of improving outcomes." Galvani Bioelectronics will be headquartered within GSK's global R&D centre at Stevenage in the UK, with a second research hub at Verily's facilities in South San Francisco. It will initially employ around 30 expert scientists, engineers and clinicians, and will fund and integrate a broad range of collaborations with both parent companies, academia and other R&D companies. GSK and Verily believe this collaborative way of working will rapidly accelerate the development of bioelectronic medicines. Kris Famm, GSK's Vice President of Bioelectronics R&D, has been appointed President of the new company. Famm has pioneered work in both large and small molecule drug discovery and worked for a decade developing and delivering R&D strategy with a recurring focus on emerging technologies. He has co-designed and led GSK's exploration of bioelectronics. A seven-member board, chaired by Moncef Slaoui, will also be appointed and will include Andrew Conrad, CEO of Verily. The new company will be fully consolidated in GSK's financial statements. This agreement is subject to customary closing conditions (including requisite antitrust approvals) and is expected to close before the end of 2016.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8486/ge-acquires-biosafe-group-sa-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8486/ge-acquires-biosafe-group-sa-.html Wed, 27 Jul 2016 11:33:25 +0530 GE Healthcare has acquired Biosafe Group SA, a supplier of integrated cell bioprocessing systems for the rapidly growing cell therapy and regenerative medicine industry for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition of Biosafe expands GE Healthcare's end-to-end ecosystem of products, solutions and services for our cell therapy customers, and expands GE's technology reach to a number of new cell and therapy types. Biosafe, headquartered in the Lake Geneva region in Switzerland, with a global presence, has a 20 year track-record in automated cell processing and is a recognized leader in the field with reliable applications in bioprocessing, regenerative medicine and stem cell banking. Its proprietary products offer significant advantages over conventional processing tools, with closed fluid pathways, built-in traceability and single-use consumables. The strong strategic fit and complementary business models of GE Healthcare's Life Sciences business and Biosafe combined with expanded capabilities in product development and commercial reach, will offer significant customer and ultimately patient benefits. Kieran Murphy, CEO Life Sciences, GE Healthcare said: "GE is building a world-class set of tools, technologies and services for cell and gene therapy and Biosafe's expertise and innovative systems will strongly enhance our customer offering. GE and Biosafe share a vision of an integrated approach to helping customers optimize every stage of their process to reduce production risks dramatically and increase access to these remarkable new medicines."   Claude Fell, Founder and Chairman, Biosafe Group SA, said: "Together with GE we will have the combination of biological, engineering and industrial capabilities to help accelerate the fields of cell therapy and cellular immunotherapy into the mainstream, benefitting patients globally, and bringing the vision of personalized medicine to reality." Olivier Waridel, Biosafe CEO, who will continue to lead Biosafe within the new integrated GEHC structure, added: "Joining GE Healthcare will give Biosafe an outstanding opportunity to couple its unique cell processing technology with GE Healthcare's strong, global infrastructure, leading to improved capabilities for our customers and enhanced market penetration."     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8254/positive-bioscience-launched-positive-atgc.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8254/positive-bioscience-launched-positive-atgc.html Fri, 22 Jul 2016 10:23:33 +0530 Positive Bioscience launched Positive - Academy for Training in Genomics and Clinical application (ATGC), an initiative to help oncologists gain competency at using genomics in their practice. The initiative will be rolled out across the country in association with ICON and MOS (Molecular Oncology Society). Positive ATGC willconduct regular workshops in Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Mumbai. Participants of the workshop will be awarded a certificate, which will be accepted as CME. The workshops will also be available online. PositiveATGC workshops have been designed to enhance the education of clinical oncology professionals on the topics of cancer genomics, cancer risk assessment, and application of precision medicine in clinical practice.The workshops will include topics on technology and equipment, understanding and applying genomic report to clinical practice,as well as concept of pathways and its utility in clinical practice. Positive ATGC will also conduct six-month training programs on genomics for doctors. The training will be certified by a leading Medical University.Positive Academy for ATGC aims to reach out to over 200+ doctors by 2017.The Academy will publish periodic newsletters for updating Oncologists with the latest developments in genomic technology. Dr Purvish M. Parikh, President of Molecular Oncology Society and Director of Precision Oncology at Asian Cancer Institute said,  " The only way to optimise cure and treatment in cancer is by selecting the right drug at the very first instance. This requires proper understanding of the tumor as well as normal metabolism of the patient. These key aspects are identified only by in-depth genetic testing. Hence they have become the norm today's age of personalized medicine and precision oncology. In fact, we are quickly moving away from classifying cancer tumors based on organ of origin (e.g. breast or lung cancer) and now relooking at them based on driver mutations (changes in genetics that are causing the cell to become cancerous). For instance tumors that are caused by mutations in the "alk" gene will be called alkomas." Samarth Jain, Founder & CEO, Positive Biosciences said,  "With the vast increase in knowledge stemming from genetics research and the development of new technologies in genomics, Genetics education and training of oncologists is critical for building capacities to understand, interpret, and appropriately apply such information. As the advancement of genetic technologies accelerates, so must the education and training efforts. This initiative is our contribution to enabling the integration of genomics into clinical practice, so that patients in India can benefit.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7748/medtronic-gets-fda-nod-for-cement-augmented-pedicle-screws.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7748/medtronic-gets-fda-nod-for-cement-augmented-pedicle-screws.html Thu, 21 Jul 2016 10:37:27 +0530 Medtronic plc has announced the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance of the CD Horizon Fenestrated Screw Set, which can be used for patients diagnosed with advanced stage tumors involving the thoracic and lumbar spine. This marks the first US clearance for cement-augmented pedicle screws. The CD Horizon Fenestrated Screws are used with Medtronic's HV-R Fenestrated Screw Cement, a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cement, and are intended for use at spinal levels where the structural integrity of the spine is not severely compromised. Medtronic's CD Horizon Fenestrated Screw Set features cannulated pedicle screws designed with six holes (fenestrations) located near the end of the screw, allowing controlled cement injection into the targeted vertebral body after having placed all of the screws. This self-curing PMMA cement provides immediate screw fixation in the patient's spine and significantly increases the screw pull-out strength compared to standard screws. The cement is injected through a continuous tract in the adapter and into the screw cannula. This continuous tract delivery system is designed to have a completely secure channel that can be visually verified outside the patient to help reduce the likelihood of cement leakage at the adapter/screw interface while being compatible for minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and open procedures. "Palliative care is important for people with cancer, and Medtronic's cement-augmented screws are a meaningful innovation that are designed to restore the integrity of the spinal column in patients with debilitating spinal tumors," said Doug King, senior vice president and president of Medtronic's Spinal division, which is part of the Restorative Therapies Group at Medtronic. "The availability of our CD Horizon Fenestrated Screw Set represents an important advance for surgeons and provides them with another option for a complex procedure." The CD Horizon Fenestrated Screw Set will be available this fall.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6675/ims-health-partners-with-cloudera-enterprise.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6675/ims-health-partners-with-cloudera-enterprise.html Wed, 20 Jul 2016 12:58:00 +0530 IMS Health has partnered with Cloudera Enterprise to support its Big Data Factory, a cloud-based platform that transforms data into intelligence for life sciences and healthcare clients as they navigate dynamic markets, drive operational excellence and demonstrate the value of medicines. "As IMS Health continues to innovate with Big Data, Cloudera will advance our efforts to build and provision breakthrough data processing and data warehousing solutions," said Karl Guenault, chief information officer and vice president of Operations, IMS Health. "We're excited to apply Hadoop and other open source technologies for integrating, processing and interpreting more extensive and granular data - helping our customers drive healthcare performance." The combined solution will support: Next-generation data processing. Cloudera's latest open source technology platforms support machine learning - which uses cognitive systems to automate quality control, data bridging and modeling, and other repetitive tasks-to drive evidence-based decisions for clients. Using the Hadoop cluster technology, IMS Health can extract, store and analyze vast quantities of unstructured data for generating new, more comprehensive insights for customers. Accelerated time to insight. The IMS Health Big Data Factory will harness Hadoop's parallel processing technology to streamline data acquisition and management, delivering powerful insights with higher efficiency. Scalable data management. The Hadoop distributed file system (HDFS) eliminates data transfer bottlenecks, storage capacity delays and time spent adding new servers to augment traditional data clusters - enabling IMS Health to improve the speed and scalability of Big Data management. "The insight that IMS Health will gain through the platform can ultimately be measured in better patient outcomes, and Cloudera is thrilled to work with them on this endeavor," said Shawn Dolley, Cloudera Industry Leader for Health and Life Sciences. "As the leading provider of open source Hadoop solutions, Cloudera and IMS Health are uniquely positioned to support the growing needs of healthcare organizations looking to optimize their data utilization and provide better care." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7268/technology-advancements-digital-pathology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7268/technology-advancements-digital-pathology.html Wed, 13 Jul 2016 12:42:56 +0530 Healthcare is perhaps the only sector which remains impervious to technology advancements, though things are changing at a pretty fast speed.Digital pathology involves the scanning of whole histopathology or cytopathology glass slides into digital images interpretable on a computer screen, along with data management, translates to additional functionalities such as web accessibility, annotations, automated image analysis, and a host of breakthrough applications in the practice of pathology, and health care systems as a whole. Digital Pathology vs conventional pathologyTraditional pathology workflows have innate delays built into the processes. Transferring unique glass slides runs the risk of loss, and when collaborating with others requires time, which delays diagnostics. "Digitizing images that are normally viewed through a microscope can help improve the operational efficiency of a lab. Direct access to files can make diagnosis - in particular consults - simpler, more efficient and safer. It lowers barriers for internal and external consults, and can be done more quickly since colleagues can view the same case at the same time. This all can help increase the quality and speed of the lab. Furthermore, a digital workflow is the prerequisite and first important step to unlock the huge potential of future digital analysis in pathology," said Mr Hans Driessen, Marketing & Communications Manager, Philips Digital Pathology Solutions. Virtual slides can be transmitted from remote locations for review by pathologists and for second opinions. This is even more beneficial in cancer diagnosis. The conventional method involves transportation of the slides to avail the opinion of the experts and this has a direct impact on the time taken for diagnosis. "Digital pathology has made it easy to obtain second opinions from the experts, across geographies, without transporting slides. This facilitates faster reporting. The only prerequisites are the scanned digital images and a good internet speed! This innovation brings several advantages to all the different stakeholders associated with an anatomic pathology lab. Pathologists can provide faster consultation and diagnosis, while clinicians see a faster turnaround time for referrals. The histotechnologists benefit due to the improvement in efficiency on account of reduced glass slide movement," said Dr Sandeep Sewlikar, Head - Medical & Scientific Affairs, Roche Diagnostics India.   Digital pathology also plays a key role in education, by providing an interactive learning environment. Virtual slides are single (although complex) giant images, they can be placed on a server with a URL and thus can be used in Web-based education. "Imagine changing the teaching methods from the conventional methods of reading each slide under a microscope, one student at a time, Vs the use of a digital image with zoom, pan, annotate, crop feature in a classroom on a projector wall. The same concept can be easily extended to tele-pathology, and hence increase the reach of a pathology lab and closer to areas which lack full fledged Pathology labs and qualified Pathologists," said Mr Prasanth Perugupalli co-founder and CEO at Spectral Insights. Adoption in the developing vs developed worldThe adoption of this technology is at a rather slow pace. The reason for the delayed adoption is primarily linked to the need for investment, as the high-end, whole slide imaging (WSI) scanners are expensive. Since the image sizes are also huge (ranging from a few MB to several GB) the image storage servers also contribute to further increasing the overall investment cost. "Western world had adopted digital pathology for several years now, driven initially by insurance mandates as well as lack of skilled manpower. As the advantages of digital pathology started to become more and more evident, there has been a tremendous push towards digitization becoming a de-facto standard," said Dr Sewlikar. He added, "However, there are still no standards for digital pathology in lines of digital radiology. Also, the systems made to address the primary drivers as stated above have been very expensive due to heavy reliance on robotics and automation." The new generation WSI scanners are fast and specifically intended to facilitate complete digitization within the lab. This has encouraged faster adoption. The advent of high computer processing power, improved storage capability at reduced costs, high data transfer speed due to improvement in internet services are all facilitators to early adoption. In the developing world, the problems and challenges are different. "The emphasis is on lowering the test costs while providing accurate analysis. The systems built for western world have not been successful in finding markets in the developing world because of high pricing as well as stringent environmental requirements for cleanliness, conditioned labs, etc. Also, the servicing of such equipment is a concern," stated Mr Perugupalli. Due to these constraints, and also the historical lack of mid-high tier computing and networking capabilities at Pathology labs and hospitals, Digital Pathology has remained at a nascent state for several years now. "The opportunity is for the developing world to take a big stride in healthcare by embracing digital pathology to bridge the gaps in coverage and quality between the few central labs in large cities and the rest of the labs elsewhere across the country," said Mr Perugupalli. Digitization involves a mindset change, that demands moving from microscopes to monitors for diagnosis and this is also one of the reasons for delayed adoption. "Studies have shown that the attitude of the pathologist towards the digital workflow is important. For more than a hundred years pathologists have been working with the conventional microscope, so the most difficult part is to learn to trust the digital image," said Mr Driessen. He continued, "The digital transition of the pathology workflow is much more than a technical experience, and change management is key to be successful. Education and user-training, together with the digital pathology vendor, can help. Though the old way was good, the new way knows no boundaries. While working with the digital workflow, it will show pathologist what this innovation means to their profession." Digital Pathology makes tele-pathology a reality, and fills holes in the basic infrastructure prevalent in the developing world. It raises quality of services, while raising productivity of the specialists. These factors, coupled with innovative business models are expected to make digital pathology wide-spread in the developing world. However, to achieve this goal, systems need to be designed keeping the local conditions in mind, and a one-size-fits-all solution has less likelihood to be successful. Limitations of WSIThe biggest limitation to widespread adoption of WSI has been cost. High end microscope with automated scanning stage is needed, and also large amount of storage and image processing software is required to perform WSI. "WSI can be used to review histologic sections, cytology slides, and/or hematology slides to render diagnosis. Validation of WSI is crucial to ensure that diagnostic performance based on digitized slides is at least equivalent to that of glass slides and light microscopy. Currently, there are limited standard guidelines regarding validation of WSI for diagnostic use," said Dr Sewlikar. Mr Driessen added, "Until now, there has been little public guidance provided to the industry with respect to the regulatory route in the United States. Through close collaboration among all the benefactor members of the Digital Pathology Association (DPA) including Leica Biosystems, Omnyx, Philips and Roche, the industry was able to work with the FDA to gain valuable clarity and guidance."New systems are being proposed around the world to bring digital pathology and WSI to neighborhood labs, while making compromises on some aspects that are specific to demographics.  Digital Pathology for Personalized MedicineThe use of digital pathology has the potential to enhance the pathologist's contribution in the successful development of personalized targeted therapy. One of the components of personalized medicine for cancer patients includes the standardization of biomarkers for identification of a molecular target, and the application of an effective therapy against it. "In Digital Pathology, there are inbuilt quantitative companion diagnostic algorithms that help in selection of patients for targeted therapy. For clinical laboratory applications, the confidence levels for reporting is further enhanced if these algorithms are backed by regulatory approvals like the FDA," said Dr Sewlikar. Personalized treatment options demand a more confident diagnosis. Collaborative involvement to obtain and integrate relevant information from different disciplines is necessary to achieve this goal. "Developing an effective treatment plan requires access to related patient information from multiple sources (EMR, LIS, PACS). The development of specific algorithms for automated interpretation of advanced stains will facilitate the objective analysis of images. By developing advanced algorithms and data management systems, we can help researchers translate the 'Big Data' promise into knowledge," said Mr Driessen. With digital images, the ability to run many Software tests as you can on the same images provides the potential to flag any abnormalities that weren't prescribed for testing at the current time. This has the potential to discover and alert conditions that may be at nascent stages and yet to cause a noticeable physiological change to the patient. "Based on digital images obtained from a number of specimens, new predictive insights can be drawn that have a bearing on demographics, socio-economic and environmental conditions, leading to actionable outcomes from personal as well as public health level," said Mr Perugupalli. Although Digital Pathology was primarily intended for second opinions and consultations, the biggest benefit it provides is in terms of improved workflow management in the anatomic Pathology lab. While embarking on a journey of digitization, it is important to identify an industry partner who can provide the requisite high speed scanners and also support entire journey from IT integration to efficient image & workflow management. Ultimately this digital pathology workflow will help to increase service levels to physicians, reduce cost and improve care. Some of the products available in the market:Philips IntelliSite Pathology SolutionAperio Digital Pathology Slide Scanners by Leica BiosystemsOmnyx IDP Solution by GE healthcareRoche Digital Pathology Solutions ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6803/grand-challenges-explorations-india-first-call-for-proposals.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6803/grand-challenges-explorations-india-first-call-for-proposals.html Wed, 29 Jun 2016 17:23:22 +0530 The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India in collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and IKP Knowledge Park (IKP), a science park and start-up incubator announced the first call for proposals under the Grand Challenges Explorations India (GCE-India) programme. "The GCE-India programme aims to address challenges that are faced by the Indian healthcare system by encouraging innovative solutions to tackle the same. We are looking for ideas that have the potential to change how people look access healthcare in India. GCE-India looks to foster entrepreneurship in India. Our goal is the search for drug delivery systems, diagnostics, and technology enabled service models and medical devices that can potentially be made accessible to all," said Prof K VijayRaghavan, Secretary, DBT. The programme is seeking ideas in the following areas: contraceptive discovery platforms; new therapies for childhood cryptosporidium infection; preservation of stool samples for room-temperature transport and remote-analysis; global burden of antimicrobial resistance; point-of-care nucleic acid diagnostics below $2 per test; and self-testing for cervical cancer and malaria diagnostics. The awardee will be eligible for an award of INR 50 Lakh for 18 months, and a prize of INR 10 Lakh for successful completion of milestones. Successful projects will also have the opportunity to apply for follow-on funds from BIRAC through the Biotechnology Industry Partnership Programme (BIPP), Small Business Innovation Research Initiative (SBIRI) and/or the GCE Phase II program of the DBT, BIRAC and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.   '"GCE-India is looking to empower potentially life-changing ideas and enable scale-up. Our network of highly qualified individuals will work with innovators to help refine strategy and provide technical consulting. Through this programme, we aim to identify nurture and empower revolutionary ideas that address global health challenges" said Dr Deepanwita Chattopadhyay, Chairman & CEO at IKP Knowledge Park. Apart from the funding, BIRAC and IKP Knowledge Park will closely work with the chosen candidates; provide them technical and business strategy advice, as also access to synergistic networks within the nation and outside; factors that would be critical to making an innovation a medical and commercial success. "GCE-India is the platform which will enable idea generation and help translate research into action. If India is to stand shoulder to shoulder with the larger economies, it is important that it becomes self-sufficient. Therefore, we expect that healthcare innovation from within the nation will be able to address the needs of the country better; GCE-India is a search to identify healthcare innovations in India that will enable standardized healthcare for all irrespective of where they seek it," said Dr Steven Buchsbaum, Deputy Director, Discovery & Translational Sciences, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This Call for Proposals is open to everyone, from any discipline from India. The applicants may be researchers and faculty in colleges/ universities/government laboratories/ institutions to startups and SMEs as well as non-profit organizations. The program is accepting proposals until 11:59 PM, June 30, 2016 (IST). For information on eligibility, application process and selection criteria, please visit www.gce-india.org.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8114/medtronic-acquires-heartware-international-for-1-1-bn.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8114/medtronic-acquires-heartware-international-for-1-1-bn.html Tue, 28 Jun 2016 11:18:03 +0530 Medtronic and HeartWare International,announced that the companies have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Medtronic will acquire HeartWare in a transaction valued at approximately $1.1 billion. Under the terms of the agreement, Medtronic will commence a tender offer for all outstanding shares of HeartWare common stock for $58.00 per share, in cash. The boards of directors of both Medtronic and HeartWare have unanimously approved the transaction. The acquisition is expected to close during Medtronic's second fiscal quarter ending Oct. 28, 2016, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. Medtronic's acquisition of HeartWare will expand Medtronic's portfolio of diagnostic tools, therapies and services for patients suffering from heart failure, aligning with Medtronic's Mission of alleviating pain, restoring health and extending life, and is in line with the Company's strategy to surround the physician with innovative products while focusing on patients and disease states. HeartWare's flagship product, the HVAD System, features the world's smallest full-support ventricular assist device (VAD) and is designed to reduce surgical invasiveness, improve patient recovery times and enhance patient outcomes. In addition, HeartWare has multiple technologies in development designed to offer progressively less-invasive mechanical circulatory support options for patients with end-stage heart failure. Medtronic estimates that the global VAD market is approximately $800 million currently and worldwide is expected to grow in the mid-to-high single digits for CY16-17, and accelerate to high-single/low-double digits beyond CY17. "The addition of HeartWare's innovative portfolio adds to our expanding portfolio of diagnostics, therapeutics and services that address heart failure patients," said Mr Mike Coyle, executive vice president and president of the Cardiac and Vascular Group at Medtronic. "The team at HeartWare has established excellent relationships with its hospital customers and built a strong position and reputation in the marketplace. This transaction, once closed, will be a further, important step toward Medtronic offering a complete suite of solutions to address patient needs across the heart failure care continuum."'   "Medtronic is the worldwide leader in cardiovascular device technologies. Its expansive expertise in the development of implantable systems and battery technologies, patient monitoring, manufacturing, global regulatory policy and commercialization should help accelerate the development and introduction of our innovative pipeline products, and will expand access to our therapies and offerings to the sizeable heart failure population," said Mr Doug Godshall, president and chief executive officer, HeartWare. "Combining the unique capabilities of the HeartWare team, which has been entirely focused on mechanical support technologies, with the broad strength of the Medtronic organization provides a unique opportunity to enhance growth in the mechanical circulatory support market. All of our stakeholders, including customers, employees, shareholders, and most importantly, patients, will benefit meaningfully from this complementary combination." "HeartWare's HVAD System enhances the portfolio of our Cardiac & Vascular Group, a team with a proven track record of executing and a demonstrated ability to scale early stage concepts into large, sustainable end markets," said Mr Omar Ishrak, chairman and chief executive officer of Medtronic. "In addition, from a financial perspective, we are pleased to reach an agreement that meets our acquisition criteria of adding minimal to no net EPS dilution in the near-term, while at the same time creating strong, long-term expected returns for our shareholders." This transaction is expected to meet Medtronic's long-term financial metrics for acquisitions. Medtronic's financial advisor for the transaction is J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, with Ropes & Gray LLP acting as legal advisor. HeartWare's financial advisor is Perella Weinberg Partners LP, with Shearman & Sterling LLP acting as legal advisor.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8241/indian-e-pharma-obstructed-with-muddled-regulatory-norms.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8241/indian-e-pharma-obstructed-with-muddled-regulatory-norms.html Wed, 22 Jun 2016 12:54:37 +0530 Online pharmacies emerging in India have met with major concerns regarding the misuse of technology, safety concerns on electronic prescriptions and opposition from offline chemists faced by the industry. The Indian Internet Pharmacy Association (IIPA), is leading the Indian e-pharma players to bring to notice and resolve the roadblocks raised by the regulatory bodies. While the IIPA members strive hard to follow regulations and operate legally, it has taken up as its mission to clarify that it is not the non-adherence of regulations, but the lack of a proper regulatory framework that has become a stumbling block e-pharma startups. The pharmaceutical business falls under the Drug and Cosmetics Act, 1940. The IPA members have requested the sub-committee created by the 48th Drug Consultative Committee formed in July last year, by Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), to formulate guidelines on the use of technology in pharma. The committee was expected to submit the report within three months (by October last year), but has not come up with even the draft report yet. The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) filed an FIR against Mchemist Global Pvt Ltd and has also asked to maintain a strict vigil on all activities conducted by the epharma companies. There are regular probes and raids at office spaces, where employees are frisked and threatened. Mumbai-based Pharmeasy, Delhi-based M-chemist and Mera Medicare in Gujarat had recently faced police investigations and FIRs. The industry has been losing about 50-60 percent business because of being stringent with prescriptions and renewing requests. India's pharmaceuticals industry is expected to account for about 3.1-3.6 percent of the global pharma industry by value, and currently accounts for 10 percent by volume. (Source: Make in India Statistics) The $18-billion pharma retail market is set to grow to $55 billion by 2020 and is fast coming under the spotlight due to its growth potential in the coming years. Online e-pharma startups in India have already raised $92.6 million in funding so far. Currently, India has about 45-50 e-pharma startups, major players being 1mg.com, Bookmeds, mChemist, Medidart, Medlife, Medstar, Netmeds, Pharmeasy, Zigy.com (PM Health & Life Care), SaveOnMedicals and Savemymeds. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/8406/exclusive-does-india-need-a-precision-medicine-initiative.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/8406/exclusive-does-india-need-a-precision-medicine-initiative.html Wed, 15 Jun 2016 12:39:58 +0530 During his State of the Union address in January 2015 at the White House in Washington DC, American President Mr Barack Obama announced the launch of the most ambitious Healthcare initiative called the Precision Medicine Initiative (PMI), a mission to usher the US into a new era of medicine where patients will enjoy individualized and tailor-made treatments for various ailments. Mr Obama said, "Doctors have always recognized that every patient is unique, and doctors have always tried to tailor their treatments as best they can to individuals. You can match a blood transfusion to a blood type - that was an important discovery. What if matching a cancer cure to our genetic code was just as easy, just as standard? What if figuring out the right dose of medicine was as simple as taking our temperature?" Too Early For India? Precision medicine is an emerging approach of medicine which looks at the root cause of an illness, rather than addressing the symptoms alone. Precision medicine may not be very well known as Personalized Medicine. But they are one and the same. It takes into account individual variability in genes, environment, and lifestyle for each person. The need and its potential in the Indian Healthcare scenario is high, considering that the system is under great pressure due to sheer numbers. Precision Medicine in the country is considered to be at an early adoption stage. A diverse country like India, with over 4000 population groups, and a significant percentage of consanguineous marriages presents a high-risk and prevalence of inherited genetic disorders that require attention for early diagnosis, right treatment, and management. India has a heavy burden of inherited diseases driven by the unique genetic characteristics in the population. With 1.4 billion people, the absolute number of patients suffering from diseases in which genetics play a role is significantly large.   It is reported that Indians witness a loss of around $23 billion from their annual income in treating or getting tested for non-communicable diseases. The global Genomics industry is predicted to grow at around 18% in the next 10 years, and India is expected to be a major stakeholder. Revenue growth in molecular diagnostics in 2013 was reported to be around 15%. Clinical diagnostics in one of the fastest growing fields which may cross $2 billion by 2018. Preventive healthcare is growing at the rate of 25%, which will boost Healthcare revenues and the country's Precision Medicine scenario. "Genetic testing is slowly getting acceptance among our clinicians. The challenges are about creating the awareness for wide-spread adoption. It is not at all too early for the country to embrace precision medicine. This is primarily because India is an emerging market for genomics. A rising middle-class, state-of-art healthcare facilities and expert physicians are driving the growth of the industry in India.... I expect the industry to attain double digit growth," says Mr Sam Santhosh, Chairman & Global CEO, MedGenome. Dr Saleem Mohammed, CEO & Founder, Xcode Life Sciences, agrees that India has a strong need for Precision Medicine which will significantly reduce its Healthcare burden. "It is estimated that only around 40% of the medicines we take are effective and appropriate for us. Today, we practice trial-and-error medicine which does not consider in detail the person-to-person variability, which is a key source of variation for the effectiveness of drugs. You can imagine being dosed and prescribed by taking into account various factors such as age, gender, genetics, medical conditions and usage of other drugs. That is the promise of personalized medicine, and India needs to take leadership in this domain," he adds. In India, Precision Medicine is being practiced in several specialties like oncology, cardiology, psychiatry and diabetology. It is already being embraced in India to a reasonable extent, especially in cancer. "Each individual is an island, and so now that the molecular complexity of disease has been deciphered, the role of genetics, environment and epigenetics are clearly telling us that that we all need to receive treatment designed for our physiology and body type," remarks Dr Villoo Morawala-Patell, Founder & CMD, Avesthagen. Indian Healthcare institutions are fast adopting technologies that can make them on par with the best in the world. The need to modernize, and be on par with global standards can be seen amongst large hospitals and private medical institutions. Explains Dr Kalyanasundaram Subramanian, CSO, Strand Life Sciences, "There are several targeted therapies that work only on patients who have a specific genotype or genomic variation. So, patients are tested before the therapy is prescribed. Cancer is probably the disease in which precision medicine is most advanced. However, there are several other diseases - cardiac, ophthalmic, and certain types of diabetes, where knowing the genetic background of the disease can help with disease management. Here the field is not as advanced." Like most technologies, India is expected to be a follower-market in Precision Medicine. Doctors would like approval from USFDA or the American Medical Association (AMA) for it to become mainstream in their practice. But the challenge is that the West is going to fund studies in Caucasian population and not the Indian. In fact, most drugs are designed and manufactured for Caucasian population. Unless India accelerates research in this space, validation in the Indian context will always be questionable. "Precision medicine is badly needed to move towards personalized medicine and personalized diagnostics, which has a huge potential to reduce the burden of national healthcare costs," points Dr Amit Kumar, CEO & CSO, BioAxis DNA Research Centre. "At several instances, this results in patients selling assets or borrowing money to pay incurring medical expenses. Precision medicine is the best available tool and remedy for combating this huge economic burden." Cost of these tests are a concern still, given India is largely a self-paid economy. But as technologies improve, the cost of sequencing is seen to reduce. Precision Medicine offers a possible answer by reducing the costs of hospice stay, and reducing the overall financial, physical and psychological costs of the try-and-test approach of medicine. "The infrastructure needed for precision medicine is taking shape in India. There are certain issues to be addressed for it to gain the needed momentum," opines Mr Samarth, CEO & Founder, Positive Bioscience. "The key is also the analysis of genomics data, which as we automate will provide higher efficiency in the entire data analysis process, thereby making tests more affordable. We do need more baseline genomics data of Indian origin which will help us in refining our analysis on clinical cases in the country," comments Mr Sam. Targeted therapies like Imatinib have been around for 40 years. This has changed the prognosis of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) in children. "People used to think that the role of genetics ended with hereditary disease. Today we know that every response our body makes has a genetic fingerprint to it. We can now predict response to different therapies, and thus avoid trial-and-error medicine which is both costly, time-consuming, and puts an unnecessary drug and hospitalization burden on the patient," comments Dr Sooraj Ratnakumar, Founder & Scientist, Swagene. The US and EU markets do have a head start in Personalized Medicine in terms of accessibility to resources and raw materials, government funding, and regulations. "There is also greater awareness among the people there about the benefits of personalized medicine. In India, we have an excellent gene pool of biotech and IT professionals. With government interest, we can easily build India as the hub of personalized medicine," expresses Ms Anu Acharya, CEO, Mapmygenome. President, CEO & Founder of Genotypic Technology Mr Raja Mugasimangalam says that Precision Medicine is too early for India at the moment. "Precision medicine is an emerging field and sufficient success should be shown by the western world for India to embrace it. It is in its early phase, and there is not sufficient government support in the form of research grants in this space," he adds. Overly Hyped? The way Precision Medicine can help transform Healthcare, especially treatment and management of deadly non-communicable diseases is tremendous, and stalwarts opine that it is not an overly hyped concept. "The field of precision medicine is still in a nascent stage in India, and much needs to be done to create awareness. So the concept cannot be called as overly hyped, but rather passionately acclaimed in the medical and scientific fraternity. Any development in the science and medical space that revolutionizes how medicine will be practiced in the future naturally generates a buzz around it. Yes, the concept is quite novel at this point of time but its scope is tremendous. While we may lack the bandwidth to carry out all the exceptional research at this point in time, slowly it will happen. And once it happens, the impact will be more than just overwhelming. However, there are certain roadblocks that we cannot ignore. But limitations and challenge begets innovation and development," opines Mr Samarth. "I see precision medicine as a new hope rather than a hype," Dr Amit states. "Some of our clients say that research insights of the genomics data-related to lifestyle, diet, and clinical methods have been very useful in making a decision faster based on a patient's personalized genetic information." More than hype, Precision Medicine is said to be more of plain, pure common sense. For thousands of years, humans have known that there is inter-individual variability when it comes to things ingested, be it medicine or food. Why then patients pop an over-the-counter pill? Or even wonder whether it will work on them or not? In a recent study by Johns Hopkins University (USA), medical error was suspected to be the third leading cause of death in the US. Many of them are related to improper drugs and improper drug dosages. "It's sort of like 'death by medicine'. Can you imagine what the statistics are in India? asks Dr Saleem. "Today, we don't question why the outcome was negative for a patient. We assume that the medical establishment did the best they can in good faith. With increasing prevalence of clinical decision support systems, and insurance insisting on good practices, you will see things improve. Common sense dictates that precision medicine is the only way medicine should be practiced and not by trial-and-error." Dr Binay Panda, Chief Officer & Head, Ganit Labs, also states that the problem in India is that Precision Medicine is hyped by people who understand little about it. "Look around and you will find folks who talk about precision medicine, who understand little about it or have very little practical and scientific experience on developing precision medicine tests. We need rigorous scientific minds to talk about the utility of precision medicine, like in the west, and not those who use the term as a buzz word or a part of marketing supplements only," clarifies Dr Binay. India's Research Scene The research scene for Precision Medicine in India is largely in the beginning stage. Some studies are being carried out in various translational research centres across the country. There are several Government laboratories such as IGIB (Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology), CCMB (Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology), hospitals such as CMC Vellore, LV Prasad Eye Institute and other organizations, where research is being conducted. "However, it would be fair to say that the research is fragmented and individual researcher-driven, and not yet translated to patient care in a big way," points Dr Kalyanasundaram. Research is also being carried out at Sir Gangaram Hospital (Delhi), Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) (Chennai), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Institute of Bioinformatics (IOB) (Bangalore), and Government institutions such as National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (NIBMG) and Center for Genome Research. Large Government hospitals like Tata Memorial Hospital, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) are also involved in the identification of new disease genes and biomarkers by applying Genomics. Dr Mallik Sundaram, Co-founder, President & CEO, Mitra Biotech, says, "The western markets have embraced it quickly because healthcare is more organized there with the payers being the government or insurance companies, thereby translating the benefits of decreased healthcare costs while improving treatment success rates using precision medicine. In countries like India with fragmented healthcare, and the patient frequently being the payer, while the benefits remain the same, but acknowledging and translating them is more piecemeal." India, like many other developing countries, is following success stories of the West. "Success in precision medicine depends on several factors including availability of tests on precision medicine, system on which medical payment is made -- out-of-pocket versus insurance-based versus government-sponsored -- overall positive atmosphere in the country towards embracing new tests, previous success stories, availability of skilled manpower and the presence of the right environment. On all these accounts, we in India, have miles to go. However, we have excellence in pockets, which include brilliant people who are capable of doing all that. The trick is to encourage those few to develop tests for the Indian population," Dr Binay explains. Paradoxical Elements The use of Precision Medicine is a little tricky and paradoxical, say experts. "It has lot of social impact. But someone has to draw a line to the extent one should use it. One single mutation is responsible for more than one medical condition and vice versa; it may also create confusions and misleading interpretations. Precision medicine may be only a corroborative aspect until we have more confidence, and accurate outcomes getting reported across the globe," Dr Amit reveals. Dr Kalyanasundaram says that the challenge is in marrying personalization of medicine with reduced drug costs to an individual patient. "Currently, most of the best genome-based medicines are expensive and out-of-reach for the average Indian. The other worrying aspect is that none of these medicines are available in India. Imagine the plight of a patient who realizes that there are medicines that may work for him but is unable to access it," he observes. Also, the discussion of paradoxes of Precision Medicine often revolves around the cost, i.e., spending more and more to identify therapies that applies to fewer and fewer. Mr Samarth adds, "This paradox can be compared to the cost of any IT initiative in the eighties era using mainframe computers, and specially created buildings for housing them versus, even higher computational processing being available today in a mobile system; or 3D printing to give a more recent example. As there is a change in approach and increase in use of the technologies, there will be a reduction in costs." What Is Needed? In Precision Medicine, for successful commercialization, many things have to come together. "There has to be a way of leveraging all the information and insights that is generated in other populations from around the world. The Indian government should be setting up large genomic studies in various disease populations. Indian scientific establishments needs to view this as a challenge, and work with physicians to understand the diseases that are most likely to have benefits quickly, and work towards problems in those areas. Indian funding agencies should be funding large translational projects with a clear clinical aim. There should be clear frameworks that allow industry to access these insights to convert them to products," urges Dr Kalyanasundaram. Both Mr Sam and Mr Samarth agree that increasing the awareness levels of Precision Medicine among the general population, clinicians and doctors is much needed. "In our country, the depth and width of the healthcare system is very large, often unorganized, and under tremendous pressure. To bring in a new approach to the practice of medicine will need full participation and education of patients, drug developing pharma companies in pharmacogenomics, change in the practices and process of hospitals and clinics, good regulatory framework and the support of the government in building the research infrastructure. Further in order to translate the bench research to bedside care, it is important for research academics and medical market players join hands," suggests Mr Samarth. Collaboration of genetic testing laboratories, hospitals, and medical doctors may be the starting point, says Dr Amit. "We require huge genetic, clinical and lifestyle data from India, and this can only be reached if governmental programs backup such kind of association and research. With the fast decreasing cost of DNA sequencing of a person's genome, a model shall be framed which should have genetic medicine and precision therapy as one of the most important inclusion. Government may think of including genetic tests under the insurance coverage, starting with critical illnesses. If we have enough country data, it may offer a lot of very important medical insights." According to Dr Binay, India needs 4 Ps to make Precision Medicine succeed. "They are people, processes, protocols and pricing. People meaning encouraging and aiding brilliant minds to be involved in developing new and innovative tests; processes meaning developing the right clinical and scientific processes or SOPs; protocols meaning coming up with the right regulatory...," he lists. Dr Saleem believes that the medical community should actively collaborate with genetic service providers to validate concepts in the Indian population. "We operate in a highly cost-sensitive environment. A key barrier to adoption is cost of the test.... In the long-term, genetics should become a major part of the medical curriculum. Genetics should get its due importance given that we live in an era where we are talking about actively editing genes to cure major diseases," he notes. Mr Sam recommends public-private partnerships (PPP) between academic institutes and the industry to promote genomic research in the country. "Partnerships with private enterprises that have already taken the leap into genomics research and are providing solutions to address health care needs in India.... In addition to this, initiatives like setting up of electronic medical records, and population level genome sequencing will go a long way in helping commercial success. It will also be useful to chart out a comprehensive plan to identify key disease areas in India with underlying genetic reasons that have high unmet medical need and to allocate government funds to promote education, research and innovation in these areas," he stresses. Should India Ape The US? India may follow something similar to PMI launched by Mr Obama, but on a pilot scale. "The government can play a key role by allocating research funding to this area. Precision medicine is going to have a tremendous impact on our nation's healthcare and will improve health outcomes while minimizing the costs. But someone has to make the investment in accelerating the creation of know-how, and the knowledge base that is specific to India. Given the significance of health for a nation's economic and social development, I would say that prioritizing of government grant funding to this area will be highly useful. The US again has taken leadership in this so far with the precision medicine under the Obamacare," voices Mr Samarth. In an interview with BioSpectrum, Dr Mandar Kulkarni, CTO, Cancer Genetics India, states, "I think this is a big challenge even in the US, where most diagnostic testing is paid through insurance reimbursements, which are driven by FDA-approvals." He further expresses, "Currently, the FDA is reviewing the guidelines and ensuring that the testing is not wasteful. On the other hand, a major advantage for such testing in the US is the availability of well-curated databases that define the effect of mutations on the disease-state in terms of prognosis, clinical outcome and treatment options. Unless we adopt the tests and begin this exercise, we will not be able to identify epidemiological and etiological differences that contribute to cancer in India." Though India's limited studies in this area show that while the Indian genome has many similarities to the Caucasian, there are significant differences as well. "So it is absolutely essential that a similar and large PMI be launched in India given the genomic diversity here," justifies Dr Kalyanasundaram. Mr Sam also agrees that a initiative like PMI will be useful to India's Healthcare. "If a similar program is initiated, it has to be designed keeping in mind the state of the economy, and the public health issues of the Indian population, and the diseases or disorders plaguing our society. The GenomeAsia 100K consortium is one such initiative in the region," he urges. Starting anything new is good, but India needs to revive and encourage what it already has, and have a long-term vision for Personalized Medicine. "Science does not bear fruit overnight," Dr Binay adds. "One needs to be patient and encourage funding the right talent in this direction. First and foremost, we need to encourage young minds to pursue science and be more meritocratic in our institutions." Dr Amit emphasizes that both ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) and CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) need to play a very important role in framing the insights related to pharmacogenomics, genetic variation-related drug studies, and population-wise human SNP validation, if India wants a meaningful outcomes from such a diverse population. Dr Raja says that India doesn't have to ape the West. One might consider a PMI in India as an overly zealous move for a country where malnutrition and poverty collectively kills more people than diseases. "At the right time we can definitely think of taking a step towards PMI for our own country just like America. India is already the diabetes capital of the world and is slowly inching in vying the top spot for heart ailments and cancer too. I think we all have come to appreciate the fact that all these diseases are genetic-driven by a combination of several mutations in different genes. Precision medicine guided by genomics not only allows us to diagnose and prevent these diseases but also treat and manage them effectively," elaborates Mr Samarth. Regulatory Woes Genomic information is critical since it not only affects an individual but potentially their family as well. There are legal, technical, social, and political hurdles which needs to be addressed. Dr Kalyanasundaram stresses, "It needs to be clear who owns this information, what are the limitations under which researchers get access to it, and how can this information be used and misused. These issues are all critical and need to be addressed by the law." However, the current regulatory frameworks are inadequate in terms of providing guidelines for Precision Medicine initiatives. Information is required on how to bring in a population level-approach for Genomics research. Also, policy revisions to support the industry from import duties on reagents are a need of the hour. "Intellectual property rights and patent policies are not very well defined in the area of precision medicine and predictive genomics. This could be a challenge to further innovation. Also, reimbursement from insurance companies is another key factor that will determine the growth of this industry. In the western world, insurers have started accepting genomic tests in their formulary as it is expected to reduce the cost of down-the-line treatment. In India the option is to bring the test at affordable prices and foster innovation to reduce the cost of genomic diagnosis," Mr Sam expresses. Precision Medicine is dependent on the DNA Study of an Individual, and India does not have a DNA usage policy yet. "We are hoping for the best since this important master molecule has caught the attention of our PM Narendra Modi, and he has announced to put all the efforts towards the DNA Bill of India. Again, draft of this Bill also needs to be concreted by including insights from industry experts, academicians, research organizations, laboratories and judiciaries," justifies Dr Amit. Dr Binay strongly supports in having strong ethical guidelines to practice Precision Medicine. Degree Of Impact Just imagine a patient taking a simple blood or saliva test at a laboratory, and in the next meeting his or her physician is very well prepared with the patient's genetic horoscope including the information on chemical compounds, or combination of drugs useful or harmful to him, based on the tried-and-tested genetic test report. "We will be able to minimize side effects with very beautiful and faster accurate therapies that too at affordable costs if precision medicine boosts up in India..... If used responsibly, it can do wonders and contribute towards every individual's good health," notes Dr Amit. Precision Medicine can also transform the national economy, especially in a population whose average lifespan is increasing. Mr Sam explains, "From an individual's perspective, it has the potential to make genetic diagnosis of diseases more efficient and cost-effective, by reducing genetic testing to a single analysis, which informs individuals throughout their life. Since it uses state-of-the-art genomic technologies, rich medical record data, tissue and blood banks, and clinical knowledge that will allow clinicians and payers to tailor treatments to individuals, it can greatly reduce costs of ineffective therapies incurred through the current trial-and-error clinical paradigm." The impact can be great, where patients get the right medications, have better outcomes and lower side effects, feels Dr Kalyanasundaram. "This would lead to healthier populations with better overall health economics. To make this possible, lots of information needs to be collected, analyzed and translated. Medicines that can exploit the genetic differences need to be present. So the task is formidable but the payoffs are potentially enormous." Precision Medicine will also allow reduced morbidity, specifically in oncology cases, help in preventing high burden of genetic diseases, and managing high-risk cases with increased surveillance. It will also have a major impact on the economy by reducing productivity losses, and decreasing costs of treating disease, thereby reducing overall costs on Indian Healthcare. "The internet will further accelerate adoption of precision medicine by empowering patients and doctors who are already demanding more to fight India's unique challenges with diabetes, heart disease and tobacco use," said Dr Sooraj. In 2012, Futures Group predicted a new perspective to Healthcare by 2050, where gaps between medical practice, healthcare, and personal health will be bridged. Another prediction is the predominance of preventive healthcare, where individuals take charge of their health by harnessing the power of technology. Genomic tests - single nucleotide polymorphism and whole genome sequencing - will be the key catalysts to this change. "We have seen the beginning of this change. Wellness was once a fancy word. Today, it is part of every hospital's business strategy to engage a new generation of customers, who are actively pursuing wellness using social apps for various reasons - right from fitness and diet to finding the best doctor," opines Ms Anu. In India, diseases have a profound physical, psychological and social impact. Most of healthcare costs are paid not out of insurance, but out of pockets. The impact of illness in one person in the family has a domino effect on the family and the community. "The cost of treatment, for diseases like cancer, cardiac diseases, diabetes, asthma, and the impact of the side effects of medication taken has often seen families, even amongst middle-class and higher middle-class, needing to take loans, or family members having to leave jobs," Mr Samarth states. "Just the simple factor of reducing treatment time and side effects will have a significant impact on the socio-economic situation of an individual." So, diseases that were previously a death sentence will be manageable, or even curable, because we will be able to individualize therapy for each patient. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7317/ge-launches-biacore-molecular-interaction-analysis-platform.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7317/ge-launches-biacore-molecular-interaction-analysis-platform.html Tue, 14 Jun 2016 11:02:57 +0530 GE Healthcare's Life Sciences business launched the first of a next generation of Biacore systems harnessing Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) technology. Biacore 8K marks the start of a new generation of Biacore systems maintaining the high data quality expected from Biacore at high throughput. New design features efficiently address current industry challenges such as understanding complex targets in drug discovery. Label-free SPR analysis is a vital tool in the scientist's analytical toolbox, providing a dynamic understanding of how molecules interact and enabling a thorough understanding of drug/target interactions. This new platform further enables the use of SPR throughout drug discovery, development, and manufacturing. Biacore 8K specifically supports small molecule and biotherapeutic screening and characterization with the quality of affinity and kinetics data scientists expect, increasing operational efficiency. "As users push the boundaries of SPR, we are working closely with them to deliver the type and speed of analysis that they are looking for," commented Ms Cindy Collins, CEO/GM, Protein Purification & Analysis and Cell Therapy for GE Healthcare's Life Sciences business. "We are also seeing an increase in the use of label-free SPR-based analysis in the immuno-assay area, replacing traditional ELISA-based methods and some cell-based assays. Supporting early-stage complex biotherapeutics development is also in demand, as well as process development and quality assurance." Biacore 8K is the first of a new generation platform specifically developed to deliver enhanced productivity and performance up to eight times faster1, simply. Completely redesigned hardware and software takes label-free SPR-based analysis well into the future, delivering high-quality data that supports better and faster decision-making across all areas of drug discovery2, including small molecule and biotherapeutic screening and characterization.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7430/frontier-mediville-to-pioneer-in-manufacturing-mechanical-artificial-hearts-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7430/frontier-mediville-to-pioneer-in-manufacturing-mechanical-artificial-hearts-in-india.html Fri, 10 Jun 2016 10:51:16 +0530 Chennai: On May 23, 2016, Dr K M Cherian of Chennai-based Frontier Mediville signed an MoU with SPUTNIK, Russian Federation for the manufacture of a mechanical artificial heart. It is to be noted that SPUTNIK, the Russian organization, was responsible for launching the 1st Space Shuttle on Oct 1957, which took the Americans by surprise and now the company has further excited the World by creating mechanical artificial hearts. The MoU was signed with Mr Sergey Sannikov in the presence of Padma Bhushan Dr A Sivathanu Pillai, Father of Brahmos Missiles. According to the memorandum, it will be possible to produce the mechanical artificial heart within the cost of INR 30 lakhs, which will be very cheap and affordable to many in the world compared to the others. At the press briefing, Dr Cherian, said, "There are more than one lakh patients who had artificial hearts last year in North America alone. The latest artificial heart cost Rs 90.5 lakhs including implantation and it goes beyond 1.25 crores. It is essential for the hospital to have a standby heart in case if the implanted one fails. So the actual cost for the hospital /patient is around 2.5 crores. As you can imagine how many of our 1.2 billion population can afford it? The artificial hearts are made in US by Heart Mate, Thoratec Corporation, California, USA and in Germany by Berlin Heart GmbH. Both are equally effective but expensive." SPUTNIK is very keen to manufacture this mechanical artificial heart in Mediville as the company believes that Mediville has the entire infrastructure, especially a large facility for pre clinical studies which are going on as per CPCSEA approval projects which have approved projects by CPCSEA. Thus with the technology available as well as the facilities, Russians believe that these artificial hearts could be made very cheap and will be available for supply to all over the world. The Memorandum is for a Joint Venture, and if it materializes, India will be the 1st Asian country and 3rd country in the world to produce its own artificial heart and of course the standing of Tamil Nadu as a MECCA in the field of Medical Care will be enhanced. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7434/personalized-medicine-for-children-with-blood-cancer-launched-by-swagene.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7434/personalized-medicine-for-children-with-blood-cancer-launched-by-swagene.html Wed, 08 Jun 2016 12:12:02 +0530 Swagene, a specialty molecular lab in Chennai, is said to be the first and only centre in India to launch some of these advanced biomarkers in India to benefit children suffering from leukemia. Blood cancer, or leukemias, are complicated because of the large number of 'driver' genetic mutations seen in the disease. These mutations affect the disease in terms of severity, survival, and risk of relapse. Apart from detecting the disease and determining its course, identifying the mutation in the patient is crucial to also provide targeted treatment protocols. "When a patient is accurately stratified, giving him/her targeted treatment can vastly improve success rates. For the first time in India, Swagene is launching such a diagnostic panel that can help many children, who are commonly affected by leukemia", explained Dr Vani, Swagene's co-founder. Swagene is said to the first and only lab in India that offers IKAROS (IKZF1) and ERG deletion tests for leukemia patients. Being sub-microscopic mutations, these can be detected only by molecular diagnosis and not by conventional methods. The lab being a specialized molecular diagnostic centre founded by a scientist and a doctor, is also able to quickly report test results with detailed interpretation. It is expected that these two tests, which can also be ordered as a panel, will vastly improve the oncologist's and hematologist's armamentarium in fighting cancer successfully. The mutations or biomarkers can be either favourable (good) or poor (bad) depending on how they affect the cancer. These bad markers, such as IKAROS or IKZF1 mutations, are important in identifying patients at risk of treatment failure and giving them stronger or modified therapy to prevent relapse. A lot of scientific evidence show that tailoring the treatment to suit these patients using currently available drugs is greatly beneficial in improving survival.   Dr Vani further said, "In this case, there is also a silver lining. There is a good marker (ERG mutation), that is a hero because it has the power to overcome the villain IKZF1. If the hero mutation is present even in the presence of the other the patient will fare a lot better." So patients that carry both are still classified under favourable prognosis. This is particularly helpful in deciding which patients may need bone marrow transplantation, the mainstay of leukemia therapy. This is very stressful for the patient because not only does identifying a matching donor take a long time, but it is also too expensive even for the insured classes. Swagene has won numerous awards from CII, FICCI and DST, as well as institutes like IIT Kharagpur, IIM Ahmedabad and BITS Pilani.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3469/dexterous-robots-with-3-d-vision-to-assist-in-surgeries-in-over-100-hospitals-by-2020-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3469/dexterous-robots-with-3-d-vision-to-assist-in-surgeries-in-over-100-hospitals-by-2020-.html Tue, 07 Jun 2016 17:44:03 +0530 Robotic Surgery is set for rapid growth as more and more hospitals embrace new-age, computer-assisted, surgical robots. By 2020, more than 100 hospitals across 25 Indian cities, are expected to get dexterous robots with 3-D vision to assist in surgeries Robotic surgeries provide succor to patients suffering from prostrate, gynecological, head & neck, lung and colorectal cancer as the chances of errors are minimized, procedures don't cause scarring and recovery is faster. Currently there are just 190 robotic surgeons in India across 30 hospitals. The plan is to expand the pool of accomplished robotic surgeons to 500 by 2020 and cover 100 hospitals. A comprehensive plan, formulated by Vattikuti Foundation, addressing three critical components--surgeon training, geographic reach and complete packages, which benefit the economically weaker sections--was announced here, today, by its founder Raj Vattikuti, a US based IT entrepreneur and philanthropist. Among others present at the event who highlighted the benefits of robotic surgery were Dr Arun Prasad, Senior Consultant Surgeon, Minimal Access Surgery, Apollo Hospital, Dr Praveen Bhatia, Senior Consultant, Minimal Access & Bariatric Surgery Centre, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Dr Rajesh Ahlawat, Chairman, Urology and Renal Transplantation, Fortis Escorts' Hospital and Dr Sudhir Rawal, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre, Director Surgical Oncology & Chief of Uro - Gynae Surgical Oncology. The plan is tailor-made for India, as the number of cancer cases has risen alarmingly but only 36 per cent of the reported cases got treated. Moreover, nearly 76 per cent of cancer patients hailed from non-urban areas, where access to cancer detection and treatment is a distant dream. The need therefore is to expand the pool of trained surgeons to non metro cities. "We will grow the pool of accomplished Robotic surgeons to 500 besides motivating young surgeons to adopt robotic surgery. As its contribution, Vattikuti Foundation, will offer 100 paid fellowships to super specialist surgeons, over the next 5 years, to become Robotic surgeons," says Raj Vattikuti, who has been evangelizing Robotic Surgery in India since 2010 through The Vattikuti Foundation. "Even though 4,000 robot-assisted surgeries were performed in 2015, representing a five-fold increase in 5 years, India has not even scratched its potential, as the benefit can be passed to the masses beyond metro locations," adds Raj Vattikuti. Vattikuti Technologies, which makes available da Vinci Surgical Robots, from Intuitive Surgical Inc. in India, will work with Government Cancer hospitals, Corporate Healthcare chains, and Trusts, to acquire the most appropriate Surgical Robots. Vattikuti Technologies shall enhance access to Robotic surgery, covering specialized cancer centers, large government hospitals and small hospitals in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. In the North, the Foundation will be targeting Bhopal, Delhi NCR, Jabaplur, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Varanasi and Srinagar. "Vattikuti Technologies and Intuitive Surgical shall work together to offer hospitals special price points as they achieve 450 procedure mark over three years. This move will ensure availability of cancer surgery closer home for patients at prices that make robotic surgery affordable to the masses," says Gopal Chakravarthy, CEO, Vattikuti Technologies. Adoption of Robotic Surgery by government hospitals will ensure treatment to people who can't afford private healthcare but deserve the latest medical attention. The government hospitals typically adopt a dual pricing system--charge only those who can afford. Robotic Surgery in India: The Journey So Far In the last 5 years, multi-disciplinary Robotic Surgery has established its value in India with documented superior patient outcomes and efficacy. The Vattikuti Foundation has helped expand Robotic Surgery to 30 hospitals in a dozen Indian cities, in just five years, while the number of trained robotic surgeons has grown to 190. Vattikuti Foundation began promoting Robotic Surgery in the US in 1997 and has since played a stellar role in spreading it across the USA, Europe and India. Under the Vattikuti Foundation program, surgeons working at the Vattikuti Urology Center at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit developed procedures for Prostate Cancer surgery which has become the Gold standard--Robotic Prostatectomy--in the US. Since then the Foundation has been working with surgeons around the world to pioneer various Robotic procedures including one for kidney transplant, developed co-operatively by Indian surgeons from Hospitals in Delhi and Ahmedabad. Indian surgeons have been adapting to this new-age tool with great enthusiasm and skill. At the recent Robotic Surgeons' conference hosted by the Foundation, over 120 Robotic Surgeons participated and shared their experience and techniques. Robotic Surgery Benefits Robotic surgery scores over conventional surgery, as it minimizes blood loss, drastically reduces the post-operative recovery time, and brings precision in executing the procedure, thus saving healthy tissue from damage. The quick healing and lower pain-levels translate to shorter hospital stays and quick return to work. Surgical Robots combine the best of science, engineering and medicine. With 4 arms, it can reach organs and areas where human fingers can't. The 3-dimensional view, that can be magnified multifold, helps the surgeons achieve precision that prevents collateral damage to healthy tissue. The single most important benefit of robotic surgery is quick recovery. If the patient is back home on third day, instead of say ten days' recovery period of conventional surgery, a daily wage earner can get back to productive work much earlier, while the hospital can increase the efficiency of operations. There is little to no pain, as Robotic arms enter the body via tiny incisions, healing is quicker for the patient, scarring is minimal and savings on pain management are significant. As the incidence of tongue and mouth cancers are very high in India, Head and Neck surgery for cancer at the base of the tongue can best be undertaken using the Robot, with least pain and scarring to the patient. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/8113/significant-shifts-in-skill-sets-for-top-it-roles-in-life-sciences.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/8113/significant-shifts-in-skill-sets-for-top-it-roles-in-life-sciences.html Tue, 07 Jun 2016 12:53:19 +0530 More than 80 percent of leading life sciences companies have created new digital and innovation leadership roles to capitalize on the information technology transformation in healthcare, with nearly half hiring new chief information officers during the past three years, according to new research by the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics. The rise of mobile, cloud, predictive analytics and other digital innovations offers new opportunities for advancing patient care as companies launch innovative products at a more rapid pace and in more therapy areas. These dynamics, along with spending and operational constraints, require life sciences CIOs to expand specialized IT knowledge and skills within their organizations, and to play a more strategic role in driving commercial success through digital transformation. The study, New Strategic Information and Technology Roles in Life Sciences Companies, includes a proprietary Information and Technology Transformation Scoring framework (ITTS) to assess progress among the top 50 global life sciences companies. ITTS tracks five areas of technology conversion: Innovation/Disruption, Organizational Transformation, Big Data/Analytics, Infrastructure, and Future of Work.   The study was produced independently in collaboration with Egon Zehnder, a leading global executive search and talent management firm. "While most life sciences companies have centralized their IT functions to drive operational gains, they have been slow to achieve the breakthrough transformation that's possible by capitalizing on today's technologies," said Mr Murray Aitken, IMS Health senior vice president and executive director of the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics. "Of the companies we assessed using our ITTS framework, just 15 percent are fully capturing the value of the digital revolution." "Tech and digital innovations are becoming a core part of the value proposition for life sciences. And yet, unlike many other industries, the skills required to fully deliver on those innovations are not native within this sector. There is a unique opportunity for CIOs to fill the missing skill gap and become core enablers of their respective companies' strategies," said Mr Alain Serhan, co-leader of Egon Zehnder's global Digital Health Initiative.Highlights of the study include: • Technology transformation is underway within all life sciences companies, across varying strategic and operational areas, and at different rates. Large companies outperform their medium-sized competitors on average across all elements of the ITTS assessment. Of the companies surveyed, 15 percent are considered market leaders, demonstrating significant progress on both strategic and operational dimensions. On average, 85 percent of companies with centralized IT functions have achieved a higher level of technology transformation-as have companies that use cloud-based technologies for more than 25 percent of their software needs. • While IT departments are embracing analytic tools that reduce complexity, advanced predictive and prescriptive capabilities remain underused. Within sales and marketing functions, 80 percent of companies assessed now have systems in place that leverage visualization tools, and more than half have a multichannel marketing strategy in place for their North America and Europe operations. However, fewer than 10 percent of life sciences companies deploy systems that apply both predictive and prescriptive capabilities to guide decisions. • As leadership in new IT functional areas is recognized as increasingly critical to success, CEOs are hiring new CIOs and establishing digital and innovation roles. Nearly half of the life sciences companies assessed have CIOs who have been in place less than three years, and 70 percent in place fewer than five years. In small companies, more than 40 percent of all CIOs were hired within the past year. Companies with CIOs having a tenure of less than five years outperform on the ITTS framework overall, especially in the key areas of Innovation/Disruption and Big Data/Analytics. More than two-thirds of today's CIOs were hired from outside the company, with external hires ranging from 82 percent for small companies to 52 percent for larger organizations. Despite the critical role of the CIO in business transformation, less than one in four are part of their company's executive team. Within large life sciences companies, just one in seven CIOs serves on the executive team. • CIOs remain in the best position to lead technological innovation, but require new digital competencies. The CIO role has narrowed in scope in most life sciences companies as responsibility for areas such as R&D bioinformatics, genomics and Real-World Evidence have moved to other parts of the organization. And, more than 80 percent of companies have established new digital data and innovation positions that challenge the traditional CIO role. With new "digital" competencies viewed as key for success, assessments by CEOs of CIO candidates focus on a combination of both core and digital competencies. The core competencies of strategic orientation, results orientation, team leadership and collaboration/ influence remain essential. In pursuit of future digital leaders, CEOs also are seeking candidates with strengths in consumer centricity, digital fluency, data orientation, adaptability and change leadership. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3279/innovations-for-the-indian-market.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3279/innovations-for-the-indian-market.html Thu, 02 Jun 2016 11:26:21 +0530 The innovations included categories under prevention, diagnosis, treatment, healthy living and homecare products. The newly unveiled products were Children's Respiration Monitor, Air Purifier Series 3000, Air Purifier Series 6000, Fetal Heart Rate Monitor, Dream series of sleeping aids, and e-alert System. According to the company's release, both the Fetal Heart Rate Monitor and the Children's Respiration Monitor were developed at Bangalore's PIC. But the e-alert system was developed at Philips Healthcare Innovation Centre (HIC) in Pune, which employees 500 professionals. Both the products is said to be manufactured at HIC.   Philips Healthcare's focus and innovations encompasses the following health spaces: cardiology, oncology, respiratory, fertility, pregnancy and parenting. India maintains a leadership position in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), diabetes and cancer. "We are addressing diseases in India with locally made products," said Mr Raja Venkataraman, Vice-Chairman and MD, Philips India. The country currently has 60 million CVD patients, 2 million cancer patients, and leads in orthopedic ailments. There are 4.3 million deaths globally due to indoor air pollution. Of this, 1.3 million deaths are associated with India. According to a recent study, 27.5% of under-five infant mortality in India is because of indoor air pollution. India is also home to 22 million COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) patients, and about 8 million of them in stage-3 or stage-4 condition. Out of the 8 million, 1.3 to 1.4 million patients hail from metros like Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, and Hyderabad. Smoking is said to be a major contributing factor for COPD. "We aim to touch 3 billion lives by 2025. That's our vision," explained Mr V Raja. "We have designed products to suit the Indian market. In healthcare, it is ironical that there are no incentives for making in India. The Government keeps increasing the import duty on medical equipments. It doesn't work that way. We need technology, market, cost competitiveness and an ecosystem which will enable making it for the benefit of patients and the industry. In fact, years ago, the Government created a synergistic ecosystem for the software industry by providing lands, incentives, and an overall conducive ecosystem leading to the huge success of that industry. If the same would have been offered to the healthcare sector, a similar success story would have repeated in India." Mr Raja took on his new role at Philips in December 2015. In the personal healthcare area, 50% of the company's portfolio is manufactured in India. "In the next 2 to 3 years, we aim to take it to 75%," added Mr A D A Ratnam, President, Personal Health and Head, Brand, Communications and Digital, Philips India. In September 2014, the Dutch conglomerate Philips NV split into two separate entities -- Philips HealthTech-Lifestyle and Philips Lighting. The latter made a shining IPO debut on May 27, 2016. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8224/medtronic-strengthens-commitment-to-asia-pacific.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8224/medtronic-strengthens-commitment-to-asia-pacific.html Wed, 01 Jun 2016 12:04:06 +0530 Medtronic announced the opening of its new Asia Pacific regional headquarters in Singapore. The new facility, which houses the Asia Pacific Service and Repair Centre of Excellence, will strengthen and support Medtronic operations across 80 locations in Asia Pacific. This will further help Medtronic deliver on the growing demand for medical products and services. With the opening, Medtronic International Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SingHealth to develop a Centre of Excellence in the treatment of diabetes across Southeast Asia. "The opening of Medtronic regional headquarters in Singapore marks an important milestone in our growing presence in Asia Pacific. We continue to leverage our regional expertise and partnerships to reach more patients, in more places and through more ways via collaborating with new partners," said Mr Bob White, president, Asia Pacific at Medtronic. "The rising prevalence of diabetes in the region is driving up healthcare costs and adversely impacting the lives of millions of people. There is tremendous opportunity to improve treatments across the diabetes care continuum via meaningful innovation and collaboration. We are excited to work with SingHealth as our strategic partner to explore new approaches in solving challenges associated with diabetes care." The alliance will pair Medtronic expertise in advanced diabetes management solutions with SingHealth's experience in holistic diabetes care in order to:• Establish a Center of Excellence on diabetes to advance treatment and care management in the region• Enhance patient education and access to innovative technology for diabetes management • Deepen regional education and trainings for physicians on the latest technology to manage diabetes• Become a leader in facilitating adoption of new technologies that improve patient outcomes• Lead new initiatives and collaborations to transform diabetes care delivery and management "Some of today's most pertinent healthcare challenges such as rising healthcare costs and a rapidly ageing population call for new approaches and models. With its sizeable presence in Singapore, we welcome Medtronic's contributions in this multi-stakeholder effort to transform healthcare," said Ms. Thien Kwee Eng, assistant managing director, Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB). "We believe this will set a strong precedent for industry to participate actively in co-creating new healthcare solutions out of Singapore, which will benefit healthcare in Singapore and the region."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7017/glenmark-launches-digital-dose-inhaler.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7017/glenmark-launches-digital-dose-inhaler.html Fri, 27 May 2016 11:53:34 +0530 Glenmark Pharmaceuticals has announced launch of Digihaler - India's first Digital Dose Inhaler (DDI)." This next-gen inhaler provides accurate digital dose counter along with low dose warning indicator to enable Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients to track adherence to their therapy. As per WHO estimates 2007, there are 300 million people currently suffering from asthma globally, and it is expected that could increase by further 100 million by 2025. There have been 2,50,000 deaths per year globally and 57,500 deaths per year in India. On the occasion of the launch, Mr Sujesh Vasudevan, president and head of India Formulations & Africa Region, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, said, "We feel Digital revolution will play a central role in the industry. Especially in Asthma and COPD disease, were patient's non-adherence to treatment regime is age old challenge worldwide, and also one of major reason for inadequate control of asthma and COPD across age groups. Digihaler is "India's First Digital Dose Inhaler (DDI)", aims to address this age old challenge, the device will enable the patients to track the number of doses that have been consumed and prominently placed indicator provides a low dose warning which is beneficial to patients. This will further enable the doctors to determine patient's adherence to the prescribed therapy regime." He added, "Digihaler also addresses the issue of pseudo-adherence & tail-off phenomenon which leads to poor outcome of the therapy. Pseudo-adherence is when patients thinks that he/she taking their medication but in reality is just activating a nearly empty canister. A "tail-off" phenomenon occurs when patients continues to use the inhaler beyond the recommended number of doses and the drug delivery per actuation becomes inconsistent and unpredictable, with the amount of active drug eventually becoming negligible." He added further, "With the launch of Digihaler, Glenmark is committed to provide innovative and world class products at affordable prices, and it further expands and strengthens our product offerings in the respiratory category too"   Digihaler, represents a next-gen inhaler which is "India's First Digital Dose Inhaler" (DDI). The device has DDI enabled with electronic dose metered kit which ensures 'Precise' or 'Accurate' delivery of dosage for 'Assured' benefits. The revolutionary Digital Dose Inhaler - DDI offers several benefits like low dose display forewarning the patient about the impending end of the 'recommended' doses, end dose display, so device can be replaced with a new one' and "Tail-Off" phenomenon.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8272/medtronic-qualcomm-collaborate-for-diabetes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8272/medtronic-qualcomm-collaborate-for-diabetes.html Thu, 26 May 2016 11:35:36 +0530 Medtronic and Qualcomm through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Qualcomm Life, announced a global, multi-year collaboration to jointly develop future generation continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems that aim to improve health outcomes for people with diabetes. By giving insights to doctors and people with type 2 diabetes concerning glucose levels, the companies intend to enable more informed care, especially for those who do not have control of their diabetes today. The collaboration seeks to leverage Medtronic's market-leadership in diabetes management and Qualcomm Life's expertise in developing reference designs for wireless, single-use and small integrated modules to create more affordable, easier-to-use CGM systems, including a new sensor and smaller design that can provide near real-time and retrospective glucose data. The initial focus of the collaboration will be to develop a single-use CGM system designed for broader practice by general practitioners who manage care for the vast majority of the 400 million people worldwide with type 2 diabetes. This collaboration supports Medtronic's strategy to develop comprehensive CGM solutions that not only measure glucose but enable the delivery of actionable insights to both patients and providers.   Leveraging Qualcomm Life's deep wireless expertise and technologies, 2net(TM) Design is a platform for designing the communications components of connected medical devices, including disposable drug delivery devices and disposable diagnostic devices for condition specific connected therapies. "We believe that glucose should be a vital sign of diabetes health. Professional CGM is an increasingly used diagnostic tool that empowers physicians and patients with meaningful glucose data to tackle glucose control. Our solutions go beyond delivering data and provide automated observations and clinical decision support to help create a personalized care plan," said Ms Laura Stoltenberg, vice president and general manager, Non-Intensive Diabetes Therapies at Medtronic. "Our vision is to transform diabetes care so people with diabetes can enjoy greater freedom and better health. We are thrilled to be collaborating with Qualcomm Life - a best-in-class leader in wireless technologies that is ahead of the curve in a rapidly changing connected world - to develop innovative and affordable CGM systems that will fundamentally change type 2 diabetes management." "Qualcomm Life's connected health expertise along with our enabling 2net Connectivity Platform and 2net Design capabilities fit naturally with Medtronic's diabetes leadership in bringing future generation CGM systems to market," said Mr Rick Valencia, president and general manager, Qualcomm Life, Inc. "This collaboration furthers our commitment of enabling new connected care models that liberate vital data and unlock insights to deliver intelligent care wherever the patient may be." .   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/8306/global-contrast-media-injectors-market-to-more-than-double-to-1-8-bn-by-2022.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/8306/global-contrast-media-injectors-market-to-more-than-double-to-1-8-bn-by-2022.html Wed, 25 May 2016 16:16:14 +0530 The company's latest report states that this rise, which will occur across 15 major markets, will mainly be driven by increases in the number of annual computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and angiography procedures, as well as growth in the utilization of contrast media injectors and increasing disease burdens. Ms Sarah Janer, GlobalData's Analyst covering Medical Devices, explains: "Contrast injectors can only be used alongside imaging devices, so the contrast media injector market relies on the growing demand for MRI and CT scanners. Indeed, as MRI machines are not normally packaged with an injector, hospitals must purchase MRI injectors separately from the suppliers. "CT contrast injectors, on the other hand, are usually packaged with CT scanner sales, so although the market for both types of injectors is growing, CT contrast media injectors experience higher replacement rates than new sales." The CT segment is the largest and fastest growing in the market and will rise at a CAGR of 12.3% during the forecast period, thanks to the rising popularity of CT imaging systems, which have become a standard for diagnostic imaging around the world. Single-head injectors make up the majority of the market's volume due to their low average selling price, which makes them especially attractive in emerging economies and hospitals that are pressed for funding. However, Ms Janer notes: "With the decline of CT injector prices in all sub-sections and geographies, GlobalData expects that dual-head injectors will experience high growth as hospitals seek to upgrade their injectors with more efficient models for lower costs." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8347/state-of-innovation-study-finds-double-digit-increases-in-global-innovation-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8347/state-of-innovation-study-finds-double-digit-increases-in-global-innovation-.html Tue, 24 May 2016 14:12:46 +0530 The pace of innovation among global corporations, universities, government agencies and research institutions has reached record levels. That's the finding of the 2016 State of Innovation Report: Disruptive, Game-Changing Innovation study, released today by the Intellectual Property & Science business of Thomson Reuters, the world's leading provider of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. Now in its seventh year, the annual study analyzes global intellectual property data, including worldwide patent application activity and scientific literature publications, as a leading indicator of innovation across 12 technology areas. This year's study finds a double-digit year-over-year surge in innovation growth, led by significant increases in the Medical Devices, Home Appliances, Aerospace and Defense, Information Technology, and the Oil & Gas sectors. The study also tracks global scientific literature publications as a window into the scientific and scholarly research that typically precedes discovery and the protection of innovation rights. Total scientific literature production, in contrast to overall patent volume, has posted a year-over-year decline, suggesting a potential slowdown in future innovation growth. Key findings from the report include: •Double-Digit Year-Over-Year Innovation Growth: Total, worldwide patent volume grew at an annualized rate of 13.7 percent in 2015, driving the overall growth rate for patents to over 100 percent since the State of Innovation study was launched in 2009. The total volume of new scientific research has declined 19 percent over the last year and 27 percent since 2009. •Medical Devices, Home Appliances, Aerospace & Defense Lead Growth: The industries showing the largest growth in year-over-year patent volume were Medical Devices (27 percent); Home Appliances (21 percent); Aerospace and Defense (15 percent); Oil & Gas (14 percent); and Information Technology (13 percent). •Biotechnology is Only Sector to Slow: The only sector in the study to log a year-over-year decline in patent volume in 2015 was Biotechnology, which saw a -2 percent move. •Open Innovation Models Thrive: The phenomenon of "open innovation" whereby corporations, universities, government agencies, and research institutions increasingly partner to bring new technologies to market, is evident in the increased comingling of multinational corporations and prolific scientific research institutions. These include, Procter & Gamble, listed alongside the University of Sao Paulo, the U.S. FDA, and Harvard University among top research institutions inthe field of Cosmetics, and Ford, listed alongside the University of Michigan and Polytechnic University of Turin among top researchers in the Automotive sector. "The last year has been marked by a series of epic breakthroughs: the first autonomous cars tested on public highways, the longest-ever human space mission, the first biosimilar drug approval - all of these were made possible by disrupting conventional boundaries and testing the limits of human creativity," said Mr Vin Caraher, president, Intellectual Property & Science, Thomson Reuters. "By consistently benchmarking innovation with concrete metrics on global patent and scientific literature production, we're able to get a clear outlook on future growth areas."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/1564/dbt-launched-indigenously-developed-stool-management-kit.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/1564/dbt-launched-indigenously-developed-stool-management-kit.html Mon, 23 May 2016 11:28:15 +0530 Worldwide hundred million bedridden patients suffer from inadequate bowel management.Impaired bowel control and diarrhoea in bedridden patients pose significant challenges for patients and care providers alike. Patients with faecal incontinence and diarrhoea have 22 times higher odds of developing facility acquired pressure ulcers (FAPU), which increase to 37.5 times higher odds if they are also immobile. Traditional bowel mismanagement cannot even lead to an increased length of stay but also an increase in avoidable healthcare expenditure due to complications such as pressure ulcers and nosocomial infections Till date only few measures are available for management of faecal incontinence and diarrhoea includes absorbent pads and adult diapers. Though these methods are not so expensive, but obviously these methods are time consuming, labour intensive, and lead to costly complications, such as incontinence associated dermatitis (IAD), facility acquired pressure ulcers (FAPU), and spread of nosocomial infections. Indwelling balloon cuf-based faecal management systems have been shown to reduce risk of complications such as infection and skin breakdown. However, since these devices anchor on the pressure-sensitive anorectic junction, they put patients at risk of new complications, involving injury to the rectal mucosa and sphincter dysfunction. Qora is a closed-system stool management kit that hygienically contains liquid to semi-formed stool.It reduces the risk of complications associated with traditional bowel management. The kit minimizes nursing time and effort spent on stool management. It also optimizes safety and comfort for bedridden patients suffering from impaired bowel control.It has proprietary lattice diverter conforms to rectal wall at rest and during peristalsis, diverting faecal exudates while minimizing leakage.With this it has indwelling component designed to function in patients with all kinds of sphincter tone and without inhibiting normal anorectic physiology. Qora is innovative, patient-friendly applicator minimizes exposure to effluents and contaminants during device insertion. Device Components â—¾Hygienic Device Applicator: It comes preloaded with indwelling faecal diverter.â—¾Sampling, Irrigation & Withdrawal Port: For easier patient management during device use.â—¾Collection Bag: Detachable and disposable, hygienically collects stool and prevents odour.   A New Standard of CareIt reduces instances of facility acquired pressure ulcers and spread of nosocomial infections.It reduces burden on nursing staff, ensuring dignifies and compassionate patient care.It ensures better patient care , reduces length of stay and improved bed turnover Closed faecal management systems have been clinically shown to effectively prevent stool contact with skin, reducing chances of developing secondary complications that increase healthcare costs and extend the patient's length of stay. Switching to Qora not only brings down cost of consumables, but also decreases net overall cost burden of faecal containment. The intellectual property for the company's core Qora technology under DBT's ownership has been granted in key markets, including US, EU, Canada, Singapore, Australia, and Japan. As a result of its elegant and versatile design, the Qora technology has the potential to expand globally and benefit more than 100 million faecal incontinent patients each year.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7960/quadio-launches-the-first-ever-revolutionary-hearing-app-for-android-and-ios-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7960/quadio-launches-the-first-ever-revolutionary-hearing-app-for-android-and-ios-in-india.html Wed, 18 May 2016 13:15:26 +0530 Quadio Devices has introduced for the first time their path breaking Q+ hearing app in Mumbai on android and iOS platforms. The app promises to be a holistic mobile-based hearing solution complete with all the features of a conventional hearing tool. The Q+ app is a first of its kind free application that is ultra-advanced besides being affordable, accessible, controllable and customizable. Quadio uses the latest internet and mobile technology to push the boundaries of telemedicine and hearing care and merge the worlds of healthcare and technology. The Q+ app harnesses the processing power of your smart phone to enable it to be used as a complete and fully-functional hearing mechanism. It is designed to maximize the listening experience based on the results of a simple interactive hearing test. The app also gives you the ability to control and customize sound quality by intelligently enhancing hearing sounds and speech. With the Q+ app you can easily follow conversations using the phone headset in both quiet and noisy environments, and control the sound quality to customize it to your preference. The inbuilt hearing test in Q+ is calibrated for accuracy as per ANSI standards for audiometry. Sharing his excitement at the app launch, Mr Neeraj Dotel, CEO, Quadio Devices Pvt Ltd said, "Hearing loss is the second largest disability in the country that affects more than 120 million lives with majority sufferers over the age of 60. There are less than 2000 practicing audiologists in India and therefore most people have never actually received treatment until their hearing has degraded severely with age. The Q+ app is a stellar example of the innovative capabilities of Quadio where our customers don't have to shell out big bucks for hearing care and anyone with a smartphone can now have access to high-quality hearing mechanism."   Mr Anurag Sharma, co-founder and CTO Quadio Devices, said: "It gives me extreme pleasure to introduce Q+, a hearing solution app that delivers a complete hearing experience. When we started Quadio in 2009, the objective was to come up with a hearing solution that empowered people to hear what they wanted, how they wanted and wherever they wanted. The flexibility of controls offered by a smartphone app is much more than that offered by conventional hearing aids and, along with the affordability of smartphones, the reach of app store, and the inbuilt test, this gets us closer to achieving our objective. I appreciate the hard work put in by our team in creating a wonderful amalgam of technology, intuitive design and stellar performance into a package that is Q+." One of India's finest ENT specialists, Padma Shri awardee Dr Milind Kirtane, consultant ENT surgeon at Hinduja Hospital said, "I would say it would be ideal that universal new-born hearing screening be made compulsory or obligatory, because early detection and therefore early intervention, can really make a significant difference in the life of a person affected with hearing loss." Quadio was founded by two IIT graduates - Mr Paresh Patel from IIT Kanpur and Mr Anurag Sharma, a silver medalist from IIT Bombay with a vision to deliver innovative hearing solutions to anyone, anytime, anywhere, and empower individuals to hear what they want, how they want and when they want. Their mission is to increase penetration of hearing aids and solutions across the globe thus leading to improved quality of life for the hearing impaired.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6981/mapmygenome-launches-babymap-carrier-newborn-screening-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6981/mapmygenome-launches-babymap-carrier-newborn-screening-.html Mon, 16 May 2016 15:27:12 +0530 Recommended for newborns, expecting parents, and people planning a pregnancy, this test screens for 71+ metabolic conditions that can be treated in newborns. Ms Anu Acharya, CEO of Mapmygenome announced this news, adding, "Pregnancy and parenthood are among the most joyful experiences in a person's life. We want to make these experiences healthy and tension-free. Babymap allows parents to make informed choices to ensure their newborns and future children stay healthy." Dr Radha Rama Devi, MD (Peds) at Rainbow Hospital who was instrumental in setting up the first Newborn Screening for preventable causes of mental retardation in India and published the first data on the prevalence of these disorders in the Indian population, said, " Babymap is an excellent idea and will replace the newborn screening tests currently used". Babymap test requires blood samples for genetic testing using the technology platform Next Generation Sequencing for over 31,000 pathogenic single nucleotide variants and minor insertions and deletions. Following analysis, a session with Mapmygenome's genetic counsellors allows parents to learn about their carrier status and future course of action. This test starts at Rs 30,000 for individuals, with attractive pricing options for couples and parents of newborns. Mapmygenome plans to market this test through their healthcare partners.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8160/sun-pharma-leverages-mobile-technology-to-boost-treatment-compliance-amongst-asthma-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8160/sun-pharma-leverages-mobile-technology-to-boost-treatment-compliance-amongst-asthma-patients.html Tue, 10 May 2016 11:36:07 +0530 As part of its focus to give boost to treatment compliance amongst Asthma patients by minimizing instances of non-adherence and drop-outs in Asthma treatment regime, Sun Pharma is rolling out India's first unique & innovative mobile application that will connect Doctors and Asthma patients. This App has been specifically developed by Sun Pharma for enabling doctors to track treatment progress of their patients and increase compliance to medication for better management of asthma disease. It is estimated that nearly 50 to 70 percent patients in India do not adhere to asthma treatment regimen recommended by a doctor. Up to 50 percent of such non-adherence is on account of the patient's forgetfulness to take medicines on time and due to inadequate understanding of the prescribed treatment regimen. Sun Pharma's RespiTrack aims to address these and other reasons leading to non-adherence thereby improving compliance to Asthma treatment through recurring medication reminders, pre-programmed alerts, Over-the-Air review by the doctor etc. Commenting on its RespiTrack mobile Application, Mr Abhay Gandhi, CEO - India Business, Sun Pharma said, "Unlike other chronic illnesses where non-adherence to treatment regimen could have significant impact on the patient's health, Asthmatics tend to be low on the short-run adversity impact of non-adherence. However, in the long run, the implications of non-adherence to prescribed Asthma treatment can severely impede quality of life of these patients. By leveraging our digital technology capabilities, we believe RespiTrack can address this unmet need by reducing non-adherences incidences to treatment." For an Asthma patient, RespiTrack allows complete monitoring of asthma attacks, symptoms and medications prescribed by the physician. It enables these patients to record time, place, duration & triggers of attacks along with medication details on the mobile App. The patient can easily send this data to the consulting physician through over-the-air mode on a weekly or monthly basis. RespiTrack also offers a review dashboard that gives a snapshot of all parameters to monitor over a period of time.   Through RespiTrack, a doctor can access his patient's details through a personalized tracker module which is directly synced with the patient's App. This module allows doctors to access patient's ailment history, attack patterns, symptoms, medication patterns and reports. A doctor can remotely view patient reports and also connect with them through an integrated messaging app. As per WHO Report, India has an estimated 15-20 million asthmatic patients. Various studies estimate that nearly 40% of Asthma patients use inhalers and the rest prefer oral formulations. Sun Pharma's RespiTrack is available on Google Play Store & Apple Store. A patient needs a Registration Number issued by his/her doctor to use this App.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8058/siemens-healthineers-new-brand-for-siemens-healthcare-business.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8058/siemens-healthineers-new-brand-for-siemens-healthcare-business.html Mon, 09 May 2016 11:16:43 +0530 It is unique and bold and best describes the Healthcare organization and its people - the people accompanying, serving and inspiring customers - the people behind outstanding products and solutions. "We have an exceptional track record of engineering and scientific excellence and are consistently at the forefront of developing innovative clinical solutions that enable providers to offer efficient, high quality patient care. Going forward as Siemens Healthineers, we will leverage this expertise to provide a wider range of customized clinical solutions that support our customers business holistically. We are confident in our capability to become their inspiring partner on our customers' journey to success", explained Mr Bernd Montag, CEO of the company. "Our new brand is a bold signal for our ambition and expresses our identity as a people company - 45,000 employees worldwide who are passionate about empowering healthcare providers to optimally serve their patients." As part of its Vision 2020 strategy Siemens AG announced nearly two years ago that its healthcare business would be separately managed as a company within the company with a new organizational setup. Siemens Healthineers will continue to strengthen its leading portfolio across the medical imaging and laboratory diagnostics business while adding new offerings such as managed services, consulting and digital services as well as further technologies in the growing market for therapeutic and molecular diagnostics. The name of the legal entities will remain unchanged.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7884/wipe-health-woos-with-wearables.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7884/wipe-health-woos-with-wearables.html Fri, 06 May 2016 13:02:30 +0530 Healthcare and fitness are the two segments where wearables are gaining increasing acceptance. Wearables fitness bands are becoming more and more desirable. From general-purpose devices like fitness bands that track steps, calorie intake etc to the more serious diagnostic devices, wearables are slowly getting integrated into the healthcare system. Wearables for wiping worriesWearable technology companies are addressing several different aspects most prominently lifestyle/active monitoring, smart watches that can connect with phone and provide notifications and medical grade monitoring of one's health. "In an emerging economy like ours, remote diagnostics and medicine is a huge need. Wearable technology can help by taking most of the diagnostics out of hospitals and into the patient's phones," says Mr Anshuman Singh, founder, RetiSense, a start-up firm developing Stridalyzer, an injury-preventing running wearable (insole). With innovation and advancements in wearable technology, specifically miniaturization of sensor technology, wireless communication technology, and wearable computational technology has made possible the development of small, light, durable, comfortable, safe and low cost wearable medical devices. "The miniaturization of wearable devices has also enabled clinical monitoring beyond the hospital area, in the home or during outdoor activities," said Ms Shivani Jaiswal, associate manager, IndustryArc, a market research and consulting firm. At present majority of the companies are offering general purpose devices that offer activity tracking. (e.g. step counts, general estimate of physical activity etc). "However, we are starting to see more purpose-built products and services that fit particular scenarios such as specific fitness activities (running, swimming, golf etc.) and health conditions (e.g. diabetes, neurological disorders, chronic diseases) ," mentioned Dr Alick Law, director of marketing and business development, Sensoria. Sensoria designs, develops, and produces body-sensing wearable devices.   Its products include anklet and sensor infused socks that provides step counting, speed, calories, altitude, and distance tracking data as well as tracks cadence, foot landing techniques, and weight distribution on the foot as users walk and run; and fitness bras and t-shirts with heart rate monitor that provides heart rate data. Speaking on the similar lines, Mr Mohammed Hussain Naseem, co-founder and CEO-2mpower Health Management Services said, "Many wearable technology companies have mushroomed in the past one-­-year. Most of them are focusing on low hanging fruits - preventive care through quantification of data. However, many specialized companies are focusing on more urgent issues. They are developing wearable medical technology products for disease management, efficient medical measures and real time response during emergency situations." 2mpower is a technology company focused on preventive health management. GetActive is their current product which promotes physical activity. Wearables: Fancy gadgets or serious health devices?Most of the times wearables are seen as a cool, intelligent fashion accessory but can it evolve beyond that to become an essential part of healthcare? It can be asserts Dr Srinivasan Murali, CEO at SmartCardia, a spin-off from the Embedded Systems Lab (ESL), EPFL. SmartCardia's revolutionary wearable technology enables new fitness, gaming, wellness and medical applications. He said, "While current fitness bands are for gadget lovers and early adopters, we will see a wave of products in the near future that would monitor more concrete health parameters, such as blood pressure, stress levels and would connect the users with specialists." "The question shouldn't be whether they can become a part of the healthcare system, but rather how soon it'll occur. A lot of movement in the industry is already in place to service this exact gap, Mainstream wearable devices through sponsored wellness programs, and pharmaceutical and provider networks will leverage wearables to integrate with the other content and services around key solutions that go beyond prescriptions and pills to drive meaningful behavior change," said Mr Pratik Saraogi, founder and CEO at Oxstren Wearables, a start-up developing fitness accessories. Its product line include smart workout gloves, smart Wristwraps and smart headbands. There are active research projects exploring the potential of these products to improve patients' lives. For example, recently Biogen and PatientsLikeMe's study to quantify physical activity of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) between doctor appointments finds that wearables improve walking ability in MS patients. "MS impairs the ability to walk for many people, yet we only assess walking ability in the limited time a patient is in the doctor's office. Consumer devices can measure number of steps, distance walked, and sleep quality on a continuous basis in a person's home environment. These data could provide potentially important information to supplement office visit exam," said Dr Richard Rudick, vice-president, value based medicine, Biogen, while releasing the study result.Hopefully we will see more conclusive outcomes in the near future. At present, the major market is for activity trackers. The real value add to the consumer would come when we have wearables that can track medically accurate information, helping in preventing health risks (such as cardiac issues) and allowing personalized medication and treatment. Growing popularity of wearablesThe fact that nearly every month there is a new wearable in the market says something about the growing fascination for these wonder gadgets. Many factors are spurring the growth of these health devices. Consumer awareness of healthy and active lifestyles is one of the major factor why everybody want to wrap their wrist with these health bands. Dr Murali said, "Activity tracking and having a healthy lifestyle is picking up. There is a strong need for health monitoring devices that could help the users monitor regularly their health conditions, such as sugar level or blood pressure." As per Ms Jaiswal, "The growing popularity of wearables are increasing caused by following reasons like health consciousness among people, increase in health consumer behavior among people, greater health trend to move from hospital care to home care and subsequently to personal care and so on." Also, increasing lifestyle diseases that demand continually monitoring of the vital stats also fuel the demand for these wearable. "With heart disease and diabetes remaining two of the major causes of death globally, keeping a healthy and active lifestyle has never been more important. Our UP bands helps people better understand their health and well-being by tracking sleep, activity, and nutrition along with clear tools - through our UP app and Smart Coach system - to help them take action and live better," said a Jawbone Spokesperson. The fact that most of the wearables, especially wrist bands also makes for a very good looking accessory could also be one of the reasons that people are drawn towards it. This is a hype cycle, when people are intrigued and experimenting this new technology. The benefit it provides today to an individual is limited and utility is "good to have." It has no real urgency for adoption, says Mr Naseem. Consumer TractionAn Accenture survey (Accenture Digital Consumer Tech Survey 2014) found that more than half of consumers (52 percent) are interested in buying wearable technologies such as fitness monitors for tracking physical activity and managing their personal health. The survey of more than 6,000 people in six countries - Australia, Canada, India, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States - showed that many are also interested in buying smart watches (46 percent) and Internet-connected eyeglasses (42 percent). Among the six countries, consumers in India were most interested in buying fitness monitors (80 percent), smart watches (76 percent) and Internet-enabled eyeglasses (74 percent). "Wearables are selling as an 18 billion dollar business. We have companies like Garmin, Fitbit and Jawbone doing extremely well. A lot of people now are getting health conscious so people are buying devices. For some people it is becoming a social statement, and people want to show off their bands. But we do see the trend changing, said Mr Chirag Jagtiani, founder and CEO at Fitkat Inc. Fitkat is an activity tracker that tracks your steps, calories, water intake and is also a ct as a pill reminder. The Wearables are being successfully used in home healthcare, remote patient monitoring (RPM), fitness and sports etc among others. "I think adoption has been steadily increasing. Momentum has picked-­-up in countries like US and some parts of Europe. InternetofThing (IoT) is a big opportunity and wearables are an integral part of this revolution. Consumers are intrigued, experimenting and assessing the utility. As companies in wearables space, we need to give more tangible reasons its adoption to consumers," said Mr Naseem. Market research reports are very bullish about the wearables industry and pegged it to be the next billion dollar industry in the years to come. Trends: Present and future Wrists band undoubtedly at present are synonyms with the wearables but moving on to the future we will see different forms of these wearables and the future of this space will involve more than just a wrist band. "Technology is fast changing in the wearables market. The next generation devices would be patches that can stick on different parts of the body and obtain clinical parameters, such as the ECG. We will also see electronic skin tattoos that a user could wear for a week or so using an adhesive, and would hardly notice even the existence of the patch. We will have sweat sensors that could provide many of the data that we usually obtain using blood tests today," said Dr Murali. Wearable blood glucose monitors is another possibility that can surge in the coming future. "The blood glucose monitors are becoming extremely important as persons suffering from diabetes are increasing. Therefore, as the diabetes prevalence rate becomes high across the globe with expensive diagnosis, it is contemplated that wearable blood glucose monitors will be adopted at mass level," said Ms Jaiswal. "We can speak for Jawbone and we can clearly say that the UP platform and hardware continue to grow globally - People love the design and feel of UP, which is a huge competitive advantage for us. People care about it making a difference: we are the only platform delivering Insights and behavior change helping people not just see their data, but understand it, and use it to change their behavior. And stepping into the future, we will see more multi-sensor devices like UP3, that take the sector and these devices to another level - We have over 1000 granted or pending patents and no other company matches our expertize around multi-sensors," said Jawbone's Spokesperson As per Mr Saraogi, primary wearable devices will act as central connectors for all kinds of devices and information. Today the smartphone is a de facto wearable device-a central hub for accessories and data gathering. In time, smart watches and smart glasses will emerge as key primary devices, acting as a central collection portal for different wearables. Allocations of these hubs may serve to gather and host specific data, as in the Medical field, or serve more broadly as integrating hubs, like the Apple Health Kit. He further added, "Secondary wearable devices will be intended to capture specific Action or measurement, data that can then be funneled back into a primary Wearable device for more comprehensive context, analysis and, ultimately, Actionable insight. Examples of secondary wearable devices include shirts, Shoes, helmets, fitness bands, badges and more. These secondary devices will be companion devices to primary wearables-and as secondary devices become more prolific and on point, the quality of data will improve, making the entire Wearable ecosystem more powerful, more impactful and more actionable." The future of technology is wearable and there is no doubt about that. However the form factor will undergo a lot of iteration over the years. "I see the biggest scope of such integrating with textile. Clothes are something we will always wear and be passionate about. So when such technologies start being incorporated into textiles then there will be a dramatic rise in acceptability of such products," said Mr Aanan Khurma, co-founder at Observe Design Inc. Observedesign is a healthcare innovation start-up focused on reducing healthcare associated infections in hospitals with innovative design and technology solutions. Its integrated platform allows healthcare facilities to observe, record and analyse the adherence to infection control protocols in their facilities. Most apparel brands like Ralph Lauren and Under Armour are realizing this opportunity. Ralph Lauren has launched (available for $295) PoloTech Shirt, which works with an iPhone or Apple Watch to put real-time workout data in the palm of your hand. Created exclusively for use with the shirt, the PoloTech App offers live biometrics, adaptive workouts and more. The shirt seamlessly melds modern innovation with an iconic look that is unmistakably Polo. Similarly, Google and Under Armour are also working on connected clothing. This space as we know it going to change dramatically. Market in 2020 Global wearable medical device market is growing at a CAGR (compounded annual growth rate) of 21.3 percent from 2014-2020 and is estimated to reach to $ 41,368M by 2020 says IndustryArc. Industry is positive that Indian wearable industry which is in infancy at present will get mature over the next five years. "In India, the market is just opening up, and by 2020 we will have 3 or 4 big players in the field of wearable health monitoring," said Dr Murali. By 2020, wearables would start getting mainstream adoption. "We will see various devices (e.g. smart watches, smart shoes, smart clothing) being adopted by consumers, and various services (e.g. payments, security, personal identification, healthcare diagnostics, etc) will be offered by all major industries," said Mr Singh. Indian market is lagging by seven years in wearable space as compared to the US. But the main reason for this is the current UTILITY of wearables is minimum on solving burning issues. "It's used more for behavior change, which has high resistance in countries like India. By 2020, as wearables come in mainstream, adoptions will be at a very high pace, similar to mobility," said Mr Naseem. As with most of the trends wearables growth will dependent on the economy. A lot of which depends on how industries, GDP, and how our economy shapes in this defining moment. "As of now, the wearable tech market is limited to the higher income strata of the Indian market, as compared to a 25 percent adoption rate in the US but the combination of the growing awareness, cheaper production, Costs, flash sales, only point out that this can turn into the next frenzy with a CAGR higher than E-Commerce!" concluded Mr Saraogi.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7262/exclusive-the-emerging-new-wave-of-theranostics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7262/exclusive-the-emerging-new-wave-of-theranostics.html Wed, 04 May 2016 17:33:11 +0530 Imagine a very tiny capsule injected just below the skin of your arm. The capsule has a sensor capable of continuously measuring blood glucose levels and sends the information to your phone. Well, let's spice it up one level above the notch. Say, when the blood glucose level crosses its threshold, visualize the tiny little capsule releasing a dose of insulin in your blood stream. What this does is offer total freedom from regular needle pricks to measure blood sugar levels, and frees patients from the anxiety of taking the right insulin doses at the right time. Science Fiction Or Reality? Nope, this isn't something straight out of a Steven Spielberg's upcoming science fiction movie. This is Theranostics. A combination of diagnosis with therapy geared to revolutionize and disrupt the world of healthcare diagnostics. "The idea of Theranostics is old," says Dr Biplab Bose, an Associate Professor in the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati. "However, the term was coined and gained popularity in recent times, thanks to the development of targeted drug-delivery, microfluidics, and nanotechnology. Both in India and abroad, extensive work is going on to use targeted nano-delivery systems for Theranostics. A prime focus on this is to create drug loaded nanoparticles that are suitable for both in-vivo imaging and as well as for targeted drug-delivery." Theranostics is the development and use of molecules for both diagnostics and therapeutic purposes, thereby providing Precision Medicine to patients - first in a clinical setting - for further understanding their diseases at molecular level, and then prescribing specific medicines.   "For example," adds Dr Aman Sharma, the Founder of Pune-based start-up ExoCan Healthcare Technology which focuses on Oncodiagnostics and Therapeutics space. "Fever in different patients has similar symptoms like rise in the body temperature. However, it may occur due to different infections. Hence, detecting the infection, whether bacterial or virus, accurately and then providing specific therapy is addressed by Theranostics." The classic example is the use of Herceptin drug, a monoclonal antibody (mAb), against HER2 receptor, a specific protein expressed in almost 30% of breast cancer patients, to treat grade IV breast cancer patients. Theranostics approach would be to first identify HER2 over-expression in breast cancer patients by a diagnostic test, and then prescribe Herceptin as a drug to those who have this over-expression. In other words, Theranostics deliver customized treatment plan for patients, resulting in the availability of right drug, for the right patient, at the right time. "This combining of therapeutic and diagnostic modalities for personalized treatment of patients enhances drug efficacy and ensure patients safety," comments Dr Arumugam Muruganandam, MD & CSO of Bangalore-based Affigenix Biosolutions. "At present in India, patient-centered care which focuses on integrating two disciplines such as imaging and therapy for targeted drug-delivery at the site of action is in limited practice except in specialty hospitals for cancer and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs)." Indian Theranostics Scene Molecular theranostics is a major field that involves small biochemical moieties and biomacromolecules. India is yet to get its share of modern Theranostics field. There are a few start-up companies in India that are operating in the Theranostics and Personalized Medicine in general. "Theranostics and Personalized Medicine are very nascent sectors in India, as compared to the West, where personalised medical approaches have reached the clinic on a much larger scale," shares Dr Nilay Lakhkar, Founder & CEO, SynThera Biomedical, a start-up focusing on manufacturing and commercialization of biomaterials-based medical devices. The West may be early adopters of the evolving field of Theranostics in to their routine healthcare as it promotes safer and more efficacious pharmacotherapies to patients which is supported by patients, and encouraged by Insurance companies. "Whereas in India, we may gradually implement Theranostics across urban areas as it becomes affordable with appropriate testing systems, and expertise becomes available," remarks Dr Arumugam. Currently in the West, a severe disease like cancer is treated through precision medicine. For example, mutational typing of a cancer is first performed and the right therapy or drug is then prescribed based on the mutation. Nanoparticles made of Iron Oxide and Gold are increasingly adapted for both in vivo diagnosis and treating cancer. Here the diagnosis is performed by using existing clinical imaging techniques such as MRI (iron oxide) and X-ray or CT (Gold), where in following the intravenous injection, the nanoparticles accumulate in the tumor tissue to provide precise contrast thereby differentiating it from normal tissue. Considering the Indian population and its disease burden, Theranostics will eventually enter the Indian healthcare market in a big way in the next couple of years. "In the next 5 or 6 years, we would see some form of Theranostics in clinical use, particularly for solid tumours. I believe oncologists along with radiologists will probably be the first to introduce Theranostics in clinics," Dr Biplab predicts. However, the key question is whether India will be able to develop any such products indigenously? There are several lacking factors, points Dr Biplab. "Factors include lack of access to advanced instruments. India is lacking in the development of real-life microfluidic devices. However, Indian scientists have gained reputation in the field of nano-materials, including nano-drug delivery systems. Unfortunately, Indian pharma companies are slow to pick the thread from laboratories, and have not yet built upon the developments that have happened in our academic labs," he stresses. Also, the patients in India are not much clinically educated. "One of the fundamental issue is cost factor, and the absence of active clinical trials and proper counselling in Government hospitals; and lack of high throughput facilities are among many reasons which retard the development of opportunities in Theranostics in our country," highlights Dr Aman. The key areas of Theranostics have developed rapidly in the last few years including Photo-Immunotherapy (PIT), and nano-particle-based drug-delivery and imaging systems. "We may soon see some successful clinical trials in these two segments," reveals Dr Biplab. In a way, Personalized Medicine, Theranostics and Precision Medicine are all interlinked from the view point of treatment. Dr Arumugam explains, "It is all about the right drug, at the right time, for the right patients. Theranostics mainly refers to treatment strategy that combines therapeutics with diagnostics as one treatment unit. Personalized Medicine imply that drugs are being customized for each individual patient. In Precision Medicine, the dosing regimen is designed for patients based on drugs used, condition to be treated, genetics, environmental and lifestyle factors." Theranostics is important for both Personalized as well Precision Medicine, feels Dr Biplab. "I would say, it is important more for Precision Medicine. Take the example of a drug-delivery system that combines targeted drug-delivery and imaging of drug-delivery. Such drug-delivery system would allow the physician to deliver the drug to specific location as well as confirm it by imaging," he notes. The field of Theranostics is aided by Genomics, Proteomics, Organic or Inorganic Chemistry and Pharmacology. This makes it a broader field of interest, which cannot be catered by one researcher. "In a global perspective, active collaboration is very important for rational and innovative ideas to be seeded for true emergence of Theranostics. In Indian scenario, this is building up with many thematic inter-institutional and industry-academia proposals being funded by DBT, DST, ICMR and the likes. India ranks 3rd, with 1st and 2nd being China and USA, in research outcome in field of Nanotechnology, and a significant percent of publication is related to Nanotheranostics, funded mostly by DST's Nano Mission. India can be a global leader in the field, if collaboration between scientists in the above mentioned field is made stronger and sustained for a significant period of time," elaborates Dr Asifkhan Shanavas, Scientist, Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India. Theranostics and Personalized Medicine is bridged by Pharmacogenomics, a field that studies the effect of genes on a person's response to drugs. This relatively new field combines Pharmacology and Genomics to develop effective, safe medications and doses that will be tailored to a person's genetic makeup. Personalized Medicine also takes all non-genetic and environmental factors in to account, including gender, age, diet, lifestyle, and even the intestinal microflora. Under this regime, the doctor will advise the patient to first take an in vitro diagnostic test or a single in vivo imaging protocol with the Theranostic agent to identify its efficiency to selectively accumulate and act in the pathological site. "According to the therapeutic outcome," explains Dr Asifkhan, "the physician decides the course of treatment for the patient. Furthermore, information from non-invasive imaging on the accumulation of nanomedicine formulations in potentially endangered healthy tissues such as heart and brain may help in excluding patients from further treatment. Consequently, combination of non-invasive imaging and disease-targeted drug delivery has significant potential for Personalized Nanomedicine-based chemotherapeutic interventions, to achieve delivery of the right drug, to the right location, in the right patient, at the right time." India's Opportunities At Hand Indian population is genetically very diverse. Scientifically, the West-built Theranostics tools may not work well for Indian population. Moreover, the mutations or genomic anomalies present in the Western population may not be harbored by the Indian patients due to different genetic makeup. Dr Aman explains, "Hence, development of indigenous pool of databases for Theranostics in various diseases is what we should start with. Three vital opportunities lie ahead for Theranostics in India. Firstly, disease-specific database (diabetes, heart disease, and cancer can be taken on priority) generation for personalized medicine by genotyping known mutations and validation of existing biomarkers. "Secondly, setting up minimal infrastructure for Theranostics tests in hospital level settings. Lastly, there must be patient counselling centres inside hospitals to make patients aware of their disease type. Economically, we are one of the biggest markets for Theranostics as mentioned earlier due to very divergent genetic makeup of the population. The Government can encourage public-private partnerships to promote Theranostics research in collaboration with pharma and biotechnology giants and improve infrastructure for such opportunities." For advanced diseases like cancer, the greater diversity in Indian population creates a window of opportunities for Theranostics or Precision Medicine. Dr Nilay opines that opportunities do exist for Indian companies to focus on cutting-edge Theranostics products and services with demands being driven by a growing, affluent, and knowledgeable patient pool. "However, the Indian market for Personalised Medicine is still very much a niche market focused on high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), and upper middle-class consumers, since these therapies are highly expensive, and not yet easily scalable," he justifies. Dr Biplab believes that the first use of Theranostics would probably be in oncology clinics, where physicians would use targeted drug-delivery for solid tumours, and would be able to image or monitor such delivery in real-time. "Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in India, and its burden is increasing. Unlike many other disease, Precision Medicine is crucial in cancer. In near future, we may see several players in cancer Theranostics to enter the Indian market," adds Dr Biplab. India also has vast potential to exploit the Theranostics especially in nano Theranostics for patient care, provided the regulation and funding support system helps in the discovery by academic sector; development by biopharma sector; and adoption by healthcare providers for personalized treatment. "The middle income group population is growing in India, and medical tourism is on the rise, and my guess is that wealthy patients may be more willing to pay for personalized treatments," Dr Arumugam says. The sub-continent has significant population affected by both communicable (infectious disease of bacteria, fungi and virus) and non-communicable (cancer, myocardial infarction etc) diseases. Dr Asifkhan states that a significant percentage of these patients fail to respond to standard treatments due to emergence of drug resistance, which warrants newer effective strategies with rapid molecular diagnosis followed by rationally designed treatment. "Early detection and treatment is also vital to reduce such disease burden. Theranostic approach can have tremendous impact in this line along with appreciable reduction in cost involved due to the selective treatment protocol, i.e., Personalized Medicine," he highlights. Overcoming Obstacles Therapy and diagnosis go hand-in-hand, and both are expensive for a country like India, "Patient affordability is going to be a big challenge," stresses Dr Arumugam. "There is also perceived loss of opportunity by drug manufacturers for particular drug to be used by cherry-picking patients for treatments as it reduces the market potential of the drug. Educating doctors, patients, Insurers and regulators will be a challenge as Theranostics does not provide guaranteed outcome yet." Theranostics is closely related to patients. "Hence we should educate more patients about their disease types and right therapies, and how it can enhance lifesaving chances in case of a deadly disease," recommends Dr Aman. There is a need for the existence of certain private equity bodies, venture capitalists and Government schemes who can invest in high-risk upcoming areas like Theranostics. It also calls for setting up infrastructure to create biobanks, tissue banks, and minimal research setups in hospitals and medical colleges for creating our own indigenous databases. Dr Aman continues, "One of the most important shortcomings is the lack of good research in this area in our country. The Government should setup special grants schemes to promote biological research in Theranostics, and should also make a provision to bring research entities, medical colleges, and hospitals under one umbrella to make the best use of existing knowledge and resources." Just like drug development, work on Theranostics requires clarity on specific clinical requirements, understanding market dynamics, and the limitations of current technologies. "Therefore, successful development of a Theranostics requires active collaboration between academia, clinicians and the industry. In India such collaborations are rare, if not absent," Dr Biplab mentions. Dr Asifkhan also believes that cost will play a major role in translation of new Theranostic agents to clinics. He opines, "The foremost challenge is to develop these agents at lower costs, so that their industrial scalability will not have profound effect on its marketing costs, if they clear clinical trials. "Secondly, time is a crucial player in bringing some of the promising agents into market, as pre-clinical and clinical trial takes years to complete, demanding simple and efficient models such as organ-on-a-chip that provides quicker results on par to human trials. It is also important for Indian researchers to take up innovation as a key element to provide state-of-the-art Theranostic solutions." Strict Competition? Experts believe that the real completion is yet to begin perhaps due to great investments required in any Theranostics programs. One of the reasons is that it requires a huge sample base to start with, and compilation of information to reach statistical end-points. "Subsequently, that information is then put-up into R&D to design effective therapies for patients. The whole process is far more costly than just developing a common drug which would be used by bulk and unsorted population. Though, the field has far reaching implications for mankind, it is yet to take off to reach to its newer heights," says Dr Aman. Dr Arumugam also believes that though Theranostics has good potential it does not have any competitions at the moment. "In India, both doctors and patients may prefer to go with 'one-size-fits-all' approach, and continue with trial-and-error method for treating patients. Potential impact on revenues by the 'slice-and-dice' approach in selecting patients for personalized treatment will prevent wide acceptability by bigger hospital managements and biopharma companies, and may resist to change," he emphasizes. The Future While there are several advancements in molecular Theranostics to quote, the most attracting is in the field of Radiopharmaceuticals. They are successfully being used at Indian premier institutes such as Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre (RGCI&RC) among others. Dr Shailaditya Sengupta of Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) developed nanoparticles which first delivers an anticancer drug specifically to tumour tissues, and if the tumour starts dying or regressing, it then starts lighting up the tumour in real-time. This is a major finding to first treat and then have a follow-up on the course of a disease. In longer terms, Theranostics would pave the way for a healthier world around us. Advancement in Nanotechnology, Biosensors, Bioelectronics, Pharmacogenetics, Cancer Immunotherapy, Biomarker Profiling, Companion Diagnostics, and the ability to combine therapeutic and diagnostic capabilities into one single agent (nanomaterials) have already started a ripple effect in healthcare. "The only limiting factor is going to be the affordability for personalized treatment," states Dr Arumugam. In the future, patients who suffer from chronic diseases will have a combination of wearable devices and implantable Theranostics. Dr Biplab observes, "These will monitor our critical health parameters in real-time and intervene at the right time. Considering the speed in development of micro-fabrication and micro-electronics, I believe, such devices will be in our homes within the next 10 years." Five years down the line, breakthroughs in Theranostics R&D may bring down treatment costs, and increase scale-up potential. "A focus on building strategic partnerships with global players in the pharma and diagnostics sectors may be the way forward for Indian companies in this space," suggests Dr Nilay. Through Theranostics, the treatment costs might go up initially, but a faster disease recovery would be ensured. Dr Aman voices, "Theranostics might improve patient survival chances especially in cancer and heart disease patients. In totality, a greater health, emotional, and life security is what the goal of Theranostics is." At the moment, India does not have a statistical data on molecular nature of disease(s) among the Indian population. Nevertheless, combining the three major diseases including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, Theranostics market should value anywhere between US $300-500 billion in the next 5 years. In the coming years, a better collaboration between the fields of molecular or nano Theranostics and OMICs -- Genomics, Epigenomics, Transcriptomics, Proteomics and Metabolomics -- is expected to realize the dream of personalizing medical interventions, especially for evading disorders such as cancer. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8275/make-in-india-impact-on-biosciences-sector.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8275/make-in-india-impact-on-biosciences-sector.html Wed, 04 May 2016 12:00:00 +0530 In September 2014, Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi launched 'Make in India' program, rolling out the red carpet to investors through a string of measures including easier norms and rules aimed at transforming India into a manufacturing hub. BioPharma and Medtech were amongst the 25 sectors that the government has identified that are covered under the Make in India plan. In the recent times, the campaign has created a lot of buzz, and has been a topic of discussion at various business meetings. But has there been any concrete steps to boost this campaign especially in the biopharma and medtech sector? BioSpectrum tries to find out: Impact of Make in India:There are some contradictory response to this. Though, some believe that the campaign has failed to meet any expectations, some say it is a move in the right direction. Speaking for the Medtech sector, Dr GSK Velu, founder and managing director, Trivitron Group of Companies, "There are some significant benefits to this move which will bring down the cost of medical equipment and devices by 30 to 50 per cent and also the uptime of equipment in tier 2/3/4 towns will improve due to easier availability of spare parts. Local production will also lead to additional employment generation, local R&D and local skill development programmes. Moreover, the PM's vision has already attracted some major MNC players are attracted to set up low cost manufacturing units in India to serve emerging market." The campaign has a positive impact on the generic pharmaceutical firms' feels, but for the biotech sector nothing significant, feels Mr N Venkat, co-founder, Vyome Biosciences. He said, "Nothing much is yet visible in the PM's Make in India Campaign for the Biosciences/Medtech Industry and the Players. The policies and investment thesis only talks about the increase in investment but concrete plans should be brought to the fore front. There has been a positive effect, though, for the Generic Pharmaceutical Players."   Any positive outcomes?Definitely, with the Indian government supporting make in India all industries including healthcare are further sharpening their focus in India, said Ms Rekha Ranganathan- Global General Manager, Mobile Surgery & Head, Philips HIC. She added, "We expect even higher contribution from the region in the months to come. HIC, which aims at enhancing access to affordable healthcare in emerging markets, as well as across the globe is a key contributor to Philips globally. There has been a substantial increase in our healthcare footprint. Over the last few years, the facility has successfully launched 5 global products, doubled unit growth and filed multiple patents, making it a very important hub globally." Currently the government is willing to listen to the views of Indian Manufacturers in this segment and implement changes to the tariff structure and regulatory structure in the upcoming budget. "Indian Manufacturers are of the view Government should do away with 100% Customs duty exemption for all product categories as this has not benefited the end patients over the past two decades. As per the recent reports in the media, a Drug Eluting Stent which is being manufactured for Rs 5000 is being imported to India with around Rs 40,000 with nil Customs Duty and the end patient pays around Rs 1.5 lakhs for the same. Hence there is no rationale for Zero Customs duty for any Finished Goods imports and there should be at least 20% customs duty exemption between Finished Goods imports and Raw Materials/ Components import for ultimate manufacturing in the country," Dr Velu. "Nothing significant positive effects have been visible yet for the biotechnology industry, except for the momentum that Indian Pharmaceutical industry already has by being a global supplier of pharma generics. The trickledown effect might be visible some time later," said Mr N Venkat. Though at present, the effect might be negligible, the industry is optimistic that the future hold good promise for the campaign.   Major announcements/ initiatives to promote the sectorsIndian medical devices industry is extremely import dependent almost 70 percent. To boost domestic manufacturing, the government has announced 100 percent FDI in medical devices. Speaking for the Biotech sector Mr N Venkat says that as of yet, there hasn't been any major announcement which complements or supports the campaign for the biotechnology industry's. It may be noted that to realize the vision of PM Modi's vision of 'Make in India', department of chemicals and fertilizers had set up three task force, among which one was on 'Promotion of Domestic Production of High End Medical Devices and Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Equipment'. The Task Force has given recommendations to address concerns and constraints facing the sector and suggested measures that would augment domestic production of medical devices. The Task Force has recommended measures to enhance policy and institutional support; suggested strengthening of infrastructural support; and, recommended fiscal and financial support to the sector. In addition, the Task Force has also recommended measures for creating an institutional set-up for efficacy & safety testing, promoting skill development aligned to the need of the industry, strengthening the R&D Capability of the sector, pricing strategy for the sector and conducive regulatory environment.   Making India a manufacturing hubSo, how do we make India a manufacturing hub as envisioned by our PM, "By giving more significance to Indian companies than giving more importance to foreign companies at large can transform the country into a manufacturing hub, said Dr Velu. In order to establish a region as a manufacturing hub two main pre-requisites must be met talent and supplier base. "There is a very young, yet specialized population when it comes to R&D and engineering in India. We have a large base of this population and we need to invest in training this talent to become leaders in healthcare R&D and businesses. The supplier base in India is still at the infant stage in healthcare and we should focus on investing in increasing the supply base and ensure that we have global standards. Philips focus is to really develop and nurture this local base to further innovate and manufacture out of India," said Ms Ranganathan. Mr N Venkat suggests following measure can be taken to make the campaign a success and make India a biotechnology manufacturing hub viz, Creation of an ecosystem for development and capital availability for biosciences innovation and manufacturing units; Creation of optimal, effective and speedy regulatory system for approvals; Better export incentives for biotechnology industry with respect to technology licensing in addition to products' exports, to motivate novel biotechnology oriented companies to invest in and increase exports and Lucrative incentives for the global biotechnology players to set up their operations in India and collaborate with Indian biotechnology firms for joint product and technology development. Time has finally come to turn discussions to decisions.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8194/fda-nod-for-medtronics-single-chamber-icds-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8194/fda-nod-for-medtronics-single-chamber-icds-.html Tue, 03 May 2016 11:14:22 +0530 Medtronic has received the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) approval for the Visia AF MRI SureScan and Visia AF single-chamber implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). The Visia AF devices can detect previously undiagnosed and/or asymptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) and monitor recurrent AF, while treating life-threatening rhythms in the lower chambers of the heart. The Visia AF ICD systems will be commercially available in early summer. AF is a condition that involves an irregular quivering or rapid heart rhythm in the upper chambers (atria) of the heart. Because many patients do not experience symptoms, the condition frequently goes undetected, even with traditional external monitors. When left untreated, patients with AF are five times more likely to have a stroke and three times more likely to develop heart failure. The Visia AF ICDs include a proprietary algorithm that detects AF episodes (without a lead in the atrium) and captures AF frequency and duration, information that helps physicians identify AF and tailor treatment for these patients. More than half of all new ICD implants in the US are single-chamber devices. Built on the proven performance of the Medtronic Evera family of ICDs, the Visia AF ICDs include: SureScan Labeling: Approved for MRI scans on any part of the body without positioning restrictions, as well as for MRI scans in 1.5 Tesla (magnet strength) machines Physio Curve Design: A contoured shape with thin, smooth edges that increases patient comfort by reducing skin pressure by 30 percent Greater Battery Longevity: Industry-leading battery longevity (up to 11 years)Sprint Quattro Leads: Paired with the Sprint Quattro family of leads, the most frequently prescribed lead, with more than 10 years of proven performance with active monitoringSmartShock 2.0: An exclusive shock reduction algorithm that enables the device to better differentiate between dangerous and harmless heart rhythms, delivering a 98 percent inappropriate shock-free rate at one year.   In addition, remote monitoring through the Medtronic CareLink Network is available with the Visia AF ICDs, connecting patients to their clinics from home or away. "Early detection of AF is vital to assist physicians in making treatment decisions that can reduce stroke and heart failure risk," said Dr John Liddicoat, senior vice president, Medtronic, and president of the Cardiac Rhythm and Heart Failure division. "These single chamber defibrillators with AF detection capabilities, utilizing our proven Quattro lead - alongside our overall portfolio of AF detection devices - demonstrate our commitment to providing cardiac patients with the latest technology to improve their health." The Visia AF ICDs received CE Mark in 2015. This FDA approval further expands the Medtronic portfolio of MR-conditional cardiac rhythm and heart failure devices, which includes MR-conditional pacemakers, ICDs, insertable cardiac monitors (ICMs) and cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-Ds).     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8035/abbott-to-acquire-medtech-firm-st-jude-medical-for-25-bn.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8035/abbott-to-acquire-medtech-firm-st-jude-medical-for-25-bn.html Fri, 29 Apr 2016 11:01:12 +0530 Abbott and St. Jude Medical has announced a definitive agreement for Abbott to acquire St. Jude Medical, creating a premier medical device leader with top positions in high-growth cardiovascular markets, including atrial fibrillation, structural heart and heart failure as well as a leading position in the high-growth neuromodulation market. Under the agreement, St. Jude Medical shareholders will receive $46.75 in cash and 0.8708 shares of Abbott common stock, representing total consideration of approximately $85 per share. At an Abbott stock price of $43.93, this represents a total transaction equity value of $25 billion. The combined company will have an industry-leading pipeline expected to deliver a steady stream of new medical device products across cardiovascular, diabetes, vision and neuromodulation patient care. St. Jude Medical's strong positions in heart failure devices, atrial fibrillation and cardiac rhythm management complement Abbott's leading positions in coronary intervention and transcatheter mitral repair. Together, the company will compete in nearly every area of the cardiovascular market and hold the No. 1 or 2 positions across large and high-growth cardiovascular device markets. This best-in-class combined portfolio will have the depth, breadth and innovation to help patients restore their health, reduce costs for payors and deliver greater value to customers. "Bringing together these two great companies will create a premier medical device business and immediately advance Abbott's strategic and competitive position," said Mr Miles D. White, chairman and chief executive officer, Abbott. "The combined business will have a powerful pipeline ready to deliver next-generation medical technologies and offer improved efficiencies for health care systems around the world."   "This announcement is an exciting next chapter for St. Jude Medical, bringing together two industry leaders with a shared passion for innovation, culture and patients," said Mr Michael T. Rousseau, St. Jude Medical president and chief executive officer. "Our combined scale will expand the global reach, competitiveness and impact of our medical device innovation for physicians and hospitals. This transaction provides our shareholders with immediate value and the opportunity to participate in the significant upside potential of the combined organization. I'd like to thank our 18,000 employees whose hard work and commitment help us deliver leading medical technologies to patients around the world." The acquisition of St. Jude Medical is expected to be accretive to Abbott's adjusted earnings per share in the first full year after closing and increasing thereafter, with approximately 21 cents of accretion in 2017 and 29 cents in 2018. The combination is anticipated to result in annual pre-tax synergies of $500 million by 2020, including both sales and operational benefits. One-time deal-related costs and integration costs will be provided at a future date. St. Jude Medical's net debt of approximately $5.7 billion will be assumed or refinanced by Abbott. Abbott intends to fund the cash portion of this transaction with medium- and long-term debt. The transaction, which has been approved by the boards of directors of St. Jude Medical and Abbott, is subject to the approval of St. Jude Medical shareholders and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including specified regulatory approvals. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2016.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8195/nokia-plans-to-acquire-withings-to-accelerate-entry-into-digital-health-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8195/nokia-plans-to-acquire-withings-to-accelerate-entry-into-digital-health-.html Thu, 28 Apr 2016 12:41:40 +0530 Nokia has announced plans to acquire Withings S.A., a pioneer and leader in the connected health revolution with a family of award-winning digital health products and services to help people all over the world lead healthier, happier and more productive lives. Withings will be part of our Nokia Technologies business. "We have said consistently that digital health was an area of strategic interest to Nokia, and we are now taking concrete action to tap the opportunity in this large and important market," said Mr Rajeev Suri, president & CEO of Nokia. "With this acquisition, Nokia is strengthening its position in the Internet of Things in a way that leverages the power of our trusted brand, fits with our company purpose of expanding the human possibilities of the connected world, and puts us at the heart of a very large addressable market where we can make a meaningful difference in peoples' lives." World Health Organization figures show cardiovascular disease as today's number one cause of death, with more than a billion adults around the world living with uncontrolled hypertension. Diabetes now affects more than one in twelve adults worldwide, a four-fold increase since 1980. Healthcare is expected to be one of the largest vertical markets in the Internet of Things, with analysts forecasting that mobile health, with a CAGR of 37%, will be the fastest growing health care segment from 2015-2020. "Withings shares our vision for the future of digital health and their products are smart, well designed and already helping people live healthier lives," said Mr Ramzi Haidamus, president of Nokia Technologies. "Combining their award-winning products and talented people with the world-class expertise and innovation of Nokia Technologies uniquely positions us to lead the next wave of innovation in digital health." The combination of innovative products from Withings and the Digital Health business will also ensure the ongoing renewal of Nokia Technologies' world class IPR portfolio.   Withings was founded by Chairman Eric Carreel and CEO Cedric Hutchings in 2008 and is headquartered in France, with approximately 200 employees across its locations in Paris, France, Cambridge, US and Hong Kong. Withings' portfolio of regulated and unregulated products includes activity trackers, weighing scales, thermometers, blood pressure monitors, home and baby monitors and more, and is built on a sophisticated digital health platform, providing insights to empower people to make smarter decisions about the health and wellbeing of themselves and their families. Withings' own products are complemented by an ecosystem of more than a hundred compatible apps. "Since we started Withings, our passion has been in empowering people to track their lifestyle and improve their health and wellbeing," said Mr Cédric Hutchings, CEO of Withings. "We're excited to join Nokia to help bring our vision of connected health to more people around the world." The Nokia brand continues to be recognized, valued and trusted by consumers, built on a heritage of beautifully designed, innovative and reliable technology in the service of people around the world to help real human needs. The planned transaction values Withings at EUR 170 million or ($192.709) and would be settled in cash and is expected to close in early Q3, 2016 subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3135/siemens-thermo-partner-for-molecular-testing-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3135/siemens-thermo-partner-for-molecular-testing-.html Mon, 18 Apr 2016 11:54:23 +0530 In a joint effort to provide customers with one of the most advanced solutions for molecular testing, Siemens Healthcare and Thermo Fisher Scientific announce a new strategic relationship that includes the integration of Thermo Fisher Scientific's real-time PCR system into Siemens' VERSANT kPCR Molecular Solution. The combined workflow will offer laboratories Siemens' complete molecular testing solution, which helps ensure leading-edge performance from extraction through detection. Siemens displayed the entire system during the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Disease in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, April 9-12. Thermo Fisher has brought to market easy-to-use, real-time PCR instruments. Designed for mid-throughput, these new systems provide ideal solutions for all users who need a high-performance instrument with features for maximum experiment control. Adding Thermo Fisher's real-time PCR system to the VERSANT kPCR Molecular Solution brings a new level of innovation to the market by providing more flexibility and customization to the molecular laboratory workflow. "Through our molecular diagnostics systems, we offer a total solution for accurate diagnosis and monitoring," says Mr Fernando Beils, Head of Molecular Diagnostics, Siemens Healthcare. "We are excited to strengthen our dedication to molecular laboratory innovations through our partnership with Thermo Fisher Scientific." "This agreement underscores our commitment to work with leading molecular diagnostic organizations that share our vision to develop advanced laboratory solutions," said Mr Drew Burch, Head of Licensing and Commercial Supply for Thermo Fisher Scientific. "We are excited to collaborate with Siemens in support of its VERSANT kPCR Molecular Solution as we work to expand our partnerships in the diagnostics space."       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/8174/hot-start-ups-skilling-the-next-gen-in-biotech-pharma-space.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/8174/hot-start-ups-skilling-the-next-gen-in-biotech-pharma-space.html Thu, 14 Apr 2016 17:39:35 +0530 Hailing from Uttar Pradesh (UP), he says that all his seniors who graduated in Biotechnology actually didn't have any clear-cut idea about their job profiles or the companies in the sector. Everyone told him: 'Bahar (abroad) bahut scope hai, but kahan pata nahi'. This triggered off something within Mr Bhardwaj. He initially planned to start a career counseling portal specifically for Biotech and Pharma students. But it went on to becoming a start-up offering skill development training programs and providing free career counseling. Two years after graduating, he was armed with a couple of years' experience in a Biotech start-up as a corporate relations manager.   It was during his first job at this start-up he was determined to learn all the basic skills needed to build his own start-up in the future. The job offered him extensive learning experience in marketing, operations, financial aspects and overall administration. The young Mr Bhardwaj in 2011 set off on a journey to create his start-up Rapture Biotech, with a vision to offer best-in-class training programs for both academia and corporates in the Biotech and Pharma space. The start-up offers short-term and project training programs for Biotech and Pharma students, while providing skill development trainings for corporate employees. Located in UP, Rapture Biotech's other divisions include Bioteknow and 3S Biosolution.   Bioteknow is a centralized platform where any company or institute can offer their training programs. It also publishes its magazine 'Bioteknow' for Biotech career counseling purposes. 3S Biosolution provides R&D solutions and related services. It supplies, manufactures, and exclusively represents many international brands in India providing bioprocess & R&D solutions, and bioinformatics software for research purposes. The start-up has tie-ups with 40+ international companies for research products sales in India. Its research team is constantly working on developing cheaper research products. It also boasts of 100+ tie-ups with major colleges and universities in India. Similar to other Biotech entrepreneurs, Mr Bhardwaj says that convincing his family about his entrepreneurial decision and arranging for the needed fund to start were two major challenges he faced initially However, through seed funding and his own personal savings he was able to successfully incorporate his dream start-up. "The trends are changing nowadays. Venture capitalists (VC) and clients have started accepting and promoting first generation young entrepreneurs. However, VCs fail to understand start-ups' incubation period, and the technical integration of projects," Mr Bhardwaj comments. The company is expanding its business model through franchise partner program. It has 2 successful franchises in Agra (UP) and Bhopal (MP). It is also coming up with new franchises in Nepal and Andhra Pradesh (AP). Further, the start-up intends to expand internationally to UAE, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. It currently has an ambitious target of hitting Rs 10 crore in revenues in the next 2 to 3 years. To increase its visibility, the start-up has started offering free career counseling programs, workshops in colleges, and an active social media marketing strategy. From the Government's side, he expects it to enable quick and easy start-up loans, and building Bio-entrepreneurs development centers in the country, and laying emphasis on creating Biotech clusters and Special Economic Zones (SEZs). "In Western countries, the start-up environment is totally different. They promote entrepreneurship at a very early stage in universities itself," Mr Bhardwaj opines. He says that Personal Genomics, Molecular Diagnostics & Instrumentation are happening areas for start-ups. Mr Bhardwaj points that Delhi -NCR Region and Pune are the two start-up hubs because of the presence of major Government laboratories and central government offices enabling favorable technical support and acquiring clients. The entrepreneur highlights patience as the key to be an entrepreneur in the Biotech industry. "Educational background does play a key role in being a bio-entrepreneur. Candidates from abroad universities or IITs do have advantage, especially when it comes to VC funding part," he states, an admirer of Biocon's CMD Dr Kiran Mazumdar. Mr Bhardwaj constantly derives motivation by reading success stories of other entrepreneurs. He enjoys playing mobile games as a way to relax and unwind. "It is better to start now because it is never too early. It is important to self-motivate and believe in oneself. There is no failure in entrepreneurship. It is either a success or a delayed success," Mr Bhardwaj concludes. Entrepreneurial Mistake To Avoid:  Not learning all the sides of a business Hiring wrong people Having smaller margins Start-up Myths To Debunk:  Entrepreneurs are born, not made  In Life Sciences, young entrepreneurs can't sustain business for long Starting a business is easy ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7657/fitastikglobal-healthreach-partner-to-provide-a-comprehensive-corporate-wellness-program.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7657/fitastikglobal-healthreach-partner-to-provide-a-comprehensive-corporate-wellness-program.html Tue, 12 Apr 2016 12:59:51 +0530 To create a successful wellness program, improve employee participation and increase company productivity, Fitastik, a technology company for healthcare management has tied-up with Global HealthReach, strategic partner of Best Doctors in India, the world's oldest and most reputed second medical opinion provider. The partnership will create a comprehensive corporate health&wellness program as a one stop solution for the entire range of healthcare management services. Users can thus avail easy access to consultation with more than 53000 internationally recognized doctors for second opinion from Best Doctors - InterConsultation for expert opinion & treatment planning advice; Doc-on-Line - online answers from experts, digitization of medical records, health risk assessments, relevant content on better health management and health analytics, among others. Explaining the need for a comprehensive corporate wellness program, Sanjay Lakhotia, Founder and Director, Fitastik, highlighted a recent report that mentions 11-30% average productivity loss stems from employees' concern over personal issues. Talking about the tie-up between Fitastik and Global HealthReach, Mr Sanjay Lakhotia, founder and director, Fitastik said, "Both the companies complement each other in terms of their product offering and target audience. The combined product caters to the need that the customer is increasingly looking for." He further added that the effort is to create a comprehensive health management solution with best in class partnership as medical records give insight into one's health and second medical opinion provides the access to manage one's health issues in moments of crisis. Mr Vikram Anand, founder & CEO, Global HealthReach, said, "Being a comprehensive one stop solution will help customers tremendously, as currently in India, various organizations provide different services and customers need to switch between different providers to avail them. The tie-up also helps both companiesaggressively seize the opportunity in the marketplace."   Rising income and insurance facilities in India along with greater awareness of personal health and hygiene, over the years, has led to a considerable rise in demand for high-quality healthcare facilities and significant increase in expenditure on healthcare. Per capita healthcare expenditure is estimated to have grown at a CAGR of 15.4% during 2008-15 to $88.7 by 2015. The Indian healthcare sector, one of the fastest growing industries is expected to advance at a CAGR of 17% till 2020 to reach $280 Billion. An interesting aspect to be noted is that currently, about 50% of spending on in-patient beds is for lifestyle diseases, increasing the demand for specialized care, preventive healthcare services, and second medical opinion.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5674/fda-approves-worlds-smallest-pacemaker.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5674/fda-approves-worlds-smallest-pacemaker.html Thu, 07 Apr 2016 11:54:26 +0530 Medtronic announced it has received US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) approval of the world's smallest pacemaker, the Medtronic Micra Transcatheter Pacing System (TPS). The Micra TPS is the first FDA-approved product with miniaturized pacing technology. It is cosmetically invisible and small enough to be delivered through a catheter and implanted directly into the heart -providing a safe alternative to conventional pacemakers without the complications associated with cardiac wires (leads). Comparable in size to a large vitamin, the Micra TPS is attached to the heart with small tines and delivers electrical impulses that pace the heart through an electrode at the end of the device. Unlike traditional pacemakers, the Micra TPS does not require leads or a surgical "pocket" under the skin, so potential sources of complications related to such leads and pocket are eliminated-as are any visible signs of the device. The device responds to patients' activity levels by automatically adjusting therapy. Micra TPS is said to be the first and only transcatheter pacing system to be approved for both 1.5 and 3 Tesla (T) full-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, providing patients with access to the most advanced imaging diagnostic procedures available. The Micra design incorporates a retrieval feature to enable retrieval when possible; however, the device is designed to be left in the body. For patients who need more than one device, the miniaturized Micra TPS was designed with a unique feature that enables it to be permanently turned off so it can remain in the body and a new device can be implanted without risk of electrical interaction. "Dating back to the development of the first external battery operated pacemaker more than 60 years ago, Medtronic has a long history of collaborating with clinicians to better understand the needs of patients, and then innovating new products to meet those needs," said Dr John Liddicoat, senior vice president, Medtronic, and president of the Cardiac Rhythm and Heart Failure division. "We are thrilled to be the first to introduce a transcatheter pacemaker to patients in the US, and we're looking forward to working with physicians and educating implanters to extend the positive results of our global clinical trial experience to even more patients."   The Micra TPS was awarded CE Mark in April 2015 based on early data from the Medtronic Micra TPS Global Clinical Trial. It is intended for use in patients who need a single-chamber pacemaker. The device was designed to allow patients to be followed by their physicians and send data remotely via the Medtronic CareLink Network; remote monitoring of Micra devices is expected to be available later this year.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6330/ibm-plans-first-watson-health-european-center-of-excellence-in-italy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6330/ibm-plans-first-watson-health-european-center-of-excellence-in-italy.html Tue, 05 Apr 2016 11:39:00 +0530 IBM has announced plans to launch its first Watson Health European Center of Excellence in Milan near the Human Technopole Italy 2040 research campus, supporting the government of Italy's initiative to establish an international hub for the advancement of genomics, big data, aging, and nutrition. The Center is part of a long-term collaboration between IBM and the government of Italy. IBM plans to invest up to $150 million (€135 million) over the next several years and bring together Watson Health data scientists, engineers, researchers and designers to develop a new generation of data-driven healthcare applications and solutions. Further, the formation of the Center is intended to encourage the development of a pan-European ecosystem for healthcare reform, research, and health-tech start-ups. IBM data scientists, engineers and programmers are expected to work in collaboration with organizations across Europe to create a new class of cloud-based connected solutions at the intersection of cognitive computing, life sciences and healthcare. The Center is expected to provide access to resources and technology designed to help accelerate research into new treatment options, promote personalized medicine, and encourage discoveries aimed at improving overall public health management while advancing sustainable health systems. "Italy is important to IBM - not only because of the creativity, skills and talent of the country's workforce, but also because of the Government's efforts to digitize Italy's economy," said Mr Erich Clementi, senior vice president, IBM Europe. "That is why we are excited to announce our new Watson Health European Center of Excellence near Milan, which will support the Italian Government's healthcare reform and research agenda by bringing together Watson developers and IBM Research scientists to apply remarkable cognitive computing capabilities to modern healthcare problems." The plans for the first European Center of Excellence underscore IBM's continued investment in Watson Health, a global business unit founded in 2015. Watson Health brings the advanced cognitive computing capabilities of IBM Watson to doctors and other healthcare professionals.   IBM anticipates that the Center will tap into the Watson Health Cloud and other offerings, which are designed to help enable individualized insights and a more complete picture of the many factors that can affect people's health. The Watson Health cloud platform allows this information to be anonymized, shared, and combined with an aggregated view of other health data to, for example, improve the ability of doctors and medical researchers to identify unexpected new drug targets or enable doctors to personalize treatment options for cancer patients. "Healthcare is undergoing tremendous change, driven by data. The volume and variation of health data is growing exponentially with each passing day and our ability to monitor new measurements of health - such as social data and weather data - are making global health an even more complex equation to solve," said Ms Deborah DiSanzo, general manager for IBM Watson Health. "This new era in health will not be achieved through solitary efforts. It will require the work of countless experts together in an ecosystem where ideas are easily shared to improve and save lives around the world." The Watson Health European Center of Excellence builds on IBM's recent investments in Italy and across Europe, including a new IBM Cloud data center in Milan, hiring young Italian workers while strengthening partnerships with key universities and start-ups, and the opening of the Watson IoT Global Headquarters in Munich, Germany.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8123/fujifilm-nm-medical-launches-3d-mammography-machine-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8123/fujifilm-nm-medical-launches-3d-mammography-machine-.html Mon, 04 Apr 2016 16:17:55 +0530 Fujifilm India and NM Medical has announced tie up for the installation of Fujifilm's state of the art Amulet Innovality - a highly advanced breast cancer diagnostic machine for early detection of breast cancer in women. The Amulet Innovality provides 50 Micron 3D image quality and advanced tomosynthesis technology that reveals the internal structure of the breast with a precision that enables the detection of those lesions that ordinarily get overlooked in a routine mammography. The installation of the Amulet Innovality at NM Medical Center will give the women access to early detection of Breast Cancer. The Amulet Innovality uses advanced tomosynthesis technology to enable the conversion of digital breast images into a 3-D reconstruction of the breast, in contrast to the flat images produced by traditional 2-D digital mammography. Reconstructed tomographic images reveal the internal structure of the breast, simplifying the detection of lesions that may be overlooked in a routine mammography. Amulet Innovality enables diagnosticians to obtain a clearer view of the breast tissue, facilitating identification of early stage breast cancer and reducing the need for additional tests and biopsies. Commenting on the occasion Mr Yasunobu Nishiyama, managing director, Fujifilm India said, "It is a known fact that late diagnosis results in slimming the chances of survival. It is therefore vital for healthcare providers to step up and provide women the best early detection screening facilities that can help save lives. At Fujifilm, we are continuously innovating, creating new technologies, product and services and the Amulet Innovality is one such product that has made early detection of breast cancer a reality for women all over the world."   "The installation of the Amulet Innovality at NM Medical is another step for us in line with our commitment to raise awareness and promote early detection and treatment of breast cancer in India. We are grateful to our partner, NM Medical for joining hands with us in this endeavor," said Mr Chander Shekhar Sibal, executive vice president and head of Medical Division at Fujifilm India. "We have always endeavored to provide the very best of technology across our centres and 3D Digital Mammography is another step in that direction. It is expected to be a game changer for early detection of breast cancer in Mumbai," said Dr Nilesh Shah, chairman and managing director, NM Medical. Several features of Amulet Innovality offer women a safe and personalised screening experience, making it easier for them to come for breast examinations. This unique system caters to the unique biological makeup of every woman: The Intelligent Automatic Exposure Control (i-AEC) defines the optimum X ray dosage for each breast type, compared to conventional AEC where the sensor position is fixed. A direct conversion flat panel detector with a 50 micron pixel resolution, and other advanced technological features also give this system a distinct edge over others. 50 micron resolution is best resolution and it helps detects cancer at a very early stage.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8330/healthcare-sector-to-reach-over-280-bn-by-2025-nathealth-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8330/healthcare-sector-to-reach-over-280-bn-by-2025-nathealth-.html Mon, 04 Apr 2016 10:48:22 +0530 NATHEALTH, Healthcare Federation of India, an apex body for the healthcare sector partnered with Deloitte to present imperatives and develop recommendations for actualizing 'Make in India' for the medical devices industry and released 'Code of Ethics' in collaboration with Indian Medical Association (IMA). "The healthcare sector is expected to reach $145 billion by 2018 and over $280 billion by 2025. Though India's healthcare sector has evolved significantly in the last decade, challenges exist in providing access to quality healthcare in the country," said Mr Anjan Bose, secretary general, NATHEALTH. "Lower financing and expenditure on healthcare, inadequate healthcare infrastructure and dual diseases burden are key challenges faced by the sector," added Mr Bose. Medical technology cost in setting up a tertiary care hospital amounts to 30-40 percent. Cost of medical technology/equipment/devices is 20-25 percent of total healthcare cost for a patient. "Given the increasing demand for healthcare and the critical role of medical devices in providing affordable and accessible health, the time is right to align the eco system to view medical devices as a strategic driver. The 'Make in India' initiative is the perfect opportunity to create a step change in Indian healthcare and especially in the medical devices industry," said Ms Charu Sehgal, partner and Life Sciences and Healthcare Leader, Deloitte India.   The medical devices market is estimated to grow organically at 15 percent to $8.6 billion by 2020. Though the current domestic medical devices market represents only 1 percent of the global market, India is among the top 20 in the world and among the top 4 in Asia (after China, Japan, South Korea). The medical devices market has grown at 10 percent in the past decade and is expected to have an organic growth of 15 percent in the medium-term against global industry growth of 4 - 5 percent," informed Mr Sushobhan Dasgupta, president, NATHEALTH. Industry estimates that India's medical devices market has the potential to become $50 billion industry by 2025 when the contribution of India to the incremental medical devices industry growth would become substantial at 31 percent. While export of medical devices has been increasing, 'local innovation' by MNCs and domestic manufacturers is expected to drive growth. Medical devices exports have been growing at a CAGR of 12 percent which indicates a promising domestic manufacturing industry, added Mr Dasgupta. As the demand for medical devices increases, India is expected to contribute significantly to the growth of global medical devices industry. MNCs like General Electric, Philips, Medtronic, Siemens etc. have been increasing their manufacturing footprint and research centers in India both for Indian market as well as for exports. Newer markets are opening up due to India-based innovation. USA, Africa, Middle East, China and South East Asia are a few key export destinations from India. India presents a good opportunity for companies to de-risk their business from dependency on one manufacturing location and tap potentially huge domestic market at the same time.   Given the criticality of medical devices for growth of the healthcare sector and challenges faced in medical devices manufacturing, it is imperative for the stakeholders in the medical devices and the larger healthcare ecosystem to constructively engage with the Government to facilitate 'Make in India' for the medical devices industry, emphasized Mr Bose. The Government can shape the growth of indigenous manufacturing in its role as a policymaker, development agency and buyer of medical devices. NATHEALTH-Deloitte recommends incentivize medical devices manufacturing - Provide CENVAT/Duty credit on raw materials of medical devices, enable concession duty, VAT parity with imported equipment; facilitate FDA or FDA equivalent certifications for ensuring quality. NATHEALTH asks for separate regulations for medical devices and stresses on state specific incentivization for manufacturing. Trust deficit and unethical practices being a major issue of healthcare industry, NATHEALTH has also developed 'Code of Ethics' in collaboration with Indian Medical Association (IMA) which was released at the event. Ms Preetha Reddy, vice chairperson, Apollo Hospitals and the Champion of the Code of Ethics Initiative at NATHEALH said, "Over the last few decades, our country has witnessed a revolution in medicine. There is a much greater understanding of diagnosis and treatment of diseases, medical care has become lot more accessible and affordable, technology is changing the care paradigm, innumerable lives have been saved, and the noteworthy aspect is that at the core of all this positive progress is the resolute commitment to provide superlative patient care. The private sector has worked with the government to bring in quality standards in the country and now the time is right to bring in a change in the way the private healthcare sector is being perceived. This initiative, a voluntary Code of Ethics initiated by NATHEALTH, a model of self-regulation resonates with this valued goal and it speaks of intent for continuous improvement." Dr KK Aggarwal, Honorary secretary general, IMA explained, "The Code is intended to provide guidance to the members with regards to their conduct and interactions with patients/end users, and other stakeholders so as to ensure that their daily activities, efforts and interactions are undertaken in an ethical, honest manner within the parameters of law for the advancement of healthcare and improved patient care in India."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7352/portea-medical-acquires-health-mantra.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7352/portea-medical-acquires-health-mantra.html Fri, 01 Apr 2016 11:35:02 +0530 Portea Medical, a premier home healthcare company has announced that it has acquired home medical equipment service provider, Health Mantra India Private Limited. The acquisition, which was made for an undisclosed consideration of cash and stock, expands Portea's penetration into large home healthcare areas such as sleep medicine, respiratory care, geriatric care and orthopaedics. Health Mantra was started in 2009 in Bengaluru by Mr Ashish Bhutada and Mr Anoop Kodoli. The company has a team of 30+ biomedical engineers, physiotherapists and service staff and a service network across five states - Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh/Telangana and Maharashtra. Commenting on the acquisition, Dr Meena Ganesh, MD and CEO of Portea, said, "Portea is deeply committed to providing our patients with convenient and affordable solutions for all their healthcare needs. Medical equipment is often an integral element of effective home healthcare especially in areas such as diabetes, oncology, orthopaedics, geriatric care, sleep and respiratory disorders. Our acquisition of Health Mantra augments Portea's offering and underlines our customer focus. "The Health Mantra team has built a very solid business over the last few years and we are pleased to have the opportunity to tap into their expertise and customer relationships," she added. Mr Ashish Bhutada, co-founder, CEO and managing director of Heath Mantra, said, "Our alignment with Portea provides us a wider canvas to expand our operations across product lines and locations. We are already present across South India and Maharashtra; there is huge untapped demand in these markets as well as elsewhere in the country and we look forward to continuing to serve customers with patient-centric and holistic solutions".   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8075/medtronic-launches-treatment-for-overactive-bladder-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8075/medtronic-launches-treatment-for-overactive-bladder-.html Thu, 31 Mar 2016 12:06:53 +0530 Medtronic has announced the launch of its NURO System that delivers percutaneous tibial neuromodulation (PTNM) for the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) with symptoms of urinary urgency, urinary frequency, and urge incontinence. PTNM, a minimally invasive, periodic, office-based procedure, provides a measurable reduction in urinary frequency and/or urinary incontinence episodes following treatment without the side effects of medication. The NURO System delivers a gentle electrical pulse to the tibial nerve via an acupuncture-like needle placed in the skin near the ankle that is attached to a neurostimulator. The therapy is administered in physician offices during weekly 30-minute sessions for 12 weeks and thereafter as prescribed by a physician. Patients are free to read or listen to music while therapy is administered. The most common side effects are temporary and include mild pain or skin inflammation at or near the stimulation site. Evidence points to OAB being caused by a miscommunication between the bladder and brain. Medtronic Bladder Control Therapies use neuromodulation, or gentle nerve stimulation, to reset the brain-bladder communication pathway. PTNM is thought to improve bladder function by targeting the tibial nerve, indirectly activating the central nervous system to help alleviate symptoms. In clinical trials PTNM significantly decreased the number of incontinence episodes and voids per day, reduced the number of urgency and urge incontinence episodes and increased voiding volume. With maintenance therapy, PTNM can offer long-term relief. "So many suffer from OAB and the majority are either not treated or not finding relief with other treatments, so Medtronic is pleased to offer another option along the care pathway," said Ms Linnea Burman, vice president and general manager, gastro/urology therapies at Medtronic. "Our hope is that our expanding neuromodulation portfolio can help a broader range of patients get their lives back."       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7333/charles-koontz-appointed-president-and-ceo-of-ge-healthcare-it-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7333/charles-koontz-appointed-president-and-ceo-of-ge-healthcare-it-.html Wed, 16 Mar 2016 12:02:11 +0530 GE Healthcare has announced the appointment of Mr Charles Koontz as president and CEO of GE Healthcare IT and GE Healthcare chief digital officer, effective March 14. Mr Koontz succeeds Mr Jan De Witte, who is leaving GE. Mr Koontz joins GE from Computer Sciences Corp (CSC) and CSRA, where he was executive vice president of the Federal Civilian Agencies Group. As VP and general manager of the Healthcare group at CSC, Charles focused on transitioning healthcare clients to next generation IT, mobile and cloud technology, and applying real-time analytics to measure clinical and performance outcomes. Prior to this, Mr Koontz led the health practice at Booz Hamilton, where he built a health analytics business working with Fortune 500 healthcare companies and government organizations. His 30-year tenure in technology innovation also includes leadership roles with SAIC, Capgemini and Ernst & Young. He holds a bachelor of science degree in engineering from The Ohio State University.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7971/indian-certification-of-medical-devices-scheme-launched.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7971/indian-certification-of-medical-devices-scheme-launched.html Wed, 16 Mar 2016 12:01:42 +0530 Indian Certification of Medical Devices Scheme (ICMED)" - country's first indigenous quality assurance system for India manufactured medical devices was launched in the presence of top representatives from government, healthcare industry and quality council fraternity. ICMED - the first home developed international class certification scheme for the medical devices in the country - is an initiative of Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AIMED) in collaboration with the Quality Council of India (QCI) and the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB). ICMED is aimed at enhancing patient safety, to provide enhanced consumer protection along with much needed product credentials to manufacturers for instilling confidence among buyers and users. This Scheme is intended to significantly eliminate trading of sub-standard products or devices of doubtful origins, a widespread and injurious phenomenon in the Indian market. For manufacturers, it aims to bring down the substantial time and cost-run to obtain globally accepted quality certification for Indian companies and eliminate the malpractices of sub-standard or fraudulent certification or quality audits, thereby ensuring substantial savings, enhanced credibility and increased competitiveness. As currently, there is no India-specific official quality assurance system, due to which Indian medical device manufacturer's encountered loss of competitiveness to foreign companies while consumers ended up paying extra premium with no concomitant benefits, ICMED also fills a big regulatory void. "The scheme fills a big regulatory vacuum in quality certification space for medical devices in the country and will enhance the competitiveness and profitability of Indian medical device industry," said Dr V K Subburaj, secretary, Dept of Pharmaceuticals, GoI while launching the scheme.   AIMED has termed it a significant milestone due to multiple benefits it would assure to different stakeholders. "The Scheme is a significant milestone for both consumers as well as manufacturers as it brings quality, accountability and competitiveness in the system," said Mr Rajiv Nath, forum coordinator, AIMED and chairman, Technical Committee, QCI-AIMED Voluntary Initiative on Medical Devices. The Certification Scheme being launched has presently two options for certification, one being 'ICMED 9000 Certification (an ISO 9001 plus additional requirements)' and other being 'ICMED 13485 (An ISO 13485 Plus additional requirements). A third level, which would additionally prescribe medical device specifications developed by NHSRC of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is still under development and would be launched later. "QCI is happy to lend a helping hand to the medical device industry in India to showcase its strength in terms of meeting the highest international standards. We have already devised such schemes for ayurvedic products, ready mix concrete plants and yoga professionals and this would be a valuable addition to our portfolio. It would go a long way in contributing to the success of govt's flagship Make in India programme," said Mr Adil Zainulbhai, chairman, QCI. According to Dr Dr M K Bhan, ex secretary to the Government of India, Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology,"For a country like India, the twin challenge is to ensure availability of quality healthcare products at reasonable cost so that overall healthcare cost remains reasonable. In this direction, the launch ICMED is a significant collaborative initiative and will go a long way to ensure realization of these objectives."   It may be added that NABCB has already secured international equivalence for most of its accreditation programmes and it would facilitate international acceptance of Indian medical devices. "NABCB is accrediting certification and inspection bodies and its accreditation programmes are internationally equivalent placing it on par with European and American accreditation bodies. This equivalence would help facilitate acceptance of ICMED certification in overseas market," pointed out Mr Anil Jauhri, CEO, NABCB. The manufacturers would need to approach any one of the certification bodies approved by QCI under the Scheme for obtaining certification. The certification bodies shall be under the oversight of NABCB, which as the national accreditation body, would accredit these certifying bodies as per applicable international standards. Among the dignitaries present during the launch function of ICMED included: Mr Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Ayog; Mr C Viswanath, secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs; Mr Wajahat Habibullah, chairman, PSAIIF & the Jury; Mr Samir Behl, regional president, Amway, Europe, Africa and India; Mr Bejon Misra, founder, Consumer Online Foundation and Mr G Gurucharan, special secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs. ICMED Backgrounder:   ICMED is the fructification of a MoU was signed between QCI and AIMED on 30 Oct 2014 to fill the regulatory vacuum in quality certification space for medical devices in the country. The scheme has been developed involving various stakeholders with a Steering Committee chaired by Dr MK Bhan, former secretary, Biotechnology, at the helm, supported by a Technical Committee and a Certification Committee constituted for this purpose. More than twenty government and non-government organizations including Department of Commerce, National Health System Resource Centre (NHSRC), Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Central Drug Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC), prominent industry bodies like AIMED and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Center for Biomedical Engineering, IIT Delhi, Indian Medical Association (IMA), etc. participated in various committees.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/views/98/7721/digitalization-in-service-enables-better-access-to-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/views/98/7721/digitalization-in-service-enables-better-access-to-healthcare.html Tue, 15 Mar 2016 10:39:04 +0530 In the current healthcare scenario, after-sales service plays a vital role while buying any medical technology equipment. It is the biggest influencer for a clinician today to decide on his investments. For any diagnostic center or healthcare provider, turning away patients is undesirable and one of the causes of this situation is a 'machine breakdown'. This is especially critical in high end equipments such as CT Scanner, MRI Scanner, Cath lab or automated laboratory equipments. How quickly can the machine be up and running was the concern of the past. How well in advance a clinician would know the problem with his system to avoid a major crisis, is the solution of today and tomorrow. The sheer possibility of getting a pre-alert of a fault is a game-changer. This is digitalization in service. Remote accessRemote access of equipments is becoming a part in today's connected world and is used reactively as well as proactively. In the reactive mode it is used to diagnose and fix problems when the customer reports a problem and before an engineer can reach the customer place. In the proactive mode, the equipment keeps informing deviation in performance as and when it occurs while it is in use at the customer site. High end equipments are equipped with this capability to relay critical deviation in performance parameters or errors to a central server of the medical equipment, which is monitored centrally by technical experts of the company. Sitting in Mumbai, these experts can remotely access, for example, an MRI system in Coimbatore, Hubli or anywhere in India and guide the technologist at the customer site what does the alert mean and what needs to be done. So by remote access a possible major crisis can be prevented. The hospital or diagnostic center definitely will not have to cancel any patient appointments. It is also possible to remotely identify spare part failure under certain circumstances and the same can be ordered by the customer care center so that the engineer can actually arrive at the site with the spare part.   There are situations where the problem in the equipment cannot be rectified remotely. A service engineer may have to be assigned to visit the customer place. In a large organization with several engineers, finding who the right engineer is, whether he is free at that point in time, etc., may potentially take time. Here's the digital solution -- the field service engineers posses a smartphone integrated with the call management system, which communicates in real-time to show his/her availability. This enables efficient dispatch of engineers in merely a click of a button from one central place without having to make multiple telephone calls to find out the availability of engineers. This technology has arrived in India as well. What happens on-site?The field service engineer analyses the problems. He either fixes it or confirms replacement of spare part. If spare part replacement is required, he immediately checks the availability of the part in the local warehouse using the smart phone. He orders the part through the app and also announces to the customer how much time it will take for the spare part to arrive and the machine to be up. In this case, the customer may have to shuffle his patient appointments; however, what he is happy about is the transparency. He knows exactly when the machine will be available for scans and accordingly plans his day and appointments. Just couple of years ago, he and his staff might had to continuously turn away patients, as there was no defined clarity on machine being available. This was a big hit on his revenue and also his reputation, especially among his referrals. Benefits of digitalizationIn summary, digitalisation and connectivity has increased efficiency and transparency significantly, to the way a service complaint from a customer is handled and also has enabled proactive service delivery before a breakdown of the equipment occurs. About 35-40 percent of medical equipments require no downtime, if pre-alerts are received and fixed remotely. Digitally ordering the spare parts and maintaining customer transparency works as wonder, as the patient is justified with his requirement of access to healthcare. Globally this is a common scenario, which is now witnessed in India. Organizations like Siemens have been in the forefront to introduce digitalization in service in India for the last 4-5 years.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7562/hmd-bagged-make-in-india-initiative-company-of-the-year-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7562/hmd-bagged-make-in-india-initiative-company-of-the-year-award.html Mon, 14 Mar 2016 12:38:57 +0530 Hindustan Medical Devices (HMD), country's leading manufacturer of medical devices and world's largest manufacturer of AD syringes, was conferred the "Make in India Initiative Company of the Year" award at the 6th MT India Healthcare Awards 2016. The verdict was based on the profile, assessment of HMD's achievements and visions, comprehensive online research, customer reviews and patient satisfaction by research conducted by Medgate Today - India's top and world's foremost magazine in medical and healthcare. The recommendation from the eminent panel of jury was the deciding factor for the winning ticket. "We are honoured and we are humbled and we will continue to work towards making 'Make in India' a resounding success," said Mr Rajiv Nath, joint managing director, HMD, on receiving the award. "India can become a global manufacturing hub for medical devices if nurtured with care and supported with proper regulatory support," added Mr Nath. Mr Nath also happens to be the Forum Coordinator and Secretary of Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AIMED), the national body of domestic medical device manufacturers. Given India's humungous import dependency and loss of quality jobs within country due to this situation, Mr Nath has been engaging with the Government on bringing around policies to create vibrant eco-system for 'Make in India' of medical devices. These include tariff correction, business viability policies, and appropriate regulatory regime to ensure patient safety while also allowing Indian Medical device manufacturers to prove their credibility.   Other important initiatives include advocating - Buy Indian - the preferential market access policy to fight Chinese Govt subsidized competition especially for those devices covered under FTA, creating UdaiMED - a forum for users, developers, academia and industry to interface with the Government. Mr Nath is now actively pushing for a Medical Device Import Substitution Council - the first of its kind under a proposed Ministry of Life Sciences or of Healthcare Products, so that consumers benefit from lower healthcare cost while domestic manufacturing gets a boost. The 6th MT India Healthcare Awards 2016 partnered with Messe Dusseldorf, Germany was held at Goregaon Exhibition and Convention Center, Goregaon , Mumbai. Representatives of 21 countries participated at the award night.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7781/mitigating-disease-outbreaks-with-smart-mapping-technology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7781/mitigating-disease-outbreaks-with-smart-mapping-technology.html Wed, 09 Mar 2016 17:21:36 +0530 With Zika virus declared a 'public health emergency' by the World Health Organization (WHO), doctors and scientists world-over are turning to smart mapping technology to learn more about the disease ravaging the Americas and threatening other tropical and sub-tropical regions across the globe. Only invoked in response to the most dangerous threats, the declaration represents the highest level of alert issued by the health authority. To date, WHO has confirmed cases of Zika virus in more than 20 countries and anticipates as many as four million people will become infected by end of the year. "In recent years, the threats from deadly disease outbreaks have increased in both number and complexity," says Esri Singapore's CEO Mr Thomas Pramotedham. "In 2002 to 2003 we saw SARS sweep throughout Asia, then a decade later MERS emerged to affect the Middle East and Korea while at the same time the world was dealing with the largest and longest Ebola outbreak in history.   "In each case, the combination of transient populations and an increase in international trade has provided the perfect conditions for diseases like Zika to spread across borders at an exponential rate," he said. "For cities such as Singapore, the socio-economic implications of a disease outbreak happening within its shores is potentially disastrous."In fact, during the height of the SARS outbreak in early 2003, local studies have shown tourist arrivals and city hotel occupancy rates plunged to an all-time low. Stock prices fell and revenues at retail shops, restaurants, and tour operators registered a fall of up to 80% in sales. "While many lessons have been learnt in combating SARS and other similar cases, those events have also underscored the importance of deploying state-of-the-art mapping technology as an active disease surveillance system," Mr Pramotedham said. The battle against Ebola Smart mapping technology - also known as geographic information system (GIS) technology - integrates data from multiple systems, presenting the findings in the format of a dynamic map. By linking data through their common geography, users are able to analyze, visualize, and detect patterns and trends that might otherwise be missed by other types of analyses. A great example of using smart mapping technology for disease surveillance and control was during the 2014 to 2015 Ebola outbreak in West Africa. When the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response was launched, they set a goal to reverse the upward trend of new cases with what WHO called the 70 70 60 plan. That is, 70 percent safe burials - as bodies remain contagious days after death - and 70 percent of the patients isolated within 60 days. At the heart of the UN Mission's operations was smart mapping technology. Both the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and WHO, leveraged the platform to: evaluate the spread of the disease; map the locations of site treatment units and specialty labs; and, understand cultural practices around burials, languages spoken, transportation routes and more. With such a plethora of information, health authorities were able to effectively allocate resources and facilities for diagnosis, treatment, and care of infected patients. Facilitating community awareness Apart from using smart maps to monitor and control the spread of the disease, other organisations have also used the technology to keep the community informed. "During the SARS crisis in Hong Kong, citizens were anxious and afraid to go outdoors simply for fear of coming into contact with the disease. Since many are aware that the disease spread through proximity, the importance of location suddenly became very real to citizens. They were curious as to where the infected cases were located, and which areas are free of the disease. As result a web-based smart map was launched," Mr Pramotedham said. The smart map, which features data from authoritative sources such as WHO and various government departments, was developed by Esri Hong Kong and was used by residents and visitors to easily check which buildings in their neighbourhoods had, or were suspected as having, cases of SARS. Another example is use of interactive story maps as a way to educate the general public on the Zika virus. By doing so, the public are able to understand more about this threat, and the measures they can take to avoid becoming infected. "Being able to see authoritative information clearly presented on a map helps alleviate fears and concerns in the community. By having access to such information, they are able to make well-informed decisions that can potentially help users protect themselves and their families," he said. Location matters in Health At the end of the day, place matters in health. Socrates, the father of medicine himself, recognised this in his writings. "Whether its figuring out how you can deliver better health outcomes for the community or investigating how you can protect your constituents from a potential disease outbreak, the value of smart maps have brought a powerful advantage that have made healthcare initiatives more effective and impactful," Mr Pramotedham said. "And though we might never know when the next SARS or Zika virus will hit our shores, the community can take comfort in knowing that through the deployment of advanced technologies such as smart mapping - our health authorities and communities will be better prepared and equipped to respond it," he concluded. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7412/exco-intouch-oracle-health-partner-for-a-new-edc-epro-system-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7412/exco-intouch-oracle-health-partner-for-a-new-edc-epro-system-.html Wed, 09 Mar 2016 11:31:05 +0530 Exco InTouch, the leading provider of digital patient engagement and data capture solutions for clinical research and healthcare providers, announces the standardized integration between two "best of breed" solutions to provide a robust, highly integrated electronic data capture (EDC) and electronic patient reported outcomes (ePRO) solution which provides the market with a resource that streamlines workflow processes in clinical research. The integration of Exco InTouch's patient engagement platform with Oracle Health Sciences' market-leading InForm EDC system will deliver enhanced workflow efficiency and improve data quality during clinical trials. Together, through a seamless standards-based service orientated architecture (SOA) integration, this platform provides a complete data capture solution for both clinical and post-marketing studies. For sponsors, CROs and investigator sites, the result is a significant improvement to patient retention, adherence and the overall quality of study data. This highly innovative solution brings multiple benefits to the market. Site and patient captured clinical data, including that taken directly from medical devices, is seamlessly integrated resulting in much more accurate and timely data reporting for clinicians. Furthermore, this approach introduces the opportunity to leverage smartphone technology, removing the need to provide patients with specialized, expensive devices. Underpinned by patented technology, clients can take advantage of a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) strategy, which enables patients to use their own mobile devices. This is particularly valuable in late phase trials, where the cost of provisioning devices prohibits the use of electronic data capture. This initiative also drives engagement by providing a tailored suite of communication, informational and reporting services throughout the patient journey. The solution created through this joint initiative is set to support sponsors, clinicians and patients through the collection of more accurate and complete study data, significantly reduced logistical complexity and increase patient compliance to trial protocols. Mr Martin Cook, VP of strategic partnerships, Exco InTouch, said, "We are delighted to have formed this strategic partnership with Oracle and, as a consequence of this initiative, to be able to bring highly beneficial innovation to the market with the capability to optimize work flow efficiency and to improve the quality of data captured, both in clinical research and real world health programs." He added, "We are excited by what this partnership has brought to the market. Combining Oracle's Inform system with Exco InTouch's patient engagement technology puts a new solution into the hands of sponsors, clinicians and patients with efficiency benefits that ultimately improve clinical research outcomes. We very much look forward to rolling out our joint solution." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6128/worlds-first-3d-printed-sneezeometer-to-help-asthma-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6128/worlds-first-3d-printed-sneezeometer-to-help-asthma-patients.html Tue, 08 Mar 2016 16:37:50 +0530 India has an estimated 15-20 million asthmatics with up to 15% of 5-11 year olds suffering the disease Research undertaken at the University of Surrey, UK, has led to the development of the world's first 'sneezeometer', an airflow sensor or 'spirometer' that is sensitive enough to measure the speed of a sneeze. For use in helping to diagnose a variety of respiratory conditions, the sneezeometer is twice as fast, and more sensitive than any other available device. Spirometers measure lung capacity and are used widely to diagnose a variety of chronic and acute respiratory conditions including asthma, Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and Hypopnoea. However, current devices are expensive, cumbersome and lack the sensitivity required in difficult diagnostic situations, such as neonatal care. An ultra-sensitive spirometer, Surrey's sneezeometer measures the flow rate of air through a patient's lungs.   When the patient breathes through the fist-sized instrument, the sneezeometer is fast and sensitive enough to pick up tiny fluctuations in the breath's flow rate, which may be caused by a disease. Because no such instrument has yet been available, researchers are still exploring the diagnostic capabilities. Dr David Birch, of the University of Surrey's Aerodynamics and Environmental Flow research Group explained, "Breathing disorders are highly prevalent in both the developed and developing world. In India, there has been a 30% rise in respiratory disease since 2010[2], with air pollution being a major factor in this massive rise. The diagnosis and monitoring of respiratory diseases is key to proper treatment and we have now developed a simple, low-cost and non-intrusive diagnostic solution that will make doctors' lives easier across the world. Dr Paul Nathan, the sneezometer's co-inventor added, "We have created a portable, highly sensitive and accurate spirometer that can catch the speed of a sneeze. What's almost as impressive is that we created this innovative device using simple 3D printing technology, with all of the prototypes 'printed' around the internal electronics." "Respiratory diseases are especially prevalent in developing cities such as Delhi and Beijing where air quality is a big concern. Air pollution was recently placed in the top ten health risks faced by human beings globally, with the World Health Organization linking air pollution to seven million premature deaths every year," said Dr Prashant Kumar, from the University of Surrey, "The availability of an inexpensive and portable diagnostic device such as this will assist in such diseases being diagnosed, and treated at earlier stages." The Sneezeometer is currently being trialed at King's College Hospital in London where the device may be used to help diagnose a range of conditions from neonatal settings through to animal diseases. Dr Manasi Nandi, Senior Lecturer in Integrative Pharmacology at King's College London commented, "The ability to measure the sensitivity of airflow detection and pull out other information from single breath is very interesting from both a research and clinical perspective. This is currently not picked out with conventional tests, and we have already been using it to mimic testing of asthma." Dr Birch concluded, "From our expertise in wind-tunnel measurement we have translated fundamental research into an incredibly beneficial technology that will have real impact on the lives of patients with chronic illnesses and will make diagnosis faster, cheaper and more accurate." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7526/cloudnine-hospital-and-practo-collaborate-on-international-womens-day-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7526/cloudnine-hospital-and-practo-collaborate-on-international-womens-day-.html Tue, 08 Mar 2016 14:25:49 +0530 To mark the International Women's Day, Cloudnine Hospital, a leading chain of maternity hospital and Practo have entered into a collaboration to create awareness on women's health issues especially amongst working mothers. Leading experts from Cloudnine Hospital will be answering questions on all health issues on Practo Consult - #WhatWomenWant for free. This counselling will start from 12 noon onwards. Counselling experts from Cloudnine Hospital on the panel include Dr Padmanjali K S, senior member of the Indian Pediatric Association, Karnataka Medical Council, Pediatrician at Clodunine Hospital and Dr Shashikala Hande, Gynaecologist and Obestrician at Cloudnine Hospital.  #WhatWomenWant initiative is about spreading awareness about the importance of women's health while providing an easy way for them to get answers to health queries they have about themselves or about their loved ones as well. Practo Consult is a platform made for women who lead increasingly hectic lives and therefore often ignore their health concerns which then often lead to larger more serious issues. Mr Rohit MA, managing director, Cloudnine Hospital said, "Women all around us are playing multiple social roles and are contributing substantially to the needs of the family. This can be stressful at times and health usually takes a back seat. On this International Women's Day, we are collaborating with Practo to create awareness on women's health issues and their management, by encouraging active online interactive sessions with our expert doctors." Mr Shashank ND - founder and CEO - Practo, said, "Practo is on a mission to help mankind live longer healthier lives across the globe. The right to health is a human right and on this day, we want to enable all women to use that right and ask us their health related questions on Practo Consult. The first step to find a solution is to create awareness, and with Practo Consult, we hope that women from all cities across India will be able to get the right answers, for free, from the best doctors. On this Women's Day we continue our march to help women live healthier, longer lives."   Under this initiative, women in tier 2 and tier 3 cities can now get their health queries answered by experts at Cloudnine for free of cost. With Practo's initiative #WhatWomenWant, Practo Consult invites women around the country to seek the right answers to their health queries, so that they can de-stress, care for themselves and their family members in the best way possible and live healthier, longer lives.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7431/siemens-to-sell-its-healthcare-business.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7431/siemens-to-sell-its-healthcare-business.html Mon, 07 Mar 2016 12:28:58 +0530 The Board of Directors of Siemens Limited has approved the sale and transfer of its Healthcare undertaking, as a going concern on a slump sale basis, for a sale consideration of Rs 30,500 million (Indian Rupees Thirty Thousand Five Hundred million), to Siemens Healthcare Private Limited, a subsidiary of Siemens AG. The transaction is subject to requisite regulatory, statutory and shareholder approvals. The consideration for the proposed transaction, recommended by the Audit committee, is based on the valuation undertaken by two independent valuers - Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP and KPMG India Private Limited. Citigroup Global Markets India Pvt. Ltd. is acting as the transaction advisor to Siemens Limited. Mr Sunil Mathur, managing director and chief executive officer, Siemens Limited, said, "This transaction, follows Siemens AG's global strategy of managing its Healthcare business under a separately-managed company. Over 85 percent of Siemens Ltd Healthcare revenues are currently derived from products imported from Siemens AG. Significant Management focus, including investments will be needed in finding appropriate products and solutions to meet the growing demands of the Indian market. As there are limited synergies between the Healthcare and other businesses of Siemens Ltd, this transaction will enable Siemens Ltd to increase its focus on, and capital allocation to Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution, Mobility, Industrial Automation and Smart Cities segments while enabling Siemens AG to further strengthen its focus on the Healthcare segment in India, by aligning it with its global strategy and management framework." Key Rationale for the Proposed Transaction Healthcare in India: Changing ScenarioIncreasing Government spending, preference for locally manufactured productsGrowth being driven by Tier II / III cities, where preference is for value productsSiemens Ltd.'s Healthcare undertaking is highly dependent on Siemens AG and its subsidiaries for products and technical know-how Significant long-term investments required for localization of products and solutions   Alignment with Global Strategy and Management FrameworkGlobally, Healthcare a separately managed unitAllows increased flexibility, greater entrepreneurial freedom and faster decision making to grow India Healthcare segment independently Benefits for Siemens Ltd. ShareholdersLimited synergies between Healthcare and other segmentsEnhanced focus, capital allocation and resources to further grow in segments of Power Generation, Transmission & Distribution, Mobility, Industrial Automation and Smart CitiesProposed transaction margin accretive for Siemens Ltd. Board of Directors has also decided to consider the distribution of 50% of the sale consideration as reduced by applicable Capital Gains Tax and Dividend Distribution Tax, as a special dividend, at the first Board meeting after the completion of the Proposed Transaction.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3667/cognizant-develops-new-digital-healthcare-platform.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3667/cognizant-develops-new-digital-healthcare-platform.html Thu, 03 Mar 2016 13:00:50 +0530 Cognizant announced the development of a new digital healthcare platform, Cognizant Health TranZform. Developed with technology from Orion Health, this new digital platform will help consumers make more informed decisions about the cost and quality of their care, while simultaneously enabling healthcare providers and payers to drive greater levels of consumer engagement and operational efficiency.  With the healthcare industry shifting from fee-for-service to value-based care, traditional healthcare organizations are increasingly transforming their business models to deliver consumer-centric care. The Health TranZform platform will serve as a cloud-based industry utility, enabling different healthcare stakeholders to easily interact with each other and consumers across the care continuum. By creating a secure platform, data from multiple systems, including payer data from Cognizant's TriZetto payer core administration platforms, data from physician practice management systems and other healthcare ecosystem platforms can be integrated with electronic health records (EHR), to provide an improved customer experience and drive new solutions. "Successfully engaging and empowering the healthcare consumer and delivering value-based care will require broad new digital and business process capabilities that allow for more personalization, self-service and more control over care decisions," said Mr Krish Venkat, president, Healthcare and Life Sciences at Cognizant. "We are working with leading global partners like Orion Health to integrate capabilities into the Cognizant Health TranZform platform that will give health care organizations a cost-effective, seamless way to provide a differentiated, high-value, customer-centric experience." "We are excited to bring the strengths of our technologies together to enable Cognizant Health TranZform to integrate and orchestrate clinical, social, consumer-generated, and financial data across multiple sources and vendors," said Mr Ian McCrae, CEO for Orion Health. "Orion has been working to create a new model for collaboration across healthcare stakeholders and our relationship with Cognizant will create a significant opportunity to expand the breadth of data we derive insights from." "We already use Orion Health as a core part of our integration strategy," said Mr Dave Watson, CEO for Cal Index which is leading one of the largest payer sponsored healthcare integration projects in the US. "We are even more excited now that this new partnership brings Cognizant's products, services, scale, digital expertise and payer heritage to align to our strategy for growth and development." Cognizant is showcasing its Health TranZform platform and other innovative healthcare solutions at the 2016 Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Conference and Exhibition at booth number #1416. During HIMSS16, Cognizant and Orion will showcase how Cognizant Health TranZform will leverage Orion's deep clinical heritage and Cognizant's payer heritage and scale, to focus on building solutions that address complex business challenges while enabling a level of cross-ecosystem collaboration that has not previously been possible in healthcare. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4365/medtech-industry-seeks-immediate-and-complete-roll-back-of-import-duty-increase-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4365/medtech-industry-seeks-immediate-and-complete-roll-back-of-import-duty-increase-.html Thu, 03 Mar 2016 13:00:38 +0530 Indian Medical Device and Equipment sector is largely supported by Imports for meeting the healthcare needs of the country. FICCI welcomes Government's recent move to relax import duty on spare and parts used to manufacture and maintain medical devices in India. This was long awaited to give necessary impetus to Indigenous Industry. However, a simultaneous hike in import duty of medical equipment and devices and the resultant cost implications on care provision are likely to affect affordability of medical care in the country. This sector being highly technology - intensive, thrives on innovations which require an ecosystem for development and manufacturing complex medical devices and equipment. The 7 percent increase in duty hike coupled by high foreign exchange related pricing pressures puts med tech industry under stress as it endeavours to deliver affordable, quality medical access to all sections of population. Mr Milan Rao, chairman-FICCI Medical Electronics Forum (MEF) suggests that, "High end and complex equipment and devices such as MRIs, CTs, Cyclotrons, new generation heart valves, grafts, oxygenators, etc. require technology transfer, ecosystem for manufacturing , manpower skills and robust supply chain, all of which are time consuming. Hence, any such duty increases for technologically advanced equipment and devices must be introduced in a phased manner over 3-5 years." India is facing a tremendous opportunity in scaling up Med-Tech sector from US$ 5Bn to $10 billion by 2020. "In order to maintain this growth trajectory and encourage investments in indigenous manufacturing the sector should be incentivized. In light of Make in India's realization and continued affordable healthcare access in country the increase in Customs duties should be reviewed," said Mr Probir Das, chairman FICCI Medical Devices Forum (MDF).     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8277/how-the-industry-sees-the-union-budget-2016.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8277/how-the-industry-sees-the-union-budget-2016.html Tue, 01 Mar 2016 11:16:10 +0530 Mr Satish Reddy, chairman, Dr Reddy's Laboratories on Union Budget 2016: "Budget 2016 has been a mixed bag overall. The focus on infrastructure, rural development and social sector spending are important catalysts for boosting the economy's growth rate. On the healthcare front, the budgetary emphasis on the sector was fairly muted. While certain initiatives such as the new health insurance scheme or the National Dialysis Services program are good, perhaps a more holistic, well rounded thrust would have served the sector better in delivering good health to those in need of it. The initial outlay of 1,000 crores to fund higher education is simply not enough, given the huge gap and growing need for students to have access to high quality education. One hopes that the government will build upon this and expand access to higher education to a much larger section of society. The plan to set up the National Board of Skill Development in partnership with industry and academia is definitely a step in the right direction. This move will foster an environment of understanding and collaboration that will ensure skill development is mapped to industry needs, thereby creating more job opportunities in the long run.   The finance minister began his speech by articulating the 9 pillars on which his budget proposals were built, that would have a transformative impact on the economy and people. The social sector, including healthcare was in the top 5. We now look forward to a positive impact on this important aspect of India's growth story." Mr Gautam Khanna, CEO - P. D. Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre Union Budget 2016: "Social sector with healthcare" is one of the 9 pillars of the Union Budget 2016-17. This year's budget has focused at few specific schemes like the National Dialysis Program and the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana. 2.2 lakh renal patients are added every year in India and the distribution of health facilities in the country is skewed. The proposed National Dialysis Program would make treatment more accessible. Likewise, 3,000 medical stores will be opened under Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana to make quality medicine available.But it is important that these schemes are executed and monitored such that the maximum benefit reaches to the patients who need them the most. This year's budget once again left out key areas like overall healthcare spending, National Health Mission, Universal Health Coverage, health infrastructure and primary and secondary healthcare. The new health insurance schemes are a step to make healthcare affordable to the vulnerable sections. Rs. 1804 cr. have been allocated for skill development. We await the details if there are plans to boost skill development in the healthcare sector (trained medical technicians etc.). Another area of concern is the reduction of benefits of deductions for research from 150 to 100 percent from 1st April 2020. This may impact the funding for medical research. Overall, the Union Budget 2016-17 could have done more in terms of greater public spending in healthcare to strengthen public healthcare and build infrastructure and manpower capacity to bridge the current gaps in the sector." Mr Rajiv Nath, forum coordinator AIMED and joint managing director, Hindustan Syringes and Medical Devices(HMD)on Budget 2016: "Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley must be applauded for bringing budget's focus on rural community as well as senior citizens. Budget's proposal to set up 3,000 medicine shops in rural areas and announcement of insurance scheme for senior citizens is noteworthy. But then, given India's humungous population with majority of people having very modest income, the biggest challenge that our country faces is to ensure low cost quality healthcare access for majority of citizens.Government needs to realize that medicines are just one component of healthcare cost and very often not its major component! Medical devices can be equally if not more as critical a part of overall healthcare cost as medicines and diagnostics. If the government had focused on giving a major boost to medical device manufacturing in the country and also ensured a robust MRP regime, then it would have served many purpose with one shot - i.e. (a) Lower the overall healthcare cost and (b) lead to sharp reduction on import dependency and growth in exports. The additional critical benefit would have been quality job creation within the country. Anyway, we are still awaiting the fine print and we are just hoping that some of our pre-budget recommendations have been incorporated. These include: (a) Withdrawal of Concessional Duty Notification of Basic Duty and Special Additional Duty of Medical Devices and for reverting of Duty on the items covered under HS 90.27, 30.06 and 38.22 ( mainly diagnostics - equipments & reagents) (b) Imposition of 10 percent Basic Duty on HS 90.27 & HS 30.06 (C) reduction in duty of raw materials to 2.5 percent to produce above devices and diagnostics .In addition, we also need to think of consumers and dept should consider to introduce an Tax Innovation Structure of stalling Artificial Inflation of MRP by imposing a 2 percent CVD on MRP based criteria with Abatement of at least 50 percent (in case 1 percent Excise Duty on MRP is not possible) to have a disincentive to importers from passing on above increase to the Consumers. This will make Indian Medical Devices including Diagnostics competitive and safeguard consumers from exploitation."       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5038/ibmnew-york-genome-center-to-create-cancer-data-repository-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5038/ibmnew-york-genome-center-to-create-cancer-data-repository-.html Mon, 29 Feb 2016 12:48:56 +0530 At White House Precision Medicine Initiative Summit, the New York Genome Center and IBM announced that they are collaborating to create a comprehensive and open repository of genetic data to accelerate cancer research and scale access to precision medicine using cognitive insights from IBM Watson. Analyzing this data alongside the medical community's growing knowledge about cancer could help accelerate the ability of doctors to deliver personalized treatment to individual patients. IBM and New York Genome Center are working together to build the capacity to house the contributed data, train Watson's cognitive computing capabilities for genomic analysis and enable the Center's member institutions and other research collaborators to sequence and analyze DNA and RNA from patients' tumors. In the first phase of the project, the two organizations will examine genetic information from 200 cancer patients to compare how different types of sequencing might impact possible treatment options - examining whole genome and whole exome sequencing as well as clinical panels currently in wide use. Sequencing and clinical data will be fed into Watson to accelerate and focus reviews of massive amounts of medical evidence to help identify existing drugs that may be candidates to target patients' cancer-causing mutations. Clinically relevant insights will be returned to each individual patient's physician to potentially support the physician's treatment decisions. The organizations seek to expand this collaboration with funding from additional partners to further the data repository's growth and adoption. Dr Robert B. Darnell, New York Genome Center's founding director and CEO, said, "Our vision is to create a comprehensive cancer data repository that combines whole genome, exome, targeted panel and phenotypic data in an open platform that will empower researchers and clinicians. We believe that iterative analysis of the data and integration with our growing knowledge of cancer will allow doctors to provide better, personalized treatment."   Whole genome sequencing can play an important role in informing cancer research and treatment. Access to and interpretation of this type of genomic data, however, is currently limited. By combining genetic and clinical information from patients, IBM and New York Genome Center plan to pool resources and talent while also collaborating with a variety of IBM partners and New York Genome Center members, philanthropic partners, and New York State supporters. "Data is quickly becoming one of the most valuable resources in the fight against cancer," said Dr John Kelly III, senior vice president, Cognitive Solutions and IBM Research. "By amassing this contributed data and applying cognitive insights to the challenge of analyzing cancer data, we believe we can soon scale access to precision medicine worldwide." All contributed data will be maintained in a HIPAA enabled repository, in de-identified form. The effort was announced as part of President Obama's Precision Medicine Initiative on 25 Feb 2016 at a White House Summit.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6437/strands-ngs-lab-to-receive-cap-nabl-accreditations.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6437/strands-ngs-lab-to-receive-cap-nabl-accreditations.html Fri, 26 Feb 2016 12:16:51 +0530 Strand Life Sciences, a global genomic profiling company aimed at empowering personalized cancer care and genetic testing for inherited diseases, announced that its Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) laboratory, the Strand Center for Genomics & Personalized Medicine, located at Bangalore, has recently received certificates of accreditation from the College of American Pathologists (CAP), and the National Accreditation Board for Testing & Calibration Laboratories (NABL), respectively. The CAP laboratory accreditation program is recognized by the U.S. federal government as equal-to or more-stringent-than the government's own laboratory inspection programs. Similarly, the accreditation by NABL, the sole government-authorized laboratory accreditation body in India, is in accordance with ISO 15189:2012 standards. The accrediting processes by both organizations are designed to ensure that laboratories comply with the highest standards, and adhere to rigorous criteria for quality assurance. During the CAP accreditation process, inspectors examine the laboratory's quality system, quality control protocols and records for the preceding two years.   Both programs pay very close attention to staff qualification, equipment, safety programs, and overall management of clinical laboratories. This recognition by CAP and NABL accredits three of the most popular tests offered by the Strand Center laboratory. First, the StrandAdvantage 48-gene Test, used by medical oncologists to profile cancer patients for somatic mutations and personalize treatment by selecting targeted therapies. Second, the Strand Germline Cancer Test, an 86-gene hereditary cancer test to estimate inherited cancer risk, enabling early detection & prevention. Third, the Strand Rare Diseases Test, covering more than 500 genes and 400 rare inherited diseases, used for confirmation of diagnosis and carrier testing in couples. Dr Vijay Chandru, Executive Chairman, Strand Life Sciences, stated, "We are extremely proud to receive CAP and NABL accreditations. Receiving these accreditations is a major accomplishment, because it reaffirms our commitment to providing the highest quality of diagnostic testing and services to hospitals, physicians, and most importantly patients across the country. It is Strand's goal to bring genomics-based precision medicine to routine clinical practice; hence the accreditations serve as an important milestone in that direction". Dr Chandru added, "We believe Strand's NGS laboratory is the first and only CAP and NABL accredited laboratory in India. As the regional leader in this advanced field of multi-gene testing in genomic medicine, it is important for us to set the highest laboratory standards." "It is imperative that physicians feel confident while sending patient samples for specialized and esoteric testing, such as NGS for cancer and rare inherited disorders. These diagnostic tests require advanced laboratories and expert personnel to analyze and interpret complex genetic information. Laboratories whose quality systems have been accredited by organizations such as CAP and NABL will give physicians much needed confidence to refer precious patient samples" said Dr Nanda Rajaneesh, Consultant Surgical Oncologist, Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Bangalore. Dr Preveen Ramamoorthy, Global Head of Diagnostics, Strand Life Sciences, said, "Our NGS facility in Aurora, Colorado, is a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) accredited laboratory. Now, the accreditation of our India facility by CAP and NABL (ISO 15189) validates our ability to perform high quality clinical NGS testing and perform bioinformatics and clinical interpretation to international quality standards in every facility that we operate. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8213/philips-to-introduce-cloud-based-data-recovery-service-for-healthcare-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8213/philips-to-introduce-cloud-based-data-recovery-service-for-healthcare-.html Fri, 26 Feb 2016 12:16:05 +0530 Royal Philips has announced the introduction of a secure data recovery service, built in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS), that rapidly captures and backs up an entire healthcare organization's data repository in the cloud. Specifically tailored to meet the needs of medical data backup, Philips' new storage service helps healthcare enterprises to further secure patient-critical information against local data loss events, ranging from equipment failure to catastrophic events such as earthquake, fire and flood. With this new storage solution, Philips and AWS continue to strengthen their collaboration to deliver innovative solutions that accelerate the industry's transformation toward a more connected, value-based, patient-centered care model. Philips' new hybrid storage solution combines the company's expertise in medical data management with AWS' petabyte-scale data transport service, AWS Import/Export Snowball, to integrate, manage, encrypt and transfer a hospital's entire data repository to the cloud within days, rather than the weeks or months it would take via a wired network. Using the Philips data recovery service, a hospital organization's IT department simply plugs an AWS Import/Export Snowball device into its network, invokes the appropriate security features, and transfers the required data to the unit. The device is then physically shipped back and the data transferred to Philips' HealthSuite digital platform, an open cloud-based platform that allows the creation of the next generation of connected health and clinical IT innovations. Vendor neutral in terms of the type, format and source of the data, the Philips solution manages security, identity and access, auditing, logging and traceability associated with medical data backup. The goal is to deliver a service that would meet the requirements of the US Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) by the second half of 2016. In addition to meeting one-time backup requirements, Philips' HealthSuite data recovery storage service is designed to assist in meeting the ongoing backup needs of healthcare IT departments. One or more of AWS' 50 terabyte data transport devices will remain on-site to provide a local backup, from which all or parts of the data can be quickly recovered. Philips HealthSuite digital platform will provide users with the option of adding powerful data analytics, such as population studies, and sophisticated reporting features. It will also offer them the ability to transfer files to or from the cloud via a secure Philips network connection. "Due to the nature of their data, many healthcare organizations have understandably in the past adopted in-house solutions, but the explosion in the amount of data they now need to secure, together with new regulatory requirements, mean that they need to adopt a different approach," said Mr Dale Wiggins, general manager HealthSuite digital platform, Philips. "By working together with AWS we can offer our customers a next-generation solution enabled by our HealthSuite platform that removes the time and cost barriers of cloud-based healthcare data backup and management." "We're excited to bring the value of the cloud to even more healthcare organizations in collaboration with Philips," said Mr Bill Vass, vice president, AWS Storage Solutions. "By combining the expertise of Philips' HealthSuite with the power of our AWS Import/Export Snowball service, which transfers petabyte-scale data with secure appliances into and out of AWS, healthcare customers will be able to securely and reliably back up their important patient data to the cloud." An early adopter of AWS technologies, Philips previously announced a collaboration with AWS focused on the AWS IoT service to enable an ecosystem for new types of connected and personalized eHealth solutions. Philips will showcase its new HealthSuite recovery data management solution at booth #3416 at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) 2016 Annual Meeting and Exhibition, taking place Feb. 29 - March 4, at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas, NV. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3471/smart-financing-key-to-sustainable-growth-of-the-healthcare-sector-sfs-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3471/smart-financing-key-to-sustainable-growth-of-the-healthcare-sector-sfs-study.html Wed, 24 Feb 2016 11:31:13 +0530 Siemens Financial Services (SFS) commissioned and released a new research report on 'Smart Financing in the Healthcare sector' and reveals how it is set to be a game-changer for Healthcare and related industries. The qualitative research was conducted with healthcare providers across 13 countries which revealed that organizations are facing four common pressures: demographic change; shifting patient expectations; requirement to reform and the rising tide of healthcare technology trends. Digitalization and Smart Financing have been recognised as the ultimate remedy for the increasing pressures in healthcare. Over half of healthcare CFOs surveyed are already using a range of financing techniques, among which asset finance is the most popular. The study highlights that healthcare professionals regard new-generation technology as critical in enabling their organizations to transform. Moreover, more than half of the CFOs interviewed said investment in new-generation technology is 'an urgent priority'. Digitalization and automation are seen as vital cogs to enable the transition, particularly with the move to early detection, value-based reimbursement models and population health management. In this respect, respondents cited three new-generation technology investment priorities: imaging and diagnostics; IT and electronic patient records management; surgery and surgical automation.   The research reveals that smart finance - such as leasing and renting-based packages - is seen as critical to healthcare organizations' ability to manage the changing demands in workflow and also to avert crisis. Flexible financing techniques are becoming an increasingly important part of the healthcare CFO's financial toolkit, as healthcare organizations face global pressure to change despite the constraint of financial resources. "With the healthcare industry facing pressures due to demographic change; shifting patient expectations; requirement to reform and the rising tide of healthcare technology trends and digitalization CFOs of healthcare organizations are prioritizing where valuable funds are directed. Smart financing techniques are increasingly critical in enabling organizations to acquire the new-generation, digitalized technology that is so fundamental in managing pressures to change" said Mr Sunil Kapoor, CEO, Siemens Financial Services (India). Chief Financial Officers in healthcare organizations were interviewed by telephone in a qualitative research study between August and October 2015. The interviewees came from public and private healthcare institutions in the following countries: India, China, Finland, France, Germany, Norway, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, UK and USA. Respondents were asked to give their views on the pressures to change faced by their institutions (their nature and severity), the role played by new-generation technology (particularly, but not exclusively, digitalized technology) in enabling effective change, and the use of a range of financing techniques to enable that technology acquisition.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8105/indias-medical-devices-market-will-hit-17-6-bn-by-2020-globaldata.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8105/indias-medical-devices-market-will-hit-17-6-bn-by-2020-globaldata.html Tue, 23 Feb 2016 11:07:50 +0530 The medical devices space in India will see impressive expansion, rising from $10.4 billion in 2014 to reach $17.6 billion by 2020, representing a robust Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.4 percent, according to research and consulting firm GlobalData. The company's report states that although this market will not see the same level of growth as the pharmaceutical sector, it will still undergo significant changes, driven by mounting patient awareness of advancements in medical technology, and an aging population. Mr Adam Dion, GlobalData's senior industry analyst, says that India's medical device market is one of the fastest-growing, thanks to the country's strong economic growth, improving living standards and large population. Mr Dion comments, "Purchasing power within the country has been rising gradually over the last two decades due to high and consistent economic growth and increasing job opportunities. The influx of people has resulted in more densely-populated cities and, by extension, an increased demand for medical facilities and devices." "In addition to benefiting from increased purchasing power within the region itself, the Indian medical devices arena is also profiting from a booming medical tourism market, which is driven by the comparatively low cost of treatments," he added.   In terms of current opportunities within the medical devices arena, ophthalmic devices take up the largest proportion of market share. In 2014, sales for these devices were valued at approximately $3 billion, having grown at a CAGR of 7.3 percent from $1.98 billion in 2008. Mr Dion further notes that, "Johnson & Johnson Vision Care and Essilor International are the current market leaders in India's ophthalmology devices space, but they face competition from several major players, such as Carl Zeiss, Bausch & Lomb (i.e. Valeant), and Novartis' Alcon subsidiary."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8285/focus-on-disruptive-technologies-to-boost-make-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8285/focus-on-disruptive-technologies-to-boost-make-in-india.html Fri, 19 Feb 2016 11:30:31 +0530 A new study, 'Make in India: How could we be strategic?' has identified five key technologies as having the maximum potential to stimulate growth in Indian manufacturing: biotechnology, nanotechnology, micro and nanoelectronics, photonics, and advanced materials. These five knowledge intensive technology areas have wide-ranging applications across various industrial sectors with the potential to meet national security priorities, stimulate economic growth as well as meet social development imperatives. The study by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) was released days after the introduction of the National Capital Goods Policy during the Make in India Week programme in Mumbai. The National Capital Goods Policy includes a provision for a Technology Development Fund and other commitments such as increasing skill availability, ensuring mandatory standards and promoting growth and capacity building of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The study identifies how to deploy the fund most effectively. Mr Vaibhav Gupta, junior research associate, CEEW, said, "Our analysis finds that a large share of the total manufacturing output (calculated in terms of gross value addition) can be impacted by the identified technologies: Biotechnology (15 percent), nanotechnology (86 percent), micro and nanoelectronics (100 percent), photonics (19 percent), and advanced materials (40 percent)." However, the existing innovation support system to help translate research efforts across these identified technologies and other areas into commercial products is nascent in India. One key hurdle preventing India from becoming an innovation hub is the abysmal participation of the private sector in R&D, by way of financing. The private sector contributes to less than one-third of the overall R&D spending in the country due to the associated risks in investment and technology failure. Importing components and licensing of intellectual property (from overseas) is the current approach across the strategic sectors. In the long run, this presents the biggest threat to innovation in India. The study recommends that the public sector must don the role of 'risk capital' provider and move away from granting soft-loans for research to a royalty based system that allows for revenues to flow back to the public corpus, should the idea become a commercial success.   As a solution the study also showcases the design of a centralised one-stop technology information portal that provides a range of information - open funding opportunities, status of existing grants, outcomes, partner opportunities, etc. Such an extensive database could help identify emerging areas of research, reduce doubling of effort, target limited resources more strategically, and assess the impact of R&D investments especially in facilitating more links between technology developers and industry. Another key challenge is the inefficient and understaffed Indian Patents Office (IPO). The IPO has an ever increasing backlog of unexamined patents and trademark applications. In 2012 there were 123,255 pending patent applications, which have further increased to 246,495 pending patent applications (in addition to the 532,682 pending trademark applications) in 2015. IPO staff in India experience the highest per capita workload (20 applications a month, as compared with seven in Europe and China, eight in the United States) at the lowest pay. However, 490 patent personnel have been recently recruited to improve the efficiency of the Indian Patent Office. The study suggests that capacity expansion of the IPO (both funding and manpower) and outsourcing 'prior-art' searches to third party service providers will significantly improve the efficiency of the patent filing and approval process. In addition, fast-track IP courts for patent infringements and a patent prosecution highway would accelerate patent prosecution procedures. A fee based revenue model is necessary to enable the IPO to sustain its operations in the long run and operate in autonomy. The third significant factor hampering the pursuit of strategic technologies is the quality and standards associated with domestically manufactured finished-goods and intermediates. Indian industry, to remain competitive and keep costs lower, must have significant backward integration with domestic suppliers of components and raw materials. However, in many cases the physical and chemical properties of intermediates and raw materials do not meet international (or even) national standards. This in turn, adversely impacts the quality of final products. The study finds a pivotal role for an accreditation entity such as (NABL) to certify the bulk of testing laboratories across the country. Currently, only one percent of the laboratories are accredited by NABL. To promote the development of quality products in the five identified areas, mandatory certification of products enabled by these technologies must be enforced. This will set the bar for new entrants and create a larger market for domestically manufactured goods. Dr Arunabha Ghosh, CEO, CEEW, said, "For a competitive manufacturing driven economy, we have to focus on three transitions: from resource vulnerability to securing resources, from acquiring technology from overseas (for domestic use) to developing high technology domestically, and from education and skills to R&D and innovation. A slew of reforms identified in the study are necessary to set the innovation ecosystem in India right. Creating this sustaining eco-system must be made an important objective of the Make in India campaign." .   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/1759/fda-approves-medtronics-deep-brain-stimulation-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/1759/fda-approves-medtronics-deep-brain-stimulation-.html Fri, 19 Feb 2016 11:29:36 +0530 Medtronic announced the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) approval of Medtronic Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Therapy for use in people with Parkinson's disease of at least four years duration and with recent onset of motor complications, or motor complications of longer-standing duration that are not adequately controlled with medication. In 2002, the FDA initially approved Medtronic DBS Therapy for use in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease. Medtronic DBS has demonstrated improvement in motor complications, quality of life, activities of daily living and reduction in medication usage in individuals with Parkinson's disease. Motor complications caused by the disease and/or as a side effect of levodopa result in great social and psychological disability. Interference with activities of daily living is often severe and the cost of treatment and care increases along with deterioration of quality of life for patients and their caregivers. Thirty-seven percent of people with Parkinson's retire earlier than those without the disease, retiring an average of six years earlier because of the disease. The economic impact of Parkinson's disease is at least $14.4 billion a year in the United States and it is estimated that the prevalence of the disease will more than double in the United States by the year 2040. This recent approval by the FDA was based on data from the EARLYSTIM clinical study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2013, which found that patients treated with Medtronic DBS Therapy and best medical therapy (BMT) reported a mean improvement of 26 percent in their disease-related quality of life at two years, compared to a one percent decline in patients treated with BMT alone. In a study of patients with longer-standing motor complications, DBS patients' quality of life improved 20 percent from baseline to six months compared to no improvement in the patients treated with BMT alone. "Parkinson's disease is progressive, and as a result a patient's quality of life will deteriorate over time. This approval is important because it expands the therapeutic window when patients can benefit from DBS," said Dr Lothar Krinke,vice president and general manager of the Brain Modulation business, which is part of the Restorative Therapies Group at Medtronic. "Medtronic's goal is to advance medical care and deliver the best possible patient outcomes. DBS is proven to provide long-term benefits and it can now be used sooner in the care continuum, giving patients with recent onset motor complications another option to maintain or restore quality of life." Impaired motor complications are associated with decreased quality of life, and the impact is similar for patients with recent onset or longer-standing motor complications. In the EARLYSTIM study, 85 percent of patients who received DBS along with BMT had a clinically meaningful improvement compared to only 36 percent in the BMT alone group over 24 months. Thirty percent of patients that remained on BMT alone got worse over 24 months compared to only two percent in the DBS group. The study also found a 61 percent improvement in levodopa-induced complications, including dyskinesias and motor fluctuations, in participants receiving Medtronic DBS therapy at two years, compared to a 13 percent worsening in those only receiving BMT. Additionally, a long-term study of people with advanced Parkinson's disease who received DBS therapy show benefits at 10 years, despite potential surgical and device-related complications.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8448/bausch-lomb-enters-partnership-with-bosch-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8448/bausch-lomb-enters-partnership-with-bosch-india.html Thu, 18 Feb 2016 11:18:00 +0530 Bausch + Lomb entered into a partnership with Bosch. This cooperation brings together leading providers of eye care solutions and technology in India and SAARC region, to market technological advanced diagnostic devices in the ophthalmic segment. Bausch + Lomb will market Bosch's innovative digital Fundus camera - a compact retina camera, with special software that can detect conditions such as cataract at an early stage. Post signing the partnership, Mr Sanjay Bhutani, MD, India and SAARC, Bausch + Lomb, said, "Our partnership with Bosch is in line with our strategic expansion plans. With this collaboration, Bausch + Lomb will further strengthen its portfolio in the ophthalmic diagnostic devices market. Being a leader in the eye-care industry, this alliance will enable us to leverage our distribution strength to supplement growing market of eye care solutions." "To collaborate with 'Bausch + Lomb' is a motivating prospect as the company is renowned for its contribution to the eye-care field", said Mr Vijay Ratnaparkhe, MD, Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions. "At Bosch, we look to leverage this partnership as it would help us reach out to a larger population and thereby prevent the incidence of avoidable blindness and vision impairment in the country. Our constant endeavor is to leverage our technology expertise to develop innovative solutions that address the healthcare needs and challenges across countries." Digital Fundus eye camera operates on a rechargeable battery, thus making it lightweight and portable. The findings from the Fundus eye camera can be shared over tele-medicine using the MediBilder software. The automated detection algorithm can detect and mark conditions like diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma. These features allow for comprehensive eye screening at primary level and ensure better point of care services. In addition, the modularity of the device allows wider coverage of diseases apart from that of the retina. "Bausch + Lomb will continue to set new standards in eye-care by providing innovative technologies that help people see better", said Mr Premal Pandya, commercial director - ophthalmology and aesthetics, Bausch + Lomb, India.   "The partnership with Bausch + Lomb ties in well with Bosch's approach, as we look to create newer markets. This also includes sensitizing people about the problem of preventable blindness which has assumed disproportionate statistics in India," commented Mr Dattatri Salagame, VP-strategy, innovations and new business, Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions, India.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8192/nice-recommends-medtronics-insulin-pump-systems-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8192/nice-recommends-medtronics-insulin-pump-systems-.html Wed, 17 Feb 2016 12:16:41 +0530 The United Kingdom's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued positive guidance for the use of Medtronic insulin pump systems integrated with glucose sensors, for managing Type 1 diabetes and the avoidance of potentially life-threatening hypoglycemic episodes. The guidance reviewed two sensor-augmented insulin pump therapy systems and recommends the MiniMed Paradigm Veo system for managing glucose levels in people with Type 1 diabetes who experience 'disabling hypoglycemia' - defined as repeated and unpredictable occurrence of low-blood sugar attacks that result in persistent anxiety about recurrence, and is associated with a significant adverse impact on quality of life. Since the assessment of the MiniMed Paradigm Veo system in the Diagnostics Assessment Programme (DAP), NICE has recognised that in 2015, Medtronic launched a successor system, MiniMed 640G. The MiniMed Paradigm Veo and MiniMed 640G systems, are the only systems said to offer low glucose suspend mode, both incorporate continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology, providing users with a more complete picture of their glucose levels. The system alerts users when their sensor glucose levels are falling too low or rising too high, and also mimics the human pancreas' ability to suspend insulin delivery automatically - protecting against the risk of ahypo, even when a person is asleep or unable to react. Commenting on the guidance, Consultant Diabetologist of Harrogate District Hospital and ex-Clinical Lead for the NHS Diabetes National Insulin Pump Network, Dr Peter Hammond, said, "Avoiding episodes of severe or disabling hypoglycemia (hypos) can be one of the biggest challenges associated with managing Type 1 diabetes. Preventing hypoglycemic attacks, which put the lives of patients at risk and lead to costly A&E admissions and hospitalization, is a priority area for the NHS."   "The Medtronic system recommended by NICE incorporates sensor technology, continuously monitoring sugar and shutting-off insulin when needed, to reduce the risk of a hypo. Insulin pump therapy systems combined with continuous glucose sensing and automated suspension of insulin delivery can be a lifesaver for those who have lost the ability to recognise when they are experiencing a hypoglycemic episode, and are also very reassuring for parents of children with Type 1 diabetes who fear night-time hypoglycemia. This guidance is extremely positive; acknowledging the latest technology and confirming the vital role of sensor-augmented insulin pump therapy with automated insulin suspend in the effective treatment of Type 1 diabetes," he added. This diagnostics guidance supports the use of the MiniMed Paradigm Veo system for managing glucose levels in people with Type 1 diabetes if they have episodes of disabling hypoglycemia despite optimal management with continuous subcutaneous (under the skin) insulin infusion and Medtronic arranges to collect, analyse and publish data on the use of the MiniMed Paradigm Veo system and successor technologies with low-glucose suspend function.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4896/medical-devices-parks-get-ready-to-race-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4896/medical-devices-parks-get-ready-to-race-.html Tue, 16 Feb 2016 16:47:03 +0530 As three states - Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat - are racing ahead to establish exclusive world class medical device manufacturing parks, Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AIMED), the apex body of medical device manufactures in the country has recommended eight key policy measures which must be rolled out to ensure the financial viability of these parks as well as to make India a super international hub for medical device manufacturing. AIMED recommendations range from tariff corrections to a new regulatory regime. Specifically AIMED has urged the government both at the Centre and states to ensure the following: (i) A separate Medical Device Regulatory Act and separate Rules with IHPRA - Indian Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority rather than proposed ongoing amendment to D&C Act with compliance audits by 3rd party certification and have a mandatory compliance and regulatory framework built on soon to be launched QCI certification to ensure Patient Safety. (ii)A medical device export promotion and India's first Import substitution council - MEDISEXPC (iii)A dept for Medical Devices, a Separate Ministry for Healthcare products to act as facilitator and regulator and coordinated plan between Central Government and State Governments to aid existing manufacturing clusters and new medical device parks.   (iv) Continued tariff correction to enable business viability. (v) MRP based tax as disincentive for high MRP to ensure consumer protection. (vi)Launch of a voluntary ICMED 13485 certification by QCI for enabling doctors and procurement agencies to have confidence in good quality medical devices. (vii) A 'Buy Indian' preferred market access policy for those manufacturers who have ICMED certification. (viii) A 15 percent preferential pricing online of World Bank and WHO tenders to support domestic manufacturers and counter 17 percent subsidy from China. "These policy rollouts would reduce our humungous import dependency quickly, create vibrant manufacturing eco-system and generate lakhs of high-value jobs within the country, something which we all want," said Mr Rajiv Nath, forum coordinator of AIMED. Mr Nath added that these policies are a must to make India a super global hub for medical device manufacturing and to boost up PM Modi's 'Make in India' vision. It may be known that the country has been struggling to reduce its heavy import dependency in a sector which is a critical component of national healthcare security. Besides, the high import dependency in this sector has been a stress point on country's foreign exchange situation as well as depriving high-value employment creation within the country. Currently, the medical device industry is estimated to be of Rs 30000 crore size with over 70 percent import dependency and nearly 90 percent import dependency in high-end electronic medical devices. The market at retail and institutional sale is expected to grow to over Rs 2,00,000 lakh crore by 2020. Thus if domestic manufacturing is not boosted, it will create multi-dimensional macro-economic and social security problems. Medical device was also among the top five priority sectors as part 'Make in India' roll out program. The government at the Centre has taken some appreciable measures to rekindle domestic manufacturing but certain critical policy and regulatory support are still not in place to translate good intentions into ground reality. Accordign to AIMED, these 8-point recommendations will go a long way to fill the gaps and vitalize the medical device manufacturing. AIMED has also submitted these recommendations to Shri Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh during their recent meeting with him in relation with the exclusive medical device park coming up in the state, with a request to use his good office and good relations with the Centre to work upon these recommendations to PM Modi. "I am all thankful to Shri Chandrababu Naidu for not only taking the lead in setting up country's first medical device park but also for assuring us that he will utilize his good office to ensure the success of medical device manufacturing by taking up industry's concerns at the appropriate platform," said Mr Nath. On behalf of industry, Mr Nath has also expressed his heartfelt thanks to Dr Jitendar Sharma, Advisor to AP Govt on Health & Medical Technology and also the head of Technology Division of NHSRC, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, GOI for his proactive support for ensuring smooth setting of medical device park in the state having common manufacturing facilities to reduce capital expenditure for their project and offer low cost rentals and revenue support services to enable these units to be Competitive instead of the usual capital subsidy model .     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8122/cloud-computing-to-drive-paradigm-shift-in-life-sciences.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8122/cloud-computing-to-drive-paradigm-shift-in-life-sciences.html Mon, 15 Feb 2016 15:16:25 +0530 The centre will provide expertise in cloud computing technologies and specific platforms including advanced Java, Spring, .NET, Python and statistical programming frameworks. Currently the facility employs more than 250 professionals including software engineers from prestigious institutions and scientists with doctoral degrees. This team is now building next-generation software, acting as an extension to Thermo Fisher's global software R&D teams. The software centre of excellence is Thermo Fisher's first such facility globally. According to the company's press release, cloud computing has the potential to significantly change lab workflows, and facilitate access to powerful data analysis techniques.   Mr Mark Field, VP & CTO, Thermo Fisher, who was in India on the occasion, told BioSpectrum, "The plan of erecting the centre has been realized after three years. Cloud computing and Internet of Things (IoT) are causing incredible disruptions across the world. The former has already made a stand in India. I have been in the software industry for 20 years, and India stands at the very forefront in making software and delivering the capabilities to the world. Software is a global phenomenon." Mr Amit Chopra, MD, VP/GM, Thermo Fisher Scientific India, added, "Indian scientists are adopting cloud computing technology, and the adoption rate is going to pick up rapidly. This technology enables scientists to leap forward in pioneering developments and be at the forefront." As a result of using cloud technology, something such as when a powerful genetic analysis software is released, it can immediately be deployed in the cloud, enabling scientific communities around the world to quickly and easily access the new capabilities. Mr Field added, "We have hundreds of users of this technology in India -- from prestigious institutes to commercial organizations -- and they are willing to experiment and play around a little bit before engaging in it fully. Cloud-based computing solutions have already been deployed in the US and Europe on a massive scale. This trend will soon catch up in India, and we are already seeing it coming." Cloud computing in the Life Sciences space is expected to make labs more productive and collaborative. "In the next 5 years, the cloud will become an innovation platform, much like the Internet. In the future, many incredible innovations and impossible things are going to come out of cloud usage," opined Mr Field. Through the cloud, thousands of labs and scientists are expected to get connected and act collaboratively, bringing in amazing capabilities and creating major paradigm shift in the Life Sciences space. "The cloud," Mr Chopra noted, "will change how scientists conduct research. We are providing them the platform to leverage and drive faster research solutions." According to Mr Field, it is way too early to predict the market size for cloud technologies. He said, "As scientific instruments become more and more sophisticated, the amount of data these instruments produce will far exceed the analytical capabilities or labs around the world. And scientists alone will not be able to manage all this data." Mr Chopra explained with an example how the cloud can be the point of origin for futuristic innovations. "Traditional fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and retail industries are being transformed by emerging ecommerce companies who have created entirely new business models. This is exactly what we are trying to do in the cloud space. In the next 10 or 15 years, we will see a radically transformed ecosystem in Science. The Internet, for example, transformed online education, opening up online classrooms, with world-class universities offering their programs to hundreds and thousands of students. Now we can envision the possibilities in scientific innovations that cloud computing can provide to Science," he said. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7895/trivitron-launches-labsystems-diagnostics-ivd-factory-in-chennai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7895/trivitron-launches-labsystems-diagnostics-ivd-factory-in-chennai.html Mon, 15 Feb 2016 10:38:41 +0530 Trivitron Group has launched Labsystems Diagnostics IVD Factory, an Indo Finnish joint collaboration; at Trivitron Medical Technology Park which is a 25 acres Medical Technology Park in SIPCOT Industrial Estate Chennai â€?to house multiple factories manufacturing variety of Medical Devices and Equipment under one campus. The Labsystems Diagnostics IVD Factory was inaugurated by Honorable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi and PM of Finland, Mr Juha Sipilä and Dr GSK Velu, founder and managing director, Trivitron Group of Companies. Commenting on the occasion, Dr GSK Velu said, "We are extremely fortunate to have with us Shri Narendra Modi Ji, and Hon Prime Minister of India and Mr Juha Sipila Hon Prime Minister of Finland to declare open our new state of the art Manufacturing Facility built with Finnish IVD Technology from Labsystems OY Finland." He added, "Medical Devices industry is one of the biggest beneficiary of our Hon Prime Minster's Make in India initiative with several new initiatives being taken by Govt of India to bring this industry out of over 85 percent dependence on Imports. I am an ardent admirer of our Prime Minister's Make in India initiative and we are thankful to have our Prime Minister bless our inauguration event along with the Finnish Prime Minister to promote "Make in India" initiative in the Medical Devices segment. We will take this as a big encouragement to make more and more investments in own R&D and also Joint Venture Manufacturing initiatives in India." For accessing latest technology and making it available to a larger section on the population, Trivitron has acquired a very reputed Medical Device company named Labsystems Diagnostics OY, World No. 2 in the New Born Screening Technology apart from having core technology expertise in several products in the area of Laboratory Medicine.   The company have now done a "Technology Transfer" from their Finnish Company and created a State of the Art new facility capable of producing Biochemistry/ Hematology/ Point of Care Diagnostics/ Immunoassay, Mass Spectrometry Diagnostics Kits and Quality Control Sera in the Trivitron Medical Technology Park. This is the third manufacturing facility which will soon start commercial production in the Park. The park will manufacture First Ever Made in India New Born Screening System for the Nation and will make this technology accessible and affordable to the 27 Million Babies born in India slowly but steadily. Apart from New Born screening Kits the facility will be manufacturing high tech diagnostics kits first time in South Asia using Mass Spectrometry / Molecular Diagnostics/ New Generation Point of Care diagnostics platforms for various diseases and disorders in Women and Child Health area and Infectious Diseases diagnosis area. The new manufacturing facility will have the capacity to employ over 500+ people.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8079/wearables-and-big-data-in-healthcare-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8079/wearables-and-big-data-in-healthcare-.html Thu, 04 Feb 2016 13:39:00 +0530 The Society for Clinical Data management announced its 2nd conference in India on the 11th & 12th of December, 2015. The conference was conceived around the idea of creating a platform for professionals from different spheres in the C.R.A.M.S industry to converge and share their expertise. This was also recognized by many attendees as a learning and development platform that gave insights on the currentindustry trends and latest updates in Clinical Research. India is now being identified as a pivotal point in contributions towards Data management. The conference theme was thus identified as "Innovations in CDM- Vision 2020: People, Processes & Technology". One of the session during the conference was 'Wearable Devices, Mobility & The Big Data Challenge' presented by KV Subrahmanyam. During his session he spoke about three user segments for wearable market. "There are currently three top user segments for the global wearable sensors market, security, healthcare, and fitness. Of these, healthcare and fitness are the two segments where wearables are gaining increasing acceptance. Some of the applications of wearables (wrist bands, smart clothing, smart contact lens, smart shoes etc) in this sector include remote patient monitoring, booking doctors appointment, 24*7 tracking/monitoring of senior citizens, constant health monitoring, sending critical alerts to the doctor, etc among others", he said. Wearable devices collect a host of information about the users (or patients as the case maybe). As the wearable devices are gaining more momentum and increasing adoption, these generate a lot of data, or big data. With the help of analytics, this big data can prove to be of greatest value and provide many useful insights such as, better patient recruitment for clinical trial, monitoring patient adherence, identification of undiagnosed patients, better disease pattern analysis, accelerating drug innovation, customised drug development etc. "Though big data provides opportunities, it also brings a great deal of challenges with respect to storage, access and security. The firms trying to leverage the potential of big data, have to overcome these challenges for successful implementation of the data", he added. The conference content was spread over 2 days with more than 200 delegates including about 40 speakers each with an expertise in a different domain, 2 keynote sessions from recognized experts in the clinical data management field, FDA video cast, panel discussion, leadership forum, thought leadership session and a student debate session. There was an equal opportunity for various components of thisindustry to put forward their views on the innovations in technologies that can impact the future of Clinical Data Management.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4129/india-is-the-silicon-valley-of-the-east-dr-kiran-mazumdar.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4129/india-is-the-silicon-valley-of-the-east-dr-kiran-mazumdar.html Wed, 03 Feb 2016 19:06:01 +0530 Bangalore hosted its first-day of the most anticipated three-day investors' event, Invest Karnataka 2016, a global meeting platform aimed at bringing biggest business minds and investors together to accelerate development through technology, innovation, inclusivity and sustainability. In one of the parallel sessions on Biotechnology sector, Dr Kiran Mazumdar, CMD, Biocon, delivered a presentation talking about India as a global innovation hub for the Biotech industry. She spoke about the exclusivity of Karnataka in the Biotech sector. "When I started Biocon, there were very few people who backed it up. It is not only Karnataka's rich human capital, but it has also created a very unique model - for every other State and other parts of the world - a close partnership between the industry, academia and the Government." She pointed that Biotech is an innovative sector which needs risk-takers. "Bangalore can boast itself as the Science and start-up capital because the city is full of first-generation entrepreneurs, which means you have plenty of risk-takers and this is enabling Bangalore to be the start-up capital of the country, not just in the IT sector, but also in Biotech. Innovation in Biotech starts with risk-taking. We need to ensure that innovation is unique, differentiating and path-breaking. This is what we expect start-ups to do, and we have large number of start-ups licensing their proprietary technologies to MNCs at premium values," she said. In India, 50% of all the Biotech companies are located in Karnataka, which has 19,000+ highly-qualified professionals, with 1000-plus R&D centers, and the State's Biotech sector contributing 30% of the national revenues. She took the audience through various eras of Indian Biotech in the last 4 decades. "The 80's was an era of enzymes followed by the vintage era of vaccines in the 90's. We produce largest number of vaccines in the world making India the 'Vaccine Capital' of the world. The year 2000 was the age of Internet belonging to genomics. The 2010's was the birth of biologics and biotech drugs, transforming the way diseases are treated. Low-cost and rich talent pool enabled India to develop world-class biologics addressing affordability and accessibility," she noted. Dr Kiran also laid emphasis on skill development, expertise and excellence. "When it comes to leadership, it's about building skills, expertise and excellence. You have to invest in building skills and scale. Companies started investing very heavily in building expertise. Many companies are setting up or outsourcing research services. This is a bigger investment opportunity," she stated. She voiced that Biotech is the new growth engine for the Indian economy. "Indian Biotech has recorded 20% CAGR in the last 10 years. The country has an ambition to realize Biotech revenues of $100 billion by 2025, which I think is achievable by enabling policies and regulations which will help build skills whether it is Biopharma, BioIT or enzymes," she commented. India is ranked 12th in the Biotech sector globally, and 3rd in APAC after China and Korea. She justified what makes India an innovation hub. "Low-cost of development, large network of academic institutions, availability of scientific and engineering talent, large pool of drug-naïve patients, genetic diversity of patient population enable different opportunities and have different strategies around clinical development," she said. She also said that India can serve as an attractive manufacturing destination. The Indian Government aims to spend $3.7 billion on Biotech between 2012-17, and the country has the 4th largest area under GM crops. India is also credited with having the 2nd highest number of USFDA-approved plants after the US, with manpower costs and the cost of manufacturing less than half compared to the West. Dr Kiran added that India's start-up ecosystem will depend on innovations coming out academic labs. "Institutions will rely on licensing incomes and royalties. Entrepreneurs should do their proof-of-concept and pre-clinical commercialization phase and add value to the innovation. The industry later should come up and commercialize products, enabling funding of the academic institutes and entrepreneurs by paying royalties," she observed. Karnataka was the first State in the country to introduce the Biotech Policy in 2001. "We have sound infrastructure and largest Biotech clusters in India, and sector-specific SEZs focusing on Biotech. We also have a comprehensive Biotech Policy and the Biotech Vision Group, with representations from the Government, industry and the academia," she remarked. She said that Bangalore is the Silicon Valley of the East. "In Biopharma there are huge opportunities for India, investors and organizations. We believe biosimilars market will touch $10 billion by 2020. Developing new drugs in India in Biotech is a $50 billion market, and the CRAMS a $40 billion market in the next four years. India has the potential to be the innovation hub for biosimilars and biologics. Global life sciences companies are looking at India as a CMO destination for many biologics, since India is a large and growing market for biologics," she concluded, quoting a Nobel Prize winner. 'Innovation consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought.' - Dr Albert Szent-Gyorgyi ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8233/iot-healthcare-market-to-grow-at-43-cagr-during-2016-2022.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8233/iot-healthcare-market-to-grow-at-43-cagr-during-2016-2022.html Tue, 02 Feb 2016 17:13:19 +0530 Infoholic Research, a global ICT market research and consulting organization, recently published a study titled "IoT Healthcare Market- Global Trends and Forecast - 2016-2022". Infoholic Research predicts that the IoT solutions will have a positive impact on healthcare services, and with the government spending the healthcare delivery will improve. The research predicts the IoT healthcare market is expected to grow at CAGR of 43.01 percent for the period of 2016-2022. "IoT healthcare market has huge potential in developing regions. Asia Pacific is one of the largest and a high growth market, and it becomes important how healthcare organizations adopt technologies and applications to improve healthcare outcomes and reduce the overall cost of healthcare," said Mr Biswo Ranjan Bal, research analyst at Infoholic Research. Driving the robust CAGR growth of 43.01 percent is the foreseeable wide adoption of IoT solutions across regions. Most of the world's regions are facing a formidable challenge to manage the rapidly increasing cost of healthcare. Despite an overall focus on cost containment, some markets are projected to experience rapid spending growth as public and private healthcare systems develop. There has been the emergence of self-care where people want to care for their health via devices such as Nike Fuel band, Google Glass, and Fitbit, and with proper integration of technologies, the healthcare system will become incredibly connected in the next few years. Mr Tariq Shaik from Research Operations of Infoholic Research said, "Integration of wellness devices-consumer and regulated medical devices with the existing healthcare ecosystem will change the way healthcare business is done." The IoT healthcare market is divided into technologies and services. The technologies segment is again analyzed by network technologies and applications technologies. The network technologies are further segmented to short range technologies and long-range technologies, which are equally vital top form a connected ecosystem of healthcare. The service market is analyzed by consulting, integration and maintenance. The solution segment contributes to the majority of the market. The IoT Healthcare market is analyzed by providers, payers, bio-pharma and medical devices. The medical devices segment is further segmented to wellness devices-consumer and regulatory medical devices. The wellness devices - consumer holds the key to a major disruption in the healthcare industry. The IoT Healthcare market is divided into North America, Western Europe, Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan), Central Eastern Europe (CEE), Middle East and Africa (MEA) and Latin America. North America has the largest share of the market and these countries are the early adopters of these information systems. Asia-Pacific is one of the high growth markets which has immense potential for the market. The regions are further analyzed by countries in the region which influences major spending on healthcare in the particular region. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8155/medtronic-acquires-renal-care-firm-bellco.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8155/medtronic-acquires-renal-care-firm-bellco.html Tue, 02 Feb 2016 11:09:48 +0530 Furthering its commitment to improve outcomes, expand therapy access, and optimize costs and efficiencies in end stage renal disease (ESRD), Medtronic announced it acquired privately-held Bellco, a pioneer in hemodialysis treatment solutions. Bellco's portfolio bolsters Medtronic's legacy renal access business and will be a foundational component of the company's recently formed Renal Care Solutions business. Bellco has created therapies and systems for the treatment of renal failure, multiple organ failure and sepsis. Bellco's full line of dialyzers and chronic and acute dialysis machines perform dialysis for adult, pediatric and neonatal ESRD patients. For more than 40 years, Bellco has offered advanced blood purification treatments for ESRD patients with chronic and acute kidney injury. The company's solutions are available in more than 50 countries. "ESRD patients require dialysis for the remainder of their lives, or until a viable kidney transplant becomes available. We believe Medtronic's Renal Care Solutions can offer better, more accessible and affordable solutions to the growing population of people living with ESRD," said Mr Ven Manda, president of Renal Care Solutions, Medtronic. "The integration of Bellco's portfolio of solutions will help further advance Medtronic's efforts to provide comprehensive care for dialysis patients worldwide." Medtronic acquired Bellco, an Italian-based company, from Charme Capital Partners, manager of the pan-European Charme Funds. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. "I believe Medtronic is an excellent opportunity for the Bellco team and ESRD patients worldwide. In four years, we created the ideal conditions to attract a global industry leader that is positioned to support Bellco's long-term growth strategy," said Mr Matteo di Montezemolo, founder and managing partner of the Charme Funds.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5504/boston-scientific-accenture-develop-data-driven-digital-health-solution.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5504/boston-scientific-accenture-develop-data-driven-digital-health-solution.html Mon, 01 Feb 2016 11:06:24 +0530 Boston Scientific Corporation and Accenture have developed a cloud-based, data-driven digital health solution for hospitals that is designed to help improve patient outcomes and reduce costs to treat patients with chronic cardiovascular diseases. The solution, known as ADVANTICS Care Pathway Transformation, is designed to enable providers to make more proactive and informed decisions based on insights into the patient population, ultimately improving the care a patient experiences from hospital stay through post-discharge care and in-home support. The Care Pathway Transformation solution uses the Accenture analytics insights platform, which provides actionable insights into care coordination and patient population health patterns, revealing opportunities to improve the consistency and efficiency of care coordination. The solution will focus on three key measurements: •Pathway Analytics: how a patient moves through the hospital system, how long each step takes and whether a patient can be better served by a more efficient system;•Care Management: how patients are diagnosed, treated and monitored, by whom and how often, as well as their ongoing vital signs and risk analysis; and•Patient Engagement: how patients are educated, monitored and receive communication during their hospitalization and after discharge.The solution has been tailored for insight into patients with heart failure, but the companies plan to expand it to additional disease states. In developing this solution, both companies worked with two of the largest hospitals in Scandinavia, Karolinska University Hospital in Sweden and Tampere Heart Hospital in Finland, to assess the current state of care delivery for heart failure patients and identify opportunities for improvement at each hospital. "Boston Scientific and Accenture designed this digital health platform to help providers standardize care, reduce overall length of stay and lower readmission rates," said Mr Mike Mahoney, president and chief executive officer, Boston Scientific. "The Care Pathway Transformation program is designed to enable healthcare professionals and patients to have more informed relationships, leading to better health outcomes and lower costs for health systems. Together, we are addressing an acute industry need for some of the most costly chronic conditions." Ms Anne O'Riordan, senior managing director at Accenture Life Sciences, said, "Socio-economic changes are driving the market to move to value-based care, and new data-driven care transformation services are a great enabler of delivering high-quality healthcare at the right cost. Working together with Boston Scientific, we are able to bring to market digital capabilities and analytics-driven insights that focus on improving patient and economic outcomes." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7997/hottest-start-up-soldiers-against-drug-resistance-terror.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7997/hottest-start-up-soldiers-against-drug-resistance-terror.html Fri, 29 Jan 2016 18:01:00 +0530 Established in 2014, Bugworks is a drug discovery start-up involved in finding novel biopharmaceutical assets in treating antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, using its proprietary systems biology platform. The start-up is actually a spin-off of Cellworks, a ten-year-old company focused on designing therapeutics using simulations to screen studies and predicting clinical outcomes, thereby increasing success rates and reducing R&D development costs. Cellworks is said to be the first company in India to use systems biology to study drug-disease interactions, and solving key issues in cancer drug discovery. It is an amalgamation of diverse areas such as mathematics, simulation, biochemistry and pharmacology in studying tumors, enabling creation of personalized medicine for cancer. Located in California, USA, and Bangalore, India, it was funded by investments from Artiman Ventures and Sequoia Capital. The genesis of Bugworks began at Cellworks while the team started working on infection portfolio. In 2013, the Cellworks team wanted to focus its attention on a large unmet medical need with high mortality rates. Their quest pointed them towards hospital-acquired infections.   These infections are picked up by people in hospitals through gram-negative bacterial contaminations, which are hard to kill and have greater drug resistance attribute. "Decades have passed by and drug resistant superbugs are becoming superior and smarter with higher mortality rates, with no available treatments to combat them effectively. Not many companies are working in this area, and we thought this would be the perfect stop for us to start," reveals Dr Anand Anandkumar, CEO, Bugworks, who also serves as the external director and chairman of the board of directors of the Cellworks' India operations. He says that patients are being bombarded with antibiotics for a certain period thereby bolstering the resistance rates causing a big void in finding new mechanisms fighting them. "Emerging countries are at the worst. India is a worst offender in the world. Antibiotic abuse happens in agriculture, poultry and medical stores because of their low-cost availability," he adds. Along with him, the company was co-founded by Dr V Bala Subramanian, serving as the president and Dr Santanu Datta as the chief scientific officer (CSO) of Bugworks, both of them hailing from a rich, two-decade-plus research experience at AstraZeneca India. While at AstraZeneca India, the former held major leading roles working on infection research and anti-bacterial drug discovery, the latter worked as a principal research scientist on infectious diseases with a focus on Malaria and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). Dr Anand continues, "The need is so bad because of the drug resistance in bacteria due to antibiotic abuse and lack of new drugs. The bugs have become used to existing drugs. There are not many drug discovery companies ready to invest in fighting the antibiotic-resistance." The last antibiotic widely used was Colistin, discovered in the 1950s. However, during the 70s, use of Colistin was stopped especially in the US because of its toxicity. "The last mechanism introduced for gram-negative bacteria was way back in the 60's. We have not had new antibiotic class for a long time," says Dr Bala Subramanian. Incubated at C-CAMP (Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms), Bugworks is located in Bangalore and Delaware, USA, employing close to 20 top-class professionals with diverse backgrounds. Bugworks' team also developed insilico model of MTB, and used it to identify new combinations for treating multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR) and extensively drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB). Dr Bala explains, "The treatment for tuberculosis (TB) is a combination. We wanted to build a combination from all the existing available drugs in a rational manner. There are 18 different TB drugs, and we looked at 4 drug combinations, which led to 2 million combinations. This is where simulation comes to play. We built a computational model to probe all the 18 mechanisms and know the top combinations that can effectively arrest TB growth. We have had a successful collaboration with AstraZeneca in this regard, and now were able to identify 5 new drug combinations." The company has created a dynamic map of the bacteria, capable of exactly knowing where to block to stop its growth. "From that map, we can figure out where to block it with pinpointing accuracy," Dr Santanu voices. Dr Anand states that Bugworks will continue to work on TB but its focus will heavily be on hospital-acquired infections, and he says not much noise or awareness is made in this space. "We are looking for new mechanisms for antibiotics for gram-negatives, and new methods to prevent the formation of biofilms in medical devices," he notes. Biofilms are formed when microorganisms adhere themselves to the surface of objects, including medical devices. "In a way, we have a biopharmaceutical play, and potentially devices play too," says Dr Anand with excitement. In less than two years, Bugworks has bagged 4 grants - 1 international and 3 DBT-sponsored. "It has helped us with the cashflow in the company. We have won grants worth $300,000," he shares. The company, in 2015, was awarded as the 'Emerging Company of the Year' by ABLE (Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises). At the moment, Bugworks has completed pre Series A round funding. "We will enter the market for Series A in about 12 months from now. The company has raised equity worth $2.3 million through angel investors," Dr Anand remarks. Bugworks is in in talks with large, world-class companies in the biopharmaceutical space for potential collaborations. "We are looking for collaborations with innovation-focused companies. Collaborations, for example, with big pharmas who can take our early proof-of-concept (PoC) and move up further. Our current collaborations are with universities, NCBS (National Centre for Biological Sciences) and a group in New York," opines Dr Anand. Dr Bala says that the company's expansion will purely depend on its partnerships. "It's too early to comment or forecast on our expansion. Firstly we want to take our offerings and make them available to population around the world. The 'where' and the 'how' depends on how we partner. Our products are not designed particularly for the Indian or Chinese markets. It's a global market out there." Dr Anand appreciates the start-up support offered by BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council). "We are proud to partner with BIRAC. They have been supportive of early-stage, high-risk and high-innovation companies with unique methodologies. The Government has been supporting very well, especially in the last 5 years. Without the DBT's support initially, Bugworks wouldn't exist today. The support was not just in terms of fundings but also the much-needed infrastructure as well," he expresses. According to Dr Anand, India has got talent on par with talent pool in Boston and Silicon Valley. "In the last few years, the ecosystem is getting stronger, compared to how it was 7 or 8 years ago. The only missing piece is we don't have good PEs, VCs or angels, who have the patience to put their money in this space. We have very few success stories in the country," he points. He emphasizes start-ups to have a strong, extraordinary team. "Everything boils down to the extraordinariness of the team. Up to series A, the funding purely depends on the strength of the team. It is good to have a 3 to 4-membered team from diverse backgrounds. Keep your eyes on the US markets, and having a founder who has good connections in the US is worth it. Entrepreneurs need to understand IPs, the problem they solve, its magnitude, the uniqueness of solution and the funding dynamics," he advices. He also adds that entrepreneurs need to have great patience and appetite for risk. "This is more like a marathon. At an individual level, being open to ideas and inputs coming in from all directions is important. One should be receptive to influences and possess tenaciousness. We have worked with very less or no salary at times. That's part of the risk appetite, or else it doesn't make sense to get into this game," Dr Anand clarifies. When it comes to the core team, Dr Bala says that it is not about the interplay of different skillsets. "We also bring in different emotional quotients, and a mix of optimism and pessimism as well. It is a heterogeneous group where we challenge each other. It's more than technical skillsets. It is also about emotional quotient," he mentions. For Bugworks, it took a year and almost 100 presentations to close its funding round. "Today investors are flocking towards food delivery and ecommerce start-ups. Nevertheless, we have a big opportunity at hand and seems very fulfilling scientifically, emotionally, socially, and financially. It's a social problem that we are solving. That's where it gets exciting," concludes Dr Santanu. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6329/lily-roche-partner-for-alzheimers-diagnostic-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6329/lily-roche-partner-for-alzheimers-diagnostic-.html Fri, 29 Jan 2016 10:54:11 +0530 Eli Lilly and Company has announced an arrangement to partner with Roche Diagnostics on its ongoing development of a commercially scalable cerebrospinal fluid assay for amyloid-beta 1-42. Together with tau tangles, the presence of amyloid in the brain is a key marker of Alzheimer's disease, a condition with no cure that is estimated to impact more than 7.4 million Americans by 2025. Improving the ability of practicing clinicians to detect evidence of amyloid is an important step in being able to effectively manage the disease. Currently, healthcare providers can find evidence of amyloid in the living brain through two methods: a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) test and an amyloid brain positron emission tomography (PET) scan. Under this non-exclusive agreement, Lilly is responsible for certain milestone payments upon successful completion of key development objectives. Roche is responsible for the development, registration, and commercialization of the new test. "We are excited to partner with Roche Diagnostics on this important test," said Ms Phyllis Ferrell, vice president of Lilly's Alzheimer's disease platform. "We share the same commitment to providing people with Alzheimer's disease the best care possible, which includes detection as well as diagnosis and education." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8452/ap-launches-countrys-first-medical-device-park-at-arab-health-2016.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8452/ap-launches-countrys-first-medical-device-park-at-arab-health-2016.html Thu, 28 Jan 2016 12:46:22 +0530 With an aim to attract global interest and investment for its ambitious and country's first project of its kind, Andhra Pradesh Government launches "India's first dedicated medical device park for attracting investments at the prestigious "Arab Health Exhibition 2016, Dubai". The Exhibition take place from 25-28 January, 2016 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre and was inaugurated by Mr Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum the Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Ruler of Dubai. AIMED has been invited for the formal launch ceremony in Dubai as part of the AP Govt Delegation led by Shri KV Satyanarayana the Andhra Pradesh Health Commissioner. Speaking at the occasion Shri Satyanayarana said, "There is a congenial environment prevailing in Andhra including best industrial policy, 24x7 power supply and 10 lac acres of land dedicated to industrial purposes. The recent Central Government announcement of withdrawal of duty concession on import of medical devices and the concession duty on raw materials is very timely for success of our project. This along with the National Medical Devices Policy on anvil will be complemented with our State led incentives to help make AP and India become a medical devices hub in the world." Shri Gopinath Mg Director of AP Medical Infrastructure Corporation said, "Andhra being the biggest market for medical devices and having large number of medical Colleges and super specialty hospitals is on its way to become the biggest medical hub in Asia. To achieve this objective we have planned dedicated infrastructure for medical device manufacturing faculties."   "We are pleased to be associated with the country's first medical device park. Arab Health Exhibition is a great platform to launch this project. It will assure global attention and interest and will go a long way in making this unique project a huge success," said Mr Rajiv Nath, forum coordinator, Association of Indian Medical Device Manufacturers (AIMED) It may be known that AP government has already earmarked 200 acres near Vishakhapatnam to build countries first and among the world's most advanced medical device manufacturing park. In a global first for any manufacturing park, this park will have a dedicated research, development and incubation centre to ensure that country becomes a global leader in chosen niche medical device verticals.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7749/medtech-industry-urges-authorities-to-replace-exclusive-fda-requirement.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7749/medtech-industry-urges-authorities-to-replace-exclusive-fda-requirement.html Thu, 28 Jan 2016 12:31:24 +0530 Domestic medical device industry has urged the Centre and States to do away with the insistence on USFDA approval in tendering process for public healthcare system and to replace it with more democratic options to eliminate discrimination against domestic manufacturers and to catalyze 'Make in India' mission. "Insistence on a Exclusionary USFDA certification requirement is a grossly discriminatory clause as it only favours large US companies in domestic public healthcare procurement process. This insistence is a pure absurdity and has resulted in exclusion of domestic manufacturers and manufacturers from other countries from bidding and hiking up the healthcare costs," said Mr Rajiv Nath. "No other country insists on only one certification and that also USA FDA and all major countries have their own domestic or alternate international certification e.g. Canada has CDMAS , Australia has TGA and Europe has CE. We have very competent manufacturers with European Certification or CE Mark Or it could be ISO 13485 certification from a reputed, competent and accredited Certification Body. USFDA could be an alternate option but why this insistence on only USFDA," added Mr Nath. "This insistence of US FDA Certification by reputed Indian Government Institutions like AIIMS and PGI Chandigarh, seriously undermines the credibility of our own Regulators. It also allows dumping of outdated products in India just because they are USFDA approved and denies the patients access to latest technologies offered by Indian Manufacturers" said Mr Gurmit Singh Chugh, MD, Translumina Therapeutics, manufacturer of Drug Eluting Stents. "I have attained more respect and acceptability of our products in Europe and other developed markets due to our high quality and clinical data but are treated "second grade" in our own country just because we manufacture in India and its not USA FDA approved."   Similar sentiments are expressed by Mr Vijay Paliwal, Managing Director, Janak Healthcare a reputed manufacturer of Hospital Beds ; Mr Rajesh Patel, Head Business Operations, Meril Life, Mr Prakash Teckchandani, Mr A Manickam, Director - International Relations & CSR, Trivitron Group of Companies and host of other domestic industry representatives. It may be known that many of Central and State run hospitals have made USFDA approval as mandatory in its tendering process for supply of medical equipments, despite the fact that there are many other equally competent certification that are used by the industry and countries around the world at large. But insistence for exclusively on USFDA has meant in-built planned bias in favour of large foreign companies as getting a USFDA is a lengthy, cumbersome and costly process and may not be needed by many manufacturers not targeting to access the USA market. Industry had long been advocating more options of certification/approvals including our own IC MED Certification as an equivalent to CE Mark or ISO 13485 so that tendering process becomes more democratic and participatory to enable wider open competition and a lower procurement cost . But a blind insistence on USFDA had resulted in award of contract only to select players till date and by implication discouragement to local manufacturing leading to India's increasing import dependency which is now over 70 percent. Thankfully, Moh&FW has realized this lacunae and the specifications under National Health Mission were corrected last year by NHSRC ( National Health System Resource Centre) to catalyze 'Make in India' mission and to make tendering process more inclusive and democratic. However still Central Govt and State Government and Defence establishments continue to ignore these specifications and guidelines. These are voluntary specifications and as yet have not become mandatory under any Regulation. Mr Nath has further advocated a 'Buy India Policy' in line with what many other countries including USA & China & Malaysia do to encourage domestic manufacturing.   "Many Countries have a Policy to encourage Domestic Manufacturing even USA has a Buy American Policy. Along with 'Make in India' Policy, it will be good if Indian Public Healthcare System has a 15 percent Price preferential 'Buy Indian Policy' or Preferential Market Access Policy in line with this and to counter the 17 percent subsidy of China on Export of Medical Devices," pointed out Mr Nath. The Task Force led by Dept of Pharmaceutical recommends a Preferential Market Access Policy but ironically here Indian Medical Devices manufacturers are still grappling against a Preferential Exclusionary Buy American Policy by Indian Healthcare Institutes.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7504/venaxis-announces-transaction-with-strand-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7504/venaxis-announces-transaction-with-strand-.html Wed, 27 Jan 2016 16:56:46 +0530 Venaxis is an in vitro diagnostic company which has been focused on the clinical development and commercialization of its APPY1 Test, the company's rapid blood-based test for appendicitis. Strand LS is a privately-held, global genomics and bioinformatics company. Strand LS operates clinical reference labs in the US through its wholly owned subsidiary Strand Genomics (Strand U.S.) and directly in India, providing testing and lab services in India and other world-wide markets. Strand LS has commercialized a next generation sequencing (NGS) based, targeted, multi-gene, pan-cancer diagnostic panel in select international markets and has engaged in initial commercialization activities in the United States. Assuming participation by 100% of the Strand LS shareholders, the effect of the transaction will be that Strand LS shareholders and the employees and directors who are option-holders in Strand LS will own directly and beneficially approximately 68% of the combined enterprise and the current shareholders of Venaxis will own approximately 32%. Due to Indian tax and financial regulations, the transaction is being structured as purchases, by Venaxis, of the Strand LS shares from the Strand LS shareholders, followed by an immediate re-investment of those sale proceeds, by the Strand LS shareholders, into Venaxis Common Stock.   To comply with certain long-term holding period requirements under Indian tax law, the transaction is expected to be completed in two closings. The first closing will occur upon receipt of the necessary approvals from the Venaxis shareholders, receipt of all other required approvals and satisfaction of identified closing conditions. The second closing will occur approximately six months later. At each closing, Venaxis will enter into resale registration rights agreements with the Strand LS shareholders participating in such closing. The boards of each company have unanimously approved the transaction, however this transaction is subject to Venaxis shareholder approval. At the first closing, Venaxis will own a majority of the shares of Strand LS, will change its name to Strand Life Sciences, and will change its NASDAQ trading symbol.   As part of the first closing, following Venaxis shareholder approval, a Venaxis subsidiary will enter into an asset purchase agreement with Strand U.S. in which it will acquire substantially all of the assets and liabilities of Strand U.S. in exchange for cash consideration paid to Strand U.S. Advancing to the execution of the agreements with Strand LS, its shareholders and Strand U.S. represents the outcome of an extensive strategic process initiated by Venaxis in early 2015. Venaxis has also commenced, and expects to continue to attempt to locate a partner or other third-party interested in advancing development and or commercial activities of the Venaxis appendicitis portfolio. Aligning Strand Life Sciences' proven technological expertise in genomic profiling, bioinformatics and data curation with Venaxis' financial resources, NASDAQ public listing and key management personnel provides an opportunity for Strand Life Sciences to continue to commercialize its global business model towards what is believed to be a valuable enterprise for the combined shareholders. Following approval by the Venaxis shareholders and satisfaction of the other closing conditions, at the first closing, Dr. Vijay Chandru, the co-founder and current Executive Chairman of Strand LS, will serve as Executive Chairman of the combined company's Board of Directors, Steve Lundy will become the Chief Executive Officer of the combined company and Jeff McGonegal will continue as CFO. The initial combined board will consist of seven members with four from Strand LS and three from Venaxis. Commenting on the transaction, Dr. Vijay Chandru said, "On behalf of the Strand LS shareholders, we believe that this transaction represents an attractive opportunity for Strand Life Sciences, as an agile innovator in clinical genomics, to combine forces with Venaxis, a public company in the United States with experienced executives and board members to help it rapidly expand market adoption of StrandAdvantageTM and other future product offerings." "We are pleased to announce this transaction and are excited by the significant opportunity we believe it presents for shareholders of Venaxis and Strand LS," said Mr. Steve Lundy, Chief Executive Officer of Venaxis, Inc. "The combined company will benefit from Strand Life Sciences' 15 year successful history of technological expertise in genomic profiling, bioinformatics and data curation. Our initial focus will be to improve patient outcomes through the use of the StrandAdvantage pan-cancer gene panel, which was commercially launched in the United States in 2015. The combined company is expected to be focused on the continued commercialization of StrandAdvantage, as well as the development of additional oncology-related diagnostics." Raymond James & Associates, Inc. and Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. are acting as joint financial advisors to Strand LS and Baker & Hostetler LLP is acting as legal counsel for Strand LS. Ballard Spahr LLP is acting as legal counsel to Venaxis. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7943/jj-to-cut-six-percent-of-medical-device-jobs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7943/jj-to-cut-six-percent-of-medical-device-jobs.html Mon, 25 Jan 2016 11:06:31 +0530 Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has announced restructuring actions in its medical devices businesses to better serve the needs of customers and patients in evolving healthcare marketplace. The company is undertaking actions to strengthen its go-to-market model, accelerate the pace of innovation, further prioritize key platforms and geographies, and streamline operations while maintaining high quality standards. The company estimates that the actions announced will result in position eliminations of approximately 4 to 6 percent of the Medical Devices segment's global workforce over the next two years, subject to any consultation procedures in countries where required. Additional information regarding today's announcement can be found in the FAQ posted on www.investor.jnj.com/MDFAQ. Further commentary will be provided during the company's fourth quarter earnings conference call scheduled for January 26, 2016. The actions are expected to result in annualized pre-tax cost savings of $800 million to $1.0 billion, the majority of which is expected to be realized by the end of 2018, including approximately $200 million in 2016. The savings will provide the company with added flexibility and resources to fund investment in new growth opportunities and innovative solutions for customers and patients. In connection with its plans, the company expects to record pre-tax restructuring charges of approximately $2.0 billion to $2.4 billion, which will be treated as special items, of which approximately $600 million will be recorded in the fourth quarter of 2015. The company confirmed the full-year 2015 guidance it provided on October 13, 2015 for sales of $70.0 billion to $71.0 billion and adjusted earnings for the full-year 2015 of $6.15 to $6.20 per share, which excludes special items such as restructuring charges. The company's Consumer Medical Devices businesses, Vision Care and Diabetes Care, are not impacted by these actions.   "As a market leader, we are committed to leveraging our breadth and scale to shape the future of the medical device industry, for the benefit of those we serve," said Mr Gary Pruden, worldwide chairman, J&J Medical Devices. "The bold steps we are taking today are to evolve our offerings, structure and footprint and increase our investment in innovation. These actions recognize the changing needs of the global medical device market and will deliver more value to customers, increasing our competitive advantage and driving growth and profitability for our business."       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7944/positive-bioscience-launches-rna-sequencing-test-for-cancer-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7944/positive-bioscience-launches-rna-sequencing-test-for-cancer-.html Mon, 25 Jan 2016 11:06:16 +0530 Positive Bioscience announced the launch of its next generation product, Positive Select, a RNA sequencing test for Cancer treatment. Positive Select is the latest arsenal in fighting against cancer and is intended to aid Oncologists select the best treatment for cancer patients. Positive Select is based on whole RNA sequencing which is the latest technology available in the world and enhances the utility of comprehensive genomics profile manifold bringing Genomics test closer to clinical practice. With this Positive Bioscience becomes the first company in India to offer whole RNA sequencing test commercially for cancer. "By launching Positive Select, Positive Bioscience is again demonstrating its commitment to innovation and making cutting edge molecular information available to oncology community in India and worldwide," said Mr Samarth Jain, chief executive officer, Positive Bioscience. He added, "Cancer is driven by genomic alterations. Positive Select detects genomic alterations in all 25,000 genes and recommends treatment options with best probability of response as compared to recommendations based on testing of 4-5 genes through conventional testing. We expect that Positive Select will revolutionize molecular diagnostics in a way CT scan revolutionized imaging diagnostics when X Ray was a norm." "In this era of Precision Oncology, RNA sequencing is a recent advancement in diagnostic technology, offering the most comprehensive genetic information on various alterations and the level of expression on thousands of genes in a single step. The information can be used to select the best treatment option with least side effects," said Dr Amit Verma, consultant - molecular oncology and cancer genetics, Max Super Speciality Hospitals Saket, New Delhi. Positive Select is a comprehensive genomic solution for solid tumours(Lung Cancer, breast Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Sarcoma etc) as well as Haematological cancers(leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma) designed to provide oncologists with clinically actionable report which can identify the molecular alterations in a patient's tumour and match those alterations with relevant targeted therapies and clinical trials. The test employs RNA sequencing to detect all classes of genomic alterations, including base pair substitutions, insertions and deletions, copy number alterations and rearrangements, and gene fusions.   Positive Select test results are provided in an easy-to-interpret report supported by a comprehensive review of published literature. Report provides treatment options with best probability of working in a particular patient based on cancer driving pathways and information on on-going clinical trials. Report also come with expression data of around 25,000 genes and thus is the most advanced test available in the world.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7829/aimed-welcomes-duty-hike-on-imported-medical-devices-and-duty-reduction-on-raw-materials.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7829/aimed-welcomes-duty-hike-on-imported-medical-devices-and-duty-reduction-on-raw-materials.html Fri, 22 Jan 2016 11:10:53 +0530 The government's decision to hike duty on imported medical devices, re-impose SAD on such imports and reduction of taxes on raw material imports has been wholeheartedly welcomed by Indian medical device manufacturers. Thanking the government for this much desired and much awaited move, Association of Indian Medical Device Manufacturers (AIMED), has stated that the move will catalyze Prime Minister Modi's 'Make in India' mission as it brings to an end grossly discriminatory taxation regime against domestically manufactured goods which had resulted in making the country perilously import dependent in this critical sector and had also caused near decimation of domestic medical device industry. "The move is the first big boost to unshackle India from perilous import dependency in a critical sector. It will catalyze domestic manufacturing of medical devices and will go a long way in ensuring big success of PM Modi's 'Make in India' mission," said Mr Rajiv Nath, forum coordinator of AIMED. Ministry of Finance had communicated that Custom Duties on medical device have been increased from 5 percent (0 percent) to 7.5 percent and SAD of 4 percent have been re-imposed. The ministry has also limited Concessional Duty applicability to only 12 essential Medical Devices as opposed to a large number of Chapter 90 items which were enjoying this benefit. In addition, import duty on raw materials for the manufacture of medical devices has also been reduced. The earlier taxation anomalies had made imports far cheaper than domestically produced goods as taxation burden on domestic manufacturers were far higher. The earlier taxation regime which was heavily biased towards imports had resulted in significant cost differential between domestically manufactured goods and imports, making imports far cheaper. The net impact was serial closure of domestic units and making India dangerously import dependent. India has general import dependency of over 70 percent in medical devices and up to 90 percent in niche and electronic medical device segment.   "Nobody, neither the country, nor our people, nor the government nor the domestic industry was a gainer in earlier regime. It only ensured a secure exploitative market for importers and foreign companies, while making India perilously import dependent in such a critical sector," said Mr Nath. Foreign manufacturers were also not interested in setting up manufacturing units in the country as visualized under PM Modi's 'Make in India' mission as manufacturing here made little sense for them, added Mr Nath. "Now we can look forward to a vibrant domestic medical device manufacturing eco-system," said Mr Nath while adding that government now needed to focus its attention on few other remaining vexing issues if 'Make in India' is to be galvanized. AIMED has specially thanked Shri Hasmukh Adhia, Revenue Secretary; Shri V K Subburaj, Secretary, Dept. of Pharmaceuticals; Shri Amitabh Kant, Secretary, DIPP and Shri Bhanu Pratap Sharma, Secretary, Dept. of Health & Family Welfare for reversing the unfair taxation regime and contributing to 'Make in India' mission with this move. Talking about other vexing issues Mr Nath has drawn attention to flawed MRP regime, which is exploited by unscrupulous importers to artificially inflate price of imported medical devices and distort fair pricing regime in the country while leading to fleecing of unsuspecting and often hapless Indian consumers. He added that to stop artificial hiking of imported medical device Government should introduce an a CVD on MRP based criteria with abatement of at least 50 percent (in case one percent Excise Duty on MRP is not possible) to dis-incentivize Importers from passing on above artificial price hikes to Consumers. The above actions will surely help to make Indian Medical Devices Competitive and I am confident that many of us will pass on cost reduction of this benefit to the Consumers, added Mr Nath.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7452/trivitron-to-introduce-neomass-aaac-kit-at-arab-health-2016.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7452/trivitron-to-introduce-neomass-aaac-kit-at-arab-health-2016.html Wed, 20 Jan 2016 11:05:04 +0530 Trivitron Healthcare is set to launch its patented NeoMass AAAC Kit (CE Approved) for expanded panel of newborn screening (NBS), during the Arab Health 2016, the Middle East region's largest healthcare industry event, which will run from January 25th to 28th, 2016 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC). Released through its Finland subsidiary, Labsystems Diagnostics, the kit is the first-of-its-kind in the global market as it can detect up to 50 disorders that a newborn baby might be born with or without any immediate symptoms or visible manifestations--making it the broadest available panel of biomarkers. The launch of NeoMass AAAC Kit will make Trivitron a complete solution provider for NBS with Modular Systems, Automated Systems and Kits for core panel screening and Tandem MS/MS and NeoMass AAAC kit for expanded panel screening. The recently patented methodology makes it possible to detect deficiencies of all the six enzymes involved in the urea cycle metabolic pathway. The urea cycle is a metabolic pathway occurring in the liver and kidney and aberrant functions of the urea cycle enzymes lead to the buildup of ammonia, a product of protein metabolism. If not treated, the outcome is very serious with symptoms ranging from vomiting and increasing lethargy to respiratory distress and even coma and death. Additionally NeoMass AAAC enables an easy and reliable detection of type I tyrosinemia, a serious disease causing dermatologic and neuro developmental problems due to accumulation of tyrosine within the liver and kidney. Dr GSK Velu, chairman and managing director, Trivitron Group of Companies, said, "Trivitron Healthcare's Labsystems Diagnostics is one of the largest provider for newborn screening solutions in the world and our new patented NeoMass AAAC kit is the first kit in the world to detect up to 50 disorders. We, at Trivitron Healthcare, are privileged to announce the international launch of NeoMass AAAC Kit at Arab Healthcare 2016."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7459/healthcare-it-vc-funding-in-2015-plateaus-at-4-6-billion.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7459/healthcare-it-vc-funding-in-2015-plateaus-at-4-6-billion.html Tue, 19 Jan 2016 11:16:19 +0530 Mercom Capital Group, a global communications and consulting firm, released its annual report on funding and mergers and acquisition (M&A) activity for the Healthcare Information Technology (IT) / Digital Health sector in 2015. Mercom's comprehensive report covers deals of all sizes across the globe. Venture capital (VC) funding, including private equity and corporate venture capital, in the Health IT sector totaled $4.6 billion in 574 deals in 2015, slightly below 2014's record $4.7 billion in 670 deals - still a big year for the sector. Total corporate funding in Health IT companies including debt and public market financing (including IPOs) came to $7.9 billion this year, up slightly compared to $7.8 billion in 2014. As per the report, since 2010, the sector has received $13.4 billion in VC funding in 2,050 deals and almost $7 billion in debt and public market financing (including IPOs), bringing the total funding for the sector to $20.4 billion. "After an incredible run from 2010-2014, VC funding into Health IT companies leveled off last year. We are beginning to see a slow down in early stage deals, a sign the sector is beginning to mature. We are also seeing funding trends shift from practice-focused to consumer-focused technologies and products," commented Mr Raj Prabhu, CEO and co-founder of Mercom Capital Group. He added, "Apart from innovative technologies and solutions, business and revenue models are becoming more important." VC funding dipped in Q4 2015 with $1.1 billion in 145 deals compared to $1.6 billion in 148 deals in Q3 2015, says report.   Practice-centric companies raised more than $1.5 billion in 171 deals in 2015, down from $2.4 billion in 234 deals last year. Top funded areas included - Data Analytics companies with $294 million, followed by Clinical Decision Support companies with $220 million and Practice Management Solutions companies with $183 million. Consumer-centric companies grossed about $3.1 billion in 403 deals, up from $2.3 billion in 436 deals last year. Mobile Health (mHealth) companies raised the most funding with more than $1.1 billion. Most of the funding within the mHealth category went to mHealth Apps with $750 million and Wearables/Sensors with $277 million. Rating and Comparison Shopping companies received more than $1 billion followed by Telehealth companies with $468 million. The areas with the highest YoY growth in funding were Comparison Shopping with 615 percent, Scheduling and Appointment Booking with 370 percent and Wellness with 126 percent. The top VC funding rounds in 2015 were Chinese company Guahao's raise of $394 million, NantHealth's $200 million round, ZocDoc's $130 million raise, followed by Virgin Pulse's $92 million raise. India's Practo was next with a $90 million round, Collective Health raised $81 million and Health Catalyst brought in $70 million. A total of 909 investors participated in VC funding rounds for Healthcare IT companies in 2015 compared to 732 in 2014. The top VC investors in 2015 were New Enterprise Associates and Rock Health with nine deals each, followed by Merck Global Health Innovation Fund and Venrock with eight deals each. Mobile Health Apps had the most M&A transactions with 22, followed by Practice Management Solutions with 18 transactions, Data Analytics companies with 17, EHR/EMR companies with 16 and Telehealth companies with 11. There were seven Digital Health IPOs this year, raising $2.2 billion. Fitbit raised $841.2 million, followed by Inovalon with $600 million, Press Ganey Associates with $256 million, Evolent Health with $225 million, Teladoc with $180 million, MINDBODY with $100.1 million and Adherium with $25.6 million.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6972/fda-clears-siemens-new-high-volume-coagulation-analyzer-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6972/fda-clears-siemens-new-high-volume-coagulation-analyzer-.html Thu, 14 Jan 2016 11:58:42 +0530 Siemens Healthcare announces the FDA 510(k) clearance of the globally proven Sysmex CS-5100 System. This hemostasis system was the first to market with PSI technology globally and is now available to Siemens' US customers. The first analyzer in the Sysmex CS System portfolio of hemostasis solutions in the United States, this system is equipped with simultaneous multi-wavelength Preanalytical Sample Integrity checks, or PSI technology, enabling high-volume laboratories to achieve first-run accuracy. Leveraging globally proven PSI technology, the Sysmex CS-5100 System enables laboratories to automate and standardize sample management and detect unsuitable samples prior to analysis. This enhances the reliability of results while improving efficiency by minimizing the need for manual sample inspections.  "This new technology provides a strong operational advantage to customers, as they no longer need to manually inspect patient samples to ensure the correct volume prior to analysis," said Mr Franz Walt, president, Laboratory Diagnostics, Siemens Healthcare. "Available both as a stand-alone or complete workflow solution with connectivity to automation, the Sysmex CS-5100 System has the flexibility to meet varying testing-volume requirements." The Sysmex CS-5100 System also features third-generation cap-piercing technology, which contributes to reduced sample-processing time and maintains the analyzer's high-throughput capability. Further, greater efficiency is gained via a wide optical spectrum, which allows clotting, chromogenic, immunologic, and aggregation testing capabilities on a single platform. With onboard capacity of up to 3000 tests and up to 40 reagents, the Sysmex CS-5100 System delivers extended walkway time to streamline workflow.   To better ensure consistency of results and simplify testing in multisite labs, test results from the Sysmex CS-5100 System correlate with all other Sysmex CS and CA hemostasis systems. Additionally, the Sysmex CS-5100 System uses the same reagents, controls, and calibrators as other coagulation analyzers offered by Siemens.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7020/medtronic-launches-osteocool-rf-ablation-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7020/medtronic-launches-osteocool-rf-ablation-system.html Thu, 14 Jan 2016 11:58:01 +0530 Medtronic announced the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) 510(k) clearance and the US launch of the OsteoCool RF Ablation System. For physicians who treat patients with painful spine metastases, the OsteoCool System is the only cooled radiofrequency (RF) ablation technology that offers simultaneous, dual-probe capabilities - providing procedural flexibility and predictable, customized treatment. Cooled RF ablation uses targeted high-frequency energy to destroy cancer cells. "The OsteoCool System expands our Pain Therapies portfolio," said Ms Julie Foster, general manager and vice president of the Pain Therapies business in the Neuromodulation division, which is part of the Restorative Therapies Group at Medtronic. "Our customers treat patients with Kyphon Balloon Kyphoplasty who also have painful spinal metastases. The OsteoCool system gives physicians a way to treat that pain in a single procedure with a familiar, minimally invasive technique." In November, Medtronic received expanded indications for Kyphon Xpede Bone Cement, which now includes clearance for the treatment of microfractures that can be caused by cancer cells breaking down bone (forming osteolytic lesions). Where indicated, the OsteoCool Bone Access Kit can be used for a subsequent, physician-directed procedure such as cementoplasty (i.e., vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty). Medtronic acquired the OsteoCool technology and associated intellectual property from Baylis Medical on December 16, 2015 and partnered with the company to further innovate the system. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. The system is temperature controlled and uses internally water-cooled probes to prevent overheating of surrounding tissue during the procedure. The 17-gauge, bipolar probes are available in three lengths and may be used through a variety of cannula sizes. Because two OsteoCool RF ablation probes can be used simultaneously, the system supports a variety of ablation scenarios accommodating unique patient and procedural needs. The device is currently pending CE marking.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6449/samsung-india-inks-pact-with-haryana-government-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6449/samsung-india-inks-pact-with-haryana-government-.html Wed, 13 Jan 2016 11:53:56 +0530 Haryana government and Samsung India has signed a pact to provide citizen hospital with high-tech equipment in Gurgaon worth about Rs 1.25 crore, says reports. Samsung India has come voluntarily to donate modern hi-tech machines to Citizen hospital, Gurgaon, under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). "Given the large volume of patients at our government hospitals, we welcome support from companies such as Samsung in helping hospitals cater to the locals' need for quality health care," said Mr T L Satyapraksh, Gurgaon Deputy Commissioner, in a statement. Samsung has already started healthcare initiatives in Chennai, Mumbai and Bangalore and it plans to start its 5th initiative in Delhi, Samsung India VP Mr Rajiv Mishra informed.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7879/latest-bionic-eye-developments-indicate-bright-future-for-ocular-medical-devices.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7879/latest-bionic-eye-developments-indicate-bright-future-for-ocular-medical-devices.html Tue, 12 Jan 2016 16:09:16 +0530 The recent announcement by the Clinical Ophthalmology Research Group at the University of Oxford that two patients were able to achieve some restoration of vision following implantation of the Alpha IMS device puts maker Retina Implant AG ahead of the pack in the bionic eye space, according to research and consulting firm GlobalData. Mr Shashank Settipalli, GlobalData's Analyst covering Medical Devices, says: "These promising results, in conjunction with a string of positive developments for Retina Implant AG that included the CE mark and reimbursement approval in Germany for the first-generation Alpha IMS device, continue to bolster the company's standing in the burgeoning retinal prosthesis market." The Alpha IMS implant features an array of photosensitive electrodes, which replace the function of damaged or dead cellular photoreceptors. The device is implanted directly in the retina and is powered by a small, subcutaneous battery placed behind the ear. The analyst continues: "Retina Implant AG's technology has distinct advantages over Second Sight, its biggest competitor in the retinitis pigmentosa space, and maker of the Argus II system, which was approved nearly half a decade ago to offer some relief from ocular problems caused by the condition.   "Unlike the Argus II, the Alpha IMS device does not require an external camera or video processing unit. By leveraging these advantages and positive clinical results, Retina Implant AG has ample opportunities to expand its presence in the ocular devices space." Despite recent progress, visual impairment remains one of most debilitating indications under-addressed by the medical devices market. However, as more ocular devices gain regulatory and reimbursement approval in global markets, medical device firms have much to gain in a dynamic medical technology arena, according to GlobalData. Mr Settipalli concludes: "Start-up and mid-size ophthalmic device companies could appeal to investors encouraged by recent developments, whereas the larger multinational firms may seek new growth strategies through acquisitions and strong research and development efforts. "GlobalData anticipates sustained growth in the ocular devices market as novel technologies continue to attract attention for the foreseeable future." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6422/medtronic-in-pact-admiral-deb-receives-ce-mark-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6422/medtronic-in-pact-admiral-deb-receives-ce-mark-.html Tue, 12 Jan 2016 11:35:30 +0530 Medtronic announced that the IN.PACT Admiral drug eluting balloon (DEB) (also known as the IN.PACT Admiral drug-coated balloon (DCB) in non-European markets) has received CE (Conformité Européene) Mark for arteriovenous (AV) access to help maintain hemodialysis access in patients with end-stage renal disease. IN.PACT Admiral DEB aids in preventing restenosis, by opening the artery and delivering paclitaxel, an anti-proliferative agent, to the vessel wall. A new 40 centimeter catheter shaft will also be made commercially available in Europe under the expanded indication, which is specifically designed for AV access. In the United States, IN.PACT Admiral DEB is approved to treat superficial femoral and popliteal arteries. "IN.PACT Admiral DEB, a best-in-class therapy for the treatment of superficial femoral artery (SFA) disease, is now indicated in Europe for the treatment of AV access, providing a durable primary intervention that aids in extending time to re-intervention while preserving future treatment options," said Mr Brian Verrier, vice president and general manager of the peripheral business, within the Aortic and Peripheral Vascular division at Medtronic. "Improving lives and alleviating pain is a core piece of Medtronic's mission, and through IN.PACT Admiral DEB, we can help physicians treat patients with end-stage renal disease."     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5465/novartis-qualcomm-partner-for-breezhaler-inhaler-device.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5465/novartis-qualcomm-partner-for-breezhaler-inhaler-device.html Thu, 07 Jan 2016 10:53:33 +0530 Novartis announced a collaboration with Qualcomm through its subsidiary, Qualcomm Life in digital innovation with the Breezhaler inhaler device to treat COPD. Under this collaboration, Qualcomm Life will provide the technology solution for the connectivity of the next generation of the Breezhaler inhaler, a device used for Novartis' portfolio of COPD treatments of Onbrez Breezhaler, Seebri Breezhaler, and Ultibro Breezhaler, the leading LABA/LAMA treatment. This next generation of the Breezhaler inhaler will enable patients to have access to their own data on the use of their inhaler in near real time. The small, disposable and low power module contained within the inhaler device can detect and report usage, the time that the inhaler is used, as well as additional relevant information for patients and physicians. The module then wirelessly sends the data to the patient's smartphone and a Novartis COPD mobile application, which sends the data to the cloud, allowing patients and potentially their healthcare providers to monitor their COPD. The connected device will be ready for use by patients, with no assembly required. "Novartis supports patients being empowered to make it easier for them to manage their chronic conditions," said Mr David Epstein, head Novartis Pharmaceuticals. He added, "By enabling near real time data capture from the patient and the connected Breezhaler device, patients can monitor their own adherence to the medication they take which is vital to their health outcomes." Novartis aims to be the first company in respiratory medicine to offer a completely integrated, connected delivery device to provide a seamless, easy to use and simple experience for patients.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7924/cci-order-investigation-against-becton-dickinson-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7924/cci-order-investigation-against-becton-dickinson-.html Wed, 06 Jan 2016 11:59:11 +0530 Competition Commission of India (CCI) has ordered an investigation against Becton Dickinson India for alleged anti-competitive practices with respect to healthcare services. Becton Dickinson, an MNC that makes disposable syringe under the brand name 'Emerald', has been accused for selling disposable syringe on higher MRP to hospitals and sell same product with lower price in open market. The Commission has ordered a detailed probe by its investigation arm Director General (DG) after finding "prima facie" case of contravening competition norms. According to the Commission, the informant is primarily aggrieved by the conduct of the opposite parties in charging a higher MRP for disposable syringe manufactured by Becton Dickinson India (OP 1) and brought from an in house pharmacy located within the hospital network of Max Super Speciality Hospital (OP 2). The price was found to be higher compared to MRP (Maximum Retail Price) of the same product in the open market.   "Prima facie, the Commission is of the considered opinion that the conduct of OP 2 in charging higher price, through printing higher MRP on disposable syringe in connivance with OP 1, from the informant amounts to imposition of unfair price," which is in violation of competition norms," CCI said. Ordering the probe, the Commission said that in case the DG finds that the opposite parties have violated competition norms, then the role of the "officials/ persons" who at the time of such contravention were in-charge and responsible for the conduct of the business, should also be investigated. For the complaint filed by one Mr Vivek Sharma, Competition Commission of India (CCI) considered 'provision of healthcare services by super speciality hospitals in Delhi' As per the order dated November 17, CCI is of the view that prima facie there is violation of Section 3 of the Competition Act that pertains to abuse of dominant position. CCI also noted that there is "no force in the arguments advanced by the counsels of OP 2 that DS available in the open market is different from the product sold by OP 2 in terms of packaging and its usefulness at the time of surgery".   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3980/bosch-invests-in-emperra-digital-diabetes-care-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3980/bosch-invests-in-emperra-digital-diabetes-care-.html Tue, 05 Jan 2016 11:53:36 +0530 Emperra, a German start-up that has created a digital diabetes management solution consisting of smart hardware and software, has completed a Series B financing round of $3.1 million, with Robert Bosch Venture Capital GmbH (RBVC), a corporate venture capital company of the Bosch Group, joining the existing investors Peppermint Venture Partners and Investitionsbank des Landes Brandenburg. The funds will be used for further product development and to accelerate international growth, predominantly in the United States and Europe. With its flagship product ESYSTA, Emperra has debuted the first ever fully integrated digital diabetes management system. In it, key innovations such as smart insulin pens (usable with all major insulin brands), wireless blood glucose meters, and CE-certified software work together seamlessly. The therapy data can be shared among all stakeholders (patient, physicians, nurses, care givers including relatives) and displayed via multiple channels, including a web-based portal, smart TV, and apps. "ESYSTA provided us with compelling evidence of medical benefit in a study involving more than 200 patients," said Dr Dieter Kraft, an investment partner of Robert Bosch Venture Capital GmbH. "It was shown that mean glucose levels (measured as HbA1c) were significant lowered without increasing the potentially life-threatening risk of hypoglycemia". ESYSTA has already received reimbursement status from German health insurers, which means ESYSTA hardware and software is now available on prescription for any patient with diabetes. Initial success in the German market confirms the effectiveness of this fully integrated diabetes care management. "Digital health is poised to transform healthcare. With its data-driven therapy management, Emperra is excellently positioned to contribute to this transformation in the field of diabetes care," said Ms Gitte Bedford, vice president of Robert Bosch Venture Capital.   "Involving high-quality investors such as Bosch demonstrates the potential in our unique approach to diabetes care," said Dr Christian Krey, the CEO of Emperra. "In particular, having Bosch as a strategic investor means we have access to its global expertise in software automation, connected communities, and sensor technologies."     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7421/health-minister-announces-4-new-it-based-initiatives-for-citizen-centric-health-services-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7421/health-minister-announces-4-new-it-based-initiatives-for-citizen-centric-health-services-.html Mon, 04 Jan 2016 11:52:20 +0530 Shri J P Nadda, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare announced four new IT-based initiatives on Good Governance Day, to mark the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Shri Madan Mohan Malaviya and birthday of Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He was speaking at the launch of the AIIMS OPD Transformation Project which envisages the use of IT to provide ease to patients and citizens while accessing services at AIIMS. This is being supported by the Tata Consultancy services as part of their CSR initiative. Enumerating the first of the initiatives, the Health Minister announced 'Kilkari'. A major IT initiative, Kilkari is an audio-based mobile service that delivers weekly audio messages to families about pregnancy, child birth and child care. Each pregnant woman and infant's mother, registered in Mother and Child Tracking System (MCTS), a web- enabled name-based system to monitor and ensure delivery of full spectrum of services to all pregnant women and children, would receive weekly voice messages relevant to the stage of pregnancy or age of the infant. In the first phase of implementation, such messages would be sent to the pregnant women and infants' mothers in six States in Jharkhand, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and HPDs of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. They are being developed in Hindi, English and Odiya languages in the first phase, to be later expanded to other languages to cover the entire country and would benefit over 2 crore pregnant women and 2 crore infants, annually. The Health Minister also stated that a new mobile-based application, Mobile Academy, has been developed through which about 9000,000 ASHAs will be trained using mobile services. This will aid in enhancing their inter-personal skills. Once registered, ASHAs can access the 240-minute course via their mobile phones. They can then complete the standardized course at their convenience. Digital bookmarking technology enables ASHAs to complete the course at their own pace. The course is divided into eleven chapters each containing four lessons. There is a quiz at the end of each chapter. ASHAs successfully completing the course by securing more than minimum prescribed marks will receive a Certificate of completion from the Government. As continuation of the Ministry's new IT-based initiatives, Shri Nadda informed about making the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) more patient-centric. A dedicated toll free number, 1 8 0 0 - 1 1 - 6 6 6 6, with a call centre is being started to provide round the clock support for patient counselling and treatment support services. This call centre will have trained personnel to provide feedback to patients and also link or refer chest symptomatic persons to RNTCP services. Under this initiative, callers can give a missed call or call to get complete support for diagnosis, treatment and support for the completion of treatment on the national toll free number, the Minister informed. This initiative is being started in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi.   Shri Nadda also announced 'M-Cessation'. This will be an IT-enabled tool to help tobacco users to quit tobacco. Built on a helpline concept, it will register beneficiaries on the basis of a missed call. The counselling would be done through a two-way SMS process, the Minister informed.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7135/neogenomics-completes-acquisition-of-clarient.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7135/neogenomics-completes-acquisition-of-clarient.html Fri, 01 Jan 2016 12:04:14 +0530 NeoGenomics has announced that it has completed the acquisition of Clarient and its wholly-owned subsidiary Clarient Diagnostic Services. Clarient, a provider of comprehensive cancer diagnostic testing to hospitals, physicians and the pharmaceutical industry, was a unit of GE Healthcare's Life Sciences business. The transaction purchase price included $80 million in cash, $110 million in Preferred Stock, and 15 million shares of NeoGenomics common stock. On a fully diluted basis, assuming full conversion of the preferred stock, GE Healthcare now owns approximately 32 percent of NeoGenomics. In addition, the Board of Directors of NeoGenomics will be expanded to include the appointment of a new director from GE Healthcare. NeoGenomics' chairman and CEO, Mr Douglas VanOort, commented, "We are very pleased to welcome each of our new employees to the NeoGenomics family, and to begin to add Clarient's outstanding capabilities to our strong service offering. The support of Clarient's employees and clients for our acquisition has been tremendous, and we appreciate the overwhelming support for the transaction by NeoGenomics shareholders. Clearly, the acquisition of Clarient is a major step forward in achieving our vision to become America's premier cancer testing laboratory."     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3477/practice-safe-injection-regime.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3477/practice-safe-injection-regime.html Fri, 01 Jan 2016 12:03:28 +0530 Safe injection practice lowers the burden of disease and overall healthcare cost. HMD has been an active partner in global initiatives for moving towards a safer injection practice regime and has inculcated this as part of its CSR program. Introduction and Identification of Problem:Syringes should be life giver, not life taker. But sadly this has not really been the case as unsafe injections continue to be a major problem threatening patient's life, casting shadows over immunization programs and raising overall healthcare cost for both individuals as well as countries. According to WHO, every year at least 16 billion injections are administered worldwide. The vast majority - around 90 percent - are given in curative care. Immunization accounts for around 5 percent of all injections while the remaining indications include transfusion of blood and blood products, intravenous administration of drugs and fluids and administration of injectable contraceptives. Unsafe injections can result in the transmission of blood-borne pathogens from patient to patient (through reuse of syringes), patient to healthcare worker (through needle-stick injuries) and more rarely, health worker to patient. The community at large is also at risk when used injection equipment is not safely disposed of. Unsafe injection practices have also been the cause of outbreaks of viral hepatitis B and C and HIV in healthcare settings including in high income countries. Unsafe injection practices are also associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Before safe injection campaign first began in year 2000, it was estimated that up to 1,60,000 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), 4.7 million hepatitis C and 16 million hepatitis B infections each year are attributable to unsafe injection practices. The problem was complex and fuelled by a mixture of socio-cultural, economic and structural factors.   Even a recent study by Miller & Pisani concluded in 2014 found that in 2010 as many as 33,800 people became infected with HIV, up to 1.7 million were infected with hepatitis B virus and up to 3,15,000 with hepatitis C virus through an unsafe injection! Another study estimated that more than 1.3 million deaths annually and USD535 million in avoidable expenses are estimated to be due to unsafe injection practices. India Specific Problems: Practice of unsafe injections has been quite prevalent in the rural areas, which is home to over 65 percent of our population. One of the largest epidemics of acute hepatitis occurred in February-March 2009 in the Sabarkantha district of Gujarat in India, with 456 cases and 89 deaths. The center of the outbreak was Modasa taluka. All the victims gave history of receiving injections about 2-3 months prior to the development of clinical signs and symptoms from one particular doctor. Gross and continued use of contaminated injection devices led to this explosive outbreak with such high mortality. The particular doctor was caught and found guilty of such practices. A study conducted by CLEN Program Evaluation Network on behalf of Ministry of Health, Government of India and the World Bank (2002-2004), revealed that around 65% of syringes used in the country were not disposed or sterilized, and often reused. Still, the true extent of the practice of unsafe injections has neither been fully documented nor studied across states, mainly due to resource constraints and lesser appreciation of the problem by various governments. Nonetheless, it is safe to conclude that the practice of unsafe injections was widely prevalent in India and continues to be practiced widely in some pockets. Government of India has been aware of the problem but has also been slow to mandate the use of safe injection practice, which in practice means compulsory use of AD syringes for all kinds of injections. It was only in July 2014 that the Union Ministry of Health launched a 'Handbook of Guidelines for Safe Injection Practices' to promote awareness about the benefits and use of AD syringes. Subsequently, the National Health Resource Centre of Ministry of Health conducted an HTA (Health Technology Assessment) which substantiated the need to use Auto Disable Syringes for curative and immunization injections as appropriate technology to prevent noscomial infections. However, the implementation of government's advisory for use of AD syringes for therapeutic injections has been half hearted in India despite periodic reminders. It is hoped that with new advocacy campaign, there will be increased awareness for more responsible health practices which also brings down overall health spending and average days of stay at health centers. This fact has already been substantiated in countries like Uganda, Tanzania, and Nigeria which saw sharp drops after large scale adoption of AD syringes and mandating it for over 90 percent of injections. Global Initiatives towards Safe Injection Practice: Substantial efforts to address unsafe injection practices have been made by WHO in collaboration with the Safe Injection Global Network (SIGN) and UNICEF and other key international health players such as GAVI since 1999. WHO, with the support of SIGN developed and assisted countries in implementing a strategy with three pillars consisting of behaviour change among patients and health-care workers aiming to reduce unnecessary injections and ensure safe injection practices, (ii) increasing the availability of high quality injection devices and (iii) implementing a sound sharps waste management system. In order to implement the second component of the strategy, WHO, UNICEF and UNFPA issued in 1999, a joint policy statement recommending to all countries the exclusive use of auto-disable syringes (ADs), which allow only single use, for all immunization injections by 2003. Gavi, the global vaccine alliance, formed in 2000 with initial USD 750 million pledge from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for the purpose of ensuring equal access to vaccination to children cutting across geographies and income divide, started using and advocating disposable syringes for immunization purposes. The WHO mandate for Auto-Disposal syringe regime is the largest preventive healthcare initiative that has been seen in a long time. Under the new initiative, WHO and partners have urged that all countries should transition by 2020 to the exclusive use, where appropriate, of WHO prequalified (or equivalent) safety engineered injection devices including reuse prevention (RUPs ) syringes and sharps injury protection (SIPs) devices for therapeutic injections in healthcare settings and develop related national policies. HMD's Advocacy and Association with Safe Injection Campaigns: Hindustan Syringes & Medical Device Ltd (HMD) is the only Indian coalition partner of SIGN (Safe Injection Global Network) and for years has been an active campaigner for safe health practices in the interest of both patient as well as health workers. For the latest WHO initiative, HMD was specially invited by the WHO at the launch function at Geneva and has been made a knowledge partner for this initiative in India. We are also committed to the GAVI-Star vaccination alliance for matching funding mechanism, which is an innovative way to increase immunization accessibility and safe injection to underprivileged children. HMD through its CSR Wing, SAFE POINT INDIA remains committed to continue to contribute towards the cause of educating uninformed public on the dangers of receiving unsafe injections and unsafe waste disposal. As pointed out earlier, syringe re-use is the main source of cross-infection in the developing world, infecting innocent people with blood-borne diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis B and C. SAFE POINT INDIA was set up in the year 2006 in New Delhi with the objective of enhancing awareness about the injection safety health & hygiene by running public awareness campaigns targeting both healthcare workers i.e. nursing professionals, doctors and other paramedical staff along with the general public starting from school going children at the impressionable age. Since 2006 SAFE POINT INDIA in Delhi has successfully conducted over 36 Safe Injection Awareness Programs covering hospitals, community centres, schools etc. Apart from this, there is regular participation in Perfect Health Mela at Delhi organised by Heart Care Foundation of India, which is daily visited by about 3,50,000 visitors during the Perfect Health Mela days. There has been regular participation in exhibition in different parts of the country by Safe Point India. Injection Safety Week is organized in November in various cities of India. In one of the Injection Safety Week in Mumbai daily commuter were educated in Chhatterpati Shivaji Railway Station. The surest way to protect against unsafe injections is to use injection devices that have been engineered so they cannot be re-used and doesn't lead to accidental needle stick injuries among health workers.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7978/samsung-strengthens-wearable-device-portfolio-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7978/samsung-strengthens-wearable-device-portfolio-.html Tue, 29 Dec 2015 11:28:00 +0530 Samsung Electronics is set to launch all-in-one advanced system logic chip, Bio-Processor, for the health-oriented wearables market. The Samsung Bio-Processor is designed to allow accelerated development of innovative wearable products for consumers who are increasingly monitoring their health and fitness on a daily basis. "With improvements in smart, fitness devices and an increase in consumer health consciousness, more and more people are looking for ways to monitor various personal bio-data, or fitness data, to constantly manage their health" said Mr Ben K Hur, vice president, marketing, System LSI business at Samsung Electronics. "Samsung's Bio-Processor, which can process five different biometric signals, is the most versatile health and fitness monitoring chip available on the market today and is expected to open up many new health-based service options for our customers." While heart rate monitoring alone may have been compelling in the past, the ability to measure a variety of fitness data is expected in today's wearable products. To meet such demands, Samsung has designed its Bio-Processor to integrate five AFEs including bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), photoplethysmogram (PPG), electrocardiogram (ECG), skin temperature, and galvanic skin response (GSR) into a single chip solution that measures body fat, and skeletal muscle mass, heart rate, heart rhythm, skin temperature and stress level, respectively.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/8296/indias-trillion-dollar-opportunities-in-ict-iot.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/8296/indias-trillion-dollar-opportunities-in-ict-iot.html Mon, 21 Dec 2015 10:34:20 +0530 In recent years, Internet of Things (IoT) has emerged as a buzzword, with both service providers and businesses, exploring possibilities connected devices can bring to the services they render and the way they conduct their businesses. IoT solutions are impacting the healthcare in a significant manner. Today, enterprises are realizing that the adoption of IoT in their operations will not only lead to increased productivity and process efficiencies, but also a reduction of costs. As a society, we are becoming more connected and the pace at which new technology is impacting our everyday lives is increasing at lightning speeds. IoT, M2M, ICT Over the next decade, the IoT and M2M (machine-to-machine) are expected to bring billions of data-generating devices online, and connect a vast stream of data with people, processes and other devices. There are some niche applications such as sensors record, ambulatory medical record (AMR) modem, and asset tracking.   "In the pharma and healthcare industries," says Mr Sai Pratyush, Additional VP, Managed Services, Tata Teleservices, "we see the increasing use of IoT in the form of people connecting to various healthcare devices. Also the use of wireless technology will allow healthcare workers and patients to rapidly access information. M2M communication connected wirelessly via sensors that transfer data automatically will improve efficiencies." The healthcare industry has long been overburdened by slow #mce_temp_url#moving innovation due to the complexity of the medical ecosystem that's changing aggressively, and IoT and M2M solutions are playing a catalyst role in this change and revolutionizing the pharma sector. "It will also be helpful in providing better medication-management and will be the fastest growing segment in the whole IoT market," predicts Mr Pratyush. Technology is playing a significant role in improving the quality of healthcare, cost efficiency, precision performance, proactive and on-time care, real-time communication and most importantly, saving lives. Tata Teleservices is working with partners to develop scalable ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) and IoT solutions across the healthcare value chain which includes hospitals, vendor ecosystem, doctors and individuals. The following are few areas which will see innovation, and will benefit both the industry as well as patients: • Outpatient monitoring• Wearables • Remote monitoring or rural healthcare• mHealth • Location based services ICT Trends In Indian Healthcare ICT and IoT solutions are impacting the healthcare in a significant manner. There is the wearables space which is enabling and pushing ordinary people to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and then, there are those simple innovations which are enabling the healthcare industry to provide better quality of care to its patients. Outpatient monitoring and telemedicine applications are introducing the healthcare industry to newer ways of interaction with patients and enabling them to not only monitor patients on a continuous basis but also respond more quickly to situations that need their attention. "As an example, a monitoring device is given to the patient at the time of discharge for a limited time frame, which helps the doctor to continue to monitor the patient and suggest corrective actions during the patient's recovery," states Mr Pratyush. As per a Deloitte Report, telemedicine is witnessing fast adoption in India. In 2012, the telemedicine market in India was worth $7.5 million, and it is expected to rise 20% annually to $18.7 million by 2017. Telemedicine can provide low-cost consultation and diagnostic facilities to the remotest areas via high-speed Internet and telecommunications, thus, bridging the rural-urban divide. In addition, India's extensive mobile technology infrastructure and better connectivity infrastructure is expected to drive mobile health (mHealth) adoption further. He points, "Several people in our country do not have ready access to decent healthcare. There are many challenges to set up a full-fledged hospital at remote and rural locations. However, IoT-based wireless solutions are now making it possible for doctors based in cities to monitor patients located in remote villages. Now, villagers need not travel long distances to get a simple diagnosis done." Mr Pratyush feels that solutions need not involve complex ICT infrastructure. "SMS-based solutions are enabling doctors and hospitals to send reminders and alerts to their patients on medication or health checkups. "This management of medication through SMS platform ensures doctors and hospitals provide best possible care to their patients," he adds. Challenges To Disruption Despite being an IT-enabled services behemoth, the use of ICT in the healthcare sector is limited in India. The major users of ICT include big pharmaceutical companies, corporate hospitals and other private health sector institutions, while the public healthcare sector is lagging way behind in IT utilization. But the good news is that the situation is changing. Mr Pratyush mentions, "Though ICT solutions have had a positive impact on the healthcare sector, there are some challenges that need to be overcome in order to provide affordable, high-quality healthcare solutions, and innovations to hospitals and their vendor ecosystem, doctors, and eventually the citizens of this country." The Government is now cognizant that technology can help overcome challenges arising due to geographical size, high-population density, lack of healthcare infrastructure, inaccessibility in rural India, poor nutritional conditions, and low literacy, among others. Furthermore, the National Health Policy endorsed by the Parliament of India encourages the introduction of electronic communication media in health sector. The Government of India also brought in the National Rural Health Mission for delivering the best-in-class healthcare facilities to the rural population. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology are jointly creating a national health information infrastructure for easy capture and dissemination of health information. Like all new disruptive technologies, IoT deployments face numerous challenges. "With connected IoT devices, reliable bidirectional signaling is essential for collecting and routing data between devices. You need to be 100% sure that that stream of data is going to arrive at its destination every time," emphasizes Mr Pratyush. Security is another important factor in IoT connectivity. "What good is a smart home if anyone can unlock your doors, or for that matter anyone can access your health records?" asks Mr Pratyush. "Solutions need to ensure that when sending or receiving a stream of data, the IoT device or server has proper authorization to send or receive that stream of data, and most importantly, you need end-to-end encryption between devices and servers." Huge and uninterrupted power consumption is also seen to pose challenges. "Billions of IoT devices which are required to transmit data between one another will require uninterrupted power either through the grid or battery bank," he stresses. Currently most solutions deployed in the country are based on proprietary technologies which make it difficult for customers to scale or opt out in case the solutions are not working for them. Tata Teleservices is working with partners to create innovative ICT solutions for the healthcare Industry. These solutions address the basic needs of providing telecom infrastructure as well as more complex IoT solutions such as LBS (Location-based services) or healthcare-related applications. Trillion-Dollar Opportunity As far as the IoT market opportunity is concerned, while findings of market research companies may vary, they are unanimous in their conclusion that this is a trillion-dollar opportunity in terms of revenue potential. A recent study by a global networking major predicted that there will be 25 billion devices connected to the internet by 2015, and 50 billion by 2020, thus highlighting its prominence in the coming decade. Mr Pratyush explains, "We have seen IoT and M2M deployments primarily in the utilities and transportation space, but that is changing slowly. As the devices, sensors and application ecosystems grow, we are seeing investments being made across BFSI (Banking, Financial Services and Insurance), retail, healthcare and even the home and building management space. The Government of India is also playing a significant role in adopting 'smart IoT technologies'. The 'Smart Cities' program as well as 'Digital India' is leading entrepreneurs to make substantial investments in this space." Globally, IoT has seen deployments across transport, utilities, retail, logistics, home automation and security. "The West is definitely a few steps ahead in terms of use cases and scale of deployments, but it would be incorrect to say that we are 'very' far behind," he opines. "The next few years will be critical for India, and I believe we have a good opportunity to bridge the gap. The Government's 'Digital India' program and 'Smart Cities' initiatives will further the cause of IoT substantially." The Cloud Adoption Though cloud computing is still a concept that exists only in theory for the Indian healthcare industry, the healthcare vertical has made it to the potential list of every Cloud vendor and service provider. Mr Pratyush says, "It is not surprising, given the general opinion that healthcare industry is rapidly automating itself, and soon enough, will be leapfrogging towards the Cloud." Research agencies like Zinnov have derived that the healthcare industry currently spends only about 2% of their total budgets on IT. This figure is set to grow to 15 to 20% in 2015, and upto 40% in 2020, purely towards adoption of Cloud services. This will mean that the Cloud opportunity within the healthcare segment could touch $600 million in 2020. At a CAGR growth rate pegged at 25%, healthcare is definitely one of the most promising segments as far as Cloud adoption is concerned. Healthcare A Key Vertical Tata Teleservices has been developing IoT solutions for its customers across a host of use cases and industries which includes the healthcare industry. "Our solutions encompass not only the telecom infrastructure but the devices and application as well in select verticals. Healthcare is a key vertical, and we are working with partners to create solutions which will be beneficial for our customers," concludes Mr Pratyush. It is also working with Government agencies to bring about standardization in the IoT space in India. Tata Docomo and its representatives are playing a leading role in the working groups, setup by the Telecommunication Engineering Center (TEC) in the areas of utilities, LBS, security & surveillance, and more recently, smart cities. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6204/siemens-healthcare-launches-new-pet-ct-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6204/siemens-healthcare-launches-new-pet-ct-system.html Fri, 18 Dec 2015 11:05:57 +0530 Siemens Healthcare has launched the new versatile and cost-effective Biograph HorizonPET/CT system, which offers premium performance at an attractive total cost of ownership. The system provides clinicians with the capabilities required to serve a broad range of patients and expand into new service areas. It enables the use of all commercially available PET tracers, giving users the ability to address more indications in the specialist fields of oncology, neurology and cardiology. The Biograph Horizon utilises 4mm LSO crystals to provide rapid scintillation with a high-light output, providing excellent image quality using the lowest achievable dose to aid clinicians with visualizing small lesions. This in turn ensures a timely diagnosis which contributes to effective care pathways, helping to reduce patient side effects related to ineffective therapies. The system also offers built-in capabilities that automate routine tasks to increase productivity and streamline workflows. The Quanti•QC runs quality control procedures overnight to save precious clinic time, while scans can be performed in under five minutes, and reconstruction runs alongside acquisition for image delivery just 30 seconds after the scan. Mr Steve Holmes, sales director at Siemens Healthcare said, "At a time when there is a demand to drive down cost while enhancing productivity, Siemens is well placed to support with technology capable of improving care pathways and maximizing investments. The Biograph Horizon provides a cost-effective PET/CT imaging solution that does not compromise on quality. As our smallest PET/CT system, it offers low power requirements and a small footprint to ensure reduced operating and maintenance costs, with the flexibility to meet expanding clinical needs." The Biograph Horizon utilises the syngo.via Molecular Imaging Workplace image processing solution to expand clinical possibilities and help clinicians measure and report with confidence. It offers automated tools to instantly visualize diagnostic information, automate pre-fetching, pre-processing, and display and comparison of previous findings. The ALPHA technology provides automatic registration with organ-based recognition capabilities and EQ/PET feature provides precise calculation of changes in tumour uptake.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4684/trivitron-healthcare-launches-and-patents-newborn-screening-kit-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4684/trivitron-healthcare-launches-and-patents-newborn-screening-kit-.html Thu, 17 Dec 2015 11:09:43 +0530 Trivitron Healthcare has launched and patented NeoMass AAAC Kit (CE Approved) for expanded panel of Newborn Screening in India. This is the first kit in the global market that can detect up to 50 disorders that a newborn baby might be born with or without any immediate symptoms or visible manifestations, making it the broadest available panel of biomarkers. The launch of NeoMass AAAC kit makes Trivitron a complete solution provider for NBS with modular systems, automated systems and kits for core panel screening and tandem MS/MS and NeoMass AAAC kit for expanded panel screening. Trivitron aims to create awareness among the target audience about Newborn screening and its alarming need to make it mandatory in India too like other countries. The testing process involves pricking the heel of a newborn baby to collect a few drops of blood on a filter paper within 72 hours of birth and test for detection of life threatening disorders. The launch of NeoMass AAAC kit would lead to screening of inborn metabolic disorders based on a technology called tandem mass spectrometry which allows fast and accurate determination of metabolic disorders. The newly patented NeoMass AAAC kit uses tandem mass spectrometry technology. Dr GSK Velu, chairman and managing director of Trivitron Group of Companies said, "Trivitron Healthcare is one of the largest provider for Newborn screening solutions in the world and our new patented NeoMass AAAC kit is the first kit in the world to detect up to 50 disorder. Trivitron Healthcare is always at the forefront of developing affordable technologies for Indian market." The recently patented methodology makes it possible to detect deficiencies of all the six enzymes involved in the urea cycle metabolic pathway. The urea cycle is a metabolic pathway occurring in the liver and kidney and aberrant functions of the urea cycle enzymes lead to the buildup of ammonia, a product of protein metabolism. If not treated the outcome is very serious with symptoms ranging from vomiting and increasing lethargy to respiratory distress and even coma and death. Additionally, NeoMass AAAC enables an easy and reliable detection of type I tyrosinemia, a serious disease causing dermatologic and neuro developmental problems due to accumulation of tyrosine within the liver and kidney.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7910/medtronic-announces-new-high-tech-facility-in-galway.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7910/medtronic-announces-new-high-tech-facility-in-galway.html Tue, 15 Dec 2015 11:03:28 +0530 Medtronic has announced a new manufacturing facility in Galway, Ireland that will manufacture the market-leading IN.PACT Admiral drug-coated balloon (DCB) for the treatment of peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD is a build-up of plaque in arteries throughout the body leading to reduced blood flow to the limbs, organs, and the brain. Patients with PAD are at higher risk for stroke and heart attack. The decision to locate the new manufacturing facility in Galway is based on the existing high-tech capability and expertise at the site in drug-device combination products for Medtronic's coronary business. Highly skilled professionals from other parts of the Medtronic organization, approximately 100, who specialize in the areas of quality and manufacturing engineering, supply chain and production management, will be stationed in the new facility. The announcement was made in Galway with a site-visit from Minister Mr Richard Bruton TD, and Mr Michael Lohan, manager of Medical Technologies Division, IDA Ireland. Mr Tony Semedo, senior vice president and president of the Aortic and Peripheral Vascular business at Medtronic, stated that the investment showed Ireland's importance to Medtronic's overall growth strategy. He added, "Since launching the IN.PACT Admiral DCB in the US market, it has quickly become the fastest adopted DCB technology. In fact, our global market leadership in DCB is driving the need to open the new facility here in Galway to provide more patients access to this highly efficacious and safe treatment option for peripheral arterial disease. Our Galway operations and staff have very specific expertise in this area, which is the platform for this announcement. Once fully operational, this facility will be the only DCB manufacturing area of its kind in Medtronic worldwide. Our organization is on an expansionary path, with a notable amount of this growth to be fuelled by products coming out of Ireland." Medtronic continues to see additional synergies since the acquisition of Covidien. With the IN.PACT Admiral DCB US launch the week following the acquisition, Medtronic was able to leverage the combined sales force to get this product to market faster.   The facility will have 20,000 square feet of space with 8,000 square feet dedicated to manufacturing and will cost approximately €13 million (or approx $14.32 million). It has been specifically designed to meet the needs of the manufacturing process associated with the IN.PACT Admiral drug-coated balloon (DCB), which is used for the interventional treatment of peripheral artery disease (PAD) in the upper leg. This is a serious and common cardiovascular condition that affects more than 202 million people worldwide. IN.PACT Admiral drug-coated balloon (DCB) is designed to reopen superficial femoral and popliteal arteries that have been narrowed or blocked by plaque. The DCB's primary mode of action is physical dilatation of the vessel lumen by PTA, and the paclitaxel drug is intended to prevent artery narrowing by minimizing scar tissue formation.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5865/medtronic-samsung-to-develop-solutions-for-neuromodulation-patients-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5865/medtronic-samsung-to-develop-solutions-for-neuromodulation-patients-.html Mon, 14 Dec 2015 11:59:04 +0530 Medtronic and Samsung Electronics has announced a broad-based strategic alliance to accelerate the development of digital health solutions for the millions of people suffering from chronic pain, movement disorders, incontinence, and other conditions who could benefit from neuromodulation therapy. The alliance will leverage Samsung's deep understanding of consumer technology and mobility to develop advanced tools, based on the Android operating system, aimed at improving how patients and physicians interact with and receive data from Medtronic's clinically-proven neuromodulation systems. By integrating neuromodulation therapies with Samsung technology, Medtronic seeks to deliver real-time health data to physicians and patients so they can more effectively manage the therapy, track symptoms and wirelessly monitor data received from Medtronic devices. "Medtronic is committed to solving healthcare challenges, and through this alliance we intend to create efficiencies by developing digital solutions that connect patients and healthcare providers in real time," said Mr Tom Tefft, senior vice president and president of Neuromodulation, which is part of the Restorative Therapies Group at Medtronic. "Medtronic has a track record of developing meaningful patient innovations, and this collaboration is the first step to providing more personalized patient care and arming patients and physicians with the best consumer-relevant technologies." In the future, this alliance between Medtronic and Samsung is intended to focus on enabling patients implanted with neuromodulation therapies to use consumer electronics, such as smartphones, wearables or tablets, to securely and wirelessly transmit real-time data from their device to their physicians. Connecting patients and physicians in this manner could provide many potential benefits, including allowing physicians to more quickly make informed, data-driven treatment decisions. "Samsung is applying its deep understanding of how people use technology to bring new innovations to healthcare," said Mr Dave Rhew, chief medical officer and head of healthcare and fitness for Samsung Electronics America. "These future solutions will help better manage the health of patients by providing them with advanced, easy-to-use tools that securely deliver real-time data to their physicians."   In June 2015, Medtronic and Samsung announced a similar collaboration to enable solutions to improve diabetes management for the millions of people at risk and currently living with the disease. The first project focuses on delivering more discreet and convenient access to personal diabetes data by developing mobile applications optimized for Samsung mobile devices that will enable the viewing of insulin pump and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensor information.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6960/government-takes-steps-to-delink-medical-devices-from-pharmaceutical-regulations.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6960/government-takes-steps-to-delink-medical-devices-from-pharmaceutical-regulations.html Mon, 14 Dec 2015 10:53:46 +0530 Responding to the long standing demand of medical device industry to delink it from pharmaceutical sector, the government has taken initial but firm steps towards this finality. The intention to achieve this objective has been spelled out after a meeting of senior officials of MoH and FW, Govt of India and CDSCO with Industry Representatives including AIMED. The ministry will shortly be soliciting public opinion/comments through CDSCO website and issue a notification for change in Drug Rules through the Law Ministry for enabling this de-linkage. It may be noted that the irrational traditional linking of medical device sector with pharmaceutical through common statute and regulatory regime has been a big stumbling block in unlocking the full potential of this critical sector and had contributed to India's humungous import dependency, while scaring away investment. Nowhere in the world are pharmaceutical and medical device sector governed by the same set of legislations as has been historically happening in India. "Indian Medical Devices have for long been incorrectly and incompletely regulated. This has been confusing overseas and Indian investors who were scared to invest with a pharmaceutical type GMP demands being imposed by regulators in an arbitrary and prescriptive manner by unsure inspectors on an engineering industry. The government has taken the first correct strategic steps in the appropriate direction to address the ambiguity" said Mr Rajiv Nath, forum coordinator for AIMED. "Make in India of medical devices is now a possibility if Government also makes it viable and profitable to invest by also simultaneously addressing the adverse inverted duty structure." Mr Nath has pointed out that the next steps to realize the dream of robust domestic medical device industry which is aligned to PM Modi's vision of 'Make in India', it is hoped that country will soon adopt a risk proportionate regulatory framework whereby medical devices of low Patient Safety risk like wheel chairs have a lower regulatory requirement and moderately risky devices like Needles have a higher regulatory requirements and high risk devices like orthopedic implants and cardiac stents have even higher regulatory compliance requirements. This should be followed by unbundling of regulations and regulatory controls whereby the regulators need to delegate the task of compliance audit of manufacturers to Third Party Competent and Accredited Conformity Assessment and Certification Bodies.   "It's impossible for an individual regulatory inspector to have domain knowledge expertise of wide and diverse range of ever changing innovative technologies deployed in producing medical devices from material sciences to biochemistry to metallurgy to atomic sciences to radiology to microbiology to nanotechnology and now wearable digital mobile phone based applications," pointed out Mr Nath. Currently India is import dependent for 70 percent of its devices and lack of an internationally equivalent regulatory framework has been a major factor as investors stood on sidelines watching this market grow unsure of government intent and discouraged by the initial move of 22 medical devices being regulated as drugs by CDSCO and State Drug Controllers. It may also be known that a amendment bill for making required changes in the Drugs & Cosmetic Act, 1940 to enable medical devices to be regulated has been already been tabled in the Parliament and is in the long queue of many Legislations awaited for bringing reforms! "Even that is a half hearted measure whereby our concerns of total delinking with Drugs regulations have not been fully taken into account. There needs to be a separate Law Book - separate Rule Book and separate Regulatory Authority or a revamped CDSCO as an Indian Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority (IHPRA) or regulators may continue to see medical devices from prism of drug regulations if they pick up a common Laws and Rule Book," said Mr Nath . In traditional mode of regulations worldwide earlier, Govt. was the Regulator and prescribed requirements for Manufacturing and directly checked Compliance through Inspectors and directly punished errant Manufacturers thereby creating conflict of interest. As Regulators worldwide are getting increasingly stretched for resources and the required Technical Expertise the various Components of a Regulatory Framework are getting unbundled and India needs to imbibe similar Best Practices and bring in further regulatory reforms for Medical Devices explained a regulatory expert. "Regulations in India need to be layered to separate Role of Legislature from those of a Regulator and those of a supervising Accreditation Body to assist the Regulator, from those of Third Party Conformity Assessment Bodies who will Audit the Manufacturer in line with our honorable Prime Ministers Key Policy principle :Minimum Govt. - Maximum Governance. European Commission and USFDA have already gone this way, In India PNGRB has set an example and FSSAI has all the progressive provisions in its regulations. Such regulatory framework for medical devices will also create higher international acceptance for Indian Products" said Mr Jauhri , CEO of National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies, Quality Council of India. "In India there has been no onus on manufacturers to demonstrate Compliance. There is a need to provide this layer whereby Manufacturers voluntarily use accredited 3rd Party Conformity Assessment Bodies to verify & certify their Compliance level to regulations," said Mr Jauhri.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7574/hottest-new-start-up-consure-medical-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7574/hottest-new-start-up-consure-medical-.html Fri, 11 Dec 2015 21:03:41 +0530 Though his first start-up failed in 2004, Mr Nishith Chasmawala's relentless entrepreneurial pursuit today is helping millions of patients worldwide through his new start-up, Consure Medical, which develops novel critical care products. Its first product is a novel device to manage fecal incontinence. The genesis of the New Delhi-based start-up was at the Standord-India Biodesign Fellowship, a program designed to train next-gen medical technology innovators in India. It was at this program both the founders, Mr Nishith Chasmawala and Mr Amit Sharma met together, who are now Consure's CEO and Director of Products respectively. Novel Portfolio Consure Medical was started in 2012. Both the founders were veterans of the medical device industry and have launched novel class II and III devices in the US, EU and Japan.   The start-up is developing and commercializing a novel portfolio of critical care devices that work across a continuum of care settings. Its first product - Qora SMK - provides a novel means to manage fecal incontinence in non-ambulatory patients. Worldwide more than 100 million patients are incontinent each year, and rely on either an absorbent pad (adult diaper) or a fecal drainage device. The use of pads manifests dermatitis, maceration, increases the length of stay, and has direct impact on healthcare costs. Though drainage devices contain fecal exudate in a bag, and hence avoid complications of pads, they have a very narrow indication of use and manifests complications like necrosis and sphincter dysfunction. With the Qora technology, Consure reimagined management of fecal incontinence by developing a novel drainage catheter that can be used with varying stool consistencies or rectal tone on patients across a continuum of care facilities.   More importantly, this technology can be used by a minimally trained person at costs that are comparable or lower than the cost of using a diaper. The patented Qora SMK has been cleared by the USFDA (US Food & Drug Administration), making Consure one of the few medical device companies in India that has its core patents granted in key geographies and regulatory clearances in place. Similar to the latent need of incontinence, Consure today has 4 products in its development pipeline, and is targeting commercial launch of these additional products by the fourth-quarter in 2016. Before starting Consure, Mr Nishith was in charge of the core-technology development team at Kyphon (USA), which was acquired by Medtronic in 2007 for $4.2 billion. He had a great passion to wanting to directly impact the healthcare ecosystem in India, and was exploring ways to come back to India. Mr Amit, prior to joining him, was a founder of a design and development start-up. He was looking out for a more refined focus to create a lasting impact.   Purely from a design perspective, he saw an inherent conflict of interest in a consulting model because, at the cost of amazing product design, clients always gravitated towards a 'fit' within their existing portfolio and business model. He wanted to start a medical device company that was not encumbered by legacy products and addressed latent clinical needs by imbibing brilliant design methodology and user experience. Mr Nishith holds a BS in Plastics Engineering from UMASS Lowell (University of Massachusetts), USA; Mr Amit holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Indraprastha University, and a MS in Design from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi. Mapping Trends While exploring entrepreneurial opportunities, the founders repeatedly saw three macro trends that increased their curiosity and led to a deeper analysis. "We saw that medical devices are designed, developed and commercialized in silos and nobody had any qualms about it... Due to increased awareness, accountability via regulations, budgetary constraints and smart policies being implemented via Affordable Care Act (Obama Care), we saw that care facilities were getting more cost-conscious when making purchasing decisions," explains Mr Nishith.   Clinical safety, efficacy and regulatory clearances were obligatory requirements for medical device companies. To be commercially successful, companies needed to demonstrate a clear health-economic value proposition of their technologies versus existing standards of care. He continues, "We saw a unique opportunity in developing products for the clinical setting with the least amount of resources and then try to stretch its feasibility all the way up to ICU or trauma care. Again, breaking the silo model to focus on continuum of care and reduce costs." Mr Nishith notes that to overcome legacy health challenges, innovators in India are leading a silent transformation in delivery of health services and access to affordable healthcare. "These models, though at a nascent stage, are a beacon of the shifting healthcare paradigm that other economies can emulate. By virtue of being in India, and with a deep focus on the Indian healthcare market, we saw a unique opportunity to disrupt distribution models to eradicate corruption, expand access to healthcare and alleviate overall health economic costs," observes Mr Nishith. "Mind-mapping of these macro trends and identifying latent clinical needs in different care settings was the genesis of Consure Medical." Lessons From The Past   The founders had learnt a lot from their previous start-ups. "For 2 years Consure was in stealth mode and relied solely on grants and subsidies from government and corporates. During this time, the company focused on one product, completed its development, contract manufacturing and First in Human (FIH) safety study before approaching any investors. Besides capital, the main challenges were lack of local subject matter expertise and lack of a medical device ecosystem," says Mr Nishith. During initial stages, both the founders bootstrapped the company forgoing salary for almost 2 years, and relied on grants and friends in the industry to get to a significant clinical milestone. The Series A investment was led by India Innovation Fund, Indian Angel Network, India Venture Partners and Mr Shrikumar Suryanarayan (Chairman and Co-founder, Sea6 Energy, & former President of R&D at Biocon). Immediately post Series A, the company also secured two international grants enabling the company to extend its runway and aim for a bigger milestone.   Mr Nishith comments, "We are very fortunate to have supportive and patient investors with a long-term focus. Our investors have perfected the art of staying involved and helping out in a very non-intrusive manner. We believe there is always more capital that is chasing fewer good deals in general. Healthcare is considered to a very robust industry from an investment perspective, which augurs well for entrepreneurs that want to create value and make lasting impact to healthcare." Consure has achieved major regulatory and intellectual property milestones in half the timeline of a typical Silicon Valley medtech start-up with about one-tenth the financing over the last three years. IPO-Ready By 2019 At the moment, Consure is targeting intensevists, critical care nurses and CEOs of hospitals. "We make sophisticated devices that are very consumer-centric in design, but still require a prescription for use. We are also in conversations with large distributors and strategic partners to expand commercialization in different geographies," points Mr Nishith. Being an advanced development stage and early commercial stage company, it is executing a customized commercial strategy in India, USA and Japan.   "We have our hands full with India, the US and Japan. Outside of these markets, we will expand along with a strategic partner or a distributor. We are working with index sites and key opinion leaders in India and the US," Mr Nishith reveals. The start-up hopes to be IPO-ready by 2019. He says that New Delhi is a favorable destination for medical devices start-ups. "Gurgaon has the highest concentration of large medical device companies. It also has lots of big hospitals in and around Delhi. There is reasonably strong manufacturing base in Faridabad, Gurgaon, Chandigarh and Baddi in Himachal Pradesh," he states. "Personally for a global medical device company like ours - I like the airport and flight options of Delhi. Probably the best in the country with Mumbai being the second in terms of connectivity." Mr Nishith feels that most medical device entrepreneurs are not interested in entrepreneurship. "They are extremely motivated to solve a clinical problem or commercialize a novel technology, which is usually related to a deep emotional attachment. Often times, being an intrapreneur or collaborating with another company has higher odds of commercial success, than starting up on your own," he ends. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5995/medtronic-gets-fda-approval-for-the-full-body-mri-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5995/medtronic-gets-fda-approval-for-the-full-body-mri-system.html Thu, 10 Dec 2015 12:01:47 +0530 Medtronic has announced that systems within its Activa portfolio of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) neurostimulators have received FDA approval for full-body Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) under specific conditions of use. Medtronic's MR Conditional DBS systems are the only approved for full-body MRI scans. This approval expands access to MRIs, making it safe for patients receiving Medtronic DBS Therapy to also receive this important diagnostic standard of care. Additionally, this approval applies to individuals receiving new Medtronic DBS systems and to an estimated 43,000 people in the US already receiving Medtronic DBS Therapy as long as updated MRI guidelines are followed. With full-body scanning capability, increased MRI RF power limits allow for improved image quality, faster scan times, or larger scan coverage for better diagnostic capabilities. Additionally, when programmed to appropriate stimulation settings and certain other conditions have been met, Medtronic DBS systems allow patients to continue receiving therapy during scans. "The use of MRI as a diagnostic tool has grown significantly, and Medtronic is proud to offer the only DBS systems that allow patients access to full-body MRIs," said Dr Lothar Krinke, vice president and general manager of the Brain Modulation business, which is part of the Restorative Therapies Group at Medtronic. "Continuous innovation sets Medtronic apart, and we are allowing greater access to MRIs for those receiving DBS therapy as well as other implanted Medtronic systems such as pacemakers, ICDs and spinal cord stimulators." To ensure devices are safe, Medtronic performed rigorous testing, including developing proprietary test and measurement systems, in conjunction with advanced electromagnetic modeling tools.   Activa DBS systems were tested and evaluated across 10 million simulated patient scans spanning over 38,000 unique implant conditions to demonstrate patient safety. In all, Medtronic has 14 years of MRI research and testing experience.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4222/ekano-concept-tailored-to-meet-medtech-needs-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4222/ekano-concept-tailored-to-meet-medtech-needs-in-india.html Wed, 09 Dec 2015 14:10:16 +0530 The Ekano concept, created by product design and development firm Cambridge Consultants, is aimed at laparoscopic surgeons in mid-tier and rural hospitals in countries such as India and China. It was developed in Cambridge Consultants' in-house simulated operating theatre, driven by insights gained from in-depth research in Indian hospitals. A team of the company's product development and human factors engineers visited mid-tier and rural hospitals to observe surgical procedures and interview surgeons, nurses and hospital executives to identify unmet needs and innovation opportunities. "We collaborated with surgeons and hospitals in India to drive product feature decisions, with the aim of preserving clinical functionality, improving usability and reducing the cost of ownership," said Rahul Sathe, head of surgical innovation for emerging markets at Cambridge Consultants. "With the cost expected to be around a quarter of existing systems, Ekano can be owned by a surgeon rather than bought by a hospital - complementing the existing business model in India of surgeon consultants owning their own practices and rotating around hospitals on a daily basis." Surgery in emerging markets is strikingly different. In India, for example, mid-tier and rural hospitals are overcrowded and understaffed, and struggle with limited infrastructure - electrical power can go down several times a week. On a daily basis, surgeons use equipment that ranges from brand new to 30 years old - but there's a lack of adequate after-sales training or maintenance support. Surgeons must invest their own money to train on new devices, and then train their nurses and technicians. Hospitals and surgeons seek new products that are easy to learn, use and maintain - and that will enable them to treat more patients, more efficiently, with high-quality, affordable care. Laparoscopy systems enable surgeons to perform minimally invasive surgery via small incisions in the abdomen- reducing patient risk, complications and recovery time. But the sophisticated equipment designed for developed markets is expensive - state-of-the-art systems with 3D cameras and advanced tissue imaging can cost more than £100,000. Such systems are optimised for complex procedures in advanced operating theatres - and so require hospitals to have reliable power, gas lines and integrated electronic medical record (EMR) systems. Surgeons and their staff undergo several years of specialised training to use the equipment. And dedicated technicians are required to service, maintain and replace components. The Ekano console is self-contained and portable - and can be mounted on an IV pole to take up less space in the operating theatre. Size and cost are reduced by incorporating only the product features that are necessary for it to be clinically functional. For example, surgical planning, outcomes tracking and EMR systems are rare in mid-tier hospitals in emerging markets. So, rather than using a complex electronic data management system that takes up significant space, Ekano creates a WiFi hotspot to provide a local EMR for the surgical team. Surgeons can then upload preoperative images via their phone to enable surgical planning with their team - and share data via WhatsApp and other mobile platforms to collaborate with colleagues on challenging cases. Ekano also takes a different approach to visualising anatomy. Rather than using expensive three-chip camera sensors, the camera system consists of a single-chip sensor that uses optical filtering and image processing to provide an optically comparable image at significantly lower cost. Ekano also replaces the traditional large, expensive xenon light sources that need frequent maintenance with a small, compact, LED array to achieve bright yet portable illumination. "We envision the Ekano system using surgical tools with interchangeable tool tips to maximise functionality - in line with the focus in emerging markets on both economic and environmental considerations," said Sathe. "Many surgeons and hospitals in emerging markets prefer not to use disposable surgical products - instead, giving purchasing priority to reusable systems and components. Designing surgical products that can be reused safely - via design for sterilisation and prevention of misuse - is crucial to reduce unnecessary waste and cost. "Needs-driven innovation is key to unlocking business opportunities and advancing surgical care in emerging markets. Countries like India and China offer unprecedented scope for the surgical device industry to deliver quality, affordable care to underserved patients. The Ekano concept demonstrates how the combination of portability, durability, usability and low cost of ownership can disrupt how surgical care is delivered to underserved patient populations." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6918/another-medical-device-park-to-come-up-in-nagpur-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6918/another-medical-device-park-to-come-up-in-nagpur-.html Tue, 08 Dec 2015 14:40:21 +0530 The government is absolutely serious about setting up of country's second exclusive medical device industrial park at Mihan SEZ, Nagpur. The same was conveyed in person to Mr Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator, AIMED by Shri Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Surface Transport after consulting with Mr Hansraj Gangaram Ahir, Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Govt of India. Mr Nath and other representatives of AIMED met Shri Nitin Gadkari to discuss the possibility of setting up of country's second proposed exclusive medical device park. After being assured of huge import substitution potential of Rs 23000 crores of imports and even greater potential of exports and preliminary viability, Mr Gadkari asked AIMED to work out the details and other modalities of this project on priority basis. Mr Gadkari assured all support to make the project a super success and also requested AIMED to submit a note of what's needed as a national policy to boost domestic manufacturing of medical devices . It may be known that the country's first proposed medical device park is coming up at Andhra Pradesh, also a result of the initiative of AIMED. Mr Nath has suggested allocation of 200 acres within Mihan SEZ or adjoining it and customizing the facilities to attract a cluster of industries around a common manufacturing facilitation centre with ETO and Gamma Radiation sterilization facility , a high technology machining centre and common tool room , common testing facilities to attract core medical devices possibly other than electronics as the one coming up at Andhra is already being designed to provide special competitive advantage and facilities to electronic medical device manufacturing. "We are extremely happy with this development and the wholesome desire of the government to set up country's second proposed exclusive medical device park. Mr Gadkari's initiave and encouragement is commendable and we all believe that Nagpur is an excellent location for this park to come up as it has all ingredients to make it a world class, internationally competitive manufacturing centre," said Mr Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator, AIMED which has advantage for immediate readiness . An AIMED delegation would soon be visiting Mihan SEZ, Nagpur to take first hand stock of location and draw plans for early implementation of government's plan.         ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6961/arterys-ge-partners-for-cardiac-medical-imaging-platform.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6961/arterys-ge-partners-for-cardiac-medical-imaging-platform.html Tue, 08 Dec 2015 12:05:55 +0530 Arterys, a privately-held medical imaging company providing a SaaS analytics platform that integrates cloud computation and machine learning, has announced the launch of the Arterys System, a revolutionary intelligence platform designed to significantly enhance standard medical imaging. Its first application is in the cardiovascular space, enabling clinical visualization and accurate quantification of blood flow inside the human body. The seven-dimensional data (three in space, one in time, three in velocity direction) input quickly and easily to improve diagnoses in cardiac medicine. The Arterys system was launched at the 101st Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America in Chicago, Illinois, as part of GE Healthcare's ViosWorks, a new comprehensive cardiac solution that reduces magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment to a fraction of the time of conventional cardiac scans. ViosWorks will provide 3D cardiac anatomy, function, and flow in one free-breathing, 10-minute scan with cloud-based, real-time processing of images at resolutions previously unattainable. "We are excited to collaborate with Arterys and introduce this innovative cardiac MR solution that can capture seven-dimensional viewing capabilities of the heart," said Mr Ioannis Panagiotelis, chief marketing officer, Global MR at GE Healthcare. He added, "With cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of death in the world, we believe that this cloud-enabled technology will help us to provide value not only for clinicians by delivering advanced visualization and quantification of cardiovascular function, but also help simplify cardiovascular examinations and address significant patient needs in cardiovascular disease." In November 2015, Arterys and GE Healthcare entered into a partnership to include the Arterys system in new GE Healthcare MRI machines. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.   "We are extremely pleased to announce our partnership with GE Healthcare in conjunction with the launch of our first cardiac care solution, the first self-learning system of its kind to visualize and quantify blood flow leveraging a standard MRI machine," said Dr Fabien Beckers, founder and CEO of Arterys. "This pivotal milestone for the company is directly in line with our vision to transform medical imaging by bringing automatic quantitative data and deep learning to healthcare applications through a GPU smart cloud platform that can be applied to many areas of medical imaging including neurology and oncology." In addition to the launch of the Arterys System, the company completed a $7 million Series A financing led by Emergent Medical Partners, including participation from Norwich Ventures, AME Cloud Ventures, Morado Ventures and Asset Management Ventures.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6595/philips-debuts-new-radiology-solutions-at-rsna-2015-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6595/philips-debuts-new-radiology-solutions-at-rsna-2015-.html Mon, 07 Dec 2015 11:31:45 +0530 Royal Philips has announced the launch of Radiology Solutions, a fully integrated, consultative approach to enhance radiology practice management. Radiology Solutions comprises customized, data-driven practice management approaches that combine imaging systems, services, informatics and analytics to help radiology practices improve care delivery and reduce costs. Making its debut at the 2015 Radiological Society of North America Annual Meeting (RSNA) in Chicago, Philips' Radiology Solutions will provide radiology practices the critical data insights needed to transform care practices to be more efficient and effective, shaping enhanced operational performance across the entire healthcare network. "The healthcare industry, and radiology in particular, is sitting on vast amounts of operational data - such as imaging procedure settings and utilization - that is not being used to its full potential," said Mr Robert Cascella, CEO, Imaging Business Groups, Philips. "The future of imaging depends on the seamless integration between data and insights across multiple imaging modalities and medical systems, allowing for greater optimization. Closely collaborating with hospitals, like UW Medicine, we've created a solution that unifies data and unlocks actionable information to help influence and improve radiology practice management." Philips' Radiology Solutions offers a comprehensive and scalable data-driven practice management platform that leverages its integrated suite of digital health technology capabilities and breadth of experience in healthcare. Developed in close collaboration with hospitals, including UW Medicine, and powered by the technology of Philips' HealthSuite digital platform, this solution uses data intelligence to spotlight what radiologists need to transform their practices to improve patient care and workflows.   The solution can be tailored for radiology practices of all sizes and used with Philips imaging and informatics products as well as third party imaging systems, PACS (Picture Archiving and Communications System) and RIS (Radiology Information System) systems. "We know that optimizing access, quality, cost effectiveness and impact in a radiology practice brings tremendous value to the patient, the family and the entire health system. Rapid, continuous, optimization in a scalable way requires that large volumes of data are acquired and made visual in a way not previously possible," said Dr Norman Beauchamp, professor and chair of the Department of Radiology at UW Medicine. "That's why we were eager to collaborate with Philips on the development of a platform that takes an integrated approach across, and beyond, a radiology practice. Now we're able to use actionable insights from data to drive improvements, ultimately benefiting patients with higher-quality care." Philips developed Radiology Solutions' data-driven practice management approach with critical input from hospitals to help practices adapt to continuous change and provide ongoing directional support for departmental decision making. Based on the data collected and analyzed from individual assessments, Philips develops a configured integrated solution for practice management which brings together all relevant data inputs for real-time analysis of operations. Philips' Radiology Solutions helps to improve departmental outcomes based on a hospital's or health systems' defined targets in operational and financial performance, and the patient experience. For example, UW Medicine has already identified targeted reductions in radiology exams durations of more than 20 percent. Philips' Radiology Solutions drives automation in the identification of radiology follow-up recommendations and provides the insight to see which patients comply with medical recommendations. Since deploying Philips' Radiology Solutions, UW Medicine uncovered data analysis showing patient compliance to follow-up recommendations were below targets. This data-driven insight allows UW Medicine to identify ways to help its radiologists improve and increase its patient follow-up recommendations compliance.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4213/ge-unveils-ge-health-cloud-and-apps.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4213/ge-unveils-ge-health-cloud-and-apps.html Thu, 03 Dec 2015 14:54:45 +0530 The GE Health Cloud was unveiled at the 101st annual Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) meeting in Chicago. Designed exclusively for the healthcare industry, the new cloud ecosystem and its applications will connect radiologists and clinicians to speed, efficiency and collaboration across care pathways and multidisciplinary teams - both inside and outside the hospital setting. "Our ultimate goal is to help improve patient care and drive superior clinical, financial and operational outcomes alongside healthcare providers," said Mr Jeff Immelt, chairman and CEO of GE. "As the digital industrial leader, we are betting big on the GE Health Cloud. By connecting clinicians with the insights needed, when and where they need them, clinicians can take action to improve healthcare outcomes and delivery around the globe." The new cloud will connect to more than 500,000 GE imaging machines, shifting image post-processing from on-site machines to the cloud. From the cloud, 3-D images can then be viewed on multiple devices - inside and outside the hospital setting. The GE Health Cloud and apps will give clinicians on-demand, flexible computing power that can scale up or down. "Healthcare devices are generating enormous amounts of data, and that data is expected to increase 50-fold by 20204," said Mr John Flannery, president and CEO for GE Healthcare. "The GE Health Cloud can help unlock the value of this data, quickly and seamlessly for better patient care. The GE Health Cloud will help clinicians turn data into insights, and insights into tangible actions for decision-makers to drive better outcomes." By opening its cloud for third party app development, GE intends to attract independent software vendors (ISVs) to develop their apps in the new cloud ecosystem. The new health cloud follows GE's September Minds + Machines announcement of the company's transformation to becoming the world's leading digital industrial company. There, Immelt pointed to new data that revealed a potential 20 percent increase in performance through new software and products powered by Predix, GE's cloud platform. The GE Health Cloud is the first industry-specific cloud to be built on the Predix platform. GE Healthcare announced four new radiology apps at RSNA that will run in the new cloud - all targeted at advanced imaging and clinical collaboration. "Our new apps will bring incredible computing and mobility power to radiologists and clinicians," said Mr Jan De Witte, president and CEO of GE Healthcare IT. "By enhancing radiologists' speed and confidence through the apps, we can help improve their ability to collaborate with referring clinicians inside and outside the hospital." The new apps announced include: •Centricity Cloud Advanced Visualization -This app will manage image post-processing and allow radiologists and clinicians to view advanced 3-D images anytime, anywhere. •Centricity Multi-Disciplinary Team Virtual Meeting- This app will help multidisciplinary teams do collaborative care planning, ultimately helping radiologists and pathologists reduce the time they spend preparing for meetings by up to 20 percent. •Centricity Case Exchange - This latest edition of Centricity Case Exchange will allow affiliated and non-affiliated systems to share images and reports and quickly confer on patient cases and treatment plans. •Centricity Image Access Portal - This app will provide affiliated and non-affiliated physicians with longitudinal patient imaging data, potentially improving turnaround times for patient reports. The GE Health Cloud will use key interoperability standards, including FHIR, HL7 and DICOM - and will have full attestations for HIPAA privacy compliance, and security including HITECH and HITRUST, and SOC2 certification.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7164/medtronic-selects-henry-schein-as-distributor-for-diabetes-products.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7164/medtronic-selects-henry-schein-as-distributor-for-diabetes-products.html Thu, 03 Dec 2015 11:08:54 +0530 Medtronic has selected Henry Schein Medical, the US Medical business of Henry Schein as an exclusive distributor of selected diabetes products to primary care physicians (PCPs) in the US. The exclusive distribution agreement broadens access to Medtronic solutions for people with type 2 diabetes under the care of primary care physicians who oversee their diabetes management. Henry Schein Medical is a leading provider of health care products and services to office-based medical practitioners in the US. Combining Medtronic's expertise in diabetes and Henry Schein's access and reach into PCP offices will help better serve the 27.9 million Americans with type 2 diabetes. Products included in the agreement are the iPro2 Professional Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) system and the i-Port Advance injection port. "Medtronic is committed to advancing the care of people with type 2 diabetes. Solutions such as the iPro2 Professional CGM enable physicians to easily gather valuable insights to make educated therapy decisions and improve patient coaching, which can lead to better control for people with type 2 diabetes1," said Ms Laura Stoltenberg, vice president and general manager, Non-Intensive Diabetes Therapies at Medtronic. "Together with Henry Schein and its dedicated sales team, we can broaden access to CGM for primary care physicians and their patients with type 2 diabetes." The iPro2 Professional CGM provides physicians with valuable insights into how their patients' diet, medication, and daily activities affect glucose levels throughout an entire three-day period.   iPro2 Professional CGM records a patient's glucose levels 24 hours a day for up to three days (a total of 864 glucose readings), and provides user-friendly reports to the physician. Medtronic recently introduced enhanced analytical capability for the iPro2 system. This new functionality, named Pattern Snapshot, helps healthcare professionals, including PCPs, quickly uncover the most important issues to guide and educate their patients on improved glycemic control. "Henry Schein's customers rely on us for the products and services needed to enhance their practice and deliver high-quality patient care," said Mr Dave McKinley, president, Henry Schein Medical. "As exclusive distributor of Medtronic's iPro2 Professional CGM system, along with the i-Port Advance, Henry Schein is pleased to offer our primary care physician customers a complete set of solutions to better care for their patients with type 2 diabetes."     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/1153/fda-clears-siemens-ct-scanners-for-low-dose-lung-cancer-screening-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/1153/fda-clears-siemens-ct-scanners-for-low-dose-lung-cancer-screening-.html Wed, 02 Dec 2015 11:46:51 +0530 The United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) has cleared Siemens Healthcare's SOMATOM computed tomography (CT) systems for low-dose lung cancer screening. From the SOMATOM Scope 16-slice CT system to the ultra-premium SOMATOM Force, Siemens now makes low-dose lung cancer screening broadly available to its customers. "Lung cancer screening represents one of the most significant opportunities to improve population health through earlier detection and improved follow-up opportunities for high-risk patients," said Mr David Pacitti, president of Siemens Healthcare North America. "That's why Siemens pursued the most expansive indication for lung cancer screening, bringing this valuable tool to all varieties of our current SOMATOM CT scanners." The indication for low-dose lung cancer screening is available for the following CT systems: SOMATOM Force, SOMATOM Definition Flash, SOMATOM Definition Edge, SOMATOM Definition AS/AS+, SOMATOM Perspective, SOMATOM Scope, and the SOMATOM Emotion. Siemens' portfolio of CT systems offers solutions for low-dose lung imaging from screening to detection to diagnosis. With its FAST (Fully Assisting Scanner Technologies) features, Siemens optimizes CT acquisition by reducing user variability. With FAST Planning, technologists can set an optimum range for scan settings that avoids cut-offs or excessive radiation. Its CARE (Combined Applications to Reduce Exposure) feature delivers a consistent, reproducible approach to optimizing radiation dose in scan parameters that supports efficient clinical workflow. Features in the SOMATOM portfolio also aid the radiologist in reporting dose and sharing findings within the interdisciplinary lung cancer team.   Siemens has also launched a unique mobile imaging solution for lung cancer screening - especially for people living in rural areas. The Mobile SOMATOM Scope CT is a self-powered mobile CT with on-board diesel generator that is ready to scan within minutes of parking. No Commercial Driver's License is required to drive the vehicle, reducing complexity in logistics. Equipped with a high-speed wireless connection, the Mobile SOMATOM Scope CT is ready for fast and easy image transfer.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7797/becton-dickinson-accused-for-indulging-in-unfair-practices-by-cci-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7797/becton-dickinson-accused-for-indulging-in-unfair-practices-by-cci-.html Mon, 30 Nov 2015 11:24:24 +0530 Competition Commission India (CCI) has ordered an investigation against Becton Dickinson India for alleged anti-competitive practices with respect to healthcare services. Becton Dickinson, an MNC that makes disposable syringe under the brand name 'Emerald', has been accused for selling disposable syringe on higher MRP to hospitals and sell same product with lower price in open market. According to Mr Bejon Mishra , a consumer activist from the organisation, Partnership for Safe Medicine said, "Such kind of collusion between manufacturers and importers and hospitals of variable and arbitrary price fixation to fleece consumers indicates the need for government to step in to protect consumers with a price capping mechanism or a taxation by importer or manufacturer linked the MRP as these innocent gullible consumers have no idea about prices of competing medical devices and rely solely on the printed price or their faith in the hospital or doctor." The Commission has ordered a detailed probe by its investigation arm Director General (DG) after finding "prima facie" case of contravening competition norms. According to the Commission, the informant is primarily aggrieved by the conduct of the opposite parties in charging a higher MRP for disposable syringe manufactured by Becton Dickinson India (OP 1) and brought from an in house pharmacy located within the hospital network of Max Super Speciality Hospital (OP 2).   The price was found to be higher compared to MRP (Maximum Retail Price) of the same product in the open market. "Prima facie, the Commission is of the considered opinion that the conduct of OP 2 in charging higher price, through printing higher MRP on disposable syringe in connivance with OP 1, from the informant amounts to imposition of unfair price," which is in violation of competition norms," CCI said. Ordering the probe, the Commission said that in case the DG finds that the opposite parties have violated competition norms, then the role of the "officials/ persons" who at the time of such contravention were in-charge and responsible for the conduct of the business, should also be investigated. As per the order dated November 17, CCI is of the view that prima facie there is violation of Section 3 of the Competition Act that pertains to abuse of dominant position. CCI also noted that there is "no force in the arguments advanced by the counsels of OP 2 that DS available in the open market is different from the product sold by OP 2 in terms of packaging and its usefulness at the time of surgery".       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7283/siemens-receives-fda-clearance-for-multitom-rax-robotic-x-ray-system-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7283/siemens-receives-fda-clearance-for-multitom-rax-robotic-x-ray-system-.html Mon, 30 Nov 2015 11:23:53 +0530 Siemens Healthcare has announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) has cleared the Multitom Rax (Robotic Advanced X-ray). It is a universal diagnostic imaging system that enables a wide range of examinations in multiple clinical areas from emergency medicine and interventional to pain management and orthopedics, and from conventional 2D radiography to fluoroscopy examinations and angiography applications - all in one room using one X-ray system. The world's first Twin Robotic X-ray system, the Multitom Rax boasts a unique design that enables, for the first time, the acquisition of 3D natural weight-bearing images. "With the Multitom Rax, Siemens is proud to introduce the world's first Twin Robotic X-ray system," said Mr Martin Silverman, VP of X-ray Products at Siemens Healthcare North America. "This universal X-ray system delivers unprecedented versatility for health care facilities. Now, clinicians can perform a multitude of imaging exams in one room without moving the patient. With the Multitom Rax, we're opening a new chapter in X-ray technology." The unique open design of the Multitom Rax Twin Robotic X-ray system features a height-adjustable patient table and two independent, ceiling-mounted robotic arms for the X-ray tube head and the flat-panel detector for almost unlimited positioning freedom anywhere in the room. Both robotic arms can be moved into position automatically or manually with servo motor support to make fine adjustments. While one robotic arm moves the X-ray tube, the other arm carries the 17" x 17" flat panel detector, which can acquire static, dynamic, and Real 3D sequences. The operator is always in control of the system's movement and able to position both robotic arms precisely and safely around the patient. The Multitom Rax Twin Robotic X-ray system enables, for the first time, the acquisition of 3D images under the patient's natural weight-bearing condition - whether they are seated, lying down, or standing. Images acquired in the natural standing position are essential because the knees, pelvis and spinal column appear differently when the patient's body weight is applied compared to when the patient is lying down.   The Multitom Rax's 3D-ready image capabilities can offer better diagnostic and planning certainty than images that do not reflect a natural weight-bearing condition. Conventional 2D X-rays do not always reveal fine hairline fractures in the bone. In cases of a suspected bone fracture, the patient historically has required a computed tomography (CT) 3D image to confirm the diagnosis. With the Multitom Rax Twin Robotic X-ray system, a 3D image can be acquired on the same system, so the patient does not have to wait for a future appointment or be transferred to a CT system. Built-in features like Comprehensive CARE (Combined Applications to Reduce Exposure) and more precise positioning of the system aid in reducing patient radiation dose.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7711/3d-bio-printing-market-worth-1-82-bn-by-2022.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7711/3d-bio-printing-market-worth-1-82-bn-by-2022.html Fri, 27 Nov 2015 15:04:42 +0530 The global 3D bio-printing market size was valued at USD 487.0 million in 2014 and is expected to witness significant growth and attention from healthcare researchers over the forecast period due to, the rising incidences of chronic illnesses leading to organ and tissue transplants coupled with increasing life span of individuals and limited number of organ donors. According to market research and consulting firm Grand View Research, advancement in technology and incorporation of IT within the healthcare industry, rising geriatric population base and improving R&D efforts for the sector are likely to serve as high impact rendering drivers for this market. As of 2015, numerous universities and research institutes have begun analyzing the prospects of bio-printed implants, organs and tissue reconstructions. For instance, the Heriot-Watt University of Scotland created a 3D bio-printer capable of printing pluripotent stem cell cultures that may be applied for drug testing. Another example portraying the substantial development is the recently accomplished thyroid gland transplantation in mice by 3D Bio, for treating hypothyroidism.   If results are favorable, the company would start testing it for human use in the next two years. Technologies used in the 3D bio-printing industry include magnetic levitation, inkjet based, syringe based, and laser based 3D bio-printing. Magnetic levitation along with syringe based 3D bio-printers held the largest share in 2014 whereas laser technology is expected to witness the fastest growth. Also, syringe based technology is anticipated to gain higher adaptation over the next seven years. The next generation magnetic levitation 3D bio-printers are expected to solve more that 80% of the current failures encountered along with enhanced speed and precision. Magnetic levitation printers find application in toxicity screening, vascular smooth muscle printing, human cell generation and their drug response management. BioAssay is a company dealing with manufacturing of tissue-like structure which makes use of these printers on a large scale to benefit from magnetic levitation technology. Key applications analyzed in the study include dental, medical, biosensors, bioinks, food and animal product bio-printing and consumer/personal product testing. The medical segment is expected to dominate the market with over 30.0% share in 2022 and cover the regeneration of organs, tissues, implants and prosthetics along with medical pill production. Medical pills are the latest development in the 3D bio-printing market and are expected to witness lucrative growth over the forecast period. This growth may be attributed to the increasing need of medicines and the advantage of fast and cost efficient production of biodrugs using 3D bio-printing. According to various industry experts, the pharmaceutical industry is expected to grow multi-folds, thereby increasing the volume of medical pill production. Aprecia Pharmaceuticals received the first ever USFDA approval for 3D printing of their drug Spritam in August 2015. The drug would have therapeutic action in treatment of epileptic patients. North America is anticipated to dominate the global market in terms of revenue over the forecast period. It held over 35.0% of the market share as of 2014 is expected to grow at CAGR of over 10.0%. Presence of a huge geriatric and chronically ill population within the region coupled with refined healthcare infrastructure and reasonably higher patient disposable income levels are the key drivers of this market. Furthermore, extensive research activities currently conducted within the region are expected to be vital growth factor over the forecast period. The Wake Forest University of North Carolina presented their research for development of customized medication at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions (AHASS) in November 2015. The pills would be designed according to the biological profile of each patient which includes, organ function capacity, weight, gender and race. Asia Pacific is expected to witness lucrative growth owing to their pioneering presence in development of healthcare IT and quick adaption of technological advancements. Furthermore, rising awareness level, increasing foreign investments within the region for the purpose of research and supportive government initiatives is expected to propel this development over the next seven years. Key players operating in the 3D bio-printing industry include Organovo Holding, Cyfuse Biomedical, BioBots, Luxexcel Group BV, TeVido BioDevices, Aspect Biosystems, 3Dynamics Systems, Stratasys, Voxeljet, Oceanz, Materialise NV, Envision TEC, Bio3D Technologies, Solidscape and others. Most of the market players have formed tie-ups with research institutes and universities that work on grafting and organ regeneration technologies. Also, the players are scheduling various exhibitions and seminars in order to raise awareness regarding the industry globally. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/interviews/98/7228/india-will-become-a-leader-in-medtech-space-camtech-director.html https://biospectrumindia.com/interviews/98/7228/india-will-become-a-leader-in-medtech-space-camtech-director.html Fri, 27 Nov 2015 10:41:00 +0530 Its program involves clinical summits, hackathons, innovation awards, entrepreneur bootcamps, accelerator programs, co-creation labs and an online platform to support global health innovators continuously and across geographic boundaries. The director of CAMTech, Ms Elizabeth Bailey, spoke exclusively to BioSpectrum's Raj Gunashekar, voicing her thoughts on India's healthcare challenges, accelerating and commercializing innovations, CAMTech's India plans, collaborations, and addressing India's obstacles in the medtech space. Excerpts: Q: What are the current pressing healthcare challenges that you see in India? A: Through our work in India, and specifically since the launch of the CAMTech INDIA program, CAMTech has identified critical health challenges related to reproductive, maternal and child health (RMNCH) in India. The program aims to accelerate the development and adoption of new technologies to address preventable causes of death among women and children in India.   Specific areas that our events and initiatives have focused on include RMNCH challenges like newborn survival, safe births and family planning. In addition to RMNCH, our hackathon in October 2015 focused on innovation in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diabetes in India - a significant area of unmet needs. Q: How are these challenges, according to you, different in India compared to other LMIC countries? Any similarities? A: Neonatal mortality in India contributes to about a quarter of the world's total number of infant deaths each year, and 99% of maternal and newborn deaths occur in the developing world more broadly. While there are differences in the Indian ecosystem, we have seen some exciting opportunities for innovation in India to help solve clinical problems on a global scale. Issues of access to quality care, for example, are not unique to India, but in order for innovations to be successfully adopted here, they need to have local buy-in with an understanding of the local context. This is why CAMTech focuses on sourcing local innovation that involves local stakeholders. As we have seen in recent years, diabetes has become one of the leading causes of death in India, which in turn has serious implications on the healthcare system in India. This has motivated CAMTech to organize events that will work with local innovators in India to develop solutions that will help to address the epidemic in this country. Q: How is CAMTech involved in addressing these challenges? A: The process begins by identifying specific clinical challenges from our network of clinical, academic and industry partners. We work to tackle these challenges through medical technology hackathons and funding programs, which act as a way to crowdsource innovation and bring game-changing technological solutions forward. The most promising of these solutions are sourced and developed through CAMTech's ecosystem of incubation resources that help build and foster entrepreneurial capacity. Our program involves clinical summits, hackathons, innovation awards, entrepreneur bootcamps, accelerator programs, co-creation labs and an online platform to support global health innovators continuously and across geographic boundaries. Q: How do you view India's medtech landscape? How does it fare at the moment compared to the West? A: We see so much promise in India's medtech landscape. The passion and talent alone is unprecedented, and the entrepreneurial culture seems to be gaining momentum. What has been most exciting is to see how much innovators can accomplish, even with limited resources, compared to groups in the West. It is much more expensive to do business and launch ventures in the West, and I think India has a real competitive advantage because of the lower cost of doing business. I have no doubt that India will become a leader in the medtech space over the next decade, and it will have a huge impact not only on India but on other emerging and developing countries as well. And we see enormous potential for reverse innovation where new health technologies coming from India can help to reduce costs and improve the quality of care in markets like the US. Q: In India, what are the major challenges that you have experienced in moving an innovation forward? A: The entire CAMTech team and all of our partners in India have been really inspired by the community of health innovators across the country. There is a growing network of clinicians, engineers and entrepreneurs who are passionate about making a difference and improving health in India. The biggest challenge however, seems to be the fragmentation of the medtech innovation ecosystem. There are many people and organizations in India doing meaningful and impactful work, but they are not always able to work cohesively. One of the primary goals of the CAMTech program has been to bring these disparate groups together to work more collaboratively to accelerate the whole process of innovation. There has also been a dearth of resources and support for early-stage health innovators, and we are keenly focused on filling that gap with things like increasing mentorship, funding, technical assistance and partnership opportunities for Indian innovators. Q: Briefly explain what are the key elements needed to successfully accelerate healthcare medtech innovations in India. A: First and foremost, we want to start with real and identified clinical challenges. All too often, technologies are developed in isolation from clinicians, and that is why we have ended up with many technologies that are not used despite being available. CAMTech works closely with our clinical partners to identify challenges and have those drive the technology innovation process. We also believe that successful technologies incorporate business, medicine and technology right from the start. Successful innovations are ones that are not only technically-innovative, but also clinically-impactful and commercially-viable. No one group or discipline should be innovating in isolation, and cross-disciplinary teams are the ones who are most successful and expedite the entire process. In terms of what early-stage innovators need in this space, we often hear that there is not a roadmap or clear place to go to get guidance or needed information or resources. CAMTech and our partners are working to create an ecosystem that can support global health innovators through the entire process of technology development, commercialization and market adoption and scale. Q: Currently how does the healthcare entrepreneurship scene look like in India? A: As I've mentioned, the innovator community in India and their desire to make a difference has inspired us. We do hear from those in our innovator network that it's not necessarily celebrated to become an entrepreneur, and that parental expectations influence many people to take a more traditional professional path. We see that changing, however, but it has been slower outside of internet start-ups and particularly slow in the medtech space. The more that industry, government bodies and academia can do to promote and celebrate entrepreneurship, the more health start-ups we'll see. The passion is definitely there, but they also need a little push to get comfortable with all the risks a start-up presents. Q: Tell us about your key partners and the role they play in helping healthcare innovations. A: CAMTech's broad range of clinical, academic and industry partners play a large role in the success and impact that our organization has in India and throughout the world. Our partners provide ongoing clinical expertise and problem identification, event sponsorship, as well as mentorship, monetary awards and incubation support to global health innovators. Some of our key partners in India include Lattice Innovations, who plays an integral role in the planning and implementation of our events; the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) and Lata Medical Research Foundation (LMRF), whose expertise and experience within diverse clinical backgrounds has helped identify high-priority clinical challenges in India; GE Healthcare India, who has served as host for two CAMTech INDIA events, and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), which provides a unique opportunity for hackathon teams to compete for a monetary reward as well as mentorship after the hackathon. The National Health System Resource Center (NHSRC) also offers exciting opportunities in health technology assessment, piloting, connections with industry partners and facilitating a closer relationship between state governments and early-stage innovators. Q: How is CAMTech India supported? A: CAMTech INDIA is supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID/India), the Omidyar Network and the Bacca Foundation, in addition to several large medical device and technology companies such as Medtronic, GE, Merck for Mothers, AB InBev, the Novartis Foundation and others. The organization also draws on the expertise of many local partners. Q: Enlighten us about the current happenings at CAMTech. A: In June 2015, CAMTech launched the CAMTech Innovation Platform, which connects global health innovators worldwide with an extensive network of experts (across public health/medicine, technology and business), with a goal to accelerate the development and commercialization of affordable global health technologies and work to enable the entire continuum - from challenge identification to market adoption and scale-up. And diabetes initiative in October 2015 in Hyderabad was sponsored by Marico Innovation Foundation, Terumo and other industry sponsors, with an exciting group of clinical partners including Narayana Health, L V Prasad Eye Institute, the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), Madras Diabetes Research Foundation, Apollo Sugar Clinics and Dr Mohan's Diabetes Specialties Centre. Q: So far, tell us about what CAMTech has achieved in India. A: Since its launch, CAMTech INDIA has completed milestone events in Kolkata and Bangalore, including one hackathon at Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), one open healthcare hackathon and two RMNCH-focused 'Jugaad-a-thons', (how CAMTech refers to its India hackathons). CAMTech INDIA has also organized several clinical site visits, which serve as immersion opportunities for participants prior to the Jugaad-a-thon. The visits enable participants to gain insights into clinical environments and care pathways for women and children, and to better understand physician and hospital workflow. CAMTech INDIA has also hosted two clinical summits, a series of panel discussions that take place prior to the Jugaad-a-thon and feature a diverse group of stakeholders, such as patients, healthcare workers, government officials and public health experts, who are focused on tackling pressing clinical health challenges. Following both clinical summits, CAMTech has held two Technology Showcase events, featuring interactive presentations of early-stage and newly-marketed technologies focused on a particular area of care. Over 500 participants have attended CAMTech INDIA's events and tackled over 150 clinical challenges. During that time, they have created over 100 innovations designed to address critical health problems in the country. Q: Give us an idea about innovations and products that were enabled and accelerated by CAMTech successfully in India. A: Several innovations have come out of CAMTech INDIA events and initiatives, including:  2014 CAMTech India Jugaadathon First Prize Winner BabySteps: a mobile application that aids in early diagnosis of developmental delays in children  2014 CAMTech India Jugaadathon Second Prize Winner PEL-Dia: a measurement system developed to diagnose a condition called Cephalo Pelvic Disproportion - CPD occurs when the baby's head is too large to pass through the mother's pelvis  2015 CAMTech India Jugaad-a-thon First Place and CAMTech/USAID Grand Prize Winner Trust+: a mobile platform for adolescents and adults that encourages open and effective communication about safe sex and family planning  2015 CAMTech India/USAID First Place Winner Team Slow Forward: an effective video consultation for rural areas with low bandwidth  2015 CAMTech India/USAID Second Place Winner Team Peekaboo: an interactive gaming application that aids in identifying vision impairment for children  2015 GE Healthcare India First Place Award Winner Team O2-Matic: a low-cost method for oxygen production to address unpredictable availability of medical gases in limited resource settings Q: Tell us about how you collaborate with Indian academic universities and healthcare organizations? A: CAMTech's academic, clinical and industry partners in India have provided ongoing expertise, funding and participation in our events and initiatives. We seek to engage both public and private sector groups from a range of institutions that will help broaden our reach in the healthcare landscape and support the end-goal of accelerating medical technologies to tackle clinical challenges and move them toward commercialization and impact. Clinical organizations are at the heart of our program, because we want medical technology innovation to start with the clinical challenge and involve clinical end-users throughout the whole process. We also love working with our academic partners, including both students and faculty. Our first academic partner in India - VIT - has been outstanding in terms of supporting their students to engage in the CAMTech program to help drive healthcare innovation in India. They are a stellar example of what university leadership can enable in an academic setting by enabling their students to pursue their interests in healthcare innovation and empower them to chart their own path. Q: Going forward, what is CAMTech's plans in India? A: CAMTech is working to expand its platform in India to look at process and business model innovation in health, in addition to technology innovation. We are looking forward to strengthening our relationships with government groups and other stakeholders to help engage a diverse community of innovators focused on improving health in India and embracing new approaches to innovation. We are also looking to expand our connections to the corporate sector, with both more multinationals and small start-ups who want to be part of an open innovation platform. Good ideas can come from anywhere, so we want to be as broad and inclusive as we can to drive innovation in pursuit of a healthier India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8010/dell-announces-monitor-purpose-built-for-healthcare-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8010/dell-announces-monitor-purpose-built-for-healthcare-.html Fri, 27 Nov 2015 10:39:38 +0530 Dell has announced the release of the Dell Medical Review 24 Monitor (MR2416), the company's first monitor purpose-built for the healthcare environment. The monitor will debut at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)'s 2015 scientific assembly and annual meeting, beginning November 29 in Chicago. "As the number-one monitor brand in the world, we want to bring our innovation and expertise in display technology to the healthcare field with a selection of medical-grade Dell monitors," said Mr Bert Park, vice-president and GM, Dell Global Software and Peripherals. "The MR2416 is the first in a line of products we will be introducing to enable healthcare customers to improve their efficiency and service quality." Each Dell Medical Review 24 Monitor features an anti-reflective edge-to-edge covered glass on the front, and a smooth, fully sealed design that is IP-32 rated. A light-colored exterior makes fluid stains and contaminants easy to detect. In addition, the monitor can withstand cleaning agents of up to 75 percent concentrated ethyl alcohol solution, making it easy to clean and consistent with infection reduction initiatives. The monitor is calibrated to the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) part 14 standard grayscale, allowing healthcare professionals to review accurate, consistent images at the point of care. Intelligent backlight stabilization control ensures this DICOM calibration is maintained throughout the monitor's lifecycle. It features 24 inches of diagonal viewing area with 1920 x 1200 resolution (16:10 aspect ratio), providing compatibility with most image-enabled electronic medical or healthcare record (EMR/EHR) applications. While reviewing or sharing images with patients, healthcare professionals can switch the monitor's orientation between landscape and portrait and adjust height, tilt, pivot or swivel the monitor up to 60 degrees left and right with consistent 178-degree by 178-degree viewability from almost any angle for easy screen sharing. The device has also been designed to meet the IEC 60601-1 standard for medical design and safety requirements. The monitor includes features designed to make daily usage easier for healthcare workers, including an active screw-on cable clip to secure cables within the housing as well as mechanical pop-up Power and OSD buttons on the side of the monitor, designed to be easy to find even with gloves on.   As the latest entry from the world's leading monitor brand for two consecutive years, the Dell Medical Review 24 Monitor is backed by Dell's award-winning support, including a three-year Limited Hardware Warranty and Advanced Exchange Service offer that helps hospitals and doctors' offices minimize downtime. Dell is ISO13485 certified for design, development and support of medical displays. It is available for immediate sale in the United States. Call your Dell Sales representative for a quote today.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7515/fujifilm-presents-comprehensive-synapse-portfolio-at-rsna-2015.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7515/fujifilm-presents-comprehensive-synapse-portfolio-at-rsna-2015.html Thu, 26 Nov 2015 11:20:34 +0530 FUJIFILM Medical Systems will showcase its evolving portfolio of Synapse integrated solutions and unveil next generation upgrades at the 101st annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) held November 29 - December 4, 2015 at McCormick Place in Chicago. "Fujifilm's Synapse solutions are designed to help transform healthcare organizations as they enhance collaboration and optimize workflows across the enterprise," said Mr Jim Morgan, vice-president of Medical Informatics, FUJIFILM Medical Systems. He added, "Our goal is to provide innovative technologies that increase efficiency, boost productivity, and ultimately, help drive quality care and better patient outcomes." The following will be on exhibit and available for demonstration at RSNA Booth #4165: Synapse VNA from FUJIFILM TeraMedica the current KLAS Category Leader for VNA/Image Archive enables management, distribution, and visualization of DICOM and non-DICOM images and standards based documents from any departmental system. The next generation Synapse VNA version 6.0 will debut at RSNA. Major new features include a completely re-designed demographics quality assurance, user interface and support for VNA role-based dashboards. Synapse PACS, the cornerstone of the Synapse integrated solution line, offers new user interface with fast image display, unique Synapse Commonview sharing capability for outside and cloud study transfers, and integration capabilities with other radiology and EHR vendors to optimize workflow. Synapse 3D provides advanced visualization and analysis tools and fully integrates with Synapse PACS, eliminating the need to access advanced diagnostic tools on a separate workstation. Synapse 3D also offers image overlay tools so radiologists can use volumetric imaging to generate 3D models and quantitative analysis of organs. With synchronized patient lists, Synapse 3D is designed to optimize workflow and enhance diagnostic confidence.   Synapse RIS is a full-featured, workflow management system that is fully integrated with Synapse PACS. It features template scheduling, patient portal, business intelligence analytics and has complete EHR certification for Meaningful Use in radiology. Synapse Cardiovascular is a web-based platform that can fit any facility's IT infrastructure and offers capabilities and tools that help streamline workflow, image review, and reporting for a variety of cardiac areas with Synapse VNA version 6.0. It creates finalized, signed cardiovascular-structured reports quickly and easily, and is equipped with a graphical user interface. Synapse Mobility is a zero footprint enterprise viewer that supports VNA with a full suite of collaboration tools and embedded cloud based image sharing that allows clinicians to access patient information anytime, anywhere, from a variety of platforms or using a mobile application. Synapse Mobility provides advanced 3D viewing tools for radiology visualization.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7576/government-sets-its-mind-to-reduce-prices-of-medical-devices.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7576/government-sets-its-mind-to-reduce-prices-of-medical-devices.html Wed, 25 Nov 2015 14:33:14 +0530 Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) and Health Ministry Official's meet medical device importers, manufacturers and representatives of Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AIMED) to discuss the pricing of cardiac stents, pacemarker and implants. Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AIMED) urged the DoP to move in quickly to curb this malpractice and put in place a transparent and stringent MRP regime for imported goods so that average Indian consumers are not fleeced and retail price parity between domestically produced medical devices and imported products are made competitive based on a transparent labelling mechanism on display of the Maximum Retail Price inclusive of taxes (MRP), which is mandatory in India. At a meeting called by Secretary DOP where representatives of NHSRC, Ministry Of Health , CDSCO and NPPA were present along AIMED, some domestic Indian manufacturers and few implant importers were there in the meeting1- Dept of Pharmaceuticals(DOP) had earlier requested Implant importers and manufactures to consider to self regulate and bring down their MRP by 40-50 percent.2- The importers expressed their inability to make this change.3- The Govt directed all importers and manufacturers to submit their MRP to NPPA ( National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority) by 30 November and to ensure all unit packs of medical devices carry the MRP - not only the shelf boxes.4- NPPA will thereafter define the price cap on these Implants to address the huge price disparity and to ensure the devices remain affordable and accessible to the common man.5- The AIMED representatives cautioned the Government of the malpractice prevalent in trade of putting removable stickers with MRP on shelf packs / unit packs and being substituted by traders and the need to ensure preprinted prices on unit packs. According to Mr Rajiv Nath, forum coordinator, AIMED, "The malpractice of arbitrary MRP labeling is widely prevalent and the situation is serious enough to warrant immediate government's intervention to rectify the situation. Government has a duty to protect the Indian patients from undue enrichment by unscrupulous traders and manufacturers whereby retail prices go up when ex factory prices are going down and to ensure that there is level playing field between domestically produced medical goods and imported ones. We are very positive that DoP amd Health Ministry will definitely help the industry and the consumers to come out of this serious issue and we have already got positive signals after meeting with the department which held recently." Explaining how price distortion sets in due to flawed or non-existent MRP guidelines and even a more lax implementation of Indian laws regarding this, Mr Bejon Mishra a consumer activist from the organisation , Partnership for Safe Medicine explained that imported medical devices like many other items are imported in bulk and the duty is also paid on bulk and importers claim these are not consumer goods but for hospital use. The government and customs must ensure that all individually packed units for sale of any medical device - big or small even if X-Ray machine, should have the MRP preprinted on the unit pack , there needs to be an import tax of at least one percent on this MRP and the bill of entry and invoice should have the transaction price per unit as well as the MRP per unit to ensure no malpractices of switching of labels post import. Currently importers pay tax on transaction invoice value and not on basis of the MRP.         ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3661/ge-inks-distribution-pact-with-dilon-diagnostics-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3661/ge-inks-distribution-pact-with-dilon-diagnostics-.html Wed, 25 Nov 2015 10:46:18 +0530 DILON Diagnostics and GE Healthcare are pleased to announce that they have signed an agreement for DILON to distribute GE's Discovery NM750b Molecular Breast Imaging system in select geographies across the globe. The signing of this distribution agreement will provide Dilon's experienced distribution network access to GE's Discovery NM750b Molecular Breast Imaging system and is considered an initial step in an ongoing exploration of ways to provide better healthcare solutions for clinicians and their patients. The Discovery NM750b breast imaging system, designed to provide significant enhancement in lesion detectability, offers clinicians an important tool for imaging of a broad range of patients, including those with dense breast who may be at higher risk for breast cancer. The power of functional imaging to see early changes is a key factor in early detection in breast cancer. "We are very pleased to associate with GE Healthcare, a world leader in innovation, in the fight against breast cancer," said Dr Robert G Moussa, DILON Diagnostics chairman and CEO. "This relationship will enable us to expand our product portfolio and offer a complete spectrum of BSGI/MBI solutions to better meet the needs of our customers." "We are excited to make the Discovery NM750b breast imaging system further available and to benefit from DILON's global and solid network of sales representatives," said Mr Nathan Hermony, Nuclear Imaging global business manager for GE Healthcare. "GE believes strongly in this advanced technology and the potential for this type of imaging to improve breast cancer diagnosis. DILON Diagnostics resources will bring further the education and acceptance of Molecular Breast Imaging," he adds.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8258/medgenome-appoints-new-ceo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8258/medgenome-appoints-new-ceo.html Fri, 20 Nov 2015 13:51:19 +0530 Mr Girish Mehta has previously served as CEO of Oncquest Laboratories and Piramal Diagnostic. He is an alumnus of IIT Mumbai and IIM Kolkata. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4897/philips-india-appoints-new-md-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4897/philips-india-appoints-new-md-.html Wed, 18 Nov 2015 16:57:56 +0530 In his new role, Mr Raja will be responsible for driving and building the Healthcare and Consumer Lifestyle businesses for Philips in India. Mr Raja takes over from Mr A Krishna Kumar, who moved to a new role effective 1st September, 2015 as Head of the Emerging Businesses Group for Philips globally, and is based in Netherlands. Mr Raja brings a wealth of experience spanning over three decades across diverse industries including Healthcare, Consumer Products and Food, in leadership roles in finance, business development, and procurement. He joins from TE Connectivity, where he was the President of India Operations since 2011. Prior to TE Connectivity, Mr Raja worked with GE for 14 years of which 7 years as Business leader of GE Healthcare South Asia and has a proven track record of delivering strong growth and profitability, and nurturing and growing talent.   Mr Ronald de Jong, Chief Market Leader of Royal Philips said, ".....Based upon the solid foundation that was established under Krishna's leadership, Mr Raja will play a key role in further strengthening our position in the Indian market as the leading company in health and well-being." Commenting on his role at Philips India, Mr Raja said, "I am very excited to work with Philips, the company that has been innovating consistently to cater to the needs of modern day customers while maintaining the technological lead that lies at its core since its inception. It will definitely be an enriching experience to be part of a team that is changing the way India defines healthy living." Mr Raja is a Commerce graduate from Kolkata, Chartered Accountant and Company Secretary. Before GE, Raja has worked for other multinationals including Hindustan Unilever for over 8 years.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6563/fda-approves-first-app-based-monitoring-system-for-pacemakers-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6563/fda-approves-first-app-based-monitoring-system-for-pacemakers-.html Wed, 18 Nov 2015 12:59:19 +0530 Medtronic has announced the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) approval and the US commercial availability of the MyCareLink Smart Monitor, the world's first app-based remote monitoring system for patients with implantable pacemakers. With the MyCareLink Smart Monitor, patients with a Medtronic pacemaker can use their own smartphone or tablet technology, with cellular or Wi-Fi service, to securely transmit data from their pacemakers to their physicians, who can then interpret the data to make treatment decisions. The MyCareLink Smart Monitor is comprised of a handheld portable device reader, prescribed by a physician, and the MyCareLink Smart mobile app, available for free on both Android and Apple platforms. When the MyCareLink Smart Monitor is connected to cellular or Wi-Fi service, patients can initiate a transmission of pacemaker data by securely uploading the information to the Medtronic CareLink Network, the world's leading remote monitoring service for cardiac device patients, currently being used by more than one million patients. In addition to sending information from their pacemakers to their physicians or clinics, patients using the MyCareLink Smart Monitor can Confirm the date of their most recent transmission of pacemaker information; create a personalized profile on the MyCareLink Connect Website to manage their pacemaker information and data transmissions and receive email or text reminders, confirmations and notifications of their data transmissions. By connecting patients and physicians, remote cardiac monitoring provides many clinical and economic benefits. These include faster time to treatment if the physician detects a problem with the pacemaker based on the transmitted data; less time spent at a doctor's office or clinic for regular checks of the pacemaker reduced time spent in the hospital if the physician quickly detects and treats a medical problem and a potential increase in patient survival rates. "The use of smart technology continues to grow among people of all ages, and especially among people over 65 which is the age range of the majority of our pacemaker patients," said Mr Darrell Johnson, vice president and general manager of the Connected Care business in the Cardiac and Vascular Group at Medtronic. "As a leader in remote cardiac monitoring, Medtronic is committed to providing cardiac patients with the latest technology to improve their health and make their lives easier, while helping to reduce the costs of healthcare. The MyCareLink Smart Monitor is just the first of many innovative solutions we are developing that leverage smart technology to increase patient engagement."       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3169/fujifilm-medical-systems-announces-new-coo-and-cmo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3169/fujifilm-medical-systems-announces-new-coo-and-cmo.html Tue, 17 Nov 2015 11:54:20 +0530 FUJIFILM Medical Systems USA has announced that Dr Johann Fernando and Dr Diku Mandavia will join the executive leadership team. Dr Johann was named chief operating officer and Dr Diku was named chief medical officer effective September 28, 2015. "We are pleased to welcome Johann and Diku to join Fujifilm's executive leadership team," said Mr Masataka Akiyama, president and CEO of FUJIFILM Medical Systems USA. "Their broad experience and proven success in the industry will support our efforts to increase customer focus and innovation, enhance strategic and tactical execution, and accelerate growth." As chief operating officer, Dr Fernando will provide day-to-day leadership and management for Sales, Medical Informatics and Modality Solutions Divisions, Business Operations, and Service to help achieve the company's sales and profitability goals and establish sustainable growth. He also leads the effort to expand our Healthcare IT business and drive collaboration across business units. Trained as a medical imaging physicist, Johann has worked in positions of increased responsibility and leadership with Picker and Marconi Medical Systems, Agilent Technologies, ADAC Labs and Philips Healthcare. Most recently he was vice president and general manager for Accuray. Dr Fernando has an MBA from Case Western Reserve University, and a PhD in Radiology Imaging from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. As chief medical officer for FUJIFILM Medical Systems USA and FUJIFILM SonoSite, Dr Mandavia will provide strategic leadership for the healthcare portfolio efforts by overseeing a growing list of activities related to patient care, medical professional networking, and health systems interaction. He joined FUJIFILM SonoSite, as a medical advisor in 2007, is a Clinical Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Southern California, and was an Attending Staff Physician at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles. He is also a founding member and past chair of the ACEP Ultrasound Section, taught thousands of physicians worldwide, lectured at over 150 national and international conferences, has contributed to over 90 publications, and is co-director of the National Resuscitation Conference. He received his medical degree from Memorial University in Canada, and is a graduate of the Stanford Executive Program.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8057/ge-emerson-team-up-to-drive-biopharma-manufacturing-efficiency-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8057/ge-emerson-team-up-to-drive-biopharma-manufacturing-efficiency-.html Tue, 17 Nov 2015 11:54:02 +0530 GE Healthcare's Life Sciences business and Emerson Process Management has announced a collaboration aimed at increasing productivity and improving efficiency in the production of biopharmaceuticals such as monoclonal antibodies and vaccines. The two companies will collaborate to integrate Emerson's DeltaV distributed control system with GE Healthcare's enterprise offerings and start-to-finish technologies for the global biomanufacturing industry. The first DeltaV-driven GE Healthcare installation, which is expected to be complete before the end of the year, will be a FlexFactory, GE's integrated manufacturing platform based on single-use technologies. Biopharmaceutical manufacturers are increasingly looking to automate production processes, driven by the industry need to increase efficiency and reduce costs. GE's start-to-finish portfolio of single-use bioprocessing technologies already allows manufacturers to reduce set-up times and increase manufacturing flexibility. Emerson's DeltaV system, which uses predictive technologies to connect people, processes and production, enables remote monitoring and control from multiple locations across a company's network and is already widely used in the pharmaceutical industry. The DeltaV system will be offered as an automation control platform for GE's single-use bioprocessing offerings. Mr Emmanuel Ligner, global commercial manager, BioProcess, GE Healthcare Life Sciences, said, "Healthcare providers and the biopharmaceutical industry are facing enormous pressures. Emerson and GE share a vision that an integrated and automated approach to manufacturing has the potential to help drive improvements in production efficiency of these life-saving medicines. This collaboration with Emerson, combined with our depth and breadth of expertise in start-to-finish technologies for bioprocessing, promises to bring real benefits to our customers and to healthcare providers worldwide."   "We believe that the combination of Emerson's automation technologies and the GE FlexFactory will offer superior process performance, consistency of product, and reduced validation time," said Mr Jerry Brown, senior vice president of industry solutions for Emerson Process Management. "This collaboration will support more predictable processes that eliminate unnecessary work, which translates into a reduced time to market for our customers."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8107/icgeb-scientist-wins-infosys-prize-2015-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8107/icgeb-scientist-wins-infosys-prize-2015-.html Mon, 16 Nov 2015 18:18:01 +0530 In its 7th year now, the coveted prize this year in Life Sciences was awarded to Dr Amit Sharma (47), group leader, structural and computational biology group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, for his outstanding contributions in deciphering the molecular structure, at the atomic level, of key proteins involved in the biology of pathogenesis of malarial parasite. Dr Sharma has a PhD from Northwestern University, USA, in Protein Crystallography (1995). He then pursued his post-doctoral work at the Oxford University, UK, between 1996-2000, in the area of structural biology. His work on the deadly malarial parasite has the potential value for vaccine design, and development of therapeutics for malaria. The prize consists of cash worth Rs 65 lakh, a 22 karat gold medallion, and a citation certificate. Previously, winners were given a cash prize of Rs 55 lakh.   Mr Shibulal, president, board of trustees, Infosys Science Foundation, attributed this increase to the current currency exchange rates, while addressing the media on the morning of November 16, 2015, during the official awards announcement at the Infosys Campus, Bangalore. The Infosys Science Foundation, a not-for-profit trust created in 2009, has been awarding top minds in research and science across 6 categories to foster a culture of scientific thinking and 'restore the romance of research'. The categories include Engineering and Computer Science, Humanities, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physical Sciences and Social Sciences. The Foundation is funded by a corpus which stands at Rs 130 crore (US $20 million), contributed by Infosys' former board directors and senior management. In 2014, under the Life Sciences category, Prof Shubha Tole, an associate professor and principal investigator, department of biological sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai, won the award. For 2013, Dr Rajesh Gokhale, director, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), New Delhi, bagged the prize for the same category. The awarding ceremony will be held on February 13, 2016, in New Delhi, with the winners being felicitated by Hon. Indian President Shri Pranab Mukherjee. For 2015, the organization received as many as 206 nominations in all the 6 categories, compared to 136 in 2009. Here is the break-up of nominations:  Engineering and Computer Science: 44 Humanities: 32 Life Sciences: 40 Mathematical Sciences: 27 Physical Sciences: 40 Social Sciences: 23 He pointed that the number of nominations have gone up in the last 7 years. "The winners' work will take time for the impact to materialize. These are fundamental research which will get applied over a period of time," he added. Once a person is nominated, the nomination is valid for 3 years, said Mr Shibulal. "Nominees' merit, their work in India, and an age limit of 50 years, in exceptional situations up to 55, are the basic criteria, and the final decision is taken by the jury," he said. Nominees are always nominated by peers and has the chance to get nominated again by another peer. However, self-nominations are not considered by the jury. When asked about the impact of research works of previous years' winners, Mr Narayan Murthy said, "It is not fair to judge people in such shorter periods of time. In the long-term, we will see their works having tremendous impact on the whole world." He continued, "We have no doubt at all that advancements in scientific research will indeed make India and the world a better place. It makes more sense why we should focus on science, engineering & technology and social sciences, because that's the only way we can create a better world. We have to keep recognizing more and more people who have done excellent work in scientific research... The difference between the rich and poor is coming down. Access to education, healthcare and nutrition has become easier for the poorer masses through advances in science and technology." The winners of the other 5 categories are:  Engineering and Computer Science Prof Umesh Waghmare, Professor - Theoretical Sciences Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bangalore, India, is awarded for his innovative use of first-principles theories and modeling in insightful investigations of microscopic mechanisms responsible for specific properties of certain materials such as topological insulators, ferro-electrics, multi-ferroics and graphene.  Humanities Prof Jonardon Ganeri, Global Network Visiting Professor of Philosophy, New York University and Recurrent Visiting Professor, Department of Philosophy, King's College London, UK, is awarded for his outstanding scholarship and originality in interpreting and scrutinizing analytical Indian Philosophy and shedding light on shared ground as well as the dichotomy between Indian and Greek traditions of philosophical reasoning.  Mathematical Sciences Prof Mahan Maharaj, Associate Professor of Mathematics, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University, Belur Math, Howrah, India, is awarded for his contributions to geometric group theory, low-dimensional topology and complex geometry. In particular, he established a central conjecture in the Thurston program to study hyperbolic 3-manifolds and introduced important new tools to study fundamental groups of complex manifolds.  Physical Sciences Prof G Ravindra Kumar, Professor, Department of Nuclear and Atomic Physics (DNAP), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai, India, is awarded for his pioneering experimental contributions to the physics of high intensity laser matter interactions. In particular for providing, for the first time, unequivocal evidence of turbulent magnetic fields and the discovery of terahertz frequency acoustic waves, in laser produced hot dense plasmas. These results have significance to testing stellar and astrophysical scenarios.  Social Sciences Dr Srinath Raghavan, an ex-military officer, and Senior Fellow, Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi, India, is awarded for outstanding research that synthesizes military history, international politics, and strategic analysis into powerful and imaginative perspectives on India in global context. The winners of the Infosys Prize 2015 were evaluated by a panel of jurors including Prof Pradeep K Khosla (University of California, San Diego, USA) for Engineering and Computer Science; Prof Amartya Sen (Harvard University, USA) for Humanities; Dr Inder Verma (Salk Institute of Biological Sciences, USA) for Life Sciences; Prof Srinivasa S R Varadhan (New York University, USA) for Mathematical Sciences; Prof Shrinivas Kulkarni (California Institute of Technology, USA) for Physical Sciences; and Prof Kaushik Basu (The World Bank, USA) for Social Sciences. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6898/quintiles-contributes-open-source-code-to-researchkit-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6898/quintiles-contributes-open-source-code-to-researchkit-.html Fri, 13 Nov 2015 17:19:23 +0530 Quintiles has announced its contribution of enhancements to the ResearchKit framework which was designed by Apple to make it easy for researchers to gather data more frequently and more accurately from research participants using iPhone apps. ResearchKit enables participants to easily complete tasks or submit surveys right from an app and delivers a simple way to present participants with an interactive informed consent process. Quintiles contributed enhancements to the ResearchKit framework to provide developers with extensions that support additional capabilities which, in turn, will allow them to create more sophisticated application experiences. Quintiles plans to use these enhancements to develop patient engagement tools for ResearchKit-based apps. As the number one ranked late-phase research organization, Quintiles' technology and digital health experts are actively integrating and further enhancing ResearchKit as a tool for its customers' research studies to deliver a superior patient and caregiver experience. "Quintiles has a deep understanding of patient behavior, having conducted more than 400 direct-to-patient programs since 2008," said Quintiles President of Technology and Solutions Mr Richard Thomas. He added, "We embraced those principles in our development of enhancements to the ResearchKit framework." "We believe Quintiles' contribution of these enhancements is a significant advancement within the clinical research industry," Mr Thomas continued. He added, "They will not only improve the apps Quintiles develops for its own use, but can enhance all apps developed using ResearchKit. Working with the ResearchKit framework gives us a profound understanding of its capabilities and how best to optimize it in the apps we develop for our clinical research customers."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6551/philips-mackenzie-health-announce-strategic-partnership-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6551/philips-mackenzie-health-announce-strategic-partnership-.html Fri, 13 Nov 2015 12:37:47 +0530 Royal Philips and Mackenzie Health has announced a CAD 300 million (approximately $225.457 million), 18-year large scale alliance that will advance Mackenzie Health's medical technology procurement and maintenance programs for the existing Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital and the future Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital, which will be completed in 2019. The collaboration is based on a managed equipment services model through which Mackenzie Health will have access to state-of-the art equipment (including those of other vendors) and services for a multi-year term under a single payment structure. This includes procurement, installation, systems integration, maintenance and timely updates to ensure that the hospitals will be provided with the medical technologies that their departments require for the optimal delivery of care. The collaboration further includes a broad range of services including room design, cloud-based predictive analytics and diagnostic technologies. The largest of its kind in Canada, this managed equipment services agreement aims to transform and improve healthcare for over half a million patients in the area. The new 350-bed 'smart' hospital in Vaughan will be the first new hospital to be built in Southwest York Region in more than 50 years. Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital will embrace connected health technologies or the 'Internet of Healthcare Things' to offer a state-of-the-art emergency department, modern surgical services and operating rooms, access to acute inpatient and intensive care beds, technologically-advanced medical imaging, specialized ambulatory clinics and a flexible design, enabling it to evolve as new thinking and best practices emerge. "To bring our 'smart hospital' vision to life, we are partnering with industry leaders like Philips who are at the forefront of innovation," said Mr Altaf Stationwala, president and CEO of Mackenzie Health. "The new Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital has the potential to transform the lives of residents in our community, who are in need of quality care throughout their healthcare journey. We chose Philips not only for their products, but also for their expertise and solutions. Mackenzie Health is committed to working with our healthcare partners to deliver a state-of-the-art hospital as part of our vision to create a world-class health experience for the people of Southwest York Region and beyond."   As a strategic partner, Mackenzie Health will have early and ongoing access to the latest Philips healthcare technology innovations, including access to Philips expertise in areas such as systems interoperability, diagnostic imaging equipment utilization, radiology practice management, patient-centric design, and alarm management. Moreover, both Philips and Mackenzie Health will look at ways that patient informatics can be presented as actionable data that will enable predictive, preventative, and population health interventions. This will not only help ensure continuity of patient care, it will help to effectively improve clinical outcomes for patients, reduce costs, and make healthcare more sustainable both inside the hospital network and into the communities that Mackenzie Health serves. "Forward-thinking organizations such as Mackenzie Health understand that in order to transform healthcare and deliver the type of care their communities need and deserve, they need public-private partnerships with industry-leaders like Philips that have a proven track record of industry expertise and innovation," said Mr Iain Burns, CEO of Philips Canada. "It takes more than just technology to deliver the right solutions, you need to have a deep understanding of the consumer and the healthcare industry to apply best practices for effective patient-centric care. And with this type of large scale partnership, we are an accountable partner, which will ultimately allow Mackenzie Health to focus on doing what they do best: caring for the people in their fast growing community."     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6886/medtronic-launches-venaseal-closure-system-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6886/medtronic-launches-venaseal-closure-system-.html Thu, 12 Nov 2015 10:00:00 +0530 Medtronic has announced the US availability of the VenaSeal closure system, the first and only non-tumescent, non-thermal, non-sclerosant procedure approved for the treatment of symptomatic venous reflux in the US. The VenaSeal closure system was approved through the FDA's Pre-Market Approval (PMA) process, and is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a proprietary medical adhesive to close superficial veins of the lower extremities, such as the great saphenous vein, in patients with symptomatic venous reflux. Using ultrasound, the physician guides a catheter through a small access site in the leg and into the diseased area of the vein. Once in place, the physician administers the VenaSeal adhesive at various points in a segmental fashion, and with manual compression, closes the vein. Blood is re-routed through other healthy veins in the leg. This unique approach eliminates the risk of burning or nerve injury that is sometimes associated with thermal-based procedures. The procedure is administered without the use of tumescent anesthesia, minimizing the need for multiple needle sticks. In the VeClose trial, patients reported minimal - to - no pain or bruising, post procedure. "Medtronic today furthers our commitment to providing treatment options for patients with symptomatic venous reflux, a disease that can significantly impact quality of life," said Ms Sandra Lesenfants, vice president and general manager of the endoVenous business in Medtronic's Aortic and Peripheral Vascular division. "Thousands of patients have benefited from this procedure around the world, and we are pleased to now offer this advanced technology as an option to our U.S. physicians and patients." The VenaSeal system is currently available in the USA, New Zealand, Chile, South Africa, Australia, Canada, Europe, United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3664/ge-healthcare-buys-the-camden-group.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3664/ge-healthcare-buys-the-camden-group.html Wed, 11 Nov 2015 11:36:27 +0530 GE Healthcare has announced that it is expanding its US healthcare consulting business with the acquisition of The Camden Group, a population health and strategic advisory firms. GE Healthcare Camden Group will act as the US business unit of GE Healthcare's global advisory firm, GE Healthcare Partners. GE Healthcare Camden Group will be uniquely equipped to enable US healthcare organizations to navigate the transforming healthcare industry by combining The Camden Group's visionary leadership in healthcare consulting for more than 2,000 healthcare organizations with GE Healthcare's clinical and leadership expertise around the world. Terms of the transaction are not being disclosed. "By teaming up with GE Healthcare Partners, the combined firm is one of the largest healthcare consulting firms in the US," said Mr Daniel J Marino, an executive vice-president of the new GE Healthcare Camden Group. "We are positioned well to assist clients as they navigate through post-healthcare reform and transition into value-based care. As a full-service firm, GE Healthcare Camden Group has the ability to provide a broad array of advisory and implementation services delivering distinct advantages and greater impact to our clients." GE Healthcare Camden Group's trusted advisors will be able to help clients transform operational productivity through unique, integrated solutions that combine expertise with complex modeling and financial analytics for powerful, outcomes-based results. The group has deep domain knowledge in hospital operations, physician practice transformation, transactions, performance improvement and change management. Mr Laurent Dubois, CEO of GE Healthcare Partners, said, "Health systems are seeking to deliver care and manage their organizations as effectively as possible. Bringing The Camden Group and its team of industry-recognized thought leaders and advisors into the GE family expands our breadth to support clients not only in the clinical arena, but across entire health systems." The acquisition builds on GE Healthcare's broader mission to develop analytics-based solutions that deliver transformational, enterprise-wide outcomes for healthcare. Last year, GE Healthcare acquired Finnamore and Foresight Partnership to further expand its consultancy and solutions business globally. Ms Laura Jacobs, an executive vice-president of the new GE Healthcare Camden Group said, "This blending of capabilities, experience, and resources creates a unique offering for the healthcare industry. We are excited to join the GE Healthcare family and provide our clients access to the analytics, change management, and activation resources that will support the organizational and clinical changes required to be successful in healthcare now and into the future."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7046/indias-first-medical-device-park-to-come-up-in-ap.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7046/indias-first-medical-device-park-to-come-up-in-ap.html Tue, 10 Nov 2015 10:05:00 +0530 Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Mr Chandrababu Naidu has taken in-principle decision to develop a dedicated 200 acre industrial park for the manufacture of medical devices in his state. The decision was conveyed by Mr Naidu himself following an hour-long tripartite meeting between the CM and his senior officials, senior central government officials with the representatives of Indian medical device industry led by Forum Coordinator of Association of Indian Medical Device Manufacturers (AIMED) and Jt. managing director of Hindustan Syringes and Medical Devices,  Mr Rajiv Nath. The Association was able to impress upon Mr Naidu and the Central government representatives as to why it made tremendous sense to have such a facility. In particular, Mr Nath was able to bring out its criticality for the country as well as its contribution for industrial development and employment generation in the state and huge growth potential. Indian medical device industry is worth over Rs 60,000 crore. And country's humungous import bill for this segment amounts to over Rs 23,000 crore (approximately $4 billion) while export amounts to only over Rs 7000 crore ($1.1 billion). India's import dependency on high-end medical devices is over 80 per cent and 60-70 percent for other devices And this is where the dedicated medical device park would be of great value - reducing humongous import dependency, increasing export while generating wealth and employment within. "I am extremely thankful to Chief Minister Shri Chandrababu Naidu for recognizing the opportunity and taking a quick and firm decision to set up India's first medical device park in his state," said Mr Rajiv Nath. "This will be a wonderful opportunity for the state to increase its industrial footprint, create employment while giving a big boost to import substitution for the country. We are truly excited with the decision," added Mr Nath.   Mr Naidu has also assured AIMED representatives that he will personally address any issue over implementation of the decision and looked forward to early commencement of work and for the needful policy support required. Dedicated areas will soon be identified for the medical device park. The Park will be having a Common Manufacturing Facility Centre to act as a Hub for SME Sector to enable it to flourish as a Cluster. Focus will be on creating an Eco System for High End Medical Device Manufacturing and Import Substitution with an eye for Export Market. Shri Sudesh Pant, Jt. secy Dept of Pharmaceutical and Shri Ravi Capoor, Jt secy Dept of Commerce, Government of India along with Dr Poonam Malakondaiah, Health Secretary AP Govt , Mr Kamineni Srinivas Health Minister of Andhra Pradesh and Dr Jitendar Sharma, Advisor to AP Govt. on Health & Medical Technology (also the head of Technology Division of NHSRC, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, GOI ) were part of the meeting. Apart from Mr Rajiv Nath, the industry was represented Mr A Manikam, Director of Trivitron, Mr Rakesh Shah of Siora Surgicals representing the orthopedic implants and Mr Krishna Prasad President of Prognosys Medical Systems represented the Electronic Sector and Mr. Suresh Sugavanam VP of UL India, the Testing and Certification Fraternity. Central government officials apprised the meeting that the government was working at the highest level to address the issue of inverted duty structure which is stunting growth of this industry and provide preferential market access to boost domestic manufacturing. It was also informed that a new Draft Policy on Medical Device sector was also being worked upon and shortly a National Policy on Medical Device will be released.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4168/indias-first-industry-academia-collaborative-partnership-for-medical-devices-rd-takes-shape.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4168/indias-first-industry-academia-collaborative-partnership-for-medical-devices-rd-takes-shape.html Fri, 06 Nov 2015 16:18:48 +0530 Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AIMED) has announced the launch of 'UdaiMed', a new sunrise forum for collaborative interface between User, Developer, Academia, Industry and Medical Device Development in India. The objective of this momentous milestone collaboration for academic-industry in India is to make on-campus research more aligned to medical device industry's needs and catalyze 'Make-in-India' program. To take forward this objective, AIMED and UdaiMed also signed its first MoU with TiMed(Technology Business Incubator), a not-for-profit registered society promoted by SreeChitraTirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), Thiruvananthapuram,for encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship in medical technologies through technology business incubation support to innovators, start-ups and industry. SreeChitraTirunal Institute is an Institute of 'National Importance' created by an Act of Indian Parliameunt in 1980 and SCTIMST-TiMed is financially supported by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India and the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC). Under the terms of new partnership, Shree Chitra will launch TiMeD a 'Technology Business Incubator' with the broad objective of supporting and facilitating innovation, entrepreneurship, start-ups, new product development specifically aimed at medical devices development and biomaterials domain. TiMed will offer office and laboratory space with several common facilities like internet access, library, canteen, video-conferencing facilities for taking forward this collaboration. According to Mr Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator for AIMED and a signatory to the MoU between the two bodies, "The partnership between AIMED led UdaiMed and TiMed is a milestone for industry-academia partnership in the country which will foster world class practical research in India, catalyzing Make-in-India mission, help reduce humungous import dependency in medical devices and bring down overall healthcare cost."   Explaining the need for such an initiative, Mr Nath pointed towards the ground realities of campus R&D in India stating that, "R&D institutions and engineering colleges do product development in isolation while industry has little or no idea of work being done there, and often such research have no relevance for industry. Collaboration between institutions and industry is completely absent even as most development is for peer academia acclaim rather than meeting industry's needs or contributing to country's competitive prowess." As a next step, Dr Jitender Sharma, Head of Healthcare Technology Division of NHSRC, MOH&FW (also party to this initiative)said, "AIMED/UdaiMed could request the Government to auction all Patents which are not yet commercialized so that these can be put to use by Indian manufacturers for the benefit of Indian consumers and medical fraternity". Speaking on behalf of SCTIMST-TIMED, Mr BalramSankaran, CEO, said, "Developing and commercializing medical devices is very challenging but extremely critical for competitive edge of our country. The partnership betweenTiMed and UdaiMed will help nurture a much needed eco-system which can deliver great results. We are extremely delighted with this partnership."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4517/bosch-signs-mou-with-iisc.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4517/bosch-signs-mou-with-iisc.html Thu, 05 Nov 2015 14:25:38 +0530 Bosch India has further enhanced its partnership with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on October 28, 2015. Through this MoU Bosch and IISc will collaborate to address India centric requirements. The signed MoU's were exchanged between Bosch and IISc in the presence of the Hon'ble President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Delhi on November 04, 2015 Commenting on this development, Dr Steffen Berns, president of Bosch Group in India, said, "Based on this MoU we intend to develop solutions that address key India centric requirements. Innovation has always been a special strength of Bosch. This partnership between industry and academia further enforces our ties with the IISc and underlines our commitment towards local innovations, according to our slogan "Invented for life". We expect to see positive results as we collaborate in research on areas of strategic interest, such as mobility, healthcare, energy and water." Professor Anurag Kumar, Director, IISC said, "Robert Bosch Centre for Cyber Physical Systems at IISc has helped define a trail for industry-academia collaboration. With the MoU sign off we look to engage in deeper research that will improve the quality of life in totality." In May 2011, the Bosch Group had announced investments totalling Rs 300 crores to provide support for universities and research projects in Germany, China, India, and the US over a ten year period, as part of its global initiative 'Bosch InterCampus Program'. The program aims to achieve lasting improvements in research conditions for undergraduates and scientists in the university sphere. Approximately Rs 115 crores (22 mio Euro) were allotted for India to accelerate progress in highly promising fields like environmental protection, energy, and mobility. The Robert Bosch Centre for Cyber Physical Systems was setup at IISc with this grant and is currently in its fourth year.   With the signing of the new MoU, Bosch and IISc will deepen their already existing relationship. Commenting on the signing of the new MoU, Mr Vijay Ratnaparkhe, president, Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions said, "These partnerships symbolize Bosch's innovation focus in India. It will increase our problem solving capabilities, and at the same time the collaboration will result in sharing our learnings for the benefit of society. I believe it is absolutely essential for the growth of innovation in India."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7145/allergan-to-acquire-a-medtech-firm-earfold.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7145/allergan-to-acquire-a-medtech-firm-earfold.html Thu, 05 Nov 2015 14:21:58 +0530 Allergan has announced that it has entered into an agreement under which Allergan will acquire Northwood Medical Innovation, developer of innovative implant technology, earFold, an innovative medical device for the correction of prominent ears, with or without asymmetry, in patients aged 7 years and older. earFold received a CE mark in April 2015, and has been made available by Northwood Medical Innovation Ltd to trained and accredited plastic surgeons, otolaryngologists (Ear, Nose and Throat) and maxillo-facial surgeons, primarily in the UK. Upon closure of the deal with Northwood Medical Innovation Ltd, Allergan intends to commercialise the product widely across Europe, in line with its CE mark, and will continue to explore the regulatory pathways and necessary clinical data requirements to commercialise this medical device in other countries, including the United States of America. "Allergan is constantly searching to partner with or acquire companies with disruptive technologies that offer substantive value to our customers, often opening up new categories or setting new trends within our specialist segments. An example of this is the strategic acquisition of KYTHERA, with KYBELLA (marketed as BELKYRA in Canada) (deoxycholic acid) injection, the only FDA approved non-surgical pharmaceutical treatment for reduction of submental fat, or double chins," said Mr Paul Navarre, president and EVP of International Brands at Allergan. He added, "earFold technology adds another innovative product to our medical aesthetics product portfolio, especially for the plastic surgeons we serve today, and has the potential to expand the number of patients interested in corrective surgery as it provides an alternative treatment that may appeal to those who have been reluctant to undergo traditional surgical procedures. Many of Allergan's plastic surgery customers currently perform otoplasty procedures, emphasizing our commitment to serving the unmet needs and practice of plastic surgery." earFold is a small implantable medical device made from a short strip of nitinol metal alloy, which is specifically designed to retain a preset shape. Following injection of a local anaesthetic, it is carefully inserted under the skin using an introducer, and works by gripping the cartilage of the ear, enhancing or creating the shape of the anti-helical fold - thereby reducing the prominence of the ear. Including the initial consultation, the procedure takes about 15-20 minutes to complete and can be performed within an outpatient setting, reducing the risk associated with a general anaesthetic.   Given the preset nature of the nitinol strip, treatment with earFold can deliver a consistently effective outcome. By contrast, otoplasty or pinnaplasty is a complex surgical procedure that requires a visit to a fully-fitted operating suite, requires a general anesthetic and is associated with significant down-time post treatment. The results from otoplasty surgery can be more difficult to predict in advance of surgery as the adjustments to the ear's shape can only happen during the procedure itself and are therefore left to the surgeon to control. "Following a complex outcome after a standard otoplasty procedure, early in my career, I was motivated to develop an alternative approach to correcting prominent ears," said Mr Norbert Kang, consultant plastic surgeon and creator of the earFold. "In my clinical practice, there are a significant number of patients who are reluctant to undergo surgery and so put up with accepting the social hindrance of prominent ears. The beauty of the earFoldTM treatment system is that it offers an evidenced-based alternative to standard otoplasty surgery that may meet the needs of a wider range of patients, by delivering immediate and predictable results, without the risks associated with general anaesthetic." On completion of this deal, Allergan will establish a standardised training programme for surgeons on the earFold treatment system, in order to bring this valuable treatment option to more patients and ensure effective and safe outcomes   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3826/attune-expands-senior-leadership-team.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3826/attune-expands-senior-leadership-team.html Thu, 05 Nov 2015 12:07:13 +0530 Attune Technologies, a Singapore-based healthcare technology company that delivers an integrated cloud-based platform for healthcare delivery organizations, has announced the expansion of its leadership team with the appointment of function heads for marketing and projects & implementation. Mr Harish Sivaraman has joined as SVP for Projects & Implementation and Ms Rajlakshmi Raghavan has been appointed as SVP and Head of Marketing. Both these leaders will report into Mr Arvind Kumar, Founder & CEO of Attune. Mr Harish Sivaraman brings with him over 20 years of experience in Healthcare, BPS and IT Services. Prior to joining Attune Technologies, he was part of Medall Healthcare, a leading healthcare diagnostics chain in India, Merrill Technologies and Lason.   Harish comes with expertise in healthcare ecosystem and has driven large BPS companies to scale. Ms Rajlakshmi brings over 18 years of rich experience in sectors such as advertising, direct marketing, event management, PR, corporate communication and consulting. Prior to Attune Technologies, she was associated with Procter & Gamble, McCann Erickson, Ajuba Solutions, Region Holdings and TalentSprint in progressive marketing roles. She has a keen understanding of diverse markets and carries a wealth of experience from early-stage as well as large companies. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6243/trivitron-to-distribute-sakuras-histopathology-products-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6243/trivitron-to-distribute-sakuras-histopathology-products-in-india.html Wed, 04 Nov 2015 12:00:00 +0530 Chennai-headquartered Trivitron healthcare has been assigned as the exclusive distributor for the entire range of Histopathology products from Sakura Japan in India.  Histopathology is the microscopic examination procedure of biological tissues to observe the appearance of diseased cells and tissues in very fine detail. The main use of histopathology is in clinical medicine where it typically involves the examination of a biopsy by a pathologist and interpretation of diseased tissues in microscopic detail. SMART Automation is the logical next step to enhance laboratory workflow optimizing your laboratory's productivity, while reporting better turnaround times using the same resources. Millions of patients around the world have benefited from better and faster diagnoses offered by Histopathology laboratories that have implemented SMART Automation. SMART Automation results in consistent high-quality operations for all the tissue samples minimizing eliminating errors and reduction in rework. Commenting on the alliance, GSK Velu, chairman and managing director of Trivitron Group of companies said, "Trivitron has been in the forefront of bringing the latest medical devices and medical equipment in a most cost effective fashion to India for past 19 years. We are proud to bring to India, the latest in histopathology automation - SMART automation system in association with Sakura Japan. This technology can revolutionize the way a histopathology laboratory functions by reducing the turnaround time and enabling same day reporting."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7088/philips-launches-wearable-device-for-psoriasis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7088/philips-launches-wearable-device-for-psoriasis.html Mon, 02 Nov 2015 15:32:18 +0530 Philips has marked World Psoriasis Day with the launch of Philips BlueControl 2.0, the second generation of its innovative wearable medical device1 that uses UV-free blue LED light to control symptoms of mild to moderate cases of plaque psoriasis. After its successful launch in the Netherlands, Germany and the UK end of last year, and France earlier this year, the new generation of this clinically tested, medical device has been developed based on user insights and feedback. Philips BlueControl 2.0 is now also available in Denmark, Sweden, and Finland and will be introduced in the coming months to Poland, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland and Hong Kong. New markets like Israel and Italy will follow in the course of 2016. Blue light addresses plaque symptoms by inducing natural processes in the skin. It helps skin to renew itself properly by slowing the accelerated production of skin cells associated with plaque psoriasis. With its anti-inflammatory properties, blue light controls unregulated inflammation and can alleviate the symptoms of affected skin. Philips BlueControl is a gentle, UV-free phototherapy device that gives patients the clinically proven benefits of blue LED light without interrupting their normal daily routines. The visible light induces natural processes in the skin to significantly reduce symptoms such as redness, scaling and thickness. The product has been developed to be easily integrated into a patient's daily routine and reduces the need for physician' visits. Worn simply by adjusting a strap on affected arms, legs, elbows and knees, the UV-free blue LED light therapy is enabled by 40 high-intensity blue LEDs with tailored light settings. Designed with the patient in mind, the battery-driven device can be used anytime and anywhere. This second generation device features the following improvements: a larger treatment area (approx. 25 percent), a more comfortable fixation strap, a thinner device and a longer battery life (lasting for four treatments in a row). Philips conducted two clinical trials in partnership with the University Hospital of Aachen to investigate the efficacy and safety of Philips BlueControl to reduce the symptoms of psoriasis vulgaris. In the second long-term trial, patients were treated for twelve weeks. 84 percent of patients showed an improvement in plaque symptoms (thickness, redness and scaling) compared to the beginning of the trial. In some cases, complete clearance of the plaque was observed. 83 percent of patients rated the usability and comfort of the device as ideal or excellent.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7089/ge-healthcare-collaborates-with-navamedic-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7089/ge-healthcare-collaborates-with-navamedic-.html Fri, 30 Oct 2015 11:08:00 +0530 Navamedic ASA has announced that Observe Medical Nordic AB, a wholly owned subsidiary of Navamedic ASA, has entered into a development collaboration with GE Healthcare Systems Sverige AB on its newly launched digital urine measurement system Sippi. Sippi, a new standard in digital urine measurement in hospitals, is currently under development for wireless transmission of data into so called Patient Data Management Systems (PDMS). Measuring a patient's urine output is a vital parameter in critical care medicine. With Sippi and a PDMS system, clinics will have the possibility to follow fluid balance online in real time. Once launched, Sippi with wireless data transmission, will be the first commercially available urine measurement device globally with this feature. The ability to automatically record and transfer the critical ill patients urine output data will be further time saving for healthcare personnel and also secure the patient data integrity and accuracy as the risk for human error is eliminated. GE Healthcare is one of the global market leaders in Patient Data Management Systems. Navamedic, via its subsidiary Observe Medical has now entered into a collaboration with GE Healthcare to establish a wireless link from Sippi to Centricity, GE Healthcare's PDMS system. "As a new player in the ICU segment we are very pleased to announce a collaboration with a major PDMS supplier such as GE Healthcare. We will as a first step together with GE Healthcare in Sweden develop a solution for the Nordic countries which is scalable for other markets to come" , said Mr Tom Rönnlund, CEO of Navamedic.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6799/siemens-healthcare-introduces-first-twin-robotic-x-ray-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6799/siemens-healthcare-introduces-first-twin-robotic-x-ray-system.html Thu, 29 Oct 2015 15:28:40 +0530 Siemens Healthcare launches the first Twin Robotic X-Ray system, Multitom Rax (Robotic Advanced X-ray) at the University Hospital Erlangen today. Multitom Rax (Robotic Advanced X-ray) enables a wide variety of examinations in a range of clinical areas to be performed using only a single X-ray system for the first time. In addition to conventional 2D X-rays, the system also makes it possible to perform fluoroscopy examinations, angiography applications and even 3D imaging. The operator is always in full control of the system's movement. By the push of a button, both robotic arms are being positioned fully automatically around the patient, improving both safety and convenience. There is no need to move the patient on the system or to change rooms for further imaging procedures, which makes examinations less painful and less time-consuming. Work processes in hospitals can be improved and economic efficiency increased. "We see the Multitom Rax as a universal device that covers all aspects of X-ray diagnostics. You could call it radiology's answer to the Swiss army knife," says Prof. Michael Lell, senior physician at the Imaging Science Institute of the University Hospital Erlangen. The new system can be used in a wide range of applications, from emergency medicine to orthopedics, angiography or fluoroscopy, and can thus help optimize clinical work processes. The fact that the detector can be freely positioned means that quite different X-ray images, both static and dynamic, can be taken in a single room using a single system. That saves time and avoids unnecessary costs, since specially installed modalities for examinations that are not performed on a daily basis can be uneconomical for hospitals. On the other hand, systems that are in regular use can cause lengthy waiting times, and this is where the new X-ray scanner can help ease the burden. Multitom Rax makes work processes economically efficient, while still being able to offer a wide range of examinations. The two ceiling-mounted arms on Multitom Rax can be moved into position automatically using robotic technology, and they can also be moved manually, servo motor supported, when required - to make fine adjustments, for example. While one arm moves the X-ray tube and the large touchscreen, the other carries the 43 x 43 cm flat panel detector, which can record static, dynamic and real 3D sequences. "The robotic technology ensures a new level of precision and automation, enabling a new level of standardization and throughput", explains Mr Francois Nolte, head of the X-ray Products Business Line at Siemens Healthcare. He added, "The precise positioning of the arms in all three planes makes the examinations so much easier: regardless of whether the patient is standing, sitting or lying down, the robotic arms move with perfect accuracy using robotic technology. Our strategy is based on the principle that the system moves, not the patient, which reduces risk of additional injuries and pain."   With conventional radiography systems, the detector often has to be placed in an external holder. In addition to the extra time required, this also involves the challenge of positioning the tube at exactly 90 degrees. Multitom Rax does this at the push of a button for free exams. This also prevents any risk of having to repeat image processes because the tube was not precisely positioned. The system offers optionally also wireless, portable detectors in two different sizes that can be positioned directly between the wheelchair or mattress and the patient's back, which avoids the need to sit the patient up. The automatic control of the robotic arms ensures that they will always take the shortest and safest route to reach the next programmed position. Pre-programmed safety zones and an automatic stop in response to contact also improve safety. 3D computed tomography (CT) images are often used in situations such as orthopedic examinations involving the implantation of prosthetic joints, for example, to ensure that the artificial joint is best adapted to fit the patient's anatomy. Now, for the first time, Multitom Rax makes it possible to take 3D images under the patient's natural weight bearing condition.  3D images can be made of all areas of the body with the patient seated, lying down or standing. Images taken while the patient is standing are essential because for example knees, pelvis and spinal column appear differently under the influence of the patient's body weight compared to when the patient is lying down. As a result, 3D images acquired by Multitom Rax offer better diagnostic and planning certainty compared to those that do not reflect a natural weight bearing condition. Conventional 2D x-rays, for example, do not always reveal fine hairline fractures in the bone. If a bone fracture is suspected, it has previously been necessary to take a 3D image using a CT system to be sure of the diagnosis. With Multitom Rax, however, a 3D image can be taken at the same system, and so the patient does not have to wait for a further appointment or to be transferred to the CT unit. A free-standing patient table and fully mobile system elements with Multitom Rax provide a more comfortable examination atmosphere. The system is designed for all patient types, from children to the elderly, mobile, immobile and adipose individuals. The fact that the table can be adjusted to a very low 50 centimeter table height means that children can get onto it by themselves. It can also be positioned at the most convenient working height. The hospital staff thus has full access to the patient, with no need for the hospital staff to twist into an anatomically unnatural position. The result is an improvement in both safety for the patient and the examining physician, and in the level of convenience, since it is the system that moves when needed, not the individuals. Additional devices and personnel are often essential for interventional procedures such as fluoroscopic needle localization in particular. The open system design makes it possible to position the tube and detector most appropriately in the room. And the fact that both arms are ceiling-mounted means there is no floor-mounted equipment or cable ducts to get in the way. Care (Combined Applications to Reduce Exposure) applications support treatment standardization using Multitom Rax and aim to keep the radiation dose as low as possible for both patients and hospital staff. Removable scatter grids and a copper filter, combined with the sensitive detector, help to minimize dose. Precisely focusing on the area of the body to be X-rayed and avoiding the need to repeat examinations using X-rays helps protect patients from unnecessary exposure to radiation. In the case of fluoroscopy examinations, such as gastrointestinal or swallow exams, several Care features keep the dose low. A preliminary examination using an especially low radiation dose to fine-tune the tube and detector helps to correctly position even in very challenging exams. For all examinations, in addition, the dose used is automatically reviewed and recorded. As a part of the Max system family from Siemens Healthcare, Multitom Rax stands out by providing the same image impression and thus making it easier to compare X-ray images. The controls and user interfaces on the Max systems are identical, which means the operators have no need to familiarize themselves over again with new equipment. The wireless detectors in the Max family can also be used equally with all the systems in the family, improving the level of flexibility. Multitom Rax is also configured to accommodate future trends in treatment with functions that can be adapted at a later time. And lastly, its closed surfaces are easy to keep clean, which contributes to the long service life of the system     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7537/ge-launches-breast-cancer-awareness-campaign.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7537/ge-launches-breast-cancer-awareness-campaign.html Thu, 29 Oct 2015 14:11:57 +0530 On the occasion of Breast Cancer awareness month, GE Healthcare reinforces its mission for a healthier India through its latest initiative #SefBE can save a Life! An informative initiative which aims to spread awareness and underline the importance of self-breast examination as the first step towards detecting cancer. The campaign which is interestingly shot, features women from all walks of life sharing a light moment to say 'While a #Selfie can save that special moment, a #SelfBE could go a long way in saving your life'! GE Healthcare collaborated with top oncologists in the country to spread awareness on the growing incidence of breast cancer in the country.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7948/neogenomics-to-acquire-clarient-from-ge.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7948/neogenomics-to-acquire-clarient-from-ge.html Tue, 27 Oct 2015 12:28:51 +0530 NeoGenomics has announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire Clarient and its wholly-owned subsidiary Clarient Diagnostic Services, a provider of comprehensive cancer diagnostic testing to hospitals, physicians and the pharmaceutical industry (together "Clarient"). Clarient, a unit of GE Healthcare's Life Sciences business, is based in Aliso Viejo, California and Houston, Texas and has approximately 415 employees. The acquisition will allow NeoGenomics to broaden its offering of innovative cancer diagnostic tests to hospitals and physicians across the country, and to accelerate its growth in the fast-growing worldwide market for pharmaceutical clinical trials and research. The complementary product offerings and expanded geographical reach of the combined companies are expected to provide customers with substantial benefits and create a significantly larger and more diversified provider of precision oncology diagnostics. Clarient's pathology services and capabilities in the analysis of solid tumor cancers of the breast, colon and lung are highly complementary to NeoGenomics' industry-leading molecular testing services and extensive expertise in testing for hematologic cancers. Hospital, physician, and pharmaceutical industry clients will benefit from the combined company's ability to offer a wider range of world-class tests, closer geographical access to services, and enhanced service capabilities. The acquisition will allow the combined company to further leverage its existing laboratory facilities and infrastructure to drive productivity and lower operating costs. The transaction purchase price includes $80 million in cash, $110 million in Preferred Stock, and 15 million shares of NeoGenomics Common Stock, subject to customary adjustments for working capital at close. The Preferred Stock will be issued at $7.50 per share and is redeemable at the option of NeoGenomics at any time over its ten year term along with any accrued dividends at the original issue price with certain incentives for early redemption. After three years, GE Healthcare will have the option to convert the Preferred Stock and any accrued dividends to NeoGenomics Common Stock at $7.50 per share if the volume weighted average price of NeoGenomics' Common Stock is above $8.00 per share for thirty consecutive trading days. If still outstanding on the tenth anniversary, the Preferred Stock and any accrued dividends will automatically convert into common stock at $7.50 per share. The transaction is subject to approval by the relevant anti-trust authorities and NeoGenomics' shareholders and is anticipated to close in Quarter 4, 2015. On a fully diluted basis, assuming full conversion of the preferred stock, GE Healthcare will beneficially own approximately 32 percent of NeoGenomics. As part of the transaction, the NeoGenomics Board of Directors will be expanded with the appointment of a new director from GE Healthcare. In addition, NeoGenomics and GE Healthcare have agreed to collaborate on a new bioinformatics initiative that combines their shared interest in precision oncology. NeoGenomics' chairman and CEO, Mr Douglas VanOort, said, "Our vision is to become America's premier cancer testing laboratory, and this acquisition is a major step forward in achieving that vision. We have always respected Clarient's outstanding capabilities, and are very pleased to be able to combine them with our own outstanding service offering. Hospital, physician, and pathology clients will benefit from our ability to offer the "best of the best" products and services available from each company. We are particularly pleased to add Clarient's sizable and fast-growing clinical trial support business to further strengthen our own initiatives in this area."   Ms Cindy Collins, CEO of Clarient Diagnostic Services, said, "We're proud of the highly talented and dedicated people at Clarient, who deliver an outstanding level of service to physicians and to leading players in the pharmaceutical industry, helping guide patient treatment and supporting the discovery and development of new medicines. We believe the business will benefit from the focus that will come from being part of NeoGenomics, while allowing GE Healthcare Life Sciences to focus on its core long-term growth areas in bioprocessing, cell therapy and disease imaging."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6060/siemens-healthcare-introduces-the-cios-family-of-mobile-c-arms-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6060/siemens-healthcare-introduces-the-cios-family-of-mobile-c-arms-.html Tue, 27 Oct 2015 12:28:19 +0530 At the German Congress of Orthopedics and Traumatology in Berlin Siemens introduced a new version of the Cios Alpha and three additional models of the Cios C-arm family. As imaging systems, mobile C-arms play a key role in the areas of orthopedics and traumatology. "Compact design and greater ease of use are common features of the entire C-arm family, as are a standardized user interface and high level of performance. The maximum possible X-ray time, an elevated heat capacity to prevent overheating, and a high current range offered by the X-ray tube all help ensure consistently high image quality during lengthy operations, such as heart surgeries lasting several hours," said Mr Francois Nolte, head business line X-Ray products, summarizing the features of the Cios series. Like the well-established Cios Alpha before it, the new Cios Fusion from Siemens Healthcare features state-of-the-art flat panel detector technology. In total, its field of vision is about 160 percent larger than the standard image intensifier. The Cios Fusion now makes flat panel detector technology available in the medium price segment. This produces an image that is free of geometrical distortion and offers a higher grayscale resolution, making various anatomical structures clearer to see. With two different detector sizes, either 30 cm x 30 cm or 20 cm x 20 cm, this model can be equipped to meet specific requirements. An additional touchscreen that can be located right at the operating table enables the surgeon to control the C-arm from within the sterile work area. The software packages adopted from the Cios Alpha - like the Live Graphical Overlay to mark anatomical structures in contrast-supported examinations, to crop image series elements and play back at different speeds - all help make vascular surgery easier. Cios Connect is the second new C-arm in the Cios family. It covers a very broad area of application in the medium market segment. This highly reliable system offers low service costs and outstanding value for the money throughout its service life. Special software options for vascular imaging with the Cios Connect enable physicians to display individual images simultaneously in subtracted view and in X-ray view, to optimize the presentation of contrast and bone, and to save them directly to the database for documentation purposes. It also offers pulsed X-rays using the subtraction process to ensure better anatomical penetration. This means that vessels can be better represented in cases of stenosis, (vessel constriction), for example. A removable anti-scatter grid also makes it possible to provide pediatric treatment with especially low radiation doses. For lithotripsy - the destruction of kidney stones, for example - the C-arm provides a direct interface to the Siemens Modularis Variostar urology platform, enabling both devices to be operated by a single manual control. Weighing only 248 kilograms, Cios Connect is an extremely light model that guarantees easy handling for OR employees at the operating table.   The third new family member being introduced by Siemens Healthcare is the Cios Select. This is the entry-level model and is intended to serve as a basic product to improve healthcare services worldwide by providing easier access to surgical imaging. It is designed to be especially user-friendly in operation, and its sturdy construction means that the system does not require expensive maintenance. Color-coding facilitates communication during operations. Each direction that the C-arm can be moved is labeled with a color and the brake levers are marked with the same color. Like the entire Cios family, the C-arm uses the image processing algorithm IDEAL (Intelligent Dose Efficiency Algorithm), which ensures high image quality thanks to continuous contrast and brightness adjustments and automatic dose-performance adjustment - guaranteeing the lowest possible radiation dose for treatment. The Cios Select is the only device in its price segment that also offers a subtraction function that makes it possible to remove overlays, like those caused by bones in vascular images. Beginning in January 2016, an expanded version of the Cios Alpha is planned to complement the three new C-arms. It will come with the revised version of the Cios software. A large preview image on the touchscreen makes it easier for OR staff to select the appropriate image settings. A metal correction function compensates for metal components in the image at the push of a button, to enable surrounding tissue to be represented with greater contrast: for example, in the case of major implants. To mark anatomical structures, the Live Graphical Overlay function can now be used in all operating modes regardless of the field of clinical application, and is no longer reserved for users in vascular surgery.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/8374/hot-start-up-in-silico-approach-to-drug-discovery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/8374/hot-start-up-in-silico-approach-to-drug-discovery.html Tue, 27 Oct 2015 10:27:55 +0530 He and his wife Ms Sapana Mehendale together founded RASA in 2010, a Bioinformatics and Chemoinformatics start-up offering solutions and services in Life Sciences. The last four years has been very hectic to Mr Sameer and his team. In fact, when they bagged their major project with Wipro, he and his wife, back then, had to work till a day prior to their wedding. "It was quite exciting," recalls Mr Sameer, a professional Bioinformatician. Mr Sameer has a decade of experience in datamining, scientific workflow development, product development and off-shore services and management. Ms Sapana is a pro in software development and Chemoinformatics.   He says that his father-in-law and businessman Mr Ashok Mehendale was the real inspiration behind starting his company. Alongside, Ms Sapna also had a long-time dream of owning a company in the BioIT space. So far the founders have invested Rs 8.5 lakh in the company through soft loans from friends and family. Both the founders bid good-bye to their burgeoning careers with handsome pay packets to build RASA from scratch. "We started our company with a dream to provide BioIT services as well as work more closely on in-silico approach to drug discovery. But soon we realized that most of the life sciences students and professionals lack required skills and always wondered about their careers. So we brought the idea of skill-based training to enhance their profiles," adds Mr Sameer. "At times we were broke financially and morally. But we helped each other building upon our courage and positive hopes." RASA has few products in the pipeline which will be launched by the end of 2015.   RASA plans to open few more branches in other Indian cities including Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Chennai. In the future, it wishes to partner with companies in the US and Europe. "We believe, very soon, we will be able to grab the attention in the Middle-East, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and a few African countries," reveals Mr Sameer, who loves reading and singing. Mr Sameer feels that a demographic study for a particular business is absolutely essential for a start-up. "Entrepreneur must be able to identify the present and future prospects of the services or products they are going to offer, and also consider competition from the big players," he advices.   In the last 4 years, RASA has done business worth Rs 30-40 lakh per year. It has a target of achieving Rs 1 crore in the next couple of years. Even in the era of internet and social networking, Mr Sameer says that the best visibility for a start-up is through word-of-mouth. "When you provide good and effective services, the clients are surely going to talk about you to others. And the word spreads. This is very effective because the clients have experienced your services and can vouch for it," he points. He suggests that India needs more governing bodies like the BIRAC for encouraging start-ups. "In the field of life sciences, we have very minimum support from the Government. It is extremely difficult to obtain funds from the Government or venture capitalists in this space. India needs to understand the public-private partnership model to the full extent. Investments in life science sector is limited to education. Industrial investment has to be taken as priority and should have separate budgetary allocation. Looking at the broader prospects of life sciences which enriches human life, it is time for the Government to take a note of it. We hope the new Government will be able to attract investments through the 'Make-in-India' initiative," he explains.   Mr Sameer opines that personalized medicine with genomics- and proteomics-based clinical diagnostics, stem cells, BioIT, NGS are the current happening areas in Life Sciences. He states that Pune and Ahmedabad are hot-beds for Life Science start-ups, only next to Bangalore and Hyderabad. "Pune has a better scientific community mainly because of its iconic research institutes. It also provides skilled manpower. The Gujarat government is spending a lot of money in building the infrastructure for biotech. They are supporting new start-ups by providing them with seed funding," he validates. Current Collaborators:  Dr D Y Patil College, Pune Modern College of Pharmacy, Pune Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Research Academy (ISTRA), Pune Sinhgad College of Engineering (SCOE), Pune   5 Entrepreneurial Mistakes To Avoid:  Improper market research  Unspecific services Inadequate funding Random hiring Ignoring IPs 5 Dumb Myths About Life Sciences Start-ups:  There is a dead end No gain after all the hard work Requires huge funds Entrepreneurial Lessons Learnt:    Easier to manage computers than people Credible entrepreneurs attract right talents Staff loyalty increases when shaped up well 4 Killer Strategies For Raising Billion-Dollar Start-ups:  Focused service  Good funding  Qualified and dedicated staff Passion ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6823/bosch-wins-south-asia-ehealth-summit-award-2015.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6823/bosch-wins-south-asia-ehealth-summit-award-2015.html Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:03:28 +0530 Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions (RBEI) has bagged the South Asia eHealth Summit Award 2015 in the category of 'Use of ICT in healthcare delivery (mHealth).' The company developed the Maternal And Paediatric mHealth solution and the paediatric feature of which is currently implemented in Apollo Cradle, Kozhikode. The Maternal and Paediatric mHealth app is a robust suite of applications, which provides assistance to young mothers, by taking care of pre-natal, post-natal and pediatric needs. This application could be linked to the hospital's information management system; it can connect seamlessly to the hospital's IT systems and helps making the necessary appointments, tracks progress and provides clinically relevant recommendations. This application thus provides point of care delivery, which is personalized and relevant to the needs of the mother. South Asia eHealth Summit Award is a dedicated platform to explore the latent potential of innovation in health care sector across 8 countries in South Asia: India, Pakistan, Nepal, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka. There were totally 12 nominations that were received which included entries from other countries in South Asia.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6825/toshiba-adds-new-product-to-its-x-ray-portfolio.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6825/toshiba-adds-new-product-to-its-x-ray-portfolio.html Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:02:38 +0530 Expanding the clinical capabilities of limited R&F room space with the industry's smallest tilting C-arm multipurpose system available, Toshiba America Medical Systems introduces the newest addition to its X-ray portfolio. The Ultimax-i FPD multipurpose system has a small footprint that installs adjacent to back walls to improve patient access and allow for more complex procedures by providing routine angiography lab capabilities within an existing R&F space. Toshiba's Ultimax-i FPD system is designed to efficiently use the space providers have to safely diagnose and treat all patients, without the need for major renovation. The multipurpose system can accommodate up to 500 lb. with a wide, high-capacity table to comfortably image a range of patients. The system features full-spectrum detection on a flat-panel detector with corner-to-corner, 43 cm x 43 cm coverage for high-resolution imaging. This large, flat-panel detector also helps reduce dose by limiting areas of anatomy receiving unnecessarily repeated radiation exposure, and thus results in safer exams. "At Toshiba, we believe hospitals shouldn't have to endure costly construction to renovate smaller existing R&F rooms or delay a system upgrade to expand their imaging capabilities. With Ultimax-i FPD, healthcare providers don't have to sacrifice on advanced imaging technology, allowing them to deliver better patient care and achieve the Triple Aim of reform," said Mr Bill Newsom, director, X-ray Vascular Business Unit, Toshiba. Toshiba will showcase the Ultimax-i FPD multipurpose system at this year's Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) annual meeting in Chicago, November 29-December 24, 2015.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7127/is-the-end-in-sight-for-reading-glasses.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7127/is-the-end-in-sight-for-reading-glasses.html Fri, 23 Oct 2015 11:00:00 +0530 A University of Leeds researcher is developing a new eye lens, made from the same material found in smartphone and TV screens, which could restore long-sightedness in older people. Mr Devesh Mistry, a postgraduate research student in the School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, is working with liquid crystal to create a truly adjustable artificial lens. As people age, their lenses lose flexibility and elasticity. This leads to a condition known as presbyopia, common in people over 45 years old, and can require optical aids, such as reading glasses. As we get older, the lens in our eye stiffens, when the muscles in the eye contract they can no longer shape the lens to bring close objects into focus. Using liquid crystals, which we probably know better as the material used in the screens of TVs and smartphones, lenses would adjust and focus automatically, depending on the eye muscles' movement. Using these liquid crystal-based materials, Devesh's research is developing synthetic replacements for the diseased lens in the eye - a new generation of lenses and intra-ocular lens implants to rejuvenate sight. Mr Devesh is currently researching and developing the lens in the lab and aims to have a prototype ready by the end of his doctorate in 2018. Within a decade, the research could see the new lens being implanted into eyes in a quick and straightforward surgical procedure under local anaesthetic. Eye surgeons would make an incision in the cornea and use ultrasound to break down the old lens. The liquid crystal lens would then be inserted, restoring clear vision. The lens could also have application in tackling cataracts - the clouding of natural lenses - which affect many people in later life and which can seriously affect vision. A common treatment is to remove and replace the natural lens.   According to Mr Devesh liquid crystals are a very under-rated phase of matter. Everybody's happy with solids, liquids and gases and the phases of matter, but liquid crystals lie between crystalline solids and liquids. They have an ordered structure like a crystal, but they can also flow like a liquid and respond to stimuli. Mr Devesh is working in collaboration with the Eurolens Research at the University of Manchester and with UltraVision CLPL, a specialist contact lenses manufacturer headed up by two University of Leeds alumni. His research builds upon previous work by the same collaborators, who developed a prototype contact lens with an electrically-controllable focus using liquid crystals. The first commercially-available liquid crystal lenses could be on sale between six and ten years' time. The research is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Ultravision CLPL. (Source: School of Physics and Astronomy,University of Leeds research news page)   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6829/attune-technologies-to-expand-its-business-overseas.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6829/attune-technologies-to-expand-its-business-overseas.html Wed, 21 Oct 2015 12:43:22 +0530 Attune Technologies, a start-up that makes cloud-based software for hospitals and labs, will tackle markets outside of India after scoring a $10 million Series B round from Qualcomm Ventures and returning investor Norwest Venture Partners. This is the first investment from Qualcomm Ventures' Strategic Venture Fund in India, which was announced at the end of last month. Along with a $6 million Series A that Attune Technologies raised in May from Norwest and angel funding, this brings the startup's total venture funding so far to $17 million. Founder Mr Arvind Kumar said, "There is still plenty of room to grow in India, where Attune's software currently handles 10 million patient records for 2,500 healthcare centers, but it also plans to launch soon in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Africa." Attune was founded to give smaller organizations without IT departments an affordable alternative to traditional hospital management software, which is often costly to deploy and maintain. The company charges a fixed monthly fee for SaaS products tailored to hospitals, diagnostics labs, and clinics. "What the cloud and SaaS does is democratize a lot of software which was only available to large hospitals and labs before that could afford to pay a premium," said Mr Kumar. Besides scaling in India, Attune also plans to offer its products in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia in the Middle East; Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and Mauritius in Africa; and Malaysia, India, and Vietnam in Southeast Asia.   Attune's mobile technology may also help it cement partnerships with companies that offer home healthcare visits, a fast-growing market in India.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/5195/hot-start-up-the-exclusive-scientist-cum-entrepreneur-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/5195/hot-start-up-the-exclusive-scientist-cum-entrepreneur-.html Tue, 20 Oct 2015 10:31:56 +0530 While brainstorming ideas for his venture, he saw the need for high quality data analysis services - by scientists and for scientists. He recognized it as an opportunity for revenue generation and 'real value addition' to the scientific community. Convinced about the thrust, he started Shodhaka Life Sciences in 2009. He also believed that a long-term goal of achieving better diagnostics will be possible with novel approach for better biomarker identification. Today, he also serves as a core faculty member and scientist at IBAB (Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology), in Bangalore, where Shodhaka is incubated at the institute's business incubator.   He pursued his post-doctoral research at the prestigious Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and at the University of Virginia, USA. Explains Dr Kshitish, "Initially, after my post-doctoral stint at the US, I wanted to be a part of the rapidly growing Indian organizations and contribute to the growth further." Shodhaka is now focusing on providing the much required, high-quality data analysis services and training for scientists, working in different areas in the Life Sciences. "We have been particularly focusing on data from mass scale techniques such as NGS (Next-Generation Sequencing ) and microarrays. But we have also been active in biocuration and biostatistical analysis of smaller scale data in special domains such as health sciences, and as well as custom-designing biological databases and software. "We are the only team, perhaps in the world, that dedicates a huge amount of time and effort in compiling and studying the bioinformatics resources carefully. Our public portal 'startbioinfo.com' will make a huge difference in Life Sciences and to researchers in the field for bioinformatics analysis," he elucidates.   Dr Kshitish managed to self-fund his company. At times, he also sought the help from some of his friends and fellow scientists. This scientist-cum-entrepreneur says that he had no clue about running a business when he started. "I knew nothing about business and have been handling two responsibilities -- as a faculty and an entrepreneur. In addition, poor networking and marketing caused a little setback. But I am glad that the loyalty and personal spread of appreciation by our clients has been helping us so far," he adds. Dr Kshitish voices that the company now is at crossroads. "We could partner with like-minded scientists and expand in phases, or bring in bigger investments. Bigger investments will help us to prioritize on diagnostics and prognostics over the next five years. Otherwise, we would continue offering services in the areas of data analysis, biocuration, development of databases and software. If we get bigger investments, we would like to be the world's leading data analysis service providers," he reveals.   The company intends to reach potential clients from as many countries as possible, but it is not keen on opening other business branches elsewhere. Apart from IBAB, Shodhaka at the moment has collaborations with Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) and another start-up. It is also hoping to partner with companies in the area of marketing. "We are also looking for investors who understand research-based companies," states Dr Kshitish. The last financial year was quite positive for Shodhaka. "Seeing the positive balance-sheet in the last financial year is a sign that we are finally making business sense too," he exclaims happily. To help internship applicants at IBAB, who otherwise had to travel long distances for written entrance tests, Dr Kshitish started the Shodhaka Online Test System (SOTS).   "This has turned into an accidental product. Many organizations such as IBAB, Centre for Human Genetics (CHG), Karnataka Biotechnology and Information Technology Services (KBITS) and a multinational biotech company have used the system to short list applicants for their courses or jobs. We have now applied a new algorithm and developed a Job-Suitability-Assessment system (SOTS-JSA) that can assist students in career planning, and help recruiters by creating a useful database to screen suitable candidates for specific jobs," he highlights. According to Dr Kshitish, there are two aspects for thriving innovation. "Allowing employees to grow in their area of interests, and focusing on the objectives of projects without bothering too much about money matters," he says. As an entrepreneur, Dr Kshitish is a fan of Infosys founder Mr N R Narayana Murthy Dr Kshitish's other passions include human resource development and management. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6469/baxter-gets-fda-clearance-for-dialysis-system-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6469/baxter-gets-fda-clearance-for-dialysis-system-.html Mon, 19 Oct 2015 12:35:49 +0530 Baxter International has announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) has granted 510(k) clearance for the AMIA automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) system with the SHARESOURCE web-based remote connectivity platform to provide peritoneal dialysis (PD) for the treatment of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The AMIA APD system is the only device cleared in the United States that incorporates patient-centric features such as voice guidance, a touchscreen control panel and the SHARESOURCE two-way connectivity platform. SHARESOURCE allows physicians to more readily access their home patients' historical treatment data and deliver individual prescriptions remotely. The system also features advanced, animated graphics and automated step-by-step instructions, which were designed to increase the efficiency of home therapy training and administration for ESRD patients in the United States. There are more than 600,000 prevalent cases of individuals living with ESRD in the United States. People living with ESRD require dialysis treatment or a kidney transplant to stay alive. PD therapy is typically managed by patients in their home, at a time of day that is convenient for them. It works by cleaning the blood of toxins and removing extra fluid through the body's peritoneal cavity. The AMIA APD system was developed in collaboration with DEKA Research and Development Corporation (DEKA) to support home PD therapy patients with more intuitive device operation, while providing two-way, web-based remote connectivity with their physicians through Baxter's SHARESOURCE platform. SHARESOURCE also reduces the manual collection of treatment data and organizes records for easy access by healthcare providers. ''Enabling patients to actively work with their healthcare providers to initiate and confidently manage their dialysis therapy is the ultimate goal in the development of AMIA with SHARESOURCE. Baxter's focus is to understand and support access to the best renal replacement options for all patients, and then bring technology like AMIA and SHARESOURCE to healthcare providers so they can help their patients achieve their best possible outcomes," said Dr Bruce Culleton, vice-president, renal therapeutic area lead, Baxter.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7572/siemens-introduces-new-pet-ct-system-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7572/siemens-introduces-new-pet-ct-system-.html Mon, 19 Oct 2015 12:34:43 +0530 At the 28th Annual Congress of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) in Hamburg, Germany, Siemens Healthcare introduces the new Biograph Horizon. The PET/CT (positron emission tomography/computed tomography) system offers premium performance at an attractive total cost of ownership to support clinicians in addressing more clinical indications. This versatility gives users the capabilities needed to serve a broader patient mix and expand into new service lines, without compromising on quality due to budget constraints. It boosts user productivity, providing facilities with more time to plan treatment schedules, personalize studies, serve additional patients and improve workflow efficiency. Additionally, Siemens' recently released Biograph RT Pro edition, a comprehensive PET/CT solution for radiation therapy (RT) treatment planning, provides physicians with high-quality images that drive the development of tailored therapy approaches. Finally, a new software version for Biograph mMR reduces examination times and improves image quality in MR/PET. Biograph Horizon leverages the standard in PET/CT technology to image patients using all commercially available PET tracers, giving users the ability to address more indications in oncology, neurology and cardiology. To help physicians visualize smaller lesions earlier, the system's 4 mm LSO crystals scintillate faster and have a higher light output, providing better image quality and enabling Time-of-Flight.3 With more precise information, physicians can diagnose disease earlier, contributing to more effective care pathways. This can help reduce costs and patient side effects related to ineffective therapies. Biograph Horizon simplifies staff's daily routine by automating manual tasks and offering protocol-based exams to increase productivity. As the smallest PET/CT system with the lowest power requirements, Biograph Horizon minimizes the initial capital investment, while low operating and maintenance costs help manage the total cost of ownership. Additionally, Siemens Guardian Program predicts downtime ahead of time, so maintenance is scheduled when convenient to minimize the impact on system utilization. Automated technologies, such as gentle system warm-up and automatic standby, help extend the economic life of the system as well as help reduce power consumption.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6252/healthcare-it-vc-funding-up-in-q3.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6252/healthcare-it-vc-funding-up-in-q3.html Mon, 19 Oct 2015 12:34:17 +0530 Mercom Capital Group released its report on funding and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity for the Healthcare Information Technology (IT) / Digital Health sector for the third quarter of 2015. The report covers deals of all sizes across the globe. Venture capital (VC) funding, including private equity and corporate venture capital, in the Health IT sector increased 32 percent quarter over quarter (QoQ), coming in at $1.6 billion in 148 deals compared to $1.2 billion in 139 deals in Q2 2015; it was also up 66 percent compared to the same quarter of last year. Debt and public market financing in the sector came to $495 million in nine deals including two IPOs. Total corporate funding raised in the sector including VC, Debt and Public Market Financing raised by publicly traded companies and IPOs for Q3 2015 came to $2.1 billion. VC funding has reached nearly $3.57 billion for 2015 year-to-date (YTD), comparable to the $3.53 billion raised during the same period in 2014. "VC funding into Healthcare IT companies bounced back this quarter after a slow start this year. Rating, Booking and Comparison Shopping companies had their best fundraising quarter since we began tracking the category," said Mr Raj Prabhu, CEO and co-founder of Mercom Capital Group. Healthcare practice-centric companies raised $357 million in 42 deals compared to $473 million in 41 deals in Q2 2015. Consumer-centric companies raised $1.2 billion in 106 deals this quarter compared to $727 million in 98 deals in Q2 2015.   The top VC funded category this quarter was Rating, Booking & Comparison Shopping which brought in $728 million in 15 deals. Mobile Health companies were second with $319 million in 59 deals, with mHealth Apps receiving $206 million and Wearables/Sensors receiving $88 million. Personal Health and Wellness companies accounted for $114 million in 17 deals, followed by Practice Management Companies with $72 million in five deals. Telehealth companies raised $65 million in 14 deals and Data Analytics companies raised $61 million in 14 deals. There were 69 early-stage deals at or below $2 million, including 22 Accelerator/Incubator deals. The top VC deals this quarter included the $394 million raised by Guahao, an online health information portal for patients in China to book appointments with physicians; the $130 million raised by ZocDoc, an online doctor appointment booking platform; the $90 million raised by Practo, developer of a physician search engine to book appointments and rate providers, and of practice management software; the $55.4 million raised by Kareo, a provider of cloud-based medical office software for small medical practices; the $55 million raised by Grand Rounds (previously ConsultingMD), a company that matches patients with specialists and connects them for second opinions on a medical diagnosis, and the $50 million raised by Remedy Partners, a developer of bundled payment programs for government payers, health insurers and self-funded employers. A total of 285 investors including six Accelerators/Incubators participated in Healthcare IT deals this quarter, 20 of which participated in multiple rounds. The investors with the highest number of funding deals this quarter included Lux Capital, Rock Health, Sequoia Capital, Tencent Holdings, and Zaffre Investments with three deals each. Fifteen other investors participated in two deals each. Globally, the US companies raised $934 million in 121 deals. Fourteen other countries: Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Estonia, Finland, Germany, India, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Singapore, and the UK recorded deals amounting to $648 million or about 40 percent of the VC funding this quarter, the largest share of funding for companies outside the US since Mercom began tracking the sector.   There were 57 M&A transactions (11 disclosed) in the Health IT sector this quarter compared to 53 transactions (eight disclosed) in Q2 2015. Practice-focused companies accounted for the greatest number of M&A transactions with 39 of the 57, while consumer-centric companies had 18 transactions. Twenty-nine Health Information Management (HIM) companies were acquired this quarter followed by nine Mobile Health (mHealth) companies. Consumer-focused companies have now been involved in 42 M&A transactions this year led by Mobile Health companies with 24.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6448/ask-apollo-apollo-offers-virtual-consultancy-service.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6448/ask-apollo-apollo-offers-virtual-consultancy-service.html Mon, 19 Oct 2015 10:56:00 +0530 Apollo Hospitals has launched new initiative - Ask Apollo, which promises to connect billions of patients to Asia's most advanced healthcare network via video, voice call and email. Health Minister of Karnataka Mr U T Khader inaugurated Ask Apollo in the presence of eminent personalities including Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group, Dr Naresh Parmar, CEO of Karnataka Region, Apollo Hospitals, Ron Gutman, Founder and CEO, HealthTap, Guy Ellena, Consultant, Former Director Health and Education, IFC and Dr K. Ganapathy, President, Apollo Telemedicine Networking Foundation. This initiative by Apollo Hospitals is claimed to be an interactive patient-centric service that gives its patients the option to consult a doctor anywhere and anytime at their convenience. Through Ask Apollo, one can also book an appointment, avail instant consultation by a family doctor, diet and nutrition related advice, consultation with a specialist/board of specialists based on the criticality of the ailment. Commenting on the launch, Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group, said, "Through Ask Apollo, we continue Apollo Group's legacy of setting industry benchmarks & contributing to elevate the standard of healthcare to the next level. Apollo Hospitals aims at revolutionizing personal technology with the introduction of Ask Apollo where a patient can even select the doctor of their choice and schedule a time they require consultation. Ask Apollo is a 100% virtual service and hence eliminates all hassles of travelling to the clinic or hospital and waiting in long queues." U T Khader said, "We need to take proactive steps in improving the quality healthcare in India. This initiative by Apollo Hospitals is a step to improve accessibility to healthcare and the services of world-class, credible doctors." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8313/dr-kiran-mazumdar-on-whats-trending-in-indias-biotech-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8313/dr-kiran-mazumdar-on-whats-trending-in-indias-biotech-.html Fri, 16 Oct 2015 16:09:00 +0530 The three-day BIB 2016 is scheduled for February 9-11, 2016, at Hotel Lalit Ashok, in Bangalore. The theme for this most-anticipated upcoming biotech event has been identified as, ''What's Trending in Biotech India'. In her address, Dr Kiran spoke about the happening trends in the biotech space. "BIB 2016 is going to be very exciting and encouraging because of the trends that we are seeing in the biotech. Trends, not just in our country, but worldwide. In India, it is very clear that biotechnology now is a rapidly growing sector. Through the 'Make-in-India' campaign, India is beginning to focus on biopharmaceuticals, vaccines and medical device areas which are becoming trend setters," she pointed. She believes that India will play an important role in biotechnology.   "There are big opportunities in the start-ups space. Bangalore is certainly becoming very-well recognized world over as a start-up hub," added Dr Kiran. Dr Kiran mentioned Genomics as one of the biggest trends in the biotech space. She commented, "Many companies in the Genomics and BioIT space have started gaining traction. They started in and hesitant way. However, they are making big strides today. Given Bangalore's IT prowess, Genomics and BioIT is going to be a big trend setter that we need to be watching out." Dr Kiran named a few companies which are making strides in the Genomics and BioIT space, including, Mapmygenome, Bigtec Labs, Ganit Labs and Genotypic Technology. The second trend she voiced, pointed to the area of biosimilars.   "India is the pharmacy of the world, and it has a large space in generics. We want to emulate this success in biosimilars as well. What we need to do to be successful in the biosimilars sector is ensure that we grow this ecosystem in terms of scientists and clinicians, and everyone needed including engineers, geneticists, and microbiologists, and create a large ecosystem. Both, biomanufacturing and biosimilars, are big opportunities for India," she opined. She also feels that Vaccines can be another big area for India. "India is already playing a leadership role in vaccines, and will continue to forge ahead," she said. Dr Kiran emphasized about India's opportunities in the Ayurveda space. "Ayurveda should open up more in India. We have not leveraged the treasure trove of Ayurveda in this country. We should look at our own knowledge, and that could be a big trend. We must create that trend from India," she encouraged. Moving towards agri-biotech, she stated, "We are the largest producers of Bt Cotton seeds, but haven't gone beyond that. For many years, our efforts in agri-biotech has been thwarted by narrow-minded and unscientific decisions. Agri-biotech is not just about recombinant technology. It is about understanding molecular markers, enhancing productivity, and design hybrids better, with an aim of addressing food security." She shared the importance of creating a trend in sustainable development through biotech.   "Biotech in waste management has big opportunities. Renewable energies is another area where biotech has a huge role to play. Veterinary Sciences also presents exciting opportunities which leverages biotech, thereby enhancing and improving veterinary sector in a new way," she revealed. She further added, "These are not just opportunities to catch-up with the global trends, but to create new trends from our own nation. Dr Kiran also made references to Gene- and Proteomics-based strategies to study diseases and disease markers, as happening trends in biotech. She concluded by saying, "There are lot of opportunities in diagnostics. Every company today is looking at developing companion diagnostics. Precision medicine is another big trend in the world and it depends a lot on diagnostics. These are the trends we need to catch-up with and trends we need to set." Ms V Manjula, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of IT, BT and S&C, Government of Karnataka, also addressed the delegates. "The Karnataka's biotech policy has been updated from time-to-time. During BIB 2016, we'll further update the policy in tune with the requirements of the sector," she remarked. The Government of Karnataka has come up with a bioventure fund worth Rs 50 crore in collaboration with VC firms. Karnataka will invest Rs 13 crore, and the rest will be open for VCs investments. The Government of Karnataka is also setting up incubation centers for biotech start-ups in partnership with Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI, Mysore), University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS, Dharwad) and University of Veterinary Sciences at Bidar. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7114/olea-medical-to-join-toshiba-medical-systems-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7114/olea-medical-to-join-toshiba-medical-systems-.html Fri, 16 Oct 2015 12:12:00 +0530 Olea Medical SA ("Olea") has announced that the Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation ("Toshiba") and Olea have completed the acquisition of the outstanding shares of Olea, following approval from the French Ministry of Economy. This acquisition enables Toshiba to accelerate the growth of its MRI business and offer new clinical added value to healthcare providers by leveraging Olea's cutting-edge software technology for advanced post-processing and image analysis as well as its broad relationships with the world's key research institutions and customers. "This partnership means we will benefit from both Toshiba and Olea's strengths to accelerate innovation and enhance our global presence", said Mr Toshio Takiguchi, president and CEO of Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation. He added, "Through the integration of both R&D teams we believe we could bring the innovative solutions and products to play an important role in the development of MRI systems." Mr Fayçal Djeridane, president and CEO of Olea Medical said, "This is great news for Olea's customers and our fabulous team, and we are happy and proud to join the Toshiba family. We are convinced this is the right strategy to pursue our commitment to provide a widely accessible, complete package of simple, safe, fast, and accurate tools for full-body image post processing, in order to help doctors improve the diagnosis and follow-up process for patients' benefit worldwide." Toshiba will also be able to provide the multi-modality solutions by integrating Olea's post-processing software with "Vitrea", a widely known enterprise and scanner-connected workstation by Vital Images, another subsidiary of Toshiba, to improve collaboration among experts, consolidate and standardize workflows and enhance diagnostic confidence.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6363/fs-honors-attune-technologies.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6363/fs-honors-attune-technologies.html Wed, 14 Oct 2015 12:18:33 +0530 The six-year-old organization is a healthcare IT product company that delivers an integrated cloud-based system for healthcare delivery organizations. The award was presented to Mr Arvind Kumar, founder and CEO and Dr Anand Gnannaraj, co-founder and chief medical officer at the 7th Annual India Healthcare Excellence Awards 2015 held on October 9, 2015 in Mumbai. Attune Technologies currently offers cloud-based solutions to over 150 hospitals, laboratories, and clinics in India and worldwide and manages more than 8 million patient records on cloud. The platform provides hospitals, labs, and clinics with integrated services like management of patient data, scheduling and billing, and workflow on the cloud. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6841/ge-healthcare-signs-sales-distribution-agreement-with-c-rad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6841/ge-healthcare-signs-sales-distribution-agreement-with-c-rad.html Wed, 14 Oct 2015 11:42:04 +0530 These systems are used for 4D imaging and virtual simulation in radiation therapy. GE will offer these solutions through its price book, making them available to the GE salesforce and their customers worldwide. A special logistic system - C-RAD Smart Logistics- has been developed and is currently being implemented. This system optimizes the logistic processes and simplifies the supply chain for C-RAD's distributors. With its global footprint, C-RAD will therefore be able to launch distribution hubs in Europe, the US and Asia to provide more rapid deliveries. This model could be attractive for other OEM customers in the MedTech industry. It is expected that C-RAD and Cyrpa products will be included in GE's price book during the fourth quarter. First orders are expected during the first quarter of 2016. C-RAD will be ready to deliver from January 2016 on. The worldwide market for advanced CTs sold into radiation therapy is about 400 units a year. The large majority is delivered with a laser system for virtual simulation. In advanced markets the proportion of CTs that is delivered with 4D imaging is rapidly growing. "This new agreement with GE represents an interesting strategic opportunity for us," said Mr Tim Thurn, CEO of C-RAD. He added, "C-RAD has an appealing product portfolio, and it is our intention to make our distributors' product offerings even more attractive. At the same time C-RAD can benefit from the strong presence of the sales and distribution organizations of OEM distributors." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7598/camtech-introduces-breakthrough-solutions-for-diabetes-epidemic-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7598/camtech-introduces-breakthrough-solutions-for-diabetes-epidemic-in-india.html Tue, 13 Oct 2015 17:58:14 +0530 Committed to the concept of 'Make in India' and sourcing local health innovation, the Consortium for Affordable Medical Technologies (CAMTech) at Massachusetts General Hospital Global Health, introduced path-breaking solutions at the CAMTech Diabetes Innovation Hack-a-thon on October 10-11, 2015, at the Indian School of Business (ISB) in Hyderabad. The event brought together over 200 participants, industry mentors and organizers to develop innovative and affordable health technologies that can improve the prevention, diagnosis and management of diabetes in India. The event included keynote speeches from distinguished leaders from the Indian healthcare industry, who challenged participants to focus on specific, diabetes-related problems, such as access to care, affordable treatment and a lack of awareness and education about diabetes. "Lifestyle modification works, but how do we translate this into a community activity, where 72% of India's population lives in rural areas but [most] qualified consultants practice in urban areas?" asked Dr Nadimity Ganapathi Sastry, director, Dr Mohan's Diabetes Specialty Centre. "There is a lack of awareness and there are problems with access to specialized diabetes care facilities. There is an urgent need to implement the '5 A Test' that will make diabetes care in rural India Available, Accessible, Affordable, Appropriate and Acceptable." From early screening and detection tools to gamification aimed at compliance to novel insulin delivery mechanisms, this year's event saw a total of 40 innovations developed over the weekend.   Participants worked around the clock for 48 hours, pitching over 60 diabetes-related healthcare challenges, forming teams, prototyping solutions, and developing business models before presenting their ideas to a panel of judges. The judging panel included the following experts from public health, engineering and business, reflecting CAMTech's cross-sector approach to innovation: • Mr Ganapathy Venugopal, CEO, Axilor• Dr Vijay Panikar, Arogya World• Ms Elizabeth Bailey, Director, CAMTech• Dr Shylaja Srinivasan, Pediatric Endocrine Fellow, Massachusetts General Hospital• Dr Anthony Vipin Das, Ophthalmologist, L V Prasad Eye Institute "It has been so inspiring to see this diabetes initiative unfold into something that can truly change lives in India," said Ms Elizabeth Bailey, director at CAMTech. "The hack-a-thon transformed ideas into winning solutions, and now we want to make sure those innovations are brought to scale in India." This year's event awarded monetary prizes to winning teams in several categories, including:• $1,000 CAMTech Grand Prize: Team Cheeni Kum - a multi-parameter early screening and detection tool to help diagnose diabetic peripheral neuropathy.• $1,000 Marico Innovation Foundation First Place Prize: Team E Stick - a non-invasive device that uses infrared light to measure blood glucose through the earlobe.• $500 CAMTech First Runner-Up: Team Cool Guys - a reliable, reusable, affordable and user-friendly storage case that keeps insulin pens refrigerated through the use of an organic gel.• $250 CAMTech Second Runner-Up: Team Aankhey - a mobile application that helps doctors and paramedics diagnose and raise awareness about diabetic retinopathy.   In addition to monetary prizes, both the winners and participants will receive several post-hack-a-thon opportunities to continue working on their innovations: • Marico Innovation Foundation (MIF), the CSR arm of Marico Limited and Villgro, India's oldest and foremost social enterprise incubator, will provide funding and hands-on mentorship to help teams convert their prototypes into viable, low-cost innovative solutions.• Through sponsorship from Terumo, CAMTech will offer $1,000 to the team that makes the most progress on their innovation 45 days after the hack-a-thon.• Engagement, mentorship and collaboration with local and global experts from health, business and engineering/technology through the CAMTech Online Innovation Platform. "It's been extremely motivating to see the outcomes out of the MIF- CAMTech Hackathon. We are looking forward to identify and support innovative solutions that will positively impact prevention, detection and management of diabetes that will eventually help the underserved population in India," says Mr Harsh Mariwala, founder, Marico Innovation Foundation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7593/philips-collaborates-with-aws-to-expand-digital-health-solutions-in-the-cloud-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7593/philips-collaborates-with-aws-to-expand-digital-health-solutions-in-the-cloud-.html Tue, 13 Oct 2015 12:04:22 +0530 Royal Philips has announced that it is strengthening its collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) as part of its strategy to enable an ecosystem for new types of connected and personalized digital health solutions. AWS IoT, a new platform that makes it easy for devices to connect to AWS services, will expand the connectivity, capabilities and services of Philips' HealthSuite digital platform, an open IT infrastructure that supports the secure management of data related to a person's health and lifestyle, as well as large scale clinical data. "The digital health revolution and the power of the Internet of Things offer tremendous opportunities to positively transform how care is delivered," said Mr Jeroen Tas, CEO of Philips Healthcare Informatics, Solutions and Services. He added, "By unleashing data from connected devices and health records, combined with analytics, valuable insights into how we can live and age well can be uncovered. At Philips, we seek to empower consumers to be active participants in their own health. For example, by giving them access to and control over their own health information, making that data more actionable, and by facilitating better collaboration between patients, clinicians and caregivers." Philips is collaborating with world-class technology companies such as AWS, academic medical centers, and patient advocates to achieve global scale and accelerate the realization of connected care across the health continuum from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. To drive this new type of care, Philips developed the HealthSuite digital platform, running on AWS. It securely collects, aggregates and analyzes data from a variety of apps and medical devices and systems such as EMRs. This platform has a secure device cloud that is already managing more than seven million connected devices, sensors and mobile apps - fully embracing the potential of the Internet of Things. With AWS IoT, Philips will enhance its platform with a future proof, secure and scalable IoT environment. The technology will create added value for customers in terms of smarter and more personalized solutions for healthier living and care coordination, and allow products - like medical alert systems and baby monitors - to grow smarter over time.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6574/omega-diagnostics-inaugurates-manufacturing-facility-in-pune.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6574/omega-diagnostics-inaugurates-manufacturing-facility-in-pune.html Tue, 13 Oct 2015 11:38:44 +0530 Omega Diagnostics Group, a Scottish based company has inaugurated their first green-field manufacturing facility at the International Biotech Park, MIDC Phase II, Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park, Hinjewadi, Pune. With an investment of $0.9 million, the company estimates that it could be employing up to 50 people, including high quality positions in production management and technical/ Quality Control roles in the next 12 months. Omega's facility in Pune will initially concentrate on two rapid diagnostic tests (RDT), Visitect CD4 - licensed from the Burnet Institute ("Burnet") in Melbourne, Australia. Visitect CD4 is used for staging and monitoring HIV patients and Visitect Malaria. These high-quality, cost-effective point-of-care diagnostic tests are aimed to improve access, especially for rural patients, and to reduce patient loss to follow-up in India. Speaking on this occasion, Mr Andrew Shepherd, CEO, Omega Diagnostics Group PLC said, "Having been active in India since 1992, and with the Indian healthcare market growing rapidly over recent years, the move to establish a manufacturing base in India is a logical and exciting step forward for Omega Diagnostics Group PLC. Building on the establishment of our sales and marketing office in 2011 we see the potential for major growth, not just in the Indian domestic market but also the opportunity to export products produced in Pune to our global distribution network which covers over 100 countries." Ms Rooma Kr. Bussi, country director Scottish Development International India, also present at the event said, "India is a significant growth market for Scotland, and we see tremendous potential for Scottish companies to achieve product cutsomisation and efficiencies by manufacturing in the country. Healthcare is a priority sector for India and Scottish companies are capable of offering innovative and cost effective solutions most suited to the Indian market. I am delighted with this investment by Omega and keen to see more Scottish companies supporting the PM's investor focussed 'Make in India' campaign. I am sure Scotland and India can collaborate on a much higher scale to boost the overall economic growth of both countries." Omega Diagnostics currently employ 19 people in India including representatives based in the main metropolitan cities. It has a warehouse for distribution of products across India with sub-distributor network of over a 100 distributors offering technical and customer service support to the Indian market.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7067/advances-in-genetic-testing-technologies-to-open-up-new-avenues-in-pediatrics-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7067/advances-in-genetic-testing-technologies-to-open-up-new-avenues-in-pediatrics-.html Mon, 12 Oct 2015 16:04:44 +0530 The event was attended by a panel of doctors particularly child neurologists and nephrologists. Dr Rajiv Sinha, pediatric nephrologist, said "It is believed that in the coming decade most of the aspects of medical science will be influenced by the rapid developments we are seeing in the field of genetics. The whole genome sequencing has opened up new avenues and genetic testing for various diseases which were previously prohibitively costly is becoming more affordable." Whole genome sequencing generates large chunks of genomics data from a single genome. With powerful bioinformatics tools and algorithms, the data is analyzed and interpreted to generate insights into underlying genetic reasons for human diseases. Dr Braja Roy and Dr Atanu Jana from the AMRI team felt the need of applying genetics in neonatology and opined on the exciting possibilities that this brings in clinical practice. "We are able to conduct whole genome and exome sequencing much faster now with the latest technology platforms," said Mr Sam Santhosh, CEO, MedGenome "This, along with insightful interpretation platforms helps us to meet the turnaround time requirements from clinicians, who are looking to dig deeper into a specific disease condition." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6830/c-camp-partners-with-the-us-based-qb3.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6830/c-camp-partners-with-the-us-based-qb3.html Mon, 12 Oct 2015 14:19:40 +0530 Bangalore based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), India's premier technology and innovation hub and The California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), a San Fransisco Bay-area based non-profit research and technology commercialization institute, have signed a Letter of Intent to create the US-Indo Life Science Sister Innovation Hub in the presence of Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi when he visited the Bay Area in September. The Innovation hub is aimed at fostering links between both these exciting innovative hubs and enhancing science based entrepreneurship, research, academia and businesses. Through this innovation hub, both the organizations plan to promote collaborations in scientific research, encourage co-development of innovation led products and push these technologies towards commercialization. Innovation-based start-ups will be nurtured and accelerated through incubation and funding opportunities by leveraging the existing entrepreneurial ecosystem in both countries. Commenting on the Partnership, Dr Taslimarif Saiyed, director and COO, C-CAMP said, 'In the last couple of years, C-CAMP has worked extensively to establish a strong life science innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in and around Bangalore which nurtures many start-ups all over India with support from DBT and BIRAC. This partnership with QB3 provides an opportunity for C-CAMP to make stronger ties with the San Francisco Bay area cluster - one of the leading innovation ecosystems in the world. We are hopeful of some ground breaking collaborations and outcomes from this partnership in the coming years.' 'C-CAMP and QB3 both appreciate the key role that life science start-ups can play in improving the quality of life for our countries and globally. But C-CAMP and QB3 operate in cultures with different challenges and health care systems. By partnering, we hope to learn from each other,' said Prof. Regis Kelly, director, QB3.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6923/medtronic-launches-new-product-for-lung-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6923/medtronic-launches-new-product-for-lung-cancer.html Fri, 09 Oct 2015 11:28:06 +0530 Medtronic unveiled a next-generation version of its superDimension navigation system software. The superDimension navigation system enables a minimally invasive approach to access difficult-to-reach areas of the lung, and can aid in the diagnosis of lung diseases. Using the patient's CT scan, the superDimension planning software generates a 3D virtual bronchial tree and allows physicians to map pathways to reach pulmonary targets during the electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy procedures (also known as ENB procedures). During a workshop session at the 2015 European Respiratory Society (ERS) Annual Congress a global perspective on lung cancer approach was outlined. It was supported by opinions from both an interventional pulmonologist and a thoracic surgeon. All attendees had the opportunity to experience and test the advanced platform and its extended capabilities. "This minimally invasive device helps physicians prepare for the most appropriate therapy depending on the stage of the cancer. Improving chances to more easily identify patients at an early stage may bring a dramatic change in the societal impact of lung cancer," said Ms Bronwyn Brophy, vice-president early technologies EMEA, Medtronic. "These advanced tools and technologies demonstrate Medtronic's commitment to expanding the specialized lung health products available to pulmonologists and thoracic surgeons. The continuum of care is the healthcare journey a patient takes from diagnosis to recovery. Our goal, across this continuum, is to diagnose earlier, intervene earlier, treat better and help patients recover faster," said Mr Chuck Brynelsen, president early technologies, Medtronic.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7727/fda-clearance-for-hitachis-ct-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7727/fda-clearance-for-hitachis-ct-system.html Thu, 08 Oct 2015 10:36:16 +0530 Hitachi Medical Systems America has announced FDA clearance to market its Supria 16-slice CT system. The new Supria 16 features a compact design and provides Smart-Dose compliant (XR-29) lower dose patient safety capabilities. Supria 16 combines the latest dose saving technologies in a compact design with enhanced patient access features to comfortably accommodate a wide range of patient sizes, including bariatric patients. Supria 16 can be sited in a scan room as small as 200 sq. ft. "Supria demonstrates Hitachi's continuing commitment to provide superior product value by combining the latest imaging technologies in a design that while compact, still affords the premium patient accommodation features of more expensive systems including a 75cm gantry aperture, standard 1.8 meter scannable range table with 500 lb. weight capacity," said Mr Mark Silverman, director of CT Marketing. "The Supria provides a strong value-based solution for CT providers needing to replace older higher-dose ≤16-slice CT Systems with a new lower-dose Smart Dose compliant (XR-29) system. The dose reduction features included standard with Supria actually surpass the XR-29 Standard," said Mr Sheldon Schaffer, VP and general manager MR/CT.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7012/philips-appoints-chief-medical-officer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7012/philips-appoints-chief-medical-officer.html Tue, 06 Oct 2015 17:08:32 +0530 Royal Philips has announced the appointment of Dr Jan Kimpen as the company's Chief Medical Officer, effective January 1, 2016. This function will play an increasingly important role in supporting the company's strategic focus on the HealthTech market and Dr Kimpen will add a wealth of related experience to Philips' senior management team. Dr Kimpen, MD, PhD, professor, joins Philips from the University Medical Center Utrecht (UMC Utrecht) in the Netherlands, where he was Chairman of the Executive Board. He will report to Philips CEO Mr Frans van Houten. "I am delighted that Jan Kimpen is joining us from UMC Utrecht, which is a highly renowned and innovative hospital in the Netherlands," said Mr Frans van Houten. He added, "The healthcare industry is undergoing a huge transformation, and Philips' integrated approach to coordinated care across the health continuum is our answer to addressing the industry's dual challenge of delivering better patient outcomes at lower costs. Integrated solutions are at the core of our strategy and in his role as Chief Medical Officer, Jan Kimpen will work closely with our global network of medical thought leaders to ensure that deep clinical insights and a people-focused approach are at the heart of our propositions." Dr Jan Kimpen (Belgian, 1958) joined UMC Utrecht, one of the largest healthcare organizations in the Netherlands, in 1997 and became President of the Board in 2009. At UMC Utrecht, Dr Kimpen strengthened ties with the world-renowned Netherlands Cancer Institute at the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital (NKI-AVL) and the Netherlands Pediatric Oncology Center. He has been the driving force behind partnerships with Philips and Eindhoven University of Technology, where he is a member of the strategic advisory board Health. "I very much look forward to joining Philips," said Dr Kimpen. He added, "Given the healthcare industry's complexities and interdependencies, it is my firm belief that innovation in health care cannot be achieved in isolation and that collaboration is therefore key to success. My experience in forging partnerships in the public healthcare sector will provide a strong foundation to expand and deepen Philips' cooperation agreements with the numerous public and private stakeholders in the healthcare industry."     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7830/roche-launches-the-new-cobas-c-513-analyzer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7830/roche-launches-the-new-cobas-c-513-analyzer.html Tue, 06 Oct 2015 14:35:31 +0530 Roche has announced that its new, dedicated high-throughput HbA1c testing solution, the cobas c 513 analyzer, is now available for countries accepting the CE mark. "The increasing number of people with diabetes is challenging healthcare providers and is putting a significant strain on healthcare systems. With the cobas c 513, Roche is meeting the dedicated and growing testing needs of our customers," said Mr Roland Diggelmann, COO, Roche Diagnostics. With the new cobas c 513 analyzer, Roche is replacing its existing dedicated HbA1c analyzer, the COBAS INTEGRA 800 CTS, which has been a successful and well-established solution. The cobas c 513 analyzer further increases laboratory efficiency by doubling the already market-leading throughput of the INTEGRA 800 CTS from 200 to 400 patient results per hour. The cobas c 513 achieves this performance with the same footprint. The cobas c 513 features direct results reporting, thereby minimizing the risk of result misinterpretation and eliminating the need to perform time-consuming, manual result interpretation. This saves valuable time and laboratory resources while ensuring high quality of results. Furthermore, the cobas c 513 analyzer provides a higher on-board test capacity. Enabling laboratories to load the analyzer with more tests at a time saves laboratory space, releases lab resources and ensures a smooth workflow. The new analyzer also offers closed tube sampling, which reduces hands-on time, prevents sample contamination and ensures operator safety for laboratory personnel.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6871/some-facts-about-internet-of-things-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6871/some-facts-about-internet-of-things-in-india.html Mon, 05 Oct 2015 12:20:00 +0530 The Indian Government's plans to develop 100 smart cities in the country, for which Rs 7,060 crore has been allocated in the current budget. The Union Govt has also announced a draft IoT policy. The government of India has launched the Digital India Program aimed at transforming India into a digitally empowered and knowledge economy. There is a huge push for setting up digital infrastructure, creating smart cities across the country and using IoT to create solutions for problems faced in manufacturing, agriculture, energy, health and other industries. Also, as per reports earlier this year, the government is planning offering incentives to VC-funded start-ups, which work on Internet of Things technologies, to further boost its 'Make in India' programme. April 9 is celebrated as Internet of Things Day (IoTDay). Bangalore Alpha Labs (BAL) and IoT Bangalore (IoTBLR) launched the city's very first IoT Lab on the occasion of IoTDay last year. The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) has signed a MoU with IESA (India Electronics & Semiconductor Association) to promote start-ups and entrepreneurs in fabless semiconductor and electronic products in the IoT or connected devices space. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/6863/transforming-healthcare-through-iot.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/6863/transforming-healthcare-through-iot.html Mon, 05 Oct 2015 12:02:00 +0530 According to a latest report from International Data Corporation (IDC), the worldwide Internet of Things (IoT) market will grow from $655.8 billion in 2014 to $1.7 trillion in 2020 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.9 percent. This technology offers a lot of prospects across different industries. "The healthcare sector is a fast growing IoT market with a host of new tools and technologies. It is expected to improve the quality and efficiency of various healthcare services, but at reduced costs," said Dr Prasant Misra, Senior MTS (Member Technical Staff), Robert Bosch Centre for Cyber Physical Systems, (RBCCPS). Here's a look on how it can do that. Read on... IoT for Healthcare The visible and most widespread application of IoT seems to be in the wearable devices, but there are other numerous uses of this technology in the healthcare sector. IoT can transform healthcare through connecting various equipment, communication systems and software applications that help monitor patient health in real-time. Apart from Remote health monitoring, it can also be of utmost help in assisting elderly in smart homes. Proactive health monitoring by care givers is another application of IoT says Mr Vinay Nathan, CEO and Co-Founder Altizon Systems, a Pune-based IoT start-up. He added, "Today healthcare equipment providers can monitor their equipment across the globe and diagnose device and patient health through embedded sensors. This goes a long way in increasing detecting anomalies and improving quality of life and health outcomes for patients."   Mr Nathan further highlights another important aspect, revolutionizing surgical procedures. He added, "Multiple channels of data from equipment is integrated and routed wirelessly. All the vital data pertaining to the surgery flows to the operating team, the control room as well as to remote observers. This data is used to setup alerting mechanisms, remote consultation during operating procedures and many other applications." The technology also has a widespread applicability for pharmaceutical companies in maintaining clean rooms. "Pharma Companies' need to maintain an absolute clean room without manual intervention at places where certain drugs are kept or getting manufactured. Monitoring of air quality, ambience temperature and pollutant levels through sensors and alerts based on any violations help them the pharma companies, maintain quality levels," said Ms Shalini Kapoor, Chief Architect-Internet of Things Cloud, IBM Analytics, IBM India. Monitoring effectiveness and downtime of IoT-enabled medical devices is another area which is of extreme important in healthcare sector. Ms Kapoor continued, "Imagine a scenario where manufacturer of a medical infusion pump can charge hospitals based on the no. of patients that infusion pump serves. This is possible only if the medical infusion pump is instrumented and is sending data to IoT cloud where it is being analyzed." Transforming Healthcare through IoT: Present scenario The healthcare sector is slowly embracing this new technology. With new technology advancements, healthcare and treatment is becoming cheaper and more accessible. "With IoT, it will be easier to monitor patients 24/7. There are numerous start-ups, who are focusing on developing IoT products and technologies in the healthcare domain. All this started recently and is expected to fly high with significant potential," said Mr M.N. Vidyashankar, President, India Electronics & Semiconductor Association (IESA). The companies are leveraging the power of IoT to provide patient care. Mr Nathan added, "With the usage of mobile devices, wearables and electronic records healthcare providers have access to information in real time which improves the health care provision. With IoT it is easier to collect and integrate data from these devices resulting in quick and better services." Hospital management is another area where this technology is of great help. Mr Nathan enlightened, "Implementing IoT solutions for managing equipment using cloud technology gives real time usage data of the equipment. This equips hospitals to optimally utilize its equipment for providing adequate care when required."He further added, "IoT is providing with the intelligence to capture and analyze data that was not impossible earlier. This data is giving insights into previously incurable conditions and also facilitating high end and personalized services." IoT in Manufacturing Market research reports predicts that close to 50 billion devices will be connected by the year 2020. Everybody want a piece of this space. Investors and tech companies are ramping up the IoT space to leverage the opportunities it presents. "Electronics hardware play a major role in the revenue generation for IoT industry. With this huge scope we see in developing the Hardware side, there also lies a huge opportunity for IoT in the manufacturing side," said Mr Vidyashankar. Mr Nathan adds, "Major equipment manufacturing companies are creating smart connected products that leverage IoT to provide value added services to its customers. These equipment have inbuilt sensors that track and transmit data, which opens up the possibilities of using this data for running analytics on it and building innumerable applications." However, the manufacturing industry does not seem to be in sync with this new trend. "The onus is on hardware manufacturing companies to understand the scope and need for getting equipment connected. Also, the Indian manufacturing industry is not completely aware of the business value of the data that can be captured from equipment and the right to ownership of data," said Mr Nathan. Challenges/Roadblocks IoT holds great potential for industries and society. However, this potential can be realized only by overcoming the challenges being faced by the industry. Lack of common platform being one. Mr Nathan highlights further, "Existence of multiple platforms and protocols with no common standards make integration of different systems a big challenge. The standards vary based on the industry vertical, kind of devices involved, security concerns and used cases. There is a pressing need for standardization across devices and platforms in order to makes things IoT ready. The industry needs to agree upon and establish common standards for connectivity, discovery and device authentication." Robust connectivity is another pressing issue faced in the Indian context. Mr Nathan further adds, the basic requirement for IoT is to connect things starting tiny sensors to remotely located machines. There has to be a major push towards creating the infrastructure for IoT to scale. Dr Misra points out another major roadblock. "The primal problem with IoT solutions is the lack of interoperability at various levels, and more predominately at the device (or 'Things') level. 'Things' or physical modules/ platforms contain the interface to the physical world for measurement of various physical parameters. Due to interoperability constraints, the existing IoT ecosystem does not have provisions for interfacing devices of varying heterogeneity and complexity from multiple manufacturers that use different proprietary middleware technologies," he said. Recommendations/ Push for the prosperity Reports suggests that the market size for IoT in India will be $10-12 billion by 2020. "This figure can be much higher if proactive steps are taken right now," said Dr Misra. "R&D should be encouraged. Start-ups in the IoT sector still lack an ecosystem like in China or Silicon Valley whether it is easy access to quality facilities for development/prototyping or funding," said Mr Abhishek Latthe, CEO, SenseGiz, an IoT start-up He added that the Tax breaks to start-ups can be helpful as IoT needs high initial investment before a company can start generating sufficient revenues. Dr Misra suggests the solution for interoperability highlighted in the previous section. He proposed, "The most effective solution to this problem is the creation of the plug-n-play infrastructure across platforms from multiple vendors, necessary for interoperability and successful deployment of large-scale city wide systems." He added, "It should abstracts the features, capabilities and controls of the sensors and communication layer to allow higher level services to be developed and interacts with sensors/networks in a generalized manner. This should further be backed up with appropriate policies and standardization efforts. The information governance challenges are also significant in the areas of: Interoperability, Data integrity, Access control, Data quality, Security and compliance." Future Forecast Though IoT is not a new technology, it is certainly an evolving one and presents a lot of opportunities in various sectors. "IoT in critical verticals such as transport, wellness, healthcare, home, agriculture, livestock, water supply networks etc, has the power to transform the country at the grassroots level," said Mr Vidyashankar."Going forward, we will see a lot of tailor-made IOT solutions uniquely for India as well as adoption of the IoT products and solutions from the developed countries," said Mr Latthe. This technology in the coming years will be a boon for both industries and consumers alike believes Ms Kapoor, "IoT, Cloud and Analytics coming together will create powerful scenarios which will help consumers and businesses."Start-ups are already showing the way for innovators, and large industry players and academic institutes are teaming up. "A range of business models are emerging, along with scalability solutions for hardware products, and global and local applications of IoT platforms," added Mr Vidyashankar. "Overall these are exciting times for the IoT space and at Altizon we are very bullish on this being the one area, India can emerge as a technology power house," concluded Mr Nathan. The future looks promising for the IoT industry. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6843/medtronic-completes-acquisition-of-twelve.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6843/medtronic-completes-acquisition-of-twelve.html Mon, 05 Oct 2015 11:34:54 +0530 Medtronic has announced that it has completed the acquisition of Twelve, a privately-held medical device company based in Redwood City, CA, focused on the development of a transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) device. "This acquisition supports Medtronic's therapy innovation strategy, as TMVR represents an important growth opportunity for our business. We look forward to welcoming the Twelve team to Medtronic to help deliver an exciting and differentiated therapy to patients," said Mr Sean Salmon, senior vice president and president, coronary and structural heart, Medtronic. The Medtronic TMVR technology is not available for sale in any country.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6853/former-abbott-executive-to-lead-siemens-healthcares-north-america-business.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6853/former-abbott-executive-to-lead-siemens-healthcares-north-america-business.html Mon, 05 Oct 2015 11:34:17 +0530 Siemens Healthcare has appointed Mr David Pacitti as president of Siemens Medical Solutions USA and Head of Siemens Healthcare's North America Regional Organization, effective October 19. Mr Pacitti succeeds Dr Gregory Sorensen, who served as president and CEO of Siemens Healthcare North America from 2011- 2015. Mr Pacitti will be responsible for leading the marketing, sales, service, and support functions for Siemens Healthcare in the US with additional oversight of Canada, across the entire Healthcare portfolio including medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, therapy solutions, and services. He will be based at the US headquarters. "Mr David Pacitti's leadership experience at Abbott and his deep healthcare industry experience will greatly benefit Siemens as we look to strengthen our vision for the Healthcare business. I am honored to welcome him to Siemens Healthcare," said Dr Bernd Montag, Global CEO of Siemens Healthcare. Mr Pacitti comes to Siemens Healthcare from Abbott Vascular where he served as senior VP of the US Commercial, Sales, Marketing and Operations from 2013-2015. In this position, and as a member of the Senior Executive Staff, he ran Abbott Vascular's business in North America. Prior to this, Mr Pacitti was VP of Abbott's Commercial Operations from 2009-2013. He joined Abbott Vascular after spending 14 years at Guidant Corporation.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5896/fujifilm-sonosite-introduces-new-educational-experience-for-customers-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5896/fujifilm-sonosite-introduces-new-educational-experience-for-customers-.html Fri, 02 Oct 2015 09:30:00 +0530 FUJIFILM SonoSite announces the introduction of a new educational website designed specifically to enhance education in point-of-care ultrasound. "FUJIFILM SonoSite has always been committed to physician education and we are now expanding with a new global digital resource for customers. The online institute allows our customers to have quick and easy access to information, we're making it easier for them to gain knowledge through a one stop service. Many physicians around the world have limited access to point-of-care ultrasound resources and we aim to close that gap. We believe physician education leads to better patient care which is our ultimate goal," said Dr Diku Mandavia, chief medical officer and senior vice-president, FUJIFILM SonoSite. Following is a summary of offerings: •Modules: Each module provides an overview of a point-of-care ultrasound application, from select references to more comprehensive presentations and videos. •Webinars: Each expert-led webinar will focus on best practices and the most commonly performed procedures and techniques. Visitors are able to register for upcoming webinars or view a recording of a past webinar. •Events and Workshops: Throughout the year, FUJIFILM SonoSite will host and participate in events and workshops around the world. Visitors are now able to browse events by date, specialty and country. •Toolkit: Access to a portfolio of downloadable materials that communicate the benefits of point-of-care ultrasound. Resources include Addressing Central Line Complications, Improving Efficiency Across the Hospital and The Safety Impact of Point-of-Care Ultrasound among other educational booklets. •eLibrary: Holds educational resources including 3D learning videos, pathology videos and images, and articles of significant interest related to point-of-care ultrasound. •Reimbursement Guidance: With the constant changing state of reimbursement coverage and payment information for diagnostic and ultrasound-guided procedures, FUJIFILM SonoSite recognizes the importance of accurate coding and billing and provides a number of guidance documents.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7810/hot-start-up-shaping-the-indian-clinical-genomics-landscape.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7810/hot-start-up-shaping-the-indian-clinical-genomics-landscape.html Thu, 01 Oct 2015 14:59:29 +0530 "I have read a lot of blogs, articles and books on entrepreneurship but nothing prepares you for the journey. It is seductive. It is addictive. It is painful. It grinds you. It shocks you, and it saps you of all your energy. Yet, you go to bed wanting to be back at the first light of the day," wrote Mr Kumar Sankaran recently, the founder and CEO of Leucine Rich Bio, in his company's blog, recounting his entrepreneurial journey in the last one year. The Terrific Trio The start-up focuses on human genome data interpretation, especially for clinical and research use, and developing cutting-edge novel solutions for drug discovery. Mr Prabhath Manjappa joined Mr Sankaran as the co-founder and COO during its inception. Says Mr Sankaran, "Both of us have years of experience in systems biology. We have been discussing genomics and the latest new trends happening in NGS for a long time. We analyzed the markets, and spoke to a variety of experts in the field, figuring out what was exactly needed."   Dr Debojyoti Dhar, who holds a PhD from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), is another member in the dynamic team, who serves as the company's director, and oversees the business development and innovational aspects. Flagship Technologies The company has developed two different technologies - AGIS and LRB-HGVD. AGIS, stands for Advanced Genome Interpretation Suite, is a flagship clinical data analysis platform for analyzing and interpreting clinically relevant sequence information from human genomes. It uses powerful algorithms to report precise disease causing mutations, says Leucine.   "This platform is for hospitals and sequencing centers around the world," adds Mr Sankaran. The Human Genome Variation Database, also known as LRB-HGVD, is Leucine's in-house database, curated and maintained by it. The database is said to provide functional information, mutation impact on disease, drug response, and variant impact on protein structure and functions. Nascent Market The company now employees 11 members including the trio.   "Overcoming our fears and investing our own money was our first biggest challenge," recalls Mr Sankaran. "But it forced us to innovate in every areas -- from finding our office space to recruiting the right people." He feels that the company's mammoth challenge now is the nascent Clinical Genomics market in India. "Our platform is for international clients. At present the clinical genomics space in India is evolving. Competing at the international level without sufficient back-up will be a battle," reveals Mr Sankaran. He adds that there is a lot happening in the US and Middle-East in the area of Clinical Genomics. "Clinical genomics is a happening area. A lot of people around the world are talking about it. There are numerous conferences happening worldwide. We have the US President Obama and other eminent leaders talking about precision medicine and personalized medicine through genomics. That's a good sign," he explains.   Minimal Awareness Co-founder Mr Manjappa comments that investors' awareness about the industry is very minimal. "It's not a classical industry. It's a new technology which needs to mature. Investors expect a lot of business angle. Venture capitalists look at the market numbers. Since it is a new technology, we don't have clear market numbers at the moment. They'd straight away ask for market size when presented with ideas," he states. Client Base Leucine's clients now are mainly researchers from both academia and research hospitals.   "We are trying to get in more hospitals. We would like to cater to as many of them as possible around the world," Mr Sankaran says. Its key clients include Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), IISc, Alexandria University (Egypt), Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), and Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI). Partnerships Five years from now, Leucine envisions to be a company which is a part of genome diagnostic interpretation. "We also want to partner with pharmaceutical and drug discovery companies in clinical genomics. We are also looking forward to partner with institutions, and help in identification of rare diseases or orphan diseases which hardly gets noticed in India. We want to firmly establish clinical genomics in India, and help spread its awareness. We want to contribute to rare diseases, either through internal research or through our products and services," notes Mr Manjappa.   He feels that social media can be leveraged in building a start-up's brand and business. In fact, Leucine's first client actually came through the micro blogging social site, Twitter. "Through social media we get to know what is happening in and around the world. Promotion of your business in LinkedIn is equally important," Mr Sankaran points. Leucine is open for alliance partnering for distributing and promoting its products in other countries like Australia, Europe, Middle East, South East Asia and the Americas. It has partnered with Delhi-based distributor, NextGen Life Sciences, to distribute its products and services in India. "We would like to partner with BIRAC at some point in time, as we have an in house R&D focus on a Malaria project," shares Mr Sankaran. Recently, Leucine also partnered with German-based Diadome, where both the parties will promote each other in the field of medical diagnostics. Mentorship Mr Sankaran adds that some of the incubators are located in the outskirts of the city. "We can't afford so much of travel time and money. There are pros and cons in joining incubators. They are helpful in building start-ups but getting there every day is a lot of trouble. During the initial few months it doesn't matter where you work from. You don't need an air-conditioned office or something grand," he opines. He sees a lot of Indian start-ups cropping up in Pune and Delhi. "Being located close to institutions like IITs or IISc will be an added advantage for receiving good amount of mentorship," he observes. Crowdfunding Opportunities Mr Sankaran comments that in the West, there is more awareness on funding availability. He suggests, "In the West, people need not go in search of funds. In India, more awareness needs to be created about start-up funding opportunities. At the moment, in our country, more investments are happening only in the e-commerce space." He states that the Government needs to have more initiatives towards building good start-ups. "The government doesn't seem to communicate well. They need to advertise the funding opportunities through websites and other media, and ensure there are proper screening procedures for start-ups, and reach the right people at the right time," he opines. He also says that start-ups in India can try the crowdfunding strategy. "Many start-ups have enjoyed success through crowdfunding, but it is still new in India," he remarks. Selling Ideas The founder also emphasizes that if one cannot sell their start-up idea to family members or friends, then it would be a hard ride trying to sell it to customers. "If you do not believe in your start-up, then no-one else will. One cannot keep excusing saying they don't have enough money to start. If you can't sell your idea to your own uncle, then this is going to be very difficult to sell to someone else. In biotechnology, we need more angel investors than venture capitalists. They should be patient and willing to invest, and wait for a few years for the fruits," he highlights. He also speaks about start-up myths that are widely held in Life Sciences. He adds, "People believe that there are no significant amount of ROI, which is not true. For life sciences start-ups, you need not have plenty of initial capital. One does not have to have full-fledged labs right at the beginning. There are enough funds and backing up support from the government." Market Needs For entrepreneurs who are starting up, he advises not to go after too many domains. "Concentrate on what the market needs and wants. You need to come up with innovations that are capable of solving market problems. The more projects you do, the better you become at it. Just go out and talk to people and communicate about your product or the company, and try to sell your products and services. Get some people to use your products. Most of us wait till we have the perfect product to sell. A lot of entrepreneurs try to be marginally better than what is already available in the market. However, their aim should be to make products that are 10 times better than what's available in the market," he elaborates. The Magical P's In the entrepreneurial journey, patience and perseverance are the keys, he admits. "It is not going to happen overnight. It is going to be a long journey and a lot of struggle. Keep innovating. Innovation is the key. And that's the only way you can face the competition better. It is not good to start as a single entrepreneur. Finding a co-founder is important where both can help each other," he suggests. The entrepreneur involves himself in small start-up groups in the city and enthusiastically listens to similar stories from other start-ups. "It's a good way to beat the stress, and you feel that you are not alone in the entrepreneurial journey," he ends. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7707/siemens-healthcare-joins-cancer-id-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7707/siemens-healthcare-joins-cancer-id-.html Thu, 01 Oct 2015 12:40:55 +0530 Siemens Healthcare has joined the CANCER-ID consortium, an initiative of the European Union's Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI), to explore the potential of blood-based biomarkers to revolutionize the detection and treatment of cancer. This consortium currently includes 33 partners from 13 countries working together to establish standard protocols for the clinical validation of blood-based biomarkers. These biomarkers, including circulating tumor cells (CTCs), are potential indicators for the tumor burden of patients living with cancer, especially for patients for whom biopsies of the tumor are not available. Blood-based tests (also known as "Liquid Biopsies") that could detect and track CTCs would offer the convenience of a simple blood test that allows doctors to reliably monitor a patient's condition. The information provided by these simple tests may improve the range and efficacy of treatment options from which physicians and their patients could choose. "By participating in and contributing to this consortium, we believe we can more quickly expand our knowledge of biology of biomarkers like CTCs. This will accelerate the development of innovative technologies and assays for clinical applications to detect cancer, identify the best treatment options for patients with these life-threatening diseases, and determine the effectiveness of their care," said Mr Trevor Hawkins, senior vice-president Siemens Clinical Laboratory. CANCER-ID brings together experts from academic and clinical research, innovative Small-to-Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs), diagnostic companies such as Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, and the pharmaceutical industry to establish the clinical utility of liquid biopsies for the detection and treatment of cancer. "Blood-based analysis of tumor derived cells and nucleic acids offer a novel concept of liquid biopsies which can provide real-time information relevant to cancer diagnosis and therapy," said Prof. Klaus Pantel, head of the Department of Tumor Biology at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf and one of the academic leads for the consortium. He added, "The CANCER-ID project fills the substantial gap between basic research focused on novel methods for the detection and characterization of circulating tumor cells and nucleic acids and the development of robust validated assays required to bring the liquid biopsy concept into the clinic."   The Innovative Medicines Initiative is a partnership between the European Union and the European pharmaceutical industry, represented by the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA). Through the IMI program, IMI has a budget of €3.3 billion for the period 2014-2024. Half of this comes from the EU's research and innovation program, Horizon 2020. The other half comes from large companies, mostly from the pharmaceutical sector; these do not receive any EU funding, but contribute to the projects 'in kind', for example by donating their researchers' time or providing access to research facilities or resources.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5545/healthcare-it-market-growing-at-13-4-cagr-to-2020-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5545/healthcare-it-market-growing-at-13-4-cagr-to-2020-.html Wed, 30 Sep 2015 11:48:08 +0530 The healthcare industry is undergoing a major transformation due to the challenge of providing more cost-effective personalized care. The push towards predictable outcomes and higher quality of care is leading to convergence of information technologies. Healthcare IT systems are emerging as powerful tools to create and maintain electronic health records (EHRs) for maintaining the workflows in the entire healthcare organization. Majority of the demand for healthcare IT solutions is driven by the growing need to reduce healthcare costs while adhering to the regulatory requirements set by government organizations for ensuring safety, security, and confidentiality of patient information. The growing adoption of health information exchanges (HIEs) and EHR systems and improved quality of care and clinical outcomes are some other factors driving growth of the global healthcare IT market. In addition to the demand for information technology solutions from healthcare providers, the growing need of healthcare insurance providers to efficiently manage an in-depth record of claims and reimbursements is also expected to contribute to the growth of the global healthcare IT market during the forecast years. Developed geographies like North America and Europe are likely to grow at a lower CAGR as compared to the Asia-Pacific market, which is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of 15.4 percent during the forecast period. Growth in the Asia-Pacific region is largely driven by the increasing government initiatives for eHealth, rising medical tourism, and growing demand for quality healthcare in this region. In addition, factors such as increasing per capita incomes in emerging countries such as China and India are driving the growth of the Asia-Pacific healthcare IT market. Segment-wise, the healthcare providers segment is poised to reach $157 billion by 2020, growing at a CAGR of 16.4 percent during the forecast period. The healthcare provider solutions segment is further segmented into clinical solutions and non-clinical solutions. The clinical solutions segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of 19.8 percent during the forecast period, owing to the increasing demand for improved patient safety and patient care, stringent regulations regarding healthcare provider solutions, and the need for integrated healthcare systems.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6743/medtronic-acquires-lazarus-effect.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6743/medtronic-acquires-lazarus-effect.html Wed, 30 Sep 2015 10:53:30 +0530 Medtronic has announced that it has acquired Lazarus Effect, a California-based and privately-held medical device company focused on acute ischemic stroke products that facilitate the capture and removal of clots. The acquisition is another example of the company's commitment to its key growth strategy of therapy innovation. The Lazarus Effect acquisition by Medtronic is an all-cash transaction of $100 million at closing. "With this acquisition, Medtronic reinforces its commitment to providing innovative solutions to clinicians and patients fighting stroke," said Mr Brett Wall, president of the Neurovascular division, which is part of the Restorative Therapies Group at Medtronic. He added, "Lazarus Effect's 'mesh cover' technology complements our ischemic stroke portfolio, and further enhances our Neurovascular business's ability to deliver next generation technologies." The Lazarus Cover device is an innovative differentiating technology that is complementary to Medtronic's Solitaire stent retriever platform. This technology is designed to address clinical needs with a novel nitinol "mesh cover" that folds over a stent retriever device during clot retrieval and "candy wraps" the stent with the clot inside. "Medtronic has been a significant supporter of the recent clinical work showing improved outcomes of ischemic stroke patients treated with endovascular therapy. Their support of data driven clinical evidence and the success with their Solitaire stent retriever device make them the clear market leader for treating ischemic stroke. Lazarus Effect is pleased to bring our innovative technologies together with Medtronic's market leading therapies. look forward to working closely with Medtronic to bring this next generation platform forward to the benefit of future patients," said Mr Martin Dieck, co-founder, president and CEO, Lazarus Effect. The Lazarus Cover evice is an adjunctive device used in stent retriever procedures and obtained CE Mark authorization in November 2014 for commercial distribution in the European Union; the US regulatory approval process is pending.   The transaction is expected to meet Medtronic's long-term financial metrics for acquisitions. Medtronic expects the net impact from this transaction to be earnings neutral in fiscal year 2016 as the company intends to offset any dilutive impact of the transaction. Medtronic will report the Lazarus Effect product line as part of its Neurovascular division within the Restorative Therapies Group.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6432/reverse-innovation-can-address-affordability.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6432/reverse-innovation-can-address-affordability.html Tue, 29 Sep 2015 14:39:57 +0530 The keynote address was delivered by Dr Diego Olego, senior VP, Philips technology and R&D management; and Mr Vishal Bali, co-founder and chairman, Medwell Ventures. Mr Bali pointed that healthcare needs has to be on the national agenda. "It is important to put healthcare sector right in the forefront. It is the need for advances in healthcare for the citizens and the nation. Budget-after-budget we have the same conversation about India spending 1 percent of its GDP for healthcare. Eighty percent of India still pays healthcare costs out of pocket. The moment you make healthcare a national agenda, that is when you create more opportunities to deliver healthcare to the last mile." Today, 76 percent of all Fortune 500 companies in the world are in the healthcare business. There are 7,500 healthcare start-ups across the globe, having the biggest forces of disruption in the global healthcare industry.   In the last one year alone, there were about 95 M&As in the medtech space totaling to a value of $20 billion, and the Indian healthcare start-ups has raised $108 million in venture capital funding. Mr Bali also commented that reverse innovation can create affordable healthcare solutions. "Reverse innovation can create maximum innovations with affordable solutions in digital technologies. We are a country of scarce healthcare resources. There is a huge ecosystem in India which is working towards creating affordability. We need to stop thinking in terms of infrastructure and start thinking about services, technologies, and platforms, and convergence of these services and technologies. The phone is the new gateway to the healthcare globally. Affordability cannot come at the cost of quality and precision. Today we see a lot of technology mobility which has not happened in the past." Early diagnosis and discharge of patients at the right time from hospitals are seen as key elements that contribute to healthcare costs. Dr Diego Olego spoke in terms of how companies can go about innovating, and the framework in which they innovate to address the global challenges because of finite resources.   "Billions of people lack access to basic healthcare. Innovation will play an important role here. We are thinking along the health continuum, and we need to look at the continuum holistically to tackle the challenges. Firstly, we need to innovate keeping in mind how it will affect the continuum of healthcare. Secondly, we got to innovate solutions that will attack and solve challenges end-to-end. Lastly, it is about innovating at the intersections. Innovation is no longer an idea which starts in a garage. It has to be placed in an ecosystem and worked together with other stakeholders in the healthcare delivery system," Dr Olego said. Dr Olego believes that data will play a significant role in healthcare. "One of the major challenges we have today is that data is completely fragmented. We need to address the issue of making data flow seamlessly. From our perspective, data becomes crucial towards healthcare delivery across continuum of care," he added. Currently, India has shortage of supplies in healthcare including hospitals, physicians, technologies and paramedical forces. It lacks 6,000 beds in the country according to WHO. "This is not going to fill overnight. We are a country where healthcare is a fastest growing sector. On one hand we have shortages in the healthcare ecosystem, and on the other, we have the greatest opportunities, witnessed by the rapid growth of healthcare in India," Mr Bali remarked.   In the chronic diseases segment, India is amongst the highest in the world. "We are 1.3 billion people and India has a genetic proposition for chronic diseases. We have to start rebuilding healthcare in a new dimension using digital technologies to create an entire opportunity of accessibility and higher affordability, which is what the future healthcare is going to be about," opined Mr Bali. He highlighted that it is time to rethink healthcare for India and not just in terms of infrastructure. "We have dealt with infrastructure for a long time. Healthcare infrastructure creation is getting difficult day-by-day. We need to start looking at healthcare challenges to create better ways in filling the gap. Challenges of affordability and accessibility is there in every country. Our per capita spend on healthcare is less than $100 a year for the vast Indian population," he held. The huge disruptions happening in the healthcare start-ups ecosystem are the forces of change, where, companies are using mobile technologies which answers the challenges, Mr Bali noted. "This is one of the biggest opportunities," he mentioned, "where India can use the great power of connectivity between healthcare and technology providers, and provide better platforms for healthcare delivery in the country. It is time for us to think differently of new models."   In 2014, there were 103 FDA-approved healthcare apps in the market. "Is this going to be an app-led healthcare world? The answer is a 'yes'. These apps meet the gold standard of precision, innovation, and safety, and are now going to be prescribed by clinicians. It is beginning to rule us, and we need to wake up to the reality," Mr Bali stated. "This is a powerful time in our present and future. Never before we have seen so much disruptions happening at the same time." Mr Bali concluded by saying, "It is important to innovate knowing the market opportunities behind the innovation, and try to scale up so that the market opportunities are realized. It is about meeting an unmet need, and the scale of that opportunity, and identifying a market that will go and absorb it." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6177/strides-plans-to-raise-rs-1500-crore-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6177/strides-plans-to-raise-rs-1500-crore-.html Tue, 29 Sep 2015 11:24:39 +0530 In a BSE filing, Strides Arcolab said, "The Board of Directors of the Company have approved the proposal to raise long term funds by way of issue of GDRs/ ADRs/ FCCBs/ QIP or such other equity linked instruments as may be permissible for an amount upto Rs 1,500 crore including a green shoe option." The fund raising is subject to shareholders' approval and such other statutory approvals as may be required including that of Foreign Investment Promotion Board, the company added.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5763/russian-firm-semiotik-eyes-indian-market.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5763/russian-firm-semiotik-eyes-indian-market.html Mon, 28 Sep 2015 12:19:49 +0530 Semiotik, portfolio company of Biofund RVC, made an agreement with Yashraj Biotechnology,a Mumbai-based company, for the supply of research microchip on the base of carbohydrates (glycochip) for assay of glycan-binding proteins. Glycochip Semiotik is a thin slide containing a library of polysaccharides (glycans). It is possible to attach up to 600 glycans to the chip and diagnose about a hundred diseases with its help. In particular, the chip can be used for diagnostics on infectious, autoimmunity and oncological diseases. The study performed by the specialists of Yashraj Biotechnology using glycochip Semiotik containing up to 400 glycans demonstrated that two of seven studied antibodies bound specifically carbohydrate ligands. These data opens the prospect of targeted bioengineering of new antibodies both for diagnostics and therapy of malignant neoplasms. The concept of this unique microchip was designed and developed in Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences by the team of the Laboratory of Carbohydrates in collaboration with New York University, which helps in clinical trials, certification and licensing of the microchip for the markets of Russia, CIS and USA. At present microchips Semiotik are used by several groups from Russia, Switzerland, Spain, Bulgaria and USA.   "At the example of cooperation with Yashraj Biotechnology. we can see the demand for the glycochip platform developed by Semiotik for solution of complex reaserch tasks of the search of diagnostic biomarkers not only in Russia but also abroad," said Mr Egor Beketov, general director of Biofund RVC.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/8094/home-healthcare-market-worth-349-8-bn-by-2020.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/8094/home-healthcare-market-worth-349-8-bn-by-2020.html Thu, 24 Sep 2015 16:22:00 +0530 According to a new market research report by MarketsandMarkets, the global Home Healthcare Market is expected to reach $ 349.8 billion by 2020 from $ 227.5 billion in 2015, at a CAGR of 9.0% during the forecast period. The growth of this market is mainly driven by factors such as rising geriatric population across the globe, growing need of cost-effective healthcare delivery due to increasing healthcare costs, rising incidences of chronic diseases, and technological advancements in devices. However, changing reimbursement policies, limited insurance coverage and risks to personal safety of home care workers are the factors restraining the growth of this market to a certain extent. The report segments the Home Healthcare Market based on products, services, software, telehealth, and region. Based on products, the market is segmented into testing, screening and monitoring products; therapeutic products; and mobility care products.   The testing, screening, and monitoring products segment is expected to account for the largest share of the home healthcare market, by product, in 2015. The rising emphasis on preventive medicine is expected to boost the growth of the home healthcare testing, monitoring, and screening devices market. The potential to reduce healthcare complications and ensure the portability of devices with high accuracy is expected to create a significant demand for monitoring and testing devices. Moreover, with the rising number of patients suffering from chronic diseases in many countries across the globe, the demand for these products is increasing. The telehealth market is poised to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period, owing to the increasing adoption and utilization of telecommunication in providing care.   In 2015, North America is expected to dominate the market, followed by Europe. The converging trends of aging population, technological advancements, and favorable reimbursement policies are driving the Home Healthcare Market in North America. However, Asia is poised to be the fastest-growing region during the forecast period. Factors such as rising geriatric population, increasing adoption of innovative techniques, increasing disposable income levels, expansion of home healthcare companies in this region, rising awareness about home healthcare, and increasing need for affordable healthcare delivery systems will drive the growth of the Asian market. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6722/ge-healthcare-create-new-business-unit-shs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6722/ge-healthcare-create-new-business-unit-shs.html Thu, 24 Sep 2015 12:47:09 +0530 GE Healthcare has announced the creation of a new business unit, Sustainable Healthcare Solutions (SHS), that will develop high-value, low-cost technologies and healthcare delivery solutions across multiple care settings. The new organization will invest $300 million as part of a multi-phase effort to develop a more robust affordable healthcare portfolio for customers. The unit will combine GE Healthcare's operations in India, South Asia, Africa and Southeast Asia. With the vision to improve access to quality and affordable health around the world, SHS will work with governments, clinicians, private operators and NGOs to deliver value-based solutions aimed at improving outcomes for health systems and patients. "Much of the world's population is without adequate healthcare, and innovations that can create better patient outcomes in a sustainable way are urgently needed," said Mr John Flannery, president and CEO of GE Healthcare. "Many emerging economies are looking for experienced partners to help build skills, capacity and effective healthcare solutions for their patients." GE Healthcare has a long track record in developing innovations for emerging markets. For example, its handheld ultrasound device Vscan Access+ and Lullaby+ infant warmer are improving outcomes in remote rural settings in maternal infant care, a major focus area for many emerging markets. The low-cost healthcare equipment sector alone is now estimated to be worth over $8 billion and growing significantly as developing countries continue to invest in effective, long-term healthcare solutions to improve the health of their populations. "SHS will leverage GE's Fastworks methodology to accelerate, test and rapidly commercialize relevant, affordable technologies. By taking this 'start-up' model approach we can rapidly test new ideas, products and services to maximize effectiveness for customers before we scale up," said Ms Terri Bresenham, president and CEO of GE Healthcare's Sustainable Healthcare Solutions unit. "From basic primary care delivery through to more complex, structural healthcare challenges, SHS will aim to combine GE Healthcare's capabilities and scale with the local know-how and expertise of our partners across Africa, Southeast Asia, India and South Asia. "   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6302/ge-healthcare-biotic-to-work-on-medical-imaging-software.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6302/ge-healthcare-biotic-to-work-on-medical-imaging-software.html Wed, 23 Sep 2015 11:50:42 +0530 A new collaboration between GE Healthcare Canada and BIOTIC will initiate a Halifax-based research and development (R&D) and technology commercialization program with the aim of bringing software technology advances to medical imaging. The collaboration draws on the recent acquisition of GE Healthcare's 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology at the QEII Health Sciences Centre (QEII) and BIOTIC's expertise in medical imaging based technology development, to explore the application of advanced software solutions to better diagnose and treat diseases of the brain, liver and prostate. The goal of this collaboration is to validate and commercialize software-powered medical imaging technology for eventual world-wide use as added solutions and features to GE Healthcare's MRI systems. Each products is being developed as "pushbutton"-- improving efficiency, consistency and accuracy of the MRI results - potentially improving care for patients in Nova Scotia and around the world. "GE Healthcare is keen to invest in collaborations that draw on the best capabilities from Canada's leading health care providers and research organizations to help commercialize products with the potential to advance our understanding and treatment of disease," said Ms Heather Chalmers, general manager for GE Healthcare Canada. "This collaboration with BIOTIC will draw on the considerable expertise in Nova Scotia to improve patient care for the Province and potentially the world." The products being developed include technology focused on providing automated software solutions in the areas of: pre-surgical functional brain mapping, liver disease and prostate cancer.   "BIOTIC has a diverse team of scientists, clinicians and technicians. After receiving a high-field MRI from a QEII Foundation donor, we knew we had the infrastructure, capability and drive to get the attention of a multinational company. Working with the GE Healthcare team in Canada has been great; they are innovative, forward-thinking and we expect to make some dramatic improvements to patient care through our collaboration," said Dr Steven Beyea, scientific lead for BIOTIC. The collaboration is underway, with a timeline to design, develop, test and commercialize the products over the next five years.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7788/hot-start-up-crafting-bioabsorbable-implants-for-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7788/hot-start-up-crafting-bioabsorbable-implants-for-india.html Mon, 21 Sep 2015 18:05:00 +0530 PLA is a biodegradable biomaterial made from corn, sugarcane or sugar beets, widely manufactured in the United States. The biomaterial instantly attracted Dr Lele's attention due to its unique properties including being able to be absorbable inside the body and retaining the mechanical properties to a certain time period. He then introduced this product to Dr V Premnath, another chief scientist at NCL, who has his PhD from the world-renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Dr Lele holds his PhD from the University of Delaware, USA. The product was promising and was sufficiently challenging to stir the enthusiasm between the two, and before long, they teamed up together to develop biocompatible maxillofacial volume filling implants. Four years later, in 2010, Mr Piyush Joshi, a polymer engineer from the University of Pune, joined them. His expertise helped them to identify the benchmark properties of the product to-be developed, and its economics.   They soon realized the importance to make bioabsorbable polymers with varied properties. All the efforts by the team were directed towards synthesis of appropriate molecular weight PLA material. The three of them participated in Venture Center's (Pune) 'Lab2Mkt' program which focuses on commercializing early-stage technologies. The idea bagged its initial funding of Rs 7 lakh from proof-of-concept (PoC) initiative. Thus the team were able to raise a small amount to setup initial experiments to synthesize the bioabsorbable polymers, and carry out further market research. With sustained market research, the trio understood that this single product will soon envisage the whole product portfolio using bioabsorbable polymers and their composites. By 2012, they went on to study and identify other products which use similar polymers.   "There were no Indian manufacturers who made biomedical grade PLA, and this was a real setback for the Indian medical device manufacturers. Surgeons had to rely on foreign players. We saw this as an opportunity and decided to use the expertise to develop the bioabsorbable materials and products for India. This was the moment when the idea was taking firm roots to be considered as a platform to create a new venture," says Mr Piyush Joshi, COO and executive director, Orthocrafts Innovations. Over the next two years, the whole team was building the chemistry know-hows of medical grade PLA, and was waiting for the appropriate funding opportunities. Mr Piyush highlights, "The opportunity struck us when BIRAC announced BIG grant funding scheme. We realized that this will be an excellent opportunity to bring our efforts to fruition. Post our participation, BIRAC approved our concept." Post which, Orthocrafts Innovations was incorporated. Dr Ashish Lele (48), and Dr V Premnath (45) serve as the start-up's director and advisor respectively.   So far, a capital of Rs 20 lakh has gone into the company. Mr Piyush believes that materials development for biomedical applications is the company's niche, and will transform medical device industry by slashing the time taken to develop products along with the costs. He adds, "We plan to capture the value in development of biomedical grade polymers which are suitable for implants, and downstream products using the same. We plan to work closely with Indian medical device users to develop newer products. Our ability to tailor materials and making them suitable for product development is the biggest strength." Mr Piyush recalls that the path was not simple during the beginning days. "Lack of ready infrastructure, non-existent dialogue between product users and product developers, lack of access to crucial raw materials, were the most common hurdles," he comments. "One of the great challenges we faced was to identify and execute suitable technology transfer model from NCL. Thanks to the team at NCL innovations for their prodigious efforts and continued support, Orthocrafts today enjoys necessary technology rights for material and product development." In its initial days, the venture also faced issues with putting the required resources such as skilled manpower, equipments and funds. However, the major challenge was in terms of taking the business idea from ideation-stage to the prototype-stage through the existing ecosystem. "There were hurdles in terms of setting up right mechanisms to transfer technology to the start-up, uncertain possibility of scientists participating in a start-up, and scarcity of scale-up funding from ideation-stage to first prototype," remarks Mr Piyush. Orthocrafts is unique in terms of a company structure, where Scientists from CSIR (Council of Scientific & Industrial Research) are allowed to take equity and be a promoter of the company. Orthocrafts is amongst the first few start-ups where CSIR's 'Scientist Entrepreneurship Scheme' has come to fruition. "So far Orthocrafts is successful in setting up a new trend among scientists, who now are thinking of shifting from traditional technology development, and transfer model," Mr Piyush points. It aims to aggressively grab opportunities to work with surgeons and hospitals to cater to their needs. Considering India's growing potential in medical tourism, the start-up will focus on multispecialty hospital chains in tier-1 cities. It also plans to establish connections with surgeons in tier-2 and tier-3 cities to increase its impact. Moving ahead, Orthocrafts intends to develop its portfolio of products by expanding into new biocompatible bioabsorbable materials such as PDLA (Poly D-Lactide) and PCL (Polycaprolactone). It is also looking forward to collaborate with institutes with strong programs on tissue engineering. "We also aim to develop next level of downstream products such as suture anchors and tacks for hernia repair. The company will also focus on building a strong IP portfolio for these materials and products as we go ahead," he shares. Its efforts will also be focused on getting products through pre-clinical and clinical trials to secure necessary approvals such as USFDA and CE mark, accompanied by ISO 13485 and ISO 10993 certifications. Orthocrafts visibility strategy includes an active website as an initial communication channel. Besides this, it also participates in various programs organized for the medical devices fraternity. "We intend to participate in various business plan competitions to improve the company's visibility," Mr Piyush opines. He also says that the Indian government has taken deliberate efforts in fostering entrepreneurial culture. "As a result of this, we see a revolution in the software sector. Indian government is taking giant efforts in replicating similar models in the biotech sector. However such efforts will come to fruition only when the youth of this country are encouraged to participate in new business ideas. Having supporting activities for entrepreneurship at undergraduate level will certainly help create more entrepreneurs in the country," he elaborates. He continues, "Today, only a handful of investment opportunities are available in engineering and the biotech sector in India. Bridging this gap will help flourish these sectors. Easy availability of risk capital at idea-stage will be of most use. I strongly believe that the government has taken steps in various efforts such as BIRAC and MSME. However, accelerated program execution will be a key to success." He notes that in the West, the economy is mainly focused on R&D intensive businesses and products. "India still emphasizes on service-based approach. Western countries have influenced policies, education system and financial markets to support start-ups as they see start-ups as economic growth engines. I would like to acknowledge here that sustained efforts for decades have helped Western countries to develop required entrepreneurial ecosystem," he says. Faster business processes, ease of winding start-ups, availability of risk capital at very early stage, and strong technology pipeline from educational institutes have given unprecedented advantage to Western countries. "Similar model may not be suitable for India considering the vast needs of Indian population," Mr Piyush suggests. "However, India has embarked its footprints on global map through frugal innovations, maximization of resources, business model innovations, and workflow innovations." As a trend in the medical devices industry, he expresses that many people are choosing in-house design and development as a main stream activity. At present, the product development emphasis is mainly on medical electronics and instrumentation. He also reveals that there are many emerging opportunities in making customized products for patients where start-ups can venture into. He considers Pune as an upcoming start-up hub apart from Bangalore and Hyderabad. "Pune has rich history of entrepreneurs, especially big business houses such as Bajaj and Poonawala group among others. Pune also has a strong educational system which provides skilled manpower for start-ups," he validates. The 30-year-old entrepreneur stresses that India is now seeing a steady growth in VCs who are venturing into the Life Sciences space. "However, the approach is more towards safeguarding the investment rather than risk-taking approach. Long gestation period for products increase the risk in Life Sciences-based start-ups," he explains. "For shareholders and investors who are looking at immediate returns, Life Science start-ups would be bad preposition," he mentions. "By the time these companies reach pilot scale, huge investment would have already been made and that increases the ticket size for such investors for far less equity. Also if joining the journey at late stages might lead to reduced returns. I believe that indexes such as GREX index is one of the most innovative way of raising start-up funds." As for Orthocrafts, one of the biggest challenges will be to navigate through the almost non-existent regulatory system in the country. "We also envisage that acceptance of products amongst the medical fraternity will take some time, but we wish to deliver a world-class innovation at the disposal of Indian surgeons. While we face strong competition from current foreign players in the Indian market, we are optimistic that we will be able to penetrate through the market," Mr Piyush says confidently. Mr Piyush counts patience and deliberate sustained efforts in achieving goals as the two most valuable qualities of being an entrepreneur in the field of Life Sciences He advises that for Life Sciences-based start-ups, joining an incubator or an accelerator is the best starting point. "Such premises brings supportive infrastructure at very lower costs. It also provides important connections to like-minded people," Mr Piyush says, for whom Ratan Tata had been a big role model. Entrepreneurs are human too. They undergo insurmountable stress at times. "There are a number of occasions where I feel highly stressed. In such situations I prefer to take a walk while listening to my favourite music by A R Rahman or Yanni. I also find that watching Tendulkar's batting as a great source of relaxation," he states. The entrepreneur also enjoys reading, music, movies, adventure sports, finding new food joints, and loves exploring vacation spots. "Entrepreneurs should not hesitate to take risks, pursue a lot of networking, and choose products carefully. Last, but not the least, always aim high," Mr Piyush ends, who says that he would have ended up being a mechanical engineer developing cars for F1 had he not been an entrepreneur. Quick Bites: Entrepreneurial Mistakes to Avoid:  Choosing inappropriate team, especially co-founders Lack of clarity on regulatory pathway Failure to sign right agreements or contracts with employees, vendors and others Failure to file strategic IPs Entrepreneurial Lessons Learnt:    Highly essential for co-founders to work in coherence in clearly defined roles Choosing products wisely  Not wasting time once the goal is clear Choosing funding partners carefully with due diligence Never hesitating to take risks   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7977/ims-study-highlights-potential-of-mhealth-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7977/ims-study-highlights-potential-of-mhealth-.html Mon, 21 Sep 2015 11:54:14 +0530 The number of mobile health applications available to consumers now surpasses 165,000, as developers incorporate innovative data collection features linked to sensors and wearables, according to a new report released today by the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics. While most available apps focus on overall wellness, healthcare systems and professionals are expressing greater interest and excitement in broader app use as barriers to mainstream adoption of mHealth are removed-especially in the area of chronic disease management. The IMS Institute study found that one in ten apps now has the capability to connect to a device or sensor, providing biofeedback and physiological function data from the patient and greatly extending the accuracy and convenience of data collection. Nearly a quarter of consumer apps are now focused on disease and treatment management, while two-thirds target fitness and wellness. The number and variety of mHealth apps present an overwhelming set of options for consumers, resulting in 40 percent of apps having fewer than 5,000 downloads. The study, Patient Adoption of mHealth: Use, Evidence and Remaining Barriers to Mainstream Acceptance, extends the IMS Institute's examination of consumer-focused mobile apps in the health system conducted in 2013. Researchers drew on IMS Health's proprietary AppScript Score database and analysis of 26,864 apps available in the US Apple iTunes and Android app stores-a representative sample of the most widely used mHealth apps by consumers. As part of the study, the IMS Institute also conducted structured interviews with health- and technology-focused thought leaders and executives on the role and status of healthcare apps. "While much progress has been made over the past two years, mHealth apps are still far from being a fully integrated component of healthcare delivery. Healthcare providers are actively addressing the remaining barriers. These include developing and adopting trusted platforms for ongoing apps curation and evaluation, creating practical reimbursement models and ensuring true interoperability within and across healthcare systems," said Mr Murray Aitken, executive director of the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics.   The report's key findings include the following: • App connectivity becomes a major focus for developers. In addition to improved user data collection capability, during the past two years the percentage of mHealth apps with the capability to connect to social networks increased from 26 percent to 34 percent, underscoring the importance of social networking in consumer engagement. Less progress has been made in enabling apps to connect and communicate with provider healthcare systems-a fundamental requirement for mHealth to realize its full value in healthcare management. • Overwhelming choice without guidance limits usefulness of healthcare apps. The total number of available mHealth apps is growing rapidly, including a 106 percent increase in the number of health-related Apple iOS apps since 2013. This can present an intimidating number of choices for consumers, leading some to simply select the most popular app and others to try multiple apps in an effort to determine what is best for them. The study found that just 12 percent of mHealth apps account for more than 90 percent of all consumer downloads, with nearly half of all downloads generated by just 36 apps. Physicians also struggle with the number of apps available and the limited mechanisms for assessing accuracy, efficacy and appropriateness for their patients. Platforms for rating, evaluating and, in some cases, certifying apps are becoming available to providers-enabling them to more confidently prescribe apps as part of disease prevention and treatment protocols. Moreover, 30-day retention rates for mHealth apps prescribed by a healthcare professional are 10 percent higher than those self-selected by patients. For prescribed fitness apps, the retention rate is 30 percent higher. • A growing movement is underway to build evidence supporting the value of mHealth apps. The majority of research studies to date focus on app usage rather than their effectiveness in improving patient outcomes or lowering healthcare costs. However, momentum is building for observational studies and randomized clinical trials that will yield evidence to support the value of apps, specifically in the areas of type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity and mental health. The number of clinical trials using mobile apps has more than doubled in the past two years, rising from 135 to 300. The majority of trials underway are interventional, underscoring the importance of providing rigorous study results to physicians in need of evidence that supports integration of apps in their treatment protocols. Demand has increased for larger clinical trials in an effort to better examine sub-populations of app users. Of the large mHealth app clinical trials that recruit patients, 53 percent are directed at the senior population-a key demographic that requires healthcare management and is targeted for increased app utilization. • Providers agree that the value mHealth apps can deliver is high, but barriers to full adoption remain. Among healthcare providers interviewed by the IMS Institute, most are confident that mHealth can improve overall outcomes, reduce the cost of healthcare and encourage patients to take a more active role in improving their health. Providers emphasized that mHealth data integrated with electronic healthcare records is critical to better clinical decision making and patient communication. With the universal enthusiasm expressed for mHealth, providers urged stakeholders to actively address remaining barriers, including: limited connectivity and integration into workflow systems; a slow paradigm shift in reimbursement processes and delivery of care; data confidentiality, privacy, security and regulatory uncertainties; lack of scientific evidence to measure the efficacy of apps; and the inability to reach the most vulnerable cohorts of patients-mainly the elderly or non-English speaking.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7696/hot-start-up-forging-ahead-with-perseverance.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7696/hot-start-up-forging-ahead-with-perseverance.html Mon, 21 Sep 2015 10:05:22 +0530 While in school, he always dreamt of being an entrepreneur someday. During his first year in college, he sensed that internet-based businesses would be the future. He started learning web development and created websites. In the third-year of his college, he started developing SaaS products as 'Cloud' seemed to be the buzz at that time. But it was an internship at the world's largest vaccine maker, Serum Institute, where it dawned on him that his enterprise would be biotechnology-oriented as he was greatly motivated by Serum's work. "I decided not to sit for placements and started my company right away," recalls Mr Pawan, the 25-year-old founder of Eumentis Informatics, a biotech analytics and consulting start-up incorporated in 2014.   Eumentis is a data analytics start-up providing analytics service and develop data-driven products in the field of Biotechnology, Life Sciences and Agriculture. Mr Pawan is from IIT-Delhi, holding both his Bachelor's and Master's degree in Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology. So far he has self-funded the company with an investment of Rs 3 lakh, and has received support from Venture Center, Pune. After his degree, he was carrying out his research work at IIT-Delhi, and at International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi. Both he and his batch-mate, Mr Krishna Choudhary, discussed about starting their own data analytics company in Life Sciences.   Simultaneously, the duo were also applying for their respective PhD programs. Mr Pawan targeted Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, ETHZ), European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), and Sanger Institute. But was rejected in all the three places. However, Mr Krishna was offered a place for his PhD at the University of California Davis, USA. He went to pursue the program. Mr Pawan decided to stick to his decision in starting a bioinformatics company. Before establishing Eumentis, Mr Pawan spent a lot of time gathering information about the need for bioinformatics in Indian research, and then planned the services accordingly. He also wasted no time in looking out for clients right away, alongside acquiring data analytics skills. Currently, the company provides all types of bioinformatics services in genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics and systems biology. It also specializes in Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and its analytics, and consult researchers and companies on utilizing NGS in their research. Eumentis is developing a diagnostic test for Tuberculosis (TB) which can determine drug resistance to most of the antibiotics using NGS. Later on, it intends to develop tools surrounding clinical applications of NGS. It is looking out for partnerships with biomedical device manufacturing companies to develop the device for its TB diagnostic tool. The company is also working on big data technologies like Apache Spark to carry out large-scale and real-time analytics in healthcare (healthcare IoT data, EMR data, and hospital data). "People generally use very well-defined and straightforward bioinformatics pipelines for all types of analysis. This is not a good practice. We create very specialized pipeline for each project that we get," points Mr Pawan. According to him, the major challenge was to explore the bioinformatics outsourcing scene in India. "I found that," he explains, "very few people accepted the fact that they do not have necessary bioinformatics facility or skills to carry out modern day research. Also researchers are skeptical in outsourcing their bioinformatics work, and are hesitant to even talk about it. Thus, convincing people the need for bioinformatics outsourcing has been a major challenge." At the moment, the company provides bioinformatics services to research institutes. It also intends to continue and expand its clientele, and also cater to biotech companies that need bioinformatics work. "In the future we would like to work with all the big healthcare companies and develop big data analytics tools for them," Mr Pawan adds. Funding for tool development wasn't a cakewalk for Eumentis. "Twice we applied for BIG grant, and once for the GC-TBC grant for our TB diagnostics using NGS. We got rejected all the three times. We are planning to develop the tool on our own by bootstrapping," he reveals. As it forges ahead, Eumentis will strategize on concentrating more on developing big data analytics products for the healthcare and medical industry, and use the machine-learning algorithms to build tools to provide intelligent insights; and also develop NGS-based novel diagnostic and prognostic tests. In a year or two, the company plans to reach revenues to fund the development of its analytics products. "We would definitely expand our work to the US first, and then enter the European markets," highlights Mr Pawan. According to him, the best way to begin a start-up is to develop a kick-ass product which will automatically draw mass attention. "For our service-based business, our main source is word-of-mouth publicity. We also use LinkedIn and other social media to promote our business. Getting published in the print media is also good for start-up visibility," he expresses. He feels that the Government should start more enterprises like the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) that help start-ups with funding, and also open incubators for Life Science start-ups at nominal charges. "I suppose getting funds for a company in the West is relatively easier and quicker than in India. They have a very old start-up culture because of the Silicon Valley revolution," says Mr Pawan, for whom Steve Jobs has been the biggest role model and influencer. The Tatas, Elon Musk and Rahul Yadav also occupy a certain influential position in his life. Mr Pawan optimistically says that Next-Generation Sequencing is the future. "It is highly booming, and soon it will be used for all kinds of clinical applications. In the future, genome sequencing will become a norm, and the insights obtained from it would be extensively used in preventive healthcare. It is a great tool for R&D. Its adaptation into mainstream research in life sciences would be extremely beneficial for our country," he predicts. He also adds that Life Science data management and analytics, IoT for healthcare monitoring, gene editing, Electronic Health Records (EHR), lab-on-a-chip diagnostics, as some of the areas where new start-ups can venture into. Immediate returns is almost impossible in Life Sciences, he tells, when asked about how he explains to investors who anticipate immediate returns. "I would probably give the examples of all the big biotech companies in India and around the world, and the time it took for them to become successful. As it deals with lives, the product should undergo extensive testing, and the R&D is very complicated and takes a lot of time," he stresses. Mr Pawan also remarks that Pune is an emerging start-up hub in India. "The work being done by Venture Center in Pune is really helping start-ups. They provide a very nurturing environment and provide excellent guidance to start-ups. They have also created a list of biotech startups in Pune, and constantly conduct important workshops and seminars for entrepreneurs. A new biotech park was recently opened in Hinjewadi in Pune which is great place for biotech start-ups," he appreciates. He thinks that the most important qualities in being an entrepreneur in the Life Sciences industry are excellent technical knowledge and perseverance. "The life cycle of life sciences companies are much longer and it is currently difficult in India to get the funding easily when compared to e-commerce start-ups. A lot of time goes into research, which is a vital part for any life sciences company. Having a degree from a good college or university is always beneficial to begin start-ups. Also one can find very good co-founders in those places. Having a good degree and team helps a long way in securing funding," he notes. He reveals that the top ways to raise start-up cash are through angel funding, grants from government or foundations like Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, B-Plan competitions, incubators or accelerators and bank loans. Speaking about unusual ways of funding start-ups, he comments, "Bootstrapping, crowdsourcing or crowdfunding, and money from friends and family are other ways. We at Eumentis are currently pursuing bootstrapping to run the company. I believe that in the long run, it is the best way to build a long-lasting brand," Mr Pawan opines. Should a start-up join an incubator or accelerator, or just simply begin on its own? "For me it is to grow on its own," he says. "Accelerators are kind of a shortcut that people take to earn money quickly and this makes it impossible to run a sustainable business. When you grow your business, your process foundation built from years of trial and error, becomes rock solid. For me, business is not about earning loads of money. It is about creating value and an entity that is sustainable." Mr Pawan, an entrepreneur, enjoys traveling, hiking, and trekking. He is also an avid nature lover who loves to cook and has varied interests including spirituality, philosophy, psychology, and hardware, and believes in constantly learning something new. To his credit, so far, he has learnt 10 different programming languages. He says he would have gotten a PhD and carried out research all his life had he not been an entrepreneur. As an important piece of advice to budding entrepreneurs, he mentions, "The most important lesson is to never look at peers who earn a lot more money. This depresses and forces one to take unnecessary steps just to earn money in short-term and makes lose focus in the longer run. Secondly, save as much money as possible and avoid spending too much money on hiring or getting unnecessary services. Never start a company with the aim of making tons of money, and never compromise on customer service or quality." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7469/fda-nod-for-siemens-mammomat-fusion-mammography-system-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7469/fda-nod-for-siemens-mammomat-fusion-mammography-system-.html Fri, 18 Sep 2015 11:58:15 +0530 Siemens Healthcare has announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently cleared the Mammomat Fusion - the latest addition to the Siemens family of full-field digital mammography systems that offers premium product features to address the specific needs of volume screening centers and small to medium-sized hospitals. The Mammomat Fusion mammography system features a new generation cesium-iodide detector - an innovative, layered configuration of the photo diodes within the detector that enables more efficient utilization of the radiation dose. The result: high image quality at a patient dose that is at or below the range of other full-field digital mammography systems, with an even lower dose delivered in cases where the patient's breast thickness exceeds 50 mm. And the system's large image matrix of 23x30 cm makes the Mammomat Fusion the right choice for screening various breast sizes. In addition to its new cesium-iodide detector, the Mammomat Fusion mammography system features selected technologies developed for Siemens' premium Mammomat Inspiration platform. The OpDose feature ensures that the radiation dose can be tailored for each patient without compromising image quality. The technologist can select the appropriate parameters in accordance with the patient's breast size and density. The screening process is also simplified for clinical staff thanks to the compact, syngo-based Acquisition Workstation (AWS). Users can load patient data directly from the radiology information system without requiring a second workstation. Clinical personnel also benefit from an intuitive, automated workflow. The system is ready for scanning with just one click, and manual positioning is extremely easy - so technologists can spend more time on the patient. "With the introduction of the competitively priced Mammomat Fusion full-field digital mammography system, Siemens proudly enables more breast centers and smaller hospitals to offer women many of the same cutting-edge technological features previously found only on our premium breast imaging systems," said Mr Martin Silverman, vice-president of X-ray Products at Siemens Healthcare North America.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4685/philips-partners-with-radboud-university-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4685/philips-partners-with-radboud-university-.html Fri, 18 Sep 2015 11:57:53 +0530 Netherlands-based Radboud university medical center (Radboudumc) has introduced a connected digital health prototype that enables people living with diabetes and their health care providers to make more confident care decisions while managing the complexity of diabetes self-care. In its first phase, the solution both organizations are developing will focus on patients living with diabetes type 1. The system, consisting of a mobile patient app and online community, is the first to collect and connect data from electronic medical records, multiple personal health devices - including wireless glucose meters and activity monitors - and patient self-reported data. Via a smartphone or tablet, the app gives patients continuous access to important parameters such as blood glucose levels, insulin use, and nutrition and provides coaching guidance* at home and on the go. The secure online community is where enrolled patients and healthcare professionals can interact via private messaging or shared posts within a healthcare organization's clinical guidelines. In this way, patients can get feedback from their care team using the combined data and can easily share experiences with fellow patients, clinicians and caregivers. The collaborative prototype development among Philips, Radboudumc and Salesforce is available in pilot release by the end of year, with plans to introduce similar connected care solutions addressing other chronic conditions. "I am excited that we are providing people with diabetes the tools to connect all of their relevant health data and devices. Our system allows sharing of data and experiences in one community, where they can collaborate with fellow patients and their care teams in a secure environment," said Mr Jeroen Tas, CEO Healthcare Informatics Solutions and Services, Philips. He added, "There is a growing need for solutions that enhance self-management and continuity of care for those with chronic conditions such as diabetes to reduce health deterioration, re-admissions and mortality rates. This system has been designed by patients for patients and is enabling fully integrated health management and care delivery in a new, connected, efficient and highly patient-centric way." "We want to encourage and support people to take full command of their disease by providing them with the right decision tools. This fits in our mission towards patient-centered participatory health care at Radboudumc," said Mr Cees Tack, Professor in internal medicine at Radboudumc. He added, "Empowering patients to be true partners in their own health care by giving them access to their data and by facilitating collaboration is the key to driving change across populations," Lucien Engelen, Director REshape Center at Radboudumc added. "By collaborating with Philips, we're creating the digital framework necessary to make data actionable and transform how patients engage with their caregivers and social community." The system is built on the Philips HealthSuite digital platform and its new CareCatalyst. This platform securely connects devices and collects, integrates and analyzes patient data from connected consumer and medical devices, electronic medical records, and personal health data. Via this open digital platform, self-measurement sources and overall functionality can easily be extended as new digital health consumer measurement technologies become available. CareCatalyst is a digital toolkit that makes it easy for health systems, institutions and care providers to utilize the power of the HealthSuite digital platform in dedicated localized solutions. Further delivering on its commitment to support people throughout the full continuum of health, Philips also recently introduced the first in a series of personal health programs that empower consumers to stay healthier and help prevent illness.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7344/fujifilm-sonosite-announces-ce-mark-for-iviz-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7344/fujifilm-sonosite-announces-ce-mark-for-iviz-.html Wed, 16 Sep 2015 12:04:31 +0530 FUJIFILM SonoSite has announced CE mark for its newest Point-of-Care solution, the iViz. Inspired by clinicians, the iViz is a new platform that augments the value of ultrasound for clinical users from hospital settings to clinics in remote villages with the ability to perform ultrasound when and where it is needed. "FUJIFILM SonoSite delivers a powerful and valuable solution to the market with the launch of iViz. It is a revolutionary tool that reaches new levels of mobility, image performance, and connectivity. Clinicians will now have access to technology that can be used on-the move, in-the-field or on-the ground," said Mr Masayuki Higuchi, president and CEO of FUJIFILM SonoSite. The iViz represents the next generation architecture and platform for Fujifilm's integration of ultrasound with medical IT. The iViz goes beyond traditional ultrasound abilities and provides clinicians with seamless access to patient vitals, online applications and learning resources. It also integrates with hospital IT and EMR systems to obtain patient demographics and submit reports, and connects securely with cloud services for sharing studies with remote providers for near-time assessments. The iViz is lightweight and specifically designed for emerging point-of-care settings where there is need for a highly accessible and mobile solution. It features a high resolution seven-inch display touchscreen, a wide dynamic range over a large viewing angle with high definition vibrant color flow images, Wi-Fi capabilities, Bluetooth connectivity, and interface ports for USB, HDMI, and audio. In addition to high resolution 2D imaging, the system supports M-Mode and Color Velocity Doppler. The iViz is available with a P21v phased array 5MHz transducer, and features proprietary software technologies: SonoHD2 Imaging Technology, and SonoADAPT Tissue Optimization Technology.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6396/researchers-decoded-the-tulsi-genome.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6396/researchers-decoded-the-tulsi-genome.html Tue, 15 Sep 2015 16:40:51 +0530 A multi-institutional team led by Dr Sowdhamini Ramanathan from NCBS, Bangalore, have produced the first draft genome of the sacred herb, Tulsi. This is an important step in understanding and identifying the genes responsible for production of metabolites with medicinal properties. The team included researchers from NCBS, inStem and CCAMP, all members of the Bangalore Life Sciences Cluster. Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum), a ubiquitous herb is used for therapeutic purposes. Known for producing many aromatic compounds, Tulsi is known as 'Queen of Herbs'. The plant synthesises a wide range of bioactive compounds, known for their anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-pyretic and anti-cancer properties. These compounds are metabolites, compounds that are a by-product of plant metabolism, typically used for plant self-defence. These metabolites are very poorly understood because of lack of genomic information. The team of Scientists performed the genome sequencing of O. tenuiflorum subtype Krishna, one of the non-model plants of great medicinal value. Comparative analysis of transciptomes of O. tenuiflorum subtype Krishna and Rama was also performed to detect potential differentially-regulated genes and their involvement in metabolite synthesis. They have identified a large set of genes involved in the production of specialized metabolites of medicinal interest such as apigenin, luteolin, rosmarinic acid pathway, eugenol, and ursolic acid. The availability of the whole genome of O.tenuiflorum and the sequence analysis suggests that small amino acid changes at the functional sites of genes involved in metabolite synthesis pathways confer special medicinal properties to this herb. The paper is published in the journal BMC Plant Biology.   (With inputs from NCBS news)     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7187/samsung-signed-a-deal-with-healthcare-firm-premier.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7187/samsung-signed-a-deal-with-healthcare-firm-premier.html Tue, 15 Sep 2015 11:46:46 +0530 Samsung has been awarded a group purchasing agreement for General Radiography, Computed Tomography, and Ultrasound with Premier, Inc., a leading healthcare improvement company, effective October 1, 2015. The new agreement allows Premier members, at their discretion, to take advantage of special pricing and terms pre-negotiated by Premier for Digital Radiography, CT, & Ultrasound products. "Samsung is extremely pleased to form this new relationship with Premier, a world-class organization and recognized leader in healthcare improvement. Samsung is making critical investment to help healthcare providers enhance patient care, improve patient satisfaction and increase workflow efficiency with our entire healthcare portfolio. We understand the need to improve healthcare outcomes while lowering costs. We are excited to be a partner with Premier in transforming the provider and patient experience" said Mr Phil Sullivan, NeuroLogica Division, president and CEO, Samsung. Samsung's full range of imaging solutions are designed to enhance the quality of care and transform the patient experience. The product portfolio includes Digital Radiography (DR), Ultrasound and portable Computed Tomography (CT) systems.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7078/practo-acquires-insta-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7078/practo-acquires-insta-health.html Mon, 14 Sep 2015 12:07:55 +0530 Practo has announced the acquisition of Insta Health Solutions for $12 million (approx Rs 80 crore). Insta Health is founded by Mr Ramesh Emami, ex-CTO at Wipro Technologies, is a hospital management solution provider. The company will operate as a separate division in all the 15 countries it is present. "This is one of the largest acquisitions in the digital healthcare space in India. We are very excited to have them as a part of our fold. We can make inroads to many more hospitals now, we already have 10,000 hospitals on board. We will be able to provide integration with hospitals for customers to have better experience visiting hospitals," said Mr Shashank ND, founder, Practo, in a statement. "Insta is thrilled to join Practo in our quest to enable digital healthcare worldwide. We chose Practo over some other options as we felt we can together offer superior and comprehensive solutions," said Mr Ramesh Emami, in a statement. This is Practo's third acquisition post FitHo and Genii earlier this year.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6756/leucine-rich-bio-partners-with-german-firm-diadome-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6756/leucine-rich-bio-partners-with-german-firm-diadome-.html Sat, 12 Sep 2015 09:45:00 +0530 Leucine Rich Bio and DiaDome have announced that they have entered into a partnership designed to be mutually beneficial in promoting both organizations in the field of medical diagnostics. Leucine Rich Bio is based in Bangalore and its main area of focus is a niche domain of human genome interpretation. The team behind Leucine Rich Bio uses advances in the areas of computer and information science, data management, statistics and systems biology to solve complex problems in genomics. They envision using cutting edge big data approaches along with machine learning algorithms to delve deeper into the understanding of the human genome and to develop novel solutions to drug discovery. Sigrid Passig, CEO and founder, DiaDome, said, "It is the innovative attitude of Leucine Rich Bio's team and the organization's modern approaches to their field what made it stand out for DiaDome. Our network is a platform friendly to new ideas that depart from conventions. That is why we believe the alliance with Leucine Rich Bio makes sense and it gives us great satisfaction to be promoting their products and services using tools available to us as a social network." "It is a pleasure to partner with Diadome. Both our organizations are unique in their offering and we see a huge benefit to propagating our products and services through Diadome's network," said Dr Debojyoti Dhar, director (Business Development and Innovation) at Leucine Rich Bio. In return DiaDome will be promoted by Leucine Rich Bio in their day to day business. Leucine Rich Bio will use their network of contacts to supply DiaDome with new members and encourage their contacts to register and support DiaDome. DiaDome strives to be the go-to tool for today's diagnostic community, where anybody from a laboratory technician to a production specialist to a hospital director can reap the benefits of belonging to a worldwide network of diagnostic experts. With that in mind, Leucine Rich Bio will promote DiaDome within their diagnostic circles. Both organizations are confident that this affinity will result in a mutually rewarding coalition.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/4878/unleashing-the-power-of-exosomes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/4878/unleashing-the-power-of-exosomes.html Mon, 07 Sep 2015 17:25:58 +0530 While pursuing his PhD at National Centre for Cell Sciences (NCCS), Dr Aman Sharma (32) worked on brain tumors and his attention drew towards cancer patients who were in great physical, emotional and economical agony. He then visited a cancer hospital in Western Rajasthan and found that the lab was not researching enough on patients with cancer. That visit sparked a fiery flame within Dr Sharma, who then decided to pursue translational research, and ended up receiving the Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG) worth Rs 49 lakh from BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council) in 2015 to set up his own start-up venture - ExoCan. ExoCan is involved in developing unique Oncotechnology platforms for applications in cancer diagnosis, imaging and chemotherapy. It aims to develop technologies at lower costs with greater accessibility and clinically manage cancers for better survival outcomes. As a plan of action, Dr Sharma secured seed funding and developed the proof-of-concept with active association with R&D institutions in India and abroad, and has so far signed MoUs with two national level research institutions.   Contradictorily, ExoCan faced minimal initial challenges while setting up. "BIRAC's seed funding helped us to face the initial stages, and we were incubated at Pune's Venture Centre. However, the investors we interacted with showed minimal understanding of the healthcare R&D, and it looked like they were never going to take significant risks for disruptive technologies which we are trying to develop," voices Dr Sharma. The company has also applied for 3-4 other government grants which are in the pipeline. It has also been shortlisted for two other grants for the next set of rounds. ExoCan, in the next 18 months, aims to come up with its R&D product which will enter clinics after the necessary regulatory approvals. In the next 4-5 years, Dr Sharma tells that, the company would be a pioneer in developing disruptive Oncotechnologies. Once it has developed 3-4 products, it intends to expand to Europe and the US.   It is now targeting a revenue of Rs 5-10 crore in the next 2-3 years. Dr Sharma feels that the Government can invest more in innovation and technology with a focus on private companies. "Primarily, the Government should create a department in the Ministry which can nurture young entrepreneurs under one roof and form a channel to facilitate the start-up journey," he suggests. He also predicts that there is going to be a dire need for innovations in the oncology sector in next 10 years. "It might be possible that cancers would no longer be killing lives as they currently do. Moreover, the oncology industry would be driven, not by big pharmas, but by small or medium level and value-based entities," opines Dr Sharma, who is a fan of geek Nikola Tesla.   He also says that sectors like Agri-biotech and Nanomedicine as promising areas where new start-ups can venture into. He sees Pune as the next biggest hub for the country's biotech start-ups, and advices that joining an incubator is far better while erecting a start-up. Being in Life Sciences, Dr Sharma points there is a total lack of understanding by capitalists about R&D happenings in start-ups. "VCs want rapid capital recovery, wherein the Life Sciences sector requires longer incubation periods, but with greater returns. The environment of VC-funded Life Science start-up is not ready in India," he adds. Comparing the Western with Indian start-up culture, Dr Sharma says, "In healthcare, Western countries are funding more industry-related R&Ds than academic-oriented research. Also, in the West, many publicly-funded institutions are self-sustainable through the generation of patents, service models, and industry tie-ups. However, in India, majority of the R&D money goes to the publicly-funded R&D establishments, which are not producing on par products and IPs even after decades of their establishments. Thus, there should be more money influx into private sector which is driven by innovation." The entrepreneur's hobbies include meditation, cooking, new age music, poetry and visiting the Himalayas.   To those aspiring entrepreneurs, he adds, "Follow your passions. The only thing which matters is passion for the problem and the perseverance to solve it. This is the reason why we have more grass-root innovations happening in villages in India." At a Glance:Entrepreneurial Lessons Learnt:  Saying 'no' to investors if the money is not worth the time and efforts Protecting IPs aggressively Building up ties with niche experts Being assertive and strongly defending agenda Target Entities:  Cancer hospitals Cancer patients Pathology labs Publicly funded R&D institutions Oncology companies   Visibility Strategy:  Attending conferences, meetings & start-up events Engaging with print media Writing new grants Publishing research articles. Unusual Funding Methods:  Self-capital Approaching relatives Entrepreneurial Mistakes to Avoid:  A weak team No vision Accepting money from any resources Not securing IPs at the earliest Top Start-up Myths:  The belief it can't happen in India Lower survival rates Difficult to innovate Start-up acquisition by bigger players Prolonged product timeline Three Start-up Phases:  Seeding - Requires Government money and avoids VCs pressure ensuring more focus  Growing - Requires efficient manufacturing units on rented or loaned basis, having dedicated marketing chains only for Life Sciences sector, and soft loans from the Government and investors Maturation - Sustainability through monetizing IPs, licensing out only by the company, efficient tech transfer units at zonal level by the Government, and setting up platforms for budding start-ups in showcasing to the outer world   ExoCan's Products:  The portable aspect of the lung cancer device allows faster (~30 minutes to 1 hour) detection, diagnosis and therapy response monitoring in a single test. The device reduces time, cost, and travel for patients, and allows more number of patients to be tested by doctors. This increases efficiency in cancer hospitals in spite of low doctor-to-patient ratio. It also reduces multiple rounds of expensive scanning and pathology reports generation, thereby cutting down on treatment cost and time.  Early cancer screening cum diagnosis kit allows faster cancer screenings and testing for masses at minimal pathology lab settings with rapid result generation. This cost-effective pan cancer diagnosis method allows molecular bioprinting of the cancer(s) in one single test and, therefore saves on cost, time and travel for patients.  The targeted chemotherapy platform allows painless, side effects-free delivery of chemotherapy to patients and thus, reduces physical, mental, and emotional pain for families and patients. For doctors, it allows the usage of multiple drugs in combination to the effective management of cancer.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3546/siemens-healthcare-launches-mobile-x-ray-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3546/siemens-healthcare-launches-mobile-x-ray-system.html Mon, 07 Sep 2015 11:41:26 +0530 Siemens Healthcare introduces MULTIMOBIL 10, a high performance, low dose mobile X-ray system, which is manufactured in India and will cater to the potential demand in the entry level mobile X-ray systems. It is a versatile system powered with high frequency technology that can generate high contrast images at a low dose. The unique addition of 'zebra' design where the tube head has a zebra face and the rest of the system have zebra stripes, is an innovative, child friendly design that will allow fast and smooth scanning, especially in case of pediatric imaging. "Siemens is a pioneer in introducing mobile X-ray systems and we are proud to introduce our locally manufactured MULTIMOBIL 10 mobile X-ray system. We have effectively addressed the needs of small and medium healthcare providers by introducing this entry level mobile, analog X-ray system, which is simple to use and delivers high performance at lower dose", said Dr Richard Guest, CEO, Siemens Healthcare, India. Developed with a compact and lightweight design with a counterbalanced swivel-arm system, MULTIMOBIL 10 improves clinical workflow capabilities and allows higher flexibility in patient positioning - from recumbent, sitting or in any position in between. Challenging clinical orientations, such as abdominal and chest imaging even for obese patients are developed with ease. Its operational efficiency enables applications in a variety of clinical disciplines -- for instant bedside imaging, intensive care unit, neonatal intensive care unit, operating room, sports medicine and even in veterinary medicine. The hassle free 'plug and perform' feature of MULTIMOBIL 10 makes it a device that can be used in multiple departments and situations demanded in the medical infrastructure. The system can perform under extreme operating conditions. It delivers a constant imaging power even when the power supply voltage falls to 170 V/180 V or rises to 265 V. The easy to use operator console provides quick access to all functions and operating modes. MULTIMOBIL 10 has been designed with a convenient and safe parking position for the freely rotatable unit's head, especially when the system is being moved. The machine is capable of delivering shortest possible exposure times, virtually eliminating any motion blur.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5103/sartorius-ge-healthcare-sign-oem-supply-agreement.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5103/sartorius-ge-healthcare-sign-oem-supply-agreement.html Fri, 04 Sep 2015 12:09:38 +0530 Sartorius Stedim Biotech (SSB) and GE Healthcare's Life Sciences business has announced they have entered into a worldwide OEM (Original equipment manufacturer) supply agreement for SSB's innovative membrane adsorber purification technology, Sartobind. Under the terms of the agreement, SSB will manufacture membrane adsorber technologies for GE which will be marketed as part of GE's ReadyToProcess product offerings. Membrane adsorber ion-exchange technology is widely used in the industry for the removal of contaminants such as endotoxins and viruses during the production of protein-based drugs, and can offer manufacturers advantages compared to other techniques. Financial terms were not disclosed. Mr Reinhard Vogt, executive vice-president of Marketing, Sales and Services, Sartorius Stedim Biotech said, "This agreement with GE is exciting for the team at SSB and will further establish our innovative purification technologies into new applications, processes and platforms worldwide. We're looking forward to working with GE and to further help the dynamic and fast-moving biopharmaceutical industry meet the challenges of today and tomorrow." Ms Catarina Flyborg, BioProcess Downstream Product Leader at GE Healthcare's Life Sciences business said, "The biopharmaceutical industry worldwide is facing increasing pressure to continually reduce costs, increase efficiency and improve quality. Our vision is that an integrated manufacturing approach where every stage - from choice of cell culture media right through to selecting the best approach to purification - has the potential to improve product yields and reduce time to market. We are excited to be working with Sartorius Stedim Biotech and to be able to expand our toolbox with their innovative technologies." The new products will be marketed by GE under the brand "ReadyToPocess Adsorber".   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5524/medtronic-acquires-medina-medical.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5524/medtronic-acquires-medina-medical.html Thu, 03 Sep 2015 10:47:06 +0530 Medtronic has announced it has acquired Medina Medical, a Menlo Park, Calif.-based and privately-held medical device company focused on commercializing state-of-the-art treatments for vascular abnormalities of the brain including cerebral aneurysms. "Medtronic is committed to fighting stroke through the innovative therapies we bring to clinicians and patients. Medina Medical's breakthrough technology makes it a natural fit with our Neurovascular portfolio, further strengthening our hemorrhagic stroke portfolio," said Mr Brett Wall, president of the Neurovascular division, which is part of the Restorative Therapies Group at Medtronic. "The Medina(TM) embolization device features advanced technology to treat cerebral aneurysms that we think can one day disrupt the coil market." The Medina Embolization Device(TM) is an intrasaccular 3D mesh implant that fills the inside of a brain aneurysm. This technology is designed to address clinical needs by featuring an implant with 3D self-expandable mesh that provides a scaffold across the aneurysm neck; conforms to the shape of the aneurysm; and reduces blood flow. "This acquisition offers Medina Medical a unique opportunity to bring together our breakthrough technologies with Medtronic's leading clinical, regulatory, market development, and commercial expertise," said Mr Erik Engelson, CEO of Medina Medical. "We look forward to working closely with Medtronic to provide expanded access and economic efficiencies to our clinical partners in fighting stroke - particularly aneurysms and hemorrhagic stroke." The all-cash transaction included an initial payment of $150 million plus additional payments upon achievement of key milestones. Medtronic had previously invested in Medina Medical and held an ownership stake in the company prior to completion of the acquisition, which will result in a pre-tax gain in the second quarter of fiscal year 2016. Additional terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to meet Medtronic's long-term financial metrics for acquisitions. Medtronic will report the Medina Medical product line as part of its Neurovascular division within the Restorative Therapies Group.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4560/bpl-medical-technologies-acquires-penlon.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4560/bpl-medical-technologies-acquires-penlon.html Thu, 03 Sep 2015 10:45:48 +0530 BPL Medical Technologies ("BPL Medical"), has announced the acquisition of Penlon("Penlon"), a UK-based, leading global manufacturer of anaesthesia systems and vaporizers with worldwide distribution networks. Penlon's product range complements BPL Medical's existing portfolio and will help in expanding its presence in the critical care segment. Penlon will continue to be based and operated from the UK under the leadership of the existing management team. The company designs, engineers and manufactures anaesthesia systems, vaporizers and other complementary products. These products are sourced by hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and anaesthesia system manufacturers worldwide. Penlon has a reputation for exceptional product quality and prompt after sales support and services. BPL Medical is one of the largest Indian medical devices companies with over 300 personnel and a large distributor network located across India. In August of 2013 Goldman Sachs invested in BPL Medical to fund the expansion of its medical devices business. This latest acquisition will increase BPL Medical's presence and distribution in other emerging and developed markets. Mr Sunil Khurana, chief executive officer of BPL Medical said, "This acquisition will help us penetrate the large critical care segment in India with Penlon's world-renowned technology-driven anaesthesia machines and vaporizers. BPL Medical will leverage Penlon's R&D capabilities to develop many new products suitable for India and other emerging markets. Additionally, Penlon's global reach will help expand BPL Medical's international presence."   Mr Stephen Moon, Chief Executive Officer of Penlon, said, "This partnership secures a long-term investment which underpins our product strategy to develop world class anaesthesia machines, monitors and next-generation vaporizers over the coming years. We now plan to expand our product development capabilities across the business and will bring forward a number of key projects. We will also benefit from BPL Medical's strength in India which will provide substantial growth in the years to come."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7676/medical-devices-industry-calls-upon-government-to-empower-domestic-manufacture.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7676/medical-devices-industry-calls-upon-government-to-empower-domestic-manufacture.html Wed, 02 Sep 2015 15:59:05 +0530 Industry leaders participating in FICCI Heal 2015 have called upon the government to take strong measures to drive the consumption of medical devices in the country, bring clarity to regulatory policy, correct inverse import duties and provide fiscal incentives to give the domestic manufacture of medical devices a strong impetus for growth and turn India into a global innovation hub for medical technology. Convening the 'Make in India' and its relevance to Healthcare, Mr Varun Khanna, MD, BD India, said, "The 'Make in India' campaign must be aligned with key government initiatives to create a strong impact on public health and provide safe medical care accessible to all. Therefore, it is important for the stakeholders in the medical devices and larger healthcare ecosystem to constructively engage in a dialogue to facilitate 'Make in India' for the country. The government should strengthen entrepreneurship and innovation to fulfil the clinical unmet needs leading to better patient outcomes." Mr Ajay Pitre, co-chair of FICCI Medical Devices Forum & MD of Pitre Business Ventures, said, "The need for quality healthcare services is going to rapidly expand as the Indian economy evolves. A strong domestic medical technology industry is very much possible, considering India's strengths, to help meet the country's needs for medical devices meaningfully and cost effectively. From a net importer, India can transform itself into a provider of cost-effective medical technology solutions to the whole world; provided an enabling ecosystem is put in place by the government." The experts were unanimous that the medical devices industry is poised to grow significantly in the coming years due to the huge unmet need, and it is no longer sustainable to continue with the current 80:20 import-export ratio. They called upon the government to focus on the following initiatives to turn India into a powerhouse of medical devices manufacturing: · Market Expansion - The current market of medical technology in India is an insignificant fraction of the global market. The Government needs to facilitate access and drive consumption by increasing spending in healthcare from current 1% of GDP to at least 3%.   · Regulatory Clarity - The Act separating medical devices from drugs needs to quickly come into force. It should enforce risk-based classification and allow ease of clinical trials. Also, a nodal ministry has to be made responsible for end-to-end facilitation of the medical technology industry. · Fiscal Incentives - To create a global supply chain and manufacturing in India, the Government needs to provide fiscal advantages to investors on the lines of countries like Ireland and China. Said Mr Probir Das, MD, Terumo India, "It is very important for the Government to address the issue of inverse import duties and formation of manufacturing clusters. The import of components is often more expensive in India than the import of finished goods. Zero duty or very low levels of duty on component imports will facilitate local assembly or production of medical devices." Added Mr Sunil Khurana, chairman of FICCI Medical Electronics Forum & CEO of BPL Medical Technologies, "The 'Make in India' campaign coupled with 100% FDI in this sector will provide a huge impetus in growing the medical devices sector in India. Indian medical devices companies must try attract international majors for their participation in the form of funds, technology and manufacturing partnership." He further said, "Local manufacturing will help in development of custom products suited better to our disease pattern and patient demography thereby reducing the overall cost of delivery. Manufacturers would also benefit through government purchases giving preferential treatment for domestic production. Further, we also need to develop our own quality control standards specific to Indian context." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7722/global-telemedicine-market-bric-nations-expected-high-growth-rate-by-2020.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7722/global-telemedicine-market-bric-nations-expected-high-growth-rate-by-2020.html Tue, 01 Sep 2015 16:01:14 +0530 The primary concept of telemedicine is to negate the distance factor in providing lifesaving clinical healthcare. Telemedicine can be classified on the basic on technology and services used. Based on services, telemedicine can be divided into remote monitoring, store and forward (real-time) interactive services. Furthermore, based on the application, telemedicine is classified as Telecardiology, Teleconsultation, Teledermatology and Teleradiology. Telesurgery and home telehealth are not very popular in the BRIC region and are in the nascent stage. According to Transparency Market Research (TMR) firm, the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, China and India) countries have a high proportion of population that suffers from diseases like diabetes and asthma.   The BRIC telemedicine market is expected to grow with a CAGR of 15%. Another driving factor for the telemedicine market is the requirement of medical facilities in rural areas. Rural areas lack good medical facilities and hence the concept of telemedicine is very well accepted in the developing areas. The advent of high speed internet and telecommunication in these countries has made telemedicine possible and this is a factor for the continued growth of the market in these regions. The cost associated with telemedicine is often lower as compared to conventional healthcare and hence is a positive factor for the development of the market. Though the cost of telemedicine is often lower, the infrastructure cost to provide telemedicine facility is often high. This high cost, says TMR, acts as a hindrance to the development of the market along with the lack of interest from patients and doctors restraints the growth of the market.   There are still certain legal hassles in telemedicine, which have not yet been solved. The opportunity lies in developing a knowledge sharing platform to enhance the scope for telemedicine market. Also the support of the government in promoting the telemedicine market would be crucial for its development. Increasing the awareness of patients about the advantages of telemedicine is crucial for sustained growth. Some of the key players in the telemedicine market are Aerotel Medical Systems, Apollo Hospitals, IBM Healthcare and Lifesciences, Wipro, Manipal Hospital and others. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4268/create-an-eco-system-for-inflow-of-higher-fdi.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4268/create-an-eco-system-for-inflow-of-higher-fdi.html Mon, 31 Aug 2015 12:06:45 +0530 Mr Sudhanshu Pandey, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, has underscored the need for enhancing FDI in the medical device industry. While addressing the delegates at CII's Medical Technology Conference held in Delhi, Mr Pandey said that the medical device segment accounted for less than 0.5 per cent of the total inflow of FDI, which was very inadequate considering the fact that FDI was allowed both in brownfield and greenfield segments. More inflow of FDI could also make India a hub for medical device production not only for catering to domestic use but also exports. Mr Pandey also referred to the skill deficit in the country and suggested introduction of customized courses in poly-technics, ITIs and engineering colleges to create the required number of qualified professionals for the industry. He said, 'Industry to come forward with specific suggestions for skill development so that it could be dovetailed with the activities of Skill Development Councils.' Referring to the role of ancillary industry in the manufacture of medical devices, Mr Pandey said that the import dependence in the segment should be brought down. For that, it was imperative to have a strong drive towards ancillarization. The government is motivating MSMEs to be more active in the field. Support mechanisms are being evolved by the government for this end. Mr Pandey referred to the new legislation that is being brought about to regulate and harmonize the segment, which is presently covered by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Since the legislation might take some time, certain short term measures also can be brought to address the immediate problems of the industry such as labeling requirements etc.   He called for transfer of technology to give a leg up to the medical device industry by taking up contract designing, research, leading to manufacturing. Products sourced from India at cheaper prices are sold at higher prices abroad, denying the Indian industry the benefits. Mr Pandey exhorted industry to evolve a pragmatic pricing policy for equipment. Product pricing should be transparent, predictable and economical to make the medical treatment affordable to the common man.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/6937/global-biometrics-technology-market-to-reach-14-9-bn-by-2024.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/6937/global-biometrics-technology-market-to-reach-14-9-bn-by-2024.html Fri, 28 Aug 2015 14:08:11 +0530 The market for biometrics technology is developing at a rapid pace, but according to a recent report from Tractica, it is in no way homogeneous. Instead, the biometrics market comprises at least 13 biometric modalities, 11 major industry sectors, and 142 individual use cases, not to mention more than 100 technology vendors and systems integrators. Tractica, a market intelligence firm, anticipates that the worldwide biometrics technology market will grow from $2.0 billion in 2015 to $14.9 billion by 2024. During that period, Tractica forecasts that cumulative revenue will total $67.8 billion. "Use cases define biometrics. Technology enables, but does not define this market," says principal analyst Mr Bob Lockhart. "Our research indicates little evidence of point solution selling or customers being seduced by cool technology. Even vendors with unique technology talk first about solving problems."   Mr Lockhart adds that, while all biometric modalities will experience growth during the coming decade, the largest revenue opportunities lie with fingerprint recognition, voice recognition, and iris recognition. Other notable modalities that will have a place in the market include facial recognition, vein recognition, facial thermography, electrocardiogram (ECG) recognition, retina recognition, and DNA recognition. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6901/tech-firm-xerox-to-buy-rsa-medical-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6901/tech-firm-xerox-to-buy-rsa-medical-.html Fri, 28 Aug 2015 12:25:41 +0530 Xerox has announced a definitive agreement to acquire RSA Medical. The acquisition, once closed, will expand Xerox's portfolio of healthcare service offerings to payers and life insurers using predictive analytics to enhance member outreach services aimed at improving overall population health. RSA Medical is a provider of health assessment and risk management for members interacting with health and life insurance companies. Integrating RSA Medical into Xerox's Commercial Healthcare Services business will expand the company's ability to support healthcare payers throughout all stages of member engagement, including application and enrollment, operations and claims management, customer care, and population health management. Ms Kelly Rakowski, senior vice-president, Healthcare Payer Services at Xerox said, "With this acquisition, we will help health plans educate new enrollees about services available to them and close gaps in care when necessary. We will also provide payers with insights into population health trends, and coordinate timely and personal clinical interventions for at-risk individuals and populations." Powered by its proprietary MedGine platform and individualized patient-engagement capabilities, RSA Medical utilizes population-health focused data analytics that enable health plans to support early identification of medical conditions and other risk factors, increasing payers' ability to assist their members in maintaining wellness and managing chronic medical conditions. "Xerox's powerful brand, extensive market coverage and focus on innovation will accelerate the growth of our services," said Mr Rocco Salviola, founder, president and CEO of RSA Medical. He added, "The strong cultural fit and integration of our businesses will benefit clients of both companies by creating opportunities to seamlessly leverage Xerox's full portfolio of commercial healthcare service capabilities throughout the entire member care experience. RSA Medical will continue advocating for members by helping them navigate any and all insurance interactions with the end goal of controlling and preventing the onset of chronic diseases."   The RSA Medical management team and its employees will remain with the company with Salviola leading operations and reporting to Ms Rakowski.The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2015. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7756/despite-impressive-advances-prosthetics-to-struggle-to-clear-reimbursement-hurdles.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7756/despite-impressive-advances-prosthetics-to-struggle-to-clear-reimbursement-hurdles.html Thu, 27 Aug 2015 17:02:45 +0530 The global market value for prosthetics will rise slowly from just over $1 billion in 2014 to approximately $1.21 billion by 2021, with reimbursement difficulties remaining the largest obstacle to growth in this medical device segment, according to research and consulting firm GlobalData. The company's report states that this increase, which will occur across the 10 major markets of the US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, Japan, India, China, and Brazil, represents a tepid Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 2.6%. However, Ms Jennifer Ryan, GlobalData's analyst covering medical devices, says incredible emerging technological advancements in prostheses that improve user comfort and functionality, including devices wired into the user's nervous system, offer an exciting frontier for market growth during the forecast period, providing reimbursement issues can be resolved. Ms Ryan explains: "Recent trends in prosthetics focus on socket design for improved user comfort, as well as enhanced device functionality with less user energy expenditure. Particular attention has been paid to upper extremity device improvements, due in part to the number of amputees returning from global conflicts. The analyst adds that procedures integrating prostheses into the user's nervous system for optimal device control, including targeted muscle reinnervation and targeted sensory reinnervation, have the potential to drive growth in the prosthetics market.   However, as reimbursement is generally capped for prosthetics, there is limited access to the most innovative devices, with the majority of patients only receiving a simple prosthesis. Ms Ryan continues: "Tightening healthcare budgets, combined with the extremely high cost of the newest technology, creates complications for payers. As a result, both public and private insurers are increasingly emphasizing the requirement for strong clinical evidence before granting reimbursement for newly-approved, advanced prosthetic devices. "However, the combination of an aging global population, growing amputation numbers due to trauma in emerging markets, and diabetic or vascular complications worldwide, as well as an increased awareness of prosthetic users' needs, will continue to drive the market," the analyst concludes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6624/siemens-launches-three-new-hematology-systems-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6624/siemens-launches-three-new-hematology-systems-.html Thu, 27 Aug 2015 11:37:53 +0530 Siemens Healthcare launches three new scalable hematology systems: the ADVIA 360 System, ADVIA 560 System and ADVIA 560 AL System. These lower capacity systems offer state-of-the-art hematology testing capabilities for small to mid-sized laboratories and can also be used as back-up systems for larger diagnostic setups. "We are proud to expand our family of scalable hematology analyzers with flexible and intuitive options to suit the demographic requirements of different laboratories in India. Siemens' scalable options have been designed to meet the needs of our customers by giving accurate, reliable, easy-to-use and cost-efficient hematology solutions for different testing volumes," said Mr Richard Guest, CEO, Siemens Healthcare, India. The systems offer fast, high quality CBC testing, running up to 60 samples per hour. Engineered for safety and ease-of-operation, the new ADVIA hematology systems help optimize and manage workflow through several convenient features, such as the choice of open- or closed-tube sampling and customizable result printing. Automatic anti-clogging and cleaning procedures are employed to ensure results reliability. Along with automated maintenance, this reduces manual procedures and biohazard exposure. Other features include: the option for manual or automatic calibration procedures, a cap-piercing function for accurate and safer sampling, a multilingual operating menu and bidirectional LIS communication for easy patient data transfer between laboratories and minimized paper-based work lists. With a compact footprint, the ADVIA 360 System allows smaller laboratories to efficiently generate reliable and accurate results while conserving precious benchtop space. This system provides a three-part white cell differential and storage capacity for 10,000 results. An integrated ticket printer streamlines results reporting. The ADVIA 560 System can serve as the primary hematology analyzer in small to mid-sized laboratories and as a backup for the company's ADVIA 2120i System in larger laboratories. It provides a five-part white cell differential and storage capacity of 100,000 results. Also, two scattergrams and two histograms per result help aid interpreting disease-state information. The ADVIA 560 AL System offers automatic sampling with an optional autoloader that simply plugs into the side of the system for even greater workflow efficiency and true "walk-away" capability.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6629/ge-healthcare-partners-with-temple-health-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6629/ge-healthcare-partners-with-temple-health-.html Thu, 27 Aug 2015 11:36:00 +0530 Temple University Health System (TUHS) and GE Healthcare has announced a pioneering collaboration between a healthcare technology company and an academic medical center that aligns incentives to promote value by providing higher-quality radiologic imaging services more efficiently at a lower cost. The new arrangement targets improvements in specific operational, clinical and financial outcomes, putting TUHS on the cutting edge of delivering high-value imaging services across a health system and making GE Healthcare a pioneer in what could become a preferred business model over the next few years. Under the seven-year agreement, TUHS and GE Healthcare will work together to achieve performance goals enabled by new technology and industry best practices. TUHS will modernize its radiological imaging equipment with state-of-the art technology from GE, while also benefitting from enhancements, including data storage and retrieval, service contract consolidation and consultation to optimize scheduling and workflow efficiency. The arrangement includes financial incentives aligning the parties toward realizing shared objectives, including a targeted $39 million in operational savings over the life of the contract. "Like many health systems throughout the country, Temple University Health System faces clinical, operational and financial demands. GE Healthcare understands these market challenges, and we are dedicated to helping customers deliver the best outcomes in today's environment," said Mr Jeffrey Immelt, chairman and CEO of GE. He added, "GE is honored to work with Temple University Health System in this strategic alliance designed to improve operational and clinical outcomes while reducing costs by $39 million." "This collaboration represents a new chapter in value-based healthcare contracting strategies," said Dr Larry R Kaiser,president/CEO and dean of Temple's healthcare enterprise. He added, "Our collaboration with GE Healthcare provides Temple physicians and patients with access to the latest imaging technology while reducing its costs by millions of dollars, improving patient convenience and safety, enhancing clinical quality, increasing hospital efficiency, and promoting the Triple Aim of better care and better health at lower cost."  The strategic arrangement between TUHS and GE Healthcare applies to the radiology departments at Temple University Hospital's Main, Episcopal and Northeastern campuses; Fox Chase Cancer Center and Jeanes Hospital.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6620/medtronic-to-acquire-medtech-start-up-twelve-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6620/medtronic-to-acquire-medtech-start-up-twelve-.html Thu, 27 Aug 2015 10:30:00 +0530 In support of the company's therapy innovation strategy, Medtronic has announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Twelve, a privately-held medical device company based in Redwood City, Calif., focused on the development of a transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) device. "Upon close, this acquisition will strategically augment our existing capabilities in the transcatheter mitral space, which represents an important growth opportunity for Medtronic," said Mr Sean Salmon, senior vice-president and president, Coronary & Structural Heart, Medtronic. He added, "We have followed the transcatheter mitral valve space closely and firmly believe that Twelve has the most novel technology along with a strong, proven team. The combined strengths of our organizations will significantly accelerate our ability to deliver an exciting and differentiated therapy to patients, physicians and healthcare systems around the world." Mitral regurgitation occurs when the heart's mitral valve fails to close normally, allowing blood to flow backward when the heart contracts. Over time, this will lead to declining heart function and heart failure. The TMVR device under development is being designed to treat patients with mitral valve regurgitation in whom standard restorative surgery is not recommended. The majority of these patients are largely underserved with limited treatment options. Mr Andrew Cleeland, president and CEO, Twelve said, "Twelve's technology is a truly creative solution that brings together valve technology with a unique and highly differentiated dual-stent fixation design. Our acquisition by Medtronic will create a tremendous opportunity to leverage Medtronic's expertise and proven success in the structural heart space to advance the treatment of mitral regurgitation." Medtronic has agreed to pay up to $458 million for Twelve including $408 million at closing and $50 million on achievement of CE Marking. The cash- and debt-free transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions, and is expected to close in October 2015.         ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6319/medtronic-announces-the-launch-of-the-cd-horizon-solera-voyager-spinal-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6319/medtronic-announces-the-launch-of-the-cd-horizon-solera-voyager-spinal-system.html Thu, 27 Aug 2015 10:15:00 +0530 Medtronic has announced the launch of the CD HORIZON SOLERA VOYAGER Spinal System for Minimally Invasive Spine procedures. Available in countries around the world, the new system expands upon the transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) procedure by offering multiple, minimally invasive rod insertion options and enabling a seamless 3D-navigated surgical experience. With the CD HORIZON SOLERA VOYAGER System, surgeons have the flexibility to use either a percutaneous or Wiltse minimally invasive approach for rod insertion depending upon their preference. The system also features a low-profile, extended-tab screw with inner threading, which eases rod insertion and facilitates rod reduction. In addition, the system is part of Medtronic's Surgical Synergy Spinal Platform, the most integrated portfolio of navigated surgical technologies which seeks to minimize the operating room from interruption and constraints and gives surgeons the freedom to focus wholly on their patients. "Medtronic is known for our life-changing innovations and groundbreaking technologies. That legacy, along with our broad portfolio and collaborative partnerships enables us to truly make an impact on patient care. This system represents our commitment to take minimally invasive techniques and 3D-navigated surgery even further and develop solutions with clinical and economic value," said Mr Doug King, president of the Spinal business and senior vice president of Medtronic.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/6107/hybrid-clouds-to-witness-highest-growth-by-2020.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/6107/hybrid-clouds-to-witness-highest-growth-by-2020.html Tue, 25 Aug 2015 14:41:42 +0530 Healthcare cloud computing is used to share patient information between healthcare providers and pharmacists. It also plays a vital role in patient billing and reduces capital expenditure which is associated with conventional mode of billing practices. It increases the speed and flexibility of healthcare services such as telemedicine, electronic medical records, and image diagnostic techniques. Mobile devices are gaining popularity in delivering healthcare services. According to ReportLinker, a search engine, various factors such as increasing demand for better healthcare facilities, rising government initiatives and cost effectiveness are driving the global market for healthcare cloud computing.   In addition, rising investments from healthcare IT players and growing popularity of wireless and cloud technology are some of the major drivers for the global healthcare cloud computing market. However, lack of experienced professionals is key restraint for the global healthcare cloud computing market. In addition, lack of security and privacy of patient's information also obstructs the growth of the global healthcare cloud computing market. The US represents the largest market for healthcare cloud computing in North American region. This is due to improved healthcare infrastructure and technological advancements. Asia is expected to experience high growth rate in the next five years in global healthcare cloud computing market.   This is due to improving healthcare infrastructure and increasing government spending on healthcare IT. In addition, several government associations are also supporting in growth of the healthcare cloud computing market in Asia. Various factors such as increasing demand for better healthcare facilities, rising government initiatives and cost effectiveness are driving the global market for healthcare cloud computing. In addition, rising investments from healthcare IT players and growing popularity of wireless and cloud technology are some of the major drivers for the global healthcare cloud computing market. However, lack of experienced professionals is key restraint for the global healthcare cloud computing market.   In addition, lack of security and privacy of patient's information also obstructs the growth of the global healthcare cloud computing market. Increasing usage of portable devices, such as cell-phones and laptops, to access healthcare services is the key trend for the global healthcare cloud computing market. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5821/illumina-in-diagnostic-deal-with-burning-rock.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5821/illumina-in-diagnostic-deal-with-burning-rock.html Tue, 25 Aug 2015 13:04:12 +0530 Burning Rock and Illumina has announced they have entered into an agreement whereby Burning Rock will develop advanced clinical applications for molecular diagnostics in oncology based on Illumina's next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. The collaboration between Burning Rock and Illumina will focus on providing the most advanced and integrated sequencing solutions to the clinical market by combining Illumina sequencing technology with Burning Rock's advanced clinical application development capabilities. In particular, the two companies will work together to develop a user-friendly, oncology molecular diagnostic kit for the Chinese market. As part of the agreement, Burning Rock will provide its nucleic acid extraction, library preparation, and data analysis software, while Illumina will provide NGS instrument components and related reagents. "We have been working to promote the clinical application of genomic technology in China. Oncology molecular diagnosis based on NGS, including non-invasive testing, is being applied in the clinic and we hope to promote it as a standard practice in hospitals. As the leader in oncology molecular diagnosis, Burning Rock is now very pleased to partner with Illumina, the global leader in sequencing and array-based technologies. Cooperation between our two companies will provide additional high-quality molecular diagnostic solutions in the clinical field of oncology," said Mr Yusheng Han, founder and chief executive officer of Burning Rock. "Illumina is very excited to collaborate with Burning Rock to increase access to oncology diagnosis solutions in China. We are committed to partnering with Chinese companies who share our vision of improving human health by unlocking the power of the genome," said Dr Rick Klausner, senior vice-president and chief medical officer of Illumina.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7559/now-compare-healthcare-costs-before-availing-any-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7559/now-compare-healthcare-costs-before-availing-any-treatment.html Mon, 24 Aug 2015 15:48:36 +0530 It is an innovative platform for patients to connect with doctors, clinics & hospitals in a very effective way. This web-based platform simplifies the health care selection process for the patients. On the other hand it provides a powerful medium to health care service providers to disseminate information about their expertise & reach out to thousands of patients not only in the same city but around the world. It is a win-win approach for both patients and health-care service providers. This web and smart phone based App will help patients to request for appointments 24/7.   Confirmation emails and messages will be sent to their mobile phones. The process will also expand the health care market as thousands of patients who ignore their health due to cumbersome or no appointment system now feel more comfortable to get themselves treated by health-care service provider of their choice. Majority of the patients spend lots of time, money and energy to get this basic information. Since 83% of Indian population is uninsured or under insured, sensitivity towards health care cost is very high. Average patients visit several hospitals, wait in unending queues, undergo pain and mental agony to find cost of surgery.   All this can now be done online by uploading medical records. Patients can compare health-care cost estimates and then take informed decisions. Currently majority of the patients are seeking advice from their colleagues, friends or neighbors to find right hospitals and doctors for them. With this portal, patients will be able to take their own decisions by researching more about health care providers on-line. Power of finding the right health-care provider will shift to the patient directly.   The portal is neutral about any given health-care provider and will not recommend any particular health-care service provider. Health-care providers will be able to increase their reach and visibility to thousands of patients around the globe and attract more medical tourists in the country. One of the weak links currently is access to aggregated and authentic information to the patients outside India and these kind of portals will help bridge the gap. The platform has has 20,000+ doctors and hospitals listed in 230 cities in India. With its gaining popularity, it is expected that this number should double by end of this year. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7539/govt-to-launch-tele-medicine-services.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7539/govt-to-launch-tele-medicine-services.html Mon, 24 Aug 2015 12:22:45 +0530 The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in partnership with the Apollo Hospitals will launch tele-medicine services on August 25. Under the service, people can visit Common Service Centres (CSC) and fix an appointment for seeking expert consultancy with a doctor. The doctors at Apollo Hospitals will be able to provide consultancy to the patients using the video link facilities. People can also order generic drugs online. The Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) has a network of 1.5 lakh CSCs across the country and Apollo Hospitals will provide the services using the network. The services will be launched in 60,000 CSCs across the country. The Ministry of Health will also extend the benefit of their Jan Aushadhi programme of delivery of generic drugs through the CSC network. "The CSC and Bureau of Pharma PSU of India (BPPI) will sign an MoU for providing these generic drugs to citizens through CSC network," said a Ministry official, in a statement.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7548/google-announces-life-sciences-under-alphabet.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7548/google-announces-life-sciences-under-alphabet.html Mon, 24 Aug 2015 12:22:07 +0530 Google co-founder and Alphabet president Mr Sergey Brin in a blog post has announced Life Sciences as the first new company created under the Alphabet umbrella. "It's a huge undertaking, and I am delighted to announce that the life sciences team is now ready to graduate from our X lab and become a standalone Alphabet company, with Mr Andy Conrad as CEO," Mr Brin wrote in the blog. While the reporting structure will be different, their goal remains the same. They'll continue to work with other life sciences companies to move new technologies from early stage R&D to clinical testing-and, hopefully-transform the way we detect, prevent, and manage disease, he mentioned in the blog. "The team is relatively new but very diverse including software engineers, oncologists, and optics experts. This is the type of company we hope will thrive as part of Alphabet and I can't wait to see what they do next," he added. The company is presently working on developing Smart contact lenses that can monitor the blood sugar levels of diabetics.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6447/targeted-genetic-testing-to-reduce-treatment-costs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6447/targeted-genetic-testing-to-reduce-treatment-costs.html Thu, 20 Aug 2015 17:04:00 +0530 Genetic testing has so far gained considerable traction in clinical setting for prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management of diseases with an underlying genetic reason. "Genomics can enable the next level of medicine in the clinical setting," said Dr Thomas Mathew, HOD, department of neurology, St Johns Medical Hospital, Bangalore, along the sidelines of a round table meeting organized by MedGenome, a genomics-based diagnostics and research start-up, with the hospital's neuro-specialists. Dr Mathew further added, "Targeted genetic testing in Indian patients has a potential to reduce the overall cost to the patient with more accurate diagnosis and management." The panel of neurologists discussed genomics being an enabler in their clinical practice and on common diseases such as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), Leigh Syndrome, Juvenile Parkinson's disease and Epilepsy. Genomics is also applied in pharmacogenomics to understand the efficacy of a drug in an individual patient; identifying root cause of complex diseases running in families; and more definite diagnosis for common diseases where the underlying genetic causes are known. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6942/illumina-partners-launch-helix.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6942/illumina-partners-launch-helix.html Thu, 20 Aug 2015 12:46:34 +0530 Illumina, Warburg Pincus and Sutter Hill Ventures have announced that they have formed a company to empower consumers to discover insights into their own genomes through a vibrant ecosystem of high-quality content partners. The company, called Helix, is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and received financing commitments in excess of $100 million. Mr Jay Flatley, CEO of Illumina, will serve as Chairman of the Board. Helix will enable individuals to acquire an unprecedented amount of genetic information by providing affordable sequencing and database services for consumer samples brought through third party partners, driving the creation of an ecosystem of consumer applications. After being sequenced, individuals will be able to manage their data and explore an open marketplace of on-demand applications, provided by Helix's partners, to gain additional insights into the genomic data that has already been acquired. By converting genetic information to digital data stored in the cloud, Helix enables its partners to develop and deliver premium genomic products to consumers without the burden of developing their own assay, laboratory, or database infrastructure. "Genomics is reaching an inflection point in cost, volumes, and knowledge, creating a significant opportunity to unlock information that is currently not widely accessible to individuals. Helix and its founding investors are committed to creating a neutral platform at the highest quality standard that will work with partners to accelerate consumer adoption of genomics," said Mr Flatley. Helix has also announced two collaborations with major partners. First, the Center for Individualized Medicine at Mayo Clinic is collaborating with Helix to develop applications initially focused on consumer education and health-related queries. As part of the collaboration, Mayo Clinic also made a strategic investment in Helix.   Second, Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (LabCorp) will develop and offer innovative analysis and interpretation services, initially focused on medically actionable genetic conditions, to consumers through Helix's platform. Helix expects that other partners will develop applications focused on areas such as genealogy, fitness or wellness, and inherited traits to enable insights related to an individual's genetics. To support its partners, Helix will establish one of the world's largest next-generation sequencing labs and a secure and protected database, all designed in accordance with CLIA, CAP, and HIPAA guidelines. Individuals will be able to control how their data is accessed through a robust and granular consent process. The company will also ensure that information is communicated to consumers in a responsible and ethical way. More information will be available at www.helix.com.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6930/roche-to-buy-kapa-biosystems.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6930/roche-to-buy-kapa-biosystems.html Thu, 20 Aug 2015 12:44:55 +0530 Roche has announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Kapa Biosystems (Kapa) a privately-held company headquartered in Wilmington, Massachusetts, USA. Kapa Biosystems is a provider of genomic tools in the life sciences sector that employs proprietary technologies to optimize enzymes for next-generation sequencing (NGS), as well as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time PCR applications. Kapa's proprietary protein engineering technology is highly customizable and allows for the generation and screening of large numbers of enzyme variants. Its portfolio of NGS reagents includes enzymes such as novel DNA polymerases, with the potential to improve the performance of the entire sequencing workflow. "This acquisition builds on Roche's commitment to develop a differentiated NGS portfolio that will provide our customers with a complete genetic testing solution," said Mr Roland Diggelmann, COO Roche Diagnostics Division. He added, "Kapa's technology and products complement our current expertise and offerings such as the portfolio of target enrichment products for NGS. We welcome Kapa's employees and are looking forward to strengthening our NGS offerings with this unique technology." Mr Paul McEwan, co-founder and chief scientific officer of Kapa Biosystems, said, "Joining Roche provides us access to their broad product portfolio, global reach and clinical expertise that will accelerate our strategy of offering comprehensive NGS workflow solutions to more laboratories around the world. We are also excited to have the opportunity to further leverage our enzyme engineering capabilities to advance the fields of genomics and sequencing, with the ultimate goal of having a more significant impact on medicine and human health." The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions. Financial terms of the transaction are not disclosed.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6792/unique-mobile-application-on-hiv-aids-launched-by-union-health-ministry.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6792/unique-mobile-application-on-hiv-aids-launched-by-union-health-ministry.html Wed, 19 Aug 2015 15:35:41 +0530 Mumbai: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in collaboration with AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Department of Telecommunications and National AIDS Control Organization announced the launch of a new mobile application on HIV/AIDS today. This mobile application will provide complete information on HIV, increase awareness and risk perception as well as prompt users to access HIV testing from the nearest centre free of cost. Ensuring confidentiality, with bi-lingual facility and easy compatibility, it is expected to reach more than 11 crore people across urban & rural settings. Speaking at the occasion, J.P. Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare said that, "Technology and youth are inseparable, however, inadequate access to information and complex messages from various sources can confuse the youth. If we can use technology to guide and educate youth, it can open up endless opportunities to reach the young with authentic information on the services on HIV and AIDS. There is a dire need to motivate, inform and guide them. This mobile application, aptly titled, HIV education and linkage to prevention (HELP), will bridge the gap helping the youth to know their HIV status. It will transmit information personally to each of them which is a step ahead of door to door health services." Navneet S Kang, Additional Secretary and DG, NACO stated that "HIV affects the people most at the productive or young ages. There is a gap between the estimated number of people living with HIV and those who have tested and know their status. It is critical that people know their HIV status early so that a healthy and quality life can be led with the help of treatment. This application will enable the young to assess their risk to HIV and then, take a step forward and get themselves tested. NACO acknowledges the support of AIDS Healthcare Foundation for developing this mobile App for HIV." This new mobile App on HIV will be taken further to the block level by DoT with the help of BSNL & MTNL to cover rural youth across the country. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6718/fda-approves-siemens-hiv-combo-assay-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6718/fda-approves-siemens-hiv-combo-assay-.html Wed, 19 Aug 2015 12:14:34 +0530 This latest addition to the ADVIA Centaur infectious disease menu from Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, which also includes tests for hepatitis A, B, C; eHIV, syphilis and other infectious disease assays, enables laboratories to further consolidate their testing to enhance efficiencies. The ADVIA Centaur HIV Ag/Ab Combo assay is designed to simultaneously detect the presence of the HIV viral protein (p24 antigen) and the antibodies produced in response to the HIV (HIV-1 or HIV-2) viral infection. The ability to detect both the antigen and the antibody may enable earlier detection of acute infection, allowing both clinical management and behavior modification that may reduce transmission. "Siemens continues to invest in the development of new solutions that allow clinical laboratories to improve both patient care and workflow efficiency," said Mr Franz Walt, CEO, Chemistry, Immunoassay, Automation and Diagnostics IT Business Unit, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics. He added, "We are proud to offer our U.S. customers a broad range of high performance, fully automated infectious disease tests, which now includes the ADVIA Centaur HIV Ag/Ab combo assay." The ADVIA Centaur HIV Ag/Ab Combo assay is intended to be used as an aid in the diagnosis of both acute and established HIV-1/HIV-2 (including HIV-1 Group O) infection, and has been available for use in Europe since 2010. The third generation HIV test (eHIV) will also remain available on the ADVIA Centaur systems.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6549/fda-nod-for-ges-ct-lung-cancer-screening-device.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6549/fda-nod-for-ges-ct-lung-cancer-screening-device.html Tue, 18 Aug 2015 13:06:42 +0530 GE Healthcare has become the first company with a low dose computed tomography (CT) lung cancer screening option that is cleared by the US FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) for lung cancer screening. Both the US Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recommend the use of low dose CT lung cancer screening for high-risk individuals. Physicians using low dose CT for lung cancer screening will now have access to the benefits from a screening indication, including GE Healthcare's new low-dose screening reference protocols. These new protocols are tailored to the CT system, patient size, and the most current recommendations from a wide range of professional medical and governmental organizations. GE Healthcare CT scanners can be confidently used by physicians within their FDA cleared indications for use, delivering low dose, short scan times, and clear and sharp images for the detection of small lung nodules. These nodules are critical in identifying lung cancer at its earliest stages when it is the most treatable and curable. The landmark National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) was conducted at 33 medical institutions with over 53,000 older, otherwise healthy patients at high-risk due to smoking history. Half of the participants were screened using low dose CT, the other half were screened using chest X-ray. The trial demonstrated that the use of low dose CT screening decisively reduced the mortality rate from lung cancer by 20 percent compared to use of chest X-ray. The NLST also revealed a significant 6.7 percent reduction in the rate of death from any cause using low dose CT screening. "This is the first time in history that any CT device has received FDA clearance for any screening indication," said Mr Henry Hummel, president and CEO of Molecular Imaging and CT at GE Healthcare. He added, "GE Healthcare is thrilled to be the first CT vendor who can help clinicians establish low dose CT lung screening programs in order to continue improving the health of their patients. Healthcare providers are looking for solutions beyond just imaging equipment; we look forward to helping them establish low dose CT lung cancer screening programs that will inevitably save lives through earlier diagnosis and treatment for patients."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4434/hyderabad-gears-up-for-camtechs-diabetes-hack-a-thon.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4434/hyderabad-gears-up-for-camtechs-diabetes-hack-a-thon.html Mon, 17 Aug 2015 17:57:00 +0530 The event is a major platform which calls for all the clinicians, engineers, entrepreneurs, industry experts and end-users to co-create new technologies and business models to transform the prevention, diagnosis and management of diabetes in India. CAMTech works to accelerate medical technology innovation and build entrepreneurial capacity to improve health outcomes in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). The events kick-off with the 'Diabetes Innovation Clinical Summit: An Ecosystem Approach', a series of panel discussions featuring a diverse group of stakeholders including patients, physicians, nurses, ASHA workers, government and industry representatives and public health experts - focused on tackling pressing clinical health challenges and barriers to diabetes care in India. Prior to the hack-a-thon, CAMTech will host a 'Clinical Summit' and an interactive presentation session called 'Technology Showcase' on the 9th. The day-long Clinical Summit will conclude with the CAMTech Technology Showcase, an interactive presentation of early-stage and newly-marketed diabetes-focused technologies.   The Diabetes Hack-a-thon will take place on 10th & 11th respectively, where teams - through cross-disciplinary collaboration, mentorship and award incentives - will transform ideas into breakthrough innovations that have the potential to shift the paradigm to integrated care management (ICM) and transform diabetic care in India and around the world. India is a home to 65.1 million diabetes patients. By 2035, this value will see a jump to 110 million, according to International Diabetes Federation (IDF) 2014. The total market for diabetes medication in India is valued at Rs 6,000 crore. Globally, India has the second largest diabetes population (67 million) followed by the US at 22.4 million. China occupies the top spot (98.4 million). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6935/wearable-devices-will-be-crucial-for-healthcare-industry.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6935/wearable-devices-will-be-crucial-for-healthcare-industry.html Fri, 14 Aug 2015 12:15:55 +0530 New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Growth Opportunities in the Global Wearable Devices Market, finds that wearable devices will play a large role in the healthcare industry delivering improved healthcare services through real-time, remote patient monitoring and post-surgery rehabilitation. Smart watches and fitness bands are the most popular wearable devices. "Wearable devices will extend beyond fitness tracking to include two-way communication between the user and the healthcare ecosystem," said Frost & Sullivan Information & Communication Technologies Senior Research Analyst Ms Shuba Ramkumar. "Though a number of applications currently address the business-to-consumer market, wearable devices will eventually offer support to healthcare institutions by sharing real-time data collected by the consumer." With embedded sensors continuously collecting data and breaking down context barriers by bringing that data into common social and physical spaces, the implementation of strict privacy and security laws is crucial. Data regulation laws require communication between technology vendors, legal institutions, and governments to determine the future of wearable device data. "In the long-term, energy harvesting and wireless charging technologies will reduce battery issues, helping wearables to capture the interest of consumers. Assuming battery and data accuracy issues are resolved, the real value of wearable devices will accrue as part of the Internet of Things ecosystem, enabling communication of data across devices," said Ms Ramkumar. In terms of the larger picture, pursuing alternative business models will sustain customer interest in wearable devices. Service-based models and enterprise or vertical market partnerships will be especially effective in pushing wearable technology to the mass market, the report said.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6635/roche-acquires-geneweave-to-strengthen-offerings-in-microbiology-diagnostics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6635/roche-acquires-geneweave-to-strengthen-offerings-in-microbiology-diagnostics.html Fri, 14 Aug 2015 12:15:24 +0530 Roche has announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire GeneWEAVE BioSciences,(GeneWEAVE), a privately held company focused on innovative, clinical microbiology diagnostics solutions based in Los Gatos, CA, USA. Under the terms of the agreement, Roche will pay GeneWEAVE shareholders $190 million upfront and up to $235 million in contingent product related milestones. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and, once closed, GeneWEAVE will be integrated into Roche Molecular Diagnostics. The acquisition provides Roche with GeneWEAVE's Smarticles technology, an innovative class of molecular diagnostics that quickly identifies multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) and assesses antibiotic susceptibility directly from clinical samples, without the need for traditional enrichment, culture or sample preparation processes. GeneWEAVE's first system in development is the vivoDx-a fully automated, random-access system designed to meet the needs of laboratories addressing MDRO detection and antibiotic therapy guidance. The technology is currently being evaluated in multiple sites across the US. "With GeneWEAVE, we further strengthen our microbiology diagnostics offerings with cutting-edge technology that will aid in the fight against drug-resistant bacteria. This technology has the potential to provide healthcare professionals access to quick and accurate diagnoses that can lead to rapid, informed treatment decisions," said Mr Roland Diggelmann, COO of Roche Diagnostics. He added, "We welcome GeneWEAVE's employees, who will continue to focus on the development and manufacturing of diagnostics solutions based on the Smarticles technology." "We are very excited to continue developing innovative microbiologic diagnostics solutions as part of the Roche Molecular Diagnostics team. Roche is the ideal company to deliver on the promise of our Smarticles technology. We are fully committed to the continued success of GeneWEAVE's employees, products and pipeline," said Mr Steve Tablak, CEO of GeneWEAVE.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6223/interpretomics-announces-the-launch-of-hlascape.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6223/interpretomics-announces-the-launch-of-hlascape.html Fri, 14 Aug 2015 12:14:58 +0530 Bengaluru-based InterpretOmics has announced the launch of 'HLAScape', the country's first Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) Typing software solution for organ transplantation and autoimmune disease diagnosis. To commemorate 'Organ Donation day' being celebrated in the country on August 13, InterpretOmics will offer the current version of HLAScape free to academic institutes, public research institutes and public hospitals to make their decision fast and precise for organ transplantation and clinical diagnosis. "Many organ transplants fail due to incorrect HLA typing. HLAScape is a comprehensive software solution for high precision HLA Typing from NGS (Genomics) data for - clinical and transplantation diagnostics. High-resolution HLA Typing is essential in transplantation diagnostics to minimize risk of complexities and improvement of post transplantation graft acceptance", said Dr Asoke Talukder, co-founder and chief scientific officer (CSO), InterpretOmics. He added, "Also, the algorithm accurately identifies the possibility of disease association with the HLA profile of a patient through InterpretOmics curated database called HLABase, which is first in the world." HLAScape can be successfully leveraged to probe HLA associated disease association. It is aimed at precisely identifying all known HLA alleles and also the common HLA alleles across samples. Match profile for donors and patients is constructed based on expressed alleles at HLA markers. "This powerful software developed by InterpretOmics is efficient in identifying all the alleles at high digit resolution, a feature that makes it far superior than any other available software in the market today. Available in On-Premise and Cloud modes, HLAScape ensures accuracy, repeatability and speed of analysis," said Mr Prahalad Achutharao, co-founder and CEO, InterpretOmics.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7185/strand-launches-genomic-profiling-service-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7185/strand-launches-genomic-profiling-service-in-india.html Thu, 13 Aug 2015 17:05:45 +0530 Strand Life Sciences, a global genomic profiling company that uses next generation sequencing technology to empower personalized cancer care, announced the India launch of StrandAdvantage, a cancer tissue-specific genomic profiling service to provide oncologists with clinically actionable and timely results for first-line therapy decisions. The newly launched service accelerates the analysis of therapeutically actionable cancer genes in solid tumors, and matches them to relevant National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)-recommended cancer therapies, enabling timely decisions for patient-specific treatments. StrandAdvantage provides oncologists with clinically actionable tissue-specific results for non-small cell lung, breast, and colon carcinomas in a standard-of-care report within 10 working days. Strand's NGS-based genomic profiling service provides a comprehensive view of genomic changes in an easy-to-read report enabling oncologists to make optimized, first-line treatment decisions. The service also provides an extended investigational 'on-demand' report after 15 days for cases that require a complete workup of all major gene variants and pathways known to be impacted by existing targeted therapies.   Mr Scott A Storrer, global CEO and president, said, "StrandAdvantage will provide oncologists with cancer tissue-specific genomic information about their patients' solid tumors and help in guiding first-line therapy decisions. Our genomic profiling service enables the patient to start treatment in days instead of weeks by quickly providing relevant, clinically actionable results. The extended StrandAdvantage report provides an unmatched depth of analysis that includes cancer subtype as well as tissue type." Cancer is a disease affected by multiple variations within genes. Information from single gene tests is often limited and oncologists increasingly want greater depth of information about patients' tumors. StrandAdvantage tests all the relevant genes upfront, thereby helping the oncologist select a targeted therapy for first-line or subsequent treatment. Following the launch of StrandAdvantage, the company announced the appointment of Dr Sudhir Borgonha as SVP and medical director to lead the personalized medicine business in India. Dr Borgonha will be responsible for developing the nascent genomic testing market for oncology and rare diseases.   Dr Borgonha has held senior positions in industry including global medical director at Martindale Pharma and Embrace Innovations, and CEO at Triesta Sciences and Translational Medicine, Inc. Earlier in his career, he worked as a scientist at the Harvard-MIT Clinical Research Centre. He is a graduate of St. John's Medical College, Bangalore and the Sloan School of Management, MIT. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6248/google-dexcom-to-jointly-work-on-diabetes-management.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6248/google-dexcom-to-jointly-work-on-diabetes-management.html Wed, 12 Aug 2015 12:00:05 +0530 DexCom, a leader in continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) for people with diabetes, has announced that is has entered into an agreement with the life sciences team at Google to jointly develop a series of next-generation CGM products that are designed to be smaller and less expensive than existing technologies. These new products will incorporate Google's miniaturized electronics platform with DexCom's best-in-class sensor technology. This collaboration also provides an opportunity to better utilize the data generated by these CGM products to significantly improve the outcomes and reduce the costs associated with diabetes care. "This partnership has the potential to change the face of diabetes technology forever," said Mr Kevin Sayer, president and chief executive officer of DexCom. He added, "Working together, we believe we can introduce products that will move us beyond our core Type 1 business to become the standard of care for all people living with diabetes." Mr Andrew Conrad, head of the life sciences team at Google said, "We are committed to developing new technologies that will help move health care from reactive to proactive. This collaboration is another step towards expanding monitoring options and making it easier for people with diabetes to proactively manage their health." Initial products to be developed under the agreement will focus on minimizing both the cost and size of CGM body worn components. The products will be designed to be disposable, and will be intended for use across all diabetes markets. The goal is to empower more people to control their diabetes with real-time and actionable information by developing a low-cost, small, bandage-sized sensor that is connected to the cloud. By addressing these needs, we believe we will have the platform that can replace finger sticks and become the standard of care.   DexCom retains all sales and distribution rights of the products developed under this agreement. DexCom is also obligated to pay an initial upfront payment and milestone payments during development, and revenue-based royalties once these products are launched and have achieved a certain level of revenue.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7200/cii-submits-recommendations-to-dop.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7200/cii-submits-recommendations-to-dop.html Tue, 11 Aug 2015 13:12:21 +0530 The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), has submitted several key recommendations to the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) with regards to the infrastructure support required to boost manufacturing in the medical technology sector in line with the Government's "Make in India" mission. Regarding implementation of the Preferential Market Access (PMA) Policy in medical equipment and device, the industry members recommended promoting the components and ancillary industry without which "Making in India" is not possible in this technology-driven sector. The chairman of CII Medical Technology Department, Mr Himanshu Baid, said "Without the availability of indigenous components, the PMA policy will not yield any results, as already seen in the electronics and IT hardware sector since the last four years. Before the implementation of PMA policy in medical devices and equipment sector, there is a need to properly analyze the components manufacturing capabilities in India." CII has emphasized the importance of recognizing the fact that the manufacturing business case in India is quite challenging. While the labour costs are lower in the country, the capital investment and productivity of the labour are critical limiting factors to the manufacturing business case. Combined with approval delays, this makes the manufacturing environment quite challenging for entrepreneurs. "Access to low-cost capital through soft loans, subsidized land, and assured power and water supply combined with tax incentives and single-window clearance, would certainly build a stronger business case in India," said Mr Pavan Choudary, co-chairman, CII Medical Technology Department.   Some of the recommendations by CII include, Attracting big global medical technology companies to India will help create a base which will then build up the components ecosystem. This, in turn, will enhance local capabilities, enable Indian companies to get access to components and greatly enhance the local manufacturing capability. Establishing medical technology hubs in each zone (north, south, east and west).Manufacturing incentives like tax support and low-cost funding (5% lower rate than the bank lending rates) to spur investments and make the business case attractive. Concessional power tariff in manufacturing hubs. subsidized land prices for setting up medical devices industry in medical technology hubs. Inverted duty structure should be corrected. Customs import duty on raw materials should be lower than finished goods. Four percent Exports Incentives for the sector should be given. According to the industry body, "India is already a large producer of disposables and consumables in India, and export incentives are available for some products. CII has emphasized the need for further capacity building in this segment and focus on quality enhancement for further reduction in imports. The industry needs to get exposed to the learnings of evolving quality standards from countries which have had a head-start in innovations in this space. This will help improve the overall quality standards in India." There are several misconceptions being spread about the medical technology industry amongst stakeholders. Therefore, it is important to build a positive environment which makes a business case and opens doors for investors to start manufacturing in this sector, thus paving the way for the 'Make in India' initiative, said CII.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5237/chinese-firm-tencent-invests-in-practo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5237/chinese-firm-tencent-invests-in-practo.html Tue, 11 Aug 2015 13:11:52 +0530 Practo has announced that it has received a $90 million investment in a Series C funding round. This round was led by Tencent, with participation from marquee institutional investors including Sofina, Sequoia India, Google Capital, Altimeter Capital, Matrix Partners, Sequoia Capital Global Equities and Yuri Milner. "Our global partners will give us the edge to continue building global healthcare products that our users love. Millions of users trust our platform every month and with our international expansion we aim to take Practo to billions of people globally," said Mr Shashank ND, founder and chief executive officer, Practo. Over the next three to six months Practo will expand product lines and continue to look for potential acquisition of companies to encompass key healthcare segments and provide a seamless experience across medicine, wellness and fitness globally. The company plans to expand its footprints in over 100 Indian cities and 10 countries across South east Asia, Latin America, Middle East and Eastern Europe. "We are excited to partner with Practo as one of our first few investments in India. We look for ambitious, visionary Internet companies that are improving people's lives at a global scale," said Mr Hongwei Chen, senior director of investment and M&A, Tencent.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7506/now-an-exclusive-life-sciences-job-portal.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7506/now-an-exclusive-life-sciences-job-portal.html Fri, 07 Aug 2015 15:32:36 +0530 A new job portal fully dedicated only to Life Sciences professionals will be officially launched and available on August 10, 2015. DNA JOBS, as is called, is a portal whose architecture has been designed to help solve process inefficiency in the recruitment cycle. "This is a centralized platform, and we have mapped the entire life sciences industry into 24 segments, which are further mapped to different companies and employees. Other generic job portals like Naukri, Monster and Times Jobs are into all the industry segments. There are certain existing pain areas for human resource professionals while completing recruiting," commented Mr Ravi Kshirsagar, founder of Inbiosys, a two-year-old start-up which provides project management consulting services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. The job portals is said to be a part of Inbiosys. The portal's algorithm design will try and offer the closest solution to what is being searched by prospective candidates.   It took 7-odd months to develop the portal from conceptualization-to-launch without any external investments backing it up, said the company. According to Mr Kshirsagar, the job portal will considerably reduce the hiring costs and bring down the lead time during hiring process. The portal is expected to cross 30,000 registrations this month. "We are trying to bring research, academia and the industry together in one place," he opined. The idea of launching such a niche job portal stemmed up from his own personal experience, pointed Mr Shirsagar. He remarked, "The launching of the job portal is purely accidental. I started out as a project management consultant, and while I was looking for opportunities I realized it is a major challenge to reach out to the right people in the life sciences industry. Companies, too, are not able to reach out to the right candidates who are hirable." The portal is already tied up with 4 key companies for job postings including Hospira, Stelis Biopharma, Syngene and Theramyt Novobiologics. In the next 30 days after its launch, the portal will have more than 200 job postings, said Mr Kshirsagar. This past July, another similar job portal called BioHiring was launched by a start-up, Clevergene, which again exclusively caters to candidates seeking employment in the pharma, biotech and healthcare space. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4594/ibm-buys-merge-healthcare-for-1-billion-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4594/ibm-buys-merge-healthcare-for-1-billion-.html Fri, 07 Aug 2015 15:08:00 +0530 Tech giant IBM has announced that it would buy medical image company Merge Healthcare for $1 billion to combine with its newly formed health analytics unit. IBM's health analytics unit is powered by famous Watson supercomputer. Through the acquisition, IBM plans to combine data and images from Merge Healthcare's medical imaging management platform with Watson's cloud-based healthcare computing system. Watson has already been working with healthcare leaders such as Memorial Sloan-Kettering and Cleveland Clinic to become a system that LEARNS from analyzing previous situations. The deal will help physicians and researchers collate and analyze data such as patient's medical and family history, data on others with similar symptoms and clinical research, trials and outcomes. "As a proven leader in delivering healthcare solutions for over 20 years, Merge is a tremendous addition to the Watson Health platform," said Mr John Kelly, senior vice president, IBM Research and Solutions Portfolio. Mr Kelly observed, "Healthcare will be one of IBM's biggest growth areas over the next 10 years, which is why we are making a major investment to drive industry transformation and to facilitate a higher quality of care." Watson's powerful cognitive and analytic capabilities, coupled with those from Merge and our other major strategic acquisitions, position IBM to partner with healthcare providers, research institutions, biomedical companies, insurers and other organizations. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7540/trivitron-launches-two-new-tests-in-the-newborn-screening-panel.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7540/trivitron-launches-two-new-tests-in-the-newborn-screening-panel.html Fri, 07 Aug 2015 13:53:27 +0530 With an aim to provide newborn babies with corrective diagnosis for birth defects at birth, Chennai headquartered Trivitron Healthcare has added two new products in the Newborn Screening Kit for India. The two new tests are Neonatal IRTand Neonatal Toxoplasma gondii IgM that detect disorders which may harm the newborn in later stages of life. Trivitron is offering a wide range of Newborn screening assays already in the market through the Labsystems diagnostics brand, among those are TSH, PKU, 17OHP, G6PD, Galactose and Toxoplasmi gondii. Together with its fully automated NS2400 platform, Trivitron has launched two new products to complement its newborn screening panel. Trivitron indicates that its Neonatal IRT can detect disorders affecting the lungs, pancreas, intestine and liver. Whereas, Neonatal Toxoplasma gondii IgM can detect neurological and visual disabilities. With the help of these newborn screening tests, it would be possible for parents to take precautions in the early stages of life and prevent the child from life-long disorders. Majority of infants infected in-utero are asymptomatic at birth, particularly if maternal infection occurs during third trimester, with sequel appearing later in life. Congenital toxoplasmosis results in severe generalized or neurological disease in about 20% to 30% of the infants infected in-utero; approximately 10% exhibit visual involvement only and the remainder are asymptomatic at birth. Commenting on the launch of the products, Dr. GSK Velu, Founder and Managing Director of Trivitron Group of companies, said, "Trivitron Healthcare is taking strong steps towards women and child healthcare diagnosis. The thought behind adding two critical tests to the kit is to eradicate detected problems in the newborn at early stages for better lifestyle and to live a carefree life. Trivitron is known for its innovation in medical technology sector and making it available and affordable to larger section of the population across the globe. If untreated during the early stages, problems will start appearing during their teens. Brain and nervous system damage ranges from very mild to severe, and may include seizures and intellectual disability." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6646/fda-nod-for-samsungs-new-radiography-system-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6646/fda-nod-for-samsungs-new-radiography-system-.html Fri, 07 Aug 2015 13:03:16 +0530 NeuroLogica, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics has announced that the Samsung GC85A Digital Radiography (DR) system has received 510(k) FDA clearance, paving the way for its availability in the US market. The GC85A is the latest expansion of Samsung's growing DR portfolio, which also includes the mobile digital GM60A, the U-arm digital GU60A, and the ceiling digital GC80. Samsung's DR systems combine advanced imaging technology, award-winning design and user-friendly automated workflows to meet the demands of radiology departments. The Samsung GC85A is a ceiling digital X-ray system that offers streamlined workflows, diagnostic confidence and improved total cost of ownership. Other key features include, S-Vue imaging engine that provides dependable and accurate diagnoses in various conditions with reliably clear images, enhanced sharpness and clarity, and adjustable contrast presets, Wireless, lightweight S-Detector with high DQE and a portable grid which displays the patient's body structure clearly and easily without increasing dose. The system also has Smart Control, that enables the operator to precisely position the entire system with one touch of the control panel's buttons. The user can move a motorized, tilting receptor with a remote control from -20 to 90 degrees to various areas such as skulls or hands with no need for a table. "The Samsung GC85A represents NeuroLogica's latest commitment to introducing user and patient-centric innovation to healthcare to provide fast, easy and accurate diagnoses. The system's superior image quality and ease of control will enable users to experience a new level of efficiency with a DR system designed for streamlined operation," said Mr David Webster, vice-president of global sales and chief marketing officer at NeuroLogica.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/6939/insourcing-it-ops-a-new-trend-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/6939/insourcing-it-ops-a-new-trend-in-india.html Thu, 06 Aug 2015 17:33:51 +0530 On August 6, 2015, Thermo Fisher Scientific (TFS) inaugurated its first Technology Development Center (TDC) in Bangalore, which will serve as the centre for all of its global IT operations. TFS refused to comment on the investments made in building the center. The TDC will leverage technology platforms like cloud, SAP, J2EE, E1, informatica, testing, web and database. TFS always sought after third-party IT service providers to fulfill its IT needs. It outsourced its IT services to giants including Wipro, Satyam, Deloitte, Cognizant, and Capgemini.   According to Mr Manoj Prasad, VP-IT, TFS India, TDC will be involved in TFS' top 5 projects. The TDC was ran as a pilot since 2012, before being developed as a complete IT operations entity. The newly inaugurated TDC now hosts 180 IT professionals, which is expected to reach a headcount to 250 next year. "There is a big focus on hiring directly from college campuses. We have had great responses from IIT-Madras and IIT-Roorkee. Sixty percent of our hires will be from colleges, and 40 percent from the market with experience," said Mr Amit Chopra, MD, TFS India. Hiring directly from campuses offer companies more leverage on its cost-cutting measures.   By insourcing IT operations, companies gain more control over the development and execution of projects without having to cope with third-parties' time frame. It also offers a peace of mind to companies since data security issues are a major concern when outsourced. TFS is a $17 billion corporation, which has made investments worth $125 million in India in the last 5 years. In the next few years, said the company, it may open similar centers in other Indian cities including Mumbai and Gurgaon. The TDC is expected to double up its capacity in the next 12-24 months, said TFS.   "Availability of skillset, cost, labor and resources in India give us an advantage on cost measures, and enables us to work more efficiently and productively," commented Mr Manoj. On similar lines, in 2014, biopharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca (AZ) insourced its IT operations by opening its Global Technology Centre (GTC) in Chennai worth US $9 million. Till then, IBM served as its IT partner since 2001.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6501/illumina-accelerator-invests-in-genomics-startups-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6501/illumina-accelerator-invests-in-genomics-startups-.html Thu, 06 Aug 2015 14:04:09 +0530 Illumina has announced that its accelerator, Illumina has selected three new startups for its second funding cycle. Selected from a competitive pool of highly qualified applicants, the new startups from across the globe are spurring genomics innovation in healthcare, agriculture, and the winemaking industry. "We are delighted to invite such a promising group of cutting-edge startups to Illumina Accelerator. Their ability to build innovative solutions to shape the future of genomics inspires us, and we're thrilled to provide them with tools and resources to build a successful future," said Dr Mostafa Ronaghi, senior vice-president and chief technology officer, Illumina. The selected startups for the spring 2015 funding cycle are: • PathoGn, is an infectious disease platform company based in California using genomics and machine learning to build pathogen diagnostics and disease forecasting products for agricultural applications. • Biome Makers, is a microbiome company founded by The Wine Guys, from Castile and Leon, Spain, introducing advanced genomics in the wine sector to transform the quality standards of vinification. • Urology Diagnostics Incorporated is a genomics company from Oregon developing noninvasive urine sequencing diagnostics for screening and monitoring cancer. Each startup will receive seed investment, a subscription to Illumina's NextBio translational genomics database, access to match funding through the $40 million Illumina Accelerator Boost Capital, and Illumina's sequencing systems and reagents. In addition, startups accepted into Illumina Accelerator will gain access to business guidance and fully operational lab space in the San Francisco Bay Area during the six-month funding cycle. "We look forward to building upon the successes of our first graduates-Encoded Genomics, EpiBiome, and Xcell Biosciences, by helping our second group of startups also create significant value, generate terabases of sequencing data, and advance their genomics applications," said Dr Amanda Cashin, who leads Illumina accelerator.   Illumina accelerator strives to catalyze genomics innovation in the broader startup community. Startups are invited to join Illumina accelerator twice a year.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5292/fda-approves-worlds-first-3d-printed-pill.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5292/fda-approves-worlds-first-3d-printed-pill.html Thu, 06 Aug 2015 13:59:00 +0530 Its not just organs anymore, even your pill might be printing! The US FDA has given its nod for the world's first 3D-printed pill produced by Ohio-based pharmaceutical company Aprecia. The drug, Spritam levetiracetam, is a new drug to control seizures brought on by epilepsy. Aprecia said that through its 3D printing platform-ZipDose, it planned to develop other medications for various indications. This technology makes high-dose medications easier to swallow. The company further said in a statemnet that 3D printing allows a high drug load - up to 1,000 mg - to be delivered in a single dose. The 3-D printing process creates a pill that has "a porous formulation that rapidly disintegrates with a sip of liquid." Doctors are already using customized, 3-D printing to create implants for patients with injuries and are exploring a wide range of other applications, such as printing human tissue and even whole organs.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4130/abbott-expands-its-cardiac-therapies-business-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4130/abbott-expands-its-cardiac-therapies-business-.html Thu, 06 Aug 2015 11:38:43 +0530 Abbott has announced that it has entered into an agreement to purchase Tendyne Holdings, a private medical device company focused on developing minimally invasive mitral valve replacement therapies. Under the terms of the agreement, Abbott will acquire the equity of Tendyne that it does not already own for $225 million upfront, resulting in a total transaction value of $250 million, plus potential future payments tied to regulatory milestones. Tendyne's Bioprosthetic Mitral Valve System is an investigational device and not currently available for sale. The US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) has provided approval for a feasibility clinical trial to provide data about the device's safety and effectiveness. The trial has begun enrolling patients, and there are plans to begin enrollment next year in a clinical trial to support CE Mark in Europe. In a separate transaction, Abbott has provided capital and secured an option to purchase Cephea Valve Technologies. Cephea Valve Technologies, a private company, is developing a catheter-based mitral valve replacement therapy. Financial terms were not disclosed. As part of its structural heart portfolio, Abbott currently offers MitraClip, a first-of-its-kind mitral valve repair device used to treat certain types of mitral valve disease, the most prevalent heart valve disease.1 It is delivered to the heart via a catheter through the femoral vein, a blood vessel in the thigh. MitraClip is available in the United States, Canada, Europe and countries in Asia and Latin America. More than 25,000 people around the world have been treated with the MitraClip device. The Tendyne and Cephea valve replacement technologies are designed to be implanted in a beating heart, without the need for open heart surgery, similar to MitraClip, thereby offering a new treatment option. Minimally invasive mitral valve repair and replacement is expected to become a multi-billion dollar market over the next 10 years.   "Mitral valve disease is highly complex and requires multiple treatment options in order to tailor the therapy based on each person's anatomy and health situation," said Dr John M Capek, executive vice-president, Ventures, Abbott. He added, "The Tendyne acquisition and our agreement with Cephea broaden our foundation as one of the leaders in treatments for mitral valve disease, with the goal of bringing promising, less invasive valve treatment technologies to people who need them."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7474/illumina-to-acquire-genologics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7474/illumina-to-acquire-genologics.html Wed, 05 Aug 2015 11:43:49 +0530 Illumina has announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire GenoLogics Life Sciences Software, a developer of information management systems (LIMS) for lifesciences organizations. "The acquisition of GenoLogics demonstrates Illumina's commitment to drive the adoption of sequencing in new markets and improve the genomic information workflow. Adding GenoLogics' products to Illumina's portfolio is another example of our continued commitment to bring innovative sample-to-answer solutions to research and clinical labs," said Mr Francis deSouza, president of Illumina. Adopted by over 120 genomic labs worldwide, GenoLogics' Clarity LIMS software enables lab efficiencies and improved sample throughput with increased accuracy, fast turnaround, sample traceability, and preconfigured instrument integrations. GenoLogics has a number of current partnerships with Illumina, including the recently launched Clarity LIMS X, an edition of its laboratory informatics platform that is optimized for use with Illumina SeqLab to address population-scale genomics workflows. "We are excited to join Illumina and carry on the innovative spirit that GenoLogics Life Sciences Software has been known for," said Mr Michael Ball, CEO of GenoLogics. He added, "Illumina and GenoLogics have had a longstanding partnership and this acquisition will enable us to widen our distribution, accelerate our product development, and provide even greater support to the Clarity LIMS community." The impact of this transaction was contemplated in the updated 2015 financial guidance Illumina provided on July 21, 2015. The acquisition is expected to close by the end of August.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7191/astrazeneca-partners-with-isis-pharmaceuticals-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7191/astrazeneca-partners-with-isis-pharmaceuticals-.html Tue, 04 Aug 2015 11:36:35 +0530 AstraZeneca and Isis Pharmaceuticals has announced a strategic collaboration to discover and develop antisense therapies for cardiovascular, metabolic and renal diseases. The new collaboration builds on a broad existing relationship between the two companies and supports AstraZeneca's strategic approach in these therapeutic areas using novel RNA-targeted treatments. It also enables Isis Pharmaceuticals to extend use of its antisense technology to diseases of the kidney. Antisense drugs are short, chemically-modified, single-stranded nucleic acids (antisense oligonucleotides) that have the ability to target any gene product of interest. AstraZeneca will pay an upfront fee of $65 million to Isis Pharmaceuticals plus development and regulatory milestones for each programme that AstraZeneca advances to clinical development. Isis Pharmaceuticals is also eligible to earn tiered double-digit royalties on annual net sales for each programme. Dr Mene Pangalos, executive vice-president, Innovative Medicines and Early Development at AstraZeneca, said, "Antisense-based therapies are rapidly gaining momentum in the clinic and becoming an important component of our early stage pipeline. This collaboration combines the world-class antisense drug research capabilities of Isis with our expertise in cardiovascular, metabolic and renal disease drug discovery and development. By working together we aim to uncover targets and pathways that can be manipulated using antisense drug therapy." Dr B Lynne Parshall, COO at Isis Pharmaceuticals, said, "This expansion of our collaboration with AstraZeneca establishes our second strategic relationship. This new collaboration will help broaden the application of our antisense technology to targets in the kidney. AstraZeneca is committed to finding novel best-in-class therapies for some of the largest, most complex and fastest growing disease segments in the developed world. Combining our antisense technology with AstraZeneca's strong knowledge, leadership and commitment in these areas should be very valuable in fully exploiting these opportunities and moving new therapies effectively and efficiently toward the market."   This transaction is subject to clearances under the Hart-Scott Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6938/allow-medtech-sector-to-work-with-doctors-cii.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6938/allow-medtech-sector-to-work-with-doctors-cii.html Tue, 04 Aug 2015 11:19:31 +0530 CII Medical Technology Division (CII-MTD) participated in a meeting organized by the Department of Pharmaceuticals under the chairmanship of Hon'ble Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Mr Anant Kumar to discuss the Universal Code for Pharmaceutical marketing Practices (UCPMP). CII representation, lead by Mr Himanshu Baid, chairman of CII-MTD and Mr Pavan Choudary, co-chair of CII-MTD, focused on the fact that Medical Device Industry is an innovation driven industry and needs to work with medical practitioners as well as paramedical professional in close proximity and therefore, provision of current UCPMP not allowing industry to engage medical practitioner for continued medical education on latest technologies may be detrimental to the medical device industry. "Medical Devices have a short product life cycle (18 to 24 months) and have frequently upgraded versions. Every new product which comes into market requires physicians to undergo sufficient trainings. The proposed code shouldn't constraint Industry's ability to provide no-frills training to Medical Practitioners," said Mr Himanshu Baid. CII-MTD recommended that the code should be appropriate for medical device companies and industry practices, which are significantly different from pharma industry. "The code in its current form needs more discussion and clarity on research grants or other support funds be regulated by this code as well as product donation, which is needed and is not recognized and hence no provision made for allowing this type of donations as long as desired documentation is maintained by companies," said Mr Pavan Choudary. "CII-MTD recommends a distinct marketing practices code for Medical Device Industry, which supports Training, Education and Awareness Programs that improve patient outcome and would be pleased to work with Department of Pharmaceuticals in developing an appropriate "Universal Code for Medical Device Marketing Practices (UCMMP)," said Mr Baid.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7296/godrej-appliances-forayed-into-healthcare-space-by-manufacturing-medical-refrigeration-with-transferred-technology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7296/godrej-appliances-forayed-into-healthcare-space-by-manufacturing-medical-refrigeration-with-transferred-technology.html Mon, 03 Aug 2015 17:23:28 +0530 By Libin Chacko Kurian Godrej Appliances, one of the leading players in the Home Appliances industry, in partnership with The UK based The Sure Chill Company, has launched the 'Godrej medical refrigerators with Sure Chill technology'. The specialised medical refrigerators have been designed especially to address a key need of providing precise cooling for preserving vaccines used worldwide in immunization programs and for the storage of blood in blood banks. With manufacturing the appliances, the venture claims to support Make in India campaign, as Godrej Appliances becomes the only company which manufacture medical refrigeration in India and will also be exporting to more than 75 countries in near future. The manufacturing facilities in Mumbai and Pune have the capacity to produce 10,000 appliances annually, which will be upgraded to 30,000 soon. The company is in talks with the Nepal government to provide more than 100 such refrigerators for disaster relief in that country. The company have already installed 13 refrigerators for medicinal purposes in West Bengal and is working since September 2014. 50 more refrigerators will be installed in four more states namely, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Meghalaya soon. Godrej appliances have the largest network with more than 500 service centres reaching every district in the country. The company is releasing an investment of 35 crores in three phases for the manufacturing of medical refrigeration, of which first phase is already in process. Sure Chill's technology helps to maintain the optimum temperature range of 2 - 8 degrees Celsius - a necessity for vaccine preservation and blood storage. This refrigerator maintains its temperature even in case of power outages for as long as 8-12 days in ambient temperatures of 43ËšC. In regions without electric supply, the system can be teamed with solar power to deliver the same results, thereby, making it fit for global immunisation needs. Godrej, making its first foray into the healthcare sector, has signed a technology transfer agreement with The Sure Chill Company Ltd. (UK) to develop & manufacture these refrigerators for sale in India and neighbouring markets covering SAARC and MENA countries including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, UAE among others. The partnership between the two companies brings together Godrej's decades of expertise in refrigeration technology and Sure Chill's in-depth technical expertise in medical refrigeration, to create an innovative product that is expected to help governments across the world in their immunization efforts to save millions of lives. Kamal Nandi, Business Head and EVP, Godrej Appliances, said, "Godrej Appliances has built its expertise in refrigeration over the years. The brand is synonymous with trust and is therefore, best placed to enter a category like medical refrigeration, which delivers critical care. In line with our commitment to a greener planet, we are proud to state that the Godrej medical refrigerators are the world's 1st and only green ILR's currently available." "Leveraging our core capabilities in the cooling space and our deep understanding of Indian conditions, we have been able to increase the holdover time of the vaccine refrigerators by 30%. We have introduced built in voltage stabilizer and spike guard to take care of voltage fluctuations common to developing countries and also ensured superior performance of the vaccine refrigerator by building in an early intelligent warning system. Our 57 years of existence in the cooling industry coupled with an extensive service network in the country positions us to deliver quick and reliable service to this critical healthcare business," he added. Godrej Sure Chill will be available in two model variants, 100 liters- priced between Rs 1.35 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakhs, and 50 liters-priced between Rs. 65,000 to Rs.75,000. These medical refrigerators meet strict specifications laid down by WHO and are listed as PQS prequalified. Though the new product is expensive than that of the existing technology, the overall expense is calculated to go down with low wastage and effective cold chain management. The technologyThe Sure Chill Company has developed a completely new approach to refrigeration that radically improves performance and can operate without constant power for days and weeks. Sure Chill technology is based on the scientific principle that water is at its heaviest at 4°C, which happens also to be the ideal temperature for storing vaccines, fresh food and beverages. The technology harnesses this natural phenomenon to create a constantly chilled environment within the refrigeration unit - whether there is power or not. It is so reliable that it will maintain a completely steady temperature for 10 days or more after power has been interrupted. This is achieved through the movement of dense water at 4°C, generated as the system's ice bank interacts with warmer water circulating within the unit. Once power has been used to generate the ice bank in the first instance, the Sure Chill technology channels the supply of naturally generated 4°C water to the refrigeration compartment without the need for any further power. This process can continue until the ice bank, the ultimate generator of the dense water, finally melts and needs to be refrozen, which can take as little as two hours. In effect, the Sure Chill system creates a natural and internal energy store that is capable of providing a perfect, constantly chilled storage environment in areas where there is an intermittent power supply. And if there is no power at all, as if often the case in regions where vaccines are most needed, then the system can be teamed with solar power with exactly the same results. Vaccines are temperature-sensitive and must be stored at the correct temperature. They are irreversibly damaged by exposure to heat or freezing within the cold chain delivery system and once damaged they are less effective and do not protect fully from disease. Some reports say that this occurs in over 70% of vaccine shipments worldwide. Sure Chill's technology solves this problem by providing constant reliable cooling without the need for continuous power. It is already saving lives. Immunization Programme Immunization is one of the most basic and effective health interventions. Unfortunately, one in five children is still deprived of these basic defenses for the most prevalent diseases, particularly in developing countries. Large populations and fragile infrastructures make these children difficult to reach. Many developing countries have inadequate 'cold chains' - which means that optimal temperature control mechanisms for the transport, storage and handling of vaccines are not in place. According to a research estimate, approximately 151 million vaccines, equivalent to approximately$750 million, are lost annually due to improper refrigeration in developing countries. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6683/ge-healthcare-launches-wear-your-health-challenge-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6683/ge-healthcare-launches-wear-your-health-challenge-.html Mon, 03 Aug 2015 12:12:37 +0530 Ochsner Health System, GE Healthcare and The Idea Village have launched the "Wear Your Health" challenge. This challenge seeks to identify wearable technology concepts and mobile application solutions that can transform healthcare outcomes by addressing behavior management in patients with chronic disease.  The "Wear Your Health" challenge seeks to engage entrepreneurs and innovators across the US, to think about the best ways to address the evolving needs of healthcare, encourage lifestyle modifications, and help impact individual health. "Chronic disease is a particularly serious health and community concern in Louisiana, which is ranked fifth in the nation for the highest rates of diabetes and heart disease, and fourth in the nation for the highest rates of cancer and high blood pressure," said Dr Richard Milani, chief clinical transformation officer at Ochsner Health System. He added, "This challenge aligns with our work underway today through innovationOchsner or iO to identify the behaviors that drive improved wellness and empower patients to take control of their health. The ideas generated through this challenge can provide new solutions to address these issues in our community but also extend these findings to patients across the US." Phase 1 of the challenge, will identify up to 10 winners for a cumulative prize pool of $10,000. The winners of Phase 1 will then be eligible to participate in Phase 2, where 3 finalists will receive additional development funding from a discretionary prize pool of $15,000. The overall winner will be announced at New Orleans Entrepreneur Week, March 11-18, 2016. "In recent years, wearables have been disrupting the healthcare industry. The ability to manage patient behavior through wearables ultimately allows for a more personalized patient experience and treatment plan," said Mr Brad Jergenson, chief marketing officer, USA and Canada at GE Healthcare. He added, "The 'Wear Your Health' challenge is a great opportunity to bring not only prototypes, but ideas, to life. The goal is to drive the future of chronic disease management by empowering patients to lead healthy lifestyles through connectivity and technology, which aligns with GE Healthcare's overall mission to provide quality, accessible, and affordable healthcare to all." More information on the challenge and requirements for submission can be found on innovationochsner.com.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6498/ge-healthcare-to-invest-1-billion-in-training-health-professionals.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6498/ge-healthcare-to-invest-1-billion-in-training-health-professionals.html Mon, 03 Aug 2015 11:42:39 +0530 GE Healthcare has announced a plan to invest more than $1 billion over five years in the development of its educational offerings to reach more than two million healthcare professionals worldwide by 2020, helping them improve healthcare from within through enhanced training programs and solutions for physicians, radiologists, technologists, midwives, nurses, biomedical engineers and beyond. Solutions will be geared to meet local needs and will include new clinical, product application, technical and leadership training and education. "Challenges around localized capacity building, training and innovation are consistent themes for many healthcare systems and Ministries of Health around the world," said Mr John Flannery, president and CEO, GE Healthcare. He added, "We will continue to work closely with local governments, institutions and customers to address some of their most important concerns. In some countries, this will mean training midwives to use new ultrasound or portable diagnostic equipment. In others, it will include supporting multi-hospital networks to enhance their clinical and operational outcomes." As part of this training commitment, GE Healthcare will continue to work with healthcare providers to build strategic programs that may also include technology, finance and consultancy services to help improve healthcare delivery and drive transformational change in the industry. "Our focus is to develop meaningful, relevant education solutions that will help healthcare professionals create long-term value and positive measurable impact. By combining our heritage in medical technology, healthcare IT, software and life sciences, we can provide enhanced learning, insights and best practices that can make a real difference," said Mr Mario Lois, general manager, Global Education Services at GE Healthcare. GE Healthcare will provide on-the-ground, online and remote training mostly as part of a commercial partnership with customers to help optimize health providers' skills for real life clinical situations.   This program builds on GE Healthcare's existing global training initiatives like Skill India Initiative, developed by GE Healthcare, brings together healthcare and education experts to train and educate more than 100,000 new and existing healthcare professionals in India over the next five years. GE Foundation has worked alongside local Ministries of Health for more than a decade through its Developing Health Globally initiative.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7301/tataa-biocenter-to-distribute-strand-ngs-in-europe.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7301/tataa-biocenter-to-distribute-strand-ngs-in-europe.html Fri, 31 Jul 2015 13:45:36 +0530 TATAA Biocenter, organizer of hands-on training in molecular diagnostics and Europe's leading provider of genomic services, has partnered with Strand Life Sciences, which implements bioinformatics in personalized medicine, to advance the analysis of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) data. As part of the partnership, TATAA Biocenter will distribute and support Strand NGS, Strand's premier analysis tool for NGS data, in Europe. "We always seek collaboration with the best solution providers for our training courses and Strand Life Sciences are top of the class for NGS whole transcriptome profiling," says Ms Kristina Lind, coordinator of TATAA Biocenter's hands-on training program. "Our customers request professional tools for the entire NGS workflow from sample preparation, quality control, library preparation, sequencing and data analysis," says Mr Mikael Kubista, president of TATAA Biocenter. "With Strand NGS our customers obtain the most comprehensive and powerful tool for the analysis of Next Generation Sequencing data". "We have always welcomed collaborations for serving the customer better and for the greater good of science. Tataa Biocenter is an established player in Europe with a wide reach. European customers will now have access to one of the most comprehensive, commercially available, NGS analysis tools" says Mr Scott Storrer, President of Strand Life Science. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6412/take-solutions-creates-a-new-us-subsidiary.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6412/take-solutions-creates-a-new-us-subsidiary.html Fri, 31 Jul 2015 10:21:53 +0530 TAKE Solutions Ltd., Chennai headquartered business technology solutions provider, has announced its foray into the big data market for the Life Sciences sector, by setting up 'Intelent' - its new US-based subsidiary, with an initial investment of $3 million. Intelent aims to address the $300 billion healthcare and life sciences market (according to projections by McKinsey) by providing clients offerings in the areas of data integration and advanced analytics. Noting the exponential growth in data volume and variety, and shortening of technology lifecycles, TAKE has set up Intelent to address the challenge of harnessing data from multiple streams to create a competitive advantage for its clients. This investment is expected to help organizations mine their mountain of data to fulfill business and operational needs along with compliance to reduce risk, accelerate timelines and boost returns. Born out of TAKE's strong business domain and technology expertise in strategy and implementation, Intelent will provide organizations a platform for integrating and analyzing data and deriving actionable intelligence. Commenting on the subsidiary in US, Mr. Srinivasan HR, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, TAKE Solutions said, "As domain experts in life sciences, we have understood the specific impact of this trend in business life cycles. There has been a growing importance of mining actionable insights from Big Data for strategic decision making in the life sciences space. This investment goes into areas of analytical data aggregation, mining and visualization. Insights and intelligence derived from fast-moving data sets can help inform strategy decisions, spur innovation, inspire new products, enhance customer relationships and bolster operations." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3411/siemens-healthcare-reveals-new-diagnostic-products-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3411/siemens-healthcare-reveals-new-diagnostic-products-.html Wed, 29 Jul 2015 10:55:16 +0530 Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics reveals its latest in-vitro diagnostic solutions-including the recently FDA-cleared ADVIA Centaur XPT Immunoassay System at the 2015, AACC Annual Meeting and Clinical Lab Expo, Atlanta, July 26-30. In addition to featuring its portfolio of multidisciplinary solutions designed for use in hospital, reference, and physician office laboratories and near patients' bedsides, the booth will highlight how Siemens' customers around the world are achieving their clinical and workflow goals. "Customers need a reliable partner who can help them achieve higher levels of operational efficiency while providing quality results that lead to optimal patient care. The solutions we are showcasing at this year's AACC can help customers successfully achieve their workflow and clinical goals, regardless of the size of their operations or testing demands," said Mr Michael Reitermann, CEO, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics. One such example, the ADVIA Centaur XPT Immunoassay System, is a high-throughput analyzer that enhances workflow to meet the demands for reliable and rapid immunoassay testing. Recently FDA-cleared, this analyzer is designed to provide simple, continuous operation; accurate, timely results; and powerful, seamless connectivity including to Aptio Automation, the company's flexible, track-based automation system. Aptio Automation's connectivity options include the ADVIA Chemistry XPT System, Siemens' newest high throughput chemistry analyzer, and the Sysmex CS-5100 System, a high-volume hemostasis analyzer. Also the company showcased the Sysmex CS-2100i System, a mid-volume benchtop hemostasis analyzer. Both the Sysmex CS-2100i System and Sysmex CS 5100 System are currently under FDA review and utilize simultaneous multi wavelength detection and first-to-market PSI technology to manage unsuitable coagulation samples (e.g., improperly filled sample tubes) for high-quality accurate results.   Another new hemostasis offering on display-one for point-of-care testing-is the Xprecia Stride Coagulation Analyzer. Winner of the prestigious Red Dot design award, this handheld coagulation system is designed to perform prothrombin time testing (PT/INR). The CLINITEK AUWi PRO Automated Urinalysis System is a true walkaway solution for integrated urinalysis testing. It combines a urine chemistry analyzer (CLINITEK Novus Automated Urine Chemistry Analyzer) with a urine sediment analyzer (Sysmex UF-1000i Automated Urine Particle Analyzer). New infectious disease assays include the ADVIA Centaur HIV Ag/Ab Combo (CHIV) assay, which allows for sensitive and specific detection of HIV p24 antigen and antibodies and may improve detection of early acute infections. The ADVIA Centaur Syphilis assay is used as an aid in the disease's diagnosis. This assay allows for sensitive and specific detection of antibodies to Treponema pallidum in human serum or plasma (EDTA, lithium or sodium heparinized, sodium citrate). Another innovative offering making its debut at AACC is Siemens PEPconnect, part of the total Personalized Education Plan (PEP), the industry's first personalized education and performance experience for the healthcare professional.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7242/vodafone-powers-diabetacares-wireless-glucometer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7242/vodafone-powers-diabetacares-wireless-glucometer.html Tue, 28 Jul 2015 12:20:56 +0530 Vodafone Business Services (VBS), the enterprise arm of Vodafone India, has collaborated with Diabetacare to launch dCare Smart, a device that helps people manage diabetes better. dCare Smart, is a GSM SIM enabled wireless glucometer that empowers people to proactively monitor their blood sugar levels which is powered by Vodafone's Machine to Machine (M2M) embedded cellular technology. The device transmits blood sugar results to a secure Diabetacare server, where they are constantly monitored by Diabetes Specialist Clinicians at the Diabetacare`s Diabetes Management Centre (DMC). In case of any abnormal blood glucose readings, both the patient and kin receive an alert/call with expert advice from the DMC immediately. dCare Smart is powered by Vodafone's Machine to Machine (M2M) embedded cellular technology. It is paired with the back-end clinical servers which connect directly to the electronic medical record system, wherein access is given to patients and their caregivers to keep them informed and better manage the condition. Mr Nick Gliddon, director, Vodafone Business Services said, "Vodafone is renowned globally for being a leader in M2M solutions and is driving the Internet of Things (IoT) by connecting machines, devices and objects to the internet, turning them into 'intelligent' assets that communicate with the world around them globally for more than 20 years. Leveraging our global expertise, we are the first telecom service provider to offer the M2M service platform in the Indian market today. Vodafone's M2M Solution for Diabetacare allows data to be securely uploaded to a central server and is then accessed remotely by multiple parties." Dr Sanjiv Agarwal, founder and MD, Diabetacare said, "We looked at alternatives but, for me, Vodafone's M2M solution is ahead of the game. Beyond the technology, Vodafone was able to demonstrate a real problem-solving attitude. Vodafone's global M2M solutions will help Diabetacare fulfil its plans to ramp up deployments to 100,000 users across multiple locations. Diabetacare is a mainstream proposition and the service is priced to make it affordable. Vodafone's scale and global coverage means the business needs just one supplier, fully managed from a single platform. It means Diabetacare is ready to respond quickly to growth opportunities worldwide."       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7203/usibc-concludes-medical-device-trade-mission-to-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7203/usibc-concludes-medical-device-trade-mission-to-india.html Mon, 27 Jul 2015 13:54:57 +0530 The US-India Business Council (USIBC) concluded its Medical Device Trade Mission to New Delhi and Gandhinagar. The delegation expressed its commitment to addressing India's most pressing public health challenges, and called for further dialogue with the government on issues related to ease of doing business, disease management, and the implementation of training programs for medical device regulators. The delegation encouraged the government to pass legislation that would provide specific regulations for medical devices, which are currently treated as pharmaceuticals under India's Drug & Cosmetics Act. The industry is also working to engage with the government and stakeholders to partner on solutions for increased access to medical technology for Indian patients. The delegation was chaired by Mr Maulik Nanavaty, senior vice-president and president for Neuromodulation at Boston Scientific, and included participation from Abbott, Medtronic, Zimmer, Johnson & Johnson, Quintiles, General Electric, Varian Medical, and AZB & Partners. "Through this series of fruitful discussions, we have identified opportunities to continue collaborating with the Government of India in support of its priorities to attract investment and talent to the medical device sector. India has made considerable strides in developing innovative industries across a number of sectors and maintains strong potential to do the same in medical devices," said Mr Maulik Nanavaty of Boston Scientific. He added, "With India's first-rate engineering talent, experience in IT innovation, and the Modi government's Make in India focus, it is even more important for the government and industry to work toward creating the proper ecosystem for medical device innovation. This will expedite the ongoing creation of research and development and product innovation that medical device companies offer India, leading to faster growth of medical device manufacturing in the country. The time is opportune to fulfill the government's mandate of Make in India and Innovate in India."   Over the course of the mission, the delegation met with a wide range of public and private sector representatives to convey the global medical device industry's long-term commitment to working with the Indian Government and key stakeholders. Meetings with the Government of India included the Ministry of Health, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Drugs Controller General of India, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Finance, Department of Pharmaceuticals, and the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. "USIBC member companies were encouraged by the openness of the Government of India to engage with industry on best practices and areas of potential collaboration. Discussions included the importance of developing a critical mass of patients with access to healthcare and improving patient awareness of healthcare costs," said Ms Amy Hariani, director and legal policy council at the USIBC. The Indian medical device industry is currently valued at $4.4 billion. According to USIBC, the sector has the potential to grow to $7 billion by 2016, with a growth rate of 10-15 percent annually.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6920/medgenome-raises-20-million-from-sequoia-capital.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6920/medgenome-raises-20-million-from-sequoia-capital.html Fri, 24 Jul 2015 12:31:41 +0530 MedGenome has announced that it has received a $20 million investment from Sequoia Capital in a Series B funding round. With this funding, the company will further invest in building its cutting-edge bioinformatics infrastructure, enhance its sequencing facilities in India and the US, and expand its research and scientific teams. "In the past year, the value chain of drug discovery has increasingly moved towards genomics and next-generation sequencing, with enormous market potential," said Mr Abhay Pandey, managing director at Sequoia Capital. He added, "The value of MedGenome's Indian genetic dataset is unprecedented, and as the genomics space undergoes rapid scale transformation and expansion, MedGenome has firmly established itself as a global market leader in genomics-based research from India and a strong investment for our portfolio." "The convergence of sequencing technologies, computational power and algorithms, and other genomics advancements brings personalized medicine closer than ever to a cost-effective reality and along with it the promise of enormous improvements in drug discovery, diagnostics, and treatment of patients. By tapping the genetic power of India, we are able to further advance these critical patients' needs and, in doing so, significantly improve the health of global populations," said Mr Sam Santhosh, founder and CEO, MedGenome. MedGenome's Series A funding round was led by Emerge Ventures in June 2014. With the conclusion of Series B funding, Abhay Pandey of Sequoia Capital will join the MedGenome board of directors, which already includes Mr Sam Santhosh, Mr Mahesh Pratapneni of Emerge Ventures and Mr Dhiraj Rajaram of Mu Sigma.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6957/ge-healthcare-receives-accolades-from-frost-sullivan.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6957/ge-healthcare-receives-accolades-from-frost-sullivan.html Fri, 24 Jul 2015 12:27:43 +0530 Frost & Sullivan recently conducted an analysis of the cardiovascular image and information management systems (CIIMS) market, and recognizes GE Healthcare with the 2015 North American Frost & Sullivan Market Leadership Award in Cardiology Informatics. As part of this market research effort, the group gathered input from 120 clinical, IT and enterprise-level decision-makers in cardiology informatics. In addition to sharing their perspectives on the future of cardiology informatics, the health organizations evaluated vendors based on its product quality, product differentiation, brand perception and growth strategy. Demonstrating excellence at capturing the highest share in the North American cardiology informatics market, GE Healthcare ascended to the top of the leaderboard with the highest gains in installed base market share, particularly among the mid-to-large hospitals and integrated delivery networks. Frost & Sullivan found that 36 percent of hospitals and integrated delivery networks chose GE Healthcare as their primary vendor of cardiology image management solutions, well ahead of other competitors. "Frost & Sullivan's competitive benchmarking indicates that GE Healthcare has the highest vendor ratings among suppliers of CIIMS solutions," said Frost & Sullivan's principal analyst Mr Nadim Daher. He added, "Of the 77 percent who expressed strong customer satisfaction with GE Healthcare, 33 percent of users rated it 'excellent', and an additional 44 percent rated it 'very good'." Among the imaging modalities used in cardiovascular care, diagnostic and interventional catheterization (Cath) and echocardiography (Echo) were ranked the most popular. According to Frost & Sullivan's research, GE Healthcare is the vendor that is most likely to be considered by customers for both the Cath and Echo components of the CIIMS solution. This top ranking for the two anchor modalities of the cardiovascular service line contributes to GE Healthcare's strong position as a vendor of choice for the entire cardiology enterprise.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3539/fda-approves-abbotts-idesign-advanced-wavescan-studio-system-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3539/fda-approves-abbotts-idesign-advanced-wavescan-studio-system-.html Wed, 22 Jul 2015 12:01:18 +0530 Abbott has announced the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) approval and launch of the iDesign Advanced WaveScan Studio System. The system acts as the "brain" of the LASIK procedure, generating a high-definition scan that measures and maps irregularities of the eye that may impact vision. From these measurements, the iDesign System creates an accurate and personalized LASIK treatment plan based on the unique "blueprint" of each person's eyes. The iDesign System captures more than 1,200 micro readings of the eye, as well as identifying the shape of the cornea, its curvature, how light passes through the eye and pupil diameter under different lighting conditions, all in one, three-second scan that can be used to precisely correct vision. "The iDesign System for LASIK is a leap forward for laser vision correction in the United States, enabling a highly personalized treatment unique to the vision needs of each person," said Mr Leonard Borrmann, head of research and development for Abbott's vision business. He added, "The same technology used to help build NASA's new James Webb Space Telescope, which will allow high-definition views of space, is allowing us to map the human eye with great precision." In a clinical study on 334 eyes treated with the iDesign System, 99 percent of patients experienced little or no difficulty with the clarity of their vision and 97 percent of patients had little or no difficulty with their daily activities after surgery. In addition, patients saw significant improvements in their vision while driving at night and a reduction in glare. The iDesign Advanced WaveScan Studio has been approved in several countries around the world since 2012, including China and the European Union.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6499/philips-join-hands-with-a-canadian-medtech-firm.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6499/philips-join-hands-with-a-canadian-medtech-firm.html Wed, 22 Jul 2015 11:40:20 +0530 Royal Philips and Profound Medical, a Toronto-based medical device company, has announced that they have signed a joint development agreement to support Profound Medical's proprietary TULSA (Transurethral Ultrasound Ablation) technology designed to treat patients with prostate cancer on Philips' Ingenia and Achieva 3T MRI systems. Profound's TULSA technology is emerging as a new minimally invasive, whole gland ablation of the prostate. This single session procedure has the potential for outcomes comparable to the best of current treatment options, but with lower rates of side effects and higher quality of life for patients. "Philips has stepped forward and enthusiastically shares our vision for the technology. With their support, TULSA-PRO will soon be available to clinicians and patients for primary treatment of localized prostate cancer. This new relationship will provide us with access to a large installed base of MRI systems and customers and we look forward to developing this mutually rewarding relationship further," said Mr Steve Plymale, CEO, Profound Medical. As a leader in image-guided therapies Philips is expanding its efforts in the fast growing interventional oncology domain. MRI is emerging in oncology applications, because of its excellent real-time 3D visualization of soft tissue and Philips has a suite of industry-leading solutions for MRI guided procedures. Philips has deep expertise and experience in providing clinical solutions for prostate MR imaging. "With 3T MRI emerging as a technology standard for multi-parametric MRI diagnostic imaging of the prostate, our collaboration with Profound Medical will enable us to offer our customers access to a novel MR guided ultrasound ablation therapy that's critical to prostate care research," said Mr Christopher Busch, general manager MR Therapy, Philips Medical Systems. He added, "We look forward to teaming with Profound Medical to refine the integration of our technologies and drive clinical research and reimbursement efforts with the ultimate objective to improve clinical performance and enhance the patient experience."   Profound Medical will soon release 12 month data from its 30 patient safety and feasibility study with the goal of obtaining a CE mark and commercialization of TULSA-PRO in Europe and Canada in 2016.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6518/canon-presents-its-digital-radiography-solutions.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6518/canon-presents-its-digital-radiography-solutions.html Tue, 21 Jul 2015 12:43:33 +0530 Canon USA and Virtual Imaging has announced that they will showcase their lineup of digital radiography (DR) solutions, including the RadPRO2 radiology solutions at the 2015 American Healthcare Radiology Administrators Exposition (AHRA) at the Sands Expo Convention Center in Las Vegas (Booth # 619), July 20 - 22, 2015. Canon and Virtual Imaging present a variety of digital radiography solutions designed to provide healthcare professionals cost-effective, productivity-enhancing solutions. In addition to exhibiting the newest RadPRO radiology solutions, Canon USA will acknowledge another major milestone, as its parent company, Canon Inc., has reached 30,000 global sales of digital radiology (DR) detectors. "Canon and Virtual Imaging are focused on providing innovative solutions that meet the individual needs of our customers and can help accelerate exams. We look forward to demonstrating at this year's AHRA how our high-quality imaging solutions are cost-effective and can be used to help maintain effective workflows," said Mr Tsuneo Imai, vice-president and general manager, Healthcare Solutions Division, Business Imaging Solutions Group, Canon and president, Virtual Imaging. Attendees will learn how Canon DR capabilities can be shared among rooms with the RadPRO DELINIA 200 Digital X-ray Acquisition Cart, which transports the Canon detectors featuring auto-detection mode. The detectors work with existing installed X-ray generators or mobile system generators. The DELINIA cart, which was designed to help increase productivity, comes equipped with a choice of Canon CXDI-701C/801C/401C Wireless Detectors designed to deliver high-resolution imaging with a low X-ray dose.   In addition, the Company will be displaying RadPRO DR overhead radiology room and mobile solutions. The RadPRO OMNERA 400T Digital Radiographic System incorporates a lightweight, rugged construction with tube-mounted 10-inch touch screen and tight integration with certain Canon CXDI digital detectors, which are sold separately. This manual positioning system provides servo tracking to both the wall stand and table to provide precision positioning quickly and easily. Designed to help healthcare professionals meet the challenges of demanding imaging departments and help create an efficient workflow to increase patient throughput, the RadPRO OMNERA 400T System can be a "workhorse" for hospitals, imaging centers and clinics. Healthcare providers can maximize resources and simplify workflows through the use of a comprehensive RadPRO mobile and portable radiology solution. With its compact and easy-to-maneuver design, the RadPRO 40kW Digital Mobile X-ray System provides the flexibility to bring the radiography room to the patient and allow administrators to maximize office space by reducing the need to have dedicated rooms for specific procedures. The Enhanced Workflow Package helps technologists complete routine tasks from the patient's bedside without having to access a HIS/RIS from a dedicated workstation.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/views/98/7772/india-lacks-innovation-culture-collaboration-is-the-way-forward-industry.html https://biospectrumindia.com/views/98/7772/india-lacks-innovation-culture-collaboration-is-the-way-forward-industry.html Sun, 19 Jul 2015 09:14:00 +0530 The forum brought India's leading Life Sciences personalities and game changing masterminds to discuss and contemplate the future of Indian Life Sciences industry by the year 2020. The star-studded panel discussion was garnered by eminent faces including Dr K K Narayanan, MD, Metahelix Life Sciences; Dr Rashmi Barbhaiya, CEO & MD, Advinus Therapeutics; Ms Bindhya Cariappa, COO & EVP Emerging Markets, ClinTec International; Dr Goutam Das, COO, Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE); Ms Rooma Bussi, Country Head - India, SDI; and Dr Sharon McKendry, Life Sciences & Chemical Sciences International Sector Head, SDI. The panel discussion was moderated by N Suresh, group editor of BioSpectrum publication. Dr Rashmi began the panel discussion by speaking about the significance of innovation and collaboration in the pharma industry. "Having spent 30 years in the US, I came back for one reason -- the young Indian talents, since there is no past legacy for them. The manner in which young people go about finding innovation is amazing. Many companies from Europe, US and Japan have been in India for a long time. The cost of innovation in their respective countries is high and hence, they lookout for cheaper labor to solve issues," he opined.   The event witnessed 40+ attendance ranging from start-up CEOs to industry veterans, from deans of prestige institutes to research scientists and media fellows. "The biggest challenge the industry is facing now is affordability and accessibility of medicines. The pharma innovation has no choice but to be a global network for innovation. Pharma companies need to look for places where innovations can be done best, faster and cheaper. No one company or country can do it all. To bring affordable and innovative medicines, we have to work together," Dr Rashmi emphasized. Dr Binay Panda, Chief Officer & Head, Ganit Labs, said that innovation does not happen in large companies. "Young people need to know how researchers and scientists in labs do innovation, and then take it to the real world. Innovation starts from the labs. We need more innovation success stories," he pointed. Another panel member, Ms Bindhya Cariappa, expressed that India has great potential to perform well in clinical trials. "We are living in challenging times. We have taken a lot of time to get where we are. They key is what difference are we going to make in people's lives and reach out to those who are involved in the healthcare delivery. When we started clinical trials, it was very new. Trials are the only opportunity for treatment and access of diseases. Regulatory reforms takes time. Today there is change in the technology and we need to push certain things. We have the potential to do extremely well in clinical trials. India promises efficiency through leveraging technology which ensures affordability and quality healthcare," she explained. Dr Ajith Kamath, Head, External R&D Innovation, Pfizer India, pointed the significance of collaborations in a globalized world. "Today, two-thirds of the world are touched by vaccines from India. When we look at the big picture, most of the molecules are made in India. Today, about 60-70% of the molecules in the pipeline are coming out of collaborations and not just from one particular company. Collaboration is the way forward. There are many opportunities to collaborate with Indian companies," he held. Dr Raviraja Seetharam, Deputy Director, Business Development, Stempeutics Research stated, "Globally the biopharma industry recorded revenues of US $180 billion, out of which US $5 billion is from India. There is a lack of talent pool. We need to come together, collaborate and globalize products." Dr Sharon shared insights on collaborative innovation and Scotland's offer to companies who want to set up their bases there. "Currently I'm seeing a lot of entrepreneurship and customer focus in companies, as a lot of new technologies are coming up. In Scotland, we have more than 170 core medical devices companies, 140 pharma service organizations, and top 10 global CRO firms. Scotland is the land of innovation, all the way dating back from discovering penicillin to the cloning of the first animal, Dolly," she highlighted. By 2020, the global population will reach 8 to 9 billion. This implies there is going to be increased demand for food, and the demands are going to stem from the developing world. "We are a country of 1.3 billion people, and will touch 1.4 billion plus by 2025. It is estimated that India may need 450 million tons of food grains. Today, we produce about 250 million tons. By 2020, Bangalore, by population, will be twice the size of Scotland. India is second only to US in terms of arable land. 50% of the landmass in India is ploughed allowing no scope for further expansion. As we move forward, the land is going to diminish further. We have to increase the productivity and technology is going to be the key," stressed Dr K K Narayanan. He believes that Indian agriculture is a prisoner of old and outdated technologies. "We are doing well in terms of opportunities. But we are lagging behind in productivity. This is where the opportunity lies. Today we have a burden and a need. There are skills available to do the adaptive. Things can be tested, and yes, we do have challenges of regulatory and activism, but they can be overcome. In our country, I believe, you can only delay things but can't deny, because farmers in the country ultimately get it one way or the other," he voiced. Dr Goutam emphasized how ABLE is involved with the government and other stakeholders to encourage more start-ups. "The challenge is, we definitely want to encourage smaller start-ups in getting funding rather than depending solely on DBT or BIRAC grants. Private equities always look for quicker profits, maturity and exits. In drug discovery this is not the case. ABLE is talking to SEBI and the government to get into these areas where they can support smaller biotech start-ups by replicating the US model, where they can float shares and get into investments. The number of start-ups have definitely increased. Since 2009, we have launched more than 10 to 12 start-ups in different areas," held Dr Goutam. Speaking about the Biodiversity Bill, he revealed, "One of the other issue is that the government should know how to go about biologics, biosimilars and biobetters. We are pushing the government to streamline the process and make things faster by 180 days. We are also trying to address the Biodiversity Bill. We are working with different government forces to find out what the government's position is with the Bill. The Bill is making it impossible to bring things in or to take them out of the country." Dr Rashmi also mentioned the approval pain that companies go through in the drug discovery process. "When we discover a new molecule, we have to make enough quantity of it to obtain approval, which takes months from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), to conduct clinical tests in animals and proceed with clinical trials. Every molecule is under patent, and the stakes are high while developing a molecule when we wait for the approval, which can go up to 18 months, when it takes less than a month in other countries," Dr Rashmi said. Dr Sharon ended by speaking about various funding mechanisms available in Scotland. "In Scotland, there are huge expert communities dealing with funding options. There are seed funding, co-investment funding and suitable funding partners. For companies, who want to come into Scotland, we have mechanisms to support them with grants and help them with their expenditure costs and setting up. There is a whole range of funding mechanisms available." Dr Rashmi feels that India is lagging behind in innovation culture. "It (India) is more of generics oriented. It hasn't introduced many innovative medicines, and hence there are revenue discrepancies in the pharma industry. Due to the success of generics, established companies are averse to investing towards long-time innovation. The pharma innovation has about 10 to 15 years of waiting period," he remarked. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7126/trivitron-healthcare-launches-two-new-tests-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7126/trivitron-healthcare-launches-two-new-tests-.html Fri, 17 Jul 2015 13:06:45 +0530 Trivitron healthcare has added two new products in the Newborn Screening kit. With this launch, they aim to create better future for newborn babies in the country by providing corrective diagnosis at birth. The two new tests are Neonatal IRT and Neonatal Toxoplasma gondii IgM that detect disorders which may harm the newborn in later stages of life. The company already offers Newborn screening assays through the Labsystems diagnostics brand, like TSH, PKU, 17OHP, G6PD, Galactose and Toxoplasmi gondii. Together with its fully automated NS2400 platform, Trivitron has launched two new products to complement its newborn screening panel. Neonatal IRT can detect disorders affecting the lungs, pancreas, intestine and liver. Whereas, Neonatal Toxoplasma gondii IgM can detect neurological and visual disabilities. Dr GSK Velu, founder and MD of Trivitron Group of companies said, "Trivitron Healthcare is taking strong steps towards women and child healthcare diagnosis. The thought behind adding two critical tests to the kit is to eradicate detected problems in the newborn at early stages for better lifestyle and to live a carefree life. Trivitron is known for its innovation in medical technology sector and making it available and affordable to larger section of the population across the globe."     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4464/medtronic-to-acquire-rf-surgical-systems.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4464/medtronic-to-acquire-rf-surgical-systems.html Thu, 16 Jul 2015 10:48:32 +0530 Medtronic has announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire RF Surgical Systems Inc, focused on the detection and prevention of retained surgical items (sponge, gauze or towel) for approximately $235 million. Additional terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. The RF Surgical system is designed to be used as an adjunct to manual counting methods to help prevent such surgical sponge-related never events, which are serious, largely preventable, and harmful clinical events. The proprietary detection system uses a low radio frequency (RF) signal to track and detect surgical gauze, sponges and towels (embedded with a RF tag) through blood, dense tissue and bone. The technology aims to reduce patient complications due to surgery, lessen unnecessary procedures, and increase efficiencies within the operating room. "Patients are our priority. Improving patient safety and outcomes is our daily focus, which directly aligns with the RF Surgical technology, a simple and cost-effective solution to avoidable complications in surgical procedures," said Mr Chris Barry, senior vice-president and president of the Surgical Innovations business, Minimally Invasive Therapies Group at Medtronic. "We are pleased to be joining the Medtronic team as their long-standing commitment to patient safety closely aligns with RF Surgical" said Mr John T Buhler, CEO of RF Surgical. He added,  "As we strive to make the RF Surgical technology the global standard of care, we look forward to the innovation opportunity afforded by our combined capabilities." Medtronic will report the RF Surgical business as part of its Surgical Solutions division within the Minimally Invasive Technologies Group. The transaction is expected to meet its long-term financial metrics for acquisitions, and the annualized earnings impact of this acquisition is not expected to be material. The deal is expected to close in August 2015, pending regulatory approvals.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5948/astrazeneca-vida-health-team-up-to-develop-new-app.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5948/astrazeneca-vida-health-team-up-to-develop-new-app.html Wed, 15 Jul 2015 14:00:00 +0530 AstraZeneca has teamed up with Vida health to launch a new app- 'Day-By-Day' for speedy recovery of heart attack patients, to cope up with the stress and trauma associated with such life-threatening experiences. The app is an extension of Vida Health's current cloud-based smartphone app, and is launced through a trial program at Duke University. The app is a HIPAA-compliant smartphone application that will walk patients step-by-step through the recovery process using live digital coaches and educational materials, like videos, articles, and food journals, to help patients implement lifestyle changes and adhere to their new drug regimen. Every year millions of people duffer from heart diseases and the app is expected to offer patients hands-on rehabilitation can by helping patients understand what medications to take when, how to change their eating habits or quit smoking, and how to slowly develop an exercise routine. The app will also help AstraZeneca interact with patients "beyond the pill." Mr John McCarthy, vice president of global commercial excellence at AstraZeneca, added, "The science is the core of our business, but patients today are expecting more. We see that taking advantage of technology alongside the power of science is the best thing for patients. It's about extending the customer experience." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8443/bioclusters-an-imported-american-concept.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8443/bioclusters-an-imported-american-concept.html Fri, 10 Jul 2015 17:09:00 +0530 KBITS (Karnataka Biotechnology and Information Technology Services) organized a workshop titled 'Creation of Mega Biocluster in Karnataka' on July 8, 2014, at the soon-to-be opened Bangalore Bioinnovation Center (BBC) in Bangalore. The workshop brought forward issues dealing with the creation of bioclusters in India, and it also sought to hear and address the plethora of bottlenecks faced by biotech start-ups in running their enterprises. "The key factors for innovation success are three major ingredients: infrastructure, human resources and networking. India is a land of challenges. For most of those challenges, the solution lies in life sciences and information technology. Challenges create opportunities for innovation," said Dr Jagadish Mittur in his speech, who is the Head of Biotechnology Facilitation Cell, KBITS, Department of IT BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka. Speaking about collaboration in Life Sciences, Dr Mittur pointed, "In India we seem to work in silos and compete, rather than collaborate. Networking and collaboration are the keys. There are complexities to solutions lying in life sciences. It is time we collaborate and setup facilities needed to collaborate. Necessity is the mother of all innovations. We need to identify rural and urban challenges, define objectives and check the market requirements and benefits for the society." Currently there are 5 Government of Karnataka (GoK)-enabled upcoming Bioinnovation clusters in the State:   1. Helix Biotech Park in Bangalore (KBITS/IBAB)2. Nutri/ Nutraceutical and Phyto-Pharmaceutical Park (N2P2) at Mysore (CFTRI)3. Agri Biotech Park at Dharwad (UAS-Dharwad)4. Marine Biotech Park at Mangalore (College of Fisheries - KVAFSU)5. Vivarium (Animal House) at Bidar (KVAFSU) It was also noted that international bioclusters are also being considered for possible collaborations and design. They include Chuncheon Bioindustry Foundation (CBF), South Korea and Biovillage, Maryland, USA. Another speaker, Prof H Sharat Chandra, Honorary Director, Centre for Human Genetics (CHG), offered further insights into collaboration. "It is not easy to create mega bioclusters. Biocluster is an American idea. The idea of bioclusters is to bring together people, technology and ideas and ultimately collaborate, where groups of individuals work together to achieve higher goals which neither of them will be able to do it on their own. In India, we need to overcome the cultural issue of not collaborating. People do not collaborate mainly because of IPR, patenting and competition. If we don't, countries elsewhere will collaborate, develop, evolve products, publish and patent," he opined. Before narrowing down the location to Electronic City, other locations including Hebbal, Whitefield and Manyata Tech Park (MTP) were considered for erecting the BBC.   However due to various land-related issues, the current Electronic city location was finalized. "Presence of high-tech equipments and highly qualified personnel will enable successful interaction and collaboration. Bangalore is the VC capital of India. VCs must take risks in encouraging innovation," Prof Chandra stressed. Prof N Yathindra, Director, Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology (IBAB) gave an overview of start-ups incubated at IBAB between 2002-15. Only one start-up was incubated in 2002, 2005 and 2008 respectively. However this number increased to 8 with two start-ups each year in 2006, 2009 2011 and 2013. In 2014-15, 5 start-ups were incubated each year, adding up to 10. The start-ups include:  BioCOS Life Sciences Cellworks Denovo Biolabs Genelife Biologics Geniron Good Herb Therapeutics Indoor Biotechnologies Ixora Biosciences Microtest Innovations MIR Life Sciences Novozymes R&D Omix R&D Lab Pentavalent Privils  Scintilla Bio-Marc  Shodhaka Life Sciences Simbiosys Biowares StringBio ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3861/interpretomics-to-raise-series-a-funding-in-sept.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3861/interpretomics-to-raise-series-a-funding-in-sept.html Thu, 09 Jul 2015 16:10:00 +0530 The lab measures 600 sq ft in area, and houses equipments manufactured by major suppliers including Agilent, Illumina, Thermo Fisher Scientific and Millipore. "This is a centre of excellence. We are focusing on research, development and delivery model (RDD). Our USP is in carrying out R&D along with the delivery. The centre will cater to research, clinics and as well as organizations in the pharmaceutical, biotech, and bioagri sectors," said Mr Prahalad Achutharao, co-founder & CEO, InterpretOmics. As of now, the company is awaiting approval certifications from DSIR (Department for Scientific & Industrial Research), and NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories). The newly inaugurated centre will cater to its growing customer base in sequencing and analysis. The space also houses a bio-banking facility. Mr Achutharao explained that usually sequencing and analysis happens with two different parties, which brings certain conflicts if there were to be any discrepancies.   "We offer both sequencing and analysis and thus create comfort, convenience and credibility to our clientele," he stressed. The company caters to customers across the globe, but have had more of them outside India, from countries including Germany, the US, Middle-East and South-East Asia. "We are working through partners in majority of these countries," Mr Achutharao pointed. InterpretOmics in 2013 raised seed fund worth Rs 10 crore. Come September, it is geared up to raise Series A funding from institutions both in India and abroad. The company's dry-lab, measuring 7000 sq ft, was inaugurated in April 2015 in Bangalore, where all its major analytical products will be developed.     InterpretOmics now employees 35 professionals and looks to achieve a headcount of 40 by the end of July 2015. Its clientele includes 20 leading organizations and research institutes including, Illumina, National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Biocon, CSIR-Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology (IGIB), Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Justus Liebig University (Germany) and Istituto Europeo di Oncologia (Italy) among others. InterpretOmics was started with an initial investment of Rs 5 lakh in 2009. The company was also co-founded by Prof Asoke K Talukder, who is also the chief scientific officer (CSO) of InterpretOmics. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6154/toshiba-inks-pact-with-merge-healthcare-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6154/toshiba-inks-pact-with-merge-healthcare-.html Wed, 08 Jul 2015 11:48:19 +0530 Merge Healthcare has announced that it has entered into a strategic partnership with Toshiba Medical Systems. Under this new agreement, Toshiba will be able to offer its customers a full turnkey solution, combining Merge's cardiology PACS and hemodynamic monitoring solutions with its vascular x-ray systems. "At Toshiba, we understand our customers' concerns when it comes to integrating IT solutions with imaging," said Mr Satrajit Misra, vice-president, marketing, Toshiba Medical Systems. He added, "Through this partnership, our customers will get a complete solution for accessing imaging information faster to improve the patient experience and our customers' overall business." Toshiba will leverage Merge's Best in KLAS Merge Hemo, Merge's real-time documentation tool for the cardiac cath lab that facilitates the integration of cath lab documentation into the patient's electronic health record, and Merge Cardio, the company's web-enabled enterprise-level image and information system that provides a single point of entry to the patient's complete cardio record spanning all cardiac modalities. "For more than 15 years, the Toshiba Corporation has been a great partner with Merge and we are pleased to expand our partnership with Toshiba America Medical Systems to support their enterprise imaging initiative for a unified, interoperable cardiology management system. Being an enterprise imaging preferred partner is an honor, and we look forward to helping them achieve their objectives," said Mr Justin Dearborn, chief executive officer at Merge Healthcare.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/interviews/98/6472/how-iit-ms-bioincubator-is-changing-the-face-of-biotech-start-ups-era.html https://biospectrumindia.com/interviews/98/6472/how-iit-ms-bioincubator-is-changing-the-face-of-biotech-start-ups-era.html Wed, 08 Jul 2015 08:30:00 +0530 It is currently funded by Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), and incubates start-ups in the area of biotechnology. In his special interview to BioSpectrum, Prof Guhan Jayaraman, department of biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, IIT-Madras, sheds light on how the government, industry and academia can collaborate together in revolutionizing the birth of biotech start-ups era.Q: What is the incubation model that you follow at the centre? Prof Guhan: Start-ups who are interested in being incubated have to apply through the website with a brief proposal. They will be called for a presentation before the Bioincubator Screening Committee consisting of academics, entrepreneurs, scientists from industry and medical institutions. The committee selects them based on five criteria: Technical merit of the proposal, business strategy for commercialization, team expertise, availability of seed-funding or venture capital and compatibility with the infrastructure and space available in the bioincubator. The selected companies are allowed to incubate for an initial period of 2 years which is extendable, depending on progress and financial sustainability of the incubated company and other assessment criteria.   The Bioincubator provides a comprehensive wet-lab facility consisting equipments for microbial or cell culture, bioprocess engineering, molecular biology and analytics. It also provides technical services and, through the IIT-M Incubation Cell, it provides the incubated companies with legal, accounting and other non-technical services. It also connects the incubated companies with a mentor network consisting of academics, biotech entrepreneurs, industry experts and venture capitalists. In addition, the Bioincubator also provides linkages with other institutions, and incubation centres for using specialized facilities which are not available at the IIT-M Bioincubator. Being incubated in an academically-linked ecosystem also provides the start-up companies with a rich resource of faculty mentors, and students are also hired for internships and employment. The IIT-M Bioincubator does not by itself provide seed funding. Q: How can this model be replicated to kick-start biotech start-ups boom in India? Prof Guhan: BIRAC has already identified and funded a dozen such bioincubators across the country, including three in IITs. However, it is not enough to provide funding to the bioincubators and expect immediate success stories. The Government (BIRAC), industry and academia need to be more holistically involved in this process to streamline the functioning of bioincubators, identify promising companies or technologies which require support and minimize chances of failure. There needs to be a thorough understanding of the bioincubation process and factors which will give better chances of commercial success. Finally, bioincubators need to be located in an ecosystem where there is a rich mix of industry-academia interaction and a diverse set of start-up companies. Q: What are the key investments needed to create, say, 2000 biotech start-ups by 2017? Prof Guhan: Long-term venture capital and availability of physical infrastructure are no doubt the key ingredients for biotech start-ups to test ideas and build technologies. However, even more critical is availability of right mentors and right advice at key stages of incubation. Bioincubators (and BIRAC) need to identify such people and enlist their support for mentoring start-up companies. The established biotechnology industries also need to form a support structure (e.g., a consortium or a corpus fund), wherein they can mentor or financially support (in exchange for equity) start-up companies. Lastly, a concerted effort needs to be made in manpower training and development, especially for industrial biotechnology. These should include post-finishing schools in biotechnology and entrepreneur development. Creating a large number of biotech start-ups is not the main requirement, as creating many successful start-ups with innovative technologies. So, identification of such start-ups, providing them long-term venture capital and mentoring them at key stages is more important than providing the investment for a large number of start-ups. Q: In the current situation, how many biotech start-ups can an incubation centre produce in a year, given the challenges in funding and infrastructure? Prof Guhan: Biotech start-ups will require a long time for incubation. A typical incubation centre can incubate 12-15 start-ups at any given time and probably graduate 2 -3 start-ups a year after achieving full maturity. Currently, one does not foresee any bioincubator graduating successful start-ups in the next 3 -5 years. Q: Tell us about the uniqueness of your incubation centre. Prof Guhan: The IIT-M Bioincubator has the unique advantage of being located in the IIT Madras Research Park which is a rich ecosystem consisting of a diverse array of technology companies, many of them being start-ups. Being adjacent to the IIT-M campus, this ecosystem provides a fertile ground for industry-academia interaction. Since different types of technology companies are being incubated at the Research Park, it provides an atmosphere for cross-fertilization of ideas, examples of diverse business models and opportunities for networking with entrepreneurs in different fields. Biotech start-ups have higher chance of success when they are incubated in such an ecosystem, rather than a specialized silo. Therefore, the IIT Madras Research Park model needs to be replicated across the country, by providing a diverse environment where there is rich academia-industry interaction and start-ups co-exist with established companies in different fields. Q: Briefly tell us about the success stories achieved at the centre? Prof Guhan: It is too early to talk about success stories. We have incubated just 4 companies. Q: Do you see a rise in the erection of number of biotech start-ups? Or is it dwindling? Prof Guhan: Three years ago, BIRAC initiated the establishment of a number of bioincubators and start-ups receiving the Biotechnology Ignition Grants (BIG).  Since then there has been an exponential increase in the number of start-ups at the incubation centres. So long the Government continues this healthy policy and industry also joins the act, these numbers will continue to rise. Q: Are you seeing any trends in biotech start-ups climate? Prof Guhan: Most of the biotech start-ups seem to be focused in the healthcare sector, especially diagnostics and medical devices. There are not enough start-ups in the area of industrial biotechnology, but there is a big market here. Q: Where can Indian incubation centres improve on? Prof Guhan: Indian incubators have to learn from the experience of successful incubators around the world, and yet learn to succeed under Indian conditions. The Government, academia and biotech industry need to come together and engage with them and provide them long-term support. Each incubator needs to develop its own niche areas of expertise and yet network strongly with other incubators for sharing infrastructure, ideas and mentors. This is only the beginning. We have a lot to learn and a long way to go, but patience and self-belief are the key ingredients along with substantial long-term investment. There is no fixed template available for success, but broad guidelines can be evolved over a period, which will perhaps improve success rates. There is a need for regular workshops and brainstorming in this area, which is largely missing. The bioincubators need to generously share ideas and infrastructure, as well as develop a strong network of mentors. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6158/cardiac-devices-market-will-be-worth-26-million-by-2020.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6158/cardiac-devices-market-will-be-worth-26-million-by-2020.html Tue, 07 Jul 2015 16:31:22 +0530 The global cardiac monitoring and cardiac rhythm management (CRM) devices market is poised to reach $26,646.5 million by 2020 from $21,137.7 million in 2015, at a CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) of 4.7 percent from 2015 to 2020, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The report highlighted that the ECG devices segment is expected to account for the largest share in 2015 in the Cardiac Monitoring devices segment. The ECG segment will also be the fastest-growing product segment during the forecast period. The defibrillator segment is expected to account for the largest share in 2015 in the CRM devices segment. Defibrillator segment will also be the fastest-growing product segment during the forecast period. The major end users of cardiac monitoring and cardiac rhythm management devices include home/ambulatory settings, hospitals, and other end users (research institutes and laboratories), says the report. Further, it mentioned that the home/ambulatory settings segment is expected to account for largest share in 2015 and will also be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period. According to the report, Growth of the CM and CRM devices market is propelled by increasing incidences of cardiovascular diseases, technological advancements resulting in launch of products in the mobile cardiac telemetry segment, and emergence of private institutional nursing and home care. However, dearth of skilled healthcare professionals with expertise in electrocardiography and cardiac monitoring, and high cost of adopting advanced products are key factors limiting the growth of this market, it added.   North America is expected to account for the largest share of the CM and CRM Devices Market in 2015, followed by Europe. However, Asia is expected to register the highest growth rate during the forecast period, owing to the emerging markets such as China, and India.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/interviews/98/7216/bbc-to-fortify-technological-entrepreneurship.html https://biospectrumindia.com/interviews/98/7216/bbc-to-fortify-technological-entrepreneurship.html Mon, 06 Jul 2015 15:15:56 +0530 BBC, the soon-to-be launched biotech incubator by the combined efforts of Karnataka Biotechnology and Information Technology Services (KBITS) and Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology (IBAB), will be a hot-bed for nurturing and blossoming biotech start-ups in the country.Q: Tell us about the BBC's incubation model? Dr Jitendra: At Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre (BBC), the prospective incubatees are selected through a rigorous process. It is ensured that incubatees who are selected score high on innovation, social impact, team strength, and have a clearly laid out robust business model. These incubatees are provided with subsidized infrastructure/common equipment facility, focused mentorship, seed fund, access to venture fund, logistics for future growth plans/scale up, branding and networking support. BBC also plans to engage in building robust pipeline of technology entrepreneurs through different institutional means such as live business plan competition, and forming teams around IP protected technologies which are lying bare on shelves in research institutions. The centre is promoted by KBITS, which is a nodal centre of department of IT, BT and S&T, govt of Karnataka.   The Centre has received generous funding support from DBT, Govt of India. Structured as Section 8 not-for-profit company, it aims to spur innovation movement in Life Sciences in the State and beyond. Q: What's unique about BBC? Dr Jitendra: Uniqueness of BBC lies in its world class infrastructure, government support, governance structure (fully autonomous section 8 Co), linkages with academic institutions like IBAB and CHG, proximity to bio-cluster, and mentorship by Vision Group in Biotechnology chaired by none other than Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw. Q: How can this model be replicated to kick-start biotech start-up boom in India? Dr Jitendra: Relevant department in every State should create such centres either through their own resources or through PPP mode. However, such centres should either be co-located with academic institutions or should be within an industrial cluster or both.   BBC has the advantage of being located within an upcoming Bangalore Helix Biotech Park. The park already has within its campus reputed academic institutions like IBAB and Centre for Human Genetics (CHG). Bio-Industry cluster building is under process. The model followed by Department of IT, BT and S&T, govt of Karnataka through its nodal Centre, KBITS and through BBC, to support bio-innovation, is a result of recommendations of Karnataka Vision Group in biotechnology under the leadership of Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, and members who are leaders in their own field. The Millennium Biotech Policy formulated by the govt of Karnataka does capture the vision and is being implemented through KBITS and BBC. Such model or variants according to local needs and resources need to be built and implemented in other states too. BIRAC like institutions and its schemes at State level is also an important requirement for scaling up the start-up movement in biotechnology in India.   Q: What are the key investments needed to achieve this? Dr Jitendra: Biotech start-ups require high gestation periods and are highly capital intensive, coupled with huge risk element, and thus there are high entry barriers. This entry barrier must be lowered through setting up of biotechnology incubators. BIRAC does have a scheme called Biotechnology Incubation Support Scheme (BISS), for supporting bio-incubators across the country but this is limited by participation by a host institution that already has an Incubation centre. There are bio-incubators hosted by many academic institutions, but still there is a need to create BBC like model incubation centres in each State. We need at least 50 such incubation centres, each having a capacity to incubate 40 high potential start-ups. Considering the cost of setting up one incubation centre as Rs 50 crore, we must have dedicated capital resource of Rs 2500 crore to achieve the target.   This number excludes the incubators that are already existing, but I think we must create an incubator support fund of this quantum. We also need to have dedicated funds for seed funding the incubatees through grants/soft loans and equity funds. Q: In the current situation, how many biotech start-ups can an incubation centre produce in a year, given the challenges in funding and infrastructure? Dr Jitendra: Incubation centres such as BBC can support 40 incubatees in its centre at any given point of time. It depends on the rate of new incubatees joining and old incubatees graduating to figure out an annual turnover of incubatees. Q: Briefly tell us about the success stories achieved at BBC? Dr Jitendra: The centre has just become operationally ready so true success stories are yet to come by. However, its host Institution IBAB has a stupendous track record of incubating start-ups for the last 12 years. It has Incubated companies such as Novozymes R&D, Microtest Innovations and Cellworks. Currently, there are many high potential incubatees being incubated at IBAB such as MIR Life Sciences, String, Privils, Denovo Bio, and Shodhaka amongst others. Since the new facility for bio-Incubation - BBC, is operationally ready, all these companies are expected to shift their operations to BBC. Q: Do you see a rise in the erection of number of biotech start-ups in Indian incubation centres? Or is it dwindling? Dr Jitendra: Number of incubation centres and number of start-ups are showing an increasing trend. This is owing to key role played by BIRAC, increase in awareness by different States towards setting up of incubation centre and overall positive outlook towards entrepreneurship. Q: Are you seeing any trends in the biotech start-ups climate? Dr Jitendra: Biotech start-ups boom is clearly discernible. BIRAC has played key role in propelling and fuelling the growth of Indian biotech start-ups and Incubation centres. Number of start-ups, number of incubators, government support and overall outlook toward entrepreneurship is positive side. Q: Where can Indian incubation centres improve on? Dr Jitendra: Incubation centres must cater to the needs of incubatees in terms infrastructure, instrumentation facility, policies for seed funding, and other relevant issues. Currently, there is a tendency to not engage start-ups /entrepreneurs while setting up the facilities, or formulating policies. So their representation must improve to create a real impact. Also, Incubation centres have not been institutionalized properly in the Indian scenario. Most of the incubators in India run on project mode, with no dedicated funds, no autonomy or no career paths for incubation managers. So, the activity runs on the fringes and never is a mainstream activity. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7149/strands-new-ceo-on-the-block.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7149/strands-new-ceo-on-the-block.html Thu, 02 Jul 2015 13:52:32 +0530 Strand Life Sciences, a global genomic profiling company that uses next generation sequencing technology to empower cancer care, today announced the appointment of Mr Scott A Storrer as chief executive officer. Mr Storrer will also be responsible for the continued development and marketing of Strand's precision medicine products in India. In his expanded role as now president and CEO, he will be responsible for all strategy, business expansion and worldwide operations effective immediately. Dr Chandru, who has served as Strand's chairman and CEO since its founding in 2000, will continue in his role as chairman of the board of directors. "Scott's twenty-plus years of executive experience leading and growing profitable businesses in the healthcare industry across the payer, provider and personalized medicine sectors will help Strand develop a strong presence globally," Dr Chandru said. Mr Storrer will also oversee the continued expansion of Strand Life Sciences' genomics software business. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/interviews/98/3496/worldwide-hospitals-are-the-poorest-users-of-it-services-and-india-is-no-exception.html https://biospectrumindia.com/interviews/98/3496/worldwide-hospitals-are-the-poorest-users-of-it-services-and-india-is-no-exception.html Wed, 01 Jul 2015 15:17:00 +0530 What is BioVedas' expertise?Medicine meets Management at every Bio Vedas' creation providing unique efficiencies in project cost, implementation, operations, productivity and profitability. Our team brings about ideation of new business models and innovative revenue models in healthcare delivery. We have developed a software called 'Digiderati', which is a business analytics tool for hospitals. Apart from this, our team has pioneered in establishing stand-alone and franchise-based clinics for diabetes. We are also turnkey consultants for hospitals and clinics. BioVedas also organizes healthcare events and expos. Your company claims to have an expertise in transforming clinical practice into a lucrative healthcare business for your clients. Could you elaborate on how BioVedas mediates this process? Bio Vedas is different from traditional armchair consultancy firms in that we have walked the talk in executing projects, managing clinics from ideation to inauguration and commercial success. Clinical practice is person dependent and many a times becomes personality dependent! De-linking ownership from operations and making clinical practice system dependent is the first key step to making healthcare delivery a lucrative business. How does BioVedas' healthcare business intelligence function? Bio Vedas has enabled the owners of hospitals to have direct access to the right data at the right time, even to those who are not IT savvy. Our team focuses on providing nuggets of wisdom to the hospital stake holders in a layman's language and terminology and thus reducing their dependence on IT and finance for information. Hospitals are the poorest users of IT worldwide and India is no exception. Transaction processing, Billing, Inventory are functions which use IT extensively. Few Hospitals have blanket coverage of IT of all departments. Fewer record their clinical data. Here lies the wealth and cutting edge for hospitals to improve their productivity and efficiency. BioVedas offers guidance in executing most hospital functions that require IT-support. BioVedas also has the experience of setting up paper-less, day care and chronic care clinics in India and other overseas countries. Could you name those countries and elaborate on the implementation? Initially, BioVedas helped in establishing several clinics in Chennai and then later the team worked to setup clinics in cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Madurai, Guwahati and Raipur in India and then we expanded overseas by offering guidance in setting up a clinic in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Bio Vedas specializes in charting efficient workflows inside hospitals that saves money, space and turnaround time of patients. All clinics are running in profits and all the clinics cater to a wide audience making healthcare affordable, accessible and appropriate. What is the company's five-year plan?We plan to set-up 100 unique patient-centric chronic care clinics with the least turn-around time and transparency in transactions in every district headquarters. These clinics will be fully IT-enabled and cloud-based computing technology.   How do you perceive the growth of the healthcare market in Tamil Nadu and what kind of technologies are in trend? Innovative funding models of hospitals have made Tamil Nadu hospitals invest in technologies at par with the rest of the world. Innovations in hospital design, architecture, building material, workflow extensive use of IT, use of business analytics and professional management of hospitals will accelerate the growth of the healthcare industry in Tamil Nadu. There is a huge scope for innovative business models structured around meritorious but unsung heroes in medical profession who are at the bottom of the pyramid using unique JV models. Does Chennai have any edge over other cities as a preferred destination for investments in healthcare? If so, why? Chennai, according to me, is the healthcare capital of India. I would say corporatization of the healthcare system was pioneered in Chennai and the city's IT prowess has provided cutting-edge solutions in healthcare delivery market. With a huge NRI population the expectation of the market is world-class and Chennai has to be a step ahead of the rest of India. Availability of talent pool of doctors, paramedical staff and most importantly healthcare management professionals makes Chennai a preferred destination in modern healthcare delivery. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7311/tech-mahindra-ambitious-towards-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7311/tech-mahindra-ambitious-towards-healthcare.html Wed, 01 Jul 2015 13:57:41 +0530 Circle will provide access to its hospitals, clinicians and experience of running healthcare, allowing Mahindra to develop and adopt new technologies that improve patient care, operational delivery and to reduce costs for all parties. The project will be delivered by nth Dimension, a newly formed wholly owned subsidiary of Tech Mahindra in the UK. Mr Steve Melton, CEO, Circle, said: "This deal is a sign of the times. Healthcare has yet to see the tech-led disruption that we've seen in other sectors, but we think that is about to change. At the same time, there is a big push in UK government policy for transparency and better patient access to data - while the need for healthcare operators to be efficient has never been higher." He also added, "Tech Mahindra are a hugely respected firm with a track record of innovation. Its technology has made organizations across a vast range of sectors more connected, agile and efficient. We're absolutely delighted our partnership with Tech Mahindra will support us to grow our business and improve our competitiveness through the adoption of new technologies."   Mahindra will develop new IT solutions for Circle's hospitals and NHS management contracts - giving its facilities access to state-of-the-art technologies that it has deployed in other sectors such as the telecoms sector, supporting the adoption of mobile healthcare solutions. Both partners have ambitious growth plans for the healthcare sector, focusing in the first instance on the creation of a new state-of-the-art hospital in Birmingham that will allow for a wide range of innovations to be adopted within the design phase. Additionally, Mahindra will support Circle in developing its innovative MSK service across Bedfordshire, providing patients with the ability to book their MRI appointments from their mobile phones and GPs viewing scans and reports from their mobile devices. Mr Rajib Bhattacharya, Vice President, Tech Mahindra said: "....Our plans are to focus on creating and adopting new technologies from around the world into the UK healthcare market which is facing unprecedented pressures on its finances and we felt that Circle were the best partner to work with....." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4339/family-planningtelemedicine-win-at-camtech-india-jugaad-a-thon.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4339/family-planningtelemedicine-win-at-camtech-india-jugaad-a-thon.html Wed, 01 Jul 2015 10:39:16 +0530 More than 300 participants, industry mentors, organizers and volunteers came together at the second CAMTech INDIA Jugaad-a-thon to co-create and develop affordable health technologies that address reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH) in India. Organized in partnership with Lattice Innovations and hosted by GE Healthcare India at the John F Welch Technology Center in Bengaluru, the Consortium for Affordable Medical Technologies (CAMTech) at Mass General Hospital's Center for Global health called on innovators from across India, Africa and the US. Through this USAID-sponsored initiative, a diverse group of clinical, engineering and business participants convened around one main goal, improving the lives of women and children in India. "We believe that co-creation is the future of health care innovation, where clinicians sit side-by-side with engineers, entrepreneurs and industry to develop disruptive and impactful solutions. This year's Jugaad-a-thon brought that diversity of stakeholders in India together to show that you can accelerate the whole process of innovation," said Ms Elizabeth Bailey, CAMTech's Director. The Jugaad-a-thon (derived from the Hindi word "jugaad" meaning an innovative fix or work-around), invites some of the world's brightest minds to collaborate over a 48-hour period and develop solutions to identified clinical challenges through an open innovation platform. Prior to the Jugaad-a-thon, CAMTech INDIA held a Clinical Summit with clinicians, healthcare workers, government public health experts and patients from around the world to identify and discuss pressing maternal and child health challenges, as well as best practices in delivering care. The Summit also included a Technology Showcase for early-stage and newly-marketed medical technologies that aim to improve quality and access for RMNCH in India. From low-cost female contraceptives to novel ways to deliver oxygen to remote health centers to gamification of family planning education, this year's event saw 65 innovations developed, a record number from CAMTech's hack-a-thons. "In this year's Jugaad-a-thon, we gave the participants three challenges that represented three of the most pressing needs in the area of maternal and infant care. The record number of quality ideas generated at Jugaad-a-thon clearly validates our belief that the way forward for innovating meaningful and impactful healthcare solutions is by co-creating these solutions with all stake holders of the healthcare eco-system," said Mr Milan Rao, president and CEO, GE Healthcare South Asia. Participants worked around the clock to pitch healthcare problems, form teams, prototype solutions, and develop business models before presenting their ideas to a panel of judges from public health, engineering and business, reflecting CAMTech's cross-sector approach to innovation.   This year's event awarded monetary prizes to winning teams in several categories, including: USAID Grand Challenge Award: Family Planning and Reproductive Health: Team Trust+ won this prize for developing of a mobile platform for adolescents and adults that encourages open and effective communication about safe sex and family planning. CAMTech-USAID Awards: CAMTech and USAID awarded prizes to the top three teams across all categories: Team Slow Forward, an effective video consultation for rural areas with low bandwidth took first place; Team Peekaboo, an interactive gaming application that aids in identifying vision impairment for children, won second place; and Team Shakthi Ki Yukthi, a low-cost female contraceptive tool, took the third prize. GE Healthcare India Awards: GE sponsored three challenges and awarded prizes to the following teams: Nitrobooster, which developed a cost-effective and steady supply of nitrous oxide for surgeries; O2-Matic, a low-cost method for oxygen production to address unpredictable availability of medical gases in limited resource settings; and Aawaazz, an affordable device that screens for hearing impairment in infants in under-served communities. MSD for Mothers (known as Merck in the US and Canada) Awards: These awards were given to MOM (Maternity over Mortality), which aims to reduce the culture time involved in the diagnosis of maternal sepsis, and Team Slow Forward. In addition to this year's winners, Jugaad-a-thon participants will have the opportunity to win a special post-Jugaad-a-thon award from FICCI and Terumo India for the top two innovations that make the most progress 30 days after the event.         ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7560/indias-iconic-biotech-parks-and-incubators.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7560/indias-iconic-biotech-parks-and-incubators.html Tue, 30 Jun 2015 14:57:41 +0530 The dawn of the new millennium paved the way for revolutionizing information technology, which changed the way humans lived, communicated, and did business. Coupled with that, Biotechnology, in particular, is altering the course of healthcare and the way diseases are diagnosed and treated. It is expected that in the coming years, there will be an increase in biotech parks and incubation centers in India, where budding entrepreneurs and small firms will find the support to thrive. Here is an overview of India's iconic Biotech Parks and Incubators. Biotech Parks  Genome Valley Conceived in 1999, Genome Valley (GV) is located in the Northern periphery of Hyderabad State in Southern India. It comprises of knowledge parks, special economic zones (SEZs), multi-tenanted lab space buildings, incubation facilities, office spaces and support facilities. It has an array of companies in the realm of agri-biotech, CROs, biopharma, vaccine manufacturing, regulatory and testing.   The cluster has over 100 lifescience companies. The multi-tenanted lab space buildings and incubation facilities provide growth to small, medium, and large enterprises, including start-ups. Genome Valley is also known as the 'Vaccine Hub of India', since leading vaccine producers like Biological E, Bharat Biotech and Globion Bio are within the cluster, along with Shantha Biotech and Indian Immunologicals. It has two prominent knowledge parks - Alexandria Knowledge Park and IKP Knowledge Park. IKP Knowledge Park The IKP knowledge park is India's innovative lifescience park facilitating business-driven R&D for more than 10 years now. Spread across 200 acres in genome valley, Hyderabad, in the State of Andhra Pradesh, the park's main objective is to build an environment for innovation and growth of lifesciences. The park boasts of ready-to-use multi-tenanted modular wet laboratory blocks (innovation corridors) with in-built flexibility around common, shared facilities and support services, as well as developed land for customized R&D facilities. All the operations and maintenance of IKP is ISO 9001-2008 certified. The infrastructure services include electricity, telecommunication, refuse disposal, conference facility, meeting rooms, cafeteria and gymnasium. The IKP knowledge park has promoted 65 companies so far, and is currently associated with 47 of them. The park has been receiving support from the State and the Central governments in India. The park has also received partial funding from National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB), Department of Science and Technology (DST) to establish the Life Science Incubator, and from the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Government of India, to establish a Virtual Information Center. The park is supported by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) for augmenting its lifescience incubator facilities. Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) has supported IKP with an ignition grant. TICEL Bio Park Situated in the Southern Indian State of Tamil Nadu, Chennai-based TICEL Bio Park is a 5-acred landmark lifesciences biotech R&D park, which is a unit of Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO). The park's co-promoters include Indian Bank, Karur Vysya Bank and Indian Overseas Bank. The park's design and technical parameters were provided by Cornell University, USA. The park has varied facilities including a bioresource center which is under consideration. It also has a tenancy area, and training centers. The TICEL Park was set up with a capital of US $12.5 million and has national and international clients. Bio360 - Life Science Park Bio360-Life Science Park is Southern Indian State Kerala's upcoming lifesciences park, focusing on facilitating the Bio-IT and Nano technology sectors in India. The park is located in the village of Veiloor, Thiruvananthapuram, and will be a geographic cluster of biotechnology, nanotechnology and lifesciences industry, research institutions and sci-tech academia. The park offers space for large and integrated Bio-IT companies to set up their organizations, and has ready to occupy built-up modules focusing on human health. The park's unique selling point will be its Incubation Center (IC) and the Technology Development Center (TDC). The incubation center will provide critical infrastructure facilities to start-up Bio-IT companies and assist them in the initial years (incubation period) until they are self-sustainable. According to the park, once the start-up matures, it will move out and venture on its own. The Technology Development Centre (TDC) will facilitate small and medium-sized IT players, inventors and entrepreneurs in the State to start, expand or make their business more competitive in the marketplace. To begin with, a state-of-the-art, new generation biotechnology incubation centre is being promoted by Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC), and Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (TBGRI) in the park. Nationally and internationally-renowned R&D institutions in lifesciences and biotechnology sector including Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), Regional Cancer Centre (RCC), Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), and National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) have also come together along with KSIDC and TBGRI. The project cost of the incubation center, excluding the land, is estimated at INR 300 million, which includes INR 180 million for the first phase. The incubation center will offer the technical know-how of nationally and internationally reputed R&D institutions in the lifesciences and bio-technology sector. Golden Jubilee Biotech Park for Women Society The Golden Jubilee Biotech Park for women was established with a mission to provide opportunities for professionally qualified women, to pursue a career of remunerative self-employment through the organization of environment-friendly biotechnological enterprises. The biotech park and its activities are closely related to the objective of building a rural-urban linkage. The park is situated in Siruseri village in Kanchipuram in the Southern Indian State of Tamil Nadu, and surrounded by other villages like Pudupakkam and Mambakkam. The raw materials required by the enterprises within the park are directly sourced from the farmers. Thus, the park provides a platform for utilizing the produce of rural farmers, and converting them into products for the urban market. The M S Swaminathan Research Foundation plays a key role in linking the farmers and their produce with the biotech park through self-help groups. The park has developed lab facilities for providing quality testing and training programs. It has also been successfully conducting short and long-term training programs for college students as a means of providing much needed hands on experience, and to generate revenue streams for the park. The biotech park plans to develop this into an entrepreneurial facility. Women scientists with managerial skills and capable of making small-scale investments, are to independently take up the functioning of the lab. Guwahati Biotech Park Situated in the State of Assam in India, the government of Assam has allotted land measuring 17 acres to Guwahati Biotech Park. Facilities include eight modular laboratories, specialized and support facilities. Interim facilities have been created at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati, in a building rented out to the state government for the incubator. Bangalore Biotech Park Currently, the park is under construction with 25 incubation suites ranging from 200 sq ft to 700 sq ft. Located in the Southern State of Karnataka, there is a plan to build a common instrumentation facility, mammalian and plant tissue culture, dark room, cold room, utilities, animal house, chemical store, cafeteria, meeting rooms, and conference rooms. KINFRA Biotech Park The Biotechnology Incubation Centre (BTIC) by Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (KINFRA) has been set up at Ernakulum, to provide incubation facilities to industries. It is located in the Southern State of Kerala. The labs are equipped with commercial facilities and six units are under construction. A 20 acre land is available for lease to companies. A Project Advisory Committee (PAC) would help the Project Implementation Committee (PIC) in the selection of equipment, infrastructure provided to each lab and for the selection of tenants in BTIC. Bio Pharma-IT Park The facility is being developed at Andharua in Bhubaneswar, in the Eastern State of Odisha, on a land parcel of 64.61 acres. The park area has been demarcated and walled off, and utilities have been provided. The construction of the building for the incubator is yet to begin. Focus is on the training program and on building a good manufacturing practices (GMP) quality facility. Biotechnology Incubation Centre The Centre is located up in the Northern India. A few years ago, a biotechnology park project was sanctioned to the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), government of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla. The government of Himachal Pradesh constituted an executive committee and Society for Promotion of Biotechnology and Biobusiness (SPBB) as a nodal agency for implementing the Biotech Park Project. Establishment of the Biotechnology Park is under way and discussions were held for setting up of infrastructure and for identification of prospective investors. Lucknow Biotech Park (LBP) The Uttar Pradesh-based LBP started operations in 2006. The park has generated employment for about 200 people. To date, 7-8 companies have graduated from the incubator and another nine companies are under incubation. The park has National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accreditation for its analytical facilities and provides service to many agro-industries in the region. The plant tissue culture facility is also certified under DBT-BCIL certification program. The park has an extraction unit, a bioinformatics unit and a bio-fuel unit. The park is also hosting HRD programs for research scholars and a biotech finishing school. Punjab Biotechnology Park Located in Dera Bassi at Chandigarh, in the Northern State of Punjab, it focuses on technology transfer, collaborative research, exchange of scientific manpower and company-to-company business relationship in agricultural and environmental biotechnology and bioprocessing. It has all the basic facilities including water, electricity, with tax exemption office, R&D lab, and sewage treatment facility. Shapoorji Pallonji Biotech Park This park is located at Shamirpet in the Southern State of Hyderabad. The park is a joint venture between the government of Andhra Pradesh and Shapoorji Pallonji Co Pvt Ltd. It is spread over 300 acres. It has a state-of-the-art infrastructure for lifescience research, particularly for biopharmaceuticals, training and manufacturing activities, with all basic facilities of road, power, space, and telecommunications. It has attracted more than 15 corporate clients who are interested in setting up their R&D centers. Jalna Biotech Park Located in the city of Aurangabad, in the Western State of Maharashtra, this park was set up by Wockhardt. It consists of a 107 hectare land. It has manufacturing facilities for active pharmaceutical ingredients, biopharmaceuticals, R&D center, effluent treatment plant, a corporate office, warehouse and a residential and recreational complex. It provides employment to an estimated 2000 people. Proposed Biotech Parks: â–  Biotech Park, Konark, Chandrabhaga, Odisha.â–  Marine Biotech Park, Ganjam, Odishaâ–  Boranda Biotech Park, Jodhpur, Rajasthan. â–  Herbal Pharma Biotech Park, Betma, Indore, Madhya Pradesh.â–  Ansals API Biotech Park, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.â–  Pantnagar Biotech Park, Haldi, Uttaranchal.â–  Solan Biotech Park, Himachal Pradesh.â–  Jogindernagar Biotech Park, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. Incubators Startup Oasis Located in the Northern India, Startup Oasis is a Jaipur City-based incubation center, set-up at the joint initiative of RIICO, Rajasthan's premiere industrial promotion organization, and the Center for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE) at Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad. Venture Center The BioIncubator at Venture Center, located in the West Indian city of Pune, aims to nucleate and nurture technology and knowledge-based enterprises leveraging knowledge in the areas of biotechnology including biopharma, agri-biotech, industrial biotech, and clean technology, biomedical engineering, devices, diagnostics, biomass value addition, renewable fuels, chemicals, materials, bioinformatics, biomedical services and related disciplines. NCL Innovations NCL Innovations was founded in 2007 as a new resource center of the National Chemical Laboratory, located in Pune city, to champion the cause of technology innovations within the organization. Indian Angel Network (IAN) Based in the Northern city of New Delhi, India, IAN in an equity-based business incubator center that gives priority to ventures in the areas of healthcare, gaming and animation cloud computing, retail, mobile VAS, media and entertainment, alternative energy, education and clean technology. It has been established with the support of the National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB) and the Department of Science & Technology (DST) of the government of India. GSF M-Accelerator Started in 2012, India-based GSF M-Accelerator is a specialized accelerator program for mobile start-ups. Functioning as a 'super-accelerator' by design, GSF M-Accelerator offers founders four months to make the kind of progress ordinarily accomplished in six to eight months.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7927/karnataka-state-asias-hottest-biotech-hub.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7927/karnataka-state-asias-hottest-biotech-hub.html Tue, 30 Jun 2015 12:51:00 +0530 India as a country ranks as the second most favored biotech destination next to China in the Asian continent. The Southern State of Karnataka in India has always been in the forefront of technological advancements in the global scientific arena. Notably the city of Bangalore, usually dubbed as India's Silicon Valley, has been crowned as the thriving hot bed for Information Technology and Biotechnology sector. Karnataka is a host to almost 60 percent of all biotechnology companies in India, followed by other States including Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Most of these companies have set up their R&D base in Karnataka, thereby attracting billions of dollars' worth investments every year.   Bangalore is also a teeming place for India's best innovative biotech startups. In fact, Karnataka recorded the highest R&D spend in Southern India than any other State. The State also boasts of having strong research base, industry-academia nexus, top universities and institutes tie-ups, highly skilled workforce, robust infrastructure, raining FDIs, industry associations, and the government's supportive policy framework for prominently establishing Biotechnology in the State. Here is an exclusive peek into the State's world-class, state-of-the-art Biotech Parks. Helix Biotech Park in Bangalore With a whopping investment of INR 350 crore, Helix Biotech Park in Bangalore is a joint initiative between the department of IT, BT, S&T and Alexandria Real Estate Equities, USA. The park will be known as Alexandria Knowledge Park.   Spread over 52 acres, the park aims to support biotech units with common infrastructure. The biotech incubator is spread over 10-15 acres in the park. The park will offer incubation facility, lab and commercial space, common instrumentation facility, a business center, commercial and recreational areas, high-end computing facility, pilot plant, medical sample repository, and a gene bank. Agri-Biotech Park in Dharwad In 2010, erecting an agri-biotech park in the District of Dharwad was proposed by Karnataka State with an investment of INR 80 crore, employing about 5000 workforce. Spain's Savaia Biotech and University of Massachusetts, USA, together are involved in the development of the park.   The park will be built in 30 acres of land at the University of Agricultural Sciences-Dharwad (UAS), Karnataka. The park would be a centre for agriculture R&D, gene construction and pest management. Also transgenic plants of various crops is planned to be cultivated at the park. Neutraceutical and Phytopharmaceutical Park (N2P2) in Mysuru The park is planned with an investment of INR 103 crore, employing 5000 people. The park will pioneer in various R&D in the areas of nutrition and phytopharmaceuticals or medicinal plants.   Animal House (Vivarium) in Bidar The Animal House (Vivarium) is upcoming in the District of Bidar in Karnataka, with an investment of INR 40 crore. It is expected to provide employment to over 3000 professionals. Standing on 20 acres of land, the centre will be a hub for conducting R&D in disease diagnosis, vaccine production, bioinformatics, embryo transfer, and stem cell techniques. Marine Biotech Park in Mangalore In 2010, the proposal to set up Marine Biotech Park in the District of Mangalore, Karnataka, was put forth, with an initial investment of INR 60 crore, offering employment to more than 3000 workers and professionals. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6287/asrt-foundationtoshiba-launch-the-safety-first-grant-program.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6287/asrt-foundationtoshiba-launch-the-safety-first-grant-program.html Mon, 29 Jun 2015 11:40:31 +0530 To help improve technologist safety in radiology, the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) Foundation and Toshiba America Medical Systems, have partnered to launch the Safety FiRsT grant program. The Safety FiRsT program is a new component of Toshiba's focus on putting its customers first by providing 360 degrees of coverage, guidance and expertise, enabling ASRT member institutions to fund creative programs aimed at improving safety for radiological technologists. The ASRT Foundation and Toshiba's Safety FiRsT program will award two ASRT members a grant of up to $7,000 each for the implementation of a radiologic technology safety program or creative idea aimed at improving technologist safety. These facilities will then implement the program and share best practices. "The Safety FiRsT program grants will help facilities to ensure the safety of their technologists and meet their business needs simultaneously," said ASRT Foundation chairman of the Board, Mr Steve J Hardy. He added, "Assistance that helps purchase new equipment for technologists, create new training programs or implement other inventive ideas to improve safety allows the facilities to focus on providing the highest quality care." "Safety goes beyond lowering radiation dose; it is an encompassing concept that requires constant refinement, guidance and expertise. Developing this new grant program allows hospitals to further their pursuit of establishing programs that meet the goals of the Triple Aim by improving individual and population-wide care," said Mr Satrajit Misra, vice-president, Marketing, Toshiba.   The ASRT Foundation and Toshiba Safety FiRsT grants are funded by an educational grant from Toshiba America Medical Systems.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6024/broad-institute-google-to-analyze-genomics-data.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6024/broad-institute-google-to-analyze-genomics-data.html Fri, 26 Jun 2015 12:28:28 +0530 Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard are teaming up with Google Genomics to develop a computing infrastructure that will help store and process enormous datasets, as well as create tools to analyze such data in biomedical research. As a first step, Broad Institute's Genome Analysis Toolkit, or GATK, will be offered as a service on the Google Cloud Platform, as part of Google Genomics. The goal is to enable any genomic researcher to upload, store, and analyze data in a cloud-based environment that combines the Broad Institute's best-in-class genomic analysis tools with the scale and computing power of Google. GATK is a software package developed at the Broad Institute to analyze high-throughput genomic sequencing data. GATK offers a wide variety of analysis tools, with a primary focus on genetic variant discovery and genotyping as well as a strong emphasis on data quality assurance. Its robust architecture, powerful processing engine, and high-performance computing features make it capable of taking on projects of any size. GATK is already available for download at no cost to academic and non-profit users. In addition, business users can license GATK from the Broad. To date, more than 20,000 users have processed genomic data using GATK. The Google Genomics service will provide researchers with a powerful, additional way to use GATK. Researchers will be able to upload genetic data and run GATK-powered analyses on Google Cloud Platform, and may use GATK to analyze genetic data already available for research via Google Genomics. GATK as a service will make best-practice genomic analysis readily available to researchers who don't have access to the dedicated compute infrastructure and engineering teams required for analyzing genomic data at scale. An initial alpha release of the GATK service will be made available to a limited set of users.   "Large-scale genomic information is accelerating scientific progress in cancer, diabetes, psychiatric disorders, and many other diseases," said Mr Eric Lander, president and director of Broad Institute. He added, "Storing, analyzing, and managing these data is becoming a critical challenge for biomedical researchers. We are excited to work with Google's talented and experienced engineers to develop ways to empower researchers around the world by making it easier to access and use genomic information." "Broad and Google share a culture of collaboration and open access to data. Google Genomics is helping scientists make genomic information more accessible and useful. By making Broad's GATK available through the Google Cloud Platform, we hope to accelerate great science," said Mr David Glazer, director, Google Genomics. In keeping with the Broad's mission to foster openness and innovation, this collaboration will be non-exclusive. Broad and Google will each continue to engage with other community members on genomic projects to empower research worldwide.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6019/fda-nod-for-medtronics-corevalve-evolut-r-system-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6019/fda-nod-for-medtronics-corevalve-evolut-r-system-.html Fri, 26 Jun 2015 11:44:44 +0530 Medtronic has announced the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) approval and the US launch of the new recapturable, self-expanding CoreValve Evolut R System. It is said to be the first-and-only recapturable and repositionable device available in the US, the Evolut R System is approved for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in severe aortic stenosis patients who are at high or extreme risk for surgery. Untreated, aortic valve stenosis can lead to serious heart problems including heart failure and even death. Designed to treat patients with aortic stenosis, a condition where the aortic valve narrows thereby limiting blood flow from the aorta to the rest of the body, the CoreValve Evolut R System is built on the proven foundation and procedural success of the CoreValve System, which has been implanted in more than 75,000 patients in 60 countries. The new system consists of the CoreValve Evolut R transcatheter valve and the EnVeo R Delivery System, which features an InLine Sheath that significantly reduces the profile to the lowest on the market (14 Fr equivalent, less than 1/5 inch). A smaller profile size provides a greater opportunity to treat an expanded patient population with smaller vessels (down to 5.0 mm), through the preferred transfemoral access route, which may minimize the risk of major vascular complications in some patients. Based on the knowledge gained through the extensive experience with the CoreValve System, the Evolut R is optimized to increase conformability and sealing at the annulus, while maintaining supra-annular valve positioning for improved blood flow and hemodynamic performance. An extended sealing skirt on the 26mm and 29mm valve sizes is intended to further promote valve sealing at the annulus. "The FDA approval of Evolut R marks a significant milestone for Medtronic and TAVR, and ushers in a new era in transcatheter aortic valves with advanced, recapturable capabilities," said Ms Rhonda Robb, vice-president and general manager, Heart Valve Therapies, Medtronic. She added, "This approval is an outcome of our commitment to building a market-leading innovation pipeline in the transcatheter space, and we look forward to supporting heart teams as they look to next-generation technologies that optimize valve performance for a broad range of patients."   The 23 mm, 26 mm and 29 mm sizes of the CoreValve Evolut R transcatheter valve and the CoreValve EnVeo R Delivery Catheter System are available for use in the United States. The device is also available in Europe and other countries that recognize the CE (Conformité Européene) mark.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7954/siemens-receives-contract-from-william-osler-health-system-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7954/siemens-receives-contract-from-william-osler-health-system-.html Wed, 24 Jun 2015 11:30:49 +0530 William Osler Health System (Osler) has awarded Siemens Canada Healthcare (Siemens Healthcare) a Managed Equipment Service (MES) contract worth approximately $154 million. For a contract life-time of 15 years, Siemens Healthcare will provide Osler's three hospital sites with a comprehensive suite of services that will manage the majority of its medical imaging equipment. The deal is the first MES contract ever awarded to Siemens Healthcare in North America and the largest Siemens Healthcare contract win in Canada to date. The contract includes the procurement, ongoing replacement and maintenance of approximately 190 pieces of diagnostic imaging and diagnostic cardiology equipment in total. Among them are computed tomography scanners, magnetic resonance systems, ultrasound, breast imaging and x-ray equipment, angiography solutions, as well as molecular imaging equipment. Within the scope of the contract, Siemens Healthcare will also offer financing solutions, ongoing education and training for clinical users, onsite technical support, room renovations, professional services and a technology refresh program. "We are delighted that William Osler Health System has chosen Siemens as its partner for the next 15 years. This award demonstrates our commitment to providing customer-centered, sustainable healthcare solutions for our customers in the Canadian market," said Mr Jim Graziadei, senior vice-president, Siemens Healthcare. He added, "Throughout the term of the partnership, we will provide Osler not only with state-of-the-art technologies from all vendors but also with the financial security and technology certainty Canadian hospitals require. This MES partnership will help them proactively manage the pressures of growing healthcare costs and increasing patient expectations of improving clinical outcomes in the long-term." "We are excited to partner with Siemens over the next 15 years and achieve an exciting international and Canadian first with their organization," said Ms Joanne Flewwelling, executive vice-president, Clinical Services and chief nursing executive, William Osler Health System. She added, "One of Osler's key areas of focus is on building partnerships that will have long-term, positive impacts on the community we serve. Our work with Siemens will help position us to be on the leading edge in so many of the services and programs we provide through the sustainable use of innovative medical imaging equipment."         ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6649/medtronic-acquires-aptus-endosystems.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6649/medtronic-acquires-aptus-endosystems.html Tue, 23 Jun 2015 11:05:16 +0530 Medtronic has announced that it has acquired the assets of Aptus Endosystems, a privately held medical device company focused on developing advanced technology for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR). Additional terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Aptus Endosystems' Heli-FX and Heli-FX Thoracic EndoAnchor systems feature an endovascular deployed anchor designed to attach a variety of aortic endografts to the native vessel wall. This off-the-shelf, customized solution minimizes the need for complicated procedures for the select subset of patients who would benefit from supplementary fixation. This may include patients with challenging anatomies, risk factors for a secondary intervention, existing seal complications, as well as in situations where a physician may intraoperatively determine the need for additional security. "We are excited to add this unique complementary, anchor technology to our aortic portfolio. The Heli-FX and Heli-FX Thoracic EndoAnchor systems strongly align with our strategy to invest in treatments that address complex aortic disease with a vision to treat disease of the entire aorta," said Mr Daveen Chopra, vice-president and general manager of the Aortic business, within the Cardiac and Vascular Group at Medtronic. The Heli-FX and Heli-FX Thoracic EndoAnchor systems bear the CE Mark for distribution in the European Union and are cleared by the FDA for distribution in the US. The Heli-FX and Heli-FX Thoracic EndoAnchor systems can be used with a wide variety of commercially available stent grafts, including Medtronic's Endurant and Valiant stent graft systems. As part of the acquisition, Medtronic will also distribute the TourGuide(TM) Steerable Sheath, a device with adjustable tip that enables quick access and delivery of peripheral vascular products to the most challenging anatomy, in the US and Europe. "Medtronic's acquisition of the Aptus technology is validation of our mission to bring a durable solution to patients with challenging anatomies," said Mr James Reinstein, president and CEO of Aptus Endosystems. He added, "Having the Heli-FX available in the broad distribution channels of the market leader, will be very good for our EVAR physicians and their patients."   The company will report the Aptus business as part of its Aortic and Peripheral Vascular division within the Cardiac and Vascular Group.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4052/philipswmchealth-ink-pact-to-transform-patient-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4052/philipswmchealth-ink-pact-to-transform-patient-care.html Mon, 22 Jun 2015 12:21:26 +0530 Royal Philips and Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth) has announced a multi-year, $500 million partnership to transform and improve healthcare for millions of patients across New York's Hudson Valley. The partnership is based on an enterprise managed services model through which Philips will provide WMCHealth with a comprehensive range of clinical and business consulting services, as well as advanced medical technologies such as imaging systems, patient monitoring, telehealth and clinical informatics solutions. The partnership is part of WMCHealth's transformation to a regional network as the largest provider of integrated health in the Hudson Valley. A 1,500-bed health system headquartered in Valhalla, New York, WMCHealth spans seven hospitals and several campuses and locations, along with nearly 300 healthcare partner organizations. Its flagship, Westchester Medical Center, is the only regional resource for complex medical and surgical interventions, covering 6,000 square miles in eight counties and serving more than three million people. "In order for us to make the large-scale improvements that will truly impact the lives of our patients, we need to think longer term and be able to adapt quickly as technology evolves," said Mr Michael D Israel, president and CEO of WMCHealth. He added, "Our alliance with Philips not only gives us access to the latest in connected digital health technologies, it will allow us to collaborate on pro-active health management and co-create new patient-centered models of care for the Hudson Valley area. Together, we are working to keep the Hudson Valley healthy through a model that supports innovation and transformation in a value-driven environment." The partnership underscores Philips' commitment to provide new solutions for hospitals and health systems driven by a fundamental shift in the US healthcare management towards strategic partnerships for creating long-term patient value, while managing costs, complexity and risk. In similar long-term partnerships with Philips, hospitals have been able to significantly improve radiology volumes and cut MRI waiting times in half. These organizations are seeing a 35 percent reduction in technology spending, while improving clinical quality. "With health systems facing increased pressure and more complex challenges than ever before, and patients starting to take a more active role in their care, we can no longer accept the status quo," said Mr Frans van Houten, CEO of Royal Philips. He added, "Health systems need a dedicated partner that can bring not just technology, but also deep healthcare and consumer expertise, resources and solutions that will help accelerate the transformation of their organization and ecosystem. Our partnership with WMCHealth reinforces our leadership in long-term, strategic collaborations, allowing health systems to expand access to quality care, manage costs and share risk. This allows them to focus on what matters most: delivering better care to the people in their communities."   A joint onsite WMCHealth - Philips team will work to optimize medical technology deployment and IT integration into a unified platform that will enhance WMCHealth's already impressive operational excellence. With an early and ongoing access to the latest Philips innovations in health technology, WMCHealth will be able to maximize the effectiveness of its participation in New York's Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) program, aimed at restructuring the healthcare delivery system by reinvesting in the Medicaid program, with the primary goal of reducing avoidable hospital use by 25 percent over five years.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7641/fortis-launches-new-app.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7641/fortis-launches-new-app.html Fri, 19 Jun 2015 15:16:29 +0530 Fortis Healthcare launched its new app Fortis 4U, which enables patients to book appointments across Fortis Hospitals in Bangalore. The app will also enable patients to offer their feedbacks to Fortis. According to the company, the downloadable app is available on both Android and Apple for free. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4029/teletracking-and-ge-healthcare-collaborate.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4029/teletracking-and-ge-healthcare-collaborate.html Fri, 19 Jun 2015 14:10:53 +0530 GE Healthcare and TeleTracking Technologies announce a new collaboration agreement. The collaboration enables GE to place greater focus on its asset and workforce optimization solutions while leveraging TeleTracking's patient flow solutions and integrated operational platform. The two companies will work together to transition all interested clients currently on GE patient flow solutions to suitable TeleTracking solutions. Additionally, GE and TeleTracking will look to drive improved operational outcomes while reducing the cost burden placed on providers. Over time, the two companies will help health systems drive further operational efficiencies through shared data and analytics. Larger data sets from multiple technology sources including, among others, asset management, hand hygiene compliance monitoring, bed and patient tracking, and staff scheduling will provide hospital leaders with more detailed insights to improve daily operations and patient access. The collaboration also leverages both companies' strengths in real-time location enablement. "TeleTracking and GE Healthcare have long led the development of technologies that improve hospital operations. This alliance supports our strong commitment to integration with all like-minded healthcare IT leaders, for the betterment of patient care," said Mr Michael Gallup, president, TeleTracking. "We look forward to advancing the shared aim of both companies to improve healthcare delivery by improving hospital operations and reducing unsustainable wasteful spending in our industry," said Mr Joe Shrawder, CEO, GE Healthcare Global Services.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7289/global-glucose-monitoring-system-market-will-be-worth-27-6-billion-in-2020.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7289/global-glucose-monitoring-system-market-will-be-worth-27-6-billion-in-2020.html Thu, 18 Jun 2015 12:28:26 +0530 The global continuous glucose monitoring system market is expected to reach $27.6 billion in 2020, says a new Research and Markets report. Continuous glucose monitoring System (CGMS) are medical devices which enable the diabetic patients to track their glucose levels. Sensor, transmitter and receiver are the main components of CGMS devices which are available in the price range of $1000 to $1500. According to the report, CGMS market is gradually increasing due to increase in diabetes patients and pouring investment in research and development. Globally, the major market for CGMS devices is North America which is responsible for 80 percent of the contribution in total revenues. The CGMS market has been facing tough competition from Self monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) device market. North America will continue to be the huge market for CGMS and SMBG devices. However, 80 percent of the total diabetic patients are from emerging economies such as India and China. These are untapped market and the healthcare companies must explore this market for increasing revenues and profit, the report stated.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8439/genotypic-tech-msruas-seal-deal-to-research-oral-cancer-at-genomics-level.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8439/genotypic-tech-msruas-seal-deal-to-research-oral-cancer-at-genomics-level.html Tue, 16 Jun 2015 09:54:31 +0530 The MoU has been signed for 4 years. MSRUAS will be paying Rs 50 lakh to Genotypic Technology under the terms of the deal. The prevalence of oral cancer is said to be common in India. "The age-adjusted rates of oral cancer vary from over 20 per 100,000 populations in India, to 10 per 100,000 in the United States, and less than 2 per 100,000 in the Middle East. In comparison with the US population, where oral cavity cancer represents only about 3 percent of malignancies, it accounts for over 30 percent of all cancers in India," opined Dr Roopa Rao, professor & HOD, department of oral pathology, faculty of dental sciences, MSRUAS. In the current scenario, biomarkers or PCR techniques are extremely important in cancer research which help identify the target organism and vaccine preparation. "Genomics is not a science. It is a tool with immense power and potential, and is being applied in every area today. This collaboration is mainly going to bring in exposure on genomics knowledge to clinicians and its practical applications for patients, since genomics is usually used more for research purposes than for treatments," said Dr Raja Mugasimangalam, president, founder & CEO, Genotypic Technology. All the current intellectual properties (IPs) owned by Genotypic and MSRUAS will be owned by the respective parties.   However, any IPs arising during the R&D collaboration process will be discussed and sorted out later between the two collaborators. According to Genotypic, through this pact, for the first time in India, it is 'hoping' to bring in Illumina's HiSeq X10, which is said to be the most powerful DNA sequencer in the world. The HiSeq X10 has the capability to sequence 1 lakh people a year, each machine costing about $10 million. So far, Korea has 2, Qatar-1 and the US has 5-6 of the X10 machines. Genotypic has also signed other collaborations with All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) New Delhi, Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore, and Manipal University.   In June 2015, the company sequenced the genome of Indian herb Tulsi, in collaboration with Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), Lucknow. Dr Raja added, "This was world's first large genome to be sequenced and assembled in India, purely of Indian work without any external collaborations outside the country. We have also sequenced bitter gourd, a very good anti-diabetic, in association with Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR)." In the future, the company intends to sequence disease causing bacteria like TB and Indian malarial parasites. "We are also planning to sequence useful insects like bees in India, which has already been done in the Middle East," Dr Raja revealed. Genotypic's business, in the last year, grew by 20 percent with reduction in its profitability mainly due to the Rupee devaluation, and incurring heavy cost investments in infrastructure and machineries. The company in December 2013 spun-off India's first agri-genomics start-up company, QTLomics, and in the following year, Dhiti Omics, another start-up, a provider of molecular diagnostic services. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6559/intel-ge-care-innovations-to-test-telehealth-with-senior-citizens.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6559/intel-ge-care-innovations-to-test-telehealth-with-senior-citizens.html Mon, 15 Jun 2015 12:48:07 +0530 Intel-GE Care Innovations, a joint venture between Intel Corporation and GE Healthcare, has announced a partnership with the Front Porch communities and the Front Porch Center for Innovation and Wellbeing to measure the benefits of leveraging remote patient monitoring (RPM) with senior living residents. Residents of Kingsley Manor in Los Angeles and Claremont Manor in Claremont, California, will use Health Harmony, Care Innovations' RPM platform that simplifies RPM by providing intuitive and easy-to-use technology that enables individuals, clinicians, care providers, and family caregivers to collaborate for better care in the home, wherever it may be and within normal daily routines. Initially, Health Harmony will be available to a group of Front Porch residents who may require a higher level of care and monitoring due to poor chronic condition management or following a return to a senior living community after a discharge from a skilled nursing facility. "Health Harmony gives Front Porch a way to extend the care continuum directly to their residents while also supporting the independence they strive to deliver every day," said Mr Sean Slovenski, CEO of Care Innovations. He added, "As the aging population continues to grow, it's important that senior living communities are part of efforts to help people live healthier lives at a more sustainable cost. Front Porch is a forward-looking organization taking a fresh look at how technology can help them with resident well-being, which we know is one of their major priorities." Residents of Kingsley Manor and Claremont Manor who use Health Harmony will conduct daily health sessions to capture vital signs such as blood pressure, weight, oxygen levels, and glucose levels, subjective health assessments, and other information needed for caregivers to manage care plans, promote medication adherence, and remain on top of patients' changing health. Residents also have access to a video chat platform through Health Harmony that enables a caregiver and the resident to virtually connect with one another to discuss conditions and assess a resident's environment. "Front Porch and Care Innovations share a common vision of technology-enabled care to help the aging population live well and remain healthy wherever they call home. Our partnership with Care Innovations opens opportunities for our communities to become more deeply involved in helping residents manage their health with new models of care in a way that meets their specific needs," said Ms Kari Olson, president of the Front Porch Center for Innovation and Wellbeing.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6180/a-new-smartphone-device-to-detect-skin-cancer-early.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6180/a-new-smartphone-device-to-detect-skin-cancer-early.html Fri, 12 Jun 2015 12:30:56 +0530 Simon Fraser University PhD alumna Ms Maryam Sadeghi has developed MoleScope, an innovative hand-held tool that uses a smartphone to monitor skin for signs of cancer. Ms Sadeghi, who laid the groundwork for the device during her PhD thesis research, has spent three years transitioning from academic research to her start-up venture, MetaOptima Technology. The company's inaugural product is MoleScope, a device that enables people to monitor their moles and skin health, share images with family and healthcare providers and eventually, connect with skin specialists online. "I love working with people to help them manage their health. This is exactly what I imagined doing as a student and now my vision is being realized through the launch of MoleScope, and my company, MetaOptima Technology," said Ms Sadeghi. MoleScope comprises a mini-microscope that attaches to a smartphone, an app (iOS, Android, or web compatible) and a cloud-based analytical platform called DermEngine. Once people take high-quality, high-resolution images of suspicious moles or skin abnormalities, they can archive images and communicate concerns with others.   Visual changes in skin often signal the possibility of skin cancer. It is estimated that 70 percent of skin cancer is caught by individuals and family members. The company has developed two versions of the product: a consumer version expected to retail at $149; and a more expensive professional version to be presented at the World Congress of Dermatology meeting. MoleScope has received approval from Health Canada, and is FDA-registered as a Class I medical device in the USA, CE mark in the EU and TGA approval in Australia is expected shortly. The company is also initiating an early adopter program with qualified dermatologists. Ms Sadeghi won recognition during the research and development phase of MoleScope winning WaveFront's Wireless Prize package ($40,000) in the BCIC-New Ventures Competition in 2013, plus a prize in the Plug & Play Silicon Valley competition in Vancouver in July 2014.   MoleScope is to be unveiled at world dermatology conference in Vancouver, June 9-13.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3444/medical-networking-app-curofy-launched.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3444/medical-networking-app-curofy-launched.html Thu, 11 Jun 2015 12:21:40 +0530 Curofy, a medical networking app that enables safe and secure communication between doctors is all set to woo the Indian market by empanelling with the doctors across the country. Curofy is that platform which entitles doctors can easily connect with other doctors for collaborative learning and holistic patient treatment . The agenda behind this venture is to build a medical network for the purpose of collaborative learning and network expansion of Indian doctors mushroom and enhance the Medical across India. Curofy with its online medical directory prepopulates profiles of doctors based on the public data, they fill their basic details to enter into the premium network post verification. It's a spam-free and secure environment to communicate with each other, provide referrals, share cases, call other doctors without saving numbers and have access to most recent, speciality-wise developments taking place in the fields of medicine, surgery, nutrition and dentistry, and even provide a platform for collaborative learning. Curofy has recently launched its job module which experienced a 20% application rate of medical jobs in its pilot phase. Speaking about the developments in India, Mr Mudit, Co -Founder, Curofy, says "The Indian healthcare industry is growing at a tremendous pace due to its strengthening coverage, services and increasing expenditure by public as well private players. Therefore, a platform like Curofy will help the industry to be closely knitted and be connected with each other. With the help of this application, the doctors in India can interact with the doctors across the globe and also recommend their patents if required. . "In as little as three months of its launch, over 3500 doctors, including super-specialists from premium hospitals like Medanta, Apollo, Max and Saket City and physicians from 70 cities, are using the app and actively using it amongst themselves" says other Co-founder, Nipun Goyal. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6700/philips-partners-with-uz-leuven-hospital.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6700/philips-partners-with-uz-leuven-hospital.html Thu, 11 Jun 2015 11:50:09 +0530 Royal Philips and UZ Leuven, has announced a collaboration to digitize and optimize cancer research through digital pathology. The largest university hospital in Belgium will be the first hospital in the country to deploy the Philips IntelliSite Pathology Solution with the aim, through research, to enable faster and more confident diagnosis of cancer and better treatment for patients. UZ Leuven examines more than 100,000 tissue samples from more than 5,000 cancer patients each year to provide physicians with clinical context and the most detailed information about the individual's case as possible. Similar to the rest of the world, the number of pathologists in Belgium has decreased significantly while pathology continues to grow more complex. There is a need for innovations that help make the pathology process quicker and more efficient, and facilitate the easy sharing of information between pathologists to improve the process of getting second opinions. UZ Leuven selected the digital pathology solution, developed by Philips, to fulfill this need. "Digital pathology will significantly change the way we work. With the decreasing number of pathologists and the complex environment in which we function, it is important to work more efficiently," said Prof. Thomas Tousseyn, pathologist at UZ Leuven. He added, "A digital network among fellow pathologists in different hospitals can accelerate the process of second opinions in the diagnosis of rare tumors and improve the quality of diagnosis. Next to this, a digital network allows backup agreements and pathology images can be easily shared during multidisciplinary oncology consultation. Also, it offers the opportunity to create a digital learning platform to train assistants and organizing post-graduate training courses."  The new solution consists of a high-speed scanner and image management system to view and interpret images. By scanning the tissue slides, the pathologist will have direct access to the digital files, and cases can be better distributed among the available pathologists. Smart software can assist the pathologist in examining the tissue. In addition, knowledge and images are easily shared in real-time between hospitals and research institutes around the world, thereby creating a virtual network. This will enable international cooperation between experts and open up opportunities in big data research to gain a better understanding of the causes and mechanisms of cancer. "Pathologists play a crucial role in the increasing demand for cancer diagnosis and care. Digital pathology is a promising technology that could contribute to the speed and efficiency of the diagnostic process. Our collaboration with the UZ Leuven, the largest pathology center in Belgium, is an important next step in the exploration of this promising new market for the digitization of pathology," said Mr Cees Smit, director of sales at Philips Digital Pathology Solutions Benelux. Philips recently announced a collaboration in the field of digital pathology with another renowned hospital, Mt. Sinai Health System in New York, to build a large digital image repository of cancer tissue samples for research and big data analysis. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6305/online-consultation-launched-for-cancer-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6305/online-consultation-launched-for-cancer-patients.html Wed, 10 Jun 2015 14:28:49 +0530 Cancer patients from Karnataka and anywhere else in India can now receive treatment recommendations from expert oncologists at TMC in less than a week through the online interface of the Navya Expert System. Navya Network, a clinical informatics and patient services company, has pioneered an expert decision system for cancer patients. The Navya Expert System empowers patients with evidence and experience-based treatment options in collaboration with experts at TMC. TMC Online offers online consultations for all types of cancers, including lung, oral, gynecologic, colon, blood, and pediatric. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6405/dop-issues-national-medical-device-policy-2015.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6405/dop-issues-national-medical-device-policy-2015.html Wed, 10 Jun 2015 13:13:35 +0530 The Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) has issued the draft National Medical Device Policy-2015, for strengthening the 'Make in India' drive in medical device sector, by reducing the dependence on imports and setting up a strong base for medical devices especially those having critical implications in terms of affordability and availability for patients. According to the new draft, an autonomous body 'National Medical Device Authority (NMDA) is to be created under DoP. The Authority shall provide a single window mechanism to the industry with an objective of promotion of the industry to make the country not only self-reliant but also a global hub of production and innovation in medical devices. It will be responsible for setting up and managing, through appropriate corporate body/SPV, Medical Device Mega Parks of various specialization in the vicinity of center of excellence. The government on the recommendations of NMDA, subject to availability of Budgetary resources may provide incentives like preference in govt. procurement for indigenously manufactured devices, low cost funding like interest subsidy to MSME, concessional power tariff for upto 5-10 years, provide seed capital, viability gap funding and co-fund start-up projects, incentivize and promote exports in the sector etc for both Greenfield and Brownfield units. Medical device testing centers to be set up preferably in the PPP mode. Also, the medical devices may be included as a separate entry in the list of commodities controlled under the Essential Commodities Act.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5613/golden-helix-collaborates-with-indias-medgenome.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5613/golden-helix-collaborates-with-indias-medgenome.html Tue, 09 Jun 2015 13:42:24 +0530 The integration will provide VarSeq users with the option to access over 2 million annotated cancer variants. OncoMD is a comprehensive knowledge base of cancer-specific genetic alterations captured from peer-reviewed scientific publications by a team of biomedical curators. After filtering variants of interest using VarSeq, customers can quickly prioritize actionable variants using OncoMD and make clinical decisions based on sensitivity of variants to approved drugs and enrollment to open clinical trials. "This is an exciting partnership with Golden Helix to be able to deliver a robust medical informatics solution that enables precision medicine in the global clinical market," said Mr Sam Santhosh, CEO, MedGenome. "Providing VarSeq users with access to OncoMD, allows clinicians to better tailor diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to individual patients", said Mr Andreas Scherer, president & CEO, Golden Helix. "Having key insights to cancer hotspots and known drug sensitivities, essentially moves precision medicine forward."   VarSeq software streamlines the process of annotating and filtering variants obtained from NGS pipelines, allowing both research scientists and clinicians to find variants of interest in a very efficient and straightforward manner. VarSeq simplifies the user interface and provides a scalable architecture featuring repeatable workflows, note taking, reporting, and filter parameter prototyping. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/interviews/98/5479/apex-eyes-acquisitions-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/interviews/98/5479/apex-eyes-acquisitions-in-india.html Tue, 09 Jun 2015 13:03:28 +0530 Estimated at $75 million, the company is a major player in the respiratory therapy and pressure area care sectors. Apex Medical India is a wholly owned subsidiary of Apex Medical Corp. The entry also marked the launch of its three main product verticals in India, including respiratory, support surface and autoclaves. "Apex Medical Corp has entered into India with an open mind and for long haul. We will not hold our decisions that restrict the growth for long term. For this, we are open to being part of 'Make in India' campaign in the next phase of our growth, for example, which could be by setting up an assembly plant or even will consider options to grow by acquisitions," said Mr Daniel Lee, CEO, Apex Medical Corp, while speaking exclusively to BioSpectrum. The company in a statement said that it has long term growth plans in the Indian market and expects to grow at a CAGR of 30 percent. Talking about capturing the market share in India, Mr Lee opined, "This is just the entry phase. We aim to gradually grow the business strategically, and hope to achieve a reasonably good market share in India in the next 5 years."   The company views India as a land full of opportunities. "With the current business trends supported by the present stable, growth-oriented government, we are very positive towards this market right from get-go," Mr Lee pointed. Apex also intends to manufacture its products in India at a later stage. Apex has its business in US, Europe, China and India seems to be its next focus target. When asked about its plans to enter other international markets, Mr Lee said that the plans are 'currently being reviewed'. According to the company, compared to other markets, India is looked upon as a unique market and price sensitive. "It definitely brings with it few challenges. For this we have hired the best talents who are the local experts, and experienced enough to deal with such challenges," Mr Lee optimistically commented. Now that the company has made its way into India, it is actively seeking channel partners in the country. "These partners need to be experts in their local areas across India," it said. Mr Lee noted that the company invests 5 percent of its annual revenues into its R&D. "Normally, our revenue growth pattern is able to justify the growth in R&D expenditure by keeping the percentage the same," he remarked. Apex is now bringing into India, products that have achieved economies of scale and have technological excellence. "We are confident to make the products affordable to Indian customers," Mr Lee observed. Speaking about the company's competition strategy in India, Mr Lee concluded by saying, "We do not believe that healthcare industry is saturated in India. In actual fact, it is continuously growing and there is so much to offer to this market. Our products will not only improve patients' well-being, but will also enhance the quality of life. We aim to provide better environment for every patient striving for excellence in healthcare." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6390/medtronic-inks-diabetes-pact-with-samsung-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6390/medtronic-inks-diabetes-pact-with-samsung-.html Mon, 08 Jun 2015 12:09:30 +0530 Medtronic and Samsung Electronics has announced a partnership to improve diabetes management for the millions of people at risk and currently living with the disease. Both the companies are combining their respective strengths to develop a range of future solutions that will enhance the way people with diabetes live their lives, from remotely viewing diabetes data to ultimately integrating mobile and wearable devices into diabetes management systems. The partnership, announced at the American Diabetes Association 75th Scientific Sessions. It will combine Samsung's deep understanding of consumer mobile technology to deliver secure and convenient access to Medtronic's integrated diabetes management systems that provide clinically-proven outcomes. "By addressing more of the social and emotional aspects of living with diabetes and improving lifestyle fit, we believe that more people worldwide will be able to experience better diabetes control that today's advanced therapies provide. Medtronic aims to transform diabetes by providing world-class integrated care, enabled by leading technologies, big data, and informatics. Our partnership with Samsung is a key step in providing convenient and discreet access to diabetes data, so together we can provide people with diabetes greater freedom and better health," said Mr Alejandro Galindo, vice-president and general manager of the Intensive Insulin Management business at Medtronic. "Samsung is committed to applying its deep understanding of how people use technology to bring new innovations to healthcare. Patients are seeking better ways not only to monitor their condition, but also to enjoy a greater quality of life. We are excited to partner with Medtronic to develop diabetes management solutions that produce positive change and greater autonomy for people living with diabetes," said Dr David Rhew, chief medical officer and head of Healthcare and Fitness for Samsung Electronics America. The partnership's first project focuses on delivering more discreet and convenient access to personal diabetes data by developing mobile applications optimized for Samsung mobile devices that will enable the viewing of insulin pump and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) information. This application will work with Medtronic's MiniMed Connect product, which provides easy access to important diabetes information for people with diabetes as well as remote alerts for their loved ones, and is expected to be available in the United States later this year. In addition, MiniMed Connect provides healthcare providers with more frequent and convenient access to their patients' insulin pump and CGM via mobile connectivity so they can adjust care plans. Through this partnership, the MiniMed Connect will ultimately be available to more people worldwide, since close to 80 percent of mobile phone users utilize the Android operating system globally.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6318/ge-healthcare-upgrades-its-mri-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6318/ge-healthcare-upgrades-its-mri-system.html Mon, 08 Jun 2015 11:22:59 +0530 GE Healthcare has introduced a new in-field upgrade program for 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems in most regions globally. A currently installed GE Healthcare 1.5T LCC magnet may be upgraded to the new SIGNA Explorer Lift so customers can benefit from the modernized patient comfort, workflow efficiency and diagnostic quality of this system. By upgrading, customers can potentially benefit from cost savings in multiple ways up to 50 percent savings in construction cost, up to 50 percent savings in equipment cost in comparison to a new 1.5T system, and up to 30 percent increase in procedures due to potential increased throughput and referrals. "In a time when healthcare systems are being challenged by reduced reimbursements and longer patient wait times. This upgrade program will enable them to add new clinical capabilities and access the increased efficiency of SIGNA Explorer while leveraging their current MRI investment. By extending their MRI capacity and service lines, clinicians may receive more referrals and therefore potentially generate more revenue. This program reinforces our commitment to the GE Continuum by providing clinicians with solutions to avoid obsolescence and remain up-to-date on the latest clinical offerings," said Mr Eric Stahre, president and CEO of GE Healthcare MRI. The SIGNA Explorer represents the latest offering from GE Healthcare, which is designed to help clinicians improve workflow, lower cost of ownership and improve patient comfort all at the same time. This system was designed to use 34 percent less power than previous generation MRI systems and require a smaller footprint for installation. The upgrade to SIGNA Explorer covers an impressive range of productivity-enhancing applications and new features to enhance patient comfort compared to previous generation systems. For example, SilentScan, GE Healthcare's revolutionary quiet technology, takes patient comfort to a new level. SIGNA Explorer and the upgrade also feature MAVRIC SL, which brings the power of MRI to patients with MRI-conditional metal implants by enabling visualization of soft tissue and bone near the implant. This upgrade will start to be made commercially available to the GE Healthcare MRI installed base during the coming months, in the US and other countries where the SIGNA Explorer is available for sale (and has been approved, cleared or registered by the appropriate regulatory authorities).   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6384/ge-healthcare-to-expand-its-it-center-of-excellence.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6384/ge-healthcare-to-expand-its-it-center-of-excellence.html Fri, 05 Jun 2015 12:50:20 +0530 GE Healthcare has announced that it is to expand its Healthcare IT Center of Excellence in Szeged, Hungary. At an event attended by the vice-rector of the University of Szeged, Professor Lajos Kemény, and deputy Mayor of Szeged, Mr Sándor Nagy, the company outlined its plans to double the number of software engineers employed at the Centre of Excellence from 20 to 40. The expanded team will help advance the development of innovative software solutions for use in healthcare, including those that support the diagnosis of life-threatening diseases such as liver cancer and other disorders. The engineers at Szeged will also play a key role in the development of Predix, a new software platform developed by GE specifically to connect people, data and machines over the Industrial Internet, which offers the potential to help reduce costs and increase efficiency in healthcare. The further investment in the GE Healthcare IT Center of Excellence in Szeged builds on the company's long-standing and high-level collaboration with the medical and academic teams at the University of Szeged and will also forge links with GE IT development teams in a number of locations including Budapest, Hungary and in San Ramon, California, USA. Mr Tamás Vámos, MD, GE Healthcare, Hungary said, "Software has enormous potential to address some of the world's biggest challenges in healthcare. Our investment in the team in Szeged is a great milestone and demonstrates our commitment to innovation and excellence in healthcare IT. In Hungary, we have established outstanding teams of software engineers; today, one in four patients worldwide is diagnosed using imaging software that was developed by our teams here. The expansion of the team in Szeged will enable us to accelerate our work." The collaboration between GE Healthcare and the University of Szeged has already led to the development of a new imaging technology platform for the imaging of liver disease. Showcased at the Radiological Society of North America's 2014 meeting, the industry's annual show which attracts radiologists from all over the world - Hepatic VCAR is post-processing CT analysis software designed to assist clinicians with the segmentation and assessment of liver morphology and liver lesions, as well as their changes over time.   Mr Attila Ferik, director, Software Platform Engineering at GE Healthcare, said, "GE Healthcare's vision is to develop technologies and solutions that help healthcare providers reduce their costs while improving the quality of care for their patients. I'm delighted that we are announcing this expansion to our outstanding team of specialists in Hungary who will be working with our IT development teams worldwide in the development of our industrial internet medical platform. Our collaboration with the respected institution of the University of Szeged has a strong track-record of delivery, which reflects on its outstanding quality of academic expertise. It's fantastic that we're working together for a healthier Hungary and a healthier world."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7159/healthifyme-launches-calorie-tracking-via-twitter.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7159/healthifyme-launches-calorie-tracking-via-twitter.html Fri, 05 Jun 2015 11:46:31 +0530 Now anyone can send a tweet to @HealthifyMe with the hash tag #TweetToTrack and names of the foods/drinks they ate and HealthifyMe will respond back with the calorie and nutrition values for the same. For instance if a tweet "@HealthifyMe 2 idlis, Sambar #TweetToTrack" is sent, HealthifyMe responds back with "211 calories." HealthifyMe was the first one to launch a dedicated Indian calorie tracking app in 2013 on the Android PlayStore and with this innovation, it is extending its ability to twitter, which has over 22 million Indians. Mr Tushar Vashisht, CEO and co-founder of HealthifyMe said, "We are committed to promote healthy living and the motive of this campaign is to extend the power of our calorie tracker to all Indians who have access to twitter. Even those who do not have the HealthifyMe app can now get benefit from our comprehensive Indian foods database. This is one step further in our endeavour to Healthify India" HealthifyMe is owned by Caeruz Ventures and aims to simplify healthy living. At the heart of HealthifyMe's platform is the World's First & largest Indian Calorie Tracker, which allows users to track their food, exercise and weight, easily via their smartphone or computer while continuously analyzing the user's data and provide powerful insights that ensure that users stay within their calorie/nutrition budgets. HealthifyMe uses a combination of cloud-powered software (smartphone application), hardware (wearable activity trackers, weight trackers) and human assistance (nutritionists, trainers and yoga instructors) that helps people eat better, workout more, lose weight and become fit. The company claims that using experts and technology, today over 100,000 users have benefitted from HealthifyMe and met their goals - be it weight loss, eating healthy or staying fit. HealthifyMe is also used in clinical settings such as Apollo and Medanta in Delhi and Manipal Hospital in Bangalore in conjunction with the Endocrinology, Cardiology and Preventive Health Centers. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5515/inspirata-enters-indian-market.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5515/inspirata-enters-indian-market.html Fri, 05 Jun 2015 09:30:00 +0530 This facility is an extension of its US operations and will be set up and run at cost of around $3 million. The new facility will be located at Bagmane Tech Park (BTP), according to the company. Inspirata, which originally formed in 2013 as 2DP by its founder Mr. Mark Lloyd, was incorporated in the US September 2014, has already completed groundbreaking work in the oncology field by developing an end-to-end Digital Pathology Workflow Solution that scans glass pathology slides, making the digital images available for high-resolution viewing and sharing anywhere in the world. The company in India is looking to partner with renowned cancer institutions and best-of-breed hardware and software vendors. To begin with Inspirata will hire 50 high-end software product development engineers, scientists and informaticists from the healthcare domain in the next 2 months.   Inspirata's pathology cockpit employs advanced computational image analytics algorithms called 'Companion Diagnostics' that pre-screen and highlight suspicious cells on the digital images of glass pathology slides, helping pathologists to more rapidly diagnose cases. According to market research firm MarketsandMarkets, the global digital pathology market is expected to touch US $437 million by 2018. The Indian development centre will deliver cutting-edge support to all three of its business units including digital pathology workflow solution, companion diagnostics and the cancer Information Data Trust, and also will work on data mining, data analytics and predictive software algorithms. Commenting on the initiative Mr Satish Sanan, CEO, Inspirata, said "The Indian R&D centre will play a very strategic and vital role in our endeavor to help speed up cancer diagnosis, research, teaching and most importantly provide doctors and patients with predictive data that will change the way cancer is diagnosed and treated. Bangalore has the right ecosystem to support our plans and hence our decision to locate one of our key initiatives here." These novel detection and diagnostic algorithms are at the leading edge of cancer research and are expected to transform how cancer patients are treated throughout the world. For example, the turnaround time for cancer detection and diagnosis will be shortened from 12-13 days to 2-3 days. Additionally, patients will have more rapid and affordable access to second opinions and consultations from a worldwide pool of pathologists who specialize in specific forms of cancer. The company's long-term vision is to also develop a Cancer Information Data Trust - an extensive database of cancer signatures cross-referenced to clinical treatment protocols and patient outcomes. This data is the Holy Grail for cancer patients because it can help predict disease progression and recommend therapies based on previous patient responses in similar cases. Statistically speaking, the number of cancer patients is expected to increase by 70 percent over the next two decades. This implies that current pathologists must be better equipped with technologies that facilitate rapid accurate detection, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment options. Research suggests that 14.1 million adults in the world were diagnosed with cancer in 2012 out of which 8.2 million deaths from cancer occurred. In India, out of the 1.8 million people living with cancer in 2012, about 683,000 deaths due to cancer were registered. Mr Mark Lloyd, EVP & founder, Inspirata, said, "Inspirata is borne out of the need to bridge the gap and will revolutionize the practice of pathology worldwide-not through incremental advances, but with transformative, intelligent solutions that leverage computer vision and big data." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6313/now-test-your-eyesight-through-an-app.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6313/now-test-your-eyesight-through-an-app.html Thu, 04 Jun 2015 13:12:24 +0530 Researchers at the International Centre for Eye Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the University of Strathclyde and the NHS Glasgow Centre for Ophthalmic Research have designed and developed Peek (the Portable Eye Examination Kit), a smartphone-based system for comprehensive eye testing. The study shows that the results from the app tests carried out on 233 people in their own homes and repeated in eye clinics based in Kenya were as reliable as those from standard paper-based charts and illuminated vision boxes in an eye clinic. "With most of the world's blind people living in low-income countries, it is vital we develop new tools to increase early detection and appropriate referral for treatment. In this study, we aimed to develop and validate a smartphone-based visual acuity test for eyesight which would work in challenging circumstances, such as rural Africa, but also provide reliable enough results to use in routine clinical practice in well-established healthcare systems," said lead author Dr Andrew Bastawrous, lecturer in International Eye Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and co-founder of Peek. He added, "Our ultimate hope is that the accuracy and easy to use features of Peek will lead to more people receiving timely and appropriate treatment and be given the chance to see clearly again." Peek consists of a series of apps and a unique piece of hardware called Peek Retina. This study focused on one of the apps, called Peek Acuity, which determines how clearly an individual sees. It features a "tumbling E" on screen, showing the letter E displayed in 1 of 4 orientations. The patient points in the direction they perceive the arms of the E to be pointing and the tester uses the touch screen to swipe accordingly, translating the gestures from the patient to the phone, as the image gets smaller. Tests (using Peek Acuity at a distance of 2m and a reduced 3m "tumbling E" Snellen chart) were carried out in the participant's home and in the central clinic on two consecutive days.   Average testing time was also measured and found that the familiar and commonly used Snellen test took 82 seconds compared with 77 seconds for Peek Acuity which shows that using Peek is as quick to use as traditional methods. The researchers are conducting other studies to determine the suitability of the tool in different contexts across a range of different handsets and operating systems, including a trial involving teachers testing over 20,000 schoolchildren. The study is published in the journal JAMA Ophthalmology.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6558/siemens-introduces-a-new-mri-system-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6558/siemens-introduces-a-new-mri-system-.html Thu, 04 Jun 2015 08:29:00 +0530 Siemens Healthcare has introduced the Magnetom Terra 7 Tesla MRI system, designed to translate cutting-edge MRI research results into clinical application. It is said to be the world's first ultra-high field research system ready for future clinical use with planned CE and FDA authorization to market for selected neurological and musculoskeletal MR imaging applications. "I am extremely proud to announce the introduction of our new 7 Tesla scanner Magnetom Terra. It is the first 7 Tesla MRI scanner fully designed and manufactured by Siemens, with a completely new designed 7 Tesla magnet in its core," said Dr Bernd Ohnesorge, CEO, Magnetic Resonance at Siemens Healthcare. He added, "Now, Siemens is the only company to manufacture a complete human ultra-high field MRI system fully in-house." The new 7 Tesla MRI system provides the whole range of cutting-edge 7 Tesla research functionalities, and is based on the latest software platform syngo MR E11, identical to Siemens' latest flagship 3 Tesla MRI systems, to enable consistent usability and protocol exchange. Magnetom Terra's new actively shielded magnet is the lightest 7 Tesla whole body magnet, 50 percent lighter than previous actively shielded 7 Tesla magnet generations. It increases the potential for translating cutting-edge research capabilities into future clinical application for anatomical, functional or metabolic MR imaging. This specially designed 7 Tesla technology makes this possible by offering, up to eight channel parallel transmit technology for selective excitation and higher homogeneity in challenging body regions such as cardiac and abdominal; Up to 64 receive channels for higher coil density in the field of view to achieve higher acceleration factors, higher signal-to-noise ratio and higher spatial resolution, and a better coverage of the body regions of interest. It also offers high gradient strength of up to 80 millitesla per meter (mT/m) and a fast gradient switching rate of up to 200 Tesla per meter per second (T/m/s) for advanced studies with diffusion and functional MR imaging.   "Based on our long-standing experience and the largest innovation network in human ultra-high field MRI, Siemens is committed to further grow the footprint of 7 Tesla MRI in research and clinical application. I am confident that our Magnetom Terra will help explore new territories in MRI research and at the same time it's the world's first 7 Tesla scanner designed for clinical use," said Dr Bernd Ohnesorge.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5912/netmeds-to-go-live-by-next-week-reports.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5912/netmeds-to-go-live-by-next-week-reports.html Tue, 02 Jun 2015 11:49:15 +0530 The online pharmacy is backed by MAPE Advisory Services and targets a market share of three to four percent by 2020. "We are looking at capturing three to four percent of the market share in five years," Netmeds promoter Mr Pradeep Dadha told PTI. He said, "If we manage this, we should be a $ 1 billion company by 2020." Reportedly, Netmeds will offer over-the-counter and prescription drugs online as well as pilot its 24-hour delivery in Chennai, from next week. "We will begin with 24-hour delivery next week in Chennai. Other cities will have a two to four days delivery schedule. By next year, we will be present in 16 cities and offer same day or next day delivery," said Mr Dadha.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5757/philips-launches-a-new-ventilator.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5757/philips-launches-a-new-ventilator.html Tue, 02 Jun 2015 11:23:15 +0530 Royal Philips has announced the Canadian launch of the Philips Respironics V680 Ventilator for hospital respiratory care, offering both invasive and non-invasive ventilation. The Philips Respironics V680 Ventilator was recently unveiled at the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists' Annual Conference in Calgary, Alberta. In consultation with clinicians, the Philips Respironics V680 Ventilator is designed for smoother transition from ventilation to natural breathing, which may help enhance patient care. "For nearly 125 years, Philips has been committed to delivering innovations that improve people's lives. The Philips Respironics V680 Ventilator is yet another example of Philips technology that is designed with the needs of both the patient and clinician in mind," said Mr Iain Burns, president, Philips Canada. He added, "From Healthy Living, Prevention, Diagnosis, to Treatment, Recovery and Home Care, Philips creates solutions that span the health continuum, and it's how we are delivering on our vision to make the world healthier through innovation." The Philips Respironics V680 Ventilator is the first ventilator to combine the Philips gold standard single-limb noninvasive ventilation (NIV) solution with a fully featured, dual-limb system. Designed to deliver advanced life support for critically ill patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), the Philips Respironics V680 Ventilator is also designed to make it fast and easy to switch from invasive to noninvasive ventilation to streamline transitions. Personalized to each patient, the Philips Respironics V680 Ventilator can help deliver the right therapy at the right time. It is the only ventilator to provide continuous measurements of dynamic resistance, compliance, elastance, and plateau pressure in both single and dual-limb invasive and noninvasive modes. NIV has become a standard of care for the management of acute respiratory failure, but there is a risk of leaks around the mask that may interfere with ventilator performance. As a result, patient-ventilator asynchrony, defined as a mismatch between patient's inspiratory time and the ventilator insufflation time, may occur in nearly 25 per cent of intubated patients. These high rates of asynchrony can be associated with a higher incidence of weaning failure and tracheostomy, prolonged mechanical ventilation, fatigue, increased sedation needs and longer hospital stays.   The Philips Respironics V680 Ventilator joins Philips' existing portfolio of patient-centred hospital respiratory care solutions which includes the Philips Respironics V60; the Philips gold standard hospital dedicated noninvasive ventilator. The Ventilator is now available in Canada and several European markets. The US launch is pending 510(k) clearance.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5911/medtronics-cryoballoon-approved-in-the-us-europe.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5911/medtronics-cryoballoon-approved-in-the-us-europe.html Tue, 02 Jun 2015 11:20:51 +0530 Medtronic has announced that the Arctic Front Advance ST Cryoablation Catheter has received the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) approval for the treatment of patients with drug refractory, recurrent, symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. In Europe, where the Cryoballoon has a broader indication, Arctic Front Advance ST Cryoballoon has received CE (Conformité Européenne) Mark for the treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation. An integral part of the Arctic Front Advance System, the third-generation cryoballoon has a 40 percent shorter tip than the previous generation, designed to help physicians visualize ablation success in real-time with the Achieve Mapping Catheter, as well as allow increased maneuverability for accessing some pulmonary vein anatomies. The Arctic Front Advance ST Cryoballoon is used in a minimally invasive procedure to isolate the pulmonary veins, which are a source of erratic electrical signals that cause atrial fibrillation. The device uses coolant rather than heat (radiofrequency). Cryoballoon technology is associated with shorter procedure times than point-by-point radiofrequency ablation and better treatment outcomes than drug therapies on the market. The Arctic Front Advance System has been shown to improve quality of life for patients and significantly reduce paroxysmal (sporadic) atrial fibrillation symptoms, with patients experiencing reduction in atrial fibrillation episodes, palpitations, fatigue, rapid heartbeat, swelling, and syncope4, and has become a widely adopted treatment for atrial fibrillation. "The next-generation Arctic Front Advance ST Cryoballoon builds upon the successful performance of the Arctic Front Advance System, and its shorter tip was designed in response to physicians' needs in a real-world, clinical setting," said Mr Reggie Groves, vice-president and general manager of the AF Solutions business, part of the Cardiac and Vascular Group at Medtronic. The Arctic Front Advance System is the only cryoballoon system approved in the US for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and in Europe for treatment of atrial fibrillation. It has been used to treat more than 120,000 patients in more than 50 countries worldwide.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4692/fujifilm-expands-its-healthcare-it-portfolio-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4692/fujifilm-expands-its-healthcare-it-portfolio-.html Mon, 01 Jun 2015 12:01:47 +0530 FUJIFILM Medical Systems has expanded its healthcare IT portfolio, and is taking Vendor Neutral Archive (VNA) into new areas with its latest acquisition TeraMedica. It began by further enhancing the patient imaging record at the 2015 annual meeting of the Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine (SIIM) on May28-30 in Washington, DC. "Fujifilm recognizes that VNA technology is becoming more important to the market," said Mr Jim Morgan, vice-president of Medical Informatics at FUJIFILM Medical Systems. He added, "Healthcare institutions and market shifts have created larger networks of facilities. Large hospital groups are coming together, disparate PAC systems are more common, and the use of electronic medical records has created central repositories of textual information. But what hospitals also want is to create a single repository for all their imaging data, in addition to other items like lab reports."  In addition to Synapse VNA, following is a summary of Fujifilm offerings, The cornerstone of Fujifilm's integrated solution is Synapse PACS. It enhances communication and optimizes productivity for radiologists in any imaging environment. The next generation of Synapse RIS, a Radiology Information System, will also be shown. Synapse RIS and PACS integrate seamlessly, allowing the radiologist to see scanned documents and history from within the PACS, and allowing the user to see images from within the RIS.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6589/siemens-introduces-xprecia-stride-coagulation-analyzer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6589/siemens-introduces-xprecia-stride-coagulation-analyzer.html Thu, 28 May 2015 11:52:33 +0530 Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics has announced the launch of a portable coagulation analyzer, the Xprecia Stride Coagulation Analyzer. It delivers fast and reliable Prothrombin time testing (PT/INR) for point-of-care monitoring and management of oral anticoagulation therapy (OAT) with warfarin. The winner of the internationally respected Red Dot Award: Product Design for 2015, the analyzer includes a number of innovations and features. It weighs just 300g, and can be held at any angle and brought directly to the patient's finger for efficient and comfortable blood sample application. "The Xprecia Stride Coagulation Analyzer is among the most radical, user-friendly redesigns of a point-of-care coagulation analyzer since they became widely available more than 20 years ago," said Dr David Stein, CEO, Siemens Diagnostics Point of Care Business Unit. He added, "Our analyzer is designed to be safer, more efficient and more ergonomically friendly than the products available today. The Xprecia Stride Analyzer uses simple icons and animation in a color display more commonly found in smartphones than medical instruments. Receiving the Red Dot award validates this unique product design and reinforces our efforts to bring a highly usable, lab-accurate coagulation analyzer to the point of care." To help increase workflow efficiency and usability, an integrated bar-code scanner simplifies data capture for accurate calibration of new lot numbers prior to testing.   The Xprecia Stride analyzer uses fresh capillary (finger stick) whole blood and results are expressed in PT seconds or as a PT/INR (international normalized ratio). It utilizes the same Dade Innovin reagent used by Siemens central lab analyzers to minimize any potential for variability. Studies have shown the performance to be equivalent to a reference laboratory hemostasis system, with results available within minutes. Other features include easy data transfer to a computer; color display and animated step-by-step instructions to help guide the user during testing. When taken together, all of these innovations become more important as the use of point-of-care PT/INR testing becomes critical to a growing number of procedures and treatments that utilize anticoagulation therapy.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7571/philips-mit-collaborate-to-innovate-in-healthtech-space.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7571/philips-mit-collaborate-to-innovate-in-healthtech-space.html Wed, 27 May 2015 12:57:49 +0530 Royal Philips announced that it has signed a five-year research alliance with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) aimed at developing innovative HealthTech solutions to address society's most pressing challenges in healthcare, as well as digital connected lighting systems to address the need to make cities more livable and sustainable. With a total budget of $25 million for the five-year term, this is the largest research alliance undertaken by the company in the region. It is an integral part of a broader Philips strategy to accelerate innovation and business growth. This also includes moving the company's research center to Cambridge, Massachusetts, allowing Philips to collaborate with other leading-edge institutes and partner companies as part of the area's rich innovation ecosystem. The move to Cambridge, within close proximity of the MIT campus, will allow Philips researchers to collaborate readily with MIT faculty and PhD students on jointly defined research programs, as well as participate in open innovation projects. Joint teams will work on advancements in HealthTech, for example to help improve the management of cardiovascular disease (CVDs) and the diagnosis and treatment of various types of cancer, focused on improving patient outcomes, while reducing costs. Through the alliance, Philips will gain access to MIT's experts and clinical partners, allowing the company to better explore applications for population health management through the use of patient-centric, high-resolution imaging, healthcare informatics and data analytics. "The Boston area is rich with innovative talent that is regularly applying new thinking to solving big societal issues and developing disruptive technologies that can address those issues in new ways; it's a culture and vision that is very much in line with that of Philips," said Mr Henk van Houten, global head of Philips Research. He further stated, "By moving to Cambridge and collaborating with MIT, its staff and its partners, Philips can work with some of the best minds in the world on healthcare delivery, looking at ways to better prevent, manage or treat common diseases across the health continuum. In addition, we will explore advancements in connected lighting systems that can improve energy-efficiency, safety, productivity and quality of people's daily lives." MIT associate provost Prof. Karen Gleason. "Working in close proximity, the Institute's researchers and experts at Philips will endeavor to develop new digital and health technologies that address key challenges in wellness and urban living. Through industrial alliances like this one, we also hope to ramp up the speed with which we move new technologies from the lab to impact." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4173/ge-launches-a-portable-ultrasound-for-developing-nations.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4173/ge-launches-a-portable-ultrasound-for-developing-nations.html Wed, 27 May 2015 11:50:13 +0530 GE Healthcare has introduced new Vscan Access portable ultrasound system. With a simple touchscreen interface, rugged design and software tools to support clinical decision-making, Vscan Access is designed specifically for primary healthcare workers, such as midwives, general practitioners, paramedics and clinical officers, in low-resource settings to provide information to the user during pregnancy assessments. Vscan Access is currently being showcased for the first time at the 68th session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.The new system is available in certain countries in Africa and South-east Asia. In 2010, GE made a commitment to the United Nations to develop evidence-based solutions for maternal and child health by 2015. Vscan Access is the latest in a portfolio of accessible ultrasound products to help meet that commitment. "Based on five years of collaborative field research with stakeholders in more than 20 countries, GE Healthcare understands the challenges Ministries of Health face in developing nations, including: physician shortages in high-mortality and low-resource areas, pregnant women not seeking antenatal care (ANC), and lack of access to appropriate diagnostic devices in the primary care setting," said Mr Anders Wold, president and CEO of GE Healthcare's Ultrasound business. He added, "Studies have shown ultrasound can help enable task-shifting to midwives for basic obstetric scanning, mobilize mothers to seek more ANC visits and improve pregnancy management through early detection and referral of pregnancy complications." Features of the Vscan Access designed with the input of and for healthcare providers in developing nations also include a lightweight, portable, damage-and-dust-resistant design, battery-operation with flexible charging options, as well as Bluetooth wireless connectivity so data can be transferred to patients' referral facilities or remote experts easily. Software innovations such as pregnancy education, videos for patients, a multi-lingual user interface, and a reference library of scan images to support novice users of ultrasound, were also developed with the primary care end-user in mind.         ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6464/regulate-prices-of-cardiac-stents.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6464/regulate-prices-of-cardiac-stents.html Fri, 22 May 2015 12:15:03 +0530 Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said that it has asked the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) to regulate high prices of cardiac stents. "It has come to FDA's notice that demand for cardiac stents has increased considerably and also the fact that cardiac stents are being exorbitantly priced," said Mr Harshadeep Kamble, FDA commissioner, in a statement. "There were complaints from the public and also from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) regarding overpricing and overcharging of cardiac stents to needy patients," said the senior IAS official. Following the complaints, the FDA's Vigilance Branch conducted a detailed probe against a major importing company dealing in cardiac stents. The investigation has revealed that the MRP itself is exaggerated and to the tune of more than 300 to 700 percent of the actual cost of importing cardiac stents by the importing company.   "The profit margin earned by the importing company with respect to its distributors on an average is about 120 percent and the average profit margin earned by distributors to the hospital is about 125 percent," said Mr Kamble.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5525/ce-mark-for-abbotts-stent-absorb-gt1.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5525/ce-mark-for-abbotts-stent-absorb-gt1.html Thu, 21 May 2015 12:11:03 +0530 Abbott has announced that it has received a CE Mark for the latest advancement of its Absorb stent system, Absorb GT1. It combines the world's first fully dissolving stent with a next-generation delivery catheter to help doctors treat people with heart disease. Built upon three generations of delivery catheter innovations, Absorb GT1 refers to the GlideTrack catheter, Abbott's most advanced stent delivery system. It is designed to make it easier for doctors to access and treat diseased vessels in people with coronary artery disease (CAD). The GlideTrack catheter incorporates several design and technology changes that have the potential to improve deliverability and performance. Last year, Abbott had announced positive one-year clinical results from ABSORB II, the world's first prospective, randomized, controlled trial. It compared the safety and effectiveness of the fully dissolving Absorb heart device to the company's market-leading, metallic XIENCE family of drug eluting stents. In one year, overall clinical outcomes for Absorb were comparable to XIENCE. The trial, conducted primarily in Europe, included 501 people with CAD. "Coronary artery disease is the most common disease in developed countries, and the new Absorb GT1 catheter delivery system may improve the ability of doctors to treat more people with CAD by opening up coronary blockages in hard-to-reach areas with this novel, fully dissolving stent," said Dr Charles Simonton, chief medical officer and divisional vice-president, Medical Affairs, Vascular, Abbott. He added, "Abbott is committed to developing scientific and technological innovations that help people regain their health and get back to their lives, and this latest Absorb advancement will allow more people to benefit from this breakthrough medical technology." Absorb is currently available in more than 70 countries worldwide. Absorb is an investigational device in the US and not approved for the commercial use.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7683/dadha-pharma-to-launch-online-pharmacy-net-meds-in-chennai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7683/dadha-pharma-to-launch-online-pharmacy-net-meds-in-chennai.html Thu, 21 May 2015 10:59:36 +0530 A hundred-year-old pharma distribution company in Chennai has decided to enter the ecommerce space. Dadha & Company, a name that is said to be synonymous with pharmacy distribution throughout the south of India will now reduce its destination barriers by capitalizing on the internet's vast potential to reach out to a larger pool of people. Last week, Bengaluru-based investment bank MAPE Advisory Group, which advises on private equity funds and M&A deals, announced its plans to invest in a yet-to-be launched online pharma chain Net-Meds Marketplace Private Ltd. MAPE Advisory along with Dadha Pharma's founder Pradeep Dadha will initially invest Rs 30 crore inNet-Meds, with a further commitment to increase it to Rs 60 crore.  Headquartered in Chennai, Dadha Pharma Private Limited was founded in 1914 by Mohanchand Dadha's forefathers. Since its inception, the company's profile speaks as a trusted source for pharmaceutical supplies. The company's Senior Director, S Mohanchand Dadha is a third generation entrepreneur with vast industry and financial experience and is a long-standing member of the Board of Directors of Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. The online pharmacy Netmeds.com, is owned and operated by Netmeds Marketplace, Ltd. a licensed pharmacy. Netmeds is an ecommerce portal where consumers with valid prescriptions can upload their prescriptions, via scan or pic, by email or Whatsapp, and once the prescription is validated by Netmeds pharmacists, consumers can shop for their medicine, both branded and low-cost generic variants, for all chronic conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, blood pressure, and cardiovascular diseases. The company has collaborated with Indian Post to ship the medicines to the consumers within 2 to 4 days across India. Netmeds plans to launch its website later this month and is putting final touches to its marketing campaign, which it plans to launch simultaneously. It will sell prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, supplying over 15,000 stock keeping units (SKUs) across India from its warehouse in Chennai. Commenting on the launch, Net-Meds' co-promoter Bruce Schwack explained, "We know that this new modality through NetMeds is going to make it more convenient for people to take care of themselves, and more so, to enable caretakers to conveniently access the medicine their parents and grandparents need, make sure they don't run out, avoid all the hassle of going to the pharmacy, traffic, parking, monsoons, stock issues, and many more difficulties will be eliminated." He further added, ""Also, think of the 2nd- and 3rd-tier cities and the even more agrarian, or rural locales, where some medicines may not be readily available. Now, as long as there is a smart phone and postal service, they will get their medicines through NetMeds online pharmacy service." Net-Meds' launch comes close on the heels with MedPlus launching its online pharmacy service in Chennai. In April 2015, MedPlus, one of India's leading pharmacy retail chain, launched its online service - 'Click, Pick & Save' in Chennai. MedPlus aims to double its market share in Tamil Nadu by expanding its footprint of over 250 stores to around 500, and also aims to combine it with online service to harness the benefits of e-commerce. Recently, in April this year, HealthKartPlus an online pharmacy managed to secure Rs 32 crore in a fresh round of funding. The funding was led by MakeMyTrip founder Deep Kalra along with other investors such as Sequoia Capital, Omidyar Network, Intel Capital and Kae Capital. The funds were raised with a focus to scale up the business and expand its reach to cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune and Chandigarh by the end of 2015. Currently, HealthKartPlus is operational in Delhi-NCR only. Earlier in March, former Igate CEO Phaneesh Murthy floated a new online pharmacy venture, PM Health and Life Care that aims to connect multiple providers of healthcare services to consumers in Bengaluru. The family fund of Phaneesh Murthy has led the seed round of $3.2 million. In the venture, Phaneesh is going to actively play the role as Executive Chairman. The venture plans to raise its first round of capital shortly bringing the total invested amount in the company to about $8- $10 million. In the near future, the company will set out its plan to expand into other metros. It is now evident that the online pharmacy distribution trend in India has been set. With experienced pharmacy retailers adopting ecommerce, a variety of value-added-services are being incorporated by the organized players in the sector to attract a larger market share. There is plenty of room for the newcomers and existing players like Apollo Pharmacy's online distribution to grow. The success of each of these players will be closely watched. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7049/india-can-lead-in-big-data-analytics-philips.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7049/india-can-lead-in-big-data-analytics-philips.html Tue, 19 May 2015 16:50:09 +0530 The symposium was delivered by Mr M R Srinivas Prasad, â€?CEO, Philips Innovation Campus, Bangalore; and Mr J Vijayananda, senior director, analytics healthcare, Philips. Mr Srinivas held that the Indian healthcare is at an inflection point. "Healthcare is one of the biggest challenges in India, both from infrastructure and population or disease management perspective. It (India) has the potential to lead the rest of the world. 8 percent of our GDP comes from IT, and 10 percent from the automobile sector. The US spends most of its GDP towards healthcare," he revealed. He believes that technology adoption has always been driven by challenges. "The Indian healthcare industry is poised at this point," he said. There is an increase in the rise of diseases like cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), diabetes, hypertension, respiratory disorders and obesity in India. "10 percent of Indian population is going to be afflicted by these diseases. That's about 120 million people," Mr Srinivas opined.   Currently, in India, 86 percent of the population pays its treatment costs out-of-pocket, and only 14 percent of them have healthcare insurance. "Hence, we have millions of households going bankrupt due to exorbitant costs involved in treating diseases," he commented. Managing diseases calls for screening and diagnosing them early. "There is a belief that healthcare access in rural areas are much lesser than their urban counterparts. That's not true. Affordability is much higher than availability," pointed Mr Srinivas. There are two critical questions that need to be answered while dealing with predicting diseases and increasing healthcare access in rural areas: How can predictability help without compromising on the treatment quality at lower costs? How can rural population have the same access to healthcare that is available in big metros? Here, Big Data can play a major role in addressing critical bottlenecks including unavailability of infrastructure, paucity of resources like medical professionals, and chronic diseases. Known for having lesser number of hospitals, India has only 500-600 intensivist, Mr Srinivas said. If Big Data is used to predict diseases, then the Data needs to be managed efficiently. By applying suitable advanced algorithms, Big Data can be used to make decision and take necessary action. Another speaker, Mr Vijayananda, said that there are two aspects to Big Data analytics: Big Data and Analytics. "Big data has 4 aspects defined by 4 V's. Volume of the data, velocity in terms of rate at which data is received, veracity and consistency of the data and the variety of data," he educated. The Analytics part deals with derivation of value with the available data including descriptive analytics, diagnostic analytics, operational analytics, predictive analytics and prescriptive analytics. "Using big data, the workflow efficiency in hospitals can be improvised, along with improvement in the efficiency of devices, minimizing patient readmissions, carrying out Cohort Analysis and population management," Mr Vijayananda observed. At the same time, Mr Srinivas remarked, "India can be a leader in big data analytics and lead other countries. When there is paucity of resources, it has to be ensured that the system becomes efficient. There is a lot of thrust on health in the 12th five-year-plan and the current government has also laid much emphasis." Currently, US, China, the UK, India and Japan are said to be thriving markets in Big Data analytics. As a trend, there are lots of start-ups coming up in the Big Data analytics ecosystem. "Awareness now is a lot better than what it was in terms of adopting new technologies," Mr Srinivas highlighted. Big Data and using real-time analytics decision-making has been the biggest advances ever since we started using the computers, he stated. In Big Data, experts believe that the major challenges are unstructured data, shortage of data scientists, interoperability, and data security and privacy. "Big Data is a technology and real-time decision-making will help address problems in terms of making hospitals efficient and enabling clinicians make better decisions with better treatment outcomes," expressed Mr Srinivas. "It is not an easy road. But it is an opportunity for India to take the lead. As we create more awareness, and more people are informed, we will see more revolution, and hence we are witnessing more start-ups in this area. In the last couple of years, the number of start-ups focusing on data science and analytics have increased. And they are serving mostly the developed markets because the market here is still nascent and the government has to provide good support," Mr Srinivas noted. According to Philips, the company is talking to the government and stakeholders since it believes the country needs to harness the potential of Big Data, especially with the onset of CVDs. "In the coming years, 70 percent of the global CVDs is going to be from India. It is already late now, we need to do something," Mr Srinivas urged. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6772/medical-device-imports-bill-may-hit-4-billion-by-2018-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6772/medical-device-imports-bill-may-hit-4-billion-by-2018-19.html Mon, 18 May 2015 12:57:41 +0530 Imports of medical devices and equipment in India is expected to grow from $2.3 billion in 2013-14 to $4 billion by 2018-19, according to a study by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM). As per the report, Gujarat accounted for the highest share of over 18 percent, in terms of total number of 316 factories operating in the medical and dental instruments and supplies sector across India, according to the sector specific analysis. "Absence of a clear and consistent regulatory framework, lack of adequate incentives and funding for manufacturing devices and absence of medical devices' specific legislation are certain key constraints faced in establishing this industry in India,"said mR D S Rawat, secretary general of ASSOCHAM. In its study, ASSOCHAM has suggested that the Government needs to expedite the process of relaxing FDI policy for cash-starved medical devices sector attract more investments and boost domestic manufacturing.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6371/fujifilm-completes-the-acquisition-of-teramedica.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6371/fujifilm-completes-the-acquisition-of-teramedica.html Thu, 14 May 2015 11:51:35 +0530 FUJIFILM Medical Systems has announced the completion of its acquisition of TeraMedica, a global healthcare informatics company and a leading provider of vendor neutral enterprise solutions. "As a leader in clinical archiving, TeraMedica is at the forefront of the Vendor Neutral Archive market. It is a company with talented people and unique technology that will strengthen our position in healthcare informatics. Together, we will be able to deliver medical informatics solutions that acquire, analyze, interpret and present patient data in ways that are meaningful for providers in the most challenging environments," said Mr Jim Morgan, vice-president of Medical Informatics, FUJIFILM Medical Systems. TeraMedica has recently received the "VNA/Image Archive KLAS Category Leader" award for 2014 as part of the Best in KLAS Report. The company enables cross-departmental image content sharing of patient data from disparate healthcare IT applications, while always maintaining the integrity of the original data stored while also embracing the latest centralized archiving technologies. "The VNA market is expected to see significant growth in the coming years, and now with the combined strength of FUJIFILM Medical Systems, we have the ability to meet this demand. This transaction will bring together the complementary strengths of Fujifilm's best-in-class software and services with TeraMedica's pioneering VNA, maximizing our operational efficiencies," said Mr Jim Prekop, president and CEO, FUJIFILM TeraMedica.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6270/harvard-cardiologist-joins-google-x.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6270/harvard-cardiologist-joins-google-x.html Wed, 13 May 2015 12:45:52 +0530 Google X, the technology giant Google's research arm has appointed Dr Jessica Mega to head its Baseline Study, as per reports. Dr Mega is associated with the Harvard Medical School and Brigham & Women's Hospital. Baseline is one of the important projects undertaken by the lifesciences division of Google X. The project, announced last year, "is designed to understand what it means to be healthy, down to the molecular and cellular level," according to a Google press statement. In its first small pilot phase, the study is collecting genetic and molecular information on 175 people. The researchers aim to employ powerful software algorithms and large amounts of computing power to query enormous and complex data sets to find connections. Google X has teamed up with researchers at Stanford and Duke universities to design and conduct a larger study which will enroll thousands of patients and involve an unprecedented quantity of data. According to Google X, "The study is intended as a contribution to science; it's not intended to generate a new product at Google. It may unlock lots of ideas for future projects, not just at Google but across the health and technology industries."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6615/toshiba-upgrades-its-aquilion-one-ct-systems.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6615/toshiba-upgrades-its-aquilion-one-ct-systems.html Tue, 12 May 2015 11:56:16 +0530 Toshiba America Medical Systems' new detector and CT software enhancements for its Aquilion ONE Family of CT systems have received the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) clearance. Toshiba offers an extensive portfolio of software and hardware enhancements that extend the life of imaging systems with the most advanced technology available like PUREViSION CT Detecto, the new and efficient CT detector, which delivers results in 40 percent better light output for better use of X-ray photons; SUREkV which provides automated kV selection, based on patient size; Organ Effective Modulation that delivers safer exams for both patients and providers by limiting the dose to radiosensitive organs and during helical scanning and CT fluoroscopy procedures; Contrast Management which improves workflow and safety by standardizing contrast protocols and automatically tracking the volume of contrast used during an exam. "We understand that quality measures are directly linked to patient safety and satisfaction, and at Toshiba, we continue to develop technology that helps our customers meet their goals," said Mr Satrajit Misra, senior director, CT Business Unit, Toshiba. He added, "Toshiba offers a fully comprehensive and responsive safety program with 360 degrees of coverage, guidance and expertise that go beyond radiation dose and extend to other areas of patient and staff safety."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5905/agilent-to-acquire-cartagenia.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5905/agilent-to-acquire-cartagenia.html Tue, 12 May 2015 10:32:11 +0530 Agilent Technologies and Cartagenia has announced that they have signed a definitive agreement under which Agilent will acquire Cartagenia, a leading provider of software and services for clinical genetics and molecular pathology labs. Uniquely geared to routine clinical labs, Cartagenia's solutions are FDA-registered as exempt Class I Medical Devices in the U.S. and as Class I Medical Devices in Europe. The Cartagenia Bench platform enables technicians, lab directors and clinicians to visualize, assess and report clinical genetics data in the context of patient information. With Cartagenia Bench, labs can build an internal knowledge base, build variant assessment SOPs, automate report drafting, and access a wide range of community-validated, private and premium content resources, whether for oncology or inherited disease. Cartagenia's platform also provides deep support for consortia of collaborating labs. "Cartagenia's approach to enabling the interpretation of clinical genomics data is revolutionary. We look forward to providing Cartagenia's software solutions to our clinical genetics and molecular oncology customers and to providing Cartagenia's existing customers with access to our global service and support network. Together, Agilent and Cartagenia can help remove bottlenecks inherent in analysis, interpretation and reporting clinical data-resulting in faster answers for patients," said Mr Jacob Thaysen, president of Agilent's Diagnostics and Genomics Group. "Joining forces with Agilent is an excellent strategic fit and provides tremendous opportunity both for our customers-who will benefit from integration with a broad family of solutions and a range of new applications-and for our team, as we'll be able to further accelerate our success and growth through Agilent's global reach and leading footprint in clinical labs," said Mr Herman Verrelst, chief executive officer, Cartagenia.   The acquisition is expected to be completed by May 19, subject to local laws and regulations and customary closing conditions. Cartagenia employs 36 people, all of whom will be offered employment with Agilent. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5578/s10-health-launches-safecare-in-chennai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5578/s10-health-launches-safecare-in-chennai.html Mon, 11 May 2015 15:22:14 +0530 S10 indicates that SafeCare sets into place quality standards and benchmarks for clinics to adhere to, as well as combines patient convenience and ease of access to world-class affordable healthcare.S10's SafeCare experience is delivered both from its mobile app, S10 Health available both on iOS and Google play platforms and also a web interface. Currently, SafeCare connects 15 locations with speciality care in dental, eye, cosmetic, maternity, sports medicine, orthopaedics, internal medicine, and diabetic specialization across Chennai. The company plans to launch the product in phases across India in the next few years.Mr Sridharan Sivan, founder and CEO, S10 Health said, "As India's first independent SafeCare network, S10 Health is committed to empowering the Indian population with access to the best healthcare experience. We are proud to run the first specialty care outpatient quality control standards check in India which enables clinics to be part of the SafeCare network. In the last year, SafeCare has partnered with 15 clinics and grown its base to 145,000 subscribers with 93 percent satisfaction levels. The app serves as the perfect healthcare assistant, thus providing a personalized and convenient way to monitor health at every stage. Not only does SafeCare help with scheduling appointments with the best physicians, but health seekers can also access their medical records online, which is stored on the cloud."Dr Afser Shariff, co-founder and chief medical officer said, "Recent figures indicate that 20 percent of global disease burden exists in India, which creates a need for a superior patient experience. Globally present in both the US and India, S10 Health mobilizes SafeCare for consumers by partnering with physicians through optimal use of technology. Besides the benefit to consumers, speciality and primary care centres will provide optimal care that has been customized to them."Dr Arulmozhi Varman said, "I am pleased to be associated with SafeCare as I strongly believe that this approach is going to be crucial in transforming the healthcare industry in India. It will provide a smooth patient appointments booking and management process and platform. More importantly, S10 Health app will provide access to the right kind of doctor depending on the patient's ailments and requirements." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7363/clean-ganga-mission-using-new-technologies.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7363/clean-ganga-mission-using-new-technologies.html Sat, 09 May 2015 08:50:00 +0530 Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi launched an Integrated Ganga Conservation Mission called "Namami Gange" last year. The mission approaches Ganga Rejuvenation by consolidating existing ongoing efforts and planning for a concrete action plan for the future.A Consortium of seven Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) has prepared a Ganga River Basin: Environment Management Plan. Reports suggest that Industries directly or indirectly discharging their solid/liquid wastes into RÄ?mgangÄ?, Kali and Ganga must be directed to follow best available practices for managing solid/liquid wastes and attain complete recycling of water and proper disposal of solid wastes/sludge as per norms enforced by regulating agencies. Also, IIT Kanpur has prepared a compendium to provide an overview of different technological options available for treatment of sewage and assessment of their performance. This compendium of sewage treatment technologies have been prepared based on primary and secondary data gathered from operations of sewage treatment plans in the country over the last two decades.According to reports, Union Minister for Water Resources Ms Uma Bharati has said that expertise from premier IITs would be utilized for cleaning the river Ganga, which would be completed in the shortest period."We will be using various technologies for rejuvenation of river Ganga. We will be utilizing the services of IIT experts and explore all possible options," she said on the sidelines of Ganga Manthan.The PM's pet project is also receiving support from foreign shores, the German Government has offered Rs 3 million euros for supporting Ganga Rejuvenation during the Indo-German Government Negotiations held in November 2014. Many countries such as Germany, Australia, Canada, Singapore, and Netherlands have expressed interest in supporting Ganga Rejuvenation through knowledge/technology sharing and providing financial/technical assistance for cleaning up Ganga, capacity building, research and development, sharing of experiences, expertise, and best practices. The National Mission for Cleaning Ganga is in continuous dialogue with relevant organizations of these countries to facilitate a fruitful involvement of foreign countries in Ganga Rejuvenation. Also, Israel has expressed interest in sharing its expertise on water purification and waste water treatment for cleaning the Ganga. Government policy has given a boost for harvesting solar energy. The support to renewable sources, biogas or biofuel need sustained support for research as well as field level dissemination."Harvesting renewable sources (solar, biomass, biogas) and youth power will make our country a developed country. To realize this vision, there has to be a paradigm shift in energy planning with focus on renewable sources of energy," summed up Dr TV Ramachandra, professor, Coordinator of Energy and Wetlands Research Group (EWRG), Convener of Environmental Information System (ENVIS) at the Center for Ecological Sciences (CES), IISc.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5661/coming-soon-dna-testing-through-iphone-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5661/coming-soon-dna-testing-through-iphone-.html Fri, 08 May 2015 12:19:15 +0530 According to a report in MIT Technology Review, Apple is collaborating with researchers in the US to launch apps that would offer iPhone users the chance to get their DNA tested. Reportdely, the apps are based on ResearchKit, a software platform that the tech giant  introduced earlier. The platform helps hospitals or scientists run medical studies on iPhones by collecting data from the devices' sensors or through surveys. The first five ResearchKit apps, including one called mPower that tracks symptoms of Parkinson's disease, quickly recruited thousands of participants in a few days, demonstrating the reach of Apple's platform. In two initial studies planned, Apple is not going to directly collect or test DNA itself. That will be done by academic partners. The data would be maintained by scientists in a computing cloud, but certain findings could appear directly on consumers' iPhones as well, the report stated. The University of California at San Francisco and Mount Sinai Hospital in New York are working on the first two DNA testing apps, as per the report.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/8059/indias-tryst-with-green-technologies.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/8059/indias-tryst-with-green-technologies.html Fri, 08 May 2015 11:30:00 +0530 India ranks ninth overall on Ernst and Young LLP's most recent renewables attractiveness Index. Though solar energy has received much attention from the government, here's a look at how the nation has fared in other renewable energies important for environment sustainability. BioFuelThe National Biofuel Policy initiated in 2009 aimed at mainstreaming biofuels and therefore, envisions a central role for it in the energy and transportation sectors of the country."The policy has outlined procedures for next generation fuels from agricultural residue. But the technological advancements have not there been yet. Other future generation fuels such as fuels from microalgae and macro algae (seaweed) have been mentioned but there has been no road-map on how to realize the huge potential of such fuel," said Dr Dheeban Chakravarthi Kannan, fellow, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).The goal of the policy is to ensure that a minimum level of biofuels become readily available in the market to meet the demand at any given time."India's target is to have 5 percent biofuel blending in with transportation fuels by now. We are hovering around 0.2-0.4 percent. Basically this is nothing. India has not been able to produce any appreciable quantities of biofuels. This is critical as it relates to substituting the product that makes the biggest pinch on the foreign import bill. The current annual crude oil import bill is about Rs 6,000 billion per year (amounts to 34 percent of the total import bill, by far the biggest share). Yet, we have made no stride in addressing such an important issue," said Dr Kannan. He added, "Bioethanol from sugarcane molasses has got such a low minimum supporting price that the ethanol produced is first diverted towards potable and chemical industry. Only the left over finds its way into the fuel market. As a result the availability has fluctuated from zero to 0.4 million tons/year in the past decade. The situation of biodiesel is even worse, with reported production levels of zero to 0.1 million tons/year and is mostly utilized in unorganized sectors such as farm vehicles. Compare this to our present annual transportation fuel demand of 92 million tons/year and this is projected to increase to 200-250 million tons/year by 2030."The government has been supporting these technologies through its funding agencies such as Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and Department of Biotechnology. Dr Kannan further elaborated, "The government also has provisions for private-public partnership funding. But the funding, in general, has been low. More funds could be allocated for active and extensive research in this area that has critical implications on our national economy and environment." BiogasUnder the National Biogas and Manure Management Program (NBMMP), the government has managed to install about 50 lakh biogas plants in rural and semi-urban areas across the country.However, reports from various studies, including an official government report on the success of the NBMMP mission show that over 50 percent of these plants have fallen to disuse. "Despite a well-intentioned attempt to meet the free energy needs of the rural poor, the biogas program has not really met the cooking needs. Today, biogas cooking fuel contributes to less than 1 percent of the total cooking fuel requirement in the country," said Ms Pooja Vijay Ramamurthi, research engineer, cSTEP. The main challenges have been a lack of incentives to keep the plants running, and lack of operation and maintenance know-how. Mr Suresh NS, senior research engineer, cSTEP further added, "Therefore, we see that there are issues like generation incentives for the plants to be well maintained vs the government, which provides a capital subsidy for the plants and unfortunately does not have a mechanism to ensure the smooth running of the same."The government could learn from the projects like the Bagepalli plants in Karnataka which have shown tremendous success. Initiated in 2005, this project is NGO run and is still running. They have managed to provide 5,500 households in the Kolar district of Karnataka with clean fuel for cooking. The key to their success has been community engagement and a strict monitoring scheme. Community members from a local council, some of whom are trained in project maintenance, and others monitor the status of the plants. If these plants are running smoothly, then the family members are exempted from paying part of the cost of the biogas plant.A few potential ways in which biogas plants can be made more effective include increased local community participation, monitoring of plants, and provision of generation incentives. "As such there are no schemes or guidelines that can influence neither common man nor corporate bodies to include biogas as an integral part of their system. There is also no visibility for such kind of products and projects from governmental bodies," said Mr Zeeshan, Synod Biosciences, a biogas plant manufacturing company. Solar biomassThe development of a solar-biomass hybrid combination is at a nascent stage in the country. "In the past, MNRE has created a few solar-biomass demonstration projects: 15 kW capacity with Thermax and TERI for process cooling and 700 kW peak capacity with Megawatt Solutions for process heating. Presently, the Center for Study of Science Technology and Policy (CSTEP) is setting-up a 3 MW solar-biomass hybrid power plant in Bihar in collaboration with Thermax and European partners," informed Mr Narasimhan SV, advisor, cSTEP.Solar-biomass hybrids are a very good option to provide electricity to communities without electricity access. Organizations like Husk power Systems and Decentralized Energy Systems (DESI) are looking towards this technology. DESI has said that they have installed a solar PV- biomass system where they use the PV system (with storage) to satisfy lighting needs and use the biomass plant to satisfy larger industrial needs (like a rice mill, wheat mill or ice making factory). However, these hybrids haven't found widespread market acceptance. "There are about 1000 MW of grid-connected biomass plants installed in the country, however the Indian Biomass Power Association (IBPA) states that over 60 percent of them are on their way to be shut down. This is mainly due to unrevised (low) tariffs and feedstock constraints," said Ms Ramamurthi.With solar and wind getting all the spotlight, the biomass sector has been relegated to the background. However, in order to provide effective energy supply to the country, biomass resources are extremely crucial. There need to be more proactive steps to promote biomass electricity plants. As large plants find it difficult to get feedstock (5-20 MW), smaller plants need to be encouraged (up to 1 MW). These plants can be used to take care of local rural electricity needs, tied up to telecom towers, or provide irrigation pumping services. As feedstock is an issue, hybrids should be encouraged, with wind and solar. Biomass can be used to complement the variable nature of these resources. Biomass plantations can be encouraged, where certain species are grown exclusively to use as fuel. An important first step would be to conduct a more detailed national assessment before utilizing these lands for biomass. The survey will ideally capture residue availability and identify suitable wastelands for plantations of different species. The possibility of briquetting agro-residues should also be explored. The only assessment made on a nation-wide scale by IISc, is a decade old and doesn't explore plantation potential.A stance similar to the Karnataka Solar Policy 2014 can be adopted, where farmers lease out waste/barren lands to solar companies. Farmers can lease their unutilized barren lands to private companies, who can set up captive feedstock plantations for small-scale biomass plants on a long-term basis.The long disbursal times of capital subsidies make investors not keen to solely rely on them. Hence, incentives which reward generation should be introduced. Models involving rural entrepreneurs, Electricity Supply Companies (ESCOMs), community ownership and collaboration amongst these stakeholders should be promoted. Depending on the model, appropriate soft loans can be granted. Biomass electricity plants are eligible for 80 percent Accelerated Depreciation (AD) in the first year. However, AD benefits for biomass plants aren't effective because biomass electricity producers tend to be small ventures, which don't have large profits. To ensure a level playing field, schemes where AD benefits can be traded should be introduced.Clean Technologies for Clean India MissionHere's how the embracing of these technologies would help in the Clean India Mission If the energy demand is met by renewables, the need for fossil fuels will reduce. Thus, there will be a reduction of emissions to the atmosphere, leading to a sustainable environment. The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology's recent report shows that open burning of biomass residues causes significant pollution in India. Using these agricultural residues for electricity generation could lower 25-50 percent of the total CO and NO2 emissions in the country. Cooking in rural India is done by fuel wood in 90 percent of the houses. This is a very polluting resource that causes indoor air pollution, leading to the release of particulate matter and harmful gases. Therefore, replacing this with clean cooking fuel such as biogas will be environmentally sustainable, while at the same time save many lives that are exposed to the harmful effluents. Fuel wood consumption also leads to deforestation which biogas can prevent. A biogas unit is helpful in controlling the release of methane gas into the atmosphere which is the 2nd direct contributor to global warming after carbon dioxide. Incorporating a proper defecation system at the household or community level and its use to generate biogas along with other bio-wastes will play a significant role in the success of the Clean India Mission. A key factor of the Clean Indian Mission is to dispose of waste in a hygienic way. Hence, biomass waste can be used in gasifiers, combustion plants and biogas plants. These are renewable fuels; hence they have a significant role to play in cutting carbon emissions. Next generation biofuels such as lignocellulosic liquid fuels (from non-fodder agri-residue) and algal biofuels have large enough scope (20-50 percent) to substitute a significant proportion of fossil fuels.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4588/quest-diagnostics-launches-new-test-for-hematologic-malignancies.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4588/quest-diagnostics-launches-new-test-for-hematologic-malignancies.html Fri, 08 May 2015 10:56:14 +0530 Quest Diagnostics has announced the launch of LeukoVantage, an evidence-based genomic test service that aids in the diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring, and selection of treatment for myeloid neoplasms, a group of hematologic malignancies that includes acute myeloid leukemia (AML). AML is the most common form of adult acute leukemia, as well as myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). "LeukoVantage is an outgrowth of Quest's commitment to advancing oncology care based on actionable molecular insights. There is growing evidence that several genetic alterations involved in myeloid neoplasms not only provide significant diagnostic and prognostic value, but may also help guide treatment decisions. LeukoVantage builds from the latest science and Quest's deep experience in genomics and hematology to deliver insights that can help the physician potentially diagnose the patient more quickly and reliably and establish an appropriate treatment plan," said Dr Frederick K Racke, medical director, hematology oncology, Quest Diagnostics. LeukoVantage is a lab-developed test that uses next-generation sequencing, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and other techniques to study DNA from leukocytes (white blood cells) in blood or bone marrow specimens for the presence of mutations in 30 genes most frequently associated with myeloid neoplasms. For MDS, LeukoVantage may detect certain molecular markers to help identify early stages of the disease, complementing conventional diagnostic techniques. MDS is typically diagnosed through a series of tests that include complete blood count (CBC), morphology, and cytogenetic (chromosomal) analysis. For MPN, LeukoVantage may identify molecular markers that can aid the selection of certain targeted therapies, such as JAK2 inhibitors, and establishing a prognosis. LeukoVantage has also been shown to detect gene mutations in greater than 95 percent of newly diagnosed cases of AML. Physicians may use this information to aid in disease diagnosis and subclassification as well as to establish a treatment plan with induction chemotherapy. In addition, LeukoVantage may aid in establishing a prognosis and in monitoring for minimal residual disease and recurring disease. In the case of both AML and MDS, LeukoVantage may also provide information for selecting epigenetic modifying drugs, which may be less toxic than inpatient chemotherapies.   In addition to LeukoVantage, Quest Diagnostics provides an industry-leading menu of hematologic test services, including morphology, flow cytometry, cytogenetics, FISH, and molecular services for blood and bone marrow specimens and other tissues and body fluids as necessary. Because patients with hematological cancers often require multiple services, clinicians may prefer a single provider that can coordinate, perform and interpret all necessary testing services as well as split bone, blood and other samples to simplify test ordering and reporting. "LeukoVantage is an innovative and clinically useful lab test but that is only part of its value. Quest Diagnostics provides a broad suite of accompanying services for diagnosing and managing patients with myeloid neoplasms. Those larger capabilities can be most useful for these and other diseases in which continuous monitoring, supported by lab tests, is vital to promote quality patient care," said Dr Frederic Waldman, medical director, cancer diagnostics, Quest Diagnostics.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4591/us-fda-nod-for-opto-circuits-aed.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4591/us-fda-nod-for-opto-circuits-aed.html Fri, 08 May 2015 10:47:59 +0530 Cardiac Science Corporation, a group company of Opto Circuits (India) has announced that its Powerheart G5 AED with CRPD has received 510(k) market clearance from the US FDA (United Sates Food and Drug Administration), allowing the company to begin selling the AED with CPRD along with its successful Powerheart G3 and G5 product line. "This news is a testament to the commitment shown by our employees who have spent many years of developing, testing and refining the Powerheart G5 so that seasoned and first-time rescuers will have the most reliable, easy-to-use AED in the US marketplace. Our product portfolio is now the envy of the AED industry," said Mr Vinod Ramnani, chairman and managing director, Opto Circuits (India). The Powerheart family of AEDs is designed to enable rescuers to swiftly provide effective, life-saving therapy to aid a person who has suffered sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). The American Heart Association notes that at least 20,000 lives could be saved annually by prompt use of AEDs. Ultimately, with the broad deployment of AEDs among trained responders, as many as 50,000 deaths due to SCA could be prevented each year, a cause Cardiac Science is firmly behind. Cardiac Science has been working to reduce SCA fatalities since it introduced the first fully automated external defibrillator.   The Powerheart G5 with CPRD will be available for purchase in the United States later this year.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4352/canon-life-sciences-appoints-a-new-president-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4352/canon-life-sciences-appoints-a-new-president-.html Fri, 08 May 2015 08:39:00 +0530 Canon USA has announced the appointment of Ms Akiko Tanaka as president and CEO of Canon US Life Sciences (CLS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Canon USA.  Ms Tanaka, previously the vice-president and COO of CLS, has also been appointed to the CLS Board of Directors. In this position, Ms Tanaka will oversee the management of business initiatives relating to the development of diagnostic solutions. Dr Ivor Knight, senior vice-president and CTO, will report directly to Ms Tanaka to support these initiatives. Ms Tanaka has also been recently appointed as the president and CEO of the newly established Canon BioMedical (CBMI) which focuses on the development, manufacturing, and marketing operations relating to lifescience and molecular diagnostics businesses. This new company will look for long-term future growth opportunities in previously untapped markets for Canon such as lifescience, healthcare, and medical analysis through the use of existing and emerging Canon technology, as well as strategic partnerships. "I am confident that under the leadership of Ms Tanaka, Canon will succeed in its mission to develop innovative technologies and solutions that assist in improving human health and in advancing science," said Mr Joe Adachi, chairman and CEO, Canon USA. "I am honored to take on this new role and to help align the overall biomedical strategy in the Canon Americas. Both CLS and CBMI will work together to research, develop and bring new technologies to markets all over the world," said Ms Tanaka.   Ms Tanaka has spent 29 years working for Canon and joined Canon USA in April 2012. She began her career at Canon Inc. in 1986 as a system engineer doing software development in R&D and later joined a Strategic Alliance that handled all of Canon's OEM business.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6520/ibm-watson-collaborates-with-epic-and-mayo-clinic.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6520/ibm-watson-collaborates-with-epic-and-mayo-clinic.html Wed, 06 May 2015 12:32:36 +0530 IBM Watson Health has announced that it is collaborating with Epic and Mayo Clinic to advance patient health by applying the cognitive computing capabilities of Watson to Electronic Health Records (EHRs). As Watson's capabilities are applied to EHRs, patients and providers benefit from more rapid and thorough analysis of the medical factors that could impact an individual's health and wellness. Epic has more than 350 customers - some of the largest and most-recognized healthcare systems in the world - and they exchanged more than 80 million medical records in the last 12 months, both within and outside the Epic community. Interoperability with Watson will enable these institutions to apply the cognitive capabilities of Watson to these records through secure, cloud-based Watson services, providing greater clinical insight to help personalize healthcare. Together, Watson and Epic software could be used to develop patient treatment protocols, personalize patient management for chronic conditions, and intelligently assist doctors and nurses by providing relevant evidence from the worldwide body of medical knowledge, putting new insight into the hands of clinical staff. Providers will be able to share patient-specific data with Watson in real time, within workflows, allowing Watson to bring forth critical evidence from medical literature and case studies that are most relevant to the patient's care. Epic plans to embed Watson's cognitive computing capabilities into its advanced decision support offerings through the use of open standards, including Health Level -7 (HL7) Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). Connecting through Epic's open API, the two systems will extend clinician expertise and help caregivers access knowledge more quickly.   "Accessing Watson's virtual brainpower from the Epic platform is energizing from a creative standpoint. We are bringing another level of cognitive computing and augmented intelligence to mainstream healthcare, to improve safety and outcomes for patients globally," said Epic president, Mr Carl Dvorak. "Building on our recent announcement of IBM Watson Health, we are collaborating with Epic and Mayo Clinic in another important validation of the potential of Watson to be used broadly across the healthcare industry," said Mr Mike Rhodin, senior vice-president, IBM Watson. He added, "This is just the first step in our vision to bring more personalized care to individual patients by connecting traditional sources of patient information with the growing pools of dynamic and constantly growing healthcare information." IBM and Mayo Clinic are already working together to pioneer cognitive computing in clinical trials matching for cancer patients. Watson's speed and accuracy allows physicians to enroll patients more quickly in the clinical trials that best meet individual patient needs. Over one million patients are seen at Mayo Clinic each year and more than 1,000 clinical trials are available to match patients to at any given time. "Patients need answers, and Watson helps provide them quickly and more thoroughly. We are excited by Watson's potential to efficiently provide clinical trials information at the point of care," said Dr Steven Alberts, Mayo Clinic oncologist.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6346/mobile-health-garnered-282-million-in-venture-capital-funding-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6346/mobile-health-garnered-282-million-in-venture-capital-funding-.html Mon, 04 May 2015 14:06:00 +0530 Funding into Healthcare Information Technology and Digital Health companies in Q1 2015 totaled $784 million in the first quarter of 2015. As per the data generated through its latest report, the Mercom Global has revealed that the mobile health (mHealth) companies accounted for 36 percent of total funding raised by digital health / health IT companies this quarter and also received the largest share (65 percent) of funding among consumer-focused companies, with $282 million in 56 deals (compared to $284 million in 41 deals in Q4 2014). Though funding fell across all technology groups this quarter, mHealth was the only area where funding levels did not decline significantly compared to the previous quarter. A total of 112 investors participated in mHealth funding rounds in Q1. GE Ventures was only investor that participated in multiple deals. Within mobile health, mHealth App companies captured the largest share bringing in $220 million in 35 deals. Last month, the Food and Drug Administration released the final guidance on mobile medical apps, bringing some much needed clarity and certainty to the mobile health market. The final guidance confirms a light, hands-off approach to regulating mhealth apps. Mobile health companies have received more than $2 billion in over 500 deals since 2010. Mobile health apps, in particular, have received about $900 million in more than 280 deals since 2010.   Care-focused apps led with the most deals followed by fitness/wellness/nutritions apps. The focus of care apps that received funding ranged from diabetes, cancer, parkinsons, cardiac health, chronic disease care and medication tracking among others. Some significant deals this quarter included Advance Health, a provider of a mobile patient data capture application for managed care providers, which raised $40 million from Summit Partners and Noro-Moseley Partners. ClassPass, a mobile membership app offering unlimited fitness and wellness classes across multiple gyms and studios to make working out more accessible also received $40 million from General Catalyst and Thrive Capital. Clinical Ink, a provider of point-of-care mobile data capture application for clinical trials, raised $20 million from MPM Capital, F2 Ventures, FCA Venture Partners and other investors. Glooko, a provider of an FDA-cleared mobile diabetes management app and a metersync device, received $16.5 million from Medtronic, Canaan Partners, The Social + Capital Partnership and Samsung's venture investment arm. Noom, a developer of health and fitness apps, raised $16.15 million from Han-Sing Hi-Tech Fund, TransLink Capital and RRE Ventures. Wearable Sensor companies logged $42 million in nine deals. A range of wearables including patches, bands, neckwear, implantable and disposable sensors were funded this quarter. Some large deals included Orthosensor, a company that develops sensor-based disposable orthopedic implants to help surgeons optimize placement of artificial knees and other clinical decisions, raised $19 million from Bridger Healthcare and Tullis Growth Fund. GlySens, a developer of a fully-implanted sensor-based continuous glucose monitoring system for people with diabetes, raised $12 million. Peerbridge Health, a developer of a wearable wireless vital sign monitoring sensor that provides heart rate and heart rhythm information to consumers, raised $4.89 million. Sproutling, a provider of a wearable health monitor designed for a baby's ankle, raised $4 million from BoxGroup, Forerunner Ventures, FirstMark Capital, First Round Capital, Lemnos Labs, Accelerator Ventures and Napster co-founder Shawn Fanning. Mobile Wireless technology companies with products like a wireless thermometer, a Bluetooth glucometer, wireless ECG and others recorded $21 million in 12 deals. Top deals included Atheer Labs, a provider of gesture-based 3D wearable smart glasses for use as a hands-free platform in operating rooms as well as to access medical records, which raised $8.8 million. Palo Alto Health Sciences, a developer of an FDA-cleared, at-home breathing system that trains individuals diagnosed with panic disorder to control their breathing and respiration, raised $3.9 million. Monica Healthcare, a fetal monitor developer, raised $3 million from Catapult Ventures, The New Hill Growth Fund, East Midlands Business Angels, The University of Nottingham, Wren Capital, Origin Capital, Catamaran Ventures and the London Business Angels, and other investors. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6752/toshiba-and-nsta-announce-2015-winners-of-exploravision-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6752/toshiba-and-nsta-announce-2015-winners-of-exploravision-.html Mon, 04 May 2015 12:56:05 +0530 From a hearing aid powered by the body's thermal energy to an external microbial cleansing device designed to capture pathogens in the blood stream, the young winners of the Toshiba/NSTA (National Science Teachers Association) ExploraVision competition have dreamed up a wide array of innovative technologies that could help build a better future. The program has announced the national winners of the world's largest K-12 science and technology competition, which is designed to build problem-solving, critical thinking and collaboration skills that are central to the Next Generation Science Standards. The Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision program challenges participants to imagine what technology might be like in 20 years. Students work in teams to propose ideas for innovative future technology based on a challenge of what already exists, simulate real scientific research to outline how they plan to test their idea, and build websites to further illustrate and communicate their concepts. Since its inception in 1992, nearly 350,000 students have participated in the ExploraVision program. This year, 5,041 team projects were entered in the competition representing 15,473 students from across the United States and Canada. "This year marks the 50th anniversary of Toshiba's operations in the United States, and throughout this period, the company has maintained a strong commitment to technological innovation. The ExploraVision program represents this ideal, and continues to be the cornerstone of Toshiba's Corporate Social Responsibility initiative in North America. We are extremely proud to see ExploraVision continue to succeed in its 23rd year, inspiring students to explore and develop a passion for the STEM subjects that are vital for our future," said Mr Masaaki Osumi, Toshiba America's chairman and CEO, and Toshiba's corporate representative for the Americas.   "The caliber of the projects entered in the Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision competition serve as an inspirational reminder of the ingenuity that comes from igniting students' natural curiosity in science. These students are developing innovative solutions to show how our society can do things better and more efficiently, and we couldn't be more excited to showcase their projects. We congratulate the national winners and commend all of the teachers for engaging and empowering their students to make a real difference in the world around them," said Dr Juliana Texley, president, NSTA. This year, several winning student teams focused on disease prevention and improving treatment for the disabled. Tenth grade students from Salem, Oregon developed The Suture of the Future device, which uses Programmable Bio-Scaffolding (PBS) technology and stem cells to help patients who take blood thinners heal quickly and safely from open wounds. PBS technology accelerates the healing process by precisely scaffolding wounds by binding edges of the cut together with premature stem cells. A team of 10th grade students from Duluth, Georgia, created the External Microbial Cleansing Device (EMCD). The EMCD functions with the aid of magnetic nanobeads attached to artificially engineered human opsonin-mannose-binding lectins (MBLs) that have the capability to capture a wide variety of pathogens in the blood stream. With the availability to deliver enriching nutrients, monitor blood, and develop medical reports, the technology will drastically improve the outcome of those with pathogenic diseases. National winners also focused on making the world more environmentally friendly. Fourth grade students from Land O'Lakes, Florida, created The Green Tablet in an effort to reduce e-waste generated each year from the disposal of electronic devices. Members of the four first place ExploraVision national winning teams will each receive a $10,000 US Series EE Savings Bond (at maturity). Members of second place national winning teams will each receive a $5,000 US Series EE Savings Bond (at maturity).     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5511/toshibas-new-offering-for-pediatric-patients-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5511/toshibas-new-offering-for-pediatric-patients-.html Thu, 30 Apr 2015 14:14:53 +0530 Toshiba has created comprehensive solutions for a variety of pediatric imaging needs across all its modalities:• Superb Micro-Vascular Imaging (SMI) ultrasound technology: Allows clinicians to see smaller vessels, giving way to faster, non-invasive disease diagnosis and expanding the utility of ultrasound, which results in fewer ionizing procedures for safer pediatric care.• Pediatric-friendly MRI: Toshiba's patented PianissimoTM technology significantly reduces the noise in and around the MRI environment, allowing for a safer and more comfortable exam for even the smallest patients. Toshiba's Pediatric SPEEDERTM Coil Suite provides added flexibility for pediatric patients of a wide age range, helping to improve image quality. Additionally, Toshiba's proprietary non-contrast techniques eliminate the need for contrast injections for certain procedures, for a safer and more pediatric-friendly exam.• Interventional radiology: Toshiba's InfinixTM bi-plane and single-plane labs have pediatric specific capabilities designed by pediatric interventionalists to ensure pediatric patients receive the safest exams possible. Spot Fluoroscopy with Last Image Hold, Toshiba's award-winning Dose Tracking System (DTS) and Live Zoom fluoro and acquisition (at up to 2.4 times lower dose than traditional FOV changes) are all designed to minimize X-ray exposure while maintaining image quality.• Safer X-ray exams: Toshiba's RADREXTM-i digital radiographic X-ray RexProtect features set a new standard of safety and lower dose for even the smallest patients.• Low-dose CT exams: Advanced dose reduction technologies-like SUREExposureTMPediatric for "child-size" exams, and AIDR 3D tolower dose while maintaining high image quality-help limit radiation exposure to more sensitive pediatric patients. "Toshiba is committed to ensuring that pediatric patients have the safest imaging experience possible," said Calum Cunningham, vice president, Marketing and Strategic Business Development, Toshiba. "By incorporating technologies that are aimed at reducing radiation exposure, creating safer X-ray exams, making our systems patient-friendly and more, we are improving pediatric safety and enhancing the overall patient experience." Toshiba will be featuring these technologies at this year's Society of Pediatric Radiology (SPR) annual meeting in Bellevue, Wash., April 27-May 1, 2015 (Booth #21). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6917/medtronics-stent-can-improve-neurological-outcome.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6917/medtronics-stent-can-improve-neurological-outcome.html Thu, 30 Apr 2015 13:41:00 +0530 In the "New England Journal of Medicine" (NEJM) published online and inthe European Stroke Organization meeting reported on the two global trials show that in the existing drug treatment Canada with Solitaire instrument stand except thrombectomy, can significantly reduce stroke disability. These tests confirmed the same NEJM published in three previous trials of results. Both trials SOLITAIRE TM FR With the Intention For Thrombectomy as Primary Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke (except thrombectomy as the acute ischemic stroke major vascular treatments SOLITAIRE TM FR, referred to as the "SWIFT PRIME") and Endovascular Revascularization Solitaire with Versus Best Medical Device Therapy in Anterior Circulation Stroke Within 8 Hours (anterior horn loop stroke within 8 hours using Solitaire equipment for intravascular revascularization vs best medical treatment, referred to as "REVASCAT"), to assess acute ischemia stroke (AIS) patients in the conventional medical treatment (including when using the IV-tPA patients qualify) the addition of Solitaire equipment, which is lighter than stroke-related disability in patients with IV-tPA alone or medical therapy. SWIFT PRIME by the Medtronic (Medtronic plc, NYSE: MDT) sponsorship, while REVASCAT was supported by Medtronic provides a non-limiting funding. SWIFT PRIME assessment of 196 patients showed that the addition of Solitaire instruments significantly reduce disability after stroke, increasing stroke within 90 days after the functional independence of the number of cases. The trial showed that patients with Solitaire plus instrument, its functional independence recovery rate was significantly higher than that with IV-tPA (60.2% vs. 35.5%, p = 0.0002).University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Geffen School of Medicine professor of neurology, director of the UCLA Stroke Center Comprehensive Jeffrey L. Saver, MD, FAHA, FAAN, FANA said: "SWIFT PRIME display, Solitaire device therapy is safe, technically successful It can significantly reduce long-term disability. The therapy marks the beginning of a new era in the treatment of stroke. " Similarly, REVASCAT (206 patients) showed that the onset of symptoms within eight hours, in medical treatment (including the use of IV-tPA in eligible patients, 70% of enrolled subjects) added with Solitaire treatment equipment Patients recover its functional independence higher than medical therapy alone (43.7% vs. 28.2%), the difference was statistically significant. SWIFT PRIME and REVASCAT also confirmed that the same three global test published in the NEJM results: Extending the Time for Thrombolysis in Emergency Neurological Deficits - Intra-Arterial (extended thrombolysis for emergency neurological disorder - time intra-arterial, hereinafter referred to as "EXTEND-IA"), Endovascular Treatment for Small Core and Proximal Occlusion Ischemic Stroke (endovascular treatment for small core and proximal obstructive ischemic stroke, hereinafter referred to as "ESCAPE") and Multi center Randomized Clinical trial of Endovascular treatment for Acute ischemic Stroke in the Netherlands (endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke - Dutch multicenter randomized clinical trial, hereinafter referred to as "MR CLEAN"). These tests have shown that the time delay before treatment can significantly affect the outcome.Compared with the previous test, SWIFT PRIME workflow (from diagnosis to treatment of the entire treatment period) were significantly improved. The trial in seven countries, 39 centers, show a different health care system in a wide range of applicability, as well as fast, efficient stand except thrombectomy of treatment can reach.   REVASCAT comprehensive stroke centers in four Spanish region of Catalonia carried out, this four centers cover 7.5 million people. From the general population, the group of patients in line with the program, 85% enrolled in this trial. REVASCAT trials, the eligibility criteria broad and achieve a high number of the group, therefore, a positive outcome Solitaire instrument for most stroke patients in Catalonia is universal. Antoni Davalos Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital, director of the Department of Neuroscience, MD said: "We now have five of the global clinical trials to provide overwhelming evidence base to support the Solitaire stent except thrombectomy based on these results, the stroke community converged. re-evaluate the timing of stroke treatment guidelines together, exploring the new system is up, which will promote specialized centers to treat patients for accessibility. " Solitaire instrument uses an extremely small size of the catheter is inserted through the leg incision stroke involving brain artery.Once placed in place, Solitaire instruments can help immediately to restore blood flow, eliminate blood clots causing stroke. Medtronic rehabilitation Brett Wall neurovascular president of Division Ministry, said: "These results are the global stroke care community gathered together, rethink our offer stroke treatment methods .Solitaire instrument stand except thrombectomy has been verified to improve the procedure For patients of access, we are committed to overcome the stroke of important goals of all parties. We support the revised guidelines, a move that will benefit the patient and the health care system and the wider society. "   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6031/fda-nod-for-siemens-mammography-platform.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6031/fda-nod-for-siemens-mammography-platform.html Thu, 30 Apr 2015 13:40:41 +0530 The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the MAMMOMAT Inspiration with Tomosynthesis Option - the breast tomosynthesis add-on option for Siemens Healthcare's MAMMOMAT Inspiration digital mammography platform. Siemens' breast tomosynthesis algorithm reconstructs multiple 2D images of the breast into an approximation of a 3D image to enable detection of tumors that are hidden by overlapping breast tissue, enabling more accurate diagnosis than standard 2D digital mammography and reducing the number of false-positive findings. In a recent study involving 22 readers with a broad range of reading experience, Siemens demonstrated that all readers improved their accuracy in detecting and diagnosing cancers when reading digital breast tomosynthesis as an adjunct to full-field digital mammography. In tomosynthesis mode, the X-ray tube of the MAMMOMAT Inspiration digital mammography system rotates in a circular motion around the breast to acquire an image every two degrees while moving through an angular range of 50 degrees. The resulting 25 projections are reconstructed as three-dimensional (3D) digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) images. Conventional analog mammography and full-field digital mammography display only the 3D structure of the breast on a 2D level, hampering physicians' efforts to identify certain types of tumors since anatomical structures in the breast can overlap and obscure lesions. Tomosynthesis acquires several breast projections from different angles and uses raw data to generate a 3D volume set. Using this data set, clinicians can better analyze the type and size of breast lesions as well as microcalcifications compared to other forms of mammography. Breast tomosynthesis increases mammography's sensitivity and specificity, in addition to improving efforts to differentiate and classify breast tumors. "Our clinical data has demonstrated that the addition of Siemens' digital breast tomosynthesis to a patient's traditional 2D digital mammogram increases detection of breast tumors. We know that in clinical practice, this increased diagnostic accuracy also means fewer diagnostic biopsy procedures and fewer anxiety-inducing recalls, which typically contributes to both improved patient outcomes and reduced cost," said Mr Gregory Sorensen,president and CEO of Siemens Healthcare North America. "With the FDA approval of the MAMMOMAT Inspiration with Tomosynthesis Option, Siemens Healthcare reaffirms its longstanding commitment to cutting-edge innovation in women's health."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6428/ge-healthcare-announces-new-ceo-for-south-asia.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6428/ge-healthcare-announces-new-ceo-for-south-asia.html Wed, 29 Apr 2015 15:41:30 +0530 GE South Asia and Wipro have announced the appointment of Mr Milan Rao to lead GE's Healthcare business as President and CEO, GE Healthcare South Asia and managing director, Wipro GE Healthcare. Mr Milan will build on Wipro GE's expansion plans and continue to strengthen the company's 'In India, for India' proposition of innovating disruptive technology and business solutions to enhance access to high quality, affordable healthcare solutions. Effective May 1, 2015, he replaces Ms Terri Bresenham, who has been leading GE Healthcare's South Asia business since September 2011. Mr Milan will report to Azim Premji, chairman, Wipro and Mr Banmali Agrawala, president and CEO, GE South Asia. Mr Banmali Agrawala, president and CEO, GE South Asia said, "Mr Milan will take GE's mission of a Healthier India forward through development of disruptive technologies and business models in India, for India. Our Healthcare business reinforces our philosophy of creating localized and affordable solutions. I thank Terri for her contribution and am confident that Milan will carry forward GE's legacy of striving to develop solutions that meet the needs of the Indian healthcare sector." "Wipro and GE have enjoyed a strong and enduring partnership lasting over 25 years that has made an indelible mark on India's healthcare industry. I am confident Milan will further strengthen this relationship and give an added impetus to our mission to build a healthier India," said Mr Azim Premji, chairman, Wipro. Mr Milan joined Wipro GE Healthcare in August 2013 as Chief Operating Officer. He has over 20 years of senior management and leadership experience in several industries including Telecom, Financial Services and FMCG.   Speaking about his new role, Mr Milan said, "Wipro GE has achieved several milestones on the promise of delivering affordable and accessible healthcare. I am looking forward to expand our leadership in the market, accelerate innovation and distribution capabilities to continue enhancing customer centricity and technology adoption for quality healthcare diagnosis everywhere. We hope to build on our successes in local innovation, partnership with all Governments and healthcare providers to achieve our vision of a healthier India and also help transform lives world over."    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6400/govt-approves-materio-vigilance.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6400/govt-approves-materio-vigilance.html Wed, 29 Apr 2015 13:08:25 +0530 According to the Health Minister Mr JP Nadda, as a part of the program, adverse events associated with medical devices will be reported online to the nodal collaborating center. "As part of the program, adverse events associated with medical devices will be reported online to the nodal collaborating center. Such events will thereafter be analyzed by the technical committee and based on the findings of the committee, further action as considered appropriate will be taken," said the minister in a statement. He further said that inputs other than those received from the program will also be used to ensure the authenticity of such devices.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6395/toshiba-adds-new-prodcuts-to-its-portfolio.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6395/toshiba-adds-new-prodcuts-to-its-portfolio.html Wed, 29 Apr 2015 12:33:34 +0530 Toshiba has announced the launch of a Hardware Development Kit (HDK) and a Software Development Kit (SDK), able to monitor activity levels, take a pulse and check heart rate, that together form a development platform for the TZ1000 series application processor for wearable and IoT devices. Toshiba will start supplying IoT device developers with the HDK and SDK on May 7th, and also conduct a trial campaign that will offer a limited quantity of reference boards and its development environment free of charge. TZ1000 series devices integrate a sensor, a processor, flash memory, and a Bluetooth Low Energy controller in one package and are designed as a single-device solution for measuring, processing, saving and communicating data required for wearable and IoT devices. The development environment includes an HDK embedded with the TZ1000 series TZ1001MBG processor, the SDK that operates on it, software development tool support and documentation. The kits will allow users to evaluate and develop software in an environment closer to final products and to optimize use of the application processor for specific product characteristics compared with previous development environment. The development environment will contribute to reduce design man-hour requirements and product development periods.   Toshiba is also working on the development of a software algorithm to measure weak biological signals, like pulse waves and the heart's electrical activities, and environmental data such as temperature and humidity, and aims to supply a system solution in the TZ1000 series that will further strengthen the line-up.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6712/aimed-ima-sign-a-mou-to-promote-cure-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6712/aimed-ima-sign-a-mou-to-promote-cure-in-india.html Tue, 28 Apr 2015 09:44:00 +0530 Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AIMED) and Indian Medical Association (IMA) have signed a MoU to promote 'Cure in India' initiative for driving medical tourism within India and simultaneously promote 'Buy Indian' which encourages use of India manufactured devices in healthcare sector along with Indian medical expertise. Under the scheme of things, IMA will encourage medical fraternity to go 'One Step beyond Endorsement' for India manufactured medical devices which would be approved by IMA based on stringent internationally accepted quality parameters. As per the MoU, IMA and AIMED will establish joint mechanism to promote Indian medical device industry and under their 'Cure in India' initiative will give users and consumers access to 'IMA preferred Brands of Safe Indian Medical Device' that are affordable. The move is likely to have a huge positive impact on 'Make in India' program while giving a big shot to manufacturing of medical devices within the country and bring esteem to the Indian Industry & Nation thereby building Brand India . "This MoU will give a big push to manufacturing and innovation in Indian medical device industry while promoting Indian healthcare sector as a whole. This initiative will also help reduce country's huge import dependency in medical device sector while encouraging exports," said Mr Rajiv Nath, forum co-ordinator of AIMED. "IMA is of the view that for those consumables and devices which are manufactured in India and approved by appropriate authorities, no reimbursement should be given to foreign devices," said Padma Shri awardee, Dr KK Aggarwal, honorary secretary general ,IMA. Under the joint mechanism, both associations will soon roll out promotional campaigns to achieve the objectives of this MoU.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6427/practo-announces-the-acquisition-of-fitho.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6427/practo-announces-the-acquisition-of-fitho.html Mon, 27 Apr 2015 15:20:25 +0530 Practo has announced acquisition of Fitho Wellness, a digital fitness solution that has over two million users across the globe. The acquisition will help Practo rapidly expand its offerings and move into the preventive healthcare space. It will also bring the company closer to its goal of making it  the single health app consumers need. The founders of Fitho, Mr Dhruv and Ms Prachi Gupta will join Practo, with Mr Dhruv taking on the role of product head for Preventive and Ms Prachi taking on the role of GM - Operations, New Segments. Practo also acquires the proprietary algorithm and recommendation engine which automatically suggests custom diets and exercise regimes to users based on their lifestyle, fitness requirements and food preferences. FitHo's current offering will phase out over the next six months and Practo will launch a completely new preventive product that will leverage some of the technology from FitHo. "This is the first of several acquisitions we are exploring. It is the next step in our mission to make a single health app which offers consumers a more comprehensive solution ranging from preventive to curative healthcare. The FitHo team brings on-board enormous talent and expertise to help us tap into the preventive segment. I am very excited to have them join us and look forward to building new and exciting products for consumers with them," said Mr Shashank ND, founder and CEO, Practo.   "We're really excited to join Practo and integrate our technology and expertise with Practo's offerings. Together we will be able to offer consumers interesting and unique solutions that are more comprehensive than either of us had before. We also find a great cultural fit with Practo where the discussions have been very collaborative about building great products and businesses together. I love the energy and passion that Practo team has for transforming healthcare and look forward to working with Shashank and the team to build some exciting products," said Mr Dhruv Gupta, founder and CEO, FitHo.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6505/social-media-usage-by-pharma-cos-on-the-rise-ogilvy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6505/social-media-usage-by-pharma-cos-on-the-rise-ogilvy.html Thu, 23 Apr 2015 14:27:56 +0530 A new report by Ogilvy Healthworld highlights who leads the way in integrated social media marketing The average number of tweets by pharma has gone up by 530 percent since 2013, and twitter followers have increased by nearly 300 percent, said Ogilvy's report. Pharma companies with the biggest communities aren't necessarily the most effective at engaging with their users and generating interest. Followers reward pharma companies who post frequently and engage continuously -- those that keep their networks fresh with regular updates have the highest interaction from the community. The report 'Connecting the Dots: Which Pharma Companies are Succeeding in the Social Media Space?' is the first of its kind to provide insights into which pharma companies are leading the way in integrated social media marketing strategies.   The report reveals a small group of companies are 'connecting the dots' and leading the way in social media. They are providing useful content that is both relevant to their marketing objectives and audience needs. They are engaging with consumers, healthcare professionals and media consistently on all of their networks in a way that encourages followers to contribute to the conversation. The report also draws some conclusions on social media best practice. To succeed, pharma companies need to be brave and prepared to have honest and meaningful conversations about their brands.   This involves developing strategies and mapping out potential scenarios with internal stakeholders to respond as quickly as possible to their followers, Ogilvy said. They should aim to provide content that is relevant to their audience also have a clear set of engagement guidelines to help manage difficult questions. "We know that some pharma companies have been cautious in their approach to social media, but our report clearly demonstrates a dramatic and successful increase in activity," said Ms Rebecca Canvin, social media manager, Ogilvy Healthworld. She further added, "Social media has changed the way pharma companies communicate -- it allows them to build corporate reputation and engage in genuine, meaningful conversations with audiences. For companies who want to stand out from the crowd it's time to be brave, get personal, educate and integrate social media into their wider marketing strategy." The data for the report was gathered by monitoring 10 of the most popular networks for 14 pharma companies across six categories: social presence, social network, community size, activity, engagement and activity. The profile of each company was reviewed for one week per month for three months during 2014 to ensure sufficient data was collected, said the company's release. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6380/toshiba-names-a-new-director-for-the-ultrasound-business.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6380/toshiba-names-a-new-director-for-the-ultrasound-business.html Thu, 23 Apr 2015 10:58:21 +0530 Toshiba America Medical Systems has announced that Ms Maria Piazza has been named director, Ultrasound Business Unit. In her new role, Ms Piazza is responsible for developing and implementing strategic marketing plans that drive growth and profitability for the business unit. She will also work closely with the Global Business Unit at Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation (TMSC) to communicate the needs and requirements of the US market. "We are confident that Ms Piazza's leadership will continue the momentum of the Ultrasound Business Unit, which has grown significantly in recent years and continues to introduce innovative technologies like the Aplio Platinum Series," said Mr Calum Cunningham, vice-president, Marketing and Strategic Business Development, Toshiba. Prior to joining Toshiba, Ms Piazza has held many senior marketing and business leader positions. She has served in several roles including CMO, Global Advertising and Promotions director, Global Marketing Operations director and MR Global Product Marketing manager, driving strategies for product development and marketing programs across GE Healthcare's Global Businesses and Regions.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6257/are-mobile-medical-apps-good-for-health-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6257/are-mobile-medical-apps-good-for-health-.html Tue, 21 Apr 2015 12:06:41 +0530 Digital data collection provider, Research Now, spoke to 500 healthcare professionals and 1,000 health app users in the UK. The survey asked healthcare professionals whether they currently use smartphone technology in their medical practice; whether they thought it was beneficial and for which types of patients; under what conditions they thought it had the greatest potential; and whether they thought that the National Health Service (NHS) should increase its investment in smartphone technology to monitor patients' health. The health app users were asked which types of apps they use and how they feel about using smartphone technology in relation to their health. Key findings: • 48 percent of healthcare professionals say that they will introduce mobile apps to their practice in the next five years.• 81 percent of healthcare professionals believe that health apps will increase their knowledge of patients' conditions.• 93 percent of users think that health apps help to improve their quality of life.• 65 percent of healthcare professionals believe that health apps will encourage patients to take more responsibility for their health.• 52 percent of UK medical professionals and 78 percent of health app users say that the NHS should increase its investment in developing smartphone technology to monitor patients' health.   Mr Simon Beedell, division director, EMEA Healthcare, Research Now, said, "Right now, only 10 percent of healthcare professionals are using mobile health apps and only 29 percent of health app users use them to monitor their health conditions. But there is a tremendous opportunity for these to transform medical care. Technology is available to allow patients with heart disease to send information about their heart rate straight to their doctors, accessories can allow diabetics to monitor their blood glucose levels and send the results straight to their smartphone, and the elderly can send information on their well-being from a simple app on a tablet or smartphone." Mr Mahiben Maruthappu, senior fellow, NHS England and co-founder of the NHS Innovation Accelerator, said, "Our ambition is to make the NHS a digital pioneer for our patients. The results of this study demonstrate the clear potential both patients and healthcare professionals see in mobile medical apps. By harnessing this technology we could transform the way care is provided." The most recent NHS Five Year Plan, released in 2014, acknowledges that it has 'an arguably larger unexploited opportunity to combine different technologies and changed ways of working in order to transform care delivery.' It also sets out that technology will play a vital role in helping contribute to the £22 billion in efficiency savings needed to sustain the NHS. The National Information Board, which is charged with developing strategic priorities for data and technology in health and care, recently produced a report which pledges that, 'In 2015, all citizens will have online access to their GP records and will be able to view copies of that data through apps and digital platforms of their choice.'   And by 2018, individuals will be able to add to their own records. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) believe that health apps will improve medical care • 81 percent believe that they will increase their knowledge of their patients' conditions.• 65 percent believe that they will encourage patients to take more responsibility for their health.• 45 percent think that they will increase the efficiency of patient treatment.• 33 percent believe that health apps will improve their relationship with their patients. Healthcare professionals see the greatest benefits for helping patients with chronic diseases • 73 percent of health professionals believe that they will help patients with chronic diseases, such as diabetes or heart disease.• 58 percent believe that they will help those who are at rising-risk of developing health issues; 49 percent believe they will help those who are healthy; and 46 percent believe they have the potential to help patients recently discharged from a hospital.   Healthcare professionals and health app users agree that the NHS should invest in health apps • 52 percent of healthcare professionals believe that the NHS should invest more money into developing health apps.• 78 percent of health app users believe that the NHS should invest more money into developing health apps. Most people use the apps as a lifestyle choice, but their use to support healthcare is growing • Most people use health apps to help them lose weight and to track their exercise (55 percent to monitor activity/workouts, 54 percent to motivate them to exercise, 45 percent to record calorie intake, and 34 percent to monitor weight loss).• However, 29 percent use the apps to monitor existing health conditions and 23 percent, to remind them to take medication.• 93 percent of health app users think that health apps help to improve their quality of life, while only 32 percent of health professionals believe that they will improve their patients' lives. Few healthcare professionals are currently using these apps, but they expect to do so in the next five years   • There is a small group of early adopters of smartphone technology in the health care profession; 10 percent already use it in their work with patients. However, 48 percent believe that they will introduce mobile health apps to their practice in the next five years.• Only 19 percent of healthcare professionals do not expect smartphone technology to become part of their work in healthcare.• 38 percent of health professionals use smartphone technology to access medical research and 38 percent expect to in the next five years.• 16 percent of mobile health app users say that they share information collected by apps with their doctors. British Heart Foundation funded Professor John Deanfield said, "Health apps have the potential to empower healthcare professionals and patients alike to identify whether individuals are at risk. It's never too early to do something about your lifetime risk and with this knowledge people can take action to protect themselves against potentially fatal conditions like cardiovascular disease." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6274/siemens-introduces-a-new-ultrasound-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6274/siemens-introduces-a-new-ultrasound-system.html Tue, 21 Apr 2015 11:54:08 +0530 The liver malfunction can be diagnosed and treated at a much earlier stage using a simple, non-invasive technique called Liver Elastography introduced by Siemens and is performed using Acoustic Radiation Forced Impulse (ARFI) imaging. ARFI is possible on Siemens' ACUSON S2000 Helx ultrasound system. The assessment provided by this technology combined with high resolution imaging, enables physicians for differentiation in abnormalities such as liver tumors, liver diseases causing cirrhosis or the quantification of fibrosis progression. Liver Elastography provides information about liver, which was earlier obtained via biopsy an invasive procedure, which is both time-consuming and stressful for the patient. This new technology is faster than conventional methods and provides comfort to the patients as well.  ACUSON S2000 system offers outstanding image clarity, semi-automated protocols, and our complete portfolio of strain imaging technologies. With the HELX Evolution, this high-density ultrasound system offers optimized probe design for streamlined workflow, Virtual Touch technologies and a full HD experience, from transducer to display.  "At Siemens, we strive to bring the most disruptive technologies to clinic; that could change the paradigms of diagnosis and management in the most difficult diseases. ACUSON S2000 HELX ultrasound system exemplifies one such innovation. It has introduced a 4th generation ARFI technology which now, with its Quantification capability, is aiding clinicians in early diagnosis of diffused liver disease. We are glad that Jaslok Hospital is utilizing this technology to its maximum," said Mr Kailash Yagnik, CEO-Clinical Products, Siemens Healthcare India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7968/strands-prez-to-oversee-global-operations.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7968/strands-prez-to-oversee-global-operations.html Fri, 17 Apr 2015 16:13:53 +0530 In this new role, Storrer, who joined Strand in July 2014 as president of North America, will oversee the company's operations worldwide with a focus on strategy and business expansion. In addition, Strand introduced its US management team, which is focused on the national launch of StrandAdvantage. Available now to physicians, StrandAdvantage was designed to accelerate the analysis of therapeutically actionable cancer genes and match them to relevant FDA-approved targeted cancer therapies and open clinical trials without the need for multiple tests. Utilizing proprietary advanced analytics and interpretation expertise, StrandAdvantage provides oncologists with clinically actionable results in days instead of weeks to enable more timely decisions about the best-targeted therapies for patients. "Scott has been an integral member of the team bringing StrandAdvantage to market in the United States," said Dr Vijay Chandru, chairman & CEO, Strand Life Sciences. "The team we have appointed will support his efforts to deliver precision medicine to more oncologists and pathologists."   Mr Storrer is a 20-year healthcare industry veteran. Prior to joining Strand, he was president and CEO of Genomind, a personalized medicine company. Before this, he held several leadership positions with Cardinal Health, where he advanced to group president of Cardinal's $81 billion pharmaceutical segment. Earlier in his career, Mr Storrer was executive vice president, service and information technology with CIGNA Corp. He holds a bachelor's degree in economics and mathematics from DePauw University and an MBA. from Boston University. Mr Storrer added: "The team we are putting in place enables Strand to continue to lead advances in NGS approaches to genomic testing and to offer physicians the most advanced care options through precision medicine." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5634/wearables-improve-walking-ability-in-ms-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5634/wearables-improve-walking-ability-in-ms-patients.html Thu, 16 Apr 2015 11:31:04 +0530 PatientsLikeMe has announced the results of a novel study conducted with Biogen, that showed how people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) can use wearable activity tracking devices to collect and share their mobility data, which could potentially provide relevant information to their clinicians and to other MS patients. "MS impairs the ability to walk for many people, yet we only assess walking ability in the limited time a patient is in the doctor's office. Consumer devices can measure number of steps, distance walked, and sleep quality on a continuous basis in a person's home environment. These data could provide potentially important information to supplement office visit exam," said Dr Richard Rudick, vice-president, Value Based Medicine, Biogen. The study was designed to assess the feasibility of using a consumer wearable device to monitor activity among people with MS in a real-world setting. In it, 248 PatientsLikeMe members were provided with Fitbit One activity trackers. Of those who received them, 213 (82 percent) activated the device with the Fitbit website and authorized PatientsLikeMe to access their data. Two-hundred and three of those who authorized sharing of the data synchronized the device with the service and produced tracking data. Participants synced an average 18.21 days of data over the 21-day study (87 percent adherence). Dr Paul Wicks, vice-president of Innovation at PatientsLikeMe, said that advances in wearable health technology have the potential to shed light on disease characteristics. He added, "PatientsLikeMe is in a unique position to combine self-reported data with objective measurement and help patients and researchers learn more to impact self discovery and research." The three-week study had a lasting impact on its participants, who together took a total of 15 million steps and walked 6,820 miles, the distance from Boston to Beijing. "I got positive reinforcement to do more each day, and that really encouraged me. The Fitbit also allowed me to track what I was eating and how I was sleeping. I made more positive choices as a result," said Ms Annette Smiling, a PatientsLikeMe member and a study participant who had never used a wearable activity tracker before.   After the study period, participants were surveyed to learn more about their study experiences and about their attitudes toward technology and physical activity tracking. Of the 191 participants who responded to the post-study survey, 88 percent reported the device was easy to use and incorporate into their daily routine; 83 percent agreed that they would continue to use the device after the study; and 68 percent believed that the device would be useful to them in managing their MS. This data is being presented at the 67th American Academy of Neurology's (AAN) Annual Meeting in Washington.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5251/samsung-unveils-new-healthcare-products.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5251/samsung-unveils-new-healthcare-products.html Wed, 15 Apr 2015 11:11:31 +0530 Samsung Electronics America, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics has reinforced its commitment to help healthcare providers enhance patient care, improve patient satisfaction and increase workflow efficiency with its lineup of products at the HIMSS Annual Conference and Exhibition. The company is demonstrating its range of products and solutions in specific healthcare scenarios. "Samsung has a continued commitment to the healthcare sector as part of our enterprise focus and we are excited that HIMSS provides an opportunity to show the breadth of our products and solutions to provide better connected care," said Mr Ted Brodheim, vice-president of vertical business at Samsung Electronics America. "We want to demonstrate that Samsung understands the need to improve healthcare outcomes while lowering costs, and we will be their partner in transforming the provider and patient experience." Samsung's leading technology has applications across the spectrum of healthcare settings, from lobbies and patient registration areas to exam rooms and call centers. The booth features Samsung's connected care experience for visitors to learn how its technology solutions work together in real-life scenarios, including Lobby/Patient Registration, Exam Room, Remote Care Management and Smart Patient Room. Also integrated through Samsung's technology showcase is Samsung KNOX - its best-in-class secure enterprise mobile platform. Samsung KNOX provides comprehensive data protection and powerful device management capabilities that are critical when it comes to storing patient information and medical records.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5209/medtronic-announces-ce-mark-approval-for-micra-pacemaker.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5209/medtronic-announces-ce-mark-approval-for-micra-pacemaker.html Wed, 15 Apr 2015 10:40:36 +0530 Medtronic has announced that it has received the CE (Conformité Européenne) Mark for the Micra Transcatheter Pacing System (TPS), the world's smallest pacemaker. At less than one-tenth the size of a traditional pacemaker, the Micra pacing system provides the most advanced pacing technology available while being cosmetically invisible and small enough to be delivered with minimally invasive techniques through a catheter, and implanted directly into the heart. Comparable in size to a large vitamin, the Micra TPS does not require the use of wires, known as "leads," to deliver pacing therapy; rather, it is attached to the heart via small tines and delivers electrical impulses that pace the heart through an electrode at the end of the device. Once positioned, the Micra TPS is attached to the heart wall and can be repositioned or retrieved, if needed. The device responds to patients' activity levels by automatically adjusting therapy. Despite its miniaturized size, the Micra TPS has an estimated 10-year battery life and is approved for full body MRI scans, providing patients with access to the most advanced imaging diagnostic procedures. The device was awarded CE Mark based on results from the first 60 patients (at three months) in the Medtronic Micra TPS Global Clinical Trial. The trial is ongoing and will continue to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the device through a single-arm, multi-center study that will enroll up to 780 patients at approximately 50 centers in 20 countries. Initial results from the Micra TPS Global Clinical Trial will be revealed for the first time at a late-breaking clinical trials session at the Heart Rhythm Society's 2015 Annual Scientific Sessions in May.   In the US, the Micra TPS is an investigational device and not yet approved for commercial use. "Our cross-functional teams have been working for years to redefine engineering limits and production capabilities by radically reducing the size of medical devices by more than 90 percent while continuing to innovate upon the existing technology. We believe our investment in this research is transforming cardiac care and will provide more and better therapy options to patients," said Dr Brian Urke, vice-president and general manager of the Cardiac Rhythm and Heart Failure's Brady business, which is part of the Cardiac and Vascular Group at Medtronic.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/8300/we-need-right-people-at-the-right-place-industry.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/8300/we-need-right-people-at-the-right-place-industry.html Tue, 14 Apr 2015 14:17:00 +0530 The event witnessed more than 35 participants from various top organizations and positions including CEOs, budding startup entrepreneurs, investors, policy makers and directors.In the back drop of the recent budget execution by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in February 2015, the conclave opened wide doors for an engaging and stimulating discussion on the impact of the budget on the industry. Hosted by Mr Narayanan Suresh, group editor, BioSpectrum India & Asia, the forum offered a open setting for participants to express their view point, expectations, concerns and issues impacting the industry. Issues relating to tax payments and incentives, SME growth, innovation insurance, funding, government-industry collaboration, and clinical research dominated the discussion forum. Dr Mahadevappa, director, JSS Rural Development Foundation, opined, "It is a critical time that the government should come forward and exploit the potential. There are opportunities where without spending money farmers can derive benefits." Ecron Acunova's chairman, Mr D A Prasanna pointed that one of the major hurdles to 'Make in India' is the unsynchronized coordination between the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Department of Biotechnology and Department of Health.   "Each department is trying to optimize their own objective instead of coming together and solving issues," he added. He suggested that a group or a forum between the secretaries of Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology and Healthcare should ensure that issues are taken forward especially in clinical research. "Research has to be conducted in hospitals. Drug approvals take prolonged timeline and then there are issues of drug pricing. The faster we are able to bring together multiple departments, the more positive effects will be seen in bringing new drugs and innovations to the market," he explained. Mr Prasanna was seen to be optimistic about the speed of application processing by regulators. "What is very positive is that the speed of processing applications by the regulators has seen a major improvement, and the changes made by the new government is very encouraging. We welcome this move and will see to it that it continues," he shared. "In terms of schemes and opportunities, they are available in plenty," commented Mr Naveen Kulkarni, CEO and founder, Polyclone Bioservice. He felt that there is a missing link between different departments. "A group, division or a department, especially the state government, can take the lead and say that here is the scheme and this is how we will go about it. From the funding point of view, we have a lot. Execution and implementation takes time. The question is, having the right people at the right place. The government should now start thinking in terms of people," Mr Kulkarni held. Dr B V Ravi Kumar, founder and CMD, XCyton Diagnostics, said that one of the biggest hurdles in research is making it academic centric. "We need to have right people at the right place. At times there are schemes people don't understand or how it works. As a nation the general public is not for innovation. It is only willing to judge innovative companies versus non-innovative companies. I'm not even dreaming about innovation insurance. We should not be pushed through mechanisms that are not well understood," he expressed. Dr Ravi also said that the government doesn't want to know the industry's problems. "Budget only gives you a framework. What is hurting is that there was no mention about what is happening in the science and technology (S&T) area. Budget cuts on S&T will have a devastating effect on the industry. We should first innovate in India and then make it in India," he concluded. Mr R Raghu, VP, Schrödinger, spoke in terms of investing in R&D in India. "In our country, there are many MNC pharma companies selling products and making millions. How much are they investing back in R&D in India? How many are setting up their R&D centres in our country? Sadly, they are vanishing. If this continues, in a few years from now India will not have any R&D happening," he lamented. "If biopharmaceutical MNC companies are selling products in India, and if their turnover is about $100 million, then they should spend at least $5 million towards R&D in India, which should be exempted from all taxes," he recommended. "Secondly, the government including DBT and CSIR are cutting finances in academics. On one hand innovation has to be developed, and on the other we have to spend money to innovate in R&D," said Mr Raghu. In China, R&D spend has increased and they are pumping more, he pointed. "In India, higher education and research has to be developed. When an academic institute is offered funding beyond Rs 5 crore, then it should be in collaboration with the industry, because there are big lacunae between them. It is crucial to bring in the industrial partners," he highlighted. Bangalore-based entrepreneur, Ms Monisha Hajra, founder, ScientiaBio, noted, "We generate more income from Singapore and Malaysia than from India. Most of our clients there hail from the government sector. All it takes is just one email to get the job done. It is easy for service companies to leverage on startup space, but what about diagnostics and project-based companies?" Many participants also emphasized on the funding woes faced while presenting the research proposal to committees. "The timing of the funding is significant. The bottleneck is that we don't have the right people in the right place. We need someone who understands commercialization and scaling up process. If we want innovation to happen, then the timing of the funding is very important. Also there is lack of clarity. Startups need a clarity on how regulations and funding work. This would help them get their funding at the right time. We need to address this if we are going to make the 'Make in India' campaign a stunning success," remarked Ms Ezhil Subbian, CTO, String Bio, another Bangalore-based startup. Mr Pradeep Karatgi, cofounder and director, IDRS Labs, said that getting the right license is an extremely time consuming process. "In Europe and the US, for example, there is always a streamlined process having specific timeline. In India marketing authorization takes 3 to 4 months, and at times even 30 months," he expressed. Mr B N Manohar, MD, Stempeutics, mentioned in terms of tax holidays and PM's support towards stemcells. "The government is willing to work with the industry to form a regulatory frame work. They are moving away from paper-based system to electronic system. In the last one year, I see a positive change in the speed with which things are processed. Whether it is about clinical trial approval or funding, if you have your proposal, they will act much faster. Another positive aspect is the supporting of innovation. Soon they are planning to adopt the Japanese framework. Over all, it is happening and there is a feel-good factor. The government should focus on tax reforms and nurture innovation. The 100 percent FDI for medical devices is commendable," he explained. Mr Manjunath Devaramani, R&D head, Denovo Biolabs, a new startup at IBAB, commented on product pricing and competency. "We have our own challenges. We develop our products and compete with major players inside and outside India. To be competent we need to be competent in quality at lower prices. But we have to pay sales and services taxes and corporate taxes. How do we keep the costs lower when taxes are so high? There must be a system, at least for startups, offering benefits like tax slabs," he said. Mr Bhavik Kumar, cofounder of the four-month old Bangalore startup, Medibox, supported the PM Modi's Swach Bharat, Make in India and Digital India campaigns. "Investments are going to be huge in digital healthcare in accordance with our PM's campaign, and it can run well on it," he revealed. Dr Arumugam Muruganandam, founder, MD & CSO, Affigenix, suggested that the government should operate like VCs when it comes to funding. "The VCs have consulting in every field. The government, on similar lines, has consulted experts in the industry in certain cases while dealing with bigger grants. It has to continue this by operating like VCs, where they approach experts, evaluate and manage the money," he advised. Dr Jagadish Mittur, head, Biotechnology Facilitation Cell (BTFS) at KBITS, emphasized on industry experts working alongside with the government for the betterment of the existing system. "We got to be practical. We have to work on the existing system because it seems to be sloppy. How many people are willing to come and work in the government sector? Scientific professionals can become 'Scientocrats' and academicians can volunteer to work and improve the system. We should not underestimate the competence of people who hail from academics. We must work on aligning the State's biotechnology framework with the national framework," he impressed. He feels that the government is interested in creating more and more innovation clusters to create an environment that is entrepreneurial. "The future is going to be bright for Karnataka. Now, what is missing is the upliftment of agriculture sector. There are many drought stricken districts in Karnataka. And water availability seems to be the biggest problem. The Central government should spend its budget to address the water scarcity. Unless this is addressed, it is going to be very difficult to see any progress in the agri sector, and consequently this is going to affect our country drastically," Dr Mittur added. "The sentiments of the industry and the government needs to be synchronized. The budget allocations aren't very clear," stressed Mr Veerbhadra Yadwad, product manager, environmental and analytical group, Yokogawa India. Dr Binay Panda, chief officer and head, Ganit Labs, voiced that people on research proposal judging committee do not understand commercialization. "We do not even have the right or enough people who can judge a research proposal. Ninety-nine percent of the people who sit on judging committees are purely from academics and do not have any idea or experience about commercialization aspects," he added. "The amount of money we have should be distributed efficiently by improving the existing system. We should work together in helping the government improve the system and getting the money in the hands of people, rather than complain about what the government is not doing," Dr Panda mentioned. Mr Suresh Ramu, cofounder & CEO, Cytespace, commented on the origin of innovation and nurturing it to the fullest. "There is enough talent and risk-taking appetite. One cannot support large organizations and expect innovation. Innovations can also come from smaller companies. They need to be developed and promoted. In a global setting, we cannot bring in regulations and say that foreign drug molecules cannot be authorized to carry out research. We cannot blanket research. On the healthcare side, spending 2 percent of GDP is fantastic, but it is not enough. The government needs to create a framework. Healthcare incentives and import duties needs to be taken care. Increasing import duties will enable local manufacturers to compete," he held. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5153/ibm-and-partners-to-transform-personal-health-with-watson-and-open-cloud.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5153/ibm-and-partners-to-transform-personal-health-with-watson-and-open-cloud.html Tue, 14 Apr 2015 11:50:00 +0530 To dramatically advance the quality and effectiveness of personal healthcare, IBM is establishing a Watson Health Cloud that will provide a secure and open platform for physicians, researchers, insurers and companies focused on health and wellness solutions. The HIPAA-enabled Watson Health Cloud will enable secure access to individualized insights and a more complete picture of the many factors that can affect people's health. Extending the company's exclusive Watson cognitive computing platform, IBM is Entering new partnerships with leading companies including Apple, Johnson & Johnson and Medtronic to help optimize consumer and medical devices for data collection, analysis and feedback. It is also acquiring Explorys and Phytel to advance its healthcare analytics capabilities. And also, establishing a dedicated business unit - IBM Watson Health, to be headquartered in the Boston, MA, area. "All this data can be overwhelming for providers and patients alike, but it also presents an unprecedented opportunity to transform the ways in which we manage our health," said Mr John E Kelly III, IBM senior vice-president, solutions portfolio and research. He added, "We need better ways to tap into and analyze all of this information in real-time to benefit patients and to improve wellness globally. Only IBM has the advanced cognitive capabilities of Watson and can pull together the vast ecosystem of partners, practitioners and researchers needed to drive change, as well as to provide the open, secure and scalable platform needed to make it all possible." IBM is collaborating with Apple, Johnson & Johnson and Medtronic to create new health-based offerings that leverage information collected from personal health, medical and fitness devices. The results will be better insights, real-time feedback and recommendations to improve everything from personal health and wellness to acute and chronic care. These relationships are non-exclusive, and IBM anticipates many more companies to leverage the Watson Health Cloud platform. IBM and Apple will expand their partnership with IBM Watson Health Cloud to provide a secure cloud platform and analytics for Apple's HealthKit and ResearchKit. This will support health data entered by customers in iOS apps and also arm medical researchers with a secure, open data storage solution with access to IBM's most sophisticated data analytics capabilities   Johnson & Johnson will help create intelligent coaching systems centered on preoperative and postoperative patient care, including joint replacement and spinal surgery. Solutions will be mobile-based, accessing the Watson Health Cloud and leveraging IBM Watson's cognitive capabilities. It will also look to launch new health apps targeting chronic conditions, which currently cost consumers as much as 80 percent of the $7 trillion global healthcare spend. Medtronic will leverage the Watson Health Cloud insights platform to deliver new highly-personalized care management solutions for people with diabetes. The solutions will receive and analyze patient information and data from various Medtronic devices including insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors, and use this information to provide dynamic, personalized diabetes management strategies to patients and their providers. To complement its existing capabilities, IBM has reached an agreement to acquire Cleveland-based Explorys and Dallas-based Phytel, two healthcare technology companies that are widely recognized for their leadership in applying Big Data and analytics to help improve the quality of health for individuals and large population groups. The acquisitions bolster IBM's efforts to apply advanced analytics and cognitive computing to help primary care providers, large hospital systems and physician networks improve healthcare quality and effect healthier patient outcomes.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/8242/toilet-revolution-solving-indias-sanitation-problem.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/8242/toilet-revolution-solving-indias-sanitation-problem.html Sun, 12 Apr 2015 09:14:00 +0530 UNICEF reports that close to 600 million people in India defecate in the open. "India leads the world in open defecation. This crisis contributes to disease, childhood malnutrition, loss of economic output and, as highlighted recently, violence against women," said Mr Vinoth Rayar, founder and president, Fresh rooms Lifesciences.The government spends quite a huge amount on rectifying ailments resulting from improper sanitation. With PM's "Swach Bharat Abhiyan" and "Reinvent the Toilet Challenge (RTTC)" jointly conducted by DBT, BIRAC, and Bill & Melinda Gates foundation, India is addressing its neglected public sanitation problem. We take a look at the innovative approaches and technologies that can lead to radical and sustainable improvement in sanitation in India.The ChallengesCreating sanitary infrastructure and public services that work and keep waste out of the environment is a major challenge. Lack of awareness about the importance of a household toilet is also a roadblock. The absence of a toilet necessitates open defecation in rural areas and in outlying and neglected urban areas.Unclean and deserted toilets pose another risk. "Our key learnings and findings based on our 6 plus years' of experience in this sector, reveal the underlying challenges associated with poor, unclean and improperly maintained toilets in the country. Toilets are sufficient in numbers but the number found to be in proper, hygienic and functioning conditions are scarce, subsequently scaling up the demand for constructing new toilets," said Mr Anvar Sadath, CEO, Eram Scientific Solutions (ESS). "One of the major problems and associated costs involved with sanitation or toilet technology is the safe disposal of human waste. In a majority of cases, waste is discharged into large water bodies which subsequently results in the spread of enteric infections, which cause diarrhea, cholera and others resulting causing a huge health burden in developing countries. Although convenient physicochemical methods of disinfection can be applied, these technologies are not in the affordable range for developing or poorer nations," said Dr Sanjay Pal, assistant professor at the School of Biotechnology, Amrita University.Solving the sanitation challenge in the developing world requires radical new innovations that are deployable on a large scale. "The most critical issue that the sanitation sector faces is the lack of systems-based thinking. We need to go beyond simply providing a toilet," opined Mr Rayar.Solving the sanitation problem1. Empowered Septic Tank (EST)Sustainable Biosolutions LLP, a BITS Goa incubated startup has proposed an Empowered Septic Tank (EST). "The objective is to construct an EST. The system is based on Bio-electrolysis of wastewater which will exhibit an activated biogas (H2+ CH4) production combined with a higher retention of ammonium which could be potential fertilizer. The effluent of the EST thus will have a lower load in COD and a lower odor. The prototype will be available within the next two years," said Dr Srikanth Mutnuri, associate professor, BITS Goa campus and technical collaborator for Sustainable Biosolutions.   The project which is funded by DBT, BIRAC and Bill & Mellinda Gates foundation is in collaboration with Ghent University, Belgium and BITS, Goa campus.2. Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT-R) in collaboration with Fresh rooms Life Sciences are working on developing a single household container that will cultivate Black Soldier Fly larvae, using human faeces, which can be processed into valuable products. The project will also demonstrate the market potential for these products. This is a proof of concept grant.Mr Rayar elaborated, "Fresh rooms lifesciences in association with IIT-R is developing an eco-friendly sanitation solution that exploits the natural capabilities of the Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL), to efficiently process organic waste and ends, ideally, with safe usable commercial byproducts such as animal feed, biodiesel, and fertilizer. Our fundamental principle in the technology is that we visualize human excreta and wastewaters as not waste, but a valuable commercial resource that can be reused and recycled." He further added, "Our vision is to make human excreta a profitable nutrient-rich raw material from which we are able to industrially collect waste and produce a high protein BSFL meal (a fish meal alternative) on a larger scale." 3. Bacteriophage therapyBacteriophage therapy against bacterial infections is a technology that has been applied and adopted by Russia and Eastern Europe over the past several decades. "This is now being explored with a new perspective to combat the threat of 'superbugs' which are resistant to a wide range of antibiotics. Hence, as a project initiated by two senior faculty members at the Amrita School of Biotechnology, Drs Sanjay Pal and Ajith Madhavan, we took up the idea of solving improper sanitation associated health risks by developing lytic agents /viruses against human enteric pathogens and parasites," said Dr Pal.The project is selected for the DBT-BIRAC-BMGF Grand Challenge Award, the work being carried out is well on its way to establishing the Proof-of- Concept. According to Dr Pal, preliminary results have shown very encouraging results with up to 90 percent reduction in microbial flora from sewage. Strategies to tackle helminth and protozoa pathogens are also being designed. "The impetus for us to pursue this work on affordable and effective solutions to the sanitation needs in India," mentioned Dr Pal.4. Water-free toiletScientists at the Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai (ICT) are evaluating the concept of using fine sand-like material and an air blower to create a water-free toilet interface that is free from odour and flies. "In the project, we propose a toilet that requires no water for flushing and is self-cleaning, therefore it can also decrease the spread of diseases. Toilet uses an unique mechanism to convey faecal matter away from the user replacing traditional water based mechanism, The quantity of faecal matter is in the order of 500g and almost 5-10 litres of water is used for flushing greatly increasing the volume of waste to be treated. The toilet mechanism we propose has potential to greatly decrease the amount of waste to be treated further reducing costs. The mechanism is such that the user is always presented with a clean interface, removing another hindrance to the use of the toilets. There is immediate isolation of human waste from flies and other vectors and surface waters, and there is no need of plumbing infrastructure; hence can implement on a mass scale in poorly serviced urban communities," said Dr Parag R Nemade, UGC Assistant Professor in Engineering Science, Department of Chemical Engineering and Department of Oils, Oleo chemicals and Surfactant Technology, ICT, Mumbai. The approximate targeted cost per use is < 20 paise. The concept is the winner of RTTC challenge.5. Ultrasound for sanitationBangalore-based Pradin technologies has come up with a concept of using ultra-sound to reduce water usage in a toilet. It will also test the ability to enhance the settling of faecal particles in a storage tank using ultra-sound."In phase-1 we are focusing on reducing wash water use & accelerating the settling time of waste by the use of ultrasound in the new toilet seat design & the waste settling tank. This is a proof of concept experiment to freeze on the process parameters. . The use of ultrasound is brought to converge in this application maybe for the first time. There will be few iterations before we deem it ready for commercial use. The system has to be finally a self-sustaining one without connections to the grid or the main sewerage lines," said Dr Dinesh Bindiganavale, founder director at Pradin technologies.The project is in the beginning stage of the concept and the researchers believe they will get promising results by end 2015. The project is funded by DBT, BIRAC and Bill &Melinda Gates foundation.6. EToiletsESS has developed an eToilet (Patent Pending). These are built of Stainless Steel or Mild Steel enclosures and have electronic systems for enhancing user experience and for tracking the health status of eToilets. EToilets have automated access control systems, sensor enabled water minimization, and self-washing and floor wash mechanisms. These eToilets have simple user interfaces and has integrated a comprehensive maintenance plan which ensures that the eToilets are clean and hygienic for every user. The eToilet has a facility of pre-flushing before entering, automatic flushing once usage is done, in-built water tanks, sensors for water and electricity conservation, automatic platform cleaning and power back-up with coin operated entry. Keeping in mind individual needs these toilets are programmed to flush 1.5 litres of water after three minutes of usage or 4.5 litres if usage is longer. The performance status of the units can also be monitored via web using GPRS connectivity of the units.Solar powered toilets: In addition to these, ESS has also introduced solar powered, self-cleaning eToilet, with inbuilt solar panel and metallic platform for schools. The model called e-Lite14 eToilet for schools has automated self-cleaning and washing mechanisms and automatic floor wash system, automatic ceiling light, in-built sensors to conserve electricity and water and an overhead water tank. The company has installed 600+ of these toilets in more than 13 states in India covering whole of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, New Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Nagpur, Haryana, etc."These eToilet has been recognized by over 34 + National and international awards. Eram has also been awarded the World's Most Innovative Companies- India List 2014 by US-based Fast Company's Annual Most Innovative Companies issue," said Mr Sadath.  ESS is also the recipient of RTTC grant. 7. BiodigestorDRDO has developed Biodigester technology for resolving the problems of un-decomposed human waste. The innovation degrades and converts the human waste into usable water and gasses in an eco-friendly manner. The generated gas can be utilized for energy/ cooking and water for irrigation purposes. The process involves the bacteria which feed upon the faecal matter inside the tank, through anaerobic process which finally degrades the matter and releases methane gas that can be used for cooking, along with the treated water. The Bio-digester tank can be manufactured and customised as per the requirement.DRDO has installed these bio-toilets for army in high altitude locations. Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Railways, it planned to install these biodigestor in all trains in the years to come. DRDO has contributed this technology to "Swach Bharat Abhiyan".Organizations supporting sanitationSulabh foundation has developed an environmental friendly two-pit, pour-flush compost toilet known as Sulabh Shauchalaya which is affordable and does not require scavengers to clean the pits. The toilet has been implemented in more than 1.2 million houses all over India, according to the company website.Wockhardt foundation has launched "bio toilet programs" and installed these toilets at various places like one in Bharat Nagar (Bandra-East), Mumbai.RICE is a nonprofit research organization which initiate and build relationships with policy makers to advocate policy goals and report research findings related to child health including links with sanitation, nutrition, and maternal health; contribute to the design and execution of research and policy advocacy projects. These evolving technologies thus can play a pivotal role in the area of sanitation and can help overcome the issue of open defecation, which is rampant in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4282/iba-and-toshiba-sign-pact-for-particle-therapy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4282/iba-and-toshiba-sign-pact-for-particle-therapy.html Fri, 10 Apr 2015 12:20:23 +0530 IBA (Ion Beam Applications)and Toshiba Corporation has announced the signing of a global collaboration to expand access to advanced particle therapy worldwide. Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation will become the distributor in Japan for ProteusONE, IBA's compact single-room proton therapy solution, and IBA will become the agent for Toshiba's Carbon Therapy Solutions outside Japan. IBA and Toshiba will collaborate on activities such as customer education for ProteusONE and Toshiba's carbon therapy solutions. The collaboration will also enable both organizations to mutually leverage their Operation and Maintenance (O&M) services. Mr Olivier Legrain, chief executive officer of IBA said, "This is an important step for IBA. A closer collaboration with a company of Toshiba's caliber and leadership will accelerate the expansion of proton therapy in Japan and the introduction of Toshiba's carbon therapy across the world. Carbon ion therapy is particularly suitable for treating radio-resistant tumors and allows for dose escalation, which is recommended in a number of clinical applications. Through this new collaboration, IBA will further strengthen its world leading position in proton therapy and will reaffirm its leading position in the delivery of the latest innovative cancer therapies worldwide." Mr Satoshi Tsunakawa, chief executive officer of Healthcare Company, Toshiba Corporation, said, "Proton and carbon therapies are among the most exciting technological advancements in the treatment of cancer. Toshiba looks forward to collaborating with IBA to enhance access to best-in-class technologies for both proton and carbon therapy centers. This collaboration will give both our companies an enhanced set of tools to provide the best cancer treatment technologies."   Proton Therapy is considered an advanced and targeted cancer radiotherapy treatment due to its superior dose distribution and fewer side effects. Carbon ions not only have similar physical characteristics as protons, they have also a higher radiobiological effect compared to photon and proton, which could lead to shorter treatment courses and improved patient outcomes.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6780/make-in-india-galore-at-philips-healthcare-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6780/make-in-india-galore-at-philips-healthcare-.html Thu, 09 Apr 2015 16:15:49 +0530 Both the products have been developed for India and other global geographies. Other healthcare innovations including Allura Centron, and PrimaryDiagnost, have also been innovated in India and are manufactured at HIC's Pune facility. As part of its global strategy, HIC will function as a healthcare innovation and manufacturing hub for India and international markets. Designed and developed by a team of 25 engineers at HIC, MobileDiagnost Opta is an innovative digital X-ray system that helps radiologists with consistent diagnostic image quality with mobility and ease of use in restricted places like Intensive Care Units (ICU) and Operation Theatres (OT). "We have our manufacturing, R&D and commercial headquarters in India. We have the highest focus on healthcare, and it gets sharper and sharper. It is about addressing challenges that countries and patients face. For us innovation starts with patients. That's the heart of everything we do. We do local manufacturing, simultaneously focusing on global markets reaching multiple geographies," said Ms Rekha Ranganathan, global general manager, mobile surgery & head, Philips Healthcare Innovation Center.   The mobile surgery system BV Vectra mobile C-arm system is intuitive to operate and is dedicated to orthopedic surgical procedures, including trauma, spine and pain management. The system, developed by a team of 45 engineers is perfect for visualizing difficult spinal or comminuted fractures. Philips' healthcare segment occupies 40 percent, followed by its lighting business at 34 percent and consumer lifestyle at 26 percent. HIC is Philips' only such center in emerging markets, said the company in a press statement. The center was inaugurated in 2012. In the last 2-3 years, the center has filed 4 patents, and 36 disclosures.   We are not just manufacturing in India, but we do our R&D and manufacture products for India as well as global markets in more than 90 countries. This is a real testament to 'Make in India' campaign," commented Mr Sameer Garde, president, Philips Healthcare, South Asia. In 2014, Philips invested approximately 8 percent of sales in R&D globally. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4123/vc-funding-in-healthcare-it-dips-in-q1-report.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4123/vc-funding-in-healthcare-it-dips-in-q1-report.html Thu, 09 Apr 2015 09:30:00 +0530 Venture capital (VC) funding in the Health IT / Digital Health sector across the globe has dropped by about 35 percent, coming in at $784 million in 142 deals compared to $1.2 billion in 134 deals in Q4 2014, says a report by Mercom Capital Group. Announced debt and public market financings in the sector amounted to $975 million in seven deals in Q1 2015 including one IPO, bringing the total corporate funding raised in the sector for Q1 2015, to almost $1.8 billion. Health IT / Digital Health companies have now raised almost $10 billion in VC funding since 2010, the report stated. "Funding fell across the board with the exception of Mobile Health (mHealth), which was the bright spot this quarter. There was also significant M&A activity in the first quarter for mhealth companies. We have already seen 10 M&A transactions in Q1 compared to 21 in all of last year, which bodes well for exits in Mobile Health," said Mr Raj Prabhu, CEO and co-founder, Mercom Capital Group, in a statement. As per the report, Healthcare practice-centric companies raised $347 million in 44 deals in Q1 2015 compared to $568 million in 43 deals in Q4 2014. Areas that received the most funding under this category were Data Analytics companies with $92 million, Data Warehousing companies with $70 million, Health Insurance Exchange companies with $38 million, EHR/EMR companies with $36 million, and Practice Management Solutions companies with $34 million.   Consumer-centric companies raised $437 million in 98 deals this quarter compared to $643 million in 91 deals in Q4 2014. Mobile Health companies continued to attract the most VC funding bringing in $282 million in 56 deals, most of which went to mHealth Apps with $220 million. Telehealth companies secured $65 million while Rating and Comparison Shopping companies brought in $47 million. In India, Practo, a developer of a physician search engine closed $30 million (Rs 187 crore) in Series B funding from Sequoia Capital and Matrix Partners, during the January-March quarter 2015. Other deals in the country included $300,000 (Rs 1.86 crore) raised by eKincare, an online and offline platform that enables monitoring critical medical information.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/6233/effective-documentation-through-im.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/6233/effective-documentation-through-im.html Thu, 09 Apr 2015 09:28:00 +0530 Clear and effective documentation is of utmost importance across different sectors, more so in the Pharma and Biotech sector, where poor documentation can cause serious liabilities. Information Mapping (IM) is a documentation methodology which allows organizations to adopt a common writing standard. It ensures that organizations adopt IM as its content standard so that information is documented in a structured and a consistent manner. This methodology was developed by its founder Mr Robert Horn, a cognitive scientist from Harvard and Columbia University and is patent protected. "Our aim is to produce clear and efficient documentation. We standardize the way content is written within companies," said Mr Francis Declercq, CEO, Information Mapping. Ms Swapna Narayanan, managing director, IM India elaborated further, "Information Mapping is a global methodology. It is the standardization of content that is being developed in a company. We reach out to organizations and we train them in this methodology. We also give a piece of software which works with MS word, it allows (along with MS word) writing in a structured way. Using our standard methodology, it is information presented in smaller chunks enabling better comprehension, better readability and better usability of your document." The company also provides the technology as a service. "But we always see it from the customer's context, the need and then come up with a solution," said Ms Swapna.   Pharma and biotech companies have to produce lots of reports based on clinical trials and documentation. There is a need for regulatory compliance which, if not done properly, can have serious consequences, like the firms may end up being barred from producing the drugs because their drug report is not clear. "We had this in the US for a big pharma company, they were stopped from producing drugs for three years just because their documentation was not okay," said Mr Declercq. Globally, all the major pharma and biotech companies like Abbott, Baxter, Bristol-Myers Squib, J&J, Novartis, Pfizer, and Roche are clients and pharma companies from the US contribute about 30 percent to their business. Though internationally it is a very well-known methodology, in India it is relatively unheard of. "Our plan is to convince the major sectors that documenting their process, policies, procedures is working on risk mitigation, cost, and retention of their customer. The country contributes only 2-3 percent of their revenue. But we see it increasing to 10-15 percent in the next two to three years," Mr Francis said signing off.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/reports-white-papers/98/5049/vc-funding-in-digital-health-drops-by-35-percent.html https://biospectrumindia.com/reports-white-papers/98/5049/vc-funding-in-digital-health-drops-by-35-percent.html Wed, 08 Apr 2015 11:17:59 +0530 Mercom Capital Group, llc, a global communications and research firm, released its report on funding and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity for the Healthcare Information Technology (IT)/ Digital Health sector for the first quarter of 2015. Mercom's comprehensive report covers deals of all sizes across the globe. Venture capital (VC) funding in the Health IT / Digital Health sector dipped by about 35 percent, coming in at $784 million in 142 deals compared to $1.2 billion in 134 deals in Q4 2014. Announced debt and public market financings in the sector amounted to $975 million in seven deals in Q1 2015 including one IPO, bringing the total corporate funding raised in the sector for Q1 2015, to almost $1.8 billion.Health IT / Digital Health companies have now raised almost $10 billion in VC funding since 2010. "Funding fell across the board with the exception of Mobile Health (mHealth), which was the bright spot this quarter. There was also significant M&A activity in the first quarter for mHealth companies. We have already seen 10 M&A transactions in Q1 compared to 21 in all of last year, which bodes well for exits in Mobile Health." commented Raj Prabhu, CEO and Co-Founder of Mercom Capital Group. Healthcare practice-centric companies raised $347 million in 44 deals in Q1 2015 compared to $568 million in 43 deals in Q4 2014. Areas that received the most funding under this category were Data Analytics companies with $92 million, Data Warehousing companies with $70 million, Health Insurance Exchange companies with $38 million, EHR/EMR companies with $36 million, and Practice Management Solutions companies with $34 million. Consumer-centric companies raised $437 million in 98 deals this quarter compared to $643 million in 91 deals in Q4 2014. Mobile Health companies continued to attract the most VC funding bringing in $282 million in 56 deals, most of which went to mHealth Apps with $220 million. Telehealth companies secured $65 million while Rating and Comparison Shopping companies brought in $47 million.   There were 65 early-stage deals under $2 million, including 16 accelerator/incubator deals in Q1. Seed stage accelerator/incubator deals have slowed with only six deals last quarter and 16 this quarter compared to 35 in Q1 2014. Top VC funding deals in Q1 2015 were the $70 million raise by Health Catalyst, a provider of healthcare data warehousing, the $55 million raised by Ayasdi, a big data analytics company, the $40 million each secured by Advance Health, a provider of a mobile patient data capture application for managed care providers, and ClassPass, a mobile membership app offering fitness and wellness classes across multiple gyms and studios, the $38 million raised by Collective Health, a cloud-based employer self-insurance platform, and the $30 million raised by Practo, developer of a physician search engine to book appointments and rate providers. A total of 288 investors and four accelerators/incubators participated in Healthcare IT deals this quarter. There were 11 investors that participated in multiple rounds. Investors with the most funding deals this quarter included GE Ventures with four, followed by Rock Health and Kaiser Permanente Ventures with three each. Globally, U.S. companies raised $716 million in 123 deals. Eleven other countries: India, Israel, Canada, Australia, Serbia, Spain, Finland, Singapore, Germany, Austria and the UK recorded deals this quarter. In the United States, 38 deals came out of California, followed by New York which recorded 13 deals, Massachusetts and Texas with 12 and eight deals respectively, and Wisconsin with five deals. There were 56 M&A transactions (14 disclosed) in the Health IT sector in Q1 2015 compared to 52 transactions (nine disclosed) in Q4 2014. Practice-focused companies lead M&A activity with 42 of the 56 transactions. Consumer-centric companies had 14 transactions in Q1 2015. Ten Mobile Health companies were acquired this quarter followed by seven Practice Management Solutions companies, five EHR/EMR companies, three Medical Imaging and three Data Analytics companies.   In terms of disclosed transactions, Mobile Health came out on top with $578 million, led by two acquisitions from Under Armour. The largest disclosed M&A transaction was the $475 million acquisition of MyFitnessPal, a nutrition and fitness platform that allows users to track their health goals and provides nutritional information, by Under Armour. This was followed by the $325 million acquisition of Studer Group, a provider of healthcare consulting services and software, by Huron Consulting. Performant Financial Corporation acquired Premier Healthcare Exchange, a provider of advanced cost management solutions for commercial health plans and third party administrators, for $130 million. HealthStream acquired HealthLine Systems, a provider of credentialing and contact center quality management software to the healthcare industry, for $88 million. Under Armour also acquired Endomondo, a developer of a mobile app and website that provides users a fitness community and allows them to track their workouts, for $85 million. Announced debt and public market financing in Health IT rose to $975 million in seven deals this quarter compared to the $299 million in eight deals in Q4 2014. There was one Digital Health IPO in Q1 2015: Invalon, a data analytics solutions company, which raised $600 million. There were a total of 546 companies and investors covered in this comprehensive report. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7059/dreamed-diabetes-medtronic-collaborate.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7059/dreamed-diabetes-medtronic-collaborate.html Tue, 07 Apr 2015 11:32:43 +0530 DreaMed Diabetes, developer of diabetes treatment and management solutions, has announced that it has signed an exclusive worldwide development and license agreement with Medtronic. The partnership is for the development and marketing of products incorporating DreaMed's MD-Logic Artificial Pancreas algorithm in Medtronic's insulin pumps. Under the terms of the agreement, DreaMed Diabetes will receive undisclosed royalties from future sales of each device utilizing MD-Logic. Medtronic will be responsible for all development and marketing of such devices. In addition, Medtronic has made a minority investment in DreaMed Diabetes of $2 million. DreaMed Diabetes's CE approved GlucoSitter,which is based on the MD-Logic Artificial Pancreas algorithm, is a fully-automated, artificial-pancreas system for controlling glucose levels. The system links the glucose sensor with the insulin pump through computerized control algorithms. It uses data of glucose levels from a continuous glucose sensor, analyzes them and directs the insulin pump to deliver the correct dose of insulin that should be released to the body in order to maintain balanced blood glucose. In effect, the software continuously monitors glucose levels, and defines precisely when and how to adjust insulin levels. Prof. Moshe Phillip,chairman and chief Scientific Officer of DreaMed Diabetes, and director of the Institute for Endocrinology and Diabetes, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, said, "We are very excited that only one year since inception, we have signed a strategic collaboration agreement with Medtronic, the world leading medical device company. This is an extremely gratifying validation of our technology and a major milestone for our Company. We are certain that this partnership, which will incorporate our solution into Medtronic's integrated insulin pump and glucose monitoring system, will improve the health as well as the quality of life of people living with diabetes." Mr Alejandro Galindo, vice-president and general manager of the Intensive Insulin Management business at Medtronic, said, "We believe that a fully automated artificial pancreas will provide greater freedom and better health for many people with diabetes by eliminating some of the burden of glucose management. Collaboration with DreaMed Diabetes and researchers worldwide will allow us to continue to advance more quickly toward a commercially available closed loop system."       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3152/bactiguard-changes-strategy-for-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3152/bactiguard-changes-strategy-for-india.html Mon, 06 Apr 2015 12:38:52 +0530 India remains an important growth market for Bactiguard. The cooperation with Cadila Pharmaceuticals, which was initiated in 2012 has, however, not provided the regulatory and market related benefits expected at the time, said the company's press statement. Therefore, Bactiguard is evaluating an alternative sales strategy, which paves the way for market launch and initiation of sales in 2015, as planned. Preparations for the launch and clinical studies are well under way. As a result of the above changes in strategy, Bactiguard has decided to make reservations in the interim results for the first quarter of 2015 for doubtful receivables, with a negative effect on results of approximately Million Swedish Kroner (MSEK) 24.   The reason being that the counterparties' willingness to pay is deemed questionable. During the first quarter of 2015, Bactiguard has reviewed and evaluated market conditions in Russia. Given the economic and political developments in the country, Bactiguard has decided to focus its marketing and sales efforts on other growth markets with greater potential, the company said. Consequently, Bactiguard has used its right to terminate the agreement with its Russian distributor. No product deliveries have been made to Russia so far and there are no outstanding commitments to deliver any products. The reservations have no effect on the company's cash position. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7987/medtronic-to-provide-diabetes-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7987/medtronic-to-provide-diabetes-care.html Mon, 06 Apr 2015 12:38:33 +0530 Medtronic has announced the acquisition of Diabeter, an innovative, independent Netherlands-based diabetes clinic and research center dedicated to providing comprehensive and individualized care for children and young adults with diabetes. This acquisition combines the strengths of Medtronic and Diabeter to create a strong local and international platform for improving outcomes for people with diabetes. Mr Hooman Hakami, executive vice-president and president of the Diabetes Group at Medtronic said, "This acquisition marks Medtronic's first entry into a diabetes integrated care model approach and signifies that Medtronic Diabetes is more than pumps and sensors - we are a holistic diabetes management company focused on making a real difference in outcomes and cost." "Diabeter has been pioneering this type of integrated care in the Netherlands, and we believe this approach can be applied more broadly to serve more patients, in more places around the world," said Dr Henk Veeze, senior international medical director, Diabeter. He added, "We have developed a unique system with improved clinical outcomes, combining outstanding clinical care with devices and information technology." Diabeter will operate as a part of the Diabetes Services and Solutions business unit, which focuses on offering people with diabetes access to therapy, insights and services that will contribute to better clinical and economic value. The transaction is expected to meet Medtronic's long-term financial metrics for acquisitions, and the annualized earnings impact of this acquisition is not expected to be material.   This acquisition supports Medtronic's continued entry into integrated health solutions as part of the company's economic value strategy. It marks Medtronic's first entry into a diabetes integrated care model approach and is consistent with its move into new business models where its technologies and expertise can make a difference in patient care. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5221/abbott-introduces-glucose-monitoring-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5221/abbott-introduces-glucose-monitoring-system.html Fri, 03 Apr 2015 10:11:00 +0530 Abbott has launched the professional version of its flash glucose monitoring system. "Abbott has chosen India as the first country globally to launch this technology. The glucose assessment tool will cost Rs 1,999 for 14-days, will empower doctors to help their patients manage their diabetes effectively," said Mr Matthew Bates, R&D director, Abbott Diabetes Care, in a statement. "The glucose monitoring system continuously measures glucose in interstitial fluid through a small filament that is inserted under the skin. It records glucose levels every 15 minutes, capturing up to 1,340 glucose readings over 14 days, thus giving the treating doctor comprehensive data for a complete glucose profile of their patient," explained Mr Bates. After 14 days the doctor uses a flash glucose monitoring reader to scan the sensor and download the glucose results. This data can help doctors to make more informed treatment decisions.         ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4368/ges-revolution-act-its-made-in-india-for-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4368/ges-revolution-act-its-made-in-india-for-india.html Thu, 02 Apr 2015 16:01:13 +0530 The product is the result of investments worth Rs 120 crore (USD 20 million) and the collaborative efforts of about 50 GE and Indian healthcare providers for over 4 years. Mr Kaushik Mukherjee, IAS, chief secretary, Karnataka, and Dr Prathap C Reddy, chairman, Apollo Hospitals, were also present at the launching ceremony, along with Mr John Flannery, president and CEO, GE Healthcare, and Ms Terri Bresenham, president & CEO, GE Healthcare South Asia. Dr Prathap stressed that the industry cannot keep importing devices. "Apart from expecting fast growth, we need to make and innovate in India at all levels," he emphasized. Mr John Flannery spoke in terms of relevance of global healthcare systems in India. "Our sales in India are much higher than we imagined. We have products that bring incredible value to people," he commented. The product is also expected to be launched in other markets, Mr Flannery said.   Revolution ACT will be GE's 26th product launch here in India, and the company, now, has been manufacturing products in the country for 20 years. Till now all the CT machines in India were imported at exorbitant prices. "The single biggest challenge is enabling a comfortable life for people who 'make in India'. It is easy to produce equipments and devices for people who can pay for it. The challenge is to produce and offer something for people at lower costs, rather than worrying about the exports," pointed Mr Mukherjee. The product is said to be 40 percent cheaper than the existing machines and will consume less electricity. "The newly launched CT system will be sold at less than a crore, depending on the configuration needs," added Ms Terri Bresenham, president & CEO, GE Healthcare South Asia.   GE Healthcare has recently formed a new national network - GenWorks Health, endeavouring to address severe healthcare challenges faced by Indian healthcare providers in tier II-IV towns. GenWorks has commenced operations with 150 highly experienced team members. The national network is building presence in 450 tier II-IV towns to take disruptive technologies, training and support closer to healthcare providers in a bid to give these first time users a high quality user experience. "All initiatives to develop relevant technologies would be meaningless if they are not accessible to all, and hence we also invested and built a national network, which will help us take these technologies to the grass root level...," said Ms Terri. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6113/google-ventures-invests-in-telemedicine-firm-spruce.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6113/google-ventures-invests-in-telemedicine-firm-spruce.html Wed, 01 Apr 2015 11:05:00 +0530 Spruce, a dermatology telemedicine company has announced a $15 million Series A financing and the launch of an expanded product that supports comprehensive, high-quality care for a broad set of dermatological conditions. The $15 million financing is led by Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers with participation from Baseline Ventures, Cowboy Ventures, and Google Ventures. "Patients and dermatologists have loved the experience Spruce provides for acne treatment, and we are excited to now enable high-quality care for a wide range of dermatological concerns," said Mr Ray Bradford, CEO of Spruce. With this latest product release, it is possible to consult a board-certified dermatologist on Spruce for a wide range of dermatological conditions, including fine lines and wrinkles, skin discoloration, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, male hair loss, eyelash thinning, rashes, bug bites and stings, and more. "With Spruce, we're trying to remove access barriers for patients, but we're equally focused on how we can improve upon the care experience itself for both patients and dermatologists," said Mr Bradford. He added, "One of the things dermatologists on Spruce like most is the opportunity for improved adherence and outcomes because patients have detailed instructions with them at all times and can ask follow-up questions. The Spruce software for dermatologists makes it easy for them to treat patients from iPads anytime, anywhere at a high standard of care. It also streamlines their workflows, so their time is spent on personalizing care instead of paperwork and administration."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7864/ge-healthcare-launches-yogya-bharat-for-an-aarogya-bharat-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7864/ge-healthcare-launches-yogya-bharat-for-an-aarogya-bharat-.html Wed, 01 Apr 2015 10:36:39 +0530 GE Healthcare has launched a mission to accelerate the building of a "Yogya Bharat" or "Skilled India" that will improve access to quality healthcare throughout the country. The company has partnered with leading healthcare and education experts to set up healthcare education and training institutes that will provide accredited skill building programs for 12th Standard pass eligible students and skill enhancement programs for existing healthcare professionals. The first few healthcare education and training institutes with state-of-the-art healthcare infrastructure will commence operations in Mumbai, Greater Noida, Bhatinda, and Bhubaneshwar. Through healthcare education and training institutes across the country, GE Healthcare, along with its partners, aims to train and contribute 100,000 skilled healthcare workforce to strengthen India's healthcare system over the next five years. This workforce will include newly trained, certified employable professionals for allied health care services as well as skill enhanced healthcare professionals who are in the system already. GE Healthcare has developed the curriculum for several courses including imaging, patient safety, advanced medical diagnostics and leadership development. National Skill Development Corporation India, through the Healthcare Sector Skills Council, is playing a key role in defining curriculum for these courses and supporting accreditation. Partners bring in a variety of critical strengths to the program like infrastructure, equipment for hands on training, clinical environment for trainees, academic advisory and technological capabilities, as well as a wealth of expertise in learning development. GE Healthcare aims to set up at least one healthcare education and training institute in each State and has already signed Memorandum of Understanding with several leading institutions both in Government and the private sector. GE Healthcare and its partners pledged their commitment to a Yogya Bharat in the presence of Mr Dilip Chenoy, Managing Director and CEO, National Skills Development Corporation. Congratulating GE Healthcare on the new venture, Mr Dilip Chenoy, MD and CEO, National Skills Development Corporation said, "A skilled workforce is key to the growth of any nation. The need of the hour is to create the ecosystem to maintain a constant supply of trained talent that is ready to join the mainstream and enable expansion of the healthcare infrastructure in the country. We congratulate GE Healthcare for its initiative to train and help develop skilled workforce for a more robust healthcare ecosystem. Not only will this initiative bridge the deep skills gap that exists in the sector but also enhance employability in the country." "The initiative is among the largest skill enhancement programs for GE Healthcare in the world. This is a great example of how we can use our scale and experience to partner with India. GE Healthcare was the first company to manufacture high-end healthcare equipment in India in 1991. As an innovator of affordable, localized solutions, our goal has been to enhance accessibility to quality healthcare for every Indian. We hope that the skilling of 100,000 healthcare professionals will address an important Government priority of bridging the skill deficit," said Mr John L Flannery, president and CEO of GE Healthcare. Talking about the mission, Ms Terri Bresenham, president and CEO, GE Healthcare India said, "This is a landmark initiative in our 25-year history in India. We believe a skilled India is absolutely necessary for a healthier India. As a leader in healthcare, GE Healthcare looks to continue playing a crucial role in the growth of India's healthcare system. We stand committed to partnering with public and private players in the healthcare sector to make this endeavour a success."   The first institute which commenced operations in Mumbai is fully funded and run by GE Healthcare with the first batch of students taking up Radiology Technologist certified program.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6668/fujifilm-holdings-to-acquire-cellular-dynamics-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6668/fujifilm-holdings-to-acquire-cellular-dynamics-.html Tue, 31 Mar 2015 11:31:32 +0530 FUJIFILM Holdings and Cellular Dynamics International (CDI) have announced that the two companies have entered into a definitive agreement. Fujifilm will acquire CDI via an all-cash tender offer to be followed by a second step merger. Fujifilm aims to acquire all issued and outstanding shares of CDI's common stock for $16.5 per share or approximately $307 million (on a fully diluted basis). The offer represents a premium of 108 percent to CDI's closing price on March 27. Upon completion of the transaction, CDI will continue to run its operations in Madison, Wisconsin and Novato, California as a consolidated subsidiary of Fujifilm. The announced transaction was unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies. Under the terms of the agreement, Fujifilm will commence an all-cash tender offer no later than April 6, 2015. The transaction is conditioned on the tender achieving the minimum acceptance threshold, regulatory approvals and other customary conditions. Fujifilm will finance the transaction from the cash on its balance sheet and the completion of the acquisition is not subject to any financing conditions. It is anticipated that the tender offer will close during the second calendar quarter of 2015. CDI's technology platform enables the production of high-quality fully functioning human cells, including induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), on an industrial scale.   Commenting on the transaction, Mr Shigetaka Komori, chairman and CEO of Fujifilm, said, "We are delighted to be able to pursue the business from drug discovery to regenerative medicine with CDI, which develops and manufactures iPS cells. We have optimal scaffolding material, 'recombinant peptides', for cell generation and technologies useful for regenerative medicines such as material science and engineering. Our group company, Japan Tissue Engineering, markets regenerative medicine products in Japan. By welcoming CDI to the Fujifilm Group and by combining the technologies and knowhow of both companies, we will seek synergies and efficiencies to be more competitive in the field of drug discovery and regenerative medicine." "CDI and Fujifilm share a common strategic vision for achieving leadership in the field of regenerative medicine. The combination of CDI's technology with Fujifilm's technologies, know-how, and resources brings us ever closer to realizing the promise of discovering better, safer medicines and developing new cell therapies based on iPSCs," said Mr Robert J Palay, chairman and CEO, CDI. Goldman Sachs is acting as the financial advisor to Fujifilm and Morrison & Foerster is acting as its legal counsel. JP Morgan is acting as financial advisor to CDI and Sidley Austin is acting as the legal counsel.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5211/leucine-rich-bio-nextgen-life-sciences-collaborate.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5211/leucine-rich-bio-nextgen-life-sciences-collaborate.html Tue, 31 Mar 2015 10:35:18 +0530 Leucine Rich Bio (LRB) has announced an alliance partnership with NextGen Life sciences for promoting its products and services. According to the MoU signed between LRB and NextGen Life sciences, NextGen Life Sciences would provide its market depth and field penetration to promote LRB's products and services. Speaking on this occasion, Dr Debojyoti Dhar, director (Business development and Innovation), LRB said, "Getting NextGen Life sciences on board our journey at this stage is very important for LRB and we feel that our two companies can complement each other well and we look forward to a mutually rewarding association". "Our rich experience in the Indian lifesciences market makes us confident that NextGen Life Sciences will successfully integrate LRB products and services in India and will be growing business further together. With the addition of LRB, we are in an even stronger position to help our customers to achieve their goals for innovation and productivity. Our combine offerings will provide cutting edge technologies to accelerate Life Sciences Research and improve human health," said Dr Nagma Abbasi, MD, NextGen Life Sciences. LRB operates in a niche domain of NGS data analysis and is involved in providing 'software as a service' utilizing its proprietary in-house developed Human Genome Analysis, Interpretation and Reporting platform called AGIS (Advanced Genome Interpretation Suite).   LRB plans to launch AGIS for clinics and diagnostics wherein it would cater to the developing field of 'personalized genomics'.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5311/strand-mriglobal-collaborate-on-infectious-disease-diagnostics-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5311/strand-mriglobal-collaborate-on-infectious-disease-diagnostics-.html Mon, 30 Mar 2015 14:06:33 +0530 Bangalore-based Strand Life Sciences entered into a partnership with US-based MRIGlobal, an independent non-profit organization performing contract research for government and industry. The partnership is said to be an important step in the right direction towards enabling a focussed area of development and validation of tests for infectious disease diagnosis. Strand and MRIGlobal will work towards successfully co-developing complex and high-end diagnostics. At a global level, Strand and MRIGlobal will conduct joint R&D to integrate Strand SmartLab, which delivers NGS-based diagnostic lab and informatics solutions for oncology and other diseases, with MRIGlobal's Mobile Labs, which are deployed in resource-limited environments, to enable rapid disease diagnosis. Mr Kay van der Horst, VP, research, development, engineering & testing operation, MRIGlobal, said, "In the last 10 years, there has been biosecurity threats, natural disasters, and the emergence of H1N1, SARS and Ebola. We emphasize on taking the knowledge and creating diagnostics solutions, and bringing knowledge in to public health response and preparedness along with innovating next-generation diagnostics solutions."   MRIGlobal was established in 1944 and operates in 25 countries. The organization was erected to support the government with R&D, and developing innovative technologies and solutions, particularly in chemical and biological sciences. As part of the vision laid out in the partnership, Strand and MRIGlobal will bring together respective capabilities in biopharmaceutical clinical trials to co-develop companion diagnostics for drugs in cancer and other diseases. Mr Kay continued, "We are also working with Strand in bringing point-of-care diagnostics. If we can diagnose diseases when patients arrive at the point-of-care, then that will have better clinical outcomes." Strand's will lead the genomic biomarker discovery, patient stratification strategy, companion diagnostic test design, bioinformatics data analysis/ interpretation aspects of the project, while MRIGlobal will perform independent validation of assays in their own lab in US, and help secure FDA approval for such co-developed diagnostic tests. Dr Vijay Chandru, chairman & CEO, Strand Life Sciences, added that India faces serious challenges in the health sector. "I wish there was a special category to the health sector, especially in terms of the technological side. Space, defense, and atomic energy have been declared as strategic sectors in the country, and they have certain privileges on how innovation and R&D is pursued in those sectors. We desperately need to bring in health sector in that domain," Dr Chandru suggested. He also stressed that health crises need to be handled as 'mission critical', as we did for the Mars mission. "There is great opportunity in the field of molecular biology and Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS). India has the capabilities of being a great contributor in these fields and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the pace of the world," he noted. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6041/ges-omnyx-collaborates-with-clarient-diagnostic-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6041/ges-omnyx-collaborates-with-clarient-diagnostic-.html Wed, 25 Mar 2015 12:25:42 +0530 GE Healthcare has announced a strategic collaboration between its digital pathology joint venture, Omnyx, and its diagnostic laboratory services company, Clarient Diagnostic Services. Clarient will soon begin to integrate the Omnyx proprietary software platform into its current laboratory. "The clinical reality is that fighting cancer begins with an accurate diagnosis," said Dr Kenneth J Bloom, chief medical officer of Clarient. He added, "Cancer diagnosis and treatment is most effective as it becomes more personalized - and that means the role of the pathologist is crucial. By teaming up with Omnyx, we are helping to ensure that regardless of location or the size of the pathology lab in your hospital, a pathologist has a network that can discuss and help them identify the characteristics of a tumor, and offer more personalized diagnoses and treatments." Omnyx and Clarient will create a central resource of diagnostic technologies, including molecular signatures, bio-markers and precision analytics, so pathologists can help better identify trends and collaborate with one another to compare readings. "As pathologists take on greater workloads, the emerging field of digital pathology allows them to review cases jointly, more quickly and more accurately thanks to collaborative input from peers across the globe. Our Clarient and Omnyx alliance will provide pathologists with state-of-the art testing and diagnostic services to bring digital solutions as a mainstream offering in the healthcare world," said Mr Mamar Gelaye, CEO of Omnyx.         ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6729/make-in-india-boon-for-medtech-sector.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6729/make-in-india-boon-for-medtech-sector.html Wed, 25 Mar 2015 09:29:00 +0530 Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi's "Make in India" campaign throws up opportunities for growth of domestic medical devices industry, which is not only underinvested but heavily import-oriented at present, says WHO. "With the current, 'Make in India' campaign, there is a huge opportunity for growth and expansion of the medical device industry. This would highly improve the access of essential medical devices and health care technology to patients in the country," said WHO Representative to India, Ms Nata Menabde, in a statement. She was speaking at an event to formally announce the commencement of National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC), as the WHO collaborating centre for Priority Medical Devices and Health Technology Policy. The division of healthcare technology and innovation at NHSRC has been working in the area of health technologies and related policy interface. Its works includes framing of technical specifications for technologies procured under National Health Mission, best practices for technology life-cycle management and maintenance, secretariat for assessment and uptake of innovations into public health systems among others, according to a statement by NHSRC.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5778/hmd-launches-safety-iv-cannula-with-sip-clip.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5778/hmd-launches-safety-iv-cannula-with-sip-clip.html Tue, 24 Mar 2015 09:17:00 +0530 Hindustan Syringes and Medical Devices (HMD) launches the next generation Cathy Safety IV Cannula with SIP CLIP, for preventing Needle Stick Injuries. "We are particularly excited about the prospects of our latest offering 'Safety IV Cannula with this Sharps Injury Prevention SIP Clip', which will certainly boost our export profile. We soon will be exporting this product to more than 20 countries by 2017. We have already shipped over 1.5 million IV Cannulas to Scandinavia recently and have received excellent feedback and clinical acceptance," said Mr Rajiv Nath, joint MD, HMD. He added, "For one, this patented design greatly minimizes the chances of needle stick injury to a nurse after she attaches a IV Catheter and removed the blood infected needle from a patient which results in numerous unfortunate infections and even deaths, particularly in developing countries like India. Most of these are not reported. This will greatly enhance health safety of our hospital staff and health workers and they deserve this. Our next generation cannula is designed not only to minimize health risks associated with accidental needle injuries but will also help bring down substantially the overall cost resulting from treatment of diseases like Hepatitis and HIV due to needle stick injuries and resultant nosocomial infections." It may be pointed that needle-stick injuries are common among healthcare staff and workers. Nurses are the largest single victim group, and have high rates of injury. According to WHO, if Safety Cannula are made mandatory in hospitals, then around 80 percent of all hospital staff can be saved from needle stick injuries.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4930/boston-scientific-announces-fda-and-ce-mark-approval-for-emblem-s-icd-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4930/boston-scientific-announces-fda-and-ce-mark-approval-for-emblem-s-icd-system.html Fri, 20 Mar 2015 12:25:45 +0530 Boston Scientific has received FDA and CE Mark approval for the EMBLEM Subcutaneous Implantable Defibrillator (S-ICD) System. The EMBLEM S-ICD System is a treatment option that provides protection for patients at risk of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), yet leaves the heart and vasculature untouched, minimizing the risk of complications associated with conventional transvenous implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (TV-ICDs). "We are excited to offer the second generation S-ICD System to physicians as a compelling treatment option for the majority of ICD-indicated patients. With the already established robust safety and efficacy clinical data, the EMBLEM S-ICD System is designed to enhance patient comfort, while still providing a less invasive treatment for patients at risk of cardiac arrest," said Dr Kenneth Stein, chief medical officer, rhythm management, Boston Scientific. Unlike traditional ICDs that require placement of at least one lead in or on the heart, the S-ICD System is implanted just under the skin and provides the patient the same protection from cardiac arrest without invading the heart and blood vessels. The new generation EMBLEM S-ICD System is 19 percent thinner and is projected to last 40 percent longer than the previous S-ICD System. These improvements will further improve patient comfort and cosmetic outcomes while reducing the number of times the device will require replacement. The EMBLEM S-ICD System is also enabled for remote patient management through the LATITUDE NXT Patient Management System for increased patient convenience.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4932/aiims-launches-an-ivrs-appointment-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4932/aiims-launches-an-ivrs-appointment-system.html Fri, 20 Mar 2015 11:43:40 +0530 AIIMS has launched a Patient Appointment System over Nuance ASR (Automatic Speech Recognition) based IVRS (Interactive Voice Response System). This is to resolve the issue of patients waiting for a lontime to get an appointment as huge patient turnouts make the waiting queues very long, extending the availability of a doctor upto 2 months. This becomes even more difficult for patients who travel from different parts of the country to seek medical care. Using the technology patients can get an appointment with all departments, from their homes. Currently, the solution is envisaged to be available in 14 Indian regional languages and will be extended to other Asian languages to facilitate patients from other countries.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4353/fda-approval-for-boston-scientifics-cardiac-device.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4353/fda-approval-for-boston-scientifics-cardiac-device.html Wed, 18 Mar 2015 12:23:07 +0530 Boston Scientific has received US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) approval for the WATCHMAN, a left atrial appendage closure device. The WATCHMAN offers a new stroke risk reduction option for high-risk patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation,  who are seeking an alternative to long-term warfarin therapy. The device is indicated to reduce the risk of thromboembolism from the left atrial appendage in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation, who are at increased risk for stroke and systemic embolism, based on CHADS2 or CHA2DS2-VASc scores; are deemed by their physicians to be suitable for warfarin; and have an appropriate rationale to seek a non-pharmacologic alternative to warfarin, taking into account the safety and effectiveness of the device as compared to warfarin. The FDA approval is based on a robust WATCHMAN clinical program which consists of numerous studies with more than 2,400 patients and nearly 6,000 patients along with a number of years of follow-up. The WATCHMAN clinical program provided strong evidence that the device can be implanted safely and reduces the risk of stroke in eligible patients while enabling most patients to discontinue warfarin. Additionally, a meta-analysis of all of the randomized trial data demonstrated that while ischemic stroke reduction favored warfarin, the  device provided patients with a comparable protection against all-cause stroke and statistically superior reductions in hemorrhagic stroke, disabling stroke, and cardiovascular death compared to warfarin over long-term follow-up. "Today marks a defining moment in the company's journey towards establishing left atrial appendage closure therapy in the United States. Boston Scientific is proud to offer this potentially life-changing stroke risk treatment option to high-risk patients with AF who have a reason to seek a non-drug alternative to warfarin. This therapy could free them from the challenges of long-term warfarin therapy," said Mr Joe Fitzgerald, executive vice-president and president, rhythm management, Boston Scientific. He added, "FDA approval of the WATCHMAN device is another example of Boston Scientific delivering on its commitment to bring meaningful innovations to patient care."   The device has been commercially available internationally since 2009 and is the leading device in percutaneous left atrial appendage closure globally. It is registered in 75 countries and more than 10,000 patients have been treated with it.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/4322/life-science-startups-across-iits-iims-other-incubation-centers.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/4322/life-science-startups-across-iits-iims-other-incubation-centers.html Wed, 18 Mar 2015 09:40:00 +0530 IIT Delhi The Technology Business Incubator (TBI) has been in active operation in the institute since 2000. The TBI is conceived, programmed and implemented by the Foundation for Innovative and Technology Transfer (FITT), which is the Industry interface unit of the institute. Total Current Incubatees: 10 / Life Sciences: 4Total Graduated Incubatees: 30 / Life Sciences: 3Total Companies: 40 / Life Sciences: 7 IIT Mumbai Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE) manages a technology business incubator at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT Mumbai). Set up in 2004, the incubator is a platform to support technology startups founded by IIT Mumbai community or are based on IIT Mumbai technologies.   Total Companies: 21 / Life Sciences: 2 IIT Madras IIT Madras Incubation Cell (IITM-IC) aims to coordinate, synergize and leverage the various strands of excellence driving innovation and entrepreneurship in a thriving ecosystem. Over 30 companies incubated. These ventures have been founded by students, faculty, staff and alumni of IITM and external members (R&D partners) across multiple sectors. Total Companies: 46 / Life Sciences: 8 IIT Hyderabad IIT Hyderabad incubator, known as the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) at IIT-Hyderabad, provides an ecosystem for technology commercialization and entrepreneurial action. Total Current Incubatees: 16 / Life Sciences: 2Total Graduated Incubatees: 30 / Life Sciences: 0Total Companies: 46 / Life Sciences: 2 IIT Kharagpur Technology Incubation and Entrepreneurship Training Society (TIETS) is a dynamic virtual incubation at IIT Kharagpur (KGP) for entrepreneurship development society. Total Companies: 26 / Life Sciences: 5 IIT Varanasi (BHU) Malaviya Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship (MCIIE) is a not-for-profit society at IIT (BHU), dedicated to promote innovation and entrepreneurship. Total Current Incubatees: 08 / Life Sciences: 1Total Graduated Incubatees: 0 / Life Sciences: 0 IIT Guwahati Established in 2010, IITG-Technology Incubation Centre (IITG-TIC) goal is to encourage entrepreneurial initiatives amongst the faculty and alumni of the IITG community in particular and other State or Central Government Technical Institutions of the North East. Total Current Incubatees: 6 / Life Sciences: 1 IIT Roopnagar CIBI (Centre for Innovation and Business Incubation) matured out of IIT Roopnagar's small step of setting up an entrepreneurship cell (E-Cell) in 2010. Students and faculty members actively explore the possibilities of setting up ventures based on their own technologies and ideas. CIBI came into existence in 2013. Total Current Incubatees: 2 / Life Sciences: 0 IIT Kanpur SIDBI Innovation & Incubation Centre (SIIC) at IIT Kanpur was set up in collaboration with Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to foster innovation, research and entrepreneurial activities in technology related areas. Established in 2000 with the vision of transforming knowledge into wealth, and creating a generation of zealous entrepreneurs. Total Current Incubatees: 24 / Life Sciences: 3 Indian Angel Network IAN in an equity based business incubator center that gives priority to ventures in the areas of healthcare, gaming and animation cloud computing, retail, mobile VAS, media and entertainment, alternative energy, education and clean technology. It has been established with the support of the National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board and the Department of Science & Technology of the Government of India. Total Companies: 37 / Life Sciences: 2 GSF M-Accelerator Started in 2012, GSF M-Accelerator is a specialized accelerator program for mobile startups. Functioning as a 'super-accelerator' by design, GSF M-Accelerator offers founders four months to make the kind of progress ordinarily accomplished in six to eight months.  Total Companies: 36 / Life Sciences: 1 Startup Oasis Startup Oasis is a Jaipur-based incubation centre set-up at the joint initiative of RIICO, Rajasthan's premiere industrial promotion organization, and the Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE) at IIM Ahmedabad. Total Companies: 43 / Life Sciences: 1 Venture Center (Pune) The BioIncubator at Venture Center aims to nucleate and nurture technology and knowledge-based enterprises leveraging knowledge in the areas of biotechnology (biopharma, agrobiotech, industrial biotech, and clean technology), biomedical engineering/ devices/ diagnostics, biomass value addition/ renewable fuels/chemicals/materials, bioinformatics, bio/medical services and related disciplines. Total Companies: 24 / Life Sciences: 24 NCL Innovations NCL Innovations was founded on 19 February 2007 as a new resource center of the National Chemical Laboratory, Pune to champion the cause of technology innovations within the organization. Total Companies: 5 / Life Sciences: 2 IIM Ahmedabad Aarohan Ventures is an early stage venture fund and incubator focused on building scalable education, healthcare and technology for development solutions. Aarohan supports social enterprises through seed funding, mentoring, grassroot support through partners, investment and strategic advisory by leveraging the IIMA community. Total Companies: 8 / Life Sciences: 2 IIM Calcutta IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIP), was set up under the aegis of the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI) to incubate and accelerate the growth of start-ups in India. Total Companies: 5 / Life Sciences: 2 IIM Bangalore Set up in March 2002 as a focal point for entrepreneurial studies at IIM Bangalore, the Nadathur S Raghavan Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (NSRCEL) facilitates business growth through academic research by scholars and practical learning for entrepreneurs. Total Current Incubatees: 8 / Life Sciences: 0Total Graduated Incubatees: 32 / Life Sciences: 1Total Companies: 40 / Life Sciences: 1 IIM Lucknow The Entrepreneurship cell of IIM Lucknow consists of students of IIM Lucknow committed to fostering entrepreneurial spirit among the students. It is considered to be a platform in terms of seed-funding, incubation, mentoring, training, knowledge dissemination and best practice research to convert path-breaking business ideas into self-sustaining business ventures. Total Companies: 2  / Life Sciences: 0 ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3989/chhattisgarh-plans-to-set-up-startup-village.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3989/chhattisgarh-plans-to-set-up-startup-village.html Tue, 17 Mar 2015 10:46:32 +0530 Chhattisgarh government officials recently visited the Kochi-based Startup Village to explore the incubation facility in order to establish a similar startup village in Chhattisgarh. Earlier the government of Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh expressed their desire in exploring the Startup Village. The Chhattisgarh officials were led by Mr Rajat Kumar, joint secretary to Chhattisgarh CM, who conducted discussions with officials at the incubation centre. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3896/fda-issues-guidelines-for-reusable-medical-devices.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3896/fda-issues-guidelines-for-reusable-medical-devices.html Mon, 16 Mar 2015 14:46:00 +0530 The US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) has announced new actions to enhance the safety of reusable medical devices. The FDA's guidance document, titled "Reprocessing Medical Devices in Health Care Settings: Validation Methods and Labeling",  includes recommendations medical device manufacturers should follow pre-market and post-market for the safe and effective use of reprocessed devices. As part of its regulatory review for reusable medical devices, the FDA reviews the manufacturer's reprocessing instructions to determine whether they are appropriate and able to be understood and followed by end users. The guidance lists six criteria that should be addressed in the instructions for use with every reusable device to ensure users understand and correctly follow the reprocessing instructions. It also recommends that manufacturers consider reprocessing challenges early in device design. Manufacturers will be expected to conduct validation testing to show with a high degree of assurance that their cleaning and disinfection or sterilization instructions will consistently reduce microbial contamination. "Despite the recent concerns about multi-drug resistant bacteria infections associated with duodenoscopes, patients and health care providers should know that the risk of acquiring an infection from a reprocessed medical device is low," said Dr William Maisel, deputy director for science and chief scientist at the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health. He added, "This guidance is an important step toward further enhancing the safety margin by outlining for manufacturers the steps they should undertake to make their reprocessing instructions effective and clear to the healthcare community that uses them. Doing so should provide greater assurance to patients that the devices used on them are safe and effective."   The final guidance provides more clarity about testing protocols and data needs to  be submitted to the agency for a pre-market submission.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3758/toshiba-adds-new-products-to-its-portfolio.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3758/toshiba-adds-new-products-to-its-portfolio.html Mon, 16 Mar 2015 12:18:00 +0530 Toshiba America Medical Systems has launched new Aplio Platinum Series CV ultrasound systems. These include the Aplio 500 Platinum CV and Aplio 300 Platinum feature 2D Wall Motion Tracking, spectral and color Doppler, and Toshiba's latest suite of guidance and workflow technologies. According to Dr Edmund K Kerut, West Jefferson Medical Center, "Toshiba's Aplio 500 Platinum CV with Wall Motion Tracking technology delivers the image quality and data we need for quantitative measurements. It has made it easier to perform calculations of LV volumes with ejection fraction and serial follow-up of our chemotherapy patients with added GLS measurements." Also, the company's Infinix 4DCT has received US FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) clearance with the Aquilion PRIME CT system configuration. The system significantly improves workflow with its SUREGuidance technology, which allows for automatic transition between modalities. In addition, it is capable of saving significant time by allowing clinicians to perform CT and interventional procedures within the same room and verify treatment success following procedures. "The Infinix 4DCT allows clinicians to plan, treat and verify in a single clinical setting, which negates the need to transfer patients between departments, resulting in anticipated decreases of both procedure time and risk of infection. This also contributes to improved patient safety and satisfaction by minimizing the clinicians' time spent away from patients, allowing them to focus on providing quality care," said Mr Bill Newsom, director, X-ray Vascular Business Unit, Toshiba.   Toshiba will showcase the Aplio Platinum Series CV and Infinix 4DCT at this year's American College of Cardiology (ACC) annual meeting.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3796/government-to-boost-telemedicine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3796/government-to-boost-telemedicine.html Mon, 16 Mar 2015 12:10:59 +0530 To address the problem of scarcity of doctors in rural India, the Union Health Ministry will soon establish a National Medical College Network (NMCN). In NMCN, all the government medical colleges will be interlinked to create a national task force on tele-medicine. In the first phase, 41 government medical institutions will be interlinked to enhance technical education skills and provide outreach services or tertiary care services to peripheral health facilites. "Tele-Medicine centers will be established in these medical colleges which will also facilitate online consultation, expert care and follow up to remote centers whereever tele-medicine facilities exist. People in the rural parts of the country will be highly benefited," said Mr Navneet Kumar Dhamija, deputy commissioner, e-health at the Health Ministry, in a statement. Over 2.5 lakh villages will be benefited through the tele-medicine network.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5047/a-satellite-for-cancer-diagnosis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5047/a-satellite-for-cancer-diagnosis.html Sat, 14 Mar 2015 10:05:00 +0530 The digital infrared sensor from European Space Agency (ESAs) Proba-V vegetation-scanning satellite is being adapted for several non-space applications. Mounted on a standard medical scanner, the space sensor can help doctors to look deeper into human tissues for detecting skin diseases earlier. Developed for ESA by the Belgian company Xenics, the camera has a unique wide field of view. Proba-V can detect shortwave radiation human eyes cannot detect. "To humans, two green trees could look similar. But with this camera, we might detect that one is growing well and the other is unhealthy," explains ESA's Mr Michael Francois. With support from ESA and the Belgian Space Technology Transfer Programme, the Xenics team created 'Machine Vision', integrating cameras on inspection systems. "The high-speed resolution of our line-scan cameras makes them ideal for detecting hidden defects on fast-moving production lines, such as bottle manufacturing or sorting different types of plastics for recycling, all of which look similar to the human eye," explains Mr Koen van der Zanden from Xenics.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6482/biogen-explores-wearables-to-track-patient-activity.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6482/biogen-explores-wearables-to-track-patient-activity.html Sat, 14 Mar 2015 09:30:00 +0530 Biogen (BIIB) is discovering ways to use fitness trackers to gather data from people who suffer from multiple sclerosis (MS). It recently completed a study of 250 patients in collaboration with PatientsLikeMe. The study reflects both the hope and current shortcomings of digital health at the moment. "Impaired mobility affects more than 90 percent of people with MS, but the quantified assessment of their walking ability tends to be limited to clinical settings. Sensors could give physicians a more accurate assessment of the level of activity of these patients if they were willing to wear activity trackers between appointments," said Ms Naomi Fried, vice-president of medial information and innovation at Biogen in a statement. According to the company, "The initial takeaway from the study is that it needs to use devices with more sophisticated sensors to quantify movement accurately and consistently. Current technology is not built to provide consistent and validated data in MS. We are early in the process, but hope to have progress in the coming months." The data from the study will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's annual meeting next month.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5228/now-a-mobile-app-for-medicines.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5228/now-a-mobile-app-for-medicines.html Fri, 13 Mar 2015 12:21:32 +0530 Government is planning a mobile application that will provide all information related to pricing and availability of medicines as well as addressing consumer grievances, as per reports. "There are also plans to come up with a mobile application, which provides all information related to prices and availability of medicines and at the same time make the consumers aware about spurious medicines," said Fertiliser Minister Mr Ananth Kumar, in a statement. He further mentioned that the government is committed to regulating the prices of medicines that are on the National List of Essential Medicines. The minister inaugurated a web portal 'Pharma Jan Samadhan', a web portal for consumer grievances related to pricing and availability of medicines. "The National Pharma Pricing Authority (NPPA) has been searching for a weapon against black marketing and spurious medicines, and this portal will help them in that endeavor," said Mr Kumar.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4244/ventureast-invests-4-mn-in-diabetomics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4244/ventureast-invests-4-mn-in-diabetomics.html Fri, 13 Mar 2015 12:20:26 +0530 DiabetOmics is the world's first company to develop a patented non-invasive, saliva-based glucose monitoring test for diabetes patients and an early detection test for gestational diabetes (in pregnant women) and pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure in pregnant women). The investment will be used to advance product development, obtain regulatory approvals in EU, USA and in emerging markets, set up manufacturing facility in India and begin commercialization. The company plans to obtain CE Mark in the second half of 2015, and commence commercialization in India and several other countries in early 2016. Mr Srinivasa Nagalla, president & CEO, DiabetOmics, commented, "India has earned the dubious distinction of being the diabetes capital of the world. Lack of patient compliance with regular glucose monitoring is the primary cause of diabetes-related complications. Our portable, easy-to-use device helps patients and their physicians stay informed of the status of the disease. We are extremely pleased with the investment we have received from Ventureast. We are looking to grow our presence in India to access Indian and SE-Asian markets." Ventureast's Life Fund focuses on investments in cleantech, food & agriculture, and healthcare sectors.   Then fund has previously made cross-border deals in drug discovery, medical devices, diagnostics, biotechnology and healthcare delivery. Mr Venkatadri Bobba, general partner, Ventureast, opined, "An important focus area for us has been investing in companies fostering cutting-edge and breakthrough innovations in healthcare. We believe that DiabetOmics' device is a game-changer and will definitely be successful in India." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5285/mapmygenome-raises-pre-series-a-funding.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5285/mapmygenome-raises-pre-series-a-funding.html Fri, 13 Mar 2015 11:41:21 +0530 Mapmygenome have raised a Pre Series A round of funding from multiple sources including several entrepreneurs and angel investors. The list of investors include names like Ms Aarti Grover, MD-CMS Computers, Mr Rajan Anandan, MD-Google India, Mr Arihant Patni, MD-Hive Technologies and Mr Satveer Singh Thakral,CEO-Singapore Angel Network among others. Avendus Wealth Management, a subsidiary of Avendus Capital were the advisors for this round. Ms Anu Acharya, CEO, Mapmygenome, said, that the funding will help in scaling up in India and globally. "This round of funding will help in scaling up our operations in India and globally. We are looking to expand our team (Leadership, Sales and marketing and genetic counseling network) where our focus is on quality of talent education and expertise. We are also looking to invest in some assets and scale up our research." "As India's economy develops, we strongly believe that preventive healthcare will form a rising share of the household budget. Genome mapping is at the frontier of technological innovation in this context, and we are backing this experienced team to scale and make this technology commercially available to people from all walks of life who are pro-active about their health," said Mr Satveer Singh Thakral, CEO Singapore Angel Network.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6738/micron-extends-clinical-trial-imaging-services-outside-japan-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6738/micron-extends-clinical-trial-imaging-services-outside-japan-.html Thu, 12 Mar 2015 14:05:00 +0530 Singapore: VirtualScopics, a US-based provider of clinical trial imaging solutions, IXICO plc, European brain health company, and Japanese company, Micron that provides imaging services for clinical trials in Asia jointly announced that they have entered into a collaboration agreement enhancing each company's global clinical trial imaging solution offerings to Pharma and Biopharma companies. This collaboration agreement will now allow Micron to expand its services outside of Japan to the markets of North America and Europe. Micron has established an environment to implement many multicentre imaging clinical trials, especially in Asian countries, such as Japan and Korea. Under this comprehensive collaboration with VirtualScopics and IXICO, Micron will be able to broaden its services to handle multinational, multicentre clinical trials beyond Asia, including Europe and the US and expand its analysis services in the field of oncology and neuroscience. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6725/8k-miles-buys-cro-software-startup-mindprint-to-foray-into-pharma-biz-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6725/8k-miles-buys-cro-software-startup-mindprint-to-foray-into-pharma-biz-.html Thu, 12 Mar 2015 12:52:00 +0530 8K Miles, headquartered in the San Francisco and with Indian operations in Chennai, has entered into an asset purchase agreement with Mindprint Inc., a Canada-based clinical research software startup focused on analytics and operational software for Clinical Research Organizations (CROs) and pharmaceutical sponsors. This agreement includes acquisitions of intellectual property, client contracts and employees. The acquisition has been made through by 8K Miles' US-based subsidiary, 8K Miles Software Services Inc and it involves $1,50,000 in cash and $2,50,000 in stock. The total consideration in cash and stock, for the acquisition is $400,000. The transaction is expected to be completed before 31st March 2015. 8K Miles is India's only BSE listed cloud solutions provider and its cloud computing solutions are offered to large enterprise customers in healthcare, pharmaceutical, financial and insurance verticals whose primary focus is on security and compliance. Mindprint's deep domain knowledge of CRO and pharmaceutical outsourcing operations provides 8K Miles with additional competitive advantage for successfully entering into the CRO market and capitalize on its expertise. Global CROs use Mindprint SaaS analytics and operational software to gain valuable insights into their profitability, resource utilization, study progress and forecasts. Mindprint has announced multiple highly successful client implementations of their SaaS software systems ranging from small to mid-size CROs. Mindprint has partnered with a number of leading CROs and understands the life cycle of a clinical study as well as the business challenges unique to the life sciences industry. With this acquisition, Prasad A Sristi, President of Mindprint Inc. will take on the role as VP, Product Management and Business Development at 8K Miles. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/interviews/98/6502/mobility-solutions-is-the-most-inexpensive-way-to-provide-quality-healthcare-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/interviews/98/6502/mobility-solutions-is-the-most-inexpensive-way-to-provide-quality-healthcare-.html Wed, 11 Mar 2015 11:47:00 +0530 Could you please give a brief introduction about American Megatrends India Pvt Ltd and its business in healthcare solutions? American Megatrends India Pvt Ltd (AMI) is a leader in high-tech engineering and computing innovations worldwide. AMI has more than 200 patents awarded globally on innovative engineering solutions and AMI products are shipping in more than half a billion of computers in the world today. AMI are specialty leaders in embedded services, BIOS customization and porting, mobility solutions, IP SAN/NAS Data storage solutions, Infrastructure Asset Management, Telematics Solutions, Knowledge Management System, Healthcare IT solutions, Platform Validation Services and Android Services. At AMI, we promote 'Prevention is better than Cure' and we firmly believe in it. Our healthcare products and services are designed to bring awareness of individual's health to palm of their hands. Our lifestyle products AMI B.O.L.T and AMI VitalsFit are designed to address these requirements by supporting individuals to measure the key health parameters in comfort of their homes. The ability to maintain trends and share the health records instantaneously with quality healthcare providers makes our solution unique and first of its kind. AMI's VitalsFit is the only Indian entrant for the Qualcomm Tricorder XPRIZE, which is quite an accomplishment. How was this planned and achieved? Even before we came to know of this competition, AMI had an internal team working on a solution similar to this to meet the key supply-demand challenges of the current healthcare system. Currently, telemedicine systems are restricted to video conferencing facility between patients and care givers. It does not address the importance of sharing key health parameters with care providers. Also, the healthcare is more oriented towards cure and symptom-based diagnosis than prevention.   In today's scenario many of the individuals do not know that they have a chronic condition, till the condition develops into a disease or organ damage. Many souls have departed us with out knowing what has happened to their health in their primes. We wanted to put a stop to this and find a solution for it. Hence, we felt the need of developing quality healthcare devices that could be a 'lifetime companion' and could be used by any individual to know the status of their health and share it with care givers for affordable, reliable and quality healthcare. We came to know of XPrize competition through Linked-in. Once we knew that Xprize is involved, we got the affirmation that we are on the right track and got ourselves enrolled into the competition. We believe the success we achieved so far is because of the conviction we have as a team that we could do something to better the healthcare system and bring quality care to individuals to live their life to fullest without compromises made. Do you believe that your product can beat 9 other competitors and win the XPRIZE in 2016? As stated earlier, we didn't join the competition to beat the other competitors. Our intention is to change the healthcare system from 'Cure and Symptom' based to 'Prevention'. Involvement with XPrize helps us to accomplish this mission. All the top ten finalists are working hard to bring a positive change to this field. For us, the success is marked by the day when we have positively impacted the healthcare system and increased the life span of and individual at least by a day with healthy and happy life. AMI is working on portable life companion healthcare gadgets. Could you elaborate on how such gadgets can change the trend in future healthcare management? Today, we go see a healthcare professional when we get sick. By the time we consult a healthcare professional, the sickness would have gone worse because of chronic conditions. Chronic conditions like hypertension, blood sugar, cancer and many others don't show any symptoms. They are known as 'Silent Killers' as their presence is not signified by any symptoms until the time the complications have reached to the level of organ failure. To detect the susceptibility to chronic conditions, one should regular monitor their vitals like BP, Blood Sugar, SPO2, Respiration rate and others, to check whether they are within the optimal range. If consistent abnormality is detected, once should immediately consult a qualified caregiver to bring health back on track. Many of the chronic conditions could be avoided by making small changes to lifestyle habits. Our portable gadgets are aimed to be a lifestyle companion that would help individuals to keep track of their health. Our health tracker would help individuals to record their key vitals regularly in the comfort of their homes. With trend data, it could analyze the susceptibility to chronic conditions and let the individuals on the health status to take informed decisions. The goal of our healthcare solutions is to put the control of the health in individual's hands. What would be your GO TO market strategy for the product after complete development? To have a quality healthcare system both individuals and experts should have access to health data with the consent of the individual for better care. Hence, our solution links individuals with caregivers and professionals for preventive, quality and affordable healthcare. We are partnering with several healthcare providers across the globe to have our product available as a packaged healthcare solution with caregiver's integrated services. Many of our products would be white-labeled with caregivers' brand and their integrated services. What is your take about mobility solutions in healthcare and how do you perceive its future especially in India? India has close to 800 million living in rural areas compared to only 400 million in urban. The doctor to patient ratio is way skewed and availability of specialists and quality care providers are limited. Interestingly, mobile penetration in India is very high and it is across the country. Slowly smartphone penetration is also increasing. With Government initiatives of fiber-connectivity across villages is going to help India digitally connected and aid digital revolution. Hence, connectivity and reach would become a mute issue. However, the last mile of collecting the right data and sharing with the quality care providers would become the need of the day. Definitely, mobility is the way to go and it is the inexpensive way to provide quality healthcare. Today, a mobile comes with all the elements required for audio/visual communication and transmission. Companion portable devices like AMI B.O.L.T and AMI VitalsFit extends the value of the smartphone by taking the quality healthcare to doorsteps of the individuals. The health parameters are not only accurately collected but it is instantaneously transmitted to the caregiver for quality care. What would be the revenue generated by AMI's healthcare business? The estimated medical devices market in India is around $3bn and is growing at CAGR of 15%. We are expecting a decent share of the market over the years. Are there any plans to collaborate with other healthcare IT companies? Yes, we do. We are partnering with key healthcare providers and many of our products would be integrated with their services and to be made available in the market. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6486/illumina-merck-collaborate-in-cancer-diagnostics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6486/illumina-merck-collaborate-in-cancer-diagnostics.html Wed, 11 Mar 2015 11:41:38 +0530 Illumina has announced its collaboration with Merck to develop a universal next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based oncology diagnostic. Both the companies will work to create a universal test system for clinical trials of targeted cancer therapies, with the goal of a more comprehensive tool for precision medicine. Illumina is working with Merck Serono to develop assays that detect and measure multiple variants simultaneously to support clinical trials. The collaboration toward the universal cancer test will include test development, worldwide regulatory approvals, and global commercialization. In parallel, Illumina continues to collaborate with the key thought leaders of the Actionable Genome Consortium to set standards for NGS-based assays in routine clinical oncology practice, as well as to define regulatory frameworks to enable this new testing paradigm. "Our collaboration with Illumina around next-generation sequencing will enable us to perform genome studies at a pace unheard of a few years ago, and could lead to the development of several diagnostics," said Ms Susan Herbert, head of global business development at Merck. She added, "This collaboration will strengthen the position of Merck Serono as a global leader in precision medicine in oncology." "This agreement is another step forward in realizing the promise of precision medicine," said Dr Richard Klausner, Illumina's chief medical officer. He added, "The US government's Precision Medicine Initiative, recently announced by President Obama, specifically outlines the need to expand genetically-based clinical trials as a key approach for developing better treatments for cancer. We are very excited to work with Merck Serono on this endeavor."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5043/icon-launches-medtech-research-group.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5043/icon-launches-medtech-research-group.html Wed, 11 Mar 2015 09:08:00 +0530 ICON has announced the launch of a new Medical Device and Diagnostics Research group,  focused on the unique requirements of the medical device and diagnostics industry. The new group combines the medical and regulatory device and diagnostic expertise of Aptiv Solutions, which ICON acquired in 2014, with ICON's global clinical development and commercialisations solutions. Device and diagnostic manufacturers can now benefit from an expanded suite of services that support the full product lifecycle, including global clinical trial execution, health economics and pricing and market access solutions. "The device and diagnostic development model can differ significantly from that of pharmaceutical companies, both in complexity and time to market," said Ms Elizabeth Thiele, president, ICON commercialisation and Outcomes. She added, "Operating under specific medical device SOPs and ISO certification, our new Medical Device & Diagnostics Research team has the expertise and flexibility to help manufacturers take time and cost from their development programmes and maximise the value of their products." ICON's Medical Device and Diagnostics Research group will be led by Mr Vicki Anastasi, vice-president, Medical Device and Diagnostic Research who has over 20 years of experience in the field.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7007/philips-partners-with-university-of-california.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7007/philips-partners-with-university-of-california.html Mon, 09 Mar 2015 12:49:04 +0530 Royal Philips has announced its collaboration with the University of California, Irvine. The deal is to explore how spectral breast imaging can improve breast density measurement, potentially aiding clinicians in more accurately gauging breast cancer risks and monitoring changes over time. The study will rely on Philips' MicroDose SI mammography spectral imaging technology. With MicroDose SI, Philips introduced its first spectral imaging application with a new feature called Spectral Breast Density Measurement. Rather than estimating density, the tool uses photon counting technology to simultaneously acquire spectral data of the adipose and fibro glandular tissue within a single exposure of a low dose mammogram. This provides an objective volumetric breast density measurement, paving the way for refined risk assessment and personalized care. The ability to more accurately measure breast density will enable radiologists to personalize breast cancer screenings and potentially be used for treatment monitoring. "Through this study, UC Irvine and Philips are looking to set an industry standard for objectively measuring breast density. While this doesn't exist today, it will be increasingly critical as we move toward further personalizing breast cancer screening, and enabling patients to become more engaged in their own care," said Mr Gene Saragnese, CEO Imaging, Philips. He added, "With the combination of our MicroDose SI technology and leading imaging experts at UC Irvine, we can determine if spectral breast imaging can help provide more definitive diagnoses, at low radiation dose, to better help patients and clinicians in the fight against breast cancer."   The first phase of the study will focus on assessing the accuracy of the spectral breast density application by analyzing 40 post-mortem breasts and comparing results with chemical analysis. The study is expected to be completed over a one- to two-year-long period.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6308/pens-with-bio-inks-can-detect-blood-sugar-levels.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6308/pens-with-bio-inks-can-detect-blood-sugar-levels.html Sat, 07 Mar 2015 11:00:00 +0530 In a new breakthrough, researchers at the University of California have determined that ballpoint pens filled with high-tech bio-inks can be used to detect blood sugar levels of patients. The study published in the journal Advanced Healthcare Materials elaborated that the team has developed high-tech bio-inks that react with several chemicals, including glucose. Scientists envision that the new system can be used for personalized and inexpensive health monitoring. "Our new biocatalytic pen technology, based on novel enzymatic inks, holds considerable promise for a broad range of applications on site and in the field," said Mr Joseph Wang, the chairman of the Department of NanoEngineering. As part of the study, the team pricked a subject's finger and put the blood sample on the sensor. The enzymatic ink reacted with glucose and the electrode recorded the measurement, which was transmitted to a glucose-measuring device. The team estimates that one pen contained enough ink to draw the equivalent of 500 high-fidelity glucose sensor strips. Researchers also said that the sensors can be used to react with many pollutants, including heavy metals or pesticides.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6087/toshiba-introduces-latest-additions-to-app-lite-family-for-iot-solutions.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6087/toshiba-introduces-latest-additions-to-app-lite-family-for-iot-solutions.html Sat, 07 Mar 2015 09:23:00 +0530 Toshiba Corporation has announced the launch of "TZ1031MBG" and "TZ1011MBG" application processors for wearable devices, as the latest additions to its ApP Lite family's TZ1000 series, to provide solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT). Last November, Toshiba launched the "TZ1001MBG"application processor, a single package that integrates sensors for data collecting, a processor for data processing, flash memory for data storage, and a Bluetooth Low Energy controller for data communication. Building on this, the new application processors expand sensing functionalities by adding a gyroscope to the "TZ1031MBG" and a gyroscope and magnetometer to the "TZ1011MBG". The high level integration of the new application processors makes it possible to realize wearable devices without any other components. It also contributes to a smaller form factor, which enables wearable devices to be reduced in size. The new processors are expressly designed for low power performance, essential for securing a longer battery life for wearable devices. Toshiba is expanding its line-up of systematic solutions for the TZ1000 series by developing software algorithms that can be applied to measuring weak biomedical signals, such as pulse and ECG. Meanwhile, Toshiba is providing an evaluation environment for developers to shorten the time to market for products integrating its application processors.   The new processor Integrates a wireless communication function, sensors, a memory and a processor in one package. It also has embedded ARM Cortex-M4F processor, High performance ARM Cortex-M4F with DSP and floating point processing unit allows combination of data from multiple sensors, both internal and external, to improve accuracy (sensor fusion), High resolution ADCs. The products integrate a 24-bit high resolution ΔΣADC with high speed switches connected to three input channels, so as to be capable of measuring weak biomedical signals, such as the pulse and the heart's electrical activity. It  also integrates Bluetooth wireless communication function.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6603/ge-ventures-launches-new-digital-health-company.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6603/ge-ventures-launches-new-digital-health-company.html Fri, 06 Mar 2015 12:23:32 +0530 GE Ventures and Stanford Health Care has announced the launch of Evidation Health, an independent company committed to improving health outcomes with evidence-based digital medicine. Focused on generating real-world clinical and economic evidence for digital health products and platforms, Evidation Health combines health outcomes data with new approaches to predictive analytics to identify and deploy the most effective and efficient patient management strategies and interventions. Evidation Health CEO, Ms Deborah Kilpatrick, said, "Our company has the core capabilities to make precision digital medicine a reality. We envision a digital health-enabled future where clinical interventions can be customized and concentrated in ways that maximize clinical and economic benefit for payers, providers and, most importantly, patients." To accelerate commercial progress, Evidation Health joined forces with The Activity Exchange, a digital health company with strong predictive analytics capabilities, and closed its Series A financing in January of 2015. The round was led by GE Ventures, with participation from Asset Management Ventures and Rock Health. The company is focused on forging new partnerships while continuing its corporate and academic collaborations with Humana, Biogen, Sanofi, Harvard Business School and Wharton, amongst others. Stanford Health Care president and CEO Mr Amir Dan Rubin, said, "Stanford Health Care is committed to delivering integrated solutions to the complex problems patients face, and those solutions will increasingly be advanced through digital health. As an early adopter of electronic health records, virtual visits and precision health, Stanford Health Care is excited to join with GE Ventures to launch Evidation Health to provide real-world assessment and validation of digital health care technologies."       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6709/fujifilm-presents-a-synapse-cardiovascular-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6709/fujifilm-presents-a-synapse-cardiovascular-system.html Thu, 05 Mar 2015 12:36:43 +0530 FUJIFILM Medical Systems is all set to demonstrate next generation echocardiography structured reporting, with the latest version of Synapse Cardiovascular 6.0 and Synapse 3D 4.1 at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 64th Annual Scientific Session and Expo. "Created in collaboration with cardiologists and cardiovascular specialists, the latest version of Synapse 3D and Synapse Cardiovascular provides users with essential tools without adding complexity," said Mr Jim Morgan, vice-president of Medical Informatics, FUJIFILM Medical Systems. He added, "With Synapse, our users are able to perform their job more efficiently and ultimately allow them to concentrate more on the patient and improve patient outcomes." Synapse Cardiovascular helps cardiologists in a variety of clinical areas and interpret images and compose structured reports with a streamlined workflow. The system has powerful capabilities designed specifically for, echocardiography, cardiac catheterization and invasive peripheral vascular, nuclear cardiology, vascular ultrasound, ECG management, CT, and Cardiac MRI workflows. Synapse 3D offers more than 30 clinical functions to choose from, with many functions utilizing Fujifilm's Image Intelligence capability. It is fully integrated with Synapse PACS and Synapse Cardiovascular, and creates a centralized enterprise-shared 3D solution.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5078/perkinelmer-collaborates-with-johnson-johnson.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5078/perkinelmer-collaborates-with-johnson-johnson.html Wed, 04 Mar 2015 12:47:47 +0530 PerkinElmer has announced a collaboration with Johnson & Johnson Innovation to provide JLABS @South San Francisco (JLABS @SSF), a newly-opened lifescience incubator, with instruments and lab services to address the research needs of resident startups. PerkinElmer will also provide on-site staff, training and scientific application support as a new offering to JLABS residents. "It is critical that growing companies in the healthcare and scientific space have access to the most cutting-edge lab infrastructure, assets, application knowledge and support to help drive their research efforts," said Mr Jim Corbett, president, Human Health, PerkinElmer. He added, "We look forward to working together with Johnson & Johnson Innovation to identify and meet the research needs of entrepreneurs as they advance their science and make breakthrough discoveries." The collaboration will enable JLABS @SSF residents to perform a variety of research and development activities using PerkinElmer's advanced imaging and detection solutions for a wide range of lifesciences and environmental health applications. These include: sample preparation, protein characterization, screening new drugs, performing assays for drug discovery, mass spectrometry analysis, next-generation sequencing, identifying adulterants and contaminants, and forensics testing. PerkinElmer's OneSource Laboratory Services team of certified engineers and scientific staff will also provide on-site expertise and knowledge to assist the companies with their scientific processes.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5366/global-ultrasound-equipment-market-to-grow-steadily.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5366/global-ultrasound-equipment-market-to-grow-steadily.html Wed, 04 Mar 2015 12:45:45 +0530 The Global Ultrasound Equipment market to grow at a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.79 percent over the period 2014-2019, according to a new report by research and markets. The Global Ultrasound Equipment market is divided into two segments based on product type: Portable Ultrasound Equipment and Static Ultrasound Equipment. An increase in the demand for portable ultrasound equipment is one of the key trends upcoming in the market. This equipment is more efficient and can be moved easily, unlike traditional ultrasound equipment. Many vendors are developing portable ultrasound equipment to increase their market shares. According to the report, increased use of ultrasound equipment is one of the major drivers of this market. Patients and healthcare professionals opt for minimally invasive procedures to diagnose chronic diseases as this equipment causes minimal to no pain and does not pose the risk of infection. Further, the report states that the complications involved in the use of 4D ultrasound imaging equipment is one of the major challenges that the market faces. Moreover, 4D ultrasound equipment is more expensive than 3D ultrasound equipment, and this affects their sales.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6705/ge-healthcare-introduces-latest-innovations-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6705/ge-healthcare-introduces-latest-innovations-.html Wed, 04 Mar 2015 12:45:14 +0530 GE Healthcare has introduced its latest innovations for medical imaging and healthcare IT. The company introduces Revolution CT ultra-fast CT scanner, an ultra sound system LOGIQ P9, SIGNA MR, Discovery IGS 740, a mobile angiography system. GE Healthcare's Revolution CT is an ultra-fast CT scanner that allows clinicians to image the heart in just one heartbeat, freezing the heart's motion and delivering high image quality. The new LOGIQ P9, is a mid-range ultrasound system made easy for clinicians to use due to its large monitor, customizable touchscreen and simplified console design. SIGNA Explorer is equipped with GE Healthcare's revolutionary technology, SilentScan, significantly reducing noise levels to three decibels ambient for neurological exams. Discovery IGS 740 is a mobile angiography system that puts interventional radiologists at the centre of their procedures. Its unique mobile platform provides outstanding imaging flexibility.   The company also introduced Optima XR646, the new X-ray system.  GE Healthcare is also enabling collaborative care networks, helping transform care to become far more patient-centric; driving higher quality care by helping ensure the most appropriate expert is assigned to each case and improving productivity by reducing unnecessary travel between hospitals for clinicians. Mr Jean-Michel Malbrancq, president and CEO, GE Healthcare Europe said, "GE has been committed to innovating for radiologists and their patients for more than 100 years. We're delighted to be at ECR 2015, sharing a range of innovations all of which are designed to help solve the challenges faced by healthcare providers across Europe. Visitors to our booth will see that we're focused on new technologies that are designed to help our customers make more confident diagnoses, improve patient safety and comfort, increase throughput and generate efficiencies." The company launched these products at the 2015 European Congress of Radiology (ECR).   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6702/-budget-a-big-blow-to-make-in-india-vision.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6702/-budget-a-big-blow-to-make-in-india-vision.html Wed, 04 Mar 2015 11:53:26 +0530 This budget completely overturns the 'Make in India' vision especially for medical devices, said Mr Rajiv Nath, forum coordinator, AIMED. He further added that nobody including MNCs will invest in 'Make in India' if it remains cheaper to import than to manufacture the same products here, accompanied by all the difficulties of setting up a production unit and running the business. He further suggested that the finance ministry and revenue department should work together with other stakeholder ministries like DIPP, DOP, DIETY, and DoC to drive domestic manufacturing of medical devices. "Very partial and negligible token relief has been provided on pace makers and endoscopes. There is nothing structural to drive manufacturing of Medical Devices in India or make domestic companies competitive and expand market share from below 20-30 percent. There are a few tweaks on the inverted duty structure but limited to only 2-3 items like Pacemakers and Endoscopes by 2.5 percent reduction in Raw Material costs! Reducing CVD makes imports competitive as manufactures can't set off Modvat on inputs. Even the Economic Survey recommended doing away with Excise Duty concessions as Indian companies loose out to imports," he added. Also, reduction of SAD is not going to help domestic manufacturing become more competitive.         ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6309/cardinal-health-to-acquire-jjs-cordis-business-unit.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6309/cardinal-health-to-acquire-jjs-cordis-business-unit.html Tue, 03 Mar 2015 12:07:31 +0530 Cardinal Health has announced that it will acquire Johnson & Johnson's (J&J) Cordis business, a manufacturer of cardiology and endovascular devices, for $1.944 billion in cash, or approximately $1.594 billion, net of the present value of tax benefits. The acquisition is expected to be financed with a combination of $1.0 billion in new senior unsecured notes and the remainder with existing cash. "We are extremely excited about the acquisition of Cordis. This is a significant step forward in our cardiovascular strategy. Cordis brings with it a long and proud legacy of cardiovascular innovation. This move highlights our commitment to address a major pain point in healthcare systems through innovative new approaches to the management of physician preference items,"  said Mr George Barrett, chairman and CEO, Cardinal Health. He added, "This acquisition follows a sequence of strategic moves for Cardinal Health in the areas of cardiology, wound management and orthopedics. We are well-positioned to help customers standardize around mature medical devices, while bringing them innovative solutions around supply chain management, inventory optimization, and work flow tools and data to support the most effective management of the patient." Once the transaction is complete, the business will report to Mr Don Casey, Cardinal Health's Medical Segment chief executive officer. "We look forward to drawing heavily on the knowledge and innovative spirit of Cordis team members around the world. Additionally, Cordis' global expertise and footprint provide an exciting opportunity to leverage scale in sourcing and manufacturing," said Mr Casey. The transaction is expected to close in the United States and key non-US countries towards the end of calendar 2015. The company expects the acquisition to be increasingly accretive thereafter and assumes that synergies will exceed $100 million annually by the end of fiscal 2018.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4960/boston-scientific-to-acquire-endos-medical-device-business.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4960/boston-scientific-to-acquire-endos-medical-device-business.html Mon, 02 Mar 2015 12:19:38 +0530 According to reports, Boston Scientific is reportedly close to acquiring the AMS (American Medical Systems) medical device business of Endo Pharmaceuticals for around $2 billion Endo International acquired AMS for $2.9 billion in 2011. Three years after the acquisition it put up AMS for sale at a discount to its acquisition price in August 2014. Reportedly, Endo plans to divest its AMS unit so that it can focus on its core market-leading products, which primarily include pharmaceuticals. Pharmaceuticals comprises of over 80 percent of the total revenue generated by Endo.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6046/who-launches-global-campaign-for-use-of-smart-syringes-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6046/who-launches-global-campaign-for-use-of-smart-syringes-.html Thu, 26 Feb 2015 13:04:37 +0530 Director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), Ms Margaret Chan flagged off the "Global Campaign for Safe Injection Practice." It is the biggest worldwide safe health initiative on the use of a new injection safety policy and global campaign advocating the use of auto-disable (AD) syringes. Dangerous injection practices led to the accidental infection worldwide of 1.7 million people with hepatitis B, 315,000 with hepatitis C and as many as 33,800 with HIV in 2010, according to a 2014 WHO-sponsored study. WHO urged the countries to switch to the exclusive use of the Auto-Disable "smart" syringes, that can only be used once in order to better battle deadly diseases spread by needle sharing in an endeavor to eliminate millions of avoidable deaths and infections due to use of reusable syringes and unsafe injection practices. "It is a very proud moment for India that WHO has chosen India as the focus country to tackle the pervasive issue of unsafe injection practices and also because the global leader and innovator in AD syringes happens to be an Indian company, Hindustan Syringes and Medical Device Ltd (HMD) shall work hand in glove with WHO's global directive for use of Auto Disposable syringes in public healthcare systems," said Mr Rajiv Nath, forum coordinator AIMED and Joint MD, HMD. It may be noted that HMD happens to be the world's largest manufacturer of AD syringes and is also a coalition partner of SIGN (Safe Injection Global Network) and a strategic partner of GAVI - the global vaccine alliance for public-private health partnership committed to increasing access to immunization in developing countries. "Adoption of safety-engineered syringes is absolutely critical to protecting people worldwide from becoming infected with HIV, hepatitis and other diseases. This should be an urgent priority for all countries," said Dr Gottfried Hirnschall, director of the WHO HIV/AIDS Department.   "I do very sincerely hope that Government of India ,in light of the WHO initiative will now follow its own directives on the use of AD syringes in public healthcare system and in fact make it mandatory for use of AD in all public healthcare system," said Mr Nath.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5035/toshiba-appoints-new-directors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5035/toshiba-appoints-new-directors.html Tue, 24 Feb 2015 14:22:45 +0530 Toshiba Medical Systems has announced that it has named Mr Guy Poloni as director, MR Business Unit, and Mr Bill Newsom as director, X-ray Vascular Business Unit. They will be responsible for implementing strategic marketing plans that drive growth and profitability for their respective product lines. They will also interface with the global business units at Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation to communicate the needs and requirements of the US market. "Mr Guy's proven track record and expertise in the MR market make him the perfect leader of the MR Business Unit," said Mr Calum Cunningham, vice president, Marketing and Strategic Business Development, Toshiba. Mr Poloni was Toshiba's 3T product manager from 2011 to 2014 and most recently served as deputy director of MR at Toshiba Medical Research Institute. Mr Newsom also comes from within Toshiba, having been with the company since 2003. He has held several senior roles in the X-ray Vascular Business Unit and in Sales, having served most recently as the West Zone Business Manager for X-ray Vascular.   "Mr Bill's extensive knowledge of the X-ray vascular market and our products, and his dedication to giving customers a voice, will help drive sales for our industry-leading products in this segment," said Mr Cunningham.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4952/government-to-offer-incentives-for-medtech-industry.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4952/government-to-offer-incentives-for-medtech-industry.html Tue, 24 Feb 2015 12:48:59 +0530 Reportedly, the government is expected to announce an incentive package, including tax benefits, in the forthcoming Budget for domestic manufacturers of medical devices. In its Budget proposals, the Commerce and Industry Ministry has suggested to increase import duty on medical devices product, including syringes and pacemaker. There is an issue of inverted duty structure on these products currently. This means customs duty on the final product is less than the duty on some raw materials essential for domestic manufacturing of syringes. It has also suggested that the countervailing duty on the imported raw material should be exempted on use basis for pacemakers.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4929/hindustan-syringes-who-to-promote-auto-disable-syringe.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4929/hindustan-syringes-who-to-promote-auto-disable-syringe.html Tue, 24 Feb 2015 11:47:55 +0530 Hindustan Syringes and Medical Device (HMD) will partner with the World Health Organization (WHO) in a campaign to prevent deaths and serious infections caused due to reusable syringes and unsafe injection practices, as per reports. 'Hindustan Syringes and Medical Devices shall partner with WHO and play a very crucial role in this third global health initiative to help prevent millions of deaths and serious infections,' the company said in a statement. 'This by-far is the biggest of WHO's global initiative since the remarkable success of polio eradication and hand-wash awareness campaigns,' it added. The campaign, to be launched shortly, aims to completely eliminate the practice of using re-usable syringes and replace it with auto-disable (AD) syringes. It will also focus on broad-basing the use of auto disposal syringes from immunization to therapeutic usage. 'Syringes should be a life giver, not life taker. It is a very fulfilling moment for my company and an emotional one at personal level as thousands of people unnecessarily lose life in our country due to unsafe injection practices,' said Mr Rajiv Nath, joint managing director, HMD.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5869/global-bioinformatics-market-will-be-12-billion-by-2020.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5869/global-bioinformatics-market-will-be-12-billion-by-2020.html Sun, 22 Feb 2015 09:45:00 +0530 The global bioinformatics market will grow from $4.11 billion in 2014 to $12.54 billion by the end of 2020, says a new report from Persistence Market Research. According to the report, The market is growing at a compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 20.4 percent from 2014 to 2020. This growth will be driven by a range of different factors, including rising research and development expenditure, increasing development of personalised medicines and clinical diagnostics, the growing need for integrated bioinformatics systems in genomics and proteomics, and increasing applications of bioinformatics in drug discovery and development. Increasing number of merger and acquisition and new product innovation are some of the latest trend in bioinformatics market. Nanopore sequencing technology is one of the growth opportunities for the bioinformatics market. North America is dominating the global bioinformatics market due to its advanced IT infrastructure and a rising number of R&D centers. However, Asia is the fastest growing market for bioinformatics due to rising number of R&D activities and rising government fund for research and developments.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4326/twitter-a-new-tool-for-health-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4326/twitter-a-new-tool-for-health-research.html Sun, 22 Feb 2015 09:19:00 +0530 A new study by the University of British Columbia finds that using Twitter can help physicians be better prepared to answer questions from their patients. It also states that more and more health care professionals are embracing social media. The researchers spent six months monitoring conversations surrounding stem cell research related to spinal cord injury and Parkinson's disease on Twitter. They found roughly 25 percent of the tweets about spinal cord injury and 15 percent of the tweets about Parkinson's disease were from health care professionals. The study also found that the majority of tweets were about research findings, particularly the ones perceived as medical breakthroughs. The most shared content were links to research reports. It also discovered that the users tweeting about spinal cord injury and Parkinson's disease differed. Users who tweeted about spinal cord injury talked about clinical trials, while users who tweeted about Parkinson's disease mostly talked about new tools or methods being developed to conduct research.Less than five percent of the tweets spoke out against stem cell research, which surprised the researchers. "We expected to see debate on stem cell controversy. But people are sharing ideas of hope and expectations much more than anything else," said Ms Julie Robillard, lead author and neurology professor at UBC's National Core for Neuroethics and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health.   The study was presented at the 2015 Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3867/indian-medical-device-industry-can-be-a-potent-force-globally.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3867/indian-medical-device-industry-can-be-a-potent-force-globally.html Sat, 21 Feb 2015 09:51:00 +0530 India's medical device industry has a huge untapped potential and can be a major force globally, if proper regulatory frame work and support is provided, according to a report by the National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC). The report was released at the National Symposium of Safety of Medical Devices, organised in association with UL (Underwriters Laboratories). It reinforces the need for bringing in a systematic and harmonised approach towards testing for safety and efficacy of medical devices. The national symposium witnessed the launch of two reports on setting up medical device testing laboratories for electrical and electronic medical devices as well as for biomaterials and medical implants. The reports was developed by the National Health Systems Resource Centre, in technical collaboration with the WHO Country Office for India and with technical inputs from UL in India and Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology. It highlight the basic requirements, work flow, infrastructure and human resources required for establishing medical devices testing laboratories. "The government approving 100 percent foreign direct investment (FDI) in the medical devices sector is a positive step towards developing the overall healthcare infrastructure, thereby reducing our dependency on imports. The expected inflow of investment should target research, testing and infrastructure strengthening to promote domestic manufacturing," said Mr Suresh Sugavanam, vice president and managing director, UL South Asia. He added, "UL has made significant investments in terms of resources and laboratories to support the industry. The current landscape is highly fragmented and calls for a restructuring of regulatory framework to boost the industry."  "Access to safe, good quality and effective medical devices is an important component of health services. With the increasing commitment of the government towards achieving health for the people, proportionate effort is required towards developing systems such as testing laboratories to support the medical devices sector. Only with comprehensive and collaborative effort can the nation progress towards self-dependency and bring cost-effective and safe medical technologies within the reach of masses," said Dr Sanjiv Kumar, executive director, NHSRC.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3458/philips-completes-acquisition-of-volcano.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3458/philips-completes-acquisition-of-volcano.html Fri, 20 Feb 2015 12:58:19 +0530 Royal Philips has announced that it has completed the acquisition of Volcano Corporation. Volcano's financial results will be consolidated as part of Philips' image-guided therapy business group as of February 17, 2015. Philips' long-standing partnership with Volcano, the retention of key management members and in-depth preparations will facilitate the integration into Philips' image-guided therapy business group. "The completion of the Volcano acquisition is an important milestone in our strategy to become the leading systems integrator in the fast growing image-guided minimally invasive surgery market and accelerate our growth in that market," said Mr Frans van Houten, chief executive officer, Royal Philips. He added, "The combination of Volcano's broad portfolio of imaging and measurement catheters and Philips' leading interventional imaging solutions allow us to provide our customers with an integrated solution to improve procedural outcomes at a decisive stage in the health continuum." As a result of the merger, all remaining Volcano shares were converted into the right to receive $18.00 per share in cash, without interest, less any applicable withholding of taxes, the same price that was paid in the tender offer.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3294/cipla-invests-in-a-respiratory-device-firm.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3294/cipla-invests-in-a-respiratory-device-firm.html Thu, 19 Feb 2015 13:13:57 +0530 Cipla has announced that it will acquire 60 percent stake in Jay Precision Pharmaceuticals for Rs 96 crore, says reports. Jay Precision is an existing supplier of respiratory devices to the company and has a manufacturing facility at Vasai, Maharashtra. "Considering company's leading position in inhalation therapy, this transaction is aimed at integrating the value chain and will serve as a platform for the development of next generation respiratory devices," the company said in a statement. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of this financial year, subject to completion of certain conditions.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3986/boston-scientific-settles-dispute-with-jj.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3986/boston-scientific-settles-dispute-with-jj.html Thu, 19 Feb 2015 13:13:14 +0530 Boston Scientific Corporation has announced the settlement of the breach of merger agreement lawsuit brought by Johnson & Johnson (J&J) against Guidant Corporation. The issue stemmed from Boston Scientific's acquisition of Guidant. In the lawsuit filed in 2006, J&J alleged that Guidant breached the merger agreement it had with Johnson & Johnson, and sought more than $7 billion in damages. Guidant disputed the allegations. As a result of the settlement agreement, Johnson & Johnson has agreed to permanently dismiss its action without acknowledgment of liability by Guidant. Additionally, Boston Scientific will make aggregate payments totaling $600 million to J&J. The company expects to record a pre-tax litigation-related charge of approximately $600 million within its fourth quarter 2014 results as a recognized subsequent event. This charge will be excluded from Boston Scientific's non-GAAP measures of adjusted income that were previously announced. In connection with the settlement, it has also agreed not to bring patent infringement or other claims related to Johnson & Johnson's SMART, SMART Control, and SMART Flex stent products. "We feel this settlement is in the best interests of the company and its shareholders. We are pleased to end this longstanding litigation between Guidant and Johnson & Johnson, and to continue focusing on delivering innovative products and solutions to physicians and patients," said Mr Tim Pratt, executive vice-president, chief administrative officer, general counsel and secretary, Boston Scientific.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6555/medgenome-natera-to-bring-nipt-to-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6555/medgenome-natera-to-bring-nipt-to-india.html Wed, 18 Feb 2015 12:33:09 +0530 As part of the agreement, MedGenome will have exclusive license to develop the capacity and perform the Panorama test in India. Natera's test, known as Panorama, examines fetal DNA in the mother's blood to assess whether a developing baby is at high risk for having an abnormality in the chromosomes. Panorama uses a simple blood draw from the mother to screen for trisomy 21 (Down's syndrome), trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome), trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome) and select sex chromosome abnormalities, such as monosomy X (Turner syndrome). Panorama is the only screening test in the world that detects triploidy status in the fetus (69 chromosomes rather than 46 chromosomes), and reports whether a 'vanishing' twin was present, i.e. there was a twin but it got absorbed, and is no longer detectable by ultrasound. Panorama can be performed from as early as 9 weeks gestation. In contrast to traditional prenatal genetic testing like chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis, which are invasive tests, Panorama does not pose any risk for the fetus.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5523/india-life-sciences-fund-ii-invests-in-medtech-cos.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5523/india-life-sciences-fund-ii-invests-in-medtech-cos.html Tue, 17 Feb 2015 12:40:00 +0530 Reportedly, India Life Sciences Fund II has invested Rs 92 crore (approx $15 million) in Comprehensive Prosthetics and Orthotics (CPO) and Relisys Medical Devices. New Delhi-based Comprehensive Prosthetics and Orthotics (CPO) makes artificial limbs, while Hyderabad-based Relisys Medical Devices is involved in development, manufacturing and commercialization of medical devices to treat life-threatening diseases including cardiovascular, peripheral vascular, neurovascular (stroke), and structural heart disease. The fund has invested Rs 60 crore in CPO and the rest Rs 32 crore in Relisys. It has raised Rs 865 crore last year to invest in mid-market companies in healthcare services, pharmaceuticals and medical technology.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5532/maverix-biomics-elsevier-sign-ngs-data-interpretation-agreement.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5532/maverix-biomics-elsevier-sign-ngs-data-interpretation-agreement.html Tue, 17 Feb 2015 12:29:45 +0530 Maverix Biomics has announced a strategic cooperation agreement with Elsevier. The agreement is to streamline the interpretation of raw next-generation sequencing (NGS) data to reveal new insights and to assist with critical decision making. The Maverix Analytic Platform will complement Pathway Studio's sample-to-insight workflow and incorporation of biological data from Elsevier's biology journals. The combination of the Maverix Analytic Platform and Elsevier's Pathway Studio is an integrated solution. It starts with raw NGS data and quickly produces genome alignment, quality metrics, variant and expression analysis, and the ability to analyse and visualise disease mechanisms derived from published scientific data. "This collaboration gives more value to our customers, not only can they use the two great tools our companies produce, but they can now save time by seamlessly using them together. This reduces their workload, reduces complexity and increases accuracy of their analysis," said Ms Jaqui Hodgkinson, VP product development of Elsevier Life Sciences Solutions. "We are pleased to be able to offer the Maverix Analytic Platform directly integrated with the Elsevier's Pathway Studio solution for researchers," said Mr Dave Mandelkern, Maverix president and co-founder. He added, "The combined offering will help researchers unravel hidden biology in experimental data or literature-based evidence, which will be especially useful in building and visualizing disease models." Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5555/roche-acquires-another-genomics-company.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5555/roche-acquires-another-genomics-company.html Tue, 17 Feb 2015 12:21:27 +0530 Roche has announced the acquisition of Germany-based Signature Diagnostics. Signature is a translational oncology and genomics company that develops large blood plasma and tissue biobanks in multiple cancers. It uses the samples from its biobanks along with accompanying clinical progression and genetic data to develop and validate circulating cell free DNA (cfDNA) tests1 which have the potential to advance non-invasive treatment response monitoring for patients with cancer. "Biobanks play an important role in uncovering the cause or origin of disease such as cancer which is important in translational research and the development of personalized therapies for patients," said Mr Roland Diggelmann,COO, Roche Diagnostics. He added, "Signature represents a unique bridge between high value cancer biobanks and NGS assay development. Roche plans to leverage Signature's expertise in both of these areas to accelerate the development of targeted NGS-based diagnostics in the future. Biobanks can also be used for biomarker discovery and hypothesis testing with Pharma." "We are very pleased Roche recognizes the importance of high-quality longitudinal cancer biobanks for the development of novel NGS-based diagnostics. Joining forces with Roche is very exciting as it will allow us to further develop our NGS assays for sequencing tests using cfDNA which may advance the development of non-invasive treatment response monitoring for cancer patients," said Dr Andre Rosenthal, CEO, Signature. Signature will be integrated into Roche Sequencing Unit and will continue to focus on expanding its innovative genomic signature portfolio. This is the third genomics company that Roche has acquired recently, the other two being Bina Technologies and Genia Technologies.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3920/global-home-healthcare-market-will-be-303-6-billion-by-2020-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3920/global-home-healthcare-market-will-be-303-6-billion-by-2020-.html Tue, 17 Feb 2015 09:21:00 +0530 A new report by Transparency Market Research, finds that the global home healthcare market will increase to $303.6 billion in 2020 from $176.1 billion in 2013. The market is broadly divided into devices and services. Home healthcare devices market can be further subdivided into diagnostics and monitoring devices, therapeutics devices and medical supplies. The market for diagnostics and monitoring devices segment account for the largest share of the home healthcare devices market. The fastest growing segment is therapeutics devices, which is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 10 percent from 2014 to 2020. It comprises of insulin delivery devices, nebulizers, ventilators and dialysis equipment etc. The services segment is the largest within the overall global home healthcare market, providing services like rehabilitation, telehealth and telemedicine, respiratory therapy. Some of the bigger players in the home healthcare market are, Bayer AG, Abbott Laboratories, GE Healthcare, Johnson & Johnson among others.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6503/medical-device-makers-and-their-budget-wishlist.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6503/medical-device-makers-and-their-budget-wishlist.html Mon, 16 Feb 2015 13:00:03 +0530 Reportedly, the Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AIMED) has sought import duty concessions in the upcoming Budget. It has also demanded a blanket ban on 100 percent foreign direct investment (FDI) in brown field projects. Further, the industry body has also sought re-imposition of special additional duty (SAD) of 4 percent on import of medical devices. "To enable the nascent Indian medical devices industry to survive. India needs to consider rationalization of import duties to be zero percent for natural resource, 2.5-5 percent for basic raw materials and packaging materials, 5-7.5 percent for components and consumables," AIMED said in a statement. "And at least 10 percent for finished medical devices or consumer goods to encourage manufacturing of components and complete devices," it added. "Export subsidy should be given where fiscal incentives are robust enough to match our competitors. China gives 17 percent export subsidy thereby ensuring a healthy minimum margin of 10 percent exporters. We have no such matching policy," it further added.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4391/india-to-get-medical-device-testing-labs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4391/india-to-get-medical-device-testing-labs.html Mon, 16 Feb 2015 12:20:00 +0530 In a bid to boost the domestic medical device manufacturing sector, the commerce ministry has decided to fund the setting up of three medical device testing laboratories in Noida (UP), Haryana and Gujarat, say reports. These places already have device manufacturing clusters. Reportedly, Haryana and Gujarat governments have promised to allot land for the labs. However, in Noida, HLL Lifecare, a PSU, will be providing its campus for setting up the laboratory. "To grow the industry and achieve the $25 billion target, we need to lay greater emphasis on developing standards and making regulatory amendments to the existing Drugs and Cosmetics Act," said Mr Rajiv Capoor, joint secretary in the ministry in a statement. "The detailed report on setting up of these laboratories would be timely," he added.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5213/medical-device-industry-may-face-a-promising-future-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5213/medical-device-industry-may-face-a-promising-future-in-india.html Thu, 05 Feb 2015 09:32:00 +0530 India, a country with over 1.2 billion people, represents a significant proportion of the global population. Its nascent middle class and growing economy, combined with rising disease rates, present ample opportunities for healthcare companies to see steady growth, says Mr Shashank Settipalli, Analyst, GlobalData. Economic protectionism in the form of higher tariffs placed on raw material imports, and a historic lack of a robust regulatory framework contribute to market under-penetration of medical devices. However, The situation is slowly changing. In December 2014, the Indian government removed some barriers to the medical devices market, effectively allowing 100 percent foreign direct investment. The authorities took this decision to encourage local manufacturing and foster a greater potential for Indian companies to be acquired by major medical device players in the international arena. Additionally, Indian legislators are priming the healthcare regulatory apparatus for a drastic makeover. Lawmakers have drafted a 2015 bill amending the Drugs and Cosmetics Act to bring the import, manufacturing, distribution and sale of all medical devices under its purview. Harmonising and restructuring the regulatory frameworks assuages skepticism and uncertainties for medical device manufacturers. Furthermore, these actions encourage physicians to adopt more medical devices by enacting strong standards and benchmarks. These reforms may not cause instant success for medical devices in India, but are, nevertheless, reassuring first steps to growth in a burgeoning economy, according to GlobalData.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4093/samsung-unveils-a-new-ultrasound-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4093/samsung-unveils-a-new-ultrasound-system.html Wed, 04 Feb 2015 15:33:54 +0530 Samsung has introduced the Samsung WS80A, its flagship ultrasound product for women's healthcare, designed to streamline exam workflows and deliver exceptional image clarity. This high resolution premium system offers enhanced diagnostic capabilities and expanded 5D features, including a new 5D Heart application, building on Samsung's WS80A platform. "The launch of Samsung's flagship ultrasound product for the women's health market emphasizes Samsung is ready for the next big thing in ultrasound. The Samsung WS80A with Elite performance package incorporates Samsung's latest innovations, including an expanded set of 5D workflow applications, to continue our promise of delivering fast, easy and accurate diagnosis for healthcare providers and their patients," said Mr Doug Ryan, group vice-president for Health and Medical Equipment at Samsung. The Samsung WS80A with Elite's 5D Heart tool generates nine standard fetal cardiac views simultaneously in a single template, offering an intuitive workflow that can simplify examination of the fetal heart and improve reproducibility.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6160/iit-madras-establishes-bio-incubator-to-support-start-ups.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6160/iit-madras-establishes-bio-incubator-to-support-start-ups.html Wed, 04 Feb 2015 10:36:39 +0530 The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras - South India's premier engineering and research institution - has established an incubator for biotechnology start-ups to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in the southern region of India. The incubator was inaugurated on December 11, 2014 by Mr Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Director, IIT Madras. The bio-incubator is said to be ideal for budding entrepreneurs who need a nurturing environment to help bring their product to market and for companies who need a platform for trying new processes or technologies. The bio-incubator is open to researchers with a promising idea for a product that can be commercialized as well as start-up companies seeking to scale-up and enter the market. The IITM Bio-incubator is funded by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), under the Bio-Incubator Support Scheme (BISS) of the Department of Biotechnology, India. IITM bio-incubator has been established with a primary objective of fostering Indian biotech innovation and entrepreneurship and it aims to enhance R&D capabilities of start-ups and SMEs in order to develop globally competitive products. The incubator offers lab and office space, high-end equipment, scale-up facilities, technical support and centralized utilities for process development to help technologies mature and attain commercialization. It is offered to researchers with nascent ideas, who want to develop processes and to commercialize their product, and also as an R&D base for companies to try new technologies. It is a platform for entrepreneurs to gain technical advice and researchers to realize business opportunities. The incubator can also be used to provide training and workshops to develop skills related to development and commercialization of the product. The bio-incubator offers a slew of other advantages to its incubatees. In association with the IITM Alumni Association's Entrepreneurship Forum, IITM Incubation Cell (IITMIC) will provide mentorship from IITM Alumni who have knowledge and experience relevant to the proposed project. Incubatees can avail the expertise in IITM in areas of biotechnology or business by consulting faculty members or research scholars. Business support is offered by IITMIC in areas of legal, accounting and company secretaryship. This can also include IPR services like patent mapping and patent applications. In terms of funding, the incubatees can get access to funding from the Entrepreneurship Support Scheme of the IITM Alumni as well as other venture capitalists and DST. In addition to these facilities, the incubatees can have access to a vast network of researchers, faculty, businessmen, industrialists, alumni, venture capitalists, governmental agencies and other service providers who can be tapped into via the bio-incubator. At present, the bio-incubator has inducted four incubatees for the first phase. Vital Bio-Scientific Solutions - a spin off from the Bioengineering and Drug Design lab, Department of Biotechnology, IIT Madras - is incubated by IITM Incubation Cell. Current focus of Vital Bio-scientific Solutions is to develop novel products and services for efficient screening of New Chemical entities (NCEs) and drugs in pre-clinical studies including ADME and toxicology. Dr Padma Priya, Research Scholar and Founder of Vital Bio-Scientific Solutions said, "Lack of efficient analytical instrumentation is an initial roadblock faced by most of the biotech start-ups, as it is expensive to set-up even a basic research lab. In such a scenario, the bio-incubator at IITM provides us with a high-end laboratory set-up that helps us to focus on product innovation, improvisation and commercialization. Most importantly the bio-incubator provides the necessary funds to establish a fully-equipped laboratory suitable for product development." Yaathum Biotech a start-up by four young students who have done their Masters in Biomedical field in UK, has been incubated with the aim of indigenously developing Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) kits for rapid/affordable diagnostic testing and research purposes. The company's current venture is to develop and market multiplex qPCR based diagnostic test kit that would make possible the identification of full range of Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB) at one third the present cost, taking a few hours to test and capable of identifying all MDR and XDR-TB strains in a single test which is not available at present. FIB-SOL Life Technologies aims to develop efficient carrier systems for bio-fertilizers. Liquid bio fertilizers (LBF) and Fertilizer Carrying Membrane (FCM) are the two products developed at FIB-SOL, which, comprises of microbial formulations with improved stabilizers and carrier material. The products are aimed at improving the storage, application and logistics of bio fertilizers compared to currently available products. The company's Director Ms Kavitha Sairam indicated that, "The bio-incubator offers all conveniences under one roof. The incubatees have access to all sophisticated equipments and devices that is necessary for evaluating and validating our research product. Mentorship is most important for any research and the incubatees here are mentored academically and legally. The bio-incubator also offers assistance in guiding us to market the product and tackle issues faced by start-ups. At the end of three years, the incubatees can enter into a technology-transfer for the product or choose another product for development and commercialization." Purius Nanosystems Pvt. Ltd. is the fourth incubatee. The company is looking to develop point-of-care diagnostic devices for DNA-based testing that integrate semiconductor-based biosensors and microfluidics. IITM bio-incubator is open year round for fresh applications. A screening committee will evaluate the applications on several criteria, i.e. technical merit, proof of expertise, economic viability, funding and compatibility with the incubator. The start-ups are then incubated for a minimum period of three years. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4406/new-software-analyzes-human-genomes-in-minutes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4406/new-software-analyzes-human-genomes-in-minutes.html Tue, 03 Feb 2015 12:51:49 +0530 To overcome the challenges of analyzing that large amount of sequencing data, Researchers at the Nationwide Children's hospital have developed a computational pipeline called "Churchill". By using novel computational techniques, it allows efficient analysis of a whole genome sample in as little as 90 minutes. "Researchers can complete genomic sequencing in a matter of days. After a genome is sequenced, scientists are left with billions of data points to analyze before any truly useful information can be gleaned for use in research and clinical settings," said Dr Peter White, principal investigator and director of the Biomedical Genomics Core at Nationwide Children's and the study's senior author. Explaining about the software, Dr White said, "Churchill fully automates the analytical process required to take raw sequence data through a series of complex and computationally intensive processes, ultimately producing a list of genetic variants ready for clinical interpretation and tertiary analysis. Each step in the process was optimized to significantly reduce analysis time, without sacrificing data integrity, resulting in an analysis method that is 100 percent reproducible." The output of Churchill was validated using National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) benchmarks. In comparison with other computational pipelines, Churchill was shown to have the highest sensitivity at 99.7 percent; highest accuracy at 99.99 percent and the highest overall diagnostic effectiveness at 99.66 percent. According to the researchers, Churchill could be adapted for population scale genomic analysis.   The Churchill algorithm was licensed to Columbus-based GenomeNext, which has built upon the its technology to develop a secure and automated software-as-a-service platform that enables users to simply upload raw whole-genome, exome or targeted panel sequence data to the GenomeNext system and run an analysis that not only identifies genetic variants but also generates fully annotated datasets enabling filtering and identification of pathogenic variants. The company provides genomic data analysis solutions that simplify the process of data management and automate analysis of large scale genomic studies. The system was also developed with the research and clinical market in mind, offering a standardized pipeline that is well suited to settings where customers have to meet regulatory requirements. An article describing this software was published in the latest issue of Genome Biology.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4706/philips-teva-launch-medtech-incubator.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4706/philips-teva-launch-medtech-incubator.html Mon, 02 Feb 2015 12:26:15 +0530 Philips Healthcare and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has launched Sanara Ventures, an incubator for Israeli MedTech and pharmaceutical companies with global aspirations. The companies are investing more than $25 million in the project over eight years. The incubator aims to fund and mentor startup companies with medical device and related technologies that complement drug development. Philips and Teva have earmarked up to NIS 100 million as initial investment over the next eight years to fund the participating companies, the newspaper said. "This unique cooperation between Teva and Philips expresses our faith in the important potential contribution of science and innovation in Israel in Teva's future directions and illustrates our commitment to operate and invest in Israel," said, Mr Erez Vigodman, Teva's president and CEO in a statement. "Israel has a major record of achievement in innovation, which Philips is a partner to through our extensive R&D investment in the country. I am convinced that this step will promote and strengthen even more healthcare innovation in Israel," said Royal Philips president and CEO, Mr Frans van Houten, in a statement.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/4405/ayurgenomics-raises-new-hopes-for-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/4405/ayurgenomics-raises-new-hopes-for-patients.html Sun, 01 Feb 2015 09:30:00 +0530 How often have you seen well qualified genomic researchers reciting centuries old Vedic hymns while explaining their research work? Perhaps never because of it being stereotyped into something mysterious! But here is an example of a research team that has been working quietly for last one decade on a unique initiative to find resemblances between genomics and Ayurveda. Named the TRISUTRA (Translational Research and Innovative Science Through Ayurveda), it is basically a unit of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research(CSIR) functional at its Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology (IGIB), New Delhi. The research focus of the Unit comprising of a small team, is to develop affordable health care solutions through integration of traditional knowledge of Ayurveda, genomics and modern medicine. To begin with, the survey questionnaire with eleven queries on the TRISUTRA's site asks few basic questions on the Ayurveda, testing the knowledge and preferences of common Indians on the subject. Apart from the basics, the Unit has been working with the hospitals, tertiary referral centres, and academic institutions to create a network of multi-disciplinary research efforts. Among these are the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata; Ganit Labs, Bangalore; National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore; Maharishi Dayanand University, Haryana; along with host of Ayurveda and public institutes in India. The network has also aligned globally with the Georgia Technology University, Atlanta. Whether or not the Ayurveda can prove to be an effective scientific tool for treating bodily ailments is highly debatable but what certainly cannot be ignored or underestimated is its continued acceptability in the remote parts of India since ages. The critics may find it quite complex but then complexities lead to discoveries. Isn't it? So why has been the cross talk between Ayurveda, modern medicine and genomic science been avoided so far? A peep into past  While it was conceptualized long back in 2002 by Dr Samir Brahmachari, former director general of CSIR and his team, the recognition came as late as in 2008 when a landmark study, the first of its kind in the world, revealed that it is possible to identify groups within normal individuals of the populations, which could be predisposed to certain kind of diseases, and also might respond differently to drugs. This is also when the word 'Ayurgenomics' was coined by the authors of the study. Based on one of the leads from gene expression differences, a genetic marker associated with high altitude adaptation and a high altitude illness, EGLN1 was identified. The study thus provided a novel molecular framework for integration of two contrasting disciplines. Recalling the days when nobody was even talking about it, Dr Brahmachari mentioned, "When we imagined this project back in 2001, our knowledge was zero. But we realized that the genomic research is moving towards predictive personalized medicine. Therefore, we thought ahead of times and established a network of scientists to explore the existing traditional knowledge ignored so far. The principle we are using is very similar to the sub-group classification employed 4000 years back in Ayurveda."   Dr Brahmachari feels that despite adverse opinions at times, one has to take the risk and be persistent with the ideas to gain experience. "It is important to remember that 1.3 billion population of India cannot be treated by the modern medicine when 65 percent of them are still dependent on traditional medicine in one way or the other. So, why not use this to identify the genetic connection of fruits/foods suitable for the disease phenotypes. The core focus is on the affordability and creation of flipcart like mechanism where the delivery of customized medicine is possible through telemedicine facilities, " he said further. The results of the study led by Dr Mitali Mukerji, senior scientist at the IGIB were reported in the Journal of Translational Medicine in September, 2008. Other members of team, Dr Bhavana Prasher an Ayurveda expert and Dr Sapna Negi a senior molecular biologist co-authored the paper along with a team of trans-disciplinary people that included Ayurveda doctors, molecular biologists, biochemists, bioinformaticians and statisticians. This study explored whether this ancient and documented system of Prakriti analysis could be correlated in modern biology terms. For this purpose, more than 1000 individuals were screened, out of which 120 individuals of predominant prakriti were identified, and subsequently 96 unrelated ethnically matched healthy individuals with predominance of either Vata (39 individuals), Pitta (29) or Kapha (28) prakriti, belonging to an age group of 18 - 40 years with equal numbers of both genders (n=48 in each case) were recruited for further analysis. "In the study, normal individuals of the three most contrasting Prakriti types, namely, Vata, Pitta and Kapha, were identified following clinical criteria described in Ayurveda in Indian population of Indo-European origin. It was observed that these Prakriti types exhibited differences at biochemical profiles like liver function tests and lipid profiles and hematological parameters like haemoglobin level etc. Differential gene expression was found in significant number of housekeeping and disease related genes. A significant variation in expression of genes related to metabolism, transport, immune response and regulation of blood coagulation etc. was also observed," says Dr Mitali Mukherji, Programme Director & Principal Investigator(Genomics). When asked about the Ayurveda's predictive medicine connection, Dr Bhavana Parasher, senior scientist and principal investigator (Ayurveda) remarked, "According to Ayurveda, an individual's basic constitution, Prakriti, to a large extent, determines predisposition and prognosis to diseases as well as suitability of preventive and curative regimen for the same. The research can become the fertile land for newer discoveries and also start looking at specific diseases from inter-individual variablility point of view for personalized solutions " Having begun on modest funding, there is no dearth of funding for the team now. "It has increased over time and right now our focus is on collecting more and more data from research besides building longterm resources. We had to start from scratch and since past one year, there have been multiple workshops across five sites in India. 2000 to 3000 people have been analysed at each centre so far and it will take another one and half year," says Dr Mitali.   Potential to be future of predictive medicine Though many believe that it is just hype and no substance, there is no dearth of people who feel it has potential. "I strongly believe that the PM call of "made in India" requires identification of areas where we have strategic advantages & "Ayurgenomics" fits the bill perfectly. We can lead the world here and pave way to usher a new era of healthcare which is based on our rich traditional knowledge and modern scientific scrutiny says Praveen Gupta, executive director, Premas Biotech that represents the genomic sequencing technology company, Illumina in India. The government's mood to promote Ayurveda can be well gauged from the scale of World Ayurveda Conference that was organized at New Delhi in November. Infact, the ministers and health officials are openly batting for it. "Promotion of Ayurvedic medicine system backed with scientific reasons can put India on world map. India can lead the world by promoting its ancient and preventive system of ayurvedic medicine duly backed by scientific reasons which can put us on the global map just like yoga. Our own system which has been prevailing since thousands of years can put a great impact in the world and people can be prevented from many dreaded diseases, treatment of which otherwise costs very high," said Dr Jagdish Prasad, director general of health services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at an event in Delhi. The focus on Ayurgenomics assumes significance because it holds the potential to bring the scientific credence and global acceptability to Ayurveda. If successful, it can also provide new leads to genomics and help create customized products that can be utilized by the biopharma, nutrition and Ayurveda industry. At the times, when millions are spent to find the new chemical entities and further research, there seems to be no reason for being biased towards an indigenous science left unexplored. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4269/roche-collaborates-with-qualcomm-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4269/roche-collaborates-with-qualcomm-.html Fri, 30 Jan 2015 12:59:13 +0530 Qualcomm's subsidiary, Qualcomm Life and Roche has announced that they have entered into a strategic collaboration to improve remote monitoring and management of chronic disease patients. The companies aim to advance chronic care management using connected therapy to further improve therapy quality, increase convenience and drive patient engagement in managing their health. Roche will utilize Qualcomm Life's 2net Platform to seamlessly and securely capture data from a patient's medical devices, beginning with anticoagulation meters, and transmit it to Roche's cloud-based back-end services. The 2net Platform is a secure wireless solution that provides a simple and efficient way to exchange relevant health information between chronic disease patients and their care team or clinic to enable reduced therapy complications and total cost of care. Qualcomm Life and Roche are working together to deliver an improved process for sharing health information between health care providers and their patients. "This collaboration marks a significant milestone for Roche as we launch a new generation of point-of-care solutions that enable healthcare professionals to better keep in touch remotely with patients, whenever and wherever they are," said Mr Jeremy Moss, senior vice president, Point of Care at Roche Professional Diagnostics. He added, "By combining Qualcomm Life's leadership in powering connected health solutions with our point-of-care expertise, we are taking an important step forward to realize our connected care strategy; ultimately enabling physicians to improve the overall quality of life for patients." "We are thrilled to be working with a global industry leader in diagnostics and excited by the positive impact our collaboration with Roche can have on patient empowerment at the point-of-care. Together, Roche and Qualcomm Life are committed to providing tools to patients and their physicians and caregivers that empower greater coordination to improve patient health," said Mr Rick Valencia, senior vice president and general manager, Qualcomm Life.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4263/jj-signs-mou-with-insuline-medical.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4263/jj-signs-mou-with-insuline-medical.html Fri, 30 Jan 2015 12:58:31 +0530 According to reports, InsuLine Medical has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Johnson and Johnson (J&J). Under the MoU, InsuLine and J&J will cooperate in obtaining regulatory approval for marketing InsuPad. InsuPad is a medical device which reduces injected insulin uptake speed in diabetics by near 50 percent. J&J will also manage registration procedures with the various authorities. Once regulatory approval for marketing is obtained, the parties will negotiate a final binding distribution agreement for each territory, in which J&J will be the sole distributor. In addition to Russia, the agreement will also include Ukraine and other former Soviet Union countries Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The registration procedure is likely to take a year. "InsuLine is continuing the expansion of the markets to which it sends the company's products, in line with its global commercial strategy. It is important to stress that the Russian market is a large and significant market for InsuLine, and the cooperation will include planning, management, and carrying out penetration strategy," said Mr Michael Netz, CEO InsuLine, in a statement.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4096/usfda-springs-to-action-to-improve-aeds-reliability.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4096/usfda-springs-to-action-to-improve-aeds-reliability.html Thu, 29 Jan 2015 13:04:17 +0530 Automated external defibrillators are portable, electronic medical devices that automatically sense potentially life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias and either automatically deliver or advise the user to deliver electrical stimulation to re-establish normal heart rhythms. They are often stored in public locations for use in an emergency and, while they can be lifesaving, there has been a history of malfunction issues. The FDA issued a final order that will require AED manufacturers to submit premarket approval applications (PMAs), which undergo a more rigorous review than what was required to market these devices in the past. The agency's strengthened review will focus on the critical requirements needed to ensure the safety and reliability of AEDs and their necessary accessories, including batteries, pad electrodes, adapters and hardware keys for pediatric use. "Automated external defibrillators save lives," said Mr William Maisel, deputy director for science, chief scientist and acting director of the office of device evaluation in the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health. "These changes to the way these devices are reviewed will allow us to more closely monitor how they are designed and manufactured. This will go a long way towards correcting long-standing problems and ultimately improving the reliability of these devices."   From January 2005 through September 2014, the FDA received approximately 72,000 medical device reports associated with the failure of these devices. Since 2005, manufacturers have conducted 111 recalls, affecting more than two million AEDs. The problems associated with many of these recalls and reports included design and manufacturing issues, such as inadequate control of components purchased from other suppliers. By requiring premarket approval for these devices, the FDA will receive important information about an AED manufacturer's quality systems information. The FDA will also conduct inspections of manufacturers' facilities prior to approval. After approval, manufacturers will be required to submit to the FDA any changes made to the devices that affect safety or effectiveness, and annual reports on device performance. Given the importance of these devices in emergency situations, AEDs currently on the market will remain available while manufacturers work to meet the new PMA requirements. The FDA does not intend to enforce the PMA requirement for AEDs until July 29, 2016, as long as manufacturers notify the FDA of their intent to file a PMA by April 29, 2015. The FDA does not intend to enforce the PMA requirement for currently marketed, necessary AED accessories until January 29, 2020. The Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act calls for the FDA to publish proposed and final orders to reclassify or call for PMAs for pre-amendments devices. The FDA's Circulatory System Devices Panel recommended that AEDs remain Class III medical devices and require PMAs. The FDA originally issued a proposed order in March 2013 calling for PMAs to ensure the appropriate regulation of Class III pre-amendments devices. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/1190/trivitron-enters-a-joint-venture-with-imd-generators.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/1190/trivitron-enters-a-joint-venture-with-imd-generators.html Wed, 28 Jan 2015 12:51:43 +0530 Trivitron Healthcare has announced a joint venture (JV) with the IMD group, Italy. The companies has signed an MoU for the joint venture in the name of Kiran IMD X Ray, to design/develop and manufacture variety of X Ray Equipment and X-Ray accessories based out of its facilities in Chennai and Mumbai â€?in India and Bergamo in Italy. Trivitron healthcare holds 60 percent share while IMD group holds 40 percent share in this venture. Through this collaboration, the companies will manufacture X Ray Monobloc, X Ray Generators, High Frequency X Ray Machines, Mobile and Full Room DR, Digital OPG and Mobile Cathlab. Dr GSK Velu, founder and managing director of Trivitron Group, said " We are also happy that this JV is being announced in Arab Health 2015, the world's largest Medical Technology fair where Trivitron has been a significant partner for over 8 years now." "This is an exciting moment for Kiran Medical Systems as we move up in our value chain to provide more comprehensive product line to our channel partners and customers across the Globe. IMD and Kiran products are complimentary to each other and the JV will immensely benefit both companies," said CEO of Kiran Medical Systems, Mr â€?Ramesh Modi. Mr Aliberti the CEO of IMD Group of Companies said, "Bringing Trivitron/ Kiran and IMD's expertise and network together will ensure more comprehensive product offerings to the focus markets in a most cost effective basis."   This joint venture between Kiran and IMD ensures â€?these high technology products will be manufactured in India for making it accessible and affordable to larger section of population with special emphasis to emerging markets like South and South East Asia, Middle East and Africa, Eastern Europe and Latin America. The JV will also produce Monoblocs/ Generators to be supplied to other X Ray manufacturers across the world using Kiran's Global Network.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4182/google-teams-up-with-biogen.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4182/google-teams-up-with-biogen.html Wed, 28 Jan 2015 12:29:48 +0530 Google X, the lifescience division of google has joined hands with drugmaker Biogen to study environmental and biological contributors to multiple sclerosis (MS), says reports. Using sensors, software and data analysis tools, the companies will collect and sift through data from people with the disease. Their goal is to find out why multiple sclerosis progresses differently from patient to patient. Biogen already has five MS drugs in the market and is on a mission to use new technologies to gather round-the-clock data on patients. The collaboration deepens Google's commitment to the health industry. Last year, Google X had collaborated with Novartis for smart contact lens project for diabetes.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6321/siemens-shuffles-its-management-board.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6321/siemens-shuffles-its-management-board.html Wed, 28 Jan 2015 12:28:51 +0530 Siemens AG has announced major changes in its healthcare management board. The company said that Mr Hermann Requardt is stepping down from the board and his position as Healthcare CEO by mutual consent to enable a generation change. Mr Bernd Montag, currently the CEO of Imaging and Therapy Systems at Healthcare, will  succeed him. Mr Requardt, however will remain available in an advisory capacity. The company named Mr Michael Reitermann, currently the CEO of Healthcare's Diagnostics business, as a member of Executive Management and Mr Michael Sen, chief financial officer of the Healthcare business, which is separately managed within Siemens AG. Mr Michael Sen is currently Healthcare CFO. The company also announced that Mr Siegfried Russwurm will be the Board-level partner for the separately managed Healthcare business, while retaining his regional responsibilities for the CIS and Middle East as well as his position as chief technology officer. Mr Joe Kaeser, president and CEO of Siemens AG, said, "I have the greatest respect for Mr Requardt's decision to make way for a generation change. We are now setting up Healthcare as a separately managed business within Siemens in order to pave the way for an equally successful future in a highly dynamic market and innovation-driven environment. This is now the task of Bernd Montag, Michael Reitermann and Michael Sen. They will have the full support of the Managing Board and their direct partner, Board member Mr Siegfried Russwurm, who worked in the company's former Medical Engineering and Medical Solutions units for ten years." All changes will take effect from February 1, 2015.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4174/us-fda-drafted-guidelines-for-wellness-medical-devices.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4174/us-fda-drafted-guidelines-for-wellness-medical-devices.html Tue, 27 Jan 2015 13:06:27 +0530 The United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) has issued two draft guidance documents outlining how the agency would classify low-risk general wellness devices and applications. It has also proposed risk assessment-based regulation for medical device accessories. According to the proposed guidance, the FDA intends to regulate a general wellness product when it is marketed for a specific disease or condition. Devices that are more intrusive and involve more than tracking of exercise, diets and heart rates would require more regulatory oversight. Devices are not considered general wellness if they purport to treat or diagnose obesity, anorexia, anxiety, muscle atrophy or erectile dysfunction. Also, computer games that claim to diagnose or treat autism do not fall under the definition of a general wellness product. The regulatory body in a draft guidance defined a medical device accessory as something that is used with at least one parent device or is intended to support, supplement and/or augment the performance of one or more parent devices. The accessories will be regulated based on the risks they present when used with their parent devices, but not based on the parent device's risks. The agency noted that some device accessories can have lower associated risks than their parent devices, and thus warrant different levels of regulation.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5866/medtronic-completes-acquisition-of-covidien.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5866/medtronic-completes-acquisition-of-covidien.html Tue, 27 Jan 2015 13:04:59 +0530 Medtronic has announced that it has successfully completed the acquisition of Covidien. Under the terms of the acquisition agreement, Medtronic and Covidien are now combined under Medtronic Shares of Medtronic and are expected to begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol "MDT" on January 27, 2015. "The culmination of this acquisition marks a significant milestone in our industry. We can now bring together the extensive and innovative capabilities of both Medtronic and Covidien with an underlying objective to solve healthcare's biggest challenge, expanding access and improving clinical outcomes, while lowering costs," said Mr Omar Ishrak, chairman and CEO of Medtronic. He added, "We know that our combined businesses can have a real and meaningful impact on people's lives, helping to treat more people, in more ways and in more places around the world." Under the terms of the transaction, each ordinary share of Covidien outstanding as of the closing has been converted into the right to receive $35.19 in cash and 0.956 of an ordinary share of Medtronic.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8062/mri-systems-market-value-to-double-by-9-2-billion-by-2020.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8062/mri-systems-market-value-to-double-by-9-2-billion-by-2020.html Tue, 27 Jan 2015 11:54:00 +0530 The company's latest report states that this impressive growth will be driven by continual design developments, cost reductions, reimbursement improvements and the rapid uptake of less expensive MRI systems in emerging markets. However, Mr Rob Littlefield, GlobalData's senior analyst covering medical devices, says current economic factors remain the greatest threat to new innovation in the next five years, despite numerous advancements in MRI system capability. Mr Littlefield explains, "This is especially true in western Europe, where economic austerity measures are stalling device purchases of every category. However, many hospitals still uncompromisingly demand advanced MRI systems despite tight budgets, so significant growth opportunities remain." "Healthcare providers are calling on manufacturers to develop both cheaper and better technology, meaning suppliers' success will depend on the development of MRI solutions offering improvements in cost, efficiency and workflow, while also enhancing clinical diagnostics," he adds. GlobalData's report also finds that market growth for MRI systems in the US and EU will continue to be heavily dependent on the replacement of existing systems that are nearing the end of their lifetime.   Mr Littlefield continues: "Despite the need for replacements, hospitals do not always decommission MRI systems at the end of the products' manufacturer-recommended lifecycles, which negatively affects sales in these developed markets as new system purchases are delayed or abandoned. Additionally, newer systems are expected to cost less, reducing manufacturers' profit margins and resulting in a highly competitive MRI market that ultimately stifles new product innovation." The analyst adds that sales growth in emerging countries, such as China and India, will be fueled by the rapid uptake of less-expensive MRI systems that will allow access to healthcare in more remote areas of these price-sensitive economies. "With increases in average income, growing demand for healthcare, and higher standards for care, emerging markets are expected to see a rise in MRI diagnostic procedures, as the technology offers safe and valuable insight into patient conditions and is a powerful, irreplaceable decision-making tool for physicians," concludes Mr Littlefield. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5889/jj-sharing-medical-device-trial-data-with-yoda.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5889/jj-sharing-medical-device-trial-data-with-yoda.html Thu, 22 Jan 2015 12:02:42 +0530 Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has announced that it would share clinical trial data on its medical devices and diagnostics with the Yale University Open Data Access (YODA) Project. The results from the clinical trials of the Medical Devices and Diagnostics businesses of J&J will be made available to researchers. This establishes a fully independent intermediary to manage requests and promote data use, just as it has done with its pharmaceutical clinical trial data. The YODA Project will continue to act as a bridge between investigators and J&J 's pharmaceutical, and device and diagnostics businesses. Under the arrangement, the YODA Project will approve or deny requests from investigators for de-identified patient data associated with the pharmaceutical, medical device, and diagnostic clinical trials conducted by J&J companies. This expanded scope that now includes device and diagnostic studies is another step forward in the continuing evolution of open science in clinical medicine. "This action will benefit society and represents a major step forward in the effort to promote data sharing, as J&J leadership in this area now extends from sharing its drug data to sharing its device and diagnostics data. We hope this action serves as a catalyst to others to join the momentum on open science," said Dr Harlan Krumholz, professor of medicine and leader of the YODA Project. Dr Joanne Waldstreicher, chief medial officer of J&J said, "Sharing data from clinical trials leads to greater insights in medicine. This agreement with the YODA Project underscores J&J's commitment to responsibly share clinical trial data with researchers in a way that we believe advances medical science and public health."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4780/philips-to-collaborate-with-indica-labs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4780/philips-to-collaborate-with-indica-labs.html Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:03:26 +0530 Royal Philips has announced that it will further support efforts of oncology researchers to analyze pathology samples by offering advanced image analysis algorithms from Indica Labs, as part of its Digital Pathology Solutions offerings. The collaboration will allow pathology researchers to apply intelligent algorithms to digitized pathology slides, which may enhance their ability to detect, process and extract information from tissue samples than currently possible using a conventional microscope. "Digital pathology is the stepping stone to unlock the huge potential of data mining. More information from tissue samples could bring new insights in cancer care that support personal treatment, and ultimately will save patients' lives," said Mr Perry van Rijsingen, general manager of Philips Digital Pathology Solutions. By using the combined Philips Digital Pathology Solution and Indica's HALO image analysis platform, researchers will benefit from a streamlined image analysis workflow and improved productivity. Additionally, they will be able to extract more thorough information from tissue samples, enabling more insightful analysis than possible, all while generating those results in a matter of hours or even minutes versus days. According to Mr Steven Hashagen, CEO Indica Labs, "Digital pathology offers significant opportunity to arm scientists in oncology and pathology with the quantitative information they need in their research to improve the cancer care process. By incorporating the high-quality innovation of Philips' digital imaging and our precision HALO analysis platform, they have the tools to further investigate the predictive response of certain therapy with the ultimate goal to provide a personalized cancer treatment plan." Philips offers Indica's HALO as an option with its Digital Pathology Solution for Research Use Only.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4494/philips-mit-collaborate-on-critical-care-patient-data.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4494/philips-mit-collaborate-on-critical-care-patient-data.html Mon, 19 Jan 2015 17:22:19 +0530 Philips will be granting access to data from more than 100,000 patients that have been collected and anonymized through the Philips Hospital to Home eICU telehealth program. The Laboratory of Computational Physiology within the MIT Institute for Medical Engineering and Science will serve as the academic research hub for the initiative, and will provide and maintain access, as well as help educate researchers on the database and offer a platform for collaboration. Most inpatient multi-center data sets available to researchers today are limited to insurance claims data, which offers just a summary of a patient's stay. Through this new initiative, Philips will release a more comprehensive look at the ICU patient's journey by opening up data sets from patient stays in eICU centers representing approximately 10 percent of all adult ICU beds in the United States. The secure database will include anonymized and detailed clinical data such as vital signs, pharmacy medication orders, laboratory results, diagnoses and severity of illness scores, giving researchers comprehensive insights into a patient stay.   "Researchers are always looking for better, more accurate and comprehensive data that enables a holistic representation of the patient experience," said Mr Leo Anthony Celi of MIT. "The quality and resolution of the data Philips has been collecting in the critical care domain is unprecedented. This kind of access will provide researchers with data that will enable investigations otherwise unimaginable."The data will be available to researchers via PhysioNet before the end of the year. PhysioNet offers free web access to large collections of physiologic signals and related open-source software. Investigators will be able to contribute to the expanding knowledge base by sharing their methodologies and findings with the larger research community to facilitate faster discoveries in the future. "We're proud to be leading the charge in the industry by opening up our data to independent researchers to allow them to conduct more meaningful analyses related to critical care medicine," said Mr Derek Smith, senior vice president, Hospital to Home, Philips Healthcare. "This initiative will make it easier for researchers to share methods and findings, bypassing the need to reinvent the wheel with each new research project. We hope this will lead to better, faster breakthroughs-and ultimately better medicine." The data set is compiled from records shared by hundreds of ICUs across the United States, and is managed by the Philips eICU Research Institute. This is one of the most extensive ICU-centric longitudinal data sets in existence and has been used by participants in the Philips eICU Research Institute to produce valuable peer-reviewed critical care research. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5899/healthcare-it-vc-funding-doubles-up-in-2014.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5899/healthcare-it-vc-funding-doubles-up-in-2014.html Mon, 19 Jan 2015 12:12:00 +0530 The sector also brought in $2.1 billion in debt and public market financing including six IPOs, bringing the total corporate funding raised in the sector in 2014 to almost $7 billion. This was reported by the Mercom Capital Group, a global communications and consulting firm, which released its annual report on funding and mergers and acquisition (M&A) activity for the healthcare Information Technology (IT) sector in 2014. Mercom's comprehensive report covers deals of all sizes globally. "The Healthcare IT sector had another phenomenal fundraising year. In the five years since we started tracking funding data, the sector has raised $8.8 billion in VC funding and another $3.6 billion in public market and debt financings bringing the total to $12.4 billion - largely driven by the HITECH and Affordable Care Act. However, the enthusiasm in the sector shown by the VC community was not quite matched by the public markets when you look at market performance of companies that went the IPO route in 2014," commented Mr Raj Prabhu, CEO and co-founder of Mercom Capital Group. Practice-centric companies raised $2.4 billion in 234 deals in 2014, including Clinical Decision Support companies with $517 million, followed by Data Analytics companies with $367 million and Population Health Management companies with $247 million. Consumer-centric companies raised $2.3 billion in 436 deals. Mobile Health (mHealth) companies were the largest recipient of VC funding bringing in $1.2 billion - within mHealth most funding went to Wearables with $526M and mHealth Apps with $507M. Telehealth companies received $369 million, Rating and Comparison Shopping companies brought in $288 million. The top two VC funding rounds in 2014 were raised by NantHealth which brought in $320 million and $135 million in two separate deals; Flatiron Health raised $130 million; this was followed by Alignment Healthcare which raised $125 million. Proteus Digital Health came in next with its $120 million raise (they also raised $52 million in another deal bringing its total to $172 million for 2014); China's Guahao.com raised $100 million; Dedalus Group raised $89 million; and American Well brought in $81 million. A total of 732 investors were involved in funding rounds for Healthcare IT companies in 2014. The top VC investors were Khosla Ventures and The Social+Capital Partnership with nine deals each, followed by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and Sequoia Capital with seven deals each. Top investors in the sector from the past five years were Khosla Ventures with 21 deals, The Social+Capital Partnership with 18, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers with 17, Sequoia Capital with 12 and Andreessen Horowitz with 10 deals. There were 120 accelerator and incubator deals in 2014 compared to 139 in 2013. Top accelerator/incubator seed investors were Blueprint Health, Rock Health, Y Combinator, DreamIt Ventures, Sprint Accelerator, The Iron Yard and XLerate Health. A record 29 countries participated in Healthcare IT VC funding activity this year. In the United States, California led Healthcare IT fundraising with 174 deals followed by New York with 50, Massachusetts with 33, Florida with 22, and Texas with 21. There were 219 M&A transactions in the Healthcare IT sector in 2014 compared to 165 transactions in 2013, with 21 companies making multiple transactions during the year. "Most of the M&A activity has been around larger, more established practice-focused companies. Even though Mobile Health related apps and wearables are getting significant funding, we have not seen a game-changing Instagram or WhatsApp-type transaction yet in the sector," continued Mr Prabhu. Revenue Cycle Management companies led M&A activity with 28 transactions followed by Practice Management with 24 and Mobile Health with 21. In the last five years, 121 companies have made multiple acquisitions including IMS Health with eight, CompuGroup Medical, Emdeon, iMedx and Quality Systems with seven each, and both McKesson and PracticeMax with six companies apiece. Cerner, GE Healthcare, Nuance Communications and The Advisory Board Company each acquired five companies. The Top 5 disclosed M&A transactions included the $4.4 billion acquisition of MultiPlan by Starr Investment Holdings and Partners Group, the acquisition of TriZetto by Cognizant for $2.7 billion, and the $1.3 billion acquisition of Siemens' health information technology business unit, Siemens Health Services, by Cerner. This was followed by Vista Equity Partners' acquisition of Advanced Computer Software for $1.14 billion, and the $550 million acquisition of ABILITY Network by Summit Partners. Chart: Mercom Top 5 Healthcare IT M&A Transactions in 2014 by Disclosed Amount There were six Healthcare IT IPOs in 2014, raising a total of $1.8 billion. IMS Health raised $1.3 billion, followed by Castlight Health with $204 million, Everyday Health with $100 million, Orion Health with $98 million, Imprivata with $86 million and Connecture with $53 million. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6009/a-tattoo-to-detect-glucose-levels.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6009/a-tattoo-to-detect-glucose-levels.html Sat, 17 Jan 2015 09:47:00 +0530 Researchers at the University of California, San Diego the first ultra-thin, flexible device that sticks to skin like a rub-on tattoo and can detect a person's glucose levels. The sensor has the potential to eliminate finger-pricking for people with diabetes. Mr Joseph Wang and colleagues wanted to find a better approach to develop glucose monitoring device. They made a wearable, non-irritating platform that can detect glucose in the fluid just under the skin based on integrating glucose extraction and electrochemical biosensing. Preliminary testing on seven healthy volunteers showed it was able to accurately determine glucose levels. The researchers conclude that the device could potentially be used for diabetes management and for other conditions such as kidney disease. The proof-of-concept study is published in the ACS journal Analytical Chemistry.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/1296/philips-collaborate-with-mit-on-icu-data-sharing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/1296/philips-collaborate-with-mit-on-icu-data-sharing.html Fri, 16 Jan 2015 12:51:00 +0530 Royal Philips has announced a new initiative with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to allow health care researchers to tap into one of the largest data sources available for research into critical care. Philips will be granting access to data from more than 100,000 patients that have been collected and anonymised through the Philips Hospital to Home eICU telehealth program. The Laboratory of Computational Physiology within the MIT Institute for Medical Engineering and Science will serve as the academic research hub for the initiative, and will provide and maintain access, as well as help educate researchers on the database and offer a platform for collaboration. Through this new initiative, Philips will release a more comprehensive look at the ICU patient's journey by opening up data sets from patient stays in eICU centers representing approximately 10 percent of all adult ICU beds in the United States. The secure database will include anonymised and detailed clinical data such as vital signs, pharmacy medication orders, laboratory results, diagnoses and severity of illness scores, giving researchers comprehensive insights into a patient stay. "Researchers are always looking for better, more accurate and comprehensive data that enables a holistic representation of the patient experience. The quality and resolution of the data Philips has been collecting in the critical care domain is unprecedented. This kind of access will provide researchers with data that will enable investigations otherwise unimaginable," said Mr Leo Anthony Celi of MIT. The data will be available to researchers via PhysioNet before the end of the year. "We are proud to be leading the charge in the industry by opening up our data to independent researchers to allow them to conduct more meaningful analyses related to critical care medicine. This initiative will make it easier for researchers to share methods and findings, bypassing the need to reinvent the wheel with each new research project. We hope this will lead to better, faster breakthroughs-and ultimately better medicine," said Mr Derek Smith, senior vice president, Hospital to Home, Philips Healthcare.   The data set is compiled from records shared by hundreds of ICUs across the US, and is managed by the Philips eICU Research Institute.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4904/covidiens-new-device-receives-ce-mark-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4904/covidiens-new-device-receives-ce-mark-.html Mon, 12 Jan 2015 13:17:32 +0530 Covidien has announced that it has received CE Mark approval for its Stellarex drug-coated angioplasty balloon (DCB). The Stellarex DCB is used to restore and maintain blood flow to the arteries of the leg in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The Stellarex DCB's proprietary EnduraCoat technology provides a durable, uniform coating which reduces drug loss during transit and facilitates efficient drug delivery to the treatment site. The 24 month results of the ILLUMENATE First-in-Human (FIH) study demonstrated a primary patency rate (ability to keep the artery open to restore blood flow) of 80.3 percent. Additionally, the study showed 87.9 percent freedom from target lesion revascularization at 12 months and 85.8 percent at 24 months. "PAD is a progressive disease that affects millions of people around the world. DCBs are emerging as an alternative to traditional treatment options, such as angioplasty or stenting, because of their ability to restore blood flow, prevent the reoccurrence of new blockages and preserve future treatment options. In clinical trials, the Stellarex DCB has demonstrated promising results with strong patency rates and low reoccurrence of target lesions at 24 months," said Dr Henrik Schröeder, radiologist, Vascular Center-Jewish Hospital, Berlin, and principal investigator, ILLUMENATE FIH Study.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4796/wireless-portable-medical-device-market-to-be-worth-2-83-billion-by-2020.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4796/wireless-portable-medical-device-market-to-be-worth-2-83-billion-by-2020.html Mon, 12 Jan 2015 10:14:00 +0530 According to a new report titled "Wireless Portable Medical Device Market by Technology (BT/BLE, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, ANT+), Component (Sensors, ICs, Processors), Application (Monitoring, Medical Therapeutics, Diagnosis, Fitness and Wellness), and Geography - Global Forecast to 2020", published by MarketsandMarkets, the total Wireless Portable Medical Device Market is expected to grow from $1.5 Billion in 2013 to $2.83 Billion in 2020, growing at an estimated CAGR of 9.51 percent from 2014 to 2020. With a gradual increase in urbanization and healthcare facilities, the need for wireless portable medical devices is also expected to grow proportionately to be able to support this growth. Developing countries such as India and China are fueling the growth of the medical sector; hence, the wireless portable medical devices market is boosting the overall healthcare sector. The Wireless Portable Medical Device Market is expected to benefit from emerging market investments that are lifting the standards of healthcare, while the developed market is expected to continue investing in more efficient medical electronic devices, systems and procedures, which offer better and personalised healthcare. An increase in lifestyle diseases continuously pushes patients for medical monitoring to get their health status to avoid any health related contingencies; medical devices such as cardiac monitors and hemodynamic monitors are continuously gaining market share in the wireless portable medical device applications. The market size for the Wireless Portable Medical Device Market covers four geographic splits, namely North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World (RoW).   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4637/masimo-india-introduces-low-cost-pulse-oximetry.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4637/masimo-india-introduces-low-cost-pulse-oximetry.html Sun, 11 Jan 2015 09:56:00 +0530 Pulse oximetry is widely used and has gained critical importance in clinical care. Masimo has further revolutionised the world of pulse oximetry with its signal extraction technology (SET), estimated to be used on more than 100 million patients a year in leading hospitals worldwide. Masimo SET Measure-through Motion and Low Perfusion pulse oximetry is shown to virtually eliminate false alarms and help clinicians detect life-threatening events. Sat 901+ is designed for handheld and bedside monitoring, including acute care and alternate care settings such as long-term care facilities, homecare and sleep labs. Medical device industry is innovating to design India-specific products to effectively cater to the unique needs of this market. Sat901+ has been designed to operate in a multitude of environments with extensive focus on portability and ease of use, both in urban and rural settings.   "Masimo is committed to do what is best for patient care and believes that products like Sat901+ can help penetrate the rural healthcare market in India and bring patients in those areas the same advanced technologies that those in the cities benefit from. It is our goal to make technologies affordable and accessible," said Mr Bharat Monteiro, country manager, India and the Subcontinent, Masimo Medical Technologies India. This low-cost pulse-oximeter houses the same quality and patented SET technology that allows clinicians to measure through motion and low perfusion. With the introduction of this new product, Masimo is well-positioned for the highly price-competitive market in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4348/medgenome-join-hands-with-us-based-natera.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4348/medgenome-join-hands-with-us-based-natera.html Fri, 09 Jan 2015 09:34:00 +0530 MedGenome and Natera have entered into an exclusive agreement to bring non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) to India. As part of the agreement, MedGenome will have exclusive license to develop the capacity and perform the Panorama test in the country. Natera's test, known as Panorama, is a non-invasive prenatal screening test that examines fetal DNA in the mother's blood to assess whether a developing baby is at high risk for having an abnormality in the chromosomes. The company also stated that in accordance with Indian law, Panorama will not be used to reveal the sex of the fetus. "As per estimates, chromosomal abnormalities occur in about 1 of 200 live births. Infants with these abnormalities have mental retardation and suffer from malformations and disabilities. Due to the large number of births which is estimated at 26 million per year, India has the largest number of babies born with chromosomal disorders in the world accounting for almost 130,000 per year. Our partnership with Natera will help us provide Panorama, a superior second-generation non-invasive prenatal test, compared to its peers. Through our partnership with Natera, we hope to bring about significant changes in the way pregnancies are managed in India," said Mr Sam Santhosh, CEO, MedGenome. "We are committed to sharing its unique and proprietary technologies with laboratories worldwide who share our philosophy of clinical leadership and quality control," said Mr Solomon Moshkevich, vice president, marketing and business development, Natera.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4335/philips-healthcare-device-receives-fda-clearance.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4335/philips-healthcare-device-receives-fda-clearance.html Fri, 09 Jan 2015 09:05:00 +0530 Royal Philips has announced that it has received 510(k) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) to market its Avalon CL Fetal Monitoring solution (Avalon CL). The solution provides consistent monitoring of the mother and child, without the burden of managing cables, allowing mothers more freedom of movement during labor. The product joins the company's existing portfolio of mobility solutions designed for advanced monitoring and connected care across the health continuum, from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment, recovery and home care. "Conventional fetal monitoring solutions present limitations for physicians and patients alike. This latest cableless technology enhances clinician confidence and allows women more flexibility and freedom of movement during labor, which can be very beneficial to the woman and child," said Mr Mike Mancuso, CEO of Philips Healthcare's Patient Care and Monitoring Solutions.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4426/siemens-unveils-its-new-wearable-device.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4426/siemens-unveils-its-new-wearable-device.html Tue, 06 Jan 2015 15:18:04 +0530 At the 2015 International CES, Siemens is unveiling smart hearing aids, their latest in wearable hearing technology. The hearing aids can be discreetly controlled via both iPhone and Android devices, with latest models clinically proven to outperform people with normal hearing in background noise. When two hearing aids are worn (the most common case), the new smart hearing aids utilise intelligent, two-way wireless communication to zero in on desired speech with pinpoint accuracy. This enables better-than-normal hearing in crowded situations like noisy restaurants and cocktail parties where background chatter has historically been a challenge. "These are not your average hearing aids but rather highly-intelligent wearable devices. They automatically detect everyday listening environments such as a noisy room, wind, or while driving a car, and instinctively know what to do," said Mr Scott Davis, CEO, Siemens Hearing Instruments. When paired with Siemens' new easyTek and easyTek App, a wearer can control the direction of the hearing aids' microphones-front, left, right, or behind-to simultaneously enhance speech and suppress background noise. The span of the microphones' focus can also be controlled via the app, allowing wearers to select a wide range of focus or a very narrow beam. "Some hearing aid wearers also want the flexibility that comes with having control over their listening experience. We have all heard of and can appreciate the benefits of on-demand TV. With these hearing aids, you can turn your iPhone or Android device into a hearing aid control center. We call it on-demand hearing," added Mr Davis. While Siemens' new smart hearing aids pair with virtually any iOS or Android mobile device for a custom-tailored listening experience, a smartphone is not required to make use of the new technology. The hearing aids continuously scan the acoustic environment and activate the most optimal settings for that particular listening situation.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3963/100-percent-fdi-to-increase-investment-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3963/100-percent-fdi-to-increase-investment-.html Mon, 05 Jan 2015 13:13:14 +0530 American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) in India has said that 100 percent foreign direct investment (FDI) in the medical devices sector will attract US firms to invest and manufacture in India. The Government had last month allowed 100 percent FDI under automatic route both in greenfield and brownfield projects in the medical devices sector. "The move by the central government to amend 100 percent FDI in medical devices will encourage FDI inflows into the sector and will also attract the US companies to invest and manufacture in India," said Mr Ajay Singha, AMCHAM India executive director in a statement.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3959/siemens-healthcare-to-expand-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3959/siemens-healthcare-to-expand-in-india.html Mon, 05 Jan 2015 13:12:42 +0530 Siemens Healthcare has said that though it does not plan to open a new facility in India but it would expand its existing manufacturing base here to supply clinical products to other countries. "We want to increase the breadth and depth of our local manufacturing portfolio primarily with 'local-for-local concept' as India is a very significant market. Eventually we aim to manufacture in India for global consumption as well," said Ms Britta Fuenfstueck, Siemens Healthcare CEO for clinical products division in a statement. she further said the company wants to introduce more India-relevant products from the global basket like digital radiography.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4230/scientists-develop-a-new-3d-culture-system-for-pancreatic-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4230/scientists-develop-a-new-3d-culture-system-for-pancreatic-cancer.html Fri, 02 Jan 2015 13:55:40 +0530 Researchers at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) and The Lustgarten Foundation has developed a new model system to grow both normal and cancerous pancreatic cells in the laboratory. The team describes this new systema as a three-dimensional "organoid" culture system. Through this method, pancreatic tissue can be grown not only from laboratory mouse models, but also from human patient tissue, offering a path to personalized treatment approaches in the future. The research was co-led by Mr David Tuveson, CSHL professor and director of research for The Lustgarten Foundation, and Mr Hans Clevers, professor and director of the Hubrecht Institute and president of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences. "With this development, we are now able to culture both mouse and human organoids, providing a very powerful tool in our fight against pancreatic cancer," said Mr Tuveson. The organoids are entirely made up of ductal cells, eliminating the surrounding cell types that often contaminate samples from the pancreas. They grow as hollow spheres within a complex gel-like substance filled with growth-inducing factors and connecting fibers. Once they have grown to a sufficient size, the organoids can be transplanted back into mice, where they fully recapitulate pancreatic cancer. The team is now working to create a repository of pancreatic tumor samples, coordinating with the National Cancer Institute. "We hope to make this available to the entire pancreatic cancer research community," said Mr Tuveson.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/1503/bioasia-collaborate-with-ima-and-tie-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/1503/bioasia-collaborate-with-ima-and-tie-.html Thu, 01 Jan 2015 14:52:21 +0530 BioAsia 2015 has partnered with Indian Medical Association (IMA) and TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs) for expanding digital healthcare in India. As per the partnership TiE and IMA will help BioAsia to design the content and interactive modalities, to spread the potential of this opportunity to its member base, engage with the start up community and doctors to participate in the initiative. "Information technology and digital healthcare holds high promise in enabling solutions for improving human health. On one hand the usage of mobile phone is increasing rapidly and on the other doctors has increasingly started using mHealth apps to engage with patients as well as in their daily practices. IMA and TiE are uniquely placed to partner BioAsia in helping meet this objective," said Mr Shakthi Nagappan, CEO of BioAsia. BioAsia conference is expected to discuss on challenges of Indian Healthcare delivery environment and inadequate infrastructure. Role of IT and mobile technologies such as virtual reality, cyber surgery, micro-robotic surgery and 3D modelling along with role of big data analytics and Indian Space Research Organisations will also be discussed at the IT healthcare conclave. "By partnering with BioAsia 2015 we are offering another platform for our startup ecosystem to explore the possibilities in the healthcare domain. One of focus areas in the track is data analytics where the startup community can contribute significantly," said Mr Murali Bukkapatnam, president, TiE Hyderabad.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3449/scientists-develop-a-new-method-to-detect-alzhiemers-early.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3449/scientists-develop-a-new-method-to-detect-alzhiemers-early.html Tue, 30 Dec 2014 13:25:50 +0530 A team of Scientists led by Dr William L Klein and Dr Vinayak P Dravid at the Northwestern University have developed a non-invasive MRI approach that can detect Alzheimer's disease in a living animal before its typical symptoms appear. They have developed an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) probe that pairs a magnetic nanostructure (MNS) with an antibody that seeks out the amyloid beta brain toxins responsible for onset of the disease. The accumulated toxins, because of the associated magnetic nanostructures, show up as dark areas in MRI scans of the brain. "We have a new brain imaging method that can detect the toxin that leads to Alzheimer's disease," said Dr Klein. He added, "Using MRI, we can see the toxins attached to neurons in the brain," Klein said. "We expect to use this tool to detect this disease early and to help identify drugs that can effectively eliminate the toxin and improve health." This new MRI probe technology is detecting something different from conventional technology: toxic amyloid beta oligomers instead of plaques, which occur at a stage of Alzheimer's when therapeutic intervention would be very late. Amyloid beta oligomers now are widely believed to be the culprit in the onset of Alzheimer's disease and subsequent memory loss.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5687/philips-to-acquire-volcano-corp.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5687/philips-to-acquire-volcano-corp.html Mon, 29 Dec 2014 12:45:00 +0530 Royal Philips and Volcano Corporation has announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement. As per the agreement, Philips will commence a tender offer to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Volcano for $18.00 per share, or a total equity purchase price of $1 billion to be paid in cash upon completion. The board of directors of Volcano has unanimously approved the transaction and recommends the offer to its shareholders. With 2013 sales of approximately $400 million,California-based Volcano is a catheter-based imaging and measurements for minimally invasive diagnostics and treatment of coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease company. "The agreement to acquire Volcano significantly advances our strategy to become the leading systems integrator in image-guided therapies," said Mr Frans van Houten, CEO, Royal Philips. He added, "Volcano's impressive and unique product portfolio is highly complementary to our strong offering in live image-guidance solutions, creating an opportunity to accelerate the revenue growth for our image-guided therapy business to a high single-digit rate by 2017. Our combined sales forces will be able to capture immediate cross selling opportunities, while our joint R&D teams will be able to develop new solutions to address significant unmet needs in the minimally invasive treatment of cardiovascular diseases." "I am very excited that Volcano will become part of Philips and join forces with its leading image guided therapy business. This transaction will be beneficial for our shareholders, customers, partners and employees. There is a large and growing global market opportunity for image-guided therapies, and as part of Philips, we gain the scale and resources needed to accelerate our goals of improving patient outcomes on a global basis, lowering cost and delivering innovative diagnostics and therapies in the coronary and peripheral markets. In addition, our shared expertise in the image-guided therapy market will allow us to further globalize our leading IVUS and FFR product offerings and enter new product areas. We look forward to working closely with Philips and ensuring a smooth transition and closing," said Mr Scott Huennekens, Volcano president and CEO. Upon completion of the transaction, the Volcano business and its 1,800 employees will be part of a dedicated, new image-guided therapy business group within Philips, which will be led by Philips executive Mr Bert van Meurs. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2015.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/5611/pharma-biotech-cos-low-on-vc-radars.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/5611/pharma-biotech-cos-low-on-vc-radars.html Sat, 27 Dec 2014 09:26:00 +0530 This is primarily driven by increasing per capita disposable income, rising urbanization and growing health awareness, rapidly shifting disease patterns from acute to chronic, and growth in domestic healthcare infrastructure. In the last two years, the healthcare and Life Sciences sectors have attracted over $2.3 billion worth of private equity (PE) investments, accounting for over 10 percent share of all PE investments done in India. The Indian healthcare and lifesciences sector continues to be among the top five destinations for private equity investors in India. Are VCs risk averse? "In my view, within the Life Sciences space, VCs are highly risk averse to novel drug discovery investments given the very high failure rates involved. Aside of this, most other segments in lifesciences including generics, contract manufacturing, IT, discovery services, and retail, have all faced active investments by VCs," opined Ms Visalakshi Chandramouli, Partner - Healthcare Fund (Private Equity), Tata Capital.   There are also others who are willing to take calculated risks in an investment. "Good venture capitalists in lifesciences and in other areas are those who take thoughtful risks, but 'taking risk' alone is not a wise investment strategy. I agree that India doesn't have a well-developed ecosystem. This is partly a developmental issue. As we see companies delivering sound returns, there will be greater appetite for life sciences opportunities among venture firms," Mr Rajeev Mantri, executive director, Navam Capital, said optimistically. At times, it may totally depend on who the VCs are, what their mandate or philosophy is. Mr Vishal Gandhi, founder & CEO, BioRx Venture Advisors (BVA), commented, "It is important to find the right advisor so that the chances of raising the capital is more. One needs to appreciate the role of advisors and they are not risk averse. There are no businesses without risks provided there are appropriate mitigation strategies." There are other seed investment firms in India that have appetite to invest in early stage enterprises. "VCs generally enter after establishing proof-of-concept. We like to place riskier bets and understand the need of the hour for enterprises that are just starting out," emphasized Mr Sanjib Jha, CEO, IntelleGrow. Attracting VCs   For start-ups to attract VC investments, it is imperative they clarify their abilities and timeline for achievement of proof-of-concept, and as well as the concept's scalability potential. According to Ms Padmaja Ruparel, president, Indian Angel Network, "It is vital to focus on building a venture because you want to do it. It should be a passion as that will make it a well differentiated, fast-growing company and you will ensure you execute and deliver well. If you do this, investors will come flocking!" Also, start-ups should build outstanding teams that can win investors' confidence. Mr Sanjib states that it is crucial to have a clear, five-year strategic model plan. "Put in a good team in place and invest in understanding your own abilities to deliver each year. Keep incorporating changes, given learning, even if it means going back to the whiteboard and starting from the scratch. If you stay honest to your model and plans, the VCs will be aligned," he advised. The Tata Capital Healthcare Fund (TCHF) targets long-term capital appreciation through PE growth-capital investments in healthcare companies that have a significant proportion of their operations in, or revenues from India. Mr Vishal advises start-ups to do their homework well and understand what VCs are looking for. "VCs are there to support them financially and they need to be highly proactive in searching the right VCs because not everyone is willing to invest their money. Most of the time VCs do their due diligence in investing in start-ups. This diligence should be among entrepreneurs as well before they reach out to VCs. That's where professional advisors bridge the gap," he commented.   Factors driving investments Mr Sanjib points that investors' assessment model lays a lot of stress on entrepreneurs, their ability to deliver and operationalize great ideas. "Along with this, we test for the viability and scalability of business models by going deeper than available financial statements and understanding projected cash flows," he mentioned. Ms Padmaja lays emphasis on factors like fast growing market. "Well differentiated proposition, a promoter team which understands the challenges in the space and has a focus on execution are critical," she listed. "The three most important factors are team, technology and market opportunity," said Mr Rajeev. He believes that a world-class team, with novel and differentiated technology pursuing a large market makes for a winning combination.   "Financial investors are motivated by the prospect of capital appreciation. Healthcare and Life Sciences are promising and such prospects are high. So investors are keener than ever to look at this sector," he said. A 2010 study by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) found that India needs $50 billion annually for the next 20 years in order to meet World Health Organization (WHO) standards. "A further injection of $82 billion is required to close the current healthcare infrastructure deficit. The sheer demand for capital along with capable entrepreneurs and new business models are key drivers," explained Mr Sanjib. Another aspect driving investments in this space is the outlook of downstream investors. With foreign private equity players looking closely in this space in India, investors are also considering areas that would look attractive to follow on investments and exits from these downstream investors. "Weightage given to an entrepreneurial team that has delivered success in the past can be higher than others. The other interesting aspect is that innovative technology per se does not appear to drive the investment decision, but needs to be coupled with a well thought-through business model at the time of investment," Mr Ashwin opined. Ms Padmaja noted an interesting trend where she points that teams with medical background are going entrepreneurial. "The entrepreneurship bug has gone viral in India! Thus teams with complimentary skillsets, high quality domain expertise, passion and focus on execution are starting out," she revealed.   Investment dilemmas Regulatory uncertainty is viewed as a key challenge by many investors. "The government needs to address this immediately," urged Mr Rajeev. Mr Ashwin, on a similar line noted, "The biggest challenge today in the Life Science sector is the uncertain regulatory atmosphere related to clinical trials, and the larger problem of global acceptance of results from trials conducted in India." Initiatives like Stanford Biodesign is helping breed medical entrepreneurs. However, innovators of healthcare products are not very common in India. "Building products need higher amounts of investment as well as longer gestation time. Unlike most of the developed economies which breed innovators in building products, India does not yet have an enabling ecosystem such as grants, high-quality and well equipped research labs, and enabling IP rules among others. All of these become detrimental and make the innovator's journey arduous," said Ms Padmaja.   What's trending? Mr Vishal points that in terms of investments in the Life Sciences, the momentum has been sluggish in the last couple of years. "One challenge is that the IPO market is not very vibrant. The valuation expectations of promoters are very high, and that is a deterrent. Thus, the overall ecosystem for this year in terms of investments was not very good," he remarked. However, there has been an increasing interest over the last 2-3 years in the diagnostics, drug discovery and equipments space. "The increasing number of entrepreneurs and new business models have attracted VC investors in this area. The next few years are interesting in terms of watching the investment patterns and expectations from VCs along with the performance of different business models," predicted Mr Sanjib. Experts opine that providers of healthcare at optimum cost is a big market opportunity and a growing one.   "This is the opportunity which even overseas entrepreneurs are tapping. Life Sciences companies in India have attracted investments but these are largely later stage companies. While hospital chains, day care centres, personal care products have attracted most of the investment, drug trials is almost at the bottom of the heap," revealed Ms Padmaja. Mr Ashwin feels that given the huge gap in the availability of basic health infrastructure in the country there is a lot of focus on single specialty chains, diagnostics and hospitals. "Therefore, areas like devices, information systems for the healthcare space, and pharma and biotech companies are currently lower on the radar of investment firms," he ended. Happening investment areas in Healthcare and Life Sciences  Apps Day care centres Diagnostics Disease management  Drug discovery Generics  Hospital chains Medical devices Mobile and digital health Pediatric care Personal care products Personalized treatments Telemedicine  Virtual monitoring Wearables Wellness   Top 5 cities attracting Healthcare and Life Science investments  Bangalore Chennai Delhi Hyderabad Mumbai Other hot destinations  Ahmedabad Chandigarh Coimbatore Himachal Pradesh Kolkata Orissa Pune Notable investment trends    In the last five years (FY11-15YTD) cumulative PE investments have doubled close to $5.5 billion in comparison to the investments between FY2005-2010YTD.  In volume terms, however, the number of transactions per annum have remained more or less the same over the past ten years (around 50-60 deals per year). The sector transactions in the last few years are now dominated by more mature stage deals (over $25 million transaction value) rather than early and growth stage transactions. This reflects the growing maturity of the sector and its ability to absorb further expansion capital to meet the continuing demand. Investments in healthcare delivery emerged more dominant over the years compared to investments in lifesciences.  Healthcare delivery presently accounts nearly 70 percent of total investments transacted. Factors driving VC investments  In pharmaceuticals, India's global competitiveness in manufacturing, regulatory and scientific strength makes it possible for investors to look at companies that capture market share and value in global generics. Investors look to capitalize on long-term domestic growth opportunities in healthcare and pharmaceuticals based on the increasing affordability and healthcare awareness among urban middle-class Indians. An estimated addition of 150 million people to the consuming middle-class over the next decade. Significant inequality in healthcare access in India owing to gap in healthcare infrastructure and workforce attract investors towards business models seeking to increase penetration of healthcare meeting rising demands. Key successful ventures  Amanta Healthcare  Consure Medical CromDx Glocal Healthcare Invictus Oncology Karmic Lifesciences  Lokmanya Hospitals Mitra Biotech  NovaLead Pharma Relisys Medical Devices  Sandor Nephro Services Shantani Proteome Analytics  Vyome Biosciences ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5651/now-electronic-skin-to-detect-breast-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5651/now-electronic-skin-to-detect-breast-cancer.html Thu, 25 Dec 2014 11:08:00 +0530 That in mind, scientists at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, USA, have developed 'electronic skin' capable of detecting small lumps which can be overlooked by mammography or during manual examination with fingers. According to Dr Ravi Saraf, department of chemical and biomolecular engineering, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, USA, the device had been in the making for 3 years, which was put together by him and his co-author, a graduate student, Dr Chieu Nguyen. "Our goal was two-fold. First, to make CBE (clinical breast examination) quantitative so one can have an actual image for record keeping, Secondly, make it cheap so it can impact women world-wide where resources are limited. Record-keeping is critical in screening because the physician is looking for changes," opined Dr Ravi. The research has been published in the ACS Applied Materials & InterfacesOther than breast cancer, the electronic skin's applicability also extends towards melanoma screening. Speaking on the relevancy of this innovation in India, Dr Ravi revealed, "This device will be very attractive for the Indian market. The device is very easy to manufacture and is quite inexpensive to make. Because all it would need is a laptop. It can be administered in remote areas that does not have expensive infrastructure such as X-ray machines. A general physician will be able to use this instrument. One will not require a radiologist, such as for mammogram, to read the image."   According to Breast Cancer India, in 2012 alone, about 1,44,900+ fresh breast cancer cases were detected, and a staggering 70,000 women died because of it. Dr Ravi said that he'd be open to collaborate at both manufacturing, and medical trial level. "The device is used outside the body and it does not require rigorous toxicity considerations for medical trails," he held. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5652/clinovo-launches-latest-version-of-clincapture.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5652/clinovo-launches-latest-version-of-clincapture.html Thu, 18 Dec 2014 16:59:38 +0530 With the new release of Electronic Data Capture (EDC) system ClinCapture, sponsor companies, contract research organizations (CROs) and researchers will be able to streamline the development and management of clinical trials by creating and managing electronic case report forms (CRFs) without relying on professional services. "We are very proud of this new release, which will deliver unprecedented speed of implementation, flexibility and functionality to users," said Mr Glenn Keet, CEO, Clinovo. "The new features will give users the ability to create CRFs without having any sort of advanced programming or IT management skills, which represents a great leap forward in terms of usability for the industry." ClinCapture is cloud-based, hence users can manage one or several clinical trials from anywhere, at any time. Designing and creating CRFs will be faster and more straightforward with the drag-and-drop amenities, not to mention complex edit checks creation made simple-clinical trial managers can have these necessities completed in just a few days, making the processes extremely cost effective. "The self-service portal sets ClinCapture apart from other EDCs," said Mr Marc Desgrousilliers, CTO, Clinovo. "Efficiency is essential in this industry, and having everything you need to build CRFs at your fingertips is exceptional. ClinCapture is also the only open source EDC with an integrated, intuitive randomization function and is one of the only WHO drug certified EDCs -proving Clinovo's technological leadership." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/6741/nanotechnology-in-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/6741/nanotechnology-in-healthcare.html Thu, 18 Dec 2014 09:23:00 +0530 The scope of nanotechnology in healthcare is in finding applications in diverse areas such as tissue engineering, nanomedicines, diagnostic tools, image enhancement devices, nanorobots, implant technology, biosensors, biomarkers, bioactive surfaces, and as carriers of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. According to Dr Tuhin Bhowmick, chairman, Pandorum Technologies, a Nano-tech start-up, there are five major applications of Nanotechnology in healthcare sector, i.e., drug delivery systems, therapeutics, medical materials and implants and analytical tools and instruments and diagnosis. CKMNT carried out a detailed scientific analysis using the web of science database to identify major applications for nanotechnology in the healthcare sector worldwide during the period of 2000-2014. According to CKMNT analysis, the major applications of nanotechnology in the healthcare sector are in the field of biochemistry, followed by pharmacology. This is based on peer reviewed research publications in each area. Market Nanotechnology is a growing interdisciplinary technology seen as a new industrial revolution. It is increasingly attracting worldwide attention owing to its wide range of applications. The global nanotechnology market is anticipated to grow at a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of around 16.5 percent during 2014-2020 according to a Research and Markets report. Dr Purushottam further highlighted, "According to Lux Research, the estimated global market opportunity for nanotechnology-based products by 2015 is about $1.0 trillion and about 1,500 nanotechnology based products are in the market. However, the current market size of nanotechnology in India would be around Rs 10,000-15,000 crore." CKMNT estimates that over the next 10-15 years, the domestic nanotechnology market in this segment will grow upto $ 1.6 billion at a CAGR of 47 percent, with the potential to reach $2.1 billion. It is expected that in the next 10-20 years, the market will be flooded with nano-based medicines and drug delivery systems as well as nano-enabled ultrasensitive and rapid detection devices for diagnosis and therapy. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4522/scientists-create-3d-map-of-genome.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4522/scientists-create-3d-map-of-genome.html Wed, 17 Dec 2014 13:19:00 +0530 Researchers at the Harvard University, Baylor College of Medicine, Rice University and the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT have assembled high-resolution 3D maps of entire folded genomes, showing how a 'genomic origami' or folding allows the same genes to produce different cells. "More and more, we are realising that folding is regulation. When you see genes turn on or off, what lies behind that is a change in folding. It's a different way of thinking about how cells work," said study co-first author Mr Suhas Rao, a researcher at Baylor's Centre for Genome Architecture. Researchers used a technology called "in situ Hi-C" to collect billions of snippets of DNA that were later analyzed for signs of loops. The team found that loops and other genome folding patterns are an essential part of genetic regulation. "Our maps of looping have revealed thousands of hidden switches that scientists did not know about before. In the case of genes that can cause cancer or other diseases, knowing where these switches are is vital," said co-first author Ms Miriam Huntley, a doctoral student at Harvard's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. According to the researchers, the new maps allows to really see what folding looks like at the level of individual genes.   The research is published in the journal Cell.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4279/ges-new-offering-to-detect-cancer-early.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4279/ges-new-offering-to-detect-cancer-early.html Mon, 15 Dec 2014 14:31:31 +0530 GE Healthcare has unveiled Discovery IQ, an advanced Positron Emission Tomography/ Computed Tomography (PET/CT) molecular imaging system designed in India. The new Discovery IQ is the result of $15 Million (INR 90 Crores) investment, and three years of close collaborative development with Indian nuclear medicine physicians and oncologists. The new GE Discovery IQ PET/CT comes with advanced early disease detection capabilities as well as measurements to understand patient's response to cancer treatment. "GE's Discovery IQ PET CT is disruptively innovated in India in collaboration with Indian oncologists and academicians with the primary mission of increasing access to affordable cancer care for India," said Mr Terri Bresenham, president and CEO, GE Healthcare South Asia. Sri Ramakrishna Institute of Oncology and Research, Coimbatore has installed this sophisticated CT Scan machine. The Institute claimed that it is the first hospital in the country to install the device. Mr P Guhan, director of the institute said, "By the use of this technology the hospital would be able to detect cancer at an early stage, individualise the treatment, assess treatment response and detect cancer recurrence."       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4092/now-diagnose-disease-digitally.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4092/now-diagnose-disease-digitally.html Fri, 12 Dec 2014 17:11:00 +0530 Researchers at VIT University have developed a new diagnostic system that combines the inputs of described symptoms with a digital analysis of an image of the patient's tongue. "The approach basically includes a combination of soft and hard inputs. Soft inputs include a variety of common symptoms such as fever, headache and cough. Each selected disease corresponds to a variety of general symptoms," said Mr Karthik Ramamurthy who devised the diagnostic system along with his colleagues. "Hard inputs include images of the tongue as it is widely used by the doctor to diagnose the various disorders," he added. The analysis of these inputs are then fed to a neural network or computational model. The network is trained with four different algorithms and the image is analysed. The digitised image of the patient's tongue could reveal discolouration, engorgement, texture and other factors that might be linked to illness like smoothness and "beefiness" might reveal vitamin B12, iron, or folate deficiency.   The current system allows diagnosis of fourteen distinct conditions but the team adds that they will be able to add eye images and use those as an additional hard input for their neural network and so extend its repertoire significantly. The study appeared in the International Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4916/nanotech-to-detect-environmental-pollutants.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4916/nanotech-to-detect-environmental-pollutants.html Wed, 10 Dec 2014 11:32:04 +0530 "The bionanocomposite materials can be integrated in diagnostic platforms for the detection of pesticides and toxins in real environmental samples and further they are having verstaile application son clinical diagnosis," said Dr Priyanka, scientist "C" at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali and one of the speakers at the 7th Bangalore India Nano. The three-day event was held from Dec 4-6 2014 at Bangalore, which is also touted as nano capital of the world. Dr Priyanka is currently working on developing nano-bio probe mediated low cost diagnostic platforms for clinical and environment pollutants. Many renowned national and international speakers delivered keynote lectures at the conference highlighting its application in various fields like medicine, devices and sensors, advanced materials, automanufacturing etc. "Medical devices, regenerative medicines, drug delivery and medical implants are some of the areas where nanoscience has find its applications in healthcare," said Dr Shantikumar V Nair, dean of Research, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University and director of the Amrita Center for Nanoscience and Molecular Medicine. He was felicitated with the Prof. CNR Rao Bangalore India Nano Science Award 2014 at the event for his outstanding contribution for the growth of nanotechnology in the country. "Nanotech in the sunrise sector nanotech holds a great promise for many of the daunting problem that the mankind is facing. Our government will ensure single window clearance for nanotech industry on the lines of other industries," said Mr SR Patil, minister of IT&BT, government of Karnataka at the inaugural function. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5036/blackberry-and-nanthealth-launch-nantomics-cancer-genome-browser.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5036/blackberry-and-nanthealth-launch-nantomics-cancer-genome-browser.html Tue, 09 Dec 2014 13:34:49 +0530 BlackBerry and NantHealth have announced the launch of a new browser from their stable, called the NantOmics Cancer Genome Browser. It gives doctors unprecedented access to patients' genetic data on the BlackBerry Passport smartphone. It is the first in a series of innovative offerings being developed jointly by BlackBerry and NantHealth for use by healthcare professionals. "BlackBerry's partnership with NantHealth illustrates how mobile security and collaboration technology we are known for can be reimagined to create revolutionary applications across a variety of industries. BlackBerry technology has proven itself secure, reliable, and powerful enough to be counted on in life-and-death situations. Its innovative form and functionality make BlackBerry Passport an ideal addition to a doctor's medical kit," said Mr John Chen, executive chairman and CEO, BlackBerry. "The proprietary NantOmics Cancer Genome Browser enables clinicians for the first time to investigate a tumor genome from the full three billion bases down to the single-base level in real-time, thanks to the power of the NantOmics supercomputing infrastructure," said Mr Patrick Soon-Shiong,founder and CEO of NantHealth. He added, "This integrates with NantHealth's treatment recommendation engine, Eviti, to personalise treatment protocols to individual patients based on their genomic signature." The NantOmics Cancer Genome Browser is fully encrypted to allow deployment in a HIPAA-secured environment, enabling clinicians to securely access patient data as soon as it's available, wherever they are. BlackBerry's recently launched BES12 cross-platform EMM solution will enable hospital IT administrators to easily deploy the application to a clinician's BlackBerry Passport smartphone and ensures that the application data is fully secure end-to-end.   The Browser will be preloaded on BlackBerry Passport devices and available to the professional community in early 2015.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/1315/wipro-named-star-performer-in-everest-group-life-sciences-peak-matrix-2014.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/1315/wipro-named-star-performer-in-everest-group-life-sciences-peak-matrix-2014.html Mon, 08 Dec 2014 18:29:39 +0530 Speaking on the recognition, Ms Sangita Singh, chief executive - healthcare and lifesciences, Wipro, said, "This recognition can be attributed to our domain focus, best-of-breed technology and delivery excellence in a comprehensive portfolio of services equipped to address the demands of rapidly-modernizing industries." Wipro strengthened its position by ramping up proprietary solutions, augmenting resources, deepening domain expertise and demonstrating an increased traction with large life science firms. The geographical scope of these contracts spans North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific (APAC). "A new surge in life sciences IT outsourcing is driven by application portfolio modernization, infrastructure transformation, and analytics. Life sciences enterprises are increasingly preferring service providers who can provide a blend of traditional and next-generation services," said Mr Abhishek Singh, practice director, Everest Group. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6055/toshiba-introduces-new-ultrasound-devices.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6055/toshiba-introduces-new-ultrasound-devices.html Mon, 08 Dec 2014 14:25:26 +0530 Toshiba America Medical Systems has introduced new ultrasound devices, called the Aplio 300 and 500 Platinum Series respectively. This enhancement to the company's existing Aplio 300 and 500 systems expands the clinical utility of ultrasound, allowing providers to consolidate lines of care onto a single platform. The Aplio Platinum series provides powerful clinical imaging tools for advanced visualisation, quantification and intervention. This includes BEAM, a new technique that improves needle visualisation during ultrasound-guided procedures. On the Aplio 500 Platinum, Shear Wave elastography is a new tool to non-invasively measure tissue stiffness of the liver and potentially reduce expensive biopsies, while Superb Micro-Vascular Imaging (SMI) can capture low-velocity blood flow without the need for contrast agents or more invasive modalities. "We understand our customers' business and enhanced our premium radiology systems with new technologies and improved existing ones like Smart Fusion and Fly Thru. The Aplio Platinum Series offers our customers a patient-centric system that expands the clinical utility of ultrasound and provides a safer, less invasive and more cost-effective solution," said Mr Tomohiro Hasegawa, director, ultrasound business unit, Toshiba.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5802/indian-students-career-revolve-only-around-it.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5802/indian-students-career-revolve-only-around-it.html Mon, 08 Dec 2014 10:03:00 +0530 The conference sought after promoting awareness on the applications of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies and bioinformatics for NGS among the Indian research community. This year's 4th edition of the conference was graced by Dr P Satish Chandra, director and vice-chancellor, NIMHANS. In his inaugural address, he said, "Our country has unique health issues and we need to find solutions. I don't think anyone else will work on our problems. We have been working on genetics for some time looking at rare disorders and genes associated with them." Focusing on the neurological disorders, he opined, "There are rare disorders and we don't know much yet as to what causes them. Thus it is a fertile ground which needs to be probed. Nimhans has special interest in neurodegenerative disorders as they are complex and needs a lot of work." The Life Sciences job and internship fair, a major highlight of the conference, drew many job seekers, researchers and students.   Companies including Biocon, InterpretOmics, Genotypic Technology, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Future Bio Science, Shodhaka Life Sciences and SciGenom Labs were found fishing for the right applicants for their available vacancies. The job fair session was hosted by Mr Tony Jose, CEO, Clevergene, who pointed that in India many students' careers revolve only around information technology (IT). "At times LinkedIn becomes way too slow and expensive. In the life sciences, there are no common outreach platforms for job seekers. To address this we started BioHiring, a tool to help candidates in finding jobs and internships," he revealed. 'BioHiring' is a soon-to-be launched web platform created by Clevergene for hiring potential candidates in the Life Sciences space. This platform is said to open the door for meaningful interactions between employers and job seekers. Speakers including Dr C N Ramchand, CEO, Saksin Lifesciences; Dr Kshitish Acharya, founder & director, Shodhaka Life Sciences; and Ms Anu Sharma, founder, The HR Practice, spoke on the industry challenges in finding the right talent pool and offered helpful insights into hiring dynamics, facing interviews and creating catchy curriculum vitaes (CVs). Dr Ramchand, former VP and head of drug discovery research at Sun Pharmaceuticals, who has experience in hiring candidates pointed that India is a home to 22,000 pharmaceutical companies, out of which only 100-200 organizations are very large. "Worldwide we represent only 2-3 percent in terms of quality and quantity. Post 1995 when the product development patent was signed in India, pharma companies began setting up their research base here. Ranbaxy, Dr Reddy's, Sun Pharma and Glenmark began their drug discovery research here," he recalled. He held that unfortunately no pharma company in India so far has been able to discover any new drugs. "Dr Reddy's came up with 2 to 3 molecules up to phase-2. Sun's molecules reached till phase-3 and failed. This is an unfortunate situation," he lamented. Dr Ramchand questioned why India was unable to shine in drug discovery. "Is it because of lack of capital? I don't think so," he stated. "Large organizations have enough funds to invest in drug discovery." Talking about hiring trends, he commented, "GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) used to interview about 150 candidates to hire one single candidate who is employable. When you move up north in India, it is easier to find such candidates than down south. I have no idea why this is." He also expressed that in the US, teachers opt for teaching out of pure interest. "Unfortunately here in India, if nothing works out, then candidates become teachers, because engineering and medicine are sought after by most of the students. Poor teachers pose a major problem," he added. For students aspiring to pursue careers in Life Sciences, Dr Ramchand advised, "When applying at an institution, find out at least 1 or 2 good motivating teachers. Seek institutions where good research is happening which will open avenues for learning new technologies and fundamentals. Technologies are changing very fast. Sadly, our syllabuses change once in three years or so. If you get an opportunity to study PhD in an organization or an industry-sponsored environment, you will learn a lot more. The masters programs in UK is just for a year and you learn nothing." Another speaker, Ms Anu Sharma presented on tackling interviews and understanding hiring process from a human resource (HR) professional perspective. "The pressure on HR is unbelievable. They have set targets and numbers to adhere to. Finding and hiring the right personnel is highly challenging," she said. "Learn as much as you can about why the company exists, what their business models are. Familiarize yourself with their website and online presence, the work they do, and their markets. You can even check out the LinkedIn profiles of key people in the organization that you are interested in and learn about the company's leadership," she told participants. Ms Anu feels that there are adequate jobs in the market. "The responsibility to get a job is your responsibility. Make your CV compelling that recruiters would want to call you," she opined. As a tip, she said, "Adding the same keywords in your CV that employers use in a job advertisement will increase your chances of getting hired. Also, you have to mandatorily have some industry experience, and mention the projects and internships you have completed." In her concluding remarks, Ms Anu summarized, "Always work and simultaneously hunt for a job. The interview is not a viva voce. Know your basics. Communication is the key here. Industry linkages, an outstanding CV and knowledge about the industry are major catalysts." The NGBT 2014 conference had concurrent session covering an array of themes including Genomics Technologies, Plant Genomics, Clinical/Medical Genomics, Animal/Conservation Genomics, Drug Development, Population Genomics and Disease Genomics among others. A separate poster display aisle was also set up for students and researchers at the conference. The keynote address was by Dr Stephan C Schuster, research director, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, who delivered a presentation on 'Population Genomics and Informed Breeding Aid Species Conservation'. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6791/masimos-wearable-device-passes-usfda-clearance-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6791/masimos-wearable-device-passes-usfda-clearance-.html Thu, 04 Dec 2014 12:42:28 +0530 Masimo announced FDA 510(k) clearance of Radius-7 for the Root patient monitoring and connectivity platform, the first and only wearable, wireless monitor with Masimo's rainbow SET technology. With rainbow SET noninvasive measurements, Radius-7 with Root can alert clinicians - at the bedside or remotely, through the Masimo Patient SafetyNet remote monitoring and notification system - of critical changes in a patient's oxygen saturation and pulse rate - even during states of motion and low perfusion - as well as respiration through acoustic respiration rate (RRa). Lightweight at only 0.34 lbs (155g), the Radius-7 attaches to the patient's arm or can be placed alongside the patient in their bed, allowing untethered monitoring while they are in bed or out. With no need to disconnect and reconnect the cable to get out of bed, the Radius-7 reduces the need for nursing assistance. And the Radius-7's wireless communication functionality - either short-range via Bluetooth back to Root or with upgradeable WiFi for long-range communication - ensures the patient can be continuously monitored and connected to caregivers wherever they are in the hospital.   Studies have shown that patient mobility is a key factor in more rapid patient recovery. Radius-7 allows clinicians to continuously monitor their patients when they are mobile. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5780/ge-healthcare-unveils-a-new-mri-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5780/ge-healthcare-unveils-a-new-mri-system.html Wed, 03 Dec 2014 12:58:23 +0530 GE Healthcare unveiled its new SIGNA Pioneer 3.0 Tesla MRI system that comes with a revolutionary new imaging technique called MAGiC, which reduces imaging times by up to two-thirds. MAGiC is an MR technique that allows for the acquisition of multiple image contrasts at the same time. With this technique, a single scan that delivers six contrasts can be completed in as little as one-third the total time taken to acquire each contrast separately using conventional techniques. An enhanced SilentScan package is also available on SIGNA Pioneer, enabling SilentScan for musculoskeletal (MSK) imaging and spine imaging in addition to a complete neuro exam that also includes Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI). The SIGNA Pioneer also features technology called Total Digital Imaging (TDI) enabling improved image quality and increasing signal to noise ratio (SNR) by up to 25 percent. TDI is composed of Direct Digital Interface (DDI), Digital Surround Technology (DST) and Digital Micro Switching (DMS). "At GE Healthcare, we design products to address clinicians' needs. Improved patient experience and productivity are essential now in healthcare. With SIGNA Pioneer, we set out to design a system with innovative solutions to help our customers and their patients. We are proud to introduce MAGiC that allows generation of six different contrasts in a single scan that's a major step forward in productivity. And SilentScan is setting the trend in the industry for a new level of patient experience; this enhanced SilentScan package will extend the comfort patients experience now beyond just neuro scans,"said Mr Eric Stahre, president and chief executive officer of GE Healthcare MR.   SIGNA Pioneer and MAGiC both are 510(k) pending at FDA.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6193/toshiba-launches-an-all-new-infinix-4dct.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6193/toshiba-launches-an-all-new-infinix-4dct.html Mon, 01 Dec 2014 13:09:21 +0530 Toshiba America Medical Systems, launches an all-new Infinix 4DCT that maximizes the full potential of IR and CT systems to deliver real-time CT images during interventions instead of CT-like images. The system significantly improves workflow with its SUREGuidance technology that allows for seamless and automatic transition between modalities. It is also capable of saving hours by allowing clinicians to perform CT and interventional procedures within the same room and verify treatment success immediately after procedures. The system improves workflow of oncology and cardiac procedures. It provides interventionalists with CT images of liver tumors and produces more precise views of the heart and stent placements. Clinicians can also adjust the procedure with real-time studies instead of relying on CT images taken at an earlier time. "Given the choice, most physicians would want real-time CT images versus CT-like images during complex, minimally invasive procedures. With the Infinix 4DCT, physicians no longer have to settle; for the first time, they have a seamlessly integrated IR and CT product to improve patient care," said Mr David Sloop, director, X-ray vascular business unit, Toshiba.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6138/covidiens-fortrex-pta-balloon-receives-fda-510k-clearance.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6138/covidiens-fortrex-pta-balloon-receives-fda-510k-clearance.html Tue, 25 Nov 2014 12:42:06 +0530 Covidien has announced that it has recieved the US Food and Drug Administration 510(k) clearance for its Fortrex over-the-wire (OTW) percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) balloon catheter. The Fortrex 0.035" OTW PTA balloon catheter, the next-generation high pressure solution to maintain arteriovenous (AV) access-is also intended for use in the peripheral vascular system.  The Fortrex PTA balloon provides physicians with a high pressure solution to crack the short, fibrous lesions that can block AV access. "Covidien is committed to being the clear first choice for physicians by delivering new, innovative technologies that help improve patient lives," said Mr Brian Verrier, president, vascular therapies, Covidien. He added, "The FDA clearance of the Fortrex PTA balloon builds on our existing PTA portfolio, providing clinicians with access to an advanced solution to improve AV access in patients being treated with hemodialysis."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4820/iit-b-scientists-develop-special-membrane-that-cuts-dialysis-cost-time-by-half.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4820/iit-b-scientists-develop-special-membrane-that-cuts-dialysis-cost-time-by-half.html Fri, 21 Nov 2014 15:17:19 +0530 Singapore: Scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology- Bombay, India have developed a unique membrane that can effectively reduce dialysis time and cut costs to almost 50 percent. The technology is also thought to spur the development of wearable dialyzers. An AIIMS study highlighted that 90 percent of kidney patients in India die as they cannot afford the huge cost for a dialysis. The students at IIT-B's chemical engineering department is confident that the current scenario can change with their unique innovation. The hollow-fiber membrane developed by them has completed laboratory tests and awaits pre-clinical trials. The product has also procured an Indian patent and also an indigenous, low-cost pilot plant for production of these membranes has been functioning for the last two years. Mr Jayesh Bellare, who leads the IIT team, said, "This new membrane promises faster, efficient dialysis with less side effects at a significantly lower cost." The membrane developed by the IIT is a key component of the filter and removes impurities from the blood during hemodialysis thus improving performance in terms of separation and bio compatibility. It also permits faster treatment, lesser side reactions and could spur the innovation of novel devices such like portable or wearable dialyzers. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4985/covidien-recieves-ce-mark-for-patient-monitoring-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4985/covidien-recieves-ce-mark-for-patient-monitoring-system.html Thu, 20 Nov 2014 14:24:42 +0530 Covidien has announced that it has been given a CE Mark approval for its Nellcor Bedside SpO2 Patient Monitoring System, PM100N. The system currently is available in the European Economic Area (EEA), Australia, and New Zealand. It complies with standards for medical electrical equipment used in the home health care environment. The new system provides continuous monitoring of blood oxygenation (SpO2) and pulse rate to help clinicians detect and respond to dangerous respiratory events sooner, along with patient trend data to allow clinicians to evaluate a patient's clinical course. With Covidien-exclusive digital signal processing, the PM100N offers industry-leading speed and accuracy, and reliable pulse oximetry readings-even during low patient perfusion, motion and other forms of signal interference. "At Covidien, we are dedicated to improving patient care and safety, not only in the hospital, but also in home health care," said Mr Matt Anderson, vice president and general manager, Patient Monitoring, Respiratory and Monitoring Solutions, Covidien. The pulse oximetry system was designed with features to help improve patient safety. It incorporates SatSeconds Alarm Management technology-available only on Covidien patient monitors to help distinguish between serious and minor events, reducing clinically insignificant desaturation alarms. "Just because a patient is not in the hospital setting does not mean he or she no longer needs on-going care. The availability of solutions to enable safe, quality care for patients in all settings, including the home, is something we are focused on at Covidien. This new system includes all of the leading Nellcor technology that clinicians have trusted for more than 30 years, with additional features that make it well suited to the home health care environment," said Dr Scott Kelley, chief medical officer, Respiratory and Monitoring Solutions, Covidien.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3886/google-introduces-genomics-cloud-platform.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3886/google-introduces-genomics-cloud-platform.html Thu, 20 Nov 2014 14:22:22 +0530 Google has launched a cloud computing platform, 'Genomics cloud platform' to keep, share, and analyze genomic data. "We saw biologists moving from studying one genome at a time to studying millions. The opportunity is how to apply breakthroughs in data technology to help with this transition," said Mr David Glazer, the Google software engineer who led the effort, in a statement to MIT Technology Review. 3,500 genomes have been uploaded to Google's servers so far.  Reportedly, the programming interface of Google Genomics allows users to focus on science rather than tech details such as servers and file formats; store genomic data securely so that private data remains private, while public data is available to the community anywhere; and process as much data as they need, all at once.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5535/proteus-digital-health-launches-a-wearable-for-athletes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5535/proteus-digital-health-launches-a-wearable-for-athletes.html Thu, 20 Nov 2014 13:10:29 +0530 Proteus digital health has launched its new product, Proteus Recover for athletes as a kind of a surveillance device to record physiologic information like heart rate, respiration rate, skin temperature, activity, body posture, and other associated metrics. According to the company, "Proteus Recover is the only system that supports 24-hour optimization of athlete recovery and daily physiologic load. Understanding an athlete's entire day and night will provide information to drive simple yet impactful changes, maximizing athletic performance." The system purports to measure five core metrics: A recovery score, deduced from heart rate variability during sleep; sleep duration, as well as start and stop times; resting and average heart rate; energy expenditure in kilocalories. "The Recover product and associated wearable sensors is a consumer product and not a medical device. The product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease," the company cautioned.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5097/kobo-founders-raise-4m-for-their-new-mobile-health-startup.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5097/kobo-founders-raise-4m-for-their-new-mobile-health-startup.html Wed, 19 Nov 2014 15:03:13 +0530 Kobo, an eReader device company have raised $4 million in seed funding for their next venture, Toronto-based mobile health startup, League. The seed round was led by OMERS Ventures with participation from Foundation Capital, Real Ventures and Infinite Potential Group. "Healthcare costs are massive and growing at an unsustainable rate. While nearly half of those costs are preventable, next to nothing is spent on prevention this needs to change. The future of health is preventative, and it's about the consumer," said Mr Michael Serbinis, CEO and founder, League in a statement. The new startup is developing a digital health platform focused on preventative health and is set to launch in early 2015. According to the company, "League makes it easy to discover, schedule, and pay for services while staying conveniently connected. The platform will store health information including data from wearables and popular health applications putting members in control of their information and giving them the ability to safely and securely share their data with their League."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4704/dna-medicine-institute-wins-nokia-sensing-xchallenge.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4704/dna-medicine-institute-wins-nokia-sensing-xchallenge.html Tue, 18 Nov 2014 15:46:55 +0530 XPRIZE has awarded DMI (DNA Medicine Institute) the $525,000 Grand Prize in the Nokia Sensing XChallenge, a competition to catalyse breakthrough medical sensing technologies that will ultimately enable faster diagnoses and easier personal health monitoring. The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based medical technology incubator and laboratory led by founder and CEO Mr Eugene Y Chan, has developed the Reusable Handheld Electrolyte and Lab Technology for Humans ("rHEALTH") system. It is a compact portable device that can run hundreds of clinical lab tests on a single drop of blood,  and can detect a cold, a flu and also a more serious ailment such as pneumonia or even Ebola that requires more urgent medical care. "We are truly honored to be recognised as the Grand Prize winner in the Nokia Sensing XCHALLENGE. To be selected from such an impressive group of worthy competitors is extremely humbling. Our hope is that the rHEALTH system, once commercialized, will enable consumers to monitor their own health while on-the-go in a more efficient manner and alert them of more serious medical concerns almost immediately," said Dr Chan. "Our expert judging panel reviewed a very exciting group of sensing technologies, all with the potential to address a wide array of diagnostic and personal health needs," said Dr Peter H Diamandis, chairman and CEO, XPRIZE. He added, "DMI's rHEALTH system embodies the original goal of the Nokia Sensing XCHALLENGE to advance sensor technology in a way that will enable faster diagnoses and easier, more sophisticated personal health monitoring." DMI was selected from 11 finalist teams and received the highest combined score in accuracy, consistency, demonstration quality, technical innovation, human factors, market opportunity, originality, and user experience.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3501/telemedicine-firm-gets-a-big-push-from-xerox.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3501/telemedicine-firm-gets-a-big-push-from-xerox.html Mon, 17 Nov 2014 12:29:19 +0530 Technology giant Xerox has made a strategic investment in telemedicine company HealthSpot, a pioneer in patient and provider-driven healthcare technology. Through proprietary cloud-based telemedicine software, the HealthSpot platform allows patients to interact with nationally recognized doctors. The average visit to one of HealthSpot's fully enclosed, 40-square foot kiosks takes 15 minutes, offering patients convenient, timely access to doctors, specialists, and prescriptions. The capital investment from Xerox means HealthSpot can rapidly scale deployment of its kiosks and access Xerox's relationships across the healthcare industry. Over the next five years, HealthSpot plans to deploy kiosks to retail pharmacies, large employers, long-term care centers and emergency departments throughout the nation. "HealthSpot is at the center of healthcare's shift to a patient-centered model of care, and our investment in the company demonstrates Xerox's commitment to transforming traditional healthcare into a high-value delivery system for patients, providers and payers," said Mr Connie Harvey, chief operating officer of Commercial Healthcare for Xerox. He added, "By combining the HealthSpot platform with our powerful brand and more than 40 years of healthcare experience, we are helping patients unlock affordable access to care while positioning Xerox to play a significant role in the future of healthcare." Xerox is also partnering with HealthSpot to combine its software platform with Xerox's business process services expertise. The kiosk will use Xerox's IT infrastructure for appointment booking, as an interface to electronic health records and for insurance coordination.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/4438/can-predictive-genomics-take-off-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/4438/can-predictive-genomics-take-off-in-india.html Mon, 17 Nov 2014 10:00:00 +0530 "The market value for predictive genomics is considered to be about Rs 100 crore," says Dr Raja Mugasimangalam, founder and CEO, Genotypic Technology. Also, an approximate estimate can be drawn based on the US market size which is predicted to grow to as much as $452 billion by 2015. This includes not only the healthcare and pharma markets but also the nutrition and wellness market opportunities that use predictive genomics. Current research in predictive genomics in India is primarily about identifying specific genetic variations and their association to diseases. However, what is needed is to follow up on these initial studies to validate the targets by doing follow-up studies. It is important to find out if the association is indeed clinically relevant. One of the applications of predictive genomics is in the field of personalized medicine where each individual is treated based on his or her unique genetic makeup. "This will have an impact on how the biotech, pharma and healthcare industries operate. Raw genomic data and its interpretations will eventually come to be seen as an indispensable part of health and wellness," said Dr Saleem Mohammed, founder and CEO, Xcode Life Sciences.   For example, several individuals metabolize different drugs in various fashion. Widely prescribed drugs like Clopidogrel, Warfarin and Statins have different efficacies in different individuals based on their genetic makeup. If this is determined early, then the number of dosages can be altered to prevent complications. According to Dr Kalyanasundaram Subramanian, CSO, Strand Life Sciences, for pharma and biotech companies the opportunity here is to develop drugs paired with companion diagnostics that will clearly help identify responders to their treatments. Over the last couple of years, Indian start-up landscape has seen a handful of genomic companies that have begun to address the initial needs of the Indian market. Each of these tend to offer a range of services that include sample collection, sequencing, primary analysis and finding variants in a dataset. Of these activities only 'variant calling' falls in the purview of predictive genomics. However the real potential of predictive genomics lies in the interpretation of data. Metaome is building products and technologies to address this need. A lot of biomarker panel based genetic testing companies have evolved rapidly in India in the recent past. The use of genomics tool at clinical level has already started in India. However, according to experts, the future lies in whole Exome or whole genome sequencing (WGS).   Currently, there are no companies in India making Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) instruments. They are imported from the US. There are three major players in NGS namely Illumina, Life Technologies and Pacific Biosciences. Among the sequencing providers Illumina has almost 90 percent market share, owing to their superior data quality and throughput. Since, data quality is the most important factor, especially for the diagnostic applications, most of the service providers choose Illumina's platform. The existing major challenge now is the lack of awareness among the medical community and general public. "Another challenge is the availability of genomic data. We have had to rely on studies based on global populations that have a different genetic makeup compared to the Indian population. Importantly, both these challenges present opportunities to first movers to take predictive genomics to the next level in India," opined Dr Saleem. While the cost of sequencing a genome has come down rapidly in the past few years, the technology is still expensive to use. But this situation is changing fast as costs are being lowered at a faster than exponential rate, and will no longer be as big a barrier as it is currently. Also, the industry suffers with the issue of 'no' regulation. "This is an ethically fraught situation since a genetic diagnosis potentially affects the whole family and hence needs to be performed in manner that is considered ethical, and with the consumer and clinician clearly understanding the parameters of the test and the risks that various types of diagnosis may provide," he stated.   On the pharma side, these tests have the potential to make drugs more applicable by being able to provide them to patients who are most likely to benefit. The other challenges comes from a poor understanding of the Indian genome. Indian genomes are poorly represented in worldwide consortia attempts such as the 'HapMap' and the '1000 genomes project'. There is a need for government agencies and private players to develop strategies to share data and create an Indian genome. The social and ethical implications of genomic testing pose a major challenge. Confusing regulatory guidelines or the absence of any guidelines in India is a major threat. Not to mention, the lack of infrastructure, and the consequent cost of tests, makes it difficult for this technology to penetrate the existing disease testing market. Mr Sam Santhosh, CEO, SciGenom, justifies by saying, "Cost is a major bottleneck. The technology required to bring predictive medicine to the bedside today is primarily imported from vendors in the US and Europe." India is yet to realize the significance of predictive genomics. "The size of our population makes it such that we can derive a lot of valuable information from large scale genomic studies. The potential for such information to have an impact on public health is also much more," predicted Dr Saleem.   Predictive Genomics industry is changing at the breath taking pace globally but India is in its early stages, and people have started accepting it recently. "In India the major focus is on sequence analytic methods, whole exome analysis, integration of systems biology modeling, large scale mutational analysis, Evolutionary connection studies to Genetic disorders," opined Dr Amit Kumar, CEO and CSO, BioAxis DNA Research Centre. While genomics industry in the US has an economic output of $65 billion per annum, Indian genomic industry is less than one-fourth the amount. Investments are huge in the US, and the government is also actively participating in boosting this industry with clear guidelines. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5157/prof-shubha-tole-wins-infosys-prize-2014-in-life-sciences.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5157/prof-shubha-tole-wins-infosys-prize-2014-in-life-sciences.html Thu, 13 Nov 2014 17:08:03 +0530 This year, in the Life Sciences category, the award has been given to Prof Shubha Tole, who is an associate professor and principal investigator in the department of biological sciences, at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), in Mumbai. It was cited that she had made significant contributions in understanding how the brain structure and circuitry are formed in the embryo, leading to better understanding of human behavior, cognition and emotions. Now in its 6th year, the Infosys Prize is given to high caliber researchers for their impactful contribution in their respective fields. The prize consists of Rs 55 lakh, which is tax-free for winners receiving within India; a 22-karat medallion; and a citation certificate. The awarding ceremony will happen in Kolkata on January 5, 2015, and the awards will be presented by the Indian President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee.   The Infosys Science Foundation, erected in 2009, is funded by a corpus which stands at Rs 100 crore, contributed by the trustees and Infosys. In 2013, Dr Rajesh S Gokhale, director, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, won the award for his work in the field of lipid metabolism in M. tuberculosis The other 5 winners for 2014 include: Engineering and Computer ScienceProf Jayant HaritsaProfessor, Supercomputer Education and Research Centre (SERC) and Chair, Department of Computer Science and Automation (CSA), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, India Prof Jayant Haritsa has been awarded this prize for his contributions to the design and optimization of database engines. HumanitiesProf Shamnad BasheerFounder and Managing Trustee, Increasing Diversity by Increasing Access (IDIA), Bangalore and Founder - SpicyIP, India Prof Shamnad Basheer has been awarded this prize for his contributions to the analysis of a range of legal issues, including pharmaceutical patent injunctions and enforcement. Mathematical SciencesProf Madhu SudanPrincipal Researcher, Microsoft Research New England and Adjunct Professor, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science (EECS) department and Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Prof Madhu Sudan has been awarded this prize for his seminal contributions to probabilistically checkable proofs and error-correcting codes. Physical SciencesDr Srivari ChandrasekharScientist G, Organic Chemistry Division, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad, India Dr Srivari Chandrasekhar has been awarded this prize for his contributions in the general area of synthetic organic chemistry with a special focus on the synthesis of complex molecules from natural sources. Social SciencesProf Esther DufloAbdul Latif Jameel Professor of Poverty Alleviation and Development Economics, Department of Economics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Founder & Director, Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), USA Prof Esther Duflo has been awarded this prize for her pioneering contributions to development economics, especially work related to countries such as India and Africa. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3665/ge-healthcare-takeda-to-develop-drugs-for-liver-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3665/ge-healthcare-takeda-to-develop-drugs-for-liver-diseases.html Thu, 13 Nov 2014 12:44:00 +0530 GE Healthcare and Takeda Pharmaceutical announced that they have entered into an agreement for research and development in the field of hepatic fibrosis, a key factor in the diagnosis and treatment of liver diseases According to the terms of agreement, GE Healthcare will provide Takeda with its diagnostic imaging technology for use to generate a liver stiffness map as part of the research and development work Takeda is conducting on liver diseases. "It gives me great pleasure to have been able to build this alliance with GE Healthcare to develop therapeutic drugs to treat liver diseases. This alliance will assist efforts to develop new therapeutic options that ease the burden on the patient. Moving forward, we will continue to put the patient first and incorporate a wide range of innovations into the field of drug discovery," said Mr Tadataka Yamada, chief medical and scientific officer at Takeda. "It is extremely gratifying to me that, through this collaboration, our technologies will be of use in the development of treatments for the liver diseases that are of particular importance not just in Asia, but worldwide," said Mr Akihiko Kumagai, chairman of GE Healthcare Japan with overall responsibility for liver disease programs. He added, "We have been focusing efforts on developing technologies to help provide solutions for liver cancer. As one location in our global research and development network, Japan, whose strategy is to create solutions for an aging population, has been a driving force behind these efforts. "   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4996/it-expenditure-of-healthcare-providers-up-by-5-percent.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4996/it-expenditure-of-healthcare-providers-up-by-5-percent.html Tue, 11 Nov 2014 13:43:00 +0530 Healthcare providers in India are expected to spend $1.1 billion on IT products and services in 2014, an increase of 5 percent from last year, according to Gartner, an information technology research and advisory company. This includes spending by healthcare providers (including hospitals and hospital systems, as well as ambulatory services and physicians' practices) on internal services, software, IT services, data center, devices, and telecom services. IT Services,  which includes consulting, implementation, IT outsourcing and business process outsourcing, will be the largest overall spending category throughout the forecast period within the health care providers sector. It is expected to reach $300 million in 2014, up from $280 million in 2013 - with the consulting segment growing 10 percent. "India has a new government, and the Ministry of Health will closely examine ways to deliver cost effective healthcare across the country. Delivering wide access to healthcare in an affordable manner will be a top priority for the wider public healthcare system. The organised private healthcare sector will continue its expansion across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, as well as niche sectors like maternity and child health. We expect emphasis on eHealth, mobile health, telemedicine, public private partnership and leveraging innovative delivery models," said Mr Anurag Gupta, research director at Gartner.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5055/toshibas-new-x-ray-system-receives-fda-approval.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5055/toshibas-new-x-ray-system-receives-fda-approval.html Fri, 07 Nov 2014 17:19:04 +0530 Toshiba America Medical Systems has announced that its Kalare R&F digital X-ray system with the dynamic flat panel detector (FPD) has received FDA clearance. The enclosed table design of the Kalare FPD R&F system may reduce scatter radiation by up to 95 percent, optimizing safety for patients and staff. Its 17" x 17" size provides quality images edge-to-edge without an increase in dosage. This design also helps reduce panning time for examinations requiring fluoroscopy, such as a barium swallow, and eliminates periphery image distortion, leading to higher image quality and better diagnoses. "Adding an FPD to the Kalare enables clinicians to obtain more information from the images faster, resulting in quicker, more accurate patient diagnoses. But beyond the clinical benefits, this technology offers these improvements in conjunction with a far safer environment for both patient and provider," said Mr David Sloop, director, X-ray vascular business unit, Toshiba.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5537/covidiens-hawkone-directional-atherectomy-system-receives-fda-clearance.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5537/covidiens-hawkone-directional-atherectomy-system-receives-fda-clearance.html Wed, 05 Nov 2014 15:14:55 +0530 Covidien has announced US Food and Drug Administration 510(k) clearance for the HawkOne directional atherectomy system. The latest addition to its directional atherectomy portfolio, the system provides physicians with an enhanced cutting mechanism to more effectively treat the widest variety of plaque in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The FDA approval of the system enhances the company's leading peripheral vascular portfolio. "Covidien is committed to being the clear first choice for our physician and hospital partners by delivering new innovative technologies that help save and improve patient lives. The FDA clearance of the HawkOnesystem enhances our leading peripheral vascular portfolio and further demonstrates Covidien's leadership in the atherectomy space," said Mr Brian Verrier, president, peripheral vascular, Covidien.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6316/indian-develops-wearable-device-to-track-status-of-heart.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6316/indian-develops-wearable-device-to-track-status-of-heart.html Mon, 03 Nov 2014 15:37:58 +0530 An Indian scientist has developed 'The Inner You (INYU)' a wearable device capable of tracking the status of the heart and your overall physical and emotional health. "The Inner You (INYU) is a wearable device that helps the user to track and manage his or her physical as well as emotional health," said Mr Srinivasan Murali, co-founder and CEO of the Switzerland-based SmartCardia, the company that developed the device. The device sends real-time physiological signals from the body like ECG, breathing, skin conductance and physical activity to smartphone and other smart-gadgets via Bluetooth 4.0. 'The user can see the signals immediately on his or her mobile phone. It can also be used for managing a healthy lifestyle, as it tracks the emotional and physical health aspects, such as the stress level, body fat and physical activity,' Mr Murali explained. 'I hope the device will be highly beneficial for India. It can be used to track Electrocardiogram (ECG), breathing and key vital signs of users, so that they can get timely feedback from the doctor,' he further added.   The device would be priced at around Rs 9,000.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5561/perkinelmer-acquires-ceiba-solutions.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5561/perkinelmer-acquires-ceiba-solutions.html Sun, 02 Nov 2014 11:40:00 +0530 PerkinElmer has announced the acquisition of Ceiba Solutions, a sciences and laboratory IT software and services company. The company will integrate Ceiba's capabilities into its OneSource services, which aim to reduce complexity in laboratories and increase efficiency, enhancing the ability to accelerate science. OneSource delivers a complete portfolio of laboratory services including Lab IT, Compliance, Asset Informatics and Analytics, Lab Relocation, Scientific Services and multivendor instrument service and repair. Ceiba's solutions will specifically enhance the OneSource Lab IT portfolio, which includes lab computing, scientific application services, scientific data services, and computer systems validation. "As customers seek solutions and business models to help drive more productive science for their global enterprises, our ability to expand our offering in domain-specific and lab IT capabilities through this acquisition enables us to provide an integrated offering that helps accelerate their science," said Mr Jon DiVincenzo, president, environmental health, PerkinElmer. He added, "Ceiba's solutions, including its managed services, certification and informatics technologies, enhance our OneSource offering with advanced tools and expertise to contribute to accelerating scientific breakthroughs."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5170/google-working-on-disease-diagnosis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5170/google-working-on-disease-diagnosis.html Sun, 02 Nov 2014 10:56:00 +0530 Google's lifescience company, Google's X lab has announced its new project, the "Nanoparticle Platform" to develop a pill that could send microscopic particles into the bloodstream in an effort to identify cancers, imminent heart attacks, and other diseases. The project is part of the company's wider effort to develop new technologies capable of improving healthcare. The company is making nanoparticles that combine a magnetic material with antibodies or proteins that can attach to and detect other molecules inside the body. The pill that contains these particles enter the bloodstream in an attempt to identify molecules that would indicate certain health problems, a wearable device could use their magnetic cores to gather them back together and read what they've found. "Google X's job is to take on the big problems, to try to find clever solutions to big problems, and one of the problems we decided to tackle was healthcare. The way in which we envision doing this is inverting the paradigm in medicine-which is currently reactive and episodic-to a new paradigm that is proactive and cumulative," said Mr Andrew Conrad, the head of lifesciences inside the company's Google X research lab. The wearable device that reads these particles, could be configured to send information, across the internet, back to a doctor. The idea is to monitor health in a more consistent way. The company is looking for partners who would license the technology and bring products to the market.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4602/sakra-world-hospital-launches-apps-for-arthritis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4602/sakra-world-hospital-launches-apps-for-arthritis.html Sat, 01 Nov 2014 10:11:00 +0530 Sakra world hospital has launched a first-of-its-kind "Augmented Reality (AR)" app. It is an interactive platform for patients to understand the concepts of arthritis and joint replacement. The 'Augmented Reality App' enables the surgeon to show the patient a composite 3D view of how the knee joint looks and moves and explain the steps of joint replacement surgery. It works on any camera enabled smart phone or tablet. The 3D knee that emerges, automatically superimposes on the patient knee itself, making it look like the patient can visualize his own knee in 3D. As the patient moves and rotates his/her knee, the 3D image also rotates accordingly, giving the patient a 360-degree understanding of his/her knee ailment and the surgical procedure. Along with this app, they have also introduced a 'Power of Touch' app, which is a patient-friendly, touch screen educational software and is a one stop information treasure on everything related to arthritis. It will enable a patient or the patient's family understand what are the causes and effects of arthritis and also how a total knee replacement (TKR) works, its benefits and the care and rehabilitation to be undertaken post a surgery and much more. This app has been introduced to ensure that the patient takes an informed decision The interactive app provides an engaging way for demonstrating to the patient the symptoms of arthritis, myth busters, and how TKR helps. It also educates the patient on the options available and the procedure including post-operative care and rehabilitation details. Dedicating the two-advanced technology apps to the patients of arthritis, Dr Raajiv Singhal, group CEO, Sakra World Hospital said, "The ability to instantly image the knee in 3D on top of the patient's actual knee anatomy is very powerful for the surgeon to educate the patient by giving the patient improved sensory perception." Dr Singhal further added, "Millions of patients in India are suffering from arthritis today and only 130,000 undergo TKR, the main reason being lack of awareness among patients. Hence educating patients is a must. They must avoid delaying the surgery since now here are newer technologies implants which last for 30 years and hence they don't need to continue living with pain.'     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/5516/astrazeneca-insources-its-it-ops.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/5516/astrazeneca-insources-its-it-ops.html Fri, 31 Oct 2014 09:56:00 +0530 AstraZeneca which outsourced its IT requirement to IBM in 2001, is now ending its relationship with the IT major through the unveiling of its own new GTC, allowing insourcing of its IT operations. Faced with a series of R&D challenges and changes at the senior management level, AstraZeneca planned to invest in its new GTC at Chennai, which will significantly cut costs and will enable the company to fasten its grip on its work. Though Bangalore is known to be the Silicon Valley of India, AstraZeneca sees Chennai as the perfect location for its primary GTC. The company initially shortlisted a host of countries in Asia and Eastern Europe, but picked Chennai specifically to set its technology center in India. "Chennai fits well with our strategy. The city is India's healthcare capital and along with leading hospitals and medical colleges, the city has a strong focus on the biotechnology industry sector. Equally important, Chennai is an emerging IT hotspot and there's a large population of IT talent here as well as in neighboring regions," said AstraZeneca's spokesperson to BioSpectrum.   "The arrival of the Chennai facility is just the start," it said. "We plan to establish global technology centres in San Francisco, USA in 2015, and extend our capability with two additional regional satellite centres in China and Eastern Europe." However, it does not intend to build additional GTCs in other locations in India. At 100,000 sq ft, the GTC in Chennai will be the largest of all the centres AstraZeneca has planned. This centre will drive the company's solutions, tools, technologies and capabilities enabling it to create innovative and pioneering drugs. The GTC is expected to support 50,000 of its staff in 100 countries. The centre currently employs 60 people, and it aims to expand the workforce to approximately 300 in the first year. "We aren't able to share figures for 2015-16 at this stage," said the spokesperson. AstraZeneca failed to comment on the investment that went into erecting the Chennai GTC. However, it is estimated that the new IT outsourcing centre is worth $9 million. According to the company, the Chennai's GTC will deliver application development, SAP, infrastructure management and operations, cloud, mobile, service operations and maintenance.   "One of our key objectives is to achieve technical leadership in our IT, and our Chennai centre will give us the ability to build the world-class technical capability we need to achieve. We are looking to recruit individuals with global work experience, particularly consultants and engineers for large enterprise application platforms," commented AstraZeneca. AstraZeneca's GTC in San Francisco is expected to be operational in 2015, and will be a smaller technology centre with a few experts who will be able to use it as a base to tap into innovative tech thinking and technology in the area. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5389/abbott-expands-its-medical-device-business.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5389/abbott-expands-its-medical-device-business.html Thu, 30 Oct 2014 13:18:58 +0530 Abbott has announced that it has entered into an agreement to purchase Topera, a private, venture-backed medical device company focused on developing innovative electrophysiology technologies to improve the diagnosis and treatment of atrial fibrillation.  Under the terms of the acquisition, the company will acquire all outstanding equity of Topera for $250 million upfront, plus potential future payments tied to performance milestones. Through this acquisition, Abbott enters the catheter-based electrophysiology market, an approximately $3 billion global market that has been growing annually at double-digit rates. Topera, has developed a novel diagnostic catheter and mapping software, or rotor identification system, which help physicians identify and target the specific areas of a person's heart that are perpetuating atrial fibrillation. "There is significant room to use advanced rotor identification technologies to improve the success rate and reduce the need for multiple ablation procedures, and thus improve the health of people with atrial fibrillation. The Topera acquisition provide a foundational entry into the large, high-growth electrophysiology market, with differentiated technologies that can transform the way physicians treat people with complex heart rhythm disorders," said Mr John M Capek, executive vice president, medical devices, Abbott. Completion of the Topera acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including antitrust clearance. It is expected to close in the fourth quarter of this year.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/5985/e-health-lack-of-common-platforms-a-major-challenge.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/5985/e-health-lack-of-common-platforms-a-major-challenge.html Thu, 30 Oct 2014 09:52:00 +0530 Today the challenge India has, much like many other countries, is to not only reach the poor but also to ensure a level of healthcare that reflects equity. The pace of development of e-health and m-health is as fast as it has ever been, and the penetration of devices like mobile phones is both unprecedented and increasing. All the while, the push to have more care done at home and away from the hospital is gaining traction and developing increasing numbers of community health workers. As such, the potential for m-health seems boundless in its ability to change the way care can be delivered. "Mobile health and e-health have had a tremendous uptick in both interest and utilization, from places like the US and Kenya and many places in between. The understanding that m-health and e-health tools can improve healthcare delivery across the spectrum of the healthcare experience is promoting more uptake, both large and small scale, both public and private," opined Dr David Walton, director, global health, ThoughtWorks. But there is limited use of mobile applications in which healthcare is facilitated in global north countries. "There are plenty of monitoring applications and wellness activity trackers to help people measure the number of steps they've taken in a day, but something as simple as SMS messages to vulnerable pregnant women is rarely seen, even in areas with limited access to practitioners or hospitals," he pointed out.   The reliance on diagnostic tools and expensive tests is also pervasive in places like the US. But in places like India, doctors have even devised a way to measure hemoglobin for pennies on the dollar. "This type of frugal innovation is what has driven and what will continue to drive affordability and increasing access in resource-constrained settings," Dr Walton explained. He said that the major challenges in the m-health and e-health sector is the lack of standardization of approach and the lack of common platforms. "I think that in developing countries much can be learned from places like the United States, specially, what not to do. The US has failed on so many levels of creating accessible and affordable healthcare to its people," he pointed out regrettably. Affordability and accessibility of healthcare often fall to the public sector as the primary purveyor of healthcare for countries both in the global north and in global south. "Working with the government allows improvement in delivery at scale, and particularly helps in closing the gap for masses who are traditionally marginalized," suggested Dr Walton.   Dr Walton observed that the recent trials and tribulations of the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) is a small step in the right direction of addressing the fact that so many Americans lack access to even the basics of primary care. Talking about global southern countries, he says, the ability of the public sector to deliver healthcare is hamstrung by a myriad of issues including the brain drain of qualified medical professionals, expensive pharmaceuticals, difficulty with supply chain, and inadequate medical infrastructure among others. "The ability of developing nations to leapfrog the status quo of developed nations and create solutions that can truly enhance care delivery has already been established, and I think that trend will continue," he commented. The role of open source software is imperative, particularly in healthcare. The tools that are used to improve healthcare - whether it be software, information, new research, or new pedagogical tools to improve teaching methods - can only create an equitable widespread improvement in outcomes if they are available to everyone. "The dissemination of knowledge and technology can often be hamstrung by private licensing and propriety fees. Open source software is one way to remove those barriers, and allows software and technology to be used by those that, more often than not, need it most," noted Dr Walton.   For m-health, there is a trove of evidence that demonstrates fewer errors and improved patient outcomes. However, the penetration of m-health in developing nations, especially within clinics and hospitals, is still small. As a company, said Dr Walton, we seek to partner with others to facilitate their ability to deliver high quality, affordable healthcare. "That includes both public sector and private sector partners across all geographies, but particularly in the global south," he added. "We are also open to working with the private sector, as we understand the role the private sector can play in being leaders in the space both nationally and internationally, and are looking to improve delivery of care to all walks of life," expresseed Dr Walton. Currently, ThoughtWorks has diverse set of clients in the sector, from NGOs in the Americas and in Africa, to Ministries of Health in Africa and Asia, as well as clinics and hospitals. "Our projects are also equally as diverse - from mobile health applications focused on community health workers to hospital management information systems, to developing shared health records for nation states," he concluded. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5134/covidien-unveils-its-new-product.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5134/covidien-unveils-its-new-product.html Wed, 29 Oct 2014 14:46:49 +0530 Covidien has announced the launch of ReliaTack articulating reloadable fixation device, the first and only of its kind for laparoscopic (minimally invasive) hernia repair. "Developed with valuable input from surgeons, the ReliaTack device, combined with our recently-launched Symbotex composite mesh, benefits patients while helping drive greater operating room efficiency and economic benefits. The ReliaTack fixation device overcomes numerous physical and ergonomic challenges in ventral hernia repair by allowing a wide variety of angles to more effectively position and secure hernia mesh,"said Mr Rob Claypoole, vice president and general manager, Hernia, Covidien. The ReliaTack device has received FDA 510(K) clearance. "Covidien's proven tack design helps surgeons ensure that the mesh will stay in place, one of the key concerns of hernia repair surgery. By offering interchangeable tack reload sets, ReliaTack helps to eliminate much of the waste associated with non-articulating devices," said Mr Matt Cohen, vice president, R&D Covidien.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4975/covidien-delivers-latest-innovation-in-lung-cancer-diagnosis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4975/covidien-delivers-latest-innovation-in-lung-cancer-diagnosis.html Tue, 28 Oct 2014 12:52:29 +0530 Covidien has unveiled a next-gen version of its superDimension Navigation System software. The updated software features a more intuitive interface that helps reduce time spent by physicians planning a procedure and enhances the visualisation of the airways of the lung. Covidien's superDimension navigation system enables a minimally invasive approach for accessing difficult-to-reach areas of the lung, which can aid in the diagnosis of lung disease. The enhanced navigation software is the latest in a series of superDimension enhancements. Earlier this year, Covidien launched the superDimensionTriple Needle Cytology Brush, a uniquely designed minimally invasive biopsy tool developed to improve diagnostic yields of tumor and lesion samples. Dr D Kyle Hogarth, associate professor of Medicine and director of Bronchoscopy at the University of Chicago said, "Covidien partnered with pulmonologists to redesign the superDimension software and introduce new biopsy tools to improve patient outcomes. This latest version of the superDimension software allows me to find tumors sooner by reducing case planning time required prior to a procedure, simplifying the navigation process, and enhancing the visualization. The innovative design of the Triple Needle Cytology Brush allows me to capture larger tissue samples, which have the potential to provide more information for the patient's diagnosis and prognosis." "These advanced tools and technologies demonstrate Covidien's commitment to expand the specialized lung health products available to pulmonologists and thoracic surgeons," said Mr Chuck Brynelsen, president, Early Technologies, Covidien. He added, "We continue to create a comprehensive portfolio of instruments and technologies designed to help the physician improve how lung cancer is diagnosed with the ultimate goal of improving patient health."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4918/perkinelmer-launches-new-imaging-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4918/perkinelmer-launches-new-imaging-system.html Mon, 27 Oct 2014 14:32:14 +0530 PerkinElmer has announced the launch of its Mantra Quantitative Pathology Workstation with inform Image Analysis Software for cancer immunology and immunotherapy research. It enables researchers to investigate the spatial relationships among multiple types of immune cells simultaneously within and around solid tumors.  It is an easy-to-use, compact, quantitative pathology imaging solution for quantifying biomarkers and protein expression in situ. It enables the development of multiplexed immune cell and protein expression profiling assays for cellular phenotyping in the tumor and tumor microenvironment of standard formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections. The Mantra workstation was developed for use with the company's comprehensive cancer immunology research workflow solution. It readily integrates with its Opal multiplexed immunohistochemistry reagents and inForm software's new quantitative per-cell analysis for phenotyping immune cells in situ. The system is designed to augment how a pathologist works at the microscope so that users can quickly and easily navigate slides at different magnifications. They can also acquire images with minimal microscope manipulation to visualize the distributions of multiple immune cell phenotypes simultaneously. "Cancer immunology research provides hope for better outcomes, especially as new drug candidates make their way through the development process. PerkinElmer is transforming how researchers can see the distributions of immune cells in the tumors they are treating, which can have a significant impact on their understanding of the immune system's role in cancer," said Mr Brian Kim, president, Life Sciences and Technology, PerkinElmer.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5830/intel-ge-care-innovations-partners-with-kinesis-health-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5830/intel-ge-care-innovations-partners-with-kinesis-health-.html Fri, 24 Oct 2014 11:02:00 +0530 Intel-GE Care Innovations, a joint venture between Intel Corporation and GE Healthcare, and Kinesis Health Technologies have announced a partnership to market and distribute QTUG, a mobility and falls risk assessment technology. QTUG is designed to give a more comprehensive view of an individual's risk of falling. QTUG is intended for use by healthcare professionals who assess falls risk in older adults, such as falls specialists within hospitals and community-based care nurses to help eliminate falls for residents. "Falls are a major cause of injury and hospitalization, especially among older Americans. I believe our partnership with Kinesis Health Technologies will bring physical therapists and other clinicians a superior method of determining an individual's risk for falling, and provide the necessary support and information in order to intervene and reduce that risk," said Mr Sean Slovenski, chief executive officer at Care Innovations. According to Mr Seamus Small, chief executive officer of Kinesis Health Technologies, "The direct and indirect costs of falls to society are enormous. However, many falls are avoidable, so more effective preventive measures can have a big impact on improving quality of life and reducing financial costs associated with falls." In addition to identifying those patients at high risk of falls, QTUG can also be used to assess a patient's response to therapy on an on-going basis. Falls among older adults are a major problem worldwide, with an estimated 30 percent of adults over 65 falling each year.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/interviews/98/5435/the-days-of-individual-genomic-tests-will-end-soon.html https://biospectrumindia.com/interviews/98/5435/the-days-of-individual-genomic-tests-will-end-soon.html Wed, 22 Oct 2014 11:06:00 +0530 Dr Burke, who has a strong background in functional genomics and gene editing andis currently focusing on reference standards for molecular diagnostics as well as high value bioproduction cell line platforms, shares his views on new age platforms. Cancer diagnostics through mutational analysis and gene expression profiling is being touted to be the next major breakthrough area in clinical practice. Can you share your views on what some of the future directions or trends in this area?The days of performing individual genomic tests is coming to an end. There is likely to be greater panel based or exome testing, increasing the number of biomarkers thatcan be interrogated in a single sample. This is important as samples generated from biopsies are finites, so this is a more effective use of patient specimens. Importantly we are seeing the development of increasingly sensitive techniques that could allow identification of biomarkers in the blood or urine. This would allow earlier detection of cancers, possible pre-visualisation of the tumour and presents the possibility of monitoring the disease to ensure alignment of therapeutic solutions.How does genomics play an important role in Cancer diagnosis? Cancer is not one disease. Even in a person with cancer it's rarely a single disease. Each cancer is made up of different genetic variations, many of which are somatic and therefore occur during life rather than being inherited. Genomics allows us to decode each tumor and to apply the most effective treatment. Given both the cost and potential toxicity of giving an ineffective treatment, genomicsis increasingly centre stage in oncology. How does Horizon's Genesis platform aid in early cancer detection and diagnosis?Horizon's molecular reference standards are currently used as external controls to determine specificity and sensitivity of molecular diagnostic tests. They are alsoused by proficiency schemes who provide accreditation to many labs to confirm the ability and competency of that lab in detecting particular cancer genotypes. Further work is ongoing at Horizon to explore the development of products which would support minimally invasive testing (blood or urine).Can cancer be detected at early-stages using genomic tools?The potential definitely exists to detect cancer prior to the formation of a tumor which is detectable by traditional methods. Blood or urine would be the likely analytes but these pose different technical challenges, including the need for lower limits of detection.Can genomics tools be used to predict cancer inheritance?Yes, there are various predictors of cancer such as BRCA. However most cancers are driven by somatic (sporadic) mutations which are not hereditary. What is your India strategy as while some of the leading products can be sold to private Indian hospitals, most public hospitals will require simpler, portable, easy-to-use and more affordable versions?We do not sell diagnostics. We sell references standards and develop controls for companies that design and market diagnostics. We recognise the importance of accuracy, precision and affordability of our product in supporting the push to beat cancer. Ultimately it comes down to getting the right drug, to the right patient at the right time based on the right test from a diagnostic result. Are there a lot of innovations in this area and how do you see the landscape? NGS is a big driver and then the gradual movement to minimally invasive  approaches such as detecting biomarkers in blood or urine. Informatics is a big challenge as we try to bring together all the scientific and patient data to ensure the best decisions are made. Treating cancer in my opinion is going to become a multi-disciplinary affair to a greater extent than it is currently... The ultra high-end tests in general are perceived by consumers as very expensive. Are such tests affordable to various strata of patients in countries like India?The model for personalised medicine is still maturing. Platforms such as NGS will drive the cost of diagnostics down. The model for drug discovery will evolve to bemore successful supported by the underlying personalised medicine framework. It's going to take time but simply put, base on finite funds, the economics of treatingcancer needs to improve. How do you view the opportunities in India in specific and Asia in general?Very important. You have large populations. The incidence of cancer is rising and importantly there are some variations that seems to be specific to different ethnicities. We need to ensure we have the right data, the right drugs and reasonable expectations to meet these challenges. What are some of the key challenges that you have noticed in the Indian markets/scientists?The infrastructure is a challenge. However I don't see this as rate limiting. I feel that many of the pathologists and oncologist in India are more discerning about adopting new technologies just for the sake of doing something different. Given the state of health economics around the world, I think this is a sensible take. What do you think will be the game changers?NGS with better error rates, improved drug discovery success rate and minimally invasive testing. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4250/boston-scientific-gets-ce-mark-approval-for-new-pacemakers.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4250/boston-scientific-gets-ce-mark-approval-for-new-pacemakers.html Mon, 20 Oct 2014 17:21:53 +0530 Boston Scientific Corporation has received CE Mark approval for the ACCOLADE pacemaker family. When implanted with the company's INGEVITY leads, ACCOLADE pacemakers are the first to enable patients to receive full-body MRI scans in both 1.5 Tesla and 3.0 Tesla systems. In addition, the Boston Scientific ImageReady technology offers the most flexible MRI options, allowing higher energy scan sequences, and featuring a programmable MRI timer designed to improve patient workflow. In addition to the CE mark approval and launch of the ACCOLADE pacemaker family, the company also received approvals for its VISIONIST and VALITUDE CRT-Ps with quadripolar pacing technology. When paired with the ACUITY X4 pacing leads, these systems offer many options to reach and pace the target location in the left ventricle, potentially improving the patient response to CRT therapy. "We have prioritized investments and now have the first and only subcutaneous ICD, the smallest ICD, and the longest-lasting pacemaker, ICD and CRT devices in the world," said Mr Joe Fitzgerald, executive vice president and president, Rhythm Management. He added, "Now, with the ACCOLADE pacemaker family, we also offer the most flexible MRI conditional pacemaker system, along with advanced diagnostics that assist physicians in detecting atrial arrhythmias. We believe that the provision of automatic daily monitoring and advanced diagnostics to our pacemaker devices will help physicians identify atrial fibrillation sooner, enabling them to initiate patient anti-coagulation therapy to reduce the risk of stroke."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4249/medtech-sector-should-be-regulated-separately.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4249/medtech-sector-should-be-regulated-separately.html Mon, 20 Oct 2014 17:15:59 +0530 The medical devices sector should be excluded from the drugs category and needs to be regulated as per international practices, said the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed). Currently, medical devices are catagorized as "drugs" under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. According to AdvaMed, applying the same regulatory and pricing systems for medical devices as pharmaceuticals could reduce the ability of Indian manufacturers to grow. "There should be a separate regulatory agency for medical devices with adequate trained personnel. Indian medical devices regulation should be harmonized with the guidelines of the Global Harmonization Task Force (GHTF)," AdvaMed vice president Ms Abby Pratt said in a statement. "Medical device industry is valued at $4 billion in India at present but it is a very important part of healthcare. The ecosystem for growth has be developed so that the sector can realize its tremendous potential to solve India's healthcare problems," she added.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4128/a-new-dna-profiling-unit-in-jk.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4128/a-new-dna-profiling-unit-in-jk.html Sun, 19 Oct 2014 10:40:00 +0530 The Jammu and Kashmir government will set up two new divisions in the Forensic Science Laboratory including a DNA profiling unit. "The divisions include DNA profiling and Laboratory facilities and computer-cyber-voice identification and video authentication technology," said Mr H K Lohia, IG, technical services. The state government has invited Expression of Interest (EOI) from reputed and experienced companies and Consortium for setting up these two new divisions. Interested organizations can submit EOI for each division or both the divisions.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4013/healthcare-it-attracts-956-million-in-q3-of-2014-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4013/healthcare-it-attracts-956-million-in-q3-of-2014-.html Sat, 18 Oct 2014 10:20:00 +0530 Venture capital (VC) funding in the healthcare information technology came to $956 million, raised in 212 deals globally, a decline of 46 percent in terms of dollars compared to the massive $1.8 billion in 161 deals raised in Q2 2014, a rare quarter. However, Q3 2014 was still the second highest quarter for VC funding since 2010. Total VC funding year-to-date adds up to $3.6 billion. This was revealed in a report on funding and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in the sector for the third quarter of 2014 by the Mercom Capital Group, a global communications and consulting firm. Mercom's comprehensive report covers deals of all sizes in Healthcare IT across the globe. "Healthcare IT saw another big fundraising quarter in Q3 with almost a billion raised. Companies from countries outside of the United States, accounted for a record 21 percent share of the funding. While consumer-centric companies attracted the majority of the funding this quarter, M&A has been a different story with most (86 percent) of the deals involving practice-focused companies," commented Mr Raj Prabhu, CEO and co-founder of Mercom Capital Group. Consumer-focused technologies received 65 percent of all VC investments in the third quarter of 2014, with $623 million in 140 deals compared to $678 million in 100 deals in Q2 2014. Areas that received the most funding under this category were Mobile Health with $345 million in 82 deals, followed by Telehealth, which had its best quarter, with $101 million in 16 deals, Personal Health with $85 million in 24 deals, Social Health with $70 million in three deals, and Scheduling, Rating & Shopping with $23 million in 15 deals. Practice-centric companies received $333 million in 72 deals in the third quarter of 2014, compared to $1.1 billion in 61 deals in Q2. Under this category, the areas that received the most funding were Revenue Cycle Management with $75 million in eight deals, and Data Analytics with $71 million in 19 deals. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3374/covidien-s-oximeter-gets-us-fda-approval.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3374/covidien-s-oximeter-gets-us-fda-approval.html Thu, 16 Oct 2014 09:27:00 +0530 Covidien has announced that the Food and Drug Administration has given it 510(k) clearance for the Nellcor Portable SpO2 Patient Monitoring System (PM10N). This portable oximeter is equipped with home care and sleep study modes and complies with IEC 60601-1-11 standards for devices used in the home health care environment. The device is a part of the company's respiratory function monitoring portfolio, this convenient, handheld patient monitor is user-friendly and ideal for fast, accurate, motion-tolerant monitoring of pulse rate and blood oxygenation (SpO2). The Nellcor Portable SpO2 Patient Monitoring System's compact design and ability to perform in challenging conditions make it an ideal tool for multiple critical clinical screenings. "Covidien's new generation of portable monitors is easy to use and brings our proven pulse oximetry technology to patients inside the hospital, in health care facilities, and even in their own homes," said Mr Matt Anderson, vice president and general manager, patient monitoring, Covidien. He added, "Because our pulse oximetry technology relies on cardiac signals, it mitigates signal interference, offering caregivers peace of mind. They can count on Covidien to provide accurate patient data, even during difficult conditions. The development of this product exemplifies Covidien's dedication to enhance patient care, both inside and beyond the hospital."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5581/bangalore-india-bio-2015-to-be-held-in-feb-2015.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5581/bangalore-india-bio-2015-to-be-held-in-feb-2015.html Wed, 15 Oct 2014 18:13:00 +0530 This annual biotechnology (BT) event is organized by the Department of IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka, Vision Group on Biotechnology and MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications. Eminent guests present at the curtain raiser were Shri S R Patil, minister for IT, BT and S&T, Planning and Statistics, Government of Karnataka; Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, chairperson, Karnataka's Vision Group on Biotechnology and CMD of Biocon; and Mr Srivatsa Krishna, IAS, secretary to Government, Department of IT, BT and S&T. Bangalore India Bio 2015 will consist of multi-track conferences, international trade show, distinguished lectures and talks, InterlinX biopartnering, bio excellence awards, bioquiz, and networking events. The trade show will have a special 'IT4BT Pavilion' to bring the IT and BT fraternity under one roof showcasing the latest technologies and to understand the industry requirements. The BIB is expected to witness about 100 exhibitors, 3000-plus business visitors, and international representations from more than 20 countries including the USA, France, Australia, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries. The Bangalore India Bio 2015 will also allow young researchers to present their innovations through 'Poster Sessions - Walkway of Discovery'. For the first time, the event will also feature new sessions such as Top Guns Talks, Young Guns Roundtable, Global Biotech Conclave, and Secretaries Conclave. "The Prime Minister has initiated the 'Make in India' mission, which is about manufacturing and 'Swacha Bharat Abhiyan' dealing with cleanliness, hygiene and sanitation. In both these initiatives, biotechnology has a role to play. Through this, the government is keen to enact biomanufacturing and fermentation manufacturing, presenting India with enormous opportunities," added Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw. "There are emerging opportunities where Bangalore-based companies are doing what it takes to become globally relevant in the area of biofuels and other aspects of biotechnology," Dr Mazumdar-Shaw further opined.   Dr Mazumdar-Shaw also opined, "The round table conference called 'Secretaries Conclave' will help share, discuss and deliberate on issues, coming up with meaningful outcomes of what they believe should be the roadmap. This event will be a platform for young entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and angel investors offering a glimpse of happenings inside the biotech sphere." Speaking about Bangalore being the IT and BT start-up capital, Dr Mazumdar-Shaw emphasized that most biotech start-ups today are genomics-led. "Genomics is one area where India can play a leadership role. Bangalore is privileged with a powerful ecosystem for genomics, in both public and private sectors." She said that the major challenge for India now is making genomics cost effective. She added, "India stands for high science at low cost. This is what we need to leverage and excel at and find a rightful place in the global biotech arena." Dr Mazumdar-Shaw also said that knowledge about biomedical technologies is growing by leaps and bounds. "The biomedical area is a vibrant space and a large number of start-ups are seen in this area. By combining IT and BT aspects, new diagnostic tools are developed. It is an exciting time for entrepreneurs, investors, and also for big companies to further build on their critical mass," she concluded. Mr SR Patil felt that agri-biotech needs to be developed first since India is predominantly an agricultural nation. "India's economy is dependent on agriculture. Farmers are the backbone of our nation. Unless agriculture is developed, farmers will not be empowered to strengthen our economy," he explained.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7154/aiims-osaka-university-of-japan-sign-mou.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7154/aiims-osaka-university-of-japan-sign-mou.html Wed, 15 Oct 2014 14:54:00 +0530 AIIMS has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Japan's Osaka University to establish a collaborative research and development program for low-cost surgical devices. This initiative is a part of the joint statement issued by Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi and Japanese Premier Mr Shinzo Abe, during Mr Modi's visit to Japan to enhance cooperation in the field of medical devices. AIIMS Director Mr M C Mishra said, "The primary objective of this collaboration is to develop novel instruments for surgical needs and affordable medical devices for universal health coverage (UHC). At present, the areas of special interest include development of instruments for minimal access surgery, which will also involve other branches of surgical disciplines in due course of time. The parties will seek opportunities to enhance cooperation in other allied areas of mutual interest," in a statement. "Doctors and researchers from both the nations will visit each other's country to identify true clinical needs and collaboratively develop affordable devices with appropriate performance. The 'UHC devices from Asia' will not only improve the health sector in Indian and other Asian countries, but will also help reduce medical expenditures in Japan and other advanced countries," said Mr Kiyokazu Nakajima, professor, Osaka University.         ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/5126/has-osdd-fulfilled-its-promise.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/5126/has-osdd-fulfilled-its-promise.html Tue, 14 Oct 2014 10:09:00 +0530 Open Source Drug Discovery (OSDD) - the pet project of Prof. Samir K Brahmachari, former director general (DG), was launched on September 2008. It introduced the concept of 'open source' to drug discovery, for the first time ever. Launched with the motto of 'affordable healthcare', OSDD tried to collectively aggregate the skills of researchers in academia, research laboratories, and industry to discover drugs particularly targeting neglected diseases. OSDD describes its objectives as follows: • To create a CSIR-led Team India Consortium with international collaboration to lead an open source drug discovery program.• To develop a novel comprehensive systems biology approach to generate a comprehensive interaction map of the pathogen (ongoing).• To discover and develop New Chemical Entities (NCEs) for Mycobacterium tuberculosis including drug resistant and latent tuberculosis. (First phase activity being carried out).• In the second phase, clinical trials will be undertaken.• To make  the new drug available as a 'generic' drug without IP constraints, available in the open, so that the industry anywhere in the world could manufacture and distribute, ensuring that the drug reaches patients at affordable prices. On its seventh anniversary, we analyse how many of its objectives have been achieved. Disease like TB, malaria, and Leishmaniasis etc., are poor man's diseases, thus there is no return on investment for pharma companies to invest in it, so are generally avoided by these companies. There is need for alternative strategies for discovering new drugs outside the pharma industry, with this objective and with the motto of affordable healthcare, CSIR launched OSDD program. OSDD first targeted the TB because of its high mortality rate. India is also dubbed as TB capital of the world claiming 1,000 lives daily and no new drugs have been discovered for the past several decades. OSDD tried to bring research on Mycobacterium tuberculosis, to the open sky so that researches across the world can share and collaborate, for finding the solution to this deadly disease. Towards this, a, Phase II B clinical trial for a new combination regimen for MDR-TB has been initiated.   The combination therapy, involving three drugs namely PA 824, Moxifloxacin and Pyrazinamide for MDR-TB, will be taken up for Phase II B clinical trials. OSDD has acquired the necessary approvals for conducting Phase 2B trial. The completed formalities include: regulatory clearance granted by DCGI, obtained the necessary drug entities, appropriate packaging and labeling, identification of labs for carrying out investigational studies during the trial, appropriate insurance regimen etc. Recruitment of patients for the clinical trials of combination therapy on MDR-TB patients is expected to start in a couple of months. The trial involves a 3 arm study using a combination of PA 824, Moxifloxacin and Pyrazinamide. The trial is soon to start at National Institute of Tuberculosis & Respiratory Diseases (NITRD, erstwhile LRS Hospital), New Delhi, informs Dr Sarala Balachandran, project director, OSDD. She added, "This novel combination has been in licensed from The Global Alliance for TB, a non-profit organization. CSIR-OSDD has the license to progress the combination through different stages of clinical trials. This new drug combination will be made available at an affordable cost without any royalty to the needy patients in the country." Funding Funding for clinical trial and OSDD's other activities is through CSIR (Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India) the core funding body of OSDD is from the CSIR. In the 11th plan, Government of India has earmarked Rs 45.96 crore (about $12 million) for the project. This has been extended till March 31, 2015 with additional funding of Rs 838.00 lakh. For funding for the 12th plan EFC has been approved. The process for getting cabinet note approved is ongoing. Additionally, Sir Dorabji Tata Trust has awarded a grant to enable Council of Scientific & CSIR for operating TATA CSIR-OSDD Fellowship (TCOF) to support students who will participate in the process of 'crowd sourcing' as a method of research on open source discovery of drugs for neglected diseases like Tuberculosis (TB) and Malaria. The grant amounts to Rs 3 crore for a period of three years. "One of the significant achievements of OSDD includes leveraging the potential of crowd sourcing to reannotate the genome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The activity has been the largest crowd sourced activity till now and has been successful in actively involving the Indian student community at large. OSDD has also been successful in building up a host of open source facilities aiming to equip researchers with easily accessible resources to enable their research including facilities like Open Source Chemical Repository - OSDDChemat CSIR-CDRI and Open Screening Facility at CSIR-IICT along with open source Computational Resources for Drug Discovery," said Dr Sarala Balachandran. According to Prof. Samir K Brahmachari, "OSDD have made Indian students work together. Various labs across India are working together. It has created research opportunities for Indian students. 90 chem PI along with over 400 students are sysnthesing chemical molecule. Many other molecule re-discovered and are at various stage of development. In addition, we are now developing a system biology based computer modelling of an organism by which we can identify new ways of drug targets which are non-toxic. In addition, thousands of students have been trained." ''Another substantial attainment is building in-silico computational model of M-TB. Where we computationally modelled 1,152 reactions involving 890 genes i.e. one-fourth of the mTB gene with 961 metabolites in computer. The paper will be published soon, it will be first of its kind, commented Prof. Brahmachari. It has published 20 papers so far, as per OSDD's website. In the course of time, it has successfully collaborated with many international organisations, like medicine for malaria venture MMV; Royal Society of Chemistry (offers fellowships to OSDD students), The Systems Biology Institute, University of Indiana (PI-PI collaborations), University of Cambridge (the cambam collaboration, to validate the drug project/targets), DNDi (for Leishmaniasis research) and OSDD has currently entered into agreement with Global TB Alliance for developing PA-824 in India. Today 8,000 students across 130 countries are associated with OSDD. OSDD through its exclusive internships for women has attracted and promoted scientific temper in the women of this country. Mission 'affordable healthcare' OSDD's mandate was to discover new molecule whether that molecule will be taken up for trial is not its mandate, even development was not its mandate, however we made it a mandate in phase II of the study, for which we have not received any budget. With the leftover budget of the study, we are trying to develop some drug. So discovery part, yes, we are absolutely the best in the world. Development is a slow process, but we will try our best. Right now the only focus is to eradicate TB completely from India, to bring down the number of deaths to 100 as opposed to 1,000 at present. It will cross one milestone after the other. Its milestone will be fulfilled when eventually it will help in reducing the number of deaths. The objectives set for OSDD are met, commented Prof. Brahmachari. According to him, "OSDD is not a project. It is a movement started in India. CIR-led team. What started as an initiative, six years back is now a global phenomenon. I don't see today anybody in the pharma industry who has not heard this term OSDD". The biggest achievement of OSDD is in bringing the term, open source pharma. Now on similar lines, Australia has launched open source malaria and also, various researchers across the globe have come together for open source pharma. "It might not be 100 percent success, but we are way better than what we started." said Dr U C Jaleel, principle investigator, CSIR OSDD research unit. He added, "It is the first Indian system where many scientists are directly addressing the problem of TB. And also, it has created a whole new research ecosystem for drug development and made aware of the need for collaborative effort for drug discovery of the neglected diseases." Perhaps the biggest achievement of OSDD is the recognition of open source platform for drug discovery, so much so that Mr Matthew Todd (Associate Professor, University of Sydney) is coming to India, to write a book on OSDD. By and large, OSDD has evolved as a globalized platform and emerged as a major alternative for the drug development for neglected diseases. Since drug discovery is a long process, typically takes 10-15 years, hopefully in the years to come, it will launch a drug. My target is 2022, when at least we can introduce some medicines in the market, sums up Prof. Brahmachari.                     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5642/medtronic-sued-by-a-shareholder.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5642/medtronic-sued-by-a-shareholder.html Mon, 13 Oct 2014 14:19:26 +0530 A Medtronic shareholder has allegedly filed a lawsuit against the company over its plan to pay $63 million in taxes, that senior executives and directors will incur in the proposed acquisition of Covidien, and order individuals getting the compensation to pay back the company. According to reports, Mr Marilyn Clark filed a shareholders derivatives lawsuit in the US District Court for Minnesota over the "wrongful decision to force the company to indemnify and reimburse Medtronic's officers and directors for millions of dollars of their personal tax liability in connection with an inversion merger that Medtronic entered into with an overseas entity, Covidien," according to court documents. "The multi-million dollar windfall tax reimbursement is wholly self-serving, counter to public policy, and harmful to Medtronic and its shareholders," Mr Clark said in a statement.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4495/us-fda-issues-medical-device-security-guidelines.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4495/us-fda-issues-medical-device-security-guidelines.html Sun, 12 Oct 2014 12:18:00 +0530 In an effort to bolster the security of medical devices, United States of Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) has published a new set of recommendations. The new standards suggests that manufacturers take into account cyber security risks as part of the design and development of a medical device. It has asked device makers to submit documentation to the FDA about identified risks and existing controls to mitigate those risks. The FDA also recommends that manufacturers submit their plans for the updation of existing operating systems and medical software. However, these new guidelines will not change the existing approval process or the time line for device approval, said the regulatory body. Dr Suzanne Schwartz, director of emergency preparedness/operations and medical countermeasures at the FDA's center for devices and radiological health said, "It is important for medical device manufacturers to remain vigilant about cyber security and to appropriately protect patients from those risks," in a statement.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5266/cci-nod-for-siemens-beckman-deal.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5266/cci-nod-for-siemens-beckman-deal.html Sat, 11 Oct 2014 11:45:00 +0530 The proposed acquisition of microbiology testing business of Siemens Healthcare and its subsidiaries by Beckman Coulter and its subsidiaries globally has received green signal form the Competition Commission of India (CCI), says reports. As per the deal Siemens India's microbiology testing business assets would be transferred from Siemens India to Beckman Coulter India. CCI believes that the proposed combination will not have any adverse effect on the competition in India. Beckman Coulter is a part of Danaher Corporation and is involved in manufacturing of biomedical laboratory instruments. "No subsidiary of Danaher Corporation including Beckman Coulter and Beckman Coulter India has any activities in the bacteriology and mycology testing market or even in the broader segment of microbiology in vitro diagnostics, in India. Therefore, it is observed that there is no overlap between the activities of the buyers in India and the microbiology testing business of Siemens India," CCI said in a statement.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/interviews/98/6457/digital-health-innovation-has-been-growing-exponentially.html https://biospectrumindia.com/interviews/98/6457/digital-health-innovation-has-been-growing-exponentially.html Sat, 11 Oct 2014 10:13:00 +0530 1. What, in your opinion has been the breakthrough digital health technology in the world? This ones a tough one because in the recent past, digital health innovation has been growing exponentially not only from the west but also from countries where managing and curbing diseases has been the most difficult. 2. How has this industry mushroomed in the last few years? Over the past three years, the industry in US has seen a whopping 27 percent increase. According to Research firm, Park Associates, the industry was doing $1.7 billion in 2010 and it predicts to grow to $5.7 billion by next year. The industry has seen massive growth in chronic care monitoring or management, senior citizens care and health and fitness domain. 3. What does the government budget hold for digital health companies? So far India stands poorly in the Global digital health. The first step taken by the new government is charting the roadmap for inclusive Digital India. The finance minister has set aside Rs 500 crore for the propagation of broadband, IT, hardware manufacturing and special focus is on software development. This indirectly points out to digitalisation and more reach. Of course, keeping this in mind, it would be easier for digital health companies to reach remotest of the population and offer their services, however its will take some time to become reality but atleast there is a start. 4. How stringent are the regulations for this new industry of digital/smart healthcare? The regulatory bodies have become aware of the rising trend and increase in digital healthcare companies. As a matter of fact, FDA has issued a new guidelines to regulate mobile medical apps. They will apply the same risk-based approach to assure safety and effectiveness for other medical devices. 5. How has your company managed to overcome competition in this space?   We have not launched the product yet and its too early to answer this question. 6. Have the consumers in the world become more smart about healthcare choices and improving technology in this space? In 2012, 19 percent of the mobile smartphone owners had at least one health app and the downloads number is going to increase to 142 million by 2016. Moreover, 69 percent of the American adults are willing to communicate with their healthcare providers via email and 40 percent by mobile health applications. This explains the acceptance of health tech amongst the normal population. 7. What are the current trends in Digital Healthcare across the Asia? 1. Use of social media to spread awareness about communicable and non-communicable diseases by governments. 2. Mobile payments adoption by pharmacies and point of sale retailers. 3. Use of big data by companies to identify behavioural patterns in chronic care. 8. Please elaborate on the role of Digital Health in transforming healthcare. Prior to Digital health, insights on human health were only dependent on healthcare practitioners opinion and advice. The investigations were driven on doctors discretion which in turn was limited to human error however now with the digital healthtech/care advancing, there is a shift of power from doctor to the patient. Digital innovations make it possible for consumers to use portable devices to access their health parameters, monitor vital signs and get a better insight on their health profile. There is an increase in shift from populistic view to an individualistic profiles giving us better understanding on the genomic level. This has catapulted the success rate and chances of finding anomalies and coming one step closer to finding cures for incurable diseases, giving better insights on chronic management and better healthcare in total. 9. Give us your perspective on Digital Healthcare policies in India and around the globe. This would be a very descriptive answer depending on the comparison of the country/continent healthcare policies. In general, India's spent on healthcare is less than 4 percent and thus India ranks lowest in the global health rankings.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5295/eisai-merck-pfizer-join-accenture-to-build-rd-cloud-platform.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5295/eisai-merck-pfizer-join-accenture-to-build-rd-cloud-platform.html Fri, 10 Oct 2014 14:27:00 +0530 Eisai, Merck, and Pfizer have joined forces to build a standards-driven platform powered by Oracle hardware and software to help pharmaceutical companies simplify and speed drug development. Accenture Life Sciences cloud for R&D solution is a new IT platform offering a transformation of the R&D technology landscape. "We have helped these companies successfully improve trial efficiencies, cut trial costs and enhance the productivity of trial participants," said Accenture in a note. This cloud platform offers a forward-looking, transformation of the R&D technology landscape providing new ways to use data across the development lifecycle to bring life-enhancing products to patients faster. The cloud brings together multiple internal and external data sources across clinical, safety, regulatory and operational functions into a single analytics platform, creating actionable insights to accelerate drug development and improve patient outcomes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5093/nightingales-and-philips-partner-for-respiratory-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5093/nightingales-and-philips-partner-for-respiratory-care.html Thu, 09 Oct 2014 14:37:38 +0530 Bangalore-based speciality home care company, Nightingales has entered into partnership with global medical technology leader, Philips Healthcare, to provide specialized home respiratory care services to patients. These services will be made available in metros and semi-metros very shortly. Under the new partnership, Nightingales will take its speciality home services for respiratory distress patients to an advanced level by making respiratory gadgets like non-invasive ventilator (NIV) and oxygen concentrator from Philips, available to patients at their homes. Moreover, respiratory therapists and speciality nurses in pulmonology will be trained by Philips as per world class protocols to work in sync and provide the most advanced and effective treatment support to the patient. Mr Lalit Pai, CEO, Nightingales said, "This association marks a giant stride forward in home-based respiratory healthcare services offered in India. This partnership reflects Nightingales' focus on home-based chronic disease management and on providing patients a new avenue of care. Philips has a dedicated home care respiratory technology which will back the care protocols, and together we will strive to provide a new level of respiratory care at home."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5094/cognizant-acquires-digital-marketing-firm-cadient.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5094/cognizant-acquires-digital-marketing-firm-cadient.html Thu, 09 Oct 2014 14:31:23 +0530 Cognizant has announced that it has acquired Cadient Group in a deal worth $30 million. Cadient is a full-service digital marketing agency that serves a broad spectrum of lifescience companies in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, consumer health, and medical device industries. As part of this acquisition, more than 100 digital specialists with expertise across brand strategy and planning, content development, user-centered design, multi-channel analytics, and digital, social and mobile marketing will join Cognizant. This acquisition also brings to Cognizant digital assets and intellectual property of Cadient including Reveal, an insights and analytics platform; Immerse, an experiential marketing platform; and OneVoice, an advocacy campaign management platform. "The lifesciences industry is undergoing structural disruption as marketing services enable new digital ways for companies to engage with patients and providers and create compelling user experiences," said Mr Shankar Narayanan, vice president and global markets leader of the lifesciences practice at Cognizant. He added, "We welcome Cadient's digital specialists to the Cognizant family and are confident that our combined capabilities and digital assets will help both lifesciences and broader healthcare companies gain a competitive advantage by managing the information that surrounds organizations, processes, products, and people what we call Code Halos." Mr Stephen Wray, president and CEO, Cadient Group said, "Becoming a part of Cognizant uniquely positions us to deliver integrated solutions to lifescience marketing and sales teams around the world. Clients will now have enhanced access to the best creativity and craftsmanship of a design firm combined with the best-in-class management and execution capabilities of a large consulting and technology firm to produce superior customer engagements at the brand and enterprise level. Together, we are ideally positioned to deliver on this promise." The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4843/approval-for-philips-digital-health-applications.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4843/approval-for-philips-digital-health-applications.html Wed, 08 Oct 2014 12:48:36 +0530 Royal Philips has announced that its eCareCoordinator and eCareCompanion telehealth applications have received 510(k) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A part of Philips Hospital to Home's suite of telehealth programs, these applications are focused on patient care within the home.They are the first clinical applications to be available through a cloud-based digital health platform. eCareCoordinator supports population health management by providing clinicians with a daily review of their patients, allowing them to prioritize and adjust care plans or intervene as needed. It further gives them real-time access to both objective health data like vital signs, blood pressure, and weight a well as subjective responses collected via health questionnaires and other communications. The eCareCompanion application serves as a patient portal, driving patient engagement and self-management. The personalized application is accessed via a tablet, and allows patients to answer questions about their health and enter requested measurements. It enables them to stay connected with their care teams. Its ability to connect with medical devices such as a weight scale, oximeter, blood pressure meter, and medicine dispenser, offers a deeper insight into a patient's health. The application also proactively reminds them of pre-assigned health tasks like taking medications, to encourage adherence and better outcomes. "The FDA clearance of the Philips eCareCoordinator and eCareCompanion applications marks the first major step in realizing our vision for a digital health platform that seamlessly integrates data to transform the way we deliver patient care," said Mr Jeroen Tas, CEO, Philips Healthcare Informatics Solutions and Services. He added, "These applications address both clinician and patient needs, providing clinicians with better access and analysis around patient data while empowering patients to manage their own health with direct access to care teams. The deeper insights into patient conditions will help enable more efficient and cost-effective care for improved outcomes."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5032/philips-loses-467-mn-patent-verdict-to-masimo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5032/philips-loses-467-mn-patent-verdict-to-masimo.html Mon, 06 Oct 2014 14:35:00 +0530 Philips initially denied the infringement but now surprisingly has admitted to the act. The case was filed in 2009 by Masimo in the US District Court for Delaware. Later, Royal Philips also filed a counter-claim against it. "We are very disappointed in the verdict of the jury and surprised by the magnitude of the proposed award," said Mr Frans van Houten, CEO, Royal Philips in a statement. "Philips intends to pursue all avenues of appeal of this verdict at both the district and appellate courts in the US." Last month, Royal Philips announced its landmark decision to split itself into two different companies, separating its lighting business from its amalgamated healthcare and consumer electronics divisons. This judgment may cause damage to its healthcare product brand value.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5391/a-mechanized-hand-from-an-oregon-uni-research-team.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5391/a-mechanized-hand-from-an-oregon-uni-research-team.html Fri, 03 Oct 2014 11:04:00 +0530 Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a mechanized human hand that will help facilitate movement and restore the gripping capability of hands following nerve damage. It is said to be one of the first instruments created that could improve the transmission of mechanical forces and movement inside the body. The device was tested in cadaver hands. The new mechanism is a passive technology using a basic pulley that when implanted within a person's hand will allow for a more natural grasping function with less use of muscle energy. "This technology is definitely going to work and it will merge artificial mechanisms with biological hand function," said Mr Ravi Balasubramanian, an expert in robotics, biomechanics, and human control systems, and assistant professor at the Oregon State University. New research demonstrates how the mechanism developed for this problem can produce more natural and adaptive flexion of the fingers needed for grasping. The force needed to close all four fingers around an object was reduced by 45 percent, and the grasp improvement on an object reduced slippage by 52 percent. "The long-term potential of such mechanized assistance is profound. In some cases, it may indeed be possible to create joints or limbs that mechanically function as well or better than they did originally," said Mr Balasubramanian. Technology such as this may offer new options to people who have lost the use of their hands due to nerve trauma, and ultimately be expanded to improve the function of a wide range of damaged joints in the human body, the researchers said.   "The impact can be devastating, since grasping is a fundamental aspect of our daily life. The surgery we are focusing on is commonly performed in the military on people who have been injured in combat," Mr Balasubramanian added. The findings are reported in the journal Hand.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5353/gsk-commits-5m-to-develop-bioelectronics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5353/gsk-commits-5m-to-develop-bioelectronics.html Fri, 03 Oct 2014 10:10:00 +0530 GlaxoSmithKline has launched a $5 million Innovation Challenge Fund (ICF) to advance open-access technology in the bioelectronics space. The fund will support academic groups and small companies who want to develop solutions for GSK's Bioelectronics Innovation Challenge, which was developed by a group of leading scientists from around the world. This funding program is in addition to GSK's prior commitment of a $1 million, announced in December 2013, to be awarded to the team that first solves the challenge. Bioelectronic medicine is a relatively new scientific field which could result in a new class of treatments that would not be pills or injections but miniaturized, implantable devices. To encourage open innovation in the field of bioelectronics medicine, any tools and technologies that come from the ICF funded work and the Innovation Challenge's winning entry will be made freely available to the global research community. The intention is that this will foster an environment of collaboration between researchers from different institutions and accelerate the development of a new generation of medicines. "We see the development of bioelectronic medicines as a collaborative process that will only be successful with the combined skills of world-leading engineers, physiologists, neuroscientists, and informatics experts," said Mr Moncef Slaoui, chairman of global R&D and vaccines at GSK in a statement.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4314/ge-gsk-to-work-on-commercial-oncology-testing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4314/ge-gsk-to-work-on-commercial-oncology-testing.html Wed, 01 Oct 2014 15:28:49 +0530 GE Healthcare has announced an agreement between its affiliate, Clarient Diagnostic Services (Clarient) and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). The collaboration aims to improve access to diagnostic testing for cancer patients by establishing a network of clinical laboratories to identify genetic mutations associated with different tumour types. This will help GE develop a broader laboratory and data analytics service that will enable better efficiency in the healthcare market related to oncology precision medicine. This will be made available as a subscription-based service and will be operated by GE Healthcare. "Our arrangement with GSK will enable us to leverage our clinical, technical and quality management expertise to credential laboratory partners worldwide. This global network of high quality diagnostic capability can be leveraged with confidence by all pharmaceutical companies in search of rigorously standardized oncology diagnostic services and data," said Ms Cindy Collins, CEO, Clarient. Under the terms of the agreement GE Healthcare, through its Clarient affiliate, will initially use its clinical laboratory, pathology, and genomics expertise, to certify laboratories and generate diagnostic data on metastatic melanoma patients. "Through this agreement, we hope to better address the variability in access and quality of diagnostic testing which is a common problem seen with targeted oncology therapies and related companion diagnostics globally" said Mr Jonathan Pan, head of Oncology Companion Diagnostics and Disease Strategy, GSK. He added, "The commercial testing infrastructure created through this collaboration will enable advanced diagnostic solutions that should improve how patient care is delivered, where the certified laboratories are operational."     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5329/agilent-technologies-inks-pact-with-university-of-toronto.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5329/agilent-technologies-inks-pact-with-university-of-toronto.html Wed, 01 Oct 2014 15:21:04 +0530 Agilent Technologies has announced a collaboration with the University of Toronto's Donnelly Center for Cellular and Biomolecular Research to produce a comprehensive metabolomics multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) library and methodology, using Agilent's Infinity 1290 UHPLC and 6460 triple quadrupole mass spectrometry system. "We are impressed with Agilent's mass spectrometry instruments and software solutions. We look forward to working together to enable use of LC-MS metabolomics by a larger scientific audience," said Professor Adam Rosebrock, who is collaborating on this project with Dr Amy Caudy, both principal investigators from the Donnelly Center. The library, coupled with Agilent's MassHunter software, will provide scientists with a robust LC/MS solution to accelerate the quantification of hundreds of metabolically important compounds for cell biology and disease research. "Routine metabolite quantification is an essential component for building a better understanding of how diseases such as cancer and diabetes modify metabolic pathways. We are honored to work with Dr Rosebrock and Dr Caudy to bring this powerful solution to the scientific community and help advance research efforts in the area of quantitative metabolite measurement," said Mr Steve Fischer, market director for Agilent's Life Science Research Division. This new metabolomics MRM library will be added to Agilent's existing collection of MRM libraries, which address a variety of applications including pesticides, veterinary drugs, forensics, and toxicology.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4863/ges-discovery-iq-gets-us-fda-nod.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4863/ges-discovery-iq-gets-us-fda-nod.html Tue, 30 Sep 2014 16:05:40 +0530  GE Healthcare has announced the United States of Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) 510(k) clearance of its Discovery IQ PET/CT (Positron emission tomography-computed tomography) system. Its outstanding image quality and intelligent quantitation help physicians deliver the best possible  outcomes to patients. This innovative new tool provides varied benefits to doctors across the cancer care continuum from diagnosis and staging to treatment planning and assessment. Discovery IQ with Q Clear technology is designed to provide more accurate quantitation (SUV mean) with excellent image quality (SNR) for small lesion detection, fast, and efficient reading, and a confident diagnosis. It delivers the highest NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) sensitivity (up to 22 cps/kBq) and the largest axial field-of-view (up to 26 cm) compared to other market leading PET/CT equipment. "By 2020, it's estimated that 50 percent of people will develop cancer at some point in their lives and we also know that currently, approximately 70 percent of cancer patients do not respond to their initial chemotherapy treatment," said Mr Wei Shen, general manager of GE Healthcare PET/CT. He added, "I am excited about the recent FDA clearance of Discovery IQ, which will help physicians achieve their primary mission of delivering the best possible patient outcomes. And, by making Discovery IQ mobile-ready, we engineered it to be accessible to more patients in more places, allowing for high-performance PET/CT clinical care to whoever needs it." GE Healthcare's new Q Clear technology is a critical component of Discovery IQ.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4809/labelling-mandatory-for-medical-devices.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4809/labelling-mandatory-for-medical-devices.html Mon, 29 Sep 2014 16:04:50 +0530 The Union health ministry has revised rule 109A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules (D&C) to make labelling of medical devices mandatory in the country. The ministry said in a notification that the particulars will be printed in indelible ink on the label or sticker on the shelf pack of the medical device. According to the ministry, the label should carry a proper name of the medical device; the details necessary for the user to identify the device and its use; the name of the manufacturer and address of the manufacturing premises where the device has been manufactured; the correct statement of the net quantity in terms of weight, measure, volume, number of units, and the number of the devices contained in the package shall be expressed in the metric system; and the date of manufacture and date of expiry; alternately the label shall bear the shelf life of the product. Also, it should provide, wherever required, an indication that the device contains medicinal or biological substance; any special storage or handling conditions applicable to the device. It should label the device, if the device is intended for single use; to overprint on the label of the container, the words "FOR CLINICAL INVESTIGATION ONLY", if the device is intended for clinical investigation; and to overprint on the label of the device, the words "Physician's Sample--Not to be sold", if a medical device is intended for distribution to the medical professional as a free sample. The label of a medical device should provide, except for imported devices, the manufacturing licence number.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4682/skin-like-wearable-device-monitors-health-24-7.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4682/skin-like-wearable-device-monitors-health-24-7.html Sun, 28 Sep 2014 11:30:00 +0530 Scientists at the Northwestern University and University of Illinois have developed a new wearable device that can monitor specific properties of the heart and the skin. The devices is a wearabale skin friendly technology that can be worn 24/7 for around-the-clock health monitoring. The wireless technology used thousands of tiny liquid crystals on a flexible substrate, to sense heat and monitor cardiovascular issues and alterations in skin hydration levels. The device measures the transient temperature change at the skin's surface to determine blood flow rate, which is of direct relevance to cardiovascular health and changes in moisture levels on the skin. Mr Yonggang Huang, senior researcher, said, "Through this device we have demonstrated the relevance of technology to basic medicine. The device is an array of up to 3,600 liquid crystals with 3,600 temperature points, each half a millimeter square, laid out on a thin, soft and stretchable substrate. This provides a sub-millimeter spatial resolution, comparable to the infrared technology currently used in hospitals." Mr Huang added that the device also had a wireless heating system that could be used to determine the thermal properties of the skin. He further stated that though the technology was tested, a few additional safety tests were needed before the device could put into use.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4797/frost-sullivan-felicitate-siemens-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4797/frost-sullivan-felicitate-siemens-healthcare.html Fri, 26 Sep 2014 15:00:05 +0530 Siemens Healthcare, India was awarded the 'Imaging Company of the Year' for 2014 at Frost and Sullivan's Sixth Annual India Healthcare Excellence Awards. The company has pioneered innovative healthcare technologies enabling diagnostic efficiency and patient safety while reducing the overall cost. It has also deployed IT solutions for service delivery processes. Speaking about this honor, Mr Richard Guest, CEO, Siemens Healthcare, India, said, "We are the trusted partners who support our customers to fight the most threatening diseases, to raise quality and productivity in healthcare and to enable access to healthcare. We would like to thank Frost and Sullivan and the esteemed jury for awarding us the Best Imaging Company of the Year, which resonates with our contribution to the healthcare industry." Mr Jayant Singh, director, South Asia and Middle East, Healthcare and Life Sciences practice at Frost and Sullivan, said, "The success of Siemens Healthcare is a combination of comprehensive range of solution offerings, single-handed focus on innovation, quality, and reliability, and focus on training and after sales backed by an excellent customer support network. It is a pleasure to recognize the efforts of a company like Siemens Healthcare, which offers innovative and quality healthcare solutions to the country." The 'Imaging Company of the Year' award acknowledges best practices adopted by companies in the Indian diagnostic imaging industry.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4563/univercell-ami-partner-to-sell-fitness-device.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4563/univercell-ami-partner-to-sell-fitness-device.html Fri, 26 Sep 2014 13:43:15 +0530 UniverCell, a mobile phone retailer, has collaborated with American Megatrends India (AMI) to sell the latest health- and- fitness-tracking device BOLT in India. Tracking devices such as BOLT are used for preventive healthcare. This device enables an individual to accurately and precisely control his or her health and lifestyle practices by intelligently interpreting the body's vital information and providing access to this data through a specially-designed, cloud-enabled smart app. Mr Satish Babu, founder, UniverCell, informed, "The work and vision behind BOLT shows through in everything from the design of the device to the smart app with its brilliant user interface. We are very excited to bring such a useful device to our customers first, even before the world sees it. At UniverCell, we constantly strive to innovate and provide easy solutions to our customers and I am sure BOLT is going to be a great addition to our customers." "We are excited to announce this agreement to launch our BOLT health monitor device into the mobile market through the UniverCell. It shares AMI's vision of how to transform healthcare and their high profile as a leader in mobile device retail will enable us to gain even greater visibility for a product which we feel has the potential to revolutionise the way ordinary people can manage their personal health and lifestyles," said chairman, AMI, Mr Subramonian Shankar.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3300/ge-healthcare-life-sciences-launches-new-western-blotting-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3300/ge-healthcare-life-sciences-launches-new-western-blotting-system.html Thu, 25 Sep 2014 15:00:27 +0530 GE Healthcare Life Sciences has introduced Amersham WB system, a fully integrated system for quantitative SDS-PAGE and Western blotting of proteins using fluorescence detection. With this new system, every stage of the Western blotting process, including electrophoresis, transfer, probing and scanning, is standardised and monitored - resulting in consistent, quantitative protein analysis. "Every life scientist has probably carried out a Western blot at some time in their career, and tens of thousands still do every week. The value of the insights provided by Western blotting has kept it relevant for more than 30 years, but its shortcomings are well-recognized. Building on GE's heritage and expertise in protein analysis, what we have developed is a system that is set to shift how scientists see and use Western blotting from now on, with a clear focus on reliability and quantification of results, regardless of user," said Mr Eric Roman, general manager of research and applied markets, GE Healthcare Life Sciences. Mr Martin Teichert, research Scientist at DKFZ (German Cancer Research Center), Germany said, "The publication landscape has changed dramatically over the past year, and the need for quantified blots and data is of significant importance for peer-reviewed journals. I think that the Amersham WB system fits perfectly into this niche, and solves this problem of having quantifiable data that can be relied upon. It has arrived at just the right time." GE Healthcare Life Sciences has developed this system, with a standardised traditional Western blotting workflow that typically achieves a variability of less than 10 per cent between users. The system's consistency and reproducibility delivers the robust quantitative data.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4399/its-splitsville-for-123-year-old-philips.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4399/its-splitsville-for-123-year-old-philips.html Wed, 24 Sep 2014 20:30:00 +0530 This dramatic split of Netherland-based Philips into two separate entities - HealthTech-Lifestyle business and Lighting business is expected to allow the company to focus more into healthcare and consumer goods. "To become the global leader in HealthTech and shape the future of the industry, we will combine our vibrant healthcare and consumer lifestyle businesses into one company," said Mr Frans van Houten, CEO, Royal Philips. The new operating structure will help the company save €100 million in 2015, and about €200 million in 2016. Philips said that both the companies will continue to use the same brand name and will be based in the Netherlands. The company, however, said that it would be difficult to comment on anything further now, especially queries related to the number of job cuts as a result of this mammoth decision. Globally, Philips employs 112,000 professionals.   In 2013, its HealthTech business recorded a sales of €15 billion and the lighting business touched €7 billion, said Philips in a statement. Independence to lighting solutions business will enable the company to expand its global leadership position and venture into adjacent market opportunities. Both companies will make appropriate investments to boost growth and drive profitability, generating more value for its customers, employees and shareholders. Shares of Philips India were trading at Rs 104.05, up by Rs 4.30 or 4.31 percent on September 24, 2014 at 19.20 hrs. It is also noteworthy that in a similar move in May 2013 by Philips' rival, Siemens AG, a German electrical equipment manufacturer, also spun-off its lighting business Osram.   Industrial analysts and experts now have their eyes fixed on the next-in-line candidate's move, General Electric (GE), which also owns similar businesses in healthcare and lighting. This September, speculations rose surrounding the acquisition of GE's appliance business by Swedish-based Electrolux for $2.5 billion. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4274/nanohealth-inks-pact-with-gvk-bio-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4274/nanohealth-inks-pact-with-gvk-bio-.html Tue, 23 Sep 2014 14:25:52 +0530 NanoHealth in association with GVK Bio has launched holistic healthcare services for slum dwellers. NanoHealth is a social enterprise, founded by a group of ISB alumni specialising in chronic disease management. It has partnered with GVK BIO's proprietary HEART (Health Emphasized Analytical and Reporting Tool) platform-a cloud based healthcare analytics framework with multiple applications. NanoHealth will be the first to use mobile enabled and multilingual Disease Management Application on the HEART platform to register, enroll, record, and manage patients. The application acts as an enabler, through information processing, for the right stakeholder to decide and take action for maximum impact. Mr Shiva Subramaniam, senior vice president and head of informatics, GVK Biosciences said, "The mission of HEART is to improve general health and reduce or reverse progression of chronic diseases by building patient centric, high quality healthcare and clinical systems that are simple and accessible to all and which will enable reduction of healthcare costs for all stakeholders. We hope that the HEART platform will help manage and reduce the threat of the rapidly growing chronic diseases especially in slum dwellers where healthcare is the last priority." NanoHealth is creating a network of community health-workers known as "Saathis" and equipping them with a diagnostic device called "Doc-in-a-Box". The doctor's reach is extended by its Saathis, who are well-paid, empowered women in the community forming a strong network of caregivers. The team conducted their pilot in Anjaiah Nagar slum in Hyderabad. "NanoHealth is on a mission to prevent premature deaths caused due to chronic diseases in urban slums. We have a strong team and with the help of credible partners like GVK BIO, we are making progress every day," said Mr Manish Ranjan, CEO, NanoHealth.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4209/covidien-expands-its-sonicision-portfolio.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4209/covidien-expands-its-sonicision-portfolio.html Mon, 22 Sep 2014 12:49:28 +0530 Covidien has announced the expansion of its Sonicision Cordless Ultrasonic Dissection Device portfolio, following US Food and Drug Administration's 510(k) clearance of three additional device lengths: 13 cm, 26 cm, and 48 cm. "Covidien is a pioneer in developing energy-based medical devices and the Sonicision system's groundbreaking cordless technology continues to transform how minimally invasive surgery is performed," said Mr Chris Barry, president, advanced surgical, Covidien. He added, "These new device lengths enable surgeons to use Sonicision technology in a more diverse range of surgical procedures while avoiding the need for cords and separate generators." The Sonicision system is the only cordless ultrasonic dissection device currently available in the market. It is used in a wide variety of general, bariatric, colorectal, gynecological, and urological surgical procedures. The new device lengths allow surgeons to expand their use of the Sonicision system to an increasing number of procedures, including pediatric colectomy, splenectomy, and appendectomy.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4534/hitachi-iiit-h-develop-technology-to-analyze-electronic-medical-records.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4534/hitachi-iiit-h-develop-technology-to-analyze-electronic-medical-records.html Fri, 19 Sep 2014 17:13:08 +0530 Hitachi has announced that they have developed a new technology to extract precisely designated information from electronic medical records in collaboration with International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad (IIIT-H). This new technology makes it possible to analyze electronic medical records including various mixed-forms such as free-form texts written by doctors or laboratory data written in given formats. Hitachi India, Hitachi, and IIIT-H won the first prize with an extraction precision of 86.8 percent in CLEF(1) e-Health 2014 Task2(2), a technical competition on medical information extraction, which was held by a European Research Forum CLEF for developing this technology. This will be presented at the CLEF Conference 2014 in UK. To predict the incidence rates of a disease, it is necessary to analyze medical record texts such as doctors' remarks as well as the input information in the given format such as blood test results. Mr Ichiro Iino, managing director, Hitachi India said, "We are proud that we won the first prize in this competition. Hitachi India, Hitachi and IIIT-H have collectively worked as a strong team to come up with this technological innovation. We firmly believe that it would help build a sustainable society with reduced health risk. We are honoured to achieve this mark, which will act as a catalyst." "We are delighted to achieve this breakthrough in association with Hitachi in the field of technology and healthcare. This technology will help a great deal in prevention or reduction of disease risks. It was a learning experience to work with Hitachi, which shares the same passion for producing futuristic technology as we do. We hope to create such fruitful alliances in future too," said Prof. PJ Narayanan, director, IIIT-H.   Hitachi India and Hitachi will continue to improve this extraction technology, and develop new technologies leading to the creation of advanced medical services.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5452/us-fda-clears-siemens-somatom-scope-ct-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5452/us-fda-clears-siemens-somatom-scope-ct-system.html Fri, 19 Sep 2014 16:32:56 +0530 Siemens Healthcare has announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) has cleared the SOMATOM Scope, a new 16-slice computed tomography (CT) scanner. It is a new addition to the SOMATOM family of CT scanners. The SOMATOM Scope is available in two configurations-Scope and Scope Power. It enables healthcare providers to comply with the NEMA XR-29 Smart Dose Standard, ensuring a safer imaging experience for patients. "By adding the Scope to our portfolio of SOMATOM CT scanners, we help bring CT imaging closer to the point of care, enabling our customers to focus on what matters the most: improving care through more informed, timely clinical decision-making," said Mr Murat Gungor, vice president, computed tomography and radiation Oncology business management at Siemens Healthcare. He added, "The SOMATOM Scope helps to ensure that a greater segment of the patient population has access to innovative technologies while enabling facilities to help control costs as well as save time and effort throughout their daily routine." The SOMATOM Scope is designed for use in routine diagnostic imaging as well as oncological examinations, interventional radiology, and vascular imaging, and the more robust SOMATOM Scope Power with its stronger X-ray tube, higher performance generator, and faster rotation speed is ideal for higher volume clinical settings. The new device utilizes Siemens' breakthrough IRIS (Iterative Reconstruction in Image Space) technology, which accelerates image reconstruction while reducing noise and artifacts. And the system's Adaptive Signal Boost technology amplifies low signals when high attenuation is present. It also includes Siemens FAST (Fully Assisting Scanner Technology) and CARE (Combined Applications to Reduce Exposure) applications to help reduce radiation exposure and standardize the CT imaging process - freeing up more time for technologists to interact with patients.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4476/indias-cochlear-implant-ready-for-clinical-trials.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4476/indias-cochlear-implant-ready-for-clinical-trials.html Fri, 19 Sep 2014 15:30:00 +0530 Researchers at the DRDO labs-Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL), Anurag, Research Center Imarat (RCI) and Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS), Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) and Andhra University have developed the world's cheapest cochlear implants. Reportedly, an application seeking permission for clinical trials has been filed with the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) on behalf of the Society for Biomedical Technology (SBMT). One million people in the country suffered from profound hearing loss, while every year 10,000 infants are born with the same problem. The device would cost around Rs 1-1.5 lakhs. Researchers will conduct multi-centric clinical trials across the country for about six months to one year after receiving the nod from DCGI. After the successful completion of clinical trials, the technology would be transferred to an Indore-based company for serial production. It is expected to be ready for commercial production in a year.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3939/a-new-digital-radiography-system-by-cura.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3939/a-new-digital-radiography-system-by-cura.html Fri, 19 Sep 2014 15:12:00 +0530 Chennai-based CURA Healthcare has launched a DReam Digital Radiography system, a revolutionary product. This is the company's patent design system. DReam offers a unique single detector design that can be used in any position, all without moving the detectro. It comes with flat panel technology, providing high image quality. Radiation emitted by DReam is very low, ensuring patient safety especially for pediatric patients as it emits 25-50 percent lesser radiation as compared to other systems. It is a lifesaving system for emergency, trauma, and accident cases and has a very high patient throughput of upto 300 patients per day Mr Balasubramaniam, CEO, CURA Healthcare said, "The entire concept of going digital makes the process quick and very efficient. With such technological advancements, services provided are better with accurate results. The new Digital Radiography technology is superior, cost effective, and much healthier than the existing technologies available for both patients and radiologists. CURA aims to bring in such ground-breaking technology accessible to everyone and change the medical healthcare scenario for the better." CURA is also taking DReam, and other such medical equipment and instrument solutions to smaller towns to provide the right healthcare. It is bridging the gap in medical treatment by bringing in products that are low-cost but effective in rural areas.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3883/a-software-to-detect-human-emotions.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3883/a-software-to-detect-human-emotions.html Thu, 18 Sep 2014 15:03:57 +0530 A team of scientists, Mr Dev Drume Agrawal, Mr Shiv Ram Dubey and Mr Anand Singh Jalal of the GLA University, Mathura have developed a computerised emotion detector. This Face recognition software detects emotions from a simple mug shot of the face. Face recognition software measures various parameters in a mug shot, such as the distance between the person's eyes, the height from lip to top of their nose and various other metrics and then compares it with photos of people in the database that have been tagged with a given name. The researchers said that the recognition of emotions by future artificial intelligences, in the form of computers or robots, will provide a missing link between the human and machine environments without which appropriate interactions between the two domains may never be entirely successful. The team has taken a three-phase approach to a software emotion detector. The first involves developing an algorithm that can precisely identify and define the features of the human face. The second phase analyses the particular positions and shapes of the face. The third phase then associates those features with a person's emotional state to decide whether they are happy, sad, angry, surprised, fearful or disgusted. Preliminary tests gave a 94 percent success rate, the team reports. "Our experimental results suggest that the introduced method is able to support more accurate classification of emotion classification from images of faces," said the team. They added that the additional refinements to the classification algorithms will improve their emotion detector still further. The research is published in the International Journal of Computational Vision and Robotics.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7587/sap-to-hire-autistic-it-professionals.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7587/sap-to-hire-autistic-it-professionals.html Wed, 17 Sep 2014 14:42:50 +0530 This worldwide program started as a pilot project in India. Six autistic software testers, whom SAP Labs India hired through Specialisterne, a Danish company that helps autistic people around the world find technology-oriented jobs. This resulted in an increase in SAP Business Suite's productivity and team cohesion. One percent of SAP's global workforce will be autistic by 2020. Autistic employees can offer competitive advantages, according to SAP, while helping the individuals secure meaningful employment. Research studies show that autistic patients show exceptional observation and concentration coupled with a high intellectual test score. Most of the employees in Specialisterne have a diagnosis on the autism spectrum, typically serving as consultants in fields such as software testing, programming and data entry. "People with autism bring special skills," said Ms Anka Wittenberg, SAP chief diversity and inclusion officer. "Autistic people have a particularly strong sense of visual perception, which among other things is very useful when testing software." Another pilot in Ireland is wrapping up the screening phase for five positions. SAP will expand the program globally this year, starting in the US, Canada, and Germany. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6029/wellness-genomics-project-exploring-longevity.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6029/wellness-genomics-project-exploring-longevity.html Tue, 16 Sep 2014 14:41:05 +0530 Why do some people live longer? Do they have any special types of genes? Do their genomes have anything in common? Do they have special genes which are expressed at varied levels? Scientists at the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB) are trying to find answers to these questions. The project, funded by CSIR, titled 'Wellness Genomic Project' is led by Prof. Sameer K Brahmachari, former DG, CSIR along with his colleagues Dr Sridhar Sivasubbu and Dr Vinod Scaria, who are also scientists at IGIB. Speaking about the project, Prof. Brahmachari said, "We wanted to be a part of Xprize Archon genomics so that we have access to all the data. Unfortunately, Xprize got closed. But we decided to sequence the Indian genome, and 91 in India is as good as 100 in Japan. We are trying to find out what signals longevity by studying their genome.'' (ArchonX prize was a competition that offered $10 million to the first team that could rapidly and accurately sequence 100 whole human genomes of centenarians at the cost of $10,000 or less per genome.) They have collected 88 samples (of people aged 91 or above) from across India, out of which 16 have been sequenced so far. They have formulated few theories. He elaborated further, "The idea is to find something common in these genes. Some special types of genes or other genes whose activity is slightly higher than the others. We are looking at C elegans genes which have been shown to be related to longevity. Are these genes different here? If we can find a marker or some particular metabolism process that allows longevity, it could give us some new information. We have formulated these theories, however, it might also be possible that we find something new." Sequencing is not an easy task, and sequencing the genome of centenarians is even more difficult, as it is very hard to collect blood samples from them. So working with small samples with present day technology, and to analyse large genomic data, are some of the challenges in this project.   We hope that after sequencing 30 genomes, we will have statistically significant data, sums up Prof. Brahmachari. If the project is successful, it would pave the way for long and healthy living.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5051/googles-lift-labs-launches-a-new-spoon.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5051/googles-lift-labs-launches-a-new-spoon.html Tue, 16 Sep 2014 12:41:00 +0530 Google's new acquisition, Lift Labs has manufactured a self-stabilizing spoon for neurological patients. The tech giant said in a statement that it plans to explore how Lift lab's technology can be utilized to help people with neurological disorders. Lift Labs would be integrated into Google Life Sciences, which is a part of Google X, the company's long-term projects division. "I hope that the Liftware spoon would be the beginning of a long road that could potentially lead to other technologies, such as adding in diagnostic tools that could monitor tremors over time," said Mr Andrew Conrad, head, Google Life Sciences. Lift lab's spoon is embedded with sensors in the handle, which senses the movement of a hand tremor and triggers a tiny motor to move the head of the spoon in the opposite direction, keeping it relatively stable while the user eats. Though, Google has recently made a number of investments in lifesciences companies and also launched Calico, a new venture to work on treatments for old-age related diseases, the company said that intense regulation of healthcare products will keep it from diving too far into the healthcare sector.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4750/cognizant-acquires-trizetto.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4750/cognizant-acquires-trizetto.html Tue, 16 Sep 2014 12:11:29 +0530 In a bid to expand its market position in the healthcare sector, Cognizant purchased Colorado-based TriZetto, a healthcare IT services provider for $2.7 billion. Speaking about the acquisition, Cognizant's CEO Mr Francisco D'Souza said, "Healthcare is undergoing structural shifts due to reform, cost pressure, and shifting responsibilities between payers and providers. This creates a significant growth opportunity, which TriZetto will help us capture," in a statement. Healthcare accounts for 26 percent of Cognizant's revenue, which was $8.84 billion last year. TriZetto will further boost the company's revenue in the healthcare sector. "We are excited that the integrated portfolio of capabilities across technology and operations will uniquely position us to help clients drive higher levels of operational efficiency, while re-imagining care for the future. We look forward to welcoming the TriZetto team into the Cognizant family and creating a truly differentiated and sustainable foundation for healthcare," added Mr D'Souza. This is said to be the company's biggest deal ever. The combined worth of the two companies is estimated to generate more than $3 billion in healthcare revenue.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4596/google-earth-to-predict-malaria-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4596/google-earth-to-predict-malaria-.html Tue, 16 Sep 2014 12:06:38 +0530 Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) are developing an online platform that can be used to predict malaria transmission with the help of Google earth. Their goal is to enable poor countries to plan more targeted and effective campaigns against the mosquito-borne disease which kills more than 600,000 people in a year. With the malaria prediction platform, local health workers will be able to upload their own data like where and when malaria cases have been occurring. This can be combined with real-time satellite data on weather and other environmental conditions within the earth engine to predict where new cases are most likely to occur. This will help in taking the necessary steps to prevent the disease in a predicted area. Google earth outreach is donating to the UCSF $100,000 to develop this platform. The new tool will be piloted in Swaziland, a South African country. Researchers also plan to make the tool available to health workers in other countries, those working with the Global Health Group's Malaria Elimination Initiative. This tool can also be adapted to predict other infectious diseases.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4101/scientists-develop-an-app-to-detect-parkinsons-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4101/scientists-develop-an-app-to-detect-parkinsons-.html Sun, 14 Sep 2014 14:39:00 +0530 Scientists have developed a new smartphone app which can detect early signs of Parkinson's disease much before people experience tremors. The app picks up subtle changes in a person's voice, walk, and manual dexterity to diagnose the condition. "The condition is hard to diagnose, with specialists having to take a detailed history of people's symptoms and analysing them for physical signs of the disease. Using smartphone data may help to make this process much easier," said Dr Max Little, a mathematician from Aston University who is leading the project. Reportedly, the app is being tested in a group of 2,500 people with diagnosed Parkinson's symptoms, or genes known to be linked to the disease, and healthy individuals. An earlier analysis of a voice recording revealed that the app can detect Parkinson's with 99 percent accuracy from effects such as increased breathiness, drifting pitch and altered vowel sounds.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4105/the-social-network-of-weight-loss.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4105/the-social-network-of-weight-loss.html Sun, 14 Sep 2014 13:59:00 +0530 Social media programs designed to help people lose weight can be a useful tools in the global fight against obesity, according to a recent study. "One advantage of using social media over others is that it offers the potential to be much more cost effective and practical for day-to-day use when compared to traditional approaches," said Mr Hutan Ashrafian, department of surgery and cancer, Imperial College, in a statement. He added, "The feeling of being a part of a community allows patients to draw on the support of their peers as well as clinicians. They can get advice from their doctor without the inconvenience or cost of having to travel, and clinicians can provide advice to many patients simultaneously. There are also possible downsides, such as potential privacy issues and a need for the patient to be internet savvy, so it may not be right for everyone." Researchers reviewed the data from 12 studies across the United States, Europe, East Asia, and Australia that evaluated social networking services for weight loss. "The studies we looked at were the first to investigate social media approaches to obesity. There needs to be more research into this area to see what approaches work best for which patients, in light of the dramatic global adoption of social media tools and content. The use of social media to treat obesity encourages patients to be more proactive and empowers them to contribute towards their own treatment. It's not the only solution to the obesity epidemic, but it should be introduced as an element of every country's obesity strategy, " added Mr Ashrafian.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5787/electronic-skin-can-detect-breast-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5787/electronic-skin-can-detect-breast-cancer.html Sun, 14 Sep 2014 13:35:00 +0530 Scientists have developed an electronic skin which can detect small lumps in the breast, less than 21 mm. These lumps usually go undetected in the currently available methods of screening. Early detection of breast cancer improves survival rate by 94 percent, experts said. The research was published in the Journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. Researchers developed this electronic skin out of nanoparticles and polymers that can detect and feel small objects. The device has been tested on a breast model made of silicone. It can also be used to screen patients for early signs of melanoma and other cancers.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5107/india-the-best-place-to-study-drug-responses.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5107/india-the-best-place-to-study-drug-responses.html Fri, 12 Sep 2014 16:44:42 +0530 In his presentation, eminent guest Prof. Samir K Brahmachari said that the Indian genome is a melting pot of the world population. "India is the best place to study drug-responses and drug-reactions in clinical trials. Our country has a large and diverse population coupled with good IT application capability. If we do not take advantage of NGS, then India is less likely to be successful in the global arena. Our major weakness is failing to publish our research works and papers," he opined. Earlier, genome sequencing cost around $3 million. Currently it is down to $1000, which perhaps will reduce even more in the years to come, Prof. Brahmachari revealed. Dr Raja C Mugasimangalam, founder and CEO, Genotypic Technology told BioSpectrum, "We are in the NGS era and we need to learn to apply it. We want to be the genomics technology hub, where technology companies, colleges, mobile application developers, entrepreneurs, doctors, and everyone can be a part. We need to learn to collaborate since it is not a one-man show." The NGS data analysis and interpretation market in India is estimated to be $100 million. According to Dr Raja, NGS in India is doing better than anywhere else in the world. "This is the next enabling technology wave and we can't stop it. Its applications vary from pharma to agriculture, and basic science to clinical trials," he explained. Dr Raja feels that students have to get into more of analyzing and interpreting NGS data. He revealed, "This is the future. Technically, biotechnology has died. The next wave is in genomics and genome-informatics. We are depending too much on the West for equipment and machines in NGS technology, which needs to reduce. However, for data interpretation, we are the kings."   Dr Venkatesh Krishnamurthy, research director, Genotypic Technology said that this conference will be a one-stop platform for people interested in NGS. "The conference will provide an idea of current happening trends in NGS. People can fine-tune their existing knowledge and pick-up dynamic projects. This event has made it possible for the industry and academia to come together as one cluster for further growth," added Dr Krishnamurthy. Genotypic Technology has inked a pact with Manipal University, an R&D collaboration in clinical diagnostics. Last year, it also signed an MoU with VIT. The company is also in the process of singing another MoU with NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences), which is expected to reach fruition very soon.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5073/maymygenome-strikes-deal-with-snapdeal.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5073/maymygenome-strikes-deal-with-snapdeal.html Fri, 12 Sep 2014 13:20:19 +0530 The service is said to offer genomic services predicting diseases and directing patients towards more effective medicines. "....We wanted to reach out to more people and ecommerce is much easier way to reach," expressed Ms Anu Acharya, CEO, Mapmygenome." Most clients for this service hail from major metros. However, people from other emerging towns like Coimbatore, Vijayawada, and Kharagpur have also started using this service for screening a variety of diseases like CVDs and Alzhiemer's. "....The collaboration will help us in reaching out to over 25 million members across the country and enable them to understand the gene-disease interaction better," commented Mr Amit Maheshwari, VP, Snapdeal.com. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4727/apple-launches-a-new-pulse-reading-smart-watch.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4727/apple-launches-a-new-pulse-reading-smart-watch.html Thu, 11 Sep 2014 12:28:37 +0530 The much-awaited smart-watch, loaded with features, marks the entry of the mobilephone giant into the healthcare wearable market. The device not only offers users the ability to tell time but also includes sensors that can detect a pulse, count steps, and suggest fitness goals. There are also a gyroscope and an accelerometer, which help provide a comprehensive picture of the daily routine of the wearer. The watch has two fitness apps; an activity app which gives users an overview of their daily fitness levels, like calories burned, exercise done etc. And a workout app, which shows real-time statistics like time, distance, calories, and pace during exercise. It could act as a personal trainer, pointing out fitness goals and other tips. According to Apple, it is the most personal device the company has created. The watch will be available in the market early next year with a price tag of $349.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4329/toshiba-johns-hopkins-to-collaborate-for-big-data-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4329/toshiba-johns-hopkins-to-collaborate-for-big-data-research.html Wed, 10 Sep 2014 11:29:08 +0530 To utilise the potential of Big Data to predict and prevent diseases, Toshiba has established a 'Toshiba Center for Big Data in Healthcare' at Johns Hopkins University. The center's main project is to study treatment pathways and outcomes in head, neck, and lung cancer patients in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins radiation oncology department. "Toshiba recognizes the ability of Big Data to monitor individual health, and in the future, to support day-to-day clinical decision making. With our collaboration at Johns Hopkins, we hope to create a new paradigm in medicine that transforms healthcare into a more efficient, cost-effective, and data-driven enterprise that will help to improve patient outcomes," said Mr Rich Mather, director, Clinical Programs, Toshiba Medical Research Institute. Mr Satoshi Tsunakawa, executive officer, corporate senior vice-president of Toshiba added, ''This is a great opportunity to work with Johns Hopkins, one of the world's leading medical centers, and I am confident that the research will lead to improvements in prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of disease, and help promote better health for patients in the US and around the world." 'Toshiba Center for Big Data in Healthcare' will create new technologies to monitor individual health and drive more precise, individualized patient care.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5472/polymedicure-wins-patent-battle-against-b-braun.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5472/polymedicure-wins-patent-battle-against-b-braun.html Tue, 09 Sep 2014 15:14:27 +0530 PolyMedicure, a manufacturer of medical devices has won its five-year long patent battle against German medical devices and pharma giant, B Braun. The German firm had sued the company for alleged patent infringement for its intravenous (IV) safety catheters. The European Patent Office (EPO) has now revoked two of B Braun's patents. The company believes that this victory will help them gain a firm foothold in Europe. The European safety catheter market is seen at $250 million. Mr Rishi Baid, director, Poly Medicure said in a statement, "The two concerned patents have been revoked by the European Patent Office, as per our information and it is likely that this will have a huge positive impact on our business in Europe."     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7305/health-apps-educate-kids-though-games.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7305/health-apps-educate-kids-though-games.html Tue, 09 Sep 2014 15:09:00 +0530 In line with the recent trend of gamification, many digital health companies are mushrooming to develop new apps that can help kids to learn and manage their health. Recently, Sanofi diabetes in collaboration with a Canadian health games company Ayogo, launched an app called Mission T1D in the UK, for kids suffering from juvenile diabetes, their parents and caregivers. The app is a virtual school setting that helps kids to gain knowledge about diabetes, as they clear new levels. The players have to earn points to unlock short easy-to-remember tips about living with type-1 diabetes. The game also includes educational videos and quizzes that cover basics of juvenile diabetes and hypoglycemia. Another health app created by this partnership was Monster Manor, that was shortlisted in the Health Service Journal (HSJ) Value for Healthcare Awards. Wellapets is yet another educational app that helps kids manage juvenile asthma. The game is a virtual pet and kids have to teach the pet better inhaling techniques and asthma triggers. In all the games, kids take up the role of a doctor in order to gain a proactive perspective that can help them afford a sense of control over their health. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5414/whats-boschs-next-move-in-healthcare-space.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5414/whats-boschs-next-move-in-healthcare-space.html Tue, 09 Sep 2014 10:42:50 +0530 In August 2014, Bosch launched its eye screening and detection system in Bangalore, developed primarily for the Indian market. The launch grabbed uncountable eyeballs across industries wondering about the company's decision to venture in to healthcare. "As an organization mobility solutions and automotive are our major focus areas. We are already in the healthcare space through telemedicine platforms in the US and Europe. So our focus in India is to solve problems that are relevant to India, and not being concerned about what areas of business we are in. We believe we can bring in lot of technology practices that are relevant to the Indian market. So healthcare is our big focus area and you will see more innovations in the future," explained Mr Harsha Angeri, senior GM and lead, strategy and business development The product is already available in the market and is priced at Rs 2.44 lakh, including the hardware and software components but excluding the algorithm. The product has taken about 1.5-2 years to develop, according to Bosch. When asked about the products' affordability factor, Mr Angeri said, "If you compare our product with what is available, this would be the most competitive price in the market. We have significantly changed the affordability equation."   The company acknowledged that it has both local and global competitors, who offer similar devices in various other forms. The company's primary target includes individual practitioners ranging from ophthalmologists to general physicians. "Our strategy is to go to the mass market and appeal to individual practitioners. Secondly, we are talking to multiple major institutions who have been validating this device on their own in their settings," expressed Mr Angeri. Talking about Bosch's future healthcare innovations, he added, "We want to bring in a portfolio of more products in this space. We will also look at other medical conditions in a broader way. We'll address them and announce when we are ready to launch." Mr Angeri also said that the newly launched device will witness more features being embedded in to it and simultaneously bring down the device's cost. "We are also investing in technologies by adding additional features that will further enhance the way this device works," he commented. Right now, Bosch doesn't have any intention to export the product. "Our focus is to address the problem in India. The issue is prevalent in other regions also. We want to first ensure that this product works in India, and then take the learnings and decide how to focus on other markets." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5240/brain-to-brain-communication-in-humans-might-be-possible.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5240/brain-to-brain-communication-in-humans-might-be-possible.html Sun, 07 Sep 2014 17:38:00 +0530 A team of scientists from Harvard University Medical School and experts from France and Spain have successfully transmitted information via the internet between two human subjects located 5000 miles away. The transmission was from India to France. The computer-mediated transmission could be made possible using internet-linked electroencephalogram (EEG) and robot-assisted and image-guided transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) technologies. The study was conducted on four healthy participants, in the age-group of 28-50 years. The device connects directly to the users' scalps and impulses from the sender were picked up via electroencephalogram (EEG) as well as by an image-guided and robot-assisted transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). The signal was encoded and sent via the internet to the user on the other end. Once it reached its target destination, the code was then interpreted by a computer interface and delivered to the recipient. The binary messages were then decoded as 'Hola' and 'Caio'. "We wanted to find out if direct communication was possible between two people by reading out the brain activity from one person and injecting brain activity into the second person, and do so across great physical distances by leveraging existing communication pathways," said co-author Mr Alvaro Pascual-Leone in a statement. The study is published in the Journal PLOS One. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5044/pharma-giants-explore-ibm-watsons-role-in-drug-development.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5044/pharma-giants-explore-ibm-watsons-role-in-drug-development.html Fri, 05 Sep 2014 10:20:57 +0530 Leading lifesciences organizations are deploying Watson Discovery Advisor to advance discoveries in ongoing research projects, including Baylor College of Medicine, Johnson and Johnson and The New York Genome Center. Sanofi is exploring how working with Watson can speed up the discovery of alternate indications for existing drugs (drug re-purposing). Watson is able to understand and extract key information by reading millions of pages of scientific literature and then visualizes relationships between drugs and other potential diseases they could target while providing supporting evidence each step of the way. Drug safety and toxicity is a major driver of the high failure rate in clinical development and trials. Sanofi is exploring how Watson's ability to understand, extract and organize toxicological information can enable researchers to make better informed decisions with respect to candidate progression.   Johnson & Johnson is collaborating with the IBM Watson Discovery Advisor team to teach Watson to read and understand scientific papers that detail clinical trial outcomes used to develop and evaluate medications and other treatments. This collaboration hopes to accelerate comparative effectiveness studies of drugs, which help doctors match a drug with the right set of patients to maximize effectiveness and minimize side effects. "We're entering an extraordinary age of data-driven discovery," said Mr Mike Rhodin, senior vice president, IBM Watson Group. "Today's announcement is a natural extension of Watson's cognitive computing capability. We're empowering researchers with a powerful tool which will help increase the impact of investments organizations make in R&D, leading to significant breakthroughs." IBM Watson will be supporting the analysis in New York Genome Center's clinical study to advance genomic medicine. The clinical study will initially focus on clinical application of genomics to help oncologists deliver DNA-based treatment for Glioblastoma. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5025/another-us-fda-approval-in-ges-portfolio.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5025/another-us-fda-approval-in-ges-portfolio.html Thu, 04 Sep 2014 14:34:55 +0530 The Unites Stated Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) has approved GE healthcare's latest technology SenoClaire, a new tomosynthesis solution designed using three-dimensional imaging technology. "With the FDA's approval of SenoClaire, we build on our breast care continuum which offers physicians and patients a complete suite of solutions, ranging from screening and diagnosis through treatment, and monitoring," said Ms Catherine Tabaka, chief marketing officer, detection and guidance solutions, GE Healthcare. She added, "SenoClaire not only offers patients a new solution to help clinicians better detect breast cancer, but does so with low dose radiation and high image quality. This new generation technology, breast tomosynthesis, together with innovative solutions like contrast enhanced spectral mammography, automated whole breast ultrasound, and molecular breast imaging will equip health care providers with a comprehensive set of tools that will help patients across the entire breast care continuum." GE has developed this technology in collaboration with the Massachusetts General Hospital. "Today's announcement marks a key milestone in our mission of providing women with cutting edge screening technology to detect early breast cancer. When cancer is identified and treated earlier, we know women have a better rate of survival," said Dr Daniel Kopans, senior radiologist, breast imaging division, department of radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7043/johnson-and-johnson-to-sell-its-medical-device-unit.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7043/johnson-and-johnson-to-sell-its-medical-device-unit.html Thu, 04 Sep 2014 11:20:00 +0530 Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), world's largest maker of healthcare products, is planning the sale of its medical device unit Cordis, say reports. The Cordis unit focuses on less-invasive treatments for vascular diseases and other devices including stents and catheters. The company pioneered cardiac stents, global market for which is worth $5 billion. It employs around 5,000 people. The unit could fetch the company about $2 billion and is expected to attract interest from private-equity firms and other healthcare companies. Reportedly, the unit's slow growth have prompted JNJ to consider this action, as the company want to focus on other medical technologies promising higher growth. The sale would reduce its annual costs by $1 billion. Earlier this year, the company sold its ortho-clinical diagnostics business for about $4 billion.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4983/eu-approval-for-ges-vizamyl.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4983/eu-approval-for-ges-vizamyl.html Wed, 03 Sep 2014 16:51:00 +0530 GE healthcare's radiopharmaceutical product VIZAMYL (flutemetamol (18F)) a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging system, used to detect amyloid plagues has received the European Union's approval. It is the only PET imaging tracer that has been approved by the regulatory body. However, VIZAMYL is for diagnostic use only and should be used in conjunction with a clinical evaluation. "Dementia is one of the biggest health and social challenges in the world and receiving marketing authorisation for VIZAMYL in the European Union (EU) demonstrates our continued commitment to help meet this challenge and support the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease" said Mr Kieran Murphy, president and CEO, Lifesciences, GE Healthcare. He added, "This approval will provide physicians in EU with an important tool that may help them better assess specific patients, who are being evaluated for Alzheimer's disease and will also support further research into greatly needed disease modifying agents." VIZAMYL can detect the accumulation of beta amyloid in the brain, which will help confirm an Alzheimer diagnosis and also in determining appropriate treatment plans. It will be commercially available in Europe from early next year.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4841/covidien-acquires-another-medical-device-company-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4841/covidien-acquires-another-medical-device-company-.html Wed, 03 Sep 2014 12:49:18 +0530 Covidien, a global leader in manufacturing medical devices announced that it has acquired Sapheon, a US-based medical device company focused on manufacturing devices for venous disease treatments. Sapheon develops and manufactures the VenaSeal system, which uses a specially formulated medical adhesive to close the great saphenous vein in patients with varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). It is currently approved in Canada, Europe, and Hong Kong. More than 2,000 patients have been treated with the system. The VenaSeal system is a minimally invasive technology, and unlike open surgery and other invasive procedures, patients are often able to quickly restart their regular routine. "Sapheon will significantly enhance Covidien's global peripheral vascular business by providing additional treatment options for physicians and their patients who suffer from CVI. It's technology is complementary to our current portfolio, and this acquisition further demonstrates Covidien's leadership in the CVI space. Our technologies are supported by industry leading clinical evidence, robust global physician training and a superior customer support infrastructure." said Mr Brian Verrier, president, peripheral vascular, Covidien. The company will report the Sapheon business as a part of its peripheral vascular product line in the medical devices segment. The financial details of the deal were not disclosed.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5721/a-battery-less-cardiac-pacemaker.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5721/a-battery-less-cardiac-pacemaker.html Tue, 02 Sep 2014 15:44:00 +0530 Researchers at the University of Bern, Switzerland have developed a new  cardiac pacemaker, which runs without a battery and is modelled on an automatic wristwatch and is powered by heart beats. "Batteries are a limiting factor in today's medical implants. Once they reach a critically low energy level, physicians see themselves being forced to replace a correctly functioning medical device in a surgical intervention. This is an unpleasant scenario which increases costs and the risk of complications for patients. We have come up with a way to power a cardiac pacemaker with an alternative energy source - the heart movement," said Mr Adrian Zurbuchen from the University of Bern, Switzerland. He added, "The heart seems to be a very promising energy source because its contractions are repetitive and are present 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Furthermore, the automatic clockwork, invented in 1777, has a good reputation as a reliable technology to scavenge energy from motion." The researchers successfully tested the system using in-vivo experiments in domestic pigs. The mechanism allowed them, for the first time, to perform a overdrive-pacing of the device, without a battery, at 130 beats per minute. "We have shown that it is possible to pace the heart using the power of its own motion," he further said. The research was presented at European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress in Barcelona.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6740/global-nanotechnology-market-to-touch-3-trillion-by-2018.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6740/global-nanotechnology-market-to-touch-3-trillion-by-2018.html Tue, 02 Sep 2014 13:23:00 +0530 The curtain raiser for the conference was held on September 1, 2014, in Bangalore, in the presence of dignitaries including Prof. CNR Rao, chairman, Karnataka's Vision Group on Nanotechnology; Shri SR Patil, minister for Planning and Statistics, IT, BT, Science & Technology; Shri Srivatsa Krishna, IAS, secretary to the Government, Department of IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka; and Prof. AK Sood, department of physics, IISc. By 2018, the commercial Nanotechnology market is expected to reach $3 trillion, with India having a market chunk of 20-25 percent, revealed Shri Srivatsa. Themed 'Nano Horizons' this year, this international event will serve as one stage confluence for the government, scientists, policy makers, research institutes, students, entrepreneurs, industry and academia, offering a plethora of explorative opportunities in advancing Nanotechnology and Nanotechnology. On the occasion, Prof. CNR Rao said, "In the US, Japan, and China, there is a lot of investment happening in the area of Nanotechnology research. Through this technology, many new materials have come out in the last few years. Actually two years ago, this field didn't exist much. Now it has become a major area of research. There are new developments which are promising, and a number of possibilities are seen in device technology and applications including Spintronics." When asked about Nanobiotechnology fairing in India, he told BioSpectrum, "Nanobiotechnology is doing very well in the country. Major researches has come out of NCBS proving to be very outstanding matching international standards."   Shri Srivatsa emphasized that no part of human life will remain untouched by Nanotechnology and Nanotechnology. "The Ebola virus vaccine is being developed using nano particles. Researchers are turning to Nanotechnology for finding a cure for this dreaded disease," he opined. Prof. AK Sood told BioSpectrum that the new nano park is expected to be unveiled in the next 3 to 4 months. "The initial investment that has gone into this has been about Rs 50-60 crore, and it will add up further phase-by -phase," he told. The top Indian institutions in this area are located in Bangalore - IISc Bangalore being one of them, along with National Center for Biological Sciences (NCBS) and Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR). Talking about Bangalore India Nano, Shri SR Patil said, "In my opinion, this is a historical event. Karnataka is the second largest technology cluster on the planet. In the future, Nanotechnology is expected to have impact on almost every field possible including biotechnology, agriculture, food technology, medicine, healthcare and environment, electronics, renewable energy, IT and material science." India's first premier nano institute is emerging in the outskirts of Bangalore. Under the guidance of Prof. CNR Rao, this institute will be developed into a hub for Nanotechnology in the country. "We are also planning a nano park with an incubation center to promote Nanotechnology industry in the state. In the future, Bangalore will be called as the 'Nano-capital' of India," he added.   Last year, the 6th edition of Bangalore India Nano witnessed more than 600 delegates, with the participation of 245 organizations from 12 countries along with 500 graduate students, and 45 top experts in the industry. This year, the event will include product & technology tradeshow, pre-conference tutorials, keynote talks by eminent guests, poster session, Nano for the Young, Research Industry Collaboration Hub (RICH), and InterlinX, which is a partnering tool and networking reception. The main highlight in this years' edition is the tutorials on nano fabrication, scanning probe microscopy and transnational new medicine. More than 500 participants are expected from 13 to 14 countries to be present at the event. Also, Prof. CNR Rao Bangalore INDIA NANO Science Award and Bangalore INDIA NANO Innovation Award will be presented at the event for distinguished personalities with achievements in Nanotechnology. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4700/cci-nod-for-wipro-ge-and-ge-india-technology-deal.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4700/cci-nod-for-wipro-ge-and-ge-india-technology-deal.html Tue, 02 Sep 2014 13:09:01 +0530 Wipro GE Healthcare's plan to acquire GE group's assets related to biotechnology and lifesciences have received a green signal from the Competition Commission of India (CCI). Wipro GE is engaged in manufacturing and distributing various medical equipment and devices while GE India Technology is into multi-disciplinary research and development in varied fields such as biotechnology. As per the deal, Wipro GE will acquire assets of the GE India Technology Center used for research in areas of biotechnology and lifesciences. "The proposed combination would facilitate vertical integration of the businesses of Wipro GE. It would enable it to sell equipment as well as provide related research and other support services in biotech and lifescience areas.  Accordingly, it is observed that there is no horizontal overlap between the businesses of Wipro GE and GE India Technology Center" CCI said in an order. "It is also observed that GE India Technology Center renders 100 percent of its services to the affiliates of GE group across the world, including India," it further said.   CCI believes that the proposed combination will not have any adverse effect on the  competition in India. The companies have approached the CCI for the approval of 'Asset Purchase Agreement' in July.  (Source: The Economic Times) ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4046/tele-medicine-consultations-witness-remarkable-surge-in-2014.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4046/tele-medicine-consultations-witness-remarkable-surge-in-2014.html Mon, 01 Sep 2014 14:57:51 +0530 Close to 120,402 tele-consultations to rural communities in UP and Bihar has been delivered by the World Health Partners (WHP), a non-profit organization which provides health and reproductive health services in developing countries. With the increase in mobile and technology penetration and on-ground community connect and education initiatives, WHP saw a spike in the requests for tele - consultations in the first half of the current year. The tele consultations ranged between 15,910 and 12,671 in the first half of 2013 and 2012. By the end of June 2014, WHP had conducted 16,464 consultations ranging from ailment reporting, treatment prognosis, diet and life counselling, updates on danger signs of the complicated diseases, Pre and Post treatment care, etc. Consultations with the patients and the health providers also included steps to monitor patients during the treatment and counselling of the families. WHP's network of 5,000 rural health providers were a part of its SkyCare program for tele-consultations involving medical care and follow-ups. Often the first and only point of contact for the majority of patients, these informal rural health practitioners are equipped with low-cost mobile solutions to enable them to provide tele-consultations, referrals, diagnostics, and symptom-based treatments. They are backed by 110 tele-medicine provision centers, called SkyHealth Centers, which in turn are connected to qualified doctors at WHP's Central Medical Facility (CMF) in New Delhi and other nearby towns. The rural health providers are trained by CMF doctors about how to monitor the patients during the treatment and counsel the families. As per Mr Gopi Gopalakrishnan, president and founder, WHP, "Our objective is to harness local market forces to work for the poor by leveraging the latest advances in communication, diagnostics, and medical technology. Combing tele-medicine with the infrastructure and manpower already available in rural areas, we have managed to establish large-scale, cost-effective healthcare networks that provide much-needed health and family planning services in under-served rural areas. Millions of patients have already benefited from our program since it was launched as a pilot project in 2008." With the announcement of the Digital India program at the 2014 budget session, the government has reinforced its support for the ongoing initiatives to bridge the digital divide and ensure broadband connectivity at the village level and improved access to services through IT-enabled platforms, which will strengthen governance and delivery of healthcare services in rural hinterlands. The reduction in duty on components used in manufacture of personal computers will encourage the technology adoption even at the grassroots level, helping in the proliferation of tele-medicine and improved healthcare services till the last mile.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4507/robo-brain-a-new-computing-platform-for-robotics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4507/robo-brain-a-new-computing-platform-for-robotics.html Sat, 30 Aug 2014 10:05:00 +0530 Two Indian-origin researchers at Cornell University have developed a computational system known as 'Robo Brain.' "Robo Brain is a large-scale computational system that learns from publicly available Internet resources, computer simulations, and real-life robot trials," said lead researcher, Mr Ashutosh Saxena. Explaining its working, he said, "Robo Brain will process images to pick out the objects in them, and by connecting images and video with text, it will learn to recognise objects and how they are used, along with human language and behavior." According to the researchers, the Robo brain accumulates everything related to robotics into a comprehensive and interconnected knowledge base. Applications include prototyping for robotics research, household robots, and self-driving cars. It extracts information available on the Internet with the help of a computational system. It can interpret natural language text, images and videos. "Our laptops and cell phones have access to all the information we want. If a robot encounters a situation it has not seen before, it can query Robo Brain in the cloud," Mr Saxena further said.   The information is being translated and stored in a robot-friendly format that robots will be able to draw on when they need it. The website will display things the brain has learned, and visitors will be able to make additions and corrections.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/3999/introduction-to-digital-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/3999/introduction-to-digital-health.html Fri, 29 Aug 2014 10:05:00 +0530       The twentieth century was very typical and traditional. Though newer innovations ranging from penicillin and other drugs, to radio and television occurred within this century, it took a huge lag time for these innovations to penetrate. Especially in a vast country like India, it took further time. The radio took around 2 decades and so did the television. The telephone came in later, but took a good 10 to 15 years to reach households. The late 90s was when the Digital revolution was just initiated in Asia and the biggest thing it brought with it was the speed and pace of changes.    Following the Globalization era in India, the digital revolution was set in the country primarily with the penetration of the PCs earlier and then gathered momentum with the mobile phones, around the first decade of the 21st century. With a population of 1.22 billion people today, India boasts of over 900 million mobile phones in the country - which is the 2nd largest in the world to China, which is 1.20 billion. India and China combined own almost 1/3rd of the world's mobile phones. Asia is also picking up on the number of Internet users with 770 million users only in India and China. Newer sources indicate that India shall cross the 250 million by the end of 2014.   With the increasing usage and penetration of smartphones, the internet usage on PCs is on a decline but on the mobile is increasingly on the rise. Amongst internet users, it is observed that entertainment is the most searched subject, and is, interestingly, followed by health. There are both good sides and bad sides to it. As per the data from DazeInfo, social media usage tops the list as the main internet activity on smart phones. Interestingly, this report also suggests that nearly 16 percent mobile internet users in 35 top cities in India closely follow or use health related applications. What is Digital Health? Simply defined it is using any digital tool, device or technology for augmenting health. According to Wikipedia: Digital health is the convergence of the digital and genetics revolutions with health and healthcare with the goal of reducing inefficiencies in healthcare delivery, improving access, reducing costs, increasing quality, and making medicine more personalized and precise. With the cost of Genetic testing coming down and beginning of the era of personalized medicine, things like tracking Body data, usage of wearable devices and mobility will change the course of things in the not too distant future. With the world getting flatter, well connected and more social, the era of digital health has a very bright future. Let us take the example of the simple eMamta initiative in India. In 2010,the infant mortality rate (IMR) in Gujarat was 48 per 1000 live births. To improve these numbers and reduce the IMR, the Gujarat government implemented the eMamta initiative - a mobile phone based program. Under this program, health workers trained by the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), collected information on expectant mothers and infants. Based on this info, alerts were used to notify local health workers in each region, who reached out to these mothers to help them understand the plan, and supply them with basic medication as required. The mothers also got sms' about the progress in their term, and this initiative has helped drop the infant mortality rate to 44 per 1000 live births. So initiatives like this, which use an online and offline methodology, can be game changers and are classified under Digital Health. In India specifically, we need to adopt to strategies which would work for us and not blindly copy our western counterparts. Today, people are really mobile with access to GPS, giving their location and also active on social platforms. So the new community arising out is Social, Local, and Mobile called as the SoLoMo. This throws up various opportunities for healthcare, right from collecting Big Data to behavioral targeting health marketers. mHealth or mobile health initiatives will see a big change in the near future in Asia. Both healthcare and technology companies are teaming up with mobile app developers for developing specific health apps. Areas such as weight loss, fitness, conception, exercise and diet tracker, symptom checkers, baby vaccination etc. enjoy a number of downloads from Apple i-store and Google Play. The health start-up sector too is booming, especially in India, with various Venture Capital and Seed Fund companies taking key interest in supporting the sector. Entrepreneurship has been on the rise lately and a lot of newer innovations coming out globally will be from the east in the forthcoming years. Not surprisingly the investment in digital health startups has reached $1.97 billion globally in 2013, which is a 39 percent growth from 2012. In India too, Venture Capital companies are investing heavily in this arena. Some disruptive technologies and early innovations from companies like Biosense, Diabeto etc. showcase a promising future for Indian start-ups. Biosense has launched smartphone based portable diagnostics for checking urine and blood at home, which can also display geographical data for community level surveillance. Their other product ToucHb is a needle free anemia screening tool, which is so very critical with reports predicting anemia to be as high as 75 percent in Indian women. Diabeto - another start-up, is a Diabetes management device, which helps you collect your data wirelessly into your smartphone app and manage your diabetes more effectively. So over a period of time, the app throws up graphs and trends that could be correlated to lifestyle, discussed with Doctors etc, so that one can manage Diabetes better. With a shift to lifestyle diseases, these start-ups have a lot to offer and change the course of health management. In Wearable devices too, while Nike Fuel and Adidas miCoach are a rage, some Indian start-ups too are giving additional value for money. One such product is GOQii-which is dedicated to enabling a permanent shift to a healthier lifestyle. It combines advanced wearable technology with the world's leading experts, coaches and karma. GOQii offers a single integrated solution, which is a powerful combination of technology and human connection. Human-centric design is a critical factor within Digital health. One such example is the service support from i-sure ovulation strips. So while the company sells ovulation strips, they went beyond just the product in supporting a woman who found it difficult to conceive. They realized she could not openly talk, discuss her problems and goes through a lot of stress. Putting up a human-centric design they came up with a set of solutions that went beyond the mere website. They offered a live chat service so the woman could chat or speak anonymously, set sms reminders etc. The mobile app offered a calculation calendar that threw up expected ovulation dates, could set reminders and track the months eventually, and all this anonymously on her own mobile - this app now has about 50,000 downloads. Crowd-sourcing solutions within healthcare, are also increasing. An excellent example is Progeria. Progeria is a rare disease and statistically as of 2009, only 54 children were identified globally. The Progeria Research Foundation (PRF) realized that another 150 children were missing. PRF launched "Find the Other 150" campaign globally for the undiagnosed children with Progeria, so that they too can have access to the unique care they need. In partnership with the GlobalHealthPR group, a worldwide health communications group with offices in the United States, Asia-Pac, Europe and Latin America, using both mass media and digital media, they involved the society to identify these rare children. So from 54 children, today the count has gone to 103 children in 36 countries. Out of the newly identified cases, 3 of them are from India - an excellent example of communications, crowd-sourcing and usage of new media. A recent survey done by MediaMedic in India, showed that 90 percent of the specialty HCPs have adapted to smart phones, and are keen to get newer information real-time in their interest areas. These HCPs enjoy easy connectivity that smartphones offer and professionally too exchange pictures, x-rays, images and reports amongst their peers and patients. Social Media too has caught up and will give a big boost to Digital Health. Searching with specific hashtags such as #diabetes, #cancer, #weightloss, #menopause generates a swarm of local information. Patients are forming their own local support groups on various diseases, so that they can share, empathize and learn from each other's experience. Websites such as Yahoo answers, Sawaal.ibibo, Baby- Center, ehealthforum etc, see a large traffic of patients asking questions and expecting answers from people with similar cases. Topics such as Acne, weight reduction, managing diabetes, conception issues, contraception etc has many seekers and plenty of discussions. The online encyclopedia, Wikipedia, forms an active part of this social media circle and the popularity of this platform to provide information is humongous. Any medicine, its dosage, side effects, indication, contraindication etc can be easily accessed through this medium and consumers at large are exploring it. Newer review platforms for patients to share their experience with the doctor and recommend or suggest the service of this particular doctor will redefine healthcare. Such platforms will go a long way in creating an image or perception of the Doctors based on genuine patient feedback. The user-generated content (UGC) will play an amicable role in shaping up Digital Health. This also calls for a set of guidelines that can help shape up Digital Health constructively. In the near future, a lot of user generated content (UGC) will be up, which will influence consumers, patients and caregiver behavior, and it will be interesting to see the evolution in this space. With the Indian government backing up technology and Universal Healthcare Coverage, it will be an interesting future for the country. The Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) implemented by the government to provide health insurance coverage for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, is also strongly driven with technology and has now 37 million active smart cards. Also with the ongoing UIDAI project of the Government, whose vision is to empower residents with a unique identity and a digital platform to authenticate anytime, anywhere; it can benefit tremendously when it comes to providing and mapping health. With these changing times, it is very critical for healthcare, pharma and biotech companies to understand the true meaning of 'Digital' and its related applications. Today these companies who have traditionally been the torch-bearer of health, are struggling to realize the full potential 'Digital' has to offer. In fact, technology companies are threatening this sector in adapting and offering digital health products and services. Hence it is important to shed off the 'traditional mindset', have a clear understanding of Digital and embrace it in the correct way. Let us not forget that times are changing at a rapid pace, and we are indeed fortunate to be a part of the generation shaping up 'Digital Health'.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5256/ngc-collaborates-with-medtronic-for-expansion.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5256/ngc-collaborates-with-medtronic-for-expansion.html Thu, 28 Aug 2014 17:41:10 +0530 Under the terms of the agreement, Medtronic has purchased a 30 percent equity stake in NGC, with an agreement to expand NGC's business beyond Italy. Medtronic expects the net impact from this investment to be neutral to fiscal year 2014 earnings and for this transaction to be consistent with the company's disciplined focus on long-term returns. The company also announced the formation of Medtronic Hospital Solutions, a new business focused on developing novel partnerships with hospitals to provide services directly related to hospital operational efficiency. "The creation of this new business within Medtronic underscores our commitment to develop innovative services and solutions that create efficiencies, address costs, and improve patient access and outcomes for a broader set of hospital customers," said Mr Omar Ishrak, Medtronic's chairman and CEO. "We recently announced our acquisition of Cardiocom, which extends our presence and impact in chronic disease management, as part of our expansion beyond devices to healthcare services and solutions. With today's announcement, we have now formed a hospital solutions business aimed at addressing efficiency and operational improvement exclusively focused on delivering better clinical and economic outcomes and value for hospitals," expressed Mr Ishrak. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4272/medical-device-industry-to-get-new-policies.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4272/medical-device-industry-to-get-new-policies.html Thu, 28 Aug 2014 17:33:38 +0530 As per reports, the government is planning to consider a separate policy for allowing 100 percent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the manufacture of medical devices, through the automatic route. Currently the industry comes under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, and the FDI is governed by the same rules that apply to the pharma sector. Though the government allows 100 percent FDI in pharma, it differentiates between setting up a new facility and the expansion of an existing one. FDI for a new facility is allowed through the automatic route but this has to be approved by the foreign investment promotion board and the competition commission of India. "Unlike pharma, FDI in medical devices will be essentially in greenfield (new) projects because there is no question of brownfield (expansion)," an official said. He added, "The government realizes that the medical devices industry has suffered due to a lack of specific norms and policy. Investments in greenfield medical device projects have been impacted because of the clubbing of the industry with pharma. A separate policy will certainly boost investment and generate interest in the sector." A report by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) highlights that the Indian medical technology industry has the potential to expand to $50 billion by 2025, if it receives appropriate policy support from the government. It is worth $6.3 billion at present.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4518/new-eye-sensor-to-detect-glaucoma.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4518/new-eye-sensor-to-detect-glaucoma.html Wed, 27 Aug 2014 16:56:39 +0530 Researchers at Ilan University and Stanford University have reported a new eye contact lens that can monitor eye pressure in glaucoma patients. The new lens imbibed with microfluidic sensor can measure fluid pressure inside the eye and provide a readout with a smartphone camera. The simple, low-cost device could make it much easier to diagnose glaucoma. It could also give glaucoma patients a 24-hour home-based monitoring test similar to the glucose monitors available for diabetics. The new sensor consists of an airtight channel that runs around most of the periphery of a lens that is used for cataract surgery. On one side it has a tiny gas reservoir, while on the other it connects to the aqueous eyeball fluid. The lens should  be surgically implanted into a patient's eye. When the microchannel is connected into the eye chamber, pressure drives the intraocular fluid into the microchannel, compressing the reservoir gas until the gas pressure and liquid pressure reach equilibrium. An increase or decrease in the intraocular pressure forces the fluid to move toward or away from the gas reservoir. A smartphone camera equipped with an optical adapter and image analysis software can be used to accurately detect the position of the liquid. The optical adapter positions the camera in front of the pupil and shades the eye, causing the pupil to dilate and reveal the sensor. The optical readout on the new microfluidic sensor is easier to use. The researchers said that their experimental results suggest 10-year device life.   The research is published in the journal Nature Medicine.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4236/medtronic-acquires-sapiens-for-200-million.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4236/medtronic-acquires-sapiens-for-200-million.html Wed, 27 Aug 2014 16:53:00 +0530 The acquisition of Sapiens SBS strengthens Medtronic's capabilities in an important, emerging frontier of medicine - the modulation of brain function. "This acquisition broadens our neuroscience leadership position with innovative brain modulation technology that, along with our comprehensive portfolio of DBS solutions, may one day transform the way physicians are able to treat patients with neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease and essential tremor," said Dr Lothar Krinke, vice president and general manager, Brain Modulation business, Medtronic. Sapiens, located in Eindhoven, is developing a DBS system that features an advanced DBS lead with 40 individual stimulation points. This advanced system is designed to allow more precise stimulation of the intended target in the brain and may potentially result in reduced procedure time and fewer stimulation-induced side effects. Medtronic's press statement said that employees at the Eindhoven facility will continue to work toward bringing this technology to market. In the future, the site will serve as a global R&D center for Medtronic's Neuromodulation business, complementing its existing R&D operations.   Medtronic and Sapiens SBS will work to finalize product development and begin clinical research to integrate these technologies into an expanded portfolio of DBS products within Medtronic's Neuromodulation business. Mr Jan Keltjens, CEO, Sapiens SBS commented, "We are excited to join Medtronic, and look forward to collectively working to bring this and other novel technologies and therapies to neuromodulation patients worldwide that could benefit from them." The transaction is expected to meet Medtronic's long-term financial metrics and does not impact fiscal year 2015 earnings guidance, said the company's statement. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4039/philips-gets-fda-nod-for-its-tavi-treatment-planning-application.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4039/philips-gets-fda-nod-for-its-tavi-treatment-planning-application.html Tue, 26 Aug 2014 13:02:59 +0530 Philips has announced that it has received the 510(k) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) to market its precision planning application for Transcatheter Aortic-Valve Implantation (TAVI) treatment. Through 3D imaging, TAVI provides interventionalists with pre-procedural, high-precision positioning to treat aortic stenosis ailments. The Philips TAVI planning application is available as a part of Philips IntelliSpace Portal 6-the company's advanced visualization and analysis solution that allows clinicians to access and analyse patient imaging and data virtually anywhere, at any time. The application features a comprehensive measurement package to accommodate, virtually, all types of TAVI devices. "As our population ages, minimally invasive TAVI procedures are becoming increasingly popular in the United States since they provide a non-surgical option for those patients who might have once been considered too high-risk for heart surgery," said Mr Gene Saragnese, CEO, Imaging Systems, Philips Healthcare. He added, "Treating cardiac conditions requires immense precision and our TAVI planning application delivers a solution for aortic device placement to help improve patient care." The application will be displayed at the upcoming ESC Congress 2014 where attendees can experience the Philips cardiology solutions first-hand, with a focus on the continuum of care, from prevention and diagnosis, to treatment, recovery, and wellness, delivering more efficient and effective cardiovascular care in the treatment of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), Structural Heart Disease (SHD), and Heart Failure (HF).   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4198/cochlear-implantation-a-boon-for-the-deaf.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4198/cochlear-implantation-a-boon-for-the-deaf.html Tue, 26 Aug 2014 12:55:00 +0530 Held at Mumbai-based Jaslok hospital, Dr Sandra Desa Souza convened organized an international symposium on Cochlear implantation, wherein many eminent doctors working in the field delivered lectures. The main highlight of the event was the live surgical demonstration of Cochlear implantation. Deaf children and adults who cannot be benefitted from hearing aids were provided with the implants at the symposium. A Cochlear implant is an electronic device, the internal component of which is implanted during the surgery while the external component is later worn on the body as the speech processor. With the implant, children who are born deaf can hear and be taught to speak, while patients who became deaf after acquiring speech are given hearing and can continue living normally. At the two-day event, a series of lectures were delivered by eminent doctors on various topics in the field of Cochlear implantation. To back up the series, the hospital had organized a live surgical demonstration by Dr Jacques Magnan, showing an exposed facial nerve, facial rescess on the second day of the event. The patient operated on, was Mr Om Deokate, with a posterior tympanotomy and cochleostomy to introduce the device. Dr Dillon D'souza operated on a patient, Ms Riddhi Bagadkar using the Inverted Veria technique and Cochleostomy without exposing the facial nerve and Dr JM Hans operated on Mr Jafin Sheikh using a minimally invasive Veria technique. Dr Sandra Desa Souza arranged for the funds for the implants, the surgical and hospitalization costs. All the patients are doing well after the surgery. Dr Sandra Desa Souza, director, ENT Jaslok Hospital and ENT Consultant at Breach Candy and Desa's Hospital, was the first woman surgeon in the world to pioneer the Cochlear implant surgery in India and Asia in 1987. The program ended with a valedictory function and certificates were distributed to the delegates. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7250/bosch-expands-into-healthcare-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7250/bosch-expands-into-healthcare-in-india.html Tue, 26 Aug 2014 12:50:13 +0530 "We have been making concerted efforts to further strengthen our non-automotive business in the Indian market. The launch of the eye screening and detection system is a step in this direction.... Our foray into this area aims to promote better ophthalmological care for all Indians," said Dr Steffen Berns, president, Bosch Group India, at the product launch. The new eye screening and detection system offers a combination of hardware and software, and provides affordable eye care. According to global health statistics, nearly one of every three visually impaired people in the world is an Indian. The compact hand-held fundus camera is designed to respond to the shortage of eye-care specialists and the high demand for vision screening in the country. The newly-launched solution also reflects Bosch's approach to solving local problems by leveraging global capabilities. Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions Limited, Bosch's largest software development centre outside Germany, started the product development almost two years ago in collaboration with various startups and universities. Offering early detection and imaging without dilation, the new system can capture both the front and back of the eye, and a light weight for easy portability. Its software is cloud- and smartphone-compatible and caters to the needs of both specialists and technicians.  The device has been tested by several eye-care providers. Thus far, Bosch India has filed five patents in this field and is planning to further develop the technology in this line of business in the upcoming years. "We believe that Bosch's eye screening and detection system will bring global standards of eye care to India. It has been conceptualized and developed in India with state-of-the-art technology from across the world," Dr Berns added. According to eye-care experts, 80 percent of cases of vision loss in India are preventable. Bosch's eye screening and detection system meets the demand for comprehensive eye care of the middle- and lower-income demographic and offers high functionality, ease of use, and a cost effective system to doctors. The new eye screening and detection system is now available to an array of customers, ranging from ophthalmologists, to optical chains and from government primary healthcare centers to non-governmental institutions involved in vision care. Offering early detection and imaging without dilation, the system has a modular architecture for capturing both the front and back of the eye, and a light weight for easy portability. Its software is cloud- and smartphone-compatible and thus appropriate for Indian settings, and caters to the needs of both specialists and technicians. The hardware and software combination represents a first for the Indian market and can be augmented with automated detection algorithms for different eye conditions, said Bosch's press statement. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5426/covidien-acquires-reverse-medical-corporation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5426/covidien-acquires-reverse-medical-corporation.html Mon, 25 Aug 2014 18:02:21 +0530 Covidien, a medical device manufacturing company announced that it has acquired Reverse Medical Corporation, a privately held California-based medical device company focused on expanding the management of vascular diseases. "Covidien is focused on technologies that deliver improved patient care through clinically relevant and economically valuable solutions," said Mr Brett Wall, President-Neurovascular, Covidien. He added, "The acquisition of Reverse Medical is complementary to our existing portfolio and will allow us to leverage existing vascular technologies to compete in the worldwide vascular embolisation market, which is growing at a double digit rate." Covidien will report the reverse medical business as part of its neurovascular product line in the medical devices segment. Reverse Medical is currently commercialising its vascular embolisation plugs, MVP Micro Vascular Plug System and UNO Neurovascular Embolization System. MVP and UNO are self-expanding vessel occlusion devices, which close blood vessels for vascular embolisation. A number of clinical applications require occlusion of the vasculature to rapidly, effectively and safely provide blood flow cessation. The financial details of the deal were not disclosed.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5425/standard-regulations-for-the-medical-device-industry-aimed.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5425/standard-regulations-for-the-medical-device-industry-aimed.html Mon, 25 Aug 2014 17:26:59 +0530 The majority of India's medical devices are imported due to low customs duty, which is hindering the growth of the local device manufacturers believes Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AIMED). They have, hence, seeked out proper regulations to monitor the medical device industry. Mr Rajiv Nath, secretary, AIMED, said, "Many Indian manufacturers have made a strategic shift and are now increasingly resorting to imports and trading rather than investing in factories and domestic production. Earlier, the level of domestic production in the overall medical devices industry was around 60 percent. However, at the moment, more than 70 percent is imported. We have become traders in place of manufacturers." The AIMED is rooting for developing proper regulations to monitor the industry, so that the local made medical devices could also compete with the imported ones, owing to a standard certification. In its letter to the Ministry of Health (MoH), it has said that there is an urgent need to create a regulatory framework for medical devices and incorporate the best practices as per international standards. The letter suggested, "An ordinance may be passed to remove medical devices from the definition of drugs in the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. This would pave way for passing a bill on regulation of medical devices and patient safety by a national regulatory authority under the MoH. The current Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation's (CDSCO) role could be enlarged with more autonomy and could be renamed as the Indian Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority with de-centralized divisions for drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, and diagnostics." The Indian medical device industry has the potential to grow to a $50 billion industry as indicated by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) report from the current $6.3 billion at present, if it receives proper support from the government.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5486/now-headphones-that-measure-heart-rate.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5486/now-headphones-that-measure-heart-rate.html Sat, 23 Aug 2014 15:32:00 +0530 Intel is all set to challenge Samsung and Apple in developing cool wearable health devices. Reportedly, the company has partnered with SMS Audio, a global headphone and accessories brand, to create a new category of wearables or smart headphones with sensors that can measure the heart rate. "Intel is focused on driving innovation in the wearable technology segment by partnering with lifestyle brands like SMS Audio that complement our technology and design expertise," said Mr Michael Bell, corporate vice president and general manager of the New Devices Group at Intel. He added, "With SMS Audio, we will bring smart headphones to the market. These eliminate the inconvenience of add-on devices with an integrated, one-device fitness accessory offering high-end style and premier sound quality for an exceptional fitness experience. This is a prime example of Intel driving innovation in wearable devices while being a fore-runner in merging lifestyle and technology." "The wearable technology collaboration between SMS Audio and Intel elevates our capability to bring smart exercise to consumers," said Mr Brian Nohe, president, SMS Audio. "With the introduction of the SMS Audio BioSport In-Ear Headphones powered by Intel, we're now the first to provide this level of integrated, seamless and helpful biometric information to inspire customers to advance their fitness experience," he added. The companies said that the headphones will deliver high-end audio quality. They will integrate biometric sensors in a custom heart-rate monitor. They also mentioned about having patented an ear-hook design that makes the headphones comfortable. The device has a built-in optical sensor which continuously measures heart rate during intense exercise, states of relaxation and every moment in between, while dynamically removing noise signals caused by body motion and ambient light. It will be sweat and water-resistant, and will synchronize with the RunKeeper step-tracking app.   It will come with a tangle-free cord, an in-line microphone, neoprene carrying case, and three sizes of ear gels and hooks. It is slated to hit the market later this year.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5475/big-data-analysis-to-study-parkinsons-disease.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5475/big-data-analysis-to-study-parkinsons-disease.html Sat, 23 Aug 2014 10:10:00 +0530 Chip giant Intel has partnered with Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research and is working on a study that will pull patterns from data collected from patients' wearable devices. The collaboration, which Intel announced recently, will give the software giant the opportunity to show off the power of Intel-powered data center infrastructure in the Amazon Web Services public cloud, as well as the Cloudera distribution of the Hadoop open-source software for analyzing lots of different kinds of data. "The health-care industry is where we truly believe the biggest opportunity lies when it comes to big data analytics," said Mr Diane Bryant, senior vice president, Intel data center group. The data taken from smart watches can detect walking, tremors, and other activities in patients. Data scientists can then consider the perspectives of Parkinson's experts to develop algorithms that can look for trends and anomalies. A study that began this year involved 16 Parkinson's patients and nine control volunteers who wore wearables, according to a statement. Data scientists at Intel are exploring the data now.   Mount Sinai Hospital in New York and the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center in Israel are participating in the effort, Mr Bryant mentioned.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5269/ge-launches-a-pocket-size-ultrasound-device-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5269/ge-launches-a-pocket-size-ultrasound-device-.html Wed, 20 Aug 2014 16:28:32 +0530 GE Healthcare has launched Vscan with Dual Probe to give healthcare providers more uses for pocket ultrasound. The device houses two transducers in a single probe, allowing clinicians to see both shallow and deep views of the body without changing probes. This enables efficient triage and fast workflow, which may lead to time and cost savings in many point of care settings. Vscan is a handheld, pocket-sized visualization tool powered by ultrasound technology that enables physicians to visually inspect inside of patient's body during a physical exam. For emergency care, this includes inserting central or peripheral lines (IV line inserted into a large vein) or completing focused heart and lung assessment exams. For hospital environments this includes bedside cardiac evaluations on rounds and efficient assessment at admission and discharge. "We're excited to unveil Vscan with Dual Probe-a first-in-market dual probe ultrasound device," said Mr Ajay Parkhe, GM, Primary Care Ultrasound for GE Healthcare. "It builds on our experience in the global pocket ultrasound market to solve our customers' biggest clinical and economic challenges. With this latest edition to the Vscan family, our pocket-sized ultrasound technology provides both deep and shallow scans to help healthcare providers make confident decisions quickly, impacting both cost and time. Just like the current Vscan, this new device is ultra-portable very easy to use, has excellent image quality and allows the clinician to take a quick look, non-invasively, inside the patient. In addition, the Dual Probe version combines the sector probe with a linear probe in one device to conduct most of the standard ultrasound scans within minutes."   Additionally, for obstetric areas, this includes visualization of fetal heartbeats, and quick assessment of fetal position or maternal status. Vscan with Dual Probe puts ultrasound capabilities in clinicians' pockets to give them convenient access-when and where they need it most. "The past 5 years have demonstrated that miniaturized, portable ultrasound technology like Vscan can have a tremendous impact on the practice of healthcare in developing and developed nations," said Mr Anders Wold, president and CEO of GE Ultrasound. "We hope with our new Vscan with Dual Probe we have made the use of ultrasound at the point of care, simple and fast all the while helping healthcare providers improve access to impactful medical technology."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5274/government-to-launch-an-e-healthcare-service.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5274/government-to-launch-an-e-healthcare-service.html Wed, 20 Aug 2014 15:25:57 +0530 The ministry of health and family welfare will start an e-healthcare service that will strengthen health awareness in rural India, an official said. "The ministry of health and family welfare has already prepared the white paper for the e-healthcare service. This will raise awareness among the people in the country, who remain completely deprived of health services initiated by the government," Mr Jagdish Prasad, director general, health services, ministry of health and family welfare said. The e-healthcare system will be a web portal which will help the government enlighten people about all the health-related programs and various other schemes that enable them to get free medical treatments. Speaking about the importance of health awareness, he said, "The situation today is such that, due to a lack of health awareness in the rural parts of the country, 70 percent of rural women do not know the essentials of breast feeding, due to which their children suffer from several health issues and hardly get any medical care." He also mentioned the government's plan to improve the country's health sector, "To improve healthcare in the coming years, the Indian government will convert district hospitals into medical colleges and upgrade medical colleges into better health institutions."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5122/indian-medtech-industry-to-touch-50-billion-report.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5122/indian-medtech-industry-to-touch-50-billion-report.html Mon, 18 Aug 2014 14:41:03 +0530 A report by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) highlighted that Indian medical technology industry has the potential to expand to $50 billion by 2025, if it receives appropriate policy support from the government. It is worth $6.3 billion at present. The medical technology sector covers medical devices, equipment and diagnostics that are used as part of healthcare services rendered to a patient. "To develop a clear roadmap for making India a global hub for the medical technology sector, we have prepared a vision document in partnership with the Boston Consulting Group (BCG)," said Mr Pavan Choudary, chairman of the Medical Technology Division of CII and managing director, Vygon India. The vision document, entitled 'Revitalising Manufacturing and Innovation to realise the $50 billion Potential', will be released at the 7th Medical Technology Conference being organised by CII Medical Technology Division later this month.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5065/pfizer-inks-pact-to-study-ibd.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5065/pfizer-inks-pact-to-study-ibd.html Sun, 17 Aug 2014 16:55:00 +0530 Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has joined hands with genetics-testing startup 23andMe, to study the genetics of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or the chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. Reportedly, the study is looking to genotype 10,000 volunteers in the United States who have been diagnosed with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, the two types of IBDs. While the participants cannot be 23andMe customers, they will submit samples through 23andMe's at-home saliva collection kit and fill out online surveys through the company's website. The goal is to develop new or improved treatments, the companies said. "Pfizer is committed to bringing forward new treatments for people suffering with IBD", said Mr Jose Carlos Gutierrez-Ramos, senior vice president and head of biotherapeutics, research and development, Pfizer in a statement. He added,"By enhancing our understanding of the underlying biology of the disease, we hope to better support our clinical research activities and development programs." 23andMe CEO Ms Anne Wojcicki mentioned in a statement, "We are excited about teaming up with Pfizer to take an innovative, consumer-centered approach to try to understand the fundamentals of inflammatory bowel disease and the variability of treatment response."       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5006/ios8-to-have-a-spirometer-data-tracking-feature.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5006/ios8-to-have-a-spirometer-data-tracking-feature.html Sat, 16 Aug 2014 12:25:00 +0530 According to reports, in the iOS 8 beta, Apple has added a number of health-related features. Most notably, a data tracking capability for spirometry, which collects information like how constricted the lungs are in people with conditions like asthma or COPD. There are no smartphone connected spirometers in the market right now, but several companies like Respi, a Greek company, are working on the technology and are close to a launch. Industry people feel that Apple might be proactively preparing its app to interface with a device market that does not yet exist, or the spirometry feature could be designed, instead, to interface with medical devices in a hospital setting or accept manual inputs from users with non-connected spirometers or peak flow meters. This is not the first indication that respiratory diseases will be a focus for the health app - the original beta already had "Inhaler Usage" as a sole section under its medication tab. As per reports, the new update adds new data to the list of crucial stats that can be accessed even when the phone is locked. That screen will now include allergies and blood type - two pieces of information useful to doctors in an emergency situation. In addition, a Health option has been added to the iOS's privacy panel in the new update.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4938/now-an-economical-medical-testing-device.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4938/now-an-economical-medical-testing-device.html Fri, 15 Aug 2014 10:15:00 +0530 Harvard researchers have created an inexpensive detector that can be used by healthcare workers in the world's poorest regions to monitor diabetes, detect malaria and discover environmental pollutants. The device is in field trials in India. It costs about $25 to produce, weighs just two ounces, and is about the size of a pack of cigarettes. "We designed it to be as close as possible to a glucose meter, because that's familiar to people," said Mr Alex Nemiroski, a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Flowers University Professor George Whitesides and lead author of a paper, released in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, describing the work. He added, "There are two buttons. Select the test and press 'go.' It should be a no-brainer." Mr Nemiroski and colleagues in Whitesides' Lab, the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, the Kavli Institute for Bionano Science and Technology, Harvard's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and the University of Oviedo, Spain, worked on the device for nearly three years. He has turned the device over to entrepreneurs interested in commercializing the technology. Mr Whitesides said, "Our work had three objectives - to make a technologically versatile, hand-held electrochemical reader that was inexpensive and rugged; to demonstrate methods of programming and using this device to do a range of assays relevant in public health, diagnostics in resource-limited environments, and testing for safety and quality of water, food, and other health-related materials; and to make the information provided by the analysis easily uploadable to the Web over even low-end cellphones." In creating the device, Mr Nemiroski collaborated with experts in chemistry, biology, and other fields.   Mr Nemiroski focused on an electrochemical detector, which measures the voltage or current generated in liquids for characteristic signatures of the liquid's contents. For example, by applying a small amount of electricity to a drop of blood mixed with a reagent, the device can gauge glucose levels. The same goes for heavy metals in water, malaria antigens in blood, and sodium in urine. He has sent off five units to be field tested in India, and is already at work on the next generation of the device, which will have more features and be able to conduct more tests. "I'm really proud of the work and really proud of the team," He said. "I think there's a real need, and I think this is a real solution," he concluded.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4734/google-releases-google-fit-preview-sdk.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4734/google-releases-google-fit-preview-sdk.html Tue, 12 Aug 2014 16:19:00 +0530 Building on the presentation at the recent I/O Developers Conference, Google has released the Preview SDK for the Google Fit platform. Google Fit provides a single set of application program interfaces (APIs) that app developers and device manufacturers can use to store and access activity data from fitness apps and sensors. These sensors can exist on health devices like fitness wearables, smartwatches (with sensors), heart rate monitors, and connected scales. Developers will get access to three sets of APIs. A set of sensor APIs will give apps access to biometrics sensors on Android devices (like Samsung's Wear smartwatches). A Recording API lets an app collect user fitness data from the cloud. A History API allows apps to read, insert, or delete user health data in the Google Fit cloud. For example, when the exerciser finishes her run, the running app can query the History API for all locations during the run and show a map. Google said developers can start building app functionality using the data history stored on the device. But they will have to wait a little longer to be able to use health data from the Google Fit cloud.  To use the SDK, developers need to have the Android L Developer Preview system image with Google Fit support, available for the Nexus 5 and the Nexus 7 Wi-Fi version.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4566/lenient-regulations-for-digital-medical-devices.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4566/lenient-regulations-for-digital-medical-devices.html Sat, 09 Aug 2014 15:55:00 +0530 The USA Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) has issued a new guidance that exempts medical devices from its regulatory scope. This means that the makers of these devices, some of which are connected to apps, no longer have to go through the FDA's review process before they bring their product to the market. The affected devices are largely clinical, including things like anesthesiology, cardiovascular, and dental. But a number of consumer mobile and digital health products are exempted as well, including thermometers, stethoscopes, talking first aid kits, hearing aids, fertility diagnostic devices, and exercise equipment. "The FDA believes that these devices are sufficiently well understood and do not present risks that require premarket 21 notification review to assure their safety and effectiveness," the FDA said in the advisory. "This is big news, and a huge boost to the mHealth industry. It shows that FDA is being extremely practical in reviewing its own practices and updating its regulatory requirements where the risks simply do not merit the investment of regulatory resources," said Mr Brad Thompson, Epstein Becker Green compliance attorney. The FDA will now open a 60-day comment period before issuing a final ruling on the matter.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4670/eyenetra-raises-4-million-for-a-smartphone-vision-test.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4670/eyenetra-raises-4-million-for-a-smartphone-vision-test.html Fri, 08 Aug 2014 18:41:00 +0530 Massachusetts-based eye diagnostic tool maker, EyeNetra has raised $4 million from a single investor, according to a report. EyeNetra has developed a device called NetraG that can be applied to mobile phones to create a smartphone vision test. The device can generate the recommended power for each person's eyeglasses and contact lenses. It is designed to test for near-sightedness, far-sightedness, and astigmatism. The company's website claims that its technology is as accurate as autorefractors, and less expensive. It aims to sell the device at a low price point. The company is also developing a data analytics component to identify patterns and trends to develop specific recommendations for each patient. The company was started in 2010 in the MIT Media Lab by Mr Ramesh Raskar, chief scientific officer and director of the Camera Culture Group at the MIT Media Lab and Mr Vitor Pamplona, chief technology officer, and COO and co-founder Mr David Schafran. Although it is not intended as a replacement for an eye exam, the company sees its biggest value in providing easy access to eye exams in developing countries. Undiagnosed refractive errors in the eye are among the leading causes of blindness. By the early detection of these problems, the device could improve outcomes for easily treatable conditions. The company expects consumers to use the product under the recommendation of their eye doctor and emphasises that it is not a substitute for a full eye exam. EyeNetra's clinical validation partners are India-based LV Prasad Eye Institute, Boston-based New England College of Optometry, and India-based Lotus Eye Hospital and Institute.   The company's website confirms that the device has been tested in India. Mr Schafran imnformed that the company is in the midst of clinical trials in Boston and outside the country.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4497/siemens-to-sell-its-health-it-business-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4497/siemens-to-sell-its-health-it-business-.html Fri, 08 Aug 2014 15:13:58 +0530 Cerner is purchasing the health care information technology business of Siemens for $1.3 billion. The deal, which values the Siemens business at slightly more than a one time sale, will increase Cerner's annual revenue from about $3 billion last year to more than $4.5 billion this year. The combined company will have 20,000 associates in more than 30 countries, and 18,000 facilities that will be clients. "We think scale is important," said Mr Patterson, founder, Cerner. He added, "We were the largest IT company, but this gives us a bigger, better business platform. We'll have a combined $650 million [in research and development] spend and we think the future of healthcare computing is driven around the ability to innovate. This kind of preserves our ability to spend heavily in innovation and IT certainly for the rest of this decade." The scale and financial heft will help Cerner continue to compete with existing rivals like Epic Systems, which is becoming a dominant force in the health information technology space, AthenaHealth, and AllScripts.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4484/proteus-raises-52-million-for-a-meds-monitoring-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4484/proteus-raises-52-million-for-a-meds-monitoring-system.html Fri, 08 Aug 2014 11:01:15 +0530 A USA-based biotech company has made pioneering tablets containing embedded microchips that can tell if patients have taken their medication. The company has managed to raise $52 million, showing investor interest in its ingestible and wearable technology. The system uses a tiny ingestible sensor that patients swallow with their medication every day. The sensor contains tiny amounts of magnesium and copper that react together and send a signal to a battery-operated patch that's worn on the patient's abdomen. The patch, which lasts about a week, reports its data to a tablet or smartphone via Bluetooth, and the device forwards the information to the cloud. Once the data is in the cloud, it can be monitored by doctors and other caregivers. A handful of health systems in the USA and UK are now testing the Proteus system in what is called a "private beta." The company has not informed when the product will become generally available. "Investor confidence in Proteus is driven by customer excitement, our superior board and leadership team, and a unique technology platform that enables us to link one of the most valuable industries of the 20th century - pharmaceuticals - to the most important utility of the 21st: the mobile Internet," said Proteus CEO Mr Andrew Thompson in a statement.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4478/phenomenex-launches-a-phenova-crm-for-environmental-labs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4478/phenomenex-launches-a-phenova-crm-for-environmental-labs.html Fri, 08 Aug 2014 10:37:12 +0530 Phenomenex, a global leader in the research and manufacture of advanced technologies for separation sciences, has announced the addition of Phenova Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) - a comprehensive line of ISO/IEC 17025- and ISO Guide 34-compliant standards. Phenova CRMs are manufactured by Phenova, an established environmental proficiency-testing (PT) provider, sold and distributed exclusively by Phenomenex. Phenova brings the same precision to its CRM manufacturing process, underlined with the same methodical quality commitment, that has proved successful in manufacturing PT standards. "Analysts depend on CRM performance to quantitate and qualify their results," explained Mr Sassan Tamaddoni, brand manager, Phenomenex. He added, "Extreme accuracy is essential and the laboratory and PT manufacturing experience of Phenova's chemists plays a critical role in delivering consistent quality and reliability to our customers." Phenova CRMs deliver batch to batch consistency with the verification of each batch with both internal and independent CRM materials. This ultimately provides a competitive product that allows customers to extend their initial calibrations and increase throughput between processes. Phenomenex has implemented a series of added benefits to fortify the company's entry into the CRM market such as a free sample program, multiple-batch inventory, a dedicated technical support team, and a novel packaging configuration that delivers on safety, unique labelling, and organization.   Phenova CRMs complement Phenomenex's portfolio of GC and LC products and accessories specialized for the environmental industry and are currently available in the US and Canada.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4380/epiviz-a-tool-to-analyze-human-genomic-data.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4380/epiviz-a-tool-to-analyze-human-genomic-data.html Tue, 05 Aug 2014 18:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the University of Maryland (UMD) report the development of a new, web-based tool that enables researchers to quickly and easily visualize and compare large amounts of genomic information resulting from high-throughout sequencing experiments. The free tool, called Epiviz, was described in a paper (Epiviz: interactive visual analytics for functional genomics data) published online in Nature Methods. "Epiviz seamlessly integrates with the open-source Bioconductor analysis software widely used by genomic scientists, through its Epivizr Bioconductor package," said Mr Héctor Corrada-Bravo, PhD assistant professor in computer science at UMD. "Epiviz, a web-based genome browser, and the Epivizr Bioconductor package allows interactive, extensible, and reproducible visualization within a state-of-the-art data-analysis platform," explained the investigators. "Prior tools limited visualization to presentation and dissemination, rather than a hybrid tool integrating interactive visualization with algorithmic analysis," explained Mr Corrada-Bravo. It supports many popular next-generation sequencing techniques, such as ChIP-seq, which is used to analyze protein interactions with DNA; RNA-seq, which reveals a comprehensive snapshot of the abundance of RNAs in cells; and DNA methylation analyses.   Epiviz links data across different visualizations giving users visual insights of the spatial relationships of multiple datasets. The tool is designed to allow biomedical scientists to easily incorporate their own visualizations. "Epiviz helps biomedical scientists meet the challenge of visualizing large genomic datasets while supporting creative data analysis in a collaborative environment," he pointed out. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4186/bring-medical-device-industry-under-dpco-maha-fda.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4186/bring-medical-device-industry-under-dpco-maha-fda.html Sun, 03 Aug 2014 16:24:00 +0530 The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suggested, to the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) and the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) that medical devices should be brought under the Drug Price Control Order (DPCO), to make them affordable to patients. Medical devices are notified as drugs under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 but are not included under the DPCO. Therefore, the prices of medical devices cannot be monitored or controlled. The recommendation comes in the wake of studies conducted by the FDA which has revealed that manufacturers in connivance with importers, distributors, and hospitals are fixing the MRP of medical devices arbitrarily. The study observed that the MRP of a product was set high and the patients had no bargaining options. The drug authority believes that under the new DPCO regime, the prices of these products could be monitered and would also help curb profiteering.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4142/medical-devices-pharma-machinery-to-come-under-eepc.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4142/medical-devices-pharma-machinery-to-come-under-eepc.html Sat, 02 Aug 2014 12:10:00 +0530 The Government has recently announced that the Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC), India will henceforth handle the export related issues and promotional activities of the medical device and pharma machinery industries. Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) was handling the sectors until recently. EEPC deals with export promotion of engineering goods, projects and services from India. The information shared by the ministry of commerce was well received by the industry as experts feel that the exporters of medical devices and pharma machinery will get the right platform to present their issue and concerns before the government. "Though Pharmexcil is a very competent forum, it had very little role to play in the medical device industry since it mainly deals with only the promotion of the pharma industry. This made us feel left out from the incremental and development scope, which will hopefully change now with the sector being migrated to EEPC. Now that a suitable forum has been established to represent our cause, we hope to see positive change in the business, with adequate focus being rendered to industry specific issues," stressed Mr D L Pandya, chief executive officer, Medical Plastics Data Service. He further said that to get better exposure they have also demanded inclusion of the supply chain companies for medical devices and pharma machinery under the ambit of EEPC. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7638/a-jugaad-a-thon-for-open-innovation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7638/a-jugaad-a-thon-for-open-innovation.html Mon, 28 Jul 2014 12:24:00 +0530 Consortium for Affordable Medical Technologies (CAMTech) organised a jugaad-a-thon, a medical technology hack-a-thon to drive innovation in reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health. The event was hosted by GE healthcare India. The Jugaad-a-thon's non-stop "48 hours of innovation" brought together 250 engineers, doctors and entrepreneurs. After two days of around-the-clock work by participants and mentors, 34 new potential solutions were presented to a panel of judges - ranging from new tools for antenatal care to disruptive technologies for newborn asphyxia. "The energy and level of innovative thinking in this hack-a-thon surpassed any expectation we had," said Ms Elizabeth Bailey, director, CAMTech. She continued, "Over these 48 hours, we saw clinical challenges drive innovative ideas, which then spawned new life-saving technologies for women and children in India. The Jugaad-a-thon was open innovation at its best." Mr Vikram Damodaran, director, healthcare innovation, India and GE Healthcare South Asia said, "We have seen several new creative ideas in just 48 hours that can change the way we look at reproductive, maternal and infant care. It is a completely new experience for us and we believe co-creation of solutions can accelerate affordable healthcare innovation. We are very pleased to have been a part of this program led by CAMTech INDIA. We hope to do more 'Jugaad-a-thons' to promote open innovation and co-creation in healthcare industry." The winners of the event was:   •Top Prize: Team "Baby Steps" received Rs 2,50,000 ($4,100) for developing a unique and integrated mobile app for early diagnosis of developmental delays in children across India. •First Runner Up: Team "Pec Dia" received Rs 1,50,000 ($2,500) for developing a solution to diagnose Cephalopelvic Disproportion (CPD) in pregnancies after 37 weeks by any healthcare worker. •Second Runner Up: Team "Pregmatic" received Rs 75,000 ($1,250) for the development of an affordable wearable device that reminds pregnant women about key milestones in pregnancy when they must see a medical professional. All three of the cash prize winners also received three years of incubation support at the Mazumdar-Shaw Medical Center's Healthcare Technology Incubator. There were also prizes awarded by three corporate sponsors. ABInBev championed the cause of road safety technologies for children. Covidien supported several clinical problems in need of innovation, including newborn asphyxia, fetal/maternal monitoring and post partum hemorrhage. And the Novartis Foundation challenged the Jugaad-a-thon participants to come up with new approaches to diagnosing Leprosy. Each winning team will also receive Rs 50,000 and ongoing support from the companies. Additional prizes included in-kind support from Dayanda Sagar Institutions (incubation services), InnAccel (acceleration services), and the Wellcome Trust (fundraising and grant writing mentorship).   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5980/philips-healthcare-gets-a-new-president.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5980/philips-healthcare-gets-a-new-president.html Tue, 22 Jul 2014 16:00:33 +0530 Phillips Healthcare has announced the appointment of Mr Sameer Garde as the president for the South Asia region.  Mr Garde's tenure becomes effective from July 22, 2014 and he will be based in Gurgaon. In his new role, he will be responsible for driving and building the healthcare business for Philips in India. He replaces Mr Krishna Kumar, who continued to lead the Philips Healthcare business following his appointment as vice chairman and managing director, Philips India in December 2013. Mr Garde has extensive experience in a career spanning over 24 years. He started his career in the consumer industry before transitioning to the B2B segment. He brings in extensive experience in driving sales and defining marketing growth opportunities for both B2C and B2B companies. He has worked with many industry giants such as Whirlpool, Dell International, Nestle, Pepsi, and Samsung. Speaking about his new role, Mr Garde said, "I am looking forward to this new role and am excited about working with the Philips Healthcare team to strengthen our leadership in the healthcare space in India." Mr Krishna Kumar, vice chairman and managing director, Philips India commented, "I welcome Mr Garde to the Philips team and am confident that he will lead Philips Healthcare to a bigger heights and excellence. He typifies the high quality leadership that we have on board as we look towards tapping opportunities to provide access to affordable healthcare in India." Philips Healthcare India provides an end-to-end ecosystem spanning across R&D, manufacturing, service and clinical applications.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3855/skanray-acquires-italian-x-ray-firm.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3855/skanray-acquires-italian-x-ray-firm.html Tue, 22 Jul 2014 13:21:41 +0530 Mysore-based manufacturer of medical equipment, Skanray Technologies, has acquired CEI-Italy (Compagnia Elettronica Italiana), one of the major x-ray tube makers in the world. The companies did not disclose the value of the deal. CEI has 5 million euros (Rs 41 crore) in revenue. In 2008, Skanray had picked up a minority stake in CEI. The latest move follows Skanray's establishment of its own R&D unit in Europe late last year. "X-ray tubes are made by only some 6-7 companies in the world. It's complex technology. Now that we have our own x-ray tubes, we can build x-ray machines that are much better integrated, and take them to the next level. Our R&D unit in Europe will also work towards that," said Skanray founder Mr Vishwaprasad Alva. Skanray commenced commercial production in 2011 and has today grown to a team of 500 medical technology professionals, with operations in India, Europe and Latin America. It had about Rs 117 crore revenue last year. It makes products for radiology, critical care, patient monitoring, primary healthcare solutions and telemedicine. Mr Alva says his products are priced at one-third to one-fourth of that of imported ones. "Our development cost is one-twentieth of that in Europe, US or Japan. Component costs are about 40 percent lower. Our radiation safety parameters are the best in the world," he said. Skanray sells under its own brand, and also supplies its products to other global medical equipment companies to sell under their brand. In India, it has an installed base of 1.1 lakh units, and customers include most major hospitals, as also diagnostic centers and nursing homes. Competition in this space is now emerging from global companies like Philips, GE Healthcare and Siemens, all of who are building products to meet the price-performance requirements of India.   With CEI and the European R&D center, Skanray hopes to turn the heat on the global players in their own home bases.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3150/govt-to-set-up-a-medical-device-testing-laboratory.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3150/govt-to-set-up-a-medical-device-testing-laboratory.html Mon, 21 Jul 2014 13:24:40 +0530 Officials from the Union commerce ministry, in a meeting, stated that there are plans to set up at least five incubation centers across the country, each at a cost of around Rs 100 crore that would help R&D activities. Mr Sudhanshu Pandey, joint secretary, ministry of commerce and industry, government of India said, "Such incubation centers would help scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs who can pay a certain fee and use the center's infrastructure. This could be a huge boost to R&D and product development, as there would be no need to set up a full-fledged R&D facility by each company." There are also plans to set up testing laboratories across the country to test medical devices. This could ease the process of certification and, in turn, boost export prospects for Indian players. Ahmedabad, which is one of the hubs for medical devices and pharma machinery manufacturing in the country, is likely to get a testing laboratory. The ministry of commerce is also planning to set up a panel with representations from different streams like medical devices, pharmaceutical machinery etc. under EEPC India (formerly the Engineering Export Promotion Council). India's $3.5 billion market for medical devices and equipment is dominated by imports, which account for 65 percent share of medical devices.   While the industry is growing at a rapid pace of 15-20 percent, there is a big scope for improvement on exports of the pharma machinery. Engineering skills also need to be worked on, just as the country has built a reputation of being a major supplier of generic pharmaceuticals," said Mr B Sarkar, executive director and secretary, EEPC India. He added, "We are facing a peculiar problem when it comes to trade with our neighboring countries. While imports of pharmaceutical machinery are being dumped into India from China, we are confronted with an embargo on our machinery exports to Pakistan. We have taken up these issues with the government."     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3854/a-wearable-healthcare-device-for-diabetics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3854/a-wearable-healthcare-device-for-diabetics.html Sun, 20 Jul 2014 10:00:00 +0530 Novartis explained that the device for diabetics would measure glucose in tear fluid and send the data wirelessly to a mobile device. The technology is potentially life-changing for many diabetics, as it will save them from pricking their fingers daily. Non-invasive sensors, microchips and other miniaturised electronics would be embedded into the contact lenses. According to reports, as per the agreement, Novartis's Alcon eyecare unit will further develop and commercialize the lens technologies designed by Google. However, any financial details were not disclosed. The alliance comes as drug makers explore ways for technology to reshape healthcare, helping patients to monitor their own health and lowering the costs of managing chronic diseases. Novartis chief executive Mr Joe Jimenez said that he hoped that a product could be on the market in about five years. "This really brings high-technology and combines it with biology, and that's a very exciting combination for us," He said. "I think you're going to see more and more areas of unmet medical needs being met, where companies like Novartis are going to take a non-traditional approach to addressing those needs." he added Although the licensing deal is only for the eye, he said that the drug maker was also thinking about how technology can be applied in other areas, such as remote patient monitoring in heart failure.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3849/vc-funding-in-healthcare-it-doubles-in-q2-of-2014.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3849/vc-funding-in-healthcare-it-doubles-in-q2-of-2014.html Fri, 18 Jul 2014 10:08:00 +0530 Mercom Capital Group, llc, a global communications and consulting firm, has released its report on funding and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in the Healthcare Information Technology (IT) sector for the second quarter of 2014. Mercom's comprehensive report covers deals of all sizes in Healthcare IT across the globe. Venture capital (VC) funding in the sector more than doubled with $1.8 billion raised in 161 deals, a 104 percent increase compared to the $861 million raised in Q1 2014. Ten of those deals were for more than $50 million each. The $2.6 billion raised so far this year has already exceeded the $2.2 billion raised in all of 2013. There were 263 investors that participated in these funding rounds, with 58 angel investors including some well-known celebrities and entrepreneurs. The quarter also included 30 corporate venture capitalists. "It was a quarter of several milestones. It was the first billion dollar fundraising quarter for the Healthcare IT sector which has now raised almost $7 billion in venture funding since 2010. M&A deals were also at their highest this quarter, while Mobile Health companies continued to outraise other technologies," commented Mr Raj Prabhu, CEO and Co-Founder of Mercom Capital Group. Practice-centric companies received 61 percent of all VC investments in the second quarter of 2014, with $1.1 billion in 61 deals. Areas that received the most funding under this category were Practice Management with $220 million in eight deals, Data Analytics with $204 million in nine deals, Population Health Management with $144 million in four deals. Consumer-centric companies received $678 million in 100 deals, with the majority of the funding again going into the Mobile Health category ($401 million in 45 deals). Within Mobile Health, $129 million went to 23 companies developing Apps, $226 million went to 17 companies developing Wearables. Personal Health companies received $115 million in 23 deals and Scheduling, Rating and Shopping companies received $61 million in 12 deals. There were 38 early-stage deals under $2 million in Q2. The top VC funding deals over $100 million in Q2 2014 were the $135 million raise by NantHealth, a cloud-based healthcare IT company delivering care through a single integrated clinical platform, from the sovereign wealth fund, Kuwait Investment Authority and BlackBerry, the $130 million raise by Flatiron Health, a developer of a cloud-based business and clinical intelligence oncology data platform, from Google Ventures, First Round Capital and Laboratory Corporation of America, the $125 million raised by Alignment Healthcare, a provider of population health management solutions, from General Atlantic, and the $120 million raise by Proteus Digital Health, a developer of products and services integrating medicines with ingestible sensors, wearable sensors, mobile and cloud computing, from undisclosed institutional investors in the United States, Europe and Asia.Globally, U.S. companies raised $1.6 billion from 140 of the $1.8 billion total and 161 deals. Thirteen other countries recorded at least one deal apiece. In the United States, 47 deals came out of California, followed by New York which recorded 12 deals, Massachusetts with eight deals, and Texas and Tennessee with seven deals each. Among cities, San Franciso had the highest number of funding deals among cities with 18 followed by New York with 11. In terms of dollars, the order was reversed with New York coming out on top with $247 million, followed by San Francisco with $206 million. There were a record number of M&A transactions in the Healthcare IT sector in Q2 2014, with 57 transactions (12 disclosed) compared to 54 transactions (six disclosed) in Q1 2014. Health Information Management companies saw the most M&A activity this quarter with 20 transactions, followed by Revenue Cycle Management and Service Providers with 11 transactions each, and Mobile Health and Personal Health companies with six transactions each. Of the Top 5 M&A transactions, the largest was the $550 million leveraged buyout of ABILITY Network, a provider of web-based workflow solutions that aid clinical and administrative tasks for acute and post-acute healthcare providers, by Summit Partners, a growth equity investment firm. This was followed by the $532.5 million acquisition of Evolution1, a provider of payment solutions to healthcare companies, by WEX, a provider of corporate payment solutions. St Jude Medical, a medical device company, acquired privately held CardioMEMS, provider of a wireless sensing and communication technology designed to improve management of chronic cardiovascular diseases, for nearly $450 million. Other top disclosed transactions were the $225 million acquisition of ISG Holdings, which through its subsidiaries, provides medical bill review and managed care programs for the workers compensation industry, by Xerox, followed by the $150 million acquisition of Corventis, provider of a wearable technology with a focus on cardiovascular devices used for remote patient monitoring, by Medtronic, a medical-device company. Announced debt and public market financing in Healthcare IT amounted to $1.5 billion in five deals in Q2 2014, compared to $343 million in six deals in Q1 2014. There were two Healthcare IT IPOs in Q2 2014, bringing in a combined $1.4 billion. IMS Health, a provider of information services and technology for the healthcare industry, raised $1.3 billion through its IPO in April and Imprivata, a provider of authentication and access management security solutions for the healthcare industry launched an IPO that raised $86.3 million. Total corporate funding in the Healthcare IT sector, including VC, accelerator/incubator, debt, and public market financing, in Q2 2014 came in at $3.3 billion. There were a total of 549 companies and investors mentioned in this report. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/2984/infosys-and-smart-to-develop-mobile-solutions-for-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/2984/infosys-and-smart-to-develop-mobile-solutions-for-healthcare.html Sat, 12 Jul 2014 11:08:00 +0530 India's Infosys has signed a deal with Smart Communications to develop mobile solutions that would allow organizations to listen, respond and make predictions based on machine-generated data. "Our shared vision of 'Internet for Everything' will help enterprises rely on their remote assets and connected devices to transform their business. The center of excellence is expected to accelerate solutions development, streamline product delivery and give rise to new business models that help enterprises run more effectively and stay competitive," said Mr Jovy I Hernandez, PLDT, first vice president and head of PLDT ALPHA Enterprise and Smart Enterprise."We believe that the Smart-Infosys relationship, backed by the center will allow us and our clients to have more efficient operations and generate new revenue streams," he added. Mr Dheeshjith VG, Infosys senior vice president, said forward looking enterprises are seeking new ways to deliver a more positive and differentiated customer experience while reducing cost and simplifying technology to sustain growth in today's digital economy. He added,"The teaming up of two innovative companies, Infosys and Smart Enterprise, will help businesses better understand their customers and market conditions, which are dynamically changing in our 'connected' world. Open collaboration with the ecosystem will allow our clients to test new concepts for intelligent systems while simultaneously reducing risk."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5299/csa-to-set-up-first-testing-and-certification-lab-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5299/csa-to-set-up-first-testing-and-certification-lab-in-india.html Wed, 09 Jul 2014 12:07:09 +0530 The new laboratory will provide testing and certification for medical and healthcare, industrial control products, automation, information technology, audio video technology products, appliances and control equipment to ensure safety, quality and high performance. The company is among the top 10 testing and certification organizations globally. While it is keen to offer these new norms to India, it is hoping that the central government would enforce regulations in the medical devices and healthcare space. India has become a hub for third-party inspection services. The company is also in discussion with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to look into mutal areas of collaboration and help leverage global standards. It is also keen to grow its operations in India via organic and inorganic routes. "The company has seen its India entry as most appropriate, going by the large presence of medical device companies seeking compliance from global regulators. It makes more business sense to set up a base in India at a time when the market is brimming with positive growth prospects. Therefore, we see India as a market with long-term growth potential", said Mr Ash Sahl, president and chief executive officer, CSA Group. "Our lab in India is envisaged to give a fillip to medical device compliance as a one-stop location for global regulatory adherences, components acceptability, compliance mechanism and safety. Further, with a faster turnaround, manufacturers would be able to considerably reduce the time-to market, said Mr Saibal l Mukhopadhaya, country manager, CSA Group.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3605/hp-narayana-health-to-set-up-ehealth-centers-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3605/hp-narayana-health-to-set-up-ehealth-centers-in-india.html Thu, 03 Jul 2014 14:48:47 +0530 HP's cloud-enabled solutions, eHealth centers are rapidly deployable facilities built to connect patients in remote areas, to receive consultations and diagnoses from physicians and specialists, HP senior VP and MD (APJ) printing and personal systems Mr Nick Lazaridis said. An EHealth center is customised and fully equipped with cloud-integrated diagnostic equipment, workstations and video conferencing, he added. "We plan to install upto 20 eHealth centers over the next 18-24 months. The equipment and training will be provided by HP," Mr Lazaridis said. The first eHealth Center was established in 2012 in Haryana. There are six eHealth centers operating in India currently. Narayana Health will create awareness and understanding about the program locally through outreach camps, public awareness campaigns and healthcare education program. HP and NH will also launch three new health hub support centers to serve the eHealth center network. These will provide a facility where staff can get support on technical and medical issues related to operations. "Our goal is to provide high quality healthcare on a large scale to people," said Dr Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, vice chairman and CEO, Narayana Health. He added, "Partnering with an innovation partner leader like HP allows us to leverage technologies, such as telemedicine and cloud capabilities, to accelerate our goal of reaching more people and delivering early detection and diagnosis to patients, while maintaining manageable costs."   HP India country manager Ms Neelam Dhawan said HP's cloud-enabled technology, which is central to eHealth centers, is helping change the dynamics of the healthcare system in India.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6585/72-indians-depend-on-medical-devices-to-improve-quality-of-life.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6585/72-indians-depend-on-medical-devices-to-improve-quality-of-life.html Wed, 02 Jul 2014 13:18:06 +0530 The survey demonstrated that an overwhelming 72 percent of respondents use medical devices, and that around 60 percent of Indians have some such device implanted in them surgically, like pacemakers, stents, orthopedic implants, among others. A matter of concern, though, is that out of the 72 percent consumers, a shocking 89 percent are not fully aware of these devices. "Our survey suggests that people in India don't know enough about medical devices but want to know more. It is quite astounding that 60 percent of respondents think that medical devices are the same as pharmaceuticals," said Mr Sanjay Banerjee, MD of Zimmer India, and Chair of the AdvaMed India working Group. The survey also pointed out that although India is a price-conscious market, quality is an important consideration among the country's growing middle class. It showed that 75 percent of respondents believe that the quality of a medical device is important because safety of patient is paramount. 72 percent of respondents believe that using a high-quality device would help them avoid costs of repeated hospitalization. Ms Abby Pratt, VP, AdvaMed commented, "Unlike in the case of many other products in India where people unequivocally choose the cheapest option, this survey suggests that when it comes to advanced medical devices, quality becomes important because of its correlation to safety. It is noteworthy that 80 percent of respondents see a correlation between brand name and quality."   As per the survey, there is a major gap between medical devices currently being used and what is required to address public health needs. AdvaMed has submitted a letter to the Health Minister, Dr Harsh Varadhan urging collaborative discussions that will facilitate speedy consideration of the bill. Ms Pratt said, "We believe that Dr Vardhan's expertise as a surgeon and health administrator will enable him to appreciate the significance of the medical device industry and its challenges. We are eager to fully participate in India's effort to improve quality of life for patients and look forward to every opportunity the government might provide towards harmonizing regulations for the industry."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4396/tpg-to-buy-surgical-equipment-company-suture.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4396/tpg-to-buy-surgical-equipment-company-suture.html Tue, 01 Jul 2014 15:26:14 +0530 Sutres, the Bangalore-based company, manufactures products like absorbable and non-absorbable sutures, eyeless needles, surgical meshes and disposable gloves. It has an installed annual capacity to produce 20 million sterile sutures at its Bangalore plant. Sutures India also exports its products to more than 90 countries globally. Its annual revenue is estimated at $53 million. TPG has ambitions of making it as a large medical devices company, adding more products like special orthopedic implants and plastic casts. India's healthcare services industry is expanding rapidly, which the global investor is keen on tapping. The acquisition promises to be a boon for the fast-growing domestic surgical equipment market, which is in need of capital to boost technology and market penetration.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4001/anomolies-marring-growth-of-medical-devices-industry.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4001/anomolies-marring-growth-of-medical-devices-industry.html Fri, 27 Jun 2014 14:16:00 +0530 A study titled 'Access to Healthcare: Indian Perspective,' released by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) highlighted that India's $3.5 billion worth medical device industry is facing severe challenges because of inadequate quality standards, coupled with huge reliance on imports, time delays and other related hassles. This is resulting in hindrance for new product development, making the industry non-viable and non-lucrative. Unfavourable duty structure for imports and exports is another significant barrier in the growth of the domestic medical devices' industry. Higher import duties for raw materials than finished goods has established an 'import-export anomaly' whereby devices manufactured in India become expensive, due to the high raw material costs making them incompetent against low priced Chinese goods, the study pointed out. "Unlike China, our country does not provide any incentives for setting up medical device production bases. The government should encourage medical device manufacturing, as some significant steps are imperative to boost the domestic medical device industry to reduce our dependence on exports," said Mr D S Rawat, secretary general, Assocham while releasing the findings of the chamber's study. "There is an urgent need for a single window clearance system to spur growth in new product development. The limitations of medical devices, falling under the preview of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 has been a major deterrent in the medical devices' sector growth," said Mr Rawat. "Low research and development (R&D) spends, lack of innovation, promotion including low medical device funding from thr Department of Science and Technology under the Department of Biotechnology, inadequate quality standards and others are the significant challenges faced by the industry," he further added. Due to huge cost pressures and competition from China and Asia-Pacific countries, Indian companies have started transitioning up the value chain into the 'medium technology' segment, highlighted the study. "This augurs well for medical devices' future in India as this would imply technology innovation and high margin product portfolio and the 'high value' space would still be governed by MNCs and these products would be primarily imported into India", stated the study.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/6244/new-government-indias-leading-biotech-voices-speak.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/6244/new-government-indias-leading-biotech-voices-speak.html Tue, 17 Jun 2014 12:27:00 +0530 With the new government in place in the country now, expectations are soaring high across various industry segments. Industry experts and stalwarts are keeping a keen watch on every move the new government is making to keep its promises. The nation's Biotechnology sector, neither, is an exception. With unresolved and long-pending turmoil and hurdles over regulations, investments, and clinical trials, the industry is fully geared, pinning its hope on the new government. But then, there are industrialists who believe that the government alone cannot solve the industry's crises. According to Dr G S Krishnan, regional president-India, Novozymes South Asia, areas like regulatory, biodiversity and environmental concerns require serious fillip and revamp to witness giant leaps in business opportunities. "The Industry needs decision makers to support the industry's development with faster approval process, if we have to be on par with the other developing world. It is definitely BT after the IT boom, which will also be the key to India's economic growth which is far more sustainable," he added.   This new government is also expected to prioritize overall support to the biotech segment helping India compete with the global markets by playing a leadership role. Dr Krishnan also opined that the government can play a pivotal role in supporting key traditional polluting industries for faster adoption of sustainable biotech solutions and by enforcing environment regulations which are already in place, thereby sustaining the economy in the long run. "It is also imperative that a special committee is set up to address biofuel segment development in the interest of reducing dependence through oil imports in line with the rest of the world, and reducing our current account deficit significantly. We can take advantage of the abundant agricultural residues available in this country. They can be put to better use and evolve a policy which will support inclusive growth, supporting farmers and also generate employment in rural areas," he commented. Then there are others who want reduced interest rates on borrowed capital, creating a climate for investment in the segment. Said Dr Ajay Bhardwaj, CEO, Anthem Biosciences, "It is important to remove the stigma of India being a difficult place for getting simple things done. Also, reduction in rampant corruption in government agencies is crucial for development. In fact, it is a daunting task to deal with government. Making land and buildings reserved for biotechnology industries at affordable rates is much needed. The lobbying ability of Biotechnology enterprises with the government is limited. We are still at the margins. ABLE needs to get more diversified and professional to take up the challenge of representing this nascent industry."   Dr Bhardwaj also wants the new government to treat investments in biotech on par with the IT sector. "The IT sector has innumerable duties and tax exemptions compared to biotech. It is important to open doors for international investments in biotechnology. This technology has to be embraced and not feared. However, misguided and misinformed NGOs hold too much sway over policy," he commented. Post election results, on May 17, 2014, Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, CMD, Biocon, in her blog, under the title, 'Reviving the Indian Growth Story', wrote, "If the new government is serious about delivering on its promise of a better life for every single Indian, its No. 1 priority should be to navigate the country towards a path of sustainable and inclusive economic growth. The new government that comes to power will have to move quickly to de-bottleneck projects and revive investment sentiment in the country. India desperately needs to be seen taking corrective actions to regain its lost glory by creating an enabling ecosystem that paves the way for a double digit growth." According to her, the new government needs to take critical steps to revive the Indian economy through smarter regulations for ease of doing business, efficient taxation system, removing bottlenecks for boosting the flow of foreign capital, generating high-skilled jobs, introduction of universal healthcare program and focusing on science and technology, and incentivizing innovation. Dr Mazumdar-Shaw also wrote, "There is no scope for complacency as significant challenges face the country. Projects worth over $100 billion were shelved or abandoned in FY14, the highest in the past 18 years, due to policy uncertainty and pending regulatory clearances, according to CMIE." Avesthagen's founder and CMD, Dr Villoo Morawala Patell, sums up her expectations in just one line. "It is funding, funding and funding, and allowing R&D companies to list on the stock market."   For some of them, the existing confusion over clinical trials regulation in the country seems to be a mammoth burden that the new government mandatorily needs to solve immediately. Dr Jagadish Mittur, head, Biotech Facilitation Cell in KBITS, Department of IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka, expressed, "We need an atmosphere of fearlessness in supporting innovation and creativity. Lack of large capitals and coordination in prioritized research need to be addressed quickly by the new government. There should also be accountability in place on research spending. Most of all, the commotion over the requirement of GM technologies to solve India's hunger, malnourishment and farmers issue has to be resolved." Hyderabad-based Indian Immunologicals' deputy managing director Dr K Anand Kumar said that streamlining the regulatory approval process for vaccines is crucial, since the current situation takes four long years for human vaccine approvals and six years for veterinary vaccines. He sees clearing infrastructure bottlenecks, especially the lack of power availability as an important part of manufacturing vaccines. "Ironically, life-saving vaccine units face power cuts in Andhra Pradesh, whereas IT companies are exempt," he lamented. "The new government has to simplify the approval process for clinical trials without compromising on quality, safety and efficacy. Countries like the US and the UK have a separate regulatory body for veterinary products. India should adopt that. It is significant to provide incentives for both research and capital investments in the biotechnology sector," concluded Dr Kumar.   Dr V S Ravindran, CEO, Caprienzymes, strongly feels that the younger generation need to be given the right platform for the growth of the industry. "Young-blooded entrepreneurs and start-ups in the country should be provided the right physical space in technology parks at subsidized rates. The new government needs to realize the importance of technology transfer and joint ventures along with industrial partnerships with academia and institutions. R&D activities desperately need support and transparency. In India, marine biotechnology needs much more attention, and the usage of chemical pesticides should be substituted by organic fertilizers and manures." For many experts in the industry, 'regulation' seems to be on top of the mind which requires immediate attention.According to Ms Mahima Datla, the currently regulation related to new drugs is fragmented and spread across many ministries. "A restructuring of the CDSCO along with a consolidation between regulations related to food, GMO's and drugs needs to be seriously contemplated. There are many successful examples of this structure in most parts of the world. Building technical competence within such a consolidated structure would be equally important," she adds. She also feels that another issue that needs more immediate attention is clinical trials.   "Clinical research is an absolutely critical step in the process of validating new drugs efficacy and safety and as such initiatives that raise the bar in terms of improving the quality of clinical research being conducted is welcome. At the same time, it is imperative that regulation in this area be streamlined and be formed in the context of encouraging innovation to occur. Our current regulations are counter-productive, not just for innovation but for affordability and access," says Ms Datla. In the specific context of immunization, Ms Datla emphasizes the need to build on the success the country has demonstrated in Polio control, and focus on increasing the coverage of existing vaccines, and ensuring that children do not die from vaccine preventable diseases. "Increasing the spend on health and reversing the alarming trend of reduction in budget allocations for immunization will need to be addressed in order to strengthen health systems and delivery and reduce childhood mortality," Ms Datla opines. Some countries benefit from the fact that they have push-mechanisms, to stimulate innovation. Examples of this is where the governments invest significantly in research and innovation, thus having a robust pipeline emerging from academia and research institutes. "In India, funding of scientific institutions has not translated to innovation and applicable health interventions, and we largely rely on innovation from external scientific institutions or industry," she continues. "Therefore, in the context of our country, mechanisms that generate demand for products and services, healthy policies related to FDI, pricing, and taxation have immediate relevance in stimulating innovation and investments in the biotech industry and these are the ones I hope the new government focuses on in order to facilitate growth." According to Dr Mallik Sundaram, CEO & president, Mitra Biotech, the new government needs to form transparent policies regulations to create a friendly start-up environment to bring path-breaking technologies to the forefront.   "It is important to create and retain human capital which would be an asset. And developing a pipeline through premier educational institutions is crucial. It is also imperative to create an ecosystem conducive for funding through grants or investors for research and commercialization," commented Dr Sundaram. He believes that creating a stringent framework to maintain optimal utilization of funds, and accountability by recipients should be made mandatory. "Promoting working with educational institutions to encourage internships and update curriculum with recent advancements, leveraging more public-private partnerships and eliminating unnecessary red-tapism should be considered as pivotal tasks by the new government," ended Dr Sundaram. Speaking for the Agri-biotech industry, Dr K K Narayanan, MD, Metahelix Life Sciences, said, "Regular functioning of GEAC and its sub-committees should be re-initiated. All the back-log of applications for GM crop trials or studies and commercialization should be disposed-off as soon as possible. It is significant to frame a clear policy regarding GM food crops which need to be allowed in the country. Also, the centre-state policy coordination mechanism needs to be made more effective." Dr Narayanan also emphasized that the State-level NOC requirements for conducting field trials needs to be dispensed with. "The BRAI bill needs to be re-introduced after appropriate modifications," he added.   He also suggests that the new government initiate and launch a public outreach program to promote the correct understanding of biotechnology in agriculture to dispel misinformation and promote better understanding among the public at large. "The government's subsidy should also be targeted at improving the adoption of new and productivity enhancing technologies that augment farmer's income," Dr Narayanan expressed. "The new government seems to be keen on knowing the challenges, and is already taking measures to interact with all stakeholders. The industry organization, ABLE, can interact with the people concerned and also make formal representations, which I believe is already underway," he concluded. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/5507/research-yet-to-unleash-nano-applications-in-biosciences.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/5507/research-yet-to-unleash-nano-applications-in-biosciences.html Fri, 06 Jun 2014 10:41:57 +0530 Nanobiotechnology is an interdisciplinary field which cannot be ignored at any point in the biotech industrial sector. It has contributed more importance in converting research into applications, especially drug delivery system and drug discovery process. Surveillance report in the recent past shows that several consumer products with the application of nanotechnology are not yet found majorly in biotechnological products. More research is require to unleash nano applications in biological sciences, and hence there is less contribution by the Indian industry who have so far lead the biotech market.  Product research in nanobiotechnology is carried by very few Indian lifescience companies which is alarming signal to all their comrades.   Says Mr Baskar Viswanathan, director of research, BioLim Biosolutions, "Queries and demands in the existing biotechnology market have set immense potential to describe the opportunities in nanobiotechnology sector. The key role played by the nano materials in the biotech products are widely followed by western countries. Hence the market achievement is huge and the opportunities it floods in to the biotech market will inclusively set new trends in our biotech commodities." Western cultures are more and more branded with the buzz word 'nano' in the consumer products, for instance, microelectronics, cosmetics, pharmaceutics and food industries. Our biotech market ratio are predominantly lead by the pharma sector in terms of biosimilars, and its drug delivery process. "Revolution can be brought into the pharma market if it can overcome several drawbacks in the drug delivery process," comments Mr Viswanathan. "Whereas, drug delivery process was ultimately determining the overall consequence of the administered drug. Huge opportunities are opening up for latest practices in nano-enabled machines and vehicles for drug administration with patient compliance,'' he further added. Environmental pollution is still an unraveled area where research demand is put forth hugely for biotech industries, whereby the nano materials it can constructively decrease pollutants. Hence, there is a big market share to be played by the nanobiotechnology products.   "However, lack of public awareness in identifying nano products is another reason for trailing inputs in the nano sector. Few healthcare, especially, cosmetic products are being released in markets with the involvement of nanotechnology, which is gathering less attraction in the crowd," explains Dr Viswanathan. Mr Viswanathan feels that nanotechnology can work with any object making it better than how it was previously. "There are several examples which can be mentioned in areas like textiles, electronics, cosmetics, pharmaceutics and food. Nanotechnology has become, apparently, applicable in all these areas especially, skin lotion creams to protect from UV sun light for longer time, stain free fabrics, anti-infection bandages with higher efficiency, accurate pregnancy test kit, anti-microbial water purifiers, and anti-sensitive tooth pastes for preventing dental sensitivity. Nanotechnology has already influenced few other applications in molecular recognition principle in diagnosis as well as drug development process, but yet to reach the consumer products," elucidates Mr Viswanathan. Hence in different perspective nanotechnology can be applied to any field where demands for improvisation exists. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3048/roche-introduces-digital-pathology-platform.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3048/roche-introduces-digital-pathology-platform.html Thu, 29 May 2014 15:40:27 +0530 The Roche Diagnostics platform, which includes the iScan Coreo scanner and the Virtuoso digital pathology software, together represent a new way of working for pathologists in India. They are no longer tied to a microscope and a glass slide, a practice that has existed for more than 200 years. Discussing the new technology at a meeting of pathologists in India, Mr Guido Sander, MD, Roche Diagnostics India, said, "From remotely viewing patient slides, to consulting specialists real time within India or even in other parts of the world, the applications of digital pathology are endless." According to Roche's press release, the scanner provides high speed slide scanning, improved image quality, and advanced slide handling. The scanner is packaged with advanced image viewing software, offering pathologists the ability to view and annotate digital images of scanned slides. Paired with the virtuoso digital pathology software, iScan Coreo provides users with a complete digital pathology solution from image acquisition through customized reporting thus, increasing operational efficiencies and productivity in the lab. Dr Sujay Prasad, director, Anand Diagnostic Laboratory shared his vision on digital pathology while addressing the meeting of Pathologists. He said, "For us, digitization is a tool for improving workflow efficiency in the histopathology laboratory, thus ensuring patient safety. Our priority is traceability and peace of mind." Digital pathology can increase diagnostic confidence, reduce subjectivity and ultimately improve patient care with consistent and reproducible results. This latest advancement will transform the practice and take pathology beyond traditional microscope applications. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7199/exceptional-service-needed-to-compete.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/7199/exceptional-service-needed-to-compete.html Wed, 28 May 2014 12:46:00 +0530 Here are some of them, describing what they do, their offerings and how they can help Indian companies get a foothold in the UK. "We can help Indian companies understand who is in Cambridge, what research they are doing, including drug discovery, what drugs are in the pipeline, what phases they are in, whether or not they have clinical candidates and so on. Companies in Cambridge are very busy. One thing that we want from the Indian companies is better articulation of their USP, and fortunately Indian companies are able to articulate very quickly," said Ms Jeanette Walker, project director, Cambridge Biomedical Campus. According to Ms Walker, Cambridge companies are very open-minded and are open to innovation. "In the past, companies were doing things on their own through closed innovation. Today, they are outsourcing most of the work to India and China. That gives them two things potentially: cost advantage or savings and the flexibility to turn a service off when the project is over," she added. Ms Walker advises Indian companies to be patient until companies understand the offerings. "Do not expect to get business on the first meeting itself. Indian companies need to have at least one representative office either in UK or Cambridge. This will allow us to manage a relationship since there has to be someone who is available locally. Collaborations in science are no different from personal relationships. They have to be built on loyalty, respect and trust. This cannot be achieved through electronic means only."   Ms Walker emphasized that service is of absolute paramount importance. "Exceptional service is needed if they are going to compete. It is also significant to do everything in a timely fashion and as well as keeping the customer informed about basic things," she said. She sees competition as a major challenge since Cambridge is quite a crowded marketplace. "It is in persuading Cambridge companies that they can deliver on their promises. There is a lot of support in Cambridge in terms of Indian companies setting up their offices. It is easier to find people who can help you with funding, find accommodation, and there are network meetings where you can get integrated in the community easily and quickly. All of this happens within a 20 mile radius. Hence Indian companies become known very easily. If your work is exceptional then those companies will talk about you to other companies in a good manner," she said. There is an element of maturity and longevity in Cambridge, believes Ms Walker, since the Cambridge cluster has a track record.   "Companies have been successful and they are raising funds and doing good licensing deals which give Indian companies a degree of comfort. For example, if you are a service company and you want to expand, there are 220 organizations in this cluster within a 20 mile radius of Cambridge," she expressed. "For any company which has not done any business in Europe can come in to the Cambridge cluster because it is an easy and soft landing for them. They can try their projects in the Cambridge cluster and then move to the rest of UK, and use UK as their platform to go to Germany, France and other countries. It is an easy place to do business for newcomers," concluded Ms Walker.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5963/virtual-hospital-launches-healthcare-app.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5963/virtual-hospital-launches-healthcare-app.html Fri, 09 May 2014 12:12:53 +0530 According to the company's press release, a patient only needs to provide important details like solution they seek, medical history, and upload documents if any, and location among others, and Doctree would provide a fine choice of experts suitable for that particular need along with the best prices within 24 hours of the request. "With our new mobile app we are allowing the doctors to make an easy access to the portal and provide instant quotes thus hastening the process and enabling a patient to make an informed choice", says Dr Sreenivasan Narayana, CEO and founder, DocTree. The concept for this web-based service would enable a consumer to search and select healthcare providers via a two-way dynamic online process. "Patients need to play a more proactive role in the choices they make, for which they need rich and transparent information on healthcare availability, accessibility and affordability. We strongly believe that for every patient there is a doctor match available within his or her budgets. There is no way that a patient has to neglect the health due to cost constrains", says Dr Madhav Hegde, director, Medical Services, DocTree. The DocTree mobile app is specifically designed for the medical fraternity who are new to DocTree, as well as those who are on board and are committed to shape up the health care accessibility in the country. "Each one of us prefer convenience without having to compromise on the quality, and apps have been able to bring about this transition easily. With the help of DocTree app, things have been simplified and one can monitor the profile on the portal without having to login. This has reduced the response time to a patient's query drastically, and we can now provide our quotes promptly even when we are on the move after carefully going through the patient details," says Dr Ravishankar HR, senior consultant and laparoscopic surgeon, Bangalore. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7915/strand-triesta-set-up-center-for-cancer-genomics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7915/strand-triesta-set-up-center-for-cancer-genomics.html Thu, 08 May 2014 16:55:00 +0530 The center has been set up with the aim of making genomics based diagnostics effective, accessible and affordable. Triesta Sciences is a unit of HCG (HealthCare Global). Dr B S Ajaikumar, founder & chairman , HCG Enterprise, said "We will now incorporate genomic testing which is personalized and will be the future of cancer care. This will help oncologists in clinical decisions and help our patients receive targeted individualized therapies that will improve diagnosis and prognosis of cancer." He further added, "Through this partnership between Triesta Sciences and Strand Life Sciences we hope to enhance the work done by multi- disciplinary team of eminent and established oncologists. With this HCG joins a select group of advanced cancer care centers." Strand-Triesta will enable the world's largest adoption of genomics-based tumor profiling for HCG patients. HCG will lead the way by adopting the Strand-Triesta advanced cancer diagnostics as a new standard that defines the future of cancer care. Sequencing of tumor using next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, and thorough analysis of individual patient's DNA variations will help physicians go beyond a 'one-size -fits-all' model of cancer therapy.   Such personalized approaches will improve response rates and effectiveness of targeted, chemo- and radiation therapies. Further, genomic tests can detect hereditary risk in family members of cancer patients. Talking about this partnership, Dr Vijay Chandru, chairman & CEO, Strand Life Sciences said, "Strand is committed to expanding clinical genomics as a new paradigm for clinical decision support. The coming together of HCG, Triesta and Strand will result in achieving a scale of adoption of genomic testing, which is unprecedented even in the West." He concluded by saying, "This scale enables affordability, but more importantly, the more cancer genomes we profile, the deeper the insights about cancer we gain. Deeper insights lead to informed decisions in cancer care."     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5828/catheter-for-accurate-thrombus-aspiration-launched.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5828/catheter-for-accurate-thrombus-aspiration-launched.html Thu, 08 May 2014 16:25:00 +0530 The device was launched in partnership with Opto Circuits. Mr Lalit Mamtani, CEO, Eurocor, commented, "The Aspiration Catheter is an ideal product that complements Eurocors product portfolio to offer the best treatment options for vascular interventions, especially for those challenging patient groups like STEMI patients, diabetic patients or patients suffering from small vessel disease in CAD or PAD." Eurocor is marketing the new advice in more than 50 countries worldwide said Opto Circuits in a press statement. The Apertus Aspiration Catheter complements Eurocor's already broad cardiovascular intervention portfolio. Beside drug-coated balloons, stent delivery systems and dilatation catheters, Eurocor now offers an additional device for patient care to treat vascular disease. Apertus offers an innovative elliptic cross-sectional distal form that optimizes the aspiration lumen and reduces friction with the guidewire catheter. Apertus has one of the largest extraction lumen. Its smooth tip is specifically designed to increase deliverability and the innovative shaft brings excellent pushabilty. These features lead to enhanced efficacy with the highest aspiration speed, and excellent deliverability.   A choice of 2 sizes (6Fr or 7Fr guide catheter compatibility) is now availbale according to Opto Circuits' press release. The Apertus Aspiration Catheter is used to remove arterial thrombus, a formation of a blood clot inside arteries. The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines recommend using thrombus aspiration catheters in primary Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) as class IIa treatment for patients suffering from Acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines recommend the aspiration treatment as therapy for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5166/strand-life-sciences-partners-with-mazumdar-shaw-medical-foundation-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5166/strand-life-sciences-partners-with-mazumdar-shaw-medical-foundation-.html Mon, 21 Apr 2014 18:32:59 +0530 Strand, a global life sciences & clinical genomics company headquartered in Bangalore, entered into a partnership with the Mazumdar-Shaw Medical Foundation (MSMF) to set up the Strand at Mazumdar-Shaw (SAMS) translational lab in the Mazumdar-Shaw Centre for Translational Research (MSCTR) in Bangalore. This is a major milestone towards enabling an ecosystem of personalized medical treatment for patients with cancer and other genetic diseases. "It gives us great pleasure to partner with Strand Life Sciences, a pioneer in genomics and personalized medicine. With evolving healthcare systems, it is imperative that we are constantly innovating and developing capabilities that will provide personalized treatment and quality care to the people of India. We believe this collaboration will help us foster innovation and encourage in-depth research in the genomics space and thereby provide better care for patients with cancer and other genetic diseases," said Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, CMD, Biocon. Based on statistics, nearly seven lakh Indians die of cancer every year, while over 10 lakh are newly diagnosed with some form of the disease. According to the latest World Cancer Report from the World Health Organization (WHO), there are over 4.77 lakh men and 5.37 lakh women diagnosed with cancer in India in 2012 alone. The scale of these challenges requires the Indian healthcare industry to use affordability as a driver of innovation. Strand through its expertise will offer comprehensive genomic testing for cancer and other germline or hereditary conditions at highly affordable costs. In addition, the collaboration will also entail promoting research in the field of genomics, conducting medical and non-medical programs, seminars and talks shows, assisting clinicians and scientists in performing quality research, and towards making genomics research resources and data available to scientists. Talking about this partnership, Dr Vijay Chandru, Chairman & CEO, Strand Life Sciences said, "The Mazumdar-Shaw Medical Foundation has shown great foresight and magnanimity in helping us work towards the goal of providing the leading edge of genomic medicine at affordable prices in India and elsewhere. This collaboration provides Strand with an exciting opportunity to conduct and promote in-depth research in the field of genomic sequencing based diagnostics." He further added, "This partnership is recognition of our joint commitment to bringing best-in-class healthcare technologies closer to people in India at affordable costs. As part of the vision laid out in the partnership, Strand has developed an affordable Hereditary Breast Cancer Diagnostic Test that will cost significantly less than comparable tests available in the West and India. This is the first of many innovations that we will develop at the SAMS translational lab"     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/reports-white-papers/98/3763/healthcare-it-registers-highest-vc-funding-ever-in-q1.html https://biospectrumindia.com/reports-white-papers/98/3763/healthcare-it-registers-highest-vc-funding-ever-in-q1.html Wed, 16 Apr 2014 13:26:00 +0530 Mercom Capital Group, llc, a global communications and consulting firm has released its report on funding and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in the Healthcare Information Technology (IT) sector for the first quarter of 2014. Mercom's comprehensive report looks at deals of all sizes in Healthcare IT across the globe. Venture capital (VC) funding in the sector continued at a record pace with $858 million raised in 163 deals, a 154 percent increase compared to the $337 million raised in Q4 2013. This was the highest dollar amount raised by the sector in a single quarter to date. "Funding into the Healthcare IT sector continues at an astonishing pace. Venture capital funding in Healthcare IT has reached almost $5 billion in about 1,000 deals since 2010," commented Raj Prabhu, CEO and Co-Founder of Mercom Capital Group. Healthcare practice-focused technology companies received half of all VC investments in the first quarter of 2014, with $460 million in 60 deals. Areas that received the most funding under this category were Practice Management with $124 million in eight deals, Health Information Exchange with $78 million in two deals, and Data Analytics with $43 million in seven deals. Consumer-focused companies received $398 million in 103 deals, with the majority of the funding going into the Mobile Health category ($198 million in 61 deals). Telehealth companies received $79 million in 14 deals and Scheduling, Rating & Shopping companies received $66 million in six deals   There were 65 early-stage deals under $2 million, including 29 accelerator/incubator deals in Q1. Investments going into early-stage deals ( < $2 million) were more consumer-focused compared to deals of over $2 million, which were going towards practice-focused technology companies. The top VC funding deal in Q1 2014 was the $89 million raise by Dedalus Group, a Healthcare IT systems company providing software solutions for clinical, general practices, and hospitals, from Hutton Collins and other investors. Other top deals included the $77.5 million raise by MedHOK, a provider of a single platform for care, quality and compliance for health plans, pharmacy benefits managers and other risk-bearing entities by facilitating real-time information sharing, from Bain Capital Ventures and Spectrum Equity; MINDBODY, a provider of scheduling and business management software for health and wellness companies, which raised $50 million from investors including Bessemer Venture Partners, Institutional Venture Partners, Catalyst Investors, W Capital Partners, and Montreux Equity Partners; the $41.4 million raise by Clarity Software Solutions, a provider of on-demand document management and communications delivery solutions for the health insurance industry, from North Bridge Growth Equity; and Health Catalyst, a provider of healthcare data warehousing, which raised $41 million from Sequoia Capital, Norwest Venture Partners, Kaiser Permanente Ventures, Sorenson Capital, CHV Capital, and Partners HealthCare System. There were 188 VC investors and eight accelerators/incubators that participated in Q1 2014. There were 19 investors that participated in multiple rounds; Khosla Ventures was the most active with three deals. U.S.-based Healthcare IT companies accounted for 87 percent of all deals. However, we are seeing more Healthcare IT activity globally, with 15 other countries recording at least one funding deal. Within the United States, California continued to be the most active state accounting for 42 deals, followed by New York with 13, Maryland with 10, Massachusetts with nine, and Florida with six. Among cities, San Francisco led with 13 deals followed closely by New York with 11. In terms of dollars, Tampa led with $78 million, followed by San Luis Obispo with $50 million and New York with $44 million.   Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in the Healthcare IT sector was at its highest level, totaling 53 transactions, only six of which were disclosed for a combined total of $4.7 billion, compared to 44 transactions in Q4 2013. Health Information Management companies saw the most M&A activity this quarter with 18 transactions, followed by Service Providers with 13, and Mobile Health companies with eight. The largest disclosed transaction was the $4.4 billion acquisition of MultiPlan, a company that manages claims processing and provides healthcare cost management solutions through its network and analytics-based technology platform, by Starr Investment Holdings, an investment firm focused on long-term investments, and Partners Group, a private markets investment management firm. This was followed by the $130 million divestiture of HealthTronics, a provider of EHR for urology practices, from specialty healthcare company Endo Health Solutions to Altaris Capital Partners, an investment firm focused on the healthcare industry. Semiconductor chip maker Intel Corporation acquired Basis Science, a provider of wearable device technologies for health and wellness applications, for nearly $100 million. Other disclosed transactions were the $16.15 million acquisition of Health Care Compliance Strategies, a company providing online compliance training for healthcare organizations, by HealthStream, a provider of workforce development and research/patient experience solutions for the healthcare industry, followed by the $6.5 million acquisition of Unibased Systems Architecture, a provider of patient access solutions including enterprise scheduling and surgery management software, by Streamline Health Solutions, a provider of enterprise content management and business analytics solutions for healthcare organizations. Vocera Communications, a provider of point-of-care communication solutions, acquired mVisum, a provider of alarm management technology solutions for health systems, for $3.5 million. Announced debt and public market financing in Healthcare IT amounted to $343 million in six deals in Q1 2014, compared to $36 million in seven deals in Q4 2013. Two Healthcare IT IPOs in Q1 2014 raised a combined $304 million. Castlight Health, a provider of healthcare transparency solutions, brought in $204 million through its IPO in March and Everyday Health, a provider of digital health and wellness solutions launched an IPO that raised $100 million. Total corporate funding in the Healthcare IT sector, including VC, accelerator/incubator, debt, and public market financing in Q1 2014 came in at $1.2 billion. There were a total of 464 companies and investors mentioned in this report. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/3082/tomorrow-carries-its-own-risks-and-uncertainties.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/3082/tomorrow-carries-its-own-risks-and-uncertainties.html Fri, 11 Apr 2014 14:24:27 +0530 The beginnings The company was founded by the dynamic duo, Mr R Narayanan, also known as 'Naru', serving as the chairman, and Dr Saleem Mohammed, who serves as the CEO and cofounder of Xcode Life Sciences. Xcode's portfolio spans across areas including bioinformatics, genetics and nutrition, through which it aims to promote preventive health practices and lifestyle among its customers. Speaking about the company's potential, Dr Saleem Mohammed said, "At Xcode, we see ourselves pioneering in the personalized nutrition and medicine space, specifically for lifestyle related condition. Our long-term vision is to discover genetic causes of these illnesses that would help in accurate indication of onset of diabetes, obesity, CVDs and stroke. The data that we collect will serve as gold standard and will be used for R&D to make our prediction models more accurate." The offerings   Xcode is currently focusing on areas of more imminence. One such area is pharmacogenomics, which analyses a person's genetic make-up for reaction to certain drugs. Today it is a 16-membered organization, who have expertise in the field of medicine, nutrition, genetics, bioinformatics, sales and marketing. "Xcode is targeting the drug called Clopidogrel, which is prescribed to prevent the formation of blood clots in arteries. However, it works on only 70% of Indians. Many times, people are forced to go in for a bypass surgery or have a stent put in place in their arteries because the Clopidogrel drug did not have an effect on them. With pharmacogenomics, this can be addressed by either increasing the dosage or changing the drug. Xcode is partnering with hospitals and cardiologists for this project," adds Dr Mohammed. The company also recently launched India's first genetic-based anti-aging program called 'Come alive', which will provide genetic assessment of aging for individuals. Xcode was founded as a one-member start-up and the initial formation of core team were crucial for the company. Funding and Capital   Says Dr Mohammed, "We were lucky to have had an angel investor as a co-founder 6 months after we were incorporated. A challenge most start-ups face is building the core team. This is a slow process and an important one. We are constantly on the lookout for team members who are innovative in their thinking and who want to make a difference. We are gifted with a team that believes an aligned vision and steering towards the lofty goals we have set for ourselves." Since personalized genomics is still at a nascent stage in India, it required an enormous effort for the company to raise awareness about it. The initial capital came from Dr Mohammed and the Department of Science & Technology (DST, Government of India) in the form of a grant. The funding was used to develop the technology to build a proprietary genetic database, SNP panel and as well as the algorithm to calculate the risk of diseases. Xcode also received angel funding from cofounder Mr R Narayanan as well. Genomics in India Today, genomic testing is finding importance in both primary (preventive) as well as secondary and tertiary care. Close to 78% of Xcode's customers are men, and 22% are women.   About 60% hail from South India and the rest from Northern India. According to Dr Mohammed, the average age of someone who would take up an assessment is said to be about 41. Dr Mohammed says that pharmacogenomics has existed in the West for the past 5-6 years. "However, compared to the west, in India we attend to health only when we start seeing symptoms as opposed to being preventive. In fact health checks have gained traction only over the last 10 years. And believe it or not, a simple DNA assessment can be a lifesaving decision. Despite the advantages, there are challenges we face in terms of educating and raising awareness simply because of how nascent the science is," he adds. The concept of personalized and preventive healthcare through understanding genetic risk is in itself is considered new to India. Driving innovation When asked about innovation at Xcode, Dr Mohammed opines, "We have an open culture and encourage entrepreneurship within the company. We give freedom to our team members to take decisions independently. We have a flexible work environment that motivates them to think out-of-the-box. Most of the members of Xcode have an interdisciplinary background so they can cross utilize their experience across different domains."   Unlike other technologies and verticals, Genomics is personal and India will have a unique footprint compared to other countries. India has the potential to carve a niche and home-brewn organizations or ideas will have a significant role to play in raising the bar. Role of public-private partnerships "There is an urgent need to foster public-private partnerships (PPPs) or other such successful working models of building infrastructure space. It is the responsibility of almost every organization directly or indirectly involved in life sciences, relevant NGOs and government bodies to educate public and medical community on the immense potentials of genomic technology use and research," elucidates Dr Mohammed. Xcode's is currently partnering with Naturals, a leading beauty chain in South India. It has also partnered with several hospitals in Chennai offering personalized medicine program.   "We have collaborated with Sri Ramachandra Medical College (SRMC) and SRM University as part of academic collaboration to study the effects of personalized medicine," said Dr Mohammed. Dr Mohammed feels that PPPs should not be a theoretical concept or a vote-winning trick. He comments, "We would like to see PPP translated in real life, in actual practice, and in the field of genomics. If this were to happen, then we have the capability to establish a National Chronic Lifestyle Diseases Prevention Center." The future outlook Dr Mohammed also remarked that Genomics is going to drive the next wave of personalization of medicine, nutrition and fitness. He explains, "Genomics has the potential to save lives. Genomic data along with other types of aggregated information such as lifestyle and clinical data can bring about accurate risk predictions."   Dr Mohammed exclusively enlists 5 learnings that he encountered in his entrepreneurial journey: People invest in people. Not businesses. It is people, both internally and externally, that make a business. Creating awareness is critical to success. Speed is extremely critical in a start-up. Build a team that stands by you, they need to be believers of your vision. As a final piece of advice for the young blood who want to take the plunge in the entrepreneurial adventure, Dr Mohammed concludes by saying, "Starting tomorrow will always carry its own risks and uncertainties. So if you are planning for a start-up, do it now."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/3697/dr-prathap-reddy-is-a-man-on-a-mission-dr-kiran-mazumdar-shaw.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/98/3697/dr-prathap-reddy-is-a-man-on-a-mission-dr-kiran-mazumdar-shaw.html Thu, 13 Mar 2014 14:58:00 +0530 The book was released in the presence of distinguished luminaries including Dr Devi Shetty, chairman, Narayana Health and Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, CMD, Biocon. Two years in the making, and penned by former New York Times journalist, Mr Pranay Gupte, read the epilogue and a short passage from the newly unveiled book. Later he was felicitated by Dr Reddy himself. In his note, Dr Reddy opined, "What she (Dr Kiran Mazumdar) has done is outstanding and remarkable... We need to focus on the need to bring in the change... The world is going to lose 36 million people every year to non-communicable diseases... It is a crime to not to take care of yourself... When you set yourself with a purpose, nothing can stand against you..." The 'HEALER' engages its readers with the biography of Dr Prathap Reddy, containing stories of his accomplishments, and traces his unbelievable journey from a small provincial town in Andhra Pradesh to Stanley Medical School, and his phenomenal success as a practicing cardiologist in the US, and his return to India at the age of 50, to bring medical care at par with the best. In her applauded speech, Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw said, "India is a very young nation. We have a number of pioneers who are nation builders, who have a sense of purpose coupled with a spirit of challenge, because India is not an easy country to pioneer in."   "He (Dr Reddy) is a man on a mission. He was the one who looked at Indian healthcare in a different way. Every pioneer looks at a challenge as an opportunity. Dr Prathap stands for professionalizing healthcare and making passionate business model. He has shown the way to the rest of the healthcare industry in terms of what can be done to make a difference. He transformed the healthcare landscape in India," expressed Dr Kiran. Dr Kiran also shared that the government should ensure that every Indian has the right to healthcare, which is seen to be the next big challenge. In several instances, the book also recalls the state of affairs of Indian healthcare sector in the last forty years, oven along with mammoth challenges faced by Dr Reddy during his journey. In the book, Mr Gupte has also incorporated several interesting anecdotal stories, and twists and turns, narrating Dr Reddy's life story in a dramatic way. Dr Kiran concluded by adding, "Dr Reddy's rich legacy are his daughters. His wife has been a great pillar of support for the whole family. Here is a man that we salute with great admiration and gratitude. Thanks to you Dr Reddy, because this country is a better place now."   Priced at INR 899.00, HEALER is available at leading bookstores, and also in shopping portals and online bookstores. Product details:HardcoverPublisher: Portfolio (2013)Language: EnglishISBN-10: 0670086800ISBN-13: 978-0670086801   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4376/biospectrum-announces-hits-and-misses-of-2013-a-flash-back.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4376/biospectrum-announces-hits-and-misses-of-2013-a-flash-back.html Mon, 06 Jan 2014 16:33:00 +0530 The Indian BioScience industry witnessed tremendous highs and lows in 2013. Specifically, the pharmaceutical industry took most of the beating, owing to regulatory woes within the country and import bans from foreign bodies. However, in terms of new innovation and products developed, India made many heads turn in the global market towards itself. Major collaboration and acquisitions were a continuous integral part of many Indian companies. Here is an exclusive sneek-peek of the significant events in 2013: Cabinet nod for establishment of National Cancer Institute  Being set up at the cost of Rs 2,035 crore, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is expected to cater to requirements in northern India. This is a landmark step in the arena of cancer research in the country and shall lessen the deficit of tertiary cancer care in the Northern region. Cancer is emerging as a major public health concern in India, where every year 11 lakhs new cases are diagnosed, with a mortality rate of 5.5 lakhs per year. Shackled in India, Bt Brinjal gets free run in Bangladesh  While the Bt brinjal issue in India continues to remain tangled in the political and legal systems, Bangladeshis have decided to take the plunge. It may sound positive for the industry, activists feel otherwise. The top regulatory authority in Bangladesh, the National Committee on Biosafety (NCB), has given its approval in November, 2013, to the commercial cultivation of the Bt brinjal, making it the country first in South Asia to allow the entry of any edible genetically modified (GM) crop in its market. Doctors to receive real time medical updates With the introduction and implementation of remote access informationdevices that are accessible and has the ability of interoperatibility from any remote place and transmit data at any given time will result in saving lives in case of emergency situation. Prisma Global limited introduces a product called Medibox or MDS3. GE Healthcare to invest $2 bn in software development GE Healthcare announced its plans to invest $2 billion over the next five years to accelerate the development of innovative software for healthcare systems and applications. Over next five years, the company will focus on advancing current and future technology offerings through the convergence of machine and intelligent data known as the industrial internet. It is the age of 'Digital Patient', says Quintiles A new report by Quintiles has indicated that sponsor companies that can successfully engage with the digital patient will distinguish themselves and increase their probability of success. Quintiles has suggested that aligning activities such as patient recruitment, collection of medical data with the digital environment will streamline product development, prove product value and accelerate product adoption. UK partners with BioAsia to bolster ties in biotechnology On November 29, 2013, the United Kingdom partnered with BioAsia as the Principal Country Partner for the 11th edition of the event, BioAsia 2014, to be held in Hyderabad from February 17-19, 2014, at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre. Novozymes opens world's first advanced biofuels facility in Italy  On October 9, 2013, Novozymes and Beta Renewables officially opened the world's largest, second-generation biofuels facility in Crescentino, Northern Italy, estimated to produce 75 million liters of cellulosic ethanol annually, from agricultural waste. Beta Renewables is a leader in producing cellulosic biofuels and a part of the Mossi Ghisolfi Group, and Novozymes. Indian government backs generic drug industry In light of the controversy regarding the quality of generic drugs produced in India, the government has issued a statement that supports the industry whose majority exports are to regulated markets and is 4th in the world in terms of production. The Government of India has come forth with an assurance about the drugs being manufactured in India being subject to scrutiny by various agencies. FDA finds hair, oil spots on tablets at Ranbaxy's unit Last year, during USFDA's visit to Ranbaxy's Laboratory facility, inspectors found a black 'hair' particle in a tablet, possibly suspected to have fallen from an employee's arms. Post this incident, the USFDA became highly alert and imposed an import alert on its Mohali plant, stating that the drugmakers manufacturing units were not up to the industrial standards. India pharma receives highest FDI worth $1 billion The Indian pharmaceutical industry has received US $1 billion as FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) - the highest among top 10 segments, during April-June this year. Back in April-June 2012, the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the drugs and pharmaceutical industry was at $465 million, according to the latest data of Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) Dr Reddy's Laboratories sued over cancer drug patent Sanofi-Aventis' fully owned subsidiary - Genzyme Corporation, has filed a suit against Dr Reddy's Laboratories, alleging that it has infringed on patents of its cancer drug Mozobil (Plerixafor injection) on three counts.   Praj becomes first to set up 2G cellulosic ethanol plant South Asia's first second generation cellulosic ethanol demo plant by Praj Industries, will enable development of the entire value chain including biomass impact on the captital as well as operational. The demo plant will enable Praj to consolidate its 6 years of R&D efforts, starting with laboratory trials to pilot scale trials. The same plant will also enable Praj to develop various biochemicals and bioproducts.   Biocon ranked 6th in top twenty biopharma employers list On October 25, 2013, Biocon Ltd, announced that it has been ranked at 6th position by Science Magazine, on the annual global 'top twenty employers' list in the biopharma sector. This is a major leap for the company from its 19th place in 2012. Ranbaxy receives CDSCO approval to market Synriam in India Ranbaxy Laboratories has received approval from CDSCO to manufacture and market Synriam (arterolane maleate and piperaquine phosphate tablet 150+750 mg) in India. Strides Arcolab receives USFDA approval for its Italian facility Strides Arcolab announced that it has received USFDA approval for its Beltapharm's facility (a subsidiary of Strides Arcolab) located in Milan, Italy. This state-of-the-art, EU and TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration, Australia) approved facility located in Milan, Italy, manufactures liquids, semi-solids, ointments and creams. MSD and Lupin announce strategic partnership In an important development, MSD, one of the world's starring players in 23-valent Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccines category, and Pharma leading Lupin Limited (Lupin) today announced the forming of an India-specific strategic partnership. A recent survey from India showed that the case fatality rate due to invasive pneumococcal disease observed in elderly is 26.4% which is much higher than that in children and highlights the demand for preventive interventions in adults. Cipla India takesover Medpro South Africa  Cipla has announced an offer to the shareholders of Cipla Medpro South Africa to acquire 100% of the ordinary share capital of Medpro for $1.13 per share. The offer will be implemented via a scheme of arrangement and is subject to regulatory and other approvals including approval by Medpro shareholders. The total consideration payable by Cipla is approximately USD 512 million. Bharat Biotech develops indigenous JE vaccine  Said to be much effective and safe over attenuated vaccines against Japanese encephalitis disease, Bharat Biotech's JENVAC has proved its long term protection ability during clinical studies. The vaccine was launched at New Delhi on October 04, 2013. The biggest advantage of JENVAC over live attenuated vaccines is that this vaccine could be administered even during an epidemic as it is an extremely purified and inactivated vaccine. Monsanto faces biopiracy case India's first ever biopiracy case has been filed in Karnataka against Monsanto by ESG (Environment Support Group), a non-profit organization involved in environmental and social justice, for infringing the country's Biological Diversity Act. It is alleged that endemic varieties of Brinjal were accessed by UAS (University of Agricultural Sciences), Monsanto and Mahyco. After which, Monsanto's proprietary Bt Gene were inserted in the local varieties of Brinjal to create the Genetically Modified Bt Brinjal. India faces shortage of Yellow Fever vaccine While India is free from Yellow fever disease, the citizens traveling to affected countries have to be immunized. In view of the interruption of regular supply from CRI, K and anticipating the crisis situation, Sanofi Pasteur (the only company which has DCGI approval, but for single dose vaccine vial) was approached for supply of 60,000 doses (10 dose vial) in April, 2013. It was mentioned that, Sanofi Pasteur does not have license for multi-dose vial, it will have to get DCGI approval for Govt of India supply order. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5870/icmr-to-hold-three-day-workshop-on-spss-use-for-data-analysis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5870/icmr-to-hold-three-day-workshop-on-spss-use-for-data-analysis.html Tue, 29 Oct 2013 18:01:00 +0530 The National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE) located at Ayapakkam, Chennai is one of the permanent institutes of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The institute has vast experience in teaching and training of medical doctors,  scientists and research investigators in the appropriate use and application of statistical methods. The three workshop  to be organized at the department of biostatistics in December, 2013, is designed for those who intend to use SPSS for their data analysis. The objective is to promote better understanding of logical handling of statistical data, properly representing the data using simple diagrams, methods to produce basic tables and data analysis using SPSS. The medical doctors, scientists, researchers and/or investigators of research projects, M.Phil/PhD program or a researcher from the field of social science / management / medicine, project member of an NGO, public health officials, and employees from industries who need to conduct quantitative data analysis as part of their work are eligible to apply. The programme will consist of class-room teaching and practical hands-on experience. Introduction, Type of input formats, variable types of data, labeling, defining categorical - ordered and dummy variables, transformation, computation, manipulation of records, managing multiple response, importing and exporting data files, exporting outputs, frequencies, descriptive, cross tables, simple diagrams and basic procedure for statistical data analysis. Simple statistical tests using parametric and non parametric methods. Syntax files and manipulation of syntax files and use of help menu will be given of special emphasis. Faculty will consist of experienced and dedicated staff members of this Institute. The Course will be limited to a maximum of 25 participants. The enrolment will be on the basis of first-come first-serve basis. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6526/healthcare-it-vc-funding-witnesses-surge-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/6526/healthcare-it-vc-funding-witnesses-surge-.html Thu, 17 Oct 2013 14:16:00 +0530 Mercom Capital Group, llc, a global communications and consulting firm, recently released its report on funding and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in the Healthcare Information Technology (IT) sector for the third quarter of 2013. According to the report, venture capital (VC) funding in the sector continued to rise in yet another record quarter with $737 million raised in 151 deals. The dollar amount of disclosed deals surpassed the second quarter total of $623 million. Year to date, the Healthcare IT sector has raised a disclosed $1.85 billion. While the 2009 HITECH Act helped launch the sector through its $17 billion allocation towards the adoption of meaningful use of healthcare IT, private investments into the sector have continued to rise with increasing EHR adoption. Release of healthcare data by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has also contributed to the growth of healthcare products and applications focused on consumers. "Funding into Healthcare IT is on pace to double over last year," said Raj Prabhu, CEO of Mercom Capital Group. "With major parts of the Affordable Care Act on the horizon, the focus is on health insurance exchanges, preventative care, wellness, population health, and a general shift from quantity to quality of care, which is reflected in this quarter's funding transactions." Healthcare practice-focused technology companies received $489 million in 59 deals with population health, EHR/EMR, practice management, and data analytics companies all receiving attention this quarter.   Consumer-focused companies received $248 million in 92 deals, with most funding ($161 million) going to the mobile health category, with mobile health apps and sensors receiving the most funding this quarter. The top VC funding deal in Q3 2013 went to Evolent Health, a population health management organization that integrates technology, tools and services to support value-based care and payment models, which raised $100 million from The Advisory Board Company, UPMC Health Plan and TPG Growth. Other top deals in the quarter included Practice Fusion, a free web-based EMR provider, which raised $70 million from Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, OrbiMed Advisors, Deerfield Management Company, Industry Ventures, Artis Ventures, Morgenthaler Ventures, Felicis Ventures, Glynn Capital Management, Band of Angels Acorn Fund, H Barton Co-Invest Fund, and Goldcrest Investments; MedSynergies, a provider of revenue and performance management solutions for healthcare providers, raised $65 million from undisclosed investors; Fitbit, a fitness and health tracker company, raised $43 million in private equity financing from Qualcomm Ventures, SAP Ventures, SoftBank Capital, Foundry Group and True Ventures; and Oscar, a technology-based health insurance and telemedicine provider, raised $40 million from Thrive, Founders Fund, General Catalyst, and Khosla Ventures. There were a total of 168 investors in Q3 2013, including VCs, accelerators, incubators and crowdfunding platforms, compared to 161 investors in Q2 2013. Six investors participated in multiple funding rounds compared to 11 in Q2 2013. Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and The Social+Capital Partnership were the most active investors and participated in four deals each. The remaining top investors participated in three deals apiece. They included FirstMark Capital, Founders Fund, HLM Venture Partners and Khosla Ventures. Acquisitions (M&A) in Healthcare IT totaled $1.1 billion in 45 transactions. Last quarter saw $108 million in 30 transactions. The most active categories for M&A transactions included Revenue Cycle Management with nine, followed by Practice Management with eight, and Telehealth with four transactions. There were only six disclosed M&A transactions in the third quarter, including the $644 million merger of Greenway Medical Technologies, a provider of an EHR, practice management and interoperability solution platform, and Vitera Healthcare Solutions, an EHR and practice management software provider; the $200 million acquisition of Medical Management Professionals, a medical billing and practice management company (subsidiary CBIZ), by Zotec Partners; and the $200 million acquisition of Cardiocom, a developer and provider of integrated telehealth and remote patient-monitoring services, by Medtronic. The Advisory Board Company acquired Medical Referral Source, a web-based software program that streamlines patient referrals from primary-care doctors to specialists, for $11.5 million; and IMS Health acquired Diversinet, a provider of secure, patented mobile technologies and connected health solutions for healthcare organizations and partners, for $3.5 million. Also in Q3, Mastech Holdings' Healthcare Unit was acquired by Accountable Healthcare Staffing for $1.15 million. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5815/doctors-to-receive-medical-update-in-real-time-to-avoid-time-in-an-emergency-situation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5815/doctors-to-receive-medical-update-in-real-time-to-avoid-time-in-an-emergency-situation.html Thu, 29 Aug 2013 17:35:00 +0530 More often than not in an emergency situation like accidents or brain haemorrhage the patients need immediate medical attentions however there is considerable time that is lost to conduct the preliminary checkups that result in untimely death of the patient who could possibly be saved. This is due to lack of communication between different point-of-care devices and clinicqal information systems. There are too many types of protocols and interfaces that are being used by hospitals, lack of proprietary data and inability of interoperability. With the introduction and implementation of remote access informationdevices that are accessible and has the ability of interoperatibility from any remote place and transmit data at any given time will result in saving lives in case of emergency situation. Prisma Global limited introduces a product called Medibox or MDS3. Built with advanced Prisma Global technologies inside, this small but highly capable system incorporates leading-edge features. It provides better connectivity between doctor and the patient. Prisma MDS allows the doctor to check the measurements whenever they need to access it. In addition to remote accessibility, remote monitoring can support more timely, safe and extensive care of patients health. Prisma MDS connectivity provides vital data to service providers such as Blood pressure, blood glucose, Electronic cardiogram, Weighing scale, Pace maker and body temperature from patients residence. On the other side Prisma MDS is also connected with server and modem which is again linked with Tele Medicine Centre that shares the data with Tele Medicine Terminal where clinician can easily check patients measurements. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7979/transasia-bio-medicals-ltd-conducts-hands-on-training-on-various-biochemistry-instruments.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7979/transasia-bio-medicals-ltd-conducts-hands-on-training-on-various-biochemistry-instruments.html Wed, 14 Aug 2013 13:46:00 +0530 As a first step in the direction to affirm that the consumers have a hands on with applications and operations to provide precise result, Transasia Bio-Medicals Ltd initiated a 'Biochemistry Medical Technolgists Training Programme' in different cities across India like Mumbai, Baadi to name a few. The training was attended by technologists from laboratories and hospitals. The programme was organised with an objective to introduce Good Laboratory Practices (GLP). The technologist were offered with training on automation and the entire range of biochemistry instruments. The expert team of product managers and scientific personnel from Transasia conducted technical and hands on training on various biochemistry instruments like EM 100, EM 200 and Chem Touch. During the training, two levels of quality controls ERBANORM and ERBAPATH were run on EM 100 for three different chemistries namely Glucose (End point), SGOT/PT (Kinetic) and Creatinine (Tow point kinecti). The technologists were happy with the result and its precision boosted their confidence. For further reference, the participants were handed a training kit comprising of informative material.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3426/rd-magazine-honored-acquity-upc2-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3426/rd-magazine-honored-acquity-upc2-.html Wed, 31 Jul 2013 16:51:00 +0530 Waters Corporation (WAT: NYSE) declared that R&D magazine recongnized the Waters ACQUITY UPC2 system as one of the most technologically significant product introduced in the marketplace over the past year. The ACQUITY UPC2 System is the first in a new class of separations tools based on the technology of UltraPerformance Convergence ChromatographyTM (UPC2). "We are overwhelmed that the ACQUITY UPC2 system was applauded by the R&D magazine 51st annual R&D 100 Awards", told Art Caputo, President, Waters Division. Further he added "Since its introduction , ACQUITY UPC2 adoption spans all the markets we serve - including pharmaceuticals, food, environment, chemical materials, and clinical research applications."  The sysytem is competing along with liquid and gas chromatography as one of the three integral technologies for modern laboratory analysis. As an orthogonal technique to LC and GC, the ACQUITY UPC2 System is an efficient, robust, and reliable technique that employs compressed carbon dioxide, rather than organic solvents, as the primary mobile phase constituent and thus is a greener alternative for many applications - both chiral and achiral - across many industries.The technique is said to be suitable for a diverse range of compounds including most organic soluble compounds, salts of organic acids and bases, small lipoohilics peptides and non-polar solutes. Laboratories accessing the technique at present are realising it to be ideally suited for chiral separations and a great substitute for solvent-hungary normal phase LC. So far Waters has won six previous R&D 100 awards. The annual R&D 100 award competition organised by R&D magazine honors 100 most technologically significant products introduced in the past 12 months.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3072/vc-funding-in-healthcare-it-to-exceed-2-billion-in-2013.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3072/vc-funding-in-healthcare-it-to-exceed-2-billion-in-2013.html Mon, 22 Jul 2013 09:30:07 +0530 Mercom Capital Group, llc, a global communications and consulting firm, recently released its report on funding and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in the Healthcare IT sector for the second quarter of 2013. According to the report, venture capital (VC) funding in the sector continued its rapid growth in another record quarter with $623 million raised. There were 168 funding deals this quarter compared to 104 the previous quarter and 163 in all of 2012. "VC funding in Healthcare IT is now on pace to exceed $2 billion in 2013," commented Raj Prabhu, CEO of Mercom Capital Group. "What government financial incentives did to spur EHR adoption and practice-focused technologies, "open data" is doing for consumer-focused companies that turn data into usable applications and services." The impact of healthcare data on innovation, products and private investments is evidenced in Mercom's Q2 2013 report. The marked shift of VC money going from practice-focused technologies towards consumer-focused technologies in Q1 has picked up pace this quarter with consumer-focused companies receiving twice the amount of funding ($416 million in 112 deals) compared to practice-focused companies ($207 million in 56 deals). Proteus Digital Health, a digital health feedback system provider, raised $45 million to make it the largest recipient of funding. lifeIMAGE, a network for securely sharing medical images and related health information, raised the second highest amount in the second quarter when it closed a $35.6 million Series C round. Blue Health Intelligence, a healthcare data and analytics company, raised $35.5 million. WorldOne brought in $35 million and Watermark Medical, closed out the Top 5 with $32.2 million.   The two disclosed M&A transactions in Q2 2013, included Jawbone, expanding its long line of recognizable wearable devices, which acquired BodyMedia, a maker of wearable health tracking devices, for more than $100 million. The other was Instem, a provider of IT applications to the early development healthcare market, which acquired Logos Holdings, a provider of full-service electronic data capture for clinical research organizations, along with its subsidiaries Logos EDC Solutions and Logos Technologies, for $7.7 million. A total of 161 investors participated in Q2 2013 including accelerators, incubators and crowd-funding platforms compared to 108 different investors in Q1 2013. Eleven investors participated in multiple funding rounds in Q2 2013. Ascension Health Ventures was the most active investor, and participated in three deals. The remaining top investors participated in two deals apiece. They included BlueCross BlueShield Venture Partners, AIB Seed Capital Fund, Cardinal Partners, Enterprise Ireland, Galen Partners, Khosla Ventures, Lemhi Ventures, Milestone Venture Partners, New Enterprise Associates, and SV Angel. Consumer-focused companies specializing in apps, wearable devices, sensors, remote monitoring, patient engagement, rating/shopping, and social health networks for physician-to-physician, physician-to-patient and patient-to-patient were all prominent this quarter, whereas medical imaging, data analytics and EHR/EMR companies were among the practice-focused technologies that received attention this quarter. M&A activity in the Healthcare IT sector dropped in Q2 2013 with 30 transactions of which only two were disclosed compared to Q1 2013, with 46 M&A transactions of which only five were disclosed. Health information management companies attracted the most acquirers with 14 transactions followed by service providers with seven acquisitions and mobile health with three in Q2 2013. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3303/ge-healthcare-to-invest-2-billion-in-software-development-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3303/ge-healthcare-to-invest-2-billion-in-software-development-.html Wed, 12 Jun 2013 15:15:00 +0530 GE Healthcare has recently announced its plans to invest $2 billion over the next five years to accelerate the development of innovative software for healthcare systems and applications. GE Healthcare has a long history in software with its Healthcare IT business; and this investment is designed to advance current and future offerings in order to address new and pressing operational and productivity challenges faced by healthcare organizations around the world. GE Healthcare will work closely with the GE Software Center of Excellence in San Ramon, California, - as well as at various research and development hubs around the world - to develop new software solutions. As the largest software developer within GE, GE Healthcare provides a wide range of medical imaging technologies, IT services, patient monitoring and diagnostic solutions, biopharmaceutical manufacturing technologies and operational and technological service solutions. Specifically, this $2 billion investment will be focused on maximizing asset performance; improving hospital operations management; improving clinical effectiveness; and optimizing care across entire populations. "GE is investing in software and analytics to better help our customers manage the operational complexity of the healthcare system," said John Dineen, President & CEO, GE Healthcare. "These new software solutions will look to connect caregivers in a meaningful way to the systems upon which they rely, enabling them to deliver better informed diagnoses and improved care." "Healthcare has always relied on 'big data,' and the need to understand data is even greater now. What is important is how we use data," he added, "providing the right technology that allows physicians to pinpoint the right diagnosis; match it to the right treatment; and make more informed decisions." The Industrial Internet is changing the way healthcare professionals work and GE Healthcare has already made big strides in developing software-based technologies and solutions that provide increased data, analytics, connectivity and insight into operational and departmental processes and workflows. Together, with the help of industry partners, GE Healthcare's 3000+ software engineers and GE's software Centers of Excellence across the globe, GE will provide flexible and connected software, data and analytics so caregivers have what they need to help prevent, diagnose, treat and cure new health challenges they face every day. As the industry shifts towards accountable and integrated care, faster, more accurate real-time information has never been more important. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8073/-hp-deploys-virtual-health-platform-for-rural-india-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/8073/-hp-deploys-virtual-health-platform-for-rural-india-.html Mon, 03 Jun 2013 16:10:00 +0530 The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that by 2020, mental illness will move from the 20th position to the second largest illness worldwide surpassing physical ailments like polio and tuberculosis. Therefore, with a population of over one billion, and a vast geography, it is difficult for skilled medical professionals to penetrate and address the scale of psychiatric healthcare delivery required in India. Working in this direction, HP has launched a new initiative on June 01, 2013, to improve access, quality and efficiency of global health, facilitates psychiatric care without requiring either the doctor or the patient travelling to meet each other. HP will network a central hub with remote smaller centers as well as provide a specially outfitted virtual health van that will enable delivery of remote consultations in rural towns and villages. The central hubs will be connected via voice, SMS, imaging, and videoconferencing technology to once-a-week clinics in smaller centers that would be temporarily established. The hub will be equipped with an IT platform that will link with medical diagnostic equipment such as digital stethoscopes and digital ECGs to facilitate remote patient diagnosis and medical consultation. "At HP, social innovation is at the heart of our business, and we are committed to applying our technologies, resources and expertise to address complex world problems and make a positive difference," said Commander Girish Kumar, Practice Head, India - Healthcare & Life Sciences, HP Enterprise Services. "In India, it is estimated that only 10 percent of mental health patients receive active psychiatric assistance or help.1 The virtual health technology solution aims to improve efficiencies in delivery of quality psychiatric care to under-served rural, semi-urban and remote areas in India," he added. HP is piloting the platform with MSC Trust, a leading NGO specialised in providing psychiatric solutions to patients in rural Tamil Nadu in south India. HP's virtual health platform will support MSC Trust's efforts to extend the reach of psychiatric care in rural India by providing the required Information technology infrastructure and improving awareness through continued education of medical personnel onsite. "Psychiatric illness carries a heavy stigma and treatment in rural parts of the country is often based on religious beliefs and superstitions. Technology plays a critical role in enabling proper medical treatment, such as early diagnosis and intervention, which can significantly improve the efficacy of the treatment and medication." said Dr. C. Ramasubramaniam, Founder and Consultant Psychiatrist, MSC Trust. A similar set-up is also being deployed in an air-conditioned virtual health van that will serve as a mobile clinic to provide remote consultation through video conferencing and digital diagnosis in remote rural parts of Tamil Nadu. A mobile based application called Medication Alert & Adherence System (MAAS) has also been co-developed by HP's Enterprise Services team in consultation with HP Labs. It uses mobile phones to monitor a patient's medicine intake. MAAS issues SMS reminders to the patient or their caregiver, based on the doctor's prescription which is stored in a central Health Information System. The patient's affirmative or negative intake response can be recorded and transmitted via SMS and subsequently serves as data that can be used for clinical observations, outcome analysis and to determine drug efficacy. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5576/it-is-the-age-of-digital-patient-says-quintiles.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5576/it-is-the-age-of-digital-patient-says-quintiles.html Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:33:00 +0530 A new report by Quintiles has indicated that sponsor companies that can successfully engage with the digital patient will distinguish themselves and increase their probability of success. The report titled, 'Harnessing the Power of the Digital Patient' explores a more modern approach to patient engagement to streamline product development, prove product value and accelerate product adoption and adherence.It suggests that harnessing the power of the digitally connected patient can not only help produce enormous amounts of savings in the health care system, but also improve patient outcomes. In the report, Quintiles tracks the evolution of patient engagement models over time and argues that the patient is at the center of today's model-a change from the more company-centric models of the past. Declaring this, "The Age of the Digital Patient," the report dismisses the value of "old-school" patient databases to find patients, and declares the 2.4 billion people with an internet connection as "today's database". "It's not a question of 'when' these capabilities will be available," says co-author Mr David Coman, senior vice president Quintiles communications, "it's a question of when the industry will give itself permission to make these approaches standard. We have been preparing for 'The Age of the Digital Patient' since 2007, and have the capabilities and experience to provide transformational change today." Core to the Quintiles Digital Patient model is the building of trusted relationships via patient communities, and the creation of opportunities for patients to engage in managing their own health. These programs range from introductions to clinical trials, enrollment in adherence programs, to virtual studies that include collection of patient reported outcomes, medical records, lab data and device diagnostics to prove a product's value or safety-all collected directly from patients without introducing site burden. Quintiles digital patient experience extends back to its creation of Mediguard.org in 2007 and ClinicalResearch.com in 2009, and its completion of more than 350 custom patient programs on behalf of sponsors in its Digital Patient Unit. To date, it manages relationships with more than three million clinically profiled patients across nearly every therapeutic area. An example of the promise the digital patient holds can be found in an observational research study in which Quintiles recruited 425 patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) from its online patient community. The first digital patient was enrolled in the study in a mere six minutes with the last patient confirmed in only nine calendar days. A second example can be found in a 1,255-patient women's health study in which it developed a custom communication plan for each patient in order to reduce the number of patients that become lost to follow up or drop out of the study entirely. The customized communication program kept patient engagement high and resulted in a 59 percent increase in the retention rate for the duration of the study. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3222/university-of-dundee-licenses-gvk-bio-online-sar-database.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3222/university-of-dundee-licenses-gvk-bio-online-sar-database.html Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:51:00 +0530 GVK Biosciences today announced that it has licensed its online SAR database - GOSTAR to the Drug Discovery Unit (DDU) at the University of Dundee. GOSTAR, a manually curated database, has been developed over the span of a decade by a team comprising of more than 200 curators. The product issued globally in various areas such as pharmaceuticals, academics, government sectors, apart from numerous publications that cite the data contained in GOSTAR. GOSTAR contains over 6 million compounds manually curated through the screening of over 2 million patents and 400,000 journals and it also contains more than 18 million quantitative SAR points. GOSTAR is the final outcome after the integration of over fifteen individual databases, which includes the complete chemical space for ten of the popular biological targets. In addition to this, the MedChem Databases includes all published and patented inhibitors against biological targets that exceed 6,500 in number. In addition to this, GOSTAR also contains two databases on toxicity and natural products each. Several analysis tools have also been built into the product to enhance its performance. Sreeni Devidas, Vice President Business Development at GVK BIO said, "We are excited that the Drug Discovery Unit (DDU) at the University of Dundee has decided to license GOSTAR. This database will provide valuable information to the researchers at Drug Discovery Unit (DDU) and aid them in their drug discovery endeavors." Professor Ian Gilbert, DDU Head of Medicinal Chemistry and Acting Head of the Division of Biological Chemistry said, "The Dundee Drug Discovery Unit (DDU) is pleased to be able to license the GOSTAR database from GVK BIO. The DDU has the remit of developing translational research at Dundee and outside, by bringing together the Unit's experience of drug discovery in the pharma/biotech sector with basic academic research to identify new treatments for diseases. " He added that,"It is a rare fully operational and integrated drug discovery team within UK universities working across multiple disease areas, with the full range of disciplines required to produce novel hit and lead candidates. It is envisaged that the GOSTAR database will greatly impact the drug discovery efforts underway within the DDU" GVK Biosciences is one of Asia's leading Discovery Research and Development organization. It provides a broad spectrum of services, stand-alone and integrated, across the R&D value chain. GVK BIO's diverse portfolio and prestigious clientele comprising of more than 150 customers includes some of the world's largest pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agro, life-sciences companies and leading academic institutions. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7511/ehealth-access-conducts-telemedicine-pilot-in-gujarat.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7511/ehealth-access-conducts-telemedicine-pilot-in-gujarat.html Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:21:00 +0530 eHealth Access recently conducted a medical camp in the Dang district of Gujarat. The medical camp was a pilot test which offered free consultations with doctors via the recently launched Medical Kiosk by eHealth Access.The two day pilot started with Gujarat Dang district where 128 consultations (65 percent females and 35 percent males) were conducted successfully. Commenting on the event, Mr Suchindra, IFS officer from Dang district, Gujarat, said, "eHealth Access has developed a very useful model; The innovative Medical kiosk technology will help tribal villages to have effective primary and preventive healthcare and this has proved to be working." The Medical Kiosk developed by eHealth Access is a portable plug and play device that enhances the doctor reach by enabling new paths for doctor consultations to support patient with their primary health needs. Doctors can now reach the patients regardless of geographical boundaries through the Medical Kiosk. "This is a boon to rural India and can be a means to make Government of India's Universal Health Program a reality, where we can reduce the doctors to Patient gap and make "doctor-reach" a reality for the common and underserved population, thereby aiding in the process of making India Healthy." said, Mr Ram Prabhu, technology director, eHealth Access. "We started the pilot test in Gujarat and are planning replicate this activity PAN India." The latest census of health sector shows that India is lagging behind in doctor-patient ratio. It is observed, at present, that there is only one doctor available for more than 1,900 patients. Experts believe that in-order to reach an ideal doctor-patient ratio a standard, India has to wait till 2050.   The technology built in the Kiosk, allowed assessing patient's profile on BP, Sugar, ECG, temperature and BMI to be transferred to the doctor instantaneously, at the health camp. After the diagnosis, people got their respective prescriptions printed on the local printer. People also brought in their previous medical reports for second opinion and they were able to scan it in the Medical Kiosk to send it to the Doctor and could successfully get the doctor's response through video consultation. "I'm pleased with the technology in the device; it is almost like real time experience and makes it possible to see all of the patient vitals, patient over web, and investigation in electronic form," said Dr Rikin Patel, a medical practitioner from Gujarat who participated in the health camp. The free medical camp was supported by Working Brains who are distributors of the Medical Kiosk. ehealth Access is an innovative health care company, is focused on developing a new health care ecosystem through advanced telemedicine technology. The company through its website provides healthcare services over internet and through phone. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3025/cisco-report-says-indian-public-open-to-virtual-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3025/cisco-report-says-indian-public-open-to-virtual-healthcare.html Thu, 04 Apr 2013 14:00:28 +0530 A recent survey by Cisco has revealed that the Indian population is more receptive to using technology to review a a health condition rather than visiting the specialist in person.It revealed that nearly 88% of consumers would be comfortable communicating with a specialist using virtual technology (e.g. video chatting, text messaging). The Cisco Customer Experience Report focused on health care was   conducted in early 2013, and included responses from 1,547 consumers and HCDMs globally, with a consistent sample size of around 200 local respondents in each of the 10 countries surveyed.It also examined perceptions of consumers and health care decision makers (HCDMs) on patient experience in health care. The report also revealed that 86% of Indian consumers surveyed would be comfortable with submitting genetic information to a doctor or other health care professionals to ensure they have all information available to treat and offer the most personal diagnosis possible. This could prove to be very important in current times, as an increasing number of people decide to opt for getting their genetic information through services offered by young startups like Xcode Life Sciences, Genomepatri and more. The report findings challenged the assumption that face-to-face interaction is always the preferred health care experience. While consumers still depend heavily on in-person medical treatments, three- quarters of patients and citizens are comfortable with the use of technology for the clinician interaction.75% of global consumers indicate they are comfortable with the idea of communicating with doctors using technology instead of seeing them in person. Vishal Gupta, VP/general manager, Global Healthcare Solutions said, "Virtual healthcare is no longer a myth and this report is an indication of how technology can potentially play a greater role in enabling access to virtual healthcare. The state of convergence between the physical and digital world has raised the expectations of consumers and at the same time expanded scope for healthcare providers to take their engagement further with more collaboration and information." Interest in accessing health information on mobile devices is also growing rapidly and is the No. 1 topic of consumer interest in India, Mexico, Brazil and China. Nearly 30% of those surveyed in India confirmed using health and fitness or medical apps on their mobile devices. Rajendra Pratap Gupta, chairman, board of directors, Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Asia Pacific India Chapter commented "Healthcare IT is a pre-requisite for equitable healthcare. Patients are perennially intimidated and bogged down by their healthcare experiences. However, the accelerated growth of smart devices backed by an intelligent network will soon render these issues non-existent. This report is an indicator towards how customers and patients will be more empowered in future, with easy access to information, enabling them to be more involved in the process.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/interviews/98/7691/cloud-computing-is-gaining-prominence-in-life-sciences-industry.html https://biospectrumindia.com/interviews/98/7691/cloud-computing-is-gaining-prominence-in-life-sciences-industry.html Tue, 26 Mar 2013 16:49:00 +0530 Known as one of the leading software services companies in India, few are aware that the healthcare and life sciences industry segments actually contribute upto 26.3 percent of Cognizant's revenues. Cognizant offers a number of services in the domain of pharmacovigilance, supply chain management and solutions for drug discovery. Cognizant was recently adjudged the leader in the recent IDC MarketScape evaluation of drug safety services providers in the life science industry. Q: How important are the operations for the pharma/life sciences industry at Cognizant? We are a leading service provider to the life sciences industry, working with 27 of the top 30 global bio-pharmaceutical companies, nine of the top ten biotech companies, and three of the top 10 global medical devices companies. Our comprehensive and diverse solution offerings address the needs of the customers across the dimensions of plan, build and operate through our consulting, BPO, ITO and IT IS services. In 2012, the healthcare and life sciences industry segments together contributed 26.3 percent of Cognizant's revenues. Q: Can you talk about Cognizant's work vis-a-vis Indian clients? What services do you provide to the Indian pharma industry? We have increased our focus on the India market in the recent years and are working with quite a few leading companies. We are seeing a strong focus on benchmarking processes, standards and adherence to constantly changing regulatory demands. This has created several consulting opportunities where we have been able to streamline processes, benchmark to standards and provide an IT roadmap. Some of the popular demand areas are QC systems (such as Laboratory Information Management System), SAP (Enterprise Resource Planning),Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), safety and regulatory operations and commercial operations. Q: Could you also elaborate on how cloud computing is being used in the pharma and life sciences segment? Cloud computing is gaining a lot of prominence in the life sciences industry segment. Within R&D, discovery and translational medicine are some of the key areas which are driving demand. Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) is obviously a key application area that requires both storage and compute resources. Other areas such as molecular modeling and predictive modeling are also being moved to the cloud. Translational medicine is another area which, given its multidisciplinary nature, is adopting cloud, again for both storage and compute. One of the leading industry initiatives for translational medicine, tranSMART is on the Amazon cloud. Security continues to be the top concern for adoption of public clouds, but there are several instances of private cloud for addressing the needs of the life sciences segment. With cost pressures and the need to reduce capital expenses, cloud adoption is gaining momentum across the life sciences value chain and is not limited to R&D functions such as sales force automation, sales effectiveness services, brand management and analytics, and so on.   Q: What is the Pistoia Alliance and could you elaborate a bit about your work for it? Cognizant has delivered a conceptual cloud-based platform as part of the Pistoia Alliance to facilitate access to public and proprietary sources of gene sequence data. The Pistoia Alliance's sequence services working group aims to define and document an externally hosted service for securely storing and mining both proprietary derived gene/sequence information and public domain genomics/genetics databases. This platform developed by Cognizant enables working group companies to securely share their bioinformatics resources among simultaneous, registered users in a secure, encrypted environment, while leveraging the flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiencies of a cloud-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform. Cognizant has leveraged its domain-intensive global resources, deep understanding of drug development processes and cloud computing models, and global program management and delivery capabilities to build and manage a platform that supports the Pistoia Alliance's aim to lower barriers to innovation by improving the interoperability of business processes, data, and technology interfaces in the life sciences research industry. Q: Can you give any case examples of how solutions for discovery and preclinical studies have been used? Discovery usually comprises several disparate and small systems that grow both organically and inorganically adding to both license costs and maintenance overheads. Cognizant's solution offering for discovery and preclinical studies covers the breadth of consulting, development and support spectrum. Portfolio rationalization helps consolidate both the processes and the tools. In the area of preclinical studies, we have worked with our customers across process harmonization and product selection for areas such as animal welfare management system. One of our core solution offerings is implementation of Electronic Laboratory Notebooks (ELN), Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), Chromatography Data Management Systems (CDS) and Scientific Data Management Systems (SDMS). We have serviced several customers in ELN and LIMS implementations, and have also developed several solutions ground up in areas such as compound management, reagent management, preclinical data warehouse, and so on. Our "SEND in a Box" solution was launched recently to address the upcoming FDA mandate for submitting non-clinical data in the CDISC SEND format. SEND is similar to SDTM for submitting clinical data. We support several customers in managing and maintaining their lab and discovery portfolio of applications. This is a managed service offering and outcome-based. In addition, we have also mobile-enabled some of the key use cases within a lab by integrating with a LIMS application. We now have a strong focus on translational research and are working with our customers to understand and define their strategy since these are still early days.   Product development, manufacturing and supply chain are key elements of Cognizant's Life Sciences portfolio. Through these areas, we cover the entire technical operations space, including quality, compliance and CMC regulatory compliance. Q: Do you see any trends in the pharmacovigilance segment in the last year? We see an increasing trend in partnering on the end-to-end process of pharmacovigilance. Several activities considered core earlier are currently being outsourced, including activities such as signal detection and aggregate reporting. We see a trend where companies are engaging in strategic consulting and looking to transform benefit risk management of their safety operations. This clearly follows the earlier trend that started with outsourcing medical contact center, followed by case management operation. We are also seeing the impact of Social, Mobility, Analytics and Cloud (SMAC) on safety. Delivery models are evolving to leverage the cloud and moving towards the "as-a-service" model, specifically business process-as-a-service. Considering the growing interest in tracking and reporting adverse events from social media, we have made significant investments around safety transformation and tools for automating aggregate reporting and social media tracking and reporting of adverse events. Q: Have you introduced any new services in the recent past, keeping in mind any market trends such as Quality by Design requirements by FDA, or specifically for biosimilars/vaccines? We constantly add new services to proactively address any market trend or regulatory requirement/ change. The solution portfolio outlined earlier is a mix of established and new services. Solutions that enable robust product development and help achieve operational excellence by enabling automation and improving compliance are established service offerings. Those aimed at building an advanced planning framework, and transforming distribution network by using a service-based approach are relatively new offerings, responding specifically to serialization and pedigree demand, and planning and cost optimization respectively. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7991/neem-sequence-database-to-be-made-public-soon.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/7991/neem-sequence-database-to-be-made-public-soon.html Fri, 15 Mar 2013 15:50:54 +0530 When Ganit Labs, a fledging public-private partnership had sequenced Azadirachta indica, more commonly known as the humble Indian plant neem in late 2011, it was lauded as a remarkable achievement done by an Indian lab. However, what differentiated it from other such discoveries was the fact that the sequencing information was going to be made available to the public. Click here to read more about Ganit Labs' achievement of sequencing Neem genome Now, more than a year later, Ganit Labs is ready to launch the online portal with the valuable information in the form of a sequence database. The portal will house partially annotated data. Dr Binay Panda, head, Ganit Labs, says that completing the annotation is not their priority right now. "We want to focus on secondary metabolites of the plant and especially the genes and pathways involved in producing them. We want to primarily explore the synthetic biology aspect, and use this information to understand and utilize the antiseptic and insecticidal properties of neem." The raw data surrounding the sequencing effort has already been published and can be accessed online. Ganit Labs is a public private partnership between Strand Life Sciences and the Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology (IBAB). The Government of India had solicited proposals to develop a BioIT lab in India a few years ago. The government of Karnataka and Strand Life Sciences were chosen to be a part of this initiative. It received Rs 10 crore from the Department of Information Technology, Government of India, and Rs 5 crore from the Government of Karnataka. Strand Life Sciences too invested Rs 5 crore worth in software and marketing services rendered. Apart from the Neem project, Ganit Labs is also working on mapping the epigenetic changes that take place in different stages of oral cancer, a major health problem found in India. The aim behind this to be able to use preliminary information of markers in oral cancer in developing a diagnostic to detect oral cancer early. Dr Panda believes that the information, which will be freely available should enthuse students and researchers to further work on enhancing our understanding of the existing data. "I think we should let people exploit the data. CSIR's Open Source Drug Discovery (OSDD) program is an excellent example of a crowd sourcing initiative. We don't have the size comparable to that, however, it is an excellent example to emulate." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5710/ims-institute-for-healthcare-informatics-launches-branch-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5710/ims-institute-for-healthcare-informatics-launches-branch-in-india.html Fri, 08 Mar 2013 14:41:38 +0530 The IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics recently announced a new initiative to develop local partnerships with leading universities, research institutions, development agencies and the government to reinforce the value of information and analytics in decision making across a range of healthcare issues in India. The India branch of the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics, with the support of IMS Health India, will leverage relationships in the public and private sectors to deliver objective, relevant insights and research to advance the country's health agenda. Murray Aitken, who heads the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics, said, "The transformation of healthcare systems to better serve the needs of patients worldwide can be energized through a tighter linkage between information and decisions. There is a tremendous opportunity to ensure that the best available information - including IMS's unparalleled global information and analytical assets - is applied as critical reforms are undertaken across India. Through the India branch, we are establishing a platform for collaboration among academia and the country's private and public sector stakeholders to help drive the creation of critical research networks, greater information sharing and the innovative mapping of disease burdens." In India, the IMS Institute's activities will focus on three areas. Firstly, by mobilizing and advancing health services research, the institute will bring together leading policy advisors, educators, researchers and medical care providers to initiate research activities and apply evidence-based approaches to address key healthcare issues. Secondly, for capacity-building and professional training, programs that harness the unique knowledge and expertise of IMS researchers and specialists will be developed for key decision makers, including healthcare executives, hospital administrators and policy makers. Also, for analytics-based performance improvement, the institute will support efforts by health institutions to use performance-based analytics and Business Intelligence tools to drive informed decision making and improved healthcare costs and outcomes. "This is an exciting initiative, and my colleagues and I are looking forward to advancing this distinctive agenda in collaboration with India's healthcare stakeholders," said Dr. Gopa Kumar Raghavan, who heads the India Branch of the IMS Institute. "IMS Health's information, insights and global perspective will provide a unique foundation for critical dialogue to accelerate healthcare development and encourage effective policy decision making." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/1098/tcs-adjudged-a-leader-in-life-science-drug-safety-services.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/1098/tcs-adjudged-a-leader-in-life-science-drug-safety-services.html Sat, 02 Mar 2013 11:48:29 +0530 Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a leading IT services, consulting and business solutions organization, announced that it has been designated as a leader in life science drug safety services (DSS) by the prominent global market intelligence firm, IDC. Among the attributes that earned TCS its leadership position in the "IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Life Science Drug Safety Services 2013 Vendor Assessment" are the company's significant industry expertise, strong drug safety IT and KPO delivery capabilities and investment in drug safety specific IP assets. IDC MarketScape reports are designed to identify factors conducive to success in a particular market, both long term and short term, and then assess vendors participating in the market against these factors. The criteria for each IDC MarketScape report is developed by IDC analysts and can include discussions, surveys and interviews. For this report, the key criteria for defining excellence included; breadth of service offerings, diversity of resources and infrastructure-supporting services delivery, project experience in the Life Sciences DSS outsourcing market, customer service strategy and customer satisfaction, pricing model, go-to-market capabilities and commitment to growth and innovation in the R&D DSS space. The report's author, Dr. Alan S. Louie, research director, Clinical Development Strategy and Technology, IDC Health Insights says, "TCS' large life science customer base, broad industry-centric services portfolio, competitive pricing, and strong commitment to growth ensure that the company will continue to be a leading service provider to the industry over both the near and long term." Debashis Ghosh, president, Life Sciences, Manufacturing and Energy at TCS said, "For TCS and our life sciences customers, patient safety is the absolute priority and we are honored to be listed as a Leader by IDC Health Insights in the Drug Safety market. This recognition is a testament to our commitment to our customers, of constantly innovating and delivering superior drug safety services, and helping companies in ensuring enhanced care for their patients." TCS' drug safety services help customers enhance efficiency, reduce costs significantly and ensure regulatory compliance. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3256/gvk-biosciences-announces-new-distributor-in-taiwan.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3256/gvk-biosciences-announces-new-distributor-in-taiwan.html Wed, 27 Feb 2013 17:28:42 +0530 GVK Biosciences a Hyderabad based leading provider of databases and services to the life sciences industry, has selected GGA as its distributor for its Informatics Database products and services in Taiwan. Speaking on this development, Sreeni Devidas, Vice President, Business Development, Informatics, GVK Biosciences said, "Genesis Genetics Asia Corp. is recognized as the premier distributor in the life sciences industry in Taiwan and we are pleased to work with a high caliber sales team that will help expand our customer base in the region. GGA will be responsible for distribution of the SAR, Biomarker and Clinical Outcomes databases and would also promote the BioIT and Data Curation services offered by GVK BIO." Dr. Pei-Li Li, Vice President, Molecular Science Center, Genesis Genetics Asia Corp said,"GVK BIO's comprehensive products and superior BioIT services are powerful additions to GGA's portfolio in informatics business. We are pleased to become GVK BIO's distribution partner as it will enable our company to provide researchers in the Taiwanese pharma-biotech industries with such great tools. The ability to search for the desired biomarkers; make queries and compare drug structures and activities; analyze, design and predict the successful outcome in clinical trials will give impetus to Taiwan's pharmaceutical industry in progressing ahead." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5594/healthcare-providers-in-india-to-spend-rs-57-billion-on-it-in-2013-says-gartner.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5594/healthcare-providers-in-india-to-spend-rs-57-billion-on-it-in-2013-says-gartner.html Mon, 25 Feb 2013 15:42:46 +0530 Healthcare providers in India will spend Rs 57 billion on IT products and services in 2013, an increase of 7 percent over 2012 revenue of Rs 53 billion, according to Gartner, Inc. This forecast includes spending by healthcare providers (includes hospitals and hospital systems, as well as ambulatory service and physicians' practices) on internal IT (including personnel), hardware, software, external IT services and telecommunications. Telecommunications, which includes telecommunications and networking equipment and services, will remain the largest overall spending category throughout the forecast period within the healthcare providers sector. It is expected to grow 3.9 percent in 2013 to reach Rs 17.2 billion in 2013, up from Rs 16.6 billion in 2012 - most of this growth will be in enterprise communication equipment. Internal services will achieve the highest growth rate amongst the spending categories - forecast to be 18 percent in 2013. Internal services refer to salaries and benefits paid to the information services staff of an organization. The information services staff includes all company employees that plan, develop, implement and maintain information systems. IT services will achieve the next highest growth rate amongst the spending categories - forecast to grow 9.7 percent in 2013 to reach Rs 14.5 billion in 2013, up from Rs 13.2 billion in 2012 led by growth in process management and consulting. "Rising demand from the growing middle class in India's large cities is fueling growth in private sector healthcare. Large national and state government programs will spur growth along the primary (and secondary) care sector and public health domain," said Anurag Gupta, research director at Gartner. "Hospital information systems, picture archiving and communications systems, electronic health records and mobile technologies will be high on the agenda. We expect to see providers benefit by offering cost effective business models which show quick returns on capital by improving patient coverage and improving quality of care. Health insurance growth will also catalyze technology adoption in healthcare provider segments." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3047/strand-receives-investment-from-burill-company.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3047/strand-receives-investment-from-burill-company.html Thu, 14 Feb 2013 13:12:14 +0530 Strand Life Sciences has raised Series B investment from San Fransisco-based Burrill and Company. Burrill and Company is a diversified global financial services firm focused on the life science industry. It is the sole investor in this round. The financing included both a primary investment into Strand Life Sciences and a secondary buy-out of the lead Series A investors. The proceeds of the financing of the Series B is to accelerate the growth of the company's evolution into precision diagnostics in healthcare and expand Strand's reach into global markets. Strand will leverage its expertise in genomics and analytics that it has developed over a decade.Speaking on the occasion, Dr Vijay Chandru, founder, chairman and CEO, Strand Life Sciences, said that, the company is delighted that the world's premier investment fund in the life sciences industry chose to support Strand. This investment will help Strand realize the true potential of its proven strengths in data science and multi-disciplinary bench analytics by taking them into the clinic. Dr Tania Fernandez, director, Burrill and Company added, "Our investment in Strand Life Sciences reflects our continued commitment to the life science sector in India. We constantly analyze the Indian life science landscape, in search of leading edge platform technologies and products, helping companies develop these to full potential and expanding their access to global markets. Strand is a leading-edge bioinformatics company developing healthcare applications. We intend to work with Strand to help them build a preeminent position globally in what we consider the future of medicine: next-generation sequencing (NGS) and its applications in healthcare." Strand Life Sciences had won the BioSpectrum-ABLE Bioinformatics Company of the Year 2012 as the leading bioinformatics firm in India with estimated revenues of Rs.49.14 crore.Over 2000 research laboratories worldwide (about 30 percent of global market share) are licensees of Strand's technology products as are several leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Strand and its partner Ganit Labs share additional 10,000 square feet of laboratory space with state of the art clinical genomics capabilities and capacity for pre-clinical toxicology assays of lead compounds.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3093/data-is-exploding-in-biotechnology-say-researchers.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3093/data-is-exploding-in-biotechnology-say-researchers.html Tue, 12 Feb 2013 14:21:00 +0530 "The role of Information Technology (IT) in biological research is of paramount importance. IT is leveraged in biological researches as a technical advancement. It has influenced biotechnology and bridged the void to help us come-up with the solutions for data storage and analysis. BioIT is widely used in diagnosis. The missing links in diagnosis using classical methods can be corrected using BioIT tools. Algorithms can be used to check genes that may be switched on or switched off. Protein interactions can be studied better. Cure for a particular disease can be found out in less amount of time. In fact, the pharmaceutical industries also use it extensively," said Mr Ananth P, research scholar, Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology (IBAB), an autonomous institute set up by the Department of IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka. Speaking on his research at a session on "BioIT and Leveraging IT power to make affordable medicines" at Bangalore India Bio 2013, Mr Ananth said, "Systems biology is used to identify micro molecules in type 2 diabetes and its progression into other complications and computational structural biology is the other area. In the case of cholera, the proteins and RNA come into the picture. Algorithms are used to analyze protein sequences to predict and visualize their 3D structure. Proteins help in the search of structure and function." He went on to say that 38 percent of proteosome are uncharacterized i.e. of unknown function. Experimental techniques are costly. This is where IT comes to play its role for sequence database, PFAM database, evolutionary information of domains and 3D structure of proteins. Ms Meeta S, research scholar, IBAB said, "As a botanist, the objective is mainly using plants to solve nutritional problems for the poor. By sequencing lysine rich dicot amaranthus hypochondriacus, which is an essential amino acid. It means that this amino acid has to be taken externally through food and is not produced in our body. Deficiency of lysine in our body leads to protein energy malnutrition in toddlers i.e. kwashiorkor."Amaranthus, she says, has high yield. "Many edible species of Caryophyllales are also sequenced. DNA is processed and sequenced and its textual form is derived. Next comes quality control, followed by assemblers and then reconstructed genome after deleting overlaps are received. The final process is downstream analysis using languages like LINUX," she said. Mr Saurabh G, research scholar, Ganit Labs, speaking on the Next Generation in Bioinformatics said, "The need for bioinformatics is primarily because of the large data, microarray, dissimilation studies, large amount of samples to handle, manage, store and share. It is integration of IT with biological research. Data explosion may occur as we can not store huge data on personal computers and laptops. Hence we need high tech tools such as next generation of sequencing (NGS) to keep and analyze the required data. Sequencing is not that costly but analyzing the sequenced data is a costly one." Dr Kshitish Acharya, faculty scientist, IBAB and founder and director, Shodhaka Life Sciences, said, "Data is exploding in the field of biotechnology in the present day. So here comes a great need and hence demand for analyzing them, thus creating a huge opportunity." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/views/98/8086/big-data-big-challenges.html https://biospectrumindia.com/views/98/8086/big-data-big-challenges.html Mon, 04 Feb 2013 14:34:00 +0530 Our ability to make simultaneous measurements on several tens of thousands of genes or even on the entire DNA in a biological system has improved many-fold over the last several years. The cost of making these measurements has also been reducing continually. This has enabled researchers to generate candidate genes/mutations of interest far more quickly than previous gene-by-gene methods. This has also brought about the need for researchers to add one more dimension to their research toolbox-the need to handle big data. Big data could mean different things in different contexts. In the context of a research lab doing molecular biology research today, big data typically signifies a five GB file of raw data for every sample run; and a typical experiment can have tens or even hundreds of samples, reaching hundreds of GBs in size. These have to be processed by special algorithms before their sizes can be compressed to the scale of 10s to 100s of MBs, amenable for exploration and discovery. The algorithms are in a semi-mature state at the moment: algorithm developers across the world have built and made available open source and commercial tools that will allow researchers to do the same. However, as measurement technology continues to change, these algorithms are evolving as well. And with it, there is an increasing need for many more algorithms and tools. While many research groups in India use available tools effectively to answer their research questions, few have contributed new tools and algorithms for use by the community at large. Though much of our effort at Strand Life Sciences does go towards this goal, through a commercial setting, via our GeneSpring and Avadis NGS products; I do know of few academic initiatives in this direction as well. This needs to change in the future via a multi-disciplinary involvement of computer scientists, statisticians and biologists, under key umbrella initiatives that could be undertaken in India towards understanding the Indian population (similar to, for example, the 1000 genomes project). Note that the above paragraph defines big data largely from the perspective of a single research lab generating up to a few 100 GBs of data a year, which is the typical case in India. But there is a case to be made for aggregation and pooling of data across labs. For instance, mutation hunting requires knowing how often a particular mutation occurs in the population at large, which could benefit from the pooling of normals or controls across labs and studies. In essence, we are talking about the creation of central genomic repositories with modern interfaces that are very easily accessible and usable by researchers at large. This is where the real problem of big data hits; data sizes can reach TB (terabyte) and PB (petabyte) scales. There are of course ways to reduce these sizes, and there are several groups across the world building such infrastructure, including our group at Strand. However, researchers in India haven't had an impressive history of pooling data or creating central bioinformatics resources; this is something that should change in the future. There is a third definition of big data that might confront us in the future. A whole industry is working on bringing the cost of whole genome sequencing down. It currently stands at about $1000 (internal cost that is, the cost of selling and deploying usually multiplies this many-fold, but that is guaranteed to reduce with maturity). If and when the cost reduces by another factor of two-three, it may become feasible for individuals to get their genomes sequenced proactively, regardless of immediate medical need. There are several examples of genomic variants providing warnings for individuals to monitor aspects of their health more aggressively (for instance, the now famous Indian mutation in the MYBPC3 gene that 1 in 25 Indians have and that almost always causing ventricular wall thickening post age 45). A whole genome raw file is close to 100 GB, and this multiplied over potentially millions of individuals will yield the biggest of our big data problems. In summary, biological and medical research will drive off big data to a very large extent in the future. With the big data getting bigger over time, multi-disciplinary groups will need to come together to create appropriate infrastructure so we can continue to make efficient use of this big data. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/views/98/2975/bioinformatics-gears-up-for-2013-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/views/98/2975/bioinformatics-gears-up-for-2013-.html Mon, 21 Jan 2013 13:16:00 +0530 What we will see in 2013 is that computing, algorithms, and mathematics are being used as microscopes; mining through gigabytes of omic data. Using these technologies we will proceed towards predictable medicine, precision agriculture, high yield crops, and economic biofuel much faster. As a company, Geschickten Biosciences is already designing computer algorithms for cancer research and disease resistant crops. In early 2013, we expect to start working on immunogenetics, pharmacogenomics and biofuels. We have invested substantially in pharmacogenetics and personalized medicine techniques, which we expect will give us returns by end of 2013. We also plan to integrate a flavor of mathematics with computational genetics to develop a technique called "DNA Signal Processing", which we believe will help revolutionize the understanding of the information content in a DNA for better disease management. - Dr Asoke K Talukder, chief scientific officer, Geschickten Biosciences We can see a tremendous growth in pharmaceutical sector as many of blockbuster molecules expired in 2011-12 and pharmaceutical industry is again gearing up to discover new molecules as well as collaborating with small and medium size R&D partners for fastening the discovery process. As far as 2013 is concerned, we are initiating our own R&D projects from January 2013 for discovering lead molecules. We are planning to diversify our business in cosmetology, food and agriculture sector soon by partnering with prominent players in these sectors. We are hoping to show success in 2013 with new molecules in market. - Mr Sahil Kapoor, director and cofounder, head, Global Business Operations, Novo Informatics 2013 will see a renewed interest in high-throughput technology, like next-generation sequencing, in the fields of clinical diagnostics, crop improvement, biodiversity and renewable energy. While the West is embracing high-throughput sequencing in the clinics, India will not see it in the years to come. This is due to less than adequate public spending in technology platforms in government-run hospitals and in training manpower who can use such technology, lack of proper regulatory framework for molecular diagnostics tests, unaffordable price points for diagnostics tests based on high-throughout technology platforms and questionable clinical utility of many of the tests using such platforms. While the clinical arena will be the most-talked about in the coming year, the real beneficiary will be the field of agriculture, including crop improvement and species identification. The private sector in India will not see any of the cutting-edge tools anytime soon due to its unwillingness to invest in basic research and lack of knowledge on how to use the high-throughput technology. But the good news is that with a country of our size, potential and aspirations, there is no escaping to making basic discoveries first before moving to clinics or agricultural fields. Hence, it is just a matter of time before new technology will make inroads into both the industrial and government-run labs. We, at Ganit Labs, will slowly but surely move to see our research play a direct role in the clinic and in the field of applied biotechnology in the coming years. - Dr Binay Panda, head, Ganit Labs ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/views/98/5978/trends-in-bioinformatics-market.html https://biospectrumindia.com/views/98/5978/trends-in-bioinformatics-market.html Tue, 18 Dec 2012 17:20:00 +0530 Rapid advances in biotechnology have led to a data deluge which has the potential to radically alter drug discovery landscape and may help personalized medicine to go mainstream in near future. The challenge of tapping this wealth of data to generate new knowledge has given rise to new business opportunities. Arrival of cost-effective human genome sequencing techniques and increasing public and private sector investment in genomics, proteomics and related technologies have given a significant fillip to bioinformatics research and startups in India. Indian bioinformatics market is focused on biological database creation and management; data analysis and visualization tools; and services and IT infrastructure. Companies from IT and life science sector are gradually gaining traction in bioinformatics industry by developing innovative products and services. Biological databases are generating significant amount of revenue for the bioinformatics industry. These databases are accessed by the pharma companies at key steps of the drug discovery pipeline and thus reducing time and money involved in drug development cycle. Bioinformatics companies are providing large scale text mining services to populate relevant information in these databases. Growing volume of data obtained from wet lab and in-silico experiments has given rise to the challenge of storing and managing the biological data. Indian IT companies are addressing these challenges by adapting their existing know-how and developing wide array of new technologies and infrastructure for data storage and management. Cloud computing can be utilized here. Exponential growth of data has made it a very time consuming and challenging task to find the right information at the right time. Custom tools are being developed to enable researchers to carry out faster retrieval of data from databases. Creating tools for analysis and visualization of complex biological data obtained from these databases is another area of growth.   Despite making great strides, bioinformatics industry is facing problems such as interoperability of data, data standards and competition from growing number of publicly available biological databases. Indian companies are joining global consortiums and forums, and participating in collaborative research to solve these issues. Molecular Connections is part of the Pistoia alliance, which has many bioinformatics and pharma companies as its members - trying to evole these standards. There are challenges for small and midsized companies to obtain funding to grow further. In spite of all these problems, the Indian bioinformatics market growth story is intact, and is expected to be in double digits in the coming years. Market seems to be in a consolidation phase and one can expect to see some more consolidation in near future. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/1561/csir-hp-kickstart-cloud-enabled-ehealth-initiative.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/1561/csir-hp-kickstart-cloud-enabled-ehealth-initiative.html Thu, 13 Dec 2012 14:28:00 +0530 India's premier research and development body, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Hewlett Packard (HP) announced the launch of a rapidly deployable and fully integrated cloud-enabled eHealth Centre (eHC). The eHC solution has been developed jointly by CSIR and HP. The first eHC has been successfully implemented and tested in partnership with OP Jindal Gramin Jan Kalyan Sansthan, 3M India, Maharaja Agrasen Medical College (MAMC) and Orion eServices at Chausala village in Kaithal district, Haryana. Over 4000 patient visits were recorded in the first 100 days of operation. This initiative is an integral part of the CSIR 12th plan vision for Enabling Affordable Community Health through Information Technology (EACH-IT) and CSIR is providing the required connectivity, medical equipment and infrastructure. HP is providing the required Information technology infrastructure including IT equipment and cloud enabling the electronic medical records (EMR) solution with remote monitoring and consultation and a health policy dashboard. Medical aseptic training, specialized medical consumable kits, electronic stethoscopes, corrosion protection and solar reflective coatings for eHC were provided by 3M India. Orion eServices provided integration of the medical equipment and other devices with the health cloud and training to the eHC personnel. "This initiative of CSIR and HP creates a platform for the fourth paradigm of science, data-intensive discovery, while bringing affordable healthcare services to the doorstep of people. CSIR, is now positioned to use the eHealth Center data for novel discoveries to create ultra affordable health care products and services," said Professor Samir K Brahmachari, chief mentor CSIR-OSDD Unit, director general, CSIR and secretary, DSIR, Ministry of Science and Technology. The eHealth Center is a fully integrated cloud-enabled healthcare solution that can be set up to provide affordable and preliminary healthcare in remote areas that have no immediate access to primary healthcare. The solution integrates medical instruments that collect basic patient health data with an eHC Health Cloud and enables medical diagnosis through remote consultation using built in video conferencing options. This initiative marks the increasing interest of the government in deploying smart healthcare solutions like telemedicine to help provide medical services and reach out to far flung places. The basic health care infrastructure in rural areas in India is based on the population norms of having one Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) for every 30,000 people and one sub-centre for every 5000 people. A study conducted by the Indian Institute of Public Opinion found that 89 per cent of rural Indian patients have to travel an average of eight km to access basic medical treatment and the rest have to travel even further.   The eHC solution addresses these challenges. It is a solution that is housed in a standard shipping container which can be quickly transported to remote areas of the country by air, rail or land transport. It is affordable and easily deployable as compared to brick and mortar alternatives and is equipped with basic cloud-integrated diagnostic equipment, a telemedicine studio, laboratory and a pharmacy. Paramedics can staff the eHC, with specialist medical interventions provided through remote medical consultation. This minimizes the need for onsite skilled doctors in isolated locations. Remote monitoring of the eHC functioning and its equipment is done through the eHC Health Cloud, minimizing absenteeism and equipment downtimes. The eHC Health Cloud integrates the process of healthcare delivery and health data collection. This centralized patient information sets the platform for data-driven research such as disease surveillance by tracking disease patterns and risk factors. The health profile of the region as well as monitoring of the daily usage of the eHC is enabled by an integrated eHC dashboard, providing comprehensive yet digestible analytics that will help health policymakers. "HP is collaborating with government health authorities and organizations to reinvent medical processes, modernize systems, and develop solutions that dramatically expand access, improve healthcare, and save lives. The eHealth Centre is an example of our commitment to social innovation and to the government's priorities, reiterating our belief of shared value," commented Mr Neelam Dhawan, VP & GM, Enterprise Group and country managing director, HP India.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3718/aimed-welcomes-dops-initiatives-to-establish-medical-devices-industry.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3718/aimed-welcomes-dops-initiatives-to-establish-medical-devices-industry.html Tue, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0553 Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AIMED) has congratulated the Government for coming out with this laudable initiative of Dept of Pharmaceutical (DoP)in holding India's first ever Pharma and Medical device centric conference and exhibition and for reaching out to the industry with collaborative intentions. During one hour brainstorming interaction with Union Minister of Chemical and Fertiliser Shri Ananth Kumar along with secretary DoP and other joint secretaries from Ministry of Commerce, MoHFW etc with 16 CEO of Medical Devices Industry to drive manufacturing in India - AIMED raised six critical issues which needed immediate attention of the government to realize India's medical device manufacturing potential. AIMED has also given six key action points for the government to work upon. However, AIMED hs pointed out that the most urgent need of the hour was the unveiling of new policy for medical device sector. "We eagerly await the release of a medical device policy whose draft government had released in June," point out Mr Rajiv Nath, joint coordinator, AIMED. The six issues includes forward looking recommendations which will facilitate creation of vibrant eco-system for medical device manufacturing in the country and reduce humungous import dependency. At the same time, AIMED has pointed out that recommendations on their own were not good enough to ensure desired objective of making India a powerhouse in manufacturing of medical devices. Mr Nath has also drawn attention to long standing and vexing issues such as withdrawal of concessional duty regime, ensuring equitable tariff regime between domestically produced goods and imports to ensure commercial and competitive viability of goods made in India. Till the time, it is cheaper to import, why would anyone invest their time, energy and money in a loss making venture, wondered Mr Nath. He has pointed out that along with zero duty on raw materials, duty on finished imported goods needs to be raised to maximum level to dis-incentivize import based trading and attract foreign investments for manufacturing in India. Mr Nath has also drawn attention to medical device industry's long drawn demand to have a separate 'Dept of Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices ' within a Ministry of Healthcare, apart from the much needed separate regulatory regime for medical devices. Mr Nath has emphasized that there must be separate departments for medical devices and pharmaceuticals working under the same ministry which could be called Ministry of Life Sciences or Ministry of Healthcare Products. He has pointed out that housing both departments for being a facilitating body and attaching an autonomous regulatory body under one coordinating minister would be the most desirable step for faster decision making. "We need one ministry for both medical devices and pharmaceuticals on the line of AYUSH," said Mr Nath. He has strongly recommended bringing an altogether new Act for Medical Devices rather than a new chapter being added to the existing Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. Medical Devices are absolutely different category of products from pharmaceutical, though under the common 'Healthcare' vertical. For some strange reason we have been governed by Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, which as thwarted the growth of medical device industry in India," pointed out Mr Nath. "Now that government is committed to creating a vibrant medical device manufacturing eco-system, then an altogether separate law book and rule book will be more business friendly and help attract investments," said Mr Nath. The new legislation also must ensure that traders and pseudo manufacturers are not permitted to pass-off as manufacturer, he said. Medical device industry also need separate regulator or revamped CDSCO as IHPRA - Indian healthcare products regulatory authority, added Mr Nath. Mr Nath has said that recommendations regarding financial support to manufacturing units, reversal of inverted duty structure, MRP based taxation system, creation of a separate department and separate law for medical devices were of particular significance to give the required push for medical device manufacturing in the country. Welcoming earlier Task Force's recommendation to have a new medical device parks, Mr. Nath pointed out that it was equally important that government invests in strengthening the infrastructure facilities at existing industrial clusters. He expressed hope that government would go extra mile to see that Task Force recommendations are implemented at the earliest by releasing a structured policy. "For 'Make in India' vision to be realized and to make India the factory of the world, these recommendations and additional measures need to be implemented at the earliest," said Mr Nath. Mr Nath has congratulated and thanked Mr Ananth Kumar, union minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers and Dr V K Subburaj, secretary, DoP for their assurances and support to domestic manufacturers .   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3809/fda-nod-for-toshibas-ct-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/3809/fda-nod-for-toshibas-ct-system.html Tue, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0553 Toshiba Medical systems' all-new Infinix 4DCT has received US FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) clearance with the AquilionPRIME CT system configuration. The Infinix 4DCT previously received FDA clearance with the Infinix Elite cardiovascular X-ray system and Aquilion ONE ViSION Edition CT system configuration. The system significantly improves workflow with its SUREGuidance technology, which allows for automatic transition between modalities. In addition, it is capable of saving significant time by allowing clinicians to perform CT and interventional procedures within the same room and verify treatment success following procedures. "The Infinix 4DCT allows clinicians to plan, treat and verify in a single clinical setting, which negates the need to transfer patients between departments, resulting in anticipated decreases of both procedure time and risk of infection. This also contributes to improved patient safety and satisfaction by minimizing the clinicians' time spent away from patients, allowing them to focus on providing quality care," said Mr Bill Newsom, director, X-ray Vascular Business Unit, Toshiba. Toshiba will showcase the Infinix 4DCT with the Aquilion PRIME CT at this year's American College of Cardiology (ACC).   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4231/an-orthopedic-app.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4231/an-orthopedic-app.html Tue, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0553 A team of 16 Bucknell University students have developed a mobile application called Heel Thy Tendon, with the help of an orthopedic surgeon. This application can diagnose, and treat foot and ankle problems. The idea was the brain child of professor of computer science Mr Xiannong Meng at Bucknell University, and orthopedic surgeon Mr John Furia. The mobile app was developed by the students engaged in Mr Meng's computer science design project. Mr Meng said, "This was one of the times where the professor knew less than the students. He and the students pointed out that they learned a lot about the app-making process from each other. We came up with ideas that would cover what Dr Furia wanted to do, but also what we could or could not do." Heel Thy Tendon has been designed to study four regions on the foot and ankle that are usually affected. The areas are Achilles tendinopathy; planter fasciopathy; posterior tibial tendinopathy and peroneal tendinopathy. Depending on which area of the foot or ankle is giving problems, the individual can select the picture that represents the area. This is followed by a series of prompts that offers suggestions on the likely cause of the injury. The app also has a camera feature, the patient can take pictures and document the condition. The mobile application has been designed and developed to work on most smartphone platforms. Bucknell senior Mr Dana Germano said, "Dr Furia provided all of the documents for us to use, but it was up to us to arrange them in the way that they would be best viewed. We had to be knowledgeable with the material to be able to do that. We discovered there is so much to think about that you never worry about when you just open up an app."     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4489/indian-origin-researcher-developed-a-wearable-vapour-sensor.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/4489/indian-origin-researcher-developed-a-wearable-vapour-sensor.html Tue, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0553 Researchers at the University of Michigan including one of Indian-origin, are developing a new wearable vapour sensor that could offer continuous disease monitoring for patients with diabetes, high blood pressure, anemia or lung disease. The new sensor can detect airborne chemicals either exhaled or released through the skin. It would likely be the first wearable to pick up a broad array of chemical, rather than physical, attributes, researchers said. "Each of the diseases has its own biomarkers that the device would be able to sense. For diabetes, acetone is a marker, for example," said Mr Sherman Fan, a professor of biomedical engineering. Other chemicals it could detect include nitric oxide and oxygen, abnormal levels of which can point to conditions such as high blood pressure, anemia or lung disease. Mr Fan is developing the sensor with Mr Zhaohui Zhong, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, and Mr Girish Kulkarni, a doctoral candidate in electrical engineering. The researchers said their device is faster, smaller and more reliable than its counterparts, which today are much too big to be wearable. "Nanoelectronic sensors typically depend on detecting charge transfer between the sensor and a molecule in air or in solution," Mr Kulkarni said. "Instead of detecting molecular charge, we use a technique called heterodyne mixing, in which we look at the interaction between the dipoles associated with these molecules and the nanosensor at high frequencies," he added. This technique, made possible through the use of graphene, results in extremely fast response times of tenths of a second, as opposed to the tens or hundreds of seconds typical in existing technology. It also dramatically increases the device's sensitivity. The sensor can detect molecules in sample sizes at a ratio of several parts per billion.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5529/philips-shareholders-approve-lighting-biz-separation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/98/5529/philips-shareholders-approve-lighting-biz-separation.html Tue, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0553 Following the vote in Amsterdam, Royal Philips said that it will continue the process to set up two market-leading independent companies that will focus on the vast opportunities in health technology and lighting solutions. "We welcome the decision by the AGM to approve the separation of our Lighting business from Royal Philips and I fully appreciate the historic significance of today's meeting," said Mr Frans van Houten, Philips' CEO. "Both our multi-billion euro healthtech and lighting solutions businesses have the right fundamentals for profitable growth in their fields." The transition of the lighting business into a separate legal structure will take at least until the end of 2015, in order to be ready for the separation, which is currently intended to be effectuated through an IPO in the first half of 2016. At the same time, alternatives will continue to be carefully reviewed. The AGM also approved the proposal to re-appoint Mr Frans van Houten, Mr Ron Wirahadiraksa and Mr Pieter Nota as members. ]]>